The palace was in an absolute uproar about the betrayal of the second son. To make matters worse, the Emperor had collapsed that day and was now resting in his room with little hope of survival. Yao paced back and forth in his father's room. He was thinking, contemplating, trying anything to try and understand why Kiku had done it. He stopped then and looked at the note analyzing each word and even the strokes of the brush. They were not rushed nor were they sloppy. This suggested he was in his right mind and was not forced to do it. It was written perfectly, beautifully with much pride and effort.

Crowned Prince Brother Yao Dragon of the West,

I cannot stress enough the sadness I feel for doing this. When I saw how much you wanted to mate him not only for an heir the Empire so rightly needs but also as someone you could possibly love and be loved by I found it hard to believe how happy I felt for you. Though, I also cannot ignore the feelings I have deep down that I am meant to be with him, I have a bond to the Omega you could not possibly understand nor can I explain it. As the second son I have no true ties to the Empire and so am unwanted. I take my leave and wish you much luck in your rule. Care for father my brother he loves you most.

The second prince Kiku Dragon of the East

He frowned at the official title he used in signing. Yao himself was the Dragon of the West titles given for the right hand and left hand of the Emperor. Yao, as the first born, is his father's right hand and heir. He assisted in battles, planning and aided his father when needed learning everything he could about ruling the Empire. Kiku, the second son, was always left to their mother to raise. He taught him about the people's needs, their wants and their hopes. He taught him to care for others and put them above himself. Yao was held higher then Kiku would ever hope to be.

"Promise you… make me my son…" Emperor Mao Lung motioned to his eldest son to come before him. To him Yao was perfect, the very son he had waited so long to have. He was everything to him. His hopes, his dreams, his ideal child blessed by the very gods that exist in the world.

"Shi…Emperor Father, Promise I shall keep." He whispered as he knelt at the bed side. The Emperor's head was always to remain the highest in the room, as custom dictates. He was willing to obey the man's last wish, as the eldest son upon his father's tragic death, he would assume the thrown.

"A secret I have…of you." His breaths were labored and his eyes heavy with exhaustion. "Death claimed you…upon day of birth." He felt his hand be squeezed by his son.

Yao looked at his father with concern. "What mean you father?" he asked, keeping his composure. He was the eldest son after all.

The old Emperor moved his weak hands around his neck and pulled off on of the pure gold decorations. He then took Yao's hand and placed it there. "Pray did I to gods. For silent were you born. Devastation lay on your mother's face. Blessed I was by god of wisdom and earth. Eldest child of Mother Holy." He could only hope Yao could understand what he was saying. He was far more than he had ever been lead to know. He held power he could never understand. He was a god's child.

"Understand not I. Emperor Father explain." He looked down at the pendant. He understood little if not nothing from what was being said. If what was said true then his father was claiming that he was still born and that a god had brought him back. He could not believe such to be true.

"Blessed are you by Gods. Son of Light. Son of Darkness is second son Kiku. Forgiveness key." The elder closed his eyes. "Upon you our blood line is. Breed Omega, for great power he holds. Fathered by Darkness…Mothered by Light…balance key."

The Crowed Prince quickly took his father's hand, franticly trying to coax him to remain awake. It was failing and he knew it. His father was on his deathbed and his brother was gone. Hatred filled him as he thought of his father's words. How he wanted him to forgive the second son. Yao's body shook as he tried to keep his composure. The only reason Kiku was allowed to live was because their mother had sworn to take his own life as well if they had done so.

A hand was placed on his head and Yao knew instantly that his father was going to die. "Love I have waited…once more shall I see your mother." He smiled and looked at his son one last time. "Breed the Omega, final is my word. Strong be you my heir and strong be your heirs." His smile faded slowly and he let out a long exhale. He died now knowing that there was nothing more he could do for his sons. It saddened him that Yao would most likely kill his brother to fulfill his last wish but it mattered more that he receive and heir from that Omega. He only hoped his beloved would forgive him so he could ascend to heaven. Mei Lung, his beloved faithful Omega.

Yao lowered his head grieving the loss of his father. He heard the door open and the shouts from his sisters for they had come too late. They were his charge now, he was to find them mates and marry them off as well as the illegitimate children, three total, that his father had with a Beta female concubine. The three of them all male Betas. They were now his charge for now he was the Emperor. He viciously wiped his face of the tears. He was the sole ruler of the Empire.

He turned to his siblings, and the half ones as well with a head held high. To them he was the spitting image of their father and how it should be. Though they were grief stricken, they knew their duty and that was to bow lowly to the new Emperor. Each of them were bent to the floor, their heads resting on their hands. He was no longer their elder brother, he was their lord. "Im Young Soo, Kaoru, Chang, Prepare to leave immediately!" his voice was filled with authority.

Kaoru, illegitimate son born in the Village of Hong Kong raised his head slightly. "Honored Lord, I beg my pardon." When he received permission he spoke. "I wish to know what we leave for so suddenly after the late lord's death." Having been born out of wedlock he knew he, nor his full blooded brothers held any powers with in the Empire and so respectfully knew his place.

"We are off to fulfill the late Emperor Mao Lung's final wish. To breed the Omega known as Alfred." He walked toward them, motioning for them to rise. There was much to do.

"Honored Lord, if I may?" Yao turned to his father's second illegitimate son born in the village of Macau, Cheng. He gave him permission to speak. "If what is said to be true, what do we do about the Dragon of the East?" He was fearful of the answer for unlike Yao, Kiku had been kind to them despite them being illegitimate.

Yao froze in his place as anger coursed through his very core. "He has committed the highest treason for that of a second son. He is to be executed upon sight!"

~/-*-\~

Alfred laid sleeping as Kiku looked over him. Matthew had already left to bathe ordering him, and threatening him, not to touch the other. Yet, Kiku could not refuse it. He felt the bond and knew his love. He wanted him and his Alpha hormones were flaring up the longer they stayed by his side.

His ears had perked out of his head, scanning for any sign of Matthew's return. Two bushy white tails swayed from side to side happily. His head cocked to the side slightly as he observed the blonde curiously. This was the first time he had seen him as a human. The first time he had seen him so venerable, so weak. He hummed happily as he licked his hand, a sign of affection among his kind. He relished in the taste of the other even tasting some of the post heat upon him. It was a sweet taste, like honey and held a lovely musk to it as all Omegas tend to have. His ears fell back as he thought of something he had always wanted to do. Moving his lips closer to the Omega's, he imagined what is would feel like before he committed the act. He could smell the sweet scent roll off of him and the warmth from his breath sent shivers of pleasure shooting through his being. If he was caught by Matthew, it meant certain death but he would risk it. "Tsukiyomi…" he whispered as he closed his eyes softly, ready to full fill his deepest desires.

His white ear perked up as he noticed the sound of swords being drawn from their sheaths. This was not good and quickly nudged the other awake. When Alfred saw him, his eyes grew wide and he was going to shout something before a hand coved his mouth. Kiku placed a finger to his lips and turned back to the sound. His ear twitched as he closed his eyes and let his senses take over. He could sniff out over a dozen Alphas in the area that had not been there before. He could hear their whispers but there were too many to understand what they were talking about.

It was then that an Alpha burst into the room, shattering the door followed by others as he screamed "Omega Raid!"