The Haunting of Yuuri Shibuya – Chapter Two: Will You Save Me? (The First Day)

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Yuuri awoke to the same white-hot pain that had knocked him unconscious. A weak groan escaped from between dry lips as he struggled to open his eyes. For all his effort he might as well have kept them closed. All he could see were blurry colorful figures standing around his prone form. He could feel the soft sheets of his bed being pulled back and someone holding his hand. Yuuri was lying on his side, curled in a loose ball. He turned his head slightly to see who was touching him. A blue figure was seated next to him, its blonde head facing him, staring at him, the headache made his vision too poor to make out the face but he didn't need to. Only one person in his entire life looked like that.

"W-Wolfram?" He rasped and nearly stopped when he heard the ugliness of his hoarse voice.

The figure immediately stiffened and placed a cool hand in Yuuri's sweaty forehead.

"Shh, be still. Gisela is on her way here to examine you," came Wolfram's voice.

On cue, Yuuri heard his bedroom door swing open and a rush of determined footsteps and mumbled greetings. Wolfram's blurry figure was replaced by a white one with a green head. This figure set down what looked like a black bag and rummaged through the contents, while closely examining Yuuri.

"How long has he been like this?" Gisela asked curtly, opening her doctor's bag.

"For the past half hour!" Wolfram said, trepidation evident in his voice. "He hasn't moved at all from that position. He keeps moaning and yelping every time the pain grows worse! He can't even speak!"

Gisela nodded, used to dealing with patients' antsy family members.

"I see. Let me take a look then."

Conrad, Gwendal, Gunter and Wolfram stood around the large four-poster bed, looking on worriedly as Gisela laid out various instruments and bottles on the nightstand. Gunter was rambling on about the suffering that had befallen his beloved king, Wolfram was impatiently tapping his foot, arms crossed, hiding his mounting concern with annoyance, Conrad and Gwendal stood still as statues alert and waiting for anything that Yuuri or Gisela might need.

Gisela, the chief military physician and personal doctor to the king, performed various tests and examinations with steady and swift accuracy. The pale green glow of healing magic emanated from her palms as she checked Yuuri's internal health for any indication of what could be causing his affliction. They could all see the brilliant healer growing frustrated when even her magic yielded nothing and without a diagnosis or some idea of what could be wrong, she could not begin proper treatment.

She let forth a quiet growl when her magic failed for the third time. Personally affronted by the lack of progress, she gritted her teeth and leaned forward to try a fourth time.

Yuuri could feel Gisela's magic pulsing through his body, wandering and searching for the source of his pain. He could feel the energy mixing with his own, trying to push past the internal boundaries of his magic and dig deeper into his self. The healing magic must have dug a little too deep for it touched a certain spot within Yuuri and it sent a sharp jolt through his chest that made him jerk away from Gisela's touch.

Gisela immediately stopped the magic flow, startled by his sudden movement. "Oh, your majesty! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you!" She exclaimed.

All Yuuri did was emit a soft groan and roll over to his other side, instinctively recoiling from the cause of his suffering.

Gisela averted her gaze and regarded the others. "I'm sorry." She said. "But I can't find anything wrong with him. According to my examination, he should and is perfectly healthy. I can't find the source of his fits."

"That can't be right!" Wolfram said incredulously.

"I have to agree," said Conrad. "If he's healthy then he shouldn't be in pain like this. It's crippling him."

"He's been like this for two months now!" Wolfram exclaimed. "You're not looking hard enough!"

Gisela lifted her shoulders helplessly. "I don't know what to say. I've tried everything I could think of to diagnose him, but nothing's coming up. I can't think of anything else to try."

"But you have to think of something. It pains me to see my dear king suffer so!" Gunter cried.

Gisela frowned considering her options. "I'll…look in some of my old textbooks," she suggested. "Maybe I'll find something in there. I could even ask my old medical teacher, he might know something."

"What about the pain?" Wolfram asked impatiently. His eyes were fixated on Yuuri, who had now recoiled into the center of the bed and was barely conscious.

Gisela pursed her lips in thought. "Here." She reached into her bag and pulled out a small purple glass bottle. "This is a new medicine from Franchire, made from a rare plant that grows in the winter. It is a very powerful pain narcotic. I would never recommend this for casual use, because the side affects are occasionally severe, but if he's in as much pain as he says he is, then I'll start him on this. After that, we'll see where we are in terms of finding the source of this illness."

"Thank you." Conrad took the bottle from Gisela and carefully turned it over in his hand. The bottle was about six inches tall and maybe three inches around. He could see a dark liquid swishing about inside the stained glass. He wondered vaguely what it tasted like. He imagined the nastiest most disgusting flavor in the world.

"Only take it when he has another fit. Never take it when he's feeling fine." Gisela said sternly. She then turned to the others, who were waiting anxiously. "When he takes this." She spoke deliberately, slowly. "One of you must be with him the entire time and monitor him for any side effects. It is known to have…psychological symptoms. Nightmares, hallucinations and delirium are possible effects."

"We will watch over him." Conrad said.

"I will watch over him, he is my fiancé, after all." Wolfram scoffed.

Conrad smiled back at him patiently. "Of course."

Gisela stood from her place at Yuuri's bedside. She quickly gathered her things and fastened her bag. "Well, my lords. If that is all, then I ask to be excused."

Gwendal, who had remained silent and distant the entire time, waved Gisela off. "You are excused." He said with his usual gruffness. "You will be summoned if anything happens."

Gisela nodded and with a slight bow, left the room as quickly as she had arrived.

As the door softly clicked shut, the three brothers returned their attention to the weakened young man on the bed. Yuuri lay absolutely still, dealing with the pain the only way he knew how; by enduring and waiting it out.

"Have the guests been taken care of?" Conrad said to Gwendal.

"Yes." The oldest brother grunted. "They'll no doubt be gossiping about this tomorrow."

"Don't they do anything else?" Conrad droned.

Wolfram moved to sit on the bed next to Yuuri, who had remained on the edge of awareness throughout the entire exchange, just barely comprehending what was unfolding around him. The blonde prince swept aside a random piece of black hair. Yuuri stirred at the touch and he cracked open glassy eyes and looked up at his fiancé weakly. Too tired to really say anything, he smiled softly up at him.

"Yuuri." Wolfram whispered. "It is late and Yuuri needs rest. Leave us." He ordered his brothers.

Conrad and Gwendal nodded and left, leaving the young couple alone.

Wolfram watched them leave. When the door closed shut behind them, he got up and fetched their nightclothes. He dressed himself first in his usual nightgown and then hesitantly unbuttoned Yuuri's undershirt. In the mayhem of earlier, they had removed his outer formal wear so he could lie comfortably and Gisela could examine him easier. Wolfram grunted as he lifted Yuuri's unresponsive form to take off the shirt and slip on the long cotton nightshirt. As the cloth ghosted over Yuuri's head, the blonde prince could hear barely audible murmurs coming from the young king.

"Hush." He ordered softly. "I'm taking care of you. Just hold still."

He finally got the shirt all the way on and gently lowered Yuuri onto his back. Wolfram noticed that Yuuri was still in his black trousers. He debated inwardly for a bit before reaching towards the buttons.

"Don't freak out, alright?" He mumbled. He cautiously undid each button, trying not to wake Yuuri and have the raven-haired man accuse him of lewd behavior. Yuuri's limp body and unresponsiveness disturbed Wolfram. He didn't know if Yuuri had been aware through the entire situation with Gisela. He looked up at Yuuri's face, it appeared that the younger man had drifted into an uneasy sleep. Yuuri lay with his hair splayed around his head like a black halo, his eyes were shut, his skin was pale, he looked like some otherworldly being that had settled there and slept.

Yuuri was a very beautiful man. His oval face was soft but still masculine, with very dark eyebrows and lashes that made it look like he wore makeup. His mouth was a bit feminine, full pinkish lips that always looked like they were about to kiss. He had a normal pointed nose, the bridge was neither flat nor pronounced, but it fit well with Yuuri's overall look.

Yes, Yuuri was indeed a very attractive person, and his personality didn't help in keeping Wolfram's rivals at bay. Yuuri was always friendly and kind to everyone and treated even the lowest of society with utmost respect and courteousness. Yuuri never gossiped or spoke harshly; he rarely even raised his voice, even when upset or angry. Yuuri had a charisma about him that drew people to him like moths to flames and it had served him well in gaining the love and trust of his people. A King who had the love of his people was a powerful man in his own right.

However, Yuuri seemed oblivious to the stares and swoons directed at him as he walked the halls of the palace. Like most things, Yuuri mistook what most would consider physical attraction for pleasantness and flirtation for friendliness.

Wolfram's mother had once told him of a special kind of beauty that only belonged to those who did not think themselves beautiful and theirs was the most desirable and rare of beauties. Yuuri was one of those people.

Wolfram pulled Yuuri's pants down, indulging himself by letting his fingers trail over the smooth skin, feeling the hardened muscle underneath. He wondered, very briefly, what it would be like to have those strong legs wrapped around him in passion. But he quickly stamped out the thought. Yuuri would never do that, would never want that. Especially not with him.

Wolfram haphazardly threw the garment to the floor. Tired from the excitement of the evening and worried for his fiancé's health, He pulled the covers over the two of them and with a wave of his hand, blew out the dozens of candles in the room. He stole one last glance at Yuuri's face in the moonlight and went to sleep.

* * * * * * * * * * * THYS * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Yuuri sluggishly opened his eyes to stare at the dark canopy that hovered over his bed. He groaned quietly, drawing his hand up to rub his tired eyes. He lay there motionless, his mind momentarily blank as his body tried to collect itself enough to function. What happened? His mind began scanning his memory to make a coherent narrative of what had led to him waking up in his room, in the dark. The last thing he could recall clearly was dancing with Wolfram, the lights, spinning across the floor, talking about their wedding. Immense agony. Then nothing.

Yuuri licked his dry lips. He needed a drink and to move around. A swallow of water and some physical activity would help him reorient himself.

Yuuri lifted himself to prop up on his elbows, but found that his movements were hindered by a heavy weight upon his right side. He gave a long suffering sigh as he glared at his sleeping bedmate. The blonde man was draped over him, his arm hugged Yuuri's shoulder, one of his long legs was thrown across his lap, his forehead rested on his shoulder and Yuuri felt a wet spot on his shirt where Wolfram had drooled. Yuuri could hear the soft snoring breaking the heavy silence in the room and feel the rise and fall of Wolfram's chest against his side. This had become a too regular occurrence in the past few weeks. Yuuri would sometimes wake up in the middle of the night to find Wolfram, deep in slumber, almost completely on top of him. Yuuri had at first, been disturbed by the close proximity of the other man, but as these late night encounters increased, his discomfort decreased and he simply dealt with it.

Yuuri carefully removed Wolfram's limbs and gently pushed the blonde back to his side of the huge bed. The demon barely made any movement and flopped over onto his side, dead to the world. Yuuri wondered how someone trained to be aware of his environment at all times and act with deadly precision could be such a corpse-like sleeper. A flock of savage dragons couldn't wake Wolfram and if they did, sucks to be them.

The double black threw his legs over the side of the bed and got up. He walked across the cold wooden floor to the adjacent bathroom. It used to be a part of the closet, but Yuuri's disinterest in fashion allowed for half of it to be modified into a small washroom with a mirror, sink and a shower for in between Yuuri's sword and horse riding sessions and morning workouts. With the snap of his fingers, Yuuri lit the small candle that rested on the edge of the sink. A small trick Wolfram had taught him months ago. It wasn't even fire magic, just a spark of raw energy focused into a heated point and directed at the wick of the candle.

Yuuri poured some water into the washbowl from the pitcher and splashed the cool liquid onto his face. As he dried himself off with a small towel, Yuuri continued to wrack his brain for details on what happened after he collapsed. He tried not to cringe at the fact that he had passed out in front of everyone after he had told his own retainers to not make a scene. Pushing the image to the very back of his mind, Yuuri scanned over multiple images and sounds trying to make a coherent story of what went on. He recalled being lifted and carried away, then placed on his bed, and being surrounded by weird blurry figures that leaned over him and a white figure that had examined his body. He remembered the feel of the healing magic flowing through his body, mixing with his own power, and then a sharp jolt of pain to his stomach that caused him to tear away from the invading touch.

A soft blush appeared on his face when he saw the last memory. It was of Wolfram dressing him. His eyes were closed most of the time but he knew that Wolfram had lovingly dressed him in his nightclothes. He had mumbled something to Wolfram as the blonde pulled the garment over his head. Something along the lines of not touching him and he could do it himself. The blonde had only told him to hush and continued his actions.

Yuuri's blush deepened when he remembered Wolfram taking off his pants. Through the red haze of his pain, he felt Wolfram's thin fingers linger on the exposed skin of his legs, almost like a caress and the array of emotions that played across the older man's face as he stared at Yuuri's body. Yuuri could only imagine what was going through the blonde's head and frankly he didn't want to. He was well aware of Wolfram's feelings for him and that knowledge only made him increasingly uneasy.

Dark eyes peered out from behind the towel bunched at his face. Yuuri pondered his reflection for a few seconds. He didn't think he was ugly, just not particularly good looking. His older brother Shouri had always been the handsome one, the one the girls wanted to meet and flirt with. Yuuri was just…plain. He didn't look any different from any other Japanese boy his age. The only thing different was that he had a slight European influence in his features thanks to his father, but nothing worth mentioning. Yuuri couldn't figure out what someone like Wolfram would see in him. He knew the nobility wanted him for his wealth and power, but Wolfram was different. Wolfram came from a very wealthy and powerful family that had political influence over the other territories and various trade partnerships with other countries and commonwealths. Wolfram would have no need of riches. On top of that, Wolfram was painfully good looking. He could have had any woman or man that he wanted, so why did he want a lanky, plain-faced, clumsy king with a weird accent?

Yuuri continued to scrutinize his image, trying to see himself from Wolfram's perspective and figure out what drew the rambunctious man to him. Unable to find anything that might attract such a person, Yuuri could only focus on his face reflected in the mirror. Yuuri never realized just how tired he looked. How long had his eyes had those dark circles? When did he get crow's feet? Why were his eyes so dull and lifeless? Why was his face so sickly and pale?

A loud snort from inside the bedroom caused Yuuri to turn his attention towards the sleeping man on his bed. Yuuri watched Wolfram mumble a long string of inaudible sentences before rolling onto his stomach and settling back into sleep.

Returning to his lackluster reflection, Yuuri was about to splash his face again when an odd sound from the room drew him out of the washroom and his self-deprecation.

He ran his fingers through messy longish hair and walked back into the dark bedroom. Yuuri checked to see if Wolfram had made the shuffle-thump noise by falling off the bed again, but Wolfram was still on his stomach, face buried in the pillow, mumbling.

Yuuri shrugged it off and moved to return to bed. He stopped when he heard the noise again, this time he swore he heard crying. It sounded like it was coming from the other side of the bedroom door.

Yuuri slowly approached the door and cautiously placed a hand on the brass handle and turned his ear to pick up on any sound coming from the hall. He could barely pick up the sound of someone crying very quietly.

"Hello?" Yuuri called through the door.

At the sound of his voice, the crying died down and stopped. Yuuri listened harder. Did a child of one of the guests get lost? That was easy enough to do. After three years of residence, Yuuri still got lost in the castle and regularly discovered new passageways and corridors within his home.

The silence caused Yuuri to worry. His concern for the safety of whatever unfortunate being dwelled in the halls won over his hesitance. He slowly turned the handle and opened the heavy door.

The hallway was completely dark. The lamps had been extinguished hours before. Yuuri surmised that it must be three or four in the morning, the lamps were always put out at two on a normal night, unless there was a ball that went late.

'Well, there would have been.' Yuuri thought dryly as he poked his head into the blackness.

"Is anyone there?" He called out again, a little louder. This time he was answered by a soft whimper from his right.

Stepping all the way into the hall, Yuuri turned and saw the faint outline of a small child standing just a few feet down the hall. The child looked to be about five or six years old, and wore a dress. A little girl. Yuuri tried to think of which noble had brought their daughter to the ball. Yuuri snapped his fingers and one of the lamps directly across from him burst into flames. Now Yuuri could see the child better and hopefully recognize who she was and thus find her family.

She was a sickly looking thing. Pale skin, black limpid hair fell around her thin quivering shoulders, head down, hands clasped and resting on her skirt, she looked like she hadn't eaten in while. Yuuri could not make out her face for the curtain of hair that veiled everything but her thin mouth. A soft sob escaped her lips and she grimaced at the floor.

"Hey there, little girl," Yuuri said, trying to sound friendly and calm. "What are you doing out here so late at night?"

A mumble.

"Where are your parents? Are you lost?" Yuuri approached the tiny girl and kneeled so that he was eye level with her. He tilted his head to try and see under those heavy bangs, but it seemed that the girl's face was also hidden under a dark shadow.

"I'm…I'm going to be in trouble…" The girl whispered.

"In trouble for what?" Yuuri asked, brow furrowed in concern.

A violent shudder coursed through her petite frame. "I'm going to be in trouble." She repeated, she sounded like she was on the verge of tears. "I can't find my ribbons. Mommy got them for me and she said not to lose them or I would be punished."

"Well." Yuuri said gently. "You're not going to find them wandering the halls at night. It's dangerous. Here." He offered his hand to the little girl. "Let me take you back to your mommy and you can look for your ribbons tomorrow."

"No! No!" She cried pitifully, stepping back from the out stretched hand. "I can't! Mommy will be so mad! I can't without my ribbons!"

This time, the girl looked up at Yuuri when she spoke. Yuuri had to try very hard not to gasp when he saw the dark bruise on the girl's round face. It was in the shape of an adult's open palm. She looked at him with large frightened blue eyes.

'What the hell?' He thought.

He suddenly felt angry at the prospect of someone hurting a child in his palace. Determined to protect the small child, Yuuri reached out with both arms to hold the little girl and take her to Gisela to heal the nasty mark. After that, he would find those responsible for hurting her and punish them.

"Come with me. Let me take you to the healer so we can fix that bruise." Yuuri smiled down at the girl, feeling a sense of fatherly protectiveness towards her. He curved his fingers in a beckoning gesture, silently urging her to comply.

The little girl regarded Yuuri's arms suspiciously. Yuuri waited patiently as feelings of apprehension and uncertainty flittered across the girl's huge eyes. She looked at him and then at his welcoming arms. Reaching a decision, she cautiously moved towards Yuuri's embrace, her own arms reaching for his.

"Will you help me?" She whispered, hopeful and desperate. "Will you save me?"

Yuuri smiled wider. "Of course. I'll help y-"

"Yuuri!"

He nearly jumped out of his skin when a too familiar sharp voice cut through the silence of the hallway like a hot knife through butter. He whipped his head around to see a sleepy and irritated Wolfram standing in the doorway.

"What are you doing in the hall?" Wolfram demanded, rubbing his eyes with one hand. "It's five in the morning. We have work tomorrow!"

"I-I was helping this little girl find her family." He explained.

"What little girl?"

"This little girl right-" Yuuri turned back to the child, but froze when he saw an empty hall instead. "…..Here?"

Wolfram yawned and scratched his flat stomach. "There's nothing there, wimp. You're having a bad dream. Now come back to bed."

Yuuri stared at the place where just a few seconds ago, the little girl was reaching for him, his arms were even still extended towards where she had stood.

"There…There was a girl here!" He exclaimed whipping his head back and forth, trying to relocate the child in vain. He gestured to the empty space. "A little girl! I heard her crying and I came out and she was right here! I'm serious!"

Wolfram regarded him through half-closed eyes. "Uh-huh, sure." He walked over to where Yuuri was still kneeling and placed his hand across the younger man's forehead.

"You have a fever." He muttered under his breath. "You were probably dreaming and didn't wake up properly."

Yuuri pulled away from Wolfram's touch and stood up. "I'm serious!" He pleaded. "There was a little girl, she was this big." He placed his hand halfway between his knee and hip. "She was in a red dress and she was crying! I could hear her from the washroom!"

"Yuuri." Wolfram scolded tiredly. "There is no one in the hallway. There are no children in this castle except Greta. You're dreaming. I'm exhausted. Now can we go to sleep?"

"But…but!-"

"Now, Yuuri!" With that, Wolfram spun around with a sweep of pink frills and disappeared into the darkness of the bedroom. "Bed!" he ordered over his shoulder when Yuuri didn't immediately follow him.

Yuuri gave one last confused glance down the halls. It was true. There was no little girl in a red dress. And yet, the lantern he had lit to view the girl better was still burning as a silent witness to the entire event.

The double black couldn't stop the chill that ran down his spine, he would attribute it to the drafts that blew through the corridors, but really it was from his own discombobulated nerves.

"Yuuri!" Came Wolfram's voice from inside, sounding increasingly angry. "Don't make me come out there and drag you to bed! Or you can stand out there all night, just close the damn door! There's a draft!"

Not really paying attention, Yuuri gave a dismissive "I'm coming, Wolf." His eyes still watched the vacant spot on the floor until his body rotated towards the bedroom and his eyes were forced to follow. Had he been dreaming?

Quietly closing the big doors, Yuuri obediently got back under the covers and attempt to sleep. Wolfram, despite his irritation had already fallen into dreamland and was softly snoring on his side of the bed.

Even though he was very tired, Yuuri tossed and turned for hours. It wasn't until the faint pink line of dawn showed over the horizon that he finally fell asleep, unable to shake the feeling that the little girl in red was still in the hallway, watching him through the crack in the door.

* * * * * * * * * * * * THYS * * * * * * * * * * * *

If there was one feeling that could encompass the awe and beauty of spring in Shin Makoku, it was the feeling of rejuvenation.

Spring was the season of rebirth, of cleansing when the toils and tribulations of winter would demise and give way to new life and new hope.

It was this season, the season of rebirth that was Yuuri's favorite. Winters and summers in Shin Makoku were vicious polar opposites. One was extremely cold and desolate; the other was like walking into an oven while covered in oil. Yuuri liked spring because it was a perfect combination of the two, it was never too hot or too cold and always accompanied by a pleasant breeze off the distant sea that carried the smell of flowers, trees and fresh new earth. The scent of spring.

It was on an unusually hot spring afternoon, that Yuuri found himself in the courtyard having his daily swordsmanship lesson with Conrad. They still called it that though it over the years it went from a lesson to sparring. Yuuri would never be as skilled as Conrad or Wolfram, but he was confident that he could hold his own in a battle.

The gentle wind carried the sound of clashing swords and masculine grunts as Yuuri and his godfather circled, parried and attacked each other. The flowers and the trees made for a dramatic backdrop to their match. This time, Yuuri was practicing offensive fighting while Conrad easily blocked his efforts, occasionally grunting out critiques or praises on Yuuri's skills.

Some distance away, but always where he could watch, Wolfram was training his soldiers. Their blue uniforms rivaled the vibrant cloudless sky above them. The dozen and a half or so fire wielders were paired off, some were sparring with swords at a speed Yuuri could never hope to reach, while others were practicing unarmed combat, punching, kicking and flipping their opponents while Wolfram watched and corrected them with direct cold words.

"Move your feet. Your body has to move with the attack!' Conrad barked, drawing Yuuri's focus to his own practice.

Yuuri gritted his teeth and did as he was told. This particular move had been exceptionally difficult to master, because it involved a very small, but very decisive move towards the end that always seemed to throw Yuuri off no matter what. He would concentrate so much on that one particular part of the maneuver and forget to keep his stance or as Conrad put it, move his feet with the attack, thus throwing him off balance, which in practice was annoying, but in battle it was deadly.

Lunging forward, Yuuri brought up his sword in an upwards swing. When Conrad effortlessly blocked it, Yuuri quickly switched and swung the blade from the opposite direction. When Conrad blocked that, Yuuri tilted the blade and drove it like a spear for Conrad's exposed neck. Conrad immediately jerked his head out of the way just as the tip brushed against the skin of his throat.

"Good job, your Majesty!" Conrad said, smiling proudly. "Now, can you remember to do it just like that without having to be reminded?"

"More or less." Yuuri answered vaguely but regardless, smiled back at Conrad. Standing normally, he wiped the back of his hand across his forehead and crinkled his nose when he saw how wet it was. "Can we take five? I'm sweating like a pig here."

"Of course, your-"

"Iie!"

"Yuuri." Conrad chuckled. "But remember when in battle your opponent may not be as inclined to allow you a breather."

"Yeah, I know. God, it's hot today!" Yuuri took a long gulp from his canteen and wiped his head again. He removed his black jacket and threw it unceremoniously on a nearby bench. More focused on getting cool than propriety, Yuuri unbuttoned the first three buttons of his undershirt, exposing his tanned skin, shiny from perspiration.

Conrad took a long swig of his own canteen and wiped his sweaty forehead. "Now shall we try a new move, Yuuri?"

The raven man raised an eyebrow. "A new move? What kind?"

"This one is a defensive move, designed to deflect the enemy's attack and possibly disarm him."

Conrad lifted his own sword with both hands, until it hovered over his brunette head. His fingers tightened around the hilt and his shoulders braced. "This is the starting position. It's called the Strength of the Horse. You keep your hands in this position at all times. It does not serve well as an attack stance therefore it's used as defense."

"I thought we were doing offense."

"We are." Conrad assured. "This stance leads into an attack stance, but to get the latter correct, you must learn this one."

Yuuri nodded and obediently mimicked Conrad's form. He wasn't used to holding Morgif so high so his arms shook a little.

"Your Majesty, you're not holding the hilt properly." Conrad sheathed his weapon and swiftly moved to Yuuri's side so his own hands could carefully move the young king into the correct position. "Tighten your grip here." He squeezed Yuuri's closed fists around the hilt better. "And now leave your elbows slightly bent, don't lock them." His hands slid down Yuuri's arms lightly and his fingers rested at the crook of Yuuri's elbows and bent them very slightly. "Shoulders down." Broad hands pressed down on his shoulders and Yuuri was forced to relax his upper body.

Yuuri couldn't stop the blush that so easily colored his cheeks. Lately, he did not like for people to touch him. He suddenly became hyper aware of Conrad's hands on him, moving his limbs like a doll. He would always get nervous when Conrad would touch him like this, bending his form to his will and speaking in a gentle steady voice.

"Um….Conrad?"

"Hm? Square your hips." Conrad instructed absently. His pelvis was suddenly parallel with Yuuri's. He had his hands firmly on Yuuri's slim waist. Yuuri could feel Conrad behind him, could feel his height that was merely a couple of inches taller than he.

"Ah….okay…" Yuuri tried to concentrate.

"Now, spread your legs a little wider." Conrad's hand drifted down Yuuri's hip and slid under his thigh to gently push it outward. Yuuri's face went bright red. His godfather's hands were hot against his inner leg and his breath against his hair sent little tingles down his spine.

"Yuuri! Weller!"

Both men turned in slight horror as Wolfram materialized halfway across the courtyard and stomped towards them, his jaw set, as his soldiers looked on befuddled.

Already seeing the tell-tale signs of jealousy. Yuuri immediately jerked away from Conrad's touch and ran his fingers through his hair nervously.

"Now, Wolfram, this isn't what it looks like." He tried to give his best disarming smile.

Wolfram stopped a few feet from Yuuri, he cocked his hip to the side, both hands on his hips. "Oh really? And I'm supposed to believe that I did not just see my half-brother inappropriately touching my fiancé?" He glared at the dark young man.

"Oh that…" Yuuri placed his hand behind his head and gave a goofy grin. "Conrad's just showing me a new move. You know-a defense move." He tried to explain as casually as possible.

"That's not what it looked like to me!" Wolfram hissed. "Not what it looked like to my men!"

He jerked a thumb behind him, indicating the soldiers who had stopped their practice when their captain suddenly half-ran towards the king. They all remained straight and stone faced, but attentive as they watched their superior scold their king. They were too far away to see the corners of their mouths twitching as they struggled to not snicker at the royal couple's antics.

"Um….We're just practicing. How am I supposed to know the right stance, if Conrad doesn't show me properly?" Yuuri said unsure, like a child asked to admit what he did wrong.

"I don't recall placing your hands on someone's hips and running your finger along their arms as part of any training I've ever seen!" Wolfram yelled.

"But I see you do it with your rookies all the time!"

"Are you calling me a cheater?"

"No, that's not it!"

Conrad watched as the two young men dissolved into a back and forth spat. In a way, he could understand why Wolfram had gotten upset. Even though it was common to position students into the correct stance by hand, his touch had perhaps lingered a little longer than necessary.

"Wolfram." Conrad interjected, smiling in his calming way cultivated after years of appeasing his little brother. "Would you like to show Yuuri the move? I have to attend to something in a few minutes anyway, so why don't you show him?"

"Conrad, that's not-"

"Of course, I will, wimp!" Wolfram interjected hotly.

"Very well then, I will be leaving..." Conrad smiled and turned away from the couple and smoothly walked back towards the palace.

The young men watched as the soldier disappeared into the halls of the castle. Yuuri slowly turned to regard his still miffed fiancé.

Wolfram glared at his dark partner. "Don't you ever let that happen again."

"Wolfram, Conrad wasn't doing anything." Yuuri said exasperatedly.

Wolfram had to stop himself from smacking his own forehead. Not doing anything? Honestly? Was Yuuri really that oblivious or was he just blatantly ignoring things?

Wolfram gave a hard sigh. "Whatever, let's just get this done."

"Okay." Yuuri said pleasantly, anything to keep Wolfram happy. "Conrad was showing me this; The Strength of the Horse." Yuuri positioned himself as accurately as he could into the stance Conrad had so very carefully put him in.

"No, no! That's not right!" Wolfram rolled his eyes and moved to stand behind him like Conrad. "You put your arms like this."

If Yuuri had thought Conrad's touch was uncomfortable, he had no idea about Wolfram's. Long fingers trailed across his arms and legs and stomach in a way he wasn't quite sure had anything to do with getting the correct stance. But Wolfram's face and voice remained coldly professional as he chided and corrected Yuuri.

"Keep your head up! Your opponent is not on the ground!" Wolfram's smooth hands cupped Yuuri's chin and lifted his face to look straight ahead.

Yuuri obediently did as he was told, silently tolerating Wolfram's fingers trailing down his long neck. But when he looked ahead towards the bushes, he suddenly forgot about the stance.

Up ahead staring right at him, through him, was the little girl from last night, still in her red dress with stringy black hair obscuring her face from view. She was nearly on the opposite side of the courtyard, standing at the entrance to the gardens. The blue soldiers around her didn't seem to notice her presence that overpowered the sunny atmosphere of the day.

Too far way to read her face, but still feeling the piercing cold of her stare. Yuuri's mind went blank and the sound of Wolfram's voice faded into the background out of his comprehension. Yuuri remained frozen, pinned by the obscure gaze of the little child in front of him. He felt both repulsed and drawn to her, drawn to her small helpless face, but repulsed by the dark energy that existed behind her, using her like a lure to pull him towards whatever it may be.

The little girl, still too far away, stared straight ahead at him. Their eyes locked together as the world around them melted away and only they existed. She lifted her hand to him, beckoning him with her small white hand. Yuuri in his mind could see the tiny smile curl across her round face a smile of hope and trust and something dark he couldn't name or resist.

Will you save me, Yuuri?

That one whisper came from every direction and moved like a small wind and swirled around Yuuri's still form. The feeling that came over Yuuri was like being hit by a truck as the all too familiar pain ripped open his gut and took over.

Yuuri knew nothing as he fell backward into the surprised arms of his fiancé. He knew nothing as his ears barely picked up Wolfram screaming at his soldiers to get help. He knew nothing but the face of the still smiling little girl as he fell into darkness.

* * * * * * * * * * THYS * * * * * * * * * *

With eyebrows furrowed in worry, Wolfram gently wiped his dark fiancé's forehead with a cloth soaked in ice water. Yuuri had fainted, overcome by another of those infernal fits. What a silly word to call Yuuri's ailment, a 'fit', like it was some sort of superficial, meaningless problem that only needed a dose of medicine and a nap. Not the kind of problem that reduced a healthy young man into a writhing, feverish heap on a bed. And yet that's what they called it, for they had yet to place a name or a face on the parasitic pain that liked to torment their young king.

It was a repeat of yester-night, Wolfram seated by the bed they shared, holding Yuuri's clammy hand and desperately searching for a way to alleviate his suffering. He was surrounded again by his older brothers, Conrad and Gwendal both called from their posts by a harried page that urged them to see to their king. Gisela had been called, but she had yet to arrive, taking longer than usual, but no one thought to find her and tell her to make haste.

Wolfram saw Conrad shift uncomfortably out of the corner of his vision and he was suddenly reminded of what he had caught his older half-brother doing with his fiancé. He had happened to glance over his shoulder while speaking with one of his subordinates when he caught the sight of his brother practically fondling Yuuri as he maneuvered the king into a defense stance. Wolfram's blood ran hot when he watched that half-breed drag his hands down Yuuri's slim arms. And when his hands drifted to cup a firm thigh…

Wolfram shoved down his agitation with a shudder. As if anyone within thirty feet of them couldn't plainly see that Conrad's actions were more than just platonic instruction. No, Wolfram knew that like he and many others, Conrad was falling under the spell of Yuuri's blossoming beauty. That special beauty gifted to those making the final transition from child to adult.

The three men turned their attention to the door as Gisela pushed her way into the room. They paused when Gisela was followed by a strange old man in long purple robes.

"Your Excellencies." Gisela greeted briskly. She looked at Yuuri's thin form on the bed. "How is he?"

"Not as bad as last time." Conrad answered and everyone could hear the cautious relief in his voice. "But he collapsed outside during his daily training and he seemed to be in pain for a while but now he's just exhausted."

"I see…"Gisela mumbled, she turned her gaze towards her silent companion. "Your Excellencies, this is one of my former teachers from the military academy, Dr. Kristian Marko. He specializes in half-breed health and treatment. I called him because he might be able to tell us what might be ailing his Majesty."

The old gentleman gave a very stiff bow. "Your Excellencies."

Dr. Marko was a very stern looking individual. He wore robes of the deepest shade of purple, the uniform color for medical professors, which covered his boot laden feet. He was thin and as tall as Gwendal, which made him appear emaciated. His features were sharp as blades and his hair was as white as fresh snow and fell in thin locks around his razor cheekbones. His eyes were ice blue slits that peered down at everyone as his thin mouth was set in a bored manner. He blinked owlishly at the men.

"So." Gwendal grunted, hiding the fact that he too was discomforted by the doctor's appearance. "Dr. Marko is it? Tell us more about your training."

"Of course." Marko said slowly. He smiled what was probably meant to be a friendly smile, but to those in the room it just made him look creepier. "I'm currently retired from teaching now, but I taught courses at the military academy on half-human, half-demon hybrid anatomy and health. I've done extensive studies on the few known hybrids that have been able to use demon magic and such."

"Really?" Gwendal said with a raised eyebrow. "And what else?"

Marko straightened up to his full height. "My main interest and specialty is in hybrid physical and mental development. " He spoke in a reedy growl of a voice. "I've done some study in hybrid disease, but that is where my focus lies."

"Can you figure out what's wrong with the king?" Conrad asked, leaning forward intensively.

Marko nodded. "I can try." He moved to stand beside Wolfram who remained seated at Yuuri's side. "Excuse me, your Excellency, but may I examine him?"

For a minute, it looked as if Wolfram wouldn't move from his spot. His grip tightened around Yuuri's hand for an instant before letting go reluctantly. He let his fingers trail across Yuuri's chin and push away a wayward lock of sweaty black hair before switching places with the scarecrow-like doctor, his eyes warily scrutinizing his every move.

Marko kept an indulgent smile as he patiently waited for Wolfram to move. He glided into the still warm stool by the king's side and pushed up his sleeves half way up his emaciated arms revealing sickly blue-veined white skin.

"Your Majesty." He nodded curtly towards Yuuri's body. Yuuri had, as he usually did, remained on the edge of consciousness caught between sleep and awareness of his surroundings. He cracked open one eye cautiously as the doctor gently pushed him onto his back, clearly not worried if he was breaching protocol or not. His only focus was to solve the mystery of Yuuri's waning health.

"Hand me my bag." He gestured towards a small black case that lay next to Gisela's feet.

Gisela quickly grabbed the bag and handed to Marko. Everyone watched in rapt attention as Marko retrieved various instruments and odd looking contraptions and tried them all on Yuuri, too weak to protest or say anything really, with cold efficient precision.

Marko poked, prodded, measured, pressed and squeezed at their king with a level of intrusiveness none of them had seen ever, to the point where they all secretly wanted to tell the creepy old man to back off a bit, but they were too scared and desperate to find out what was happening to their ruler, so much so that personal space violations were the least of their worries.

After what seemed like forever, Marko hovered his bony hands over Yuuri's head and stomach and a glow, yellow not green, emanated from his hands. He sat there completely still, delving none too gently into the natural flow of Yuuri's magic, pushing and shoving any resistance aside with disregard for whatever discomfort he was causing the king, even though Yuuri's body was beginning to visibly twitch and jerk away from the bright yellow glow. Those hands merely followed Yuuri's movement never leaving their position above his stricken form.

Yuuri shrieked so suddenly that it nearly sent Conrad, Gisela, Gwendal and Wolfram through the ceiling. Four pairs of eyes were as big as dinner plates as the king's back arched off the bed as he continued to howl. The only one who did not flinch was Marko, who continued to push the yellow magic through Yuuri's body, blithely ignoring his out burst.

Wolfram was the first to react. "What are you doing?" Wolfram yelled, rushing over to yank Yuuri away from Marko. "You're killing him, you idiot!"

The yellow light finally faded away and Marko sat back smugly in his seat, completely disregarding the commotion of Wolfram pulling Yuuri into his arms, staring daggers at him as Conrad and Gwendal glared with swords half drawn.

"What do you think you are doing?" Conrad demanded. "Speak!" he ordered when Marko merely sat forward languidly in his chair, not at all phased by the dark looks he was receiving.

"There is nothing wrong with his Majesty." Marko stated calmly. The other occupants balked.

"That's complete bullshit and you know it!" Wolfram hissed, clinging even tighter to Yuuri.

"Calm down your Excellency." Marko sniffed. "I speak the truth, there's nothing wrong with him, but there is something going on inside him."

"Are you going to tell us or not?" Wolfram barked.

Marko blinked slowly at Wolfram as if he were an annoying insect perched across from him and not the king's fiancé and one of the most dangerous fire wielders in Shin Makoku.

"How can I explain this in ways that you could understand?" Wolfram didn't miss the condescending emphasis on "you" but before he could respond, Marko continued.

"I'm not completely sure of his condition. But I have a solid feeling that what his Majesty is experiencing is what we healers have come to call a change. A transition really. That is to say his Majesty is becoming a perfect hybrid of his two heritages."

Gisela scrunched her features in confusion for a second and then suddenly she remembered from one of Marko's past lectures in medical school. "You don't mean that change?" Gisela asked, eyes bright with concern. "Is that even real?"

"Well, my research has suggested it is more real than not, only very rare."

"What change? What's rare?" Wolfram looked back and forth between the two healers. "Tell us!"

Marko peered at the three brothers. "What I'm trying to say is, King Yuuri, as one of only a few half-human, half-demon offspring who can use magic, is changing into another being. A perfect fusion of his two bloods. They are merging and his body is having trouble keeping up with the transition. That's what is causing his pain. His body is trying to reject the change, but it can't so he feels pain." He explained.

"So…he's becoming a full demon?" Conrad asked.

"No, he will be neither human nor demon" Marko's eyes sparkled, he had never come across a case so advanced as this! "Something else entirely. He will be what scholars have named a Verschmelzung. A complete and total fusion of human and demon blood so perfect, some scholars believe they should be considered an entirely separate species!" Marko grinned like a kid in a free candy store.

"What's a Verschmelzung?" Wolfram asked, staring down at Yuuri's face and trying to imagine him as another species.

A Verschmelzung is a half breed, who due to their unique ability to use magic has gone through what is known as the change. A phase that happens between the eighteenth and twentieth years of age." Marko stated. "It is extremely rare, because most half-breeds can't use magic, but for those who can…" He looked pointedly at Yuuri, who shifted in Wolfram's arms. "The stronger their magic ability, the more likely it is they will go through the change."

"What happens after the change?" This time Gwendal spoke.

"He will be able to control his magic with unbelievable skill and strength. He will be impervious to esoteric stones and in some cases, I have heard of Verschmelzungs using human and demon magic simultaneously." Marko then became somber. "Granted, if he survives the change at all."

* * * * * * * * * * * * THYS * * * * * * * * * * * *

Egad! World's longest chapter or what? I did not think I could write something that long!

Now that we have the set up for the story taken care of, the plot will move much faster, thank god.

Vershmelzung, according to the English to German website I googled, means "fusion" in German. Please do not razz me on accuracy. I don't know a lick of German and I know there are mistakes somewhere.

Are you all enjoying this story? Please let me know. I apologize for not updating my other fictions as often as I should, but college always comes first!

A question for you all; what direction do you think I should take Wolfram and Yuuri's relationship? I was thinking of Yuuri's 'illness' as we will call it… for now… sort of driving a wedge between them because as Yuuri's health and mental state decline, Wolfram withdraws into himself, also add the introduction of a male OC from Wolfram's fire wielders and we got ourselves some DRAMA! Tell me what you guys think and review!

Let me know what you guys think. I look forward to hearing from you! -EB