Weelll… I'm late in updating this time~ XD
Thanks to those who reviewed for the last chapter~!
arya304, Kuro13Dead , Kiri0918 , jarofclay42 , fostine . foli , Pri-Chan 1410, Sapphyre Lily, CloudCarnivore , SkyMadien1 , shirobara1, Reality Slap
Thank you to everyone who has read this also XD!
~o0o0o~
ClockWorks 03
Time Lapse
-"Thank you… I'm sorry… See you later."-
~o0o0o~
"… Tetsuya… Y-You don't remember me..?" Akashi's eyes widened in disbelief. He gradually released his hold on Kuroko's hands. The moment the teal haired male shook his head, Akashi shut his eyes tight. "Didn't you call me by my last name… the first time you talked to me..?"
"I said, 'I guess I'll name you Akashi'. I believe this is the first time." Kuroko bluntly responded.
Stabbing pain pierced Akashi's heart. It cannot be possible—it was far by impossible. How can it even happen? Akashi felt like he was falling into an endless hole. He placed his hands over Kuroko's shoulders. "You're lying."
"No I am not."
Akashi gritted his teeth, "YOU'RE LYING!" He shouted. He hugged the teal haired male, tightly as if Akashi feared that Kuroko might go away. "You are Kuroko Tetsuya. You've been alive for more or less a hundred years—just like me! You were always forgotten because of the curse the witch gave you. AND! All of the knick-knacks here are the children you've deceived!"
Kuroko forcefully pushed aside Akashi. The shorter male's eyes held both fear and surprise for Akashi's statement. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Lies.
Kuroko turned around. He looked at the hands he used for pushing Akashi.
They were shaking, and Kuroko doesn't know why. He coughed into his fist and said, "Please go further inside. I'm opening the shop for today…" Regardless of the fact that Kuroko was still wearing his night wear, he went for the door and unlatched the lock.
Click!
The lock was latched again.
"I'm telling you the truth, Tetsuya." Akashi said, only to be ignored by Kuroko. Said teal haired male huffed in annoyance then proceeded with opening the windows, only to be mysteriously closed again. "Don't ignore me." The shorter male clicked his tongue (to which Akashi raised a brow at) then decided to just go back in to his room to change, only to be shut close just before Kuroko could get in. "Are you running away?"
Kuroko clenched his hand into a fist, "What are you talking about, Akashi-kun?" The shorter male remained staring at the door infront of him. "I am not running away." Despite his words, his eyes showed pain in some sorts he couldn't understand. Why did it feel painful even though he has no idea? Why was there something strangling inside him? It was so suffocating—so much that he couldn't bring himself to breath properly. He plainly doesn't know yet something within him reacted with Akashi's words.
Akashi's hands went past Kuroko's head slammed it against the door, leaving the shorter male with no escape routes. "Are you sure?" Akashi lowly whispered.
"I… have no idea…" Kuroko weakly replied. He slowly went down to the cold floor and held his two hands together. He made it look like as if he was holding something very dear as he brought it up to his face. "… I believe that I told you that I only have fragments of my memory." Kuroko's face was the same expression he used to wear when he deceived children… It was filled with so much sadness and loneliness. "I can't even remember the faces of my family… only their actions remain."
Akashi's shadow disappeared causing Kuroko to look back so that he could see what Akashi was going to do next. The red haired male stood beside the four dolls. "I doubt that you don't know… after all, these dolls here are your victims." He grabbed the first doll. It had yellow hair. "I'll make a wild guess." Akashi started, "This doll's name is 'Kise Ryouta'… Am I right?"
Kuroko just managed to dumbly nod. Akashi was right.
"Watch this…" Akashi grabbed something from his chest with the use of his other vacant hand. He gradually opened his hand and showed what seemed to be a firefly resting on his palm. A light nudge made it fly to the nearest container which happened to be the doll going by the name 'Kise Ryouta'. Light engulfed the whole doll as it levitated and floated freely in the air. "You are gravely mistaken if you think nobody actually remembers you."
Kuroko remained silent as he watched some sort of miracle happen right before his eyes. The doll grew limbs in the same manner of how Akashi grew when he was also just a toy. Steam occupied the whole place for a good few seconds then faded away in due time.
'Kise' stretched his arms upward with a matching yawn. "Haaa! It feels like I've been asleep for forever!—WOW! MY VOICE IS HANDSOME! Is this what they call puberty?" His eyes met with Akashi's by coincidence. "Akashicchi?"
"It's been awhile."
"THIS IS AWESOME!" Kise shouted in the air. By then, he already noticed the burning stare of a certain puppet maker. Like a puppy, Kise pounced on Kuroko. The blonde male grew imaginary puppy ears and tails as he engulfed the puppet maker in to a tight hug. "Kurokocchi! I thought I'd never see you again!"
Kuroko was too dumbfounded to say anything. There were too many events that were still processing in the shorter male's mind. Why did the human 'Kise' know Kuroko and why did he call him by a nickname? Why was he being so familiar? How was Kise related to Kuroko—?
"… After all, these dolls here are your victims."
Akashi's words resonated inside Kuroko's mind. Kise was Kuroko's victim..? That strangling feeling came back attacking Kuroko's heart. By victim… did it mean that something bad happened to Kise and Kuroko was responsible? Out of instinct, Kuroko returned Kise's hug. He doesn't know why but his body reacted otherwise.
It hurts so much.
"I'm so sorry…" Words that came out of Kuroko's mouth surprised not only Kise but also the speaker himself as well. Was it by accident? But something inside Kuroko was pushing him to do it… Why did it hurt? Kuroko tightened his hug on Kise.
"Kurokocchi—"
"I am terribly sorry." The voice was quivering.
"It's alright…" A gentle smile grace Kise's features as he gave Kuroko a light pat on the head. Light engulfed Kise once more and particles moved up to the sky, fading in the process. The moment Kise was reduced to a mere doll once more, Akashi fell on his knees. He was deeply panting and buckets of sweat rolled down from his body.
"Y-You know…" Akashi deeply inhaled, "… The body remembers..!" He continued to catch his breath until it was smooth and even again. "There must be a reason you don't remember!—T-Tetsuya..?" The shorter male was on the verge of tears. He was still holding on the doll named 'Kise'. His eyes were enlarged like shining plates.
They held guilt and sorrow.
Kuroko slowly looked up to see Akashi, "Did I kill this person..?" Pleading eyes were begging Akashi for him to say no.
Akashi instantly avoided the eye contact, knowing that he would most likely give a lie just so he could make Kuroko happier in that aspect. He wiped the remaining sweat on his face. It was hard to tell Kuroko considering that he was slowly being pulled out of his shell. He will become even more vulnerable if Akashi was to say the wrong set of words. "…" He was hesitant but he had to say it. "… 'Kill' isn't the exact thing but more of a stepping stone towards that act…"
The red haired male showed his open palms to which the shorter of the two accepted. Kuroko's pained eyes met with Akashi's serious heterochromatic ones. "You lured children towards that tree in your backyard." Akashi lowered his eyes, "You, in other words, were an accomplice."
A thousand knives came striking like thunder and lightning in Kuroko's chest. If not for Akashi's hands supporting the puppet maker, Kuroko would've fallen down on the floor once more. The puppet maker placed his hands on Akashi's shoulders. They were shivering, and cold, Akashi noticed. "I-I…"
Lost for words, Kuroko just repeated "I'm sorry… I'm terribly sorry… please forgive me…" His eyes were wide open. Tears flowed out of them and down to the ground. He didn't want to believe that it was true but something inside him kept pushing him to believe in it.
The taller male cupped Kuroko's cheek and kissed his forehead. He wiped the tears with the use of his thumbs. It would be heartbreaking for anyone if they had to say the truth to someone they hold onto as precious. Akashi wasn't an exemption to it.
He gave soothing circles on Kuroko's back to help him calm down. "It's not your fault." Akashi gently whispered. He buried his face on Kuroko's hair. Kuroko had a mild scent of the forest. It was refreshing to his soul.
Kuroko feverishly shook his head, "It's my fault..! I don't know what happened—but I'm sure it's mine to take!" His vision got blurry due to the tears welling up in his eyes. He closed them allowing more tears to roll down his cheeks. Kuroko's color was completely drained. He held fear for the missing fragment of memory.
"I have no recollection of anything… yet I am acting like this." Kuroko silently said between hics. His brows knotted together, "My parents must be ashamed of me…" He bitterly said.
"Don't say such a thing Tetsuya…" The taller male gave him a reassuring hug, "You're parents love you dearly… and if you really have forgotten, your parents are still alive."
A chime rang in Kuroko's ears upon hearing that they are alive.
"A cross-hybrid of a Wisteria and Willow—!" An idea came across Akashi's mind. He grabbed Kuroko's hand and dashed to the mystical backyard.
"Akashi-kun?!"
"Your parents are in your backyard. The cross-hybrid of a Wisteria and Willow tree together is your parents. They must've done something to your memory, Tetsuya!"
The door to the backyard opened with a bang.
It was as if they were waiting for Kuroko and Akashi's arrival. The roots were unusually spread on the grassy ground. Its flowers were in full bloom and the vines were crawling on the branches.
Musical chimes rang across the backyard. They were musical and enchanting. Kuroko's eyes dilated at the sound of the tune. His hands slipped away from Akashi's and walked towards the Wisteria-Willow tree.
"Tetsuya..?"
"They're calling me…" Kuroko said. It was hollow, the voice. More roots popped out of the ground and formed into hand railings, probably to guide the entranced puppet maker. Vines crawled on the hand railings and slithered past the entranced Kuroko and to the serious looking Akashi. The vines curled infront of the red haired male and produced a budding flower.
The flower's petals one-by-one got separated and formed into something like a dancing pixie. It was graceful in its movements. The vine went further up to Akashi's face. The pixie's eyes were sky blue—just like Kuroko's. They were gentle and warm at the same time sad and lonely.
"Thank you for taking care of my child." The pixie bowed in gratitude, "Akashi Seijuurou…" A sweet smile was presented before him then the pixie turned into powder, rendering Akashi paralyzed in position.
He just watched Kuroko go to the tree and sit beside it. The flowers of the hybrid tree started to fall. Each of them glittered like jewels as they softly landed on the ground.
…
…
~o0o0o~
A smile can either bring joy or pain—or a mixture of both… That was Kuroko's belief. He has seen many people shed tears and he most definitely knows the reasons behind it.
…
BOOMM! BOOMM! CRASH!
"Tetsu-chan! Hurry and run away!" His mother managed to shout. She was trying her best to keep the door shut. Kuroko was but a child that time. He wanted to obey and run away but that would mean his mother would be left alone and be attacked when the intruder gets to them. His little feet were nailed to the floor and couldn't move another inch away.
"RUN AWAY!" She repeated. Kuroko only shook his head in response.
"I won't go unless I'm with you!" He protested.
The door exploded, taking away the mother's life. A malicious black shadow went inside the room. An eerie laugh was released from that shadow. It crawled up to the ceiling.
Pitter-patter, pitter-patter… Just like the feet of a centipede, it was continuous; slithering up to the ceiling. It arms were twice as long as its body. Its head was able to twist in an owlish manner. "I spy with my wicked eye… a fine boy waiting to die!" She sprung at high speed towards the frozen little boy.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"IIIIIEEEEEAAAAAKKK!" A deafening scream of pain came out of the witch. Its limbs coiled inward then outward—like how a centipede acts when salt is poured over it.
Kuroko fell on his knees, shivering in fear. His father came rushing in with a rifle at hand. "Tetsuya—GAHH!" something long pierced through the heart of Kuroko's father.
Time stopped for the little boy who witnessed the instant deaths of his parents. The witch retracted her elongated finger and licked the blood off of it. The tongue was so long that it reached its neck. The eyes were all black with a dot of white for an iris. "Ohohoho~ my, my, the little boy is frozen stiff!" Her body twisted awkwardly as she went just infront of the scared little boy. The eyes enlarged two times and the smile went up ear to ear, "It makes me want to eat you up~" The long, long arms hovered up; the fingernails grew longer and sharper, as if ready to kill. She cracked her joints, creating disgustingly loud cracking bone sounds, and slowly inched towards the boy.
Just as she was a few centimeters away, the land suddenly rumbled. Kuroko got out of his stupor and took this as a chance to run away. However, the witch's fingernail shot past his head and in to the wall. "Little boy, don't you dare run away from me~" The tone was sickeningly sweet. So much that it just might make anyone want to hurl.
The little boy was nailed on the feet once more. His eyes scanned the area in hopes of finding an escape. Adrenaline rushed inside his system. His heart felt like it would burst out of his chest. The sound of pitter-patter multiplied as if the witch was moving faster than the norm. Kuroko felt like he just fell into a bottomless pit.
"Ohohoho~ such a dirty trick little boy~!"
WHOOSH!
Something wooden encased the witch. It spiraled around the witch's body, locking all of the joints in the process. If it were possible, Kuroko's eyes widened in surprise. The stretched wood came from his father's body. His mother started to glow pale purple. The manor crumbled as if it was being absorbed. Thick tree branches ripped out of the body of Kuroko's mother. It had flowers ranging from white to pale purple. They stretched and further trapped the captured witch.
"GGRAAAHH! WHAT IS THIS?!" The witch grudgingly exclaimed. She tried to force her way out of the trap only to be fruitless of such action. She bit her lip, causing blood to flow out. It dripped down to the woods exploding upon the moment of contact. The limbs of the witch grew longer and grabbed the still frozen Kuroko.
The little boy was also taken into the entrapping wood. "You dare think I'd let you get away?" The witch dangerously hissed.
The manor completely collapsed leaving only the bodies of the two parents who had nature going out of them. Kuroko was completely within the tree and further within the witch.
"Hihihi! Forever be bound by life, I curse you! The death of this tree shall be your death as well!" A twisted laugh echoed inside the tree trunk. "Starting today, no one shall remember you! Ohohoho!" A menacing black shadow seeped out of the tree and spread out as fast as the speed of light.
Not a second later, the property of the Kuroko household vanished.
Everything finally settled. It was so quiet and eerie.
That was until a warm light was emitted from the tree. Just like the color of the sun, the light gave brightness in the current gloomy space. Grass slowly grew out from the ground. Large varieties of flowers beautifully bloomed on random areas of the land. After a certain distance away from the hybrid tree, taller trees popped out of the ground—probably to cover up the vulnerable life hidden within. Different life forms started to live in that secluded area. It had owls, rabbits, butterflies, dragonflies, fireflies, and other creatures.
From there on, Kuroko was forced to capture children of his age as ordered by the witch. Rather than forced though, he was threatened. The witch used the excuse of killing the tree which meant killing him and his parents. It would've been alright if only he was killed, but his parents were involved so he had no other choice.
The first victim went by the name 'Kise Ryouta'. He was a noble just like him, though it was most likely that he wouldn't even know the teal haired boy. The witch loved collecting different body parts, especially the eyes of those young bloods. They look so beautiful and innocent—she just wants to taint them! The child named Kise was entranced by Kuroko and this was his very downfall. The witch regained her youth, had a beautiful body to keep and collected a fantastically tainted pair of golden yellow eyes.
Kuroko saw all of those events right before his eyes. The hybrid tree may encase the witch but it had plentiful space inside, that's why collateral damage can be done from the inside if the witch wishes it. Kuroko can get out simply because his parents were allowing it.
Anyone can get in but only the son can get out.
The next victim was 'Aida Riko' a commoner child who happened to wonder in the woods. Of course, the witch wanted to child with beautiful chocolate brown hair and eyes. So, she fell into the trap named 'Kuroko'.
It was an endless streak of kidnapping. Children went missing left and right. Important ones weren't even spared. The only child of the family of doctors, Midorima Shintarou, was spirited away. The families of offense and defense, Murasakibara and Aomine families had their children kidnapped—degrading their name for defense. The country's tacticians also had their blooming prodigy, Momoi Satsuki, be mesmerized by the young boy.
While the curse was to say that Kuroko is to be forgotten, it was only applicable if he came in contact with the people, meaning to say that those who were ONLY watching were able to remember if and only if they noticed his presence in the very first place.
Being a stepping stone towards murder slowly killed Kuroko from within. He was growing numb even single day he had to take another child. His emotions were being ripped out of his systems just so he can't feel the pain of tricking someone.
…
He would've been a completely empty doll if not for the appearance of another child going by the name of Akashi Seijuurou. Mysteriously enough, he was able to remember Kuroko and he was also able to trespass the territory marked by the witch. What's more is that the two seemed to ALWAYS miss past each other. When Kuroko would go do a kidnapping, Akashi was also going to visit the mystical tree. By the time Akashi decided to go home, that was also the same time Kuroko had arrived back with a duped child.
Finally, both ends met when Kuroko was finally let off for a night. Inside the tree were the witch, the scared child from last night, and Kuroko. The witch was preparing a nice boiling bath for the victim and Kuroko was helping the scared child set his mind at ease.
'AAAAHHHHH!' They suddenly heard a shout from outside. The two children were thankful that the witch had her mind set on the boiling bath because if not, there would be another victim for tonight.
'WWHHYYYY?!' It had so much anger seething within that usage of words.
'WHY AM I DOING THIS?!' It was filled with so much emotion… 'Can someone switch place with me..?' then there was sadness…
The child, Sakurai Ryou, pressed his ear against the wall then Kuroko followed in suit. They heard footsteps coming closer then that person huffed then sat and leaned on the trunk.
"Is anyone there..?" Kuroko silently said.
The person outside jumped in surprise and said to himself "It must be my imagination…"
While Kuroko only sighed, Sakurai first knocked on the wall then louder and louder until they were as loud as a pound. The teal haired male tried to stop the other child from pounding so hard since the witch just might attack both of them. Sakurai continued to pound on the wall regardless of Kuroko's warnings.
Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter…
The sound of a hundred footsteps…
Kuroko felt like the world fell upside down. He froze on the spot, rendering him unable to stop Sakurai from pounding the wall. His eyes were as wide as he could possibly open. He couldn't move an inch. A long tongue licked his cheek causing Kuroko to turn his head in a robotic manner. His breath hitched one moment then…
"NOOOO!" Kuroko dashed to Sakurai and covered his eyes.
'HEY! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!' The pounding was replied with another pound.
Kuroko eyed the wall where the voice came from. Then he observed the witch's face. It looks like it didn't hear the voice from outside, nor the loud sounds on the wall. How that even happened remained a mystery. An idea crossed the teal haired boy's mind.
It was a cold-hearted idea but he had no choice but to do it in order to reply with the boy from outside. That boy outside must be special, considering that the witch had not detected his presence even until now. It was tough for Kuroko. He gritted his teeth and pushed the child away and opposite of the witch. He pounded the wall and shouted, "RUN AWAY!" It was weak and coarse…
'What are you saying?! This is the first time we've met?! WHY AREN'T ASKING FOR HELP INSTEAD?!'
The witch dashed and chased the running child. Its shadow happened to hit him causing instant scratches and bruises. By then the witch caught Sakurai and let out an eerie chuckle.
'I'LL COME AND GET YOU! REMEMBER THAT!'
…
…
The boy fled, leaving Kuroko with mixed emotions…
… Later that night, Sakurai was already turned into a stuffed child with bored eyes. And, Kuroko received another beating of his life…
…
…
A day has passed since that night. Kuroko was hoping for that boy to appear. He promised so—that was Kuroko's mindset. He slipped out of the tree knowing that the witch was sleeping in the morning… that and she was weak when the sun is up. Kuroko faced the tree, "Mama, Papa… did you do that..? The witch not hearing I mean…" He folded his knees up to his chest. "There was a boy outside and the witch didn't sense him…"
As a reply, more flowers grew within Kuroko's perimeter. Different creatures were attracted at the sudden sight… rabbits, beautiful insects, birds and etcetera. Then he heard some rough rustling of the tall grass. There he saw a boy most likely to be taller than him. He had fine red hair and eyes. He was a dashing person, Kuroko had to admit. He raised his finger up to his lips and said, "The queen does not like intruders."
The boy with red hair didn't seem to catch Kuroko's words making him come closer. "I didn't quite understand…" The boy whispered then knelt down to Kuroko's level, "Can you repeat that..?"
"The queen does not like intruders." Kuroko bluntly replied.
"But I've been here almost every night…" Hearing that made Kuroko wonder how on earth this person managed to conceal himself from the witch. What's more is that can he do spells at that age? The face Kuroko was giving probably gave some sort of signal for the other boy to restart with another statement."My name is Akashi Seijuurou, son of the Akashi household." He showed an open palm.
Kuroko followed, "I am Kuroko Tetsuya, son of the diminished Kuroko household." 'Son of the diminished Kuroko household' was instantly slated out of the shorter boy's mouth before it could've been heard by Akashi. They shook hands as it happened.
"You said 'queen'… why so..?"
"She just likes to be referred that way… the witch, I mean."
Just like that, they just enjoyed each other's presence.
…
…
The next day, same time as yesterday, Akashi visited Kuroko again. This time he brought some food, toys and books. Akashi's face was same as a curious cat. Was it Kuroko's first time eating food from the outside?
Kuroko's bright face just answered his question. YES! It was his first time after so many months of eating just nutrients and minerals from the tree! He looked so innocent but in reality he was the accomplice.
…
"This book…" Kuroko started. "I don't like its contents…"
Akashi raised a brow. How did he figure out the route of this book? "Why do you say so..?"
The teal haired boy traced the backbone of the book with his finger, "Their parents should know their children best… why separate two people in love just because of family names?"
Akashi saw the title of the book. 'Romeo and Juliet' no wonder. "It's just a story… you can always pick another one. Though if you ask my opinion, I like that story… It shows that love is powerful, complicated, and… frightful." His eyes turned serious that moment—not that Kuroko would even dare point it out.
"I think I'll try this." With a change of thought, Kuroko murmured to himself.
…
Akashi continued to visit Kuroko day after day, regardless of the fact that the people in his manor were in search for him EVERY SINGLE TIME he disappears. He would bring food for them to eat, new toys for them to play with, and some books to help Kuroko stand the times he was ordered to capture kids by the witch.
"You know… you can always stay in my household…" Akashi mentioned. He looked straight into Kuroko's eyes and added, "That way you don't have to worry anymore." The red haired boy placed his hands on Kuroko's shoulder, "I'll stay by your side! And I'll also protect you!"
Kuroko casted his eyes away from the other male, "I cannot… for I am bound to this tree. Once I reach a certain age, I shall stop growing and I shall be here for the remaining times. I simply cannot."
"It's because of the witch, isn't it?!" Akashi shouted.
Kuroko placed a finger over his lips, "Shhh…"
Akashi gritted his teeth in anger. "What do you propose to do?!" He breathily shouted. "Cut down the tree?!"
"If the tree dies, I die and if I die, the tree dies." Kuroko shot back. "That is my curse! Please understand that..!"
Anger immediately turned into guilt. "I'm sorry…"
Akashi then returned home with the burden of guilt weighing on his shoulders…
It wasn't until later that the witched learned the existence of another brat in her territory.
…
"Little boy~" The witch sweetly called. Kuroko was hesitant but he had to do it or else… He went inside the tree only to find out that the sweet call was used with a disgustingly ugly face. "I didn't know you were friends with the prince!" She grudgingly hissed. "No wonder I never sensed him!" She grabbed the boy by the neck. "AND THAT'S WHY MY SPELL DIDN'T AFFECT HIM!"
"I-I don't know… what you're talking about..!" Kuroko managed to breathe out. He was struggling for air as the grip on his neck grew tighter. "P-Please l-let go..!"
The witch clicked her tongue as she threw the boy at some random direction. "He's being protected by a light barrier!" The witch shouted at no one in particular. She bit her finger, letting a few drops of blood float in mid-air. "Let hebe cursed by the lives of hispeople." A twisted smile formed on her wicked face.
Kuroko was unable to do anything as he fell unconscious due to the lack of air and due to the impact of his frail body towards the hard wood.
…
Day passed; Akashi revisited Kuroko for the first time in a few months. His face was similar to impassiveness that Kuroko used to hold when he was forced to capture children. Even though Akashi was just putting a tough front, Kuroko knew nonetheless that he was responsible for whatever incident happened to the taller boy.
It also became a mystery for Kuroko on where Akashi lived when the day was done, why he would disappear then suddenly reappear, what happened to him, and why wasn't Akashi blaming Kuroko?
…
…
Years later, both males turned 21. The witch was already quiet during those years as if she was rendered incapable after pulling a tough spell on Akashi.
The two of them were practically like lovers—only neither of them confessed. It just felt natural for them; that was why it felt like there was no need to say it to each other.
"History repeats itself…" Akashi murmured.
"You said something..?" Kuroko said back.
"It's nothing…"
The earth suddenly rumbled. "LITTLE BOY!" The witch shouted from inside the tree, "WITH THE REMAINING LAST OF MY LIFE!" The wind blew past them. The sky suddenly turned grey. Leaves fell apart as if dying. On cue, Kuroko developed scratches. Akashi pulled the male to his chest.
"What do you want?!" He shouted.
"MY YOUTH IS GONE AND I AM DYING!" She grudgingly shouted. It echoed throughout the vast space. Animals ran away from the malicious intent. "AND IT IS ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT!" Polluted wind invaded the space, circling around Akashi and Kuroko. A hole exploded at the side of the tree. As the curse implemented, Kuroko received a deadly body blow at the liver area.
"TETSUYA!" Akashi helped the male stand up and the strong, filthy gale didn't help even one bit. "HANG ON! I'LL DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!" He held the shorter male near to him. He removed his glove and pressed it on the wound. It emitted a warm light that helped heal the damage on Kuroko's body.
Another explosion on the tree gave another body blow on Kuroko—this time on the knees. By then, Akashi was already carrying him bridal style to avoid further damage on the knees.
Ominous clouds shrouded the sky. Raging thunder claps dared to touch the ground. The witch's distressed howl was in synch with the thunders and lightning. One nearly crashed down on the two males if not for Akashi creating a light barrier. He breathed out a curse as he continued with healing the damages in Kuroko's body. They will turn fatal if doesn't do anything especially with the witch going berserk. Falling branches resulted in bone fractures, withering leaves meant scratches, internal tree damage were equal to hemorrhaging and body blows.
It was a critical time for the two of them.
Kuroko was growing weak every time the witch issues an attack. The filthy gale was relentless and most particles obstructed their vision. Akashi can't attack the tree because it would definitely inflict more damage on Kuroko but if he doesn't do anything, both of them will be doomed. Either way, something bad will happen.
Dead soil engulfed the tree, causing Kuroko to struggle for air. If the tree's respiration was obstructed, then so does Kuroko's respiration.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" Akashi forcefully shouted.
"I WANT MY YOUTH BACK!" Her wicked voice resonated within the vast land. All living things died in that instant.
Akashi clicked his tongue. Will he really do something foolish just so he could save his dying lover? The red haired male gritted his teeth and did that very foolish move. He dug his hand into his chest—where his heart and the other heart resided. He pulled out the red crystal heart. "I HAVE A PHILOSOPHER'S STONE! NOW STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING THIS INSTANT!"
He was a fool for love.
In that instance, the gale, the thunder and lightning, the ominous clouds, and the tantrums were cleared.
"Leave the boy there." The witch commanded. Much to Akashi's chagrin, he laid the unconscious damaged Kuroko on the ground. "Now come here." Akashi was reluctant but he had to do it. For Kuroko. "Give me that stone." Akashi was unwilling.
"I… can't…" He bitterly muttered out.
"…"
Silence…
…
"WHYYYYY?!" The gale, the thunder and lightning, the ominous clouds and the tantrums resumed.
Akashi returned the crystal heart where it rightfully belonged, in his chest. "I WILL NOT ABANDON MY PEOPLE!" Akashi inserted his fist in the hole only to be retracted back. They were burned with acid.
It had started to rain hard, making the current situation less visible compared to when it was still a gale attack.
Another eerie chuckle from the witch echoed throughout. Realization stroked Akashi as he turned around. Kuroko was receiving more damage thanks to the hard rain. He immediately went to the unconscious male and covered him with an anti-barrier. He clicked his tongue in frustration. This was getting them nowhere.
"I DO NOT CARE ANYMORE!" A black malicious shadow seeped out of the tree holes made by the recent explosions. "Your body shallturn into wood that holds the mechanism of a human! Only your precious love can turn you back!!" That malicious shadow engulfed Akashi and degraded him into toy. After that he was thrown far away.
Kuroko caught a glimpse of that action. He forced himself to stand up, "S-Sei-kun!" He coughed up blood and fell flat on his back once more. He cried yet no tears came out, he tried to shout yet no voice came out, he wanted to fight back yet no strength could be summoned. Heartbroken, he only laid there motionless as hHe watched the sky clear up. The witch was reduced to remnants stuck in the tree. Meaning to say, the curse was still there only with the exemption of no caster available.
The tree's leaves bloomed only with the difference of having green leaves instead of pale purple flowers. Its roots crawled up to the broken Kuroko. Light was emitted the moment the root and Kuroko's skin made contact. His wounds were healed and so as on the tree's wounds. It went up to his forehead and created more light.
…
…
After a few years he became Kuroko, the prominent puppet maker. Everybody knows him and at the same time, they don't actually know him. The toys he made in that shop were actually the children who fell victim to him. Memory based toys. During those times when Kuroko was still making all of the victims, the tree parent was searching for the toy going by the name 'Akashi Seijuurou'.
Both of them suffered the wait for fifty years…
…
…
~o0o0o~
Kuroko woke up to see that it was already night. Across him was Akashi sleeping soundly. The tree parent guided Kuroko to the sleeping Akashi. Just like the old times, fireflies led the way.
He knelt infront of Akashi and caressed his hair, "I'm back, Sei-kun…"
Like magic, Akashi slowly opened his eyes upon hearing the familiar nickname. A smile graced his features as he held the hand that caressed his hair, "Welcome home, Tetsuya…" He kissed that hand then pulled him for a hug. "I missed you."
Kuroko returned the hug, "Same here…"
Akashi smiled pure-heartedly and thanked his parents. The parent tree was glowing brilliantly against the night sky. But his happy days were about to end. He held Kuroko's hand then led him back to the main store, where his dolls were supposed to be place.
It was like the first time Kuroko met Akashi (first time after transformation), there were multiple sprites scattered everywhere. Some even welcomed them. It was so warm… Akashi stood in the middle of the room and showed his open palm. Assorted sprites flew into that very palm.
Each sprite transformed into fireflies and flew to their respective containers. To save Akashi's energy, the transformations were only in child forms. Familiar faces emerged from Kuroko's memory as he saw the children standing infront of him. Each of them held innocent faces, and they were smiling. Some of the affectionate children, namely Murasakibara and Satsuki, clasped Kuroko's hands, "You know, I'm not mad, Tetsu-onii-chan!" Satsuki first said.
"I'm not mad too~~!" Murasakibara lazily followed. "After all, you're the first person to ever talk to me~!"
On cue, the other children also shouted the same thing, "We're not mad!"
It turns out that while the kids were being kidnapped, the tree parent told them everything so that they won't get mad at their child.
Kuroko felt tearing up at the sudden outcome. The entire burden weighing on his shoulders was lifted up. He knelt down on one knee and gave each child a hug—though he met some resistance with other kids (Aomine, Midorima and Haizaki).
"Thank you, everyone!" Kuroko then smiled. It was so angelic that it caused the children to blush at the beauty.
"Thank you, Onii-chan!" With a final bid, the children were reduced to toys once again.
Kuroko was still smiling even though the kids were turned back into toys. He turned around so he could face Akashi only to see a sight he didn't want to see. His eyes widened at what was standing before him.
Akashi was just smiling back at Kuroko… But was dissipating like how it was when the children turned back to toys. His was already half-way dissipating. Particles went up to the ceiling and to the sky. Akashi was glowing, literally.
"S-Sei…kun..?" Kuroko disbelievingly muttered.
"I know we've only seen each other for a measly two days and two nights… and I also said that I won't go anywhere… but it's something I need to do…" Akashi walked to Kuroko and cupped his cheeks, "Do you remember those times that I disappear for a long period of time?"
A nod.
"I go to heaven and deliver these souls of my people. They had a wish fulfilled, so I have to give them back to the creator. I will be gone for another long period of time, so is it alright if I ask of you to wait for me?" Akashi painfully asked. He pressed their foreheads together and stayed like that until Kuroko decided to nod. He kissed the shorter male on the lips then immediately parted.
"Thank you… that you brought me back, and as a service, I shall court you every time I return here. I'm sorry… that I have to make you wait again…" For the first time in Akashi's life, he shed a tear at the thought of parting again away from Kuroko. He gave a sad smile. A tear rolled down his cheek, "See you later, Tetsuya…"
"Seijuurou!" Kuroko ran to try and atleast hold his hand one last time. A bright light blinded Kuroko for a good few seconds.
He's going to keep this…
The toy named Akashi Seijuurou…
He hugged the toy dearly. Tears fell non-stop as he kept calling put Akashi's name, then finally a sad smile graced his features.
.
.
"See you later, Sei-kun."
A smile can either bring joy or pain—or a mixture of both… And for today, a smile was a mixture of both.
~o0o0o~
In the language of trees, a Wisteria is a symbol for romance and the mysteries of a great and enduring love—just like a mother who willingly risks her life for her child… after all, no one can beat the love of a mother.
The Willow tree symbolizes fulfilling wishes of the heart, learning from the past, inner vision, and dreams. A father will do any great lengths for his child, just as his heart wishes it to be. He is also responsible for manipulating Kuroko's memories just so he wouldn't get hurt.
That being said, this was definitely Kuroko Tetsuya, a mixture of these two trees.
~TO BE CONTINUED~
Last chapter is the next one~
Also, I got those meanings from: Tree Symbolism and Meanings Symbols & Interpretations. html
Last chapter: ClockWorks
"I don't like the ending of Romeo and Juliet, and I don't want ours to end like that as well! So, don't pretend to die because I just might kill myself thinking that you are also dead!"
Oh. Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to minna-san too!
One more thing… I know this is shameless but is it alright if everyone can follow this twitter account: levinoya –I'll be forever grateful if you'd do that XD
-Care to drop a review?
-Ciao~