Disclaimer : Still not mine.

Author's Note : Shonen-ai, Shouri/Conrad, Yuuram, slight Gwendal/Günther maybe.

Italic = thoughts

The Maou's Brother and the Prince

By Misaki Sakura

Chapter 1 : The Man from the Future

Shibuya Shouri had thought his life was perfect. He had a weird but great family, a cute brother, he entered a great university, everything was perfect. His love life was pretty much non-existent, but he never thought much about it. Dating sims were enough for him. Then everything turned upside down. He found out that he was half demon, his brother was the other world's Maou, not to mention Wolfram's engagement with his Yuu-chan! And then there was Conrad.

He hated the man at first, thinking that Yuu-chan cared more about Conrad than about Shouri, and he was his brother! He hadn't felt the need to hide his dislike to the swordsman. His smile was infuriating, as if he knew everything. Shouri hated Conrad Weller more than anything. But that was before.

They came to an understanding, sort of, after the whole Shinou incident. Shouri realized that Conrad was the only one Yuuri talked to in Shin Makoku about Earth, but he was still angry. At first he thought that it was because he was jealous of Yuuri's attention to Conrad. But then, it wasn't.

It all started because of his darling brother. Since Yuuri could travel freely with his power, he had been alternating between the two worlds. On these travels, Wolfram and Conrad, at least, would accompany him. He then tried to get used to it, including Conrad's presence since they had the same purpose. To protect Yuuri. When Yuuri told him that he had accepted his engagement with Wolfram, he was surprised. He asked his brother more than once the reason he did it. Yuuri only answered him with, "Because I love him."

Shouri tried to cope with it. It's not every day your brother told you he would marry a boy, but he loved Yuuri too much to protest. Well, no more than he already did. And to stop Yuuri from marrying Wolfram on the pretext of gender might be hypocritical on his part considering his own growing attachment to Conrad.

Denying it was easy when Conrad wasn't there to, in his opinion, tease him. No one could live under one roof without seeing each other. Especially not under the Shibuya's roof. Conrad was always there with his usual smile and obliging attitude. He hated Conrad for Yuuri's attention, but he hated him more because the swordsman made him feel ... something. He didn't know what it was but it was something he had never felt before. It made him feel foolish and he took it out on Conrad. The reaction, however, made him more irritated. He looked amused and, at the same time, hurt. That's to be expected, but Shouri would feel guilty afterwards and he didn't like it.

In order to help Yuuri prepare for his wedding with Wolfram, his mother had declared that they were going to spend the remaining six weeks until the wedding in Shin Makoku. Shouri had protested vehemently, saying that he had many things to do for his own role as future Maou of the Earth, but Bob spoiled everything by telling his mother that Shouri needed some time off after all. He got a feeling that Bob knew something. He could have sworn the Maou's eyes were twinkling behind those sunglasses he always wore.

When he arrived, he was greeted by his brother and his fiancé. Wolfram looked much happier than before, he attributed this to his excitement at finally marrying Yuuri. Conrad was nowhere to be found. He wanted to ask Yuuri but he didn't want to sound concerned. Fortunately, his mother also noticed the brunet's absence.

"Yu-chan, where is Conrad-san?"

"He's helping Murata with something. They say it's something important." Yuuri shrugged. "He'll join us for dinner with the others."

"The others?" Shouri couldn't help asking.

"Yes. Everyone is here, even Adelbert. Let's just hope he's not going to try anything funny."

They all knew that Yuuri now could take care of himself. He had full control of his power and he had shown big improvement in his swordsmanship. Of course that's according to him, so it's still questionable.

When they met at dinner, Conrad greeted him politely and as usual, focused his attention on the royal couple. Many thoughts entered Shouri's mind and he couldn't concentrate on any of the conversation happening at the table. It's also a good thing that not many people tried to include him in their conversation.

That's the first day. Shouri had thought that with the castle that huge, they wouldn't meet more than they had to. He was right. He managed to stay away from Conrad until that night, right before the walk which brought him to his current situation.

*****

Yuuri had brought them to the village where the half Mazokus lived to have a picnic. Shouri spent the journey there listening to his brother telling him about Conrad's father, Dan Hiri Weller, with occasional squeal from his mother. However, that caused him to think more about Conrad. With the thoughts running in his head, he felt the excitement of the day caught up with him by the time they reached the castle. He thought after a nice long bath, he could go to sleep. What he didn't think of was that someone would be using the same bath with him. And that someone happened to be Conrad.

When Conrad saw him, he gave him a warm smile which somehow made him feel ... bothered. "Good evening, Shouri-sama."

"A ... good evening..."

Conrad didn't try to start a conversation with him and when Shouri looked at him, he had closed his eyes, seemingly enjoying his bath. It could be understood considering the picnic, though he thought it was more taxing to Conrad mentally rather than physically. Shouri couldn't help assessing Conrad's body which brought him to another problem. A growing problem.

Shouri didn't realize he had opened his mouth when he heard himself saying, "Are you happy?"

The swordsman opened his eyes slowly and asked, "Excuse me?"

"Are you happy with the wedding and everything?"

"Of course. Why did you ask?"

Exactly. Why did I? "Because Yuuri is marrying your brother."

"And?" He looked at Shouri as if he had grown another head.

"And he has Julia's soul."

Conrad stared at him, bemused. "Julia ... was a good friend, but that was all she was. I didn't have any feelings for her that surpass brotherly affection ... nor do I have any for Yuuri." He closed his eyes again. "I'm happy that he's happy and that he can bring happiness to my brother. That's all."

He didn't know what had compelled him to do it, but he couldn't stop himself. The next thing he saw was the silvery eyes of Conrad, so close to his, as he kissed the swordsman.

*****

Shouri sighed. He shouldn't have gone to bath. He also shouldn't have seen Conrad naked. And more importantly, he shouldn't have approached Conrad and kissed him. What was he thinking? He could still remember the look of surprised on Conrad's face and was he kissing him back before Shouri broke the contact and ran away?

Shouri shook his head. The reason why he was out there in the first place was for him to cool down, think it over. Why did he kiss Conrad? Why did he kiss back? Why did he feel so relieved when Conrad told him that he didn't love Yuuri that way?

"Taking a night walk, my friend's brother?"

The daikenja gave the older Shibuya a smile. Shouri nodded his head. "Yes, I can't sleep."

"Ah, too many thoughts bothering you? Your anxiety as future maou? Or ... a certain someone?"

Shouri was speechless. Murata spared him a glance. "I'm not blind. I'm also not unfeeling. But I also have limited patience."

"What-"

"A certain someone asked for my help. Another person ... let's just say he's bored." Then Shouri felt darkness engulfed him. When he came to, he felt water around him. Sensing a presence, he looked around him and saw a boy. A naked boy who looked very familiar.

"Conrad?"

*****

"Who are you?" Conrad looked around him, trying to find anything that could be used as a weapon.

"Where am I? Why are you-" Shouri studied the young boy in front of him. He looked like Conrad, but far younger. "Who are you?"

"You said my name before, I think you already know it."

"So you are really Conrad Weller. Why am I in the bath?"

Conrad gave him a confused look, but didn't let up his stance. "You showed up out of nowhere." He could feel that this man was not dangerous. He seemed out of sort and he didn't have any weapon with him from what he saw. From his appearance, Conrad could tell that he wasn't someone from Shin Makoku. "Now answer my question. Who are you?"

"... Shouri. Am I in the castle? Wait, how old are you?"

"... Yes ..., and why would you want to know?"

Shouri supposed he could refuse to answer that, not that he had any right to ask anyway. But a boy-looking Conrad? Was he dreaming? It's too good to be true, yet he hoped it was.

"How did you know my name?" the young prince asked.

"... Would you believe me if I told you I came from the future?"

"What?"

"Never mind."

Conrad lowered his arms, though he still gave Shouri a cautious look. "What are you doing here then?"

"I have no idea. Da ... someone pushed me into the fountain and here I am." Shouri thought it'd better for him to stop looking at the brunet. Conrad was beautiful, no matter what age he was in, and his self control was crumbling. "Look, I'll go."

Shouri stepped out of the bath and headed towards the door when he heard Conrad called him. "Shouri-san, use this. You'll catch a cold that way." In his hand was a clean towel. He saw Conrad had wrapped another towel around his waist. "I'll get dressed and we will go to ask Ulrike about this."

Shouri tried very hard not to stare. He didn't know whether this Conrad trusted him or not, but he wasn't going to jeopardized it. He's his only hope right now. If it had been Gwendal, he would have used his mazoku on him and forced Shouri to fight back. The outcome wouldn't be good.

"We have to find you dry clothes first." Conrad eyed his wet clothing.

*****

"Whose are these?"

Conrad handed the clothes to Shouri. "My father's. I don't know if they'll fit, but they'll be much better than mine."

Shouri noticed that the room was kept clean, but it didn't look like a room for a maou's husband. "Whose room is this?"

"Mine. You'd better get changed now, Shouri-san, before you get sick." Conrad turned away, trying to find something to busy himself with. The wet clothing didn't leave much to the imagination. He felt heat creeping to his cheek.

"I'm done."

"Great. Er, let's go then, Shouri-san."

"Wait." Conrad turned to look at the bespectacled man. "Why are you helping me?"

Conrad thought of what he should say. He had been wondering about that as well. When he answered, he realized the truth of his words. "Because I trust you."

*****

They walked to the shrine with silence. Whether it's an awkward one or not had yet to be determined. At night, not many guards could be seen, but Conrad took caution not to be seen by any of the guards. He told Shouri that until they had talked to Ulrike, it'd be better to hide from anyone else. He weren't sure he could come with a believable lie anyway, so he agreed.

By the time they arrived at the shrine, Ulrike was waiting for them. "Shouri-sama I presume?"

Conrad gave Ulrike a bow. Shouri nodded. "I don't know why I'm here, but I need to go back."

Ulrike gave him a knowing smile. "I believe that Shinou is the one who can help you with that. He wants to see you."

Shouri gritted his teeth. An audience with Shinou was not what he looked forward to, but apparently he had no choice. "Fine, let's get this over with."

*****

"Hello, Shibuya-san."

Shouri looked at Shinou distastefully. The blond king still looked the same. Shouri didn't like him at all after everything that happened but right now, he's the key if Shouri wanted to go back. "Why did you send me here?"

"Well, as the daikenja said, I'm bored." Shouri clenched his fists but said nothing. "And I'm helping you actually."

"Help me with what?!"

"The unresolved tension between you and Weller-kyo."

Shouri stared at him incredulously. "There's no unresolved- Why are you looking at me like that?"

Shinou chuckled. "You're so much like your brother. Continue denying the obvious, Shibuya-san, and maybe you yourself will believe it."

Shouri decided he really didn't like the king and there's no way he's going to let him do whatever he please with his life. "Return me to my time."

"Can't do that, sorry."

The bespectacled man stared at the king. He stared back with a smirk plastered on his face. "I cannot do that even if I want to. Do you know how hard time travel is? Very energy consuming, more than traveling between worlds."

"So don't do that in the first place!"

"So," Shinou continued without responding. "I'll need some time to recuperate. In the mean time, you can, uh, spend some time with your dear Prince Weller."

"He's not- Would you stop playing cupid? You have a really bad strategy after all."

"Now, that's not nice. I'm trying to help and, I have to admit, it's amusing. Good luck. You'll know when you can return to your time. Have fun."

"What?! Wait!" But Shinou was gone.

*****

When Shouri stepped out of the room, grumbling, he found Conrad was waiting for him. "Ulrike has explained everything to me."

Since he didn't know what 'everything' consisted of, he asked, "What do you mean?"

"Well, you're here because of Shinou. Also, I have to introduce you to everyone as my distant relative which I have to tell you is not very good. You're going to need a name and you also have to dye your hair. Ulrike and the other maidens will help you with that."

"And where will I stay?"

"For now, my room I guess."

Inwardly, Shouri choked. Conrad might look like a junior high kid in this time, but he's still Conrad. He didn't think it's a good idea to stay in the same room with him. "I don't think it's …"

"Yes?"

"Is there any other place?"

Conrad shook his head. "The other rooms are not prepared and the usual guest room is being used."

"I can still sleep somewhere else."

Conrad gave him a smile, to Shouri's surprise, with no trace of sadness like the ones the older Conrad gave him. "Shouri-san, I don't bite."

You don't, but maybe I do. Shouri had to bite his lip to stop himself from blurting those words out. "I don't want to bother you."

"You're not bothering me. Let's go then, Shouri-san."

Shouri forced himself to smile back and let the prince led the way back to his room.

To be continued …