A/N: Okay, this one isn't exactly the long chapter I was hoping to write. Nevertheless, I hope it's okay. NotDream!Jin will be back in the next chapter, maybe he'll explain himself a bit? Mind you, it is Jin we're talking about here. Enjoy this chapter, sorry it took so long, and thanks for the reviews as always, I adore you guys and girls.

NEVER EVER

That season when you were here


Was brighter than anything else


Everything I saw

Was full of light.

Chapter Seven: Early Hour

After I've apologised for hitting him, and he's laughed at me and told me to forget it, we head out of the gate that Jin left through, and Christie's in the gardens. She turns around at the sound of the gate closing, waves at me, and runs over.

"Hey Xiaoyu, seems like you're having better luck than me!" She smiles, giving Hwoarang a once over. "Are you one of the ones she's been looking for?"

"One of them?" He turns to me, a wounded expression on his face. "I thought I was the only one for you, Xiao. Don't tell me last night meant nothing."

Christie looks puzzled, and I elbow him.

"I wondered when you'd start." I turn back to Christie with a smile. "Yeah, he is. Unfortunately, I found him."

"Tch, unfortunately? You love me." Hwoarang mutters, folding his arms.

"So, one more."

"Actually, I've seen the other one too." I try to sound lighthearted, and it seems to work.

"God, Xiaoyu, maybe I should have hung out with you longer, I could use some of your good luck."

"You haven't found your friend yet?"

"Nope. But it's not like I've looked everywhere."

I can tell she's disappointed, but she's trying to gloss over it with optimism. She's just like me.

"He'll be here." She says finally. "I'm sure. Oh, hey, I heard we can get our room keys now, just so you know."

Then she's off, running in the direction of the gate we just came through. "See you later, guys!"

"Well…" Hwoarang says, gazing after her. "She was… perky."

"Don't even try to tell me you're referring to her personality."

"Hey, I can't help noticing these things. Those things." I give him a pointed look, and he grins. "Plus, give me a break here. I've been in the goddamned army for two years."

"Like there aren't women there?"

"The only woman worth looking at was one of the secretaries, and she had the clap."

"How would you even kno-" I stop and look at him, disgusted. "Never mind. I don't want to know. Also, ew."

Thoroughly grossed out, I set off in the direction of the hotel, and Hwoarang catches up to me quickly.

"Hey, I didn't find out that way!" He protests. "One of my buddies did."

"Sure they did."

"Seriously. You think I'm stupid enough to do someone bareback? No glove, no love, or however it goes."

"Why are we even talking about this?"

"You started it."

I'm distracted from answering by my phone beeping with a text message. It's Miharu, checking I got to the island okay. God, I forgot all about her. I am such an asshole. I ring her, and she answers straight away.

"You okay? Did you see anyone yet?" she asks excitedly, and I smile into the phone, glancing sideways at Hwoarang. "I've seen loads of people today, Miharu."

"You know exactly what I mean, Xiao. Don't hold out on me, c'mon, I've been just as excited as you, so…"

I try to keep in my laughter, wordlessly handing the phone to Hwoarang, and he listens to her for a few seconds before he says anything.

"Miharu?" he asks, and there's a long silence. "Stop whining, for the love of…" Her scream of delight cuts him off, and I can hear it clear as a bell, even though she's not on speakerphone.

It's pitch dark as I walk through the gardens, the sky clear above me, studded with stars. I'm not even thinking about which direction I'm going. I'm not thinking about anything, really, and I'm out of the cold night air before I know it, the heavy wooden doors creaking shut behind me. Burning torches are mounted on the walls, bathing the stone floor in a warm orange glow, and there's a corridor stretching out in front of me, leading into the next chamber of the temple. As I gaze around me, I become aware of the sound of footsteps echoing off the walls, and then I can see him.

"Why are you here?" he asks, his voice sounding unsettlingly far away, and I don't answer him, just stare as shadows dance over his face.

"I wanted to see you." He says.

"I'm dreaming again, aren't I?"

Jin holds out his arms, and my chest feels tight.

"It's okay."

Even though it's something so simple, just 'it's okay', I'm reassured in an instant, and I run to him, to his open arms and his warmth and his smile.

"I thought you…"

"Shh." He holds me tighter, his chin resting on my shoulder. "Don't worry. Just…" He pulls away to look at me, and everything's okay. "Just remember two years ago."

"You promised…"

Jin brushes a hand through my hair, strokes my face, gently runs his thumb over my lower lip.

"I promised."

Then he kisses me, and it's all I can do not to crumble right there. It's just how I remember, like the two years we've spent apart never happened. His mouth, the warmth of his lips and how gently he coaxes my mouth open, his tongue sliding over mine. I give a soft groan and wind my arms around him, wishing to God that this were real.

"I waited." I tell him breathlessly as he trails kisses over my skin.

"I know." His hands roam over my back, and I close my eyes against the tears that I can feel welling up. Tears of frustration that this isn't really happening, tears of sadness at how Jin left me behind, I don't know.

"Don't cry." His voice sounds different, somehow. "It'll be over soon."

I feel hands closing around my throat, being lifted slightly until my toes are scraping the floor, and I can't breathe, can't scream, can't see straight. I bring my hands up, trying to pry myself free, but there's nothing to grab onto. Suddenly I'm watching us from a distance, watching myself struggle against him, watching his face as he strangles me. Black markings are slowly spreading across his chest, and even though the sight turns my blood to ice, I'm mesmerised by what's happening, so much so that it's a good while before I become aware of someone's presence at my side. It's Jun, with her white headband and dark hair. I try to say something, but I can't speak. There's the sickening sound of bone cracking, then a soft thud as my body tumbles to the ground, and I'm staring into my own dead eyes.

Everything's quiet, except for Jin's quickened breathing, and now he's standing over the dead me, his hands shaking. I look back at Jun helplessly. A tear slides down her cheek, and as soon as I reach out towards her, everything's dark and I'm in my room.

A security lamp outside flicks on, illuminating the curtains, and my watch beeps to signal the hour. It's only three a.m, but I throw off the covers and get up.

I'm still here, alone


Is this really the right thing to do?


I stubbornly


Don't want to give up.

--- It Was, Ayumi Hamasaki