Daydreamer: Sorry for the big delay in update but I have been really busy. I hope this makes up.
Chapter 4: What They're Up Against
Ren heaved a long sigh and leaned back on the wall. It's been three days since he's been with Hao and already felt stressed from his smothering affection. And now he's about to be taken out for the night.
"Let's go then." Hao said and Ren didn't answer. They walked along side each other on the dark streets for some time until Hao went into an alley. They went deeper down where the street lights' shine barely reached and they were far from people. Ren looked at Hao skeptically.
"Exactly where are you taking me?"
"Don't worry, we're almost there." Hao chuckled which irritated Ren even more. Be opened his mouth to say something else but Hao stopped abruptly.
"We're here." He said and smiled. They stood in front of a door and above it was a black sign that read Club Patch in white letters. There didn't seem to be anything special about it. And the choice of location didn't seem wise as it's hard to find and unnonicable. Ren doubted it would last long.
"Don't be decieved by looks, Ren. This place is great." With that, Hao opened the door and went in. They went down a flight of stairs until they reached another door. Music could be faintly heard and the ground lightly shook below their feet. Ren's expectations went a little higher and Hao knocked on the door. In a few seconds, a slot was revealed and a two eyes appeared.
"Ah, Hao-sama. Just a moment." There was a click and right when the door opened, the blaring music made Ren lean back. Despite the music he followed Hao inside. And he was right about decieving looks. The place was larger, louder, and somewhat better than even Panick. Nevertheless, it wasn't a place for him
"Good evening, Hao-sama." A man only a bit shorter than Ren with black hair and green eyes walked up to the two.
"Hey Nichrome. This is Ren, you've heard of him."
"Pleased to meet you." Nichrome said pleasantly and brought out a hand. Ren shook it and Hao spoke again.
"Ren, this is Nichrome. Friend of mine and a member of SOF. And he manages Patch for me."
"For you?"
"Indeed, Club Patch is Hao-sama's. It's just under my name." NIchrome answered Ren who looked around. He didn't even want to know how he got it. Hao took his hand and led him to the other side of the room with Nichrome following. He surfed through the dancing crowd with ease and it was better that he held Ren's hand or he'd get lost. When they stopped, they were behind the bar counter in front of a blank wall. Nichrome brought out what seemed like a remote and pressed a button. The wall slid open, revealing a flight of decending stairs. Ren blinked a few times and Hao made a light laugh at his reaction. He nodded at Nichrome who made a respectful bow.
"It's even better down here." Ren hesitated but reluctantly followed Hao down the stairs. When they reached the bottom, a large man blocked a door with his arms crossed. His head touched the ceiling and his body was like a mass of boulder-like muscles. A hit in the jaw would probably give worse than amnesia. But with his laid back expression Hao came in front of him and the bull dog face instantly softened.
"Good evening, Hao-sama!" The man rushed to the side and opened the door. Ren followed Hao inside and his gold orbs went wide. He didn't know what to call the place. The size was probably three or four school gyms worth. It was dark with dim lighting from the high ceiling, and from that ceiling hung glass boxes and cages with erotic dancers. They moved with the music played by the band performing on stage. Plus there were more dancers on poles which were in a few places. The room is packed with people dancing away, most of them looking drunk or high. Couches and tables could be spotted here and there, seated by men flocked by women, women flocked by men, or just a drunk riot. The whole place blared with music but also buzzed with hundreds, maybe even thousands of voices.
"Listen up! Hao-sama has entered the room!" Ren didn't think it was possible, but the guard from outside was heard above all the music and voices. There was a pause and all heads turned to them. Hao showed himself and a roar of cheers filled the incredible room. Ren was more than awed by the reaction and almost forgot to follow Hao through the crowd. Three times he almost lost sight of him as he tried to keep up but avoided contact with anyone at the same time. They finally stopped at an empty couch and table. Hao sat down and Ren came next to him, but kept a distance.
"Hao-sama!"
"We missed you!"
"Where've you been?" Three women called out and flocked around Hao. Hao greeted them with a smile as they leaned on him and made themselves comfortable. One of them noticed Ren.
"Hey, who's this? Doesn't come here often, does he?" Another also looked and grinned.
"I don't think so but he's got some nice eyes." The girls giggled as they leaned over to Ren as he leaned away. But Hao took his hand and pulled him over. He put an arm around his shoulders and held him close by his side.
"No girls, he's mine." He said and the girls groaned with disappointment. A tray of alchol was brought to them but Ren kept his hands away. And he tried to bear with the atmosphere around him while still being in Hao's arm. All he could do was think about Horohoro. Where he is, what he's doing, how he's doing. He even thought about sneaking out of the place but that was too risky. But alas, the Chinese couldn't take it. He freed himself from Hao's hold and got to his feet.
"Where're you going?"
"Somewhere for myself!" Ren yelled, not wanting to be around these creeps, and went through the crowd. Again he tried not to make any contact with anyone, though it was impossible with all the people. He ignored all flirts, glares, and calls he recieved until finally, he reached a less crowded area. Over here too had a bar but it was like the one upstairs was super-sized. Ren sat himself in an open seat and the bar tender poured him a glass. Ren didn't touch it.
"Don't think I've seen you before. What's your name?"
"None of your business." Ren spat but the tender only shrugged.
"I saw you come in with Hao-sama. You guys friends?"
"..."
"Well if you need anything, just let me know. The name's Zinc. Member of SOF so don't try anything."
"So all these guys aren't part of it?"
"No way! Most of these guys have loads of cash or work here. You must be pretty special if you're neither, not part of SOF, but still came with Hao-sama." Ren didn't answer him and just stayed silent. There was a crash and ear splitting screams. He turned and saw a mass of people concentrated on one spot and cheering on to something. In a few minutes, the crowd dicipitated and went back to their partying. Revealed was a bruised and bloody man on the floor, and a blue haired smoking girl. She looked down on the man in a superior-like way and spat her cigarette at him. Zinc sighed and shook his head, but wore a smile.
"That Kanna...Hey Macchi! Did she break anything?"
"Just a table!" A girl with red hair tied in two pig tails answered back cheerfully. Zinc slapped a hand on his forehead and shook his head again. Ren decided to find Hao and tell him that he's had enough. But after he got in the crowd for a few minutes, he found himself in a circle of drunken men. One of them spoke up as they closed in.
"Well aren't you a pretty little thing?" The men sneered as Ren growled and went into a position of defense. The men came at him and Ren used his martial art techniques to dodge and knock them out. Yet the Chinese was out numbered and was soon held captive. One of the larger men stepped up with a cocky grin.
"You're such a fiesty little pretty thing." Ren galred threateningly but the men laughed hysterically. The larger one brought out an enourmous hand and held Ren's cheek. Ren tried to jerk out but the hold was firm. Then, through all the noise and music, he could've sworn he heard a sudden sound. The man stopped short and fell to the floor. His back revealed a bullet hole and a red bloch began to spread on his shirt. Ren could feel the men holding him trembling. He looked up from the body to find who did the deed. It was easy since everyone backed away and made way for the shooter.
"Get your hands off of him." Hao hissed and pointed his gun at the other men who immediately let Ren free. For the first time, the Chinese was relieved to see him. But that relief disappeared when he looked at Hao again. He could feel the fierce aura coming from him like a wild fire. Just looking into his eyes can make even the most fearless beast's blood run cold. And those eyes moved to the men, making them look small and meek.
"H-Hao-sama...uh...um..." One man stuttered as Hao came closer. He brought Ren to his side and narrowed his eyes at him.
"None of you are to touch him."
"W-w-we're s-sorry, w-we d-d-didn't know..."
"Well now you do." Hao spat and looked around at the silent crowd, giving a message that it goes for the rest of them. While holding on to Ren, they went passed the men to the other side of the room. He motioned to Zinc who nodded and opened another secret door. This too lead to another flight of descending stairs.
"What if they tell the police?" Ren asked but Hao seemed fine.
"They can't afford to go to the police. None of these people can. Now let's just go to a quieter place." Hao was back to his light tone which really made Ren even more nervous. They reached a much smaller room, the size of an average bar. The lights had dim blue lights and soft music was played. Ren was grateful of the peacefulness.
"Good evening, Hao-sama. What can I get you and your friend?" A tall slender man from behind the counter asked. Hao sat down at the counter and Ren sat next to him.
"Vodka for me, Peyote. Tea for him since he doesn't drink." The orders were brought out and as if the incident was a lie, Hao was serene and drinking in silence. Ren began to wonder if he had multi personalities.
"Things got quiet up there all of a sudden. And I think I heard a gun shot. Something happened?"
"Some bastards were giving my Ren here a hard time and pissed me off."
"Did you kill anyone?"
"I don't care."
"Ren was your name? My my, you're very special. It's not everyday that Hao-sama gets so upset. In fact, it's quite rare." A lump formed in Ren's throat and he swallowed it down with some tea. He wondered if he'd ever be able to go back to Horohoro. It's more than confirmed that the ainu would be in great danger if he does. Even if Hao doesn't do anything, he can hire any of these guys to do it for him. But he shudders at the thought of never going back. So what's to do? He thought and bit down on his lip.
"Ren? Ren, you ok?" Ren blinked and looked at Hao.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine." He answered and took another look at the place. It definetly wasn't as crowded. A few tables were sat by a group or a pair. But then he noticed what went on at the tables. One table had a pair dealing drugs. Another was a group of mafia having a meeting. Another looked like business men but they discussed black marketing. Though this place was calmer, it was corrupt in it's own way. He looked at Hao with a scowl.
"What kind of place are you running!"
"Ren, even the ones we call bad needs a place. Where they can belong. And that's just what I give them."
"I want to leave."
"Already?"
"Yes. Right. Now." Hao shrugged and got out of his seat. Ren followed him to a door which had stairs going up. They reached another door and were outside in an alley. But it was one that Ren recognized. It's the one near Club Panick. They walked through and were only a few yards from the streets. They could already see passer-by's. One of them seemed to have noticed them and stopped. Ren and Hao also stopped when they saw they met eyes with a blue haired ainu.
TSUZUKU-----------------------------
Daydreamer: wow, I think this is the longest chapter so far. So now you know how dangerous Hao is. Not one to mess with. Not even I, the writer knows how he got all this. But then again, this is Hao. He's one powerful guy. So what will happen now? You will find out in the next chapter! Please review.