Since the beginning of their travels together, Kija would say that the other's changed a great deal, while also staying true to his convictions. In a sense he thought it was the same for all of them. Kija was still proud of his role regarding the dragon legend, and Jae-Ha preferred to consider his accompaniment as a decided upon choice.
Which it was.
But- Kija knew he couldn't deny the fact that there was a bond between them all, and whether by fate or by choice, they had all come together to form...
The Happy Hungry Bunch.
Maybe their ancestors didn't need to think on the name so much.
Tonight was unique however, and a painful side to their bonds that Kija rarely experienced. For once, his feelings were somewhat tossed. There was no regretting his role and he wouldn't trade his life for all the riches in the world.
But sometimes, life could be... bittersweet, he thought.
For the first time today, he questioned his emotions truly. He cared about Yona. She was his beautiful master and he admired her strength and conviction. She truly shined radiantly like the sun itself, a blaze that could blind anyone who dared stare too close. He...cherished her. To consider himself a match, he knew it wasn't appropriate. He had never tried to pursue such a thing either. It would have been a sin. At least that was what he told himself. So the fact that she seemed so content with Hak, who, despite all their differences, was truly a worthy match of her, was a wonderful thing.
Did it... somehow bother him because his pull to her was so strong, that he always felt he desire to be at her side? Or was it more selfish than that? The fact that he wished she could smile at him in the same manner that she did the Thunder Beast. Maybe it was both. He couldn't tell, but he thought in this moment- that connection was what forced his temporary retreat tonight. Even if it was simply because he needed the opportunity to pull back, and take some time to himself. Time that was spent well with Jae-Ha, who was a person he knew he could relax with and speak to honestly. And, the embarrassing punch aside (which still stung somewhat) he had enjoyed the evening so far.
"I suppose I am." He finally replied. He relaxed a bit and smiled somewhat when he regarded the other as they continued forward. "Over time, I feel that we have become close enough during our travels that I can understand your point of view more." He didn't always agree, but he didn't think that Jae-Ha was wrong for his way of life or opinions, either. Stubborn perhaps, and maybe even a little defiant at times, but they weren't unlikable traits.
"I was just curious what you regarded as important." None of which, in the end, had been all that surprising.