Disclaimer: This is just a fanfic. I own nothing.

Sometimes you felt attracted to someone despite just meeting that person once. The feeling gave you hope to see each other again. And unconsciously, you kept an eye wherever you went looking for that person.

Woo Hee thought about the water maid who had helped her. Yes, she thought about that girl but not Baek Ah guy who had just left after helping her with the dance, though she felt blessed to have someone like him as a friend. She didn't have a friend for a long time. And the affection was warming her heart and loosening her mind which had only focused on revenge before. She hated it but somehow desired more.

It had been 2 weeks already since their first encounter ... with the girl (obviously). She was thinking about her, wasn't she? Not Baek Ah ... not this time. She always had the feeling that they would meet again so she could say her thanks properly to her. Gyobang was not that big and the fact that they both worked here. It wasn't hard to come across again. Or that was what she had thought. Woo Hee kept an eye on the water maids but never did she see the one she was looking for.

But the feeling never betrayed her, Woo Hee did meet the girl again... because she was sitting right there on the other sides of the river. The kisaeng blinked twice to make sure she saw the right person then her lips curled up a smile. She must thank Baek Ah for bringing her here.

*flash back*

'And why do we have to go this far to practice the dance?' Woo Hee questioned annoyed as the musician dragged her along to the river bank.

'I am looking for someone who works near the river. It's easier to see that child here than anywhere else' Baek Ah explained while settled him down.

An uncomfortable feeling rose in Woo Hee's chest. She knew he and she had their own life and that he willingly helped her with the dance was good enough. She didn't have the right to get annoyed with him. It was unreasonable but somehow still bugging her.

'A girl?' She asked with her most indifferent voice as possible.

'A water maid' Baek Ah replied innocently without noticing the real feeling behind the question of Woo Hee. 'She is my friend' He continued 'After a sad accident, she became a water maid, living like a soulless shadow, completely contrasted with the free living spirit of her before. It's hard to see her like that, you know. I convinced her, tried to bring that child back to life but now she hides away from me again...'

Woo Hee stared at the guy before her, never knew he had such a beautiful sweet heart. Day by day she learned more about him, which made her smile and feel at ease.

*end flash back*

Strangely, these days everything she did brought Baek Ah up in her mind and even in her heart. Shrugging it off, she turned her attention to the water maid across the river. Under the shade of a big tree, sitting was the small girl, unfolding her rice ball, having the small modest lunch after a hard working morning. Woo Hee was about to wave and call her when seeing other water maids approach the girl. Maybe a close greeting would be better than a wave from afar, she thought and found her way to cross the river.

The bridge was further than she thought and it took her a while to reach the other side not even to the place where the maids having lunch. She just wished they hadn't left already. It would be a shame if she couldn't meet the girl after all the time seeking her. Woo Hee's feet increased the pace.

Finally when the maids were in her sight, the dancer left out a sigh of relief. But getting closer, she realized the atmosphere seemed more intense than a normal lunch break. White papers shattered on the ground along with ink and pens. She didn't know what was happening but obviously there was a quarrel among them. Other maids were surrounding one petite maid - THE water maid.

'You still think you're a mighty court lady?'

Woo Hee caught on their conversation

'Wake up' 'You're just a water maid like us' The others pointed their words at the girl but she seemed unwavering. They even started pushing the girl around but she didn't let them have it easy when trying to fight back. But her strength was nothing compared to others' combined. The girl fell down on the ground.

'You're filthy omen' 'Bad luck' 'Because of you, your court lady died' 'That's why they abandoned you here' 'No one wants to be around you, you know' 'Look at yourself, have you ever asked why you were born'

This time, she didn't fight back anymore. All the harsh words were pouring on her like a rain shower. It wasn't a physical bully but a mental abuse. The poor girl still stayed low on the ground helplessly, defeatedly.

Woo Hee couldn't stand there watching any more. She clenched her fists, bit her lips in anger.

'What are you doing?' She shouted out interrupted them. The other maids turned to her surprised. 'You think it's funny to bully a weaker one?' She walked forward with angry fire burning in her eyes, which made the others fluster. They glanced at each others questioning what to do next. Kisaeng was a low class in this society but in Gyobang they still had higher position than a water maid 'Do you want me to report this issue to the officer?'

Woo Hee now got closer, stood firm shielding the bullied one on the ground. She glared at the others challenging. The other maids took their steps back, stealthy exchanged looks. In final, they decided to retreat. On their way, a maid among them slyly kicked the untouched rice ball of the poor girl away. Woo Hee did really want to chase after them and hit that maid but she remembered the girl was still on the ground. Turning her eyes to the girl she couldn't help wondering what this girl had been through. And then she recalled the scar on her wrist. Unlike Woo Hee herself with many small scars, this girl had one and only deep one. More than that, she and the girl were alike, they two had scars, visible ones on body and invisible ones in their hearts.

Woo Hee said no word but quietly sat down with the girl.

After a silent moment, the poor maid looked up at her with her red teary eyes. Blinking away her confusion at first, then came the realization. Woo Hee nodded at her to confirm and assure her. She then threw her arm around the maid's shoulder, pulled her into a tight hug, which the girl truly needed right now. Who said understanding only came through communication, because at that moment, no word needed to be exchanged and they still understood each other.

Comfort sometimes can come from a complete stranger.

'I'm Woo Hee. What's your name?' Woo Hee asked, broke the ice. They were sitting on a flat stone looking out to the river. The girl stayed silent but Woo Hee didn't intend to urge her to speak. 'You're right' Woo Hee said out of context made the other girl surprised, looked at her questioning. 'The wound did leave a scar' She pulled her sleeve up and show her bare scarred wrist. Lips curled up a smile.

'I know some herbs can help your scar faded'The girl finally opened her mouth. Her voice was hoarse after a long sob.

'It's not necessary' Woo Hee turned her eyes to the river again, felt the wind on her cheeks 'These scars are a part of my life now. I will just live with them'

The girl followed her too, looking out to the river.

'I'm Hae Soo'