:::Chapter 8:::

Her dull eyes stared at the dark ceiling, not taking anything in. Renshi had just left the room, leaving her body bloodied. During the recent round of torture, Chihiro didn't scream when the black whip, which was charged with electricity from Renshi's magic, came in contact with her skin, leaving behind a bloody cut. Her eyes didn't even show the slightest feeling of pain.

Chihiro was numb. Having screamed in pain during the first few rounds of torture, she had slowly shut down her mind to the pain. Instead, all that went through her head was of moments spent with Haku. Every time when Renshi had asked her if she was willing to be with him, she had barely registered the question before she subconsciously said "No".

Renshi would then torture her. Beat her, whipped her, punched her. Everything would be in vain as she still refused to be his. Lately, he had grown frustrated, angry. He had started to use his magic on his torture tools, thus inflicting more pain.

No matter what Renshi did to Chihiro lately, she would always just stare at the ceiling, slowly waiting until the one-hour of torture passed by. Renshi would then leave the room, heading towards the living room to do God-knows-what.

Chihiro wished that she could find some way to escape. In fact, whenever Renshi whipped her, she ran through methods of escaping in her head. But once the torture session was over and she was brought back into reality, she realised, with frustration, anger and sadness, that she could never, ever get pass the door of her room.

She was always tied to her bed with ropes that were tied with magic.

Chihiro was hungry. Renshi had not been feeding her for the past few days, probably hoping that by doing so, she would agree to be his.

'Ha! As if I will actually bow to him in submission. Never! I will only agree to be Haku's. No one else…' Chihiro thought, as images of food flowed through her mind soon after. So deep in thought was she, that when the door opened, she didn't even notice it.

Renshi walked in, an arrogant smile on his face. He hoped that Chihiro would agree to be his that day. He opened his mouth, ready to ask his repeating question when Chihiro interrupted him.

" No means no, Renshi. Do you not understand the meaning of no?" Chihiro spoke up, her once numb, dull eyes looking at him with a newfound strength.

Renshi was surprised. He had thought that the few days of not eating would weaken her. Slowly, a grin filled his face. He would be more than happy to break her once again…

" Well, if that's your answer, I hope you are prepared for the next one hour…"

He slowly walked forward, as his black whip suddenly had flames along it. His black hair shifted around his eyes as he looked up, raising his whip. His eyes shone with malicious that made her frightened.

The sound of the whip echoed throughout the room…

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Argh, this chapter is also kind of short! Man, I'm tired now…almost fell asleep just now. =) This chapter is probably boring… Anyway, school today was ssoooo boring. This probably accounts to my tiredness. Well, r&r please!

inuyasha001 – Well, here's a new chapter! Or rather, two new chapters! Heh heh… Hope you don't find these boring!

Smiley-chan – Lol… Thanks for you review! Here's two chapters fresh out of the oven! =P

Anime-Mastah -- I'm actually following Chihiro's…erm...what do you call it? Chihiro's life now. I will write on Haku after he and Chihiro meet up again, 'cause that's where he's kind of important.

Himeko – Arigatou! Thanks for your review! I will try my best to update once or twice every week, okay? =)

SilverMoons BlackWings – Here's new chapters! Can't have you falling sick! Well, hope you enjoy my chappies! And many thanks for you review!

That's it, guys! Many thanks to those people who read yet never reviewed too! Must have taken up some of your time, ne? =) Bai bai! ( Byebye in Chinese)

*Astgal*