Sorry that I haven't updated in a while. These stupid teachers are pissing me off! I had to write a seven page research paper for two of the evil adults. Ok, all teachers aren't bad. Just some of them are really bitchy. Anyways, I should have a lot more time to write stories. Aren't you excited? Alright, here's the next chapter.

These Hands

Kanami sat in her cabin thinking to herself. Even though she was extremely tired from working, she couldn't force her eyes to fall. It was so cold in the building she was forced to stay in. Even though it was probably only made for twenty people to live in, it was packed with almost fifty, which made it almost impossible to lie down and fall asleep comfortably. She just sat there and stared into space.

It has been almost a week since the uprising, and I still haven't had any dreams about that person that always struggles through life for others, she thought. How could this have all happened? How did I let myself get captured like this? This would have never happened if Kazu-kun was here. Tears started to form in her eyes. Kazu-kun, where are you? Why haven't you found me yet? Kazu-kun.

She found herself whispering his name to herself, but she didn't care if anyone heard her. She wanted her Kazu-kun back so she could wrap her arms around him. She wanted to feel his warm embrace. She didn't care how old she was or how old he was, she knew that she loved him. She just wanted him to be there for her. Suddenly, she slipped out of consciousness as she repeated his name in her sleep.

The next day was just like any other day. The prisoners were brought out of their cabins at six in the morning and put to work. Kanami could feel the guards' eyes on her. She knew that they wanted her to quit, just so they could beat her. She wouldn't quit. She made a promise to herself after her ribbon was burnt. She promised that she would never give up or stop believing that Kazuma would save her. She would work for him.

A girl carrying a bag was walking behind Kanami as they exited the cave around noon. Kanami was surprised that this girl, who was about her own age, was able to stand the heat of the day. It was almost ninety degrees and very humid. Kanami saw the sweat running down the girl's forehead as she struggled to lug the heavy bag of rocks. Kanami gave her a kind smile.

"Just hold on," she said to the girl. "We can get through this." The girl nodded and continued walking, but she soon tripped over a rock and fell to the ground. Kanami quickly ran to the girl to see if she was alright. Just as Kanami feared, the girl had broken her ankle. Even if that wouldn't have been the case, the little girl would have been too tired to carry on. The guards, however, didn't think so.

"Quit slacking off!" one guard yelled. "Get up and get back to work!"

"Please, sir," Kanami begged. "Her ankle is broken. She needs a doctor and some rest."

"Why you little wretch!" the guard yelled. He raised his stick above Kanami, ready to strike. Kanami closed her eyes and shielded the girl. She heard the stick hit something, but it wasn't her. She looked up and saw a man lying on the ground. His arm was bent the wrong way. Kanami almost screamed, but the man smiled through his pain.

"Please, just do what they say. I'll be alright." Kanami glared at the guard as he laughed at the two cripples.

"It looks like these two won't be able to work, so you're going to do their work for them. You got that?" Kanami picked up the girl's bag and stood up, glaring intently at the guard. She nodded and walked away as the man laughed again. She tried to hide her tears by staring at the ground. She wouldn't let them see her cry. She wouldn't show any weaknesses.

Just above the camp, someone in ragged clothes watch as the prisoners worked. He gritted his teeth as his eyes gazed on the horrible site. He walked away, thinking of a way to help these people. He only hoped that he could help them in time.

Kanami sat up in the cabin again. Everyone around her was asleep from the hard day's work, but she couldn't sleep at all. This was the third night in a row that she hadn't slept. The reason why was because of her hands. She looked at them as the bled lightly. Her hands were covered in cuts, calices, and blisters. She tried to blow on them to sooth the pain, but it wasn't working. She decided to dunk them in the water bowl next to her. It burned as the water drained the excess blood and dirt from her hands. She quickly wiped them dry on her jacket and continued to blow on them. Her attention was turned to a lady that used to work with her on the farm approached her with some bread.

"Here, you must be hungry," the lady said.

"No," Kanami said in pain. Her hands still stung. "I couldn't possibly take that. You should eat it." The lady shook her head and placed it in the girl's rough hands.

"You need it more than any of us. Just like on the farm, you always work the hardest." Kanami smiled and nodded in thanks. The woman took Kanami's hand and started to rub them. "Look at you. Your beautiful and soft hands have become so rough and dirty. They are so hard and cut. I am so sorry."

Kanami started to think about Kazuma again. Her hands were one of his favorite parts of her. They could make him feel so comfortable when he was in pain. She always used to take care of him with those soft and comforting hands when he was sick or hurt.

The memory that was most vivid was when she was cooking him dinner and she had cut herself. Kazuma came in and kissed them like a mother would to a child. He grabbed a Band-Aid and wrapped it around her finger. Kanami had felt so bad for getting blood on his hand, but he just smiled.

"Don't worry about it, Kanami," he said cheerfully. "These hands are too stained and rough to worry about a little blood. You, on the other hand, have the most beautiful and soft hands in the world. You should never have to soil or blister them. Please, keep them clean for me."

Kanami couldn't hold it in anymore. She had to let her pain out. It had been bottled up too long and she had to breakdown. She fell into the woman's arms and started crying. The lady smiled and tried to comfort her.

"It's alright, Kanami. Everything is going to turn out."

"But what if it doesn't?" Kanami sobbed. "I'm so scared. I'm so scared that Kazu-kun won't come back. What if he's gone? What if he left me?" Kanami continued to cry through the night. She finally fell asleep after all the exhaustion from working and crying. As she slept, she dreamt that a man was walking through the desert, struggling with every step. He finally fell to the ground. Please, somebody help him, Kanami screamed in her mind. Somebody help him!

That is it for now. It might be a while before the next chapter come out. I have to update my other stories.

Kenshinluva75: Yeah, Kanami is a little young for Ryuho and Kazuma, but I thought she was around 10, 11, or even 12 years old. I'll have to check.

Also, thank you to Sinner Aion, Lady Requiem, Yuffieg123, Lilangelarishi, Chocolatelover1, and Homeless-Angel11605 for reviewing. I'm sorry if I missed anyone. Keep your eyes open. Cya.