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 17

Wolfram wiped away another bead of sweat from his forehead, keeping his hands on his horse's reins in order to resist temptation to drink from his water canteen. Years of doing border patrol and never knowing when the next time you can safely take a break, has taught him to be discipline with how he hydrated. A quick look to the sky told him they had about an hour left before it is time to switch with Conrad's patrol. It would be a relief to Wolfram's achy muscles and the pounding headache beating away in his head. A quick look behind him confirmed that his soldiers were still all safe and performing their duties. Though he could also see the exhaustion he was feeling on all their faces.

Just one more hour, and we can return to castle for some rest.

But just as that thought pass through his mind, a sudden chill travel up his spine, the type of chill that tells you, you are being watched. Wolfram took a careful glance at their surroundings. There was nothing noticeably concerning. That of course provided no reassurance. They were close to a wooded area just outside of boarder. It was one big hiding spot. Wolfram calmly pulled his horse to a stop, concentrating in keeping his face to appear neutral instead of alarm. As trained, his soldiers came to a stop as well. The hooves of Ferdinand's horse signaled his approach.

"Captain? Is something wrong?" Ferdinand asked with a concerned frown.

"We're being watched," Wolfram answered, careful eyes not leaving the dark, wooded area ahead of them.

Ferdinand's only sign of alarm was the slight stiffening of his shoulders before he too began to carefully scan the wooded area. Still nothing or no one made itself known, but that did not ease Wolfram's concerns in the least.

"What are your orders, Captain?"

Wolfram did not get a chance to get any before a long spear shot from the wooded area, barreling its way towards them. Wolfram only had time to shout a warning to Ferdinand before the spear imbedded itself in the spot Ferdinand horse was only a second ago.

"We're under attack! Prepare to fight," Wolfram called out behind him to his soldiers. The responding sound of swords being unsheathed was his only comfort before he was confronted with the sight of a group of bandits rushed at them, their swords drawn as well. Wolfram's body ran cold when he recognized the bandits to be wearing uniforms from his, Conrad's, and Gwendal's units. These were traitors, supporters of Thor's cause.

"They're traitors to the Kingdom. Protect the King," Wolfram called out before rushing towards the charging bandits. It was one of his former soldiers whose sword met his. Seeing the cold hate in his eyes further broke Wolfram's heart at that he is once again forced to fight someone he was supposed to have been able to trust. Wolfram did not let that soften his sword's cut, and in a second the traitor fallen to the ground from Wolfram's fatal stab into the heart. A quick death. It was more mercy than was deserved. Wolfram only took a second to look upon his former soldier's face for the last time before charging at another traitor. Wolfram did not see the soldier approaching from behind, his sword risen high above their head for a killing blow. Wolfram managed to cut down the traitor in front of him, but then Ehric's scream alerted him.

"Captain! No!"

That was Wolfram's only warning before he felt something wet and hot on the back of his neck. Wolfram whirled around to see that Ehric and jumped in front of him, taking the sword's blow into his shoulder.

"EHRIC," Wolfram called out. One of Wolfram's soldiers gave a scream before charging at the assailant. Part of Wolfram wanted to rejoice of his soldiers trusting Ehric again, but feared it came at a cost. Wolfram caught Ehric's body before it hit the ground.

"Ehric, you damned fool. You can't go doing that," Wolfram exclaimed. Wolfram immediately held his hand to Ehric's shoulder, using his healing training and praying it was enough.

"I'd do it again in a heartbeat, Wolf," Ehric coughed out.

"Shut up," Wolf commanded, but felt some hope when he saw the wound begin to stitch itself closed. Ehric was still pale and his breath a little labored, but he wasn't passing out. A quick glance up showed that his soldiers were quickly neutralizing the assailants. There was so much blood though, and hard to tell whose were those he once trusted or ones who still fought with him. Either way, he found the sight still hurt him. Wolfram looked back down to Ehric and was relieved to see some color was returning to his face. His wound was almost stitched up.

"After I'm done healing you, I'm going to smack you," Wolfram grumbled out.

Ehric gave a weak chuckle and smiled fondly up at Wolfram, "Of course, Captain."

Before he could respond, Wolfram, noticed movement at the wooded area again. Wolfram looked up in time to see a person moving swiftly back into the wooded area. Wolfram glared at the retreating figure.

Like hell any of you traitors are getting away again.

A quick glance towards his men confirmed the threat was neutralized, and any surviving traitors were being arrested. Wolf look back down, and confirmed that Ehric's wound was healed enough to no longer be life threatening. Wolf gently laid Ehric against a nearby boulder. Wolf firmly placed Ehric's hand against the wound.

"Keep your hand there to stop any more bleeding. If you can, try to heal the rest. I'll be right back."

"Wait, where are you going," Ehric asked with a confused frown, face still slightly pale and weak.

"There's a straggler. I'm going after him," shooting back up once he saw that Ehric was in a safe position.

"What? Wolfram, you can't go out there alone. We don't know what's out there…..WOLFRAM," Ehric called out but Wolfram was already on his horse and racing after the retreating figure.

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The retreating figure had gained quite a bit of distance by the time Wolfram's horse met the forest's edge. Without thought, Wolfram shot a fire ball into a giant tree close to the assailant. The tree fell and as planned, blocked the assailant's path. The assailant whirled around with sword drawn, revealing themselves to be Thor. Immediately, an angry growl released itself from Wolfram's throat.

"Thor! Surrender you traitor!," Wolfram jumped off his horse, lifting his sword towards Thor.

"Ah, Bielefeld. I see you are doing well. My sponsor will be thrilled to hear this," Thor replied with a disgusting grin.

"Shut up you piece of filth. You are under arrest for treason. Surrender now," Wolfram demanded.

"Afraid that is not in the plans for today, Bielefeld," Thor responded, infuriating smile still in place. Wolfram wanted to sliced it off with a dull knife.

Wolfram raised his sword out to his side, and allowed his fire to engulfed the sword. An image of Ehric flashed through his mind. Wolfram glared at the demon across form him, "Well that is just too bad because unfortunately for you, I have a promise to keep."

Thor raised an amused eyebrow, "Is that so? Tell me, how is my Ehric? I myself have a promise. Did he tell you about it? Every lovely detail? Of every way I intend to exert my…." Thor was cut off when Wolfram let out a growl and launched himself at the traitor.

"Shut up, you scum," Wolfram yelled.

The next moments were filled with the sounds of crackling fire and the clash of swords. Until an explosive fireball launched itself at Wolfram, knocking him to his feet. Wolfram cried out in pain as clutched his bloody shoulder. Thor walked closer, and Wolfram quickly switched his sword to his other arm, not willing to die without a fight. Wolfram lifted his sword and managed to slice into Thor's thigh, letting out a curse when the other fire demon managed to adjust enough to avoid a major artery. Thor let out a growl and kicked Wolfram's sword from his hand. Wolfram cried out as Thor's boot stomp down on Wolfram's arm, pinning the arm in place.

"I promised your owner that I wouldn't kill his pet, but he never said anything about maiming you," Thor said as he held his sword up over his head, lined directly with Wolfram's already injured shoulder. Wolfram paled, and immediately began to attempt to free his arm.

Thor only continued to smile cruelly down at Wolfram, "And if he decides he no longer wants you… well then all the better for me."

The man lifted his sword even higher, and right as Wolfram observed that telltale tension in the arm, readying it to bring the sword barreling down. The sword never came down though because in the next second an arrow shot out of nowhere and embedded itself into Thor's shoulder. Thor cried out as he stumbled away from Wolfram. Once there was space between them, an earth wall suddenly shot up directly in front of Wolfram, blocking further attacks from Wolfram heard a frustrated growl, and then the sound of retreating boots. Wolfram immediately shot a fireball from at the earth wall. It came crumbling down in time for Wolfram to see Thor jumping back onto his horse and galloping away. Wolfram punched at the ground with his uninjured arm.

"FUCK," Wolfram screamed out in frustration, knowing he was too injured to take off again after the traitor.

Wolfram looked wildly around for his savior, wanting to both thank and then yell at the buffoon for allowing the traitor to get away. He frowned though when there was no one in sight. All his soldiers were too far away. Wolfram struggled to sit up, as gave a slower and more cautious look at his surrounds, realizing he was being watched.

"Captain," Wolfram heard Ehric's voice call out to him. Wolfram turned to see Ehric and Ferdinand racing towards him. A snap of a twig made Wolfram's head whirl back in its direction in time to see some leaves falling from a faraway tree. Whoever was there was long gone.

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An hour later found Wolfram being tended to by Ehric in a private room in Gisela's infirmary. You cut a knife with the tension that was currently in the room. An ever-present angry scowl has not left Ehric's face since he began the process of healing Wolfram's shoulder injury. Wolfram chanced a look at Ehric's own shoulder wound. Wolfram didn't see any obvious signs of his injury still needing care, but Wolfram knew he would feel better having Gisela to look at it. Wolfram chanced a look at Ehric again, and saw the angry scowl remained in place.

"You are angry with me," Wolfram stated out loud.

"Captain…" Ehric started, but Wolfram cut him off.

"Drop the formalities. Speak your mind," Wolfram demanded.

There was a short moment of Ehric's angry scowl deepening before he finally stated, "You said we were a team," his tone accusing.

"We are a team," Wolfram responded calmly.

"And yet you conveniently forget that today. Funny, you yelled at me for making unnecessary risks, and then immediately turn around and do the same thing the second the opportunity arises."

"This was different," Wolfram tried to defend. He immediately knew that was the wrong thing to say judging by Ehric's glare intensifying even more.

"No, it wasn't," Ehric yelled," This is no different from what I did. If whoever it was hadn't intervene when they did, you could be a prisoner or dead right now. This is no different." Ehric yelled again, wanting to make sure he gets his point across.

Wolfram wanted to immediately argue back but stopped himself. Ehric was right. He had been reckless, with no thought of what his own outcome would be. Exactly how he had been livid with Ehric for months ago.

"Your right," Wolfram said with a sigh, "I was a hypocrite today. In my head I saw that another traitor, a traitor who wants to hurt this kingdom and all that I whole dear, was getting away again. And I… I couldn't let that happened." Wolfram glared down at his boots before continuing, "A lot of good that was. The traitor got away anyways." Wolfram gave Ehric a sad look, "And I failed in my promise to you."

"You didn't fail at anything," Ehric said sharply, "We haven't failed at anything. We will catch that bastard together," Ehric stated. And as if he wanted to reinforce his point, he repeated Wolfram's words back to him, "As a team."

Wolfram gave a slight nod, "Deal."

The next few moments passed in a more relaxed silence, Ehric now looking focused rather than angry. Wolfram closed his eyes and tried to let the serenity envelope his senses. Unfortunately, something in the heavens must be against him because right as he was starting to relax, may even lay back and nap; a commotion from outside the room caught his attention.

"Where is he," was demanded in Yuri's angry voice.

Shit. Wolfram gave a longing look at the window next to him. Half wondering if he would be able to get through it in time. The warning glare from Ehric stopped him, so with a resigned sigh, he stayed put.

"In-in that room, your majesty," Gisela had barely got the sentence out before the door to Wolfram's infirmary room banged open, followed by an angry Yuri storming in with Murata in tow.

Wolfram watched and braced himself for Yuri's yelling, but then was given momentary relief. Yuri had noticed Ehric was still healing him, and snapped his mouth shut to prevent disturbing Ehric. Instead, Yuri gave Wolfram a glare before marching forward, and gently grasping his chin. His face was gently turned side to side as Yuri checked for injuries. Wolfram felt Yuri's thumb gently caress a cut that marred his cheek, before glancing down at the rest of Wolfram's body. When no other injuries were found, Yuri stepped back and waited quietly for Ehric to finish his healing. It was a tense and awkward silence while Ehric worked. Ehric tried to avoid looking at either Wolfram or Yuri, Wolfram tried to catch Yuri's eyes in order to attempt to entice a smile in place of that angry frown, and Yuri spent it angrily staring at the wall while avoiding eye contact with Wolfram.

It felt like an eternity before Ehric's healing hands pulled away from Wolfram's shoulder. Wolfram gave a test roll and was relieved when he was not met with any pain or resistance. A gentle hand touched his cheek briefly before pulling away. Wolfram touched his cheek, and confirmed the cut was gone.

"Thank you, Ehric," Wolfram said with a grateful smile.

Ehric started to step out, but Wolfram was surprised to see that Yuri stopped him from doing so. As with Wolfram, Yuri gently grasped Ehric's cheek and turned it side to side, checking for injuries. Yuri eye's assessed further, and Wolfram knew when he spotted Ehric's own shoulder injury that has yet to be fully healed because his handsome face was marred with a frown. A pleasant warmth settled in Wolfram's chest as he witnessed Yuri show care and concern for someone close to Wolfram.

"Ehric, please have Gisela check your shoulder and any other injuries," Wolfram requested.

"But they are healed sufficiently enough…," Ehric started to say with a frown but was interrupted.

"We insist," Yuri stated shortly, but not unkindly, "if only for Wolfram's and mine's peace of mind."

Ehric responded with a bow to Yuri.

"Yes, Your Majesty and Captain."

From the door, Murata spoke up while holding his hand out, "Come Ehric, let's go have those injuries checked out." To Wolfram and Yuri, he stated, "I promise I will make sure he gets a clean bill of health from Gisela before he leaves here."

Wolfram almost laughed at Ehric's almost carefully disguised annoyed look. Wolfram was sure he thought he was being treated like child. Wolfram chose to ignore it and gave Murata a grateful smile.

"Thank you, Murata. I'll catch up with you later, Ehric," he promised.

The second the door shut, was when Yuuri lit into him.

"What the hell were you thinking," Yuri demanded.

"It was an ambush, Yuri. It was outside of my control," Wolfram tried to explain.

"Oh, do not try to make me a fool. I received your lieutenant's report. You ran after one of them by yourself without any back up. So I'm going to ask again. What the hell were you thinking," Yuri bit out.

"My job," Wolfram shot back, now equally angry.

"Excuse me," Yuri stated, eyes narrowing.

"I was thinking that I may go after the cowardly traitor. Since, you know, that is my job," Wolfram snapped back sarcastically.

Yuri's eyes blazed, this time taking a step forward, this time within arms reach of Wolfram's seated form. "Do not get smart with me," Yuri growled out, "It was stupid. It was reckless. You could have been killed."

"I am a soldier, Yuri," Wolfram answered back, "it is my duty to…" but he was cut off again.

"No! You will stop taking stupid risks like that, Wolf! That's an order," Yuri shouted.

"It's an impossible order," Wolfram shouted back, "there will always be risks! It's the life of a soldier."

"THEN YOU WILL NO LONGER BE A SOLDIER," Yuri shouted, the force of it and the words making Wolfram flinched back.

"W-what," Wolfram stated in disbelief.

Yuri marched forward and grasped Wolfram's chin in his hand. The look in his eyes sent a chill down Wolfram's body. This time Yuri did not yell when he stated, "I'm going to remind you that I can take away your military title, your unit, even your sword. You keep this up, and I promise you, the closest thing to action you will ever see is child's play. Am I clear," Yuri growled out. Wolfram felt all color drain from his face and words left him. That look in Yuri's eyes only intensifies with every second passing where Wolfram did not answer, the shock keeping him speechless. Until Wolfram was finally able to identify what emotion was shining in Yuri's eyes now. It was possessiveness. Wolfram jaw tightened and he returned Yuri's stare with a glare of his own. Anger bubbled up inside and Wolfram was unable to stop the words that came out next.

"And then what," Wolfram stated asked softly, a cold and emotionless look in his green eyes. "Will you have me naked and chained to your bed? Like a kept boy? Am I to be your toy until you finally grow bored of me?"

Yuri immediately flinched away from Wolfram, a look of shock marring that handsome face. Wolfram couldn't bring himself to regret the words. Instead, he used the shock to his advantage. Without a word, Wolfram hopped down from the bed and made his way towards the door.

"W-where are you going," Yuri asked. Wolfram refused to turn around; he knew from that voice that if he looked upon Yuri's face his angry resolve would break.

"While I still have what titles I do, I would like to check on my men…. Your Majesty," Wolfram bit out. He didn't wait for a response before he stormed out of the room, again refusing to look back at that face he loved.

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Yuri could only stand there helplessly, as he watched Wolfram storm out of the room. Yuri continued to stand there, completely frozen as Wolfram's words kept racing through his mind. His throat tightened as a feeling of utter shame enveloped him. Yuri swallowed down a lump in his throat, as he tried to control the shakes his body kept wanting to make. He couldn't escape the feeling that he had just made the worst mistake of his life.