Oh my god, I hadn't realized that it's been such a long time since an update! Before anyone berates me, though, it's not because I've forgotten this, but rather, it's taking me a really long time to write it. That, and I may or may not have been slacking off /shot/.

Unfortunately, it's still rather dry, and the trend will be continuing for the foreseeable future. Do bear with it, though! I can't bring myself to toss fantastical and (mostly) conjured information at you without a proper foundation set in place. Things do get better, don't worry. When, I can't really say. But I hope that you'll all stick around until then. (:

Thanks so much for the wonderful reviews and all the support! I enjoyed reading all of your theories. Some of you actually came quite close, tbh. It makes me wonder if this hasn't already been written. Q.Q

Anyway, without further ado, the very-much-delayed chapter! Let me know what you think of it after!

The wind was cold and unforgiving, sneaking into every crevice it could find in the thick woollen coat he wore as soon as he left the blanketing warmth of the car. Akashi stopped to ponder the unlit sign on the façade of the building and checked his watch again as one of his bodyguards went ahead to scope the entrance. It was three minutes to eight. Midorima had informed him that he was scheduled for an appointment at eight. Akashi glanced up when his bodyguard reappeared, shaking his head to confirm what he already knew.

"No one's in, boss," the man said as he came closer. He didn't bother asking if Midorima had given him the right information. People who made that mistake soon realized that Akashi took it as an insult to himself. Another minute ticked by as the men that stood in a loose circle around him looked at him questioningly, waiting for his order.

He'd just made his decision when he heard a soft voice by his side.

"Good morning, Akashi-san." Blinking, Akashi nodded slightly in acknowledgement. He didn't like being snuck up on like that. He raised a hand to halt his men as they belatedly realized that there was another presence beside their boss and waved at them as a signal to put away the half-drawn weapons.

"Running a bit late, are we, Kuroko-san?" He asked, his lips curving upward in a pleasant smile. His men exchanged glances, recognizing the sarcasm that was laced into the words. Their leader was not a man who tolerated getting stood up, even if he had requested something unreasonable. Akashi rarely bared his fangs, but he wasn't one to smile gently if it wasn't in a social setting. All eyes landed on the smallest man present. Kuroko merely nodded in reply, his face betraying no sense of worry or nervousness. The guards shared looks again.

"The clinic is usually closed on Tuesdays, but I was informed by your secretary that this was urgent. Unfortunately, I had to send Kagami-kun to the hospital so I got caught up in the morning rush on my way back." While he explained, Kuroko walked through the barrier of guards and led the way up the stairs to the office. He pulled out a keycard and swiped it through the slot on the device and then keyed in a code. There was a short beep and the door lock released. The pale-skinned man pulled the door open and preceded the entourage into the darkened office. He moved to a small door, opened it, fiddled with something inside and the room was bathed in light.

He turned back to the group of men who had been hovering near the door. "If you are ready, shall we go to my office?"

Akashi nodded, turning down the corridor that led to the office. A pair of his guards broke away from the group and followed behind, but stopped when Akashi shook his head at them. "This is a private meeting."

Stone-faced, the pair stationed themselves on either side of the door which Akashi and Kuroko passed through, their eyes quietly assessing the blue-haired man as he walked past them. The door shut with a soft click after Kuroko, only to open again almost immediately. Blank blue eyes looked up at the two.

"I apologize, for this is not usually my station, but if any of you would like something to eat, the pantry is beside the reception desk. You and your colleagues are welcome to help yourselves to anything in there."

The door shut again before either of them could respond, and Kuroko made his way around the desk to sit down. Akashi was looking around, his gaze lingering longer on the jar with the mushroom that had nearly killed him.

"I was surprised to see that Aomine-san and Kise-san were not part of your entourage," Kuroko said, clasping his hands atop the table.

"I sent them on some errands. There were other things that required their attention." Akashi answered. The silence settled over them as they sized the other up again. Kuroko didn't want to be the first to address the elephant in the room. Akashi, on the other hand, knew that if he was direct, the other man would have no qualms in refusing him flat-out. He had to approach the matter delicately.

"I was told that this was regarding an urgent matter," Kuroko began, letting the words hang in the air like a question.

Akashi leaned back comfortably and crossed his legs. He studied Kuroko closely, marvelling at how there wasn't even the slightest tick in his expressionless façade despite the scrutinization. There was another reason Akashi was there. One that wasn't such a delicate matter. That, he could be blunt about. "You are aware of my insomnia?"

"Of course."

"That medicine that you provided for me during my stay in the hospital was a remarkable cure to it," Akashi went on. Kuroko remained silent, eyes intent. "I have tried many alternatives, but nothing has worked."

"You want me to brew another bottle for you?"

The corner of the redhead's lips quirked upwards in a crooked smile. "Yes and no. I want you to work for me. And when I say that, I mean exclusively for me. I will pay you handsomely for your services, of course, and before you protest-" he interrupted Kuroko's attempt, "- I am not asking that you do anything illegal. I just require you to be there on call for emergencies and to provide me with a constant supply of the medicine."

"If it's just that which you want, there's no need for me to work only for you," Kuroko argued, the slight edge to his voice the only hint at his obstinacy.

"Your naiveté is a breath of fresh air in such troubling times," Akashi said drily. He leaned forward, elbows on the desk, until Kuroko's vision was filled with his mismatched eyes. "You are a trophy. People who don't like me will want to claim you for themselves. Once they know what it is that I employ you for, things will get much more complicated for you and me."

Cyan blue eyes glanced away, the slight tightening of his lips indicating that he was feeling troubled. Akashi paid close attention to those signs. Kuroko had proven to be a rather difficult person to convince thus far, mainly because he was a closed book. He needed to thread closely if he wanted Kuroko to be loyal to him and him alone.

He'd really rather not kill his only hope at getting a good night's rest.

Letting out a sigh, Akashi resumed his earlier position and flashed Kuroko a winning smile. "If you're wondering why I'm going to such lengths for you, it's because lack of sleep has really inconvenienced me. Killing you will be of no use to me, and I detest waste."

"I still don't see wh-"

"It is for your own safety," Akashi interjected, a hard glitter in his eyes. "My name will protect you."

"I told you before that I do not need protection." Kuroko retorted. Akashi paused, searching Kuroko's face for hints of what he was feeling. It was tedious, having to analyse a person so closely to predict their response, but he was also incredibly intrigued. The man was a challenge, and Akashi enjoyed challenges.

"And I thought it was understood that you were not allowed to refuse again."

"What you're asking for is absurd," Kuroko said, a tiny frown creasing his forehead. Akashi took this to mean that the pale-skinned man was reasonably worked up. "I cannot give up my practice and everything else that I have earned and just laze about all day until I receive a call."

"I did not say that you were unable to do anything else," Akashi pointed out. "You are allowed to do anything you wish within my household."

Kuroko's eyes narrowed imperceptibly. "Within your household?"

"Of course," dichromatic eyes widened as though surprised that Kuroko didn't know it already. "We can't have you gallivanting around Tokyo, now."

The bluenette shook his head vehemently. "This is getting out of hand. I can't agree to such terms."

"My estate is large, and you will not find any issue regarding your privacy."

"But I am to live within those walls without being able to leave as I please?"

Akashi contemplated his words. He could feel Kuroko drawing away from him. As much as he wanted to keep the man under close surveillance, he knew that it was not the right approach to convincing him. He generally did not trust people living under fake aliases, but Kuroko did not seem like a threat.

"You may have your freedom to move as you please," he said at last. There were many ways to keep track of someone without their knowledge. Akashi was well acquainted with most of the methods. It had been one of the reasons he had not only survived, but thrived in Tokyo's underworld. He was well at home in the shadows. "Do you have any other concerns?"

Kuroko blinked slowly, mulling over the question. He was not naïve enough to believe that being granted his freedom would mean that he was unmonitored. But that would not be an issue for him.

"Kagami-kun and Momoi-san," he said in reply. Akashi quirked an eyebrow in askance. "They are the only people I know in Japan. I do not want to be taken away from them."

Akashi resisted the urge to sigh again. Didn't the man realize that he was already bending over backwards for him? He had half a mind to dispose of the other two. Kuroko would know that it was him, though. He exhaled, stifling a yawn. He needed sleep badly. Before he could say anything else, however, Kuroko went on.

"I also require a workshop for my work since I'll have to close down my practice. And it'll have to be away from the main populace because the fumes may be harmful. I also require a way to regulate the temperature and humidity."

Akashi's smile was more than a little mocking. "Is that all?"

Kuroko levelled him with a very serious look. "For now."

"Very well," Akashi said with a nod. "Your workshop will be ready for you when you move in."

The way those cool blue eyes held his gaze was strange and somewhat disconcerting. As one of the most powerful men in Japan, he wasn't used to someone of a much lower social standing looking at him as an equal.

"You forgot about my friends."

The redhead would have winced if it had been in his nature to. "You are able to move freely about, you can visit them as frequently as you wish."

Kuroko was silent, and Akashi didn't have to try very hard to figure out what he was thinking. He hated being held at a disadvantage like this. There were other ways he could get Kuroko to work for him; ways that were much less tedious. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to treat the other man with the contempt he usually reserved for others.

"I hope you realize what you are asking of me," Akashi said quietly. Kuroko didn't bat an eyelid. He was so close, they both knew it. But to let in not just one stranger, but three into his household was absurdity. No one even knew what their real names were. For a second, he wondered if Midorima had been right. Perhaps Kuroko had pushed him away for so long only so he would agree to let all three of them into his home. He looked over the other man once again.

His frame was small for a man, with slim shoulders and thin arms. He noticed that there wasn't any excess fat on the body, but there were no evidence of muscle either. Kuroko was also extremely pale, a clear indication that he preferred the indoors to the outdoors. His fingers were delicate, and his hands showed no signs of having ever encountered any form of labour. Beside Kagami, Kuroko was comically dwarfed, which emphasized the fact that the redhead was the one to watch. Akashi was also not dull enough to dismiss the female. In his experience, they were usually the deadliest.

Then again, the tall redhead was sporting a broken leg, and beside an unsettling infatuation with Kuroko, he could see no potential threat in the pink-haired woman.

And who was he to judge, when the world he lived in was filled with deceit and hidden agendas? It was not that uncommon for people to change identities. If Kuroko was running from something, he could use that as leverage to keep him around.

All things considered, it was a high stakes gamble to agree to Kuroko's condition. And as much as he hated to admit it even to himself, Akashi was not confident enough of his odds to roll the dice.

"I'm afraid I have to draw the line at your friends," Akashi finally said, after minutes had ticked by. "It is cumbersome enough to have to keep watch over one stranger. My men will not take to their presence well."

Kuroko looked at him stoically. The redhead wondered if Kuroko really thought it was within his ability to refuse. One thing many people learn soon enough when dealing with Akashi was that 'no' really wasn't a wise option.

"Fine," the bluenette sighed. He had known that Akashi would not agree to such a request. Still, it had been worth a shot. "But I have your word that I shall be able to move as I please?"

"You have my word," Akashi echoed, wondering at how there would be a person in this day and age who would put so much faith in the word of a criminal. Standing up, Akashi took on his business tone. "I will send a car for you in three days. Make sure you are prepared."

Picking up his coat that he had folded over the back of his chair, he left without another word. Kuroko remained in his seat, absentmindedly toying with a pen as he listened to the sounds of Akashi and his men leaving. It was only after a few seconds of absolute silence that he rolled his shoulders and leaned back in his chair.

"Coast is clear," he muttered aloud.

In an empty office lot in the building that was to his back across the street, the long black muzzle lowered from its perch on the windowsill. From the small earpiece that was tucked in his ear he received a short reply. "Copy that."

xx

As the convoy drove back towards Akashi's home, the said man was watching the scenery whiz by, uncharacteristically lost in thought. He had two important meetings to see to and he was expecting word regarding the assassination of his undercover man, but all he could think about was Kuroko Tetsuya. He was perturbed by the events that had unfolded in the man's office. He had been made to feel like he was the one being held hostage. There were things that Akashi didn't like, and there were things that he wanted to set fire to. Being treated the way Kuroko had treated him was something that he detested more than being made to wait.

The man was an enigma, a challenge that he would enjoy piecing together if only he didn't feel like Kuroko was the one with the upper hand.

Despite the irritation he felt at being led along, he felt a tiny sliver of something else. It took a lot for someone to look at Akashi steadily, and to not respond to the intimidation that others felt just by being in his presence. Kuroko Tetsuya had not been rude or disrespectful at all. Stubborn and difficult, yes. He had an air of calm assurance that clashed violently with Akashi's densely powerful aura. The man looked like running up a flight of stairs would leave him winded, and yet he had been quite composed in Akashi's company.

The man was either dull, or there was very much more to him than what Akashi could deduct from his assessments. He was no fool. He knew that despite his small stature, Kuroko Tetsuya could be a very dangerous foe. This was why he had been more willing to compromise.

It was a short list of people that Akashi would trust his life with. The list of people whom he respected was shorter still. It seemed that before long, Kuroko Tetsuya would find his way onto that list.

xx

Kagami was lounging on the couch watching an over-dramatized reality TV show with the volume turned down. The two squabbling women on screen had been at it for nearly ten minutes and his head was starting to hurt. He heard the key in the lock and twisted around, waiting for the door to reveal his friends.

"Hey," he greeted, as soon as the pair entered the foyer. "Welcome back."

"We're back," Kuroko and Momoi responded in unison as they toed off their shoes. Kuroko headed to the kitchen on the left while Momoi disappeared into her bedroom down the hall on the right.

"So," Kagami said loudly, so that the pink-haired woman would be able to hear him from her room. "I have good news and bad news."

"Good news," Kuroko said automatically without turning away from the counter where he was making himself a drink. Kagami opened his mouth to answer but paused with a raised eyebrow as he saw Kuroko reach for the bottle of sherry they kept on the countertop for those rare, miraculous occasions when Kagami felt like cooking. He watched with interest as Kuroko tipped the contents of the bottle into his cup, straightened it, and then with a slight, contemplative tilt to his head, added more.

"Before that," the redhead said, "How'd the meeting go with your yakuza buddy?"

"Pretty good," Momoi answered, appearing from her room in a pair of shorts and a loose t-shirt. She, too, raised an eyebrow as she caught sight of Kuroko returning the sherry to its spot. She glanced at Kagami who merely shrugged. "I didn't have to shoot anything."

Kagami grinned. "That must have been a disappointment. I'm sure you'll get another chance some other time."

"Shut up," Momoi said, rolling her eyes.

"Akashi-san agreed to most of my terms," Kuroko said, leaving the kitchen to join the pair. He took a sip of his drink. "And he doesn't suspect a thing. I think we did very well."

"Most of them?" Kagami queried, leveraging himself on the back of the couch with an arm stretched out so he could look at them better. "What didn't he agree to?"

"He won't let you two into the compound," the blue-eyed man replied. He swallowed a huge gulp of his drink. "But I'm allowed to move as I wish, so it shouldn't be a problem."

"You realize that just because you're able to move about, it doesn't mean that you'll be free?" Momoi pointed out.

Kuroko shrugged. "I know, but if the situation calls for it, I can drop the tail easily."

Kagami grunted an agreement while Momoi nodded. Blue eyes turned to the redhead. "So, what was that news you mentioned?"

"Well," Kagami drawled. He pushed himself away from the back of the sofa and stood up. "I'm completely healed."

His roommates stared at him, and then peered over the edge of the couch at his legs. Kagami had taken to wearing shorts due to the cast, so they could clearly see both legs. The leg he had injured looked completely normal, lacking the usual paler and thinner appearance that resulted from being constricted to a cast for a long period of time.

"It's only been two months," Kuroko muttered, his eyebrows knitting in a frown. He looked up at the wry smile on Kagami's face. "What's the bad news?"

"I'm completely healed," Kagami said, shrugging. "Looks like you're gonna need to tweak your work a bit."

"It would seem so," Kuroko mumbled. He moved to Kagami's side, set his cup on the table, and gestured for Kagami to lift his leg onto the couch. Momoi watched curiously as Kuroko examined the leg, prodding the flesh around the spot where the break had happened and feeling the muscles beneath the skin.

"Completely healed?" He asked, as he inspected the limb.

"Yeah. Doc showed me an x-ray. You can't even see where the bone cracked." The redhead replied. "He spent fifteen minutes telling me it's not humanly possible to be completely healed in two months."

"Hmm," the smaller man hummed. He halted his ministrations and stood back, pursing his lips. He locked eyes with the other man. "We're going to need to break it again."

"What?!" The redhead exclaimed. "You said just once. I ain't doing it again, that shit hurts!"

"I need to test the compound again after making adjustments to its composition," Kuroko said calmly.

"Why don't we test it on you, then?" Kagami growled, eyes narrowed. There was nothing good about being in a cast for months. Not only had he been bored out of his mind, it had been excruciatingly itchy.

"Don't be silly," Kuroko retorted. Red eyes narrowed further. "If I am injured while in Akashi-san's estate it will be a huge inconvenience."

"I don't care," the taller of the two said petulantly. "I'd rather roll over and die than do that again."

Kuroko cocked an eyebrow. "Are you su—"

"You'll never take me alive," Kagami declared before spinning on his heels and bolting down the hall into his room. The remaining two stood in silence, staring at each other over the couch. Kuroko opened his mouth but was interrupted by Momoi.

"You really did promise him that it was one time," she said. Seeing his expression change, she added hurriedly. "And I don't fit the criteria."

Kuroko's mouth snapped shut in a small pout, which Momoi found incredibly endearing. Nevertheless, the situation was precarious, and she was not safe there. With a hasty excuse, she, too, vanished into her room, leaving Kuroko with the manic screaming on the TV and his cup of sherry to keep him company.

xx

The bell chimed as the door swung open, sharp and crisp in the damp morning air. The sun was barely over the horizon, and the door had been unlocked for all of fifteen minutes when the first customer walked in.

"Good morning, Sir!" the voice of the latest addition to the staff was nearly as sharp as the bell. She stood behind the counter, practiced smile on her face as she waited for the curiously clad man to lumber through the shop at his own pace. His head moved around as though he was browsing through the displays, but there was a pair of dark sunglasses perched on his nose that seemed far too thick for England's measly excuse of a sunny day. She blinked, smoothing out the furrows in her eyebrows that had appeared unconsciously and replacing the smile when his head swivelled back to her. His face was mostly shielded from view by a hat and a thick, dark scarf that wound up around his neck. There was barely any skin left exposed, and all she managed to see were a few strands of blonde hair under the hat.

"How may I help you?" She asked politely when he did nothing but stand still once he reached her. A gloved hand disappeared into a pocket, and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. Pushing it across the counter, he left his hand on the countertop as he waited for her to read the contents. "Oh, the special mix! Just a second!"

She disappeared through a door that led to the back of the establishment with the receipt. The man continued to gaze around idly, fingers tapping soundlessly on the glass top. The door swung open again minutes later to reveal a burly man in his fifties. He carried a small, expensive-looking box and approached the customer.

"Good day, Sir," he greeted amicably in a heavy accent. "I take it you're the gentleman who ordered the custom box of Nicaraguan cigars?"

It was a pointless question, seeing as the man was the only customer in the shop, but he nodded, nonetheless, and reached out to take the box.

"Funny, that," the larger of the two men continued on as he handed the object over, seemingly unperturbed by the lack of a verbal response. "You're only the second customer who's ever ordered it. It's a pity, though, those lovelies pack a punch. I'm surprised no one else has come up with the blend before."

Still without a word, the man produced a wad of notes and dropped them on the counter. He tucked the box away inside his coat as he turned around and walked out.

"Thanks for coming," the voice followed him out the door. "Have a good day, Sir!"

The bell rang loudly again as the door swung open and shut. The man who remained waited for a few seconds before he gingerly picked up the bills and peered at them curiously. He glanced at the clock on the wall as he dropped the money and reached for his cellphone. The number he called was not on his contact list, but he had memorized it years ago. It rang three times before he heard a soft voice.

"Good evening Mister Black, sorry to be calling you so late," he said, leaning his elbows on the glass on either side of the money. "But I've just had a visitor that I'm sure you'll be very interested in."

xx

There was a sharp knock on the door to his office that had his accountant pausing in the middle of his report to glance up. Akashi called for the person to enter while he gestured for the man before him to continue. The door opened to reveal a very annoyed Midorima, who proceeded to enter the room and shut the door behind him. Akashi raised an eyebrow at that. Midorima did not usually interrupt his meetings. If the green-haired man entered his room in the middle of a briefing, it was generally because of something urgent. Akashi held up a hand to halt the accountant, who turned around again to study the newcomer.

"What is it, Shintarou?"

"I have made a rather important discovery which I believe requires your immediate attention."

Akashi was mildly surprised at how straightforward his secretary was being. He was, after all, a very strong advocate of beating around the bush. Heterochromatic eyes turned back to the accountant who was already packing up his things.

"I do apologize for this, We will continue tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Sir," the man replied with a deep bow. He kept his eyes down as he exited the room, shutting the door soundlessly.

"Well?" Akashi prompted, reclining in his seat. "What is it?"

Midorima crossed the room and handed him a thick folder before he spoke. "I looked into the Phantom like you requested."

"And?" Akashi insisted, sounding slightly irked at the slow flow of information. If he didn't know better, he'd think that Midorima was trying to be dramatic.

"There was nothing conclusive," Midorima said. Red and gold eyes looked up at him, blinking slowly. He swallowed discreetly. "He lives up to his name."

"I expect a better reason for interrupting a meeting, Shintarou."

"I did, however, manage to find something," he said quickly before Akashi could go on. "The Phantom is famous mainly because no one alive has ever seen him. He leaves no trails, no witnesses, nothing. No one is even sure of a way of contacting him. From what I could gather, word passes around the grapevine until someone ends up dead. The only sign that it was done by the Phantom is a lack of evidence. This also means that his status is unconfirmed. Some say he's a vigilante, some say he's a mercenary. There has even been talk of a secret government organization that he works for. It is impossible to derive anything of the man as he does not have a known preferred method, nor does he seem to have a specific range of targets. He has been rumoured to have terminated people on either side of the law."

Akashi let the silence linger for a few moments until he was quite sure that Midorima was done. "This isn't very much of a 'something'."

"What I discovered," Midorima continued, taking a deep breath. "Is that the recent murders in Japan that are said to be done by the Phantom all have evidence left behind. Planted, in fact."

"That could mean nothing," Akashi said dismissively. "He could merely be following his employer's orders."

"The thought did occur to me," the green-eyed man replied, resisting the annoyed twitching around his eye that usually gave him away. "The letter 'P' that was carved into the bullets was in no way related to any of the relevant parties in any of the cases, and the cigar that is left behind in each crime scene was traced back to a small shop outside London. It requires a custom order, and there have only ever been two customers who have asked for it."

Akashi steepled his fingers and looked at his right hand man contemplatively. "Someone is trying to draw him out into the open?"

Midorima nodded. "I believe so. It appears that we have been thrown into the crossfires of someone else's war."