To Protect Dragons

10. Sleep

After another long day of traveling we finally set up another camp area for the night. This time I was expectedly, not allowed to tie the horses up. Sitting by the fire Eun-ji looked more agitated then she normally did. She kept closing her eyes to sleep but opening them moments later and continuously fidgeting with her hands. Kazuto was back to his usual reading of his seemingly abundance of scrolls he had brought for the journey. I looked up and noticed Reo was staring at me. He suddenly got up and walked over to me grabbing my hand.

"You need to change the bandage so it doesn't scar." He gently unraveled the bandage and examined my hand. Besides a small mark that didn't even go deeper than the second layer of my skin, their was already a scab forming over it. I looked up at Reo as he changed my bandages. His silver hair was scruffy and short. His eyes were a deep yellowish green and he had light freckles on the sides of his face.

"Like what you see Kana?" Reo said smirking at me.

I pushed his shoulder lightly, he had caught me staring at him. "What can I say, I do appreciate good looks when I see them" I said grinning jokingly back at him. He sat down next to me sighing.

"I am excited to see my home once again, while I don't remember much of my time in the North I have always wanted to go back."

"I'm excited for everyone to see it, truly. The dragons there and my people are amazing. It sounds cliche but that is the only word I can describe how it is there." I said suddenly feeling a pang of sadness missing Amree and my father. I gripped the necklace that I always had around my neck.

"A leader should always have pride in her country and people." Kazuto said staring at me, as if giving me a nod of reasurrense. His eyes were gentle for the first time, as if he could see that I was feeling down. "How is your hand." He suddenly asked me. His questions always sounded like statements. He was so sure of himself whenever he spoke, his voice was a special kind, one that could make people quiver in fear and men follow his orders. I was slightly relieved that he cared about me, or pretended to at least. My heart flipped at his voice, even though I told it not too.

"It's fine really, I would have bought more of the Eedlant plant if I had known I would be using it so soon. His eyes gazed into mine intently, luckily the fire that emitted in the middle of us flamed up giving me an excuse to look away.

I turned to my side and Reo was already fast asleep. I laughed to myself. "You have surrounded yourself with such good people Kazuto, i'm jealous of your friendships, they are both so loyal to you." I chose my words carefully because although Eun-ji was closing her eyes I could tell she was still awake by the fluttering of her eyelashes from time to time.

He nodded looking at Eun-ji, "Yes, they are good people." The little energy that I had was fading and my eyes were closing against my will. I finally gave in and let them shut. My mind was running with thoughts. After about thirty restless minutes of contemplating if this plan would really work out and my nerves getting the better of me Eun-ji finally spoke up.

"You seem to be especially worried about the princess." She spat. I felt especially weird being talked about, especially weirder that I wasn't actually asleep. I had wished I was at this point, I was invading their conversation.

"What are you talking about now Eun-ji?" Kazuto's voice was hoarse from the night.

"I want a straight answer for once Kazuto, what am I too you? Nothing?" I could hear her voice cracking slightly. I winced internally hoping that I would fall asleep and not be eavesdropping on this conversation.

"We have been friends since childhood Eun-ji, you know I care about you."

"You know what I meant Kazuto. Please don't dodge the question right now, please." The desperation in her voice was painful. It was obvious that she was in love with him.

"I care about you Eunji."

"Not in the way I care about you though!" She raised her voice while still whispering. I wondered if Reo was silently awake pretending to be asleep during this situation. "Right?" She said accusingly while choking back a sob.

"Goodnight Eun-ji." His voice was cold and firm. He was angry. I could hear it in his words. They were sharp and cruel. His tone had startled me, accidentally my eyes had shot open. Eun-ji had stomped away, I glanced forward for a second and made eye contact with Kazuto. We stared at each other for a moment before I shut my eyes again and he had stayed silent. While he may think I am a foolish girl, I knew when to not meddle in situations, especially ones that I had no business in hearing. 

I waited up a little longer, but the crunching of the leaves under Eun-ji's feet never returned. I assumed she had went to sleep somewhere else. My back was strained in the position I was in, but fearing that Kazuto was still awake I kept my eyes shut, not wanting to acknowledge that I had heard their whole conversation. 

His cold attitude towards her was unsettling to me. His personality shifted drastically within seconds. At one moment he could show a glimpse of humanity and being caring, and within a fraction of a second he would be a completely different person. 

Was he a cold blooded commander? Was there more to it? Did I even have a right to be asking these questions? 

All these questions flooded my mind as I tried to sleep. My mind raced with thoughts of Kazuto that were conflicted, and the idea of war was constantly etched into the back of my mind. I couldn't forget why I was here. I also couldn't forget all the people that were depending on me. 

I couldn't let them down. 

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A/N

Sorry for a short chapter this time, let me know how you guys like the story, any feedback appreciated xx