Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Kyo Kara Maoh, this is purely fan-made.

Note: Wow it's been a long time since I updated this. But thanks to 'mimi-chan and aliling-chan's'review I managed to put a bit of time aside to at least post this new chapter while I'm still busy with other projects (some of them school projects, and others on several other stories that I've been trying to update for ages!) Anyways, this chapter is a bit shorter than I had hoped but I hope you guys still enjoy it. And don't worry, the cavalry is coming to save our beloved Yuri soon enough, let's just hope they make it in time before something unexpected happens…

Chapter 10: Vulnerability

Later on, I learned about how his men had been spying on the castle for a very long time and that one of them had learned early on about my current condition. They had been there for months waiting for my arrival to this world and up until now had been waiting patiently for a chance to get me alone while the others were occupied.

My captor also explained how he was in reality a surviving member of a noble family that had been killed by agents of a rival house aiming for the throne of his country. Oh, but apparently he wasn't just out for just revenge against them. This man wanted to use my power and influence to force the ruler of that country to surrender his lands and renounce his right to rule the nation; thereby handing the Kingdom over to him.

At first, I didn't know what the heck that had to do with me until I learned that the Kingdom he spoke of was actually a part of the Great Demon Kingdom Alliance. So that meant that this psycho wasn't after me to get anything from the Great Demon Kingdom itself. He just wanted to use me to take over that country because he was convinced that they wouldn't dare go against the Demon King himself. Plus, he figured that none of the other nations could really intervene either without risking their own alliances with us falling apart and subjecting them to once again being pressured by Big Shimaron.

Clearly, this guy just wanted to exploit my power. Whether it was as a King or as a demon to see that his dreams became a reality. That's why he needed me in his grasp. So that if one part of his plan failed, he could simply claim that I was on his side or blackmail the other into complying with his crazy plan. Or, if it came down to it he told me that he would make me take their Kingdom by force by using my powers and tell everyone about my condition if I didn't do as he said.

After all, if news of my amnesia became public, there were even bigger threats then himself that could possibly learn of it. Namely, Big Shimaron…

They told me that he could start a War between our two nations since I didn't have the ability to turn into the Demon King-at least, not that we knew of-and that I would become a serious liability to the Great Demon Kingdom. And to the alliance too if something happened or if I was killed by accident. Not to mention that he could kill me just as easily if he wanted to.

Also, there were others who might just try to get their hands on me as well for similar reasons as his. Others would definitely try to hold me hostage because they wanted to use me for their own devious plots in one form or another. Either way, no matter what I did, someone would definitely come after me either to kill me or to use me against my will because I was helpless right now to stop either of those things from happening.

So, in the end, since it was more important that I stay alive and not let just anyone know about my memory loss, begrudgingly, I finally agreed to go along with his plans as long as no one got hurt. At least at that point, I really had no other choice…

And after I told him that I would help, he clearly seemed pleased with that so he told me to sit beside him on the lounge chair and get to know him better. But I felt extremely uncomfortable being surrounded on all sides by those thickly scented candles. The ones that made me feel very lightheaded and dizzy.

I felt especially uneasy sitting so close to this man who would not stop staring at me with that odd look in his eyes. That creepy way he kept looking at me like I was something to eat. It was almost like I was some sort of rare specimen that he was admiring and deciding how to get the most from it before he was forced to part with it.

Because he knew that eventually, he'd have to release me even if his plans did succeed. That is, unless he wanted to risk the Great Demon Kingdom waging their own War on his newly acquired Kingdom. Which knowing my friends, was a very real possibility.

"I'm glad that you are seeing things my way, Your Highness. Now all we must do is have you play the part and pretend like we are already allied for this cause. Because I'd rather not have them put up a fuss and waste my own men on a pointless fight," then wrapping an arm around my shoulder, he gave me a squeeze and smiled slyly, "And what close friends we'll be my dear King Yuri. Very close indeed..."

"What about my friends?" I asked him seriously, shrugging out of his reach and getting to my feet unsteadily, "I'm sure that they're already out here looking for me. They'll find me, I'm sure of it. And once they do, you're going to be in a lot of trouble for kidnapping me. But I still don't want anyone killed on either side when they do come rescue me. Besides, I don't see the point in this vengeance of yours. How do you even know who it was that killed your family? Where's your proof? And how old were you when it happened anyway…?"

I sensed his anger growing long before it showed up on his face as he grabbed my wrist sharply and yanked me forward. Then, before I could even blink, he pricked my neck with the tip of the hidden dagger he had drawn out of his belt. Then he began to trace a thin line across my throat with the cool steel and free a steady stream of blood. It was all so sudden that I didn't even have time to flinch before I felt the blood begin to trickle freely down my neck and stain the white line around the collar of my uniform.

I knew I was testing my luck, and I was scared out of my mind, but even so I dared to continue by saying, "Look, I'm just saying that I don't think doing any of this will avenge your loved ones. Neither is it going to stop my friends from doing whatever they can to save me. Besides, isn't it more important that you're still alive today? Taking over the Kingdom won't bring them back, or give you any happiness in the end..." then, more quietly I added, "...it won't ease the pain or erase the emptiness from your loss. You have to learn to accept it, and move on."

"Of course you would say that," he snapped, gripping my hand tighter and twisting it until I yelped, "You don't know what it's like to be alone and rejected by everyone. You are a fool, but at least you are loved dearly by your people and subordinates. I've only ever been looked down upon as a disgrace and a failure, treated like I do not matter because I lost my status. No-not lost-taken! All of it was taken from me in one moment of weakness! My entire life shattered in an instant. And if only I had had the courage, I would have died there along with the rest of my family instead of begging like a craven dog for my life to be spared. It was not pity that saved me, it was because my pathetic pleas amused them. That is the reality of things, King Yuri, and try as you might you cannot escape the truth before your eyes. As innocent and naïve as you claim to be, someday even you will have to get blood on your hands!"

"Stop it!" I cried, managing to pry the blade from his other hand and sending it flying across the room before my legs gave out and I fell to the floor. Covering my wound in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

"You know it's the truth…" he said coldly, staring down at me with a startled expression.

After managing to catch my breath slightly, I looked up at his stunned face and said, "I don't…believe that. There is always a better way to get what you want without hurting anyone. I may not remember it, but I've done it countless times. I've used my powers before, and while some people may have suffered a few injuries, no one has ever died! No one has to die…"

Maybe it was because of the adrenaline rush or because of blood loss but after saying that, I began to sway as the room decided to tilt on me like a pinball machine. I felt so heavy all of a sudden and the fumes from all those blasted candles were really starting to get to me.

I couldn't move anymore. And if this guy really decided to finish me off, there was nothing I could do to stop him.

Of course, he already knew that and started to laugh at me when he said, "As powerful as you are King Yuri, even you cannot withstand the Esoteric power I had imbued beforehand into this room. I made sure that I arranged to use the most potent of magic to keep you restrained in preparation for your arrival, knowing how unpredictable your powers can be. After all, you are powerful enough to use your powers freely on human soil in addition to also being immune to most Esoteric influence until you transform into your true form. But even one as strong as you cannot handle such influential Esoteric skills like these, especially in your current state-"

In return, I laughed nervously too and replied, "I think I remember now why I've never liked scented candles, they always smell way too strong and make me sick. Thanks for reminding me…" I coughed as a draft somewhere blew a current of scent into my face and almost made me gag before I was able to say, "…if anything, I think it's the smell that's getting to me. I can't…I can't breathe."

"No, that's from the poisoned tip of my dagger," he informed me mildly after returning the fallen weapon to its hidden sheath, "Don't worry though, I won't kill you. This is simply another reminder, King Yuri..." lifting my chin with a sharp jerk, he grinned wickedly at me and said, "...your life is in my hands now, and any false move on your part or your subordinates make provoke me to end it despite your worth to me. And while you may have forgotten everything else, you would do well not to forget that."

After that incident, I was much more careful with what I said to him. Because he was right, my life was in his hands as much as I hated to say it. Still, not wanting to make me feel like I was going to be in constant danger, he actually gave me a much better room to sleep in with a real bed in it this time. But unlike the last room though, this one didn't have a window at all so I still had no way to figure out where I was being held.

That night, I heard from one of his men that he was leaving to prepare for his other 'guest' that I was to present myself to and announce my intentions. I had no idea who it might be or how I would react if it was someone who knew me and I didn't recognize them. With that in mind, I really questioned my captor's logic behind this whole stupid thing. I mean, what if whomever he was bringing started asking me tons of questions that I wouldn't be able to answer? They'd suspect that this was all a trick-which in a way it was-and refuse to listen to their demands; which would indirectly put my life at more danger than it already was.

Apart from all that, things were almost exactly like they had been at Stoffel's Castle. Except for the fact that I wasn't allowed to leave my room at all without an armed escort or two. No one would talk to me either so it got very lonely and my thoughts drifted towards the others, which in the end made me even more lonely...

Maybe...I wondered, Maybe it's better for me to be apart from them, at least for a while even if it is like this. Because I've been so stressed out that my heart just can't keep up with it all. Not that I'm saying they shouldn't come and save me but...I need time to think about why I'm trying so hard to remember who I am. Is it really for them? Or am I just scared of this person I've become without my memories...?

"My informant tells me that the young man has been taken to a remote location around here just north of Cavalcade," Yosak pointed out on the map before tracing a line down the river with his finger and adding, "and the only way to reach it is either by horseback along this narrow strip of forest or by going upriver on a boat. The rest of the surrounding area is entirely made of treacherous overhanging cliffs mounted right above it that hides it from view from atop the cliffs themselves. It's a dangerous place, but serves as a perfect hideaway since they can see anyone coming upriver or by road and no one can make it down the cliff from above since there's also a waterfall up there that makes the rock face wet and slippery."

"Then how are we supposed to get to Yuri without getting him killed?" Shori frowned, "If they'll see us coming no matter which way we go then they might kill him before we can get anywhere near the place."

"Ah ha, that's where yours truly comes in," Yosak winked, pointing to another section on the map, "Apparently there's another way in behind the falls on the western side of the cliffs leading down to that valley. It's a flooded mine that leads directly to a network of natural caverns underneath it. That's how the guy I have on the inside made it out to relay this information to me. He even marked the path for us in my own personal super-secret code. Pretty clever right?"

Wolfram scoffed, "If it's so secret, how come that guy knows it?"

"Forget about that Wolfram, we have more important things to worry about," Gwendal said in his usual subtle yet serious manner, "While it may still be a risk to do, I think it would be best for us to have one group use the land route while the other goes through the caves. That way, one can serve as a distraction while the other slips in to rescue His Highness. Also, it will block the enemy's escape route as well if we're stationed in front of them. So if it turns out that they also know about the caves, they'll definitely try to escape through there and we can intercept them at that point as well."

Conrad nodded in approval and declared, "I'll go with Yosak through the caves while you and Wolfram travel the more direct route, we should be able to slip in enough of our men to prevent anyone from escaping with His Majesty once you two are spotted. However, that doesn't mean we should try to be spotted. If you can, find a way to slip in after dark while we do the same from the caves."

"What about me?" Shori began, "There's no way I'm going to be left behind. So I'm going too, Yuri is my brother and it is my responsibility to protect him just as much if not more than you guys."

Gwendal smiled and placed a hand on my brother's shoulder as he said, "Of course, but we will still need someone on standby with the troops just in case the plan goes wrong. So if you are that determined to go, I guess I will have to be the one who stays behind since you don't know how to command the troops. Do you think you can handle it Shori?"

"Of course! I'm not worried about a little trek up the-" but realizing what Gwendal really meant, Shori snorted and laughed, "Oh, you mean that. I'll be fine."

"Fine with what...?" Wolfram asked suspiciously, "Brother...?"

And with that, the rescue teams assembled for my rescue and made their way towards us. Not that I knew that anything was happening yet. All I could do was write on the spare pieces of paper I had been given to write down my feelings just in case I did end up dying. I wanted them to know that no matter what happened, that they would always be dear to me. Even if I died before finally remembering just how much.