Opening her eyes the next day, Yoon Mi blinked in disbelief. *Did I? D-did I just have a night of dreamless sleep?*

For the first time in months ever since she had been on the run, she actually had a good night’s sleep!

She couldn’t help but smile at the feeling of being well rested for once.

Yoon Mi couldn’t help but think that if this is possible once. It is possible for it to happen more than once.

-

In school that day, as she and Yong Guk walked to their class. She couldn’t help but let out a small smile and tell him of the good news.

“Yong Guk-ssi, I managed to sleep without any dreams last night” She smiled a little wider now as she hugged her books.

“That’s good to hear Yoon Mi” He gave her a smile in return, happy that what he hoped had come true even if for that night.

“Somehow I feel as if it’s a step in letting him go” She admitted, feeling that it might just be possible to live without Ji Yong. That there’s this fraction of a chance that she can have her own future not predetermined by her bloodline…

“It is” Yong Guk answered for her. “It’s time telling you that anything is possible. As long as you let it heal properly”

Opening the door to their class, for the first time, Yoon Mi didn’t feel conscious of the stares that she always received from being with the guys. In fact, it felt as if it didn’t matter to her anymore. Why should she bother about what they think?

When she took her usual seat, she was surprised to find Yong Guk in the seat next to her. “Yong Guk-ssi, you’re seating in someone else’s seat” she said blinking her eyes repeatedly to see if this was real.

“That person can sit somewhere else then” He replied as he leaned back and bent his head forward to sleep.

*Is this how it’s like knowing them on a closer level?* Yoon Mi wondered, finding that they weren’t as bad as they originally seemed.

Poking his shoulder when the lecturer came into class, Yong Guk slowly opened his eyes to look at the hand that disturbed his sleep. Seeing that it was Yoon Mi, he sighed and sat up straight. *Why does Yoon Mi have to be such a good student?* He rested his chin in his hand and actually paid attention in class.

Going to the calligraphy room during lunch, Yong Guk saw Him Chan seated away from the dongsaengs. Taking the seat next to his, they watched Yoon Mi chat with Jong Up and Young Jae. Looking like Young Jae was making sarcastic jokes at Jong Up while Yoon Mi tried hard not to laugh.

“You didn’t tell Yoon Mi your full story the other day” Yong Guk said quietly, not looking away from them.

“If you saw her expression I’m sure you wouldn’t bear to tell the full story either” Him Chan answered in the same manner. “When I told her about how my ex betrayed me, the tears was streaming down her face in a never ending flow.” His heart ached slightly at the memory of her sad expression as her eyes welled up with tears.

“Imagine if I told her what happened to me while I was on the streets and what I did to escape those that were after me?” Him Chan looked at his hands, remembering the blood stains that he could never wash away. “Not only will she be sad, she would be scared of me after knowing the sins that I’ve done”

“I understand where you’re coming from” Yong Guk gave a light pat on his shoulder. “I guess there are some things that she doesn’t have to know for her own good.”

“How did you know about our talk though?” Him Chan asked.

“I went into her room looking to see if she was okay. But seeing the bed empty, I walked about looking for her until I heard voices from the kitchen. I could recognise you voice easy enough but I was surprised that Yoon Mi was with you.”

“So you listened in on our conversation from the hallway?” Him Chan said flatly.

“Yes, I listened in on your conversation. I wanted to walk in a one point but I couldn’t find the right timing so after having to wait for awhile, I went back to do my own things.” Yong Guk answered honestly.

“I see” Him Chan leaned back into his chair. “You’ve been caring quite a bit for Yoon Mi recently” he stated.

“Speak for yourself” Yong Guk eyed him as he held back a laughter. “You’re the one having coffee with her.”

“Why you jealous?” Him Chan laughed.

Rolling his eyes, “Of what? You or the coffee cup?”

“You’re impossible. You know that?” Him Chan laughed as she shook his head.

“She reminds me a lot of Yi Jae or fragments of her that I thought I’d hidden away….” Yong Guk answered seriously as he continued watching on.

“You’re really biased Yong Guk” Him Chan laughed at his friend. “You were the most opposed to this in the beginning. But look at you now?”

“Protecting a lovesick puppy and protecting a wounded puppy are two different things Him Chan” Yong Guk said as they watched the dongsaeng’s continuous banter.

“Oh, so now you think of her as a puppy?” Him Chan wiggled an eyebrow at him

“Now you’re the one that’s being impossible” Yong Guk laughed. “It’s only a metaphor, why take it literally?”

“So you liken her to an adorable puppy now?” Him Chan continued his antics.

Shaking his head, Yong Guk knew that there’d be no end to Him Chan’s teasing now.

*One thing he’ll never know is that she really is like an adorable puppy. Once she gets past the crying* He looked at Yoon Mi and how she was laughing openly now.

-

Standing outside the door to his room, Yoon Mi paced anxiously back and forth.

Unsure of how to speak to him, after finding out that she was the reason for knocking him out cold a few days before. Yoon Mi thought that she should at least thank the person who brought her back after so much trouble and effort.

*Here goes nothing* She breathed deeply as she knocked on Dae Hyun’s bedroom door.

Pressing her ear to the door, Yoon Mi heard nothing as seconds ticked by. “Hello?” She said hesitantly as she opened the door.

“Dae Hyun-ssi….are you there?” She called as she stepped into the room. Looking around, she saw no sign of him and figured that she should leave the room.

It felt strange being in another guy’s room aside from Ji Yong.

Oppa had kept to a theme of red, blue and white for his room, keeping it immaculately neat and tidy.

Dae Hyun on the other hand, kept it in a moderately clean yet messy way. The room was in its original state from when Elder Yong had the house built. Carpet and glossy mahogany wood, along with other dead trees that she could not recognise.

Hearing a door to her left click open, Yoon Mi wanted to dart out of the room but she was already seen.

Turning red, she looked away and covered her eyes, thankful that she hadn’t seen much.

*What are you doing in my room?* That familiar soothing voice spoke up in her mind.

“I-I j-just wanted-d to thank y-you for w-waking me up a-and I’m s-sorry for making y-you overuse your g-gift.” She stuttered embarrassingly. Even though she had covered her eyes, it doesn’t change the fact that she had seen a glimpse of his body.

*Your welcome? I think? I can’t understand well because of your stammering* Dae Hyun said with a hint of teasing in his voice.

“Thank you…for waking me up a-and I’m sorry for making you…overuse your gift” She repeated herself with longer gaps in between to stop herself from stammering badly.

*Why are you coving your eyes?* He asked out of curiosity, considering her back was facing him and she wasn't looking at him at all.

“Because you’re only in a towel?” She replied, trailing off to make her answer sounding like a question.

*I guess we’re even then* She could hear the smirk in his voice, the fact turning her ears pink.

Hearing another click of the door, Yoon Mi relaxed when she realised that Dae Hyun was no longer in the room.

Heaving a sigh of relief, she leaned against the wall to steady her heart.

*Mwoh?* Yoon Mi thought when she heard the bathroom door click again. *Didn’t he go out the door?* I wondered as this time, instead of having her back facing him when Dae Hyun came out. She was facing him when he emerged out of the bathroom in only sweatpants.

Turning red at an instant, Yoon Mi’s felt her heart race as she looked at his still dripping wet hair, shirtless upper half and how toned he was. He wasn’t very muscular but still, seeing his toned body and him like that was nerve racking to her. She had never even seen Ji Yong’s body and now here she is staring at another guy’s body.

*Why are you staring at me like that?* Dae Hyun asked. Feeling himself being under scrutiny. *You look as if you've never seen a guy shirtless before* he went to his drawer, took out a shirt and pulled it over his head.

"Because I haven't" Yoon Mi said to herself, finally being able to pry her eyes away from him.

*That's a joke. You have two brothers but you've never seen a guy topless before* Dae Hyun said sarcastically.

"It's up to you whether you believe me or not" Yoon Mi headed for the door, keeping her eyes on the floor. She really hadn't seen Ji Yong shirtless before. There was no purpose for walking about half when the walk-in wardrobe was attached to the bathroom. Everyone in the family always came out of the bathroom fully dressed.

*Where are you going?* he asked.

Giving him a puzzled expression "I'm heading back to my room" she answered him cautiously. Wondering why he'd ask her about that. 

*No you're not.* he said in a matter-of-fact tone. *You're coming with me to the kitchen* he continued in a tone that she couldn't defy.

Walking behind him, Yoon Mi bumped into his back as he stopped suddenly. "Wh-" 

*I told you to walk beside me, did I not?* he said in a slightly irritated tone.

Deciding not to say anything but move next to him, they both walked in silence to the kitchen.

*Sit* He told her in her mind and she sat like he asked. *Why am I acting like this?* Yoon Mi winced internally. *It’s not as if he's the one with vocal command like Him Chan-ssi*

Refusing to meet his eyes, Yoon Mi looked to the side of the room. Wondering what he could possibly want from her in the kitchen. Hearing the clatter of metals, curiosity got the better of her as she took a peek at what he was doing.

Holding out a knife and evaluating it, Yoon Mi gulped nervously at the sight of the blade.

All her life she had been on the receiving end and the target of where it was to land. 

Regretting her curiosity, she looked away as her old fear slowly crept through her veins. 

*Are you alright?* Dae Hyun asked, feeling the change in the air between them.

"I'm fine" she said emotionlessly, trying to hide her strong dislike for the sharp objects. 

Sitting there in silence, Yoon Mi's eyes widened when she smelt blood. "Dae Hyun...what-" she wanted to ask but her voice got caught in when she saw the sight of Dae Hyun pressing the blade into his arm.

*You of all people should know what I'm doing Yoon Mi* He closed eyes as he focused on clenching his fist while keeping the blade in his flesh.

Seeing the red liquid flow into the glass.

A wave of guilt washed over Yoon Mi.

"I-I had n-no idea that i-it was done like t-this" she struggled with her speech as she felt a lump in .

*How else did you think it was done?* Dae Hyun asked, removing the knife from his arm and as soon as it was gone the cut was gone as well.

"I-I don't know..." her voice wavered. "I wasn't e-expecting this" 

*I'm doing this to Dae Hyun... He's doing this because of me... I'm the cause of the unnecessary pain that he puts himself through...  Because of me...* A horde of thoughts went through her mind as shock, grief and guilt gripped her.

Taking the glass in her hands Yoon Mi drank his blood slowly, silently hating the fact that his blood had this sweet, smooth velvety feel in .

Making it effortless to swallow down compared to human blood. It was bland and rough on the throat and her family could never comprehend how normal vampires enjoyed it.

*Where you that hungry?* Dae Hyun asked as he watched her drink down to the very last drop. *Do you want me to give you another glass?* His hand reached out for the glass.

"No!" She said too quickly as she covered the top of the glass "I-I just didn't want to waste any last bit of it" Yoon Mi tried to recompose herself. Getting up and giving a hurried thanks, Yoon Mi ran from the kitchen. Unsure if she was able to watch Dae Hyun cut himself like that for a second time.

Her body shaking and trembling as she fought with satisfaction and guilt, hating herself for liking to drink his blood, she came to resent whatever it was in her Kwon blood that made her this way. "Why can't I enjoy human blood like the rest of them..." she gave a sad whimper as she felt his blood merging with hers as it coursed through her veins.

"What are you doing on the floor?" A gentle voice came from beside her.

Not realizing that her legs had given out. She was in an awkward half kneeling and half sitting position with her palms on the floor to steady her upper half.

"I wish I knew..." she answered.

"But you just took Dae Hyun's blood, how is it possible that you're still unwell?" He folded his arms as he tried to think of any other possible reasons there might be.

"How do you know that I took his blood?" Yoon Mi asked wide eyed

"I can smell his blood scent emanating from your pores" he said simply as he pointed to her arm in general.

Letting out a defeated sigh, Yoon Mi curled up into a ball as she held her knees.

"Hey" He said, lightly nudging her knees as he sat opposite her."Tell me what's bothering you?"

Anneyong!!! :D

This has to be my longest chapter thus far XD

I wrote half of this on my laptop and the other half in my phone (Which doesn't have a word counter so I just kept writing and writing until nothing comes out.

@Sarnej27 yes, I've checked out our fanfic :)

@Soohyuns_Kissme thak you for loving the story :D The story loves you too :)

@Kpopfandbgk , @Tihlee , @LiliLee , @RINa14 Thank you for all your wonderful comment XD Whether Yong Guk might be a love interest....maybe yes maybe no :) *But as a writer, I'd have a hard time choosing between between them>.< 

There will be special moments between them. And I've explained the reason for Him Channie telling Yoonie a simplified version of his story :) I will think of what he did exactly in later chapters :)

With Love ~

From Violynn :D

18/5/2012 - 12:47am