A.N. Well, I couldn't wait to write the next chapter, so here we go. Enjoy. Here's the last sentence from the previous chapter to get you started.

"Not a clue," I began. Then the metal door creaked open, and dark figures filled the space. Kim got to her feet, and we readied ourselves for a fight.

OooOooOooOooO (Kim POV)

My head was pounding as I lurched to my feet and assumed a defensive posture. Jack stood next to me, solid as always. 'I can't help but be glad he's there and not just because I like him. He's strong, tough, and protective: about the best person to be kidnapped with ever. I know he will always have my back, and it makes me less afraid of whatever comes our way,' I thought.

Several ninjas walked through the door and reached for us. Jack kicked out at one as I punched another. Our resistance didn't last long, though, because we'd been in a fight already today, because we were in a small space, and most of all because there were just too many of them. Soon I was held by two black-clothed men, and Jack was similarly detained. I fought against the restraining arms of the warriors to no avail.

A man stepped into the dim light of our cell. He was tall, thin, brown-haired, blue-eyed, muscled, and a total stranger. "Now, now, is that any way to treat your hosts? Tut tut. I suppose I'll have to teach you some manners," the man reprimanded. Faster than I had thought possible, he was standing directly in front of us. His hand connected harshly with my cheek in a stinging slap, sending my head to the side.

Jack leapt at the man, but the ninjas held him back. "Don't touch her!" my friend snarled.

"Now now, young man. You're being rude," the man said primly. "I would hate to have to hurt your lovely friend here again to punish you, but you must learn."

"Leave her alone!" Jack yelled furiously. The man sighed and backhanded me viciously, though his face remained completely calm, if a bit disappointed. A little yelp slipped out despite my attempts to smother it.

"Have you learned your lesson yet, Jackson? If not, I'm sure Kimberly is more than willing to continue helping me teach you." I gasped at the use of our names. "Yes, dear, I know who you are," the man added in response to my surprise. He grasped my chin hard and made me look at Jack. My friend's brown eyes were full of pain as he gazed at my face, which I was sure was bruising already.

"I'm sorry, okay? Just don't hurt Kim," Jack practically begged. His head fell in defeat, and I was shocked at how broken he sounded.

"Much better. I see that you're a fast learner." He released my chin. "You may have a seat." The ninjas, as if on cue, forced us both to our knees in a mockery of a bow.

"I suppose I should introduce myself. I am Jonathan Weaver. I believe you know my nephew, Ricky. You were quite rude to him, and I have decided to teach you manners. This was the first of many lessons, Jackson. Kimberly, your teaching hasn't even begun. Enjoy your accommodations," Jonathan snapped coldly as he swept out of the room. The ninjas threw Jack and I against the back wall, eliciting a small groan from me, before slamming out of the room.

"Kim, I'm so sorry! He hit you, and it was my fault, and I wouldn't shut up, and are you okay because-" Jack apologized without taking a breath.

"Jack!" I interjected. "It's fine, I'm okay, and it wasn't your fault. That guy is completely crazy, you couldn't have stopped him, and he was just using you as an excuse to hit me," I reassured the boy. I got to my feet, ignoring the twinge in my back, and settled on the bench. It was still dark in the cell, and I couldn't read Jack's expression as he gripped my chin to tilt my head upward. My heart sped up at his touch, but I ignored it.

"Your cheek is really swollen, Kim. He must have hit you hard. Is that from the backhand?" He sounded really concerned.

"Probably, yeah. But it's fine, and so am I. So... Ricky Weaver's uncle, huh? I knew that would come back to bite us in the butt," I awkwardly changed the subject as I pulled my face out of his hold. He sat on the bench about a foot away from me.

Jack laughed at my sad attempt but nodded nonetheless. "Yeah, I guess so," he replied. Then he became serious once again. "Kim, that guy is off his rocker. We need to get out of here."

OooOooOooOooO (Jack POV)

I watched in horror as the man slapped Kim in the face. My anger reared up and I snarled at him. He remained completely calm as he backhanded the blonde. She cried out in pain, and I died a little inside at the knowledge that she was hurt because of me. I apologized to stop the man from hurting the girl any more. The ninjas shoved me to the floor, but I didn't really bother resisting. I barely listened as our captor spoke, until he addressed me. His words frightened me, honestly. I didn't even want to think about what he was going to do to Kim.

I hardly felt it as I smashed into the wall, but I knew from Kim's groan that she did feel it. That thought brought me to her side, apologizing profusely. As she waved off my apology and sat down on the bench, I couldn't help but think, 'Yep. Same old Kim. Never letting me take the blame for things that are totally my fault, and shrugging off any damage to her person.' Remembering that damage, I grabbed her chin. I easily shoved away the urge to kiss her as I saw her wickedly bruised and swollen face.

"Your cheek is really swollen, Kim. He must have hit you hard. Is that from the backhand?" I asked worriedly. That bruise looked like it hurt.

"Probably, yeah. But it's fine, and so am I. So... Ricky Weaver's uncle, huh? I knew that would come back to bite us in the butt," Kim pointed out ruefully. 'She still has no tact for changing the subject. But if she did, she wouldn't be Kim,' I joked mentally. She yanked away, and I plopped down next to her. I chuckled darkly and muttered something nonsensical before I looked at my blonde friend again.

"Kim, that guy is off his rocker. We need to get out of here." I pointed out. I was already checking the walls for weaknesses as I spoke. There were none that I could see.

"Yeah, no duh. And how exactly do you plan on making your dashing escape, Jack? We're in a titanium box with a steel door, no windows, and no light. The only thing we can do is wait for Jonathan to come back and hope he brings less ninjas this time," Kim retorted dryly.

"And what if he doesn't? Kim, I'm not going to stand here and watch while he beats you up. And I'm certainly not gonna lay down and let him kick my butt, either. We need to at least have a plan." Kim nodded at this, and slid closer to me on the bench. My heart skipped a beat, but I ignored the feelings bubbling inside me. 'Now's not the time,' I thought angrily.

"So, whadaya got, Jack?" She inquired. I once again defeated the urge to kiss her as she leaned towards me inquisitively.

"Well, maybe if we-" I was interrupted as the door opened. Ninjas poured in, but this time they just stood at attention instead of grabbing us. I was glad; I wasn't feeling up to another fight.

Jonathan strode majestically into the room and made a gesture. A ninja seized Kim, wrenching her arms behind her back. "Time for your first lesson, Kimberly," Jonathan whispered menacingly. "As for you, Jackson," he turned to face me, "get him," he commanded the ninjas. As he left behind the man dragging a struggling Kim, I was swarmed, unable to fight back against the tide of bodies. Fists and feet smashed into my body, knocking me to the floor, but I was numb to it all. 'Kim's in danger. He's going to hurt her, and I can't save her. Kim's in danger.' I repeated to myself despairingly.

The ninjas left after about a minute, but I hardly noticed. I didn't move from my place on the floor as the door clanged shut. No sound left my lips, and the silence was deafening. Then it started. "Let go of me! Get your hands off me! What are you doing? Stop it! No, wait- please! Don't!" Kim screeched. Then a horrific scream of pain split the air. I covered my ears, trying to block out the sound, but it went on and on.

When Kim finally stopped, the sound of maniac laughter echoed through the cell. It was replaced by sobbing after a few minutes. Then that slowed as well. Eventually, it grew quiet again. My harsh breathing filled the air as I tried to get a handle on my emotions. I sat up, leaned against the wall, pulled my knees up to my chest, and wrapped my arms around them. I mastered the instinct to rock back and forth, but it was a close call. I had to stay strong, for Kim's sake.

The door squealed open, and a ninja dragged Kim, no longer struggling, back into the cell. He dropped her to the floor like a rag doll and left without a word. She laid there on her back without moving as I raced to her side. A cursory glance told me that she had no shirt and no bra on, and terrible thoughts filled my head as I averted my gaze to the floor. 'Jonathan's crazy, but he couldn't- could he? Please, dear God no. Tell me he didn't do... that. Please.' The ideas tumbled unpleasantly through my head.

Kim slowly began to sit up, and I looked firmly at her face. She blushed, crossed her arms, and opened her mouth, but I just pulled off my white gi shirt and handed it to her without a word. She nodded her thanks, but didn't put it on. My eyes stayed fixed on her face, but it was getting harder to focus.

"Jack. I need you to look at my back. It's bad, but I need to know how bad. Please," Kim pleaded. There were tear tracks on her face, and her eyes were over full now. I nodded mutely, and she turned around. There, on her lower back, one word was burned deeply into her skin: 'MINE.'

I gasped at the horror before me. 'Jonathan branded her. Branded her like a cow. He truly is insane. I think I'm going to be sick.'

Kim was sniffling again as she put on my shirt. She winced when the fabric came into contact with her burn. The blonde turned to face me again. "What does it say, Jack? I need to know. I couldn't see the brand, he just shoved me on a stool, ripped off my shirt and bra, pulled the brand out of the fireplace, and slammed it into my back. It hurt so bad, Jack! I think I screamed, but I'm not even sure, it was just all white hot pain, and WHAT DOES IT SAY?!" She shouted. She was going hysterical on me. Kim Crawford, the strongest girl I know, was falling to pieces before my eyes. And I hated it.

"It... it says... mine," I answered haltingly. At this, Kim just lost it. She started sobbing, threw herself in my arms, and lost it. "I'm so sorry, Kimmy," I murmured in her ear. I wrapped my arms very carefully around her; making sure that I wouldn't touch her burn. She buried herself further into my bare chest in response. I sighed, pulled her into my lap, and leaned against the wall again.

Kim shook in my embrace with the force of her tears. I held her tighter, comforting her as best I could and waiting for her to calm down. Slowly her sobs halted, and she relaxed in my arms. "Kim?" I asked quietly. She didn't answer. "Kimmy?" I realized that she was asleep, all cried out. I lifted her bridal style and set her on the bench. I kissed her forehead gently, and whispered, "Sweet dreams, Kimmy."

OooOooOooOooO

A.N. I know that was a little dark, so I tried to add a little fluff to the end. So, what did you think? Do you like where I went with it? Tell me, PLEASE! And don't worry, I'll update again soon.