Chapter 22: Brother's Reunited

Yona clung to Jae-ha's back like a monkey on a tree as the green haired youth flew over the palace rooftops. Only moments ago they had separated from their group when Yu-hon's men had caught up with the children. Two had tried to kill Yona with swords, only for Kija's arm to expand to twice it's size. He had swung it at the men before yelling at Jae-ha to get Yona out of there. Hak and Su-won had decided to go find her father and mother in the garden where they had left the royal couple with the other nobles.

Running beside Hak, Su-won spoke. "Do you think Lord Mundok is still with Uncle Il?" He asked this as they founded a corner, their feet carrying them quickly across the floorboards. They both could see the garden gate just ahead of them.

"Gramps said he'd be there." Hak assured him as they ran towards the gate. Upon opening the gate they came across a frightening sight. Noble men and women laid upon tables passed out with their drinks fallen from their hands. Hak quickly began looking for Mundok, however, it would seem the older man was nowhere to be seen and neither was Prince Il or his wife.

"What happened to everyone?" Su-won asked in wonderment and he began to check to see if they were dead or alive. Upon placing a finger under their noses he felt air coming out and breathed a sigh of relief. Turning around he saw Hak saving at him to follow him. Leaving the unconscious people behind the young boy ran towards his friend. The two boys peered around a hedge and saw Lord Kan Soo-jin pointing his swords at Prince Il. Across the garden, Su-won spotted his guardian Joo-doh hiding behind a red pillar that ivy growing up it. The young bodyguard had one sword drawn and his hand on the second. Tapping Hak's shoulder he pointed out what he saw. Hak nodded towards the large tree behind Soo-jin where Mundok was waiting for his opportunity to strike the Fire General down.

"Why is Soo-jin trying to kill Uncle?" Su-won asked Hak in a whispered voice.

Hak shook his head. "I don't know." It was then that Hak noticed that someone was missing. "Where is Lady Kashi?"

Kija panted lightly as more soldiers came at him. He found that it was quite hard to fight without killing any of these men. He knew they were only following orders, so he was trying to ensure that he didn't kill anyone. Many would be maimed for life with claw marks across their faces, chests or legs. In his human hand was a dagger that Mundok had taught him to use in case of emergencies. As one man came at him from behind, he struck with his dragon arm, at the same time a second came from the side. Bringing up the dagger he blocked the road are strike. Suddenly an arrow hit the man in the center of his forehead. Kija turned quickly to see who his savior was only to see Lady Kashi standing with a fancy golden bow and quiver on her back. With her Lord An Joon-gi stood with his own bow in hand as he fired upon three other sky soldiers as they attacked.

"Kija!" Lady Kashi cried out as she hugged the young boy. "Are you injured?" Even as she asked this question she began searching his body for injuries.

"No." he answered quickly as he shook his head at her question. "Lord Yu-hon is trying to kill the King!" he yelled suddenly causing both adults to freeze up at the news. "General Geun-tae is fighting him in the King's defence but... "

"Lady Kashi," Joon-to began as he interrupted the young man. "go with the boy to the Crimson Keep. I will help protect the King."

Kashi could see the wisdom in this but she needed to find Yona first. "My daughter..." she began only to stop short as An Joon-gi's electric blue eyes looked at her. "If she is with the King, I will protect her." He then calmly left the hall, making his way to the King's side.

Kija blinked in surprise at how calm the man was, even under duress. Grasping Lady Kashi's hand, Kija regained her attention. "Princess Yona is with Jae-ha." he told her as he pulled her arm to get her to move. "He's taking her to the keep." Finally gaining some distance from the massacre of soldiers, the two began a light run towards the center of the palace. As they came to the center courtyard Kija saw Jae-ha on his knees with an arrow through his human leg, his body covering Yona as a dozen arrows fell from the sky towards the them. As Yona cried out suddenly a flash of a sword striking the arrows above their heads could be seems as a young man with golden hair flew through the air. However as he landed it was obvious that he had missed several of his targets as they had pierced his skin eve though he still stood.

Jas-he's eyes widened as he realized who this boy was. Ouryuu. Screams caught his attention as the archers grasped their chests or their heads in pain. Screaming of a monster doing harm to them before falling from the courtyards walls as dead men. A boy with blue hair stood there staring at them, an intense aura seemed to cover the boy's body. It was as the last archer fell that the boy lost the strength in his legs and fell over. Lady Kashi ran over to the strange masked boy. Picking him up, she held him in her arms before pulling off the mask from his face. She got a glimpse of golden eyes before they shut tightly.

Jae-ha stood up slowly, with Yona clinging to him as tears continued streaming down her cheeks. "Miss, don't cry." The golden haired boy stated as he pulled the arrows from his body. His wounds healed almost instantly, something Jae-ha witnessed with wide eyes. "You'll make Zeno cry too." he said as he turned to look at Yona.

Witnessing the whole thing, Kija felt the empty feeling in heart till as the final prices fell into place. At last, the brotherhood that had been separated for two thousand years was once again together. Looking towards Yona, who stared at Ouryuu Zeno, Kija couldn't help but think that it was all because of her that they could finally fight together once more. Tightening his fist, Kija turned around towards the sound of dozens of footsteps. And fight we will. He thought feeling the strength in his dragon arm double, if not triple. Until the very last man is stopped. Behind him both Jae-ha and Zeno went into a defensive position as Lady Kashi ran towards Yona with the barely conscious boy in her arms. Another fight was about to break out.

M-Angel: Another chapter out this month. I'm on fire! *grins* I will finish this story! I am certain of it. ^_^