Chapter 6

"H-Healer…" Her shaky voice said his name as she clung to him like her life depended on it. Her entire body was shivering from the inner turmoil she was enduring.

"Don't try to speak… You need to rest your body." Joo-Doh could feel the rage boiling inside of him as his desire to protect her only increased.

She obeyed, only letting out the heart wrenching whimpers of a woman who was at her breaking point. Her heart beat was racing in her chest. The sky general couldn't help but notice how unnaturally fast it was.

"Did they drug you?" Yona stiffened in response. He could feel her fragileness, her desperation, her insanity slowly trying to take hold of her mind. He looked over to the side of the table which she had been strapped to. His eyes fell on a strange tube with some type of grey residue inside of it. Standing up, he went to try and grab the bottle, only to have Yona desperately cling to him. Her eyes were squeezed shut, tears still streaming down her face, her entire body was still shivering uncontrollably.

"I'm just going over here. I want to bring the vile back with me to see if there is a cure for the poison he gave you…." Joo-Doh fought to keep his voice calm as he gently ran his fingers through her hair. It wasn't soft like is used to be… Instead it was damp with sweat and dirt. Seeing that she was not going to let him go, the Sky Tribe Leader helped her stand and walked towards the table. Being careful not to let her go, he grabbed the vile and placed it in his coat. Then, he picked up the princess, bridal-style.

"It looks like they have provided you with a futon for tonight." He mentioned only to watch Yona's blood shot eyes fly open in horror. She quickly shook her head as if detesting the idea of rest.

The poison must only affect her when she is resting…

Carefully, Joo-Doh sat her down and looked into her eyes.

"It's okay. You don't have to sleep right now… For now, let's just get something to drink down you." He explained while revealing the canteen filled with hot tea.

"This is a special tea made from slippery elm leaves… It will help soothe the pain in your chest and help your cough." He told her while bringing the canteen to her lips. The princess weakly took the can and took a small drink. It's flavor seeming to calm her ever so slightly. As Joo-Doh stared at her, he could see the bruises and cuts from the chains that held her in place on the table.

The bruises and indentions are deep… She must have suffered so much.

Taking out the bandage kit, he began mending her wounds while she sat there sipping on the drink. It calmed her, but not as much as his presence did. Having him with her, she feels that she can fight.. As long as he stays with her.. As long as she is not alone. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. Just as she felt the slightest bit calm, the vision of Hak's head in her lap surfaced into her mind. Yona instantly let out a scream, dropping the drink on the floor.

"Princess!" Joo-Doh yelled out as she fell forward, her breathing labored. He held her tightly as her body convulsed, her body gasping for air… He knew this well.. She was having a panic attack. Her body had sustained too much stress. She clawed at the ground, her eyes misted as she fought to catch her breath. Everything was hazy, black, shadows, and fear. She could feel the Healer's arms holding her tightly, but she couldn't calm her body. She was telling her mind to slow her breathing, to calm down; however, it was to no avail.

"You're going to be okay. Try and calm your breathing… I know it's hard, just try and calm yourself as best as you can.. It's about to be over. It will end soon. I'm here.. I'm here." She could hear his voice keep repeating those words as she fought to follow his instructions. She could feel her body lurch as she fell to her side, losing the tea that she had just drank. The forced action stung her throat as her body lurched to expel any further wastes. Even then, his strong arms never let go of her. As soon as she was finished vomiting, the masked man had pulled her into his chest again, slowly rocking back and forth. The feeling was nostalgic. She remembered her mother doing the same thing. Holding her tightly when she had nightmares, telling her that she would be fine, rocking ever so softly side to side in an attempt to lure her to sleep. Yona's body was still stiff and trembled with a vengeance, but her breathing was finally returning to a normal rate. She opened her eyes and stared up at the figure who was holding her so tightly.

"So.. You know… I'm the.. Princess." Yona said as she looked up at him. Tears were in her eyes from the painful experience, but she had to talk with him. The masked man was silent in response. He just stared down at her. "Lord.. Kage.. Told you?"

That Bastard knows she's the princess?!

"He ordered this..drug.. to try and.. break me."

"You don't have to speak. Try and rest." Joo-Doh began saying only to have her eyes slightly smile at him.

"He.. wants me.. to marry him. He won't.. let me die… but he will.. torture me.. until I give in." Her words were choppy, as if she was still trying to process everything that had happened. Joo-Doh, however, was able to fill in the gaps pretty easily.

I want to take her away. I want to take her away! I want to take her out of here! That Bastard! What will he do to her?!

"Just.. try to rest." Was all that he said as he laid her down onto the futon and placed the thin blanket over her body.

"I'll figure out something… You won't have to marry that man." The Sky Tribe Leader promised her as he stared into her eyes. She smiled, a beautiful, hopeful smile.

"I know…." She responded as she closed her eyes for a moment and took a small breath. Her throat burned, but she didn't want it to be quiet. She didn't want him to leave quite yet. She just wanted to hear his voice.

"Healer, Tell… Me a Story…" Yona's raspy weak voice strained to say. She watched as the masked figure looked down at her. She couldn't see anything but his dark brown eyes. However, the sense of familiar comfort was evident in them.

"A story?" He looked away for a moment before taking a deep breath.

"I don't really know many stories… but….." A short pause followed his statement as he looked of at the door. His eyes had a distance in them. It was as if he was looking back into his past.

"Many years ago, there was a boy… a boy who had nothing. His father died in a battle before he was even born. His mother had died of a plague that had struck his small village. In order to survive He became a scavenger… finding and stealing food where he could. He had taught himself not to feel, not to have a conscious.. to do what he must to survive. Food was scarce in the village. People were dying from hunger by the day. The boy, himself, had not eaten in three days. He knew that he was at his limit. Rumors were that a small fleet of soldiers had set up camp just outside of the village. The boy thought that this would be the only way to survive. So, he gathered his energy and left the village. The rumors proved to be correct as he saw all of the men sitting around the fire laughing and having a good time. He could smell the food sizzling above the fire. The smell was enough to drive him forward. He snuck around the campsite as silently as he could, just trying to steal a loaf of bread to get him through. His hunger clouded him and caused him to act rashly. That was when a soldier caught him. The kid fought with all that he had in him, kicking, screaming, biting, punching. But he ended up in the middle of the group of men. Just as he was about to get a beating, a stern man's voice called out instantly stopping the soldiers. The boy was shocked as he looked up to see the first son of the King... He said that he liked the kids fighting spirit and handed him a loaf of bread with some meat. He asked the kid where his parents were and offered him a future position in his army. The boy eagerly accepted this offer and was placed with a strict, but caring older general. His name was Tan-Lee. He renamed the boy and told him that his old life is no more. He taught the boy everything there was to know about fighting and swordsmanship. He became his father. The boy, being the adopted son of a general, was around the prince that had saved him. He looked up to the prince, wanting to only serve him. When the boy was 12, the prince had his first son. The prince was so proud. He was always saying what a great king his little child would become. The boy, swore that day, that he would protect this child at all costs… This happiness.. this pride… the future of the kingdom. He-"

Bang Bang

"Time's up, Healer." The soldiers cold voice called from the other side. The Princess' grip instantly grabbed his arm.

"Be right out." Joo-Doh responded as he took her hand in his.

"Don't-" She went to say only to have his eyes silence her.

"I'll be back early tomorrow. I'll try to find something to help…." He whispered to her before running his gloved fingers through her hair. Her eyes, shimmering with tears, were begging him to stay. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I can't stay with you… But I will get you out of here somehow. I promise."

With that he stood up and went to leave the room.

"The story…" Yona said causing him to turn around. "Promise… You'll finish the story."

Joo-Doh let out a smile before nodding his head. He then exited the room, leaving Yona completely alone and feeling terrified. It wasn't the story that she wanted… It was the promise that he would come back.

The story isn't over, he has to finish it, so he has to make sure that he comes back.

"I'm coming back early tomorrow…" She curled up in a ball, repeating those words in her mind for the rest of the night.

He's coming back… He's coming back… My Healer….

….

Soo-Won sits outside looking up at the moon. Joo-Doh had gone out again, as he had been for a few nights now. Of course, he feigned even noticing the man's absence. It was best to pretend to be ignorant to avoid his ally from becoming even more secretive. He had a general idea of where he was or what he was looking into. The King had heard the reports, of women being taken and abducted. One woman in particular, with red hair, had been taken.

Surely… It couldn't be….

Her face flashed into his mind as he felt his heart tighten in his chest. Shaking his head, as if to ease the tension in his mind and heart, he stared down at his hands.

Hak wouldn't ever allow her to be taken… She wouldn't be here…. Whatever the case may be, I'm sure that Joo-Doh is already looking into this. He always used to do this for the Sky Tribe when I was younger… Taking care of things that he didn't want to disturb Father with… I guess I will just have to wait until he comes to me about it. And that girl…..

"Soo-Won!" Her piercing scream echoes in his mind as he thinks back to the day that he didn't save her. The painful look in her eyes, her pleading voices, the look of betrayal…... He feels his heart tighten once again as he stands from where he was sitting and returns to his chambers at the inn.

It wouldn't be her… I hope it's not her….

….

Agh! I got it done! Chapter 6 is now complete! Sorry for the late update you guys T_T. Life has me running around like a mad man! Hopefully it was a little bit more fluff, and we get a little Soo-Won too! I hope you guys enjoyed it!