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As the sun began to rise, Y/N sat on a low branch of the backyard tree, her legs swinging as she ate a piece of bread. She'd already prepared everything for the journey ahead-saddling the horses and packing supplies for Jiwoo, Suho, Kai, and little Haru. It was a two-day journey to Minho's camp, and she made sure they had everything they needed.

Hearing footsteps behind her, Y/N didn't bother to look. The others were awake and freshened up, ready to leave. As they stepped into the backyard, she took a final bite of her bread before leaping down from the tree branch with ease.

Suho was the first to speak, his voice calm but curious. "Is everything ready?"

"Everything's done," Y/N replied, brushing her hands together. "Horses are saddled, supplies are packed-food, water, even a few extras just in case. It's all there."

Jiwoo, standing by Kai's side, nodded. "Thanks, Y/N. I don't know what we'd do without you."

Y/N waved off the comment. "It's nothing. Just make sure you stick to the plan. Tonight, stay at the treehouse in the east. It's safer up there than on the ground, especially with Haru."

Kai adjusted the reins of his horse, glancing over at Y/N with his usual smirk. "You always think ahead, don't you? Good to know some things never change."

Y/N smirked back. "Someone has to. I don't trust you to plan anything."

Jiwoo chuckled softly as she climbed onto Kai's horse, sitting behind him. Haru, meanwhile, was being helped onto Suho's horse, her small frame dwarfed by the sturdy animal. She held tightly to Suho, looking nervous but determined.

Haru's quiet voice broke through the moment. "When will you come, Y/N?"

"In a few days," Y/N said gently, stepping closer to the little girl. "I have things to take care of here first, but I'll catch up. Until then, stay close to Jiwoo and Suho, okay? They'll keep you safe."

Haru nodded, though her grip on Suho tightened. Jiwoo leaned forward slightly, resting a hand on Kai's shoulder. "We'll follow your plan, Y/N. Don't worry about us."

"Stick to the treehouse tonight," Y/N reminded them, her tone firm. "If anything feels off, move quickly. Don't take unnecessary risks."

Suho gave her a reassuring nod. "Got it. We'll be careful."

Kai glanced back at Y/N one last time, his playful grin returning. "Don't miss us too much."

Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Just don't slow Jiwoo down."

With that, the group started moving. Jiwoo sat steadily behind Kai, her hands lightly gripping his waist, while Suho kept a careful hold on Haru. The sound of hooves echoed softly as they rode away, leaving Y/N standing there, watching them fade into the distance.

She stayed there for a moment, her gaze lingering on the horizon before turning away. There was still work to do, and the day had only just begun.

As the sound of hooves faded into the distance, Y/N turned back to face the others-RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook-who were all standing nearby. The early morning sun bathed the clearing in a soft glow, but there was a tension in the air.

"We're not staying here much longer," Y/N began, her voice steady as she brushed off her pants. "This town's running dry on supplies, and it's only a matter of time before it becomes dangerous to stick around."

RM raised an eyebrow, his arms crossing as he leaned slightly against a tree. "So, what's the plan?"

Y/N glanced at him, then at the group. "Day after tomorrow, we're heading east. There's a treehouse settlement on the way. It'll give us higher ground for the night, safer than staying out in the open."

V frowned slightly, adjusting the strap of his gear. "Higher ground, huh? Sounds better than sleeping on the dirt."

Jungkook, standing beside him, nodded. "Yeah, but east isn't exactly friendly territory. What's the plan if we run into trouble?"

Y/N smirked faintly. "We handle it. Same as always."

Suga, who had been silent so far, spoke up. "We'll need to ration carefully. Supplies are tight as it is, and moving as a group means we burn through them faster."

"Already handled," Y/N replied, her tone brisk. "We've got enough to get us there, and we'll scavenge along the way. The goal is to reach the next town with minimal risk."

Jimin tilted his head curiously. "What about Kai, Suho, Jiwoo, and Haru? They'll be ahead of us, right?"

Y/N nodded. "They'll stay at Minho's camp once they get there. It's a two-day ride for them, and they're equipped to handle it. Our job is to focus on getting ourselves out of here without drawing too much attention."

Jin sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Great. More walking. My legs are going to hate me."

"You'll survive, princess," Y/N shot back with a grin, earning a few chuckles from the group.

J-Hope smiled lightly but glanced at Y/N with a bit of concern. "And what about you? You've been pushing hard. When do you take a break?"

Y/N's expression softened briefly, but she shrugged it off. "I'll rest when we're safe. Right now, there's too much to do."

RM gave a small nod, acknowledging her words. "Alright, then. We've got two days. Let's make sure we're ready."

With that, the group began to scatter, each member preparing for the tasks ahead. Y/N stayed back for a moment, watching as they moved with purpose. She adjusted the strap of her shotgun, her mind already running through what needed to be done before their departure. The clock was ticking, and there was no room for error.

All members spread out, taking on various jobs. Jin and RM inspected the supply inventory, discussing what they would need for their own journey east. Suga and Jungkook checked weapons and gear, while Jimin and Taehyung started cleaning the training area.

Y/N lingered by the tree near the backyard, watching the horizon where the four had disappeared. She took a deep breath, biting into a piece of bread she'd taken for breakfast. Her hand unconsciously pressed against her side, where the dull ache of her reopened wound was beginning to flare.

The preparations for their departure had left her drained, and the overexertion during last night's sparring had only made things worse. She hadn't slept. She couldn't sleep. Not when her mind was a storm of memories, plans, and doubts. The nightly training sessions were her only way to quiet the noise, even if it came at a cost.

RM and Jin, working nearby, noticed her leaning against the tree. The way her hand trembled slightly as she adjusted her posture wasn't lost on them. They exchanged a glance, their silent understanding evident.

Suga, walking past with a newly sharpened blade, caught their expressions and followed their gaze to Y/N. His sharp eyes immediately picked up on the blood staining her side, faint but unmistakable.

Without a word, the three of them approached her. Y/N, distracted by her thoughts, didn't notice until Suga spoke.

"Forgot to change the bandage again, didn't you?" he asked, his voice laced with dry concern.

Startled, Y/N looked up at them, her hand instinctively pulling her shirt down. As she did, her other hand, still holding the bread, trembled slightly. She clenched her fist around it, trying to hide the shake.

"I'm fine," she said briskly, not meeting their eyes.

"Fine?" Jin repeated, raising an eyebrow. "You're bleeding again, Y/N. Don't tell me you skipped the painkillers too."

Y/N sighed, pushing herself away from the tree, only to falter slightly. She steadied herself with a hand on the trunk, the other trembling against her side. RM's sharp eyes caught the movement.

"You're exhausted," RM said quietly, his tone firm. "You've pushed yourself too far."

Y/N opened her mouth to protest, but before she could, Suga reached out and gently grabbed her trembling hand. She froze, her jaw tightening as her gaze dropped to where his hand enveloped hers.

"You're shaking," Suga said bluntly, his voice softer than usual. "And don't bother denying it."

Y/N gulped, her throat tight. She tried to pull her hand away, but Suga held firm, his grip gentle but unyielding.

"Let it go," he said, his dark eyes meeting hers. "You're not fooling anyone."

Jin sighed and gently reached for her arm. "Let me see," he said, nodding toward her side.

Y/N hesitated but eventually relented, lifting her shirt just enough to reveal the blood-soaked bandage. Jin winced at the sight, shaking his head.

"You made it worse," he said softly. "This needs to be cleaned and rewrapped. Sit down."

"I don't have time to sit," Y/N argued, her voice edged with frustration.

"Make time," Suga said flatly. "Or do you want to collapse when we're out there with no supplies or help?"

Y/N glared at him but sat down begrudgingly. Jin knelt beside her, carefully unwrapping the old bandage.

RM crouched in front of her, his gaze steady. "We saw you last night," he said. "Practicing. And it wasn't just practice, was it?"

Y/N's jaw tightened, but she didn't respond.

"You're not training; you're punishing yourself," Suga said, his tone sharp but not unkind. "Whatever you're trying to work through, this isn't the way to do it."

Y/N looked away, her expression hard but conflicted. "I'm fine," she muttered.

"No, you're not," RM countered. "And if you keep this up, you won't be fine for long."

Jin worked quickly and efficiently, cleaning the wound and wrapping it tightly. "There," he said, patting her shoulder gently. "Better. Now, no more late-night training."

Y/N rolled her eyes but didn't argue.

"If I see you sneaking out tonight, I'm dragging you back myself," Suga added.

"You can try," Y/N said, a faint smirk breaking through her stoic facade.

As the three of them stood, RM glanced down at her one last time. "Rest. That's an order."

Y/N watched them go, her fingers brushing over the fresh bandage. Her hands still felt shaky, but she clenched them into fists, determined not to let anyone see. She hated being vulnerable, hated feeling like a burden. But for a brief moment, she let herself appreciate their concern. She would never admit it out loud, but it meant more than she cared to acknowledge.

---

The sun had already set, and the air had grown cooler, but Y/N still hadn't returned. The others sat in the living room, the tension in the air palpable.

The sharp rhythm of the horse's gait grew louder, signaling her return. Y/N appeared in the yard, her face tired, her movements slow but deliberate. The maknae line rushed to her side, eager to help with the supplies she had brought back. She barely acknowledged them, her grip still tight on the sword she carried, and she moved past them toward the house.

Without saying a word, Y/N went inside, her steps heavy, her body weary from whatever she had been doing outside. She washed her hands and face in silence, the cold water offering little relief for the exhaustion written across her features. When she emerged from the small washroom, she went straight to the kitchen.

She knew they hadn't eaten yet; it was almost instinct at this point. They would be waiting for her, worried. Y/N began preparing dinner, not needing to think about what to make-stew was always a safe choice, something they could all enjoy together. As she moved around the kitchen, she could feel the eyes of the maknae line following her. They still hadn't spoken to her, but she could feel their concern pressing on her.

"I'll make dinner," Y/N said, her voice quieter than usual. It was a self-imposed distraction, a way to avoid the questions that would come later.

The stew began to simmer, filling the room with its rich, warm scent. Y/N worked quickly, her hands moving with a practiced efficiency. She didn't need to look up as she chopped vegetables, adding them to the pot. But despite her focus, she was aware of the silent presence in the room-of Jin, Suga, Hobi, and RM standing by the doorway.

"Do you need help?" Jin asked softly, his voice steady, though it carried an underlying worry.

Y/N shook her head. "I've got it. It won't take long."

The warm, hearty aroma of the stew filled the kitchen, and the group settled around the table, the maknae line still glancing nervously at Y/N. She was quiet, her focus entirely on the bowl in front of her, but her mind was somewhere else, lost in thought as she absentmindedly ate. Her chopsticks moved mechanically, but there was no spark of enthusiasm in her actions. She was far too absorbed in her own calculations to care about the stew.

Jin, ever the concerned one, tried to break the tension. "Y/N, are you okay? You're... awfully quiet tonight," he said, offering her a gentle smile.

Without looking up, Y/N took another spoonful of stew, her expression completely neutral. "Mmhmm," she muttered, clearly distracted.

Jimin, unable to take it anymore, leaned toward her, his lips twitching with curiosity. "What happened out there? You look like you've seen a ghost or something."

Y/N paused mid-bite, and for a second, there was nothing but silence. Then, she suddenly burst into laughter. It was loud and unexpected, startling everyone around the table.

"I- I swear, you guys are dramatic!" she chuckled, wiping tears from her eyes as she caught her breath. "I didn't see a ghost. I just... fell again. Right on my face."

The table went quiet for a moment, all eyes turning to her in confusion.

"You fell?" Taehyung repeated incredulously. "Seriously? From where?"

Y/N nodded, still laughing at her own misfortune. "Yeah! I was trying to climb over a rock, and whoosh! Next thing I know, I'm eating dirt."

The others stared at her, blinking in disbelief, while she simply grinned like she didn't have a care in the world.

J-Hope couldn't help but laugh along with her, though his chuckles were mixed with disbelief.

Y/N said, shrugging dramatically. "But hey, next time, I'll fall in style-maybe take a dive into a bush or something."

At this, Jimin burst into uncontrollable laughter, doubling over. He laughed so hard that he forgot he was sitting on his chair, and within moments, he tumbled backward, crashing to the floor with a loud thud. Everyone turned to look, stunned for a second before they erupted into even more laughter.

Jimin lay there, still giggling on the floor, wiping tears from his eyes. "I- I swear," he gasped between fits of laughter, "Y/N, you're a danger to the world!"

Y/N grinned widely, clearly enjoying the chaos she'd caused. "See? Even Jimin's falling for my charm," she said, raising her spoon like a trophy.

Jimin finally managed to sit up, still snickering. "That's it, I'm done. I've been sitting here too long with all of you chaotic people. It's dangerous!"

Jungkook, who had been silently observing the scene, snorted at Jimin's words, and Taehyung, unable to hold back, joined in with a loud, infectious laugh. Jungkook followed suit, and soon the entire table was filled with laughter. Even Suga couldn't suppress his chuckles anymore.

"Don't worry, Jimin," Y/N teased, still with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "If you ever fall again, I'll be there to catch you. Right after I faceplant into the dirt for the tenth time."

The others were still laughing, even Suga, who had been trying to hide his amusement. Jin shook his head in disbelief, but even he couldn't suppress his grin.

"Well, at least you're consistent," Jin chuckled. "Falling is your superpower."

Y/N shrugged nonchalantly, finally taking a bite of her stew again. "Hey, it's a gift. Not everyone can have this level of coordination."

Just then, RM, who had been quietly observing from the corner, couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh. He raised his hands in mock surrender. "I don't know what's worse," he said, shaking his head, "the fact that Y/N falls constantly or that all of you are laughing so hard about it."

The table continued to laugh, the heavy atmosphere from earlier replaced with lighthearted teasing and jokes. For a moment, everything felt normal again, and the laughter of friends filled the air.

---

As everyone made their way to their shared rooms, Jin carefully rebandaged Y/N's wound. Despite the tenderness of the moment, Y/N remained quiet, her expression distant. Once Jin was finished, she gave him a quick, appreciative nod.

"Thanks, Jin," she muttered softly, but the weight of the evening's events lingered in her eyes.

The others had already begun heading toward their rooms, and Y/N hesitated for a moment. She glanced at the others before slipping into her room, the door clicking softly behind her. Inside, the quiet of the space swallowed her. For a brief moment, she stood there, staring out the window, her mind swirling with thoughts, calculations, and unanswered questions.

But there was something missing. She felt restless, a gnawing need to do something - anything.

She pulled her short gun from its holster and strapped Sehun's dagger to her waist. Her eyes flickered to the window once more, then to the door. Without another word, she pushed the door open and stepped into the hallway. Her steps were soft but firm as she made her way toward the backstairs, avoiding the sounds of her teammates settling in their rooms.

She didn't want to be disturbed. Not yet.

Quietly, Y/N made her way up to the terrace rooftop, where the night air greeted her with a cold breeze. The stars above provided some comfort, but the silence felt almost oppressive. She moved toward the edge, her hand instinctively resting on the grip of her gun. Her eyes scanned the horizon as she took in the familiar surroundings - but the need to be alone, to be alert, was stronger than ever. With a slow exhale, she glanced over her shoulder at the dimly lit door behind her. No one would bother her here.

The rooftop felt like the only place where she could clear her head, even if just for a moment.

---

As they began their journey, leaving the safety of their camp behind, the group moved with a sense of purpose, and the world around them grew quieter with each passing mile. Y/N remained at the front, her pace swift and steady, scanning the horizon with sharp, vigilant eyes. Her mind was working overtime, calculating possible threats, analyzing every movement, every rustle in the wind. There was something about today that felt different, something she couldn't quite place, but her instincts were on high alert.

The group moved through the winding path, and the sun hung higher in the sky, casting long shadows as the afternoon approached. The occasional encounter with a few stray zombies-stalkers and ambushers, the slower, weaker types-was dealt with swiftly. But Y/N's focus never wavered. The rest of the group knew it. The way she moved ahead of them, her posture rigid, always aware. It wasn't just because of the usual danger-they could tell something was bothering her.

Hobi, walking alongside Jimin, glanced at her up ahead, Orion's reins loosely held in his hand as he kept pace with the others.

"Is she alright?" Hobi murmured, his voice barely audible.

Jimin, still holding Astra's reins loosely in his hands, narrowed his eyes. "I don't know. She's been like this since we left this morning. Just... off."

They could both feel it, the tension in the air, the way Y/N's body language shifted as she moved ahead, like a predator on the hunt, constantly evaluating the environment. They didn't question her. Y/N had always been the first to pick up on things they couldn't.

The landscape around