Featuring a Kuroko that comes from a background that is poor as edit and uneducated. As a result he is a bit more fond of having another's attention and more eager to please xD
When I was but sixteen years of age I was trekking through the snow after an incredibly long day in the village. Every last cake had been sold and my pocket was bursting with coins - the same way my heart was bursting with happiness. Grandmother and I would have more than enough to last us all winter - coal, soap, thread, maybe even new warm coats.
I saw him by stumbling across him. Even encased in ice he was a creature of majesty - a shade of unapologetic red that could only be produced by nature working her miracle. My heart clenched - such an innocent creature should not die by winter's cruel hands, especially one with so much pride. But it was not a matter of pride but rather a value of life in that I decided to take him home with me.
I was breathless with exhaustion by the time I was wiping snow from my shoes, but I had kept him underneath my coat, near the heat of my breast.
I was terrified at first glance as he slithered out of my coat. He truly was an awe-inspiring creature with endless coils of crimson. Two scarlet eyes gleaning like the most precious of garnets, forked tongue darted out to soak in the warmth created by the fireplace.
"You saved my life," he spoke in the most velvety, soothing voice I had ever heard, "How could I ever thank you?"
I was struck speechless by the way his jaws moved up and down, hinting a peek at his deadly fangs.
"You don't have to thank me," I finally mustered. To say I was taken aback was to say the least.
"You are not afraid of me? Perhaps you have no idea what my venom can do to a human."
"Just because I am not running away does not mean I am not afraid," I told him, "But I feel as if I have a natural right to be afraid of nature's finest works. Grandmother says her greatness is unbound. Even so, I must still ask you not to bite me. I like living."
He laughed, a twinkle unfolding in time. "Even in a cottage such as this one?"
I frowned. "I help Grandmother keep it clean. In my mind, we manage well together."
"My apologies. I did not mean to sound insolent. I was merely inquiring what you like about living."
"Everything, really," I said after a moment of thought, "I know that Grandmother and I may not have the nicest house, but we take care of each other. I like everything about home, especially in the spring and summer. I like helping Grandmother bake cakes - even the birds come by to taste golden crumbs. I like - "
"I was merely teasing you, child," he said, "I know you must place a heavy value on life considering you have saved a stranger's, a viper's nonetheless. And for that I am extremely grateful. I would never hurt my benefactor."
My frown grew. "I hardly think life and death is a matter of teasing - I'm sorry, what is your name?"
"I am known as Akashi Seijuro. What is yours?"
"Kuroko Tetsuya," I said.
"Kuroko Tetsuya," he repeated, my name lingering on his forked tongue.
The first time he made me the offer was seven years ago.
The fateful day when I saved him from the cold, he claimed he'd taken an interest in me and said he would like it if I were to come live with him in his kingdom. The kingdom, he'd said, was called the Kingdom of Snakes and is inhabited by the shapeshifting people. Many humans have been searching the world for its treasures and resources, but no one has ever been able to locate it.
Once you enter the kingdom, there will be no return - its location must be kept secret at all costs.
At the time, I thought I could never. The thought of leaving home was plain terrifying, and Grandmother and I needed each other.
Very well, he'd said. But one day I will come back for you. I see that you will accept my offer someday. And so away he went, and I didn't think much more of it until Grandmother's death.
I buried her in the meadows that flower early in the spring next to Mother and Father. I went back to the cottage and did the best I could by myself. I collected eggs and baked golden cakes, which I would travel down the mountains every week to sell. It was a simple life and I thought I remember myself being content that way.
Then one day, just as destiny foretold, I would meet with a red viper in my own garden. A lush summer was leaving for a more brittle fall, and I found him napping beneath the shade among some tender green things poking out of the earth.
"Hello, Kuroko Tetsuya," he greeted me with a pleased hiss, uncoiling himself to his full glory.
After I returned his greeting, he inquired how I was faring. Something told me to never lie or omit any particular detail to him, so I told him what happened to Grandmother.
He offered his condolences. He didn't attempt to try and cheer me up or to speak to me about moving on. He didn't try and ease me out of my grief.
I liked that.
One can imagine my surprise when he changed from snake to man - a man similar to myself in height with a tuft of red hair and a thin-lipped smile. But I knew it was him because he had the same, piercing eyes as the red viper moments ago.
One red, one golden. But was that right...?
It had to be, didn't it? I have very little inclination in my mind to believe that there was another vibrant crimson snake with a silver tongue out there in the world.
A kingdom of shapeshifters - and he was their emperor.
Once more he made me the offer of whisking me away to the Kingdom of Snakes. Forget about your earthly troubles, he told me, taking my hands in his, I will find you a place beside me in my kingdom. You will be happy there.
How disgracefully I blushed, for even my hands were stained rose in his porcelain ones.
To ask such a thing of a virtual stranger is unheard of, so I gave him an unheard-of answer: I agreed.
There wasn't much to leave behind in the human world.
Nobody would touch the cottage, Akashi-san told me. It would be preserved in my family's honor throughout the ages.
At that time I just wanted to forget.
Present ~ 7 years later
A breeze comes along and lightly caresses the opening of my kimono so that it deliciously tickles my legs. Shaven, for I know he will feast like the emperor he is when he returns home. There is always a celebration in his honor because victory never ceases to be his.
When there is no breeze the thin, delicate fabric of my kimono clings to my skin in the summer heat. I am never allowed to accompany the hunting parties. Though I have asked many times, Akashi-kun strictly forbids it. He does not want to ruin me, he says. He does not want me to see that side of him.
But I wonder if there are truly any sides I have never seen. After all it has been quite a number of years since we have first slept in the same bed. By now I have come far from being a virgin.
He tells me that I belong with him - not to him but with him, as if it was destiny for me to end up here all along. I don't know if I believe in destiny but I am happy to be here. I have told him many times and I will tell him many more, as much as he needs to hear.
I lull my head back and close my eyes, losing myself in a calm state of mind. I am more than comforted by the thought that he is returning today. Soon enough I will be in his arms and he in mine.
I do not call him my husband - that strikes me on a level of intimacy I cannot quite comprehend and it turns him quite flushed as well. But he will not stand the term lover for me. I am no consort either. Any other term is out of the question - he wants me to know I am much more to him. By day I am known as Kuroko Tetsuya to the kingdom and by night I am Tetsuya in his arms. In his free time he cradles me more than he holds a book.
He always calls me his darling, his precious and sometimes his hand would snake up to fondle my thigh. I tend to wear loose yukata then so it is easier for his hand to slip between the opening to make the removal of them easier.
We never did have the money to wear such soft cloths back in the human world, so I adore the way I can simply shimmy out of the silks and brocades. He likes to slip it off my shoulders or see it gently fall in the most delicate of manners - he never rips them off me like some animal. Admittedly, he harbors more manner and class than any human I have ever met.
In the early summer mornings he likes to meditate among the sweet grasses in the palace gardens. The winds would tickle my bare legs as I wade into the streams and let the sun wash over my face while I leave him be for a little while.
More than once I have stumbled upon wild snakes frolicking in the grass. They flee at the sight of me, perhaps a distinct scent of somebody they fear lingering on my body nowadays. They know that if they were to bite me they would face a wrath worse than death.
The Kingdom of Snakes is inhabited by plenty of wildlife. There are also many hunters. Everyone in the kingdom is a shape shifter.
Akashi-kun says that contrary to what others may tell me, not every shape shifter has a venomous bite. Each blood type produces a different kind of venom, but there also exists variations within the genes. Even a shape shifter can be affected by a highly toxic venom stranger to them.
I have no doubt in my mind that Akashi-kun's venom is the strongest - after all, he sits on the throne to this powerful and mystifying kingdom. (Numerous times he has offered for me to grace his lap. Although these requests are sometimes tempting, it is ones such as these that make me blush profusely and contemplate how kinky one must be as to suggest something so degenerating that speaking it aloud would taint all values of a kingdom's culture, tradition, and legacy.)
In a kingdom so dangerous one has little choice but to rule with an iron fist, but from what I have seen there is no trace of tyranny in Akashi-kun's blood. He renews the strict laws hunters must abide by, instills systems that protect the innocent, and punish the corrupt as they deserve so. He thrives upon power, but is a power given to him by his people.
His palace compasses one of the most endearing treasures I've ever stumbled upon. It is called a library, he has told me, And if you like it, it belongs just as much to you as it does me. Pick anything you like at any time of your leisure.
For a moment my heart had soared before plummeting back down to earth. I thank you for your generosity, Akashi-kun, I said while inclining my head in a bow of respect, But I am sorry to say I cannot accept your generous offer. I have never learnt to read.
(The fall after Grandmother's passing, a school had come to the village. I never had an opportunity to go before, but if there was one thing I wanted more than anything in the world it was to learn how to read. Grandmother had told me that being literate will enable me to go further into the world. I wanted to learn for her. At the same time I also to satisfy the burning desire for knowledge deep within me. But I had cakes to bake. A cottage wasn't going to keep itself.)
A trace of shock had graced his usual stoic composure. Then I will teach you to read. He said as-matter-of-factly.
Akashi-kun, sometimes you are too good to me, I remember saying to him. I'd looked away to hide the looks of gratitude and longing on my face. It looks as if I would fall further into his debt, for I will never be able to repay all that he has done for me.
His eyes were the summer rain and autumn storm, the emblem of light and the seal of power. And these things could never be taken from him because they make up the best part of him, the worst of him, the raw and absolute parts of him.
Tetsuya. His fingers had cupped my chin, making me to look up at him. Consider it a token of my gratitude, he'd put his lips to my ear, For you must not forget what you have done for me as well. Would you not say we were destined to meet again?
Oh but I would absolutely say that.
Many times over.
By this time I have read many, many books and still have not gotten to the lower levels of bookshelves in Akashi-kun's library. The balcony outside of my chambers hosts a generous amount of sunlight and a perfect quiet spot. It would be just like Akashi-kun to be this thoughtful.
I am amidst devouring a heavyset volume of mythology when I hear a knock upon the door.
"Yes?"
"Kuroko-San? It's Nagisa Shiota. May I come in?"
"Of course, Nagisa-kun."
Nagisa is a young snake shifter and both my attendant and friend. He walks in with a full tray of fresh fruit and various pastries, my evening snack platter for the day as always provided by the great Akashi Seijuro.
"Thank you very much, Nagisa-kun," I say without much tone. The usual is that he and I end up sharing since I can never seem to finish Akashi-kun's extravagant gifts and indulgences by myself.
"You're very welcome, Kuroko-San," he says, setting the tray down in front of me. "You'll be happy to hear that Akashi-Sama has returned. He's waiting in his chambers."
I set down my book. "Then I shall go at once."
"Excuse me, Kuroko-san, but before you leave, can you tell me the name of your book?" Nagisa is blushing to the tips of his pigtails at such a simple request. "Karma-kun is going to teach me how to read soon."
"Of course," I say, showing him the rather ordinary front cover, "It is called Generations of Immortality. While it adapts traditional mythology into something else, it is a rather interesting read. I am at the part where the main character has just been turned to stone. Everyone is wondering what will happen next."
"Fascinating," Nagisa says, his eyes glazed with awe, "Maybe one day after I learn to read, I will be able to talk about books with you..."
"I look forward to that day then," I say, giving him the most minuscule of smiles, "I should get going soon."
"Of course, Kuroko-San." We both know it was best to not keep Akashi-kun waiting for too long.
Before I leave for Akashi-kun's chambers, I tell Nagisa that he and Karma can help themselves to my snack platter.
(I was sure my hunger would be quelled in other places.)
Akashi-kun is resting on a velvet lounge with a book in his hands, a rather typical sight I have grown accustomed to. The room is dark and wonderfully drowsy with a lazy fire smoldering in the fireplace.
His head snaps up the moment I enter his chambers. In a flash he is beside me, his book forgotten on the floor and his arms are entwining themselves around me as he has done many, many times before. "Tetsuya."
I greet his sigh by running my fingers through his tuft of crimson hair. In front of his kingdom he maintains a regal composure but when we are in private, he can express his inner musings as passionately as he desires.
"Welcome back, Akashi-kun. I hope you had a nice trip."
His hands creep to my waist and lock themselves in an inescapable embrace. "It was quite like any other trip, but the thoughts of returning to my Tetsuya kept my spirits entertained."
I blush. After seven years, I still unused to him saying such things out of the blue.
He presses a light kiss to my temple, his breath already freshened after he made his kills.
"How many today?" I notice he has changed into a simple black yukata as well, the complete opposite of the gear he wore for hunting.
He leads me to the family of velvet sofas. When I pick one to sink down into, he swirls around the wine in his glass before taking a sip and sitting across from me.
"Eleven." The look on his face says it's nothing, says he's done better before.
But I know that eleven is not a small number in this kingdom. Combined with the number of kills the others would have made...
"Tetsuya, are you not feeling well?" His question snaps me out of my thoughts.
"Sumimasen, Akashi-kun. My mind was merely in a different place."
"Ah." His tone of voice indicates that this may not be the last time we speak of this subject. "Then I must ask how you fare. I trust that the evening platters have been able to provide a wholesome nourishment for you?"
"Yes, thank you very much, Akashi-kun," I say with another slight inclination of respect, "The food is delicious and plentiful. I am grateful for Akashi-kun's abundant generosity, as always."
He rarely dines with me in his palace, for the hunters usually have their meals fresh and raw after their kills.
"Tetsuya, Tetsuya, what kind of a man would I be if I were to neglect the most basic of responsibility for my most precious one?"
"Akashi-kun, your endearments will one day be my undoing." I tell him with a flat face.
He chuckles are laced with a trace of sinister delight. "On the contrary, Tetsuya, I believe it is you alone who will be my undoing."
His breath is soft, lips devoid of colour as he moves in for a kiss. While his lips are on the thin side, they remain nonetheless supple and more intoxicating than any fine wine I've ever had the privilege of trying (and disliking).
At this time it is okay for his saliva to make contact with mine. Years of injecting little amounts of venom into my blood each day has rendered me immune to much venom, including Akashi-kun's.
Alas, he suggests I continue with my injections to eventually become immune to all snake venom. He monitors my every intake of venom with his piercing eyes, and he keeps a cupboard full of antidotes in both of our chambers. Sometimes he can be overbearing, but I mostly find his gesture endearing, especially on busy days when he still takes the time to come check my venom intakes.
Our kisses sink like the evening sun, the union of our tongues battle for dominance just like light and shadow. And if this night is to end up like any other night, well, I have made preparations already. I make sure my muscles are relaxed as much as they can so they do not strain afterwards.
My body tingles with warmth, my clothing soft and loose with many a place for a snake to slither into.
Akashi-kun sometimes say I am a man abandoned, that I am hardly more than a boy with pale moonbeam shoulders and splotches of faint pink blush. I look fragile, as if I could disappear into thin air any given moment...
I would never let you disappear, never let you be taken from me. He would wrap me in the most exhilarating of embraces. How I love you, Tetsuya.
Akashi-kun, I'd whisper back, I would never let anybody take me from you.
His kisses grow to be more fervent after that. The taste of his kisses bear a different aroma each time. I could never find myself growing enough of them.
In the dark he is nothing more than a figure of shadow making love to me, encompassed of the face, body, and heart of a man I have grown to love. And how frenzied my heartbeats become when I once again confess to myself that this man is my lover, my only familial connection in this world.
I imagine the red of blood stained on his hands, fresh after his kills. Him touching me with them, loving me with them.
I have confidence that the blood on his hands will never be my own, and frankly I am quite content.
Just the same, he has access to my chambers any hour of the day or night. I just happened to be in the bath that one evening when I sensed his presence behind me.
"Good evening, Tetsuya," his pure-velvet voice had confirmed his presence behind me.
I remember opening my eyes to see his smile. "Good evening, Akashi-kun." At the time I was unsuspecting of his intentions. Perhaps I was in a relaxed mood from the bath alone, or I had simply been extremely naive during that time.
His expression had been coy, unwavering as he plucked my razor from my hand. My breath hitches as he hitches one of my soapy legs over his shoulder and takes over the remaining of my body hair.
"Akashi-kun, sumimasen, please don't try to make romance out of something so personal..."
"Ah, but what could have given you the idea that this is extremely personal, Tetsuya?" He tried to prove a point by kissing the ankle of my leg that of which was hitched over his shoulder.
I turned away to hide the growing redness of my face. "For one thing, this position has me splayed open. I'm not sure how comfortable I am with it..."
"Then perhaps we should head for the bedroom." His voice was huskier than it'd ever been, and I could feel the water between my legs being too warm at the time.
"But I'm not finished shaving my legs yet." My body hair tends to grow rather quickly if left unshaven, and it was simply a preference of mine to be clean-shaven now that I have such the luxury of doing so.
He had wrapped both my legs around him - soap and water getting all over his yukata - and finished the job much quicker than I would have in a series of flawless, efficient strokes. Then he carried me to the bed as if I was the one of noble blood.
Wholesome is his passion during the night. Sometimes rough and ardent, impaling with impassioned fervor; other times slow and sensual with enticing touch.
Setting a rhythm arouses perhaps the most tantalizing sensations within us. Watching his cock piston in and out of my body does things to me that must never be spoken aloud.
I especially like it when he takes a hold of my wrists and pins me down to writhe beneath him. Never once have I felt dirty as I lose myself to his heated thrusts. In fact I am at my most when I feel liquid fire seep through my veins and know I am doing the same for him.
Tonight he makes love to me like life never has before. There's something wild, something carnal, something poisonous within the both of us.
And how thoroughly it devours me.
In the dark his hand searches for mine to grab onto.
We hold hands every night, even when we don't touch each other's bodies.
The yellow snake doesn't dare to appear unless I am walking alone in the gardens. This path is less taken which is why I often enjoy making my way down to the creek hidden in the small forest of trees.
Today the yellow snake decides to follow me, his forked tongue flicking excitedly.
"Good morning, Kurokocchi! How wonderful it is to see you!"
"Thank you, Kise-kun. It is a nice morning to take a walk."
"I missed you, Kurokocchi! Can I curl up in your lap?"
I keep my eyes and voice as toneless as possible in my answer. "No, Kise-kun. My robes were freshly cleaned."
I am prepared for his wail of protest. "Sooo mean, Kurokocchi! I'm very clean! Don't you see how shiny my scales are?"
As if to prove his point, he flashes me the sight of his underbelly.
I continue making my way ahead. "Kise-kun, please put that away. You're too vulnerable."
"Kurokocchi, don't you thin thatk I'm pretty?!"
"Maybe a little bit. I fail to see the significance of such a simple question."
"So mean, Kurokocchi! I swear you're becoming more and more like Akashicchi each day..."
I blink one, two, three times. "Is that a bad thing, Kise-kun?"
"That's not what I meant, Kurokocchi," he sighs dramatically, "It's just that Akashicchi has such an influence on you..."
"He saved me," I say in reply, "Influence or no influence, I'm grateful for everything he has given me. I'm happy with him, Kise-kun."
Surprisingly he'd grown quiet. "Is that so...?" And he didn't say anything else as we crunch through the fallen forest debris and wade into the creek.
He tries to convince me that I needed to take a swim without the weight of my robes. I make the mistake of telling him to swallow poison and end up having to listen to his wails the entire way home.
The dark blue snake provides company much simpler than Kise-kun's. He is often in human form when he sees me.
"Hey Tetsu!" he would call. "Are you up for a game of ball?"
And I would look up from my book and tell him, "Thank you for your offer, Aomine-kun. I decline; I tend to get very sweaty during the summer."
He usually just goes on playing, but one day he doesn't take his stare off me. "Is this because of Akashi?"
I glance up from my book. "What about Akashi-kun?"
He twirls the ball on his fingers. "Well, nothing really. I just thought maybe it had something to do with Akashi hating you being too smelly or something since you reject my offers for a game every time."
"Aomine-kun, it's not like that," I say, "Aomine-kun is a very skilled player while I do not know much about ball myself. If I am to get sweaty my bath times will inevitably take longer, cutting into my time spent with Akashi-kun."
"So this does have something to do with Akashi," he mutters.
"I apologize sincerely, Aomine-kun." Maybe I was beginning to feel bad, but I was at a very crucial moment in the book.
"T's fine. What's that?" He points at my lap.
"That is a book, Aomine-kun."
"Well damn Tetsu I know what it is, I meant what book is that!" His face turns a slight shade of maroon when he flushes.
"It is about a long-lost prince who is trapped in a painting," I answer with a smile, "And his lover, the current prince, is trying to save him. Right now he has to decide if he is wiling to risk piercing the heart of the painting. Neither of them knows if that will free the prince, but there are no other solutions if they want to be together."
"Do you always read gay erotica?"
It is my turn to blush. "Aomine-kun," I say rather slowly, "I would like to watch you shoot some threes. I find your technique admirable and I would like to learn it someday."
His face breaks out into a massive grin. "You got it, Tetsu!" He launches into his formless routine, never missing a single basket.
"Hey Tetsu!" he calls after his skin is covered with a thin sheen of sweat. "Are you watching?"
"Yes, yes, Aomine-kun, what a beast you are," I mutter, my eyes glued to the page, "I cannot keep my attention on anything other than you."
Kise-kun says that Nagisa and I share many similarities between us.
I don't see it.
Nagisa is a nice blue snake, very polite, kindhearted and mild-mannered, which is why I am mildly surprised (and rather amused) that he would choose to ask such a question.
In the grand scheme of things, I am honored that I can be someone he can entrust his questions to. In a strange sense he is almost the younger sibling I have never had and it is a role I am no less than proud to take.
So I tell him that when I am with Akashi-kun, it doesn't hurt. With Karma-kun it shouldn't hurt either, I tell him. It's very nice and liberating as long as it is someone who you care about. In a sense, it is actually taking care of someone else.
I didn't say much further because the poor thing looked as if steam would bellow out of his red ears at any moment. He ties the vibrant red sash of my kimonos before bidding me a hasty thanks and farewell.
The atmosphere in my room quickly changes from amusement to thoughts of my own night.
I catch sight of myself in the mirror - the vibrant striking of red rather compliments the tufts of my hair. Before I leave for his chambers, I rake a hand through my locks even though I know Akashi-kun will end up tousling it later.
The evening sun streaks colors across the sky, warming the waters of the creek that lap at my skin. I decide perhaps it is time to return to the castle before I become too flushed, but a rustling nearby stops me.
A cluster of voices then begin talking, and I sink back down into the water as I recognize each one of those voices.
"I don't know how he manages to get shit done with his dick up in Tetsu's ass all the time." This is none other than the voice of Aomine Daiki, the perverse blue snake who likes basketball and works with the guards.
"Aominecchi, it sounds even more grueling when you say it!" Kise-kun again. I'm not actually too sure what he does besides occupy a large amount of space (and my patience).
"Tch. Well it's true Kise. You think you're ever going to get a chance to see him naked?"
"Aominecchi, that's not the point! We're here to discuss top secret matters today!"
"They're no longer top-secret since the entire kingdom has heard the two of you, nanodayo." That is the voice of Midorima Shintarou, the royal advisor. "Can't you keep your voices down for once?!"
"Mido-chin is right," comes the sleepy voice of Murasakibara, the keeper of the kitchen, "Mine-chin and Ki-chin are too loud. Luckily there isn't anybody here."
I don't remember any moments where I have ever been this grateful for my lack of presence. There is a cluster of reeds that would conceal me further within its long swishing grasses so that is where I swim to. My clothes are left on a rock by the bank, but there is a chance I will be spotted if I risk to grab hold of them.
Aomine-kun is right on one thing: No one besides Akashi-kun will see me naked.
By the time I am behind the cluster, the water has turned much colder. The bottom half of me aches and screams at me for last night and all the angles I'd let Akashi-kun penetrate me from.
The voices are talking much more quietly now. I make out a fifth voice among them - one that sounds very familiar, but it is muffled by the flow of the creek.
I decide to risk it after all. If I am lucky and careful, I will be able to leave with my clothes on as quickly as possible without being seen naked. Upon reaching my robes I quietly pull them on, until the horrifying conversation trickle into my ear.
"-venom. He's immune to all."
"Damn it! This is the most difficult kill that we've ever had!"
"We could poison his tea or something."
"Poison would be weak against his immune system, nanodayo. Our best chance is to perhaps to stab him when his attention is diverted."
"So when he's having sex with Tetsu - "
My blood runs cold, and my fingers fumble as I try to tie my sash.
"Stop talking about that, Aominecchi! He'll come at you with those scary eyes and you'll die!"
"I don't think you can stab him. He'll chomp you to pieces before you can do that, Mido-chin."
"Well, then may I kindly ask what proposition is it that you bring to the table?"
"My friends, do not fret." That is the fifth voice. "There is one type of venom he has never encountered before, and that is mine. It is inevitable that we will do battle in the near future, but despite the circumstances, I ask that no harm is done to Kuroko."
Had I been more aware I would have disclosed its identity straight away, but at the moment my mind is too scattered to do little else besides covering the rest of my body in my robes. Then I would head to the castle and warn Akashi-kun of the plot straight away.
I had been so focused on finding Akashi-kun before it was too late that I'd forsaken my attention to the sash. The moment I tried to break out into a silent run my foot gets caught its train, and I face-plant onto the ground with an inevitable groan.
Five heads snap my way including the stranger's, and the silence that follows is undeniably terrifying. The hopeful parts of me chide at myself to flee, but the rational part stays still for it knows I have no chance of outrunning the snakes.
A pair of boots stop their steps in front of me, and I know it is the stranger's. The other four, including Midorima-kun, do not own such extravagant pairs.
Even so, I do not look up. I fear that looking at the traitors of Akashi-kun will make me sicker to my stomach than I already am.
"Kuroko," the stranger speaks, "Are you hurt?"
And only then did I have to glance up, for that voice only belonged to one person that I knew of. "Akashi-kun... ?"
The crimson hair, the eyes - both scarlet. "Indeed, it is I, Akashi Seijuro. Long time no see, Kuroko Tetsuya."
A million questions ransack through my brain, but Kise pipes up before I am able to ask any aloud.
"This, Kurokocchi, is Akashicchi. The real Akashicchi, the real emperor and the real Akashi Seijuro, not the impostor that has keeping you hostage."
His eyes were the summer rain and autumn storm, the emblem of light and the seal of power. And these things could never be taken from him because they make up the best part of him, the worst of him, the raw and absolute parts of him.
To be continued
Mwahahaha X)