A/N finally I was able to write even in my busy schedule but I think this will be a messy chapter. I rewrote this a couple of times to make it a bit more clearer and read it a lot of times to make sure that there were no mistakes. But still I felt uneasy posting this chapter so if you guys have any questions feel free to ask away I will try my hardest to answer them all either by pm(but im a bit shy to pm so not sure about it) or by posting them in the nxt chapter, I might update nxt week not sure due to my messy sched in school, so this chapter is a bit longer I think..and i reaally need a beta
this chap is unbetaed
Thanks once again to all those who followed favorite and those who reviewed this story im grateful to all of you X) hope ya all enjoy till nxt time –k^^
Kise was already crying so hard that anyone within a mile radius would be able to hear him. The door of the clinic opened once more to reveal the teal-head who was already once again wearing his cloak and when he saw the scene in front of him he was confused.
"What happened Ryouta-kun", he said approaching the wailing blonde.
"A-aominecchi and Midorimacchi is dead!", and he cried on the shoulder of the teal-head and he sighed.
"Ryouta-kun listen to me..", the teal-head began as Murasakibara listened along with the red-head who seemed to have realized something else.
"NO! I don't want to listen to you Kurokocchi! I know you did all that you can but…but…", then he began wailing once again and the teal-head looked to the red-head for assistance and he nodded.
"Ryouta", he said sternly and this made the wailing of the blonde stop and listen to the red-head.
"Y-yes Akashicchi?", he said sniffling on the shoulder of the teal-head.
"Listen to…", a wave of pain went to his head that almost made him flinch. "..Kuroko"
This made the teal-head look at the red-head his eyes blank that made the red-head look at him intently as he could not read what was on the latter's eyes were and then the teal-head looked away to look at the blonde.
"Ryouta-kun, Satsuki-san, Daiki-kun and Shintarou-kun are alright they just need rest for now"
"Eh?...EEHH!?", then he released his hold on the teal-head.
"Th-then why does Aidacchi look like somebody just died when she came out?", then the teal-head smiled which made the blonde flinch. It was not a kind smile or that of a teasing one but it was a different kind that made Kise slowly back away from the teal-head.
"Riko-san was just tired, is all"
"B-but she looked like..", the teal-head gave a dark chuckle that caused them all to flinch even Akashi was a bit shocked at this and he looked closely at the teal-head watching his every move.
"If you want to, you may visit them", then he gave his usual kind smile that made the others wonder at what happened.
"Thank you Kurokocchi!", Kise jumped him again to give him a hug this time and the latter merely patted his head. Then he released the teal-head and headed to the clinic to visit the others, Murasakibara followed him after giving the teal-head a pat on the head.
"We need to talk", the red-head uttered and the teal-head gave him a rueful smile and nodded and signaled for him to follow him.
"Follow me Sei-kun", Kuroko said as he began walking to the halls and he heard Akashi scoff from behind him.
"Don't call me that", he sternly said as he crossed his arms as he followed the teal-head.
"The only person allowed to call you that is Mayuzumi Chihiro huh?", there was a certain sadness at the tone of the teal-head that made the red-head raise his eyebrows.
They reached the office of the teal-head and Kuroko opened the room and closed the door afterwards he signalled the red-head that he may sit wherever he likes and he sat at the opposite couch where the teal-head now sat.
"What do you know about Chihiro?", he said voice stern but the teal-head merely looked at him impassively with a blank space.
"I know nothing about him, except for what Shintarou-kun has told me", he said as a little dragon with a colour of blue and black flew to the teal-head's lap and decided to sleep there and the red-head just stared at him unbelievably.
"You are not very good at lying aren't you Kuroko", he said raising his brow at the teal-head who was looking at him innocently.
Then there was a sudden glint at the teal-head's eyes that seem to see amusement, the red-head's felt a sudden thump at his heart that made him clench his hands on his lap. The teal-head noticed this and suddenly his emotions was covered up once again with the same blank expression and the red-head could not figure out why it made his heart suddenly ache at this.
"But it's true Akashi-kun, no demon would just reveal their true names like that to just anyone", he said as he began caressing the dragon at his lap currently sleeping as he stared at it.
"Chihiro is not a demon" and the red-head glared at him.
"Ah I see…." and he looked at the red-head with a sad expression this made the aches in the red-head's heart hurt all the more.
"..how were you able to open that room, when none of us could?", and the teal-head swallowed and looked down at the sleeping dragon who was suddenly awake then looked at his master and licked his cheeks which made the teal-head give a slight smile and he sighed and continued.
"I just opened it Akashi-kun, you know of my ability", the teal-head looked at the red-head and gave him a forced smile. His smile rattled the red-head within and his fists are now turning white he is feeling a mass of emotions now that he kept now spiralling out of control.
"How can you become the Demon King with just nullification as your only power?"
"Hmm, I forgot", the red-head raised his eyebrows at this.
"Well it truly is a rare ability as you are the only soul who is capable of that Your Majesty", he said mockingly on the teal-head and his head suddenly perked up, then the red-head was astounded when the teal-head suddenly chuckled at this.
"You calling me that is truly amusing"
"So you could also show a different kind of emotion other than your blank face", the red-head smirked at this.
"I have a soul too Akashi-kun"
"Back to the topic, what do you know about Chihiro's disappearance?", he repeated and the amusement faded from the teal-head's features.
"I was about to ask you the same thing"
"What?"
"I was sealed inside my coffin, three years ago at the same time your kingdom fell", the teal-head looked at the moon once again as if it just happened yesterday.
"When I opened that door that was the only time I found a clue as to where Mayuzumi-san's whereabouts were. It seems that he was taken away someplace where even I could not reach as my powers are sealed."
"What do you mean? We released you from the coffin that binds you…"
"Yes, but the sealing of my powers is not through the coffin"
"Then why are your powers sealed?", and the teal-head shook his head.
"I cannot tell you that Akashi-kun"
"And why is that?"
"It is better for you not to know, but even without my true strength I am sure my current state is capable of assisting you in your plan"
"You read my mind", the red-head said curious and the teal-head shook his head and gave a small genuine smile that shook the very promise that Akashi made to himself when he lost Mayuzumi Chihiro.
"No, I just know how your mind really works…Akashi-kun"
"Kuroko...", Akashi suddenly uttered silently his voice was soft and had a different kind of emotion in it, but the teal-head did not miss the soft sound that he heard that came from the red-head which made his eyes widen in surprise. It seems that the red-head did this unconsciously and then he held his head as he could feel pain shot up to his head.
"W-why did you locked up all our memories?", and the teal-head closed his eyes and when he opened them heterochromatic eyes was looking at him, trying to read his very being.
"It seems that Taiga revealed one of my abilities", he sighed.
"Who is the person that you took from our memories?" he looked straight at those teal-eyes that seemed to drown him in their depth.
"I don't know….Akashi-kun….but all I know is that telling you pieces of your past will just make you forget all the more that is the nature of that curse", then the teal-head stood up as the dragon flew just to stay by his side and followed after him as he headed to the window pane.
"To feel a great part of you missing but never knowing what it is, searching for something in the midst of nothing, forgetting a whole person's existence. It is one of life's most horrible punishments, don't you think so Akashi-kun?", and the teal-head looked back at the teal-head who smiled ruefully at him and for a second the red-head saw the pain that the teal-head has felt but was easily masked with a soft almost unbelievable smile.
"Yes", the red-head agreed to this. "But why would you not know?"
"I don't know...because I am cursed as well, there are holes in my memories that no matter how hard I try I can't remember"
"What?-no the question should be why?", Akashi said in wonder.
"Living for a long time could make you experience the light and dark, the good and bad of this cruel twisted world, maybe it was better for me to forget about that part of my memory. Whenever I remember it, the pain in my chest won't disappear." his voice was about to broke and his eyes that were blank looked as if he was about to cry. Akashi's heart stung.
"You lost someone", with this one word Kuroko closed his eyes and looked up to the moon ever bright.
"In the past, yes. I almost cursed myself to forget, but that would tarnish his memory and I will never forgive myself if I did that", his eyes were distant, cold even that the red-head felt jealous that someone was capable of moving this man's heart that much.
"Can you not undo the curse placed on us?", Kuroko snapped his head to the red-head's direction his eyes no longer showing any kind of emotion.
"I am not the one who cursed us all and only the caster is capable of undoing it." Kuroko's eyes widened and then he held his head as he could feel it hurting. I feel like it's splitting into two.
"There is another, huh", Akashi's eyes became serious to this then he mused.
"That is the only possible answer Akashi-kun"
"Hmmm...this is getting interesting, Kuroko", in a split second the red-head was already in front of him this made the teal-head's eyes widen for a bit but did not allow the red-head to notice it. The red-head grinned at him and he raised his right hand and held the teal-head's cheek and softly caressed it.
"You are the lock of this whole mystery, and all of the things you keep, I will unveil them all"
"Akashi-kun..." the teal-head gave a soft smile before he retorted.
"I should say the same thing to you Akashi-kun"
Then Akashi remembered the words Chihiro told him the night before he disappeared.
'The one who will be capable of opening this door will be the hardest mystery you will have to solve'
"Become mine Kuroko, that way we can find a way to break this curse", the teal-head looked at him astounded and the red-head noticed this and he grinned all the more. He cornered the teal-head so that he would never escape from his clutch and he could see that the teal-head was now feeling uncomfortable by it.
"I cannot do that"
"And why is that?", he looked hurt at this which made the teal-head look away from him.
"I am still in a contract"
"Then I will steal you from whoever who holds you", he let go of the teal-head's cheek and Kuroko felt a shiver ran up to him as he felt the warmth of that hand disappear.
"You cannot steal something that is already stolen, Akashi-kun" and the red head grinned at this and began to walk away and as he opened the door before he went out he looked back at the teal-head with conviction.
"I am an Akashi and I get everything I want", then he went out leaving the teal-head stunned. As soon as the door closed the teal-head looked down and the dragon settled at his head.
"Bakashi...Bel you're heavy", he murmured to himself as he patted the dragon that was comfortably in his head.
Kise entered the clinic, Murasakibara following closely behind him and at when he saw an open door he entered it and there he saw Aomine and Midorima sleeping peacefully.
"Aominecchi", and Kise rushed to his side and held his hand when he felt the warmth in it he sighed of relief and sat down at one side.
"Kise-chin really loves Mine-chin huh?", the blonde flinch at this as he quickly looked back at the purple-head who was munching his food on the foot of Midorima's bed.
"N-No, I-I don't like this idiot", he said waving his hands everywhere and the purple-head just hummed.
"I'll go get some more snacks for us", he said as he headed for the door. As soon as the door closed Kise looked at the blue-head who seemed to be sleeping peacefully.
"Aominecchi you idiot", he said tears forming in his eyes and he bit his lip to reign them all in.
"Please don't ever scare me like this anymore…..or else-my heart won't be able to take it", he took the blue-head's hand and placed it at his cheek and leaned on it.
"I wish you would let me protect you too sometime…", then he leaned in and gave the blue-head a soft yet gentle kiss of the forehead expressing all the emotions he felt at that gesture.
"You have got to be kidding me", the blonde was startled at this that he immediately moved away only to see that the blue-head was not awake but he was certain he heard someone else mumble and when he looked to the side he saw Midorima awake and fixing his glasses hiding a tint of red in his face.
"Mi-Mi-midorimacchi!", Kise said as he scrambled away from the blue-head's bed and this made him fall to the floor.
"Ouch", he said as he began massaging his buttocks.
"Don't startle me like that Midorimacchi", but then when he remembered what the green-head just saw him do he covered his face as he was now like as red as a tomato.
"Hmph, why is it that you two always show affection for each other when I am around", the green-head fixed his glasses then a tick appeared on his head.
"Are you perhaps making me irritated by this, are you?", he said glaring at the blonde while he crossed his arms.
"Y-you won't tell Aominecchi won't you?", the blonde peaked form his hands .
"Hmph, that is no longer my problem", then the blonde beamed at this and began glomping the green-head.
"Midorimacchi!"
"Oi let go of me you airhead", having less energy than he thought he could not shake the blonde away from him so he merely sighed at this and let the blonde do what he wanted.
"Ah it seems you are already awake", a certain red-head entered the room following behind him was Murasakibara who was holding a lot of foods with him along.
"But I never knew you two were this close", the red-head remarked and Kise abruptly pushed the green head only to make him fall off the bed.
"Ki!-se!", then the blonde felt a shiver ran up his spine and when he looked back he saw the green-head emitting a dark and dangerous aura.
"Akashicchi!", the blonde ran to hide behind the back of the red-head and the red-head sighed at this while Murasakibara was snickering.
"Ryouta, with your voice Daiki won't be able to rest properly"
"Yes Akashicchi", he said with a normal tone and the red-head looked at the green-head, while Midorima glared at him then smirked as his eyes glanced at the sleeping blue-head. When the blonde realized what that meant he bowed in front of Midorima his head to the floor.
"Forgive me Midorimacchi!"
"Oh you really want me to?"
"Yes Midorimacchi"
"I will think about it for now", saying this was a mistake because this just made the blonde bother him more than before.
"Ne Aka-chin, why is Kise-chin prostrating in front of Mido-chin?"
"You should know the reason Atsushi", and the purple-head realized what it was and just nodded in understanding.
"Ryouta stop bothering Shintarou he still needs rest", and the blonde stopped while pouting openly.
"How are you?" and the green-head slowly raised his hand and unclenched and clenched it to test his strength. Murasakibara carried him to the bed as he was incapable of doing it on his own as his strength has not returned yet.
"I feel like I'm going to collapse if I stood up from here", he said as his assessment to his body is always right then he suddenly flinched.
"What's wrong Mido-chin", the purple-head asked as he was sitting near the foot board of the bed of Midorima.
"My lucky flower…..it's not here where is it?", and he began looking around to see if any of his flowers bloomed near him or anywhere.
"Midorimacchi you realized that we are not in the human realm, right?" and this clicked to the green-head's mind and his fingers trembled.
"NO! Without my lucky flower something bad will happen…..see I can feel it now my body is failing me let me go back", he said as he was screaming loudly and trying to get up from his bed but a single hand from Murasakibara held him back.
"Murasakibara! Let me go this instant! I will die, I could feel it!", he said kicking around and flailing his hands.
"Midorimacchi, you won't die! But with what you are doing you might just lose your energy", Kise said as he tried to reason with the green-head to no avail, seeing this the red-head decided.
"Atsushi, make him sleep"
"Yes Aka-chin", and he hit Midorima at the back of his head and this made the green-head faint and Kise looked at Akashi astounded.
"You didn't have to do that Akashicchi"
"Not doing so will not allow him to sleep; I let Daiki do that to you once too"
"EH?! When was that?"
"Ah I remember that too..At that time Kise-chin was so stubborn that Mine-chin needed to drag you"
"EH? Murasakibara too, when was that?", he asked continuously but the red-head ignored him.
"Atsushi, Let us go visit Satsuki I'm sure Ryouta would be guarding them both till Daiki wakes up", the red-head grinned at the blonde which caused the blonde to turn into a tomato and looked down.
"Ye~s Aka-chin, I would not want to be here when Kise-chin will begin his sweet rumblings to Mine-chin", he said as he walked out along with the red-head and the blonde gaped at this his face still red and when the door closed.
"HOW THE HELL DID YOU ALL HEARD THAT!?"
Murasakibara chuckled to himself as they were walking towards the direction of Momoi's room. Akashi did not even bother to knock and let himself in the room and Taiga just merely looked at him.
"How is Satsuki?"
"Well for the most part her body is slowly regenerating but she needs rest", Taiga merely said.
"What was Kise shouting for?"
"Nothing", the purple-head answered then Taiga looked at the red-head who seemed to be calm unlike before.
"Akashi, can I speak with you?", and the red-head nodded.
"I will watch after Momochin"
"Thanks Murasakibara", and the two red-head's headed outside and went to the waiting room.
"What is it Taiga?", and Taiga approached the red-head and placed his hand on his shoulders while the latter was not amused by this.
"Swear to me Akashi", he looked straight at those heterochromatic eyes with conviction and pleading and the red-head looked interested at what Taiga was about to say.
"Swear to me, that you will protect him no matter what", then he let go of the red-head and he paced around for a while before continuing.
"Without me to fully protect him, they will make their move"
"They?", Taiga has gotten the red-head's full attention now and he was looking dangerous. Akashi did not know but just by what Taiga has said his blood was running wild as if his body knew who they were but he just could not remember and he was furious at this he felt frustrated not knowing the full story of what happened and it was driving him mad.
"They are…", when he was about to speak and invisible collar appeared on his neck and it looked as if it was prepared to decapitate him if he spoke another world.
"S-swear to me please", then Taiga looked at him with pleading eyes and the red-head merely nodded.
"You have my word Taiga", and Taiga closed his eyes and opened it, no longer feeling the collar on his neck and he sighed deeply.
"By the time we return to the Human realm you should be prepared Akashi, you will face the same nightmare as you did three years ago. And I hope this time you would make the same choice as before", and Taiga left the red-head alone in the room. Even if Akashi wanted to know he knew that Taiga could not tell him but for now he would concentrate in making the teal-head his contracted Demon.
The next night came and whenever the green-head woke up he would always scream that he needed his lucky flower with him or else he is going to die and this shook the castle every now and then. Aomine was still not awake but seemed to be sleeping peacefully even with the loud screams of the green-head beside him.
"AH Kurokocchi!", the blonde let go of his hands on his ears and went on to hug the teal-head who just allowed him to do so and began patting the head of the blonde when he entered the room for a visit.
"Kise-chin so sly I want Kuro-chin to pat me on the head too", the purple-head said so as he was sitting on one of the seats they brought in.
"Wait...You are Kuroko?", the green-head suddenly asked, stopped trying to get up and cutting of the blonde from bickering with the purple-head.
"Yes Shintarou-kun"
"So this is the product of Mutatio huh?", the green-head sighed and lifted his hands to fix his glasses and placed his hand on his chin as he showed curiosity.
"But how were you able to remove the parasites from our own bodies?", he said as he fixed his glasses once again.
"A secret", the teal-head said tilting his head as the blonde let go of him.
"Ah Shintarou-kun I have a gift for you"
"What gift?" and the teal-head merely looked up and when they all did they saw flowers blooming on the high ceiling. Not just any flowers but the flowers from their realm.
"WAAA it's so beautiful", the blonde remarked and the purple-head smiled seeing the flowers blooming so daintily.
"H-how did..", then he looked at the teal-head who looked at him as well and the teal-head merely gave him a slight smile and the green-head understood this and he merely gave a slight bow in thanks.
"These flowers were so adamant in seeing you so I allowed them passage here"
"Eh? Flowers can bloom here?" and the teal-head chuckled.
"You would find the flowers here much more beautiful than your flowers in your realm", this made all of them stare at the teal-head as it was rare to see the teal-head to laugh.
"Then can I see it?" the green-head said and the others looked at him then when he realized this he fixed his glasses.
"Not like I'm interested in them…it's just that you offered and it is very rude to decline", he said looking away this earned a grin from the purple-head and Kise just shook his head.
"Same old Shintarou-kun", the teal-head murmured as he nodded his head.
"Once you get better, I will show you"
"And what is this about showing Shintarou something?" they all snapped their heads to see the red-head leaning on the doorway wearing a smirk.
"Ah Akashi-kun, it is about my garden"
"Hmm", Akashi mused then he smirked at Kuroko.
"Why haven't you shown it to me?", Kuroko looked taken aback at this along with the others who are merely watching their exchange.
"I thought Akashi-kun would dislike it if I invited him"
"You haven't asked me yet and you already summarized that I do not wish to see it?"
"Well Akashi-kun had no particular interest when it comes to nature", the others were gaping at Kuroko as he bravely talked back to the red-head that easily.
"Well that is true", the teal-head blinked at this and this made the red-head smile which made the others have a cold shiver run down their spine.
"But if you could show it to me then, I might find an interest in them", they had quite a staring competition that the others wanted to run away from the room. Murasakibara excused himself saying quietly that he needs more snacks and Kise took this opportunity to tag along and Midorima was left there to watch the scene. He was sure he could see lightning flashing to their eyes and so he removed his glasses and decided to look away.
"Fine, Akashi-kun, I will bring you there later. Excuse me", the teal-head yielded and politely left the room leaving a smiling Akashi who looked like he won a battle.
At a deepest wing of the castle, the footsteps of Aida Riko could be heard echoing in the hall as she walked briskly followed by Hyuuga Junpei. Not knowing why she was on the edge ever since the day that they finished the operation she decided to ask her.
"Aida, shouldn't we be training the new recruits to choose the new Protector of the King?"
"We can take care of that later for now I need to confirm something", she not even daring to stop on her tracks and just continued. They reached a flight of stairs heading to the lower levels of the castle, she proceeded with caution. Then they finally reached a huge door that seems to have a lot protection spells and barriers on it.
"What you are about to see is something no one else in this castle has ever seen, even His majesty himself", she snapped her head to face him and on a swift move a dagger was on Hyuuga's throat. He was not able to respond as he froze, the piercing glare of his Commanding officer was enough to kill.
"Never mention this to His Majesty, EVER", she said sharply.
"Swear to it", he did as he was told.
"I, by the name bestowed upon me by his majesty, swore to never mention to anyone what I am about to witness and if I ever do. Let death be the prize", a mark appeared on his wrist and then slowly disappeared as he spoke those words signifying its authenticity.
Nodding Aida drew blood from her palm and placing it on the huge door, as soon as she touched it all the barriers and protection spells disappeared and the huge door opened.
"What brings you here, Riko?", a female voice was suddenly heard along with a hissing sound. The room looked more like a forest than a garden as there were plants and trees growing and they were massive unlike the normal ones. A huge white snake with blue eyes was seen coiled at the trees.
"Forgive me for interrupting your sleep, Alexandra Garcia-sama", then the huge snake transformed into her human appearance, she was wearing a yukata that was a bit revealing and she is grinning widely. Hyuuga was shocked at this, the strongest guardian of the castle and the one said to have been the trainer of the Strongest Protectors stand in front of him.
"So what do you want? Oh I see you brought your boyfriend here?", the two flinched at this. "Ah it seems good to be young again", Aida wanted to retort to what she said but there was not enough time.
"I wish to confirm its status", Alex's eyebrows rose at this.
"Just to tell you there had been no complications since the past few years", she said as she began walking and the two merely followed her. They reached the deepest part of the forest, where in the middle there was a box with different inscriptions on it.
"This can't be!", Alex exclaimed and when Aida took a look at the box as well, her face paled and her knees gave up on her as she fell to the ground. Hyuuga still not aware of what was happening helped Aida to her feet.
"What is wrong what happened?", he tried asking Alex but even she was shivering in fear as she held her shocked self.
Then Hyuuga looked at the box properly only to see a huge crack on its side and when he tried to feel the contents of it he froze as he realized what its contents were.
