Author's Note: I intend on ending this story with fifteen chapters, just so you all know that the end is near. And I apologize for the utterly dreaful quality of the last chapter, I was not too pleased with it myself, either.

"Good job, everyone," Horohoro beamed. "I hope all of you picked up some pricey crap?" He, himself, hadn't taken anything, he had a slight sense of guilt. But there had been something he had found with the man he had killed that he couldn't resist pocketing, a strange and intricately decorated sword. There was something comfortingly familiar about it, but he couldn't quite put his finger on how or why.

And, a few moments later, he found two of his men marching cheerfully towards him, carrying what seemed to be a boy. They threw the limp form at the Ainu's feet, looking pleased with themselves.

Horohoro raised an eyebrow. "Didn't I tell you to kill everyone? Huh? Didn't I?"

"A-Apologies, sir," they stammered. "We only thought..."

"That's enough," Horohoro interrupted, cutting them off. He knelt down next to the unconcious boy, brushing his dark bangs out of his face. The boy opened his eyes, moaning groggily, seeming to be unsure of what to make of the situation he was now in.

Horohoro's eyes narrowed. "What makes you think I'd want anything to have to do with this kid?" he scoffed, standing back up.

"But, sir-"

Horohoro ignored his men, having only two more words to say about the situation. He spat on the floor and turned away, making no effort whatsoever to hide his contempt.

"Kill him."

When most people hear that their inescapable fate is death, and that death will come to them within seconds, they will usually mentally break down, crying and sobbing and begging for the mercy of their captors.

However, as Horohoro noticed, this boy was different from most people. As he was dragged to his feet by the soldiers, he said nothing and did nothing to protest, simply staring coldly at Horohoro's turned back with his golden eyes.

"You've already destroyed my home, stolen my possesions, and slaughtered my family," he stated, "But, if you are to kill me like you've killed them, as well, then at least let me thank you for also killing Zan Ching, that fat bastard."

As his men prepared to murder the defenseless boy, Horohoro suddenly raised his hand, gesturing for them to stop. He turned back around, stepping forward to get a better look at the boy.

He outstretched his hand, tilting the Chinese boy's chin upward with his finger to fully observe the face.

"You've got guts, kid," he commented, a faint, amused smile on his lips. "You're an interesting one...what's your name?"

"Tao Ren."

Horohoro's heart skipped a beat. He swallowed, knowing very well that during the past long year, he had always remembered the name, but never the face.

"You know my name, too, don't you? Tell me."

The boy, Ren, looked downwards, eyes flickering to the floor, seemingly in an attempt to hide the pain that could be read in them.

"Usui Horokeu," he replied in a soft voice. "You're name's Usui Horokeu...isn't it?"

Not many people knew Horohoro's real name; Horokeu. It had been a secret he had reserved for only his family and closest friends, Ren included. There was no doubt that he had finally found the boy he had been looking for.

A wide grin split his face. "Tao Ren...I've finally found you."

Ren looked up, obviously surprised that the young captain remembered him. His eyes widened in pleasant shock as Horohoro instantly flung his arms around him, laughing, with tears streaming down his face.

"You idiot," Ren commented in a muffled voice. "You're strangling me."

"Sorry, sorry," Horohoro laughed, removing his death grip. "Sorry, Ren. It's just that I've missed you so much..." his eyes lit up as he suddenly remembered something.

"Here," he said, taking the sword he had found. "This is the Houraiken, right? I think it's yours." He placed it in Ren's hand, wrapping the boy's fingers around the handle.

"Stay with me, Ren," he begged. "I won't force you to fight...I don't want you to have to kill your own people. If you stay here, you'll probably be killed by other units, stay with me, I swear I'll protect you."

"Horohoro..."

"Please?"

A small smile appeared at Ren's lips. "Alright."