"Achoo!"

"Are you sure you're okay?"

I glanced up at Polina who was staring at me in distaste. The girls around me had also edged away a little bit away from me after my fifth sneeze. 

I closed my eyes and brought my head against the wall. The headache from before was growing worse, and it seemed like my body was hotter than ever. I didn't know what in the world was going on, but...

"Hey," one of the men guarding us from outside the room suddenly said. "Who the hell keeps sneezing?"

"Her," Polina said, pointing towards me. 

He glanced over at me with a disinterested air before his eyes widened. "Oh! You're the girl who kicked Ryan's and Sim's balls!"

He fell over laughing as the other guard took his turn to peer inside the dim room and start bursting out in laughter himself. "No way, it's her? Damn, those two got beaten up by a woman! She's so small too!"

I rolled my eyes and focused on something soothing to calm my mind. But not matter how hard I tried, the hooting laughter in the background wouldn't let me. Their voices were like needles that wouldn't stop poking at my brain.

"Hey, you two," I said tiredly. They stopped laughing and looked over at me. I glanced over at them over my shoulder. "If you guys don't shut up, you're next."

At first, they couldn't seem to come up with a response, but finally, one of them found their voice and hit the bar door with his sword. The loud sound startled the girls in the cell, and they quickly scooted away from the door.

"Don't act so cocky, bitch," he snarled. "If you and I were to fight right now one on one, you'd be at my feet in an instant."

"Ahh really?" I smiled through my throbbing pain. "Shall we test that out then?"

"Stop it, Ted," the other guard muttered, pushing his hood off his head. "She's just messing with you."

"Awww c'mon," I turned my body towards them. "If Ted's so confident, let him have a go—"

"Shut up!" he snarled.

"Why are you holding him back? Because you don't think he can take me on?" I lifted an eyebrow. "You think he actually has a possibility losing to me?"

Ted turned his eyes towards his friend who immediately glanced away and didn't answer. Ted spat on the ground and reached behind his back before pulling out a ring of kings.

"Oh c'mon Ted, you aren't taking her seriously—" the guard started.

"You think I can't beat her, Mil?" Ted glared at him. "I'll show both of you."

I picked myself up from the ground and dusted myself off as the two began to bicker. Before I could take a step forward though, I felt someone grab me. I turned around to see Polina glaring up at me. "Are you stupid? You're going to get yourself killed!"

I nodded. "Well...that isn't going to happen."

"Are you insane?" Polina hissed. "Even if you can fight, it's two against one!"

"No, not really," I said. "Because you're going to help me out right?"

Polina paled. "What?"

"What?" I asked. "You're just going to stay here and wait for someone to save you then? Polina, do you even know where you're headed right now?"

Polina dropped her hand from my wrist. I glanced around at the other girls who immediately looked away when my eyes scanned them. I looked outside and saw that the two were still arguing before turning back around towards the girls. 

"Don't expect someone to come save you," I said. "Depending too much on anyone in this world... even your shadow leaves you when you're in the dark."

"Hey!" Ted swung the door open. "Come here!"

I smiled at Ted. "Coming!"

As I walked past him, I felt it before I saw it. Quickly, I ducked underneath his hand that had shot out to grab my neck and danced away. Ted stared after me in shock as I twirled towards the back. "That was a cheap move. We didn't even officially start the fight."

Ted pulled out his sword and pointed it at me. I quickly noticed that he had forgotten to close the room as he took a step towards me. In the corner of my eye, I could see Mil standing at the base of the stairway, glancing back and forth at us nervously.

"Wait a minute," I frowned. "Where's my sword?"

Ted growled. I put my hands at my hips. "I'm the woman here, right? Give me something to defend myself with."

Ted charged towards me, his sword pointed straight at me. I narrowed my eyes, tensing on the balls of my feet.

Wait for it, Sakura...

I froze. What—

Suddenly, Ted was in front of me before I knew it. He rammed the hilt of his sword up my stomach. I flew to the wall, slammed my back against it, and crumpled to the ground. 

My head spun around and around until I almost knew for sure I was going to throw up. But even with that, I couldn't throw off the voice that had resonated within my head.

That voice...

Why did it sound so familiar?

"I told you." 

I glanced warily next to me to see a pair of feet stop in front of me. Glancing up, I saw Ted glaring down at me in satisfaction. I scoffed and shook my head.

Ted's smirk immediately disappeared as he looked down at me. "What's so funny?"

"Are you that happy beating me?" I smiled. Before Ted could answer, I lunged out and pulled him off balance. He slammed into the deck, and his sword clattered a few feet away. Quickly, I reached for the sword and pressed my foot against his throat.

"You—" he started.

"Uh, uh, uh," I shushed. bringing the tip of the sword to hover above him. "If you suddenly move, the sword just might go right through your chest."

I looked over my shoulder and saw Mil's wide eyes stare at us. He turned tail and was about to go up to the deck when I called after him. "Are you sure you want to go back up?"

He stopped and turned around. I shrugged. "Just saying announcing to the crew that you need help restraining a little girl like me doesn't do your image the best. Especially since I can kill your friend right here and now."

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Ted's hand slowly creeping towards my foot. I brought my foot back and kicked him hard across the face.

A crack echoed throughout the room, and his body went limp. I crouched down on my heels and brought my finger over his nose. Glancing up, I turned towards Mil. "He's dead."

Mil paled. I got up and frowned. "Look, it's no biggie. Just—"

Before I could finish my sentence, Mil turned on his heel and started for the staircase. I quickly pounced after him, raising the sword over my head before letting it go. The sword caught Mil's trailing cloak and pinned it to the ground.

Quickly, Mil tore his cloak off, but that had bought me enough time. I tackled him to the ground before quickly realizing Mil was bigger than I expected.

Soon, he was above me, pinning my arms to the side and sitting on my legs. His angry eyes raked me up and down before a smirk emerged on his face. "Although you're feisty, you have a cute face."

When they're bigger than you, hit them at their most vulnerable spot. 

I gritted my teeth. The same voice in my head that had resonated earlier sounded so familiar, yet I couldn't remember who it was. Only a hazy picture of a boy remained in my mind when I dug deep enough.

Mil shifted, reaching towards my shoulder.

Once they let up just a little...

I brought up my leg, toppling Mil in surprise before bringing my elbow up and ramming it into his nose.

Grab your chance.

I snatched the sword that had pinned Mil's cloak and turned around to face Mil with his own sword. Without missing a beat, Mil swung his sword at me.

If they swing horizontally, duck. Turn. Jackpot.

I dropped to the balls of my feet as Mil swung above me and turned on my heel, driving the sword into Mil's thigh. Ignoring his cry, I rammed the hilt into his stomach and high-kicked his chin. 

Mil dropped to the ground, blood coming out of his nose. As I towered over him, Mil flinched away from me and grabbed for his sword, but I quickly kicked it out of his reach before he could touch it.

"Stop! Don't kill me!" Mil put out a shaking hand. "D—don't kill me!"

"I'm not going to as long as you shut up," I muttered. "Wasn't that my promise in the beginning?"

"You killed him!" Mil shook, pointing to Ted' still figure.

"He's unconscious," I sighed. "He's still breathing."

Mil blinked. "Y—you lied?"

I glanced around at the lower deck. "Is this your supply deck or something?"

Mil quickly nodded as I glanced back down at him. There was food, boats in case the ship sank, water, rope, tons of boxes...

"Hey," I called. "Polina."

No one answered. I sighed. "Polina, you're safe. I need you so come out. The door is open."

Again, no one answered. I glanced back down at Mil who was still sitting on the ground, clutching his bleeding nose sourly. 

I heard the sound of the door creaking open and looked up. A shaking girl—who didn't look older than ten years old—came out from the room, glancing around furiously before her eyes landed on me. She put a hand over her mouth and was about to scramble back in, but I shook my head. "Wait. Come here."

The girl stared at me with wet and wide eyes. "I—I..."

"I won't hurt you," I softened. "I need your help."

Those words seemed to push the girl forward, and she tiptoed her way over, flinching when Mil glared up at her. I tilted my head at Mil and pushed his shoulder with the hilt of the sword. He recoiled and immediately looked up at me.

"Stop giving her the evil eye," I frowned. I turned towards the girl. "Can you go over there and grab rope? And see if there's something I can use as a gag."

The girl nodded quickly before going over to the back and scavenging around. She brought back the supplies and helped me hold the sword as I tied Mil up. I dragged Mil to a side and took a deep breath. Now that the adrenaline had stopped, the headache was coming back.

It was just one hit after another. I went over to Ted and got him tied up quickly as well before walking over to the room. Swinging open the door, I bumped right into Polina who was at the entrance of the door. She looked up at me and got up quickly. "Is it safe? Did you finish beating everyone up?"

"Hey," I said, folding my arms. "Why didn't you come out when I asked you to?"

"What?" Polina frowned. "I—I—"

"So you pushed a girl at least ten years younger than you to go out into the field? You are the one of oldest ones here," I said. Polina's face contorted into anger, and she opened her mouth to say something, but I put a hand out and shook my head. "Never mind. Let's just focus on getting out of here."

Polina looked angry, but she turned her head away and faced the girls. "Let's get going, girls!"

"What are you doing?" I demanded. "No, tell them to sit back down."

"What?" Polina asked. "How are we supposed to get out of here, then?"

"How are we supposed to bring all girls with us?" I said. 

"Then what's your plan?" Polina snapped. 

I messaged my temples and tried to think, but the pounding of my head was unbearable. Suddenly, the energy in my legs left for a second, but I caught myself before I hit the ground. Polina peered at me nervously. "Are you okay? You look a little pale there..."

"I—I'm fine," I coughed. "We need to get going. But I don't know how to—"

Suddenly, my ears perked up at the sound of someone's footsteps nearing the lower deck. I turned around, pulled the other girl in and closed the door behind me.

"What are you—" Polina started before I slapped a hand over her mouth.

"What in the—" a man's voice shouted from the staircase. "Boss—!"

"I'm here, what are you yelling—" I felt a cold shiver run down my spine when I recognized his voice. A painful moment of silence passed before I heard quick footsteps near us. The door flung open, and Lenard stepped in.

His eyes quickly found mines, and he took a step towards me. "Ahhh, I knew it was you."

The girls around me immediately scooted away as Lenard bent down in front of me. "Not even a day has gone by, and you're giving me troubles already."

"S—she can beat you up!"

I froze as I recognized Polina's shaking voice from behind me. Lenard glanced up at me and squinted at Polina. I turned around and saw her shaking figure inch away as Lenard stepped over me and approached Polina.

"My, my," Lenard smiled. "I can't believe I missed such a beauty...but!"

We flinched at Lenard's sudden yell. He turned around and pointed at me. "Before that. You. You...you are a special case. Who trained you?"

"...what?" I didn't expect that question.

"Who. Trained. You?" Lenard repeated.

"Why do you need to know?" I asked.

"You could be very helpful to me. I just need to make sure you're not working as a—"

"Are you...?" I glanced up at Lenard, confused. "Are you inviting me to join you?!"

"Why?" Lenard smiled. "That pleased?"

I sighed, clutching my throbbing head. "Lenard. Back off. I'm not coming with you. I'd rather die than do that—"

Lenard's hand was an inch away from my throat when I caught his arm. I narrowed my eyes at him as he smiled. "Oh? Would you?"

I flung his hand away and pushed him back before hopping to my feet. Before I could do anything else though, three more men filed into the room. I quickly recognized the slim man from last time standing besides Lenard.

"You're still on my turf," Lenard smiled. "Calm down. I won't get to you today then."

He walked towards me; I tensed myself, but he walked past me and grabbed someone else.

"No!" Polina cried as Lenard pulled her up. "Let go!"

"What are you doing?" I demanded, grabbing Polina's other arm. She quickly grabbed on to my clothes, trying to pull me closer.

"Just let me have my fun alright," Lenard growled. I furrowed my eyebrows and was about to speak up when suddenly, the ground tilted. At first, I thought it was the ship rocking side to side from the waves, but I quickly realized I was the only one wobbling around.

"Woahhh," Lenard said, his eyes following my shaky figure. "What's with you?"

I clutched my chest as my breaths began to come out shorter and heavier heaves. My head spun until I couldn't tell which way was up and down. I wobbled around, trying to find my balance before tripping over my feet and falling down.

A few screams echoed inside my throbbing head, and I felt someone flip me on to my back. A cold hand touched my forehead; I whacked it away and turned my head the other way when I made out Slim standing over me.

"It seems she has a fever," I could hear Slim say.

"A fever?" Lenard frowned.

"It's probably because when Jill brought her in she was soaking wet and—"

"Alright, alright," Lenard waved his hand dismissively. He took a glance at me. "What do you think we should do with her?"

"It depends if you want to keep her or not," Slim responded. 

Lenard glanced down at me for a second before looking up at Slim. "I'm not giving her any of our medicine. So deal with her yourself."

Lenard walked away with Polina who began screaming her head off. Slim bent over me and reached out to touch me, but I quickly slapped his hand away. He let out an aggravated sigh and crossed his arms across his chest. "Are you going to get up by yourself then?"

"What is Lenard doing with that girl?" I spat. Although I was resisting and biting back, I felt like throwing up any second. Being rocked side to side constantly with a throbbing head was not the best combination.

"I think the more urgent question is: Can you get up?" he rose an eyebrow. I opened my mouth to snap back, but he cut me off. "Are you really going to throw up here? We aren't going to clean it up, and I don't think the rest of the girls will appreciate it."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Slowly, I pushed myself up and wobbled upright. Slim offered his arm, but I ignored it and staggered out the room.

As we approached the staircase, Slim went ahead of me and pushed the floor board up. A huge gust of wind met me, sending my hair flying. I shook my head and continued walking up the stairs.

As I reached the top, I took in a deep breath. Although it didn't help much, I could feel my head begin to cool and clear out. I glanced warily at Slim who was intensely staring at me, but I ignored him as I headed to the front of the ship.

"Hold on," Slim held out a dagger. "Where are you going?"

"To the front," I responded.

"What? You think this is your ship? I only brought you up here to clear your head," Slim said. 

"How long has it been?" I asked.

"What?" 

"How long has it been since we departed from Mansa?" 

"...almost a day."

I glanced up at the sky and realized the sun had started setting. I wondered what the others were doing right now...

Were they searching for me? Well, even if they were, they wouldn't even be able to find me. I was in the middle of nowhere right now.

A pang of sadness hit my heart, and I clutched my chest. I didn't even know them, yet here I am, feeling regret and unhappiness fill within me. They were kind to me. I suppose that's why I was—

A flash of a girl falling out a window suddenly shot through my brain. I stopped. I remembered seeing blond hair and a cute smile, but I couldn't remember her face...

And then it happened again. A shattered piece of a memory of a red-haired boy laughing at me as he spared against me in a forest. But his face was blurry too.

Again. Steel-colored eyes looking up at me as I wiped away the boy's sweat. I focused, ignoring the painful pulsing of my head, but the piece of recollection simmered away before I could recognize his face.

Then another blonde—his eyes—what color—

"Hey."

I was suddenly jolted out of my daze as a hand waved in front of my eyes. I looked up at Mr. Slim glancing weirdly at me.

"What?" I asked.

"Why are you crying?"

My hand shot up to touch the corner of my eyes which were overfilling with tears. I looked back up at Mr. Slim who was waiting for an answer. Letting my hand fall down, I turned my eyes towards the open ocean, watching the turquoise waves fall— 

"Green," I gasped softly. I felt something click within my heart and stir in the back of my mind. "They were green."

~~~~~

hEY, guyssss! What do you guys think about this chapter? Why do you think the chapter stopped on a description about green eyes? 

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\╭☞ \╭☞ Weird, huh?

Ahahahah, this emoticon cracks me up. Maybe I'll start doing them for every chapter at the end. Also I'm getting a banner made so hopefully, I'll be able to replace the ugly ~~~~~ and use something better :D

Okay, okay. Don't forget to comment down below your thoughts and hit that star! I really love looking at your comments so much guys <<33

I'll see you guys next Sunday okay? Bye, byeeee  :D