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(I see some familiar names from Red String of Fate so thanks a lot for checking this fic out, I'm so tremendously happy)

so here's the next chapter, enjoy! :)

Chapter 2: Discovery of A Peculiar Case

"...snow?" He breathed the word out, puffs of air released from his mouth as he spoke.

Akashi blankly stared up the sky as crystallized white flakes danced in the air in slow-motion before hitting the icy cold ground. Akashi hated snow. He always have. There were so many reasons behind it but if he had to name one; it's their fleetingness. Snow would melt. Disappear into nothingness. Snow was fragile. Ethereal and so unattainable. Ah, there he go again. He also hated going into unsophisticated thinking such as this one. He was not trying to be poetic damnit.

Akashi needed a case right now. Something hard to solve and so complicated that he would have to wrack his brains out. Something to keep his mind off of such simplistic thoughts. Where oh where could he find such fresh, delectable mystery?

"I am neither."

A voice came from behind him without a warning and his shoulders suddenly felt heavier. The redhead touched the foreign material he was wrapped in and concluded it to be his wintercoat. The texture only he knew, the smell belonging only to him and of course, Kuroko Tetsuya's goody two-shoes nature all combined. He just knew the other man would chase after him.

Dual-coloured eyes were met with blank, cerulean ones staring from above him. A normal reaction would be a jolt of surprise, letting out a shocked sound or a simple flinch at the most but the redhead was not 'normal' to begin with, so he settled for a, "Oh, really now?" 'He was talking about the two groups matter just now, wasn't he? Quite a persistent fellow... But, neither, huh?' Akashi mused, a smirk curled on his lips. "How can you prove that?" He pressed on, intrigued in finding it out.

Kuroko sighed whilst shaking his head, "I did not hear a 'Thank you' yet from you, Akashi-kun."

Akashi made a '...seriously?' kind of face but Kuroko was not so easily deterred. Blank stares ensued. However, the egoistic redhead would not just bow down to anyone, his pride would not allow him to do such a thing. Another blank stare. Those crystal blue eyes staring deeply into his own, and somehow, Akashi felt exposed. It was as if the other person was peeking right into his heart, every nook and crook of it. Like he had been stripped off all of his clothes and stood stark naked in front of Kuroko. 'What was it? This uneasiness. This unpleasant sense of foreboding.'

The two engaged in a silent staring contest until Akashi unwillingly broke eye contact. They could keep staring at each other to death, or until they're buried by the snow for all he know, if he didn't reconcile first. Kuroko was a surprisingly stubborn man.

With an irked huff, Akashi opened up his mouth reluctantly to say, "...you have my gratitude, Kuroko." You could argued that a simple 'Thank you' would've been shorter and therefore save more time or breath, but Akashi was not one to casually utter words like 'thank you' or 'sorry' to anyone. Again, blame his gigantic mountain of a pride.

"You're welcome, Akashi-kun." Kuroko took a seat beside the redhead while pulling up his scarf closer to his face, his nose and cheeks slowly took a healthy pink colour due to the cold weather. "And I think Akashi-kun should know the answer to your question just now."

The detective leaned closer until their faces were only inches away, their shoulders met. "You do not have the slightest intention of using or killing me. Look me in the eyes and tell me your answer. Yes or no?"

"Yes." The answer came out as a smooth and zero hesitation one as Kuroko fixed another calm gaze on him. Still unfazed by their proximity and Akashi's sudden question. The redhead studied the bluenette for any sign of a single lie, no matter how small and insignificant.

His facial muscles are relaxed, his pupils are the normal size, his gaze steady and his breathing and heartbeat are all regular. He's not lying.

That or he was an exceptionally pro conman.

"I cannot lie." Kuroko finally said, his tone remained ever so monotonous.

Akashi raised a questioning eyebrow.'I cannot lie.' That sentence itself was doubtful by a mile. Normally, one would say 'I'm not lying' or 'I'm saying the truth' or somewhere along that line. But, definitely not 'I cannot lie'. Whatever did Kuroko meant by that? It was almost as if he's being threatened not to lie or else...or else what?

And there was another thing that's been bugging the redhead. To think that the great Akashi Seijuurou with his heightened five senses did not even noticed Kuroko sneaking up (yeah, that's right, sneaking) from behind him. This was absolutely unheard of. He wouldn't be surprised if Kuroko came from a lineage of ninjas or something. "Are you implying..."

"Ahhhhh!"

A shrill scream exploded from a deserted alley not far from where they were.

"Helppppp!"

"Don't bother." Akashi intervened as Kuroko rose from his spot to chase after the voice. Fallen fluffy, white snow started to pile up on the empty street, covering the whole town in pure white dust.

"Why?" Kuroko half whispered, not expecting to be stopped by the redhead at all. He knew Akashi-kun was a bit indifferent regarding anyone else's but isn't this going a bit too far? What's so wrong with helping others in need?

"It's a trap." Akashi continued with his figure-it-out smirk, "The scream sounded forced, or to be exact, delibrate? This area is a well known spot for mugging clueless people such as yourself. So, don't just go randomly chasing after it, my good Samaritan."

"I'm still going. Maybe Akashi-kun is right, but Akashi-kun could be wrong as well, no? It's better to try than not trying at all." Kuroko countered, already running towards the direction of the cry.

Akashi remained seated for a while before finally moving in pursuit of the bluenette. "So stubborn." Yet I just can't seem to leave him alone.

Fragile yet so reckless...

By the time Akashi arrived, Kuroko was already being held captive by a buff-looking man, almost twice as larger than the bluenette, a sharp knife pointed at his throat. Blood began to trickle down his pale neck as the pointy blade pierced his skin without mercy. "Ah, you're here." Kuroko indifferently greeted the redhead. "Please, help me."

"What did I just tell you..?" Akashi pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. How on earth did he got caught so fast again? And was that how you ask for help when your life is on the line? Unbelievable. "Unhand him this instant. Or else..."Akashi warned, a threat hanging at the back of his mouth.

This was not a simple robbery. The man was an assassin! In his speedy mind, thousands of possibilities were taken into account for the next step of saving the bluenette without injuring both of them lethally. He can't outpower the bigger man by sheer force but Akashi possessed great intellect, one that could served as a deadly weapon if used properly.

The criminal who was holding Kuroko from behind laughed hysterically like a hyena. "Or else what?"

"I'll make you."

"Heh, lemme see ya try then, cocky brat." Just as he said that, Kuroko shouted with all his might (but with that miniscule voice of his, it only sounded like an average speaking volume), "Look out..!" The redhead instantly moved out of the way just in time before a rusty metal pipe swung from above him at full force and hit the ground with a loud clang.

"Tsk, I missed~"A blond woman with voluptuous curve jumped backwards as soon as her attack to the redhead failed.

Akashi straightened himself up after barely escaping a blunt hit to the back of his head. "So, you're the damsel in distress just now, huh? Maybe your voice should have risen an octave higher to make it more realistic."

"Shut it, damn brat. That was just a lucky dodge, don't you think?" The woman sneered while professionally swinging the pipe in her left hand.

"Well, well. Quite a feisty fellow, aren't ya?" The taller man commented while still holding the bluenette captive. "Now, be quiet and come with me, Akashi Seijuurou. Or the boy gets it." Boy? An irritated vein popped on Kuroko's face, 'But I'm already a full-fledged adult.'

All of a sudden, the bluenette ceased any movement. He heard something terrifying, something only he could hear and no one else. It was a certain someone's inner thoughts.

'Kill Akashi Seijuurou. Kill him. And the reward money will be yours.'

Stop...

'Kill Akashi Seijuurou.'

Stop it...

'Kill Akashi Seijuurou. Kill him. Kill him. Kill him.'

I must speak only of the truth.

I mustn't lie.

Or else.

"I am the real Akashi Seijuurou." Kuroko said so suddenly, effectively catching both of the mobsters off guard. Akashi took the split second chance to kick a broken piece of brick directly to the man's face which then recoiled and hit the blond woman on top of her head in a hundred percent accuracy. (This is why you learned Physics in school, kids). The smart detective swiftly tied up both of the criminals to each other with a rope he spotted near the trash bins. Then, he took out his phone and dialled a specific number.

The recipient of the call picked up after the third ring. "Officer? It's me, Akashi. I have a couple of early Christmas gifts for you, nicely wrapped."

A gruff voice answered in a boring tone, "Lemme guess, you caught some bad guys somewhere in a deserted alley?"

"Hmm, you sure you're not cut out to be a detective instead?"

"Ha-ha. Where's the exact location?"

"21 Grimstone, Alcuin Street. Five blocks away from a coffee shop named Caffè Latte."

"Got it. I'll send a squad to pick them up. By the way, are you still case hunting? We just - "

"No need. I finally found myself a peculiar but exciting case to solve this time." Akashi eyed the bluenette slumping on the ground, the shock of being held captive with a knife pointed to his neck finally seeping in. "Well, then."

After hanging up, Akashi made way towards the sky blue haired man, who remained unmoving."Are you all right?" Kuroko flinched a little, slowly turning his head towards Akashi's direction. However, the redhead noticed he was facing his direction but those crystal blue eyes seemed a bit unfocused. Kuroko was, in fact, not looking at him in the eyes at all. "...yes, I'm fine, thank you."

Could it be that he couldn't see?

Akashi silently brought his left hand near Kuroko's face and waved it slightly. No reaction. He was right. Kuroko suddenly lost his sense of sight in a most inexplicable way Akashi had yet to unravel. 'I cannot lie.' Back then, Kuroko did said that one odd phrase which bothered him a little. It had something to do with this absurd phenomenon, he thought intuitively.

"Akashi-kun found out already, didn't he?"

The detective stared at the bluenette for a while, intepreting the meaning behind that sentence. "That you suddenly turned blind? Yes. But how? Not yet." Did anything happened in between their struggle just now? There were no external injuries though. Illness? Poison? Drugs? Was it temporary?

So many questions popped inside Akashi's mind as he tried to decipher the mystery behind the complicated puzzle. Then, something inside his head clicked. "You can't lie because of certain consequences you'll face, including losing your sight?" Akashi concluded, placing a curled finger to his lips. His tone sounded more serious and intrigued rather than the usual condescending ones the bluenette had grown accustomed to.

At that moment, Kuroko realized Akashi was different than the rest.

The teal-haired man didn't exactly knew why but he found it easier to openly talk to Akashi about his current condition. He believed Akashi would be the key for him to return to normal again. "To be exact, every time I lie, I'll lose one of my five senses either touch, smell, sight, hearing and speech."

"Are they temporary?"

"Yes. Ah, it depends on the severity of the lie I tell. The bigger the lie, the longer it lasts."

"..." Akashi stayed silent for a while before speaking, "There's something you're not telling me, my dear client."

Small shoulders tensed up, Kuroko kept mum, unable to say anything in return. Akashi sighed, but didn't bother to question the other man any further. Everyone had a secret or two they wished to keep to themselves. He too, undoubtedly.

Kuroko Tetsuya whom he thought of as a spoiled, snobbish rich brat turned out to be his saviour, who priotize other people's well-being and safety rather than himself. "Give me your hand." Akashi held out his hand to the bluenette, his face turned to the opposite side. 'Geez, what was he doing right now? Talk about out of character all right.'

"Eh..?" Kuroko looked around cluelessly.

Oh, right. He couldn't see right now. The redhead tiredly massaged his temple.

"Tch, I said, hurry up and get on your feet." The redhead impatiently pulled the fallen man up on his feet by the wrist and proceeded to walk. He exhaled slowly afterwards before saying the magic word, "...thanks." That one word came out as a very, very quiet and inaudible whisper, Kuroko almost missed it. But, one thing he could detect from it was unbelievably; sincerity.

"Let us return home." Akashi said without looking back. If only he did, he would have seen a blank-faced Kuroko, but with a beautiful shade of scarlet adorning his pale cheeks. Home..? Would he finally have one this time? After all these years of loneliness and solitude?

"Okay..." Kuroko slowly touched his heated cheek with his other hand.

The walk back home was quiet, but it was the comfortable kind of silence. The two of them found no need to speak or bring up small conversations and were contented to keep to themselves. Akashi's grip on Kuroko's wrist hadn't been released since the detective decided not to do so yet.

It was just a gut feeling, but something told Akashi that Kuroko would disappear like snow under the bright sun if he were to let go of the slender wrist right now.

"Akashi-kun, you're hurting my wrist. Please let go. I can see just fine now..." Finally, Kuroko spoke up and tugged his hand slightly, trying to break free. The fast beating of his heart, the slight churning of his stomach, he felt quite unsettled by them, only because he was not used to such emotions.

Akashi sniggered before adding playfully, "Or are you so flustered right now just from the contact between our skins..?"

"...Yes..." Kuroko flushed pink from Akashi's direct remark. Even though he knew I couldn't possibly lie. Kuroko thought begrudgingly. Ah, but I could just choose not to say anything instead earlier. He mentally facepalmed shortly after. Akashi secretly stole a glance of Kuroko's face from the corner of his eye as he sensed the other's movements froze for a second.

And there it was, a tiniest hint of red hue dusting the bluenette's white cheeks. Finally, the apathetic man showed a speck of emotion! It's proven now that he was indeed a human, not a robot.

The redhead's hold moved from Kuroko's wrist to his cold hand, their fingers slowly interlocking. "Better?" Asked Akashi, lips twisting into a sly smile. Kuroko said nothing but gripped the detective's warm hand lightly in return, not trusting his answer this time. Akashi made him feel all weird in the inside somehow. He felt an overflowing gush of emotions running wild in his body, wanting to break loose. What did you do to me, Akashi-kun?

Kuroko Tetsuya was a godsend gift. Akashi attempted but failed to hide his giddy smile as they continued walking. He had finally found himself a very interesting case to solve this time.

Kuroko Tetsuya, a man who loses one of his five senses whenever he lies. A condition that defy even logic and science. Such a fine mystery indeed.

Very well. The game is on!

To be continued~

As usual, please rate and review? Million thanks, my lovelies... ^^

Oh, please check out a poll I made to decide which character should be the main villain in this fic (He's called Moriarty, Sherlock's archenemy) Please click the link to my profile shown above, the poll should be just above my biography.

EDIT: Well, I can't include a link it seems lol. So here's the list of possible characters for Moriarty:

1. Hanamiya Makoto

2. Imayoshi Shouichi

3. Haizaki Shougo

4. Mibuchi Reo

5. Others

P.S. For those who chose Others please PM me or simply leave a review of the character's name! Thanks in advance! :D