Chapter 9

The hours seemed to drift by in her mind as her soul was torn from visions of horrific nightmares. She wasn't sure what was reality, what was dreams, what were wishes, and what were nightmares.

"Try and rest as much as you can, Princess. When morning comes…. You will be in another battle, but this time… I'm here with you." Was what she heard real? Or was it a dream? A wishful, fleeting moment of peace in between the horrors of her friends being torn apart and people screaming her name?

Is he really going to stay by my side? Or will he disappear just like a shadow? I'm scared… I'm so scared! Please! Please somebody help me! Please…

A gentle warm touch, warmth filling her hand. The feeling felt almost foreign, yet at the same time, she knew exactly who that touch belonged to.

He's here…. He's here beside me… I have to wake up. I have to free myself from this sleep! If I don't then he will leave… He will leave…. I have to wake up…

For a moment in time, her body began to feel sensation again. She could feel the stinging pains of what felt like open wounds from Miren's cruel whip. She could feel the tingling, painful way the air felt when flowing through her throat and lungs. It wasn't a pain she wanted to feel. It wasn't something she wanted to continue enduring. Yona could feel her soul wanting to slip back into the dark abyss, surrounded by terrible memories and haunting nightmares. Her soul would rather break then feel anymore pain from her mangled and broken body.

"Princess…" His voice was like a light that shined through the darkness of her sorrow.

Healer…. Her eyelids were heavy as she fought to open them. I want to see him… I want to see him.

She fought to open her eyelids, even though they felt like boulders fighting to keep her trapped within herself. As if sensing what she was trying to do, a big warm hand touched the side of her face. She could feel a thumb gently trace over her closed eyes, and like a veil being lifted, the weight on her vanished. At first everything was hazy, blurs in the dim lighting of the torch. Her entire body throbbed as her senses became even more apparent. She let out a slight gasp from the sudden instant remembrance of the pain.

"Princess! Are you okay?" The voice of her comforter asked.

He sounds so concerned about me… Why does this make me feel warm inside? Taking a deep breath, the princess opened her eyes once more and focused on the hazy image of a man sitting beside her. His mask concealed his face, but his eyes were full of compassion and concern. As her vision cleared even more, she noticed that his cloak was gone. He only wore a dark grey commoner's clothes with a sword on his side.

"Healer." She found herself saying as she tried to sit up. Her strength was very weak though. Her arms felt as if they were trying to lift a mountain.

"Don't push yourself. You are very weak." His concerned voice said as a large warm hand cupped her back and helped her in an upward position. He lifted up a black cloth and wrapped it around her body. It was then that she realized that this was his cloak.

"If I don't push myself then I don't think I'll be able to keep my sanity." Her voice whispered even though she felt as if she were screaming just to be able to talk. She clutched the cloak in her hands and smelled the scent of the cloak. It didn't have a woodsy smell like she expected; instead, it had the smell of lavender. Slight traces of something only high ranking officials would have on their clothes.

"Don't speak… You've been screaming for hours…. So rest your throat for a little while." He instructed while taking out a canister and filling it with tea. "It's the tea that I've been giving you."

I wonder who he really is….

Yona went to take it from his hands only to have him pull her against him. She didn't resist him; instead, she embraced the comfort of his arms.

"Please, allow me to take care of you. I only want you to think about resting your body." His deep voice whispered as she melted into his chest. With steady, gentle hands he held the small cup up to her lips. A sense of calmness overwhelmed her as she drank from the cup. The feeling of being in his arms made her feel alive… This was the only time that she felt that she was actually alive. If it wasn't for these visits, these moments… She wouldn't be sane. She wouldn't have been able to take it.

"Are you hungry?" He asked while setting her up again and moving over to where a tray sat. Yona couldn't help but feel a little disappointed at the loss of his warmth. She nodded her head and a sense of relief seemed to flood his body.

"Good… It looks like the medicine I brought has helped… I'm glad." He mentioned almost to himself.

"Medicine?" The Princess repeated, her curiosity peaked. Just as she said this, she could see his body stiffen. After a very brief pause, the Healer sat down the tray and straightened as if he were in front of a general.

"Yes, you were unconscious and in a really… bad.. state. I didn't have any choice but to give you the medicine as soon as possible…. I deeply apologize!" Her protector bowed deeply, she wasn't completely sure, but it appeared his face was a tint of light pink.

Why would he apolog…i..z…e…. She thought to herself as a moment of realization finally made itself known in her exhausted mind. In no time at all, a bright blush formed on the young girl's face causing her to quickly look down at her hands.

"T-There's no reason to apologize… A-Actually, thank you for giving me the medicine." She responded in her hoarse whispery voice. For that moment, all of the pain in her body seemed to disappear and her entire body felt heated.

"T-Thank you for understanding…" The Sky Tribe General responded before straightening and clearing his throat. Yona couldn't look him in the eyes, mask or not, she felt too embarrassed. Her focus then turned to the tray of food which was now sitting next to her. It was a small portion of soup, but seemed to be made with care. Silently, the princess moved towards the bowl.

"Please… allow me… I don't want you to have to move more than you have to." Joo-Doh said while positioning himself in front of her. He carefully lifted a spoon full of the cool soup and placed it into her mouth. After a few spoonfuls, Yona lifted her hand to stop him.

"This is all I can eat… I'm sorry." She told him as he silently placed the tray aside.

"There is nothing to be sorry for… I'm relieved that you have finally been able to eat something." He said while sitting beside her on the bed.

"… Healer.." The young girl called his name, the only name that she knew him by.

"What is it?" He asked her, while leaning a little closer to hear what she was going to say. The princess looked up at the same time, a soft blush on her face. Joo-Doh couldn't help but feel his heart skip a beat when seeing her staring deeply into his eyes. Her amethyst eyes peered into the depths of his soul.

"Is it true that you are not leaving me anymore? Or was that just a dream that I had?" Her voice sounded almost pleading.

Please don't leave me…

Joo-Doh smiled at this and unconsciously wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into him.

"It's true… I'm not leaving your side. I promise…. I will stay with you." His answer calmed the storm that was raging inside of her heart.

"I'm glad… I'm so glad…" Yona whispered while bringing up her shaky hands and touching his chest. She softly leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes.

"….Princess…. Do you trust me?" This random question somewhat caught the princess off guard. She didn't move from where she was leaning against him. Ever so slowly, she lifted her head up and down.

"Yes, I do." She answered verbally.

"..Then…. When Lord Kage comes this morning… I want you to accept his proposal." Yona's eyes widened when hearing this.

"What?" She said while pulling back away from the man. Much to her dismay, she pulled away to quickly and a sharp pain coursed through her body.

"Princess!" He said when seeing her face contort in pain. "Are you okay?"

"Why?... Why would you ask me to do something like this?" Her breathing was picking up causing her to cough. Her small hands clung tightly to his sleeves.

"Princess Yona, please calm down. Please listen to me." He whispered while gently lifting her face to look at him. "I'm asking you to do this so that way I can save you…. At this moment, I am unable to do anything. I do not have the reinforcement and the people who are on our side here cannot help us. Even if they did, you are too weak to safely be able to make the escape. In this position, we are stuck…. But, if you agree to Lord Kage's demands, we will be taken to a palace and you will be treated for your injuries. You will have time to gather your strength, and I will have time to gather reinforcements…. Princess.. I promise. I will be with you the entire way. I will not leave your side, and I will not let that bastard hurt you anymore…. So please.. please trust in me."

The princess was silent a moment before softly nodding her head in understanding.

"I trust you…. I will.. do as you say." She said while leaning back into him. Joo-Doh tenderly wrapped her in his arms. He held her close to his heart. He could feel her shaking. He knew she was terrified. She was weak. She was at the end of her rope.

"You have done so well… You really are so strong, but now… let me protect you… I promise I will protect you." He told her as his grip around her small frame tightened.

Knock Knock

"What is it?" Joo-Doh called out as the guard who has been keeping watch opens the door.

"Lord Kage has arrived at the prison... Please prepare yourselves."

…

Another chapter has been written! I tried to make this one more of a feel good chapter since we have had a ton of just torture, crying, torment and the mix. I hope that you guys are enjoying it! Lord Kage returns next chapter! I'm sure you guys have missed that bundle of sunshine. Thank you guys so much for the reviews! It makes me very happy to see you guys enjoying this story.

Batool: Thank you for your review! I'm really glad that you are enjoying the story and are excited! I will try to post more frequently. I have just been swamped between work, college, choir, dance, and house work. Your review really did give me inspiration and energy to write this chapter fast! I hope that you enjoyed it!

Guest: It has not been officially translated into English. What I do is search the internet for summaries and translations of the chapters. From there I figure out what is going on in the story. However, I have pre-ordered all AkaYona English Volumes that are available. I have also purchased Japanese Raw Volumes in order to support Kusanagi-sensei. This way I don't feel too guilty looking up translations. Lol!

Megamitenshihime: I'm glad that you seem to be liking the chapters! Thank you for your support! I really like your name btw!

~Until Next Time!~