Title: The Forgotten – Memories and Love

Chapter 23: Final pieces: What I had done…

Written by: Lisse08

A/N If you can't understand what's going on after reading this chapter, you might understand in the later one.

"Yuuri, you cheater! You are flirting with a girl in front of me?" Yuuri turned, and was not at all surprised to see Wolfram storming towards him from behind.

"I'm not flirting. I just asked her for some information." Yuuri explained, choosing his words carefully. The scene where he was having the fight with his fiancé a year ago flashed through his mind. He remembered them vividly.

"WIMP! YOU JUST CAN'T LOVE ME, CAN YOU?"

"Don't call me a wimp!"

"You are a wimp, Yuuri! Are you implying that you regret giving me that slap?"

"Yes. If there's one thing that I regret, it would be the slap!"

His heart had twitched as he saw Wolfram's hurt expression.

"A… I didn't mean…" He tried his hardest to explain, but he knew, even now, he still knew, it was too late.

"I understand..." He could still remember how Wolfram said these words with exceptionally calm voice and walked out from the room.

"If that's what you wish for, just cancel off the engagement." He heard them, as if they weren't coming from the prince.

"Wait, Wolfram…" The door closed on him. He spent the day thinking about his words, somehow even wishing that he had really never slapped the blonde before.

But things went fine after that incident. Wolfram resumed his calling of his king with "wimp" and pulling his ear, frogmarched him away from pretty boys and girls when he saw Yuuri neared them, calling him "cheater", etc. In short, everything was back to normal after that day. It was as if the fight never happened before. But even the dense Yuuri could see that Wolfram was trying his upmost to forget about it. Yuuri knew that his words harmed the prince's lonely heart ever since that day. He wanted to make up for it, but he just couldn't find his way. He was in doubt of his heart. He was still confused about his feelings for his fiancé. He knew, the reason why he could not really pushed Wolfram off, the reason why he could not call off the engagement, was because, there were some kind of unexplainable feelings that resided in his heart.

He only considered Wolfram a close friend; a best friend maybe, but what was this feeling of insecurity that was surrounding him? Why did he feel scared of losing Wolfram?

Yes, these questions floated to the forefront of his mind that day. He had asked himself these questions over and over again since that fight. Yuuri was struggling hard with his inner self, trying to find the correct answer. Which one… best friend? Or love?

Despite the fact that he was now admiring how cute his fiancé was when he watched Wolfram's pinkish face in jealousy approached him. 'Love? Or something else…?' Even now, Yuuri still had not found his answer.

"Cheater, your hands were touching hers!"

"I was thanking her!" Yuuri rolled his eyes. One bad thing that Yuuri could not stand about Wolfram is his over possessiveness.

"You need not to touch her hands, you could just say it."

"Drop it, Wolf." Yuuri sighed as he turned. But he could not escape the fate of his ear being twitched again. He let out yelps of pain.

"Wolfram, stop it!"

"I'm not dropping it, wimp."

"Wolfram, it's hurting me, stop pulling my ear. Argh!" He felt himself pulled off from the rocky pathway, he turned a little, wanting to ask for help from Conrad, but he was nowhere to be found.

"Wolfram!" Yuuri shouted despite himself. A flame had erupted inside his stomach, all the conversations, guilt and doubts he held just few moments ago vanished as his annoyance with the blonde increased. He struggled as he tried to freed himself, with a harsh twist he pulled Wolfram's wrist away from him.

"I say drop it!" 'Really,' he noted. 'I should have control my temper. But…' Wolfram's face contorted into anger. 'Oh no…'

"FINE!" the prince shouted into his face. Yuuri failed to hide his wince.

"Sorry." He mumbled softly but loud enough for him to hear.

"Yuuri, five years…" Wolfram began, his tone changing unexpectedly fast. Yuuri gulped. "Five years, I waited. How long are you keeping me hung like this?"

"Wolf, please don't start this again…" Yuuri pleaded.

"Just tell me," Wolfram inhaled before continued, "the truth…"

Yuuri considered him for a split second. He couldn't really tell him the truth because he didn't know about the truth. He looked into his eyes.

"Let's say, I mean 'if'. If I really call off the engagement, what will you do?" Yuuri held his breathe.

Wolfram stared back at him, his eyes softened.

"As I said a year ago… if you really wanted to call it off… then be it…" Wolfram's gaze dropped onto the ground as his voice did the same.

"Are you sure that's what you want?" Yuuri asked again gingerly. Somewhere in his mind, he had expected the blonde to protest it. He had even subconsciously wished that the blonde would protest.

"Yes! If you want it off, then call if off!" Wolfram repeated himself. Yuuri gasped inwardly. Tears were rolling down from his cheeks. How could he be so stupid? He had hurt him again. He didn't have time to stop Wolfram as he watched helplessly at the prince who ran off the scene.

Xxxx Wolf xxxX

Wolfram was wandering around clueless. He didn't know where he was heading, for he still had the sense of detachment from the situation he had just put himself in. His feet brought him into a dark alley. The brick wall on both sides was staring down at the heart-broken prince. The light seemed to fail to conquer here. Silence darkness pressed upon him as he entered the darkness, the despair in his heart welled up inside him as he went deeper.

Slamming his fist into the wall beside, Wolfram jerked his hand back reflexively as he gave out a cry of pain. His hand was swollen and red, but his heart was even more painful than this. He sank down on his feet onto the land. Kneeling, he buried his face into his hands, trying to soothe himself with his own words of comfort, convincing himself that Yuuri still need time. But he was losing hope as he watched the time he gave to Yuuri clicked away.

He couldn't wait for him forever.

He was caught off guard completely as a muscular hand grabbed his neck from behind in the unknown dark…

Xxxx Yuuri xxxX

After some time, he set out in search for Wolfram when the dawn drawn in. Conrad, who went to investigate about the commotions, was not back yet. They were in the human territory, investigating. He wanted to tell him to forget about it, to apologize for what he had done. Looking around in search of the golden-haired brat, he broke into a run. Something ugly was going on, and he sensed it. Anxieties aroused inside his pit as he poked his head here and there into the shops along the street. Not much people were around. Probably due to the commotions that was caused just across this street few hours ago. This was highly unlike Wolfram to wander off alone and didn't return for such a long time. To make the matter worse, Yuuri suddenly realized that this is human territory, what if Wolfram encountered houryokuu users?

How right he was, when he heard a shriek coming from his further right.

Shit!

Fear sank into him. Yuuri sped up towards the sound. Horror seemed to spread like disease towards his whole body as it dawn him that the shout belonged to Wolfram.

Xxxx Wolf xxxX

"Let go!!" Wolfram shouted as he struggled. It was futile. He was careless but he had no one else to blame for it. Well, if there is anyone -- Yuuri. No, he shouldn't blame this on him.

"Let go of me, or I swear I'll burn you!" He couldn't see who his attacker was, since he was assaulted from behind. He grabbed his neck from behind. The stronger Wolfram tried to wrestle, the stronger the grip, until he was choking for air now. Not only did his strength fail him, his magic too, was failing him as he tried to summon them in his hands.

"Shut up, you can't use magic against us, mazoku. See what I got in my hands?" Despite all the struggling, Wolfram did not miss it. He saw the blue stone shone in his attacker's hand as he held it out for Wolfram to see. His heart sank. 'No… it's houseki.'

"Filthy human!" Wolfram managed to choke his curse out. His breathe were getting shallow and strength were leaving him for real this time. His magic was being suppressed by the stone and he was feeling sick. 'Yuuri…'

Wolfram let out a scream as houseki was pressed onto his cheek. It was practically burning into his skin. His whole body was on fire, and it was not because of his own magic. His knees weakened a little but the attacker did not release his prey. Instead, he was grabbing even tighter onto Wolfram's slim throat. He yelped again when his left hand was being twisted behind his back.

"What do you want?" His voice came as whisper. He was not surprised about that.

"Shin Makoku." The answer was simple. Wolfram could not comprehend what he meant. His head was swaying here and there, his consciousness coming in and out. He could merely think of one thing before his mind went blank.

'Yuuri, save me…'

Xxxx Yuuri xxxX

The alley was pitch dark, deserted, and scary. He couldn't understand why Wolfram would walk into here in the first place. He shook his head furiously. No time for this! What happened to Wolfram? What was that scream all about? For sure, it wasn't because the blonde had seen a rat scrambling through in front of him and screamed because of it. No, that would be too ridiculous. Judging from the scream, it was something much more serious. It was as if Wolfram was … hurt. No, No NO NO. At the same time, another scream was heard. The same scream.

NO!!

Yuuri hastened, turned around the corner and hit the dead end. He came to an abrupt stop as he saw what was or should he say… who were in front of him.

The blonde who had been so lively few hours ago, had his eyes closed now. His whole body wasn't moving. Behind him, a menacingly looking man was grabbing onto his unconscious fiancé. For one dreadful moment, Yuuri had a sudden thought that Wolfram was dead. Realizing that Wolfram's chest was rising slightly, he smacked himself for thinking about this. His relief was not for long. His heart gave another unpleasant jolt when something shone in the dark.

Yuuri gasped when the guy moved forward a little. A dimmed light from the moonlight revealed a small dagger on his hand. Its blade was pointing directly at Wolfram's throat.

"You do recognize these things on the dagger right?" Yuuri cringed as he noticed blue stones were embedded all over the hilt side of it like a diamond. But Yuuri knew better, they were houseki, a stone meant to weaken Mazoku. How did Wolfram let himself fall into a trap like this?

"What do you want!? Let him go!" Yuuri's voice was shaking terrible, he could even feel his terror in it.

"My, I thought the demon king wasn't in love in his fiancé, isn't it? I thought that he wouldn't care for him." The guy laughed.

"I said let him go!" Yuuri shouted. He didn't want to answer his questions. He didn't need to! Those were none of his business.

"I will." He paused for a moment, enjoying himself how the king was trembling from the fear, and continued, "If you gave up Shin Makoku to me."

"In your dreams! I wouldn't betray my country." Yuuri clenched his fists. His fingernails were dipping into his palms; he could see where this conversation was leading to, what the man was planning.

"Oh, I thought so." The man tried to sound disappointed, which ignited Yuuri even more. "I wonder what did my boss wanted with this cutie." He said as he pointed his knife at his prey.

'Calm down, Yuuri. Things will be okay. Conrad will…' Yuuri thought. As if reading what he had in his thought, the man laughed and said.

"Ah, no. Not that human soldier of you. From what I was told, he had been trapped in the traps that my friends and I had set as distraction, he won't be able to come for rescue in another two hours." Yuuri's stomach gave a turnover. He felt sick all of a sudden. "So, we will have plenty of time, discussing about this deal." The coldness was penetrating through his bones.

"What deal are you talking about?" Yuuri asked. He should have known what it was. But if there was something he could benefit from this, he hoped it would be that he was buying time. He just hoped that the information was wrong. Surely, SURELY, Conrad wouldn't be trapped so easily, and there must be rescues from somewhere. They should be!

"Well, you see, even though my boss wanted specifically for this Wolfram… I think that he would be glad if I could present him with a greater gift." He stared at him, hard. "Shin Makoku, and your fiancé." He looked down at the blonde. Yuuri followed his gaze. Wolfram was sleeping peacefully as he always did when they slept in their bed. But taking one more look at his face, Yuuri noticed there were sweats on his forehead, and somewhere near the corner of his eyes, there were… Yuuri gulped; traces of dried tears.

"Which one did you choose?"

Yuuri flinched.

He knew it.

But he still could not keep his breath steady as his heart pounded hard against his ribs, hurting him. He was forced to make a choice. He had always avoided making the choice between accepting Wolfram or not. He still had not made up his mind and now, he was asked to choose between his kingdom and his best friend or, he literally noted, fiancé?

"It seems like he was badly hurt, emotionally, even before I approached him. Poor kid, he was crying to himself over there." He motioned his head towards a corner. Yuuri glanced over. His heart was stabbed again by the next words.

"Who did it, eh?"

'Damn… he was playing around with me.' Yuuri gritted his teeth as he looked back.

"I guessed it's you, Maou heika." He continued mockingly. "He was crying out your name, Yuuri, eh?" He laughed again. "Ah. What a sight. But I should thank you, if it weren't for his miserable state, I might not have succeeded in seizing him. You know, Lord Wolfram was known as a powerful fire magic user. An attack like that shouldn't have missed by him. But, he failed. You must have been really harsh on him." He looked at the prince again, slowly twisting the knife position, so that the sharpened tip was pointed away, he caressed the cheek of his victim. Yuuri couldn't help but felt a beast awakened inside him at this point. He took a step forward, part of him wanting to stop himself because doing this will invite danger to them both, but part of him want to rush forward and tore the man's limbs so that he will never again be able to touch the king's fiancé.

The man caught his actions. Almost immediately, the knife shifted its position back, the pointed end was aiming at the silky neck again. Yuuri stopped dead.

"Take your step any closer, and I shall expect you to say goodbye to your pretty fiancé."

Rage exploded.

Yuuri glared at him, his eyes narrowed into menacing slits. His other ego, the Maou was stirring inside him.

Wolfram…

"Which one do you love more, your country, or him?" He gave a violent jerk. A gasp was heard. Yuuri stomach churned again when he saw Wolfram's eyes fluttered open in the arms.

"Let go, bastard! Let…" Wolfram stopped his struggle, realizing that the man's attention wasn't on him, he followed his trace and gasped again.

"Yuuri…"

"Looks like we awakened our prince," The man said as he glanced upon the now stunned Wolfram. He wasn't even attempting to struggle anymore. His eyes fixed upon the king, blankly.

"That doesn't matter. Either way will do." He smiled in a devilish manner and turned up to the double black. "Now, choose."

Yuuri's eyes were locked with Wolfram's. His heart was sinking and sinking at the motionless soldier. He couldn't help but had the inkling of feeling that Wolfram had given up hope by resisting to fight. But then, he couldn't have fight because of the houseki, right? Nevertheless, why didn't Wolfram made any effort to do anything when he noticed his presence…? State of confuse was creating a mist in his head, making him unable to think.

Xxxx Wolf xxxX

Wolfram heard the man. He stopped his struggling and felt himself hurled into the deep darkness. His eyes were gazing at the black onyx but he didn't blink. A wise king should choose his kingdom but he has doubts whether Yuuri is a wise king or not. Five years of spending his time together with the king didn't result in nothing. He knew his king personality.

Last time when Maxine captured the three maids in the kitchen, Yuuri had insisted to exchange himself with the girls, saying that if the target was him, then he would do it. He didn't want other innocent people to get tangled in the danger. And now, he was torn between this two. Wolfram feared that Yuuri might do something stupid by saying that same thing.

But again, Yuuri might resolve to peace. And for this peace he wanted to make, he would just make the matter worse. This man doesn't seem like he would want to have a peaceful talk where they could find a round table, sit down calmly and discussed the problem.

Either way, Wolfram couldn't let him get hurt.

"Choose!" The man hissed.

And if this man was persistent, he wondered… between his, one life and a hundred thousands of people's life, will he be wise enough not to choose that one life? The vow Yuuri had made during his coming-of-age ceremony trickled him. Yuuri was supposed to protect the country.

Yes, perhaps he will…

The heart was suddenly heavily filled with sorrow tears, but he could not let them out. His heart was no longer pumping fast, but exceptionally calm.

'Yuuri… tell me again why did I become your fiancé?'

'Tell me again… why did I fall in love with you?'

'Yuuri, I couldn't wait for you forever. It wouldn't hurt for me to die, would it?'

Xxxx Yuuri xxxX

Yuuri recoiled as the man hissed. Peace… Peace. He recited in his mind. There's just no way he would risk anything. Best way is to talk him out of it. At the same time, rescue should be on the way. If he could just try to distract this man with his talk and delay this…

"Look, you don't need to do this. Let him go. And I promise that I'll try to help you lessen the punishment."

"Punish?" The man roared with laughers. "Let me tell you something, there's nothing that I need to be afraid of. Your fiancé life is in my hand," Upon this, he narrowed the edge and pushed the blade even deeper into Wolfram's pale skin. Yuuri did not miss a flinch of what he knew what pain across the blonde's face as beads of blood appeared on his throat.

"He died, if you refuse to give me the kingdom." He smirked.

"You would better make up your mind, heika." He said so sarcastically that Yuuri wanted to ram his fist into his mouth and knocked his teeth off, but he remained. His mind was racing madly, trying to think of a solution. "I believed that my comrades will be coming for back up soon and if that did happen, this pretty boy… I'm afraid that he won't be able to survive to see tomorrow's sun."

"Damn you!" That did it. Yuuri shouted in anger. He advanced, fists tightened.

The blade pressed deeper, Wolfram flinched before letting out a scream that echoed thorough the shrilly night. A clear visible trace of scarlet red blood was dropping down from the edge of the dagger. It was no longer shiny the moment it pierced through its prey's throat. The only place that was making it shone was the hilt, where the stones were. Yuuri stopped dead, watching hopelessly at the slash that was formed on his fiancé's neck, blood was still oozing out from the wound. His heart was blasting against his chest in pain as he saw Wolfram trembling. He didn't need Gisela or anyone to tell him that the cut on Wolfram's was deep.

This man really meant harm.

And there's no way he would compensate in a peaceful way with the demon king.

He would hurt Wolfram if necessary.

He would kill Wolfram if situation left him no choice.

Where is Conrad?? Why is he not here when he needed him? Why is there no one who came for rescue?

This is not good...

He watched desperately at the non-stop blood and a terrified Wolfram. He felt himself shaking from toes to hair at the same time. Seeing the blonde again, he suddenly knew what he should do.

"Take me instead." Yuuri said. He saw wolfram's eyes widened at his statement, but he ignored it. He was quite surprised himself when the words leave his lips. He wasn't sure what made him said that. He just did not want Wolfram to get hurt. But why? It wasn't a must to be this way. There must be other way, a better way to get them out of this. But why did he choose to protect his fiancé over his own safety? It was instinct. He pushed the thoughts aside.

He could not bear to see Wolfram injured or worst, died because of him. He could not even bear the thought. If it wasn't for the man and the situation they were still in, he thought he would have rushed forward and hugged Wolfram, to get him treated and to hold him in his arms safely. Why though… Why did the thought of wanting to hold him in his arms securely came across his mind?

"NO!" Wolfram bellowed despite his pain.

Xxxx Wolf xxxX

"NO! HENNACHOKO! GET OUT OF HERE!" Wolfram bellowed despite his pain. The struggling he attempted appeared even feebler along with the blood that was dropping down his neck, draining his blue uniform.

"GET HELP! Hennachoko! I'll be… ARGGH!!" He yelped again when his arm was twitched behind him. He was sure all the shouts had earned him more blood from the wound. The stitching pain was tearing at his throat. His insides were burning. His brain was once again swaying, his sight blurring. His was shortly out of breath as he panted for air. Each breath he took was killing his lung.

"Don't… risk yourself for me… I don't… I don't… worth it. Not when you… you…don't… love… me..." Wolfram had choked out those words in desperation.

'After five years of waiting, you still couldn't make up your mind…'

"So, it's true. If the king doesn't like him, then, what's the point of me holding him as my shield? Look like I got the wrong victim." A devil horns seemed to be protruding on the man's head, making Yuuri sick and furious at the same time, he was trying his best to prevent the Maou inside him from taking control over his body. But with Wolfram soft whimpering and the man's jeering, it seems like he was getting at his limit.

"Should I finish him?"

The word was a trigger. It was as if the stopper in a water-filled jar that was turned upside down was unplugged, and similar to the water started gushing out from the jar suddenly, his power was released. His eyes narrowing into two black slits, his hair had grown longer to his shoulder and his voice started coming out at a deep hoarse tone.

"Maou?" Panic started to attack the man. He grabbed onto Wolfram even tighter, making the latter gasping for breath at the sudden jerk.

"Don't come any closer, or I'll kill him!" Pointing his knife at the already injured neck, he took a glance around the place, looking for his back up.

"Forcing a king to decide whether to sacrifice a fiancé's life or a country's future? It was the most ridiculous thing. People's life weren't an option in a gamble. Your acts were unforgivable. Release him now." The Maou voiced travelled through the air.

'Yuuri…'

"No way will I listen to you!" His voice was shaking but his grip was not. He pulled Wolfram up to his knees as his prey was starting to slip down slightly onto the ground.

'It hurts…'

"Release him!"

"NO!" The icy knife was even nearer to his throat, Wolfram shut tight his eyes. He wished to block the pain that was eating at his nerves. He tried to summon his own healing magic, but proved to be a futile attempt due to the houseki that was inches beside wounds. The man was tugging at him, forcing him to stand up, he was sure that more bruises were marked by him on his arms and neck. He could still hear the Maou's voice, even though it was fainting as each seconds passed by.

'It's not only because of these wounds. My heart hurt too.'

"Transform back! Or else I swear! I swear this boy will die!" Wolfram cringed again as the dagger was piercing again at the skin of his throat. He bit down his lower lips to allow another searing pain surged through his wound. Warm blood started dripping down again, staining his white fabric. And he knew that he was now gifted with new cut. He could even felt his own pulse. His head was pumping. Out of the corner of his eyes, hesitations were seen on the Maou face. His inner eyes opened in horror as the Maou slowly turning back to Yuuri, looking apprehensive.

'Wimp, I'll make up your mind for you… You don't need to do this because--'

The man was grinning out of triumph. Wolfram gritted his teeth, despite the houseki, the strength surprisingly came back to him. It was the determination that drove him over the edge, the determination to protect Yuuri.

'To you…'

He aimed for the attacker's lower jaw and lunged. Caught by shock, the man dropped his guard, releasing the grip. The knife that he was holding dropped onto the ground with a 'clung'. Swaying to one side, Wolfram staggered a little. He lurched over the floor for the dagger, even though the glow that it emitted was hurting him. Yuuri was caught in shock as well, he was stunned by the sudden twist of the scene and yet he was unable to bring himself to respond at the moment.

'I'm just a mere soldier.'

Wolfram stumbled onto the ground. His hand was edging towards the weapon. Yuuri finally gotten out of the shock, he rushed towards, wanting to pull Wolfram out of danger. Apparently, they were too slow. The light flashed, Wolfram blinked for a second as the man snatched over the dagger. He cried out in agony when his stretched hand was crushed under a heavy weight.

'But to me…'

Yuuri stopped at his track at the pain cry that pierced through his eardrum. His whole body was shaking again. He was blaming himself for letting the man seize the chance to torture his fiancé. His fist was shaking too. He didn't see the next blow coming, for he never expected it. The light flashed again.

'But to me…'

Wolfram was horrified. The man strike again, and this time, he had changed his target. He was charging towards Yuuri. The strength came back again. Struggling to get up, Wolfram used every ounce of strength in his muscles. He threw himself, feeling his hands got hold of the man's lower limbs, getting him down to the ground with him.

"GET OFF ME!!"

'But to me, you're…'

He gripped tighter as if his life depends on it. Yes, his life definitely depends on this. Yuuri had darted forwards, his hands reaching out to grab the man's arm that was holding the silvery knife.

Panic again, the man withdrew the dagger so that it was out of reach. He turned his head back towards the prince. Wanting so badly for the prince to let go, he raised the knife and lurched. Wolfram barely had time to gasp for breathe as he felt the chilling coldness penetrated through his back. It was deep. He could sense it. The pain increased hundred fold. And in an instant, he knew the knife had not ceased yet penetrating. He heard a shriek, clatter of footsteps, more shrieking and screaming. The tips touched his heart. The pain ended.

'But to me, you're everything…'

Xxxxx