DISCLAIMER: I own nothing except the idea.
THE CLAN OF BLACK, KURO GUMI
We are the shadows within the shadows, those who move in silence and stealth. We are loyal to the light that cast us forever until death. We are the killers of your enemy, the lovers in the dark. We would give up anything for the light to keep the light out of darkness. Use us our light, our master. We are the Clan of Black, the Kuro Gumi.
-Excerpt from the first chapter in the Book of Black.
Written by Tetsumi Kuroko; First Head of the Kuro Gumi.
Title: Reunion
Kuronuma Sawako was having a typical morning. She woke, took care of her toiletries, got dressed, and went down to eat. She brought several trash bags with her on her morning run, in order to pick up any trash in her way. She passed several hissing cats, barking dogs, and chirping birds, giving each a happy smile. The spring morning was cool enough to remind her of the bit of winter yet warm enough to grant her glimpses of sakura buds, soon her last year in high school would begin. She was doubly, no triply, happy this morning because she would be hanging out with her friends later that afternoon along with her boy-boy-boyfriend.
Sawako collapsed on the bridge she was just crossing, her face burning a deep red as she thought of Shota and his smiling face as his mouth started to form the words "Sawako". Her heart beat double time and flowers seemed to bloom all around her.
"We are the shadows." A soft voice said behind her.
Sawako stilled as she replied, "Within the shadows."
She slowly stood up and turned to see the pale boy behind her, noticing his faint presence with slight awe. She bowed formally to her cousin and Head.
"Greetings Tetsuya-sama."
"Walk with me Sawako-chan." He murmured as he tugged on a lease.
"Yes Master." Sawako smiled at the husky pup, it barked pleasantly back at her without fear.
"Grandmother wishes for a family reunion. She feels that her death is fast approaching."
Sawako felt sadness course through her as she remembered the robust old matron.
"Time steals from us all."
"Indeed."
A companionable silence covered their footsteps as they crossed the bridge.
"How is basketball going? Have you found a new light?"
This had bothered Sawako, in fact all of the Clan, for some time. It was uncommon, nearly unheard of, for the Head of Kuro Gumi to be without a Light. When Tetsuya-sama had announced to the whole clan of his estrangement with his first light, well it had caused a very quiet uproar form the elders. The Head of Kuro Gumi is the embodiment of shadows. His, or her, presence was nonexistence, shadow, and nothingness. A true Head would need a light to show how truly dark their existence is.
"His power as my light is weak. Yet, I can feel how much he can grow." Tetsuya stopped and looked across the slight river that passed under the bridge and ran parallel to the path they were walking on.
Sawako watched the Head and noticed the slight bags under his eyes.
"You have not been sleeping well."
"No, there is a tournament match soon."
Sawako waited for Tetsuya to continue.
"My last light is going to be my opponent."
Sawako's brows twitched.
"Do you think it wise, Tetsuya-sama? For competition between two lights-" she stopped speaking when she realized that Tetsuya was no longer beside her.
Sawako did not look around, she knew that she would never find Tetsuya when he did not want to be found.
With a sigh Sawako tucked this information inside a small compartment in her mind; there would be time yet to inform her parents of this matter. Humming to herself, Sawako resumed her run as if Tetsuya Kuroko had never stopped her.
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And that is a wrap. I wanted to write something like this for some time now, after reading the two mangas. If I can think of any chapters to add I will add them. Until then this is going to be marked complete. Hope you enjoyed it.