This story will be a Yaoi.

Yaoi means GUY with GUY!

Yuri means GIRL with GIRL!

And

Straight means GUY with GIRL! Or GIRL with GUY!

You have been Warned ! Now that we're all on the same wavelength here, let's start the story!

1) For thoughts 'insert thoughts'

2) Mind speech will be in italics

Disclaimer: I own not a thing, but when the time comes, I'll own my original characters. But, they aren't here yet.

Ch,4: The Protective Knight

'My knight in shining armor my ass. More like annoying knight of the month,' Ernest thought to himself with a sigh. Gareas would not stop giong on about how he would protect Ernest no matter what the cost. The day had not started off as well as Ernest would hoped it would. The minute Yu had woken Ernest up to eat something quickly and then have them leave Gareas had joined them along with his younger companion Zero. Yu had not warmed up to either of them at all and was horrified when Gareas not only started hitting on Ernest again, but called him Kizuna and a girl. Ernest had to quickly pull him aside and tell him to play along for now. Zero had kept calling Gareas a womanizer all morning and Ernest was beginning to see that was just what Gareas was. Sadly as much as Ernest hated himself for it, he was really enjoying Gareas's company and didn't want the guy to walk off just yet. At times while they were walking to Lohan Ernest even found himself thinking of giving up the throne and staying with Gareas forever. That wouldn't be to far fetched either. Before it'd of been impossible to think. Seeing as how the castle had been destroyed and his father killed however, his wish of being with the man of his dreams just might come true...If he could possibly put up with Gareas for that long a time.

"And that's how I won the worlds strongest contest." Gareas said proudly. Ernest turned back to look at Gareas frowning a bit.

"Umm…Wonderful. I'm sorry I didn't hear a word you said." Gareas stared at the prince and frowned.

"Sorry…I did-" Ernest cut him off.

"It's not you. I'm just deep in thought at the moment."

"Yeah," Zero cut in. "Her village was just destroyed y'know." Gareas nodded and a low growl could be heard from Yu. Yu was not happy at all about Ernest's pretending to be a girl. Nor was he when the fact that Ernest was into guys rather than girls slammed into his face. He was even madder that he'd just found out that morning rather then a long time ago when he could of put that information to better use. Sighing Ernest forced a smile at Gareas and tried to start a nice conversation that wouldn't end with "as beautiful as your face" or Ernest spacing out and ignoring the whole thing all together.

"So Gareas, how long have you known Zero?" Zero looked up at his name being said and Gareas blinked a bit seeming to be caught off guard at being asked about Zero.

"Umm…well….-"

"Two years, but I just moved to his village a few months ago." Zero cut in. Ernest snickered at this realizing that Zero loved cutting people off and getting his say in the matter not caring a thing about what that matter was.

"Yeah, that sounds about right." Gareas said after a few seconds of silence.

"It IS right." Zero said rolling his eyes and looking out at the path his hands behind his head. "Why is this trip taking longer than when we were walking from Lohan to Hoax?"

"Because you're stupider than you were yesterday." Gareas said glaring at him. Truth was, neither of them had really stopped fighting sense they woke up. Another thing Ernest found amusing, but wouldn't let them know it. Not easily anyway.

"Are you to fighting over me?" Ernest asking pretending to giggle. Gareas blushed and zero rolled his eyes again.

"Sorry, but you're way too old for me." Zero said never taking his eyes off the path in front of him. Gareas on the other hand was now blushing badly and had wrapped his arm around Ernest's waist.

"No matter who fights for you, I shall always be your protector!" He said smiling. Ernest forced himself not to burst out laughing or to knee Gareas in the stomach and kept on walking. Yu on the other hand had other plans. Growling he punched Gareas in the face causing the would be knight to have to let go of Ernest and take a couple of steps back. "What the hell was that for?" Gareas demanded from Yu. Yu smirked and kept on walking. Ernest snickered a bit and turned from Yu back to him.

"You'll have to forgive Yu. He's not used to guys following me around." 'Well, that is true,' Ernest thought while mentally laughing. 'Girls maybe, but never any guys.'

"I don't see why not. You're beautiful! Any guy to not think that is nuts!" Ernest blushed a bit at the compliment.

"Thank you." Truth be told, Ernest was enjoying all this attention from Gareas. Sooner or later he knew he'd have to tell Gar that he wasn't a female ,but in fact a male. But, until that time, Ernest could have his own fun. A loud groan snapped Ernest out of his thoughts and he looked up to see Zero staring at a sign.

"How did we manage this?" Zero demanded glaring at Gareas. Gareas just shrugged and sighed.

"I have no idea. I could of swore we were heading towards Lohan!" Ernest frowned. If they weren't near hoax or Lohan, just where were they?

"I can't believe we're in Seles!" Ernest's eyes widen at hearing the name of the village.

(Flash)

"Arthur? Why have we stopped?" Albert asked in concern to the driving. He got no reply though and frowned a bit looking at his wife in the carriage. There seemed to be a bit of commotion going on outside and he wanted to know what it was. "Stay here." He got out of the horse carriage and went to the nearest knight he saw. "What's going on?"

"Get to the side M'lord! We'll save your family!" Smoke started to fill the carriage. Causing his mother to leave. The fire spooking the horses ran into the other carriage slamming into it and caused it to turn over.

Ernest, Erts, and Kizuna all hit the floor of their own carriage, the glass stars they'd been playing with smashing into bits. He frowned and Kizuna latched onto Ernest's arm while Erts's hand darted out and grabbed Ernest's. Ernest squeezed it slightly letting there thoughts mix and tried to convince each other it'd be okay. Ernest however knew he was going to have to exit the carriage and try to help the others.

"What is the meaning of this?" Albert demanded from the men. Emille was standing near Albert near tears, she kept looking at the carriage that had the three children in it.

"You know what we want Albert!" A man from the group screamed out at him. She whispered something into his ear and he frowned shaking his head.

Ernest frowned looking to Erts and noticing that he had begun to shake badly because he was so scared. Ernest turned to look at Kizuna who looked just about as scared as Erts and his frowned deepened. He pulled his hand away from Erts gently.

"I'll be right back, okay?" Ernest told his brother soothingly. Erts nodded fear still clearly written in his eyes. He had them hide under the seats in the carriage then climbed out so he could see what was going on. Ernest looked around trying to get an idea of what was going on, he didn't like the looks of it.

"And if we disagree with that trade?" The man laughed loudly causing Ernest to wince. The man's laugh was loud and hurt his ears.

"We kill all of you." Something in Ernest kept telling him to turn around and finally after a few momen

(flash)

Ernest looked up at Gareas slowly coming out of his flash back. Why did they have to end up here of all places? He'd just lost his home and his father, had no idea where the rest of his family was and now he was at the place where his brother had been taken from him.

"Yes?" He finally asked when he'd managed to get some of his emotions under control. Some of the memories had not been his own, but his father's. In an attempt to understand the situation better Ernest had once taken his father's hand and read those specific memories, but none of them had helped.

Gareas frowned holding his hand down to Ernest.

"Are you okay?" Ernest took note that he was now on the ground and stood up with Gareas's help.

"Yes…thank you..." he said shakily. He hadn't even realized he'd fallen over, at least he wasn't on the wall in Hoax.

Gar nodded and pointed to the village.

"It's getting near dinner time and besides I don't think you're in any shape to travel right now. We might as well stay in Seles for the night." Nodding slowly Ernest followed them into the village.

(X)

"Would you look at that. Outsides are actually coming into the village." Clay said pushing his glasses up with his index finger. "Very interesting." Erts looked over to Clay who was standing on the balcony of the house again watching the people. Erts had been on the bed reading when Clay had started talking.

"Think it has anything to do with…the castle burning down?" Erts asked a bit curiously. Clay thought for a moment then nodded.

"Actually Erts, that might be very well what it's about. Even though the royal family could go to Fletz during this time, Dart may, being friends with the King and all, brought back the royal family for hiding here. It's all very interesting."

(X)

Erts smiled a bit. As much as he'd love to see how Kizuna and Ernest were doing, he knew Dart wouldn't do that. After the attack on the carriage Dart had found Erts wondering around Seles and had recognized him instantly. By that time however Erts had acquired an actually friend, Clay. He hadn't wanted to go to Fletz, which his father had warned him a month prior to that day once they had returned to the castle, if his Aunt Lisa hadn't married he would sent to his mother's home kingdom. There he would be raised to be the ruler of Fletz to take over for Lisa unless an heir was born. Dart had understood Erts wanting to stay with Clay instead of being forced into going to Fletz and had agreed to let him stay in the village without telling his parents. Over time Clay and Erts friendship had grown until they had become lovers. Erts refused to give any of that up. He wanted to stay in Seles with Clay and lives his life out happily instead of hiding from everyone with Ernest like he used to or worse, being separated and forced to live across the ocean with his Grandfather and Aunt.

"Well, I guess we'll find out soon enough," Erts said with a small shrug. Clay nodded not even turning around to look at Erts.

"Yes, I guess we will."

(X)

Ernest was grateful that no body as of yet had recognized him as the prince of Basil. So far he had lucked out completely and was very happy for that fact too. It'd take a lot of explaining to Gareas and Zero both if someone off the street just started screaming out "LOOK THE PRINCE IS HERE!" blowing both his cover of pretending to be a girl and a peasant. They checked in at the Inn so Ernest could rest. Zero wanted to check Seles's out while Gareas wanted nothing more than to stay by Ernest's side and make sure he "got better". Hence, Yu and Zero ended up going to visit all of Zero's old friends sense this was Zero's hometown. Unlucky for them his father was out of town and he couldn't get into his house.

"If you need anything, anything at all, just ask me alright?" Gareas said for about the fiftieth time to Ernest. Ernest nodded.

"Yes, I know. Thank you very much for caring." Ernest wanted to tackle him and tell him to shut up. He knew! He knew if he needed anything that Gareas would do it for him no matter what it was. Strangely enough, Ernest really wanted nothing more than for Gareas to lie down next to him in bed and hold him while he slept. That wouldn't go to well though, unless of course he kept Gareas to his back. That could work and at the moment he was actually considering to risk it. "Gar?" Gareas looked up at Ernest quickly.

"Yes, Kizuna?" Ernest smiled a bit.

"Would you lie down with me?" He asked doing his best puppy dog look. This would probably be the one and only time he'd get something like this out of Gareas, he might as well abuse it.

"L, lie down with y, you?" Gareas repeated blushing.

"I don't mean make love…just…lie down next to me…" It was the prince's turn to blush at the realization of what he'd just asked Gareas, just about a complete stranger to do. He'd only known Gareas one day and he was already feeling comfort from his presence.

"Sure…I guess I could…" Ernest nodded and rolled onto his side so his back was facing Gareas when he lied down in the bed next to him. As if reading his thoughts Gareas then wrapped his arms around Ernest pulling him close. Ernest sighed a bit closing his eyes.

"Just like in the hall…" Ernest said happily. He'd feared he'd never get to have this feeling ever again, even if it would be short lived.

"Yeah, except this time, I don't have to go," Gareas said. Ernest smiled now feeling very tired.

"Good….oh and if you try to get on me in my sleep." Ernest let out a small yawn. "I'll kill you." Gareas smiled nervously and nodded to him.

"I promise to be on my best behavior."

(X)

"And this is my friend Jil and Lowe!" Zero said pointing to a twelve year old girl with brown hair in pig tails in a brown and blue peasant dress. The boy, who also had brown hair, purple shorts and a light blue shirt was probably around nine or ten. Yu sighed.

"Can we go back to the Inn now?" Yu asked.

Zero glared at him.

"No. No one made you come y'know? I used to live here, I won't get lost." Yu seemed to think about that, nodded and started walking away. "HEY!" Yu turned around to see Zero running after him and gave him a questioning look. Zero glared at him more. "I didn't mean that! I mean I won't get lost, but I don't want to be out here alone!" The knight ignored him and started walking off. Again. "YU!" Zero ran after him after saying quick goodbyes to his friends. He caught up to him a few minutes later breathing hard. "You could of waited!"

"Why? You said it yourself, you won't get lost." Zero growled loudly.

"THAT'S NOT THE POINT!" Yu shrugged again and kept on walking. Sighing zero followed.

"You really suck, y'know that?" Yu kept on walking and Zero sighed watching him go.

"Zero! Wait up!" Zero stopped sighing and turned around just in time for his eyes to widen and get slammed into head first by Clay. They both hit the ground hard groaning.

"CLAY! WATCH IT!" Zero held his head wincing. Clay blushed and got to his feet quickly helping Zero up.

"Sorry about that." He said brushing the dust off his clothes. "But Erts and I wanted to know why the prince was with you, and if something's wrong." Somehow this knocked out the fact that Clay had just rammed into him and Zero nodded.

"The prince? What are you guys talking about?" Clay frowned at Zero pushing his glasses up with his index finger.

"The prince. The boy who's with you and the other two guys." Zero looked at him awkwardly.

"Prince? That's not the prince. That's some girl named Kizuna that Gareas wants to protect."

"Kizuna? But that's the princesses name." Erts said frowning as he walked up behind Clay. Clay nodded in agreement.

"Yeah. There's Prince Ernest and Princess Kizuna," Clay said folding his arms across his chest. "But Princess Kizuna is only about ten years old," Clay added on.

"Are you telling me, that the person Gareas's is hitting on, is a guy?" Zero asked just to make sure he was hearing things right.

"Yeah, if that's really the prince…." Clay started, but Zero had fallen over holding his stomach laughing uncontrollably. Yu seemed to have actually be waiting for Zero, because he was now standing in front of the boy looking down at him.

(X)

Erts had to force himself to stay put and before he knew what he was doing he walked over to Yu.

"My brother. What's wrong with him?" Yu turned to Erts and his eyes widened when he noticed who it was.

"Erts?"Yu asked and Erts nodded slowly.

"Yes…" The young prince said looking away. He had never wanted to run into anyone connected with the royal family again, but something had happened, his brother may need his help.

Clay frowned pushing his glasses up again.

"You know Erts?" The apprentice scholar asked. Yu gave a small nod. By this time Zero had gotten to his feet using Erts to balance himself out.

"So, So Kizuna is r, really…" He doubled over in laughter again. Clay rolled his eyes and turned back to Yu and Erts. Yu seemed annoyed with all the noise, because he frowned and grabbed Zero by the top of his shirt. Zero stopped laughing instantly and glared at him.

"You are not to tell Gareas any of this," Yu ordered him.

Zero's glare became more intense.

"He has a right to know!" Zero protested.

Yu gave another quick nod.

"Yes, but not from you. Prince Ernest will tell him in due time." Zero glared at him more, but in the end, ending up sighing and giving up. He knew Yu could beat him up easily and didn't feel like getting into a fight.

"Can I go see him?" Erts asked quietly. He didn't actually think he had the right, but if his brother was pretending to be his littler sister then something must definitely be wrong.

Yu nodded and dropped Zero onto the ground.

"Hey!"

"Yes. Please follow me." Erts nodded and started to follow Yu, but Clay grabbed him by his wrist causing Erts to stop and look at him questioningly.

"Erts…how do you know the prince? And this guy?" Clay asked in a low whisper. Erts frowned and kissed Clay on the cheek.

"Ernest is my brother. And Yu used to protect both Ernest and me." With that Erts pulled his wrist away and ran off after Yu. Clay stood there in silence as all his brain registered what he'd just said. All the reasons behind Erts being so worried about the royal family and the castle now made so much sense. Everything was now quite clear to Clay.

"Are you gonna get off of me?" Zero asked loudly causing Clay to jump and notice he was stepping on Zero.

"Sorry. It's just that….Erts being a prince…..it's all quite interesting, and I'm a bit shocked that he didn't tell me.." Zero got up dusting his clothes off again and shrugged rolling his eyes.

"You think everything is "quite interesting." Maybe he didn't want anyone to know. Did you ever think of that?" Zero asked him. Clay glared at him for using his own personal phrase against him and stomped off in the direction Erts went.

(X)

Erts ran into the room and stopped blushing seeing Ernest asleep and a strange boy holding him. 'Oops,' Erts thought wanting to run out of the room now, but his brother had seem to feel him walk in and opened his eyes to see who had come into the room. The older prince's eyes widen when he saw who it was standing near the bed. "Erts!" He just about screamed out and pulled out of Gareas's embrace to hug the boy.

(X)

"You're okay."

Ernest nodded smiling at his younger brother. So many thoughts were going through his head right now. Why Erts was here, and where had he been. He was glad that Erts was okay to say the least, but there was a lot of explaining to be done.

"I'm glad…you're fine..." Ernest said and hugged him closer. In fact he didn't let his brother go until he heard Gareas from behind him clear his throat. Ernest turned to face Gareas blushing and let go of Erts.

"Gareas…this isn't what you think it is," Ernest attempted.

Gareas glared at him folding his arms across his chest.

"And just what do you think I think this is?" He asked coldly. Like Ernest really had to take a guess at what was currently going through his supposed protector's mind. It was so obvious it was painful and yet Gareas was the womanizer here, not him.

"You think I'm courting this young boy, Erts, but I'll tell you right now I'm not so stop pouting! Erts is my younger brother," He growled at him. He was not about to have his brother taken from him again, just let his "knight" try and do something, but at his words Gareas's eyes lit up and his arms fell to his sides.

"Brother? You never told me you had a brother!"

'Only because you barely listen to me half the time Gar,' Ernest thought rolling his eyes. Erts was laughing now tears streaming down his face.

I missed you. Is Kizuna okay?

I don't know….the castle went up in flames. Yu said everyone was safe, but father…everything's just…-

Shh. It's okay big brother. I understand it all, already.

Ernest nodded thankful that his brother had the same telepathic ability as his own. Without it he wasn't sure if he could ever explain to anyone what had happened. It was so much easier just showing the person his thoughts.

(X)

Gareas feeling left out got off the bed and was about to hug both Erts and Ernest when Yu walked in followed by Clay and Zero. Zero of course was running and slammed head first into Gareas sending them both back onto the bed.

"ZERO!"

"Sorry!" Zero yelled out blushing and getting off of Gareas. Everyone in the room had turned to look at the two. Everyone seemed to be in a bit of shock for this little reason and all of a sudden Ernest fell to the ground passed out.

"Brother!"

"Kizuna!"

Darkness.

Ernest sat up slowly holding his head. It hurt badly and he wasn't sure where he was. Frowning he looked around and couldn't see anything. It was all black, soon enough though the darkness gave way to a peaceful scene where Ernest was lying in the grass on his back snuggled up next to Gareas. They were near the boarder of a forest, right before the trees started lying in the shade.

"I love you." Gareas said kissing him on the cheek before closing his eyes and resting again. Ernest smiled nuzzling him a bit and pulling himself closer.

"I love you to."

(tbc)