A/N: Chapter 14 of Tiger of the Wild's. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except my own OCs. Girls of the Wild's belongs to Hun/Zhena.

Special thanks to the reviewers and to the readers who Fav/Alert this story, I really appreciate it.

Episode 14

The next morning...

Mmmmm I haven't sleep this good in awhile. I think the jet lag has finally disappeared, about time too. I thought to myself as I stood near the gate, waiting for Jae Gu to show up. A few of the female student body giggled as they walked past or waved a greeting, others snapped a picture and went on their merry way. Hmmm I haven't spotted him yet...did I come too late of did he slip in without me noticing?

"Oh hey Tobi, sorry for being late." Jae Gu's voice reached my ears and I turned to see the male student approach. He had his head down and the first thing I noticed were the fresh bruises and welts on his face. There were also stains that indicated that he had been crying for while, perhaps all last night. "The siblings were a little stubborn when they woke up."

"Jae Gu...did you get into a fight?" I asked with concern, falling into step beside him. He hid his face, avoiding my stare which I found to be strange. "You know you can tell me, I'll be here for you."

"I-It's really nothing, I just fell down the stairs." He let out a small chuckle, scratching the back of his head with a hand. "Seriously, don't worry about it! These things will heal in time!"

Why is he trying to cover up what happened? Was it something embarrassing? I wondered as we parted ways and went to class, glancing over my shoulder a couple of times before I had to hustle. Throughout the lecture my mind started to wonder and I found myself thinking about things that weren't necessary about the class. Is it something about his past? You know I never asked him other than the fact that he has siblings...I don't know a single thing about his past schooling experience...

"Mr. Vermillion! Are you daydreaming again?! Do my lectures bore you to death?!"

"E-Eh? No sir!" I sat up straighter, jolting out of my thoughts and nervously glanced at him. "Your lectures are wonderful!"

"Don't sugar coat things when you don't mean it. If you didn't daydream then come up here and finish this equation!" The teacher stood to the side, offering me the chalk with a semi-scowl on his face. Even the other students – the girls of my class – were looking at me expectantly. "And explain it as well so everyone can understand what you're doing!"

Oh goodness...Stifling a small sigh I rose, plucking the chalk from his fingers and began to finish the equation. I explained my steps thoroughly as I continued writing, my eyes moving across the board from one line to the next. Once I had finished I handed the chalk back and sat down.

"...hmm you did well. But next time I catch you dozing you'll do a lot more than just write down half an equation. Continuing on..." The teacher couldn't keep the annoyance out of his voice as he continued the class, mildly upset that I was able to complete the expression.

"Hey Tobias~"

"Huh? Dal Dal?" I turned to see the captain of the Tae Kwon Do club running up to me. After class I shuffled out behind my other classmates and was just on my way to the club. Fancy meeting her just before that. "What do you need?"

"Well since I can't seem to get to Jae Gu after lunch today it's time for me to train you!" She announced with confidence, placing her hands on her hips. "I refuse to let you participate in anything we do at the gym without getting trained by yours truly first!" Grabbing me by the arm she led me to the tracks. Luckily for us there weren't a lot of students out there and she was eager to start.

"Hmm? This is..." I asked, tilting my head to the side. I remembered that one gym class where we played dodge ball and I got my ass handed to me by the girls. "Why are we at the tracks?"

"Oh we'll go to the gym afterward but first! I'm gonna make you run!" Walking over to the side she dragged over a huge stack of objects. Upon close inspection I realized that they were tires, farm tractor tires. "Thank goodness the principal didn't throw these away, I had to beg the Board President for days until he complied."

"Err...Isn't that...a little too much?"

"What are you talking about? Are you chickening out?" She asked, tying the rope around her waist and over her shoulders. She had at least five or six tires attached to her. "This is like a breeze once you get use to it. Though probably for you...I'd start with two. C'mon, get ready for the run of your life!"

"O-Okay..." I hastily got the ropes on, making sure they were secured correctly. "Now what?"

"Just run boy! We're gonna run until you drop!" She grinned, then thought about it for a minute. "Well you'd be kinda useless if you pass out after a run so...let's just say one lap around the track!"

One lap...around the track...with these tires?

"So get on it! The longer you stay here the longer it'll take you to finish!" She grinned and took off, leaving me in the dust. "Catch me if you can! I wanna see you sweat!"

In the gym...

"Hmmm...Dal Dal's late...this isn't like her..." Moon Young uttered to herself as she watched the other members of the club practice. She left her second in command to supervise the boxing club while she herself supervised the Tae kwon do club until Dal Dal's arrival. Not only that...Jae Gu's been acting suspiciously too. He didn't stop by and went to finish up cleaning the freshmen restrooms without saying hi to either myself or Queen...and that's saying something...

"Urrrgh...my legs are screaming..." The door opened and I collapsed on the floor with a huff, my bag laying out next to my side. My hair was plastered to my face due to the sweat. "That was a brutal run..."

"You wimp, don't think of slacking on the job!" Dal Dal clapped her hands loudly, skipping into the club like she hadn't use an ounce of energy. "C'mon! No rest! We're sparring!"

"Yes coach..." I mumbled, peeling myself off and putting my bag against the wall. Loosening the tie I was soon aware of the others who just sat on the sidelines, their fingers curled into fists and placed on top of their knees. "Um...why aren't they..."

"Ignore them and strip!" Dal Dal sighed, giving me a very stern glare. She had stepped into the make-shift ring without hesitation. "And make sure you stretch, don't think for a moment that I didn't see that poor excuse of a run. We need to work on that some other time."

"Hey Dal Dal, do you have any idea why Jae Gu looks down today?" Moon Young asked with concern while I stretched out my limbs. "Queen and I tried to have a conversation with him but he just continued doing his job...it's weird don't you think?"

"My Jae Gu~ Well now that you mentioned it I thought he was off when I greeted him this morning..." She mused, tapping her chin with a finger. "He said he fell down the stairs but I know he was lying because of those bruises. It must've been those Gura donkeys again."

"It seems logical. You don't think..."

"Dal Dal, I think I'm ready!" I announced, bouncing on the balls of my feet. "Please don't do too much damage, I have to help Jae Gu later."

"Kay~" She replied with a grin on her face, turning her back on Moon Young and got into an attack stance. "We'll go for three rounds, is that okay with you?"

"Yeah, that sounds great with me!"

Wow they're doing really good...this isn't the first time I've seen Dal Dal spar but she's really getting into it. If Jae Gu was her opponent...she wouldn't be fighting as hard. Moon Young thought as she watched the sparring, sitting on the floor with her legs crossed. But this is a good thing for me to witness Tobias' fighting style...

"Hyaah!"

"Good! Good!" Dal Dal praised, using a kick of her own to block mine. There was a resounding smack when our legs collided and the watchers 'oooh' with delight. "But you need more speed! Turn those hips faster!"

"I'm still hurting from earlier you know..."

"No whining! Or else I'll make this session longer!"

That night...

"And that should...do it! Everything's in place." I sat on the couch in a comfortable tank top and sweats with my laptop propped up, wincing when my legs decided to chime in with cramps. After working with Jae Gu at the car wash I decided it would be a good time to call my parents. Angling my laptop so that I could fully be in the frame I looked over to where Hwa Yeon was reading a book. "You don't mind if I give my family a quick video call do you?"

"Not at all." She replied, placing a bookmark inside and closed the object shut. Taking off her glasses she folded it neatly and placed it on the table. "In fact would it be alright if I join you?"

"Of course! I'm sure they'll love to talk to you." I scooted over so she could sit next to me. Pressing a button I started speaking, "Mom? Dad? Seria? It's me! Are you guys there?" Since I wanted to talk to all three of them and didn't want them to share one device they're linking up on three separate devices.

BWEEEOP~

"Hey Dad, I think it's online!" The screen flashed and a girl's eye appeared in the upper right corner. She scooted back to make sure the webcam captured her full face and smiled. She was talking in her room with the window open, the curtains moving gave me that clue. "Hi Big Brother, wow it's been awhile! Dad! Hurry up!"

"Calm down honey you know how bad we are at this new stuff." My mother spoke before her image appeared in the upper left. She had her hair down today and judging on the background she decided to talk in the kitchen. "Do you need help, dear?"

"No I got it...Give me a few minutes...Hmmm is this it? No?...Erm...maybe this one?" At first there was nothing then my father's face popped up in a frame underneath my mother. He was streaming in the living room, sitting in his favorite chair. "There, I got it. How are you son?"

"I'm doing okay! Have you guys met Hwa Yeon?" I gestured to my hostess next to me. "She's Rhynt's girlfriend."

"It's nice to meet you, Sir and Ma'am." She spoke, bowing her head in greeting. "I'm Hwa Yeon."

"I'm Stahl Vermillion." My father smiled. "It's an honor to meet you."

"Kubera Vermillion." My mother bowed politely in return. "Thank you for taking care of my first born child."

"You have really pretty red hair!" My sister spluttered before looking away with a blush. "I mean...I'm Seria, Tobias' younger sister."

"Rhynt was right, you do have a cute voice." Hwa Yeon said sweetly and the blush on my sister's face got deeper. "No wonder he tries to call you guys when he gets the chance..." Instead of me...

Oops! I nervously noticed her clenching the couch with her fingers so tightly I swear there would be a tear once she was through. Rhynt please make time for your girl...

"I-I mean he tries but I-I mostly ignore him!" Seria spoke hastily as if she could feel the anger building through the screen. "He's persistent I'll give him that but Dad picks up those calls anyway!"

"Oh I'm so glad~" Hwa Yeon brightened and she let go of the seat, leaving deep finger marks in the leather.

"Is Rhynt not able to attend this video call?" I asked them, noting the black frame in the lower right corner. "Have you heard from him at all today?"

BZZT~ BZZT~ BZZT~

"Oh, that must be him." I leaned out of frame to grab my phone and scrolled through the messages. "...Okay he's a little caught up with work so he'll pass this time. Rats, sorry Hwa Yeon I know you were looking forward to seeing him."

"It's quite alright I can talk to him at another time when he isn't busy." She assured me. We spent the rest of the night talking to my family, learning more about Hwa Yeon as well as how Seria was excelling in school. It felt nice talking to them and I made a mental note to do Skype more often.

"By the way, your mother and sister were so busy the past few days. Apparently they're sending you something tonight and hopefully it'll be there in 2 days." My father's voice brought me back to the conversation while the other two just smiled widely with joy. "Unfortunately that meant I was out of the kitchen for awhile so I couldn't see what they were doing..."

"Big Brother, make sure you eat lots and lots! Next time I see you in person and instead of through a screen you better have grown some muscles!" Seria threatened playfully, sticking her tongue out. "No more string-bean arms okay?"

"Yeah yeah, I hear ya." I smiled before glancing at Hwa Yeon. "Anything you want to add?"

"Nope I'm good." She replied as she turned her head to the screen. "It was a real pleasure talking to you all."

"Like wise, I hope we can do this more often when you aren't busy." My father smiled.

"I hope my Big Brother doesn't give you too much trouble!" Seria added before sending a wink my way. "You hear that Big Brother?"

"I won't." I said with annoyance. Geez I'm not that bad of a guest...

"Well then we'll be going. Make sure you eat well and study hard okay?" My mother told me as the other two logged off. She then turned her attention to Hwa Yeon. "I'm really glad to have met you. I can now sleep peacefully knowing that he's under your care."

"Thank you Ma'am." The red-head smiled and the call ended. She leaned back against the couch and released a sigh. "You have a really nice and caring family."

"Yeah, they're really great! Seria's been pestering my parents when she could come here but she hasn't been successful yet." I laughed. "Hopefully she'll be able to come over and you two can meet in person."

"I'd like that. Well I'm gonna go and call it a night. I have to wake up early tomorrow so don't forget to do your homework." She stood up and bid me farewell. "One of these days when I'm not busy I'd love to send you off to school myself."

"That's okay the walking helps me get into shape so don't worry about it. Good night." Waving my own hand I made my way to my room and closed the door quietly. Placing all the work I needed to do on the desk I turned on the lamp and began to work, flipping through the books.

VRRRRR~ VRRRR~

"Huh? A text at this hour?" Putting down the pencil I pulled out my phone from my pocket and looked at it, a puzzling look on my face. "When did she...put her number into my phone?" Probably when I wasn't looking...Strange the only ones who were in here were Rhynt's number and Jae Gu's number...

VRRRR~ VRRRR~

"Hmmm? A double training session with both Jae Gu? Sounds like fun...it's probably our first time doing so but I'm sure it'll be great." I quickly typed back my answer and sent it off. Finishing off the last few questions of my workbook I changed into my sleepwear, turned off the lamps and hopped into bed.