Lovely Jewels
Coming with Information
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Kuroko and Murasakibara arrive to the apartment after a, thankfully, uneventful day. The two have slowly bonded over the week of school to the point where Murasakibara decided to give Kuroko a nickname. Lately, the people who have been trying to obtain Kuroko have left him alone. Kuroko shook his head a little, feeling as if the past week and his new roommates were all part of a surreal dream that he was about to wake up from.
"Tadaima," Kuroko called out softly as he and Murasakibara put their shoes away. He passed the giant and headed into to the kitchen.
Akashi looked up when Kuroko walked in, followed shortly after by Murasakibara. He and the rest of the members of the Kiseki no Sedai were already gathered in the kitchen. Kuroko took one look around before taking a seat at the island. He silently thanked Midorima who handed him a cup of tea. Murasakibara stood at the doorway, already informed of today's discussion by Akashi.
"So," Kuroko said before he took a sip of tea. "What is happening?" He immediately looked to Akashi for an explanation.
Instead Midorima took a step forward and placed a piece of paper in front of Kuroko. Kuroko picked up the paper and silently read the word that was on it. Planaedius? He looked at Midorima with a confused expression.
"This is the organization that wants your powers," Midorima answered while pushing up his glasses. His green eyes looked at his taped fingers. "Before, they were known as the Planaedian Order."
Kuroko's eyes opened a bit wider as a memory suddenly hit him. How could I forget about them? "But Planaedius…is the environmental company," Kuroko said quietly.
"What? Environmental? Those guys?" Kise asked in a disbelieving tone. "Is that what they decided to come up with to hide who they really are?" He threw a look at Aomine while chuckling a little.
Kuroko shook his head. "Yeah, they are really famous for all the help they've given to improving the environment," Kuroko stated. He paused for a moment before adding, "Why would they want me?"
Akashi was feeling apprehensive so he moved closer to Kuroko and took the seat next to him. He looked back at Midorima. You can go ahead and tell him.
Midorima let out a sigh, catching Kuroko's attention. "Like I said before, this Planaedius, existed before as the Planaedian Order. Back then their goal was to rule the world using their influence and some other human hybrids they have." He leaned back against the counter, placing his elbows on it as well.
"However," Akashi cut in, bringing Kuroko's gaze to rest on him. "There were, let's just say guardian families, that were formed to prevent the Planaedian Order from achieving their goal." Akashi waited a few moments before continuing. "These guardian families are elite human hybrids that are recognized for being stronger than other human hybrids."
"You guys are…" Kuroko said quietly as he dropped Akashi's gaze.
"Yes us," Midorima picked up. "You were not the only to have time traveling powers, Kuroko. Some of your ancestors had this power and it must have been passed down to you. Other families have also been the recipients of the time traveling ability though. It takes turns." He turned around and opened a cupboard before pulling out a stack of plates. "The Planaedian Order found out about the type of power your family and the others had, of course, and then saw how valuable it was."
Kuroko watched Midorima take out something from the fridge. "How would they even use the time traveling power?" Kuroko questioned.
Midorima cut a slice of cake and put it on the plate. He walked over to Kuroko and handed it to him before going back and cutting pieces for the others. "They wanted to use the time traveling powers to go back in time and destroy the guardian families before they came into power."
Kuroko quietly thanked Midorima for the cake. "Where are your guys' families?" Kuroko peeked at Akashi whose expression suddenly darkened.
"Our purpose as the guardian families is to protect the time traveler at all costs," Akashi said dryly. "Our families are either hiding…or dead."
The kitchen fell into an uncomfortable silence with Akashi's words. Kuroko's body tensed up and he slowly put down his fork, the cake going stale in his mouth as he carefully chewed and swallowed it. Midorima glared at Akashi and mentally clucked his tongue. Kise was looking distraught until Aomine threw a comforting arm around his shoulder.
"Sacrfices are needed in our line of work," Midorima said, breaking the silence. "It's nothing to worry about Kuroko." He handed out plates to everyone else.
Kuroko looked up at Midorima with newfound respect for the greenhead. Ah, there is something that I needed to ask. Kuroko found that Midorima was expecting questions and was watching him carefully. "Do you know someone named Shogō Haizaki?"
Akashi clenched his fists upon hearing that name. "Why are you asking?" Akashi inquired using a calm, but strained voice.
Kuroko looked at Akashi with a puzzled expression. "The attack from before, Haizaki-san was the one who I went out to meet." Kuroko closed his eyes at his foolishness. "I'm pretty sure he planned that attempted kidnapping."
"No wonder he looked so familiar!" Kise blurted out.
Akashi turned to look at the blonde, obviously none to happy. "I did not hear of this, Ryouta." His eyes moved over Aomine as well.
Kise sweat-dropped and held up his hands in defense. "I-I wasn't too sure, Akashicchi! I swear!"
"You're on the right track," Midorima interrupted. "However, Haizaki didn't plan the kidnapping, Planaedius did."
Kuroko arched his brow at the name again. "Haizaki-san works for Planaedius."
"Precisely," Midorima said. He pinched the bridge of his noise. "He's also a…human hybrid."
Kuroko's head snapped up in surprise at those words. But he looked around my age…but then so do you guys…
"Did you find the name of the president, Shintarou?" Akashi inquired. He pulled out a map of the city and laid it across the living room table.
"Of Planaedius? No, not yet," Midorima said while letting out a heavy sigh. "I found the one they use for the media though, but he knows nothing about their true purpose." He stood next to Akashi and surveyed the map. He brought out a pink pen with a cute frog on top. "Here, I'll circle all the areas they have control over."
Murasakibara stared at the pen. "Ne, Mido-chin. Is that your lucky item for today?" He crumpled up the wrapper from his now finished candy bar and put it into his pocket to dispose of later.
Midorima nodded, already immersed in making perfect lines on the map. Most of the entire map was circled or highlighted. Akashi looked at the markings with dismay. How could they have-oh, yes. I was trapped as a jewel for about 20 or so years. He stood up and brushed past Midorima who was checking the map for inaccuracies. Midorima looked down as Akashi passed.
"You start the planning with the others," Akashi said, pausing in his steps. "I am going to go check on Tetsuya."
Kuroko slowly scribbled numbers on his paper as he tried to find the value of this wretched x. His numbers were starting to look a bit off so he looked back at his work only to find that he had forgotten to carry a negative sign. Mentally face-palming himself, he set to work to erasing all his markings. His rough erasing was interrupted by a knock on his door. Kuroko turned around just in time to see Akashi slip in.
Akashi silently closed the door behind him before looking at Kuroko. From his short observations he could tell that his light-blue head was in a state of agitation. He glanced at Kuroko's hand that was tightly gripping his pencil before spotting the worksheet laid across Kuroko's desk. He walked over while saying, "Ah, let me help you, Tetsuya."
Kuroko blinked a couple of times. "That's not necessary." He turned back around only to feel Akashi pressed against his back as the redhead's arms were placed on either side of him on the desk.
"Let's see," Akashi murmured in Tetsuya's ear. "You want to take both sides of the equation to the third power first." He could not see Kuroko's face, but Akashi could tell that he was surprised.
Kuroko silently did as Akashi said. After that he managed to solve the rest of the problem on his own. His grip now loose on his pencil, he decided to ask Akashi a question. "Akashi-san, why are you helping me?"
Akashi arched a brow. "I'm not following Tetsuya."
Kuroko let the pencil slip from his hand. "You are just supposed to protect me," he said in a quiet voice. "You don't need to do anything else."
Akashi felt a small pang of hurt in his chest but pushed it away. It must have been what I said earlier. "It is my job to protect you, Tetsuya," Akashi said as he moved his hands to hold Kuroko's. "That much is correct." He spread Kuroko's fingers so that he could entwine his own with the smaller male's. "But you're wrong when you say that I don't need to do anything else." Akashi gave Kuroko's hands a gentle squeeze before letting go and backing up.
Kuroko turned around to see what Akashi was doing only to be met with the other's face dangerously close to his. He steeled his emotions and the stirring feeling that Akashi's warmth was causing him. "Please stop harassing me, Akashi-san."
Akashi smirked and the corner of his eyes crinkled a bit. "That won't do, Tetsuya." He moved his face a bit closer. "The things I do that do not count as protecting you are done because," Akashi started as he watched Kuroko slightly tilt his head to the side in curiosity. "I love you."
Kuroko frowned before pushing Akashi away. His heart was beating fast at the other's words, but he was unsure of why. "Don't play games with me," Kuroko stated bluntly. He turned back to his desk and picked up his pencil before forcing himself on to the next question. "Saying such words so easy like that," Kuroko muttered under his breath.
"Tetsuya," Akashi said with a small hint of annoyance. If he can't accept my feelings right now, I will have to play this one off, Akashi thought in a depressed way. "I am your guardian and you are my time traveler."
Kuroko paused in his writing, silently giving Akashi the "go on."
"This counts with the other guardians as well," Akashi continued. "The stronger our bond is to you, the stronger our powers become." He let the information sink in for a few moments before adding, "This is why I need to be close to you."
This time Kuroko felt a throb of hurt, but these pains and emotions still confused him. Is that why he's been acting so close? Kuroko thought. He started writing again. "We can bond later then."
Akashi watched as Kuroko went back to writing for a few moments before leaving the room. Irritated he ran a hand through his hair as he moved to descend the stairs. I will work on Tetsuya later.
OMAKE:
Zombie Apocalypse?
"Atsushi, what are you doing?" Himuro asked as he watched the purple-giant stacking boxes full of snacks on top of each other.
Murasakibara put another box on the stack before turning to look at Himuro. "I'm preparing," he replied and then returned to his work.
Himuro looked at the clock in the classroom, hoping that Kuroko would return soon. Did he get caught up with his other friends on the way to the bathroom? He listened to the sound of cardboard against cardboard for a few moments longer. "For what?"
Murasakibara topped off his stack first before providing an answer. "The zombie apocalypse."
Himuro stopped himself from face-palming. "My friends," Himuro started, "please do not listen to them." He cracked a small amused smile. "Please."
Murasakibara gave Himuro a shocked look, but allowed the shorter male to drag him away from his snacks and out of the room.
"Let's go find Kuroko-san, Atushi."
OMAKE 2:
School and Snacks and Snacks and Snacks
Kuroko's eyes were closed as he leaned back against his chair. It was finally lunch and that meant a nice break. His brows furrowed as he heard a plopping sound before hearing another. Opening his eyes he watched as an assortment of snacks fell onto his desk.
"Murasakibara-kun," Kuroko said as he looked up at the purple-giant. "I am not eating all of that."
Murasakibara threw more chips in his mouth. He chewed and stared at the tiny blue-head. "Aka-chin says you need to eat more." He dropped a few more snacks on Kuroko's desk.
Kuroko shook his head. "That is too much, Murasakibara-kun." He pushed the food back towards the opposite end of the desk.
"Kuro-chin."
Kuroko looked up. "Ye-"
Kuroko glared at Murasakibara with a chocolate bar in his mouth. He pouted a bit before giving in and eating the food that he was force-fed.
"Good Kuro-chin."
OMAKE 3:
Silent Playing
Midorima stared at the checkered board in front of him. He put a hand to his chin and silently analyzed the board. If I move that piece than I could do that… He sat back and moved a piece before looking back up at Akashi.
Akashi looked down at the board before moving a piece that dominated Midorima's. The redhead looked slowly up at Midorima with a smirk. I win.
Midorima openly glared at his opponent.
OMAKE 4:
Things that go on in Aomine's and Kise's Room
"Aominecchi!" Kise cried out. Sweat dotted his forehead as he curled his toes in pain. "Too hard, too hard!"
Aomine let out a loud and annoyed sigh. "Suck it up and just go with it," he replied in a gruff voice. He dug in deeper, feeling Kise's muscles tighten up. He rolled his eyes. "You are supposed to be getting looser, Kise."
Tears filled the corner of the blonde's eyes. "Do it softer, Aominecchi!" He tried to move his arms, but Aomine pushed down on his shoulders. "Aominecchi!"
Aomine let out a groan and pulled back. "Fine! We're done!" He got off the bed and stood over Kise. "Feeling better?"
Kise sat up on his knees as both of his hands went to rub his shoulders. "Ah!" Kise widened his eyes in surprise. "The soreness is gone!" He rolled his shoulders back and then forward a couple of times. "Thank you Aominecchi!" Kise said as he beamed at the taller male.
Yet again, thank you for everyone's support!
Personal thanks to:
hitomi65 - Ah, thank you once again!
Aiko Namikara - Thank you, thank you, thank you! I guess, and I will probably plan something along the lines of that for a future chapter! I am planning on adding in Satsuki soon...probably! I'm happy you love this fic!
cristianamartinsb - Thank you and I will! Ah, I'm happy you like the AkaKuro fluff!
Shadow of an Echo - *faints from giddiness* Reading your review really...REALLY made me extremely happy! Yes! I will be bringing Takao in! Ah, your faith in me...I am smiling right now! Okay, I promise to be more confident! I, myself, can't wait to introduce their powers too! I have the warm fuzzy feeling everywhere! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Sakamaki Hikaru - You too? Me too! I ship them so much!
thecoldforest - Yes, come to the AkaKuro side! Haha, I don't ship KagaKuro, but I think they're a cute pairing! Thank you for the review!
Kuroikun - I'm happy it's growing on you!
MissSexyRain - Yes, yes he does! It's been lying (and still is) dormant. I hope this chapter will answer some of your questions!
Liz1569 - Thank you and here it is!
I hope this chapter was satisfying, though it was a bit shorter I would say...
And I hope that the omakes were okay and that the last one let your imagination run! *wink wink*
I really don't have anything else to say...because all of you have made me speechless with your support! Of course though, constructive criticism is always welcomed too!