The Heat of the Moment

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



Chapter 12

As the murky waves crashed violently against the jagged peaks, an ominous black structure sat high upon the cliff overlooking the sea. It was the castle of Count Drakko. The count sat lazily on his throne with his hand under his chin and elbow resting on the armrest of his throne. With legs crossed, the count smiled sinisterly as he felt a powerful disturbance upon the wind.

Suddenly his four chevaliers burst into the throne room. The four men fell to one knee bowing. "My lord," said Gustav. "There's . . ."

Before he could say anything, Drakko raised a hand silencing him. "It's all right. I know. I felt the currents of power on the wind. He is here. The demon king of Shin Makoku has arrived on the shores of Americus."

"So, did you feel his power?" asked Nikolas. "It is the same as the boy, Yuu but it is stronger."

"Yes, I felt it. It is as I thought. Yuu is the son of the demon king from Shin Makoku."

"So, Nikolas was right. Lord von Bielefeld does have feelings for the demon king," said Siegmund.

"But why? If he has feelings for the demon king, why was lord von Bielefeld married to that human?" asked Sigfrid.

"I believe I can answer that," said Gustav. "As you commanded my lord, I had infiltrated the academy as a new student. It was very hard at first to gain his trust. It seems like his father is teaching him to be cautious of strangers. But in a few weeks, young Yuu and I became good friends. After finally gaining his trust, he told me the truth about his other father."

"Oh. Do tell," said Nikolas staring at his comrade.

"It seems that when his majesty first arrived in Shin Makoku he proposed, by accident to lord von Bielefeld. But his majesty was raised in a world where male/male relationships are looked down upon and the young king has been making ever effort to let the prince know that he had no intentions of ever marrying him because of his gender. From what Yuu told me, his father told Wolfram that he wanted to marry a girl and that the king would openly flirt with them in front of his fiancé."

"What a cruel king this Yuuri Shibuya is," said Sigfrid.

"Tell me Gustav, what is the boy's attitude toward his father?" asked Drakko.

The brown hair chevalier smiled. "I really didn't have to convince him of anything. The boy already hates his father. The mere mentioning of his name sends the boy into a rage."

"Do you think he would hand the demon king over to us?" asked Nikolas.

"It seems that the boy doesn't trust or like us," Gustav said smiling. "But I believe he would do anything to make his father suffer."

“What about that other thing I asked you to do, Gustav?” The count asked his knight smiling.

“It goes well. Although he is young, he tires quickly.”

“I had taken that into account,” said Drakko.

“Anyway, the child is like a sponge absorbing all that I have taught him.” The brown hair man said. “With each day that passes, his power grows. If I continue his training, he may become even stronger than the demon king.”

“And his father?”

“I made him promise not to tell lord Bielefeld that I was helping to train him,” Gustav said smirking. “I told him once we were through, he could surprise his father by giving him a demonstration.”

The smile on Drakko's face became broad. "In that case, ready my carriage, we must go greet the new demon king."

xxxxx

Wolfram slowly opened his eyes and found himself lying on the ground consumed by darkness. He sat up and looked around. It seemed like no matter where he looked he was surrounded by the dark. Getting to his feet, he began to walk hopefully in the right direction. Wolfram stopped suddenly when he heard someone calling his name. He looked around but saw no one. "Hello," he called out to the dark hoping the voice would answer. No answer. "Is anyone out there?" still only silence. He began walking again. Suddenly in the distance he could see a tiny point of light. He began to slowly move toward it at first or maybe the light was moving toward him.

All of a sudden, he was being whisked forward toward the light and hopefully freedom from the oppressive darkness. At one point he opened his eyes to see how close he was to the light. Tears trickled from his eyes as the rushing wind caused his eyes to water. Quickly, he closed his eyes. Although his eyes were closed, Wolfram could feel as well as see the intense light behind his eyelids and turned his head away, wincing in reaction. He could feel himself moving faster and faster. Wolfram felt as though he was inside one of those fast-moving trains on Yuuri's world. Unable to resist the urge, he opened his eyes and gasped as he was hurled into the light.

Wolfram groaned as he heard Eric calling him.

"Oh Wolfram, thank goodness you're okay," said Eric.

"What a dream," Wolfram groaned again with his eyes still closed as he let his friend help him up into a sitting position. He felt another set of hands helping him and guessed that it was either Derrick or Corwyn. "I had a weird dream that my family and friends from Shin Makoku were here."

"It wasn't a dream Wolfram," said Yuuri.

Wolfram froze as he felt his heart thumping against his chest. Slowly he opened his eyes to stare into the smiling faces of everyone he left behind.

"Oh Wolfie," his mother said happily as she fell to her knees and flung her arms around her missing son's neck. "You've grown into a handsome young man." She pulled him into a hug as she buried her face into his shoulder.

Wolfram could feel her trembling and felt something wet fall onto his shoulders. It took him a moment to realize that she was crying. He hadn't seen his mother cry since his father died. He wrapped his arms around her waist holding her tight. "I missed you Wolfram," she said between sobs.

His eyes softened as he stroked her blonde curls lovingly. "I'm sorry for worrying you mother," he said softly. He looked around into the faces of his family and friends and smiled. He really did miss them and it was wonderful seeing them all again.

"You had us all worried," said Yuuri.

Wolfram grip suddenly tightened around his mother. He had forgotten that Yuuri was there also. He relaxed his grip and turned to look up into the smiling face of his love. Wolfram gasped as he stared into the face of the demon king. The only difference was that his eyes, although they were still round and innocent, they were not quite as narrow as those of his demon king persona, and the pupils were not serpent-like when he would change and use his power. His hair had grown out resting on his shoulders.

As always, Yuuri wore his black uniform. He began to wonder what Yuuri's body looked like without the clothes covering it. Wolfram mentally slapped himself for that thought. No, he was not going to fall into that trap ever again. He took a deep breath to calm his raging heartbeats.

Suddenly there was a tiny squeal coming from behind them. Everyone turned to see a little five-year-old girl staring at them in horror standing behind a huge black panther. The cat growled ferociously at them. "What are you doing to my daddy?" yelled Dominique as tears fell from her eyes.

Upon seeing the panther, Gwendal, Conrad and Josak quickly reached for their swords. Before they could draw their weapon from the sheaths, Wolfram quickly stopped them before someone got hurt.

"Wait! Everyone calm down," said Wolfram. Then he turned to his daughter. "Dominique, no one is hurting me. These are your uncles and grandmother from Shin Makoku."

"Really," she said sniffing and drying her tear streaked face.

"Yes. Now, calm down Shadow."

The little girl nodded and walked up to the growling feline and stroked it on the head. She whispered in its ear. Then the panther stopped snarling at them and sat down on its haunches. Everyone stared in shock as the cat began to lick the little girl on the cheek.

"Wolfram," Gwendal was about to say something but the blonde stopped him.

"I know what you're going to say and explanations are in order."

"Mother, why don't you let Wolfram get up," said Conrad. "I'm sure he would like to be on his feet."

Cecilie moaned in disappointment as she reluctantly let him go. With the help of Eric and Yuuri, Wolfram stood to his feet.

The blonde yanked his arm out of Yuuri's grasp and began to brush the dirt from his clothes. Then he turned to glare at Eric. "Did you know they were coming? Was that what this meeting was about?"

"Of course not," said the silver hair king looking appalled at his friend.

"We were as surprised as you when we realized that this was your family," said Corwyn.

Wolfram sighed as he stared into the faces of his family and friends. "So, I take it they know about Yuu?"

"I'm sorry Wolfram," said Gisela looking away sadly. "I know I swore a Blood Oath but . . ."

"It's okay." Then he turned to his little girl. "Dominique, come here."

The little girl skipped up to her father smiling. Wolfram took her hand and turned to face everyone.

"Who are these people, daddy?" asked Dominique staring at her father and then at the strangers.

"Well sweetheart," said Wolfram running his fingers through her short green colored hair. "This is your uncle Gwendal and your uncle Conrad." He pointed to his two elder brothers. "And this is my mother, your grandmother."

"Ooooo, she's pretty," Dominique said staring at the ex queen with wide innocent eyes.

"Aren't you just the sweetest little thing," said Cecilie picking the child up in her arms and hugging her tight.

"Well Wolfram, since you have introduced me to my niece, I should introduce you to your nephew and niece." Conrad pulled the children out from behind his legs. "This is Roland." He placed a hand on the red hair, blue-eyed boy and then placed his other hand on the brown hair, brown eye girl. "And this is my little angel, Rachel," said Conrad smiling. "Children, this is your Uncle Wolfram."

"Hello Uncle Wolfram," said Rachel curtseying to him, and Roland bowing. Both children returned to hiding behind their father's leg and stared up at their uncle shyly.

"Twins," said Wolfram arching a blonde brow. "You must have had a hard time Josak."

"You didn't tell him," said Josak staring at his husband. Conrad turned a nice shade of red.

"Tell me what?"

"Josak wasn't the one to carry them," Gwendal decided to speak up. "Conrad was the bearer."

Upon hearing that Wolfram stood like a statue staring at his brave, strong, heroic little big brother. "I’m sorry. I must have heard something wrong. Could you repeat that?"

Conrad sighed in defeat. "I was the one to give birth to Roland and Rachel."

Wolfram remained silent for a long while before he finally decided to say something. "Well," he said clearing his throat and trying to hold back the fit of laughter that was threatening to burst from him. "It seems that the lion of Lutenburg is now the . . . the lioness of Lutenburg." And Wolfram fell to the ground laughing so hard until tears fell from his eyes. Then he sat up staring at Conrad. "How in the world did you let Josak talked you into taking the Elixir of Life?"

"He didn't," said Conrad shooting a scathing glance at his elder brother before he returned his attention back to Wolfram. "His majesty tripped and somehow I ended up drinking it."

Wolfram fell back to the ground and continued to laugh.

"It's not that funny Wolfram." Conrad glared down at his baby brother.

"Of course it is. Who would have thought that the great Conrad Weller would be the one giving birth. It just seems so wrong." Then he stopped laughing to see his brother had turned dark red. "But you're right." Wolfram sat up and wiped the tears from his eyes. "Well, it's nice to meet you Roland. Rachel. This is my daughter, Dominique."

"Can we pet your cat?" asked Roland staring in awe at the panther stretched out on the ground licking its paws. He came out from his hiding place.

"It won't bite us, will it?" asked Rachel still hiding behind her father's leg.

"You're such a baby," said Roland rolling his eyes.

"No. Shadow would never hurt anyone. Not unless they tried to hurt me or daddy or Yuu. I'll introduce you," said Dominique squirming out of Cecilie's arms. The ex queen sat the girl down and the three children went over to play with Shadow.

"Wolfram, are you sure it's safe for them to . . . ?" Conrad asked worried.

"You have nothing to worry about," said the blonde. "Shadow has been with us for four years. It seems that there was a witch in our family and Dominique has inherited that power. She can control the animals as well as talk to them along with other things."

"Imagine our shock when Dominique walked into the palace with the animal following her and then telling us that the cat said it wanted to stay with her," said Eric.

"That's good to hear," said Josak. "I don't know what I would do if I lost my little angels."

"I know the feeling." Wolfram smiled as he gazed at his daughter introducing her cousins to Shadow. "I believe I would die if something were to happen to Yuu or Dominique."

"So Wolfram, how have you been?" asked Gwendal. "We heard about the death of your husband. Why didn't you tell us?"

"I don't know. I guess at the time I just didn't want to say anything about it," said Wolfram. "But I'm all right. I had my little ones to keep me together." He smiled sadly as he remembered those dark days and how it was Yuu and Dominique that brightened his days. "So," he said pulling himself out of his melancholy thoughts and stared up into the face of the young woman. He frowned as the girl looked familiar. "Do I know you, young lady?"

"Surly I have not changed that much, Poppa Wolf." Greta smiled at him.

Wolfram's eyes widened in disbelief. It can't be. Is this really his little . . . "Greta?"

"Hello poppa." She ran up to him throwing her arms around his neck. "I've missed you so much."

He held her tight and smiled. "I've missed you as well," he said pulling her away to get a good look at her. "You've grown up into a beautiful young woman." He pulled her into another hug. "Did you get the gifts I sent you?"

"Yes. They were nice although I would have preferred you to be there in person."

"Yeah, well, I'm sorry I made all of you worry so much." He smiled at his family. "So Gwendal, you finally tied the knot with Gunter. I thought poor Gunter would have to wait another century before you proposed."

"I had no intention of waiting that long," said Gunter. "So, I told him either we get married or we were through."

"Well congratulations on your marriage and your upcoming child," said Wolfram. "So, where is Gunnar? I thought he would have been here to greet his cousin."

"He's visiting Raymond, thank goodness. He’s helping him with something," said Derrick smirking. "At least that's the excuse he gave me."

"I for one don't see why they need to sneak around," said Eric smiling. "I think they make a good couple."

"Who is Gunnar?" asked Conrad.

"Gunnar von Christ," said Wolfram smiling at the lavender hair advisor. "He's your cousin. Thank goodness, he is not as flighty as you, Gunter."

"I take offense. I am not flighty." Gunter crossed his arms over his swollen belly and humphed indignantly. Everyone laughed.

"Wolfram," said Yuuri.

At hearing Yuuri's voice the blonde stiffened keeping his back turned to him. "What?"

"Why won't you turn around and face me?" Yuuri asked softly. "Are you afraid to face me after all these years?"

Wolfram felt his blood in rage. 'How dare he say something like that when it was his fault I left in the first place.' Realizing that he was letting the wimp get under his skin. Wolfram took a deep breath. 'I'll show you whose afraid, wimp.' So, he took another deep breath to calm his rapidly beating heart. Then he turned to face his heart's desire for the first time in ten years. It was like the years fell away as his love for Yuuri burst through the wall he had built around his heart to spread warmth throughout his body. But it didn't mean he would be fool enough to be swayed by anything he had to say. There was no way in hell he was going to become Yuuri's fool again. So with great determination, he rebuilt the wall to hold back the burning intense love he held for Yuuri. Once he was in control, he stared boldly up into the dark orbs of the black hair king. Oh hell, he was so tall and very sexy. He just knew their bodies would fit together perfectly. "Yes your majesty?"

"It's Yuuri." He smiled at his ex fiancé.

And just like that Wolfram felt his heart skip a beat. He was always a sucker for that beautiful smile that lite up those dark eyes. 'After all these years, he is still so very beautiful.' They stared at each other lost in their own world. As Yuuri reached a hand up to caress Wolfram's cheek, the blonde prince closed his eyes and waited eagerly for that cool touch. He guessed one little touch won't hurt. It has been so long since he has felt a gentle loving touch. Instead, what Wolfram felt was a slap across his left cheek. The blonde's eyes shot open as he stared at Yuuri with wide shocked eyes as he raised a hand to hold his stinging cheek.

"Now, we can be a real family," said the dark hair monarch. Then almost as an afterthought, he kissed Wolfram on the right cheek. The blonde raised his other hand to hold the cheek that was kissed. "So, you can't get away from me ever again. You are now permanently bound to me."

Cecilie squealed in delight as she flung her arms around her baby and hugged him tightly. "Oh Wolfie, I am so happy for you." She stepped away to look into the shocked eyes of her son.

The blonde lowered his head as he took in what had just happened. If only Yuuri knew how much Wolfram would have loved to have him done this to him ten years ago. But now he has the gall to come here and think Wolfram is going to just jump for joy like his silly mother. Does the black hair WIMP think he's going to just say YES! Hell no! Wolfram felt his blood boiling.

His hand clenched into tight fists. "You impudent son of a bitch," Wolfram snarled. He raised his head and Yuuri could actually see flames burning in the depth of those emerald eyes. In a blink of an eye, Wolfram's fist arc upward smashing into Yuuri's chin knocking the double black to the ground. Yuuri hit the ground hard as he slowly sat up to stare into the eyes of his enraged fiancé.

"I WOULDN'T MARRY YOU IF YOU CAME CRAWLING TO ME ON YOUR BELLY COMPLETELY NAKED!" sparks began to flash around the blonde. "You actually think I will take you back after things didn't work out with your little woman. I’m a man remember! You were quite clear before when you said you would never marry a guy. so what made you change your mind, your majesty."

Yuuri flinched at the scathing way Wolfram said your majesty. Yuuri got to his feet and stood before his angry fiancé. "Because I . . . I finally realized that I love you Wolfram. That's why I want you to marry me."

Wolfram laughed harshly as he glared at his ex fiancé, no his fiancé. Wolfram could feel his heart scream in protest at the hateful way he was attacking Yuuri. This is what he has always wanted but the hurt and pain that Wolfram suffered was holding back all the love he had for Yuuri.

"You have some nerve. Instead of trying to get into my pants, you should be worrying about your son. HE HATES YOU YUURI! AND I HATE YOU TOO! I HATE YOU!" he grabbed Yuuri by the collar and started shaking him as tears fell from his eyes like rain. "DO YOU KNOW ALL THE PAIN AND SUFFERING YOU PUT ME THROUGH?! While you were laughing and living your wonderful life with your wife. I couldn't sleep. My thoughts were all of you. Every time I had a quiet moment, my thoughts would always go back to how you were disgusted with the thought of being engaged to a man. My dreams were filled with you always running away from me. I would tell you that I loved you and would do anything for you. So, you know what you told me in those nightmarish dreams when I said I would do anything?"

Yuuri stood there in shock as he watched the once proud prince fall apart before his very eyes. 'Did I do this to you wolfram?' "No, what did I say?" 'please wolfram, don't give up on me. Don’t give up on the love that you have for me. I promise I will make it up to you.'

"Leave. That is what you told me. Then you turned around and walked away. Not once did you turn around to see what your cruelty did to me. And when I woke up, I felt my soul shatter over and over again." Wolfram pushed Yuuri away releasing the black material.

Yuuri stumbled backwards as he regained his footing and stared at what his uncaring actions had done to his love. "Wolfram . . ." Before he could say anything, he was interrupted by Wolfram's daughter.

"Daddy," said Dominique coming to stand before her father. She looked up at him worriedly. "Are you all right? Did that bad man say something mean?"

Wolfram looked down into the worried face of his daughter. He turned away to dry his eyes and then turned back to face her with a smile on his face. Then he lifted her into his arms. "No sweetheart, he didn't say anything of any importance. I just had a bit of dirt in my eyes." He kissed her cheek. "My life is here now. I suggest you go back to Shin Makoku." He glared fiercely at the dark hair monarch. "I'm sure you can find yourself another woman to marry."

"Wolfram, I . . ." before Yuuri could say anything, again he was interrupted as one of the guards ran into the garden.

"FIRE!" The guard yelled. "Majesty, there's a fire at the Demon Academy!"

Wolfram felt his heart freeze. "Yuu!" He quickly put the girl down. "Dominique, stay here!" Then he raced out of the garden with the others close behind him. He placed two fingers in his mouth and released a high-pitched whistle. As Wolfram made it to the front gates, a huge black stallion galloped up beside him. Wolfram grabbed hold of the black mane and pulled himself upon the horse and rode off as fast as he could. 'Yuu please be all right.'

xxxxx

Wolfram tore through the streets as he made his way to the academy. By the time he arrived, there were water wielders trying to put the flames out. Wolfram stared in horror as the angry yellow flames devoured the building. He quickly leaped off his horse and ran toward the burning building. A few of the men stopped him from going any further.

"Let go, dammit! Yuu is in there," Wolfram snarled as he fought to get free.

"We can't let you go in there," said one of the men holding the angry blonde back. "You have to let the water wielders do their job."

"No! It might be too late." He watched as the flames seemed to be getting higher. "YUU!"

Suddenly the roof of the building exploded as everyone quickly backed away to see what happened. The crowd that had gathered gasped in shock. Wolfram stared in wide eyed wonder as his son stood on the head of a huge water dragon. Then several more dragons appeared carrying his friends and the few teachers that were in the building on their heads. Wolfram stared into the face of his son. It was like looking into Yuuri's eyes. Those serpent like pupils just seemed so unnatural on the face of a nine-year-old.

The water dragons lowered Yuu and the others to the ground out of harms way. Wolfram ran to his son and hugged him tightly. He pulled the child back to cradle his face in his hands and began to kiss Yuu's small face. Then he pulled the boy back into a hug.

"Wolfram. Are the children all right?" He heard Eric, and stiffened as he knew Yuuri and the others would have come also to lend a hand in fighting the fire. He turned and sure enough his brothers, Josak, the great sage and Yuuri stood staring at them. He held Yuu tightly in his embrace as he glared at Yuuri.

"Father, you're squeezing me too tight," came the muffled voice of his son. "Please stop it. You're embarrassing me."

Wolfram stared down at his son smiling. "Is it so bad to be held by your father in front of your friends?"

The child was silent for a second before he responded. "No." Yuu wrapped his arms around his father's waist.

"Wolfram, is the boy all right?" Gwendal asked as he and Conrad came to stand beside their youngest brother.

Yuu pulled himself out of the hug to stare at the two men. He frowned. "Corwyn, what in the world did you do to your hair?"

Conrad chuckled as he ruffled the boy's hair. Wolfram sighed as he knew this was going to get really ugly real soon. "This isn't Corwyn."

The boy frowned up at his father. "It's not? Then who is he?"

"This is my older brother Conrad. And this is our eldest brother Gwendal."

The boy eyes widened. "You mean the ones from Shin Makoku."

Wolfram nodded his head.

‘If they are here, does that mean he is here as well?’ Yuu spied two young double blacks standing away from the crowd. He remembered his father saying the Great Sage wore glasses. 'So that means the other must be the one.' Those black eyes glared in hatred at Yuuri. Suddenly all his rage and anger began boiling to the surface as it exploded outward as a strong gust of wind knocking everyone off their feet. The torrent of power not only kept everyone pinned to the ground. It also put out the raging fire that was consuming the school.

Suddenly a huge water dragon rose from behind Yuu. "You dare come here to cause my father more heartache and pain."

"I did not come here to cause anyone pain," said Yuuri standing before his son. He was the only one not affected by the surge of power swirling violently around him.

The boy scoffed as he sent the dragon to attack. Just as everyone thought the dragon would have engulfed Yuuri another dragon appeared behind Yuuri to grab the first dragon around its neck. Yuuri's dragon tossed Yuu's dragon back and the two water dragons stood ready to attack at the command of their masters.

The intense training with Gunter and other water wielders to control his power was coming in handy but he never once thought he would be fighting his own son.

"Yuu! Please stop!" Wolfram yelled over the violent surge of magic but his cry was lost in the currents. He tried to get up but the force of the child’s powers kept him as well as the others pinned to the ground.

"Why are you here?" snarled the boy.

"I came to see you."

"Did you think I would jump into your arms and scream daddy? You’re nothing to me!" Yuu raised his hand and pointed at his father. The dragon launched itself into another attack but Yuuri's dragon stopped it. Everyone watched in horror and awe as the two water dragons battled above them.

"I HATE YOU! I will never forgive you for what you did to my father!" Suddenly there was a roar as a huge fire lion lunged itself at Yuuri's dragon sinking its fangs into the dragon's neck.

"He's a fire wielder also," said Gwendal struggling to get himself to stand but the force of the boy's powers was too much."

"This may not go well for his majesty," said Josak.

"Yuuri," said Conrad in a worried tone.

Yuuri gritted his teeth and summoned another dragon. The second dragon wrapped itself around the fire lion and pulled it from the neck of the first one. As the second one coiled itself around the lion slowly smothering it, Yuuri noticed that his son was breathing heavy as though he was not use to exerting so much energy. And Yuuri guessed that maybe the boy was reaching his limit and this battle could end without anyone getting hurt.

"You will stop this childish behavior at once!"

Wolfram remembers that stern cold voice from Yuuri's other personality. Although Yuuri and his other self had merged to become one person as he got older, that serious voice was always so commanding of obedience and when dealing out justice. "Please stop!" Wolfram yelled but he was ignored.

"You don't scare me!" Yuu yelled across the battlefield.

"It is not my intention to scare you," the demon king said gently. "I came because I am your father and you are my son."

"SON!" Suddenly the water dragon burst into flames as Yuu's rage seemed to be fueling it. "How dare you! You are nothing to me!" The flaming beast opened its mouth and spewed forth flames scorching Yuuri's water dragon.

"The only other father I have died two years ago and his name was Captain Ellis Gilbit!" Yuu's eyes glowed a bright red. "I HATE YOU! I DESPISE THE GROUND YOU WALK UPON AND I WILL MAKE YOU SUFFER AS MY FATHER DID! I WILL POUND YOU INTO THE DIRT UNTIL THERE IS NOTHING LEFT OF YOUR EXISTENCE!"

Yuu's dragon attacked. But Yuuri's dragon wrapped itself around the flaming dragon and began to smother the flames. It released an awful roar of pain. The fire dragon was able to sink its fangs into the water dragon. Like the fire dragon, the water dragon roared in terrible pain. Everyone covered their ears to block out the awful painful roars as they watched in horror as the beasts tore and ripped into each other.

Yuu was becoming frustrated. He would not lose to this person. Just as he was about to call forth another dragon, a tiny voice called to him. He looked to his left and saw Dominique.

"Yuu! Sop it!" came the frightened voice of his sister. Like everyone there the force of Yuu's powers had them pinned to the ground. Dominique was holding on to Shadow as the cat was slowly crawling its way onto the battlefield. "PLEASE stop! You're scaring me!"

Upon hearing that, Yuu calmed his rage and let his flaming dragon disappeared. Once Yuuri saw the threat was over, he let his own water dragon disappear as well. The frightened crowd was finally freed from the constricting force of the child's powers as everyone slowly got to their feet.

Dominique leaped to her feet and ran to her brother crying. She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face into his stomach. He gently stroked her green hair. "Are you okay Ni-ni?"

"Yeah. I . . you had such a scary look on your face. I was so scared. I had never seen you like that before."

"I'm sorry if I scared you. It won't happen again." He kissed the top of her head. "I promise."

Dominique raised her tear soaked face up to stare into her brother's gentle black eyes. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she smiled at him for a second before it faded. She then turned to Yuuri. "Did that man do something to you? He was talking to daddy and then he slapped him. Daddy started crying and became angry. I asked if the man made him cry. Daddy said no but I think he did. Do you know who he is? Is he someone important?"

Without saying a word to anyone Yuu knelt down and allowed his sister to get upon his back. Standing up, he walked away. As he walked toward Yuuri, he glared at his father with such hate Yuuri could feel the heat. As he walked passed Yuuri, he answered the girl's question. "No, that man is no one of great importance."

Yuuri felt his heart drumming against his chest as he saw the hate burning in the eyes of his child. Yuu was walking toward him. Yuuri felt every muscle in his body tensed up. As Yuu walked passed him, Yuuri clutched at his heart and fell to his knees. The knife twisted itself deeper into his heart at hearing those words fall out of the mouth of his only child. It wasn't so much the words but how he had said them. They were filled with so much loathing and hatred.

Conrad, Eric and the others had gathered around Yuuri to see if he was injured. "Are you all right, your majesty?" asked Conrad.

"Yes, I'm-I'm fine." Yuuri remained on his knees still clutching his aching heart as he stared up into the face of his fiancé standing far in the background. 'HE HATES YOU! I HATE YOU!' Those six little words hurt more than any wounds ever could.

As Wolfram walked up to them, his eyes were locked onto the onyx orbs of his once again fiancé. "Your majesty," he said turning his attention to Eric. "I think it would be best if we were to cancel our meeting for today."

"You're right," said Eric staring at the smouldering building of the Demon Academy. "This was quite a stressful day for you, Dominique and Yuu. So, how about we have our meeting in about three days. How does that sound to you?"

"It would be perfect." Then Wolfram turned those cold emerald eyes upon Yuuri. "And as for you, your majesty." Yuuri flinched at the angry way Wolfram said 'your majesty. "It's best that you return to Shin Makoku. There is nothing for you here." Then he walked away after his children followed by his horse and Shadow.

Yuuri could only watch in heart wrenching agony as his family walked further and further away from him. His vision began to blur as tears of anguish and regret fell from his eyes.