It's short, a bit rushed, and probably OOC, but I wanted to try this out. Not even sure where I'm going with it yet. The name will probably be changed later, but for now, it's the best I've got. Um, lesse. It's a medieval-type AU. Not quite medieval, but you get my point. Tell me what you think and I'll see if I should continue.

Warning: Shounen-ai (do I even really have a need to say this?)

Disclaimer: I have no relation to Monochrome Factor, except for my fangirl moments.

Shirogane backed up slowly, his mouth covered with one slim hand as he stared in horror at Ryuuko's still form laying in a pool of blood. Who had done this? The smell of blood was making Shirogane sick, and he retched dry heaves, coughing and sobbing miserably. He stumbled as he ran from the body that used to be his lover. He was ashamed, but he just couldn't handle the sight. It was a nightmare, it had to be! Ryuuko couldn't have died!

As Shirogane turned a corner, he spotted the familiar shape of Homurabi at the end of the grand hall. He almost shouted out, but was choked into silence when Homurabi threw his head back and laughed a horrible laugh. It was full of menace, there was no mistaking it. There was also no mistaking the blood splattered all over the man's face.

A soft whimper escaped Shirogane, then rage took over. "HOMURABI!" he roared with anger. "Did you kill Ryuuko?"

Homurabi turned in amused surprise. "Ah, Shirogane! You came just in time. I was about to come and find you."

"Answer me!" Shirogane demanded, hoping he was wrong. Wishing more than anything that he was wrong.

"Yes, I killed your lover. You see, I don't really like the way that you've been leading the kingdom as of late. So I figured that if you and Ryuuko were out of the way, I would be able to claim the throne," Homurabi answered calmly, as if he was describing a play. His tongue darted out to lick some of the blood lingering at the corner of his mouth.

It was the breaking point for Shirogane. The silver-haired man drew the slim sword that always hung at his side and charged the former comrade. He screamed unintelligibly as he ran, a red haze taking over his thought. All he could see was that cocky look on Homurabi's face and Ryuuko's twisted body.

Homurabi dodged the attack with ease, looking amused at Shirogane's rage. "I would have thought that you could fight better than this. I've always been under the impression that you were the best fencer in the country."

"Shut up!" Shirogane growled, an ugly hate shining in his sapphire eyes.

Homurabi ignored the warning and kept gloating as Shirogane's desperate attacks were easily avoided time and again. "Don't tell me that it's because I killed your precious lover?"

"Shut up!"

"It really is amazing how losing something important can change a person."

"SHUT UP!"

Shirogane's blade buried itself into the wall of the hallway, just missing Homurabi's vulnerable neck by inches. Panic began to set in once Shirogane realized that he couldn't pull his sword free. He yanked on it desperately once before a powerful hand smashed itself hard onto his skull, threatening to crush it completely.

He froze, knowing that he was at the mercy of Homurabi. At least he would be with Ryuuko soon enough. He closed his eyes in defeat and waited for the final blow.

A harsh shove pushed Shirogane away. He was surprised, so he couldn't keep his balance and ended up falling hard on the marble floor. His confused gaze met Homurabi's cold, cruel gaze. It was a stark difference from just moments ago. Now Homurabi looked completely serious.

"Killing you is a mercy and you don't deserve the kindness. Now you can taste the despair of losing everything important to you and live with it the rest of your life. From now on, you are exiled from this castle. And if you ever come near here again, I'll kill you." A shadow passed over Homurabi's face, making it resemble a demon's.

It was too much for the distraught Shirogane. He leapt to his feet and ran from the castle, not looking back once.