I apologize profusely for this long awaited update! There are no excuses, except for the fact that college life got the better of me. I have been slowly writing this chapter for a long time. I know. I know. I'm sorry. But this extra long chapter will (hopefully?) make up for it. This story is not abandoned. I will finish it. I know it may not seem like it, but...

I am determined that one day it will be finished. Why leave my first multi chapter fic hanging? I won't. Anyways, those of you still reading and enjoying this story...thanks for sticking with me! I love you all! :)

Yuuri was wrong.

Wolfram knew this to be true. He couldn't go back. He couldn't. Shin Makoku would be just fine without him. Or, at the very least, couldn't do any better with him. He made a promise to himself years ago. And that's a promise he intends to keep.

Wolfram grits his teeth as he glares at the ground. Why did Yuuri have to come and make things difficult? He had no problem keeping that promise before.

The better part of himself tries to argue that none of this was Yuuri's fault. If anything, it was all his fault. Even after his father told him he would always be there for him, he wasn't. And that was his fault too. But how could he ever tell Yuuri something like that? Wolfram's fist clenched as he glared at the ground. He couldn't. And he can't ever go back to face it. Not after what he did.

Just like he would keep telling himself, he doesn't deserve Yuuri or his mother anyway. It's better this way. If anything, they're both better off without him.

"Hmmm. It's kinda hard to believe you're that same stubborn, fierce little brat we all used to know. I really thought Yuuri would have been able to knock some sense into you, but then again, you're both holding back some important information, aren't you?"

Wolfram's eyes widened as he turned to face a strange man facing away from him.

"Excuse me?" Wolfram narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"

The man laughed, "I think the question you should be asking yourself is, who...are you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Wolfram growled, as he glared at the man before him. "You know nothing about me!"

"Yes, I do," Wolfram could tell the man was smirking. And he didn't like it one bit. The man chuckled, "I already know that you're an idiot. Thankfully, I am not."

Wolfram narrowed his eyes dangerously. What right did this man have to speak to him in such a way? He clenched his teeth, "I think you're confused."

What other explanation could there be for some random person coming up to him just to call him an idiot? Wolfram turned to leave, before the man did something to anger Wolfram more. In his current state, he really didn't have any self control. He knew he would lash out if the man kept pushing.

"Me?" The man laughed. Again. At him. Wolfram's eyebrow twitched. "You're the one who doesn't even know who you are!"

"Oh, and you do?" Wolfram asked in annoyance as he continued to walk away.

"Of course," he heard the smile in the man's voice. "You're Shinou's son."

Wolfram froze in place.

"Well, see ya!"

Wolfram's as widened as he turned around quickly to see the man fleeing from him.

"No! Wait! H-how did you know that?!" Wolfram ran after him.

Once Wolfram started to catch up, he froze as he saw a building come closer and closer into view. It was obviously abandoned. But what was it doing all the way out here? Wolfram was sure he would have known if such a place existed out here.

As he came closer he recognized the building for what it was. It was a shrine. He knew there was one back in Shin Makoku. He remembered trying to get Yuuri to sneak in with him, since they had that ridiculous rule of 'no boys allowed.'

He caught up to the strange man wearing glasses. "You can't just say something like that and walk away!" Wolfram snapped. "How did you know my father?"

The man rolls his eyes at him. "Did? I do know him. And if you look closely you may be able to figure out how."

Wolfram frowns with narrowed eyes. Did this man always speak in riddles? He looks at him closer. And his eyes widen again. Black hair. He glances down slightly. And black eyes.

"Y-your..." Wolfram whispers. "You're a double black..."

"Very good!" The man grinned. "And, as you know, there are only two known ones. And you know one personally, so by process of elimination...?"

"You're the Great Sage," Wolfram suddenly realized. His eyes narrow. "So you were the one who sent Yuuri to find me."

"Correct again!"

Wolfram glared at him as he spoke condescendingly, "If you really are the Great Sage, then you would know that my father died. A long time ago."

"Do you ever get tired of being wrong?"

Wolframs fists clench, "Excuse me?"

The man grinned. "I really do give Shibuya points for being able to deal with you. Though you are quite entertaining, if anything."

Wolfram glares at him, his anger flaring. But before he can bite back a response, the Great Sage speaks again.

"He's still here. If you want to see what I mean, then follow me."

Wolfram hesitates when the Sage starts walking inside the temple. The man was crazy. His father was gone. He knew. He was there. He-

Wolfram gulps as he cuts off his thoughts. No. That thought will only bring about a never ending stream of dark thoughts. That being said, he couldn't seem to stop himself from following the Sage. After all, he was the Sage for a reason. If there was a chance he could actually see his father-talk to him, it was the Great Sage who would know how.

Inside the temple it was very old and broken down. Cracks, spiderwebs, and dirt everywhere. Vines and grass growing through the floor. Wolfram stopped in the center. Why would his father be in a place like this, anyway?

The man spoke again and Wolfram turned to face him. "Look down in here."

Wolfram walked closer, slowly. Nerves starting to act up as he got closer and closer. What exactly was going to happen? It made Wolfram nervous that he didn't know the answer.

He looked in and stared. He saw himself looking back at him. Wolfram blinked. And blinked again. Before backing away angrily.

"It's only my reflection! Not my father."

The Sage shakes his head. "Look closer." Wolfram hesitated before looking in. Closer this time. "He lives in you. And even when people die, they never truly leave. He's here. Always. In a sense."

Wolfram backed away and looked away from him, disappointed. "Thanks for the lesson."

"But sometimes even those rules can be broken. And your father was always for breaking the rules."

Wolfram glances over at him, confusion written all over his face. "What do you-"

"Now, my Great Sage," a new voice stated. Wolfram froze. "No need to be cruel."

The Sage rolls his eyes, "I promise you, I was only stating facts. If the facts seem cruel, that's your own fault."

Wolfram turns around quickly, his chest tightening up. And all of a sudden he can't breathe. Because right in front him was a man who looked very much like his father, sitting on the throne, white light showering over him.

Wolfram was dreaming. He had to be. There was no other explanation.

"Wolfram," the figment of his imagination stated. It made his chest hurt. The man was smiling at him in fondness, before frowning slightly. "Why have you forgotten me?"

Wolframs heart seemed to break. Like it did years ago. And for the first time in a long time- he cried. He just couldn't seem to help himself. Tears escaped and fell down his cheeks.

"No," Wolfram whispered. "How could I ever forget you?"

"You forgot who you are. So you have forgotten me too."

"No-how can I go back? I'm not the person I was then. I...I can't..."

Shinou smiled at him gently. "My son," Wolfram held back from letting out a loud sob. "You know where you belong. Where you should be. Don't ever let fear hold you back. Don't you remember what I always told you? You will never be alone. I kept my promise. I have always been with you, even if you couldn't see me. And you have many people that are still here. Still with you. Always have been. Is that who you are? Someone who abandons the ones he holds most dear? I know it isn't."

"But..." Wolfram pauses. Shinou walks closer to him and he falls to tears again when he puts his arms around him. Wolfram can feel him. Sort of. He didn't feel like a solid human being. He felt a light touch. But the warm feeling of a presence made up for it. "How...I'm not ready to...to face..."

"Remember who you are, Wolfram. And if you can't, I know there's someone close to here who very well does. In some ways, he was even closer to you than I was..."

Wolfram felt peace for a brief moment. Then the presence started to fade. "No!" He tried to hold on tighter, but didn't feel anything in his grasp any longer. More tears fell. "Don't leave me!"

Wolfram wrapped his arms around himself. He felt more alone than he has in a long time. He got used to that loneliness. But then Yuuri came back. And...and his father. And now they both weren't here again.

"That man," the Great Sage says in exasperation. "Is such a show off. Really? Must you be so dramatic all the time?"

Wolfram turns to glare at him for talking about his father in such a way. The man is pinching his nose in exasperation before looking up at him again to explain. "I doubt he really left. Apparently he's chosen to have some fun in his retirement. He just can't keep a visual form for a long period of time. I'm sure you'll see him again."

Wolfram blinks. And then relaxes slightly, relived. He would get to see his father again. He gave a slight smile, before frowning. "I just don't know how...going back means I have to face my past. I've been running from it for so long that I feel...I don't know anything else."

Wolfram expected words of wisdom. Encouraging words. This was the Great Sage after all. He did not, by any means, expect to get slapped over the head.

"Ow!" Wolfram put a hand to his head and glared over at the Great Sage, fire in his eyes as he narrows his eyes. He seethes, "What was that for?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, that's not what you wanted?" The Sage shrugged. "Oh, well. It's in the past now."

"Was there a point to that?" Wolfram seethes. "Or did you just want to hurt me?"

"Yes, the past can hurt sometimes, can't it? But the way I see it, you can do two things about that." The Sage shrugs. "Run from it. Or. Learn from it."

Wolfram grabs the sages wrist with a glare once the Great Sage raises it to hit him over the head again. The Sage grins. "See! So, what are you going to do now?"

Wolfram rolls his eyes. "I now understand why Yuuri refers to you as 'The Great Annoyance'."

"What? Shibuya says that about me? I'm hurt." The funny thing was, he didn't look hurt at all. In fact, he was even grinning. Wolfram found himself suddenly confused by this friendship between Yuuri and the Great Sage. He feels a knot in his stomach as he thinks about the two of them. Yuuri said that they were 'friends of sorts', but by the Sages reaction, he feels as if they may be close. And Wolfram...wasn't exactly sure he liked that.

He narrows his eyes at the grinning man in front of him, "So," Wolfram states nonchalantly, but there was an obvious threatening undertone. "What exactly is your relationship with Yuuri?"

The Sages grin turned into a smirk, "Hmm, possessive much?"

Wolfram glares,"No!"

The man chuckles, "I promise you have nothing to fear from me, Your Majesty. My relationship with your fiancé is strictly platonic."

Wolfram cursed to himself for flushing, "Fiancé?!"

The Sage shrugs, "He was before, wasn't he? And since you didn't die, well, nothing was officially annulled, was it?"

Wolfram blinks, "I...suppose not." Wolfram pauses, before glancing at him. "Do you mean..." Wolfram hesitates. "I...have something to fear from someone else?"

The Sage shrugs, "You'll find out on your own. But I wouldn't worry too much about that."

Wolfram narrows his eyes. There was someone else? Someone who was more than just a friend to Yuuri? Wolfram couldn't help but feel angry about that. And he shouldn't worry? How was that supposed to be reassuring? All Wolfram wanted to do in that moment was burn to a crisp anyone who had a more than platonic relationship with Yuuri. He didn't care if he sounded possessive. Or if he sounded...jealous. He didn't even want to think at that moment why he felt those things. Wolfram closed his eyes, before shaking his head. He probably doesn't want to know. Well, at least not now. He had other things to think about. But, later...

Wolfram swore to figure out the truth about that later.

Wolfram smiled to himself, finally making a decision he should have made long ago. He turns to leave.

"Hey!" The Sage calls out. Wolfram can hear the grin in his voice. "Where are you going?"

Wolfram smirks, before sending one more glance over his shoulder as he walked out the door. "I'm going back."

He can hear the Great Sage laughing. "Well good riddance!" He yells after him. "I don't want you here anyways."

Wolfram rolled his eyes as he headed outside of the temple. He looks beyond the horizon, towards his home. He's going back. After all these years. He walks forward.

Any doubts he had, he left behind him.

WolfYuu WolfYuu WolfYuu

Yuuri couldn't believe how things ended up. They were having such a good time, and the next second they were yelling at each other. Hurting each other. Yuuri felt sick to his stomach. What had possessed him to say such awful things to Wolfram? Of course, he does think it's the right thing for Wolfram to come home. But he still went about it the wrong way. He should have never brought up his father. Whatever may have happened, of course it was a sore spot.

Yuuri flinches when he remembers Wolfram's last words to him. It couldn't be possible that he really wished Yuuri never came, right? That he would have been better off without him? It makes Yuuri feel cold on the inside and makes his chest ache.

Wolfram couldn't...hate him, right? The thought scared Yuuri more than anything. He doesn't want to believe that it could be true, but he's only ever heard Wolfram talk like that to...other people. He never spoke like that towards Yuuri or his parents or Yuuri's parents. People he cares about a lot.

Yuuri shakes the thoughts away. He was probably over thinking things. But he needed to talk to Wolfram first, so these thoughts would go away. Because the truth is, it's been so many years since they last seen each other. Yuuri was a different person now. And so was Wolfram. So, really, Yuuri just couldn't assume anymore that he still was something important to Wolfram, right?

Yuuri had to find Wolfram. He would apologize. Essentially beg him for forgiveness, because in all honesty, even if Wolfram doesn't need him anymore, he needs Wolfram. Always. And he knows now that that's something that will never change. Even if they do. And, as much as it pains him, he would even stop pressuring Wolfram into returning home. He won't ever speak of it again to Wolfram. If that's what he wants.

Because...because that's how much he loves him.

He reaches a cottage that he (assumes) is where Wolfram lives. He quickly walks up to the door. When he reaches out to knock, he realizes the door was left open. He pushes it open slightly and calls in, "Hello?"

No answer.

Yuuri walks in further, but pauses in his steps when he sees Yozak and Conrad sleeping on the couch next to each other. Holding each other. He pauses in the doorway. Yuuri really couldn't believe the coincidence it was that Wolfram ended up with a half breed named Conrad. But despite that, Yuuri wants to say that this is the Conrad Cheri told him about. He just feels it. But, that being said, it really isn't his place to say anything to any of them. He shakes his head.

Wolfram.

That's his main concern at the moment. He walks toward the two and puts his hand on Yozak's shoulder, shaking him gently.

"Hey, wake up," Yuuri whispers.

Eyes flutter. Then they are looking at him. And then he reacts. He jumps up with a yelp, hand reaching for his sword-

"Hey! It's me!" Yuuri yells as he steps back with his hands up.

Yozak glares at him and growls, "What are you doing here?!"

"Yozak," Conrad stated as he sat up. He glances towards Yuuri. "What's wrong, Yuuri?"

Yuuri shakes his head. "Have either of you seen Wolfram?"

"No," Yozak stated bluntly. "He left with you, remember?"

"Well, he was with me. But I can't find him now."

"And you won't. Hey, Shibuya. How's it going?" Yuuri turned to blink at Murata, who was leaning in the doorway grinning.

"Oh, great. Another one," Yozak mumbled. "Just what we need."

Yuuri didn't really care why Murata showed up out of nowhere. His main concern was Wolfram. "What do you mean? Where's Wolfram?"

Murata smiled, "The King, has finally returned."

Yuuri's heart skips a beat. Relief washes over him in an instant. He couldn't believe it. "Oh my god," Yuuri whispers. "He's really gone back?"

He looks over to find Murata gone. Typical.

"What?" Yozak bursts as he glares over at him. "Gone where? Who's Glasses Guy?!"

"He's gone back to challenge Adelbert," Yuuri whispers.

"Who?" Conrad asks.

"His uncle," Yuuri explains.

"Glasses Guy is Wolfram's uncle?" Yozak narrows his eyes.

"No!" Yuuri rolls his eyes in annoyance. "Wolfram's gone home to challenge his uncle. So then he can take his rightful place as King."

"Oh..." Yozak blinks as he takes in the information.

"Yes! And now we have to go help him! He'll need all the help he can get. I'm going after him." Yuuri takes off, leaving the stunned faces behind him.

WolfYuu WolfYuu WolfYuu

"Yozak, Yuuri is right. We have to help our friend."

Yozak glares at the brunette man, who is walking over to grab his jacket and sword.

"No!" Yozak yells. "If he was our friend, he wouldn't have left without saying anything. Let His Highness have his kingdom that he's lied about for so long. And besides, the last thing I want to do is help him!"

Conrad's eyes narrow, "Our you seriously still angry at him? Yuuri has done nothing but be kind to you. All of us."

"Trying to kill someone is kind now?" Yozak grumbles.

Conrad glares at him, "Your lack of forgiveness and hatred is going to leave you all alone."

Yozak's eyes flash, "And your nobility is going to get you killed."

Conrad walks up to him and looks him straight in the eyes, "That's what it means to care about someone. Nobility has nothing to do with it. Wolfram is our friend, Yozak. And while you're busy hating the boy he's in love with and not forgiving him for things he didn't tell you, he's the one risking death. Not me."

Yozak continues to glare at the ground, as he did throughout Conrad's whole speech. Then Conrad sighed in disappointment and turned to leave. But Yozak quickly grasps his hand and squeezes. He whispers, "I'm sorry. You're right."

Conrad relaxes and smiles at him. "You're coming with me?"

Yozak sighs, "I'll always be with you. Even if I don't like it. I'll always be there."

Conrad smiles, "I'm glad."

Yozak takes Conrad's face in his hands and strokes his cheeks with his thumbs. "Our place right now is helping our friend. It's important to him, so we'll go after him."

"Thank you," Conrad breathes out.

"But this doesn't mean I'm going to stop worrying about you," Yozak rests his forehead on his. "I love you too much for that."

Conrad smiles, "I wouldn't expect any different."

Conrad's lips touch his gently. Then he pulls back.

"I love you, too. Now let's go after Wolfram and Yuuri and help them save Shin Makoku."

Yozak groans. "That's something I honestly never thought I would hear you say. Or believe we were actually going to do."

Conrad just laughs.

WolfYuu WolfYuu WolfYuu

Wolfram couldn't believe his eyes. This place was nothing how he remembered it. In fact, it was just how Yuuri described it. If not worse. The beautiful place he remembered, was now replaced with this...this...nothing. All the green was gone. It was this dry place, completely lifeless. He couldn't even hear the laughter and talking of all the happy people in the kingdom he remembered. It was nothing less than depressing.

Wolfram wanted to scream. The beautiful place his father had built...had become this.

"Wolf!"

Wolfram blinked, the sound of his name bringing him back to reality. He quickly turned to find Yuuri running to catch up with him. When he does, he looks between Wolfram and what's left of Shin Makoku.

"It's awful, isn't it?" Yuuri whispered as he looks toward the place that has been his home his whole life.

Wolfram flinches. "I...didn't want to believe you. I didn't know it was this bad."

Yuuri glanced at him and gave him a small smile, understanding the underlining apology. "It's hard to imagine. I was surprised when I heard you came back. You seemed so determined not to. What changed?"

Wolfram sighs as he looks ahead. "I spent a long time convincing myself staying away was the best thing. And it worked. But I guess you could say I had some sense knocked into me. I was being selfish with my decisions."

Yuuri nodded in agreement. "And not your normal kind of selfishness either."

Wolfram turned to glare at him. Yuuri only laughed at him in return. "I just mean that you were always selfish, it was part of your personality. But when it came down to it, you always put others safety before your own."

Wolfram rolled his eyes. "So you know me pretty well then?"

"Well, I knew you pretty well. That's why-" Yuuri paused.

Wolfram looked over at him, "What?"

Yuuri bit his bottom lip. "Well, I suppose I started wanting to protect the people here because of you. Because it's what you would do."

Wolfram turns toward him with a frown. "Protect them? Protect them how?"

Yuuri looked away from him. "Never mind. It's not important-"

"Yuuri." Wolfram said sternly, with narrowed eyes.

Yuuri looks back over at him, with nervous eyes. "Well, I...Okay. Adelbert...punished people...rather harshly. He would, well, cut people's hands off for stealing, for one thing. Even if it was something as small is bread."

"Okay," Wolfram spoke, looking him over. "While that's awful, what does this have to do with-"

"I would take people's punishments for them!" Yuuri said quickly, looking away from him.

Wolfram froze, then relaxed slightly. "But... You have both of your hands." Wolfram looked towards Yuuri again. And he felt his stomach get heavy. Fear filling up inside him. Then...what punishment did he take? "Yuuri...?"

Yuuri started to fidget. "Well...yes. But only because...he didn't want to lose me as a soldier. He...punished me in other ways..."

"Wimp," Wolfram's voice shook. Fists clenching. "Stop stalling."

"Well...whi-whipping was common..." Yuuri was looking at the ground.

Wolfram froze. Yuuri was whipped? Adelbert did that to him. A coldness filled Wolfram at the thought. But he didn't want to feel that. He didn't want to believe. So he did what he did best. He let anger take control.

"What?! How could you think I would have wanted that?!"

Yuuri flinched, then whispered, "I know you wouldn't want that, Wolf. I just didn't see another way of protecting them." He looks over at Wolfram. "Don't worry, it wasn't just because of you. I did it because I wanted to. It made me feel as if I had a purpose. A reason to live."

Wolfram's hard eyes met his. "A reason to live? You mean that's the only way your life meant something to you?! If you were being tortured?!"

"For others!" Yuuri cried. He knew Wolfram wouldn't react well to this news. And he honestly didn't want him to know. But if he didn't say anything, he knew someone else would. And that would have just made Wolfram angrier. Yuuri looked away and whispered,"I lost you. And your father, which changed everything. Then my father. I had our mothers, but they were miserable. I felt as if I was taking care of soulless creatures my whole life. Which is fine, because I love them and I would do anything for them, but it didn't feel like they were really there."

There was silence. It was way too quiet. Wolfram closed his eyes. He hated what happened Yuuri. And he swore he would make anyone that hurt him pay for what they did to him. And one way or another, Wolfram would get Yuuri to tell him. But Yuuri suffered a lot already over the years. And it all started with him. It was all because of him. So he can't make Yuuri feel worse about it. All he can really do is make sure Yuuri is never so self sacrificing again. Because maybe he felt useless before. But no longer. Because now Wolfram needs him. He's always needed him, but now he's going to make sure Yuuri knows it. Now that Yuuri's back, Wolfram knows. He simply can't be without Yuuri. He's never felt more himself since Yuuri's been back in his life. These past years...if anything he's felt like a shadow of himself.

Yuuri was looking at him worriedly. Wolfram just let out a deep breath and pulled him close to him. Into his arms. He buries his face into Yuuri's neck.

"Never again," Wolfram whispers. "Never again, Yuuri."

Yuuri relaxes in his arms. "It won't. Because you will be king. Everything will be better then."

Wolfram smirks and then pulls away. "I suppose. This is my kingdom. So if I don't fight for it, who will?"

Yuuri grins, "I will."

Wolfram looks at him and smiles. "It will be dangerous. Are you sure a wimp like you is up for it?"

Yuuri laughs. "Danger? I laugh in the face of danger!"

Wolfram turns to glare at him. "Very funny."

Yuuri grinned again. "And who was it that defeated who in a sword fight?"

Wolfram huffs. "That was only because I figured out it was you!"

"Of course," Yuuri teased.

Wolfram glared at him again.

"So this is the place you were making such a big fuss over? I'll never understand Mazoku."

Wolfram and Yuuri turned to the voices and smiled. Wolfram couldn't help but feel happy at the sight of them. They came all this way for him.

"Yozak. Conrad. You're here," Wolfram looks at them in surprise.

"We couldn't leave you to have all the fun," Yozak grinned. Conrad rolled his eyes from beside him. "So this is it, huh?"

Wolfram nodded, "This is my home."

Yozak looked around, "Well, it definitely needs a lot of work, doesn't-"

Conrad cuts him off, "If it's important to you, Wolfram, we'll do everything we can to help you."

Wolfram smiles at him in thanks. Then turns to face the place he loved so much. It will be the great Shin Makoku again. The place his father built. Wolfram would make sure of it. This place is his. And he refuses to let it go again.

He looks to his left as Yuuri puts his hand on his arm. "We can't do this completely on our own. We need to be prepared. I know some people that will help."

Wolfram looks at Yuuri with a frown. "Is it really safe to bring these people? You said it yourself, Adelbert has an army."

"They're former soldiers. They'll want to help. And you'll have the other territories on your side too. We'll send word to them. Adelbert will be going to the Voltaire territory first. Once he wins over that territory, we will have lost. We won't be able to warn them in time, so Adelbert has surprise on his side. But so do we. We have you. He won't be prepared for that. So we'll have to use that to our advantage. We'll take care of his soldiers. And while we do that, you go after Adelbert."

Wolfram continues to stare at him with wide eyes. Since when was Yuuri able to talk strategy? He kept surprising him every time he opened his mouth now.

Yozak glanced over at the double black. "That's...actually a pretty good plan. I'm impressed."

"We'll do whatever you need," Conrad added.

Yuuri grinned and quickly grabbed Wolfram's hand. Then proceeded to pull him. "We have got to hurry! Adelbert is already a day ahead of us! Which means he should be there by tomorrow. We need to get the soldiers and then the horses."

"Horses?" Wolfram asked as Yuuri pulled him.

"There's only a few. But I won't go without Ao. He's mine. You can have Mystery. He's a white steed, so he'll suite you, my prince," Yuuri teased.

Wolfram rolled his eyes at the comment. Then thinks back to the first part of what Yuuri said. "Ao? Mystery? Really?"

Yuuri frowned as he glanced back at him. "Do you not like those names?"

Wolfram huffed. "It's not the names. It's that you named them at all. They aren't pets if they are war horses, Yuuri. The only way you would name them is after a major battle. A noble name. That's all, Wimp."

Yuuri sends him a small glare, "That's mean, Wolf. They are good horses. I took care of them everyday. They are friendly. Why wouldn't I give them names?"

"It's not wise to get attached to everything that breathes, Wimp."

Yuuri sticks his tongue out at him. "You rather I get attached to nothing?"

Wolfram rolls his eyes. "You're only going to end up getting hurt."

"'It's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.'" Yuuri quotes.

Wolfram sighs. "I beg to differ."

Yuuri stops and turns to face him. Then he smiles. "I was hurt when I thought you died. But I didn't regret anything. I still don't."

Wolfram feels his face heat up and looks away. He wanted to tell him the same. That again, Yuuri was the exception to everything he believed, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.

"Yuuri!" A young girls voice cried. "You're back!"

Wolfram blinked in surprise as a child ran up, flinging her small arms around Yuuri's waist. He laughs joyously and places his own arms around the girl.

"Greta!" Yuuri exclaims. And then a huge grin takes over his expression. "I told you I would be back, didn't I?"

Greta nodded, a huge smile on her own face. "It's still not nice to leave your own daughter behind, Yuuri."

Yuuri laughed and teased, "My apologies, Princess."

Greta laughed and hid her face in Yuuri's stomach, hugging him again. Yuuri smiled gently down at her in a way Wolfram had never seen Yuuri smile before. He generally loved this girl. And then Wolfram's mind went back to the wide, doe eyed girls comment before. Did she call herself Yuuri's daughter?

No, Wolfram's mind supplied as cold dread seemed to fill him. That wasn't possible. Yuuri couldn't be old enough to have a daughter that age. But...

Yuuri is half human. So if the mother was a human, too, than maybe...

Wolfram didn't want to think it.

Yuuri must have noticed the expression on his face, as he smiled reassuringly at him. Much to Wolfram's dismay, it did in fact calm him down, but he shouldn't be calm. Because now all he could think about was the harlot Yuuri had a daughter with, who was no doubt not good enough for him...

"Wolf," Yuuri said gently, obviously sensing the mixed, wild emotions raging through him. "This is my daughter, Greta."

Wolfram's fists clenched. Yuuri couldn't have a daughter, because that would have to mean he-

But, thankfully, Yuuri seemed to take pity on him. Smiling, he said, "We just made it official before I went to find you."

Wolfram paused. Made it official? What was that supposed to-

Oh. Wolfram felt stupid. He let his emotions get the better of him. Adoption. Of course he meant adoption.

Though Wolfram was a lot less angry at this point, he was definitely more confused. Why did Yuuri adopt her? It didn't make any sense. But it would probably be a very Yuuri reason, which made his mouth twitch upwards. He couldn't ask him now, though. Not with the girl standing right in front of him.

So he just smiled down at her, "Hello, Greta."

She smiled shyly back at him. Her mannerisms were simply Yuuri. The sweet, child-like innocence. To the extreme. "Hi."

"Greta," Yuuri called to her and she turned to face him. "Why are you out here all alone? Alaric and Cheri were supposed to be watching you."

Wolfram's heart pounded. He definitely recognized one of those names. Mother. Wolfram realized he would have to face her again very soon. And he wasn't sure if he would be able to handle that.

Then he paused. But what was that other name? Alaric. Wolfram wanted to tell himself that it didn't matter. He didn't matter. But...

Wolfram knew Yuuri wouldn't have entrusted his daughter to someone who didn't.

"Oh, Yuuri! Adelbert had soldiers come and take Cheri away! She made me go with Alaric, so we got away. But they took Cheri to Adelbert!"

Wolfram's heart stopped. No. No. No. Not his mother. She can't be taken away from him too. Especially not before he's seen her again. Wolfram doesn't think he would ever be able to forgive himself for that.

"Greta!" A man came running, out of breath. "Thank God! You can't just run away like that!"

Greta huffs and pushes herself closer to Yuuri, hugging his arm to herself gently.

"Alaric..." Yuuri murmured as he looked up to him.

Alaric's face suddenly fills with relief. And a tender expression appears on his face. He whispers, Wolfram would swear, in a loving way. "Yuuri..."

Wolfram feels a burning sensation inside him. His fists clench. He definitely doesn't like how this man is looking at Yuuri.

Yuuri squirms uncomfortably, "Um. Alaric. This...is Wolfram."

Alaric's eyes suddenly meet his, and they turn hard. Wolfram glares back. And then he quickly turns to face Yuuri. He speaks gently. "Yuuri, you know that's impossible. The prince passed a long time ago. You said you were going to stop living in the past and move forward. Well, this is the opposite of that. And now a man has taken advantage of you. I knew you shouldn't have went anywhere on your own."

Wolfram narrows his eyes at him. Who did he think he was? Talking to Yuuri like that. Like he was some disabled child who couldn't make decisions for himself. Wolfram knew for a fact that wasn't true. And it seemed as if Yuuri wasn't too happy about it either.

Yuuri sends him a glare and snaps, "Don't patronize me! I'm not a child you need to take care of! Or someone you need to fix! You always do this. Talk down to me. Like you should make every little decision in my life. Abandon everyone. Not adopting a child. Being with you is the best thing for me. Just...just stop. Stop trying to make decisions for me. I know this is Wolfram."

Wolfram watches as hurt spreads across the man's face. And Wolfram holds back from smirking. But then the man's expression changes. To anger. "You think he's the better choice for you? I don't believe that it's him, which would only make him a liar. But worse, if it is him, then he must just be a coward. Hiding away, as people he supposedly cared about suffered..."

Before Wolfram could stop himself his temper flared and he was sending fire at 'Alaric's' face, feeling triumphant when the man's face drained of color.

But then Yuuri is there. His arms around him. Whispering to him. Telling him to stop. It's okay. He doesn't agree with anything that Alaric said. And all of a sudden Wolfram relaxed. And he just stared at the ground were the man laid, completely terrified.

Yuuri glanced down at him, "We don't have time for this. Alaric. We are going after Adelbert. I need you to round up the other soldiers. And anyone else you can who are willing to help. And have someone send word to the other territories. We need all the help we can get." Yuuri looked back at Wolfram and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Wolf, we are going to take Greta to the Temple with the shrine maidens. She'll be safe there. And then we can go to the stable out back. We'll leave at high noon. Is everyone clear on that?"

Wolfram nodded. As long as he didn't need to be around this man. And, more importantly, Yuuri didn't. The man looked like he wanted to argue, but nodded his head in agreement as he glared up at Wolfram.

This, Wolfram realized, was going to be a long trip. Especially if he had to keep trying to stop himself from throwing fireballs at this man's face.