-------------------------------------------------------Chapter 16 Wounded Tiger---------------------------------------------------------

Ryo begin to twist and turn on the cold damp floor in which he rested his aching body. It felt like one huge sore, his head felt as if someone had just finish playing a drum solo with his skull. Slowly, he begin to regain consciouness, water dripped from the ceiling, playing a melody in the background. Ryo opened his eyes and noticed he was in a pitch black space, and thats when everything came back to him.

The fight with Lan Di, his paralyzing blows, he had been defeated. Ryo wanted to pound the ground in frustration but he didn't have the strength too. He had come such a long way, it would not end now....

Ryo tried rising to his feet but he found out quickly tht he could not even do that, he dropped back to his knees.

"Clear as a polished mirror......"

He recited something Master Tao had once told him, something his mind wasn't at a state of when he fought Lan Di. Ryo leaned against the wall in the cell and closed his eyes again, he would have much time with his thoughts, besides he needed the rest.

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Ren sat back in a beat up wooden chair, a dart in his hand. He rubbed the bruise under his right eye, Jasmine stood in front of him observing the bruise.

"Tch, that stupid fool went and got captured, now I'll never get my treasure..."

The Heaven's leader had barely escaped Chiyoumen thugs he encountered while searching upstairs in the temple. He battle fiercely, but had to retreat in the end, he know Ryo had been captured; because he had watched him get dragged away in a black luxury sedan. Also, he had watch Shenhua get personally escorted by a man in a envious green silk suit, it depicted a dragon upon the back. His scar would make him noticable anywhere, she seem reluctant but willing to go to ensure Ryo's safety.

"Seems you manage to always get out situations like that."

"Because I'm that good...." Ren flung the dart, hitting dead center on the makeshift board.

"Or a coward?" Jasmine queried.

"A wise warrior has to know when he is beat. Ryo lacks that trait." He folded his arms and closed his eyes on saying this.

"Ren! You're not going to try and save him!?" She shouted.

Ren rolled his eyes.

"What do I look like? A saviour? Last time I checked that isn't my MOS."

Jasmine stormed out of the room, running into a man in a black suit while walking down the corridor, a fiery red head stood by his side.

"Who are you?" She said a bit startled

"I'm looking for the Heavens leader...Ren."

"...You didn't answer my question." Jasmine said backing up some.

"Sorry, it wasn't necessary information, but if you insist. My name is Chen Guizhang, and this is Joy."

Joy smiled, then stepped forward.

"Sorry, his communication skills aren't so sharpened. I happen to know Ren personally from Beverly Hills wharf. Is he here?" Joy questioned.

Jasmine remained silent, like any Heavens member would in this situation.

"Hmm? What's all that racket?" Ren said as he made his way to the corridor.

"Ren!" Jasmine shouted as she ran by his side.

"What?" He stopped in place unable to see down the corridor.

"Eh Ren! Bet you didn't expect to see me here." Joy sounded off.

"Joy? What the...!?" He pushed Jasmine aside

Joy begin to chuckle.

"Joy you know this man, why didn't you say anything before? ......Nevermind....You are Ren of Heavens are you not?" Guizhang questioned.

Ren looked at the unidentified man with suspicion.

"I don't like your colors, he might be with the Chiyoumen...." Ren pointed out.

"That be a stupid observation, but you can think what you want. I just want some information out of you, and I'll be on my way."

"You sound so sure of yourself, eh tough guy?" Ren taunted.

Joy cut in before the tension level intensified any more.

"Calm down guys, you know you aren't suppose to show aggression in front of females like this. I'll handle this Guizhang." She looked him in eyes when she told him this.

"Joy what's this about, who is this guy?"

"He is a friend, here is a bigger question, where is Hazuki Ryo?"

Ren put his hands in his pockets and dropped his head.

"I'm afraid he's been captured by the Chiyoumen. I don't know where...."

Joy shook her head, Guizhang was a bit distraught as well.

"This is bad, by the Chiyoumen. I knew this might have happened. What makes matters worst is, he has the Phoenix mirror in his possession. I hope they don't find this out." Guizhang spoke in a low tone.

"There was a man in a green suit, with a scar that stood out. I believe that was..." Ren got cut off by Guizhang

"Lan Di! ............. so he is here."

"I figured it was him, all I know Ryo is in that Man's possession as of now."

"Lets go Joy I'll have to gather information from my informants before I make my move."

"Wait, I got something for you Hero." Ren called out to Guizhang as he begin to walk off.

"Oh yeah? What's that?" Guizhang said in a "Oh and what would that be" tone.

"My sources told me about a high ranking member in the Chiyoumen. It was the one me and Ryo saw when had a little stakeout at their private airstrip."

Guizhang begin to pay more attention.

"A female, she is owns the five star hotel Shenqfenq. There is a master suite on the 31st floor. I gather that's where she stays...but that's all I know." Ren said in all seriousness.

"Shenqfenq you say? I bet its Niao Shun, your right about her being a high ranking member. In fact she is apart of the high council, but that's another story. Perhaps, that is where it will all go down."

Guizhang begin to walk away and joy followed. Ren looked at Jasmine, she seem have a desire to go as well. Ren begin to question himself on whether he should go, why did he feel a need to get involve...it was because he was involved.

"We have to go too!" Ren shouted out.

"Ren...?" Jasmine responded surprised.

He smirked as he stepped out of the doorway into the vibrant sunrays.

"I guess I'm a stupid fool as well."

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4 days later

Ryo woke up this time in brightly lit room, it felt like someone had instilled a remedy into his body. He looked around groggily, he noticed immediately there were several Chiyoumen guards standing around the room. Each with there own intimadating look. The room was pretty spacious, velvet curtains, the area rug no doubt was made of similar material. Chandeliers were the rooms main light source. Ryo noticed that he was in handcuffs, talking could be heard outside the room, and now entering.

"I wonder if he is awake...ahah! He is.." A beautiful looking female gestured.

It was the woman from the other day, she was sporting a greenish hat, along with a custom Chinese tailored suit which fit her taste. Still she sported her clevage, escorted by two Chiyoumen guards into the room.

"So I finally meet you, you are the little cub starting up all this ruckus? How can someone as young as you cause us so much problems."

Ryo turned his head in disrespect. She noticed this, but did not mind, she would have some entertainment momentairly, whether he liked it or not.

"I heard about your escapades in Kowloon, you are either real strong, or stupid? No, you must be both, how else would you get this far, just to fail at your goal. Your childish plot for revenge, did you really think it would come true?" She was intentionally taunting him.

Ryo eyes begin to burn with the same fire they did before he was defeated by Lan Di.

"Am I being rude? Yes...heh, my name is Niao Shun, and you must be Hazuki. My pardons, we've been so rude dumping you in that God forsaken place, isn't this a more suitable envoirment?" She asked knowing he'd most likely not answer.

Ryo looked around, it was more comfortable in the room, but he knew he was brought here for a reason. Probably to question him on where the mirror is, little they know it was in his possession.

"Where is Shenhua?" Ryo demanded.

"Ah, your girl? Your girl is still alive. Lan Di wanted her for some reason. Apparently, she is able to see things we can't. I don't know, I don't care, but I believe you are missing a particular item, a precious one."

Niao Shun took the Phoenix mirror out waving it back in forth. Ryo almost swallow his tongue at the sight of it, it would be all over now. Ryo sprung to his feet and started at her, he met by five of the Chiyoumen guard before he was within ten feet of her.

"Heh heh, so it does mean something to you." She begin laughing manically.

"Give it back, you don't understand!" Ryo cried out.

"You're right, I don't understand, so you will explain to me what I don't understand."

Two of the guard grabbed Ryo and strapped him down into a chair.

"You see, Lan Di tells me little about the mirrors. All he says is it will mean great things for the Chiyoumen. I don't buy that, in fact I believe he is out for himself. I can't allow him to get his hand on this mirror, at least to I understand what will happen, do you understand...?"

There was a inner conflict within the Chiyoumen, involving the highest ranking members it seem. This would at least buy him sometime, but still the mirror wasn't safe in possession of this deranged woman. He couldn't tell her what he knew, because it would cause problems. He had to find a way out of the hotel, with the mirror. But in his current situation, that was hardly proable.

"So what do you know?"

"Those mirrors belong to my father. I've came here get back the Dragon mirror, as well as revenge. Lan Di will pay for what he has done..."

"You know you are truly foolish don't you? Do you understand what you have gotten yourself into? This 'revenge' will cost you something you can't replace."

"Where is Lan Di!?"

Ryo felt a sharp blow cut across his face.

"How dare you speak to Madam Niao Shun in such a manner" One of the guards beckoned

Ryo shaked the punched off and looked back to Niao Shun.

"Lan Di? You are still that naive that you would face him again?" She questioned.

"Until he kills me, or....." Ryo didn't go on.

"Or what? You kill him!?" She begin to laugh maniacally once again.

Ryo frowned, he had to find a way to get out but how...?

"You'll never make it out of here, but if you must know, he took Shenhua with him to Yinlongyan. Its a ancient cave, but that's not important...what is..."

She was cut off by the doors busting open, one of her guards panting for breath while trying to pass a message along.

"Madam....huff...we....we're.....attack....we need h...-elpf"

He fell to his knees. She look at him like he was a disgraceful wretch.

"So why did you run here coward?" She looked back to the rest of her men.

A loud grunt could be heard just outside the door, and yet another guard came flying through the door, unconscious.

Two men walked into the room, one in a black tailored suit and dress shoes, the other sporting a white head rag, sailor's vest, leather jeans, and boots.

"Guizhang, Ren!?" Ryo yelled out.

"There goes the samurai boy, guess that means we here to rescue you, eh?" Ren said comically.

"Ryo hang on, just these few huh?" Guizhang looked around, he noticed seven in all.

Niao Shun look at the two warriors angrily, like a "how dare you" expression, then she looked to her men.

"Well, what are you standing around for, take care of them, now!!!!!!!!" She yelled.

"We should be able to take care these boys easy, here we go."

Ren and Guizhang rushed into battle.