Woo! Thank Ra for the weekend! Now I can write more oneshots for you guys, relax, let the stress of school slide off my back and continue thinking of the possible design for my newly planned OC, whose name is going to be spelled either Feng or Fang. I've yet to decide.

Fang (from Maximum Ride): my name? Why?!

BBR: 'cause I can. Why are you here? I let you and Ghirahim leave a long time ago.

Fang: *mumbles* I pissed Max off.

BBR: well done, idiot. *sighs* somehow I am not surprised.

Abridged!Yugi: does anything surprise you anymore?

BBR: …not really, now that I think about it.

A!Yugi: I figured.

BBR: oh, and I just want to say this: Belowski from YGO GX-y'know, the guy who can make people fall into a trance? From episode 23, I think?-he's kind of cute! XD *turns to Fang* Fang, I'll let you stay here until Max cools off, but you have to do the disclaimer.

Fang: fine. BBR does not own YGO Zexal, nor does she own Maximum Ride or YGOTAS.

Word used: "Payment"

Ryouga sighed as he impatiently tapped his fingers on the arm of his throne. Beside him, his sister looked at him in worry and the subject before him looked nervous as hell.

"Let me get this straight," Ryouga said, "You claim you saw a pirate ship approaching our waters?"

"Yes, milord!" the man said, "Its flag was not one I recognized, however. It was black with a weirdly shaped golden key on it, milord."

Ryouga sighed again. He was in a really bad mood and had more important things to be doing rather than watch a boat approach his kingdom. But if it truly was a pirate ship, then chances were that the pirates aboard were planning to cause trouble in his kingdom. Something he would not allow.

He stood from his throne, purple cape swirling about his form. "Very well. I and a small assortment of my guards will go to the docks and make sure that whoever these people approaching the kingdom are do not cause any trouble." He turned to the priestess. "Rio, stay here in case we are not successful."

Rio nodded. "Of course, Nii-sama. Don't get yourself killed."

Ryouga headed towards the stables and was met by Guard-Captain Kaito, who had a stern expression on his face. After a quick nod, the two grabbed horses and joined the small group of guards before heading towards the docks.

They arrived just as the ship was nearing. Its wood was white with the railings, wheel and masts painted gold. The flag-exactly the same as the villager had described-fluttered in the wind as the ship's anchor was lowered and a wooden plank was set on the dock so the members aboard the ship could get off. Two figures slid down and stood before the king and his men.

One had black hair that stuck out in four points in the back with red bangs that stuck up like antennae and bright red eyes. He wore a striped light blue and white shirt, black pants and boots. A cutlass hung from his belt.

The individual next to him had light blue hair that curved upwards and gold eyes with really pale skin. He wore clothes similar to his friend.

"Who are you?" Ryouga demanded, hand on the sword in his belt.

The red eyed one grinned, holding his hands before him. "We mean no harm, your highness." He gave a quick bow. "My name is Tsukumo Yuma, assistant to the captain of this ship, Kibou Hope."

"I am Astral," the other one said, "I am the captain of this ship. We do not mean harm for your people. We simply came to make an alliance request."

"An Alliance request?" Ryouga murmured curiously.

Astral nodded. "We are not pirates. I am the second prince of the Astral Kingdom. Yuma is prince of the kingdom of Heartland."

Yuma nodded. "We had both planned to ask for an alliance with your people. See, we are both under attack by the Barians and require aid."

Ryouga grit his teeth. The Barians! He despised their king, Vector, with an intense hatred, and the Barians have committed several crimes against his kingdom. If these two were telling the truth and truly did wish to make an alliance against the Barian Kingdom…

"Come with me to the castle, only the two of you," Ryouga said, "You crew stays in the ship. We will discuss this 'Alliance Request' at my castle."

Yuma and Astral nodded. Yuma got on Ryouga's horse and Astral got on Kaito's. Ryouga almost blushed at how pleasant Yuma's body heat felt pressed against his back. They rode towards the castle quickly, not wasting time.

! #$%! #$%! #$%

It's been several weeks since then. Filled with multiple headaches and frustrations, the three finally managed to come to an agreement on the terms of the Alliance. Over the weeks, Ryouga had grown fond of Yuma's presence. He was annoying at first, but over time, Ryouga found his hyper activeness adorable. He learned a lot about the other and, for the first time since he became king after the Barians killed his parents, he felt relaxed. He was a bit disappointed that they'd have to leave. This was their last in the kingdom. Tomorrow, they would sail for their own respective kingdoms.

Shark leaned against the railing of the balcony, looking at the nearby ocean. In the full moon's light, the Kibou Hope seemed to glow with an ethereal light. It was a pretty enchanting sight for the young king.

"You're still awake?"

Ryouga turned his head, seeing Yuma gazing at him from the door that connected the balcony and Ryouga's room.

"Couldn't sleep," the purple-haired ruler said idly, looking back towards the ship.

Yuma walked over and took his place next to Ryouga. "I saw you from my window. I was curious as to why you were still awake."

Silence fell over the two, broken when Yuma said "I want to repay you for accepting our Alliance offer."

"Payment is not needed," Ryouga said, "The Barians need to be taken down."

"Still!" Yuma said, "I feel like I should give you something-anything!-as thanks for your acceptance! Name it and it's yours. I promise."

Ryouga gave a slight hum. "Perhaps there is one thing." Before the other ruler could ask what, Ryouga leaned down and kissed the other softly.

He felt Yuma stiffen momentarily before relaxing and kissing back. He pulled away after a few moments and stared into shining red orbs.

"That will be payment enough."

Yuma blushed and looked away shyly. "A-are you sure that's all you want? Are you sure you don't want…anything more?"

The last part came out in a squeak as Yuma hid his red face in embarrassment. Ryouga chuckled and wrapped his arms around the other.

"I suppose."

Theabridgedkuriboh: oops? ^^;

Animelover0818: it's okay. :) and it's Alice Human Sacrifice by Meiko, Kaito, Hatsune Miku and Rin and Len Kagamine. :3

Leahtheredpearlvoice: O.O XD that's funny.

Vlad: Why're you looking at me? *suspicious glare*

NurdBurger: thanks. :)

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