The Heat of the Moment

Disclaimer-i do not own any of the characters to Kyo Kara Maoh



Chapter 11

The night was cold as snow fell from the sky. And all around Wolfram the city of Americus was burning. In a deserted alley, Wolfram held the body of his dying husband in his arms. "Please hold on Ellis," Wolfram said crying. "Josef should be here any minute." Just about everyone had evacuated that part of the city but he could still see some people running for their lives. The snow around them had turned crimson as Ellis' life blood had seeped out onto the ground from a wound in his chest.

"I'm afraid I won't be able . . . to hold out much . . . longer," said Ellis panting and coughing up blood. "I'm sorry I won't be here for you and the children." He took a deep breath. "But promise me one thing."

"What is it?" Wolfram asked as the tears fell like rain from his eyes.

"Promise me that you will take Yuu to meet Yuuri."

"Ellis I don't . . ."

"No. Yuuri is his real father. Take him before it . . . it is too late." He slowly shook his head and gulped in a breath of cold air. "Every boy deserves a chance to know their father."

"I -I will take him. I promise," Wolfram said wiping the tears from his eyes.

"Good." Ellis raised one blood-soaked hand up to caress Wolfram's cheek. "These past eight years with you and the children have been the happiest time of my life. And I would not trade them for anything in the world."

"I feel the same way." Wolfram raked his fingers through the long green hair of his husband. "I love you Ellis Gilbit."

"And I love you as well." He coughed up more blood. "I want you to know that I will always watch over you and the children. Tell them . . . that I . . . love . . . love them."

"I will. You know I will tell them." He smiled sadly. "Upon my honor, I will give them your messagae."

"I want, no, I need you to promise me something else," Ellis gasped for breath.

"What is it?"

"I want you to be happy. I want you to always smile, my lovely." He traced Wolfram's lips with trembling fingers. "When you have grieved enough, I want you . . . to go on with your . . . life." Ellis gasped in a deep breatth. "I want . . . you to . . . move on and . .. find yourself someone to love. . .Or you could . . . just love the person . . . that has always held your heart."

"This isn't the time to be talking like this," Wolfram said wiping tears from his eyes trying to be optimistic. "Besides, I've sent a soldier to get that jerk of a doctor." The tears flowed heavily from his eyes. "He will be here to heal you up as good as new."

"I wish it was so simple," said Ellis shivering in the cold and stared into Wolfram's beautiful emerald eyes. "I wish I could stay here with you and the children forever." He smiled sadly. "But I guess you can't always have what you wish for."

Suddenly he began to cough up even more blood. "Oh Shinou, Ellis please hold on! SOMEBODY! PLEASE HELP ME! JOSEF! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU!" Wolfram screamed to anyone who could hear him.

"It's okay, my sweet," soothed the dying man. "I am not afraid of dying. Knowing that you and children are safe, I can die in peace." He stroked Wolfram's cheek. "I was hoping that I would be an old man when I died. But, I guess I don't have to wait to get old to die now." He joked and coughed up great gobs of blood. Once the coughing fits had passed, Ellis smiled up at the blonde and wiped the tears from Wolfram's eyes. "Now beloved, give your husband . . . a farewell kiss." Wolfram held back his tears as he leaned forward and pressed his lips against those of his husband's lips. Ellis gently combed his fingers through Wolfram's hair, determined to take the feel of those lips and hair with him to the afterlife.

As the thudding of his heart began to slow, Ellis' hand slipped from Wolfram's hair to fall to the ground as his eyes slowly closed for the final time. Wolfram pulled his lips away from the cold lips of his husband to stare down into his pale face. He lovingly combed his fingers through the scruffy beard and smiled. "I still have no idea why you wanted to look like a pirate." Tears began to fall once again. "Good bye, my love." He held Ellis' body in his arms and began to rock him while kneeling in the snow as the flames devoured a nearby building.

xxxxx

Two years later.

Wolfram sat under a large spreading oak tree watching his children play in the small pond without a care in the world. His son, Yuu which was now nine years old, was a tall thing that was almost up to his shoulders. While his little angle Dominique would be making her sixth birthday in a few days. Both children were amazing as well as a pain in the butt at times. His pride was Yuu. He raised the boy as a prince which is what he is. He is the prince and heir to Shin Makoku. His mind was as sharp as his tongue. The teachers at the demon academy were shocked beyond words when his son was able to summon not only the fire element but the water as well without him even making a pact with the elements. He was truly Yuuri's son.

Although Yuuri may hate him, Wolfram was sure Yuuri would be proud of how strong and intelligent his son truly was. Wolfram had started to train Yuu in how to use a sword. Unfortunately he seems to take after his other father but he's not quite as bad as Yuuri. With more practice, Wolfram was sure his son could be an excellent swordsman. He laughed at the thought of his son always trying to act like a grown up. Yuu would rather stay after school studying instead of going out to play with his friends. Wolfram remembered one time the boy had the nerves to call some boys childish just because they were playing in a mud puddle. But Yuu would never complain when Wolfram told him to go play and have fun with his friends. Oh he tried to resist but the kid in him just could not resist playing in mud. Wolfram felt a little jealous because his son was doing something he was never permitted to do, play. His mother would have turned blue and fainted if he got himself dirty.

But what worried Wolfram most about Yuu was his personality. As he grew older, at times Yuu would become so serious and his sweet nature would go into hiding as he turned into this angry child that hated the world. When that happens, Yuu's eyes were no longer the eyes of Yuuri as he was when he first met the young king. No, the eyes of his son were those of the demon king. They were narrow, cold and deadly. They were the eyes of a shrewd calculating leader. But those eyes became deadly shards of ice when they fell upon someone he did not like or whenever Yuuri's name was spoken. Any other time they were filled with warmth with only an undertone of the shrewdness. 'I understand now why you wanted me to take Yuu to see his father, Ellis. Again, you were right and I was wrong. I'm sorry I didn't keep my promise to you. If I had, maybe he wouldn't hold such anger toward his father.' Wolfram sighed as he watched over his children.

And as for his dainty little angel, he was surprised when Esmeralda told him that the girl possessed the powers of a witch. It seems that there was a witch in either the von Bielefeld or von Spitzweg families and the potion she had given him had unlocked that power passing it down to his daughter. As Dominique's godmother, it was left to Esmeralda to train the child in how to use her powers.

"-ther." Wolfram was awakened from his thoughts by the sound of Yuu calling to him. "Mother."

Wolfram frowned. "I thought I told you not to call me that."

The nine-year-old boy smirked at his father and sat down beside him. "I tried calling you but you were so deep in thought." He picked up a towel and began drying himself.

"I'm sorry," said Wolfram running his fingers through his son's damp hair. "Was there something you wanted?"

"Were you thinking about him again?" the boy said with a sneer. There it was! Those eyes became cold, hard and shrewd. Those were not the eyes of an inoncent child. No, those were the eyes of a person that has been through too much too soon in their life.

Wolfram flinched as he knew that the 'him' Yuu was talking about was Yuuri. "Why do you hate your father so much Yuu? You should hate me. I am the one who ran away without telling him I was pregnant."

"I blame him because it was his fault you ran away in the first place. He is a spineless weak king to let the opinion of a backwater world dictate to him what relationships are right and which are wrong," said Yuu staring out at his sister as she played along the edge of the pond. A huge black panther sat beside her watching over her as well. Imagine everyone's surprise when Esmeralda also told him that his little angel could communicate with the animals. That female panther took a liking to Dominique and has been at her side since they first met four years ago.

"And then there's all the heartache and pain he put you through. I'm glad he's suffering. I was thrilled when you told me that his wife made him suffer. I hope he's still suffering now. As far as I am concern he is nothing to me but the man who donated his seeds to you so that I could be born." Yuu turned those cold eyes upon his father and it sent a shiver through Wolfram's body. The blonde was just glad the boy did not have those snake eyes like the demon king.

"Oh Yuu, it's not right for you to hold so much anger toward your father."

Yuu snorted. "He is no father to me. He's just a faceless man that holds no importance in my life. The only man I would and ever will call my other father has been dead for two years."

Wolfram felt his heart break at hearing his child speak with such loathing for his real father.

"Besides, how can you honestly think I could ever want someone so . . . so . . . so wimpy around me."

At hearing his son call Yuuri a wimp, Wolfram had to laugh. It's been a long time since he's heard that word and truth be told, he missed calling Yuuri a wimp. He missed Yuuri. But he could not let his son continue to hate his other father. "But Yuu . . ." Wolfram started to say but Yuu stopped him.

"I do not care what happens to him. All I care about is you and Ni-ni." Yuu leaned over and placed a kiss on his father's cheek and stood up. "It's almost time for school. I'll take Ni-ni in and get her dressed. Silver will be here any minute to take her to Esmeralda."

Wolfram just nodded his head and watched as his son walked over to his little sister with a towel in his hand. He began to quickly dry her off and then took her by the hand. Then the three of them went inside. Well, Yuu and Dominique went inside. The panther remained outside waiting for Dominique to come out again.

Wolfram sighed as he stared up at the sky. "I'm sorry Yuuri. It seems that you will have an uphill battle to gain the love of your son." He sighed again. "Maybe I shouldn't have taken him away from you. Ellis was right. A boy needs the love of his father in order to grow up a happy child mentally." Then he went inside to get dressed himself.

xxxxx

Yuuri stood at the port side of lady Cecilie's yacht leaning over the railing staring into the sea. His thoughts went back to the day they found out where Wolfram had been hiding for the past ten years.

-Flashback-

It was Yuuri, Conrad, and Murata riding on miniature versions of Anissina's Mr. Speedy, but instead of looking like a banana. They were in the shape of dolphins. Yuuri had to admit that it was quite shaky there for a while since he had never ridden on something that looked like jet skis before. He held on tight and they followed the hawk across the water. They weren't too surprised when the bird flew toward Carolia. As they pulled the jet skis to shore, they raced through the streets keeping their eyes on the hawk. The people quickly cleared a path for them. What really surprised them was the bird flying into lady Flynn's palace.

Bursting into the palace with the guards following them trying to keep them out, Lady Flynn was shocked as she was caught red handed removing the letters from the bird's pouch. She sighed. She knew what was coming next. "That will be all James. You and the others may return to your post."

"As you wish," said the middled aged man as he and the other guards bowed to her and went back to their duties.

"Would you like to sit down?" She said. "Or would you like something to drink?"

"No," said Yuuri through clenched teeth. "All this time, and you knew where Wolfram was?"

"Yes, I've known where he was," said Flynn. She sat down on a floral settee.

"Why did you lie to us when we first asked you about Wolfram?" asked Conrad, as he and the others sat down on a couch that was facing the settee.

"Because he did not want you to know. I was respecting his wishes."

"Do you have any ideal of all the grief and pain Yuuri suffered because my brother decided for himself to leave without letting anyone know he was pregnant?" The older man was becoming upset at his brother's childish behavior.

'The grief and pain Yuuri suffered. Of all the . . . ' Flynn arched a delicate brow at the half demon captain. "Correct me if I am wrong lord Weller but isn't Wolfram your brother?"

"I hardly see what that has to do with anything," said Murata.

"It has everything to do with it." She glared at the Great Sage before turning those angry lite green eyes back to Conrad. "Now, answer the question, is he or is he not your brother?"

"Of course he is."

"Then why is it you would let his majesty cause Wolfram, your baby brother, pain and grief but yet you become angry when Wolfram makes Yuuri a little upset. You should be defending your brother in matters like this not his majesty." She got up and began pacing the floor. "I'm beginning to see why Wolfram didn't want any of you to find him. It seems you care more about his majesty than your own brother."

"That's not true," said Conrad.

"Isn't it?" said Flynn. "The first words out of your mouth are how much Wolfram has caused his majesty pain and grief, not that his majesty has caused your brother pain or grief. I always thought a brother's first priority was to his family not to an outsider."

"You're right," sighed Yuuri. "I have treated Wolfram badly and unjustly in the past, but I want to make things right between us. Although Wolfram is married." The word married seemed to stick painfully in his throat. " I still want to see my son."

Flynn frowned at him. "So, I take it Wolfram hasn't informed Gisela of what happened. I guess I shouldn't be surprised."

"Informed her of what?" asked Murata.

She got up and walked over to the window looking out over the city. "Ellis died two years ago. There was a terrible fire and he was killed." That was all she said on the matter. Upon hearing that, all three men fell silent for a while before Conrad finally broke the silence.

"Poor Wolfram," said Conrad sadly. "No, we didn't know. The letter he sent Gisela was telling her about the children. He never mentioned that his husband was dead."

"Well, he took it badly." She sat down on the window sill. "He couldn't sleep and wouldn't eat for over a week. But I think it was due to Yuu, Wolfram was able to pull himself out of his catatonic state. From what was told to me, that boy had gotten tired of him wallowing around in misery. He went into his father's room with a pitcher of water and poured it all out in Wolfram's face." She giggled softly. "You can imagine what happened. Wolfram told me everything when I went to the funeral. He said Yuu placed his hands on his hips and told him, and I quote, "You are being a spoiled selfish brat. Ni-ni and I loved our daddy just as much as you did. Don't you think we are suffering too?"

"Well, it seems that Wolfram is raising Yuu to be a strong, level-headed young man," said Murata smiling.

"Why would you go to this man's funeral?" asked Yuuri.

Lady Flynn sighed as she stood up and sat back down on the settee. "Because Captain Ellis Gilbit was my brother-in-law." All three men gasped in shock. "Anyway, that is of no importance. What is important is that just becasue you know I am sending letters to Wolfram doesn't mean I will tell you where he is." She held up the envelopes. "I can send these letters to him without you knowing I have even sent them." She smirked at them. "I can still make it hard for you." Flynn placed the letters in her lap and stared at the crestfallen expressions on the three men faces and sighed again. "But I believe it's time you met Yuu. I know that Ellis had wanted Wolfram to bring the boy to meet you but Wolfram was against it. Anyway, it's time you saw first hand, your majesty, what your ignorance has done to your son."

"What do you mean?"

"The boy is very intelligent for someone of his age. That is the first thing you should know about Yuu.. The second thing is . . . he hates you."

Her words were like a dagger piercing him in the heart. His son hates him.

-Flashback End-

'To think, all this time you have been hiding on the the other side of the world and acting as Carolia's ambassador.' He sighed as he raked his fingers through his hair. 'So, it seems like my theory about sailing to the other side was correct. I wonder if these people are trustworthy? Why didn't they send word back saying they had crossed the Abyssal Sea. I wonder. Do these people even know what your postion in Shin Makoku was.'

Yuuri was snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of Conrad's voice. "Your majesty," said the brown hair man coming to stand beside him. "Is something wrong?"

"I was just thinking about what lady Flynn told me about Yuu hating me," said Yuuri sighing. "I'm going to have a fight on my hands, aren't I."

"To gain the love of your child after being absent for so long. Yes you are but I know once Yuu gets to know you, he will come to love you as we all do."

"I don't know Conrad. Children that are abandon by their parents are usually very guarded with their feelings. They find it hard to trust an adult."

"If my nephew is as intelligent as lady Flynn said he is than I am sure he will give you a chance to make up for not being there for him."

"I hope so Conrad."

"LAND HO!!!!" yelled the sailor from the crow's nest.

Both men raised their heads to see the shoreline of Americus coming into view.

"Father!" said Greta walking out on deck. She had become a beautiful young woman at twenty-two years of age. Her curly brown hair hung down her back as her caramel colored eyes glowed with the joy of finally being able to see her other father again. "Are we almost there?"

"Yes Greta," said Yuuri. "In a few minutes we will finally see Wolfram again." Suddenly Conrad's twins burst out on deck with Josak following behind them. Then came a pregnant Gunter with Gisela beside him. Gwendal and his mother were already out on deck on the other side of the yacht. Yuuri looked around at everyone and smiled. 'The only one missing is Wolfram.' Then he turned his gaze back to the land mass that they were getting closer to. 'Soon we will be a family again.'

xxxxx

The silver hair king Eric was outside having breakfast with Derrick when Corwyn walked up to them. "Majesty, I have some news from the docks."

"What is it?" asked Eric sitting his fork down and looking at his captain.

"It seems there is a strange ship out in the bay."

"Really," said Derrick excited. "Could it be another ship from the other side?"

"It's a possibility," said Corwyn. "But the only ship from the other side we have ever had contact with was the Discovery, from Carolia."

"So, this is someone else," said Eric drumming his fingers on the table. "Wolfram did say they were still having some trouble from Big Cimaron. Could the ship be from them?"

"It's hard to say." Corwyn scratched the side of his nose. "I have seen this ship and I can safely say that it is not a war ship."

"Well, you'll never know who they are if you don't go see them," said Derrick.

Eric laughed at his silly friend. "You are so right." Then he turned to the captain of his guards. "Corwyn, gather your men and get my carriage ready. And Derrick, if they are from the other side, we will need your translators."

"I'm on it." The red hair man leaped to his feet and rushed to his lab.

"Are you sure about this, majesty?"

"No, but if they are enemies," said Eric. "We have to make sure they do not leave this side of the world."

He nodded his head in understanding of the silent order. If the crew prove hositle, Corwyn has the king's permission to sink the ship.

"Excuse me," said Corwyn leaving also to gather his men.

xxxxx

As the yachet pulled into the docks, Yuuri and the others became the newest spectacle of Americus. All work on the docks had come to a stand still as everyone stared at them. Some of the women had ceased doing their chores, and the small children had stopped playing when they saw the strange ship. Then they all began to gather at the docks to see who the strangers were.

"I guess we should go introduce ourselves," said Yuuri. As the gangplank was put out, Yuuri and the others disembarked from the ship.

Not knowing what to do, Yuuri tried talking to one of the dock workers but the men stared at him as though he was some creature from another world. He tried talking to some of the others but the people all gasped and backed away from them.

"This isn't getting us anywhere," said Gwendal frowning. "You, Great Sage, shouldn't you know how to speak the ancient demon language?"

"Yes, but their language may have evolved in a different way from the language in Shin Makoku," said Murata.

"Right now, that's all we have," said Yuuri. "Go ahead and try, Murata."

But before the double black sage could utter a word, soldiers made their way through the crowd forcing the civilians to open a passage for the king's carriage. They stared at the man that rode beside the carriage on horseback.

"If I didn't know any better," whispered Josak to Conrad. "I would say that was you."

"Well, the records did say that family members from both demons and humans volunteered to make this journey across the Abyssal Sea. He must be a cousin," said Conrad.

The handsome man with the long black hair dismounted his horse and went to open the carriage door. The first to step out was a young man with scarlet red hair and brilliant blue eyes. Then the other was a tall young man with neatly trimmed silver hair and bright violet eyes and like Murata he wore glasses. He was dressed in the finest silk Americus had to offer and resting on his head was a crown made of gold with a large ruby in the center. Then the three men began speaking amongst themselves.

"Well," snapped Gwendal. "What are they saying?"

"It's as I thought. Their language has changed over the centuries. I couldn't understand anything they said," said Murata.

Then the red hair man walked up to them and held out his hand. In his palm rested the translators. Yuuri took one for himself and another one for Greta. Once they all had one, Derrick motioned for them to put the thing in their ears.

"I thought these looked familiar," said Yuuri putting the device in his ear.

"Now, can you all understand me?" asked Derrick.

"Yes, thank you," said Gunter.

"So, I take it that you are Wolfram's family," said Corwyn.

"Yes," said Conrad. "How did you know?"

"Wolfram has told us a lot about all of you," said Eric. "Plus, except for the hair you and Corwyn look like twins. . . Oh please forgive my rudeness. I am the 23rd king of Americus, Eric von Aldrich. This is my best friend, Derrick von Karbelnikoff and this is my Captain of the guards, Sir Corwyn Weller."

"Greetings," said Yuuri smiling and bowing to his counterpart. "I am Yuuri Shibuya the 27th demon king of Shin Makoku."

"Your majesty, you grace us with your presence," said Eric as he and Corwyn and Eric bowed to the black hair young man.

"You don't have to bow to me," said Yuuri still feeling uncomfortable about people bowing to him even after all these years.

Corwyn chuckled. "So, what Wolfram told us about you is true."

"What did he say?"

"He said that you were a strange king," said Corwyn smiling.

"He said you were an unconventional king," said Eric.

"He said you were a wimp," said Derrick.

At hearing that Yuuri laughed. "Yes, that is something Wolfram would say. But now, I'm being rude. Let me introduce you to the others. This is Wolfram and mine adopted daughter Greta Shibuya." Greta bowed. "This is my best friend, the Great Sage, Ken Murata."

Ken bowed to the young king. "Your majesty, it is an honor to meet you."

"No your Excellency, the honor is all ours," said Eric bowing. "I didn't think I would ever have the pleasure of meeting the legendary Great Sage of double black."

"Standing to the left of Ken is my tutor and advisor, lord Gunter von Christ," said Yuuri continuing the introductions. "Beside Gunter is his husband, lord Gwendal von Voltaire. He is my top advisor and he is also Wolfram's eldest brother. Oh!" Yuuri just realized something. "Maybe I should have said Gunter von Christ Voltaire."

"It's all right, your majesty," said Gunter.

Then Yuuri pointed to the orange hair spy. "This is Josak Guriere Weller, master spy and he is married to Wolfram's second eldest brother, my godfather and personal bodyguard, lord Conrad Weller." Then he pointed to the two children. "And these two darlings are their children, Roland and Rachel Weller." The two seven-year-old children bowed to the king. "This is Gunter's adopted daughter and Shin Makoku's best healer, Gisela."

"Ah, so you're the one Wolfram said is his best friend," said Eric. "He speaks very highly of you. He says you are the best healer in all of Shin Makoku."

"He's being too kind, your majesty," said Gisela bowing to the silver hair ruler.

"Don't forget about me, your majesty," Cecilie said in a sing song voice.

"And who is this lovely young woman." Eric rushed over to her side and took her hand kissing the back of it.

"Oh please," Gwendal said rolling his eyes annoyed. Conrad only smiled at his mother's antics.

"This is Wolfram's mother, the ex demon queen, lady Cecilie von Spitzweg," said Yuuri.

"This is Wolfram's mother," Derrick said shocked. "Wow!"

"Stop, you're embarrassing me," said Celi with one hand against her blushing cheek. "Just call me Celi."

"Celi. What a heavenly name," said Eric still holding her hand.

"So, where is my cousin?" Derrick looked around for any strange red hair woman.

"I left her in charge of the castle while we came here," said Yuuri.

"What!" Eric stopped his worshiping of Cecilie and stared at the double black king as though he was insane. "You mean you left a von Karbelnikoff in charge?"

"Hey, what's wrong with that," said Derrick rather insulted. "There is nothing wrong about leaving my cousin in charge. You can learn a thing or two from his majesty."

"Oh but Derrick, his majesty did leave you in charge, remember," said Corwyn smiling at the young man. "Unfortunately when he left you in charge, he expected to find the castle as he left it, with a roof on top."

Josak and Murata burst out laughing.

"I said I was sorry." Derrick sulked.

"There's no doubt of him being related to Anissina," mumbled Gwendal. "Well, as long as you do not want me to test out any of your inventions I say you are a step safer than your cousin."

Eric chuckled and then turned back to the ex queen. "So, I take it you are here to see your son."

"Yes," said Cecilie smiling. "And to see my grandchildren."

'And if I have anything to say about it, we will be taking him back where he belongs, in Shin Makoku.' Yuuri clenched his hands into fists at his side.

"Well I have a meeting with Wolfram today. It will be close to noon when he comes to the castle," said Eric smiling. "He's very devoted to his children and he has also taken up the task of teaching a swordsmanship class at the academy. He's very good."

"But he said he could never beat you, cousin," said Corwyn smiling at Conrad. "I would love to have a sparring session with you. Wolfram says that you are the best swordsman in the world. I would like to see for myself."

"It would be my pleasure," said Conrad smiling.

"Wonderful. I am dying to see which Weller is better," said Eric cheerfully. "I should warm you that Corwyn is the best on this side of the world. Come, I'm sure you all must be tired from your long journey. You can rest up, while waiting to see Wolfram. I would love to show you around Americus," Eric said kissing Cecilie's hand. Then Eric lead them up to the castle where they could clean up and take a look around first before meeting Wolfram.

xxxxx

Wolfram had decided to let his class out early. He had taken a quick shower and got dressed. He wore white pants with a white ruffled shirt. Then he slipped his arms into a long white coat that reached to his knees. He stared in the mirror at his reflection. His hair had grown longer, hanging over his shoulders. 'Maybe I should cut it.' He shook his head no. 'I'll wait and see what Yuu and Dominique think about it.' He tied his hair back into a ponytail and then slipped on a pair of black boots.

Just as he walked out of the bathroom into the hallway, he was attacked by a pretty little green hair girl with bright purple eyes. Wolfram fell to the floor landing on his rear.

"I got you daddy," the girl said laughing.

"I surrender," Wolfram said laughing also as he kissed her cheek. "You have proven that you are stronger than I am."

"Father, why do you baby her like that," came a cynical voice.

Wolfram looked up into to the face of his eldest. "Oh please, you know you do it too. I've seen how you cave in when she gives you . . . the eyes."

Yuu's cheeks had turned a lovely shade of red at the reminder of his little sister getting what she wants by giving him those sweet, sad puppy dog eyes. 'Darn it! There's not a soul alive that can say no when she does that.'

Wolfram stood up with Dominique in his arms. "Look, I have a meeting with Eric today." He kissed the six-year-old girl on her cheek and ruffled his son's hair. "Yuu, take your sister to the cafeteria and the two of you can eat lunch together." He placed the little girl in her brother's arms.

"Why not just take her to the castle with you," said Yuu. "I'm sure the maids would love to watch her for you."

"Oh, any reason why you don't want to watch your sister?"

"Well, my friends and I were going to be working on a project for our summoning class."

"Well, as long as it's for your education and not to annoy the girls." He stared pointed at his sometimes mischievous son. Then Wolfram looked at his daughter. "You want to come with daddy to the castle and see your uncles."

"Yay!" the little girl cheered. Wolfram took the girl out of Yuu's arms and went outside. He placed her upon the back of a large black horse and hopped on behind her. At the horse feet was the female panther. "Once you are through with your project, come to the castle and we can all walk home together."

"Very well father," said Yuu walking back into the school. Then Wolfram rode away with his little Dominique singing a song taught to her by Esmeralda.

xxxxx

Wolfram pulled the reins bringing the horse to a stop. He hopped down and helped his daughter down off the horse. He looked at the cat. "You know Dominique. You're going to have to give your friend a name. We can't keep calling her the cat."

"How . . . about . . ." she thought hard for a name that would suit the large black panther. "Shadow."

"Shadow?" Wolfram thought about the name. "Well, it's better than nothing. What do you think?" He looked down at the panther. "Do you like the name Shadow?"

The panther purred and began to rub itself against his legs. "Well, I think she likes it."

Suddenly a flurry of maids rushed out of the castle. "Oh it's lord Wolfram," squealed one maid.

"And he has little Dominique," another squealed. The women surrounded him as they all told him how cute his little girl was.

"Thank you. I have a meeting with Eric. Would it be too much to ask if you could watch Dominique for me?" asked Wolfram.

"Of course not," said another of the maids. "We just love having her here."

"Have you eaten Dominique?" asked another maid.

The little girl shook her head. Then the chattering women took her by the hands and led her along with Shadow into the kitchen. Wolfram had to laugh. The first time the women met the large black cat. They were terrified. It took them a while before they were comfortable around the animal but thanks to his sweet little angel. Everyone became use to seeing the animal around the palace when Dominique was there. Shadow was like a pet as it waited patiently to be fed. And the best thing about having a cat was that there were no rodents in the castle.

Wolfram stroked the black mane of his horse. "I guess Dominique will be safe with those clucking hens, right Thunder."

The horse snorted and stomped its feet. Just then a stable boy ran over to him and took the reins to his horse and led the stallion away. Then Wolfram went inside. He was met by the head servant, Victor.

"Lord Gilbit, his majesty is entertaining guests out in the garden," said the elderly man. "He said for you to join him out there."

"Thank you Victor." Wolfram walked down the hall and turned left. He continued down the hall until he came to a set of large double doors at the end of the hallway. Pushing the doors opened, he was greeted by the wonderful scent of the flowers in the garden. Under one of the Weeping Willows, he saw Eric along with his guests. The servants were all lined up behind them so he could not see who they were.

Corwyn looked up seeing Wolfram walking toward them and smiled. "Wolfram, you've made it. We have some visitors here to see you."

'Dammit! I hope it's not that creepy Drakko. I can't stand the way he looks at me.' Wolfram shivered in disgust as he remembered the last time the count was there. The man kept staring at Wolfram as though he was a plate of meat he wanted to devour.

When the servants stepped to the side, Wolfram froze in mid stride as his gaze fell upon his family and friends sitting at the table. "Yoo hoo! Wolfie," his mother called cheerfully waving to him.

"M-mother," he said shocked. Wolfram looked around the table seeing that everyone was there except for Yuuri. He felt his heart sink into his stomach. He should have known. Why would Yuuri waste his time to come see him?

"Hello Wolfram," came a voice from behind him. Wolfram stiffened as a shadow fell across his back. His heart began pounding against his chest as his breathing became rapid. Sweat appeared on his upper lip and his hands began to tremble. 'Could it be?' Slowly he turned around to stare into a pair of smiling black orbs.

"Y-Yu-uri." Wolfram didn't know what to say or do. Yuuri was here, actually here and he was smiling as though he was happy to see Wolfram. Suddenly his eyes rolled to the back of his head as the world went black as Wolfram von Bielefeld Gilbit fainted.

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A/N- well i didn't know if they ever said how old Greta was. so, for this story i am saying that when the series ended she was ten years old and she was twelve when yuuri return. so, ten years has pass and greta is now 22 years old. remmeber this is according to me as i said i have no idea how old Greta was.