Hyun-shik POV

        I stood up, carried the chest back to the work table and opened it. Inside was a journal. I lifted it out of the chest and looked at it. As I held it in my hands, the warm feeling in my chest from earlier came back. I opened the book to the first page and began reading.

                'My name is Cho Myung-dae. I feel the need to tell my story, because I'm sure that history will forget about someone as insignificant as me. You are probably curious as to why I would want to tell you about my life, but I believe the truth should be known. When I was just a child, my mother and I were attacked by foxes. You may think it is not something unusual, but these were no ordinary foxes; They were Gumihos. I don't remember much about what happened that day, because I had passed out after one of the foxes clawed my back. I still have the scars from where he dug his nails into me. When I woke up, there was a little girl in front of me and she said that we were married. Then she placed her head in my lap. I don't know why, but I began to stroke the girl's head. It just felt natural. I remember seeing the foxes who attacked us fighting another fox. It was as though the lone fox was protecting us. The lone fox managed to kill one of the other foxes and the remaining one ran away. Once the mean fox ran away, the other fox turned to face us. It asked us what had happened and the little girl sat up happily. She called the fox Dad and said that I was her husband. The lone fox then collapsed and died. The girl was obviously upset and began crying uncontrollably. I looked over at my mother and saw that she was no longer moving as well. I went over to the little girl and held her in my arms. I told her it was okay to cry and we both cried until we fell asleep. When I woke up, I was at home in my bed. My father said that everything I remembered from the incident was a dream, but I never believed him. It was too real to be a dream.'

                'Years passed and it seemed like the fox attacks were happening less often. It looked like the hunters had managed to either kill them all or scare them away. Either way, I was sad that I never got to see that little girl again.'

                'By the time I was old enough to start to study for the exams, my father sent me away to the temple so that I could focus on my studies. I can't blame him for that, because I was always running away from my studies to go and search the woods for some sign of foxes. I never found any.'

                'While I was at the temple, I happened to make friends with one of the other children. His name was Donghae. He wanted to be a doctor like my father. needless to say we became good friends and it turned out that he and I were from the same town. Years passed again and the time was near for Donghae and I to take the exams. The monks decided that we could leave the temple so that we could visit our families before the test. Donghae and I decided that we would take the wooded path home to shorten our trip. We weren't too worried about being attacked, because there hadn't been a report of a fox attack in years. While I was waiting for Donghae to relieve himself in the bushes, I saw a fox. Not just any fox, but a Gumiho. It was beautiful! I ran after it hoping to see it transform. Unfortunately, it got caught in one of the hunter's traps. I had overheard some hunters talking to the monks about traps that had been triggered, but no animal was inside. They thought that the foxes were freeing themselves and escaping. They told the monks to be careful while walking in the woods, because they were going to start putting poisons on their traps.'

                "I was going to go and help the fox, when my friend started calling my name. I really wanted to hit him for it, because he really ruined it for me. We heard the fox call for help and went over to see her. Donghae thought she might be a fox and was reluctant to help me, but I managed to convince him that she wasn't a fox even though I knew that she was. We freed her from the trap and she started to back away from us. I asked her how she got caught in the trap and she made up the cutest lie about tripping. Then I asked her where she was going and she, in return, asked us who we were. I told her our names and she said her name was Sunjin. Wow! She even has a beautiful name. Once we got to town Donghae ran off to his house and I followed her to the book shop. I tried to tell her she needed to see a doctor as soon as possible, but she refused to listen to me. When she collapsed, I brought her to my house and asked my father to help her. You see, my father was a doctor. Needless to say, he didn't want to at first. I didn't blame him, considering what happened to my mother. In the end, he agreed to help her.'

                'Once she was healed, I ran to prepare a room for her. Once I laid her in the bed, she transformed back into a fox. She looked so beautiful. When she woke back up, she was afraid and was about to try and run away until I started stroking her head. I don't know why, but it just seemed like the right thing to do and it seemed to calm her. I offered to go and tell her family where she was but she wouldn't let me and my father agree with her. They told me to go back to the book shop and to the restaurant where she worked and tell the owners where she was in case her family came looking for her. As I was leaving the room, I overheard my father talking to her. Instead of leaving right away, I listened to their conversation. Well I didn't have to listen too hard, because they were talking very loudly and, at times, screaming. What I heard kind of shocked me. Basically they said that I shouldn't have been able to touch her head, because only one person should be able to do that to a Gumiho and that person would be their mate. My father was pretty unsettled by what she said and I was confused. Was I really her mate? I blushed at the thought of it. Honestly, I don't think I would have minded being her mate.'

                'I quickly ran to the book shop and restaurant to tell the owners about the situation, but surprisingly ran into her family. I explained the situation to them and, at first, they were nervous because I knew that they were foxes, but calmed down when I swore on my life that she was okay. I brought them back to my house and led them to her room. After leaving her with her family, I went to find my father. He told the servants to take some time off, because he didn't want them finding out about Sunjin. I told him that her family was here and he made more food for them. We carried the tray to the room and placed it in front of them.'

                'When my father saw her mother, he stumbled backwards as though he had seen a ghost. He invited her mother to go and speak with him in his study in private. I, of course, followed and eavesdropped on their conversation. Again I heard things I couldn't quite make sense of, but it seemed as though my father and Sunjin's mother had met before and he knew that she was a fox. Then they spoke of the fact that I could touch Sunjin's head and the possibility that I was her mate. My father asked what she thought of this and her mother was just as confused about the situation as the rest of us. My father then said that he was going to ask Sunjin to never speak a word of this to me and that he hoped that she was smart enough to agree. Her mother seemed as though she agreed with what my father was planning. I had heard enough, so I quickly made my way back to the room. When I got back, Sunjin's brother Siwan started interrogating me, but I was still in shock from what I had heard them saying and planning. I looked at Sunjin and wondered how she really felt about all this, but before I could muster enough courage to ask her, our parents returned.'

                'After they returned to the room, Sunjin's mother and brother decided that they would leave her in our care and return at a later time. I escorted them out of the room and to the gate. As I made my way back to the room, I hoped that I wasn't too late to ask her the truth. I was about to open the door when I heard my father questioning her. He asked if I knew about being her mate and she replied no. Then he begged her never to tell me about it. When I heard those words, my heart sank and I wanted nothing more than to run in there and tell him to mind his own business, but was stopped when he sincerely explained himself to her and I could finally understand his true feelings. Then I heard something that shocked me again.'

                'Apparently, Sunjin had said that whether it was this life or the next, I was destined to be her mate. Somehow, that made me happy. Then my father begged her to wait until my next life to take me as her mate and he would do anything she wanted. I had hoped that she wouldn't agree, but she did. What she asked for in return was a safe place for her family and my father agreed to help her make such a place.'

                'I can't say that I wasn't hurt or angry at her decision, but over time I came to accept it because I could see the look of longing on her face every time she looked me in the eyes. I could tell her decision was tormenting her, but I also knew that there was nothing I could do to ease the pain. I had hoped my father would eventually change his mind, but he never did. Instead, he found me a bride and insist that I marry her. Her name was Kim Ye-ryung. She was very beautiful and a woman that any man would want as a wife. Any man, except me. My heart already belonged to Sunjin and I couldn't force myself to forget about her.'

                'The day of my wedding came and went, but nothing changed. I couldn't get over my feelings for Sunjin and I think Ye-ryung knew. When my father died and Donghae took over the clinic, Ye-ryung convinced him to tell Sunjin to stop coming to the house. That, of course didn't stop me from seeking her out. I would often visit her family to see how they were managing. That was, until Min-joo was born. At first I was so overjoyed that I had a son, that nothing else mattered. It wasn't until years later that I discovered the truth. It turned out that Min-joo wasn't my son at all. He was really Donghae's. My best friend had stabbed me in the back, but the funny thing was that I almost didn't mind.'

                'I began thinking that I could divorce Ye-ryung and marry Sunjin instead and that I could finally be happy with the woman I loved. But, as you probably know, nothing ever goes according to plans. By the time I decided to put my plan in motion, it was too late; Ye-ryung and Donghae had already made their move. I should have known that things wouldn't end happily for me. Knowing my own fate, I decided to gather all the evidence I could of Ye-ryung's and Donghae's crimes. Once I had enough proof, I summoned Sunjin while Ye-ryung and Donghae were at the temple with Min-joo.'

                'When she arrived, I fell in love all over again. She hadn't changed since the last time I saw her. Her smile was still as beautiful as the day we first met. She questioned where Ye-ryung was, and I couldn't blame her. Ye-ryung always gave her a hard time. I told her that we didn't have time and was about to explain the situation, but ended up coughing instead. Her doctor instincts quickly kicked in and she started checking my pulse. I was so mesmorized by her, I completely forgot why I had called her for a brief moment. Then she became shocked as she discovered what was happening. I told her it was too late, but she wanted to help me anyways. I told her that I needed her to bring the documents that I had collected to the regional Magistrate as quickly as possible. She protested, saying that the local office could handle it, but I knew better. I explained that it would be pointless because the local Magistrate was Donghae's brother. She realized that I was right and resigned herself to what she had to do.'

                'I began having another coughing fit and she tried her best to help make me comfortable despite the tears falling from her eyes. I gently wiped them away and then said the one word I loved above all others; Sunjin.'

                'Her name was the most precious word to me and I always loved saying it. I told her I loved her and that she was beautiful. Then I asked her for the one thing I had dreamed of since meeting her. I asked her if I could kiss her just once and she leaned over and kissed me. I think that was the most perfect moment in my life. I don't think I'll ever forget it even in my next life. At least I hope I won't.'

                'Unfortunately, I can't tell you what happened beyond this because Sunjin just left. I know she will deliver those documents safely to the hands of the regional Magistrate, but I'm not sure what will happen after that. I'm afraid that I will have to leave the rest of my story for history to tell, because my body is already pushing itself to it's limit and I won't be able to write the ending myself.'

                'To whoever has read this and thought that it was a great work of fiction, I assure you that it is not. Everything I have written here is the truth. They are events that really did take place. Gumihos really do exist and I fell in love with one. Her name is Sunjin.'

                'My final wish is that this book finds it's way to the me of the future. I want you to know that there is a woman named Sunjin who loved me dearly when I was alive and I'm sure she will love you just as much. I know it may be hard to accept a Gumiho, but I promise that she is well worth the risk. She gave me up for my father's sake and to find a safe place for her family. Now I want her to finally be happy with the mate I wish I could have been. Please take care of her and love her in my place.'