"Hey… Wake up… Yona, please wake up." A concerned voice called out to her from the haze of darkness. He sounded worried, panicked… familiar. "Yona you have to wake up. Come on. Open your eyes."

At his command, she slowly lifted her heavy eyes, the world around her a blur of dark shapes.

A figure…. Black cape…. The mask…. The healer.

"You…." She whispered before a violent fit of coughs lunged her body towards the ground. Strong, protective arms wrapped around her, pulling her to him as she fought to catch her breath and calm the searing burning that enveloped her throat, chest, and lungs.

"Don't speak.. Just focus and taking slow breaths." His pained voice said as he rubbed her back. It was soothing, causing her to unconsciously nuzzle closer to him. She needed comfort… at least a little to get her through this time. His arms tightened around her as he silently held her against him. His big hand still sliding up and down in a continuous motion.

"I didn't think that they would do this to you… I didn't bring anything to ease the burning… I'm sure you blanked out so you probably don't remember much right now, but the pain you feel in your is from the long periods of time without air.. The burning in your throat is from your screams….. You must have been so scared….. I'm sorry…... I wanted to come sooner… I wanted to rescue you." The hurt in his voice caused the young woman to hug him. She wanted to tell him Thank you. Don't sound so sad. I understand.. Who are you? Why do you care so much about me? But nothing could come out. She couldn't voice the things she wanted to say and to ask.

"You won't be able to eat with your throat in that condition, but I at least want you to drink." He slowly placed her back against his chest and took out a canteen. Yona flinched at the thought of water. "It's okay. Just take a small sip."

The young woman obeyed, her face cringing instinctively with the feeling of liquid. However, instead of the tastless torture substance, a sweet soothing taste filled her mouth.

Tea?

"It's supposed to soothe the body… I thought it might help calm you… even just a little bit." His voice sounded slightly bashful for a moment as she took another sip of the liquid. "I'm sorry it's not warm anymore. I bought it earlier in the day, and I never took the time to learn how to make tea so I couldn't make it before coming here… I guess I should have learned that… I just thought I'd never need it." He began rambling while rubbing the back of his cloaked head.

He's actually pretty cute. Yona thought to herself as a small giggle escaped her mouth. The tea seemed to keep her from coughing as she did this happy gesture. Joo-Doh looked at her as he saw her smile for the first time in what felt like years.

Here she is… beaten, tortured, starving… but she still smiles…. This woman…. Before he realized what he was doing, his large hand had found its way to gently pressing her cheek. Yona's smile faded as a look of surprise replaced it. She couldn't talk, but he knew exactly what she was thinking.

What are you doing?

"You… You really are beautiful… even with everything that has happened, you still shine." His voice sounded almost foreign as he gently caressed her cheek. The surprise on her face turned to a slight blush. Even if she could speak, it was obvious that she wouldn't know what to say. Clearing his throat, the masked Joo-Doh took out his suture kit and some bandages.

"Some of your stitches have come loose from the torture today.. Let me mend them for you.. I don't want you getting an infection." He told her as he moved to face her back. With steady hands, he began mending her open wounds. The General could hear her suck in a quick breath before coughing the air right out. "Just try to breathe as slowly as you can. I'll be done shortly."

After a few minutes, he finished bandaging her up. His hand, unconsciously, clasping her shivering shoulder. She really was so small and delicate.

"You really are amazing." He mumbled causing her to turn to face him. Her movements were slow and uneven, the broken body of a tortured victim was apparent in the way she moved. Taking his hand away from her, he looked down at the ground not wanting to see her in this state.

"I'm sorry that I can't rescue you from here… even though I want to more than anything… I'm sorry." He closed his eyes in self-depreciation, his hand tightening against the floor beneath him. A soft gentle hand laid on top of his, causing him to look and see tear filled eyes. She grabbed his hand and smiled a beautiful genuine smile.

Thank you.

Joo-Doh could feel his heart breaking as his eyes moistened with tears. Just as he was about to grab her and pull her into his arms, a knock sounded on the door.

"You done in there, healer?" A soldier called out, his tone sounding bored. Joo-Doh looked at the door and then returned his gaze to the princess. Her face didn't hide any emotion with him.. She looked like a lost child at the sound of this question.

"Yeah, I'll be out in a second." He forced himself to respond before slowly picking up the princess and putting her back into the chair that he did not want to place her into. He could feel his hands shaking as he tightened the restraints on her hands and her feet. He could hear a soft cough from her as if she was going to try to say something, but was unable to. He grabbed the canister and placed it to her lips.

"Drink as much as you can." He instructed as she silently obeyed and drank some of the liquid in small sips. "I'll be back tomorrow evening. I'll bring something more for your throat… Try your best to take slow breaths for the remainder of the night. Don't talk, Don't do anything that will place any strain on your lungs or throat... and try to get some sleep… any sleep."

With that he screwed the canister's lid on and hid it away. Then, he opened the door and disappeared behind it.

No…. Don't leave…

Full tears streamed down her face as the door slammed shut, darkness surrounding her small, weak body.

Please…

….

Outside of the prison, Joo-Doh slammed his fist into the tree that held his horse. His horse, spooked slightly, pawed in place a little before letting out a snort. The General's face was contorted in agony as he fought to clear his mind. He had taken off the mask, the mask that helps Princess Yona.. The mask that allows his true feelings to come forth. Now he had to return.. To return to being General Joo-Doh, protector of King Soo-Won and Leader of the Sky Tribe. He knew this, yet his mind could only see her face.. Her trembling body… Her eyes begging for him not to leave, her silent voice that couldn't be spoken aloud due to her injuries.

WHY?! WHY DID THIS HAVE TO BE THIS WAY?! WHY DO I HAVE TO SEE THIS? WHY DO I HAVE TO BE TORN LIKE THIS? WHY DOES SHE HAVE TO SUFFER SO MUCH?!

He barely kept himself from letting out a scream as he leaned his head against the tree trunk.

What do I do?... If King Soo-Won finds out about this, will he help, or will he leave her? Would he forbid me from helping her?... Could I fully walk away from her?

His eyes shivered at the thought of leaving her alone… He looked down at the ground beneath him and touched the scar on his face. He remembered it clearly, the night that he had received this scar.

Bandits… Too many of them… So many soldiers had already died, yet still she remained calm. The Queen stayed silent as she held her sleeping daughter in her arms. It was clear that the odds were not in their favor, as the bandits were after her life and the life of the Princess. He was just a soldier.. Yet it was up to him, his father, and a few men to keep the Queen safe. He had to keep them safe. He fought, dodging attacks after attacks as he heard his comrades crying out from their injuries. Slowly they fell, one by one, against the swarm of enemies.

"We won't be able to make it out alive." His Father, the General of the Sky Tribe, could be heard as the handful of soldiers circled around the Queen and her child.

"Joo-Doh." He heard the Queen's soft voice call his name. He turned to look at her, her purple eyes slightly shaking. "Please, take Yona and escape."

The words shocked him as he heard the clash of swords as the men tried to hold back to swarm of bandits.

"Your majesty?"

"They are after my life… I do not want them taking my daughter's as well… I've given her sleeping medicine. She will not remember anything that has happened. Please… get my daughter to safety... before it is too late." Joo-Doh stared at the Queen in surprise before looking over at his father who had just cut down a foe.

"What her Highness says is wise. We won't be able to hold these men for long. Joo-Doh, we will make an opening. Take the Princess and escape." His voice sounded grave as if he knew what the outcome would entail. Joo-Doh swallowed down his protests as he took the small child in his arms. She was the future… The future of the kingdom. Putting aside his own personal feelings he nodded at his father.

"Come back alive." He told them, causing the remaining men to give him a smile and his father to smile as well. With that the men forced their way into the bandits, creating a small opening for Joo-Doh to run through. He ran, with all of his might, trying to get away, trying to keep the princess safe. Just as he was about to enter into the forest, sharp metal slashed his face. For a moment, he thought he was dead as all he could see was red. It took a second for him to come to his senses. He looked up seeing a bandit, sword drawn, standing in the path.

'No… I will escape with this child.' He told himself. His hand grabbed his sword, countering an attack and piercing straight through the man. Blood sprayed up on him and on the sleeping princess as he held her close. He could hear the men behind him falling steadily, his grip on the child tightening as he raced off into the forest.

The King dispatched many soldiers to the path as soon as he saw them, but it was too late.. By the time help arrived everyone, including the princess and the Sky General, had been murdered. He was promoted to Sky General and charged to look after the king and his small daughter, who had no memory of that night. His duty, from that day forward, was to protect the King of Kouka and his family.

"I promised myself that night that I would follow whoever the King was, just like my Father.. I promised I wouldn't waver… I would die for the royal family.. whoever they are.. Just like my father did… Yet, Princess Yona isn't the ruler of Kouka… She is no longer in the palace or a future leader… I no longer am her servant… But... I want to save her, to follow her, to protect her… But, my vow… I can't break my vow." He leaned silently against the tree, his eyes filled with sadness.

…..

Bang!

The chair in which Kage had been sitting fell backwards to the floor as his standing form stared down at a portrait.

"Lord Kage! Lord Kage, are you okay?" Soldiers dashed into his chambers causing the man to glare at them.

"I am fine. Don't disturb me." He ordered, his men bowing deeply as an apology.

"But we heard-"

"I said, Don't disturb me." His voice was icy and demanding causing his men to cease what they were saying. "Leave me. Now."

"We apologize for our rudeness, Lord Kage. Please rest well." One of the men responded before leaving with the others, a hint of agitation in their demeanors after having been treated rudely. As soon as the door shut behind them, the leader turned his attention back to the drawing.

"She has long hair in this, but there is no doubt in my mind… SHE'S Princess Yona.. The Princess of Kouka Kingdom." His voice sounded somewhat excited as he grabbed the portrait of the smiling, dignified Princess.

"Hah… The gods are in my favor… This must be my destiny! Fate has led me to the Leader of the Dragons and now a Princess… who has never known a man… A princess who is unwed." The edges of his mouth raised as he let out a soft laugh. "Hurry and break, so I can mend you, Princess…. Yona."

…

Here you guys go! Thank you all for your reviews, follows, and favorites! It makes me very happy! For those of you who are also following and reading: In Another Life. I am working on that chapter as well. I'm trying to make it a little longer, as requested, so it might take me a little while longer. I'm planning on having that chapter up by the end of this week or beginning of next!

Thanks for reading and see you next time!