A/N: Hehe, you'll see why Kagami had to leave this chapter~
Kuroko Tetsuya was never known for being impulsive and loud, instead that title went solely to his brother Kagami Taiga. So was he surprised to hear that said brother was gone from the castle? Not really, no. The thing that made his emotionless facade break was the reason why he was gone. Kidnapping, or so his father had told him in his most recent letter. Kuroko gripped the paper in his hands, wrinkling it unintentionally, frown etched into his visage. He knew that Taiga was no weakling, though maybe not the sharpest blade in the armory, but not weak. It had to have been a very worthy opponent to kidnap Taiga, from his own room nonetheless.
He sighed, leaning back in the chair of the mail room staring out the huge wired windows. The coos of the pigeons echoing around him, but didn't disturb him. A hand on his shoulder broke him out from his musings, making him jump a bit.
"Thats the first time Ive gotten the jump on you Kurokocchi. Something wrong in your country?" He turned to fully face whom had spoken. Prince Kise's golden eyes held worry as they looked down at the small light blue haired male. Kuroko relaxed slightly just at the sight of him, and nodded.
"Taiga-kun was kidnapped." He said it so plainly that most would think he didn't care, but Kise knew him better. Over the past month that Kuroko had been visiting him they had grown close.
"WHAT?!" The blonds eyes were open to their fullest, and his voice screeched so loud in surprise that Kuroko flinched. "Ohhh Kurokocchi~ I'm so sorry! Poor Kagamicchi," seeing that his words were only causing the frown to deepen he added hastily, "but I'm sure he's fine of course! Kagamicchi is strong."
Kise's arms flew around the smaller male, and he almost gasped when Kuroko leaned further into his touch. Though they were to be married in a few months, this was the first time he had ever reciprocated anything. So even if it was a small hug, Kise's heart soared. Then fell when he realized he was getting happiness from Kuroko's brothers terrible situation.
"Ill send out ships right away! Come on," Kuroko didn't answer just let the blond drag him out of the tower and into the streets.
Kagami groaned in pain, even after two days his hips and backside still ached. He cursed Aomine in his mind, wishing that he hadn't been so eager. Maybe then he could have done more than limp terribly. He sighed, thinking back to how he had escaped.
He hadn't left right away, actually he had lain there for a few hours before daring to move. And right when he did he regretted it. Stifling a pained groan he paused. Thankfully Aomine was out like a light after their... activities. It didn't seem like he'd be waking any time soon. So he ignored the pain shooting up his back to slide to the edge again. He sighed, the keys were out of his reach now.
How the hell was he going to get out of here now?
Kagami growled quietly in annoyance, he may as well check the rest of Aomine's pockets. Perhaps there would be something of use in them. Flipping a bit he maneuvered so his hands stretched just right to grab the ends of it. He smirked in victory, finally! By small increments he managed to pull it up until he could reach one pocket with his tied hands.
Unfortunately there was nothing. Hopefully the other wouldn't be as well. It took longer than he'd like to admit for him to reach the right pocket of the coat. When he felt something in it he grinned and pulled it out. He couldn't believe what an aho that Aomine was, who in their right mind leaves lock picks next to their prisoner?
Well, he certainly wasn't complaining. It took a while, but he managed. A few years ago and he could have had these cuffs off in seconds, now it took minutes. The angle he was using them at wasn't helping either. Once he heard the clank of the lock opening he had to grab them quickly so they wouldn't fall and make a huge noise. If he had went to all this trouble for nothing he'd be pissed.
Kagami groaned again, trying to pick himself off the bed with as little movement as possible. It didn't really work well. No matter what, it was going to suck. So he ignored it and got up, arms flailing for a second before grasping the railing of the bed to catch himself. After a bit of stumbling and crawling (which he'd never ever admit to) he got to the chest where he saw Aomine put his cutlass. This lock fell more quickly to his nimble fingers now that he wasn't locked up.
Getting up he grabbed a blanket and wrapped some bread from the table in it, then a compass left next to it plus the extra coat. Once that was done he used the little bit of candlelight left to look over the map spread out. They were already past the point where he could go to back to Seirin on a dinky little boat. He'd have to go south instead, to one of the bigger cities where pirates weren't welcome.
There was luckily one a couple days away on a smaller boat. And it was one that was very familiar to him also, and on friendly terms with Seirin. His luck was looking up. Grinning he limped outside, partially from hanging onto the wall while walking. When he opened the door he immediately closed it most of the way, inhaling at the sight of a guy walking past on his rounds.
After he passed, Kagami quietly opened the door and his arm quickly snuck around to choke him. Arms tried to hit him but he dodged, keeping pressure until the man slumped against him. Then he limped over to the edge of the boat and lowered the dingy down a but to get in it. Throwing everything in it he stepped in slowly. It felt like it took ages since he really didn't want to strain his body any more than it already was... Kagami knew it it was going to be a helluva ride.
"It'll be faster to just go straight to Kasamatsu-senpai than send a carrier pigeon. I cant believe this happened, and even after you came all this way to help him."
Kuroko nodded, "I had hoped to surprise him with the news..." Before they got to the docks his usual blank face was in place, much to Kise's relief. At least he wasn't taking it too badly.
"Dont worry, well get hi-," Kuroko was jerked back by the arm around his waist when Kise stopped suddenly. "I don't think you'll have to wait long to tell him."
Kuroko's blinked and he followed Kise's line of sight, big blue eyes widening in shock. "Taiga!" Normally he never used names without some sort of respectful add on, but the shock and hope that filled him made him momentarily forget. A redhead paused from tying a small boat against the dock to glance up. His mouth dropped open.
"Tetsuya? I thought you would have been back in Seirin by now." Kagami then took in the arm around Kuroko's waist. "Am I missing something?"
Kuroko regained his dignity and smiled minutely at him, "there seems to be much we have both missed."
Kise coughed, gaining both of their attention, "lets go somewhere more private to discuss things." Both nodded in agreement and followed him back towards the bright castle.
Once they were in a warm room, hidden from gossiping servants Kuroko instantly asked the question that had been plaguing his mind. "How did you escape?"
Kuroko's keen eyes picked up the slight blush adorning the redheads cheeks. What he wanted to know was why he was blushing from that question, perhaps it could also answer why he was limping lightly on the way to the castle. "Ahh, well," he cleared his throat, tugging on the collar of his shirt. "He left a pair of lock picks out. Pft, idiot. Took some supplies and the extra boat after knocking out the guy on night watch."
His eyes narrowed at that answer, noticing the far away look in Kagami's eyes. "Then my next question is, how did you get kidnapped and by whom? We will immediately send for father and tell him who did such a thing. He will surely find this vagabond and have him hung. Kidnapping is a high offense."
Kagami looked away, "uhh, he caught me off guard, and knocked me out. I don't know how we got out after that."
"And his name? He must have told you?"
"Well... I never got it actually." Kuroko almost rolled his eyes at the blatant lie, Kagami was a terrible liar. Even Kise picked up on it and rose an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. It was curious though, it was almost like Kagami was protecting his kidnapper.
"Hmm."
Before Kuroko could inquire more the redhead glanced at how Kise was leaning towards his brother, "so why are you with my... fiancé anyways? How do you know him?"
It was Kuroko's turn to shift in his seat, "you remember I told you I was coming to visit a friend?" When Kagami nodded he continued, "that was a lie."
"Huh? Why'd you lie about something like that?"
"I came to renegotiate the terms of your marriage." Kagami blinked stupidly.
"Ehhh? Just spit it out Tetsuya!" Kuroko's eyebrow twitched, for most it would have been obvious. Sometimes he forgot how damn oblivious his brother was.
"Im taking your place and marrying Kise instead."
"WHAT?! But-,"
He raised a hand, stopping Kagami's protests, "I knew from the beginning that you only did it for me and my family, to repay my fathers kindness, but there was no need."
"I-,"
Kuroko smiled softly at him, "its okay Taiga-kun. I have been born into this life, I knew my responsibilities and have had my whole life to accept them. But you were not, and you are not capable of being tied to someone whom you don't love. You've always been such a hopeless romantic, you'd never survive in this lifestyle."
Kagami blushed at the last part, and cleared his throat, "so what? You'll just take my place? Just like that?"
He nodded, "just like that."
Kagami looked at Kise now, "and you're okay with this?"
Kise broke in quietly, "no offense Kagamicchi, Kurokocchi is more to my tastes. You're a bit... bigger than I like." He added the last part with a wink, "although I did like you Kagamicchi, but this works better~! Since I'm no Uke."
A palm slammed into Kise's side, making him gasp, a quiet but deadly voice said, "and who said I was an Uke?" Kagami broke out into laughter at the horror on Kise's face. When a small smile teased at the edge of Kuroko's lips Kise pouted.
"So meannnn~" He glomped the smaller male, "Kurokocchi!"
The redhead grinned as he saw them, worry for his brother abating, and his eyes softened at the sight, "I guess this is better huh?" Kagami could tell for all Kuroko's teasing, that he did like the hyperactive blond. The scene made his stomach twist, thinking of how Aomine would be if he liked him as much as Kise obviously cared for Kuroko. "Sorry I worried you Tetsuya."
"Its alright Taiga-kun. Just don't do it again," the glint in Kuroko's eyes made him shiver, and he almost felt bad for Kise. His brother could be sadistic when he wanted to, but then again, he figured that Kise had to be a bit of a masochist (when he had stayed here previously and met Kasamatsu he couldn't understand for the life of them how Kise was okay with being hit so much).
"R-right." Just then a knock came from the door. Kise called out for them to enter.
A meek looking servant girl entered, "Kise-sama, Momoi-sama has come to visit."
"Oh how wonderful! Youll get to meet her-," a small cough interrupted him.
"Ah sorry Kise-sama it is the male Momoi-sama, not her highness." Understanding lit in his golden eyes, a brighter grin than before sliding on his face.
"Really?! Then no time must be wasted! I hardly ever get a visit from him, let him get a room and have him meet me in the here shortly." The servant was blushing from the radiant smile but managed to nod before scurrying out. Kise turned to the curious gazes, "he's my childhood friend. In fact, Kagamicchi, he reminds me a lot of you."
Kuroko put a hand over Kise's, "I was under the impression that there was only one heir for the throne of Touou."
A sad look crossed Kise's face, looking very out of place. "Thats true... But he is actually the bastard child of King Momoi. Its how we met actually. He uses his fathers last name only when he comes to visit or else he'll be kicked out of the country."
"Huh, whys that?" Kagami tilted his head. Before he could answer the door was slammed open and a very familiar face leered at them.
"Well hello there Kise. Long time no see," Kagami stared in horror at the tanned male before them, a light blush instantly coming to his face at the thought of the last time he had seen him a couple days ago. Fuck, why was Aomine here?!
A/N: Huhuhuhu, man i just feel evil leaving all these cliffhangers. ;) Sorry there wasn't much AoKaga interaction, but I thought the KuroKise may make up for it?
Hope you enjoyed, and Comments/Reviews are love :3
