Chapter 7:
Poise
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When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives.
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"Sorry, but t-then why don't you become the new emperor?" Sakurai crossed his arms but all he wanted to to was apologize and leave. Two emperors died in few weeks and Imayoshi-san wanted him to sit on that cursed throne.
Sun was setting, adorning the hall with maroon light. Sakurai, whose skin was unusually pale for a westernian, glanced towards the iron throne. The throne was just an ordinary chair at the beginning, long before he was even born, but now it was magnificent, decorated with swords that shone in the dim light. Imayoshi followed his gaze, of course, even Sakurai, his dear apologetic cousin, thought about sitting there sometimes. Everyone did.
"It's not in my nature, you see. But the council will be held tonight and since Wakamatsu left no heir, we will have to pick a new emperor. It's either you or me or someone from the east. I will suggest you, just so you know."
Someone from the east? "You d-don't mean that...Hanamiya will get to the throne?" His chocolate brown eyes widened in utter horror. That man was the devil himself, he even tortured his own people for amusement. At least that's what he's heard from some soldiers.
"Don't be so wary of him, Sakurai. Hana-chan has proved himself a powerful ally but I'd rather have you on the throne than him." Imayoshi smiled that smile Sakurai so detested. It meant he was having some hidden agenda. And he always had one.
"And don't believe everything poor people say. They themselves often believe everything that goes against their masters."
"S-sorry. But you'd rather have me on the throne because I'm easier tho manipulate right?" he bowed his head, clenching his fists in frustration.
"It is impossible to manipulate Hanamiya." Imayoshi remarked. "But I'd rather have you on the throne because we're connected by blood, and because I'd rather have you marry Satsuki than some eastern landlord."
"M-Marry?! I'm too young to marry." Sakurai chirped, his brown orbs widening. He was only seventeen, and all this was too much to bear for him. He wanted a peaceful life, somewhere outside the Capital, and far away from scheming and pompousness.
"Besides, I want to live. Whoever killed Wakamatsu-san, will come after me too. Even you don't know who it was!"
Imayoshi grimaced "Assassin left no traces. But I have my bets on southerns. Council speculated it was Hana-chan before he arrived at the Capital but you see...it's just not his style. He likes to watch his enemies fall. Northerns wouldn't have the time to prepare, plus Lord Mibuchi has young Akashi to deal with. The south however, they do not like us, just like they didn't like the old regime."
"Southerns never liked any of the emperors. But this is the first time they'd done something like this."
"The only one who can beat me, is me!" navy haired boy growled, barely any sweat adorning his cinnamon face. Five others, his age, some younger, some older, stood astonished at the sight they were presented with. He was agile, he was quick, like a panther. His sword swinging around too powerful for such young arms, for such kid...they'd say.
Aomine smiled, whipping few small drops from his forehead. It wasn't exactly what he hoped for, to be this good in fact. Prime reason for going with Akashi was the thought of steel clashing against each other in equal match. However, he still didn't find his equal. It saddened him a bit, though.
Nijimura observed, how quickly Aomine grew. How each day made another gap between him and other ones. He was once like him, same position, swordsman. Talened, but not quite like Aomine. He certainly had more brains though.
"Oi, won't you tell Akashi that I want to fight him a bit?" Daiki stretched, picking up his sword.
"Seijuuro-sama has many duties and activities to engage in such combat. Although excellent swordsman for his age, young Seijuuro prefers much lighter and sharper ones. He has a soft spot for daggers as well." he added fixing his robes.
"Of course he can't be as good as I am with long swords when they're bigger than him." Aomine muttered.
"Huh?"
"What is he doing anyways? Doesn't he want to become stronger to claim his rightful throne and blahblahblah..?" Nijimura turned his head a bit when Aomine started to pick his ear. This thirteen year old had a manners of a monkey.
"That is exactly what he is doing. He is researching. It's not like you would understand but...war cannot be won by two talented boys, he is looking for allies as well as immersing himself with knowledge about the whole land. If he wants to rule them all efficiently, unlike his father, he needs to know them."
"Boring. Besides, why is that green haired freak following us everywhere?"
"Midorima-kun is one of his...knights, if we could call you like that? Smart boy, I am currently his mentor in medicine."
Aomine yawned glancing at the mentioned boy. Midorima was quietly observing the fight before his eyes, altough ot engaging in it. He recieved basic training but he prefered archery much more, especially since he had quite the accuracy.
"Nijimura-san, I will read the book you gave me till the end of the week so we can discuss about it. If I may be excused?" Midorima bowed his head sligthly to raven haired teacher. Nijimura simply nodded, trying to glare at Aomine who cringed everytime someone used such formal tone with Nijimura or Akashi. For him they were friends, no need to use formalities. Although, he himself was sometimes vary of Akashi. Akashi's facial expressions that is, sometimes they'd become much scarier than how he usually is. Especially when vengeance and the iron throne were mentioned. There was one thing that tortured Midorima the most; how would Akashi become when he was close to that damned sword of his. Midorima had only saw it once but he recognised due to his extensive knowledge- the dragon's blade. It was like in that moment Akashi had become someone completely...
Turning around Midorima simply ignored Aomine, they won't get along. But if Aomine was good enough for Akashi then Midorima won't complain.
"Watch it." he stammered, almost falling to the ground after someone bumped into him. "Ehh..." he heard that monotous voice he despised since he was a child. " Mido-chin is grumpy again. I'll crush you."
"Murasakibara, if you're going to train you may at least become more observant of your surroundings." Green haired simply noted, picking up his books.
"I have no need to. I'll just chru-". "Yeah, you'll crush them, alright. Later."
Murasakibara Atsushi and Midorima knew each other since they were kids. Murasakibara looked much older due to being abnormaly tall for his age and he was still growing. They didn't get along, so Midorima was expectant of the fight between the other not-so-favorable guy he met recently.
"New emperor will be chosen in no time, Sir." young boy whispered under a cloak he constantly wore. Small part of his cerulean blue hair being visible, but only if you look long enough to notice him. He bowed his head slightly, not taking eyes from a man that sat on a chair, his long, pale arms stretched on a table.
"Really, now? Is it Hanamiya this time? Or another puppet?" the had a voice that could melt the ice itself, the phantom however remained uphased. He shook his head lightly.
"The battle for the throne has just begun. The successor of that cursed house Akashi still lives, and knowing his so called dragon blood, he won't rest until he tries to return to the throne. We cannot let that happen, can we little phantom? It's easier to deal with Imayoshi's than Akashi's afterall."
Tetsuya nodded. The man stared at Tetsuya, his handsome face making a grimace that even scared Tetsuya sometimes. "I have my own war to win against...If Akashi meddles back in it will ruin everything. If I send you to complete the task, will you do it little phantom? Will you do it for me?"
"Yes."
I had such problems with this chapter, because my laptop has been broken and I haven't written anything in a while. Plus, I have finals...
So, I'll re-read the story from the beginning when I find some time. I really want it to be plausible and without plot-holes, since I follow both Akashi and miracles, and the capital and kuroko...Akashi and Kuroko will meet again, just be patient lovely readers :3
So, drop a review if you feel like it :D
