Disclaimer: I do not own Kyo Kara Maoh! nor any of the characters in this fanfiction. This story does not depict any real person of situation and is not related whatsoever to the original manga and/or anime. However, I do own this story so please, no stealing! Thank you very much.

Sakumi Kinoyuuki (c) 2010

Darkened flicker

It had been a full week since the odd turn of events and everyone was still uneasy about the new arrangements. Wolfram had been obliged to leave Yuuri's room, and was now sharing the Sage's newly acquired one. To everyone's belief, Murata had moved into Blood Pledge Castle, under pretext of wanting to be "closer to his fiancé" – or so everybody thought.

Conrad was still angry about the whole thing, even though Yuuri kept telling him to let it go. Of course, Wolfram was now regarded as something worst than a simple consort, for having moved from one man's bed to another's without putting up much of a fight. However, Murata was the one currently getting glares from every soldier that passed his way. Even so, this little detail did not frighten the Sage as he knew oh-so well that everything happened for a reason – and a good one at that.

Ever since Murata had declared the law prohibiting Yuuri from calling his ex by his first name, Günter had been working overtime trying to figure out a loophole. Alas, to no avail, the Sage had sealed off all possible exits and had everything working in his favour.

Breakfasts the following days, resembled every other day and so, were full of suspicion and unfriendly glares. Yuuri watched in silent as Murata force-fed Wolfram his meal, much to the Prince's disapproval.

"Murata! Don't you think that's enough now? Can't you see that Wol ... sir von Bielefelt isn't comfortable with your actions?" shot the Maou with an annoyed expression settled on his features.

"Ah? Shibuya? Did you say something?" replied Murata with a false innocence.

"Mou! Stop this circus! Might I remind you that you're still in my castle?" let out Yuuri as he rose from his seat.

"Oh? What are you implying Shibuya? Surely, you're not threatening me, are you? Furthermore, this is also Wolf-chan's 'house' so, until he kicks me out, I'm not going anywhere" answered the Sage calmly as he glanced over towards his fiancé.

"Fine then! Sir von Bielefelt, would you please remove this ... person from our company?" addressed Yuuri to Wolfram.

"H-Heika ..." stuttered the Prince "I ... I'm sorry Heika but, Geika stays."

Shock

For the second time, Yuuri felt utterly hopeless. What in the world was motivating Wolfram to behave like that? Had he really, fallen in love? No, no way. Yuuri knew all too well that the crown Prince was madly in love with him, not Murata.

The Maou swallowed the lump in his throat and walked away from the table without another word. Conrad hurriedly followed him out the room, as the rest of the retainers remained torn between both parties. Cheri, even though she liked Yuuri, chose her son and so, supported him in whatever decision he made. Same went for Gwendal, who wished for nothing more than his little brother's happiness. As for Günter, he seemed to sway more towards Yuuri's side, with Conrad and, what he was almost certain off, Shouri. Yozak, Ulrike and Gisela remained in neutral waters, as none of them could choose a side.

***

Outside the castle walls, Yuuri stomped through town with a deep crease set between his eyebrows, much like Gwendal's. In fact, the Maou had taken a habit of storming through town after an encounter with the couple. Conrad followed faithfully, whilst biting hard on his tongue to keep himself from saying bad things about the Sage, which, of course, might be considered as a criminal offence in Shin Makoku.

"What the hell is wrong with those two! I don't get it! It's been two weeks since ... since that day and we still don't know what Murata is planning!" let out Yuuri in a low snarl.

"Heika, if I may, could it be that you actually harbour feelings for, Wolfram?" questioned Conrad.

"What? No! Of course not! Geez, I know that in Shin Makoku, it's OK for two guys to be together but, where I come from, things are different. Besides, I'm not like that. I like girls! Pretty girls like, Flurin-san and Gisela-san! Not pretty boys" concluded Yuuri.

"But ... what about Saralegui Heika?" pressed the older man.

"Sara? He's ... a friend. Sure, he looks like a girl but, that's as far as it goes! I'm pretty sure he's not built like a girl" replied Yuuri, as he stared off into distance.

In fact, Yuuri wasn't sure what he thought of Wolfram – or Sara for that matter. They were both gorgeous creatures, no doubt about it but, did he actually love one of them? Which brought back the topic at hand, did Murata really love Wolfram? Well, it certainly wasn't impossible ... Murata had seen 4000 years of life, Yuuri wouldn't be surprised if he'd been an amoeba in a previous life! However, going after Wolfram was very unusual.

"Heika?" questioned Conrad, pulling Yuuri out of his reverie in the process.

"Huh? Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about them ... why would Murata suddenly pursue Wol ..."

Yuuri stopped his sentence in midair, his mouth wide open as realisation hit him. Murata wasn't going after Wolfram because he liked him, he was hitting on him because the Prince is the spitting image of Shinou!

"Heika? What's wrong?" asked an alarmed Conrad.

"Conrad! I get it! I think I know Murata's motives! Quick, we must go back to the castle!! I have to see Wolf!" replied Yuuri as he broke into a run towards the castle.

***

"Wolf-chan!"

"Err ... K-K-K-Ken ?" sputtered Wolfram ridiculously, beet red.

"Wolf-chan ... will you accompany me to the library?" spoke Geika all the while pouting his lips at Wolfram.

"S-S-S-S-Sure, K-K-K-Ken" replied the prince awkwardly.

Murata wrapped his arm around the other boy's shoulders with a slight pressure, indicating he wanted him to follow his lead. The sage leaned over and whispered a few pointers for the poor confused prince. "Sir von Bielefelt, could you please try to act more convincingly? You look like a robot. Just be yourself, you'll see, it'll be a lot easier – and less painful for me"

"Painful?" he whispered back. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, it's painful trying not to laugh at your ridiculous composure" replied Murata with a wide grin appearing on his lips.

Author's Notes:

Please forgive my extreme tardiness with this fic ... :( I've been preocupied with a million and one things since my last post. In any case, I hope you like this new chapter!

Review & Rate!

Thanks for reading

~S.K.~