Hi everyone! sorry, it took me some time to update this chapter...you see, the minute that I've finished the draft, an idea crossed my mind...so I said to myself, "may be I should rewrite this chapter..."

So well, this is it...Please read and review..thanks!

And By the way, sorry for all my errors...

Chapter 5: Cost

"Wolfram, I promise, everything will be alright." He said to himself.

"Teenagers. Full of hopes and dreams." Shinou sighed. "What are you planning now, 'Yuuri-heika'?"

Yuuri smirked. "By the tone of your voice, it's as if you know something. A solution, perhaps?"

Shinou smirked back at him. "You are very smart, Yuuri."

"So you do know a way!" Yuuri concluded.

"Yes, but it can cost us a steep price." Shinou warned.

"I don't care. I will save Shin Makoku, save Wolfram, no matter what the cost!" Yuuri was determined.

Shinou smiled at him. "Now that's what I've been waiting for you to say."

--

"You mean you've known something the whole time and you didn't even bother to tell me, 'Hey Yuuri, don't worry, it's not the end of world. I know a solution.' For God's sake-" Shinou then pulled Yuuri's face an inch away from his by the collar.

"You know what, you talk too much. That's why I didn't have the chance to tell you that I was just testing you. I just wanted to know how much you love my precious Shin Makoku. Don't worry, you definitely passed the test! And besides you could have figured out about the solution sooner or later so I thought that may be playing with you for a little bit wouldn't hurt." The blond then let go of the said collar.

"What? You mean you were just playing with me? This isn't one of your stupid games that you played all those years! We're talking about your country here!" Exasperation was Yuuri's immediate reaction.

"Relax kid… I know what's on the risk here and yes I was fooling around a bit," then he paused. "But let me tell you this: if ever it comes down to the worst case scenario, then I am ready to lay down my life for the Great Demon Kingdom. I love this country, and I've poured every ounce of my whole being for Shin Makoku: I won't let anything harsh devour this country and the people in it… Remember that, Yuuri…"

Yuuri was speechless as two crystal blue eyes met his. Pure Resolve. It was the only emotion he could feel, looking unto those crystal blue orbs. No. Yuuri shook his head. It was love. Pure love for Shin Makoku, for his people, that he could do everything (even to plot his own death like he did in the series) just to see his people happy. For everyone he loves the most to be free…

Free. Free from darkness and suffering…

'I've never seen eyes like those…they're so…'

Yuuri was all fired up. He had never met someone with this strong will to fight and stand up for the ones he cared for. He felt sympathy over this once great mazoku. Perhaps, because, they felt the same, and suffered the same fate: dying for Shin Makoku.

Yuuri smiled softly. "I'll remember that…Shinou-heika…"

"What's with the sudden formalities? 'Yuuri-heika'…"

"It's nothing…"

--

"So what do we do now? What's that solution you were talking about that I would have thought of?" Yuuri asked sarcastically.

His been trying to ask Shinou of the so-called solution to their problem but the guy kept on playing with him, giving baloney clues that doesn't help a bit. Yuuri was starting to get annoyed.

"Okay, my 50th clue is: it is the first thing a dead man would have thought of to save everybody." was his balderdash reply.

"You're starting to get into my nerves!" Yuuri replied angrily.

"I am? Perfect!"

Shinou winked at him.

"I hate it when you do that!" He snapped.

"You do?" then Shinou winked at him again.

"Oh! Can't you just stop that and give me the damn answer!" Yuuri demanded.

Shinou paused to think. "No, I can't…"

Yuuri slapped his forehead and released a defeated sigh.

"Give yourself a break baseball kid…you're acting like a grown up!" Shinou remarked.

"And you're not acting like one at all.…" Yuuri snapped. "And besides, the day I became Demon King was the day I threw my childhood away."

"That's a pity. The reason that I chose you as maou is not only because you are the reincarnation of Suzanah Julia, it's also because you act like a child. Actually, you're as innocent as a child. Kids are the purest beings you'll ever find. They have a pure heart and pure intentions. The only character they play is them selves. They say what they want to say and don't feel bad about it. They get angry but still forgive and more importantly, forgets everything right after that. They don't keep grudges in those pure hearts of theirs. If I had some kind of wishing coin, I will wish for kids to never grow up." The blond then stared at the bright blue sky.

"Shinou…"

"You know what? Let's just cut this crap and I'll tell you what you want to know."

--

"Well Yuuri, have you heard of those people who are called clairvoyant?" Shinou asked.

"Clairvoyant? I know I've heard of that word before but I just can't put a finger on it…Hmm…I do remember that it was something that Murata had said way, way back before I died…Hmmm…" Yuuri touched his chin with his index finger, hoping that it will help him remember.

"Take your time…" Shinou said sarcastically.

"Hey I know! Clairvoyants are those rare people who have the ability to communicate or sometimes, interact with the supernatural!" Yuuri looked at Shinou intently, hopeful that he was right.

"Correct! And they're the ones who can help us."

"You maybe right but, where are we suppose to find one here in Shin Makoku? I mean come on! Do they some kind of emblem or some kind of mark or something?"

Shinou shook his head gently. "They don't have any mark or any symbol of some sort. But I do know a specific someone who can see ghostly apparitions like us…"

"And who's that?"

"You'll know soon enough…"

Then Shinou snapped his finger. Yuuri looked at him puzzled.

He then pointed downwards. The double-black then looked down and saw a hole. No, a portal, his stepping at the portal! The portal is beneath them!

"AAHHHHHH!!!! SHINOU!!!!!!"

--

"Do you really have to surprise me all the time?" Yuuri hypothetically asked.

"Yes."

"Your not suppose to answer that!"

"Well I'm sorry, 'Yuuri-heika'. I was too bedazzled by your greatness that I've committed something against your will…" Shinou said sarcastically, and made a curtsied.

"You know what? Right now, I don't have any idea as to why you were called 'the great one'…" Yuuri sighed. "Where are we anyway?"

"Turn around."

"Hmm?" Yuuri then did as what Shinou said. "Shinou temple…"

--

"What are we doing here?"

"Well duh? What do you think? Of course were here for Ulrike!" Shinou cocked an eyebrow.

"Ulrike? Why? What for?"

Shinou slapped his forehead with frustration. "Come on kid! Think! Why else would we need her for? Of course we're here because Ulrike is the person I am talking about! She has the gift of clairvoyance!"

"She is? That's wonderful! I never knew that Ulrike can see ghosts."

"Yuuri, even before you even defeated me, I was already a bound soul. I stay in that temple, remember? So think about it, why do I need a Genshi Miko? I need her as a medium to communicate with the mazokus, so to put it simple, Genshi mikos should have the so-called seeing or hearing ability, rather, in order to hear my voice." He explained. "Get it?"

"Yeah, I get it. Thanks…" Yuuri gave his signature goofy smile.

Shinou just sighed and shook his head in 'this-guy's-hopeless' way.

--

"So why are doing this again?" Yuuri asked. "We're ghosts for god's sake! Why are we 'sneaking' in? Nobody can see us? This is stupid!"

"No, you're the one whose stupid goofball! Do you know that you have the habit of talking without thinking?" Shinou shook his head. "No, you don't have to answer that. You obviously don't. Anyways, try to use that head of yours. Why would someone sneak in, instead of entering right in front of that huge door and hell it would be easier? Simple, because they have to enter this place secretly, without being seen…And if you'd ask why, well because commodore-fluffy-paws is somewhere in here."

"Huh? Who's commodore-fluffy-paws?"

"Well, duh? Who else? It's Mr. four-eyes-know-it-all…"

"You mean Murata?"

"Yup."

"Why do we have to hide from him?"

"He's not clairvoyant but I know he can feel our presence back there in Blood Pledged castle. If he finds out about this, it will spoil all my plans…And please don't ask of my plan because I'm not telling you, because you're just going to spoil it as well…"

Yuuri sighed dejectedly. "Fine I won't, just please-, at least inform me before doing anything rash."

"Of course, Yuuri-heika…"

"You're mocking me again!" Yuuri stomped his foot like a kid who wants his daddy to buy him something.

Shinou just smiled. He knew Yuuri was childish, but his never really experienced being a babysitter himself. But somehow, the more Yuuri acts childishly, the more he was sure that he made the right choice of choosing Yuuri to be the one to defeat him.

"Now are you done being all 'you have to respect me because I am the maou?'?"

"Hey! I'm not like that at all!"

"Of course you aren't… Now come on, time is gold…And you can't just waste gold…It's pretty expensive…" Shinou joked.

"HA-ha…Funny…." Yuuri retorted sarcastically.

"Whatever…Let's just get moving and find Ulrike… Actually, I think I know where she is this very moment."

--

"There she is…" Shinou muttered pointed at Ulrike who was praying silently at the middle of the oracle.

"She must me going nuts, praying to someone who no longer resides there…" For once in so many years, Shinou felt guilt. Guilt over leaving this one person behind; this person, who talked to him, and listened to him for so many years, this person who devoted her whole life to him, and now that he's gone, there's nothing left for her to offer her life to.

No…purpose…

"Oh Shinou-heika… Why had you left Shin Makoku, and took our only hope with you…" Ulrike said to no one in particular as she is unaware, that someone was there with her.

"Ulrike…" Yuuri felt guilt as well… There was nothing more painful than seeing the ones you love so helpless, but yet you can't do anything to help…yet…

Shinou took a deep breath. Yes, he was nervous, no anxious… He can't bear just seeing all of this happening; he has to do something, fast.

He headed towards the Genshi Miko. His steps becoming a lot lighter as he got closer,

He stretched his arm, and placed his hand above her shoulder, very careful for his hand not to go through her small body,

"To whom are you talking too, Ulrike?" He said in a gentle voice.

Ulrike's heart pounded. Is she actually feeling this? This hand…it's… "SHINOU-HEIKA!" She exclaimed.

She impulsively turned around to see for her own eyes; yes…it was all true… It's her master, Shinou. He was really there, quite translucent but he was there, standing right in front of her.

"Shinou-heika," She was speechless.

"Yes, Ulrike…It is me… I've- come back…" He smiled at her.

Ulrike was touched by his genuine smile, and ever-so-kind nostalgic voice, that never fails to bring out joy in her… Finally, for such a long time, she felt that she has a purpose…again.

Yuuri, on the other hand, stayed quite to not spoil this precious moment between these two very close friends of his. He just watched them from where he was standing, and just cherished this special moment. Hey, it's not everyday that he gets to see his friends this happy.

"Your majesty Shinou, I am so glad that I can finally-" Ulrike reached out to Shinou and tried to touch him, but to no avail… Yes, she is clairvoyant, she can communicate with these supernatural creatures but she is still human…or mazoku rather, there is no way that she can touch him.

"Shinou-heika…"

"Baseball kid, you can come out now!" Shinou called.

Yuuri then walked in.

He smiled goofily and rubbed scratched the back of his neck. "It's nice seeing you again, Ulrike…"

"Yuuri-heika! Is it really you?"

"Yes… It's me…"

"Your majesty…" was all she could utter, teary-eyed.

Shinou then sighed. Time is gold. And he has to do something, fast. It's time to take things seriously.

"Ulrike, we need your help."

Ulrike stared at him blankly, until she realized what he meant. "If I am not mistaken, you are talking about the new maou?"

Shinou nodded.

"You know about it?" Yuuri asked.

"I know everything, your majesty. Ever since his eminence formed his conclusions on King Andrei's true intentions, he had informed me on every single detail of it. Just this morning, he went to Blood Pledged Castle, and he told me that he and the maou-"

"Yes we know. They had an argument. We were there when that happened." Yuuri said.

"I won't go into loops with this; Ulrike, we can't do anything to help in this state. Help us Ulrike. Bring us back to life. Use the Kirikae…." Shinou glared at her intently.

"But Shinou-heika-…" Ulrike tried to reason out but didn't pursue. She knew that she had no right to say no. Shinou is her master, she is his servant. But, making her use the forbidden ancient ritual? This must be a very, very serious matter.

Kirikae is the greatest of all the forbidden ancient rituals in the history of Shin Makoku. Kirikae is a fusing a wandering soul into a live being's body. Using that body's spirit energy, the soul takes this body as his own, and therefore, claiming possession to this living body. It is very much a like to possessing a person, but this technique is permanent. And after claiming possession to the body, the body transforms into the soul's appearance when he was still alive. In other words, it's like taking someone's life to have yours.

"Kirikae? What's that?" Yuuri, paying no attention to Gunter's history lessons, asked curiously.

"It is a form of a ritual that can bring us back to life…" Shinou replied.

"Really? You can do that? That's brilliant!" Yuuri was amazed; he never knew that Ulrike can do such things.

"But it has a steep price, Yuuri-heika…" Ulrike's expression saddened.

"What is it, Ulrike? What do I have to give up?"

Shinou glared at Yuuri and said; "You've got nothing to give up, Yuuri. To put it simple, in this ritual, we need to 'sacrifice' one's life, to keep bring to life, the other one… Yuuri, that is our price to pay; to take the life of another in exchange to ours… "

"No…"

So how was it? please review...thanks for reading!!!