Chapter 7
"I'm sorry," Conrad said, scanning the room and finding Yuuri up, too, slowly pushing himself into a sitting position in the middle bed. "I didn't want to wake anyone."
The spirit eyed Yuuri, wondering how long he'd been awake, and then the blond head turned back to Conrad. "Where is Yozak?" Trouble asked, slightly curious.
"He's watching the hallway while I sleep. I'll take over in four hours."
Trouble's pink eyes turned to the blank wall for a second, sensing the orange haired man's aura. "He'll be frightfully bored," the spirit said with a wink to Yuuri who frowned. "Maybe I should go and keep him company." Wolfram's hands clasped together happily.
"No!" Yuuri and Murata both said at once. Then, they exchanged looks. Yuuri's face showed unmistakable annoyance. Murata, on the other hand, had a mixture of determination and boyish guilt. Then, the sage's face melted into a cheesy grin.
Trouble frowned in confusion. "Fine…I'll stay here."
"Which leads to another problem," Murata said with the smile fading away. He didn't need to look at Conrad for very long to read his body language. It was that "awkward" without trying to appear awkward stance.
Tra'va responded with a "Hm?"
"Well, there's four of us and only three beds."
"I'll take a chair. It's not a problem," Conrad said diplomatically. Over the years, he'd slept in just about every position possible. And taking one of the chairs by the window would give him a good view of the street down below, just to play it safe. He only hoped that he wouldn't wake up with a stiff neck tomorrow.
"Please, take the bed to Yuuri's left," Tra'va said in a respectful tone. "I'll sleep with my husband in this bed." The spirit made a gesture to the bed closest to the window. "Truly, it is not an inconvenience to anyone."
Murata smiled with a bit too much enthusiasm. "I agree."
Conrad scratched his head a little as he watched Trouble crawl back into bed with Murata following after. Conrad turned to get his bag for his night clothes and accidentally caught the expression on Yuuri's face. Even in the dark, it was obvious that he wasn't pleased by this turn of events—not pleased at all. The double black glared at the couple in the bed next to him.
Murata set his glasses on the nightstand and Trouble, receiving Yuuri's dark look without caring in the slightest, rested a blond head on the pillow.
Yuuri reclined slowly and stared up. He was tired, he decided. Maybe, he wouldn't even glance at Murata and Trouble until the morning—maybe. Then, he heard Murata whisper, "My, you were very polite to Lord Weller." There was a slight humming in Wolfram's voice before the answer, "Forgive me, but when I look at Conrad, I see someone else."
Yuuri felt a bit surprised by that. He held his breath, but wasn't sure why.
"Should I be jealous?" Murata joked quietly. He turned on his side and spooned his body against Tra'va's, nestling softly. When another pleased hum came from the blond, Murata stretched his arm across Wolfram's waist on top of the covers.
"It was someone dear to me lifetimes and lifetimes ago." The words were hollow and Murata gave a friendly squeeze around Trouble's middle.
"I have people like that, too, from my pasts. They live in my heart, my memories," he whispered back. "It's okay to visit those thoughts occasionally. They'll give you comfort and companionship as the eons pass."
"They pass…slowly, you know."
"They do," Murata said as a sigh.
"Conrad seems so much like him…except for the eyes and the missing wings." Pink eyes grew misty at the thought. "But, I suppose, no matter how old I get, I can never forget my father."
The next morning, Yuuri woke up before the others. He wanted to see how Murata survived the night. Wolfram was a notoriously bad bed partner. He kicked, spun about, and, occasionally, one of them would fall off the bed and onto the cold floor. Yuuri lived for those rare moments when the blond would suddenly sit up while rubbing his blond locks with a "How, the hell, did that happen?" look in his emerald eyes.
Tra'va disappointed Yuuri yet again. The spirit was in almost the exact same position from last night. The chin was tilted slightly higher, but the rest stayed the same. Murata had, not so oddly enough, managed to snuggle even closer during the night and was sharing the same pillow with the spirit. He seemed older, and his profile had a peaceful glow about it.
"Geez, could you two sleep any closer?" Yuuri muttered to himself, remembering the few times that Wolfram had gravitated to his side of the bed only to be sharply elbowed away. Now, looking at the couple, Yuuri wondered if he had been wrong. If simply lying closely to Wolfram would have been so bad after all. Apparently, Murata's answer was different than his own.
Wolfram's pale hand was draped over the side of the bed. It would take very little effort on Yuuri's part to just touch it, take it. Back on Earth, lately, he was getting pretty good at taking a girl's hand once he realized that she would not be opposed to it. But Wolfram was different: loud, incredibly bossy, impossible to ignore, and terribly…terribly male. But something in his heart tugged at him. An emptiness. The space between them didn't feel good—especially now that he knew for certain that Wolfram had gotten wind of Kumiko.
"Good morning," yawned a Wolframish voice.
"Eh? Oh…'morning," Yuuri stammered. His mind snapped back to the present.
"Hmmm." The sound came from Murata, who snuggled briefly and then turned away to lie on his other side.
Trouble smiled at that. The blond head turned to watch the daytime husband's movements in the bed. But, when the head craned to see better (for Murata was cute when he snuggled into the blankets), Yuuri got a reminder of what went on last night in front of the window. Wolfram's creamy white neck was exposed and the double black could see two hickeys and an incredibly deep bite bruise.
Oblivious, Trouble sat up in the bed a little, the covers dropped away to expose a bare chest, and the spirit leaned over to see that Conrad's bed was empty. "I suppose he got up early to spend some time with Yozak. Lucky devil, huh?" Trouble's eyes bored into the wall for a second. "But they haven't gone far. I can feel their auras at the end of the hallway." Then a frown came to the spirit. "Still…I wonder when Yozak will get a chance to sleep…"
Yuuri was only half listening. He couldn't tear his eyes away from Wolfram's neck. Some part of him felt that Wolfram was being used and he didn't like it. Yuuri was about to point out the marks when Trouble asked, "Do you think we should wake up this lump in the bed next to me?"
The sage looked so blissful…so peaceful.
"Yes," Yuuri said with certainty. His mouth became a thin line.
"Oh, I suppose you're right," Trouble agreed, repositioning Wolfram's legs to sit cross-legged in the bed.
"Oh, and Trouble?" Yuuri said with his onyx eyes hardening. "Your neck." He pointed at it. "You might want to look in the bathroom mirror."
Tra'va touched gingerly and felt the marks. A sheepish grin came over Wolfram's face. Yuuri hated it. He absolutely hated it. Wolfram never grinned like that—ever. He fought back a sudden flash of anger.
"Oops… I see your point." A girlish giggle followed. "I keep forgetting that this pale skin is so delicate." A hand hovered over the marks and a greenish glow began. "Can't go around looking like this."
There was a "humph" that caught the spirit's ear. Pink eyes rolled at the response. "Fine, then, tell me how you get rid of your love bites, Yuuri." Finished, the green glow slowly disappeared from Wolfram's hand. "Just like the 'ba-ku-za-zu' that you made me wear to bed because I didn't know any better, there must be a 'right way' that Wolfram's heart isn't showing me."
"Trouble, they're called 'boxers' and, no, I'm not discussing any kind of 'love bites' with you, okay?"
"Well, you acted like you're the authority on it."
"I'm not."
"I find that hard to believe." The tone was an unmistakable open dig at Yuuri. He didn't miss it.
"What are you trying to say?" the double black demanded. His hands hardened into fists.
Then, Wolfram's elbow leaned against one knee. A soft cheek rested in the right palm. There was no backing down now. "I think what I'm trying to say is…" The spirit's eyes changed. For a brief second, Yuuri was certain that the pink eyes changed to emerald green. But, too soon, they darkened and reddened. "When this is over…and Wolfram returns to this body… Let him go."
Defensive, Yuuri turned away. "I don't understand what you mean."
Pink lips twitched into a wry smile. "That's odd because the ancient spirit that dwells within you knows exactly what I'm talking about."
"Eh?" The double black turned to Trouble with confused, dark eyes.
"The Maou."
"But how can you…? I can't even… I mean…" Yuuri was flustered at the thought.
"You two seem to have a strange relationship. You talk and act. He watches and listens. And he only jumps out during a crisis." Trouble stretched a little and rubbed sleep out of an eye. "Oh, don't give me that." It was followed by a disrespectful growl and a narrowing of the eyes.
"Wha-?" Yuuri was truly confused now.
"I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to him." Tra'va focused pink eyes on the center of Yuuri's chest. "Considering what we both know and have seen, why have you allowed Yuuri to do all of the things he's done so far?"
There was silence and the double black was beginning to think that Tra'va had simply lost it.
Wolfram's pink lips frowned. "Oh, don't go spouting that 'free will' crap to me. Isn't it your job as the all mighty 'Maou Spirit' to guide Yuuri?"
More silence followed. But, this time, Yuuri could feel a series of emotions spreading within him in a sharp arc. It was too much at once; it hurt.
There was a blond shake of the head "no." "I am not using Wolfram's body to influence you. This is the body I've made a contract for. I had no idea you even existed until I met Yuuri later on." Pale hands rested on hips. "What?! No! The contract is fair, and the decision entirely Wolfram's."
The double black could feel the pain growing in his chest. It was getting hard to breathe. He took one of his doubled up fists and pressed it against his heart—which was thumping irregularly now, like a drummer who had lost the beat.
Wolfram's blond eyebrows pushed together. "Then, if you won't guide Yuuri or even talk to him about this… I'll give you the same advice that I just gave him. When I leave at the holy shrine, and Wolfram returns to control his own body…just say 'goodbye' to him and know that Wolfram will gladly walk away. He will not accept either of you back..." An animalistic growl followed from Trouble to emphasize the point. "…Which is a pity…" Tra'va gritted out the words "…because, unlike Yuuri, you love Wolfram very much!"
Still lying on his side, Murata's eyes had been open the whole time. The black eyes widened at the accusation and turned in Yuuri's direction when a bright bolt of energy escaped Yuuri and struck Tra'va in the chest. There wasn't even time to scream. Wolfram's body convulsed, caught in the blue stream of light, and fell directly into Murata's arms. Tears streamed down Wolfram's face.
The sage gave Yuuri a shocked, accusing stare as he cradled the limp form of Wolfram against his own body. "Yuuri…" he breathed.
"I didn't! I don't know… I…" the double black stammered back, panicked.
"Why didn't you stop The Maou?" Murata asked in a tone that was angry and cold, not like him at all. Without thinking, his fingers stroked the mop of tarnished gold hair.
"Usually, I can sense it, but…" Yuuri circled around to the bed and stared down with frightened, wide eyes. He didn't know what to do.
"Doesn't matter," Murata muttered darkly. With a great deal of effort, he stretched Wolfram's body out lengthwise on the bed, the wings splayed awkwardly underneath. He crawled onto the bed to be closer to the form. Then, he pressed an ear to Wolfram's chest and said a quick prayer in his head. "Heartbeat… That's good." He kept listening. He waited. "Come on…take a breath." The seconds ticked by. "A breath…just a little one…" Murata massaged the bare chest with a free hand. "Do it…"
Please breathe! Yuuri thought. He could feel himself wanting to cry.
Murata fought to keep his voice even. "I may have to resuscitate him." Murata took the blond head in his hands and tilted it all the way back. He was about to pinch the nose shut when Wolfram's body inhaled sharply. Then, another, but softer, one followed. Pink eyes opened and immediately squeezed shut. "Shit," the spirit hissed. "Hurts…" The body curled up in a fetal position. Arms wrapped around knees.
Murata sat up and allowed his head to fall backwards in relief. "Tra'va?" he said quietly. "Can you hear me?" A gentle hand rested on a creamy shoulder; a thumb stroked it.
"I hear you," came the weak voice, edged in pain.
"You just gave us a pretty bad scare."
"Not my intention," Trouble said between clinched teeth. There was an unnerving, tingly feeling everywhere. It extended out. And there was an undoubtedly greasy, queasy, sensation, too, in the stomach. The spirit took another shallow breath and bit back a groan.
A brief knock at the door drew Yuuri and Murata's attention. Yozak and Conrad entered, chatting with each other amicably until they both caught sight of Wolfram's body curled up on the bed with Murata, face drained of color, kneeling next to him and Yuuri looking at them with frightened, black eyes.
"What happened?" Conrad demanded, stepping quickly to the bed with Yozak right behind him.
"The Maou wasn't particularly pleased with something that Tra'va said. So, he…" Murata's black eyes turned to Yuuri. He'd let him finish the rest of the story.
Rattled, Yuuri looked to his godfather for support. "I had no idea that it was even possible to create a bolt of energy without turning entirely into The Maou."
Yozak felt drawn to the lonely figure. Slowly, he sat down on the far side of the bed, his mouth open slightly. Wolfram's body looked bad—pale and practically boneless with a reddening burn mark on the chest. "That had to be some bolt out of the blue."
A weak laugh came from Tra'va. "You have no idea," the spirit agreed. There was a slight smile as pinkish eyes opened a crack for the orange haired man.
"I could try to heal it. After all, I caused this," Yuuri said. He hoped it would ease the guilty conscience that kept nagging at him.
"No," Tra'va said and curled fingers around the hand Yozak offered. "With a little rest and some food, I'll be able to heal myself." The wings turned inward and wrapped around the body, making a tight, leathery cocoon that seemed impossible to unwrap. "No" meant "no." The spirit was stubborn.
"When a demon uses his own magic on himself, it can be very draining. And it takes longer to heal something like this," Murata said, trying not to notice the hand holding going on with Yozak. "You will probably have to put your pride aside and let Yuuri try." Besides, you'll need to use Wolfram's healing magic to bring down your fever in a few hours.
"But…" came a faint whine from the spirit.
"Who is your daytime husband?" Murata asked with a forced lilt in his voice. "If memory serves, you can deny me nothing."
A raspy chuckle answered. "Then, later…please," Tra'va said, letting go of the spy's hand. "I just want to sleep now."
"Everyone should go ahead and eat breakfast. I've already had mine, and I need a nap. So, I'll stay with Trouble," Yozak said to the group.
Conrad, Yuuri, and Murata murmured words of agreement. And while the suggestion was logical and practical, it didn't set well with the sage—who found himself feeling more and more accountable for the spirit. He wondered if Trouble was intentionally dividing his loyalties, or if it was just a relationship that started out as a joke on Yuuri only to end up being real and enjoyable based on similar experiences. His dark eyes went back to Trouble again. He thought, Maybe it doesn't matter either way. She can read my mind. She knows what I like… and her kisses are addicting.
"But, I think you two had better get dressed first," Conrad observed and the two dark haired young men, still in their sleepwear, had to agree—even though it was reluctantly.
Yuuri opened his bag and searched through his things, feeling miserable. He felt responsible for what had happened to Trouble and even more so for Wolfram's body—which looked like it had a red, burned mark on the chest. The double black pulled out a shirt and trousers without giving them much thought.
"And Yuuri?" Trouble said, turning with an aching body in his direction.
Yuuri tensed up from the nerves, but he forced himself to turn his attention just the same.
"I have to admit…that was a pretty good punch The Maou delivered." It was followed by a pained chuckle. "I really should have been able to block it easily. I was just too mad at you at the time." The head rested back onto the bed to hide the growing embarrassment. "No hard feelings, right?"
Yuuri blinked at that. "I'm sorry, Tra'va…I really am," he said quietly. Tra'va's a girl. Even in Wolfram's body, I hit a girl…
"There's nothing to be sorry for. I could feel the power building and didn't make a barrier. That's all." Eyes closed again. "Oh, and bring me back an apple or something, will ya?"
He smiled with a nod. "Okay."
Conrad, Yuuri, and Murata all looked up as the prissy server approached with their breakfasts—oatmeal with cinnamon and apples. They had toast, too, that came from a large wheat loaf that had been sliced by hand. Butter and maple syrup followed.
The blue-green haired server put one hand on his hip and scanned the room. Giving up, he said to the table, "Here's the order for your…companion."
Murata, not liking the attitude and still feeling his dark mood from the morning's events, said with an even tone that he usually reserved for Shinou, "That will be fine." He accepted the small paper bag of fruit that consisted of two apples and two pears. "I'm sure my husband will enjoy it very much when I take it back to our room."
The server flashed a disapproving look. "Too bad he's not here eating with you now."
"He's still in bed—tired."
Uncomfortable, Yuuri found himself immediately slouching down. This was exactly the kind of thing he feared most. Disapproval over a man having a husband. Well, that was his guess, anyway.
Murata's face turned to Yuuri, equally stern. "Am I right, Shibuya? Don't you think he'll like it?"
"Umm…yeah," Yuuri agreed quickly. Then he thought, Except that your "husband" is really a "wife" under it all. And the body is my accidental fiancé.
"I didn't realize that he was your husband," the server said with a slight smirk. "He seemed to be the center of attention…quite popular, in fact…with the whole table."
Murata read the implication even if Yuuri was oblivious—which he was. Conrad caught it, too, and felt insulted that his baby brother was being referred to indirectly as a "minx" or a "slut."
A smile, totally forced and laced with malice, came to Murata's lips. "My husband is quite beautiful. So, it would be unnatural for anyone not to be drawn to him." I just called you an "asexual deviant" if you haven't noticed.
The server's eyebrows pushed together angrily at that. Yes, he got it and walked off in a huff.
Ignoring the scene, Conrad took the small earthenware pitcher of juice and poured glasses for everyone.
"What just happened here?" Yuuri asked, scratching his raven head.
Conrad and Murata locked eyes with the same exasperated look.
"He's really that naïve, huh?" Murata practically groaned.
"I'm afraid so."
Deep inside Yuuri, The Maou laughed.
Yozak closed the gap between the curtains. The room darkened a little. But with the material being so thin, the sunlight peeked through the fabric anyway.
The spy removed his faun colored tunic top, the black shirt beneath it, and kicked off his shoes. "You know, I've got two of these outfits with me. Both the same."
"You look good like that," Trouble said, opening an eye to watch him undress and appreciating the show.
"Of course, I've brought along a few disguises, too. And, there's my lucky dress. It's gotten me out of too many bad situations. Gotta have that with me."
"I agree," came the sigh. There was a peaceful look on Wolfram's face with a smile hinting on the lips. The leathery wings slowly unwrapped the lithe body—falling back in folds.
Yozak was down to his black trousers now. "I suppose I could sleep in these." Back at the castle, he preferred to sleep in nothing at all. He was much more comfortable that way—nothing binding him or holding him down.
"You don't have to." Then, looking down the spirit said, "But Yuuri's so particular about what to sleep in that I'm still in this thing." Trouble snapped the waistband of the boxers.
"Yeah, I noticed," he said cheerfully and tucked some orange hair behind his right ear. "And," he said with a slight shrug, "you seem to be feeling a bit better. That's a relief." He moved to the bed Yuuri had been sleeping in. "I think I'll take this one."
"Could I ask a favor?" Tra'va murmured quietly.
"Sure," he said with confidence. It was probably a request for a glass of water or something.
"Could you sleep with me…in this bed?"
Yozak tilted his head to the side and smirked a little. "Is that an offer?"
A smile with little fangs answered him.
"I think you're too sick, Trouble. And that blow that The Maou gave you didn't help matters, did it?"
"I'm feeling better…actually…maybe…kind of." Wolfram's body stretched out on the bed again, but shakily, and the spirit hovered a palm over the center of the chest. "It burns here, too…"
A green glow followed. Trouble sighed in relief.
Yozak frowned.
"I think you need to stop that. Let the kiddo try to heal you when he comes back with your breakfast." Trouble ignored it, turning a pale face away and looking at the curtains. The eerie glow intensified in the dim room. Yozak took Wolfram's narrow wrist in his hand. The light faded immediately. Yozak bent down and said gently, "Stop it."
"As you say…"
With that, Yozak released his hold.
Trouble pulled back the covers a little more, crawled in, and said, "Then, you'll just have to lie next to me to keep me from trying to heal myself again."
Yozak sighed openly, and a little too dramatically. It got him another smirk—which was his goal. Then, he got into the bed next to the blond. "Persistent, aren't you?" The tone had gone up a notch to 'flirtatious.'
A pinkish eye regarded him. "Hold me?"
"And why should I?" Yozak asked, fluffing the pillow.
"Because I'm a sick person and you have to humor me?" There was a toothy grin that followed.
"My…my…" Yozak said, pretending to be put out. He took Tra'va into his arms, careful not to crush the folded wings. He felt the body immediately snuggle into his chest. Beefy arms around Wolfram's narrow shoulders followed. Together, they were so warm.
The orange haired spy slowly released the breath he was holding. Never in his wildest nightmares would he have imagined this scene—alone in a room—no, alone in a bed—with Conrad's little brother who smelled vaguely of jasmine and sunflowers. He felt the lithe body snuggle into him again. It was trying to get comfortable against him.
"Yozak?"
"Hm?"
"Thank you." A soft purring sound came to the spy's ears.
"Go to sleep now…and dream…"
"Dream…? Then, that will be my gift to you," Tra'va said softly, "for your kindness."
"Oh really?" Yozak said, fighting back a yawn. "And what, pray tell, will I dream of?"
The blond head rested against Yozak's shoulder. "I'll have you dream of the person you desire most in all the world…"
"And that would be…you, maybe?" Yozak was amused by it all, but sleepy. His body felt heavy. His eyelids tugged down. Soon, his breathing changed, slowed down to a soft, rolling rhythm.
"No, Yozak… It isn't… You gave your heart away to another long before you met me."
He began to snore.
The blond quirked a smile and relaxed, enjoying the sound of a man at peace.
A small purple glow came from the palm of Trouble's hand. It formed into a ball of light, floated upwards, and rested on Yozak's temple. Like a soap bubble, it popped. Then, Yozak turned his head. His eyes moved under the lids. He was dreaming—a light, comfortable dream with the sound of his dearest love's voice coming to him. The sky was a blue so bright that it hurt to look at it. The village beyond the gates of Blood Pledge Castle bustled with people and carts rumbling down the road. The voice returned. "Yozak?" it called. "Are you coming along or not?" He answered "yes" back and quickened his steps to catch up. "Did you bring the cards, Yozak? I'll buy the ale."
Still dreaming, the orange haired spy held on to Trouble a little tighter and whispered, "Love you."
"You're welcome, Yozak," Tra'va said quietly in the dark. "You're welcome."
It had been two hours since Yuuri, Murata, and Conrad had left to go eat breakfast. Tra'va guessed that they had eaten and gone shopping or decided to roam the town while Yozak slept.
Tra'va dozed for only an hour and then got up again—the burn mark annoying every move the spirit made. And being cuddled up against Yozak, while delicious, irritated the skin. The spirit felt like they were starting to stick together—literally. So, Tra'va got out of the bed and took the chair by the window, pulling back the curtain enough to get a peek outside.
The thought of trying to heal the burn occurred to the spirit. But a promise to Yozak was a promise. He was a "husband." And their relationship, even if temporary, deserved that much respect at least.
The spirit slumped in the chair. Tra'va fanned the burned mark with the tip of a wing. The slight breeze felt good, but wasn't a permanent remedy.
Pink eyes suddenly narrowed into slits.
"Oh, those auras don't feel good…not good at all. Now, where are they coming from?"
Pinkish eyes searched for the owners of two more auras. These were black with traces of muddy red leaking through.
"Black auras, huh?" the spirit said, looking down and seeing two humans dressed in homespun indigo trousers and tawny colored shirts. "And you both go to the same tailor or something?" The self-satisfied smirk of a competitor came to Wolfram's face. "So, what are you two hiding?" When the one on the right pocketed a red, palm sized stone, the spirit's face broke into a smile. "So, you guys are following us…" Tra'va crossed legs in a girlish fashion with the knee kicking slightly. "With a rock like that, you're connected to those guys we tied up to the tree. Hmmm… I knew it was a mistake to just play with them. I should have searched their hearts for information before leaving. That was my fault entirely. I just wasn't ready for Yuuri and his group to know that I could do that with a single touch." The spirit tossed blond bangs aside with a sweep of the fingers. "This could be a problem if these guys know we're here. I don't like delays."
The two men below stepped forward and tried to be casual, leaning against the building while their eyes took everything in. They each lit cigarettes.
"Good… You smoke," Trouble said quietly. "That stench will be easy for me to sense on the wind. And, being smokers, you'll never know just how bad you really smell. So, keep it up, boys."
One of the men made a hand motion that resembled putting a drink to his lips and disappeared inside the tavern.
"Okay…that's a problem…" Wolfram's nose wrinkled at that. If these two geniuses decide to search all of the buildings on this street… With a bit of a stretch, the spirit stood up from the chair. "I guess, it's time for me to go walk-about."
"And why would you need to do that?" Yozak asked, sitting up in the bed and trying to cover a yawn. His cuddle buddy was missing and the warmth, too. So, he woke up.
Eh? Oh, you're up… A toothy grin came to Tra'va. "Gotta pee. And the bathroom's down the hall."
"Why don't I believe you?" Yozak said, beefy arms folded. He was looking absolutely scrumptious sitting up in the bed with his shirt off.
Distracted, Trouble stared at him, and tried to commit the sexy image to memory. Maybe, when he got his body back, Wolfram would come to appreciate this. Either that, or he'd be embarrassed as hell. Both prospects were good, really.
"Okay…you've got me," Trouble said and tried very hard to look slightly embarrassed. "I can hear the call of the road again…feel the pull of the shrine." It was true. Tra'va did. But there were still several days ahead before the deadline. "And, then, there's a part of me that just can't stay in one place." Trouble turned away from Yozak. "It's hard to explain and I don't expect you to understand." Actually, Trouble did. From touching Yozak—leaning against him and being held in his arms—it was all too clear that Yozak wasn't the type of man to stay in one place for very long. It was only his firm tie to Blood Pledge Castle, and the people in it, that kept him coming back. Turning to watch the spy's face, Trouble said, "I wasn't trying to run away. You'd find me quickly enough if I did." Then, the spirit approached the bed with a sensuous sway and sat on the end of it, very close to Yozak. "But I would like to go out…somehow…without attracting attention."
"Why?" It was said with a tone that mixed suspicion with sex appeal. Yes, Yozak could play this game, too, very well.
Trouble traced the curve of the spy's face with a delicate finger. It left a soft, shimmering trail of purple light on the skin. Yozak's eyes widened. He tried to remind himself that this was Wolfram's body. Wolfram! The loud brat who chased after Yuuri shamelessly. All of his thoughts flew out the window as the finger touched his face again, following the same path. It was such a simple motion, a simple touch. That feels…damn good. He wanted to turn away, but just couldn't. His skin begged for more. Tra'va smiled and traced the shimmering path again. The spy leaned into the touch that time. He just couldn't help himself.
A pale face with blond hair whispered into his ear, "These wings of mine will attract attention. I need a cape or something." Wolfram's fingers touched a sensitive spot behind Yozak's ear and traced a line down his neck to his shoulder.
Strong arms caught Tra'va around the waist and hoisted the spirit into the bed. The body, caught off balance, fell onto the mattress with limbs and wings tossed about haphazardly. The face held an expression of pure shock and surprise with the mouth making an adorable "o," which, in turn, made the spy smile as he shifted his body on top.
"We'll go shopping. I know a good store." Blue eyes had a lustful haze to them. "When we're done here." Yozak's wide hand laced with a much smaller one underneath.
Trouble giggled girlishly.
"I think we should be heading back to our room soon."
"Don't worry," Tra'va said cheerfully, "I left them a note, remember?"
The little bell chimed at the top of the doorway as Yozak and Tra'va left the rickety, but pleasantly discrete, shop on the edge of town. The spirit wore a new midnight blue hooded cape that fell in thick folds past the knees. It made the tarnished blond hair seem a bit brighter. The spy eyed the hair color and, somewhere deep down, he missed the Wolfram that he knew—with bright hair and fiery temper. Conrad was always so fond of the brat. And it was probably for Conrad's sake that he felt that way.
Side by side, they walked down the cobblestone steps. "I buy some of my disguises here when I'm passing through. And I'm glad they were open today. It beats having you try to hide your wings under your clothes," the spy said while tugging at his collar to cover a love bite that Tra'va had given him.
The spy straightened his shoulders and tried to force a cheerful tone into his voice. "I think we go this way." For reasons he couldn't fathom, he felt somewhat guilty for his make out session with Trouble earlier on. He glanced at Wolfram's profile. There was a smug look.
The orange haired man sighed a little to himself. No, it wasn't Tra'va who was at fault. In fact, Yozak knew that he always felt this way after being with someone—even if it had gone farther than making out on top of the bed. Luckily, this time, he realized what he was doing and stopped. He wasn't into threesomes. And, with Trouble and Wolfram in the same body, the bed was a wee bit crowded.
Tra'va walked along with a jaunty step in the flowing, new cape and caught Yozak turning his head forward. Yes, it may take a minute or two, but I can turn a man on…and I can turn him off…just as easily. Even in a male body, I've still got it. The smile widened. But I shouldn't take things too far. Wolfram's heart is numb right now. He doesn't care what I do. But I could shatter his soul if I did something that he would be very much opposed to.
Tra'va's smile faded at the thought of Wolfram and everything he'd gone through. "I think Yuuri is sorry, though, Wolfram…" Trouble whispered to the soul daydreaming within her. "And he thinks about you…often…"
"But, it's not enough," Wolfram's voice said back. "It never is."
"I know."
"Hm?" Yozak said, hearing the voice but not the words. His face tried to look cheerful.
"Nothing." It was followed by a shake of the head.
"Tra'va," Yozak said, "I wish you had allowed me to buy you that." He motioned to the cape.
"Oh, no," Tra'va said and pulled out a small bag of gold coins from a pocket. "I had this money on me to offer to Wolfram for the use of his body. But he refused."
"He refused money? Well, that's not surprising. He's wealthy."
"I know that now," Trouble said with a slight upturn of the lips. "He also refused these." The spirit reached in and retrieved another small bag. This one was velvet, brown, and opened to reveal four opals the size of marbles. "He said 'no' to these as well when I suggested them..." Tra'va put the small bags back and walked along with hands shoved into deep pockets. "I offered him the usual…the things that people want in exchange: knowledge, health, power… He turned me down every time."
"Really?" Yozak said, intrigued. This was something he'd definitely share with Conrad later, the next time they could be alone.
"He asked for something as payment. It was odd. Unusual. I thought it would be easy, but…now…it's turning out to be harder than I thought. And I'm not sure I'll be done by the time I get to the holy shrine."
"And that would be…?" Yozak asked with a hopeful tone.
"I'm not supposed to say." Blond hair shook "no" in his direction. "Wolfram asked for that, too."
Yozak's face seemed to suggest that he'd press harder for an answer. It was certainly tempting for him.
He wasn't met with a look of defiance, but quite the opposite. "With some effort, you could probably force the information from me," the spirit said, eyeing him, "but that would be betraying a confidence. Only if Yuuri asks, can I say something."
They walked along until Trouble stopped. The spirit simply quit moving, and then the head turned, searching.
"Something?" Yozak asked. He was an expert at looking around without appearing to "look." His casual glances told him nothing.
"We're being followed again."
"By those guys?" The orange haired man frowned. He turned, as though having a casual chat with Tra'va, but kept his eyes open. A strand of Wolfram's blond hair blew into his eyes. Tenderly, Yozak stroked the hair back. "I thought you took care of them at the tree," he said in a low voice.
"I did take care of them. These two buggers are new." The edge in Trouble's voice meant that no kidding was involved. "And, by now, they probably know what we look like."
The black auras got closer, ready to turn the corner.
"This way!" Tra'va grabbed Yozak's hand and yanked him into the alley. "Crap!" the spirit cursed almost immediately. Three steps into it, it was obvious that the empty alley was a dead end. They both searched for doors and tried them, but they were bolted shut. The windows of the buildings had black, iron bars as well.
The spirit edged back, looking to the entrance where the road beyond was empty of people.
"We'll have to fight our way," Yozak said, cracking his knuckles. "I really wish I had a sword, though."
"I can't." Tra'va tried to hide the panicked tone by adding a deep, throaty growl. A little fang poked out. "I'm using up too much energy to do all of this. If I'm not careful, I'm going to run out of magic before I get to the shrine and I won't have enough energy to merge with it."
"Then, I'll fight for my husband's honor," Yozak teased. He hoped that the positive note would rub off on Tra'va.
Instead, the eyes turned a dusty rose color. "I'll have to get you out of here…somehow…Wolfram, on the other hand…probably won't…"
"No, we'll make it together."
The face that turned up to Yozak was sincere, sad. "I'm not worth it, my husband," the spirit said with an expression that showed hopelessness. "In life…as in death…I was never a good person. But, then again, I never pretended to be." Like a sleepwalker, Wolfram's body took steps forward. "I'll protect you for as long as I can. One of them has those red stones…just like the ones from earlier that Murata is keeping safe."
Yozak clenched his fist briefly. "We are not giving up. We'll get out of here. You'll see." He took quick steps behind the spirit and placed a comforting hand on a narrow shoulder.
"No, I can't," Wolfram's voice whispered. Maybe, if Wolfram's voice said it, the spy would accept "no." Wolfram wasn't one of Yozak's favorite people.
Instead, the fingers dug in to keep the spirit from going any further. "Like I told you, you'll see."
"See…" Trouble echoed. Then the expression changed. It was slow, but it changed—much to Yozak's relief. The lips twitched up until a sneaky grin appeared. "I think 'see' is the perfect description for this."
"I don't follow…" He scratched his head.
"I feel a sin coming on!" It was followed by a bright, toothy grin with little fangs.
"Fly out of here?" Yozak said, tilting his head up.
"No, thanks to Yuuri, I haven't recovered enough. But there is something just as fun."
Tra'va grabbed Yozak by the waist and pushed him into the brick wall to the left. The cape was flung back enough to hide the leathery wings.
"What are you…? Trouble, we don't have time for this!"
"Yes, we do!" The tone was firm. "Just do what I say, okay?"
Yozak blinked in confusion. What in the…?
The scent of tobacco smoke on the wind made a delicate nose twitch. "Damn, they're almost here. Gotta do my stuff." Purple and black bands of energy wrapped around Tra'va. The body shifted upward a few centimeters, and the brassy gold hair turned red and spilled down the sides of the shoulders. The face had skin the color of mocha with sexy, narrowed features. Plump breasts pressed against Yozak's chest in the kind of bouncy way that Lady Cheri's did. Yes, Yozak had a drunken moment "alone" with her, too, long ago.
"Ummm…did I ever mention that I'm a girl?"
Yozak's mouth fell open. "You're a …!"
"I guess…not." There was a short giggle. "Okay, Yozak!" Tra'va pulled back the long, straight red hair and flung it to the side. "Put your arms around me and kiss my neck."
"Wha-?" His mind still couldn't accept it. 'He'…is a …'she.'
"They're almost here! Kiss my neck!" The spirit's eyes stared at the wide gap between the buildings that showed the lonely street beyond. "Just do it!"
There was a gentle hand on her waist, but Yozak was not doing this quickly enough.
"Yozak!" Tra'va barked, "Pretend that I'm Conrad and ravish my neck, you fool!"
"Wait! How did you know about…"
Pink eyes turned blood red. She wasn't kidding. Now was not the time for questions. He grabbed the spirit's waist with both hands and sunk his teeth lightly into the mocha neck.
Tra'va practically purred with pleasure.
"Hands lower around my waist, dig your fingers into the material, and turn your back more to the street," the spirit said through gritted teeth.
Hearing footsteps, Tra'va unbuttoned the top three buttons of Wolfram's shirt and glanced over her shoulder. Yes, the cape covered the wings well and hung like a curtain from behind. So, very little of it was visible.
"Pretend that you're enjoying this," Tra'va hissed.
"Then, deepen your voice if you want me to pretend you're Conrad."
"I'd turn into Conrad if I had the body mass to pull it off. But it wouldn't matter either way because they've probably seen Conrad, too, unlike me…." Then a thought struck. "Does Conrad know how you feel about him?"
Yozak nipped particularly hard and drew blood. He could smell it on her skin. He cringed, regretting it.
"Ahh!" Tra'va practically shouted. Pink eyes watered in pain. Nonetheless, it got the attention of two men who had been loitering on the street a few steps away. They were the same ones that Trouble had seen outside the hotel. But, now, they were armed with red stones.
The spirit moaned, clawed at orange hair and wrapped one leg around the spy, "What's your hurry? I mean-" and then pretended to open her eyes for the first time. "Oi! Can't a girl get a little privacy around here?!" She glared dangerously at the two men carrying red rocks in their fists—who, in turn, seemed shocked to see them. Surprised and slightly embarrassed, the men wandered off saying, "We must have lost them" and "I wonder how much that hooker charged that guy."
"Hooker?" Tra'va fumed, letting go of Yozak. "I can't believe that they think I'm for sale!" She pointed in the direction that they'd left.
"Let's go!" Yozak said, taking the spirit by the hand and leading her away. "Your plan worked, you should be grateful."
"My plan sucked. And you bite hard!"
"I'm sorry," Yozak said, tugging her along.
"Now, I'm pissed off and turned on…damn it!"
Back in the room, Yuuri picked up the note on his bed. He tilted his head right and left in confusion. From the side, Conrad glanced over at it and scratched his head. "I can't make out what it ways."
Yuuri nodded, "Yeah."
"Let me see," the sage said and pushed his glasses up on his nose. Then, he smiled. "Well, I'd be surprised if either one of you knew how to read this. It's written in Old Mazoku. The syntax, grammar, and symbol systems were different back in those days. My guess is that Tra'va learned how to write from a previous host—eons ago."
"What does it say?" Yuuri asked.
"It's been awhile…but, let's see…"
.
.
.
Yuuri Heika,
Yozak is forcing me to write this note because he won't take me shopping until I do. I need to buy a cape and, if you don't like it, then you can burn a second mark into my chest and kiss my borrowed body's perfect little plump ass while you're at it.
With deepest affection,
Tra'va
Additional: I'm sure that if I get any more love bites from Murata, you'll be happy to point them out, too. I'll bet he's a much better kisser than you are. Hugs
.
.
.
Murata tugged at his collar nervously and his eyes widened a bit. "I'll have to paraphrase it. Yeah, that's it… The old terms simply don't translate very well."
Conrad and Yuuri nodded.
"It says… 'Gone shopping with Yozak'… 'back soon'… 'sincerely yours'… 'Tra'va.'"
"Really?" Yuuri said, giving his raven hair a thoughtful scratch. "It just looks like Trouble wrote a lot more than that."
"Old Mazoku is…really…kind of…ummm…formal…very formal." He gritted his teeth into a smile. Yuuri knows that I've been giving Tra'va love bites! Which also means I've been giving Wolfram love bites!
"Oh," Yuuri said, "kind of like in Japanese."
Crushing the note into a ball, Murata said, "Trust me, Shibuya, this is nothing like Japanese."