A/N: I should have called this chapter 'clunky exposition'. Heh, I really hope it's smoother to read than I think it is. And consider this extra long (for me, anyway) chapter a New Year's gift to you. I hope you enjoy it. :)

Chapter 30: Explanation

"Waiting?" I repeat. "For me?"

"I saw you at my match today." He tells me. "Why didn't you come over?"

"B-because…"

Because I didn't want to get knocked back. Because I didn't want him to think that I cared. Because I'm afraid.

Suddenly, I'm angry. I can't believe him, acting all innocent. Why didn't he come over to me? Why is it always left up to me?

"Because I couldn't bring myself to be honourable and congratulate you after the way you've treated me." I snap. "And why should I?" He looks ashamed, at least.

"I'm sorry." He mumbles, staring at his feet.

"For what?" I cry. "For not being at my matches? For not even talking to me at all since the first day? For making me think that you actually wanted something to do with me? What, Jin?"

"I went to all your matches." He says simply.

"Don't be stupid! I never saw you, and God knows I looked for you!"

"Hey, you're not the only one who likes to hide behind pillars." He frowns. "You're lucky I was there today, otherwise you'd most likely have lost."

"I would not!" I hiss, because I'm five years old, then what he's said actually registers. "It was you…?" I ask, the wind well and truly knocked out of my sails.

"Who told you to get out of the way? Yeah."

I open my mouth, and then close it. Okay, I'm officially confused.

"So why did you hide in the first place?"

"'Cause I didn't want you to know I was there." He sighs. "You can't stay here, Xiao. After the tournament, promise you'll leave."

"Why?"

"Just trust me, okay?"

I glare at him.

"Trust you?"

"Xiao, things are happening. Things are going to happen. I don't want you to be anywhere near this place when they do." He does look sincere, but he's making no sense, and I hate not knowing what's going on. I've never been able to accept warnings when there's no explanation behind them.

"What's happening?"

"I can't – "

"Is it something to do with Toshin?" Okay, how did I end up blurting that out?

He stares at me.

"How did you…?"

"Look, I wasn't spying or anything." I say quickly. "I was looking for the bathroom and I heard you and your granddad talking. You mentioned Baek, and I couldn't just ignore it…"

He looks doubtful.

"I'm telling the truth, Jin, now you do the same. What is Toshin?"

He doesn't answer, suddenly becoming very interested in the wall opposite him.

"You said it was going to show up at the tournament. Is that why you want me to leave?"

"…Yeah."

"What is it, Jin?"

"It doesn't matter." He mumbles. "Forget you ever heard about it."

I put on my best glare.

"What did you say earlier? 'Trust me'?"

Jin closes his eyes for a moment, looking miserable.

"A God."

"What?"

"It's a God." I open my mouth to say something, but he carries on hurriedly. "It's attracted to the energies of strong fighters. The strongest." He gazes at me with those dark eyes, and even though this is something serious that needs all my attention, I almost fall into his arms right there.

"It's gonna show up here. When the fighters' spirits are at their peak."

"Jin, you're not making any sense. Look, I'm sorry, but I just don't believe in things like that."

He smiles faintly.

"I didn't believe in stuff like that either. Not until I was fifteen."

"Fifteen?"

"When my mother was… when Toshin murdered her."

"That's why you don't care, isn't it?" I say slowly. "Why you don't care about what happens to the other fighters. As long as you get revenge."

He lowers his eyes and I wince; I was a little harsh there. I could have been more sympathetic, considering the subject. I try again.

"My grandfather said that no one's heart was purer than your mother's. Would she really want…"

I trail off. It's not my place to say this.

"No." Jin sighs. "She'd probably tell me how harbouring hatred only breeds more hatred. But she's not here."

He crosses the room to leave and turns to me, his hand on the door handle.

"Just promise me you'll go, Xiaoyu."

Even though I know he's most likely got my best interests at heart, I can't help but be annoyed at this idea he's got that it's likely I'll get hurt.

"I can take care of myself, you know, and – "

"You can't!" Jin explodes, and I gape at him in surprise. I've never seen him lose control before. This is Jin we're talking about. Mr. Indifferent. Mr. I-Don't-Care. Mr. Doesn't-Share-His-Feelings.

"Xiaoyu, I know you're a great fighter. I've seen you! But this isn't a tournament battle. This isn't a game. It's serious, and it could get you killed!"

"Jin, I – "

"No. Just shut up. Toshin's already killed one person I care about, Xiaoyu, I can't lose you too!"

He sits down on the edge of the bed and puts his head in his hands, fingers tangled in his hair.

"I can't... I can't handle this anymore."

"Jin…"

I sit next to him, awkwardly patting him on the shoulder. And, though I'm ashamed to admit it, considering I'm supposed to be comforting a friend in need, trying my best to stop my mind from wandering to the times when it was my fingers tangled in his hair.

"You have to leave." He says softly.

"Jin, what about you?"

"What about me? I'll avenge my mother, and then…"

"But what if you get…hurt?" I can't bring myself to say 'killed'. I refuse to even consider it.

He shakes his head.

"I don't care about myself."

I wrap my arms around him, (a nurturing, comforting gesture, nothing else, okay?) pulling him close and resting my head on his shoulder.

"Well, it's a good job that I care, isn't it?"

He says nothing.

"Although you're lucky I still do." I tease. "Especially with how you froze me out on the first day."

"Look, I'm sorry for how I just took off." He says, raising his eyes to look at me. "When you said… y'know, that you wouldn't have stopped me, I just…"

"I shouldn't have said that."

"No, it's not your fault. It's mine. When you said that, well, I started thinking things…"

"Like what?" I can feel heat rising to my cheeks.

"It'd probably make you blush if I told you." He smiles a little, and there's a teasing glint in his eye. "So I won't."

"Jin… Let's not talk anymore, okay?"

I lean forward slightly, and Jin's arms slide around my waist as I kiss him. God, it's been so long since I felt his lips on mine. It's been far too long. He responds for a few fleeting seconds and then pulls away.

"Xiaoyu…" he breathes, kissing my forehead gently. "I didn't come here for this."

I close my eyes, trying to ignore how my heart's thudding in my chest and how hard it seems to be to breathe. I can't bear to open my eyes again because I'm scared of seeing regret or pity on his face. But he kisses me before I can force myself to look at him, and there's a rush of victory, relief, loss of control, similar to how I felt after the bell sounded to end my first match, but ten times as intense. He's running his tongue over my lower lip and moving one hand from my waist to stroke my hair, and I moan softly, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him back desperately.

I don't think anything could make me break our kiss now. All I can think about is the warmth of his mouth, of his body, how he's gently nibbling my lower lip, how much I want to touch his skin. He pulls away for a moment, presses his lips to the corner of my mouth, and I tilt my head to the side slightly in silent invite. Jin trails kisses down my throat, then leans forward a little more, slowly laying me back onto the bedspread. My eyes flutter open, and he's above me, looking almost as surprised as I am. I expect him to get up, fumble an apology, but his gaze suddenly looks darker than it did a few minutes ago. I can see something flicker in his eyes, and wonder if that same emotion is showing in mine. He leans down, kissing me lightly.

"I shouldn't be here." He murmurs.

"Well, why don't you go?" I dare. He just about melts me with his gaze.

"Because I don't want to."

This kiss is much different to the others. He's rougher this time, more passionate. I open my mouth slightly and his tongue finds mine, caressing, teasing. Mindlessly, I respond, my hands running down his chest to rest on his taut stomach, just above his waistband. Jin groans at my touch, pulling back.

"I should go."

My voice won't work. All I can do is gaze up at him as he takes long breaths, his face flushed, my fingertips caressing his bare skin unconsciously. Jin closes his eyes, trying to slow his breathing, and I can hardly believe that I'm having such an effect on him.

"God, Xiaoyu." He murmurs, his eyes still closed.

I try to speak, but I can't make a sound, and he claims my lips for another fiery kiss, fingers working on the buttons of my shirt. I don't think I could get away now, even if I wanted to. The last few buttons are fumbled free, and he grabs my wrists to stop me from touching him, pinning one of my hands above my head, his face inches from mine.

"Make me stop. Tell me to stop, Xiao."

"I can't." I manage to gasp out. My whole being is aching to feel his body against mine. "I won't."

That's all it takes. In a split second he's pressed me to the bed, his hands running over me, his lips trailing lightly from my throat to my chest. He softly kisses the bare skin just above the fabric of my bra, and I run my fingers through his hair, trying to stop myself from trembling as his hand pushes under my skirt to rest on my upper thigh.

"You should be taking it easy." Jin says softly, stroking his fingers over my bruised ribs.

"It doesn't hurt anymore." I reply, my breath hitching as he leans down to place feather light kisses on my stomach. The hand under my skirt moves higher, and I can't suppress my shuddering. It's really going to happen. I'm not nervous. I think I'm ready.

A loud, annoyingly familiar melody suddenly rings out, and Jin looks up, dazed.

My phone's ringing from its position on top of the television. Jin slowly moves away from me, sitting back and smiling slightly.

"Why does something like that always happen?" He asks, and I sit up with a frustrated sigh and walk shakily over to the TV to pick it up. It's Miharu, returning my call from earlier. By the time I hang up, the mood's been broken completely.

"I should be going." Jin says, reluctance in his voice.

"I… I guess."

"What are you doing after your match tomorrow?" There's a mischievous glint in his eye.