Rewriting this...is odd, because I didn't realize the tense I had written it in...so yeah, going to fix it now.

This story will be a Yaoi. It will be Hiead and Zero, Gareas and Ernest, and the couple's people are going to attack me for! Erts and Clay, and then finally Rioroute and Yu Hikura. (Yes very... strange...but I'm a very weird kid.) If you're that dense,

Yaoi means GUY with GUY!

Yuri means GIRL with GIRL!

And

Straight means GUY with GIRL! Or GIRL with GUY!

You have been Warned !

Notes: For thoughts 'man what a long day' zero thought to himself, So you won't be lost.

Is Pov change. Thoughts will be pouted out as ' insert thoughts '

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter, 2: Moon Sphere

'This is it…' Ernest thought to himself looking around the throne room a fake smile on his face. Truly, Ernest wanted to be as far away from here as he could. All the people that were in the room made him feel very uncomfortable and more than uneasy, even if he had been prepared to do this for a while. His father had explained everything to him and what he had to expect, just like he had with so many other things that Ernest had, had to do throughout his life, but this time just wasn't the same. Trying to calm himself down he let out a slow breath and closed his eyes before opening them to take in the familiar settings.

Even though the ceremony was going on, the room looked no different than it usually did, save for all the people gathered in it. The two big windows, one on each side of the throne, showed the now setting sun. The huge wall scroll made of carpet like material behind the throne itself, green in color bearing the symbol of basil on it. The steps against the back wall led back down to stairs that would take you to the main hall, a red carpet covering it's stone like appearance. Ernest usually felt comfortable in this room, especially when he was there having his lessons with minister Noish, but now it was making him feel sick.

Ernest's father, King Albert, was currently in front of his throne giving a speech about responsibility and how happy he was to have gotten the "Moon Sphere" back. His father too was dressed in his normal tan pants, yellow tunic, and green cape. His hair still went to his shoulders and as always was still in a pony tail. Seeing as how old he was though, Ernest found it odd that all his father's hair wasn't graying yet.

Ernest was trying to focus his thoughts in as he heard his father get closer to the end of the speech. In all honesty, knowing what kind of power the moon sphere had, he wanted nothing to do with it, but he was a member of the royal family and as such, a guardian of the sphere. He was still about ready to scream when one of the servants ran down the side of the huge crowd and over to the king.

"M, M'lord! There's been an explosion," The servant said excitedly.

King Albert's eyes widen considerably, his speech forgotten.

"Wh, what! Who did this," The king demanded. The crowd went silent from hearing the usually calm and collected king's out burst. The servant took a few steps back in fear.

Ernest knew that his father like himself was usually quiet and calm. Seeing the king outburst like this meant the end of the world to some people. He took a look around the room taking note of all his family members. He was just about to allow himself some relief when he saw Kizuna in her seat next to his mother. He'd forgotten that when Kizuna was of age she'd be receiving the moon dagger.

'I can't let this happen,' he thought to himself looking away from his sister. 'There has to be some other way!'

"We don't know. The protector of-"

"Yes of course. I'll be in the meeting room shortly."

"Aye!" The servant ran off out of the room.

'I'm scared…father why are you forcing me to do this….?' Ernest shifted a bit uneasily. 'I don't want this to happen…but no one cares. I'm alone…I need someone….anyone…I'm sick of being alone..'

Ernest lowered his head and King Albert put the sphere into his back. At first he wanted to scream, but he suddenly felt his friend Yu walk into the room. He managed to just wince and was glad no one saw it. 'It hurts…why did he have to do it so fast?' He sighed and then tensed when he felt arms wrapping around his body.

"Relax, you aren't alone. I'm here with you."

'Who are you?' Ernest felt himself relax a bit and be it a ghost or someone who shared his gift, he put full trust into them. If they could help him relax, even just a little, that was all he needed.

"You can hear me?"

'Yes….'

"I think I'm leaving."

Ernest's eyes widen in shock, as he didn't want this ghost or whatever it was to go. There had to be some way to keep it there with him, but perhaps the only reason it had appeared in the first place was for support for him to take the sphere into his body. Perhaps it was a spirit within the stone? His father had never mentioned one...

'I don't want to be alone….'

"I'll find you."

The arms around Ernest disappeared and he sighed looking up at the crowed of people who were cheering loudly. He forced a smile, which he had done so many times today. It was so easy and no one ever noticed the act anymore. King Albert put his hand up on Ernest's shoulder and squeezed it gently. Ernest turned around to face his father who was smiling at him.

"You'll be very happy for this, one day," Albert said in a low whisper. Ernest nodded wanting nothing more than to go to his room and to be alone. King His father gave him a small nod and walked away his green cape and pony tail both flowing gently as he walked away.

The crowd cheered ever louder and bowed before Ernest. Ernest who still had a fake smile on his face bowed back and then took a few steps back as the guards came and starting ushering everyone out of the throne room to go outsides for the big feast. When the room was finally empty, Ernest let out a small sigh and sat down on the stairs. He looked up hearing a loud scream and saw Kizuna at the bottom of the stairs running up to him, well trying to. Every few steps she'd trip on her dress and fall flat on her face or on her hands if she was lucky enough to catch herself.

"Ernest!" Ernest smiled and got up walking down the steps quickly. He picked her up and sat her down on his lap gently.

"Are you okay?" He asked. He could barely get himself to look at her knowing that she would be going through this same kind of ceremony later on in life. It just wasn't fair that these objects had returned.

Kizuna nodded throwing her arms around him causing him to wince. One, because his back was still a bit sore from the "Moon Sphere" and the other being that the minute Kizuna touched him all of her thoughts and memories flooded into him. He tried not to read them ,but of course they had a mind of there own most of the time. He tried as hard as he could to block them out and get his own shield up when one thought rang clearly through his mind

"I'm sorry…it's going to be awhile before I can start looking for you….wait for me."

'Alright,' Ernest found himself replying before he could think. He got his force field up and all of Kizuna's thoughts stopping flowing into his mind, a utter relief. He had enough issues with shorting out his own thoughts let alone trying to go through a nine year old's.

"Ernest! Are you okay?" Her voice was filled with worry and sounded near tears. Ernest hugged her tightly. She seemed so fragile anymore with all that had happened to their family.

"Kizuna, I'm okay. Really." She gave him a hard look, nodded and tightened her embrace.

"Mom, Aunt Lisa, and Grandpa Zior want to see you," she said looking up at him. Ernest nodded then getting to his feet and putting Kizuna down. He'd already known this talk was coming. Now that he had the moon sphere in his body it was his job to guard it at all costs, but he was also responsible for finding a bride too.

"Okay. Let's go see them," he said holding hand out to her. She grabbed it happily and the two of them began walking down the rest of the steps.

"I'm glad the Moon sphere didn't change you big brother."

"Yes. So am I," he said smiling at her gently. The truth was however he wasn't sure if that was the case or not. He did feel a bit different now with the sphere inside of him, but there was the chance it was just a state of mind. Only time would tell if the sphere would change him or not.

They walked down the second set of stairs and turned left heading down one of the long halls. It was rather quiet even with the big celebration going on outside. Just as they were about to turn another corner, Ernest slammed into a boy with black hair and gray eyes. He was just a bit shorter than Ernest and was wearing his normal dark green tunic with a dark red design on black cloth in the middle of it his sleeves a mix of the same colors.

His younger sister with brown hair and eyes was kneeling down next to him trying to see if he was okay. She was wearing a rare pink, yellow, and blue flower designed kimono brought over from the village of Rouge, Ernest had paid for it personally.

Yu shook his head a bit trying to clear it of shock from being ran into it seemed, the prince couldn't blame him.

"Sorry!" Ernest said and held his hand out to his personal body guard who took it getting to his feet. Here the poor guy was supposed to be keeping him out of harms way and Ernest was hurting him, himself.

"Thanks," was all he said as he brushed himself off. Ernest couldn't help, but smile at him. He knew Yu wouldn't hold this action against him and yet he wouldn't make a big deal out of being ran into by the prince. Any other guard always had a nervous break down if Ernest accidentally ran into them a rather common occurrence when he had his shields up

"I didn't see you at the ceremony, but I felt your presence. I'm glad that you were there. I have to talk with my mother now though. Would you like to come?" Yu shrugged and his sister Kazuhi walked over to Kizuna. She smiled at Kizuna and the princess smiling back. They talked in whispers the rest of the way behind their brothers.

"So, Yu, have you been well lately? I haven't seen you for awhile now." Yu shrugged again following Ernest. All the prince could do was smile as Yu opened the door to the room. "I see. Training to become stronger." He wished Yu would say more, but he would take anything he could get right now and even better, Yu he could read without actually having to read his mind, their relationship was close enough for them to have a good understanding of each other.

Yu nodded and the four of them walked into the room. The room was one of the family relaxation rooms in the castle. It wasn't what you'd call dark, but it wasn't all that bright either. There were no windows in this room, but was lit with a few oil lamps and torches giving off a dark dreamy look. The red drapes hanging from the ceiling clashed beautifully with the dark blue carpet and forest green furniture. Ernest spent a lot of time in this room as it was rarely filled with his family members.

Ernest's mother, aunt, and grandpa were all sitting down in the stuffed chairs talking. They all looked up at him when the door opened. Yu and his little sister were about to leave when Ernest grabbed Yu's wrist. Yu looked up at him questionably and he smiled.

"We've been friends for sixteen years now. Please, stay." he said. The last thing he wanted was to be left alone with these people, having Yuwith him would give him an advantage he was desperately in need of.

Yu nodded slowly and walked into the room, his younger sister following. Ernest closed the door as soon as they were in the room so they had no chance of running and turned to his family members.

"Wonderful performance! You did extremely well, dear boy," King Zior said loudly standing up and smiling. King Zior was a bit of a plump man and was wearing his long blue robe and tan pants with a dark blue shirt. His graying hair still had it's crown on as always. He stood up and closed the space between him and Ernest and grabbed the prince's shoulder squeezing it hard. "I wish you the best of luck from now on! Pray, do tell! When do you plan to get married?" Ernest started blushing a deep red and His mother Emille was on her feet quickly and walked over to her son hugging him tightly.

"Father, leave my son alone," She said jokingly. Both Queen Emille and Princess Lisa looked beautiful even at these ages. Emille's hair was up as always, her long dress it's trademark reddish pink and white looking like the morning twilight. Lisa's hair was no longer in pig tails like it used to be. Her hair now in one pony tail and braided falling all the way down to her lower back. She was also wearing her trademark dress of yellow and orange evening twilight.

"Aww, come now! The boy must have someone in mind! Who's the lucky girl," Zior asked loudly still smiling and repeatedly patting Ernest hard on the shoulders causing the teen to wince, his knees almost buckling with every pat.

"We, well…I umm…I never really thought about getting married to any girls yet." Which was true. Now boys on the other hand. He'd seen a lot of suitable men he'd love to be with, but the girls just bored him to death, less they were out shopping or eating. King Zior rolled his eyes at Ernest and finally stopped hitting him.

"Ahh, fine! Be that way, keep it to yourself, but you better find yourself a bride before I go into my grave." Everyone laughed save for Yu who rarely ever laughed. Ernest was not to worried about his grandfathers demand fir as old as Zior was, there was little doubt that he'd be dying anytime soon.

"Alright. I will." Ernest knew this would mean his unhappiness however as the prince of this kingdom he really had no choice in the matter. He would no doubt end up in a forced arranged marriage with someone he had nothing in common with. 'I wish I could be with that spirit that held me….if he's alive and real…' Ernest thought to himself smiling.

"Ah-Ha," Zior screamed out smiling causing Ernest to jump.

"Wh, what!" The prince asked quickly, everyone in the room was now staring at the king.

"There is someone you like. Now tell me who it is!" Emille shook her head tsking at her father/

"We just went through this. Stop pestering the boy," The Queen ordered. Zior merely started laughing. Ernest wished his grandfather really would drop the subject it was in a way making him quite depressed knowing he would be forced to live a depressing life the minute his parents found a suitable marriage candidate.

"I'm just messin with him. That's all!" The king said loudly.

"Yes, well mess with someone else or Ernest at some other time." The door clicked open and a boy with brown hair, wearing blue pants, and a white tunic walked in. He looked quite good for a servant and blushed a bit when everyone in the room turned to look at him.

"M…M'lord…umm...your, your uncle wishes to see you." Ernest blinked a few times in shock. Lisa hadn't married yet and the only other uncle Ernest had was Doel. Ernest and his uncle Doel were quite close even though they barely saw each other. For some reason they just understood one another. Perhaps it was the fact they both wanted something they could never have.

Doel had been heart broken when his wife had died at a young age. Devastated by that fact and he had almost dragged Basil down into the ground, going as far as to try and kill Ernest's father, King Albert. Luckily enough though Albert's friends Lavitz and Dart had saved him along with a group of others. Lavitz, his fathers best friend and most loyal knight had died that day.

Every year now King Albert would hold a small ceremony to honor Lavitz. Ernest sometimes wondered if his father may have had a crush on the knight, but knew it could never be so didn't tell anyone. Dart had lived and would no doubt be here today, probably talking to Ernest's farther right now at the meeting since he'd been at the ceremony.

"M'lord?" Ernest snapped out of his thoughts and looked back over to the servant.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to go into a daze."

"Tis alright, M'Lord. Will you be going?" Ernest looked over to the rest of his family. His mother was frowning deeply, but nodding. Emille never liked Doel. She thought he was a mean, cruel, and heartless man. Ernest frowned at those thoughts. Doel had been driven mad, because of how much his emotions affected him, not because he didn't have any.

'If she doesn't understand Uncle Doel and hates him…and I'm a lot like Uncle Doel. I wonder if she'll ever be able to understand me…'

"Yes. I'm coming." Ernest gave a small bow to his family and smiled turning to Yu. "I'll see you at the feast if they succeed in dragging me to it." Yu nodded and Ernest walked out of the room. The moment he closed the door behind himself he quickened his pace causing the servant to have to nearly run to keep up with him.

"M'Lord, do you even know where your uncle is?" the servant asked quickly.

"Yes, he's in the new quarters connecting to the throne room!" Ernest grinned. Just the thought of seeing his uncle right now made him happy, he could talk to his relative and perhaps get some answers about the moon sphere.

"You never cease to amaze me M'lord! You always find out what you want," the servant said laughing Ernest nodded to the servant his smile widening a bit as he made it closer to the stair case and started running up them. The servant started laughing harder. "No one could ever tell you're a noble if for not the way you're dressed M'lord." The comment only made Ernest smile more, as if he really cared if he looked like a royal family member all the time. When he came to the room his uncle was in he nearly felt like flying.

"You don't have to announce me. I'm just going to go right in." The servant nodded and walked off still laughing. Ernest stopped at the door and took a deep breath trying to compose himself. After a few moments he knew that wasn't going to happen. He opened the door to the room still smiling and walked in. Without a second thought he shut the door and walked over to his uncle throwing his arms around him tightly. "UNCLE DOEL!"

Doel smiled his bluish gray eyes sparkling. His was wearing his usual clothes, black, dark purple, red pants with matching shirt along with his black boots. Doel never wore his crown unless forced to or when sitting on his throne and one of the commoners were coming to ask questions of him or another king or queen was visiting him from another country. Ernest thought this was a great way to be, even if his father didn't completely agree with it.

"Been with Yu now, have you?" Doel snickered.

Ernest blushed pulling back so he could get a good look at his Uncle Doel. He was the only one besides Erts, who knew about him not liking girls. He also knew that Ernest had, had a crush on Yu, but Ernest had told him a long time ago that his crush was over. Ernest really wished he could find someone else to possibly date, he would love to have a boyfriend before he was forced to get a wife.

"Uncle Doel," Ernest said teasingly. Doel smiled messing up Ernest's hair.

"What? You found someone new? Who's the unlucky guy?" Doel joked more. Ernest smiled wearily and took a seat beside his uncle.

"Well….I have no idea who he is. Or even if he's real." Doel raised an eyebrow at this, Ernest couldn't blame him, he was questioning his sanity himself.

"What do you mean?"

"Well…." Ernest blushed a bit tried his best to explain everything that had happened during the ceremony and all his fears about the moon sphere and what it might do to him.

Doel was patient and nodded in agreement at the appropriate times to show that he was listening. When Ernest was all done Doel was quiet for a moment no doubt taking it all in. He rubbed his breaded chin for a few moments then smiled.

"Well. T'would seem that you have someone, somewhere that is quite fond of you. Perhaps one day you will meet him...As for the moon sphere, I wouldn't worry about it. Your father never became rabid after getting it."

"Well that's good to know," the prince said smiling. "He said that he'd come and look for me….but I'd have to wait for him." Doel frowned a bit at that.

"I know that sounds good, but how can anyone get to you? You are the prince after all."

Ernest smiled a small smile looking completely calm and at peace. His voice was soft and in an almost dreamlike tone he replied.

"I'll know. When he gets here and starts looking for me, I'll know."

(X)

Zero sighed staring at the bed. After Gareas had passed out while him and the doctor had been talking, he hadn't moved once. Zero would of thought him dead if it hadn't been for his breathing. 'At least Hiead didn't kill him,' Zero thought yawning and stretching his arms out. He really wished Dabus hadn't been killed by Hiead either, but at least one of his friends were still alive. With Dabus gone though he wondered if he was going to have to return to Seles, he didn't think he could run the shop alone...maybe Gareas and him could run both the weapon shop and Dabus'? He moved his arms on top of the back of the chair he was sitting in backwards, folded them and rested his head on them.

'Man Gar come on! It's been over an hour already! WAKE UP!' The doctor seemed to notice Zero's ever growing inpatients and laughed.

"Why don't you go home, Zero? There's nothing you can do right now." The brunette looked up at the doctor sighing.

"Well…I'm from Seles. I don't have any family here save for Gar. I don't want to abandoned him here, while I'm at home sleeping." The doctor smiled giving a small nod to Zero and went back to stirring some herbs. Zero sighed again in boredom. 'I need something to do.

Anything at all-' Zero's thoughts were interrupted by his stomach growling. He'd been in the doctor's office all day and hadn't eaten once. Sighing he stood up and turned to the doctor.

"I'm going to get some food. Want any?" He asked stretching. He hadn't realized how sore his body was from sitting in the chair for so long.

"Could you pick me up some bread and a bottle of milk?" The doctor asked. Zero nodded smiling.

"Sure thing! I'll even get Gar something to eat!" Zero took the money from the doctor and ran out of the doctor's office at top speed, he could hear the doctor laughing behind him.

(X)

'Man, he's finally gone,' Gareas thought sitting up slowly the minute Zero closed the door behind him. The doctor was still laughing when he turned to Gareas.

"Trying to avoid your friend, hmm?" The doctor asked when he got his laughing under control, a smile still on his face.

Gareas started to sigh and it ended up turning into a yawn.

"Only the hundred of questions he'll throw my way," he said rubbing the back of his head. "He's just too hyper for me right now."

The doctor started laughing again at this and handed Gar a herb.

"Eat this before Zero comes back with your food."

"Thanks." Gareas nodded taking the herb and ate it.

"No need for a thank you, this is my job."

A few minutes after Gareas swallowed the herb Zero skipped through the door holding onto two bags of food.

"I got the food," Zero screamed spinning around and putting the food down on the doctor's table. He took out a small bowl of soup, some bread and milk and gave it to the doctor. "You need more than bread, don't worry I paid for it."

"Thank you," The doctor said smiling and took the bowl gratefully. He removed the lid off of the soup and started eating it.

"No problem doctor!" Zero smiled handing Gareas a piece of wrapped up cooked meat and also gave him some bread and milk.

"Thanks," Gareas said looking down at the foot. He wasn't completely sure if he wanted to eat or not, but he did feel a bit hungry at least.

"Glad to see you're awake and you're welcome!" Zero sat down and bit into his own piece of meat and started eating it hungrily. They ate in silence until the doctor and Gareas were done. By that time Gareas had woken up completely and was trying to stretch the soreness out of his body.

(X)

"Zero. I'm going after that guy," Gareas said in seriously. Zero hadn't heard Gar sound so serious in a long time that it caused him to choke on some of the bread he was eating.

"You're going after Hiead!" Even though Zero should of expected this and pretty much had, actually hearing the words come out of Gareas's made him feel uneasy. Hiead had undoubtedly done some awful things, there was no denying that, but even so...

"Who?"

"The guy who attacked you! Hiead!" Gareas's eyes narrowed a bit.

"You know him," Gar demanded. Zero lowered his head instantly frowning. He already knew that despite what Hiead had done that he would do whatever it took to keep him safe. He didn't know why yet, but he wasn't about to let the guy die, he just couldn't.

"N, no…I just….I talked to him after he attacked you…." Zero tried to explain, it was an awful attempt.

"I see…" Gareas was frowning now and an awakened silence started to set in between the two. Zero started to fidget trying to think of some way to break the silence, but he couldn't think of anything that would make things better. Even so, he had to think fast or Hiead might end up in a grave, or worse, Gareas might.

"I'm coming with you!" Zero said a second later. This caused Gar's head to snap up in shock and look at the brunette.

"WHAT!"

"YOU AREN'T LEAVING ME BEHIND," Zero screamed. "I refuse to go home!" Actually, Zero didn't care too much about whether or not he went home or not, he just couldn't stand the thought of his best friend going on some kind of journey alone. 'Besides….I want to believe that Hiead's a good guy. Please don't be the bad guy….' Zero thought firmly glaring at Gareas. Gareas sighed and nodded, which was a good thing, because Zero would have gone whether Gar wanted him to or not.

"Fine."

Zero smiled at this and went back to eating his bread.

Gareas didn't look to happy about what had just happened, but Zero decided not to let it bother him. His friend and him could handle anything, alone Gar might die. Traveling together would be good for the both of them.

TBC

I was a rather hyper child when I wrote these...