Sorry that I'm kinda late on the updating. I figure you guys probably hated the wait. So here it is, bright and early (USA-Eastern Time.) Hope you enjoy!

Title: Into the Indefinite Sky
Author: S.P. Kathrine
Anime: Kyou Kara Maou
Genre: AU, Angst/Drama, Romance
Pairing: YuurixWolfram
Rating: M-MA (R-NC17)
Chapter: Chapter 5 (05) ?
Warnings: Angst, Non-Consensual Sexual themes (referenced/implied), AU, OOC Wolfram, possibly OOC everyone else, and any other Warning I can't mention without ruining the plot (Bottom line: Be prepared for anything-except MainCharacter Death.)
Summary:
Wolf had spent his life believing that he was meant for servitude. His master was strict, and often cruel, but he never thought he could be anything more than what he was. One night changes everything and he is thrown into a world that he knows nothing about and given a life he never thought he could have. But a secret he keeps could only throw his life into further turmoil and not to mention the Demon King…

Disclaimer: Oh the things I would doif I owned KKM... Gwendal would have to wear that sexy black suit ALL THE TIME, but with the red shirt opened at the neck atLEAST three buttons, Gunter would have to wear black leather catsuits with lots of 'accessories', Conrad would have to grow his hair back out (tamest of things that don'tinclude Yozak), and let's not get into whatI would dotoWolfram, Shinou, Yuuri, and Murata...(daydreams about the possibilities) Sadly...I do not own.

Chapter 5 - Expectations Upon Arrival

Just before they had entered the city limits, Wolf had been allowed the reprieve of wearing a cloak to cover himself from the eyes of the townspeople. He did not know if he could stand to have more people staring at him. He wanted to get off of the horse, not even to run, but to protect his aching back from more jostling. He had not allowed anyone, save Hilde, to see the damage that had been done, whether to care for it or otherwise. But he knew that the constant moving had not helped the bruises or wounds to heal. He felt no blood, and so hoped that none of the whip's lash marks had been reopened. At least the wrappings had managed to remain in place.

People were still staring, Wolf realized, but thankfully it was not because of him. Greetings, waves, and children playing resounded around them. Many waved at the group as they past by them, not just a few greeting Conrad by name. But none bowed or greeted Yuuri. Is he not their King? he wondered. How can they not see him and greet him as their lord and master?

He watched the people, the Mazoku, about them and was shocked by how utterly 'normal' they all appeared. They laughed with each other, bought food in the market, and smiled as they watched their children play together. Especially those he knew were mothers. It was as if he were in a simple Human city. Where was the fighting? The greed and destruction? Or was this all a big conspiracy? The blonde boy and the red-haired man had left the inn before them, to ready for their arrival. Could they have had a hand in this?

Eyes were watching him. Glancing to the left, he saw that it was Yuuri once more, peaking at him from the corner of his eye. When he saw that Wolf had caught him, he turned his eyes away, looking straight ahead. Wolf resolved himself to ignoring the other, this boy-King of the demons.

They were exiting the city, taking the winding road that led to the gates of the castle. Unconsciously, he tightened his grip on Conrad, trying to steady all of the doubt and uncertainties that were drowning out the pounding of his heart in his ears. In mere minutes he would be trapped, completely at the mercy of the Mazoku. A creaking noise was made, loud and unexpected. Then the gates were opening. Wolf closed his eyes tight, unsure what fear had assaulted him now. His resolve wavered as he searched out Yuuri, but this time the boy was not looking back at him.

I don't want to do this, he thought. I want to leave. I'll even go back to Master Verik. Oh, Hilde…

The creaking echoed once more and the gates closed behind them. To Wolf, they were his last chance. The finality of the large wooden entry closing caused him to flinch. It was all over for him now.

Conrad was moving. He let go of his grip on the man's waist and allowed him to get down from the horse. Hands reached out to him and he grabbed hold of his forearms. Conrad helped him down from the horse and steadied him on the ground. Wolf kept his head titled downwards. The man then left his line of vision and he took the chance to gaze around him.

The courtyard was large and open. There were trees and other plants scattered about, but most of it was just empty space. There was a fountain, albeit a small one, to one side and birds fluttered around it, some bathing and some drinking.

He turned around and froze. There were people lined up in front of the steps leading into the castle. All of them were staring at him. He saw the red-haired man that had been at the inn with them-Did Yuuri called him Kojak?-off to the side, but did not see the blond boy. But he did see a blonde woman. She stood at the front, her long black dress slid down to fit her shapely body and ample breasts were all but bursting from the cleavage. Beside her was a tall stoic man with long black hair. His eyes were hard, unreadable. They stared at him the same way that Conrad had, only the woman had tears in her eyes already and the man simply stared, as if waiting for him to commit some wrong. He could feel his hands trembling. He wanted to be gone from here so badly that he could taste it in his mouth.

Greta was by his side now. Once again, she gave him comfort for which he would never be able to repay her. Her hand slid into one of his own and he let it, accepting the child's way of reassurance. His other hand went up to remove the hood of the cloak as she gently led him around the horses to where both Yuuri and Conrad stood.

The reaction was instantaneous. The eyes, the whispers, the shock. He was on display once more and he had no way of knowing was sort of performance they expected of him. The woman gave only a moment's hesitation before rushing forward, grabbing him in her arms and crushing him in her embrace-one much stronger than Hilde's.

"Oh, Wolfram!" she cried, tears falling. "You're here! You're alive!" She shook him, rubbed one of her hands through his hair. He flinched and she did not notice. He wanted her to let go. But she was crying and the smothering squeeze reminded him so much of Hilde that he did not know what to do with himself.

She pulled his face upwards and he stared into dark green eyes that were glazed by wetness. He stared into eyes and blonde hair that were so like his own that he knew not what to do. Who was this woman?

"It's you," she whispered. "I know its you. I never thought you were gone. I could feel it in my heart that you would come back, that you would come back to me. Oh my baby. Wolfram…"

Hahaue… the thought came unbidden, throwing itself at him as if he had been struck by something. He couldn't move, couldn't speak. He could only stare into the mirror of her eyes.

She seemed to catch on then that something was amiss. She pulled slightly away from him, looking him over and then gazing into his eyes. "What's wrong?" she asked. "Don't you recognize your own mother?"

Now he did pull away from her, stepping back with a sharp tug. Her eyes went wide, yet she didn't try to stop him. Hands itched to curl in on himself, to hide himself from her hurt stare. Why was she looking at him in such a way? She was not his mother. His mother was dead. Had been killed by… He was not sure by whom anymore.

"Hahaue," it was the tall raven-haired man, as he stepped forward to stand beside her. Conrad walked to her and she gave him a welcoming hug and smile, though it was brief.

"Oh Conrad," she said, a hitch in her voice. "It's him…I know it's him…"

"Please, Hahaue," he calmed her. "You must give it time."

Wolf suddenly felt very alone, even though it was he that they were talking about. Not even Greta could help the tug he felt when he saw the way the woman looked at him. It hurt. She was a mother who had lost her child and now she saw him and expected him to take his place. He was not her son and yet…

Now the man with raven hair and the green military-like uniform was there, eyes searching him. Wolf could not stand to be in the sights of that dark blue gaze. This man was power, authority, fear. This man frightened him.

"Don't worry, Wolf," Greta still was holding his hand once more. "Everything's going to be fine now that we're home."

Home? he thought bitterly. This isn't my home. I don't have one. This is Wolfram's home and they want to turn me into him.

"I am Gwendal von Voltaire," the man stated.

Wolf nodded, but still couldn't look him directly in the face. He tried to keep his voice as calm as possible, but could barely force out the words. "I-I…"

And suddenly Yuuri was there, a gentle presence beside him. "Wolf's a little nervous," the maroon-haired boy replied. "Quit trying to smother him already. He's only been here a few minutes."

Grateful could not even describe how the blonde felt towards Yuuri at that moment. The other boy had taken the pressure away from him by distracting the intimidating man. Even though the boy knew that their last conversation had not ended on good terms, he was still there to help him in this strange place.

"Maybe we should go inside," Conrad broke the tension that was rising. "I'm sure all of this would be done better after we have at least cleaned up some."

"Yes," the woman agreed. "Everyone should go have nice relaxing baths and then we can sit down for a late lunch in about an hour and a half." She clapped her hands together and the people immediately began to disperse, all having something that needed to be done. The soldiers took the horses away and the congregation of women in white aprons over brightly colored shirts also broke apart. Soon, there were only a few people left in the courtyard. The lack of an immense audience did ease Wolf's anxiety some.

"Let's go get cleaned up," Yuuri smiled at him. "We can take a bath and then get on some clean clothes."

"Bath? Clothes?" Wolf repeated, finally letting their words settle on him. "You mean I have to change?"

"Of course!" Yuuri replied. "I mean, we're really dusty and dirty from traveling for so long and so it would be best if we took a bath and got washed up. I'm sure that we could find some clothes for you."

Wolf didn't like the implications of this. That would mean that he would have to undress. That would mean that someone could see…

"I want to bathe alone," he told him, trying not to waver. Yes, he was free now, but the thought of giving someone else a demand or command left him feeling sick in his stomach. He did not want to turn into Verik.

"That is something we can accommodate," Conrad assured him. "While our baths are meant for sharing, there are closed off sections for personal use."

"G-Good," Wolf said.

"Great," Greta smiled and tugged him towards the steps leading into the castle. The woman looked as if she wanted to follow them, but the raven-haired man-Gwendolyn?-stopped her. Yuuri followed behind his daughter and the blonde, but the two men and woman stayed in the courtyard just as the red-haired man and a black-haired boy joined them.

The communal baths were massive and open. Wolf felt as if he would go blind in the steam and white surroundings.

"Don't let the size get to you," Yuuri told him as he and Greta led him along down the path to a door on the opposite side of the room. He pushed open the door and Wolf was awed by the sight of the room.

There was deep porcelain tub that sat on feet shaped like vines with flowers etched into the surface all over. There was a faucet that water came out of, like the ones that had been in his former master Zanter's home, and an elegant washbasin beneath it. A large shelf full of towels stood against one wall and beside it was another counter covered in bath oils, salts, and other luxuries. Opposite them on the other wall was a mirror that looked to be five feet wide and ran from the ceiling to the floor. Beside that was the elegant toilet that he knew would have plumbing, just as everything else. The room was nowhere near the size of the communal, but it could still fit at least five of his former bedroom-also the storage room-in it.

"This is Cheri-sama's bathroom. Gwendal had it commissioned because she kept leaving her special oils and perfumes in the public one," Yuuri tried to explain the undeniably feminine touch that permeated throughout the room.

Or is that just a perfume? he wondered. There was a distinctly sweet scent in the room, one that made him feel at ease. The stress in his limbs faded and he only wanted to relax.

Yuuri was everywhere at once, starting water in the tub, picking out towels and bath soaps that were set on the counter beside the tub. "These are the only safe soap in the room," Yuuri told him. "They smell really nice, though, and I know that Cheri-sama won't mind you using them." He smiled at him. "Now you can enjoy yourself while Greta and I find you some nice clothes to wear. I think your about my size, if a little on the skinny side, so I know what to look for."

"Have fun, Wolf," Greta told him. "I know you're going to like it here, if you just give it a chance." She let go of his hand and he felt off balance. She was his crutch, his stability. Stop thinking like that! his mind berated him. You're eight times older than her! Why do you need a child? It didn't change the fact that he almost stopped her from walking out the door. Yuuri gave him what he thought was meant to be a reassuring smile before leaving as well and shutting the door behind him. Now he was alone.

Wolf dropped to the floor, arms going around himself. Now that he had the privacy for it, Wolf could feel himself on the verge of losing every last inch of composure that he had held so close during the journey. It was too much. He didn't know if he could face those people-those Mazoku-again. How was he supposed to act? What did they expect of him? Could he be who they wanted him to be? Did he want to?

He looked down at his wrist, the red scar seeming more vibrant than before. I'm free now, he thought. Nothing's holding me back from saving myself right now. I could end it all right here. And then came the shame at even allowing such thoughts. I am FREE, he told himself. If I don't like it here-which I know I won't!-I can just leave. Yuuri said I could. He again had to remind himself not to trust Yuuri.

With a resigned sigh, he stood and turned off the water in the tub before if got too high. He was not sure what to do now. Should he get undressed? It would be pointless and embarrassing to simply get into the bath with his clothes on. There were too many times he'd been forced to do that before to conserve water during the twenty years with Verik. Each time he had felt he face burn as Verik, and later Brutus, used his lack of regular bathing as an excuse to taunt him. But then again, they had been the only ones allowed to bathe everyday.

And so he steeled himself and removed his cloak, then beginning to undo the buttons of his shirt. During his time with Verik, Wolf had only been allowed two new-though used-outfits every year. One was meant for spring and summer, while the other for fall and winter. The only other he had in his possession was a women's nightgown that he wore to sleep. If he managed to keep his other clothing intact from the year before, then all the better for him. Usually he would mend his clothing with cloth left over from his former wear. It made them last longer and left nothing wasted. What he didn't use was given to Hilde for scraps and washcloths. This time he had been lucky to get a shirt that buttoned up the front rather than one he had to pull over his head. It made it easier and less painful to remove.

After taking off the shirt, he assessed the bandages. It was obvious that they needed changing and when he turned to the mirror so as to see his back, he noticed that there were indeed dark stains standing out on the formerly cream-colored cloth. He would have to do something about them. He let the filthy shirt drop to the floor before bending down to unlace his simple and overly worn boots. They had once belonged to Brutus and the young man had made sure they were well-used before passing them on. He'd already had to mend the soles twice on his own since he'd gotten them.

After unlacing them, he propped his hand against the tub so that he could remove the first one. As he was bending over the door opened.

"Here, I think these will-" A gasp.

Yuuri.

He stood straight immediately, only to winced at the pain it caused. The boy was staring at him with wide eyes, although they were both trained on his back. He turned around, removing it from the other boy's sight and found a surprise of his own. The boy's hair was no longer the strange maroon color. Instead it was black, dark black with barely a hint of brown to be found. And his eyes… Black. Dark, overwhelming black just as they had looked that first night in the storm. Was this even the same boy?

"You're hurt." Yes, definitely Yuuri.

"It's nothing," he replied, not even caring anymore. The boy had probably just hidden his looks. He would not have been surprised. The Mazoku had already hidden many things from him already. But it made him wonder how much else he did not know about this boy-King.

"It's not nothing!" Yuuri told him, tone serious and concerned. "What if it's infected? You could get sick!"

Wolf shook his head as he bent down to continue removing his boots. "It's nothing, Youn-Your Majesty," he replied. "I do not get ill easily."

"Yuuri. I told you to call me Yuuri," the other boy reminded him with a slight whine in his voice.

"Yes, Your Majesty," he said.

The Mazoku huffed, but relented. He then calmed himself and asked, "Are you sure it doesn't hurt?"

Wolf took of his last boot and looked at him, a response already on his tongue. But then he gazed into Yuuri's eyes. Those eyes…

The blond was the first to look away. "I never said that it didn't hurt," he gave in a soft, but emotionless, voice. "Only that it is not something of your concern."

"We brought you here," the boy told him as his eyes turned regretful. "We didn't really give you that much of a choice either. So I think making sure you're not hurt and stuff is important."

He's trying to get me to trust him again, Wolf told himself.

"I know this lady doctor, Gisela," Yuuri continued, "that will be able to heal your back. She's so good there won't even be a scar!"

No scars? He didn't know why he felt angry at the thought. The scars were deep and scattered across his entire body, but he could catalog each and everyone. They were a part of him. But would he take the chance to give them up? The first real step at putting his past behind him? It would be as if none of them ever happened… The thought made him feel sick.

Before he knew it, he was rushing to and then leaning over the toilet, letting out what little food he had in him. His body shook with force as he continued to dry heave. Someone was beside him then, holding his hair away from his face and gently rubbing the small expanse of skin near his neck that wasn't bandaged or hurt. When the spasms subsided to slight trembles, he finally realizing the fact that Yuuri was touching him. He jerked and the hands were gone. Water was ran and was turned off seconds later. He looked up and found a rag in his face.

"I think you really did catch something," the dark-haired boy told him, handing him the wash cloth. "You should take your bath and then get some sleep."

Wolf wiped his face with the dry cloth and tried to recollect himself. Yuuri stood and stepped back, turning away as if to give the blonde some semblance of privacy. The anger he'd felt returned.

He slowly stood with the wall as his brace, carefully testing the steadiness of his legs before throwing the wash cloth as Yuuri, yelling, "Damn you!"

The Mazoku turned just in time to catch it in the face. He stumbled backwards in complete surprise and quickly pulled the wetness away. "What!" he exclaimed. "What did I do now!"

"You come in," he started, "and take over my life under the pretense 'freeing' me from slavery. You keep things from me, bring me to this place where these people all look at me as if I'm some sort if abnormality, and yet you keep trying to act as if you're some perfect gentleman, kind and chivalrous. Lies. I have no idea what you're objective is, but I will not be led around this way!"

The blonde was furious, but he didn't know truly at what or whom. It was as if he was letting out everything he had ever been angry with in his entire life. Yuuri looked stunned, and not a little frightened by his display, but he didn't care. He wanted him to be wary of him, to realize that he was no longer someone to be pushed about and subjected to another's whims. He was free. They had freed him, and no matter the true reason, he was still free.

He slid back down the wall that had formerly held him up, his shoulder against the cold, smooth stone. He curled into himself, arms around his knees. "You tell me things," he said. "You say that I'm Mazoku and that I'm some boy that should have died decades ago. The son of the former queen."

"Wolf-" Yuuri started, but the blonde glared him into silence.

"How can I trust you?" he demanded. "How can I trust any of you? If what you say is true, than everything I know is a lie. My life is a complete lie. My mother stole me and the Mazoku didn't kill me family… And my brother"- A hitch. He almost couldn't say it, couldn't think it-"My broth…Mika killed himself because of this. He is dead and I will never have the chance to see him again."

He lowered his head to his knees, but didn't stop speaking. It was too late to stop. "How can I trust you? You, who acts so kind and understanding for no reason at all? You, who keep things from me? How can I believe you? All I have left are my memories of my family and you want to take them away from me…" His words trailed off as he buried his face, tightening the embrace around himself.

"I'm sorry."

Confusion was his first response. But Yuuri was looking at him with a somber look in those eyes that he could not deny, eyes that were full of remorse.

"I'm sorry," he repeated. "I didn't mean to make you feel like you were a prisoner. Like you didn't have any say in things. You're right. We've just been plowing through and never gave you a chance to accept all of this. It's too sudden and too soon." He moved closer and kneeled down so that they were about eye level. "I'm sorry. I don't know how to show you how sorry I am. But know that, from now on, I'm going to make sure that nothing is done without your okay. No one is going to make any decisions for you unless you trust them enough to let them. Okay?"

It was happening all over again. Those eyes were all but begging him, full of apologies and promises. They were indeed the eyes of a demon, enchanted so as to bring total submission without even a battle. Those eyes could destroy the world. Or save it…

"How can I trust you?" he asked again, although his voice was tired, insecure.

Yuuri seemed awkward now, unable to answer. "Well…" his words faded. "I-I guess you can't," he stated honestly. "I haven't proven to be very trustworthy, have I? But that doesn't mean I can't earn your trust by standing by my word. And I will, that's a promise I won't ever break. I won't let you be hurt anymore if I can do anything to stop it."

And he believed him. He believed the heartfelt tone and those honest eyes. He wanted to believe in those eyes and all of their assurances. It must have shown on his face because Yuuri smiled, the sadness fading from his eyes.

"You should bathe with the bandages on," he broke the light pressure in the room. "That way they will come off easier. I'll get Gisela to wait outside so that when your ready she can do something about your back."

"Don't remove them," he said.

"What?"

"My scars, I don't want her to remove them," he replied. "She can heal them, but she can't remove the scars. I want to keep them."

Yuuri nodded, not questioning his decision, simply accepting what he wanted.

"And I want you there," Wolf said. "No one else, just you."

He nodded once more. "You sure you wouldn't feel more comfortable having Greta…"

"No!" he shook his head vehemently. "She…This is not something a child should have to witness."

Yuuri gave a sigh of acceptance, agreeing with his words wholeheartedly. "Okay," he said before standing. A hand extended, a familiar action. Unwrapping himself, the blonde took the hand and allowed the other boy to pull him to his feet. Yuuri then seemed to recall something and turned around, pointing to something on the floor a few feet away.

"I brought you clothes," he said. "I think they'll be a little loose, though, 'cause you're really skinny."

And for reason the comment didn't make Wolf feel self-conscious as it would if it came from anyone else.

Okay...I just had to add the little Yuuram. Believe me when I say I needed my fix as much as the readers did. Writing too much without any Yuuram action drove mecrazy. Guess I'm a closet romantic.Now the next update will be on Thursday, probably early because that's my graduation day. Review ifyou want.Flames will simply be made fun of seeing asthey bring great jokes with them. Until the 1st.