Yuri awoke with his single, left eye gazing ahead at the ceiling. He rubbed at the bandage over his right eye only to be chastised for it.

"Yuri-heika, you really shouldn't rub it."

In a groggy voice he mentioned, "Well one of us should have to… besides its Yuri. I don't have heika in my name."

Conrad smirked. He meandered to the bed suavely, allowing one hand to trail up Yuri's right arm then neck, then cheek. Stopping at the edge of the bandage he leaned his face closer, "But of course, Yuri."

Yuri's breath hitched as Conrad's breath wisped across his cheek, Conrad tongued that border-line before letting it taste a line toward Yuri's ear. He bit the portion of his earlobe not covered by the bandage, then whispered, "Your breakfast is getting cold. You should eat it now, Yuri."

Yuri's face turned red as Conrad pulled back, back to his normal sweet demeanor. His mouth gaped, as he tried to comprehend or formulate a response.

"Shall I help you then?" Conrad mentioned, bemused at the youth's reaction.

And that had been day three.

-)(--)(-

He laid back against the bed, greatly frustrated. He was going stir-crazy.

How was a normal, healthy teenage boy supposed to stay still for so long? And though Conrad was being helpful, tending to him in romantic ways, he was pretty sure that was making it a little worse. No, not Conrad being around, and definitely not that he was being romantic. Gods no, he loved that.

It shocked him to realize he had become so in love with Conrad that merely seeing him was no longer enough, though. He wanted, no he had to touch him. As it were, the real reason he was going as insane as he was had been the realization that he didn't want Conrad to stop.

He felt sympathy for the wolf from red-riding hood, finally getting the sort of thoughts the beast had to have had when staring at little red, waiting to devour her. Yuri was not going to let Conrad stop at kisses again, today. No! If he had to, he'd pin Conrad down. Though, in all truths, he'd rather be the one pinned down.

Conrad per the norm knocked on the door to the chamber before entering. "Good morning Yuri."

Yuri glanced up and down Conrad, his eyes hungry and not for what was under that tray lid. "Good morning, Conrad." His voice was carnal, rumbling with a vibration that made Conrad's eyes quickly scan up to find his.

As those strong, earthy brown eyes caught onto Yuri's black eyes, he was searching, searching for something. He was searching for some reason for that sort of voice, was he groggy, or maybe it wasn't reason but response, Yuri didn't give a damn why he was looking though, he just knew what he wanted and using the powers of a maoh, he would use that authority he learned to carry in his eyes as he cast out a come-hither look that could pull satellites to the ground.

Conrad walked over toward Yuri, touching his head. "Are you feeling alright, Yuri?" Conrad mentioned.

For Yuri's part, he wasn't just stopping with the eyes, he grabbed Conrad's hand in one of his own, drawing it from his forehead to his lips, sucking on two of his fingers, pulling them out and snaking it behind him as he pulled Conrad on top of him with his other hand, kissing him.

Conrad seemed to be enjoying himself, continuing the kiss, deepening it as he let his tongue take over the work Yuri's had so aptly started, now exploring Yuri's mouth. It was a well-charted voyage, but one Conrad always took pleasure in.

His other hand guided around Yuri, he felt Yuri grind into him, trying to get closer, Conrad pulled back. "Your breakfast…"

"Can wait!" Yuri pulled him back down, Conrad cradled Yuri's head, Yuri's eyes spun the room as Conrad pulled him up only to dip him into a sitting position, allowing his own hands a new course to traverse, Yuri now seated side-saddled on his lap.

Yuri suddenly stopped cold. His eyes widened to signal Conrad.

Conrad pulled back, "Yuri?"

The brunette untangled his arms as Yuri did the same, standing up to approach the window in disbelief.

"…Yuri?" The older man approached, "What's wrong?"

"…Kohi…" He mentioned, three kohi approached, prattling their teeth as if trying so desperately to tell Yuri something. Yuri grabbed his robe and started to rush from the room, Conrad quick to follow, grabbing Yuri's wrist.

"Yuri! What's going on?" He mentioned, not allowing Yuri to head out before him.

Yuri stopped, shaking his head which he began to regret instantly, cradling his sore head in one hand. "…Sorry… sorry, the kohi, they need me, I have to go to them."

"I don't think that's advisable under the given circumstances." Gwendel mentioned from down the hallway, he was moving briskly toward the chamber, apparently ready to guard the maoh.

"And why is that!" Yuri offered in protest.

"Because the necromancer is able to control them at his own accord," Gwendel snapped.

Gunter approached from the opposite end of the corridor, holding a set of leather hard-bound books.

"They're looking for audience with their king, how can I just turn them away when they obviously need me!" Yuri started, his voice raised indignantly, only further reminding him how much his head hurt. He clutched the right side of his head, wincing an eye shut.

"By realizing you can't help anyone like that." Gwendel chastised, he eyed his younger brother, waiting for him to come to his senses and talk his lover out of this round of idiocy. After all, Conrad did seem to be the only one who could.

Gwendel was forced to remember that Conrad was also the sort to agree to Yuri's foolish demands, even when he knew better, as Conrad opened his mouth.

"Come on Yuri, we should head to the tower then, so you can address more of them." Gwendel threw his hand in the air.

"Idiocy." He grumbled under his breath, aware that at least Conrad heard him if nothing else. He followed after them, knowing further protest was useless.

"Heika, Heika you shouldn't be out of bed yet! You're still not well…" Gunter mentioned, his books clattered to the ground as he began to swarm around Yuri, waving his arms in protest then giving Conrad stern looks, locking eyes with Gwendel, who agreed with him, then restarting the cycle. "Heika!"

Yuri grabbed at his head, rubbing away at the migraine, "Gunter! I'm right here, so please stop yelling…" He continued to progress further, Conrad taking one arm, using his other hand to support Yuri's shoulder as he guided him in the direction.

"…Yuri…"

"I know, I know but I can't just ignore them Conrad."

Gunter's voice quieted. "Then why not allow us to bring one to council here, instead of sending you into a swarm of…"

"I'm going, now stop this." Yuri sighed, he felt like he was being a jerk, but he really did have to…

Everything started to get dark, he wondered if there were really that many kohi that they would transform into berserkers again. Though it wasn't truly a pleasant surprise, he realized as he started to drop toward the ground that he was the one blacking out, versus the sky's light.

Conrad, true to character, caught Yuri as he fainted. "Yuri!"

-)(--)(-

Yuri woke to the sight of Gisela giving him a stern look, upset that he had over-exerted himself.

Of course, she'd never say such a thing, but she'd think it. Loudly, if her eyes conveyed what Yuri presumed they did.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry. I know, bed rest for seven days. I know. I'm…"

"No you're not." Yuri looked up to see Ken, Murata was perhaps one of the few people who would openly challenge him, though as his friend he at least understood why he could change positions so easily. "Well, unless you're sorry you fainted before getting to speak with them. Then you are."

Yuri grimaced; Ken really was the smartest Mazoku around.

"Shibuya, they feel guilty for what's been happening." Ken shrugged his shoulders, "They don't know, themselves, which of them or when they'll be taken over."

Yuri's eyes saddened. "Gunter, can you set up audience with them, then? If I can't physically make it to them… I need to address them."

Gunter bowed, taking to the task given to him.

Sighing, Yuri turned to face Gisela, another problem to address. "Aha ha, I'm sorry, really! But its been six days already! Shouldn't I be 6/7ths better?"

Gisela approached Yuri, her glowing hand pressed to the side of Yuri's head as she continued to work on healing him. "But you are doing much better, you just aren't finished resting up. Pushing yourself will only make it take longer."

Yuri sighed, resigning himself to bed rest.

"Gisela, I don't think I can handle more bed rest." Yuri whined as she made mentions of extra days, she gave him the full Sergeant treatment, his back straightened and his voice managed to give an affirmative, "Okay! Alright, what's another three days… aha ha, ha…" He sighed, shoulders slumped miserably.

-)(--)(-

Ulrich looked over a scroll inked with larger and smaller overlapping circles, crossed with intersecting lines and squares, magical symbols and beneath it geography of the temple grounds including markers of spiritual energy and elements.

"The preparations are set, Ulrich-sama." One of the shrine-maidens mentioned, bowing to the head priestess.

Three others approached, "The grounds have been cleared."

"And the clothing is ready."

"We've sent word to the castle that we will be ready for them upon arrival."

Ulrich nodded, her concentration evident as she focused upon an orb of energy, as she kept track of it.

Ken approached her, "Wow, you're amazing Ulrich, you've been able to suppress it from leaking in, hmm?"

She nodded. "He is very strong, his focus is remarkable, how anyone can focus that much spiritual energy… I truly would like to meet someone with such a driven psyche."

"Oh, don't say that, you'll make Shinou jealous." Ken teased, causing Ulrich to blush.

"How is Heika doing?" Ulrich asked, shifting back to the point.

Ken sighed, "He isn't 100-percent, actually, he's not even 60-percent but it's not as if we can wait forever. He should be fine on Earth though, and Jose has been contacted, so…"

Ulrich nodded in understanding. "So he should be alright."

Ken nodded. "He'll be fine. They should be arriving soon."

"I do feel bad for putting a strain on him in such a condition." Ulrich mentioned as Wolfram entered, the others still behind a few paces, Conrad helping Yuri from the carriage.

"Don't worry, Shibuya probably needs to do something, he's been cooped up in bed for days. So enviable, ne, Wolfram?"

Wolfram blushed then turned his nose up, mocking a cross expression. "I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Sure, sure, Wolfram, I could go for being lied up in bed for a week though." Ken shirked, wondering if the investment in sports drinks and vitamins would be advisable.

Yuri entered, looking pale as Gunter and Gwendel dismounted their horses. "You should rest, Heika, while Ulrich makes the final arrangements. Gwendel and I will check the supplies."

Yuri nodded once, trying to get focused for his own part in the ritual. Without Shinou doing this all the time, traveling between the worlds became a bit more of a hassle for Yuri.

Conrad rubbed Yuri's shoulders soothingly.

It took about twenty minutes to make the final preparations, but it was twenty minutes absolutely essential for Yuri to get his wind back, his pallor returning after the slight rest. He stood up, the group approaching the magical casting site, donning the necessary apparel to help ease the transition between the worlds.

Yuri took the first position closest to the watery pool. Raising his hands, eyes closed, he made the water glow an ethereal blue matching his pendent in shade. As he concentrated, the water rose into a sheet, babbling downward in a perpetual waterfall, sustained by a conveyance of upward-moving water due to that same glow.

"Alright, I'm ready… Ulrich?" As Ulrich concentrated, behind the wall was a transparent view of the small wading pool liner and the sliding glass door at the side-yard of the Shibuya residency.

Ulrich nodded, "Please proceed everyone."

Ken pushed Gwendel and Gunter through first, Wolfram stepped through with a chance to keep his dignity by not tripping in. Ken honked his ass to make sure that dignity was short-lived. Conrad looked at Yuri then walked to the wall, extending his hand to Yuri, Yuri dropped one hand into Conrad's.

The two walked through, the portal-way of water splashed to the fountain with nothing left to hold it up.

Ulrich dropped her own hands. "Now, we must prepare the tracking rituals."

The women nodded, half of the group already neatening the courtyard.

-)(--)(-

Shori gawked at the sudden crowd, from the lawn. His pink-breaded heart-shaped sandwich ignored as he viewed the forming audience. He glared as Jose merely smiled, enjoying his pink bunny-shaped sandwich and his friend's company. Shori's father smiled at the group, holding a tray of the cute sandwich delicatessens of bunny, kitty, heart and flower shapes.

Gwendel took one of the sandwiches, eyes watering at whether he were to eat the adorable thing or treasure it for always in the innate cuteness. Deciding it was better to merely eat it and hide his pleasure at the object, he found it to be a very sweet, tasty dessert sandwich.

"It's my wife's take on mochi." The elder Mazoku mentioned, smiling to the crowd. "Rice-flour bread dough and red-bean paste filling. She's so handy in the kitchen. I love you honey!" He mentioned as she wiped the flour at her ruffled white apron.

"Mou! They're here already!" She came rushing out, "Do any of them have wings this time?"

She got out of the door to view the group, "Oh darn."

"Not this time, either, honey. I'm sorry." He smiled patiently at his cute wife. The group turned to look back at the group as Conrad and Yuri exited.

Yuri collapsed into Conrad's waiting arms, panting.

The tray of pastries dropped to an ever-ready Jose as the Shibuya family noticed Yuri.

Jose moved the tray to the patio table.

"Yuri, I'm bringing you inside." Conrad mentioned before lifting Yuri into both of his arms.

The black-haired boy merely nodded once, skin clammy with sweat as well as water.

"Explain what's going on, now, friend of my little brother!" Shori bit, Ken raised his hands.

"I told you to have Jose here, didn't I? It isn't as bad as it seems. Well, kind of."

"Kind of?! Yuu-chan, are you alright Yuu-chan! Speak to your big brother!" he clutched Yuri's hands as if he were about to fall from the world of the living if he let go.

Yuri pulled his hand from Shori's, curling toward Conrad. "Could you put me down?"

Conrad nodded, lowering Yuri's legs, waiting for him to get his balance before his arm left that side. His other arm still wrapped around Yuri's shoulders, guiding his body toward the couch.

Yuri's hand moved to his head to rub at the sore side, his other hand still clutching the fabric covering Conrad's chest, "I'm fine Shori, so please don't yell. I'm going to lie down for a few minutes."

Jose smiled, "May I?" He asked Conrad, who consented with a slight bow to his head, Jose flanked Yuri's other side, assisting the black-haired young maoh indoors.

Upon getting him to the couch, he took out his medical bag, including his flashlight to check Yuri's eyes.

After what seemed like too long to Yuri, he swatted at the flashlight as it flooded into his right pupil, making the pounding in his head all the more painful.

"I'd like to take him in to the hospital to run some tests." He mentioned.

"My little Yuu-chan! What happened, you can tell mama!" And with that, Jennifer Miko was beside Yuri, stroking his cheek the way any mother would to sooth their fretted child.

Conrad cleared his throat, "He was…"

Yuri pinched his arm, "Mom, I'm fine, really. I was kicked in the head by a horse, but they made sure to take care of me before I could come back." He smiled, "We have a few errands to run while we're here, so I don't want to be a bother."

Shori glared, "A horse? You were kicked in the head by a horse and you think you're okay? He could have a skull fracture!"

"That is a distinct possibility, yes." Jose mentioned, Conrad nodded with the thought also in mind.

Yuri gave Shori a dirty look, "Would you please stop raising your voice Shori!"

Shori gaped a little, adding softly. "Call me big-brother." He approached Yuri, touching the right side of his face.

The younger of the two gave him an unimpressed look, glaring at annoyance at the over-protective form in front of him. "We need to go to Kyoto. Jose, did you bring the train tickets?" Yuri asked.

"Ah, yes, but don't you think you should go to the hospital first…"

"No!" Yuri stated with a flat authority.

"Yes!" Shori said with equally as much authority, "You can't do anything in that state."

"I can do more than enough, besides, with the others here, we can handle it. Time moves faster over in Shin Makoku and the longer we wait with whoever this is, the more people could die. I won't allow it!"

Shori slammed his fist, "You're being irrational!"

"No, I'm being responsible!" Yuri bit back, both brothers giving each other heated looks.

Ken smiled, "Shibuya's engaged to Conrad now, Mama."

Both Yuri and Shori's tempered glares chilled fifteen degrees, Shori shot a glance at Conrad, "I thought you were engaged to that one." He pointed at Wolfram as if he were an object.

"He was, but now he's not." Wolfram mentioned as he crossed his arms, superiorly. "I like to think of it as an upgrade."

Yuri mumbled a strained, "Wolfram… that's not the point."

He glanced at his mother, her eyes were shooting hearts, and sparkles, "Really? Really Yuu-chan! That's great! Welcome to the family, Conrad! Oh you chose so wisely, that's my child!" She rushed up to Conrad with new-found rights to poke and prod him, testing his muscles, looking in at his angles as if imagining the wedding, and the grandchildren. "You make your mama proud and have lots of grandbabies with wings for me, ne, Yuu-chan?"

Yuri's eyes shot wide. "Mom! That's impossible…"

She turned her own tempered gaze at him, cheeks puffed up, "Nothing is impossible! Right, honey, we just lucked out with two boys with no wings. That doesn't mean it can't happen, right dear! Tell them, tell them!"

"Aha ha, of course dear!" He smiled at his wife and gave his son an apologetic glance. He knew who cooked the meals therefore he also knew who had to be appeased.

Her smile returned to beaming, "Oh I can't wait. When's the date, Yuu-chan? When should I have the dresses by?"

Yuri's eyes shot wide with terror, "Conrad! Say something!"

"Ah, my mother is already seeing to the arrangements as to what will be worn. Though I'm sure she would love your assistance with the food and decorations." He smiled, also knowing how important it is to have an appeased mother-in-law.

Yuri paled. "You're supposed to be my heroic knight, not throwing me to dragons." He muttered in defeat. "Right, well, we have to go to Kyoto so…"

Shori blinked daftly, perhaps too distracted by the prospect of his kid brother marrying without his permission, to have caught what Yuri said. "I won't allow it! How can I allow my brother to marry someone so much older than him! He didn't even ask for my consent!"

Miko, perhaps ahead of the game with the thoughts of her lovely soon-to-be family in law and adorable Yuu-chan in kimonos already had sprinted to Shori's room, Yuuri's room, her storage area and husband's wardrobe before pouncing upon the six men with an array of fabric, wooden sandals and split-toe socks, even a sword, sheath and belt for Conrad from her Kendo days.

Yuri sweat-dropped as his mother 'helped' him get dressed, insistently putting his hair in pigtails as well as a rather feminine kimono.

This… reminded him of his childhood, he tried not to sigh, at least with all the fuss, no one would insist he went to the hospital just yet.

After finishing Yuri up, Miko bounded to the taller men, Ken and Wolfram themselves already dressed, probably wise to the 'treatment' they'd receive else-ways. Miko tied Gwendel's hair back as she squeed in delight, "You look just like an era-policeman. Oh you're so handsome like this!" Proud of her work in dressing Gwendel in the dark green-blue colored kimono with a dark grey sash matching dark grey socks, she bounced over to Gunter.

Gunter was in a soft lilac-colored kimono with a rich magenta-violet stitching of cranes, round bifocals on his nose and his hair twisted back leaving two long strands of bangs in front and Miko was convinced she made a thorough job making him look the role of a scholar, though he did refuse to wear the tapered hat. She tightened the solid magenta-violet sash around his waist, the white socks mimicked the contrast of his hair.

She pinched his cheek, "You look so smart dressed that way… mou… and you!" Ken gave her the thumbs-up, he and Wolfram in the less embarrassing traditional kimonos with a soft powder-blue and royal blue for Wolfram, and a deep scarlet and black for himself, each of course with matching sash and socks.

She smiled, in sheer delight at Conrad.

After all, this was her soon-to-be son-in-law, of course she had to take the most care of him, short of the care for her Yuri. "You two look like a proper bride and groom like that!" She blushed, hiding her lips with her two hands, fingers pressed together as if she was thanking a god for the inspiration. "See that, Shori, I told you Mama could make you look like a prince with that kimono!"

Shori just shook his head and glared at Conrad, in his clothes, dating his Yuu-chan, taking his role to protect… Conrad smiled at him warmly, squinting his eyes together.

He really didn't give a damn.

Miko handed Conrad the kendo sword and belt to go over his near-black sash, the almost feather-white silk fabric with a very soft grey print of reeds were so close in shade, that in order to even see the print one would have to be inches away. His socks were white, as was the cord that corded the black sheaths to him, over the dark grey sash of course. She accessorized it with a black wrist-band and white strings wrapping it to him.

"Now, they won't let you walk around a fair with a traditional sword, but that is a wooden kendo sword, so they shouldn't mind it. It's made of bamboo so it's really strong too. I used that in competitions. That sword is the feared blade of Jennifer Miko…"

"Honey, their train leaves soon." Her husband cut in.

Conrad glanced at Yuri, he was beautiful in that. His kimono was composed of long flowing sleeves, not tied back like the others, the black-on-darker black print housed lotus blossoms and a waterscape of a bridge with people walking across, looking onto the lotus flowers below. He wore a white sash and black ribbon around it, and white socks, hair tied up in pigtails with two black hair-ties invisible to any man's eyes. His blue pendant the only trace of color to the outfit, and though he looked noble, Conrad had to admit, he looked effeminate. Not like he'd mention that part, he instead whispered to Yuri, "You look beautiful."

"I look like a girl." Yuri sighed, in astonishment. "Jennifer Miko strikes again. Oi, thanks mom! We'll be back in a few days."

With that, they loaded into the car. "Kyoto is a four-hour train ride. When we get there, we should have plenty of time to look around. Really though, it's not like we needed to get dressed like this. She has us ready for a fair."

Ken smiled, "Ulrich has been tracking the signature for us, it actually is on some fair-grounds. This might actually help the foreigners blend in." He smirked.

"By making them look like tourists. Tourists who are very easy pickings to merchants," Yuri mentioned to Ken while eying Gunter and Gwendel, then lastly Wolfram. "Anyways, what's the game-plan? Check into the hotel then go investigate?"

Ken nodded, "We'll break up into three groups. Wolfram and I will search in one direction, Conrad and yourself in the other. Gwendel and Gunter can gather information with Jose, besides, they won't be able to search."

Gwendel held up a tortured device. "That… is not completely true."

Ken blinked, "Oh? Anissina came for a visit? Must have been while we were out, what does it do?"

Wolfram sighed. "I remember that one. It tracks maryoki."

"It has been fully charged and has a charge-life of two days, so it should hold some use to us."

Ken chuckled to himself, "Well, if you want to walk around wearing it… go right on ahead." The thing had a pig-snout. He doubted Gwendel would have a problem with it, though, after all he had strange tastes… and, if Theme Parks could get away with selling that sort of crap, a foreigner walking around wearing it didn't seem too far out of place.

Besides, no one else would be the wiser for just how stupid he looked, no one who'd say anything at least. Shibuya was too nice, and he was too smart.

Shori glared at the shrinking car in the distance, realizing that Yuri had just gotten his way thanks to that annoying friend of his kid brother's. His eyes narrowed. Oh this would not do, not at all.

That, that annoyed him greatly, but how was he supposed to even comprehend his kid brother's engagement, a happy one at that! He turned to spot Jose, probably thinking something similar.

"He got away, didn't he?" Jose mentioned.

Shori nodded then grabbed the keys to Jose's rental. "But not for long, come on, we're going to Kyoto."

-TBC.-