WHOOOOOOOOOOA! SO MANY REVIEWS LAST CHAPTERS YOU MADE ME HAPPY READERS! Kicchin is back with another chapter! Sorry if it took quite some days for me to update, this was after all quite the longest chapter I have ever written. This even beat Chapter 4 from being the longest chapter I have ever written. ITS FULL OF AKAFURI and a hint of what awaits our KAGAKURO. This chapters reeks of AKAFURI I warned you LOL, yeah because Akashi needs his own warning label; WARNING TOO HANDSOME FOR YOUR EYES or something like that, damn I'm not even making any sense.

Oh and for today's update I wanna ask my readers a question, actually it's a long story and stuffs but anyway if you're uninterested you can just scroll the way down and continue on with the story but if you don't mind well yeah I have a situation (truthfully this is some question one professors of mine left a few days ago, hihihi~ I was late for her class so I didn't get to hear the outcome), so yeah here it is; If so you were a princess(if reader-san is a boy still on the context you were born a girl—a princess) a beautiful one, with wealth and all. Then of all men of the world you fell in love with a servant in the palace, you thought he loved you, because well that was what he seems to be showing. But then one day you found out that that initial thought was wrong for the servant is truly madly in love with your hand maiden. You seek your father's help asking him to punish the servant for betraying your trust but instead your just and morally straight father didn't agree and to punish you, instead brought you to an arena. In the arena you stood on your usual seat as the princess, but the one in the field was the man you love, the servant stood there in the center. From his left was a cage, where the hand maiden was locked, on the right a tiger famished growls in its cage. Your father, the king then asks you, "I gave you the power to decide upon this man's life, you should open one cage, you must chose." Now, if you were the princess or the writer what would you chose. What would be the end of this story?

It'll be real cool if you would tell me your thoughts on that short story. I'll tell you my answer to that story on the next chapter. Oh and yeah there's no plot twist on the story, just final like if you chose the tiger the man will instantly die and if you chose the hand maiden of course they will leave to be together of course without you. SOOOO TELL ME ABOUT YOUR PREFERED END FOR THAT and why, if you don't mind that is.

EVERYOOONE DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A REVIEW~~! I HOPE YOU'LL ENEJOY THIS AKAFURI FILLED CHAPTER!

Kicchin loves review. And special mention for AJ-san who reviewed last chapter, hey there! Uhm don't get nervous leaving a review you can review on your preferred language *winks* I speak and understand Tagalog, uhm I'm a polyglot and yeah TAGALOG IS AWESOME MAN! Lol that language rocks!

Uniquemangalover-san thank you for reviewing and hope you like this chapter too!

AND for Epipelagic-san hope you love this AKAFURI overload LOL am I getting this feeling your main OTP is AKAFURI? Because if that's the case I LOVE YOUU WERE ON THE SAME SHIP!—I-I mean uhm u-uhm, well I hope you like this too!

THANK YOU LOVES!

AUTHOR FACT, author-san speaks German( not too fluent but I understand better than speaking), English, Tagalog, Japanese and Spanish and a small, tiny, bitsy Latin(from my theo class). My mother tongue is…secreeeet.

.

DISCLAIMER: If I own Kurobasu it would be filled with BL, but no its not so yeah, I don't own it.


CHAPTER 7: COMFORTING

Different, it was the word that bothered Akashi that much. Looking around him, he found nothing seems to have changed that much about these people. But Midorima did changed, he act so differently. He had noticed it long before, it started as Takao joined them. Unlike Murasakibara's whim, bringing a human in the household, Takao was already turned—was currently into the turning phase—when Midorima brought him in. He didn't have much of a say, Kuroko argued it should be fine since Midorima had turned him and it was Midorima's responsibility to take care of Takao. But truly he didn't like the turned raven haired boy. Yes, he is intelligent, but he is cocky, he didn't like how he is too courage, too brave, too mischievous. It was his humanness innate in him, his know-it-all attitude without knowing much actually. Stupidity—Akashi frowned, humans are creatures who had proved throughout history their stupidity by recreating the mistakes of the past, even more, worsening it. He felt lost among his brothers, why are they trying to tell him that he is the one who do not understand? Which part of protecting them, he does not understand?

Was it wrong to want to protect them? It was after all, everything he has. There was nothing wrong about protecting the ones you value, the casualty is just a small price to pay for it. Why can they not understand it? Why do they value humans so much? Why do they admire these creatures who dare bear their blades at them, who turned their backs on them, who called them monsters, who hated them, who feared them? He does not understand Nijimura's thoughts, or Kuroko's admiration to them, or what Murasakibara and Midorima saw in their humans—now turned lovers.

Akashi leaned his arms against the metal railings, looking at the reflection he has on the dark river waters below. He didn't like being opposed, but he have to think further, he has to consider the situation. First it was Murasakibara and now, Midorima, he closed his eyes in bitter thoughts that soon it would be Aomine and Kuroko. Perhaps it was a brother's jealousy? Perhaps it was only his fear of being left alone, when all of them had found the one they were meant to be with. Perhaps it was his own set of fears too. Fear for his brothers to get hurt, by a human again. He had seen it, the way his brothers shed tears watching humans betray their family. It was on their family, what more to them individually? He could not bear the thought of it, he will surely slay them personally if that happens—which was against the promise they made to Nijimura—personal grudges should not be a base of them hurting humans. But it was his brothers they were talking about there, and as the eldest, his blood runs boiling even of the mere thought.

Maybe they just do not understand.

Akashi sighed, it was nice being on his own there somewhere with the smell of the cold night air. He liked being alone, it gave him time to think without any interruptions. Moments like this when he have to weigh facts, he likes to be alone, in a park, a café, anywhere without needing to meddle with people, with anyone. Pulling the sleeves of his shirt he checked the time, it was already eight in the evening. He reached to the pocket of his pants checking his mails.

From: Tetsuya

To: Akashi-kun

Where are you? Midorima-kun informed me you have left the hospital hours ago.

..

From: Takao Kazunari

To: AKASHI

Shin-chan's worried, did something happen between you two?

From: Takao Kazunari

To: AKASHI

Shin-chan's acting weird, did you say something?

It was good to know Kuroko had safely gone home, he thought scrolling over the next messages.

From: Kouki

To: Akashi-kun

Did something happen?

Akashi remembered sending the boy his last message saying he had an important business to do and will answer to his messages a little after attending to them. It was only a few days after their first meeting, he had exchanged numbers to the interesting—albeit average looking—human. The boy was simple, well sometimes a little too simple, he's subtle. He talks a lot, but somehow it didn't irk him like how Takao's overly high energy did. The way he spoke somehow took his whole attention, he didn't know how exactly but he felt like he was more attentive around the boy.

To: Kouki

From: [ME]

Are your shift still not over?

He quickly sent the message as soon as he typed it. He found out that the boy works part-time on the café where he met him, a student during weekdays in the morning and a worker by night and a worker by the morning by weekends. His parents died in a tragic accident when he was in middle school and now he is supporting himself, his only relative is his grandmother who lived in the Kyushu. The boy sometimes is like an open book, he reveals too much about himself, the way his spoke, the way he smiles and looks.

Like an innocent of an undefiled flower.

From: Kouki

To: Akashi-kun

'll be closing early today, tenchou needs to do something out of town so~


"Alright, this is the last!" Furihata smiled as he finished cleaning the counter. He has no OCD but he likes the workspace sparkling clean. The manager of the café chuckled behind him with a smile holding a nice looking coffee tumbler.

"Nice work Furi-kun!" the man cheered.

Furihata smiled bowing his head, as he rose his head he felt his nose quite itchy before he felt a sneeze coming, turning his face away and covering his mouth and nose with his hand, he sneezed. The café manager walked over to him raising an eyebrow, "Oh my, are you perhaps coming down with something?" the man asked worriedly, "You should take it easy."

Furihata waved his hands in dismissal, "Ah, no I-I'm okay, just sneeze, i-it's nothing really,"

The man nodded, "Goodness, the weather's changing too much. You should take care of yourself more Furi-kun." The man said before handing him the tumbler. "Here."

"Eh?"

"It's a little token of appreciation; you like cappuccino so I thought you'd like it in a nice tumbler." The man said with a smile. Furihata happily accepted the small gift with a smile. "You've done a lot of help, thank you."

"I-It was m-my pleasure, thank you tenchou!"

"Alright, see you tomorrow."

Furihata bowed before taking off his dark blue apron off and folding it neatly. He went to get his bag from the back of the café. Humming to himself he excused himself from the owner before taking his leave by the back door. As he closed the door behind him, he felt the cold chill of the wind against his skin. He shivered slightly feeling a sneeze coming. Its bad, he thought rubbing his nose. He has an exam next week and he can't have a cold right then, plus the bills at his apartment would be due by the next day. He sighed tiredly. It is just difficult living on his own, ah but it was something he have to live with. After all he can't give up now, after all these years of enduring it.

He continued to walk to the front of the store rubbing his arms.

"You heard, something happened in Shuutoku General Hospital, earlier."

"Eh?"

"You mean the private hospital?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Some rumors said some mental patient wrecked havoc."

"My, so scary!"

Furihata sighed at the passing school girls, he turned to his watched, it was almost eight and middle schoolers are still out in their uniform. They should be at home by now, he thought to himself. Thinking about it he needs to go home too. Taking a sharp turn his eyes caught something familiar which somehow made him gasped. Red hair, and heterochromatic eyes—Akashi-kun! What is he doing here?. A bunch of girls were egging him about something, with their cellphones in hand, Furihata concluded they must be hitting on him. Akashi only gave them a passive look. Maybe he's waiting for someone—Furihata thought as he was about to cross the street when his feet was frozen by a paralyzing glare from the red hair.

"Kouki." Akashi spoke his name in his silky smooth voice. "What took you so long?"

Furihata turned and found Akashi leaving the girls without a care and walking towards him. He somehow envied the boy, after all he had such charisma towards girls in which he obviously don't.

"S-Sorry, uhm, b-but I-I didn't knew you'd be h-here, uh, w-who were you waiting for?"

Akashi sighed, "You of course," the red haired answered, "and I sent you a mail."

"Eh?" Furihata quickly picked his phone from his pocket, there was indeed a message. "Oh, I'm really sorry!" he bowed vehemently.

"Please stop bowing, don't you get dizzy?"

Furihata stopped, his actions were too fast that he forgot he was holding something, waving his hand in dismissal the tumbler's lid fell and the contents splashed on Akashi's shirt. Furihata's eyes widen as he saw the steaming hot liquid splashing on Akashi's expensive looking dress, and more importantly on the man himself. "OH MY—I'M SORRY!" Furihata's loud exclamation brought attention to the two but as soon as the crowd found it was just a simple accident they all went back about their businesses. Akashi didn't flinch, Furihata in the other hand was panicking which was making Akashi quite dizzy by the way his mouth keeps blabbering about something while he absent-mindedly placed the tumbler down on the floor—in the middle of the street as he searched his bag.

"I'm really sorry!" the boy apologized for the hundredth time as he found a clean brown stripped handkerchief in his bag wiping the stains on Akashi's shirt.

"You apologize an awful lot." Akashi said taking the handkerchief from Furihata and wiping the wet stains. "This not such a big deal."

Furihata's face flushed in embarrassment, "I-I'm sorry, I-I'm a little…uhm—"

"Scatterbrain? That's alright."

"W-Wha—That's—"

Akashi let a low chuckle, shaking his head, "It's alright as I said."

"That was mean!"

"It was true."

Furihata stared at the red haired, sighing Furihata concluded the man was awfully frank.

"A-Anyhow, I don't have spare clothes, b-but I can lend you some, m-my a-apartment is just a block away if you don't mind I could get you some change of clothes and u-uhm as a compensation…I could cook dinner for you—that's if you well, if you're hungry but I—wait, doesn't that hurt? Your chest I mean, oh my god, I think we need to take you to some clinic or-"

Akashi found the boy's blabber amusing, his words were running in circles it was almost funny, but not the way idiots are funny, but funny like how it was quite entertaining just listening to him.

"I don't mind." He answered. "I mean about the shirt, if you insist."

"O-Oh then, I'll lead the way." Furihata answered before picking up the tumbler on the ground and leading the way.

Furihata lead the way to his apartment, the small walk was awfully difficult for Furihata, the air was unnecessarily too cold for his own liking and his nose was not getting along with him being too itchy. Rubbing it for the umpteenth time of the day Furihata sighed, his nose is getting clogged he thought. He have to walk faster, after all Akashi is walking in the middle of this cold night with a wet shirt and probably burnt chest. Quickening his phase Furihata felt the wind even stronger against his cheeks, he shivered involuntarily at that. Akashi was taken by surprise by the other's reaction. He quickly noted something off about the boy.

"Are you alright?" Akashi asked, he didn't knew where did that come from. He didn't have much interest about people's well being so why did he felt like knowing that? The boy gave him a smile that somehow made his heart skipped a beat. The boy chuckled rubbing his nose, his small button nose is now slightly red, he looked—what am I thinking?! Akashi felt alarmed by his own thoughts towards a man—a man.

"Its just a bit cold." He answered.

Akashi didn't say anything further, he isn't answering his initial question, Akashi thought. The boy continued to walk talking about some random things including a woman named Aida Riko in which he spoke of very fondly, but also noted that she was only a friend. Then he soon started directing the topic on basketball. Surprisingly Furihata is a member of his school's basketball club. He wondered how his fail looking human body could withstand so many activities in one day. Akashi's thought drifted to the way Furihata is speaking, it was continuous, somehow it was bordering to the line of complete nonsensical blabber, but there was just the way he speaks about these things that makes him quite interested with them. Usually when someone—especially a human talks he would just pretend he's listening, but with Furihata's case he cannot not listen. The way his chuckles resounds in his senses, the way he speaks so nice about others, the way there was just this certain life in the way he speaks. His smiles were those of a child, of a child who knew no evil.

It was so pure that he wanted to taint it, it was so tempting. Like how a pure white canvas makes one itchy to defile it. At the same time Akashi wanted to know of the things that may lie behind that white canvas, the impurities behind it, he is sure of it, there must be something.

"We're here!" Furihata said as he stood before a simple looking apartment complex. "I live on the second floor."

Akashi nodded following the brunet as they took the flight of stairs to the second floor. It was a quiet neighborhood, peaceful, normal, it was so much like Furihata himself. Furihata stopped in front of the second door from, quickly fishing the keys from his pocket and unlocked the door. Furihata opened the door quickly stepping in before reaching for the switch for the lights in the hallway. With a smile he gestured Akashi to come in before taking off his shoes. Akashi examined the room. It was simple too, just like the rest of the building. Everything is neatly arranged, in the shoe rack, he noted there were only Furihata's black leather shoes—probably what he uses at school, a pair of red rubber shoes with black linings, he noted they were slightly—maybe a little too slightly—worn out, and the ones that Furihata took off just then, a pair of dark brown sneakers.

"Are those your basketball shoes?" Akashi asked putting his shoes on the rack. Furihata came back holding a pair of slippers and set them down for Akashi.

"Oh, yeah." Furihata answered.

"Hm, they're slightly…worn."

"Oh," Furihata chuckled awkwardly, "eh, you noticed? Well, I-I guess there are just a lot of things other than a new pair of basketball shoes to attend to."

Akashi slipped the slippers on as he followed Furihata in the room. The room was incredibly nice and comforting, a small couch was set on the living room and a simple television, then—Akashi quietly walked to the altar, sitting in dogeza. There was a picture of a woman, a fine looking woman with a smile similar to Furihata's, her hair was chopped just right above her shoulders. The other picture was of a man, his smile is more secretive, but he noticed he had the same eyes as Furihata. They must be Furihata's parents. He isn't a person with religious upbringing, he does understand the concept of it but a vampire like him it serves no purpose, but respect was something a man should always possess.

Furihata came back to the living room with a shirt, he is unsure if it would even fit Akashi but he thought it was better than letting his guest in a coffee stained shirt. "Ah, Akashi-kun what would you—" Furihata was lost for words when he found Akashi in front the butsudan with his hand clasped in prayer. Akashi didn't strike as someone religious but the courtesy the man showed was enough to make his respect for him rose in a whole new level. Bowing his head the man stood from his position dusting off his slacks.

"They must be your parents." Akashi said looking back to the butsudan.

"Yes." Furihata answered, Akashi took notice the gentle smile forming on the other's lips as he looked at the photo behind him. His eyes expressed too many emotions that Akashi felt drowning in them. He is a strange human, for he didn't care about hiding anything. "They must be quite happy, its been a while since someone visited."

Akashi hummed in reply as Furihata handed him a clean shirt which was neatly folded. It had such a nice scent, he thought. No, not like the way blood appealed to him, but somehow they smell something like home. It was a difficult thing to describe thoroughly. It reminded him of the days when everything was fine. "What do you like to have Akashi-kun?" Furihata asked meekly.

"Anything." Akashi answered quickly, he didn't mind food after all the all taste bland to his palate, the only thing that appealed to his tongue for the longest years he had lived is blood. "Where is the bathroom?"

"Oh uh, here." Furihata lead the way, and pointed the door in the end of the small hallway. Akashi nodded and stepped in closing the door behind him.

Akashi took off his shirt, and putting on a simple black v-neck shirt which was quite a fit, but he didn't mind. This made Akashi thought that Furihata must have smaller built than him, maybe small as Kuroko's. Or maybe not? Akashi with his shirt in hand exited the room. He heard a familiar chopping noise and followed his senses which brought him to the sight of Furihata chopping the ingredients. For a moment there he remembered Murasakibara. Though they had difficulty making out the tastes of human food, Murasakibara after meeting Himuro started learning to cook food other than sweets. Mostly vampires are able to eat human foods as well, vegetables, cooked meat and so on, but the their sense of taste are somehow a little screwed at certain areas. He had never found out about his own though. He had tried eating almost all dishes but nothing seems to have told him which is which, meaning he had never truly tasted anything that told him about its taste. Murasakibara and Kuroko could identify only taste of sweetness, for Midorima its sourness, and Aomine it is bitterness. Despite that Murasakibara trained his palate to make it sensitive to slight changes, since Himuro was once a human who had a body in need for human food he has to. The scene made him remember the days when Murasakibara spent days-when he is supposed to be knocked off asleep-cooking.

"Oh, you're done?" Furihata asked looking up at Akashi. His eyes widen at the sight, he had seen a lot of models on television, they wore labeled shirts and designer lines, but they had never looked so perfect like Akashi is then wearing a simple black shirt. Furihata cursed himself for thinking too much, but damn, those eyes and that hair looks stunning paired with black, it looked regal on Akashi. It was as if anything could look perfect in him. He felt his cheeks burn in embarrassment, damn those thoughts he inwardly cursed trying to focus on other things, he turn to the stove to put the heat lower. "Uhm, h-how is y-your chest was it burnt?"

"No." Akashi answered immediately before taking a seat on the stool.

Furihata turned around and was surprised to find Akashi sitting on the stool now arms crossed on the countertop looking right at him. His stare was like acid on him, it burns. It felt as if he was being inspected.

"You look just like your mother." Akashi commented. Looking closer, he noticed he did have his father's eyes but the way his eyes were soft and gentle was more similar to her mother, and his smiles too.

"A-A lot did say." Furihata answered looking back to the pot, he stirred the soup quietly.

"Hm, and perhaps you did have her personality too." Akashi added, "Cooking, and the way you speak, I just could tell."

"My grandmother told me so too." Furihata answered before turning to Akashi, now it rose his curiosity. "I wonder what kind of mother Akashi-kun had, could you tell me about her?"

Akashi fell in silence, what kind of mother did he had? Its been ages, decades maybe even century when he last saw her. Ah, but he could remember her. He remember back then when he was younger, yes by age, when he was only such a child, the woman sung lullabies to him. She read him books and patted his head. The woman had the same hair as him, blood red. But her eyes, her eyes were different from his. His eyes were like Furihata's. They were soft and loving, and genuine that at most he questioned if he she is true or just a fragment of his childish imagination. Akashi is a strange pureblood, he was born with his strange eyes, and he had something inside him that took him time to take care of. But the woman never left him, she defended him from their society as far as to resort to sending him to Japan. The woman didn't want to, but she had to. And that was the last time he saw her, the next thing he knew, she was killed…in a witch hunt, by a human.

"Her name is…Sestuna." Akashi started, "I could barely remember her, she's…we've lost contact with each other long ago."

"Oh, I-I'm sorry." Furihata said shyly. He didn't want to bring anything that arose unpleasant memories from his guest. But he could not help, Akashi did mention during their conversation through mails that he has a few younger siblings, and the way Akashi spoke of his mother, though he looked sad, he also seemed fond of her. "Akashi-kun must have such a loving mother."

Akashi turned to Furihata.

"I mean, even it was brief I slightly felt that you thought of her in a fond way, and the way you talked about your siblings, just like a doting brother. It must be because of your mother?"

Akashi remembered, maybe he is indeed reflecting his mother's way to his younger brothers. Maybe it was his unconscious compensation for the lost time he had with his mother and instead shows it to his only remaining family. Akashi was beyond amazed, he looked up at Furihata, he had never met a human able to tell something about him like that, was he that easy to read? No, that's impossible, he had spent his entire life able to skim his way with his unreadable and safe answers but, this boy…Even Kuroko would not speak of such thing.

So…different.

You…

Confuse me.

He had never been in his entire life this confused, he isn't sure of this boy anymore, was he innocent or was just that his façade, but he'll know immediately, yes? But then how? How could knew all those? How can he tell? The way he could tell so much about him that even he himself didn't realize, it was dangerous. His heart was beating in a dangerous speed, it was due of both fright and excitement. He wanted to know more about himself through this boy, but at the same time he is afraid, afraid of the things he'd know about himself.

"Ah, its done!" Furihata exclaimed before turning off the heat. "Ah, is that your shirt? I'll take care of those, after all its my fault it got stained, uhm do you mind setting the table while I put your shirt on the laundry?"

"I don't." Akashi answered handing his shirt to the boy as he stood from the stool.

Furihata thanked him before running to where the laundry is with his shirt in hand. Akashi quietly started looking for the plates, and bowls from the cupboards. It didn't take a while when he finished setting the table, he stared at his work. He had never set a table before, he knew of course how to set one but really he had never done it up until now. He had forgotten when was the last time he had shared meal with his brothers, sat on the same table with them.

"Ah, thank you Akashi-kun!" Furihata said dashing to the pot. He took a bowl putting some of the soup on it. Slowly Furihata set the food down on the table. "Ah, you can sit now." He said before taking his and Akashi's rice bowl to fill it with cooked rice. Akashi watched the boy as he ran here, and there. Somehow he looks endearing.

"Thanks for the food." The two said in unison.

Akashi picked up the spoon, his mind hesitated for a moment. What is he doing? Who is he fooling? Why is he even eating when he know this serves no purpose for him? But what's the risk? There wasn't any, so he quietly took a spoonful of the soup. His eyes widen at the odd sensation.

"Is something…wrong?" Furihata asked sounding concerned, "W-was it not to your liking?"

Akashi was puzzled as he stared at the soup. What was that? It tasted…

"Salty?" Akashi was awed at himself. He can…he can taste salty? In utter disbelief he took another spoonful, it tastes good, he thought. It was different, it didn't taste like blood, but it was good—no, it is great.

"A-Akashi-kun—"

"This tastes good, what is this?" Akashi asked the boy.

"I-Its just miso soup, I put tofu in it and—"

"You should cook this for me again." Akashi unconsciously said finishing his bowl, his eyes widen, he could somehow taste the other ingredients, like there was not just that salty taste, there was something like a little tinge of bitterness from the green vegetables. He had never in his long life had tasted human food this way. Blood tasted similar, but this, this is just different. He could taste so many things all at once that he could not even express himself correctly.

Furihata chuckled at Akashi somehow change of attitude, he looked so much like his age then. He didn't sound pretentious, or trying hard to be tough, he just was like Akashi. "Akashi-kun should act like this more often." Furihata said taking a spoonful.

"What do you mean?"

"Hm, a little laid back?"

Akashi watched the boy sitting across him as he continue to eat, he didn't understand what he meant by laid back, he only said what was in his—wait, he said was what in his mind? Akashi was stopped, he spoke his mind without another thought? This was strange, he thought, why does he feel like this? Like as if he didn't feel like he need to mask his thoughts, that he could speak so as himself, not as Akashi, not as the CEO of some company, or the eldest of the Kiseki no Sedai, but simply as Seijuuro. His chest felt strangely lighter, he looked at the boy then, why does he feel like though as if he could only has his attention on the boy, why does it feels as if he could see more this way?

"…you're strange." Akashi said in a barely audible voice. Furihata looked up but just gave him a smile which caused Akashi's heart to skip a beat. He inwardly scolded his heart for racing too fast.


"Achoo!"

Akashi heard that for the umpteenth time since they finished the meal. He asked Furihata if he could stay a little longer, since his stomach felt too full. He had never ate something that heavy until then. The sensation was quite strange but he doesn't mind having the soup again. The taste still lingers. Thinking about it made him quite hungry, but now it was for something else. Akashi sighed, he could wait until he get home and—

THUD!

Akashi's thoughts were interrupted by a sound of something quite heavy falling on the floor. Standing from his seat Akashi looked for Furihata. Following the boy's scent he found him on the hallway to the bathroom, the boy sitting on the floor with his back leaning against the wall. Akashi noted the boy is heaving and sweating. He didn't look good at all. Walking over to the boy's side Akashi was overwhelmed by the boy's body temperature, he could feel it even without touching it, that was bad. "Can you stand?" Akashi asked not bothering to ask if the boy is already because obviously he isn't.

"Y-Yes, j-just…dizzy." Furihata answered.

Akashi felt his eyebrow twitched in utter frustration of the boy's stubbornness. "I'll help you up." He said before putting the boy's arm in his shoulder and sneaking his arm on the boy's waist to pull him up. Effectively Furihata was able to support his own weight and Akashi brought the boy the living room. Without questioning him, Akashi went to get a glass of water and handed it to the boy. Akashi's hypersensitive senses could even see the boy's breath fogging up from his fever.

"I'm sorry…" Furihata apologized weakly, his voice didn't sound nice anymore. Colds and physical breakdown, Akashi concluded. This boy must realize he can't do all things at once. He reminds him much like Kuroko. Pulling all he had, to the point his own body gives up on him and yet—

"Why are you even apologizing?" Akashi sighed. He remember once when Kuroko is new to the family and to the Kiseki no Sedai, he tried keeping up with the purebloods routines, their 24/7 supply of energy and ability to stay up without getting tired which resulted from the frail bodied vampire to throw up and collapse. Akashi was amused and frightened at the same time towards the youngest member, he had never seen a vampire throw up. But alas, the boy was just like Kuroko. They try keeping up with the world around them, trying to prove their worth.

"Rest." Akashi told the boy who groaned in protest.

"But tomorrow—"

"Shut it and rest or I'll tie you down that couch so you could just stay still." Akashi said, "Or maybe you should take your bed, that would be more comfortable."

Furihata shook his head, "I-I'll be alright here I-I don't want to stand and…"

I don't want to be an inconveniences to Akashi-kun…

Furihata felt guilty, he had stained Akashi's clothes and had him waited for him, and now he is being taken care of by his own guest. Akashi is being nice to him and he could not even be a proper host. He sighed, his head ached and his body felt too cold. He shivered slightly.

"Are you sure?" Akashi asked. Furihata nodded, he could not stand and he didn't want to trouble Akashi by bringing to his room and so on. "Then I'll get you some pillows from your room and perhaps a blanket?"

"Y-You d-don't ha—"

"Where?"

"E-Excuse me?"

"Your room I mean."

"Oh u-uhm its on the room left side before you reach the bathroom." Furihata sniffed as he spoke.

"Alright then." Akashi turned and left.

"Ah wait, y-you don't have to—achoo!"

Akashi only laughed and left him to get a pillow and a blanket from the room.

Upon reaching the said room Akashi didn't bother to even open the lights, he found the cabinet where the futon and the pillows and blankets were. Taking them with him he took one last glance in the room. It was simple uncluttered room with a few exceptions of textbooks on the floor. He shook his head, he was so alike Kuroko in many ways. He closed the door as he left and went back to Furihata who is sitting on the couch, his eyes looks as if its calling Furihata to sleep. He quietly approached the boy and settled the items in his arms on the table. He watched the boy's slightly sleeping figure, he had a nice lashes, Akashi noted, they were long. His brown hair had almost fallen to his eyes, there were unwanted fringes too, perhaps the boy is too busy to even notice. Akashi felt the urge to touch those brown locks that looked somehow inviting. Reaching for the boy's head, Akashi brushed the hair off the boy's eyes to see those closed lids. His hair was not soft, nor rough. It was a little of both.

Retracting his hand Akashi concluded the boy would be waking up with a sore neck if he continue to sleep in that way.

"Kouki." He called. The boy stirred and almost jump from his seat from seeing Akashi.

"A-A-Akashi-kun! Y-You s-should have just woken me up I—"

Akashi didn't listen as he placed the pillow on the other end of the couch, "Here." He said patting the pillow. Furihata felt his cheeks burn in embarrassment, but he complied flopping down in his side. Akashi placed the blanket over the brunet with an amuse smile. He remembered his brothers, especially Kuroko with him. "I'll get a soaked towel in the bathroom." He said walking over to the bathroom. When Kuroko falls ill which only happens whenever he over exerts himself and overuses his powers the whole family gets nervous for the little angel. Nijimura and himself would usually stay with the teal haired vampire watching over, for instances that the youngest would suddenly wake up and throw up.

Finding a clean face towel in the cupboard inside the bathroom he then searched for a basin. Filling it with water he soaked the towel in it before coming back to the living room. Furihata watched him as he placed the basin on the coffee table. Akashi took the towel off the basin removing the excess water off the towel before putting it on the brunet's forehead.

"I'm sorry for troubling you." Furihata said sniffing. His eyes feel hot like they were teary.

Akashi shook his head before sitting down on the floor leaning his back on the table. "You remind me of my youngest brother, he usually falls ill." Akashi said.

"You…take care of him?" Furihata asked curiously.

"Yes, inevitably." Akashi answered, "And just like you the more you worry of him, the more he tries to do his best, to prove himself capable."

"Akashi-kun must be really close to your brothers."

Akashi paused, is he? Or perhaps he was. He no longer know if they still trust him to make decisions for the family, or as the head of the family. They all have their loved ones, and they must have hate him now, with the way they kept them that close.

"I…was."

"Was?" Furihata asked looking at Akashi.

"I have done things that have greatly burden them, that had cause tears in their eyes." Akashi answered. Now that he thought of it Kuroko never told him anything. Kuroko never spoke of his thoughts about his tasks, about how he disliked it, which he knew so well. He didn't want to pose that on him either. If he could only carry that for him he would but…

"A family symbol must never sully his hands with the blood of humans thwarting the family, he must remained shining in glory. For you are the face that the human sees, for you are the priced flag, a symbol of power and thus you should never have your enemies blood in them."

It was fate they say. It always had been it, a law of nature or some sorts. Akashi hated the chain that had bounded him here and his brothers in this perpetual pretentious loop. "I have greatly injured them perhaps, and I don't know if they still believe me to make a decision…no, that's wrong, they do not believe in my ability to make decision anymore. They have their own minds now, opposing me in such way. I am only wish for their safety, is that too much? I do understand the things I have inflicted in them, the injuries, and such, but this all I do for them, for their own safety."

"I do not know much but I am sure they do not hate you as you say." Furihata said, his eyes feeling a little heavier, staying up is challenging. The comfort of the cold towel in his forehead and the warm blanket is very tempting. "But Akashi-kun they are capable individuals too, maybe that's what they are tryong to tell you. They aren't children anymore are they? Maybe…you have to trust them a little more, maybe you have to listen to what they have to say."

Akashi scoffed, "How can you say so they don't hate me, I have forced them to abandon the things that define them, their dreams, aspirations and perhaps…even the people they love."

"They would understand, I am sure…they understand." Furihata closed his eyes, "No one could ever be too evil…in the eyes of your family…"

Akashi paused thinking about Furihata's words. Maybe he is right, whenever he stops them they just struggle in him, maybe it's what Midorima is trying to say. It wasn't about them as brothers anymore, but them as a member of this society, as part of some innocent human lives. He had forgotten to take consideration of their opinions maybe it was why Kuroko didn't voice his opinion, maybe that was why Midorima never said anything about anything, maybe it was why Muraskibara left to be with Himuro instead, maybe it was why Aomine never listened. He wanted to protect them so much that he had forgotten that they were capable individuals themselves, his fear blinded him. He had failed them. He had been selfish, he had thought only to gratify his own need, his own desire to ease himself about their safety that he had forgotten that they are all different individuals with needs of their own, with thoughts and wills of their own.

"You are right, it was only me who had thought of this kind of gag, they didn't ask for my protection, they didn't ask for it yet I forced it upon them. It was silly, I have been blinded by the false teaching they instilled in us for years, and all of them had realized it except of me. They must be trying to make me see. I am an awful brother, aren't I?"

"…No, Akashi-kun…is nice."

"People would take advantage of you if you think so of every single person you met."

Furihata cracked his eyes open again, his vision is quite blurry but he saw those beautiful crimson hair, it was enough, "There's nothing…wrong with desiring to protect what means a lot to you, maybe that's what they want to say to you Akashi-kun, your brothers, they must have things they protect too and that's why they want you to realize soon."

Akashi's eyes widen at the simple words that meant so much in such a little time. In a few moments his thoughts of the world had turn 180 degrees. He thought humans were stupid, they were incapable of weighing their actions, they usually acts on impulse despite of their ability to reason. They repeat their mistakes, take advantage of others but this boy proved him wrong. Humans…they are defined by their ability to change. People are thwarting but that is because just like Furihata they want to show that they are worthy, even if it isn't in their innate power they do their best, and try.

It was something that someone like him endowed with power and superior capabilities did not understand. A creature born with infinite time in hand do not understand the meaning of truly living, the passion, the want to prove yourself and mark existence somewhere so in time the next generation would see, that someone such as him had once lived. Akashi's eyes looked at the human boy's face, perhaps this was it, the beauty Nijimura saw in them, he is facing it. The beauty of humanity that he had once thought as extinct just like the dodo birds were, but there were still him, and perhaps any more. For now this is what he wants to believe in.


Groaning Kagami rolled to his side, his phone beeping loudly. He sat up lazily before reaching for his phone, it was alarmed at the usual time, 10:00 AM. He doesn't usually slept in but when he do he makes sure 10 AM would be the maximum. Kagami clicked the alarm off and set the phone back to the night stand before walking out of his room. Walking over the bathroom he twisted the faucet washing his face. Somehow he feels a numb feeling in his head like a headache or migraine coming. He reached for the face towel drying his face, he was about to toss the towel when he noticed something on the laundry basket. That's…he titled his head sidewards picking the articles of clothes that didn't look familiar. A v-neck white and blue stripped shirt, and a dark brown pants that was smaller than his. He don't remember ever inviting anyone over or owning clothes like that, or that small. Oh well, must be Alex, he thought shoving the thought off.

Walking back to his room Kagami changed into a pair of gray sweatpants and black sleeveless shirt. As he was about to leave the room he heard a knock on the frontdoor.

"Taiga!" Kagami sighed hearing Alex's voice. Must be from the kindergarten he thought.

"A moment!" Kagami said before rushing to front door and opening it. As the door opened Kagami was knocked off by a small figure latching on his legs. Kagami laughed and ruffled the small girl's hair. "Morning too Ami-chan." Kagami greeted Alex's daughter picking her up to his arms. "How's your day?"

"Great!" Ami answered happily.

"You overslept?" Alex said stepping in and closing the door behind her, she is in her business uniform and a small black shoulder bag.

"Yeah," Kagami answered.

"That's new." Alex said looking around the apartment, "I heard Himuro's in town."

"Really? Ah, yeah he said he is going to visit but he didn't maybe had a day with his boyfriend in the city." Kagami said laughing before setting the little girl in the couch, "You want anything?" he asked Alex.

"Sure, water." Alex answered sitting next to her daughter.

"So little princess, how was school?" Kagami asked opening the fridge to bring a out a bottled water. Walking to the two girls Kagami handed the bottle to Alex as he took a seat across the two.

"It was fun, we mold animal figures from clay today!" Ami answered enthusiastically, her mother laughed behind her. "Ami-chan made a dolphin!"

"Hm, nice." Kagami said offering a fist bump with the little girl which the little girl returned.

"Oh, now that you said it," Alex said before opening the bottle, "how was cleaning duty with Kuroko-sensei."

Kagami blinked.

"Who?"

Alex paused midway from drinking, "Kuroko-sensei, Ami's kindergarten teacher."

"I…met the guy?"

"Yeah, are you stupid? You met him the first day you stayed here, remember."

Kagami frowned, "I don't remember, we fetch Ami and went home, right?"

"Huh? Something's wrong with you seriously." Alex said drinking before the bottle half empty, "remember Ami's teacher?"

"Kuroko-sensei. Taiga-niisan, sensei."

Kagami tried to remember, but nothing came, no image came in his mind.

"Nope, I don't really remember, are you sure I know this guy?"

Ami pouted, "Mou, nii-san you fetched me one time and sensei was there."

Kagami just shrugged. Alex raised an eyebrow at him, "Did…something happen with you two?"

Kagami groaned frustrated, "Come on, I don't have an idea what you are talking about."

Alex sighed, instead she picked up the remote turning on the television. It was a flash report. Behind the reporter was a small café a few streets away. Kagami's attention was taken in by the fact the scene is just a few streets away from his apartment, he sat straight listening intently as the reporter spoke.

"We're here at Dojoshi street, a man found dead in the small café with multiple wounds. Police had traced the incident with the unknown culprit with the incident in Shuutoku General Hospital, there had been public advisory to keep watch to suspicious looking people. The assaulter now turned murderer is still on the loose."

"My, nowhere seems safe." Alex said sighing, "Na, Ami don't talk to strangers if someone you don't know comes, tell sensei and don't leave unless Mommy comes, ne?"

Ami nodded swinging her feet hanging on the couch. "Sensei has very keen eyes, ne? He remembers a lot of faces."

Eyes

Powder blue

Kagami gasped, he felt a stabbing pain right in his head, he hissed in pain clutching his head. Blue? What's that? He remember blue, electric blue pair of eyes then, a vague image of powder blue ones. As the he try to remember more about those eyes his head feels more painful, like it was now being slam into a hard surface. It felt heavy and painful.

"TAIGA!" Alex ran to him, "Taiga, are you alright?"

Ami started sobbing in fear as Kagami hiss in pain. Kagami heaved as he try to calm himself but as he did the image slowly fades and something in him tells him he shouldn't that he should try to think of those image more. But Ami's crying had started becoming frantic and he could hear Alex in the background panicking. "I…I-I'm okay."

Alex stared at him worriedly, "You should have yourself checked. I think you're sick."


Furihata's eyes slightly opened, though it felt heavy he fought the tempting warmth of the blankets. Rolling over his back Furihata met the ceiling of his living room. Coming to this realization Furihata sat up and something fell on his lap, a slightly wet towel folded. Taking the towel in his hand he remember the night's event. He sighed and felt embarrassed, after inviting Akashi over he collapsed and his guest had to take care of him. He looked around and realized the usual silence of the room. Akashi was after all a busy person, he must have left. He reached to his forehead, his fever had gone down. Though his nose still feels a bit clogged, he felt better than last night. Furihata was about to leave the couch when his eyes met the small white paper set on the table tucked under a glass of water. The penmanship looks beautiful like it was printed from the computer, carefully taking the paper on his hand Furihata read it.

"Thank you for everything yesterday, if you don't mind I would like to keep this shirt. I also brought you some medication for your colds, please do rest for now. I took in consideration the things you told me, and I have decided to tell my brothers of the decision I have come up with. Thank you Kouki, if there is anything I could do for you please do say so."

Furihata wondered for a moment what kind of brothers Akashi had, or what types of conflict are they facing. Akashi looked composed that he didn't appear troubled as much as he sounded last night. A very doting brother. The way he spoke of them, Furihata saw the depths of Akashi's concern for them. Furihata stood stretching his limbs. He went to the bathroom to wash his face when suddenly he heard a knock on the front door, Furihata hurried washing his face and drying it before running to the front door to answer it. He suddenly remember the rent's due is today. He forgot to tell the landlady, he internally panicked before opening the door to find the landlady there just as he thought.

"G-Good morning N-Nanase-san!" Furihata tried his best to smile, "A-About the rent I—"

"Ah, yes I received it, than k you, you're friend gave them to me and informed me you were sick." The old woman said. Furihata was lost for words, friend? "Oh and a package came for you." The woman handed the item to Furihata, a box addressed to him.

"A-Ano, N-Nanase-san about that friend of mine what does he…uhm I mean, who?"

"Eh, wasn't he your friend, he told me so though." The woman said putting her indes finger on his chin trying to remember, "He speaks so formally and has red hair and a pair of two different colored eyes. Oh my is he from Yakuza, you should have said so—"

"Ah, n-no, no, h-he's…uhm, he's a friend, a…a nice friend I met from work."

The woman smiled, "Oh, I see he's a very charming boy I must say, anyhow I will be heading then, rest well Furihata-kun."

Furihata nodded and bowed as the landlady left. Closing the door Furihata inspected the package. There was no name from the sender, shaking the box Furihata didn't hear any movement of whatever object there was inside the box. Curious, Furihata set the package on the floor and opened it taking peeling off the brown paper covering the package, his eyes widen upon seeing the package itself. It was an Air Jordan series shoes, he's eyes widen in utter amusement, who would send him something so expensive? Excitedly Furihata opened the box revealing a pair of red shoes with black linings similar to his own, but this time it looked so expensive he didn't even sure if its really for him or someone just dropped the wrong package. He was about to close the box and return it to the land lady when he saw a small card on the corner of the box stuck between the shoes perhaps due to his shaking. Picking it up he met with the familiar penmanship.

"Use them, I do not take no for an answer. Its really for you Kouki."

Furihata almost laughed at the way somehow Akashi knew his initial reaction was to think if he deserves this or was it really for him. This was too much he thought looking at the shoes. What did he even do to deserve this kind of kindness from Akashi? But he is thankful nonetheless. With a smile on his lips he ran to reached on his pocket fishing his phone. Without further thoughts he took a picture of the shoes sending it to the familiar number.

.

.

.

To: Akashi-kun

From: Kouki

Thank you! Thank you very much. You shouldn't have bothered, but really, thank you.

Have a nice day Akashi-kun!

Akashi read the message as he sat calmly on his office, he had never felt so light. After speaking with that boy he felt like he understood more, like a heavy burden had been lifted from his chest. It was a small gift Akashi thought, the boy might think it was so much but really compared to the things he did for him, it was nothing, those gifts were like small pebbles compared to the gem he gave him. Putting the phone down Akashi waited for the knock on his door. He didn't even spoke, he knew that the ones behind the door know he's there. The door swung open and he stood to welcome the familiar faces.

"Good morning, Shinataro, Atsushi, Daiki and Testsuya."