Rini: What ever
Rinde: Woo hello peoples reading this thingy of cuteness and sadness!
Lynda: Hope you enjoy and don't worry Rini will be more friendly or I will smite her
Rini: … stifles laughter with hand
Lynda: I have powers; I'm a writer I could make you say anything I want!Rini: Marmalade covers mouth with hands stop that!
Lynda: See!
Rinde: She has powers oooooooooooo
Like Father, Like Son – Ainu LineageIt was time for Ren to journey to China with Horo but first he was going to go and acquire Basons company, with Bason there he would feel better. What didn't make him feel any better was the trip to the Ainu village, the flight was anguish from the moment it moved to the second he got off. The retching and migraine was no joke, he almost said a bad word against his mother but controlled it but couldn't contain his stomach unfortunately. Horo patted Ren on the back and then guided him out the bathroom and out the swarming airport. Ren was still pale when they got a taxi and arrived at the path where they had been months before. The path seemed longer to Ren then again he still felt really ill and with the extra weight I suppose it was bound to be more tedious. The two soon passed a spot they both recognised, it was where the gypsy tent was and yes it was still there but again the closed sign was placed outside. Horo took a sneak peek in and not a single soul to be seen
They worked there way all the down to the swamp lands that were still growing bigger as the people worked on them. Horo lead Ren through the land to the little haven hidden from open view. There the Minution's were seen playing around and rejoicing at the sight of Horos return. Bason was not far off chatting away with all the little spirits looking content. He was glad to hear Ren but when he turned he was shocked stiff (Ironic, seems so he's dead). His face was priceless making Horo laugh but Kororo soon showed up and gave the same look. Ren stood there cross-armed tapping his foot on the floor trying not to blush. Bason didn't want to comment but he was curious at the cause of Rens erm weight gain.
Bason: Erm young master did you put on a little weight…
Ren: Oh you mean this no Bason I have always been this size (Voice dripping with Sarcasm and embarrassment) what do you think!
Bason: Well err erm a-em I…
Horo: Don't worry Bason Rens just… pregnant (Smiled)
Bason: (Perplexed look and shocked) He's… pregnant… young master?
Ren: Yes, he's telling the truth it was thanks to that dam gypsy
Horo: Why does everyone give her all the credit? It was my little soldiers who did all the marching
Kororo: Kor-koro-oro
Horo: Yep, they are, both of them
Bason: Both?
Horo: Twins (Smiled even broader)
Bason: I am very happy for you both (Bowed and started talking to Kororo in a very fast little chatty hyper happy voice)
Ren: (Leaned over to Horo) What are they saying?
Horo: They are talking too quick but something about the twins and us… I think
Ren: Bason
Bason: Yes Master Ren
Horo: We were wondering if you would come with us to Tao mansion?
Ren: We will bring you straight back here after
Bason: naturally I would be honoured it is a very stirring occasion for us all
Kororo: (Looked sad and felt snubbed) Kor-oro-ko!
Bason: Ren she said what about her?
Ren: She can come if she wishes
Horo: For sure! Your coming too, I would never leave you behind on your own
Kororo: KORORO (Hugged Horo who hugged back)
Bason: So I take it we are departing today
Ren: No Pilika heard and now has some sort of surprise for Horo
Horo: Yikes I forgot we better make tracks everyone say your good-byes…
Everyone said their good-byes and then went back down the path were they were picked up by the taxi and taken to Pilikas house for a nights rest and what ever surprise she had arranged. They pulled up in front of the house and walked to the door and Horo was about to knock when the door flung open shocking Ren and Horo but Horo was way more surprised especially because of who opened the door…
Horo: Mom!
Horos Mom: Horo, how long has it been?
Horo: Well how long have Ren and I been married?
Ren: Six and a half years
Horos Mom: Oh that old argument it was nothing, I mean my son left home, refused to marry a girl from the village and THEN he told me he was gay dashing my hopes of any grandchildren from my only son… that's old news (She smiled unbelievably sweetly through out)
Horo: Well its nice to hear you accept me
Horos Mom: Of course I do... but are you sure you're happy
Horo: YES!
Horos Mom: Okay then… what ever makes my boy happy. You must be Ren (Turned to Ren with the biggest smile you ever seen) So glad to meet you finally; I don't think we have ever met have we?
Ren: …No… (Had his hand shook vigorously then pulled into the house with Horo following)
Horos Mom: EVERYONE REN AND HORO ARE HERE!
Pilika: Horo you're late, you were supposed to be here 10 minutes ago!
Horo: Err sorry
Horos Mom: Oh you have to say hi to Horos father he is eager to meet you (She pulled Ren away with her and Horo tried to follow but Pilika was still giving Horo a telling off not letting him leave till she finished)
Horos Mom pulled Ren into the next room where a man was sat at the dinning table sipping tea slowly with his eyes closed looking uninterested. Eager wasn't the word she really should have used because he looked as if he was trying real hard to ignore the other presences in the room. Ren soon realised whom in his family Horo got his looks from but with maturity, dignity and a full beard. The bright and breezy women pushed Ren into a sitting position getting a dirty look which she ignored, her misleading glee was the most annoying thing Ren had witnessed in a long time even more so than Horos sleep talking (Kimbob that was you that got that in my head). The man finally acknowledged Rens presence with a fleeting look over the smaller and much younger Chinese man. Not so soon after Horo came taking a quick look over the room and saw his very distinguished looking father.
Horo: Dad?
Horos Dad: (Suddenly more jolly and energetic smiling at his son) Horo what a pleasant sight it is to see you back here again
Horo: I've been back a few times (Sat next to Ren)
Horos Mom: Yes well we heard from Pilika you had but it's so rare we ever get to see you (So sweet and motherly in appearance)
Horo: Erm sorry I guess
Horos Dad: Well don't just sit there introduce me to your (Coughed and then sighed) … Husband
Horo: Sure (Gave his father a displeased look) this is Ren; I told you about him over the phone remember
Horos Mom: I thought you said he was a grand warrior; he's so small framed and… fragile looking (Ren crossed his arms and glared at her but said nothing knowing they were Horos parents)
Horo: … (Sensed Rens discomposure and irritation)
Horos Dad: Tell you what dear you take Ren to see Pilika and Vix while I have a friendly chat with our son
Horo: Okay honey, come on Ren Pilika will be thrilled to spend time with you
Ren: Horo? (He got a nod off Horo in return signalling him to go ahead)
After Ren and Horos Mom left and closed the door softly on the way out the two remaining in the room began to have a father son talk.
Horo: So… what did you want to talk to me about?
Horos Dad: I guess I owe you an apology, I know our last conversation wasn't exactly encouraging or fatherly
Horo: You can say that again
Horos Dad: I'm trying to say I'm sorry so are you satisfied now?
Horo: Sure but its not me you really should say sorry to. To add to the fact my parents didn't show up to my wedding because they didn't like him they sent pictures of girls to me to try make me leave him… which I would never do!
Horos Dad: Okay I get it, you're in love but you couldn't blame me for being disappointed
Horo: Yes I could (Obviously ticked off but tried to sound composed)
Horos Dad: When you have kids you'll understand
Horo: I'm going to have kids with Ren and we will be good parents… who will love them no matter what
Horos Dad: Just because we had a disagreement does not mean we stopped loving you
Horo: How could you love me yet not accept me
Horos Dad: I do accept you… it's just that Ren person I don't accept
Horo: You have only just met Ren for the first time and you didn't even acknowledge his existence never mind talk to him! (Horo growing increasingly infuriated)
Horos Dad: Well it's not everyday that a man has to be nice to his sons husband (Whispered the next part) especially a pregnant one
Horo: (Calmed down a smidge and sat down making a decision) you know what it's not as if Ren cares what you think so why should I? (Was going to stand to leave but was disrupted by his father's words)
Horos Dad: Wait
Horo: What?
Horos Dad: I didn't mean to be so stubborn. I want to be part of your life and my grandchildren's.
Horo: Then you know what you need to do
Horos Dad: Yes I do. I promise I will do my best to make Ren feel welcome in our family unit
Horo: Exactly
Horos Dad: As long as you're happy
Horo: I am
Pilikas voice could be heard from the kitchen she was hopping mad about something. Horo dared to investigate with his dad following behind hesitantly. Horo opened the door to see Lyserg on the floor Ren hovering above him with a book in his hand holding it as if to strike Lyserg over the head from where he was on the floor. Lyserg was protecting his face with his arms and Pilika was babbling at a very high speed and aggravatingly high-pitched tone of voice. Horos Mother stood at the side looking quite shocked and bewildered. Ren on the other hand looked agitated, uncontrolled and ready to pound Lyserg for some reason. Horo approached Ren vigilantly trying to slowly reach for the book before Ren could strike once more. He managed to grasp the book but Ren did not let go of it he just tightened his grip and pulled the book to himself as if to say 'I wont hit him again with the book' but Horo backed Ren away from Lyserg before letting go off the book and allowing Ren to keep it in his grasp. Everything calmed for a second before Horo finally asked what was going on. Ren glared at Lyserg, then at Pilika but after all that gave Horo a sharp blow to the back of the head with the book.
Horo: Ow what was that for? (Rubbed the back of his head)
Ren: What was what (Hit him again on the top of his head) That?
Horo: Ren geese! What did I do to deserve that? (Rubbed his head with both hands)
Ren: (Shoved the book into Horos torso) This!
Horo: What? (Took the book and looked at the front cover, it said 'diary' he immediately recognised it) My diary? How did you get hold of this?
Ren: Me! How did they get hold of it don't you mean? Lyserg here had been reading it… Along with your sister
Horo: Pilika! Lyserg!
Pilika: Hey I'm your sister! Besides why did you keep a diary?
Horo: I-I... a... err…well… It's… none of your business
Pilika: I think it was someone's crush record
Horo: Was not!
Pilika: I found it in my stuff after I moved back to the village with Lyserg. All it is practically is everything you and Ren EVER did… in agonizing detail
Lyserg: I don't know why he hit me I didn't start it
Horo: I can't believe what a sneak I have for a sister
Ren: I can't believe the things you written in there!
Horo: Well… it's a diary (ferociously glared at Pilika) it's SUPPOSED to be PRIVATE!
Pilika: Aww well I thought it was cute maybe mom would like to know what you guys get up to
Ren: (Turned a pasty white colour) …Gods…
Horo: Don't you ever even THINK about it
Pilika: (Stuck out her tongue) I got better things to think about… one of them Ren beat up with your hentai diary
Horos Mom: You both haven't changed much; I thought the shaman tournament taught you both to get along
Horo: It taught Pilika ways to force me to comply to her every command
Pilika: I trained you so you could win, maybe if you did as I said instead of finding ways to slack off then you could have been shaman king right now
Horos Dad: What have I told you regarding to 'what ifs'?
Horo and Pilika: Never say 'what if' but 'what is', never focus on what you don't have but what you do have
Horos Mom: Good now Pilika you can help me prepare dinner, we must celebrate the reunion of our little family unit. Oh I will cook everything I know
Pilika: Yes Mom
Pilika was dragged away to help with dinner and all Ren could do was stand and feel uncomfortable dealing with Horos family was not to be an easy task for him, especially when they are such peaceful people or so he thought…
The dinner was large to say the least, they couldn't fit everything on the table so had to get stools and the coffee table to stack food on. Eating on the table was cramped but Ren was determined to eat off his plate but Horos dad and Horo didn't want to waste table space with that they just grabbed from the plates set out for everyone to pick their food from. It was clear to everyone Horo also got his table manners from his father. The tense atmosphere was almost gone but still the mother kept this utterly false cheerfulness, sort of resembling the kind Pilika had when dealing with Horo when he acted out in public. Horo joked around with his dad and in return his dad joked around with him. Each of these strange Ainu were alike in most ways, there were differences but you could tell just by looking at them that they were related but the second they opened their mouths it was evident they were father and son. Ren didn't talk much except to answer briefly the few questions launched his way, he was just to fixated on the resemblances of this family to each other. Dinner went a lot better than anyone had actually ever believed primarily because the parents treaded so lightly when dealing with the issue of the pregnancy and the reality Ren was indeed a boy. It wasn't long before everyone packed in and headed for bed, The parents went home to sleep because they were only a short walk away in addition the fact there son and his pregnant significant other were sleeping in the only spare room pushed them to leave in view of the fact that it would be more than tense for them all.
In The Spare Bedroom-
Ren and Horo had just got ready for bed but the peculiar Ainu with blue hair decided it would be worthwhile to start a little project. Ren climbed into bed and watched for a few minutes while Horo cut, paste and coloured in some sort of diagram or document. He had his tongue sticking out ever so slightly focusing on his snipping and gluing. After a short while he held it up looking at it happily. He packed everything away but by now Ren had tired of watching his other half make some sort of calendar with glitter-glue and cut up pictures. Horo made sure nothing was left on the carpet because Pilika or Ren would surely kill him if he did. Horo jumped on the bed like it was Christmas morning and he wanted to open his gifts. He nudged Rens arm who had been doing a first-rate job of pretending to be asleep but now was forced to look at whatever arts and crafts Horo had worked on. Horo held up a funny looking calendar that was incorrect anyway with months missing and starting from the wrong dates never mind the missing days in the top month, it had a picture Ren and Horo on the top along with pictures of random things out of magazines Horo had taken a likings to.
Horo: Guess what it is
Ren: Why?
Horo: Just guess
Ren: Okay. It's a complete muck up of a calendar (Tried to sleep)
Horo: Nope
Ren: …okay then I don't know what it is
Horo: It's a baby schedule
Ren: …
Horo: See that is the day the twins were conceived (Pointed to the top of the schedule) then there's the due date Faust gave us (Pointed at a place nearing the bottom of the agenda)
Ren: Faust said May 8th not the 18th (Noticing the mistake Horo made)
Horo: Ooops (Ran to the box got a pen and corrected his mistake) My mistake
Ren: You seem to make a lot of those
Horo: As my dad always said mistakes are there to learn from
Ren: I noticed you and your dad have a lot in common, from your weird smile to that blue hair
Horo: You know what they say like father, like son
Ren: Not everyone turns out like his or her fathers
Horo: You always inherit something but I guess not always
Ren: Just go to sleep Horo
Horo: But I'm not sleepy
Ren: I don't care just don't bother me
Horo: But I have no one to talk to
Ren: Too bad (Laid down on his side facing away from the pouting Horo)
Horo: Fine, I'll just find something else to make (Went and flipped through magazines and stuff to make a collage)
Ren: Good-night (Drifted off to sleep eventually)
Rens dream-
Rens dreamt of the Tao mansion but it had changed slightly, a laugh echoed through the corridors, which was extremely unusual especially since this laughter was innocent and juvenile. It was definitely a child laughing but what child ventures to the Tao mansion and has time to laugh about it. Ren stepped to the room it was coming from but saw on the back of a kid that was playing with something finding amusement out of it. Ren slipped in the room and looked at the back of this child still but did not approach because it felt like there was a barrier or glass wall stopping him from moving from his station in the room. Loud footsteps came down the hall and the child suddenly gasped and stooped the childlike laughter silenced by the trudge of something coming to the room.
The door burst open and a figure came in looking angry and cruel. Ren immediately recognised his own face but only glimpsed at his own face briefly as the fierce enraged looking image of himself stormed over to the child looming over the defenceless adolescent before striking down with furious swipes causes cries to escape the kid's mouth. Ren witnessed this little child be beaten by himself. Words leaked from his own mouth, words that weren't his yet he spoke as if they were. En's words were falling from his lips. The Childs tears and cries only made things worse as the laughter and childlike nature was swiped away with every blow to the fragile body. It was tragic to see himself do these things, to want to stop himself yet unable to do so. The youth's tears only resulted in taunts and angry shouts for him to decline letting those tears fall. The child could be heard breathing now but the movements were stopped. Alive yet dead at the same time. Just like he was when young, just like his father was when he was young leading back through out time. Rens dream self still loomed over this child uttering a few words in a bitter, resentful way "No child of mine will ever laugh or cry, they only show your weak… destroy or be destroyed". Those words were like knives digging at Rens heart making him let tears fall because the child there was his own and unable to let tears fall from the small eyes that looked so much like Horos it hurt. This act was inhuman, that child was part of him and Horo and he was a threat to it. To both of them…
End Of Rens Dream-
Ren started to cry in his sleep, after some small tears formed his body shook and violent sobs followed. Horo could hear these distraught sounds from his position on the floor picking up bits of paper and finishing off his tiding. He put the bits in the bin as he passed to go see what was going on with Ren. His eyes looked over Rens body and his hands slowly lifted the sheets back do Rens face was visible. Tears fell creating a river of pure misery from Rens very essence; Horo held his breathe momentarily out of disbelief and fright. Ren had cried before but not like this, not so desperately or mournfully. Horo quickly shook Ren trying to break him from his nightmare. Rens eyes came upon and his body tensed further. The tears still left his eyes making tracks down his face. Ren saw blue eyes, the kind of eyes that always made him feel safe and warm but those eyes were too much like the Childs… too much like the thing he could destroy.
Horo Looked over Ren who was still crying fiercely even though he was awake. Horo felt tears come to his eyes because it was such a horrible thing for him to see. How could a dream cause so much damage and despair that it brought someone like Ren down to this level of irrepressible sobs. Horo pulled Ren close into his chest trying to sooth and contain the sobs that still arose from Ren. Ren felt the warmth and almost calmed for a second before realising what he was, Ren saw himself as the threat now and he needed to abolish all threats no matter what it entailed. Ren pushed Horo away violently letting sour and cruel words again leek out from his mouth
Ren: (Pushed at Horo to let go of him) Don't touch me! (These words were hissed nastily)
Horo: Ren, I-e, Ren what's wrong? (Tried to again comfort by offering the security of his warm embrace)
Ren: (Kept his distance not wanting to cause him pain but not knowing how else he could save him) I don't want you to touch me
Horo: Ren, why don't you want me to touch you? (His voice shaken with uncertainty and grief, tears were ready to drop at the next blow Ren was to serve)
Ren: (Still keeping his sullenness and unsteady voice) I need to sleep (Put his head down on the pillow but face away from Horo pulling to the other side of the bed so Horo could not be close)
Horo: (The tears fell and kept falling not knowing why Ren had been so harsh and hateful towards him) … Ren… (This was almost in audible)
Horo didn't know what to do, he lifted a hand to put it on Rens shoulder to try ease his partner but after the first few times he tried to touch Ren it made things worse. Horos hand stopped its approach and came to Horos face wiping away tears that came from the inflicted wound. Horo laid down and hugged into himself looking in the other direction because the back of Rens head was too excruciating to look at even for a short instant. The question why comes to mind but the phrase 'like father, like son' could be the answer to all of this…
Rinde: That was cruelLynda: I know I feel so guilty cries
Rini: You call that cruel… sad maybe
Lynda: No one asked you
Rini: Didn't need you to ask for me to give my opinion!
Lynda: Touchy
Rinde: Read and Review… can I say it Lynda Please! Please! Please! Begs
Lynda: Sure
Rinde: ROCK-ON!