The plane had just touched down in Tokyo a few minutes ago. Horohoro and Ren had already gotten off and were now stretching near the baggage claim.

"Yoh's place isn't too far from here," Horohoro commented. "We can walk there and stay there for a little, then we'll catch another plane to Hokkaido, how does that sound?"

"That's fine," Ren approved as the two exited the airport and began their walk.

Horohoro sighed. "There's no doubt that all of China knows you're gone," he said, breaking the silence. "I'm just warning you, but getting away might be harder than you think."

"I know. That's why I wanted to go on my own way...so if we do get caught, then it'll only be me in trouble."

"That's rubbish. You know I'm not just going to leave you."

"I'll force you to."

The Ainu laughed. "You're so stubborn, Ren. But for the hundredth time, I'm sticking to you. Remember our deal? Don't tell me you already forgot." His eye suddenly picked up movement from the other side. Had someone already come to retrieve Ren? He couldn't let it happen.

"REN! WATCH OUT!"

Ren spun around, and before he could see anything, he felt Horohoro tackle him, forcing him to the ground.

"What the hell!?" Ren spluttered. "Horohoro, what are you-" The two staggered to their feet, and that was when Ren saw Zan Ching's oversoul embedded in the ground where he had been just seconds ago. Horohoro had saved him.

"Get behind me," Horohoro commanded.

"Horohoro, I-"

"Just do it!" he snapped back. He stepped in front of Ren, planting himself between the boy and Zan Ching, looking at his flabby stomach in disgust.

"Ah, so you're Usui Horohoro," Zan Ching drawled, pointing a sausage-like finger at the Ainu. "You're the one my lovely little bride ran away with, eh?" He lowered his finger and grinned at Horohoro, mustache twitching unpleasantly.

"Just hand over the Tao, and I'll let you go free," he continued. "Or...I'll take you both by force."

"Don't be stupid," Horohoro shot back. "I'd never let Ren go back to someone...someone like you! You're fat and old! You don't deserve Ren!"

"Now, now, what's been done can't be undone. I'm his husband now, I have every right to take him back whenever I want."

"I won't let you."

"Is that so?" The obese man turned around and snapped his fingers. "Miss, why don't you teach the brat a lesson?"

Tao Jun stepped forward, a gang of kyonshii behind her, her hand holding an assortment of tags. "Come on, Ren," she said, holding out her hand. "I don't want to hurt your friend. Just come here and do what we say, and I promise I won't let anyone hurt him."

"Jun, you...how could you?"

"I'm sorry, Ren," she replied, genuine remorse lacing the edge of her voice. "It was an order from our father. I couldn't refuse or disobey him."

"That filthy old bastard..." Ren hissed, clenching his fists.

"So," Zan Ching continued. "Are you gonna hand him over, or what?"

"Never."

"Then we have no choice. I hope you'll forgive me, Ren." The tags flashed downwards, and the kyonshii became a series of gray blurs. Ren's eyes widened as he saw Horohoro go down in front of him.

Then, he felt a sharp pain in the back of his own head, then everything was dark.

Hours later, Ren blinked, opening his eyes. Where was he? He allowed himself time to focus on his surroundings. Crap. He was already back at the Tao castle.

His eyes flickered to the right. Horohoro was there, his hands tied. When he tried to move and found he couldn't, Ren realized that he was in a similar situation.

"Stupid kid. You shouldn't have run away in the first place. Now you're gonna get it." Ren looked up, eyes wide as Zan Ching's hideous form towered over him.

The man slapped him across the face, sending him sprawling to the floor. "You gotta respect your husband, or he won't respect you," he leered, grinning at Ren.

He reached down, grasping Ren's chin in his fat hand and tilting his face upwards towards him, forcing him to look at him in the eye. "Hmm..." he mused. "You're not so bad. You've got a pretty face." He chuckled. "It would be a shame to ruin that pretty face of yours, wouldn't it? Believe me, I will if I feel the need to."

He slapped Ren again, drawing from him a yelp of pain.

"Stop it!" Horohoro screamed from across the room. "Don't touch him!"

"Silence."

Ren painfully turned his head to see his father enter the room.

"You two have both dishonored the Tao family," he boomed. "It is my duty to ensure that you two do not bring such shame to us again. Ren, you will obediently live with your husband, as I expect of a Tao bride. And as for you." He jabbed his finger Horohoro. "You will be put to death, as you are of no concern to the Tao."

Horohoro looked down silently, and Ren's eyes widened.

"No!" Ren shouted. "Father, please, you can't do this to him. He hasn't done anything wrong...I beg of you, Father, please. Spare his life just this once, and let him go free...please, Father, I'll do anything-"

"Hold your tongue, Ren," En snapped. "That is no way to speak to your superiors. You must learn your place. Do you understand?"

"But, Father-"

"Ren. I told you to be quiet. The Tao will execute him in one week's time."