I do not own Kuroko no Basket
Demon's have a hierarchy that cannot be changed. Since the beginning, King Seijuro Akashi has ruled his Kingdom and only a chosen few have been able to be at his side since they too are powerful demons in their own rights, on the same level as the King, yet they are content to live under his rule, and those who try to overthrow Akashi are quickly lead to death's door's. In the human world they would be rich, but here money is not needed, the price you must pay is blood, the higher quality of blood, the higher ranking you will be.
Demons can't die of old age, the only way for a demon to die is to be killed by one of their own kind or to release themselves from their demon bonds and become human. Should they choose to become human, they will freely give up their memories and all power they once held. They will be reborn into a human body, live a human life and finally die, unaware of what they had once been.
At Rakuzan Castle, the only female demon who ranks a King's level can be seen steadily walking towards the King's private room. Momoi Satsuki can feel the eye's of the lower ranking demons following her fearfully as she walks the halls, but she doesn't stop, she continues on, throwing the doors open. She walks straight to the table and slams her hand down upon the paper Akashi had been writing on, the ink still wet smudges under her hand and Akashi will have to rewrite whatever the letter is about.
"What have you done?" She shouts when mismatched eye's look up at her.
"It was his choice, there is nothing left to be said," Akashi says, clearly dismissing her.
Satsuki feel's her hands shake with the strain of holding back. "I will never forgive you for what you've done, Seijuro." He blinked, she surprised him by taking a step back and then leaving without another word. Satsuki could take a head clean off with just one slap, so why hadn't she just killed him?
He turns and faces the window in silence, he knows her words to be true, she will never forget what he has done, but for the sake of his friend's dream, he will bare her hate for as long as it will last.
"Why didn't you just tell Sa-chin?" Murasakibara asks from where he sits, he had gone unnoticed by Satsuki in her anger, but Akashi had felt him the moment he slipped into the room.
"We're all trying to accomplish our own goals. In any case, things just happened to turn out this way. There is no changing what has been done, we must accept what has happened."
"Since we've been together so long, it's not gonna feel right not having him here!" Murasakibara said, his gaze turned to the ceiling.
"Someone once said, that from the outside, we don't appear to have any teamwork, but we've never had teamwork, it's always been about protecting each other, so why wouldn't I grant the wish to someone who has protected us, since the very beginning?" Akashi questioned.
Murasakibara glanced towards him. "We're monster's, were not supposed to have a friendship, yet the seven of us have always been different, maybe that's what makes us so strong."
The winds have risen to a shriek, and if he hadn't known better, Murasakibara would have blamed the wind on cracking the window, but the glowing eye's reflected in the window showed the true case. "I will see to it that Tetsuya, has the life he wanted."
As midnight gradually approached, Satsuki had to concede that Daiki had been right, Tetsu was gone and there was no way of bringing him back. The wind wiped her hair back and fourth, she knew it was Akashi's doing, his control of the elements never seemed to settle with her. Why hadn't Midorima been the one gifted with such power, then they never would have to worry about a sudden change in weather. Midorima's power would have been better suited for a king, the power of sight, to see the future and change the outcome, change what a person saw, well there was no point lingering on what can never be.
Transforming she took flight towards the portal that would lead her to her future.
Flashback
"Do you have dreams, Satsuki?" Kuroko asked turning to face the snowy owl that was perched on the rail of his baloney.
The owl hooted before transforming into a human form. "Of course I do," Satsuki said turning to lean against the railing and looking out to the sea. "I dream of always being together with everyone." She responds, tilting her head towards him and smiling. "We'll always be together, so my dream is never ending."
So badly, she wants to ask why he's bringing up dreams, but Tetsu will tell her in his own time. When he pats her head gently and caresses her cheek, she flushes. "Dreams aren't meant to last forever Satsuki, there meant to be lived so that new dreams, can take place."
"What? Don't be silly." Her response comes, a tinge of exaggeration coloring her tone. "What other dreams could I have, other than for us to stay together always?" Before she could say anything a bat appeared in the sky and landed on Satsuki's shoulder. Being a shapeshifter Satsuki could speak to the animals and she used them as a messaging service. They each had an animal that would rely messages to Satsuki. "Ah, looks like Dai-chan's, looking for me."
"It's fine, you should go." Kuroko encouraged.
"Okay, catch you later Tetsu," Satsuki said as she transformed once more into the snowy owl and took off alongside the bat.
The light surrounding him is blinding and Satsuki can only watch in horror as the magic circle close's in around her friend, slowly dissolving him. Satsuki had never been to this place before, only demons who wished to become human came here. Daiki has a strong grip on her to keep from touching the circle or she too would vanish from this world.
"Tetsu!" She shouts struggling in Daiki's hold, she doesn't even get the chance of thinking of changing forms when Murasakibara, whose powers are to block another's powers take's over in pinning her down. She knows that as long as he's touching her, he could withhold her power's, so she wonders why Daiki isn't holding her. She see's him staring wide eye's as their friend smiles their way before vanishing into thin air like he had never existed.
"Let me go!" She screams, desperate for any kind of help, yet her friend is no more. He will be reborn human and die whenever his time is up, he will never remember them or any of his time as a demon, he will be a different person.
"Satsuki," The gentle voice of Kise says from in front of her but her vision is gone.
"Give me my vision back, Midorima." She growls, going still in Murasakibara hold. He still pins her to the ground, never holding back any of his strength, least she break free his hold.
"Satsuki, you need to relax, he's gone," She feels Kise's hand brush her hair from her face. "There's nothing we can do, this is what he wanted."
"NO!" She snarls. "You could have stopped this Midorima. You coward, why didn't you say anything?"
It is silent. "Answer her Midorima," Daiki snarls from where he is standing. "And give her back her sight."
The world is filled with color once more and she's greeted by the sight of Kise kneeling before her. "Hey," He greets sadly. Her eye's bypass him straight to where Tetsu had once stood, he's no longer there only the circle remains no longer glowing.
"There are rules about becoming human, no one can interfere." Midorima spoke, "You yourself Satsuki, voted to have them put in place."
"Had I known this would happen I never would have..." Tears streamed down her face as she bites her lip.
"This has always been Kuroko's wish, to one day become human. Would you have really stood in the way of his dream?" Midorima shouted, his fists clench at his side.
"Of course I wouldn't, but I would have found another way." She cried in defense.
The clouds suddenly turned black and heavy rain fell upon them, soaking them to the bone. Lighting flashed and thunder rolled, this is when she knew, just why Midorima hadn't said anything.
"Muk-kun, get off me." She said laying her head on the muddy floor beneath her. Murasakibara as if knowing something had changed, pushed her down with everything he had, he could feel her power straining to come forth but he wouldn't allow it.
Suddenly drawn by Satsuki distress, a black cloud could be seen moving their way and then they were surrounded by crows, cawing and swiping down upon them.
Murasakibara who had a fear of them immediately released Satsuki, and she transformed into a crow disappearing into the swarm of cawing birds before they all flew off.
"That was a dirty trick, Sa-chin," Murasakibara shouted after the retreating flock of birds waving his fist. "Where do you think she's going?"
Daiki stepped up to where Murasakibara was sitting on the ground. "My bet, she going to Akashi right now, so if I were you, I'd head there right now."
Understanding dawned on Murasakibara and he looked to Midorima just to be sure. When the man nodded, he stood and took off in the direction of the castle.
"Whats going to happen Midorimacchi?" Kise questioned the green haired man.
"Kuroko's future has completely vanished and soon, Satsuki's future will also disappear."
"You bastard!" Daiki shouted grabbing Midorima's shirt. "You just let her leave knowing that?"
"The future is never clear until the person decides what path their going to take,"
Daiki shook his head in denial. "No, I need to go after her, I need to stop her."
"It's too late, her future," Midorima hadn't been able to meet Daiki straight in the eye till now. "Has completely vanished as of now."
Falling to his knee's Daiki looked every bit a broken man.
"This might not be the end," Kise shouted. "If she's gone through the portal to the human world it means you can't see her, right?"
"That's true." Midorima nodded.
"She's alive," Daiki said standing. "She's gone to look for Tetsu!"
End flashback.
The human world was different, the people were divided into good and bad. Satsuki didn't understand how a person who looked so pure could have a heart blacker than any demon she had met and she didn't feel any guilt when some of these people just happened to die before their time. She was a demon, after all, she killed for fun, but these people they made even her feel disgusted at what they did to others.
They called someone friend, yet they could stab them in the back, so easily stomp on treasured dreams. If anything, Tetsu had thought her that dreams weren't meant to be kept at bay, they were to be fulfilled. It had taken her these past 16 years to finally understand just how important dreams were to people and she refused to let these nasty human get in the way of Tetsu's dream.
Tetsu, her precious friend, she had finally found him. He hasn't changed at all in her eye's. He still hides in the shadows, even without his powers. He smiles more too she notices and seems a happier person altogether. She feels almost jealous of his new life, so simple and free. She could never have such a life, she just couldn't give away her treasured memories.
Barking below her made her look down at Tetsu dog, Tetsuya #2. She knew Tetsu was horrible at names, but this was just pitiful. Her ears flicked at the sound of approaching feet.
"No #2, you shouldn't bark at cats," Tetsu told the dog, picking him up.
"You think it's a stray?" Taiga Kagami, Tetsu best friend asks. She knew if Daiki was around he wouldn't be happy, but she hasn't seen Daiki since the day she left. The chances of him not being
She knew if Daiki was around he wouldn't be happy, but she hasn't seen Daiki since the day she left. The chances of him not being pissed are slim to none and she wishes he could be here alongside her.
Gentle hands pick her up from where she had been sitting on the wall. Large calloused fingers make her purr in content when they rub her fur. "Looks like a purebred, don't it?"
"That's my cat." A voice says and Satsuki looks on in shock at the person before her, Daiki. She hasn't seen him in years, gone as his normal clothes and in their place are human clothes.
"Oh, you should really put a tag on his collar," Kagami said, handing over the cat.
Daiki smirked when Satsuki hissed back at Kagami. "She's a girl actually."
"My bad," Kagami said holding up his hands.
"Kagami, we should leave or we'll be late," Tetsu said, looking down at his watch.
"Shit, why didn't you say sooner, coach said if I'm late again...I don't have time, let's go." Kagami said pulling Tetsu along as they left.
As soon as they were gone Daiki teleporting them away deep into what appeared to be a grove in a forest. "So..." Shifting in the gentle hands that held her, Satsuki looked up into the blue eye's that belonged to Daiki. "It's been a long time Satsuki, don't tell me your gonna stay in that form the whole time we talk?"
Jumping she transformed midair back into her original form. Not shy in the least she turned in her naked form to look at the man she hadn't seen in years.
Stepping forward Daiki's eye's never left her eye's as he brushes a piece of hair behind her ear. "There's my girl."
"Dai-chan." She whispered as she hugged him. The years they spend apart was nothing to them, but watching Tetsu grow old so quickly had taken its toll on Satsuki and having Daiki who still looked the same after decades brought a bit of peace to her mind.
"Tetsu's got so big so fast."
She nodded, wiping away some of her tears. "I've only just found him and already I feel like I missed half his left. Every time I blink he changes... Dai-chan, I don't want this." She cried brokenly against his chest. His strong arms wrapped around her, protecting her.
Sighing he looked up at the branches that rustled in the wind above them. "I know, I've been searching too," She looked up in wonder. "Only I've been looking for you all this time. Don't ever leave me again." His arms tightened crushing her against him, yet she wouldn't have it any other way.
"Forever and always, right Dai-chan."
Kissing her head, he cradled her close. "Yeah, forever and always." He promised.
Midorima stood slightly behind Akashi atop the rooftop. "You sure this is what you want?"
Akashi watched as Daiki and Satsuki blended in school life alongside Tetsuya. "They will watch over him and keep him safe, there is nothing to worry about" Akashi glanced over at Midorima. "Beside's, while we've been in the human world you've read what the future is, haven't you."
"While I'm here I can see their future's, but they are ever changing, but yes there is nothing to worry about," Midorima assured his King.
There was silence as they watched the basketball game below. "Will she ever forgive me?"
Midorima was surprised by the question. Akashi hadn't spoken about Satsuki in the 17 years they'ed been apart. "I think you should look and see for yourself."
Akashi looked to where Satsuki was stood on the sideline, but instead of looking at the game she was looking their way and waved shyly. Akashi could tell that her time together with Tetsu had healed some of the hurt she had received, it would take time but maybe one day their friendship could be what it had once been, after all, they had all the time in the world.
"Let's return home Shintaro," Akashi said, the portal opening behind them. "Farewell Tetsuya, I hope all your dreams come true." Akashi didn't look back as he entered the portal, those two were more than enough to watch over Tetsu in his human life. He looked forward to the day they returned and could tell tales of the life his friend had lived, the one he had always dreamed of.
