Chapter 14: The Encounter

Jae-ha pulled at the high collar of his jacket. The material was a dark blue color line with gold on the inside. His shirt was a light blue with wind tribe marking stitched into the material. His pants were black and were long enough to hide his green dragon leg should he accidentally loose his boots that Martha had gotten Shinji to give him. It had been nearly half a year since he'd come to live in Fuuga and during that time he'd learned how to fight hand to hand battles against seasoned fighters like Zen and Xa'dan. He had only begun to learn how to fight with daggers from the two. He had been told to combine this skill with his ability to jump high with his leg. Rarely did an enemy look up towards the sky for danger.

Over the half of year Jae-ha had begun to gain popularity amongst the younger children, which he'd found odd at first. They treated him like he was their brother or guardian. Oddly enough, he felt compelled to protect these younger children. Kija loved the fact that the village had accepted him so easily and often voiced how happy he was that Jae-ha had decided to stay.

As the months passed by quickly, summer turned into fall which turned into winter. The solstice festival came upon them quickly and soon Jae-ha found himself in Kuuto, nervously pulling at his clothes as they awaited the royal family. Yes he was nervous, but not because he was meeting the King of Kouka; but because of Princess Yona. If Kija was right, and he undoubtedly was, then Jae-ha was about to loose his newfound freedom. His heart beat wildly as his palms sweated. He couldn't stay still as he kept moving from foot to foot.

The first of the royal family to arrive was none other than King Joo-nam followed by Prince Yu-hon who eyed Jae-ha with distain. You-hon's son, Su-won seemed like a little bundle of energy as he came bouncing into the room after his father. Followed by a short and pudgy man who was Prince Il. His wife was a small thin woman with beautiful violet eyes, a heart shaped face and long black as night hair. Peeking around her skirts was a little red haired girl, but he was unable to completely see her.

His leg tingled though and his blood burned in his veins. It was an unusual feeling but recalling Kija's words of feeling fire burn through himself when he'd first met her, Jae-was wondering if the silver haired boy had been telling the truth or had fudged it a bit.

Mundok bowed, as did the others in the wind tribe as the King and his family passed by them as they went towards the temple. Jae-ha and Kija noticed immediately that Prince Yu-hon did not enter the temple, nor were their priests going about the ceremony that was followed by the festival. Instead, the family came to the bottom of the temple steps as the King ascended. Join-nam then turned and gave a blessing to his children and grandchildren before giving one to the five tribe generals then turning he bowed in front of the dragon mural of the five dragons. He then returned to the side of his family.

"That's it?" he inquired, obviously disappointed by all the fanfare only to see this as the end result.

Mundok sighed. "After Prince Yu-hon chased the priests from here the King has taken it upon himself to give a yearly blessing to his family and the tribes." he explained to the young man. "It hasn't been the same the expulsion of the priesthood."

"Obviously." Jae-ha muttered when suddenly red covered his vision.

Kija found himself thrown onto his back as the air in his lungs left him in a whoosh. Princess Yona had made a mad dash towards him and had wrapped her arms about his body. "P-Princess..." he stuttered as a flush covered his face. Next to him he heard Jae-ha crumple to the ground causing Yona to lock eyes with the newcomer.

Jae-ha felt like his entire body was on fire. He'd heard a voice enter his mind the second he'd met her eyes. His body felt weak and he was unable to stand. Was this the feeling of having his future chained to this child. This heavy burning feeling.

Suddenly cool tiny hands touched his head. Opening his eyes, (when had he closed them?) he locked green/violet eyes with the most beautiful pure violet ones he'd ever seen in his life. "Green." the tiny voice spoke oh so gently before giving a small tug on his green hair. A giggle escaped her lips. "Ryo." She said as if she was trying to say the dragon name he represented.

"Yes." He said without thought. What am I doing? he thought with panic. Why am I here? I should've left months ago and now, because I didn't, I'm stuck as a babysitter to a child. A toddler even!

Yona, who was unaware of Jae-he's inner struggle looked towards Kija. "Ki-ji..." she pointed at Jae-ha who had covered his face in shame and disgust.

"That's brother Jae-ha." he explained as he tried to ignore the nickname she'd given him, he was unsuccessful though as Hak would later tease him about it.

As this was occurring, outside the temple Prince Yu-hon was fuming because of the sight of a second dragon warrior. The green haired boy has to be none other than the Ryokuryuu, the descendant of the first leader of the wind tribe. His fist tightened at this. He had been about to let it go if all Mundok had found was the Hakuryuu, but with the next generation Ryokuryuu with him, this changed everything. If he finds the Seiryuu and raises all three before the Ouryuu returns to them, then he could overthrow the kingdom in no time. He bit down to stop himself from growling or making any noise. Those children are a threat to the safety of the kingdom. They along with Yona must die in order to maintain the peace we live in. It is a sin, I know, but one I must bare in order to protect Kouka from chaos.

Lady Kashi watched as Yona played with her new friend, Jae-ha. The green haired boy had seemed reluctant to have anything to do with her. However, Mundok had convinced the boy with a blow to the head that it was in his best interest to do as the tiny girl wanted, much to the displeasure of the obviously older boy. "It's not often you come these days." She said as she sensed the presence of the much older golden haired boy.

"When did you know that I was here?" Zeno asked the much younger than him woman.

Kashi smiled at him. "I remember you from when I was a little girl playing in my father's garden." She stated. "You were there watching over Prince Il when he visited my family that first year. You saved me from drowning when I fell into the Koi pond. A child doesn't forget such an experience."

"Hmm..." Zeno hummed as he threw back his arms over his head as he tried to remember that. "Zeno barely recalls that." he admitted. Over the years he'd found that the small things he'd done for people, the memories of those days, kind of vanished over time. Precious memories, like finding his wife, becoming a dragon warrior, life in the castle; those memories stayed.

Kashi smiled gently at him. "She really is him, isn't she?" she asked, not knowing if he'd answer.

"Yes." Zeno said After a moments thought. "I'm still unsure if I'll follow this time." He openly admitted. "His life then was to create Kouka and prepare the way for the future. This time, Zeno is unsure why he came back."

"She will have to prove herself to you, won't she?" Kashi inquired as she watched Kija's face turn bright red as Yona hugged him and Hak.

"Yes." Zeno states with no if's and's or but's about it. She would have to prove to him that she would need all four of them this time. She would need to prove to him that she thought of others and wouldn't misuse the power of the dragons. For now though, he just watched and waited. "You will need to be diligent." he warned her. Kashi looked up at him for an explanation. "There are those plotting in the shadows to be rid of her and Zeno's brothers. Zeno can't be everywhere." In other words, he could only protect a few.

Kashi sighed. "You-hon." she said her brother-in-law's name as if she'd always known he'd be the one. "His predigest against Hiryuu will be his undoing." She suddenly looked sad. "And my husband's." Zeno cocked his head at this. "If Yona is harmed by Yu-hon, Il will have him assassinated or even kill him himself. It'll cause strife in the family and sooner or later, Su-won will want to take revenge upon his father's death." She saw the happy-go-lucky boy chase after Yona in a game of tag, only for Yona to hide behind Jae-ha and squeal in delight. "It will be like a curse, because once that happens Yona may take revenge against her cousin in order to claim the throne."

Zeno could see it happening. He'd seen it happen before with other noble families. "Zeno won't let Missy get hurt." he swore.

Kashi gave a nod as she sensed him leave. "Thank-you Zeno." she said to no one but herself. Because I fear that I will not be hear for much longer.

M-Angel: As promised another chapter. Unfortunately I don't have a day off this week so the next update wll probably not happen until next Sunday.