Title: The Forgotten – Memories and Love

Chapter 24: Final pieces: What I had changed…

Disclaimer: I don't own kkm

Written by: Lisse08

Xxxx Yuuri xxxX

"NO, BASTARD! NOT MY FIANCE, DON'T!" Yuuri roared at the hand that was aiming down towards his fiancé's back. His words were caught at his throat when the shiny blade disappeared beneath the blue uniform. Horror engulfed him, he felt so sick, detached. He watched dumbstruck at the prone figure as dark-red blood started staining the uniform into a darker blue.

"STOP! STOP! STOP!!" Yuuri lurched at the man's neck. But the man was stronger and faster. Yuuri's mouth uttered a silent gasp. The blade was thrust even deeper into the figure.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Yuuri was so enraged that the power was released once again. He didn't hear the footsteps rumbling towards their direction.

"Heika, what's going…?" Conrad arrived with several soldiers. Apparently, it was too late. He was startled too at the sight of his youngest brother lying face down in the pool of blood, motionless. But years of experience on battle field taught him better.

"GET HELP!" He exclaimed to a soldier beside him.

"Seize him!" He ordered again and grabbed the Maou at the same time.

"Yuuri, calm down. Yuuri! You mustn't use Maryoku here. We will decide about the punishment later, Wolfram… Wolfram came first!" Conrad tried to reason with Maou. His efforts to keep his hands from trembling were useless.

Yuuri turned back again instantly at the mention of the name 'Wolfram'. As much as he wanted to check on his brother, he couldn't. He grabbed hold onto tumbling Yuuri. Yuuri didn't waste any time to stable himself onto the ground. His feet hurriedly brought him over to the body lying on the ground. No… he didn't want to say it's a corpse yet. He must still be alive. His stomach gave another turnover as he kneeled down side along with the body to examine it.

"Wolfram, Wolfram…"

Gently, he turned Wolfram over so that his face faced upwards. His eyes closed and his face was pale, as if all the blood had drained from inside. Yuuri shook him, but there was no response. Blood were still gushing out from the wound behind his back. Yuuri tried to stop it by pressing hard onto the area around the wound. His hands were shaking uncontrollably and his whole body were freezing cold. He touched the figure in his arms and a horrible thought strike him as he started to explore further. Wolfram's body was losing heat and he didn't see his chest rising up and down, he couldn't feel his breathe. His couldn't sense his heart beat as he cling him onto his side.

He didn't want to check. He didn't want to confirm the truth. He didn't want to…

Conrad approached him in no time. He bent down and gently touched Wolfram's neck, where the two cuts were clearly visible. The blood there had stopped. Yuuri gulped.

He didn't want to know… Please don't tell me…

An eerie silence was hung in the air. Yuuri closed his eyes. The tears were burning in there.

"There's no heart beat…"

Please don't tell me…

"Wolfram is…"

"IMPOSSIBLE!" Yuuri bellowed. Fluttering open his eyes, Conrad was stunned to see that tears were streaming down his godson's face. He looked away. His heart was hurting too. 'Wolfram… is dead…' Even if Yuuri didn't stop him, he wouldn't be able finish the words too. Pointing it straight out to Yuuri would be washing away all doubts, confirming that theory.

"HA! Serve you right! Didn't I tell you that he'll die is you don't listen to me? What a bunch of stubborn kids. See what's the result? HAHAHA." The man laughed hysterically. Conrad got up to his feet, clenched his fists until the knuckles go white, and thrust it towards the man's face.

Yuuri held onto Wolfram's body and sobbed. It was impossible, just few hours ago, Wolfram was so lively. He was shouting at him, calling him cheater and they were arguing. Looking back down at the Wolfram, who was now sleeping peacefully in his arms, his heart broke. Wolfram's face is still as angelic as ever. Bishonen, as he have always called his fiancé.

'It is impossible…'

He wanted Wolfram to wake up, shouting at him again, calling him cheater. Everything. He wouldn't mind his tantrums. He swears he will put up with them. He wouldn't mind him sneaking into his bed at night. He wouldn't mind Wolfram calling him cheater. He wouldn't mind too if Wolfram pulled his ear. He just wants his Wolfram back.

He wiped off the blood-stain on Wolfram's silky face and cupped the cute cheek. He brushed away some strands of golden hair from its face and let his hands trailed down towards the cuts on his neck.

Wolfram…

Without thinking twice what he was doing, he leaned down to plant a kiss on its cheek. Metallic taste… and it was cold to his kiss… Tears were forming again.

"Wolfram… Please wake up for me…"

He held onto the cold body tightly, trying to pass his own body heat to it.

"I hadn't given you my answer… Don't you want to hear it?"

The body didn't respond to him. Wolfram was still in his peaceful slumber. Realizing it was all fruitless, his lung felt like bursting but nothing was more agony than what he was experiencing in his inner heart. It was tearing. Yuuri let out his cries. His heart had died together with Wolfram, following his soul to wherever he was going at that moment.

Xxxx Yuuri xxxX

The death was confirmed by Gisela shortly after Wolfram's body was returned to the castle. People had been sticking out their heads from their residence. Some of them paid their respect to the prince by bowing when their horses passed by. A dark and gloomy atmosphere seemed to linger in the country ever since the death of the prince spread. Everyone was upset about it. Yuuri, who still did not wished to accept the truth, insisted to keep Wolfram's body froze using Anissina freezing machine. Just like how he succeeded in bringing back Wolfram when his heart was claimed by Shinou, he wanted to succeed this one too. He will find a way.

"Wolfram…" Cheri sobbed.

"Daddy Wolfram is not dead right? He's not going to leave us…" Greta cried and held onto the Maou.

"What happened?" Gwendal questioned after Wolfram's body was placed inside the crystal lid. Greta and Cheri knelt beside it.

"That guy got hold of Wolfram. Houseki weakened him… and… he asked me to choose between Wolfram and Shin Makoku… I couldn't make up my mind…" He stopped for a moment, horror struck. Yuuri sobbed harder as realization dawn upon him.

"Wolfram made it up for me… He wanted me to choose Shin Makoku…" Cheri covered her mouth with her hands, and walked forwards to embrace Yuuri. Both of them broke down into silent tears.

"That guy…" Gwendal continued and his eyes darkened. Hatred was seen clearly in his face, his eyes were burning.

"He's not going to live," Yuuri exclaimed.

Silence fell over the room again. No one intended to break it, for they feared, once the silence is broken, they will break down as well.

The door wrenched open. They turned to see the Great Sage, strolling into the chamber. His presence seemed to lift the charm a little. Smiling sadly, he headed straight towards the demon king. Startled for a while, Yuuri could only look at his best friend, for he had nothing to say. The loss of Wolfram was a great impact, yet he held onto the belief that Wolfram was just sleeping.

"I heard about it, Shibuya…" Murata said, "I'm sorry…"

Yuuri did not answer him. Words could not express just how much he missed the blonde. Wave of guilt swept over him again. Wolfram had scarified himself for him. He could have save Wolfram, but he didn't. If he was fast enough to stop the man, if he didn't leave him in the first place… Another blow hit him, hard. His eyes widened and he felt nausea.

"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."

If he didn't hurt him with this words in the first place, Wolfram… Wolfram would never die…

He closed his eyes. The tears were even more pronounced.

"To me, Wolfram was great. I don't think he deserved to die just like that. And so did Shinou… Did you… want to bring him back?" Yuuri's eyes shot open at the words.

"Is there a way?" Murata shifted his specs before looking straight into Yuuri's watery eyes.

"There is…"

Prince Tesca, the one who manipulated people's memories, the one who's able to foreseen future, and the one who's able to transfer people's mind back and forth through different time dimensions, was introduced by Murata. It have been hard to track down this person because his whereabouts was unknown to most people, even his stories. But Murata have lived long enough to hear about him. It took Gunter another week to finally uncover his hideout. A letter was sent over by pigeon to invite the prince over to Shinou Temple. Yuuri was overjoyed for the first time when a reply was sent back, which agreed to his request. Knowing that there's a chance for the prince revival, excitement was spread all over the castle, but no one seemed to be really thrilled by the idea. They could not confirm the method will really bring their bad tempered Wolfram back yet.

Yuuri have been accompanying the prince dead body over the weeks while waiting for Tesca to arrive. The skin had turned pale. some yellowish blemish spot had started to form on his skin. His lips which were once pink was turning to dark purple but despite all these changes, Wolfram's remained as beautiful as ever.

The morning when Tesca arrived, Yuuri took hold of a bunch of Beautiful Wolfram, and placed it upon the crystal lid that separated his Wolfram from him. He traced down the glass, trying to touch the blonde once more before standing up. Annisina assured him that she will take care of him before the king came back. With a small nod, Yuuri left the room with a heavy heart.

Murata was waiting in the temple with Yuuri, Conrad and others when Tesca reached their promised avenue. After the formal introduction, Tesca insisted only the king and the great sage were allowed to enter with him. Rather reluctantly, they put up with the decision.

"Yuuri heika," Tesca turned towards Yuuri as soon as the door was closed who smiled weakly. Tesca returned the smile and addressed the man beside Yuuri, "and the Great Sage, Murata Ken."

"You intended to bring back Wolfram von Bielefeld from death?" Tesca asked again.

"Please." Yuuri pleaded.

"Yes, I will help. Since it was a request from the demon king, Great Sage and… Shinou heika." He paused before continuing. "I will, but there's a slight confusion here which I wanted to confirm with you before proceeding." He looked into dark black eyes of Yuuri's, straight.

"Do you want to save his life or the engagement?"

"Huh?"

"Do you love him?" Yuuri stunned. He remembered he had kissed Wolfram's cheek when he held him that night. Why that particular one?

"I…"

"The answer?"

"Ye…N… No…" He teetered before answering. He sighed. No, he still could not bring himself to admit it. For now, Wolfram's life should be save first. He noticed Murata's eyes reacted at his answer. What was it…? He didn't know. Curiosity seized him better.

"Why did you ask?"

"Because that will decide which 'time' I should interfered with. Let's see, if you don't love him…" Yuuri's heart missed a beat. One part of him wanted to protest but words were frozen before it came to his lips. "Then, this should be fine. Let's begin."

He silenced. 'As long as Wolfram came back…' Tesca closed his eyes and put his finger upon Yuuri's temple.

"I see that you made a wish one year ago. Perfect… We will use that wish to change the history." His eyes darted towards Murata, who had gave him a nod before he continued. "Ah yes, to be on the safe side. I should have Wolfram's mind transferred as well." Taking out a crystal ball from his bag, he placed it safely on the table.

"How are we going to change the history?" Still slightly confused about the whole process, Yuuri asked.

"Just watch. And Wolfram will be back before you knew it." Tesca smirked. He closed his eyes again, his eyebrows squeezed towards each other as he frowned. Yuuri shut up when he saw that the prince was trying to concentrate.

Out of nowhere, the words seemed to come back to him.

'Now, I really wished I didn't give that slap after all, if that's the case, then I won't be worrying about this now.'

His hands closed together, not realizing that he had tightened them in a prayer style.

'If that's what you wished for, your wishes are granted.'

He heard it, as clearly as if it was from beside him. True, he snapped open his eyes and saw that Tesca had whispered it through his parted lips. But the voice doesn't sound like him. He wondered what was going to happen next and casted a side look at Murata, who was wearing a serious expression. He turned and looked into the crystal ball in front of him. Smoke seemed to swirl inside, making it impossible for him to see anything. He craned his neck a little and the smoke had started to clear out. Letting out a gasp, he gaped at the scene where he was lying on the grass. It was him. Back then when he first reached Shin Makoku…

"That's you." Tesca's voice made him jumped a feet. He turned before nodding.

"But the mind inside the body was not the same as you think. I had had the "Yuuri" from one year ago, when you had that fight with Wolfram, transferred back to the first time when you reached here. That is, before you met Wolfram."

"Amazing…" Yuuri whispered. The "Yuuri" inside had stood up with a confused face, looking around. He had now a vague idea of what Tesca was planning, where this would be heading to, but he was afraid. Nevertheless, he had to ask.

"Are you saying… the history that you wanted to change…," Yuuri gulped, "is our engagement?" His eyes fixed upon "Yuuri" who was scurrying away because of the attack by villagers. Adelbert was approaching.

"Exactly," Tesca said.

"So… how do you know, what choice will I made? How do you know, this will save Wolfram? Why not use me, send me back to the time when Wolfram was attacked? Why waste all the efforts to change this far?" Yuuri shot out the questions.

"I think, you know for yourself, what choice will you made." Yuuri flinched at that. "And I do know, whichever choice that you made, whether if you choose to slap him again or reject him, either way will save him from that death. And sorry to disappoint you, my power could not transfer the present "you"."

"Why will both ways save him?" Yuuri probed. He felt like he had plummeted into the sea without considering the depths and all the danger ahead of him. His mind was all focused on getting to the other side, and he had forgotten all the hinder that he would need to face.

"Yuuri heika, please noted that it was because of your hesitations towards the engagement that caused Wolfram to be prone at the assault. If here," he pointed into the sphere. "You realized your love for him, and choose to accept him, I'm sure you will value him even more than now when the time come. If you reject him, Wolfram will not be hurt by your words since there's no argument to start with. History will be changed, and no one, will remember that such engagement exist."

Yuuri gasped and turned to look at the prince.

"You didn't tell me that!"

"Did I not, asked you whether if you love Wolfram or not? Did I not, ask you whether if you want to save his life or the engagement? Did you not reply me, that you don't love him? When you gave me the answer, shouldn't you have put into consideration that the engagement might need to be dismissed to save him? Shouldn't you know that Wolfram had been hurt by the binding of the engagement where his fiancé doesn't love him?"

Yuuri visibly flinched at the hard look given by Tesca. His words were like stakes, piercing through his heart, making him bleed. He turned back to the crystal ball, and saw that the time inside have fast forwarded. They had reached the dinner part. He closed his eyes as "Yuuri" inside rushed out from the chamber. He knew that the decision is going to be made. Soon.

Is this really the right way? Did he really mean to end up like this?

Holding his breath, he could feel his heart leapt out from his mouth as he saw Wolfram again in the king's chamber. He averted his eyes, not wanting to hear the results. He have known all along what choice he was going to make. Back then, when he made the wish… He had truly… truly…

"Wolfram… I'm sorry. If this is really the past, I will not slap you again."

His voice echoed out through the room from the ball. Tears sipped down beneath the eyelids. Yes… he had truly wished that he will never slap him again. That was his answer.

He wanted to block the sobs he was hearing from the ball. It was torturing his heart. His Wolfram was crying, begging him to change his mind. He still have a slightest hope that "Yuuri" will return to accept him again. But no, nothing changed. His heart broke together with the sobbing that haunted his ears. Murata gave a soft pat behind his back. Tesca closed his eyes again, after a few seconds, he voiced.

"He wanted to know who did it. You would better go and talked to him. I warn you, do not tell him what happened in future. Not even a hint. Future is not to be known by the past. For it will go against the nature law. If it is not because of Shinou and you, I will never change a history." Tesca said sternly.

Wiping his tears, Yuuri nodded.

"If he asked, tell him, when they are sent back, they will not remember anything. That night memory and their first memories will be erased." Tesca added.

"Just close your eyes, and you'll see him in your inner eyes."

Taking a deep breath, he did as he was told. It wasn't long before he saw the same smoke, as if he was inside the crystal ball himself, and there he was… looking back at him, gaping and obviously surprised.

He answered his questions. All the while he was suppressing the burning lump in his throat. The question was circling in his brain. 'Is this really what I wanted?'

"This will do." A voice said

He opened his eyes again and found himself back in the room with Murata and Tesca. Sighing, he looked back into the crystal ball. He was aware that Tesca had closed his eyes again. Wolfram was still sobbing at the corner of the room. He hugged onto himself. His heart wrenched. Yuuri would have given everything to have Wolfram back, and now, he had succeeded, but why was he not satisfied? Their engagement… No one will remember their engagement. He thought of Wolfram again. He tried to imagine him becoming intimate with another boy or girl, trying to imagine him calling others "cheater"… His heart became empty. He had made up his decision. He had given Wolfram the answer that he always wanted to give. But is this really his answer?

Why, though, why did he kiss Wolfram that night? Why did he feel anger when he saw others watching his fiancé with a look of lust? Why did he feel sad and empty now?

Why did he have a feeling wanting Wolfram back now?

"HOLD ON!" Yuuri shouted. Tesca ceased his movements and flung open his eyelids.

"I had sent "Yuuri" back. What is it that you want?"

"You sent him back already??" Panic started to attack him again. "Then, the history…"

"History will be changed, even now, right after that decision was made. History was changing. For others," he nodded towards the door, and Yuuri immediately took in the words. He was referring to Conrad, Gwendal and all those who didn't witness this scene. "The memories that don't belong to here, which did not exist, will be removed automatically. But exceptions now will be for you two," He nodded towards them. "Who knew what happened. Even though, your memories are being altered at this very moment. It's just that you don't realize it. The only thing is, the time that took for those memories to disappear will be different for you two. The same goes for those "Yuuri" and "Wolfram" who I had to send back. No matter how many memories they wanted to cling to, they will eventually disappear. The only difference is how much you value those memories. The more you valued it, the longer it took to be gone."

"NO! I don't want this. I…" he gritted his teeth. Something was burning within his heart. "I want to save the engagement!" Yuuri shouted again as he clung onto his head. Just like Tesca had indicated, he was beginning to see some images that he was unfamiliar with. His body stiffened.

"Engagement?" Tesca snorted at the words. He shook his head, and for Yuuri, he felt as if it was even worse than Wolfram's death.

"It's too late. I can't undo history twice."

TBC…

A/N The Final Chapter, coming up next!!!