The Dragon Of Affection [ Akatsuki No Yona Fanfiction • Yona of The Dawn ]

CH. 19

[ N A W U ]

"Aww, that's so sweet of you." I teased, touching my cheek with my hand. "Help Yona with hers. I'll be alright." Yona looked at me hesitantly before dumping half of the sticks into Zeno's arms. 

"Woah!" Zeno exclaimed, realizing how heavy they actually were. "These are quite heavy."

"Kija can easily carry all of them with just one hand.  Just his right one." Yona added fuel to the fire calmly. I chuckled a little at her remark.

"What?! Zeno could never keep up with that!" Zeno exclaimed then his expression softened. "But Hakuryuu was a little cute. "

"Heh heh. Right? Kija is adorable." Yona agreed with a smile.

"Yeah." Kija muttered. I noticed that his expression fell to a gloomier one. "They were all...adorable."

"You're both adorable, too...Miss..and Older Miss," Zeno mumbled with a heartbreaking smile. His smile was so pretty but his eyes held emotions so sad and dark. 

Oh poor Ouryuu. 

Is that you, Momoiryuu?

Yes. Ouryuu's story is oh so sad. I cry every time I'm reminded of it.

In an instant, I dropped everything in my hands and embraced Zeno--who was startled--into a tight hug.  I felt so bad for him.  He had too wait way  too many years for everybody.

"Older miss...?" Zeno questioned.  He would've returned the gesture if his hands were busy with the sticks and wood.

"Nana?" Yona asked, quite confused and startled.

I dug my nose into his collarbone and rubbed his back. "Zeno, it's fine now...we're all here now...I'm here now..."

"But for how long.."Zeno mumbled in a voice so low that I almost didn't hear it. The only thing I could do was support him for now. Zeno...

Once I broke off the hug, Yona spoke up. "Yoon and the others said a few things, but I think you're Ouryuu. I can't but it in other words but...the atmosphere around you is different from ordinary people. It's like a golden, warm ray of sunshine.  Even though we've only just met, being around you brightens my mood."

I looked at Zeno and then at Yona.

"I didn't say this before so I'll say it formally." Yona said.

"I'm Yona." Yona introduced herself again with a smile. "Ouryuu Zeno, I'm looking forward to traveling with you from now on."

...

[ T H I R D   P E R S O N ]

After helping Yona and Nawu, Zeno had ventured out a little bit farther from the camping site.

He leaped happily in the air before dropping himself down and sitting, looking at the bright moon with a smile.

"Heavens above. Thank you...for today. "

"The moonlight is remarkably beautiful tonight. "

Behind a tree, a little figure was watching the yellow dragon. She looked at Zeno with confused eyes.  "Ouryuu...?" 

In the distance, Nawu was calling out her name. "Jadira? Where are you sweetie?"

The little girl's expression lit. "Mwommy!"

Before Jadira ran back to Nawu, she took one last look at the lonely man. 

...

"Darkness has befallen the land..."

"The blood of the dragons will revive once more..."

"The ancient pact will be kept..."

"When the four dragons are gathered..."

"The sword and shield which will protect the king shall awaken..."

"And the red dragon..."

"...Shall be restored from the dawn at last."

"The sword and shield huh...?" Yoon sighed to himself.

Suddenly, a pain stroke his head. He winced and massaged the place where it was hurting.

"Who's..."

"Who's...Momoiryuu...?" He mumbled to himself.  The voice in his head was constantly chanting that familiar yet so foreign name..