Chapter 3: Nocturne of Shadow

Katashi looked at Yuudai, "We must get the God of Love!"
"B-but what if Scarlet choses Tungsten for his suitor?"

"Then...I will have no choice but to get him myself." Katashi growled and looked up at Scarlet's hologram, "I will have you...I don't care if your brother, the current God of Love wants me gone after I take you."

Yuudai looked at him, "But...Lord Katashi...the current God of Love is not to be messed with!"

"I don't care...Scarlet will be mine!"

Yuudai sighed, "How will you even get him?"
Katashi smiled, "Easy...Lord Tungsten and the God of Love will most likely go back to the tree and relax. We'll ambush them there."

"But, Scarlet...he's the strongest Battle Lover...we shouldn't mess with the Sparkling Prince."

"Yuudai, I don't care."
"Lord Tungsten is very powerful too, he could stop you."
"Yuudai! We will get Scarlet...I promise you that. So stop doubting me." Katashi growled and Yuudai sighed, "Yes sir."
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"Haru, did you hear what Aurite said to Maximum Gorar?" Akihiko asked and Haruhiko shook his head, "No, what?"

"A man in the mortal world wants Scarlet."

"What? Is it the two who tried to kill him?" Haruhiko asked and Akihiko shook his head, "No, it's someone else."

Haruhiko frowned, "I wonder why..."
Akihiko shrugged, "I don't know...but the young prince has been with a lord lately..."

"Oh?" Haruhiko replied "Will this man marry Scarlet?"

Akihiko shrugged, "Maybe...but if the Battle Lovers need our help, we should help them."

"Of course, Aki."

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Yumoto giggled as Araki lead him around the mortal world more.

"Araki-kun...can we get some more apples? The apple I ate was amazing!"

Araki chuckled, "Have you ever had an apple before?"
Yumoto shook his head, "Nope! Io-senpai has told me about them...we don't have them."

Araki smiled, "Yumoto-kun, I'll be glad to get you anything you want."
Yumoto's face glowed, "Really?! Thank you, Araki-kun!"

Araki blushed as Yumoto hugged him.

"Araki-kun...what's that?" He asked, pointing at some candy.
"Hm? Oh, those are candies, they're like sweets, and children really like them." Araki explained and Yumoto smiled, "Can I have some? Akoya-senpai calls me a child a lot, so I think I'll like them!"

Araki chuckled, "Of course you may have some."

Yumoto blushed as Araki picked him some out. He looked up at Araki and smiled. Araki watched as the young prince ate a piece, and Yumoto giggled, "I like it!"

Araki nodded, "Good, I'm glad." The two walked to the tree they were at earlier.

Yumoto looked at him, "Araki-kun...I..."
"Yes?" Araki asked

"I...think I'm in love with you or something."
Araki blushed hard, "W-what...?"
"I...I think so because...when I'm near you, my heart races and I become nervous." Yumoto explained and Araki's face turned bright red.

"Y-Your m-majesty..." Araki whispered and Yumoto turned away from him quickly, "I-I've never really understood love...and I still don't...but...I think that's what I feel for you."

Araki nodded, "I understand..."

"You do...? Vesta...well Ryuu-senpai says it's weird that I don't get love."
"It's okay. Even if you're the God of Love, it's okay if you don't understand it." Araki replied and Yumoto giggled.

"I'm glad you let me go here. It's lovely." Yumoto told him and Araki nodded, "Yes, it is."

Yumoto looked at the sky, "I hadn't ever visited the mortal world before I saved it. I just remember how destroyed it was...then something came over me and I saved it."

Araki smiled, "I didn't see it, but I was told by your brother that at times...Scarlet would take over your mind and speak through you."
Yumoto blushed, "Y-yeah...He made me look like I was a crazy!"

Araki laughed, "You're not a crazy. Scarlet is yourself, he's just the tougher version of you. He's the godlier one, while...you're just...you."

Yumoto puffed his cheeks out, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, it just means that you're, yourself. That's not a bad thing you know." Araki explained and Yumoto smiled. "Yeah...I'd hate being someone else. I like me."

Araki nodded, "That's a good thing."

Yumoto giggled, "I know. Ibu-chan-senpai taught me that I should always be myself, because if I'm not, then that's deceiving people, which is a terrible thing to do, Kin-chan-senpai said."

Araki laughed, "Aurite is very strict isn't he?"
"Yep! So is Io-senpai...Atsushi-senpai can be strict too...but he acts a lot like a mom. En-chan-senpai is just always tired, Akoya-senpai is always focusing on himself, Ryuu-senpai flirts with Io-senpai, while Ibu-chan-senpai is protecting the Mortal Door, and hanging out with me." Yumoto replied and Araki smiled at the thought of this.

"Araki-kun...thank you for showing me around the mortal world...I'd like to go home now." Yumoto told him and Araki nodded, "Alright, if you wish, Prince Scarlet."

"Not so fast..."

Araki pushed Yumoto behind him and pulled out his sword. "Who goes there?!"

Two men walked out from behind the tree and Araki gasped as he saw the blonde man from earlier, "It's you! You asked about Yumoto-kun!"

The man smiled, "My name is Yuudai. Sorry that I forgot to introduce myself to you, Lord Tungsten."

Araki held Yumoto's hand with his free one and Yuudai looked at his partner, "Lord Katashi, this is him!"

"Katashi...?" Yumoto whispered and Araki gasped, "Your majesty...this man is after you! I must take you back now!"
"Well I did want to go home already." Yumoto replied and Araki nodded, "I know...but now it's urgent!"

Katashi growled, "Lord Tungsten, you're not giving me a chance to speak with the prince."

"You're not going to be able to. Maximum Gorar has me under strict rules with his brother!"

"Now, now. Don't be difficult!" He yelled as he charged at Araki with his sword. Araki blocked him quickly, "Prince Scarlet! Transform!" He gasped and Yumoto nodded, "Love Making!"

"The Sparkling Prince, Battle Lover Scarlet!"

Katashi smiled at him and Araki growled, "Leave the future God of Love alone!"

Katashi smirked as he used his powers to fling Araki away and Yumoto gasped, "Araki-kun!"

When he tried to run to him, he gasped as he couldn't move, and Araki couldn't either. He looked at Katashi as the man walked up to him. Yumoto whimpered as Katashi grabbed his arms, "Undo the transformation, Scarlet."
"W-what if I don't?!"

"Then I'll force you."

Yumoto's eyes widened and he covered the heart brooch with his hand, "L-love out."

"Prince Scarlet, stop!" Araki screamed and Yumoto looked at him, "Tell the VEPPer...!" He yelled and Katashi growled.

He looked at the heir and Yumoto gasped as he hit the ground. "SCARLET!" Araki yelled, "Let him go!"

"Hiroyuki-sensei!" He screamed at the sky, "The heir!"

Katashi picked Yumoto up bridal style and Yuudai stuck his tongue out at Araki, "Bye Lord Tungsten~!"

"A-Araki-kun..." Yumoto whispered as he sank into unconsciousness and they disappeared in a bright flash.

Tears filled Araki's eyes...he...he failed...what would Epinard say?!

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Katashi smiled as he looked at the unconscious heir, "Now...you're finally mine."

He stroked Yumoto's hair and Yumoto shuddered in his unconscious state. Katashi turned from him and walked away...no one would get him back...

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