Not Everything

It Wouldn't be Finding if He Wasn't Hidden

"No."

"What do you mean, 'no'!?" Eri glared up at him. "You think that after what you just said, you get to say no?"

"Eri-"

"Shut up!" She snarled. "This is your payment. If you hold back, I'll lose all respect for you."

She moved to take out her dagger, but Hak grabbed her wrist gently. "Eri, stop."

She was trembling, anger coming off her in waves. "Let go," she hissed, although she didn't move to get away from him. Hak's cheek still burned from her strike, but his voice was low and sad. "I'm sorry."

Finally, Eri wrenched her arm from his grasp, and held her wrist to her chest, avoiding eye contact. Hak noticed how her grip was trembling, how her face just barely masked the roiling sea of rage and sorrow. He spoke softly. "I'll come with you. You don't have to do anything."

She didn't look up until she heard Yona approaching from behind. "Eri, Hak, wait!" The princess caught up to them, slightly out of breath, and faced Hak. "Are-are you still leaving?"

The Thunder Beast looked over at Eri for a moment, then shook his head. "No, I'm not." He turned back to Yona. "I'll come with you, Princess."

Eri ignored them both as her heart clenched.

***

Yona and Eri waited as Hak looked out over the cliff. "How are we supposed to find some hidden priest?" he muttered, slightly annoyed. Eri rolled her eyes. "Well it wouldn't be finding if he wasn't hidden."

"You know what, Eri?"

"Um," Yona piped up. "I'm sure we'll find him!"

Hak grunted and turned back. "By the way, Princess, are you sure about this? The mountains are really chilly at night."

"She can cuddle up to me." Eri hung her arms off Yona's shoulders, making her blush.

"Well, what if I get cold?"

"I don't know, freeze."

An irk mark appeared on Hak's forehead. "Why did you need me to come along if you'll just let me die?"

Suddenly, both Eri and Hak went stiff, sensing something approaching. Yona tapped Eri's arm. "What is it?"

Eri looked down at her, seeing an opportunity, then grinned lazily. "Actually, I should warn you about cuddling up to me at night, Yona."

"H-huh?"

The dancer pinned the princess to the cliff, smirking. "I might get carried away."

Yona squeaked. "E-Eri!" Hak glared. "Oi, don't do that while I'm here."

"Shh." Eri put her ear to the cliff, ignoring Yona's squirming. "Wow...there are a lot of them, aren't there, Hak?"

He nodded, and Eri released her friend. "Forty...or maybe fifty. Looks like we're still worthy!"

"I'd rather not judge my worth by how many people are trying to kill me."

"Don't be so stiff, Hak~. The more people who try to kill you, the more important you are!" She kissed Yona's cheek, making the princess flush. "Sorry for scaring you, Yona. Don't worry, I won't do anything to you. It's Hak you should look out for."

"Hey, shut up."

Yona looked away in embarrassment, and froze when she saw the Fire Tribe soldiers waiting for them. "Oh no..."

She turned and saw Eri unsheathe the short sword strapped to her waist. Hak pulled the princess towards him. "Stay close, Your Highness."

Eri stretched as the soldiers surrounded the bunch. "I know I said I was flattered, but this is actually kind of annoying..."