Author's musings: Well, I just realized it's been almost a month since I posted for this story last. I promised something lighthearted so the next 2 chapters will be such. Thanks for those who are still reading and commenting. I'm eager to see your reviews.

With Jae Su's arrival and his passing, Young's heart was wounded, bleeding slowly with the constant and unavoidable loss. His bleeding heart refused to be aided. Even Eun Soo with all her surgery skills and all of her love as his woman could not heal his bleeding heart. Choi Young suspected that it was one of those wounds, like the battle ones that ached when it rained and ached when it was windy and ached when it became cold and ached just because. It was one of those wounds that would cause his heart one day to become ill, along with the wounds of losing his fiancé and his master, his brothers in arms and, of course, his parents.

His mind was weary and his body felt as if the energy was sucked out, only enough left to carry on day by day. Not only has he gained a long lost friend for a moment - only to lose him again, he also had to abandon now the life he had begun to build with Eun Soo in the future and return to Goryeo where his very existence was at stake because of the hunt after his ability. His work with Lee Min Ho was only a temporary job, but he began to enjoy the company of the young actor. It was fun to teach and he even once talked to Hee Jun about the possibility to getting another offer for other projects after this one would be completed. And Hee Jun, his loyal and silly sidekick was the only one clueless of anything. He just liked Choi Young and with his trusting devotion warmed up his way into the warrior's hesitant heart.

Choi Young imagined how devastated the guy would be to find out that he is leaving.

"You know you have to see him. He's been a good friend to you and you have completely ignored him lately. It's not right. At least spend some time with him, take him out to eat, appease him a bit. He deserves it."

"He will whine and pout like a girl," grimaced Choi Young. "Must I?"

Eun Soo looked at him from the corner of her eye, clear in her intention; there was no other option for him, but to do as told. Young even felt guilty for abandoning him.

Eun Soo was right, the least he could do was to take the boy out to eat and buy him some jeans or whatever the guy wanted. Choi Young chased away a sickening thought that it might be the last days for him in Seoul, that his inevitable return may become permanent. He was worried that Eun Soo may not even fully understand the implications of their trip to the past. She was too cheerful and relaxed about the whole thing.

Choi Young took out his phone, scrolling the contact list and easily finding Hee Jun's number.

"Hee Jun, do you have time today?"

A muffled grunt of hurt and then, "I have to check my schedule, why?"

"I wanted to take you out for dinner. My treat."

"No thanks. I'm not hungry."

"Well, think about it."

"Whatever," murmured in the same hurt and offended tone Hee Jun.

"Call me, if you change your mind."

The phone went quiet and angry huffs, obviously for Choi Young's benefit, bombarded his hearing. He shook his head. As expected, Hee Jun was playing hard to get. Choi Young remembered what Eun Soo warned him about and cringing at the thought of stooping so low, mumbled into the phone, "I'm sorry, I did not contact you earlier."

Exaggerated puffing on the other end had seized and he could tell Hee Jun was fighting with himself not to scream in excitement. Chuckling quietly, Choi Young waited a minute for the guy to finally exclaim, "Well, it's not like I'm your girlfriend, but thanks, anyway. Hyung, can we go to eat Korean beef?"

That did not take long. "Sure, any place you want."

"Can I pick you up at seven? And dress nicely. The pair of jeans you got last time looks good and that blue shirt with..." A beep interrupted his rant. "Did he hang up on me? What the? Aish!"

Choi Young continued shaking his head in disbelief. How quickly the man's wounded heart recovered and he was back to nagging.

"Eun Soo-ya. Is Korean beef good?"

"The best." She stuck her thumb up in an unfamiliar gesture. When he looked confused, she explained, "It means good. Try it," she made him mimic the sign. "You see, easy. You are still learning, so I will keep teaching." She flashed a smile and it clenched his heart.

She was still acting as if going back to Goryeo was a momentary thing and their life together was supposed to be here, in Seoul. Gently, he took her hands and looked at her intently, "Imja, where we go... I am not sure how long we will have to stay. Are you prepared for that? It is not too late to back out. I will come back to you, unless I'm dead, I will keep trying till my last breath, so you don't have to go if you are not sure."

"I'm sure," she lifted to peck his chin and used her hands to pull his head down. She kissed him lightly and then pressed her lips to the spot between the collarbones, breathing kisses into it. He wrapped his arms tightly in embrace and stood motionless, feeling worried and grateful. Will he be able to protect her from the dangerous of that life? Will she be satisfied to just be next to him, forgoing other happiness?

"I'm sure," she repeated, answering his thoughts, as usual acutely attuned to what he was feeling.

"Then, start getting ready. I guess I have to get dressed for my date with Hee Jun."

"I'm worried that guy will steal my fiancé," she murmured through laughter.

. . .

Hee Jun, dressed up like he was actually going on a date, knocked on the door of Eun Soo's bedroom. She answered and his face fell, expecting his male companion to greet him. "He is getting ready. Meet him downstairs."

"OK." He awkwardly backed out.

"Imja, does this look good?" Choi Young was wearing his skinny jeans with dark sleek shoes and a deep blue shirt with black accents on the collar and along the button line. She smiled at how handsome her man was. In a couple of days they would be married and then she could call him her husband.

"Good, very good." He looked like a refined Korean businessman, not a Goryeo warrior, and Eun Soo silently sighed, looking away. This trip better be over soon. She liked him in modern clothes, healthy and not running after assassins and having to bury his childhood friends from deadly sword stabbings.

Choi Young nodded slightly with a small smile and kissing her on the cheek, went out.

Hee Jun blushed at the sight of his idol and nervously leaned for a hug, having Choi Young frown and step aside just enough for Hee Jun to close his arms around an empty space. Poor guy even closed his eyes in anticipation, still clasping his hands in the air, he slowly opened his left eye and then his right one. His arms fell and his face was one big pout; embarrassed now more than before, he muttered, "Hey. Have not seen you in a while."

"Yes. You have not," Confirmed calmly Choi Young. He pulled out his phone and checked the time.

. . .

Hee Jun stared in disbelief at his sunbae, role model and the man who broke his heart, if such thing was possible for a non-romantic relationship.

"You are quitting? You are getting married? And you are not sure when you are coming back?"

"Yes." Choi Young was savoring his masterfully prepared steak.

"And me? My job? What will I do?"

"I will talk to the stunt coordinator, he might be able to hook you up in the studio. Hee Jun-ah, I know it's sudden."

"Sudden? More like a shock."

"Sorry. You have been a good friend to me. If I have not said it yet, thank you for all your help."

Hee Jun blinked rapidly and his jaw dropped, "Why do you sound like you will not be coming back?" He may not be very smart, but he was not stupid either and caught on the farewell tone of Choi Young's voice.

Choi Young averted his eyes and looked out the window. The river flowed lazily amongst the concrete jungle of Seoul. Green stretches of parks and tree lined residential areas dotted both sides. He got used to the view. This is how the future will be and he had to go back so that it would stay this way.

"Tell me if you want anything to do or go somewhere. I will take you."

"Can we go to noraebang and then to jimjilbang?"

"Karaoke?" This strange obsession with singing was completely irrational, but it somehow made sense that in this world drinking and singing combined let people blow off steam in a socially appropriate setting behind the closed doors. "Sure, and what is jimjilbang?"

Another bugged out look at him, and Hee Jun laughed at his strange hyung. "Don't tell me you've never been."

"No." Honestly answered Choi Young.

"It's a spa."

Choi Young nodded. Whatever it was, it could not have been worse than karaoke.

. . .

"Naked? With Hee Jun?" He was screaming loud enough for Eun Soo to try to cover his mouth with both of her dainty hands.

"Not just Hee Jun, a lot of other men," she said with a wink.

"Wh..a...t," he managed to break through her block.

"Calm down, Daejang. Just scrub his back and he will be in heaven."

"His back? Why?"

"That's what people do there."

"Can't I go with you instead?"

"You can, but they don't let women and men take baths together. We can meet in a common area, if you want."

"I'm not going, Imja." He said determinate.

"I did not know you were shy."

"I'm not shy, it's just he loves to touch me. Who knows what he might do. It's not right." He winced at the thought of Hee Jun's paws groping his bare thighs and butt and he could just here the innocently said comments: Wow, dude. You look good. Tell me again what exercise you do to have your butt toned so well.

She laughed at his logic. "Hee Jun won't molest you, don't worry. If you don't want to take a bath, just wear the clothes they give you and come to the common area to snack and relax. I think the guy just wants to be pampered. Buy him a massage and a facial, you will have so much fun watching, it will be worth it, I promise."

Choi Young flinched, grumbling that he'd rather spend money on pampering her. He made Eun Soo promise to meet up with him in the coed section if he called her for a rescue mission.