PART TWENTY THREE

“Why did he ask you to come to Icheon?” Dara asked her confused, what could have Taeyang wanted to do with her in Icheon that he couldn’t do in Seoul. Icheon was a small village not too far from Seoul, but there wasn’t much to do there.

“I don’t know, he said that there is something that I need to see,” Yuri said with a shrug.

“Then it’s like a date?” Dara asked.

“Yes,” Yuri said nodding, “I guess you could say that.”

“Then please tell me why am I here with you?” Dara raised her brow.

“Because you love me so much,” Yuri told her and smiled sweetly, “Besides Jiyong is going to be there as well, so you won’t be alone with us.”

Dara just bit her lip and turned her head to look out of the window, she tried her best to distract herself. That was the problem though. Jiyong being there was her problem. She didn’t want to face him, she promised herself that she will ignore him and if she had to she’ll learn to hate him, but now she was scared that if she’d see him all her hard work will crumble into pieces.

 “Please Dara...” Yuri pleaded her friend while using her puppy eyes, hoping that it would make Dara change her mind, “Please do it for me.”

“I already told you I don’t want to see him,” Dara repeated her words once again, wasn’t she making it clear enough?

“You don’t even have to talk to him, just come with me,” Yuri clapped her hands together as if she was about to pray, “Please, I’ll love you forever.”

“How long will you go on for?” Dara asked her slightly fed up.

“Until you agree,” Yuri told her quite simply.

That was the only reason she agreed to do this, because she knew that Yuri would just go on for ages and just for her own peace Dara decided that she’ll come with her, but just act as if Jiyong wasn’t there.

After what he told her she was hurt, but still hoped that he’ll come to her and apologize and that things would be back to normal. But it’s been a week and he hasn’t spoke to her once, he come for brief visits to her parents, but that’s about it.

“Miss, we’re here,” Dara heard the chauffer’s voice.

“Thank you, Daejung,” Dara thanked her driver with a smile.

“It was no trouble, Miss,” The chauffer said and smiled back.

When the girls got out of the car, they saw both Taeyang and Jiyong standing next to the entrance sign to the village. Taeyang was smiling and waving at them, Yuri smiled back and quickly run towards him with Dara trailing behind her. She looked over at Jiyong who had a blank expression on his face and it made her worry. Was he feeling alright? If he wasn’t why was he here? He always was too stubborn.   

Jiyong saw her looking at him numbly, he couldn’t help but look away uncomfortably, he then turned his attention to Taeyang and said, “Bae, can I have a word with you?”

“Sure,” Taeyang nodded and followed Jiyong to the side away from the girls, “What is it, Ji?”

“I think I better leave,” He told him seriously.

“What? Why?” Taeyang asked with a light chuckle.

Jiyong lowered his gaze and bit his bottom lip.

Taeyang sighed, “Ji, are you running away because Dara is here?”

Jiyong shook his head still looking at the ground, “No, I just think it’s better if I leave.”

Then Jiyong felt a slight grip on his shoulder and looked up to see Taeyang right in front of him, “Ji listen, you know that place more than anyone, I need you there.”

Jiyong looked at his brother uncertain that his presence will be a good idea, “Come on Ji, give your brother a hand.”

Jiyong gave out a heavy sigh, he knew he won’t be able to get away from them without it looking like he was scared of facing Dara. So he looked at his brother who had a bright smile on his face and was already walking back to the girls, Jiyong exhaled and tried his best to smile as well and followed his brother.

“Shall we go then?” Taeyang asked when they reached them.

Yuri nodded her head with a bright smile, Taeyang smiled back and put his around her shoulder leading the way to their destination. Jiyong gave out a heavy sigh and looked over at Dara, who was busy with her own thoughts, but from the expression on her face Jiyong worked out that she didn’t want to be here either. When she noticed him looking at her, she quickly walked past him without a word. Jiyong shook his head slightly and followed behind her.

“Where are we actually going?” Yuri asked after a while, confused with her surroundings, Taeyang asked them to came to Icheon, saying that he has something to show them. It made her wonder what exactly he could have planned in a village that is so small.

“We’re going to see the Boseog Cave,” He told her with a smile.

“The Boseog Cave?” Dara questioned, “But I always thought that it was underwater.”

“It is,” Taeyang said, which just confused them more, “All year round apart from the winter season, then the water that usually keeps the cave unreachable moves into the ocean and you can go see the cave without a worry.”

“How do you know?” Yuri asked amazed that Taeyang knows such things.

“Jiyong found it when we were younger,” Taeyang said and looked back at Jiyong with a smile, to which Jiyong just chuckled. Yuri looked at him as if she wanted to ask what was so funny and whatever it was it had to be embarrassing for Taeyang because he cringed a bit, “Let’s just say that he found it while looking for me.”   

Taeyang was glad that none of them questioned the topic anymore, or else he would be embarrassed for the rest of his life. How would it sound that he run away from home because when he was ten he lost his bike, which he loved so much that he decided that he committed a crime and needed to suffer and for a ten year old him a punishment was to get away from his family and friends and survive alone. After a few hours Jiyong found him sitting on a cliff and when he told his brother why he run away, Jiyong informed him that he never lost his bike, but that was in repair in Mr. Kim’s garage.

“But even with all the water gone we don’t know what’s inside the cave, it can be dangerous,” Yuri mumbled, she didn’t want to be rude, she appreciated Taeyang’s intention.

“That’s why we need Jiyong,” Taeyang told her, “He knows the cave more than anyone.”

**

 “I just want to say hello, what so bad about that,” Minho asked raising a brow.

“Because I know you too well and for you a simple hello never ends with just words,” Jaejoong told him frustrated.

“Don’t tell me you don’t have such thoughts as well, dear cousin,” Minho laughed and took a sip of his beer.

“And that’s why I would never consider bringing her here,” He shouted at him.

“Don’t tell me that you actually care about this girl,” Minho asked and laughed when he saw Jaejoong look away.

“Keep dreaming. This girl is on a higher level, a level that you’ll never reach, plus our dear friend G-Dragon already owns her.”

**

“Be careful some of these rocks are very slippery,” Taeyang said, taking a hold of Yuri’s hand helping her up.

“Thank you,” Yuri smiled and Taeyang just smiled back.

Jiyong turned around to check on Dara who was walking behind him, she look like an adorable little girl struggling to walk on the rocks. Jiyong couldn’t help but smile at her, he held out a hand for her to take, she looked up at him and looked back at his outstretched hand. For a minute Jiyong was sure that she’s going to take it, but he was taken back when she walked right past him. He stared at her walking away from him and sighed.

After a moment they found themselves in a chamber with several different tunnels, in the middle of the chamber there was something like a lake. Dara walked up to it and look at her reflection, the water was crystal clean and then she noticed that the light reflects off of it onto the walls. She lifted her gaze and looked around herself, the walls of the chamber were covered with crystals.

“It’s... beautiful...” She whispered in awe.

Hearing her comment Jiyong bit his lip trying to suppress a smile that was about to take over his lips.     

“All you see in this chamber is pretty much made out of carbon,” Jiyong told them.

“Then you mean this place is made out of... diamonds?” Yuri asked turning to him in shock, to which he just nodded his head a yes.

“But... how?” Dara mumbled looking around the chamber.

Jiyong just shrugged, “I’m not sure, but why do you think people refer to this place as ‘the jewel in the palace’.”

“If that’s the case and you’re the only ones that knows about how to get into this cave safely, you could...” Suddenly Yuri was interrupted by a loud thump and then the heard an “Ouch!”. When they turned to the direction of the sound they saw Dara on the ground, she must have tripped on one of the rocks. They quickly run up to her and Yuri knelt by her side.

“Are you okay?” She asked worriedly.

Dara nodded and smiled, “Yes, but they are slippery that’s for sure.”

Yuri’s expression softened and she chuckled slightly, “Can you stand up?’

“I think so,” Dara said and tried her best to stand, but her balance failed her and she was back on the ground. Seeing this Taeyang picked her up and walked to the nearest crystal so she could sit on it.

“How is it that you’ll always end up being hurt, huh?” Taeyang asked jokingly.

Dara shrugged and smiled, “My luck I guess.”

Taeyang slowly placed her on the crystal and turned to Jiyong, “You think she twisted her ankle?”

Without giving a replay Jiyong went up to them and knelt in front of Dara, inspecting her ankle to check for any bruising or scratches.

“So?”  Yuri asked impatiently .     

Jiyong bit his lip and turned his attention back to the, “Her ankle is completely fine.”

But suddenly he felt a warm liquid dripping onto his hand, he looked at it, it was blood. Jiyong’s attention quickly came back to Dara, he lifted her trousers slightly and then he saw it, there was a cut across her leg. Jiyong let his fingers run across the wound, to which Dara cringed slightly in pain. He looked up at her apologetically, “Sorry.”

“It looks painful,” Taeyang said, “Is it bad?”

Jiyong shook his head, “No, the cut is fairly small and it isn’t deep.”

“That’s good,” Yuri sighed with relief, but Taeyang knew his brother too well and the expression on his face indicated that there’s something wrong.

“But?” Taeyang raised his brow, waiting for Jiyong to continue.

“What worries me is that the cut was made by these rocks,” He said with a sigh.

“What about these rocks?” Yuri asked, worry present in her voice once again.

“They are made out of carbon and carbon contains a chemical called monoxide, and when it gets into the body it could be poisonous,” Jiyong told them seriously.

“Both Yuri and Taeyang gasped, “Then what are you suggesting, Ji?”

“As I said the wound isn’t big, so I think if we could get Dara back to Seoul and have the cut disinfected everything will be fine.”

“Okay then, let’s get going,” Yuri said looking back at Taeyang who just nodded in agreement.

“No!” They heard Dara say, it was the first time she spoke ever since they discovered the wound.

“What do you mean, do you want to get poisoned by some stupid rocks?” Yuri asked shaking with frustration.

“That’s not what I meant. I just think that you and Taeyang should stay and enjoy yourselfs,’ Dara told her with a resurring smile.

“But... Dara...” Yuri mumbled not knowing how to respond to her friend.

“Dara’’s right,” Jiyong said standing up, to which everyone stared at him, “Don’t worry Yuri, I’ll get her home safely.”

“Yeah, but Ji Dara can’t walk, you’ll need help,” Taeyang reminded him looking over at Dara. Jiyong just smiled and picked her up bridal style, surprised Dara brought her arms around his neck, holding onto him tightly.      

“Don’t worry bro, you said it yourself I know this cave more than anyone,” Jiyong said with a wink.

**

“You need to be more careful when you walk,” He told her.

Dara just pounded and looked away sadly. It wasn’t her fault that she didn’t notice that rock, but he was right she should have been more careful. Maybe if she just let him hold her hand when he offered none of this would have happened, but she just had to be too stubborn and refuse.   

“Rabbit, smile, you’re going to be alright,” Jiyong assured her.

“And this comes from the guy who told me all the medical issues that could happen as a result of this,” She mumbled under her breath, “You should have just amputate my leg right on the spot.”

Jiyong chuckled softly at her silly remark, “I never said anything about amputating your leg. We just have to get it cleaned as soon as possible, so you won’t get an infection.”

Dara nodded sadly, after that silence came over them. It felt like this was the first time they spoke to each other. Dara figured that it’s because of their argument, but still it was just awkward.  She kept her gaze on her hands, unable to look at his face, not that she didn’t want to, but she was scared and she didn’t know why. Maybe because she didn’t know what he was thinking? Jiyong was always hard to read and most of the time she didn’t understand him. Like for example their argument, he didn’t want her to meet other guys, but having girls all over him was just fine.

Jiyong noticed that Dara was lost in her own world and took the chance to study her features. She had a pound on her lips, which Jiyong always thought was just too adorable.  Her milky skin looked as smooth and porcelain as he remembered. Her silky brown hair blew gently with the breeze, making him smell her sweet scent. It looked like nothing had changed, yet so much was different.

And the biggest change was that he didn’t look at her the same way anymore. Ever since she came back, he just wanted to keep her safe and out of trouble. If he could he would put her in his pocket, so that she wouldn’t be hurt again. That’s why he freaked out when he saw her together with Jaejoong, he was afraid that she will get used because of her pure heart. But, even so it turned out differently than what he had planned, he just ended up being misunderstood by her instead of protecting her.

He wanted to apologize and explain himself to her, but it was more difficult than he thought it would be. He wasn’t very good with words after all and he was clueless when it came to girls feelings, however he tried his best for Dara. He wanted her to know that he did what he did, because he holds her dear to his heart, but how could he confess to her after something like that?

Besides, she made it clear with her actions that she is still mad at him and doesn’t want to have him around her. It was painful, but Jiyong decided to respect her decision and just wait till she cools down.      

“Umm...” Jiyong heard her mumble quietly.

He looked down at her worriedly, “A-are you okay?... Does your leg hurt?”

Dara shook her head, “Ani... I was just wondering...”

“Yes?” Jiyong looked at her trying to catch eye contact with her, but it was hard, because she looked everywhere but not him, “What is it, Dara?”

“When did Yuri and Taeyang became such close friends?” Dara asked, she wanted to know. She was happy that her friend finally made some progress, but every time Dara would ask Yuri about Taeyang she would just avoid answering. Dara knew that the topic of “Taeyang” was embarrassing for Yuri to talk about, but she was her best friends after all.

“Hmm...it happened after that phone call from your uncle,” Jiyong told her and she immediately understood that it was after they got told that she died and that Jiyong was trying to avoid that word as much as she was, “After that happened Taeyang needed a lot of comforting and Yuri was around, so I guess...”  

Dara couldn’t help but giggle slightly, to which Jiyong just gave her a surprised stare, “What’s funny?”

Dara just shook her head and smiled slightly, “I just find it funny to picture Yuri comforting your brother, I always thought it was suppose to be the other way round.”

Jiyong couldn’t help but smile as well, it seemed like they were both to how they use to be, talking, laughing and joking around together, “Well in all honesty Taeyang is a real cry baby, don’t tell him that I told you though, he likes to keep that profile of a Romeo in front of girls.”

Dara nodded in understanding, “Who would of thought that my death would bring benefits.”

The laughter suddenly died. These words caused Jiyong to stop, stiffen and grip on to her tighter. When Dara realized what she said she looked straight at the ground, she didn’t mean to say it with such a carefree tone and it was clear that it must have hurt him, judging from his reaction. She wanted to say something to make things better, but she didn’t know if anything she would say could make him feel better.

Jiyong’s jaw tightened, he wasn’t angry, more like shocked. How could she even think like that? Benefits? What kind of benefits did she mean? Her absence never caused anything good, ever since she was gone everything felt wrong.  

“D-dara...” His voice trembled, which caused Dara to look at him worriedly, but she looked away the second she noticed his dark gaze, he was hurt, she knew it, “Listen, don’t you ever say things like that again... you understand me?... your death never caused anything good...”

She looked at him, his expression so serious that it almost looked stiff. She bit her bottom lip and mouthed ‘sorry’.  

**

“Do you think that they’ll be okay?” Yuri asked stepping carefully on the rock in front of her.

“Don’t worry, Jiyong was just freaking out,” He told her, “When he’s sure that Dara is alright, he’ll be back to normal.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Yuri shook her head and lowered her gaze. Taeyang just stared at her in confusion, “You saw how they acted, I almost had to beg Dara to come with me and Jiyong wanted to run away after he saw her, it’s not normal at all.”

Taeyang took a grip on her wrist, which made Yuri stop and look back at him, he had a small grin on his face and that made her glare at him, ”Do you really find it funny?”

He just shook his head and looked at her with a bright smile, “They’ll be okay just give them some time.”

“But...”

“Yuri, I know you want to help them, but sometimes you just have to step back and let them sort out their own problems,” He tried explaining, “We can’t force anything to them, we tried today and it wasn’t any good, they just have to decide on their own.”

Yuri nodded helplessly, she knew that, but even so she had to make sure, “Isn’t there anything we can do?”

“I’m afraid not,” Taeyang told her with a heavy sigh.     

**

Dara felt her body getting tired despite being carried, she felt her eyes wanting to close and her head having an urge to lean against Jiyong’s shoulder for support. She was falling asleep, she knew it, but even so she tried her best to fight it.

She closed her eyes for a moment and inhaled deeply, hoping that this would keep her awake. She felt a sudden movement and the next thing she knew was that her head was leaning against something hard, yet comfortable and the familiar scent just made it even more relaxing and maybe she would have fallen asleep if she hadn’t realize that the scent was too familiar. Too much like Jiyongs.

Dara’s eyes shot wide open and she quickly lifted her head back up, “I... I wasn’t sleeping.”

She heard him chuckle and looked at him, ”Idiot, if you’re tired then just lean on me, it’s not the first time I would see you sleep, plus Seoul is quite a long walk away, so instead of being stubborn just listen to me.”

“You don’t have to be so worked up about it,” She mumbled quietly.

“Worked up?” Jiyong asked while raising a brow, “Who’s worked up?”

Dara just shook her head and leaned it against his shoulder gently, “Never mind.”

Dara sighed mentally, she didn’t want to fall asleep not because she was embarrassed, but because she found it awkward to use him as a human pillow. They didn’t get along very well after all and she didn’t want to make it all awkward for him, but instead he’s mad that she didn’t lean on him? It just made her wonder what he really felt for her. How could be so distant, yet so close to her whenever she’s in need.

Dara could feel her body becoming heavier and her consciousness slowly slipping away from her, but before she completely fell into the world of dreamland she thought she heard him whisper something into her ear, something like, “You’re right, sorry.”

Jiyong’s arms slowly became very numb, even though Dara isn’t heavy, the fact that he tried to keep his arms in one position so he wouldn’t wake her made it difficult. He let out a heavy sigh, the sun was slowly setting, it seemed like he’s been walking for so long, yet Seoul was still far away. He sighed and shook his head, he had to keep going, there was no other way to get home.

He was about to start walking again, but he heard Dara mumble something in her sleep, “Ji... I... please...”

Jiyong bit his lip and stared down at her, was she dreaming of him? Why would she be dreaming of him all of a sudden? Especially now that she didn’t want him around. He sighed again and looked up ready to walk again, but then something caught his attention, there was a car not too far from him, a very familiar one. Then Jiyong caught a sight of a person inside it. Kim Jaejoong. But what was he doing here? Was he looking for Dara? And even if he was how did he know where she was?

He saw Jeajoong turn his head and he must have noticed them, because he got out of his car and made his way in their direction. When he was about five feet away from them he stopped and bit his lip uncomfortably.

“She didn’t text me, so I was worried that something happened,” He said looking at the sleeping girl in Jiyong’s arms.

Jiyong also bit his lip and looked back down at Dara, “She slipped on a rock and cut her ankle, it has to get cleaned so that she won’t get an infection.” 

“I see,” Jaejoong said nodding his head, “She’s a very clumsy girl.”

Jiyong smiled looking at her sleeping and added, “And also very stubborn.”

“That’s for sure,” Jeajoong let out a small laugh.

After that an awkward silence came over them. Jiyong looked up to see Jeajoong rubbing the back of his head not sure what to do or say next. Jiyong swallowed hard the pump that was forming in his throat and decreased the distance between them, he place Dara ever so gently into Jaejoong’s arm, carefully not to wake her up. Jajoong just stared at him confused.

“Get her home and make sure that they’ll clean the cut thoroughly and she should be fine,” Jiyong told him.

“Don’t you want a lift?” Jaejoong offered but JIyong just shook his head.

“It’s fine, I’ll just walk.”

Jaejoong nodded in understanding and turned around and walked in the direction of his car with the girl still asleep in his arms, unaware of what’s happening around her. Jiyong just stood there rooted to his spot, he bit his lip to stop the tears as he watched Jaejoong placing Dara at the back of his car and covering her with his jacket, then he sped away in the direction of Seoul.

When the car disappeared Jiyong finally let his tears flow, “Jiyong get yourself together, you did the right thing.”

******************************************************************************************************************************HELLO EVERYONE!!!!!

SO I CAN PROUDLY SAY THAT SOMEHOW I MANAGED TO OVERCOME THE HUGE PROBLEM CALLED 'WRITER'S BLOCK' I HATED IT SO MUCH BUT I'M GLAD THAT THIS CHAPTER IS FINALLY DONE AND THAT I CAN MOVE ON AS A I SAID I THE NEXT CHAPTER IS ALREADY WRITTEN AND SO IS CHAPTER 25 I'M CURRENTLY WORKING ON 26 SO HOPEFULLY I'LL BE POSTING THE NEXT CHAPPIE SOON. 

ANYWAY THAT'S IT FOR NOW GUY I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER AND I AM SOOOO SORY FOR THE LONG WAIT FORGIVE ME!!!

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