Ren opened his eyes to once again find himself in an unknown place. It had to be better than his previous location, though, because it was warm, safe-looking, and he didn't have the intuition that someone was about to come in and beat him up.

He sat up, wincing a little at the pain in his body. There was a small fire radiating warmth nearby, and he realized that he was sitting in some kind of fold-out bed, and his body had been securely bandaged in several places.

"Oh, you're awake," Horohoro said peppily, his face popping into Ren's field of vision, causing him to jump a little.

"Stupid Ainu!" Ren snapped. "Get away from me."

"Hey," Horohoro said, slightly hurt. "I'm only trying to help you, okay?"

"If you want to help so bad," Ren shot back, "Then hurry up and release me."

The Ainu shook his head. "No can do."

"And why not?"

"Because," he said in a low voice. "There's that annoying officer out there, that Asakura Hao guy. If I release you, then he has full power to take you back, if he can, and...do whatever he pleases with you."

Ren snorted in disgust. "I hate that guy," he said flatly.

"Yeah," Horohoro agreed. "I kind of do, too." He, up to this point, had been poking some scrawny dead fish over the fire, attempting to cook them. He removed them from the rack they had been roasting them on and handed one to Ren. "You look hungry. Want some?"

"No," the Chinese boy spat. "I don't want your pathetic excuse for food."

"Fine, Horohoro said with a shrug. "I'll eat it myself, then."

Seconds later, two people entered. Ren scowled when he realized one of them was Hao, and the other was a less sinister looking boy who must have been his brother, since they looked so much alike.

"Hi," Horohoro said cheerfully, his mouth stuffed with food. "Good morning, Yoh-san, Hao-san. Anything you wanted to see me about?"

"Yeah," Yoh said. "I was just..." He stopped, turning to look at Ren. "Who's he?" he inquired.

"Just some random stupid Chinese prostitute we picked up," Hao said icily. His statement led Yoh to look at Hao with a strange expression on his face.

"C'mon, Hao," Horohoro said, swallowing his mouthful of fish. "You know perfectly well he isn't anything like that." Turning to Yoh, he continued to speak. "He's really Tao Ren, you know, the kid who was captain of the Chinese troops we fought a couple days ago."

"Ohhhh!" Yoh laughed. He waved in a carefree manner. "Hi, Ren," he said. "I'm Asakura Yoh."

Ren glared at him. "You mistaken me for someone who gives a shit."

Yoh started laughing again. "He's really funny, Horo," he said between giggles.

"I know! Isn't he?" the Ainu agrred cheerfully.

Hao pursed his lips in a thin line, looking most displeased. "I must tell you, Horohoro, sir, I have to insist that no good will come out of keeping the boy. We might as well sell him to some brothel in the next town we pass. At least that way we'll make a profit."

"Huh?" Horohoro and Yoh grunted stupidly in unison.

Hao's thin scowl darkened. "I mean, he's in good physical health, he has a pretty face, I'm sure he would fetch a good sum."

Horohoro frowned. "I don't think that's necessary, Hao," he said. "Just tell me what you came here to tell me and leave."

Hao's eyes narrowed. "Sir, I only came to tell you that our troops are ready to move out by tomorrow towards the woods which are being held under siege by Chinese to reclaim our property."

"Good," Horohoro said as Hao passed him the battle plans. "That's very good. You're excused."

Hao shot Ren one final glare before stalking out the tent, followed closely by Yoh, who was grinning and waving like an idiot.

"So," Horohoro said to Ren, pocketing the plans. He extended his hand towards the Chinese boy. "Will you fight with us?"

Ren ignored the hand. "Never. I have something called honor that you Japanese might not."

"What're you saying? We have plenty of honor. Otherwise, we wouldn't have had samurai!" He smiled hopefully. "So, will you?"

"I already said no!" Ren spat.

The Ainu scratched his head. He got up from his seat and shrugged. "Don't forget, Ren. I rescued you. It's only polite to return me a favor." He exited the tent, leaving with the words, "Think about it. I'll be waiting for your answer tomorrow morning."