Chapter 38: Shisen

Yona's feet felt like they were on fire. They had been walking for what felt like an eternity. Zeno had been helping them avoid being detected by any soldiers guarding the borders of each nation. Having left Port Awa they had ended up in the water tribe. However, upon arrival of the first village they had found it almost abandoned by its inhabitants. With a torrential downpour upon them as soon as they entered the village Yona found herself soaked in minutes.

Jae-ha looked around the village as the group found a horse stall to take shelter in. He just couldn't allowed Yona-dear to rest in such a place. Jae-ha felt his feet come to a stop at that last thought. Yona-dear? When did he begin thinking of her in that way. Damn this dragon blood! He gnashed his teeth together in frustration. If he were normal he would never think of a sixteen year old girl that way. He hated himself for it.

Rushing once more through the village Jae-ha came to a cute little Inn. The Innkeeper was an old woman who couldn't even keep her eyes open. "Excuse me?" He stated trying to get the older woman's attention but it was for nothing as she continued to slumber. Should I just- he began to think as he reached to awaken the old woman only for his hand to be grabbed.

"Sir, let my grandmother sleep." A soft voice gained his attention. Looking at the young beautiful voluptuous woman before him Jae-ha felt his face heat up at the young woman holding his hand. "May I help you?"

Oh dear… he thought. She could definitely help him but first he needed to get a room for the group. "Miss I am in need of a room for my group and I."

"Group?" She inquired as her eyes scanned behind him only to see nobody there.

"Yes." He replied as he stood tall, no longer bending over to touch the elderly woman. "I need two rooms." He stated as held up two fingers. "There's a young woman within my group who could use a bit of a break from the boys." He stated this as sweetly as he could in order to gain some points with the woman's good graces.

Giggling the brunette reached over her grandmother's head and handed him two keys. "I'll show you to the rooms." She said with a smile and a flirtatious wink at him.

Yun looked out into the evening sky. The rain showed no end in sight. The heavy clouds seemed to just dump the downpour onto the village like it wanted to drawn the citizens. It had been awhile since Jae-ha had gone to find shelter for them all. "Brother Ryokuryuu has been gona a long time." Zeno stated voicing what everyone else was thinking. Zeno had taken his tunic jacket off and placed it over Yona's shoulders. The young woman was shivering slightly at being so damp.

"Maybe I should go and find him." Hak offered as he stood up from his seated position on a bale of hay.

Yona laid her head on Zeno's shoulder. Kija about growled in jealousy at Yona's affection towards the Ouryuu warrior. "H-He'll be fine." He hissed slightly. Hak raised an eyebrow at the white snakes words.

Yona sighed. I remember father once said that the water tribe territory was surrounded by greenery and water. Making it the most exquisite place in Kouka. Visitors come from all over to see it and its people are peaceful, loving and gentle as the swirling waters of the rivers that guard it. Her eyes opened and looked at Zeno deep blue ones, a frown appearing on her face. However, ever since we've arrived I feel like I've stepped into a swampy muck land that's trying to drag me under. My body feels heavy.

"Shisen is suppose to be nice this time of the year." Yun muttered before a noise startled everyone. A moment later Jae-ha stepped into the stall. His clothes were muddy on the right side. "Are you alright?" Yun inquired as he rushed towards the older warrior.

"I wasn't very elegant in my landing." He sighed sadly as he tried to brush the mud off only to spread it. Making a face of repulsion towards being dirty. He looked at the group. "I found a place. It was only six hundred run per person."

Yun groaned at the hit towards their savings. "It's dry and clean. I'll take it." He stated unenthusiastically. Getting wet once more the group make their way to the Inn.

As Yona soaked her aching body in the warm hot spring the Inn was by. She tried to figure out why her body felt the way it did. Surely walking all the way from Awa Port to Shisen wouldn't cause the aches she was feeling nor would it feel like bricks were pulling her eyelids down. Something isn't right here. Something is off. Standing from her bath, Yona walked up the steps out of the spring. The cold night air making her shiver after being in the hot water for so long. Quickly making her way into the changing room, Yona spotted a fresh blue dress with a yellow tunic jacket. Yona giggled lightly. Yun must have snuck in here to give me this. Her old clothes had been soaked and dirty. She wasn't too surprised that the younger man had given her some new fresh ones. Dressing quickly, Yona made a mental note to thank him later. The clothes were a bit warmer than the other ones. Those had been made for warmer weather. These, not so much.

Walking back to the rooms Yona heard Jae-ha's voice through the door. "Since we're stuck here in the village why don't we all go out for a bit."

"Where to?" Hak's voice sounded bored.

"The red light district of course!" Jae-ha teased lightly.

Yona held a hand over her lips stopping a giggle from escaping. Even when he was a new bodyguard, during his off nights, Hak never went to the Red Light District in the capital. Yona had never known why when she was younger. She wasn't stupid. She knew what those places were for. However, over the years she had heard the rumors circulating in the palace about her friend from his possible preferences to him possibly not being able to perform to him having no desire. Truth be told Yona knew it was because Hak respected women too much to reduce one to a one night of pleasure.

"Count me out." Hak's deadpan voice filled the hall.

A sad sigh was heard from Jae-ha. "Hak, I don't know whether to be proud of you or worried." Hak's light growl was the only warning the green haired man was going to get. "Believe me, I know how devotedly in love you are with Yona…" The sound of a fist coming into contact with something was all Yona heard next.

Yona held a hand to her lips to stop the gasp threatening to come out. Hak loves me? Oh, this wasn't good. Not when she was developing feelings for Zeno as of late that confused the hell out of her. Quickly shaking herself from her thoughts Yona opened the door with a smile on her face. She spotted Jae-ha holding a hand over his nose. She could feel the air was heavy in the room and decided to give the boys an excuse to leave.

"Whilst I was in the springs I heard some of the older ladies talking about a tea house some of the men in the village visit in the Red Light District and thought you boys might like to go." Everyone looked at her with a bit of shock. "Jae-ha I know you like to visit those kinds of places, why don't you take Hak and Kija with you and see if you can gather some information about the area from the locals there."

"P-Princess!" Kija stuttered with a slight yell. Does she even know what those places are used for!? He wondered with a bit of shock at the suggestion.

Zeno grinned happily at Yona's suggestion. "Brother Ryokuryuu and Mister will have the most fun but I think Hakuryuu will faint at the tea house." The tease towards Kija caused the white haired man to go red in the face.

"I-I will not!" Kija screeched.

"Perfect!" Yun yelled as he pushed the three oldest out of the room. "You three gather information and we'll stay here with Yona." He then closed the door on the three men causing them to stare dumbfounded at the wooden door and wonder how this had turned from them refusing Jae-ha's request to a forced mission. The two youngest of the trio glared at Jae-ha who suddenly had no desire to go to said establishment with these two.

Sighing with much dissatisfaction he waved for them to follow him. "We never talk about how this occurred."

"Agreed." Hak muttered.

"We've been tricked." Kija stated the obvious. "How did they do that?"

One word came to mind to the other two, Yona. Somehow the young woman tricked the rest of the group into kicking them out and making them become errand boys with gathering information. Jae-ha grinned. Oh Yona dear, you're a sly one. Still, he was going to have fun with the two boys he had with him. He wondered if either had even been to a Red Light District before.

M-Angel: Yes! I live! Sorry I haven't updated in a year, but things happen. I am trying to get back into writing though. Please be patient with me.