The rendezvous point was the ruin of an old farm.. They were a few minutes early, so they retreated into the shade of the largest building - little more than a ruined and almost toppled over stone wall. Taiga could see the burned out hull of a warhead that was likely responsible for the destruction lying nearby. Lovely.

Akashi seemed relaxed, but Taiga's own nerves were building up. He tried to take a few calming breaths, but it did little to help. They were dangerously close to the Chinese side of the battlefront. Taiga's hairs stood on end constantly and his instincts were warning him that they were under rather intense scrutiny. Which was to be expected but that didn't mean he could just ignore it.

Taiga checked his watch. One more minute until the allotted hour was up. They were still alive so he counted that as a good sign. A dust cloud in the distance towards the Chinese side caught his attention moments later.

"I think that's them." He told Akashi who followed his line of sight with his eyes.

"Indeed." He said slowly. Something had changed in his demeanor. There was the cold and calculating manner he had displayed the day before. If that was the persona he had to adopt to get through this, Taiga was fine with it.

Taiga adjusted the strap of the sniper rifle on his shoulder and took position behind Akashi who had stepped forward. The dust cloud turned out to be a group of jeeps approaching.. They came to a stop a few meters away from the ruins. Akashi stepped out into the glaring sunlight to receive them.

Now Taiga understood what he had meant earlier. Akashi seemed totally relaxed, unlike the group of Chinese and Indian soldiers that were approaching them. Taiga kept his own posture tense, but not threatening. At least he hoped that it was what he was doing. He kept his hands on his assault rifle, a casual reminder that he had it and knew how to use it.

"Akashi Seijuurou?" One of the Chinese soldiers said. Taiga had rudimentary knowledge about the enemy's ranks, and as far as he could tell he was a Major. He was older by a good portion than the rest, a seasoned veteran whose eyes were the kind of sharp that didn't miss a thing. A long scar ran up the left side of his face, stopping just shy below the eye.

The rest were lower ranks, including the only present Indian soldier, a small woman with cold eyes. Just like Japan's alliance with America, the Indo-Chinese alliance was rather young - formed in response to the combined threat of their respective enemies.

"Yes," Akashi said, picking English instead of Chinese. Taiga was grateful for the inclusion.

"Who's that?" The man asked, and pointed his chin towards Taiga. Taiga, clueless as to what was expected of him, followed Akashi's advice and furrowed his brows. The good thing was that he had quite the advantage in size. He had kind of forgotten the fact that he was unusually tall for a Japanese man - an easy enough thing when the camp's average height had been increased by the arrival of several Americans - and therefore also quite taller than the average Chinese person and one Indian woman apparently.

He was pleased to see that three of the soldiers gripped their weapons tighter in response. Taiga forced himself to remain relaxed. He was supposed to be intimidating not an open threat.

"My bodyguard." Akashi said simply. His voice was calm and unconcerned. He was the only one relaxed in the whole group. And Taiga could easily see how that unsettled the others. There were glances exchanged and some even looked around furtively in search of a trap.

The Major considered Taiga for a moment, before nodding. "My name is Chao Chang; I am the leader of the third Lotus division." His lips twisted into what could be classified as a smile. "I expect you have heard of us."

Taiga almost broke character to reply, but stopped himself at the last moment. The Lotus divisions of the Chinese army were legendary, especially the third one, even among the Japanese army. They were the main reason why advancement had been halted at the Western front. Taiga had butted heads with them quite a few times. They were responsible for at least three of his handlers' deaths. He wasn't sure if he should be angry or grateful.

"I have." Akashi said easily. "You have caused my side quite a lot of frustration. It is an honor to make you acquaintance, lotus eagle."

Chang regarded him for a moment, before breaking out into a full belly laugh. "It's been ten years since someone called me that. Nice bit of intelligence there, but I'm afraid you're too green to impress me with that."

Akashi tilted his head. "I do not seek to impress, merely share my admiration for the most prolific fighter pilot the Asian airspace has ever seen."

Chang sobered. "I would accuse you of flattery but something tells me you are dead serious."

"I would have to be, would I not?" Akashi said in the same light tone he had used before.

"Indeed. Now, shall we talk business? I would ask you to hand over your weapons, as you have so generously offered to act as collateral, but your pet has quite the reputation as well. I'm afraid he'd rip our throats out before we could even try."

"Taiga only bites at my command."

"Tiger, huh? And here I thought it was just a fitting nickname for our biggest nightmare. Turns out it's his actual name."

Akashi didn't correct him. Taiga could feel color burn in his cheek. He didn't know he had a reputation. A reputation that apparently warranted a nickname.

"Shall we then?" Akashi asked, seemingly amused.

The Indian soldier barked something in Chinese but Chang waved her off. "I expect you won't backstab us?" He asked Akashi. The Indian soldier scowled. The Chinese soldiers - all members of Chang's unit, judging by the insignias on their sleeves, exchanged glances but didn't seem too concerned. And why would they? Regardless of what Chang had said about him, these guys had a legendary reputation - Taiga wouldn't stand a chance, weapons or not.

"I am considered a traitor, pretty much. At least where the Commander is concerned. Bringing your head would not change that." Akashi said with an air of casualness. All four of the Chinese soldiers tightened the grips on their weapons, almost on reflex but Taiga decided to pay homage to what was now apparently his nickname and growled. Chang shot him an amused glance while the soldiers eyed him warily. They did relax their grips on the weapons though.

"I want this war to end." Akashi said, ignoring the ongoing pissing contest. "It would not be lying to say there is little I wouldn't do."

"Personal reasons, huh?" Chang asked after a moment's consideration.

Something in Akashi's stance, his expression, hardened. It was a small change, barely noticeable, but Taiga was very much attuned to Akashi. It certainly set his teeth on edge.

But Akashi did not break composure. He merely inclined his head, indicating he would now very much like to proceed. Chang gestured for them to follow him.


Taiga had never considered himself especially smart. He had struggled throughout most of his school life, he regularly dropped his sentence endings, his kanjis were a downright mess, radicals were an abstract concept and he'd slept through too many history lessons to make sense of the complicated international relations and treaty network that had ultimately led to this war.

But even so, Taiga was fairly sure that right now he was witnessing history in the making.

Chang had led them to the cars and then they drove towards the Indo-Chinese main encampment a few kilometers behind the front line. There, they had been received by a highly armed party made up of members of the Lotus division, the eponymous flower stitched into the sleeves of their uniforms. Some of them had glared at Taiga and he had done his best to seem unperturbed. It was an odd thought to think that he might have killed or wounded friends and colleagues of these people.

They had greeted Chang with utmost respect and Akashi and Taiga with due mistrust, but that was expected. Chang had then introduced them to the camp's Commander, a bald, aging man named Hsu. There had been some tension and posturing and in the end Taiga had relinquished the sniper rifle and Akashi had handed over his MG, then Chang had laughed and said he couldn't stand to declaw a fine tiger specimen and that was that.

But that had only been the beginning.

"I have no reason to believe anything you say is true," was the first thing Hsu said after sitting down at the head of the small conference table in his tent. Akashi took his place opposite Hsu and his officers, a lone figure only supported by Taiga. But even so, he seemed to lord over the table as the sole and undisputed leader.

Maybe it was the time he had spent watching him, but Taiga thought he could see the faintest traces of stress in Akashi's posture. He was tenser than usual. But that was hardly surprising.

"I am here." Akashi said simply. "I do not value my life as little as that to give it away for anything less than peace."

"It could be a trap. Your people are rather fond of suicide, are they not?"

"General Hsu, let me speak frankly." Akashi shifted, his voice losing some of its calm and gaining an urgent note to it. "I have come far and at great risk, a fact that you are very much aware of. I wish not to waste time dancing around the matter of trust. As a matter of fact, we both can't trust each other's words. Fair enough. There is enough animosity and bitterness on both sides. But as I said, I am here. I wish this war to end and I have reason to believe you think the same. And while I do value my life, I would not hesitate to put it on the line for this matter."

Hsu evaluated him for a moment. "Let's say I give you the benefit of a doubt. How do you propose to put an end to this war?"

"Do you know who I am?"

"I do, courtesy of Major Chang." Hsu said warily.

"I do not mean to brag, General. It merely saves us time if I don't have to elaborate on the matter."

"No offense, Captain. Or well, all of the offense, I do not necessarily care. I have allowed this meeting because Chang vouched for you, for why he would do that, I can't begin to imagine. But if all you have to offer is your family name, I'm afraid that won't be enough. I won't deny that your father has some serious pull, even on my side, but that alone is not enough. Everyone in here, and I am sure that includes you as well, has lost someone important in this war. We want to see it end, but it won't be a cheap bargain."

Taiga got the feeling that there was some meaning swirling under the surface. Hsu seemed to be saying more than what appeared to be in his words, but Taiga was even more drawn to the slight tension of Akashi's shoulders when Hsu spoke about loss. Taiga had lost his own fair share of family, so he knew that look on someone's face, even if it was fleeting and barely there. Absently, he wondered just how well he had gotten at reading Akashi in such a short period of time.

Akashi exhaled. "There is a little known fact about my family, or rather what you would call the branch that is my family." He slowly raised his hand and pushed it in his jacket. A few of the officers on Hsu's side fidgeted, but Akashi was careful not to make any quick movements. He pulled something out, something small and golden and placed it on the table.

There was a moment of shocked silence, before someone audibly exhaled in soft awe. Someone else gasped at its sight. It seemed to be a seal of sorts, some sort of flower with a lot of petals. It looked familiar. He had seen it many times in his vaguely familiar. He had seen it before, but he couldn't quite recall where.

One of the officers said something in rapid Chinese and pointed at the seal.

"I assure you, it is no counterfeit." Akashi said in English.

"I will have to make sure of that myself." Hsu said slowly. Akashi tilted his head in acquiescence. Hsu reached out and carefully picked up the seal. He held it in his hands almost reverently. Another one of the officers whispered something. Hsu swallowed. "It seems legit."

The officers broke out into rounds of shocked murmurs until Hsu silenced them. "The Imperial family has lost most of its influence." Hsu said slowly.

Taiga's mind was slow to catch on. Did he hear that right? Could that even be?

"It has been reduced to a mere figurehead. Good to bolster morale, but little else." Hsu continued.

"That may be. But the war has changed the public's opinion about a lot of things." Akashi said carefully. "The Imperial family has been speaking out against the war for a long time. Much of this has been censored by minister Ebizawa, but he is using influence rapidly. The war has been going on for almost a decade now. Japan has suffered. Rumors have started that Russia is planning on breaking the Nuclear weapon's agreement. Rumors with little to no foundation, but we still remember." Akashi let the words sink in for a moment. Most of the officers were looking away, but Hsu and Chang acknowledged the words as was their due.

"No one wants a repetition of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But our dear minister of defense is convinced that victory lies in the palm of his hand. He is blind to the woes of the people and equally as ignorant to the shift in the societal-economical power equilibrium. The military faction within our political system is constantly losing influence and men like my father, who held all the power, are on their way downwards as well. At the same time, the Imperial family is gaining a lot of support from the public and pacifistic economists as well. The trend is towards peace. Or it would be more accurate to say, the demand is for peace."

Hsu raised a hand to stop the flow of Akashi's words. "This changes indeed quite a bit. But you'll have to excuse me if I still reserve suspicion. How exactly is your relation to the Imperial family? Do they know you are here? And lastly, this all implies that you are willing to essentially dethrone your father. Which brings me to my final question, how does he fit into the equation?"

"Don't forget to ask what the actual plan is." Chang commented from the side.

Hsu rolled his eyes. "Shut up Chang. I'm not old enough yet for you to take over my job."

Chang laughed and just like that the atmosphere relaxed. It was still tense, but it had no longer the feeling of animosity to it. It almost felt like they were work colleagues, meeting up to discuss next quarter's business plan or whatever was discussed at business meetings.

Taiga forced himself to focus. He had a very personal interest in Akashi's answers. Because what the hell? It didn't help that he felt totally blindsided by this, although, to be fair, he and Akashi had only known each other for about a day.

"Alright." Chang threw up his arms. "But might I suggest we get some refreshments? Now that we decided on being friends? Really, all that talking makes me thirsty."

Hsu sighed. "This is a war council still, Major." He reprimanded. "With the enemy. Although, I guess that is really no longer the case." He shook his head. "I have no personal quarrels with you or your family and while I recognize that your bodyguard has gathered quite the reputation among my men - and has killed quite a lot of them as well - it is one of respect. I will give you that. But bringing him here does offer some problems. Chang, get those refreshments will you."

Chang saluted with a grin and then volunteered one of the lower ranking Lieutenants to do it. The man gave him a glare but obeyed.

"I will answer your questions." Akashi said carefully. "And I will give you a truth about Kagami Taiga, but only if he consents to it. But I reassure you, that none of Taiga's actions should be laid at his feet."

There was an odd feeling settling in Taiga's chest. He felt… touched. But that wasn't quite the right word. It was more than that but he couldn't name it. This wasn't supposed to be about him. Akashi wasn't supposed to make excuses for him, wasn't supposed to even care. Hell, Taiga wasn't supposed to care about the lives he had taken and he didn't - because they were enemies and he had had no choice, but that was not true and he had always known it. War had just gotten so impersonal. The reach of his gun was far enough so he couldn't see their faces. And he hadn't made an attempt to look.

Akashi laying it bare like that did more than just rattle his composure.

Hsu tilted his head. "I think I know what you are referring to." He looked at Taiga, really looked and Taiga fought the urge to reach up and adjust his collar to hide what was underneath. "It is quite the deplorable practice. But I suppose my side has committed its own fair share of sins. Alright. I will not pry further, but I want it noted that this practice has to end, or there will be no peace. Slavery is a crime and a fancy name does not change that."

"Noted." Akashi said.

Taiga tried to calm his emotions. Now was not the time to get excited even without annoying vibrating collars to give it away.

Just then the Lieutenant arrived with an armful of bottled water. The room fell silent while he distributed the bottles. He hesitated a moment, before offering one to Taiga who took it gratefully. He nodded in thanks, unsure if he should talk or not. He'd gone with the stoic silent type for so long, he figured he could do it sometime longer. Besides, he didn't exactly trust his voice right now. He was still kind of shaken and that was really not the proper moment.

The water was nice and cool, not like the piss warm ration he had stuffed in his pack.

"Well?" Hsu prompted after everyone had quenched their thirst.

Akashi leaned back in his chair, no longer just pretending to be relaxed. "I will answer your questions in order. My mother was an Imperial princess, first cousin to the Emperor and it is through her that I am related to the Imperial family. I am eighth in line for the throne. My family does and doesn't know that I am here. That depends on which part you are referring to. My father is unawares obviously, but the other side of my family is very much aware. They objected to this plan, based on it s dangers to my person, but are very receptive to its outcome. Rest assured, should it come to fruition, the Emperor will have no objections. Lastly, and in this I ask you to take my word for it, my father has nothing to do with this."

Hsu hummed, taking a moment to take sip from his water bottle. "I will accept that. For now. In either case, your presence here can be used as leverage."

"Am I a hostage?" Akashi asked.

"No. I do not wish to let it come to that. But as I understand, your actions were not sanctioned by your immediate military superior. Or the Japanese military at large. In the same vein, this is not a matter resolved by a mere handshake. Just because I am willing to listen does not mean that the Chinese government is. Nor the Indian. And I expect on your side, there is some contention with the Americans as well."

"If that is your way of asking us to stay here for the time being, I am very much willing to oblige."

Hsu rubbed his bald head with a sigh. "It's not as simple as that. This is a huge camp and you are an enemy soldier. I can't just let you roam free. I'm not saying I think you'd stir up trouble, but rather that trouble will come stirring up you. It's something I'd rather avoid."

"Fair enough." Akashi allowed. "What do you suggest then?"

"How about they stay with me and my boys?" Chang cut in. "No one messes with us and I can confidently say, none of my boys would raise a fuss about it."

"If that is acceptable?" Hsu turned to Akashi who nodded. "Good. I can't promise anything in the terms of success. I will contact the people I am confident will share our opinion, but there is only so much I can do."

Akashi inclined his head. "That is quite enough, thank you."

"We will recommence negotiations once I have further instructions. I have to forbid you from contacting anyone outside this camp for now. And one last warning. I had to report your presence to HQ. They have given me full discretion for now, but if word gets out who you are or even that you are a valuable hostage, efforts will be made to apprehend you. If that happens, there is little I can do. Not everyone is as favorable towards peace than I am."

"I appreciate your warning. Likewise, I should inform you that my side might undertake actions to retrieve us. You should prepare for increased combat encounters the next days, maybe even a raid party. We can fend for ourselves, but your men should be alert all the same."

Hsu stood up from his seat. He reached out his hand for Akashi to take. Akashi regarded it for a moment, before standing up himself. "Pleasure doing business with you." Hsu said.

"Likewise." Akashi replied.

And just like that, they had taken the first step towards peace.


Chang had very much insisted they were guests and not prisoners. But Taiga couldn't quite feel the hospitality. The Lotus division had their own corner in the camp, visibly distinguishable by the ever present lotus blossom stitched on every tent. They were an autonomous body within the larger encampment, but very much connected in their periphery. Akashi and Taiga were asked to stay within those perimeters to maintain their safety.

Taiga didn't contest that fact, as it was very clear that a large part of the soldier population were at least suspicious of them, if not openly hostile. That didn't mean he liked it though.

The sad truth however was that Taiga was scarily used to this form of confinement. The collar didn't allow for that much of a distance from his handler. It had barely spanned the entire area of the Japanese Camp and since his handlers usually were inconsiderate pricks, it wasn't common that they would tell Taiga if they moved around. So he could find himself in the rec area at the back of the camp and all of a sudden his collar would start beeping to alert him he better get his ass moving or else he would be knocked out. Thus, a game of hot and cold would start. One time his handler had even left the camp by car, without telling him and Taiga had been knocked out cold. Thankfully, his collar hadn't been set to lethal charge. It had been ruled an unfortunate accident and Taiga had never heard an apology. Well, the man responsible was dead now anyway so that was that.

"That nickname of yours is quite fitting." Akashi commented idly.

"Huh?" Taiga stopped in his pacing to look at him. They had been assigned a small tent, smallest size for four people so plenty of space for two. It had four cots in it, lockboxes for each occupant and a few chairs. Akashi had sat down on one of the cots and seemingly dozed off, or maybe gone into meditation or whatever, but Taiga couldn't calm down. It was barely past noon and they had just eaten, but he already felt restless. He'd been braced for a fight the whole morning and he didn't quite know where to put that energy.

"You are like a tiger in confinement." Akashi said and Taiga realized that his pacing must have been rather distracting.

"Sorry," he said and definitely did not flush with embarrassment. He slumped down on the cot across from Akashi's. He had dropped his weapons on one of the chairs, along with his west and jacket. He'd have shucked his shirt too, but he felt self conscious about the scars on his back and also because he would have felt weird to strip in front of Akashi. Again.

God, he had so many issues, he didn't even know where to start.

"I was not complaining." Akashi said mildly.

Taiga grimaced. "Still, I shouldn't bother you so much. It's just… I feel trapped and I hate it."

"I am not bothered by you. If I were I would have said something already."

Taiga was kind of hung up on the fact that Akashi had said you, as in specifically him, which was all kinds of nice but ugh, what was he even thinking.

"Also, I think I should apologize. Uh, and also, am I supposed to bow now? Or call you Lord or something? Sorry, I am not good at this."

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't change your behavior. I do quite enjoy your frank personality."

Taiga kind of felt his jaw sag, like it was going to hit the ground but not really. "Seriously?"He asked dumbly.

Akashi smiled and it was a genuine smile, one that crinkled up his eyes in a really nice way. Taiga's stomach did some weird somersaults. "Yes. As you can infer, the people I am usually surrounded with cater to my every whim and would not ever dare to question me. Or speak frankly for that matter. It is a matter of my father's wealth, rather than blood, but the sentiment remains. Coming to the military has been quite the experience, but as soon as I made rank I was back to the same situation, only with even more rigid rules."

"Okay. Then I'll just keep doing my thing." Whatever his thing was. "So eighth in line of the throne, huh? To be honest, you do seem kind of the royal type. You know all regal and stuff." He gestured with his hand to accompany the statement, but it turned out more awkward than anything.

"I would hope so. Otherwise, all my training would have been in vain."

Taiga rubbed a hand on his neck, fingers catching with the metal of his collar and he dropped it back to his lap. He had worn the collar for so long it had somewhat become a part of him. He didn't even remember it was there half the time. Except when it went off for whatever reason.

"So do the folks after you know you're a prince? Wouldn't that cause a major scandal or something if a member of the Imperial family was killed in action?"

"On the contrary, it would be most desirable if I was killed in action. It would cause a stain on Imayoshi's reputation as my commanding officer, but that is a small sacrifice. No one can argue with my being killed in action. It is a hazard of warfare and no one would take a second look. Additionally, my identity as an Imperial prince has been kept under tight wraps. You might find I am missing from most depictions of the Imperial family tree."

Taiga could count on one hand how many family trees of the Imperial family he had seen, which were exactly none. "How does that work? I mean your father is pretty famous himself and that puts you into the spotlight as well? And aren't there, like duties you're supposed to fulfill as a prince?"

" My father is a prominent figure but his ties are held under wraps. Well, it is more that he doesn't exactly have any ties. My mother was the princess and he was just one of many suitable candidates, except he eventually made the cut. But his dealing with weapons and pretty much fattening himself up on the war does not go over well with the philosophy of the Imperial family. He likes to pretend otherwise, but he's been barred from using the Imperial family name in relation to himself. He is tolerated at best, but his status entirely comes from my mother. He is not supposed to publicize his affiliation and as a result my own relations have remained vastly a secret. It has certainly served to protect me in my younger years."

"That does sound rough." Taiga said. "So you're kind of in the middle then?"

"In a manner of speaking. I was raised by my father, but I am also expected to uphold my duties as a prince. My father is very strict that I do my best in everything. He hopes to regain some of his status if he can proof what a good job he did through me." There was the faintest trace of bitterness in Akashi's words, or maybe Taiga just though it was there.

"What about your mother?" The question was out before he could check himself and then it was too late to take it back. And that was just typical. He, of all people should know to tread carefully around the mother issue and not just barge his way in with a sledgehammer. "Sorry, you don't have to answer that." He hastily added. They knew each other for little more than a day. He shouldn't presume he could ask personal questions.

"It is alright." It didn't sound alright but Taiga couldn't say that. Akashi didn't seem much different from before, but he also didn't quite look at Taiga. "My mother died when I was young. I barely remember her."

Taiga was sure Akashi didn't mean the last sentence to elicit sympathy; it was just a statement to him. But Taiga felt a clench in his heart all the same. "I'm sorry," he offered.

"You don't have to apologize. It had nothing to do with you." Akashi said, vaguely surprised.

"Yeah, but I'm still sorry. It's not about blame or anything. It's an expression of sympathy, you know?" And Taiga couldn't help but think how sad it was, that this was an unfamiliar concept to Akashi. "I know it doesn't change anything. But I'm still sorry for your loss."

It wasn't enough, how could it, when one's mother was gone so early? But Taiga also knew that there was nothing that would make it better, but at least knowing that someone else out there understood, could make a difference. Taiga had spent enough time wishing for someone like that to know.

Akashi just looked at him, as though he was trying to make sense of Taiga's words. Like he had genuinely no idea.

"I know it's hard." Taiga said. "I… My mother walked out when I was in elementary school. It's not the same, I know. At least she's alive somewhere. I guess that makes it better. But I still. Miss her. Like, it's been years and I still wonder how life would have gone if she hadn't left." Maybe his father wouldn't have gone to America for work to flee the place that reminded him of his wife, maybe he wouldn't have been killed in the freak attack that wiped out almost the entire population of the West Coast. Maybe. But Taiga didn't like to think about his father.

Akashi seemed puzzled. "I understand what you are saying. But it has been years. I can't possibly claim to be still grieving."

Taiga blinked. He knew he had heard right, Akashi spoke very clearly, but he couldn't quite make sense of the words. "Akashi," Taiga said slowly, "you know that you can still miss your Mom, right? Like even grieve her I guess. She was your mother. That's got to mean something."

Akashi looked like he was turning it over in his head. "I barely remember her face," was what he settled on.

Taiga felt the irrational urge to wrap Akashi in an embrace. "Don't you have any pictures?"

"Not personally. My father has one in his study and a portrait hangs in the palace. I asked for one when I was younger, as a memento. I have been told that sentimentality does not befit a prince. My father has always been very concerned with my image, public or not."

"Bullshit." Taiga said. "It's got nothing to do with being a prince. You should be able to miss her like anyone else without their mother. And it's fucking bullshit as well that you don't get to have a picture."

Akashi's smile was brittle but genuine. "It doesn't have anything to do with you. You shouldn't get this worked up over the matter."

"Well," Taiga had to look away. Now was not the time. Although he doubted there ever would be a time. They were comrades in arms and he was already crossing too many personal lines. But he'd had a feeling he had fallen down the rabbit hole already. There was no getting out. "I just think kids should be able to properly mourn and stuff. I mean, it sucks to lose a parent, but it sucks even more if you're told you can't even miss them."

"I am not a child anymore." Akashi pointed out.

Taiga huffed. "Yeah, me neither. But I still sometimes lie awake and miss her." And Dad too. "It's just a thing that happens. I mean she walked out and I know I shouldn't miss her, because she didn't even want to be there. But I still do. And that's okay." Maybe he shouldn't bare his soul to Akashi like this. But he just couldn't let this stand as it was.

Akashi was quiet for a while. Taiga let him be, recognizing the need to think about things.

"It is hard to miss her, when I remember so little. But I suppose wondering about what could have been if she were still alive constitutes as missing her. She was the one to introduce me to basketball."

"That's a start. And it's not that you have to mourn her or anything. But it's okay to miss her." Akashi nodded and Taiga felt a bit lighter. It was something to think over.

But there was a part of Akashi's statement that had caught his interest. "So you play basketball?" He hoped he didn't sound too eager, because fuck him, if he hadn't missed playing or at least talking with someone who actually played and not just followed the NBA. Which was a good start but not the same.

"Yes, I do. Or rather I did. There is not much opportunity in a warzone."

"You tell me." Taiga said with a grimace. They had a football in the camp, because football didn't care much about terrain and any old marks on the ground could serve as a goal. No such luck with basketball.

Akashi sighed. He sounded woeful? "I was in a team up until high school. Three consecutive wins in the Nationals in both middle and high school."

Taiga's eyebrows rose to hit his hairline. "Seriously? To what kind of monster school did you go to?"

"I went to Teikou middle school and later to Rakuzan."

"I've never heard of Teikou. But Rakuzan kicked my team out in the first round in my first year of high school. I think that's when they got their third consecutive win. I didn't play much after my first year." He shrugged. The memories were quite bitter still. "There were other priorities. But I don't remember ever seeing you play. Or seeing you at all." Taiga thought another redhead with red eyes would have surely drawn his attention. Maybe Akashi was just bad and a bench warmer?

"I usually didn't play in any games except the finals."

Or not. "Huh, so you are that good?"

"I am." Akashi said without a hint of modesty.

It startled a laugh from Taiga. "Well, if you say so. I think of myself as pretty good too. Although we were almost always knocked down by some inhumanly strong team before we could make it to the finals. Well, I'm used to that from playing in America. What position do you play? I'm Power Forward."

"So you lived in America?" Akashi asked with a curious tilt to his head. "That would explain a lot. And I play Point Guard." He took a moment to assess him and Taiga totally didn't think Akashi was checking him out.

"What does that mean?" Taiga muttered.

"That your manners are unusually rough for a Japanese man. I thought it was because of your military background and prolonged contact with American soldiers."

"I lived in America for a few years. We moved there after Mom left. I think Dad wanted to get away from the memories so when a business opportunity popped up, he took it. I moved back to Japan in my last year of middle school. Dad was supposed to join me but something came up so he stayed." And died.

"Where is he now?" Akashi asked. "Did your father never try to find you?"

Taiga swallowed. "He died in the great bombing of California." No, that was definitely not the sting of tears in his eyes. He had had years to come to terms with his mother's absence. It had been somewhat of a fixture, something inevitable. But his father had been a rock - even when an ocean away - for Taiga to lean on. He couldn't quite replace Taiga's Mom but he had tried his hardest to be both for Taiga. To lose him meant losing the last relative - and subsequently adult who gave a damn about him - in his life. And that had been scary in a world freshly torn by war. Many nights he had lain awake and wished his father would come and take him away, to make it stop.

"Oh." Akashi said. "That is." He paused for a moment. "Now I understand the sentiment of saying I'm sorry. I am sorry, although I am aware that this won't change anything. But for what it is worth, I am sorry for your loss, Kagami Taiga."

"It's okay." It really wasn't though. His Dad's death had kicked off a landslide of shitty decisions and it had all ended in the wreck that was his life now. And he had no one to blame but himself.

Akashi's look was knowing, and of course he wouldn't buy it after Taiga made such a huge point of it earlier.

"Your mother was a fool." Akashi said softly.

Taiga was caught off guard and could only stare for a moment. "Well," he said and his voice did absolutely not come out hoarse. But there wasn't really anything he could say to that. His mother could be a great many things he would never ever know of.

"She walked out on the best thing to happen to her." And the way Akashi said it, so casual and like it was the absolute, undisputable truth took the floor right from under Taiga. He was glad he was already sitting.

Taiga wiped at his eyes furtively, angry at himself for getting emotional over something that happened years ago and failing all the same, because he just lectured Akashi on the matter and he really should have known that he had been talking about himself more than anything.

There was a warm hand on his back, rubbing circles and when had Akashi even moved?

"Sorry." Taiga mumbled. "It's just no one ever said it like that. I mean, no one blamed me and Dad even told me it wasn't my fault. But." No one ever had acknowledged that she had left him too. "I shouldn't cry on you of all people." He added.

Akashi huffed and it might have been a laugh or a sigh or maybe just a too loud breath. "No one has ever told me it is okay to miss my mother," was all he said.

Taiga supposed that was a fair exchange then.


They didn't exactly do much the rest of the day. Hsu had said it would likely take a day or two until they would hear back from HQ at the earliest. It wasn't a small decision to make, even though the first step was merely to open a channel of communication for Akashi. The real negotiating wouldn't start until then. And that was if the Chinese government was willing to listen, which wasn't guaranteed. Hsu was cautiously optimistic and that was probably as good as a sign as they would get.

That first afternoon, he and Akashi had stayed in their tent, huddled together on Taiga's cot in something what was definitely not cuddling. They had talked for a while, about basketball mainly, then Akashi had gone off on a tangent about shogi and how well it would serve some of the Generals to actually bother with tactical thinking for once and Taiga had found he liked listening to Akashi's voice no matter what he was saying.

If he were honest - and he totally wasn't - they had definitely a thing going on. What that thing was, Taiga had no idea and was also definitely not thinking about. Like ever. But he couldn't deny how nice it had felt when Akashi had threaded his hands through Taiga's hair or how right it had felt to wrap his arms around Akashi and breathe in his scent.

It didn't mean anything. They were just two people who were a bit lonely and sad about their mothers and it absolutely didn't mean he had feelings for Akashi. The good thing was that it really didn't have to mean anything, because they were in difficult circumstances and sharing some comfort was just a way to cope. On the other side however, Taiga couldn't help but feel disappointed at the thought that it all meant nothing. He didn't like to think it, but he very much wished it would mean at least something.

Akashi found him the next morning sitting on the ground near the makeshift ball field that mainly consisted of flattened ground and two sticks poking out of the ground to substitute as goals. He had thought of playing a bit, if only to take his mind off things, but there had been no ball and he hadn't wanted to go out and ask around where to find one.

"You missed breakfast." Akashi said in lieu of greeting. He placed a wrapped package in Taiga's lap.

"Didn't feel like socializing. What's this?" Taiga picked the package up.

"Breakfast." Akashi said with a smile and sat down next to Taiga.

"Uh-huh." Taiga unwrapped the package. Inside were sandwiches, a bit smushed and definitely military-issued and therefore probably tasted like shit, but hey free food. "Thanks." He took a bite from the first. "And here I thought they would serve Dim Sum."

"They did. But they were gone before I could reserve some."

"Shame. Well, it wouldn't have been enough anyway I guess. I eat a lot. Heh, maybe I should go and ask if the kitchen needs help. I don't have to feel bad about eating so much when I help making the food I eat." And it would give him something to do instead of sitting around running his mind.

"You can cook?"

"Well, I did live alone for a while. I could have gone out or lived off conbini food, but as I said, I kinda eat a lot. It's easier if I just cook myself so I can make enough."

"You keep saying that, but if I recall correctly - which I certainly do - you ate an average amount yesterday."

Taiga grinned. He finished the last sandwich with two large bites, just because he could. "We are guests here. I figured I behave myself for now. But to be honest, I went to bed quite hungry."

"Is that why you skipped out on breakfast?" There was a faint smile playing on Akashi's lips. It was weird, how relaxed and at ease Akashi seemed, despite the circumstances.

Taiga sighed. "Well, I figured if I wasn't going to be satisfied anyway, I might as well skip completely. Otherwise, I'll just eat the whole buffet."

Akashi raised an eyebrow. "I find that hard to believe. Tell me the real reason why you are out here alone?"

Taiga huffed. "You are pretty noisy, anyone ever told you that?"

"Not to my face. But I'll take it as a compliment."

"It's not that hard to figure out that something's up."

"Maybe not. But I expect no one has tried in a long time."

Taiga exhaled. "You have no right to be this smug about it." Taiga said, but he couldn't quite hide the fondness. And there it was again, the thing they most definitely didn't have going on. "I should probably rub some sense into you."

Akashi gave him a puzzled look. "That sounds vaguely inappropriate."

Taiga felt heat creep into his cheeks. He hoped it wasn't too obvious. "Naah, it's not. My- someone I used to know used to do that when I was acting too much like a little shit. It's basically just abuse of height."

Akashi seemed to have caught his slip, but didn't comment. It wasn't that he didn't want to tell Akashi, more like he didn't even want to think about that matter. Even after all this time, the urge to reach for a ring that was no longer there hadn't lessened.

"I can hardly imagine there ever being someone taller than you." Akashi said. And Taiga couldn't help but think it was adorable how miffed he was at the fact.

"I wasn't always this tall. I did have a crazy growth spurt at the end of middle school. Before that." He shrugged. Before that Tatsuya had been taller and there had been nigh a day when he hadn't rubbed that fact in Taiga's face. And since he had left for Japan by that time, he didn't even know if he had finally managed to outgrow Tatsuya.

"Now, as much as I enjoy your continued efforts to dodge unpleasant topics, I would like to know why you skipped breakfast."

"Is that an order?" Taiga asked. He hadn't meant to, but Akashi had flipped to serious so abruptly and just because he wished Akashi genuinely cared, did not mean he did.

"No. I can make it one, if I absolutely have to. I'd rather not, however. This is more a matter of personal interest." There was something in Akashi's voice, as though he knew exactly what Taiga was thinking. He seemed to say I do care. Or maybe that was just make belief.

"It's nothing really." Taiga said because he felt he had to. "It's just…" He hooked a finger under his collar and tugged. "I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop, you know? I mean I have this chip in my head that can knock me out any time. And that's only the beginning. For all I know I have a satellite locked on to my position. Which would explain why they haven't blown up my head yet."

"Is that everything?" Akashi asked almost casually.

Taiga gaped. "Sorry that I am worried." He snapped. "I just don't like the thought of randomly blowing up and taking you with me, because you're standing too close. But I guess it doesn't really matter when they decide to send a missile to my GPS coordinates." He had had the thought last night after he had finally given up on trying to sleep. He could have slapped himself for overlooking something obvious like that He'd felt like shit for endangering Akashi like that, but couldn't quite help the want to be close anyway. It had chased him out at the crack of dawn, just to get some distance. Not that he could have gone far with the tight leash on him.

"You are worried for me?" Akashi said, sounding young and soft and like he was genuinely surprised by this sentiment.

"Yeah, what about it?" Taiga said defensively. "Is that forbidden now, too?"

Akashi scooted closer. "It makes me happy to hear that."

"…what?" Taiga's brain couldn't quite catch up.

"First of all, you needn't worry about the collar for now. I deactivated its functions. But we can talk to Chang. He is the kind of resourceful that makes me believe he has some aces up his sleeve and might know a thing or two about neurosurgery. Or in the least, knows a guy who knows a thing or two about neurosurgery. It is a considerable risk however. I would hate if something were to happen to you. I am very pleased though that your primary worry is about me."

"Wait, wait, slow down for a minute here." Taiga held up his hand. "Just let me get something straight here. Actually, there's quite a lot that needs straightening. Just how did you turn off the chip? I thought that was impossible."

"I assume you have been told quite a lot of lies regarding the collar and chip. The collar is not designed to be remotely controlled. Any EMP could disturb the signal. I suppose that is a risk the designers did not want to take, although I can only guess, of course. As such, most of its functions can be controlled directly by the current holder of the ID. I turned off the stress sensor, as well as the chip's GPS signal. I also disabled the collar's self destruction function. I could not disable the distance meter however. I assume it is not meant to be turned off. I can't say what consequences will arise, however, if you exceed the distance."

Taiga took a moment to fully comprehend what had been said. He took a moment longer to process everything and what it meant for him. "Okay. Cool, I guess. Why didn't you say anything? I'm not mad or anything. Actually I'm pretty relieved." And that was true. He should be mad probably. He'd been turning the issue over in his head for hours, but he was simply too relieved. He wasn't free, but he didn't have to fear that he'd randomly blow up now.

If he hadn't known better, Taiga would have thought Akashi looked bashful. "To be perfectly honest, it did not occur to me. I foolishly assumed that the fact was obvious. And since you did not inquire further I though the issue was solved. It was a foolish overlook on my part and I apologize for that."

"Well," Taiga rubbed his neck, "like I said, I'm mostly just relieved. Honestly, I was thinking about running away so you wouldn't get caught in any explosion." Okay that had sounded way too serious and invested and maybe he needed to backpedal on that. "It just doesn't sit well with me to catch you up in my problems." There, that should do it.

"Taiga, you do realize that it is rather the other way around? I was the one who dragged you out here. This is a risky operation, one I have willingly decided to undertake. I was not aware of this earlier, but with how the situation was, you would have had no choice but to go along with me. "

"Yeah well. You didn't force me." Taiga insisted.

"I might as well have. Even if you hadn't wanted to join me, you wouldn't have had a choice. And as much as I appreciate your sentiment, please don't get yourself killed on my behalf. I don't think I could quite live with that."

Taiga let out a nervous bark of laughter. "I'm just a slave though. Nothing much to be concerned about. I'm there to be expendable. You're the big shot, negotiating peace and everything."

Akashi raised his hand and lightly flicked a finger against Taiga's forehead. Taiga blinked, startled. "My old middle school team captain used to do that when one of us was talking nonsense." He explained. "And as it is, you were talking quite a lot of nonsense just now."

Taiga rubbed the spot on his forehead. It didn't exactly hurt, but he kind of felt the need to chase the sensation. "Sorry?" He ventured.

"Please, never call yourself a expendable again."

Taiga winced. "I know, it sucks. And I hate it. As long as I wear this," he tugged on the collar, "I'll be a slave. It's not that I've accepted the fact that I'm one, but I had to learn the hard way that fighting it was only going to bring pain. Although, to be fair, I never liked the thought of using my life as a shield for someone else. It was just something that was expected. And I kind of learned to act the part." He didn't add that he could perfectly imagine himself shielding Akashi with his life. The thought wasn't forced, it seemed almost natural.

Akashi looked decidedly unhappy. "And I wish I could undo that."

Taiga shrugged. "It's done. I can't say I don't regret it, but fretting over it won't exactly change it. And I'm still alive. So I guess that counts for something, right?"

Akashi smiled, but it seemed forced somehow. "I still think it is a shame though. And I will personally see to it that both chip and collar are removed and your freedom restored."

"Please don't let Chang operate on me, though. He'd do it with a pair of nail clippers and dental floss."

There was a faint wrinkle of amusement around Akashi's eyes. "Likely. I'd rather not have you die of blood poisoning."

"Why do you keep saying that?" Taiga asked before he could stop himself. Akashi seemed surprised, but now that the question was out Taiga refused to back down.

"Saying what exactly?"

"That you'd care if something happened to me."

Akashi looked at him for a moment. They were still sitting close, arms brushing and it would be an easy thing to just lean over and kiss Akashi. It was a thing, Taiga realized; he'd very much like to do. "Because it's true."

"That's not an answer," Taiga accused, but it came out with little heat. He was caught in the startling red of Akashi's eyes, not for the first time. And he knew for a fact it also wouldn't be the last time.

"It isn't?" Akashi asked. His eyelids were fluttering, fanning out his beautiful long lashes. They were just as red as his hair.

"You need to tell me more clearly." Taiga whispered. His mind gave off a faint warning that this was dangerous, but Taiga didn't listen. All he could think of, was how nicely shaped Akashi's face was, how sweet looking his lips and how much he wanted to just kiss him.

"Then I should do just that." Akashi murmured. His eyes fluttered shut and Taiga had a tiny moment to panic - this was really happening - before he closed his eyes as well.

But before they could make contact, someone cleared their throat rather pointedly.

Taiga pulled back so fast he almost toppled over and even Akashi looked slightly startled. But unlike Taiga he immediately composed himself, smoothing out his expression. Chang's second in command, a man named Wu was standing a few paces away, looking rather amused at the scene.

Akashi sat up straighter. Taiga could see the faintest dusting of red on his cheeks but Akashi didn't let on if he was unsettled. Taiga wished he could fake calm this easily.

"Chang wants to speak to you. Apparently HQ has a few questions before they make a decision." Wu said. He threw a thumb over his shoulder to indicate Chang's tent.

"I got this." Akashi said smoothly and stood up. "Why don't you wait in our tent? I will be there shortly." He smiled. "I'll bring some more food." With that he walked off, striding confidently past Wu who turned to face Taiga, winked, and strolled off after Akashi.

Taiga buried his face in his hands. Great. Just great.