Augh! I've had writers block for a bit...sorry, I'm trying! And, Thanks so very much for all the people watching and waiting...It's almost done. I think I only have about 2 or 3 chapters to finish. Sigh, I wrote this chapter three times and I'm not sure if I like the way if turned out...but I'll make up for it.

--

Aloine was awaken by someone shaking her arm. She pulled her head from under the pillow to see Emma. Her hair was wet and she was ringing it out onto the floor.

“Are you hungry? Or do you want to clean up first?”

Aloine looked around the room. It was empty except for the two girls. Aloine looked up in confusion. Emma ran her fingers through her hair and smiled.

“You sleep pretty deep, don't you? Miku tried to wake you up twice. Are you okay?”

Aloine sat up and rubbed her eyes. Her head and stomach hurt. She was hungry. She hadn't eaten since she was...on the ship. Aloine pulled herself off the bed and faced Emma.

“Where is everyone?”

Emma glanced behind her.

“Enjoying the little time we have before we have to start the day again.”

A hint of sadness hid behind her words. She shrugged off her emotion, turned and gave Aloine a smile.

“Okay, let's get something to eat, okay?”

Aloine sleepily followed Emma out of the room, through the dressing room and in the main room. At this hour in the morning, the room was dim and empty. Within a couple hours, girls would be on the stages, dancing while the Yautja would pick or stare. It made Aloine's stomach turn. How could her people do such a thing to these creatures? They were no better than Spike. She shuddered again. Spike; the whole reason she was there. He took her away from Rokian and left her in this horrible place. Aloine wiped the budding tears that brimmed her eyes.

Emma shook a bread roll in front of her face, snapping her out of her thoughts. Aloine reluctantly took the bread from Emma's hand and bit into it. It was sweet with a tangy paste in the center. Emma smiled as she took a bite out of another roll. Just as Aloine finished the roll, Milena entered the room. She flipped her hair as she pushed by two girls to approach Aloine.

“Change of plans, ladies. Because of a certain Yautja's indiscretion,” Milena flashed a dim smile toward Aloine. “ It is going to be very slow here today. So, we open in a half an hour to make up the costs. Get ready.”

Collected depressed sighs filled the room. Aloine looked toward the only exit, shifting in her stance. Where was the doctor? She was running out of time. Milena snapped her fingers before exiting the room. The girls followed Milena into the dressing room, some sat in front of the mirrors to prep. Emma and Miku took Aloine by the arms and sat her down on a stool by one of the many mirrors. Miku clapped her hands, playfully.

“It's been so long since I've done someone's hair and make up!”

Aloine quietly sat as Miku took a soft brush and ran it across her face. Aloine noted the handle of the brush as it passed her vision. It was broken and splintering. The crazy girl the night before mentioned something about a make up handle being used as a weapon. If she was to escape, she'd need some type of weapon...

Miku sat the brush down behind her on the the table and turned to Aloine, leaning in studying her eyes.

“Hmm...I wonder what color I should highlight your eyes with. Since you have brown hair and...um...different eyes...hold on. Hey, Emma!”

Miku turned toward the back room. A small voice came from behind the curtain.

“Huh? What?”

“Emma, what color should I...”

“I can't hear you!”

Miku let out a sigh and playfully hopped to the back curtain and poked her head through the curtain. Aloine glanced about the room, before focusing on the brush. One right jab into a Yautja's neck and she could find her Rokian. She turned her head toward Miku who still had her head concealed behind the dark curtain. Aloine inhaled sharply as her hand snaked forward and snatched the little brush. She quickly placed it beneath her shirt, under her left arm. She readjusted herself just as Miku returned. She smiled at her.

“Emma says blush pink..so light pink, basically.”

Miku turned to grab the make up brush only to realize it disappeared. Miku shook her head in frustration.

“Dammit! It looks like my brush sprouted little legs!” She turned toward the other girls getting ready for the day. “Can't you guys ask before taking my brushes? Yeesh.”

Miku snatched another brush from the table and started on Aloine's eyes.

--

Rokian stood at the sound of approaching foot prints. He was slightly nervous for his trial. The Master Elder was extremely intolerable of any of her children bringing shame to her. Two larger guards stepped in front of the cell. One bowed slightly as he opened the cell. Rokian smirked.

“You sure you should be bowing to a prisoner?”

The guard shook his head as they led him out of the cell.

“You are still the Master Elders son...”

Rokian chuckled.

“Well...lets hope that give me some leeway in my favor.”

Rokian walked with his head up, showing no fear as they walked down the prison hallway. He was going to fight the charges. After all, they had no proof.

--

Miku stood back to view her finished work. Aloine looked like a little doll. Her hair was braided and curled in different parts of her hair. Miku put a fake blue flower in her hair to match the blue corset Emma gave her to wear.

“You look great!”

Aloine twisted the corset uncomfortably. She had a time hiding the make up brush while Emma was changing her. At one point, she hid it in her made up hair. The brush was now tucked beneath the corset, under her arm. It poked her ribs every time she turned her torso. Milena appeared in the door way and pointed at two girls and Aloine.

“You, you and...heh..you. Out there now.”

Milena smiled as she whipped her hair is a playful manner. Aloine stood and folded her arms across her chest. Milena pointed toward a small set of stairs by the door leading to the 'stage'. Vague sounds of Yautja tongue slurred by liquor floated into the room, making her skin crawl.

“Get out there and earn your keep. You've only been used once before. You need some...breaking in.”

Aloine's eyes narrowed.

“I will not be used as a meat puppet!”

She felt a pair of hands on both her shoulders. It was Emma and the other girl picked to go out. They quietly hushed her and apologized to Milena as they pushed her toward the door. Aloine pushed against the two girls, fighting every step. She couldn't go out there. She couldn't let them touch her; She was Rokian's and no one else's!

With one final shove the unnamed girl slipped out a cuss word as she pushed Aloine onto the stage. The bright light of the stage momentarily blinded her as she was dragged onto her own stage. The sound of low growls and heated speech grew louder as soon as Aloine was left alone on the main circular stage. Aloine stood in the middle, just out of reach of the Yautja below. One reached his claw out; flicking his finger in a beckoning motion as he clicked excitedly.

“Come here, little one. You must be new. I'll take care of you.”

Aloine inched away from him as the other girl hissed at her.

“Don't just stand there! Dance, flirt, do something!”

Aloine softly began swaying back and forth as her eyes darted around the room. Her eyes fixated on the only exit in the area. Instead of two guards, the door was guarded by only one. It was possible to get to through the door. The last problem she had to face was finding where Rokian was. His trial was today; she had to find him. Her thoughts suddenly shattered as she felt a hand run up her leg. She had inadvertently moved too close to the edge of the stage. She jumped and fell backwards toward the other side of the stage. One older Yautja took this opportunity and wrapped his massive arm around her waist and pulled her from the stage. Aloine kicked and scratched at him like a trapped animal. He chuckled deeply, almost amused by her pathetic attempt of escape. Milena approached the the older Yautja and bowed; a dark smile plastered across her face.

“Please follow me, sir. You're lucky, Aloine. He's one of our best clients.”

Aloine panicked as the Yautja fondled her while they walked to the back rooms. She pushed his hands away with her only free hand, trying desperately to keep him from touching her. Milena pushed a button to open the door. The older Yautja pushed Aloine into the room and tossed a pouch filled with money at Milena as the door shut behind him.

Aloine sat on the floor, trying to reach the brush that had slid down toward her back. The Yautja dropped his mask by the door and approached her. Aloine stood and placed her hands outstretched before her.

“Please, please don't! Please let me go..”

The Yautja smirked as he slowly circled her almost as though she were his prey.

“I'll let you go...after we are finished here. Now, remove your clothing.”

Aloine lifted her hands nervously. She didn't know how to remove the corset Emma put on her. It was tied eight different places, removing it was not an option. The Yautja folded his arms, annoyed.

“I paid for three hours with you, I'm not spending it on your shyness.”

The Yautja grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her to the floor. Aloine tried to scoot away, but he caught her ankle.

“Very good. Now, don't just give up. I like it when they fight.”

He yanked at the corset causing the make up brush to drop and roll by her leg. She tried nonchalantly to snatch the brush, trying to ignore the Yautja's wandering hands. The Yautja's knee knocked the brush into her hand. This was her one shot. She gripped it firmly, reached back and plunged the handle into the soft flesh of the yautja's neck.

His head whipped back as he let out a blood curdling roar. Aloine pulled herself up and inched toward the door. The Yautja thrashed around roaring.

“You bitch! I'll kill you! You bitch!”

The door hissed open uncovering Milena.

“What did you do?!”

She pushed passed Milena just as the enraged Yautja reached for Aloine. The Yautja missed his intended target and grabbed Milena by the throat. He let out another roar as he snapped her neck and threw her behind him.

Aloine ran down the hallway and into the main room with the other Yautja and dancing girls. Aloine waved her arms above her head, trying to get Emma and the other girls attention to no avail. Instead she was pushed to the ground by Raut, who had backed out of the hallway and into her. He turned with anger in his eyes.

“You little idiot! Do you have any idea what you've done?!”

Just as Raut finished his sentence, the older Yautja burst through the door. He punched Raut square in the face causing him to tumble back against the wall. The Older one then turned turned to Aloine. Aloine looked around frantically before running into the crowd of Yautja. The Older Yautja held out his arms on his side in a taunting position before running into the unknowing crowd. Aloine fell to all fours and crawled through them as the Older one clawed, punched and ripped his way through the crowd. Several of his brethren tried frantically to grab and hold him down, all in vain. The adrenaline pumping through his veins blinded him with rage completely over powering anyone who dared attack him. The Older warrior knocked two more younger brethren to the ground as he searched for the girl who did that to him. He wanted Aloine dead. The large Yautja guarding the door raced to control the raged brother, giving Aloine an open window of escape.

Raut shook his head of the throbbing pain and looked up to see a disaster. The brethren still fought off the crazed yautja as many of the girls lay bloodied at his feet. His precious money makers were getting destroyed because of the stupidity of the new meat. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a small figure on all fours, scrambling up the stairway exit. One of the girls was attempting escape and he had an idea of who it was. Ignoring the seething pain from a shattered tendril, he stood and raced to the exit. That little whore was going to pay for her indiscretion.

The second Aloine pushed open the thick, metal door, the thick air made her drop to her knees. Every time she breathed in, it was like having a wet towel wrapped around her face. The air was thick and stung slightly. With all the strength she had, Aloine pulled herself to her feet and began to run. She didn't care where at that second, she just had to run. As she reached the end of the dead city, she felt something hard knock against her shoulder. Her legs locked up from the sudden, excruciating pain. Whatever it was, the velocity from it was strong enough to push her to the ground. Aloine laid there for a moment, fighting off the nauseous feeling building in her throat. She turned her head slightly to see a bloodied rock. Someone had to have thrown it at her. She slowly rolled onto her side to look behind her to find the origin of the it. Raut was running toward her, his tendrils flared and both arms were balled into fists. Aloine let out a frightened yelp as she scrambled to stand, nearly tumbling over from a sudden dizziness and pain from her cracked shoulder blade.

There was no way she could outrun him, that was a fact she was well aware of. There was no way to overpower him either. The only thing Aloine could think of was to somehow out smart him. She ducked into a small hole of a building. Raut chased her, sticking his arm into the hole, trying to catch her ankle. He let out an angry grunt as he pulled himself up and ran to a busted out window. The town had been abandoned for many, many years after a unknown disease ripped through the small town killing off almost everyone who resided there. He had taken a huge risk coming to a dead town that could have had the disease still fermenting somewhere. He wasn't going to let her ruin all the trouble he went through. The building was so completely ruin down, it looked as though it would come crashing down at any second. He walked to the middle of the large room. Light pierced through cracks in the ceiling and broken green glass. It gave the whole building an eerie green color. Raut let out a frustrated growl. He knew she was in the building, though finding the little rat was going to be tough. He cursed himself once again for not having his helmet. He could find her in seconds.

“I thought you were stupid, but I never would have thought you were this stupid.”

He whipped his head around to the sound of falling sand from an above alcove. He back up to get a better view.

“You think I would just let you walk out? I paid too much for you. If you come out now, I won't beat you. You'll just be used more than the other girls. Now, come out.”

There was silence, which enraged him.

“WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?! WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU, YOU'RE DEAD!!”

Aloine clamped her eyes shut and covered her mouth. She didn't know what to do, the mix of fear and pain blinded her. She dragged her legs to her chest. She hid behind trash and a crumbled piece of building. She carefully peeked around the concrete. She didn't see him. She let out a relieved sigh that didn't last. Raut grabbed her by the neck and pulled her out from behind the trash. He threw her to the ground. Aloine cried out in pain as she hit the floor. She turned onto her stomach and began to crawl as Raut slowly stalked behind, chuckling.

“Did you really think I wouldn't find you?”

He picked her up and tossed her through the broken window he entered from. She laid there, staring up at the sky. She was going to die and Rokian was going to be killed for something he never did. She shut her eyes. Oh, her poor Rokain. She wished she could say she was sorry.

“M-miss Aloine?”

Her eyes shot open. Aloine recognized the voice. She turned her head toward the source of the voice. He was wearing a mask and different clothing, but it was definitely him. The elderly Yautja stood only a few feet from her, leaning on his cane. For the first time in days, she cracked a smile.

“Do...doctor Lowe..”

Raut stepped through the glass and glared at Lowe.

“Where the hell have you been? You said you'd only be gone for a short time. Do you know what this little slut did while you were out? She attacked a customer! She tried to escape!”

Lowe and Aloine exchanged glances as Raut reached down, grabbing her by the throat and raising her above his head. He squeezed against the soft flesh of her throat, chocking the life from her small body. Aloine's vision began to blur from tears and lack of oxygen. Her eye lids slipped shut. Raut began to let out a cackle that only lasted for a few seconds. The laugh phased into a sickening gurgling noise. Something warm and wet hit Aloine's face and chest. She felt Raut release her from his grip. She toppled back, landing on her back, causing her shoulder blade to twist in pain. Aloine coughed and let out tiny sobs as she clamped her hands around her throat in a soothing motion. Aloine heard a heavy 'thump' and something that sounded like metal being slid into something. After a minute, her eyes began to focus. Lowe was hovering over her on one knee, checking her vitals. Still a little dazed, she turned her head to see Raut lying in a thick pool of his own blood. It was hard to tell from the angle he was lying, but it looked like the source of the pool was his neck. Aloine dragged in a sharp breath. Lowe clicked sadly and pulled himself up to his feet with the help of his cane.

“I've really done it now. I've killed a comrade for a hum... a girl...”

Lowe bit his tongue. After all she obviously been through, the last thing he wanted was to add more onto her shoulders. She didn't need to know what she really was. He stared down at the little human girl. She looked like a street kid; She was covered head to toe in mud and sand, her clothing was ripped and also caked with black mud. If no one gave her a second glnce, she could pass for one of them...that was, of course if no one saw her face. He slumped his arms. He didn't think he was going to be stuck in the city for as long as he was. If only he came a few hours earlier. Aloine hiccuped and looked at him. Her cheeks were stained and caked with blood, sweat, mud and two trails of tears. She swallowed hard before finally squeeking out;

“”Wh...what have I done? I left them...How could I leave them to be..I'm sorry Doctor Lowe..I'm sorry...Emma...Miku..”

Lowe's eyes widened as he spun around in the direction of the 'meat' house. He felt his heart wretch. Raut said Aloine attacked one of the customers. What if she hit...

Lowe unhooked the mask he was wearing and ripped it from his face. He tore a piece of a cloth draped across his chest and looped it with holes near the back of the mask. Without any warning, he placed the mask over Aloine's face, using the ripped fabric as a strap to keep it on her head.

“Lowe, what are you...hey, wait!”

He tightened the fabric so it was snug against her head. He then took her by her uninjured shoulder and pointed toward a faded beacon of light, straining to shine through heavy clouds.

“You see that light? Follow it. It leads to the city. The light is coming from the arena where Rokian is going to be tried...”

Aloine grabbed his claw and squeezed it.

“B-but what about the girls? What if I get lost? I can't..I..”

Lowe snapped at her.

“Stop it! Rokian went through a lo of trouble to bring you here. Don't worry about the girls. If their alive, I'll help them..”

“But...but..”

“You have to help Rokian now. You're the only one who can convince the Master Elder you were not taken. Prove to her you want to be with him. Miss Aloine,If you care about him, you'll go now. You won't have much time. Once the trial starts, that light goes out.”

Aloine released his claw and turned toward the faded light. She was her Rokain's last hope. Aloine bowed deeply, thanking the Doctor. Gritting her teeth, and trying her hardest to ignore the searing pain in her shoulder, she started of in a quick paced run. Her eyes never left the light. She was going to reach him; She had to...

--

Jovi stretched as she leaned against the wall near the entrance of the arena. Pretty soon he'd be free and she could finally convince him to do the right thing. She glanced over at a market selling breaded native-born oomans for slaves. The creatures were never trained to talk or think. They were just there for slaves or game...and sometimes a delicacy. As she watched two oomans wrestle with one another, she wondered how the little ooman whore was doing. She smiled to herself. No one knew who she was and the only ones who knew she was there was Spike. Just as she finished her thoughts, Spike, himself, walked by her on his way to the arena caring a dark brown bag. He gave her one of his famous dark grins as he passed her.

“Pleasant day for trial.”

Jovi shivered as his image slowly disappeared into the arena. Even though she was considerably larger than Spike, he still creeped her out. He gav off such a wicked vibe. Jovi pushed herself off the wall to head into the arena. She was going to testify in his defense whether he wanted her to or not. She was willing to forgive him for their little spat in the prision hall if he'd do one thing for her...

A young female pup bumped into her leg as she turned to enter the arena. Jovi glared down and hissed at the pup, only to stifle it. Who's ever the pup's family was going to give her a good whipping when they saw she was wearing a hunting mask. Whoever the kid was, he scent seemed familiar. The young pup looked down in an almost apologetic, but mostly frightened motion. Jovi rolled her eyes at the brat and continued to walk several steps before stopping dead in her tracks. That smell...That smell the pup was giving off. She knew it from somewhere...from someone. It was her. It had to be. She smelled just like the brat. Jovi scanned the ever growing crowd of comrades all filing in to see Rokian's trial. She didn't see her. Jovi cursed to herself. It couldn't be her. IT JUST COULDN'T BE! She'd ruin everything. Jovi rubbed her neck in frustration. She pushed her way through the crowd. She'd have to find Spike. He was the only one who intimidated the ooman girl.

--

The little 'pup' had managed to make it to the city in record time. She had ran the entire way, always focused on the light. She had been so locked onto it, she didn't even notice she had reached the city until she bumped into a Yautja child about her height. After a brief exchange, she followed he light to a huge stone building. She became entranced. Somewhere inside of the building, Rokain was waiting for her. She managed to pull herself into the drifting crowd. As she walked with her head down, she heard a soft whistle. She glanced up and nearly lost her footing. Spike was walking next to her. He winked at her and made a soft clicking noise.

“Does your papa know you have his mask, beautiful?”

She shot her glare back to the pavement. Spike chuckled mistaking her actions as being shy, instead of being terrified. He leaned into her and lowered his voice to a deep whisper.

“How about after the trial you meet me just down by river. How 'bout it?”

She felt him pinch her back playfully as he made a sharp turn away from her as if heading somewhere specific. Aloine fought the urge to rip the mask off and vomit. Although she could only understand every other word he muttered, she heard enough to sicken her. Oh, how she hated him, but even through the hatred, he terrified her. Completely overwhelmed by her encounter with Spike, she knocked into a female that returned the bump with a hiss. Scared she'd be caught, she kept her head bowed to the woman before ducking into the crowd once more.

--

Rokian felt his stomach sink as he was led out to the main hall in chains. His hands were bound behind him. Even though he was in a very dishonorable position, he kept his head raised. As he reached the middle of the stage, he glared around at his comrades. Many, many of them lined the stone seats. Apparently his 'indiscretion', as everyone was calling it, was a main event. Despite all the ruckus around him; the hisses, the hoots and words being thrown at him, there was only one thing he could focus on. No, not a thing. A female. His female. He never heard back from the doctor. He felt the chains around his arms tense when he clutched his fists. He'd give anything to touch her again. He glanced up at the empty seat where the Master Elder sat during trials. Rokian inhaled sharply before slowly letting it out. If he was going to find his lovely, he had to be released. Then anyone and everyone that hurt her would pay with their blood.

One soldier entered the chamber, commanding everyone stand, which the comrades did accordingly. Rokian couldn't help but let out a forced laugh.

“...Here we go.”