Baby Steps (Akatsuki No Yona)

Thirteenth Step

Once the situation within the Fire Tribe territory was semi-resolved, at least to the best of the 'Dark Dragon and the Happy Hungry Bunch's' abilities, they'd all collectively decided that it was time they were to move on. Unfortunately, there wasn't much the group could do to fix the desolate situation the region and the villagers were in, it would take more than a rebellious bunch to remedy the deep-rooted poverty and famine that had swept the area. 

If anything, it seemed that every one of them had come to terms that they wouldn't be able to resolve anything, if they were to remain the way they were. For now, those thoughts would have to wait, for the group had collectively decided that they were due for a holiday. This led them to their current situation, trapezing through the forest south of the Fire Tribe, where cool weather was a delightful welcome from the dry heat of the northern region. 

"I heard that there's a really nice bathhouse around here, but over all my years of travelling, whenever I tried to find it, it always seemed to evade me" Zeno mused as he considered the large boulder that he claimed acted as a landmark on the worn-down path. His companions sighed at the apparent circles they had been going in ever since they'd let the young dragon take point. 

According to the rambunctious blond, he was confident he would be able to lead them to this supposed mystical bathhouse 'where all there worries and concerns would be healed'. 

"Maybe we can find someone who can point us in the right direction?" Yona suggested half-heartedly as she played with Ao's fluffy tail, already resigning herself that they would never find the bathhouse. Ao was none-the-wiser, as she rolled around on the red-haired women's open palms, basking in the affection the young girl was providing. Yue watched in amusement over the red-head's shoulders with Shin-ah hovering close behind. 

Yue found herself mindlessly wrapped up in the small squirrel's antics. It proved to be a wonderful distraction, especially from the growing frustration the travel had brought so far. Why was it men refused to ask for directions? 

Yue and Yona had secretly shared glances whenever the men of the group refused to ask a passer-by for the right route, which there were two of in the time they tried to find the bathhouse. It was surprising that even Yoon had shared this stubbornness, even when he was normally the more rational of the boys. 

"That's great, Princess! Why didn't we think of that? Let's look around and find someone. Oh yeah, there isn't anyone, we're in the middle of nowhere!" Hak growled frustratingly, clearly at his wits end with the situation. He had been the only one who showed reservations for taking this mini-holiday of sorts, wanting to continue the journey south until they reached the Water Tribe. He was also in agreement for not asking directions in the first place, convinced the random person would have 'evil' intentions to get them lost. 

Just as Yona whipped around to throw a branch at the brooding male's head, wanting to remind the fool that it was partially his fault that they were in this state, a rustle was heard just a few metres ahead. Everyone reached for their weapons at the sudden threat, but were baffled to see a man toppling through the greenery. 

"My apologies fellow travellers! I didn't mean to frighten you, I'd simply lost my way for a second and heard your voices" The dishevelled brunet male had all sorts of shrubbery and leaves stuck in his hair, his clothes wrinkled and ruffled from his obvious struggle to move through the foliage that surrounded them. Yona, Shin-ah and Zen lowered their weapons, with Yoon and Kija simply moving forward to meet the mysterious fellow. However, Hak and Yue remained steady, their Hsu Quandao and arrow respectively continuing to point threateningly at the man. 

"State your business" Hak demanded, still on edge at the suddenness of the man's approach. He still prided himself in being sharp-witted, and whilst his senses hadn't dulled, he was baffled at how close the man got to the group without being aware of his presence. Yue had grown to trust Hak's instincts, and whilst he could be highly strung and uptight, hardly ever were his gut feelings wrong. For those reasons, her weapon remained raised, and a hard glare in place.