Disclaimer: I do not own Kyo Kara Maoh or its characters, and I am not making a profit from this fanfiction.

KKM - Speaking

KKM - Thoughts

KKM - Flashbacks

KKM - Thoughts in Flashbacks

Chapter 11

Ehric took a deep breath as he walked as casual as possible down the hall towards the infirmary. When Ehric reached the door to the infirmary he looked around himself to make sure there was no one around him to witness him going in. Ehric quickly stepped in and a quick look around revealed that he was alone. Ehric swallowed before taking a step towards the locked potions cabinet. The dangerous potions cabinet. For what would have to be the hundredth time, Ehric reread the note that was deliver to him that morning in hopes that the wording would somehow change. Whoever is the mastermind behind this plot certainly did their homework, Ehric thought. Ehric's shaking hands grabbed his key and slowly he reached towards the lock, but he nearly jumped out of his skin when a voice spoke up from behind him.

"Ehric?"

Ehric forced his face to be his usual welcoming self and casually turned around

to greet Gisela.

"Good morning, Gisela," Ehric almost cringed at how nervous he sounded.

"Am I late? I'm sorry, I thought our training didn't begin for another hour."

"No, you're not late. I got here early because I wanted to look at your texts. You mentioned that I was welcomed to use them for studying. Sorry, should I not have come so early?"

"Oh, no, it's okay. You're definitely welcome to them any time. It's nice seeing a student so eager about their studies," Gisela stated sweetly.

Ehric let out a laugh before answering, "It's my dream to be a medical officer. I guess I'm just really excited." Ehric felt sadness well up inside as he was reminded that that dream will likely not happen. Ehric took another look at the poison vile before turning back towards Gisela.

"Hey, Gisela, what are in the potions in that cabinet," Ehric asked.

Gisela let out a good-natured laugh, "Now, don't go jumping ahead of me, Ehric. You are very talented and I have no doubt you will be at the level to work with those potions, but we are not quite there, yet." Gisela gave Ehric a thoughtful look before continuing, "But I don't see any harm in telling you about them. Those are all of the more dangerous poisons we have come across in the past centuries," Gisela pointed toward a lavender looking poison, "that one in particular is the most deadliest."

Ehric felt a shiver travel down his spine as he looked at the lavender colored poison. That was the poison he was instructed to get from the Red Crow.

"Why is that one so deadly," Ehric asked without looking away from the poison.

"Well, what makes a poison so deadly is the number of people one vile can kill," Gisela answered.

"How many people can that vile kill," Ehric asked softly, dreading the answer.

Gisela looked over with a serious expression, "That vile can kill every living being in this castle."

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Wolfram blinked his tired eyes open and nearly jumped when he realized he was staring into another man's chest. Though Wolfram doubted he would have jumped very far due to the arm keeping him clutched to the warm chest. Memories of last night came flashing back and Wolfram knew whose arms he was in. Wolfram began to gently wiggle his way out from under Yuri's arm, but then the arm tightened and Yuri's tired voice spoke up.

"Where are you going, Wolf?"

Wolfram stopped moving and looked over to see Yuri. Wolfram felt a blush cross his face as he gazed at Yuri's lazy smile. Yuri's smile widened a little more before rolling over to where Wolfram was now pinned under Yuri's body. Wolfram opened his mouth to protest, but he was silenced by Yuri's lips. The kiss deepened between the two and Wolfram could not stop the moan he released. It was so easy to get lost into Yuri's kisses, but Wolfram's thoughts from last night still had not change. This was still a bad idea. Wolfram gently pushed at Yuri's chest to get Yuri to stop and look at him.

"What's wrong," Yuri asked concerned.

"Yuri, we can't do this. This is a bad idea."

"We established that last night," Yuri smiled at Wolfram before leaning back down for another kiss, but Wolfram placed a finger at Yuri's lips.

"Last night was a bad idea as well. I was depressed and feeling lonely. I should not have let it get that far," Wolfram admitted.

A soft chuckle left Yuri's lips before he placed a small peck on the tip of Wolfram's finger.

"Wolf, I was there last night too. I'm at fault here too," Yuri gave Wolfram a teasing smirk before continuing, "It takes two to tango after all."

Yuri smiled when that brought out a laugh from Wolfram, but frown in concern when thought occurred him.

"Did you not enjoy it? Did I hurt you?"

"Oh, Yuri, no. Last night was amazing. You are amazing. Which is why last night was such a bad idea. You are no good for my heart, Yuri Shibuya," Wolfram tapped the tip Yuri's nose affectionately.

The thought that Wolfram was no good for his heart either crossed Yuri's mind, but he stubbornly shoved it aside. Yuri instead rested his forehead against Wolfram's as he gazed down at his friend's beautiful eyes.

"I'm so sorry," Yuri stated softly, "I know I've made things...weird...between us. I've been so confused, and I in turn made you confused as well. I've made a mess of things, huh?"

Wolfram's hand came up and his fingers ran through Yuri's hair before coming back down to cup Yuri's cheek. Wolfram smiled at Yuri as the dark hair male leaned into his hand.

"I think it's safe to say we both made a mess of things," Wolfram answered softly before a teasing smile cross his face as he said, "I'd say we are quite good at it actually."

Yuri let out a laugh before he leaned down to kiss at a hickey he had left at the crook of Wolfram's neck. He tried to ignore how much he loved the sight of mark on Wolfram. He almost hoped that Wolfram would leave it out in the open for all to see, but he quickly shoved it aside. That would not be fair to Wolfram, but he could not deny how hot the sight made him. Yuri gave the hickey another kiss before he kissed his way up to Wolfram's ear. Yuri sucked on a spot just below Wolfram's ear and loved how it made the fire demon gasp and arch his body into Yuri's.

"One more time," Yuri whispered into Wolfram's ear and gave the lobe a gentle nip. "One more time," Yuri repeated, "and I promised everything will go back to normal."

Wolfram almost laughed at those words. After all the years the two had known each other, they still have not establish a "normal" between the two of them. Wolfram thought about refusing because he knew that it would not be enough. It would never be enough. He would only crave more, but then Yuri gently sucked the lobe of his ear into his mouth and he could not stop the breathless, "Yes," that left his mouth.

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Later that morning Wolfram ran into Murata as he was making his way to the library.

"Well hello, stranger," Murata stated happily when he spotted Wolfram, "haven't seen you in a minute."

"I know, but I promise you'll be seeing me more now," Wolfram stated before happily stepping into his friends arms.

Wolfram let out a sigh as he felt his friend's arms wrap around him. Murata always had a comforting effect on him. He did not have the effect on him that Yuri did, but Murata's comforting presence was still welcomed and very much needed.

"I heard about Alder. I'm sorry things did not work out," Murata muttered when Wolfram buried his head into the crook of Murata's neck. Wolfram did not bother asking Murata how he found out so soon. Wolfram was not ignorant to the fact that he had ears all over the castle.

"Thanks but it was inevitable," Wolfram stated as he took a step back.

"Hmm...well I can still go put the fear of Shino in him," Murata offered teasingly.

Wolfram let out a laugh, but shook his head.

"No, that's not needed."

"Oh, alright. If you insist," Murata pouted.

Wolfram shook his head in humor before linking his arm with Murata's and resting his head on the other's shoulder. The two made their way back to the library and got caught up in each other's lives and the castle gossip. When the two arrived to the library, it was empty.

"Where is everyone," Wolfram asked as he looked around in confusion.

"Yuri's private office is finally finished. I imagine they are in their getting settled in," Murata answered.

Wolfram nodded but looked over to see that was still some mail on his brother's desk. He walked over and saw that he had a letter. Wolfram opened and read the letter and could not stop the sarcastic laugh that left him.

"He certainly doesn't waste time," Wolfram muttered.

"Who? What does the letter say," Murata asked.

"It's from Thor Bernhart. He's requesting to escort me to the ball."

"How could he have known you would be available?"

"I guess he also has ears within the castle walls," Wolfram answered.

"Hmm," was Murata's only response but he had a thoughtful frown.

"What are you going to tell him," Murata asked.

"No. I have no interest in being his play thing," Wolfram answered.

"Good," Murata answered and started to head towards the library's doors.

"Where are you going," Wolfram asked.

"To find Yuri to discuss some things with him. Why don't you join Yuri and I for lunch later?"

"Yeah, I'll do that. That would be nice," Wolfram stated with a sincere smile.

Murata gave a friendly wave before disappearing down the hall.

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Yuri looked up when the door to his new private office opened and gave a happy smile to Murata.

"Hey, Murata. What's up?"

"Just thought I would check out your new office," Murata answered.

Yuri watched as Murata plopped down in one of the chairs in front of the desk. Yuri arched an eyebrow when he observed the odd smirk on Murata's desk.

"Okay, what is it?"

"What is what," Murata asked, trying to look innocent. Yuri wasn't fooled.

"I can tell that there is something amusing you want to share, so go ahead and spill," Yuri answered.

"I'm just imagining Thor's face when Wolfram turns him down," Murata stated with a smug smirk.

Yuri froze at Murata's words. Wolfram was turning Thor down for something, and knowing that slimy bastard Thor, it was probably inappropriate. Yuri felt anger well up in him, but he pushed it down. He was just concern for Wolfram. Thor Bernhart had a reputation after all. Yuri was most definitely not jealous. He promised Wolfram that things would go back to normal between the two of them and he planned on keeping that promise.

"What is Wolfram turning him down for?"

"An offer to escort him to the ball. Apparently he found out about Wolfram's and Alder's break up."

"That literally just happened last night. It's still morning, how could he possibly have found out?"

Murata gave a shrugged, but judging by his frown, Yuri knew he planned on finding out. Yuri almost laughed. Murata was a little territorial when it came to the castle and who had ears in it. Yuri let himself relax. If Wolfram was turning Bernhart down, than there was nothing for Yuri to worry about for now.

"I had a interesting meeting with Yozak yesterday," Murata stated suddenly.

"Interesting how," Yuri asked.

"He has heard some troubling rumors," Murata stated with a serious look. This isn't good, Yuri thought.

"What did he hear?"

"Apparently there is a plot to overthrow you as king."

"Overthrow me how?"

"By killing and stealing your throne," Murata answered with a frown before continuing, "Yozak hasn't found out who, but he will. He's currently trying to find out more information so we will be prepared."

Yuri was quiet as he processed this information. Someone within his own kingdom was planning to betray him. Finally Yuri answered, "That is troubling."

"Yuri, I'm going to need you to be on your guard and keep an eye out for anything strange. If you notice anything that concerns you, you need to tell me," Murata stated.

"I will," Yuri promised.

"I'm also going to need you to keep this to yourself. No one outside of me, you, and Yozak should know about this."

"Why," Yuri asked, frowning in confusion.

"Because whoever this traitor is, they don't know that we know. That gives us an advantage to find how exactly how big this is, and their plan. If they find out that we know, it may trigger them to act before we are ready. The less people who know about this, the more convincing we will be in appearing to be unaware of this plan."

"Okay, but what about Wolf and the others? We can trust them, so shouldn't they know?"

"We will tell them once we have a little more information, but until then we will keep this between us."

Yuri frowned when he saw how worried Murata was. If Murata was worried, than too much really was unknown. Yuri hoped that they found out about this plot in time. Yuri gave Murata an assuring nod before stating, "Don't worry, I promise to keep this to myself." Murata looked relieved for just second before his eyes once again turn serious. "Yuri, please be extremely cautious with everything you do. Someone out there wants your throne, and they are willing to kill you to get it."

And that's Ch. 11! I know, another cliff hanger! I am so so so sorry about the long wait for this chapter and for the A New Light chapter. I have had to deal with a lot these past few months and have not had the time. Thank you everyone for hanging in there for me and love love love all the reviews y'all give me! This story is almost over, plus or minus a few chapters! Anywho, I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! I'm going to get started on Ch. 6 of A New Light, and I promise y'all will have that soon! Again, I am SO SORRY! Please forgive me? *gives puppy dog eyes*