Chapter 2

Yuri sighed and sat up in the bath tub.

{Man, home again already? And for once I was actually looking forward to a bath with Wolfram. ...Wow. Never thought I'd say that.} he thought. With another sigh, he got out of the tub and examined his clothes, which he hadn't had the time to change out of when he fell into the bath and got sent home.

"And if missing out on a bath and most likely making Wolfram mad at me again wasn't enough, my clothes are soaked...yet again. Oh well. It's better than going back and forth naked, I guess." As he was about to change into the dry clothes that were laying on the counter for him, his mother knocked on the bathroom door.

"Yuri dear, someone is here to see you. She says she's a friend of yours." Yuri blinked in confusion. A GIRL was here to see him? He almost laughed softly at the irony as he shook his head. Back when he was single and straight (or thought he was, anyway) he would've loved for beautiful girls to talk to him, but of course, they wouldn't give him the time of day. But now that he was engaged...to a GUY, no less...a girl actually came to his HOUSE to see him.

"I'll be right out, Mom!" he said.

But he couldn't help but wonder who it was. After all, he didn't really know any of the girls from his school. Sure, he knew some of their names, but that was about it. And as far as he knew, none of the women he knew from the other world (demon or human) could travel to his world. So...who on earth could it be?

xx

Upon seeing the violet eyed girl, Yuri's own eyes widened in surprise.

"Mira?! What the heck?! How did you get here?" he asked. Mira sighed.

"To be technical, I am not actually in your world. I am merely using my power of illusion to project an image of myself there. However, my powers are weak, so I can only project myself in your world for five minutes at a time...and not just your world, but any location, before you ask such an unimportant question. I've already been here for two minutes, so we must make this quick." Yuri blinked.

"So...why are you here anyway?" he asked. Mira looked up at him, worry shining in her eyes.

"I know it isn't my place to meddle, but I'm concerned about this engagement business between you and Wolfram." she said.

"Concerned? You're worried about Wolfram?" Yuri asked. Mira shook her head.

"It isn't only him, Your Maje...I mean Yuri. Sorry, I almost forgot. I'm worried about you, as well. I've peiced together some of the things Conrad filled me in on when I arrived to visit Wolf and meet you for the first time. He told me that...well...he told me your engagement was unintentional and due to Wolf making rash comments about your mother. She's a kind woman, by the way. I'm glad I got to meet her. Anyway, Conrad also told me that up until a month ago, you've been trying to get Wolf to either let you break off the engagement, or do so himself. Why the sudden change?"

"..." For a moment, Yuri was silent. He didn't know if he should tell her or not. The truth of the matter was, he himself did not want to look back on the event that opened his eyes and heart to the truth of his feelings towards his accidental fiance.

"If you don't want to tell me what happened, I understand. That's not what I'm asking. What I want to know is... did you stop protesting the idea of engagement because you love him?" Yuri was about to answer, but before he could, the image of Mira faded away.

"Huh...five minutes really isn't that long a time, is it?" he muttered. However, while the image of Mirette was gone, her words remained on his mind. How is it that she, a total stranger to him, was able to more or less see through him so easilly like that?

xx

"Huh? Mira did WHAT?!" Wolfram exclaimed.

"Yeah, I know right? But don't worry. She doesn't seem like the kind of girl who will go around stealing other people's fiances. No, there must be something else to it. And you know what?" suddenly Wolfram's expression became uneasy when Annisina held out a small pouch before continuing,

"I've got the perfect invention for this! It's my magically powered Truth Machine!" Wolfram groaned and shook his head. The machine was small; about the size of a baseball, and it was shaped like an eye. In the middle of it was a piece of glass much like what one would find in a telescope or magnifying glass, and on the top was a small button. To Wolfram, it looked like nothing more than a child's TOY telescope, and a pretty junky one at that.

"Give me a break! That dopey looking little machine couldn't possibly help tell what's going through Mira's screwy head. I'm gonna make Yuri tell me what they were talking about when he comes back! But he's such a flirt, and I haven't seen Mira in so long I wouldn't be suprised if she HAS turned into a man stealing hussie." he huffed, crossing his arms.

xx

Yuri examined the items in the store and sighed, scratching his head. None of these items seemed like something Wolfram would like. Granted Valentines Day wasn't for three more days, but he had no way of telling when he would be pulled back to the other world, and he wanted the perfect gift for his fiance. Sure Wolfram wouldn't really understand the concept, but he always wanted to do something romantic like this for his special person. Granted he never thought said person would be a demon OR a guy, but still. The only thing that worried Yuri more than Wolfram not liking the item was that due to circumstances, the item had to be completely waterproof.

"But where am I going to find something like that?" he muttered.

"Excuse me, but you seem troubled. Do you need help finding something?" Yuri turned to the shop owner.

"Well ma'am, you see...I want to find the perfect Valentines Day gift for the person I'm with, but the item I get has to be water proof. I know this sounds dumb, but do you have anything like that?" he asked. The blonde woman thought a moment.

"Hmm...well, that depends. What kind of things is your significant other into? Do they do a lot of writing or swiming? Perhaps they're into collecting swords? As you can see, since this is a business I started as an entrepreneur, there's a variety of items in here. From stationary and other writing and art supplies, to various pieces of jewelry and homemade sweets. I even have some antiques and decorative weapons." Yuri thought about buying a decorative sword...but Wolfram would probably say something along the lines of,

"Moron! What am I supposed to do with a sword I can't use in battle!?"

No, if Yuri was going to get Wolfram a sword, it would have to be later on in the Demon Kingdom. So, he thought again. Come to think of it, he HAD seen Wolfram writing in a journal of some kind lately. So, maybe...

"Do you have any nice pen sets? Metal ones, I mean." he asked. The owner of the store smiled and nodded.

"Sure thing. Right over there next to the notebooks. Just pick the set you like and bring it up to the register. I'll even gift wrap it for free, if you like. Do you want to buy a tin of chocolates, too? They're on sale for half price when you buy another item from the store."

"Um...sure." Yuri said. He figured he may as well.

xx

As Yuri walked home, he clutched the bag in his hands tightly. Thinking on it, he didn't know WHY he told the woman to go ahead and gift wrap the chocolates OR the pen set. Especially since the wrapping paper would have to be removed anyway. And he wished that he had found the Dragon's Lair a lot sooner, since he had been searching since early that afternoon and it was now almost dark. He couldn't even begin to count how many stores he had gone into that day. But...Yuri smiled at the thought.

But it would be worth it to make Wolfram happy, right?

After all, even though sometimes it seemed like it was only out of pride, Wolfram was willing to do just about anything for Yuri. He had given Yuri his loyalty and love, and...

No, Yuri didn't want to think about that day right now. It was over and done with, and Wolfram was okay now. It was almost like it never even happened. Not even Wolfram cared that it happend, so...so why did it bother Yuri to think about it so much?

Truth was, Wolfram almost died, and...

"It was all my fault..." Yuri murmured.

The two happened to be taking a walk around one of the local towns near Covenant Castle. Well, originally Yuri meant to take the walk by himself, but Wolfram insisted on accompanying him for the purpose of making sure Yuri didn't do anything scandalous behind his back or get involved...as usual...in a dangerous situation. Of course, Yuri didn't bother to complain, he was used to it by now and knew it wouldn't do him any good. Wolfram had a habit of doing whatever the hell he wanted, anyway. Not only when it had to do with Yuri, but that seemed to be the case most of the time.

"You know, if you don't want to be here, then go home." Yuri said. Wolfram scoffed and crossed his arms.

"Why? So you can partake in some scandelous affairs behind my back? As if! I know what a shameless flirt you are!" he said huffily. Yuri sighed and shook his head.

"Gimme a break..." he mumbled.

"And besides that," Wolfram added, "You always seem to land yourself in trouble, and unless someone like me or Lord Weller is there to babysit you, then you'd either get killed or get carried away when you turn full on Demon King." Yuri rolled his eyes.

{Sheesh, he doesn't have any confidence in me whatsoever does he?} he thought {Although, I guess it IS nice to have some company, even if it's Wolfram. Browsing the merchant stands isn't as fun by myself.} Skimming through the book he had picked up, he stopped on a particular page.

"Hey, Wolfram, take a look at this." he said.

"Huh? What is it?" Wolfram asked, peeking over Yuri's shoulder curiously.

Yuri stopped suddenly and turned his pitch black gaze to the pink and crimson sky.

"I wonder... what would have happened if that inccident never took place? Would I have still realized my feelings...if I hadn't opened that book?" he pondered quietly to himself.

xx

"Hey, Wolf, can I ask you something?"

"Well if it isn't the homewrecker." Mira fought back the urge to smack Wolfram with the book she held in her hand. She was on her way to take it to Gunter when she had run into Wolfram there in the castle library. Seeing him brought to mind the expression in Yuri's eyes when she was talking to him that morning. She wanted to know what happened a month ago, but the Demon King didn't seem to want to tell her. So, she thought she might have better luck with Wolfram, who didn't come off as bothered by...whatever it was that happened. However...

"Homewrecker? Come on, Wolfram! We've been best friends since childhood! Do you really think I'd do something so dishonerable as steal King Yuri from you...or you from him, for that matter? Give me a break! Why would you even...oh. I see now. Listen, Wolfram, I don't know who told you about me talking to his majesty today, but I used my illusion magic to project an image of myself there so I could talk to him about something. It's nothing like you're thinking. I already have a love interest, and you have nothing to worry about, because it's the SAME person it has ALWAYS been." Emerald eyes locked onto violet. It was as though Wolfram was trying to read into her to see if she was telling the truth or not.

"...Well it BETTER still be him and not Yuri, for your sake. Even if we are friends, if you try to tear me and Yuri apart, as his fiance I will not hesitate to take you down. Got it?" he said. Mira nodded and Wolfram added,

"...Good. Now, you said something about wanting to ask me something?" Again, Mira nodded.

"Yeah. When I was talking to Yuri, he seemed bothered by something concerning you. I was wondering if you might be willing to tell me what exactly happened. If you don't think I'm prying, that is. I would've asked the king while I was there, but first of all, I can only project an image of myself for five minutes, and second, he didn't seem like he was going to tell me, anyway." she said. Realizing the 'something' that Mira said Yuri seemed troubled over, Wolfram smacked his forehead and sighed.

"Jeez, that wimp is such an idiot! Why can't he just let it go? It's not like it was a big deal or anything! ...Okay, sit down. This is going to take a while to explain." he said. Mira nodded and flopped down on the library sofa across from the one Wolfram was sitting on. When she was comfortable, Wolfram continued.

"First off, the only reason I'm telling you is because no one else seems to want to talk about it. Alright, here's what happened..."

xx

"That gentlemen, is an old legend dating back to when the Second Demon King ruled." the merchant said. "It pertains to the legendary Bow of the Dragon God forged in that era. The Second Demon King forged that bow with his own hands, making it a VERY powerful Demon Weapon. It is said that any arrow fired from that bow would be embewed with the power of thunder, and would be strong enough to wipe out entire cities. The map shown in the book is where the Second Demon King ordered his most trusted servant to hide the bow after many thieves attempted to break into the treasury and steal it."

As Wolfram expected, this seemed to grab Yuri's interest right away, and he bought the book.

"Come on, Yuri. You don't actually expect to find the bow, do you? How accurate can a book of legends possibly be? There are a lot of other treasures that were written about in that book too, you know. Sure, Morgif is one of them, but other than that stupid sword, NONE of them have ever been proven to exist." Wolfram said. Yuri shook his head in protest.

"I don't care. For like three weeks now, Gunter's had me stuck studying. I'm bored! I want an adventure. Come on, Wolfram, let's go look for the Bow of the Dragon God. Please?" he pleaded. Wolfram sighed in defeat.

"Fine. Let me see that stupid map." he said, taking the book as Yuri held it out to him. "It says the bow is hidden in a practically unreachable area. It's in a floating island temple crafted by demon magic. It's over the area where the dragons reside. The temple is full of dangerous traps, and is said to even have powerful guardians in the room where the bow is kept. Still want to go? I know how much of a wimp you are." he said this somewhat smugly, looking up to see Yuri's expression. The young Demon King's determination did not detere. He nodded vigorously.

"Yes, already! So let's get going!" He said, running ahead.

"H-hey, Yuri! Wait up!" Wolfram shouted, running after him.

Truth be told, even Wolfram had been pretty bored lately, and when Yuri had asked to go on this childish yet dangerous treasure hunt, Wolfram couldn't help but agree (with false reluctance) to go along. However, neither of them thought for a moment to inform Conrad or anyone else of their discovery or their decision to persue this ancient treasure.

"Hey, Yuri, just how do you expect to get up there, anyway?" Wolfram asked. Yuri looked up from stoking the campfire.

"Huh? You mean to the temple thing in the sky? Well, to be honest...eheheheh...um..." he trailed off giving a nervous laugh. Wolfram glared in annoyance.

"You dumb wimp! You mean to tell me that you don't have a plan at all?! You're completely hopeless!" he snapped. Yuri frowned.

"Oh come on, Wolfram. Don't be like that. I may not have a plan now, but it's not like I was going to try anything before I thought of something. Just give me a chance to think on it, okay?" he said, flashing a reasuring smile.

"...Idiot..." Wolfram mumbled. Yuri was about to make an arguement, but spotting something out of the corner of his eye, he looked up.

"Hey look, it's one of those winged skeleton guys. This is perfect! Hey, Boney! Down here! I have something I gotta ask; a favor!" Upon being called out to, the winged skeleton flew down and landed in a nearby tree. Wolfram turned to Yuri with a raised eyebrow.

"You're kidding me. THIS is your brilliant idea?" he asked.

xx

"Bye! Thanks again for giving us a lift!" Yuri called, waving at the skeleton as it disappeared into the distance.

"Here's a question, Yuri. Now how are we going to get back down?" Wolfram grumbled. Yuri froze a minute and gave a nervous laugh.

"Right...I guess I didn't think about that. Well...for now let's get what we came for, okay? We can worry about how to get down off the temple again later." he said, walking ahead. The blonde swiftly caught up and began repremanding his betrothed.

"Yuri, you idiot! Don't just start rushing in! There's traps and all kinds of dangers waiting for us in here! You need to stay close to me at all times!" He scolded. The young demon king sighed. It was kind of annoying from time to time to have everyone acting like Wolfram was now; always insisting he stay close to them, and run away for his own safety in certain situations, and such. But in this case in particular, he would not argue that Wolfram was right. In a place like this, it would be unwise for either of them to go off on his own.

"Kay." Was all he said on the matter. After a moment, he spoke again.

"Hey Wolfram, what kind of traps do you think are up here? The book didn't say." he said. Wolfram scoffed.

"We won't really have an idea of what to expect until we...or should I say YOU end up springing one of the traps, so the only thing we can do for now is be ready for anything."

"Yeah you're ri...Hey! What do you mean until I end up springing one of the traps?! Since we don't know where they're hidden, it could just as easilly be YOU to set one off, you know!" Yuri huffed.

And so the two continued through the corridor for what felt like hours. For some time, it went in a straight line. They had seen a few doors, but because Wolfram noticed that the doors had all been fastened to the solid marble walls of the temple, whatever traps those decoy doors may have been meant to trigger had not been disturbed.

"Hey Wolfram, look. There's a split in the path up ahead. ...Two corridors. So, which one do you think we ought to take?" Yuri asked, turning to Wolfram. The blonde's eyes seemed to hold conflict. The map didn't show which way to go. Only how many chambers were in the building and where the bow was kept. None of the rooms were connected on the map at all. Wolfram knew well that if he picked the wrong corridor, he would not only be endangering himself, but his fiance, as well. On the other hand, Yuri wouldn't forgive him if he just called the adventure off completely.

"...Let's try the left path." he finally said. The darker haired teen nodded in agreement.

"Works for me." he said.

Again, for quite a few minutes, there was no trace of a trap at all. This factor seemed to surprise Yuri quite a bit, and honestly, it made him a little wary.

"Hey Wolfram, don't you think it's odd that we haven't run into any- Gah!" The demon king made a startled sound as the blonde pulled him back a few feet. Had Wolfram not acted, the statues that aligned the walls of the corridor would have injured them both a significant amount.

"...Thanks. But how are we supposed to cross? The statues are all shooting flames. And they're positioned just right where we can't go under OR over the flames."

"Look closer,you dumb wimp. There's a pattern." Wolfram said.

"Stop calling me a w-...wait, a pattern?" Yuri turned a puzzled gaze back to the flame spitting gargoyles. Wolfram was right, there was a pattern. The statues spit their flames in a pattern. The first and last sections of the row fired off at the same time, and the center section remained off while the other two were active. Then, after a set amount of time, the center section would activate and the other two would shut off. Then the pattern would repeat.

"All we have to do," Wolfram said, "Is take the time to figure out how many minutes each set shoots their flames, and then dash through when we see an opening."

"Got it."

The two studied the statues carefully. Ten seconds. Each part of the pattern stayed on for ten seconds before switching.

"Ten seconds...so...how much time does that leave us to sprint through an opening? It switches right away." Yuri stated. Wolfram stood silent a moment, thinking. If the first trap was this severe, could he afford to allow Yuri to continue? Sighing, he realized he really had no choice in the matter now, as the two had no way of getting off the floating temple. So they may as well see it through, right?

"We can make it if we run through as fast as we can. We don't have much more than a three to five second opening, so we better make it count." he said. Yuri nodded and the two stepped slightly closer to the statues.

"Ready?"

"Ready, Wolfram."

"Then let's go, Yuri!"

(A/N: And that concludes Chapter 2. Like this one, the back story events in Chapter 3 will be written in italic format to separate it from the present day events. I hope all you Yuri x Wolfram fans are enjoying reading the story as much as I'm enjoying writing it. Chapter 3 will be up soon, I promise! )