Kouji closed his eyes, and waited for his head to stop spinning. His breath was ragged, but was slowly coming back under control. By Lord Marnet he's strong. Cautiously he checked his magic, and was scared to find that the fight against Takuya's raging flames has taken almost all of it. His breathing finally steadied to a pant, and he felt a gentle touch to his bowed back.

"Are you okay, Kouji? It looked like quite a fight."

Kouji nodded slowly. "He's strong and wild and uncontrolled. Not a good combination." He moved a hand from supporting himself to touch Kouichi's hand. "I just couldn't let the flames escape. Couldn't let him hurt you."

"Or himself," teased Kouichi. "I've seen how you look at him, Kouji. He fascinates you, and for all your harshness, you really do care."

Kouji blushed. "Speak not of it. He just… He's special to me, brother." He watched as Takuya's colour turned an unhealthy white, and he rose to stumble to the privy. "He is suffering. Are you sure this was the best way?"

Kouichi looked pensive. "No," he admitted. "But I have never heard of one who wasn't trained in their magic from a young age. He has grown in strength without the necessary discipline to keep his magic under control."

Kouji stood upright again. "He has grown so powerful that his magic has begun to leak out from inside him. Is that what you are saying?"

Kouichi nodded. "Control will be hard for him, but he must learn it, else…" He shrugged. "He may have started the fire I saw. I cannot say if that can be changed." He moved away from Kouji and fetched the pitcher of water. "I don't think Takuya is in the best state at the moment either."

Kouji snorted. "That's obvious. He wasn't happy about me restraining him."

The both turned from their conversation as Takuya came out of the privy, still looking pale.

Kouichi passed him the water pitcher. "Rinse your mouth, you'll feel better."

Takuya did has he was told, shaking slightly. "How can I let my magic out when that happens when I do?"

Kouichi put an arm around him. "It happened because the magic took over. Kouji and I, we control our magic. It does what we tell it to. You just need to learn that skill." He smiled as Takuya yawned. "You should rest a while. Regain your strength."

Takuya nodded, and allowed himself to be lead to the hay bed, before curling up to rest. "Um…"

The twins exchanged a nervous look. "What is it, Takuya?" asked Kouichi.

"Would… Would Kouji stay? In case my magic goes nuts again?"

Kouji smiled slightly, and settled to sit with his back to the wall. "I'll rest here. That way, if a fire starts, I'll be close enough to stop it." He rested an arm over his knee, and closed his eyes. "Now rest Takuya. You probably used up most of your magic anyway."

Takuya curled into the hay. How can I ever use my magic when it makes me do… that? I really felt that the whole world should burn. It felt right. He shuddered, and then the sounds of the castle faded as sleep came.

********************************

Kouji woke suddenly as Kouichi shook him gently.

"We have company coming, Kouji. A guard just came to tell us."

Kouji stretched slowly. "Why tell us?"

"Because it's someone important?" guessed Kouichi moving past him. Kouji briefly saw Takuya nestled in the hay, at peace, before his brother blocked his view.

"Wake up, Takuya."

Takuya rolled over and muttered "Go 'way, Shinya." Kouichi leaned in close and pinched his ear. Takuya yelped and sat up, clapping a hand to his ear. "Hey! What was that for?"

Kouichi smiled. "'Wake up' wasn't working."

Takuya rubbed his ear, grimacing. "Thanks a lot." He looked up as a group of men dressed in the blue tabards of the men-at-arms of the castle filed in, all carrying weapons, and took up stations around the courtyard. Takuya stood nervously. "Guess it's someone important."

They moved out into the courtyard, and waited for whoever was coming to arrive.

Kouji leaned over and picked some hay out of Takuya's hair. "We want to seem nice, right?"

"How are you feeling?" asked Kouichi, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

Kouji closed his eyes, and after a brief check was pleased to find that he had over half his magic back. He opened his eyes. "Better for resting, thank you. Wouldn't want to go against Takuya again just yet though."

Takuya's head tilted as he heard his name mentioned, but stayed silent. Guess they're talking about how I messed up and nearly hurt them. He shivered slightly.

Kouichi noticed the slight movement. "It's okay, Takuya. We're not mad or anything."

"Tired," added Kouji, "But not mad." He stretched slightly. "You're just pretty strong, so it took a lot of effort to keep your flames back."

"Are you okay?" asked Takuya. "After all, I threw-up afterwards."

"I'm used to it," replied Kouji, his face blank. "I was more worried about you. Guess it was a shock to your body, having all that happen."

Takuya nodded. "At least the fiery stuff inside me doesn't come out unless there's fire nearby. As long as I stay away from fires, I'm safe."

The twins exchanged worried glances, and Kouichi was about to speak, as all the guards snapped to attention.

The group entering the courtyard was a strange one. A tall, strapping man in his early twenties, with blonde hair and blue eyes guided a group of giggling girls into the courtyard. Behind them came a sulky looking youth of about eighteen, with the same piercing blue eyes, but with dark brown hair. Both the boys wore ceremonial swords at their waists, and the entire group wore clothes that spoke of high status. They stopped a short distance away.

"Have no fear," spoke the older youth. "The chains these creatures wear will protect you, as will the soldiers."

The girls giggled a little, nervously. Takuya shifted uncomfortably as he felt many pairs of eyes staring at him.

One of the girls who was dressed finer than the others spoke up. "Oh Raoul, can't you make them do something interesting? I know they're only dumb beasts, but surely they can do a trick or two to amuse us."

Raoul smiled. "Oh, Kally…"

"Actually," interrupted Takuya, "We can speak. Quite well in fact. And you'll get a better response from us if you're polite to us."

The girl Raoul had called Kally backed up, looking shocked. "W-w-what?"

Raoul put a hand to his sword. "That's no way to talk to the princess of the realm, demon. You should treat her with the respect due to her position."

Takuya snorted. "I'll treat her with respect when she does the same to me."

Kouji elbowed him in the ribs. "Behave."

A girl's laugh rang out, and one of the accompanying girls moved round to get a better look. "He does have a point, highness."

The princess looked angry. "It's not your place to say so, Lady Izumi. Your manners just get worse and worse."

The girl she'd called Lady Izumi dipped into a mocking curtsy. "As you wish highness. I was merely taught that one should speak her mind, else there is no point having an opinion." She moved back into line.

Raoul relaxed slightly, and moved his hand away from the hilt of his sword. "So you are elves and a demon. It is entirely at my sufferance that you are here, rather than in a dungeon where you belong. We know from previous… accidents... that elves do not take to imprisonment well, especially within four stone walls."

Kouji flexed his fingers slightly, trying to dispel his anger before speaking. "We are one with nature and the world. Cutting us off from it is like the cutting of a limb. Putting us in some stone prison under the earth would kill us."

"We know that now," replied Raoul. "But we would like to see some of the famous elf magic. Call down birds from the sky, or make the flowers bloom."

Kouichi shook his head. "We do not have powers over creatures or plants, sir." He tugged at the collar around his neck. "In truth, my powers are bound by your mage's magic." He smiled a little. "But even if they weren't, you wouldn't see anything. I am what you would think a seer. And while I might see something in the water, you would not."

Raoul smiled a little. "An honest, if disappointing answer. And as twins, does your brother share this power?"

"I do not."

Raoul waited to see if Kouji would continue. When he did not, he asked "And what magic is it that you have? Are you a healer?"

Kouji looked angry. "No," he replied. "I move things. When I'm not tired." He held a glowing hand out, and the empty water pitcher flew into it. "I can move heavier things if necessary." He put it back on the ground near his foot.

The girls all started muttering and giggling again.

Takuya looked nervous. I hope they don't ask me. I could hurt them.

Raoul smiled at Kouji. "I can see that your powers aren't the only thing that isn't the same about you." He turned to Takuya. "And what about you, demon? Would you show us this impressive fire magic that destroys towns?"

Takuya blushed. "It was one tavern, and it was an accident. And I'd rather not."

The princess snorted. "Come now, one small flame won't cause too much trouble."

Takuya looked at Kouji. "Will you help?"

Kouji nodded. "Just remember, you control it, not the other way around."

Takuya took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. "I need a flame, like a torch or burner."

Raoul turned and nodded to one of the guards, who moved back into the castle, and returned shortly with a lit torch identical in appearance to the one from that morning.

Takuya looked at the flame nervously. "I don't know what will happen, but Kouji will protect you from me if anything bad happens." He moved closer to the flame, and watched it. I don't know how to do this on command. I don't want to loose control again. He closed his eyes and reached forwards slowly, feeling the warmth of the flame. He felt the warmth inside himself start to stir, but he pushed it back down gently. I just want to bend this flame, not create more… although it would be nice… pretty… He shook his head, trying to clear it. That's the magic talking, not me. He opened his eyes to find the flame had bent in order to rub against his hand. It's like a cat or a puppy. It want attention, love. To be free… Takuya stamped down on that thought again. It's fire, and it's dangerous to everyone, even me.

Kouichi stepped forwards slightly. "Takuya?"

"It's fighting me. It wants to burn." He felt the warmth inside surge again, like it wanted to escape, and he pulled his hand back from the flame hurriedly, turning his back to the flame.

Kouichi moved to put an arm around him. "It's okay, Takuya. You won."

The princess snorted. "That's it? A flame that bends a little?"

Kouji glared at her. "He's just learning. You want him to run when he can barely stand, let alone walk. Just leave him be, and be happy that he faced his fears to please you, you ungrateful little whelp."

The princess looked shocked and sputtered a little before drawing herself to her full height and starting to speak. "How dare you address me in that manner? I am Princess Kalinda of Grunweld, daughter of King Elbert, and third in line to the throne. Know your place creature and do not insult your betters!" She turned sharply on her heel, and stalked from the courtyard, head held high. Most of the girls followed her, except for the lady Izumi, who turned to Raoul.

"May I stay a while, your highness? I would like to talk to these folk without your sister's pride causing trouble."

Raoul folded his arms and snorted. "My sister is right, lady Izumi. You do not know your place in court. Those outlanders have addled the brains in your pretty head." He shrugged. "But you may stay. I'll have a guard remain as your bodyguard and protector." He turned and walked out of the courtyard without looking back, the other youth following sulkily behind, having never said a word.