𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐄 | 𝑺𝒉𝒊𝒏-𝑯𝒂

𝟒𝟖.𝟓 | 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝

(A/N: Ju-Do will be 30 years old in the current anime/manga...just for the purpose of my story, so please no hate? His real age is 34, but for this story just go along with it please?)

//

//ELEVEN YEARS AGO - IN KOUKA KINGDOM//  - Yumi 7y/o 

Time passes by, while watching the three run around playing, as I sat nonchalantly and longingly upon the garden stone. My indigo curls wisped against my cheeks, while the wind blows idly by feeling my heart sank further. The way my eyes rest on the Princess's glowing face, was enough to keep me hanging around. 

Yet I was always on the side, feeling not being part of their group.

A meeting was just announced as normal, so that allowed grandpa to drag Hak and I along with him. With the meeting really important, he was more serious and stern. Obeying his word, Hak would always have something sneaky up his sleeve. With me, I would watch over him just in case anything goes wrong.

 Autumn had arrived just a week ago, leaving colourful leaves decorating the lands of Kouka. The brisk air grew more crisp, wrapping my arms around me. 

"Soo-Won!" Yona laughs, while they builded up piles of rich coloured leaves. She jumps into the pile, as the leaves fly everywhere before Hak soon comes in annoying the two.

My eyelids rest halfway, feeling tiredness resting beneath my eyes.

Gathering the ends of my sleeves I cover my hands, while pulling my cloak around my legs to gather some warmth. My nose itching to make me sneeze, I bury my head into my knees brushing the itch off before lifting my head. Laughter soon fills the air, while watching the three fall over into the crisp piles of autumn leaves.

Hak is always there, and is always likeable.....

I couldn't help that envious feeling in my chest, how for the past five years since I was adopted, that no one comforted me. I may have had Mundok, but he was too busy or praising Hak, to even have time for me. Only he needed me when he wanted to take to the palace, or just to do most of the chores.

Strong winds blow by feeling the cold pick up, squeezing my eyes tightly trying to bypass the short spike of wind.

Warmth soon blankets around, as the wind stops blowing against me. Slowly fluttering my eyes my head turns to my side, seeing the sky tribes General beside me. He held a stern and stoic expression, he was a very unreadable person. Han Ju-Do. I think he's a teenager, was training under General Geun-Tae, if I'm not mistaken?

"Why aren't you joining them?"

His was was stern, yet he was rather mellow, making it more comfortable to reply back. The laughter echoes around, feeling myself snap out of my daze. Turning back my eyes rest upon my brother who just got tripped by Soo-Won, as they rolled over in laughter.

"........"

"Oi, kid........I asked a question," Ju-Do nudged me, while I sighed tugging his cloak around me more closer. My fingers were slightly shaking, grasping for something to give me somewhat comfort.

"Sorry, I just....." my chest felt weak, feeling pathetic even talking to an older about this. ".....I don't want to spoil their friendship they have, besides...........I'm no fun to play with."

Being only seven years old, I never had fun not by choice but because I never felt like I belonged.

"You know........I was like that too, when I was young," he admitted honestly, making me turn to him in surprise. "Would you rather train instead?"

Nodding timidly, he sighed deeply.

I felt him stand up before seeing a hand in front of me, making my eyes trail up to the intimidating man. He held a softness in his eyes, that made me feel more comforted than I was. Taking his hand gently with my tiny hand, he started taking me somewhere. General Yu-Hon assured me this man wasn't a threat, so I trusted him.