The Heat of the Moment

disclaimer-i do not own any of the characters to Kyo Kara Maoh and neither do i make any money from this story. all rights and whatnots belong solely to the original creator.




Chapter 38

Once Corwyn, Eric, Murata and Wolfram made it to the castle they began to search every room, upstairs and downstairs, but there was not a trace of Yuuri or Yuu. Wolfram began to panic. He didn't know what to do now. He was inside the enemy's home but he could not locate his kidnapped family. They met up at the bottom of the stairs.

"We searched every room in this place and still we can't find them," snapped Wolfram. "Where could they be?"

Murata stood off from the others as he thought. 'They have to be here or else Yuu would have led us to where they were hiding not to the palace.' /He could have been lying to you./ A voice whispered in the back of his mind. Murata shook that thought out of his head. No, he couldn't have been wrong about what he seen developing between the boy and Yuuri. 'They are here. I just know it.'

"I wonder where are all the servants?" asked Corwyn looking up and down the hallway for any sign of movement.

"He doesn't have any," said Wolfram. "I asked one of those twins one day. According to him, there are no servants. His men does all the cooking and cleaning."

Eric had said something but Murata had tuned out their conversation as he began to think more and more about where that creep could have Yuuri hidden. Then like a bolt from the blue. It hit him. "The study!"

"What?" said Corwyn.

"Did anyone find the study?"

"Yes, I came across two of them," said Eric. "One was for Nikolas and the other was for Drakko."

"And I came across the twin's study upstairs," said Wolfram.

'No, it wouldn't be upstairs.'

"Lead us to Drakko's study," said Murata. "We don't have a minute to spare." The four of them ran with haste down the hall following close behind Eric.

"Why Drakko's study?" asked Wolfram.

"If my hunch is correct, we will find what we are looking for in there." 'Hold on Shibuya, we're almost there.'

Eric came to a stop in front of a polished oak door that had Drakko's name scrawled on it in elegant letters. Murata burst into the room looking at the three bookcases in the room. He went to the one that was near the window. "Everyone start tossing books from the shelves."

"Why?" asked Corwyn.

"Since we have already checked every room in the castle then that means there is a secret room somewhere beneath this place. We have to find the entrance."

"Okay, but what has that got to do with us throwing books off of the shelves?" asked Eric puzzled.

"Well, in every movie when the hero is looking for their missing friend in an old creepy castle, there is a secret room that will always be hidden behind a bookcase or a fake wall," said Murata tossing book after book off the shelf. "Now get to tossing."

"What is a mo-vie?" asked Corwyn.

Wolfram sighed . "It will take too long to explain. Let's just do as he says." He went to the other bookcase and began tossing books over the floor. Eric and Corwyn went to the other and did the same thing.

"Suppose you are wrong?" said Corwyn. "what if this secret room is in one of the other studies?"

"NO, it's here. Someone like Drakko would not have such an important chamber in some other room. He would have it close to him." Murata tossed a few books from the shelf. 'Dammit, it has to be here. Come on Yuu, I know you led us here to save your father.' When he grabbed the History of the Demon Tribe, that triggered the mechanism causing the bookcase to swing outward. "Found it!"

"Look, stairs," said Eric.

"See, I told you," said Murata running down the stairs followed by the others.

xxxxx

When Yuu awakened again, his head was pounding and his sight was blurry. At least his back and stomach wasn't throbbing in terrible pain. Well, it still ached but not as bad as before. He could hear someone chanting something to the left of him. He gingerly turned his head to see what was happening. As his vision cleared, his eyes widened as he saw Drakko standing over his father with a strange dagger in his hand. The thing was made entirely of some kind of crystal that changed from a lite blue to black. Yuu listened to the words but he could not understand what was being said. He pulled himself up into a sitting position with his back against the wall. He flinched and hissed viciously as a shockwave of pain spread out across his raw back when it made contact with the cold stone wall. It was getting difficult to breath. He looked down at his chest and the serpents with their mouths opened were now devouring his heart. Yuu could feel it. He could feel his heart slowly beating. He did not have much time. He had to save his poppa and make his father happy once again.

"Let him go," demanded Yuu.

"I don't listen to stupid, disobedient children," Drakko smirked as he glanced over his shoulder at the boy. "You are of no interest to me anymore. I am about to obtain all that I desire."

"I won't let you." Suddenly Yuu clutched his heart gasping in pain. Sweat began to pop out on his face as he opened his mouth to scream but nothing came out.

"And what are you going to do about it little man. Your life force is almost snuffed out by that curse. Soon, all your family and friends that came here to save you will all perish and it will be all your fault. How does it feel boy, to be the one that destroyed his entire family?" Drakko laughed sinisterly as he held the dagger above Yuuri's chest. "Your name shall go down in history as being the greatest fool the world had ever seen. Everyone will curse the name of Yuu Shibuya."

Yuu doubled over as the pain had become too much for him to take. Even the flogging that Drakko had given him earlier paled in comparison to the terrible pain he was feeling now. Yuu squeezed his eyes closed tightly as tears fell from the corners. His breath was coming out in heavy pants.

Then Drakko turned back to his unconscious victim. "Let the siphoning begin." He lowered the dagger to hover an inch above Yuuri's chest. The dagger changed from blue to black several times before it finally settled on blue. He slowly moved the dagger up Yuuri's chest to stop it over his mouth. Suddenly a soft blue aura appeared around Yuuri's body. The power seemed to swirl and ebb around him like the tides.

Drakko licked his lips hungrily as he stared down at the immense power of Yuuri's aura. It was so intense until the double black's power sent chills down the Count's spine. 'His power is amazing. I will be full for centuries after devouring his magic.' He could hardly wait to devour this magnificent meal. He silently thank whatever god out there for sending Yuuri to him.

Yuu sat there watching the turbulent flow of his father's power stunned for a second before he snapped himself out of his shock. Clenching his hands into fists, he glared angrily at the Count. "I said get your filthy hands off my poppa!" the boy said in a savage tone.

Drakko turned to smirk at the boy and then turned his attention back to Yuuri. He lowered himself close to Yuuri's mouth. Raising one hand, he grabbed Yuuri by the chin and opened the unconscious man's mouth. "Again, boy, what are you going to do about it." As Drakko opened his own mouth and inhaled deeply, Yuu could visibly see his father's magic being devoured by the vile man.

"This is what I can do about it," growled Yuu. Suddenly the ground rumbled as ice spears shot up out of the ground. Drakko immediately broke his connection with Yuuri to dodge being skewered by the ice. The ice spears cris-crossed over Yuuri protecting him from the Count. Drakko was livid because his plans were thwarted by a spoiled little brat.

"Why you impudent little shit," he snarled.

"I warned you."

Drakko stalked over to the boy but before he could get close enough to hurt Yuu, he was stopped by a fireball nearly melting his foot. He jumped back when he saw Wolfram along with Corwyn, Eric and The Great Sage burst into the room.

"Back off," snarled Wolfram. Then he turned his attention to his son. "Yuu." Wolfram ran toward the dark hair boy. He held his first born in his arms. "My baby." He cried as he kissed every inch of the boy's face. Yuu for once did not complain about his father's overly affectionate display. Wolfram pulled Yuu back to look at him and gasped in horror as he saw the bloody welts over the boy's chest. His eyes widened as he stared at the ugly black mark on his child's arm that stretched down to the center of his chest. "Yuu. What did that bastard do to you?"

"Everything is all right," Yuu said gasping for breath. Sweat began to drip from his face.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine." Yuu forced a smile on his face.

"Where's Yuuri?" asked Murata. Suddenly several of the ice spears moved to reveal Yuuri lying on the stone table. Murata rushed over to his friend and tried waking him up. "Shibuya." He began to tap his king on the cheek gently. "Come on, open your eyes. Shibuya."

Yuuri groaned as he blinked at the sound of his name being called. Murata smiled in relief as the black eerie light that had engulfed the double black's eyes faded. Yuuri's normal, human eyes blinked again as they focused on his friend. "Mu-Murata?"

"Thank Shinou, you're okay." The Great Sage helped his friend up off the table. Yuuri's legs were like wet noodles as he collapsed to the floor. Eric hurried over to lend a hand as Corwyn stood guard watching the Count carefully.

"Yeah, I-I'm fine," Yuuri said groggily. "I'm just so tired. Can't think straight."

"You don't have to worry," said Eric. "We're going to get you out of here."

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that," said Drakko inching close to them.

"Stay where you are," said Corwyn pointing his sword at the Count.

"Do you really think your weak soldiers will be able to stop my men." He laughed. "Before the sun rise your entire forces will be wiped out. Then we shall spread across the land destroying all in our path."

"That's where you are wrong," said Yuu panting. "I'm-I'm not going to . . . let you hurt . . . the people that I love."

Drakko smirked. "You may have only stopped me temporarily but in the end, I will still get my meal. I will still have your beautiful father." He turned lusting eyes on Wolfram. "And you, little urchin, will be dead." He turned his smug gaze back to Yuu.

Yuu slowly stood to his feet, pushing back the pain. He stepped in front of Corwyn and stood proudly before the vile man. "In that case, I will see you in hell." Yuu smiled. He quickly raised his hands and a stream of water shot toward Drakko. The older man only smirked, raised one hand, and sent a blast of wind that changed the direction of the water. Instead of pulverizing the smug Count, the attack was turned against the wall behind him. He thrust his hand at the boy and another powerful blast of wind lifted Yuu from his feet slamming him against the wall pinning him to it.

Corwyn lunged forward but Drakko raised his other hand. The winds lifted Corwyn and sent him crashing into Eric, Yuuri and Murata. Wolfram was about to attack but Drakko stopped him. "If you do anything I will kill him."

To prove that he was serious, he pushed his power against Yuu's small body slowly crushing the child's chest. Yuu screamed in pain. "Stop it!" shouted Wolfram as he slowly lowered his hand in defeat.

"That's more like it. Now, come to me, my pretty," said Drakko.

"No father! Don't do it!" gasped Yuu fighting back the pain.

Ignoring the plea of his son, Wolfram lowered his head and took a step toward the Count.

'No! This can't be happening. I won't let it.' Yuu became infuriated. 'I will not let my father sacrifice his happiness for me any longer.' Suddenly Yuu's power erupted around him like a violent tornado as he broke free of Drakko's hold. The force of the boy's powers sent jars, bowls whatever was not nailed down hurtling around the room.

Wolfram crawled over to join the other. The blonde huddled close to his fiance protecting him from the violent onslaught caused by his son.

"I warned You Drakko not to mess with my family but it seems that you are hard at hearing. Do you think I am afraid of you. Oh no, I shall show you the true meaning of fear." The boy's eyes seemed to turn into two black bottomless pits that burned with a fiery blue aura around them. Suddenly ice began to creep up Drakko's leg pinning him to the spot. The effeminate Count tried to free himself but he was not going anywhere.

"Release me at once, you little bastard," snarled Drakko struggling trying to get free of the ice.

Yuu laughed cynically. "Do you hear that?"

Drakko glared at the boy as everyone fell silent. There was the roar of some great beast that shook the very foundation.

"Look," said Eric pointing to the stairs. Everyone gasped as smoke began to creep down the stairs.

"You little brat, what have you done?" Drakko demanded.

"I'm doing what should have been done centuries ago," said Yuu. "I'm wiping you and your kind from the surface of this world." The fire lion he had created was running rampant as it sat the entire castle ablaze.

"Corwyn, the fire shouldn't be too bad," said Yuu as he did not take his eyes off of Drakko. "Get my parents along with the others out of here."

"No!" shouted Wolfram. "I am not leaving you. I refuse to go without you."

Suddenly a flaming piece of the ceiling fell crashing into the stone table Yuuri was laying on only minutes ago.

"Seems you miscalculated boy," sneered Drakko. "You're all trapped."

"This is but a minor problem to me." Suddenly several water dragons erupted from behind the boy. Two of them dug deep into the ground destroying the foundation. The ground began to rumble and shake as more of the burning ceiling began to fall down around them.

"Yuu!" yelled Wolfram. Then five of the water dragons wrapped themselves around the men lifting them out of the collapsing castle.

Yuu turned to look at his father. "Tell Roland, that I am sorry for what I said to him."

"Yuu!" Wolfram yelled for his son. He clawed at the water dragon trying to get free but there was nothing he could do against it. It felt no pain and it was taking him away from his son.

"I love you father."

"I love you too." Tears fell like rain from Wolfram's eyes. "YUU!" The dragons burst through the ceiling taking them to safety.

"Now that leaves only you and me," said Yuu smiling evilly.

Drakko swallowed a dry lump in his throat. Never in his long existence has he ever seen such a look of sheer sadistic hatred in the eyes of a child. "You will die along with me."

Yuu just shrugged his shoulders. "Thanks to your curse, I'm dying anyway. Come, my Count," the boy said in disgust and loathing. "Let us die together." Suddenly an ice spear shot out of the ground to pierce the older man through his bottom jaw to go straight through his skull.

A wet gurgling noise was heard as blood gushed from the wound and from his mouth. Yuu would like to think that the last thing to go through Drakko's mind, other than that ice spear, was how could he have been bested by a spoiled pampered child. All of a sudden, ice began to creep up Drakko's body until he was encased in the frozen water. Just then, a piece of ceiling fell on top of the frozen corpse, shattering it into a million tiny fragments.

Yuu sat down exhausted in the corner and watched as the castle collapsed around him. "Good bye father, I will miss the talks we had and I will miss you. Good bye poppa, I'm so glad we had this chance to make up. I really enjoyed myself on Earth. I love you and father very much." He smiled sadly. "Good bye Ni-ni, my precious little baby sister. How I will miss your sweet laughter in the morning. I'm sorry I won't be around to watch you grow up or to protect you from those unscrupulous boys that will try to take advantage of you. But you will have father and Poppa there to protect you since I won't be able to anymore. Take care of father and poppa, they will need you now. And know that . . . your big brother . . . will always . . . be with . . . you." 'Maybe we will meet again, one day.' He released a shuddering breath as his eyes closed for the final time and his heart stopped beating.

xxxxx

At the palace in Americus, Esmeralda was walking along the hallway after putting Dominique to bed. It took a while for the child to stop crying and finally fall asleep. She stood out on the balcony looking up at the full moon. Suddenly she clutched her chest. She fell to her knees as a great gasp escaped from her mouth. She has felt this pain hundreds of times before but never was it this painful. It could mean only one thing, that a demon of great power has died. Either it was King Yuuri or . . . Esmeralda slowly struggled to her feet and stared at the fountain in the garden. The water was rippling violently. It was crying. 'It can't be.' She stared at the flame that was hanging against the wall in its sconce. The dancing yellow flame flickered as it began to lose its brightness until it was almost white. Then she knew. Yuu was dead. Tears began to fall from her eyes. "Yuu, you little fool," she said sobbing. "How am I going to tell your sister that you are truly gone now." She fell to her knees and wept in her hands.