Chapter 16: Returning to Kuuto

Zeno watched the young Princess as she barely ate any of the food placed before her. He didn't think she fully understood that King Hiryuu Wasn't going to suddenly show up, of course that was mostly because she was his reincarnation. He still didn't understand how all of this worked, but he was so very thankful to have her back. She clung to both him and Jae-ha after Ora Tomoe had left, which he didn't mind; Jae-ha did. The younger boy, Yun, was glaring at her, which was just too cute in Zeno's mind and had the older dragon warrior smiling at the younger boy's cuteness.

Yona sniffled as she tried to take in that neither Uncle Shuten, Guen or Abi were anywhere to be seen and that her daddy wasn't coming to take her home, even after Zeno explained everything. She wanted to go home. She wanted to sleep in her own bed. Couldn't Zeno take her back now? Looking up at the boy who was glaring at her, Yona decided to quick picking at her food and eat it for now.

"Yun, stop scaring Princess Yona." Ik-su chastised the younger boy.

Blushing at being caught Yun, stuffed his mouth with another bite of warm soup and bit into the piece of bread in his hand. "'m not." he grumbled with a full mouth.

Ik-su smiled at the child he'd come to see as a little brother. "If you say so." he acquiesced to the boy's words and ignored him for a moment. Turning his attention towards Yona, he took notice how Seiryuu had moved himself the closest to her, while Kija sat across from her, his cheeks flushed at the close proximity of her. Jae-ha was finished eating and playing his Erhu, the calm tones giving them all a nice peaceful song to listen to when he was finished with the song he sat the instrument to the side.

"Shin-ah." everyone looked at Yona who was looking at Seiryuu. "Your name. It means moonlight. You remind me of the peaceful full moon that lights everything up in its path."

"Shin-ah." the golden eyed boy repeated before giving her a nod in acceptance. "Thank-you. Yona."

Everyone gave a gasp. "He said her name without a stutter." Yun said in amazement. "Or without a title."

"I told him he could call me Yona, just like Zeno calls me Miss or Missy." she explained to everyone, by now the blue haired boy's face was flushed red. Yona gave him a hug. "Shin-ah's my friend." she the giggled. "Just like Kija and Jae-ha and Yun too!"

Yun flushed at being brought into the conversation. "Zeno too! Zeno too!" the blond announced.

Everyone began to laugh at his joyful voice filling the room. "Yep. You too." Yona said with a bright smile.

Jae-ha sighed. I'm surrounded by children. he thought glumly. I knew I should have left a week ago. Now I'm stuck with a child for a master. He watched her hug Kija suddenly, the white haired boy blushing and throwing his arms around wildly in shock caused her to giggle. "Tch." he snorted. I don't need her. I definitely don't need them. Closing his eyes as he felt his heart constrict at these thoughts, he begun to rub his chest. Jae-ha wondered if he could sneak away without being noticed. He felt a sudden presence in front of him and opened his eyes in time to see Yona bending down over him.

"Night, night Jae-ha." she said giving him a hug around his neck and a kiss on his cheek that made the teens face heat up.

"Uh-huh." he replied back as he tried to calm his reaction down. Damn dragon blood. he thought as he watched Yona walk into the back of the hut where she and Yun would sleep.

Morning came early when Yona got up before everyone else and began to play near the stream she'd been playing in with Ora. She missed the raven haired woman; she was nice. She missed her daddy even more though. Feeling suddenly sad, Yona returned back to the hut only to find that she didn't know which way to go. Pouting a bit, Yona wondered around in the forest until she came to a waterfall. Sitting down in front of it, Yona pulled her legs up to her chest and began to cry silently to herself.

Jae-ha was up after hearing Yun's yells at Ik-su for falling over once again and ruining another pair of pants by ripping them. Of course the teen could've stayed in bed for awhile longer, but that would have led to the inevitable of being discovered to be awake by one of his brothers. Getting up, he headed outside to get his morning routine done with. When he returned from washing his face and emptying his bladder he saw that Kija, Zeno and newly named Shin-ah were looking around bushes and under the hut frantically. Looking towards Yun, he asked the four year old what was going on.

"Why does everybody keep asking me that!?" he yelled at the teen. "I'm a kid. I don't know nothing."

"Really?" Jae-ha inquired, gaining a nod from the four year old. "Then what are you doing?"

"Cooking." Yun answered quickly before glaring at Jae-ha. "Smart-ass."

Jae-ha chuckled at hearing the curse word from the younger boy before going over to Zeno. "You loose something Zeno?" he asked.

"Missy. Zeno Can't find her." he stated frantically.

"She isn't sleeping?" he asked gaining a quick shake of the head from the blond. Cursing internally, Jae-ha began to help look for her, but couldn't find her anywhere near the hut. Jumping into the sky, Jae-ha began his search for the young girl from the heavens. It didn't take him long to find her near the waterfalls. "Yona!" he yelled out her name causing the red haired girl to look up at him. It was then he saw that she'd been crying.

"Jae-ha!" she cried out as she ran over to him.

Picking her up, he did a quick inspection to find that she wasn't hurt. "Why didn't you come back to the hut?" he asked her as he jumped back into the air.

"I got lost." she stated with embarrassment. Sniffling, she snuggled into his tight embrace. "I wanna go home." she whispered sadly.

Jae-ha frowned a bit at those words. They were so full of sadness. When they arrived back at the hut, Yona apologized at making everyone worry, before going back into the hut and laying down.

By late afternoon the next day, Yona had yet to come out of the small hut. She apologized to them, but just stated she didn't feel like going outside. By evening, Jae-ha knew something was going on. He walked over her little room that she shared with Yun and found her curled up around the small boy who was still awake. Letting the sheet that separated the tiny room from the rest of the hut, Jae-ha walked over to Ik-su and Zeno who were the only ones still awake; besides Yun.

"I think we have to take a chance in returning Yona to Kuuto." he said causing both to look at him. "She's not doing well here."

Zeno sighed as he leaned forward upon his hands. "I know." he stated, forgoing his usual speech patterns. "She needs to understand that she can't call Hiryuu daddy though. Prince Il is her father and he is still alive."

"She's only a kid, she doesn't understand any of this." Jae-ha explained. "The castle is her home though."

"She'll be expecting Shuten, Abi and Guen to be there." Zeno told him. "Along with Yak-shi, Hiryuu's son."

Jae-ha was silent for a moment before he spoke once more. "I'll go with her." he told them. "I'll keep her from talking too much about where she's been."

Zeno shook his head. "Prince Il's older brother will kill you!" he exclaimed. "He hates the legend of the dragons."

"Well so do I!" Jae-ha yelled back, waking the other two from their sleep. "You think I like the fact that I have a green leg or hair. I have scales on my body for fucks sake! I'm not even human!" Zeno looked down at his hands with shame. "But Yona needs to be where she belongs and she doesn't belong in this damn gorge! She's a Princess! Not just a Princess, but the crowned Princess of Kouka!"

"Yes, Zeno knows this." the blond responded sadly.

"We're going too!" Kija piped in.

"No." Jae-ha and Zeno told them at the same time. The two looked at each other before looking back at the tired nine and six year olds.

"Shin-ah and I belong with her too!" Kija yelled at him, a frown upon his face as his cheeks heated up at yelling at his older sibling.

"Yona needs us." Shin-ah told the teen sincerely.

"I agree." Ik-su told them all. Having been silent throughout the entire conversation, the former priest finally found an opening in speaking his own thoughts on this subject. "The three younger ones should be the ones to take Yona back home, while Zeno watches over everything." he told them. "You three can claim to be orphans, which you are. That you are looking for your caretaker and she'll be recognized."

"Yu-hon-" Zeno began.

"Won't have a chance at harming three children who had become Yona's brothers over the course of the last several years of her life." he explained.

"It makes sense." Jae-ha said, quite amazed by Ik-su's words.

Zeno sighed. "I don't like it." he told them all.

Unknown to the entire group their plans had been heard by the little red haired girl and her bed companion. Yun looked at her. "You'll go home now." he whispered quietly to her.

But it won't be home. she thought back to him. "Yun." she said his name quietly causing him to raise an eyebrow at her. "You come too?" she asked, her cheeks turning pink at the same time his did.

"I-I'll think about it." he mumbled. "Go to sleep now." Yona nodded before laying down, as she did Yona felt like everything was going to be alright as long as she had everybody with her. Closing her eyes she found herself drifting off into a dreamless sleep.

The walk to Kuuto too a bit longer than Jae-ha thought it would, five days to be exact; but when they arrived a festival was occurring in the city. The main street was filled with venders and merchants trying to sell their wares. Jae-ha carried Yona upon his back as both Kija and Shin-ah held onto either side of him. Yun walked in front of the group with a bag on his shoulder. Looking around the group of children began to quickly feel overwhelmed. Finding a side street, the group bumped into sandy blond haired boy.

"Sorry!" Yun exclaimed in surprise.

"Yun," Yona giggled from her perch on Jae-ha's back. "don't yell."

Yun's cheeks flushed. "It's okay." the boy said waving it off. "Are you lost?" he asked them.

"Yeah," Jae-ha began as he decided to try out the lie on this boy. "You see, we are orphans and our caretaker brought us to the festival, but now we're lost and separated from her."

"Oh my!" the boy exclaimed. "I know someone who can help you." he told them with a wide grin. "Mr. Ogi is my friend. He helps me a lot."

"Nice, thanks kid." Jae-ha grinned as they followed the very happy looking boy.

"Everyone calls me Won." the boy told them. "Who are you?"

"I'm Kija." Kija pointed at himself. "These are my younger brothers, Shin-ah and Yun." he then pointed at Jae-ha. "He's our big brother, Jae-ha, who is carrying our little sister, Yona."

Won suddenly stumbled a bit. Yona? he covered up his stumble by walking a bit faster. "Yona, that's a pretty name." he said looking up at the little girl. Yona pushed the hood of her cloak back, her red hair brightly shining from the sunlight. Won's eyes widening in shock. It's her! he thought excitedly. It's gotta be! My cousin. She's alive! he smiled happily. "You really are pretty Miss Yona."

"T-Thank-you." Yona stuttered before laying her cheek upon Jae-ha's head.

As they walked up to a building in the alleyway, Won opened the door for them. Inside a group of men were talking and playing games upon tables. Jae-ha pulled Yona off his shoulders and sat her down on one of the tables where Won was talking to a man. "Mr. Ogi!"

"Go away Won." the man said as he placed a piece upon the game board.

Yona turned her attention to what he was doing and smiled. He's playing GO like my uncle's like to do! she thought as a smile cross her face. Won looked over to her and was mesmerized by her smile. "You're gonna loose if you place it there." she warned him.

Ogi looked up from the board and saw the red haired child looking down at the game. It can't be. he thought before grasping her chin and looking into her eyes. Violet eyes and red hair. he thought. "And what do you know of GO?" he asked her.

"If you put your piece there, he can put his piece there." she said pointing at the pieces. "In three moves he will win."

Ogi released her chin before looking at the board. Damn. he thought. She's right. He smirked. "How old are you?" he inquired.

"Five!" she said proudly as she held up her hand at him.

He chuckled. She's the right age. he thought as he leaned back against the wall behind him. "Where did you learn GO?" he asked once more.

All four boys felt nervous about her answer. "Ora!" Yona lied. All four boys released a sigh in relief.

"Who is she?" he asked her, trying to pry something out of her. Like where had she, the missing Princess Yona, has been?

"Mommy?" she asked curiously before looking up at Jae-ha to take over.

"We're orphans." he explained. "Miss Ora took us in and has been raising us as our caretaker."

"Where?" Ogi inquired.

"In the wind tribe, between Vir'nar and Fuuga." he answered, having been to both he could name several people of both towns. "Won said you might be able to help us find her."

"Never heard of this Ora woman." he stated. "But I've been to Vir'nar and Fuuga. I suppose Mundok never met you five." he said looking at Yona. Because he'd definitely recognize her. He then looked at Won. "I'll need to talk to some people, but it seems you all may have been abandoned."

Jae-sighed. "I had a feeling we have been too much for her." he admitted. "Now what?"

"How long have you all been-" Ogi began.

"We're brothers!" Yun yelled, feeling annoyed by this guy's questions. "She's our sister, but I'm the youngest!"

"My, my..." he chuckled at the young boy. Somebody is full of spirit. "I'll talk to someone and we will find you all some place to stay." He looked at Won. "You, go home."

"Yes Mr. Ogi." Won said happily as he quickly left the back alley building and made his way to main street. "Lord Su-won!" he cringed at being found as a hand grasped his shoulder.

"Where have you been?" the man demanded.

Smiling happily Su-won, or Won to others, looked up at his friend and guardian, General Ju-doh. "Ju-doh!" he exclaimed. "I've been having fun, but I ran out of money. Can you get me some food?"

The older man sighed. "Let's just go back to the palace." he told the child. It was of no use to to argue with the boy after all.

"Sure." Su-won agreed, knowing things were about to get very interesting there.

M-Angel: Yay, I finished this chapter and its longer than the last two combined!