In comparison to Kija, his own feelings had been completely mixed up when it came to Yona. That began almost immediately when he accompanied her on her task to retrieve the Senjuso. He could say that it was simply as Kija was, as he very obviously felt that intense pull, enough to practically freeze him in place, in the very first moment Yona laid eyes upon him. However, unlike Kija, he always did everything he could to put aside the legend, and the blood which ran through him; enough so that he somehow learned to suppress his presence so that the other dragons couldn't locate him. He didn't embrace the asinine idea that he was to have a master. The sole exception was his ability, which he enjoyed through and through.
Even now he still disliked the whole legend. He dedicated himself to Yona and would fight for her, right along with being there as a friend. He really did love their entire group, enough so that one day he found himself realizing that they were his home. He believed truly that she and Hak were to be together, and there have been numerous times where he would encourage her (even if sometimes, in retrospect, he knows he went too far).
Yet, still, recent events leave him hurting. He really could hate himself for it. She's still just a child, too.
His actions tonight were simply necessary. He would have taken off on his own (not that he hasn't been doing that for almost the entire day) even without Kija around. It was just how he was, maybe even a part of him being able to recognize that at times, he honestly did straight up run from what was bothering him. How uncharacteristic.
The way Kija replied was enough to distract him again.
. . .and of course he replied the way he did. The first part, that is. He didn't get the connotations. But that was good. Jae-Ha was (still) teasing. Right. . .?
"Well a lot of things in general are important. It goes both ways, you know." That is, he had his own role. "They would need to realize that I'm not expecting them to do everything. Especially not being strictly subservient. Treating them as an equal is just as important. So they can't be one who will endlessly persist that they don't need or even deserve to be given anything nice in return. Being humble and selfless are admirable qualities, but it's okay to want things for yourself as well."
That's just what it came down to.
Right about then did they reach the forest's opening and made their way to one of the trees, which was rather breathtaking in size. The curious side of him had to wonder just how old they were, just as he had when he came by before. Leading Kija wouldn't have been an issue from the start. He glanced upwards, already rather impressed, then grinned to Kija as he crouched down for the other to climb on his back.