An Empire to Conquer Your Heart

Authors' Note: Thanks for the reviews. We hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 22

Eito glances back frustratedly at his king. 'Izuna will be gone for nearly two weeks,' he'd said. 'This is the only chance we'll have before we turn around and return to Izuna's homeworld,' he'd said. His king was so utterly smitten with his Bijin that Eito was certain he was getting cavities from the sweetness.

But the young prince was going to be an unholy terror when they returned to the ship after this little vacation. Eito would have to remember to lock the hangar bay again when they returned, or the prince was liable to get up on the ships to protest his parents leaving him for more than two days.

Back in the passenger area of the small ship, Hiroto lounges with a book in hand and an amused smile on his face. "Your Bijin is going to be rather confused when he returns to a screaming toddler who is missing his Papa. You could have simply communicated what you wanted to the craftsman and remained in the ship."

"I could have, but it's more meaningful when I select the gifts in person." Madara smiles. Hiroto would understand one day. "Besides, I will call Haruka and inform him that I went to get a present for his Daddy. All will be forgiven."

Hiroto chuckles and turns a page in his book. "So tell me, what are you here to hunt for? Another collar for your Bijin? Maybe a crown for his pretty head?"

"Earrings and ear caps this time." Madara nods sagely, though a collar did sound nice. Maybe he'd investigate those as well..."Something befitting his station as my Mate. The Bijin people are...fixated on earrings. They use them to mark another person's status. Each kind of earring has a different meaning. I haven't the slightest idea how they keep track of it all."

"Using different metals, stones, and symbols in combinations that give different meanings." Hiroto closes up his book. "First, there's a hierarchy of metals. Copper, bronze, titanium, silver, gold, platinum. Rose gold, of course, has a romantic connotation, and certain other metals can be used for very specific purposes. Stones have different meanings when set in different metals and with one another. For example, that earring that you wear around your neck, where a masculine and feminine stone dance together."

"And that is why I brought Hiroto with me. Somehow he has already memorized all that." Madara chuckles, feeling rather pleased with himself. Izuna was going to be ecstatic.

"Of course that's why you brought me. I wouldn't be an effective wartime strategist if I couldn't memorize lists of significance to those we conquer." Hiroto snorts softly and puts his book in his lap. "Personal preference can sometimes come into play, but generally, following the hierarchy of metals and choosing stones with particular symbolic meanings is the best way to replicate Bijin jewelry styles." Still, Hiroto couldn't help feeling that there was…more. "So you mean to decorate him in the style of his people?"

"Precisely, but of course with a few personal touches. Something that his people will understand, but also reflects our bond." Madara nods. Good. Hiroto was beginning to understand exactly what he was lookign for. "I'm glad you understand the significance of this mission. Let us put those strategic skills of yours to good use."

"Then will you be needing the specifics for seven earrings or only six?" Hiroto looks pointedly at the chain around his brother's neck that disappeared into his dark shirt. "Assuming, of course, that part of your plan is to restore any of the earrings he lost."

"Of course, I wish to restore his earrings. Why do you say six or seven, though?" Madara frowns. There had to be a reason for such a distinction.

"Because you wear one around your neck." Hiroto lifts his hand and points at the place where the ruby and sapphire earring lay hidden against Madara's skin. "I merely wonder if you'll be returning that to him or if you plan to have a new one commissioned. Or if you'll commission a new set with different associations than the honors he's previously received."

"I'll return this to him. It seems only fitting. It belongs to Izuna, after all." Madara touches the earring. He hadn't thought of it, but he should have.

"Six, then." And it was a rather good thing that Hiroto had done his research. "Fortunately, the other six are simple enough. The ear caps, however, will be…trickier. Those are custom-made and handed down within families, like the ones I had made for Haruka. They are the centerpiece, the crowning jewel. Other earrings note your personal achievements. The ear caps represent who lays claim to you as family and are given only by a parent or the eldest of the house, or by a lover when one marries into a new family."

"Well, then we'll design a splendid ear cap worthy of my Mate." Madara nods as he considers every angle of it. It made sense when Hiroto explained in that fashion. Still, he needed something that would help Izuna regain the confidence his disownment had torn away.

Hiroto reopens his book and smiles to himself behind its pages. His little brother was so hopelessly in love. It was cute and also…dangerous. His brother was protective of his Bijin on a good day. On a bad day, he was downright vengeful. When his mate was finally dressed in the trappings of a consort, Hiroto knew that Madara would burn worlds to keep his mate safe.

The city sprawls out before them as Hiroto strides towards the artisan district with his younger brother in tow, playing at being as discreet as possible for the emperor of this half of the galaxy.

Madara walks alongside Hiroto. He glances around. It felt like it had been an eternity since he had set foot on an actual planet instead of a ship. He was here to get Izuna gifts befitting his station, but he might as well enjoy the trip.

The worn cobblestone paths speak of a city with history, but the shining towers speak to vast strides forward in architecture. Yet, it wasn't these shining towers, but a low, one story building comprised of a shop with large glass windows and a second, slightly taller room with hints of smoke billowing out the top.

Hiroto gestures to the simple wood and stone building. "Here they are. Cousins. Nobuki, a jeweler and Masuru, a blacksmith. They're the geniuses I came to for Haruka's jewelry."

"Excellent. I wonder how quickly they could craft something for us." Madara tilts his head as he looks around. It was a rather unique set up to say the least. Perhaps it'd produce something befitting of Izuna and his Mate would finally reclaim the respect from his culture he was entitled to.

"That depends on how elaborate the piece is, if they have the proper materials or have to order them in, and how much other business they have." Hiroto rolls his eyes. His brother might be good at conquering an empire, but he didn't seem to understand mu about how the lowest levels worked. A 'pitfall' of growing up needing only to ask for something and it would be there. "Come, let's see if they can help us in our search to find appropriate decorations for your Bijin."

Madara follows him inside. His eyes glance around the shop. They did have many pieces out. Though for Izuna, it was likely he'd have to request something custom made.

An older man with brown-streaked gray hair sits behind the counter with a monocle over one eye and a metal-tipped tool in hand as he concentrates on the delicate setting of a green gem within a golden ring. "And what brings you kids here to my shop?"

"I'd like to have several pieces commissioned for my Mate." Madara smiles, deciding it was best to stand back. He didn't want to risk distracting the man too much from his work. "Your shop made something for my brother that I was rather impressed with. So, I came here."

He could still remember the look on Haruka's face when Hiroto bestowed his gift on him. It was as if his brother had given Haruka all the stars of the universe. His son deserved that, of course, and so did Izuna. His ears had remained pitifully bare for far too long.

Nobuki sets the ring down with one strong, weathered hand and peers at the two through his monocle. Then he removes it and blinks. "Oh that's right, I remember you. You came looking for ear bits for your nephew, right?"

"That's right." Hiroto smiles respectfully. "This is my brother, his father."

Nobuki eyes the two of them then nods. "Did the kid like the work?"

"He was overjoyed. My son never takes them off." Madara wasn't lying. Haruka didn't even take them off while bathing.

The older man grunts approvingly. "Good. Now what are you after? You said custom work."

"Six earrings and some ear caps. My Mate is a Bijin." Madara could respect a man who got right down to business. "Price isn't a concern." After all, his Mate was priceless and deserved the best.

The jeweler raises an eyebrow at the not insignificant order. "Do you have an idea about what you're wanting?"

"For the earrings, yes." Hiroto steps forward and produces a list. "Four diamond stud earrings, one in bronze, one in silver, one in gold, and one in platinum. Here are the specifics of the crests associated with each piece." He hands over the rolled up list. "And two small silver hoop earrings, as large around as a little finger."

Nobuki takes the list and unrolls it to scan it over with intrigue. "That's some pretty detailed etching work there. Government crests?"

"School crests, they're for an honors student who graduated at the top of all of his classes." Hiroto glances at his brother.

"Yes, my Mate is quite the academic." Madara nods with pride. Well, whenever Izuna wasn't feeling like a brat anyway. "I realize it's quite the intensive order." One worthy of his Mate.

"So, what about the design for those ear caps?" Nobuki raises an eyebrow. "Got any specific requests for size, stones, style? I'm gonna go ahead and guess you're looking for something fancy."

"Platinum or rose gold would be the most appropriate." Hiroto had done his research carefully. Platinum was for the richest of families, whereas rose gold's romantic connotations would be seen as a fitting declaration of love.

"Platinum. A frame with a single wing on each ear." Madara nods thoughtfully. Bijins prized platinum. It would showcase Izuna's status nicely. "One round black stone where the wing meets the rest of the frame. And chains hanging from the wings with rubies in matching settings." As for the wings, they were symbols of freedom. Black was a color of power. It would be perfect.

Nobuki stares for a moment, then withdraws a sketchpad from under the counter. "Right…black stones. Onyx…rubies…set in platinum. Gotta be a sheet design or they'll be too heavy…" He starts sketching a rough pair of wings. "You going for beauty or power?"

"Both. I wish to convey that he's my Mate and the honor that position demands." It was impossible to put into words what Madara truly wanted. He desired to restore Izuna's dignity with his own kind. He wanted to see Izuna smile and hold his head up high again. "Something that will make it obvious to any Bijin who sees him what his station is."

"Right…" The charcoal streaks across the paper and he adds graceful curves to a pair of webbed wings. Then he scratches a couple of round stones into the piece, before sketching them into ovals. "It'll take at least three days to get this all in order. It's doable, but the detail work on these caps is going to take two days by itself."

"That's fine. Take as long as you need." Madara offers the man a smile. "Quality is worth the wait."

Hiroto places a hand on his brother's back and smiles. "Feel free to add any design elements that you think would complement the piece or the recipient. He is dark of hair with moon-pale skin and topaz star marks across it."

"Right…like the purple ones on the kid." Nobuki chews on the charcoal and stains his teeth and tongue with a tinge of black. "I'll contact you when your order's ready. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to get back to work."

"Excellent. Hiroto, let's go and find lodging for the night." Madara starts walking towards the door. The sooner they left, the sooner the man could get to work. In turn, the faster they could return back to their ship and Haruka.

"You promise Papa? You not gonna leave again?" Haruka stares up at his Papa with shining onyx eyes. His tiny fingers twist insistently into his Papa's shirt and he holds on as if for dear life.

Madara sighs, embracing his son and kissing the top of his head. "It's alright, Haruka. I'm back. I'm sorry it took so long. I just wanted to get your Daddy something nice. I missed you so much."

Haruka whines softly and snuggles into his Papa's chest. "You got Daddy presents? Does Haru get presents too?"

Madara chuckles. His son would be a fine king some day. He was already so ambitious. "Of course, I got your Daddy something special. So, I had to get you something special as well. Fairness is important. Would you like to see?"

"Yeah! Yeah!" Haruka wiggles happily in his Papa's arms and his little tail waves happily back and forth below him. "Wanna see presents! Wanna see presents!"

Madara smiles. He doubted he'd ever see anything more adorable than Haruka was right now. "Alright. I thought we could work on filling up that toy box of yours." He picks up a wrapped package. "So, why don't we go back to your room and open this up?"

Haruka's eyes widen. "My whole box?" He'd never had his toy box all full before. "You promise, Papa? Lotsa toys and things?"

"Of course, Haruka. I promise. We'll make sure it's full." Madara smiles, carrying his son back inside Izuna's room. "You can open the box. Just push the big purple button and it'll pop open."

Haruka tilts his head, then clambers down onto the bed with the box. He rolls onto his back and holds the box up above him. It was kinda heavy. He tilts his head then tilts the box. It makes a little noise, so he shakes it, then presses the big purple button. "Papa!" He squeals loudly as the box opens and spills lots of toys all over him.

Madara grins. Izuna was going to want to strangle him, but it was worth it. "I saw how much you liked your friend's ship. So, I got you a replica Chikara fleet. Those are all our major ships and most of the minor ones."

The squeals of delight grow louder and Haruka's tail nearly sends a couple of the ships flying before he stars picking up as many as he can hold in his tiny hands. "Thanks you Papa! I love them!" He chooses two of them and gets up on his knees to fly them through the air. "Wheeeee! Play with me, Papa!"

"Of course." Madara smiles as he moves one of the ships around in his hand. "This particular one is the fastest we have in our fleet currently."

"Zhoom!" Haruka giggles and bounces across the bed. "Whoa!" Mid bounce he slips over his tail and falls flat on his face in the dark blue covers. Then he gets back up with a big grin. Can we plays with Daddy too!?"

"I'm sure that Daddy would love to play with us." Madara laughs softly. If this was what his son did with replicas, he could only imagine the look on Haruka's face when he got his first warship.

Haruka waddles over to his Papa with a big grin and misty eyes. "I love you, Papa." He drops the toys on the bed and tries his best to wrap his arms around his Papa's chest. "Love you lots."

Madara smiles, wrapping his arms around the small boy who had stolen his heart. "I love you lots too, Haruka."

The front of Madara's shirt grows a little damp as Haruka presses his little face into it. "Thanks for presents Papa, but I think you're still the best present."

Was Haruka crying? "You're welcome, Haruka. I feel the same way about you." Madara folds his son tightly in his arms. "I'm sorry that it took us so long to find each other." Maybe he'd understand why when he was older. "What matter's most is we're together now, okay?"

"Mhm. Together for…ever." Haruka's grip loosens a little and he sniffs softly as he burrows into his Papa's warmth.

Madara smiles as he starts tucking Haruka into bed. "Yes, forever and ever."

The door to Izuna's chambers as the diplomat steps inside, tired but satisfied. He'd done a lot of work the last couple of weeks and the chieftains had finally come around and decided to ally their disparate peoples with the empire.

He sheds the outer layer of his robes, leaving him in a simple softy gray shirt and black pants. Beads line thin braids in his hair, clacking together quietly as he stretches his arms overhead.

When he notes that the door to his bedroom is closed, as well as Tamaki's, he smiles. She must have put Haruka to bed already. Which meant that he could enjoy some tea in peace. He moves across the small sitting room to the kitchen behind it and rummages in the drawers for his tea packs, pulling out a fruity herbal tea for himself and putting it into the machine next to the oven. Then he sighs and presses his hands to the edge of the counter. He leans against it and closes his eyes with a sigh. It had been a long day…

Madara was still watching Haruka sleep when he hears someone come in. The footsteps were familiar. He kisses the sleeping boy on the bed before gingerly slinking out of the bed and making his way to the kitchen. "You're back. How was your trip?"

Izuna looks back over his shoulder and smiles tiredly. "Long but fruitful. The negotiations are finished, finally. I don't know if I could sit through another week of their feasting. I feel like I've gained ten pounds."

"You don't look it, but I'm certain we could come up with a way to burn off those imaginary pounds." Madara chuckles, placing a soft kiss to the back of Izuna's ears as his hands wrap around the other man's waist. "I've missed you."

Though Izuna laughs, his ears turn down and his fingers run through his hair. The beads jangle together quietly as the pale points disappear in raven hair. "I bet you'd be more than happy to help with that. It's reassuring to know I'll have an enjoyable way to work off the baby weight after the birth of our next one."

"What can I say? I enjoy helping my sexy Bijin in whatever capacity I can." Madara chuckles, his fingers playing with Izuna's hair. "In light of that, Haruka is asleep. So, I think it's time to give you your present."

"A present, is that what you're calling it now?" Izuna turns away from his mug of tea, freshly brewed and fragrant. He smirks as he leans against the counter. "I'm not sure that the couch would consider it a present, but I think I still have enough energy if you missed me that much."

"That's not exactly what I meant, but is delightful to know all the same. Perhaps afterward." Madara caresses Izuna's cheek, pulling out an elegant box from his pocket. "After all, the craftsmen worked so hard on these. It'd be an insult not to at least show you before I ravished you."

Izuna frowns slightly as he takes the box. He carefully slips from Madara's embrace and out of the kitchen. He nearly makes it to the couch as he opens the box and very nearly drops it as his knee hits the arm of the couch and he stumbles, his eyes wide and shocked. "Madara…"

"Are you alright?" Madara closes the gap between them and takes Izuna's hands and the beautiful jewelry into his own. "That's not the reaction, I envisioned. You were right. I should make an effort to learn more about my subjects. I don't think I'll ever fully understand your people, but I know that earrings are important in your culture. You deserve to have back what was stolen from you and more. I took the liberty of having a custom made pair of ear caps as well to symbolize our Mating and family."

The shocked Bijin sinks down onto the couch and he deposits the box of earrings in his lap, forcing his mate down with him. His fingers touch one of the ears that he tried so hard to keep hidden…in his shame. "They're all here…" All of the earrings he'd been forced to sell so that he would have the money to look after Haruka. Except that they were new, freshly made and shining. "My graduation earrings and my presentation earrings…" His accomplishments and his decisions… "…Thank you."

"You're welcome. You earned them. It's your right to wear them." Madara smiles and kisses Izuna's forehead. "I hope you like them. The caps are designed to showcase the other rings easily."

"Could you…" Izuna takes a deep breath, then looks up with a soft fire in his eyes. He'd kept his supplies, even if he hadn't needed them for a long time. "Would you help me put them in?"

"I think I could manage that." Madara smiles at his Mate.

Izuna pushes the box into Madara's hands and hurries from the couch to the bathroom. The top drawer under the sink slides out for him and he reaches into the back for his home piercing kit. It was a simple kit, a small rubber device with springs and a hollow needle and a small jar of antiseptic ointment. Then he takes a hand mirror and places the piercing kit and a hairbrush atop it and emerges from the bathroom with his heart threatening to leap out of his chest.

He looks at his mate sitting on the couch and approaches slowly, then seats himself on the floor in front of Madara. "I…haven't worn earrings in so long that…the holes have grown over. But I still have my kit, just in case I was…ever needing it for Haruka." He brushes his hair back and away from his ears and lays the piercing kit on the couch beside his mate.

"That's alright. I haven't pierced someone's ears before, but the concept seems simple enough." Madara smiles and takes the ointment to rub it into Izuna's ears.

Izuna's ears flutter under the attention as Madara's fingers rub the ointment into his skin. He didn't usually…allow them to be touched. It was embarrassing and shameful to expose his bare ears to another. But now… He rubs a little of the ointment along the needle and holds up the device to inspect it. "Alright, it's sterile now." He fiddles with his diplomatic earring, then removes it from its place.

"The silver hoops are a pair and one goes in each ear. Here." Izuna takes the tips of his finger and thumb and presses them to his earlobe. He fiddles with the needle and fits it around the soft skin, then presses it closed and flinches only slightly as the needle pierces clean through his flesh. Then he removes it, but leaves no blood behind. "The ointment keeps the piercings from bleeding as they heal."

"Good to know." Madara smiles as he pulls one of the silver hoops from the box. Slowly, but surely he slides the hoop into place and pushes the invisible clasp shut. As he pulls the second one from the box, Izuna places the ointment on his right ear, making a place for Madara to insert the second earring. "They're beautiful on you."

"They're my presentation earrings. From when I chose to present as male." Izuna hands the piercing needle to Madara and busies himself with pulling his hair out of the way, exposing his right ear and his neck. "Now from the silver earring, pierce four holes going up, about a centimeter apart. Bronze, silver, gold, platinum." He'd never had the platinum earring before…couldn't afford to get it.

"They're lovely. Just like you." Madara smiles as he watches Izuna reveal more of his neck and ears to him. "A centimeter apart, I understand. I'm flattered you trust me to do this. I know how much these earrings mean to you." One by one, Madara slowly, carefully pierces Izuna's ears. And one by one, each hole is filled with a shining, sparkling badge of honor.

Izuna's eyes slide shut as he smiles. "And they mean so much more because you're giving them to me." The moment the last hole is filled and the fingers move away, Izuna's ears flutter like butterfly wings. "That's why…it's because…you've honored me with them because you love me. That's why I trust you to place them. Because that way I know they'll be perfect."

"Good. I'm glad." Madara smiles, words could only do so much in a time like this. He chooses to express the explosion of warmth in his heart by kissing a tiny portion of the exposed ear left on Izuna. "They suit you."

The Bijin shivers as his left ear turns red and flaps wildly at the attention. "Madara…you know my ears are sensitive."

"I know. That's why I do it. You look adorable when you blush." Madara chuckles at the embarrassed look on his Mate's face.

Izuna looks back over his shoulder with an annoyed glare. "Haruka's in the other room, you know." This was no time for Madara to be playing at any funny business.

"Even more so when you feign righteous indignation." Madara shakes his head in amusement. "I know. I know. I'll be good."

"Hmph." Izuna crosses his arms and leans back against the couch between Madara's knees. "…Hm…" His ears flap as he picks at his hair. "I suppose it's only fair…"

Madara shoots him a confused look. "What's only fair?" Normally his Mate was more blunt about whatever was on his mind. The cryptic comment bewildering.

"Well, it would be wrong to not display the gifts, so…" Izuna sits up a little straighter and wedges the hand mirror between his knees. Then he carefully brushes back the hair behind his ears, separating it from the few long locks that fall to the front. He threads his fingers through them and pulls his dagger from the small sheath hidden at the back of his belt. The blade serves to cut easily through the raven strands, leaving short, spiky locks sticking up here and there to frame Izuna's face and expose his ears. The dark locks fall into Izuna's lap as he gives his bangs the same treatment and leaves them laying no longer than his chin.

"I'll admit that you scared me there for a moment, but you're right. It is easier to see them this way." He smiles, running his fingers through Izuna's otherwise still long hair. "How are you feeling?"

"Less like I want to hide." The instinct was still there, but Izuna knew that it would eventually fade with time. Then he looks up and leans into the gentle touch. "Why were you scared? Did you think I was going to try for your throat again?" Izuna smiles cheekily.

"No, I thought you were going to cut off the rest of your beautiful hair. That would have been a tragedy." Madara kisses the top of Izuna's head with a smile. "I've grown to expect assassination attempts from you."

"Oh yes, what a tragedy it would be if you couldn't tangle your fingers in it and give my hair a good yank when I'm misbehaving while you're trying to fuck me through the floor." Izuna chuckles mockingly. "What ever would you do with your time without your favorite plaything?"

"I'd probably end up yanking on your tail some more." Madara didn't bat an eyelash at his reply.

"Oh really now?" Izuna's eyes flash with a cherry red spark. He drops the mirror brush, and jar of ointment on the floor and turns slowly to sit facing his mate. His tail curls over his shoulder and up Madara's leg teasingly. His hands join in as he slowly runs his hands up Madara's thighs and raises himself up to kneel in defiance of his kingly lover. "I think that my tail spends more time inside of me than you do. Especially after two weeks without you."

"Mmm. I think you're a horrible tease. You just scolded me for Haruka being in another room and now you're practically begging me to ravish you." Madara caresses the tail of his love gently.

"And you're the one with his fingers in my hair and his hand on my tail." Izuna could play the slow game. After all, there was so much fun to be had in the teasing. "But you're right, Haruka is here and that means that we need to be responsible adults."

"Shame. When do we get to play?" His hand glides over the exotic appendage.

Izuna smirks and leans up to press a teasing kiss to Madara's lips. "Soon. The negotiations are done and we've got a long way home. But I'm sure that we'll find a way to pass the time."

Madara returns the kiss and smiles. "Yes, I'm sure we'll come up with something. Preferably in a soundproof room."

"Or just in yours." And Izuna was fine with that.