The Heat of the Moment

Chapter 19

By the time the others arrived, Yuuri, Wolfram and Gunter were in the sitting room talking about the 'good old days' when Yuuri first arrived in Shin Makoku. Everyone was surprised to see Yuuri and Wolfram sitting on the sofa holding hands.

Upon seeing the others Wolfram got up and went to take the sleeping Dominique from his brother.

"The poor thing cried herself to sleep," said Cecilie softly so as not to awaken the child.

"Yuu. Come back," the child whimpered in her sleep. "Please don't . . . don't leave us."

Wolfram sighed disheartened as a sad smile graced his lips. "I guess this situation was too much for her." He gently held her in his arms rocking from side to side.

It was then that Conrad noticed the diamond ring on Wolfram's finger. The brunette smiled. "And tell us Wolfram, where did you get that lovely piece of jewelry on your finger?" His smile became wide as he watched the blush spread across his baby brother's cheeks.

The great sage smiled at his friend as he walked over to the other double black slapping him on the shoulder. "Well congratulation, my friend. I wish you all the happiness this world has to offer."

The others looked puzzled not knowing the significance of a ring on the left finger. "I don't understand," said Gwendal frowning.

"Why don't you go lay her in our room," said Yuuri getting up and standing beside Wolfram. He raised a hand and brushed a strand of lavender colored hair from the sleeping child's face. "I'll tell them."

As Wolfram walked out of the room carrying his sleeping daughter, the others looked to Yuuri for answers. And not one person missed the hint when Yuuri said 'our' room.

Yuuri sighed and straightened the imaginary wrinkles in his jacket. Then he looked up at his friends clearing his throat. "Well, on Earth a diamond ring on the left finger signifies an engagement." He smiled at everyone. "I asked Wolfram to marry me and he said yes."

Cecilie squealed in delight and rushed over to her soon-to-be son-in-law and pulled him into one of her rib crushing hugs against her ample bosom. "I'm so happy for you, your majesty." Then she pulled him away from her bosom smiling joyously. "Now, you make sure you take care of my little Wolfie."

Yuuri's eyes widened slightly as for a tiny second he could have sworn he saw a glint of a threat in her eyes. Warning him, he had better take care of her baby. But no, it couldn't have been. He had to have been imagining it. Or could he?

Then Greta, and the others gathered around him congratulating him. He stood before Gwendal and Conrad. The stoic elder brother glowered at his soon-to-be brother-in-law. "Well, if this is what will make Wolfram happy then there is nothing I can say. Except this, if you so much as make Wolfram cry again you will have me to answer to."

"Ditto," said Conrad still holding his smile.

"Gwendal. Conrad," said Gunter jumping, or at least trying to jump, to his feet appalled at his husband and Conrad's blatant threat. "How dare you speak to his majesty that way?"

"This has nothing to do with him being king." The elder demon crossed his arms across his chest and glowered down at Yuuri. "This has to do with him treating my brother properly."

Josak chuckled and walked over to his young king. "Don't feel too bad, your majesty. I was given the ultimatum as well."

"Really," said Yuuri staring at the orange hair spy.

"Now that you mention it, that night before we were to marry, Conrad took me out for a drink and threaten me with bodily harm if I made his big brother unhappy," said Gunter.

Murata burst out laughing. "It seems you guys have married into a very close knit family."

Conrad smiled, Cecilie giggled behind her hand and Gwendal just grunted.

"I understand, and you guys have nothing to worry about. I meant what I said. I will spend the rest of my life making Wolfram happy," said Yuuri smiling.

"Well, I knew Wolfram would make the right decision," said Esmeralda smiling.

"I'm so happy for you daddy," said Greta smiling but the smile dropped from her face and her expression became serious. "But you realize that Yuu will probably be difficult?"

Yuuri sighed taking her hand. "I know. With all the anger he has inside of him, I have a feeling that winning him over will not be easy."

"Yes," said Esmeralda. "I just hope his anger doesn't make him do something he will regret."

Before Yuuri could say anything else, the door opened and Wolfram walked in. The blonde was immediately pounced upon by his mother. She planted her startled son's face between her bosom.

"Oh Wolfie. Yuuri just told us the wonderful news. I'm so happy for you." She pulled him out of her embrace to comb her fingers through his hair. "You're going to make a lovely bride."

"Mother," Wolfram shouted as his face turned red.

"Congratulation poppa Wolf," said Greta hugging him.

"I knew you would come to your senses and make the right decision," said Esmeralda smiling at her friend. "I wish you a long life filled with joy and happiness."

"Thank you Esmeralda, for all your help and wonderful advice over the years." Wolfram pulled the elder woman into his arms holding her tight.

"CHEATER!" Yuuri yelled at Wolfram pointing an accusing finger at the blonde. Everyone looked at the double black king in shock. "How dare you flirt with a woman and in front of me. I am your fiance." Then his voice became whiny. "I'm suppose to be the one you hug and flirt with."

Everyone burst out laughing as they realized that Yuuri was joking and that he was mocking Wolfram with his behavior from the days when they were young, stupid and impatient. Of course Eric, Corwyn, Derrick and Esmeralda did not know this but seeing the others laughing, they guessed that it was a private joke that only they knew about.

Suddenly there was a frantic knock on the door and one of the palace guards stood in the door way panting. "Your majesty."

"Speak," said Eric.

"Sire. There is a strange glow coming from the Avalon Forest."

"Avalon Forest," said Wolfram. "That's where my house is." The blonde ran out of the room followed by the others.

xxxxx


Once outside they ran to the eastern section of the gate. Climbing up the stone steps in the turret, Wolfram walked out onto the walkway staring out over the wall. Yuuri and the others came to stand beside the blonde. They looked in shock as a huge flock of birds swarmed out of the forest shrieking in fear. In the distance, they could see the bright orange red flames consuming the trees.

"It's a forest fire," said Corwyn.

"No. Yuu is out there," said Wolfram panicking. He ran back down the stone steps but before he could run out of the main gates Yuuri had grabbed his arm stopping him.

"Let go! Yuu is out there in the middle of that hell!" He yelled as tears fell from his emerald eyes.

"Wolfram calm down. You won't be able to help him if you become hysterical," said Yuuri. "Now, we need transportation to get there."

"Right," said Corwyn. He and Derrick ran back to the stable.

"There isn't time." Wolfram was beside himself with fear. He tried feebly to break free of Yuuri's grip but the demon king held him tightly. "If anything happens to him, it will be my fault." He fell against Yuuri's shoulder and continued to cry.

"Shh," cooed Yuuri soothingly. "From what I have seen of our son, he can take care of himself. I'm sure he is fine." He pulled Wolfram away to look into the blonde's liquid green eyes. "For all we know, he may not be in the forest. He may have gone home or gone to a friend's house." Yuuri raised one hand and wiped the tears from Wolfram's eyes.

A few minutes later, Derrick and Corwyn returned with six extra horses. Yuuri, Wolfram, Gwendal, Conrad, Josak and Murata each mounted a horse. "Your majesty, stay here," said Corwyn to the silver hair young man.

"Be careful Corwyn," said Eric.

"The rest of you stay here," said Yuuri looking at the others. "We will be back as soon as we find Yuu."

"I'm coming with you," said Esmeralda pulling herself up on the horse sitting behind Murata. "You're going to need my help."

"Right," said Wolfram. He snapped the reins to his horse and the animal galloped off followed by the others.

xxxxx

When they arrived at the entrance to forest, Yuuri immediately summoned several water dragons to put out the raging flames. Once the fire was out, they rode into the forest. The moon shimmered brightly in the night sky. Since there were no trees to block its light, everyone was able to see the damage the fire caused. It was an awful sight to see. The ground was littered with the charred remains of animals that weren't able to escape the forest fire. They rode and rode until they arrived at the opening to a large cave. Wolfram leaped from his horse and rushed into the dark cave.

Raising his hand, a flame ignited in Wolfram's palm lighting up the darkness. "Yuu!" he called out. "Yuu! Are you in there?!" Still there was no answer.

"He might not be here," said Yuuri. They went farther into the cave until they came upon a campsite. There were blankets laying beside a campfire that had long since been extinguished. Wolfram held the flame down to take a closer look.

"Well, was he here?" asked Gwendal.

"No." Wolfram ran his fingers through the cold ashes. Then he stood up and walked over to a barrel that was in the corner. There was a little water in it and he scooped up some to take a taste. He immediately spat it out. It was stagnant. "There wasn't an ounce of warmth in the ashes and this water is stagnant. I can only hope that he went home before the fire started."

Suddenly they heard thundering sound of horses’ hooves outside. Running out of the cave, Wolfram watched as Esmeralda, Murata and Josak joined them.

"Well?" Wolfram asked anxiously.

"The servants said Yuu hadn't returned," said Esmeralda. Murata had dismounted and then he helped Esmeralda down from the horse. "What about you? Was he in the cave?"

"No," said Wolfram becoming increasingly more worried with each passing second. "From the looks of things he hasn't been here for two weeks."

Just then Esmeralda raised her hand and whistle three times. From the dark sky a tiny pink and white bird settled on her finger. She lowered her hand and began to whistle and hum at the bird as it chirped and squawked in answer to her.

Yuuri thought it was the most bizarre sight he had ever seen. The bird flapped its wings frantically as it squawked. Suddenly Esmeralda looked at them.

"Well?" asked wolfram anxiously. "What did it have to say?"

"According to my little friend, he saw Yuu at Serpent River and it was Yuu that caused the fire."

Wolfram felt his heart ram against his chest as an unimaginable terror griped his very soul. The river was a raging torrent during this time of year. He turned on his heel and ran off into the woods.

"Wolfram wait!" yelled Yuuri. "Wolfram!" But the blonde did not stop. "Dammit."

"Serpent River is not too far," said Corwyn. "Derrick, take them to the river and I will bring the horses."

"Right," said the red head. "Follow me." He ran off into the woods followed by Yuuri and the others.

Wolfram arrived at the dark raging river looking around for his son but he found nothing. Looking down he saw a set of small footprints in the mud. Igniting his flame again, he knew for certain who footprints those were. "Yuu," he whispered to himself. Then he looked around. "Yuu!" Jumping to his feet, he was about to go down stream when the others arrived.

"Wolfram," called Yuuri as he and the others walked out of the woods. "Did you find him?"

"No but he was here," said Wolfram. "Those are his footprints." He pointed to the ground. 'Yuu, where are you?' He began to search the area.

"Here." Esmeralda removed a pouch that was at her side and opened it. She reached inside a took out some glowing crystal orbs. "The moon might be out but you will still need more light to see by." She handed each man one of the glowing spheres. Then they split up and began to search.

A short while later Josak came to stand beside his husband. "Conrad," he whispered. The brown hair man turned to his husband. Josak said nothing as he motioned to his husband to follow him. The two men went in the opposite direction going up stream.

"What is it, Josak?"

"I saw a set of strange tracks and I followed them and found this."

Conrad's eyes widened in shocked horror at what seemed to be a child's shirt and pants burned to a crisp laying in a pile on the ground. "Oh Shinou, no," said Conrad as tears fell from his eyes. Picking up the badly incinerated clothing he felt his heart sink to the pit of his stomach. There was barely anything left. The only thing that was recognizable was a tiny lion head pendant with ruby eyes.

"It's his," said Josak. "I remember seeing him wearing it."

Conrad fell to his knees and let the tears fall from his eyes. "This . . . this is going to break wolfram's heart."

"What's going to break my heart?"

Conrad stiffened as his brother's voice came from behind him. "Wolfram, I . . . I . . ." He turned to look up into the face of his baby brother with tears falling from his brown eyes. Conrad felt his voice constrict as the words refused to come out. So, he stood with his back still to his brother. Then he turned to let Wolfram see the burnt remains of the clothing and then opened his other hand to show the blonde the lion head pendant.

With trembling hands, Wolfram hesitantly reached out to take the pendant as tears began to blur his vision. He remembered how Yuu was always fascinated by the von Bielefeld Crest. It was given to Wolfram by his father on his fifth birthday and so Wolfram had presented it to his son on his fifth birthday. It was a family tradition to give the pendant to the first born male of the family.

"N-no. H-he's not dead," said Wolfram shaking his head no in denial. "Nonononono."

Yuuri pulled his fiance into his arms and held him tight as the blonde finally released all his pain and sorrow. Wolfram howled in pain at the lost of his son. His sorrowful scream tore through the hearts of everyone there. Josak pulled Conrad into his arms and let his husband cry on his shoulder. More wrinkles appeared across Gwendal's forehead as he turned away. The moonlight reflected off Murata's glasses hiding his eyes from everyone. While Corwyn, Derrick and Esmeralda looked at the group sadly.

"Noooooooooo!" Screamed Wolfram as he collapsed to his knees. Yuuri followed him to the ground still holding his fiance in his arms. "My baby's gone."

"Ssshhh," soothed Yuuri as tears fell from his eyes like rain. Yuuri didn't know what to think. His son was gone. His first born. His Yuu. Now, he will never have the chance to make up with his son and become that happy family he has always dreamed of. He will never be able to play baseball with Yuu or talk to him about sex. Although his own father never told him a thing about sex, he was going to make sure he was there for his son to answer any question he had about the subject no matter how uncomfortable it would have been. He will never see his son grow into a man. He won't even have the chance to stand beside his son on his wedding day. And it was all his fault.

"I'm sorry Wolfram," said Yuuri as he cried against his fiance's shoulder. "If I had stayed away none of this would have happened. Yuu would still be alive. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Wolfram held Yuuri tight as they continued to cry out all their pain and despair beneath a clear starry sky.

xxxxx

It was very late when Yuuri and the others returned. Gunter was the only one that remained up waiting for his husband to return. Eric had seen them returned and rushed out the front door to meet them.

"Well?" asked Eric anxiously looking to his friends for answers.

Corwyn just sadly shook his head and looked away. Eric looked at Wolfram and could see that the blonde's eyes were puffy and red from crying. In fact, everyone's eyes were red and puffy from crying. Wolfram was riding with Yuuri and the blonde looked like death. Yuuri hopped down and helped Wolfram to get down. As soon as the blonde's feet touched the ground, his legs collapsed beneath his weight. Yuuri quickly caught Wolfram before he fell to the ground holding him up. The tears flowed from Wolfram's eyes once again

"What am I going to tell Dominique," he cried out in despair.

Hearing all the commotion Gisela as well as lady Cecilie and Greta had ran outside. Cecilie ran to her baby trying to comfort him. But his sobs became louder and more hysterical as time went on.

"Bring him inside," said Gisela. She ran inside to get her medical bag. She followed Derrick as he led her to a room that was on the other side of the palace. Gisela guessed they did it so Wolfram’s crying did not wake up Dominique. She felt so sorry for the little girl. Come morning. She will be an only child.

Gisela walked into the room, opened her bag and took out a hypodermic needle. Filling it with a clear liquid, she wiped Wolfram's arm with an antiseptic wipe and injected the sedative into his arm.

Wolfram's struggles began to lessen as the sedative began to take effect. Finally, he was asleep. Cecilie brushed a lock of golden hair from out of her son's face. Covering him with the blanket, everyone quietly left the prince to rest.

Yuuri was the last to leave the room. Closing the door behind him, he leaned against the door sighing heavily.

"You needn't worry, your majesty," said Gisela. "That sedative will let him sleep until morning."

"Thank you Gisela," said Yuuri.

"What-what happened?" asked Cecilie. She looked at the haggard faces of her sons and a very bad feeling began to crush her heart. She turned to Yuuri but the young king had turned facing the door with his forehead resting against the wood. His shoulders were shaking as she heard soft sobs coming from him. She was not liking this as she turned back to her sons and was shocked to see her two strong sons with their face buried against the shoulders of their husbands crying like children.

Murata hated being the bearer of bad news. But since Yuuri and the others were in no way capable of talking he would have to be the one to break the news. "It's Yuu." He swallowed a dry lump as the ex queen turned those jade eyes on him. "We found . . . he's . . . dead."

Cecilie fell to her knees sobbing. Her crying seemed to make it worse as both Greta and Gisela began crying also. Both wrapped their arms around the ex queen joining her in her pain.

"Corwyn. Derrick," said Eric. "Could you two take lady Cecilie and the others back to their rooms?"

"Of course your majesty," said Corwyn. He bended down and lifted the weeping blonde into his arms. Derrick helped Gisela and Greta to stand, and let each woman cry on his shoulders as he followed Corwyn.

"The rest of you should go to bed also," said Esmeralda.

Gunter and Josak led their husbands back to their room. Yuuri straightened his shoulders and stopped crying. Clearing his throat, he spoke. "Will you look after Dominique?"

"Of course we will," said Eric. "You have nothing to worry about."

"Thank you." Yuuri opened the door and walked back inside. He stared at the figure lying on the bed. Sometime during the course of him being outside the blonde had kicked the cover from over him. Wolfram tossed and turned in the bed calling for Yuu. Yuuri felt his heart break. Kicking off his shoes removing his jacket, he walked over to the bed and laid down beside Wolfram. He pulled the blonde into his embrace dropping soothing kisses against his temple calming his fiance for the time being. A choked sob escaped from Wolfram lips as he buried himself deep into the warmth of Yuuri's embrace.

xxxxx

It was pass midnight as Esmeralda, Corwyn, Derrick and Eric sat in the conference room. "So, tell us Esmeralda, is the boy truly dead?" asked Eric.

"Yes, I would like to know also," said a voice from the dark. Everyone turned with a start to see the Great Sage, Ken Murata walked out of the shadows.

Esmeralda smirked at seeing the other man. "I see why you are known as the legendary wise man of double black." She sighed as she turned to the window looking out at the moon. "It's hard to say. There is something dark and evil surrounding him. I can't even tell if he's injured. But I think Dominique maybe able to know for certain."

"Why do you say that?" asked Derrick.

"Yuu is her brother and she loves him dearly," said the witch. "I've noticed a strong bond forming between the two of them. I think she may be able to know if he is hurt or . . ."

"Or dead," said Corwyn. Esmeralda nodded her head.

"But you don't think he is dead though?" asked Murata.

"No. If an element user dies, I would feel a great disturbance in nature. And since Yuu is the son of the demon king the disturbance would have been like a rock crushing the life out of my being." She turned to face them. "No. I can't be certain but I do not believe he is dead."

"Then, if he is not dead, where is he?" asked Corwyn.

"I guess only time will be able to answer that question," said Esmeralda. "But for now until I speak with Dominique do not tell anyone about what we know. I want to make sure . . ." She stopped suddenly and began to nibble at her bottom lip.

Murata narrowed his eyes. "Make sure of what?"

"Make sure Yuu is really alive and that what I am feeling is not someone reanimating his body."

Murata gasped in sick horror. "Surely no one practices that arcane art."

"You'll be surprised at what evil men would do for power," said Eric.

"As I said. I want to make sure and Dominique's bond with her brother will be able to answer our question," said Esmeralda. She sighed and turned back to looking out the window. 'Oh Yuu. You stupid silly little brat. I hope you are not doing something we all will come to regret.'

xxxxx


Miles away inside a dark castle the door to a huge lavishly decorated room opened. Yuu looked around the spacious room in awe. 'It's so huge. I could fit not only my old room but Ni-ni's room in here.' Count Drakko ushered Yuu into his new room. After throwing away the clothes of his old life, the count had wrapped the boy in his cape.

"This will be your new room," said Drakko smiling. "You should get some sleep because your training starts early in the morning."

"Of corse, my lord," said the boy bowing to the count. As the older man walked out of the room, Yuu sat down on the bed sighing. He looked around the room at the antique furnishing. There was an armoire sitting against the wall near the balcony doors. An oak trunk with vines coiling along the top was perched at the foot of the bed. There was a night stand with a pitcher sitting in a basin at the head of the bed on the right side. There was also a small desk with inkwell and quill placed beside in the far left corner of the room. A settee decorated with blood red roses was nestle in the corner on the other side of the room. The dark colored bed curtains were tied securely to the bedposts. He lay sprawled on the king size bed. He turned on his side wrapping the black satin coverlet around his body. 'Please understand father, I am doing this to protect you from that man.' He sighed. 'Once I get you to see that that man will only hurt you again. Then we can be a happy family once again. Just you, me and Ni-ni.' A loud yawn slipped passed his lips as he snuggled deeper into the warm cocoon of the blanket. Then his lids slowly drooped until he finally fell asleep.