Warnings: All the usual warnings of guy/guy relationships. yawns You don't like it, don't read it etc. waves hand casually Oh, and my characters are mainly Orion and Zoë, but you can't have any of the others that are introduced in these either! sniffle I know you may like them, but sniffle No touchie!

A/N: Hey! I haven't put this out in a while mainly because I was waiting for some more reviews. sniffle Even though I didn't get that many I'm still really appreciative of the ones I did get. The other reason it took me so long to come out with this was because it's a bitch to fix my writing so it isn't all screwed up when I post it. Anyone whose written a story can tell you it is a bit confusing and doesn't always come out right so... I had a bit of adjusting to do and I was too lazy to do it before. I suppose I should clarify something someone reviewed to me about. An OC is an original character. That means, I made them up and that's what no one can take and use as their own.

I love all of my reviewers! Thank you, especially the ones that responded to my poll!

Az-Strawberry: Thanks for the lovely comments.

silverwyvern(): Thanks to you for urging me into putting out the next part. I wouldn't have bothered without reviewers like you. And you're right. It's not wise to mess with Zoë and we see that throughout this next part. I'm really happy you like Orion because he's going to be a much bigger part of the story.

Bunch-o-Nuts: You're right. I did rush through the last chapter a bit and as I look back on it I add a few things and realize I could have made it longer, but that's just how I did it. Some fight scenes drag on and some are short and concise, but I'm glad you liked it. I think that was my practice and this was what I put most of my effort into. This part is the one I tended to stay up until the wee hours of the morning typing and I made it –in my opinion- somewhat good. Hopefully, you'll like it as much as the last.

darksolitude(): I appreciate your compliment and it's okay if you haven't reviewed before, just as long as you review now. smile

Maxine(): If I could have hugged you for the warm feeling your review gave me, I would have. I'm glad Ryo's your favorite character too because he's mine as well, but I hope you like my OC's. I trust you'll like this part too because you're the reason it came out just now.

A/N: Just a quick thing. When people think to themselves it comes out in italics. When they are speaking through their mind to another it comes out 'like this'. And when they are talking, it comes out "like this of course". Thank you and enjoy!

Chapter 1

The dream ended too soon for him. He had been soaring through the gorgeous white clouds, but now he was on the floor of his apartment, wrapped in his sheet.

Why did these dreams of flying plague him so? He had to stop lying to himself. He knew the reason they plagued him. He couldn't think about that though. Ryo belonged to Seiji; he wasn't single anymore. He had lost his chance.

Yuli glanced at his alarm clock which had gone off an hour and a half ago, he gasped and sat up quickly.

"I'm late!" He yelled and jumped up to get dressed. He wore the only white clean shirt he could find with a plaid over-shirt and black jeans. He was supposed to have left earlier because of the storm Ryo had warned him about. If Yuli was going to make it to the party he was going to have to leave early, around five.

He was dashing into the kitchen only one arm in his over shirt, his pants zipper open and falling off, and a cookie in his mouth, when he realized his window was open and his angel stood leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, an eyebrow raised in bemusement.

Yuli stopped moving completely and just stared at him. A smirk played across the angel's face, he was in his usual baggy Arabian pants and tight black shirt, only now a long gray scarf decorated his neck and big thick gloves were on his hands.

Yuli couldn't move. Ryo's gaze was heavily upon him with a mild humor to the situation.

"Ryo!" Yuli mumbled through the cookie.

"I got worried when you didn't show up." Ryo whispered, listening to Yuli stutter something about an alarm clock and a weird dream, while he walked up to Yuli with a kind smile.

"I, uh..."

Ryo took the cookie from Yuli's mouth and put it aside.

He had banished his wings before Yuli had seen him near the window, but Ryo obviously had flown in.

He lifted Yuli's shirt and buttoned his pants with gentle hands, then closed the zipper. Yuli gasped, but Ryo didn't seem to notice.

Ryo pulled both shirts off Yuli and turned the white shirt right side out. Yuli laughed at his stupidity. Ryo put the shirt over Yuli's head again then helped him put on the over shirt with both arms this time. Afterward, he fixed the collar and sighed with relief at the altered appearance.

Yuli smiled. He felt foolish. As if he still needed his mother to dress him and tell him his left shoe was supposed to go on the left foot.

"Sorry." He sighed and Ryo ran his hand through Yuli's unruly brown hair.

"You cut your hair." Ryo whispered staring at the neck length hair, flaring in every direction with the help of gel from the day before and bed hair combined. Yuli nodded leaning into the touch.

"Do you like it?" Yuli asked sighing. Ryo pulled his hand away and smiled momentarily.

"You look really good." Ryo replied, repeating what Yuli had said to him one year ago, when he had asked the same question. "We should get moving." Yuli nodded and made a grab for the cookie, but Ryo tossed it onto a plate with the rest. "We're having breakfast with the others remember?"

Yuli nodded, he stood no taller than Ryo, but he always thought Ryo was more beautiful. He was always stronger, better looking, and smarter. Yuli had taken fighting classes to better his abilities and cut his hair to fit the style of the ages, but still Ryo looked so much better, following no such rules of style. Ryo's body was perfectly toned, and yet, no matter how hard Yuli tried, he could get no such results from his own body.

Yuli had tried to be really smart, and he was. He had graduated high school a few months earlier with honors. Though...

Ryo had more street smarts than Yuli, he was still stronger even without the power of being a Ronin, and his style disobeyed every fashion and rule that teenagers had. His black hair, he had cut to his back, unevenly, with silver strands brightening all his features.

The silver was natural though, like Orion's hair was normally silver. He would never have gray hair, only silver no matter how long he lived. Zo's hair was blonde, because she was still young, but it was turning a shade of dark gold.

"I remember." Yuli smiled. "Are we... flying?" He gulped slowly as Ryo nodded and guided him to the window of the three storey building. It was about six o'clock in the morning, and they had to hurry if Ryo was going to be able to leave under the shade of dark.

"Yuli?" Ryo raised an eyebrow, but his voice remained calm and alert. "Are you afraid?"

"Yes." Yuli admitted and wrapped his arms around Ryo. He closed his eyes while he felt Ryo's warm embrace and sighed.

Heavenly...

"You don't have to be afraid." Ryo whispered into his ear as Yuli clung to his chest.

"I'm not afraid as long as I'm with you." Yuli replied and felt Ryo's muscles contract and flex and he knew that Ryo had called his wings from his body.

"Hold onto me. The winds are rough just now. The snow storm is coming, this is not the best morn to travel to the Skies." Ryo heard Yuli whimper slightly. "I have you." Ryo whispered reassuringly in his gentlest tone and Yuli looked up to him quickly.

"Ryo, I..." He started.

"You better grab a coat for the journey." He let Yuli go and his friend grabbed a thick coat. It was about twenty degrees out there and getting colder. After Yuli came out of the closet he realized Ryo only had his thin garments and the scarf and gloves for warmth.

"What about you? I have another coat." Yuli started to go back into the closet, but Ryo was suddenly next to him shutting the door.

"Do I feel cold to you?" He asked softly and pulled his glove off, touching his hand to Yuli's face again.

"No, you feel divinely warm." He sighed and grabbed hold of his hand kissing the palm, then licking it, and moving down his wrist. He could feel the inferno of blood beneath Ryo's skin, and suddenly realized what he was doing. When he looked into Ryo's blazing tiger eyes, he himself, was blushing furiously. "I..." He tried to finish the sentence, but couldn't. "I'm s..." Ryo held Yuli's neck with his hand, as his lips ghosted over Yuli's cheek.

The youth was shocked, but soon leaned into the warmth, dropping his coat, forgetting the time, all he thought of was Ryo's incredible and delectable mouth over his skin.

Ryo pulled away.

"Don't say you're sorry for anything. You should never be sorry for having feelings for someone. I wish you had told me before. Now pick up your coat, I don't need one. Let's go before Orion comes for us, worried."

Yuli picked up his coat pulling it on and walked after Ryo. The sky was covered with dark clouds, the sun wouldn't be rising any time soon.

As Yuli wrapped his arms around Ryo's neck, his thighs clenching over Ryo's sides, and they jumped out the window, the first flakes of pure white snow started to fall.

"Stop the snow from falling! Please Master! Lord Ryo is still out there! He's flying in this! Please, Master, please stop the snow!" A little girl complained running into the open platform, across the red carpet of elfin silk threads wound together.

Orion sat in a large chair at the end of the room, scowling. His long hair down to his thighs was down and shining in the bright candlelight that lit the room like the sun would have if it were out.

Zoë stood next to him leaning on the arm of his chair he wasn't resting on. She walked over to the little girl and knelt down in front of her.

"Shh! Chandria, that is a fable. Angels are unable to control the weather." Zoë soothed the child as she started to cry.

"My mummy says that there is a great angel who is able to control rain and snow and could stop it simply with a gesture of their hand!" She cried out.

"Listen here child...!" Orion shouted frustrated.

"Orion." Zoë whispered sternly, standing up.

"My mummy doesn't lie! Now stop the snow, Master! You have to! Master!"

"I would if I could, but I can not! It is not within my power to do such a task!"

"But my mummy...!"

"Your mother told you a story about a warrior called Arigazi, previous Ruler of the Skies! She died little more than a year ago! No one has been borne since her birth that has been able to control the weather like her and she was the oldest of us!"

"But surely there must be some Ancient who can..." Chandria clenched her small hands into fists, but Orion was quick to reply.

"I am the oldest of all the Ancients and I can not control the weather!" Orion shouted quieting the child for only a moment.

"What about Lord Ryo!?" She cried, tears streaming down her face.

"Lord Ryo can take care of himself. He will arrive soon! Zoë, take the child from here before I am forced to!"

Zoë didn't question Orion, she just picked Chandria up and walked out of the room quickly.

Oh, little Cherub! Where are you? Orion rested his head on his hand scowling.

"Ryo!" Yuli screamed as a strong gust of wind and snow blinded Ryo and pushed Yuli from behind him.

Ryo covered his eyes from the onslaught and dove for Yuli.

Yuli couldn't see anything except white. He closed his eyes, he could hear only the sound of the Earth coming closer and closer, but then warmth enveloped him and he opened his eyes to Ryo again. Now he laid in Ryo's safe warm arms. Even in this freezing cold he was still warm, though Yuli could tell his temperature had gone down drastically.

Ever since the blizzard started getting heavier and the snow got thicker, objects started flying through the air carried by the strong winds. They had mostly hit Ryo, and it didn't much help they were headed against the wind.

Yuli wrapped his arms securely around Ryo's shoulders and nuzzled his face into Ryo's neck, which was very warm because of the scarf.

The scarf was pulled up so it covered Ryo's mouth and nose, but there was nothing to protect his beautiful eyes. He didn't even blink when the snow hit him, his bare arms were wet and shivering, but he didn't seem to notice. They were strong and held fast to Yuli.

"Maybe we should stop for a while and let the snow ease up." Yuli shouted over the loud wind and snow.

"This is nothing. Only the beginning, I'm afraid. Waiting would be a mistake! The worst is yet to come. Sleep now little angel and when you awake we will be in our new home."

Yuli didn't want to sleep, but he smiled suddenly feeling as if a spell from Ryo's soft voice was pulling him under. He was warm and safe in Ryo's hands and soon to be with his friends again.

He had seen the Ronins less and less since Ryo had become a member of the Skies council. He wasn't around that much and it effected his attitude, leaving him with nothing to do while Ryo was gone.

He figured moving up to the Skies chateau with Ryo, he would be around him more. All this circled his head until sleep finally did pull him under its' control.

Orion bit into his thumb as he watched Ryo's friends fill the room. Seven of them in total: Seiji, Sye, Kento, Rowen, Cale, Sekmet, and Dais. They all held worried expressions and questioning eyes, but Orion didn't have answers for them. They all stayed silent and sat down on solid oak benches, that were long enough to cover half a football field.

After Ryo had been gone for two hours Orion had changed the meal time to lunch, knowing that Ryo would be tired when he returned.

Zoë was on his left side again and now sat on the arm of his chair her eyes steadily on him.

He wore a thin black sleeveless shirt, a white scarf, very long in the back, a pair of tight dress pants, and a jeweled, black waist coat.

Merely for the occasion he also wore a long black cloak over it all.

Suddenly... he felt it.

He looked up quickly with wide eyes to the door. Zoë stared at him worriedly, then she heard it too. She looked at the door with hope coloring her face.

The only outside entrance to the room was connected to an outdoor garden, which was covered in snow.

The Ronins saw the angels staring at the door and stood up from the bench. Orion's sensitive ears picked up Ryo's breath and his nose found that lovely scent and he leapt from the chair –clearing the room- and landed mere feet from the door.

The Ronins ran after him as did Zoë.

Ryo stumbled into the room with a burst of snow with three teenage fledgling angels behind him. His skin looked three shades lighter than it should have been, he was shivering, but still standing up straight. He leaned onto a column to the left of the door breathing heavily.

They all gawked at him for a moment not wanting to touch him just yet, as if he were a ghost and the slightest movement could make him disappear. Yuli lay in his arms asleep and cuddled up to his neck. Ryo's hair was covered in snow so much it looked almost completely white, his wings were scratched and bleeding in several places, and they shivered horribly. Ryo smiled underneath his scarf, his face lightening with a little chuckle.

"Please!" Ryo begged. "Take him from me." He sighed and with a wave of Orion's hand all three angels took Yuli from Ryo hurriedly and brought him out of the flat to one of the many rooms. Orion walked up to Ryo with love and worry in his eyes.

"Ryo?" Orion questioned as Ryo's legs buckled and he fell onto Orion. The Ronins gathered around.

"Is he alright?" Seiji prompted.

"Stay back." Orion ordered and they reluctantly took a step back.

Orion called his power to him and banished Ryo's wings; another one of his powers.

Now he embraced Ryo fully into his warmth and pulled down his scarf. Ryo's lips were blue, his breath was shallow, and with one touch to his head Orion could tell Ryo had a bad fever.

Orion called many servants to him and ordered them each to do several things:

"Fetch some warm water and cloths. Bring extra comforters and blankets to my room. Zoë, delay the feast until tomorrow. Light all the fire places. Keep the chateau above seventy degrees in temperature. No angels shall leave in this blizzard. Call back all the warriors on guard, and have everyone return to their rooms. This blizzard is going to get nothing but worse. Ronins, follow me if you will."

Orion stood up carrying Ryo in his arms. He led the Ronins straight to his room where they all found a seat near the bed.

Ryo lay on the bed as three female angels –dressed in fine clothes for servants- came into the room with extra blankets, warm and cold water bowls and several cloths. They put this all on a large table and left.

Orion put Ryo down gently and left the room quickly after lighting a strong fire.

"I must take care of many things. I will have more water and cloths sent up later. Take anything you like from my dresser. Please watch over him." They all nodded. After Orion left, Sye stood up and went over to Ryo.

"Rowen, Cale, help me with him."

Rowen and Cale walked quickly to the bed and started helping Ryo out of the wet clothes. Seiji walked over to the dresser on the side of the room near the closed window and searched through it for something warm Ryo could wear.

He found a long sleeved shirt of cotton, and silk pants.

After they had taken off all of his clothes, they dried him with the feather soft towels, and dressed him in the dry clothes. Then they threw another comforter over him, and Cale took a cloth and dipped it in the cold water. He sat on the bed next to Ryo and dabbed his forehead with it.

A while later Ryo started moving around uncomfortably, but not waking. Another four hours, and the Ronins were all asleep, staying that way for a while.

Ryo woke from his feverish nightmare sweating profusely and gasping for breath. He smiled seeing his friends near him, but he didn't see one glass of water for his extremely parched throat.

With the grace of an angel, he leapt of the bed and with the grace of an ogre, stumbled to the floor without a sound. He realized that he couldn't move at all now, he was so weak. He stopped moving suddenly seeing a slim white hand in front of his face. It looked darker with the light from the fire being the only thing lighting the room, but looking up he could tell that it was Orion.

'Come, Cherub. Let's take our leave of this stuffy room.' He whispered psychically. Ryo took his hand and they walked out of the room. Orion took Ryo for a stroll down the temperate corridors.

"You haven't called me Cherub for at least a year now." He sighed leaning onto Orion's shoulder and they stopped walking to talk.

"You are stretching yourself too thin, Ryo. You can not live two lives. It makes you more susceptible to illness and gives you less energy. Look at your beautiful eyes. You have circles under them from lack of sleep. It seemed like a good idea at first, but you can not keep this double life up much longer. I am truly afraid for you, Ryo." Orion wrapped his arms securely around Ryo.

"I will stay here then, with you and Zoë."

This shocked Orion, but he was also thrilled at the prospect.

"I will miss my friends dearly, but I can always visit them. I feel I've grown more since being here and being around you all makes me so happy." He sighed and rested his head on Orion's shoulder. "You are so warm." He kissed Orion's neck momentarily.

"What will Seiji think of your decision? Do you not love him and wish to be with him?" "I do, but we have grown apart now and my love for him is no greater now than the love I have for the others. Do you not want me here?" Ryo opened his eyes slightly staring at the stone wall, tiredly.

Orion pulled Ryo off him and stared at him angrily. "I will always want you here. You inspire everyone of the fledglings to work harder and you give courage to the warriors on guard. You teach your skills to the swordsmen and are very talented in archery as well. Your beauty surpasses that of any other in the world –no the universe. I love you, Ryo, I just don't want you to make a decision that you will regret later. The last thing I want is for you to be unhappy."

"Orion..." Ryo unhesitatingly allowed Orion to take his face in his hands and cover his mouth with his own. Orion's lips were warm, his brow moist with sweat, his aged and weathered eyes, full of worry and love.

The kiss didn't last long, but it put a smile and light blush on Ryo's face increasing his already flushed skin.

"Come out, Zoë!" Orion called turning his face to the next corner. He held Ryo's hand in his and put one arm around the shorter man's shoulders.

Zoë walked around the corner smiling fully and walked up to them.

Ryo felt like he wasn't even really seeing her. Dizziness was taking him. He leaned on Orion's chest staring at Zoë blankly, not really caring if she had seen them.

"I am sorry for eavesdropping, Orion, but I could hardly help it. Please don't be angered."

Orion shook his head smiling. "You rascal. I'm not angry. Ryo?" Orion caught his companion as he fell and Zoë just sighed as Orion picked him up. "The fever's taken him again."

"Too bad your healing power doesn't work on illnesses like this. He looks perfectly dreadful." Zoë paused in thought. "I'll clear those Ronins out of your room and take them all down for food. That should leave you some time alone with Ryo."

Orion smiled. Zoë was a very wise angel, that is why he adored her so.

"Thank you." They both started to walk back to his room. The Ronins were still asleep so Orion placed Ryo down on the bed without anyone ever knowing he was gone.

Zoë woke them all up and ushered them all down for some supper and they tiredly agreed.

Orion laid down next to Ryo placing kisses down his neck, he heard Ryo moan deeply, coming out of his dreams.

"I may have the power of the Wildfire, but that doesn't mean I'm not uncomfortable in too much heat." He mumbled and turned over to Orion embracing him. "Help me out of this shirt. I can't take it anymore."

Orion lifted Ryo up and pulled the shirt off over his head, then he rested Ryo back down on the bed and got up. He threw the shirt on a chair and walked over to the window opening it slightly. Snow started to pour in, but it lightened the temperature of the room immediately.

Orion removed his cloak, shoes, waist coat, and scarf, and laid on the bed with Ryo, under the covers.

"I'll keep you warm." He whispered into Ryo's ear smiling. Ryo leaned into Orion's comforting embrace. He tucked his head against Orion's chest.

They stayed together just wallowing in the others warmth and Ryo was feeling better in less than an hour.

"I'm hungry." Ryo stated and his stomach growled loudly as if to prove his point. Orion laughed out loud.

"Let us go and fill your demanding stomach then." He laughed and helped Ryo up. Ryo grabbed his now dry clothes and pulled them all on along with his scarf. Orion put his scarf and shoes on as well and they both left the room –after shutting the window- to go eat.

As soon as they descended the stairs to the dining area, everyone looked up. Many people had come down for food and were extremely happy to see Ryo feeling better. Many of the female angels kissed his forehead so that he would recover soon. Ryo hugged every angel that spoke to him.

"Get well soon, Lord!" Chandria bowed deeply to Ryo who laughed gently. She blushed as he picked her up into his arms.

"Thank you, little one." He laughed aloud. "I hear that you made a fuss over me earlier. Worried, were you?" Her blush deepened.

"I'm sorry, Master, for yelling at you. You were absolutely right! I should have been more patient. Forgive me."

Orion smiled. "You had a right to be worried for Ryo. Would you like to eat with us, young one?"

Her blush deepened and she wrapped her arms around Ryo's neck possessively.

"I would like that very much, Master!" Ryo and Orion both laughed and walked to their seats. Orion at the head of the table with Ryo at his right side.

Zoë walked over to them and took her seat on Orion's left. The little six- year-old Chandria sat in Ryo's lap. They all ate off of silver plates with gold goblets. Three smiling servants came over to them energetically. They expressed their happiness that Ryo had returned safely and set down food and drink.

One lady poured each of them wine and milk for the young one. She offered Ryo a flower and asked if she could kiss his forehead. He agreed and she blushed deeply while kissing him, then she left. The other two servants had brought a large plate of dragon meat and various other kinds of meat which Ryo had requested for his friends.

The other Ronins came soon to sit around Ryo happily.

"You're awake!" Sye declared.

"Are you feeling better?" Dais wondered.

"Yes, thank you." Ryo smiled and drank the wine. It was a good year for wine –nearly three hundred years old. Chandria scowled at the Ronins angrily until Ryo told her telepathically, to be nice. "Have you eaten?" They shook their heads.

Seiji leaned close to Ryo.

"These people eat dragons?" Seiji questioned whispering and Ryo burst out loud laughing. He quickly tried to control his outburst, but it was just so funny.

"Angels eat dragon meat because it is very healthy and good for them. Dragons once overwhelmed this world and the legend is that angels were brought from heaven to earth to not only watch over the humans, but also to defeat the threat against them. At the time that was dragons, but angels wouldn't kill them without a purpose, so they became food. The blood of dragons is often used as a medicine as well as a spice for most soups. Dragons' blood is so hot it keeps anything it is put in hot for hours, even sitting in this cold weather. It tastes very good. You should try it." Ryo laughed pulling a small piece of dragon meat as small as a disc onto his plate. He put some greens and reds that Seiji didn't recognize and some potatoes on his plate then turned back to Seiji.

"Aren't dragons rare?" Kento wondered. "I've never seen one."

"Dragons hide from mortals in places they would never live or think to look." Chandria stuck up her head, proudly. "We wait for the meat to become soft and the time it takes for the meat to sit only makes the minerals and vitamins stronger."

"You said you use the blood too?" Sye wondered curiously.

A/N: {Anyone that could find an alternative to fish was okay in his book.}

"Yes." Ryo nodded. "That is used as soon as the dragon is killed, but we also stow a lot of it."

"Hey, where's Yuli?" Seiji asked looking around the room once more for him.

Ryo stared blankly at Seiji then turned to Orion quickly.

"He was in one of the guest rooms resting, last time I checked, but I suppose he should have awoken by now."

Ryo looked worriedly at Orion. He wanted to go find Yuli.

"I'm sure he's fine." Orion simply stated.

"I'll go get him for you." Chandria smiled up at Ryo and he nodded appreciatively letting her off his lap. "Master?" She looked up to Orion.

"He is in the East Wing."

Chandria nodded with a smile on her face and ran up the stairs heading to the right. Ryo sighed glancing at Orion who motioned for him to eat.

"There is steak, sushi, and chicken if you guys don't want to try dragon." They all perked up and immediately put some food on their plates.

After Ryo had finished what little he had placed on his plate he started to get worried about Chandria and Yuli. He stood up and started to walk to the stairs, but Orion put an arm out in front of him, catching Ryo by the waist and pulling him onto Orion's lap, as if Ryo were a favorite toy he had snatched off a shelf. His arms loosely encircled Ryo to keep him still. Ryo gasped and looked down on him oddly.

"What?" He asked.

"No harm could befall them while they are here. Why are you so worried?" Orion wondered, slightly hurt that Ryo didn't have the faith in him to keep Yuli safe.

Ryo ran his fingers through Orion's hair, then caressed his face gently.

"I trust you entirely. Please, humor me. I only want to find him so that he does not get lost and I don't go mad with worry."

Orion released him and he was off.

Ryo was out of sight before Orion put his hand on Zo's hand and leaned closer to her. He whispered something in her ear and she excused herself from the table, running up the stairs without making a sound. Orion looked over Ryo's friends and the many angels behind them that weren't paying attention.

"Please, make yourselves at home. Rooms have been prepared for you to brave out the storm with us and transportation is ready for you when you are ready to leave. If you wish to, then you may stay for the celebration tomorrow. Ryo is our guest of honor, so of course you are welcome to join us. When you are ready for sleep, call for Lady Marcie. She will be happy to lead you to your rooms. Excuse me."

The Ronins looked at each other oddly and called for Marcie who came willingly with a smile on her face.

Marcie had long blonde hair and big breasts that hung out of her dress slightly. She took Seiji's arm while gladly leading them to the guest rooms.

They whispered behind her about Ryo, but Seiji didn't join the conversation. He endured this girl dragging him along wordlessly.

"I think that Orion fellow is trying to take Ryo away from us." Kento grumped snottily. "I don't think so." Cale whispered walking next to Rowen. "Ryo seemed awfully willing to be fondled and held by that guy. I also think that it's not our place to talk like this behind their backs." Cale was perfectly honest and that's what kept them all silent for a while.

"I wonder what kept Yuli so long this morning, that Ryo had to go out after him." Rowen whispered leaning on Cale's shoulder as they walked.

"He probably over slept again." Sekmet sighed. "He's been acting very peculiar lately, why should today be any different?"

"Knowing him, he'd probably blame his oversleeping on the weather." Dais grumbled, and Sekmet chuckled.

"At least Ryo's feeling better." Sye whispered. "I'm surprised he didn't die, from flying out there that long with so little to wear for warmth. He's gotten quite strong. What could it be that's making him so strong?"

"Maybe it's the dragon meat." Kento joked.

Marcie stopped suddenly and motioned her hand toward the four bedrooms at the end of this corridor. Seiji nodded and she walked away without a sound from her heals against the stone floor.

"Seiji? Doesn't it bother you that Orion has his hands all over Ryo?" Sye wondered and Seiji turned around crying. "Seiji!" He gasped.

With a perfectly calm face and distinguished voice:

"We decided it would be better to remain friends." Seiji stared at Sye calmly as he ran up to Seiji and embraced him.

"Oh, Seiji." Sye called thoughtfully.

"Ryo pulled the 'friendship' thing on you?" Kento questioned saddened. Seiji shook his head pulling Sye away from himself.

"I did."

That shocked them, seeing as how Seiji was the one that had been head-over- heals for Ryo ever since they'd met.

"I feel like I'm holding him to Earth and keeping him from doing what he wants to. It's alright, really. I don't know why I'm crying, it's a stupid emotion." He sighed. "I'll take this one." Seiji pointed to a room and walked over to the door.

"I'm with you." Sye gasped running after him.

"We'll take this one then." Dais announced and pulled Sekmet toward the room next to Seiji.

With one arm securely wrapped around Cale, Rowen walked over to the farthest door. Kento walked after them to the final door.

"Good night!" He called and everyone responded with a 'good night'.

Meanwhile, Yuli had tried to find some form of life, but had failed. He assumed that he was in the Skies chateau, but where was Ryo and the others, hell, he'd settle to just find a rat, but there was nothing. He was afraid that he had gotten lost now.

"My kingdom for anything alive." Yuli groaned and found himself at a fork in the hall. "Left, or right?" He queried himself.

"The only thing to the left is the servants quarters." A voice whispered and Yuli acknowledged it as his mind talking to him.

"Right it is." He sighed then realized that wasn't his voice and spun around to find no one there. After a while of wondering he turned back around and gasped in shock. He turned stumbling trying to get away from the person standing there and tripping over himself simultaneously.

Ryo caught him just before he hit the ground.

"Ryo!" He gasped, wrapping his arms around Ryo's shoulders. "Nice catch." He sighed, happy to see his angel.

"You shouldn't have gone wandering about. It makes it harder to find you." Ryo chastised and picked Yuli up.

"I was looking for you." He answered.

"You found me." Ryo laughed. "Did you happen to run into a little girl with brown hair?"

"No. You're the first thing I've seen besides stone for the longest time."

Ryo scowled.

"Where could she be?" Ryo hooked an arm around Yuli and pulled him closer. "Close your eyes." He ordered and Yuli did without hesitation. There was a huge gust of wind, then Yuli opened his eyes.

"How'd you do that?" He gawked at the huge ballroom the dining had taken place in.

"It's one of my gifts. Help yourself to something to eat, just don't eat the red and black meat. Everything else is safe. Stay here. I'll be right back." Yuli turned his head to look at the food then turned back to Ryo about to say something, but he was gone.

"I don't think I like this new power." Yuli griped and sat down to eat.

Some things never change. Everything looks so delectable, and, is this wine? I'm aloud to drink? Cool! And it tastes great too!

'Orion!' Ryo called out in his mind stopping his great speed on a corridor that was open to the elements. The blizzard had gotten much worse while he had slept.

Orion was beside him in an instant.

"You find him?"

"Yes, but I haven't a clue where the child is now." Ryo sighed turning to Orion who smirked. "What?"

"You are a very hard person to please."

Ryo blushed. "I'm sorry."

Orion leaned forward and their lips met, Orion, running his fingers through Ryo's hair.

"Never be sorry for your kind heart. I will help you find the youth." They shifted again, Orion's great speed had taken them both to a small dead-end corridor. Their lips separated and they both looked to the end of the hall and saw Chandria.

"Huh, not another dead end?!" She whined and turned around slouching badly. She saw Orion hovering over Ryo and smiled immediately. "Lord! Master! I had gotten lost! I couldn't find your friend in any of the rooms in the East Wing, so I started to look around, but I lost track of where I was!"

Ryo smiled. She spoke as if she was an adult, but she was only about six. Chandria was hanging around noblemen so much she just seemed to pick up their way of speaking. Her speech was much better than even her own mother.

"Come child! We'll take you to your parents!" Orion yelled and she ran to them. "That is what you would have us do? Correct?" He asked turning to Ryo.

Ryo smirked, Orion knew him so well. "You vex me." He whispered playfully and Orion laughed. Ryo suddenly half closed his eyes and swayed, almost falling against the wall. The fever had come out of hiding to take his mind again. Ryo's hand flew to his forehead as if he could drive the illness away just by holding the place where it pained him.

"Lord! Are you all right?" Chandria cried, very afraid, but Ryo smiled holding his head.

"Yes, merely a dizzy spell." His façade fell away as he weakened further from the strain of it, and started to fall forward. Orion caught him and they both fell to their knees. He could feel Ryo losing any control he had over the sickness for the hour they had been up and about.

"I have you." Orion coaxed Ryo into his arms and picked him up. "We will return to my chambers and I'll take care of you." Orion looked down to Chandria. "On my back, child." He ordered and she wrapped her tiny arms around his neck. "Close your eyes." She did and, once again, Orion moved at his fantastic speed to the dining area. A flurry of sounds surrounded them upon Orion's sudden stop and Chandria realized she hadn't heard a thing as he'd run. There was the Great Hall. Soft music floating in the air to lighten the mood, the glorified smell of food, chatter from all around the room, and clinking plates and goblets.

"Wow! You're fast, Master!" Chandria complimented jumping down.

"You know your way from here?" He asked dully and she nodded, unfazed.

"Take care of Lord Ryo!" Chandria called as he disappeared again.

She ran down the stairs as a tall woman with black hair came running toward her across the hall.

"Chandria! You bin bothering Master! You known better and wit' Lord in his condition!" Chandria jumped into her mothers arms and was scolded badly. "How dare you!" She screeched. Yuli stood up from the long table and walked over to them.

"Excuse me for intruding ma'am, but what condition? Is Ryo feeling alright?" She looked him over as if sizing him up and Yuli hit his head and bowed. "Pardon." He looked up to her as he came out of the bow and she smiled. "The Lord brought a young lad in this morrow. {Morning} The youth was sleep, but Lord was in a bad way. He was deathly cold and with fever. The Master, took Lord to his chamber and he bin sleep with the illness since. He came down while ago with a rumble in his belly, but I assume he be ill again." She explained.

Yuli looked troubled.

"Where is the Master's chamber?" Yuli questioned.

"Best not disturb Master lest he get angered and shake the palace with rage. He be mighty worried 'bout Lord." She frowned.

"I beg you to tell me where his chamber is. Ryo is my companion, I must find out if he's alright." She saw such worry in Yuli's eyes that she told him where it was again, with a dreadfully powerful warning –that he disregarded- and he headed to the secluded corridor.