November came soon after Himuro's party, and with it came more work for poor Kuroko. The bluenette had woken up the day after the party in his own home - trying to remember how he'd managed to get back. The male had realised how much alcohol he must have consumed, he couldn't remember a single thing that had happened after he'd seen Akashi play the piano on stage with the band and Himuro had made his announcement. Although he was sure there was more that happened, he just couldn't remember - no matter how much he wracked his brains.

Work had been become a regular thing at that point - Kuroko still worked in Akashi's office; sometimes with the emperor there but alone most of the time. In fact, Akashi had only been there four times for a short period since Himuro's party - when Kuroko asked, Midorima had curtly replied that he was busy running the Akashi company. Whenever he was at headquarters however, Kuroko had a strange feeling in his stomach. It didn't have any effect on Kuroko's productivity however, in fact, the bluenette could have sworn he could concentrate more when Akashi was there. On very rare occasions, Akashi would compliment his work after he inspected it. Whenever he did, Kuroko's heart would skip a beat and he had to do anything in his power to keep from blushing - after which he had to constantly remind himself that Akashi was his boss, and that there was to be no such thing in his way of working.

Alas, Kuroko realised that, as the month progressed and Akashi visited from time to time, he had more and more trouble looking away from the redhead's face when he was in the same room, taking in the still and piercing dichromatic eyes of the man - his perfectly proportioned and balanced body. Once again, after a week of absence, Kuroko found himself stunned by the sight of Akashi Seijuurou, the content of the sandwich he held in his hand slipping from in between the bread and falling onto his lap. At the soft sound, the eyes of the other flickered up with a curious expression.

"Are you alright Tetsuya?" Kuroko didn't say anything, barely realising that he'd been spoken too. Once he snapped out of it, he answered hastily with a 'yes' before scraping and cleaning away the food on his trousers.

"I'd rather you not eat or drink by your computer Tetsuya, if anything on that device gets lost it can cost an awful lot of money and trouble to retrieve it or replace it." Kuroko bit his lip and moved away.

"Yes, Akashi-kun." The bluenette took that as his queue to get out and he did so with a bowed head, ashamed of himself even though it had only been an accident. Akashi always managed to make him feel like things were his fault - they were usually just simple accidents but something about Akashi's domineering gaze made Kuroko feel as if he was responsible.

In the hallway, the male passed Midorima who held onto jar of dried basil. For some reason, Kuroko felt a little amused by that and his shame vanished momentarily as he greeted the green-haired. Midorima simply nodded and proceeded towards Akashi's office. Turning, Kuroko watched him go inside.

After his short two months at Teiko, he became closest with Aomine, Kise and Momoi - even though he'd seen little of Momoi (She had traveled to the other side of the country to do a job for Akashi; although what exactly it was, no one seemed to be able to tell Kuroko.)

When the bluenette male thought about it however, he realised he hardly knew Murasakibara or Midorima. Both were at Teiko fairly often but neither really spoke - Midorima usually too busy or irritated to speak. He ended up scolding Aomine and Murasakibara the most for being loud and messy. Murasakibara was very laid-back - even more so than Aomine but Kuroko was well aware of his purpose. Murasakibara terrified anyone that didn't know what he was really like…

His own role, he felt was becoming more crucial as well - Akashi very frequently sent him work, usually via encrypted e-mail, well protected and all. Kuroko was close to finishing another assignment for the emperor and had granted himself a short break - but he realised that he'd better get back to work and he tiptoed back to the office, slipping in through the door while he tried to ignore the low whisper of the two other men in the room. However, the poor bluenette tensed when he felt the gaze pierce into his side - Akashi had noticed him. There was a short period of silence before Midorima continued and Kuroko relaxed, feeling the other's gaze avert once more and he proceeded to take a seat at his desk, quietly finishing his job.

"Yes, it is rather intriguing…" Murmured the emperor from his seat before straightening himself and looking at the teal-eyed on the other end of the room.

"Tetsuya, come here." He commanded making the boy stand up slowly, saving something on his computer before making his way over with anticipating expression. The redhead restrained himself from smirking, finding it somewhat amusing to watch the other approach him so obediently. He sighed however as Midorima took a step back to allow Kuroko to see what lay before him.

"What is it Akashi-kun?" Asked the straight-faced male calmly and Akashi nodded slowly as he slid the short text under his nose.

"I believe it to be a cipher, and I also believe you capable of solving it." Kuroko blinked and took the paper, studying it closely while biting his lip. Midorima stared from Akashi to Kuroko before narrowing his eyes slightly and taking a step back to take in the scene before him. Kuroko muttered something and pointed. Akashi responded by leaning over in his seat and placing his hand over Kuroko's to see it clearly, pulling back slowly and sighing. His eyes closed and he nodded as Kuroko asked something else.

"I leave it with you Tetsuya." Muttered the redhead while he got up gracefully, slipping off his formal blazer and placing it over his chair before proceeding to the cupboard by the window, pulling a leather jacket out from within it and putting it on. Midorima gasped slightly. The last time he had seen Akashi wear that was when Haizaki had been banned…

"Shintarou, call Daiki and Atsushi. I will need their assistance with this mission. " Midorima blinked again but nodded, a frown creasing his forehead.

"Akashi, don't you think it better for me-"

"Enough. Atsushi and Daiki, do I make myself clear?" Said Akashi, his golden eye gleaming dangerously. Kuroko watched in astonishment. Had he said something that made Akashi this way? Again, Midorima nodded and quickly departed the room. Akashi sighed as he turned to look out the window and Kuroko was greeted by the fierce dragon on the back of Akashi's leather jacket.

"Akashi-kun. What are you going to do?" Asked Kuroko tentatively, not trying to get too flustered by what had just happened. Akashi didn't look at him as he spoke.

"It is of no concern to you Tetsuya. Not at the minute anyway." The redhead turned around and Kuroko felt himself rooted to the spot as the other strode over to him with three paces, halting beside him.

"All I need you to do, is stay safe for the time being. Don't do anything reckless…" And with that, Akashi left as well, Kuroko remaining in the office on his own for two short seconds before he turned around, hoping to catch a glimpse of the emperor but found himself disappointed when there was no sign of him.

Kagami grunted while he crossed off the final name.

"No fucking way, don't tell me I've got nothing to go by now!" The officer was about to go on a rampage. He'd done all that shit tonne of work for this, no result. He felt beyond annoyed and was tempted to hit the motorbike parked by the side of the road. Kagami held back and instead just clenched his fist as he eyed the bike. It really was quite nice - a slick black and heavy built model. Biting his lip, he restrained his inner child and instead, walked around it with a slight gloating mood. Yeah… It was a good thing he hadn't kicked it - whoever the owner was, would be pretty pissed at him, like he would be if someone did that to a bike like that (if he could afford one.)

"Hey, do me a favour and get out of the way. I haven't got time for admirers." A disgruntled voice sounded from behind Kagami sounded and as he turned, he growled, being pushed onto the curb behind when someone made their way past him.

"Daiki. Mind yourself." Another voice came from behind him, colder, stricter. Kagami shivered and looked around, his eyes meeting with a pair of dichromatic ones. They stared down at him in dismay. An expression which told Kagami that, despite having knocked him over, the heterochromatic-eyed really couldn't care less - Kagami shuddered and got up, adjusting the badge on his front, making sure the other two could see it.

By the time he was on his feet however, the male that had knocked him over was sat on the bike, having revved the engine just as the other male hopped on as well, seating snugly behind the vehicle's driver. And then Kagami realised something.

"You!" He shouted. Both males turned and looked at him. It was him. Kagami recognised him from the bar. The man raised an eyebrow.

"Do I know you?" Responded the darker skinned as his eyes narrowed with irritation while the veins in his neck pulsed angrily. The other turned his head away again - obviously not interested.

"Yes - well…" Kagami realised that the driver might not remember him and he recalled the memory of spitting beer in the male's face. - "Well, maybe not but-"

"Then fuck off." the man rammed his foot onto the gas pedal and they spurred off just as the male on the back turned his head to stare at Kagami with a curious expression, glancing at the officer's badge. And then, a smirk etched onto his lip, turning his previously blank and cold expression into an almost malevolent picture. Kagami shivered more violently.

"What's up with them?" He watched the bike spur off and around the corner, absent-mindedly gazing at the back of their jackets. It depicted a red dragon…

What could that mean?

Kuroko sighed silently. For some reason, the past two hours had been nowhere near as successful. He'd gotten little work done and he sat at his computer, holding a mug of hot chocolate without any clue as to what he was supposed to be doing. He questioned himself as to what it might be that was holding him back but, somewhere, he had a feeling, maybe in the back of his mind but, that the reason he felt distracted was worry. Yes, Kuroko Tetsuya was worried about his boss, Akashi Seijuurou. For one thing, the male felt as if it would be his fault if something happened to the redhead and that it would be his fault if Murasakibara or Aomine got hurt as well. But he also felt worried because Akashi was gone. Sure, he'd been gone many times, but that was because of his normal life, his normal business… Not some crime Kuroko knew nothing off. Akashi was gone and Kuroko was so very worried. He longed to see the emperor somewhat… That beautifully sculpted face and the precise body - before Kuroko knew it, he found himself red in the face at the very thought of Akashi. His mind was pulled back into reality when he heard loud scuffling and shouting in the other rooms.

"Kise, hurry and get the first aid kid." It was Midorima's voice and in the distance, doors opened and slammed shut. One after the other. Akashi's study door opened wildly as Furihata came bursting through, running past Kuroko as if he couldn't see him, finding the bathroom and collecting towels before dashing back out. In a panic, Kuroko followed, very worried at that point.

He proceeded throughout the hallway and into the living area where he saw Aomine on the sofa, holding onto his ear… or what was left of it. Kuroko slid his hand over his mouth to prevent himself from hurling, horrified at the state of his friend. The blood stained the material of the sofa and spilt onto the floor beneath. Kise was knelt beside him, eyes wide with horror while he stared at the wound which continued to ooze more of the red substance. Kuroko quickly hurried over and Kise who was knelt beside the male with the first aid kit, jumped when Kuroko seemed to suddenly appear beside him. Aomine momentarily glanced at the bluenette and gave a meagre smile, almost grinning - as if it was nothing. Kuroko could have yelled.

Both he and Kise however, were pushed aside however when Midorima entered with a serious expression. Kuroko was going to protest, wishing to stay close beside his bleeding friend but a strong grip pulled him away. Looking up, the bluenette saw Murasakibara, hands bloody and covered in cuts.

"Mido-chin has training as a doctor, he'll know what to do." Kuroko tried to protest in Murasakibara's grip but to no avail - the purple giant was simply too strong.

"Murasakibara, get Kuroko and everyone else out of here." Kuroko continued to struggle but Murasakibara was capable of dragging both him, Kise and the present Furihata out of the room at the same time. Shoving the three into the hallway, he re-entered the room and slammed the door shut, locking it as Kise hammered his fists against the door. Furihata meekly whimpered something before dashing back downstairs, his skin tone having gone green, representing what Kuroko felt inside. The bluenette breathed heavily, and sank against the wall.

It had all happened too fast for Kuroko. Seeing his best friend, missing most of his ear, covered in blood, his skin pale. Being pulled out of the room. Kuroko covered his sweaty face as he bit down on his lip, feeling even more nauseous just thinking about the sight of Aomine so gravely injured.

In an attempt of calming himself, Kuroko slowly inhaled and exhaled. In through his nose and out through his mouth, trying to steady his whole body and stop his hands from trembling. The shock, the horror, the blood. Just when he managed to push the image away, he saw small specks of the same substance staining the floor and he got up, Kise having kneeled up against the door, his fist still against the wooden material of it. Kuroko meanwhile staggered to his feet and slowly made his way down the hallway, following the light trail of blood drops. Perhaps it was to distract himself, but Kuroko found himself standing in front of Akashi's office once more and he had a feeling. He opened the door and stuck his head into the room with a worried expression and sure enough, Akashi sat on a comfy chair by the window, holding onto his bleeding, looking at it almost curiously - as if he'd never seen anything like it before.

"Haven't you hear of knocking before you enter into a room with a closed door?" Akashi's voice was pained and slightly unfriendly, making Kuroko tense.

"S-sorry, Akashi-kun. Please may I enter?" He continued, biting his lip once more as he watched the heterochromatic eyes look upwards to meet his own eyes. Sighing, Akashi smiled at the bluenette.

"Of course Tetsuya, my apologies for my rude manner just now. Do me a favour and lock the door behind you - I wish not for anyone else to be in here at the minute." The redhead sighed and looked back down at his hand, the bleeding having already stopped. Kuroko hurried over and knelt down in front of the seated male instinctively, taking the bloodied hand in his own and inspecting it.

"Akashi-kun, what happened?" He asked, eyebrows furrowed as Akashi let him look at the wound - Kuroko noted it was a cut, most likely from a sharp blade. Not sure what to do, Kuroko decided to get some wet towels and clean the wound first. Meanwhile, Akashi spoke as Kuroko moved around.

"Well… I admit it was a surprise, even to me. Before we arrived at the location, I had already calculated 73 possibilities but I was unsure of which scenario would play out - therefore, I was unable to inform Atsushi or Daiki beforehand…" Akashi sighed, feeling a little calmer as the bluenette cleaned his stinging wound.

"But how did Aomine get hurt?" Kuroko insisted as he carefully inspected the cut, realising it wasn't too deep. Akashi frowned as he stared down at the male that knelt in front of him.

"It's the aftermath of a bullet. Daiki was shot, he's lucky he didn't die. I made a mistake, I should have warned him half a second sooner. If I had done that, he would be completely unscathed. Instead, he has a permanent scar because of me. I've been foolish-" Akashi said through gritted teeth while the fist on his lap clenched. Kuroko looked up with wide, cerulean eyes, astonished.

"How can you say that Akashi-kun. If it hadn't been for you, Aomine-kun could have been killed right?" Akashi said nothing and without knowing it, Kuroko grabbed the emperor's other hand, his eyes gazing up into the dichromatic eyes with a desperate attempt to get the message across.

"I'm really grateful Akashi-kun. You did what you could at the time. Is that not enough? You saved your family from getting killed." Kuroko continued, trying his very best to console his boss. Akashi however, pulled his unharmed hand out of Kuroko's weak grip and placed on the top of the bluenette's head, immediately silencing him. A wry smile placed itself on his lips and his eyes narrowed kindly.

"Your words certainly are magical Tetsuya… So simple, yet so effective."Sighing, the redhead leant down, his face only inches away from Kuroko's. With large eyes, Kuroko continued to look at the emperor while he cocked his head slightly.

"Tetsuya… When I said not to be reckless, I really did mean it." Akashi breathed in Kuroko's ear, the bluenette shivering at the heat of it. He was taken off guard, the topic having changed so drastically that it left him confused.

"W-what?" He continued to try and looked at his boss without his eyes watering from the pressure of Akashi's gaze.

"Touching my hand so calmly, trying to comfort me… You're being reckless… Many people that would be in the same position as me… Wouldn't be able to hold back now, not after that amazing expression of yours." Akashi bit down a small smile. Kuroko felt completely shaken. One second they had been talking about Aomine and the next it was about him being reckless. What was going on. Akashi sighed, his smile faltering as he easily read Kuroko's expression.

"I am truly sorry for letting Daiki and Atsushi get injured so seriously Tetsuya. I used to have no one to ask for forgiveness… Therefore I never asked for it - instead moving on as if it was nothing. But now I have you, I ask for your forgiveness. I wish for you to forgive me for what I have done - for bring my family in danger, for worrying you." Kuroko blinked and looked back at Akashi who'd sat back up again, his eyes slanted as if he was sad, his face for once, dripping with emotion. Emotions of sorrow and shame. Kuroko felt his heart ache at that expression. It looked wrong on the usually sublime emperor. The bluenette swallowed sharply.

"I forgive you…"