Chapter 7 – Revealing

Hello all…I have finally gotten over my writer's block and decided to use my time more wisely, so here is another chapter. Also, after editing some stuff, I realised that the title of my fanfic was wrong and I had mixed it up with my other KNB fanfic. I felt like such a doofus. Sorry for the mix up!

I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING FROM KNB

The calm yet eerie expression on Kuroko's face sent waves of chills down Sora's spine. Kuroko was usually quiet, but never this quiet. She knew immediately what he was here for and she silently followed him into the room where Aomine, Momoi and Kagami were waiting. Momoi's sobbing was the only break from the awkward silence that filled the room. Upon approaching, Sora noticed the bandage on Aomine's face.

"Did he do this?"

Aomine averted his gaze, as if he was feeling guilty and Momoi's sobbing turned into wailing as she launched herself at Sora and pulled her into a desperate hug.

"I was so scared!"

"That bastard really took it too far. He's crazy but he wouldn't hurt anyone, especially Satsuki but now…"

Aomine stopped when he saw the look in her eyes. They flickered with anger – burning, smothering fury like hellfire. Something he had seen once before. Kuroko handed Momoi a glass of water which she chugged down within seconds, her cries became quiet. Finally, in a small and calm tone, Sora turned to Kuroko.

"Please tell me everything."

Kuroko nodded and then he began.

~8 years ago~

"ARGHHH! DAIKI! HOW DARE YOU!"

"AHH Crap!"

A young tanned male sprinted across the courtyard whilst being chased by a small blue haired girl with a wooden sword.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to knock over your cake! TETSU! SATSUKI?! HELP ME!"

A pale blunette watched calmly in the shade while the pinkette beside him giggled whilst eating a slice of cake.

"You brought this upon yourself Aomine-kun. I'll be in the front row of your funeral."

The tanned male protested at his best friend's rejection which caused him to stumble and fall face first into the dirt. He rolled to the side as a flash of brown hit the ground where his head had been and his eyes wondered up to the figure standing above him.

"Now you die."

Instinct kicked in as Aomine latched onto the girl's hands and flipped her onto her back. She quickly recovered and kicked out at Aomine's shin but he neatly dodged it. The girl continued her relentless attack, throwing blow after blow as the two continued to wrestle in the dirt until a calm yet authoritative voice called out to her.

"Tamiko, that's enough. If you wanted more cake, you could have just asked the maids to get you some. There was no need for violence."

"Daiki needed to be taught a lesson. No one messes with my cake. No one."

"I said I was sorry. It was just a slice of cake!"

Tamiko shot daggers at the tanned male beside her as Akashi lent his hand to help her up.

"Look at you. You've got dirt all over your face, hair and clothes. You need to have better control of yourself."

Tamiko knew there was no arguing with Akashi, especially when he was right. She didn't want to seem like a brat so she took his hand and got up from the ground, thanking him as he picked out a leaf from her hair.

"EH? Okumacchi got into a fight with Aominecchi again? You shouldn't fight with girls Aominecchi! How mean!"

"Shut up Kise! Stop being so nosy, you attention seeker."

"Attent- Rude! Ahomine!"

"Aho?! That's it! Come here so I can beat your ass!"

"So the loud ruckus was just you two idiots fighting."

"Mine-chin and Kise-chin are loud. I can't enjoy my cake~"

Akashi stared at the dirt covered girl who gave him a cheeky grin, but he wasn't having any of it.

"Aomine, Kise, that's enough. If I hear another word from either of you, I'll triple your training."

Kise and Aomine went to protest but a single glance from Akashi was enough to shut them both up. With an annoyed snort, Aomine walked off to clean himself while Kise ran over to Kuroko to sulk.

"As for you…"

His attention was now on Tamiko who looked like she was ready to run away, a small yet eerie smile appeared on Akashi's face.

"The maids will clean you up and I'll meet you in the yard. It's about time you showed me how much you've improved."

That was code for, I'm about to have you kiss the dirt as I beat you senselessly in a spar. Tamiko knew she was doomed and that she had to accept her fate. Surely enough, 2 hours later, Tamiko lay on the grass as Akashi had beaten her 15-5.

"It was much better than two days ago. You only managed to hit me twice."

Tamiko huffed at the gloating red head which caused him to chuckle.

"I know you like using me as an excuse to feel better about yourself. But just you wait Seijuro, I will beat you soon."

"I look forward to when it happens."

The sun had already set behind them, vanishing behind the horizon and Tamiko sat up and gazed up at the sky which had been painted in warm oranges, pinks and reds.

"Its pretty, isn't it Seijuro? I love how the colours melt together. Come sit next to me or are you afraid you'll get your elegant Princey clothes dirty?"

Tamiko mocked which Akashi retaliated by gently pinching her cheek. Tamiko scowled and rubbed her now red cheek with a pout on her lips.

"I didn't know that you wanted me to punish you again so badly. But I agree, the sunset is beautiful. We should head back. It will be time for dinner soon."

"Just a bit longer. I wanna watch the sunset for a bit longer."

Akashi couldn't help but smile as the sun's rays illuminated the girl's grinning face. She may be rough around the edges and far from elegant and ladylike but she was great company. Other than his mother and Momoi, she was the only female that he could ever tolerate and feel so at peace with. Maybe it was due to the fact that she was like a sister to him, no… maybe more or maybe it was because she was the only one who could see what he was really like in the inside and didn't befriend him for other ulterior motives. Regardless of the reason, she was the only one he wanted around.

"Ah Akashi-kun, Okuma-san, you're still out here. It's almost time for dinner."

Kuroko had been watching the two. It was purely by accident. He was sent to find them but when he saw them sitting together, watching the sunset, he couldn't help but stare. The icy exterior that Akashi had built to mask his true self as the Crown Prince was slowly being melted by this girl, Tamiko.

"We will be heading in shortly Kuroko."

"Thanks for coming out to get us Tetsuya!"

Kuroko felt the edges of his lips curl up into a relaxed smile. Tamiko's cheerfulness was contagious and often, whenever she smiled or laughed, you couldn't help but to join in.

At the dinner table, the GOM were all sitting together and enjoying their extravagant meal and enjoying some light banter. It had only been 6 months since the group met each other and yet, despite their contrasting characters, they got along quite well, even though Aomine and Kise often argued over childish matters. While their parents had business, adult business, the children spent their childhood getting to know each other, playing and studying together. It was in their parents' best interest that the children became allies to build connections with other powerful families but also rivals to see who was best. Being the Crown Prince, Akashi was constantly under extreme pressure to be the best, to be fitting of the Crown and often, it would create some darkness in him that he didn't even know was there.

"Hey Seijuro! Earth to Seijuro!"

Akashi blinked as he noticed that all eyes were on him. He had never been this lost in thought before and never in front of an audience.

"Who do you think is the best at combat? Ryota, Daiki or me?"

Midorima's eyebrow twitched in annoyance as the blunette left out his name.

"OI! What about me?"

"EH? You're better at long distance stuff although, your defense is really good…But I meant offense! Who's better at offensive combat?!"

"Keh…Of course it's me! I'm the best…Kise sucks."

"EHH!? What? NO WAY! Aominecchi has more experience but he isn't that strong! I'll be able to beat him."

Aomine and Kise exchanged glares, a spark of lightning sizzled between them as neither would back down. Finally, to settle the matter, Akashi smiled and smugly replied,

"None of you unfortunately. I'll have to say that it would be me. None of you have ever beaten me before."

The room fell silent at Akashi's response. In the corner of the room, Kuroko snickered which sent the room into chaos.

"That's not funny Kurokocchi!"

"SEIJURO! YOU DIDN'T EVEN ANSWER THE QUESTION PROPERLY! I SAID BETWEEN RYOTA, DAIKI AND I!"

"NO SHIT! LOOK AT AKASHI BEING SO SMUG BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T BEATEN HIM YET! LOOK AT HIS FACE!"

"Actually you said who is the best at combat? Ryota, Daiki or me? Not between Ryota, Daiki and me. So I replied with none of you."

A series of mumbled words came spilling out of Tamiko's mouth as she tried to explain herself but knew that she was wrong and once again, Akashi was right.

"Hm, I've gotten close."

"BULLSHIT, YOU GREEN HAIRED HOROSCOPE MANIAC!"

"DAMN YOU AOMINE!"

Akashi silently watched as the group began to argue and fuss over something so childish and yet, he felt elated at the fact that he was better than them and they had acknowledged it, they had acknowledged that his efforts had not been in vain. Although, he wasn't going to show it.

The dinner was over and the group began to head to their rooms when a sulking Aomine decided that he wasn't ready to call it a night yet.

"I'm not tired! Let's play some more! How about we have a pillow fight to see who the best fighter is?"

"We just ate Aomine-kun."

"You know who's going to win this again. It's always either Aka-chin, Mido-chin or Kuro-chin."

It was true. The countless times they've had pillow fights, it was either Akashi or Midorima who won because Akashi was an insane monster who knew your weaknesses and could always anticipate what you were going to do before you actually did it and Midorima had insane accuracy – he never missed. And Kuroko, well, no one knew where he was until it was too late.

"I think it's a great idea! We'll finally settle who is the best! Come on you guys! It'll be fun! What do you say Seijuro?"

Midorima rolled his eyes at the blunette who's eyes had been lit with a raging fire. Obviously the three childish members would be for this fight.

"I don't see why not. I'll put you three in your places."

So the group organized themselves into a large spare room with two pillows each. Even though Midorima, Murasakibara and Kuroko were somewhat against it in the beginning, they were roped into it and prepared themselves for the fight ahead of them. Momoi sat behind the couch, using it a shield to protect herself against the volley of pillows as she refereed the game. It was a free for all and there was no way to get out unless you forfeit.

"Three! Two! One! START!"

It was pure chaos as Aomine and Kise attacked first, both going for each other. Akashi deflected a swipe from Tamiko while Midorima and Murasakibara went at each other and Kuroko vanished. Momoi laughed as Aomine and Kise unleashed furious attacks on each other, completely immersed in their own world until Kuroko appeared out of nowhere and tripped them both with his two pillows, causing them to crash into the ground.

"What? DAMN IT TETSU!"

"NO WAY! KUROKOCCHI!"

In a fit of anger, Aomine tossed the pillow at Kuroko who neatly dodged it, however, it managed to hit the little cat figurine that was resting on the table. The cat figurine bounced off the couch upon impact and its head broke off. A horrified gasp resonated through the room as Midorima rushed over to tend to his lucky item. Everyone stared as Midorima got up from the couch, pushed his glasses up and shot a heart stopping glare in Aomine's direction.

"Aomine, PREPARE TO DIE!"

The pillow fight continued late into the night until the group was left huffing and panting with fatigue. It wasn't decided who was the best but everyone already knew, although they didn't want to admit it, the best at combat was Akashi.

"That was fun, although, I feel bad for the maids who have to clean up this mess tomorrow."

Akashi glanced around at the mess his friends had made. The chairs and tables, used as shields, were overturned, there were feathers and pillows scattered everywhere and everyone had passed out and fallen asleep on the couch and ground. The maids came in to get them to bed but Akashi dismissed them since everyone was already asleep and didn't seem like they would wake up.

"Indeed. I'm surprised you aren't asleep, after all, you were the most energetic of the bunch."

"I guess the adrenaline is still kicking in. But I really enjoyed being with you all. I wish it never ends. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but here with them and…you. You always seem to get me. I know my personality makes me annoying, at times, but you always are so patient and understanding. You can be a demon a majority of the time, but I can deal with that!"

Akashi sat in silence at the girl's words. He felt at complete ease as she rested her head against his shoulder. His arm wrapped around the girl as an instinct to draw her closer to him and it felt so right. She fit perfectly in his arms, like she was meant to be there and he listened as her breathing slowed and she slept.

Kuroko's lips curled slightly as he listened to their conversation. He had been awake the whole time but he didn't want to interrupt so he pretended to sleep. When Akashi finally fell asleep, Kuroko glanced at his friends and his heart filled with hope. Like Tamiko, he also hoped that moments like these never ended.

It was a rather peaceful 3 years until Tamiko, the second youngest of the group, turned 13 years old. She was the only child of the Okuma family, an aristocratic family who had been in service and friendship with the Royal family for centuries. Tamiko's mother, due to a difficult birth, had lost the ability to produce anymore children but for them, Tamiko was the only child they needed. However, being an aristocratic family, Tamiko was destined to marry at a young age, to the son of another powerful family.

It was obvious that something was bothering the young girl as she became less rowdy, less cheerful and bright, anyone could see that. She would always brush it off saying that she was fine or that she didn't get enough sleep, but they knew something wasn't right. Kuroko was the first to approach.

"Okuma-san, I know something is bothering you, would it be too much to ask if you can tell me what's wrong?"

"Okay, promise not to tell anyone. You have to okay?"

The quiet boy simply nodded,

"Earlier in the week, a letter arrived, and it was…an engagement letter. I'm getting engaged Tetsuya. I don't even know this person. It was from someone in a foreign country and I've never met them. I don't want to marry them. I want to stay here. But I can't! I don't get a say in any of this. I hate it…"

The girl began to sob and Kuroko gently wrapped an arm around her shoulder. It was indeed a shock. No one ever thought about marriage and yet the first to get engaged was Tamiko.

Keeping his promise, Kuroko remained silent as the weeks passed, however, things got much worse.

The other members were starting to change too. They were all becoming visibly colder and more distant and the friendly interactions between them were beginning to vanish. The group had begun to awaken their individual skills, mostly Aomine and Murasakibara who were becoming overwhelmingly powerful. Kuroko could only watch as his friends became cold and cruel to others while Tamiko became less energetic and the radiant blazing inferno she once constantly carried around with her was nothing but a flickering flame. She had become less harsh in training and often made mistakes before vanishing for the rest of the day.

Akashi was gone with the Emperor for several days a week and rarely ever saw Tamiko or anyone else. Then one day, there was an argument between Murasakibara and Akashi, one that changed everything. The group, including a concerned Momoi and Tamiko, had gathered for a meeting, except for Aomine who ran off in a fit of anger and Kuroko who went after him. All was well until Murasakibara decided that didn't want to come to meetings anymore or training because he felt that he was strong enough to take anyone on and beat them.

"I don't need this and I don't need to listen to Aka-chin anymore. You don't train with us anymore and I am strong…probably even stronger than you."

"Murasakibara, are you defying me?"

"Hm~ Since I'm stronger, I don't need to listen to Aka-chin so I don't need to come to these meetings or training."

He got up to leave but Akashi stood up, a calm fury appeared on his face.

"Then, shall we settle this Murasakibara? First to 5 points wins. If I win, you will continue to obey my orders and come to meetings and training. However, if you win, you are free to go."

"Okay~"

"No, don't do this Seijuro! Atsushi! This is ridiculous! It isn't a matter of being stronger meaning you don't train, you must train to maintain your abilities and-"

"Heh? I don't need to listen to you either Kuma-chin. Butt out."

"Don't speak to her like that Murasakibara, your business is with me. So let's get to it. I'll put you in your place."

And Momoi, Kise and Midorima watched as the violet haired giant and the crimson haired Prince battle it out in a swordfight. They watched in shock and horror as Murasakibara continued to overwhelm Akashi, overpowering him and bringing the scores to 4-0 in favour of the giant. Tamiko staggered back. This was all because she hadn't done her job and helped out in training. This was all because she was too preoccupied with her own selfish desires and her engagement that she hadn't notice her friends changing. Her heart sank even further.

The air changed. An icy chill began to slither its way through the air, snapping against the bystanders' skin. It was coming from Akashi. The usual calm and warm atmosphere around Akashi was gone, replaced by this cold and unwelcoming tension.

"I, who wins everything, is always right."

Then, as Murasakibara went in for the finishing blow, Akashi managed to deflect the strike and point his sword against the giant's neck, earning him his first point. The stunned Murasakibara stared, noticing the sudden coldness and unfamiliarity in his Captain's eyes.

"Don't get ahead of yourself and make me angry Atsushi. I'll kill anyone who opposes me…even my parents."

Then Midorima, Kise, Momoi and Tamiko felt the raw power rush at them and standing before them was an unknown being. He was not the person they had grown up with or respect, he was their hell. The battle came to a quick end, with Akashi destroying Murasakibara. A final jab at his 'heart' and the giant fell to his knees in defeat. He staggered to his feet and in anger, began to storm off.

"Fine, I'll come to training and meetings. I'm going now!"

"Ah regarding that, it's fine if you don't come."

Midorima and Kise stared in shock as Akashi completely contradicted what he previously said to Murasakibara.

"Wait?! What?! Akashi, are you serious!? That's the completely opposite of what you said befo-"

"Same goes for you Kise, Midorima…you don't need to show up to meetings or training anymore, as long as you continue to win. I can see now that working together has no benefit to your growth, so I will no longer be enforcing group training or meetings."

"Seijuro, you can't be serious. You've worked so hard to maintain this work ethic and now you're throwing it away? How could you do that? How can you say that this training is unnecessary?! It isn't just about improving and getting stronger! The point of training is to maintain team trust and-"

The cold stare Akashi gave Tamiko chilled her to the bones. The gentle and warm light in his eyes had vanished and replaced by a soul sucking void that threatened to strangle the life from her.

"Tamiko, you aren't one to talk."

The foreign Akashi began to approach the girl, who stood her ground with a frown plastered on her face.

"Don't think that just because I haven't been around, that I wouldn't know of everything that happens here. I know that you've not been your usual self lately, nor have you been training properly either. The mask you wear to hide whatever is currently distracting you may be convinving to others but not to me. Nevertheless, your sudden engagement shouldn't create such a change in you, I would have thought you were stronger than this. I'm rather disappointed."

Tamiko stumbled back in shock. She knew Kuroko wouldn't tell anyone so how could Akashi find out? The news was confidential and only her parents, herself and Kuroko knew about this. The others looked equally shocked as their jaws dropped and a flustered Kise cried out.

"Wait!? What!? O-Okumacchi is engaged?! Since when!?"

"Why didn't you tell us?! This is BIG news!"

"Look, I don't know how you found that out but it's a big deal okay. And all of you are currently stressed with your new duties and training so I didn't-"

"That's a lie and you know it. Don't be so weak and lie so pathetically. It is unbecoming of you."

Tamiko felt a rush of anger rise up like a flood, she didn't need to tell them anything. She felt so petty and irrational and lashed out.

"You want to know the truth?! FINE! I didn't tell any of you because, I DON'T WANT TO MARRY SOME STRANGER! But I don't even get a say in this. It's all been decided for me and I'm leaving to meet him for the first time next week. My parents won't tell me why I have to marry him… But I don't accept that this is my future."

She glanced up to see Akashi's blank expression which shocked her. And then she stormed off. She was so angry at herself, at how pathetic she was and at how she felt about everything. She heard Kise and Momoi call after her but she ignored it.

A week later, the fated day arrived when Tamiko would leave to see her fiancé. The maids had dressed her in a simple beige gown and transformed her. It was hard to believe that she was 13 and getting engaged to some aristocratic boy from the western continent. The group had come to say their farewells while a stony faced Tamiko approached the carriage. One by one, she hugged everyone, wishing them the best for the future and internally hoped that she would return and find that everything was back to normal.

"Tetsuya, look after them for me. When I come back, I'll set things right."

Then she was gone. In her carriage and out the palace gates.

~Back to the present~

Sora listened as Kuroko finished his story. It seemed too surreal. She couldn't describe how it felt to hear Kuroko tell her about Tamiko, who was supposedly herself. It was also strange because at times in Kuroko's story, Sora's heart hurt like she had felt that way before…as if she remembered.

"So what you're saying is that Tamiko, or supposedly me, was going to meet my fiancé and somehow lost my memory and ended up in Seirin and now, Akashi, who was my childhood friend, is crazy because he thought I died."

Aomine scoffed and rolled his eyes,

"Fucking psychotic more like it. He flipped out. First time I ever saw him like that. None of us wanted to get near him. He kept thinking you were alive and demanding soldiers to go search for you."

"Eventually, Akashi-kun became enraged because the Emperor forbid him to go search for you and ordered him to focus on his duties instead. And that was when the GOM were needed back at their homes, so we all left the palace."

Kuroko watched as Sora went pale and stared at the ground. Kagami had been silent throughout the entire time but there was concern in his eyes and something else. He was hoping that Sora would remember something, or perhaps that his story would awaken her memories but he was crushed when she didn't react as he hoped.

"So, Tami - uh – Sora… or whatever, did anything Tetsu say ring any bells?"

Sora slowly shook her head. Kagami got up and stared at the girl who seemed so confused.

"Look, what if you guys got it all wrong. Sora may look like this Tamiko person but that doesn't mean she is. Sure, Sora appeared in Seirin at the same time that Tamiko vanished but that's just a coincidence and you said so yourself, she has a totally different personality."

"That is true but if Akashi-kun recognized her, then I can't help but feel that Sora-san is Okuma-san."

"Huh? What has Akashi recognizing Sora got to do with anything?"

Aomine sneered at Kagami who glared back in annoyance.

"Nothing escapes that bastard's eyes. He knew Tami more than anyone else did, even if he is a psycho now. He may be crazy but he isn't dumb. Besides, the fact that he knew where she was at the ball and what she looks like means that he probably kept tabs on her, even at Seirin."

It was true. Sora realized that now when Aomine said it. It was a wonder how he knew where she was and what she looked like, even though they've never seen each other before. Sora shuddered.

"Thanks for telling me everything Kuroko, Aomine and Momoi. It's quite a lot to take in. I'm heading to bed."

The group didn't argue as they watched Sora leave the room.

"We still haven't figured out how she lost her memories or vanished even. Whatever, anyway, I'll leave it to you, Tetsu, and the scrub to look after her. Let's go Satsuki, I wanna sleep already."

"Okay Dai-Chan. I'll see around Tetsu-kun~"

And then the two were gone. Kuroko glanced over to Kagami who was lying on his back and staring up at the ceiling. It seemed that Kagami was also disturbed about the news since, Kuroko noticed that he had a soft spot for the girl. Silently, Kuroko climbed into his bed and dreamt of the past.

In her room, Sora stood on her balcony, staring up into the twilight sky. It was strange but after hearing Kuroko's story, her mind raced. How did this happen? Who was responsible? Is it real? Am I Tamiko? Why can't I remember anything? She knew that she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight with the numerous questions racing around her brain, so she grabbed her blanket and watched the stars twinkle, calling out to her and letting them take her away from reality.

End of chapter

I have a feeling that this chapter will be odd to most people because it's Kuroko's retelling of the past so he wouldn't be able to tell how the characters were feeling or their inner thoughts but not writing those things would make it so dull…so I added them in even though it doesn't make sense. I'm sorry if you guys hate it but like…

Also I just wanted to say that Kuroko's story telling part is based on what he experience/saw so anything that happened between other people isn't mentioned, except for the scene where Akashi 'awakens' his other self which Momoi is present so she recounts it. So sorry for the confusion. I hope you enjoyed it though.