Been awhile yes it has….

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!

1) ' insert thoughts'

mind speech is italics

(X) is pov change and or time jump

Disclaimer: Okay! I OWN NOTHING!

Chapter, 12: The spell

"Zero, come on, you have to be able to defend yourself one day when I'm not around," Dart yelled to his son a playful smirk on his face. This was one of the few times that Zero had actually seen his father truly smile. Again and again he'd seen the other smiles, if you could call them that, be forced on his face in order to hide how miserable he was or just something on his face so others wouldn't ask questions. Zero however could tell. He knew for some reason his father was not happy.

"You like fighting way too much dad," Zero joked and spun his sword in his hand. "Okay fine, here I come," he screamed running full force at his dad.

"HOSTAGE!"

Zero nearly fell over clutching his heart his breathing coming out in hard gasps. He looked around noticing they had actually stopped and then let his gaze fall upon Hiead. Hiead scowled hitting Zero aside the head his eyes narrowed.

"Pay attention," he warned. "We're entering not only enemy territory, but also where the divine dragon's young is," he said in all seriousness. "Stay on guard."

"What are we doing here anyway," Zero asked curiously as they walked on the trail going around the mountain.

"I thought I told you to shut up."

"And you hit me for being quite," Zero growled his head still a bit sore from the attack.

"Oh yeah," the Winglie mused. Still growling Zero glared at his captor. He was really getting sick of all of this. One minute he was supposed to talk, the next he wasn't. He was hit for either and the guys' constant attitude change was actually making him miss Gareas again.

Not being able to take much more of it though, he stopped, waited for Hiead to get a certain amount of feet away from him, and took off at a dead run jumping Hiead and tackling him onto the ground.

Hiead let out a surprised scream as his body collided with the ground, Zero on top of him.

"Take that," Zero said triumphantly a huge grin on his face. The Winglie lied there a few seconds, Zero making no moves to get up any time soon. In fact, instead of trying to get up, he lied down all the way wrapping his arms around Hiead's neck. "So what are you going to do now," Zero asked half jokingly. He actually felt more like he wanted to go to sleep again than again.

While Zero began drifting off slightly though, Hiead took advantage of this time to flip Zero over and pin him to the ground holding the boys shoulders down while he straddled his waist with his legs.

Zero instantly started blushing, though he wasn't completely sure why. He decided it was due to the face that Hiead had gotten the upper hand in all of this which was in turn making him feel very ashamed. He quickly began trying to push Hiead off of him.

"Oh, now you want to get away from me," Hiead mused as he brought his face inches from Zero's own. Zero's blushed deepened and he tried harder to pull away.

"Hi, Hiead stop…this isn't right get off…"

"But tackling me from behind and using me as a bed roll is," Hiead asked raising an eyebrow.

"We, well no," the brunette stuttered. He knew darn well that wasn't right.

"Well, if you wrong me, then I guess I get to wrong you."

Before Zero could react in any way Hiead closed what small distance that was between them and kissed Zero fully on the lips. Zero instantly had an energy surge and tried to use this to push the Winglie off and run, but Hiead was too strong for him. Eventually his body began to give way as his lungs started burning for air instead.

Hiead finally decided that he'd kissed Zero long enough and pulled away breathing hard. They locke gazes as they tried to catch their breaths. Zero tried to get out from under him again at this point, but gave up quickly not having the energy to go on. He figured to if he hadn't moved him by now, he wasn't going to ever.

"Why did you…" Zero's voice trailed off as he lost his breath again and decided to give up all together. It was just too weird for him to understand anymore. He closed his eyes and just lied there waiting to die from lack of air.

While waiting Zero felt Hiead's lip touch his again, but it didn't last as long as the first one had. Instead, nearly a second into the kiss, Hiead pulled away getting off as Zero as quickly as he could and to his feet moving away from the Dragoon.

"Hi-"

"Get up," Hiead ordered coldly and Zero found himself on his feet before he could even comprehend what was going on. "Can't believe I let myself get so carried away. This is all your fault," He hissed turning his eyes on Zero. He froze though seeing a much shaken Zero standing behind him. His eyes were open and he was shaking horribly looking worse than a scared rabbit.

"Eh…" Hiead wasn't too sure what to say. He knew the spell was what was affecting him, he hadn't been able to resist it so close to the Dragoon warrior. "Listen," he growled trying to shake off the effects of the spell. "What just happened wasn't supposed to," he went on doing his best to keep his voice under control. "I…there was nothing it-"

"I want you to kiss me again."

"What do you mean kiss you again," Hiead screamed coming close to just choking the boy to death.

"But…I want you to prove you didn't mean it…"

Zero wasn't completely sure of what was coming over him. The thoughts of what Fester had told him. Those times seemed so long ago to him as if almost in a different life. He remembered just starting this journey with Gareas just so he could stalk the prince and all the other crazy things happening. A weird knot started forming in his stomach then as he realized just how much he missed them all.

"I can't…"

Zero's attention was jerked back into reality and he looked up staring at the Winglie in front of him somewhat happy. If the boy couldn't prove he didn't like Zero that meant finally someone truly cared for him.

"And why can't you," he asked a grin starting to cross his features.

"…because the spell won't allow it….I'll be completely-" Hiead cut himself off growling again and started stomping foreword. "It's none of your business, come on human," he said finally completely emotionless again for the time being.

Zero followed silently behind wondering what this spell was or if the Winglie was just denial.

(X)

The first thing Rai noticed when he walked into his master's private meeting hall was Yoarashi was not latched onto him as he usually was.

'That must mean the plan is going along quite well,' Rai thought to himself as he stopped Gareas a few feet from his master so he'd remain the shadows.

"This is the boy you wanted," Rai said emotionlessly.

Gareas was tempted to kick the kid in front of him where he stood, but figured he could do it later. He wanted to see what this guy really had to offer anyway.

"Okay, I'm here. What do you want me of," he asked suspiciously.

The man in the shadows chuckled slightly and stood up walking out from them. He wasn't too old, about the same age as King Albert had been before he'd died, with short blonde hair and green eyes.

"Now now, don't sound so accusing," the man said jokingly a grin on his face. "I came to ask a favor of you and in return I will give you anything you want."

Gareas didn't have to look around to know that this man was some type of high ranking official with lots of money and power. The huge mansion he lived in clearly stated that, but what he wanted couldn't be bought with money, or at least not that he knew of.

"What do you want?"

The man smiled at him still laughing a bit seeming to be highly amused by Gareas' suspicions.

"Alright, alright. I'll get to the point so you don't go off on me for taking so long. Kids these days. You're traveling with Prince Ernest am I right? He did escape the fire…" The mans voice trailed off as Gareas had taken a step back at the turn of the conversation. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No one has known yet that Ernest is still alive. Who are you?"

"Prince Ernest," the man scowled as he pulled out a small box wrapped in thin gold paper. "Do you know what this is? It's a box, yes, but see this paper? It's actually made of real gold," the man said happily as he looked over it again as he had so many times before. "Yes…this belonged to Prince Ernest's father…which upon the time of his death I was to send this to the prince…however with all the commotion you can see the problems it lead to," the man said smiling.

Gareas wasn't sure if he trusted the man or not, it seemed innocent enough, but why hadn't he just had the kid give Ernest the thing instead or give it to him himself? Why was he here instead of Ernest?

"I wanted to give this to the prince himself…see him again, it's been ages since I've seen him," the man went on softly. "However…my health is not as good as it has been in the past and I'm afraid my time is running out. I would rather enjoy the rest of my time on this planet with my child than playing as a delivery boy," he went on as though reading all of Gareas' thoughts. "I would like you to give this to Prince Ernest. I'll happily give you whatever you wish in return for it, but you must promise me that you will give it to him and actually do so…I would not like to see his father's wishes go unanswered…"

"Get your son to do it," Gareas said growling. "What I want can't be bought."

He started to turn and walk away, but the man started talking again getting his attention very quickly.

"Bringing someone back from the dead is not as hard as you'd think."

Gareas stopped dead in his tracks going pale. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to know how the man had known what he wanted so badly. He slowly turned around his gaze going over the man; a sly smile was on the man's face.

"Do you really think I believe that," he asked threateningly. He had been joked with many of times and wanted no more of them ever again.

"Do not get me wrong," the man said his face suddenly turning serious. "It is not easy to bring one back to life, nor is it cheap, however…I am willing to do this if you will give Prince Ernest this keepsake."

"…You'll bring back Leena," Gareas asked cautiously to make sure this is indeed what they were talking about.

"Of course."

"Why haven't you resurrected King Albert than if you can bring people back," Gareas dared to ask.

"Because the King and I used to be good friends," the man replied a small smile crossing his face. "And we agreed if one of us should die, regardless of the circumstances, that, that would be that. We would not bring the other back."

"And yet you're willing to bring Leena back for me."

"Are you going to give the prince this item or not," the man asked his eyes slightly narrowed. Gareas could tell he was getting sick of being third degreed every few seconds.

"If you promise me without a doubt that you will bring Leena back…I swear I will give Ernest the keepsake."

The smile found its' way across the mans lips again and he nodded happily handing Gareas the box.

"Take good care of it," he warned winking at him. "If it breaks, I'll have your hide and you'll never see Leena again."

Gareas nodded taking the box and holding it gently walked out. He figured he'd be able to make it to Ernest within a few minutes, find him, give him the stupid thing and come back to get his lover. Then things would be as they were supposed to once again.

(X)

Was there a reason…you gave up hope… The voice appeared in Ernest's mind so suddenly he was a bit shocked to hear it. He'd gone straight from outside back to his room after walking around a bit. Yu had scolded him for leaving so he decided he'd stay in his room until they left in the morning. He knew he was alone though in this room and so hearing the voice kind of freaked him out at first.

Are you…the-

I am the one who wants to be found the voice said cutting Ernest's reply off. I want to be found…I want to find you as well…please don't abandon me…I need you…just wait I promise I can keep you safe it whispered to him in an almost begging like tone.

Ernest nodded despite the fact he knew that whatever it was could not see him do it.

Of course I can wait….I'll always wait…I just thought you and Gareas…were one and the same…

The voice didn't reply this time though instead leaving Ernest to his own thoughts. He looked down at the book he'd been reading before the spirit or whatever it was had contacted him and then set it down on the near by table. He wasn't going to be able to concentrate on it any time soon.

"Well I suppose the first thing we should do is try to find Zero," Ernest said out loud trying to stay calm as he went over the past few events. He hadn't really had much time alone to think about the other things that had happened. His father was dead, Gareas had once again left him, Zero had been kidnapped, he'd found his younger brother…what of his mother and little sister though? Had they been okay? What about his grandfather and aunt, they'd been there too.

For the first time since they'd run all of these things came rushing at him at once and he felt almost like he was going to be sick.

"Why did you leave," Ernest whispered as his eyes darted from the lamp to the door of his room most of his thoughts jumping from one thing to Gareas and then back to another. When Gareas had been around, none of these thoughts could get to him. Gareas had always been fighting with Zero or joking around with someone or just plain comforting Ernest. He was gone now though, because of Ernest's stupidity.

The prince staggered off the bed to his feet and over to the door. He opened the door ready to run, but stopped seeing a very nervous looking Yu standing there.

"My lord…"

Ernest ignored every rule him and Yu had seemed to have thrown up since the time they'd turned fourteen and threw his arms around the knight. Yu stood there in shock as Ernest broke down in sobs shaking horribly as though he just now realized his entire world had been shattered.

Yu gently ushered the prince back into the room shutting the door behind them with his foot. He help him over to his bed blowing the candle out on the nightstand and pulled Ernest back down on the bed stroking his hair gently.

It had been years since Ernest had broken down like this and Yu had been forced to do this kind of thing. Of course, he didn't really need to be forced though; he enjoyed doing things like this. He had actually missed being able to comfort Ernest after they were of age as selfish as that might seem.

"It's alright…We'll find Gareas and have him hanged in front of the whole city," Yu said soothingly.

"No…I don't care about that…my family," Ernest sobbed and began crying harder.

Yu wasn't really sure what he could say about that. He had no idea if Kizna and Queen Emille had survived or not. With that in mind he wasn't even sure if his own sister was still alive.

"Even if they didn't make it…you still have Erts…"

"I know…"

Yu cursed himself for not being able to help with this situation, but as he thought about it. He wondered if anyone could actually properly deal with it.

(X)

"Please get rid of that look…it's horrible…" Yoarashi said frowning as he stared at his master's face. His master snickered and in the blink of an eye transformed from a common looking older man to a young handsome one with red eyes and black hair.

"Thank you…"

"But of course Yoarashi," the master mused walking over to the boy and nuzzling him gently. "You know I'd do anything for you…"

"M, master…"

Yoarashi's master snickered and he wrapped his arms around the boy's waist.

"It will only be a matter of time and Gareas will belong to us," he whispered into the boy's ear.

Yoarashi shivered slightly from the action, but never the less remained in his master's embrace.

(X)

Hiead stopped in front of a path way that looked like it'd been cut out of some trees. Zero looked at it curiously and back to Hiead.

"What's this?"

Hiead ignored him walking down the path into the forest. Glaring, Zero followed him. As they walked farther in the forest started giving away to a cleared out area of ruined buildings and the such. It was the first time that Zero noticed too that there was snow on the ground.

"Hi, Hiead…" Zero's head was beginning to feel light headed and he nearly stumbled foreword into the snow. The Winglie seemed to have completely channeled Zero out though and still paid no attention to him.

Zero staggered foreword a bit his eyes going out of focus and he almost fell to his knees and screamed seeing a woman with long black hair, red lips and enchanting brown eyes standing in front of him. She was wearing a blue and yellow outfit. The outfit itself was like a long shirt with shorts that almost looked like a very small dress, one boot that stopped at her ankle the other on her upper thigh. Standing next to her knelt down in the snow by a flat stone was his father.

"War is not in human nature. Humans fight by making themselves enter insanity. It is the same for revenge. This is a tool to amplify the insanity. And this insanity is the source of power for the Dragoons, the Dragon Knight. Someday, something will happen, and if you cannot chasten your insanity, I wonder if you will be able to endure it, given the meagerness of your spirit?"

The words echoed loudly through Zero's head as if the woman was standing right in front of him and talking. His fathered had looked up frowning at the woman and then they were gone. It was as if nothing had happened and no one was there.

"What…what was-?"

Flashes of an unseen face went through his mind as the village itself was re-burning around Zero. People were screaming and trying to run as this monster came out of no where burning them to cinders as it went.

Zero screamed falling to his knees and holding his head as the onslaught of these images came again and again at him.

"I…I can't see. Mom, I'm scared."

"Where is Princess Louvia? Where did you hide the moon child!"

"Mom! Dad!"

"Do you want to die with your daughter?"

All the images flashed before him, their voices echoing through his mind as he knelt there helplessly in the snow. Pictures of his father at a younger age, his father's parents, this black monster and some woman he'd never seen before. They were all too much for the poor boy and he ended up curling up in a ball on the ground crying.

"Well I guess there's no doubt about it now," Hiead said with a smirk as he watched Zero huddled up on the ground crying out for the images to stop. "You are indeed the one I've been looking for. Do the images hurt Zero," he asked smugly as he knelt down besides the boy. "Do you want them to end?"

Zero did and said nothing, but what he'd been doing in the first place. He felt completely helpless and as if he was going to die. The smoke coming up everywhere and the buildings crashing down around him made him want to run as quickly as he could. He couldn't move though, his body was stuck in one place for some unknown reason.

The entire thing kept reminding Zero of Lohan and how Dabus had ended up giving up his life just because Hiead had wanted something. Yes Hiead that damned Winglie that he was with.

Zero's head jerked up his eyes glowing slightly as he started growling at the Winglie beside him. Hiead smirked more at this and shoved Zero onto his back in the snow.

"I'm so glad you're finally realizing the truth," he said a hint of happiness crawling into his voice. It wasn't a normal happiness though, it was more of like one of smugness, and something had happened that Hiead had wanted to.

"S, stop it," Zero managed to get out between his wanting to scream and his hard breathing. The images reflashed in front of his eyes and he began to wonder which reality was his own. Was Hiead even next to him or was it part of the images? He was a Winglie after all and that meant he could still easily be alive even if he had been at Neet during its destruction.

"Hiead," Zero choked out trying to get past the anger and every other emotion trying to come out a once. "It hurts…It hurts so badly….Gareas….stop the pain…." Zero closed his eyes knowing the images wouldn't stop, but he wanted it to end. He needed someone, anyone who could put a stop to this insanity before it got worse. "Please…Gareas don't make me…..dad…."

Hiead watched in complete satisfaction as the boy let out a loud sob and then fell into darkness. This was without a doubt the boy he'd been looking for.

"Perfect."

TBC