Well, here it is! Less than six weeks! I'm working on my cosplay for Anime Boston again, so I won't be able to work on the next chapter at full force until that's over. But hopefully you all like this. I like the flashback at the beginning the most :3
A Gift of Love – Chapter Ninety: Try A Little Harder
Pin-Mei prudently walked into the study where her husband was reading. His eyes shifted toward her, then returned to his book.
"Do you need something?"
She looked at the ground. Silently, she walked over and gently took the book from his hands, put a slip of paper inside, and set it down on the nearby desk. Ren studied her. Usually, she would charge in and jump into his lap, snatching his book and carelessly tossing it behind her. It wasn't like her to get his attention so quietly.
"C…Can we talk?"
He gestured to the chair next to his. She sat down on it, adjusting the violet silk dress she was wearing and making sure her hair wasn't in her way. Her hands were folded on her lap. She looked conflicted, as if she couldn't find the words she needed.
"What is it?"
She looked up at him with pleading eyes. He was still expressionless.
"Ren…When was the last time you did something with the twins?"
His eyes narrowed and he tilted his head slightly. "What do you mean?"
"Ren and Lien…they've been coming to me asking about you. When they will be able to spend time with you. When you'll read to them. If you wanted to come to their class's Parents Night."
He considered her words. "I thought I spent time with them. We have meals together, don't we?"
His words seemed to stab her. It wasn't like him to think something so foolish. Even though, like her, he had never had a parent around to engage in such activities with, she had at least expected that he would strive to give their children all the love he could muster…as much love as he gave her.
She silently took out two small pieces of construction paper.
"What are those?"
She read them over, her eyes watering. "These…are an assignment from their kindergarten class. They were asked to write down one wish they had. Anything at all. From all the riches in the world to being able to fly." She put them in a small pile again and held them out to him. "I think you should read them."
He cautiously took them, his eyes not leaving her until he had brought them to his own lap. He looked down at them.
The first had perfect handwriting, very neat and clear. "This is Ren's…"
She nodded. "Read what it says."
He scanned it. His mouth opened slightly, but he closed it again. "I wish…my father would hug me every now and then."
His eyes widened.
It was something so simple. It wasn't a fantasy, like wanting to go to the moon or being a movie star. He quickly turned to Lien's.
'Surely Lien will ask for something like having her drawings put in a museum or being in a musical or something.'
Her handwriting was much messier than her brother's, but he was still able to make out the words.
"I wish Papa would spend time with me like take me for walks or read to me."
His eyes shifted, as if reading it over again, but he knew he had gotten it right the first time. He stacked them again, then looked up at his wife.
She met his eyes for a moment, then looked down again. "You have no idea how much it hurt me to read those," she said softly. She paused, giving him time to say something. When he remained silent, she looked at him again. "Ren, I know that you love them. I know with all my heart that you want what's best for them; you want them to grow up and have a better life than you or I had.
"We didn't have parents who cared about our needs. We didn't receive the love a child needs to grow up properly. This isn't about you failing, because you haven't, not in the least. I've never seen you scorn them in any way. Truthfully, it was a little hard for me at first, too. I didn't know what they wanted or what to give them. When I was younger, I always thought to myself, 'When I grow up, when I have children, I won't do this to them,' or, 'I won't do that to them.'" She smiled nervously. "But I can hardly remember what any of those were. I forget what I loved at their age. I forget how I felt or what I wanted most in life. I had to wait for the twins to ask me for things, what their favorites were. I waited for them to guide me."
He was still stone-faced. It wasn't like him to have a lack of control in a conversation, but he couldn't think of a single thing to say. What could one say after learning such a thing?
She got up and stood before him, then leaned over and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Ren, you are a very loving person. You've shown me that again and again. I know Life hasn't been as kind to you as you deserve. Your children know from watching us that you're very kind. They tell me so. They admire you so much. I know that you don't always know how to express how much you care, but now, they're telling you. It may be awkward at first, but once you become comfortable with the idea and can fulfill those wishes, I know that they will be the happiest children in the world, just as you want them to be."
As she smiled weakly at him, he glanced at the papers again. He handed them back to her.
"You ramble too much."
He glanced at the wall behind her, then motioned to get up. She quickly stood and moved out of his way. Pin-Mei clutched the wishes as he left the room.
"Ren…"
She heard the front double doors slam, then small footsteps walking across the marble floors. She glanced over her shoulder at the clock.
'Oh, the twins are home!'
She put her children's projects on the desk and hurriedly made her way to the front hall, not wanting to break her ritual of welcoming them. It was something she made a point of doing every day, letting them know that they had been missed. As she approached the entryway, she slowed her pace and prepared a bright smile, then went around the corner.
"Welcome ho--!"
She froze. Her hand slowly covered her mouth and she took a step back.
The twins looked over their father's shoulders at her, their eyes wide. A whisper almost had them in tears.
"Welcome home."
Ren hit the ground. But the adrenaline pulsing through his veins refused to let him waste a single moment, and he was on his feet less than a second later. Hao was already swinging the Kwan Dao, not about to give him any chance of catching his breath. He swung at him. Ren quickly leaned his torso back as the blade whizzed over his chest.
HoroHoro came up behind him, pulling back to unleash an icy attack, but Hao quickly pivoted, slicing the fists off the Ainu's over soul and shattering it.
Shit!
He was defenseless. Trying not to panic, he started to step backward. Hao allowed him to begin a retreat, but then pursued him after he had only moved a few inches away. He swung again.
Ren appeared and blocked the attack, his over souled Kwan Dao held horizontally to catch the blade. HoroHoro quickly sidestepped and restored his over soul. A small pant escaped him. This had already happened thrice. They had thought that their vast increase in power since the Shaman Fight would allow them to pump their over souls to the brim with furyoku, multiple times if need be. It was beginning to look as though they had been terribly mistaken.
As Ren continued to defend his friend, HoroHoro stole a glance at Tadashi, who was now standing at Suo's side, biding his time. He glared at him, his eyes so full of hatred and spite that when Tadashi noticed him, he seemed to shrink away from him in fear.
He could never truly forgive the boy as long as his wife and daughter both lay dead on the ground. The family had opened their hearts and arms to him after he lost his father, and they had been repaid with devastation. Tadashi had brought happiness to Xue, the first man outside the family to do so on such a level. But he also stole that joy away. Her kindness and love were rewarded with death. He had no way of knowing if she died quickly or not, if she laid suffering for any amount of time before closing her eyes. That was the second worst part of it all. If she had to die, she shouldn't have been made to suffer as Rong did in his arms.
Tadashi soon looked away from him, not wanting to face another innocent victim of his foolishness – the father of his lover no less. Looking into either man's eyes would make him nauseous. He knew they had been kind to him, and this was the result.
Still, something told him that he couldn't run away. No, he owed it to the father of the girl he killed to look him in the eye and take all the hatred he no doubt felt. He squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them again, facing the man with painful eye contact.
I'm sorry. I know it doesn't help anything, but I'm sorry. If I could do it all again, I would have never come back. If I could go back even further, I never would have killed myself. I wish I'd never hurt her like this. I'm really fucking sorry. I am…
Before he knew it, his eyes had welled up. He quickly wiped the tears away, fearing HoroHoro would take them as crocodile tears.
The Ainu's eyes softened the slightest bit. At least he knows he's an irredeemable asshole. He looked at his daughter's corpse. I'll avenge you, Xue. Even if I die trying.
As he turned back around and rejoined Ren in the fight, Tadashi stood tall, his resolve building.
Mr. Usui, I can't bring Xue back. I wish I could, but I can't. But I'll make sure that I protect another woman close to you with my life. He looked at Ren. Mr. Tao, no matter what happens to you, I'll protect Lien. I won't let Hao have his way with her. I promise you.
He turned his attention back to the battle. The men were continuing their assault, but were making little progress. Hao didn't seem to be putting forth much effort, which meant that their efforts so far were futile.
Dammit! Ren thought. If only we had the goddamn spirits. Pin-Mei, we…we need you.
Hao sneered. "Unable to support yourself, Ren?"
The Tao scowled.
"You need that woman to have a chance at defeating me? Whatever happened to the Ren that only relied on himself?"
He tensed. "I don't seen a problem with using the resources available to me."
A quick glance. He spied an opening.
He threw the over soul upwards, forcing Hao's arms up into the air. The he thrust the shining Dao at his foe's stomach.
For a moment, hope shined in his eyes. Just one thrust, one attack to cripple his son's body. Then they could begin to heal. It would all be over. It would b—
Hao quiclly moved to the right. The blade only cut his ribs, but he was sent to the ground all the same.
Ren stared at the body for a moment. Victory had been within his grasp. No…
But he jerked awake. There was still enough time to deliver a final blow. He strolled over to him, his weapon raised.
This fiend. This demon. This creature that gave shamans a horrible name. He could kill him right then and there. He could end this nightmare and go home. He could—
…kill his son and break his wife's heart.
No, we'd find a way to bring him back. He remembered how he had thrown that love for his son away. I have to end this. No matter what.
Ren gripped the staff tightly, then brought it down.
Before it could even graze his skin, Hao's eyes shot open and he rolled out of the way. The blade stabbed the ground and Ren fell to his knees. His hesitation had just cost him a golden opportunity.
Hao laughed. "See how weak you've become, Tao Ren? You love this child so much that, even though I own this body, and I've also taken care of Rong over there, you still can't kill me."
Ren remained silent as HoroHoro came up next to him.
"I understand how you feel. Don't feel guilty. Anyone would struggle with this."
Ren's eyes narrowed. No, you don't understand. I'm not supposed to be this soft. Back then, at the Shaman Fight, I didn't hesitate to beat my opponents until they begged for mercy. Now…I'm not the same. I feel too much. I care too much. I—
"I love you. I love you and I trust you with all my heart despite what's happened. I know that you'll do what's right for the family, for our children. I know that you'll protect us, no matter what it takes."
She had said this whilst clutching him in the shower – the only thing she had wanted from him before he left. Her voice had been delicate, quiet...sad. It was as if she knew to expect the worst – she was telling him that she understood that he may need to do the unthinkable in order to see her again. He knew that she could never cope with losing a child, but she had given him her permission and acknowledgement. Even though he knew that it was a nightmare that she kept in the back of her mind, something she tried to ignore, the expectation was there nonetheless.
With that in mind, the decision was only a little easier to make.
I have to do this to protect Níu-Năi…to protect Lien…to protect…Pin-Mei.
He remembered his son whose body had been stolen.
Ren would want it this way.
HoroHoro gave his shoulder a shake. "Are you okay? Snap out of it!"
Ren blinked a couple times, then regained his composure. "I'm fine." He pointed Houraiken at his son. "Let's go."
They charged. Hao remained calm as the Kwan Dao's blade glowed like a hot iron. When they were within striking distance, he unleashed a Chuuka Zanmai. Ren, knowing that the attack could only reach so far, dodged to his left, instructing his partner to take the right.
Hao watched them, amused. He continued the attack for another few seconds, then turned the weapon horizontally and swept it in front of him, sending the dancing mirage of blades at both warriors.
Stunned, Ren blocked the attack with all his might; HoroHoro did the same. But they were left defenseless otherwise. As he shoved the attack away, Ren saw Hao charging straight at him. The fiend leapt into the air, heading for him at an alarming speed.
At the last moment, Sheng stepped in, her tonfas up and ready to parry the attack. Just as their blades were about to touch, she cried out.
"Lord Ren! Please stop this senseless fighting!"
The body's evil grin vanished, its entire being frozen for just a second. By the time Hao regained control, it was too late to follow through with his attack. Sheng flinched, then swatted the edge away with one tonfa, using the other to counter with an upward slash.
"Move."
She hurriedly obeyed him. He stepped forward and planted his feet.
"This is how it's done," he said, a smirk appearing. "CHUUKA ZANMAI!!!"
The barrage of blades showed no mercy in attacking the scion's body. When the dance was complete, the body fell, hitting the ground with a resounding thud.
Ren sighed wistfully. "It's been a while since I last did that." After a quick exhale, he glanced at Sheng, who stood rigidly beside him. Was it Sheng's words that made Hao stop? Is Ren still in there somewhere?
In front of him, Hao was slowly pushing himself up, his eyes wild. "This stupid body…!" he growled, lamenting the momentary failure at the hands of the Wei guard. His eyes shifted to the group, his anger building. "You're probably feeling a little smug right now, and you think you can honestly defeat me. Don't delude yourselves."
They assembled around him.
"Be on your guard," Ren said quietly. "We have to wait for a chance to strike him. He's going to come at us stronger than before." At his command, his over soul morphed to Bushin Fish Fin. "This is it."
HoroHoro nodded, then closed his eyes and breathed. "For Rong and Xue."
"For Lady Lien and Lord Ren, and the warriors I've met here tonight."
He quickly looked to the maidservant. She turned to him, a small smile on her face.
"For Rong, that woman who opened my eyes." She looked forward. "And for that boy over there."
He smiled minimally before mimicking her. "Yeah."
Hao was getting to his feet as he turned his head. Fire surged up either side of him, the Spirit of Fire appearing once again. The flames swirled until they formed an over soul on the Kwan Dao.
"I'm done with all of you." He lifted his head, his eyes burning with fury. "Die."
He stiffly pointed the weapon at Sheng. After a harsh murmur, the massive spirit turned and unleashed a stream of flames at her.
She tensed, knowing why she was being targeted. Without another thought, she shoved Ren toward the Ainu, noticing that the attack remained fixed on her. Determined, she ran in the opposite direction, hoping to divert the spirit's attention away from her comrades. She glanced back for the slightest moment.
Can I really outrun this thing? By the same token, how long can it keep shooting fire like that?
When she looked forward again, Hao was mere steps in front of her. A wave of panic swept over her. She darted to her left, attempting to pass him with the intention of pivoting and countering. Hao swung at her and she jerked away, barely dodging. But the evasion damned her footwork, her balance suddenly at the mercy of ball of her left foot. By the time she recovered, she only had time to look back and see the tidal wave of fire engulf her.
It held its position before fizzling out. Sheng's body appeared to be nearly void of her tanned skin. What was left was peeling, the blood visible, yet unsure if it should or was even able to flow. Her eyes were wide, her teeth grit in pain. Her muscles seemed locked, her stance not crumbling before them.
Ren looked back at her, quickly turning. HoroHoro unexpectedly ran forward, stopping just a few steps past him.
"That's…"
The Ainu's heart was aching for the third time that night, albeit to about half the degree as the previous two.
"S-Sheng…"
"I'm surprised you care," Ren said, bogging down his own feelings.
His friend didn't turn. "Even though she's pretty weak, even though she thinks Rong doesn't exist, she's – she's still family. Rong was so happy when she found out you had assigned Sheng to Lien. She wanted to meet her and spend time with her and train her. But her brother, one of the only siblings old enough to remember her, told her that he wanted her to remain exiled from the Wei family, even though there was no reason for it since their father was dead. It killed her.
"When Seta asked about having relatives on her side, she told him she didn't have any. He kept persisting, though, and she finally told him. Since then, he's been so awkward around Sheng. He wants to tell her who he is, but he knows he can't. After a while, Xue started to care. It took a few years, but I started caring, too.
"I don't care who she thinks we are. That's Rong's niece. My niece."
A small gasp escaped him, and he sprinted toward her. Ren looked to see that Hao had put himself in position to strike again.
As HoroHoro drew closer to them, Hao twirled the weapon in his hands, the rigid diamond ornament on the end now his dominant tool. The sharp tip glowed like a burning ember. He forcefully spun her to face him, using her momentum to stab the diamond into her chest, driving it through her. Ending her. When he pulled it out, his angered visage became one of deep satisfaction.
"You won't be hindering this body anymore."
Sheng fell to the ground. HoroHoro stopped in front of her. After cringing slightly at her appearance, he gingerly picked up her wrist. He waited a few moments, then bit his lip and set it down again.
Neither of them moved. Ren readied himself, preparing to back up his friend. He began to slowly and silently inch toward them.
HoroHoro broke the silence by quickly turning and throwing an icy punch at the murderer. Hao calmly leaned away from the fist, then voicelessly over souled a large, fiery blade that extended the reach of the Kwan Dao. He sliced HoroHoro as he further sidestepped him.
But the blade was stopped. He looked back to see Ren blocking the furyoku sword with his own over soul. Ren shoved the attack away from him. He exhaled.
"You're an idiot."
HoroHoro looked away. "Shut up."
"In any other situation, I'd beat some sense into you, but I can't risk knocking you out." He finally glanced back at him. "You still have a son over there. Don't do foolish things that will isolate him."
Horohoro looked over at Seta. His son's eyes were fixed on him, pleading with him not to leave him alone. The boy was quivering ever so slightly. There was no question that the possibility of losing his last remaining family member was heavy on his mind.
"You've done a couple stupid things tonight. We don't have time for that. Shape up and let's do this."
He didn't reply, strengthening his stance as Ren took his own.
It's do or die now.
Ren leaned back, allowing his over soul to charge. His target didn't seem at all concerned.
"Raaarrgh!"
Hao quickly looked up to see HoroHoro executing an airstrike. There had been no shadow to warn him – the moon was held captive behind the darkened clouds. He intensified the flames emitted from the Kwan Dao and met the Ainu head on, the frigid fist trying to withstand the fire.
HoroHoro finally sprang away from him, revealing Ren charging in from behind him. The Tao pulled back, getting ready to unleash the attack. Hao snickered. What a foolish, predictable tactic.
But when he tried to move, he found that he couldn't. He looked down to see that his feet had been frozen to the ground.
When did he--?!
The blast hit him, ripping his feet from the icy shackles and slamming him against a nearby tree. Suo and Tadashi glanced at him, but neither stepped in to help him.
I never said I would aid you in battle, Hao. I won't waste my energy fighting someone who isn't my intended target.
Once he's down, I'll get over to Lien, then take her and Seta and get the fuck out of here. Then I can work on saving her…
Hao got to his feet, glaring at his peons. Useless…Useless…I'm always surrounded by useless, sniveling subordinates. His death glare locked onto the two Elemental Warriors, who got themselves ready, raising their over souls again. Enough of this.
Tadashi watched the demon get into a shaky stance. He tried to keep a smile from breaking through. Just as he had predicted, too much time had passed since the ritual was interrupted. Without the rest of Lien's soul for him to absorb and complete the sacrifice, Hao's hold on the vessel was weakening, becoming more unstable by the minute. If the fight dragged on, his condition would continue to deteriorate to the point at which the two men could easily defeat him.
Hao snapped his head back to look at him. His confidence instantly vanished as his master stared him down. Had he spoken aloud instead of keeping an internal monologue? No, that couldn't be true. No one else was reacting to him as if they had heard him. It was inconceivable that Hao could have seen the obstructed grin whilst turned away.
"Don't look so smug, Tadashi."
The young man blinked. Hao was suddenly in front of him. Pulling his arm back for a brief moment, he stabbed a hand into the tool's chest.
HoroHoro shivered. "What the hell is he doing?"
Ren's gaze fixed on the grotesque operation. "It's because Hao hasn't been given the chance to take the rest of Lien. He's probably hoping Tadashi's, however weak it may be, will tide him over." He clenched Houraiken tightly. "It doesn't matter, though. I'll kill Hao before he has the chance to lay a finger on her."
Tadashi also looked to Lien. N-No…This isn't…It can't…
Hao ripped the hand out, a barely visible outline of Tadashi in his grasp. Seta covered his mouth, squeezing his eyes shut and turning away, gagging.
He wasn't the only one who felt nauseous. Tadashi fell heavily to the ground, clutching his chest. The pain had started the second the piece of his soul had left his body. It was almost unbearable.
His eyes shot open as he looked up at the sky. Hao had only taken a piece. There was still a chance.
"What a sick fuck."
Ren shifted his eyes at him questioningly. "You're just now realizing this?"
"Like I've seen this before?!"
Ren sighed. He snapped back to attention as he heard sloshing. Hao thrusted the Kwan Dao forward. Ren was able to dodge it enough to avoid a critical hit, but his ribs were slashed before he could shield himself. He grabbed his side as he stumbled backward.
A roar met his ears. He whirled around to see the Spirit of Fire reaching down with its massive claws, ready to scoop him up. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Hao rushing at hi again. Ren ran at him, meeting him so he could knock the field away and then deal with the spirit. With all the physical strength he could muster, Ren pushed him away. When he saw that Hao was struggling to keep his balance, Ren turned his attention to the Spirit of Fire.
His eyes widened as he saw the flames building it its mouth. Warmth was coming from behind him in a large wave as well.
There was no way out.