I've studied the financial downfall and the living condition reports from all over the Kouka Kingdom to have more of an insight to rid myself of the sweet facade that there were no conflicts in the world. Living in the palace isolated Yona and I for the longest time, even after everything that has happened to us. Now, the walls we lived in can no longer shield us from what's to come.

When I woke, Yona was gone. Panic set throughout my body. I quickly scrambled to my feet, ready to run through the trees and search for my twin, but seeing Hak calmly leaning against the tree I was sleeping under, slightly calmed me.

"Where's --" I open my mouth and Hak immediately interrupts me.

"She's bathing in a nearby stream. Don't worry. I'm on standby." Hak didn't even look at me.

I inhaled deeply. Yona...She's still been like a doll, even after two days of traveling. Barely speaks, walks unless either Hak or I have hold of her, barely eats, she's lost so much weight. I used to not be able to pick her up, but now it's holding a weighted feather.

So-Won. I knew there a darkness within him, I guess this was it. A murderous emotion raging and bubbling until it came out.

A screech tore me from my thoughts.  Yona! Hak and I bolted towards the scream.

Yona sat unmoving, staring at her naked body, leeches on her legs. My heart pounded painfully. Dear god.

"What...are these?" Hak moved closer to my sister, crouching down to pick the leeches from her skin.

"Leeches. They feed off humans for blood. They usually inhabit streams or rivers." Hak explained, then finally realizing that she was as bare as the day she entered this unforgiving world.

He coughed, handing her clothes, standing up, "Get dressed, we have to rest tonight. We will travel by the morning sun." (A/N: if you didn't realize, it's my fancy way of saying dawn. I don't want to keep saying, "we'll travel by dawn" Imma mix it up a bit, so yeah.)

Once Hak left, I go to my sister and help her up, "Are you tired, Yona?"

She nods and goes to dry her body off. I frown upon seeing the rose hairpin tucked away in her kimono. Why does she have this? I bite the inside of my lip. Looks like even after what he did to our father and us altogether didn't seem to matter to her. I shake my head. I shouldn't think of things like that. Yona must have her reasons for keeping the gift of our traitorous cousin. I look up to Yona. She was staring at me, waiting for me to give her clothes to her. I turn away from her to give her some privacy. I cross my arms, staring out at the moonlit forest.

(Yeah, yeah, yeah. Another time skip.  BUT, the title of this chapter is "The Wind Clan". So I have to fast forward to the good stuff)

This must be Fuuga. The home of the Wind Clan villagers. Hak, Yona, and I begin to approach the gates of the Wind Clan. In the gateway, there were two men sleeping back to back.

"Those two..." Hak mumbled in an aggravated tone, but calmly, we all walked towards them, "Wake up." He brought up his foot and booted them over. (My version of saying he kicked them) That woke them, but they seemed to be drunk.

"Welcome to the Wind Clan~! We flow with the wind, we do what we want when we want~!" That seems a little too carefree for a strategy. 

"Stop being so carefree, " Hak said before looking past the two men, "Where's Grandpa?"

"He made his way to the castle. Why? Is something wrong?" The blonde one asked.

So they haven't heard yet.

"Is that General Hak?"

Soon, the front gate was crowded with the Wind Clan villagers. All were talking at once.

"Who are these young ladies?"

Some women turned their attention toward Yona and I. Please don't ask any questions!

My prayers weren't answered at all.

"Oh my! Are you from the castle?"

"They must be, their clothes are really fine!"

I kept my eye on Yona, watching her closely for any signs of any emotion, really. Human interaction, other than Hak and I might be a little too much for her right now.

"Are you girls ladies in waiting?"

"How is the castle?"

"Oh, I bet it's quite beautiful!"

The questions were shooting at us left and right. It was overwhelming, frankly.

Yona looked faint. Is she going to be alright? I see her frame slip. She faints. I move quickly, barely catching her from the would be nasty fall.

"Oh dear! She fainted!"

"Hak!" I say, lowering my twin's head onto my lap.

"Get her some warm food and clothes! Both of them!" Hak handed off his weapon to one of the men and rushed toward us, kneeling down, taking my unconscious sister in his arms.

"No way! Hak's being nice to a girl?"

I could feel the pure astonishment polluting the villagers. Hak's changed since the first time he met us. We're his charges, after all.

"Follow me." He says seriously.

I say nothing and rise to my feet, following after the tall man through the crowd.

Ok! I'll have to draw the line here. I should be giving you a longer chapter since it's been a long while since I lasted updated. I'm sorry for that. I hope you forgive me and continue to read, vote, and comment your thoughts, k? 😊 Oh, if I do an episode and it continues onto another chapter, I'll call it part 2 of the first episode title, if that makes any sense. Example: The Wind clan. Next chapter will be titled the Wind Clan Pt. 2. Just wanted to clear the air with that. It's completely useless information and you only wanted to read a longer chapter. Again, my sincere apologies. Chin up! 😙 ok, I'll get out of here before you track me down and beat me up with a baseball bat. Bye-!

~Brittany