CHAPTER THREE
Ren put a hand to his throbbing head opening his eyes slowly. Ren had been stuck in many dungeons before he had met Yoh. That he could handle, but this was not an ordinary cell if you could even call it that. The room was stone, but had a red plush carpet and two wooden doors. There were three small windows as close to the ceiling as possible and the bars killed any thought of escape through them. There was a fireplace built into the wall and a red couch and two matching comfy chairs in front of it. Ren sat on a huge bed with dark red, silk sheets and six matching pillows. The room was actually quite breath taking.
"What do you think?" Ren turned to see Hao standing near the door. He hadn't heard him enter. "Very nice, if you ignore the chains attached to the bedposts and the other set hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the room." Hao laughed taking a few steps closer to the bed. "What do you want Hao?" Ren asked inching his way to the edge of the bed to widen the distance between the pyromaniac and himself. He was free and he wouldn't waste the opportunity. He might never get a second chance. "I was asking myself the same thing and I finally came to a conclusion. I want you Ren Tao." Ren froze just as he got his feet off the bed. He sat on the edge of the mattress unable to move, but finding his voice still working. "Stop playing games Hao." Hao was all of a sudden standing in front of him. "This is no game Ren."
Hao pushed Ren firmly onto the bed using his body to pin the younger boy down. "Get the hell off of me you bastard!" Ren yelled trying desperately to get away. Ren fought with all his might, but Hao was bigger and stronger. When Ren finally stopped struggling Hao had, his arms pinned above his head and was straddling his legs, completely immobilizing him. "You are so beautiful Tao." Ren froze as Hao's free hand gently stroked his face. Ren felt the blush in his face and turned his head to the side so that he didn't have to look at Hao.
Ren could handle someone trying to hurt or kill him, but not this. Hao forced Ren to face him and before Ren could protest Hao's lips were pressed tenderly against his. It was a sweet, innocent kiss that left Ren speechless. Hao's free hand roamed Ren's body sliding under cloth to find smooth skin. Hao leaned into Ren pushing their bodies together. Hao's aggressive nature took over and he tore off Ren's shirt in a quick, painful motion. Ren's startled cry was cut off as Hao kissed him again. Hao's tongue relentlessly explored Ren's mouth until he was forced to come up for air.
"Let me go!" Ren's brain started to work through the shock and he began to fight back however fruitlessly. "Stop! Hao!" Ren was silenced by another probing kiss. Ren couldn't punch or kick, but he wasn't option less. Ren bit down on Hao's tongue making the older shaman draw back with a yell. Ren spit out the metallic tasting liquid in his mouth staining Hao's poncho. En had taught him that he was never truly weaponless and that he was a weapon that could be used in limitless ways. At least he had learned something good from his brutal and horrible family.
Hao calmly met Ren's furious glare. "Not going to play nice I see." Hao said slowly licking the blood from his lips. "Too bad. It could have been very pleasurable for the both of us."
"Screw you."
Hao smiled wickedly.
"Exactly."
Yoh took the second to last shift. He would be two maybe three hours gone before they woke up and found his note. It explained that he was going to get Ren and would be back as soon as possible and not to wait up. Ren and him would catch up. Finally, he told them to take care and not to worry. Anna would be furious with him for going off alone and right into Hao's trap. Her obsession with the title of shaman queen could be annoying at times, but she was still his friend. Amidamaru had reluctantly agreed with Yoh that they had to go alone, but was silent as they followed the dirt road. Yoh was glad to have Amidamaru by his side. He had been feeling quite depressed since Ren's abduction. Amidamaru didn't know the depth of Yoh's feelings for his fellow shaman. Yoh had hidden the truth from Amidamaru in fear that the spirit would reject him.
"Are you alright Yoh?" Amidamaru asked a worried frown on his face. Yoh beamed his trademark smile up at his guardian spirit. "Fine. Just thinking. I hope Ren is okay." Amidamaru's features softened into his light, comforting smile. "Do not worry Yoh, Ren can take care of himself." Yoh nodded. Ren was the strongest person Yoh had ever met, but alone with Hao. Yoh shook his head trying not to think about what horrible things his twin was doing to Ren.
Hao had turned the struggling Tao over onto his stomach and was clicking the handcuffs shut when he was thrown off the bed. Ren had finally maneuvered himself so that he could buck Hao off of him. Unfortunately, Hao had been able to bind both of Ren's hands and the boy was unable to escape.
Hao rose slowly to his feet. "You will pay for that Tao." Invisible blows hit Ren's body. He didn't cry out, he had survived worse. When Hao was finally satisfied with beating him the sheets around Ren was drenched in sweat and his breath was coming out in short rasps. "Bas…tard." Ren managed to whisper in retaliation. Hao chuckled softly in amusement. "You don't give up do you Ren? That is one of the reasons I find you so attractive. My little cat."
Hao was back onto top of Ren before he could respond. Ren gasped as he felt Hao's hand brush against him. "You will be mine." Hao's foreboding words made Ren shiver. "Stop." Ren yelled as Hao pulled down his pants. Ren saw the beige poncho that the pyro always wore fall out of sight onto the floor. "Damn it Hao! STOP!" Ren screamed, but to no avail. There was no escape. Where the hell was Yoh when you needed him. Anna might leave him behind, but Yoh would never stand by while one of his friend's was being held captive. Ren was furious with himself for thinking about being saved. Tao's didn't need saving, they took care of themselves. Still, where was Yoh!
Hao wanted Ren, but as he heard Ren's desperate cries the feeling of uncertainty flooded his head once again. His mind told him that he wanted Ren. That he was positive of. The question now was, how? Hao had believed his desire was purely for Ren's gorgeous body. Ren's voice was low and hoarse from yelling too much, but he didn't stop. Hao was frozen with turning thoughts. It wasn't only Ren's body that he wanted. Love? A foolish word that had no true meaning. However, as he looked down at Ren he knew it was more than just physical need that made him want the boy. He couldn't rape Ren. Yeah, he wanted to fuck the Tao until neither of them could move, but he couldn't do it without Ren's permission. "Damn it." Hao, the greatest Shaman in all of time, didn't need anyone's permission, but he wanted Ren's. He wanted Ren to want him. "Burn it all to hell!" Hao cursed as he picked up his poncho. He waved his hand at the bed then slammed the door shut behind him without looking back.
Ren listened to Hao's footfalls fade not daring to move until he was sure the other boy was gone. Ren allowed his body to shake in relief, but would not cry. Hao was gone and nothing had happened. But why? Was Hao just playing with him? Having a little fun before Yoh and the others arrived? Ren cursed in Chinese. Everything Hao said had been a lie, another trick. Right? Ren rubbed his free wrists. Since he wasn't chained it was positive that the door was locked, but he had to check. This was one of those times where he wished he was wrong.
Ren found his black, silk shirt torn at both sleeves. He had lost one of his favorite shirts. Damn. Ren swayed slightly where he stood. He felt so tiered all of a sudden. He knew that he should try to find a way to escape, search every corner of the room, think of every possibility, but he just couldn't keep his eyes open. Ren Tao was asleep before he landed on the bed.
Ren blinked sleepily up at the Asakura leaning over him. Yoh? The brunette smiled down at Ren tentatively brushing his hand against Ren's cheek. "Good morning my cat." Not Yoh. Definitely not Yoh! Ren rolled off the bed and took up a martial arts stance ready to fight Hao. "Ren…" Hao said not moving from his sitting position on the edge of the bed. "I want to." Hao took a deep breath before continuing. "To apologize for my behavior last night." If glares could kill Hao would have dropped dead. Ren folded his arms across his chest and noticing that it was bare turned bright red.
Hao chuckled. "You are so cute my cat." It's hard to look tough when you're blushing and half-naked, but Ren pulled it off. "Don't call me that." Hao smiled. "Do you really want that to be your one favor, Ren?"
"What are you talking about?" Ren asked wondering what Hao was up to.
"It's simple. I will grant you one wish for my inappropriate actions before. It is only fair." Ren couldn't help but laugh. Hao fair? Ha! The older shaman frowned slightly. "I am not lying. Ask away." Ren decided to play his game for now. "Die?" It was Hao's turn to laugh. "You are so kawaii sometimes Ren, but that I will not grant." Ren had to try. "Fine. Let me go." Hao sighed. "You know as well as I do, that is not an option." Ren grunted. It was worth a shot. The purple haired shaman gazed around the room looking for inspiration. "How about a shirt? Or is that impossible as well?"
"No. That is fine. While we wait, how about some breakfast?" Hao motioned with his head at the tray near the fireplace. It consisted of a grand selection of fruits including fresh peaches, Ren's favorite.
Hao had finally been able to persuade Ren to sit down on one of the comfy chairs near the fireplace while he took the sofa. He hadn't had any luck getting him to eat and enjoyed the meal alone. Ren ignored both Hao and the food. The boy was impossible. Hao was about to give up when a knock at the door startled them both. He had been so engrossed with trying to get Ren to talk that he had completely forgotten.
"Enter Opacho." At Hao's command the little dark skinned kid came in carrying a package almost as large as himself. "The shirt you wanted master." Hao thanked the little boy and took the gift from him. When Opacho had left Hao handed the box to Ren. "I hope you like it." Ren cautiously opened the present. Inside was a shirt. It was black with gold clasps on the front and gold seams. By the feel Ren knew that it was one hundred percent Chinese silk. Ren didn't want to wear it since it was from Hao, but it was better than being half naked in front of someone who watched you with hungry eyes as if you were a piece of good meat that they couldn't wait to taste. Of course, the shirt fit perfectly. It bared his shoulders and cut off an inch before his belly button. Ren tried not to dwell too much on how Hao knew exactly what he liked.
"Is it to your liking?" Ren glared at the pyro. Hao knew the answer to his question and Ren wasn't going to indulge him.
"What now?" Hao grinned happily at the Tao's willingness to talk. "We compromise. I do something for you, like answer a question and then you do something of equal value for me. Fair?" Ren wasn't sure what Hao was trying to do, but had no choice but to go along with it until he could escape. "Sounds reasonable enough." Hao suppressed a smile of triumph. "Than it is a deal." Ren had no choice but to accept Hao's outstretched hand if he were to find a way to escape.
"Where are the others?" Ren was worried about his friends. Were they all captured like he was or were they looking for him?
"Yoh is on his way here as we speak, another day away I predict, and those weak companions of yours are still at camp."
"Why is Yoh coming here alone?" Ren asked wondering why everyone was not coming to rescue him again. Not that he needed rescuing. "I told my Otouto that if he wanted to keep his friends alive that he was to come unaccompanied. I don't want anyone to interfere you see." Yoh should know that it was a trap. The idiot was going to walk right into Hao's hands. "And what happens when he gets here?" Hao's smile touched his eyes. "Yoh joins me and together we make a world of only shamans." Ren rolled his eyes. He knew that part and knew that neither Yoh nor himself would let that happen. "I meant about me." Hao's smile only seemed to grow larger. "After accomplishing my 500 year old dream I will require someone by my side."
Ren folded his arms across his chest glaring at the crazy pyro. "In your dreams Hao." The Asakura shrugged. "Is it my turn yet? I think that was three questions already." Ren nodded warily. He would keep his word if Hao was practical. "How about for the three questions I get one kiss." Ren turned bright red at the suggestion Hao's amused laugh filling the room. Ren just wasn't use to having someone hit on him especially not another guy. "Fine. I will hold off a little longer. Will you at least accept having dinner with me tonight. That entails actually eating the food this time?" It wasn't an unjust request, so Ren agreed making Hao's eyes sparkle. "Wonderful. I will see you tonight. Take care my little cat."
"Don't call me that!" Ren called out, but Hao had already disappeared in a burst of flame.
Ren spent most of the day continuously trying to open the door and pacing the room. Ren tried desperately not to think about Hao's unsettling actions since his capture. What was the evil shaman up to? Ren would never admit it aloud, but he wished Yoh would hurry up. Ren did not want to spend another night alone with Hao. Ren wanted the old Hao that had been trying to kill him back, not kiss him. Sure Hao was sexy. Ren could admit that. But he wasn't going to sleep with Hao just because he had an attractive figure. The 1000-year-old shaman was cruel and twisted. Not Ren's type.
Ren preferred someone who was sweet. He wanted not only to protect them, but to feel safe in their arms as well. Whose joyful smile would lift Ren's own spirits and make him smile back. Ren shook his head. What was he thinking? This wasn't like him at all. Tao's do not love and do not need anyone. Ren crushed his train of thought, but the image of sparkling chocolate eyes lingered in his head.
Ren tried the windows, but the bars were all solid. The light coming from outside was dwindling warning the purple haired shaman of Hao's appearance. Ren sat on the couch, back straight, arms crossed and a frown on his face. He may have to dine with Hao, but he didn't have to enjoy it. The door clicked and in came a smiling Asakura. "Hungry?" Ren ignored Hao's question and the shaman servants that brought in the trays of food.
Supper consisted of three Chinese dishes of noodles and meat and vegetables. Hao, the gentleman, served and Ren reluctantly took the plate. Hao sat down with his own dish on the other side of the couch. Ren wanted to change seats, but his pride wouldn't let him. He took a cautious bite of the food praying it wasn't drugged or poisoned, on the other hand poisoned might be nice, anything to get away from Hao.
"Do you like it?" Ren took a long sip of tea deciding how to respond. The food was exquisite. Better than anything he had tasted since joining up with Yoh. Yoh just wasn't a cook. He somehow burned everything even with Ren watching. Ren smiled at the memory.
"What is on your mind my little cat?" Hao's curious tone pulled him from his thoughts. "Just thinking about the most satisfying way to kill you." Ren answered nonchalantly taking another bite of chicken. "Chicken's good." Hao smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. Ren getting on his nerves? No! The younger shaman would never want to do that.
They finished the rest of the meal in silence and only when the dishes had been taken away did Hao speak. "Is there anything you would like? I won't lie, I have a few things in mind for compensation for myself." Ren didn't like the way Hao smiled as he said it, but he couldn't sit around and do nothing. He knew he would regret not taking the chance more than having it backfire on him.
"What do I have to do to get you to let me go?" Hao stretched out to reveal his bare stomach. "I thought you might ask that. All I want is to finish what I started the night before." His casual voice held a hint of seduction that made Ren blush. "No way." Ren was thankful his voice was steady and full of anger.
Hao watched Ren and had to continuously stop himself from jumping the boy. Just one kiss, that's all he wanted. Why did his Ren have to be so difficult!
"When is Yoh going to arrive?" The question surprised Hao. He didn't like that his Ren was asking about his twin brother. Hao brushed it off. Friendship was a very annoying inconvenience. "Tonight." Hao watched Ren think something over in his head. He was so cute when he was thinking. Hao wanted to jump the boy right then, but resisted.
"Tonight. What are you going to do?" Ren asked, unconsciously unfolding his arms. "Didn't I already answer this question? I will get him to join me of course." Ren shook his head. "Yoh will never join you."
"We will see." Hao stated calmly, unperturbed. He had heard this many times before, but it was an inevitable fate.
"I must get going if I am to greet my little brother." Ren held his breath waiting for Hao to do something he wouldn't enjoy.
"I almost forgot." Ren did not believe that for a second. Hao was a horny and intelligent bastard. Hao vanished and reappeared behind the Ren. Ren felt strong arms wrap around his mid drift and a warm body press up against his. Hao's hot breath tickled his neck and left cheek as he spoke. "This will do for now." Ren pulled away just as Hao let go and vanished once again.
"Bastard!" Ren was furious, but that wasn't the only reason his cheeks had turned a molten red. Damnit!
This one was much longer than the others, but I hope you liked it.