I'm BA-ACK!! I can just see your thought bubbles now, 'Damn, couldn't she stay away longer?!' Haha… Man, I'm so NOT funny. I feel sorry for myself!! (Gasps) Yay me!

Oh, and for the record…

Disclaimer: Do I even have to bother? I guess so, or you won't be seeing this here!

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Surprise

Did I mention that I hate surprises? Guess not. I didn't really like this one either. I was coming back from a shower after the training, wondering why Third hadn't shown up on the practice grounds. I opened the door to Tiz's place, and found Third and Tiz staring down at a young boy, about my age, with silver hair and blue eyes. He was very thin… but then again, so was I.

Tiz turned around and grinned at me. "Zia!" She beckoned me closer and pointed to the boy. "This is my mate. Well, he doesn't know yet, but when he does, I think he'll be pretty happy."

I nodded in agreement. Tiz was pretty, with her short black hair, brown eyes, and wide smile that seemed to run around her face eight times. No one ever told me I was pretty, except for one really cocky guy who got punched in the gut as soon as those words were out. After that, no one told me that. They probably don't think so, or are scared to. I didn't mind.

Just as Tiz's story on how she had saved him, and just as my hair was almost done drying, the boy gave a groan. "Rai?" he mumbled, shading his eyes slightly, and looking at all of us. "Who are you people?" he asked.

"Oh, that's nice, isn't it?" I asked sarcastically, not being able to resist. "What a welcome to the people who saved you." When I wanted to talk, words like these came out, some times.

The boy just stared back blankly at me.

"What's your name?" Third interrupted me as I was opening my mouth to say something sarcastic again. He shot me a look that told me to be quiet. I snapped my mouth shut and looked away.

"Thor." The boy sat up gingerly. "Who are you?"

"I'm your fiancée, Tiz!" Tiz told Thor. His jaw dropped open. "What?" he squeaked out.

"Never mind." Third stopped Tiz from saying anymore. "I'm Third, and the girl who is not Tiz is Zia." I glared at Third. If he said anymore about me, I'm going to kick him.

"She's ten, and she's an orphan, like you." I spun on my heel and stormed off before I really did kick him. Orphan! It was an insult to me. Third didn't know how much it hurt to hear that. He just didn't. No one could understand.

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Bedtime, the place outside Ochre Ring

I watched the lights in the Ochre Ring slowly go off one by one, but I didn't want to go in just yet. I felt unsafe. Then I rolled my eyes. Who was I trying to kid? I was never safe, since the day I was born.

I had paced on the bridge for a long time now, trying to sort out my thoughts. Who was I? Who are my parents? Was I really born here, in the prison-planet? I paced some more.

It was Third who finally came out to get me. "Zia." His voice was neutral as usual. "It's time for you to go back in."

"So you can spill more about me? I don't think so." I turned away from him. I was exhausted, but I couldn't go back in. Not yet.

"Zia, you've been out here for more than four hours," Third said shortly.

"So?"

"You need your rest, or I won't let you train tomorrow."

I halted. He had a point. Every good soldier needed to rest each night. I sighed. "All right." Reluctantly, I trailed behind Third as we walked back to Tiz's room. Thor was still fast asleep on the extra bed. I gave him a look of distaste before walking into my room, almost missing the amused look Third shot me before leaving. I was too tired to undress, so I just pulled off my shoes and fell onto my bed, asleep even before my head hit my pillow.

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I woke up early. I could hear soft murmuring outside as I quickly changed and pulled on my shoes. When I went out, Tiz was fussing over Thor. I raised one eyebrow at her before tying my hair into a hasty ponytail. She grinned at me. "Your food is on the table," she said, motioning to another room. I nodded, went inside, ate quickly, then departed outside again.

Apparently, there was no training that day. Top was Trying with another no-hoper. He was all bulk, no brains.

I didn't want to go, but I had to. Third told me to, and to hear is to obey, although the main reason why I went was because he had my necklace. I had no choice.

The necklace was meant to control me, for what reason I don't know. I haven't found out yet. I guess I will, one day.

……………………..

I stood on the second floor, watching with slight disgust as Top bowed and flexed his muscles. The Tryer was a dark man, bald, big, but stupid. I heard it all from Third, who had told me about everyone.

Then the fight began. "Who do you'd think will win?" I heard someone say, somewhere beside me.

"Top, definitely. The Tryer has strength, but no brains." My thoughts exactly!

The Tryer lunged at Top, who dodged, and whacked the Tryer on the back of his head with his fist. The Tryer growled, stood up, and lunged again.

This went on for some time, and, at last, Top dealt the finishing blow, slamming the Tryer's head onto the ground. Dirt and concrete flew everywhere. Everyone except me cheered. I was unimpressed. But then again, it was probably just me.

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Top's 'throne' room

I leaned against the wall, eyes half closed. I was bored to death. The other soldiers were complimenting Top, saying stuff like, "You'll be Jyu-Oh, soon."

He accepted a cup of wine from one soldier. Then, he looked at me. "You, there. The girl with red hair. Come here." He beckoned me with one finger. Everyone held their breaths. What was he going to do to me? Although I was scared to death, I tried to keep my expression bored and blank as I walked over.

I stopped two feet from him. "Yes, Top?" I asked, mockingly. He narrowed his eyes.

"You're Third's daughter, right?"

"Foster daughter," I replied shortly. I hated the way he looked me up and down, the way he held his head up high as though I were a lower life form. I gritted my teeth, and tried to resist punching him right on his up-turned little nose. Not so little, actually.

He smiled, sort of, and beckoned me closer again. I took one step closer, and he reached out to me. In panic, I stepped back. Someone caught me on the shoulders and pushed me forward again. I turned, and saw that the someone was one of my guy 'friends'. I looked at him, shocked, but then Top grabbed my chin and made me face him. I hated him. I hated all of them now. I tightened my fist, getting ready to swing a punch at him, but just then, to his luck, Tiz and Thor came in. He let go of me, and I retreated back to the wall.

Thor and Top spoke sort-of softly, then suddenly, Top reached out with his right hand and whacked Thor on the face. Thor fell back. I watched all this, amused. But Tiz wasn't. She bent over Thor as he sat up slowly. I rolled my eyes at her over protectiveness and slipped away.

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The Balcony

I sat on the thick rails, leaning against the wall, watching the outside. Soon, the huge plants would start growing. It was always beautiful when they were done. There would be lots of water as well, which would be the opposite of this drought. Then a movement caught my eye. It was Third.

"So, what are you thinking of?" he asked. I shrugged.

Together, we watched as Thor and Tiz came into view. Thor seemed to be leaving, and Tiz seemed to be telling him that he couldn't. It was amusing until Thor yelled something and hopped into the swamp. An odd sense of foreboding rose up in me. "He can't go in there!" I gasped.

Third raised an eyebrow at me. "Why not? The plants aren't going to grow for another four to five days."

"I don't know! I have this feeling…" I trailed off, feeling myself go weak and dizzy. Then, I blacked out.

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So what do you think happened? You'll have to find out in the NEXT chapter… I feel mean!! Mwahahaha!! Okay, try to review everyone! Thanks to those who did review, or are going to… Okay, until the next chapter, people!