Dreaming Alone
-Chapter 11-
Soldier to Son-in-law

It was the same tune. Again. And again. And again.Then Silence.

Julia shot out of bed, her hands automatically in her ears. Was this the other side of love- insanity?

"No I'm not insane!" she whispered again and again. "Not insane... not..."

Her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, and she realised that the curtains in her four-poster bed were drawn. Julia inhaled the foreign air, and swallowed deeply. The Hwoarang would arrive today.
She could already see his sword dripping with blood and his face stained with camouflage. But... why was he looking so much like Jin?

"Not again!" She took a sharp intake of breath and her hands rushed to her ears.

The melody did not stop playing this time.

"What?!"

Julia threw herself out of bed and barefooted, sprinted out of the veranda. Her feet complained against the coldness of the marble, the sharpness of the road, and they were almost dragged down by the tall weeds. It was as if she was possessed, running into farmland which she had no idea who it belonged to or where she was going.
She almost despaired at the emptiness, the tall plants that threatened to swallow her. She looked about fearfully, her eyes scanning the place and at the sky. The sun hadn't bothered to rise yet and the moon was veiled by the clouds. This didn't bother Julia though, it was that the melody was much louder now.

"I wonder if it's just in my head..." Julia sighed, her head hanging low. "I wonder if I dreamed the whole thing up..."

She kneeled upon the ground, if anyone was to come out at such a ridiculous time, Julia would be perfectly hidden within the large mustard blossoms, still bright even though the sun wasn't out.

"I wondered it too," a whisper echoed around her. "Until I saw you..."

Julia spun around, now standing up. "Whose there?"

"Ask yourself..." the voice replied.

Julia hooked her eyebrows together, was she really going insane? Her lip trembled slightly and she blinked trying to regain her focus.

"Julia..."

She turned around as a gust of wind slapped her face, she shivered slightly, realising she wasn't wearing anything except a long thin gown. She sighed and turned to go, hoping she wouldn't get lost.

"Julia... do you love me?"

She stopped dead in her tracks, her sub-conscience was really bugging her now. Her obsession with Jin was turning into insanity, even more so that she could hear that stupid, horrible, heart-breaking tune once more.

"I hate how much I love you!" Julia sniffed.

"I love how much you hate loving me."

Julia spun on her heel, she was sure it wasn't all inside her head- she was absolutely certain! But when she'd turned around, all she saw was a pair of oxen who gave her a lazy look behind their thick lashes. The girl looked rather distressed by this time, and was just staring and shivering at the oxen. The sound couldn't have possibly came from the Ox, if she hadn't been so desperate she would have emitted a dry laugh- an Ox declaring love to her... how absurd.
It was until another swift breeze that she heard another sound, it wasn't the banjo- it was...

"It couldn't be!"

But it was! It was her French Cowbell- on one of the ox. She sprinted over to it, not knowing how warm she felt now, a smile forming around her mouth. She looked around, he must be here!

"Senórita!" It was that annoyingly playful voice of Jin Kazama.

Julia ran towards the voice and started punching his chest lightly- but hard enough that it did hurt.

"You almost made me go insane! Do you know what was going through my mind? You have absolutely no idea!" Julia yelled.

Jin laughed lightly, but his eyes gave away a hint of fear which Julia didn't notice. He was compelled to hug her, but he knew what kind of girl she was - pure. That's what had drawn him to her in the first place, and he never realised it until they'd parted.

"When I saw you,
I knew that love was a crazy thing,
Where can I go from here?
I'll rather die than be without you."

Jin was being rather serious as his voice deepened, but Julia thought it hilariously funny and mimicked him.

"Reciting poetry now?" Julia smirked. "What about the Stop oh Crazy lover?"

Jin gave her an uncharacteristic smile, his arms aching slightly. He'd come all this way, and had found her- but did she? She must...

Julia was also silent, surveying him- he looked different now... maybe she did as well. She gave him an uncalled for hug, very tight- almost strangling.

"Jin, take me away with you!" Julia pleaded, all trace of happiness gone, tears that she didn't know she was holding in until they traced down her cheek.

"What?"

"You don't know what's going on in that house, The Hwoarang will return, and soon after we'll have our engagement and next month is my marriage! All the preparations are done!"
"My father has given his word to his friend, and he'd rather die than go back upon what he said. Jin, we're going to have to run away from here!"

Jin held her face, and gave her a very serious look. "Julia, I didn't come here to take you or elope with you."
"Julia, I love you, I'm going to take your hand within mine and face everyone- I'm a lover Julia, not a coward."

"You don't know my father!" Julia replied icily. "He'll- we're going to have to run!"

Jin put a finger upon Julia's lips.
"Do you love me?"

"More than anything..." she swallowed.

"Do you trust me?"

"More than my self."

"So what I'm about to say- listen to it very carefully. From now on you and I are total strangers, you don't know me and I don't know you. Go back to that house, whatever is happening- let it happen, the rest is up to me."
"I know what I'm doing is... crazy, but I have faith in our love. But Julia, I can't walk this path alone- you'll have to walk alongside me, will you help me?"

She nodded, her head lowered. Her plan was so much better.

"Julia, remember one thing- I came to Korea just for you, and wont leave until you're mine forever."

Julia broke into a watery smile, and embraced him.

"What's your fiancés name?" Jin asked her, savouring the embrace.

"Hwoarang."

Jin had a very thoughtful look about him.

--- --- ---

Pale fingers rushed towards russet tresses. His lungs inhaling the sweet air of his hometown. Hwoarang gave a smile, with traces of his trademark smirk in between. He stretched luxuriously and jumped off the coach, and shouted a goodbye at his comrades.

"It rocks when you're the boss!" He snickered. "Pretty title to tell Father, Sergeant Hwoarang. Sweet."

Hwoarang had just realised that he'd only jumped out of the coach and had been standing like a tin of milk on the middle of the road. He made a dramatic display of jogging towards the side and jogging back to pick up his rucksack.

He let out a yawn and saved his money by not hiring a rickshaw. Instead started the long trek home- sure he was going to be later than expected but he liked his food cold.

Hwoarang was having a slightly stuffy nose, hay fever was kicking in again.

"And I thought I was fit!"

He picked up his plan and decided that this forest trail was not the best of his plans, and wanted to stop hiking here before he had some serious flu.

"What am I? A sissy or something?" Hwoarang scolded himself and pressed on, ignoring his reddening cheeks.

It was quite some while and Hwoarang quite liked the forest, it was better when he didn't have to do the assault courses himself, admiring it for how tranquil it was. He was very glad he was home. His mouth was watering to taste the rice his grandmother made, or the way his uncles would be knee-deep in the rice paddy fields by now.

"Freeze or we'll be forced to hurt you!" A thick Korean voice demanded.

Hwoarang broke out from his reverie and turned to look about him, there were three chunky men, all covered in balaclava's- which was pretty crazy as it was a boiling summer morning. He raised a lazy eyebrow, he didn't want to hurt them.

"Civilians- though not very good ones- I command you to let me pass," Hwoarang yawned. He was too tired for this morning nonsense.

"Yeah right, we know a good loot when we see one- as if we'll let you pass!" the terrible trio broke into raucous laughter.

Hwoarang started tutting and shaking his head. "You know, it's people like you that are the downfall of Korea, you put your motherland to shame- attacking a Korean brother?"
Hwoarang had dramatic tears in his eyes and he was breathing hard, shaking head.

"I cannot look into the eyes of a traitor to his own motherland- you betray your own mother? Oh the shame... the shame!"

The Korean men hung their heads low, they were feeling very ashamed.

"Y'know, my mother always wanted me to be a soldier- but I ran away!" the biggest of the three sobbed onto the youngest persons shoulders. He was crying buckets and buckets.

Hwoarang too was crying, but not from sadness, oh god no- his ribs were literally cracking from the amusement of three bigger men, all crying their eyes out. Man, I'm goood.
He put his hand into a salute and his other arm flat on his side.

"Well, sing the song of a soldier, and we don't lay our lives for our country just because of jerks like you!" There was some truth in that sentence. "If you ever want Korea to be the best in Asia, heck, the world- then, be loyal to your country."

His words weren't soft, instead they were firm but reassuring- the words of a soldier.

His hand went from his head, to his heart, and his head was held high.

"Soldiers, Soldiers
We're the country's holders
You'll be safe in our arms
Soldiers, Soldiers
We're the country's holders
We'll protect you from harm!

We will die for you
Sacrifice our heads for you
Stain our lips with blood
We'll relive if we could
All to do it again.
Because we're selfless men."

Hwoarang winced at how cheesy it was, but it made the three Korean thugs salute and bow.

"Thank you sir! Thank you for showing us the light!" They all chorused.

Hwoarang's smirk returned and he bade them farewell. Silent laughter threatening him again.

"Darn it!" Jin whispered from the undergrowth- why did he have to hire goons that had morals? It was the best plan he could think of, hire them to hurt him, then he can jump in and save Hwoarang- so then they could be friends and he'd lead him to his house. But it was a flop from the beginning. Hwoarang was walking alone, and quite happy- without Jin.

--- --- ---

"Oh my, isn't she pretty?"

"Ravishing!"

The women were all flocked around Julia, fussing over her hair, clothes, eyes and make up. Julia was feeling very uncomfortable at this point, she'd never worn this much make-up in all the days added together in her life so far, as she did today. The only thing she did like was the Kimono, it was a jade green with rustic leaves patterned at the side. Julia liked how it flowed and the long sleeves. But that was all she liked.
Glad that the fawning butterflies had left, Julia went over her suicidal thoughts again.

"Julia-" Michelle let out a gasp. "What a beautiful daughter I have!"

Julia looked in the large mirror, her eyes looking at her mother who was using the mirror also to look at Julia. Michelle feared that she might jinx her own daughter if she looked at her straight.

"You truly do look beautiful."

"It's just the make-up," Julia offered modestly, trying not to blush. "A-and the kimono is nice."

"Hwoarang got it," Michelle answered immediately.
She had to bite her tongue for Hwoarang did not get the kimono, it was his mother who actually got it- but she hoped Julia might feel a little compensated.

"Oh," was the reply from Julia. "Maybe you can thank him."

Michelle smirked. "You can tell him yourself."

Julia looked up, shock evident on her powdered face. "What!?"

"He's downstairs, his eyes restless to see you," Michelle's smirk was getting wider.

"I think-"

But what Julia thought Michelle never found out because just then the door swung open and a pack of laughing, giggling girls burst into the room. They tugged Julia forcefully, steering her outside her room, much against her will.

Julia was unceremoniously hauled into a chair whilst the women fanned themselves and kept an amazing amount of chatter. Julia noticed food was being served and there were more people in this mansion than she'd seen before, or perhaps it was just her. Her father was laughing loudly with a rather handsome man, his hair in a braid.

The door flung open, and there was complete silence in the hall. Julia swore she could hear the whistling of wind as a tall figure walked nonchalantly through the hall. Blinding sunlight was behind him, and Julia pursed her lips in annoyance- the guy walked slow.

Her heart skipped a beat. He was infuriatingly handsome with long red locks and her practical mind was in overdrive. He had such dazzlingly white teeth and an athletic jaw- he was from the army of course. Julia almost kicked herself when she realised she almost swooned when he smiled- okay, never drink water from a stranger- even if they were your estranged grandmother.

He coughed slightly, nervous suddenly and everyone beckoned him in welcome arms. The women left Julia who let out an involuntary sniff at being abandoned.

"So why the party, it can't possibly be for me?" Julia heard a smooth voice which was laced with a hint of curiosity.

His question was answered with giggles from the females, and she could tell he was slightly annoyed by them.

"Oh it's for you remember, your bride and her family are here!"

More giggling. But Hwoarang visibly stiffened and what little colour was left in Julia's cheeks left her. She immediately lowered her gaze as she realised she'd been gawking at him the whole time.

"Hea- where are the sweets girl?" It was a guy who was giving Hwoarang a toothy grin, but Julia couldn't care.

She was hoping that Hwoarang couldn't make it or something, but he did. He was alive. Where was Jin? Her stomach lurched and she refused any food the whole evening. A polite smile was plastered upon her face and she murmured the languages of strangers.

You look very beautiful, Hwoarang is certainly a lucky boy. Someone would rush over to her.

Thank you. Was Julia's reply. A breath in and a breath out. There, end of sentence.

"Whoa, Hwoarang- your girl is beautiful!" Hwoarang frowned slightly as he stole a glance at Julia, then returned to his friend.

"No, it's just my destiny which is beautiful," he laughed with Jung who punched him playfully on the arm. He was happy to have Hwoarang back. But Julia was not.

"Where in the world is Jin?... What if something happened to him?"

Julia's stomach lurched again and she let out a little whimper, causing Hea to rush over to her.

"Mistress Julia, is everything alright?" Hea inquired with concern etched into her features.

"I'm not feeling very well, I feel sick." Julia sighed, adding to the effect of her feeling sickyness- she clutched her stomach.

Hea looked rather worried now. "Maybe you should go upstairs..." She was wringing the cloth she was carrying around.

It was rather strange Julia thought, that Hea was talking to her- because normally she was like a servant, or so Julia thought. Hea just took orders and only answered with a Yes master or Yes mistress to commands. She was quite useful though because she never asked questions and bought Julia's excuses.

Julia shut the door and locked it, she needed time to think. She walked into the adjoining bathroom and caught herself in the mirror.

She pulled a face, she didn't look beautiful at all she realised. Everyone said such lies, she couldn't trust anyone any more. The powder made her face look weird whilst the make-up although was nice, was overdone. Like a dressed up bride. She caught her breath as she realised that was exactly how it was supposed to be. She turned on the faucet and immediately washed her face in scalding hot water- she regretted afterwards but felt she could blame Jin for that matter. Her skin was raw and pink, but at least the dreaded paint was off.

She sauntered to her bed, and flopped on top of it- forgetting the kimono still embracing her.

---

"Yuushi, I want to speak with you..."

Yuushi turned around and cracked a smile, his eyes lighting up. "Oh mother, you need but ask!"

She gave a wrinkly tired smile and made him sit down. Petting him and making soothing noises, he'd been gone so long...

"Yuushi... there is something that's been eating me..."

Yuushi tilted his head, a confused smile. His mother wasn't one to beat round the bush however, and launched immediately with her query.

"Well...you know Julia... is everything alright?" His mother sighed, her eyes darkening in concern for her granddaughter. "She always is by herself, quiet, never talking unless being asked- is she happy?"

Yuushi's smile widened, but inside his heart sank. "Oh mother, don't worry- this is totally new to her, the air and water have changed and I think she's just slightly surprised..."

His mother still looked a little doubtful. Yuushi wrapped his arms around her. "Oh mum, don't worry, slowly she'll get used to everything and be back to her old self!"

The old woman smiled and Yuushi turned to find Michelle.

"Michelle," he whispered to her.

"What's the matter?" A puzzled Michelle asked.

Yuushi heaved a sigh and lowered his voice. "Hasn't she forgotten him yet?"

Michelle's mouth was a little 'o', but her eyes softened.

"Look, she's the one who agreed to this marriage- just give her some time to heal, and slowly she'll soon forget, okay?" Michelle smiled and nodded at a person who was calling her.

Yuushi went to bed with a heavy heart.

---

Hwoarang was up early, perhaps out of habit at being at the army or perhaps because he felt slightly uncomfortable. Or perhaps both. It should have been a lie in really, he'd talked late into the night, sharing his many journeys and his mum cried again at hearing it from his own lips that he was a Sergeant. He smiled shaking his head slightly, trust his mother to go all emotional- she was hypersensitive though, unlike his father who was proud strong and still managed to look handsome at his age. Hwoarang breathed as he looked at the mustard blossoms with a smile, they were taller than last year, he thought idly.

He stalked into the field and a shy smile was on his face, his heart racing. He'd be married in a month! He felt weird and couldn't help blushing. He'd never thought of him ever raising a family with a loving wife. He winced- what was his fiancé's name though? He felt slightly guilty not even remembering her name, but he realised nobody had told him. They referred to her as Yuushi's daughter, or Michelle's daughter, or the prettiest girl but never by her name, it was some sort of flower or something, right? He shrugged slightly, she was pretty, but he wondered why she hadn't stayed to talk in the night. He chuckled at the thought of speaking to her and blushed profusely, rubbing his chin.

He realised that he'd walked out of the fields of mustard blossoms and was in the suburbs of the forest he'd left earlier. He sniffed, realising his hay fever was kicking in again.

He let out a surprised moan as his leg was caught in something, but instead of tripping over he was flung upside down and to his embarrassment hanging down from a tree. Swinging.

Jin cracked a smirk and let out a delighted cackle. He rubbed his hands in glee and let out a wolf howl. It was realistic. Realistic enough to scare the man out of Hwoarang.

Hwoarang's heart was hammering against his chest- what? What was that? He shut his eyes and prayed to not let him die a virgin and upside down. He absolutely abhorred wolves. He whimpered slightly, it was easier being brave when you had a rifle in your hand and standing over your weaker opponent. He whimpered some more.

Jin was grinning worse than a Cheshire Cat. It had worked! He turned around and snickered before rushing to Hwoarang's aid and obsessively fussing over Hwoarang, making sure to not drop him as if he was a delicate China plate.

"Thank you," Hwoarang said gratefully dusting himself and darting his eyes for the wolf.

"What were you doing here anyway?" Jin asked, for he wasn't expecting him to turn up until a few hours later (some inside information from a few villages).

"Hunting," Hwoarang lied. "If you weren't here the hunter would have surely become the hunted!"

---

"Cheers!" was the cry that echoed around a small fire with all young men encircled it.

"If it hadn't been for Jin Kazama here, I would've surely been a goner," Hwoarang declared in humility, offering a smile of gratitude to Jin, then lifted his drink to his lips.

Jin gave a modest little smile. "Oh no, it was nothing..."

"I haven't seen you around here before," a low voice cut in, almost making Jin choke on his drink.

He regained his posture instantly. "Th-that's because I'm not from around here."

"Where are you from?" That same annoyingly suspicious voice queried again.

"I'm from Japan, but I just came from Arizona," Jin answered him with a sugary smile.

"Aww... he's a foreigner aye?" Hwoarang elbowed him in the chest. Jin winced inwardly- he had sharp elbows.

"What're you doing here then?"

It took his every ounce of self-restraint to not give the speaker a good kick. "To... obtain something."

"Oh," Hwoarang raised an eyebrow. "Obtain what hmmm? Tell us, maybe I can be of use?"

Jin sipped his drink, deliberately taking his time- but inside he was panicking.

"Err... land, yes, land- you know, me and my father were thinking that if we had a plot of land than we can probably make a factory y'know," Jin laughed, downing the rest. He leaned in closer to Hwoarang.
"D'you think that around eight, ten million dollars enough- U.S. dollars of course..."

Hwoarang coughed for real, punching himself in the chest. "E-eight or ten?"

"Why?" Jin's eyes widened. "If it's not enough I can get more!"

"Oh no...n-no... m-more than enough..." Hwoarang pacified him.

"Oh gosh, you're so nice, I was so worried..." Jin gave an innocent smile- play the naive foreigner and they'll soon love you.

"Hey Jin, where are you staying?" Hwoarang asked, downing the rest of his drink as well.

Jin gave a sheepish smile. "Well... you see, since I don't know anyone here, I'm staying in a circuit house at the moment..."

"What?!" Hwoarang cried flabbergasted. "That shall not do! Well you know me, and I have a mansion- got tons of room for you! Oy- Sun, get his stuff, he is coming home tonight!"

"Oh please, I don't want to be any trouble," Jin paused at the hesitant look on Hwoarang's face. "B-but if you insist, what can I say?"

"That's the man- lets drink to that!" Hwoarang exclaimed in a buoyant fashion. "Cheers!"

"Cheers!" Jin cried, feeling extremely relieved. His amber eyes turned to the guy called Sun, "Err, you haven't gone yet..."

---

Jin offered his most dazzling smile as he entered the house of Hwoarang. Nice place, he thought admiring the tasteful decor and the vastness. It was a rather open place with really large windows from the hallway he could see. There were two staircases leading upwards which were separated by a balcony and he spied a lot of rooms upstairs. All throughout were an assortment of large plants on marbled ground. However, his heart fell slightly at how much fuss was evident to keep the place immaculate- he knew that those impeccable new sofas and that great widescreen were perhaps bought only for something other than showing off to guests. They were perhaps bought... his heart hurt to think of it.

His eyes fell upon a tiny young woman with dark hair who had the same long nose of Hwoarang. She was listening to what her son was saying with rapt attention and gasped in all the right places. Hwoarang looked at him a few times and Jin felt her eyes on him too. She left Hwoarang who turned to a plump man and they conversed in low voices.

"Thank you for saving my son, I don't know how to express my gratitude," the small woman looked at him in adoration.

"Oh no, it was my duty," Jin smiled amiably.

---

"What is this, why did you bring a total stranger here?" His uncle hissed, shooting a murderous glance at Jin (who was none the wiser).

"He saved me in the forest!"

"So!"

"He needed a place to stay!"

"Well, I'm sure he has money, why doesn't he stay at a hotel!"

"Oh I forgot to mention Uncle- he needs to build a factory and he has like ten million US dollars here!" Hwoarang informed him with wide eyes.

"TEN MILLION DOLLARS?" His uncle exclaimed, unable to keep his voice low. "Why didn't you say so?"

He waved Hwoarang away and rushed to Jin, kissing him on the cheek and offering an arm around his shoulder. "Oh Jin, my son, how can I thank you for saving my son- oh, the least we can do is repay you with a place in our humble abode."

"The last time I checked, I thought I was his father," a low voice stated with amusement. Jin turned to find an amused man with twinkling eyes who resembled Hwoarang, with the same eyes and athletic jaw line.

He gave a nod to acknowledge Jin's presence and turned in annoyance to Hwoarang's mother. "Come on Mi Na, we're going to be late and you know how Chang hates his guests to be late."

Chang, Jin had to remind himself to breathe.

Baek's eyes twinkled as Hwoarang's mother emitted a silvery laugh. "Yes yes Baek, lets go- I'll be ready soon- why don't you join us Jin?"

"What will I do there?" Jin inquired, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes, what'll he do there?" the uncle butted in.

"But since you're pressing me, I give in," Jin smiled humbly.

---

Jin greeted everyone enthusiastically, bowing and smiling as if he'd known these people all his lives. A pleasant smile and great greetings in impeccable Korean, people couldn't help but be drawn to him. Jin's face was boyishly handsome but his smile faltered as he stopped in mid-greeting - it was Yuushi!

The guy from the convenient store- oh damn!

He bowed hastily and plastered a smile onto his face, almost sprinting away until he was stopped by an angry voice. His heart was jammed in his throat.

"Hey you!"

Jin stopped, then plastered a small smile onto his face. He masked innocence upon his features and slowly turned around. "Me sir?"

"Haven't I seen you from somewhere?" Yuushi inquired, his eyes narrowed and his brows knotted in concentration. His eyes were penetrating through Jin.

"Me sir? Couldn't have, I never really leave the house!" Jin answered, a bubble of panic was forming within him.

"Arizona?"

"Impossible, I've never gotten past the South Korean border!" Jin lied, his eyes widening.

Hwoarang bounded up to the two and smiled at Yuushi. "Oh hello sir, did you meet Jin- he just arrived from Arizona a few days ago!"

"What are you talking about?" Jin's bubble of panic burst as he glared at Hwoarang who was smiling at the two.

Jin was spared the embarrassment but to his horror, Hwoarang's Uncle rushed over to them with a jovial smile.

"Hey Yuushi, this is the one I've been telling you about- the guy who saved our Hwoarang!" Hwoarang's uncle beamed at Jin. "And Jin do you know who this is?"

Stupid gasbag. Jin shook his head innocently.

"He is our greatest and closest family friend- soon it'll be a stronger relationship!"

Jin raised a confused eyebrow. For a podgy man, his elbows were pretty sharp and Jin flinched as Hwoarang's uncle elbowed him in the chest.

"He's the father of Hwoarang's girl!" Hwoarang's uncle winked at Hwoarang.

"F-father?" Jin choked, his eyes widening.

His uncle laughed and then narrowed his eyes. "What're you staring at, bow you moron!"

Jin immediately buckled into a bow and got up with a fake smile. He was glad when Hwoarang's uncle and Julia's father walked away to greet the other guests and Jin was left with Hwoarang.

"Old man's memory sure is good..." Jin hissed, his eyes following Yuushi- who was also staring at Jin with slight suspicion.

"What?" Hwoarang asked. Jin jumped, he'd forgotten Hwoarang was there.

"It's really good... the house is really good!"

Hwoarang beamed and led Jin around to greet the other guests, his heart did a double take when he found Julia sitting, smiling at two of his aunts. They bowed and left. Hwoarang steered Jin towards her and coughed.

"Excuse me, err... this is my friend Jin- he also arrived from Arizona," Hwoarang smiled hoping to strike a conversation.

Julia's eyes widened but she immediately hid her relief, her joy and smiled politely at Hwoarang and Jin. Her eyes were twinkling though.

Jin looked at Hwoarang puzzled, hoping his charade was good. 'Who' he mouthed at Hwoarang.
Like his uncle, Hwoarang also had sharp elbows and prodded Jin in the stomach- why did those gits always hit him in the same place?

"You know... Julia," Hwoarang hissed, his eyes almost popping out to indicate she was his fiancé.

"Oh..." Jin said in mock understanding. Of course he knew who she was, she was his girl.

Julia and Jin bowed at each other, they'd have to look away soon otherwise they'd be lost in each others' intense gaze.

"Y'know, if it wasn't for Jin here," Hwoarang made Julia look away first and turn to Hwoarang, "me and you wouldn't be uniting together."

Jin gave a modest smile. "Oh stop it Hwoarang, what're you saying..."

Jin bowed once more to Hea and Julia saying goodbye. Julia couldn't fight off the grin that was appearing on her face as he left with Hwoarang, and turned to hug a rather surprised Hea.

---

Michelle laughed as she chattered with some of her relatives, carrying a plate and offering sweet snacks who took it in thanks. She nodded and turned to offer them to some more guests until she spotted her son-in-law and another boy with a shock of black hair and sharp cheekbones.

"Hey, mother, meet Jin- my friend!" Hwoarang beamed. It was a strange sort of habit of his, any woman who was not related and was his mothers age he immediately assumed them as his mum, it wasn't just a habit of him- there were many in Asia who did this, it was respect and Jin was no foreigner to this kind of respect.

They both bowed and Hwoarang was called by his father from somewhere- "Coming!" Hwoarang gave the two an apologetic smile and dashed off, leaving Michelle with Jin.

She pushed the tray of sweet snacks to Jin who took one, but as soon as she turned to go he took the tray from her. "Oh let me carry it please!"

Michelle clutched the tray to her chest and shook her head. "Oh no, how can you do it- you are a guest!"

"Oh mother, you're slightly confusing," Jin smiled softly. "One moment you accepted me as a son and the next moment you're telling me that I'm your guest..."

Michelle's face was one of confusion as Jin slid the tray out of her hands and went around offering the sweets as she'd done. Michelle followed him until he was lost in the crowds. She let a confused smile tug at her lips and shrugged.

---

Over the last few days, Jin frequently went with Hwoarang to the other farmhouse which was packed with guests. The two houses weren't that far from each other, just five minutes or saw of walking and he was there. He lost Hwoarang and managed to make himself busy, offering to carry plates of food and drinks to all the guests and relatives that had arrived. He was frequently complimenting the ladies and making them giggle and blush, his charm was always on for women. However, he regularly had discussion with the men as well, thus making himself feel like a part of the two families as if he'd been there all along. Making a place in their hearts.

This was one of those days, he was offering food to the ladies in Julia's house. The word extended family would be an understatement in this case.

"Oh ma'am, that kimono is absolutely beautiful!" Jin began, his voice was full of enthusiasm. "Of course, it pales in comparison to you!"

Giggles.

He smiled to himself and took the empty plate almost colliding with Hea who was in his way. She lowered her gaze and stepped aside- the same way that Jin had stepped aside, she moved to the other side- so had Jin. Jin sighed.

"Stop," he held out a hand, turned to the side and beckoned Hea to go through. "Yes, you may pass!"

Hea lowered her head and ambled slowly past him, biting the inside of her cheek- that was so embarrassing!

Jin rolled his eyes in amusement at the timid girl and rushed to take the plate back to the kitchen and stopped a fussing woman.

"Oh miss, why are you working around? We kids are here to do that!" Jin said to her, taking tall cups of a special Korean drink.

"Of course, that's what I've been saying all along but nobody in this house ever listens to me!" the loud aunt agreed.

Jin shook his head in mock sympathy and turned to go when suddenly she called him back.

"Hey... who are you?" the woman's eyes were narrowed.

"Jin!" He announced brightly and turned to go as she relaxed, then recalled she didn't know a Jin.

"Jin who?"

"You're soon to be son-in-law!" he exclaimed brightly.

"What?"

Jin bit his tongue, then took a breath. "Well, you know your son-in-law Hwoarang, I'm his best friend!"

The woman's eyes lost suspicion and she broke out into a brilliant smile. "Aww, sweet lad! Now you put those glasses just over there- okay?"

Jin nodded and she turned in the kitchen once more smiling.

---

Yuushi felt his hand being jerked and turned to see his mother's face lit with happiness and enthusiasm.

"Hey Yuushi! Today is a very auspicious day!" she cried, her old face looking a few years younger. "Today I saw Julia laughing her heart out- oh oh, look!"

She pointed a wrinkly finger past the veranda where Julia was giggling with Hea about something, her eyes were twinkling.

"Oh... I agree, today Julia looks very happy!" Yuushi smiled, she'd finally forgotten him it seemed. "Congratulations mother!"

"Congratulations on the wedding!" She was smiling as if it was today.

---

Hea turned to leave Julia and gasped at how much idle gossip she was doing, she immediately dashed to the kitchen and zoomed out carrying a plate of rice. She was about to collapse into Jin again when he stopped her shoulder. He was carrying drinks again.

"Stop, yep..." he stepped aside, released her shoulder and waved her to go ahead.

Hea murmured a quiet thank you which Jin didn't hear as he rearranged his glasses- he walked on with a hum upon his lips.

He took a huge intake of breath as Yuushi stepped into his path, Jin's eyes were wide with fright.

He picked up a glass. Be cool, act natural!

"Beer?"

He kicked himself, so much for acting cool!

"I-I mean... So Ju," Jin stammered. "This is not beer, I assure you, it's So Ju."

He offered a panicked smile. "This is s-s-sweet, oh no... you don't want that one?"

He put the glass down as Yuushi's eyes looked at him menacingly. He picked another one.

"S-s-salty?" Jin sighed holding the glass up, "It's very-"

Yuushi stalked away in annoyance, his nostrils flaring. Jin turned his eyes heavenwards and allowed himself some pity.

"Jin dear, nothing will come of this- I think you better prepare to pack..." Jin sighed and was only half-cheery all throughout the night.

---

Authors notes: I apologise for two things.
Firstly, the delay- but y'know... been very busy, I hope this chapter being fairly long will compensate for your wait.
Secondly, how out-of-character many of the people are. ;;; So sorry, it's just to further the plot and it is alternate universe. Hope you like it. :) Please review to tell me how you think and I can't thank the reviewers enough!