Chapter 5: The Question

As night fell across the land the only brightness in the dark night came from the lit fire in the darkened cave. Fish had been served as their meal, most of their belongings had been found and their clothes were still covered in mud; but everyone was safe and that's all that matter to one important young woman.

Yona woke up late into the night and looked around herself. To her left was Yun with his head against the cave wall fast asleep, his leg propped up on Kija's hip, the white dragon was fast asleep with his head on Jae-ha's shoulder, who had the biggest smile on his face as he slept on. Laying sprawled across Jae'ha's stomach was Zeno's head and arms while his legs were propped onto Shinah's chest. The yellow dragon looked to be in absolute peace at the moment. Shinah laid on his back with his fur wrapped about him and Ao sleeping on top of it. Then at the entrance of the cave she spotted Hak, his head bowed and leaning against the staff of his weapon.

Standing up quietly she made her way over towards him. Peering around him she looked at his face and smiled at finding him fast asleep. Stepping lightly she walked out into the night, the cool air passed around her in a gentle breeze as she walked through the woods to the stream. Once there she got down onto her knees and washed her face. Sighing she looked out across the stream into the not so dark forest, moonbeams streamed down through the foliage and lit the forestry up in a florescent display of blues, greens and dark colors. She smiled as she saw a buck run passed her line of sight, a female and baby running right behind him.

She smiled as she sensed something behind her, turning her head she peered over her shoulder at the sight of Hak standing in a moonbeam and smiled a broad smile at him.

Hak had awaken the moment he had no longer felt the breeze coming across his face, it had only been for a split second but it had been enough to get him to open his eyes. Sluggishly his eyelids had opened to see Princess Yona walking away into the dark night. Standing slowly he followed her at a distance, knowing she'd probably just needed a moment to herself. In the beginning of their journey she'd experienced nightmares from the night of King Il's murder, but as they gathered the dragon warriors those nightmares had begun to lesson until the day Zeno had taken that army on by himself; then the dreams had come back full force. He sighed as he guessed she had every right to be frightened. After all it's not every day you see your friend get hacked to pieces only to come back to life. He thought as he came to a stop. He watched her wash her face, the water dripping down it and back into the stream. Suddenly a noise caught his attention. Looking up he saw the family of deer run through the dark forest. He stepped closer to her to ensure she was okay. However he came to a complete stop as she looked towards him. He'd hardly made a noise, but for some reason he wasn't surprised she'd known he was there.

"Hak." She spoke softly as she stood up. Placing her hands behind her back she took a step towards him, her fingers fidgeted before she clasped them together behind her.

"Princess, yo-" he was about to say when she looked up at him with a determined look, one he really hadn't seen since they left Awa. No that's not true. He thought as he remembered the same look had been on her face when they'd first encountered the drugs in the Water Tribe.

"Hak." She spoke his name with authority that made his back go straight. "I want to know something and depending on the answer we will either proceed on to the cave or talk on other matters."

He raised an eyebrow. She never spoke like this before. "Alright. Ask." He said with confidence.

"You must swear you'll tell me the truth." She countered. "And if I find out you've lied, there will be consequences."

Interesting. He thought before smirking. "Well. In that case." He bent foreword and smiled teasingly at her. "Ask away."

Oh God. Yona panicked. She didn't think he'd actually let her speak that way. Now what? She felt her throat tighten. No. She told herself. I want to know if his feelings are real or if... What if they're not? What if he's just going through a faze? She shook her head and narrowed her eyes, determination returning. "Do you love me?" She asked looking at him with her guarded eyes. She wanted to know the truth. Does he love me? And if so, how long?

Hak lost his grip on his weapon as it fell to the forest floor. Of all the questions... He thought as he brought up a hand and covered his eyes. Taking a deep breath he removed his hand and was rewarded with the same intense look. Am I dreaming? He wondered as he took a moment to look away. If this is a dream... He returned his eyes to hers. "Yes." The words were so simple, but they seemed inadequate to how he felt for her.

Yona's eyes widened fractionally. "How long?" She asked trying to quell the sudden urge to turn away from him.

Hak stepped towards her and pulled her body against him before leaning down so that his lips were near her ear. "Years."

Yona lifted her face from his chest and looked up into his eyes. "Why didn't you say something" she asked but knew the answer.

Hak's face was red with embarrassment. This has to be droopy eye's fault. He thought as he scratched the back of his head with one hand and looked up into the foliage above. "You wouldn't have reciprocated them because you were in love with...with another."

Even now he can't say Su-won's name. She thought as she reach up and touched his face. His eyes looked back into her own. "I'm not like that now, am I?"

Blinking his eyes Hak sighed. "No. You're stronger than before. Braver. You've taken on so much and have become a survivor." He smiled.

"Hak." Her hand traced his jawline.

He slapped a hand over his face. "Uh." He said nervously as he tried to pull away. "Forget what I just said."

She gripped his shirt to keep him where he was and shook her head. "No." She said blushing. "Not this time."

Hak gasped as her lips touched his and this time, this time he prayed to every deity for no interruptions as his arms wrapped around her and pulled her closer to his body as he deepened the kiss.

M-Angel: Oh good. Things are starting to get a little heated up. ^_^