Hi everyone, xnemesisxx here! I haven't been writing for a long time (4 years since I've touched this story HAHA), but I stumbled upon my unfinished fanfics and decided maybe it's time to get back. Because the manga released new chapters during my absence, I've altered the plot which will be based after Chapter 153. Of course, it doesn't correlate/continue exactly from where the original storyline is now but that's the whole point of a fanfic right? :)

Disclaimer - I DO NOT OWN AKATSUKI NO YONA. All I own is this story.

Warning - Mature rating and spoilers ahead. Got to build up the story + characters first for the you-know-what later (oh my)

Unbearable

The one I like is you, damn it!

A pair of purple eyes flew open in surprise only to be met with a stream of sunlight peeking in from outside the tent, which made her squint into a grimace. The crimson haired girl slowly hoisted herself up to sit amongst the rumpled sheets as she heaved a weary sigh.

It has been a week since Hak's declaration (more like an angry outburst, really) of love yet it was still surreal that the teasing and indifferent childhood friend of hers regarded her romantically, if at all. He'd relentlessly tease her about the disheveled hair, how ugly she's gotten lately, and how no sane man will take her as a wife.

But he did say he was being serious about his feelings. She bit her finger deep in thought as she couldn't help but feel confused.

I'm not really expecting something from you or anything.

"What's that supposed to mean, anyway?" Muttering under her breath, she crawled out from the sheets and began to dress herself. "Stupid Hak."

While she was happy he feels the same for her as she does, she was at doubts as things remained the same between the two. In fact, it seemed like a step backwards. Whenever they were alone, Yona was all flushed and fidgety as the flashbacks of his confession replayed in her head, but Hak was his usual, calm self. And this bothered her.

He didn't even let me express my own feelings. Regardless of his indifferent attitude to the whole incident, she needed to respond to him soon to settle this disconcerting sentiment which held her back from acting normally.

She stepped out of the tent with furrowed eyebrows, searching for some sort of an answer. Hands balled into fists, she shook her head to chase the confusion away and lifted her arms in the air to start the day in good spirits.

The corners of her lips lowered, however, as her eyes landed on a topless Hak resting his Hsu Quandao against a tree, his blue robes hanging from his waist. She froze.

She knew he was bound to be well-built with years of arduous training, but she never really paid attention, that is, until this moment.

As he noticed her presence, Hak turned towards her, his hand running through his jet black hair as he stared at her with sharp cobalt eyes inquisitively. Beads of sweat delineated his strong jaw to his Adam's apple down to his broad chest. The sunlight accentuated his chiseled abdomen and his sturdy arms resting against his sides. His—

"Good Morning to you too," Snapping her attention back, Hak raised his arms in front of his chest and pulled his lips into a sly grin. "Perverted princess."

"H-Hak! You—" Before she could explode with embarrassment, face fuming with heat, her vision suddenly darkened with a hand covering her eyes.

"My, my. It's rude to be walking around naked in front of a lady," Through his fingers, Yona peered up to see Jae-Ha with an impish purple glint in his eyes which trailed down to meet hers for a wink. "Right, Yona-chan?"

"R-Right!" Flustered, she pointed her index finger at Hak accusingly. "As if there's anything to look at!"

"Same goes for you," Hak stuck his tongue out, slipping his robes on. "Bed head princess."

"Bully!" She hollered, pouting, as her hands tried to flatten the straggly hair sticking out from the crown of her head.

"You're beautiful no matter what, Princess Yona!" Kija scurried over with a steaming hot pot in his dragon's claw, leaving a rich aroma of stew. "Hak, how dare you—"

"—bring back the damn pot, Hakuryuu! And you rowdy bunch," Clanging a spoon against a pan, Yoon scowled with annoyance. "Unless you prefer to eat crunchy crickets, stop squabbling and come sit for breakfast!"

"Is there meat in the stew?" Yawning, Zeno staggered out of the tent, scratching his messy blonde hair to sit by the fire. With half-lidded eyes, he instinctively reached for the skewers of lightly charred eggplant and diced carrots balanced over the fireplace. "Zeno's starvin'!"

As soon as he took a seat, the Darkness Dragon and the rest of the Happy Hungry Bunch dashed to join him as it was an eat or die battle with Zeno in the picture.

Yona hung back, speechless. This. This was what she meant by nothing having changed since the confession. Just then, a soft touch to her cheek and a squeak from Ao perched on her shoulder made her giggle softly. She stroked the squirrel's fur and tilted her head up to expect Shin-Ah crouching on a tree branch. "Yona."

"Let's go have breakfast, Shin-Ah," Offering her hand to him, she dismissed her thoughts and smiled. He landed next to her and gently took her hand, tentatively smiling in response, his eyes shimmering with a golden warmth.

"Yona! Shin-Ah! Hurry up or else there won't be any food left!" Yoon waved them over. He then lightly knocked a still half-awake Zeno on the head who was slurping up the stew. "At least chew!"

Once Yona reached the gathering, she found herself a warm bowl brimming with chunks of meat and potatoes in her hands. Glancing up, she saw Hak move away and flop down to the grass, taking a bite of the skewers. "…Thanks."

"It's hot so be careful—" Before he could warn her, Yona gulped down a big spoonful of the stew and flinched in pain. Baffled, he rose to his feet and carried the bowl from her hands. Her eyes widened as she noticed him blowing on the spoon then lifted it to her mouth. "Here."

"I-I know how to eat!" Reddening with embarrassment, she quickly stole the spoon from his grasp. Hak gazed at her for a moment then returned the stew to sit back down. She strutted around the fireplace to rest next to Yoon, munching on the tender venison. "The stew's delicious, Yoon."

"Hehhh," He replied, eyeing her and placed the soup down to his lap. "So are you going to tell him?"

"Kid, Zeno can't get enough of that venison soup," Burping, Zeno rubbed his ballooned belly in content as he flashed a toothy grin. "Time for a nap—"

"—Nap, my ass! Now that I fed you guys," Yoon hoisted off of the boulder and placed his hand on his hip, whipping out a notebook from his pocket. "It's time for chores."

Everyone groaned in protest, but he ignored their complaints. "Kija, I need you to chop more wood for the fireplace. Zeno and Shin-Ah, scout for a nearby lake because we're all starting to stink."

"That leaves Thunder Beast, Jae-Ha and Yona to buy medicinal herbs and other necessities I need in the village," Yoon closed the book shut and glared at his child-like companions. "Better finish all these tasks before the sun sets or else we're skipping dinner tonight."

"C'mon Seiryuu, maybe we'll catch a wild boar on the way," Zeno broke in, hopping up and down with excitement as he drooled a little. He then took Shin-Ah by the arm and dragged him into the forest.

"Yona-chan, ready to go?" Adjusting his yellow cuffs, Jae-Ha called over. She was rather relieved as she watched the group disperse and Yoon piling up the dirty dishes with Kija. She planned to let Hak know about her feelings, but Yoon's direct question led her to feel afraid.

Hak slung a burlap sack on his shoulder and cocked his head to the side, motioning her over. "Hurry up, Princess."

"Just give me a sec," She combed her fingers through her hair as she recalled his mocking comment earlier. She was losing herself in these thoughts and felt ashamed for being so weak. And here she had believed she grew out from being an immature little girl. A flick to her forehead brought her back to her senses. "W-What was that for?!"

"You'll get wrinkles if you keep frowning," Shrugging his shoulders in nonchalance, he turned on his heel and headed to the path leading to village. "Let's go."

A light blush tinged the bridge of her nose as she watched his back disappearing amidst the thick bushes. She had to tell him. Fast. Because her heart couldn't seem to bear it any longer.

After a brief pause, she scampered to catch up with him.