"You did what?" shouted Yun, completely beside himself in anger. "I was gone for what, maybe a day, and you do what?"
Yona smiled innocently.
"I made us all bandits. Don't you like being a part of the Happy Hungry Bunch?"
"No, I hate it!" Yun cried. "What happened to keeping a low profile? And what's with that name?"
"I came up with it in the heat of the moment," Yona said, coloring slightly. "I thought it suited us well."
Glancing at his companions around the fire, Yun sighed. She wasn't wrong, really. But who would take them seriously now?
"Let her be, Yun," Jae-ha said soothingly. "She did an amazing job, considering."
"Did I?" Yona laughed, her blush deepening at the praise. "I only imitated Gi-gan for a bit, that's all."
"Still, Yona," Yun began in exasperation, but Yona stopped him.
"Think of all the villages we could protect like this," she said, her eyes burning brighter than the sun. "Yun, if we could "conquer" all places in need..."
"We could also continue our search for your priest," Sen added. "It would be mixing business with pleasure."
"Pleasure is a strong word to use here," Yun said irritably, but his gaze was thoughtful. Though the circumstances were far from ideal, he could definitely work with them. And though his brain told him it was foolish, his heart ached for these people much like his past self.
"Alright," he said with a sigh. "Where should the Happy Hungry Bunch strike next?"
...
Though the road to Gui'ren wasn't too far, by the time the Happy Hungry Bunch got there, they too had caught wind of the terrible bandits through whispers among officers. Unable to flee, they spent every spare hour hiding what little grain they had in clay jars underground, covering them with sod. Once they saw the eight figures on the road, the village chief took of his cap and waited for them in plain sight, hoping to reason with their leader. But before he even had a chance, the smallest figure raised her fist in the air.
"We declare this land territory of the Happy Hungry Bunch!"
Her subordinates instantly dispersed and rounded up the villagers, who came reluctantly from their huts, each fearing the worst. The red haired girl smirked.
"Let's show 'em," she laughed cruelly. "Yun, give out one piece of candy to every child and medicine to the sick! Get rid of everyone who doesn't accept it!"
The originally terrified villagers' mouths twitched. They have never seen bandits act like that.
"Round 'em up!" Hak called. "The soup is here, they all get a bowlful!"
Jae-ha and Ki-ja practically herded the people into groups so they could eat. Sen ladled them soup and Hak gave out money. Zeno and Shin-ah went from house to house, taking care of those who could not leave their homes for whatever reason. The cruel bandits spent the rest of the day thatching roofs and doing laundry. By the time they left, the village was in a better condition than it had been in the last ten years. The villagers were confused but sang their praise. On the other hand, officers and soldiers shivered at the mere mention of the name, "Happy Hungry Bunch". It haunted them during the day and at night, just as tales of ghosts frighten children. Each day passed in fear and they could only dream of a day when Saika would send soldiers to help them out.
...
"Alright, we're lords of everything from Katan to Ben-ge," Yun mused, looking at the map spread out on the small table Sen had fashioned him of driftwood. "I guess the south-west is worse guarded, since it's further from the capital Saika."
"Would going North be dangerous, then?" Sen asked. "I'm worried about our territory overexpanding. Can we really patrol this all?"
"It shouldn't be a problem so far," Jae-ha replied. "I can still easily get to Ben-ge every few days."
"That's settled, then," Yun agreed. "As for expansion, I think going East is better, since..."
"Are our valued guests in here?" Sen-doh asked, opening the door. "Someone is here to see you."
He ushered in a blushing woman, her soft brown eyes fixed on the floor. Her hair was the color of honey, and her fair cheeks were covered in freckles. She couldn't have been older than twenty-five.
"Thank you, heroes," she said, her thin lips turned up in a bashful smile. "I was out of town, and I heard you saved my son."
Jae-ha glanced quizzically at Sen-doh, who quickly interjected, "Young Bo-nam. You saved him when the officers last came."
"Ah, of course," said Yona sweetly. "It was nothing, I'm glad he is doing well. He's staying with Granny Mi-rae, right?"
"Yes, but I truly can't thank you enough," the woman continued, looking up. "He's all I have. If anything happened to him-"
Her gaze met Sen's, who had been watching the scene with disinterest. Both their eyes widened at the same time.
"Ye-seul?"
"Min-hae?"
Min-hae turned a fiery shade of red, while Sen seemed vaguely irritated.
"Oh, you two must know each other," Sen-doh said gleefully. "I was worried, but I suppose no introductions are in order. I always love helping old friends reunite."
"Friends?" Min-hae asked hotly, before steadying herself. "Of course. It's great to see you again-"
"Call me Sen," Sen said, her smile faker than ever. "It's been a while, darling."
...
Kan Tae-jun, the second son of the Fire Lord walked the palace gardens looking like a beaten dog. His cheeks had sunken and his shoulders seemed to have caved in compared to his self just a few months ago. He leaned over the edge of a little pavilion and lifted a red camelia to his heart.
Red flowers, sinful flowers... they dare flourish in the sun when she lies under the cold ground.
Even worse, they dare steal the colour of her hair.
Ah, Yona...
"If only she were alive... if only I hadn't been the one to kill her," he mused, crushing the fragile flower in his fist. "Sadness has penetrated my body and evaporated my soul. I have yet to find what is left of it... "
His grief did not go unheard by the only guard standing within hearing distance, a plump man named Heuk-chi. Heuk-chi had been appointed as Tae-jun's advisor and bodyguard a while back and was beginning to regret it. Listening to his master's lament, he shifted uncomfortably and slowly inched away from the pavilion.
The melancholy mood of the place didn't even change after Kan Kyo-ga stalked in, followed by two tall and well-built bodyguards. Kan Kyo-ga stood tall and straight, proud of everything he and his ancestors had accomplished. He stared down in disgust at the slumped figure of his brother, a failure of a man who could not even get over the death of a useless woman.
"Blithering idiot!" he shouted, kicking his brother in the ribs, knocking Tae-jun against the railing. "How much longer will you go on living without working? You are the trash of the Kan family. A coward like you should be sent to the battlefield to die honorably instead of rotting in a palace and disgracing his relatives!"
He walked around in small circles with astonishing speed, waving a finger at Tae-jun while lecturing him.
"You are the laughingstock of Saika already! News travels fast, soon, the whole country will be laughing at the mere mention of your name. The trouble you cause is as deep and as vast as the ocean itself. Brother, you have angered our venerable Father greatly, but he is willing to forgive you if you make yourself useful for once!"
After hearing these words that would have caused indignation in anyone else, Tae-jun continued to lie limply on the railing, half his body hanging off it and the other half still in the pavilion. He seemed to have no bones and lay there as though his brother had said nothing at all. Kyo-ga felt his blood rush to his head and walked up to Tae-jun menacingly.
"I would not mind if you threw yourself down from here," he hissed, wearing a demonic expression and nudging Tae-jun's lumbar region with his foot. "It would just take another burden off my shoulders."
"Lord Kyo-ga, I'm sorry to tell you that even if he fell from here, he would break a leg at most. If you want results, you should try from a higher floor, maybe the third or even fourth." Heuk-chi offered. Kyo-ga was beginning to consider the idea when Tae-jun spoke up.
"I don't mind," he mumbled. "Under normal circumstances, I'd be sentenced to death for the crime of murdering Princess Yona. Kill me, please!"
Kyo-ga took a few steps back. His brother had always been incompetent, but at least he had tried. Now he was as useless as a cotton-padded coat in summer. This miserable creature annoyed Kyo-ga more than anything ever before.
"You say you are not afraid of death," he spat, "yet you are the worst type of coward. A man like you, if you still consider yourself one, would die of fear were a sword pointed at him."
Tae-jun hung from the railing unresponsively. Kyo-ga unsheathed his sword and let the the blade catch the sunlight. It shone as though it were gold.
"The only thing you did right in your entire life was chasing that figurehead princess to her death," he declared, pointing the blade at his brother's back. "Although it was the first and probably last time father has been pleased by your actions, this is what you regret most? She was an insignificant, airheaded girl. Stop moping and offer your life and blood to our Kan family."
"... insignificant girl?" Tae-jun whispered softly. A single tear rolled down his cheek, splashing into the creek below. "If she really was... then why? Why won't she disappear from my heart? Even now..."
Kyo-ga felt nauseous. He sheathed his sword once more.
"Forget it," he sneered. "Even your deadliest enemy would lose interest in killing you. Your behaviour disgusts me to the core. I no longer consider you my younger brother."
He turned to leave when a soldier rushed in, red in the cheeks and out of breath. He bowed deeply.
"Officer Dol-bal requests an audience!" he reported between two pants.
"Let him in," Kyo-ga said. He was surprised to see the state that the officer was in. Dol-bal fell at his feet.
"Some unruly bandits have invaded out territory! We can't hold them back. This subordinate is not capable enough. May your Lordship mete punishment!"
Kan Kyo-ga was about to speak when another officer stumbled in unannounced and dropped at his feet as well.
"Unruly bandits have robbed each and every one of our tax collectors coming from the south! This subordinate is not worthy of his office. May your Lordship mete punishment!"
Kyo-ga was about to lecture them both when one of his direct subordinates rushed in.
"Excuse my rude behaviour, your Lordship, but I just got word that these bandits are lead by a woman and consist of seven people. They call themselves the Happy Hungry Bunch!"
Kan Kyo-ga's bodyguards tried very hard to suppress their laughter. Their master fought the urge to kick the two officers at his feet.
"That's it?!" he shouted. "You were overwhelmed by seven people? Are you really Fire Tribe soldiers, or are your uniforms carnival costumes? Go, I have no wish to see you any further!"
The unfortunate officers gladly retreated. The fuming Kyo-ga looked around and found the perfect person to take his anger out on.
"You!" he shouted, pointing at his brother. "I send you into exile! Do not return to Saika in this lifetime, you hear me?"
"Lord Kyo-ga, you can't do that. Lord Su-jin wouldn't have it," Heuk-chi reminded him. Kyo-ga sighed irritably.
"Well then, let's give you a task," he said thoughtfully. A malicious grin spread across his face as a great idea came to him. "These bandits near Katan village... eliminate them. You are not to return until your task is done."
He billowed his sleeves and left. His brother stared after him with empty eyes.
"Heuk-chi..." Kan Tae-jun said. "What time... is it?"
"Your praying hour is approaching, Sir."
"Good... I'll set up the altar... you find me some incense. Mother is trying to hide it from me... but I saw her put it in a little box, neatly decorated... it has pictures of dragons carved into it... fine craftsmanship... she hid it in her room."
Tae-jun fluttered to his chambers. He had nearly everything ready—Yona's memorial tablet, candles, only incense was missing. Praying hour was the only time of the day when he was proactive. Heuk-chi reluctantly left the pavilion as well.
"They don't pay me enough for this," he sighed. If anyone caught him sneaking around in Consort Kan's room, he would be faced with a life worse than death. Kyo-ga's bodyguards gave him empathic glances and hurried after their master.
"And we think being by Lord Kyo-ga's side is exhausting," the younger man sighed. He had short blonde hair and his name was Yun-jae. Despite his young age, he was the third most skilled swordsman in the Fire Tribe army, the first and second appointed to General Su-jin as bodyguards.
"Well it has to be. That's general Su-jin's prided son for you," the older one added. His name was Byoung-jin and he had a long, grey beard and a sagely appearance. His job besides protecting Kyo-ga was also teaching him history and battle tactics.
"Merciless and strict," Yun-jae said dreamily, "the traits the next general must possess, even though it's uncomfortable for us now. Compared to him, his young brother Tae-jun is..."
The two shivered with disgust. Kan Kyo-ga had not been very far off when he said that everyone in Saika palace had the urge to laugh at the mere utterance of his brother's name.
"Rumour has it he was aiming for the throne and made advances towards Princess Yona," Byoung-jin commented.
"So he's moping around because he couldn't obtain the throne? Pathetic," Yun-jae snickered. "What a grand dream he has!"
The bearded man shed his sagely appearance and laughed along.
"If he becomes king, the country would fall in a day!"
"There are power couples and then there's this. Imagine the two of them together, one more useless than the other, sitting together to sign peace treaties with the even more useless Kai Emperor!" Yun-jae said with glee. "It would be gold!"
Their laughter haunted the peaceful courtyard for a long time. The orioles sat silent and even the crickets did not chirp while the sound lingered. All that could be heard for a long time was the tinkling of the artificial brook and the soft noise of the red camelia petals fluttering down to meet it.