Wow. It's been so long since I've written a complete chapter in one go.. Sorry for leaving this story for a long time. I enjoyed this story and I still do, but I just didn't have the motivation. But today I did for some reason and got this done. I thought I wrote more but it's still only like, 5,000 words ;-; I tried-
Please enjoy! I recently got a review (okay it was in like Aug. but I didn't see it until now!) that really helped me finish writing this. Thank you c:
Kuroko could only stare out the window as Aomine drove. He was finally done mentally arguing with himself so now he could think. First thing he had to do was find a way to escape. He couldn't kill Aomine even if he wanted to. Aomine was the one driving and if he hurt Aomine in any way, he could kill them both. He couldn't jump out the car either. Not at the dangerous speed Aomine was going at. He would surely get hurt if not gain a few injuries.
They were going to Kagami's house to pick him up. That's where he would make his move. Since Nigou wasn't at Aomine's house, he assumed his dog was at Kagami's house. He'll escape with Nigou and no one will get hurt. It would be a win-win situation. Even if Nigou isn't there, Nigou can only be in a few places. He could find him easily if he wanted to. Once Aomine stops at Kagami's house, he will make his move.
Kuroko glanced at Aomine from the corner of his eye. Aomine knew by now that all those times he acted innocent was really an act. He blew that chance. No matter, he'll escape soon. He'll return to Akashi and everyone at the mansion. Everyone must be so worried, especially Akashi. He'll return home with Nigou and they'll continue with their lives.
Home. Kuroko thought with dread. He wanted to go home. The mansion was his home now. The Creepypastas were his family.
"Hey, Tetsu.." Kuroko almost jumped when he heard Aomine speak. So he was brave enough to speak up now? He didn't reply which made Aomine hesitant to continue. "So it really is true? That you and Akashi killed two men in the woods a while ago?"
How did he... It must have been on the news. The bodies must have been found and they found Akashi's blood on them. It didn't help that they both suddenly disappeared after the murder. So they knew this whole time, all of them...
"Yeah." Kuroko answered simply. Aomine almost flinched at the cold, blunt tone.
"Why? You'd never do that, nor Akashi. He's a police officer!"
"Was a police officer. And we didn't have a choice."
"What do you-"
"It's kill or be killed, Aomine-kun." Kuroko cut him off coldly. "It was them or us. Not that you would understand. You only see us as killers now."
"That's not true.." Aomine tried saying but Kuroko wouldn't have it.
"You do. Look me in the eye and say that."
"Tetsu, I'm drivi-"
"I should have killed you when I had the chance." Kuroko froze at his own words. It just slipped out. No, I didn't mean it. I would never kill Aomine-kun or any of my friends.
"Tetsu, I don't see you guys as killers!" Aomine said, turning his head for a second to look at Kuroko. "If you had a reason, I believe you. You guys would never do that. However that doesn't mean what you did was alright. I still need to get you help."
"We don't need help." Kuroko replied making Aomine frown almost angrily.
"You do. You're addicted to it, aren't you?" Aomine's words made him pause. Was he?
"No, I-"
"You are! And you need help to stop. Then we need to find Akashi and help him too."
"Leave Akashi-kun out of this!" Kuroko yelled which shocked Aomine. Kuroko rarely yelled, especially at his friends. Especially Aomine. "We're completely fine where we are! It's perfect. It was perfect until Kagami-kun found me. Then you kept me trapped away from Akashi-kun and my family." Aomine glanced at Kuroko every few seconds. The boy was obviously frustrated and he didn't want him getting any ideas.
"Tetsu, it's alright. They aren't your family... We're your family, remember? Me, Kise, Midorima, Murasakibara. Even Kagami." Aomine said softly. He just had to keep Kuroko calm until they reached Kagami's house. They were almost there...
"No. You're the ones that abandoned me when we were younger." Aomine paused at Kuroko's words. "Did you think I forgot, Aomine-kun? Or did you perhaps forget what you did to me?"
"No, Tetsu, I- Hey, Tetsu!"
Aomine tried keeping his hands on the wheel when Kuroko leaned over and pushed on his arm. It almost made him turn the wheel completely. They would have veered off the road if Kuroko succeeded in turning the wheel.
"Did you forget Aomine-kun? Tell me." Kuroko said seriously, staring at Aomine.
"Of course I didn't... Just calm down, Tetsu. Look, you want to see Nigou? He's with Kagami now! You will be able to see him!" He almost sighed in relief when he saw Kuroko pause for a moment before sitting back in his seat.
He couldn't foil his plans. When they stopped, he'll get Nigou and run to the woods.
Aomine sighed in relief when Kuroko stopped and settled down. He didn't have any wishes of dying today. He just wanted to help Kuroko and find Akashi once he was back to his normal self.
Honestly why did this happen to Kuroko of all people? He was so quiet and innocent. He was so nice and cheerful. Now he's known as a wanted murder on the news and apparently he enjoyed killing. He didn't think Kuroko was addicted at first but Kuroko's reaction gave him the answer.
He just couldn't believe his old best friend was addicted to killing innocent people.
Was Akashi the same? He must have been used to seeing dead bodies since he was a police officer but Kuroko... Kuroko hated violence. If Kuroko, the person with the strongest mental state in his opinion, got influenced then what happened to Akashi? Not to mention he has that second personality...
"Look, we're here, Tetsu.." Aomine murmured as he slowly stopped the car in front of Kagami's house. It was on the edge of the next town so that meant it was right by a forest. It would help Kuroko in his escape.
"I want to see Nigou.." He mumbled.
Aomine just nodded and got out the car. He walked to Kuroko's side of the car and opened the door for him. Once he got out, Aomine grabbed his arm tightly despite him trying to struggle free.
"Oi Kagami! We're here!" Aomine said loudly as they walked up to the door. Kuroko still struggled but not as hard. He didn't like it how Aomine held his arm tightly. It hurt a little and he didn't like it.
"Come inside!" Kagami yelled from inside.
Aomine opened the door and got Kuroko inside before closing the door. Only then did he let go of the other. "Please don't cause too much trouble..."
Kuroko frowned and grumbled slight but didn't reply. He just looked around, smiling slightly when he heard loud barks. Nigou ran from the kitchen to greet Kuroko. Looks like Nigou wouldn't mind following Kuroko back to the mansion. Good.
Kuroko patted Nigou's head before looking around. He couldn't walk out the front door since Aomine was there. Should he bust out the window like a cool spy? No, he might get hurt. Nigou too.
"Kagami," Aomine said and the redhead appeared from the kitchen. "We have to go. He can't just stay any more. We need to help Tetsu."
"Don't speak about me like I'm not here." Kuroko huffed making Nigou whine.
"Sorry Tetsu but it's true. Don't worry, you'll go back to normal and we'll find Akashi." Aomine said.
"I am normal. You guys just refuse to accept that I'm happy without you." Kuroko growled making the other's flinch. Kagami walked forward and grasp one of Kuroko's arms gently. "Come on Kuroko, we are just going to take a trip okay?"
"I'm not a toddler, I knew where you want to take me!" Kuroko pulled his arm away. "And I'm not going."
"Kuroko, really, we just want to help." Kagami insisted.
"Help me by letting me go. That's how you'll help." The other said angrily. The two aces could definitely agree on one thing. Kuroko was definitely not okay. He needed help quick.
"Come on Tetsu, let's just-" Aomine stopped talking when he saw the other try to run towards the kitchen, probably to escape through the back door. He tried to catch him but failed. Luckily Kagami was close enough to catch him. "Kuroko, please!" He said, holding the struggling boy. Nigou was barking at them but didn't attack like before.
"Let me go!" Kuroko brought one of Kagami's hands up and bit it. Kagami winced and pulled away, holding his hand. "Bakagami!" Aomine said, chasing after Kuroko who was running towards the back door, Nigou following too.
Kuroko made it to the door but it was locked. Just as he unlocked it, Aomine slammed into him to prevent him from opening it. Kuroko gasped in surprise and pain before trying to push Aomine away. The ace just held Kuroko tightly and started pulling him away from the door. Unfortunately for him, he accidentally tripped over Nigou who yelped in pain. This gave Kuroko an opportunity to break free.
"Nigou, come on!" Kuroko said, opening the door. He saw Kagami running after him. Once Nigou ran out the door, Kuroko followed. Kagami ran past Aomine who was quickly getting up. Kuroko could hear the other following and tried to run faster. Nigou managed to make it into the woods but Kuroko was still pretty slow. Kagami managed to make it to him thanks to his quick and powerful legs. "Kuroko, stop!"
He grabbed the other's arm but Kuroko just attempted to pull away. "Let me go Kagami-kun!"
"No! You need help!" Aomine managed to catch up but just as he walked close to help Kagami restrain the other, Nigou burst out of the forest and jumped at Aomine. It seems the dog was tired of these people handling Kuroko roughly, even if they were friends of his owner.
After pushing Aomine down, Nigou got back up to bite into Kagami's ankle. The redhead shouted and let go of Kuroko, falling to the ground to hold his ankle. Aomine who wasn't wounded got up, but Kuroko and Nigou already retreated into the woods. He debated following after them but Kagami wasn't able to walk and in pain. The bite was pretty deep too. He needed treatment. "Tetsu.." He mumbled, staring into the woods. Then he turned away to help Kagami.
Kuroko continued running, Nigou by his side this time since he didn't know where they were going. He wanted to make sure Aomine wasn't following before resting. Once they were far enough into the woods, Kuroko stopped to regain his breath. He managed to escape with Nigou without killing Aomine or Kagami.
But is that a good thing? He asked himself as he sat down by a tree. Now that the adrenaline was going down, he felt exhausted. Nigou sat down next to his owner, panting.
Kuroko closed his eyes, leaning against the tree. The feeling that has been trapped in his chest the whole time he was stuck in that room grew again. His hands twitched and he couldn't seem to get comfortable. Nigou looked at his owner worriedly.
The need to kill was growing. He hasn't killed in almost a week. He needed to have a knife in his hand, feeling fear and excitement as he snuck into someone's house. He wanted to be filled with the same giddiness he felt when he had a successful night.
He remembered the time when he went out to kill with Jeff and Ben. They treated it as a sport, as if human lives don't matter. He managed to kill 7 that day.
Kuroko covered his eyes, chuckling under his breath as he remembered. That reminded him, he still needed to go hunting with EJ since he promised. He would've gone hunting now if he had a weapon. But he didn't, so his option was to go home.
After a while he got back up and so did Nigou. He started walking, Nigou follow of course. He started thinking about the mansion, just wanting to get back home to his family and Akashi. He still wondered why they didn't find him since they had Akashi with him...
"We're here, Nigou." Finally. Kuroko looked up at the mansion as if it was something nostalgic. He missed it. He looked down at Nigou who seemed startled, like he didn't want to go inside. "It's okay. You'll get used to it suddenly appearing."
He walked towards the house and Nigou hesitated before following his owner again. Once he got to the door, he took a deep breath before opening it. It was quiet and dark inside. He walked further inside with Nigou. Was anyone there?
"Are you guys finally back?" Kuroko heard someone say from upstairs. He heard someone coming down stairs before they suddenly stopped. "..H-Hoodie..?" Kuroko looked at the stairs and smiled at Toby. "I'm home."
Toby stared in shock for a second before running down the rest of the stairs. He almost fell but he caught himself. He ran to Kuroko and tackled the other in a hug. "Hoodie! Where have you been?" Kuroko could feel Toby twitch almost violently as he hugged him. Toby always twitched badly when his emotions got out of hand.
To calm the other down, Kuroko softly hugged him back like a mother would to her child. This did calm Toby down a little. Kuroko knew why he was effected so much. He had been Toby's first friend after all.
"The others spend all their time searching for you!" Toby continued, his twitching calming down but it was still there. He paused as he stared at Nigou. "Is that..?"
"Yes. This is my dog, Nigou." Kuroko said, pulling away from the hug so Toby could see better. Toby cautiously approached the dog who backed away in fear. "Nigou, it's alright." He assured his dog who reluctantly stopped backing away. Toby softly petted him and smiled. "He's a beautiful dog." Nigou seemed to have liked the compliment.
"I'm sorry for disappearing. I ran into trouble and.." Kuroko sighed, crossing his arms. "I didn't mean to worry anyone. But I'm back now. For good."
"Everyone's out now," Toby informed Kuroko, turning back towards him. "I'm the only one here. Everyone is looking for you but they'll be back soon to meet up and see if anyone's found you." Toby looked like he wanted to say more.
"Toby?" Kuroko tilted his head.
"I missed you is all.. we all did. Especially Masky and Jeff." Toby said. Kuroko smiled when he saw a bit of red on his cheeks. Toby's mask may hide his mouth but it didn't do too good of a job hiding his cheeks.
"I'm glad you all cared. I'm truly sorry for scaring everyone."
"Tell everyone that when they get home, okay?" Toby said before looking back at Nigou. "So did he agree to.. be like Smile?"
"I think so. He did follow me even though I told him he'd need to kill." Kuroko walked over to Nigou, proudly petting him. "I wouldn't have gotten home if it wasn't for him."
"I'm happy you have a dog like him then." Toby smiled behind his mask. "So what exactly happened? Why did you disappear for so long?"
"It's a long story. I'll tell everyone when they come home." Kuroko said then sighed. "I'm starved. Think it's okay if I make myself food?"
"I think Slenderman would want you to." Toby hesitantly said. He didn't want to get in trouble but it's not like it's against the rules to make your own food.
"Okay. I'll make something simple. Want something too?" Kuroko asked.
"S-Sure." Toby nodded and the two went into the kitchen to eat, Nigou following behind.
The two were enjoying sandwiches together (Nigou had left over chicken Toby pulled out the fridge) when the door suddenly slammed open. Footsteps and claws clicking on the ground headed for the kitchen. It was Smile and Jeff. "Smile said he smelled Hoodie! Toby, did you-"
Jeff stopped when he made it to the kitchen. The two eating seemed startled but then smiled. "Um.. I'm ho-" Kuroko was cut off when Jeff did the same as Toby, tackling him into a hug. However this time Jeff was heavy enough to push the other over. "Jeff!" He said in surprise once he hit the floor.
"Where the hell have you been?!" He yelled angrily, holding Kuroko's shoulders tightly. "You've been gone nearly a week! I had to take Smile out all the time to try and sniff you out! But we couldn't.. find you.." He started off angry but by the end of it, Jeff sounded like he wanted to cry. "I was scared. I thought I'd lose my little brother.."
Kuroko smiled sadly and reached up to pat his black hair. "I'm really sorry Jeff, I didn't mean to leave you or anyone."
Eventually Smile managed to get between Jeff and Kuroko. "Hoodie! Where were you this whole time? I couldn't track you!" Smile whined. "I know my sense of smell isn't the best, but I thought I could track you... I'm sorry."
"No I'm sorry. It's my fault for being a failure of a creepypasta." Kuroko mumbled. He sat up once Jeff and Smile moved away. Jeff even helped him up with help from Toby.
"You are not a failure." Jeff said sternly.
"Yeah. It wasn't your fault." Toby assured.
"But it was." Kuroko insisted. "Look, I'll tell you all the story once everyone arrives."
"..Okay." Jeff seemed curious to know the story but he knew to be patient with Kuroko at least.
"Can I continue my sandwich now?" Kuroko asked playfully. He didn't like seeing Jeff so down.
"Uh.. yeah. I'm just going to wait in the living room.." Jeff headed for the living room. Toby and Kuroko watched but didn't stop him.
"Hoodie.." Smile said, staring at Nigou. "Who's this? Is this the one you talked about?"
"Yeah, that's Nigou. Don't worry, he's not territorial remember?" Nigou tilted his head before panting happily. He got down, looking like he wanted to play. Nigou was always a pup by heart.
"I see.." Smile was trying not to show it, but he seemed happy about having another canine around. "I hope he makes it into the family."
Just as Kuroko was about to speak again, the door opened again, a lot more calmly than how Jeff just slammed it open.
"Jeff, you're already here?" Kuroko heard EJ ask. He didn't hear a response from Jeff.
"Didn't have any luck finding him?" Slender man asked with a tired sigh.
"No.. he's here." Jeff said. It was so silent, Kuroko wished someone would speak. "He's in the kitchen."
No one said anything else but Kuroko did hear lots of people heading for the kitchen.
"Hoodie!" Sally cried, running towards the other to hug his legs.
"I'm sorry I disappeared, Sally." Kuroko apologized, patting her head as she cried tears of joy. He looked up to see the others. He saw Akashi as well but he couldn't see his expression. "I'm sorry to everyone. I didn't mean to leave for so long. It's.. a long story."
It seemed like no one knew how to react at first. Then Slender spoke up. "Yes.. well, we have time to hear it." Sally let go of Kuroko so the other could walk. "Let's all go into the living room." Every one went to go take a seat on either the couch, chairs, or floor. Kuroko sat down on the couch with almost everyone's insistence. He sat next to Jeff and Ben which didn't bother him at all.
"Um.. well.. It started when I went to go get Nigou like I was asked to.."
Kuroko went through the whole story. He didn't leave any details out. He didn't hide anything. This was his family. He could trust them. Everyone was quiet as they listened. Akashi, who had his mask off now, was listening from the furthest away. He seemed displeased but Kuroko tried not to let it distract him.
"So.. I came home." Kuroko saw Akashi flinch at the word home. "And.. Nigou agreed to come and stay, if you'd let him of course.."
"Wait.. I don't understand." Ben said, speaking first. "You were trapped at a friend's house? We checked those places first."
"How?" Kuroko asked. They shouldn't know who his friends were.
"Masky showed us. You weren't there." Kuroko glanced at Akashi who didn't show any expression.
"I was certain I was at my old teammates house.." Aomine didn't move so.. why didn't they find him if Akashi lead them there? Everyone looked at Akashi with confusion.
"I'm sorry I forgot that certain teammate moved." Akashi said.
"Forgot?" Jeff growled, standing up. "You just happened to forget? Don't you love Hoodie? You wouldn't have just forgotten!"
"Jeff, please." Slenderman beat Kuroko into stopping Jeff. "Calm down. We all don't need a fight now.." Jeff narrowed his eyes before sitting again. "It is strange but I'm sure we are all just glad you're back." Everyone nodded in agreement except Akashi. "You must be tired. Or hungry. Or both... I know you ate when you got here, but are you still hungry?"
"Um.. yes.. but I can make myself something." Kuroko said but Slender shook his head. "No, everyone didn't eat yet anyway. I mind as well make dinner." He stood up and headed to the kitchen. "Please be patient everyone." Then he left to make food. Almost everyone went to Kuroko immediately.
"Listen, it's okay if you couldn't kill them," EJ said to comfort the other. "We all understand. There are some people you can't kill. Like how we can't kill each other."
"Thanks.." Kuroko smiled a little in response. He was glad everyone was talking to him and trying to comfort him, but he wanted to speak with Akashi at the moment. "I'm sorry but.. can I go talk to Masky?"
The others moved out the way to let Kuroko get up and go to Akashi. The redhead stared before signalling to the stairs. Kuroko nodded and headed upstairs, Akashi following. They went up to their room and once the door was closed, Akashi glared at Kuroko.
"Akashi-kun?"
"Why did you come back?"
"What?" Kuroko stared at the other with confusion. "Because this is my home, why wouldn't I come back?"
"I was keeping them away from you." Akashi whispered. "I lead them to false homes so they couldn't find you. Why? Why didn't you just stay away? Isn't that what you wanted?"
"At first but.. Akashi-kun, I can't leave them. They're family." Kuroko said. He couldn't believe Akashi would do such a thing.
"They're murderers." Akashi hissed, making Kuroko step back with shock. Akashi was still against the other's? Why couldn't he just see that they weren't monsters? "They force us to kill. Not to survive, just for fun. For sport."
"Akashi-kun, don't talk about them like they're monsters!" Kuroko insisted. He nearly gasped when he felt the other grab one of his arms tightly.
"They are monsters. I tried to help you, but you came back! You could've been free and lived normally again!" Akashi's grip tightened on the other's arm, making Kuroko wince.
"We are wanted back at our old town! They know we murdered those people. If I stayed, I would've been put in jail!"
"Then you should've ran away!" Kuroko cried out when he felt the other hold his arm in a death grip. "Akashi-kun! It hurts!"
Almost immediately Akashi let go. He blinked his eyes a few times as Kuroko pulled his arm to himself. Akashi's eyes went wide and he stepped back. "I.. I didn't.. Tetsuya, I'm sorry.."
Kuroko felt tears form as he held his arm which was red and a little purple. A bruise was forming.. that's how hard he held Kuroko.
"Tetsuya, wait, please! I haven't been feeling like myself, I-" Kuroko didn't let him continue and just ran out the room. He heard Akashi following but he didn't care. He ran downstairs, startling the other's. He ran to the first person he could think of that was good at comforting.
Kuroko ran into EJ's arms and held onto him tightly. "Wait, please!" Akashi said, stopping at the edge of the stairs.
"What did you do to Hoodie?" EJ asked while Jeff was fuming.
"Jeff, don't!" Ben said as Jeff stood up and went over to Akashi.
"What did you do?" Jeff asked, grasping Akashi's jacket. "Answer!"
"I didn't mean to okay?" For once Akashi didn't glare at Jeff and just looked past him at Kuroko. "Please listen. I didn't mean to! I'm sorry."
"Sorry isn't going to cut it." Jeff said, feeling like hurting the redhead for scaring his "little brother" like this.
"J-Jeff," Kuroko said loud enough for him to hear. "Please.. let him go." Jeff seemed reluctant but listened anyway. "He doesn't deserve to be hurt.. no one does.." But even as he said that, he still couldn't believe Akashi hurt him. Akashi never hurt him, not once since their first year in high school. Even then it's only been emotional pain. Akashi never physically hurt him before. What was he going to do now that he's unsure if he can even trust his lover?