So, the general consensus is that last chapter was strange and that incest plus rape makes for uncomfortable reading. Noted. But I thank those of you who are choosing to stay with the story despite your adversities to the subjects dealt with in last chapter. I am, by no means, glorifying them.
We have a 30 page chapter on our hands. This is why it took so long.
For the longest time, I've been trying to find a suitable voice for adult!Pin-Mei, since Yui Makino, in my eyes, is incapable of doing a voice low/grown-up enough for someone in their late thirties. I found someone...sort of. I have no idea who this person is, but they play Tidus's mother in Final Fantasy X. I'm on a manhunt to find her name. I will! Even if I have to email Square Enix or buy the international version of the game! (okay, maybe I won't go that far. That's some serious cash we're talking about there)
Notes: I DON'T recommend using Pin-Mei's little trick to unlock the door. If not done correctly, you could hurt yourself and/or wreck some perfectly good silverware. Don't blame me if you don't heed me warning.
There are some graphic descriptions of torture in this chapter which may be disturbing to some people.
Again, no, I'm not trying to make Ren1 look like a bad guy.
Lien's ringtone is the first line of the chorus to "Brave Heart" (by Megumi Hayashibara) in English. I am in no way claiming that I wrote that line myself.
Pin-Mei's flashback of her watching the Shaman Fights with Zhang is inspired by Ren's Q&A section from the Mankin Fan Book. Yes, he does actually say most of these things.
Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King or its characters. The only ones I own are the original ones, which are basically everyone in this chapter except for Tao Ren.
A Gift of Love – Chapter Seventy-Four: This is How We Crumble
Lien's eyes shot open. She calmed as her sleeping mother's face came into focus.
Mama...
She looked down and saw a hand resting on her arm. Gingerly, she looked over her shoulder to see her father sleeping behind her. Her head fell back down against the pillow, trying to remember what had happened the night before.
Lien continued to sob into Ren's shoulder as his eyes remained transfixed on the ground, burning with rage. Pin-Mei finally knelt down and began stroking her daughter's hair.
"I...I don't know what to say," she whispered breathlessly. "I never expected such a thing from him."
Lien turned her face to hide it from her mother's view, her wails unrelenting. Ren seemed to hug her for a moment, then gently placed her in his wife's arms. He stood. Pin-Mei looked up at him, her eyes fearful.
"Ren, where are you going?" He began walking away. "Ren!"
"I'm going to have a talk with him."
She studied him for a moment before shaking her head. "You're lying." She started following him.
"Stay there with Lien," he commanded.
She looked back at the shell sitting on the ground that was her daughter. Betwixt, she finally let him go. "Don't hurt him!" she called.
Silence.
"Promise me!"
Ren stopped for a moment. "...I promise I won't kill him."
"That's not good enough!"
"Well, it's going to have to be, because I'm in no mood to compromise."
With that, he began running down the hall and up the stairs. She stared after him, eyes wide, then looked at Lien, and back at the darkened hallway. Níu-Năi appeared, looking back as his father passed him.
"Where's Dad running off to?" he asked.
Pin-Mei was silent for a moment as she allowed the guilt of what she was about to do take over. She ran past him. "Mommy needs to go help Daddy, so take care of your sister for a few minutes!" She vanished as she ran down the darkened hall.
Níu-Năi blinked, then looked at Lien. He could see the tears in her now reddened eyes and the blood on her legs. Still confused, he strode over and stood in front of her. "Hey, Neechan, what's wrong? Watcha crying for?"
She looked up at him for a moment, then started crying again. She knew that she couldn't burden her brother with something as large and complicated as this. Her little brother looked down, his bangs covering his eyes.
"It was rape, wasn't it?" he murmured, his voice deeper and more mature than his age should allow.
Lien just hid her face from him. He took another step forward and placed his hand on her head.
"Parts of you reminds me so much of her," he whispered. "Things like this…what's happened to you…I wasn't able to save her when the same thing happened. But unlike then, the one who defiled you has allowed you to live…And that's what you have to do, Lien."
She looked up at him with wide eyes, stunned that he was saying such things, especially addressing her by her given name, which he had been told was disrespectful.
"It must have hurt for him to take you like this, even if you love him. But Lien, for the sake of your family, if not just for yourself, keep on living. Your family loves you too much for you to give up." He smiled down at her. "This boy loves you as well."
Lien silently turned to look at her father. Papa, what did you do after that? Why am I in your and Mama's bed?
She looked at the sky through the window. It was still pitch black outside. No stars could be seen. She knew that there wasn't anything to do except sleep, so she closed her eyes, trying to push any nightmarish thoughts from her mind.
The next morning at breakfast, Ren and Pin-Mei didn't look at each other. Lien just looked at the bowl of rice in front of her. Níu-Năi, having no idea what was going on, stared at the empty seat to the right of his father.
"Hey, Dad, where's Niichan?"
He didn't look up. "Sleeping."
"Oh...Shouldn't one of us go get him?"
"No. I'll make sure he gets something to eat."
Pin-Mei put down her bowl and set her chopsticks in their holder. "I'm done," she announced quietly. She took the bowl and stood to walk out.
"You're not bringing that down to him," Ren said apathetically. "You can't open the door without a key."
She stopped dead in her tracks. "Will…Will you bring it to him?"
"If I remember to, maybe. Rest assured, he has pains far worse than those of hunger."
Pin-Mei looked over her shoulder. "How can you say such things about your son?"
"I'm eating at the moment, if you can't tell. I'll answer any questions you have concerning the decisions I make as the head of this family when I'm through."
Pin-Mei slowly placed the half-eaten meal on the counter. She glanced at her husband once again. Without another word, she left the room.
Stiffly, she walked to the study and took down the photo album, then sat down in a chair as she flipped through it. Her and Ren's meeting…their wedding…the births of their children…their growing up…As she stared at all of it, she couldn't stop a tear from leaving her eyes. There were so many wonderful memories, but now they all seemed so far away.
What's happened to him? Why is he so cold now? He's always had that in his personality, but he still could be empathetic…
She meant to go look at the pictures of her and Ren as teenagers again, but she went back too far and saw pictures of En and Ran instead. Her shoulders drooped. They weren't here anymore. They had left this world only a few years before. Ren had been devastated by Ran's death, but less so by En's. It was evident that there was still a little bit of hatred from his childhood locked inside his heart.
She closed the album and stared at the ground.
As his wife…the one who loves him most…it's my job to bring back those happy days.
The question was…How?
But first…I want to see my son again.
Pin-Mei lay awake as she stared out the window. Night. It had been almost three days since her family had been turned upside down – since she had seen her son. That night had been hell to her, between watching her daughter suffer and her son being accused of such a heinous crime. As much as she tried to block it out, the horrific memories of what happened that night wouldn't leave her alone.
Ren pressed himself against the wall to the right of his son's door. He listened for any movement from within the room. Hearing none, he slowly turned the knob, opened the door, and peered inside.
His son was laying on his bed, chest-up, shirtless, and passed out. Ren's fist clenched as he saw that the cloth rope typing the pants was undone, and were slipping down ever so slightly.
"Didn't even have time to cover yourself up, did you, you little bastard?"
"Ren!"
He snapped his head back at the sound of his wife's voice. She was running up the stairs and would be there any second. Quickly, he opened the door fully, went inside, then closed and locked it.
He stared down at the sleeping boy, bloodlust in his eyes. Pin-Mei arrived, signaled by fruitless attempts to open the door, but he ignored her.
The teen stirred, no doubt awakened by his mother's pounding. Groggily, he opened his eyes. He looked up at his father as his vision cleared and came into focus. The noise registered, finally, and he looked toward the door, still half asleep.
"Father...? What's going on?"
No reply. He got up and seemed to be going to the door. Ren grabbed his son by the throat and threw him against the wall. The heir remained there for only a moment before slumping to the ground. The bureau next to him shook, and a milk bottle fell to the floor and shattered. He looked up at his father, one eye closed in pain.
"Father...What's going on? Why...?"
Ren walked over to him and offered him his hand. After his son hesitantly accepted, he pulled him in and kicked him in the face. With another swift kick, he was launched toward the full-body mirror on the back of his door. The scion crashed into it, his right shoulder taking most of the impact.
The mirror shattered, the broken pieces covering his skin and cutting it. Blood was running down his face, clouding his vision as he looked up at his approaching father. He stood, bracing the mirror's frame for support, his stance shaky. He remained silent, knowing that none of the many questions he had would be answered.
There was no scream from beyond the door, which told Ren that Pin-Mei had run back to the kitchen in order to use her special trick to unlock the door. He had to act fast.
His father grabbed him by the arm and spun him around, forcing him to go face-first into the western wall. Ren grabbed the boy's shoulder and jerked him around so that he could look him in the eye. His son just stared back at him with dull eyes, breathing heavily as the blood dripped off his face and onto the carpet. Ren grit his teeth and slapped him across the face, as if the mere sight of him was enough to make him nauseous. As the wounded heir recoiled, he grabbed him by the throat and pinned him against the wall. The boy gagged, trying to grip his father's wrists in order to get him to let go, but in his clouded state, any effort he made was futile. Ren brought his face close to his son's, causing him to still.
"Scared yet?" he whispered.
The yellow eyes before him merely shifted slightly. He spied one of the family daggers on the bureau next to him and grabbed it. The blade glistened, his face being reflected off it.
"Should I just kill you now?"
He swung at him, stopping less than an inch away from his son's throat. The blade grazed his skin, causing tiny drops of blood to fall on it.
His prey looked down slightly, not believing the position he was in. Trying not to let the fear that was building show, he looked at his father.
"Why...are you doing this to me? What have I done that could possibly make you want to kill me?"
He watched the elder Tao's eyes burn with rage as he threw the dagger behind him, opting to put the now free hand with the other around his son's neck.
"YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST PLAY INNOCENT AFTER WHAT YOU JUST DID? DID YOU THINK SHE WOULDN'T CRY – THAT WE WOULDN'T FIND OUT? DID YOU THINK THAT WE WOULDN'T DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS?"
"About what?" he screamed back at him.
"ABOUT RAPING LIEN! YOUR OWN FLESH AND BLOOD! YOUR ONLY SISTER! YOURTWIN FOR FUCK'S SAKE!"
The twin's eyes widened in horror. "What...? Me...? Do that to her?" His eyes darted to the ground, then around the room as he shook his head wildly. "I...I'd never do that! I love her! I'D NEVER DO THAT!"
The Tao head's eyes narrowed. "Oh, you love her, do you? What happened? Did you develop these sick and twisted feelings for her and finally confess tonight?"
"No! I haven't even seen her since she came home!"
"Did she reject you?"
"No!"
"Did you get angry, and decide that you were just going to take what you wanted from her? Just because you knew you could easily over power her?"
"No! I LOVE HER LIKE A SISTER – NOTHING MORE!"
"THEN WHY DID YOU DO IT?"
"I DIDN'T!"
Minor tinkering could be heard before the door flew open, revealing Pin-Mei with a small butter knife in her hand. Ren ignored her and began strangling the suspect.
"Was she that worthless that you can forget what you did to her so easily?"
The teen choked.
"Ren! Stop it! You'll kill him!"
She ran over to try to separate the two, but her spouse just swatted her away like a pest. Turning back to his target, he resumed his punishment.
"People like you don't deserve to live," he growled in a low voice. "I wish every person with the same sick thoughts as you would die and vanish off the face of the earth."
His son's eyes widened.
"Freaks like you don't deserve to live!"
"Yeah, all you stupid Shamans should just die in a ditch somewhere."
"Shot in the head, execution style!"
The young Ren's eyes seemed horrified. He screamed and began thrashing about. Pin-Mei looked at him and the look of utter terror in his eyes. She ran up to her husband and shoved him, but he again paid her no mind. But when one of the arms hit his face, he grabbed the suddenly pained area, dropping the boy and allowing him to fall to the floor.
His mother watched him as his body began shaking uncontrollably. She pushed Ren out of the way and knelt down to wrap her arms around the bloodied scion. To her surprise, he showed no displeasure from her doing so, and she sadly stroked his hair. Ren sighed, obviously annoyed.
"You don't care about what he did to Lien?"
"I do," she said, not looking up. "I...I just want to hear his side before we punish him."
"…school…"
She tried to look at his face. "What is it? What did you say?" When she finally saw his eyes, they were finally showing every ounce of terror he was feeling.
"…Don't make me go to school," he murmured. "…I don't want to get beaten up anymore…Just let me stay home…"
"Ren, what are you talking about?" She pushed him away enough to get a better look at his face. But before she could do anything else, he was yanked from her arms. She looked up to the angered man above her.
"He's just scared out of his mind, as he should be," he said quietly. His eyes narrowed. "Look at me." His victim obeyed. "I thought I raised you to be the next head of this family. I spent – no – WASTED my time training you so you would be able to protect this family with your life if need be. Above all else, what did I tell you your most important job was? Who is the one that you're supposed to protect more than anyone else?" His son looked down. "ANSWER ME!"
"L-LIEN! YOU TOLD ME I HAVE TO PROTECT LIEN!"
"That's right. So what did you do? YOU DID JUST THE OPPOSITE!"
"NO! THAT'S NOT TRUE! I-I'D NEVER HURT MEI-MEI!"
Ren spit. "Fine…If you really believe that, I'll just have to beat the truth out of you."
He swiftly landed a punch to the teen's solars. The younger Ren lurched forward, coughed up some blood, then went limp. His father threw his body over his shoulder and began carrying him out of the room. Finally broken from a trance-like state, Pin-Mei followed him.
"What are you doing?" she cried.
He didn't look at her. "I'm teaching him what happens when you cross the line, commit the ultimate taboo, and become nothing more than an animal."
"But...we haven't even-!"
"We don't need to let him speak. Just looking at Lien says volumes about what happened. Speaking of which, go to her and take care of her like I told you to."
"But they're both my children – OUR children!"
"Feh. This monster isn't my child."
"W...What did you say?"
"I no longer consider this...this thing my son. I guess I'll just have to put all my faith in Níu-Năi from now on."
Pin-Mei stopped and stared after him. He ignored her as he continued on, then pulled a chain, which opened a passage to the basement.
"Where are you taking him?"
"Downstairs," he replied curtly.
That answer wasn't good enough.
"WHERE?" she yelled.
"Ryuyou no Ma."
He hurriedly slammed the door behind him as he went down the stone steps. She went over and inspected the lock. Unlike last time, her knife-unlocking technique was useless here. Not knowing what else to do, she returned to the living room to check up on Lien.
She closed her eyes, hoping to block the scenes from her mind. It may have worked for a little while, but she would have to open her eyes at some point.
Ren's back was to her, allowing her to deal with her guilt on her own. They had made love about an hour before, but passion had been the last thing on her mind.
If I can tire him out enough, it will give me time to search for the key to the basement – and the Ryuyou no Ma.
She was disgusted by her own methods, but she needed to see her son. She needed to talk to him, to assure herself that he was innocent, despite all the evidence being against him. Her eyes drifted back to her husband.
I love you so much…And I promised that I would be there to support you until the day I die…but I can't support this…I'm sorry.
Slowly and quietly, she slipped out of their bed and crept over to their discarded clothes. When he had thrown his pants away, she had heard a faint "clink", which led her to believe he kept them in somewhere in there. Sure enough, on the inside, she found the collection of keys attached to a loop. She fished them out and held them close to her.
I'm coming, honey.
She warily stood and left the room, closing the door as quietly as she possibly could. She went down the stairs one by one, step by step, bringing her feet together on each one. If she was loud, the slightest noise would echo throughout the large halls, and she would be discovered.
But as she saw the door to the basement, she darted to it and hurriedly tried each of the keys until one finally worked. She ran straight down the halls to the door at the end. Two kyonshi stood guard on either side of the door. They glanced at her, but she sternly held up the keys, insinuating that she had permission to be there. With a shaking hand, she put a key with a dragon-graced shank and bow into the lock and turned it.
She thought she heard a sound from down the hall and jerked her head around, still trying to fiddle with the lock as she did so. Not seeing anything to confirm any fear she had of being found out, she turned back as she jiggled the lock and pushed the door open slightly.
Even with the door open just ajar, she could see Ren slowly lift his head to look at her. His eyes widened.
"Mu Qin!" he cried, tugging against his shackles. He softened. "I knew it was you…since it took you so long to open the door." A sad smile spread across his face. "But I'm glad you came…I missed you."
Her heart melted. He was chained with his arms above him, seated in the infamous dragon chair. Trying to stay strong, if only for his sake, she ran over to him, sat on the chair, and thrust her arms around him. Instantly, he winced and groaned, causing her to quickly pull away.
It was then that she noticed the cuts, bruises, and welts that covered his body. Blood ran down his arms and torso, some dripping down onto the chair. She looked down at herself to see that her nightgown was covered in it.
Knowing it was already ruined, she tried hard to rip a piece off so she could wipe his face, but it refused to cooperate. Frustrated, she looked around the room, finally spotting a towel in the far corner. Upon inspecting it, she saw red spots already on it, but found a section clean enough to wipe his face with. As she leaned in, she spied a large gash that stretched across his chest. She reached to touch it, but retracted her hand.
"Oh my gods…" she whispered, no longer able to restrain her tears. "What has he done to you?" Again, she motioned to touch his wounds, causing him to inhale deeply.
"Whipping me, beating me, tossing me around the room like a rag doll…just…a lot of pain." He looked down as he felt his body get warm.
His mother's eyes were closed as she concentrated her furyoku into her left palm. He felt the pain slowly dissipate as his wounds healed. But before she could make them all disappear, she stopped.
"I don't want him to know I was here, so I won't heal you fully. I just wanted you to get a little bit of relief." She looked up at him, trying to smile, but seemingly failing.
"Mu Qin…"
Her eyes wavered sadly before resting upon him again. "Ren, please be truthful with me – Did you rape Lien?"
He shook his head, keeping steady eye contact with her. "No, I promise you that I didn't. I hadn't even see her that night since she had come home."
She was glancing down.
"Do…Do you believe me?"
Pin-Mei smiled ever-so-faintly. "I…I don't understand what's going on…" She looked up at him. "But I trust you. I know that you're very protective of Lien and would never do anything to hurt her."
Ren let his head droop, hiding the bittersweet tears that were coming to his eyes. "Thank you, Mu Qin, for believing me."
She reached up and stroked his cheek. "You're my son, my first-born child, one of the most beautiful things in the world to me. I know you better than anyone else; of course I trust you." She hesitated, then gave him a quick, motherly kiss. "You're precious to me, and I love you so much."
Silence.
"Mu Qin…" he whispered. His voice was shaking.
"Yes?"
"W…Will you hold me? Like the way you did when you arrived?"
She stared at him. It had by this time been nearly eleven years since he had requested such a thing from her. In fact, none of the things he had said or done just now were like the pompous, confident, seemingly apathetic son she had gotten used to.
It was then that it hit her – the reason why he has started flailing, shaking, and crying.
The way Ren treated him must have reminded him of how he and Lien were harassed at school…almost like some sort of shellshock.
"I'm…I'm scared…I'm scared of what Father's going to do to me next," he whispered, his voice shaking.
Without another thought, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him. She rubbed his back in a soothing manner, reminding her of when, as a child, he would often seek her comfort.
"Mu Qin, I...I had a bad dream."
Pin-Mei looked at him groggily, then reached out to stroke his hair.
"Ow," he murmured. It was dark, which had caused her to accidentally poke him in the eye.
"Sorry, sweetheart." She corrected herself. "What was it about?"
"You and Father died."
She nodded, understanding his fear. "Don't worry about such a thing. We won't leave you and Lien until we're very, very, VERY old. Basically, when Daddy stops saying Mommy's pretty."
"...well then you'd live forever..." Ren mumbled beside her, turned away from them and half asleep. She smiled. He was too sleepy to know that they weren't alone, or he never would have said such a thing in the presence of their children. After all, their father, someone they deemed one of the most powerful people in the world, would never be so mushy.
"B-But it's still scary," her son whispered. He looked at the ground. "W-Will you stay with me until I fall asleep again?"
"Of course." She got out of bed and motioned to pick him up.
"...Make him walk," her partner growled.
Sighing softly, Pin-Mei took the small hand in hers and led him from the room. Once she knew they couldn't be seen, she picked him up and carried him to the room he and his twin shared. She gently set him on the bed and wrapped the covers around him. Beside them, Lien moaned and turned over. Pin-Mei smiled and began gently rubbing his back. He was still a little tense, so she thought up a game.
"Let's practice your Japanese."
"Huh?"
"Using my finger, I'll trace some kanji on your back, and you tell me what it is."
"O…Okay…"
As it went on, she could tell that he was getting sleepy again.
"I love you, Mu Qin…" he whispered, his eyelids drooping.
"I love you too, sweetheart."
"Thanks…for staying with me…"
She giggled. "That's what mothers are for."
She had always longed to treat him like that again, but not under these circumstances.
"Mu Qin…I'm so scared of Father…of what he'll do to me next."
She could tell he was getting anxious because of the desperation in his voice, so she tried to soothe him. "Shh…Don't worry. I'll talk to him and have you released."
"He…he won't listen…He's already convinced that I did it. If there was any doubt in his mind, he wouldn't be doing this."
"No, I promise I'll get you out of here. Trust me."
"Mother! You don't understa-!"
She felt him freeze, his muscles tensing up. His body shook, causing his chains to rattle.
"It seems as though Lien wasn't enough for you. You feel the need to take my wife as well."
Pin-Mei whirled around to see Ren leaning against the door frame. His eyes were closed, and he looked calm – which scared her. She knew that he should be enraged. After all, she had slept with him for the sole purpose of getting the basement keys so she could see her son – something which he had basically forbade. This silent anger of his was something the family had learned to fear. She tried to laugh it off.
"Ren? What are you doing up at this hour?" She looked at her wrist, as if checking an imaginary watch. "Why, it's three hairs past a freckle already!"
She laughed nervously, but fell silent when he simply opened his eyes and focused on her. He slowly stood, leaving the doorway, and began walking over to them. She left the chair as he approached, choosing to stand in his way should he try to attack the petrified boy behind her.
"What are you doing down here? I never gave you permission to take my keys." He held them up, as she had left them in the doorway in her haste.
"I only wanted to see my son."
"You should have asked me before you came here."
"I didn't because I was sure you would say no."
He turned his head. "Tch. You've had your reunion, Pin-Mei, now go back to bed. I'll be there shortly."
She shook her head. "No."
He faced forward again, his eyes narrowing. "What did you say?"
She took a deep breath clenching her fists as she tried to find the courage needed to defy him. "I said no. I'm…I'm not going to let you abuse him any longer."
He glared at her, obviously unhappy that he was being challenged. "Oh?"
"I want this to stop, Ren! Don't you understand what this is doing to our family? What this is doing to Ren? To your son?" she cried.
"I already told you, I don't consider-,"
"That doesn't matter to me right now! Right now, you're torturing my son and I want you to stop! If you want to punish him, then just hold him in a cell somewhere, unrestrained! He's not some murderer, Ren! He doesn't need to have his arms chained, nor does he need to bleed!
"Have you even been feeding him? Have you been letting him drink something when he's thirsty? I can already tell from looking at him that he feels weak, and that shouldn't be since many of his wounds are gone!"
Ren looked past her, noticing the blood no longer covering his son's body. He didn't look pleased.
She grabbed his shoulders. "Please Ren, stop this! Can't we wait until we investigate this a little further? Lien didn't even outright say that he was the one who raped her! It could have been one of the servants or something! Please, just reconsider, I'm begging you…" She started crying. "I don't want to see him get hurt anymore, so please, just end this and let him go. Please…"
He looked down at her. "Pin-Mei…"
She smiled faintly, feeling as though she was finally getting through to him.
He frowned. "Don't stop me from protecting this family."
Her eyes widened as she was grabbed from behind, one arm wrapping around her waist, pinning her arms to her sides. She looked at him in disbelief.
"Ren?"
He shook his head. "I'm sorry."
She tried to free herself. "Re-!"
A handkerchief appeared, covering her nose and mouth. Before she could stop herself from doing so, she inhaled. Her vision became fuzzy for a few moments before everything went black. Her body went limp as Li caught her, putting the cloth in her pocket.
Ren sighed, looking at the ground sadly. "Put her in our room for now. I'll have to decide what to do about this later."
She nodded. "Yes, Milord." She carried the body out.
Ren followed her to the door, locking it as she left. Before he did so, however, he pulled in a cart full of large tubs, then carried a few buckets of water in. As he set them down, he didn't look at the boy who was now at his mercy. Then suddenly, he spoke, his voice low.
"You see what you've done?"
The young scion was shaking more than ever. She had promised to get him out, but, as he had predicted, her words had fallen on deaf ears.
"I've never done anything to harm her like that…and now I had to." He jerked around, his eyes filled with rage. "ALL BECAUSE OF YOU!"
He grabbed a bucket of water and splashed it on his clone, causing his tongari to vanish. The boy spit some water out of his mouth, then tried to look up. But because his soaked bangs were covering his eyes, it was no use.
There was a crack. Ren winced as he felt the whip's tough leather rip at his skin. Again and again, he grit his teeth and bore the pain. His father stood by and watched as the kyonshi tortured the son he had once loved so much. When no cries of pain were heard, he stopped them.
"Get the board."
They retrieved a long piece of plywood with leather straps attached to it from the far side of the prison. The Tao head brushed the boy's bangs from his eyes. Wide yellow eyes looked around frantically. Ren grabbed the boy's chin and turned his head to look at the plywood. The kyonshi were pouring water into what almost seemed to be watering cans.
"See that? Let's see how smart you are and see if you can tell me what it is and how it's used."
The scion was shaking again, his eyes wide and transfixed on the wooden board. "W-Waterboarding...a form of torture e-employed by the United S-S-States during the Iraq War...By evoking the sensation of d-drowning...military officials b-believed they could g-get a-answers from terrorists about their base's l-l-location..."
Ren nodded. "That's right. And what are the risks associated with it?"
"L-Lung damage…brain t-trauma from lack of oxygen…long term m-mental scarring…"
"Isn't there one more?"
He swallowed. "I-If the process isn't stopped in time, the person could d-die…"
"Really? Hm. Let's just hope you'll confess before that happens."
Ren looked at his father frantically, hysteric tears falling down his cheeks. "Please, don't do this, Father! I-I don't want to die! P-Please, Father! Let me go! I-I love you, Father! Please don't kill me!"
His father was silent as he stared at the floor. "If you really loved me," he said finally. "You would have continued being the obedient, strong, and empathetic son that I raised. You wouldn't have done something as demoralizing as this."
"I didn't, Father! I swear it wasn't me!"
Ren sighed and shook his head. "You have no idea how much I want to believe you…But everything points to you, Ren."
"But Father-!"
"Why did you have to do this?" he whispered. "I had been so proud of you, of how you had turned out…I was confident that when I died, the family would be left in capable hands, that I didn't have to worry about it. But now…" He looked up at him, a tear peeking out of the corner of his eye. "I even brought myself to admit that, as your father, I loved you…But you betrayed my trust and you've broken Lien, possibly beyond anything that therapy and time can repair. I can't forgive you for that."
Without another word, he removed his chains, knowing that the wretch was in too much pain to move. He threw him onto his back on the piece of wood and watched the kyonshi strap him down. His son just stared up at the ceiling, his face pale, as he knelt down next to him.
"If you confess, then I won't do this to you. I can't say whether or not your punishment will continue as it has, but if you just tell me the truth, then we can start putting things back to the way they were."
The youth didn't look at him. "Tell Mother, Níu-Năi…and Lien…that I love them."
He was choosing to die.
Ren clenched his fist, then threw the cloth over his face. A kyonshi held it in place as another got ready to start pouring water it.
"I wish things didn't have to end like this, Ren. But I've given you enough chances. If you decide to confess while this is going on, as you're about to die, then we'll stop."
Silence.
"Start."
The water came down, and he started struggling, as if he were somehow hoping that he could overcome such a trial. Ren looked on. Ten seconds had passed already.
I guess I won't be keeping my promise.
Fifteen seconds. He was still struggling, but they held him down. Over the splashing, Ren could barely hear screaming.
"PAPA!"
Ren quickly turned to the kyonshi. "Stop," he commanded, and they obeyed.
"PAPA! What's going on?"
His eyes widened and he stared at the door. That can't be…
He sighed, then ran over to it, unlocked it, and opened it slightly.
"Lien? What are you doing out of bed?" he asked, trying to sound casual.
"I...I heard yelling," she said softly. "It sounded like Niisama...What's going on?" She looked past him to see her brother on the floor, the cloth still covering his face. "Is that Niisama?" She motioned to walk over to him, but her father blocked the way.
"No, it isn't. It's a burglar that I found lurking about and trying to sneak into the castle. I'm letting him know why no one trespasses on this property. Go back to bed, Lien. There's nothing for you to worry about."
She stared at him, her yellow eyes dull and void of light. "Papa...why are you lying to me?" His eyes widened as he studied her. "I know it's him; I can feel it. What are you doing to him?"
Knowing that he couldn't continue lying to her, he decided he might as well tell the truth. "I'm punishing him for what he did to you."
Her eyes widened. "How? What are you doing?" She tried to look past him again, but he got in her way.
"It's fine, Lien. I'm only giving him as much pain as he gave you."
"Let me see him, Papa."
"No. Just go back to your room."
"I miss my Niisama, Papa."
His eyes narrowed. After what her twin had done to her, she still felt his absence and was seemingly bothered by it. "How can you find it in your heart to pity him after what he's done to you?"
She looked at the ground. "Because I...I still love Niisama..." She wiped her eyes. "Please let me see him, Papa."
Ren glanced down for a few moments, then reluctantly moved out of the way.
She nodded at him. "Thank you, Papa." She numbly walked past him and knelt down next to her brother. Slowly, she grasped the cloth and lifted it off of his face.
As soon as it was off, Ren started gasping for air, still looking at the ceiling. His eyes were wide, and his face showed hints of blue. It was clear that he had been knocking on death's door.
"Niisama..."
He froze, then slowly turned his head to look at her. "L-Lien..."
Their eyes met, but then she looked away. As she breathed deeply, seemingly trying to keep herself together, his gaze trailed to the ground.
"Why..."
He looked up at her.
"Why did you do it, Niisama?" she whispered. "I...I don't understand. You were always kind to me, Niisama, even if you were cold at the same time. I thought I could trust you…"
Ren looked down again, saying nothing. He couldn't deny to the very person he had allegedly hurt that she was wrong, that it must have been a dream.
"It…It hurt so much, that you would do such a thing to me." She looked down at him. "Why aren't you saying anything? Does that mean you're not sorry for what you did?"
It's impossible for me to feel sorry for something I didn't do.
"I understand…" She wiped her eyes. "Ahaha…I'm so stupid. After all this, I still love you. I should hate you so much…I should be afraid of you. The very sight of you should sicken me, but it doesn't. You're not even remorseful, but I can't bring myself to hit you." She covered her eyes with her palms. "I hate the things you do to me."
Her brother squinted at her, mildly confused by the last comment. She saw this when she brought her hands down, and smiled weakly.
"It's nothing…I'm guess I'm just delusional after all this stuff that's happened…Haha…."
She continued to laugh nervously as she stood up and started making her way to the door. Her father reached out to gently touch her arm, but she flinched. Seemingly ashamed, she looked down.
"Sorry…"
He understood why. "It's fine,"
She fiddled with her hands. "Papa…I know you want to punish Niisama for hurting me…And I guess I can't do anything about that, but please don't kill him." She saw his fist clench and she smiled weakly. "I guess I'm just hoping for an apology someday."
Ren nodded slightly, as if he accepted the request, but didn't dare vocalize it. "Let me walk you back to your room."
Lien didn't want his company. She wanted to be alone. There was too much for her to think about. Sleep wasn't really an option either. Her dreams were only nightmares. She hadn't gone to school in two days. They'd be sending a letter home soon. Or calling. She didn't know – she'd never had to deal with missing multiple days in a row.
Still, she nodded. "Thank you, Father."
He was trying hard, she could tell. She couldn't really remember a time when he had been so patient and understanding as he had been in the last few days.
Ren opened the door, guided her out, and shut it behind him, but not before glaring at the boy, who was still in a torturous position.
After they had left, the felon looked up at the ceiling again, his breathing finally returning to normal. The kyonshi stood around him like ugly stuffed animals, but he paid them no heed. They wouldn't move without his father's command.
His mind filled itself with his sister's parting words.
"I hate the things you do to me."
Something about it seemed so cryptic. Obviously she would hate him for what she thought he did to her, but "things"? He couldn't remember many times when he had done something to upset her that she would carry in contempt.
What the hell was she talking about?
The door slammed. He jumped (as much as one can when strapped down) and glanced over to see that his father had returned. In his hands, he carried some bread and some bottled water. Setting them down, he walked over and stared down at him.
"I don't know how she got down here, but consider her your savior. You were about to die and you know it."
Hesitantly, his son glanced up at him. "…You said it before you heard her. I heard her before you did. Then you sighed, and it sounded like it was with relief, not annoyance." He paused. "You…don't really want to kill me, do you, Father?"
Ren looked away, then turned. "I don't want to kill anyone. I decided that a long time ago. It doesn't make you special." He turned to the kyonshi. "Unstrap him."
The boy lay still as the leather restraints were unbuckled, not daring to move. Even after he was free, he couldn't move. The wounds he had received from the day's whipping still hurt, many thanks to the water that had been splashed on him.
"Can you sit up?"
Not knowing if he was being sincere or not, he tried to shift his arms back in order to push himself up. Futile. His father sighed, picked him up, and threw him over his shoulder. He then returned to the dragon chair and dropped him on it. Ren waited for him to chain his arms again, but he didn't. Instead, the bread and water from before were tossed into his lap. He looked up at his older self, confused.
"When they both ask me not to kill you, I have to keep that promise," he reasoned. "Make no mistake – I don't plan on releasing you anytime soon. But I might as well feed you as Pin-Mei requested."
The hungry boy couldn't stop the happy tears that were forming in his eyes. This was proof that somewhere, despite the beatings he had been giving him, he still loved him.
"Thank you, Father."
He turned and waved him off. "I'm not going to feed you myself, so you're just going to have to wait until you can do it yourself."
He began walking toward the door.
"Oh, I forgot," he turned. "Under the current circumstances, no, I don't plan on killing you. But, depending on our luck, I may or may not feel the same way in a few weeks."
He slammed the door shut and locked it.
Lien lay in bed, still not able to sleep. She looked at her cell phone which was resting on her night stand. Never before had she so badly wanted for it to ring. Tadashi and Seta had been the only ones outside of the family to call, and she hadn't heard from either of them.
Oh yeah…something about exams…Seta has entrance exams and cram school to worry about…
But where was Tadashi? She had called his house at least once everyday, hoping that he'd make good on his promise to hold her and let her cry in his arms. He hadn't been home. She didn't understand. The one time she needed people her age for support, they weren't there.
It's…so lonely…
She closed her eyes. Maybe she'd fall asleep again. Maybe, when she woke up, everything would be back to normal.
Faster than the wind, to your heart, I want to slide inside and wrap everything up…
She sprang up and quickly glanced at her cell phone before snatching it. A call! Finally! She opened it, smiling weakly as she looked at the caller ID.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Princess!"
She softened. "Hi, Tadashi…It's been a while. Where have you been?"
"Oh, I'm sorry! I forgot to tell you since I was so excited! Lien, GUESS WHAT."
"What?"
"I FOUND KAASAN!"
She smiled. "Really? That's great. Are you with her now?"
"Yeah, that's why I'm not home. We're in London."
"L-LONDON? But that's, like, half a world away!"
He chuckled. "Yeah, I know, but Kaasan wants me to meet an acquaintance of hers. We'll come back soon, though!"
"Good…I…" She blushed lowered her head, not that he could see. "I miss you."
There was silence. All she could hear was the background noise of the London streets.
"…You do?"
"Y-Yeah…Things just…it's been hard…"
"Really? What's going on?"
She paused, unsure if she should worry him like this when he was so far away. "Well, um, after you walked me home that night—"
She heard a woman's voice on the other end. Tadashi spoke back to her sweetly, then turned back to the phone.
"I'm really sorry, Lien, but Kaasan really wants me to get off the phone. I'll be home in just a couple days – promise! Then I can help you with whatever it is that's bothering you." He put his voice into a noble tone. "All who make my Princess cry shall perish at the hands of the mighty Prince Tadashi!"
She couldn't resist laughing. He hadn't changed, and for that she was glad. "Okay. Call me when you get home, okay?"
"Of course! I have a V-Day present for you, too!"
She blushed. "W-What? When did you-?"
"Hehe - See ya! Smile!"
He hung up. She looked at her phone before closing it and sighing.
It had been too short. For those few moments, she had someone to talk to, but now she was alone again. She curled up in a ball, hugging her knees.
"Maybe this whole thing is punishment," she murmured. She dug her head deeper into her arms. "If I had just given in to Tadashi's feelings, then I wouldn't have had to get hurt like this. It…It feels like rejection…even though he never answered me."
Had she even gotten the words out? She couldn't remember. She was already trying to block everything out.
"I just need someone…"
Faster than the wind, to your heart, I want to slide inside and wrap everything up…
She jolted from her huddled position, staring at her phone as the lights flashed and the melody played. Not bothering with the ID, she answered it.
"Hello?"
"Lien? Hey…Um…It's Seta."
An odd feeling of relief came over her. While Tadashi was willing to listen to her problems and could cheer her up, his energy sometimes overwhelmed her. Seta, on the other hand, was much more sensitive and she could feel more at ease when talking to him.
"Hi…Um…What's up?"
Why is this so awkward?
"My exams are done, so I just wanted to call and see how you were doing. I hope nothing bad's happened. How is everyone?"
She couldn't breathe. Should she tell him that his best friend was in the underground basement, locked up for the horrible crime he had committed against her? Or should she keep quiet and act like everything was okay?
"We...We're fine..." she lied. "You?"
"That's good...Um...I'm doing fine. I think I did well on my exams, so I'll just have to wait to see the results."
She smiled. "You're really smart, I bet you did fine."
"Ehehe...If only because my mom was breathing down my neck as I studied. My social life took a vacation."
"Well, she just wanted you to do well."
"Yeah, but your mom would have been nicer about it."
"Haha, but Niisama would be the one breathing down my neck instead!"
They laughed, but she froze, remembering her brother's battered body that was being held captive in the basement. She shook her head quickly, trying to get rid of the horrible thoughts.
"Lien..."
"Yeah?"
"Is it okay if I come a couple days early?"
"Eh?"
"I know it isn't right for me to invite myself...but I just miss you."
There was silence. He gripped the phone tightly, afraid that he had said something wrong.
"Uhh...Um...I'm sorry...I shouldn't-"
"Please come soon."
"What?"
She started sniffling, then whimpering as the stress she had been trying to keep at bay for the past few days finally crashed down on her.
"So much stuff has been going on," she said, her voice quivering and unstable. "Everyone's fighting it seems like...I can't even trust Niisama anymore...And Mama and Papa...they're...they're fighting too. I've never seen either of them like this before...I'm so scared..."
"Lien..."
"I'm just hoping that when you and everyone else come over, everything will go back to normal. I'm...so...lonely...I just want someone to hold me and be here for me, but no one can! They're too busy being pissed at each other!" She started crying harder into the phone.
Seta listened for a few moments. He couldn't remember her crying this hard since what had happened ten years ago. She was obviously grief-stricken, but the apparent isolation and loneliness had taken its toll on her (not that he knew about that).
"Don't worry," he said finally. "We'll be there within a few days. I'll bet my parents can at least help yours sort out what's going on, and I'll help you and Ren." He paused. "And…well…I mean…If you want me to, I'll hold you and you can tell me about everything that's bothering you. I promise I'll listen."
"Thank you…Thank you so much…I know I'll feel better once you and everyone else gets here. I'm so lucky to have a friend like you."
"D…Don't mention it…"
I promise I'll make all the pain go away.
A day or so later, Ren had resumed his son's punishment, showing no remorse or sign of letting up. Pin-Mei would sit to the right of the door leading to the basement, cringing as her son cried out in pain. Lien, afraid to go to school alone, had a tutor bring her work to her and help her get it done. Her mind was far from schoolwork, though. The more she became aware of her brother's pain, the worse she felt. Níu-Năi was still in the dark about the whole ordeal, wondering why his elder brother was living in the basement. He hadn't spoken in that odd voice since the night of the incident.
Everything came to a head one morning as the four finished up their breakfast. Níu-Năi had had enough of his brother's absence, and demanded to know what was going on.
"Dad, where the heck is Niichan? He hasn't eaten with us for almost a week. And you guys haven't trained in a long time, either."
"I've been training you, though," Ren replied, not looking up.
"I don't wanna learn that stuff! That's Niichan's job! Where is he? And why do I have to do all the stuff he used to?"
Pin-Mei stood, taking Ren's bowl with her own as she made her way over to the kitchen. She put them in the sink and began half-heartedly washing them, her back turned.
"It doesn't matter where he is. If I tell you that I want you to train with me, that's what you're going to do."
The young boy slammed his fist on the table. "But Dad—!"
"Honey, just listen to what your father says. He's the one who makes the decisions in the house."
Ren looked up at her, seemingly surprised that she was agreeing with him. They had hardly spoken since he had found her visiting their son in his prison.
"Why, thank you," he said. "It's nice to know that you're seeing things my way."
She ignored him. "When you get older, sweetheart, I hope that the decisions you make will be just as beneficial as his have been."
Ren eyed her.
"Oh yes. I really hope that you find it a wonderful idea to forget your own faults from your past and lock up your son in the basement and inflict physical and emotional pain on him daily."
"Silence, Pin-Mei."
"I would be quite ashamed if you didn't use chloroform to knock out your devoted wife at least once. It's one of the most loving things you can do for someone."
Her son cocked his head. "What? Dad's beating up Niichan? What's 'color four'?"
Ren's fist clenched. "I said silence!"
Again, she paid him no mind. Instead, she turned around with a smile. "Why, if you don't try to mercilessly kill your son, it will be impossible for me to think of you as a man."
Ren slammed his fist on the table as stood, his rough actions causing his chair to fall backward. "PIN-MEI! If you so much as utter one more word about this, I'll-"
"You'll what? Throw me in the Ryuyou no Ma? That's fine. I'd like to see my son again, anyway."
Lien looked at her parents, an ill feeling in her stomach. She didn't like this, not one bit. Her parents were never like this - or at least, they weren't like this before.
Ren glared at her, gritting his teeth and clenching his fists. He grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her into the living room. Curious, Níu-Năi followed them. Knowing that this could potentially turn into something young eyes shouldn't see, his sister ran after him. When she got to him, he was peeking at the couple from behind the doorframe. She tugged on his arm.
"This is a grown up conversation, so we shouldn't be here. Come on, let's go play," she said, trying her best to sound cheerful.
Her brother glanced at their parents again before reluctantly nodding and following her. She led him far away from the room.
Ren and Pin-Mei stood in the center, him still holding onto her wrist. He tugged on it, pulling her closer until his face was close to hers. Though his eyes burned with an ire she had never seen directed at her, she did her best to remain calm.
"How DARE you try to make a fool out of me in front of our children!" he yelled at her. "And how dare you say such things about me at all! As my wife, you're supposed to honor me and support me, and you haven't been doing either of those lately! No, you're too busy defying me and trying to turn our children against me!"
"That wasn't what I was trying to do," she said firmly. "I think Níu-Năi deserves to be told what's going on. Can't you see that he obviously misses his brother?"
"It's MY decision whether or not he is told – not yours! You don't make any decisions here without first consulting me!"
She ripped her wrist away from him, rubbing it. "Ren, it's about time you drop this 'I'm a man so I'm better than you' mentality."
"What?"
"Yes, when we were younger, it was accepted. Times have changed. People are equal now! That means that I should have a say in all these decisions you make!" she cried.
He scoffed at her. "Who says we have to follow the world's values? Things have been fine, so we don't need to embrace these new ideas you've found."
She stared at him.
"Things have been like this between us for over twenty years, so I don't see why there's a sudden need for change. If anything, I think I need to remind you whose house this is and why it is that you're able to live so comfortably. The least you can do for me in return is be the wife you're supposed to be and-"
SLAP
Ren stared at the wall, his head turned to the left. His eyes were wide as his cheek began to burn. Pin-Mei stared at him, then at her hand.
Oh gods…What have I done? Even if he's being irrational, I still love him! You don't slap people you love!
But at the same time, she wasn't any less angry. Clenching the fist of the slapping hand, she put it rigidly at her side.
"What else can I give?" she cried. "I've given you everything! I've given you love! Gifts! Three beautiful children! A second home! I-I gave you my virginity for gosh sakes!" She closed her eyes and clenched the other fist as well. "There's nothing left for me to give! You're right, things WERE fine! Then you started this insane crusade to punish your first-born child! The boy you were grooming so that he would be able to take your place one day! And you even DRUGGED me! Supremacy or no, you don't do that to someone!"
She panted, out of breath from her ranting. Her hand was still burning as she waited for a response.
"Just go back to the way you were before, I'm begging you! The person I fell in love with and married and had children with wasn't like this! He was a loving person who did everything he could to avoid hurting people, yet still managed to protect those important to him! Where did that person go? I want him back! I hate the way you are now!"
He glared at her out of the corner of his eye. "I'd like to say the same to you." He turned to face her. "You were near-perfect before. You followed me without question and trusted my actions. Now, you oppose nearly everything I do!
"Have you ever thought of what would have happened if Ren and Lien WEREN'T separated after that night? What if he did it again? What if, when I wasn't there, he went after you instead? Did you ever think of that? I'm doing what I can to protect you and Lien from people who don't seem to value your pride, happiness, or your bodies. I DO! That's why I'm doing this! So stop this defiance of yours!
"What I'm doing is justice! I'm making him pay for what he did to Lien! It's just, it's right, and it's what anyone in my position would do! He deserves every gash, cut, and bruise that's on his body. If he finally admits to it, and then gets on his knees and begs for forgiveness, I may consider pardoning him. But until then, he stays in the Ryuyou no Ma. If you can't understand that then-,"
"…You're just like him…"
Ren froze. "What?"
"You're just like how En was when you were younger!" she cried, her face red. "You inflict pain and suffering on those you should love and protect, then vindicate it by saying it's 'justice' and what's right for the family! I've seen the recordings, Ren, so I know! Right now you're nothing more than a younger version of him!"
Ren stared at her for a moment, stunned. Then, his head drooped so his eyes were hidden behind his bangs. Pin-Mei relaxed slightly, remorse apparent in her eyes. She knew that Ren had tried so hard not to end up like his father, but apparently all that trying hadn't been enough. She took a step closer to him.
"…Ren? Are you-?"
Out of nowhere, his right hand appeared and landed a hard slap across her face. Eyes wide, she stumbled slightly, trying to get over the sheer force he had hit her with. Her hand slowly came up to rest on her left cheek as she looked up at him. There was no remorse whatsoever in his eyes.
"I'm NOTHING like him—NOTHING," he said in a dark voice. "Don't you DARE compare me to him! I let my children have a childhood! I let them make their own choices – I don't FORCE them to learn weapons or shamanic techniques! I didn't lie to them about who I was or hide behind a massive over soul! Unlike him, my reason for locking my son in the Ryuyou no Ma is justifiable! I'M NOTHING LIKE HIM SO DON'T YOU DARE SAY THAT I AM!"
Pin-Mei stared at him. Her eyes were getting misty, and she felt as though there was nothing she could do to stop it. But she knew a rift was forming between them, and that she had to stop it.
"Ren…what's happening to us?" she whispered. "How did we get like this? Everyone would joke that we were so perfect, that we never fought, that we were meant for each other…What's happened to that?"
"It's obvious to me. You're older now, so you think you can tell me what to believe and how to run this family." He folded his arms.
She shook her head. "No, Ren! I don't think that way at all! I just…I just don't like to see Ren hurting the way he is. That's why I want you to stop punishing him."
"There you go again, telling me what to do."
"It was just a suggestion! One that I believe wholeheartedly in!"
"Uh-huh…"
There was silence. The rift wasn't closing. It was only getting bigger. She looked at the ground.
"Ren…tell me you love me."
"What?"
"Please…we haven't said it over the past few days. We're turned away from each other when we sleep. I don't like it. I don't want you to feel as though I love you any less, because it's not true at all!"
"I didn't appreciate being used a few nights ago."
Her heart stopped. That night, she hadn't even told him she loved him. Not once.
"I'm sorry! Ren, I'm sorry! Just please forgive me…I don't want…I don't want us to fall apart! I love you too much for anything like that to happen! I've loved you since I saw you, and I promised to love you until I die, and I will! I'll never stop!"
"…Why are you saying all this?" He seemed disinterested.
"Because it's true! I love you!"
"...Try telling me that when you're not trying to get me to do something. In fact, say it when I'm down there with Ren. Watch him receive his just punishment, then smile sweetly at me and say it. Then I'd believe you."
He turned and left as she fell to her knees. Just before he was out of sight, she looked up at him.
"Tell me you love me," she pleaded, her voice becoming hoarse.
He didn't reply. Devastated, she stared at the ground.
"Father! Father! Rong just called! She said to turn on the TV because Ren's on there! Can I use yours?"
Pin-Mei stood back as her father opened the door. He was still bedridden, and normally refused to pay attention to her, so she was surprised that he had come to the door.
He opened the door fully and stepped to the side, allowing the twelve year-old inside. She was astonished to find no women in his company, but she was grateful. She had him all to herself. Smiling, she hopped up next to him.
"Thank you, Father!" she cried, clinging to his arm.
He just nodded and pointed to the TV – the only one in the house. Pin-Mei hooted, ran over, and jumped on the bed. She knelt on the end, reaching for the remote.
"Okay, she told me it was this channel…"
"We're here with the captain of Team 'The Ren', who just won their second match," a woman said. "You must be excited! That was a breath-taking fight!"
"Hmph. I don't even need these clowns. I can defeat all of our enemies by myself."
The woman gave a fake laugh. "Well, well, the team captain sure has spirit. Pardon the pun."
"As long as Chocolove doesn't repeat it, I will."
"I appreciate it. Anyway, I have some BURNING QUESTIONS some members of the crowd would like to know. Can you answer them?"
"As long as you don't bore me…I'll answer three."
"Thank you! Anyway, regarding what you said before, what do you think of your teammates?"
"They're annoying, but I can count on them. Although as a team, they're only extra people!"
"Okay, next question. I thought you drink 3 bottles of milk everyday. Why aren't you getting taller?"
"It'll come later! It WILL come later! It'll come at once! Now come!" Passerby laughed at him. "SILENCE!"
"Alright…The last question comes from the supposed female members of the crowd. What kind of girl is your type?"
Ren folded his arms. "Hmph, I haven't thought about it much but at the very least she should always be out of my way and not be a bother!"
"Okay!" Pin-Mei said. "I can do that!"
"...And I like shorter girls better."
Pin-Mei's face went red. She was already short for her age, so she knew she'd at least fulfill this requirement.
"Just one more?"
"Feh…Alright."
"Yoh has a fiancee, but do you have one too?"
Ren froze. "I think I've heard before that my father has a whole list of fiancée candidates. Of course it can't be one of the kyonshii...I think...I hope."
"NO!" Pin-Mei screamed. "It'll be ME! We'll see each other again then he'll see that I'm that small type of girl he likes and he'll fall in love with me and then we'll get married and have children and live happily ever after!"
She blushed as she hugged her knees and stared at his face on screen. She smiled.
"We'll love each other…forever…"