When Kaio opened her eyes, she lay, front down in soft, warm sand. She groaned and rolled onto her back, blinking at the bright sunshine as it came through the tree branches that dangled overhead, swaying in the wind. Sighing, as if relieved not to be on the ship anymore, Kaio looked to the side for a better view of the beach.

Her scream startled the birds from their perches and sent them calling the alarm into the sky.

Lying next to her was Jin. His face was covered in drying blood, the source of which was a deep gash on his forehead. His pants were burned, along with a good half of his torso.

Sitting up fast, Kaio screamed again, her shaking hands covering her mouth as she pushed away from him with her legs. Throbbing pain made her look down at her feet and see long, fiery burns rippling up her calves. Her skirt was burned short and there were no more sandals attached to her feet. Lifting her hands to eye-level, the thick bands of metal remained fastened to her, only bits of the chain dangling from the shackles. Side numbed, Kaio finally looked to find a large would with dried blood caking her hip.

What does my face look like? Kaio rolled to the water splashing on shore, her burns and gashes practically screaming in pain. Looking in the rippling water, she saw a large bruise on her cheek and dry blood from her nose. And that wicked, hand-shaped burn.

After a moment, Kaio lifted her eyes to the sea to find no sign of Neo's ship…

Jin opened his eyes weakly and looked at Kaio sitting in the ocean, crying as she rubbed her injuries with the salty water – smart, seeing how it would clean the wounds for the time being. He moaned and coughed, blood pouring from his lips and into the sand.

Kaio looked around fast.

"Jin!"

He continued to cough horribly as Kaio hurried to his side, worry in her eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"My back…"

With a grunt and a shove, Kaio rolled him over, revealing a length of wood lodged firmly in his back, more than likely puncturing his lung.

"Oh dear…" Kaio stared at his sadly. Jin had no hope of surviving on this island in this condition.

"Take it out." Jin murmured, beginning to shake in agony. Though he did well in not showing the pain.

He knows…

"I can't!" Kaio choked out.

Why am I crying? Damnit, woman! You're too soft – you don't even know him!

"Then finish it." Jin sputtered more blood and looked at her hopefully. His happy blue eyes watched and held Kaio captive. She didn't even know him and it pained her to know those eyes would dull and never be happy and sparkling again. "Please."

Kaio shook her head rapidly, tears pouring down her face.

"I don't want to hurt anymore, Kaio, please?" he begged. How could he beg for death so easily? It was unnatural… "Please, Kaio, I'm sorry for being heartless. I don't want to die slow – not like this!"

Sobbing now, Kaio grabbed the knife from Jin's hip and held the blade in a shaking hand.

"I'm sorry for being so mean and setting the ship on fire, I didn't mean to," Kaio's voice cracked horribly and she took his hand in her's. Jin squeezed her hand to show he understood.

"If you ever meet a girl named Katara from the water tribe, tell her I'm sorry for picking on her and tell her brother he'll be a great warrior. And my father, Bato, I'm sorry I failed…" but by this time, it was clear Jin was beginning to hallucinate. He thought Kaio was some brave world traveler who'd actually meet these people.

Kaio nodded anyways. She couldn't refuse his request.

"I'm sorry, Jin…" she droved the blade in his heart fast and watched those happy eyes fade to a dull nothingness. Felt his muscles relax and his hand fall from her grip. Heard his breath leave him and her own sobs.