WARNING! Yeah, I think I said in the last chapter that this chapter will be better. Well it is. But it isn't really satisfying. I would say its more like a filler. But hey, might as well read it right?

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"To cut, or not cut, that is the question."

Daiki didn't know exactly where he was, but his dragon senses told him that Yona is near by, but for some reason his senses also told him that he shouldn't meet up with her like this, or rather meet her at all.

Why wasn't the Black dragon included in the legend of Hiryuu and the four dragons, is part of the reason why Daiki thought it was best not to meet Yona now.

The Black dragon lives up to his second name, the Shadow Dragon. As the Shadow dragon, part of his duty and nature is the stay in the shadows, to support the light and glory of King Hiryuu and the other dragons.

In fact, Daiki knows himself that the Black dragon is actually the first dragon that King Hiryuu was acquainted with, for deep matters or important tasks, he always counted on the Black dragon.

And even then, no one knew that the black dragon was a girl. There has been no male black dragons, only female, but then again how should he know since he is the only other black dragon besides the original, who is probably long dead by now.

'Now back to reality, what to do with my black hair that reaches my knees.' Daiki took a sword out of his belt, took one pigtail, and put his word closer to it.

.

.

.

.

The bushes rustled, at instinct Daiki quickly jumped and landed on a tree. A familiar black haired male and a girl with hair color only one person could have (as far as he knew).

'Yona. Hak.' 

Wow, fate just had to bring them to meet while Daiki was in his real form, perhaps they won't realize its him because they always knew that Daiki was a male?

Then he noticed something different. Yona looked . . . . . lifeless. But then again, he couldn't blame her, her father died, and her one and only love betrayed her.

They both walked past Daiki, but he had a feeling that Hak is feeling slightly uneasy. Hmph, he was impressive for actually be able to sense him, even if it is barely.

Once they were out of sight, Daiki jumped down from the tree only to feel a small shape under his feet.

'A...hairpin?' 

Daiki recognized it as the one Soo-won gave to Yona for her birthday. Picking it up, he inspected it. Even if his fashion senses weren't the best, he could tell that the hairpin would suit Yona quite well.

'Hair that is the beautiful color of the blush of dawn....' Ma, it might help with his problem for the time being, Daiki put the hair pin on his head and wound all his hair around it, until he couldn't see the hairpin any longer.

Daiki still looked like a girl with a bun styled hair, but at least the hair is out of the way, Daiki wrapped his cloak around his neck as he set off walking slowly after Yona.

'This hair pin was from Soo-won, the one who betrayed her, so I wonder if she wants this back, I certainly wouldn't mind having it, it wound up my hair easily and-'

Daiki stopped myself. 'Dang my girl side is showing.' Daiki silently cursed to himself.

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It was around past midnight, the only source of light were the moon and stars.

Didn't really matter to Daiki, he could sense his green eyes glowing as if they were his light source. Seeing at night is exactly as seeing in day for him, however he liked the night much better then the day.

He could feel the wind rustle around him, as the moonlight illuminated everywhere, the silent music of leaves echo through the trees. If it weren't for the situation Daiki was in, perhaps he would enjoy it better.

It was then Daiki sensed with his dragon blood that his mistress was in this area. 'This is bad.'  Daiki thought, his eyes filled with a hint of frustration.

This place was infested by snakes.

Poisonous snakes.

The leaves rustled as Daiki jumped back on a tree again, as he saw the lifeless princess desperately searching for something.

'It couldn't be...'  Daiki thought as he touched his wounded up hair, could she possibly be searching for the pin? Its obvious that since Hak is nowhere in sight that the princess went on her own will without him knowing.

Daiki's ears tingled as he heard a small whoosh from the grass that no ordinary human ear could catch. 'Che, the snakes sense warm blood near....'  Daiki looked back at Yona who was still frantically searching.

She was so lifeless before, but now she is making a bother to find something the one who betrayed her gave to her? Its at times like these which he somewhat hated and was confused at Yona's stubbornness.

Why look for something that was given to you by the guy who took everything away from you?! It just doesn't make any sense. Could her love for Soo-won really have been that foolish?

Daiki snapped out of thought as hundreds of snakes appeared, Yona's eyes widened in fear. She slowly walked backwards, and then fell when a snake tried to strike. Daiki didn't move, perhaps this will be able to put her out of that lifeless state and finally grow strong. 

She's going to need to grow strong if she wants to live.

The snakes striked again, all together this time. Daiki's excellent vision focused on the scene. He put one hand towards to scene, ready to strike the snakes dead.

'1 second until the snakes reach Yona.'  Daiki was about to close his fist when someone beat him into saving the Princess. '

'Hak....'  I thought in surprise and slight shock, not sensing him their earlier. It didn't shock me that Hak showed up....what shocked me was that one of snakes bit him in the ankle. Hak instantly winced as the snakes prepared for another strike.

That's it.

Daiki closed his hands,

'Disperse or fear my wrath.' Daiki whispered.

Instantly, all the snakes slithered away, except for the one that bit Hak, that specific snake suddenly burst into flames and burned into cinders. Well, he couldn't let it go unpunished after all.

Daiki looked at Hak, who was now kneeling in pain, with Yona panicking in tears. Well, he supposed he had no choice now.

Daiki wrapped his cloak around his face, leaving only his eyes visible. The green-eyed dragon then jumped down from the tree he was sitting on.

Instantly, Yona gasped in fear, Hak winced as he tried to hold his monstrous spear, but in this condition, it was impossible. Not to mention his spear is fearfully quite heavy.

"W-Who..hah...hah.. are you, and what..hah..do y-you want-t..hah" Hak gasped weakly while wincing , Daiki walked slowly towards him and touched his wound, whcih made the "Thunder Beast" instantly hiss.

Daiki narrowed his eyes. Hak obviously needed help and treatment.

Opening his bag, he took out a small wooden chest. Daiki opened the chest and took out some green ointment and rubbed it on a piece of cloth before pressing it on the wound.

Hak looked surprised that it didn't hurt, and he seemed to know that it was medicine and not poison, unfortunately Yona didn't know that and tried to push me away with her kind-of-pitiful-weak-efforts.

Daiki pretended to chuckle, "Yona-hime-chan, that is quite rude to someone who is trying to help your companion who is injured because of your stupid actions."

Yona looked shocked, then started to look down guilty and started to cry. Hak instantly glared at him, he seemed to sense that he was done with his treatment and instantly backed away, already regaining his strength.

"How do you know who we are? Are you working for Soo-won?!"

Daiki chuckled again, "Maybe, maybe not. I'm trying to help you now with your weak companion."

Hak was about to reply sharply when the green-eyed servant held up his hand, the "Thunder Beast" instantly shut up, finding himself unable to talk, Daiki smirked, and lowered his fingers as the wounded general fell to the ground.

"Hak!!" Yona shouted, as she tried to run to him, note: Try.

Daiki's glowing jade eyes were piercing into her, trapping her in his gaze, as if under a trance.

"Yona-hime, you want to survive in this world with Hak, is that correct?" Daiki asked calmly, tears started to fall out of Yona's eyes again as she clenched her fists as she tried to looked down, but unable to face away.

She did not reply and Daiki narrowed his eyes. 'Its time to introduce you to reality Hime-sama. Please forgive me for my actions..' Daiki mentally apologized as he raised his hand.

Daiki slapped her.

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Yona fell back on the ground and looked at this girl before her in fright, more tears fell from the Princess's eyes. 'Why?! Why is this happening?! It's suppose to be my birthday night, and all this happened! Why Soo-won?'

"Look at me." The girl ordered.

Yona didn't obey.

"Look at me." The melodic voice said again.

Again, Yona didn't listen. She felt the other girl grab her shoulders, forcing the princess to face the female stranger.

Hak was struggling so much to stand up, but can't because he's still to weak from his wound.

Gentle hands touched the red-haired girl's face, making her stare straight into the jaded yet somehow familiar eyes of the other female.

"Yona-hime, stop looking at Hak, let me tell you here and now, at the state you are in, you will not survive." Yona got lost in the girl's beautiful deep green eyes...they reminded me so much of the recent discovery on Daiki's eyes.....Daiki.....he died, didn't he.....and it was her fault...

'I'm scared of death.....I want to survive...'

"You are a useless, spoiled, and weak princess who can't do anything without assistance." More tears poured out. "You want to survive, don't you? To grow strong. Tell me, what do you want to do if you had that power?"

'If I had to power.... but I never will, if I did I would......' Yona's thoughts trailed off, as she remained quiet, the girl narrowed her beautiful green eyes,

Yona then felt a weird dizziness, as if something entered her mind. Then the presence disappeared and the girl sighed, "Ma, I guess that is good enough for now..." Yona heard her say.

Yona looked up to see the other female's eyes hinting an emotion she couldn't identify.

"You have pretty hair, Hime-san." The girl said, she reached up to her hair which was tied in a bun and unraveled it slowly, it was then when I fully inspected the girl, though her face except her eyes were still covered by a black scarf or cloak.

She was beautiful. She had a strong aura, beautiful eyes that any girl dreams to have, soft long shiny black ebony hair with a green shine, and pale white fair skin.

Yona could tell that she was strong. She was a type of girl which Yona yearned to be. The girl then pushed something in the Princess's hand, Yona looked at it and gasped.

It was the hairpin Soo-won gave her. Tears slowly poured out of Yona's eyes as she felt a warm yet at the same time cold hand wipe them away.

Yona looked up to see the girl unraveling her scarf around her mouth. The jaded-eye female smiled a sweet smile that for some reason made Yona's worries slip away as she felt an electric shock run through my veins.

'Why do I feel like I am connected to this girl?'

"That hairpin suits you Princess Yona. You should keep it with you." Then the mysterious woman snapped her fingers and instantly Hak sprang up, and for once in his life, he didn't know what to do.

Yona then felt something touch her neck, it felt something similar to having an electric shock. Then she realized that the girl was gone.

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Daiki jumped high in the air, and looked at the black dragon mark (pic above) he gave Yona on the back of her neck.

It faintly glowed then disappeared. He smiled with satisfaction.

It was a charm that only worked once, it would protect her in some way only once. It was something that would give her the comfort and warmth she needed until they meet again.

'I hope you liked my birthday present, Yona-hime-sama..."

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Bad? Good? Weird? Hopefully Great? the action is starting soon so hopefully it will get exciting for you.