Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN KYOU KARA MAOU!

It is not my property.

WARNING: a bit OOC. Past event. Language. The story focus on Wolfram, Gwendal and Conrad when they were younger. I indicate their age with the 'Human' age. This is a very short fic. The next chapter will be the last one.

Two boys riding on a horse, heading for their castle...

" Conrad...How long will it take to get home?" Wolfram asked sleepily as he was having a hard time keeping his eyes open.

" We'll be there, soon, Wolf. Just sleep if you want." Conrad patted his brother's hand as the blond head was swinging right and left against his brother's chest.

I was sure I had taken the good way.

He started to be seriously worried. Slanting his eyes, he read the banners, inside the forest.

It says we have to go left but...I'm certain, with Mother or Gwendal, we never chose this path to go back home. Or maybe...I'm just wrong.

" I don't want to sleep" the green eyed boy replied angrily, his stubbornness emerging again. He was in a complete drowsy state but he tried to straighten his neck and look before him. When he realized Conrad was manipulating the horse to go into the forest, the blond utterly woke up with a start, gripping his brother's wrist to make him halt. Conrad looked down at the waves of golden threads, his eyebrows frowning as he was taken aback by Wolfram's sudden shock.

" What is it, Wolfram? Something wrong?"

" I don't want to go into the forest! I don't like it! There are bad wolves living inside it."

" I'm there, Wolf! You shouldn't get scared like this...And who told you there were wolves?"

" In my dreams, the boy was always crying because he went there all alone, and his mama wasn't with him." he tried to explain clearly, with the tone of a child who already got a great knowledge and wiseness. But one could tell Wolfram was absolutely not the wisest child in world. He often threw a tantrum and shouted at his servants when they refused to comply to his caprices. Nevertheless, it didn't make him a ghastly child. Conrad couldn't help the sweet smile going across his face.

" I thought you trusted me enough, Wolfram. I have always protected you, haven't I ?"

The child looked up over his shoulder to peer into the hazel eyes. A great pink shade spread onto his face as if their mother had smudged some blush over his pale face. Conrad particularly liked this hue. He tucked a sun lock behind Wolfram's ear, never loosing his smile. The younger had noticed his teasing through his voice. He pouted, folding his arms in a tight knot over his chest.

" I don't want you to laugh at me, Conrato!" he ranted sulkily.

" Alright, Wolf!" the elder emitted a low chuckle. " But don't be afraid, got it? I promise you nothing bad is going to happen."

" Sure, liar?"

" Yes, sure."

the blond looked back at his brother and, closing his eyes, he pursed his lips to demand a kiss. Conrad blinked at that, before leaning down and pressed their mouths together. Then, they parted and entered the forest.

It was a vast one, with extremely tall trees, and as spring had commenced a few weeks ago, the sun rays shone through superb green leaves, and a thick emerald moss softened the ground. Moreover, a plenty of flowers were blossoming in abundance, adapted to the shadows and the humidity. Kind of reassured by such a welcoming place, Wolfram relaxed a little, his big jade eyes scanning it with much curiosity.

His stomach growled loudly.

" Conrad, I'm hungry." he admitted with an annoyed voice. He couldn't help thinking about the hot chocolate cakes he was served everyday, at the same hour. How excellent they were! And what a great moment he spent with his mother, the two eating them quite greedily.

" I know, Wolf, I know."

" Look, there. These are strawberries."

" I've never seen such."

" Let's pick them up. They're so big and red. They look quite delicious and tasty!" he squealed, ready to leap from his place and prepare his lunch.

" No, let's wait a little. They may be poisoned and dangerous."

" But they seem to suit my taste!" Wolfram furrowed his eyebrows as he was clearly not enjoying Conrad's severe voice. He glared daggers at him, when he tried to get off the horse and his big brother held him back.

" I don't like you anymore!" the blond child ranted, quite nervously. Conrad cocked an amused eyebrow at that, not in the least pained by such a strong statement.

" Yes and I love you!"

" Stop it!" Wolfram swatted his brother's hand away which had started to pinch his cheek.

Then, he lowered his head as he felt something wet beginning to damp his eyes.

" Where is Anuie?"

Upon hearing that, Conrad felt his wave of worry renewed. His fingers clenched tightly around the reins. He hoped from the bottom of his heart that Gwendal was alive and fine. Trusting his swordsmanship skills, he wouldn't be surprised if his blue eyed brother had defeated the bandits.

" I'm sure he is dealing quite well with what's happening. He will be back safe."

Wolfram rubbed his eyes with his sleeve, all moved by thinking of his beloved brother. For sure, he loved Conrad the same and really felt close to him, due to the little gap between their ages, but Gwendal was the fatherly one. He had barely seen his father, his mother's first son behaved as one, filling the emptiness he could feel.

" Conrad..."

" Yes?"

" I'm happy you're with me. I like you very, very much. And I would be very afraid to be here, all alone, like the boy."

Conrad smiled softly. But his lips curved downwards when Wolfram added, quite hatefully:

" I would be afraid to be surrounded by so many bad humans. They're cruel and heartless! I hate them!"

" Humans are not all like you think they're, Wolfram. Some can be close to you and be as kind and generous as you believe all Mazoku people are."

" No! Look at what they've done! Mama cries because of them, because they always want the war, the war! When I am a grown up, I'll take my sword and beat them down like they deserve it!"

" Wolfram!" Conrad's voice got colder. " I don't accept such words coming from you! Neither mother, nor Gwendal teach you to speak like this! I won't encourage you either!"

" But they're bad!"

" Not everyone!"

Wolfram shifted quickly to stare at him.

" You speak as if you were one! Why are you so kind with them? You should agree with me!"

Conrad raised a thin dark eyebrow, again, as he noticed how the green eyes were trying to decipher the expression on his face. It made the teen grin a bit.

" You want to know something, Wolfram?"

" Yes, what is it?"

" Alright...I'm a h..."

" Conrad! Wolfram!"

the cadet instantly looked over his shoulder, eyes bulging out, while Wolfram, clutching at his brother's arms, pushed him aside to look at who had come in.

His eyes widened with an immense happiness as he recognized Gwendal, riding on a horse, straight away. He leapt from his seat and run towards his eldest, spreading his arms for him. Gwendal descended the animal and knelt down before Wolfram crashed into his embrace, the two hugging each other tightly. Conrad smiled warmly at that as he turned the horse towards them.

" You're fine! I'm so glad!!"

Gwendal ruffled the blond locks with a calloused hand. They were right. What a relief. He looked up at Conrad and the latter saw gratitude and pride in the blue eyes.

" You were right, Conrad!! Gwendal is the strongest!"

"Of course! He's the best captain we have in Shin Makoku!"

" In the whole world!" Wolfram stated, flailing his arms to emphasise his words.

" No one followed you?" Conrad asked.

" No, and what about you? You've met nobody in you way?"

Conrad shook his head.

" No. I managed to avoid any dangerous place."

" Good."

Gwendal rose to his feet, holding his baby brother in his arms and then, placed him onto his horse. Wolfram beamed with joy as a big smile was curling his lips. His big brother took back his place on the animal, behind Wolfram.

Now, they could go home...

TBC

Eirina