An Empire to Conquer Your Heart

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

Chapter 24

Izuna smiles as a flash of purple, blue, and gold races through his field of vision. Thankfully there wasn't very far for Haruka to go inside so small a transport ship. "He's very excited. It's his first time going to the Santsuki festival." He pulls at the tight, stretch black fabric covering his arms beneath the sweeping blue sleeves spread across his lap.

"It's mine as well." Madara smiles looking at his mate in his festival clothes. "I didn't think it was possible, but you look even more beautiful than usual. We should probably go and catch our flighty son, though."

"It's fine, there's nowhere dangerous that he can run." Izuna's earrings tinkle together as he lays his head on Madara's shoulder. "I made sure to inspect the ship before we boarded."

"Good idea. So what does one do at this festival?" Madara smiles as he wraps an arm around Izuna's waist and pulls his mate snugly against his side.

"Eat, drink, be with family, enjoy good weather. There's dancing and performances, games, sometimes even weddings, betrothals, proposals. It's considered an auspicious time because it's within the one month in our year that all three of our moons shine in the sky at once. We light bonfires out in the meadows for people to sit around during the night." It was one of the most incredible celebrations Izuna had ever experienced. "It's a very important time for family, because it's also considered a festival of love and prosperity."

"That sounds easy enough. It will be good for all of us to enjoy this time as a family together." Madara smiles, kissing the top of Izuna's head as his hand glides against his mate's still flat stomach.

Izuna chuckles softly. "If you're already this eager to feel my stomach at every opportunity, I imagine that you'll be insufferable when you start to see a bump in a week or so."

"Of course. I wasn't there for your first pregnancy. I have much to make up for." Madara thought this should be the most obvious fact in the universe.

"Oh you do, but I'm sure that you won't be so eager to indulge me when I start to having the insatiable cravings and the fits of moodiness." Izuna remembered those days all too well. "I promise that at least three points, you're going to briefly wish that you hadn't knocked me up again."

Madara flicks Izuna's forehead. "You'll always be my sexy pessimist. It will work out fine."

"Yes, because you would conquer a galaxy for me if I asked you to." Izuna rolls his eyes and rubs at his forehead, but he couldn't really be angry. He didn't have the heart for it. "Though if I do ask you to conquer a galaxy for me while I'm pregnant, I expect you to fuck the idea out of my head rather than indulge me. That sort of talk is for when my moods aren't all over the place."

"Yes, I know. Diplomacy and practicality above all else unless you're trying to assassinate me or want to get fucked until you can't walk properly." Madara shakes his head. Honestly, his beloved worried far too much.

"It is the Bijin way, after all." Izuna shoots his lover a smoldering look. "Besides, you love it when I get my tail out." There was simply no denying it.

"I'll confess that I am rather fond of both your tails." Madara kisses Izuna. "Though do try to relax. Stressing yourself unnecessarily isn't good for you or the baby."

"I'm not stressing myself." Izuna huffs impatiently. "Besides, Haruka turned out perfect, and I'm much happier now than I was then. Everything will be fine, I promise, so you don't have to worry about me as if I'm a delicate flower."

"I wouldn't say you're a delicate flower. You're a beautiful rose with many thorns." Madara chuckles at Izuna's sulking, wrapping his arm around his huffy mate's waist. "You're right, though. He is perfect and I wouldn't have you any other way."

Well that was a load of bullshit if Izuna had ever smelled any. "Liar, you have me many ways. On the bed, on the floor, in the shower, on my back, on my side, on my knees…"

"That's true and I enjoy each and every one of those. I was referring more to your personality than positions, but if you're feeling neglected I'm happy to remedy that at the first opportunity." Madara glides his hand over Izuna's tail with a smile.

"Oh I'm sure that you are, but at least try to behave for the festival." Izuna kisses Madara's cheek and his tail curls teasingly around his lover's wrist. Then he glances out of the tempered glass and shielded window. He'd been more focused on Haruka the last time he'd seen this view, but looking at his planet from so high above was…like nothing he could remember. Beautifully blue and white and green, speckled with silver mountains.

"Tease." Madara shakes his head but his gaze follows Izuna's. There was a certain happy melancholy in his mate's eyes. "Do you miss it?"

"Don't you miss your home?" Izuna smiles softly.

"Of course, I miss it. Other than your arms, it is my favorite place in the universe. It's just I can serve it best by expanding the empire." Madara glances at Izuna. How would his mate react to his homeworld? Would he see it the same way that Madara did?

Yes…the empire, wasn't that why they were both traipsing across the galaxy for months on end? "I know that you don't hold a high opinion of my people because of my…unique situation until recently. But there's so much more to us than just displaying our status for everyone to see. I miss all of the things I enjoyed." And to Izuna, there was a great many things. "I miss dancing at the festivals with my sister, walking along the rivers and skipping stones across ponds, climbing the old trees and picking fruit from the top branches. And I miss being able to go out with classmates to shows and to eat or to parties or other fun things that people my age are expected to do."

He watches his beloved Bijin with a small frown. "You've never mentioned any of those things before. The only things I know about your people are what I learned in textbooks before I met you and how they treated you after...everything. I was under the impression you were miserable there. You were so different than what I had been told Bijins are typically like. Headstrong and passionate. A fighter. You tried to kill me the first time you saw me. You didn't want to surrender."

"It's precisely because I was so passionate and headstrong that I was hurting. I was…angrier then. I was too focused on how everything was going wrong and how different I was and how I didn't fit in. It was…ironically easier in a way to appreciate the good things when I no longer had them." Izuna sighs wistfully. "And then when I came to your ship, everything seemed to be going wrong again and I focused on the things that hurt me, instead of what made me happy. I may have been an oddball and a bit of a pariah, but I had friends and I had fun. Now I'm finally happy again and the things that hurt me seem so far away and insignificant." He looks up at Madara affectionately. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, but I'm the one that should be thanking you." He caresses Izuna's cheek with a soft smile. "It would have been far easier for you to accommodate the wishes of your people. You didn't have to love me back, but you did anyway and without you, Haruka wouldn't exist. If I hadn't met you, I would still be happy. A proud Chikara king who was reveling in his success, but I wouldn't have known true joy. The stars shine brighter in your presence."

Izuna turns his back to Madara, then lays back to lean against his lover's shoulder. He raises a hand and cups the king's cheek. "And you have shown me places far beyond my home. Places that I want to explore because it excites me. Every planet we see is a new adventure, and I would never have had this without you. I would never have felt what real love was like without you."

"Good. I do hope you'll remember that when you're in labor and trying to strangle me." Madara chuckles, kissing Izuna's head. "I'll always love you."

"I'll try, but I make no promises." Izuna laughs softly and reaches up to pull Madara down for a proper kiss. His lover was so warm, so affectionate, so strong.

"That's moderately reassuring." Madara returns the kiss. Enjoying the feeling of Izuna's lips on his and running his fingers through those much longer locks of hair. "You know, I never thought I'd have this feeling again. I thought you were a beautiful comet that flitted in and out of my life, but you came back. That's one of the reasons I can't keep my hands off of you. I don't want to lose you again especially not now. Now that we're a family. So, I'll try my best to behave for around your fellow Bijins, but the second we are alone, you're getting bent over the nearest hard surface or I might just whisk you away to the closest springs I can find. I do love getting you wet."

"You're such a pervert." Izuna laughs and nuzzles into Madara's neck. "Here we are on a family vacation, and you're already plotting to get me alone and have your wicked way with me. At this rate, I should expect that the first thing you'll do when we arrive on your world will be to banish your court from your halls and bend me over whatever passes for the king's throne."

"I'll have you know that is the second thing I intend do. First, like any responsible parent, I'll see to it that Haruka is taken care of and then I'll ensure our privacy to ravish you over the throne." Madara smiles, wrapping his arms around his mate tightly. He had spent five years without him. So, he understood fully how valuable these moments were. "I just hope this isn't all a dream that I'm going to wake up from."

"It's not." Izuna closes his eyes and curls up in Madara's lap. "This is the one dream none of us will ever wake up from." And that was just the way he wanted it.

The scent of grass and flowers and fresh food wafts through the air, to Izuna's delight. It was the smell of the impending festival. For three days and four nights it would last from start to finish. And already their bright sun was hanging low in the sky.

Haruka coos softly in his arms, still mostly asleep after tiring himself out by running around the small ship. Izuna let him sleep, after all they were all going to be up quite late and Haruka would be so disappointed if he missed out on the fireworks and dancing.

He looks out over the city from behind the protective glass surrounding the landing platform. Everything was just as he remembered it when leaving with the diplomatic party from this very same landing pad. Save, of course, for the profusion of flowers and banners that decorate the city in celebration of the convergence of the moons at the end of every spring.

Izuna's lips twitch with amusement. "You know, the last time I went to a Santsuki festival was just before being kidnapped by a Chikara king intent on starting his empire building with the conquest of my home-world."

"It seems like a lifetime ago and now, you've returned having conquered the conqueror's heart with the most adorable child in the universe at your side." Madara smiles, resting his head on top of Izuna's. His hand rests on his mate's stomach as he takes in all the sights. "It's beautiful here. I suppose that was the first thing I noticed about your home-world before you tried to kill me."

The topaz markings across Izuna's skin shimmer and glow in the light of the setting sun. "Definitely the best mistake of my life." Ad now he could enjoy that life with the ones he loved. All of them, he hoped. "Come on, let's take the gyro-tubes down into the city. The actual festival takes place just outside the walls." He raises a hand and points off to the south, where the trees recede, leaving a large clearing of nothing but grassy meadow. "But we should try walking through the city first, there's plenty of market stalls open. Food, trinkets, all sorts of art and toys."

Madara nods with a smile and admires how beautiful the light made Izuna's markings look. "That sounds lovely. We'll have to get Haruka something before we leave."

"I was thinking many somethings." Izuna lightly strokes Haruka's soft hair. Then he turns away from the view and towards the open door of the tube-like elevator at the other end of the landing platform. "After all, no matter if there's only one child or if there's two of them, they're going to need enough toys that they won't fight over them." And now that Izuna's expenses were all taken care of, he had enough money to get several baskets of toys. "And I'd like to be able to properly spoil Haruka."

"Excellent. We shall get the puppy before we leave then." Madara smirks as he walks alongside his mate. "And as many other things as I can carry."

"So…you found out about the puppy request, did you?" Izuna shakes his head even as he smiles. He had expected as much. "He's been hoping for one for as long as he can remember." They'd just never had the money or the space. "As long as you ensure that Haruka understands that the dog is his responsibility, then I'll agree to it." How strange it was that Izuna's life had come to setting conditions, with a king no less, over getting their child a puppy. He steps into the tube and readjusts Haruka against his shoulder. "Understood?"

Madara chuckles. Izuna could feign being the disciplinarian as much as he wanted, but he knew better. His mate wouldn't refuse Haruka or his bubble eyes anything. "Of course. The puppy will be completely his responsibility."

Why did Izuna get the feeling that he would be the one looking after the may pets they would no doubt accumulate while Madara and the children went on their little adventures? "Good." The floor of the tub begins to move, then shoots down at a pace that would be both uncomfortable and alarming, if it weren't for the inertia dampeners built into the system. Numerous tubes trail down alongside theirs as they connect the many landing platforms to the station below, where the gyro-tubes lay. "Do you have transportation like this in your capital?"

"Nothing like this. We generally walk, use hover-transport, or the teleporters. Unfortunately, we haven't mastered the ability to teleport without having pre-built teleporters in place." Madara liked to think by the time Haruka was an adult, they might. Though honestly that sort of thing was beyond him. Something Hiroto would know more about than he did.

"Then you're in for a treat." Izuna steps out of the tube when they reach the bottom and towards the gates leading out of the arrivals section. His tail curls out from under the split skirt of his robes and carries on it a small satchel. Izuna carefully rummages in it for a small identification disk as he catches sight of the security guard at the gate. "Leave this to me, Madara."

Madara arches an eyebrow wondering what his mate was up to. "Alright. I'll leave it in your capable hands."

Izuna's features smooth into the serenely patient expression of a diplomat as he approaches the security booth. He holds the identification disk in his palm and offers it to the man behind the desk. "Two citizens returning for the Santsuki festival after a diplomatic mission. With a Chikara guest. We arrived on the diplomatic vessel hailing from the emperor's personal warship."

The guard tilts his head as he takes the disc. "Of course. Just a minute." He runs the disc through the scanner. "Haven't seen many Chikara at the festival, but the number gets a bit bigger every year. So, this your husband and your boy?" His eyes trail over Izuna's earrings curiously.

"Yes, though there are still a few papers that haven't been filed yet because we've been away, so the records still need updating." Izuna flicks his ruby and sapphire earring and it tinkles softly. "And this is our child, Haruka."

"Ah. Of course. Paperwork is a never ending battle." He nods, smiling at the sleeping child. "Well, you've got yourself a couple of lookers there. Enjoy the festival."

"Thank you, they certainly know it." Izuna chuckles and takes back the disk from the orange-speckled hand. He slides it safely back into the small satchel. He reaches his hand back to Madara as the gates open. "Come, let's go see the markets first."

"That went well." Madara takes Izuna's hand and follows his mate's path. "To the markets then. I wonder how long it will take for the crowds to wake up Haruka." That boy could truly sleep through almost anything it seemed.

"My guess is seven minutes and thirteen seconds." Izuna laughs softly as he leads Madara through the station. There were travelers scattered here and there, waiting for the transport tubes to free up. He spots the smallest line and guides his lover to it. "Though do try not to fall asleep tonight. It would be most unbecoming of my 'husband' to get drunk and pass out and leave me all alone to carry him and our baby to an inn."

"Never. Most likely, I'll carry you like a bride while you carry Haruka." Madara smirks. He knew he was pulling the Izuna by the tail here.

"Oh yes, because I'll be a queen in your arms." Izuna rolls his eyes. "Do Chikara men actually carry their women like that? I'd have thought that your women would whack you over the head for it."

"Some do and I'll have you know that we pride ourselves on being a rather egalitarian society. So it's not too unusual to see a man carrying a man or a woman carrying a woman either." He kisses his stubborn lover's forehead. "It's actually considered quite the confident display. In the same vein as wearing your heart on your sleeve as you are visibly showing how precious that person is to you. You're secure in your ability to protect them."

Izuna's lips twitch and he huffs softly. "You don't lack confidence, that's for sure. I wonder if Haruka will inherit that from you…" And perhaps he'd inherit his Daddy's diplomacy…though somehow Izuna doubted it. Haruka was a wild spirit and nothing would change that.

"I suspect he'll split the difference between us." Madara looks around as they continue on their journey together. "Besides, you knew I wasn't a meek ship mouse when you met me. That's not the Chikara you fell in love with."

"No, I certainly didn't fall for a meek little mouse." Izuna smirks and reaches his fingers into Madara's mane. "I chose the lion instead." And he presses a searing kiss to Madara's lips.

Madara smiles, returning the kiss. "That you did. Tell me what is the prevailing view on public affection when it comes to your people?" Perhaps they had just scandalized a bunch of Bijin.

"Prevailing…that it's the younger generations that engage in public displays of affection. But with our Santsuki festival beginning…" Izuna pulls back with a mischievous look on his face. He points to a couple kissing on a bench, another locked in a rather passionate embrace, and several others smiling and holding hands. "You should probably hope that when the next gyro-sphere comes back, that no one is having sex in it."

"If it wasn't for Haruka, it'd be rather tempting to engage in a little exhibition." If Izuna wanted to play that game, Madara could as well.

"Then it's too bad for you that he's here." Izuna snickers and presses a finger to his lover's lips. "Though it shouldn't surprise you to know that many babies are going to be born nine months from now."

Madara sucks on the finger with a knowing smile. "I'm sure there will be many babies born in nine months, but I'm more interested in our own."

Izuna's lips curve into a gracefully seductive smile. "Oh I bet you are. In six months, I think you'll have your hands quite full."

He nips playfully. "I look forward to it. I assure you they'll all be spoiled to their hearts' content and you'll look glorious draped over our thrones."

A hint of surprise touches Izuna's lips, then his smiles takes on a mischievous air. "So I get my own throne, do I?" He re-balances Haruka against his shoulders and takes Madara by the hand as a new slew of gyro-spheres pull into the station. "Why don't you tell me about this throne on the way down to the city." He tugs his lover into one of the spheres, each one built only large enough to hold a small family.

"Of course you do." Madara smiles allowing himself to be guided off towards the gyro-spheres. How many of these things were there? "You're my mate. You're my equal. You'll be my co-ruler if you can survive meeting my mother. The standard design is a large throne made out of gold with red velvet cushions, but you can alter it if you like."

That sounded…utterly majestic. "I like the sound of that. Though I'll need lots of cushions." Izuna imagined that he was going to spend a great deal of the next few decades either pregnant or recovering from pregnancy, or otherwise recovering from his lover's passions. Cushions were definitely a must. "And a slightly lower, wider seat so I can actually sit without squishing my pregnant belly and so I can stretch my legs." He seats himself cautiously on the padded bench that circles the inside of the sphere. He places Haruka into a child-friendly seat that pops from the wall to his left and buckles their baby in, then himself.

"You can have as many cushions as you like and those alterations are easy enough." Madara settles himself down and buckles up as well. It was nice to know that Izuna would like his throne. It made their mating feel more real and less like a dream. "You know I'd do anything for you. Even sneaking into a Bijin festival by pretending to be an ordinary Chikara."

"Thank you for that." Izuna knew that there was still a chance that they would attract attention, but it was nice to spend time together as just an ordinary family. "Maybe we should make this a tradition. We could go down to the surface of every planet we visit and walk around as if we're just a normal family."

"We could certainly make the attempt, but I suspect we'd be recognized eventually." Madara kisses Izuna's cheek, smiling. "And you're welcome."

"Then it would be fun while it lasted." Izuna presses a kiss to Madara's lips as the pod begins to move. And only moments later, the clear walls of the sphere reveal the full breadth of the city spreading out beneath them. Izuna was finally home.