Author's musings: My dearest readers. In between hectic life, I was able to scrape pieces of time together and deliver the next chapter for you. Please, make sure to leave your comments. Once again, there might be a bit of a wait before the next post, but I'm honestly doing my best. Thank you all for encouragement, I am relying on your enthusiasm for the story!
She felt his approach as if a shock wave of his energy traveled ahead of him. It was so powerful, it pushed her hard against the wall and split her legs and arms open, pinned to the surface for him to clash into her mold, his slimness against hers. He threw himself at her, almost fusing their bodies. The heat of the KI current between them, made their skins melt, bonding; breathing was hard and Eun Soo started to feel her lungs burning as Choi Young's fire penetrated her whole being. His pain and anger were overcoming, his exposed need and love was intoxicating.
"Imja, my love," he was whispering all the way into her, "Save me, I'm lost."
Hot tears burst within and her energy embraced his.
. . .
They both trembled from the forces vigorously whirling inside them after having made love. Choi Young was lost in the moment, admiring the woman next to him, holding her hand, his fingers playing with hers, this motion soothing and reassuring. He has not spoken at all, as if hearing his own voice was painful.
Eun Soo did not question his plea for help. She knew exactly what was troubling him and decided to probe gently, giving him a chance to disclose.
"Do you know how your friend got injured?" she inquired cautiously.
"No, I'm afraid he is a fugitive in this world. I have a bad feeling about it," He answered after a long pause, gathering his thoughts. He sighed, stepping into this discussion, as dangerous as walking over a minefield.
"Me too. I don't think it is safe to keep him here. It is Lee Min Ho's house after all. We don't want to involve him in anything criminal. He is a public figure. Celebrities can not be careless about how they live, not like us, common citizens."
"Mm," he nodded. "I will speak with Jae Su and tell him to leave."
"No, he is still sick. I want him moved to the hospital. I think I have a way to convince him."
He looked up, anxiety clearly seen in his gaze. If Jae Su dared to blabber that nonsense to Eun Soo, she must have been so scared and confused. He reached into his energy flow, tagging onto Eun Soo's signature within him. Although he never purposely did it before, since it has never even occurred to him to violate her privacy, he had to do it now. Resolve was predominant emotion he was sensing from her. It was not confusion or fear, it was solid resolve. "Imja, what did he tell you?"
Eun Soo looked deeply into his eyes. He wanted to tell her, yet he was hesitating.
He is worried about me, how I will take it. I have to show him that I'm strong and he can lean on me. I won't let him down.
"The same thing he told you." She was perfectly calm about it.
. . .
Lee Min Ho was lying in his bed, wide awake and wishing it was all a dream. A long nightmare, prompted by prolonged and sleepless filming shoot after shoot. Each lasted sometimes longer that 24 hours at a time, trying to stay ahead of the airing schedule, which tested his mind and body to the limits. His head was aching slightly, but the bump that was there after the fall was not protruding painfully any more. He teased the hair away from the spot, probing it with his fingertips. Whatever Eun Soo did, her hands miraculously got rid of the swelling. He lingered where she touched him. What kind of woman was Yoo Eun Soo? How did she end up with a man like Daejang?
This couple stirred unusual envy in him. They were obviously in love, but not in a overly lovey-dovey way. Neither they were too restrained or shy with each other. Their feelings had depth and maturity. Their connection was almost physically perceptible to the spectators.
He turned, trying to catch more sleep, but the house suddenly filled with sounds, voices echoed and quiet conversations behind the walls bothered him. He twisted and shifted in his bed, not able to find comfort. Finally, he got up and decided to get some water.
A thin line of light was highlighting the doorway to a vacant room. He approached, without any specific intention, as if looking for another sleepless soul. He heard muted conversation, voices soft, but very clear in the stillness of the night.
"Imja, it must be shocking. I was shocked, too."
"You don't believe him, do you?"
"Of course, not." The man did not sound very convincing.
"Just because you could time travel once, does not mean you can catch a ride like on a metro and exit at whatever station you like."
"Yes, I have thought about it."
"You are not possibly thinking of going back and changing history?"
There was no response, and Min Ho involuntary tensed the man behind the door finally answered, "No."
"Who are those 3 people who died?"
"Imja, please. It is not a memory I like to recall."
"Young-ah," her voice trembled, "he asked me if I would not take a chance to save somebody if I could…"
"It can't be true. I can't possibly change somebody's destiny. But honestly,.."
"Honestly, you considered it. Even for a second."
"Honestly, I did."
Then it was silent. Min Ho heard his own heart beat loudly in his ears; the conversation made no sense. But he could not move his feet, waiting for the resolution.
"Imja, you are my everything. I could never leave you like that, but if I could save lives… You understand why I wavered."
"Going back 700 plus years. Going back to where you came from, to who you are, general Choi Young from Goryeo, national hero and beloved by all… I was greedy, Daejang."
Soft sobs were interrupted by rustling, caused by movement, and Min Ho vividly imagined how a man was comforting a crying woman with caresses and kisses, while hugging her. The picture raised tightness in his chest and he realized he had no place eavesdropping on their private conversation. What they said about time travel and Goryeo, his mind raced helplessly to construct meaning. A feeling snaked inside his stomach, churning his insides.
Impossible. Unimaginable. He grabbed his phone, quickly typing in something . . .
. . .
Jae Su climbed out of the bed, cradling his injured site.
Woodalchi's woman was a true healer. Just a while ago he thought he was dying, but now he could walk, albeit hardly. He had to leave, after clashing with the police, he was a dangerous fugitive to harbor. These people, even the actor, whose life he threatened just a while ago, took him in and cared for him as if he was family. He could not put them in such position. Eun Soo gave him a chance and he planned to recover safe distance from everybody in hiding and return again, after Choi Young had the time to think over his proposal. Even if he had to try a thousand times, he was determined to convince his friend.
He dragged his bare feet, using the sword as a prop; thumping reverberated on the wooden floor and he stopped, realizing that his sudden departure won't be unnoticed, if he continued this way.
"Where do you think you are going?" Eun Soo appeared in the doorway, hands to the sides, her eyes dead serious. "You are my patient. I told you before. I'm responsible for your wellbeing. Unless you are heading to the hospital."
"No, I'm not. I was just going to relieve myself."
"Liar," she squinted her eyes. "It's over there," she pointed in the direction of the bathroom.
"Thank you."
"You are not planning an escape, are you?"
"Why would I leave, if I need Choi Young to say 'yes' first?" Although this was true as well, she caught him in the act. He stopped, looking at her with earnestness, "You don't want me here. I'm the guest who brings bad luck to the house. I got shot by the police. Let me disappear quietly, not to compromise anybody here."
"I know that you got yourself in trouble. I figured as much. But I also realize you are not the kind of guy to purposely seek a fight. Look here, Jae Su-shi, I have to make sure you don't die on my watch. This is a promise I made to honor someone very important to me. I can't bring him back, but I'll be damned if I let you slip away." She let out a disapproving sign, but her eyes were full of pity.
He disliked that look, it made him angry. Even this person felt sorry for him. Everybody seemed to be getting the wrong idea, that he was somehow a person of significance and he deserved the attention and concern of honorable Choi Young and this kind doctor.
He was nothing, ever since the Japanese ambush, he was nothing.
Maybe, if Eun Soo knew the truth, she would understand. She also lost someone, maybe, Choi Young could bring him back , too… Jae Su believed that despite her tough attitude, the doctor had a bleeding heart underneath. He needed Eun Soo as his ally, if she was not giving support, then Choi Young for sure would not agree to return back to Goryeo.
. . .
She waited patiently in the room, growing anxious, after all he was some kind of medieval ninja and could probably disappear into the shadows unnoticed.
His voice, caught her unawares, she shuddered and turned.
"There is something I have not told anyone, even Choi Young. I believe that you, doctor, need to hear the whole story in order to understand me. I'm not crazy or gullible, like you might imagine. I'm not naive either. I'm just a desperate man, trying to save those I love."
She was not going to be swayed or convinced to send Choi Young through the warmhole to nowhere because she felt sorry for somebody. But Jae Su continued to evoke her sympathy, sincerity evident in his speech. Eun Soo was very apprehensive. "I came for you so that I can check on the wound and take you to the hospital. Remember, you agreed."
"He saved my life, my dignity, you know. He was always so pure, so unshakable in his loyalties; nothing, even my betrayal, could make him change his mind. He is a stubborn man, your Woodalchi," Jae Su began his story, not waiting for Eun Soo's agreement.
"Stop. Stop right there," she tried to interrupt weakly, fighting within herself as she wanted to hear about the man she loved. About his past, about the things he held closed off from her. She was sure whatever she would learn, would only make her love him stronger, deeper and want to keep him next to her, not letting go anywhere.