Fai shifted uncomfortably as he sat across from the Calling Mirror. He and Kurogane had already figured out that they had to tell his parents soon. It was the day before the wedding was supposed to be, and he was dreading every second of the wait.

"Kuro I-"

"No. Don't say anything. We have to tell them now or they'll expect you back in Celes."

Yuui sighed, seemingly much more relaxed, "He's right Brother. They might be lenient since we're effectively switching places."

"But, what if we just actually switch places. How long do you think it would take for them to notice that you aren't Fai?"

"Maybe a week, they know us well," he answered honestly.

Kurogane groaned, "Why are you humoring him?"

"I simply answered his question, Kurogane. Are you going to call Ashura or not?"

"Ashura? Not the king?"

Fai shifted towards his mate, "Yasha is at the front lines. His men need him for morale. Otherwise Valeria would destroy us."

"The Mad King, huh? I've heard rumors," Kurogane absently put an arm around Fai.

"Enough, can we call Ashura now? This will likely be a long talk and we're having pork tonight. I want to be on time for the feast," Yuui huffed, "I'll make the call."

"NO!" Fai reached over Kurogane to grab his brother's hand, "Ah… I, um… I'll d-do it. I'm this land's mage… or priestess or what-have-you."

Kurogane lifted him back into his sitting pillow, "You're not a priestess, just call the queen."

Fai took a deep breath and touched the mirror. He searched the connections until he found his mother's mirror. Just a moment later, Ashura appeared on screen, "Boys, this is a surprise. Is something wrong?"

Kurogane glanced to either side of him. Fai was looking down and twiddling his thumbs while Yuui was staring off into the middle distance. Ashura flicked eyes between the two with a quirked eyebrow. Finally, Kurogane spoke, "Your Highness. There's been a slight change of plans."

"Change?" Ashura's eyes widened a degree, "Only good change I hope? The wards are proper, correct?"

Kurogane nodded, "The wards are more than proper. However-"

Fai looked up, "I want to stay!" He quickly realized his outburst and stuttered, "R-rather, I w-want to make the wards… Here… Instead of Yuui."

"We want to switch futures. I'll become King when necessary and Fai will be wife to Kurogane," Yuui met eyes with Ashura.

Ashura remained silent for a long time. Fai gripped the robe fastened around him and bit his lip. Ashura took a deep breath in, "When did this happen?"

"About a week ago," Kurogane answered evenly.

"And that's enough time for you to be certain?"

"We're mated."

"M-MATED?! Fai!"

Fai bowed deeply and scrunched up his eyes, "I'm sorry! My heat was last week and-"

"And I was the alpha who triggered them in the first place," Kurogane rubbed Fai's back and he looked At Ashura, "It was years ago that we met. I never imagined that I would have a natural mate, but it's good fortune that it was one of your sons. I can promise you I would call it off if it was someone else."

Ashura wasn't quite sure how to proceed, "You have respect for instincts, and for my son I suppose. Yuui, thoughts?"

"I support them, and I have all the training and schooling Fai does."

"Only you have an affinity for defensive magic, more suited for Suwa's wards."

"Mother please! We both are very powerful mages. Either of us can handle the wards here," Fai cried out.

"And what of the war at home?!" Ashura snapped, "I want you happy, Fai. I do but we are rulers and our people must be protected. We are at war and need you the head the guard even now."

Fai closed his eyes and felt like he couldn't breathe. Kurogane was not good at consoling, but he pulled Fai into his chest anyway. Before he could speak again, Yuui cut in.

"The Mad King is losing this war. His people grow tired of war and tired of him. In this instance, defense may be better than offense. I'm speaking from a purely strategic stance, waiting it out until his own people behead him, then I will take my rightful place on the throne, and eventually we'll unite."

Ashura made a meaningful glance to Kurogane and answered before long, "You mean Fai's place… You may be correct. I must speak to Yasha about this… change in events. Expect my call within the week."

Fai looked out from Kurogane's chest at Yuui, "Thank you… but do you really think the people will rise before they're all dead?"

"No. I think Valeria is doomed, but you should not be. The war will end and our next will begin, and I can handle that," Yuui said confidently and smiled at his brother, "Believe in me a little bit."

Fai leaned over Kurogane again and slicked back his ears in a pout, "Of course I believe in you! Don' be so silly!"

Kurogane groaned and pushed Fai off of himself, "I have work to do, let me know if your parents call back."

Fai, now slightly splayed on the floor slammed his heel on the hem of Kurogane's pants, almost tripping him, "That is no way to treat me. We're newlyweds and you should honeymoon with me."

Kurogane growled, suppressing the urge to jump the sexy man, "We are not wed. Get off the floor."

"I like the floor~" he rolled slightly to almost reveal his bottom.

With a blush, Kurogane began to yell, "Your brother's still-!" he looked to where Yuui had been seated and found the room empty beside them, "… not here."

Fai laughed and sat up, "He knows when he is not wanted." He stood finally and straightened his clothes, "If not that, then at least give me a tour of the city. I haven't been outside the castle walls since we arrived."

Kurogane rolled his shoulders and sighed, "Fine, but as soon as we get back I have work to do. Can you entertain yourself for a few hours?"

"I'm sure I can manage that… maybe. I'm a bit needy if you haven't noticed."

Kurogane rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I noticed."

"Glad we're understanding each other," Fai laughed, "Now lead the way! Show me all your favorite places!"

Kurogane took Fai's arm and was almost dragged to the stables by the excited feline. After forcing pants on the blonde and with horses under them, Kurogane lead Fai through the city around the castle grounds. It was surprisingly quaint and had the feel of a small town. The people bowed as Kurogane passed them, but their faces were cheerful and more often than not the children would just wave at them. Fai smiled and waved back while their parents scolded them lightly for the lack of formality.

Fai looked over at Kurogane, "These people are so warm. They're just like you, kind and open."

Kurogane shook his head, "They're better than me, or any monarch. They have no status, no guarantee of survival or that we'll do anything good for them. All they have is faith, and even though we are on the verge of war they still look at the world with the faith that tomorrow will be better."

Fai watched him, "I hope that my people have a future like this, although it won't happen in my lifetime."

Kurogane glanced at him but decided instead to point ahead of them, "I thought you might like to see the town's gardens. They're taken care of by many citizens and the kids love to play in them."

Fai got off his horse and looked at the sprawling gardens, "They're gorgeous!" He ran around the paths like the other children and smelled all the flowers. He turned back to find Kurogane following him slowly and smiled with his ears high in excitement.

Kurogane blushed a bit, not knowing if it was embarrassment or happiness. He knelt next to his mate and rustled his head, "How old are you, 12?"

"21, so close enough!" he giggled and kissed Kurogane's cheek, "What about you? Blushing like a school boy."

Kurogane growled and turned his face, "Shut it. Are you ready to go back yet?"

Fai shook his head, "Of course not!" He stood up and explored the garden more, "What flowers are these?"

"How would I know that?"

"You weren't taught about wildlife in your upbringing?"
"Wildlife, yes, pretty flowers, no."

"Pity, these are beautiful and smell so sweet," he lifted one gently to his nose and grinned before letting it fall back into place, "We don't have many in Celes. They're not necessities, so they are not grown unless they have some medicinal purpose… or poison. The most grown flower is wolfbane."

Kurogane grimaced and lowered his ears and tail, "That's not safe to grow for anyone."

"No, it's not. Some who take care of them die, but I'm certain the more have died of them in Valeria." Fai began to walk back to the horses, "Well, I guess I should let you get work done."

Kurogane nodded and walked close behind him, "Do you believe that your home's methods are just?"

"I doesn't matter if I do. I have little control over it regardless, none known that I've renounced my heirship," he said and hopped on his horse, "That'll be up to Yuui once he takes over."

Kurogane got on his horse and continued the conversation, "You're awfully nonchalant about this considering it's your own country suffering from poison."

Fai paled a bit, "My country? They hardly notice the effects, Valeria is far more harmed."

Kurogane shook his head and stayed quiet. Soon they were back at the castle, but Kurogane pulled Fai into his office before he could get away.

"Ashura said it, you were supposed to take your place on the throne of Valeria."

"Nonono, Ashura meant Celes-"

"No, Yuui and Ashura both meant Valeria, I can understand that much. But why would you take over?"

Fai crossed his arms, "I don't need to answer that. Celes has plans that are confidential."

Kurogane came closer and took his hands, "Fai, I'm not asking to pry, I'm asking because you look hurt whenever Valeria is mentioned. They aren't just the enemy to you, so what are they."

Fai looked everywhere but at his mate. He squeezed the hands tightly and kept his mouth shut. This didn't dissuade Kurogane, and he just kept holding his lover's hands until Fai was ready to speak.

"Then I ask you to listen not as a King, but as Kurogane. As my fiancée, and to keep it secret from your people. It's not something that can be taken into account politically either! Promise me."

Kurogane nodded, "I promise, on my life."

Fai looked down again, "Ashura and Yasha, although very kind to us, are not our parents. They found us in Valeria when we were children. We… were very sick and I guess they just… took pity on us? Or maybe they took us because Ashura can't have children… I don't know." He breathed, "They had no idea who we were, but soon after they received word that the twin princes of Valeria went missing. It wasn't hard to figure it out after that. It's another reason the war has lasted so long."

Kurogane hugged Fai and rubbed his back, "So you're… the Mad King's son."

Fai nodded into his chest, "The sickness we had is the same that drove him to insanity. The same that has spread throughout the kingdom. I was meant to take his place and eventually merge with Celes but… Yuui has agreed to do that for me."

"That's what he meant when he said you shouldn't be doomed."

"Exactly. Neither of us believe the country can be saved. My people will die and the land will be abandoned by the end. It's a cursed place from soil to tree tops."

"I'm sorry," he apologized sincerely, not knowing what else to do.

Fai shook his head and kissed Kurogane sweetly, "I don't need pity or sympathy, just… Can I stay here while you work?"

He nodded without hesitation and let Fai cuddle up on his lap while he looked through papers and letters from various towns in the country. Having Fai there was calming, and Kurogane pet him while he purred lovingly.

Fai never imagined that he would need to be by Kurogane this much, but he only felt content next to the wolf. He wondered if all mates felt like this or if he really was just needy.

They spent the week nearly bound at the hip. Fai attended every event that Kurogane had to, and regardless of nothing being set in stone, he was introduced as Kurogane's fiancée. He felt that nothing could make him happier, until he woke up sick after a party.

He puked up the food from the night before in a bin, Kurogane dutifully holding his growing hair back.

"Did you eat bad food or anything?"

He shook his head and wiped his mouth, "You ate everything I did… I didn't even drink." Fai frowned as another wave of nausea hit.

Once he appeared to be okay, Kurogane got him a glass of water and had Fai lean on his shoulder, "Perhaps it's-" He caught a strange scent and paused. Kurogane smelled Fai's hair but couldn't quite pin it down. He buried his nose in Fai's neck and smelled deeply.

Fai was weirded out by the sudden affection and lowered his ears, "Are you… flirting with me after I just threw up?"

Kurogane growled lowly, "Of course not. There's something…" He inhaled again and finally remembered where he had smelled it before. His aunt had it when she was pregnant with Tomoyo. "Fai… I think… You might be pregnant."

"WHAT?!" Fai bolted up right only to feel a bit dizzy afterwards. His parents hadn't even approved of them yet! They only just mated! There was so much wrong with being pregnant right then!

Kurogane stood up and caught him before he fell, "You might not be! I mean, we only had sex once."

Fai shook his head, "If you're smelling it… oh Gods! That explains how clingy I've been! How could I be that furtile?! That unlucky?!"

Kurogane grabbed his shoulder and sat him on a chair, "Calm down! Stress can hurt the baby." Fai nodded and covered his stomach with his hands. "Now, it's not an unlucky thing to have children… unless… Do you not want any?"

"Don't be daft, of course I do! Children carry on the monarchy and are just plain adorable," he started, "But now… What will Ashura say?"

"I don't care what Ashura says. Your home is under my roof now, and your children will be of Suwa, not Celes."

Fai nodded and pulled Kurogane into a hug, "How will we tell them?"

"When Ashura calls, we will discuss it. I'll talk if that makes you feel better."

"Kuro-sweet?" he asked, "I wonder… how many there are."

"With are luck? 15."

Fai laughed and kissed Kurogane, "That'd be awful! Don't even joke about that many!"

Kurogane smiled, glad to see his omega happy again, "Then go ask Tomoyo, she's better at guessing about babies. She must have some crazy intuition, she never gets it wrong."

Fai rolled his eyes, remembering what Kurogane didn't know, "Maybe I want a surprise, don't you?"

"I don't care."

Their banter continued for a few moments until a guard told them of Ashura's call. They sent for Yuui and met back in the mirror room. Before opening the connection, Fai filled Yuui in on the situation. He just snickered and held in his laughter.

"Fai, Yuui. Yasha has sent word back to me. We talked for some time and decided to let Fai marry the King."

Fai sighed and hugged Kurogane, "Thank you so much Ashura! I'm so relieved!"

Ashura smiled, "I want you to be happy, I'm glad that Yasha decided to believe in you two."

Fai smiled at the mirror, "There's more we need to talk about! Only good news this time."

Yuui pointed to Fai and grinned, "He's pregnant. Off of first heat."

"Yuui! I wanted to tell!"

Yuui stuck his tongue out while Ashura processed the information, "You… off of first heat?! That's wonderful news!"

Fai wrapped his arms around one of Kurogane's, "Kurogane smelled it earlier today. I can't even explain how happy I was when you gave your blessing."

"I don't think we could separate the two of in good conscious. Especially knowing that you're pregnant. I must go now, but I expect you to tell me any news on my grandchildren."

"Of course! Return safe from battle," he bowed.

"You do the same."