Chapter Thirty-One: Final Farewell
A/n: Oh wow! It's the end of the people! Haha ^^; My very first Yona fic. I have to say that the first stories of new fandoms will always have a special place in my heart because their my firsts, and I certainly have had fun with this story! I really want to thank those that have shown interest in this story, espically all my lovely reviewers! You guys are all awesome! Along with the sequel that will up.. Wherever, I'm not sure, I might post some mini stories of some times missed, and maybe some re-writes or other imaginings of this story that I had as well. Those will be added as extra chappies to this story. There was also a collab between the writers of Soar, Sunshine and Moonlight, and myself that will be up by christmas! SO be on the look out for that as well! So, there'll certainly be more to enjoy! As for now, this is the end of the main story, but there will be short stories to enjoy of moments we missed or didn't see in the main story. Maybe even alternatives. Also will be taking requests from you guys! So, if there's anything you'd like to see, please pm or leave a review stating what you'd like to see! But for now, thank you so much! Thanks to everyone who has seen me through to this point! You guys are all awesome! Happy readings!
The next day was oddly calm for the group. It was a slow day, or at least it felt that way, and it was rather nice. After everything that had been happening, it was nice to just sit back, and relax.
"Hey." Jae-Ha startled Tian slightly, who was sitting by a tree some distance away from the group, reading a book. She wasn't expecting him to come over, but it was a welcome distraction.
"What's up?" She questioned, looking back at the book in her hands. Jae-Ha looked at her, eyebrow raised slightly as he gave an amused smile, looking over her shoulder as he slid down next to her.
"Is that my book?" He teased, making Tian blush slightly as she quickly shut it, and put it beside her. Jae-Ha chuckled again, causing her to blush once again, only deeper.
"Don't read too much into that." She said simply, glancing at him as she handed the book back, a deadpan expression on her face. He just grinned as he took the book, but let their hands linger close to one another as he teased her with a bright grin.
"Too late." He said simply, taking the book back, and putting it inside his robe. Tian looked at where he had hidden it, and then looked away.
"I was bored, and it was just laying around. Like I said, don't read too much into it." She said simply. Jae-Ha shrugged slightly, still grinning. He leaned back slightly, his back against the tree trunk, looking at the group with a languid expression before pulling out his book, and started reading where Tian had left off. Tian pursed her lips, looking over her shoulder for a second before looking off.
"How do you feel about a little rendezvous away from the others?" Jae-Ha questioned, never taking his eyes off the book as he spoke in a low tone.
It was as if he didn't even mean for Tian to hear, but it was clear that he did mean for her to hear when he gave her a curious expression through the corner of his eyes. Tian looked away, pursing her lips slightly.
"Yun won't like it. Neither will Hak. Or… Anyone else for that matter." Tian replied, playing with the strings of her robe, pursing her lips once more.
"I'm not asking what anyone else would like. I'm asking if you'd like one." He said simply, looking back at the group."Besides, just us, sneaking away for a little tryst? It's not like I haven't done it before. Very easy." He grinned at her coyly, making her blush heavily.
"It's not a tryst. I don't know why you have to word it like that." She pointed out. Jae-Ha chuckled slightly, shaking his head as he looked back at the book. He was no longer paying attention to the book at all. He was just enjoying teasing her.
"It's fun teasing you. You get flustered so easily." He said simply. Tian scowled further, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Am not." She whispered.
"Hmm, I wonder about that." Jae-Ha said simply, grinning at her. Tian stuck her tongue out at him in a child-like manner, making him chuckle once more as he shook his head."So… Do you want to have some… Us time. Just me and you?" He questioned, looking back at her with a more languid smile as he sat the book down, and reached his hand out to her. He gently laid his hand atop of her hand, making her smile slightly as a warmth filled her chest.
"Sure. It sounds nice." She said simply, looking away as she put the hood over her face, concealing her wide smile. Jae-Ha looked at her, smiling happily, and then nodded as he looked off. He was looking forward to some alone time with her.
"Tanuki." She said simply, looking at the masks that were out. Jae-Ha looked at her with an eyebrow raised.
"What about a tanuki?" He questioned, looking at the racoon-like mask that was on display.
"It reminds me of you." She said with a teasing laugh, securing the hood over her features as she moved her head to look at him with a teasing grin." They're cunning, sneaky, smart, but sometimes they can be a bit dense." Jae-Ha gave a slight chuckle, shaking his head.
"Funny." He said teasingly, ruffling her hood.
Tian smiled, holding on to her hood so that it wouldn't come off, and reveal who was under the hood. Jae-Ha gave another chuckle before lowering his hand, and taking her slim hand as they moved on. They didn't plan on staying long anyways, but they wanted to enjoy their time together.
Of course, they couldn't spend much time together. Tian and Jae-Ha, although trying to stay relaxed, were still on edge, not wanting to attract any danger. They quickly left, after spending less than an hour together, before going back to the group.
"You guys should have said something. We were worried." Yun said, but took the bag that Tian offered to him as a peace offering.
Dinner that night was rather peaceful. Tian tried to put everything out of her mind as she laid down to rest, but Hak's words still rang through her mind.
Please, make up your mind quickly. For the sake of everyone.
Tian sighed heavily, turning on her side. She saw the sleeping face of Yona, so child-like. It reminded Tian once again just how young the red haired girl was in reality. Tian sighed once more, turning on her back as she bit her lips.
I know what it is I have to do.
She finally made up her mind, nodding as she closed her eyes for a restless sleep.
"Alright! Seems like I got everything together!" Tian smiled to herself, looking around what she had prepared for the group a few evenings later.
"You could thank me. I went through alot of trouble to get the lobster." Min-Soo jokingly teased. Tian looked at her, and smiled slightly as they both wiped the sweat off of their brows.
"Thank you." Tian replied with a little laugh, pulling the blonde woman into a hug. The two held the hug before separating.
"Are… Are you serious about leaving?" Min-Soo asked softly.
Even if Min-Soo, and everyone in town, thought it was better for Tian to leave, for her own safety, nobody was exactly happy when she snuck into town that early morning to let them know that she was planning on leaving the town. Min-Soo already missed Tian so much, and she hadn't even left yet.
"I'm serious. I don't want anyone fighting to fix my mistakes. I made this mess. I got myself into it, and I don't want anyone else to suffer because of my stupid decisions." Tian said, checking around camp for the bowls, spoons, and other such things.
"Here. I brought those pastries you asked for. Luckily Ae-Cha has these mastered thanks to you." Min-Soo and Tian grinned at one another as they began to make the servings for everyone.
Tian wanted the group's last meal together to be perfect. After everything that happened the past few weeks, and now that those involved, mainly Jae-Ha and Yona, were alright once more, she had even more reason to celebrate. Even more so, it steeled her resolve to leave. She didn't want to lose anyone else because of her mistakes.
That day, she planned to have one last, good meal with them. Tian was just lucky that everyone decided to go into town. Min-Soo and her had devised this plan the previous day, when Tian had made her decision, and thus was easier to do this plan. They had been working most of the evening.
"We're back! Oh wow! It smells so delicious!" Yona exclaimed, carrying a bundle of wood. Tian and Min-Soo looked at the group as they appeared either next or behind Yona. Tian looked around, but noticed that Jae-Ha wasn't among them. Her eyebrows drew together as she looked at Yona.
"Where's Jae-Ha?" She questioned, tilting her head slightly. Yona stiffened, and then relaxed slightly as she smiled.
"He just wanted to stay longer. He'll be back shortly." Yona promised. Tian paused, and then shrugged as she began to fill up some bowls.
"I guess the rest of us can eat while we wait on him." Tian said with a smile as she handed Yun the first bowl.
"Thank you." Jae-Ha stated, smiling as he put the item into his inner pocket.
"No problem." The woman stated, waving as the green haired man paid, and then quickly left the area.
Jae-Ha wasn't sure what made him want to spend the last bit of his money on the small gift for Tian, but something told him that he had better, and he was always one to follow his gut.
"Hope I'm not too late." He said with a slightly laugh as he bound through the skies, and then landed on the ground not too far from the campsite. He could hear some laughter, and could smell the smoke of the burning fire. He closed his eyes, taking in the aroma for a moment before striding through with a small smile.
"Jae-Ha! Here! We saved you some! It's delicious! Tian made it!" Yona exclaimed, shoving some kind of soup, and a familiar looking pastry into Jae-Ha's hands. He smiled slightly, and then scanned the camp until he saw Tian, smiling slightly as she watched Min-Soo and Kija speak among themselves.
"Thank you, Yona Dear." He said, wanting to reach out to ruffle her crimson hair, but couldn't as his hands were full. So he instead walked right over to Tian, and sat next to her. Tian glanced at him, but still looked over at Min-Soo with an amused grin.
"Yeah but right after that, I got her back. I promptly hid for like two hours." Tian laughed, taking a bit of her pastry."I don't know why she didn't look for me in the bakery." Tian added, swallowing her food with a sigh. Min-Soo looked at her with a pout to her lips.
"Well, it's not exactly a small town, Tian! I didn't know where you would be!" SHe stated with a pout. Kija smiled softly, shaking his head.
"You really should not have pushed her into the water." Kija stated. Min-Soo looked back at him with her mouth open.
"She stained my red dress!"
"With red juice. I don't think anyone would have noticed." Tian stated with a shrug. Min-Soo looked at her with a scowl.
"I still mourn that dress, ya know!" Tian merely shook her head, rolling her eyes.
"Some people are just too sensitive." Tian said, shrugging once again.
"Hmph." Min-Soo replied, crossing her arms as she smiled at Kija. Tian rolled her eyes, and then glanced at Jae-Ha.
"How's the food?" She questioned. It was then Jae-Ha realized he hadn't taken a bit, too amused by the conversation, so he promptly took a drink, and then nodded, smiling at her.
"It's good." He stated. Tian smiled softly, nodding.
"Good. You better like it. I spent all afternoon on it." She stated, grinning,and then took a drink from a small cup. Jae-Ha looked at her with an eyebrow raised.
"Is that sake?" He questioned. She looked at him, and nodded.
"Want some?"She questioned, pulling out the bottle form the other side of her leg. Jae-Ha nodded, watching as she handed him her now empty cup."Here. Have some. It's the best we have around here." She stated, smiling slightly. Jae-Ha nodded, taking a drink once she finished pouring.
"Refreshing." He said with a small smile. Tian nodded, smiling smally.
"What took you so damn long to get back?" She questioned, turning to face him. Jae-Ha was silent for a moment, finishing off his soup, and then reached into his pocket. Tian watched him, tilting her head in curiousty.
"I got this for you. I hope that you like it." He whispered softly,making sure that only she heard him as he handed her the white, silky wrapped gift. Tian raised an eyebrow, taking the gift. She paused, looking at the silkily, white fabric, and then up at Jae-Ha with an eyebrow raised. Jae-Ha just smiled softly."It's a gift." He whispered in the same tone. Tian blushed slightly, looking down as she unwrapped the gift.
It was three ribbons tied together, a dusty, light pink, a white, and a light blue all tied together in a braid. There was a small ornament in the center in the shape of a flower. The ends were braided together, and held firmly in place by another small, sliver ornament in the shape of a flower. Tian smiled softly, her heart dropping into her stomach.
"It's pretty." She stated softly, looping the band around her head, and then have it rest on her neck. It felt smooth against her neck. Even though she knew it was soft, it suddenly felt heavy against her collarbone.
"It's supposed to go on your head." He stated, laughing slightly as he watched her shrug slightly.
"I like it as a necklace. Besides, if I want to change it into a headband, I can do that with ease." She stated, smiling softly at Jae-Ha." Thank you." She stated simply, clenching the necklace. Jae-Ha nodded, pouring himself another drink. He was happy that Tian was pleased with the gift.
That night was filled with laughter without a hint of the usual tension. Except for Tian. The necklace weighed heavily against her skin, and almost felt as burning as the sun against her ivory skin.
She played with it throughout the night, biting her lips as she second guessed her descion, looking around the group. Hak and Yona talking and laughing while Zeno was being his usual cheerful self,. Yun was making sure everything was in order,and then began to talk to Yona and Hak. Kija and Min-Soo continuing to swap stories. Jae-Ha stayed close to Tian, almost unnervingly close, but she stayed relaxed so that he wouldn't suspect anything.
"It's been a lovely night, hasn't it?" Jae-Ha questioned softly, his shoulder touching Tian's shoulder as they watched the fire dim.
Yun, Yona, and Min-Soo had retired to the tent. Kija was sleeping drunkenly, the fire casting dancing shadows across his pale face. Shin-Ha rested quietly with Ao tucked neatly inside his white fur of the mask. Hak was sleeping against a tree, his arms crossed, and holding his weapon close to him as his head was bent forward. Zeno rested closely to the fire, sprawled out like a starfish, and snoring rather loudly.
Tian couldn't help but to smile as she leaned a bit closer to Jae-Ha, but still kept herself rigid. She couldn't afford to let herself get soft now. It would only weaken her resolve. Jae-Ha noted her tension. He glanced at her, noting the way her full lips were pouting slightly. He couldn't help but to wonder if something was on her mind, and what it cold possibly be, but shook his head, looking off towards the fire as he wound an arm around her shoulders, bringing her closer him.
Tian blushed as she felt the heat off his body, and was tempted to lean her head against his chest, if only to hear the sound of his heart to see if it was beating just as fast as her own heart was beating, but controlled her urges as she fixed her posture, and instead just leaned her back against his shoulders.
"Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves." Tian added to Jae-Ha's question, but it felt a bit awkward as so many seconds had passed since he asked.
"Well… You made a good meal, and brought some amazing sake. Of course everyone enjoyed themselves." He stated, smiling at her.
But why does this feel like a good-bye?
Jae-Ha thought as he swiped some wild strand away from her face. Tian smiled, leaning into his touch before looking off once again. Jae-Ha's hand slid down from her cheek, to her neck, before settling on her shoulders again. Tian's skin prickled where he touched, and she felt a warmth spread throughout her body, but once again shut away any of her feelings.
"Jae-Ha?" She questioned softly. Fingering her gift from him. He looked at her with a slight raise of his eyebrows.
"What's wrong?" He questioned when she kept her silence a bit too long.
"I was just wondering…" She started, and then stopped. Tian's eyebrows drew together, and then she sighed, shaking her head once more." Why did you get me this?" She questioned, fingering the necklace with a small smile. Jae-Ha shrugged slightly.
"I was just thinking of you. I wanted to get something for you, and what better than something from my own mind?" He questioned with a small smile, squeezing her shoulders slightly. Tian smiled, looking up at him.
"Thank you." She said softly, but looked down at the necklace once more. Now that she thought about it, she felt bad about not having anything to give to him. Her hands went right to her head covering, her heart feeling heavy once again.
I want to give him something to remember me by.
She thought to herself, and then sighed as she uncovered her hair, and then wrapped her hands around the fabric. She smiled softly, and handed the ribbon to Jae-Ha, who looked surprised as he held the red fabric in his hands.
"Thank you." He said softly,smiling as he tied it on the inside of wrist, for safe keeping. Tian nodded, folding her hair covering, and tucking it away inside her robe.
Jae-Ha watched her, and then looked at her hair. He didn't think he had ever seen it down before. The brilliance of the moonlight against her hair made it absolutely beautiful. He didn't stop himself from running his finger softly through her hair, as he had imagined many times. Tian watched him, looking up at him once again. He smiled down at her, and then leaned down, pressing his lips to hers once again.
Tian felt her breath speed slightly, and a warmth spread through her again as he pressed his lips against her own more firmly. It was their second kiss, but unlike the last one, which was fast and hurried, this one was more slow, more gentle.
Tian felt her heart beat against her chest fast, threatening to break right out of her chest. Jae-Ha's hands gently made their way from her shoulders, her neck, gently caressing the soft skin before he used one of his large, calloused but soft hands to tip her chin gently upwards, and at an angel, pressing his soft lips against hers again more firmly.
Tian stayed still, her eyes wide, and studying his face. Jae-Ha's deep green eyes were closed. She could smell his natural scent, instead of before where she could only smell the rain and wet cotton of his shirt. This time he smelled oddly of a spice she couldn't name, and of burnt wood, which made an oddly nice combination. She saw a faint scar on his left cheek, which she raised a hand towards, and gently carrased the scar. It felt oddly calloused against otherwise smooth skin.
Tian heard the crackling of the fire as it blazed slightly brighter with a fallen log that gave way to a fresher, less charred log. She only knew this because her eyes jumped immeditaly to the fire as soon as it crackled lightly. She then looked back at Jae-Ha, holding her breath slightly as his tongue flickered across her lips, as if asking for entry. She could feel his hot breath on her skin.
As much as Tian knew that she should stop this kiss at that moment, if only to save them both the heartache once he discovered that she was gone, Tian allowed herself a moment of weakness as she wound her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her body, and closed her eyes as she decided to savor this last kiss between them for all it was worth.
For a few minuets afterwards, their tongues danced together, their breathing quicking slightly as they held each other tighter. Jae-Ha's hands moved from her face, to her neck, to her shoulders, and down her arms before snaking around her waist, and pulling her closer to him. Tian's own slim hands ran down his face, neck, and chest, feeling the strength that was hidden underneath the purple robes. Her hands roamed freely, feeling the golden buttons, and smooth feeling of the outer robe. His breath tasting slightly minty.
Must be the pastry.
She thought, amusing herself slightly as she pressed closer, causing Jae-Ha to slip against the log that was behind them, which caused it to slip further back than what it was, which effectively caused them to fall to the ground. Jae-Ha's hands tightened on her waist, as if wanting to protect, while Tian's hands shot out to the log to steady themselves.
Their eyes opened, lips still in contact, but tongues back in their own mouths. They stared into each other's eyes. Jae-Ha never noticed the slight blue in her eyes. He would have never noticed if he wasn't this close to her face, if only because any other time her eyes looked so dark green.
Beautiful.
He thought, reaching up, and caressing the bottom of her left eye with one hand. He could feel the prickle of her eyelash, which made Tian blush slightly as her eyes roamed over his nearly sprawled out body underneath her own body. Tian's eyes widened slightly, realizing their position, and quickly disengaged their lips from one another as she pushed herself upwards, sitting next to him. Jae-Ha smiled, however, turning on his side, and looking at her. Tian made it a point not to look at him.
"I'll see you in the morning." He whispered, touching her knee softly. Tian smiled, touching his hand with her own hand.
"Night, Jae-Ha." She stated softly, leaning over, and giving him a rather chaste kiss on the lips. She pulled back quickly enough, watching as the green haired man let loose his hair, tucking the ribbon into his sleeve, and then rolled onto his side, and closed his eyes.
Tian watched until his breathing evened out, suggesting that he was deep asleep. She watched as the dim fire light cast his hair a million shades of green ranging from his normal, to a light, to even a pitch black as the night shadows overcame his features. The pale moonlight cast his skin a pale shade, and she couldn't help but to reach out, and gently stroke his soft skin. With his lips in a slight 'o'-shape, his face totally relaxed, and his long hair sprawled around his face, and shoulders, he looked oddly child-like.
Tian quickly stood up, her heart heavy,being careful not to make the slightest sounds as she took one last look at everyone.
Hak was snoring slightly, his head bowed. Tian found herself amused by the slight drool that came out of his mouth. She looked at Kija, looking elegant and beautiful even when asleep. Not a trace of drool or anything like that, but his white hair was cutely tasseled about his head and face. Zeno had, as per usual, a wide grin on his face, snoring loudly, but he murmured names she didn't know, and didn't bother to wonder about. Shin-Ah slept with a rather peaceful expression, his mask pushed half-way up his face as his gloved hands supported his head.
Tian then looked at the tent where Yona, Min-Soo, and Yun would be sleeping, her heart suddenly heavier than before as she strode forward, biting her lips.
She pulled apart the tent ever so slightly, peering in at what she could see.
Yun was sleeping on the far corner of the tent. His body covered with a white, thin blanket, his hands supporting his head as he slept on his back. It seemed like sleep was the only thing that made Yun relax his face, his mouth hanging open slightly. A tattered, dirty book was open beside him, as if he had fallen asleep reading. For the first time, Tian saw him as the teenaged boy he really was. Tian then looked at Yona. Her blazing, dazzling, crimson hair was sprawled around her as she slept on her back. For the first time, Yona's face wasn't smiling, or relaxed, but looked oddly troubled. Tian couldn't help but to wonder what the girl was dreaming about. Finally, she looked at Min-Soo.
Min-Soo's blonde, curly hair was loose, and sprawled around her. Twisting on her waist, and scattering on her hips, and mostly piled on her shoulders. She was on her side, her legs almost in a fetal position, and her hands supporting her head as she slept soundly. Only Min-Soo would know of Tian's plans, but Tian knew it would still hurt her. Tian sighed, shaking her head as she closed the flap, and took one last look.
"Good-bye." She whispered to nobody and everyone.
Tian walked with heavy footsteps away from the camp, being sure to pick up her bags and such as she pulled the hood of cloak up over her head. She looked up at the sky, the brilliant, full, golden moon illuminating her path almost as clearly as the sun itself. Millions of brightly shining stars were twinkling. For the first time in a while, her mind wondered to the one person she could never say good-bye to.
Ha-Seon, please… Watch over them. And me…
She thought as she paused for a moment, closing her eyes as she bowed her head. Thinking about him was something she had told herself she wasn't going to do. He wouldn't want her to be sad, but leaving, when so much was left undone, felt wrong. Still…
As Tian thought of the kindness Yona, Jae-Ha, and everyone else had shown her, had gone out of their way to do, she once again steeled herself. She couldn't let herself become weak, and go back. She had to steel herself, harden her heart, and move forward. She was doing this to protect them.
Tian sighed, nodding as she opened her eyes, and continued forward at as fast a pace as she could go. She wanted to be far enough to where they couldn't possibly catch up with her by the time they realized she had left them. Because if she saw any of them, espically Jae-Ha, she knew that wouldn't be able to keep this resolve of hers….