The Heat of the Moment

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




Chapter 17

"I thought there was something familiar about the spirit energy coming from you," said Murata smiling. Everyone looked at him puzzled. His smile widened as his eyes locked with those of Esmeralda. "It seems that lady Esmeralda is a member of the Coven."

Esmeralda smirked at the black hair man. "So the rumors about you are true. You truly are intelligent."

"Well, I like to think so."

"And a lecher," mumbled Wolfram. "But yes, she is a member of the Coven. In fact she is or were the last of the witches until my little Dominique was born."

"So what Wolfram said is true. There was a witch born in the von Bielefeld family generations ago?" asked Gisela.

"Yes, it's safe to say that this person was part of the Coven," said Esmeralda.

"But, there is no mentioning in the von Bielefeld history about their being a witch in the family," said Gwendal.

"There wouldn't be. The Coven was a private group. They did not want to be bothered by people coming to see them outside their sanctuary. So, they never told their husbands who they truly were." She turned to smile at Dominique. "It’s been a long time since a witch of Dominique's status has been born. As the last member of the Coven it falls to me to train her to use her powers properly."

Cecilie glanced behind them and saw Yuu standing in the background. "So tell me Wolfie, who is that handsome young man standing behind everyone looking like Gwendal." She giggled as the frowns on her eldest son's face deepened.

"Oh!" He turned to his son and rushed over to him. "Yuu, you haven't met my mother," said wolfram leading his son over to Cecilie. "Mother. This is my son, Yuu. Son, this is your grandmother Cecilie von Spitzweg."

"It is an honor to meet you grandmother," said Yuu bowing to her.

"My, aren't you a polite gentleman," she said smiling at her grandson and raking her fingers through his midnight hair.

"This is my friend Gisela." He turned the boy toward the green hair young woman.

"So, you are the one that kept my father informed about all that was happening."

"Yes I am," said Gisela smiling down at the boy. "And it is a pleasure to finally meet you, Yuu."

"Thank you Lady Gisela for being a friend to my father in his time of need," said Yuu. "Heaven knows, he certainly couldn't count on that fool."

"Yuu, that will be enough," Wolfram said through gritted teeth. "This is a birthday party for your sister do not ruin it for her."

"You're right father. Please forgive me."

"You look just like the pictures of Shibuya when he was a kid," said Murata smiling at the boy.

Yuu said nothing as his dark eyes seemed to smoulder with rage at being compared to that wimp. "I look nothing like him and I would advise you to keep your opinion to yourself," he hissed.

"Although," Murata went on to say as though he hadn't heard the threat, "he was in a frilly dress with his hair in pig tails."

Yuu arched a brow at hearing that. "What are you talking about?"

"Well, your grandmother wanted a girl but what she got was him. So according to her, she would put him in a dress and put his hair in pig tails like a girl."

"Sort of like what I use to do with Wolfie," Cecilie said jovially.

"Mother!" Wolfram shrieked appalled.

"Now now Wolfie, you looked cute in those dresses."

Wolfram groaned and turned when his son spoke. The boy had not moved his gaze from Murata.

"So, what you are saying is that his mother is to blame for his disgust of same gender relationships?" said Yuu.

"I'm sure the Great sage is not implying that," said Conrad trying to get his angry nephew to see reason. "Yuuri has nothing against same gender relationships. Your uncle and I are both married to men and Yuuri is quite happy for the both of us."

Yuu snorted as his eyes seemed to darken with rage. "You maybe right about that but than again, you two weren't engaged to marry him. So your statement about him accepting your marriages to other men is a mute point."

Wolfram could hear the strain in Yuu's voice as the boy tried to calmly hold back his anger. He wished they would just drop the subject all together.

"But if you want to be technical about it, I will just say he hated the fact that another man wanted to marry him." The boy folded his arms across his chest glaring at them. "Personally, I think my father should be glad that he abandoned that sinking ship called Yuuri."

Murata chuckled as he pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. "Well Wolfram, it seems that you and Captain Ellis did a fine job of raising the boy. The only drawback is you raised him as an adult instead of as a child." Then he turned those dark orbs upon Yuu. "You are so like Shibuya when he was fifteen. Especially when he went into maoh mode and started handing out justice. You may think you hate him but you don't and do you know why?"

Yuu only grunted and began tapping his foot against the ground in agitation. Who in the hell does this four eyed freak think he is? He knows nothing about him. He's just like all the rest of them. All they seem to care about is how much that wimp is suffering. Not one of them is thinking about his father. "Do tell, oh wise man of old," the boy said in scathing contempt.

"Yuu, please don't do anything, not today," said Wolfram worried. He could see the rage boiling in the boy's eyes. Why couldn't Murata keep his mouth closed?

The great sage walked up to Yuu and cupped the boy's chin. Tilting Yuu's face up so the boy could look him in the eyes. Those dark wise eyes seem to stare straight through Yuu to take a glimpse at the youngster's soul. "Because no matter what you say or what you do, the fact still remains that you are Yuuri Shibuya's son. And there's not a child alive that does not want to get to know their father." Then he raised his other hand and raked his fingers through the boy's soft hair. "Wolfram raised you as an adult and your behavior reflects that upbringing. If that's the case, then you should act like one and not a petty child. An adult would talk things out. A child would act foolish and behave stubbornly, and a child would refuse to hear what anyone has to say." The light reflected off the glasses as Murata stared into the boy's eyes. "So Yuu Shibuya, which are you? A sensible adult or a spoiled chid?"

Gwendal stepped forward. "He's right, Yuu. Your father can be an idiot. Shinou knows, he tested my patience many a days when he first arrived in Shin Makoku but one thing I know for sure about him. He would never truly or intentionally hurt the people he cared about. So, it's time you put your hatred away and work on making your relationship with your father better. He is suffering, little one. He has suffered for as long as he has known he had a son out there."

"Suffering, huh." He jerked his chin out of Murata's grasp and slapped the hand in his hair away. "Well, I'm glad he's suffering. If it was up to me I would make sure he suffered even more than he is now." Yuu straightened his shoulders and stared Gwendal straight in the eyes. "If you think that by telling me he is suffering," then he turned that icy stare at Murata, "or giving me some lame ass sage advice will make me change my mind about the wimp. I'm here to tell you. It's not going to work. I care nothing about him or the fact that he is suffering as you put it. Although I doubt seriously that he truly knows what the word means. I wish he would just return to where he came from because as I have said before, my only other father is and will forever be Captain Ellis Gilbit."

"Oh my sweet little grandson, why are you filled with so much hate for your own father?" asked Cecilie sadly.

The boy turned to face her and arched his brow once again. "My question to you is why aren't you angry with him? It's because of him that your son," he looked at Cecilie and then to his uncles, "your brother, found it necessary to runaway. You seem to care more about him instead of my father."

"That's not true," said Conrad. "We love Wolfram very much."

"Than why is it you all seem to care more about 'his majesty' well-being?" the boy turned watery, angry eyes upon them but he made sure not to yell. He knew his Ni-ni would become scared and he did not want that, not today. "You have no ideal of all the pain and suffering my father went through especially since I was the one causing him the pain." Tears fell like rain from his eyes.

"That's not true, Yuu," said Wolfram pulling his son into his arms. "You have only brought me nothing but joy and happiness. How can you say something like that?"

Yuu pushed himself out of his father's embrace to stare up into the blonde's shocked face. "I may not be old but for as long as I have been able to comprehend the meaning of sadness, it has always been in your eyes."

Wolfram bit his bottom lip shaking his head denying what his nine-year-old son was telling him.

"You know it to be true father. Every time you looked at me, you saw his face. You were happy with dad but your heart was never his. You had given your heart away a long time ago. Although you hide this sadness from Dominique, you could not hide it from dad . . . or from me." He smiled sadly at his father. "Sometimes, I think you loved him more than you loved either me or Ni-ni."

"No, don't say that," whispered Wolfram as he took his weeping son into his arms again. "I would do anything for the two of you." Wolfram's tears fell from his eyes to soak the top of Yuu's head but the boy cared not for his wet hair.

"Anything except turn away from the man that has your heart." Once again he pulled himself out of wolfram's grasp.

Conrad was about to say something but Yuu raised a hand stopping him. "This is a birthday party for my sister and I will not ruin it by discussing that man." He dried the tears from his eyes and plastered a fake smile on his face. "If you will excuse me, I will gather Ni-ni and the others since the servants will be serving the food soon." Yuu turned and walked away.

Wolfram lowered his head and didn't fight as Conrad pulled him into his arms. "What have I done?" His tears soaked the front of his brother's jacket. "Oh Shinou, Ellis was right. I should have taken Yuu to Yuuri. Now, he thinks that he's to blame for my sadness." His tears became heavy as his sobs began to get louder. "I don't know what to do any more."

Esmeralda came to stand beside him. "Well, the first thing you need to do is stop your bawling."

Wolfram looked up at her with liquid emerald eyes. She sighed and handed him a handkerchief. "Dry your eyes and stop crying before Dominique sees you. If that happens, she will start crying which will undoubtedly start the other children to crying." She huffed while folding her arms across her chest. "This is why I say demon men shouldn't have babies." She smirked at Wolfram. "You lot gets so emotional."

Wolfram took the handkerchief and smiled at his friend while drying his eyes. He looked toward the house and saw the servants bringing the food out. "This is a party. So for today, let's leave the drama at the door. Agreed."

"Agreed," chimed everyone.

xxxxx

The party went on without any more trouble. Everyone was happy and relaxed. Although Yuu was tense for a while but after watching the antics of his little sister, all the tension in his body seemed to melt away.

It was night time when they finished the meal. Light from Derrick’s ingenious glowing globes illuminated the darkness as the servants brought out a huge birthday cake. The children squealed in delight at the sugary treat. There were six candles sitting on the white frosted cake. After she blew out the candles, Wolfram began to cut and serve the cake.

"Here's a nice big slice for the birthday girl," said Wolfram placing the plate in front of her. Dominique giggled in delight as she took a bite of her cake. Then she placed her fork down and looked at her father.

"I'm through daddy. Can I open the presents now?"

Everyone burst out laughing. wolfram raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, I get the hint. You would rather open presents instead eat cake." Wolfram removed her plate and placed a box before her. She ripped the paper and squealed in delight at the stuffed animal.

"That is from your uncle Gunter and me," said Gwendal.

"Thank you uncle Gwenal," his niece said hugging the stuffed toy tightly.

"That's a sand bear isn't it?" asked Josak.

Gwendal scowled and Dominique frowned at him. "Oh uncle Josak, you're so silly." She giggled at him. "It's not a sand bear. It's Shadow."

Gwendal smiled and nodded his head looking smugly at the others. Well how were they to know that Wolfram's daughter would be able to understand Gwendal's mixed up animals.

"Look Shadow, it's you," she said holding the stuffed toy up for the panther to see.

If they didn't know any better, they would swear the big cat looked at the child as though she had lost her mind. Then Shadow sniffed the toy for a while and became bored. The cat yawned and laid back down at her feet.

Then she opened up the rest of her presents. She got a strange devices from Derrick. He called it a voice sender. Dominique held one and Derrick had the other. He pressed the black button and then spoke into the gray box. His voice was heard coming out of the box that Dominique was holding. Everyone was impressed by the device.

"And this little baby doesn't need the use of demonic power in order to work," said Derrick looking knowingly at Gwendal and smiled.

The elder man snorted. "Now, if you can only teach your cousin to make inventions like that my life at the castle would be peaceful." Everyone burst out laughing.

Then Dominique opened her other presents. She received jewelry from Eric. Beautiful gowns, hair clips, shoes and more jewelry from Cecilie. An assortment of bath oils from Corwyn. A music box from Murata. Dolls from Rachel and Roland. Books about the many adventures of Anissina from her adopted big sister. Greta told Dominique that these were her favorite books to read when she was little. She received a foil fencing sword from Conrad and Josak. A book of bedtime stories from Gisela.

"I couldn't bring your present," said Esmeralda. "You will have to get it tomorrow when you come to the house for your lessons."

"Okay," pouted the girl.

"Now, it's time for mine and father's gift," said Yuu excited. He ran around the house and came back shortly with a beautiful black and white colt. Dominique squealed in delight as she jumped to her feet and ran to the animal. She stroked the animal's soft mane and hugged its neck.

"Thank you daddy and you too, Yuu. I just love him."

"I'm glad but you have to take good care of him," said Wolfram smiling.

"I will. I promise."

Yuu smiled at the excitement in his little sister's voice as she hugged and cooed at the colt. He glanced up and the smile fell from his face as his dark eyes began to smoulder. "WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?"

xxxxx

Everyone looked at Yuu and then turned in the direction he was looking in. Standing at the gate that led to the backyard was Yuuri. In his hand he held a colorful wrapped package.

"I thought he wasn't suppose to show his face around here," the boy turned accusing eyes upon his blonde hair father.

"You needn't worry," said Yuuri. "I will not stay long. I just wanted to give your sister her birthday present. I went to Earth to get it and I just got back." He walked up to them. "I was going to send it by Greta but by the time I got back Gunter had told me that everyone had already left." Dominique hid behind Wolfram's leg peeping out at the black hair man. "Happy birthday." He held the gift out to her.

"I don't want it. I just want you to leave us alone. We were happy. Yuu was never angry and daddy was never sad until you came here."

Yuuri knelt before the girl and placed the box on the ground. Yuu came to stand behind his sister and placed a hand on her shoulder. His dark eyes glowed with anger.

"I know I have made your father unhappy. I have done so for as long as we have known each other but I intend to change that. I know you may want me gone but I'm sorry little one I cannot do what you want. I was a fool for letting him go ten years ago but I swore that once I found him I would never let him go again. I love your father very much and I want to spend the rest of my life making him happy."

Yuu snorted.

"I know you may not believe that Yuu but it is the truth. Deep within the core of my heart I have always loved your father but I was too blinded by my prejudice and stupidity to realize that what I felt for Wolfram was not friendship but love."

Yuu scoffed moving his sister to stand behind him. "You never loved my father. You're nothing but a lying hypocrite. You love him." The boy snorted. "Did you love him the night of your return party when you slept with him in your drunken state? And did you love him the next morning when you accused him of taking advantage of you."

Everyone gasped in shock. The boy arched a dark brow. "So, you didn't know." The boy scowled. "I guess it would have shattered your illusion of him being perfect if you knew he was nothing but a hypocrite." He stared at his uncles. "Didn't any of you ask him what happened?"

"It was a few months after Wolfram disappeared that we found out Wolfram was pregnant," said Conrad. "After that, well, wanting to know why it happened didn't seem important."

"All that matter to us was to find our brother and our niece or nephew and to make sure the two of you were safe," said Gwendal.

"Yuu . . . son, believe me when I say, that was the worst mistake I could have made," said Yuuri as he looked up to Wolfram. "And for that I am truly sorry."

"So, are you saying that you are fine with marrying another man," said Yuu.

"I did propose to your father but I found out that my proposal is null and void because he is a citizen of Americus." He turned to look into the dark smouldering eyes of his son. "But yes, I am all right with marrying another man."

"You have spent a majority of your life on this other world, according to what father has told me. Are you saying that you can just throw away fifteen years of learned behavior just like that?"

"I . . .I" Yuuri hesitated.

"I thought so," Yuu sneered at him. "I knew you were a hypocrite but I didn't figure you were a liar as well."

"I'm not lying. Fine. You want the truth." Yuuri stood up and glared down at his son. "There is still a part of me that still thinks two men getting married is wrong but I am willing to change." He then turned to face Wolfram. "I meant what I said. I do love you Wolfram and if I have to I will wait for as long as it takes for you to give me another chance."

Wolfram turned away from Yuuri's heated gaze as he felt his heart thump wildly against his chest. Could what Yuuri said be true? Has Yuuri always been in love with Wolfram? He bit his bottom lip not knowing what to do.

"You've said your lies now leave my house," snapped Yuu.

Yuuri continued to stare at Wolfram as the blonde refused to look him in the eyes. "So, am I not even worthy of getting a second chance Wolfram?" He asked sadly.

Wolfram jerked his head up to stare into gentle pleading eyes. The blond was beside himself with indecision. He didn't know what to do. Should he tell Yuuri to leave? Did he really want Yuuri to disappear out of his life once again now that he knows the truth? What was the truth? That Yuuri Shibuya, the 27th demon king of Shin Makoku was in love with Wolfram and only Wolfram.

Taking the blonde's silence as meaning he wanted to never see him again, Yuuri looked down at the girl. "I hope you like my gift and happy birthday." He turned and walked away.

'So, that was the demon king from Shin Makoku.' Esmeralda took a bite of the birthday cake and watched as the double black disappeared from the backyard. 'Wow. No wonder Wolfram is so in love with him. He is quite handsome.' Then she turned her attention back to Wolfram. 'Well wolfram, this is the moment of truth. You can either live a half life living only for your children or live a complete life with your children and the man you truly love.'

As Wolfram stood there with his head lowered and hands clutched at his side. He remembered what Esmeralda had told him.

'I repeat. You should do what you want to do.' Wolfram raised his head to stare at the gate Yuuri had walked out of as he continued to remember the witch's advice. 'My friend, this is your life no one else can live it for you not me, Yuu, Dominique or your demon king only you can decide on what makes you happy.'

'That's right. I am the only one that can decide that. And what makes me happy is being with Yuuri. I love him. I love him. I love him.' Wolfram started walking toward the gate. He could hear Yuu yelling in the background but it did not matter. All that matter was finding Yuuri before he vanished from his sight again.


xxxxx

Yuu stared in shock as his father rushed out of the backyard running after the man that caused him nothing but heart ache and misery.

"How could you father," Yuu said angrily.

"Yuu," said Esmeralda drawing the boy's attention to herself. "Yuu, this is your father's decision."

"No. Nonononononono! I can't let this happen." Yuu's dark eyes were filled with anger. "I won't let this happen." He turned and ran away from the house.

Dominique watched with a heavy heart as her daddy and brother left. She didn't know why or how but she knew something terrible was going to happen. She knelt down and picked up the present. Slowly she unwrapped it and then opened the box. Inside was a beautiful porcelain doll with a white painted face, red lips and black eyes. Her long, black hair was up in a bun with little sticks poking out of her hair, and the doll wore a lovely silk red kimono. Dominique just stared at the pretty doll not really registering that her vision had gone blurry.

Suddenly she felt tiny arms wrap around her shoulders as she looked up to see Roland and Rachel hugging her. "You'll see. Everything will work out and you and your family will be happy again," said Rachel. "So don't cry."

Cry? Dominique touched her cheek and pulled her hand back to look at the tears soaking her fingers. When did she started to cry? Now that she realized she was crying she could not seem to stop as the flow became heavy. She dropped the doll to the ground and buried her face into her hands. Falling to her knees, she continued to sob out all her pain.