Ashes were in her veins and a coldness settled in the pit of her stomach.

"Shin-Ah?" She whispered, not yet lowering her dagger. It was barely a centimeter from the vulnerable skin of his throat, but he hadn't flinched as its wicked edge flashed toward him. His breathing didn't change and his mask hid his expression well. She hadn't even seen him twitch.

"Shin-Ah, what are you doing here?" Naomi asked raggedly, finally convincing her arm to lower itself. Convincing her body that she was no longer in danger.

Her heart held onto the fear though.

They hadn't spoken in a long while. Not since they had said farewell on the hills above Awa. Neither of them had found the words to bridge the chasm that loomed between them in all their weeks of travel.

It wasn't like they had avoided one another. But the masked man had returned to his deep held silences and Naomi had been too afraid to try and reach him after that first disastrous attempt when she had returned.

The silence had strained whatever tentative relationship they had built before- and many times even just catching a glimpse of him would make Naomi queasy with fear and yearning.

She missed him.

She missed his questions, his smiles, his gentleness.

She missed his trust.

The trust she had broken. No, she hadn't lied, but she hadn't really told him the risks she was taking in selling herself to Awa's Overlord. She'd put him in a terrible, terrible position and she could only imagine the agony that he had gone through that fateful night on the sea.

But she would not apologize for what she did… and she had no idea what other words he was expecting from her or if there were words that could ease the silence without shattering it.

Naomi didn't know what he could read on her face in the shadows of the forest, but a quicksilver smile graced his lips for a moment and he held up a large yellow and pink apple for her inspection. It looked delicious, but her mind barely registered how wonderful it looked.

He'd brought her an apple and presented it like an offering.

Hardly daring to breathe, she took it from him, consciously avoiding any accidental touch lest he felt her trembling. "Thank you," she whispered. Her eyes were fixed on the wooden eyes of the mask, the infuriating piece of painted wood that he used as a wall between them even as he used the apple as a bridge.

Naomi's heart, still bruised and aching from her long conversation with Yona, contracted painfully as they moved as one back to where she had left her arms and armor. Her fingernails worried at the sweet smelling skin of the apple and she prayed she was strong enough to mend the crack in their relationship. She wished she was confident in her readiness to try.

They were like ghosts amongst the trees, moving as silently as they had during their deadly dance. She had known Shin-Ah was skilled, but she hadn't understood how truly masterful he was at playing death games until that moment.

She had almost killed him. She had wanted to kill him up until the moment she knew him. But he hadn't flinched.

Longing tugged at her gut and she quashed it with effort. The inches that separated them as they glided across the forest floor seemed to crackle with tension.

She'd missed how well they moved together.

When they arrived back to the night dark river, Naomi first checked to see if any of her possessions had been disturbed. Seeing that they hadn't, she slid the bone handled dagger back into its place and took a plain knife from its sheath.

She watched Shin-Ah stand in the trampled sweetgrass where she held Yona only hours earlier, a statue carved of moonlight and darkness. He was so beautiful it made her heart hurt… and he still hadn't spoken a word.

Her hands hovered on her belts, considering whether she wanted to don her armor for this next trial. She hadn't heard him move, but then he was there, gently putting his hand over hers and shaking his head.

A twisted thought made her throat close up. There they were, his armor and walls up and her vulnerable and fragile. Was she to beg his forgiveness while he watched her grovel behind his mask?

She would beg for nothing and no one.

Maybe he could read her mind? Or her face? But she watched as Shin-Ah slowly and ever so carefully unbuckled his sword and shed his outer coat. He pulled his boots from his feet and unwound the wraps that bound his ankles and forearms, removing the gloves that protected his hands. Beneath his coat he wore linen pants and a long sleeve shirt of the same material, dyed a deep blue.

Shin-Ah had always looked a little wild, but barefoot and loose clad with his mask and the stream of long ivory hair that concealed his natural blue, he looked like a dark barbarian prince or a young God of the forest.

A Dragon struggling to come into his prime.

He took the knife and apple from her shaking hands and moved to the bank of the river, a ribbon of sparkling, rippling darkness. Cattails and bulrushes swayed and dipped to the slight breeze and the movement of the currents as he sat with careless grace onto the damp soil. The crickets and night creatures near went silent as the predator settled amongst them.

When she joined him, there was only the whisper of the waters and the rustle of the trees to fill the deepening silence. It was as heavy and laden as the stone Naomi felt settle in her chest, just beneath her sternum.

No words, but when he shifted slightly to angle himself toward her, Naomi heard well enough. Her chin tilted in reply- they'd never really needed words to understand each other.

I missed you.

I missed you too.

Are you ready to talk?

I hope I am.

He began carefully slicing the apple into uniform wedges, releasing its sweet perfume into the air. Naomi's mouth watered at the scent. How long had it been since she had a good apple?

He held out a slice with his strong calloused fingers, baring his pale wrists and a sliver of his lean, corded forearms. She hesitated before taking it; her own slim, calloused fingers no longer trembling.

Naomi looked everywhere but at him, stealing only glances as she sank her teeth through the soft, juicy wedge. She recalled a promise made in trust, wondering if she had lost a privilege as well as the trust during their ordeal.

The apple was delicious. Perfectly sweet and fragrant, Naomi savored the taste of it on her tongue before she finally opened her mouth the speak.

"Why are you hiding from me?" She asked quietly, tracing the impassive lines of his mask with her night wide eyes.

He stared back silently, the knife stilling in his hands.

His mouth tightened dangerously and it took everything in her not to flinch at the sight.

After a deep breath, he resumed slicing the apple and almost under his breath he murmured, "Because I am full of shame and despair."

Naomi choked, her apple slice turning sour in her mouth as the words struck her like a one-two punch.

At his words, the spectre of her darkness spiralled up to claim her. She tasted fear and fury, guilt and the poignant bitterness that rode on the back of her own despair and shame. She recalled every word of her conversation with Yona, where somewhere amid the pain she had found a measure of peace with the choices she had made. Now beneath the cloak of her regrets she wondered how she had ever felt that.

Tears welled up in her eyes and she crushed them with a ruthless abandon. She could not do the same with the rock in her throat. She swallowed several times trying to ease the tightness there, trying to dislodge the taste of ashes and bloody saltwater.

Shin-Ah laid the slices of apple and the knife in his lap and gently took Naomi's limp, cold hand between his own. "I'm sorry," he whispered. Part of her reveled in the feeling of his touch, the way his callouses scraped across her own. The other wanted to snatch her hand away, to tear away that lifeline.

It undid her enough that two little tears broke her control and slid silently down her hollow cheeks. Shin-Ah sucked in a quiet gasp as they fell and she could see him searching for any words that could help.

"You shouldn't apologize for my choices, Shin-Ah." Voice raw and cracking, Naomi roughly rubbed away her traitorous tears. "I chose knowing full well what could happen. I knew the risks better than anyone in our camp and I reckoned the risks were worth it to win."

The limp hand he held curled into a tight fist and her voice dropped into a hoarse growl,

"I chose and we won and no one has the right to shame me for the consequences of my actions. I did it to protect that which is dearest, not just to us, but to a whole town. I did it for th-them."

Naomi imagined she could hear the shards of her being scraping over each other in her chest, crunching glass making the world vibrate, slicing her control to ribbons, cutting her composure into tattered bits. She wondered if she put her hands to her chest, would she touch the edges of the gaping hole she felt growing there. Naomi's face crumpled and she tiptoed the edge of an emotional abyss, but Shin-Ah spoke quietly, but firmly- and she stopped.

"I know. I know how you fought and what you fought for, Naomi. I'm not saying sorry for what happened. I'm saying sorry... because I failed you. I utterly failed you."

She stared at him, pale and dizzy, wishing to weep at the words and the seething self-loathing she had heard, but not recognized; staunchly unwilling to allow herself any more bouts of weeping. She was already dehydrated and exhausted enough as is. She closed her eyes and saw the darkness of the abyss loom.

Slowly Naomi lifted her graceful hands to the base of her head and slid her fingers into her soft unbound hair. A soothing gesture to herself. Taking several deep breaths, her firm fingers curled into a tight fist and gently pulled on the sensitive follicles. The pain helped to refocus her barraged mind and eased a touch of the aching tension there that crept up her neck from her shoulders. Her whole body ached with the memories, but it would pass in time. She knew it would. It had to. She stepped back from the edge.

Shin-Ah watched the broken beauty exert her infamous steel clad control, tucking the bad things back into the secret dark room in her mind and shutting the door. They could haunt her, but they could not hold her.

"You in no way failed me, Seiryuu. I survived because you did not give up on me. None of you did. I've done this dance once with Yona and you will lay your self hatred and self blame on the altar of my truth as she did." She spoke calmly, but that Belarusian accent- lilting and savage- entranced Shin-Ah enough to muddle the words. His head cocked, unsure in his fears and regrets.

She released her hair and let her hands slide down the back of her neck to her shoulders, to the muscles that seemed to be the crossroads of all the assassin's problems, a map of her struggling recovery. Rolling her neck with a soft sigh and wincing she chanced a thoughtful look at him from beneath her lashes and knew the next move in the dance.

Naomi moved carefully, but confidently, to lean forward and take his mask from his face. Stunned into stillness, Shin-Ah gazed wide eyed upon her devastating face and she allowed herself the lightest brush of her fingers through his azure bangs that were growing longer, her fingertips grazing his feverish forehead. "Shin-Ah, I need you to listen to me."

It was hard. It was so hard for Naomi to form the words when faced with the full intensity of those beloved, one-of-a-kind eyes. The slits of his eyes were completely dilated, pools of vulnerable black ringed in shining gold. The power of his gaze slid across her skin, feeling like mist and starlight.

She didn't stare back into his eyes, letting her gaze wander over his face instead. It had been a while since she had seen the breathtaking whole of it. She could see the wear of the last few weeks in the dark bags beneath his eyes and stress lines between his eyebrows- worrying signs that he had hidden with his mask. He had been suffering in his silence, but he had given her whatever time she needed to heal, never asking if it would ever end.

Naomi felt a rare tenderness as she sat back on her heels and gave the young dragon a sad, sweet smile. "I should have known you could never bear me any ire. I should've known you would turn it all on yourself." An apology sat on the tip of her tongue, but anything of the sort would send him spiralling, trying to convince her that it was absolutely his fault so it couldn't be hers. So she took a quiet shaky breath in and started.

"Being alive is really hard, you know? Things get dicey and you can't stop time to consider your actions. You have to decide then and there which choice is the right one- which one does everyone survive and get to go on? There's no time to think about what will happen between then and the point where everyone goes on, it's just... which path in front of me do I walk to get the outcome I need?"

She sniffled and sighed.

"I knew it would hurt. I knew that if I chose to stand up, there was no going back. But… Shin-Ah you didn't see that room. Full of women- young, vulnerable women who had been protected by their families their whole lives until their Lord and his men stole them. They were afraid and I gave them hope. I told them that we weren't abandoned or lost, that the people who loved us wouldn't let them take us without a fight… that I would kill that man before he laid a hand on any of them."

Shin-Ah slumped and his lip trembled. Naomi could only take his hand and hold it through this truth telling. It felt like breathing daggers, but she forged on.

"When he came, it was only the fact that Yona was there that the plan succeeded at all. The choice was presented: Yona… or me."

He gasped and squeezed her hand, seeing the awful choice and knowing the consequences of it. Naomi looked miserable and in pain, but her eyes were clear. "I knew I would survive. I was built to survive the worst. And I knew Yona and Yoon would carry out the plan. I knew the pirates, the Dragons, and the Thunder Beast would win. That we would save them all. And I knew that my family would come for me and bring me back safe." She smiled. "I didn't know my allies would sink the ship I was on when coming to my rescue, but I am a master of improv and have an excellent lung capacity from yelling at you all."

Shin-Ah looked shocked, "We did?!"

She gave him a light shove. "Yes, yes you did! And I am very cross with you all because of it, thank you for reminding me." Naomi replied in mock anger, crossing her arms. The young dragon chuckled and reached for her hand again, which she gave easily.

"I am very sorry we sunk the ship you were on while we were battling an army of vicious soldiers and mercenaries." He was sincere and wore a soft amused smile. She returned it and cocked her head, stretching her right shoulder. "It's alright. I was found regardless and you all brought me back safe and sound."

"Mostly." He murdered quietly, running his thumb over her scarred wrist.

The emptiness in her lower belly ached and cried as she sighed. "Mostly. But that was no one's decision but my own, and it is no one's fault but Yang Kum-ji and his men's." Naomi's eyes glittered dangerously when she smiled sweetly and looked deep into Shin-Ah's. "And believe me, Seiryuu- each and every one of them paid properly and dearly for it all."

Her truth felt like a ripple through Shin-Ah's power and Naomi knew he really did believe it. Believed it enough to let go. He bowed as he exhaled the self-hate and bitter grudges he had carried with him like boulders. He touched his forehead to the back on her hand.

"I am so glad that you are alive, Naomi."

The sincerity of his gratitude humbled the assassin. She choked on the emotions that filled her and ran her hand over the soft blue hair that was longer than she remembered it. "I'm glad too. It hurts, but I'm glad."

He lifted his head and touched her face gently, but the movement was just a little too quick and she flinched. He sat back slowly and frowned. "It's not you, Shin-Ah. I'm just a little… hair triggered. I… I have to take things slow." He looked at her intensely. "Very slow, Shin-Ah. I don't want to hurt either of us. Or anybody else for that matter."

She rubbed her hands together, feeling the soothing scrape of callous over callous and looked at him from under lowered lashes. He cocked his head, thoughtful. "I have thought about it though." His eyebrows narrowed in confusion. "Kissing you. I think about it when I feel safe. It's a pleasant memory for me."

Naomi smiled as the blush immediately rose from his chest to his neck and colored his pale, high cheekbones. "I'm glad it's a pleasant memory for you too. But even if I felt ready, my body hurts too much to even think about trying."

After looking very thoughtful, he took her warm hands and held them very gently. "Listen to me, Naomi," He murmured solemnly and Naomi raised an eyebrow that he saw with a smile, but he continued seriously. "I will never ask you for something that you cannot give. I would wait for you until the end of time itself. I don't need to kiss you to adore you. I want you to be free and happy and in good health. That is all I want and need from you. I have no other expectations."

His declaration left Naomi speechless. She was wrapped in his power and felt more than heard the depth of his emotions, turning her own emotions to absolute mush. This man was a wonder. A treasure. So wise in his innocence and so innocent in his wisdom.

She smiled at him and Shin-Ah felt utterly rewarded for his blushing and his honesty. He hadn't seen her smile like that in a long time.

"Thank you for your kindness and your patience, Shin-Ah. I am grateful for your compassion." She slowly extended her hand to touch his smooth jaw with fingertips like butterflies. "I just hope you won't avoid other opportunities in the future, my moonlight. I cannot promise my whole heart to another when I carry so many inside it. I don't want you waiting for me forever. That's too long to ask."

He shook his head at her and smiled slightly. "You're not asking. I'm telling you. I want you. Just you- regardless of who I share you with. I don't care. I am content with knowing I have a place in your heart the way you have one in mine. Jae-ha says I'm foolish- I fell for an untameable force of nature, but I did, and I'm not afraid. I just want to walk alongside you while we stroll into legend."

His power sparkled over her skin and she put her hand to her chest, breathing deep. It felt like the first full breath she'd had in a while. Then she reached out, brushing his bangs away from his forehead again and cradled his beautiful face in her hands. "You will always have a place in my heart, Seiryuu. I'm so thankful I am with you on this quest. So very thankful I get to be here." She whispered, touching her forehead to his, ignoring her aching shoulders and back. The pain stilted her movements, but she needed this. The chasm was mended, she had her gold-eyed dragon back, and she wasn't feeling so awful anymore.

"Naomi, I- I lo-"

"Don't say it yet." She whispered, cutting off the words. "Not yet. I want more than this broken body when I hear those words come out of your mouth."

A slow, wonderful smile crossed his lips. "If you wish, my lady."

Deliriously good. That's how it felt knowing he wanted her. More than wanted her. Adored her, is what he said. The way he looked at her when he said it. He would keep. Yes, he certainly would.

She winced as she sat back and two or three muscles in her back seized painfully.

He still held her hand when he gave her a leading smile. "Can I offer to help you?"

Cocking her head in curiosity, she smiled. "Yes, you may offer."

He chuckled at her tone and shifted so he was sitting on his heels, "I said I wouldn't ask you for anything you couldn't give. So I will ask you for your trust, Naomi." The red haired woman's eyes silvered as he finished with words that caressed her battered soul. "Trust me."

She closed her eyes, hearing her voice echoing his across her timeline. "I do. I trust you with all I am."

He brought her fingers to his lips, the way he'd seen Jae-ha do it, and kissed her knuckles. "Then I need you to finish this apple, and come lay down so I can work on your muscles. Hak's been showing me the best way to do it." He told her, putting the last half of the apple in her hands and grinning.

When her mouth didn't close, Shin-Ah gently lifted a slice and set it on her bottom teeth. His grin didn't fade as her jaw snapped shut millimeters from his fingertips. Her blush was very charming and Shin-Ah knew his face couldn't hide what he was feeling. He rode the euphoria of her truth and stood to go rifle through his things.

It only took a few moments for Naomi to finish off the delicious apple and follow him back to where her cloak lay spread out. The moon had risen higher, leaving a small burning half moon in the sky, the light sparkling off the bottle Shin-Ah held out for her inspection.

She took it, studying the viscous liquid inside the amber glass. Uncorking it, Naomi was struck by a wonderful light, floral scent that she didn't recognize, but enjoyed.

"Do you like it?"

Naomi nodded as she handed the massage oil back. "It smells lovely."

The man looked relieved to have chosen correctly.

Then an awkward moment came. Her fingers toyed with the grey hem of her blouse and hesitated. It wasn't like her to be shy, but everything was new and Shin-Ah didn't ask any questions as he turned to give her privacy.

Her grateful sigh made him smile.

Quickly, she stripped her blouse, her undershirt and her pants off and tucked them into her bag. The plain cotton underpants were modest and comfortable and Naomi didn't waste any more time nervously dithering. She laid down on her stomach, rolling the top of her cloak into a makeshift pillow.

Shin-Ah didn't know, but Naomi thanked herself for digging holes earlier beneath her cloak so she could lay on her stomach and bask in the sunshine. Her bust never would have forgiven her for lying flat on the unforgiving ground while the handsome dragon whacked at her back muscles.

The ground cupped her comfortably and she turned her head to watch him sit beside her, stretching out his fingers and hands. He smiled and slowly brushed his fingers over her hair before turning his attention to the master work of black and gold ink that lay before him, etched on her pale, pale back.

There were a few places that injury had marred the perfection of the ink, but they were details only his powerful eyes would linger on to notice. Her cuts and bruises had faded a while ago, but the memory of her wearing them still haunted the blue dragon.

He poured a measure of oil on his hands and rubbed them together to warm it, tracing the dragon tattoo with his eyes. It was an evocative piece, something that called to him in a way he couldn't understand. "I'm going to start now, alright?"

She gave an ascent and tensed up until she felt his warm, strong hands press into her back and the smell of flowers enveloped her. She melted into the earth and he poured more oil on his hands, covering her back in it before he began to pressed firmly into the aching causeways of her body.

Beneath his hands, her body told him the truth. He had seen the scars beneath the ink, but it was another thing to feel the lattice work of them beneath his palms, to know that men like Yang Kum-ji had put them there when she had been nothing but a child.

Her secrets sickened and fascinated him. Would any of them ever be privileged enough to know the whole of her story? Shin-Ah prayed they would. Prayed that Naomi felt safe enough, loved enough, to tell them herself.

Following the instructions Hak had given him and the pointers that Yoon and Jae-ha had given him, Shin-Ah confidently pressed and stretched and finessed the stress tight muscles. It was difficult- they refused to completely let go of the fear and alarm that kept Naomi feeling aware and battle ready, but also kept her up at night.

For Naomi's part, she floated on delicious pain as Shin-Ah firmly attacked the aches that plagued her. The way his callouses slid along her oil slick flesh made her lower belly flutter for the first time since Awa. The best part was she felt no desire to act upon that wonderful flutter and there was no obligation or expectation for her to do so.

The taste of apples in her mouth, sweet flowers in her nose, and warm, loving hands upon her skin. It was a hard earned paradise, but still paradise nonetheless.

"You should also talk to Jae-ha. He has some skill as an acupuncturist and Yoon has a lot of theoretical knowledge. They would both really like to help you too."

Naomi cracked an eye at him.

"You think I should let the old man stab me with needles?"

"I do."

"Sounds foolish. He might get my face stuck or make me lose feeling in my feet."

"I don't think he would do that."

Naomi paused and grinned lazily. Shin-Ah chuckled to see it. "Well, not on purpose he wouldn't. Ik-soo says he's got a talent for it."

"If the Priest says so, then I'll take him at his word and consider it."

Shin-Ah smiled and used the heel of his palm to push on the muscles of her lower back. There were several small pops as her spine shifted and released its deep held tension.

"Sweet Gods," Naomi gasped in relief. Sighing beatifically, she turned her head to the other side and grimaced at the stiff ache there.

Feeling his hands leave her back, the languorous woman dreamily noticed the oil cooling in the night air and waited patiently for the warmth to return. Shin-Ah shook his hands out and closed his eyes, picturing Yoon's practiced hand movements, rhythmically hitting Hak with the sides of his hands. He recalled the quick, precise strokes leaving no gaps and the consistency of the impact.

Confident, he thought to himself, I am confident. I know her, I know myself, and I know what I am doing.

She didn't even react to the beginning strokes she was so deeply lulled by the sensations Shin-Ah had steeped her in. He settled into a rhythm and worked up the far side of her back. He got halfway up when he noticed something odd. A quiet, musical hum that rumbled just within his hearing range. He opened his mouth to ask her, but stopped and waited for a time. It paused as her ribs expanded and began again.

He smiled to himself. Definitely her.

It was all the praise he needed. Leaning in, he concentrated on his work and the time flew by in comfortable almost silence.

When he moved back into rubbing her muscles out, he was pleased with how far he had come with her. But there was more he could do if he asked. Confident, Shin-Ah. He heard Jae-ha's voice coaching him in the back of his head.

"Naomi?" He murmured. No reply.

His hands went slow and slid slowly up her back. "Naomi?" He said a little louder.

"Mmph."

Confident.

"Sweetheart?"

Too confident.

"Heyya, sleepyhead. I have a question." He smoothed over, pressing his fingers up the sides of her spine.

Her head turned over and her eyes opened. "Yes?" She garbled, smush faced and smiling.

"Would you like me to massage the rest of you?" He rushed out and he could picture Jae-ha in his head, smacking himself in the face.

Naomi heard it, thought about it, and without meaning to began to tense up once more. With his hands on her back Shin-Ah felt the change. "Easy," he whispered, "you don't have to turn over. But you certainly carry tension in more than just your back. We have quite a bit of oil, and I'm not tired."

She lifted her face to look more fully at him. "You're not?"

"Not a bit."

He carefully rubbed a hard knot in her far shoulder, just above her shoulder blade, and her face sank back into its half smush. "Alright. But only if I get to return the favor at some point."

The tips of his ears turned red at the huskiness of her voice. Whether intentional or not, it flustered him to stuttering and then to brief silence. He lulled her back into complacency before working down her left shoulder and arm."I'm hoping I'll get to the point that you will let me massage you whenever, even if only for a few moments. I don't need anything in return. You need it more than I do."

"And why is that?"

"I stretch."

She made a funny buzzing with her lips. "So do I."

"I stretch well and often."

It got her for a moment and Shin-Ah smiled into the beat of silence.

"Pfft. Rude." She muttered, looking quite blissful as his strong fingers rubbed at the muscles in her wrist and hand.

He was good and efficient, seeking the natural paths of her musculature and following them with firm, smooth strokes.

"You wear it well." She told him suddenly. He cocked his head to the side and lowered it to see her face. "What?"

Her eyes sparkled. "Confidence."

Jae-ha jumped up and did a strange dance, pumping his fists in the air at her words. Shin-Ah wondered at what a strange place his mind had become. "Thank you," he replied warmly, appreciating the acknowledgement.

He worked back down her arm, then shifting to the other side of her body and beginning again on her other arm.

Shin-Ah admired her symmetry. There was no denying she was a beautifully built woman. Such strength hidden in her small body offset by her soft curves. He took special care with her shoulders and her neck, a place he longed to bury his nose in. Whispering soothingly he moved his careful fingers down and massaged the muscles of her chest just beneath her collarbones and where her arms met her shoulders.

"You should really consider the acupuncture." He murmured near her ear and was fascinated as goosebumps rose across her body.

"I will." Her breathy reply made a very male, very satisfied smile creep across his lips in the silence that followed.

"As long as you let me know, I give you permission to massage me whenever you feel like it."

All Shin-Ah tasted was victory.

He worked on her until his muscles grew sore and he had learned her body safely- like all the men kept telling him he needed to. He was sure he'd thank them for it later.

The moon was beginning to set and lovely Naomi had fallen fast asleep.

Sitting back, he sighed and let the last few hours wash back over him. He had no idea that tonight would be so achingly perfect. It was more than he ever could have hoped for.

It had been scary, and difficult. It had also been free falling, flying, crossing that divide to reach her. His eyes lingering on the silky tangle of her night black hair. He sighed and stood to dress.

She would be embarrassed to wake up there come morning and a bed would solidify all his hard work in relaxing her wrung out body. He moved her belts and blades and bags off of her cloak, spreading the patched thing back out and proceeded to roll her in it, preserving his mental control and her modesty.

It took some finagling to hang all of her belongings from his shoulder, but he managed and scooped her limp body into his arms, like a rag doll that made cute little sleep noises he was not allowed to call snoring.

It felt like a dream to walk through the dark forests, clear to his eyes as if it was day, carrying this powerful, sensual half-goddess who slept like she knew she was safe in his arms. This was the Bloody Lover, the Angel of Death, now better known as Yami the Ripper, Master of the Dance of Death. Everywhere they went, he would hear tales of her. Monster they called her. Worse than her predecessor. Madwoman few called. God-Touched fewer whispered.

His legend was ancient, though he was young to it. Hers was young… but entirely self-built. Beautiful. Powerful. Deadly.

Like a child in his arms, the way her fingers curled around the gold chain of his necklace. The smells and sounds of the world assured him that this was not a dream.

Just outside of the small yard that led into the house, he hesitated in his step and halted. He looked down and saw her relaxed, open face in the clearest of detail- and he was dumbstruck. "I… I don't think I will ever get tired of seeing your face." A small maneuver brought his lips to her forehead. "I look forward to finding out."

Talking to a sleeping woman like a crazy person again, blue boy? Hak's voice crept out of nowhere in the young dragon's mind. He was certain Hak was asleep, but it startled him enough that he quickstepped it to the dwelling and laid Naomi on her sleeping mat and pillow.

These guys have been messing with my head too much, Shin-Ah thought to himself as he tucked her in, seeing Hak slumped on his mat. The young dragon was still covered in startled goosebumps.

He couldn't resist stroking his hand through her long hair one more time before he wished her a good night and moved to his sleeping space on the other side of the room.

Ao jumped onto his chest and settled in to sleep- and Shin-Ah followed his companion into the deepest sleep he'd had since before Awa. It felt like bliss.

Yes indeed readers, we are back, and heading into the next arc! Naomi is now also fully published on Ao3 and she's making waves over there! But...

I know things are crazy out there, no matter where you are in the world. We are in a time of fear and chaos- my country is in an upheaval and everywhere we look things are going from bad to worse. But humanity is strong, our Gods are watching, and I have the belief that we are stronger together. We have learned from our shared histories and we know better now. We know people are complex, people are human, and a human is a human, regardless of sex, race, religion, orientation, or any other personal factors- and our love for our fellow human is stronger than any fear or hate.

My readers, and people of my beloved Earth, I am praying. You, yourself, are in my prayers. I want you to be safe. I want you to be healthy. I want you to be happy. I want you to be free and know that you are loved. I know the Gods of our world are listening and if it takes billions of prayers to give you what I want, then I will pray until the universe listens to me. I'll shout from my rooftops until the stars get tired of hearing my voice.

My PM's are always open if you need an ear or a shoulder. I want to help you in any way I can.

I am praying as I write. I know my stories can't change this messed up world, but I will write like they can.

All my blessings upon you, gentlefriends. And thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

- K.C. Harling
the Lady of Souls