Ok chapter 5, this is the moment it starts to get darker.

Thanks to everyone who's read and reviewed, so far. Xxx

Chapter 5

Baloo stared at the reflection for only a few seconds, but it was enough to draw a small moan from the child, that broke him from his stupor. Baloo couldn't think about it now, wishing he had never seen the image. He turned round and gently lowered Kit into the bath, drawing a hiss from Kit's lips as the cold body hit the steaming water.

"Sorry Kid". Baloo said, feeling guilty that this act of tenderness was causing Kit pain. "It will only hurt for a second, trust me". Kit seemed to understand, and Baloo saw his body relax as he immersed the small boy completely in the water.

Baloo held him from the chest. With his free hand, he grabbed a bar of soap and began to wash the boy. Kit had awakened to almost full conciseness the moment his body had hit the water. And peered up at Baloo, who was soaping his body gently and grew concerned. He knew Baloo had seen his back, but he hadn't said anything. Out of the corner of his eye Kit tried to grasp Baloo's expression. But could only see the focused look in Baloo's face.

The older bear glanced over and caught Kit's eye. "I'm just going to check your body for bruises. I promise I won't hurt you". Baloo said gently. Under Kit's skin, he could feel several bumps which he knew would cause the boy pain tomorrow. Baloo washed the gash on his head, and saw it didn't look too deep.

As Baloo washed the mud away, Kit began to release the last bout of tension. Kit had no idea who his family were, and had no memory of ever being bathed by a parent. Kit closed his eyes, breathed in the heat and soap, and began to enjoy the experience. Momentary breaking out of his dream, when Baloo poured some water over his head, which trickled down the scars, causing him to jerk. "Easy Kit, I won't hurt you". Baloo assured him, his hands gently skimming the back of his fur as Kit squeezed his eyes shut.

Baloo had been trying to avoid this, from the moment he saw them. Lash marks, which were so deep they had clearly taken out chunks of his skin. Some were narrower, like a cane had been savagely beaten into his skin, over and over in a heightened motion. But some more thinker and more aggressive. Some were healed, but there were a few that looked fresher, pinker. Kit had been Baloo's life for only a few weeks. How recent were all these? He wondered almost out loud.

Baloo could feel Kit, who so relaxed as he bathed him, getting tensed up as he touched his back and finally concluded he was clean enough. Pulling the plug on the bath which immediately drained the muddy water, he picked Kit up; along with the largest towel he owned and wrapped the boy in it, like a blanket, leaving only the boy's head exposed. Kit still had his eyes closed as Baloo stepped back into the living room. The light from the fire was blazing gloriously across the room, giving everything a soft touch as Baloo settled himself into the biggest chair, which sagged under his weight.

He turned his attention to the boy, rubbing his fur gently through the towel, aided by the fire soon the cold within Kit's small body had been totally banished and he felt warm and comfortable. Baloo did this in silence as Kit settled against him. Finally, Baloo broke the tension, by realizing what time it was. "Are you hungry Kit?" Baloo saw the small boy shake his head and didn't question it further. Truth be told, both men were starving. But it didn't seem right to Baloo to eat at a time like this, and Kit's body still felt raw from the mud. Even though his stomach growled, it wasn't an unfamiliar feeling and he wasn't sure he could keep anything down.

For a while, the only sound in the room was the clock ticking. A myriad of thoughts were going through Kit's mind. Baloo had saved him, Kit thought he was going to die in that mud and Baloo has rescued him. He had seen the scars. Both thoughts were overwhelming Kit, until he could take it no longer. Baloo could feel the emotion within the boy, and had to ask him the one question he desperately needed an answer too.

"Who did this to you Kit?"

Baloo could feel, Kit turn to ice as soon as he said the question, and he hated himself asking. But he had to know, almost subconsciously he felt Kit's arms begin to shift as if he was going to run away, and held on to him tighter. "Kit" Baloo whispered more urgently. "Look at me". Kit slowly raised his head and faced Baloo. Baloo could see the torment in the boy's eyes. This was it, Kit thought. This was the moment. His heart began to thump wildly in his chest, as he tore his gaze away, and stared into the flickering light from the fireplace.

After about a minute, Kit finally opened his mouth and said in a whisper. "Karnage found me, when I was living down an alleyway". Baloo eyes's widened, but he remained silent. "There I was eating scraps from the trash and he appeared in the entrance, like something out of a movie reel. All in the shadow wearing that outfit. I was so cold and desperate, I hadn't slept in days. He told me, if I came with him, I would have adventure, riches and three meals a day on his ship in the sky…That sold me Baloo, when I was in the orphanage, I used to watch the planes all day and dreamt of being on one of them. So I went with him…"

Kit still staring at the fire began to relive everything in his mind.

One year earlier

"Where is the boy? Bring him to me"

Kit stared at the maps in despair. In theory it was perfect Cape Mille, was such a standard Cape, it hardly registered on the map. Yet the moment Karnage had heard whispers that Shere Khan was using it to transport gold, he had to get a piece of it. Kit had spent days working out the correct coordinates, the perfect strategy, even the direction the sun would rise, to provide them with perfect cover. After a month of living on the Iron Vulture, Kit knew this was the moment he could prove to himself, and the crew, that he had what it took to be a Pirate.

At night, on the small bunk in the cabin he shared with a dozen other men, he dreamed of the riches that would befall him. He had noticed that some of the men gave him a wide berth, but concluded it was because he was only 11. The rest saw him as their little pet and made sure no one gave him any trouble. Karnage had taken a special interest in Kit, always asking about the boy, making sure he was getting enough to eat. Attention in Kit's direction was so rare, the first time he asked about him. Kit had felt his heart soar with joy.

Most of the men were sceptical when Karnage had brought the young boy on board and announced that he was their new crewmember, but Kit had finally begun to embrace the life of a Sky Pirate. He loved the way it was said. "Sky Pirate". Rolling off the tongue, feeling the authority and fear. Though he was always held back, piled with navigation charts. He loved hearing about their adventures; as the men basked in their glory. He wondered when he would take part a raid. But was too afraid to ask.

After Karnage discovered Kit had had a natural talent for map reading, he had been placed on navigational duty. In the last fortnight, he had plotted two easy raids, and now had Mille to look forward too. Kit had planned it to the letter, but one thing he couldn't have factored in, was the maps he was using were two years out of date. Cape Mille had acquired a Port Cannon, no doubt due to Shere Khan.

Their carefully laid plans were dashed in seconds, as the shots narrowly missed the Iron Vulture, causing object and men to cascade across the floors. Karnage, who had been dreaming of gold, was angry and frustrated and Kit had heard his curse words echoing across the decks.

After a flurry of footsteps, Karnage's two second in commands stood at the door. Dumptruck, had a wry smile on his face, but the scrawny one Mad Dog, looked concerned. "The boss wants you Kit" He said almost wearily, "And he will not wait". Kit with a heavy heart walked out the room and through the decks, which was strangely devoid off crew, the sound of his footsteps echoing on the metal.

He wouldn't be fired would he? He had only been here a few weeks. He turned round and asked the guys the same question, which only caused them to glance at each other, and not reply.

The walk to the mess hall was only a few metres, but to Kit it felt like miles as he approached the door and was hurried inside. Around the hall, were the Pirates, some with bruises on their bodies and their arms in slings, courtesy of Mille's defiance. In the centre of the room stood Don Karnage, still impeccable in his blue jacket, a marked difference to the rest of the tired and weary pirates. Kit could feel all eyes upon him, as he crossed the room.

Karnage was pacing back and forth, his eyes staring dead ahead. Kit was told to stand in the centre, and obeyed without question. Finally, Karnage stopped and fixed his eyes on Kit. He could feel the tension rise as the crew began to inch back, some ribbing each other. As Karnage took a step towards Kit. He began to feel worried. He had never seen Karnage like this. "So young Cloudkicker, even after I took you in and gave youse a home with the greatest Sky Pirates in the World". The last word brought a cheer from the men. "You think you can make us look like fools, yes?" Kit began to stammer an explanation, "But the maps were out of date. How was I meant to know Mille had a Port Gun?"

"It is your job to know Kit. Maybe I was too judgemental in giving you such a glorious role, in our most glorious task to own the skies".

Kit's voice was suddenly timid, which he hated himself for, he was always nervous around authority and this was no exception

"Please Don, I will make sure it will never happen again, I won't ever let you down again".

Karnage leered closed to Kit revealing his perfect shape teeth.

"And now you will know how, you will never forget the day you defied the great Don Karnage, you have made Don Karnage very unhappy. Yes? No?" Karnage yelled theatrically clearly enjoying the sound of his own voice and the murmur of the crew began to rise in unison.

A full minute later, when his tirade was over, Karnage adjusted his body, looked directly at Kit with a malice in his eyes Kit had never seen before and said, in the coldest tone Kit had ever heard. "Hold him down".

Before Kit could say a word he was surrounded by the crew, who immediately grabbed his arms and legs and tried to push him down to the floor. He looked up and met the gaze of Dumptruck, who was holding him by the scruff of the neck. "Don't struggle kid, you'll just make it worse". He whispered. The weight of the grown men was too much and he fell to the floor, one on each arm and each leg. Kit still struggled until he could feel exhaustion, but struggled valiantly.

His eyes never leaving the Don who approached Kit slowly, seemingly intent on dragging everything out further. "I'll make sure you never forget this day boy." He spat as from behind his back he brought out the cane. Realisation finally hit Kit, as he yelled and began to struggle all over again. Karange couldn't, he couldn't "Help me" He screamed over his shoulder, to see all the men watching him intently. He could hear whispers of a betting team beginning, all seeing how long he would…

Kit looked up as with a face full of malice Don Karnage brought the cane down on him. Kit heard a crack across his back, then a second later felt the pain. It was like fire coursing through him. Once again he tried to wrestle his way free, but with the grip on his arms, it was a futile effort. As Karnage came in for a second strike. Kit's eyes widened and he could feel the blood roaring in his ears, then the third strike hit, then the forth.

He could hear the men counting the blows. "5, 6, 7". As tears filled his eyes, Kit began to scream. The sound of the young boys' cries seemed to fill Karnage with a second wind. As the blows continued "14, 15". Kit felt the wetness from his back and tasted metal in his mouth, and realised he was bleeding. It had to end soon, it just had too. Kit's body was on fire as the blows continued and the fire was replaced by coldness. "I'm in hell". Kit whispered to no one. As by the 20th stroke, Kit's pain gave way to darkness and he passed out on the deck. Still feeling Karnage, beating his back into oblivion.

Poor Kit, what will happen to him next…be warned next chapter, gets worse. Xxx

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