Title: Ai Monogatari

Rating: T

Pairings: Kagami x Fem!Kuroko, Aomine x Fem!Kise, Murasakibara x Fem!Himuro, Midorima x Fem!Takao, OnesidedFem!Kuroko x Aomine, PastFem!Kuroko x Ogiwara

Warnings: Gender Bender, Alternate Universe, OOC, Slow Updates, Slow Romantic Development.

Summary: Kuroko Tetsumi, the First Princess of Teiko and the favourite sister of the current emperor, had been prophesized to love three men. The first man loved her but she hadn't been able to save him. The second one would never love her in the same way. The third one…

Author's Notes: Edited for better viewing.


AI MONOGATARI

(LOVE STORY)


CHAPTER ONE: THE EMPEROR'S LETTER

It was the 35th Year of Emperor Akashi Seijuro's reign. A nobleman called Duke Shu was arrested and put to death for the crime of slave-trading and kidnapping of children. His properties and assets had been seized by the government.

One month after, the son of Duke Shu disguised himself as a gardener and went to the White Orchid Quarters. He planned to kill the favorite sister of His Imperial Majesty, First Princess Kuroko Tetsumi, as a retribution for killing his father. But before he could enter the gate, his body had been sliced to ribbons by unseen forces and was set to flames that seemed to appear out of thin air.

- Chronicles of Akashi Seijuro's Reign


The night was dark and humid. It was a hot summer night in Rakuzan yet he was shivering. His body couldn't move and he was paralyzed on the floor. He could only gawk at the figure in front of him. The person was dressed in full black and his/her face was covered in black cloth. The only thing that he could see was the mercilessly cold blue eyes that looked at him without any emotion.

"P-please…", he begged. He had been dreading this for months now ever since he had taken that stupid bet. He had lost so he did it. And what was a few dozens of filthy Seirinians anyway? He was the son-in-law of the famed Admiral Mizuno, the most powerful admiral in Rakuzan. And he had been itching to create a name for himself. The empire had grown complacent with peace that the reign of Emperor Akashi had brought so the chances to create a reputation for being a great fighter were incredibly thin. He was the greatest fighter in the military academy but what is a fighter without a fight to prove his prowess?

"Mizuno Yuu, son-in-law of Admiral Mizuno Chuyoshi and husband of Mizuno Chiyoshi. I had been sent here by Akashi-shujo. You have a choice. Please kill yourself so your death will be, at the very least, honorable", the figure said as though simply reciting a list of chores to a maid.

"I … I d-don't want… to…die!", Mizuno Yuu, the Captain of Sea Lady and the man who ordered the massacre of the Seirinians for fun, trembled at the direct gaze. He wanted to beg for his life. He was still too young to die! He had so much to do.

"The Seirinians you had killed didn't want to die too…"

"P-please… I'll do anything… Please… I'm sorry…"

The person, his executioner, sensed that it was useless to give Mizuno Yuu the choice for an honorable death. The man had no courage to perform the ritual.

The person sighed and said "I really don't want to kill you…"

Mizuno Yuu exhaled a breath of relief. Maybe he could bribe this person. Maybe this person could pity him.

"I don't want your blood on my blade. It had been given to me by Hahaue(1) and was passed down to generations. It is used to kill people not pigs", the person's polite speech…his/her unnerving voice made Mizuno Yuu literally wet his pants. And even then, the blue eyes exposed by the black head scarf didn't change, it remained unemotional.

"Goodbye, Mizuno Yuu… I wish that you would never be born as a Teiko Citizen again",


He caught her scent before he noticed her presence. Admiral Mizuno was not naive enough to think that he was able to sense her because of his skills. Despite being a war veteran who had fought with Akashi-shujo in the Succession Wars, he knew that he didn't have enough power or skill to feel her presence without her exposing herself voluntarily. Such was the power of the First Princess of Teiko.

The shadow.

The phantom.

She has the incredible ability to mask her presence and the only one powerful enough to see her is His Imperial Majesty, Akashi Seijuro.

In this dark room, her sweet scent made dangerous memories resurface in his mind. How long was it since he had seen her?

Twenty?

Thirty?

Too long.

Yet despite the passage of time, he had not been able to forget her.

He could still remember how he fell in love at first sight. (Like any other man who had seen her face). He had been happily married then and he thought that he loved his wife. Perhaps he really did love his wife. His poor wife who had died in childbirth and had given him his greatest treasure, he had loved her as a man would love a woman. But Admiral Mizuno Chuyoshi loved Kuroko Tetsumi-himegimi with a love of a man to a goddess.

Something unreachable.

Unattainable yet it still stirs the heart with endless longing.

"Admiral Mizuno, you are guilty for covering up Captain Mizuno Yuu's crime", an emotionless voice said at his back.

They say that it is better to have ten treacherous servants than one evil daughter-in-law. Perhaps the same could be said with sons-in-law.

Old age doesn't bring wisdom.

He had been too arrogant. He had forgotten shujo's(2) ability to uncover any truths and unearth any secrets. As a servant of Akashi-shujo, he should have surrendered his son-in-law to the authorities.

But his dear, dear daughter. The apple of his eye. The joy of his existence.

She had begged him in tears to save his son-in-law. His daughter promised that if her husband should die, then she should kill herself too. It was his daughter's great flaw. She doesn't love too often. She was a shy, sweet girl who couldn't look at anyone straight in the eye. A small mouse. But when she loves, she loves with everything she has. To destruction.

And she refused to see Captain Yuu's faults; his flashy attitude was a mask to hide his weak character. Admiral Mizuno didn't have the ability to say no to his daughter who until then had never really asked for anything. So he had allowed them to get married and adopted the nameless, ambitious man as his son and gave him a name.

Things went downhill then.

And now, he had to pay for his crime.

"I accept Shujo's punishment", he said quietly.

How lucky he was. The witness of his ritual suicide was none other than the most beautiful woman in Rakuzan, the most powerful, the most revered. The veritable Jewel of the Crown.

Shujo, thank you for this honor. Farewell. In my next life, I hope that I can serve you better.

It was his last thought as he sliced the small blade on his neck.


"If you are not in danger, do not fight"

Sun-tzu


It was late in the evening and yet, the Emperor of Teiko was still awake. He was seated in a large comfortable chair and his table was laden with various papers and scrolls. The large window was opened so the moon light helped the candles and oil lamps illuminate the room. Moreover, since it was summer in Rakuzan, the nights were particularly humid. The open window let the wind pass through the room to bring comfort to the most powerful man in the world. Yet despite wearing layers and layers of silk cloth, the Emperor remained as cool and composed as ever.

Akashi Seijuro dipped his brush to the jade inkwell. His left hand was holding his right sleeve so that it wouldn't be stained by the ink. Then on a thick white paper he slowly drafted a letter. He was in the middle of his writing when he caught a scent. A sweet scent that was incredibly familiar mixed with the coppery scent of blood.

"Tetsumi. Welcome back.", the Emperor greeted without stopping in his letter writing.

"I have safely returned and I had completed my mission", a voice in the shadows said.

"And Admiral Mizuno?"

"He killed himself",

"His daughter…?"

"Also killed herself.",

"Yet we could still smell blood on you…" The Emperor was not worried that she had hurt herself in the mission. That kind of assassination was a piece of cake for her. The Emperor could still remember when he had just taken the throne. Enemies were everywhere then. In just a single night, he had managed to eliminate half of his enemies just by unleashing his dear sister to them. The other half was so frightened that they didn't have the guts to question his rule again.

"Admiral Mizuno had an incredibly bad luck in in-laws",

"So that foolish boy was not even a man enough to kill himself. We apologize for dirtying your blade. We thought that at the very least, he would have enough honor to kill himself. What a waste. Admiral Mizuno was a great man". The emperor shook his head in regret.

"If that's all, then please allow me to go",

"You're dismissed. Good work, Tetsumi",

When he felt that once again he was alone, he lifted his finished letter. His hands were holding the edge of the heavy weight paper. This letter would later be sent to Seirin alongside a handful of loyal dignitaries and diplomats. It was an admittance of guilt by Teiko. An offer to pay reparation to the victims and their families. An invitation to the King of Seirin to visit his cousin, the Emperor of Teiko.

If the emperor isn't Akashi-shujo, Teiko would've gone to war. They were superior in military strength, superior in any aspects. They would have won without doubt. With ease that it would feel like a total massacre.

But because it was Akashi-shujo, Teiko decided not to go to war. War is a costly business. It destroys lives. It hinders trade and economy. What would Teiko gain anyway? A few miles of land? They have no need for such things. Teiko is the greatest and largest empire in the world. It is self-sufficient and the population of Teiko lives fairly comfortable lives. They have no need for other resources.

Moreover, they are in the wrong this time. If they didn't bow their heads in apology, it would reflect bad on Teiko's image. Their neighboring kingdoms were already envious and afraid of their military power and robust economy. Should they engage in war with Seirin, the surrounding kingdoms and countries would attack them. Maybe not now but in the near future. The reason for their attacks would be simple. In the future, if such thing happens again, this time it is their citizens, Teiko would cover-up their crime. Power breeds envy and envy breeds hatred and what people hate they want dead. They will win their war against Seirin, no doubt about that. But the battles after that the Teiko's neighbors would wage, would bring devastating damage to their country. It would be a waste of resources and a waste of life.

It is better to avoid one victorious war than to suffer more wars.

But the most important thing is that, Akashi-shujo didn't want the Teiko populace to think that just because they are wealthier and more powerful, they could bully and do anything to non-Teiko people. The emperor wanted his people to treat other non-Teiko people fairly and kindly. If people treat each other with respect they deserve, they could live in peace where the efforts and energies put into warfare could be converted to agriculture and economy.

No one could predict the future after all. Today, Teiko is prosperous and strong but who knows what would happen tomorrow. What if Teiko treated their neighboring kingdoms with indignity, then wouldn't those neighboring kingdom harbor hatred for Teiko? And people are more prone to remember those who injured them than those who healed them. If Teiko would fall in the future and their treatment to those neighboring kingdoms are deplorable, those neighbouring kingdom would then attack Teiko like vultures circling around a dying prey.

So after finishing his letter to Kagami-heika(3), the Emperor wrote another letter to the public. He told them the truth (except that he said that Captain Mizuno Yuu, Admiral Mizuno Chuyoshi and Lady Mizuno Chiyoshi had killed themselves in guilt). For this reason, he will send diplomats to Seirin to negotiate against the upcoming war.

He promised his people that those diplomats would do their best to avoid war and urge Teiko to pray for the diplomats' success. It is better for the public to know some truth regarding this matter. The letter to the public would be reproduced and posted at every market, every city square, every government building and schools. Akashi-shujo knew his people are proud (and he had no qualms with pride as long as that pride is supported by actions and truth) but he wanted them to know that he wanted his people to be someone who could lower their heads in apology if they did something wrong.

"Kagami Taiga, if you are a king enough to forgive past faults for the benefit of a brighter future for your people, come to Teiko", Akashi-shujo said to himself as he took a small square box made of black glossy lacquered wood.

The lid of the box was decorated by a painted golden and crimson phoenix with its wings in full flight and its eyes were made of two red rubies. This box contained the Heavenly Phoenix Seal(4); the seal of the emperor, the box couldn't be opened by anyone but the emperor himself. He put his right hand and let his magic power travel to the box. The box had recognized his magical signature and the emperor lifted the lid. The emperor doesn't really use the Heavenly Phoenix Seal often, it is mostly used if the most formal edicts and laws and documents. In everyday work, the emperor would use a seal that looks like the Heavenly Phoenix Seal called the Emperor's Seal(5). The difference between the two is that the Emperor's Seal contained the Emperor's name while the Heavenly Golden Phoenix Seal doesn't so once the Emperor dies, his Emperor's Seal would be destroyed too while the Heavenly Golden Phoenix Seal would be shut off in the box again by the Azalea Congregation to wait for the next emperor.

Akashi-shujo took a few moments to appreciate the beauty of the Heavenly Phoenix Seal. The top where it could be gripped was made of hard gold, the type that could only be found in the mountain ranges of Yozen and its wings were spread in full flight. The details were incredibly ornate that it looks like it was the true legendary bird itself. The whole seal was made of gold except the tips of its wings, tail and beak which were made red glossy corals found in the Blue Sea of the Principality of Too. The artist who made the seal thousands and thousands of years ago was a native of Kaijo where the best craftsmen and artist could be found. But the one who put the magic spell that made the Heavenly Phoenix Seal different from any other seal came from Shutoku. The mythical bird's eyes were the most precious red diamonds that could only be found in the ancestral lands of Kuroko Clan.

Crowns and palaces were not really the true proof that one was the Emperor of Teiko, it was this very seal that prove the authenticity of the Emperor. Whoever has this seal and was accepted by it was the true Emperor. For this seal is an extension of the spirits of Teiko and if anyone other than the Emperor himself, even if they are the crown prince, put his hand on it, he would be instantly killed. His whole body would be consumed by an unquenchable fire and would turn to ashes in a matter of seconds.

Akashi-shujo put his right hand on the area where the feet of the legendary bird meets the square golden seal and lifted the quite heavy seal from the red velvet cushion of the box. He could feel the seal was taking some of his magical power. His soul instantly felt its connection to the spirits of his land. He could almost hear their voices and could almost understand their words. It felt like he was part of another world now and was with the spirit themselves. It was at these moments when he really feels his power as the lord of Teiko. His existence was vital for this land, without him evil spirits and beasts would descend and kill his people, without him the whole land would be plagued by infestations, drought, floods and earthquakes.

He is the Emperor of Teiko, the father to the Teiko populace.

For this he is honoured.

For this he is cursed.

Like any other king and emperor and ruler.

Akashi-shujo took a large breath and put the Heavenly Phoenix Seal at the end of his letter. The seal have no need for ink for it uses the Emperor's magic. When the emperor lifted the seal, a red glowing mark was embedded on the thick white paper. The red glowing mark contains the letters 'Servant to the People: Emperor of Teiko'. After this, the Emperor put the seal back to its box and he uttered a silent but heartfelt thanks to the spirits who constantly supports him. He could almost hear their approval and his weary heart was instantly felt passion that he had not felt in years. He set the lid back to the box and fed it with his magic again to shut it tight.

No one other than him could lift it.

Tomorrow, the Head Adviser, Adviser Shirogane would take it and hid it once again the Rakuzan Treasury. It would be put in a vault and sealed by Adviser Shirogane's magic and would be heavily guarded by two soldiers inside the back of the Treasury. The Treasury itself had two doors both guarded by four soldiers and two platoon of soldiers would patrol the room day and night.

Tomorrow, his Prime Minister, Mibuchi Reo would give it to the dignitaries and diplomats to be sent to Seirin's young king. It is up to him, the King of Seirin, if he would lead his people to a massacre war or if he would take the Emperor's hands in a good alliance.


The Emperor of Teiko, for all his astuteness and wisdom, had no clue that the wheel of fate was turning.

That letter would be the match for a bigger flame.

They say that love is made in heaven.

Those who are fated to meet will meet.

Those who are fated to fall in love, will fall in love.

Not even the vast sea.

Not even million miles.

Could prevent their meeting.

The Emperor of Teiko is still an instrument of fate.

Like any other person in this world.


The King of Seirin sat on his throne. The throne was situated at an elevated podium at the center of the receiving hall. At his right and left was a group of young men about the same age as their liege. The young men were sitting on high backed chair with a long square table in front of them. All of them were wearing formal black minister robes except one who had armor donned on. The only one standing, in the formal position of a Prime Minister was a young woman who was wearing similar black minister robes. She was carrying a red and black flabellum(6) with its golden handle. She had her dark hair on a bun covered by white cloth and tied by a black ribbon. She was also fairly pretty.

"Greetings, King Kagami Taiga. I had been sent here by His Imperial Majesty, Akashi Seijuro to negotiate about the… massacre at the Black Sea last spring. My name is Beni Kei, the Senior Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs", Minister Beni Kei said as he and his team bowed politely in front of the young king.

"I would like to say we are honoured to receive you on this court but that would be a lie", the young king said. Minister Beni Kei looked up and instantly took a step back.

What a dangerous looking man. His eyes… they are like those of wild beasts. Like tigers.

"Kagami-heika", the young woman admonished. Her brown eyes became steely. "I apologize for our rudeness. Welcome to Seirin, Minister Beni Kei. I am Aida Riko, the Prime Minister and Head Adviser of Seirin",

Minister Beni Kei already suspected that she was the Prime Minister but to be Head Adviser also… it was quite surprising. It is true that in Teiko, women could become ministers since the seventh emperor's reign. And they found that women could never be beaten to management skills. Right now, in Akashi-shujo's court, the Senior Minister of the Ministry of Finance and the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Public Welfare were women. About one-third of public officials were women in Teiko but that's what made Teiko special. In the Dessert Kingdoms, women are not allowed to take official posts. The same could be said in the Western and Northern Tribes. Because Seirin had been isolated and closed for centuries, they thought that the same could be said to them.

"Greetings, Prime Minister Aida. The Emperor and his court send their felicitations. We apologize for the actions of Captain Mizuno. He was the instigator of the massacre. We wish to inform you that everyone involved had been severely punished and we humbly ask that you don't judge Teiko by the action of one man", Minister Benikei said politely.

"Isn't it a little too late for such things. When we ask for reparations, the court of Teiko denied all accusations", the king said fiercely.

"Kagami-heika", the Prime Minister said her voice advising their king caution.

"My people thirst for blood and justice. And you give it too late. Isn't it been said that justice delayed is justice denied?", Kagami-heika said fiercely.

Such brash words. Such arrogance. Minister Beni Kei thought.

If he was a man of short temper, he would've snarled and said his thoughts. Seirin is nothing compared to Teiko. As he travel to their capital in the Fire Province, he had seen the state of the country. It is true that the fields are slowly turning green but the amount of neglect that the country had suffered after two bad reigns is still screamingly obvious. Apart from the lack of money, Seirin also lack manpower. If they would've gone to war, the well-trained army of Teiko would really annihilate Seirin. Their win would be a landslide, no doubt about that. But Minister Beni Kei wouldn't have become the Senior Minister of Department of Foreign Affairs if he have a short temper. In Teiko, he is known as silver tongue Beni Kei, the man who could charm the legs of a table to dance.

"Teiko have no wish to engage war with Seirin. I'm sure that we could work something out. After all, aren't Teiko and Seirin brother nations? Our ancestors would be rolling in the grave if they knew that we would fight each other", Minister Benikei said.

Kagami-heika was still seething, the Senior Minister could see that and once again, he almost shook his head. Such blatant display of emotions is fatal in the world of politics.

"I brought a letter from Akashi-shujo. If Kagami-heika would be so kind to read it, I'm sure our emperor would be glad", Minister Benikei said offering the red scroll where Akashi-shujo's letter was stick on to. The red scroll was tied by a black silk rope. He offered it with two hands to the Prime Minister of Seirin. The young woman looked at the King, who almost reluctantly nodded. She took it and handed it to the King.

The king untied the rope binding the scroll and unfurled it. With the letter blocking half of his face, he read Akashi-shujo's words carefully.


On the Late Summer of the 70th Year of Emperor Akashi Seijuro's reign and the 15th Year of Kagami Taiga's reign, the Senior Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Beni Kei arrived at Seirin. He was accompanied by 5 diplomats and 30 soldiers. He brought gifts of 5 bolts fine silk, 5 carts of high-class tea and a Kaijo-crafted sword made from iron found in the mountain ranges of Yozen. The purpose of his visit was to negotiate with the Court of Seirin to avoid war between Teiko and Seirin. The Emperor sent a letter with his diplomats to be read by the King of Seirin.

After receiving the letter, the Kagami-heika dismissed Minister Beni Kei and his party. In the afternoon of the next day, Kagami-heika told Minister Beni Kei "I am still having doubts about forgiving Teiko and agreeing to the offered treaty but I would accept your Emperor's invitation".

And so, Kagami-heika alongside Senior Minister Hyuga and Senior Minister Tsuchida with other ten ministers and thirty soldiers prepared to cross the Black Ocean.

At the same time in the borders of Too and Kaijo, there's a great preparation for the upcoming wedding of the Prince of Too and the Princess of Kaijo.

- Chronicles of Akashi Seijuro's Reign also recorded in Chronicles of Kagami Taiga's Reign.


1. Hahaue - The most formal Japanese way to address Mother. Literally means Mother Above and can be interpreted as Most Respected Mother. Commonly used by Royalty in referring to their Mother.

2. Shujo – Means Your Imperial Majesty. This term is used for an Emperor in contrast to Heika which is used for Kings. By the way, Aomine and the other GoM are usually referred to as Denka which from what I had researched is used for Princes. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the kanji characters for it, but Nakajima Yoko (Twelve Kingdoms) and Shi Ryuuki (Saiunkoku Monogatari) was referred to as Shujo in contrast to Shibuya Yuuri (Kyo Kara Maou) as Heika. I think it's because Yoko and Ryuuki are Emperors or leads an Empire and Yuuri leads a Kingdom. The Empress is also addressed in this way. Technically, the only two people who have the title of Shujo is the Emperor and the Empress.

3. Heika – Please see Shujo

4. Heavenly Phoenix Seal – the most important treasure of Teiko. It had the reverse color of the Crimson Phoenix Insignia(see first chapter for explanation). Made in the Third Emperor's Reign by the collaboration of different principality of Teiko. The Heavenly Phoenix Seal uses resources of Teiko. The gold from Yozen. The red corals of Too. The craftsmanship of Kaijo. The magical expertise of Shutoku. The red diamonds of Black Islands. It is the physical representation of the spirits of Teiko and only the Emperor recognized by the spirits could handle it. Normally kept in the Rakuzan Treasury and was only used for very special occasions.

5. Emperor's Seal - The idea of the Emperor's Seal came from the Pope's ring. Every time, a pope took office, a new ring would be made for him and the previous pope's ring would be destroyed.

6. Flabellum – the symbol of the Prime Minister of a Kingdom. It is shaped like a fan with feathers and golden handle. It's basically the Metal Vessel of Hakumei of Magi. Tei Yuushun of Sauinkoku Monogatari also have this.

OTHER NOTES:

Senior Minister Beni Kei contained this characters () and () which means crimson and celebrate.

The journey between Teiko's Capital to Seirin's Capital is about two weeks. They have to cross the Black Ocean which separates the two countries.

NEXT CHAPTER!

In the next chapter, Kagami-heika would sail to Teiko and meet Akashi-shujo.

He would also meet the First Princess of Teiko.

So watch out for the next chapter!


Edited: 8/21/13