If I can I'm going to try and get a chapter up once a week. (Writing on weekends and hopefully posting the next day.) My weekdays are really busy and I can't find time to write then, so I reserve my weekends for it. Also thank you so much for all the reviews! It's really encouraging. I've seen a few authors do this and I think it's a good idea so I'm going to try it too.

Azalee: Well, hopefully this chapter will answer that for ya. Hee hee, I'm glad you like it so far!

Sentra: I'll try to bring the sap down a bit. ; Oh! And I'm really liking your story "Frozen Letters on the Floor." Please update it soon!

Ren F: Don't worry, I plan to continue, there is at least 4 (if not more) chapters still.

mailyn asakura: Thank you, I have every intension to continue.

love-chibis-kyuubi: Thanks. Keep checking weekly and I'll hopefully have a new chapter up each time.

AI saw your reviews for my other story and I'm sorry that it won't be updated but I plan to see this one through.

Tenshi no Haru-Kaze: I'm glad you like it so far.

Shiko: Yoh and the others will appear in the next chapter, and I'm sorry but this chapter is short. ; It's all I could get done this week but I'll keep your advice in mind for future chapters. Thank you! Feed back like that is really helpful!

DayDrEaMiNg-child: Oh! I love your stories too. Thank you very much for reviewing. Keep up the good work!

Lady Girl: Well, in my story anyway, Hao isn't dead. It works a lot better for my plot. ; Ah yes...plot device...

Kurokioku: Yeah, I remember when I first got into it too.I'm a Ren/Horo fan all the way!

Now, here is Chapter two!

Losing Touch

Chapter two: Losing... my freedom

"Well, you are being quite agreeable now aren't you?" Hao began, "you don't even know what I'm going to ask you for yet." Horo looked up at him,

"What did you have in mind?"

"The cost would have to be rather big, bringing people back to life isn't a simple task after all, let me think about it for a bit." Time ticked and it bugged Horo, Hao seemed to be just taking his time purpose. Finally Hao stopped pacing and looked back at the aniu.

"Yes, I believe that would do." Horo looked up with a confused expression; Hao sauntered over to the boy,

"I want your memories."

"What?!"

"Not all of them, just the ones you have with Ren." Horo looked at Hao like he didn't believe a single word he was saying. Hao in turn put on a smirk, "you'd be surprised at what I can do." Than pausing to let the boy think it over Hao waited. Horo was silent for

a bit but than his curiosity got the better of him,

"How are you going to take away my memories?"

"Pieces at a time, it wouldn't be fun to take them all at once now would it?" Hao winked. "Here let me show you, stand up." Horo was reluctant but laid down the Tao gently and got to his feet. "Hmm...let's see...Horohoro?" Horo nodded to show he was paying attention, "When is Ren's birthday?" The spiky haired shaman was a little taken aback by the simplicity of the question but answered,

"That easy, it's January 1"

"Right." Hao made his way up to Horo until there was no room between them. The aniu was beginning to feel very uncomfortable so began to back away. That only worked until he bumped into the fence, Hao continued to walk towards him and soon Horo couldn't move anywhere. Hao put on a sly face, and leaned in closer to him. Before Horo could do anything Hao gave him a light kiss on the lips. Hao slowly broke it and than licked his lips. "Now Horo, when is dear Ren's birthday?" Hao chuckled. The ice shaman was still processing what had just happened in the last few seconds. Soon a rage built up inside of him.

"What the hell did you do that for!?"

"I was taking a piece of your memory away." Hao shrugged.

"Wha...?"

"Hmm, Answer this for me, when is Ren's birthday?"

"I just told you! Geez, it's...it's...uh..."

"Having trouble?" Hao mocked.

"I know it, why can't I remember?!"

"Simple, I just took that memory away from you; it's now in my possession and belongs to me." He motioned to a crystal like item tied around his neck. "All the memories I take from you will go in here, to be used as I wish." Horohoro was dumbfounded; too much was happening all at once. "Now that you know how it works, I'll ask one finial time, will you make this deal with me?" Horo still stood silent looking toward the ground, Hao continued, "A deal that will allow me to come every second night and take a portion of your memories each time, the portion may be great or small." At that Hao smirked, "and in return I'll revive that Tao for you." Horohoro knew that the decision was obvious, he would save Ren.

"I-I accept your deal."

"That great", Hao began, "but what would this be without one small catch."

Horo instantly got on his own defense, "Don't you think that giving you my memories is enough! What else could you possibly want?"

"Now, I can't have you telling Renny about all of this, that would just ruin the fun of it all."

"The fun!?" Horo couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Yes, so to make sure you don't I'll place a curse on him once he's revived. If you dare tell him about this...than he will die."

"You sick bastard!"

"I know." With that Hao grinned to himself and began to take his leave.

"Hey! What about Ren!?" Horo called after him.

"He will be fine in the next few hours," Hao paused, "It's great to be working with you Horohoro." He winked and than diapered into ally. Horohoro almost felt regret in what he had just done but one look back at his friend and he couldn't help but feel it was the only way.

Horo had managed to get Ren back over to the park. Luckily people weren't all to interested in the odd sight, but there weren't many people around at 1:00 in the morning to even care. After coming to a tree the tired aniu had to rest, Ren was heavier than he looked. He leaned against the tree, feeling the rough bark against his back. He wasn't sure how much time had passed since the whole incident at the ally. It seemed like an eternity to him. He was really tired from the events though, he thought that'd it would be alright if he just rested his eyes for a bit. Needless to say, he fell asleep. A few minutes passed and as one boy was sleeping another one was just awaking. Ren slowly sat up and rubbed his eyes. Looking around he saw the sleeping aniu and the park that surrounded them.

"How did I end up here?" He thought out loud. He began to back track the day's events. His eyes widened as it hit him, wasn't he...dead? He held his hands in front of him, they looked normal; looking around once again he was certain, that judging by his surroundings wasn't in heaven. He than turned his attention to the sleeping boy, "Hey, Horo." He gently shook his shoulder.

"Don't take away my pizza..."Horo mumbled and than curled up into a tighter ball. Ren had to admit that it was cute, he corrected himself, defiantly NOT cute! But either way he needed some answers...

"Come on Horo..." He shook a little harder.

"Ungh, just 5 more minutes." He rolled over. Only problem was that Ren didn't want to wait five minutes.

"Now would be nice!" He yelled and kicked the poor bluenette. That woke him up.

"Huh... REN!" The teen jumped up and pulled the boy into a hug.

"Horo?"

"Oh sorry!" He immediately let go.

"Would you mind telling me why we are at the park in the middle of the night?"

"Umm...well..." Before Horo could Ren answered his own question.

"That thug, he shot his gun right? Didn't I get hit? It was obvious I was knocked out, but if I got hit why isn't there a mark?" Ren was asking too many questions and Horo couldn't come up with any answers fast enough.

"Well, you see...uh..." The lies weren't as easy to think up as Horo thought they would have been.

"Are you hiding something?" Right on the dot, but he couldn't tell the truth, not after what Hao had said. He had to think fast.

To be continued...

I hope you guys liked it, so till next week! Ja ne!

Blizzard Blu