Because I love you.
aNGeLz3x
"Father!" she cried out in anguish, the shock not escaping her face. "How could you do this? You should have at least let me know about it first!"
Seung Mina was red with anger. Her father was always like that, always controlling her life. She had been tolerant of him, ever since she was sent back home by Hwang. That was the only time they had really talked on the same level. Mina had to remind herself many times that he was her father's favourite student - the one that she hated most. That it was impossible for them to be together. It was during then that he taught her to be respectful and obedient to her only kin, whilst he had none.
But still, how could he force her now to marry?
"You're already seventeen, Mina. And you know, I won't be around forever..." her father's voice trailed off slightly. His eyes were wan with age, and he sounded so... sad. Suddenly her father looked delicate - so unlike the strong fighter she remembered him to be.
Mina softened upon hearing that. Her thoughts drifted to Hwang and what he would have said if he were here. The thought of him seemed to calm her down a little.
"Alright," she sighed. It was unavoidable anyway, and it wasn't the first time he did this. This day had to come - she would get married and her fairy tale life now would have come to a pathetic end. "Who is it this time?"
She watched as her father took his time to answer. Maybe this time she would learn to like this guy and accept him and not to slap him silly like what happened to previous suitors. Maybe she would even grow to love him. Maybe...
"I think you and Hwang would make a good couple." her father finally said.
What?
Mina felt her world spinning. There was a million things she would like to say, yet she said nothing. She felt happy and angry and surprised and tingly all over at the same time. Hwang... of all people... it had to be him. She was dizzy all of a sudden: the walls were closing in and she had to get out. Now. She turned to give her father one last look of defience before darting out of the stuffy room.
"Ahhh!!" Mina almost banged into a wall standing outside the door!
"Watch where you're going, girl!" the wall hollered. What? Mina looked up and saw... It was Hwang!
Mina was too hot to shoot back at him. And too darn embarrassed at banging into his chest head on.
"Go away, Hwang." she pushed him out of the way, and ran.
As fast as she could she dashed out of the confining house. She wanted to run away and run until she can't breathe anymore. It had been a while since she came out of the house. It was the same familiar scenery, and she didn't feel lost at all. It felt good to have the wind in her hair and to forget all her troubles.
Mina finally collapsed under a tree near a stream. Somehow tiring herself out seemed to make it easier for her to come to terms with her feelings. Lying down on the damp grass, her thoughts drifted to the strong and silent Hwang. She had never really dared to ask herself this question - did she like Hwang?
Sure, they sometimes sparred with each other at the dojo, and he never failed to impress Mina with his unique combination of strength and grace. But... he was always like a big protective brother to her. When she ran away from home some time ago, he had managed to find her and bring her back home. Not that she was grateful to him for that. When was it that Mina started to treat him a little differently from the other boys? She didn't know exactly, but she knew that he was a special person in her heart, even though sometimes she might not admit it.
Why must it be you, Hwang?
***
By the time she made it back to her house, it was near dusk. Mina shivered as the cool late-autumn wind blew across her cheek. A dim candle glow from the guestroom only meant one thing - Hwang was staying for the night. As usual, her father must have invited him to stay because he liked him too much. So much so that he wants him as a son-in-law. Mina quickly pushed the thought out of her mind. She didn't want to think of it anymore - she would have plenty of time to do so after the marriage.
As she walked silently towards the courtyard, she saw a figure practising. She walked closer, and realised it was Hwang. He hadn't seen her yet, so she decided to watch him from afar.
His moves were fluid, yet packed with a deadly power that only his enemies would know. Even in the blistering cold, he was completely shirtless. Yet he showed no sign of being cold whatsoever. His muscles glistened with sweat as he continued with his fast paced training. As usual, Mina really enjoyed watching him.
Enough of him, Mina.
But before she could slink away unnoticed, Hwang had already caught her. How embarrassing. Mina tried not to blush so hard when she saw him walking towards her.
"Mina," it was just that, an acknowledgement with no feeling. Mina felt her heart sink. "You're finally back. I was getting worried about you."
"I'm fine. I can take care of myself." Mina said tersely, a little defensively. Her arms were crossed tightly across her chest. She definitely didn't want to face him now.
"I have something to tell you," he shifted uncomfortably in his position. "Your father wanted me to tell you personally... I've been accepted to join the coastal defence force. I'll be leaving in a week."
Mina cast her eyes downward, disappointment tugging at her heart. It's a double whammy. But she had to admit, he is a good fighter with a good heart, he should get accepted. She should be happy for him too. "Good for you, Hwang," she smiled, trying not to think of the fact that she would never have the chance to be part of the force, just because she was a woman.
"It's dangerous there. Take care of yourself, ok?" she said after a pause, all the while avoiding his eyes. She wondered if he knew, that they were supposed to get married. It didn't matter to him now anyway. Why would he care about her now that he had his wonderful job over at the coastal defence?
"I think, if there's nothing else, I better go," Mina didn't feel like continuing with the pointless conversation.
"Wait, Mina," Hwang caught her hand. "If you still want to marry me, I promise I'll make it back for you."
Mina felt her heart stop. He said it. "... You promise?"
"Yeah, I promise," he pulled the girl in slowly for a hug. Mina hoped he couldn't feel her heart beating. She closed her eyes and took in his scent, wrapped her own hands around him.
The sands of time seemed to twirl into a slow stop...
For the first time, she felt love.
AN: My first fanfic in a long time. I don't know to make this one-shot or a long fic. Any suggestions? Hee... Constructive criticisms are most welcome. I'm a sucka for reviews... ;) Hoped ya enjoyed.
aNGeLz3x
"Father!" she cried out in anguish, the shock not escaping her face. "How could you do this? You should have at least let me know about it first!"
Seung Mina was red with anger. Her father was always like that, always controlling her life. She had been tolerant of him, ever since she was sent back home by Hwang. That was the only time they had really talked on the same level. Mina had to remind herself many times that he was her father's favourite student - the one that she hated most. That it was impossible for them to be together. It was during then that he taught her to be respectful and obedient to her only kin, whilst he had none.
But still, how could he force her now to marry?
"You're already seventeen, Mina. And you know, I won't be around forever..." her father's voice trailed off slightly. His eyes were wan with age, and he sounded so... sad. Suddenly her father looked delicate - so unlike the strong fighter she remembered him to be.
Mina softened upon hearing that. Her thoughts drifted to Hwang and what he would have said if he were here. The thought of him seemed to calm her down a little.
"Alright," she sighed. It was unavoidable anyway, and it wasn't the first time he did this. This day had to come - she would get married and her fairy tale life now would have come to a pathetic end. "Who is it this time?"
She watched as her father took his time to answer. Maybe this time she would learn to like this guy and accept him and not to slap him silly like what happened to previous suitors. Maybe she would even grow to love him. Maybe...
"I think you and Hwang would make a good couple." her father finally said.
What?
Mina felt her world spinning. There was a million things she would like to say, yet she said nothing. She felt happy and angry and surprised and tingly all over at the same time. Hwang... of all people... it had to be him. She was dizzy all of a sudden: the walls were closing in and she had to get out. Now. She turned to give her father one last look of defience before darting out of the stuffy room.
"Ahhh!!" Mina almost banged into a wall standing outside the door!
"Watch where you're going, girl!" the wall hollered. What? Mina looked up and saw... It was Hwang!
Mina was too hot to shoot back at him. And too darn embarrassed at banging into his chest head on.
"Go away, Hwang." she pushed him out of the way, and ran.
As fast as she could she dashed out of the confining house. She wanted to run away and run until she can't breathe anymore. It had been a while since she came out of the house. It was the same familiar scenery, and she didn't feel lost at all. It felt good to have the wind in her hair and to forget all her troubles.
Mina finally collapsed under a tree near a stream. Somehow tiring herself out seemed to make it easier for her to come to terms with her feelings. Lying down on the damp grass, her thoughts drifted to the strong and silent Hwang. She had never really dared to ask herself this question - did she like Hwang?
Sure, they sometimes sparred with each other at the dojo, and he never failed to impress Mina with his unique combination of strength and grace. But... he was always like a big protective brother to her. When she ran away from home some time ago, he had managed to find her and bring her back home. Not that she was grateful to him for that. When was it that Mina started to treat him a little differently from the other boys? She didn't know exactly, but she knew that he was a special person in her heart, even though sometimes she might not admit it.
Why must it be you, Hwang?
***
By the time she made it back to her house, it was near dusk. Mina shivered as the cool late-autumn wind blew across her cheek. A dim candle glow from the guestroom only meant one thing - Hwang was staying for the night. As usual, her father must have invited him to stay because he liked him too much. So much so that he wants him as a son-in-law. Mina quickly pushed the thought out of her mind. She didn't want to think of it anymore - she would have plenty of time to do so after the marriage.
As she walked silently towards the courtyard, she saw a figure practising. She walked closer, and realised it was Hwang. He hadn't seen her yet, so she decided to watch him from afar.
His moves were fluid, yet packed with a deadly power that only his enemies would know. Even in the blistering cold, he was completely shirtless. Yet he showed no sign of being cold whatsoever. His muscles glistened with sweat as he continued with his fast paced training. As usual, Mina really enjoyed watching him.
Enough of him, Mina.
But before she could slink away unnoticed, Hwang had already caught her. How embarrassing. Mina tried not to blush so hard when she saw him walking towards her.
"Mina," it was just that, an acknowledgement with no feeling. Mina felt her heart sink. "You're finally back. I was getting worried about you."
"I'm fine. I can take care of myself." Mina said tersely, a little defensively. Her arms were crossed tightly across her chest. She definitely didn't want to face him now.
"I have something to tell you," he shifted uncomfortably in his position. "Your father wanted me to tell you personally... I've been accepted to join the coastal defence force. I'll be leaving in a week."
Mina cast her eyes downward, disappointment tugging at her heart. It's a double whammy. But she had to admit, he is a good fighter with a good heart, he should get accepted. She should be happy for him too. "Good for you, Hwang," she smiled, trying not to think of the fact that she would never have the chance to be part of the force, just because she was a woman.
"It's dangerous there. Take care of yourself, ok?" she said after a pause, all the while avoiding his eyes. She wondered if he knew, that they were supposed to get married. It didn't matter to him now anyway. Why would he care about her now that he had his wonderful job over at the coastal defence?
"I think, if there's nothing else, I better go," Mina didn't feel like continuing with the pointless conversation.
"Wait, Mina," Hwang caught her hand. "If you still want to marry me, I promise I'll make it back for you."
Mina felt her heart stop. He said it. "... You promise?"
"Yeah, I promise," he pulled the girl in slowly for a hug. Mina hoped he couldn't feel her heart beating. She closed her eyes and took in his scent, wrapped her own hands around him.
The sands of time seemed to twirl into a slow stop...
For the first time, she felt love.
AN: My first fanfic in a long time. I don't know to make this one-shot or a long fic. Any suggestions? Hee... Constructive criticisms are most welcome. I'm a sucka for reviews... ;) Hoped ya enjoyed.
