A/N: Whoo boy, so I finally was able to get this thing working and get my second chapter up! (I had finished it a while ago...er...two days ago, to be exact.) And...you'll notice I've actually titled my chapters now. (I had wanted to do that to the first but it slipped my mind and then...then I couldn't edit it and boo-hoo-hoo. And stuff...so...yeah.) I terribly hope Yuuri's not too OOC, I did my best with him. the next chapter will be hella hard...as...well, you'll just have to wait and see how OOC I've made them. XD If I get enough reviews to drive me on. -wink, wink, hint, hint, nudge, nudge- Oh, and thanks to the ones who HAVE reviewed - much appreciated! Oh, er, warnings? Still AU, still got nice shounen ai Yuuram, and now we've added terribly OOC'ness to the concoction!

Disclaimers: I don't own the anime Kyou Kara Maou, nor did I draw the comics, nor did I write the novels. -sniffs- Someone, comfort me? -listens to Conrad sing 'Love Me Tender' to feel better-

Chapter 2: Free Bird Blues

Shibuya Yuuri (Harajuku Fuuri) had lacked many things in his life. A proper baseball bat and new gloves, first of all, a sane mother, a father with a backbone, and an older brother who didn't seem to think of him as a little sister or toddler. Oh, a girlfriend should be included, but truthfully, Yuuri's brain was lost among the baseball stars to really care much about something so silly. He figured when he made it big - oh, what was another ten years without a significant other? - he'd be swamped with girls, and would definitely have his pickings. He should also include the fact the seemingly fifteen-year-old baseball-obsessed boys was a Demon King for the underworld, but why think of that? He'd appointed Shouri as an ambassador after being forcefully whisked away to this Earth area along with his family, and immediately fell in love with the American sport. He had trust in his older brother would heed his words when he'd commanded that he not let the war last another second, and haggle with the Fallen Angels until all was settled. Yuuri would've loved to do it himself, but it seemed his small family worried an assassination attempt after a particular dinner (he still insists he was merely surprised by a birdcall and just dropped the knife), but there was no arguing when Miko "Jennifer" Shibuya stomped her foot down. All that aside, he was normal by all means that he knew of, sans the slight gender-complex his family seemed to suffer over him. Thusly saw it perfectly fit to throw a confused tantrum when he came home one afternoon from school (after pinning after a baseball diamond complete with ball player) to discover a few important facts that had been arranged without his knowledge.

"SHOURI, YOU DID WHAT!"

The older Shibuya sighed softly, shaking his head at his little brother's reaction. That was to be expected - his little brother lacked as much tact as that blonde brat did. However, Shouri had made a promise, and the chance for the future this made couldn't be ignored. He felt slightly bad, arranging this marriage without his brother's consent, and also felt more than a little resentment towards himself for it. After all, Yuuri was still far too young. He couldn't possibly handle married life at this age. And after seeing his intended-to-be and the temper tantrum that followed after he himself learned he was to be given away like a present rather than a human - er, other worldly being, he nearly regretted his choice. But when the first regiment had returned and he was introduced to the second oldest son of the royal family, and having a talk with the man, he reluctantly allowed for the proposal to go through.

"I got you hitched." Blunt was all Shouri could be right now, as he flipped another page of the newspaper casually. Jennifer had heard the news already, and was a permanent fixation at Yuuri's side since the second the boy stepped through the door.

"B-but... but! How could you--! SHOURIIII! This is my LOVE LIFE!" After all, having a fiancée was one of the things you were supposed to know about beforehand!

"And it's all been settled out for you, Yuu-chan!" Squealed the gushing woman latched onto his arm. Yuuri wondered, sometimes, if maybe aliens had replaced his mother's actual brain with that of a thirteen-year-old girl.

"That's EXACTLY it! I can't be married at this age and--"

"It's only an engagement. The actual wedding can wait several years."

"But that's rude to a girl, to keep her waiting and--SHOURI! Stop saying things to put words in my mouth!"

The crinkling of newspaper as the older flipped past another page, before calmly replying, "You put those in your mouth yourself."

"Ne, ne, Yuu-chan! You'll bring your fiancée home and let us get to know her, right? Right?"

"Moooooom! I don't want to be engaged right now and Shouri should--"

"You mentioned it being rude to keep a lady waiting. Your bride-to-be arrived today with an escort - you're supposed to meet her in an hour."

And that, regrettably, was that. All matters were settled as the boy went back into panic mode, screaming something about not knowing what brand clothes to wear or what to say, and how could they have gotten him - their own king - into such a predicament. After all, this would be a sort of unholy matrimony, what with them being so young and barely knowing each other, and boy, did he hope she liked him.

And it had to have been more than an hour when Yuuri stumbled out of the door, tugging on a light jacket to ward off the spring wind and shoes barely on correctly, for there was what Yuuri assumed was their escort. He was a tall, lean man, with the gentlest smile the Demon King had ever seen on anyone's face. Dressed in casual jeans and T-shirt with an over shirt tossed over his muscled frame, Yuuri was faintly glad he didn't need to wear anything formal. The boy had no formal tuxedos, after all, and he felt arriving in his formal uniform was just a bit much. The escort had been leaning against a black car - it appeared shiny and new from Yuuri's prospective, and if his limited knowledge on the things were right, it appeared to be a BMW. If that was true, then it was expensive, and Yuuri worried about getting it dirty. That fear melted the moment the escort brushed some of his brown bangs from his eyes, revealing a rich, soulful gaze that reminded him of a run-of-the-mill shoujo anime, of the single teacher that all the girls drooled over. Hurriedly, Yuuri bowed as a faint blush came to his cheeks after that thought. He must be reading too much of his mother's books.

"Er, uh, hi! I'm Shibuya Yuuri, Harajuku Fuuri! Well, the last part's not actually part of my name, but you see, all the kids here call me that since I've arrived and--"

A deep, relaxed chuckle broke the boy's rambling, causing him to look up sharply and blush that much harder. He'd probably made a fool of himself, and was being laughed at. What a way to go for first impressions...

"So you're the Demon King? Its no wonder peace was reached this quickly." The brunette gave the younger man a smile, and moved away from the car languidly. A soft click later, and the back door was swung wide open, the man bowed at the waist and motioning elegantly with one hand for him to get in. "My name is Conrad Weller, and from today, I will be your head guard. After all, you're joining our courts, by marrying my sibling."

The boy-king flushed harder than ever. Being treated to royally was...uncomfortable, to say the least. It felt too formal, and if what this Conrad guy was saying was true, he'd rather not have their relationship start this way. "Hey...we're going to be brothers-in-laws anyway, right? So, drop the formalities! We can be pals and...Hopefully get along!" Yuuri beamed his brightest at the man before hoping his way around the sleek black vehicle, trailing his fingertips along the smooth edge. He could see his reflection, distorted beyond belief, bounce and follow along with him until he reached the passenger's side, and opened the door himself. "I call shot gun! Well, not like I can't call anything other than shotgun but--are those leather seats? Aaaaggghhh, I feel so cheap in here! My inferiority complex!"

Conrad seemed slightly surprised by the boy's reaction to his protocol. The half-human was used to the rough sort of treatment, the ignorance, or the silent scorn. He had received kindness from time to time, of course he had, which fueled his love for peace and drove him to fight for it's cause, but it was rare one of such a high rank - and a former enemy at that - to treat him so. Even more amusing, Conrad realized as he shut the back door and opened the driver's side, sliding into his seat behind the wheel, was the boy's utter naivete. This was sure to be amusing, he was sure, and his little brother was in for a definite treat. In truth, when he first heard of the proposal, he had wondered what in hell had been going through Gwendel's mind to approve such a thing. Not only would Wolfram be fuming at giving him no say in the arrangement, he was sure the Demon King would as well - not to mention, this would destroy any chance for the young prince. He knew Wolfram, he knew his pride and loyalty, and would not back out of a promise this big. He felt Wolfram had been robbed of a chance of willingly giving his heart away. He worried what kind of man would be taking his little brother as their spouse, and worried for Wolfram's future. A chance meeting with the ambassador, who also happened to be the Demon King's older brother - helped to lift a veil or two on that mystery. But seeing the Demon King himself assuaged any doubts from his mind and soul like a refreshing shower.

"Don't let it bother you much," Conrad murmured as his hand fell upon the stick, and he put the car into first gear just as Yuuri had settled and was in the process of clicking his seatbelt securely. The car thrummed to life with a purr. He put the car into reverse, pulling back into the narrow street ways of the Japan area, then took off to rendezvous at the cafe where his youngest sibling awaited them. "It was your fiancée's choice. My sibling wanted you to think highly of us, and choose this vehicle as a proper means to transport you. We thought it would impress you."

Yuuri had to smile a little at that. Someone...try to impress him? That was the first. Maybe this girl would like him after all. But...would he like her back? It seemed she had a lot of money to blow, and he hoped she wasn't hoping he was filthy rich or anything, because he didn't have much to spend. Yuuri slumped into the chair, willing the plush leather to eat him up right now as he directed his gaze out the window. "I wouldn't mind a bus... Ah! No, never mind, this is fine enough! It does impress me it's just... well..."

A chuckle greeted that line, much like the chuckle he first heard. It was about this time that the boy began to pick up that it wasn't a mocking tone in the least, more like an older brother amused by the younger brother's way of thinking. He found he liked the sound, and liked the thought of having a brother that wasn't quite like Shouri. After all, Shouri was the one who got him into this mess when he asked for peace! Peace! "Are you afraid, Your Majesty?"

"Ah...a little," he confessed, after a short period of silence to think. "I mean, we've never ever met before and I don't know how your sibling is! I don't know what she likes or dislikes, I don't know if she's mean or nice, I don't know anything about her! I don't know if I'll screw something up or--"

"Don't you think it's easier to be yourself when you don't know a thing about them?"

Yuuri tore his gaze away to stare at the brunette beside him, befuddled, managing an eloquent, "...eh?"

Conrad not once took his eyes off the rode, but there was a smile in his eyes that told Yuuri he didn't have to look at the boy King to see his expression. "When you just go to meet a person without knowing a thing about them, you aren't influenced by outside sources to lie to gain their approval. You can honestly be yourself, and only the personalities of the two meeting will judge how their future will go."

Yuuri took a while to digest this, before grinning like a fool himself, a hand coming up to scratch his head distractedly. "That's pretty mature of you to say, Conrad."

"I've lived a long time, Your Majesty."

"We're going to be brothers-in-laws, aren't we? Call me Yuuri."

"...Alright, Yuuri." There was a long moment of silence as the car came to a rumbling halt before a red light. People rushed across the street, some diagonally in a hectic race to go nowhere. Yuuri idly watched the people before turning back to the man, unnerved by the silence. It was then that he got a good look at the handsome visage of his older brother-to-be, the brunette sported a scar across his eyebrow, and a hearing aide in his ear.

"... Have you gone deaf in one ear already? Ah! Oh, jeez, that was forward of me, I'm sorry!"

Conrad gave a little start and reached up to touch his ear, callused fingers coming in contact with the small item in his ear, before he smiled gently. "No, not at all. This is a translator - though you know our natural language, my sibling and I need this to understand the rest of this world. Your mother had come from here - so you and your brother and probably your father are fluent, but I fear the rest of us are rather ignorant of such things."

"Oh.." And then the lights turned green, and as if Conrad had never been distracted earlier, he pushed the car into gear and they were moving off again. A glance out the window told Yuuri there were nearing the edge of the shopping district in Shibuya, awfully close to Harajuku. European style stores lined the streets, occasionally dotted with a willowy, leafy tree fenced around to make sure it grew straight. Few cars lined the streets, and the people who walked the sloping hill went at a slow, leisurely pace. Some carried bags sporting the names of some European store, and Yuuri distinctly felt as though he'd stepped into London, or someplace back home. "Conrad?"

"Yes?"

"I...I know you said I shouldn't know a thing...but I want to be prepared. Could you...could you tell me what kinda person I'm supposed to marry?"

There was silence once again, and Yuuri worried he'd crossed the line with the man. The last thing he wanted to do was break any type of bond he just forged with what he considered a very mature adult, someone to depend upon unlike Shouri. He suddenly felt guilt stricken, and turned to properly apologize for making such a request when he noticed that Conrad was still smiling.

"Of course. After all, I'll have to warn you that my younger sibling has some very apparent flaws."

Yuuri gulped.

"You see, my sibling can come off as sort of arrogant, pushy, and bratty. Loud, sometimes, and unrelenting and stubborn as the rest of our family. In truth, many people find my sibling's brash qualities and frequent passions something of a major flaw."

Yuuri gulped again. This girl was beginning to sound like a complete nightmare...

"But you can never judge a book by its cover, could you? There are reasons behind those qualities, such as a fierce loyalty and love for those who are close. There's much more to my sibling than meets the eye, and takes far more than one meeting to understand completely."

And then the demon king felt the car pull to the side, slide into a small parking space just before a cafe. The engine stopped thrumming, the air con turned off, and the locks popped up with a dull sound. Conrad left the keys in the ignition, and turned to look at the black-haired boy with a smile, tinged slightly with sadness...and something he couldn't quite pinpoint. "You may get out at any time, Your Majesty. But if you could take this one request - as a humble 'brother' to another...if you should at any time feel that this marriage will end in disaster, for the sake of both your hearts, forsake this proposal. Peace can be achieved another way, and it should not come at the cost of anyone's happiness - not a king's, and not a younger sibling's."

And Yuuri decided then if Conrad - who seemed so nice, wise, and kind - could care this much about a single person, then this person must be definitely worth the trouble they cause. Putting on what he hoped was his most charming smile, he nodded optimistically. "I'll work hard to make this thing work." His hand shot to the seatbelt buckle, releasing the catch, before he turned to open the door. Just as it swung open and the boy hopped out, did he curses and whirl around and pop his head back into the car. Well, he would've had he not misjudged the distance between roof and forehead, and banged his head rather hard on the metal as he made to lean back into the car.

"Your Majesty!" Conrad cried, hands moving to undo the catch of his seatbelt. "Are you alright? That sounded like it hurt."

Yuuri smiled ruefully, rubbing at the sore spot developing on his forehead. That was going to form a lump, and surely not to impress his intended. "I'm fine, my head's thicker than that!" He laughed a little before realizing he'd just insulted himself, and tapered it off into embarrassed chuckles. "Uh...um. You see, Conrad...what does my fiancée look like?"

The brunette, nearly completely free of the seatbelt, stopped his doings to blink at the boy king. Yuuri stood before him, looking very much like an awkward teen going on his first date. His obsidian eyes were bright and wide, coal bangs falling into a flushed face and covering a reddish lump forming on his forehead. And that smile...that smile on that tanned face, optimistic and boyish. No one would suspect that this boy was a Demon King. He seemed too airheaded at times; he seemed too naive, and far too young. It was then that Conrad decided that, without a doubt, this boy would win Wolfram's heart in a matter of seconds.

"We look nothing alike, I assure you, but he'll be the prettiest one there. I'm sure you'll be able to pick which one." Conrad smiled reassuringly and Yuuri bounced back out of the car. Just before he shut the door, he heard Conrad call out as if on last thought, "I'll be waiting outside the door for you!" He turned to wave at the man, letting him know he'd caught the message called out. Sadly, he couldn't quite catch the word 'he'.