Three updates in one day! Who would have thought! I'm on like a streak here! I know what I want to happen and I keep throwing out them chappies! This has been a very productful day.

It was a really unexpected turn of events, but I really wanted the X-Laws involved somehow and have Rin get into an even sticker situation than what she was already in.Pretty in Black

Chapter 25

As Rin sat in the stark whiteness of the Ark X, she felt perversely at ease, even though the hairs on the back of her neck were standing on end. The man named Marco had promised her that they would protect her from Hao if she joined them, but she did not truly trust his word. Not after what she had seen on the beach. Even in the faint light of the moon, she had seen the ugly bruise that was forming on Lyserg's pretty face and the marks under his shirt when she had reached out to him. She didn't know who exactly put those marks upon Lyserg, but she had her suspicions that Marco was somehow guilty. Who would do something like that but a man like Marco?

Alone and abused.

She felt sorry for Lyserg, but now that he knew that she had joined Hao's ranks, he wouldn't be forgiving or even speaking to her anytime soon. An hour or more on the Ark X and she had seen nobody but the woman called Meene, who had tended to her arm, gave her a white robe to change into, and took away her tattered, salt-encrusted clothes. She wanted to talk to Lyserg, to see how he was doing and ask him if he had seen or even talked to Yoh and the others and be informed on their movements, but as already said, she hadn't seen anyone since Meene left.

Sliding off of the bed, Rin went over to the door, and found it locked. Perfect. The only other exit was a small porthole, but upon further inspection, Rin found that even if she managed to open it and slip through it, there was nothing below her except ocean. If she had her beads, she could have easily oversouled and broken the door down with a blast of mana, but those too, had been taken from her.

The rocking of the ship was beginning to affect her. She was starting to get a headache and felt nauseous. Right when she felt as if the white of the room was going to suffocate her, a resounding thunkcreek indicated that the door was being unlocked and opened.

Marco stood at the door, his white uniform brilliantly contrasting with the black background. Rin felt intimidated by his presence. Maybe it was because he was so tall, towering over her by a few feet, the large gun he carried at his hip, the way his glasses concealed his eyes when the light stuck them, or because she was dressed in nothing more than a thin robe. She wished she had her old, heavy, dark robes back, no matter how tattered they were. Dressed in white, she felt exposed to the world. She wanted nothing more than to shrink back and disappear into the shadows and leave this ship. Maybe if she were fast enough…

"There's no use in trying to find a way to escape. If you try, you'll be shot." Did this man see everything? "Have you thought about our offer?"

In truth, Rin hadn't. She moved to speak, but the mere sight of the man would not allow any words to come forth. This man scared her more than Hao. Perhaps it is better with him. At least there, I'm not restricted in my movements.

"Well?" Marco was beginning to become impatient.

"Can I go on deck? I don't feel well."

"Speak up!"

"May I go on deck?" Rin asked a little louder.

"Are you willing to join us in the fight against Hao?"

This man was not going to budge. Rin had to get out of this room! The pressure was building inside her brain and she felt as if she were losing her mind!

"Yes! Let me up on deck! I need fresh air! I'm suffocating!" Anything! She would agree to anything if she could just get out of this metal ship!

Up on deck, the night air was cold and soothing. Rin clutched the neck of her robe tighter as she looked up at the stars. Hoshi… Once again, as it has been happening more and more, fear clutched at her heart as she remembered Hao's words.

The idiot didn't know that the pact was the only thing keeping him alive! If it had been broken, his miserable life would have been over! Your family agreed to my terms if I would make them great!

Rin swore. What will happen to them now? She had just sentenced the very family she swore uphold to death! Maybe, just maybe…

Rin walked to the edge of the ship and acted as if she were merely going to lean over the edge to gain a better view of the stars. "Marco…" she started. "Thank you for tending to my wound. You've been a big help." She grabbed the railing and pulled herself over into the sea.

Marco gave a shout and fired into the water after her. The bullet barely missed her as she swam the distance to the shore. Hurtling out of the water, she ran back the way she had come. Back to Hao.

I got myself into a mess when I started writing this. (scratches head awkwardly) I got her into the ship, but I had noooo clue as to how she was going to get out or what was going to be said. I hoped this worked out ok. Rin's getting into this "I want to die. No, scratch that, I want to live. Where am I and what am I doing here? The stress is killing me!" phase. This will be fun to write. No seriously.

Reviews are shiny!