Title: Celebration
Pairings/Characters: ConradxYuri
Warnings: Mild Violence, some sexual content.
Disclaimer: I don't claim any rights to KKM; this fic is all for fun.
Summary: Yuri has a dilemma, Murata's got a plan, Wolfram's furious and Conrad is just along for the ride. Now add an enchanted amulet, treasure hunters, and budding romance—that's Kyou Kara Maou: Celebration!

A/N: Words in italics are either Yuri's thoughts or flashbacks, just in case you were wondering.

Also, big time thanks to Yuulin who beta'd my fic in record time. You're my hero!

Kyou Kara Maou: Celebration!


Part 1

Unnoticed, he had left Lady Celi and Gunter's impassioned conversation about which color to adorn Covenant Castle's halls with. They had been debating about it all morning, so much that Yuri could still hear their words echoing in his head:

"No color can compare to his Majesty's brilliance!" cried Gunter, hugging himself as if the young king were in his arms.

"A rosy pink would accentuate his fair skin and make lovely curtains," Lady Celi dreamily declared, right before Wolfram waltzed up demanding more guards be present for the big event.

An event Yuri didn't want to take place, his seventeenth birthday celebration--proposed by the former Demon Queen herself--loomed over him like a living nightmare.

It hadn't surprised him that a party would be thrown in his honor; it was his birthday, after all. The trouble of it had become the incomprehensible magnitude of people who were supposed to turn up. In the past few years Yuri had encouraged a healthy relationship between Demons and humans (gaining countless friends in the process), but this turnout was more than he could handle. One thousand planned to show, each person acquiring a good size chunk of chocolate cake, and hundreds of bottles of champagne were in stock for the guests as well. Didn't anyone else think that was a little overboard?

He tried to talk Celi and the others out of this ungodly sized celebration, going over the pros and many cons. Sadly, Yuri became certain their plans couldn't be deterred, which is how he ended up here sitting under an old birch tree, gazing at the greenery, unbothered. Remembering someone who would always play catch with him in this place and make ridiculous jokes--someone he desperately wanted to see.

Conrad, on the eve of Yuri's birthday, had been forced to leave with Gwendle in pursuit of Felta's Amulet. This seemed pointless in his opinion, for many reasons. Firstly, the amulet was more of a Demon tribe myth than fact, and its powers happened to be a mystery. He could understand Conrad was under obligations, and no matter how much he wished him to be here, responsibility would always be of utmost importance. Yet, what was Gwendle thinking? Setting out on an investigation right before such a huge event, and even going so far as to take Conrad along?

Shaking his head in dismay, he vowed not to think about the party anymore and things that couldn't be helped. Yuri--accepting of his fate--tried hard to relax, which didn't last long due to a sharp poke to his head.

"Hey!" Whirling around, he came face to face with Ken Murata, or as everyone else knew: The Great Wise Man. "Could you try and not sneak up on me like that?"

"Well, I wanted that awful frown to leave your face. It's a gorgeous day, Shibuya. You should be enjoying it!" Murata shouted with so much optimism, Yuri's lips perked up despite himself.

"What frown? I'm perfectly fine." Yuri smiled, but his friend wasn't easily fooled.

"So sure? Because I'd say something's eating at you, am I right?"

Not in the mood to argue about his behavior, he confessed, "I've been having this eerie feeling about the party, like my guts telling me tomorrow is nothing but bad news. Let's face it, every time there's been a large get together I'm attacked by hired assassins and bombarded by girls."

"That's not a 'gut feeling,' Shibuya. That's surprisingly logical," Murata smirked.

"There's nothing logical about it! So, don't tease!" Yuri said indignantly.

"I wasn't teasing, I think you just made a reasonable hypothesis on what could possibly go wrong tomorrow, based on past experiences that would make anyone anxious."

"Oh..." Yuri said slowly, his eyebrows knitting together in confusion, "What do you think I should do?"

"Not to worry my friend, I've talked with Yozak and there will be plenty of guards at ever entrance of the castle, even the roof."

"And the screaming girls?"

For a long moment Murata didn't say anything, slowly pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, until: "I've got it! We can spread a rumor you're seeing someone, that way it would be fruitless for any girl to peruse you!"

"I don't know..." Yuri timidly responded, "...who would we claim I'm seeing?"

"Definitely not Wolfram, since you broke off the engagement a few months ago."

"Or any other guy for that matter! I prefer pretty girls! Not big, burly studs!"

"Oh, so you like big, burly studs, eh? Maybe we should call up Von Granz."

"Wha-What!? Do you have a death wish?!" Yuri choked, cheeks flaming as memories of Adalbert caressing his cheek unwillingly sprang to mind.

"I was only pulling your leg, but I seriously don't think you should say you're seeing a woman. Ladies will eat each other alive over you, but if you're dating a guy they're not likely to bother him as much."

"Well, we can just make a guy up then."

"No, it needs to be someone credible or else people won't believe it."

"Just tell me, Murata. I know you already have someone in mind."

"Really, don't be such a brute, Shibuya. I'm just trying to help, but you're right. I do have someone in mind: Lord Weller."

Yuri toppled over. "Conrad! I can't, he's practically my Godfather!"

"Think about it though, he's on a journey with Gwendle and I doubt they'll make it back in time for the party."

Yuri looked away, unresponsive.

"If you're worried about him hearing the rumor, don't be. It'll blow over quickly."

"It still sounds risky and I don't like the idea of using Conrad as a scapegoat."

"You're just looking at the situation all wrong; Weller won't be a fall guy he's just.…"

They went back and forth, debating over Murata's most unorthodox plan until Yuri crossed his arms in frustration and caved.

"I'm not sure Wolfram will like the idea of me seeing Conrad." Big time understatement.

"Everyone that really knows you will take the rumor as a lie and nothing more."

Doubtful of his friend's assumption, he shrugged. "Just make sure nothing goes wrong, I don't want a big fiasco."

"Shibuya, I'd never let anything bad happen to you," Murata said confidently, patting the Maou's back.

"Have you heard? His majesty is in a relationship with a soldier!"

"A soldier!?"

"Yes, Sir Conrad Weller."

"I know him, he's one of the king's personal guards. Very skilled with the sword."

"Is that right?"

And so it went, gossip spread until the whole Demon tribe was buzzing about Yuri's secret love affair. The party went off with out a hitch: people danced, dinner was served, and best of all Yuri wasn't suffocated by a bunch of screaming women. Well, Lady Celi had rubbed his face against her bosom in a rather embarrassing hug (not surprisingly).

Beyond that, nothing really eventful took place; Yuri had to admit the party wasn't that bad after all. However, he was a little disappointed Conrad wasn't back. Though the list of reasons why he was better off away were more than less, but he couldn't help wanting. "It's never easy being away from someone you care about." Conrad had said that to him once.

"Grr!" Raising his clenched fist in the air, Yuri looked up with determination, knowing if he kept on thinking negatively his head was likely to combust. He needed to quit with the fretting and make with the fun! Hadn't that already been decided earlier today, when he vowed to stop gushing about matters that couldn't be changed?

Encouraged by his thoughts and surge of adrenaline, Yuri moved to mingle with the guests. That is, until he saw what looked like a one-man stampede. Oh Lord. Wolfram had obviously heard about the rumor, which meant he had to move fast.

Too late.

"Is it true, you scoundrel?! Did you leave me in order to have your way with my older brother!?" Wolfram screamed, regardless of the onlookers.

"We're in public," Yuri pleaded.

"So, you don't deny it?!"

Panicked, Yuri scanned the room for the nearest exit, but Wolfram roughly grabbed him by the collar of his school uniform, forcing their eyes to meet. I can't tell him it's a lie or else the jigs up and I'm fresh meat! I really don't want to be squashed by a bunch of girls!

Luckily an angel came to his aide, "Come now, Wolfram. Yuri can't help who he loves."

At least that was what he thought...

"MURATA!" Yuri warned, eyes growing bigger by the second, frantically throwing silent hand signals for his friend to shut the hell up.

"Yuri?" Wolfram questioned, his eyes clearly showing feelings of betrayal and disbelief.

"You don't understand!"

"Oh, I do understand," Wolfram fought back bitter tears as he began to shriek, "For the first time, I'm starting to see the big picture and why you threw me out of it!"

"NO! You don't get it, Wolfram!" Yuri unexpectedly shouted in hurt outrage, jerking away from the blonde's tight grip. "I've tried to explain, but it's like you don't want to listen. I cherish the feelings you have for me, but I can't be your lover! No matter how badly you push for it!"

Shutting his eyes, he took a deep breath and made sure his emotions were in check once more before continuing. "These past months since I broke off the engagement, you've been distant, but I wanted you to know. We are family, now and forever and those bonds are just as important. I won't stop caring for you, ever. So please, don't be upset anymore."

"Yuri..." Wolfram uttered.

This was the turning point, he could feel it. If Wolfram didn't except what was just said, Yuri very well could have lost one of the most important people in his entire life. He was shaking, terrified of the outcome, regretting ever spreading that stupid rumor about Conrad and him. And just when he thought things couldn't get any worse:

"So what you're saying is, you want a totally platonic relationship, even though you love him?"

"NOT HELPING, MURATA!" Yuri said exasperatedly.

Then there was complete silence, all the guests had ceased talking, their attention fixed on the young blonde with his nose pointed in the air, who seemed to drag up the haughtiest voice in order to say, "If you want a human soldier with no special importance, be my guest. I won't stop you..." there was a short pause, "if that's what makes you happy."

Knowing Wolfram had just let him go in his own (somewhat twisted) way, Yuri allowed himself a small smile. "Thanks for understanding," he said, secretly wondering how hard Wolfram would beat him later, when he found out Yuri wasn't actually seeing Conrad at all.

"Glad that's settled," Murata whispered, as Wolfram left to get himself a drink.

Yuri rolled his eyes. No thanks to you.

"My powers are limited in the face of love; it was you who had to make Wolfram understand. It would have been wrong for me to interfere."

Oops. Guess he said that last bit out loud.

"Of course, that aside, could you tell me something, Shibuya? Do you honestly have feelings for Lord Weller?

"Feelings?!"

"Yeah, your eyes made me wonder. When Conrad's around they become so intent and interested, that sort of body language can be a key factor in identifying someone's heart of hearts. Furthermore, you've been awfully sulky since he left. I get this vibe you're harboring more than friendship."

"That's not it!" He could feel his heart rate speeding up, his palms sweating. "I, uh...uh…" It shouldn't be this hard to come up with a response!

"Calm down, don't get upset. I was only questioning you out of curiosity, but consider this: if it isn't true, why are you sweating, huh?"

That threw Yuri for a spin. Why was he sweating, and why was his heart thumping so hard over such a meaningless accusation? It didn't make sense. Conrad was his patient advisor, loyal friend, someone who could warm his heart with just one smile. Yuri had never lusted after him, though he knew his protector was an attractive man. Tall, gorgeous eyes, wispy brown hair and those muscular thighs from their routine morning runs. No--No! Had he really just thought that about the man-who-named-him, Conrad?! No!

Murata's knowing eyes were telling him otherwise. He badly wanted to deny it again, swear upon Shinou that it wasn't the case, but Yuri couldn't honestly do that. All because deep down, he knew that the only person to ever make him feel almost complete, on top of the world, with his gentle arms wrapped around him in loving protection, was Conrad.

Could it be possible? Did he really want Conrad that way, as a lover?!
The unthinkable truth made Yuri's brain overload, signs of his distress becoming more and more visible. He took a step back from Murata, looking downward, his face losing color. What would Conrad say if he knew?

"Yuri?"

Though the Maou didn't look up at his friend's words, he could hear the obvious concern.

"This is too much, how could I--when did I...?"

"I'm sorry," Murata said, cutting him off, "maybe it would have been best not to have mentioned it at all. Foolish of me really, I thought you might return Lord Weller's sentiments.

Wait. Yuri's head snapped up, Adams apple bobbing as he swallowed.

Murata ignored this. "He seems very fond of you, more then you know."

"You're lying," Yuri quickly stated, for some reason a sense of hope rushing through him.

"I am not."

"There's no way Conrad likes me...well...like that! I..." Yuri snapped his mouth shut, realizing Murata was no longer paying attention to him. His gaze locked on to something over Yuri's shoulder.

"Don't turn around," Murata spoke suddenly. "Unless you'd like an early reunion with Lord Weller and all the women on his tail."

Yuri's stomach did a drop-back-flip turn (i.). Tensing in fear, his ears sprang up like a cat's, drawing in all the sounds of the room. A cluster of voices that grew closer caught his attention immediately:

"His majesty speaks so highly of you."

Then another squealed delightedly, "I wasn't surprised at all when I heard about your relationship with him."

Yuri's jaw dropped to the floor, eyes growing to a comical size. Uncaring, when he sensed Murata (who was quick to take action) hauling him off, using passages that were foreign to him.

It seemed they moved threw halls for eternity, before they stopped. The noise of the party so far away they could no longer hear it.

"I never new about those secret passages," Yuri stated, recovering from his shock.
"Few do, Shinou had them made incase of an emergency."

"That was definitely an emergency! What am I going to do now Murata? He knows about you-know-what!"

"Indeed, but he doesn't know we are the ones that spread you-know-what. We can use that to our advantage."

"How?"

"Tonight stay in your room, I'll tell everyone you've caught a cold and it's very contagious."

"Yeah, that won't stop Gunter. He'll be like…" Making his eyes shine with false tears Yuri did his best Gunter voice, "…'I need to see his Majesty! Does he have a fever? Call all the nurses; his Majesty is going to die if we don't hurry!'"

Murata grinned. "Your impression is a tad overdone, but I admit Von Christ does worry almost too much when it comes to you. I'll just have to distract him, and to be sure no one bugs you I'll assign two guards outside the door. Then I'll find Conrad and explain that one of the local villagers has been spreading some peculiar rumors about him and you."

"That's good, because I was going to tie you up and put you with all those faulty Demon tribe treasures in the basement for making me go along with this screwy plan."

"You're so mean!" Murata pouted, before slipping out of the room.

With the menace out of his hair and finally a second to himself, Yuri flopped on to his huge bed. Snuggling the feathery pillows and looking towards the moon that hung rather low. It was a beautiful night and despite the chaos of the day, he couldn't help but feel lucky. Honored to be apart of such an amazing nation, among irreplaceable friends. And for a second he had no fear, sure that everything would work out perfectly for him in the end.

CLUNK! CLUNK!

Slapping a hand to his forehead, Yuri cursed softly. Why did Murata have to come back and ruin his good mood, didn't he have a plan to follow through on. Getting up, he stopped over to the door and swung it open, finding nothing.

Sticking his head out, he looked left then right—Oof!

Yuri had smacked his face in to a very wet somebody, braced by strong hands. Completely caught off guard by a familiar earthy smell, that could only belong to one person. Opening his eyes, Yuri spied an all too familiar tan uniform and inwardly groaned.

"Your Majesty?"

To Be Continued…

A/N: The end of this chapter was rushed, since I had to meet a deadline for a KKM v-day challenge.