Warning : This chapter contains darker theme. Read at your own risk.

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Chapter 14

Shori gritted his teeth in frustration.

The last twelve hours had been particularly unkind for any of them in the Shibuya household. It had gone from bad to worse.

Yuri had been antsy when his lover, Conrad, had not return from work. Their workload had tripled the amount lately, so it wasn't surprising that Conrad might have been stay back longer especially during the time period when he wasn't transforming at sundown. However, if he was running late, Conrad would usually call.

There wasn't any phone call. And Conrad is still not home.

An hour before midnight rolled around, Yuri had a bad feeling. He had called the office and wasn't surprised that it went unanswered. An hour later and still no Conrad, both he, Yuri and Gwendal went out and search for him. They were unsuccessful.

By then, Yuri was in a full blown panic mode and was extremely worried.

Shori himself was beginning to get anxious. While he may be indifferent towards the outworldly male, he never wished him harm. And being stuck as a woman, who knows what could have happen? Many things ran through his mind and by looking at Yuri fearful face, no doubt he thought the same thing.

So he paid a visit to an old time high school friend. Said friend was a brilliant hacker and he had asked him to hack into the camera security all across the city, particularly the routes that lead to home.

They found him. Through the camera, Shori managed to pick up what went down and his suspicion was confirmed. Shori paled drastically at what had happened to his baby brother's lover and cursed up a storm and immediately dialled up his own men.

When Yuri found out that his lover was taken – Hell literally broke loose!

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"Murata, if you tell me to calm down one more time, I'm gonna snap your neck! I want updates – goddamnit! – and I want it pronto!" Yuri snapped out his advisor. His fist clenched tightly with his barely repressed anger. Granted, Murata was only trying to help. But Yuri doesn't need any help. If Murata wanted to help, then he should give his all on getting his Conrad back.

Yuri growled and paced like a caged lion. He was mindless with worry. He had seen the footage that his brother obtained and his world comes crashing down when he saw his Conrad was pulled into an alley that he passed by.

He can't even describe the whirlwind of emotions running amok inside him. Terror got a hold on him steadfastly. Many terrifying things are running through his head. But one thing had been frightening clear as the night wore on. It was no kidnapping.

Dread pooled at the bottom of Yuri's stomach. He wanted to throw things to the wall, flipped the table or breaks the chairs. He wanted to thrash something, anything. His treacherous brain is filling him with all the worst case scenarios, and they were downright unbearable!

But he could not discard that thought. It was a possibility. It was blatantly obvious. His Conrad was currently in his female persona. If it was kidnapping, there should be ransom by now. If it's a mug gone wrong, they would receive the phone call with the devastating news. So, that leaves the worst thing a woman can experience unwillingly.

Yuri suddenly stood up and flipped a chair over in rage. Around him, everyone was staring wide eyed before they dutifully went back to their task, pretending that nothing happened. Yuri paid them no mind.

Yuri breathed in shakily. He looked around and saw Shori talking to someone – possibly his subordinate, and was discussing something as Shori was stressing over the map.

Yuri's eyes lingered on the group of men in black suits.

He didn't how he knew, but Bob had offered his assistance. He had called through video conference since Bob was back in America, and told Yuri that his men stationed in Japan is Yuri's and Shori's to command. Yuri had been thankful and Shori had oddly looked relieved.

They haven't informed the local police. Conrad hadn't been missing for a full twenty four hours yet. Instead, they handle it discreetly and under the table at Yuri's request. Furthermore, Yuri doesn't want the law enforcers to get involved. He will not be satisfied with the justice that Japan served. Instead, he is going to be the one to make the son of a bitch pay!

Whoever that fucker is will be so dead when Yuri was through with him.

Shori came over beside him. "You know, you could refrain from demolishing the furniture. What did that chair ever do to you?"

Yuri scowled at his brother. "I don't need your scolding..."

"Yeah well, your tantrums are not helping anyone. Calm the fuck down!" Shori snapped bristling.

Yuri growled and his hands waved in annoyance. "You know what... fine... Do you have anything to tell me other than to annoy me?" Yuri inquired exasperatedly.

"Found the location where he was abducted," Shori told him matter of factly. Yuri's eyes snapped at him in shock. "I'm heading there now. You coming?"

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"Sir, we found something."

Yuri stiffened from where he leaned. Gwendal and Wolfram stood calmly beside him. Though, looking at Gwendal's scowl and clenched fist, it was no brainer to figure out that the eldest brother was anything but calm. If anything, he looked murderous.

Yuri fidgeted nervously. He wanted to see the evidence for himself but he doesn't want to interfere with the men working. So he had waited patiently by the corner with Gwendal and Wolfram to keep him company.

"When this is over," Gwendal snarl gruffly beside him. Yuri perked up. "When this is over... I'm taking Conrart back home!"

Yuri said nothing. Gwendal himself had been anxious. His frowns are getting more pronounced by the hour. And Yuri really doesn't want to make things worse than they already are. Yuri peered at Gwendal, and jumped when he saw that Gwendal was directing all his anger at him. Yuri froze.

"Whatever reason he came here for has already been done. I don't see why he should tarry here any longer. Obviously he is not safe whenever he's with you."

"That's not true," Yuri blurted out defensively. "Things just happen. You can't blame them on me."

Gwendal snorted mockingly. "Can't I? Ever since your affair started, Conrart has known no peace... and it is all your fault!"

Had Yuri wasn't leaning against the wall, he would have reel back in shock. This was no simple displeasure. There was more behind that statement. He didn't even know that Gwendal was so against their coupling. Gwendal never said anything. "What do you mean?"

Gwendal's eyes bore into his King, firmly. "Your relationship is poison. I will not stand by and allow you to destroy my brother anymore," with that said, Gwendal turn and walk away.

Yuri watched Gwendal leave wide eyed and completely flabbergasted. He was totally speechless and he turns to Wolfram, feeling at loss. His face fell when he saw that Wolfram was not looking at him at all.

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When Conrad regain consciousness, the first thing he felt was feeling terrible. He aches all over and he feels like hurling. Everything was so hazy and he feels heavy and he couldn't move even if he tried. Shinou, help him, he felt heavily drained.

Conrad blinked. He blinked again and he tugged. Feeling something cold and constrictive around his wrist, his eyes widened in alarmed. Conrad looked around, instantly more wide awake and alerted.

When he began to comprehend what was going on, he panicked.

And he had good reasons to be.

First, he doesn't know where he is. It looks like he was in some abandoned warehouse. It was very, very dark and he could barely see anything.

Second, his limps really were bound tightly. Both his hands and his legs are attached against the post.

Third, and here Conrad struggle to free himself, he was stripped naked and was completely exposed. The way he was tied up was so... so indecent that Conrad fears the implication. His eyes widened in aghast. Conrad struggle harder. His wrist was beginning to redden at the harsh movements. His eyes glancing wildly in trepidation.

He moaned painfully when his wrists were beginning to hurt. Tears was gathering on his eyes and they flow down his cheek. Conrad silently whimpered.

He wanted to get out of there.

Suddenly, Conrad heard footsteps coming towards him. He froze. The sound of the door opened and shut, and Conrad strained to look at where the door was located somewhere on his left. It was useless. The place has no lights that it was impossible to even check for a silhouette.

Conrad sensed the presence of his abductor near him. He tried to define the person but he was barely unrecognized. Conrad can only see a black form and that is not helping him with the details.

Conrad jumped against his bind when a hand settled on him and they trailed all over him lewdly. Conrad eyes widened. "What are you doing? Stop!" Conrad gasped in fright. "Who are you? Release me!"

Conrad paled as terror gripped him. Instead of stopping, the hands continued on; touching him none too gently. Conrad shut his eyes. He knew what was happening and he desperately wished that it wasn't so.

He shouted in pain when his legs were forcefully spreader wider, and Conrad resisted furiously. He felt chilled when he heard the sound of buckle unclasping and pants unzipped. He screamed when the hands gripped him painfully and the man bent over him, lapping him everywhere. His despair mounted when he felt the man was about to breach him. "No! No! Stop! Let go!" Conrad screamed loudly as he tried to fight back. All it accomplishes was rougher treatment. Agonizing scream was tore out of him when the man rammed into him. "No! No!"

Conrad's screams of anguish echoed throughout the room. He screams desperately until he can't scream anymore. His torment lasted for a very long time.

"Yuri!"

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Yuri sat in misery, staring dejectedly at nothing in particular, his posture looks tired. Yuri was cold. He felt chilled to the bones. His mind must have been playing tricks on him or the silence was killing him, grating on his nerves. He kept feeling that Conrad was calling for him, calling out his name.

He tilted his head a little and his hands rubbed his face wornfully, wiping away the tears that he had been crying. A whole day has gone by and they are still without any leads of Conrad's whereabout. Everything looks grim and very bleak. Yuri was beginning to lose hope.

Yuri sensed someone took a seat beside him. Then, a hand reached out and intertwined with his. Yuri briefly peeked aside and saw that it was Lady Celi. Lady Celi looked completely worn-out. She was exhausted and it looks as if she spends her time sleepless and crying. Yuri was instantly feeling horrible.

"I'm sorry, Lady Celi," said Yuri, downcast. "I didn't mean to ignore you. This ordeal must have been terrible for you."

Lady Celi briefly smiled bitterly. "It's nothing I haven't felt before."

"It must have given you much grief," said Yuri shamefully.

"As it does you," Lady Celi instantly countered.

Yuri lowered his gaze in sorrow. "I have been terrible, haven't I," he stated. Lady Celi eyed at him inquiringly. "I've been acting despicably," Yuri clarify.

"Despicably?" Lady Celi voiced out startled. "What is there to be despicable about when we all are worried for my son?"

Yuri refrained from commenting. With everything that has been going on, he suddenly felt world weary. Lady Celi's hand nudged his chin and she tilted his face towards her. She gazed at him tenderly. "Your Majesty must have faith. Do not doubt that my Conrart is out there fighting to find his way back to you. He is a formidable man all on his own and he did not became Captain of the Guards simply for being my son," Lady Celi told him steadfastly. Yuri tiredly listened to her wordlessly. Lady Celi continues, "He loves you. And he wants more than anything to be with you. To be by your side. Always," she said kindly.

"Truly?" Yuri inquired. Lady Celi nodded affirmative. "Then how come I feel like there is something kept from me?"

Lady Celi looked confused. But before she can say anything and asked what he meant, the door burst open, and Wolfram frantically ran into Yuri's room.

"Yuri, Shori summoned you," said Wolfram rapidly. "I think they know where he is. They found Conrart."

Yuri was out of the door in a heartbeat.

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Review on your way out.

-Elvina P.