Three years later…

Rin's POV

It's the darkest part of the night, the perfect time to stow away. A sound at my left makes me drop down fast. I may have been doing this for a few years, and I may be good at it, but I'm not stupid. As soon as I'm sure it's safe, I dart onto a ship and curl up for a nap.

Some hours later, I'm jerked awake by someone grabbing my shirt and lifting me into the air.

Silver's POV

We've been out at space for a few hours now, and the crew is in pretty fair spirits, with the exception of that darn insect, Scroop. If he weren't such a good spacer, I'd get rid of- What the devil is that noise? I quickly turn the helm over to Turnbuckle and make for the deck. Some figure is giving Scroop a hard time as he tries to grab them. It's not one of the crew, and that face-

"What the devil?"

Rin's POV

That stupid insect thing that had picked me up got mad when I kicked him in the gut. Men are so cranky. He'd dropped me and I'm running around, dodging and ducking to keep my freedom. Come voice to my left distracts me long enough for someone grab me from behind.

"'EY! Leggo, ya great-"

"Easy, lass," that voice from before is laughing at me.

"Don't you 'lass' me," I snarl.

A firm hand grabs my chin and forces me to look up. An ursid, huh? Wow, this guy musta lost some fight. He's missing his left eye, ear, arm, and leg, and they're all replaced with machinery. I'm not really surprised; I've seen my fair share of cyborgs out there. He, however, pales at the sight of me, and takes a quick step back.

Silver's POV

It can't be-that just can't be-but she looks so much like-!

By now, the crew is gathered around us.

"Capteen?" Mr. Onus asks.

"Huh? Oh." I turn to that spunky little girl and study her for a moment. Deep, almost burgundy hair flows around her face, down her back, and stops at her waist. Bright, fiery golden eyes glare at me as I study her. Her face- it must be her, but I haven't seen her in so long. She still looks fairly young; I'd say ten or so, at the most.

"Let me go!" she tugs, trying to escape Meltdown, who has her arms firmly pinned to her back.

"Slow down, now, lass." I chuckle, and the look on her face is deadly. "Now, who are ye?"

"What's it to ya, fatty?"

Meltdown picks the lass up and starts to shake her by her shirt. Before I can tell him to stop, she drops right out of the shirt and darts around in an undershirt. Gutsy little thing, I'll give her that.

"Lass," I say sternly. "Ye'd better tell us yore name."

"Fine," she huffs, crossing her bare arms. "It's Rin."

My heart stops.

"Rin what?" My left hand digs into my pocket, where I've kept that letter for the last three years.

"You're awful nosy, old timer."

"Now," I almost shout in her face, anger taking control for a moment. "You listen 'ere, Rin Starflash!"

Rin's POV

My arms drop and I stare up at him. How-?

"How?" I ask, just staring up, almost helplessly.

"Ye look like your mum."

"Whoa, back up, time out, pause!" I shake my head and try to think. "How in the widest of all wide worlds would you know my mother, or me, for that matter?"

A letter is held out to me, and I cautiously reach for it, watching his face the whole time. Once I have it, I quickly scan it, darting glances around as I do so. This is definitely my mother's writing, I'd recognize it anywhere. She's telling him she's dying, and she knows Roy will leave me. Her dying wish is that I stay with him, that he look after me, at least until I'm of age.

"Alright," I say slowly, handing it back. "So- YOU'RE my-"

"Aye, lass."

I look at the crew around me, and regret it.

"Do THEY have any idea?"

Silver's POV

I sigh and glance around. The crew is all looking, wondering just what's going on.

"Ye remember that stop we made at Kinapus a few years back, lads?" I ask, trying to find a way to make this work.

"The death wish?" Turnbuckle asks, having come down from the helm.

"Aye," I answer, suddenly ill at ease. "This is her."

Even the wind stopped, leaving a total silence.

"You mean, zis-zis velp iz your-"

"Whelp yourself, you little creep!" Rin scowls and picks up her shirt, which had been dropped to the deck. "Look, just drop me off at the next port, and we'll forget any of this ever happened."

I sigh, knowing full well I can't do that. I'd given my word, and the crew knows it.

"I can't."

Rin's little body freezes, and she stares up at me.

"Why?"

"A Cap'n never breaks a Cap'n's oath, and I gave that to your mother." I'm beginning to wish I'd never done that.

"Great!" She's scowling at me. "Just perfect." Throwing her shirt on, she puts her hands on her hips saucily. "Well, what, then?"

What is right. How do I keep this cheeky little brat busy?

"Look, I may not look like much, but I'll work harder than anyone you'll ever find."

Rin is standing tall, looking me right in the eye, unafraid, and proud.

"I'll do any job you give me, and I'll do it till it's done."

"Is that so?" I glance around, then look at her evenly. "Well, then, I'm sure the job of kitchen maid will keep ye plenty busy."

Rin's POV

I bite back a groan, because I absolutely DESPISE kitchen work. However, if it means staying alive and away from that insect creep, I have no choice.

"Fine." I'm the first to put out my hand, unafraid. He could easily kill me, I know that, but he would have done that by now if that were his intention. He actually looks a bit surprised that I'm not afraid, but then smirks, which tells me I'll be busy all day, every day. It doesn't matter, if I just do my duty, like Mom taught me, I'll be fine.

"Let's get down below and I'll get ye started," Silver tells me, waving me to follow him down.

"Aye." I sigh and follow into the darkness of the galley. Something tells me this is going to be a long, LONG day.

Alright, chappy 2 is up! Woohoo! Now, I'm not gonna even start the next one if I don't see any reviews, got it? That and my teddy will eat you all! ~Ria Wei~