Author's notes :

I don't own Akatsuki no Yona. If I did, my neighbour would have me arrested for too much squealing all day. Ah, yeah, sorry… it's already the case.


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Chapter 3 : For the sake of a name

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The road was still long before they would even come near Kuuto, the imperial capital of Kouka. They were able to cross the borders between Kai and Kouka without any difficulty. The boy was expecting it to be false, but the Old man -as he had grown to call him- really was an influential figure of the country. People were coming up to him and greeting him, some even bowing to show their respect.

During their time on the road, they talked about Kouka and what he would need to learn to become the old man's successor : borders, politics, history, geography, treaties, martial arts, … The youngster was even already training since he had to ride horse all day and at the same time dodge the chief of the Wind tribe's strong … discipline.

Truth be told, he was curious. What was Kuuto going to be like ? And the Wind tribe ? Would he dare say it : what was his family going to be like ? Several days had passed and he grew accustomed to the Old man, but what about the others ?

He was different. At only four, he was smarter, stronger and more mature than the other children. He always thought it was due to his personal history - but one day he would learn that something else had also played a strong role in building who he was.

.:.

Still, the road sure was long.

' Say, Old man, how much time before we reach Koto again ?'

' Kuuto, not Koto. And I told you to call me Grandpa. '

' Yeah, yeah. We are not linked by blood, so I should call you Lord Mundok anyway. Since that's what everyone has been calling you ever since we came here. '

' You have to call me Grandpa, you are my grandson. That's it. And we'll be there in a week.'

' A whole week ?! Are you serious Lord Mundok ? Couldn't we just go to the Wind tribe already ? It's not like we need the approbation of an old geezer anyway…'

The punishment came immediately, in the form of an old paper fan strongly smacking his head.

' I TOLD YOU TO CALL ME GRANDPA ! '

' THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ANGRY ABOUT ?! I just badmouthed the Emperor !'


They kept bickering for a while -during which they finally agreed on the term 'Gramps' instead of Lord Mundok or Old man- , until the conversation settled onto a still sensitive matter.

' Hey Gramps.'

' What is it boy ?'

' About my past… I'm sorry I can't tell you. You gave me so much, yet I can't even…'

Silence fell onto the two riders. Mundok kept watching the child carefully from the corner of his eyes. That boy was so young, and already he was dealing with adult matters. He shouldn't have to worry about a gruesome past when all life was still waiting for him to live it at the fullest. The chief of the Wind tribe sighed and decided that he would do everything he could to give him the childhood he deserved. Even though he knew deep down that one day, his past would catch up with him and then he would have to face it.

' Stop saying you didn't gave me anything. You are my grandson. You gave me everything I hoped for in a long time.'

The child said nothing, but Mundok could feel that he was touched. However, that didn't solve the problem at hand :

' About that though, I can't keep calling you 'Boy' or 'Grandson', even if it would please my ego.'

He glanced at the youngster who had perceptibly tensed.

' Since I think you should put your past behind and begin a life with a name you won't fear telling people, I suggest we pick you a new name. Your name. One you will be proud to bear. What do you think ?'

' I- I don't know. I was never asked. So… I don't know.'

' You don't have anything in mind ? Anything that you'll like ?'

' I ...'

.:.

Understanding that the child was probably at lost – or too shy- to come up with a name of his own, Mundok cleared his throat before a silence could fall upon them again, then stated :

' Well, since I am your grandfather, I am going to name you. You will be from the Wind tribe, successor of Mundok, bearing the Son name. '

The boy was staring at him, a bit impressed by the titles. Mundok felt pride swelling in his chest and kept going :

' A long time ago, there was a talented fighter in our clan, who was as strong as a bear and as clever as a fox. He stricked as fast as the wind, but his heart remained true to the ones he loved and he used his wisdom to protect us all. His name was Hak-Jin. I wish you to have the same name and become an even greater fighter of our clan.'

At this, the youngster scrunched up his nose in a small wince.

'Hak-Jin ? ' he muttered ' that sounds so old-fashioned, I mean seriously ? '

Again, Mundok's discipline was fast to strike :

' YOU UNGRATEFUL GRANDSON ! That was the name of my grandfather ! '

' Oww… okay, okay, I'm sorry ? '

' One okay is more than enough. ' fumed the chief. ' But I do wish for you to surpass him and become a great leader of the Wind tribe. I know you will. Afterall, you're my grandson.'

.:.

The boy seemed to be distracted for a while, and Mundok let him think on his own. Maybe he was searching for a name more to his liking, and he didn't want to interrupt such an important process. Finally, the youngster was the first to break the comfortable silence :

' Hak.'

' What ? ' came Mundok's confused reply.

' Hak-Jin is too complicated to write, and I'm lazy. Since I still have to learn how to write, I wish to keep it simple. So, here : Hak.'

The chief of the Wind tribe was stunned for a moment. Where did that come from ?

Sure, that explanation was logical -too logical for a four year old boy, true – but it was surprising that he gave it so much thought. And in the end a choice that still pleased the older man. That boy -his grandson – was amazing.

' What do you think, Gramps ? '

' Hak.' Mundok tried. And he liked how it sounded. 'Son Hak. Grandson of Mundok, and future leader of the Wind tribe'.

He definitely liked it.

' That's it. You are Son Hak. And you are home now.'

Hak smiled. A true, happy smile.

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AN : Chapter's 3 all done ! Thanks for reading, and please point out any mistakes !

Finally some names … My head was beginning to ache while thinking 'Will they even know who I'm writing about ? '

- So Yes, Mundok is the old man (the candies gave him away right ?) and yes, he is way younger than in the AnY timeline. And there are some things missing, I know... don't worry, I'm on it.

- Soron was the name Mizuho Kusanagi (mangaka of AnY) planned for Hak at the start. Then she changed it to Hak-jin because it was too similar to Su-Won. And finally it was shortened to Hak. See ? Nothing happens without a reason dear readers …