Disclaimer: Rights belong to Temari Matsumoto, thanks for the pleasure of using these wonderful characters of Kyo Kara Maoh in my fan fiction

Chapter 9: Escape

"Mother I knew I would find you here, but Yurri! Why are you in the bath with mother, this is unacceptable." It was clear to see the prince couldn't have been more upset.

"Ah . . . Wolfie don't be a prude, this is the royal bath and we're all family!" Cecelia splash a generous about of scented oil on her neck and shoulders.

"Mother, this is unbelievable."

"Ah . . . come here my little Wolfie, I was just about to comfort Yurri. There is much his majesty doesn't understand."

"Mother I will not share my husband to be, with you . . ." Yurri was all in a pout, but he proceeded to join the couple in the bath.

"Husband, Wolfram I told you not to call me that, I haven't had a girlfriend yet."

"And if you take a girl I will kill you," Wolfram lowered his body into the scented water and glared at Yurri.

"That's a little harsh," Yurri frowned at Wolfram.

"Now, now . . . my little love birds, Wolfram take a bath or leave. Yurri is very upset and we need to figure out what is causing him distress. Don't be so selfish, Wolfie."

"The castle is silent and I can't find Günter; I wanted to see if he'd decided on a mate. So next I went to Gwendal's chambers but he's gone and the stables are empty. Where is the royal army and why did I wake up alone in my bed?"

"Ah . . . . You never complained before." Wolfram blushed. "Did you really miss me?"

"Damn it Wolfram, that's not what I meant? What are you hiding from me? I'm tired of everyone trying to protect me?"

"Honestly Yurri, you're such an insensitive brute," Wolfram needed a hug.

"Wolfram if you don't tell me the truth, I swear I will have pink night gowns banded from the kingdom, you can sleep with your damn elite force."

"Mother, this is your fault . . ."

"Oh his majesty is so manly," Cecilie cooed.

"Wolfram I've had enough of the games this royal family plays at my expense. Speak or I promise to carry out my demands that will include depriving you of my bedchamber duties."

Wolfram's stubborn and willful nature prevented him from shredding all the tears bottled up in his heart, but one slipped out and coursed down his cheek. It traveled the length of his bare chest and landed on a bubble in the bath. The tear seemed to float and grabbed Yurri's attention for a moment. He felt as though Wolfram's heart cried out to him.

"Wolfram,"

"His Majesty, don't be so hard on my Wolfie he's been following his brother's orders for years. Remember my little golden haired prince has been a solider all his life, with the greatest respect for his brother." Celica smiled and stroked Yurri's wet hair.

"Mother I can handle my own affairs," Now the emerald eyed prince turned to Yurri with much pride reflected in his face.

"Yurri it's true you're a wimp, but you are my king. Last night Günter was abducted and taken to King Blair's tent. We were unaware it was his plan all along under the ancient laws established by the great one. The party was only a cover up. Gwendal sent out spies to bring Günter home and negotiate his release."

"You mean to start a war; he's always hated that man. But why I don't understand. If Günter has chosen a mate what is the problem. Why is Gwendal opposed to the union?" Yurri confusion was very touching to the mother Maoh.

Wolfram remained silent and looked towards his mother. "Why are you so clueless? Even a child could see that Günter is in love with my brother. Gwendal is the only choice for the witch Günter. And my brother is desperately in love with Günter."

"Witch . . . I thought witches were women." Yurri looked to Cecilie for answers; he didn't need Wolfram nasty comments.

"Ah I don't want to know, but Gwendal is promised to another. He can't have both the princess of Coloria and Lord von Christ. Or can he? That would surely create a crowded bedchamber."

"Well Günter is very special, Yurri, he is a most powerful demon especially doing the season of mating," Wolfram continued to teach his king.

"Mating . . ."

"Mother"

Yurri looked at two sets of perfectly formed emerald eyes staring at the bewildered expression on his face. He didn't want a history of the demon kingdom, but answers as to the behavior of its lords, and the answers to one question.

"Why is violence and war the only way to solve problems between the demon kingdom and the human tribes? I have made up my mind I Yurri Shibuya will stop this unreasonable display of brotherly love and prevent this war from escalating any further. Oh I'm sure Conrad and Yosak are involved and I will not forgive you Wolfram if anything happens to my God father. I refuse to spill any blood in my kingdom!"

"Yurri what will you do . . . you can't even ride a horse properly or command a sword. Why if it weren't for the demon king, you'd be useless."

"Wolfram shut up! I'm going and I don't need your protection. Now if you'll step aside I have a kingdom to save." The young king stood up and proceeded to leave the bath, but Cecelia sigh made him turn around.

"Wolfram screamed and Yurri looked down and covered his groin. He covered his lower body with his hands; it appeared he'd lost his loin cloth in the bath.

"Honestly, you can't even bath with honor . . . I hate you!"

"Now, now my loves . . ." Cecelia moved to the side of the royal bath and perched seductively on the side of the cool marble. The towel hung to her body in gentle flows. "Come my pets. This is not the time to fight. Wolfie your place is always on my right. Remember when I used to comb your silky golden locks after a warm bath together. Now Yurri, my darling you can sit on my left the water is nice and cool and it will warm your feet."

Yurri still blushing and Wolfie still flustered, settled down next to the former Maoh and waited to heed her next command.

"Yurri we should have informed you of my imprudent son's behavior when it comes to Günter. The fact of the matter remains he doesn't' recognize his own behavior. Ah . . . . The powers of love it's so invigorating. Yurri this is not a battle to be fought by the kingdom and large armies. It's not yours to fight, but a battle of the heart and I promise no harm will befall your lords. Perhaps I will explain the story behind the story. . . . ." Cecelia smiled and prepared to give Yurri a lesson on Demon love. . . . .

. . . Meanwhile . . . .

Gunter and Yozak rode out of the encampment, yet before they could round the first few yards to freedom Günter was thrown from his horse, as if he'd been struck by lightening. Clear bolts of lightning surrounded his body and rendered the lord incapable of movement.

A malicious laughter erupted from the bushes and two heavily robed men stepped out from the shadows. Yozak immediately dismounted and stood guard over his fallen friend. With his sword drawn his eyes scanned the two men, King Belar and Adelbert von Grantz...

"Well so much for honor Lord von Christ. You would have broken your vows." Adelbert turned to face the king, "I told you he should have been bound to post."

"You are wrong, I merely wanted to avoid a war," Günter rose from the ground and bounced of the barrier when he stepped forward. "You are a fool; I will stand by my word, but by my own terms."

"Ah . . . you mean the earth demon Gwendal, I have the crystal and your word, and he is but an annoyance."

"Then you truly are a fool to take such stupid risk. Günter is not yours to claim." Yosak spoke with a sharp tongue." Drop this barrier and let us pass."

"I have broken no laws. It's by Lord Christ's own hand that he has agreed to this match." King Balar held a letter written in Günter's hand. Yosak recognized the white linen cloth

embroidered with green and grey threads. It was from Günter's private collection. Yosak looked into Günter's eyes is it true my friend that by your own leave you will remand with this fool. These are not vows you must keep."

"Go, my friend and see that my precious Yurri gets the letter. I will remain out of the protection of Blood Castle; however I demand sanctuary in King Saralegui camp."

"What, this is outrageous," Adelbert complained. 'You can't be trusted, surely he has proven that King Balar."

"To stay here would invite war. King Saralegui is neutral and a trusted friend to both human and demon kingdom. I will wed this man in three days time. That is my vow, Belasis take me home."

The handsome Black Knight appeared from the shadows.

"I protest this intrusion. . . ." Adelbert cried out.

Within second Belasis raised his bow and the human was impaled to the nearest tree. The arrow did not pierce the skin of Adelbert but ripped the handsome pads from his shoulders.

"Don't move for the next arrow will taste blood." Belasis voice so low and sexy caused Günter to sigh. His scent of honey and cloves whistled through the air with the arrow.

"Wow . . . ." Yozak whistled. He found Adelbert dangling from the tree quit impressive. "Now release my lord from this spell, and leave him to his pleasure."

"It will take a spell caster to counter the spell," King Balar lied.

Günter raised his arms to the heavens and chanted a few words; he walked beyond the barrier and waited for King Saralegui to appear as was the plan, before Yozak intervene. King Saralegui, known as Sara held the reins to Günter's beautiful mare, which he place in his hands. Günter kiss the King's robes and mounted his white beauty. Belasis sigh and joined his king. The three never looked back but rode off to a place of peace on the other side of the mountain.

"Get back here!" Adelbert screamed.

Yozak howled with laughter and rode off with the letter and news to Blood Castle, but first he'd have to deal with Gwendal. It appeared the war was cold, but not over.

Wow, don't kill the beta, she's on vacation…..

Thanks and enjoy . . .