Hey guys, as always thank you for your kind and encouraging reviews :) Please enjoy this Chapter 3!

Disclaimer - I DO NOT OWN AKATSUKI NO YONA. All I own is this story.

Musings

As her hands plunged into the basin sloshing with soapy water, she gazed at the ripples distorting her pensive reflection. The sky was shaded in dark blue and blacks, illuminated solely from the luminescence of the moon tucked behind wisps of clouds. Yona gingerly swabbed the dishes with a ragged towel and stacked them next to her.

Just where could he be? Hak had mentioned he'd reach the campsite in time for dinner, yet here she was washing six bowls, not seven. It was her who pointed out suspicions of the village, so she couldn't help but feel responsible for his absence. And she knew it wasn't just the sense of responsibility that led her yearn for his return.

"…How clingy," She muttered, exasperated by her childlike dependence.

"Forgive me," Kija, who was wiping the remaining dishes beside her, almost choked at her comment. "If you wish for me to leave—"

"No! Of course not, Kija," Grabbing his wrist, she pulled him back down. "I like having you next to me."

"I-I see," As he let out a sigh of relief, Kija turned away for a moment to calm his blushing cheeks and cleared his throat. When he noticed the melancholic expression on the princess, however, he situated himself back and wore a gentle smile, his turquoise eyes reflecting concern. "May I ask what's on your mind?"

Actually, there were so many things going on inside her head, she couldn't possibly contain them anymore. From Hak's unexpected confession which perplexed her with his ongoing indifference to the pressure of revealing her own feelings in some way wore her out. As she took notice of Kija, genuinely attentive to hear her out, she tentatively started. "Kija, you know how the women in your village were attracted to you?"

"Oh, just thinking about it is terrifying," Kija recollected his days at his village, swarming with women viciously attacking him to claim the role of his bride. "They can surely be aggressive."

Yona giggled as his face paled with exhaustion and fear. "Well I was wondering if you've ever felt that way towards someone?"

Just like that, his eyes widened with surprise, completely caught off guard by her question. A dark blush permeated from the bridge of his nose to his ears, a stark contrast beneath his silver fringe. He opened and closed his mouth helplessly, froze, then brusquely shook his head. After a deep, shuddering breath, he gave her a curt nod. "…Yes."

"Really!" Thrilled, Yona clasped her hands with his. As he glanced up to see the curiosity bubbling from the relentless questions sputtering from her mouth, he couldn't help but smile. "Well, have you told this person about your feelings?"

The smile merged into pursed lips as he longingly contemplated their hands held together, her petite hands resting on his white-scaled claw. At first, he believed it was only natural to feel a certain warmth for the princess due to the dragon's blood running through his veins. But overtime, he came to realize the irresistible devotion came within him as a man, not just as the Hakuryuu. Hanging his head downwards, he laughed halfheartedly. "I have not."

"Why not?"

"That is," His lips shaped into a bittersweet smile. "For her happiness, Princess Yona."

"…Kija," She gave his hands a small squeeze as if to reassure him. "If you think that's best, I respect your decision."

"Thank you," Nodding, he looked up at her. "Is there a reason to your question, Princess Yona?"

"Well, I was just curious how this confession thing works," She mumbled and chuckled, realizing the pettiness of the question. "It's silly."

"There's absolutely nothing silly about you," Kija countered promptly with utter confidence in his eyes as she giggled in response. "Forgive me, but about this—"

"—It's between us, of course. But Kija," She reached out to caress his cheek, which grew warm under her touch. "I would like it if you thought about your happiness as well."

Kija nodded wordlessly, biting his lip to restrain his overflowing emotions of gratitude and admiration for the princess before him.

"Promise?"

"I…"

"Hey," Between them, an upside-down Jae-Ha swayed from a branch, grinning mischievously with his green ponytail moving to and fro. The two jumped from their places. "What are you kids talking about?"

"N-Nothing!" Flustered yet protective of the conversation she just had with Kija, Yona straightened her back and forced a nervous laughter. "Jae-Ha, you scared us."

"I come bearing good news," Jae Ha signaled behind him with his thumb. "Hak's back."

"Now, Princess Yona," As Yona's face lit up involuntarily upon hearing the news of his return, Kija smiled and brushed off his white robes of dust then swiftly pulled her up to her feet. "Allow me to carry the dishes back."

With that, Yona squeezed his hands one last time and hurried towards the campsite, disappearing among the bushes. Standing still for a short while, he stooped to reach for the plates. Jae-Ha ran his fingers against his lips in thought as his eyes followed Kija. "So are you going to?"

"Going to do what?" As he paused from stacking the plates, Kija asked.

"Whether you'll keep the promise."

"…As much as I do not wish to be untruthful to Princess Yona," He resumed to balance the dishes on his claw, having retrieved the last plate from Jae-Ha. "I'm afraid I can't promise my happiness over hers."

"You…"

"My desire to serve the princess will not change," Smiling assertively, he began to follow the path that led to the rest of the group and pivoted back to glimpse at Jae-Ha. "I hope you can figure it out, as well."

"Hm," The look of surprise turned into a knowing smirk, and he strode up to fling his arm across his fellow dragon warrior's shoulders. "Let's go."

"What's all this?" Stepping towards Hak with anticipation, Yoon eyed the heavy sack swinging from Hak's blade. Once the bag was handed over to him, he began to dig in like a mole, drawing out items one by one. Everyone blinked with surprise as endless supplies came pouring out the sack: fresh vegetables, jerky and dried fruits with nuts, medicinal herbs and spices, and different sets of fabric. "How? How could you afford all these?"

"I got them for a cheaper price," Hak shrugged, scratching his head. "The villagers were generous."

"Can't be this generous," Yoon pressed on as he stared at him with suspicion in his eyes. "Spit it out, Thunder Beast."

"I just helped this girl with something," Laying down his Hsu Quandao by a tree, Hak yawned. "So she managed to get me cheaper deals."

"Your looks can be this fruitful, huh?" Eyes sparkling with joy over the laid out goods, Yoon snatched Hak's hands and flashed a sly grin. "Not as much as me though, a bishonen."

"Zeno smells something good on you, Mister!" Sniffing at Hak's garments, Zeno pranced around him. It wasn't long before Ao who scrambled up to Hak's shoulder passed out with a weak squeal due to the heavy perfume soaked in his overcoat. "Like a lady!"

"…Yona," As Shin-Ah glanced at the bushes on the side, Hak followed his eyes to spot Yona who came into view from behind the trunk of a tree. "Hak's here."

"Welcome back!" Springing out from hiding, Yona forced a big smile on her face. "Too bad you had to miss tonight's roasted wild boar."

"Hey Princess. I ate back at an inn," He waved at her to come over. "You were right. There is something about the village."

"What did you find out?" She joined next to him, followed by Kija and Jae-Ha.

"So I was sweeping the back alleys until I heard a ruckus," He explained. "And this girl was pleading to a gang, badly beaten up. Turns out, she was asking them about her missing friend."

"Missing?" Yoon perched his eyebrows inquisitively. "But it's quite commonplace for missing people at a village."

"Well, it's not just her friend but several others who have completely disappeared without a trace," He said. "And there's one thing that links all of them together."

"What is it?" Kija asked.

"Illegal human organ trafficking," Eyes darkening with malice, Hak continued. "Not just any healthy organ but unique body parts of people."

"What do you mean, unique?" Rubbing his chin with his fingers, Jae-Ha questioned. "Like rare parts?"

"Yeah. Something like a unique eye or skin color," Hak pressed his lips into a thin line and stared at Yona. "Or even hair."

"Well that's just unsettling," Jae-Ha sighed. "Any one of us are basically the perfect candidates for this trade."

"Princess Yona, I could be wrong but…" With a strained expression, Kija looked at Yona. "This reminds me of the human slave trade back in Awa Port."

"Where you guys found Ryokuryuu, right?" Zeno jumped in, his mouth half-full with confectionary.

"We met Jae-Ha, the pirate crew, and Gi-Gan," Yona reflected as her face softened at the memory of the charismatic and warm lady. "We managed to put an end to Yang Kum-Ji."

"But there could still be a possibility that the two could be somehow linked," Yoon said in deep thought. "It's unfortunate, but like I've said, illegal activities still exist in villages or towns that we don't know about."

"Did you mange to locate where this illegal organization may be?" Yona had a grim look, her hands in fists, irate by the thought of innocent villagers defenseless under an evil and conceited power.

"Not yet," Silently observing her, Hak replied. "But I'm planning to go back tomorrow to find out more. And Princess—"

"—That settles it, then," She interrupted him by clapping her hands together. "We'll go first thing tomorrow so get a good night's rest, everyone."

As Hak saw her disappear into her tent, Zeno patted his hand on his back in encouragement. "There's no use in trying to stop her, Mister."

"Figures," Shaking his head in defeat, Hak sighed. Ao, who was still sitting on his shoulder perked up and leapt off to climb on top of Shin-Ah's head as he approached him. "Hey."

"…I want to go, too," His golden eyes glimmered against the cool streams of moonlight gleaming from above, depicting a look of determination. "I'll be able to help locate the base."

"Sure," Lips curled into a grin, Hak nodded and rummaged in his robes to pull out a brown paper bag. "Oh and here's some roasted chestnuts—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Ao flew and clung onto the bag, squeaking in happiness. Hak dropped the bag of chestnuts along with the squirrel onto Shin-Ah's palm and chuckled as he noticed the pure bliss wash over the boy's face.

"Aw," Jae-Ha nudged Hak in the ribs. "Anything for me?"

"Right," Sifting through his robes again, he extended his fist. Jae-Ha held out his palm only to have empty candy wrappers fall from Hak's grip. "Here."

"I'm touched," Annoyed but still grinning, Jae-Ha ripped the wrappers into small pieces. Hak sniggered, sticking his tongue out. "Oh and Hak?"

"What, Droopy Eyes?"

"You should have a little chat with her," He crossed his arms behind his head and eyed her tent with a smile. "Anyways, sleep tight."

Hak stared after him for a while and proceeded to smack his palm against his face in exasperation.

So I guess I'll go talk to her.

"Hey, Yona?" As she was folding her newly washed clothes, Yoon called from outside the tent. "Can I come in?"

"Come in—eh?" She instinctively cowered back in guilt when he barged in with his arms crossed against his chest.

"I was going to do the dishes," He chastised her, grumbling in irritation. "Or at least let me help you."

"Heh," Amused by his pouty response, she couldn't help but giggle. He began to snap at her about how it wasn't funny, but her laughter drowned out his protests. "You're so cute, Yoon! Besides, Kija did most of the work."

"Whatever," Blushing lightly in embarrassment, Yoon raised his hands to complain but lost the will to do so as he watched her laugh. "So annoying."

"Huh?"

"It's ugly when you frown, you know," Murmuring under his breath, he clutched the book in his hands tightly. "You shouldn't always keep things to yourself."

"Yoon…" As she looked up to see his shy expression, she gave him a warm smile. "Thank you."

"After all, I'm a bishonen with a brain," He lifted the book to wave it in front of him as if to clear the awkwardness in the air and backed out of the tent. "Good night, Yona."

Yona chuckled, bringing her hand in front of her mouth and waved back. She stretched her arms behind her, relieving her bunched up muscles. Having finished folding the clothes, she picked up her bow and arrows lying on her mattress and strapped the weapon against her body and left her tent.

She ambled her way through the thick bushes of the forest and as soon as she arrived at a clearing, she pulled an arrow from the quiver fastened on her back and aimed it at a tree right across from her. Her eyes narrowed, and she gritted her teeth as she scrutinized the little nick on the tree.

When she was about to let go of her clenched fingers, Hak intruded her mind. The arrow whooshed past the target, falling to the grass. She tried to ignore her thoughts and continued to practice.

Yet no matter how hard she persevered, the arrow failed to hit the mark. Dissatisfied, Yona dropped her bow and arrows to the floor and whipped out her dagger in her robe. Slashing through air, she brandished the blade around her, controlling her balance and footing as she went.

With the last swish of the dagger, she stopped to breathe. Beads of sweat dribbled down to her chin as she panted. She slouched down to the ground, her nails digging into the dirt.

The one I like is you, damn it!

But does he really? Yona couldn't fully comprehend how and just when he started to feel that way towards her. She had always thought, in his eyes, that she was a childhood friend or a little sister who was fun to tease. Yet he had surprised her with his out-of-the-blue confession. The worrying had to stop. It was time for her to properly confront him and sort out the uncertainty weighing her down. The more she tried to delay it, the more it was going to get worse.

He was everywhere.

"I thought I'd found you here," Hak set foot into the clearing, tilting his head to the side. "Princess."

Literally everywhere.