(Rewrite) Life & Death | Akatsuki no Yona Fanfiction

Chapter 15: Our... Humble Abode

The group found themselves pausing at the top of the stairs. Whether to catch their breath or not, the shrine that held the earth before them stole their eyes.

It was massive as the evergreens that hid it. Its collapsed walls and columns mangled in the needled brush.

The paint that once adorned it chipped through the char that replaced it. The gated entrance would've matched if it still remained, for its regal statement was all but ruins at the top of the stairs.

With the yokais' help, the group stumbled over them. As Yona hopped off the ruins, she took in the remains of the courtyard. Grand, it welcomed them.

Snow pilfered nicely over it with trails and swirls of footprints disturbing its smooth sheet. Then again, as the princess watched snow slide off the roof of the shrine, the snow wasn't good at preserving itself either.

Smoke swelled the sky. Yona traced it back to the shrine and held her breath.

She hoped Yamiyo would've been the last shaky encounter. But by the looks of the shrine and how big it was, there must've been at least twenty or forty yokai living here.

The princess hugged her arms, standing brave.

She blinked as Zeno skipped ahead of her, blessing her vision with his silly smiles and hops. She giggled as he exclaimed happily for the smell of food. Her friends paused as they too smelled the air. Something sure did smell delicious.

Mira hummed as Zeno bumbled to her, asking if it was time to eat yet. His stomach growled in chorus, and Yona laughed harder. Beside her, Yun seethed and scolded him for being rude.

Until his own stomach growled. He paused, and the usual of his group cracked up.

He snapped at them, trailing off as another albeit far more obnoxious snort caught his ear. Who would've thought it came from the same mouth that enchanted verses and melodies from its lips.

Red, the boy yelled at Yamiyo— incredulous at how he had the gull to tease him when he helped his sister. The dancer scoffed, and Mori swatted his head. With a lazy huff, she told him not to drag her into his stupid quarrels.

With a sigh, Mira shook her head. She turned away, facing the shrine. Eun watched her love brighten and agreed as she said it was great to be home again. She took her hand, and Mira smiled.

The yokai's grin only widened as she noted the small shadow that peeked through the battered screens. She snorted, and Eun followed her gaze curiously.

With her own giggle, Eun called towards the shrine. Mira joined her, waving her family over. The group paused their shenanigans to watch as the shrine's doors burst open.

A small blur with a mask scrambled across the courtyard, colliding its excitement with the two women. After Mira swirled them in the air, Eun caught them both in a hug. Laughter was all that was heard among the three.

Rolling his eyes, Yamiyo called to the second masked person as they crept out from the doors. They called back their greeting, and Yamiyo hummed as he trailed across the courtyard. Sleepily, Mori greeted them both.

Yona offered a smile to the three embraced, and the small, masked girl waved back happily. The group paused as Yona beamed and hurried up to the siblings.

Yamiyo acknowledged her as he explained the situation to the other yokai— a tall, masked boy. Mori waved to the princess, and the boy mumbled a greeting. Yona smiled back, but he didn't follow.

While she paused, the rest of the group hesitated to join her. Catching her breath, Mira gestured them along. The girl seated on her back nodded and exclaimed they were just in time for dinner. Well, it was still being prepared. They were waiting for two others to get back from hunting after all.