Because I Love You
Chapter 3
"Don't wait up, father!" Mina slung a bag of hastily packed belongings over her shoulders and struggled breifly as she climbed onto the back of a horse. The sturdy black stallion, having stayed in the stables for some time, neighed as though he understood the situation.
"Come on boy," Mina urged impatiently. Faster, faster it galloped away from the Seung's. Although it was already way past mid day, the girl had set out, much to her father's disapproval, on the journey that would take her across much of her country's length. But she had to... what else could be more important than him...
It was just minutes before that the messenger boy came to deliver the letter from the Coastal Defence.
"Mina," Seung Han Myung called out to his daughter, who was intently watching him a distance away. His voice had a tinge of softness, sadness that was difficult to seep through his tough exterior.
Something had happened to...
"...there has been an ambush attack my the Japanese pirates. The situation is under control, although we would appreciate it if families are prepared for the worst that may happen to any of our crew..."
She did not read the letter further. Not now, not when he was stranded on some faraway corner of the country, cold and alone. She hated them. Those bastardly Japanese! She knew those viscous beasts. Along her journey she encountered many of them, and none of them did not have an evil intention on their mind. And they were the ones who had started this very war, and had caused so many of her countrymen to lose their lives...
I won't let them off...
The cold, biting night wind rushed past her, causing her vision to be blurred. She was travelling at top speed, and much thanks to the unobstructed full moon hanging just above the horizon, she was able to see most of her way.
Mina could not help but stare at the huge orange orb that was somehow guiding her. The full moon was a sign of reunion and completeness. Please, give me enough hope to last me through this journey...
'Prepared for the worst...'
No! Mina pushed the thought out of her mind for the umpteenth time this night. She would see Hwang by tonight. The butterflies in her stomach said so… the tears that threatened to fall never once did, as the wind took them away as quickly as they came. He was the captain of his ship. He won't let his crew down, she was sure of that. Her grip on the reign tightened as she rode even faster, knowing that every second wasted counts.
Lights...? The butterflies in her did a little flip. She squinted a little harder. Hundreds of specks of them… winking in and out in the distance. She had reached the camp! A huge flag planted at the site confirmed that deduction.
As she neared the camp, Mina felt a sense of dread. Maybe she didn't want to know anything after all. But, it is too late to turn back now, isn't it?
She slid off the back of the house. After hours of riding, her legs felt rather unstable. And the surroundings scared her. She secured the horse outside the camp, and made her way warily through the camp, situated on high ground just off the coast. Out on the sea, she could make out fleets of damaged ships docking for repairs.
"...we haven't had anything to eat since yesterday..."
Mina turned her attention to a group of about five boys her age, huddled together outside a small tent, nursing their wounds and their empty stomachs. She glanced at the cloth bag slung over her shoulder. Her father had insisted that she bring the food along. Although she knew she won't have the chance to eat it anyway, she did not have the time, nor the heart to reject him. Besides, these boys need the food more than her now.
If I were a boy... would I be one of them now?
"Hey," she kneeled down beside them, while they stared – somewhat lifelessly – at her. She set the bag in front of them. "Here, you can have these."
They cast their suspicious eyes on her, then on the food, and then at her again.
"Just take it. I know you need it more than me." She smiled a small smile at them, as they began to thank her, in between mouthfuls of buns. Mina stood up quietly, wondering where to go next.
"Wait, miss!" one of the boys shouted. "Are you here to look for someone? Maybe we can help."
"Yeah, all of us here are as close as brothers!" Another one chimed in.
It's no harm trying... she reasoned. "Okay then, I don't suppose you know a Hwang Sung Kyung?"
One by one the boys' eyes grew huge, and they started nudging and chuckling among themselves. "It's captain's wife..."
"Is he alright?" she frowned. It was clear they knew him, but their sudden change in behaviour puzzled her.
"Yes, of course. Without him, the five of us wouldn't be here today..." the oldest one mumbled. "Said he wouldn't let us die like that..."
Mina smiled, though she didn't know what exactly happened. "Where is he now?" she asked urgently.
The five of them pointed unanimously towards a few of the larger tents at the back of the camp. "That's where all the captains and commanders are," they added.
So he's safe... she thought. As she quickly made her way to the cluster of larger tents, thoughts on the war fleeted through her mind. She couldn't believe that before this, she had wanted so much to be part of this. This destruction and mayhem that she couldn't stand. What would happen to the families of the people whose lives are lost?
What would happen to her if he was gone?
The flap to one of the tents opened, and a very familiar figure stepped out of it.
"Admiral Lee!" Mina called.
The middle-aged man stopped in his tracks. Perhaps he was too stunned to see her, but the smile that seemed to be growing on his face seemed to disprove that. He recognised her immediately. The impulsive little girl that he used to know.
"Seung Mina," he sighed. "What are you doing here? And for the last time, I do not accept girls..."
"Actually I'm here to look for Hwang..." she mumbled sheepishly.
"Ah, that Hwang Sung Kyung," he nodded approvingly. "He is resting in that tent. I guess I shall not interrupt in young people's business. Farewell for now, young lady."
A faint candle glow was visible through the canvas sheets. Nobody seemed to be in the tent, although Admiral Lee said so. Meekly, she entered the tent, just to be sure. Indeed, it was empty. She sighed. Where could he be?
However, something caught her eye. On a small makeshift table, under the piles of maps and strategies, was a small book. Mina recognised it immediately. His diary! It would be fun to read about his adventures and what he went through on the days without her.
"Miss, you're not allowed to be in here..." a deep voice hissed into her ear. Before she could comprehend a thing, a hand cupped he mouth, while his other hand wrenched her arm behind her in a vice-like grip, rendering her helpless. That voice, it was deeper than Hwang's, which makes her heart race faster.
Her screams came out as muffled moans, and her struggles were useless against the man. Who was this man, and what was he doing here? Just before she closed her eyes in defeat, she gathered all her might in a final attempt to break free, and stomped hard right on the foot of her attacker. She would never give up without a fight.
It worked. The girl slipped away in the midst of his strangled cry, which by now, sounded pretty familiar...
Hey, it was only a joke..."
Hwang!
Mina didn't wait a second more. She didn't care what happened. She threw her arms around him and kissed him hard. She had missed him so much, especially the taste of his lips, which was always so warm… she loved how his arm around her always made her feel loved and protected. For a moment, everything was ok. For a moment, he was all that mattered.
Then, it was back to reality.
Mina broke free of the embrace, the tears falling as she did so. Always, no matter what, she felt weak whenever she was with him. But it was always with him that she could truly be herself. There were so many things to say but nowhere to start from. She glared, but softened when she saw the numerous wounds and bloodstained bandages across his arms and torso.
The man smiled apologetically. He walked past her and swiftly took out the candle flame in one short breath. Shrouded in the darkness, she nearly jumped when she felt his hand lead her over to the side of the tent. "Sit," he patted the seat on the bed beside him. "It's really late now, you know. You could have been attacked..."
"By you?" her voice was harsh, yet it quivered ever so slightly as she tried to stop the second round of tears. "I came over as soon as I heard of the news… and all you do is laugh at me?" by then her voice had raised into a high pitched scream, which promptly dissolved into a pool of sobs.
Even if she had indeed felt anger towards Hwang just a few minutes before, it was quickly displaced by her own fears and her love.
"I'm sorry about just now..." he let her rest her head on his chest, at the same time wiping the tears away from her face. "I'm sorry I caused you so much tears."
Mina smiled, shaking her head.
"You know, you look really sweet when you smile."
A hot pink blush crept upon her face, something not many people are capable of making her do. She turned her attention on the wounds on Hwang's body.
"They must hurt a lot," she was almost mumbling to herself. She fingered the wounds gently. He flinched slightly at the touch, claiming all the while that it was nothing.
A bout of awkward silence fell between the couple. A flash of lightning and a far-off rumble of the thunder signalled a oncoming storm. Unknown to both of them, Mina had already fallen asleep in Hwang's arms.
"You're staying tonight, alright?"
He will always be there to protect, even if I don't need it. I need him, even if I don't say it. And I love him, even though I don't know it...
"Gifts And Curses"
Yellowcard
Mary belongs to the words of a song.
I try to be strong for her, try not to be wrong for her.
But she will not wait for me, anymore, anymore.
Why did I say all those things before? I was sure.
(She is the one), but I have a purpose,
(she is the one), and I have to fight this,
(she is the one), a villian I can't knock down.
I see your face with every punch I take,
and every bone I break, it's all for you.
And my worst pains are words I cannot say,
still I will always fight on for you.
the end...
AN: yay it's the end! please gimme comments!! i need to know if this ended too fast? or too awkwardly? or did it rock your world? anything! :D Thanks a lot!!
Chapter 3
"Don't wait up, father!" Mina slung a bag of hastily packed belongings over her shoulders and struggled breifly as she climbed onto the back of a horse. The sturdy black stallion, having stayed in the stables for some time, neighed as though he understood the situation.
"Come on boy," Mina urged impatiently. Faster, faster it galloped away from the Seung's. Although it was already way past mid day, the girl had set out, much to her father's disapproval, on the journey that would take her across much of her country's length. But she had to... what else could be more important than him...
It was just minutes before that the messenger boy came to deliver the letter from the Coastal Defence.
"Mina," Seung Han Myung called out to his daughter, who was intently watching him a distance away. His voice had a tinge of softness, sadness that was difficult to seep through his tough exterior.
Something had happened to...
"...there has been an ambush attack my the Japanese pirates. The situation is under control, although we would appreciate it if families are prepared for the worst that may happen to any of our crew..."
She did not read the letter further. Not now, not when he was stranded on some faraway corner of the country, cold and alone. She hated them. Those bastardly Japanese! She knew those viscous beasts. Along her journey she encountered many of them, and none of them did not have an evil intention on their mind. And they were the ones who had started this very war, and had caused so many of her countrymen to lose their lives...
I won't let them off...
The cold, biting night wind rushed past her, causing her vision to be blurred. She was travelling at top speed, and much thanks to the unobstructed full moon hanging just above the horizon, she was able to see most of her way.
Mina could not help but stare at the huge orange orb that was somehow guiding her. The full moon was a sign of reunion and completeness. Please, give me enough hope to last me through this journey...
'Prepared for the worst...'
No! Mina pushed the thought out of her mind for the umpteenth time this night. She would see Hwang by tonight. The butterflies in her stomach said so… the tears that threatened to fall never once did, as the wind took them away as quickly as they came. He was the captain of his ship. He won't let his crew down, she was sure of that. Her grip on the reign tightened as she rode even faster, knowing that every second wasted counts.
Lights...? The butterflies in her did a little flip. She squinted a little harder. Hundreds of specks of them… winking in and out in the distance. She had reached the camp! A huge flag planted at the site confirmed that deduction.
As she neared the camp, Mina felt a sense of dread. Maybe she didn't want to know anything after all. But, it is too late to turn back now, isn't it?
She slid off the back of the house. After hours of riding, her legs felt rather unstable. And the surroundings scared her. She secured the horse outside the camp, and made her way warily through the camp, situated on high ground just off the coast. Out on the sea, she could make out fleets of damaged ships docking for repairs.
"...we haven't had anything to eat since yesterday..."
Mina turned her attention to a group of about five boys her age, huddled together outside a small tent, nursing their wounds and their empty stomachs. She glanced at the cloth bag slung over her shoulder. Her father had insisted that she bring the food along. Although she knew she won't have the chance to eat it anyway, she did not have the time, nor the heart to reject him. Besides, these boys need the food more than her now.
If I were a boy... would I be one of them now?
"Hey," she kneeled down beside them, while they stared – somewhat lifelessly – at her. She set the bag in front of them. "Here, you can have these."
They cast their suspicious eyes on her, then on the food, and then at her again.
"Just take it. I know you need it more than me." She smiled a small smile at them, as they began to thank her, in between mouthfuls of buns. Mina stood up quietly, wondering where to go next.
"Wait, miss!" one of the boys shouted. "Are you here to look for someone? Maybe we can help."
"Yeah, all of us here are as close as brothers!" Another one chimed in.
It's no harm trying... she reasoned. "Okay then, I don't suppose you know a Hwang Sung Kyung?"
One by one the boys' eyes grew huge, and they started nudging and chuckling among themselves. "It's captain's wife..."
"Is he alright?" she frowned. It was clear they knew him, but their sudden change in behaviour puzzled her.
"Yes, of course. Without him, the five of us wouldn't be here today..." the oldest one mumbled. "Said he wouldn't let us die like that..."
Mina smiled, though she didn't know what exactly happened. "Where is he now?" she asked urgently.
The five of them pointed unanimously towards a few of the larger tents at the back of the camp. "That's where all the captains and commanders are," they added.
So he's safe... she thought. As she quickly made her way to the cluster of larger tents, thoughts on the war fleeted through her mind. She couldn't believe that before this, she had wanted so much to be part of this. This destruction and mayhem that she couldn't stand. What would happen to the families of the people whose lives are lost?
What would happen to her if he was gone?
The flap to one of the tents opened, and a very familiar figure stepped out of it.
"Admiral Lee!" Mina called.
The middle-aged man stopped in his tracks. Perhaps he was too stunned to see her, but the smile that seemed to be growing on his face seemed to disprove that. He recognised her immediately. The impulsive little girl that he used to know.
"Seung Mina," he sighed. "What are you doing here? And for the last time, I do not accept girls..."
"Actually I'm here to look for Hwang..." she mumbled sheepishly.
"Ah, that Hwang Sung Kyung," he nodded approvingly. "He is resting in that tent. I guess I shall not interrupt in young people's business. Farewell for now, young lady."
A faint candle glow was visible through the canvas sheets. Nobody seemed to be in the tent, although Admiral Lee said so. Meekly, she entered the tent, just to be sure. Indeed, it was empty. She sighed. Where could he be?
However, something caught her eye. On a small makeshift table, under the piles of maps and strategies, was a small book. Mina recognised it immediately. His diary! It would be fun to read about his adventures and what he went through on the days without her.
"Miss, you're not allowed to be in here..." a deep voice hissed into her ear. Before she could comprehend a thing, a hand cupped he mouth, while his other hand wrenched her arm behind her in a vice-like grip, rendering her helpless. That voice, it was deeper than Hwang's, which makes her heart race faster.
Her screams came out as muffled moans, and her struggles were useless against the man. Who was this man, and what was he doing here? Just before she closed her eyes in defeat, she gathered all her might in a final attempt to break free, and stomped hard right on the foot of her attacker. She would never give up without a fight.
It worked. The girl slipped away in the midst of his strangled cry, which by now, sounded pretty familiar...
Hey, it was only a joke..."
Hwang!
Mina didn't wait a second more. She didn't care what happened. She threw her arms around him and kissed him hard. She had missed him so much, especially the taste of his lips, which was always so warm… she loved how his arm around her always made her feel loved and protected. For a moment, everything was ok. For a moment, he was all that mattered.
Then, it was back to reality.
Mina broke free of the embrace, the tears falling as she did so. Always, no matter what, she felt weak whenever she was with him. But it was always with him that she could truly be herself. There were so many things to say but nowhere to start from. She glared, but softened when she saw the numerous wounds and bloodstained bandages across his arms and torso.
The man smiled apologetically. He walked past her and swiftly took out the candle flame in one short breath. Shrouded in the darkness, she nearly jumped when she felt his hand lead her over to the side of the tent. "Sit," he patted the seat on the bed beside him. "It's really late now, you know. You could have been attacked..."
"By you?" her voice was harsh, yet it quivered ever so slightly as she tried to stop the second round of tears. "I came over as soon as I heard of the news… and all you do is laugh at me?" by then her voice had raised into a high pitched scream, which promptly dissolved into a pool of sobs.
Even if she had indeed felt anger towards Hwang just a few minutes before, it was quickly displaced by her own fears and her love.
"I'm sorry about just now..." he let her rest her head on his chest, at the same time wiping the tears away from her face. "I'm sorry I caused you so much tears."
Mina smiled, shaking her head.
"You know, you look really sweet when you smile."
A hot pink blush crept upon her face, something not many people are capable of making her do. She turned her attention on the wounds on Hwang's body.
"They must hurt a lot," she was almost mumbling to herself. She fingered the wounds gently. He flinched slightly at the touch, claiming all the while that it was nothing.
A bout of awkward silence fell between the couple. A flash of lightning and a far-off rumble of the thunder signalled a oncoming storm. Unknown to both of them, Mina had already fallen asleep in Hwang's arms.
"You're staying tonight, alright?"
He will always be there to protect, even if I don't need it. I need him, even if I don't say it. And I love him, even though I don't know it...
"Gifts And Curses"
Yellowcard
Mary belongs to the words of a song.
I try to be strong for her, try not to be wrong for her.
But she will not wait for me, anymore, anymore.
Why did I say all those things before? I was sure.
(She is the one), but I have a purpose,
(she is the one), and I have to fight this,
(she is the one), a villian I can't knock down.
I see your face with every punch I take,
and every bone I break, it's all for you.
And my worst pains are words I cannot say,
still I will always fight on for you.
the end...
AN: yay it's the end! please gimme comments!! i need to know if this ended too fast? or too awkwardly? or did it rock your world? anything! :D Thanks a lot!!