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Finding my way to you
Chapter Twenty: Almost right
By: czee
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"Are you a hundred percent sure that you want to leave, Xiaoyu? Last chance here. No turning back after." Jin asked. Xiaiyu took a second to look back at Christie's house before nodding her head vigorously.
"Actually, I think I've already stayed here a bit longer than usual. Chris is starting to glare at me whenever I accidentally interrupt one of her moments with Steve." She snorted before she continued,
"If I ever start acting like that, Jinny, just… Oh I don't know. Just do something, please." Jin laughed and was still smiling although he felt somewhat uneasy inside. Of course, this didn't go unnoticed by Xiaoyu.
"Is there something wrong Jinny?" Xiaoyu asked. He realized that he'd been staring off into the trees for a while.
"Uh… um, no Xiaoyu. Nothing is wrong. Hey would you excuse me before we leave? Just for a moment, alright?" Xiaoyu just shrugged and sat down the steps. Taking this as a yes, Jin nodded then was gone in a blink of an eye.
"You know there's really no use hiding. You know very well that I'd notice your presence. Are you going to follow us the whole way so I wont do anything?" Jin said wryly. Hwoarang stepped out from behind a tree with a slight smile on his face.
"I was actually counting on you to find me. I don't really want to talk in front of Xiaoyu." Jin just waited patiently for Hwoarang to continue and after a few minutes, Hwoarang went on.
"I know it's not much but, I'm apologizing. I know the things that I said might have gone a bit overboard. I shouldn't have said a lot of stuff, at least without knowing you now…" he trailed off.
"But if you do hurt her, you know, you wont live long." The corners of Jin's mouth curved up slightly as he heard those words… again.
"I've been told that more than once. Xiaoyu has good friends." Hwoarang stared for a moment before nodding.
"She does, doesn't she?" He whispered while staring at Jin. Jin grew slightly agitated because of Hwoarang's stare, but he just shook his head.
"In any case," Jin broke the silence and told him briskly.
"We're leaving now. I was hoping I would see you again. Thank you for everything." And with one last smile, he walked back down the road and left with Xiaoyu.
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"Where do we go now Jinny?" Xiaoyu grinned widely at him. Jin blinked.
"Hmm… where do you want to go? Any place in mind?" Xiaoyu shrugged.
"Why don't you pick for once? I already picked the last place, so pick away Jinny!" They stopped for a moment as Jin scratched his head for a second. Finally he nodded to himself and said,
"Let's go right!" he said brightly. The girl next to him blinked for a moment before finally understanding. (A/N: Remember? Left sinister. Since neither of them are sinister, they go right.)
"Oh right. I forgot about that. Alright, we go right!" And they went right. When it was almost dark, they stopped by a river and camped for the night. They haven't passed by a singly town on the way so this seemed he perfect place to stay in, at least for this evening. Xiaoyu actually seemed even happier because of this.
"It's nice to just be alone for once." She explained to him as the sun set, tinting the pinkish sky.
"It seems like everywhere I turn nowadays, there's lots of people and lots of noise. I never get to spend nice quality time with you anymore." Jin just smiled and started building a fire for the night. For some reason she couldn't fathom, he always started the fire…
When the sun died down, the two quickly prepared to eat dinner. They ate mostly in silence, enjoying the night. Once the stars came out though, Xiaoyu grabbed his hand without warning and dragged him to who knows where, her eyes twinkling.
"Jinny, Let's look at the stars!" she explained. However, Jin looked at her puzzled.
"But, we can see them from here." He responded. He got a pout in response.
"I meant down the riverbank. It's clearer there. And, it's prettier there too." Her face took a distant look.
"Do you remember last Tanabata?" He nodded with a smile.
"It was lots of fun. And it was very pretty." He said softly. She looked back at him with such a happy expression that he couldn't help but laugh himself. Xiaoyu looked almost radiant in the moonlight. At that moment, she was more of a woman and less of a warrior. However, the moment only lasted for a while before she tapped him on the shoulder.
"Tag." She told him in a very serious voice and she ran to the river laughing and knowing very well that he could catch her the whole time. He let her get halfway to the river before starting. However, he still caught her easily.
"You are not fair. Cheater!" Jin tried to look innocent.
"What are you talking about? Did it look like I cheated? I just ran as fast as my feet can carry me. Well actually, not really. That was slower than how fast I could go really go." Xiaoyu let it go this time and just laughed as they both sat down by the river.
"They're really lovely tonight." She observed and Jin agreed with a nod. Although he didn't show it, it surprised him when she leaned in against him. He froze for a few seconds before he finally relaxed.
"You can see the Tanabata stars," Jin told her, pointing.
"it will be a few months before the next one, but they're there."
"Umm…" He could feel Xiaoyu hesitating, as if wanting to say something. Jin didn't push her, he never did.
"Jinny?" she asked hesitantly. Jin looked at her with a raised brow.
"Do you think… that is, would you mind…"
"What is it?" She squared her shoulders.
"Will you promise to take me to the Tanabata in Kyoto next time? I mean, no matter what happens, I just want you to see it with me, just once." Jin stared at her for a moment before smiling and nodding.
"Whatever you want." He told her so softly and gently that even he was surprised. Jin had never been that soft. But then, he has changed hasn't he? The old Jin wouldn't even give her a second look when he first bumped into her in the road. The old Jin is not polite. The old Jin probably would have made Chris' place hell while he stayed there. No, whatever else he was, he would never return to how he was before. Ever.
"Whatever I want?" Xiaoyu asked with a chuckle, although there was an underlying apprehension behind the question. Jin laughed too.
"Whatever you want Xiao." She caught her breath as she looked up at him. Neither moved for a while. She put her hand on his cheek timidly. It was so very unlike her.
"Can I have a goodnight kiss?" she asked quietly. That took him by surprised. He didn't answer and her face flamed red. His conversation with Dave suddenly echoed through his head. (A/N: Chapter 4.)
"Just so you know, I have no reason to cause mayhem to her family, friends, or to her. I'm different now. I have changed for the better. And it really gets lonely traveling by yourself. You've got nobody to talk to and it feels as if everyone's deserted you. Xiaoyu's actually pretty good company, seeing that she never ends out of stuff to talk about and energy."
"That's exactly what I mean Kazama."
"I… I think we should get to sleep Xiao." He said quietly. It wouldn't be fair to her. He was glad beyond belief for a friend, but it couldn't go any farther, much as he may have wanted it. And she loves Dave. He'd just been traveling with her. Once they get to Kyoto, she would completely forget about him. He'd be that stranger she traveled with. He doubted she'd even want him to take her to Tanabata once she laid eyes on Walters again.
Jin tried to ignore the way her face fell and the way her eyes grew damp. He pushed away her hand and rose as he left to pull out the bedroll, which had not been used for a while. Xiaoyu took a deep breath and got up herself every bit Xiaoyu as she had been before. He refused to acknowledge that her smile reminded him so much of how his used to be. Fake. But it was for the best.
After that point, nothing was the same. They were uncomfortable around on another. However, they still tried to keep things the same. He also realized that they were headed straight for Kyoto. Of course. It was only natural to go to Kyoto if she wanted him to keep his promise. Perhaps he was unconsciously moving there? He did not want her to get home eventually after all, it had already been almost a year. He had to continue his journey. Her family probably missed her.
All of these reasons and he still couldn't quite convince himself that it was for the best.
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Authors Nonsense: Well you've got some slight fluff there. Lol. Jin just rejected Xiaoyu like the, could you believe that? Cruel huh:( But I've got it all planned now. The next chapter would be the second to the last. Yup yup. Just two more chapter and it ends. Well, that is if you don't want me to extend it. The ending I've got planned sorta leave you hanging. I don't know. You guys decide once I post it. :D For now enjoy this :D
To: SakurAsAsamiyA, TheWishOfNight, Thee Slushee, potty, boogy, skipster-chic, mi-chan, Stella and Lil' Tommygirl thank you for your reviews! It helped me tons. You darls are great. I hope this chapter went to your liking. I'll post the next one as soon as I can. 3
Now it's time for you end of the bargain. Can you hear it? It's calling to you. Whispering, click me, click me. And who are you to disobey it? Go on and click it. Review. :)
bows-
czee-