WARRiOR (Akatsuki no Yona Fanfic)

6. They See

"Ah, Yoon! You should wear a mask, the air's getting worse these days," an older man called out as he saw the young boy with a basket of clothing.

Yoon raised an eyebrow, "bad enough for there to be an official notice from the village head?" he asked.

"Yes," the man responded, "we considered moving, but you know how the tribe is... even if we move, there's nowhere better."

And Yoon sighed. "It's all because of that pyromaniac two villages over," he scoffed, "can't she think of the consequences of everyone downwind? What if it affected the rivers?"

Just a few days ago, a great fire caused a ruckus through Fire Tribe lands. A little village, but one that focused its military on weaponry production— one such village was targeted and set on fire.

Gunpowder erupted in an endless chain, creating bombs, landmines, and an endless fiery hell for those that lived there. All of their stocks were lost, and half of the forest surrounding them were seared to the ground.

The woman who was responsible for it had run in the night, leaving hundreds of casualties in her wake.

Yoon could never be happier than years of military preparations were foiled— but the smog and gas of the explosions lingered. Haze filled the sky, making it grey, thick and polluted. Water had to be checked for signs ofoil before drinking. Crops wilted and forest animals became agitated.

Yoon could not hate her more than now, for putting his village at such risks. This village could not afford to be compromised in any way.

And the man mirrored his displeasure, casting a glance at the drawn wanted poster on the board, "though the war's delayed, the army may start to conscript soldiers even all the way out here. That really doesn't look good for us."

Yoon perked up at that, "is Granny Hwa alright in this weather?"

"Well, she certainly isn't getting better," he said, nearly sarcastic, "I'm a young and able man, so if the army comes and takes me away-- she'll be alone."

Yoon closed his fist.

He felt the same way for Ik-soo, and nearly half of the stronger men in the village were already conscripted to the capital. What little they had left were the younger ones that barely made the cut to stay behind. If they came again-- they might even take Yoon, if Yoon didn't hide at the edge all the time.

Yoon couldn't imagine leaving Ik-soo.

Yoon couldn't imagine leaving his village, not in this trying time.

And he didn't even know who to blame. The Fire Tribe General? That pyromaniac who was too selfish to realize that she was doing more harm than good? King Il, who still wasn't helping them out at all?

Yoon fumed, and threw his anger into the river with the clothes he still needed to wash.

Nothing to do but endure.

-

Zeno was just waiting a little longer.

From the distance, he saw his little princess grow up, and he smiled when he saw the Green Dragon soar in the skies. The White Dragon hid behind the mist, but Zeno knew he was lively as ever. The Blue Dragon was never to be seen, but there was a calm in his heart that set Zeno at ease.

He roamed the lands, as he always did.

He trailed through the forests, with no true goal in mind. He did not eat if he did not remember to eat. There was little to do with eternity, so it was his luck that he's learned how to observe for hours.

Sitting still on a tree branch, he watched the girl who lay in the crook of a tree trunk, wrestling in a fitful sleep.

She had settled there the night before, not realizing Zeno's presence.

There was something about her that made Zeno look twice.

Perhaps it was her hair that strange shade of brown he could only see in the light, and looked black otherwise. Her dress was simple and nothing at all extravagant. She wore no expensive jewels and held herself with no grace— just Might.

It wasn't as if Zeno thought they were a strange case... a girl without femininity. After all, even the most masculine of girls have an ingrained sense of beauty inside of them. For someone to have none at all... was she perhaps a man?

(Ah, if he said that out loud he would get punched, right?)

Zeno couldn't help but stare. After all, it would be bad if she got attacked whilst in her sleep... she was so defenceless. Zeno decided to stay, just to make sure she had some rest.

She stank of smoke and was caked in dust. She must have come from the Fire lands. He's heard of the fire there.

(So she was the one who caused it?)

How reckless, he thought. Not many would bother with such a risky feat. She was now wanted by everyone in her blood and everyone that once knew her.

Why would someone throw all that away? Zeno couldn't really imagine. Even Zeno treasured his bonds dearly.

(I wonder what her name is.)

With eyes as kind as a mother, but as serious as a hunter... She was a warrior, no doubt— despite the fragility she exuded, she had strength.

She was meek, and yet... Zeno couldn't help but sense the familiarity in those features.

He reminisced of a boy, so small so long ago, with him a set of thin wrists. A backhanded grasp on a blade... Hair as brown as milk tea.

(A voice no one hears.)

The girl roused from her sleep. Zeno stood from his spot, turned, and hid in a higher branch.

He watched the girl survey the area she was in, greeting each frame of a leaf like it was a tender child. She picked out a vine and bound her sleeves up near her shoulders to ease movement.

She then hiked up her chima, tying it in a bundle to the side. Now her knees were free.

Zeno stared for half a moment then hastily turned away, realizing that was rude of him.

To expose your arms and legs in a forest like this... he wondered if the girl knew what she was doing at all.

Zeno looked on a little worriedly-- after all, what kind of man was he if he let a girl like that walk on alone? Well, the ever-so gentlemanly Guen would roll over in his grave.

The girl took a deep breath-- and to Zeno's surprise, she smiled-- as she made her way up a tree.

Zeno shrank a little further into his tree to avoid being seen, but he couldn't help but be in awe of how quickly the girl climbed up, branch after branch, as if she had done this plenty of times before.

She settled at the topmost, and looked out.

The way she smiled, so joyfully up there-- it made Zeno remember the old days where he could smile so brightly too.