You belong to me now

ch 7

Chi woke up and was surprised to find a blanket over her. She looked over to the bed and found it empty. Drago must be awake already... She stood and stretched, then folded the blanket up. She carefully made her way to the main deck. The deck was empty, save two guards watching the skies. She walked up to them, but before she could speak, "Well look who it is? our new 'crew member'" They laughed, and Chi furrowed her brow. "How did you sleep last night? I'm sure Drago made you REALLY comfortable!" Chi crossed her arms as their laughter turned to a cackle. "If you're insinuating that he and I-" "Men! I hope you're not bothering her" Their sneers and laughter turned to fear immediately. They stood up straight, "N-No Sir!" Said one. "We were simply talking, Drago, Sir!" said the other, panicked. Drago walked up and put his arm around Chi, causing her to stiffen. "Is this true, Chi?" She looked at the guards, eyes narrowed. "Yes, we were just talking." Drago raised an eyebrow but simply nodded. "Well then, Men you get back to work, Chi lets get you something to eat." Both men looked at her in surprise as she walked away, Drago's arm still draped over her.  They went below deck, the opposite way to Drago's quarters. Upon entering, everyone went quiet. Their eyes followed them as Drago went and sat at the head of the table. Drago gestured for Chi to sit to his right. She quickly sat down, hoping the others would stop staring at her.  Nervously, she looked down, still feeling their eyes on her. Drago saw this and loudly cleared his throat. The men in the room took this as a sign and went back to their conversations. Taking a deep breath, she looked around the room. Drago and her sat at the main table, but there were two other, smaller tables. Each had plates of food on them, with plates and mugs here and there. "Take what you want, you must be hungry. I'll get us something to drink" She smiled at Drago as he stood, but only a took a small piece of bread. Drago set a mug of water by her, then took a seat. He reached forward, grabbing some bread, several potatoes, and some fish. Chi slowly picked at her bread, and Drago gave her a quizzical look. "that's all you're having?" She nodded. "I usually don't eat much in the morning..." Drago slowly nodded and began to think. Whenever he had seen her eat, she ate very little. Not like others in her village, he could recall her brother usually eating more than her, and he was a shrimp! "You don't normally eat much, do you?" Shrugging her shoulders, she took another bite. "Why? I'm pretty sure all you had yesterday was a muffin and an apple, that can't be enough!" Again she shrugged her shoulders, "I eat when I'm hungry, and usually I'm not hungry." She didn't look at him, and she now seemed to be lost in thought. I've watched her for years, but there's still so much I don't know... 

(three years earlier)

The door slammed. Chi stood stock still in the kitchen and listened as her father angrily stomped away. All she did was ask to go with Gobber and Hiccup, they were going to a neighboring village to get some sort of bolts. Hiccup sat the table and looked at his older sister. "I'm sorry Chi, I  should never have convinced you to ask. Do you want to play a game while we eat? " His smile disappeared when Chi looked towards him. A sad smile below faded eyes met him. "Thank you, Hiccup, but it's fine, and no thank you, I think I'll just head to bed." She turned and slowly went upstairs and into her room. She stood there, trying to think. She couldn't remember what her father had even said, only that he was mad she had asked to leave. Sitting on her bed, head in her hands, she tried to think. All she could remember was his face, full of anger. Why...does he hate me...?  she felt like she should be crying, but she couldn't. She felt...nothing. Normally she would be upset, but she was just numb. Crawling into bed, she laid there for several hours with her thoughts before falling into a dreamless sleep.

*knock-knock* Chi's eyes shot open, and she stared at her door. "Chi? I wanted to say goodbye before I left.." Hiccup said quietly. She stood, and opened the door, Looking down at Hiccup. Pulling him into a hug, she sighed. "Have fun, and listen to Gobber, okay?" He smiled and nodded. "Okay! I'll see you in three days!" She watched as he ran downstairs, and out the door. "I Love you Hiccup, Please forgive me.." She went about her day as usual after he left, and went to Gothi's. For the most part, Gothi had her Shadow her appointments and read. As the sun set, Chi gathered her things to return home. Gothi stood by the door and when she tried to leave blocked the entrance. "What?" Gothi used her staff and pointed at a plate of food she had made several hours ago for Chi. "Oh, Im.. not hungry is all, but thank you Gothi." Eyes narrowed, the small woman moved from the entrance, and her gaze trailed Chi as she walked home.  Chi knew her father was in a meeting tonight, so when she got home she went straight to her room. setting her bag on the floor, she crawled into bed. Again she laid there for hours before she fell asleep. When she woke up the next morning, she changed and went straight to Gothi's. It was another day of Shadowing, save for some of the smaller wounds Gothi let her take the lead on. Again, Gothi set a plate out for her, and again she did not eat it. Gothi brought the plate over to Chi and sat it in front of her. Chi looked at the plate and then at Gothi. "Sorry Gothi, i..don't feel well today.  Is it okay if I head home?" Gothi looked her up and down, then slowly nodded. Chi grabbed and quickly left. What she didn't know was that Gothi had decided to follower her. Gothi watched as Chi walked into her house, shutting the door behind her. However, when Gothi opened the door, Chi was already upstairs. As Gothi climbed the stairs, she heard strange sounds coming from Chi's room. Quietly, Gothi knocked on the door. But there was no response other than a loud thud and several gasps. Gothi swung the door open, and to her horror saw Chi hanging from a rope. Her face was turning blue and she was kicking furiously. Gothi saw that the rope was thrown over a beam, and tied to the bed. Grabbing a small knife from her pocket, she cut the rope. Chi fell to the floor with a hard thud, hardly breathing. Gothi quickly sat be her, pulling her head onto her lap. Gothi stroked her hair, trying to calm her and steady her breathing. It was a good half hour before Chi was fully aware again. She sat up, shaking. Gothi put her arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a hug.  "Please d-dont *Sob* tell father!" Sobs racked her body as Gothi comforted her. They sat like that for some hours, until they heard the front door. Chi froze in fear and looked up at gothi. Gothi shook her head, and Chi relaxed. When morning came, Gothi made Chi stay in bed and rest but didn't leave. Since that day, Chi didn't eat much.

(Back to present)

Drago watched as Chi's face contorted. "Chi, are you alright?" She shook her head and smiled at him, "I'm fine!" He gave her a skeptical look but continued eating. She quietly finished the bread and took small sips of water. When Drago was finished, he motioned for Chi to follow.  Going above deck, Chi shivered in the cold wind. "There," Drago spoke. Chi looked at him and saw him pointing to land. Many ships were docked and building and towers littered the ground. It was certainly bigger than Berk, that was for sure. "Wow.." Chi said breathlessly. Drago looked down at her and smiled at the fascination in her eyes.