Righty-right. Wow was yesterday a chafe…I mean really. The house was never quiet, and it seemed like everybody and his cousin had to stop by for the most random reasons! Anyway, sorry it took me more than a day to finish this chapter, but, with school looming, it's likely to take a day or two between updates now. So, here we are in Chapter 2…more secrets revealed and more Gunter yumminess. Poor Conrad—I had hoped to keep him out of this mostly, but I think he's going to get sucked in too! Thank you so much for your very encouraging messages and reviews—I will answer them soon as I can, promise—because I really wasn't sure if anyone was going to read this story anyway! Ok, so, don't own the Maou, but wouldn't mind Gwendal for the weekend, and…see you at the bottom of the page…
The Twelfth Treasure of Shin Makoku – A Fairy Tale
…and so it was that on the first day of the demon lord's self-imposed exile that he discovered the world outside the safety and protection of the king's castle was a harsh and cruel place. It was not because of the people he met, certainly not, for there were few unwilling to give aid or comfort to a being so beautiful and fair. It was merely that he felt strangely adrift and without purpose without his master's needs to fulfill. He was lonely, and in order to feed that sense of solitude, he remained alone, stopping in villages only long enough to procure provisions and refusing with all politeness, the invitations to stay near the warmth of homey hearths. He couldn't bring himself to share in the good cheer of those for whom life had provided love when he had none of his own.
The rain began on the second night of his journey, falling through the trees to dampen his makeshift camp, as though the sky itself was grieving with the beautiful demon. Sitting next to the remains of his fire—the flames unable to combat the now soaking rain—the beautiful demon let his own tears fall, and if it should happen that some other traveler were to come across his temporary resting place, he could blame the drops on his lashes on the skies above. Although he had not expected to sleep, even the elements could not prevent his weariness, and he fell into a troubled and fitful sleep…and he dreamed of his demon-king.
Part Two: The Path to a Man's Heart is Rarely Marked upon a Map
Pictures of you, pictures of me, hung upon your wall for the world to see.— The Last Goodnight
Soul meets soul, upon lovers' lips - Percy Bysshe Shelly
I saw your face and that's the last I've seen of my heart - Firefall
When Conrad came to Yuuri's room the morning after Gunter left the castle, he found his king, still dressed, face drawn and pale, sitting cross-legged on the large bed—staring at the items they'd found in the box. The young king looked up as the soldier knocked and entered.
"I've been sitting here, all night, trying to put these in order. There is an order, I'm sure of it. I don't know how long Gunter has been leaving these for me, but some of the gifts make sense and some, well, I'm not sure about them, but I have an idea that if I can just line them up right then I might be able to tell something about why he left and then we can figure out where to start looking for him—"
"Yuuri," Conrad said, softly, coming to sit next to the boy, interrupting his galloping speech. "Haven't you slept at all?"
The maou shook his head.
"I know you're worried about Gunter, but you won't get very far if you succumb to exhaustion. Why not rest a while?"
"I can't" the king whispered. "I can't rest until he comes home."
"I see," Conrad whispered, pulling the young man into a tender embrace. He was not surprised when he felt the king's tears dampen the cloth of his jacket. "I didn't know Gunter had become so important to you."
"Of course he's important. I remember…I remember when I lost you, and I thought I'd be dead inside forever. He was the only one who seemed to understand how I was feeling, and he was the only one who I could stand to be near when I was so sad. Still, some part of me knew that I would see you again, even if you were dead, because I'll die someday, too, and I would at least see you then. When it seemed like you were our enemy, well, I knew there had to be something else happening, and it broke my heart when you turned away from me. I never wanted to feel that way, not ever again. But…Gunter…he left because…because…I'm not sure but I know it has something to do with my not getting his gifts. He must think I hate him, or something, and it's not like that at all. At least, you knew, didn't you? You knew that I loved you, right?"
"Of course I knew, Yuuri," Conrad murmured against the top of the boy's head. "That's why it hurt so much to leave you. I wanted to make your dreams of a peaceful world come true, but leaving you broke my heart because I knew it would harm yours."
"See? We always knew that we cared about each other—and we always will, right?"
"Nothing can ever change that."
The king nodded against his chest. "But, Gunter doesn't know. He's out there in the world and he doesn't know how important he really is. I can't bear that, Conrad. I can't bear it. Look at these things—some I don't understand, I know, but they're all so thoughtful—so much like Gunter—so beautiful. And in my heart, in the deep part of it, I always thought Gunter would always be with me—like you and Gwendal, and Yozak. I want us all to be together—always. I can't imagine my life without any of you, and I've hurt him—I know I have and it's killing me."
Conrad continued to rub slow, lazy circles over Yuuri's back, content to just listen. He had known, of course, when the crush the King had on him had begun to fade and it had made him sad, yet proud at the same time. He had loved being the center of Yuuri's universe for the short time it had seemed to be true, but the young man was growing, changing, and Conrad had expected this at some point, though he didn't expect the object of the king's devotion to come in the form of Conrad's own teacher. Yes, he knew that Yuuri would some day fall in love, and he had always hoped the young man would set his heart on a deserving man or woman—a person of character and with the same sweetness that Yuuri himself possessed. It was for that reason that he objected most strenuously to his brother's engagement to the Maou. Wolfram was selfish, arrogant, and thought of himself before others as it suited him. Those behaviors along with countless others made his younger brother a poor choice as a partner to the king. Conrad had never, truly, taken the engagement seriously, though Wolfram obviously did, and that was why he and Yozak had been working so hard to bring a resolution to the situation that would cause the least amount of pain for everyone, but, in his usual fashion, it would appear that Yuuri had solved his own problem—even if he didn't yet know it.
Conrad felt as the boy began to go limp in his arms, his breath still hitching as a result of his tears, but evening as he slipped into an exhausted sleep. He kissed the top of the king's head, and continued to stroke and hold him, doing his best to substitute for the person that he, at least, recognized as the true object of the king's desire. Somehow, quietly and without any fanfare at all, even without his realizing it himself, Conrad saw that his Yuuri had developed a very strong attachment to Gunter and was suffering from the loss of someone far more important than just an advisor. The soldier knew that he had been and always would be Yuuri's first love. Their relationship was established and he knew, too, with the benefit of his years' of perspective, that their relationship would grow and change over time—it was the nature of long-lived creatures such as themselves. But if he was Yuuri's first love, the infatuation of his youth, then Gunter had become the object of the adult Yuuri's passion. Conrad had made a vow long ago to protect Yuuri from any harm, but he wasn't sure if he could save the young man from his first broken heart. However, he'd do everything in his power to prevent such a thing from happening.
And he was going to have a serious talk with Gunter when he did find his former teacher.
--O.o.O—
When Yuuri woke up, he was still resting in the protective circle of Conrad's arms. He was still exhausted, eyes raw from crying and his throat aching from alternately holding back tears and sobbing away the night.
"Why does it hurt so much, Nazukeoya," he asked, still half asleep.
"Because we never want to be apart from those we love, Yuuri." Conrad answered. "You've only been asleep for a little while, less than an hour, do you think you can rest a while longer? It would be good for you."
Yuuri shook his head and shifted so that he could sit up on his own. He stared down at his bed, at the line of gifts.
"The book comes first, I know that much, because Gunter signed and dated it—see?" He held the book out for his godfather's perusal.
"I recognize many of the stanzas from my time in school. I suspect Gunter chose this volume because of the simplicity of the language and the themes are universal—you wouldn't have had to have been raised in Shin Makoku to understand them."
"You can see from the date on the inscription that he wrote it very shortly after I first arrived in Shin Makoku—that's been years, Conrad!"
"I see that," his Godfather replied. "Don't be discouraged, Yuuri-heika, all lessons worth learning require effort and time. I hope these poems will help you know us better, as well as help you decipher our language. Faithfully, Gunter Von Kleist." Conrad read aloud.
He put the book back on the bed, at the head of the line where Yuuri had placed it before. "It was a very thoughtful gift."
"And the only thing I know for sure is that this one is the last gift—that he left for Arrival day."
"I wonder where he got the thread." The tall soldier mused out loud. "It must have taken him a very long time to make a piece this intricate."
The king shook his head. "No, it's not thread. Well, the ribbon is ribbon, but that's Gunter's hair—and mine. Here, look at this…"
Yuuri slipped off the bed, and went to his desk. He had ordered the items, his gifts, that Gunter had left behind brought to his room. He grabbed a book, opened it to a marked page and held it up for the soldier to see.
"See this picture? It's a love-knot, and apparently it is an art-form that was practiced in several ancient earth cultures. I'm still reading about it, but, I can tell you that it must have taken him months—MONTHS—Conrad, to knot that piece together. And Wolfram…he just…he just threw it away, without a second thought. I'm sorry, I know he's your brother, but I don't know if I can forgive him for that."
"I don't blame you, Yuuri. I have no explanation for what Wolfram has done. However, after we find Gunter and you explain the situation, I know he will understand."
"I hope so," Yuuri whispered. "Do you really think so?"
"I do."
Yuuri felt a little better when he heard the certainty in Conrad's voice.
"Yuuri, you need to eat something. I have the feeling, though, that you don't want to go down to lunch. Would you like me to send something up from the kitchens for you?"
"Yes," he said, cringing at the idea of having to face everyone just yet. "I want to spend some more time ordering these gifts. When do you think we can be ready to leave?"
The soldier looked surprised. "Gwendal has already dispatched several search parties, Heika, at your request. Do you mean, still, to go after Gunter yourself?"
"Of course!" Yuuri said, impatience rising in his chest. "No search party is ever going to find him, Conrad—Gunter doesn't want to be found. At least not right now, but I can't wait for him to change his mind and come home, because he might not do that, ever. He's out there, and I need to find him. I need to be the one…but I know you won't let me go alone. I just…I need to show him how much he means to me—to all of us. I want him to know that he's special enough for me to come for, on my own."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea, Yuuri. There could be danger—"
"I don't care." Yuuri muttered. "I don't intend to be stupid, because you and Yozak have to come, too. I guess I'll have to ask Gwendal to stay, though it would be a comfort if he could come as well, but someone needs to run the kingdom while we are gone."
Yuuri watched as his protector, his knight, began to make calculations. He recognized the expression on the handsome soldier's face.
"I'll discuss it with Gwendal…but it will be at least two days."
"I…I would rather leave now, but I understand. That gives me a little time, I guess, too. I want to go see Ulrike-sama."
"Ulrike…?" Conrad questioned, raising an eye.
Yuuri nodded. "Yeah. I have some questions."
"Very well, Yuuri. I'll have lunch sent up to you, and speak to Gwendal. Is that all right?"
"Thank you, Conrad," Yuuri said, relieved. "Thank you for understanding."
He tried to give his godfather a smile, but he could feel his lips twisting strangely. Tears. Again. He took a deep, shaky breath and walked Conrad to his chamber door. He was going to have to stop crying every time he turned around or he was never going to be strong enough to find Gunter.
After nibbling at the sandwich and taking a few mouthfuls of the soup that Doria had brought him for lunch, Yuuri set out for Shinou's temple. As usual, it was really sort of scary the way the priestesses always seemed to be ready for his arrival.
"Yuuri-heika, we've been expecting you." One of the female guards led him into the temple. Ulrike-sama was waiting for him in the receiving room.
"Good afternoon, Heika," she said, giving him a small smile. "I think you have a question for me?"
It was uncanny the way the priestess was able to anticipate his needs so quickly. He had often wondered if the inhabitants of the shrine kept an eye on the happenings in Blood Pledge Castle with a crystal ball or something. He liked the shrine, certainly, and the sense of peace he found there—but there was something unsettling about it, as well. Whenever Murata was in residence, he never failed to invite Yuuri out to the temple for a visit or a meal, and the Maou always accepted the invitation, but, he still felt as if there were more eyes than either Murata's or Ulrike's watching him. Perhaps it was just that the diminutive priestess was an eight hundred year old woman in the body of a child that was off-putting. Yuuri had, after all, seen her in her more adult, feminine form. But, he supposed it was more likely that he really only visited the Shrine, himself, when something was amiss. And, there had been that incident with the four forbidden boxes—like that was something he was ever going to forget.
"Yuuri-heika?" Ulrike-sama asked, and the boy realized that he had been drifting in his thoughts again.
"I'm sorry," he said, pulling himself out of his thoughts. "I didn't know where else to turn, Ulrike-sama. I am sure you've heard that Gunter has left the castle?"
The girl nodded, her smile sad.
"Well…I was hoping you could look at this and tell me what it is." Yuuri produced the small vial of purple liquid from his pocket. "I didn't know anyone else who might be able to identify it—apart from Murata, and he isn't here."
"Geika will not be back for some time, I understand he has some tasks on earth that will prevent his being with us for a while, but, may I ask where you got that bottle, Heika?"
"Gunter gave it to me."
The priestess nodded, her smile widening a touch. "I thought so." She took the bottle, uncorked it and took a tiny, delicate sniff. "Ah, yes. This is the Von Kleist philter. Rather like the Von Wincott poison is something that has been in their family for generations, so has this been a part of the Von Kleist family history. Gunter-sama, being the head of the family, would have the knowledge to make the philter."
"What is its purpose, do you know?" he asked, feeling a tingle of excitement race along his spine.
"Yes, Heika. If you take a sip of this potion before bed, while you sleep you will be able to visit the place or person you love most—in your dreams."
"It's a…love potion?" Yuuri asked, now confused again.
"Not exactly," Ulrike replied, her laugh tinkling lightly through the chamber. "It won't make you fall in love with anyone else, Heika. Rather, it sort of connects you to the people and places you love the most, or wish most to see. May I ask why Gunter-sama gifted you with such a unique offering?"
Yuuri thought back, casting in his mind for any reason that Gunter might have left him such a potent, magic concoction. He was at a loss, until he remembered all at once, two years before, when he had been unable to return to earth because of his duties in Shin Makoku. It had been months, and he had been terribly homesick. Thinking on it, he had confided in Gunter. He remembered that the beautiful man had held his hand, while they talked, his pretty eyes full of shared sadness.
"Heika," he had said. "I can, if you would like, help you to at least see your home again. Shall I?"
The morning after that conversation, Yuuri had become distracted with the impending military crisis in which he'd been involved at the time. He had never asked Gunter what he'd meant. Looking at the vial in Ulrike's hand, he now felt certain he knew exactly what the gift had been intended to accomplish.
"He gave it to me so I could be connected with my home, but we never got to talk about it." Yuuri said, finally.
"Well, you should be very careful with this, Heika. It is quite potent. I do not know the exact way in which it is made, but I know that part of the magic comes from the tears that are part of the potion. Gunter-sama's tears can be very powerful—but I suppose you already know that?"
Yuuri shook his head. "No, I had no idea. But, Gunter…cries a lot. What is so special about his tears?"
Ulrike passed the vial back to the king, and he put it in his pocket. "Gunter-sama's tears, when he chooses to imbue them with such, contain his maryoku. This is a very personal gift, Heika, as it is a part of Gunter-sama himself. You might understand it better if you consider that a small part of his soul is confined in that potion. So, please, use it carefully, because his soul is…bound within. He will feel what you feel when you use it."
"This has part of Gunter's…soul?"
The priestess nodded again. "It is for that reason that the Von Kleist's have refused to share this potion with those outside their own family. I have never heard of anyone from that family ever giving some to an outsider. Gunter-sama must trust you very much."
Yuuri nodded, looking at the small, pretty glass bottle. Inside of it was…part of Gunter? He couldn't believe that his teacher and friend would do such a thing for him…give him a part of himself just so he could spend a few nights dreaming of home. The Maou of Shin Makoku felt, suddenly, very small.
"I'll be careful, Ulrike, thank you."
"You're welcome, Heika, always."
"I…I'd like to ask another question if I may?"
The priestess nodded.
"Is there…I mean…can you tell where Gunter is right now?"
Her smile turned sad once again. "I have tried, Heika, to find Lord Von Kleist, but he is…blocking my vision. I can't explain it much better than that, I'm afraid, but you have seen the orb through which I can sometimes see auras?"
"Of course, we all look like stars inside of it."
"Yes. Unfortunately, I can no longer see Gunter-sama. I thought you might ask me to help, so I have tried, but even with many hours in meditation I cannot see through the obfuscations he's set up. I am very sorry, Heika. The only fact of which I am certain is that Gunter-sama has not yet left the borders of Shin Makoku, but I cannot tell you more than that."
"I didn't know Gunter was so powerful," Yuuri said, mostly to himself.
"Lord Von Kleist has many hidden strengths, Heika."
"I'm beginning to see that."
Yuuri thanked Ulrike for her time, and slowly made his way back to Blood Pledge Castle. He thought he'd known Gunter well. He had no idea, however, of these aspects of his adjutant's character and a small voice nagged at the back of him mind—he should have spent more time with the man. Gunter was…amazing. And of all his advisors and friends, Gunter bore the brunt of more jokes than any of them. He was the one left behind most of the time, and Yuuri had spent many hours avoiding his teacher when clearly he should have been listening to him with attention.
"I've overlooked you for the last time, Gunter," he whispered to no one, as he came back into his chamber. "I'm going to make it up to you—you'll see. I promise."
--O.o.O—
Gwendal Von Voltaire sat in his office, musing on the vagaries of interpersonal relations, and stared at his youngest brother. Wolfram's return glare, while not intimidating to the older mazoku, was at least telling. The boy, and yes, he was still a boy to Gwendal, wouldn't speak—refused to answer questions, and consequently the general and the prince had reached an impasse.
"Wolfram," he said, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. "You may sit there and refuse to answer me, but soon you will have to answer Yuuri-heika."
"I'm not afraid of that cheater."
"Well, you should be—despite his strange love for peace and goodwill. I have never seen the Maou so angry. It might mitigate his temper if you could at least provide an explanation—something better than the fact your jealousy has finally driven you mad. Unless that is, in fact, the case."
"Gunter had no right to leave gifts for my fiancé, in our room, in the night. He was courting him, Gwendal, right under my nose!"
"Courting? Are you sure about that?"
His little brother folded his arms over his chest, made a derisive snort, and looked away.
"Courting Yuuri-heika?" Gwendal asked, raising a brow. "That seems unlikely. Gunter has always followed every protocol and he would not have interfered with your relationship. I believe you have misinterpreted the meaning of his gifts. We have all given the Maou gifts, Wolfram, even me. Are you suggesting that I'm courting Yuuri-heika, too?"
"I know that you are unable to resist small, cute things." Wolfram muttered almost too low for Gwendal to hear.
The general would have been offended if he hadn't been so annoyed. The very idea of him courting the Maou was preposterous—and his little brother should have known it. Gwendal was a logical, thoughtful man. He had a keen insight, and sharp instincts when it came to the ability to read other people. Of course he knew that Gunter was in love with the Maou—anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear couldn't miss that simple fact. But, it was also clear that Gunter's devotion to the king ran far deeper than that of a mere romantic conquest. Gwendal sighed, the breath leaving his throat in a sharp exhalation. Wolfram had never seemed like much of a lover to him. He was a constant nag and critic when it came to the Maou, and for all that the young soldier was brave in battle situations, his ardor seemed…forced somehow. It was as though the courtship rituals he foisted upon the king were calculated, scheduled. Something along the lines of, "Yuuri, we're engaged, so from two o'clock until three o'clock we will appear in the gardens for a walk as The Happy Couple." Nothing about their relationship seemed easy, or natural. Not that it mattered now…since it appeared that Wolfram's actions coming to light had finally forced the Maou's hand.
"Yuuri-heika has formally written to rescind his offer of marriage to you, Wolfram."
Gwendal knew that his flat announcement had rocked his youngest brother—yet how could it? How could the boy think that he could behave in such a way and still remain the fiancé of the king? Surely the young mazoku's delusions, or ennui, ran deep.
"Let me see it!" Wolfram shouted.
Gwendal held out the parchment and watched as his brother's eyes scanned the uneven script. He seemed particularly interested in the king's seal and sloppy signature.
"He wrote this himself?" Wolfram whispered.
"Yes, last night. He delivered it to me personally and instructed me to tell you."
"That's it! I'm tired of this. He can't just get away with this—I'm going to tell him right now—"
"No," Gwendal said, his patience lost and his voice harsh. "Stop this madness instantly, Wolfram. The king has left strict word that you are to have no contact with him—probably more for your protection than anything else. Did you miss, somehow, what almost happened last night? The Maou would have dispensed his brand of justice last night and given you his punishment if I hadn't dragged you from his chamber. Do you not realize the import of what you have done?"
"Yuuri would never hurt me." Wolfram declared, though his eyes were wary.
"True. Yuuri would never hurt you, but you have angered the Maou! Are you so blind, Wolfram, that you refuse to see that in all these years Yuuri never intended to marry you. He is too gentle and far too good a soul to ever try and hurt anyone, so for all this time he has been waiting for you to wake up and realize that you two do not love each other. He waited as long as he could before he fell in love with someone else—and it is not his fault that you are too selfish to ever think about anyone beyond yourself!"
"Brother," Wolfram hissed. "Are you suggesting that Yuuri is in love with Gunter?"
"Are you so blind that you cannot see it for yourself? Whether or not Yuuri is fully aware of his feelings is immaterial. In his heart he has chosen Gunter—that much was evident by his reaction last night. Had things run their natural course, who knows what would have happened, but you have been the stumbling block in Heika's life for years. It's about time you grew up, remembered your self-respect, and try, now, to regain some of your lost dignity." Gwendal forced his hands to rest against his desk, instead of wringing Wolfram's thin neck as he was half-tempted to do—no brother should be forced into this kind of confrontation.
"You're my brother, Gwendal. You're supposed to be on my side!"
"I am on your side, Wolfram. I am doing my best to make you see that you have erred in this situation, and that your interference—coming between the Maou and the object of his affection—has brought out within the king those protective instincts that all mazoku feel toward their chosen mates. I do not wish for you to be hurt, neither will I disobey or conspire against my king—so I am sure you are not asking me to do such a thing, are you? I will not be a party to you trying to re-ensnare Yuuri-heika…you do realize that, don't you?"
Wolfram's face flamed red, and Gwendal knew his guess had been correct. Wolfram had been about to try and enlist his support in some new, crazy scheme to get Yuuri to marry him. The general sat down at his desk and rested his head on his hand. Why him? Was he not a good general? Did he not work hard every day? Did he not fulfill his duties without complaint? So…why did HE have to be the one to handle this situation? Emotions were not his strong suit—everyone knew that. Conrad would have been the better choice for this discussion, but he had not seen his younger brother for several hours. He took a deep breath.
"Wolfram, until the Maou chooses otherwise, you are to avoid him at all costs. That could make your continued residence here at the Castle problematic at best. You may wish to consider spending time with our mother on her next holiday, or even returning to the Von Bielefeld lands for a while."
"You want me to leave!"
Gwendal wished he could plug his ears and spare himself Woflram's screeches. He loved his brother, and always would, but when he lost his temper—Wolfram's voice could shatter glass. "I don't want you to leave, Wolfram. I'm suggesting it might be easier for everyone."
"I will not be dismissed so easily, Gwendal. There's no way I'm leaving!"
The general sighed. He knew there was no sense in his trying to persuade the young man. His temper was a fiery as the magic he commanded, and once his heels were dug in, Gwendal knew that Wolfram was stubborn enough to remain entrenched, even if it cost his own well-being. No, the only way to handle him now was to let him cool off and perhaps come to the decision to leave the castle on his own.
"Very well, Wolfram," he said, quietly. "You will have to take your meals in your room, then, or come to the table when the king is not in residence. He is quite serious about not seeing you, so I would suggest you curtail any thoughts you may currently have about arranging an accidental meeting."
Again, the shocked look on his youngest brother's face alerted Gwendal to the fact that the boy had been planning something just like that. He sighed. What the tall mazoku really needed was a vacation, and he almost envied Gunter's escape from the castle…almost.
"Am I interrupting?" Conrad's gentle voice was a welcome distraction.
Gwendal motioned his middle brother into his office. "Yes, and thank you." He replied. "I have been explaining the Maou's wishes to our youngest brother."
"I see." Conrad's voice became decidedly cool. "And what will you do about this, Wolfram?"
"I have no intention of leaving if that's what you mean, Weller," the blonde prince said, nearly growling. "I haven't waited all this time just to give up now. Yuuri may be angry with me now, but it won't last. He'll forgive me, you'll see, and everything will be back to normal."
"I have no doubt that Yuuri-heika will forgive you, Wolfram," Conrad said quietly. "But I believe you will be disappointed if you think you will ever be his affianced again."
"We'll just have to see about that."
Gwendal watched as his youngest, most volatile brother stormed out of his office before he turned to his more sensible, though still unpredictable sibling. "What's on your mind, Conrad? You are wearing that look that says you have news—the kind of news I'm not going to like."
Conrad settled into the chair that Wolfram had most recently vacated. "Yuuri is determined to leave the castle and search for Gunter himself. He wants me and Yozak to accompany him. Additionally, he would prefer your company, but he is aware that you may not be able to leave."
Gwendal pressed his lips together, and considered the consequences of such an action. "If I leave to accompany you all, I would have to leave Anissina in charge of the castle. While that thought in and of itself is frightening, it would also leave her to monitor Wolfram and considering how she has always done her best to ignore our brother, that may not be wise."
"You don't sound surprised to hear that Yuuri intends to leave, though."
"Nothing was ever going to stop that," Gwendal said, nodding to himself. "Surely you noticed the look on the Maou's face when he discovered our brother's subterfuge."
"I did."
"You look troubled, Conrad. Were expecting…a different result?"
The younger man shook his head, his smile turning from benign to rueful. "No, but then I never expected him to become so attached to Gunter, either. I suppose when I was…gone…more happened than I know."
"No, it was nothing like that. Neither of them has consciously sought this particular path, I believe. Gunter, of course, has been unshakably devoted to Yuuri-heika since the moment he arrived, that is no surprise. But, the Maou has refused to acknowledge his changing feelings. I don't think he sees them even now."
"I agree. I can understand how Gunter came to the conclusion he did. He has been patiently enduring this for all these years…but…Yuuri is not patient once he as decided on a course of action. I don't think it will be long that he recognizes what he sees as the loss of a friend, now, is really the fear of losing the one he loves."
"…and how does that make you feel?" Gwendal asked, with uncharacteristic gentleness. Although he had never been a man comfortable discussing the feelings of others, he did love his brothers and wanted their happiness—even if he couldn't say that out loud.
"I am…sad, in a way, but I know, too, that Yuuri must walk his own path. Don't worry for me, Gwendal. I have not lost my place in Yuuri's life, and I am content with that as it stands."
Gwendal thought over Conrad's words, taking the time to measure and judge his brother's face. The younger man did seem resigned to the situation, and had he, at one time, hoped for a different kind of relationship with the king, it appeared he was willing to stand aside and let the boy follow his heart. And, Gwendal conceded internally, mazoku are, really, quite long-lived and none of them could be certain of any one future.
"Very well," he said, finally. "I will stay behind and manage the Maou's affairs. When will you leave?"
"I told Yuuri it would take two days, but I have been preparing all day. I would like to leave in the morning."
"The sooner the better," Gwendal said quietly. "I have a feeling none of us will have any peace until Gunter is back in the castle."
"Then I will return with both the Maou and Gunter as soon as possible."
Conrad left his office, leaving Gwendal alone with his thoughts. No matter how he turned the tangled puzzle over in his mind, he could come up with no easy solution. In fact all he could do, really, was press forward and keep a steady hand on the helm of the ship that was Shin Makoku.
"It was inevitable, you know."
He looked up to see Anissina enter his office. She closed the door, then reached behind her to lock the door.
"You're probably right." He felt his heart begin to race at the look on the red-haired woman's face. "Oh, no….don't tell me you've invented some new death-trap that's supposed to assist the Maou in this matter?"
Her light laugh did nothing to ease his nerves. "Not at all, Gwendal. While I am amazingly talented, and could probably help…I think this situation is best resolved between Yuuri-heika and Gunter-sama, don't you?"
Gwendal looked at Anissina, suspicious as ever. "I do think that…but the question is…do you?"
She crossed the room, by-passing his desk and settling into his lap. As she wound her arms around his neck, Gwendal relented and drew her close to him, settling his hands on her hips.
"With or without my assistance, Gwen-darling, the heart will out. If Gunter-sama and Yuuri-heika are meant to be together, no amount of science will help or hinder that. I think our own relationship bears out that hypothesis."
"You're being entirely too reasonable, Anissina." He said, frowning, but tilting his head to allow the woman he loved access to his neck. He didn't say it often, but he found her light kisses delightful.
"I promise, I'm not going to interfere this time, Gwen." She nuzzled his neck until he couldn't help the rumbling purr that erupted in his chest. She really was a vixen.
"I'll believe it when I see it." He muttered.
"Gwen," she sighed, leaning up to press her lips against his. Pulling back after a long, sweet kiss, she looked into his eyes. "This is something I wouldn't wish on our worst enemy, but, Yuuri-heika has to discover his heart on his own. We can't help. The best I can do, is to be here with you and help you where I can…"
"Well, I suppose that would be all right," he said, pulling her down for more kisses.
He felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown in his face when she jumped off his lap and laughed. "Really? Oh, I just knew you would say yes! Listen, Gwen, I have invented something new—and it really will help you, I promise! I call it copy-copy-quick-as-lightning-kun, and it will help you finish all your paperwork…all it needs is some of your maryoku to power it, and…."
"Get out!" Gwendal roared—staring at his beautiful lover in terror. Yes, he loved Anissina—and had probably since they were children. He loved her laugh, her smile, and the casual ease that she showed when dealing with anything life threw at her. But…there was no way he was going to be her guinea pig for some new, no doubt dangerous, invention.
"I'll take that as a later, then?" She asked, laughing still, and dancing out of his grasp. "Of course, if you're really not inclined to assist me, that's all right. I'll just have to stay up late working on it…but I don't mind, really. Although, that probably means I won't get to bed tonight…maybe even tomorrow, too."
"You wouldn't dare…" he growled. The thought of a bed devoid of Anissina's warmth and passion was even more daunting than the thought of being possibly blown through a castle window.
"I don't know…we'll just have to see, won't we?" She winked at him and slipped from the room, leaving nothing behind but the gentle scent of her perfume and a light laugh lingering on the air.
Gwendal dropped his head to his desk, and slowly, ever so slowly, began to bang his forehead against the wood. Somewhere, sometime, in some past life, he was sure that he'd done some horrible, horrible deed—why else would he now be saddled with a lover who was more demon than he was himself, a brother unable to accept reality, another brother devoted to a man whose heart was the property of one missing scholar and magician? Sometimes, Gwendal Von Voltaire mused, life was just not fair.
--O.o.O—
Yuuri had kept to his room for much of the afternoon, after returning from Shinou's Temple. He had passed the time, mostly, reading from one of the books he'd given to Gunter and now found in his possession again. Occasionally, he would take a break and begin to work on the placement of the eleven items now lined up on the low table in front of his fireplace. So far, he could place the book and the love-knot—first and last presents, of course. The second present, truly, had to be the little acorn. He remembered that on the fourth day of his arrival, he and Gunter had taken a walk, just to familiarize him with the layout of the castle. Yuuri had been shocked to see that Shin Makoku had oak trees, as well—and he told Gunter. His advisor had seemed both surprised and pleased, murmuring, "From small acorns, mighty oaks do grow." Yuuri had been shocked, and was excited when he told his adjutant that he had heard of the same expression on earth. It had warmed his heart to know that there was, perhaps, more than one chord of coincidence between his coming to Shin Makoku than just Conrad. It was like a little piece of home.
He still wasn't certain of the placement of the Von Kleist dream-potion as he had come to call it in his mind, but he suspect it was nearer to the middle. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. Yuuri really hadn't had much sleep, and while he still wasn't very hungry, Conrad had brought him a tray near dinner time. His knight had insisted he eat, while also delivering the welcome news that their journey could begin the following morning—an entire day earlier than expected. Yuuri was very relieved, because as the hours dragged by, he felt the loss of his teacher even more keenly. The deep ache he felt in his chest really did surprise him—he had certainly never grieved missing school on earth the same way he missed his tutor's presence. The young king blushed a little, even though he was alone in his chambers. No, Gunter wasn't merely his teacher—he was something more, though Yuuri's stubborn mind refused to put a label on the beautiful adjutant. He depended on him, though. He needed his input and guidance in the decisions he made as Maou. And, before last night, he hadn't recognized just how much he required the man's…presence. Somehow, just knowing that Gunter was nearby helped Yuuri keep his life in alignment. He expected the emotional displays, and the wise words of comfort…without them he felt…bereft.
Yuuri reached out and took the tiny glass bottle in his hands, turning it gently in his fingers. He was so tired, and he missed Gunter so very much. The guilt gnawed at his stomach, making his guts feel tight and his heart ached. His thoughtlessness had caused his advisor, someone he cared for so deeply, to be hurt. And he wished Gunter were here so he could apologize. Ulrike-sama had said he should be very careful with this gift of Gunter's…but if the adjutant had given it to Yuuri, then he felt sure it would be safe to use. Decision made, Yuuri removed the stopper from the bottle and tipped the lip against his lips. He had no idea how much he should take, but, he could always try more later if he didn't take enough—but he didn't want to risk taking too much at first. He had no idea what the side-effects might be, and while he felt it would be safe, he had no intention of being stupid either. He settled for ten small drops.
The taste of the liquid on his tongue was strange…as it seemed to have no taste at all. He experienced it, more than felt it and the sensation was almost like…a memory he'd long forgotten. He recapped the bottle and put it back on his table, then changed into his pajamas, and slipped in between the sheets of his bed. Stretching out for the first time in ages, Yuuri closed his eyes and nestled against the pillows. He didn't know what would happen next, but, he was just too tired to worry about it. He knew he needed to sleep, because the next day would begin early.
...Yuuri was walking through the park near his parents' house on his way home from…somewhere. He hadn't cut through that section of the grounds for a long time, since he'd been avoiding the baseball diamond. He never had time to play anymore, not since he'd begun to spend more time in Shin Makoku, and watching the younger boys playing had always made him just a little unhappy, given him almost a homesick feeling. So, he couldn't say why he'd chosen that path today, but as he crossed the empty field, he saw someone sitting on the bleachers. As he came closer, he saw it was Gunter. The tall man was dressed almost the way Yuuri expected—he still wore his tall boots and cream coloured trousers, but his cape was missing and his high-throated jacket. Instead, he was wearing a shirt, unbuttoned to nearly his navel and made of an almost transparent material. Lawn, his brain supplied from seemingly nowhere. Now, how would he know that? Gunter's hair was drawn back and coiled over in the soft bun-ponytail style that he'd taken to wearing some time after Yuuri's sixteenth birthday, and his glasses were perched on the end of his nose, as he was bent over some task that seemed to have absorbed all the man's attention. As Yuuri came nearer still, he saw that Gunter was wearing a baseball glove—an outfielders glove—and was carefully oiling it. It was out of place, but Yuuri suddenly realized he must in fact be dreaming—and dreams could be of anything, right? In fact, it seemed like a normal thing to be doing on a beautiful, summery afternoon—except that Gunter was no ballplayer and the added detail that clasped around his ankles and waist were sinister-looking manacles, attached to heavy, rusted chains. The chains extended across the field into the distance. Yuuri couldn't see the ending point.
"Hello, Heika," the beautiful man said, pausing for a moment and looking up at Yuuri—the old, familiar smile on his lips.
"Hi, Gunter," Yuuri replied, trying not to sound confused. "Why are you here, and why are you oiling a baseball glove…and why are you chained?"
"Very inquisitive this afternoon," Gunter replied, still smiling. "But, to answer, I don't know, I don't know, and…I don't know."
Yuuri knew he was dreaming, somehow he just understood that he was, and he gave himself permission to just follow along with what seemed natural. Dreams didn't have to make sense. And, he had to admit that seeing Gunter, even in his sleep, was a balm to his troubled heart.
"I've missed you," Yuuri said, climbing the bleachers and sitting down next to lavender-haired man.
"Have you, Heika?" Gunter paused in his task and looked at Yuuri. "I think I have been waiting for you here, but I'm not sure."
Yuuri edged a little closer to the taller man. "Well, I'm here now, is there anything…on your mind?"
Gunter smiled, that sweet, almost sad smile. "No, Heika. I don't know why I'm here, apart from waiting for you—and restrained for some reason—and taking care of the leather of this baseball glove. Is this yours, Heika?"
"No. I use a catcher's mitt." Yuuri said, looking up at the sky and noting the position of the sun. It was mid-afternoon by the look of it. "Do you have any idea what you were going to do before you got here?"
"Well, the last thing I remember was thinking that I need to sharpen my sword."
Yuuri nodded, and edged just a little closer to the man at his side, until their shoulders were touching. He could feel heat coming from his advisor's skin, and he was suddenly touched by the soft, manly scent he'd come to recognize as Gunter's unique, very pleasing smell. The beautiful man smelled like soap, and the sea, and…Gunter. Yuuri was still a little embarrassed, even in his dream, and held himself back from clinging to the man next to him—even though that was his overwhelming desire. Instead, he contented himself with taking quick peeks at Gunter's strong, lithe form and reminding himself that he was dreaming…so perhaps these strange feelings of attraction were not so strange after all. Just as he was about to say something else, a flash in the sun caught Yuuri's attention.
"Gunter, is that your sword?" he asked.
His tutor looked toward the bottom of the bleachers. "Yes, it is. And my whetstone, too. Strange."
Yuuri was struck by a sudden thought. If Gunter was oiling a baseball glove, something Yuuri had done himself countless times, perhaps he was meant, in this dream, to sharpen his advisor's sword?
"I could do it, Gunter." Yuuri said, grinning at his own idea.
"Do you know how, Heika?" Gunter asked, turning his soft smile back to Yuuri, making the young king's heart beat with an uneven rhythm.
"Not…Not really." He admitted.
"Ah. Well, I can show you." Gunter offered, as he laid the glove to the side.
Although he swept the chains binding him over his arm as though they weighed nothing more than the train of a dress, the rusted metal clanged and made hollow sounds as Gunter slowly descended the bleachers, Yuuri at his side. Yuuri felt his face grow red, and his breathing become ragged as the taller man straddled the lowest riser of the bleachers, one leg propped on the metal step and one foot firmly on the ground. He pulled Yuuri between his legs, making sure the younger man didn't trip on his shackles, then began to show Yuuri how to prepare the whetstone, then unsheathe the sword and hold it in both hands. Yuuri swallowed hard as Gunter's elegant, large, warm hands settled over his arms. His back was pressed against Gunter's chest and he could feel the older mazoku's muscles rippling beneath the thin cloth of his shirt as he guided Yuuri's movements with the sword, drawing the blade over the stone in a crisp movement.
"Like this, Heika," Gunter murmured against his ear, his breath whispering against Yuuri's skin, making the Maou shiver. He pulled the sword, modeling the movements of Yuuri's hands again, toward them. The motion pushed Gunter's hips forward even as it pulled Yuuri's body back, so that his ass wedged firmly in the V made by the beautiful man's thighs. Yuuri didn't know how long the rocking motion continued, but he felt hot and cold at the same time. He could hardly breathe, and in all his early teen years, he didn't think he'd ever experienced anything so erotic. He could feel Gunter's breath on his neck, a sort of humid kiss against his skin without the actual press of the man's lips. He was melting, confused, and…incredibly turned on.
"Gunter…" he groaned softly, wanting to turn...consumed by a desire to feel the touch of his adjutant's lips on his own. The world began to shift, the sword in his hands suddenly feeling light, and the world around him began to break up, like a jigsaw puzzle being pulled apart.
"Gunter!" he called again, this time in panic when he could no longer feel the comforting heat of the tall man's body.
"Yuuri…are you all right?" Conrad's voice—for the first time ever, unwelcome in the King's ears. "Yuuri? It's time to wake up. It's time to leave."
Yuuri opened his eyes and saw the concerned face of his godfather above him. He was instantly aware of two things…first, he was still in bed, and second…he had an amazing morning erection. He blushed and stammered for a moment, but Conrad seemed to not notice anything. He merely stroked Yuuri's hair and stood, turning away to gather clothes from the king's closet.
"I'm sorry to wake you so abruptly, Yuuri—because I was actually relieved to see you sleeping so well. But, it's late and we really should be going. Are you awake now?"
"Y—yeah, I am. Sorry, I was just…in the middle of a dream." Yuuri said, squirming uncomfortably in his bed. His traitorous body refusing to yield to his commands to calm down.
"Oh? Not a nightmare I hope."
"No, not like that."
"Good. Ok, Heika—everything's ready here. I'll leave you to bathe and dress, but try and hurry, all right? We'll be waiting in the courtyard."
"I'll be as fast as I can," Yuuri promised, and waited for Conrad to leave his room before he chanced getting out of bed. His body felt strangely relaxed, even if that one part of his anatomy remained hard as stone, and just as stubborn. His dream…he remembered it, but he didn't quite understand it. He couldn't remember ever having dreamt of Gunter in that way before, but even now, thinking of the man's strong body made his pulse pound in his veins and did nothing to calm his hormones.
Yuuri felt guilty, and…still so turned on. Gunter, no doubt, didn't see him in that way—his adjutant's love had always been almost chivalrous, sort of like the way a young girl adores her first rock star. But something about the dream, the way it had felt to be against the beautiful man's body…something about it whispered to Yuuri that maybe he'd been missing an important clue all along.
Now, however, was not the time to ponder such a question. He gathered his wits and his clothes, making his way to the bathroom. For the first time since coming to Shin Makoku, Yuuri locked the door and closed his eyes. The image of Gunter's beautiful face firmly in his mind, he began to stroke himself and quickly brought himself to an explosive release. It was…unsatisfying. But, at least his morning erection was flagging and the idea of riding a horse was no longer quite so painful. Hurrying to dress, and then stopping to carefully pack up the eleven gifts, as well as a few books Gunter had left behind, Yuuri rushed from his chamber, down the steps, and out into the bright morning sunshine. Conrad and Yozak were waiting for him there.
"Ready, Kiddo?" The tall, smiling spy asked.
"Yes!" He exclaimed, as Conrad helped him pack his belongings into Ao's saddlebags. "Let's find Gunter and bring him home."
…When the beautiful demon lord woke from his strange and wonderful dream, he cried soft tears of mourning. He didn't know what he had done to be cursed by such thoughts of the handsome Maou who did not return his love. It seemed cruel to him, to be plagued by such thoughts, but at the same time he also understood that he would always be taunted with thoughts of the demon king. The beautiful demon, after all, had a faithful, loyal heart.
Packing his belongings, and hiding the evidence of the camp he'd made the night before, the demon lord was glad to see that the rain of the previous night had ended. It would be easier for him to travel in the clear. Taking a long moment to assess his surroundings, the demon lord finally decided to travel west, toward the sun that so reminded him of his lost king. It was with a heavy heart that the lord traveled further from the arms of the one he loved. He didn't meet with a soul for the entirety of that day's journey, but the night brought out creatures of ill intent, of evil design…and as night fell, the demon lord found himself surrounded by enemies and no allies at hand. Armed with only his sword and magic, he drew the blade and prepared to defend himself—he noted, just before the attack came, that the edge of his weapon had been recently honed to deadly sharpness. The lord filed the detail away and met the enemy at hand.
The demon-king, filled with a longing for his lost lord, resolved to leave the castle in search of him. Accompanied by his trusted companions, the king picked up the hint of a trail which might bring him to that which he missed most. Armed with his pure heart, and the eleven treasures given him by his absent advisor, the King set off in furious pursuit, a sense of dread and foreboding laying heavy on his gentle heart…
So, Gunter and Yuuri have a dream-connection, thanks to that potion of Gunter's. The more I write him, the more I realize that as a character there is a lot to play with, a lot to explore. I reckon this means I'm going to end up with a crush on him, too…ah well, can't be helped I expect. However, I don't know what you all think, but I think that Yuuri's dreams which aren't really dreams but more a subconscious connection with Gunter, might just be the place for these two shy, but sweet-natured fellas to work out some of their problems. And, even I don't know what's up with the chains yet…As always, thanks so much for reading—that fact still surprises me—and your comments and questions are always, always welcome. Now, I owe some answers, some emails, and some work to my house—so I will be seeing you. Thanks again, very very much…SN