Chapter 29: The Discovery

Yona felt the wind blow through her hair as Jae-ha carried her. They were headed towards Awa Port to spy on the soldiers and see if they could spot the area where the women and children were vanishing from. It was going to be difficult or so they thought. "Jae-ha." She said his name softly as to not draw attention to them in the air. She point to a man who was hiding between two buildings. Landing on the roof near him they both realized that the man was actually a woman using a disguise, a very poor one at that. The two jumped from the roof to the ground, though it was actually Jae-ha holding Yona as they jumped. But still…

"You're a young woman, aren't you?" Jae-ha asked as he looked closer to the disguised girl.

Horrified the young girl pressed her back against the opposite wall from them. "How did you know?" she asked shaking in fear.

"Dare I say it was your scent?" Jae-ha answered sounding proud.

A pervert! The young woman's eyes widened with horror.

Yona glared at her new friend. So that's what Hak's been talking about. Yona walked up towards her. "You're disguising yourself so you're not found by the officers here, right?"

"Yes!" the young woman hushed her.

"That's why you look so scared." Jae-ha stated. The girl nodded. "Did they do something to you? The officers? Kum-ji?"

The grasped her head and began to cry and sniffle. "I don't know."

"You don't-" Jae-ha seemed confused at her statement.

"A few days ago I heard a rumor of a new job in town that paid very well. My friend and I went to the store. My friend is very beautiful and the storekeeper seemed very interested in her. They led her to another room and told me to go home. It was only for a second. The room I saw her go into. The floor suddenly vanished and she was sucked into the darkness below." Tears streamed down her cheeks. "I-I don't know what happened. She never came home!" She looked up at Yona's face. "I didn't know it then but the store is owned by Lord Yang Kum-ji. I've been scared ever since."

Jae-ha stayed quiet as Yona tried to comfort the young woman. So that's the entrance to the traffickers hideaway. There may be more of them around town in known areas belonging to Kum-ji. Leaning down her wiped the girls tears away. "Calm down. You don't have to worry anymore. I'll do something about this. I swear." The girl looked up at him with a grateful look. Yona watched them for a second before she felt a new sense of determination enter her.

Zeno sat on the dock overlooking the sea and the pirate ship. The breeze brought a sense of something about to happen over the horizon. The deep blue of the ocean beckoned him. Maybe in another lifetime. He thought mournfully before a snicker left his lips. Another lifetime? Hadn't he lived over a hundred, maybe a thousand lifetimes since he drank Ouryuu's blood? While his brothers and their descendants had the chance for reincarnation Ouryuu was eternal. I learned that the hard way. Yet, now I'm beginning to feel something I shouldn't be feeling. Remembering his moment with Yona, Zeno felt heat rush to his face the way Kaya had. This is..wrong? Why is it wrong? He countered his thoughts. Because she's Hiryuu's reincarnation? Because she's so young? Why shouldn't I pursue a relationship with her, even one that's-

"Zeno!"

His thoughts were interrupted by her voice. Zeno looked away from the ocean towards the red haired woman that had his heart turned upside down. Next to her stood his green haired brother, who was smirking at him.

"We're back!"

I'm supposed to protect her. He thought as he turned fully towards her and walked where the two were. Protect, love and ensure her happiness. That's what I'm supposed to do. He smiled gleefully at the two. But can I do that fully while knowing that one day she'll turn to dust? That one day, I'll be alone again? Shouldn't I just stand aside and let Mister discover his feelings for her and quite possibly let Missy return those feelings? Zeno felt her clasp his hand in her own before pulling him forward to follow her.

"Let's go get the others. We have a plan now!" Yona's excitement made Zeno smile.

No. Mister had his chance. So did the Little Prince. Zeno felt his heart beat with excitement. I'm going to be selfish for once. I will tell her. I will tell one day how she makes my heart burn with love and desire. They then approached the rest of their group who were gathered near Captain Gi-gan's side. Maybe.

M-Angel: AN: I love my days off. I of course use them to do what I've been ignoring for a few days, or a week. I finally just sat down and finished this chapter I began last week while on break at work. LoL! Well Zeno seems to be finally be able to admit to himself that he likes Yona. Now let's see how long it takes him to admit it to her. ^_^

Evanescence thanks for being my muse this week! ^_^