Summary: AU. When Yona finds herself stranded in the past, she decides to make the most of her unconventional situation… while evading Hak's suspicions and Soo-Won's concern. Time Travel fic.

Disclaimer: I don't own Akatsuki no Yona. Praise to Mizuho Kusanagi for creating this band of misfits.

Fleeting Chances

Chapter One – Second Chances

Hiryuu Castle had fallen.

Nearly keeling over in the process, Yona heaved herself into a sitting position and slumped heavily against the crumbling wall. How foolish of me… wandering around carelessly. She had gotten herself knocked out from falling debris. Hak would have… She closed her eyes. It was not the time to mope. How long have I been unconscious?

The world spun.

Of all things… She hadn't expected this. Kang Soo-Jin had been more ambitious than she'd originally perceived, but she had assumed Soo-Won would be able to handle him – she hadn't foreseen the Fire Tribe General forming an alliance with Li Hazara, of all people!

Kang Soo-Jin… Her eyes simmered with anger. You are not fit to be king!

They had all made their way back to Hiryuu Castle, a risky move on their part, after hearing word of a coup. Stupid Soo-Won… letting yourself be overthrown… and after all you did. Tears slipped past her lashes. Yona pulled herself up, using the wall as support and took shaky steps forward, pushing past the dark spots of her vision.

Hak… where are you…? Please come back… Everyone…

She heard metal. Armour. The sound of fast-paced steps. Yona glanced behind her and tried to hide, but there was no alley for her to duck into, no bush she could hide behind. They spotted her in an instant.

"The Princess!"

"She's alive?"

No… no… no… She attempted to run, but her already shaky legs gave way under her and she found herself collapsing onto the ground. Get up, Yona! Get up! Run!

Her strength had left her.

She heard the drawing of swords, sensed both their presence beside her, and knew she wouldn't make it. Hak… everyone… If she hadn't stubbornly forced them to come to Kuuto's aid, if she hadn't suggested fighting against Kang Soo-Jin and Li Hazara, they would all still be alive. She had thought them invincible… and that had been their downfall. The troops had overwhelmed them; the Kai Empire had offered Li Hazara and Kang Soo-Jin their support; and Kouka had lost. Yona felt sick with self-loathing. Her eyes brimmed with hot tears of frustration. I'm sorry… I'm so sorry.

And Zeno… the dragon warrior who had spent most of his life on his own, would once again be left all alone. The sole survivor of their group, his blessing a curse in disguise. As much as she hoped against it, she knew he'd be anguished.

Yona bit back a sob.

Hak… Soo-Won… When did everything go so wrong?

She heard the whistle of the blade as it struck downwards.

If only I could go back… if only to see all three of us smiling again… to change everything…

Then darkness descended and Yona knew no more.

She awoke to soft and silky sheets draped over her. The chill of the early morning nipped at her skin and she pulled the sheets tighter around her shivering body.

Yona paused, her fingers rubbing the soft luxury with confusion. That's odd… Blinking sluggishly, her disorientated mind struggled to understand how she was experiencing the long-abandoned comfort she had exchanged for the rough outdoors.

She stared absently at the detailed architecture of her room, the expensive possessions at every corner, and finally, at her… bed. She sat up, panicked, as she attempted to recall her last memories.

There were two soldiers… Fire Tribe rebellion… and… nothing else? Yona frowned for a short minute then pulled herself out of bed and garbed herself in the prepared dress resting atop her dresser. She was undoubtedly confused but she would not be fighting battles of any kind in her nightwear.

Pulling her sash tight across her middle, and feeling presentable enough, she headed over to a window. Yona peered out into the gardens, her puzzlement growing when she didn't spot any sign of destruction. How is that possible? She backed away from the window. What is happening?

In her haste, she bumped into a small, round table sporting a vase of flowers. Eyes widening, she almost tripped trying to catch it. Her fingers fumbled clumsily for a firmer grip, unintentionally spilling liquid onto the floor.

Breathing a sigh of relief, she sidestepped the spilt water to place the vase back atop the table. She couldn't afford to break such finery. It would undoubtedly fetch a great price… She shook her head. This isn't the time for this.

Turning around, Yona caught sight of something odd and she stilled. She glanced back at the reflection in the full length mirror with a deepening frown, confused by her sudden uneasiness. Then her eyes widened and she drew a sharp breath. The vase slipped from her fingers, shattering with a resounding crash, but Yona only vaguely registered it. Shakily, she made her way to the mirror, barely noticing the blossoming of pain in her feet as she stepped over the broken shards to get to her reflection.

Her hair was long.

The last time she recalled her hair at such a length had been during her stay in the castle… before Soo-Won had murdered her father and she had been chased out of her home. Yona slumped to her knees, unsure what to make of it. Surely, someone is playing a joke on me… Every fibre of her being sought for some sort of plausible logic to explain her situation, but none came. None that made sense, none that could be possible.

Yona pulled herself together, and slapped her cheeks firmly. I need to find out what's happening. At the very least, she should inspect her surroundings. Yona bounced to her feet, and with a last cursory glance at her quarters, she stole out of her room.

As Yona roamed the grounds, expertly evading servants and officials, her surroundings only served to confuse her more. Everything was as she remembered… and that was precisely the problem. Nothing has changed… She shivered when a particularly strong gust of wind blew over her. I should have worn something thicker. She tried to control the tremors as goose bumps surfaced upon her skin.

Yona followed a path down a long set of stairs, her thoughts a horrible mess of unanswered questions.

She could argue that her hair had been tended to while she had been unconscious… but that wouldn't explain why they had bothered to do so in the first place. She was also very sure that the castle should have suffered damage from Soo-Jin's rebellion; she had seen the smoke rising from here, and yet everything was intact, unspoiled… normal.

And perhaps the most apprehensive thought of all… why was she still alive? Her last memory before she'd fallen unconscious had been of two soldiers from Soo-Jin's rebel army sending her to her death. How was she still alive? Who had saved her? Why was she here?

"I hear Kang Tae-Jun will be accompanying Lord Soo-Jin to the castle."

Yona quickly changed directions. With a swivel of her feet, she dove behind a building and flattened herself against the wall while she waited with bated breath for the servants to pass. Her heart was pounding against her chest, her hands balled into white-knuckled fists.

"Oh, my. Do you think he will try his hand again at courting the Princess?"

"The boy never learns," the elder lady spoke. "As soon as the Princess had turned thirteen last fall, his interest had peaked; and with the Tribe Generals gathering in two days, that foolish second son will no doubt try his luck again."

"I hope the Princess continues to rebuff him," the young woman said, her voice lowered significantly, and Yona would have missed her words had they not just passed closely by her hiding spot.

"For sure! The last thing we need is a spoiled fool sitting on the throne," the elder agreed huffily, to which the younger hurriedly hushed her with a "Shh!"

Last fall… Then I am fourteen. Her eyes shuttered. Two years before Soo-Won murders father. Her hands fisted her dress as she was forced to confront her uncertainties. But to arrive in the past…? How is that believable? How is that…? Suddenly afraid, Yona wrapped her arms around herself, her trembling hands clutching tightly at her sleeves. I need to go back! I have to… Her thoughts stumbled to a halt and her eyes widened. But what awaits me back there? Between all the death and destruction, even my friends are…

Yona's eyes stung.

"Princess!" She spun, her body tensing, and she almost crouched into a defensive stance at the sight of one Han Joo-Doh. Scar-faced, dark haired, and forever a permanent scowl on his face. Spotting his sheathed weapons, Yona realised, He must have been putting in some morning training. "You're trekking blood all over the grounds. What happened?"

Blood? She glanced downwards at her feet. Red smears marked her steps. Oh. The vase.

She had forgotten.

"I'm sure we can wash it out of the pavement," she said.

Oddly enough, he wasn't attempting to kill her… and that was what worried her most. Why wasn't he? What were they planning?

"I don't think that is of importance, Princess Yona," he said tightly. "We need to get your wound taken care of."

She stopped him when he made to carry her. "I can walk, Joo-Doh." His eyes flickered in surprise at her curt tone and Yona reprimanded herself silently for having forgotten to curb her resentment. Thankfully, he didn't comment.

"Why are you walking barefoot?"

Truthfully, she had been too sidetracked to remember to put on her shoes. "It was remiss of me," she conceded with a small, dismissive wave of her hand.

"You are bleeding." It was a statement but it held a hint of enquiry.

Yona glanced up briefly at him. She hadn't known he could string so many words within such short a time. "I accidentally knocked over a vase," she replied. "I must have walked over it."

"You didn't notice?"

"If I had, I would have tended to it."

"You didn't feel the pain?"

Now that he mentions it… it is hurting quite a bit. "I was… distracted," she responded, as she worked to smooth out her stilted stride. By his grunt, she could tell he didn't appreciate the ambiguous answer.

"By what?" he pressed.

She sought blindly for an acceptable reply. "I… I've been…" Her eyes lit upon recalling the women's discussion. "I've been studying the castle's layout… in order to prepare myself with hidden venues so that I may escape Kang Tae-Jun's undesirable courting should the need arise."

The fractional widening of his eyes told her he had not expected the answer.

"Would you like me to speak to King Il about this matter?"

Emperor Il… father is still alive? Her eyes closed resignedly. So I am in the past, after all.

"No," Yona said. "I think I'd like the challenge."

It surprised her that she was capable of having polite conversation with him. I suppose it could be because father has not yet been betrayed… Her expression darkened. Though, it only means they haven't acted on it. How long have they been planning to overthrow father?

She definitely couldn't risk anyone realising she was from the future; and already it was suffocating. Overwhelming. In this large castle, Yona was undoubtedly alone. With the castle swarming with hidden enemies, there were few she could trust. I must prepare myself.

"You… would?"

Yona tensed. She must have taken it too far, acted too out of character. Before she had grown out of her obliviousness, she had been embarrassingly wilful and obstinate – but most of all, she had made it clear that she had found Kang Tae-Jun bothersome. But I refuse to act entitled and ignorant this time around.

Hoping to divert his suspicions, she remarked, "You're asking an awful lot of questions, Joo-Doh."

"I have no choice," he responded gruffly. "You're being particularly vague." He glanced at her feet. "Princess Yona, you're risking infection to your wounds. If you won't allow yourself to be carried, please sit down while I call for the physician."

Yona was silent for a while. I am here to change the future… can I afford to hold grudges?

"You may carry me," she allowed in a quiet voice. As he lifted her into his arms, she murmured a low warning, "It would displease me very much if my father were to get word of my carelessness."

It would be difficult to justify my walking over the broken vase as well the subsequent venture around the grounds. He blinked once then nodded.

Silence befell the pair until Yona said tentatively, "Joo-Doh, you're very efficient with your swords." He raised a brow inquiringly. "I've developed a small interest in their elegance. I want to observe your morning trainings."

"Princess—"

She held up a hand. "I said I'd like to watch, not participate." Though, that doesn't mean I won't be putting it into practise later. With her identity as the Princess of Kouka and as Emperor Il's daughter, it would be difficult for her to find someone willing, or foolish enough, to risk their neck to teach her.

His gaze was almost smothering but Yona stood firm in her request.

"I start at dawn."

That would be as much acquiescence as she would get.

Her thoughts returned to her disadvantaged situation. Convincing the doctor to stay quiet will be difficult. She soughed petulantly. If only… Oh! The thought struck her like gold. It was so convenient, so satisfying, and Yona had to hide her smile at how ingenious her plan was.

"Luckily, no stitches were necessary," the court physician said as he bandaged her feet. "Although, I'm afraid it may leave you with scars."

She nodded, then glanced at Joo-Doh, whose cross-armed stance was making her nervous. "I-If you have something to say, say it."

"The bandages are noticeable."

Yona looked at her feet and nodded woefully. With a shake of her dress, she hid her injury behind the long apparel, looking quite pleased with herself. "Now no-one will suspect a thing." She turned beseeching eyes towards the doctor, and said, "Please don't tell anyone about this. I'd be terribly embarrassed."

He was very reluctant, and remained stubbornly so even after she had made it clear she wouldn't remove herself from the room until he offered her the answer she sought. If father were to find out, my plans will be compromised. He would definitely not let me out of the castle if he soon believes I can't be trusted even around vases.

"Joo-Doh," she said. "You may leave now."

"Princess Yona," the physician interrupted, "would it not be prudent to have Lord Joo-Doh escort you back to your rooms?"

"I am perfectly capable of doing so myself," she said. "On the other hand, I'd hate to inconvenience him any longer, or waste any more of his time based on unnecessary concern."

Joo-Doh offered her a respectful nod. "Then I will take my leave, Princess Yona."

She flickered a glance in his direction and waited until she was sure he was out of hearing before turning her attention back to the doctor.

"I was wondering… how would you feel about taking on an apprentice?"

He squinted at her from behind his thick glasses. Yona made sure to keep her expression neutral. "Why do you ask, Princess?"

"I'm only curious," she replied flippantly. "I was sure many experts of their profession would like the chance to offer their skills to the younger generation."

"Hmph! When they show me enough dedication and passion to the craft, I may consider them!" Yona was startled by the sudden censure. "The doctoring profession is full of half-hearted youngsters these days. Their desperation for recognition is unrivalled but they are lacking in other important aspects."

"Well," Yona said, heaving herself off the chair and testing her feet against the floor, "I think you just haven't met enough people." Her eyes sparkled. "I would like to earn your silence. In two days' time, the Tribe Generals will be congregating at the castle. Their meeting will end three days after. Give me one week after they have left. If I find you someone appropriate to learn your skills, would you consider keeping my injury to yourself?"

He snorted softly.

"I will accept your wager, Princess Yona."

Completed on May 26, 2015. 2724 words.

Revised on October 11, 2016.

The timeline of key events have changed (for example, in this fic, the Nadai/Hiyou arc happened before Kang Soo-Jin's attempt at a coup d'état); and little details may have also been altered.

Concerning the characters' surname, I'll be tacking it on before their given name instead of switching it around.