Author's Note: This is my first posting on even though I have been reading for years. Finally got up the courage to let others see what I've written. With that said, no flames please. If you don't like the story, no one's forcing you to read it.
AN2: Since, to my knowledge, Daikenja and Shinou were never given names...we're just gonna go with those.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay, I've completely reworked the beginning but the third chapter and so on are going to be the same. Let's try this again, shall we? I still own nothing except Renka.
'Thinking'
Here We Go Again
Yuri Shibuya, in his own mind, seriously overworked 27th Maoh of the Great Demon Kingdom was sitting at his desk. Three stacks of paperwork rested on the wooden top; silently mocking the young king. One stack on his right were those documents that had already been signed. The two stacks on the left still needed his signature.
Now 19, the young boy that had first come to their world had grown into fine man. The years of sword training had definitely honed his body and coordination. He was almost as tall as Conrad and had begun to take on more of the feature's of his Maoh persona. It was easy to tell when Yuri was overcome with any emotion as his eyes would change to the cat-like signature of his other self. The belief had started that somehow he had been connecting with the man he would be in the future when he first came to their world.
Gwendal von Voltaire sat at the long table in front of the king's desk, attending to paperwork from his own estate. Whenever the scratching of Yuri's quill stopped, the older demon would send him one of his patented glares. The lord's own stack was diminishing much more quickly.
A knock came at the door and Gwendal's second in command stepped into the office. The man bowed to his king before going to his lord's side. He handed the older man a letter before bowing to both and excusing himself.
Gwendal read the note then carefully folded it and turned to Yuri.
"Those documents still need to be signed. I expect them to be done before the evening meal."
The king groaned and stuck out his tongue as his chief of state exited the room. He glared at the two stacks of papers that ensured he wasn't getting out of this room any time soon.
'Wait, there's still afternoon tea with Wolfram. Gwendal didn't say that I couldn't take a break.'
Another knock and Effe stuck her head in. Yuri waved her in as he pulled another paper down to sign. He stopped when he saw the tray she carried. On it sat a teapot, teacup, and a plate of snacks. The maid stopped at the look the Maoh gave her.
"Lord von Voltaire told me to bring his majesty's afternoon tea to the king's office."
Yuri sunk his head in his hands.
'I'm never getting out of this room again.'
"Where is that wimp?"
Wolfram von Bielefeld grumbled under his breath as he stalked the halls of Blood Pledge Castle. Maids and guards alike hurried to get out of the blonde's way. Two of the guards shared a look and snickered after the ex-prince passed. The castle was about to be treated to another royal chase.
"How dare he leave me sitting in the garden. Inconsiderate wuss! I have things to do too, but oh no, I have to track his royal wimpiness again."
His anger continued to build , all the way to the Maoh's office.
Effe tried not to laugh as the king cursed Lord von Voltaire.
"Where would you like me to serve your tea, your majesty?"
Yuri waved to the front table with his head still down. "There's fine Effe. Thank you for bringing it."
"You're welcome, your highness."
'At least I can get out of this chair for awhile. I'm surprised Gwendal hasn't tried to glue my ass to that chair.'
Effe was backing away from the table when her foot caught the rug. A small yell escaped both of the rooms occupants as she hit the floor. Yuri ran forward to help the woman, kneeling on the ground beside her. A furious blush flooded the young man's face as he helped to straighten the maid's skirts.
"Cheater! I knew it!"
Both looked up with shock to see a furious Wolfram. His body was lit by his own flames as his pain and anger got the best of the ex-prince. Unnatural wind of his own making, blew the blonde's hair around his head.
'He looks like an angel of vengeance.' Yuri sat enraptured for a moment before remembering that vengeance was all for him.
"Wolf wait! She tripped. I was just helping up." The double black stood up carefully, bringing Effe with him.
"Liar!" Yuri could have sworn he saw a tear slip down Wolfram's cheek. "How dare you say you want to spend time with me, just the two of us. And then you ditch me for a woman. How can you let me think that you were finally taking our engagement seriously?"
The third son's proud voice cracked and his flames grew hotter.
"Wolfram I swear I wasn't..." Yuri ducked the fireball that was hurled in his direction.
Wolfram tried to get closer and the king managed to slip past him out the door. He screamed as he ran through the hallways. Ducking every time he heard the blond shout, Yuri finally started to gain a lead.
"Thank the Great One for running with Conrad every morning.'
The maoh turned a corner and saw the guards outside the entrance to the treasure rooms. He gestured wildly to the guards to open the door. Yuri could see the amusement on their faces as he slipped into the cavernous chamber.
After the doors closed behind him, the king heard his fiancee running down the hallway and sighed in relief. Relief was short-lived when he heard the booted feet coming back.
'Of course, there's no where else to go in this hallway'
Running wasn't an option as there was only one way out of the large chamber. The double black started to frantically search for a place to hide. Going further into the room, he looked inside every chest and under every table, but every space was full. Yuri finally had a burst of inspiration and pulled a large piece of cloth from a table. Climbing onto a stack of crates, he threw the cloth over himself and tried to stay as quiet as possible.
"So what are you looking for, Lord von Bielefeld?"
Yuri jerked at the voice of his best friend and advisor, Murata Ken.
"Six feet of charbroiled wimp!"
"Let's see what we can find for you." Amusement was evident in the sage's voice.
'Thanks Murata. Why do I have to be your day's entertainment?'
The king tried to calm his breathing as he heard Wolfram progressing further into the chamber. Closer and closer the footsteps came until all the noise was centered right below him.
"What did Shibuya do this time to upset you?"
Yuri heard a growl from his accidental fiancee.
"A found him with a maid. A maid!"
"I see, what were he and the maid doing?"
"They were on the floor with his hand up her skirt!"
"Hmm."
The king almost screamed when the crates he was on top of moved.
"If you will indulge me, Lord von Bielefeld, I have a question. What in Shibuya's personality would lead you to believe that he would be so bold to stick his hand up anyone's skirt?"
'Go Murata. Use your sagey logic on that hothead.'
Silence reigned throughout the chamber.
"Why don't we ask the man himself?"
Yuri yelped as the cloth was ripped from his head. Seeing the anger on his fiancee's face, the double black scrambled to back up. The crates rocked unsteadily as he tried to find his balance again. A scream ripped through the room as his body plummeted to the floor. On the way down, he grabbed at a wall sconce.
The sound of a door opening came from the other side of the room. As the metal gave way, Yuri only had one thought.
'I'm so going to haunt Gwendal.'