DISCLAIMER: I do not own Kyo Kara Maoh....that is all.....

A knock sounded on his office door, drawing yuuri out of daze.

"Come in."

The door opened to reveal an orange-haired warrior with peircing blue eyes. "Yozak."

The man eyed him in concern as he inclined his head. "You wanted to see me?"

Yuuri sighed and nodded. His gaze drifted to the window as he spoke. "There has been some trouble in the human territory. I am sending you to investigate."

Yozak frowned. "What?"

"I didn't studder Yozak." Yuuri's eyes narrowed dangerously."You are half human and you don't posess any powers. They will take more easily to you than anyone are political problems and the country itself is unstable. You will remain there and report back to me directly. You will not return until I send for you. No one else is to know your that clear? Or do you have a problem?"

The man rubbed the back of his neck in frustration but shook his head."No Your Majesty."

Yuuri tilted his head as he watched the man walk out. "Another one down. Gisela is out at the border and Gunter has been called to his home lands for family emergency. I didn't even have to do anything but send a guard or two to watch their backs... Murata is stuck back in Japan...Everyone is out of the picture, except for you. It seems you two are the only ones I can't get rid of."

Eyes glittered in amusement as the two men stepped forward."It does seem that way your Majesty. But perhaps that could work to your advantage..."

Dark, midnight eyes roamed tiredly over the nobility that had gathered within the castle. It had been a long day for the young DemonKing and he was in no mood for the political games that always accompanied these gatherings.

Drooling, flirtateous females were vying for his attentions. More than a fourth of them had made sexual overtures at him within the last two hours. The young men were even worse. There was also the Aristocratic Lords to put up with as well. Always seeking royal favor while plotting and scheming behind his back. He had to swallow the bile that rose in his throat as another young woman blew him a kiss. He was going to be sick.

His attention was pulled back from his wandering thoughts as Arian came to stand beside him.

Yuuri watched the warrior weave his way through the crowd and rubbed his temples, trying to prevent the headache he felt forming there.

"Your not going to send a watchdog?" Arian eyed him in genuine curiosity from where he now stood beside the king.

Yuuri knew exactly what the knight was refering to. Yozak Greer. There was no use pretending otherwise."No. I'm not."

Arian arched an emerald eyebrow but remained quiet. If Yuuri didn't want him to know something, no amount of prying or pleading would get it out of the king. His thoughts were interupted as Yuuri knudged his foot.

Yuuri waited til the knight was looking at him before he spoke. He let his gaze drift back over the crowd and sighed. "Arian? Remind me again...Why am I here?"

The knight chuckled."Because if you don't agree to host these things when the Lords request them they would swamp you with political papers and audiences clear into next year."

Black eyes rolled skyward. "Right. Doesn't make it any more endurable."

Laughter echoed off to his left where several aristocratic youths were gathered. One of them bearing a striking resemblance to the blond Aristocrat he had all but exiled a few weeks ago. Yuuri swallowed around the lump in his throat.

'I'm the one who sent him away. I have to deal with the consequences of that decision.'

Yuuri rested his chin on his palm and thought about all that had happened to lead him where he was now. 'I feel empty...alone...And it's my own damn fault. Wolf....'

"Your Highness. I need to speak with you."

Yuuri let his eyes shift to where the voice had come from. The man speaking was elegantly dressed in green and black and had a scowl on his face that would have frightened the young man a year ago.

"Gwendal. What could you possibly want to talk to me about?"

The Aristocrat's scowl deepened and Yuuri found himself standing and motioning for the man to follow him, despite his unwillingness for the conversation he knew was about to take place.

"Yozak told me you gave him a mission."

"I did."

"You didn't think to ask me?"

"I'm the king. I don't have to ask anybody. I needed him. I sent him. End of story."

"That is not the end of story! Yozak works for me! You can't just send him on assignment without checking with me!" By now, several people had noticed the disturbance and were watching with wide, curious eyes.

"I can. I did." Yuuri remained calm, emotionless. The mask he wore so often nowadays securely in place.

"You half-breed bastard!" Gwendal moved with lightening speed, his fist making perfect contact with Yuuri's jaw. The force of the blow sent Yuuri into the wall behind him. He hit with a loud grunt and touched his jaw carefully. He was pretty sure it was broken.

Black Knights had swarmed around Gwendal and now held him at sword point. It was a blonde that broke the ear-shattering silence. "Your Majesty?"

Yuuri frowned and let the nearest knight help him to his feet."Lock him up. I'll decide what to do with him later."

Gwendal didn't struggle, but allowed himself to be led away, as he ground his teeth in frustration.

The sun had set and it was getting cold. Footsteps on the stone floor alerted the man to the approach of another.

Keys clinked together as a tall cloaked figure opened the cell door. The lack of light did nothing to hide the famaliar face. Gwendal's blood ran cold as the man smiled.

"I believe you and I have something in common. That half-breed doesn't deserve the throne...Perhaps we could help eachother....Come with me?"

Gwendal ignored the knot in his stomach as he stood. "Fine. Shall we then?"

____________TO BE CONTINUED

There You Have It!!!! whatchya think????

pleez R&R!!! flame if you feel you must but I will probly cry!