It's been so long since I touched this story that I want to slap myself. To my credit, it is a lengthy tale and I've resorted to re-reading it to remember what details I've already expounded and which I've only alluded to. For those who've stayed with me, I cannot even remotely express my gratitude. It took a lot of courage to continue posting this and I hope you'll stay with me until the end.
Most likely, I'll be updating both this and Incarnate intermittently, as I find time at least a few days a week to add to each.
I know I'm not usually expressive with these notes, but seriously, thank you all so much. 3
Aomine's breaths became heavy and slow as the missing pieces fell into place. His chest swelled and his gaze fell from his uncle's blurring face to his knees.
"Your parents couldn't be bothered to understand the consequences of their union nor the result of their copulation. I had no choice but to confront them. On behalf of my nation."
His voice rattled as he said, "Why didn't you remove all evidence then?" When had he started crying? "Didn't you think I would figure it out some day? That I wouldn't ask how or why my parents died?"
Silence.
Then, "No."
He whipped his head up, locking onto his uncle's stoic mask.
"Unlike Nori and Daichi, you are far too trusting."
Distress contorted his face.
"It's fortunate that Kuroko will no longer be able to corrupt you, Aomine."
Trepidation fired his body into overdrive, gearing the jogging of his heart and lungs into a sprint. No resignation seeped through Imayoshi's schooled features.
"Where's Tetsu?"
Neither suspect replied.
"What'd you do to him?" He thrashed, slithering his body to dismantle the chief from his back. Spikes of lightning came unbidden, lashing from the exposed skin of his arms, neck, and head, remaining at attention like hackles on an aggravated dog.
Nebuya'd been caught off guard by the sudden revolt, being sent reeling backward. But the grip on Aomine's wrists kept him anchored and he rocked forward, clasping his unoccupied hand over the burn he'd revealed three days ago. Aomine screamed when blunt fingers pierced the tender flesh in a crushing grip. He writhed more, which only annoyed his assailant into applying more unbearable pressure.
He twisted and jerked, fueled by pain, fury, and anguish.
Tetsu was dead.
Heat boiled in his stomach as Nebuya's torment persisted.
His best friend was murdered.
And these motherfuckers would pay.
Like a trigger, a bolt of lightning shot for Imayoshi.
Nebuya recoiled from the attack, releasing Aomine's waist.
The Dan ducked and Susa dropped to the floor as the bolt drilled into the top of the rocky pillar.
His aggressor allowed only a moment of surprise before a chilly hand was upon him. Coolness crept from the chief's fingers, now clamped around his shoulder, and his palm still cuffing his wrists. He recognized what the man intended and struggled. The ice stretched, coiling around his midsection. Nebuya lifted his hand once Aomine's were locked by the advancing frost. The fashioned straight jacket encased him from shoulders to waist, engorging to two inches of thickness. The frigid cage stalled all resistance.
Only his sprained shoulder and harassed burn benefited.
Angry prickles washed his hips as the chief adjusted to sit across the back of Aomine's thighs.
"I told you we should have killed him," Nebuya told Imayoshi.
"And I told you that was not an option."
He tipped his gaze up. That irritating shadow had recovered and was now standing beside the Dan, his approach unheard. The attack did not appear to ruffle the assassin leaving Aomine wondering if anything ever did.
"You've had your fun with him," Susa said. "Leave a piece for me."
"Free agents don't call the shots, spook," Nebuya retorted.
The assassin replied in a language that was neither English nor Japanese with a sarcastic edge to his voice.
Imayoshi cut in quickly. "Enough, gentlemen."
The ice prison did little to calm Aomine's churning emotions. If it were possible, their intensity would dissolve the binding instantly.
Being jerked around by these bastards was infuriating enough. Irritated by the fact that they spoke as if he did not exist between them.
He was no longer a threat.
"Nebuya," the Dan started. "When last did you receive a report?"
"An hour ago. They're making progress and estimate arrival by sunrise tomorrow."
He shelved his dismissal for a moment and focused on the discourse around him. Arrival to where?
"How many dogs you send out?" Aomine didn't have to look to know who Susa was addressing. Dogs were one of many monikers attributed to Nebuya's contingent.
The chief quipped, "I don't answer to you."
He rested his forehead on the stone. What was going on here? What the hell was Imayoshi conspiring to do with the assistance of an outsider and the chief that necessitated the removal of Hyuuga?
He racked his overwhelmed brain for an answer but none came. Only more discomfort.
What would Tetsu do?
The traitors conferred uninterrupted around him, their voices becoming indistinct as his thoughts were consumed.
Memories of his partner came pouring through. Thirty-four years together all snuffed out in one final movement. Yet another reprieve from his gloomy past stolen away from him. A sudden thought came to him and a painful ache stretched his throat tight, tears brimming once again. Six days ago, he and Tetsu had invaded Kagami's home in the smithing village and overheard Izuki Shun's divulgence. Listening how Tetsu had once loathed Aomine and plotted an intricate formula to extract maximum suffering before executing him. He had resolved to prostrate himself in apology, never before understanding the fraternal attachment Tetsu formed with those four men he'd killed.
Before long, the little shadow had transitioned from enemy to family.
Now he was gone.
And Aomine would never know if Tetsu had resented him all these years.
Tears streamed his cheeks and a quivering lip was pinned to mute distressed breaths.
"…our attack must be swift." Imayoshi was saying. "Once we usurp the palace, chaos will descend and your men need to be ready to quell any insurgency."
"Wouldn't have sent any that couldn't." Nebuya said.
He redirected his focus but kept his head down.
"We will enter together, navigate the storm, and subjugate Hayakawa. Capturing Hyuuga's second-in-command will inspire the submission we seek."
Susa's voice sounded. "Don't suppose I could just kill him?"
"Less is more my friend."
The assassin grunted, sounding dissatisfied.
"A new day is dawning and we will seize the power to reshape this world. One way or another."
Imayoshi's pernicious intent now became clear.
Overthrowing the Lightning monarchy.
Like hell he would allow that.
The ice casing suppressed rebellion, tightness and frigidity robbing all sensation within the bindings. Luckily he didn't need his hands for what he was about to do.
Static prickled from his neck, energy gathering unseen below his skin.
He flicked a glance up and spotted Imayoshi nearing, arcing around him as if he were hazardous.
He and Nebuya blocked a direct escape, their bodies between the Dan and the exit.
The power intensified, scratching his muscles, demanding release.
Imayoshi came within ten feet, approaching from the left.
Aomine recalled the sensation in the sauna and fired the shot.
A spindly thread of lightning lunged, trajectory centered on the traitor.
Then, somehow, the bolt careened, veering off and punching the ceiling with a shallow dent.
Did he miscalculate?
Shock registered on Imayoshi's face and together they traced the projectile's path.
That close, there was no way he should have missed.
Unless…
His gaze shot to the floor and he saw it.
Black fingers gripped the Dan's ankles. Legs were frozen in a stance of unexpected retreat, his body leaning away from the threat. Susa steadied his benefactor from behind, an arm planted across the Dan's back.
So he hadn't misfired.
Rather Susa contemplated an assault and reacted with disciplined quickness.
Insult flashed across Imayoshi's face as he and his accomplice recovered.
Then Nebuya was grabbing Aomine's head and jabbed it to the marble. Pain lanced his brain and his senses flickered, black spots daubing his vision.
He did not lift his head. He couldn't.
As his world faded, he heard Nebuya being assigned to guard him until the Dan's business at Casimir Palace was completed.
And then nothing.