Disclaimer: Don't own, never will...blah blah blah...
It had been a while since Ren had returned home to China. He still kept in touch with Yoh and them through the oracle bells, and most of all, he was still close with Horohoro. They had been a pair, a couple, a duo for a while as well.
He had been home for three days already. He was surprised at how much he missed the place. Jun had seen to it that the floors and walkways were entirely devoid of any signs of blood or rotting corpses in anticipation of Ren's return, but he knew it would always be the same old slaughterhouse.
He hadn't spoken to his father or mother at all this whole time. But he would soon be forced to do so.
"Ren?" Jun opened the door to her younger brother's bedroom a small crack, peeking in.
Ren had been looking at a photograph of himself and Horohoro in America. He couldn't help it. He loved Horohoro, and Horohoro loved him.
The Chinese shaman hastily shoved the photograph under his pillow and out of sight before regaining his composure. "Yes, Jun?" he said quickly, looking up.
"Father and Mother wish to speak to you," she said softly. "It's about...your future."
Ren swallowed. He didn't want to have to even look at his father, the wicked old man, ever again. But he couldn't refuse such a command, so he slowly rose to his feet and made his way down the hall towards his parents' chambers, following Jun.
He pushed the heavy door open, keeping his gaze downcast, as was proper conduct around his superiors.
"Good morning...Mother. Father," he whispered, bowing to his parents. "What do you want with me?"
Ren glanced to his left. There was a rather fat man with long whiskers equally long eyebrows. he had a disgusting, wobbling gut with cloud-like markings painted on the mass of fatty flesh. A chill went up his spin. He recognized the man as Zan Ching, one of Hao's followers.
"Ren," his father, the infamous En Tao (Yuan in the manga) boomed. Ren flinched, hating to hear the terrible voice that haunted his childhood days once again.
"Yes?" he muttered. "What is it, Father?"
En looked down at his son from his massive height. "I've arranged a marriage for you."
Ren's blood ran cold. "Wh-what?" he stammered, looking up at his father in shock.
En ignored his son and continued to speak. "This man here is named Zan Ching. He is a respectable shaman, and he is quite wealthy. To top it off...he is...erm...homosexual...and he thought it a great honor to marry into the Tao...so naturally, Ren, you are up for the job."
Ren's eyes widened. This hideous lump of blubber? Ren despised him, and besides, he already loved Horohoro. Of course he couldn't tell his father that, so he attempted to get out of it with words.
"Father," he protested, choosing his words carefully. "I...I can't possibly...I'm too young...and he's too old...look at him, Father. He's more than twice my age, and...and..."
"Enough," En commanded, silencing his only son. "I know what you're thinking. I've been watching you throughout the Shaman Fight, and I can see that you've been getting awful friendly with that Usui boy. He's an Ainu. Ainu and Chinese don't mix, my boy. Forget about him. Besides, Zan Ching has promised to pay us a handsome sum for you."
"What?" Ren yelped. "Pay!? Father, you're just selling me, aren't you? you don't care about me at all, all you want is his money! I won't marry him! I won't! I'd rather die!"
Zan Ching stepped forward, suddenly reaching out and swiftly slapping Ren across the face. Jun gasped, and Ren's mother, Ran, narrowed her eyes. En, on the other hand, seemed indifferent.
"Shut up, kid," he grunted, "And do what your daddy tells you."
Ren's eyes were wide with shock at the man's sudden movement. He raised his hand to his cheek, gingerly touching his cheek, which felt as if it were on fire.
"Ren!" Jun screamed, running towards him. "Ren! Are you alright?"
"Don't move, Jun," commanded En. "This is for Ren's own good. He needs to learn to respect his...fiance."
"But, Father-"
"That's enough. Ren, you'll be married a week from now whether you like it or not."