A/N: おまたせしました!i know it's been a while, i was sort of queueing up things on tumblr and brushing up on my assignments, and so here you go? so who wants to guess what happens in the next chapter? and when the next update will be? :'D Looking forward to hear what you guys want to see and what your suspicions are! and whoa look at that amount of reviews whoaaaa... thanks for all the reviews! some i've managed to reply, others i haven't gotten back to, but they've been read all the same. with loads of love and tears. ;u; i wonder if i should try to update more with these reviews i'm receiving...


"Please get away from me, Kise-san. I'll be forced to call the guards if you don't."

The wolf chuckles as if those words don't affect him. "No need to be so scary, Kuroko-sama," he says, the very same disconcerting smile still on his lips. "All I just want is to educate you about having sex—and considering that this is Akashicchi we're talking about, I don't think he'll be very kind to you, even if it's your first time."

Kuroko's stomach does a pathetic flop at Kise's incriminating words just as irritation begins to bubble inside his heart. Despite being an ordinary high school student before his inheritance, he's aware of what takes place during a sexual intercourse—it's the talk of all the horny alphas inside his classroom, and those reticent betas even take an interest in filthy magazines. Overhearing something like that is inevitable, just because he's so very absent in people's eyes until they think they're alone when they whip out their pornographic stash. It's sad to say that he knows more than what an average teenage boy should know anyway.

"I know what happens during sex—I won't need any additional explanations," the pale teen rebukes with little enthusiasm, pressing his lips into a thin, grim line. "So if you'll please take a few steps away from me—"

"Do you know where his fingers should be then?" Kise inquires in fake curiosity, perhaps just enjoying the fact that he can try to get a rise out of harassing Kuroko. His fingers sidle up the padded armrests of the chair and the courtesan watches him warily, but the wolf still hasn't touched him. Yet. "I mean, I don't want your first time to be painful, so maybe you can get Akashicchi to prepare you with plenty of lube and fingers before—that is," he doesn't bother to hide the impish grin crawling along, "If Akashicchi feels like taking pity on you. Most of the time, he likes watching his lovers scream. Or muffle their cries with his hand."

Ah.

That's pleasantly disturbing.

As expected from the unholy emperor of the empire, who dictates everyone with a gloriously upright façade, but hosts rotting innards inside his body instead. Kuroko can't even begin to imagine the pain the previous concubines had to be subjected through—especially the ones who've died, but he knows that he might be one of them with this summoning. All the omegas, every single one of them who was taken away from his or her family by force, he wonders if their parents cried as hard as his did. And if they find out that their children's dead just because of an emperor's foolish whim, Kuroko screws his eyes shut and tries hard not to think about their anguished expressions.

"Hey, Kuroko-sama," Kise's voice nuzzles him like how its owner could've done, if he wasn't bound to Akashi's words. "Don't tell me you're thinking about where his fingers could be, hmm? That's so lewd, right in front of me…"

Kuroko hides the shiver that wracks down his body as best as he could, trying not to let it show. He can't appear weak, just like what Kise wants him to be. Sooner or later, this place will break him—Kise will break him, Akashi will break him, his life will break him… unless he breaks someone else and gains a standing in everyone's eyes. Masking his discomfort with the staple impassive face, Kuroko feigns disinterest.

"Kise-san, you're annoying," he blankly states, and wills himself to look at the blonde right in the eyes. Kuroko doesn't break the eye contact, and neither does he, because predators will pounce on their preys once a staring contest is broken. So Kuroko moves his lips and hopes that Kise will take a hint, never blinking. Not even once. "Will you please stop being cynical? I'll go and file for a change in bodyguards if you're going to keep this up."

It doesn't hurt to brandish some authority in Kise's face just to pop him out of that high chair he's been sitting on, but Kuroko's a tad bit disappointed to see that the wolf doesn't even take the bait. He just raises his slender brow and looks skeptical, that's all.

"How sure are you that I'm being cynical, Kuroko-sama?" the blonde retaliates, leaning back just to observe Kuroko from a wider angle. "We've only met for just a while, so you don't know me fully."

At least it gives the concubine some space to breathe and he's glad for it, but Kise isn't very pleased as the very same weariness that has been corroding him from the start… is gradually eating him up from within. Kuroko knows, he can see Kise's thinning irises and it says plenty more than what the owner of the body conveys. This place brings down others; it revels and feasts on their despairs and for someone like the wolf to be in here longer than Kuroko himself, he must've been obscuring some of his demented flaws behind that magazine idol fascia of his.

"Maybe you're good at pretending, Kise-san," Kuroko starts, putting his hands together on his lap and gazing at the older man quietly. "You're right though—it's only been a several weeks since we've met each other, and it's none of my business. But still," he pauses, frowning slightly, "I prefer the happy and helpful Kise-san compared to this."

He doesn't know if he's caught the man off guard, but his words leave Kise with a mystified look. His bright yellow eyes are wide, lips parted, his voice stuck in his throat, but nothing comes up. Reasonably at a loss for words, it seems. So Kuroko takes this chance to get up from his chair and Kise involuntarily steps back, his mouth dry. Adjusting the hems of his robes and flicking the fat tassels from the dangling flowers away from his face, the concubine gathers his sleeves together and gives a lingering glance at the man.

"I'll take my leave then, Kise-san, if you have nothing else important to say."

He begins to walk away, just past the blonde, but a hand darts out and grips his shoulder tightly.

"Wait, Kuroko-sama—"

Kuroko slides out of his dream languorously, like he's slipping from between silken sheets and pressing his cheek against a balmy pillow. Trying to suppress the memories proved hopeless, as his mind has a strange way of letting him replay those moments unbidden, and he's not able to stop them at will. As much as he resents how Kise treats him like a plaything, he's aware that his whole life revolves around how Kise manipulates him against his free will. Whether he likes it or not, this harsh reality is part of his lifestyle now, and the only salvation lies in the hands of the wolf himself.

Then Kuroko vaguely realizes that the strong smell of incense fills his head with smoky whispers of an unfamiliar room, and blinks the sleep away from his eyes... only to see a wall of brocade red in front of him.

And someone's palm is cradling his cheek.

"You dare to sleep in the presence of the emperor himself?"


Sixteen-year-old Kuroko Tetsuya has never really taken interest in the political affairs of Japan, but he can work things out with history classes in his school. What he knows about the Akashi family isn't really surprising, since any typical Japanese would be able to vomit out the same information as he can. Highly influential, strong alpha lineage, and devastatingly powerful enough to crush any of their enemies is one of the first things that he learned about them. Crimson hair, alabaster skin, slanted eyes and a sharp tongue is the next set of description he's heard before; Kuroko once tried to draw it out, but he makes those prized features look as though they belong on the next serial killer on the midnight television slot. He hasn't attempted to draw anything ever since then.

But in reality, it's different.

The man sits in front of him, dispassionate, though his face isn't exactly arranged into one of a scowl. Even though his fair complexion glows radiantly under the sunlight and he has an upturned nose that's rather adorable if it doesn't belong to an emperor of a country, Kuroko wonders why his thin lips are fashioned into a flat line of disdain. Over his statuesque build, the emperor adorns simple yet flattering monochromatic robes made with various cuts that flow from his sides and the front, which highlighted his lithe physique. Albeit keeping his animalistic traits hidden with no traces of feathery wings or even a sleek tail, the strong scent of a domineering alpha wafts from him, mixing with the aromatic incense, and it renders Kuroko lightheaded from all the intoxicating musk.

And his eyes.

On one side, it's the colour of livers smudged against the asphalt. The other side hosts a much brighter colour—eerie moonlight offset by heavy lashes, and every inch of Kuroko's skin crawls from his intense gaze. They weigh so heavily on the teen until he feels as though he's meticulously torn apart inside the man's head, only to be pieced together again once he's achieved understanding of how Kuroko functions. While crimson bangs do curtain his vision slightly, it does nothing to ease the dreadfully daunting look that he gives to anyone in his presence.

"Your name is Kuroko Tetsuya," the emperor says, and there's an appreciative lilt in the way he rolls his tongue to pronounce Kuroko's name. "The newest one, I take it?"

It's hard for the boy not to respond, but Kuroko's mouth is dry so he nods instead.

"I appreciate it if you'll respond vocally instead, Tetsuya," he sharply reprimands, and it takes all of Kuroko's control not to wilt right there and then. Aomine's right; the emperor is a fetching man who is authoritative and dignified, but his words cut through just as sharp as a paper would. "If you are not aware to whom you're talking to, would you prefer my assistance in reminding you?"

Warning bells start to ring inside Kuroko's head amidst the fogginess.

A punishment.

"No," he starts, almost a breathy gasp, but he tries to regain his composure and clears his throat. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, Akashi Seijūrō-sama."

There's the semblance of satisfaction flitting through Akashi's dichromatic eyes and he tilts his head to the side, almost coy, but there's something direly unsettling about it. Because this 'coyness' isn't like Kise's coquette, rather, more like a tiger taming itself just to bare its fangs afterwards.

"Good boy," he says, and a lazy smile curls on his lips. "I will not have one of my court members forgetting his place in my presence. The consequences would've been tragic."

Very tragic, Kuroko thinks, but he doesn't dare to say it aloud. So he settles for watching one servant boy come forward, a teapot in hand, and sets about his task refilling several teacups sitting on the table between them. Amidst the gilded edges of fine porcelains, bunches of flowers in vases, little tidbits of sweetmeats and delicacies are ready for consumption. But Kuroko finds little interest in those sugared cakes, partly because he's so jittery until he can't take any food. When the servant boy bows and leaves them both alone, that's when Akashi elegantly lifts his teacup and makes a gesture for him to do the same.

"Take a sip, Tetsuya. It'll do you some good."

"No thank you, Your Majesty," Kuroko replies, shaking his head curtly. His fingers are trembling and he's rather sure that he might spill his drink if he does. "I'd very much like for us to get straight to the point, if possible."

One of Akashi's brows rose, feigning ignorance. "Oh? That is?"

"You summoned me," the concubine tries again, brows furrowing. "Kise-san mentioned that you wanted an afternoon company."

The redhead is unperturbed with how Kuroko questions him point blank.

"And this isn't what you expected?" Akashi inquires with a tilt of his head, but his eyes glow with amusement. "I suppose the first thing that came to your mind when the word 'summon' is mentioned is none other than sex? If so," he chuckles, taking a sip of his tea and firmly setting his cup on the saucer, "then you are a complete disappointment. Every single one of you is the same. I suppose it justifies how I can smell Daiki's scent on your hand and Ryota's on your shoulder. You've been misbehaving with them behind my back, haven't you?"

That's ridiculous.

"I beg to differ." Kuroko's as quick as ever to shoot back, and he somehow regrets not holding his tongue when Akashi narrows his eyes at his impertinence. "I didn't look forward to meeting you, since I wanted to spend my day in bed with a good book, if possible. But when Kise-san said that I was summoned, everyone went into a frenzy and they got me prepared. According to them, getting summoned equals to having sexual intercourse. In short, that is how I was lead to believe that it was what you wanted. Both Kise-san and Aomine-san only held me to ensure that I don't trip because of my nervousness."

If anything, Akashi's silence is terrifying at his defensive explanation. The wind rustles and Kuroko hears the branches rustling outside the windows, and he's almost tempted to rise from the chair to avoid this stifling atmosphere. But walking away from the emperor himself is a huge no-no, and he likes having his head attached to his body. With little to no choice left in his cards, Kuroko spends the next few minutes watching as the redhead maintains the silence placidly, taking measured sips from his cup, settling his eyes on Kuroko, and after the third minute ticks by, the man smiles.

"What you're saying is that you're not here of your own free will?" he asks, to which Kuroko tersely nods. He takes the boy's answer with a thoughtful look and settles his gaze over Kuroko's shoulder. "I didn't summon you; Shintarou did so under my name. He thinks it's best for me to go through my mates in case I might find one that suits my whims. Personally, I think it's a waste of time since I have to make space in my schedule just to allocate something as insignificant as this. I always make it a point to decline whenever possible, but Shintarou insists on having you over because he assigned Ryota to take care of you."

Kuroko isn't sure how to respond to that as his mind is reeling backwards. There is no sex involved? The emperor does not wish for his presence here? He won't end up as a real-life tragedy, just like those omegas? "Then I'm just here because of some elaborate miscommunication?"

"You have nobody else to blame but yourself," is what Akashi softly reproaches, and he doesn't hide the amusement quirking his lips. "You're too quick to believe what your surroundings tell you, Tetsuya. Even if I was aware that I summoned you, it is only a summoning. There is no intercourse involved, unless I specifically request so. If you're not careful enough in the future, things like this will lead to your own demise."

That certainly doesn't sound pleasant.

"My demise?" Kuroko echoes, blinking. "I don't think I understand what you're trying to say."

"You'd be better off without listening to the people around you," Akashi simply clarifies with a gentrified nod. Eyes trailing around aimlessly in the room, he makes a point to meet Kuroko's gaze once before dropping his voice into a sultry whisper, "It is common knowledge that the walls have ears here in my citadel. Take every advice you receive with caution because while it may be seemingly harmless, you might be playing right into another person's agenda. It'd be a shame if you were to take a walk in the Round Garden one day and never emerge from the labyrinth again," he teases. "Then your body will be a fertilizer for the plants there."

Kuroko stiffens in his chair.

Cold sweat trickles down his nape.

"Of course, you also have to make some wise decisions regarding who serves you and who should be given the chop," he goes on, ignoring how petrified Kuroko has become. "Poisonous weeds need to be removed from your garden before it becomes a parasite to your other plants. Ah, you may take my word at face value, of course," Akashi smiles a tight-lipped smile, "but you ought to train to read between the lines to save nobody else but yourself in the end."

Suddenly, the emperor doesn't seem to be like what Kuroko imagined him to be. It's a cognitive dissonance between two things: what he's heard of the redhead isn't what he's currently witnessing. Akashi is merely content with sipping his tea and enjoying a conversation with him without making any moves, save for threatening ones in order to flourish his authority. A deadpan snarker also lies underneath unruffled feathers, but Kuroko's quite sure that he'll witness more to come if he's still alive by the time their little afternoon together comes to an end.

Not wanting to do anything that'll incite Akashi's wrath, Kuroko settles for the next best thing and nods his head in agreement. "I understand. Thank you for spending your time with me today, Your Majesty. I doubt we'll meet each other again so I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize for my rudeness and assumptions."

This time, Akashi gives him a perfectly quizzical look.

But it just doesn't match with his smirk.

"Whatever do you mean by that, Tetsuya? Now that we are properly acquainted with one another, do you think that I won't summon you again in the future?"


Preview for Chapter 9:

"Have you taken any recreational classes in your spare time?" Akashi asks pleasantly, his fingers toying around with the arrangement of the delicate flowers in a vase. When Kuroko shakes his head, he clicks his tongue in contempt and sighs. "You'll be wasting your time if you decide to do nothing here. The days are long outside the city, and even longer within the palace walls. Did Ryota not tell you about this?"