Disclaimer: I solemnly swear that I do NOT own Kuroko no Basuke.
EDITED: Change of story name and slight change in the summary.
Warning: Slight OOC-ness because the characters need to go with the flow of the story plot. Possible grammar mistakes. Author's stupidity included! Kekeke :D
Tokyo, Japan.
12:26 pm.
They were done with the formalities of the new alliance. "I would personally, like to welcome Requiem into the Teiko alliance." Nijimura said and stood up to approach Kuroko with the intention of giving a firm handshake.
A pale, slender hand came into view and accepted Nijimura's right hand with a firm shake of its own. "We look forward to your co-operation, Nijimura-san."
The rest followed Nijimura's example and welcomed the new alliance. "I believe it is time for an afternoon tea in the gardens, nanodayo." Midorima announced, glancing at his watch.
"Shintarou is right," Akashi nodded in agreement. "Will you join us, Kuroko?"
Kuroko bowed, "Thank you for your consideration, but I do not wish to pry on your time anymore."
"Oh, but I insist," Akashi replied back with a tint of authority in his voice.
"Yes, please do join us, Kuroko," said Nijimura. "We are allies now. No need to fret about intruding our time."
"I'll even share with you this last pocky stick, Kuro-chin." Murasakibara offered, much to the amusement of Nijimura and Akashi while the others looked on; totally baffled at the scene before them. "Oh, and the butler is going to bring in delicious strawberry short cake." He added, childishly, as an after thought.
"That is a very tempting offer, Murasakibara-kun. I'm afraid I can't deny it." Kuroko replied with a hidden small smile while the purple-haired hummed in agreement.
"Then, let us proceed to the gardens." Nijimura said and walked out through the open French window, closely followed by the others.
Flowers of different colors, sizes and varieties were seen blossoming beautifully. A large fountain made of marble stood proudly in the middle. Everything was trimmed and kept to perfection.
A large round table covered in a white tablecloth with elegant lace designs stood on an octagonal-shaped gazebo surrounded by white wisterias. A rich spread of delicious treats and Darjeeling tea was laid on a neighboring table with two butlers and two maids stationed on each ends.
Murasakibara was the first amongst them to take his seat. "Look, Kuro-chin," He called out. "Strawberry short cake," he pointed at said item, looking quite pleased.
Aomine rolled his eyes as everyone else took their seat. However, Kuroko didn't do the same and instead went towards the area where a shadow was cast and just stood there, motionlessly. "Are you seriously going to stand there?" Aomine asked with a slight bewildered look.
"Kuroko-san, you must really like the shadows, ne?" Kise nodded his head. "Even though, it's very disturbing." He muttered to himself.
"Honestly," Midorima let out a sigh. "We are not going to harm you, nanodayo."
Murasakibara paused from his eating, "Kuro-chin can sit on my lap."
To which, Aomine and Kise spat out the tea they were sipping, ungracefully. Midorima looked somewhat perturbed. "I don't think that's a good idea, Murasakibara." He stated and pushed his glasses up.
"Eh?" Murasakibara looked on lazily at Midorima and then gestured at Kuroko. "But, Mido-chin, don't you see? Kuro-chin is so small that even the chair must be too high for Kuro-chin to seat on. Poor Kuro-chin~" He drawled, sluggishly.
"What kind of reason is that?!" Kise exclaimed as he wiped his mouth.
Nijimura gave a low chuckle and signaled the butlers and maids to exit. "Murasakibara, that is quite an interesting theory, however, you might have insulted our guest."
"Murasakibara-kun is really like a child." Kuroko stated, bluntly. "I would also really appreciate it, if you didn't always bring up my height into your conversations. And Kise-kun, it's not that I like being in the shadows, I simply cannot find comfort in the presence of light."
"Oh? Is that so? Interesting," Akashi spoke out. "I've never met a person like you."
Any chance of having a quiet afternoon tea was destroyed by a loud voice. From the open French window, a man of average height in his early twenties with orange hair came running out. "OH, HAVING TEA, ARE WE? HOW NICE!" He shouted with full of sarcasm.
"Ogiwara Shigehiro," Akashi spoke with venom dripping in his voice. "You better have a good reason for interrupting us."
Ogiwara stilled for a moment. He had somewhat forgotten that the Red Emperor would be there. So much for my dramatic entry, he thought, wryly.
"Good reason, sir!" He stumbled out the words quickly and then turned his attention towards Kuroko. "YOU!" He pointed, accusingly.
Nijimura frowned at his actions. "Show some respect to our guest, Ogiwara."
"That's not the point!" Ogiwara cried out, exasperated. "You got the wrong representative!"
Every pair of eyes landed on Kuroko. "If what you say is true," Akashi said, coldly. "Then, who was supposed to be the representative? And while we are at it, how do you know who it was supposed to be, hmmm? I am very sure no one knew of this private meeting except for Nijimura-san and me."
Instantly, Ogiwara looked like a deer caught in headlights. "That—because," he turned all flustered and spoke incoherently.
"The chosen representative couldn't make it due to certain circumstances so I came in his place." Kuroko stated, calmly. "Seeing as no one else was free."
"NO THANKS TO YOU!" Ogiwara exclaimed whilst miraculously finding his voice back.
Things were getting interesting. How did Ogiwara Shigehiro, personal secretary to Nijimura, know a member of Requiem?
Kuroko huffed in annoyance. "Please do not accuse me without any evidence."
"WHO NEEDS EVIDENCE?" Ogiwara's voice went a pitch higher. "YAMATO WAS KNOCKED DOWN, BLINDFOLDED AND TIED UP! AND EVERYTHING SCREAMS YOUR HANDY WORK!" Ogiwara was literally exhausted from all the shouting he was doing.
"That was an unfortunate event for which I apologize, sincerely." Kuroko responded back, monotonously.
"YOU DON'T SOUND SINCERE AT ALL, BAKA!" Ogiwara approached Kuroko and hand-chopped Kuroko's head. "Chii-chan called me. Do you know how scary that was? He sounded like he wanted to murder me in broad daylight when I didn't do a thing!" He hissed.
"Ittai. That hurts, Shige-kun." Kuroko deadpanned. "Are you sure he wanted to murder you?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?" He growled but there was a tint of playfulness in his voice. "You better make it up to me for going through all this trouble."
"You do realize we are still in the presence of company." Kuroko said, bluntly.
"Oh, shit!" Ogiwara smacked his forehead. He was so caught up arguing with Kuroko that he had forgotten.
"Thank you for finally acknowledging our presence." Akashi spoke, sardonically.
"Ogiwara, you have a lot of explanation to do." Nijimura spoke with a firm tone.
"Uh," Ogiwara replied back, unintelligently.
Kuroko decided that afternoon tea with Teiko's head and the Kiseki no Sedai will have to be arranged on a later date. "Well, then, I better take my leave."
"Not so fast, Kuroko," Akashi interrupted.
"Akashi-kun?"
"You have a lot of explanation to do as well."
"I will leave that up to Shige-kun. He knows almost everything."
"Himegimi! You traitor!"
Everyone sans Kuroko, Akashi and Ogiwara froze. "Himegimi?" Aomine repeated. Did he hear him right?
They all stared hard at Kuroko. "Ehhh?! Kuroko-san is a GIRL?" Kise jumped up and pointed at Kuroko, looking quite baffled.
"No wonder, Kuro-chin is small." Murasakibara nodded to himself.
"Ogiwara Shigehiro," Kuroko's now cold voice called out. A kunai appeared out of nowhere, which flew past Ogiwara and missed grazing his cheek by a few inches.
"Shit!" Ogiwara cried out and put his hands up and waved about, wildly. "Gomen! Gomen!"
Akashi was very much amused. Requiem's representative had been a girl all along; a small, fragile one. His suspicions from earlier was now confirmed. Ogiwara had also called her 'himegimi', which must mean that Kuroko was a higher up within Requiem. He was pleased at this discovery. A very useful prey he had found, after all.
Aomine and Kise were the only ones who didn't take it too well. They had thought all along that Kuroko was a soft-spoken, young boy and left it at that. They blamed the hood Kuroko was wearing for their blunder. Yeah, it was the hood's fault.
Kuroko was annoyed. With all the stares, getting pointed at and her identity now revealed, she didn't feel like staying any longer. Ogiwara was getting it good from her, later. Taking in a small breath, she approached Nijimura and placed a white envelope sealed with a wax seal, infront of him. "An invitation," Kuroko said when she received a questioning look. "You are welcomed to bring along the Kiseki no Sedai. It is a private party. The address and date is written inside. It would be best if only the six of you came in secrecy. We look forward to your presence." Cue a small bow. "He actually desires to meet all of you." She added.
"He?" Nijimura asked.
"You'll know soon." Kuroko answered back.
Glancing at Ogiwara, a little revenge formed inside her head. "Shige-kun," she called out to the stiff person. He looked at her with hopeful eyes. "You were right about the Kiseki no Sedai."
"Ehhh?" He looked confused.
The others looked on curiously. "They really do resemble the characters of Alice in Wonderland." There was a trace of amusement in her soft voice as she approached Ogiwara and patted his cheek. "Good luck," she whispered. "I will see myself back to Kyoto."
Taking a step back and with graceful strides, she walked into the comfort of the shadows that the trees in the garden gave out. "Until next time," she bowed once more—to everyone present infront of her—and disappeared.
Ogiwara knew he was set up. By his childhood friend no less! Her revenge, this was her revenge and it was all because of his superb mouth. He was very sure he had never said the Kiseki no Sedai resembled the characters of Alice in Wonderland! Did he?
Well, back to the matter in hand, he was now staring into those infamous heterochromatic eyes which narrowed more than he wished it had. Was this fate's way of getting back at him for all the pranks he pulled on his friends?
A sadistic smirk was now visible. Ogiwara really wished to have the Earth swallow him whole, right there and then. "You were saying?" He asked, carefully.
"I think we'll be having a nice long chat in the study, wouldn't we?"
Yep, Ogiwara's life was officially screwed. And to think, he had yet to write his will.
"Ara? Kuro-chin didn't taste the strawberry shortcake."
And Murasakibara had the final say in the messed up situation. Leaving Ogiwara wanting nothing more then to shave his head bald and go on a journey to find enlightenment.
Kyoto, Japan.
18:07 pm.
Kuroko hummed a lullaby she knew so well as a child, whilst disposing off her hood into the hands of a maid, who had greeted her on her arrival. Today had been an eventful one, she thought as she went back to her room and changed from her black attire to a simple pale blue kimono with her powdery sky-blue hair falling freely to her shoulder; emotionless blue eyes stared up to the night sky through the now opened exterior wall.
Her wish of meeting the Kiseki no Sedai had finally come true. They all had entertaining personalities but there was something about the Red Emperor that caught her interest the most.
He was so mystifying that she couldn't help but want to reach out and find the answers that were buried deep inside him. Proud, confident and regal were the only words that she could think of, to describe Akashi. He was a puzzle which could not be solved easily; a puzzle which she wanted to solve in the near future.
"Tetsumi," a voice with traces of anger and relief, called out to Kuroko. "How long are you going to stand out there? Come in already."
So caught up with her musings, she didn't realize that she had approached the room at the end of the long corridor. "Hai," she answered back and mentally prepared herself for what awaited her on the other side of the shoji screen.
Upon entering the room and with swift, elegant movement, she calmly approached the silver-haired man seated on a cushion with a faded brown hardcover book by his side. "You're late," he stated, coldly.
Taking a seat beside him, she lowered her head in respect. "Gomenasai, nii-san."
Chihiro observed her. "What were you thinking?"
"I apologize, I was simply curious."
He didn't ask anymore questions and went back to reading. Kuroko Tetsumi had a blank look on her face as she scanned the dim-lighted room without much thought.
Mayuzumi Chihiro was his real name; a man born with an aloof personality. He didn't speak much; to the point where he would simply ignore your presence if you turn out to be nothing but an eyesore to him and if anything, his thoughts could turn out to be rather dangerous. The only ones who he ever communicated with apart from Kuroko were her parents, Ogiwara Shigehiro—more like he forced himself to, taking into account that they were childhood friends of sorts—and those who served him.
He was adopted into the Kuroko household, at the mere age of four. One could say he was a natural assassin of the highest caliber. He was very straight-forward with his words and didn't think twice about hurting someone's sentiments. Just like Kuroko, he too, had emotionless eyes; making it more hard for anyone to predict his next moves. What he hated the most was when someone looked down on him.
"Were they as interesting as Shigehiro described them to be?"
"Very much," Kuroko replied. "You'll be meeting them soon."
"Oh? Did he invite them?"
"Hai," She gave him a small nod.
His pale fingers skillfully marked the page were he stopped reading and closed the book. "If they could gain your attention then I would very much like to meet them, personally."
Kuroko gave a small smile. "I'm very sure you would ignore some of them."
"If they turn out to be boisterous like Shigehiro then, yes, I would," was his blunt reply.
"And yet, you still communicate with Shige-kun," Kuroko's voice was laced with amusement.
Chihiro slowly laid his head on Kuroko's lap and adjusted himself to a comfortable position. "Speaking of Shigehiro," He paused when howls from the creatures of the nearby forest pierced into the quiet atmosphere. "He called me earlier, saying you betrayed him and left to come home, alone." He continued.
Slender fingers stroked the strands of silver hair. "That was entirely his fault."
"I'm not surprised at that." He muttered.
"Are they coming back tomorrow?"
"At around noon," He replied and got a soft hum as a response.
Kyoto, Japan.
00:25 am.
A man shadily dressed with bleached hair and piercings, stood outside a large warehouse with cans of spray paints and a black duffle bag in hand. He smirked to himself in satisfaction at a job well done and whistled as he got into his old, battered-looking car and drove off.
In the hours to come, anyone who passed the warehouse would find a dead body of a male with torn clothes, smeared in blood and pinned to the wall. Behind the cadaver, in bold letters and skillfully decorated in red; like an exotic graffiti, were the words: DEATH TO THE BLOODY RED EMPEROR! DEATH TO TEIKO!
Ittai: a Japanese expression for the word 'Ouch'.
Himegimi: 'Princess' in an old, respectful manner.
Kunai: a metal leaf-shaped blade and a handle with a ring on the pommel for attaching rope, mostly used by a shinobi.
Gomen/Gomenasai: Sorry
Kiseki no Sedai: Generation of Miracles
Hai: Yes
Shoji screen: Paper screens found in the interiors of a Japanese house, which is movable.
Nii-san: Elder brother
Next Chapter Preview:
"How were the Kiseki no Sedai? Were they prospective husband material for you? Well?"
"Please don't talk about my so-called marriage. It's very disturbing."
"Dai-chan! Are you even listening to me? Hey!"
"That man scares the shit out of me. He's like a harbinger of death."
"You wouldn't happen to be stalking me, right?"
"Maybe, I'm not sure myself."
Next Chapter Update: 5-6 days, probably.
Random Question:
1. Who is your OTP in KnB?
-Mine is obviously AkaKuro
2. Who is your favorite seiyuu (voice actor)?
-Omg! Mine is definitely, Kamiya Hiroshi! That voice! * A *
Thank you for the favs, follows and reviews! Very much appreciated! I hope you like this chapter as well. See you in the next chapter! Did anyone notice that in the first chapter I never revealed Kuroko's gender? Fufufu. Anyways, this is an AkaKuro fic. Why? Because its my OTP!
Also, Rika Tone-san, thank you very much for your long review. You made me so happy. I'm not sure if MayuKuro will be possible but I'll try my best. I hope you liked the little MayuKuro moment in this chap, ha-ha! (Even though it was a failed attempt. OTL) Cheers!