Mystic: Whoo. This chapter gave me some trouble. I spent the past few days with it running through my head over and over again. I finally got it out of my system by adding a few extra scenes to this chapter, but the main scene is still intact. I don't have much to say now, except on with the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own Mai HiME or any of its corresponding characters. Sunrise owns it, but that doesn't mean I can't do this! -stabittystabstabs disclaimer-


The years seemed to drag by in slow agony. Each day was filled with the same, mundane routine. She would be woken by the sound of Tarou's steps in the hallway, his fingers rapping against iron bars as he walked. Each day she'd be pulled from sleep and dragged to the work yard where she would wait in line for an extensive period of time. Sleep-laden eyes would wearily blink as a tin bucket filled to the brim with coal was dropped into pale arms.

The furnaces were hot during the seasons and they made the air even hotter in the summer. As the seasons changed and the days went by, Shizuru grew older and more weary. Her hair changed the most. The tawny locks lengthened past her shoulders, curling around the middle of her back. Her arms were also a hint of how the years changed her. The pale skin was rubbed raw and red from carrying the metal buckets over and over again. Imprints from the tin surface became evident on her porcelain skin.

Not to mention her master's mood. The slave driver changed from cold and uncaring to cruel and harsh. While he had ignored them during her fifth winter, he kept a watchful eye on all his slaves in the winters that passed after that. Whenever someone would collapse from exhaustion out on the yard, he would spit hostile words to them and kick them in the ribs. Sometimes he would even bring out a whip and lash them relentlessly until they cried from the pain.

There were times where she had found herself victim to such brutal attacks, her sides aching from the kicks of his boots. His nasty voice would cut through the fog of agony and fatigue, prompting tears of hurt to spill from her crimson eyes.

Unfortunately the tears seemed to anger Tarou even more. His cold gray eyes would narrow with disgust and his kicks would grow harsher, words slicing into her heart. All she could do was bite her lip and wait for the torture to pass, her body too weak to fight back.

"Piece of scum!"

"Dirt bag!"

"Maggot!"

Each insult caused a groove in her beating heart, each kick continuing to weaken her ribs, and each assault further inducing her silence. After each day, Shizuru would drag her worn body back to her cell, muscles aching, but heart aching all the more. Her battered feet would trudge on the hard ground, following the line of slaves until she would just pass out on the floor of the damp cell.

Crimson eyes would stare, dull and without a sparkle of life, until they closed and the same thought Shizuru had every night for three full years would pass her mind.

I'm going to die here aren't I?

---xxxXXXxxx---

Shizuru walked on, her shoulders slumped forward and her arms lying limp in front of her. The slave's feet were rubbed raw from walking on hard ground and pebbles for so long. Her skin was sickly pale and sweat made her clothes stick to her skin. There was a heavy bruise on her face, a purple tinge accompanying the numbing pain. Dried blood was evident on the young girl's busted lip.

Another day, another beating.

An angry spit caused her to lift her chin slightly. Shizuru blinked her dull maple eyes at the older slave, noticing his hard and angry face. The man spat again as he entered his cell, his back stiff. Shifting her gaze, Shizuru took note that he wasn't the only one who bore a discontented expression. A few older slaves were throwing looks of dislike over their shoulders as if trying to send their growing animosity to the entrance of the long hallway.

Tarou-sama is a bastard.

The same thought ran through their heads and she sensed it. A shudder passed down Shizuru's spine and she was quick to hurry into her cell. Her sore legs screamed in protest at the hasty movement, but she ignored the pain until she was safely tucked in the darkest corner of her small haven. Sighing heavily, Shizuru let herself fall onto the floor, her body relishing at the chance of rest.

---xxxXXXxxx---

From what she could tell, it was still night. She wasn't quite sure that it was really after dark since there were no windows in any of the jail cells. Hence, there was really no way to tell if was dark because it was night or if it was just the usual dark from the lack of light.

However, the temperature was lower than what she remembered, indicating a cool chill from the world outside. Blood-red eyes fluttered open staring at the back wall of the small room. Shizuru blinked once, then twice, wondering what had woken her up from her slumber. The eight year-old let out a small groan, her bones aching from sleeping on her stomach for so long. Lifting her chin, she gazed into the darkness from behind long lashes and chestnut bangs.

Giving a slight hiss of pain, her form still bruised from the earlier beating, Shizuru turned on her side, her back to the bars. She was intent on getting some more sleep when at last she heard it; the sound that had woken her up from her slumber.

Step, turn, continue.

Crimson orbs snapped wide open, fear swirling in their dark depths. Shizuru's stomach clenched in discomfort, her heart beginning to hammer in her chest as thoughts raced through her mind. Why is he here now? It isn't daylight yet! What does he want this time?

Shivering and quite sure it wasn't from the cold, the young brunette curled up into a tight ball, her chained hands drawing into fists. Maple eyes closed firmly, the young girl mentally wishing for Tarou to continue on his way instead of halting at her cell. A thin line of perspiration beaded on Shizuru's forehead as she huddled over in her corner, her jaw set hard and a look of terror on her face.

Step and halt.

"You came at an odd time. If you had scheduled an appointment I would have just taken some of my best slaves to you so you could pick one out instead of us having to scout each slave."

Shizuru felt her throat grow dry and her eyes snapped open. Scout slaves? That could only mean one thing. Tarou was going to sell someone off. Her rapidly beating heart paused abruptly at that. To who would he sell? Someone kind? Someone cruel? She trembled at the mere thought of being hauled off to someone whom might possibly be even more merciless than her master.

"I apologize for the short notice."

Red eyes snapped open and confusion settled in. The voice was sharp, but it still contained a feminine edge to it. Shizuru let her body uncurl a bit. Now all she wanted to do was concentrate on listening to the conversation her master was having with this person.

"No, it's alright."

Although he objected, Shizuru was able to detect the smallest amount of displeasure in his voice. Her thin lips curled a bit in brief satisfaction.

Their footsteps grew louder and this prompted the young girl to roll over onto her side so she wasn't facing the wall anymore. Light flashed before her and Shizuru was able to catch the silhouette of her master. He was garbed in his usual drab uniform and was holding a flashlight, pointing the light at the various cells. In the dimness, the light caused some of the captives to flinch from its brightness.

"How about this one?" Tarou asked, his flashlight pointing at the slave in the cell across from Shizuru. The brunette gulped at the closeness and pushed herself deeper into the corner.

At last Tarou's customer stepped away from the shadows. Crimson eyes caught the long flutters of a jacket. If not convinced before that the person was a woman, Shizuru was most certain now. The person was of average height, but they radiated an aura of authority. A long flow of deep blue hair was evident even in the dark and Shizuru marveled at how the glow from the flashlight turned the woman's obvious pale skin a silvery tone. A flicker in the shadows was able to highlight the fine gold threads on the woman's jacket and blood-red orbs widened in realization.

A Noble.

It was her first time actually seeing one in person despite having heard of them. Shizuru shifted in her spot and sat upright, back to the cell wall. She watched in silence as the Noblewoman stepped closer, peering into opposite cell. There was a shake of sapphire hair and Shizuru perked in interest.

"I'm afraid not. I need someone younger. This man is older than what I need."

The man in the opposite cell groaned and merely rolled over, intent on sleep. Tarou curled his lips in distaste and shifted back, turning to walk further down the roll of cells. However, the woman stayed where she was and instead directed her attention to the still darkened cell next to her.

"Wait! What about this one?" She asked, gesturing to Shizuru's cell. The brunette blinked and drew her legs to her chest, suddenly growing wary.

Tarou halted and turned, a scowl appearing on his face. "That one? Just a girl. Nothing special about her and you probably wouldn't even want her. The little vermin doesn't even speak!"

Anger flared in her eyes before dying down wearily. Shizuru placed her chin on her knees and watched the exchange with a sense of detachment.

The blue-haired woman seemed to bristle, her authoritative aura sparking with anger. Her back grew stiff and her voice was laced with a hint of disdain. The flashlight flickered again and crimson eyes caught the strain of shoulders and clenched fists.

"I believe I'll make the decision myself Tarou-san." She said in a low tone.

Tarou grunted and neared the darkened cell, disgust flashing in his gray eyes. Shizuru shivered and tensed as the flashlight illuminated her cell. Black pupils dilated at the sudden brilliance and the brunette lifted her hand to block the harsh light. She waited a second until she grew accustomed to the change. Her hand dropped and she was finally able to see that the Noble had stepped closer, completely out of the shadows now.

A smile graced the woman's face and behind black glasses crimson met emerald.


Msytic: Gah! -flops- This chapter took me forever! I'm glad that's done and over with! Shizuru is now one step closer to freedom! Well…figuratively speaking. I hope you guys are happy with this chapter. I don't think I am, but oh well.

Trinity: I didn't even know the Japanese put their dates before their month first. 0.o I'm sure it would be natural to people who are Japanese but not to me. I don't even refer to those numbers much anyway. XD I just call them, "the numbers on her arm" mostly. On a side not, don't worry about the instant friends thing, nothing is ever that easy especially for someone who's mute and for someone who's considered the Ice Queen.

Reviews are always welcomed. They leave such lovely ideas in my head.