Daydreamer: So here's chapter two and in this one, "the stranger" will finally be revealed. And I forgot to give one more warning:

I'm really not sure of how frequent updates will be. I'm going to be busy, so it really is impossible to tell. But I'll try my best, honestly I will.

Well, now that that's done, lets get on to chapter two.

Chapter Two: Not A Stranger At All

Ren slowly opened his eyes and groaned as he supported himself with his arms on his bed. He growled and put a hand to his throbbing head which is actually what awoke him. He cursed under his breath and sat still for a while, not wanting to make any sudden moves to make the headache worse. His memories of last night was still a fuzz, but it came back to him slowly. He remembers drinking at Panick, which explains his headache. And he vaguely remembers coming home...but he wasn't alone. He then realized the lump next to him below the covers.

"Horohoro?" Ren called out. He didn't really remember who he came home with, but he thought that maybe it was Horohoro and they made up for the arguement. But his golden eyes widened and he was speechless when he saw who was revealed.

"He's not here, you know that." Hao said with a smile spread across his face. Ren still didn't know what to say and just sat there in his bed. And then he realized something even worse. Both men weren't wearing anything. Ren paled and brought the covers tighter around himself, but didn't pull too hard so that Hao could still be covered. But the brunette looked at him with a bit of an amused smirk.

"Come on, you saw me naked all night last night. And vise versa." Ren tensed even more. This has to be a nightmare. He thought in horror. But his fear soon became rage and he gave death glares at Hao. But Hao was unaffected and he just gave a peck at his cheek. The Chinese threw a fist but Hao caught it with some ease and pushed him down on the bed and pinned him down.

"I think we had a lot of fun last night. We should do it more often."

"Shut up." Ren hissed and tried to break free but came to no avail. And the headache wasn't helping. He just glared with his gold orbs flickering with an angry fire. And Hao would only return it with his smile. He spoke again in a low tone.

"You know I've wanted you for a long time, Ren. And you really upset me when you chose him over me."

"So what? It wasn't even a hard decision, pretty easy in fact. Works with me just fine."

"Well I didn't like it. But I still waited patiently for you to change your mind and come to me." Hao frowned and squeezed Ren's wrists. The Chinese winced a bit and Hao loosened his grip, but kept him down.

"But I only have so much patience, and I'm losing it. So I don't care if I have to force it, Ren. I'm going to make you mine."

"Hn, I don't care what you do to me. It won't happen."

"Ren, I can't do anything to you. However, you might say differently if a certain Ainu gets involved."

"Don't you lay a finger on him."

"I won't if you come to me. If you break up with him, move in with me, and follow with my rules he'll be safe. No harm will be done to anyone."

"Bastard." Ren hissed and narrowed his eyes. Hao stared back with his dark eyes gleaming and he let go of the Chinese who sat up. They quickly turned to the door that opened and there stood a stunned Horohoro.

"Hao..." Horohoro growled through his teeth and glared at the shirtless brunette. But as if to feel no threat, he greeted the Ainu with a bright smile. Horohoro saw Ren sitting next to him, also shirtless. And he soon noticed marks on both of their bodies. One of his eyes twitched as confusion and anger mixed inside.

"What the fuck happened? What did you do to Ren!"

"Calm down, I'll explain." Hao raised two hands in defense, though he looked as relaxed as Yoh could. He got out of bed, revealing the rest of his bare body and got into his clothes. The Asakura sat on the floor and kept his laid back expression.

"Hmmmm... there's not much to explain since it's exactly how it seems. We had sex." Horohoro's eyes grew wide and he took Hao by the collar of his shirt. The Asakura made a smirk and snorted.

"What in the name of bloody hell did you do to Ren?"

"I didn't rape him, if that's what you're asking. He's the one who suggested it after inviting me in."

"Give me the fuckin truth!"

"I am. He came out of Club Panick last night and went to ally to go home. He was too drunk so I helped him, and he invited me in saying he needed company. And well, he said he was lonely and we had sex."

"You bastard!"

"Actually, I suggested not to but he just insisted. He must have been really lonely." Hao's eyes moved to the back of Horohoro. The Ainu turned around and saw the faced down picture frame. He threw Hao down and came up to Ren. The Chinese didn't move, but rather seemed frozen by the situation.

"Is what he said true!" By now, Ren's memories returned and all he could do was drop his head.

"Horohoro, I..."

"You what! Betrayed me? Damn straight you did! I don't get it, Ren! Why! And of all people, why him! Why Hao!" Ren couldn't answer. He was still silent. Horohoro spoke more calmly but was still enraged.

"Did you really get so drunk that you fucked with that bastard? You don't even drink, Ren. So what the hell were you doing at a place like Panick? You never liked it, or at least that's what you told me. Or what? You like it all of a sudden and look for someone like Hao to sleep with just because we had an arguement? Did you want to get back at me? Make me feel bad?"

"No, baka! Don't put all the blame on me, you're the one who made it seem like we broke up!"
"Oh so if we break up you're ready to find just about anyone and have sex with them? And we didn't even break up. I said I needed to think about it!"

"Well you sounded doubtful enough!"

"You would too if I kissed someone! Wouldn't you get scared if it was Hao or something!" Ren's mouth opened for a reply but quickly shut it. Horohoro's near-tears eyes stopped him. The ainu desperately held them back as his head hung low, clentched fists shaking. Ren reached out, even though he didn't know what to say or do. But before he reached him, Horohoro spoke again in a low and quivered voice.

"I got scared, Ren. I'm sorry for leaving like that but I got scared. I'm sorry it took me so long, but I came to apologize. I don't want what we have to end." Horohoro raised his face again, tears still held back. But the redness in his eyes looked like blood of all his hurt inside. Ren couldn't stand it, couldn't bear it, that he's causing all that pain. That Horohoro is getting hurt by something that shouldn't be happening, shouldn't have happened, something that shouldn't be real. For something that shouldn't, couldn't, and won't end.

"So what exactly is gonna happen, Ren?" Ren blinked out of his phased out state and looked at Hao. He forgot that the bruenette was even there. And looking at him reminded him of their earlier conversation. His choices. How could things get any worse? If he chose Horohoro now, he'd put him in danger. His life in danger. If he went to Hao, he'd be safe. But the Chinese wants Horohoro, no one else. He didn't want to be with someone he doesn't love, let alone be with Hao who he despised. It's bad enough that he made such a mistake last night. But getting Horohoro hurt was the last thing he wanted. But leaving him now like this...wouldn't that hurt him too? He said he doesn't want to end their relationship, so that could mean forgiveness. Even if he's already hurt him so much, they could go back together. But that would mean... No, I can't let that happen. Ren sighed and first changed into his clothes.

"Horohoro, it's over." A sharp gasp left Horohoro and his eyes grew wide. His whole body felt numb as Ren just began to pack his things as if all has been said. As if it's one of the things to do for the day. As he moved around to gather his things, Horohoro came next to him.

"What'd you mean it's over!"

"Between us. It's ended. I'm with Hao now." Ren said his words short and fast. He couldn't even look at Horohoro's face as he got everything and closed his bag. Hao watched as he wore a wide smile, enjoying every bit of the moment. Once Ren was done, he went to Hao, doing his best to ignore the smile without hitting him in the jaw. The two opened the door and Hao went out first. When Ren was out half way, Horohoro grabbed his arm.

"Just like that? How? Why?...I don't get it!" The only answer he got was Ren snatching his arm away and closing the door in his face. The Chinese slipped his copy of the key through the mail slot and Horohoro heard them go down the stairs. He fell to his knees and a trembling hand picked up the key. He stared at it as if it were all he had left. It kinda was. And he couldn't hold back his tears anymore. They fell out of his eyes and ran down his pale cheeks freely. He threw the key to a random wall and slammed his fists on the floor. He clentched his teeth, trying to hold back tears as he felt his heart shatter into countless peices.

BACK TO HAO AND REN----------------

Hao opened the door to his room and let Ren in first. Ren dropped his bag on the floor and looked around. It was a little more spacious than the room he used to live in with Horohoro and a rather decent place. Still, he shuddered at the fact that it was Hao's home and he was going to live in it too. Hao plopped down on the couch and smiled.

"Make yourself comfortable."

"With you it's impossible."

"Come on, Ren. We're together now. Why do you have to be so mean?" Hao whined and put a hand on Ren's cheek. But Ren made a low growl and slapped it away. His gold eyes blazed with malice and Hao looked at him skeptically.

"I'm only here so you'll stay away from Horohoro. So you better keep your promise. And don't get yourself too comfortable by letting this situation get to your sick head. Just keep in mind that he has something you'll never have." Ren gave Hao a hard look. But the next thing he knew, he was pushed facing against the wall, his arms pinned to his back. Hao brought his face near his ear, his voice giving a tone of warning.

"You better keep in mind that the two of you are over. So forget you ex, because you need to go by my rules. You don't want him to be a threat, Ren." Ren knew what he meant and kept his mouth tightly shut. Hao let go of him and wore his grin again. Though Ren was disgusted, he just walked passed him to the showers.

"I'm going to shower." He muttered and Hao nodded.

Ren stood in the shower, the water hitting his body full blast. Streams ran from his hair to his face, washing down his body with his camouflaged tears. But it didn't wash away anything. It didn't wash away the corrupted feeling. He felt it all over his body like it was stuck to his skin. The memory. The fact. The mistake. Nothing washed away from this body that Hao tainted. He fell to his hands and knees, the shower now hitting his back.

"Damnit, damnit, damnit,damnit, DAMNIT!" He screamed through his tears and let out a yell. Hao heard the faint voice from behind the door in the other room. He tilted his head, a bit worried.

"You ok in there?"

"Shut up!" Hao returned to the tv he was watching and shrugged.

"Don't worry, you'll love me soon enough."

TSUZUKU---------------------

GASP! So the stranger was Hao! I don't know why I put him in an open shirtin the last chapter, but that's just what I imagined he'd be wearing. But anyway, things are getting a whole lot more complicated, isn't it? For those of you who are wondering why it took so long for Horohoro to get back, that will be explained in the next chapter. Ya, sorry for all the mysteries, but I like it that way. gosh, this is getting so sad. How will Ren and Horohoro get out of this one? They're up against Hao and he's capable of almost anything, especially for what he wants, which is of course Ren at the moment. Anyway, enough of all my talk. Please review, that would be really nice. And I'll try to update as soon as I can.