Previously

Yona tilted her head to try and get a better look at him, "Shin-ah?"

He looked up at her, "I… don't want….. to curse anyone."

Yona gave him a warming smile knowing that even though his eyes were lowered he would still be able to see it. "You won't have to. You can wear your mask if you need to. In order for this to work, I need you all there with me. I'm sorry that I am asking you to show yourself in front of people. I will never ask this of you ever again."

Shin-ah looked up and tilted his head. Ao came out from her hiding place in his fur and jumped on Yona's shoulder chewing on a acorn. "I'll…. do it….. if it's for….. you Yona."

She reached across and hugged him tightly, "Thank you."

She pulled back and looked at everyone else, "Thank all of you."

-x-

Present

Everything was set for her unannounced arrival to the castle.

For the past few weeks, the gang had decided to stay in Awa in order to send messages to their allies with the help of the former Captain Gigan.

Messages were sent to the wind tribe, the water tribe, and to their strongest ally in this, the Xing Empire. Kija wanted to contact his village, but Yona didn't want to risk it. She knew that if they ever came out of hiding, it would be by their own choice and not because of duty. She wasn't going to force them out of hiding just so she can do this.

While planning every possible outcome, Hak had remained silent. Every once in a while, he would stop to input his knowledge of the castle layout, but other than that he avoided speaking with her.

It hurt Yona that her friend that has been with her for so many years was avoiding her because of a selfish decision. More than that, she was worried about talking to him about his role in the plan.

One night, Yona woke up in the bedroll of one of the former Awa pirate's homes. When Jae-ha had asked the former captain where they could stay, his old comrades jumped at the opportunity to shelter them.

Yona sighed as she got out of bed and put on her cloak. This was a conversation that she was not looking forward to. She has warned the others of this conversation so they wouldn't come running if they heard Hak's anger.

Downstairs, she found Hak sitting on the floor leaning up against a pillar facing the door. His eyes were closed, but Yona knew that he wasn't asleep, at least not fully.

She smiled at his peaceful expression and sighed before she sat down in front of him.

She leaned forward and placed her small hand onto Hak's large calloused hand that was resting on his lap. His eyes flew open and his peaceful expression was replaced with no visible emotion.

Yona smiled at her friend, "Hak, I need to talk to you."

He nodded.

She pulled her hand back and placed it on her lap. "Hak, if you saw Soo-Won, would you kill him?"

His eyes widened at the question. "I….. don't know princess."

She nodded. "Kija and Jae-ha were there to stop you from killing him last time, we can't risk that Hak…" She bit her lip and lowered her gaze to her hands in her lap. "That's why I want you to stay behind with Yun."

"LIKE HELL I WILL!" he suddenly stood up and slammed his weapon into the floor. The whole house seemed to shake with the force. "I'M NOT SENDING YOU ON A POTIENTIAL SUICIDE MISSION WHILE I SIT ON MY ASS AND HOPE THAT THOSE DAMN DRAGONS CAN PROTECT YOU!"

Yona slowly lifted her gaze to her bodyguard. He was fuming with rage and for the first time, she was afraid of him. Her eyes began to water, "Hak, please understand….. I wouldn't ask this of you if I didn't care about you."

Seeing her begin to cry seemed to have calmed the beast within to calm him. He furrowed his brows as she continued. "I worry about you Hak. You've always been like an annoying big brother to me. You've always protected me, supported me, and teased me. If you can't control yourself around him, then we will be forced into a fight."

He groaned as he slumped back against the pillar and slid back down. He ran his hand through his dark hair. "I honestly don't know if I can control myself around him princess."

She smiled and placed her hand on his knee. "I know. That's why I want to protect you from him. I promise you, he won't go unpunished for what he was done." He looked up at her as a painful and regretful look began to overshadow her blazing light in her eys. "However, right now that is not in the best interest of Kouka. I must keep the kingdom safe Hak. I can't rule yet. Keeping you and Yun hidden will keep you both safe from my selfish desire."

She leaned back and placed her hand over her heart. "P-please Hak…"

His eyes widened as he was tears begin to fall from her violet eyes. That's when he took a moment to look at her for who she has become.

Her arms had scars from battle. Each one he remembered her receiving, and he was shocked how every time she received a wound, she barely winced and kept on fighting. Her hands were scarred and calloused from training. It reminded him of his own seasoned hands.

She was no longer that young naïve girl who was constantly spoiled by her luxury. She had grown stronger not only physically, but emotionally. She was an experienced young woman who did what she had to do in order to survive. He began seeing the true characteristics of a great leader in those eyes.

He sighed and smiled at her pleading face. "Al right princess, I'll stay behind with Yun."

She smiled brightly and threw herself onto him in a tight embrace. He hugged her back and petted her har.

She pulled back and look at him, "Thank you."

She got up and went back upstairs to bed. Watching her disappear, a thought filled him with absolute pride, 'She stood up to me.'

He leaned his head back against the pillar to get some more rest while standing guard.

Yona stopped at the top of the stairs. She was shaking so badly she had to lean up against the wall to support herself.

"Yona?"

She peered around the corner and saw Zeno walking towards her. Steadying herself on the wall, she stumbled into his arms.

He smiled as he felt her tears begin to soak his shirt. He hugged her tight and petted her crimson hair. "Zeno takes it that mister took your request well."

She chuckled and pulled back to look at him, "Yeah he did." Her expression softened, "I hate having to ask him to stay behind, but I had no other choice."

Zeno smiled and nodded, "Zeno knows that the mister understands. Zeno will take you back to bed."

She nodded and allowed him to lead her back to her room. Little did she know, tomorrow they would hear back from their allies.