This story will focus on the relationship between our favorite brothers and each other and others. Conrad/yozak, Wolf/Yuuri of course. Also you will see interaction between Conrad and Gunter as his mentor. Before you ask, I don't know if Gwendal will have romance in here. Enjoy!

Also, for my HP fans, never fear the next chap is being proofed as you read right now, but I wanted to post this as a belated B-day present to me ^_^

The Three Brothers

The Crisis of the Halfbreeds

The dirt scratched against Wolfram's back as Yuuri landed heavily on him. The grunt was echoed by Yozak and Gwendal as Conrad and Gunter landed on them as well. The six were just catching their breath when they were yanked apart. Wolfram raised his eyes as Yuuri was yanked along with Conrad and Yozak to the other side of the prison. All six of them were bound securely. Thick ropes encircled their wrists and chests. He winced again as the Houseki stones in the walls glowed eerily. It felt like his gut was being squeezed. He glanced at Yuuri, thankful that his king was always spared this pain. He gasped for breath as the preist held up the stone to Yuuri, then Conrad in turn. He then turned to Gunter and held it up. Wolfram gritted his teeth as he pushed against eh heaviness that those blasted human stone produced in him. He needed to help Yuuri. But his first step forward brought a slap to his cheek.

"Stay down, Mazoku!" He bit his lip, determined not to cry out. He heard Yuuri shout towards him but they could do nothing for each other as they were now.

-several hours ealier-

"Yuuri!" The double black gulped as he sat up straight as his fire-y fiance stomped into the room where Gunter was reviewing the latest human alliances with him. The little villages were still settling down after that big mess some time ago and many people had developed interesting opinions about rulers after it. Yuuri had been working really hard ever since he returned from finishing school to continue his push for peace. A task that was always easier said then done. Speaking of easier said then done.

"Yuuri! Why are we holding a ball in two weeks instead of in two days! We had the decoration all planned out and everything!" Yuuri wasn't sure if his fiance was actually irritated about the ball, or just plain annoyed. Wolfram had become increasingly moody over the last few weeks. He wasn't sure what to make of it. He hoped that it was simply the blonde's natural personality needing to reassert itself for a while, but he wasn't so sure. He sighed quietly. At least he could answer the blonde's question.

"We wanted to invite the leaders of several of these villages so that, maybe they could talk and at least see that they are each in similar positions. For this to work, we needed to move the ball a few weeks." Wolfram pouted. "You can still use the same decorations, can't you?" Yuuri gave him his best innocent confused look. He had learned that Wolfram, along with Gunter, was easily swayed by this look.

Sure enough Wolfram halted slightly before giving a heavy sigh. A sight that pulled something inside Yuuri.

"Fine. It makes sense that a wimp like you would change for these petty squabblers." Yuuri cheered inside.

"I'm not a wimp!" His outrage was more for show, but it was instinctive now. Besides, the Maou couldn't just let someone get away with calling him a wimp without at least protesting. Still, Yuuri knew that if Wolfram ever decided to no longer call him that, he would probably miss it.

Who'd have thought I'd miss being called a wimp

He shook his head slightly and directed his attention back to Gunter, until Gwendal opened the door.

"Wolfram, you are the lead for patrol tonight, are you not?" It was token question. They all knew Gwendal wouldn't forget a patrol schedule. Anissa would more likely stop inventing than Gwendal being anything less then thorough. Wolfram straightened, his 'Yuuri' face sliding into the more practiced soldier face.

"What is it Ainue?" Gwendal turned to leave.

"We have to go over something in the village." Wolfram quick-stepped after his brother. Yuuri watched him leave at a quick gait. At the door Wolfram glanced back at Yuuri before shutting the door on his way out. The look in Wolfram's eyes in that moment was a look Yuuri had come to recognize as the soldier, not the fiance. It meant Wolfram was going to protect Shin Makoko and Yuuri as a duty. As much as the look worried and sometimes annoyed Yuuri, he couldn't help a shiver of pride in Wolfram. In moments like that, the blonde looked the maturity of his 80-some years. It was a look that garnered respect and it made Yuuri's inside swell. It was a feeling he had been exploring for some time.

After he had returned from supposedly loosing all his maryoku, he had decided to stay in Shin Makoku. Bob had arranged for his status everywhere on earth to read as studying abroad, though if anyone tried to actually find him, they would be led in a merry circle around the globe, the story was he was studying in Hokkaido. THey all thought that was an easier tale then an international, since he would be routinely showing up at home. Thus began his rein in Shin Makoku. He had learned from Gunter much, but the only person he had confided in about his plans to remain here was Conrad. His godfather was still his closest friend and he trusted him completely.

However, he wasn't about to go asking questions even close to marriage or sex to the brother of his supposed fiance. He had some tact! He had eventually asked Yozak to show him the best places in the forest to nap and escape from the random guard or teacher he might need to.

-Flashback-

He ducked under another branch to see Yozak had already dismounted. He swung himself down from Ao's back slowly, still shaky on horseback.

"Come on, Bocchan. This is a place only Captain you and I know about. It stays our secret, m'kay?" Yuuri nodded as he swung himself under the bush and into the glade. It was a small, but deep pond with a gentle patch of grass to one side. It was the perfect spot, completely isolated, and completely gossip-free.

"Ano, Yozak?"

"Hmm?" Yuuri knelt by the water as the orange head sat on a log and reclined against a tree. "What's on your mind, Bocchan?" Yuuri looked back at the spy to be sure, but he thought that Yozak was actually serious in that question. The spy held his gaze steadily, calmly easing Yuuri's queasiness about the topic.

"I had-have some questions I'd like to ask." Yozak raised an eyebrow slightly, but made no other motion towards this revelation.

"Questions you don't want to ask Lord Von Christ? Questions you don't want to ask in the castle?" His tone was light and Yuuri chuckled appreciatively.

"Both, I guess." He sighed and sat on the grass. "How do male relationships work in Shin Makoku?"

He didn't have to look at Yozak to know the spy was staring at him. He felt his ear turn red as he continued.

"When Wolfram became my fiance, Gunter mentioned that it was quite common." Yozak nodded, still a bit speechless. Yuuri shot him a raised-eyebrow look. Yozak scratched his head.

"Sorry about that Bocchan, I just never expected that question from you, or anyone, now that I think of it." Yuuri sighed, then huffed grumpily.

"Everyone here keeps forgetting that I have only known of this place and its customs under two years and I am only 16 years old. These customs everyone grew up with I have to actually learn as oppose to intuit." Yozak chuckled, halting Yuuri's minor rant.

"Aa, aa, aa, I gotchya. Easy there Bocchan." He sat up, scratching the back of his head. "I guess you changed our lives so much and you are so important to all of us, its hard to see you as actually not knowing something." Yuuri stared at him, blushing and glowing at the praise.

"Then why am I still recieving lessons from Gunter?" Yozak chuckled.

"Habit, probably. All young nobles are tutored until their crest is completed, and then some, usually. I doubt anyone but Gunter actually knows what you still don't know about us." Yuuri looked at him thoughtfully before looking back at the lake.

"About male-male relationships though. They really are similar to female, female, or female male relationships. Propose, court, engage, marry raise a family and watch them restart the cycle." Yuuri looked at the ground in front of him.

"What about children? Males can't have children." Yozak stared at him in startled silence before looking down.

"Oooh boy, Gunter skipped some things." Yuuri looked at Yozak. The spy had an oddly soft look in his eyes as he spoke next. "Yuuri-bocchan. To marry in Shin Makoku, all you need is a ceremony. To create a child, you need much more. You must have a mate." Yuuri looked at him in confusion. Yozak sighed and dragged his pack off his shoulders and started unpacking a lunch he had grabbed from the kitchen. He had had a feeling that his king had other reasons for wanting this trip.

"There are two ways I am aware of to get pregnant if you are a mazoku. You either have to use a rare drug, or you have to be able to bond your life force with your mate." Yuuri started. He listened more closely. "The life force of one sustains the other throughout the pregnancy and birth. I"m not sure how it work for girl-girl relationship, but with men, you simply inject your seed in the other's body." He smirked as Yuuri turned bright red. "If you like I can explain that part in more detail." He quipped happily. Yuuri blushed as he turned away from the spy.

"I think you should save that for Conrad!" He huffed then glanced at Yozak, who had gone pale and deathly silent. The spy pulled his hands away from the food shakily.

"W-w-what are you talking about?" His shaky breath caused a frown on Yuuri's face.

"I'm talking about your boyfriend or fiance or whatever stage you two are in." At Yozaks continued silence Yuuri raised an eyebrow. "I may not understand the cultural parts of men together, but I do know what caring for others looks like. I"m not blind." Yozak swallowed.

"H-how did you find out?" Yuuri looked at Yozak in surprise. He knew they had been keeping a lid on it, but Yozak looked like he had just swallowed a fork, pointy end first.

"Whats wrong?" Yozak shakily looked down as he breathed.

"Please, Heika. How did you find out?" Yuuri's concern grew with the change in name.

"I ran into the two of you a few weeks ago. It was when you were injured from that arrow. Gisela had stepped out and I needed to ask her something." He would never forget that moment. He had looked in to see Yozak pulled into a hug by Conrad. His godfather had been so upset. The kiss they shared had been searing, that no one could have denied their mutual affection. "What's wrong with you? I think its great!" Yozak looked at him in surprise.

"Heika, you...you are okay with it?" Yuuri frowned.

"Why would it be okay for me to be engaged to a male and not for Conrad or you?" Yozak gave him a shaky smile as he looked down and swallowed.

"You have always hated your engagement. The main reason you give is that Lord Von Benefield is male. Conrad was scared that if you found out about us that..." Yuuri frowned. Yozak took a deep breath. "You have always meant too much to him, and our relationship in this capacity is relatively young. It started shortly before Shinou's plot came out. Just after that mountain with the paranoia gas." Yuuri sighed.

"I don't hate my engagement. I'm...struggling." Yozak looked at his king as the black drew in the dirt with a stick. "In my culture I wouldn't be thinking about marriage until I turn 19 or 20. Now I've promised my hand to someone and I was barely 15. In addition, that person is my friend, most of the time. "Yozak chuckled slightly, earning a slight smile from the uncomfortable double black. "I just never knew what to do. I don't want to hurt Wolfram, but I also wasn't ready to be told that my spouse had been decided and that I could never have children because they were male." Yozak's expression cleared and sympathy set in as well as a sense of affection Yuuri was used to from the spy.

"Bocchan, first Wolfram could bare you both children if you get him pregnant at the right time of the year, only he truly knows when. Well, him and whichever healer helped him figure it out. Gisela will be able to tell you your time of the year in another three or four years." Yuuri looked like a fish as he gaped at Yozak. Yozak chuckled and continued. "Lord Von Benefield may act like a rash child, but that's simply because he's a spoiled brat." Yuuri gave him a good-hearted glare for the slight against Wolfram. Yozak grinned and continued. "Truthfully, I think his amorous nature, while definitely stemming from his personality, is also his way of protecting you from the matchmaking vultures out there. A lot of courting would have been done that first few months without your fiance dogging your steps. You would have had more then a few in your bed at night, some with some pretty powerful potions to hook their claws into you. I believe we caught two dozen potentials your first month alone. This also gave us a night guard without making you feel too crowded." Yuuri was staring at the water as a strange explosion happened in his stomach. Then he felt a familiar tug that usually was followed by Wolfram yelling at him about something. He looked around, then looked at Yozak.

"How do you know if your life force can bond?" Yozak smiled slightly.

"A bit different for everyone. Generally, you have a piece of you the other carries with them that lets you know when something important happens to them. Hurt, angry, happy, whatever." Yuuri smiled slyly.

"Do feel Conrad?" Yozak started. Yuuri's smile softened. Yozak looked strangely bashful.

"Can you keep a secret, Bocchan?" Yuuri nodded gently. "I've felt Conrad since just before Rutenburg." His quiet whisper was answered with a smile. He looked at the double black.

"You really are okay with us? You aren't mad at Conrad?" Yuuri huffed and crossed his arms.

"Of course I'm mad!" He didn't see Yozak start, pain entering his eyes as he bit his lip. "I"m irritated that you thought I would ever think less of Conrad, or you, because you were in love! Hmph!" Yozak stared at the young king. Yuuri glanced at him, irritated look still firmly in place. It fell away at the sight. The gratitude and relief on Yozak's face was painful. "I care too much for both of you, and I'm happy that you both are so happy." He hugged his knees. "I really would like you guys to share your feelings with me. Not just you two, but everyone. I know you want to protect me, but I really do want to hear what you're feeling. To share in it."

Yozak started as he gazed at the young king, realizing how lonely it must be for the only person to tell you their feelings be your confusing fiance and at the top of his lungs. Finally Yuuri sighed.

"Um, so about this slap custom. What is actually supposed to happen?" Yozak smiled slightly before he launched into the history and current use of the custom.

-End Flashback-

He was glad he had had that conversation. He turned back to Gunter and they continued the discussion at hand. In the back of his mind, though, Yuuri hoped Wolfram would be able to stop back for supper before beginning this nights patrol. He wanted to at least see that the blonde ate dinner.

000

Yuuri listened as Conrad pointed out the spots on the castle and gave interesting little stories about each. They had missed their run this morning because Conrad had felt ill when he had awoken. Yuuri wanted Gisela to take a look at him, but Conrad maintained that he had simply eaten something that didn't agree with him. Yuuri relented in the end on the condition that Conrad take him for a ride around the outskirts of the castle grounds. Conrad had agreed happily and they were busy chuckling about some trouble Wolfram had gotten into at a particularly prickly hedge when Gunter rode up to them.

"Heika, Conrad!" The two turned in their saddles to wait for the agitated adviser. "Has Gwendal contacted either of you? No one's heard from him, or Wolfram." Conrad frowned before shaking his head. Yuuri perked up, concerned. Gwendal had said they were only going to the village. Even if it had taken a while, he would have sent word so that Wolfram's men could join them.

"No one's heard from either of them. They might have just gotten caught up in what they were doing." Conrad's cheerful voice was tinged with worry slightly. Yuuri knew why. Gwendal didn't get 'caught up' in anything except his knitting.

"Let's just go look then." Yuuri knew they would protest him going, but he wheeled his horse as he spoke and took off, leaving Conrad and Gunter staring after him before urging their horses after him.

"Heika, this isn't safe." Gunter's words were predictable, as was Conrad's follow up.

"I"m sure that they are fine, Heika. It would be better to send out a troop then search, just the three of us." Though definitely more subtle, Conrad's way of convincing Yuuri to remove himself from danger was also ignored as the young black slowed his mount on the edge of the village.

Yuuri turned to tell Conrad that his name was Yuuri when he saw smoke or gas of some sort billowing behind Gunter and Conrad.

"Gunter! Conrad!" Both turned around to see what he was looking at only to start coughing. Yuuri started forward when an arm appeared around his chest and a hand with a sweet-smelling cloth came on his face. He saw Conrad and Gunter sway, then pour off their horses as they succumbed to the gas. Then the whole world darkened.

-Present-

Yuuri watched in confusion as the crystal glowed for Conrad and went dark for Gunter. It flickered a bit in front of him, before deciding to turn on, though dimmer then with Conrad.

"That one gets tossed back in there. Grab the brown haired one along with the orange top." The soldier off to one side was giving orders. One of his comrades turned to him.

"What about that one?" He was pointing to Yuuri. The priest in charge glanced at Yuuri in thought.

"Him too, we'll save all we can." Yuuri was pulled roughly to his feet and made to walk after Conrad and Yozak, the latter of which was watching the former in concern. Conrad hadn't wakened fully yet.

They found themselves in a clearing of a sort. There were three long cages, almost aisles. One all sides burned a fire with blood red smoke. It gave Yuuri the shivers. He was jerked back when Conrad lurched next to him. He went to his godfather as the brunnette threw-up on the ground.

"Conrad! Conrad, are you alright?" Yozak was trying to kneel next to his captain but his guard had too firm a hold on him. Yuuri could see that Yozak wasn't going to stay still much longer, unless Conrad got better. The guard with Conrad was joined by another guard and a priest. The priest placed a hand on Conrad's forehead while gently bathing his face with a cool cloth. Slowly color returned to the halflings face and his breathing slowed some. Yuuri relaxed some when he saw that Conrad was all right. Yozak continued to watch, tense. Eventually they got Conrad back to his feet and guided him to the center of the long cages. He swayed unsteadily, but stayed upright. He looked slightly green, but Yuuri didn't say anything.

They were further stunned when at the other end of the cages appeared their comrades.

Wolfram was bound to the solid wooden wall at the other end of the cage in front of Yuuri. Conrad gave his teacher a concerned look as he finally got a handle on his balance. Yozak raised his eyebrow at his commander several meters away, before turning his attention to Conrad in the next cage. The captives were restrained in the center of the thick wood wall, unable to move in any direction. They all pulled their attention over as a man came forward on a stone pedestal. He was a very well-, though simply, dressed individual.

"You have been brought here by fate. Each of you will have a chance to shed this wretched half-breed taint." Conrad winced slightly, as did Wolfram, though it went unnoticed by all. Yuuri simply looked confused as Yozak gazed at the figure with mistrust. "It is not the fault of the children that their human parents were victims. Victims of a emotionally damaging and condemning rape! We shall take away that which is the evil the Mazoku parent thrust upon your parent and you!" Conrad was looking as awake as ever and slightly white. Yozak's face a slide more bland, but still held mistrust. Yuuri, however was most upset.

"My father did not rape my mother!" Everyone looked at Yuuri at this outburst. The priest sighed before continuing.

"You will see in your hand a dagger. We have bound your evil side to the evil in front of you. Kill them and break yourself free!" Yuuri looked down and indeed, he had been freed, though still in the cage and had a small dagger in his hand. Yozak and Conrad found themselves in a similar situation. The people around them began to drum and the blood red smoke thickened until everything was tainted in a red haze. Yuuri waved his hand, trying to clear the air. He looked sidewise to see something that froze his heart in place.

Both Conrad and Yozak had moved forward with the dagger in hand and were only a few meters from their respective captive.

"Conrad! CONRAD!" Gunter pulled against his restraints as his pupil came towards him, a blank look in his face. Yuuri looked at Conrad. Although he didn't respond, he did stop at the sound of Gunter's voice.

"You will use the anger at the injustice you have suffered to kill them!" Yuuri looked up at the priest and an idea occurred to him.

"Conrad, what do you see?" The others looked at him in confusion, but Yuuri though maybe understood. When this had started he felt anger as Wolfram's words from when they first met ran through his head. Wolfram's scorn over his mother, a woman that Wolfram had never even met. He had shaken his head to clear it, but while he only had one bad memory, that wasn't true for Yozak and Conrad. Since this has to do with being half human, he figured they were using related dreams.

Conrad panted as he shook his head.

"Gunter?..." Gunter looked at him. He saw him shake his head, as if to shake the images and voices away. Gunter inhaled slightly as his pupil faltered in his forward gait. Conrad was panting hard, barely a swords reach away from the bound adviser. He squinted then brought his hands up to his head.

"Matte..." Gunter looked at Conrad in confusion as the brunnette swayed slightly before shaking his head again.

"IT'S NOT TRUE!" Conrad's outburst echoed as he panted and leaned against the side of the cage and looked at his teacher tiredly. He could still remember the voices, but they were no longer overcoming the present. They didn't matter any more. They never did.

How could Hieka marry and human and have that thing!

Do not call me Ainue! Never call me Ainue!

How could you! Just stay away from me Halfbreed!

They will turn against us. Halfbreeds can't be trusted.

We have to prove that you are loyal.

Humans and demons can never coexist!

He shook his head again as he looked up at his teacher before movement to his side caught his eye. Yozak was still advancing on Gwendal.

"Yozak!" Gunter looked to the side and saw that Yozak had the dagger raised in front of Gwendal.

"Gwendal!" Yozak wavered. Conrad surged in his direction, halted by the side of the cage.

"Yozak, don't listen to them! They were wrong! They've always been wrong! Yozak!" The orange-top halted and swayed as he tried to pull himself away from the agony of his childhood. A child hood even Conrad didn't know the full extent of.

"Conrad..." Conrad heard the muttered word and surged again.

"Think! Yozak! Why are you in Shin Makoku? Why do you follow Heika? Think Yozak! Who is right? Them or us?" Gwendal and Gunter were both watching Conrad now as the brunnette spoke of a pain he had never before given any hint to, as he tried to save the life of his half-brother. Gunter, who had guessed at this pain was looking at Gwendal in frightened concern. Gwendal had looked at his half brother in surprise. He had been so sure that Conrad disliked him after he had commanded to never be called Ainue by the brunette again. He wanted Conrad to stop reminding people they were related so that they would give his brother a chance. So they would stop blaming his connections with the commander for his success. He looked at Yozak to see the blue eye widen in recognition at Conrad's voice. Yozak sighed and plunged the knife down.

Gwendal gasped silently as the dagger sunk into the wood barely a hand breadth from his face. Yozak was leaning against it, over Gwendal, panting.

"Sorry about scaring you, Commander." Gwendal saw the pain in Yozak's eyes as he panted next the bound man. Gwendal wasn't given the chance to respond.

"The halfbreeds were not strong enough to overcome the seductive power of evil. We must assist them!" He looked at the cages. "Stand away from the Mazoku and you shall be free!"

They didn't have much time to ponder this as a thick log was set on each cage. It was placed so that when released it would swing into the cage and smash into the captives' neck, killing them. Yuuri didn't even think as he saw the hands release the log. He wasn't actually too close to Wolfram, but he would make it! He had to!

Wolfram looked up in horror as Yuuri appeared in front of him only to be slammed into from the back.

"YUURI!" Wolfram wrenched against his bonds as Yuuri swayed but stayed upright in front of Wolfram as the log returned from its swing. The second crash was harder then the first but Yuuri braced his hands on either side of Wolfram and kept all pressure off of the fire-user. "Yuuri! Move!" Yuuri looked at him with a soft smile. He leaned forward in a faint and whispered in Wolframs ear seconds before the changes took him.

Yozak sighed as the beam came forward. He looked at Gwendal.

"Consider this my apology for scaring yo-." He grunted as the log slammed into him. He was able to keep it off of Gwendal, barely. He heard those ribs crack as it swung away.

Gwendal's breath caught in his throat as Yozak's head jerked back with the force of this last blow. The orange top had been under him since Rutenburg and he had been one of the most useful people Gwendal had come to rely on. More then that, Gwendal had suspected for a while now that Yozak and Conrad truly cared for each other beyond friendship, even beyond a bond of mating. If they ever did get together, he would have to make sure no one messed with them. That being said, although he had a great deal of respect for the spy, he really knew very little about him. The reverse was also true, though the spy, being who and what he was, probably knew more about Gwendal that he might guess. They had never simply talked. In fact, Gwendal was sure that the respect and care the halfling always showed him was due entirely to his relationship with Conrad. Yet, Yozak was risking his life to save him here.

Conrad jerked forward and had enough time to turn into the log such that it actually caught his shoulder instead of his back. Gunter gasped.

"Conrad! Don't, you'll lose your sword arm! Move!" Gunter pulled at his restraints as the boy he had practically adopted just gave him that damn soft smile of his and braced himself for another blow to the shoulder. Conrad knew the consequences of what he was doing. He also knew the consequences of moving aside. He couldn't live with that. Gunter had been the first grown-up that had helped him after his father's death. He had taught him so many things. Not just in Military, but in life. Things about courage, and strength, hope and vulnerability. If not for Gunter, he never would have survived Rutenburg or Big Shimara or Shinou or any of it. Gunter never knew what his life and presence meant to the younger man. Conrad would do nearly anything for the man.

The world erupted as Yuuri's power roared. It blew the priests, the soldier, even the cages away. As the breeze calmed down Conrad and Yozak took that moment to cut Gunter and Gwendal free. It was a good thing the two older Mazoku were quick on their feet, because both halflings swayed afterwards. Gwendal had an arm under Yozak's shoulder and was assisting the spy to stand as he resisted the effects of the houseki in the area, though the thick layer of Maryoku Yuuri was laying down helped. Gunter rushed forward with a cry of distress as Conrad's legs gave way under him.

"Conrad! Hang in there! Conrad!" His frantic yelling must have caught Yuuri's attention because a great blue watery dragon appeared around them. They were engulfed and flown away. Wolfram, whose bonds had practically disintegrated when Yuuri had changed, crawled up to his fiance in concern. Even Yuuri was using too much, especially after being drugged. He saw Yuuri sway slightly.

"Yuuri!"