Fandom Yona of the Dawn [private]

[.Phantom.]

The tension was high all around. Not only had her lord of the South Kai Empire taken the red haired girl from the infamous dragons, he'd also managed to take two of their dragon warriors, forcing them to fight against Kouka in order to benefit his own selfish needs. It was not something she liked to watch, but it didn't have much to do with her. She was allowed to freely roam where she pleased, if only because she was harmless to those around her. It wasn't something that she was necessarily proud of, but she was trying to keep those she cared about safe for the time being. Kouka was growing more and more powerful by the day. She'd heard about their four dragon warriors, who took on the traits of dragons themselves, and wished to meet them. Finally... she and Yang weren't the only abnormal ones. As the living Yin and Yang, it was tough. Being the balance for all things good and evil, all things living and dead, it was a lot of pressure. She knew she'd been reincarnated over millennia, but this was the first time she felt so uneasy. It had been a century or more since she had last seen one of the dragon warriors. In another life, in another body, as another person. The warrior had looked so... sad. He seemed as though no one would come for him. As though he had nothing left to live for. She'd attempted to make him feel better. But her body in that life had been poisoned. Her Yang had been slaughtered, and a Yin without a Yang cannot survive long. Kaya. That had been her name in that life. She had loved the dragon. He had taken care of her even though it was futile. She would die and she knew it. But still he was there. Zeno. She would never forget his name or his face. Nor would she forget telling him to meet her in heaven, knowing full well that she would not ever be going to such a place.

Lord Kuel-Bo. He was not someone she followed like the rest of his people. She merely followed him because it was what she and Yang had decided together. What was the plan even? Fight the dragons? Force them to join him? How ridiculous. He felt so confident because he had her and Yang, but she knew the truth. They were just there because it was a comfortable place to live, and they didn't have to fight or anything. Peace was maintained. Despite all of the legends about her and Yang bringing peace and power to those who they served, they never truly served anyone. That was why they were Yin and Yang. Why she was the Yin and her partner was the Yang. It was simply a matter of delusion that the normal human population believed such myths, which kept them fighting against one another in an endless bloodbath. She was so sick of it. Sick of the fighting. When she'd heard of the dragons being kidnapped, she wanted to take a look. And so, of course, she was headed to look at them this very moment. Each footstep was lighter than the last, bordering on a running pace to check out the dragons brought to them. She caught sight of a green haired man and felt a pulse inside her. He was one. A dragon. She didn't know if it was her own inner dragon screaming out in joy at meeting someone else similar to her or what, but she knew. The second one... He had wild, unruly blond hair, though it looked like he were wearing a headdress of sorts. It was familiar, and an ache in her heart caused her to lean forward a bit too much. It was dread that she felt wash over her, stopping her in her tracks. Those familiar blue eyes briefly flickered up to meet hers, and she just couldn't find it in herself to move. No. Impossible! But it was true. The beast inside her flew around in circles of joy, much like a dog chasing their own tail. Zeno. She couldn't help him. It was impossible to do anything. He was... stuck. As the balance, she couldn't do anything without consulting with Yang. She needed Yang's permission and help. Only if they were on the same page could she do something. But how did Yang feel about the whole situation? She wasn't sure.

It no longer mattered who he was against. He had to get Yona back from the Kai Empire. If he had to team up with the Fire Tribe and their loathsome group, he'd do whatever it took. Even if Yona never knew of his true feelings for her, even if she never believed that he had felt the same way towards her ever since they were younger... it didn't matter. He only knew that he had to retrieve her from the hands of the enemy. If she were to die... No. I can't think like that. He would save her. He had to. Hak knew that even if he hadn't promised King Il that he would serve and protect Yona for the rest of his life, he would have kept watch over her and protected her. Each word of planning for war spoken around him were lost on his ears. Their war was not his war. The only reason he even decided to work with them was to ensure the safety of his Princess. Nothing else mattered. The more rational side of his brain was telling him that it was not the fault of the dragons who had also sworn to protect Yona, but he wanted nothing more than to pound them into next week for allowing her to be taken. Shin-Ah would be the least likely option, as it would almost be pathetic to fight him. Knowing the blue dragon, he would just sit there while he got pounded, blaming himself. Kija, on the other hand... His hand flexed, already imagining the feeling of punching the annoying white dragon right in the face.

"And Hak..." Hearing his name spoken, he attempted to tune in. Everyone was looking at him as if expecting an answer. Hiding his embarrassment at being caught lost in thought, he scowled, making a comment about not caring what they did with him. It was only later that he realized they had assigned him to be in charge of one of the units. Him? The leader? He had handed over his position of the Wind Tribe partially because he didn't believe he had any leadership capabilities. Being a leader wasn't his duty. Yona, on the other hand... she had always had the right kind of attitude to be a leader. Even as bratty and pushy as she had been, her resolve was strong. Now, though, she focused less on how her hair looked and being the perfect girl for Su Won and instead she focused on becoming the kind of Princess that Kouka needed. The fiery Princess never ceased to surprise and amaze him, which only made it more difficult to contain and hide his feelings for her. Jae-ha didn't help, either. That damned droopy eyes!

// At this point Shin-Ah is with Hak, so I'm not sure what to have for him yet.

foxeyes

 

[foxeyes]

⁶​

Zeno had spent much of his time locked up thinking about escapes. Escapes that would never happen, but escapes nonetheless. He wasn't physically strong enough to break free of anything, that would have to be Jae Ha's job. But he would be able to cause quite a scene if given the chance...

Zeno sighed at himself and slapped his cheeks. Zeno was going to do nothing but get the young lady hurt! He couldn't even think about escape right now, only keeping her out of the clutches of those who would harm her, and if that meant he would have to play some horrible part...

Hak would be here soon, he reasoned. Hak was a horrific force to be reckoned with whenever he so much as suspected the young lady was upset about something (unless that something was him, ha!), nevermind being kidnapped. Though Zeno could sense that Yona hadn't been hurt yet. Which was a relief. But he didn't want them all sticking around to find out.

When Zeno had been thoroughly lost to his own inner ramblings, he missed the footsteps approaching their holding cell. When he did notice a presence lingering, his eyes shot up to gaze at someone that made his dragon anxious. Zeno couldn't quite place it. His dragon knew her. He's not sure that he did.

But there was no mistaking one fact about her. He'd missed it for a moment, too intent on his inspection of her form. She was dragon. And with that, a memory sparked in him that he forced down. It couldn't be true, after all.

He found himself looking away from her gaze and clutching his chest to try and stop the pounding. He knew Jae Ha had startled at his sudden movement, but he couldn't make his usual reassuring smile to ward of the green dragon's questions. This wasn't fair. This wasn't fair to Zeno!

​

Jae Ha blinked at Zeno and clenched his fists, looking up at the girl there and clicking his tongue. She was definitely dragon, that wasn't hard to make out. But what had she done to Zeno, who never wavered in anything? He got close to the bars and scowled, "Leave us alone. Us dragons are territorial." His words were sarcastic in the way they are when he's angry, but also scared, "Go find your own cave."

​

Yona was trying her best to remain brave. To others, it might not look like she needed to try all that hard, but standing up and being defiant always took all of her willpower and for her to rid herself of her fear. In short, it was always an exhausting endeavour.

As of now, she was busy being brave and sipping tea with Yoo Lan. It was not her usual stint of bravery, but she supposed she would have to count it, because it was killing her to sit tight and not try and go to her dragons. When Yoo Lan spoke, she smiled. When she laughed, Yona joined her. She had nothing against this wife of Kuelbo, but she could not bring herself to give the woman her attention. Her dragons...

And Hak... She knew he would be arriving soon. There was nothing that could keep him away. Though the thought comforted her some, it also set her mind reeling. She knew there would be no shortage of bloodshed today.

Her only source of comfort was Yoon, who sat with her and scowled as if he were blaming himself. Her poor Yoon...he probably did.

​

Nari paced through the halls, biting her thumbnail and thinking up all the ways she was going to murder Kuelbo for attempting to capture the Heir to Kouka. Not that the title meant much to her or anyone else, but it was still the truth. She was the late King's daughter and she was alive. Nari had never cared much for Kouka's politics and she had certainly never cared for that Soo Won guy, but she couldn't help but let her inner gears go to work.

There was a captured and exiled princess here. There were two out of a rumored four dragons here. And then, there was her and Kaida. Nothing about this situation screamed good news. She would have to he prepared for the coming retaliation.

With a huff and one hand on the wall to guide her as she felt her vision blurring at the edges, she made her way to where her tiger knew the dragon would be. Which was, she clicked her tongue, with the other dragons.

She wasn't going to tell her Yin not to visit them, but she wanted to scold her for doing it so brazenly. She also really wanted to tell her not to visit them. Sure, this was new. This was scary, in a way. But Nari couldn't help her lack of surprise. Of course, this was bound to happen. Of course there would be others out there. Though, Nari had to chuckle a little, she was beginning to feel like a very cornered cat in a room full of dragons.

She opened the door, making note of Kaida's scent growing stronger and stronger down the hall. When she finally reached her, seemingly undetected as she approached, her eyesight came back in full and she once again could see every pulse that eminated from those in the room.

She couldn't help but flinch. The entire room was just dragon. Heartbeats of dragons, breathing of dragons. Her imaginary hackles rose and she flexed her fingers. Anytime something confused her or made her nervous, her instincts told her to attack it.

But there would be no attacking for now. She looked at Kaida, who had not moved, and frowned. She looked spooked, like she had maybe seen a ghost.

"Hey, what's the matter? These dragons say something?" Her cat-like eyes narrowed in on both of them.

​

//Nothing for Yoon as of yet!

 

[.Phantom.]

Kaida blinked, unable to take her eyes off of the yellow haired dragon. She nearly spoke his name, but refused to get her hopes up. It was just a horrible, terrible coincidence. Because if it were not, then that meant she had died back then while Zeno had lived all of these years. How many lifetimes had she been reincarnated now since that time? She could could a couple, but she would need to ask Nari for confirmation. There were so many things that she wanted to ask the boy. She wanted to ask for his name, his story. Could it even be possible?

She didn't even flinch at the green dragon, who so bitterly spoke to her. A threat, perhaps? Still, she found it difficult to tear her gaze away from the boy her soul longed to call out for. The pull to the yellow dragon had been strong enough to blind her to the obvious approaching of her other half. Her Yang. Slowly she turned her head, taking note instantly in how uncomfortable she was being around the dragons. It was to be expected. Especially when the green dragon was being quite defensive and hostile towards them with seemingly no reason.

"Nothing to get yourself worked up about." She replied softly. Her gaze shifted to the green dragon. She knew that he recognized her as another dragon, but he was already denying her as one. How ironic. "Must you be so rude?" Even to her own ears, that was a little ridiculous. The dragons were being held prisoner. They were going to be forced to fight using the red dragon reincarnation against them. Even without consulting her Yang, she knew that they could not allow such a thing to slide. There was a reason they were no longer a part of the spirit world as mere guides. Something big was going to happen, though Nari was much more aware of things like that than Kaida had ever been. Being in a human form... she had become much too soft.

Her gaze returned to the dragon warrior. "My name is Kaida. I do not..." she paused, glancing over to Nari. "I do not think it is right that you be used in this way. Nor do I believe your princess should be held against her will." Still, her gaze traveled to the yellow dragon once more. "Are you..." No. It's been so long. It would be better if he did not know. "Are you the dragon warriors of Kouka? Are there not four of you?"

Once again he was somehow leading an army of men. How ironic, that the guy who'd tried to kill the Princess was now using him for his own selfish gain, with Yona being hung before him, like you might a dog with a bone on a stick. It was pathetic, how willing Hak was to do anything for Yona. There was no line he would not cross for the fiery princess. No battle that he would not fight, with every last ounce of his being. Anything. He would do absolutely anything for the Princess and she didn't even seem to realize that he wasn't doing it because of the damn promise he'd made with the deceased King Il. He was doing it for her.

Because he could not fathom living without her.

"Don't worry, Princess." He muttered under his breath as they began to ascend upon the battlefield. He wielded his Hsu Quandao, ready to destroy any who dared get in his path. Nothing would stop him from getting to Yona. He would not be allowed to die until he had her back safely in his arms. And then he would continue to pretend that there was nothing he felt. He would not delude himself into fantasizing about his Princess. "I will get you back. I promise."

​

Shin-Ah was ready to fight the enemy. They had taken his light. The Princess had crawled her way into those dark tunnels and offered him something he'd never had before. A friend. A name. A purpose. He felt no need to speak the words he felt in his heart, because he knew that all of the other dragons felt them as well. Yona was their red dragon. Even if she did not believe it herself, the unmistakable awakening that they had felt was too strong to be anything but true. Their dragons knew who their master was, their dearest friend. And she had saved him.

Now it was his turn to return the favor, by doing what he could to protect her. It would take hours to arrive at their destination, and he knew that the chance of them bringing Jae-Ha and Zeno to fight against them was entirely too likely. He would not fight against his friends. He and Kija had both agreed upon that immediately. If they wanted to see the strength of the dragons, they would fail. They were not there to entertain anyone. Yona was their master. The reason for the entire existence was to serve and protect her, according to what he had gleaned from his eager white dragon. And he had failed already.

​

 

[foxeyes]

​

Jae Ha, Zeno:
Jae Ha inched back away from the bars and settled with his back against the wall. He could tell she wasn't lying, and that frustrated him more than anything. They were still in this prison, their master was still at the mercy of their leader and these two...

Jae Ha glanced up at the new arrival. This one smelled different. She wasn't a dragon, but she wasn't really human either. Though he couldn't place exactly what she was, he felt a sense of kinship anyways and it confused him more than pissed him off. Sitting in a damp cell and waiting helplessly for the Thunder Beast to come rescue them could make a man a bit irritable...

Even as Jae Ha had planned to stay mostly silent, he perked up as Zeno began to speak.

The yellow dragon's voice wasn't cheery, like it always was, but his smile was there. It was greatly subdued and Jae Ha could only wonder at what that might mean. He once again found himself wanting to snap at this new dragon, protective of his friend.

"Yes, there are four of us." Came Zeno's voice. He didn't look up from the floor and his hand remained clutched to his chest. "Then there's you." He did, however, look up at Nari, "And a tiger."

How Zeno knew that, Jae Ha wasn't even going to ask. But now that he put a name to the feeling, it was undeniably correct. Strange.

Nari:
Nari had backed off a little with her glaring once Kaida confirmed that she was alright. Though, she didn't really look it. And her tiger could sense it within the Yin, a deep pain. She knew it had something to do with the yellow dragon in front of them, but she was having trouble connecting the dots.

She didn't stop Kaida when she spoke, able to feel the deep hurt inside of her other half that was gnawing at her. If this was what Kaida wanted, then Nari would support it. Though, she knew she wasn't going to be getting along with the green one anytime soon. When he looked at her, she sneered and a deep rumble of a growl erupted from her throat. She hated to let the animalistic side of her gain purchase, but this whole situation was stressing her out.

Remembering why she had so anxiously sought out Kaida in the first place, Nari leaned close to her to whisper, "The princess is having tea with the Lady Yoo Lan and she does not look to have a care in the world. There can only be one reason for that and it bodes well for none of us." She wasn't quite sure, because most things anyone knew these days were whispers on the wind, but she was almost positive the Thunder Beast would be showing up at any time now. She'd heard things about the dragons and about Yona and about that dreadful Beast. She couldn't resist a scoff, looking like she had done it to nothing, as she thought of once again having to face off with the man. He annoyed her to every extent, though she had to admit his prowess astonished her. She only hoped she wouldn't have to face him on the battlefield...and if he dared to hurt the one she held closest to her...

Her face softened, thinking about the perilous situation the band of dragons and their lot were in. She couldn't say she pitied them, because she didn't know how to feel such a thing, but she did understand.

"There will be fighting, soon."

Yona, Yoon:
//They're just chillin' for now.

Edit: Yeah, I was having trouble with it to be honest. >w< Took them away from this post because they looked a bit weird.

 

[.Phantom.]

((Okay so I am going to stop using images as it's a hassle to keep re-putting them up!))

It bothered her, seeing the yellow dragon so lifeless. He had taken care of her so well all those years ago... She very well would have told him the truth had she known at the time, but her life was dwindling away. Her dragon had left, to go find it's Yang. She was nothing but a dying shell. Had she known that Zeno wouldn't die... had she known that she would run into him again... perhaps she might have told him the truth about her existence.

The longer she stood there, the more difficult it was to watch Zeno sitting there, refusing to look at her. She had no trace of her former self among her features. The short brown hair had been from her Yin draining away, leaving her in agony and ill. She'd assumed she would die alone, but she had been able to spend such moments with Zeno. In her time of loneliness from having lost her Yang, it was the only time she'd felt at peace. Would Nari understand, if I explained? It had been the first time that her Yang had died before her in such a tragic way. She'd refused to bring up that time, not wanting to force her Yang to recall such a horrible time.

Her sensitive ears picked up on Nari's words, disdain washing over her being. "Fighting?" It was the last thing that she wanted, to fight. While Nari was always prickly and ready to attack those who dared look at her the wrong way, Kaida lacked that same feeling. She much preferred to reason with the enemy, though Keulbo had never listened to her despite her being the living incarnation of Yin. He much preferred her Yang, as he knew that if he said things to make it sound as though her Yin were in danger, it would be easier to get Nari to agree to his plans.

The power she felt when being around her Yang was incredible. She could feel the balance between them, their harmony. They hardly ever needed to speak with words when making decisions, but this wasn't any kind of a decision. It was a warning. Her gaze shifted to the dragons. "Keulbo plans to use you against your fellow dragons. His goal is to weaken you and crush your spirits, and then he wants my Yi-Nari and I to quell you. He is under the belief that defeating the four dragon warriors will give him glory and force Kouka to surrender."

While she had no attachments to any place in particular, the idea of Zeno's home being destroyed... The possibility that... Had she ever told her Yang that she had actually partaken in a human ceremony? That the dragon before her had been the one she'd bound herself to. Her dragon remembered that, despite not having been there. Her mate. She had never thought...

Tears began to well in her eyes, chest tightening. "Kaida needs to leave." She spoke, looking to her Yang. She hoped they thought it was due to her distaste for violence.

==================
(( Do we want to end this scene with the guards coming to take them to the wagons and using Yona as their driving force? I am assuming we'd have a small battle between Hak and Nari? Or the other option would be for Yin & Yang to be tasked with guarding Yona and Lady Yoo Lan until they were summoned since they likely have the basics of increased speed/strengths/inner power, etc. ))

 

[foxeyes]

Nari felt her tiger burning with the need to protect her Yin, who looked like she was on the verge of some sort of breakdown. Her pupils narrowed to slits and she placed her hands on Kaida's shoulders to gently move her away, sending a glare back at the imprisoned dragons as if this was somehow their fault. Which...in a way, it sort of was.

She whispered in Kaida's ear, "We can try and avoid the fighting, but I know what you want and it won't be easy." She sighed, as if exasperated. She would do just about anything for her Yin, even if she didn't think it was a particularly good idea. But that look on her face...Nari tucked a few stray strands of hair behind the dragon's ear.

"I don't know how much time we have."

"For what?" Came Jae Ha's nosy reply, sticking his arms through the bars and resting his forehead against the cold metal.

Nari regarded him coolly, her gaze flicking towards the yellow dragon as well. It seemed that one was going to be remaining silent for now...

She cursed under her breath and looked around, towards all the exits. Her advanced hearing allowed her to tune into the faint sound if footsteps growing closer. "And now it appears we have no time." She clenched her fists and her body went rigid. Guards would be there soon. She looked to her Yin and her face said worry and anxiety.

With one more curse, she shuffled over to the cell and placed her hands around the bars, leaning in close, "Despite my reservations, my- Kaida here does not want to see your blood spilled. Tell me, if you're forced against your own, at the stake of your master, will you fight?"

Jae Ha narrowed his eyes, "It won't come to that."

"You fool, it will!" Nari snapped. Shit, the footsteps were getting louder.

Considering her words, he answered again, "I won't. We won't."

"You will have to convince them otherwise, then." The doors opened as Nari said this and she straightened herself, glaring once more.

The guards entered and both seemed to sneer down at every person in the room, even their Yin and Yang.

"You two." One said sharply, "We're under attack. You've been ordered to Yoo Lan's side, to guard the dragon princess and make sure no one comes for either of them. If your orders change, you'll be notified."

Nari rolled her eyes and lifted her chin at the guard, "Watch your tone." She once again softened as she took in the state Kaida was in.

 

[.Phantom.]

Kaida's eyes flashed, a pulse of power filling the room. "Do not presume that you have any authority over me." There it was. The lingering danger and threat of a dragon was present, but it was a far deeper feeling. The inner darkness that threatened to consume her. If not for being so close to her Yang, she may have acted on it, the feeling of wanting to destroy those who were in her way. The anger flaring up within her, blue eyes already darkening to nothing but black pits. "Or should I remind you that Nari and I alone have the capability of wiping out your Tribe, but refrain out of our respect for Keulbo?" Granted, she was certain that Nari was only playing nice for her sake.

It would do these soldiers to keep in mind that while Kaida was the more passive of the two, and the least likely to harm, if they pushed her too far that would be the end of it. And the chances of Nari stopping her were fairly low, considering it took a lot to send the dragon spirit over the edge.

Her emotions were quickly coming out of control. She needed to get out of the room before she acted on her murderous feelings. Reaching out to grab onto Nari, she gave a silent plea to get out of there. Her dragon was roaring with anger. The most unbalanced she'd felt since that horrible time when she had lost her Yang first. Zeno's presence threw her in for a whirlwind of emotion.

Hands trembling, she began to walk with Nari, towards the exit. She paused momentarily, flashing the guards two sharp fangs and murderous intent. I dare you. Her dragon challenged silently. Not a threat. Oh, no. Her dragon made good on the promise to death. While Kaida wasn't the biggest fan of violence, she knew that her dragon did not feel the same on the matter. Her inner Yang within the Yin.

She spared one last glance towards the prison, silently praying that the dragons would be alright. She moved quickly. She would go to Yoo Lan, though not because she was ordered to. The woman was not a bad woman. And Kaida was certain that the young Kouka Princess would understand this, if what she heard of her were true.

"Nari, there..." She swallowed. "I have kept something from you. I did not think it would ever be worth mentioning so I never did..." Would her Yang be upset with her? They couldn't afford to be out of balance right now, but she feared that keeping it a secret would only cause more problems in the end.

 

[foxeyes]

Nari tilted her head to let Kaida know she was listening, staring straight ahead as they walked. Kaida had kept something from her? She knew vaguely that this was true, always had. But she had never really allowed herself to pry, allowed herself to be curious about it.

She did finally let her gaze fall to her Yin, frowning slightly at the expression she found on her face. What was it, that was making her look this way?

"It's alright. You can tell me." She finally voiced. And then she considered her words and amended them, in as soft a tone as she could conjure. "Or you can not. I won't push. It seems to be something that pains you greatly, I can feel it. It's hurting you, and...it has something to do with that dragon." She frowned, not hiding her emotions at this revelation. She would stay skeptical of the Kouka Dragons. She slowed her gait as they walked, so they would not arrive to Yoo Lan's side too early.

 

[.Phantom.]

Her reasons for hiding such a thing had little to do with Zeno, and everything to do with her Yang itself. She hummed softly, wrapping her arms around her abdomen as though it would soothe her unease. "Many years ago, I met the yellow dragon of Kouka." She couldn't bring herself to meet the gaze of her other half. She could not admit such a thing while taking in the expression of Nari. "It was in another life, when I was Kaya." She hated bringing up that time. She'd lost Nari much too soon.

Even now she found it difficult to swallow the lump in her throat and the pain that panged in her chest at the memory. "When I was fading, I met him. A simple human boy. I had become gravely ill, due to a human disease and due to..." She trailed off. The pain of losing her Yang early had nearly driven her insane. It had been a heartache she wished upon no human.

"He took care of me. Made those last months more than I could have ever imagined. I did not... I did not think it would have been possible to feel so at ease when you were gone. We..." Her vision blurred, and she was quick to scrub at her cheeks with her palms. "We had a human ceremony. One of their marriage ceremonies. I thought... perhaps it would make him happy. I never thought.." I never thought that I would see him again, like this. He won't look at me. Does he recognize me? Does he... Kaida's teeth sunk into her lower lip to cease it's trembling. If he hated her, she did not think she could stand it.

"My Yin had left to be with you, so at the time I could not feel his dragon. I did not know..." Her resolve hardened. "I have to help him, Nari." The tightness still gripped her chest like a skilled warrior to a broad sword, but she could not back down. "I do not have any ties to Kai nor to Kouka. My soul is bound to you, but I am also bound to him. I do not care for war, but my dragon is prepared to destroy this country should they make move to harm him." She warned. The more passive of the two, seemingly less harmless than her fierce protector. But her dragon slept. And when she awakened, it could be difficult to keep her wrath at bay.

 

[foxeyes]

Nari did not interrupt as Kaida spoke. Even as she so severely wanted to. Instead, she bit her tongue and forced herself to simply listen to her words. When her voice began to waver, Nari looked at her once again and saw that anguish. It made her want to burn cities. To hell with Kai, to hell with Kouka. She'd make them all rubble to wipe that look off her Yin's face.

"You...married him?" She could not say she wasn't a little beside herself at that. Her and her Yin, they didn't...that wasn't something they did. A human ceremony? A human binding ceremony? Nari knew the tug that it was causing in Kaida. She was bound to this yellow dragon, even if it had been just a human ceremony. It was a bond nonetheless.

Nari swallowed all of her curses and turned to Kaida, reaching up to place her hands on the dragon's cheeks. She attempted a smile. "I see why you kept this from me. And I know why you looked at him like that, now. I...I will do whatever needs to be done, to protect him for you. I stand by you, you know this." She gave a real smile, then, her bright amber eyes shining with her determination.

 

[.Phantom.]

The tears spilled down her cheeks, and nothing prevented her from wrapping her arms around her Yang in a hug. Keeping in such a secret for so long had been difficult. There had been times when she'd find herself staring out from a small village, remembering those days. How happy she'd felt, despite the very big hole that had been within her with the absence of her Yang. It had been something she had done without thinking. Accepting his sudden plea for her to marry him. The feeling of being lonely... of being without her Yang... it had been too much then. The emotions that had filled her chest and caused her to sob in response to his sudden desire to be with her forever. If she'd known she'd meet him many years down the road...

Her arms tightened around the tiger, chest heaving as she attempted to hold back her sobs. Now was not the time to be emotional. Now was the time for her to put it in the past. She couldn't bear to remember the memories. How long it'd been since she had been alone before Zeno had showed up. How he'd refused to eat, declaring he wanted to die. Finally leaving to re-join her Yang to become reborn, holding his hand while falsely giving him hope of meeting above the skies.

"He can't know, Nari." She spoke, pulling away from her dearest friend. Once more she wiped at her cheeks. "I know it was rash to bind myself to a human. I never thought..." She didn't think it would be this binding. She had thought that he would die. The bond would be broken. The living spirit of Yin being bound by a human ceremony was... "I do not think he knows. And even if he suspects, I can hide it. To protect him. If anyone knows about such a weakness..." She clenched her teeth. No. She must pull herself together. With a deep breath, she nodded her head. "We shall help Princess Yona return to her dragons. He is bound to her in a way that we are bound to each other. They all are. It must be painful to be apart."