- = - = - = -

| Chin-Sun |

I was mindlessly gazing at the clouds rolling above the trees when my foot caught on something hard and unmoving.

"Oh!" I yelped when the earth came toward me in a rapid blur of natural colors. A small part of me found the dizzying image rather beautiful, but my quick descent made any rational thought escape me, hence my cry and my pathetic arm flailing.

I squeezed my eyes shut when my collapse seemed inevitable. Here we go again, Chin-Sun, I groaned to myself. Always daydreaming enough to where I don't even know where I'm placing my own two feet.

A long moment passed. I knew I wasn't on the ground but I also knew that I should have been. I fearfully opened one of my eyes and then the other when I saw my new predicament.

It looked as though the earth had reached out to grab me. Tree roots had twisted up and out of their home in the soil to support my waist and shoulders. They were gnarled yet friendly.

"What just happened . . . ?" My mouth was slightly hanging open as I removed myself from the mess of tree life and back onto my feet. Looking at the roots on their own only made my confusion flux. I couldn't refrain from jumping when they all began to curl down towards the place they belonged. When movement ceased it looked as though the tree hadn't mobilized in decades.

How peculiar, I thought as I rounded closer to the area where I'd fallen. Even though I was being careless, this forest was still watching over me and willing to lend me a hand . . .

The rustling of leaves and crushing of branches made my attention turn from the soil and back to the world above.

A short blink revealed that Shin-Ah was jogging my way, his aura a bright and stunning blue.

"Chin-Sun?" He called my name from an area behind me. I knew his eyes were sharp but my crouching probably hid my pink head of hair from sight. When I stood to my full height he instantly spotted me and slowed to a brisk walk in my direction. "Are you alright? It sounded like you were hurt . . . Or startled."

"I'm just fine," I quivered as I looked into the holes of his mask. I wondered how he could've heard me all the way from camp. I thought I'd walked far enough to where no one could hear my fumbles. "I only tripped over something . . . But the forest kept me from hitting the ground."

Shin-Ah quickly made it to my side. At my mention of the forest's assistance he subconsciously tilted his head to the side like he always did whenever something seemed off to him.

"The forest helped you?" He asked dryly. "How?"

"W-well, you see . . . "

My explanation was dreadfully poor and the more I tried to backpedal or elaborate the more certain I became about my horrid awkwardness around the tall Dragon. It was too potent to ignore and as I felt his stare bore into me even more I couldn't help but wonder why I was so hopeless around him.

Obviously I felt comfortable in his presence. He'd helped me many times before and so had the other Dragons. But I always found myself contemplating his actions more than naught. I'd seen him as a mystery since I first laid eyes on him . . .

It must have been because of that. I'd only known him for a short amount of time and there was still so much to learn about him. Of course I would be a little more observant than usual. He was my friend and I hadn't had one of those in a very long time. The little things were precious to me and so were the Dragons in their entirety, Shin-Ah included.

"Ah, so that's what happened," the bluenette said after I finished rambling, his gaze fixed on the ground that I'd pointed to. "The forest must really like you . . . "

"L-like me?" I stammered as a sudden rush of energy flooded my body. "I was only being a klutz. I couldn't imagine why anything would keep me from getting what I deserve."

My stomach seemed to flip on its side when Shin-Ah's burning stare turned to me again. I thought he was going to make a comment but he only shook his head and reached for my hand.

He wrapped his fingers around mine and began to lead me in a direction that I didn't expect.

"Why are we going away from camp?"

"I told Yoon I would get fish," was his plain reply.

"And you're taking me along with you?"

" . . . You might fall again."

"And . . . ?"

"I wouldn't like that," he said a little more tersely before picking up the pace and readjusting his grip on my hand. "It won't take long."

I didn't say anything in lieu of Shin-Ah saying anymore than he wanted to. It seemed he had his sights set on getting Yoon his fish for whatever reason, and I could hardly complain about it. He'd yet again ran to see that I was in good health. I'd also been unknowingly anticipating a trip to a body of water.

The last time I tried to go fishing was with Ik-Soo. That'd been a fluke, but surely my second attempt with Shin-Ah will be better?

The Gods must have been laughing at me as I asked myself that silly little question, for the answer couldn't have been anymore clear.

- = - = - = -

| Chin-Sun |

"How do you expect to catch a fish without a pole?" I asked as I sat on the ground next to the pond.

Shin-Ah was standing before the water with his hands hanging cluelessly at his sides as he answered, "I can see them, so I thought I could just grab one with my hands . . . "

"You'll catch a cold," I said only to cringe when I realized how much I sounded like Yoon. "I mean . . . Isn't the water chilly?"

"Possibly."

"Do you really need that fish?"

"I don't want to upset Yoon."

"Is there any way I can help?"

"I wouldn't want you to get sick," was his slow, frustrating reply.

"I'm glad we're on the same page then," I huffed before bringing myself to my feet and eyeing the pond. It was a small pool that was conveniently attached to a nearby stream, so most of the water was rippling with movement. Though my eyes were sharp, I couldn't see the fish Shin-Ah was talking about. The fact surprised me. My vision used to be so keen that it frightened me, but ever since I'd been with the other Dragons it had diminished quite a lot.

"I'm going in," Shin-Ah's words crept through my thoughts, startling me.

"You're going to what-?"

A painfully loud splash filled the air. I couldn't help but gape as I looked at the water and the boy that'd so carelessly leapt into it.

The pond must've been deeper than it looked, for only Shin-Ah's head peaked out from the water line. The fur of his mask was floating behind him, a grey sopping mess, and water was dripping from the horns on his mask. The only thing about him that outwardly revealed his disposition was the small frown on his lips.

"It's cold," he said and I practically bristled.

"I'm sure it is! Are you crazy? Get out of there before you become ill!" I scolded him without thinking. It was very atypical of me to raise my voice, but his disregard for his health disturbed me.

I imagine Shin-Ah was surprised at my little outburst, for his frown fell open into a small half-moon. "I'll be fine," he said before lifting his hand up from the water. "I got the fish."

In no way could I descern when he'd grabbed the bright shimmery fish from its home, but it made my eyebrow twitch with something that felt like irritation.

"You're impossible," I said before turning on my heel and beginning my short trip back to the other glowing auras.

I heard Shin-Ah lift himself out of the water as he asked, "Why are you frustrated with me?"

"How do you know I am frustrated with you?" I ground out as I came to a curt stop. I knew the question was ridiculous. Shin-Ah had every reason to think I was irked. I'd huffed, yelled, and tried to abandon him- but Shin-Ah was probably as dense as a mountain, so I truly did wonder how he could tell.

There was a hesitant pause before he muttered. "I can sense it. Right here."

I turned around and saw him, a soaked and sad mess, with his finger pressed firmly against his chest.

"Your heart?" I asked as the beat of my own increased. He nodded once and I was instantly taken aback. "I don't understand..."

"Neither do I," was his reply.

We stood in our regular silence, both clearly appaled but unwilling to search for an answer.

How could he sense what I'm feeling? I asked as my gaze danced over that bone mask of his and the damp clothes covering his strong chest. If he feels it in his heart then it can't be mere observation...

"M-maybe..." I struggled to properly form my words as my heart continued to thud harshly against my ribs. "You feel this with the other Dragons as well? We are bonded after all."

"No," he said with certainty."Only with you."

My heart wasn't ready for such a predicament at all and neither was my mind. If my feelings were mimicked within him then it'd make sense how he could find me so easily, sharp vision aside. But the thought scared me. I felt exposed and at ends with myself. How could I possibly filter my feelings knowing that Shin-Ah of all people would know precisely what was transpiring behind my crumbling façade?

"We should go back," I muttered as I turned away from his scalding gaze. "You're cold and wet."

"And you're frightened."

My movement ceased as his observation sunk in. Deep, like a long knife.

"I don't understand how you could be aware of that, Shin-Ah," I said with a quiver to my voice as fear whirled into me from every direction. I was frightened. Not of him, but of revisiting the stinging cold insecurity that'd dictated my life for so long. "It's impossible. That shouldn't be possible at all."

My heart crumpled at the idea of looking Shin-Ah in the face after saying such things. I was being inconsiderate. How was it his fault that he somehow had access to my feelings despite my attempts at keeping myself sealed up? Lately things had started to change, but there was still so many broken pieces that had yet to be picked up.

It was quiet for a short while. Not even the voices of the forest or the water spoke to me, as my connection had been lost to my flurry of emotions. It wasn't until Shin-Ah began walking toward my back that my ears focused on the noise emitting from him: the crunch of the grass beneath his boots, the sound of his blade buckling in its sheath, the squelch of his soaked clothes . . . All of it was as clear as day to me until he stopped walking.

"Chin-Sun . . . " His voice was deep and quiet. I knew he was directly behind me because every blink revealed to me a kind shade of blue mingling with a dainty shade of pink. Every part of me ached when I felt cold arms wrap around my shoulders and across my lower neck, holding me in a wet and caring embrace that overwhelmed me. "I'm sorry."

Blue and pink had never appeared so close to one another in my mind. Any other colors seemed to fade away when I realized how perfectly horrible I felt for lashing out at someone like Shin-Ah. He would never take advantage of me, whether he knew my feelings or not. It wasn't like him, and yet I'd presumed it to be that way in a moment of shock.

"No. I'm sorry, Shin-Ah," I countered softly. Though his arms were damp and cold, the gentle weight of them made most of my worry melt away and be swiftly replaced with a complex warmth. "I don't know why you are experiencing these things and neither do you . . . I'm blaming you for something out of your control and that's cruel of me."

He was silent as per usual and all I could hear was the blood pumping through my ears and the sound of Shin-Ah's calm breaths. It was when he released me that the forest's calls reentered my being and the world stood upright again.

I didn't have time to contemplate anything that had happened as he took my hand just like before and walked ahead of me in the direction of camp.

"We'll figure it out . . . Together," he told me.

"Okay . . . " I answered meekly before straightening when I realized his other hand was empty. "Where did Yoon's fish go?"

"I left it."

"Won't he be angry?"

"Maybe. We can just go hunting again," he said plainly and I mentally cursed when excitement sprouted in my chest.

"Sounds good . . . "

He didn't say anything in return. We continued to walk through the woods together, hand-in-hand. I couldn't control the trail of flowers that followed my steps.

They were a pretty shade of blue, a color that I liked a lot more than I realized.

- = - = - = -

| Chin-Sun |

When Shin-Ah and I returned to camp Yoon was pretty mad with him.

He frowned the moment he looked up and saw that Shin-Ah had nothing but me with him. Shin-Ah got a light scolding, which Jae-Ha had the nerve to laugh about. After deciding that a short hunting trip would suffice for the lost delicacy, Shin-Ah and I both left for a short while. We managed to retrieve four rabbits, which was just enough for a nice stew. I also stumbled upon some non-poisonous mushrooms that I figured Yoon would appreciate if his temper died down.

There wan't much said between Shin-Ah and I during our venture. We were hunting, so naturally an excess of conversation was ill-advised, but it felt acutely unnatural considering our recent confrontation.

I guess there isn't a whole lot to be said, I pondered as I stared at Shin-Ah's back. He was cleaning our kills off to the side of the camp where we wouldn't have to worry about the mess. We already established that we don't know much about our situation. What could we possibly further discuss?

"Hey, Chin-Sun," someone called and I tore my eyes away from Shin-Ah. A swift glance revealed it was Jae-Ha who had addressed me. Once he knew he had my attention a very sly smile styled his face and he scooted next to my place by the fire. "What's on your mind?"

"I'm not sure what you're talking about," I gulped with a stale expression.

His deep purple eyes looked over to Shin-Ah, much to my distress. A soft chuckle escaped him, "I beg to differ! I'd never seen those blue eyes of yours fixed on something other than wild flowers for so long. What's even better is you're staring at an actual person."

I said nothing which only encouraged him to speak for me.

"Did he say something crass to you?"

"No he did not," I quipped back a little too quickly.

The Green Dragon raised a slim brow at this, his smile growing. "Then did he do something to you, perchance?"

"What do you mean by that?" I asked as my cheeks prickled with heat.

"Well there's all sorts of things he could've done to you, my dear. Maybe he grabbed you-?" He didn't get to finish the question, as Hak had leaned over and given him a good knock with the butt of his blade for the umpteenth time.

"Leave her alone. Can you do nothing but rid people of their innocence?" Hak grumbled and Jae-Ha laughed as he rubbed the bump forming on his skull.

"What kind of innocence are we talking about here? If my memories recall, I can't say that you're completely free of guilt when it comes to teasing pretty girls-"

Instead of a jab to the head Jae-Ha received a kick to the back via Hak's heavy boot.

"Are you done making crude jokes?" The mountainous man asked in a curt tone and Jae-Ha's grunt of pain revealed resignation.

When Hak walked away, still silently brewing, Jae-Ha regained his posture and leaned over to whisper in my ear, "If you want to give me more details later when Mr. Grumpy isn't around, let me know. We could escape from here for a short while. You seem troubled and I'd like to help you."

"Thank you, Jae-Ha," I breathed as I placed my hand on his back. I could see his body lax with relief as the delicate green light from my palm came and went. "I appreciate it."

"An angel as always,"' he winked before standing up and stretching. "I think I'm going to go for a short walk. If you want to chat just call for me. I'll come flying back."

I didn't have time to respond because he had already kicked off to the sky resting above the canopy of trees. I was disappointed to admit that talking to Jae-Ha hardly eased my thoughts. It felt like my heart was still pounding from my encounter with Shin-Ah, and his words were stuck in my head like sap.

My gaze mindlessly returned to the place where I last saw Shin-Ah standing. Much to my growing confusion, he wasn't there anymore. A once-over of the entire camp showed no sign of him either. Yona was helping Yoon prepare the skinned meat I assumed Shin-Ah had left behind, Hak was leaning against a tree, talking to them, and Kija was taking a restless nap across the fire from me.

Where did he go? I asked myself with furrowed brows. And where is Zeno?

If I had half the mind the put two and two together, I would've realized that both of them had left shortly after Shin-Ah had finished his task of skinning, but all I could think about was how warm that sopping wet hug we'd shared had been.

- = - = - = -

| Shin-Ah |

"I wasn't expecting for you to approach me, Shin-Ah," Zeno admitted after we'd made it a decent distance away from the camp where the others were resting. "What did you wish to talk about in private, exactly?"

Luckily we'd gone in the direction opposite from where I'd found Chin-Sun. Reflecting on what'd happened between us only made my confusion thicken. I thought being as far away as possible from that pond would help me ward against these weird feelings that had been pestering me ever since our time in Koyo.

We were far from that place . . . And the strange pull in my chest persisted without restraint.

"It's about someone," I began poorly. "I don't know what to do . . . "

"Okay back up," Zeno laughed lightly as he came to a halt. I stopped  walking to look him in the eye. He was grinning as he asked, "Who are we talking about here?"

"Chin-Sun."

"Ah. I see," he crossed his arms over his chest as his grin widened. I felt misunderstood somehow, but he continued to ask questions. "Did you two talk this morning?"

"Yes. She yelled at me."

Zeno looked surprised. "Really now? Did you provoke her?"

I paused before murmuring, "I don't know?"

Zeno chuckled again. "I can't help you unless you give me more details, Shin-Ah. What happened?"

"Earlier she fell in the woods. A tree helped her from hitting the ground. When she was falling I could sense her fear and I could hear her call even though I was still at camp. Once I ran to her and saw that she was okay, I took her fishing with me so she wouldn't fall again . . . "

Zeno seemed to be taking every word of mine into consideration. Though talking wasn't my forte, I knew that the more I explained the easier it would be for him to help.

My gaze flitted to the ground as I spoke up. "When we got to the pond we realized we didn't have a pole to catch anything. So, I jumped in and grabbed a fish. She yelled at me, saying I would catch a cold. When I crawled out with the fish in my hand I could feel her frustration hitting me in the chest . . . So I told her about it."

"You told her about what?" Zeno asked carefully and I was half-inclined to turn around.

"I told her that I could feel her emotions. She asked me if I had a similar connection with you and the others, but I told her there isn't. Then I could sense her fear . . . "

"Did