Black Roses

by Prince Hotstuff Swag

Apocalypse is Earth's new reality;Parasites,Wind Spirits,Colossals. These creatures now haunt the once bright world, reducing it to nothing but death and decay, a desolate nightmare. However, in the midst of all this, one lone survivor - Kagami Taiga, appears, a hope that the GoM and Teiko had not foreseen, with a mission in mind, determined to fulfill it. Strong!Kuroko/NewSummary

4. The Man of Black

Hey readers and potential reviewers! Here's the next chapter for "Black Roses". I don't really have anything to say except for enjoy!

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Akashi's P.O.V.

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Two Days Ago

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Teiko Society. It was the largest survival group in all of Japan and the most successful, organized and still-growing one as well. Teiko Society wasn't a real society, but a group of four thousand or so survivors. It was made up of three different groups that all had their own jobs that helped the entire group function. The first and largest part of the Teiko Society was the City. The City was where recently recruited or rescued survivors were treated and interrogated. The City was also made up of families, elders and others that couldn't fight or serve Teiko physically. The City made up nearly two thirds of the survival group.

The second largest piece of the Teiko Society was the Merchant Group. The Merchant Group was made up of mainly cooks, medics, repair workers, blacksmiths and silversmiths, farmers and any other type of work that helped support the population. The Merchant Group made up around two ninths of Teiko. They were also thanked and respected since they worked jobs that others might have overlooked. Cooks and medics were the most respected since they helped everyone in their own ways unlike the fighters of the survival group.

The third largest piece of Teiko was the Military. They was ran by Akashi Masaomi who was also in control of all of Teiko and was made to train potential fighters who were tasked with protecting Teiko and making sure the people of Teiko didn't start fights or caused trouble. The were like the police except they also had to patrol the Wall. The Military also fought in great numbers against Black Creatures and worked as a mass to get rid of the enemy; they were just like an army. The Military was made up of most of the able-bodies people that could fight for Teiko. Being apart of the Military was also one of the most dangerous positions for a survivor. The Military made up a little more than one tenth of the remaining population.

The last piece of the Teiko Society were the Hunting Parties. The Hunting Parties were also led by Akashi Masaomi but Akashi Seijuurou was the main person to direct the HP. The Hunting Parties, or HP, were groups of teens or young adults that were tasked with running out into the abandoned parts of Japan to collect supplies for Teiko: things like food, water, and information about the Black Creatures. Unlike the Military, HP fought with half a dozen to a dozen members per group. Each Party had a captain that answered to the commander (Akashi Seijuurou) and the captain's team. It was the most dangerous position to be in if you were a part of the Military but being a member of a Party was almost just as dangerous. A member was out in the open with Black Creatures everywhere without the protection of large numbers.

Akashi Seijuurou was Akashi Masaomi's son, the man who acted as leader of Teiko. Akashi served as his right hand man and the person who over saw most of the HP's activities since he was a captain of one of the Parties as well; he was captain to the Party called Rakuzan. The members of the Rakuzan Party were Akashi Seijuurou, Mibuchi Reo, Nebuya Eikichi, Hayama Kotarou and Mayuzumi Chihiro.

Akashi reread the report in his hands. It was a mission that required the attention of five of his best Hunting Parties, Rakuzan, Kaijo, Shuutoku, Yousen and Touou. Apparently, strange activity of a fire destroying an entire neighborhood and the sighting of a Colossal within that same area called attention and now, Akashi Masaomi wanted Akashi Seijuurou to investigate. Akashi sighed. He knew that the fire and the Colossal couldn't have been coincidences. Obviously, the temperamental Wind Spirits were trying to attack the dumb and slow Colossals and in the process, destroyed a neighborhood. Akashi also noted that one line stated "The fire was unusual and obliterated everything, leaving the shell remains of cars and houses. What were once body remains are now ashes, none can be found." Akashi assumed that this meant a strong fire meaning a strong Wind Spirit which can only mean trouble. Again, Akashi sighed.

Looking up, he eyed the messenger from his father with a crititcle look. The messenger was a mere boy as most of them were, only ten years old at most. He tall for his age and lanky but his legs suggested that he ran a lot and he was fast. The other's clothes were gray, wore out and too big for him. A cap was on his head, also gray and in poor condition. Most from the City had to dress up this way, especially if they were of the lower families that couldn't do anything much to support the system.

Taking a few dimes and a dollar from his pocket, Akashi stood from his seat behind his desk, walking around it before leaning against it and holding a hand out to the boy. "Here. I think you mother may be able to use it." he said, sighing once again when the boy just shuffled his feet and looked down.

"I'm sorry mistah (mister) but I don't have a mum who could use the money. I's (it's) just me and I work for the messenger group and they give me my monthly money so I dunnot need it sah (sir). Thank you for it though, sah." The boy bowed and Akashi would have smiled at his adorable accent had not the words that held so much more meaning. He stared at the boy in surprise and sympathy. Many were orphaned children but he had the luxury of a wealthy and all-powerful father, Akashi wouldn't know the pains of a homeless boy. He always forgot that he was now surrounded by these type of people who had no mother, no father, no anyone. It made his heart clench.

Akashi resisted the now overwhelming urge to sigh (great gracious, that would be the third sigh in not even five minutes). "Stand up straight," he ordered with a gentle but firm tone. Some of his red hair fell in front of his eyes and he quickly pushed it away. The boy straightened with a slightly taken aback look (making Akashi sigh).

"You'll take the money," Akashi said in the same tone as he made sure not to look aggressive but sympathizing to the younger boy. "And you'll use it to buy yourself some real food. Don't argue because I am absolute and you will do this because I said so. Also, you need it, no matter what you say." But to his irritation, the boy stubbornly shook his head, a defiant look on his face. Some of his brown hair escaped his cap as he did so and fell in front of his eyes but unlike Akashi, he did nothing to push it away.

"I dunnot need the money, sah," the boy repeated. "I'll make mah own way around and survive without charity (charity). Mah father taught me thaht (that) way before goin' to thah (the) other side. Thank you again, sah, but I can live on my own." As if to prove his point, the boy puffed out his chest and stood even straighter, trying to make himself bigger this way. Akashi smiled then looked at the boy's eyes and his smile became a sad one. The boy's eyes, they were filled with determination and a fierce resolve that would surely get him far. But this was the Apocalypse. Even though AKashi would never say it to the young one, this boy couldn't survive on his own. No one could. "Just watch me, sah," the boy added and Akashi's eyes widened. Such courage and resolve, a boy of his age shouldn't have to need those characteristics so survive when he was so young.

Smiling, this time a much stronger smile and more proud than sad, Akashi nodded and turned around. "Wait there a moment," he said over his shoulder as he got out a pen and paper. "What's your name?" he added, already writing.

"Huh?" The boy sounded confused before he coughed and spoke again. "Mah name's Akio, sah. A-K-I-O." (A/N I'm using the American everything and all. Sorry. But please enjoy!) Akashi blinked and then turned back to the boy, again surprised but this time, for a much different reason.

"You know how to spell your name?" He said, his voice clearly relaying his shock. Not many children, almost none actually, knew how to spell and that included more than half of the teenagers as well. The apocalypse had been going on so long that only adults could be relied on for writing and such. They were alive before the apocalypse began and it was mainly only the older ones. All of those that were above the ages of fifty and sixty. The literacy rate dropped lower and lower going through those not as old. To find a child that could spell his name was rare. Akashi knew how because of his father of course.

The boy looked triumphant and proud of himself and his eyes shined with a more bright and playful light. "That I do, sah. I know how to write my name too. I found books in a great big library before taking them all and comin' to Teiko, sah. I learned to read and write. I love reading." Akashi swallowed before going back to writing. What the boy said meant that he had been traveling through the Parasite infested streets before coming to Teiko.

Akashi couldn't have imagined the horrors he had seen. Whether he traveled with a survival group or not didn't mean a thing to Akashi. He knew from countless stories that the world outside of Teiko was sick, dying or dead and that there was little chance of survival out there. He didn't know what it was like but his missions gave him a good picture of how it could have been, sleeping in fear and hoping against all odds you won't die during the night.

When Akashi was done writing, he read what the letter to make sure there were no mistakes. His father hated mistakes because he said you have to be absolute to be above the Apocalypse.

Dear Father,

I have gotten the report and I will make sure the respective Hunting Parties, including my own, set out right away to further investigate and subdue the Colossal. It will prove to be a productive opportunity to study and learn more about the Colossal type Black Creature. That aside, I have to mention that the messenger you used, the small, ten year old boy with the British accent, is smart and resourceful. He can read and write unlike most children. He is also brave and determined to survive the Apocalypse and I can see that he speaks truth about this. Not only that but he knows the horrors of the real world outside of Teiko. His name is Akio. I propose his usefulness to you and that he can be more appropriately situated than being a messenger. Akio can be a potential member of one of the stronger Hunting Parties. My Emperor Eye has already foreseen his capacity to become or develop into something of importance in the future. It would be best to cultivate his still-young audacity and courage while it's blooming so that it can truly grow into something great. Under my care, he would improve both drastically and in a profound way. Allow me to adopt him or you can while I do the actual watching over him. Please take this into consideration.

With all Sincerity, Your Son, Akashi Seijuurou

When Akashi was done reading it and was satisfied with the outcome, he folded it and turned back around to the boy who was watching patiently with his head bowed. Akashi tapped the other's head to get his attention and Akio looked up before his eyes settled on the paper. Curiosity was getting a hold of Akio and Akashi saw it in his eyes but he noted with satisfaction that the younger boy was able to refrain from asking questions.

"This is a letter for Akashi Masaomi," Akashi said and handed the boy the letter. "I want you to deliver it to him personally. Do you know Akashi Masaomi?" When he saw the other nod his head frantically, he sighed. Of course the boy knew who Akashi Masaomi was because everyone knew him. He didn't even have to ask. "Good. Then you know that he is important to everyone. Therefore, he has guards in his home. When you meet these guards, I want you to show them this and say, `I'm a special messenger from Akashi Seijuurou with a letter for Akashi Masaomi.` " Akashi held up a ruby red ring, similar to the one his father carried and the same color as his own eyes. He saw Akio stare at it, mouth agape and it made him smile again. "Understand?"

"Yes, sah. I do, sah." Akio said hastily then, with a more shy look, he added. "Can I wear thah ring as I go, sah? I won't lose it, I promise!" Akio's eyes were so adorable and pleading that it made Akashi smile once more.

"You may, Akio. But don't lose it. I would appreciate that very much. I'll be going on a mission very soon so you can just let my father hold on to it when you meet him, okay?" Akashi was glad as he smiled and gave the boy the letter. Discretely and as Akio was heading out the door, he patted him on his shoulder and slipped the money into his pocket (the one that he knew didn't have a whole).

Maybe he had made a hasty and irrational decision in adopting a child during the middle of an apocalypse, one that he didn't even know but it also made him feel strangely happy. A responsibility other than leading and killing has now been made apart of his life and he was grateful for it. For the distraction that it provided.

He was also glad because the number of times he smiled was larger than the number of times he sighed.

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Akashi's P.O.V.

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Present

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Akashi thought about Akio, the boy he had seen two days ago. He hadn't seen him after that since he had left immediately for his mission and has been traveling since with his Hunting Parties, moving by day and sleeping at night. Right at the moment, he wished he was still with the boy because he'd greatly appreciate his presence rather than the presence of the Colossal. His feeling of peace he had felt with Akio was now replaced with horror and slight panic that accompanied every mission.

Akashi crouched as he spoke into the mic at his throat, pressing a finger to the earpiece so he could hear better while keeping an eye on the other Parties all hiding scattered along the street. The sun was scathingly hot as it beared down on the Colossal and HP and there was no wind to relieve them of the heat.

"This is commander, respective captains, give report. Captain Okamura, status report." Akashi waited as static was heard on the other side before a voice came in. His team was surrounding him, their fingers also pressed to earpieces as they crouched low with him, trying to hide behind a car.

"Captain Okamura to Commander, Yonsen is in place and ready. Prepared to disable and trap Colossal."

"Captain Kimura, status report," Shuutoku Party: Captain; Kimura Shinsuke. Team; Midorima Shintarou, Takao Kazunari, Outsubo Taisuke, Miyaji Kiyoshi and Miyaji Yuuya.

"Captain Kimura to Commander, Shuutoku in position. Sniper is ready to disable Colossal's sight on command." The low and clear voice of a male came through the earpiece and Akashi nodded to himself, taking a deep breath before proceeding to deliver his next orders. It was actually everyone's first time ever dealing with a Colossal. Even Akashi who had been with the Hunting Parties longer than the average person had never seen the large and disgusting Black Creature. It was, hence its name, a colossal creature that stood nearly as tall as a four story building for hotels and such. Its skin, like Parasites, was leathery but drier and its limbs were also deformed and twisting at odd angles, a horror to look at. But it didn't move as fast as Parasites since it was ambling along and stepping slowly. When the Parties scouts had first reported it, everyone had panicked, even Akashi but he was able to keep his cool and take control of the situation. He had ordered everyone to take up hiding spots along the streets that the Colossal was walking and now they all were waiting for the right moment to attack.

Even though none of them have never seen a Colossal before, there were teachings back at Teiko. Akashi and the rest of the captains plus a few others knew how to deal with Colossals. Apparently, the large-type Black Creatures depended mostly on their sight unlike Parasites and Wind Spirits. Take out their eyes and they were nearly completely defenseless and all you had to do was take it down.

The problem was taking it down, of course.

First of all, Colossals were known to be entirely muscle and their skin was almost impossible to penetrate. Their eyes were the only areas that they knew they could attack without meeting resistance. Other than that, it would be like trying to shoot toys darts through steel if they wanted to use their guns. Actually, Parasites were the same and only if their heads were lopped off from the front of the neck or if they were shot through the neck, would they fall. They were hoping the same could be said for Colossals.

Second, Akashi and the other Parties couldn't be within the zone of where the Colossal will fall less they wish to be crushed under its hulking weight. If indeed they were able to bring it down, they had to be able to steer clear from injuring themselves, or at least already be out of the way.

"On my count," Akashi whispered, looking over the hood of the car and at the Colossal that seemed to be staring at something in the distance, or just spacing out, Akashi had no way of knowing. Its shadow was long and stretched covering the area where he knew that Touou was. "I want both its eyes to be shot within the span of two seconds or less. Then I want Yonsen to prepare themselves to attack and hopefully keep the Colossal in the same spot. If it steps back, I want Yonsen to do anything to push it back forwards. Understood?" An affirmative from Okamura could be heard before Akashi continued. "Touou, you will assist Yonsen in their attacks and Kaijo, get ready to scale the Colossal and try to attack the neck. Rakuzan will as well. Shuutoku, aid by firing at the neck and make sure not to shoot any member of a team. Does every Party know what to do?"

"Understood," Captain Okamura.

"Understood," Captain Imayoshi. For some reason, his line seemed to be filled with background noises like someone whisper-yelling at someone else. And Imayoshi sounded amused as well. Akashi admired them for their attempt at keeping cool and staying in control of themselves.

"Understood," Captain Kasamatsu.

"Understood," Captain Kimura.

From right beside Akashi, Mibuchi and Kotarou gave him a thumbs up while Nebuya and Mayuzumi both nodded before returning their attention to the Colossal.

"Very well then," Akashi answered, eyeing the Black Creature himself. "Attack,"

Immediately after the command left Akashi's mouth, two shots could be heard and he knew that Midorima Shintarou, sniper of the Shuutoku Party had shot the Colossal's eyes out. The Colossal suddenly screamed in pain, a sound so loud that Akashi and his teammates gasped and held their hands to their ears. It literally rattled their teeth and vibrated through the air in deep and agonizingly intense waves. Without a doubt, the sound must have carried several miles in every direction and alerted Parasites to the position of the Hunting Parties. A curse left Akashi's lips as he realized that he hadn't considered the possibility of being surrounded.

Yonsen were already moving from their hiding spots from behind several cars along the curb and Akashi made hasty revisions to their plans. "Shuutoku, change tactics and surround the perimeter that the Colossal and the HP occupy. Make sure to keep all Parasites and any other enemy out. Touou, if need be, help them. Other than that, proceed as planned."

There were quick "okays" from the intercom at Akashi's ear and he signaled to his teammates to get moving. They all ran out from behind the car and saw Yonsen, shouting as they threw low power grenades at the back of the Colossal to keep it from stumbling back and crushing anyone. Two members, Murasakibara and Okamura, both held gigantic chains which they pulled and secured that the Black Creature's feet would move. However, it wasn't so tight as to send it toppling.

Even from a distance, Akashi could see the strain of pulling and carrying the chain that was put on Murasakibara and Okamura. Aomine had already run to help them and his Party were firing at the Colossal's neck or helping with the grenades. It was beyond huge, Akashi noted. The chain was made of links that were as large as car tires that must have weighed tons. It was frightening to think that those two could even attempt at carrying the thing, let alone move it so that it restrained the Colossal. It made Akashi almost shiver as he compared the strength difference between the Black Creature and Murasakibara.

As the Colossal was more or less unable to move and unwilling to move because of the pain it must have felt where its eyes once were, Akashi and his Party moved forward and started to climb up one of its legs. It made no move to stop them, too distracted.

Akashi tried to breath only through his mouth to avoid smelling the vile skin of the Black Creature as he climbed up its leg. Its skin, dry and seemingly decaying, was easy to grab a hold of. Hayama was pulling ahead of the rest of them with his favorite knife in between his teeth and eyes that were wide and burned with determination. Kaijo was scaling the other leg and the captain, Kasamatsu Yukio, gave Akashi a thumbs up to signify that his end was going all right. Akashi returned it with his own before continuing up. Gunshots filled the air, signs that either Shuutoku was firing at oncoming Parasites or at the neck of the Black Creature.

Suddenly, static filled Akashi's earpiece and he paused, trying to hear what it was going to say over all the raucous. He saw Kasamatsu pause as well and they were both level, looking at each other again as they both waited.

"Akashi!" from the other side of the line, Kimura of Shuutoku exclaimed. Akashi's blood ran cold as he heard the other male's frustrated and almost panicking voice. "The Colossals neck is impenetrable! Get off of it! None of Midorima's bullets are getting past its skin and the Parasites are starting to overwhelm-"

The line suddenly cut and Akashi's breath caught, expecting the worse. He heard shouts of surprise from the people also listening to their earpieces and Kasamatsu was yelling at his Party to get off the Colossal. Harder said than done, they were already up to its waist. More static and Akashi almost breathed a sigh of relief when Kimura's voice could be heard again. "Get off the Colossal! There's a Wind Spirit coming right at it!" Now the other male's voice really was panicked and Akashi looked up to the building where he knew that the captain was.

Akashi did see the captain on the building. But right behind him, in the distance, Akashi saw the great flying, black body of a large, older Wind Spirit. And it was getting bigger and bigger by the second.

Shouts of disbelief and terror were every where and the screams of newly joining Parasites reached Akashi's ears. Akashi himself was quick to react, despite his inner turmoils that came over him. Not only did they have to deal with a blinded Colossal, but now Parasites and a Wind Spirit! His stupid mistake of not considering the roar of the Colossal was going to prove fadal if he did not find a way to get all the HP to safety.

The thought almost made him lose his grip as his heart beat wildly to the thrum of the wing beats he could hear in the distance. If they didn't survive this, it was his, Akashi Seijuurou's, fault. He could not have that. He let his second personality take over as it had done many times before.

"Reo, Kotarou, Eikichi and Chihiro. Retreat with all possible haste but do not foolishly kill yourselves," Akashi muttered into his mic, already letting himself down a whole lot quicker than when he had been coming up. Seijuurou was aware that his teammates knew he had swapped personalities again but he paid no mind to it. He had to help Shuutoku and Kaijo with repelling the Parasites.

"All attention with the exception of Yonsen, focus your attacks on the Parasites and make sure they stay away from the Colossal. We want to take it down and if the Parasites disturb it and send it toppling, we may all die without a fight. Touou, take the north end of the street. Shuutoku take the South end. Rakuzan and Kaijo, help wherever you see our defense breaking. Go and do not disappoint less you rather waist you lives. If that's the case, I will kill you for you." Seijuuro's voice was sharp and cold, making the original Akashi inside him cringe with disgust but again, they couldn't waste time so no one bothered complaining. No one would have anyways since they were all afraid of this side of the Akashi.

Parasites came running from all sides and the respective Parties went to take them head on, shouts of defiance, orders of positions and a few yelled war cries they had adopted from their previous survival groups before joining Teiko. This here, was an all out battle between man and Black Creature, one that looked perilously like failure and disaster.

Seijuurou looked to the Wind Spirit approaching and narrowed his eyes in annoyance. He heard from his Black Creature teachers that it was presumed there was certain animosity between Colossals and Wind Spirits. No one understood why, especially since there was so few Colossals to learn from, but one thing Seijuurou knew was that the oncoming Wind Spirit was going to attack his prey. The Colossal couldn't see to fight back and would most likely be blowtorched or slashed in the face.

His mind was reeling as Seijuurou considered the possibilities. Maybe the Wind Spirit could take out the Colossal for them, then they could kill the Wind Spirit themselves and destroy the rest of the Parasites. It would prove quite useful that way. But there was the slim chance that the Wind Spirit would start attacking the Parties as well, or maybe all the noise and blood will call even more Black Creatures. This was getting irksome.

Before Seijuurou could consider anything else, the Wind Spirit gave a roar, one so loud that his eyes widened when he realized the dragon-like creature's roar was almost as loud as the Colossal's, who was clearly ten times bigger. Actually, now that Seijuurou looked, he realized that the Wind Spirit was larger than the average, probably eight years old considering it was the size of a small (not small) house. It was male since he could see the horns that curled on its head from this distance.

It barreled through the air and towards the Colossal before spreading its wings wide and coming to a halt, buffeting the Colossal with the wind and its heavy beats of its wings. The large Black Creature roared but it was blind, so the tinge of uncertainty could be heard in its voice. It swung a hand into the air but missed the flying Black Creature who did nothing to dodge anyways.

The Wind Spirit stayed hovering and beating its long, leathery wings in front of the Colossal, staring at it and again, Seijuurou's eyes widened. He had learned from both his teachers and from experience that Wind Spirits were head strong, impulsive and not entirely smart but here one was, most likely studying and analyzing the Colossal. Again, even from where Seijuurou was, he could see the expression on the Wind Spirit and it looked like it was concentrating, thinking.

If anything could frighten Akashi Seijuurou, it was what he was witnessing at this very moment. He could feel as horror restricted his lungs, the realization messing with his mind and making the other Akashi clench his teeth and panic. Black Creatures can think on their own. Humans have only survived so far because of their simple minded stupidity but if they can think, what hope was there except that of not dying at the feet of these things.

Parasites were still screaming and shouts of the captains could be heard as everyone strained to keep both the south and north ends of the street from being overrun. Midorima Shintarou, Akashi's childhood friend, fired with deadly accuracy at the Parasites and taking them all through the neck. Aomine Daiki held a handgun in one hand as he fired at Parasites and used the other hand to punch and crack necks. Kise Ryouta was fighting with his captain with a fighting style similar to Aomine's, only he used double handguns. Murasakibara was still holding the left and far side of the chain while the captain and another Yonsen member were holding up the other side. All three of them were sweating while the rest of their teammates plus others guarded them.

Trying to take a calming breath, Seijuurou raised his both hands, gripped his handgun and took aim, right for the Wind Spirit's eye. He would have to worry about the evolving Black Creatures another time. Letting his hand that was shaking ever so slightly settle, he sighted then turned off the safety. Bringing down the flying Black Creature was top priority now. No matter if it could take out the Colossal. Letting it live and probably pass on its intelligence to other Black Creatures would prove deadly to humanity.

Only, Seijuurou didn't have time to shoot when the Black Creature suddenly turned its great black head towards him. Seijuurou quickly glanced at his team that had seen the Wind Spirit's movement but he shook his head at Reo, silently telling him to continue the fight with the Parasites. He turned back to the Wind Spirit that was watching him, now ignoring the Colossal who stood, as if waiting. Before long, it would start to strain against the chain and no matter how beastly strong Yonsen was, they couldn't stop a building sized monster from losing control.

Keeping his gun trained on the Wind Spirit, Seijuurou let Akashi take over again, knowing that his rashness might not prove effective in this type of fight. Akashi didn't complain, agreeing to the other side of him's thinking. Akashi, now with both eyes gleaming red, stared deep into the black eyes of the Black Creature so many meters above him. He knew this was his fault, this catastrophe but he couldn't let his feelings overwhelm him. He had to do something.

The Wind Spirit didn't seem to agree as it took action of its own. It gave Akashi one last glance before giving a powerful thrust of its wings and raising upward. It flew back a bit and gave another roar, this one sounding a lot like a warning before it fires blue, pure blue and bright flames at the Colossal's face. Akashi could feel the intense heat from where he stood by the large Black Creature's feet.

The Colossal howled in pain, the sound carrying to the very depths of AKashi's bones and again making his teeth vibrate. It brought two meaty hands to its face and covered it, groaning and bending over. Akashi's head whipped around as his hand with the gun fell to his side and he heard Murasakibara shout. The larger teen was having trouble trying to stay up as the Colossal tried stepping back. Fukui of Yonsen ran to Okamura and Liu both of whom had started to skid across the asphalt. Murasakibara yelled, almost roaring like the Black Creatures above him, as he leaned backwards and strained against the Colossal. Himuro went to help him.

There was another blast of heat and Akashi looked back up. But with confusion as he watched the Wind Spirit blast flames at the building to the left of the Colossal. It wasn't as strong as the first blast but it was still warm. Then it seemed to whip its tail before crashing it into the building. The building in question was one meant as a parking area, five stories tall, one story taller than the Colossal.

Debris fell to the ground but it wasn't close enough to kill any of the HP's members. It did take out dozens of Parasites. One such Parasite suddenly leaped at Sakurai Ryo from Touou and Akashi raised his handgun and shot, quickly taking it out from afar. The teen he just saved whirled around before bowing briefly and shouting something that sounded like, "I'm sorry for bothering!" Akashi had to resist the urge to roll his eyes.

Akashi looked back up at the Wind Spirit and watched closely as it started to blow fire at the Parasites that started scaling the buildings. With a frown, he looked around and saw that the Parasites all seemed to be thinking the same thing. Only, they were all trying to get to the same building of the parking lots.

The Parasites of the North side all started moving to the left, jumping onto the parking lot building and climbing up it, totally ignoring the Parties. On the South side, they seemed to be attempting the same thing, now not attacking the Parties but trying to get past them. Their goal was clear and it made the HP members that were being ignored to look at each other in confusion but no one stopped attacking. Everyone continued to shoot, trying to get them through the neck.

Akashi's frown deepened though. He let the Parties do what they wished but he continued to study the Wind Spirit. It was now blowing flames at the Parasites trying to climb the parking lot building while looking at said building and roaring into it. Like it was trying to warn something inside it. Akashi's mind was moving seventy miles per hour as he contemplated the possibility of another Wind Spirit inside the building. Maybe this was a father protecting its young? And it was trying to call to it? But why were the Parasites reacting? Could both Parasites and Colossals have the same bloodlust for the flying Black Creature?

That was Akashi's thought until a yell of fury and indignation filled the air.

Snapping his head up to the building that Parasites were trying to crawl to the top of and where the Wind Spirit was practically melting the concrete to stop the small Black Creatures. On the very top of the building stood a black figure that Akashi had not noticed before. It was definitely human, with a black cloak and the cowl pulled over his head but other than that, he could make out any details of the man. But he felt that the man's hands were glowing… white?

Yes, the entire figure of the man was as black as the shadows of night but his hands seemed to glow and reflect the sunlight, nearly making them blinging with a pure white light that shined. Akashi watched as the figure seemed to drop to a crouch, yelling with a voice strong enough that it carried all the way down to Akashi's ears but the words were intelligible. There was a moment as the Wind Spirit seemed to look up at the figure, as if understanding what he was saying, before it beated it wings hard and flew up high into the air. Before long, it was nothing but a black speck in the sky and it stayed like that. Akashi now understood that the Parasites were being drawn to the man on the roof and he watched the figure. It didn't move and the Parasites were climbing higher and higher, some of them falling as the HP were successful in shooting them down.

"Akashi, do you know who that is?" Akashi heard Imayoshi's voice over the intercom. A held the mic close to his lips as he replied. The other teen's voice sounded calm enough and Akashi was slightly envious of him. No matter what, that person almost never lost his cool and it looked easy for him to stay that way. Akashi though, struggled with keeping his voice from sounding tired and pained.

"No, I don't. I suggest to all captains; do not let your guard down and attack anything that attacks you." Akashi said without looking away from the figure. Glancing around, he saw the threat of Parasites was no longer theirs but, to his relief, no one stopped firing at them. They did eye the black figure suspiciously, though. Which he knew was good. No one was letting their guard down.

Feeling that he need to do more, Akashi started to fire at the Parasites as well. Ninety percent of his shots were true and many screaming Parasites fell to the ground but he did miss one or two. His attention was diverted, though, when he heard a shout of surprise from Hayakawa Mitsuhiro. The male's words were too meshed together for him to know what he said but his pointing finger was enough for him.

Looking back up, Akashi saw what was catching everyone's attention. The black figure was now kicking and punching Parasites off the roof, holding them at bay and making sure they didn't over run the rooftop of actually get on it. At first, to Akashi and he knew to everyone else, it looked to be a futile effort. The man word be tackled and brought down in seconds. But as he continued to watch, he frowned. The man was still holding his own. Actually, it seemed he was getting the upper hand since a lot of the Parasites that fell down didn't get back up again. He was actually killing them all off on his own!

Akashi took a deep breath as he watched, almost fascinated with the stamina and power of the individual. Then he noticed that more and more Parasites were falling before they could reach the top of the roof and he looked around. On the south side, he saw Midorima shooting rapidly with his sniper, the scope was ripped off and he was breathing heavily. Akashi realized that the other was taking out the Parasites from a distance to lessen the workload on the black figure.

A small smile tugged at Akashi's lips at his tsundere of a friend helping an absolute stranger. Filled with a sense to help as well, Akashi retrained his handgun on the Parasites on the very top and started shooting them as well. They fell like flies and started to litter the ground. The figure looked like he was waving in thanks to them before a Parasite suddenly jumped from the edge and tackled him out of sight.

Shocked cries and curses filled the air and Akashi stared wide eyed at where the figure hand been standing a second before. How pitiful were humans if they could go down so quickly after doing so much?

Or does that make us fickle? Akashi thought.

But as he continued to shoot at the rooftop, he was surprised to see the black figure appearing yet again. Parasites were clinging to him as he punched and kicked even more furiously than before. But anyone who was relieved was quickly dispirited as they saw that the man was struggling. No way would anyone survive with even just a single Parasite on them. There was still no hope for the man above. No matter the odds, though, Akashi hoped against all odds and either the gods heard him, or the man wasn't human.

Suddenly, he seemed free of all the Parasites and he ran forward, straight to the edge. Warning shouts came from several teams but it was futile to try for there was no way the man could hear them over the remaining cries of the Parasites of the loud moaning of the Colossal. It seemed the large Black Creature was slow to recover as he was to move.

The way the man practically flew off the roof made the breath catch in Akashi's throat. How should one react when they watch a person commit suicide by jumping off a building? Instead, the man landed on the Colossal's back. When he landed, the Colossal, whether it felt the man on it or whether it just chose that time to come back around, started to straighten up and the man started to slide down. Akashi watched as the man used his right hand to latch onto the skin and he stared as sizzling blood poured out from where the man was holding onto.

It was impossible, Akashi knew it was. Nothing pierced the skin of a Parasite or Colossal. They have all tried to shoot as it and nothing worked. So why was the man above able to pull at the skin with his strangely glowing hand? How was he able to do it? Akashi could only watch.

The man continued to slide down but now he was ripping open the Colossal's back, creating a huge gash that was stretching from the left shoulder blade to the right hip. It started to widen of its own accord and sizzling blood gushed out, dripping to the ground.

Akashi's eyes widen momentarily when he realized he was within the vicinity of the falling blood. But because he had been watching the man, he had disregarded his own safety. He was about to move when said man suddenly fell to the ground. Akashi stumbled back, taken by surprise but the man didn't let him get too far before he lunged and knocked Akashi to the ground. He looked up in surprise and then he saw why the other had pushed him.

The blood was falling, Akashi never would have been able to move out of the way before the acid liquid would have covered him and most likely kill him for his Hunting gear wouldn't have been enough to keep him unharmed. Instead, the stranger now stood using his hands to spread his cloak so that it covered both of them from the falling blood. It splashed and sizzled onto the concrete around them and Akashi could hear pain-filled cries that he could do nothing to help. The cloak was large enough that it nearly formed a tent around him and the man and it was dark underneath as well so he could only lay on the ground and listen to the sounds surrounding him.

The bellow of the Colossal seemed to be the worst. It was so loud that Akashi held his hands to his ears and shut his eyes tight, growling because the sound thrummed painfully in his ears. Even then, Akashi noted that the man above him seemed to cringe in pain as well but made no move to cover his ears, still keeping the cloak up as there were still splatters hitting it. It was a miracle that the cloak didn't melt and withheld. Actually, it was near impossible for most clothing to hold up so Akashi knew that it it wasn't a normal cloak.

The falling of blood lessened but they could still hear the outraged bellows of the Colossal and the shouting of the HP as they scrambled around. Not only that, Akashi could also feel the pound and rumble in the ground signifying that the large Black Creature was trying to move. It must've been hard for it since it was suffering from burn wounds and a split open back.

The man above Akashi moved and he could finally get a good look at him. More or less. He was definitely male, a very large male. He was built like a bodybuilder, like Aomine, really but a little more thick around the chest and upper body. If he hadn't been wearing the baggy clothing, Akashi was positive he would have found well muscled limbs underneath. He was tall, of course, as tall as Aomine but not quite reaching the height of Midorima and certainly not Murasakibara who towered over everyone. With the now blood soaked cloak and the cowl pulled over his head, Akashi couldn't see the man's face. The smell of the man was also one of spoke. It was strong, strong enough to overpower the other smells around Akashi. It filled his senses and make the back of his throat taste like burnt wood. Briefly, he wondered if the man in front of him had been nearby the fire that supposedly took place outside the city. Looking down, he realized why the hands had looked like they were glowing.

They were silver gauntlets, so pure and reflecting the sunlight so well that they looked to gleam with their own inner light and had large spikes at each knuckle. Both hands were steaming with the Parasites' blood but the metal still shined, the parts no covered only seemed to look brighter against the dark colored liquid of the Black Creatures. Akashi also saw slivers of the same, bright metal in the man's holsters both his sides beneath the cloak. It was truly dazzling, the shining silver metal against the black cloth that covered the man from head to toe.

Akashi would have studied the man more but the other's attention was now drawn to the agonized Colossal and Akashi looked to the Black Creature. If he hadn't know that the beast in front of him was a human eater and killed without thinking, Akshi would have felt sorry for it.

It was arching its back as if trying to refrain from stretching the wound open even more. The blood still spilled and Akashi and the man backed up far enough that they were no longer within the threatening zone. He couldn't really see it face from behind but Akashi did see on the sides of its head, scorch marks and skin that looked more black and shriveled than the rest of it. It was groaning pitifully and loudly as well. Akashi had the urge to put it out of its misery before it caused any more trouble but the real threat of the Parasites was still present. He stepped forward.

"Excuse me," Akashi said, trying to force all the authority he had into his voice to the man. The other looked away from the Colossal and to him. It was unnerving to speak to a person and not be able to see their face but he didn't complain. "We may need your help with the Parasites. Assuming that is what you call them. If not, then I mean the Black Creatures that are overwhelming us with numbers." Akashi gestured to his men fighting the Parasites, some sporting near fatal wounds and others on the ground, unmoving.

The man looked around quickly, turning in a full circle before turning back to Akashi. "Sorry! Of course… sir." Akashi blinked and then sweatdropped. What was with the awkward 'sir'? He thought. But other than that, AKashi did notice the same strong voice from before. It wasn't too deep but it was naturally loud, clear as well and seeming to carry some kind of weight to it. Like it was full of purpose and meaning and pure power that nearly buzzed. Akashi couldn't explain it but it was strange, as well as reassuring in a way that he, also, couldn't explain.

"Um, sir, could you, like, tell you men to move out of the way? I mean, it's not like the Parasites are after them anyways! There after me, you see? So they won't harm your, ah, men as long as I'm here because they want to kill me! See? So while they're busy with me, you and your men can get away without a problem." the man said. Akashi couldn't help but notice that the other also had a touch of uncertainty in his voice, like he wasn't comfortable with telling someone what to do. Either that or the other was already intimidated with Akashi's presence which he highly doubted (and hoped that, that wasn't the case; he didn't want to be considered scary by the person that saved him who was a complete stranger as well).

Akashi frowned at the request. Why would the man just let himself practically be the bait to help them? He wasn't aware of the fact that he was going to die in the process?! Akashi then shook his head but the man was already moving onto his next words. "Look, your men are gonna die if you don't draw back. If you really don't wanna leave, fight from the buildings. But you need to get your wounded out of here. Besides, it's not right for the leader to make his decisions based on a single guy that might die. One that you don't know either." It wasn't an authoritative tone that spoke near the end. It was one of a person that was trying to advise, through a steely and strong tone. It was also a tone and argument that Akashi couldn't argue against.

With a sigh, Akashi gave a nod to the other who nodded back. For some reason, Akashi felt a feral-type aura suddenly surround the stranger that made him back up a little. With another frown, Akashi kept an eye on the stranger who was turning away again and raising his arms.

"All captains, this is Commander. Pull back. I repeat, pull back and support any wounded members. Parasites will take a complete disregard in you and your teams. Pull back and ignore the Parasites. Again, ignore the Parasites because they will ignore you. Any able bodied that are near-completely unharmed, help Yonsen with the chain and make sure it stay up." Akashi could see that people were giving him weird looks, some filled with shock and others with wary and worry but as always, his words were absolute.

Gradually, everyone stopped fighting and the Parasites pushed past them, screaming for blood and tripping over each other. Teammates were shoved aside but some of them did push their way to Yonsen who were still holding the chain. Others went to help those that couldn't walk on their own. With a sick feeling in Akashi's stomach, he noticed that there truly had been a body on the ground that was unmoving. Miyaji Kiyoshi of Shuutoku picked up the body and Akashi looked away, realizing that it was the younger Miyaji brother, Miyaji Yuuya and he swallowed the bile that had risen in his throat.

Then the wall of Parasites ran right passed Akashi and jumped onto the stranger. More and more of them piled up, all trying to rip and bite the man but he never fell down. All Akashi could see was his gauntlet hands tearing the Black Creatures off of him but that he didn't fall, nor did his knees give out from under him. It really did look like the other was being overwhelmed, losing, but Akashi just ran to where his team was, knowing that the life of a stranger, one prepared to die, wasn't his responsibility. As sad as that was to say.

"Get to the buildings," Akashi said, shoving a Parasite that had tripped near them. Reo looked at him, confused. "We're still going to fight. Those that can treat the wounded, do so. Others, we'll shoot the Parasites from a safe area. Now go. I'll relay the message to everyone and make sure no one is left behind."

But before Akashi could speak into the intercom, Reo placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a small smile. Despite that, he could still see the pain in the other's face and Akashi knew that the other male was injured. "Sei-chan," Reo said, his voice as light as possible. "As the Party of the Commander, Akashi Seijuurou, we hold certain responsibility. Don't worry, we'll help you." Akashi didn't have time to protest before the rest of his team nodded to him and ran off, all going to different Parties to assist them and help them to the buildings.

Akashi sighed. It seemed to always come down to the responsibility of and for someone, right? Pushing the mic closer to his mouth again, Akashi spoke. "All Parties, head to the buildings. I repeat, all Parties to the buildings and assist those that are wounded. Any medics, attend to the wounded." With that done, Akashi went to Murasakibara, pushing but still trying to avoid the Parasites. When he reached his tall-as-a-titan friend, he winced in sympathy at the sight.

Murasakibara had looked like he was straining himself from afar but from close up, it looked like he was just downright suffering. His eyes were shut tight and he was gritting his teeth, grinding the loudly and growling every so often. Veins bulged along his neck and if the taller teen had been wearing clothing other than the authorized anti-Black Creature gear meant to keep people from burning up from the contact of blood, Akashi was sure he would have seen veins all along his arms. The other was leaning back on his feet with Himuro doing his best to pull back as well. Between the both of them, they haven't dropped the chain but Akashi knew that though his purple haired friend was strong, the other wasn't going to last long.

Akashi was conflicted. Should they keep what little hold they had on the Colossal, or should they let it go along with the possibility of studying it and learning more. After sparing another glance a the pair trying to hold the chain, Akashi chose the latter.

Running the last few feet to the duo, Akashi tried shouting over the raucous of the Parasites. "Murasakibara! Himuro! Let the chain go and head to the buildings. We'll fight from there." Himuro looked at him, panting before he let go of the hulking chain but the raven haired teen had to shove and shout at the taller who hadn't heard the orders. When Akashi knew they were already heading to the buildings, he looked around again to see who was left.

To say he was frightened and repulsed by what he saw was an understatement. The sight of the still groaning Colossal still bleeding heavily was pitiful but horrifying. The Parasites all seemed to pile up somewhere at it feet and Akashi knew that it was the stranger that had sacrificed himself. It seemed that even though the man was long gone, the Black Creatures were determined to get a piece of him. No matter, the problem wasn't his to deal with. Despite the sick feeling that filled him when he thought of how he had abandoned the lone survivor.

Looking around once more and seeing that there were no more people to gather to the buildings, Akashi ran to the one that his Party had gone to, pushing open the glass doors and taking in the sight of several wounded men on the ground being tended to Midorima. The teens on the floor all seemed to be members of the Kaijo and Touou Parties. There was Moriyama and Kobori from Kaijo and Wakamatsu, Susa and Sakurai of Touou. Only the last seemed conscious enough to be looking around and studying everything. Before speaking to Midorima, Akashi spoke to him.

"Sakurai-kun," Akashi said softly, kneeling beside the smaller teen who was wheezing as he breathed. Said teen looked at him and looked like he was trying to clear his throat. Akashi noticed that his chest was bandaged and bloody.

"Akashi-san," the other responded. Akashi could hear the pain in his voice and the rasp it was. "Wasn't he amazing?" Akashi blinked, not understanding what the other was talking about.

"Who, Sakurai-kun?" he asked, concerned whether the other was dreaming or hallucinating. It was possible and has happened to many before in previous missions. Even Akashi was subjected to one such case when he started seeing a flying, blue teen jump around buildings when he was a boy.

"The black man with white hands." Sakurai said, his gaze far off and unseeing. Akashi immediately understood what the other was now talking about. "Don't you think it was amazing the way he fought Parasite after Parasite on the roof and pushed them off? Then he jumped to get away from them and opened up the back of the Colossal on on his own. He was like Aomine only he was doing it all alone. And he was doing it with magical items. He was like a lone magician with the power of a knight, ne?" Akashi balled his fist against the ground. He wasn't sure if the boy beneath him was entirely himself at the moment but he did hear how the other was tormenting himself to speak.

"Sakurai-kun, you should rest for now and heal. Alright?" he said, hoping the other would agree.

But the other didn't and he simply shook his head, now reaching out slowly to grab Akashi's clenched fist. Panic seemed to light up the teen's eyes, making Akashi uneasy. "Akashi-san, how long have you been with Teiko?" Sakurai wheezed, wincing.

"Really, Sakurai-kun, we can't-" Akashi tried to protest but the other only shook his head again, squeezing his hand over Akashi's.

"No, please. I'm sorry but please answer the question." Sakurai was now begging and he couldn't refuse the teen when he was begging in pain.

"All my life," Akashi answered and he watched as the other nodded in thought.

"Then you don't know the Poems, do you?" Sakurai said, letting his hand fall.

"What poems, Sakurai-kun?" Akashi said gently, now grabbing the other's hand since it hand become too weak to hold his.

"The Poems. The Poems of the survivors. The ones that roam the whole of Japan on their own and in small groups." Sakurai said, smiling and closing his eyes when Akashi held his hand. "The Poems that make every lone child smile. They are the Poems of the Black Roses."

"The Black Roses?" Akashi questioned, his curiosity genuinely peaked.

"Mm-hm" Sakurai hummed. "The Poems of the Black Roses. Even after two years, I still remember the one my mother whispered to me before she died because of the Parasite attack. Do you want to hear it?" Midorima now came over and he was crouching on the other side of Sakurai. He answered for Akashi.

"Yes, Sakurai." The green haired teen said and Akashi looked at him, slightly taken aback by the other's interest as well. Midorima waved him off though. "It's been awhile since I heard anyone recite a Black Roses Poem. Please do." Sakurai barely nodded before speaking.

"The Men who Fight

In the Dead of Night

With Swords of Light

And Guns that Spite.

They kill and save

For humans that crave,

Crave for Freedom

From creatures that Raise

The Men of Black.

Black Cloaks and Black Boots,

Black Hoods and Black Pants

They were and absolute.

They neither Died nor Ran

Only Fought for Man

They Fought with Weapons

Of Magic, of White

The Men who Fight

In the Dead of Night

With Swords of Light

And Guns that Spite

The Men of Black

Please Save us All"

Sakurai's voice became too much of a wheeze and he breathed to try and steady it. Midorima grabbed a cloth and laid it on his head before speaking and, Akashi realized with surprise, continued the poem where Sakurai left off.

"The Men of Black

Fight, Don't Fall"

Sakurai's eyes opened and he stared at Midorima with Akashi, who was taken aback by the other's knowledge of the Poem. "You know the Black Roses, Midorima-san?" Sakurai asked weakly but there was a touch of satisfaction in his voice. Midorima, in turn, just nodded.

"Now that you gotten that out, go to sleep Sakurai. You need it." Sakurai nodded, laying his head back as he whispered, "Sorry for imposing." Midorima just tsked in minor annoyance and AKashi watched, amused. "Don't apologize for something that's not a problem nor is it your fault. Just go to sleep." Midorima scolded. Sakurai didn't respond since he was already asleep.

Letting go of the now slumbering teen's hand, Akashi again looked at his childhood friend. "Midorima, I didn't know that you knew of these Poems that Sakurai-kun speaks of." Said teen just shrugged, getting up to treat a different teen.

"It was long ago, as Sakurai put it. Except it was eight years ago that I last heard of a Black Roses Poem. Like Sakurai said, people who were born in Teiko and those that joined don't really speak about the Poems, nor do most know of them. I know because I was apart of another survival group before coming here." Midorima explained, places clothes on on some other teen's head then cleaning another's bloodied face and neck.

"What are they though?" Akashi questioned, perplexed that he didn't know what the other was talking about.

Midorima shrugged, but the way he looked at Akashi meant that he wasn't joking around and was only serious. "They are about the men in black, just as the poem said. The men who only fight at night and go around saving those in need. Sakurai brought it up because that man that was on the roof was one of those men." Akashi's eyes widened but Midorima continued before he could say anything.

"They're our heroes." the green haired teens eyes were now lowered to the ground. "One such man once saved my survival group before I joined Teiko. He was smaller though, a lot smaller than the man out there. He moved like he was dancing as he killed the Parasites and there were even moments where I couldn't see him but feel him as he moved. Like he was surrounded by an aura of…" Midorima looked to struggle with finding a word for a moment before continuing. "Protection. Surrounded by an aura of protection. He saved us all but was gone before we could thank him. The next night, I woke up to find a stray Parasite in my room where I was sleeping. The man came again and killed it. It was like he had been waiting and watching for something like that to happen."

Midorima looked at the ground for a long minute, then looked at Akashi and he nearly gulped as he saw the uncharacteristically soft look on his friend's face, no signs of irritation, wariness, exhaustion or anything. "The man spoke to me and said, 'Thank goodness. I was afraid I might've been too late. Thank you for staying alive.' I still don't understand what he meant by that but it made me feel strong and calm for some reason. I never saw the man after that because I came to join Teiko along with the rest of my survival group. But there was a new Poem made after that incident called the Bloody Dance. My former survival group will get together every so often and we recite it every time, along with many others." Midorima sighed before continuing his work, that is, until a small and soft whistling filled the room. Frowning, Akashi stood.

The green haired sharp shooter looked up from treating one teen that was now sleeping. "Akashi," he said, and he looked back to his friend, the whistling not going away. "What happened to the man out there. I didn't see him after you ordered everyone to stop fighting."

Akashi's face pulled into a frown and he avoided looking his friend directly in the eye. "He didn't make it. We shall honor him though, he sacrificed himself for the rest of us." Briefly glancing at the other, Akashi saw the medic's eyes widen before looking down, swallowing.

"Yes, we shall." Akashi noted that Midorima wasn't his usual, tsundere self, but he resolved to ask the other why, later.

"Where are the others?" Akashi asked, feeling restless and wanting to shoot something. The story of the Black Roses had gotten to him and now he felt unbearably guilty. It was possible that the man outside that had died could have been one of those saviors that both Sakurai and Midorima had spoke of and Akashi felt responsible for not saving him. For not helping him even though he most likely could have.

"Upstairs on the second floor." Midorima said, his voice now tight and heavy with what sounded like sadness. Akashi just nodded before running to the stairs that he saw, leading up from the lobby to the second floor. He had never heard his friend sound… broken… in such a way. Like he was given hope than it was ripped away. It kind of was, Akashi realized, as he ran up the stairs two at a time. He was given the hope that a man from his memories that saved him once before had come to save him again, only to learn that man had died for him and many others.

Pushing open the doors at the second floor of the stairwell, Akashi looked to see his Party and Kasamatsu of Kaijo all staring at something below. They had busted the windows and the ground was littered with glass but none of them were shooting. The whistling was louder than ever now and wind seemed to be beating against the building they were in. Which was weird since it was only a hot and still day just minute ago.

Walking forwards to meet his team and Kaijo's captain, Akashi raised his voice so he could be heard over the still screaming Parasites, the still moaning but now roaring Colossal and the newly added wind. "Captain Kasamatsu, what's going on here?" Wind whipped his hair around but it was short so it wasn't in the way of his eyes.

Said person turned to look at him before gesturing to the window. "It's that man," the older shouted. "He's fighting and something's happening. Come one and look because it's definitely not human!"

Akashi frowned before running forward, now rationalizing that the wind was not normal and that the sky was still clear. The wind seemed to push him the more he ran forward and he noted that the others were all holding onto the glass pane to keep from sliding back. Some of them were sporting cuts and were bleeding from doing so. Reaching the windows, Akashi looked out and his eyes widened. It was an understatement to say he was surprised.

On the ground, the man was very much alive. Parasites surrounded him but they were all being pushed back, the wind seeming to keep them from touching the man. The were screaming and trying to claw their way forwards, pushing and scratching at those around them but still struggling against the wind. Some of them weren't strong enough and were blown back, flying through the air in a tangle of deformed limbs.

The man himself was actually very much alive, Akashi not quite believing that to be so. He was standing in the middle of everything with his hands high up and his head tilted back to face the sky. Despite the wind whirling around him and making the ends of his cloak flap wildly, his hood was never pushed back to reveal his face in the shadows. The Colossal was still arching its back but the wind was pushing it as well, making it lean as it tried to stay in one spot. The whistling was everywhere, soft but still there. Then Akashi looked up to where the man was looking and he blanched.

The Wind Spirit. Akashi had forgotten all about the flying Black Creature but now it was returning and it looked to be returning with fire. Literally. Up, high in the sky, the Wind Spirit was like an arrow as it pierced the air, diving head first to the ground. It was coming in at such speed, it wouldn't be able to pull back without snapping its wings. Akashi watched with amazement as it then blew blue flames to the ground but since it was coming so fast, the flames engulfed it instead. The Black Creature was now on fire and still blowing until it spread it wings ever so slightly, making it spiral in the air. It was like watching a twirling blue ribbon of fire that was black at the center. Akashi nearly shouted when he put together the pieces, why the Black Creature was doing what it was doing. It was becoming bigger and bigger by the second until…

It came down on the Colossal with the power of a thousand bolts of lightning and pierced the large Black Creature right through the skull, tearing through it. The shock and power of the Wind Spirit making contact with the Colossal sent Akashi and the others flying back from the windows and landing on their back. Heat overwhelmed them from the intense flames and the wind only made it spread. It prickled Akashi's arms. Some landed on the floor while others on desks meant for paper work. Akashi groaned as he sat up, trying to blink the stars out of his eyes and stumbling to stand properly. He looked around to make sure the rest were okay before hurrying back to the windows.

This time, Akashi didn't bother stifling his gasp of surprise and the others didn't as well.

The Colossal, once standing, was now on the ground, cut clean in half and its insides spilling out in gushes, all of it more black than red while the organs were gray and decaying. Most of it was boiling as well from the Wind Spirit's fire. Then the smell reached Akashi and the others and he gagged with the rest of them. It was like rotting corpses that were pulled apart then boiled in blood before being burned, accentuating the sickening smell that took on a charred state. His teammate, Hayama bent in half and threw up and Nebuya went to pat his back but Akashi still saw that the tall teen was breathing heavily, like he was trying to hold out from hurling as well. Akashi couldn't blame them.

"Akashi," Kasamatsu said, his eyes hard and his mouth pulled into a frown that relaid his distaste for the scene. Akashi marveled slightly at the older's ability not to cringe and turn away. "What the hell just happened?" he said, his voice almost reaching a shout.

Akashi didn't even bother with answering as he turned his back to the window and held his stomach, the feeling to throw up came to him as well. Kasamatsu seemed to notice and he laid a hand on his shoulder, not saying a thing more. Akashi appreciated the silent reassurance as he closed his eyes and took deep breaths in and out of his mouth but the smell hit the back of his throat and he bent over himself, his eyes prickling with tears as he gagged, trying to keep from throwing up.

Kasamatsu squeezed his shoulder, still not looking at him. "Just throw up damn it. All of you. You'll feel sick for the rest of the day if you don't." But Akashi just stubbornly shook his head. A mistake since he suddenly became dizzy and he fell to his knees. "Throw up, Akashi. Listen to your seniors once in awhile." Akashi wanted to protest that the other was only a year older than him but he just pressed his forehead to the ground. He could still hear Hayama throwing up and Reo had joined him. Mayuzumi and Nebuya could be heard trying to give them reassuring words and Kasamatsu didn't bother with more words, just patting his back.

Swallowing the bile that had risen in his throat, Akashi picked himself up but he felt weak all of the sudden, the smell of the Colossal too much for him. It was embarrassing that he could be so weak to it but he couldn't stand it and his knees were weak from the nausea he felt. The other captain pulled Akashi's arm over his shoulders and supported him. Akashi didn't have the voice to thank him. Taking another breath, this time through his nose no matter how much it burned, he built up the courage to speak.

"Let's go to Midorima. He probably has water bottles we can drink and the smell might be less horrible down there. The windows aren't busted." Akashi said in a low voice, not able to muster enough strength to make his voice louder but the others just nodded. Nebuya and Mayuzumi supported Hayam and Reo and they all made their way to the first floor where the lobby was.

"What was that?!" Midorima immediately exclaimed once the green haired shooter had come into the view of Akashi. He looked at the other but didn't bother with doing more than shrug. He pushed off Kasamatsu and went to the supply bags that everyone carried then took out a few water bottles, passing them to the others. He let Kaijo's captain explain for him as he drank deeply.

When he was done, he simply waited for Kasamatsu to finish explaining, not paying attention to what they were saying as he closed his eyes and thought about the man, the Parasites, the Colossal, about Akio from two days ago. Yes, that was a subject he liked to think about. When he met the boy, he was promising, that look, the fire in his eyes that showed how much he wanted to live and survive on his own, how his will had gotten so far. What would it be like to have that boy around in his office? Of course, Akashi lived alone in one of the more secluded areas of Teiko, a small house surrounded by his captains' houses. Aomine, Midorima, Murasakibara, and Kise visited often but not enough for the stress on Akashi to totally dissipate. He really wanted to start training Akio, teach him more about the Apocalypse, prepare him and help him learn so that he could join the Hunting Parties. Not only that but he also wanted to teach him more academics because he just knew that the younger would enjoy it. He seemed like someone who would enjoy immersing himself in books while he wasn't running around.

Unconsciously, Akashi smiled with his eyes closed, thinking about the close future. Akio could get to know his friends. Aomine would be a great help in entertaining him since he would know all the fun things to do even during the Apocalypse. Then he rethought that. All Aomine knew were how to scrounge for porn magazines through the rubble. Bad influence. Midorima on the other hand, knew a lot about the best books to read that could occupy one's free time. Kise was a bright bundle of joy and, though irritating at times, can make the atmosphere brighter, lighter and more enjoyable. Murasakibara was a part time baker when he wasn't doing missions and he could make many treats for Akio. It was a small ray of sunshine and hope in the world of the Apocalypse and it made Akashi smile even more.

Yes, after this, after traveling back home, dealing with the Hunting Parties, after all the paperwork, talking and explaining to his father, Akashi would like to spend time with the small light that has entered his life. After.

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Great, now I feel horrible for leaving everyone at a cliffhanger. Please forgive me if you can but I don't think anyone can. The only thing I am happy about is that I made this chapter a whole lot longer. I am a very bad person. Please forgive me.

Please, I hope you all enjoyed and please leave a review. My life source is purely from reviews. Naw, kidding but yeah, I love them.

Enjoy and Review!