When the Phoenix Sings

By Mikamilk

Disclaimer: I do not own Kyo Kara Maou.

Chapter Ten

"Again!"

"Yes Kakka!"

"And remember to focus this time! Your mind is wandering."

"Ha!"

Immediately the clashing of swords resumed, filling the training fields with its irregular rhythm. From a short distance away, Yuuri was observing the session, a soft spring breeze playing with his bangs.

"Here you are," he heard a voice from behind. Looking over his shoulder, Yuuri found Conrad making his way down the hill to join him. "Are you feeling concerned for my brother? Perhaps that is what brings you here so often lately?"

"Well—yeah," Yuuri replied with a shy chuckle turning his eyes back to the training. He followed the movements of his fiancé. He executed everything with strength, grace, fluidity and pride. Yuuri knew it was no more than a simple training session, nonetheless there was something that captivated him. He watched, transfixed.

Conrad released a small laugh. "I don't blame you Heika for wanting to get away from the castle though," he said. "What with Gunter and Mother in hysterics over the wedding. Gwendal's finally resorted to locking himself in his room, I imagine he's knitted at least another twenty or so teddy bears already."

Yuuri laughed. The knitted animals Gwendal produced were close to, well, 'monstrosities' but Yuuri saw in each one a special charm and sweetness. "I guess it's the thought and love that goes into Gwendal's teddies that make them so adorable."

"Indeed," agreed Conrad. "Speaking of love and weddings," he continued, "I must say I never thought you would beat me to it, Heika."

"Oh," Yuuri eyed Conrad with teasing eyes. "Is it so surprising I've found myself a partner?" Then he puffed out his chest dramatically. "Don't fear, my good fiend. I will be taking this step ahead of you, but I promise I will be there for you when you're ready to take this step too."

Yuuri clapped a hand on Conrad's shoulder, maintaining a serious façade. When he locked eyes with Conrad, they both cracked up. "Just kidding. No, I'm surprised myself to be completely honest," Yuuri confessed. "But that doesn't mean I'm not confident. I know I've doubted myself over and over again about marrying Wolf, but I finally know what I really feel."

"I am glad to hear that and very happy for you," Conrad said with sincerity. "It is a little lonely for me though, seeing both my godson and little brother getting married," he added wistfully.

As Conrad finished his sentence, Wolfram came over to them briskly, wiping some sweat off his face with his sleeve.

"Conrad," he said after greeting Yuuri with a smile. "Why such a miserable expression?"

"Why would I be miserable?" Conrad said, crossing his arms.

"Was that not my question?" Wolfram replied, tilting his head in slight confusion.

Yuuri grinned, facing Wolfram. "Conrad's got a few worries about love," he explained. Wolfram nodded with a small 'aah'. "Anyway, how was training?"

"Hm, I guess it was alright," Wolfram replied simply.

"You sure you're okay? It's the fourth consecutive day you've been out here on the fields as well as patrolling…"

"You are such a wimp," Wolfram laughed.

"It's not funny!" Yuuri argued.

"Sorry," Wolfram apologised, calming his laughter. Then in a gentler tone he said, "I'm fine, there's no need for you to worry Yuuri."

"Okay," Yuuri said slowly. He knew himself that his worries were unnecessary but he seemed to not be able to help it.

Since that day several weeks back when they had dethroned Saralegui, Wolfram had been restored with fresh energy and life. His wounds were healed and his maryoku came back to him with a renewed strength. His maryoku was so powerful it could almost be compared to the Maou's. What amazed everyone to no end was his newly acquired ability to call upon the Phoenix—it was like a legend turned real. The Phoenix had probably given Wolfram another chance, it was as though he had been reborn. Gizela had even been afraid he would never regain his full strength or be able to control his maryoku ever again.

"—yes, I spoke to him," Wolfram was saying as Yuuri tuned back into the two brother's conversation. "It's been decided Alex will be appointed the position when I am unable to facilitate my troops. Elsa has begun instructing Vince and Robert."

"What's this?" Yuuri said.

"Just finalizing how Wolfram's duties will be distributed while he takes on his responsibilities as your co-ruler of Shin Makoku."

That's right I'm getting married, he thought. Wolfram was beside him in his usual uniform just like he always knew him to be. It was hard to believe this will soon change into a shape Yuuri couldn't quite imagine just yet.

I'm really getting married…

OoOoOo

"So, Caloria is rebuilding Small Cimaron and Francia is Big Cimaron." An excitement sparked in his amethyst eyes as he spoke.

"Pretty much," the shorter man said. "The majority of Carolian soldiers were still stationed in Small Cimaron—against political agreement that is. So it made sense for Lady Flurin to go in and take charge there. And to be honest, Antonio and Layla have the potential to run a much larger nation than Francia alone so Big Cimaron's perfect for them."

"What does Shin Makoku gain from this then?" Shinou said.

"Just hear me out, I think this will catch your interest," Murata insisted, pushing his glasses up with his knuckle. "Still under negotiation, but it's likely we will create a Unitary State."

Just as Murata had presumed, Shinou's eyes widened slightly with inquisition.

"So Caloria, Francia, Big and Small Cimaron and the Great Demon Kingdom will take part in this Unitary State. We're working on establishing a parliament suitable for all parties' interests as much as possible."

Shinou took a moment in thought of this. "What will become of the Maou?" he finally voiced.

"That's what we need to figure out," Murata said. "A first priority is to avoid any further revolution. One possibility is to create a democratic parliament under a constitutional monarch—or two in this case since both Francia and Shin Makoku have a monarchy."

"Things are definitely taking a turn," Shinou said, leaning back in his chair. "I'll just leave it upto you. It's all too full of 'young talk' for someone as decrepit as myself."

Murata rolled his eyes. "Me again? Can't I have a holiday? Don't forget I'm just as old as you are."

"You'll only get upto no good if you go on a holiday, isn't that so?" Shinou suggested. Then he chuckled, adding; "I guess I am not one to talk am I?"

"Definitely not," agreed Murata without a doubt. "Ah well, I'm happy to stick around. Actually I'm looking forward to seeing how Shibuya will take things from here. This Royal Wedding will mark a significant turn in mazoku history; the first to have such a large scale of human-demon diversity."

Murata could say with confidence that Yuuri was making definite progress toward achieving his visions for a world free of discrimination against human or demon. With the Unitary State there would be greater prospect for cross-cultural societies to develop.

"I am both astonished and grateful that the young warrior awakened the Phoenix," Shinou suddenly said. "Now Rufus is freed from the spell, allowing her to move on to a more expansive life."

"You knew all along about all of this," Murata deduced.

"So accusing as always. I cannot say," Shinou stated with a hint of mischief. "All I can say is, the Sea Serpent and Phoenix have found each other at last."

OoOoOo

The air was still and calm around him as he stood out on the balcony, overlooking the towns surrounding the castle. A crescent moon hovered in the sky and from below a river of tiny lights glowed from the windows of houses, each sparkled like fireflies rising into the night.

The entire kingdom and guests from human lands were all gathered for the wedding. Unique from most weddings, this one was to begin in the early hours of dawn so the new couple would be wed together with the sunrise of a new day, a new beginning…

The time for the ceremony was drawing close, so close that the guests were holding their breaths in anticipation for the grande entrance of the royal couple.

He lowered his gaze once more to the nation that spread endlessly below. Somehow, he thought the next time he stood in this same spot and looked down, what he would see would be something completely different. Because, soon he would not be who he is now. He felt a part of him was already being left behind.

Never in his life had he felt such beauty and glory alight within. He could not say exactly the future he saw ahead but he just knew a myriad of futures were awaiting to be discovered.

The door opening behind him.

"It's time. Are you ready?"

He turned around. Standing there, showered in the warm glow from the torch that hung above the door, his eyes as dark and bottomless as the ocean, was Yuuri. The person he admired. The person he loves.

"Let's go."

Fin

OoOoOo

NOTE; I just really want to thank you for reading this story. Really, really, really thank you! I've taken such a long time to write it all, and without you all, I most definitely wouldn't have written and completed this. The reviews were all amazing! I could never thank you enough so I'll keep it short.

It would mean so much to me if you wrote me a review!

Have a wonderful day!