(Rewrite) Life & Death | Akatsuki no Yona Fanfiction

Chapter 09: Into the Wolves' Den

"Oi! Wake up!" Yona slowly blinked, wincing as sharp knocks shook the room. "Hello!? Time to go, circus troupe!" Exasperated groans accompanied the yelling. Yona hummed, raising to stretch.

That's right. I guess its dawn already. She smiled softly at Ao as she skittered awake, cheering at all the excitement.

From behind her door, the others rustled from their dreams, grumbling about how early it was. As Yona plucked up Ao, she giggled quietly to herself. Perhaps she'd join them if it wasn't the day that they were told to leave or else.

Taking one more stretch and yawn, Yona's mind inevitably scattered to the yokai— the Yama Inu —and the carnage they laid forth last night.

As she stood up and folded her mat and blanket, she wondered if this was a good idea: meeting the monsters behind the terror of this village.

Monsters? She frowned.

Someone grunted, sighing heavily. "Oh, for the love of— Get up already!" Yona paused as they muttered how they were worse than their brothers. "I'd like to leave sooner than later!"

Mira... Yona sighed, smiling weakly.

She recalled their conversation last night. Where Mira admitted to who she really was and promised to introduce them all to her family.

The fight from yesterday had proved the group trustworthy enough. Besides, Mira has a knack for sympathizing with those scorned by the elders of this place. She was certain her family would sympathize too.

Beside the princess, Yun groaned groggily. He watched Yona call back to the bartender. She apologized and assured they'd be ready soon.

Mira huffed, lazing away down the hall. With a yawn, she mumbled her acknowledgment and rubbed at the creases of her eyes.

Yona's smile brightened.

Perhaps they'd be okay after all.

Yun mumbled good morning as he stretched to his feet. Yona reciprocated and helped him pack up their tiny room. Together they glanced over the side room once more before blowing out the lamp and leaving.

Ao squeaked happily as she scurried across the wooden floor and jumped towards Shin-Ah. He hummed, scratching the squirrel's chin gently. They both snapped up as Zeno leaped for the door and breakfast Jae-ha heaved inside. The dragon lifted it away from the cheerful boy, smiling plainly.

As Yun scolded him, Yona helped the others roll and pack up their mats, blankets, and other supplies. They packed everything tightly into their bags.

Offering little help, Zeno jumped around the room. He laughed as Yun groaned.

Meanwhile, Jae-ha tried to cheer everyone up with light teasing. He portioned out breakfast. This time it was bowls of steaming porridge, but no one complained. Everyone swiped up their own happily before finishing up the room.

"How long do you think we should stay in the forest?" Kija asked as he carefully placed his bowl down.

Yun turned to him as he scooped up a bag. "Not long. After Yona is done doing whatever she wants to do with the Yama Inu, we're leaving."

Shivering, he muttered that he didn't want to stay in these freezing mountains any longer than they needed to.

Yona stared at the boy, frowning. Placing down her bowl, she lifted up her bags. Yun glanced at her as she patted his back.

"Thank you, Yun," Yona said, carefully smiling. He paused.

With a grumble, he looked away to double check his bag. "Promise me we'll leave as soon as things get bad." Her smile fell.