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

Note: Sorry for the late update, I had finals and Christmas shopping to do. Still, I managed to crank out this chapter for you guys and I hope it doesn't seem random or rushed (even though I kinda feel that it is) And to 'mimi-chan and aliling-chan' I'll do my best to finish this up before the 31st but I can't make any promises I'm afraid. If I don't finish in time, at least you'll have something to look forward to right? Anyways, happy holidays everyone and enjoy this new chapter!

Chapter 11: Something Memorable

(I'll Remember You by No Secrets)

It has been so long since we have talked

I hope that things are still the same

hoping they will never change

cause what we had can't be replaced

don't let our memories fade away

keep me in your heart for always

You made me believe

that I can do almost anything

stood right by me

through the tears through everything

I'll remember you,

and baby that's forever true

you're the one that I'll always miss

never thought it would feel like this

I'll be there for you,

no matter what you're goin' through

in my heart you'll always be, forever baby

I'll remember you

I promise you I won't forget the times we shared, the tears we cried

You'll always be the sun in my sky

It may be fate that brings us back to meet again someday

Even though we go separate ways

You made me believe

that I can do almost anything

You stood right by me

through the tears through everything

I'll remember yooooou,

and baby that's forever true

you're the one that I'll always miss

never thought it would feel like this

I'll be there for yooooou,

no matter what your goin' through

in my heart you'll always be, forever baby

I'll remember you

If the day should come when you need someone

(you know that I'll follow)

I will be there

Don't ever let there

be a doubt in your mind

'cause I'll remember you, you

I'll remember you,

and baby that's forever true

you're the one that I'll always miss

never thought it would feel like this

I'll be there for you,

no matter what your goin' through

in my heart you'll always be, forever baby

I'll remember you

Forever baby, I'll remember you

The next morning was when-for the second time-I came face to face with a very real possibility of death. But then, I'm getting ahead of myself. It all started when I was summoned back to his chambers yet again. Dreading being assaulted by those weird Esoteric skills or whatever and the strong aroma of those sickeningly sweet candles that made me and my nose go numb...

I was surprised though when they were all gone. Every single candle was gone, except for traces of melted wax here and there that had dripped onto the floor. That's when I knew-

This was totally a trap; I could smell it...literally.

And the moment that my handsome jail-warden came strolling in, I felt a familiar wave of dizziness wash over me. This time, it looked like he was wearing some sort of strange perfume that resembled the candles. And it was a stench that seemed oddly familiar to me now that I think about it.

"Demon's Bane," he said aloud as if to answer my unasked question, "That's the common name of the herb I used in the candle wax that's also in the fragrance that I'm wearing now. And depending on the mixture, it can paralyze, numb, or sedate any member of the Demon Tribe. Although as you've probably already guessed, it isn't in mass production. If it was, humans would have been using it excessively during their dealings with your kind. But it is an extremely rare plant that only grows in remote locations like this one and is exceedingly difficult to harvest and use successfully. We used it on you before you were first brought here."

Gritting my teeth, I frowned, "Well I'm not going to be of much use to you if I'm intoxicated that stupid smell when your guest arrives. After all, you want to show me as proof to this person that I'm on your side right? What's he or she going to think if I look like I'm about to pass out? Honestly, am I really that dangerous to you?"

Narrowing his eyes with an amused smile, he replied, "You're always dangerous King Yuri, with or without memories. And from what it looks like, your true power hasn't changed in the least. Besides, that is exactly how I need you to be during the meeting."

"Huh?" I blinked, "You mean you want me to pass out?"

"No, I meant that I want to show them how dangerous you are," he snapped impatiently before adding sweetly, "And just to make sure that you don't mess things up, I will make sure that you will still use your powers for me. Even if it is unwillingly..." raising his hand up to eye level with mine, he sneered and whispered in his most seductive voice, "Now, I want you to relax now King Yuri. Fall into the folds of oblivion and join with your lost memories in the darkness..."

Unwillingly, my eyes drooped dangerously low as his own powers overpowered me in my weakened state and I staggered backwards until I fell into the chair where he pinned me down. My heart was racing wildly and that awful scent filled my lungs to the point of almost suffocating me.

I shut my eyes tightly, though some tears still escaped and laced my lashes while I struggled to tune out the sound of his voice ringing in my ears, but it didn't work. I couldn't fight it and I was scared. What was he going to do to me? And why couldn't I stop him if I was supposed to be as powerful as he said I was?

I flinched and clenched my fists as I turned my head and heard him whisper something in my ear just before I finally gave into his voice and blacked out. But I have no idea what he had said. Because the next thing I knew, I found myself standing next to him in a different location, with absolutely no memory of how I had gotten there.

And that, more than anything, scared me to death...

But the real danger had yet to come...

I didn't have time to make him tell me what was going on when the doors creaked opened and someone came in. And the moment I saw them, I felt my heart skip a beat and a silent gasp escaped my lips. I definitely knew them, but I couldn't remember from where. And obviously they recognized me too because their face lit up when they saw me.

"King Yuri?" they asked, "What are you doing here?"

"He is my guest," my captor explained before I could say anything, "And unless you obey my demands, he is also your executioner."

"I am well aware of what you explained to me in your letter," the other guy replied simply, "That you claim that I am the one who killed your family before ascending to the throne. But I can assure you that I am not though. His Majesty can vouch for that..."

"I can?" I blinked, earning a dirty look from my captor before swallowing and finishing nervously, "I mean, uh...how do I know you weren't lying to me at the time?" I asked unconvincingly, making his scowl deepen even more.

His guest seemed equally as confused and said, "What do you mean lying? Don't you remember what I told you during my coronation when I joined the Great Demon Kingdom Alliance? The previous King had died suddenly many years ago and over the years there were several noble families that were assassinated before I managed to end the needless bloodshed by joining forces with your country this year. My own family was almost amongst those killed but we survived by fleeing to a neighboring nation until we could return with enough troops to stop those responsible for all of the murders. We've already executed the man behind it all as well so there is no need for you to get involved in this Your Highness."

"Really? That's a relief..." I began, totally forgetting about the plan and wincing when my captor bellowed furiously-

"I don't believe you! I saw the emblem of your family on their cloaks when my father and mother were killed in cold blood! Don't you dare try to deny it!"

Sighing heavily, the man looked up at us and replied, "I won't, because it was my own cousin who was behind the murders. We thought he had been killed by the assassins too before we learned that it was all a ruse. And since I was forced into killing a member of my own family when I became King to prove to the people of our Kingdom what I was willing to do for the sake of our country, don't you dare try to put the blame on my entire house. They cannot be held accountable for one man's crime, not when they too suffered many casualties..." then, looking at me specifically, he added, "...I know that you were horrified to hear that when I chose to ally with the Great Demon Kingdom, but I didn't expect you to go this far just to prove a point. I understand that you admonish killing in any shape or form. Still, how can you go along with this madness when you know the truth?"

I knew this wasn't going to work...I thought irritably despite the fact that I saw the fury in my captor's eyes as he turned to face me, looking at me as though I was the one to blame for his plans going array. Daring me to confess the truth to him about my amnesia.

I knew that nothing I did was going to stop what was about to happen, and so since I at least wanted to save my ally, I said, "You're right. I didn't want to be a part of this at all, but this guy kidnapped me. All of this is a trap! So RUN!"

At first, he seemed too stunned to move until he saw me run away from my captor's side and the soldiers began pouring into the room in droves. That's when he finally took my hint and drew his sword. "I knew that even the Demon King would never have agreed to something as brazen as this. He is too kind of a soul and still little more than a child. No offense," he added hastily as I came to a stop by his side and frowned, "Thankfully, I was prepared for this. And besides, I heard that King Yuri's retainers are on their way here even as we speak. This place may be difficult to reach, but it is also just as hard to escape from. So either way, there is nowhere for you to run to. Even if I am killed here, my son is ready to take my place and avenge my death. I already knew that coming here likely meant my death but I am prepared to meet my end for the sake of putting to rest old ghosts of the past that still haunt the Kingdom."

Smirking slyly although I was well away from where my captor sat, he rose and said, "I'm glad you are prepared to die, because you've just sealed your fate and King Yuri's by defying me," glaring at me as I cowered behind the other guy, he muttered something and before I could even muster a gasp of surprise, I felt a huge surge of power fill me to the point of bursting and I lashed out, unable to control myself…

It was around that time that Conrad and Yosak had just made it to the caverns underneath the falls where they were about to wade through a pool blocking part of their path when Conrad's head snapped up, sensing that something was wrong. Like always, Conrad could tell when I was in trouble. It was almost like a sixth sense or something that only worked with me, and maybe that was because Conrad had known me long before I was born and named 'Yuri'.

Still, regardless of how he knew, Conrad quickened his pace and called back towards Yosak, "Yosak, I'm going on ahead. Something is wrong."

"Uh oh…" Yosak groaned, scratching his head, "It's the young man, isn't it? I bet his lovely host must have done something bad and made him angry," growing serious though Yosak asked aloud, "Is it really safe for him to transform right now though?"

Of course, Conrad's expression told Yosak everything he needed to know that that was exactly what Conrad was afraid of. Because up until now, every time I have transformed into the Demon King, I've had little to no memory of what I did while in that form. And judging by my reaction to that potion I took, something could snap in my mind while I am in my other form and make things worse…

We could lose all of the progress that I've made because of this. But worse than that, it was likely that my other form had no memory either and so didn't know how to control our power. And that, my friends, is where the danger really was…

It's hard to describe exactly how it felt this time to transform. It was like my mind was split in two, both side conscious at the same time and feeling conflicted and confused. I was like a stranger to myself again. But more than that I was dangerous both to everyone around me, including myself.

Images came flooding into my mind of every single time I had ever changed until now. Like the very first time during my duel with Wolfram; the time on that ship on our way to Von-de-via island to obtain Morgif; the time when I was passing 'judgment' on Louie Ve-long and countless other times since then. And because of these visions, I was blinded to everything else as a torrent of wind and lightning whirled around me and the man beside me. So at the very least, his plan to make me kill him by transforming so violently backfired because I at least had enough sense not to harm the innocent.

He, however, wasn't so lucky…

Because the instant my vision cleared, and I saw him standing there, I felt my fury and frustration boiling over and I turned to him with my slitted eyes ablaze and said in my now deep and formidable voice, "Seeking to use me while I am in such a state, lying to yourself when the truth is before you, not to mention forcing me to harm others against my will…" waving my hand as if to brush something away, I tossed his soldiers across the room as if they were nothing and strode towards my now fearful host as he quivered with terror as I continued, "…with or without memories, you told me that I am dangerous. And while that is true, this power I possess has always been used only for the greater good. Not for meaningless slaughter. That is why I am going to-!"

Suddenly, my head began to throb painfully and with a startled gasp I fell to my knees and clutched at my hair. Panting, I stared up at him while blurring between this form and my normal form and taking advantage of that he ran past me with his remaining soldiers at his heels. But it was no use. For just then a pillar of light surrounded me and surged throughout the tower walls, collapsing the only exit.

Then, the entire tower itself began falling in around us while I sat there paralyzed. I couldn't move, I couldn't think, everything was nothingness again. My heart just couldn't take it anymore and I couldn't sustain this form. However, for some reason I kept glowing and my powers were still activated. Almost like I was stuck in between both of my 'selves' with no will of my own.

Darkness took me then…

And every single memory that I had recovered was completely gone, and once again I was a blank slate. I wasn't Yuri anymore, nor was I the Demon King, I was no one. Not even Miss Julia could reach me in this darkness that I was now trapped in.

By a single selfish act I had lost everything all over again. And without memories, its like I was already dead. That person I was no longer existed in my heart, and the bonds I had made were severed and lost. Except, in reality there was still one left that was going to finally to return the person I had just lost back to me; the one memory that was the key to saving me. Which was the memory of the person who helped me become 'Yuri' in the first place…

The memory, of Conrad…