Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Kyo Kara Maoh. This is purely fan-made.

Note: Here's another Chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter 10

"You've really done it this time." Sara scowled openly at Levant, "Now you've put Lorelei in grave danger."

"Shut up." Levant snapped, "Lets just find her before nightfall."

Without another word to one another, they rode until the darkness forced them to stop. There was no moonlight tonight so everything was cast in an inky black. It would be impossible to spot Lorelei without some source of light.

Thus, Levant, Sara, and Berias stopped briefly to light some torches; which they knew would give away their position right away if there happened to be enemies in the forest. And they had little doubt that there was...

As they continued to search, calling Lorelei's name late into the night, Sara considered his next moves carefully.

For one, he didn't want to completely alienate Lorelei from Levant. Because he still wanted her to be safe and secure for his plans. But on the other hand, Sara wanted Lorelei to come to him for advise and comfort. To count on him more then she counted on Levant.

In that regard, things were going well. Lorelei seemed to trust Sara and wasn't as guarded with him. She was very trusting. Despite the fact that Lorelei was still being very cautious while Levant on the other hand was being overprotective and truly suspected Sara's true motives.

Therefore, once they found Lorelei, Sara wanted to help repair the strained relationship between herself and Levant. Which first meant, he had to gain Levant's complete trust first.

Either willingly, or suggestively...

Lorelei found herself wandering the ruins of a castle by the sea. Which was now overrun by wild ivy that coiled around the stones. As she passed the broken walls, her hands brushed across the dew covered leaves as she glided forward. Her soft steps as light as the wind.

The castle was surrounded by forest; however, the salty perfume of the sea clung to the air from the sea to the east and a thin swirling mist obscured the lush grass beneath Lorelei's bare feet.

The air was filled with the spirits voices singing as Lorelei danced amongst the ancient stones of her old home. Going further in. Drawn by their song...

Then, Lorelei came upon a pair of trees twisted around each other. Together, they created a natural roof with their long branches lovingly hovering above the ruins. While the soft moonlight sifted through the swaying leaves and made small lights dance on Lorelei's pale face.

Lorelei knelt before the pair of trees and wrapped her arms around them as much as she could, singing the song that woman had sung to her like an ancient prayer. As the words passed her tongue, the world around her took an eerie green glow, casting small firefly like lights floating in the air. Then finally, as she hit the final notes, the trees unwound and parted for Lorelei.

Afterwords, she stepped inside and gasped.

There were murals carved into all of the walls and even the floor. Telling a story long forgotten by Man, but still remembered in legend and ancient song. Lorelei traced the images delicately with her forefinger and stared, trying to recall what these images meant.

There were trees that towered high enough to brush the clouds and the spirits of this world once wandered freely; not bound to the spiritual plane. The words etched into the tracery of the murals were written in a very old language. The same language that the woman sang in which was now engraved upon Lorelei's heart. Something that not even time could take from her...

As she wandered, Lorelei came upon a mural depicting a woman. With long hair that split and twisted like roots knotted around each other. Adorned with butterflies and flowers woven into her hair. And in her hands, lay a sword resting on her palms. Where water sifted through her fingers in small waterfalls.

Lorelei wanted to read the words etched around the mural with the woman but then something interrupted her thoughts.

Without warning, the roots along the walls suddenly came to life and wrapped around Lorelei like snakes. Pulling her into the tree itself and smothering her thoughts. Lorelei was so entranced by the forest's magic that she lay limp in their embrace and she slowly shut her eyes as the soft wood enveloped her completely. Making her one with the tree. A part of the forest's consciousness...

In that instant, Lorelei's eyes snapped open as her dream abruptly ended and she lurched forward with a sharp gasp. As if she had been holding her breath the entire time. Then Lorelei darted her eyes around and she was shocked to find that all the flowers were gone! Vanished. As if they had never been there at all...

After that, Lorelei looked up at the sky.

It was nearly pitch black all around Lorelei yet, for some reason, she could see a faint aura around everything. A thin line of pale light outlining everything around her. Every blade of grass, every leaf, every stone, everything.

"Is this...a new power?" Lorelei blinked a few times to try and make the glowing stop but it remained despite her efforts. Then, with a heavy sigh, Lorelei stood up unsteadily and glanced around her again. Wondering which direction to go.

Because after having calmed down, Lorelei realized how stupid it was to take off like that. She had been so blinded by rage and frustration and did so without thinking. Therefore, Lorelei didn't know where to go in order to get back to them. After some deep thought, Lorelei thought it was best to stay where she was because she didn't want to get any more lost then she already was in this darkness. This silence.

For a long moment, Lorelei sat there alone in the darkness hugging her knees. Not seeing any point in wandering aimlessly about and getting herself more lost. While Lorelei sat there, she sang a song to sooth her wary heart. That same song that always calmed her and gave her strength.

Even though Lorelei still wasn't sure what the words meant, she sang:

The earth is my body.

My breath is the wind.

Inside of me, burns a fiery soul.

My blood, torn in tempest, is the sea.

Tossing each time you smile at me.

Mother's tears become the rain,

To wash away the hurt.

Father's arms become my castle,

To guard against misfortune.

I sing in requiem, to bring about repose.

Singing till you fall asleep and close your eyes.

The forest now is singing,

Can't you hear them?

They are calling you by name.

Come home, dear one,

And I will give you rest.

I will shelter you under the shadow of my trees.

Singing in the wind, the earth, the sky.

Stay awhile.

Don't be afraid.

Because I am the wind, the earth, the sky.

And I am watching over you.

Listen to my lullaby.

Let it lull you down to sleep.

I'll protect you, my sweet child.

Beloved daughter of the forest.

Lorelei repeated those words over and over again; not realizing how it made the plants aura's glow brighter and pulse with each note she sang. Her soft voice echoed through the night. Carried on the winds back to the ones she hoped would find her before the beasts did...

It was decided then that they all go pay a visit to Earth. Where they could prove once and for all that Lorelei had indeed lived there in the nineteen forties and that she had lived in London all those year without ever knowing who she truly was. Since her protector had arrived earlier in time...or so they were told.

"Just to be clear," Yuri asked, "We're going to find out about this 'Galileo' guy first right? Since he was supposedly Lorelei's protector that was sent to Earth with her?"

Murata nodded, "That's right. After that, finding out about the man who adopted her should be a piece of cake."

"I see. So, what should we do after we get that information? I think Lorelei would prefer to hear it from us in person." Yuri commented, "Caloria has always worked out in the past. But just to be safe, wouldn't it be easier for me to send us straight there instead of going back to the Demon Kingdom then going there by boat?"

"Are you sure you can handle that Yuri?" Wolfram blinked, "After all, you've never traveled anywhere else on purpose before. Plus, you have all of us with you as well."

Yuri grinned, "Don't worry about it. I'm sure I can handle it. Because unlike the last time, I'm not popping there to Earth and back right away. So I'll be well rested by the time we leave. I'm sure I'll be fine." he winked.

Murata thought about it for a moment before he agreed, "I don't see any problems with it. But to be polite, we should send Lady Flynn a message informing her of our intended visit. And now that we have more control on when we return, we should be able to give her a specific date to look out for us. Since there's no telling exactly WHERE in Caloria we'll show up. For all we know, we might appear right on the borders."

"Then it's settled!" Yuri smiled.

"Hold on Your Highness." Conrad pointed out, "We should also inform Saralegui and Lorelei about our plans as well. So that they'll be there when we arrive in Caloria."

Yuri blinked and chuckled nervously, "Oh yeah. Thanks for reminding me Conrad. I forgot that was the whole point of going there in the first place."

Conrad chuckled, "You're welcome."

When they got to Earth and told his family what had happened and why they were there, Yuri's brother called Bob right away to see if he could find anything. Meanwhile, the rest of them, which consisted of Conrad, Wolfram, Murata, and Gunter; who had BEGGED to come along this time.

Yuri's dad was still at work but they helped his mom fix dinner while they waited for Shori. Who seemed strangely interested in Lorelei after what he heard. Mainly because she had come from Earth's past. Like the rest of them, Shori also wondered why and how she was suddenly brought back to their world now of all times.

And furthermore, Shori wondered, who were these 'enemies' supposed to be?

Somehow they were tied to both her past and the attempted murder of Sara. Of that much they were sure. Though to be honest, Shori didn't much care what happened to that King. Because even though Sara had helped wake Yuri up from that coma, Shori still hadn't forgiven him for betraying Yuri. Being the overprotective brother that he was. And also because it was Sara's actions that put Yuri in it from the very start...

It was about a good forty five minutes before Shori finally came back and told them, "Bob said that he's going to get us all tickets to go to London. He's also arranged for us to talk to a veteran of World War two that knew Lorelei's father. It seems that he was a pilot during that War but Bob is still looking into any information on this 'Galileo' person. Which seems much harder to find then they expected..."

Upon hearing that, of course, Miko Shibuya got really excited, "We're going to London? That's awesome! We'll get to see the clock tower and London bridge, all those great sights! I can't wait to tell your father!" she beamed, "You ARE going to let us tag along right?"

Yuri smiled, "Sure mom. Whatever makes you happy. But are you sure that dad can get off work for that long?"

"Don't worry. We'll figure things out. Oh now what should I pack? Is it cold there? Will we need to bring your belly warmers?" Miko listed off so many things and then it was Shori who finally got her to stop.

"Mom, we're not going there to sight see. This about finding out the truth about that girl. She might be human royalty to the country that is a big enemy of ours. We need to know if we can trust her or not." Shori said flatly.

Miko frowned, "I know. But I can't help myself. Besides, this Lorelei girl sounds like a sweetheart. I doubt she'll end up as Yu-chan's enemy." she winked, "I'm sure of it."

They didn't ask any further and waited patiently for Shoma Shibuya to return home so that they could finalize their plans.

After they had dinner, Shoma then called his boss to ask for time off and luckily was able to get it. Once that was settled, they finished their meal and started to pack.

That's when Shori pulled Conrad aside and asked, "If I remembered correctly, you said that these 'Tyrells' are related to your family line right?"

Conrad nodded, "That's correct."

"Ok, and you have no intention to rule Big Shimaron right? Then you guys still want to see someone better then that Ranjeel guy take the throne..." Shori met his gaze sharply, "So what I'm asking is, do you think that girl is worthy? I mean, just because she was raised on Earth doesn't mean she's going to be a good ruler."

Conrad smiled to himself and closed his eyes, "I think, if you met her, you would feel differently Shori. Lorelei is a good girl plus, it's not her fault she was dragged into this. She didn't choose to return; someone is trying to force her hand by eliminating all who stand in her way. Which is why King Saralegui was targeted. However, Lorelei's heart is still unsure, because she never had a choice in the matter and ever since coming to our world, Lorelei has been all alone in it. Unlike with Yuri, Lorelei was brought here by people only bent on using her as they wish. Her feelings mean nothing to them. All that matters is her status. To use her as a puppet." he looked up sadly, "I have the ability to choose my path and live as I choose. Lorelei doesn't have that luxury. Everyone wants her for one reason or another. So it will be impossible for her to run away from her past now that people have become aware of her. And I doubt that Lorelei wants to be any part of their schemes. However, the only escape she could have had is gone..."

"Right. Because her adoptive father is probably dead along with that professor. History has already taken place and Lorelei can't come home to the same time she left..." Shori realized.

Then he added sadly, "I had no idea. I shouldn't have assumed..."

Conrad put a hand on his shoulder, "It's alright. But that's why this is so important. Because it's better that Lorelei finds this out from us then from the enemy; who would surely use that against her."

When they arrived, there was an old man waiting for them outside of the airport. He was clad in his uniform which was adorned with all his medals of honor and he greeted them kindly. Even though he knew most of them were Japanese; whose country he had fought against during that terrible War.

"Ah, so you're the ones asking about my old friend. He was a fine pilot. In fact, one of the greatest." he took off his hat and smiled, offering his hand to Shoma first, "We might have fought you in that War, but history is past, and today is a gift. So I hold no grudges against the people of Japan."

"Uh, thanks...?" Shoma replied unsurely.

"My name is Laurence Daret. A pleasure to meet you all. Though I must say, I'm not sure why you've contacted me. Is there something you are looking for from me? Maybe some old War stories for a book report? Or maybe, you're distant relatives of his?" Laurence asked.

That's when Conrad stepped forward and said, "Actually, I'm related to his daughter, Lorelei. Have you heard about her from him at all?"

Laurence's eyes brightened, "Is that so? As a matter of fact, Darien did say once that he had an adopted daughter by that name. I had always hoped to meet her after the War was over. But it never happened." before they could ask why, he said, "I'd like you all to come with me to go visit Darien. I'm sure he'd be delighted to meet someone related to his daughter."

"You mean he's here?" Yuri gaped.

"Well not here. He's in the graveyard. Now follow me; it's actually not to far from here." Laurence told them, and they followed.

Wondering if this Darien was live visiting a grave...

Or if THEY were visiting his grave...