It was getting late and Kija's stomach was rumbling. He tried to hide it, he always tried to hide it, but despite his past few months on the road with Yona and her companions, Kija was still used to a life of luxury. Back in his village, any stray comment about something he liked or desired would have half the village running to bring it for him. He never went hungry, was never cold, and he had always had a soft bed to sleep in. Now, Kija reflected with a smile, he had slept on the cold hard ground, with not so much as a blanket sometimes. He was often cold and more often coming down with a cold. But Kija couldn't complain as much about food; Yun was an excellent cook and even when he was short on supplies he always managed to come up with something. But Kija still remained hungry sometimes, and today, having had no breakfast, he was practically starving.

I wonder if Yun is feeling well enough to make dinner. Kija instantly punished this errant thought. Yun was sick, and even if he was feeling better he shouldn't always have to cook for the whole group. Kija glanced over to his left where Shin-ah sat, knees drawn up to his chin and staring intently at the softly smoking coals.

"Shin-ah…are you…?" Kija's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but he said it anyways. "Are you, maybe a bit…hungry?" Shin-ah didn't move for a moment. Then a low growl erupted from Shin-ah's stomach. Kija couldn't suppress his laughter and relief. Sometimes he felt less tough than his companions. He didn't want to show any signs of weakness, but the way Hak continued to fight even while pouring sweat or the way Jae-ha kept calm and confident even under pressure made Kija feel inferior. Yun always took their hardships into stride, thinking rationally and practically to come out ahead. Shin-ah never complained, no matter what happened, and was always ready to offer support. Even Yona, maybe especially Yona, never stopped ceasing to amaze Kija with her fortitude and unflinching selflessness. Meanwhile, Kija reflected bitterly, his stomach still growled and he still felt faint at the sight of bugs.

"Hey, you beasts. Start up that fire again." Kija looked up to see Hak, with Jae-ha at his side, holding a rope full of fish. Kija blinked. "Did you catch all that?" he inquired.

"Of course," Hak responded, heading over to the fire. "With a bit of difficulty," Jae-ha put in, following him. As they neared, Kija could see they were both dripping water and their clothes were half-soaked. Kija stifled a snigger, then remembered that he hadn't even tried to catch anything for dinner. He hurriedly turned to stoke the fire but found that Shin-ah and Ao were already doing it. Ao was feeding it twig by twig, with an occasional acorn thrown in.

"Do you know how to cook the fish?" Kija dubiously asked Hak. He didn't exactly seem like the cooking type.

"'Course," Hak said as he fed a skewer through the body of a particularly large fish. "Warriors need to know survival skills. And I used to hunt and fish for my village."

"Ah," Kija responded blankly. He didn't know what else to say. Next to Hak, Jae-ha was spearing fish while Shin-ah began to work up a blaze from their fire. "Where's Yona?"

Hak smirked. "Sleeping." The smile faded. "She's been practicing all day, she's worn out."

"She's in our tent, so she doesn't disturb Yun. Zeno is with her," Jae-ha added.

"What? That yellow-head is with her?" This was apparently news to Hak.

Jae-ha raised his hands placatingly. "Calm down, calm down. He's just a kid. Well, sort of. He's just watching over her." Jae-ha's mouth twisted in a grin and he leaned closer to Hak. "Or could it be that you're jealous?" he taunted.

A muscle twitched in Hak's cheek. Sensing an oncoming fight, Kija rose to his feet. "I'm going to check on Yun, see if he needs anything," he announced, aware Hak and Jae-ha probably weren't even listening. Shin-ah nodded.

As he left the bickering and the orange glow of the fire behind him, Kija felt pathetic. Even Yona had been hard at work all day. What had he done? What could he do?

Gently closing the tent flap after him, Kija felt a rush of relief to be away from the others. Glancing about the small space for Yun, he finally found him, an almost unrealistically small ball of blankets in the corner. It appeared Yun was still asleep. Sighing aloud, Kija realized not even Yun needed him.

"Hey you beast."

Kija jumped. "Yun?" he asked, approaching the boy. "You're awake?"

"Y-yeah," Yun answered hoarsely, withdrawing from his blankets enough to reveal a pale face and hair disheveled from sleep.

"How are you feeling? Do you need anything?" Kija asked, coming to Yun's side.

Yun coughed. Kija frowned and placed the back of his hand against the boy's forehead. He was pleasantly surprised to feel no fever. Yun didn't look as flushed as before, either.

"I feel alright. Better than before," Yun croaked. His blue eyes still looked tired, but they had a bit more life to them, it seemed. "It looks worse than it really is."

"Do you need more medicine?" Kija asked.

"Nah, I already took some a few minutes ago."

Kija felt guilty. If he took some a few minutes ago, he must have done so by himself. While Kija was just sitting outside doing nothing.

"Well, ah, if you're feeling better…if you really don't need anything…" Kija began to stand up, slowly. He really dreaded going back outside. No one needed him there.

"What's wrong?" Yun asked. Turning back to face the boy, Kija was surprised to find Yun's eyes firmly locked on his own.

"Ah, it's nothing. I probably should go make sure Hak and Jae-ha don't kill each other. Although Shin-ah is there…" he mused.

Yun frowned. He knew when someone was being evasive. It was a necessary trait to a physician, and a mother, both of which were roles Yun seemed to have somehow taken on. He wouldn't pry, but…

"What are all you guys up to?" Yun asked.

Kija sighed. "Making dinner. Hak and Jae-ha caught some fish, so at least we'll have something edible for dinner tonight. Hopefully."

Yun raised an eyebrow. "Hak? Cook?"

"Yeah, he said he learned how to cook back in his village."

Yun shook his head. "I don't doubt that, but Hak is really very practical and simplistic as a cook. Hey, grab my bag from over there, will you?"

Kija started. "Of course." He picked it up and brought it to Yun, raising it up and down a few times in his clawed hand. "Wow, Yun, this is heavy." Kija didn't really think it was heavy, certainly not for him, but he recognized that it might be for the much slighter boy. "Do you really carry this around all day?"

Yun looked somewhat embarrassed. "Yeah, that's my fault. I have a lot of stuff in there. I like to be prepared, and you never know what you might need."

Yun took the bag from Kija, flipped upon the top and began rummaging around.

"What are you looking for?"

"Herbs. If Hak is cooking, he probably won't think to add anything, and freshwater fish from these parts are usually pretty bland. Here," he said at last, pulling out a small bag of what looked like dried leaves. He handed it to Kija. "That's basil. It goes pretty well with fish. This is rosemary. Sage."

Kija took the bags, silently listening as Yun explained how to use the herbs, when to add them, which ones went well together, and what kind of flavors they added.

"Wow, Yun, you really know everything…" Kija shook his head ruefully. "I would have no idea how to cook a fish, even if I did somehow manage to catch one. I can't even help with some of the simplest tasks! I tried to help Yona with the dishes this morning, but I saw her re-washing them after I had gone."

Yun laughed, then quickly became serious upon noting Kija's somber expression. The white dragon looked like a kicked puppy when he was discouraged, Yun thought with a rush of affection. Yun considered the man for a moment. "You're a great learner," he said finally. "Do you think I could teach Hak or Jae-ha or Zeno anything I just taught you? And you actually want to learn, you want to help. You and Yona both came from places where you never had to lift a finger before. Now you are surviving and making the most of some really tough situations. That takes a different kind of courage and endurance than what the others have. I really admire that," Yun admitted, eyes not quite able to meet Kija's as his hands fisted in his blankets.

Kija felt a sort of burning sensation in his eyes and quickly turned and ran his sleeve across his eyes, just in case. He quickly recovered and smiled back at Yun. "Well, I had better take these herbs out before they cook the fish without them. Thanks for them. Even though you are supposed to be taking it easy, you're still taking care of all of us today."

"Hmmph!" Yun recovered his usual disdainful look he adopted when complimented. He lay back down and shut his eyes. "Just don't let that yellow beast and that squirrel eat everything."

"Of course not," Kija said quietly, getting up and shutting the tent flap behind him, herbs in hand. He left the tent with a profound sense of peace, relieved to know that he was making a difference and he did contribute to the group, even in his own way.

Even from the distance he could smell the smoke, too much smoke, and hear the arguing of the others as they attempted to save the fish from becoming burnt. He smiled to himself, realizing everyone had their talents and their challenges. And that was what made him a part of their group.

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