CHAPTER FIVE

Ren was dead and it was all his fault. He hadn't been strong enough to protect him. Yoh searched for the comforting presence of Amidamaru, but could find it. He was all alone. "No, it will be all right." Yoh's voice flattered at the end as he choked down a sob. Even his usual optimistic self couldn't penetrate the wall of sadness from the loss of the one person he had ever loved. He would never be able to see Ren's sparkling golden eyes or the rare smile that made Yoh's breath catch in his chest. The thought was unbearable. More tears streamed down the young Asakura's face as sleep took over him.

Ren quietly crawled out of bed trying not to wake the sleeping Asakura next to him. Ren felt his whole body relax as he shut the door to the washroom. He hoped Yoh was doing better than he was. At the thought of chocolate brown eyes Ren couldn't help but be reminded of his dreams. A slight blush colored his cheeks. Was it possible that he could…?

Ren's train of thought was interrupted by the presence of the elder Asakura brother. Hao's arms snaked around his stomach pressing them together. "What are you thinking so hard about my little cat?" Ren escaped Hao's grasp by moving to get his toothbrush. "Nothing." His voice was a little defensive and Hao noticed. "Do not lie to me my cat." Ren glared at the persistent shaman. "I was thinking of what a cruel bastard you are. Happy?" Hao frowned, not because of what Ren had said, but because of Ren's still bright red face. "If you insist. Breakfast is waiting in the bedroom. I have important business to attend to and will see you this evening." Hao's hand brushed against Ren's butt as he passed making the purple haired shaman jump. Hao's amused laugh lingered in the room even after he was gone sending shivers down Ren's spine. "Bastard." Ren resisted from killing the pyro, but just by a hair.

Ren tried to exercise, but ended up pacing the room for most of the day. Hao had left him a book and though Ren normally enjoyed passing his time with a good novel, he was just too anxious to sit still. Yoh had bee suffering for two days. It took all of Ren's effort not to hit the pyro when he came into the room, he could hold off, for Yoh.

Finally, Hao returned. The two boys just watched each other for a minute each deciding what to do. Ren had too much pride to look away first and stood stalk still as Hao closed the distance between them. "Normally, I would prolong this game, but you have been unusually preoccupied with my Otouto these past couple of days and I find myself a little jealous." Hao cupped Ren's face in his hands gazing into Ren's golden eyes with great desire. "I want to be the only thought in your head my cat." Ren let the anger fill his voice. "Can we go?" Hao released the purple haired shaman with a sigh. "My patience is not infinite Ren." The use of his real name meant Hao was being utterly serious and Ren knew that Hao was not going to be so kind for much longer.

It was the first time Ren was able to go outside his room and he memorized every detail for future use. They walked in silence. Hao would slowly move closer to Ren as they walked down the stone corridors and even managed to wrap an arm around Ren before the younger boy noticed and pulled away glaring. Ren was getting use to Hao's advances and wouldn't blush as often when the pyro tried to grope him, compliment him or suggest very inappropriate things. Hao still seemed to find new ways to make Ren blush or squirm.

They stopped at a wooden door at the end of a long corridor. Ren turned to Hao. "Remember. No listening in…" Hao waved his hand dismissively. "Of course, of course. Call my name if you need me my sweet." Hao said before disappearing in a burst of flame. Ren didn't waste any time.

Ren shut the door behind him before looking at the room. He found Yoh tied up in the same way he himself had been when he had first arrived. The brunette's arms were stretched above his head and his legs just barely brushed the floor, a very uncomfortable position. Ren stepped up so that Yoh would be able to look down at him without straining. "Yoh?"

Yoh blinked down at the blur that had said his name. That voice, could it be? Was he dreaming? "Ren?" The purple haired boy smiled up at Yoh. "Is this a dream?" Ren's laugh made Yoh's heart skip a beat. "No, it's really me." Yoh felt the tears of joy spilling from his eyes and couldn't stop them. He was just so happy. Ren was alive!

"Are you hurt?" Yoh blinked away his tears and smiled encouragingly at the worried Tao. Ren could tell it was forced. "He didn't hurt me, just told me you were dead and then left." Yoh's voice was dry and his eyes pain filled. He was too weak to hide it from Ren. "Left you alone? You mean you haven't had anything to eat or drink for three days?" Ren was outraged. Yoh just smiled at him. "Don't worry about me. Are you alright?" Ren ignored Yoh's question. Call my name if you need me my sweet. Hao had said. Ren cursed the evil shaman. He had known what Ren would find he had planned it all.

"Hao!" Ren wanted to follow the name with a series of curses, but managed to control his temper, for the moment. Hao appeared seconds later smiling. "You called my cat?" Ren glared at the joyful pyro. "You know exactly why I damn well called you evil bastard." Ren words didn't faze Hao and he continued to smile. "You couldn't stand to be away from me for such a long period of time?" Hao answered and immediately had to back up as Ren took a swing at him. "Tsk, tsk, tsk." Hao shook his finger at Ren.

Ren glared at Hao clenching his fists at his sides until they turned white. "Unchain Yoh! And give him food and water." Hao's frowned and stepped closer to Ren. "No one talks to me like that." Hao smiled surprising Ren. "I will see you tonight." Hao disappeared and Yoh collapsed to the ground. Ren sat the exhausted Asakura with his back to the wall and quickly went to the door to return moments later with a plate and glass of water. "Can you hear me Yoh? Drink this." Yoh drained half the glass without comment and was on his second piece of bread before he spoke.

"Are you okay?" Yoh scrutinized Ren looking for injuries a confused look crossing his face as he saw the shirt. "I'm fine." Ren handed Yoh another piece of bread, which the boy inhaled in mere seconds.

"What does Hao want."

"The usual." Ren sighed. Oh, and he also wants to fuck me till I can't stand. Ren decided to leave that part out for now. Yoh finished the rest of the water and bread before speaking.

"I think I can walk. Let's get out of here." Yoh tried to stand, but his legs buckled under him. Ren caught Yoh before he fell and lowered him slowly to the ground. "Baka. You haven't moved in days. What makes you think you can walk let alone fight?"

Yoh didn't speak. He just lay in Ren arms letting the warmth of the other boy's body seep into him. Hao should have killed Ren for yelling at him, but he didn't, why? Something was up. Why was Ren allowed to come see him and why had Hao done what Ren wanted? A million questions and Yoh didn't have the will to ask them. All he wanted was to stay next to Ren.

Ren held Yoh close. It wasn't at all like being near Hao. Yoh's presence was warm and cheery while Hao's was cold and dark. Whenever Hao touched him he wanted to pull away, but the feel of Yoh's body pressed against his made his heart beat faster.

"I'll get us out of here." Ren said comfortingly.

"Yeah. Everything will be all right." Yoh murmured. Ren couldn't help but smile at Yoh's optimism and trust in him.

"Hao said you were dead." Tears blurred Yoh's vision and Ren wanted nothing more than to make them go away. He cupped Yoh's face in his hands and made the boy look at him.

"Baka. Do I look dead to you?"

Yoh shook his head. "But why would he tell me that."

"Hao is a lying, deceitful, horny bastard who can't be trusted. He just wanted to play with you."

"Horny?"

Ren turned bright red and quickly released Yoh.

"Well…umm…you see…"

Ren knew this could be the only time he got to talk to Yoh so he pulled away from the embrace. "Yoh we need to talk. Do the others know where we are?" Yoh shook his head. "No. Hao said he would kill them and you if I didn't come alone." Ren let out an inaudible sigh. Good. No one else was hurt. Now all he had to do is keep Yoh safe.

"What is going on Ren?" Ren felt his cheeks turning red. He had hoped Yoh wouldn't ask, that maybe it would all go away.

"You don't have to worry about Hao killing me." Yoh was relieved and confused at the same time. "What do you mean?"

"Hao seems to have a…well…crush on me." The last part was rushed and it took a few seconds for it to register. In better circumstances, Ren would have laughed at the brunette's screwed up face, but they both were silent.

Yoh prayed that Hao had not done anything to Ren, his Ren. "Has he…" Ren's blush brought a rush of anger through Yoh. He was prepared to kill his brother. He had seen Ren first. Ren was his!

Ren was stammering and his broken sentences didn't make sense. Yoh grabbed Ren's hand and the babbling stopped. "Shh. It's okay. We're together now and we will defeat Hao."

Ren didn't know what to say. His heart was beating and all he could do was stare at his hand in Yoh's. Why did it have to feel so good? Why did he want nothing more than to lean in and have Yoh's lips pressed against his? Ren would not let Hao torture Yoh anymore. He would not play Hao's stupid games.

"I'll get you out soon. I promise." At Yoh's nod Ren left the cell prepared to face Hao.

Hao immediately appeared in front of him as he closed the cell door. "Did you have a good talk my cat?" Hao's voice was like a poisonous snake wrapping around him. Ren resisted the urge to punch the pyro. There might be time enough for that in the future.

"I have a proposition for you."

Chapter six is the last chapter, so don't stop now, read on!