Here's the next update! I hope you enjoy! Please let me know what you think. :)

"Wolfram?" A familiar voice called out to him. "Are we going to check out this 'really cool place' that you can't stop talking about?"

Wolfram rolled his eyes at his friend. "Why are you saying it like that? It is cool!"

Yuuri lets out a laugh. "You mean like the time you thought there was this monster in the woods next to your house? And you thought it would be 'really cool' to check it out? But it only turned out to be soldiers practicing their maryoku? Is it cool like that?"

"Humph!" Wolfram huffed as he crossed his arms over his chest. "First of all, I never used the word 'monster'. I just said there was something strange in those woods and it would have been cool to see what it was! Second, this is completely different! Maybe we will find out that it is nothing, but it will be cool to check it out anyways! There are lots of myths about that house."

Yuuri blinked at him as he shifted uncomfortably, "What kind of myths? You don't mean like...like ghosts, do you?"

Wolfram huffed at him. "Of course! It's an old abandoned house. What kind of myths would you expect? They tell about a woman who lived there with her two children. And after she found out that her husband committed adultery, she killed her two children in rage. Once she came back to her senses, it was already too late. She was left in despair after murdering them and she killed herself to be with them again. But as her punishment, she was left in that house, separated from them for all eternity. They say that she sits there waiting for someone to come in. And she'll kill anyone whom she deems has been unfaithful. There has been many stories were people go into the house, but never come-"

"Stop!" Yuuri suddenly yells, interrupting him. He puts his hands over his ears. "I can't hear you!"

Wolfram rolls his eyes, "Oh, please. You're not afraid of ghosts, are you Yuuri?"

Yuuri's eyes widened as he exclaims, "Of course I am! Aren't you?"

Wolfram smirks, "You can't be afraid of something that isn't real, Yuuri."

Yuuri blinks at him. "Well, if you don't believe in it, then why are we going?"

"It's supposed to be fun," Wolfram says. "People don't do things like this because they believe in it. If they did believe in it, they wouldn't do it."

"Well, then I shouldn't do it," Yuuri spoke stubbornly.

"Don't be ridiculous Yuuri," Wolfram says with a roll of his eyes. "It's not real. And at the off chance that it is, then I'll be there to protect you."

Yuuri paused, "Is that supposed to reassure me?"

Wolfram glared at him, "I'm capable enough to protect you!"

Yuuri nods, "I believe you. But you're still a kid like me. I just don't think you would be able to go up against a ghost."

"There is no ghost, Yuuri! But if you are going to sit here and be a wimp, then I'll go by myself!"

Yuuri blinked as Wolfram left Yuuri in the yard of the old house. It was completely dark outside. They snuck out, so it kind of had to be. Wolfram barely made it to the front door when a chilling scream was heard. Wolfram jumped and turned around completely to see Yuuri running towards him, tears threatening to escape his eyes.

"Yuuri, what-" Wolfram started, but was cut off when Yuuri latched himself around his neck and hid his face into the crook of it.

"Did you hear that?" Came Yuuri's muffled voice.

"Hear what?" Wolfram said comfortingly as he slid his hand up and down Yuuri's back, trying to comfort him.

"T-the nails on the window! And when I looked towards it I saw a figure of a woman!"

Wolfram sighed, "Yuuri, I'm sure it was all in your head."

Yuuri shakes his head furiously into his chest, "No it wasn't! I know what I saw!"

Wolfram pushed him back slightly, "Yuuri, I promise everything's okay. There's no such thing as-"

Yuuri screamed and ran down the stairs of the porch and far away from him. Wolfram blinked in confusion and turned around to look for what Yuuri saw. He found the door open (Did he do that?) and it completely dark inside. He sighed in disappointment. He really wanted to go inside, but Yuuri is more important. And the wimp finds a lot of trouble for himself when he isn't around.

"Wimp! Get back here!" Wolfram screamed as he ran after him. "Yuuri!"

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"Yuuri...Yuuri... Yuuri..." Wolfram kept on mumbling as he slept.

Yozak raised an eyebrow at the now full grown kid sleeping in a chair. Who was 'Yuuri'? Yozak was pretty sure he has never heard the kid mention that name before.

"Hey, kid. Wake up," Yozak spoke as he shook his shoulder. The kid's eyes blinked up at him in a daze. His face completely open when he just woke up. But as soon as understanding came back to his senses, his bratty attitude returned once again.

"Why are you waking me up?" Wolfram snapped at him. Yozak was quite used to his attitude at this point, and just rolled his eyes at him.

"Who's Yuuri?" Yozak didn't do well with small talk. He just came right out and said what he was thinking.

Wolfram froze at the question and didn't speak for what felt like an eternity to Yozak. He didn't realize that the question would have caused such a reaction from the blond Mazoku.

"What?" Came his whispered reply.

Yozak blinked at him with a frown on his face, "You were calling out for a Yuuri in your sleep."

Yozak stared in bemusement as Wolfram's face became hard, not a hint of emotion on his face. "Not that it's any of your business, but he was just a childhood friend of mine. That's all."

"Really?" Yozak said a he rolled his eyes. "Because I don't know about you, but I don't call out for 'just a childhood friend' in my sleep."

Wolfram's fists clenched on the arms of the chair he was still sitting on. His teeth were clenched and Yozak swears he sees fire in Wolfram's eyes. The sight actually has him taking a step back from the full blooded Mazoku.

"Yozak? Wolfram? What's going on?" Yozak turned to see Conrad entering the cottage. He went out for a while to pick up some food and now he was walking back inside hesitantly. Yozak could understand. It felt like you could cut the tenseness in the air with a knife.

"I..." Yozak started. "I was just asking the kid who Yuuri was. He was calling out for him in his sleep."

He saw Wolfram at the corner of his eyes tense again at the mention of Yuuri. He looked back at him and watched as Wolfram stood up and started walking over him to him with a glare on his face and fire in his eyes.

"Look," Wolfram started dangerously. "I am very grateful towards the both of you. And I have come to care for you. But never mention Yuuri to me again. He is off limits to the both of you."

Yozak found himself frozen at the threatening voice that cut through him and he flinched. Out of the corner of his eyes, he found that even Conrad was frozen, obviously effected by the dangerous tone. He saw confusion mixed in there as well.

Not another word was said, at least until after Wolfram walked passed Conrad and out the door, slamming it behind him. He was gone for a few hours, but when he did come back, it was like the earlier conversation never took place at all.

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With Yuuri

Shin Makoku

Yuuri stared at his mother in bemusement. It looked like she was having difficulty getting her words out. Why was she struggling so much with this? Could her news really be that terrible? He quickly glanced at Celi for help, but she only gave him a comforting smile in return. He glanced back at his mother.

"Mom?" Yuuri asked, confusion laced into his words. "What is it?"

She smiles slightly at him, "Oh, Yuu-chan. I...I'm dying."

Yuuri froze at the words, "Mother...don't be ridiculous. I told you that you needed a physician. I'll just go and-"

"No, Yuuri," his mother interrupted him. "I'm dying of old age."

Yuuri couldn't keep the confusion off of his face, "What are you talking about? You are in your prime."

She shakes her head, "For a Mazoku, I would be. But that I am not. I'm a human."

Yuuri shakes his head, not believing what his mother was telling him. "That's...that's impossible. If you were a human...you wouldn't look like this."

She smiles at him sadly before reaching up to her neck and pulling out a stone that was hanging around her neck, hiding under her shirt. It was blue and it glistened as the light touched it. She sighed to herself with closed eyes before swiftly removing it from her neck. Yuuri was frozen were he stood, too shocked by what he was seeing to move or make a sound. Once the necklace was removed, Yuuri watched as her features slowly changed. Her face started to sag as wrinkles started to form over her beautiful, flawless face. Her eyes became darker as they showed much more pain and vulnerability than before. He watched as her hair turned grey and very thin around her face.

Yuui couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"...Mom?" Yuuri asked hesitantly.

"Oh, Yuu-chan," she said in the same voice Yuuri would always remember. "This stone helped me appear as if I was aging like any other Mazoku. Celi and Shinou gave it to me, knowing the prejudices of the other Mazoku. After I...fell in love with your father, I knew I could never leave. I wanted to protect you from all their prejudices, also. And when I noticed that you hadn't taken any of the human qualities most half Mazoku have, I thought it be best if no one knew."

Yuuri blinked as he tried to take all of this in. He was half human? How could this be? He had learned some about half breeds and their description hardly fit him. They had no maryoku. And he very much did. He held the element of water. And he also aged like any normal Mazoku would.

"But mother, I've heard about half breeds. And I'm nothing like them," Yuuri told her with a frown.

She nods, "I know. That took us by surprise, too. The only thing we could figure is that fate has a whole other plan for you. You are a Double Black, after all. But we don't know anything for sure."

Yuuri couldn't believe this. He wasn't prepared for this. He wasn't ready for his mother to leave him, too. Tears came to his eyes. How was he supposed to survive all of this loss? He didn't think his heart could take anymore. He longs way too much for the people who are no longer part of this world already.

"Yuuri," his mother murmured. "Come here."

He frowns before obliging her and sitting on the side of the bed. She smiled at him before wrapping the necklace she wore around his neck. "My time in this world has come to an end, my love. I hope you wear this always and may it bring you good fortune, as it did with me. I love you so much and I am so proud of you. I know you will do well on your own now. And I hope with everything in me that you will find your happiness. Live a long life, Yuu-chan."

Tears came to Yuuri's eyes. He didn't really agree with her. He wasn't ready to lose her. Tears fell from his eyes and he laid next to her holding her close. He fell asleep that way. And in the morning Celi woke him and pulled him away from her. She stood him up and pulled him into her arms as he cried.

His mother was gone.

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With Wolfram

Outskirts of Shin Makoku

Wolfram couldn't believe he was saying Yuuri's name in his sleep. He has tried so hard to let him, his mother, and the rest of Shin Makoku go. And it's been years and he was still unable to achieve that goal. Why does his subconscious insist on torturing him? Remembering that time with Yuuri was painful. And hearing Yozak ask about him was downright torture. It's been years since Wolfram heard his name spoken out loud.

Though he tried to keep his mind from wandering to painful places, he couldn't help but wonder what happened to Yuuri after all this time. Wherever he is, Wolfram does hope that he's happy. He also wonders what he is like now, all grown up. Has he changed a lot? Or is he still the same wimpy black haired boy he once knew? If Wolfram remembers correctly, this is about the time nobles try to find their future spouses. He doesn't know why, but thinking about how Yuuri could be all grown up and being with someone that way made him want to throw fire at said person. Which was ridiculous. He hasn't seen Yuuri in years. Even if that was the case, if Wolfram happened to see him again, he thinks he would still be as protective over him as he always was.

His mother, in some ways, was even worse thinking about. Her family was ripped away from her so fast. She still had Yuuri and his family (which have always been like family to them anyways). But to lose a husband and your only son all at the same time must have been devastating. He hoped that wherever she was and whatever she was doing, she was still okay.

He looked out to the lake as he sat against a tree. It was silent except for a few sounds of nature. The cool breeze flowing through the leaves of the tree, birds singing. He closed his eyes as he leaned back against the tree.

He couldn't help but wonder if he'll ever feel whole again.

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"I'm so sorry, Yuuri," Celi whispered to him. She held him closely. Gave him another slight squeeze before pulling back from him.

"How could she not tell me?!" Yuuri cried, struggling to keep anger out of his voice. "If I had known, I could have been more prepared! I wasn't expecting this!"

"Yuuri," Celi murmured. "It doesn't really matter. Nothing could have made this easier."

Yuuri sniffs, knowing that she's right. But it was still easier to be angry then it was to be sad. "She still should have told me. It was part of who I was."

Celi shifts uneasily, "Maybe she was just protecting you from the truth. People can be cruel."

Yuuri frowns as he looks at her, "Why does that matter? People not knowing is different than me not knowing."

"Well, maybe she just didn't want you to be upset about something that she couldn't change! She was just trying to be a good mother! She was!" Celi cried out as tears came to her eyes. "And maybe she wanted to tell you. So many times...but could never get the words out. Or...couldn't find the right time. Or... Was afraid that her baby's opinion of her would change if he knew!"

"He?" Yuuri whispered. "Are we still talking about my mom and I, Celi?"

Tears fell from Celi's eyes and she covered them with her hands as she cried. She fell to the floor as her cries echoed in the room. Yuuri looked down at her with wide eyes before falling to the floor next to her.

"It's okay, Celi," Yuuri said comfortingly. "I didn't mean to offend you. I was just venting. Whatever it is, I'm sure it isn't that bad."

"I should have told him," Celi muffled into his shirt a she cried. "I should have told him..."

"Told who what, Celi?" Yuuri asked.

"I should have told him..." Celi just kept repeating that phrase as she cried. Yuuri squeezed her tightly to him.

"Come on," Yuuri whispered. "Let's get you back into bed."

Yuuri took her back to her bed. She didn't stop crying on the way there, nor did she as she laid down. She didn't stop until her eyes closed and she was asleep. Yuuri didn't know if he could make it through this anymore.

Because how can he keep everyone else together when he can barely keep up with himself?

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"Yuuri?" He heard a quiet whisper. He looks over to find Greta walking into the room with a frown on her face.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Greta," Yuuri said as a fake smile formed onto his face. "I didn't mean to leave you out there alone."

"Yuuri," Greta said sternly with her frown deepening. "I heard about your mother. I'm sorry."

Yuuri shakes his head, "Don't be. It's hardly your fault." A small smile comes onto his face. "Why don't we go out and do something together? Well, first we have to visit the Great Sage, Murata Ken. He can make this whole adoption legal."

Greta blinks at him in surprise, "You still want to adopt me?"

He glances at her in confusion, "Why wouldn't I?"

She looks up at him, "Well, you just lost your mother...people usually wouldn't be up for such a responsibility so soon..."

He smiles at her gently, "Well, I'm not most people. So, are you ready to go?"

She nods and the both leave the house and head over to the Great Kings Temple. Yuuri grins as he sees Greta's eyes widen in amazement. She looks around in such innocent fascination that it makes Yuuri laugh.

She looks back at him, "Yuuri, what is the place?"

"It's The Great Kings Temple. The Greatest Kings of the past are said to reside here in this shrine. The Shrine Maidens speak to them. So, in a way, the kings can always look after the kingdom. However, there has been no word from them since the start of Adalbert's reign. The Great Sage stays in the temple. He's the only male who's alive that's allowed to. Well, besides me. Since I'm a double black, they have this weird idea that I'm something 'sacred'. So, I could live here too, if I wanted. But I chose not to." Yuuri said with a roll of his eyes as he came to the word sacred.

"There are shrine maidens?" Greta asks curiously.

He nods, "But don't be fooled. They are all hundreds of years old. Especially the head shrine maiden. She's just over a thousand."

"A thousand," Greta stated in surprise.

Yuuri smiles down at her. The innocence he sees in her eyes is refreshing. And it reminds him of himself when he was a child. However, it also made him that much more protective of her. He doesn't want her to lose it. Especially not like he had to. He really couldn't believe how attached he's grown to this girl, one he's only met the previous day. But Yuuri does have to admit that she puts a light into his life, one that's completely void of pain. He had his mother and Celi before, but they weren't completely void of pain. Thinking about them always hurt. He loved them, but they hurt. Each day it seems like they were slipping away from him more and more. And he had Alaric, whom he has come to care for. However, his insistence of loving him has made even him a painful subject to think about. He also seems to lose himself in the past. And though they bring him some happiness, bring smiles to his face, it's only a reminder that that's never going to be their reality again. His father is gone, Wolfram is gone, King Shinou is gone, and now even his mother is gone.

Yuuri was glad that he found something that brought him happiness without the pain that Yuuri has learned always comes with caring for someone or something. But how long would it last? Yuuri didn't dare think about it.

"Shibuya? What are you doing here? And who's this?" Came the voice of Murata Ken. Yuuri looked over to him to find him grinning as he walked over to them. Yuuri rolled his eyes.

"Greta, this is the Great Sage, Murata Ken. Don't let the title fool you, he is by no means intimidating. He can be quite annoying, but not much to fear from him. Though, I have learned that he is quite a bit sneaky. Annoyingly so, actually," Yuuri said, though a grin was visible on his face.

Murata grinned back as he said with feign sincerity, "You know, that really hurts, Shibuya."

Yuuri feels a tugging at his sleeve and he looks down to see Greta's bewildered eyes, "Yuuri. Isn't the Great Sage reincarnated over and over again? And worked with many of the ancient kings of the Mazoku? He has lifetimes of knowledge and wisdom and you speak to him like that?"

"He is quite rude, isn't he?" Murata said.

Yuuri rolled his eyes in exasperation, "I've known him for years, Greta. Just ignore him. And lifetimes of knowledge and wisdom? Maybe so. But he uses it more to annoy people and get away with it in my opinion."

Murata just grins I'm return before responding, "What is it you wanted, Oh the Sacred and Pure Double Black?"

Yuuri rolls his eyes again, "Murata, this is Greta. She is human, and Adalbert was going to kill her. So...I pleaded for the right of guardianship."

Murata's eyes widen in surprise, "You did? I suppose I shouldn't be so surprised. You and your hero complex."

Yuuri huffs, "I don't have a hero complex. Anyways, Adalbert said that I needed to make this whole thing official. So, I need to adopt her."

Murata sighs, "Alright. Stay right here. I'll get the head shrine maiden."

Murata walked back inside the temple and Grata looked up at Yuuri in confusion, "Why do we need her?"

Yuuri looks down at her, "Ulrike is supposed to perform the ceremony. Murata is needed as a witness and he will sign the papers to confirm it."

Greta gives a small nod. Yuuri looks back towards the temple. He never expected that he would be adopting anyone. Actually, he wasn't planning on having kids at all. Mostly because he couldn't begin to imagine bringing a child into this place. But, he supposed adoption was a simple solution to that dilemma. He just never considered it before.

For years Yuuri has smiled. And for years those smiles have been fake. Forced. And no one ever seemed to catch on. Or notice. Or maybe they just didn't care. Either way, it didn't really matter. Over the years his fake smile became a part of him. Always there. Trying to reassure and comfort people.

So, to Yuuri's big surprise, the first time in almost fifty years, Yuuri smiled for real. He didn't have to force it for a second, nor was there a trace of sadness in him, at least for that one moment.

Yuuri felt better than he's been in years. Will that feeling stay?

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With Wolfram

Outskirts of Shin Makoku

Wolfram sighs as he stares up at the stars in the night sky.

This is his absolute favorite thing about being out here. The true beauty of nature is definitely something taken for granted when you live in a place like Shin Makoku. Not that it didn't have its own beauty about it. Not at all. Wolfram still firmly believed that Shin Makoku is the most beautiful place on earth. However, there is something natural and refreshing here that Wolfram had always taken for granted.

"Hey, kid," Yozak spoke as he walked up to him. "What are you up to?"

Wolfram blinked up at him as he watched him sit down and lay in the grass next him.

"I'm just...thinking. It's peaceful out here."

Yozak nods, "This place isn't without its perks, that's for sure. Though, I could really go for a good steak with potatoes and gravy. Oh, yes, covered in gravy. I think I would actually prefer that. Not to mention a drink. Can't get good stuff like that out here."

Wolfram rolls his eyes. He remembers when he would have said the same thing. He actually likes it here now. And he's not planning on leaving anytime soon. If there's anything that Wolfram misses, it's definitely not food or objects. He could live without those. Wolfram can practically hear the selfish loafer of a child in him screaming about how he should very well care. He shakes him out of his mind.

"Wolfram? Yozak? There you are."

Wolfram opens his eyes and sees Conrad joining them, with a small, soft smile that always seems to be on his face. He lays down on the otherwise of Wolfram and hums to himself as he closes his eyes.

"It is quite peaceful out here, isn't it?" Conrad said.

"Hmmm," Wolfram hummed in agreement.

"You like the stars, Wolfram?" Conrad asked as he glances at him.

"Yes," Wolfram answered, and then paused. "Someone...once told me that the Great Kings of the past look down on us from the stars."

Yozak glances at him and then back at the stars, "So someone told you that a bunch of royal dead guys are watching us? How ridiculous is that?!"

Wolfram flinched slightly when Yozak bursted out laughing. His eyes narrow and his fists clench. Yozak has always had a way of making his blood boil. But lately he seemed to be touching on some sore spots for him. True, he doesn't realize that he's doing it, but it makes his blood boil all the same.

Conrad notices Wolfram tensing up and he sits up to glare at him, "Yozak!"

"What?" He asked through his amused grin.

"Stop it!" He gives him another glare before glancing down at Wolfram. They watch as Wolfram sits up and walks away from them.

Yozak just stares after him, confused on what was upsetting the blond Mazoku. He looks back at Conrad with a frown.

"Did I say something?"

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Wolfram glared out into the distance. He knew Yozak was just being an insensitive idiot, like usual. But this was different. He was making fun of practically the last thing his father had ever shared with him. It hurt and made him very angry. He should have known better than talk about his father. For the same reasons he didn't want to talk about Yuuri. It brings up too many painful memories.

He looks towards the sky as he whispers sorrowfully, "Father. What am I supposed to do? Am I supposed to forget you? How can I? But everything hurts too much to remember. Please. I very much need your guidance now."

There was a flash of light in the sky that made Wolfram jump back in surprise. He blinked and rubbed at his eyes. He looked up at the sky, but found no trace of anything unusual in the sky. What had he saw? Was it lightning? But that would be impossible, Wolfram reasoned. There wasn't a cloud in the night sky. Maybe it was just his imagination. He shook his head before slowly backing away and walking towards the cottage.

Wolfram couldn't keep himself from glancing back one last time.

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With Murata

Shin Makoku

Murata could admit that he was a little shocked to find Yuuri adopting the human girl. Though, he really shouldn't. It's just like Yuuri, always wanting to save and protect everyone. But as the ceremony was going on, he realized it was more than that. He watched as Yuuri laughed and smiled in a way he has never seen before. At least not recently, because he obviously had at one point, when he was a child, but that was a time even Murata had a time remembering.

Murata couldn't help himself from smiling at Yuuri's happiness, even if it was only for a moment, no one deserved happiness more than Yuuri. He strongly believed that.

"Oh, Great One!" A high childlike voice called out to him. Murata looked over to Ulrike calling over to him frantically as she ran towards him. "I just got a message from the kings!"

Murata's eyes widen as he stood up sharply. "That's impossible! We haven't heard anything from them in almost fifty years."

"I know! But it was from them, I swear."

"What was the message?" Murata asked with wide, curious eyes behind his glasses.

"Prince Wolfram is alive."