𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮 || Akatsuki no Yona

Stars [Bandit Arc Ends]

star / stär

a fixed luminous point in the night sky which is a large, remote incandescent body like the sun.

•••

"Tonight is a nice night," Yona says from behind a tall tree, one that must've been planted many, many years ago.

"Princess!" Tae-jun exclaims from the other side. "You must not come to a place like this!"

"I know. Listen without turning your head. I came to say goodbye. Tomorrow morning, we'll leave this land. Yoon said he wants to find a crop that will grow on this land. We're planning on going with him."

"Does that mean you're coming back here?" Tae-jun asks.

"Yes. One more thing. Lady Mi-rae has passed away."

Tae-jun stops breathing for a moment. He remembers his expression when Mi-rae smirked at him and when she yelled at him for being a terrible massager.

"I see." Is all the boy can say.

"It was this morning. I'm sorry for not letting you know sooner. The lady was ill for a long time. Yoon was worried about her but it's not just Lady Mi-rae. You never know when you'll see someone again. There are still many people who need your support."

Then Tae-jun realized something.

Someday is too late.

"Tae-jun. I wonder if I can rely on you. Please protect the people of the Fire Tribe."

Tae-jun digs his fingers into the ground and lets out cool, salty tears.

"To give a task such as that to someone like me is the highest honor!"

Tae-jun didn't need to be a distinguished person.

He prayed that Yona will find happiness.

"I will await your safe return." Tae-jun smiles.

•••

{Ten Years Ago}

"It's always lively outside the castle." The young princess stares at the lanterns illuminating the beautiful town. Traditional Kouka music is played as the Five-General Meeting goes on. "It's brighter than the stars in the sky. I wonder what's happening."

"Yona, have you never been to the town outside the castle?" Soo-won asks.

"The Princess has no sense of direction. She'd get lost in a heartbeat." Hak teases, eating a large grape.

Yona immediately begins throwing everything she can at Hak.

"I'm glad you two are such good friends!" Soo-won exclaims.

"How can you see it like that, Soo-won?!" Hak asks, still catching the objects Yona throws at him.

"I've only seen the castle's town from here. Father says I can't go because it's dangerous." Yona sighs.

"Aren't all places a little dangerous? You could slip and fall to your death from here or someone could poison your drink or—" I begin to say but Hak cuts me off.

"Himari, you're scaring the midget," Hak smirks.

"I'm not scared!" Yona yells, shivering in fear.

"Do you want to go?" Soo-won asks.

"Huh?"

"Do you want to go see the castle's town?" He asks, this time being a bit more descriptive.