CHAPTER 4: RED HANDED
TWENTY YEARS AGO, it was back then when people were desperate to try and bring the Akashi Corporation down. They have not yet understood the correct order of things and tried to pull the family down, which in due time they will learn to be futile. But let's get back to the time when they had knew no better. Akashi Corporation by an unknown young bachelor then, back then Akashi didn't showed himself to the public yet. He didn't saw much importance in public appearance back then. After all no one from his company ever tried to pry on the matter.
But people, yes, they are creatures who love to test the water. And so one man did once, he was so desperate he called upon a gunman—an assassin. The boy was born in United States, an orphaned. He was adopted by a man who run a syndicate and taught the boy to be an assassin. Then he went back to Japan and was hired. His name is Himuro Tatsuya, his way of assassination is quite different though. Unlike others he investigates his target first, then he executes his plan.
And which he realize there was something odd about the man behind Akashi Corporation. Trying to gather information about the man was as difficult as trying to find a single needle in the wide records when he tried confirming each and every information they had on the civil registry. Then he realized one thing, whatever these names are to Akashi, it is important to the man. So he did what he thought might've been the best. He tracked the four names, but he only was able to come contact with one.
Muraskibara Atsushi, a confectioner. Looks can be deceiving that was one thing he thought of the man, despite his huge built and very tall stature, he spoke like a five year old, loves sweets and can be tricked into anything using sweets. He enrolled in his classes and tried to egg him into a conversation in which many times had failed him.
Until a slip of a tongue caused him pinned to the wall. For the first time he felt the real sense of danger. Under the bored eyes of the purple eyed giant Himuro felt so small, so weak, so vulnerable and exposed. The man was not just strong, he is inhumanly strong. His arms pinned up above his head by a single hand while the other was forcing his chin up to face the man. "What do you need from Aka-chin?" he asked. Himuro despite being under such pressured still managed to take note of that familiarity he used for his before he could speak the man pushed him further, his back impossible close to the concrete wall.
"I…" Himuro gritted his teeth snarling at the taller male, he wriggled from the grip but it was futile he tried to kick but as soon as he was about to Murasakibara stepped on his foot making him hiss in pain.
"Answer."
Himuro hated it, he hates being looked down upon. He hated being pitied.
"I'll fucking kill all of you!" he exclaimed loudly. "You imbeciles who knew nothing, you who grew never setting your feet on a dirt! I'll make you regret you ever lived!"
Murasakibara stared at him for a moment before speaking, "I hate people who keeps trying when its obvious they cant win."
"I will still strive and I'll triumph!"
Murasakibara Atsushi, since the day he was born he was endowed with the abnormal strength that could rival ten hybrid's strength. He always had believed in true and inborn skills, unlike Kuroko's capabilities his was natural, he had it within and known it as he know of himself. So he didn't understand him, or him. Why do they continue to strive to try, they'd fail eventually anyway. Lost in his thoughts Himuro was able to slightly push Murasakibara away.
Quickly he ran to grab the nearest pointed object which was fork. Without thinking he surged forward to the taller male stabbing him with the silverware. Himuro's eyes widen when Murasakibara's didn't even made a change of expression. He wasn't bleeding either.
"I just do not understand…" Murasakibara stared at the object in his chest, pulling it out it fell on the floor and made a sound as it came contact. Why, it was the question that riled up in his mind over and over as he saw flashbacks of the similar incident. They always try to keep civil with humans, they keep on trying to blend in, develop things that somehow will soon prove them as capable creatures to be in harmony with them. Nijimura always told them to never use their capabilities towards people, not to hurt them no matter what. For this earth were theirs to begin with and they were merely an accidental element so they have to be the one to adjust to them. Why is it that they always have to be the one to get hurt? They were more powerful than these humans, they were more capable. "We try and keep our end of the deal, why don't you?"
"W-What are you talking about?" Himuro staggered back. Himuro's eyes were caught with the way Murasakibara's usually bored eyes were full of anger, of despair, of sadness. Which didn't made sense for him.
"…M-Muro-chin too." Murasakibara's voice mellowed down his hand suddenly reaching to grab the speechless raven haired. Himuro's eyes went wide. "Why…everyone wants us gone? We're not doing anything wrong, I…don't want to hurt Muro-chin too."
The world was cruel, and every little kindness it saw it made sure it would crush it. But Murasakibara's arms around him, his tight hug, his quivering arms begging him to stay, to not force him to hurt me. He had killed many people, he had heard countless of pleas, to spear their lives but this time he heard a different plea-a plea to change his mind to save his own life.
He remember someone once asked him…what will you do, if the person you'd take a bullet for, is the man behind the trigger.
This case he chose to take the bullet anyway…for him who was behind the trigger.
For some unknown reason he felt tears run down his cheeks for the first time. His arms felt weak, and his body ached for contact. Until then his sobs erupted and he was unable to control the overwhelming emotions, he buried his face on the taller man's chest wishing his cries were not loud. His arms reached for Murasakibara's back clenching the fabric tightly as assurance.
His head hurts, he felt disoriented. He slowly opened his eyes, only to be welcomed by an unfamiliar ceiling. His senses was filled by a scent he knew so well. His body ached to be wrapped in the soft sheets around him. Rolling in his stomach he pulled the sheets closer to himself. Its cramped—he thought, he cannot move much as he usually could. Realizing that Kuroko bolted up—wrong move as he suddenl;y was attacked by utterly pain in his head and sudden weakness in his muscles causing him to fall back on the couch with a groan. He shifted on a comfortable position sniffing the scent from the blanket and the pillow. Closing his eyes he tried to remember where he smelled that scent. And the first image that came to his mind made him bolt up again.
"What the!"
Kuroko's eyes immediately landed on a pair of fiery red ones. First thing that came to his mind was…WHERE ON EARTH WAS HE? Looking around Kuroko found himself in an unknown territory. This is definitely not their house. Suddenly he felt another dizzy spell coming and so he placed his hand his head hissing slightly. "Hey, are you really okay, maybe I should bring you to the hospital." Kagami said running towards Kuroko. Kuroko shook his head.
"No, don't…" His throat felt dry, he thought before licking his lips.
"But really you don't look good."
Kuroko shook his head again, before looking at Kagami. "Thank you very much for everything but…I'd appreciate it if you don't bring me to the hospital."
"Are you sure?"
"if I'm an inconvenience I'd be fine, I'll just go home and—"
"That I can't let you do." Kagami said sighing, "I can't let you walk like that, in that state."
Kuroko stared at the man, he's starting to believe this man is just kind. No, but trusting that's…
"I'll get some water."
Kuroko pursed his lips, this man…is he trying to deceive him? What for? His eyes searched the room. It's quiet and spacious for a single person but yes, there was no other presence in the room other than the two of them. He noticed a few magazines under the coffee table—basketball, huh? aside from the magazines the room is unbelievably neat for a men's room. Perhaps he has a girlfriend who comes by to clean? The quietness seemed contradicting Kagami's personality, but somehow the whole place smells like home. Kuroko turned as he heard Kagami's heavy footsteps on the floor, the man walking towards him with a glass of water.
After downing the water Kuroko felt a little better. Kagami gave a sigh of relief.
"You scared the hell out of me." Kagami started. "Ah, any—"
"Kagami-kun…do you mind if I…"
"Huh?"
"Use your …shower I—"
"Ah yeah but—"
"And borrow some of your clothes?"
Kagami blinked, "Ah, yeah sure."
After showing Kuroko the showering Kagami left him with a pair of white shirt that Alex bought which was too small and pair of well unused underwear he bought—which were well too small, he's American size after all. Meanwhile Kuroko started the shower, he closed his eyes trying to calm his nerves, since this morning every single cell in his body were strained and he has no idea why. It's a bad idea of surrounding himself of Kagami's scent too, it is making him way too comfortable—which is bad, he's becoming less cautious. The water runs down his body, slowly Kagami's scent was slowly fading from the vapors. This was just bad he thought, his body was reacting to the lost of the scent, his fangs were growing. Without further thoughts he stopped the shower and quickly dried himself. He grab the clothes and dressed himself, he didn't even gave a thought on the size of the clothes which were relatively bigger especially the shirt.
His heart pounding in his chest calmed down as the fabric came contact with him, he loved the scent in the material. He knew it was a bad manner to sniff people's clothes but he could not just help. After finally calming down Kuroko stepped out as soon as he did he heard a music playing, he didn't quite understand the words so he bet it was Western.
"Kagami-kun." He called. Turning his head to Kuroko's direction Kagami scratched the back of his head. "Uhm, you don't mind right?"
Kuroko nodded walking towards Kagami and the couch. Kuroko listened to the song, he liked it, at least he couldn't hear his heart or any other noises which were supposed to be indistinguishable to human ears. Kagami on the pther hand tried not to stare much, he swore it was just…well, his legs were just thin like a female's or maybe even better—wait, what? Kagami clasped his mouth to prevent his mouth from saying anything, he felt his face burnt against the palm of his hand. Who wouldn't be his shirt looked well on him—too well! He mentally cursed himself from admiring that boy way too much. He's charming, okay?
Too much for his liking that is.
"What song are you playing Kagami-kun?"
"A-Ah,"Damn, don't stutter! "I-Its…uhm Look After You."
"…uh…I see."
"You like it?"
"I'm not good in English."
Kagami chuckled, "I'll teach you sometime." He said as Kuroko sat on the couch. Kagami noted the way Kuroko looked so fragile on his shirt, so small. His skin was so flawless, almost like a porcelain doll's. But somehow it disturbed him, his small hand is not just white but pale. "Are you…anemic?"
Kuroko looked up at Kagami, "I…"
"Its fine. No need to answer."
"Kagami-kun."
"What?"
"Thank you." Kuroko said looking at his hands, he turned to look at Kagami and stood bowing his head.
"H-hey, w-what? What for?"
Raising his head Kuroko asked himself the same thing and there were just numerous things he could come up with but settled for the simplest, "For everything."
Kagami's face burned as he looked at the smaller male's eyes, they reminded him of the afternoon sky, like the cloudless afternoon sky. Like the calm color of the ocean. They were deep and mysterious, cold and yet very welcoming.
Breathtaking
"Kagami-kun is such a nice person but I…" Kuroko gulped, paused and clenched his hands in his side, "Kagami-kun please after this…please don't come near me ever again."
Kagami's eyes widen, "What? I really don't get you."
"I'm a dangerous person to be with I'll just—"
"Huh? Why are you from Yakuza?"
"Ah, N-No…I—"
"Are you from the Mafia?"
"No."
"Gang?"
Kuroko sighed flicked Kagami's forehead, "OW!" Kagami rubbed his forehead. "What's wrong with you?"
"Let me talk first." Kuroko said. He turned away, "I…Kagami-kun is nice and being with me, it would drag you in a mess."
"What mess?"
"I'm dangerous."
Kagami raised a brow at him staring at Kuroko from head to toe, "You? Dangerous?"
"As difficult to believe it, yes I am and I…" Kuroko sighed, "…I don't want to endanger Kagami-kun."
"I can take care of myself." Kagami said firmly.
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"Are you telling me who to likeand who to not?" Kagami exclaimed narrowing his eyes at the teal haired teacher, "Because most definitely you can't do that, you can't decide that for me."
"…" Kuroko stared at Kagami. He could not have heard it wrong. "Kagami-kun."
"What now?"
"…what did you mean when you said…like?"
Now it was Kagami's turned to be shock, did he just said that? He turn away blushing. He didn't mean to sputter those, well he did admire the boy, physical attractions aside there was something else he liked about him. It was the way he looked at children, the way he speaks, the brilliance in his eyes. The way e spoke, the way Kagami felt comfortable talking to him. Everything about him…
Kuroko stared at the man blushing…he likes Kagami too, but Kagami… probably liked him in different way than he does to him.
Its one of the part of being vampires, they always look attractive in the eyes of humans. It's like a flower's innate ability to produce such alluring scents for the insects to come to them.
It was just wrong, he should push him away now…or it would be too late. No one could ever truly like him, no one could…his hands, if they knew about it he'd surely run away. If he learnt about them, about the real him, he would leave. He would get scared. Or perhaps he only assuming things? After all the culture here and in US are different, what if he's the only one taking this in this way?
Biting his lip Kuroko staggered back, his head spinning again. Before he knew it he was falling again.
"Wha-!"
"One day you'll find him."
"Who?" Kuroko asked Nijimira, the man laughed pulling the boy in a hug.
"A person who will see you when you're invisible."
Kuroko stared at the blury image of Kagami frantically reaching for him, his body felt heavy and before he knew it…
THUD!
Kuroko stared at Kagami on top of him…His eyes, his eyes they were looking at him, they were…looking at this invisible shadow like it was the only thing that mattered then. It hurts thinking how this may be only an act, and yet he wish it would last. He wished he would continue to look at him, only at him. Tears started forming in the corners of his eyes as he stare at him without blinking. He wanted to be selfish for once, in this situation he didn't want to hear or to know if the only reason he is looking that way at him was due to the spellbound, or something greater, he just want him.
"Kuro-chin?"
Kuroko's eyes widen, wait that was…he turned to the doorway and found the most unexpected sight. Standing by the door was Murasakibara Atsushi and Himuro Tatsuya. Kuroko emmidiately feared Kagami's safety as he felt his brother's killing intent from the distance. Himuro slowly turned their way, and his eyes comically widening, before a loud…
"KAGAMI TAIGA!"
Kagami turned to Kuroko and the two unexpected guess, he soon realized how it probably looked at the two. In speed he didn't knew he possessed he detached himself from Kuroko.
"I-I can explain!"
"Atsushi what's the meaning of this?"
Kuroko Tetsuya heard the commotion from his room and quickly went down to the living room finding an unfamiliar face among his brothers. Kuroko could feel Akashi's boiling rage, Midorima's disagreement and Aomine's utter reluctance on the matter. Standing behind Murasakibara was a shorter male with jet black hair. Kuroko for a moment thought someone else was standing there, someone not Murasakibara. He had never since such absolution in his eyes. The way Murasakibara held the shorter male pulling him behind him in a protective manner—from Akashi.
Murasakibara being the middle child was often spoiled rotten by Akashi, he was also one of the most submissive to Akashi, the one who was most scared of him. He never questioned Akashi, never tried to stand his way.
"You're scaring Muro-chin." Murasakibara said. The jet black haired man's hand pulled the back of Murasakibara's shirt as he tried to stood next to Murasakibara and appear braver. Kuroko could feel the slight twitch from the human, he's scared but he wanted to stand by Murasakibara in full courage.
"Murasakibara do you have any idea of what you are doing?" Midorima said crossing his arms in his chest narrowing his eyes on the human. "And bringing him in here, are you probably gotten totally retarded?"
"Please don't speak like that to Atsushi." Himuro said with much conviction, his eyes full of resolve as he stepped forward looking at Midorima full in the eyes. Kuroko was astonished beyond words, such courage. Kuroko watching the sight saw the anger in Akashi's eyes, he hated it whenever someone—a human especially, tries to speak up without being asked.
"Muro-chin!" Murasakibara exclaimed trying to pull the human to his side, "Aka-chin's—"
"You can talk ill about me! I don't care, they're probably true anyways. You can tell me everything you want, you can ridicule me in all ways, but don't talk like that to Atsushi!"
Kuroko's eyes widen, did a human…just…in front of their brother—Akashi Seijuuro raised his voice? Murasakibara's usually bored and uninterested eyes were gleaming with concern for the jet black haired man. It was Kuroko's first time, ever seeing something like that. A human standing up for them. He saw Aomine smirking somehow on the corner probably amused by the human's defiant attitude—albeit rather suicidal.
Akashi's eyes gleamed which alarmed both Aomine and Murasakibara, the giant pulled man to his side cautiously.
"Do you even know what trouble you are getting yourself into, human." Akashi said emphasizing the last word. He took a step forward, Midorima who knew it was a bad idea wanted to make Akashi stop but he'd be in a difficult position if he did. Murasakibara stepped back forcing the man in his side do the same. "Do you know what kind of darkness you're trying to sink yourself to?"
"I…I'm not afraid of that, I've seen it myself and I—"
"I'm aware of who you are, Himuro Tatsuya." Akashi cut off, "But whatever you saw, you felt, that is nothing compared to our darkness."
"Aka-chin please sto—"
"SILENCE." Akashi's voice echoed.
"I don't care! I don't care about darkness, secrets, or whatsoever, I NEED ATSUSHI!" Himuro exclaimed. "I don't need anyone to trust me, I don't care what you say about us, about me, but I…I don't plan on leaving Atsushi, I…I can't because…that'll be the death of me."
"You do understand you're a threat to us." Midorima asked.
Himuro paused for a moment before speaking, "I…do, and I know its difficult to actually believed in me, after I…"
"To trust or not, its something Murasakibara-kun has to decide on his own." Kuroko's voice somehow cooled the heated argument. Walking down, Akashi's mood slightly cooled as well.
"Are you siding him Tetsuya?" Akashi asked now looking at their youngest brother.
"And besides, there's nothing to be afraid of Akashi-kun, is there?" Kuroko asked still looking at Himuro who seems to be melting under the pressure of meeting the whole family, "He's only human as you said, what could he do that we couldn't do something about?"
The conversation end as Akashi saying he'll take the situation in consideration and will be keeping an eye out for the human. Kuroko then insisted that Himuro would stay with Murasakibara in the house, as Kuroko put it was like letting a dog without its owner—only to make it look like he didn't give much thought on the human, which was of course not the real story—and which everyone agreed, with an exception that as long as the matter is not yet settled he'll be staying with Kuroko in his room.
"Himuro-san," Himuro stared up at Kuroko walking in with a tray of food and water. Setting the food on the desk Kuroko bowed to the man, "I thought you'd be famished."
Himuro stood and walked to the desk inspecting the food, he noticed the way the food was prepared looked quite familiar.
"I don't think Murasakibara-kun would have placed poison in there." Kuroko commented.
"Atsushi…he prepared this?"
Kuroko nodded, the man then as the name was spoken immediately trusted the sight before him, He pulled a chair and ate quietly.
"Uhm…Kuroko…-san?"
"Kuroko would be enough."
"Eto, Kuroko-kun, uhm…today…thank you for saying those things." Himuro started.
"There's nothing to thank me for I did what I think was appropriate," Kuroko answered, "it is not our position to question Murasakibara-kun's decisions. And besides…" Kuroko slightly smiled, "looks like you've been claimed."
Himuro's eyes widen and he felt a blush spreading in his cheeks as he defensively brought his hand to his neck. "Well…uh…Atsushi…told me and…"
"You weren't scared?"
"I was." Himuro answered softly remembering how reacted knowing the truth he wanted to know, he started questioning human's perception of truth then. It was frightening. But then he didn't had anyone, and Murasakibara was the only one who ever tried to be with him. Whom despite of knowing his true nature, his true intentions, loved him. It was only just that he did the same to the him, maybe give him the credit of loving him. "But I love him, anyways so damn be secrets and those things."
Kuroko felt satisfied with the man's answers.
"Hey, tell me…why did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Defended me?"
Silenece…
"I didn't defend you Himuro-san." Kuroko said sitting in his bed watching the man's back, "Its just that I know Murasakibara-kun had thought of this, he knew the consequences and yet he choice to do it. It means you're more important to him. And isn't that what's family is?"
Himuro turned and looked at the teal haired boy, "What is?"
"To protect what's important to person whose important to you."
Beep
Beep
Beep
Kise's eyes felt heavy, his body ached everywhere, especially his chest. Oh god his chest—he mentally swore as his eyes fluttered opened, the first thing he noticed were the white ceilings, he remember he painted his apartment blue last month, how on earth—
"AHAHAHAHAHA!"
Kise's breathed hitched and his chest felt more painful, his hands clenched the sheets underneath as he remembered that hideous laughter, that animalistic laugh. Before he knew it he was hyperventilating. His breath was short, and he felt suffocated. His eyes wandered around in panic. Could it be he didn't made it? Could it be he's still in that place. His anxious eyes were not helping, everything was not making sense, there were noises, and some kind of machines, and there were tubes in his body. He started trashing as he grabbed the tube in his forearm. He heard something, there were someone, they were white in his eyes and so it only invoke more panic in him.
He felt someone held him.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" he roared.
But they continue to do so trying to put him down to the mattress. No, this isn't his room, this isn't safe.
He kept trashing until something heavy pinned him down, "HELP!" he screamed, tears forming in his eyes. He just want to go home, he just want to—
"Hey, buddy look."
That voice…
His arms were suddenly placed above his head, in fear of whatever was happening he closed his eyes turning away, sobs started escaping his lips. He's gonna die, he thought over and over. Until a hand that was rough, lifted his chin…gently, it was so contradicting to rough way he was shoved and pinned down. "Come on, calm down." The voice was low, husky, cold yet…his eyes could not resist the urge to find the owner of that voice, until his eyes opened and was welcomed by a sight of blue.
"Please…d-don't hurt me." His disoriented mind was not helping, he didn't know whose who, or which is what. He could barely recognize the man's face. The only thing he saw was blue.
"Yeah, but you gotta calm down, it's alright." Slowly the hand loosened its grip from his arms freeing him finally. At that Kise could not suppress the urge for human contact and quickly latched himself to whoever that was in front of him. His body trembled as he remember clearing the feeling of his flesh slowly being torn, the way he felt so helpless.
Aomine sighed, the blonde was like a little kid in his arms, so scared to death. He glanced at Midorima who is unfortunately speechless of whatever just happened.
After a few minutes, finally as the blonde seems to have calmed his nerves—albeit still attached to Aomine.
"I think he's having post-traumatic disorder," Midorima started, "I'm not sure of the extent of it until we can actually talk to him."
Aomine tried to pry the blonde but the blonde just kept on his arm around the other. "This is getting awkward." Aomine said.
"Well, unfortunately you're the one who saved his life so he might be that attached to you for quite sometime." Midorima said turning to his clipboard, "Anyhow, here's some information about him; his name's Kise Ryouta, a freelance model, looks like he was kidnapped during a photoshoot last week's afternoon."
"He's a lucky bastard to survive something like that." Aomine said, "Knowing that sick-o he'd never let something like this out of hand."
"Indeed." Midorima agreed.
"Hey, Kise?" Aomine called the blonde's name, the blonde flinched a little, he recognizes his name, good—"We have some questions, are you feeling up to answer it?"
"Its not wise to do that thou—"
"Would you stay if I did?"
Aomine blinked, "Huh?"
Slowly raising his tears stained face the blonde stared at Aomine, Aomine bit back the urge to attacked the ravishable looking prey underneath, "W-Would you stay, if I…answer your questions, would you stay?" Kise asked and half pleaded.
Midorima sighed, "Come on Aomine, agree already."
"I cant stay here all day I have a job damn it." He retorted.
"No?"
Aomine's eyes darted to the blonde, OH FOR PETE'S SAKE STOP THAT—"Alright, alright whatever!"
…
After clearing the situation to Kise, and introductions they proceded to the questioning, good thing Kise had calmed enough to detach himself from Aomine who took a seat in the armchair.
"Could you remember anything from how you were taken?"
Shook.
"The place where he took you, do you remember?"
Nod.
"Could you…describe it?"
"Its dark, b-but I…I hear something like…running waters." Kise answered his eyes looking at his bandaged hand.
"Do you remember how you got away?"
Nods.
"Necklace…"
"A what?" Aomine rasied a brow.
"I-I know you wouldn't believe me but, it was a necklace, I was out of anything sharp and so I took my necklace…it was a cross with its vertical part quite pointed. I was really scared so…"
"One question."
Kise looked up at Aomine surprised that he seemed to believed him, "Was it silver?"
Kise quietly thought of it. "Yes."
Aomine sighed and nodded, "I see."
"I-Is…it coming back?"
Aomine's eyes widen, "Say what?"
"Coming back to get me?"
"No, the other one. Did you say…it?"
Kise nodded.
"What do you mean it?
"It cant be human." Kise started, "I…I'm bigger built than most men so—not that I'm boasting but to take me down like that…And it was too strong…to be anything like a human."
Aomine swallowed hard, most people who get in accidents like this usually would say that were attacked by a psycho, or they could not remember and were not sure even though if they knew it themselves, that's because their rational self could not admit or let their conscious self admit it's not human. But Kise ws convinced. And knowing those details…they were in trouble. Its now more than confirmed—its really is that.
"I-its weird I know, please I'm not lying I—"
"Shut it, I'm thinking." Aomine paced back and forth, that man's coming, he's sure. For all those craps, he knew the man was a thrill seeker, he'd come for sure. For this boy, he'll claim him…but if that happens, if ever he steps in the city—no, no, that can't happen. They've protected the secret of their existence to humans and if comes, those years of hiding, that'll be all futile, he'll make sure thye were made known and that's…
"AOMINE!"
Aomine turned to the door to find his superintendent with his usual grin in his face, "Oh, Kise's up?" the man said walking up to them both. Kise at the unfamiliar face suddenly felt fear. Without a word or two he jumped out of the bed and scampered towards a corner which made Aomine stood from his seat. The police stared at the blonde in disbelief, "Whoa, he moves quite quickly for someone who got twenty stitches."
Aomine sighed, "I know him, he's not gonna hurt you."
Kise turned to Aomine, eyebrows furrowed.
"Come on, its okay."
Finally surrendering Kise cautiously crept to Aomine's side eyes fixed on the police in uniform, "He's Imayoshi Soichi. He's my superintendent." Aomine said trying to convince the blonde.
"Is he okay to be out of bed?" Imayoshi asked raising a brow, "though it surprised me you're quite more enthusiastic about this case."
Aomine turned the blonde, "You should be lying down."
"B-But—"
"He's not gonna eat you alive, even if it looks like it."
"HEY!" Imayoshi said in the background.
Kise turned to the intruder, he can't trust that man…but if Aomine said so. Kise reluctantly went back to the bed. Aomine found it funny how the other obediently did as he said. Unconsciously he found his hand ruffling the blonde locks, which in his surprise felt soft against his skin.
"Anyhow, I'm here to tell you I assigned you on this case, actually put you in charge of his safety. His manager called and with what his doctor told us, it'll be better if you're around him." Imayoshi said before leaning by the wall, "And well I just confirmed that myself that he does seems better off with you."
Aomine turned to the blonde, well precautionary speaking its to his advantage he'd be around the blonde, after all if its really him that did this. He'd better get first hand to this case. And looks like the blonde's still shaken up. He practically doesn't trust anyone but him right now.
"Its fine." Aomine replied.
Imayoshi's eyebrow raised, "Whoa, that's new, thought you'd be on your usual ODD."
"ODD's for kids."
"And you're not?"
Aomine was about to say something when suddenly he found the blonde chuckling. Turning to the blonde he found his shoulder's slightly shaking. Imayoshi's shook his head in a smile, as Aomine turned to him as the man shrugged.
Opening the front door to their house Midorima sighed heavily, he'd been on full clock look out for the blonde patient. Behind him Takao followed in suit. Akashi used to tell them how he should bring Takao over once in awhile—a family tradition or some sorts. Stepping in Midorima and Takao took their shoes off and walked quietly in the room. Midorima's eyebrows raised as he smelled Akashi's scent, he turned to his wrist watch and found it was awfully early for him to be home yet, he thought he'd be boring himself in his office at this hour. "I'm home." Midorima announced.
"Sorry for intruding," Takao said yawning. "Shin-chan can I go ahead in your room, I feel really sleepy."
Midorima nodded as he was about to turn to the hallway, he felt a forceful tug in his shirt causing him to bent and was met by a soft pair of lips in his cheeks. "Otsukare." Takao whispered with a smile.
"Takao!" Midorima exclaimed blushing madly and making the taller male swat him but due to the other's heightened reflexes he was able to dodge away and skidded away chuckling his way to the stair to the second floor. Sighing Midorima continued to walk to the hallway to the kitchen where he could smell Akashi's scent. To his surprise Akashi was sitting comfortably on the couch, legs crossed, his laptop was on and was set on the coffee table which was surprisingly forgotten. In his hand Akashi held his phone seemingly typing something.
Akashi stopped from typing and turned slightly to Midorima, "Welcome home, I assume Kazunari is with you?"
"Ah yes," Midorima answered noticing the cup in the side of Akashi's laptop filled with red liquid. "I thought you'd be at work today."
"Something happened, I'd rather be—" Akashi suddenly stopped, his eyebrows furrowing at the screen of his phone before looking, "Shinatro,"
Midorima's eyes twitched, "Y-Yes?"
"What does…GTG means?"
Midorima almost choked—where on earth did Akashi got that? "In contemporary usage, that's a shorten representatation of the phrase got to go."
Akashi made an amused nod, before turning back to the screen of his phone and typing. Midorima was puzzeled, somehow Akashi seemed different and added to that is seemingly interest in his cellphone screen. When did the Akashi Seijuuro ever been interested with electronic gadgets more than its purpose for his work in the company. Midorima's eyes widen as he caught a rare sight—
AKASHI SMILED!
It was brief almost indistinguishable, but Midorima was sure, that slight upturn of those small lips—it was a smile.
"Uhm I…Akashi who are you texting?" Midorima asked curiously.
Akashi didn't look away from the screen, "A friend." He answered which made Midorima more perplexed.
Since when did Akashi had a friend? He never had one, not that they knew. Aside from the family members Akashi had never had friends. "Shinataro, you're staring." Akashi said causing Midorima to flip out of his reverie, coughing and turning around the room. Well, anyhow it was a good thing, that only means Akashi's on his good mood.
"Is Kuroko home yet?" Midorima asked, at the mention of the name Akashi now fully turned his attention to Midorima with a frown, "No?"
"Had he informed he'll be late today?"
"No," Midorima answered, this only made Akashi crease his eyebrows.
"Its not like him not to inform us about something such as this." Akashi said before quickly typing a message for his younger brother. "After all, today Atsushi will be visiting with Tatsuya."
"Don't take it badly but I think its fine if you let him at least do what he wants." Midorima said making Akashi paused from his typing. "Though I still have something against him being a turned and all, I do respect the fact that he can take care of—"
"Shuuzo said the same thing." Akashi said pressing the send button and letting his hand fall in his side clenching the device in hand. "Shuuzo said they can take care of themselves, what happened to them then? All of them died." Midorima pressed his lips in a thin line, it was something Akashi barely spoke of, the regrets he had then, the things that kept him glued into his idea of safety. Sometimes Midorima pitied him, he had no one but them, fate brought him in this kind of situation, forced to carry the weight of the crown.
Akashi closed his eyes, as he remembered that painful day. If he could have been much stronger, if he could have insisted to stay, they might have been still alive. They might have not need to be in this position, constantly trying to fit in, hide themselves, having his brothers do the dirty work, needing to keep up a guise in front of these lesser beings. If Nijimura could have not trusted those humans that much, if they—
"At least I tried."
"besides, I'd rather be the one understanding them rather than the one being understood."
Akashi's head was suddenly pulled by the words of that brunette earlier. Was it the same thought Nijimura had back then? But he could not still understand how one can trust them, humans lies, they hurt each other and they…Akashi's chest clenched painfully, he had the same smile as Shuuzo that day and it kills him inside, like how he reminded him of his failure every single time, yet he could not tear his eyes away in fear—in fear he'd disappear as that smile did that very day. Was he feeling this way due to all the things he was unable to do, and because he spoke the same way, he made him feel slightly the same comfort?
.
.
Or was is deeper?
END NOTES!
YOOOOSH here's Chapter 4, which I did in between reviewing for my first assignment in Organic Chemistry *chuckles awkwardly*
Anyhow we have some MURAMURO all over, and an awkward AOKI there. Plus the BLOOOMING KAGAKURO. So basically if you don't get the flow of the MURAMURO, here it is; Himuro's a hired assassin, he was assigned to kill Akashi but since his way executing involves him getting information on the target, he had to investigate Akashi which somehow turned difficult and he resorted to the people who might know something in which led him to Murasakibara, he enrolled in his cooking classes and you know what happened next. Murasakibara confessed during the time when he finally got Himuro's true intention out of him, and yeah they started going out, soon Murasakibara brought Himuro to their place to tell everyone about it, sooner their relationship got accepted by the family—note with Kuroko's help—soon, Himuro was turned(in later chapters I will reveal why) and during the turning phase(which in later chapters I will also reveal how happens) he went to America, met Kagami and became friend with him before returning to Japan and living with Murasakibara finally—in Akita.
Aoki's still a little bit awkward here(though their one of my ships I'm still not used writing these two, their personality's super difficult for me since they have the most well…how should I put this—far from my personality, since Kise's super out going and Aomine's mister The-Only-One-Who-Can-Beat-Me-Is-Me so basically I'm saying is that I'm not sure what goes in the head of people with that sorts of personality, but I swear I'm doing my best)but it'll be better soon(wish me luck in that).
Anyhow, in the next chapter stay tune to get a glimpse of our resident villain. Who was the one who attacked Kise? And what's gonna happen to Kagami?
SEE YOU GUYS NEXT CHAPTER
PS
I LOVE REVIEEEEWS, and please pretty please do leave one and tell me if its sucks(or not). Oh and THANK YOU EPIPELAGIC-san for reviewing last chapter I LOVE YOUUUUUUUUU! i hope you like this chapter too!
