Chapter 8: The Young Prince

Hak hated coming to Hiryuu Castle. He had been here several times over the years, but for Kija it was a new experience. Two months now had passed since Kija had become Hak's elder brother, though Hak had been named Mondok's heir, something that annoyed him. It had also been two months since Kija had seen Yona, something that had bothered the silver haired boy. He constantly was fretting over the red haired Princess. On whether she was safe, was truly being well taken care of or if she was lonely. Whenever Hak came to the capital with Mundok, Kija had a list of things for him to do or ask the Princess. Sometimes even giving him gifts to give the young girl, much to Hak's displeasure.

As the two rode on the horses behind Zen and Za'dan, Hak looked over to Kija who was looking every which way at the stalls where the merchants were selling their wares. "Well, what do you think?" he asked Kija.

"It's bigger than Fuuga!" Kija yelled with excitement in his voice.

"Of course!" Xa'dan piped in towards the boy behind him. "It's the capital!" He had a huge grin on his face at this.

"Pipe down." Zen mumbled. "We don't need your loud voice catching anyone's attention."

Xa'dan made a face at his cousins words. Hak chuckling at the childish action done by the adult. His attention turning back to Kija. "When we get to the palace we'll head towards the wind apartments. Afterwards, we'll see if Su-won is around."

"Who?" Kija asked having not heard that person's name before.

"He's Yu-hon's only son." Xa'dan explained. "Hak is his friend. He is the Princess' cousin."

"Doesn't that make him a Prince?" Kija inquired.

"And that's where the sticky political business begins." Xa'dan said sounding annoyed. "Both Prince Il and Prince Yu-hon are heirs, but Yu-hon has the backing of the army, while Il is well liked by both the people and council. If King Joo-nam doesn't name his official heir, and soon, there might be war over the throne." Kija stiffened at this.

"The wind will stand by Prince Il, as he is a friend of our tribe." Zen told the children.

"Which means we'll be able to protect Princess Yona?" Kija asked, his eyes lighting up in hopes of being able to protect his mistress.

"You bet!" Xa'dan said giving him a thumbs up.

Ahead of them, Mundok was listening to their conversation. A smile coming to his face at Kija's question. However, it might now be the throne fought over if Yu-hon was at the palace, but the young Hakuryuu. He had no idea what King Joo-nam was thinking in having him bring the young boy to the capital, but whatever he had planned, he hoped it didn't end in bloodshed.

As Kija walked around the open apartment of the wind tribe, he found himself starring up at a mural on the entrance ceiling. It was of a huge dragon starring down upon him. It was of a huge green dragon with a golden chest. It's green eyes seeming to pierce into his soul. "It's said that the Ryokuryuu was the one to unite the clans within the wind territory over two thousand years ago." Mundok said, his voice startling Kija.

"Grandmother said the same for my ancestor as well." Kija touched his dragon claw to his chest. "I can feel the current Ryokuryuu when I try to feel for my brothers."

"You can feel the others?" Mundok inquired, his one eye wide with shock at this new information.

"I can." Kija answered. He looked up at Mundok. "Sometimes I feel pain coming from him, as if he is being harmed. I can also resentment coming from him, along with a deep sadness."

"Do you believe he is being harmed in some way?" Mundok inquired. He had a bad feeling about this. If Kija had been so easily kidnapped from his village, which from his understanding had guards to protect him with, then what were the fate of the other two? Zeno can't protect them all, or can he? A frown formed on his face.

"I believe that if it was so easy for a thief to steal me away, then it is possible for it to happen to the others as well." He looked up at the green dragon upon the wall. "My ancestor was proud to be called the elder brother of the four guardian warriors. I want to believe I am the same." He looked at Mundok once more. "I believe Ryokuryuu could have been stolen and turned into a slave. If so, I want to save my brother."

Mundok crossed his arms over his chest as he closed his eyes in deep thought. The boy was the only one who could sense the other boy. If that was the only way to find the other, then they would have to take Kija in order to save the boy. Mundok detested slavers and in Kouka it was still illegal to enslave or chain someone up. Opening his eye, he saw a determined look upon Kija's face. "I agree." he said gaining a smile from the boy. "After our visit, we will find your brother and bring him to Fuuga where he will be safe.

"Thank-you!" Kija cried out as he grasped Mundok's pant leg and hugged said appendage.

Mundok felt his cheeks heat up as pride filled him. "Of course!" he yelled. "Now, you will have to help us..."

"I will!" Kija exclaimed. "In my mind I can see him. He's in the earth tribe. Near the boarder of the earth and fire."

"Can you narrow it down?" Mundok inquired.

Kija thought about what his father once said. "Closer I get to him, the better I'll be able to sense him." he answered sincerely.

"Then let's pray you will be able to sense him a ways off from whatever encampment he is being held in." Kija cocked his head at this. "I don't want to put you in danger Kija. You are far too important."

Kija smiled softly at this. "No, I'm not." he answered as he looked towards the red keep. "Princess is way more important than I am. If I die, another will be born to replace me. However, if she were to die, it would be another two thousand years before she would return."

Those words were the only other confirmation that Mundok needed in order to know who Princess Yona really was. Yes, her red hair was one way of knowing; but even so, others had been born with such hair. For a warrior with the dragons blood fuzed to his own to say such things, was a different story.

It was then that Hak walked into the room. When he did he wasn't alone. A blond haired boy with royal blue robes walked in with a bright smile. Around his neck was a gold chain with his family emblem pendant hanging from the chain. "Hey Kija!" Hak yelled, gaining his brothers attention. "Told you I'd find him. This is Lord Su-won, he was looking for Princess Yona."

Kija turned his head towards the other boy. "It's a honor to meet you." Kija held out his clawed hand.

Su-won blinked in surprise. "A dragon claw." he muttered quietly before taking ahold of it to inspect the hand. "Its really real!" he exclaimed.

Kija removed his hand from Su-won's. "Sorry. I forget that some are not use to seeing it." he apologized. "If you feel more comfortable..."

Su-won shook his head vigorously. "It's just father always says that the dragon warriors are not real, but your arm says differently." he said this with excitement in his voice. "Are you one of them?"

Kija smiled warmly at this other boy. "Yes!" he exclaimed with a bright smile on his face.

Su-won's eyes seemed to sparkle with excitement at this information. "I think you've got a new admirer." Hak stated jokingly at Kija who just smiled at his words. All the while Mundok watched the three boys interact very closely. He couldn't afford to loose Kija to some bigotry from Yu-hon, however, as he watched, all he saw was a new friendship forming. The coming days would be interesting to watch, that was for sure.

M-Angel: Sorry for not posting a new chapter in a week or so. I've been extremely busy with my new job. Until I get use to my new schedule, updates with be a little sketchy on all of my stories.