Disclaimer: I do not own Kyo Kara Maoh or any of its characters

Claimer: I, chop4tess, own this story, its plot and any and all original characters

Wow five chapters already. These felt really long when I was writing them, but they are actually quite short aren't they?

Chapter 5: A disguise

Alviss and Elvira walked through the city of Moob disguised as a human traveller and his younger sister. Alviss's hair was now blond and his eyes were green while Elvira's hair was now waist length but her eyes were still their usual blue. They were looking for where the demon prince was being held. They guessed that the overlord of the city would have a castle someplace, and if they had Ryan, that would be where he would be.

"Are you sure about this disguise?" Alviss muttered pulling at his new clothes that were a tad too small for him.

"Yes its fine." Elvira said shortly. She was wearing a long flowing dress and kept stepping on the hem. "We have to gather information, let's go to a café or something and see what we can overhear."

"Somehow I don't think that a kidnapped demon prince will be common knowledge."

"I know that! What I'm hoping to hear is something about who's in charge and where they live. A little background information would help a lot." Elvira sighed and gazed around the city square.

"Ok already don't bite my head off, I'm just as worried about him as you are you know." Alviss followed her gaze and saw an alleyway that went deeper into the city.

"I'm sorry, let's go take a look down there." Elvira strode forward and Alviss followed with a sigh. I wish we knew where he was then we could just charge in and rescue him! Soon the bustle of the city fell behind them as they wandered down the narrow alleyway until coming upon a crossroad.

"Which way do you think we should go, Elvira?"

"Maybe…." Elvira was cut off by a small scream and both Elvira and Alviss whipped around to see a girl with long red hair running towards them being chased by three thug-ish looking men.

"Get back here girl!" One shouted and Alviss jumped into their path. The three men skidded to a halt and the red haired girl turned in surprise. "Get out the way blondie!" The same guy yelled and Alviss narrowed his eyes.

"It's wrong to chase girls and make them cry."

"Al- I mean Roger!" Elvira hissed not wanting to be caught up in anything. But Alviss ignored her and glared at the three thugs.

"I'll make you wish you'd never been born kid!" One of the guys leapt for Alviss who dodged the fist easily and caught the guy's arm and twisted it behind his back. "OW! Let got that hurts!"

"Get him!" Alviss shifted his weight then threw the first guy at the other two knocking them to the floor. One scrambled to his feet only to receive Alviss's left foot to his left temple knocking him out cold.

"L-let's get out of here!" The other two grabbed their fallen comrade and hurried away while Alviss smirked and cracked his knuckles. He turned to the red haired girl and smiled softly.

"Are you ok Miss?"

"Oh, thank you so much Sir. I don't have much money but…"

"Oh no, we don't need any money." Alviss smiled and the red haired girl looked surprised then nodded with a smile.

"My name is Tina, what's your name?"

"He's Roger and I'm Misty." Elvira cut in before Alviss could answer. "We're brother and sister and we're travelling together."

"Oh I see I'm pleased to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine. Hey would you like a drink or something? You're shaking." Alviss smiled and Tina glanced at her hands in surprise.

"I didn't notice, yes a drink would be very nice thank you." Alviss smiled and offered an arm which Tina took with a blush. What the hell his he doing? Elvira thought glaring at Alviss's back, flirting with some girl when Ryan's in danger!

"Are you coming as well Misty?"

"What? Oh yeah, I'm coming." Elvira sighed and followed still glaring at Alviss's back.

:-:

Ryan opened his eyes. Wait, where am I? He sat and glanced around the room he was currently in. It was painted white with cream curtains at the window and a cream carpet on the floor. He was in bed with a bandage around his wrist lying on white covers. Ryan didn't recognise the room and when he stood up, he was wearing light blue nightwear. He glanced out the window overlooking a small town but he didn't recognise that either. The door opened and Ryan glanced around to see a young boy of about 17 walk into the room. He was good-looking with short brown hair and hazel eyes and his clothes signified that he was very rich.

"Oh you're awake at last! I though you were going to sleep forever!" The guy laughed and Ryan frowned.

"Who are you?"

"Huh? You, you don't know me?" The guy looked shocked and Ryan shook his head slowly.

"No, I can't seem to remember, anything." Ryan gasped as the truth of his situation sunk in. I can't remember anything! Not even my name! Who am I? Do I have family? How old am I? Ryan felt weak and almost collapsed. The boy darted forward to help him up.

"They warned me this might happen," The guy looked away with a heavy sigh, "They said that the blow to your head might do irreversible damage."

"Blow to my head?"

"Yeah, you went out to fight in the war but, I heard that you were attacked from behind and hit on the head. You're lucky to be alive really." Ryan reached up and felt his head but it seemed to be fine.

"But my head is…."

"Well it should be! You've been asleep for a year after all."

"A year!" Ryan stared at the boy in front of him. I've been asleep for a year?

"Yeah it's been real hard, coming to see you everyday, but never seeing any change or anything."

"You've been coming to see me?"

"Well since you don't know who I am I'd better introduce myself: My name is Henry and I am the son of the overlord here; Lord Eric. I am also your fiancé."

"What!" I have a fiancé?

"Yeah maybe that was bit of a shock." Henry laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. He wrapped his arms around Ryan and held him tight. "But know this, Ryan, I love you with all my heart and I'll help you fall in love with me all over again if I have to." Ryan started, hesitated, and reached out to hug Henry back. He never saw the gleam in Henry's eye or the evil smirk on his face.

:-:

Elvira glared at Alviss while he ordered drinks and brought them to their table. Tina was sitting with them playing with her fingers watching Alviss from under her eyelashes. Alviss handed out the drinks and sat next to Elvira opposite Tina. He gave her his charming smile and she blushed.

"So why where those guys chasing you Tina?"

"I bumped into them coming out from work and they wanted to make me to make up for it, if you get my meaning." Tina blushed and looked away and Elvira felt a rush of sympathy for her dispute the fact that Alviss seemed to be chatting her up when they had better things to do.

"That's terrible, lucky I was there to save you." Alviss grinned and Tina smiled slyly while Elvira rolled her eyes. "So were do you work? There wasn't much down that alleyway if I remember correctly."

"Oh I work at the castle for Lord Eric." Elvira went very still but Alviss didn't bat an eyelid.

"Oh really? My sister and I haven't been here very long so we haven't seen the castle yet."

"Well you can't see it from this side of the town." Tina smiled and pointed out the window. "Follow the alleyway you met me in for about 10 minutes and go into the courtyard. You'll be able to see it from there."

"Wow thanks Tina, we'll see if we have time." Alviss gave her another dazzling smile and Tina went as red as a ripe tomato.

"What's your job at the castle Tina?" Elvira asked shooting Alviss a glare.

"I'm a trainee nurse. My tutor lives at the castle so I go there every day for my lessons. Mrs Smith, my tutor, is a lovely person even if she's a bit strict." Tina giggled and Alviss laughed politely.

"Have you ever met the Lord?" Elvira asked and Tina went solemn.

"No but I've seen him a couple of times." Tina glanced around then lowered her voice, "To tell you the truth he scars me."

"Why is that?" Alviss asked gently laying his hand on top of Tina's making her blush again earning himself another glare from Elvira.

"He never smiles; he's always striding around glaring at people. My tutor told me that he hates the demon kingdom and wants to overthrow it but doesn't have the military power."

"It's such a shame that some people still feel that way. I'm human but I really don't mind the demon kingdom. I've even met some demons and they were very nice people." Elvira sighed, "Do all people think like that here?"

"No that's just it," Tina exclaimed, "nearly everyone is happy here. Demon King Yuri helped to unite the lands and now our merchants can trade with more countries so we're richer than ever before."

"That's good news, where Misty and myself come from relations between demons and humans are really good too. Demon King Yuri has done a good job hasn't he?" Alviss smiled and Elvira couldn't help but admire the guy's talent for getting people to talk.

"I agree but the demons were responsible for many deaths in this kingdom many years ago including the deaths of the Lord's father and older brothers. He can't let go of the hate he has for them." Tina sighed and Alviss squeezed her hand.

"That's not good for him, when people bottle all that hate inside them it turns them sour and evil." Alviss glanced at Elvira who gave a slight nod. If the Lord hates demons but can't overthrow them with force he could well have taken Ryan to pressure the demon kingdom into submission. Alviss glanced out the window with a concerned frown, but it's been so long. Will Ryan still be alive?

"Roger, are you ok?" Tina asked her eyes worried and Alviss shook himself and smiled at her.

"Yes I'm fine I was just thinking. My uncle had a similar problem to the Lord's; not about demons, but the hate he kept inside killed him bit by bit every day. I hate to see that happen to anyone." Elvira blinked and stared at Alviss. That was a complete lie, Alviss didn't have an uncle, but he had put so much emotion into his voice she almost believed it herself.

"Oh that's so sad. I too hope that the Lord will stop hating soon." Tina looked thoughtful for a moment. She opened her mouth then shut it again looking uncertain. Alviss raised an eyebrow.

"What is it Tina?"

"Well it's just, I nearly always see the Lord's right hand man, Sir David, around the place but I haven't seen him in ages. And the Lord has been acting strange according to one of my friends at the castle."

"Strange?"

"Yes, my friend Holly works as a cleaning servant so she sees the other members of the castle more often than I do. She said that the Lord was smiling and acting excited about something yesterday." Tina shook her head, "He's never acted like that before, I don't know what could have caused it." Alviss and Elvira exchanged glances. I'm sure the Lord must have gotten a hold of Ryan by now, maybe he's only just arrived. That means he could still be alive. Alviss had to force himself to stay sitting in the chair and not bolt for the door and run to the castle as once.

"Maybe he's in love?" Elvira said with a smile and Tina laughed then sighed heavily shaking her head.

"I wish for his sake it could be so, but I don't think that the Lord has the ability to love anymore." A silence fell over the table as these words as Elvira and Alviss glanced at each other while Tina stared at the table. Alviss glanced out the window as the sound of bells filled the air.

"What is that sound Tina?"

"Huh? Oh that's just the clock's bells." Tina suddenly sat up her eyes going wide. "Oh my I'm late!" She jumped from her chair and Alviss also jumped up. Elvira tried but she got caught up in her dress and sat down again hard.

"Late for what?"

"I had to meet my tutor in town at a lady's house while she picked up some stuff. I must leave or I will be late. Thank you so much for your kindness Roger I will never forget it."

"You are most welcome Tina, have a nice day." Tina dropped into a curtsy and Elvira rolled her eyes.

"You're too kind Sir." With a smile Tina rushed out of the room like a small whirlwind. Alviss sat back down and glanced at Elvira.

"Give her 15 minutes then we'll go check out the castle." Alviss nodded and took a deep breath to calm himself. He wanted so badly to run straight to the castle and burst in demanding that the prince be given to him at once. Yet the logical part of him told him that would just get him thrown in a cell or killed, and then what good would he be to Ryan?

"Alviss, can I ask you something?" Alviss raised an eyebrow at the quiet menace in Elvira's voice.

"As long as you don't kill me if the answer is not the one you want." Elvira's lip quirked but there was no humour in the action.

"Why in the Great One's name were you flirting with that air-headed girl while Ryan is in mortal danger?" Elvira hissed her voice low but sparks were shooting from her eyes.

"I was getting information out of her!" Alviss hissed back, "Information that you wanted if you remember! How can you accuse me of mindless flirting while Ryan needs my help?" Anger bubbled through Alviss.

"Well it looked like mindless flirting to me!"

"I found out were the castle is didn't I? I found out where they're keeping him didn't I? I confirmed that the Lord has him didn't I?" Elvira was quiet for a moment while Alviss glared at her.

"I'm sorry Alviss." She whispered and Alviss blinked in surprise the anger draining out of him.

"I…err, what?"

"I'm just so wound up at the moment. Ryan is missing and might even be dead for all I know and everything seems to be moving so slowly." Elvira looked away tears shimmering in her eyes, "You and Ryan are like brothers to me, the only family I have left. I couldn't take it if one of you died and left me alone again. I never want to be all alone ever again." Elvira's voice was nothing more than a whisper but Alviss heard every word. He sighed and wrapped an arm around Elvira's shoulders. She leaned against him thankful for the comfort.

"It'll be ok Elvira, we'll find him ok? I sure he's alive, I don't know how but I'm sure I would know if he wasn't. Ryan needs us to be strong right now. I failed to protect him the first time but I'm not failing again. Yet I need you're help, you come up with plans and you know how I rush into things right away without thinking." Elvira smiled and wiped her eyes.

"Yeah you do, guess I'm the smart one huh?"

"Yeah, you are." Alviss hugged Elvira and winked at her. "Are you ready to go rescue our friend?"

"Let's go." Elvira's determined face was back and the light of challenge shone in her eyes. "Let's go kick some ass and rescue a friend." Alviss smiled and stood helping Elvira to her feet. If only I could convince myself that that was true, Alviss glanced out of the window again before following Elvira out of the café. Please be ok Ryan, please.

*End Chapter*

No Alviss was not fooling around, he was using his charms to get info. Go Alviss! LOL

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