Day 81: Wolf's World, Stables Morning

[wolf_kkm]

Wolfram yawned and blinked several times. The boards under him were hard and he distinctly remembered going to sleep in Geika’s bed, even though Geika hadn’t been there. A familiar smell assaulted his nostrils. He felt dirty and disoriented. Where was he? He lifted his hand to rub at his faced and jolted upwards from what seemed like an explosion

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[harajukumaou]

The sensation was familiar to Yuuri. That swirling darkness and the dropping of his stomach. It wasn't nearly as nauseating as it had been the first few times, now, Yuuri could be steady after a trip through worlds.

He opened his eyes as soon as the feeling vanished and looked around the familiar room. It had been some time since he'd gone back home and the young king had to settle down his usual excitement at going back. This wasn't relaly his world and there was another him here...somewhere.

"Wolfy," Yuuri attempted to catch the other, but he only managed to grab Wolfys arm and keep him from hitting the tub. It was then that someone walked in-

"Yuu-chan!" A crooning, sweet voice called out to him with excitement. It only took a second for his mother to realize something was wrong as she repeated his name. "Yuu-chan...? Did you cut your hair?"

"Mom," Yuuri let go of Wolfy for only a second. He had to calm down and think this through. "Mom, you remember that American movie called 'Back to the Future'?"
"Oh, yes! And all the sequels."
"I came here with Wolfy from another world to stop a terrible event from happen."
"From the future?"
"Well...no, b-but it's a situation like that..."
"Well the two of you can tell me all about it after you dry off."

Yuuri was thankful for his mothers ease acceptance of situations like this. It was weird, that she was so open about any situation, but right now he was thankful.

Jennifer handed them both a towel before leaving the room. She seemed to be gather clothes from a room down the hall.

"Wolfy, are you alright?"

[wolf_kkm]

“I’m ok.” Wolf lied. He had to throw up, at least he found the sink first. “That was your mother.” He coughed and tried to get the icky taste out of his mouth. Luckily there was some toothpaste around and he knew what it was.

Once he pulled himself together he took in the reality of what was happening. He was going to see Yuuri. He looked at himself in the mirror and grimaced. God, he looked like hell. “Yuuri...” He tried to straighten his jacket and desperately combed his fingers through his hair. It wasn’t going to be much use though, they’d just come through a war zone. At least the ribbon was still intact.

He stared at the door in sudden fear as something clenched in his heart. He clutched Yuuri's shoulder. "I don't want to see him."

[harajukumaou]

Yuuri grimaced at the mess created in the sink, he had begun to dry his hair and shake the water off of his clothes as they waited for his mother.

Wolfy began to preen himself and Yuuri felt a pang of pity. "It's not like you're here to impress him. We just came off a battle field he wont be judging you." But it was obvious that Wolfy was bothered. When he was leaned against by the blond that's when Yuuri knew for sure. "Than you don't have to. We only have to find Murata and if anything I'll talk to him...so don't worry, okay?" Yuugi have Wolfy a gentle hug before his mother came back into the room with some clothes.

"Sorry that took me so long, I had packed all of your clothes away! Oh~" She swooned before continuing. "My little Yuu-chan used to be so small and cute! I miss this." She handed both boys a pair of clothes, on the shirt she'd handed to Yuuri he could see a crease line on the top. They'd been in storage.

"Hey, mom, where am I know? I mean, the one who lives here?"

"You're a teacher! Isn't that so impressive? You've made your mother very proud."

"A teacher?" Seriously? "I guess that's pretty good...wait- I don't like here anymore?"

[wolf_kkm]

“T-thank you.” Wolf had dried his own hair now too and quickly managed to get into the earth clothing. He felt sort of awkward, there were no suits lying around so he’d had to opt for one of Yuuri’s old t-shirts and a pair of shorts. At least they were mostly the same shoe size too though the shorts were a little tight on him. “Eh...” he grunted after he’d had a small chance to process the information. “He’s that much older.” That thought had never occurred to him. He looked around the house quickly. Jennifer always had pictures around. He was almost afraid to find one.

He needed to pull himself together. Normally Yuuri didn’t age and time passed faster. He’d expected no time at all to have passed here. But Shinou... Was this why he couldn’t come back? Was this the reason? Only Murata would be able to confirm that.

Whatever age Yuuri was, he was still Yuuri. Wolfram had known that he would get older faster but he was half demon and he would live longer. It hadn’t mattered to him.

Once he was ready and had collected himself he nodded. “Let’s find Murata. I’ll be okay. I was just-” Being pathetic. He grimaced. Like Anissina had said, it was time to grow up. “I’m fine.” He squared his shoulders in determination. He had to face this.

[harajukumaou]

Jennifer looked at Wolfy with an odd expression, the comment confusing her. "You're here to see Ken-chan?"

"Yea, Wolf-ram is just alittle sea sick from the ride here." Yuuri smiled weakly, trying to cover his friends irritation from his mother. Jennifer seemed to be satisfied with that answer.

"Well, I can't tell you what Ken-chan is doing these days. He hasn't been over in quite some time...you boys, growing up and than leaving your poor Mama all alone." She whined, but Yuuri only smiled as she didn't look unhappy as she said that.

"I came back...in a way." He offered. Also curious about the time that had gone by so fast. "Mom, how old am I?" He asked, thinking the same as Wolfy and looking for a picture.

"You just turned twenty-two a few months ago, isn't that exciting?...or sad, I don't have babies anymore...you really wont wear a cute little dress for me at this age."

"I wont do it at any age, willingly." Yuuri groaned. But his embarrassment of that went away when he finally found a recent picture sitting on a shelf. He plucked it from it's spot and studied the picture with interest. He'd always wondered what he might look like in a few years.

The picture had two men, one was very clearly Shouri and the other was...well it kind of looked like him. His hair had grown out but it wasn't quite long enough to brush his shoulders, just enough to run your fingers through. He was taller, standing just an inch or two under Shori. His shoulders were broader, and his eyes were sharper. "Woah." Yuuri said, studying the picture.

"Okay!" Jennifer smiled as she set something down on the counter and went to see the two boys from the doorway.

"'Okay', what?"

"I let you know that you were here." She smiled.

Yuuri stared at his mother for a second before it clicked. "What?!"

"Yes! I wanted to let him know his fiance was here! I always knew Yuu-chan would bring Wolf-chan over someday."

"Mom, no go un call him!"

"It was a text."

"Since when can you text?"

"Sho-chan showed me how to do it! Oh, it's so nice. You boys always answer faster that way."

Yuuri put the picture down and was about to open his mouth when his mother interrupted.

"If you want to find Ken-chan the best chance will be to ask Yuu-chan. I'll go make something for you two to eat before you get here!"

Yuuri sighed, turning to Wolfy and grabbing him by the shoulders. "Go to my room and stay there. You remember where it is, right? I'll talk to him."

[wolf_kkm]

He grunted at the sudden news and wondered what ‘texted’ meant. Wolf had already turned a little pale when he thought about seeing Yuuri again in spite of his bravado just now. Everything that had happened was reeling in his head right now and he felt a bit like he’d just been pushed off a cliff and didn’t know what was waiting for him at the bottom. “I’ll wait there.” He nodded. Of course he remembered that room. One of the few times they’d shared such a small bed, and he’d received a sweet kiss there when Yuuri had been trying to make him feel better. He apologized to Jennifer, “Yuuri is right, my stomach is queasy. I will go lie down.” He sighed and moved up the stairs. He didn’t realize how tight his voice sounded. He was terrified.

He made his way up the stairs to Yuuri’s room and hesitated briefly. It didn’t take long for him to open the door and look around with a sigh. He found the bed and curled up in it, back to the door. It wasn’t fair. Yuuri’s pillow... it smelled like him. He took the pillow and wrapped his arms around it. His stomach was tied up in knots and not for just one reason. Would he ever see Ken Murata again? He closed his eyes and stubbornly fought tears. He wasn’t going to cry like a girl.

OOC: Sooo perfect.:)

[harajukumaou]

"Poor Wolf-chan...I'll save some curry for him later." She smiled softly, trying to comfort Yuuri who also looked concerned about Wolfy. "Why don't you sit down. It might be awhile till you get here, school doesn't until three." It was two-forty five.

Yuuri had never seen Wolfy so shaken up, not even infront of Gwendal. He wanted to go up and comfort his friend from what was scaring him so much but he had to stay here and wait.

The young king took a seat on the couch, looking around at what was different and what looked the same. Besides a few pictures and a stuffed animal on a different shelf it was relatively the same. Yuuri had never felt so out of place in his own home since this wasn't his home.

It felt time crawled by, almost like hours, when Yuuri finally heard the door open and close.
"Yuu-chan!" His mother said happily from the kitchen. "I've made curry! Help yourself! Also, your sitting in the living room waiting for you."

Yuuri tensed at the sound of the door and suddenly tensed. He'd obvously changed on the outside but what was he like on the inside? Would he be understanding and help them find Murata or would he not even be friends with the sage anymore.

"What?" Came a familiar voice, it was deeper and made Yuuris nervousness bloom into a net of butterflies at the pit of his stomach. He stood just in time to meet eyes so much like his own standing in the door way.

He was in a dress shirt, the tie was gone and it was unbuttoned at the very top with a pair of black slacks. His hair was alittle messy as if he'd been in a rush but it still managed to look good. "...What?" he repeated.

"I'll leave you two alone, Yuu-chan has some questions for you." Jennifer was starting to get confusing with her wording. But, she did as she said and went upstairs with a basket of clothes to put away.

"...Are you-?"
"We need to talk."

[wolf_kkm]

His ears perked up since the bedroom door had been left open. He could hear someone else downstairs but couldn’t make out what they were saying. Wolf curled up even tighter into himself. He didn’t want to hear about how he’d been forgotten or that Yuuri was with someone else or why this had all happened. He was six years older. That was hard enough to take. He was reliving a lot of old emotion and hated it! Sometimes being a fire demon was difficult. Yuuri was still Yuuri after all. Six years was nothing to a demon. He needed to kick his courage together and go downstairs.

The more he tried to get himself to get off the bed and go face it the more he curled tightly against the pillow. How could he just stop loving someone because they were older? How could he stop loving someone because he also fell in love with someone else?

He’d let Yuuri go. He’d refused to make him stay, but he had thought... he’d thought that somehow Yuuri could come back. It was so hard to think about how he was feeling back then; it was all a jumble in his mind. He’d gone crazy with pain.

It didn't matter. No matter who touched his heart since Yuuri, he'd always love Yuuri. It made the pain of loss that much harder. He wasn't even sure he would be going back to the other Yuuri's world after this. So it was possible that Murata Ken had also been taken from him and that was even worse since their love had been far more intimate.

Wolf didn't know how to feel and a tear trickled down his cheek.

[harajukumaou]

As if in understanding the Yuuri of this Earth sat in the chair next to the couch. Yuuri also sat down, and the two studied each other carefully.

"You're me, right?"
"I am...I'm the Marty version of you from back to the future."
"The American movie?"
"Yea."
"So your from the future, but you're younger."
"...well, kind of."
"Why are you here...how?"

Yuuri took that chance to explain what was happening the best he could. He told him about the war that had broke out in Shin Makouku and that he was Yuuri from another world. He'd come from a universe where he was still Maou.

"So Shin Makouku is involved in war..." Yuuri was leaning forward with his elbows in his legs and staring down at his hands which he was wringing nervously.

"Yes...and they need Murata. He might have information that could help them bring down the wizard who hurt Anissina and started this all."

"I understand...I'll help you find Murata. But...how did you get there? I mean, I was never able to travel through universes."

"I can't either, but Wolfy...I'll start from the begging. In my world some strang things have been happening, too. People from other worlds pop up and vanish at random. n my world, Greta is...is gone." His voice became tight as he said that, reliving the helplessness of not knowing where is daughter was. "And in the world where i come from, there are two Wolframs. One is from your world."

"Wolfram?" This seemed to catch the older Yuuris attention, he looked up to meet his youngers eyes.

"He suddenly appeared one day and has been living in the Shin Makouku that I come from for some time. But today I woke up...and we were both in a barn back in this worlds Shin Makouku. It was terrible..." Yuuri tore his eyes away and tried to forget what he'd seen. "I lost control so fast and it was over soon but...we have to find Murata so we can stop this war."

"Than we'll find Murata." Yuuri said, determination in his voice. He went to stand when something seemed to click in his head. "Wolfram...came back to this world with you. Does that mean he's here on Earth..?

"Um." Yuuri also stood, shifting his weight to one foot as he tried to think of an excuse. "He is, b-but."

"Wolfram?" Yuuri raised his voice, being deeper than the younger versions it boomed through the house. He turned his back on the other Yuuri and headed towards the stairs.

"Wait!" Yuuri grabbed onto his arm and pulled, "You're not going up there. He doesn't want to see you!"
"Why not? I have to see him- he's up there, isn't he? Let go!"
"No way, go find Murata that's what he really needs right now. Not to see you!"

The two Yuuris played tug a war at the bottom of the stairs. Younger Yuuri trying to keep him down and older Yuuri trying to pull his arm away and go upstairs.

[wolf_kkm]

It was like a whip cracking, the sound of his name being called. Wolfram jolted up in the bed and twisted around. No. He didn’t know how he was going to manage this but somehow he’d have to get through it. He could hear them at the bottom of the stairs arguing and somehow that made it even worse. Younger Yuuri .... cared about him so much, he could tell from everything he did. And Wolf loved him too. Older Yuuri. ... his Yuuri. Wolf’s smile was hardly cheerful as he forced his feet off the bed and onto the floor.

I need to see him.

The sound of those desperate words made him cringe. He slowly approached Yuuri’s door and opened it slightly. It was even harder to walk as he forced himself down the hallway. For a brief moment when he was at the top of the stairs, he looked down and saw them pulling at each other. It was then he crumpled. He staggered back against the wall, sank to the floor and buried his face in his hands.

[harajukumaou]

Both Yuuris froze at the sight of the blond standing at the top of the stairs. Yuuris hold became weak and when Wolfy stumbled back older Yuuri pulled himself out of his others grasp and ran up the stairs.

"Hey-!" Yuuri tried to stop himself from going up stairs but it was too late.

"Wolfram," There he stood, a step away from the top. He was frozen in his spot, too stunned at the sight of an all too familiar boy. Memories came back so fast he couldn't clearly process them in his head.

"I said wait! Can't you even listen to yourself?!" Yuuri came up behind himself and looked around him to see Wolfy. "Wolfy..." He didn't get a chance to say more.

His older self moved quickly and kneeled in front of Wolfy. Younger Yuuri stood in his spot, not moving from the stairs. They had already seen each other, it was too late to avoid contact, so he stayed quiet, waiting for a moment to step between them.

[wolf_kkm]

Wolf hugged his knees and didn’t look up. He trembled. “Yuuri.” He whispered softly. It wasn’t clear which Yuuri he was speaking to. He shrank against the wall and wished he had stayed in the room. “I....I...” he hiccupped slightly as he realized he’d been holding back a sob. He didn’t want Yuuri to look into his eyes an see the pain and truth of how greatly he’d failed.

But he felt too compelled to look. He couldn’t stop himself from slowly raising his head and forcing his shimmering eyes open. Face to face after all this time. It was only a brief contact and he immediately looked away.

"Hello..." He whispered weakly. His own voice felt like it was coming from far away and he felt dizzy. "Sorry we had to bring this trouble..." he swallowed. "to you."

[harajukumaou]

Sparkling gems, that's what those eyes reminded him off. He had almost forgotten how striking they were to look at.

"Never," Yuuri could see how shaken Wolfram was, he could only wonder why.
"Wolfram, you could never be trouble...thank you for trusting me to help you." He talked softly, the deep tone of his voice comforting as he spoke.

He'd never seen Wolfram act this way, the prideful, fierce fire that he was familiar with had been washed away by this- this fear that Yuuri couldn't identify.
"I'm sorry...I'm sorry I left you all alone...don't hate me, please." It was more a plea than a question. Yuuri knew it was a selfish request. "I'm sorry." He moved closer, slowly, trying to figure out exactly what was going through Wolframs head. "I'm so sorry." He reached out and cupped the side of Wolframs head. The blond hair was longer now and when he touched it, soft silky hair that was still slightly damp from the ride to Earth, it was like a spark against his skin. "I did this to you...Wolfram, forgive me."

[wolf_kkm]

The long strong fingers that touched his hair and head reminded him of Conrad for some reason. “You didn’t know.” I should have been stronger for you. His hands rested limply on the floor. “I don’t hate you, I could never hate you.” He fought to gain his composure and strength but everything was crumpling around him. “But I don’t deserve to see you.”

He raised his eyes again and was caught in those sharp black ones and his head reeled. “As your fiancé, I should have been stronger. I should have held things together, held myself together. I tried, for a while. I missed you so much. Shinou said I’d never see you again. Ever. He wouldn’t say why. He wouldn’t even tell me if you were alive. I got so angry. The only one I hate is him."

He swayed, the whole thing was making him feel like passing out. "Yuuri..." he looked from one to the other. "I don't hate you. I love you. But I ... I...Ken." he swallowed.

And fainted from emotional exhaustion.

[harajukumaou]

Yuuri was quick to catch Wolfram. He cradled the blond in his arms, studying the creases of tension on his face. What had happened in Shin Makouku to do this to him?

"He should lay down," Yuuri took that moment to mvoe closer, he patted himself on the shoulder and pointed over to the stairs. "He's been through alot today."

Yuuri followed his younger self and carried Wolfram downstairs. He was so light and when Yuuri placed him gently on the couch he was hesitant to let go. He took a seat back in the same char from earlier and stared at Wolfram.
It was the younger Yuuri who broke the silence first. "So, I'm a teacher."
"Yes, world history."
"What made you pick that subject?"
"Getting all those lessons from Gunter, it rubbed off on me after all that time spent in Shin Makouku. The world is so big...I just felt the need to know more about it. It turned into a career."
"Oh." Yuuri replied, looking at a few new pictures around the room. There was something awkward about talking to yourself that Yuuri hadn't expected.

"Am I...married?"
"What?- No, I'm only twenty-two...I don't really have anyone like that."
"Oh, yea, I guess it would be weird to be married so young." Yuuri corrected himself with a nervous laugh before taking a seat in a chair on the other side of the couch, across from his older self. He caught his older self looking at Wolfram again.

"Why didn't you ever go back?"
"I didn't know I could...I thought it was over. How did you get back?"
"Murata gave me the chance to return, well, he pushed me. But I'm glad he did...Murata didn't do that here?"
"No. If I had known I could go back...I would have, I would have at least said goodbye to Conrad and everyone else...to Wolfram."

There was that silence again and Yuuri started to twiddle his thumbs. He had to break eye contact with himself in order to keep going. But it was the elders turn to ask questions.

"So, what happens when I go back to become the Maou? There's no war, right? Is Wolfram okay?" It was clear that seeing Wolfram laying in front of him so broken had stirred concern.
"He's the same as usual; stubborn, selfish, jealous...but, I guess that's how I rather he be." Much more than the sadness sleeping beside them.
"Are you married?"
"What-no!" Yuuris voice cracked as he answered, the blood rushing to his face in answer. "We're not even engaged anymore."
"You broke it off? Why?"
"Well it wasn't...really my idea. It's hard to explain- It doesn't matter anyway, we never liked guys anyway." He wasn't about to tell his Older self everything that had happened after returning. This worlds Yuuri was living a good life, he didn't need to make him feel anymore regret than he was clearly already feeling.

"We didn't but...I mean...after we did all those things together."
"What do you mean 'those things'?" Yuuri swallowed down the lump in his throat.
"You didn't...didn't kiss him?"

(sorry this took so long! I had it all written out and than my bf turned the light switch off and my computer died. and i had to write it all over again.)

[wolf_kkm]

Wolf didn’t take long to come to, he felt a little warm. The whole day had so far been one emotional moment after the other so it was no wonder he had passed out. The last thing he remembered was looking into Yuuri’s eyes. They were so sharp and worried and beautiful ... and different. He could hear them talking but what they said was coming through like he had cotton stuffed in his ears. He reached up a hand and rubbed his face groggily. He certainly didn’t feel at all like himself and that was starting to annoy him then slowly their words started to make more sense and he began to get annoyed. What was he saying!? Don’t tell him any more....

“Don’t tell him things like that!” His eyes flew open and glared at the pair of them furiously. “He’s innocent.” He blushed as soon as he realize what he’d said, “Damnit. It’s just been a bad day! Don't tell him stuff he doesn't need to know about!” He glared at older Yuuri and started to stand up...but he was forced to sit back down again.

“Ugh.” He scrubbed his face with his dry hands. “I haven’t had a minute to think and my head is a mess and my stomach hurts. And it’s....”

He glared at both of them.

“Your faults!"