Scene 6

She sighed pushing the thick golden hair from her face, watching the girl and her son practice dueling from the throne room window, Anissina prowling around behind her rattling on about some electron magnetic water propelled something-or-other.

What did I do wrong? Cheri sighed, slouching further down, Conrad had knocked Calliste to the ground again. The girl got back up, snatched her wooden sword, and then began yelling. Cheri smiled, she liked this girl that the Great One had picked for Gwendal. She had spirit, fire she was honest and everything that Gwendal needed to pop out of his little shell of war, fighting, war, and animals. The only problem was that girl and Gwendal weren't fitting together like Cheri thought they should have. Oh, the old Queen had no idea that the girl would be from the Maou's world, nor did she have any idea that she would have been so fiercely independent.

The scene that unraveled before the Queens eyes snapped her out of her musings; suddenly much more interested Cheri sat straighter, her eyes widening. There was a shout below, and Cheri pressed her ear to the window, straining to hear what was going on despite the red heads inane babbling. "Please, Anissina, one moment." To her amazement the red head quieted down and strode over, pressing her ear to the glass as well.

Her eyes opened wide, "Amazing how well the sound come through these panes... I wonder if I could-"

"Not now, Anissina!" Cheri snapped, focusing her attention back to outside. Both women listened intently.

Gwendal sighed, bracing himself for the bruises and the defiance and hurt that he would be seeing in and on Calliste. Foolish stupid, bullheaded woman. A woman's place is not on the battle lines. How dare she think that she can do whatever she wants with Conrad. Gwendal bristled, glaring at anyone in his path as he made his way to the courtyard, feeling a twisted pleasure as those who were unlucky enough to catch his gaze shrank back in fear. Conrad, the dirty traitor. He knew how I felt about Calliste, trying to move in on my woman. It will not stand. I won't allow it. He seethed, throwing the doors open, only realizing his anger when the bang of the stone on stone echoed throughout the castle grounds.

He flinched, then blushed, then acted as though he didn't care. Straightening his coat he looked around, catching everyone's gaze. "Get back to work!" He shouted, amused when the whole court yard went back to business. Striding around to the sparring ring he thought of what he would say. Challenging Conrad to a duel was impossible, but maybe he could get Calliste to drop her guard and maybe explain to him why she was so angry. He ignored her, he got that much... but she disappeared with Conrad for six hours, and it was right after their very erotic incident in the baths. From that moment on Gwendal couldn't get the image of a very prone and very nude Calliste out of his mind. It was embarrassing and intoxicating. And he thought that she had felt the same way...

Her ignoring him was a betrayal, Conrad assisting her was a deeper wound. Maybe, Gwendal schemed, Maybe I could trick her into marrying me, and effectively keep her away from Conrad forever! Maybe he could propose with another fork incident, like what happened with Yuri and Wolfram. So entranced in his musings, Gwendal walked right past the boys, lip locked, in shaded corner of the sparring ring.

The three froze momentarily. "I'll pretend I didn't see that and you'll find a better place to continue your tryst in secret."

Wolfram blushed, always prone to over emotional whims, "You bloody, brutish bastard! You don't feel anything!" He grasped Yuri's arms and dragged him off.

Slightly shocked Gwedal made his way to the outside sparring grounds just in time to see Calliste in the arms of Conrad. He wasn't sure how, or when, or even why, but it confirmed all his suspicions. Jaded, hurt and betrayed he could not suppress the murderous anger that took over his body. His vision turned red and all he could think about was revenge.

"Bastard!" He yelled, drawing his sword.

He charged, his eyes only seeing Conrad, which made the sudden shove and feminine grunt take him very much by surprise. As he collided with the ground he looked up towards Calliste, who's eyes were wide and frightened. "What the Hell do you think you're doing?" She shouted, kicking some of the loose dirt at him, "Why are you trying to attack your brother!"

"I-I saw..." Gwendal faltered, his angered now cooled. What exactly did he see? Nothing incriminating, that was for sure... "I assumed-"

"Yes well, you know what they say about those who assume right?" Calliste sighed impatiently when both men stared blankly back at her "It makes and ass out of you and me. And you, Sir," She spat at Gwendal, "Are certainly an ass right now. You honestly think, after what we've been through after what we've-" She lowered her voice, an adorable blush scrawling up her neck, "We've said in the baths, that I would betray you so easily?"

"Well, well no. I mean yes! I mean.." He sighed, shifting into a sitting position, his grey eyes imploring Calliste to understand, "I didn't understand what happened. We were... talking of the future and then you completely ignored me. It's been weeks and you haven't spoken to me."

"You haven't been here!" She cried.

Gwendal flinched, throwing a small fistful of dirt into the wind. It was true. The threat of war had become very real over the last few weeks, not many took to a new Maou, especially a human one from a distant world. He had spent almost every waking hour thwarting assassination attempts, mobs trying to get into the palace, and small skirmishes between those who stood behind Yuri and those who wanted him dead.

She smiled wickedly then, causing a shiver of lust to run up Gwendal's spine. He watched as her wooden sword tapped his boot, "You owe me my pride and honor Gwendal von Voltaire. I challenge you to a duel."

She heard Conrad gasp, and could only imagine how the others would react when they heard what she had done, but she had her reasons... "The terms are-"

Cecile leapt back from the window, stunned. Anissina's blue eyes were haunted looking as they met Cheri's, "A... a duel."

"Against Gwendal." Cheri slumped into the throne, "Lord have mercy, this has not gone as I hoped at all."

Annissina looked at Cheri strangely, "Don't fret too much, if Gwendal wins they'll marry."

Cheri looked at Anissina hopelessly, "But he vowed to not hold back. This is in all forms of the word, a duel. Someone will most likely die."

That night during dinner there was a shocked silence that rocked the table. Yuri and Wolfram would look to Gwendal, then one another, then look away eating furiously to hide their blushes. Everyone knew what had transpired between the two by the boys actions alone. Conrad couldn't bare to look at anyone for the smudge against his honor. All he could think of was how his eldest brother could dare accuse him of something as dishonorable as defiling his woman. Cecil and Anissina had taken their dinner to another room, too worried about the possibilities, and too busy scheming, to be bothered by something as mundane as dinner with the family.

Gwendal made it a point to eat his food slowly, surmising that it wouldn't take long for everyone else to inhale their food and bolt to their rooms... well, maybe not Yuri and Wolfram. He was surprised to see that Calliste was the only person who had any personality and appetite at all. She ate her food and talked as though nothing had happened, which made everyone else feel all the more awkward. Gwendal never thought he'd live to see the day where he was glad to be in love with someone who had no social graces whatsoever.

As Conrad rushed to leave the table Calliste looked at Gwendal with surprise, "Why is everyone running off? I thought the meal was wonderful."

He hid a smile, she was just too cute. The confused look on her face brought about a feeling that he couldn't understand or name. "Talk to me about this duel. Why did you challenge me?"

She set down her spoon, allowing her frozen dessert to be taken away, "For fun."

"For fun?" He roared, "You began training with a sword only what? A week or two ago and you challenge me to a duel to the death for fun? You're insane! You honestly think that a mere human with such pitiful knowledge of the art of swordsman ship could possibly fight, compare, and defeat a demon whose been doing this as his job for longer than you've been drawing breath?"

"Well what else was I supposed to do? You've been ignoring me since I left with Conrad and I don't know why!" Her hand flew to her face where the tears were falling freely down, "Oh God!" She moaned, and then fled from the room.

Gwendal sat glumly in the silence of the dining room. He sighed and hung his head in his hands. How could he mess up something so entirely easy? "Idiot." He moaned, "No, I love you, I refuse to fight you. Hey, Calliste, I think you're amazing." Feeling outrageously out of character he went to her chair as if she still sat there, "Mi'Lady, forget the fight, I'm sorry for being an ass. Marry me?"

"You look like an ass." Cheri huffed her giant chest heaving with the effort.

"Thank you Cheri. I appreciate it." He stood, wiping off the knee of his pants, "What is it you want Mother?" He smiled in satisfaction as she winced.

"Oh, you stubborn-" She cleared her throat, "Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about Calliste. I have... a story to tell you."

He began walking away, waving a hand to dismiss her, "I'm too old for bedtime stories Cheri. You missed out on that stage of my life many lifetimes ago."

"No, no! Dammit Gwendal von Voltaire! You will sit down and listen to me or so help me I'll... I'll restrict you from your job for three weeks!"

He rolled his eyes but sat down. If she was going to get this upset by it, it couldn't possibly hurt anything more than he already did. "Go ahead."

She sat across from him and shifted nervously for a bit, "Well... hmm. This is awkward. I- no. Long ago I went to the Holy place I was pregnant with you, actually I was in labor." She laughed, her eyes going far away. He waited patiently as she obviously relived some private memories. "It was so... cold and yet warm, the pain eased as soon as I felt the Holy Ones presence. It was unreal. I asked him to grant you love, I was so jaded and hurt by what had happened I had to make sure it never happened to you. He gave you a soul mate, he gave you someone special from far away."

She laughed at his shocked expression, "Oh please. You know your mother with her love cruises and what not. I'm a romantic at heart. Well... it's not this girl. I thought it was, I could have sworn she was when she first came here... but I found the woman who you're really the soul mate of. Oddly enough, I never thought of it as being someone who was completely opposite. I always thought a soul mate was someone who complimented you, made your assets shine just by being themselves, and vise versa, of course."

"Of course." Gwendal agreed, somewhat lost to his mother's musings.

Cheri sighed, slouching back in the chair across from him, "It's Anissina, Gwendal. She's the opposite of everything you are, the perfect match for you." She laughed again, but it wasn't mirthful, it was tired and old. "I'm being taught a lesson and my children are paying for my mistakes. Again. Gwendal, soul mates have nothing to do with love. Oh I am so foolish. I thought because He had granted my prayers you would find love easily. It would just happen for you, but I was wrong. Everyone has to fight for their love, don't you see?"

"Um" Gwendal tried to see what Cheri was saying, but she was just far too emotional for him to understand her babble, "No."

She frowned, standing suddenly, "Men!" She stormed towards the door, going to leave, "You had better fight for Calliste," She warned, "You may not find anyone whose willing to look past that thick skull of yours ever again!"

She slammed the door behind her, making Gwendal jump, more confused than ever before.

A servant walked up just then, "Shall I clear the table then?"

"Yes." Gwendal gruffed, "I'm going to retire... Did you... did you understand what my mother was saying?"

The servant paused, his gloved hand hovering over some silverware, "Yes Mi'Lord. She was, begging your pardon, trying to tell you that she made mistakes, she thought love was easily attainable but it's not and that she is learning a new lesson through your blundering with Miss Calliste. My advice, Sir? Either let her win or withdraw from this duel. There is no point to it."

"No." He sighed, "I can not do either of those things. Calliste's honor and her damned pride won't allow me to."

"Of course." The servant bowed, "It was just a suggestion. God night, Mi'Lord."

Gwendal strode to his room and threw himself onto the bed. How could he think of sleep with all the inner turmoil? He was madly in love with someone who wasn't his soul mate? What did soul mate even mean and how could it be Anissina? How in such a short amount of time could he have fallen so hopelessly when love had never before blossomed so deeply within him? It was insanity to think of, it was improbable... and yet here it was. Cecile may have only been trying to help but she left even more questions and doubts than he had before hand. How did he know that Calliste was the one?

How did anyone know?

I awoke the next morning joyful and prepared, having slept soundly the night before. Oh, Gwendal had no idea what he was up against. No idea at all. I smiled wickedly, dressing in a light tunic and non restricting breeches. I bound my chest to remove the hindrance of breasts. With a grin on my face and bounce in my step I made my way to the kitchen, grabbed a wonderful breakfast pastry that was something like a danish... but somehow not a danish. I strode out to the sparring grounds and sat there, just admiring the world around me and thinking.

The world I had left wasn't the happiest of one, but there were people there who loved me and probably wondered why I had been gone for so long. My father had probably already filed a missing persons report, and mother was probably insane with worry. I winced at the thought of how much homework I would have piling up from my college and high school classes when I got home... If I ever got back home.

I sighed then, dropping my head into my hands, "This is insane."

"Indeed." Came a masculine voice form behind me. Startled I whipped my head around to look as Yuri took a seat beside me, "I kind of understand why you're doing what you're doing... but could you please elaborate your reasoning for me?"

"I-I..." His eyes were unsettling, a wisdom beyond his age seemed to be peering into my soul and weighing what was right and what was wrong, "I don't know!"

He started, "You... then why-?"

"I don't know!" I shouted, waving my arms in frustration, "It just... he made me so angry and all his stupid, foolish, prideful talk and then his misplaced anger! I just- URG! You know?" I turned from my angry pacing, looking to the young king with imploring eyes, begging him to understand.

He did.

"I feel the same way about Wolfram sometimes. He's infuriating and maddening... and yet I can't get enough of the psychoticness of it all." He laughed at some memory, "Sometimes I want to just... punch him in the face, and sometimes I do. I think for you this is a kind of 'punch in the face'." He stopped and turned his head up towards me, "Does that make any sense?"

I smiled, "Yeah actually." I sat back down, drawing stick figures in the dirt, "It's not just Gwendal. Don't get me wrong, your palace is lovely, but it's not home. I've been stuck in this place for months now." I drew silent as I counted the days, "Almost nine months."

Yuri whistled, "Yikes. Well, don't worry that might be something like three hours back in our world."

"Huh?"

"You mean, no one ever explained it to you?" His eyes held genuine sympathy for the stress and heartache I must have been feeling, "Time moves differently between the two dimensions. I'm sorry, I guess everyone's just been too busy with the increasing threats of war."

"Yeah." I sighed, "I suppose that's normal... so wait, how long have you been here?"

"Oh, I flit back and forth every couple weeks or so." He watched a handful of dirt slip through his fingers, "It was pretty upsetting at first, especially with such animated characters here and such... mundane ones at home, and not to mention the treatment! Here I'm a King, back home I'm just a kid. I enjoy being able to get away from the crazy and the stress. Homework seems so simple compared to settling disputes, saving prisoners and rescuing a civilization."

I smiled, "Let's not forget your engagement." I paused, "Back home, do you have anyone special?"

"No." Yuri smiled, "I truly do love Wolfram. As I said, the animated characters here, they just outshine all the girls... Oh, and guys I suppose, back home. It's funny though... I never looked at a guy that way before arriving here and seeing Wolfram. When I go back home I still don't."

"Well, Lord Spoiled McFluffypants, would you like to help me train?"

He shook his head and dusted off his clothes as he stood to go, "Unfortunately things between us and opposing forces are very tense right now I need to handle some negotiations."

"Are things really that serious?" Guilt for keeping Gwendal from his job crept in.

"Nothing I can't handle. Let's just pray for no war. I want everything to be settled peacefully."

"As any good king would." I called after his retreating form. He waved a hand as he walked away to show he had heard me. "Alone again." I whispered, looking around. My braid hung heavy against my back, I was already starting to sweat in the sun's intense rays. In just one short hour I would be dueling against the man I wanted to marry. I felt so naive and childish. Why had I even started this? Out of anger, spite? To prove I wasn't as helpless as he thought me to be? It made no sense!

Determined I made my way towards the castle, I was going to end this stupid duel and I was going to end it now. I felt like a hot headed fool as I made my way back into the luxurious building, oblivious to anything but my mission. Until I realized that there was no noise. No one was here.

"What is going on?" I whispered, freaking out a little. I tried to reason with myself It's ok, maybe they're all in a conference... or maybe they're all eating breakfast! Well, no it's almost noon... lunch or brunch then? I walked calmly to the dining room, just in case I did run into anyone. They wouldn't think I was a psychotic fool and I wouldn't have to explain why I was running. But it was empty. Shocked and slightly worried I ran into the throne room, empty. The baths, the library, the stables, the conservatory, the bedrooms, all three waiting rooms... all were empty and at this point I was running around furiously; confused and scared.

"Where is everyone!" I shouted angrily, making my way to a window only to see them all standing outside the royal dueling grounds watching Gwendal train with Conrad. I felt my hackles rise, They changed the location! Bastards!

I took a deep breath and calmed myself. This is anger I was going to use in the fight. Screw calling the whole thing off. I was going to make Gwendal pay for changing things without telling me. And he was going to pay dearly.

Gwendal lowered his sword, sheilding his eyes against the sun. The had been waiting for Calliste for ten minutes now, if she were late by just two more minutes his plan to dupe her would have suceeded and she would have to marry him. The plan was perfect, it couldn't fail!

"Just a few more moments!" Gunter called.

"Why wait?" Calliste's voice rang across the courtyard. "Let's start now."

The plan couldn't fail... unless it did. The anger in her voice told him she found out what he had tried to do.

Gwendal fought the urge to growl almost successfully.

"Oh what?" Calliste put a pout on those pretty lips of hers, "Is someone a little upset that a certain someone made it today?"

Stunned he could do nothing as she strode over to where Wolfram was sitting and grabbed her weapon.

"Hell no." Gwendal bit back a laugh. It was one of his first swords. It was also a piece of steel that preferred to have a demon master. He wondered how Calliste would handle the weapon. He was pretty sure she had practiced with nothing but wooden blades till now. He watched her stride back into the center of the ring, the brown pants hugged those luscious hips of hers; the sashay of her walk made his mind stray far from the path of fighting on the field onto one of a more remote and private war.

"Are you ready?" She spat.

"Something naked." He murmured, completely entranced with her lower half. Her shapely legs, wide hips, her ass was more than enough for him to grab while- Shaken out of his private thoughts he glanced to the snickering woman.

"Naked huh?" She grinned without anger or malice, "Are you sure you're ready to fight me?" She drew her sword, taking her position. The blade she held was light, it changed it's weight to suit that of it's master. She closed her honey green eyes and took a slow, steadying breath, when she opened her eyes again they were remarkably clear green, almost blue. "Ready?" She taunted.

Gwendal said nothing, but removed his blade from the sheath. If it was a duel she wanted, it was a duel she would get.

"Begin!" Shouted Gunter, noticing that the two had taken their positions and were already in a fighting state of mind.

The two began circling one another, he was surprised when he noticed Calliste was watching him for any weakness'. A favoring of an ankle or knee, if he stepped heavier on one foot than the other. He smirked, she wasn't aware, but he did not have any such hindrances. She, however, did. Her left ankle, her right wrist, and possibly both her knees were a little weaker than they should have been. He could hardly contain his gloating, this battle was his for sure. What he planned to do was wear her down, get her to forfeit without spilling any blood. He just had to figure out- "Oof!"

Before Gwendal realized what had happened, Calliste had charged him, knocking him onto the ground, his sword flying from his fingertips. Deftly he rolled backwards, then lept to the side, grabbing his sword. Slowly he stood again, facing his lovely opponent.

"Oh!" She grinned wickedly, sending shivers up his spine, "I'm sorry? Were you already imagining your victory?"

He spat out a mouthful of dirt and they resumed their circling. Gwendal tightened the circle, feeling somewhat abashed. He had learned in his years of military training to never underestimate your opponent. Yet, because she was a female he did just that. They were close enough to smell the sweat coming off one another in the blistering heat, she swung her sword, it was met with the sparks and ringing clash of his own.

"Not bad." He smiled, flinging her sword away, she let a small frown cover her face, "But not good either."

He saw the anger flicker in her as she pressed forward, blow was met for blow, each swing was more intense, more furious, stronger, more precise. And then Calliste tripped over something in the dirt. Gwendal moved to take advantage of her weakened position when she rolled forward, her hilt meeting his...

The men in the crowd flinched and let out a groan of sympathy pain as he dropped to a knee, bringing his blade down. Calliste successfully blocked, leaping and rolling to make more distance.

"Low... blow." Gwendal puffed out.

"All's fair, dear." She breathed.

He growled, leaping to his feet and charging the unsuspecting woman. Startled she let out a shout as she threw up her sword to defend herself. She fell to the ground, Gwendal sitting in top of her, their blades battling for supremacy.

"You know," she worked through gritted teeth, "This is slightly erotic."

Embarrassed but not wavering he grinned, "That it is. Do you yield?"

"Wha-?"

"Yield, do you yield? Give up, quit?"

"Pshh, no!" She shouted, squirming underneath his weight, unable to do much of anything but get dirt in her trousers.

Gwendal leaned forward somewhat, "I like it when you squirm" He breathed into her ear.

She grinned. With one last attempt, Calliste threw her sword towards Gwendal trying to get his blade to bounce back and away from her. It failed.

"Damn," she muttered, feeling her strength fading ridiculously quick.

"So does that mean I wi-"

"Mi'Lord, Gwendal, Conrad!" A man burst onto the field, obviously from the war meeting by the way he was dressed.

Gwendal growled, "I win." He whispered to her,climbing off and helping Calliste to stand. She was disheveled, sweaty, dirty... he wanted to have her right there and then. From the way she kept shifting and looking at him, the feeling was mutual. He heard about that once, something about the adrenaline and endorphin's and some such. He couldn't think too intelligently at the moment there was another head trying to get his way.

"My Lords," the man bowed, "My apologies for interrupting, but I was sent here on direct orders from King Yuri."

Conrad rolled his eyes, "Well then stop bowing and blathering, what is it?"

The man straightened himself, the look on his face grim enough to erase all smiles and thought of play. "We're at war."

I didn't really grasp what the messenger meant, nor the severity of his words until all the men fled the field and readied themselves for a war. The men spent the rest of the day holed up in an office discussing God knew what, preparing for a meeting early the next morning with Yuri's war counsel and to ready the troops. I was lost and confused, I had no idea what to do with myself. At dinner everyone was somber and silent. There was a tension and fear in the air that no one concealed. That night Yuri held Wolfram's hand at the dinner table and even gave him a kiss goodnight before they retired to their rooms. Even Anissina made not one peep (well, maybe just one).

I felt so left out. This wasn't my home, these weren't my people... Why were they fighting? Why did anyone fight? I wondered, eating the rich dinner put before us. It seemed everyone, even the cooks, knew about the war in such a short amount of time. If this was to be the last meal of anyone at the table, they wanted it to be the best they had ever tasted. Each fork or spoonful was a painful reminder that someone may not be sitting here with us the next night.

After dinner, after everyone had retired to their rooms, I lay in bed for hours just thinking, dreading. I loved Gwendal... if he died tomorrow... I couldn't finish the thought, tears rolled from my eyes yet again as I mourned for the land and the people that would die, for the possibility that the man I wanted might die as well. I grabbed the stuffdie he had given me, gave it a firm hug. My mind was set; I knew what I was going to do. Determined I strode across my room and into Gwendals.

He was, as I had suspected, not asleep. His grey eyes met mine, they were swirling with uncertainty and desire. I walked over to him and we exchanged a soft, tender kiss. It was one that said everything. It spoke of how we cared, of what we were willing to give to one another, of what we wished and what may be. When we pulled apart his eyes rested in mine, a question lingering in them. I smiled. That smiled was all he needed. Eagerly he rose from the table, clasping my face in his hands as we shared a more urgent, needy, lusty kiss. His tongue roved my mouth as I clutched at his clothing. There was too much between us... and at the same time not enough.

He swept me into his arms and carried me to the bed, "Are you sure?" He whispered.

I shook my head, "No... but... but I want it. If there's-" The tears came unbidden, "If there's no tomorrow for us, I want there to be a tonight."

He smiled softly, curling a loose strand of my hair around his finger, "I love you."

AN: So, how do you like it? It's been year since I've watched Kyo Kara Maoh! So if this is awfully incorrect or I'm missing some huge character plot, please let me know. If not, tell me what you think of the fight scene. It's my first time really writing one involving swords. :) Oh! And yes, the next chapter will have the sexy stuff. ;)