Yuri's Treasure

by emerusmerlinus

Yuri and Wolfram are no longer engage; however, Wolfram is forced to serve as the Maoh's personal bodyguard. Then while everyone at Shi Mazoku is celebrating a public event Yuri proposes for the second time.

2. Strands of Gold

"Ah! What a wonderful morning." Yuri yawns as he gets up. Then stretching his arms and body, he turns to face the bed while adding, "Wolfram, it's time we get up. We have an engagement breakfast to attend." But, Yuri is surprised to find the bed empty. No Wolfram insight. "I wonder where Wolfram went. Since when does Wolfram wake up this early?"

A knock on the door brings Yuri back from his internal dialogue. "Come in!"

"Good morning, Shibuya!" Murata, the Great Sage, greets while he hands Yuri a large package.

"Good morning, Murata! What's this?" Yuri grabs the package and begins to tear into it. Inside, he finds a black suit and a large white cape with glistening diamonds.

"Your new official regalia," Murata adds while eyeing the empty bed. Then, with a smile curling up on his lips, he continues, "It is a congratulatory present from the Great One for you to wear today during the ceremonies."

Then, a round object falls onto the floor making a clink sound. "What's this for?" Yuri asks. "What happened to my small blue and white shoulder cape and its ruby jewel clasp?"

The Great Sage now sits on the windowsill looking out the palace grounds at the buzzing of guests, royal families, nobles, and troops arriving for the occasion.

"Murata, are you okay?" Yuri asks concerned. He sees the Great Sage sit on the windowsill as he begins to don the new clothes.

"That is the traditional Maoh's crest. You use it to clasp the cape in place." Murata answers without looking at Yuri.

"Why do I have to wear these new clothes? I look silly with this long cape. I rather have my old small shoulder length one." Yuri complains while looking himself at the mirror to make sure everything was in place. Wolfram would not forgive him if he embarrassed himself by not dressing properly.

"Do you love Wolfram?" The Great Sage asks without any hesitation and still looking down onto the palace grounds.

"What a silly question to ask. Of course, I do." Yuri now stops fussing with his garments and turns to face Murata who continues looking out the window.

"I guess it is a silly question." The Great Sage turns to face Yuri with a smile gracing his face. Then, hopping down from the windowsill, he comes to stand next to his friend to help him. "You look dashing your majesty. And you have to wear these clothes because, for the first time since you've been the Maoh, you are attending an official function."

Yuri looks confused and asks, "What the heck have I been doing for the past year, then?"

"Yesterday, you were a carefree man. Today, you're engaged to a prince who happens to be one of the most beloved sons of Shi Mazuko after your majesty. And don't forget he belongs to two of the most powerful aristocrat houses von Bielefeld and von Spitzger. Then, he is related to a third powerful aristocrat house von Voltaire, too, via his older brother Gwendal not including his human brother, Lord Conrad Weller, who happens to belong to a royal house from Big Cimaron."

"Ah! When you put it that way, it sounds impressive. I only belong to the Shibuya family." Yuri looks thoughtfully at the Great Sage.

The Great Sage grins at his friend and then adds, "It was a bold political move to renew your engagement with Wolfram. I guess, you're becoming more like your big brother, Shori Shibuya—a ruthless business man."

Yuri is taken aback at Murata's words, "What do you mean?"

"Nothing, Shibuya! You will continue to be a great Maoh. Just remember that the Earth Maoh and Shi Mazuko's Maoh are two different people." The Great Sage now walks towards the door, "Let's go, Shibuya. Your guests are waiting."

Yuri and the Great Sage arrive at the breakfast table that has been prepared outside the palace's grounds. The entire field is covered with tables and canopies to protect the guests from the elements while the surrounding area is filled with people who have come from all over the surrounding countryside to witness the engagement breakfast between the Maoh and Wolfram von Bielefeld. The table of honor is placed at the end of the road that connects the Castle side entrance with the meadows. Then, at the side of the road following the serpentine dirt-road, tables are set accommodating the aristocrats, the ten noble families by ranking and relation to Prince Wolfram von Bielefeld, and all of the official dignitaries that have attended Yuri's birthday party the night before. At the table of honor are two throne like seats. Then, to the left of Yuri sits Cecile von Spitzer ,Wolfram's mother, and Stoffel von Spitzer, Cecile's older brother, followed by Gwendal von Voltaire and Conrad Weller. To Yuri's right, Wolfram's seat is located. The others included: his mother, Miko Shibuya, his father Shoma Shibuya and his older brother Shori Shibuya, Greta his and Wolfram's adopted daughter ending with Ken Murata, the Great Sage.

Yuri feels impatient. The ceremony is long and boring. Everyone is in a stoic silence. Even his mother, who has a very bubbly personality, sits in silence; although, Yuri suspects it is more in awe of the event than anything else. Finally, Yuri is able to distinguish a curtain of dirt approaching. That could only mean that Wolfram is coming on horseback with his personal escort. Everyone stands up like a human wave and Wolfram approaches at a slow pace looking very regal in his blue military uniform. His escort stops a few paces away from the table of honor. Then Wolfram dismounts in front of the Maoh. He holds his sheathed sword in his hands. Kneeling down in front of the Maoh, Wolfram begins to say very solemnly, "I, Wolfram von Bielefeld kneel before you as a demonstration of my loyal devotion to the Maoh and to Shin Mazuko surrendering my sword to become a person of a peaceful nature guarding the interests of the Maoh and Shin Mazuko as the betrothed of the 27th Maoh Yuri Shibuya." Then Wolfram bows as he lifts his sword above his head.

Yuri exhales a puff of air then accepts the sword from Wolfram as he holds it over his head while adding, "As the 27th Maoh and protector of Shi Mazuko as well as other ally nations that have entrusted their safety to me, Yuri Shibuya, I accept your sword, Wolfram von Bielefeld. You are not to draw a sword or weapon of any kind unless Shin Mazuko's safety is at stake. You owe your allegiances to the Maoh and Shin Mazuko first, then the world."

Lowering the sword, Yuri continues, "However, as my betrothed, I promise to protect you from this day forward. Thus, you may continue keeping your sword by your side as a symbol of my promise to protect you."

Wolfram now looks up at Yuri who hands him his sword back as he continues, "Please rise because as my betrothed. I don't stand above you; I stand beside you." Wolfram now stands before Yuri strapping his sword again around his waist. Then, with a strong pull, Yuri yanks Wolfram across the table with one swift movement. Now, he stands next to Yuri. The crowd erupts in applauses while Yuri continues, "Wolfram please dismiss your personal escort which will now become part of the Maoh's escort."

Wolfram stands at attention as he prepares to give the command, "I thank you for your loyal service. But, as of now, I dismiss you so you can become part of the Maoh's escort from this day forward." Then, Yuri holds Wolfram's left hand and brings it up in the air, "Today we stand united as Maoh and betrothed." Yuri lowers both of their hands at these words. Wolfram softly, but with a firm yank, takes his hand away from Yuri. Yuri looks at Wolfram but does not say anything as they take their seats and breakfast is served. People begin to move around to come to the table of honor to personally give their congratulations to the couple. Yuri is all smiles and chatty with everyone while Wolfram remains silent, speaking when spoken to, and only smiling when required.

"Wolfy-chan! I'm so glad that Yuri-chan finally came to his senses and realized what a treasure you are." Wolfram finds himself engulf by Miko's loving arms.

Then after a few seconds of almost asphyxiating, he says, "Thank you, Mama Shibuya. I've missed you, too." For the first time in a long time, Wolfram smiles a genuinely warm smile but only for Yuri's mother. Yuri grins as he sees Wolfram beautiful emerald eyes sparkling with happiness. "Finally, you show up. It was about time. You're certainly more beautiful than I remember, Wolfram."

Wolfram's genuine smile holds for Shoma and Shori Shibuya as they, too, congratulate him. "Welcome to our family, Wolfram-chan. I'm not very familiar with your traditions, but I sincerely welcome you to our family." Shoma Shibuya now gives a bear hug to Wolfram who only manages to say, "Thank you for your warm welcome, Father-Shibuya."

"Don't mention it! And please call me 'Papa'."

"Papa Shibuya!"

Shori locks his right arm around Wolfram's neck in a strong grip, "So, you finally caught my little brother."

Wolfram struggles to get out of the arm lock as he gasps for air adding, "I'm not sure about that."

"You better call me Onii-chan from now on." Shori now loosens the grip.

Wolfram smiling answers, "Onii-chan"

Then other nobles show up and the genuine smile is wiped out of Wolfram's face as he continues accepting the congratulations. Almost at the last minute, Gwendal stands beside Wolfram and they both lock eyes with each other. Without a word, they understand they must shoulder any burdens for the sake of Shin Mazuko.

"Gwendal"

"Wolfram"

Gwendal moves, making way for Conrad. And, without thinking, Wolfram holds on tight to Conrad's waist. Conrad holds his baby brother, returning the strong embrace. It has been so long since Wolfram has held him. He passes his fingers through Wolfram's blond hair while whispering, "Hang in there, little brother. His majesty does love you. He just hasn't realized it yet."

Wolfram looks up to gaze into Conrad's warm and loving brown eyes while tears threaten to escape from his emerald ones. "I'm not sure if my heart can survive any more disappointments."

Silently, Conrad allows his mother to take his place. "My precious baby, you are the most handsome and beautiful among everyone here including the Maoh."

Wolfram chokes a hard laugh as he tries to rein in his tears, "The Maoh shines brighter than anyone else, Mother."

"No, I'm telling you. You're even more beautiful than me."

Wolfram now exhales while chocking another laugh, "That's hard to believe, Mother." Celi-sama has successfully helped her son rein in his emotions. Then, winking at him, she whispers in his ear, "Don't worry, Wolfy my love. I have the perfect scent to make the Maoh fall at your feet." And with a kiss, she takes her leave.

All too soon, Wolfram is back to his detached and aloof self. Yuri has broken his heart so many times that he is not sure if he could survive another blow. And, for that reason, he has to be who he is now… a dead ghost according to Yuri.

"Wolfram, are you okay?" Yuri now turns his attention to his fiancé.

"Yes, your majesty. I'm okay." Again, Wolfram looks straight at Yuri without actually looking at him.

Yuri flinches at Wolfram's vacant gaze. The glistening emeralds of a few minutes ago are gone. "What's wrong with Wolfram? I thought this engagement thing would make him happy. After all, he did nag me for two years about it."

"Stop calling me 'your majesty.' I'm 'Yuri' or even 'wimp' if you prefer." Yuri could not help but whine.

"As you wish, your majesty," Wolfram bows his head slightly and turns to continue accepting congratulations.

"I said 'Yuri' call me 'Yuri,' Wolfram." Then Yuri is distracted by the approaching figure of Murata.

"Shibuya the ceremony is almost over. Then, you only have to endure one more event this afternoon before tonight's dinner party." The Great Sage smiles as he stands in front of Wolfram and Yuri.

Wolfram now stands up from his seat and turns to look at Yuri, "If your majesty doesn't have anything else in mind, I request my leave to go and change now to my civilian clothes since I can no longer wear my military uniform."

Yuri gazes at Wolfram's figure; it would be the last time he sees Wolfram in his impressive military uniform. Yuri sighs once more. He did not like the way Wolfram looked. Gone were the glaring, fiery emeralds that pierced through his soul not more than a year ago. Instead of Wolfram's majestic stand, the one Yuri loves so much, he sees a broken spirit barely breathing. Another sigh and Yuri turns his face away from Wolfram as he adds, "Hurry up, I don't want you to stay away from me while we have guests. And stop calling me your majesty, I'm Yuri."

Wolfram bows slightly now as he adds, "As you wish, your majesty…Yuri." Then he turns around and begins to walk away.

Murata only looks at both the Maoh and the broken prince. With a grin he says, "Shibuya, don't mind me if I take Wolfram away from you for awhile. I promise to return him to you safe and sound for the afternoon ceremony. Till then, I, too, take my leave."

But before Murata takes a step, Yuri holds him from his left arm as he asks, "Oui! Why do you need to speak to Wolfram? He's my fiancé now, so I have to know everything that concerns him."

Murata laughs softly while answering, "This is Great Sage business, Shibuya, and I'm sorry to correct you, but you don't have to know everything that concerns Wolfram just as Wolfram doesn't have to know every little detail about you. Not even the Great One and I could know everything about each other. Everyone is an individual. And while we strive to unite as one, we must retain our individualities unless, of course, what you want is a puppet. Is that what you want, Shibuya?"

Yuri lets go of Murata's arm as he says, "Oui! No, I want Wolfram to be Wolfram, and I want to be me… but together."

Then, with a grin, the Great Sage adds while running to catch up to Wolfram, "That's what I thought."

"Wolfram!" A panting Murata calls out as he catches up to Wolfram by the Castle's stables.

Wolfram turns around, surprised to hear the Great Sage's voice. "Your highness, are you alright?" Wolfram now moves to help the Great Sage as he catches his breath.

"I'm definitely not a physical person. If I were on the track team just now, I would have definitely lost the race." Murata stands erect grinning at the blond boy in front of him.

"Your highness is too hard on yourself. If you intended to catch up with me, you were at a disadvantage. I was riding a horse while you were running, I suppose." Wolfram observes the Great Sage as he wonders what it is all about.

"Wolfram, do you mind if I keep you company until it is time for you to join Shibuya?" the Great Sage inquires while smiling.

At this, Wolfram's face turns red while heat begins to radiate from his entire body. Murata widens his grin as he sees Wolfram's emeralds widen furiously. Then, the explosion of words is heard, "That wimp! What does he think? That I'm going to dishonor my family and runaway?" Wolfram pants heavily as he tries to rein in his emotions.

"So, there is still hope for you yet, little wolf." The Great Sage now begins to walk confidently towards the castle.

Wolfram hears the statement and surprise replaces his anger. Finally, he is able to control his emotions once more and takes on his detached persona. Then looking at the Great Sage confident strides he hears, "And for your information, Yuri did not send me to keep tabs on you. I wanted to speak to you in private, if I may."

"Your highness!" Wolfram whispers as he now moves to catch up to the Great Sage.

Wolfram has already changed his military uniform and replaces it with a pair of black slacks, a long sleeved crimson-red shirt, a long black coat with a white scarf hanging down his neck, and a pair of black leather boots. He readies to go and looks into the mirror when someone knocks at his door. "Come in, your highness!"

Murata pushes the double doors open and, as he enters the royal room, he cannot help but admire Wolfram. He looks almost like the Great One used to look when he was alive except this person is Wolfram von Bielefeld, Yuri's fiancé. With a grin on his face he approaches the blond, "Oui! Don't you look gorgeous! Even more dashing than Shibuya."

"Do you think I should wear something else? The last thing I want is to eclipse the Maoh." Wolfram adds. Celi-sama personally picked out these garments for him to wear and gave him a small bottle of Orca perfume for him to splash as a lotion.

"Mmm!" The Great Sage inhales then exhales slowly adding, "Orca's perfume is a powerful scent to wear Wolfram von Bielefeld."

Wolfram now walks away from the Great Sage. He does not like the way Murata is looking at him. The Great Sage only smiles mischievously as he slowly advances towards the retrieving Wolfram. Then grabbing him by the shoulders he adds, "Don't be afraid. I'm not going to ravish you before Yuri puts his hands on you. Besides, that stuff only works when there are existing feelings already. The Orca's scent only amplifies whatever feelings are already being harboring inside each individual. And I'm afraid I gave my heart away long ago."

Wolfram now exhales. Relaxing a little, he mentally chides, "Mother."

Another laugh from the Great Sage and he pulls Wolfram towards the door, "By the way, never be afraid to eclipse the Maoh …whether it is in beauty or smarts… as long as you don't try to viciously and purposely to humiliate him. After all, someone has to remind him there is always someone out there who is stronger, better looking, or even smarter."

The Great Sage and Wolfram are now running through the empty corridors of the castle's south side wing. This particular wing has been sealed away after that disastrous war between the Mazuko and humans more than twenty years ago. "Where are we going your highness?" A panting Wolfram asks while keeping up with the Great Sage that all of a sudden seems to have gained an incredible running speed. "This side of the Castle is not safe to roam around. Ever since the war, it has fallen into a state of decay and I'm afraid no one has taken upon himself/herself to repair this wing."

Laughing, the Great Sage finally stops at a sealed door. Then, with a sigh, he closes his eyes and concentrates as a bluish light begins to radiate from his hands. The locks break and the magical seals collapse. "Wolfram, I need you to light up the way please. I want to show you something. And do not worry. The building won't collapse. At least, not for another hundred years I suspect."

Wolfram now conjures up a small ball of fire in his right hand as both descend down a swirl of stairs. The place smells of damp earth and many sweet, flowery scents. But it looks just like a black chasm with a serpentine staircase on the side of the wall while the echoing of their footsteps makes the place to appear eerie. Finally, they reach the end of the stairs and a cavern opens up at the end of the path.

"What's this, your highness?"

"This is the entrance to my personal Temple of Happiness. Did you ever wonder, Wolfram, how I survived these last four thousand years searching for a way to help the Great One to get rid of the Originator's evil aura?" Murata now looks straight into the emerald eyes of Wolfram.

Wolfram averts his eyes from the Great Sage's stare then whispers, "I suspect that you love the Great One so much that you would risk everything you have for his sake."

"He took everything away from me. My heart, my body and my soul… except my love. That is the only thing he could never take away from me." Murata's eyes are flooded with silent tears as he gently pulls Wolfram's left arm towards him and begins to walk into the cave.

Murata continues talking while Wolfram follows him in silence, "What I'm about to share with you no one knows… not even the Great One, I suppose. I'm not sure. Maybe he knows or suspects something, but I could never be certain."

"Your highness!" Wolfram is silenced when the Great Sage places his forefinger on Wolfram's lips. With a grin, he adds, "We're here."

Wolfram turns around and the passage of the cave opens up to a large underground lake. The water is crystal clear, but the lake itself is a dark-green emerald color. "The lake looks green" Wolfram exclaims taken aback by the beauty of the place. Small colorful flowers bloom everywhere and a variety of sweet scents mixed together giving a subtle new scent without losing part of all of the original scents.

"Yes, the lake is green because of the vegetation that covers the bottom. In reality, the water does not have a color of its own, but takes on the color of its environment." Then pulling Wolfram down, the Great Sage found a nice spot to relax while sitting and taking on the beauty of the place. Wolfram follows the Great Sage's example and relaxes while contemplating the scenery.

"Wolfram, please extinguish your fire ball."

Wolfram does as the Great Sage asks and is astonished by what he sees. The whole place is illuminated by a soft bluish light that comes off the earthly walls, "What's this, your highness?"

With his eyes closed while inhaling and exhaling rhythmically the Great Sage answers, "I honestly don't know. I suspect this is where our special abilities come from. I never had the heart to investigate further. Some mysteries are best left alone."

Wolfram takes in the beauty of the place and after a few minutes, he says, "I don't know how much rejection I can still take from Yuri. He has broken my heart so many times, trampled my pride, and scorned my love."

"No one knows their own limits, little wolf. After over four thousand years, the Great One still tests mine. No long ago, I had to watch helplessly how he and Yuri battled each other. I like Yuri, but I love the Great One. And I could do nothing but wait for the outcome hoping Yuri was strong enough to defeat the evil aura of the Originator without any permanent damage to himself. And, at the same time, I was praying for the Great One's soul to be liberated from that horrible hell. Yet knowing all along, I would lose him for all eternity."

Wolfram observes the calm demeanor of the Great Sage, "How?"

Murata's face breaks into a smile then asks, "When did you realize you love Yuri?"

Wolfram now turns to gaze into the dark-green lake before answering slowly, "When I first laid eyes on Yuri, I thought he was a pathetic human being. He was on the ground after the horse bucked him off. I hated humans back then, and I hated the idea that the new Maoh was a pathetic human being from another world."

"What made you change your mind?" The Great Sage asks intrigued. There were things he actually did not know about Yuri's and Wolfram's first engagement except that it had been a fluke, a misunderstanding of cultural customs according to Yuri.

"It was the day of the duel. I was so upset as how Yuri was treating our customs like there where a joke to him. He defeated me first during a Sumo fight, which now I know was an honorable way to duel, too. At the time, though, I had no idea and then he said it himself that it was more of a joke than a proper duel. So, I got angrier and forced him into a sword duel. He took my sword away while mumbling something about 'proper posture to swing' and things I did not understand. But now I know he was lecturing on baseball, his favorite pastime. Finally, I lost it and I conjured up the element of fire to help me defeat that joke of a Maoh. And then it happened he turned into the Maoh. He was so beautiful and majestic. Just like one expects the Maoh to be. At that particular instant, he captured my heart, my devotion to serve him; however, he turned his fury towards me and began to squeeze the life from my body while lecturing on my irresponsible and bratty ways. Then he said something that sowed the seed of my love for him and Yuri, he accused me of trampling over beautiful flowers without any regard for nature and that was not true. I love nature. I devoted my life protecting our beautiful lands and natural resources. So, I just had to show him that he was wrong. And, for the first time since our engagement began, I felt it an honor to be engaged to him …even if he was a human wimp. And when I pleaded for my life, he looked at me with those fierce jet-black eyes and ordered me to change my ways, releasing me from his water dragons' grip." Wolfram finishes falling into a reverent silence remembering that faithful day.

"My encounter with the Great One wasn't as dramatic as yours." Then taking into a deep thinking pose the Great Sage adds, "No wonder, your love affair is so passionate and ruckus."

Whispering to himself, the Great Sage continues, "You were the one who awakened Yuri to his Maoh powers. So, that is why he is so confused about his own feelings for you. How interesting?"

"Did you say something your highness?" Wolfram asks after he sees the Great Sage take into that meditative state.

"No, I was just saying that when I gave my heart to the Great One, there were no fire works or explosions like when you did." Then returning to his usual smiling ways, Murata continues. "I was a wanderer back in those days. I went from kingdom to kingdom, studying and learning, while I waited patiently for the Originator's evil aura to engulf the world. It was a summer day."

Murata's voice takes on a dream-like quality, "I was reading some ancient text when a dashing blond appeared in my sight with a horse trailing behind him. He blocked the radiance of the sun from my face, so I looked up to see who was standing before me. Enthralled by the vividness of the most beautiful azure eyes I have ever seen, I listened to his fool's dream to defeat the Originator's evil aura. His words, along with the courage he projected, captured my heart and I knew in that instant, even if it was just a fool's dream, I would follow that man to the gates of Hell if I had to. Then, he extended his hand to take mine while his intense gaze peered into my soul. I was in love… with him, his spirit, and his dream."

Sighing, Murata turns to look at the surprise look in Wolfram's face then smiling adds, "See? You're lucky, Wolfram, because, unknowingly, Yuri has been proclaiming his love for you… to you and the world. Every time he proposes, every time he yells at you to stop calling him a wimp, he rushes to save you recklessly."

Wolfram's face goes livid as all the color drains and with clenching teeth he interrupts Murata, "I'm sorry your highness, but I have to correct you on those assumptions. It's Yuri's nature to try to protect everyone no matter the danger to himself. He doesn't like being called a 'wimp' because that hurts his pride and, finally, the first time he proposed was because he was not aware of our customs and today is for the sake of Shin Mazuko's peaceful relationships with our neighboring countries." Then while tears began to streak down his face, Wolfram almost whispers, "He told me so himself last night while I pretend to be asleep. It took all my training as a soldier, as a proud nobleman, and as a magic handler not to snap last night while he confessed it to me."

"He did." Murata now offers a handkerchief to Wolfram as he sighs then begins, "The Great One took me with him and made me his strategist. I was to remain at his side and take care of all of his business while he trained with the troops. I was the one making the alliances with the noble families that flocked to him. I was the one who raised the funds to keep the army well feed and trained. I had to do things I'm not proud of to keep his dream alive. Some of them we can still feel the effect."

Then, with another sigh, Murata closes his eyes and continues, "He never asked if I was in pain. Not once did he show the slightest interest in my well being, and it was okay for me because I never expected a man like him to love me. I chose of my own free will to stay by his side because he had a wonderful dream that would benefit more than one person. However, if truth be told, I did not do it because of that. I did it because of him… because every step I took to make his dream come true, he soared higher into the sky. So, even though my heart had been trampled or broken, it was a fair price to pay to see him fly. Then, when the nightmares started, I gave him my body to help him find peace on those nights. He never once showed any gratitude for that. He took me at night to chase away the nightmares and whenever he found peace he discarded me like I was nothing. So, during the day, I was his brilliant strategist and, sometimes, at night when he needed me, I was his elixir of peace. Finally, when the time came, I gave him my soul. He told me he wanted to die before the Originator's evil aura took complete control of his body."

Murata falters before he continues, "He asked me to kill him. He…"

Murata breathes hard, trying to control his raw emotions while Wolfram stares at him. "He did not care how this would affect me. He order me to kill him and I refused there was only so much I was prepared to do for him. I could lie, I would betray anyone for his sake even die for him, but I could not bring myself to kill the man I love. So, he smiled at me. It was a sweet smile. Then, he asked me to come closer to him and hug me in a tight embrace. We went to bed that night, and he possessed me like a devil in a rage, and I allow him to take every inch of my body anyway he saw fit. The next morning, he awoke me with a tender kiss… something that was very unusual for him. He usually left me on the bed and did not come back into the room until I was gone. So, I was surprised and happy. We had breakfast together. Then, he told me that we should go to the Temple and to speak with Ulrike about a solution to our dilemma. You have no idea what relief I felt thinking that he had given up these crazy thoughts of suicide. So, I followed him to the Temple. But, for some reason, no one was insight. He told me that Ulrike was waiting for us at the shrine. He pushed the doors open and Ulrike wasn't there. So I looked at him, questioning. He only smiled and told me that we should wait for her inside, so we came to the waterfall. While waiting, he looked at me and asked me the oddest question."

The Great Sage pauses as he calmly begins to breathe before continuing, "He asked me, 'Do you love me?' I was surprised, but he was wearing the Orca's scent so my judgment was clouded by the aroma, and all I could do was answer him with all my heart a resounding 'yes.' Then he smiled, kissing me tenderly on the lips. What I failed to realize is that he had entrusted a sharp knife into my hands while he thrust himself deep into the blade. It entered directly into the heart no chance of him surviving or having his soul captured to be reborn."

Another longer pause then Murata turns to look at a very shock Wolfram then with a grin like if nothing had ever happened he adds, "So that's how the Great One's soul end up roaming around the temple walls guiding the people of Shin Mazuko, even beyond the grave. At first, I was beside myself. I could not think as coolly and serenely as I do now. It took all the power of my love to gain control of my emotions while his spirit just wandered around the temple walls. Then, when I finally was able to think more clearly, he spoke to me about his ideas and it took us all this time to come up with a plan which, even now, I was not sure it would work."

"So, you never planned it from the beginning to come up like this." Wolfram asks not sure why.

"Nope! It took me three thousand years of research. Incarnation after incarnation wandering through different lifetimes and worlds to finally come up with a plan then another thousand years to create the perfect vessel and no idea if it actually would work. Thankfully, it did; however, the point here is that even after all of this he never once acknowledged his feelings for me… if he ever had or has any. I'm still waiting for him to tell me what I mean to him besides being his great strategist, but you cannot force a person to do it until they are ready. Meanwhile, you've been moping around for the wrong reasons and wasting your time. Because, regardless of what Yuri told you last night, he does love you the way you want him to love you. He just hasn't figured it out yet."

"How can you be so sure, your highness?" Wolfram asks with hope in his words.

Murata now stands up and extends his hand to Wolfram adding, "I think we had better head back. You need to rest so you can be beautiful and extraordinarily dashing for Yuri."

Wolfram's face turns a few shades of pink, almost red, as he gets up with Murata's help. Then, as they walked back to the castle, Murata answers, "Well, it is true as you say that it's in Yuri's nature to put the safety of others before his own; however, you should compare the way he does. Now, while there are many instances, I'm only going to mention one because I have another person to corroborate my theory and it is someone you admire and trust despite your stubbornness to deny him."

"You're talking about Conrad." Wolfram admits ashamedly.

"Yes, the same, Wolfram you're aware that Yuri doesn't call his big brother onii-chan like he asks him countless of time to do right."

"Yes, but what does that has to do with anything." Wolfram asks while they keep climbing the serpentine stairs and Wolfram's small fire ball illuminates the passage.

"Well, before I tell you, I need to make sure that you understand that Yuri only calls Conrad either by his first name or 'godfather,' right?"

"Yes," Wolfram, now, is getting curious about the Great Sage's statements.

Murata smiles as he stops at the entrance and gets ready to push the door open and go into the Castle's hallway, "Oui! Well, when the Great One used you as the key to open one of the forbidden boxes, you went into a coma because he took your heart away. Anissina placed you in that machine of hers to preserve your body. Yuri stood by your side, very concerned about your well-being. Now, this I don't know first hand. The only account I got was from Conrad's lips. But, at that time, Yuri swore that he would save you. Then, with determination, he left the room. Up till then, Yuri was being very indecisive about confronting the Great One. But when your life was in danger, he took courage and told Conrad that he would save you and save everyone else. Now here is the little catch. He called Conrad, 'Onii-chan.' Yuri, of his own free will, called your brother, Conrad—'Big Brother'."

Then pushing the doors open, he goes into the hallway while waiting for Wolfram to recover from the shock.

"He called Conrad, 'Onii-chan,' after he swears to save me." Wolfram walks towards the Great Sage in a dream-like state.

"Ask Conrad. He would not lie. It seems to me that Yuri is only able to admit his feelings for you in times of great stress. It is like he does it unconsciously, so those feelings are there just buried way down his subconscious." The Great Sage keeps talking while Wolfram passes him by--walking like a zombie.

Wolfram is gone into a dream state while he keeps repeating, "Yuri called Conrad, 'Big-Brother'." Then, picking up his pace, he is almost running like a madman while saying, "Yuri does love me. He sure does. I knew it! The big wimp! But he is going to pay for what he put me through. Oh! I'll make the wimp pay for every single tear I shed for him."

TBC

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of Kyo Kara Maoh! That totally and unashamedly appeared in this fan fiction. They are the product of Tomo Takabayashi and Temari Matsumoto's wonderful imagination and art. However, the plot is totally my selfish desire to get some romantic thrills, which are only alluded to or implied, in their creative work.

Author's Notes: I want to give a profuse thanks to ARPAGO who offer to beta Yuri's Treasure for me. I like to add that she was a goddess send since I'm aware what a poor editor I am. So, I'm totally convinced that one of the nine Muses send her for Kyo Kara Maoh! Sakes since she saw my proofreading skills and almost faint horrify of them. After all, ARPAGO and I share the same first name.