Author's Rant: I just wanted to take this loud idea, yeah loud. Apparently, when I have this great idea, they bug me all day that I feel like something, or someone is screaming in my head. All is good if it's really a nice idea, but sometimes I'm sure it's just me.

Plot is weird, because this idea came from shuffling my Ipod. When my Ipod played 'Who Knew' by Pink, I thought 'this song fits Kuroko and Aomine way too perfectly.' After that, the next song that played was 'Not Pretty Enough' by Kasey Chambers. I almost laughed because I definitely remembered Kise with that. Got excited, and skipped the song. I swore the next song will describe Akashi and Kuroko. Then I laughed when the next song played. Why? It was…

Untitled (I must be dreaming) by Evanescence… And that's how this fic came to be. As simple as that.

Full Summary: When he was seven years old, Kuroko was saved by a boy with a pair of ruby eyes. Now he's sixteen, he was going to save him this time, even if those red orbs was forever owned by a different individual.

General Idea: Alternate Universe. Well, yeah. As simple as that. Not a humor fic unlike A Few Close Calls, and will contain some dark themes and drama (damn, I suck at that). I found myself writing this as soon as I got home from university, without having eaten my breakfast or lunch (hope that supper comes soon) so forgive me if it bordered around 'impossible to understand.' Pairings heavy on AkaKuro and MuraAka (I'm currently craving for it right now), on the side are slight AoKuro, MidoKuro, KiseKuro and maybe even KagaKuro. How about MuraKuro? I don't know… Hmm… I'll think about it.

Warnings: FWA, BWS and OOC moments might, correction, will occur. And I have an uncreative and twisted naming sense, so forgive me. Read at your own risk, you have been warned.

Disclaimer: Haha, what a nice joke if I do owned it.

First Meeting

The Colours World. (OOC: See? I have a weird naming sense. You'll probably laugh the whole time.)

The land and the skies have perpetually existed side by side with magic in this world. The people lived in the eternal abundance of magic force and the cities are maintained by the governance of different families.

The known families are known for having a nature, or should we be more specific, colour of their magic.

The Ki family have been towering over the golden light. They happily lived and prospered with their people, their warmth and kindness unrivalled by any of the other families.

The Midori family had been in sync with the green nature's earthly powers since forever. They and their people believed in the existence of fate and had followed every path that would lead them to power.

The Ao family of blue flame, by far is now the strongest of all families, having taken under its wing one of the prominent families, the Momo family. They are seeking for great power and a family to rival with, but believing that no other family was competent enough to be one.

The Murasaki were royalties of the purple wind. They lived in luxury and peace yet in caution, not allowing any outsiders to enter the family. They're pretty abundant in resources and had been in possession of a treasure that is targeted by most families due to its nature.

Alas, the Aka family that reigned over all families before was just now a mere name in paper, their blood red history following their ruin. They were the creators of most magic arts and had developed the trick to the ultimate magic, which is now in the hands of the Murasaki family.

Of course, there were other families that didn't get much recognition; also there were families that were a bit different from the common ones.

Kuro family was one of them. They were the shadow actors, able to use the black arts to their bidding. They are known yet no one has ever proved their existence. Their work was to fulfill other families' requests, at a certain price of course. Their services range from mere thievery to assassination, and even to the seduction of the prominent family heads.

And this certain family has a problem. It was the heir.

Kuroko Tetsuya, the only child of the heads of the Kuro family. It was expected that he would have magic rivalling his father or his mother's… but no. The boy might have inherited the ability of his parents to lack any sort of presence, but he had minimum abilities and slightly frail body.

This disappointed his parents and family greatly. But Kuroko believed otherwise. He was happy even though he held little power in him, and was fascinated on how magic works.

It was boring afternoon in the study of the Phantom Mansion, and little Kuroko was getting distracted from his studying. The sound of the TV news was in the background.

The weather would be nice but look out for dimensional interference for the whole week due to an incoming storm. The skies were clear, Kuroko wanted to go out.

A grey arts caster serial-killer is on the loose. Stay in the comfort of your household till the local police arrest our runaway criminal. Kuroko really wanted to step out of this room at least for half an hour.

Apparently, the Murasaki family refuses any media or any outsider for that matter, to enter their territories. These news were practically of no concern to him, it's just that his tutor said to listen to it every once in a while.

Oha-Asa recommended lucky item— That's it, he decided and turned off the TV. He was going out.

Using his presence to his advantage, he easily snuck out of the mansion. Sometimes he wondered why his own family found it hard to recognize him if all of them have the same ability? Well, he could ask them later. Right now, he wanted to watch some scenery.

A few minutes later, the forest that's normally and supposedly quiet and tranquil was disturbed by various noises. A distinct one was sobs, while there was also a maniacal laughter not far from the crying. Kuroko can be seen being chased by a very suspicious man.

The said boy knew he needed to run as far as his weak legs could take him. Far, as in very far from this mad man. He'll be hurt, killed if he didn't run faster. This was the caster that was mentioned on the TV, the man's ability to manipulate iron was the proof of it. But his adrenaline was running short and his muscles ached, and his vision is blurred from the all the tears; tears in fear… Fear for his life. Something that was much unexpected from someone like him who showed very little emotion.

Why? Why was this happening to him? Because he didn't follow his parents' orders? For being unable to help them with his frail body? For sneaking out of the mansion? He didn't deserve this. He might not have been able to reach his parents expectations, but it didn't mean that he deserved to suffer, to die.

He just wanted a breather, a short rest from all those eyes that looked at him with disappointment. A simple stroll in the forest didn't have to turn into this. It shouldn't have happened; this isn't happening. But it is, and that's the reason why he's running as hard as he could.

With all these thoughts, the little boy ran for his life. Until he ended up on a dead end, a cliff to be exact. His light blue eyes filled with more tears if possible. He looked behind, seeing the crazy guy a few meters away from him… Grinning maniacally he noted, but that was the least of his worries. He'll be killed by that man, either by his magic or by his knife, in a very painful, gruesome and morbid death.

"Little boy, come here. I promise it won't hurt." Like hell it won't hurt. And like hell would he hurry to his death.

"Stop. Please." But the man just stepped even closer. "No. Someone. Help me!" He shouted like his life depended on it. Well, yeah it did. "Help! Please!"

And as if fear suddenly decided to creep on his throat, Kuroko could no longer find his voice when the man came nearer, less than a meter between them. He wanted to back away but his back offered him not much of a different choice, still death but well, it's going to be a fall.

In a real sudden, he could feel a jolt of pain in his stomach. His vision swam, his stomach hurt so bad it was going numb, and he felt a warm liquid, which he assumed was his blood. He was going to die. There was no question to that.

Come. The little boy somehow heard but he didn't know where it came from, or probably something his imagination has cooked up just to ease him before his death.

The man retreated his weapon, only to plunge it back in. Or so he thought. Before he knew, red bubbles appeared out of thin air surrounding him, the reek of blood in it was freezing him on his spot.

The pain made Kuroko double over and fell off the cliff. Painful shouting was the last thing he heard before he faded to unconsciousness.

Darkness consumed everything in that place but for some reasons, a lone figure was standing there, and very vividly, you could see his red hair, small stature and the chains that bound both his wrists and legs. His eyes were closed and he breathes but he… didn't seem alive.

No. Someone. Help me!

"Who?" The only person in the room asked to the voice that rang in his ear. An image of a forest, of a cliff, flashed through his mind.

Help! Please!

The urgency in that voice somehow touched something in him that he had never felt for so long. Another image passed his mind. A flash of grey and a tear drop. Before he could realize, he had reached out to that voice.

"Come." He commanded, while imagining that flash of grey surrounded by a different colour. Red, yes, that would be nice. And that grey would be slowly consumed by the crimson colour. Perfect. No more grey, just red, red and more red. Then next, he imagined the tear drop slowly being held by a light. A warm white light. Yes, that's even better.

After his mental images, in midst of the darkness and silence, a warm light emerge in front of him. His eyelids slowly opened at the strange glow in the room. His interest was perked up when that light slowly went out and left him with a kid. A bleeding to death kid if he might emphasize.

He reached out to the unconscious boy and stared for a good minute. Perhaps this boy was the one who called out to him. He wanted to ask how and why because no one else had ever reached out to him. But if he didn't do something, then transporting the boy here would have been a total waste. He held his hand on top of the wound, and closed his eyes. He imagined undoing the torn in a paper and another faint light appeared. The cut became smaller till it was no more. A small smile of content was etched on the redhead as he slowly caressed the small boy's cheek.

The feeling of warmth was welcomed by the light blue-haired boy. But then he thought it was out of place. Why should he feel that? Because he had never felt them before? No, it was more because he remembered that he was running for his life just minutes ago. And he was stabbed! That thought seemed to wake Kuroko up.

As he came to, he found himself completely in the dark, literally. Then he noticed the other beside him who was touching him. A red-haired man, no not really man but he couldn't possibly call him boy even if the other was small because he seemed to be older than Kuroko by a few years, a teenager maybe? Anyway, the other boy had the most beautiful and hypnotizing ruby eyes he had ever since in the whole… well, seven years of his life. That might have been exaggerating it since he was young, but since he almost died, it didn't really matter.

"Who are you?" He asked, and tried to feel up his stomach. There were blood stains in his damaged clothes but no, there was no wound. It didn't hurt too.

The taller one stopped his actions and simply observed the pale boy. The boy had light blue hair and eyes that contrasts with his own. If the tear streaks were any indication, the little kid must have been crying. But somehow, that blank expression draws him to boy. "Who are you, indeed."

"Where are we?" He inquired almost immediately, not exactly trying to ignore the redhead's question. It was cold that he shivered and it was really dark around. But for some reasons, he could see the other figure in the room so clearly, so vividly. And he couldn't stop staring at those eyes. Really, there must be something wrong with him.

The redhead just gave a sceptical look towards the other occupant of the room. "Did you just ignore my question boy?"

"Hey, who are you?" He decided that the other person was more of a concern than the room. Though the other had this aristocratic feel, he wasn't scared nor did he feel that he was being looked-down upon. Never minding the arrogant tone though, and the nickname. Also, there were chains that bound the other boy… that somehow intrigued him.

"Yeah, you just did. Great." The older one seemed to be talking more to the air than to his companion. His exasperated tone didn't seem to reach the younger one though.

"Tell me your name." The redhead raised a brow at that. That question somehow bothered him. Though hesitant, he decided to say it anyways. "A… Akashi Seijuro."

"Akashi…" The boy repeated. "Because of your hair and eyes?"

"S-shut up!" Akashi was flustered. A kid was making fun of him! It wasn't his fault that his name and the colour of his hair and eyes matched.

"Sorry." The boy apologized just to humour him, but the redhead knew that the boy was trying to stifle a giggle or a laugh, whatever it was.

"And you? Isn't it fair to tell me yours?" He inquired, slightly irritated. No one makes fun of him.

The boy offered a small smile before answering. "Kuroko Tetsuya."

"But you're light blue." Akashi smartly retorted with a grin, it was payback after all.

The smaller one pouted and murmured. "Shut up."

"No one tells me to shut up." Indeed, no one lived long enough to tell the tale.

The boy, lacking any real perception, argued. "I just did."

A vein popped in Akashi's head. "I heard you. Don't state the obvious."

"Exact words right back to you." Kuroko countered, he was internally enjoying this verbal fight.

The redhead sighed; this is why he hated dealing with kids. "I'm stating the facts here."

"I didn't ask for them." The pale boy felt that his companion was, a bit, childish. Well, just like him.

It had been long since he had any conversation, and as much as he sounded ungrateful, Akashi was actually happy deep inside to talk to the boy. "Are you trying to make me angry?" He warned, but wouldn't mind a retort.

"Where are we?" Kuroko suddenly change the topic it irked the older one. The fact that children have very short attention span suddenly started dawning into him as a realization.

After not getting an answer, the boy repeated. "Where are we?"

"I heard you the first time." Akashi found himself saying and sighing all at the same time.

"But you didn't answer." Kuroko retorted back as the redhead found him different from the others. Different meaning the boy was wise enough, or rather not wise enough, to engage in a verbal war with him. "I don't know." Still he found himself replying.

Now the smaller boy just looked perplexed. "Don't know?"

"Yeah." The other affirmed.

Now, that information was alarming for Kuroko. "Then how did you get here?"

Though looking a bit confused, the redhead answered. "I came here, I guess."

And it all felt like Akashi was just playing with words with him. "And you didn't know this place?" After all, how could anyone come here without even knowing? Oh right, he himself did.

"I… For all I remember I was always here." Akashi paused for a moment and then continued. "That's right, I stay here." It sounded to Kuroko that Akashi just realized it just now.

"But it's dark and cold here." He commented as he tried to warm himself by hugging himself.

The older boy dead-panned. "I'm well aware of that."

"So why are you staying here?" Kuroko asked in his curiosity.

The silence grew on them, and Kuroko settled in staring at the redhead. What shocked him was Akashi's face; it was full of doubt, confusion and most of all fear.

"Akashi?" When Akashi didn't seem to hear him, he reached out and touched the older male's cheek. Akashi even seemed to lean on the touch. At least it finally took back his companion's attention.

"It's getting late, you must leave." Akashi suddenly said like stating the weather.

"Leave?" Now he just had to ask. "How did I even get here?" Kuroko felt that the redhead was acting weird.

The latter just watched him with his deep crimson eyes. "Well… I… brought you here."

Now Kuroko was more than just baffled. First, Akashi didn't know where they are, but did go here on his own and then now he also brought Kuroko here. Where was this conversation going?

"I'm not explaining further. I'll return you to where you came from." The older boy ended the conversation unilaterally.

"Wait—" The light blue-haired boy found himself being cut off mid-sentence when a bright light surrounded him. He gazed through that pair of ruby eyes before the light ultimately consumed him.

When he came around, it was already dark out and he found himself lying just near the cliff where he should have fallen off, and beside him was…

The boy scampered away from where he was. Beside him just now is his attacker, or was a more appropriate term to the… corpse. The dead man seemingly had been stabbed relentlessly, and without mercy, by another mad man. The scare was enough for Kuroko to just run away, caring not for anything else but his own safety.

As he ran through the woods, he found himself having a small afterthought. 'Will I ever meet Akashi again?'

End Rant: Is this worth continuing? I fail at these genres most of the time. Dx And yeah, it's fantasy. And next chapter would probably not contain any other character but Kuroko and Akashi. Well, that's still for now, I would have to recover from my fever first and get back on this later, as well my other fics.