To Pikeebo: Thanks for the 1st review! But you know what I realized when reading your review? The prince and Yuuri are actually pretty similar. That's right; I didn't even realize I was doing it till you mentioned it. Ain't that something?

To Icbeastly: Thanks for the review! You needn't worry about the "interruptions" in the Yuuram couple, I can assure you it is very light and put in more for humor than anything else.

To damons-hot-as-hell & soulxspirit125: Thanks for the review and as you can plainly see, I have continued! Lol.

*The 3 Acts of KKM: The Prince of Taurogo*

Yuuri sighed as he stared at the response letter in his hands. How incredibly cryptic this guy is… Yuuri thought as he re-read the letter for what seemed to be the thirtieth time.

I, Prince of Taurogo,

Accept His Majesty's the Maoh's

Invitation to visit Shin Makoku,

Home of the wind in my heart,

And for that, I gracefully thank you.

Then the message was followed by a weird signature that looked like a curvy 'v' that became a English cursive 'n' halfway through the 'v' then had a random line curve out from the top of the crest of the 'n' to stop above the end of the bottom curve of the 'n' when then another random curve came out from the 'n' to form an arch like one half of the McDonald's Golden Arches to close the first random curve off from empty space when finally three short lines surrounded the 'v', not connecting at all mind you, another random line jutting out from the upper curve of the 'v-n' transition stage and a final line serving as the 'ground' for the bottom part of the 'n' (it's okay if you don't understand, even Yuuri doesn't). It looked like the culmination between several different languages and their written characters (Japanese and Shin Makoku being two of them Yuuri could distinguish).

Besides that, the thing that bothered the Maoh the most was most likely the fact that A) he still doesn't know the name of this far-off prince, B) what the hell did he mean by 'Home of the wind in my heart', and C) when the hell is this guy planning on coming to his kingdom. No communication, there's absolutely no communication at all…

Yuuri groaned and ran a hand through his longer black hair. He hadn't quite begun to look like his 'Maoh phase' but he was getting there. In fact, over the years that 'Maoh phase' seemed to have just morphed with him as his power and strength became more like one and not like two completely different people; which is ultimately a good thing, very useful too. The Maoh stood and pocketed the letter (oh yes, and over the years his outfit still hasn't changed, not that he's complaining for, if anything, the material changed and now it feels a lot smoother on his skin, like silk, rather than that itch wool) before leaving the office, done with his work for now.

The Maoh wandered through the halls of Blood Pledge Castle, silently commenting on how quiet the capital seemed today. No maids, no guards, no one, just him enjoying a nice stroll through his castle. Yuuri stopped in the middle of the courtyard and crossed his arms over his chest, his body language reading concern. "Something's not right…" Yuuri's eyes glanced around the area he was in now. It's quiet… too quiet… A sound was heard behind him and the demon king turned his head slightly to where the sound was coming from, his eyes narrowed and his focus went up. Someone was hiding behind those bushes over there, the same set of bushes he and Lord von Bielefeld used to hide in during their game of Hiding Shinou all those years ago. Yuuri pondered for a moment and wondered if he should call the people out or if it was best to just leave it be for the moment, it's not like he had to worry about anything anyways, despite not having Morgif at his side he was still able to use his magic if he was threatened. He ended up sighing, turning to face his opponent (hiding behind the bushes) and confront them. "You there, come out!" Yuuri ordered as he uncrossed his arms. The bushes moved and some voices were heard causing Yuuri to raise a brow. Two people are hiding behind the bushes? The king started to walk towards the bushes casually at that moment. "You don't have to worry… just come on out and—"

"Yuuri!" The Maoh stopped in his tracks and turned back around, seeing Wolfram start to approach him. "What are you doing out here by yourself wimp?"

Yuuri's shoulders dropped as a look of annoyance formed on his face. "Don't call me a wimp and there are people behind the bushes." With that some giggling was heard followed by a sharp 'Shh!' then that was followed by more giggles.

Wolfram just smirked. "You needn't concern yourself with that Yuuri. They're probably just some kids from some of the workers. It happens sometimes that you just need to bring your children to work and—"

"Cut it out Wolfram." Yuuri interrupted with a small smile on his face. "You don't think I would recognize my own daughter and Miss Beatrice even after two of being away in study? You must be joking."

With that Greta and Beatrice stood up quickly, similar looks of shock on their face. "No! How did you know it was us?" Greta asked her father as she stared open-mouthed at him.

Yuuri turned back around and grinned at his adoptive daughter. "It's because you are my daughter."

Greta giggled and grinned back before she and Beatrice stepped out from behind the bushes. While this happened Yuuri took this opportunity to look at the two girls. They certainty have groaned over the past few years when he first met them, but it seemed even more so within the two years he hadn't seen them face-to-face. They were now both equally beautiful, young women, looking just as they did as children really despite their bodies. While Beatrice looked like her age (fourteen), Greta certainty looked more like his own age (twenty-four) and not at all like an eighteen year old. Beatrice still wore her hair in a similar fashion to when she was a child; the only difference was that her hair got a tad bit longer. Greta's hair was also longer, just shoulder length, but it still retains all those curls from her childhood, something of which Yuuri was happy for. Beatrice wore a white, one shoulder, shirred bodice, knee length dress while Greta wore the dress Yuuri (and Wolfram) had chosen out and sent her on her birthday; a silver floor length, halter top style, ruched dress with jewels on the bodice.

"Hello Yuuri!" Greta squealed delightedly as she hugged one of her fathers. She then moved onto Wolfram, giving him the same treatment. "Hello Wolfram!"

"Hello, King Yuuri, Lord Wolfram." Beatrice greeted, bowing to them both, before she too moved in to give them hugs.

"Hello little princess." Yuuri greeted back as he bowed slightly to her. She has grown too, just coming up to his midriff {Announcement: Yuuri is also now six feet tall in case you're wondering, Wolfram at five point nine feet, this makes Beatrice around five feet "I'M TALLER NOW! YES!" "…Stupid wimp…"}. Beatrice giggled and went to stand beside Greta (who is now about five feet five, maybe six inches). "Where is your father, Mr. Hyscliff?"

"He didn't come with me this time. Greta and I came alone."

"What?!" Yuuri screamed. "My daughter and the future queen of Cavalcade came alone?! Aah!" Yuuri slapped his hands to his face and continued his little freak-out moment whilst hyperventilating. "This isn't good, this isn't good, this isn't good! If something were to happen to you two-!"

Wolfram took Yuuri in a headlock, effortlessly cutting the king off. "Shut up wimp! Though I do agree that these two shouldn't be traveling alone, you should calm yourself down and think clearly!"

"Don't call me a wimp-!" Yuuri scolded his fiancé a with a restricted air floor. "Release! Me!" Wolfram's arm around his neck tightened. With flailing arms Yuuri fought for breath. "LET GO!"

The girls stood by and laughed the interaction between the two fiancés. For as long as either of them knew the two, they have always been like this, and even after all this time of being engaged, they still haven't changed one bit. "Wolfram, perhaps you should let go of His Majesty." Conrad spoke as he came up to the four.

"Conrad!" Greta smiled warmly at him before she gave him a quick hug, he hugging her back gently.

Upon that Wolfram let go and Yuuri fell face first in the ground. The Maoh groaned and turned his head to he wouldn't breath in sand and dirt. "Thanks… Conrad…"

"It is really no problem Your Majesty."

"Stop calling me that… you're my Godfather." Conrad smiled. He would never stop calling Yuuri 'His Majesty.' It just came to be too much of an instinct.

"Oh! The prodigal daughter returns!" Lady Celi exclaimed happily as she walked over to the ever increasing group.

"Hi Lady Celi!" Greta exclaimed back as she met her grandmother halfway through to give her a hug before they both walked back to the group hand in hand. "It's been a while."

"Oh, too long darling." Celi replied back with a smile. "And look, the Maoh, my two beautiful sons and Princess Beatrice are all here too, my, my, this is some reunion."

"Mother…" Wolfram sighed, getting embarrassed slightly by his mother's personality.

"Hello mother." Conrad greeted with a smile.

Yuuri only nodded his greeting with a smile thinking Yep… here comes that busy-state that I am beginning to miss. The moment that thought crossed his mind the castle erupted with activity. There goes Dacascos walking Ao, who at the moment he saw his master neighed happily and dragged the guard over to the group, where the fully black stallion began nuzzling his master. "H-hey Ao!" Yuuri laughed as the horse pressed his muzzle against the Maoh's check.

"Better watch out Wolfie..." Celi began with a smile. "Looks like the Maoh really likes his horse."

"What? You cheater! That's disgusting!"

"H-hey Wolf—Stop!"

Conrad shook his head. "You just love to watch them fight all the time don't you mother?"

"Yes!"

Her son sighed but a small smile graced his mouth. "Thought so."

Across the courtyard the four maids, Doria, Lasagna, Sangria, and Effe, were chattering away like normal, gossiping about things around the castle, all while carrying baskets of laundry. From the other side of the castle an explosion was heard followed by a pair of screams, no doubt another one of Anissina's failed experiments and poor Gwendal and Gunter were the test subjects once again. Meanwhile back in the courtyard Yuuri finally pried a jealous-over-a-horse Wolfram off him and Dacascos pulled away Ao towards the barn. Yuuri sighed heavily and really hoped for some peace and quiet once more. He shoved his hands into his pocket and his hand collided with a piece of paper. Pulling it out he looked at the cryptic response from the prince of Taurogo (something of which he just remembered about). "Ah that's right!" Yuuri suddenly exclaimed, surprising those around him.

"What is it Yuuri?" Wolfram asked a brow raised at the demon king's sudden outburst.

"This is the response from the prince of Taurogo."

"Oh?" Conrad sounded. "May I?"

"Yes, but I gotta warn you, not helpful at all." Yuuri commented as he handed the folded up response to his Godfather.

Conrad read over the short letter and nodded his head. "I agree. Not at all helpful."

"Let me read it." Wolfram all but commanded and he snatched the letter out of his older half-brother's hands. "What is this?" Wolfram said after he read it over once, preparing to read it again.

"That's what I thought." Yuuri said as he re-shoved his hands back into his now empty pockets. "The only thing I got from that is that the prince is coming and that he has really nice penmanship."

Wolfram's brow twitched when his fiancé commented on another man's writing and he was about to go off on him when their daughter spoke up. "A prince? Of Taurogo? You mean the human country with the dictator-like king that's on his deathbed?"

"Well, technically he's not on his deathbed Greta." Yuuri replied.

Beatrice nodded. "Yeah, I heard he was just really ill and could die."

"I'm sure he's just a wimp like Yuuri here and is taking his illness as an excuse to laze about all day." Wolfram imputed.

"Stop calling me that Wolfram!"

Greta giggled. "It does sound like that could be a good excuse."

The Maoh sighed and took his right hand out of his pocket to take back the response. "As for your question Greta… apparently a half Mazoku prince came out of nowhere claiming to be the true heir to the kingdom and since the present king has no heir to offer the throne then it seems pretty legit. That and no one has officially disclaimed this prince as the heir yet."

"As in any case," Conrad began, "King Yuuri invited the prince over so they could be introduced and now it seems we are expecting a visit from a prince and we do not know when."

"That does seem to be the case now isn't it?" Celi asked. "If anything we are always ready for visitors, except on those days where we are unprepared completely."

"Like the day the pink bearbee was born." Yuuri stated as an example.

Celi nodded. "I'm sure we will be ready for the prince's visit whenever he sees fit. He just must have been excited to get an invitation to our lovely kingdom by the Maoh himself, I know I would be."

"Flirt…" Wolfram said under his breath as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Yes, well, I really feel as if—"At that moment Gisela jogged up to them with a sour expression on her face. "Gisela." Yuuri blinked at the physician. "What's the matter?"

"Did you invite King Saralegi to the castle and didn't tell anyone by any chance?"

"What?" Yuuri reacted. "This is the first I've heard of it? Sara's here?"

Gisela nodded. "He just arrived, saying that you invited him."

Yuuri groaned. "That guy…" He said to himself. Recomposing himself he shook his head. "He invited himself because I did no such thing." This wasn't the first time the King of (Little) Shimaron has done this before. Counting this time, Sara has come uninvited to the castle eleven times in the past eight years, which doesn't seem like a lot in that large span of time but he was in the process of unifying the two Shimarons and to just (quite literally) pop up like this is unacceptable, especially for a king. "I'll go tend to him then."

"I'm coming with you!" Wolfram quickly said, taking his place beside Yuuri.

"Us too!" Beatrice and Greta said in unison as they grasped each other's' hands and smiled.

Conrad nodded, silently saying that he'll go with the Maoh as well. Celi on the other hand loudly spoke her plan of action. "So will I! This day just keeps on getting more interesting and without a doubt my love-filled Wolfie will get jealous again of the Maoh's and King Saralegi's relationship."

Wolfram's brows twitched and he growled silently. "There is no relationship between them."

King Yuuri on the other hand sighed heavily and began walking away to the front of the castle, knowing fully well that everyone else will follow. Sure enough, they all did follow him, right to the front of the castle where Sara and Berius stood before Sara's horse and carriage, Berius' own horse standing beside it. "Why if it isn't Yuuri!" Sara greeted the approaching Maoh with a smile on his face.

"Hey Sara, how many times do I have to tell you? No unexpected visits." The Maoh said as a greeting as he approached the fellow young king. "Hello Berius." Yuuri added as he nodded to the guard's direction, he nodding in return.

"It's not as much fun if I come here with you expecting me. I just love seeing that agitated look on your face." And there was in fact an agitated look on Yuuri's face, as well as on Gisela and Wolfram's face, everyone else was doing a good job in keeping a straight and leveled face. Sara looked behind Yuuri and noticed Greta whom he smiled at. "Hello Yuuri's daughter. My, don't you look pretty?"

"Thanks." Greta answered back. "It's a dress Yuuri and Wolfram got me for my birthday last year."

"And they certainty have good taste."

Wolfram scoffed. "It was actually all my decision. Yuuri wanted to dress her up in something completely over-conservative."

"She's my daughter and I don't want any men looking at her all sleazily." Yuuri said as his excuse. "Plus it would have looked good on her."

"Yes, in about thirty years."

Yuuri growled softly and Sara laughed. "Well, anyways, seeing as you're already here Sara," Yuuri began, "might as well see to it that you have a room and—"

Aah! Aah! The scream sounded from above the group. When they all glanced up they all noticed a bird flying in a circle above them. Aah! The cry sounded again before the bird dove down to their level, giving them all a bit of a scare. The falcon, as they now saw that it was, was a beautiful golden-brown color with black wing tips and was flapping before Yuuri as if he was waiting for something. Yuuri (remembering what he saw in bird shows back on Earth) lifted up his arm as a perch for which the falcon immediately took to landing on it. Yuuri hissed for a moment (those claws are sharp) and then noticed a message basket, like the ones they use for their messenger doves but bigger, around its neck. The Maoh cautiously reached for the basket, the falcon waiting patiently, being perfectly still (except for his head which was looking around his surroundings), as he got the folded up letter from it. Aah! The falcon cried again before taking to the sky to merely fly around in a circle once more. Yuuri opened up the message, feeling as both Wolfram and Greta crowded his sides, and began to read it.

It seems that in my excitement

I forgot to mention when I was planning on visiting.

So very sorry, entirely my mistake.

I'll most likely be there April 17, give or take a day.

I hope that's alright.

At the end of the message was that weird signature, the sign of the (still nameless) prince of blinked at the message and looked up at the falcon who was still circling above them. For some reason, at that time, Yuuri got the feeling that the falcon was waiting for a response to take back to its master, the prince. He flew all the way over here… granted I'm sure it was faster but… poor bird. "Thank you Mr. Falcon! Tell the prince that it's quite alright and the 17th would be great!"

Aah! The bird sounded back in response before taking its leave out of the castle.

"Take care Mr. Falcon! Don't wear yourself out too much!" One last receding cry from the falcon was heard and Yuuri smiled to himself. "Wow. A pet falcon. That is so cool."

"Was that letter from the prince of Taurogo?" Sara asked pointing to the piece of paper in Yuuri's hands.

"Huh? Oh, yeah."

"It's to be expected then. The royal family in Taurogo keeps and raises falcons for their country to use. Every royal family member is given one falcon for them to personally use, and no other being can use that falcon except the owner. The family also uses the falcons as a source of income, renting or selling the others to the people for general use as long as they're not killed; killing one of the royal family's falcons is against the law."

"Wow, Sara. You seem to know a lot about the Taurogo culture."

Sara chuckled to himself. "It's Tauritian culture and yes, when I heard news of the prince's arrival I did some research about the country and the royal family. I'm surprised you didn't do the same since you obviously don't know much about anything Tauritian."

Yuuri scoffed. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Let's get you set up in your room."

"Oh thank you Yuuri. You're far too kind."

"Yeah, yeah…"

"Stop flirting with him Yuuri!"

"Wolf I didn't—"

"You obsessive cheat! I am your fiancé not him!"

"…Where's Murata when you need him…?"

*The 3 Acts of KKM: The Prince of Taurogo*

Ulrike stood with her hands folded before her chest as the news of the prince of Taurogo's impending arrival reached the tomb which also doubled as a temple. She stood in the tomb part of the temple, staring at the four boxes before her and thinking to herself, wondering what will come out of the prince's arrival to Shin Makoku.

"I wouldn't worry too much Ulrike." Shinou stated as he appeared at her side. After all these years his ghost still haunts the tomb. Actually, it was more like the Great One didn't want to leave, at least not yet. He just wanted to wait for the Great Sage, currently Murata, to finish off this last life of his for the most part since this time and age seems to be very entertaining due to the current Maoh.

"But Your Majesty…" Ulrike began softly. "I bet he knows about… what happened. She just had to explain it to him… somehow."

"And I'm sure he'll stop by and say hello. Remember, I do everything for a reason you know? Everything will be fine. I am actually interested in seeing him first hand, and I'm sure you are too."

The shrine maiden nodded slowly. "Yes, I am, that I cannot deny."

"You see? So everything will be fine." Shinou repeated again.

"What will be fine?" Murata asked as he entered the room, his glasses glazed open as he looked onto the shrine maiden and the Great One.

Shinou chuckled and shook his head. "Oh, nothing Murata. It'll be fine."

"Somehow, and dare I say remarkably, that doesn't sound all fine."

"Oh come now, Murata. If I say it'll be fine it'll be fine."

"Whatever." Murata ended the conversation as he stood on the other side of Ulrike since Shinou was occupying her other side.

Shinou glanced onto his old friend (well, the soul that was in the body anyways). Over the past eight years the former Great Sage has grown older (most obviously) and taller, growing to just under six feet, a bummer for Murata since he was taller than Yuuri but not no more (even if it is by just an inch or two). He still kept his hair the same way (stating "why change a good thing") and like Yuuri his outfit has stayed the same but the material improved, something of which Murata was also grateful for. In short, nothing has really changed about him (beside the height and the manlier features that comes with age). "What's with the attitude Murata?"

Murata sighed. "The other priestesses had me doing their chores again." With that the shrine maiden and the Great One laughed. "It's not funny! I am the Great Sage!"

"Former~" Shinou stated with a chuckle.

"I still have that soul in my body you know!"

"Doesn't make you the Great Sage… sorry my friend."

"Oh come on! This isn't right!" Ulrike and Shinou only laughed in response.

*The 3 Acts of KKM: The Prince of Taurogo*

"Still playing that mysterious game Your Highness?" Riscard asked as he followed his prince throughout the castle.

"Of course." The prince simply answered, his black, heeled boots clicking softly in the deserted hallway. Riscard mindlessly thought about his prince's change of clothes recently.

From what the royal dressers picked (a robe in all sense of the word, not like the council robes but pretty close) to those boots, white pants, purple vest with gold borders and embroideries (wind patterns so swirly shapes), and a white undershirt. Though Riscard had to admit it was an improvement from what he was originally given, it was, for the most part, really plain, not something a prince would wear. Riscard's own outfit was far more out-there (sapphire blue pants, black boots similar to His Highness', a royal blue sleeveless shirt with straps coming across the torso for decoration, black straps on his biceps, and a scythe, of all weapons, on his back pretty much all the time). Riscard thought it to be pathetic (without use of a better word) that he attracted more attention than the prince; it should be the other way around.

The prince before him then slowly came to a stop before a section of blank wall. Riscard looked up at the wall with the prince and the protector felt his heart give the tiniest of lurches at what this particular wall really meant. It was the hall of leaders that they were in now, a hall where paintings of past leaders are hung up for all to see. This empty spot was between the present king and the king that preceded His Highness' father, ergo, the late king's painting was taken down. The prince was scowling at the blank place in the wall. "Those bastards… taking down my father's picture just because he loved a demon. He fought and died in that damn war that forced them apart and this is what he gets in return? A shitty funeral not even fit for a lowlife scum and his picture taken down, no doubt defaced and destroyed." The prince sighed. "When I came here I was really hoping to see something that showed my father so I could remember what he looked like… and then I find out about this. What utter bullshit."

Riscard watched the prince carefully. It doesn't take an idiot to know just what kind of a man the prince is. He cares deeply for those closest to him, his family in particular, and would do anything to protect them. The man was a fighter, a defender, a protector. He was all of those things, but he didn't have anyone to be that with. His family is gone, the citizens are still wary about him or just downright hate him, and Riscard didn't count, not really anyways. His task is supposed to protect the prince, not be protected by him. Riscard truly wished for someone to arise soon to give His Highness someone to protect. "It might not be defaced Your Highness. It could still be somewhere in this castle."

The prince chuckled softly and sadly to himself, he obviously not believing his protector's words. "Yeah, maybe…" The prince began to walk again and Riscard followed silently for that was what he was ordered to do.

*The 3 Acts of KKM: The Prince of Taurogo*

So while writing the prince's part in this chapter I had begun writing a scene that would reveal too much about him too prematurely and I was like halfway through it when I was like "Oh shit! Copy and paste, copy and paste!" Lol. Speaking of the prince, his life just keeps getting shittier and shittier doesn't it? I feel very sorry for him (but he's so cool!). And yes, I am keeping him under cover until his visit to Shin Makoku but don't worry because it's coming up (in the next chapter! But shh! Don't tell anyone!).

I should also probably mention that the Yuuram relationship will be mostly shounen-ai for the most part until Act II so please don't ask me about that with a "When's the juicy part coming for Yuuram?" 'cause then I won't even respond to you.

Please review! Reviews make me happy and a happy me writes more!

Oh also if you find any typos or anything please message me or tell me so I can go back and fix it cause this fanfic, like all my fanfics, is un-beta'd so yeah…