Chapter 1 - Wishful thinking

So guys, this is the new rewritten version of An Eternity Past. I wasn't very happy with the other chapters that I had written so I decided to rewrite it. I apologise to anyone, though I doubt it, who enjoyed the earlier version. So here it is. Also, after editing some stuff, I realised that the title of my fanfic was wrong and I had mixed it up with my other KNB fanfic. I felt like such a doofus. Sorry for the mix up!

I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING FROM KNB

"Tatsuo, do you think we have a chance at this school?"

Kuroko Tatsuo slung her school bag over her shoulder and glanced up at the gleaming white building. Engraved in elegant gold characters was 'TEIKO ACADEMY' and a large banner fluttered beside it with crimson red 'THE ACADEMY FOR THE GIFTED'.

She could only huff and roll her eyes. Typical. She let out an irritated sigh before turning to her beloved twin with a smile,

"I dunno, you tell me. You're the one who wanted us to transfer to this school. Look, I'll try and be good. But honestly Tetsuya, what made you come to this place? You and I both hate schools like this. It's always about 'we are number one' or 'only the rich, powerful and beautiful will succeed' and all that bullcrap. You seemed so much happier back at Seirin High!"

Her other half stared back. Ever since that certain day, her brother's emotions seemed to be locked up behind some high security vault. She could rarely get a smile out of him now and it broke her heart.

"I have something I have to take care of here."

Her brother hadn't told her anything about what had happened back then but whatever had happened really crushed him. But Tatsuo was going to make sure that the people who did that to him would pay for it. They may have crushed him emotionally but she was going to crush them physically, mentally, socially, you name it.

"Tatsuo, I know that you want to know but it's best that you don't. Please, just trust me."

Tatsuo shrugged. The one thing that Tatsuo always shared with her brother was this bond and sense of trust. One of the perks of being a twin.

"Fine, but you know, I am a curious person Tetsuya. I will find out sooner or later. Besides, this school is so infatuated with the Royal family. You know what that's like. 'Our benevolent king is the only source of our happiness' or 'we live to serve his royal family' and even the classic 'Hail the Phoenix King!' like seriously? Are people that insane?"

Something twinkled in his eyes. Amusement?

"Tatsuo, please keep your voice down. If someone over hears you say that, you will be arrested for sure. Also if you somehow get into trouble, for the school's sake, please hold back."

"You're asking a lot from me Tetsuya but fine. Whatever you are up to, I'll try my best to behave so you can deal with your little problem. But I can't promise that if anything happens to you, I won't lash out."

Tetsuya didn't seem too happy with that response but it was the best one he was going to get out of his overly protective and reckless sister.

"We've got ourselves a deal."

~Time skip~

"Kuroko-san?...Kuroko-san, you better not be asleep in my class again!"

I bolted up to see my history teacher's gigantic nostrils flare as her eyes glowed with anger. Oh shit.

"Ah, good morning Kuroko-san. I assume that your sleep was pleasant?"

Usually, I would apologise but at that moment, my mouth moved before my brain thought,

"Oh yes, thank you for your concern. Your voice is incredibly soothing, I couldn't help but fall asleep to that beautiful sound."

The teacher rolled her eyes and slammed the huge history textbook against my desk. The entire classroom seemed to shake and the students inside burst into fits of laughter, others gave me looks of distaste.

"Don't try to butter up to me Kuroko-san. I can see right through problem students like you! If you keep this up, you really will be expelled. Your grades may be adequate enough to be in this class but try harder to stay awake in class. Good grades and talents won't save you from being expelled! Understood?"

My reply came out more sarcastic than it was meant to and it almost made me regret it but I loved nothing more than showing this stuck up teacher that I wasn't a push over.

"Oh Yes ma'am. Completely understood. Please continue with your lovely teaching!"

This only earned a glare from the teacher before she whisked around and headed back to her desk where she continued to ramble on about the history of our good nation. I felt a piercing stare from my side to see my twin brother stare at me with a look that I knew all too well. It was that kind of look that made you feel guilty beyond belief and I always fell for it.

I mouthed, 'WHAT?'

He just looked at me again with that stare and it was enough to make me lock up any impulse to do something reckless and stupid. I huffed and stared out the window. God, I hate school.

It had been about a month or so in Teiko Academy, School for the gifted and a nirvana for those with academic or athletic talent, beauty and mostly money to enjoy. Of course, you had the 'peasants', as the stuck up bastards would say, who were either poor, untalented or deemed average looking. Only those who were at the top of the hierarchy studied in the main campus while the rest of us were in the literal tin shed.

In my head I chanted, 'do it for Tetsuya' over and over again like some mad woman because I could barely stand to be so tame. Tetsuya had said to 'lay low' and 'stay in in the shadows' but honestly, how could it when everything that I do seems to attract attention. Being identical twins, Tetsuya and I had the same face and pretty much the same body (only I was a girl and he was a guy). We both had the same pastel blue hair and the same cerulean blue eyes but our personalities were totally different. While I was a tad bit rebellious and expressive, Tetsuya was quiet and pretty much invisible but he was so damn observant. I wasn't born with a keen eye like Tetsuya was. He was quiet but he had a dangerous mind. To anyone who saw him, he was as innocent as a kitten but to me, he was like an evil mastermind.

The day ended with me sitting inside the teachers' office, again.

"Kuroko-san, this is the fourth time this month that you've been in this office for the same reason. Have you no shame?"

I offered up my best sweet smile and tilted my head slightly for effect,

"Nope, none at all miss."

With the roll book, she smacked me across the face, leaving a glowing red mark on my cheek, before slamming her hands on the table and standing up. She towered over me and casted a shadow over my face in an attempt to intimidate me and I got a perfect view of her flared nostrils. Gross. I was so tempted to just ask her to move back a bit because I really didn't want to get a view of her large nostrils. She kinda reminds me of a dragon spewing smoke from her oversized nostrils. I couldn't help but smile at the thought.

"How dare you! Do you think this is some laughing matter? Do you think that this school actually cares about some no good trash child like you? What do you think we are? A charity? HUH? You thought that just because you are an orphan we would pity you? Because you are wrong. We could dispose of you and no one would ask where you were. No one would care that you were gone. This world has no use for useless pieces of crap like you."

Well, it could be worse. I've been called worse. This woman really should trim her nose hairs.

I just stared at her awkwardly, not sure if I should open my mouth because I knew it would make it worse.

"Well? What have you got to say for yourself? HUH? HAH? YOU GODDAMN BRAT?!"

This time she backhanded me, her rings craved away at my flesh leaving grazes on the soft left cheek. I sighed. Boy, does she get worked up.

"Nothing. I have nothing to say."

A wolfish smirk rested on her face as if declaring that she had won.

"That's right. That's what I thought. You're nothing to me. Now get the hell out."

I slung my bag across my shoulder, as I usually do, and pretended to sullenly walk out of the office. As I opened the door, I bumped into a somewhat small but tone chest.

"Ah sorry."

"Excuse me."

I looked up to see one of those students. He was somewhat intimidating and bore an emotionless expression on his porcelain face. If I was 158cm tall, he was around 170cm so I had to somewhat arch my neck up to see his face. He was blindingly good looking. He was elegant, poised and effortlessly perfect. But what enraptured me the most were his eyes. Gold and red. Who is this guy?

"Oh Akashi-sama! What brings you here?"

Akashi? Why does that sound so familiar?

"I have documents from the Principal."

And then it snapped. He was the Crown Prince and walked around the place with the air of a god. Just being next to him made my blood chill. From what I had heard, he was handsome, and perfect in every way except he was a cold as the grave. He didn't have friends, only pawns he could manipulate. But the worse thing was that his words were sharp and dangerous enough to cut through anything.

He spoke briefly, only said what needed to be said and never waffled. I didn't realize I was gawking because the teacher literally shoved me out of the way and lead Akashi to her desk. For someone who was red in the face and screaming not even a minute ago, she was completely fine now. She saw me watching and when Akashi wasn't looking her way, she snarled at me and mouthed 'Get the hell out trash!'

Needless to say, I got out of there.

"Aish, what a crone. One minute she's Baba Yaga and the next she's become some ass kissing saint. What a scary woman."

I glanced down at my cheap but functional watch and sighed. I hated how the teachers' offices were in the main campus so I had to walk down the halls with them whispering and snickering and pointing like I was some zoo animal on display. As much as I wanted to push them off the building through their brightly coloured stained glass windows, I walked on past with a blank look on my face. Hah! As if I would let you get to me. Your cheap gossip and snickering make you seem childish and pathetic. Grow the fuck up.

"Did you see that? It's her again."

"Lol, that peasant. She probably tries to get in trouble so she can walk down these halls. How shallow."

"Her cheeks are bleeding. The teacher must have hit her. What a loser. She deserved it."

"Ew, I can't believe she even goes to this school. How did she even get here?"

"Do you think she has diseases, like rabies?"

How about I tear out your throat and we'll see if I have rabies? Urgh, you pretentious, pompous, money leeching, plastic assholes can take your assumptions and chatter and shove it up your arses. You're all pathetic.

As I walked past, the laughing continued to increase. It was useless. No matter how much faster I walked, they swarmed the halls like a bunch of cockroaches, chittering away like they had nothing else to do. When I finally reached the exit of the campus building, I pushed opened the doors and smirked over my shoulders before walking out. When Tetsuya finished his business with this school, I'll make sure you regret messing with me.

I pulled out my phone and texted Tetsuya.

From Trouble Maker

To Quiet one:

Where are you? I finally got out of that hell hole.

Almost instantly, Tetsuya replied.

From Quiet one

To Trouble Maker

In the library. I'll see you at home.

I knew he was up to something. Tetsuya didn't like the library because there were always too many people in there and any book that he wanted to borrow was either taken or he was told to shove off. The first time that happened, I almost bit the librarian's head off.

I decided to go for a walk. At this time, the students of the main campus were either in their dorms or clubs. The tin shed students had clubs but we came second after the campus kids. If we wanted to use the sports field or use the art rooms, we had to trade something. It was so corrupt but the school was good at hiding this from the general public. Most kids were too afraid to tell their parents about this injustice so it was all quiet. For now.

In the evening, things were so much more peaceful. Partly because it was dark and no one could see me so I could explore without being caught. Besides, I've done this plenty of times so it was easy for me to avoid being caught. I walked to the gym. It was the next place on my list of places to explore. Upon approaching it, I could hear someone barking orders and the squeaking of shoes. This was soon followed by the clashing of metal and thudding.

What is going on? Is someone going to war or something?

I crept up to the door and made sure no one was approaching or around. I peered into the crack in the door and what I saw uplifted my heart. I had found the special S class. They were the only class who were allowed to practice the art of weaponry. It had something to do with them being part of nobility and their duty to serve the King or whatever. From what I could see, there were a little more than 2 dozen students. All of them were male. Wait, scrap that, there was a girl. I could see her long pale pink hair flutter in the wind.

It was somewhat magical to watch. They were all practicing something different. Some were doing archery, some were sparring and others were throwing knives at target boards. Now, this I like. Looking around, I could see the 5 that stood out. I bit my lip to prevent me laughing. They are like a bunch of crayons. Lol! Red, Blue, Green, Purple and Yellow.

The tanned blue haired guy began to spar with the yellow haired guy. The clashing of metal, the shrill of the blades scraping against each other sent chills running up my spine. It watched in awe as the two fought. Their movements were so quick and sleek. It was like the blades were an extension of their arms. It got to one point where all I could see were flashing of silver, yellow and blue as they moved faster and faster. However, it was clear to see that the blue haired guy had the upper hand. He was the better fighter.

Suddenly, the blade came flying out of the yellow guy's hands and headed straight for me. It was flying at such as fast and powerful rate that it went clean through the wooden door and was millimeters from plunging itself into my forehead but I fell back and landed on my back.

"Neh Aominecchi! Why can't I beat you!?"

"Because you suck Kise. Go get your sword you weakling."

"Mo…"

The yellow guy approached and I scrambled to my feet and went to hide but the guy was much quicker than I thought because by the time I got up and got away by a meter or so, he was already at the door.

"Eh! Who are you?! What are you doing here?"

I didn't stop. I kept running and running as fast as my little feet would take me. All I needed to do was get outside the gate and I was safe. Please don't follow me. Please don't follow me. As I turned around the corner, there was a group of students heading this way and I was trapped. Either I run into these gossiping girls or I run into the special S class. So I opted for the third option and leapt into the bushes.

"What the hell are you yelling at?"

"There was someone there. It was a girl. Maybe it was one of my fans?"

"Shut the fuck up you wannabe model piece of shit."

"OW! You don't need to be so mean Aominecchi!"

A new voice appeared and I recognized it.

"Ryota, Daiki, are you skipping on practice?"

"No. We weren't Akashicchi. There was a girl. I think she was spying on us."

"A girl? I don't care. Get back to practice or I will triple your training. I have no need for slackers."

The blondie eeped before rushing inside while the tanned guy flinched and waddled back into the gym. The door closed and I waited a few minutes before deciding that it was a close call and it would be better to head home. I crept out of the bushes and slowly made my way past the gym when I heard,

"So Ryota was right."

I went to run when the small prick of a sharp edge was pressed against my neck and I stopped. Out from the shadows was Akashi Seijuro. The most respected and feared person in the school. I gulped and prayed that he wouldn't rat me out.

"What business do you have with us?"

My mouth was sewn shut. Either it was my jaw being an ass and locking up on me or it was the fact that I was too afraid to speak.

"I asked you a question."

"N-none. I was just wondering by when a sword came flying at me face."

"So you ran when Ryota came to get it."

"Well I'm not exactly supposed to be here."

There was an awkward silence as his eyes drilled through my skull in an attempt to read my mind. I instantly looked down and cursed myself for acting like a submissive dog.

"Since you know that you are prohibited from here, get out."

"I would if I could you know. So please remove your sword. I can't exactly get out if you have a sword pressed against my neck."

He didn't move and it pissed me off. I didn't have a clue what to do though so I grabbed the sword and pulled it away from my neck. It was stupid but at least it wasn't at my neck. My hand hurt and bled like crazy but I held my gaze. I pushed the sword away and stalked off. He didn't follow. Dumb, stupid, idiot, why do you do this to yourself? Aren't you happy now? You've got the attention of the Devil Prince. You might as well pack up your stuff and get the hell out before he sends his guards or assassins to kill you.

It was late and I doubted that the nurses would treat my wound so I grabbed my handkerchief and tightly wrapped it around my bleeding hand and rushed home. And by home, I meant a torn down shack. It was literally just one block of land with a hole as a toilet and running water between 5-6am and 7-8pm. When I unlocked the door and walked in, Tetsuya rushed to me.

"Where were you Tatsuo? You're covered in blood. What happened?"

"Nothing. Just tripped over when I tried to get away from the teachers."

He gave me a 'don't lie to me look' so I fessed up. I told him all about watching the special S class and my run in with the Devil Crown Prince.

"Why do you always attract trouble? Never mind, let me see your hand."

"Eh! No, I got it. It was just a small cut. It's fine."

Tetsuya was not having any of it as he grabbed my hand and gently untied the handkerchief.

"You're so dumb."

And then he began to lecture me about trouble making. I stuck out my bottom lip and looked away. I hated when Tetsuya lectured me like I was a little brat.

"Look, I had no other choice okay. What was I supposed to do? Push him away? Kick him? Yell at him? I hate this school Tetsuya. I don't know why you wanted to come here. If had known that it would be this bad, I would have stayed back in Seirin. At least the people there actually cared about us and not treated us like we were some thorn in their backside. Because frankly, I wish I was a poisonous thorn so they would all drop dead. I've had enough!"

My outburst seemed to shock Tetsuya because I had never yelled at him like that before. In all of my life, whenever we had an argument, I had always gotten angry but never screamed at him like that. Almost instantly, I felt bad. I yanked my hand back and headed to 'the bathroom'.

"I reek. I'm taking a shower now."

And then closed the door without looking back to see if he was alright. I was too ashamed. I only had him left in my life and I had yelled at him like that. What a great sister you are.

I didn't speak with him for the rest of the night. It was awkward. He had gone and bought bandaged and treated my wound without saying a single word. I was too ashamed to apologise so I gave up on doing any homework and went to sleep early.

~Kuroko Tetsuya's P.O.V~

She had never yelled at me before. I was upset. Not because she yelled but because I was ashamed. I was angry at myself for being a coward and not just telling her my true reason for coming here. I had always thought that if she stayed ignorant, she would be safer but I was wrong. I had made it worse. Not only had she gotten in trouble several times but now she had revealed herself to him. The one person I wanted to keep her away from had made an appearance in her life. I couldn't think. I decided to leave my homework aside.

I could hear her soft sobbing. She often cried in her sleep for our parents. She appeared headstrong and confident but between us, she was the most sensitive. It hurt me to see her cry. But I had a mission. I had a task to do that would put us both in the right track. To save the only thing I loved in this life, I was determined to climb my way up and show the Royal family, the nobility, the school, the ones I once called friends, that I am strong and that everyone has the potential to be equal and greater than them. I was determined to end this corrupt cycle of oppression.

"Tetsuya, it seems that I have no need for you anymore. Team play is no longer necessary for victory."

"What do you mean? What will the team say-"

"Teiko has no need for a team. We have all surpassed the level of normal people. You are below us. You are dismissed."

~later that day~

"Neh Tetsuya! Are you coming to Seirin with me?"

"Yes, I will be transferring to Seirin next year."

"YESS! Alright! I'll see you tomorrow then!"

"Alright Tatsuo. I'll see you then."

I hope that this will work out. I will bring you all back but first, I will show you that you are wrong…Akashi-kun.

End of chapter

Yep, so it is very different from my earlier version. I just thought playing around with this might make a better story and have a better plot. It would also give me more room for character development so I guess it's worth a shot. I'll leave the other version up and it would be great if you could tell me which version you preferred so I can get rid of one and focus on the other. Thanks very much my beloved readers.