Chapter 4: Staying in Fuuga

After eating and sleeping, some more, Kija found himself alone in the room he had first awaken in. I need to get back home. he thought but even that thought made him drowsy at the thought of making a long journey. He also knew that outsiders were not welcome in his village and he didn't even know where to begin to look in order to return. He had seen maps in his great-grandmother's study, but none of them ever made sense to him.

As he went to move from the bed, Kija gave a wince of pain. His body ached all over as pain shot up his spine. I really shouldn't move. he thought tiredly before looking over towards the wall where he saw a closed window, light peeking through the cracks on the boards that held it close. Pushing the blankets back, Kija winced as he crawled, literally, out of the futon mattress and across the floor. Making it to the window he quickly found the wooden locks to the window and pushed the boards.

The window opened to reveal a sunny day outside. He was practically ground level, but not quite. There was a large willow tree with pink blooms. Under the tree were blooming flowers with butterflies and bees hovering around the flower petals. His eyes scanned towards the rock wall and gate to find green ivy crawling along it with chipmunks racing along the low wall.

Smiling softly, Kija placed his face on his arms that were laying on the window ledge. This place seems peaceful. he thought. I'm glad. Perhaps I will be okay. He sighed as he closed his eyes for a moment. Why was I taken? he wondered. Where was the man taking me when I was dropped? Kija shuttered to think what kind of fate would he have had, had he not been dropped when he had been. He had heard rumors around the village of the dangers of the outside world, which included slavery.

The door suddenly slid open, at that moment Kija felt a pulse in his chest. Looking inwardly he found the light he associated with the Ouryuu to be near him. Lifting his head, Kija turned his head towards the person who had just entered the room. His eyes widening when he saw that it was the man he had met on the night of the red star. "Ouryuu!" he cried out in surprise.

Zeno smiled at the blue eyed, silver haired boy. "How does brother Hakuryuu feel?" he asked as he entered fully into the room. In his arms was a bowl of fruits and soup. "Zeno thought you'd be hungry right about now."

Kija smiled brightly as the golden haired man neared him. Zeno. He calls himself Zeno. he thought as he took the bowl of fruit first and found that there were green and purple grapes in it along with red fruit and large plums. As he ate this, Zeno ate the soup. "Why are you here Zeno?" he asked, his cheeks full of food.

Zeno smiled at the boy. "Zeno felt that brother Hakuryuu was in danger and came to his aid." he answered.

Did I sense him when that happened? Kija wondered not really recalling if he had sensed the golden warrior was near or not. "I don't remember calling for you." he told the other who just smiled at him.

"You didn't." Zeno answered. "The blood of the Hakuryuu did." Kija frowned at this not fully understanding. Upon seeing this Zeno continued. "When one of us is in danger the blood calls out for help from the others."

Kija gave a nod as understanding came to him. "Are you going to leave me again?" he asked with worry etching his voice.

Zeno's eyes softened as he placed the bowl to the side. "Zeno cannot stay, but you can; if you want to." he told the young boy. "Zeno can also take you back to your village."

Kija sighed as he did want to go back, but ever since he had awakened, Kija had felt a strong pull to stay here. "I think I'm meant to be here." he said as he touched his chest with his mostly healed clawed arm. "It's a feeling I have and I wish to explore it."

Smiling Zeno gave a nod. "Zeno thinks you'll be safe here, but you also may face dangers."

Kija puffed his cheeks as he gave a sigh. "I'll be alright." he assured the older warrior. "The Kami would not have brought me here only to be harmed. I'm here for a reason! Let me find out what that reason is." As he spoke Zeno could see the determination of a warrior he had once known many eons ago.

This boy had the determination and strength of his ancestor within him, he also seemed to have a shadow of something lingering around him. A dark spirit? he wondered as he continued to look at the boy. Sighing in defeat, Zeno gave him a nod. "Alright. I will leave you here, but I'll visit to make sure you are still safe."

"That is agreeable." Kija stated as he went back to eating the fruit within the bowl. Afterwards he was helped back into bed before Zeno left his room.

When Zeno closed the double doors he found the young boy, Hak standing next to the wall watching him. Zeno got the sudden feeling that this boy was much more than he knew. "Is there something Mister wants?" he asked him.

"Are you taking Kija?" he asked, his eyes glaring daggers at Zeno.

Scary. Zeno thought nervously. "No." he answered honestly. Bending down to Hak's level he continued. "I'm leaving him here, but I need you to help keep him safe. Can you do that Mister?"

Hak gave a sudden grin at Zeno. "Sure, but it's gonna cost you." he stated, his eyes shining with mischief.

Zeno chuckled as he had a sudden image of Yak-shi appear in his mind of when the young prince had been a child and said something similar. "Alright, but not too much. Zeno is poor." he answered.

Hak threw his arms over his head. "I'll have to get back to you on that." he told the older teen. "It's gotta be good after all." With that Hak spun on his heel and took off towards the doors that led to the outdoors.

When Zeno found Mundok he saw that the wind general was reading a message from the King. Looking up from the letter, Mundok eyed the golden haired teen. "Will you be staying?" he asked.

"No." Zeno answered. "Zeno been away from Kuuto long enough. Zeno has to keep an eye on the Miss or else danger may befall her."

Mundok frowned at the way Zeno spoke but didn't comment on it. There had to be some sort of trauma that had caused the teen to talk as such."His majesty has ordered me to keep the young boy hidden here for as long as possible, however, his highness Prince Il will be bringing his daughter and wife to visit within the next three months."

"The Miss will awaken Hakuryuu's power." Zeno warned him. "If the two meet he will know who she is and will never leave her side."

Mundok gave a nod. "Just as I thought." he took a sip from the sake filled cup that he had on the chabudai table next to him. "Then in three months we shall see what happens and go from there."

M-Angel: I know it has been a few months since I updated this story, that's because I wanted to finish Aquarium Stone and then I had my May Madness month. Well it's June now and I'm back to writing my beloved gem series. I'll try to update this once or twice a week, depending on how busy I am.

Enjoy your summer everyone!