CHAPTER: 12

He let out a tiny noise at the pain in his neck as he awoke which he instantly regretted when all the eyes in the room that weren't already on him joined those that were.

"Kagami-kun? Are you okay?" Kuroko asked worriedly, quite surprised that he was even awake after the amount of blood he lost.

"Mmmm…" he groaned. "Little light-headed, pretty dizzy…nothing I can't deal with…"

"You should probably go back to sleep."

"Easier said than done…" he murmured, looking around the room. To say the omega in him was intimidated was an understatement. All he could see, smell, taste was alpha. It was beyond overwhelming. He hadn't noticed as much the first time he'd been in the same room as them because the whole day…week had been too much for most people to handle.

But now that things were 'relatively' calmer, it was his sole focus. Being surrounded by this group of highly-threatening alpha wolves wasn't how he wanted to spend his Sunday morning.

Or any morning…though it's probably midday by now…

He was very aware of the fact that he wasn't wearing a lot and was very grateful for the blanket draped over him. His eyes drifted from one face to another.

Kuroko's eyes looked anxious, though he'd done a nearly faultless job of hiding it. His earlier statement didn't hold. He wouldn't mind spending most mornings with Kuroko. He had really found a friend in the other wolf. He trailed a hand over the bandages on his neck. They felt like Kuroko's handiwork. He felt a smile tug at his mouth.

A smile just for Kuroko.

"So, are we going to watch Kagami and Tetsu make eyes at each other all day or can we go eat? Because I'm starving." Kagami's eyes snapped from Kuroko's friendly face to Aomine's unfriendly one and his lips curled with distaste.

"Well that had been my plan before you ATTACKED me, you fucking asshole!"

Kise sucked in a shocked breath, eyes bulging slightly. The others weren't anywhere near as loud but they were all similarly surprised. Their thoughts were collective.

Wait…he always talks to him like that?

And he's still alive ?

But what had them even more surprised was Aomine response.

Or lack of.

"Boo-hoo! One bite and the violins come out. I didn't know you were such a damn cry-baby-"

"How about I draw a tonne of blood from you and we see who'd really be crying, huh?!" The redhead looked ready to fight him, injuries and all. Aomine laughed.

"Your welcome to try, sweetheart. But I don't see you getting far. Especially like that…"

"Prick!" Kagami hissed through his teeth, shooting him one final look of disgust before forcing himself up of the chair.

"Kagami-kun, maybe you should-"

"Sorry Kuroko. But I don't want to be in his company any longer than I have to be. Besides, I'd probably be a lot better if I ate something." As if taking his words as an introduction, his stomach growled menacingly. The effect on his face was immediate, a healthy red rushing to his cheeks, neck and even to his ears. "P…Pretend you didn't hear that…"

He shot out of the room like a bullet, leaving them to process what had just happened.

"He's adorable, ain't he?" There was a beat of silence but then Kise spoke up hastily.

"I mean, that much is obvious but Aominecchi…" he trailed off, looking uncertainly at the other wolf.

"Spit it out Kise. I want to go eat."

"I'm with Mine-chin," Murasakibara yawned. "I'm hungry."

"When aren't you?" Midorima asked, question completely rhetorical. Murasakibara gave him an unimpressed look and didn't bother responding.

"N-Never mind. Let's go eat."


They moved to the dining room and Kuroko went to the kitchen to let Marisa know that she had more mouths to feed. When he got there, he was met with the site of Kagami whipping up a storm alongside the official cook of the Aomine residence, who was acting as his support. And he looked like he was genuinely enjoying himself.

Kuroko would be lying if he said he didn't paint a very attractive picture. Anyone walking home to a sight like him in the kitchen with that smile on his face would be a very lucky person. Teamed with the whole scent debacle and Kuroko could almost see why Aomine had acted the way he had.

Almost…

"Kuroko? What's up?"

"Well, I had come in to let Marisa-san know that she had five more guests but it appears that both of you are many steps ahead of me." His eyes spotted Tanaka by the sink, peeling potatoes and feeling the keen eyes on him, he looked up and nodded.

"As a butler for Aomine-sama, one needs to stay ahead of the game." They exchanged a smile.

"Well, as I'm here, do you need a hand with anything-"

"Oh no, no Kuroko-sama! You can't be helping in here! It's unacceptable! Please, go back to the dining room. We'll be out with food as soon as possible, won't we Kagami dear?"

"You heard her, Kuroko." He grinned. "Mari-chan runs a tight ship and she doesn't take well to people not following her orders. You'd better lea…" He swayed slightly, forehead wrinkling as he closed his eyes with a wince.

Kuroko was by his side in an instant, a supportive arm around his waist.

"Are you okay, Kagami-kun?" He nodded quickly but it wasn't convincing to Kuroko's sharp eyes. "You're not very good at lying, Kagami-kun. I really wish you'd lie down again. It's too soon-"

"God, you two don't quit, do you?" Kagami's eyes snapped open immediately at the sound of the deep, mocking voice.

"Aomine-kun. I would have thought you'd avoid the kitchen for at least the rest of the day." Aomine shot him an unimpressed look.

"And why would I do that? So that you two can have more privacy? All you had to do was ask-"

"I'm asking," Kagami deadpanned. "Fuck off." Aomine raised an eyebrow.

"So there is something going on?" There was an edge to his voice, ever-so-slight that was very easily missed, even by someone like Kuroko.

But Tanaka had been around Aomine for all the younger wolf's life. And nothing escaped his notice. He had heard it very few times before but he still recognised it.

Dear God.

"Aomine-sama-"

"Of course there isn't, idiot! But who the fuck am I to turn down an opportunity to get rid of you for a day?"

Aomine chuckled and when he spoke again his voice was normal, but his eyes were almost magnetised to the redhead at the other end of the gigantic kitchen.

"You're right. Who are you?" Kagami rolled his eyes, slightly uncomfortable under Aomine's intense gaze. "A loud-mouthed omega who's too rude for his own damn good..." he muttered answering his own question and turning away suddenly. "Let's hope your hands move as fast as your mouth does and maybe the big, friendly giant in there won't eat the house down. Tetsu, let's go."

The slighter wolf had already moved his hands away from Kagami but looked unsure.

"Really, Kagami-kun, you should have some rest."

"I will, after I eat. Promise. Trust me, I'd be doing more damage to my body if I didn't eat." He laughed easily and Kuroko nodded.

"If you're certain then that's fine. But if you feel faint then don't hesitate to take break."

"I won't. See ya, Kuroko." He gave him a parting wave before turning back to the hob and Kuroko followed Aomine out of the door and back to the dining room.


"What took you guys so long?" Kise asked, looking up from his phone as the door opened.

"I had to pull the two lovebirds apart or the food would never get here. And God knows I don't want to be his next meal." He jutted a thumb at Murasakibara, who was slowly working his way through the fruit bowl.

"Hardly, Aomine-kun." Kuroko sat down beside him, helping himself to the pot of tea on the table. He inhaled the steam as it rose from the hot, beige liquid.

Vanilla…

"I was merely making sure Kagami-kun didn't pass out in the kitchen."

"I must admit, I am rather surprised he has the energy to stand, let alone prepare a meal." Kuroko had briefly recounted what had happened to Akashi and Midorima once they were in the dining room and both had been fairly surprised to know that the attack had been so severe. Not that Aomine wasn't capable of it -because they had all seen first-hand that he was capable of a lot worse, last night being just the tip of the iceberg- but the fact that Kagami didn't appear to reflect it at all.

"I have to agree, Shintarou. He does seem to be very…resilient…Daiki?" Aomine let go of the fruit bowl that he'd been trying to wrest away from Murasakibara without success.

"I was only taking one, but that fucking pig wouldn't let me! I'm innocent!"

"I wasn't referring to that but on that note, Atsushi, it's always nicer if you share."

"I don't want to be nice."

"Well then, at least be obedient." Murasakibara shot Aomine a vicious look for snitching before begrudgingly throwing a pear his way, with a lot more force than necessary.

In actuality, it was thrown hard enough to blow through a human skull like a torpedo through the hull of a ship.

Aomine caught it easily, a smug smirk firmly in place and bit into it.

"Thanks." Murasakibara scowled, holding the bowl protectively against him.

"Murasakibaracchi, can I h-"

"No."

"WHY?" Kise howled.

Aomine rolled his eyes.

"You were saying?"

"I'm curious to know if you felt different, in any way."

"Define 'different'." He was making quick work of the pear, absolutely ravenous after last night's activities.

"Well, describe how you're feeling now."

"Starved…pissed off." He gave the purple-haired wolf a dirty look that was returned with gusto. The blonde at his side had resorted to begging which his paler counterpart seemed to enjoy.

"Anything else…tired, perhaps? Slightly sore?" Aomine thought a moment then shook his head.

"Just hungry…kinda itchy actually."

"Whereabouts?"

"The bullet holes."

Ordinarily, his brother would have told him to dress up properly immediately. The fact that he hadn't yet was something Aomine deeply appreciated. But the real reason behind it was Akashi was monitoring him. He had long since taken note of the fact that the wounds on his body were healing well.

Abnormally so.

"Very intriguing, Daiki."

"I mean…whatever? I just want to fucking eat-"

"Yeah, well maybe if we had more hands in there, things wouldn't take so long!" Kagami snapped as he burst through the door, a loaded tray in his hands. He was covered in the aftermath of making the huge meal, his skimpy clothing stained just about everywhere. Had Aomine not been so ready to fight, he certainly would have commented on it. His appearance didn't miss the attention of some of the other members of the party, who suddenly looked hungrier and it had nothing to do with the food.

"What the fuck?! YOU sent everyone away!"

"Yeah, because you're a total whackjob! Just like everything else in life, it's all your fault!"

"Stupid bitch-"

"Fucking asshole-"

"Is it too late to call you both out on your language?" Akashi smiled and Kagami blushed immediately.

"Sorry…" he muttered.

"Good dog," Aomine smirked and Kagami looked ready to throw the entire tray at his handsome face.

"Let's hope this dog didn't poison your food-"

"If your cooking doesn't first," he retorted, making Kagami redden further with rage. "But it wouldn't kill me. Been there, done that. It would piss me off, though. And you wouldn't want that, would you?" Kagami growled but said nothing more, laying down the tray and heading back to the kitchen. After that, Marisa and Tanaka brought out the rest.

The food smelt beyond amazing and once the last dish had been set down, the group wasted no time tucking in.


"It isn't poison. You were wrong, Mine-chin." Aomine looked at him in confusion, still recovering from the meal.

"When isn't he?" Midorima interjected. Aomine flipped him off.

"What is it now-"

"He cooks really well."

Murasakibara complimenting other people's food was almost unheard of. He just ate. If he enjoyed it, he'd eat a lot. If he didn't, he'd still a lot but wouldn't go back. Perhaps if his opinion was asked for directly and he was feeling generous, he would say something. But it was rare for him to speak up unprompted. And it was even rarer for him to defend someone's food.

But he just had.

Aomine couldn't really say anything in response. He was still trying to digest what had been the best meal by a longshot in recent memory. He was surprised his wounds hadn't burst open with the quantity of food that he had consumed.

He'd been expecting Kagami's cooking to be passable at best so the fact that his food was arguably better than Marisa's: a seasoned chef with decades of experience.

There was a flavour to it that was so appealing to Aomine. Maybe because it was new, he didn't know. But it's like his cooking captured his essence. The food had personality…it didn't make sense. At least not to him. But he could tell it had been cooked in earnest and it tasted of his effort. It tasted like caring hand had prepared it.

And that was what infuriated Aomine as much as it enticed him. He knew Kagami could care. It was that he didn't that bothered him. At least, he didn't care about him.

The constant rejection just made Aomine seek Kagami's eventual succumbing even more fervently. He couldn't understand why; what the redhead had in him that others hadn't, to make him so hell-bent on owning him.

Watching him yield.

Marisa walked in then and began to clear the dishes. Akashi took the opportunity to speak up.

"Marisa-san, the food was exemplar, even for your standards. I commend both you and your sous-chef." It was plain obvious to all of them -as they had all eaten at Aomine's house at least once before, and Akashi had done so the most- that this wasn't Marisa's cooking so Aomine didn't understand his brother's angle.

The older woman beamed but shook her head.

"I can't take the credit for work that isn't mine, Akashi-sama. Kagami took charge this time around and…gosh, isn't he just adarling?" she gushed, forgetting herself. "He's so gifted in the kitchen and so polite-" She bowed her head suddenly, remembering her place. "Apologies, Akashi-sama, I got carried away-"

"Not at all, Marisa-san. I'm sure Daiki is most pleased to hear that he has such a talented, young omega at home. Where is he, if you don't mind me asking?"

"In the shower. Well he should be. I told him he should clean up as we had guests."

"And rightly so, Marisa-san." She beamed again then bowed and continued clearing before exiting the room with her first load of dirty tableware.

"What was that about?" Aomine asked accusatorily.

"There is no harm in checking, is there?" Akashi asked innocently. Aomine watched him carefully but that appeared to be all there was to it.

"Whatever," he grunted.

Marisa returned to take the rest of the dirty plates away, leaving the dishes that still had food on them under Murasakibara's careful guard. As she was leaving, Akashi called to her again.

"Marisa-san?"

"Yes, Akashi-sama?"

"Please could you tell Kagami to come to the dining room once he's done…showering?" She bowed deeply, balancing the tray with practised ease.

"As you wish, Akashi-sama."

Once she left the room, a companionable silence fell in the room, punctuated by the quiet sounds of Murasakibara eating.

Until Aomine voiced what had been on their minds the moment it had been mentioned.

"He's…showering…"

The eating noises stopped.

It was at times like this that they were most aware of their pack bond. Because the desire to be able to witness the act was shared.

Very much so.


They had been discussing their plan of action for the Rygos take-down when there was a single knock on the door. Akashi smiled slightly.

"Do come in, Kagami."

The door swung open slowly to reveal a freshly washed and newly-clothed Kagami. He had donned a white, sleeveless, close-fitting turtleneck that fell just above his knee and had an almighty slit up each side…and, disappointingly, a pair of navy blue trousers that ballooned at his knees before coming in to cinch his ankles. His damp, longish hair was pushed back and held in place with a headband but a few rebellious strands of red had broken free to frame his gorgeous, albeit hostile, face.

This has Marisa all over it…

Ordinarily he would've told Kagami to lose the trousers pronto, but in light of the company, he was glad that he had them on.

The less they get to see, the better.

"Please close the door behind you, Kagami." He did so and then waited, shifting from one foot to the other before crossing his arms defensively. The motion highlighted the well-built muscles in his arms and chest.

So big for an omega…but still more omega than any other wolf I've seen before…

"You called?" he asked, directing his question to Akashi.

"That's odd, I don't remember touching any lamps." Kagami blinked then snorted a laugh at the reference.

Who knew he could be funny?

"You should smile more, Kagami. It suits you a lot better than distrust and hostility." The smile was wiped off his face immediately and his eyes darted to Aomine before settling back on Akashi.

"I have my reasons…"

"I'm sure you do. Regardless, seeing you with anything other than a smile seems almost a waste. It makes your beauty even more striking." Kagami coloured a deep red at the compliment and Akashi noted it. "That colour, too, looks magnificent on you."

"I-I-uh-"

"Looks like everyone's pulling out all the stops today," Aomine joked but he was nowhere near amused. "Setting the barpretty fucking high." He fixed his sapphire gaze on the omega. "Why are you still standing?"

"Problem?" he asked, defiantly.

"Yeah. Problem. Sit."

They shared a look and the fact that Kagami was able to read it was a deep worry for him. He looked like he was going red again and cast a fleeting look at the door behind him.

"I wouldn't try it if I were you." Biting his tongue and squaring his shoulders, he walked over to Aomine's side and stopped.

The rest watched with quiet interest as he lowered his head, cheeks burning with shame but unable to hide behind his unruly fringe, thanks to Marisa's styling.

"Do I have to?" he ground out. Aomine smiled widely, but it was spiteful.

"What do you think?" Murmuring a curse under his breath that they were all able to hear, he sighed and sat in the alpha's lap. Aomine immediately wound his arms around his trim waist, holding him close before nipping at the bandages on his neck.

"See? Not so bad, right?" His breath ghosted along Kagami's skin making him shiver.

For more than one reason.

"Well," Akashi smiled and Kagami looked a touch desperately at him, hoping for pity. "Now that we're all comfortable…"

As expected, nothing.

I take back everything. He's a sadist, just like his brother.

"As we can expect you to be a part of our little family, at least for the foreseeable future, I thought you might like to be made aware of our plans for the next month or two." Kagami digested this, but said nothing.

Meanwhile, his stomach decided to digest its inner lining.

He tried to deny its existence but the tell-tale crimson on his cheeks was a dead giveaway.

"Do you ever stop?" Aomine marvelled and Kuroko kicked him under the table.

"I didn't even eat that much, so shut up!"

"What so half the house instead of the whole house?"

"Rude-"

"Why is that, Kagami-kun? Was there not enough left?" He turned from Aomine to Kuroko, transitioning quickly from annoyed to embarrassed.

"Oh, it's not that. There was plenty. But there was so much sh-" His eyes darted to Akashi nervously before he cleared his throat. "Stuff to wash up. All these big-ass pots and stuff…and Marisa isn't young…" They then darted to the door, in case the older woman was somehow listening. "And I was dirty anyway, so I decided to do it for her. Besides, she's a cook, not a cleaner…pretty dumb move to do it first though…"

"So long as you know-OW! Fuck it, Tetsu!" he growled.

"That isn't nice of you, Aomine-kun. Especially after Kagami-kun did something so nice for Marisa-san."

"It's fine Kuroko. It was my idea to send them away, so it only makes sense I do the heavy-lifting."

"See? Even he agrees with me!-"

"No, I'm saying it's fine for me to do the work. I'm not defending you. You're still a rude asshole." Aomine rolled his eyes.

"Whatever-" Kagami's stomach growled again, angry that it had been ignored and Aomine sniggered.

"S-Shut up! I haven't eaten properly in days. My stomach isn't used to it!"

"Excuses, excuses…" he snorted but turned to Murasakibara. "Pass me one."

The giant seemed to deliberate before sliding Aomine a tray of sausages. They had been prepared on Aomine's farm, a few miles from the house and a batch was delivered every week to the house, along with cuts of various other meats. Everything they ate at home was sourced on his land or made from scratch.

Aomine picked one up and held it out to him.

"Here." Kagami blinked at it then frowned slightly.

"Can't I eat them myself?"

"No. You'll eat too fast, choke, then die."

Not a bad option at this point. There are worse ways to go.

Kagami was about to tell him he'd rather starve but his stomach growled in warning, daring him to say it.

"You're impossible…" he muttered, fighting his blush as he leaned forward and ate it.

Inside, Aomine felt victorious. There was no better way to stake his claim on the redhead than to tame him in front of everyone. Albeit momentarily but the point was still conveyed.

Everything he'd done since the redhead had entered the room had been to soothe the possessive beast that had been rearing it's had the second Kagami had entered his life. He wanted to show that for now, Kagami was his and until he gave him up himself, nothing could change that.

There wasn't anything wrong with being a bit possessive.

Or a bit-

Shut the fuck up.

Akashi watched the scene with great interest before clapping his hands lightly.

"Now, back to our previous topic…"


Long story short, the Generations were going to be staying at Aomine's mansion for another week or so. At least, some of them were.

In light of yesterday's massacre, they had come under fire by other big players in the underworld who suspected them to be at fault and weren't happy with the reckless, bloody show that had been last night. Plus, unsurprisingly, the deaths had ruffled more than a few feathers worldwide of people who were out of the loop and didn't truly know of their existence. Either way, it had brought them a lot of unnecessary attention and the last thing they wanted to be doing was travelling to and from the den constantly as it would lead people to its location, and that was to be avoided at all costs.

They knew they were being watched so they had to act wisely.

Because Aomine's house had a more remote location and was the largest one there -Akashi lived part time between the main house and smaller houses outside the city- they had reconvened there.

"But we will be leaving in pairs to a safe-house in another prefecture as we prepare to put an end to this deviance once and for all."

Aomine and Akashi would leave first, a few days from now, then Murasakibara and Midorima a day later to finish off a job and join them. Then Kise and Kuroko, who would be covering their tracks before they all met up for the final attack.

"Of course, once the last pair has gone, you will be free for an undetermined length of time. It could be anywhere from a few days to a few months." Kagami's eyebrows rose. "I see that has gotten your attention. The freedom will be yours entirely. All I ask for in exchange is that you extend your hospitality to us for a few more days. I'm sure your cooking will be able to boost the morale of our pack before we travel."

Kagami chewed a sausage thoughtfully.

It wasn't really like he had a choice in the matter and realistically, there could be worse things planned for him.

Much worse.

And the fact that Aomine was leaving first was an added bonus.

Who am I to say no?

"I mean, it's not like I have a choice but sure." He ate the rest of the sausage, satisfied that things had gone more smoothly than his first encounter with them had.

"Splendid. I shall be looking forward to eating more of you divine cooking…which begs the question: where exactly did you learn to cook like that?"

Kagami choked.

Aomine smacked him hard on the back -probably overdid it on purpose, the bastard- making his eyes water. He did it again and dislodged the meat from his windpipe which he quickly swallowed properly before it could attempt to murder him again.

"God, I feed you and you still managed to choke. Talent." Kagami ignored him, clutching at the table as he processed the near miss.

And the question that had caused it.

"Kagami-kun, here." Kuroko passed him a glass of water, which he gulped from gratefully, stalling as the question continued to gnaw at him.

Why are you getting so worked up? You can totally answer this!

"I apologise, Kagami, perhaps I asked something personal?-"

"America!" he said with such confidence, there was a beat of silence before Aomine and Kise cracked up laughing.

"What?" he complained, embarrassed yet again.

"And you thought you were so smart…" Aomine succumbed to another fit of laughter as Kagami's skin quickly began to match his hair. Even Akashi chuckled.

"I believe their amusement stems from the fact that one would expect your knowledge came from there, seeing as you've lived there your entire life. However, I believe you would be the first to attest that America is a very large continent." Kagami blinked, no less embarrassed but very much confused.

"Akashi-kun is asking for specifics, Kagami-kun. Perhaps who taught you, or where you learnt in particular?" He was hiding his smile to save Kagami's wounded ego but the redhead noticed and was even more deflated.

"O-Oh…well…uh, I lived at an orphanage for a while and times got pretty tight so they had to cut most of the staff. So I used to help out in the kitchens and…I don't know…when you haven't got a lot to work with, it makes you more creative I guess. When I got older, I helped out in a couple of different kitchens and restaurants…and I kept learning." Akashi nodded.

"It appears you have a very colourful past, Kagami. I'd be interested in hearing more." Aomine felt Kagami stiffen slightly against him and quirked a confused eyebrow. "But at a later date." His body relaxed.

"Is there anything you would like to ask, Kagami-kun?"

The redhead shook his head at first but then stopped.

"Actually…yeah, there is."

"Please, go ahead, Kagami."

"So when you guys are gone…am I allowed to go out?" Akashi shook his head.

"I'm afraid not, Kagami. As I have already stated, we are constantly being watched, and you being outside could compromise our safety and your own."

"I didn't mean going to the city or anything, I just meant like to the gardens or something-"

"The answer is still no, Kagami. That is far too risky…but I sense you have another question."

He did.

He had been mulling over it for a while now and realised that this would be his only opportunity to ask the head of the pack before they disappeared. Because by the time they came back, it would be far too late to change anything. He was scared of Akashi. He wouldn't shy away from the fact. And as a group they were more than imposing.

But he needed to try.

"Can't…" he tried, before his voice failed him.

"Yes, Kagami?"

"Can't you let me go? I mean, I still don't know too much about you guys and I don't know where any of your hideouts are. And I wouldn't get caught, not again after all this has happened. And even if I did, I would never tell anyone about it, no matter what they did to me!" He sounded desperate because he was. He was begging. Begging to be let go.

"I swear, I wouldn't tell anyone! Just…just please!"

None of them could look at him.

Bar Akashi, only Kise did. Briefly. But long enough to give him a smile.

A sad, supportive smile.

"I understand your position, Kagami. I assure you I do. However…" At the word, Kagami's heart sunk and he fought back tears that he hadn't even known had been building. Aomine's arm tightened around his waist; a foreshadow of the verdict he knew was coming but didn't want to accept.

"The reality is that letting you go would be a massive liability. But even more than that, you are a significant asset to this pack. That much becomes clearer to all of us with every passing second. It is highly probable that Baron Stanford had no idea what exactly he was letting slip through his fingers."

The words left a cold chill that ran all the way down to Kagami's bones and there was something about Akashi's eyes that he didn't trust.

At all.

"Whilst I can't determine your future past Daiki, I can safely say that the likelihood of you remaining in this pack is high. Extremely high. Fortunately or unfortunately…"

He was the judge.

Raising his gavel to strike it on the block, marking his decision as final.

Sealing his fate.

"This is your life now, Kagami."