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estirisePart 2. I've had this written for a while, I just forgot to post it. Oops. It's currently rated 8+.
Summary: Mio knows loving humans is death. She does it anyway.
* * *
Taiga stared off after his friend, while his new Queen stared equally in shock by his side. "Wataru-kun? He's... Kiva?"
His mind was racing at a hundred miles an hour. Wataru-kun couldn't be Kiva unless Wataru-kun was Fangire or had the blood; and Wataru-kun wasn't in Bishop's records, he'd checked. So he had to be something not full. He couldn't imagine Wataru-kun being still alive and possessing Kiva if he'd been human; he'd be dead by the third or so transformation at most and Wataru-kun was still alive, so Wataru-kun had to be something Fangire.
"You said he was human," Miu said. Taiga couldn't help but admire his Queen, a sweet woman whose mother was one of the Royal Physicians. She was beautiful and perfect and she'd taken to the role of Queen like a duck to water.
"I thought he was," Taiga said. "Quickly. Who were you going for when he attacked you?"
"A traitor named 'A Dress Like An Isolation Cell'," Miu said. "But... if he's Fangire, then...."
"She's not a traitor," Taiga said, grinning. "And he's not a traitor."
Miu nodded, more practical than he was sometimes. "Then I'll take her off the list, though what will you do about him? He's been attacking his own kind, after all."
Taiga started calming down at Miu's words. He couldn't have found a better wife-to-be. "Find out how he got it, first of all. Then I'll talk to him. Find out why he's doing this and tell him to stop."
Wataru-kun would, after all, after Taiga talked to him. Then he'd talk to the happy couple and do whatever he could to encourage their relationship. He wanted Wataru-kun to be happy, after all.
"How?" Miu asked. "Where would we start?"
Taiga smiled at her. "Bishop says that my traitorous mother is still alive. If anyone gave Wataru-kun the powers, it would be her."
Miu nodded. "Then, let's go, and let's find out. A Queen has to protect her people too."
"Of course," Taiga said. "That's what we do; protect our people." He smiled. "But first, since I know that this won't be enjoyable, let me treat you to lunch, first."
Lunch was what she deserved, after all. She was truly a blessing. And then they'd find his mother together, and they'd find out what was going on.
"Of course," she said, smiling at him. Yes, he was truly blessed.
He watched her eat lunch after it was served, thouroughly enjoying watching her. She was so beautiful and so wonderful and he hoped that her relationship with Wataru-kun would get better once Wataru-kun would stop attacking their kind.
Then they headed back to Development and Pioneer. Taiga had a short and furious discussion with Bishop; the man had not wanted to reveal his mother's location at first, but Taiga had gotten it out of him. So then they went to the wilderness, to find Taiga's mother. Taiga really really didn't want to go, but he had no choice. If he was to understand the mystery of Wataru-kun having Kiva, he had to.
He and Miu soon found the cave, guided by ancient magic that had given King the sense of where the previous Queen was. Taiga stepped inside, not really wanting to see the woman, but knowing he had no choice.
The figure in black turned. Taiga couldn't help but to be shocked, even as he loathed her; her hair was long and limp, her face pale, an eyepatch over one eye. But his anger returned as he remembered what she'd done and what had happened to him.
Not that it seemed to affect her. She dropped her stick and tottered towards him. "Taiga!" she cried.
"Mother," he said coldly. "You've been up to no good, have you?"
"Taiga, tell me what's troubling you," his mother said, as if she'd been there for him all of his life.
"Kiva," he said, and was happy to see a small amount of fear cross her face. "Why does Kurenai Wataru-kun have it?"
But she was silent. He reached out and grabbed her by the throat with his bare, marked hand. "Answer me!"
She smiled, despite the pain it must be causing. "Wataru is your half-brother," she said, mockingly.
"Wataru-kun is my what?" Taiga asked, not quite trusting his ears. He looked at Miu, who seemed as surprised as he was. His mother merely smiled, as if it were some tidbit of wisdom that she didn't feel like imparting again.
"King," Miu said. "Taiga. Perhaps we should leave? Now that we have what information we came here for."
Taiga nodded. "You're right," he said. "We have what we came for." Now, it hadn't been the answer he'd expected - though he'd not exactly been expecting anything, really - so he was taking a minute or so to assimilate it. But he would assimilate it, and then he would process it, and then he'd decide what to do about his sudden baby brother.
Maybe he was starting to assimilate it anyway, if he could think of Wataru-kun as his baby brother. Which Wataru-kun apparently was. Wataru-kun had been given the Kiva powers for some reason, and Taiga had to admit, as the Queen's son he had some sort of claim of right for them. Just not more than Taiga's.
As he and Miu walked in the wilderness, he finally got to the point where he could speak. "Wataru-kun is my baby brother." He shouldn't even have an honorific, then, because he was Taiga's baby brother.
"That still doesn't explain why he's attacking his own kind," Miu said thoughtfully. "But I'm sure you'll figure that part out, Taiga." He smiled, proud of her and of himself.
"I will, and then he'll *stop* attacking his own people," Taiga said. Yes, everything would work out fine. Wataru would stop attacking his own people and start using his powers to Fangire benefit; he and Wataru would be the brothers they were supposed to be. Then Wataru and his girlfriend would get married and in a few decades, he'd be an uncle. He was rather looking forward to it, actually.
"Of course he will," Miu said. "My fiance is most persuasive."
Taiga beamed. "I hope to be your husband, soon," he said.
"I look forward to it," she replied. "I need a King to complete me."
"And I need a Queen to complete me," he said, smiling. "I am so lucky to have you, Miu."
"I'm looking forward to having my King... and to having my brother in law by my husband's side," Miu said. "But you have to tame your brother, first."
Ah, yes. Not precisely tame, but reason with. Get Wataru to understand. Taiga had a sneaking suspicion that Wataru was not full Fangire; his mother's crime had been loving a human, after all. Wataru had to be the result of that liaison. It didn't really matter to Taiga. Wataru was Wataru and Wataru was his half-brother, so that made things right.
He had a sneaking suspicion that Wataru was woefully ignorant of his heritage as a Fangire. If Wataru only knew the wonderful part of being a Fangire, he'd embrace his heritage and come be one of Taiga's people. The whole ignorance could be why he was attacking the Fangire; once he saw the Fangire as his own kind, Taiga was sure that the attacks on their kind would stop.
"I'm going to go talk to that girlfriend of his first," he reasoned out loud. "She can tell me more about how Wataru-kun is living. I'm sure she'll be glad to know that she's not going to die."
"The King's mercy would surely get anybody to talk," Miu said. "Would you like me to sit in, my King?"
He smiled at that. "I think that in this case, I'd best talk to her alone," he said. "She might yet be a bit uncomfortable with you around."
She nodded. "I'd rather my husband's sister in law not be uncomfortable with me."
"Good," Taiga said. He squeezed her hand. "We'll make it better. Together."
"Together," Miu echoed.
* * *
Mio didn't know why she'd gotten the call to go to the company Development and Pioneer and speak to the president until she got there and remembered. Development and Pioneer was the King's company, serving Fangire interests. And the King was the President.
She was going to be dead, and there was nothing Wataru-san could do about it. The whole thought of not endangering Wataru-san made her feel at peace even as she knew she was going to die.
But she still felt a little nervous as the man in the ponytail escorted her to meeting room. The King was smiling at her, which didn't calm her any. She didn't want to die, not really, even though she knew it was for the best.
"Suzuki Mio-san?" the King asked - and she could tell he was King even if the symbol was under his glove. He smiled kindly at her, and she had to blink. Was he making her comfortable before he killed her?
"Y-yes," Mio said, trying to draw breath into her lungs.
"Nobori Taiga." He bowed a little. "Please take a seat."
She nodded timidly and sat down in the indicated chair. "Y-yes, King."
He grinned. "So, you know who I am. Good." He sat down as well.
"Y-yes, King," Mio said, bowing her head.
"There's nothing to be afraid of," Taiga said gently. "I have good news for you, in fact." He paused, reaching out to lift her chin. "You were put onto the Queen's list by accident. You're not breaking Fangire law."
"But Wataru-san is...." human, she wanted to say, and Kiva, but she just couldn't.
"Fangire," the King finished for her. "And therefore neither of you is breaking the law."
"Oh," she said. She was relieved, though she had to wonder how she'd failed to notice that Wataru-san was Fangire.
"In fact, I've just discovered that he's my half-brother," the King continued, smiling. "So I wanted to see the girl he was dating for myself."
Mio's heart started pounding. "But Wataru-san...."
"Never told you he was Fangire?" the King asked. "That's because he's only half. In fact, I'm wondering if he has any clue about that." He was still smiling. "So, tell me about Wataru."
"Wataru-san's really nice," she said. "And he's really shy." She paused a moment. "He's also brave, too. He wasn't afraid of the Queen." She wondered if he knew that Wataru-san was Kiva. "I like him very much."
The King laughed. "You seem to be a lot like him," the King said. "I can see why he likes you." He let go of her chin and took her hand in his gloved one. "I want you to do something for me."
"Do something for you?" Mio echoed. What could she do for the King? She shifted uncomfortably in the chair.
"Wataru needs to be more Fangire," Taiga said. "He's taken an important first step - he has you, after all - but I need him to understand his heritage. I need you to be with him as much as possible. I want you to teach him to hunt and to understand life the way we see it. Because I think he's been mislead. He's attacking his own kind."
"He... he said that it was a compulsion...." Mio said softly.
"A compulsion, interesting," the King said, thoughtfully tapping his chin. "Then I'll find a way to free him from it."
Mio nodded. "I'll do what I can, but...." She didn't think she was capable of what the King asked of her.
"I'll find a way to destroy the compulsion," the King said, smiling. "You teach him to be Fangire. It's good practice for your future children, after all. I also want to talk to your parents; I think one of the things he lacks is a good family to be with."
"So... you have no objection to us?" Mio asked, scarcely able to believe it.
"Objection?" He squeezed her hand with his gloved one. "I'm just glad that Wataru's made such a good choice. And I'm sure you and your family will make him feel welcome."
"Yes, King," she said, looking down at their hands.
"You can stop calling me King," the King said. "After all, you're going to marry my little brother. Call me Taiga."
"Y-yes, Taiga-san," Mio managed. Never would she think of calling the King something without an honorific.
"Taiga," the King said firmly. "I'm family. Call me Taiga."
"Taiga," Mio said, forcing the honorific off his name.
* * *
Mio's parents had too been called to the King's office. They came back, excited and thrilled, unlike her. She was still unsure on how she'd carry out the duty of getting Wataru-san to be more Fangire. "We've accepted the wedding proposal that the King made on behalf of his brother," her mother said, excited.
Of course her parents would be excited. The King had just arranged a marriage between her and his little brother. Wataru's human blood was easily overlooked in such circumstances.
Her mother chattered about how easy Mio had been to wean and how she'd help Mio teach Wataru to hunt. Her father was wanting to see more of the King's choice. Both of them wanted children out of the couple the moment they could.
There would be the wedding, of course, and her mother talked about patterns for her gown. Never mind that only Mio and Wataru would see it, really, unlike human weddings; she still wanted it to be perfect.
"This is the King's younger brother," her mother said as she set out the table. "You'll have the chance to bear a future King or Queen."
She nodded dutifully and hoped that she wouldn't do anything to foul it up.
* * *
Wataru was getting worried. Mio-san hadn't been in contact with him and wasn't returning his phone calls; and Taiga-kun... Taiga-kun he was still trying to figure out.
The revelation that he'd somehow made friends with the Fangire king had rocked him to his core. That Taiga-kun, who had protected him when they were younger, was his enemy now was somewhat... not ironic, but upsetting. Taiga-kun had left him messages once or twice, which he'd ignored. Mostly. He'd listened to them, all "Wataru, please call me" in pleading tones.
His doorbell rang, and he stopped working on the violin he'd been working on to peek out the window. "Taiga-kun," he said softly. How he was supposed to deal with this he wasn't sure, but he was sure that he wasn't ready to deal with it yet. Still, the fact that the Fangire King had shown up at his house was alarming, and maybe it was time for a final battle. He had been killing Taiga-kun's people, after all.
He went down to answer his door, opening the gate for Taiga-kun. "Wataru," Taiga-kun said in relief. "I was worried about you."
This was not quite the reaction he expected out of the Fangire king, so Wataru just stood and stared at Taiga-kun.
Suddenly, Taiga-kun threw an arm over Wataru's shoulders. "You shouldn't worry me like that. Let's go; I want to talk to you."
"Um...." He wasn't sure what to say. Taiga-kun's reaction had thrown him for a loop.
"There are certain things you should know, Wataru," Taiga said. "Things that will change your life. For the better." He smiled. "You don't have to be alone anymore, Wataru."
"Eh?" Wataru asked, still confused.
"I've got my bike right here," Taiga-kun said. "You and I are going for a ride. I'll feed you dinner!" He pulled Wataru to his bike.
"But I've got to lock my door," Wataru said, not able to think of anything more coherent to say.
"Do that," Taiga-kun said, and Wataru produced the key. He walked back to his front door, absently noting that Taiga-kun wasn't letting him out of his sight, and then walked back.
Taiga-kun handed him a helmet. "I'm going to take you to my favorite restaurant," Taiga-kun said. "You'll like it, Wataru. We'll have a private room."
And Taiga-kun was as true as his word, driving to a small restaurant. The greeter immediately recognized him and sat the two of them down at a table, fetching Taiga-kun some water. Taiga-kun muttered something to the waiter, who bowed.
"Taiga-kun knows what I am," Wataru said, playing with one of the forks.
"Yes," Taiga-kun said, "I do." He grasped Wataru's right hand with his gloved one. "You're Fangire."
"Eh?" Wataru asked, not sure why Taiga-kun was saying that.
"I suspected as soon as my Queen told me what happened, and then I confirmed it. You're Fangire," Taiga-kun said, still smiling. It was starting to scare Wataru, that expression of complete and total bliss. "And... my brother."
"What?" Wataru asked, not sure he'd heard Taiga-kun correctly.
"My little brother," Taiga said, still blissful. "Half-human, of course, but still my little brother. Something good happened out of my mother's... liason with that human."
"My mother...." Wataru said, thinking of her. "But... she's not...."
"Our mother was the Fangire Queen of her time, before she became a traitor by loving a human," Taiga-kun said. "You're the product of her treachery, and she compounded it by causing you to go after your own kind. But don't worry, Wataru, I'll fix that. I want you to be happy, and you can't be happy doing that, being forced to kill your own people."
"Taiga-kun...." Wataru tried to figure out if Taiga-kun was lying or not. He wished he could ask his mother, but she was long disappeared. He had a feeling, however, that Taiga-kun wasn't. At least as far as he knew.
"I'm your older brother," Taiga-kun said. "Call me that."
"Older brother," Wataru corrected himself. "I didn't know I was part Fangire...."
"That's what I thought," Taiga-kun said in satisfaction. "I knew you wouldn't be doing this if you had a clue and a choice." Wataru didn't want to correct him at the moment. "Mio said that you were under a compulsion. I'll fix things, Wataru. I'll take care of you like an older brother should."
"Older brother...." Wataru started, then realized that protesting wouldn't get him very far at the moment. "I...."
"I've ended the hunt for Suzuki Mio," Taiga-kun said. "She wasn't committing a crime. In fact, Wataru, you'll be pleased to know that Mio's family has accepted the marriage proposal I made on your behalf."
"Marriage... proposal?" Wataru managed.
"Well, of course," Taiga-kun said, still smiling at him. "I like her. She's a nice girl. She'll make a good sister-in-law for me, and her family will welcome you. You won't be lonely anymore... and neither will I."
"But I'm not ready to get married yet," Wataru objected.
"Yes you are," Taiga-kun said. "You're old enough." He was still smiling, and Wataru didn't want that smile to go away, no matter how much it scared him.
Summary: Mio knows loving humans is death. She does it anyway.
* * *
Taiga stared off after his friend, while his new Queen stared equally in shock by his side. "Wataru-kun? He's... Kiva?"
His mind was racing at a hundred miles an hour. Wataru-kun couldn't be Kiva unless Wataru-kun was Fangire or had the blood; and Wataru-kun wasn't in Bishop's records, he'd checked. So he had to be something not full. He couldn't imagine Wataru-kun being still alive and possessing Kiva if he'd been human; he'd be dead by the third or so transformation at most and Wataru-kun was still alive, so Wataru-kun had to be something Fangire.
"You said he was human," Miu said. Taiga couldn't help but admire his Queen, a sweet woman whose mother was one of the Royal Physicians. She was beautiful and perfect and she'd taken to the role of Queen like a duck to water.
"I thought he was," Taiga said. "Quickly. Who were you going for when he attacked you?"
"A traitor named 'A Dress Like An Isolation Cell'," Miu said. "But... if he's Fangire, then...."
"She's not a traitor," Taiga said, grinning. "And he's not a traitor."
Miu nodded, more practical than he was sometimes. "Then I'll take her off the list, though what will you do about him? He's been attacking his own kind, after all."
Taiga started calming down at Miu's words. He couldn't have found a better wife-to-be. "Find out how he got it, first of all. Then I'll talk to him. Find out why he's doing this and tell him to stop."
Wataru-kun would, after all, after Taiga talked to him. Then he'd talk to the happy couple and do whatever he could to encourage their relationship. He wanted Wataru-kun to be happy, after all.
"How?" Miu asked. "Where would we start?"
Taiga smiled at her. "Bishop says that my traitorous mother is still alive. If anyone gave Wataru-kun the powers, it would be her."
Miu nodded. "Then, let's go, and let's find out. A Queen has to protect her people too."
"Of course," Taiga said. "That's what we do; protect our people." He smiled. "But first, since I know that this won't be enjoyable, let me treat you to lunch, first."
Lunch was what she deserved, after all. She was truly a blessing. And then they'd find his mother together, and they'd find out what was going on.
"Of course," she said, smiling at him. Yes, he was truly blessed.
He watched her eat lunch after it was served, thouroughly enjoying watching her. She was so beautiful and so wonderful and he hoped that her relationship with Wataru-kun would get better once Wataru-kun would stop attacking their kind.
Then they headed back to Development and Pioneer. Taiga had a short and furious discussion with Bishop; the man had not wanted to reveal his mother's location at first, but Taiga had gotten it out of him. So then they went to the wilderness, to find Taiga's mother. Taiga really really didn't want to go, but he had no choice. If he was to understand the mystery of Wataru-kun having Kiva, he had to.
He and Miu soon found the cave, guided by ancient magic that had given King the sense of where the previous Queen was. Taiga stepped inside, not really wanting to see the woman, but knowing he had no choice.
The figure in black turned. Taiga couldn't help but to be shocked, even as he loathed her; her hair was long and limp, her face pale, an eyepatch over one eye. But his anger returned as he remembered what she'd done and what had happened to him.
Not that it seemed to affect her. She dropped her stick and tottered towards him. "Taiga!" she cried.
"Mother," he said coldly. "You've been up to no good, have you?"
"Taiga, tell me what's troubling you," his mother said, as if she'd been there for him all of his life.
"Kiva," he said, and was happy to see a small amount of fear cross her face. "Why does Kurenai Wataru-kun have it?"
But she was silent. He reached out and grabbed her by the throat with his bare, marked hand. "Answer me!"
She smiled, despite the pain it must be causing. "Wataru is your half-brother," she said, mockingly.
"Wataru-kun is my what?" Taiga asked, not quite trusting his ears. He looked at Miu, who seemed as surprised as he was. His mother merely smiled, as if it were some tidbit of wisdom that she didn't feel like imparting again.
"King," Miu said. "Taiga. Perhaps we should leave? Now that we have what information we came here for."
Taiga nodded. "You're right," he said. "We have what we came for." Now, it hadn't been the answer he'd expected - though he'd not exactly been expecting anything, really - so he was taking a minute or so to assimilate it. But he would assimilate it, and then he would process it, and then he'd decide what to do about his sudden baby brother.
Maybe he was starting to assimilate it anyway, if he could think of Wataru-kun as his baby brother. Which Wataru-kun apparently was. Wataru-kun had been given the Kiva powers for some reason, and Taiga had to admit, as the Queen's son he had some sort of claim of right for them. Just not more than Taiga's.
As he and Miu walked in the wilderness, he finally got to the point where he could speak. "Wataru-kun is my baby brother." He shouldn't even have an honorific, then, because he was Taiga's baby brother.
"That still doesn't explain why he's attacking his own kind," Miu said thoughtfully. "But I'm sure you'll figure that part out, Taiga." He smiled, proud of her and of himself.
"I will, and then he'll *stop* attacking his own people," Taiga said. Yes, everything would work out fine. Wataru would stop attacking his own people and start using his powers to Fangire benefit; he and Wataru would be the brothers they were supposed to be. Then Wataru and his girlfriend would get married and in a few decades, he'd be an uncle. He was rather looking forward to it, actually.
"Of course he will," Miu said. "My fiance is most persuasive."
Taiga beamed. "I hope to be your husband, soon," he said.
"I look forward to it," she replied. "I need a King to complete me."
"And I need a Queen to complete me," he said, smiling. "I am so lucky to have you, Miu."
"I'm looking forward to having my King... and to having my brother in law by my husband's side," Miu said. "But you have to tame your brother, first."
Ah, yes. Not precisely tame, but reason with. Get Wataru to understand. Taiga had a sneaking suspicion that Wataru was not full Fangire; his mother's crime had been loving a human, after all. Wataru had to be the result of that liaison. It didn't really matter to Taiga. Wataru was Wataru and Wataru was his half-brother, so that made things right.
He had a sneaking suspicion that Wataru was woefully ignorant of his heritage as a Fangire. If Wataru only knew the wonderful part of being a Fangire, he'd embrace his heritage and come be one of Taiga's people. The whole ignorance could be why he was attacking the Fangire; once he saw the Fangire as his own kind, Taiga was sure that the attacks on their kind would stop.
"I'm going to go talk to that girlfriend of his first," he reasoned out loud. "She can tell me more about how Wataru-kun is living. I'm sure she'll be glad to know that she's not going to die."
"The King's mercy would surely get anybody to talk," Miu said. "Would you like me to sit in, my King?"
He smiled at that. "I think that in this case, I'd best talk to her alone," he said. "She might yet be a bit uncomfortable with you around."
She nodded. "I'd rather my husband's sister in law not be uncomfortable with me."
"Good," Taiga said. He squeezed her hand. "We'll make it better. Together."
"Together," Miu echoed.
* * *
Mio didn't know why she'd gotten the call to go to the company Development and Pioneer and speak to the president until she got there and remembered. Development and Pioneer was the King's company, serving Fangire interests. And the King was the President.
She was going to be dead, and there was nothing Wataru-san could do about it. The whole thought of not endangering Wataru-san made her feel at peace even as she knew she was going to die.
But she still felt a little nervous as the man in the ponytail escorted her to meeting room. The King was smiling at her, which didn't calm her any. She didn't want to die, not really, even though she knew it was for the best.
"Suzuki Mio-san?" the King asked - and she could tell he was King even if the symbol was under his glove. He smiled kindly at her, and she had to blink. Was he making her comfortable before he killed her?
"Y-yes," Mio said, trying to draw breath into her lungs.
"Nobori Taiga." He bowed a little. "Please take a seat."
She nodded timidly and sat down in the indicated chair. "Y-yes, King."
He grinned. "So, you know who I am. Good." He sat down as well.
"Y-yes, King," Mio said, bowing her head.
"There's nothing to be afraid of," Taiga said gently. "I have good news for you, in fact." He paused, reaching out to lift her chin. "You were put onto the Queen's list by accident. You're not breaking Fangire law."
"But Wataru-san is...." human, she wanted to say, and Kiva, but she just couldn't.
"Fangire," the King finished for her. "And therefore neither of you is breaking the law."
"Oh," she said. She was relieved, though she had to wonder how she'd failed to notice that Wataru-san was Fangire.
"In fact, I've just discovered that he's my half-brother," the King continued, smiling. "So I wanted to see the girl he was dating for myself."
Mio's heart started pounding. "But Wataru-san...."
"Never told you he was Fangire?" the King asked. "That's because he's only half. In fact, I'm wondering if he has any clue about that." He was still smiling. "So, tell me about Wataru."
"Wataru-san's really nice," she said. "And he's really shy." She paused a moment. "He's also brave, too. He wasn't afraid of the Queen." She wondered if he knew that Wataru-san was Kiva. "I like him very much."
The King laughed. "You seem to be a lot like him," the King said. "I can see why he likes you." He let go of her chin and took her hand in his gloved one. "I want you to do something for me."
"Do something for you?" Mio echoed. What could she do for the King? She shifted uncomfortably in the chair.
"Wataru needs to be more Fangire," Taiga said. "He's taken an important first step - he has you, after all - but I need him to understand his heritage. I need you to be with him as much as possible. I want you to teach him to hunt and to understand life the way we see it. Because I think he's been mislead. He's attacking his own kind."
"He... he said that it was a compulsion...." Mio said softly.
"A compulsion, interesting," the King said, thoughtfully tapping his chin. "Then I'll find a way to free him from it."
Mio nodded. "I'll do what I can, but...." She didn't think she was capable of what the King asked of her.
"I'll find a way to destroy the compulsion," the King said, smiling. "You teach him to be Fangire. It's good practice for your future children, after all. I also want to talk to your parents; I think one of the things he lacks is a good family to be with."
"So... you have no objection to us?" Mio asked, scarcely able to believe it.
"Objection?" He squeezed her hand with his gloved one. "I'm just glad that Wataru's made such a good choice. And I'm sure you and your family will make him feel welcome."
"Yes, King," she said, looking down at their hands.
"You can stop calling me King," the King said. "After all, you're going to marry my little brother. Call me Taiga."
"Y-yes, Taiga-san," Mio managed. Never would she think of calling the King something without an honorific.
"Taiga," the King said firmly. "I'm family. Call me Taiga."
"Taiga," Mio said, forcing the honorific off his name.
* * *
Mio's parents had too been called to the King's office. They came back, excited and thrilled, unlike her. She was still unsure on how she'd carry out the duty of getting Wataru-san to be more Fangire. "We've accepted the wedding proposal that the King made on behalf of his brother," her mother said, excited.
Of course her parents would be excited. The King had just arranged a marriage between her and his little brother. Wataru's human blood was easily overlooked in such circumstances.
Her mother chattered about how easy Mio had been to wean and how she'd help Mio teach Wataru to hunt. Her father was wanting to see more of the King's choice. Both of them wanted children out of the couple the moment they could.
There would be the wedding, of course, and her mother talked about patterns for her gown. Never mind that only Mio and Wataru would see it, really, unlike human weddings; she still wanted it to be perfect.
"This is the King's younger brother," her mother said as she set out the table. "You'll have the chance to bear a future King or Queen."
She nodded dutifully and hoped that she wouldn't do anything to foul it up.
* * *
Wataru was getting worried. Mio-san hadn't been in contact with him and wasn't returning his phone calls; and Taiga-kun... Taiga-kun he was still trying to figure out.
The revelation that he'd somehow made friends with the Fangire king had rocked him to his core. That Taiga-kun, who had protected him when they were younger, was his enemy now was somewhat... not ironic, but upsetting. Taiga-kun had left him messages once or twice, which he'd ignored. Mostly. He'd listened to them, all "Wataru, please call me" in pleading tones.
His doorbell rang, and he stopped working on the violin he'd been working on to peek out the window. "Taiga-kun," he said softly. How he was supposed to deal with this he wasn't sure, but he was sure that he wasn't ready to deal with it yet. Still, the fact that the Fangire King had shown up at his house was alarming, and maybe it was time for a final battle. He had been killing Taiga-kun's people, after all.
He went down to answer his door, opening the gate for Taiga-kun. "Wataru," Taiga-kun said in relief. "I was worried about you."
This was not quite the reaction he expected out of the Fangire king, so Wataru just stood and stared at Taiga-kun.
Suddenly, Taiga-kun threw an arm over Wataru's shoulders. "You shouldn't worry me like that. Let's go; I want to talk to you."
"Um...." He wasn't sure what to say. Taiga-kun's reaction had thrown him for a loop.
"There are certain things you should know, Wataru," Taiga said. "Things that will change your life. For the better." He smiled. "You don't have to be alone anymore, Wataru."
"Eh?" Wataru asked, still confused.
"I've got my bike right here," Taiga-kun said. "You and I are going for a ride. I'll feed you dinner!" He pulled Wataru to his bike.
"But I've got to lock my door," Wataru said, not able to think of anything more coherent to say.
"Do that," Taiga-kun said, and Wataru produced the key. He walked back to his front door, absently noting that Taiga-kun wasn't letting him out of his sight, and then walked back.
Taiga-kun handed him a helmet. "I'm going to take you to my favorite restaurant," Taiga-kun said. "You'll like it, Wataru. We'll have a private room."
And Taiga-kun was as true as his word, driving to a small restaurant. The greeter immediately recognized him and sat the two of them down at a table, fetching Taiga-kun some water. Taiga-kun muttered something to the waiter, who bowed.
"Taiga-kun knows what I am," Wataru said, playing with one of the forks.
"Yes," Taiga-kun said, "I do." He grasped Wataru's right hand with his gloved one. "You're Fangire."
"Eh?" Wataru asked, not sure why Taiga-kun was saying that.
"I suspected as soon as my Queen told me what happened, and then I confirmed it. You're Fangire," Taiga-kun said, still smiling. It was starting to scare Wataru, that expression of complete and total bliss. "And... my brother."
"What?" Wataru asked, not sure he'd heard Taiga-kun correctly.
"My little brother," Taiga said, still blissful. "Half-human, of course, but still my little brother. Something good happened out of my mother's... liason with that human."
"My mother...." Wataru said, thinking of her. "But... she's not...."
"Our mother was the Fangire Queen of her time, before she became a traitor by loving a human," Taiga-kun said. "You're the product of her treachery, and she compounded it by causing you to go after your own kind. But don't worry, Wataru, I'll fix that. I want you to be happy, and you can't be happy doing that, being forced to kill your own people."
"Taiga-kun...." Wataru tried to figure out if Taiga-kun was lying or not. He wished he could ask his mother, but she was long disappeared. He had a feeling, however, that Taiga-kun wasn't. At least as far as he knew.
"I'm your older brother," Taiga-kun said. "Call me that."
"Older brother," Wataru corrected himself. "I didn't know I was part Fangire...."
"That's what I thought," Taiga-kun said in satisfaction. "I knew you wouldn't be doing this if you had a clue and a choice." Wataru didn't want to correct him at the moment. "Mio said that you were under a compulsion. I'll fix things, Wataru. I'll take care of you like an older brother should."
"Older brother...." Wataru started, then realized that protesting wouldn't get him very far at the moment. "I...."
"I've ended the hunt for Suzuki Mio," Taiga-kun said. "She wasn't committing a crime. In fact, Wataru, you'll be pleased to know that Mio's family has accepted the marriage proposal I made on your behalf."
"Marriage... proposal?" Wataru managed.
"Well, of course," Taiga-kun said, still smiling at him. "I like her. She's a nice girl. She'll make a good sister-in-law for me, and her family will welcome you. You won't be lonely anymore... and neither will I."
"But I'm not ready to get married yet," Wataru objected.
"Yes you are," Taiga-kun said. "You're old enough." He was still smiling, and Wataru didn't want that smile to go away, no matter how much it scared him.
