Shinou's Temple

Murata sits at his desk writing on his journal. "You've been my faithful companion for the past four thousand years. The only one who knows all my secrets!" Then finishing, he locks it as usual, "How long you've been standing behind me?"

"Not long! You're getting careless if I'm able to sneak up on you so easily." The Great One now floats to be in front of the Great Sage.

"Maybe, I don't care enough to worry about you. Have you thought of that?" Murata looks straight into the azure eyes that have driven him crazy for the past hundreds of lifetimes.

Smiling with an air of arrogance, the Great One asks, "So, what are writing?"

"Nothing that concerns you, Shinou." At this, the Great Sage gets up from his seat and takes the thick, leather bound book to place it on the book case that forms part of the scarce furniture that decorates his private room here in Shin Mazuko. Yuri has offered to ask Gunter to decorate the room more lavishly; however, he refuses every time stating: "I like it the way it is. It suits me as the Great Sage, Shibuya."

"You're still angry about the wedding." The Great One follows Murata as he moves around the room getting ready to go to bed.

"It is not only about today, but your behavior since we've known each other." Murata sits at the age of his bed while the Great One floats mid-air just a few paces away.

"Honestly, I don't know what you mean. Wasn't I the founder of this place? Didn't I keep my promises about creating a better world for us here in Shin Mazuko? Haven't I done everything within my power to keep our dreams alive?"

"Yes, but at what cost?" Murata removes his glasses pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Whatever the cost, I think I have done an extraordinary job. I have the right to do as I please. After all, look at what I have accomplished." The Great One glides along the room as he continues, "Now, just because you've been my most brilliant strategist and pillar of strength never forget you serve me. I chose you to be by my side."

"How can I forget if you keep reminding me every so often?" Murata fixes his glasses again as he adds, "Shinou, you can only push people so far before they snap and try to strike back, or they break and you're left with a lifeless corpse nothing more than puppets."

"Are you threatening me?" The Great One now stands before the Great Sage while Murata remains sitting calmly on the edge of the bed.

"No, I'm not. I'm just reminding you that while you ask me to be by your side. I was the one who chose out of my free will to follow you."

The Great One decides to move away and turns his back on the Great Sage; however, Murata thinks it is time he and the Great One set some things straight.

"Why are you still here?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"Yes, you do, but if you want to play dumb... Let's get it out in the open. Why haven't you moved on? You're no longer necessary to protect Shin Mazuko. Shibuya can do that. As a matter of fact, he has proven to be even an even better Maoh than what you could ever hope to be." Murata follows the Great One's every move since he is swirling around the room with furious movements.

"I ask you again. Why are you here? I think it is time for you to be reborn and move on." The swoosh caused by the Great One swirling is getting louder, the bluish light that emanates from his body is dangerously darkening into a crimson red. Some lose documents hit Murata's face and warm blood drips slowly from the paper cuts. The Great Sage wipes the oozing blood with the back of his hand then with his palm caresses his face to sooth the sting.

Finally, the Great One stops swirling while the heated red light still emanates from his body and stands in front of Murata again. He asks, "So, you really think that kid is better than me?"

"I'm sure he would do a better job protecting Shin Mazuko and would take the necessary steps to move our world into a different direction while preserving the peace. He certainly doesn't need you meddling in his business." Murata keeps his gaze firm on the blazing sapphires.

"That's not what I ask?"

"I'll answer once you answer my question. I think I, too, have done enough to keep your dreams alive to deserve straight answers." Murata's breathing is slow and rhythmic and his voice firm and even.

"You're changing."

"Yes, I am, Shinou. That's why I like Shibuya; he has that power over people. He has the power to inspire change in others. You had the power to make people follow you with no questions asked; however, he has the power to help others to change and to grow as individuals."

The Great One now turns away from the Great Sage and as he begins to disappear from his presence Murata adds, "So, you refuse to answer me… fine then… In this lifetime, I like Shibuya… And, who knows? Maybe, in my next, I'll be blessed and I'll be able to love again."

The Great One stops and faces the Great Sage, "You wouldn't dare."

"I already told you there is only so much people can take. There is only so much I'm willing to put up with." This time, Murata's voice lost a bit of the evenness, "I want an answer now. Shinou. Four thousand years is a long time to wait for someone."

Shinou's sapphires glare at Murata then with a smirk he disappears from the room. Murata on the other hand pushes his glasses up his nose then sighs, "A challenge… well you know I could never pass on one. I guess I will force an answer out of you." Then with a soft smile curling up his lips, Murata gets ready to go to bed as he whispers to himself, "Well, what's done it's done… Shibuya must take responsibility and I will force Shinou to make a statement even if it is to tell me I was never more than a pawn for him. I rather be the love of his life like he is mine but whatever… that's life we cannot always get what we want." At this Murata falls into a peaceful sleep while planning his next move. After all he wasn't the great strategist for nothing. If he was able to create the Mazuko world and to shape it into what it was now. Then, he could certainly plan something to force Shinou to put his heart at ease. He had never desire to get a force answer but four thousand years were more than enough to get one. He love Shinou more than anything else; however, he wanted to be free too. He wanted to be love and cherish to be someone's precious treasure.

Blood Pledge Castle:

"Ouch!" Yuri gets up while he nurses his head. "How in the world did I end up on the floor?"

Yuri's eyes are now open as he looks outside the window, "It seems it is going to be morning soon."

Then he readies to go back to bed when he notices the lump on the other side. Yuri now pulls the covers to see what it is when his heart skips a beat and he wipes his eyes with both his hands. He wants to make sure he is seeing right and it is not a dream. A grin begins to take over his face as he slowly gets into the bed. The curling figure of Wolfram sporting his beautiful pink negligee turns and pulls the covers closer while mumbling, "What's wrong wimp? It's too early. Get back to bed."

"Yes, it's too early, Wolfram."

"Shut up and let me sleep, wimp."

"Yes, I will shut up."

Yuri now tries to hold Wolfram when he opens his eyes, "What are you doing, wimp?"

"I'm holding you in my arms."

"Stop it! Just because I decided to be your best friend, it doesn't give you the right to touch me. You lecherous flirt."

"Whatever you say Wolfram?" Yuri's voice is giddy. He cannot believe his luck.

"I might be your consort to the eyes of the world but that doesn't mean I'm ready to be one. So keep your hands to yourself. And one more thing, you better not use this as an excuse to cheat on me. Because, if I find out that you are having sex with others, I'll cut your private parts with my sword."

Yuri flinches as he thinks of the pain of losing his private parts while the image of Mama Shibuya pops into his head, "Yuu-chan see just like I told you… All ends well…"

"For now." Yuri sighs, then with a big grin he falls back into the bed; however, he is too excited to fall asleep again so he gets up and gets ready to begin his day while surveying the room.

Yuri's eyes rest on Wolfram's wedding gown that is hanging in the open royal closet. He walks towards it and then with a soft touch caresses the garment as he whispers, "Wolfram! I really wish you were a girl and things will be a lot easier. I mean I know for sure I will be nuts for you. Well, I already am; however, not like…" Turning to look at the sleeping Wolfram, Yuri walks towards the bed and kneeling he cannot helped it but to sigh at the beautiful, angelical face of Wolfram. Yuri then softly removes some of the blond tousles that cover Wolfram's sleeping eyes.

Wolfram just turns and tosses leaving some of his ivory skin exposed. Yuri now just drops sitting with his head between his knees as he thinks more about the situation he is in. "Well at least you agree to be my best friend. I cannot believe my luck. You're here, you're mine." At the last statement, Yuri shudders. "What the heck! I mean not like I want you to be mine in the sense of girlfriend and boyfriend. If you were a girl then certainly that what's in my mind but oh! God I am so confused. Part of me really wish to…"

At this Yuri turns his head to watch the sleeping Wolfram. He lays sprawl on the bed without a care. The pink negligee just making his naked body more appealing to the eye, Yuri positions himself to observe the sleeping beauty in from of him more comfortable. Then without realizing it his fingers begin to contour Wolfram's body. His forefinger softly stops on Wolfram's half open mouth. Yuri enthralled by Wolfram's rhythmic breathing is not bother at all by his snoring. The snoring he had complained about so much. Slowly Yuri moves and unconsciously captures Wolfram's parted lips. Tentatively, he pushes his tongue inside that warm touching a rough spot on Wolfram's tongue then sucking very softly Yuri lifts Wolfram's head to deepen the kiss as he begins to suck and wrestle the tongue that reacts to his touch.

Wolfram now begins to moan as his body jerks to the new sensations invading his body. He half open his eyes and finds the lust filled jet black eyes of Yuri staring at him. He softly smiles as a whisper escapes his lips, "Yuri!" Wolfram decides this is a dream he does not want to wake up from.

Yuri on the other hand realizes horrified that he was the one kissing and attacking the sleeping angel. With care Yuri lets Wolfram's head drop again to the bed, and then almost in a rush he stumbles to the floor as he with quick movements of his hand tries to erase the most delicious kiss from his mouth. Then with a quick movement, he stands up and rush out of the room while his head is fill with thousand thoughts, "What the heck? I was attacking Wolfram. I was kissing Wolfram. Well, if we think rationally, it is normal we are married so there is nothing wrong with kissing once own spouse. Oh! What am I saying? We are both men. We are men and I just told Wolfram I cannot love him that way. I am so confused. I want my normal life back. I want to be a normal Japanese boy that only cares about baseball. Maybe about girls in the near future."

"Good morning, your highness! You're certainly energetic today." Conrad's soft smile and voice greets Yuri.

Yuri comes to a stop as he shouts, "I didn't do anything to Wolfram."

Corand's smile widens as he adds, "No one expects you to do anything to Wolfram, your majestic at least not yet."

"Oh!" Yuri gasps as he tries to calm down from the erratic running he started from the moment he left Wolfram.

The Great Sage joins in, "Good morning Shibuyah! So, Wolfram still is a virgin what a shame."

"Murata! It's not funny." Yuri eyes his best friend as he tries to hide his shame since he did do something to Wolfram after all.

Adjusting his glasses Murata says, "Well might as well! I have an idea running in my head and for that to work I need Wolfram to remain a virgin for a little longer." Then with a laugh, he continues, "Yuri mind if a borrow your virgin bride for awhile, I need him for something of outmost importance, you could say is a matter of national security."

"Murata!" Yuri yells then with a warning adds, "What are you talking about? What are you planning to do to Wolfram?"

Murata walking towards the royal chamber continuous, "Nothing that will prevent you from taking away his virginity."

"Murata, I'm warning you." Yuri yells as he runs after Murata. He did not like the undertones Murata's voice let escape.

Murata on the other hand stop and turns to face Yuri, "I already told you Yuri, you don't have to know everything that concerns Wolfram just as Wolfram doesn't have to know every little detail about you."

Yuri stops in his tracks as the chilly voice of the Great Sage resonance in his body. "Oi! Do not harm Wolfram." Yuri hears his own weak voice escape from his lips as he is rooted to the spot.

Murat pushes his glasses up as a mischievous smile forms in his lips then turning around to continue his way he adds, "No worries! Nothing would happen to Wolfram unless it's something you most desire in your heart."

Conrad's smile continuous while he grabs Yuri adding, "Your majesty I think you need to finish your run Gwendall is waiting for us to discuss today's events."

"I thought I was spending the day with Wolfram since we just got married yesterday." Yuri states sadly while trying to sort out all the feelings flooding his mind at the moment.

"Oh! No your majesty, we do not have honeymoon like you do on Earth. Do you want to have a honeymoon?" Conrad asks while trying to figure out what's on Yuri's mind and the Great Sage's.

Yuri shudders again then replies, "No! I mean I do not really know what is expected of me now that I am married to Wolfram."

"Well your majesty, you are already eighteen years old and I think by Earth standards you're an adult. Wolfram is an adult since such a long time ago. It's up to you what you want to do with Wolfram. You can have a sexual relationship since he is your royal consort but you are not expected if it is not what you want. Wolfram and you can have other sexual partners if that suits you; however, you both have to be in agreement; otherwise, there can be political implications." Conrad explains a little uncomfortable but Gwendall was specific. His task was to make the Maoh aware about the political implications of his marriage. Gwendall will take care of the business part; however, it was Conrad's responsibility to look after Yuri's emotional affairs.

"Oh!" Yuri sighs as he begins to walk with Conrad towards Gwendall's office. "So, Wolfram and I have to be in agreement. Well, I cannot think of having any girls because I know Wolfram will never allow it. But…" Yuri stops for a second then with a smile and a more relax step he adds, "Well for now Wolfram is happy and I am happy."

Royal Chambers:

Wolfram is already dress wearing some jeans and a t-shirt that Yuri's brother Shori gave him as a wedding present. He cannot longer wear his military uniform so now he has to dress in civilian clothes and this garments seemed to be Yuri's favorites. He is looking himself on the mirror when the Great Sage enters the room.

"Good morning Wolfram!"

"Good morning your highness!" Wolfram turns around startle since he did not expected the Great Sage to come to visit him.

"You look so dazzling handsome Wolfram, those jeans and t-shirt suits you very well" Murata states while taking a sit on top of the unmade bed. "So how was your first night as a married couple with Shibuya?" Murata asks with a glint of mischievousness.

Wolfram cheeks turn a little rosy as he recalls the most delicious and sweet dream. "I agree to be Yuri's best friend for now. So, I do not think I can expect Yuri to tell me he loves me and wants me as I do him. However, your highness I had the most wonderful and delicious dream. Yuri was kissing me and looking at me with eyes full of desired and love. He was so sweet and tender, his kiss so real and delicious." Wolfram drops to the floor with his eyes closed recalling every single millisecond of the short lived dream experience.

Murata adjusts his glasses as he eyes Wolfram and then with expertly moves he stands before Wolfram touching his forehead then closing his eyes Murata is able to recapture Wolfram's memory. Unlike Wolfram, the Great Sage is able to see that it was not a dream but a real experience, whispering to himself Murata says, "So, Shinou is right again, he did not do anything that Yuri doesn't want already. Well, it fits perfectly into my plan. At least I do not have to push Yuri into this he already decided to kiss Wolfram on his own."

"Wolfram, I want you to drink this potion." Murata gives Wolfram a small crystal bottle filled with a sweet scent juice.

"What is it your highness?" Wolfram asks as he smells and observes the contents of the bottle.

"Well to be honest is a potion that will make Yuri's desires to come true. However, it is only temporarily, the effects are only to last at most six months."

"What you mean? If I drink this, I will make Yuri's desire to come true?" Wolfram asks unsure if he understands what the Great Sage is trying to say or do.

Murata eyes Wolfram and wrestles for a minute with his conscience to tell him the entire true or just what concerns him and Yuri. However, Murata has already made a decision and while he did not wanted to hurt Wolfram and Yuri. He was ready to fight for his own happiness, so he adds, "Well, the way it works is that you will become whatever Yuri desires you to be."

"So, if Yuri wishes for me to be a woman. I will become one." Wolfram says disgusted with the idea of turning into a woman.

Murata smirking pushes his glasses once more and replies, "Yes, but like a said only temporarily; however, you must remain a virgin during the process he cannot touch you. Then he has to decide what he wants you to be. He wants a male Wolfram at his side or a female Wolfram."

"What's the point? I do not want to become a woman." Wolfram spats angry with the Great Sage.

Murata calmly adds, "The point is that you have to see what Yuri wants then you decide how much you love Yuri."

"What do you mean your highness?" Wolfram asks in a whisper trying to see the implications of it.

"Well, If Yuri can only love you as you want him to as a woman what are you going to do? Or maybe once he sees you as a woman, you may be able to make him fall in love with you as a man. Who knows? Possibilities are infinitely. You think you are up for the challenge Wolfram. Or you think you can be so patience as I've been so far with Shinou and wait for Yuri to make up his mind in the future." Murata's voice takes into a note of a challenging one. He need it Wolfram to drink the potion in order for his plan to work.

Wolfram stares at the Great Sage then looking at the bottle in his hands he closes his eyes as he caresses his own lips remembering the delicious kiss that Yuri gave him in his dream. He wanted that kiss; he wanted his body to feel on fire like this morning by Yuri's touch. But, becoming a woman was not in his list of desires; however, it might be on Yuri's. Wolfram's emeralds fly open as he makes the decision and drinking the contains of the bottle in one gulp, he hands the empty bottle to the smiling Great Sage.

"What's going to happen now?" Wolfram asks with trembling lips.

Murata takes off his glasses to clean them then putting them back he says, "Well the stronger Yuri's desires are to make you into a woman the faster you will turn into one. However, if Yuri doesn't desire for you to be a woman nothing will happen. Although some subtle changes may occur?"

"What you mean by some subtle changes?" Wolfram eyes the Great Sage with a little suspicion.

However, Murata only smiles wide as he laughingly adds, "nothing that will damage you or become permanent."

"But what if Yuri wants me to be a woman what then?" Wolfram asks unsure of what he would do if that was the case.

"Well, then I have the formula to make it into a permanent change if you so desire." Murata finishes as he walks towards the door. He had finished the first phase of his plan to make Shinou give him an answer.

Wolfram follows the disappearing figure of the Great Sage as his heart is beating fast. His mind is full of questions. Did he do the right decision? What if Yuri wants him to become a woman? Was he ready to become one just for Yuri's sake. "Well, what's done it's done? Yuri!" the name escapes his trembling lips. He sure loved Yuri that much.

TBC

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of Kyo Kara Maoh! that totally and unashamedly appeared on this fan fiction. They are the product of Tomo Takabayashi and Temari Matsumoto's wonderful imagination and art. However, the plot is totally my selfish desired to get some romantic thrills, which are only alluded to or implied, on their creative work.

Author's Notes: Those who are regular readers of my twisted stories know by heart now my usual whining… please forgive my grammatical/editing horror nightmares. No beta for this story… Well for most of my stories…