I do use some Japanese language in places where I think it sounds better. I have tried to include enough context to clue into it's meaning, if not a rough translation itself, within the story. Translations will also be included at the bottom. There will be killing, though not of anyone in the main group, and there are instances where *attempted* rape is mentioned/implied, though not in graphic detail. I'll still put additional warnings up for the latter in relevant chapters. Just because it doesn't trigger me doesn't mean it won't trigger someone else. If I need to make changes, let me know and I'll try to accommodate.

Disclaimer: I do not own Akatsuki no Yona, its plot, nor its characters. I've simply thrown my own original character into the mix because I'm a curious creature and chased a plot bunny down a rabbit hole. I'm stuck. Please send rum.

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Light glinted off steel as it sliced through the cool night air. The moon, just a thin sliver, hung high over the cliffs above as a silhouette whirled around, dancing with shadows. The figure drew back, blocking. A quick pivot, followed by a horizontal slash. Spinning, thrusting, twisting. Advancing and retreating. Metal almost singing as it swung through the air. Sweat glistened on pale skin, trickling down a lightly muscled chest that heaved slightly from exertion. Tan fabric billowed and flowed loosely around toned legs as bare feet stepped skillfully across the ground. A low, masculine voice seemed to echo in the night, a ghost of a memory as it whispered on the wind.

'The sword is an extension of the body, the body an extension of the mind. Where the mind goes, so does th-'

"Mama... Papa..."

The small whisper startled him, almost dropping his sword when he tripped mid-step. Catching himself, he quickly sheathed his weapon as he approach the girl laying nearby. It had been two days and she still hadn't woken, though tonight she'd been increasingly restless. The nightmares plaguing her sleep had become more frequent, each seemingly more terrifying than the last. Mimicking the first night, he ran his fingers lightly over her hair, attempting to soothe her before the terrors took over again. For a moment, his fingers moved from her head to the side of her face momentarily, a small spark of relief flitting through him when he noticed the bruising there was fading quickly. He gazed at her softly, still humming even as his thoughts wandered.

He'd slept longer than he'd intended during his nap today and woke to find it was almost dark. The fire hadn't quite gone out yet, thankfully, and once he'd had it going again he had quickly went through his usual dinner routine, still mildly annoyed he hadn't woken up sooner.

A small part of him had wanted to make up for the time he'd lost that afternoon and head out into the woods to do some more gathering, the dim light more than adequate for his superior vision.

The larger part, however, had been unwilling to leave her to face the demons that invaded her dreams. Not to mention the usually still figure had begun stirring slightly in her sleep, the first signs of movement he'd seen from her the entire time he'd been with her. Just the idea of her waking up alone in the dark..

He'd quickly known he couldn't, wouldn't, be able to leave, nor would he be going back to sleep so soon. Sitting still had been out of the question as well, now that he was fully rested. He'd moved to stand, only to feel a light tug on his shirt and had discovered that, once again, she had entangled her fingers in his clothes.

'Oh well,' he'd thought, feeling both awkward and just a little happy that she apparently found comfort in his presence. 'The extra fabric probably would have hindered his movements anyway…'

So he'd left the garment behind and quietly retrieved his sword. Moving off to the side a little ways, he'd proceeded to channel his energy into the katas that had been drilled into him for as long as he could remember, hoping to wear himself out a little so he'd be able to go back to bed and return to his usual routine.

This was the fourth time his training had been interrupted now.

Sighing softly, he decided he was done training for the night and, still no closer to sleep than when he'd started, put his sword away before grabbing the rabbit hides from the cellar. He placed the pile nearby as he settled next to the girl once more. Grabbing the first skin, he set to work scraping at the underside, removing the soft fats and fleshy bits while being careful to not pierce through the hide in the process. It was slow work, methodical. When he felt the first one was as clean as it would get, he rolled it up and set it aside before repeating the process with the next three hides. As he worked, his thoughts turned once more to the girl laying next to him.

It had been two whole days and, though he'd checked, he still hadn't seen anyone else in the area other than the villagers. He knew she wasn't from his village, so where had she come from? Where was her family? Surely someone would be looking for her? He hadn't seen any villages nearby during his scouting... Was she even from a village?

Not for the first time, he wondered just how far she had traveled in her attempt to escape the men who'd been tracking her.

Her skin was lightly tanned and her tiny hands a bit calloused, evidence that she was used to work and being out in the sun. He had been a little concerned about how easy it was for him to carry her around the last couple days. Even when he'd first found her, he'd seen that she was very thin, but even so.. Looking at her right now, he realized that she actually appeared to be gaining weight, despite having only had the thin broth he'd been feeding her. It disturbed him to think that she'd probably had more to eat in the last couple days than she usually ate in a week. While food wasn't exactly abundant up here on the mountains, none of the villagers were nearly as thin as she was. They didn't have much, but they rarely went hungry.

He knew she would probably want to go back home, but… maybe...

He shook his head, as if to dislodge the idea from his mind. He couldn't just keep her here. It wasn't his right to decide what was best for her. Of course she'd want to go home. Just earlier tonight she'd spoken for the first time, calling out for her parents in her sleep. He was sure she would wake up soon, now that she was starting to move around more, and once her ankle was better he would have to escort her home. Her parents must be worried, not knowing if their daughter was alive and well. That's what parents did, right?

He remembered when he'd come back from patrol one day to find the villagers frantic. A couple of the children were missing and no one had seen either of them a couple hours. He remembered the fear and helplessness on their faces, the tears the mothers wept. He remembered the fathers, jaws clenched angrily, but worried all the same as they tried to reassure their wives, and themselves, that the boys would be fine and that they'd be back soon. Everyone had been so distraught, it had taken them a few seconds longer than usual to realize he was there. He'd walked past them, into the caves, feeling as their fear turned to terror.

Here was The Monster, come to claim their children and feast on their bones.

It wasn't true, of course. Even when he'd found both boys, managed to assure them he was there to take them home, and brought them back, safe and sound, the villagers had turned him away. Not one person had thanked him, but that was fine. He hadn't done it expecting praise.

He'd stopped hoping for that a long time ago.

No, his reward was the relief on everyone's face, that split second when the boys entered everyone's view. The joy and love on everyone's faces. He didn't need to hear their gratitude. He'd seen it.

Right before they noticed him standing in the background, his quiet watchfulness somehow viewed as menacing in their eyes.

Rousing himself from the memory, he rolled the last hide up and added it to the finished pile, returning the hides to the cellar. He'd need to start the tanning process soon if he wanted to keep the fur intact.

He'd gather what he'd need tomorrow, he decided. Letting out a large yawn, he eased his shirt back on before he settled down under his own blanket for the night. The last thing he saw was the sleeping girl in front of him as he closed his eyes.

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