Part Four

The castle's residents did not stir until early afternoon. Most got some lunch, however the happy couple was still in bed, but awake. Hiei snuggled Yusuke who was human again and Yusuke gave a happy growl. Their resistance to their engagement had vanished before and during the party and now they were in love and looked forward eagerly to their wedding. However, they first had to get past Yusuke's full moon nights.

"Hmm, Yusuke? Will you be wanting any food before tonight?"

"No. I usually just eat at night while the moon's full."

"Ah. So, we could just lay here all afternoon if we wanted to."

"Sounds good to me. I get the feeling that we won't be able to once we're crowned rulers."

"Your feeling is correct." Red eyes opened to gaze into brown eyes. Both still wore last night's party clothes and Hiei took the chance to admire Yusuke's outfit as it had melded with his skin when he changed. He wore black trousers, a yellow shirt with three-quarter sleeves, a blue-lined black cape, and a pair of black slip-on shoes. The jewelry was still on, too and Yusuke fingered the chain. "These will have to come off otherwise I might chew my legs off to remove the cuffs and besides it'll restrict my blood flow."

"It will?"

"Yeah. I'm more muscular on the full moon and less concerned about being civilized. I'm just a wild animal."

Hiei pulled him closer. "I'm sorry you have to go through that."

"Thanks, but I've been doing it all my life so it's natural for me."

Hours later, Yusuke walked down to the enclosure, all jewelry gone and wearing casual clothes. He went to the scanner and put his hand on it. It beeped, the light went from red to green, and the door opened. He entered, the door closed, and he breathed in the pine scent. He looked up at the skylight to see they sky starting to darken. He heard the door open and tuned to see Mukuro depositing a dead human on the ground. She smiled at him. "Good night, Yusuke."

"Good night." Mukuro left the room and, as she passed the security room, she saw Hiei seated in front of the cameras showing the enclosure, a glass of blood in hand. She said nothing and continued on her way. Hiei had never seen a werewolf or a wild one, so naturally he wanted to see his fiancée's wild state. I fear it may shock and scare him, but he would insist on seeing it.

Yusuke shifted restlessly as he waited. He knew what would happen and he had told Hiei as well. He wondered if Hiei was the only one who had never seen a werewolf before. I should ask.

The familiar tingle was felt and his eyes turned red and glowing. He growled angrily as his muscles grew larger before his fur grew out. His height increased to six feet and he dropped to all four paws. His tail grew out bushier than before. Once Yusuke had taken wolf form, he let out a loud howl as his mind reverted to a simple vicious wolf. His nose twitched as he smelled human flesh. He turned to it, stalked over, and proceeded to devour it in brutal wolf fashion.

Hiei watched Yusuke's change with awe as he saw the eyes turn a glowing red, he grew six feet tall, and gained bulging muscles. The tail was bushier than last night and when Yusuke howled, Hiei heard it via speakers. It was a terrifying sound and Hiei watched in horror as Yusuke pounced on the human and proceeded to rip, rend, and tear through the body. Oh, hell. He is definitely not the wolf I spent last night with; he's completely different.

Yusuke moaned softly as the door opened the following morning. He just recalled last night's events and, as usual, did not like how he acted. I told Hiei that it's natural, but that doesn't mean I like it. He went up the hall to his room, which had a private bathroom. He stepped in to see Hiei fast asleep, smiled at the sight, got some fresh clothes, and went to shower. He emerged feeling human again and seeing Hiei also dressed and staring at him. "Hiei?" he asked curiously.

"I thought I had prepared for it," he said in a low, choking voice. "But, you were scary to watch and I can't imagine myself going through that."

"Wait. You saw me? How?"

"Security cameras."

"Oh. Hiei, I don't like acting that way. It disgusts me, but there's nothing I can do about it."

Hiei took Yusuke in his arms and hugged him. "I understand and accept that this is part of who you are. I will always love you, no matter what."

Yusuke returned the gesture. "Thanks, Hiei. I will always love you too."

"Good. Now, Mukuro wants to see us to get fitted for our wedding outfits." They parted and Hiei led the way to the tailor, hand-in-hand.

Yusuke adjusted the cape on his shoulders and smiled at his image. He looked very handsome and felt so grown-up. Today, I become Hiei's husband and Alpha of the werewolves. A thrill well up inside him at the thoughts.

He left the bedroom alone and up the hall to the garden's doors where Hiei waited, beaming. The short vampire never looked better in Yusuke's opinion. He put his hand in Hiei's and smiled at him. "You look absolutely wonderful."

"I was thinking the same thing about you," Hiei said. "This is going to be the best day of our lives."

"I have no doubt about that." They both pushed the doors open and slowly approached Mukuro who waited at the end, the vampires on either side of the aisle, watching them pass.

Mukuro beamed as the pair came closer. They were definitely a perfect match; she and Raizen had known that years ago. Both had been against the betrothal, but spending time together and learning of the other's race had led to real, true love. It was clear in their smiles and the look in their eyes whenever they looked at each other. They finally reached her and the group waited in silence.

"Fourteen years ago, Raizen and I entered into an agreement to betroth Hiei and Yusuke. Over those years, we met and shared information about them so as to properly welcome Yusuke to our home. We now have arrived on this glorious day. Today, I join Hiei and Yusuke in marriage and by doing so, they will rule their respective races.

"Hiei, do you take Yusuke as your husband and swear to rule to the best of your ability?"

"I do."

"Yusuke, do you take Hiei as your husband and mate and swear to rule to the best of your ability?"

"I do."

Mukuro took Hiei's right hand and Yusuke's left hand before sliding their hands into the others'. "Then, by your vows and my authority as queen, I declare you married. It is also my duty to crown you both as kings." A vampire came forward with a large pillow upon which sat two gleaming gold crowns. Mukuro gestured for them to kneel and they did so, still holding hands. She held one crown and, as she lowered it to Hiei's head, said, "With this crown, I name you King Hiei." She put it on his head and then retrieved the other crown, lowering it onto Yusuke's head. "With this crown, I name you King Yusuke and Alpha. Rise, your Majesties and face your subjects." The kings did so and the vampires rose from their seats and kneeled before them. "Your Majesties," they chorused in reverence.

Hiei raised his free hand. "Rise, our subjects." Once they had, he continued, "It pleases me that you are happy with our union and crowning. I look forward to ruling you for countless years as does my husband. Now, let us head to the ballroom for the reception." The vampires headed inside while Hiei and Yusuke shared their first kiss as husbands and kings before following their subjects inside. Yusuke looked forward to mingling at the reception.

Soft lovely music was already playing when they reached the doors of the ballroom, Mukuro blocking their path and smiling. "Let me be the first to congratulate you on your marriage and crowning. The vampires in the castle are largely Hiei's responsibility but they are both your subjects. The werewolves, however, are solely yours, Yusuke."

"Thank you," Yusuke said. He followed Hiei and Mukuro inside where their subjects greeted their entrance with claps. It felt great to be accepted by those who weren't part of his race. They didn't see him as a monster or a stupid dog. My being here will improve perceptions between our races. There will be real peaceful co-existence for both races. Yusuke smiled as he moved among a race he no longer feared, only respected.

The End