Anything But Worthless [Akakstuki no Yona Fanfic]

7. Phantom of Night

¤ Third Person ¤

Ji-Na turned, staring back in the direction from whence they came. Hak made sure they weaved through the forest so the exact direction of her home, she wasn't aware. But she could only look back, a single thought whirled through her mind. Closing her eyes she let out a soft sigh, her body twisting back in the direction they were heading. She could see Hak, pulling Yona along gently... that seemed to be the only thing she was capable of seeing. Her sister stumbling through the path Hak created and Hak's contorted face whenever he turned back to call her.

Hatred... it was so easily detected by the princess that she couldn't help but feel disheartened. And though it was a subconscious action, she couldn't help but wonder if Hak had discarded all the memories that she couldn't seem to forget no matter how hard she tried. Carefully picking out her words, she opened her mouth and tried to call out to the male, "Hak..."

The hushed voice that wouldn't drift to Hak's ears, even if a breeze pushed them along. Soft, the worry and heartbreak remained clear as she tried to speak once more. Yet this time, the words she had practiced with every step since they had began their journey wouldn't leave her parted lips.

Gaze trailing to the floor as she made out the deep cracks in the dried up path, reminding her of herself. Sucked dry of the will to live and prosper, left with only deep cracks within her heart screaming for someone to mend her pains. Stepping over the crack, she continued onward, the silence that surrounded the trio was anything but relieving.

She didn't say anything to break it. Continuing through the forest, she couldn't help but listen to the whistle of the wind, her eyes remaining glued to the floor. It was no use. The hearts of the group were heavy and no one had the will to say anything to break the tension.

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"Hime-sama, would you like anything to eat?" Hak's voice strained as he faced the girl who was once pronounced the crown princess. The other female sat silencing across from them, gripping the abnormal creature in her gentle fingers, turning it slightly so she could bite the softer flesh. The aroma was foul compared to her palace food but her stomach needed something to eat. The taste wad nonexistent as she bit the slightly burnt food and regrets of turning away the food at her sister's party bubbled in her stomach.

Ji-Na was never one with much of an appetite; even after not eating for three days, she was incapable of completing a single fish. But it was already prepared and she had no urge to waste it. Rising to her feet, she walked towards her sister, setting the creature down on her lap. Hak spun, a look of surprise on his usually blank features. "Hime—"

Her head turned to him, eyes lifeless though a smile pulled onto her face. "Is something wrong?" Her voice didn't reflect the haunting, emotionless gaze she gave. The lightness made him want to flinch, as he knew her pain was anything but. Yet he shook his head without confronting her. "It's getting late."

She nodded and hummed in response, glancing around her as she realized how she would have to sleep that night. Like she always had. With a slight sigh, she pulled at her fancy dress and searched for good placement. "Don't tell me you're afraid of the floor." He teased, his back now turned to her as he silently urged the other girl to eat what she was handed.

Ji-Na laughed, though the humor didn't seem to echo in it, "Of course not." Pulling off her cloak, she sat down, pressing her back against a smooth rock before pulling her thin cloak over her as a blanket. Her hand, hidden from the two people she loved, took hold of the small bottle, clutching it desperately for a sense of relief. Her eyes, trained on the two older people, slowly closed, the heaviness of her eyelids resembled her heavy heart.

But even as she lay there, with her eyes closed and body limp, her consciousness wouldn't fade. She remained still, struggling to find relief in the land of dreams. Yet her mind refused to allow her, her grasp on reality remained tight. Pressing her lips against her cloak to muffle her breathing, she opened her eyes and was welcomed with the same darkness as when they were closed.

Sighing softly, she rolled onto her back, staring idly up at the sky. Lazily pulling herself up, she brushed her hand against her dress, biting on her lip to stifle her yawn. Her eyes watered as she picked up her cloak, slipping it around her figure. Walking to the resting Hak's side, she smiled at his relaxed face, "Hak, don't look for me. I need a minute." She turned and hurried out of the clearing. Holding her hood over her head as she ran to keep it from flying off, she let out a laugh.

Struggling to uphold her smile as tears cascaded down her cheeks, she raced through the forest. How long she had run, she was unaware, but she could feel her legs grow numb from the cold winds against her skin and the unfamiliar ache of running. Stumbling over the uneven path, she grabbed a tree for support as she heaved for breath.

Sinking to the floor as she covered her face with her free hand, her grip on the wood tightened. A sob erupted from her throat as she wiped her eyes with her sleeve until they stung, the bark digging into her sensitive flesh as cried out the aching pain that spread from her chest like a virus. Lips quivering as the tears fell from her hazel eyes uncontrollably, she grabbed at her chest in hopes of stopping the constricting ache that resembled the lungs begging for air.

How long she remained there, she wasn't sure. But no matter how hard or how much she shed tears for the loved ones she lost in one night, her suffering wouldn't relent. As if someone was holding her mind and deciding what she was thinking about, all she could remember was the warmth of her father's dying touch and Min-Soo pulling from her side.

A gentle touch against her skin brought her back to reality, a calm and soothing voice urging for her to regain control over her warring feelings. She closed her burning eyes, allowing the heat of the person's tender hold encase her trembling body. Listening to the sound of their heartbeat, she felt her breathing even out as they laughed slightly, the twinkling sound echoing in her ears as her mind began to blank out.

"Rather than a crying face, a smiling face suits you much more, Koboshi¹¹-chan." With the voice bidding her farewell, she drifted into a dreamless sleep and never before had she remained as peaceful as she did then, resting in the arms of someone she had never met.

But they both knew that when the sun rose over the horizon again, the person would disappear from her side once more because they were nothing more than her guardian dragon, the beautiful phantom of night.

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¹¹ - "Koboshi" [子星] means "little star". In a compound word, the h turns into a b, so "hoshi" becomes "boshi"