A/N: I KNOW ITS BEEN AGES! I feel awful HAHA! But then again this is really a bonus chapter so I never felt rushed. Add that plus a butt load of homework and comps and you get a very unmotivated and tired writer. So lo siento for my terrible ways yo ( V_V)
So here is the thing. This is the last chapter for this arc. I will be updating previous chapters so that they are a better read(and spell checked lol) I'll also be trying to update once a week for A Noble Affair(KisexKasamatsu) and in a few weeks I'll be starting a MidorimaxTakao series as well. So yes I will still be writing, and just in case I'll also be posting my stories on AO3 soon (Under the same name as i have here)
I want to give a huge thank you to those who stuck with me through this series and those who are just now tuning in. I appreciate all the support and love I have gotten over the past few years. Since this was my first official series I never in my life thought it would get so popular! Im eternally gratefull to all of you and hope in the future my writing pleases you and has you all coming back for more!
Hot.
No, it was more than hot. It was absolutely scorching. The sun was posted high, and with no clouds to block its rays, the temperature had climbed well past 100*F.
Kuroko wiped the sweat from his brow. His body wasn't meant to face this kind of heat. Even wearing a recently purchased summer kimono, which had no sleeves and fell slightly above his knees, the heat was still too much. The priest admired the blue cloth however, it was comfy, though a little too short for his taste so he had taken some time to make a pair of shorts to fit underneath.
Kagami on the other hand was fully embracing this weather. He had stripped off his shirt completely and wore only a pair of loose black pants, long. Even though his skin glistened with sweat he looked far from miserable.
"How can you stand this heat?" Kuroko breathed, frowning as he walked.
"Are you kidding me, I grew up in this kind of weather. The hotter the better." he stretched his arms up grinning.
Kuroko usually wasn't one to complain but due to the fact that they had been walking for the past two hours without so much as a spot of shade he felt it was okay.
They were on their way to a town called Ayame.
Ayame was far into the country and although the town itself was surrounded by woods, the path to the woods entrance was bare and dry. This made it a low traffic spot that prevented any distant travelers.
"If we could find a place to rest..." Kuroko ran his fingers through his damp hair. "Just one tree would suffice."
Kagami faced the priest, halting in front of him suddenly.
"Taig-"
The familiar draped his unused shirt over the priests head to shade him. "Here. This'll help a little."
"Uh...Thank you." he blinked.
"Don't thank me yet, it's still hot as hell out here. I can smell the forests scent but it's still way out of view. We have a least another hour of walking left."
Kuroko let out a heavy sigh.
Kagami chuckled. "I've never heard you complain this much." He turned away from the priest and stooped down, like a parent offering their child a piggy-back ride.
"You're joking right."
"Do you wanna climb on or do you wanna spend the next hour complaining?"
Kuroko didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around Kagami as he was hoisted up. He blushed as the familiars arms locked under his legs. "This is a bit…embarrassing." He felt like a child in size.
"It's my job to take care of you, I'll carry you until we reach the woods okay. You're weak enough as it is so we can't have you passing out from fatigue." he laughed. "Besides, we're gonna need all the energy we have for this mission."
Kuroko could practically feel the irritation in Kagami's voice. "You must not like kids very much do you?"
"You got that right! Kids are always running around and getting into trouble. They eat like monsters and are always asking questions." He shuddered.
"...That sounds an awful lot like a description of you."
"Oi, I am NOT a kid." he barked.
Kuroko smiled and wrapped his arms tighter around the familiar's neck.
The place they were headed to in Ayame was an orphanage. A small one that housed around thirty kids whom were taken care of by the church Kuroko had received a letter a few days ago from one of the workers there. Father Kiyoshi he believed was the name. Apparently three children have gone missing. When the first one went missing they figured it was just a misunderstanding and the child had gotten lost in dense woods. But after a day of searching, they declared him lost. To make matters worse, two more children have gone missing.
"There's no way this is a coincidence.." Kuroko thought out loud.
"You're right" Kagami responded with immediate knowledge of what the boy spoke of. "What do you think it is?"
"Well, my first though was that it was someone at the orphanage."
"Why's that?"
"Well, that orphanage has been around for years and I didn't find any records of disappearances in the past. So why now?" he closed his eyes in thought "The only thing that's really changed there is the workers."
"You may be on to something." Kagami responded. "Plus, didn't they say that eyewitness isn't talking? Maybe it's because he knows that person and is afraid of coming forward."
"If that's the case, he'll definitely be the next target."
"Then I guess we'll have to get there as soon as possible. Or at least before sunset. If we lose that kid then we lose our only lead in this case."
The two walked silently for a bit, their minds now focused on the case that had fallen onto their laps.
It didn't take them as long as they thought it would to reach the forest's edge Kuroko thought. Well, maybe it was because Kagami was carrying his slow self. At the forest's entry a horse and wagon waited for them. A man with medium length black hair and thick dark brows stood beside a chocolate colored horse. Despite the heat, he was dressed in the robes of a christian priest, far different from Kuroko's own clothing.
"Evening." the man bowed, he looked at them with a funny expression on his face, at which time kuroko realized how silly he must look piggybacking Kagami.
He jumped down and brushed himself off to regain his composure. "Hello, you must be from the orphanage."
The man smiled. "That's right, my name Hanamiya Makoto. I work under the head priest of the church."
"My name is Kuroko Tetsuya and this is Kagami Taiga."
"It's a pleasure to meet you I hope the walk wasn't to tiring. I would have picked you up halfway but this old thing can't make too many far trips."
"That's okay, it wasn't too bad." Kuroko tried not to blush. "Thank you for even picking us up here."
The two entered the wagon as Hanamiya took the reins "It's a bit of a bumpy ride." he called out before taking off.
Bumpy ride was an understatement. No wonder the wagon was in bad shape. Kuroko and Kagami jiggled and bounced the entire way. At least twice the wagon turned so hard that Kuroko almost fell out of the damn thing.
"This is just great." Kagami sighed sarcastically. Another bump and Kagami's head was banging against the ceiling. "I'd rather walk to be honest."
They reached the destination half an hour later more sore from the ride than they were from walking. The orphanage was simple looking. A stone building surrounded by a bush of flowers. The yard was littered with toys of all types. From dolls to wooden cars, it was evident many children lived here.
Kuroko noted the wooden fence that provided a barrier to keep the children away from the woods.
"Tep- I mean Father Kiyoshi is waiting for you inside." Hanamiya gestured to the stone building.
They thanked him and headed to the house, carefully avoiding the sprawled toys. Kuroko stopped just outside the door. He could feel eyes on him. Peering up, he locked eyes with a small figure from the 3rd story.
"What is it?" Kagami asked
"Ah nothing..." he watched the figure back away slowly from glass and out of sight.
The two entered the orphanage greeted by the smell of something sweet filling the room.
"It smells like old lady in here." Kagami twitched at the strong aroma. Kuroko elbowed him.
A large figure made their way into the room. A tall man, taller than Kagami even, with chocolate hair smiled at them. Kuroko could practically feel the motherly aroma coming off of him.
"You must be the priest, and his familiar." the man bowed. "I'm Kiyoshi Teppei, pleased to meet you both."
"The pleasure is ours. I'm Kuroko Tetsuya and this is Kagami Taiga."
"Sorry for the mess, I've been cooking for the children and haven't gotten a chance to clean." as the man spoke 3 children came running down the steps on the right.
"Kiyoshiiiiiiiii!" a little blonde girl sung. She ran behind the man as two boys both with dark red hair followed behind. "Don't let them get meeee."
He leaned down and scooped her up in his arms. "Hey now, what did I say about playing on the steps?"
The boys halted in their tracks. "B..but, we were just playing tag."
"I don't think you play tag with two 'its" he laughed.
The little girl nodded furiously. "Yup yup, that's what I said." she cocked her head to the side when she noticed the priest and familiar starring. "Kiyoshi? Who is the pretty lady?" she pointed at Kuroko with wide eyes.
"..." Kuroko blushed a bit.
"Actually-" Kiyoshi started but was interrupted by the child.
"Is that her husband? He has a scary face."
"Ehhh" Kagami growled. "Scary?"
"I'm so sorry!" Kiyoshi sat the girl down. "Guys these two gentlemen are Kuroko and Kagami. They are here to help us."
"One of the boys jumped up and down. "Are you gonna help us find Rei-chan and the others!"
Kuroko dropped down to their level and smiled. "We are going to do everything we can to help."
The other boy pushed the first out of the way. He was a tad bigger, probably a year older than the other two. "Does that mean you're gonna take away Aki?"
"Huh?" Kuroko blinked. He looked to Kiyoshi for an explanation.
"Ah, um, I think you three should go outside and play. Father Hanamiya is out there." he smiled nervously ushering the kids away.
The three reluctantly disappeared from sight. Kuroko looked to Kiyoshi once again. "Who is Aki?"
Kiyoshi led the two into a large dining room area as he talked. "Aki is the boy I was telling you about. He's the witness."
"The one who won't talk."
He nodded. "He's never been very talkative to be honest. The other kids often pick on him for it, but he never holds any grudge. He really is a sweet kid, just...lost."
"How long has he been here?" Kuroko asked.
"Since the beginning of this year. His parents dropped him off here one day and never came back." a solemn look crossed his face. "He watches out his window every day for hours, waiting."
Kuroko could connect to that. That endless waiting. Always hoping a loved one would return. He remembered spending a week sleeping in his mother's bed just in case she magically appeared.
"Is it okay if we talk to the boy?"
Kiyoshi nodded. "I was just finishing dinner so you guys can go on up. His room is straight up the stairs on the top floor and the first door on the right."
They nodded and turned but the father stopped them once more. "Please...don't force him to speak too much, I've been terrified that if we push too hard he'll just stop all together."
Kuroko gave him a smile. "Don't worry, we understand."
The two climbed the wooden steps. They three flights was more of a struggle than they anticipated considering they had been walking the entire day.
The door to the boy's room was bare, Kuroko could practically feel the cold chill coming from beyond. The priest halted and placed his hand on the wooden frame.
"Do you sense something?" Kagami asked with a look of concern.
"Just...loneliness..." he breathed. Without saying another word he opened the door.
The boy's outline was small. With his back to the door and light surrounding him in a halo, the only feature Kuroko could make out was dark and shaggy maroon hair. He seemed to far away to even notice them opening the door. With one hand pressed against the glass he stood peering out the window as he had been when Kuroko first saw him.
"Aki-kun." Kuroko spoke softly so he wouldn't alarm the boy. It wasn't until Aki turned that he could make out the rest of his features. What he saw was an ocean. Ocean blue eyes and soft pale skin.
The boy looked at them without making a verbal response.
"My name is Kuroko Tetsuya, and this is Kagami...we've come here to help you." he took a step forward and crouched down with a smile. On closer inspection, he could see the sadness in the boy's eyes.
Aki looked up at Kagami, then back at Kuroko with little emotion.
"It's okay, I know he looks a little scary, but Kagami-kun is a nice guy I promise."
The boy didn't respond, only looked at the two.
"Is it okay if we sit down with you before dinner."
The boy hesitated but nodded.
Kagami and Kuroko both sat. "You wanna sit down with us?" Kuroko motioned the boy to sit.
He shook his head violently.
"Well that's okay then. "The priest smiled. He didn't want to pressure the kid, but he also needed to get the information. "So I heard you can be a pretty reserved kid."
He didn't answer.
"I used to be like that y'know. I never showed much emotion. At least, not until this guy here helped me express myself." he paused and smiled. "Do you have someone here you can talk to. Someone you can trust."
Aki hesitated to speak. He looked into the priest's eyes, as if he was searching for how much he could trust him. "Ki..yo..shi..." he whispered barely audible.
"Father Kiyoshi seems like a good man. He really loves all of you doesn't he."
Aki nodded.
"He's the one who brought us here. To help you guys. He wants you all to be safe. We can help but...we can't do it alone. We need you Aki."
The boy blinked and furrowed his brows.
'We need you because you saw something...something that could help us figure all this bad stuff out."
Aki shivered and jolted back, shaking his head furiously.
Kuroko rested a hand on the boy's shoulder. "It's okay, you don't have to talk about it right now if you don't want to."
Kagami nudged Kuroko "He HAS to talk to us y'know." he said a little too loud.
The boy glared at Kagami before pushing past the two and running out of the room.
"Oops..."
Kuroko stood and sighed. "You have to be a bit gentler around him. He's our only clue."
"Whatever's got him scared to talk must be pretty intense. We should keep an eye on him at all times."
"I agree." Kuroko walked to the window the boy had been staring out of. Outside, some of the children had gathered in a circle. One child sat in the middle-their hands covering their eyes as the others moved in a circle around him. They were speaking something but Kuroko couldn't make it out.
"What are they doing?" Kagami questioned.
"I'm not sure. Playing a game I assume."
Kuroko squinted to try to see better. As he did, Aki had run from the house and towards the group of children. He was flailing his arms erratically though he spoke no words. The kids stopped in their track to watch the silent boy in confusion, but Kuroko looked on in concern because he could see the distress in the boy's actions.
"We have to get down there." Kuroko turned and ran from the room with Kagami following close behind. The two basically leaped down the steps, skipping two and three at a time. Kuroko's heart pounded in his chest, he couldn't explain why. He just FELT like something bad was happening.
Once his feet touched the main floor he bolted out the front door not even bothering to shut it back.
The kids had gathered around Aki, who was being pushed around by one of the bigger kids
"Hey!" Kagami shouted running toward them. "What do you brats think you're doing huh?"
The boy, a chubby kid with blonde hair and a freckled face sorted at him. "He ruined our game! And just when I got to be center." he spat.
"So what?" Kagami picked up a crying Aki. "That's no way to treat a friend."
"He's not my friend! He's weird, and it's HIS fault Rei-chan and the others went missing." the boy stomped his feet in anger.
"Idiot, that's nonsense." Kagami cradled the crying boy as Kuroko stepped up beside him.
"NO it's not!, He brought the monsters with him! He sees them and it's his fault. I hope the monster takes him far away from here. "
The other children moved away from the yelling boy.
"Jun-kun, don't say things like that..." a little blue haired girl sniffled.
Kuroko paid no attention to the children and focused his eyes on Aki. "Are you okay." he placed his hand on the boys head. Though the boy had tears in his eyes he wore a determined expression on his face. "We'll take you inside okay. Inside to Father Kiyoshi."
He and Kuroko turned to leave. At the same time, Hanamiya had come from the house, a worried look on his face. "What's happened?"
"Those kids are picking on him. Does this happen a lot?" Kagami spat throwing his anger at the man as he approached.
"It does unfortunately. However, I'll handle it. Please take Aki inside." he moved out of their way and bowed his head.
The two nodded and proceeded into the house. They found Father Kiyoshi setting the last bit of the food on the table for dinner. When he saw them he frowned.
"Aki, are you okay?"
The boy jumped away from Kagami and ran to the priest hugging onto his leg for dear life.
"The children were picking on him, something about him bringing monsters to this place."
Kiyoshi stroked the boy's hair. "This has happened before as well . He had an imaginary friend when he first came here and the kids teased him. Now they blame him for the disappearances."
"And what do you think?" Kuroko questioned
"I think his imaginary friend was just that. I mean...if you were left alone, wouldn't you want a friend as well. As far as these disappearances go, I think it's something else, or someone else."
Still, Kuroko knew what an imaginary friend could mean. Maybe this boy had a connection to the supernatural. Maybe a spirit or something sinister attached himself to the boy, maybe that's why his parents left him here. Maybe they were afraid.
Aki pulled away from him shaking his head. He was sweating and shaking, his fear was evident.
"It's okay Aki, no one is going to hurt you." Kuroko smiled at him. But the boy didn't listen. He ran to Kagami and pulled on the familiar's pants.
"What is it?"
The boy locked eyes with him pleadingly. "k...kagome.." the boy cried.
"He spoke!" Kiyoshi beamed. "To a stranger at that"
Kagami, like he observed Kuroko do, dropped down to the boy's level. "What is it huh? What are you saying?" he tried to keep a gentle tone.
"Ka..gome..."
"Kagome?" Kagami looked at Kiyoshi confused. "Is there a kid named Kagome here."
Kiyoshi shook his head. "Not one that I know since I've been here."
"You're going to have to be more specific okay."
The boy teared up and bit his bottom lip.
"Oi, it's okay, you don't have to say anything if you're scared."
Kuroko turned to Kiyoshi. "I recommend we keep the children inside for the rest of the day. Well take a look around the house and put up warding charms while they eat."
"Okay, that's fine. Take these keys, they'll open any room in the house and the storage house." he handed the priest a ring of bronze keys
"Also." Kuroko added. "Don't let Aki leave your sight. I think the person behind all this may try to harm him if he has the information we think he has."
"I will, and thank you both."
The two waited until all the children were back inside and seated at the enormous table for dinner. As hungry as Kuroko was, he was more interested in solving this case then food. Even Kagami had refused grabbing a bite.
The two decided to start in the attic and work their way down. Kuroko would say a prayer and place a charm in the four corners of the room, along with a bell. The bell would ring if anything supernatural tried to enter the area. There was no way he would allow any more children to go missing.
They finished blessing the attic quickly and began searching the almost empty room for clues.
"Any guesses?" Kagami asked as he sifted through a box of papers.
"It's hard to tell. That feeling I got earlier was so strong, but now it's gone, and our only cue now is Aki-kun."
"Well, let's start from the beginning." Kagami spoke "Aki's parents dropped him off here early this year for an unknown reason, the disappearances only started this year to."
"You think he's part of this?"
"Eh, no not really. The way he looked at me earlier...he was pleading for help. I think he's more of a victim.
Kuroko nodded. "I believe he may be sensitive to the spiritual world however, so he may be the one attracting whatever it is we're looking for."
They finished searching the attic quickly and moved to the floor that Aki's room was on. They stopped in each of the rooms placing charms and bells. Kuroko would say a chant to add to all that. So that the bells would chime if any spirit entered the room. They were taking no chances at all.
Once they were done with that floor they moved to the others and did the same procedure. It was a slow process but they got it done in time for the children to get to bed. Next they would head to the storage house which was, unfortunately, located a few yards into the dark forest.
"You're kidding me right?" Kagami sighed as the left the house. "This screams trouble." The familiar held out his hand as a ball of fire floated in his palm. It was the only light they had but it was enough.
"We've been at this all day and so far we've seen nothing. The forest and the storage house are the only places we haven't checked." Kuroko walked beside him. He was not afraid of what they would find. Something that focused on children... he would kill it without fear. He would never see children die on his watch again.
The storage house was beyond old looking. In fact, it was practically falling apart. Compared to the main house, this one looked like it had been ignored for years.
"This is disgusting." Kagami covered his nose. I can smell the mold and the rotting wood. Do they even use this place?"
Kuroko approached the front door with the keys in his hand. "Well the lock looks new so I guess they do."
The key fit in easily but the door was a bit difficult to actually open. Kuroko had to throw himself against the door for it to budge, and even when it did it was only open slightly enough for them to squeeze through it.
It was crowded inside. Kuroko could make out various boxes and toys sprawled everywhere. There was barely any room for them to move about. Kuroko could hear Kagami silently cursing at himself as he walked into a heavy box. Kuroko himself was more careful and moved slowly through the large room.
"Damn, how big is this place?" Kagami kicked at something on the floor to move it out of his way before stumbling again over something else.
"What's that?" Kuroko pointed to the far corner of the room, there was a path that led to it from the center of the room. Following the short distance the boys found a desk. It's clean kept appearance made it stand out from the rest of the items in here.
Kuroko didn't hesitate to examine in, checking the top and the drawers for anything important.
"What does someone need a desk in here for?" Kagami held the light closer.
"I'm assuming this is where they keep current files. Maybe about the kids. I'd assume it's so the kids don't find these things themselves." Kuroko pulled out a dark brown paper sack full of paper.
"Let's check these." he pulled out the papers, handing half to Kagami, who lit the candle sitting on the desk so he could use both hands.
After a few seconds of reading Kagami spoke. "You were right, these all have information about the kids on them, even information about some of their parents."
"Their required to have some sort of documentation, of course sometimes it doesn't happen. Do you see Aki's information anywhere?"
"Umm.." Kagami sifted through the papers quickly. "Here it is." his eyes darted down the page as he quickly read over everything. Not that there was much to read. One thing caught his eye however, something the child's parents must have said as a reason of abandoning the child. Something that made Kagami heart skip a beat.
"What is it?" Kuroko asked looking at the expression on his familiar's face.
"It says...monster."
Kuroko took the paper and read it himself. "Why would someone say that about their child?"
"Probably because he did something they can't explain. He MUST be connected to something...supernatural."
"But just what kind of entity is attached to him?"
"Obviously something scary enough to frighten away his parents."
Kuroko scratched his head. "No, we have to be wrong. Even if something is attached to him, it has no reason to be kidnapping the kids right? There is no motive."
"What about the bullying. That seems motive enough."
Kuroko shook his head. "The kids who went missing aren't the ones bullying him though, it's the ones here."
"So maybe there is no connection between him and the kidnappings. Maybe the only connection is the fact that he saw whoever did it." he sighed. They had learned nothing. A whole day of searching and they were back where they started. He didn't know what to think.
"Goddamn it!" Kagami whined in frustration. "If he would just give us a hint, if he would just SAY something."
"Wait!" Kuroko put a hand on Kagami's shoulder. "He DID say something. To you, what was he saying?"
"Oh, um, I think something along the lines of Kagome. But Kiyoshi said there was nobody by that name around here."
"Well then maybe it's not a name! Maybe it's a place or a book or a-"
A sharp wail cut through their conversation. It was sound of a female child, in distress. Kuroko's heart sank, then raced. Why couldn't he sense anything?
In a panic he and Kagami ran from the storage room. Kuroko looked toward the main house and halted. A figure had just dashed from the house and into the woods.
"Did you see that?" before he got a reply another scream filled the air. "It's not coming from that way." Kuroko turned to the woods. "The scream, it came from this direction, not the house."
"What the hell is going on!" Kagami hissed.
There was no time to ponder. There was a child in danger and they needed to do something. "Kagami, go after the man. I'll follow the scream."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'll be fine. Now GO Taiga!" he pushed the familiar before turning and dashing into the darkness.
He marched through the woods, stumbling without a light source to guide his way. "Hold on" he yelled to the child. "Keep making noise, I'm coming!"
He squinted his eyes trying his hardest to see but could only make out shadows. He didn't stop though. He let his senses take over, he relied on the faint footsteps and the sound of a panicked child to find his way.
At least, until they stopped.
Silence.
The priest halted in his tracks to listen carefully. It was only moments ago that he heard the child and now all he heard, was his own breathing. He spun around in darkness.
"No, no. no." he whispered under tired breath. "C'mon, make a noise. Please. Make a noise."
He couldn't stand around waiting, so he did the only thing he could, he kept moving. He ran the direction he had been before he stopped. Whatever had the child must have been moving fast. But if the child was being taken, what or who was running from the house? Was this a two person job? Kuroko prayed that Kagami had caught the man, at least then they would have a lead.
The sudden sound of running water put the priest on edge. Was there a river or something out here? Kiyoshi hadn't mentioned it. The thought of a child falling in filled his mind and he quickened his steps.
"Help me!" he heard a child gasp followed by the sound of splashing. Her voice was echoing
"Hold on!" Kuroko shouted. His eyes were adjusting slowly, but he could see a large pool of water in the distance. The ripples were evident so he knew there was water, but something was off.
He realized far too late what it was. He was looking at the water from a high angle, the path in front of him dropped to form a cliff and he fell. He let out a scream as he free fell down, a straight shot right into the water.
His stomach flopped as he fell, his arms swinging wildly. He hit the water hard and fast, sinking straight down. With his heart and body panicking he broke surface and gasped.
"Help me!" he could hear the girl clearly in front of him now.
Thankfully the current was weak and he could swim easily. "It's okay I'm here now." He rubbed his eyes of water. "I won't let anything hurt you." he looked around. There was no response. He felt a chill travel down his spine and he shivered in the cold water. "Hello!" he turned to face the other way. "Hello, please answer me!" he went underwater to look and see if he could see anything, but even with his eyes adjusting, the water was just too murky. He resurfaced and wiped his eyes again. "Please!" he pleaded. "Answer me." he couldn't let her die. "Where are you!" he yelled
"Behind you." a high distorted voice whispered.
Kuroko practically leaped out of his skin as he turned around.
Nothing was there.
"Who's there?" he changed directions again. "Who's there?"
"Behind you!" the voice laughed again.
Kuroko was more angry than scared. He had been tricked. Whatever this thing was, it was smart. He had both Kuroko and Kagami led away from the house.
The voice laughed from the darkness."Kuroko Tetsuya, Kuroko Tetsuya, Kuroko Tetsuya. " it chanted over and over again from every direction.
"You're not gonna get away with this." The priest couldn't even summon any spirits with his charms soaked like this.
"What if I..get you first."
The laughter stopped.
Kuroko looked toward the shore. If he could get to land he could- a figure moved into his view. It was small and it didn't look human. Its eyes bled red that even Kuroko could make out in the dark. He couldn't tell if it was smiling or not, but he could see teeth. Sharp little teeth.
Kuroko let out the breath he didn't know he as holding. "Crap." he breathed. He turned the opposite way from the shore and swam as fast as he could, and when he heard the splashing of water behind him, he went faster.
His arms were sore but he swam on. Until he met a dead end. The cliff he had fallen from stood tall, a wall blocking his way out. Glancing back he saw the ripple of water drawing closer and closer.
Kuroko reached for the hard rock, once he had a good grip n it he pulled himself up. He tried to reach again and pull himself higher, but the weight of his clothes was too much and he fell back in.
"Damn it!" he yelled. He could always summon his weapon, but he couldn't fight in the water, especially up against something he knew nothing about. Holding on to the rock with one hand he held his other out to try and put up barrier. It was faint, but it would do for now. He turned to try to climb again using all his strength to get himself out of the water. Yet again he fell.
The water rippled around him as something threw itself against his barrier.
Kuroko worked quick to peel off his shirt and toss it into the darkness. Sweat mixed with water as he tried once again to climb. It was easier this time as he pulled himself higher and higher. His chest burned. The angle was far too steep but he forced himself up anyway. His pants ripped as he kept his body close to the sharp rock. His hands felt raw as he pulled up once again. Higher and higher he climbed until he felt like his hands would fall off. "Kagami." he heaved.
"Kuroko Tetsuya."
The priest looked up to face red eyes sunk in a black pit and a smile that would haunt him for days after.
Kuroko let out a scream as fell backward. The creature watched him fall before scurrying up the cliff and disappearing.
Kagami had lost him. He had chased the man though the woods for ten minutes before he vanished. The guy was quick and he knew the woods well. Meaning he was probably someone who worked through the church. Hell maybe it was even that Kiyoshi. Kagami growled into nothingness as he sniffed the air to try to catch a scent. But he got nothing. The smell of the woods was way to strong and that mixed with his sweat was just a little too much for him. Especially since he had made the awful decision to skip dinner.
He cursed under his breath and slammed his hand against the nearest tree. He knew Kuroko would be angry with him for losing the scent but he wouldn't risk traveling deeper into the woods away from Kuroko.
Instead, he would check the house to make sure the kids were safe. At least, he knew that's what Kuroko would want him to focus on.
Kagami spun on his heels and ran back towards the house. He opened the door slowly and carefully to not alarm anyone. He immediately snuck up the stairs on his toes trying to make the least amount of sound he could. He checked in each and every room, counting to make sure all the kids were there. And they were, all safe and all sleep. Except one.
When he reached Aki's room the boy was sitting up in his bed staring out the window. When Kagami peaked in, the boy jumped.
"Hey, it's okay." Kagami walked slowly so he wouldn't startle the boy.
The boy shivered before running to the familiar and hugging his leg.
"Hey, hey, what is it?"
"K...K...Kiyo-san"
"Are you talking about, Kiyoshi? What's wrong, did you see something?"
The boy nodded.
A bead of sweat rolled down Kagami's face. Had that guy come back to the house? He had to check on Kiyoshi, but he couldn't just leave the boy here, especially if he was a potential target.
"I want you to stay close to me okay. I can't leave you alone so let's go check on Kiyoshi together, deal?"
The boy nodded with a sudden determined look. With those eyes...he resembled Kuroko.
The two crept down to Kiyoshi's room. Kagami could make out the faint glow of a candle. It cast light from beneath the door and into the dark hallway. He tread slowly with little Aki clinging to his pants.
As he closed in on the door he picked up the smell of sweat. The familiar clenched his fist before stopping and placing his hand one Aki's shoulder. "Stay right here where I can see you okay. If I tell you to run, you run as fast as you can okay. You run and scream for Kuroko as loud as you can. Do you understand?"
Aki nodded.
"Unless I tell you to, don't move. I need to have you in my sights the entire time."
The boy nodded again as Kagami tussled his hair.
The familiar quickened his pace but stayed light on his feet. As he approached a slight smell of blood filled the air. It wasn't very strong but it was definitely blood. Kagami rushed the door, kicking it open while pulling out his dagger.
Kiyoshi and Hanamiya let out a scream, both flailing to the point Hanamiya was knocked off the bed and onto the floor.
"W..what the hell?" Kagami blushed with wide eyes at the sight of the naked men.
Kiyoshi's entire face went red "T..this is, this is um." he pulled at the covers on his bed to cover his bare body. Hanamiya on the other hand stood up without modesty scratching his head.
"It seems like we're caught."
Kagami raised a brow. "Aki thought you were in trouble."
"He must have heard me sneaking down." Hanamiya folded his arm as he snickered.
Kiyoshi blushed.
"I smelt blood..." Kagami hesitated to even say.
"Ah, yeah," Hanamiya went a tint of pink. "I tend to prefer it rougher than most so.."
"NO NEED, to explain." Kagami sighed covering his face in embarrassment. Because god damn this just took a weird turn. "Well, I don't really give a damn about your personal lives okay, but just be aware that while you to are in here..doing whatever.. Something is sneaking around trying to make off with these kids."
Kiyoshi's face switched from embarrassment to worry. "I haven't even heard a thing?"
"That's impossible," Kagami scratched his head. "We were outside and heard a girl scream. You're telling me you didn't hear anything?"
Kiyoshi shook his head as he stood to cloth himself. "Are you sure you heard correctly?"
"Yeah, me and Kuroko both heard it, I'm sure." Kagami felt a tug on his pants. Aki had wondered in and was trying to get his attention. "What's wrong?"
He pulled the familiar out of the room and into the hallway. The boy pointed the front door.
"Let me guess, you think Kuroko is in trouble now to?"
He nodded.
"Well so do I. Don't worry I'll bring him back safely okay." he turned back toward Kiyoshi and Hanamiya. "I need you guys to NOT let this kid out of your sight."
"Ehhh." Aki whined. Grabbing on to Kagami.
"I'm sorry but you have to stay here, it's too dangerous." He put a hand on the boy's shoulder. "I'll be right back."
Kiyoshi nodded to him and took the boy by the hand. "We'll lock up just in case."
"Sounds like a plan."
Kagami hadn't walked 5 minutes into the forest when he heard the cry of his lover calling out to him. He could hear the urgency and distress in his voice. "Tetsuya!'" he called back as he broke into a run. He flew through the brush with ease, completely ignoring the branches that stabbed at him as he ran. It wasn't long before he came to the cliff side that Kuroko once clung to. He called the boy's name. He could hear the sound of water splashing about followed by a loud cry.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw a shadow dart from the cliff's edge into the trees, but he ignored it, taking priority on Kuroko.
He approached the edge carefully while calling for Kuroko. "Where are you?"
Kuroko broke the surface gasping once more. He had hit the water hard enough to give himself a headache but at least he was conscious. He heard Kagami calling to him and yelled back in response. "I'm down here!" he coughed the water from his lungs, still in disbelief about being tricked by this creature.
It took Kagami no time at all to get down and retrieve him. During that time he informed Kagami of the creature he had come into contact with and how it had tricked them both, luring them away from the house. Kagami then discussed the dead end he met chasing the shadowy figure, and, what had happened when he went back to the house.
"So what the hell are we up against?" Kagami asked as they headed back to the house.
"I believe it's a Kawa Akago." Kuroko glared ahead and quickened his pace. He was freezing and his body ached.
Kagami raised his brow. "Should I be familiar with that?"
"It's been a while since I've even heard of a case so I guess not. They're rare and dangerous creatures. They make their homes near bodies of water to drown their victims."
"Drown?" Kagami gulped. He did not like where this was going.
"Yes. They are very clever and sneaky creatures, best known for their ability to imitate the cry of a child."
"What?! Then, you mean the missing children are-"
"I'm afraid so..."
Kagami felt his stomach turn and his heart drop. They had failed. After all the promises. After coming all the way here just knowing they would save the kids and catch the culprit. He just knew they would succeed!
He was wrong.
"Kagami-kun, please do not lose focus. There are still many children counting on us to defeat this creature." Kuroko said noting the familiar's shoulders drag.
"I know, I just.." he didn't really know what to say. Though he barely knew what the kids looked like...he felt such great loss in knowing he couldn't save them.
"Aki is counting on us. And now that we know what we're up against we can really get to work." Usually Kuroko was the one deeply affected by failure, and although his heart ached for the lost children, he felt a stronger emotion driving him. He felt determination. Determination to catch this monster and prevent it from harming any of the other children.
They came upon the house quickly. The lights inside were burning bright. Even from outside they could hear the pitter-patter of tiny feet moving about.
They entered the house to see the children gathered in the hall. They looked frightened, clutching their toys and blankets as they huddled close to each other. Kiyoshi stood among them, wearing a comforting smile.
"What's going on here?" Kuroko asked shutting the door behind him. Kagami left momentarily to grab a shirt from Kiyoshi's room for Kuroko. It would be a bit big, but it was better than nothing.
Before the man had a chance to respond, a small girl spoke up. "It's all Aki's fault, he woke us all up." she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.
Kuroko looked to Kiyoshi for answers.
"When Kagami-kun left, Aki ran off and before we could stop him he started banging on all the doors. We tried to stop him but he keeps running from u-"
Before he could even finish, little Aki ran to Kagami wrapping his arms around the familiar's leg. He was shaking furiously.
Kagami bent down and held him in his arms. "Hey now, everything is okay. No need to be scared."
Hanamiya let out a laugh. "It's strange how he seems to trust you more than us."
Kuroko blinked as he saw the cold glare Aki gave the man.
"See, he's always seemed to hate me."
"That's not true. " Kiyoshi comforted.
"Whatever the truth is." Kuroko interrupted. "We have to comfort the children so I can ask you some questions" now that he knew what creature they were dealing with he could continue investigating.
Kiyoshi nodded and turned to Hanamiya. "Do you mind playing a game or something with the kids while I talk to the priest?"
"Leave it to me." he smiled.
Kagami put Aki down gently. "You have to stay with the other kids okay. We'll be in the next room over, so call us if you need us."
The boy pleaded with his eyes.
"I promise, no harm will come to you."
Hanamiya grabbed the boy' hand gently. "You have to let them do their job so they can help everyone."
Aki continued to look at Kagami and Kuroko with wide terrified eyes. Alas, they had to talk to Kiyoshi. The boy had seen enough, they didn't need him to hear about the monster that was after him, or that his friends were possibly dead. No child should have to hear those things at such a young age.
The three men sat in the kitchen as Kuroko disclosed all the information they had gathered. He told him about the Kawa Akago and its dangerous ability.
Kiyoshi sat with a solemn expression. Kuroko couldn't imagine how the man must have felt. He had raised these children, had become like a father to them. The heartbreak was evident in his eyes.
"So how do we kill it..." he muttered choking back the pain in his voice.
"We catch it, confine it, and burn it. It's a simple process but catching it is the hard part."
Kiyoshi bit his lip. "Something seems strange." he looked to Kuroko. "Why is this thing killing the children? What reason does it have?"
"I have a theory but you're not going to like It." he pulled back a wet strand of hair from his face. "These kidnappings didn't start till recently. I think...I think someone created this creature."
"What do you mean?"
"I told you the Kawa Akago imitates the cries of a child right? Well, in most cases, the Kawa Akago is just that. A child."
Kagami raised a brow. "You're telling us that a child is to blame?"
"No, what I'm saying is that someone murdered one of the kids, and the child would have been angry, betrayed, so much so that his spirit remained. This spirit had to watch his murderer live, had to watch the other children play and live on. A child had to watch all this...and it changed him into something bad." Kuroko sighed.
Kiyoshi banged his hands on the table. "If that's the case there must be another way to handle the situation! We can't kill it. We can't."
"I am sorry Kiyoshi, but the only way to free its spirit is to burn the shell that's holding it here."
The brunette cringed. "It just seems...so barbaric."
"But we can do it right? It'll be easy?" Kagami asked.
"Yes, but...there is still a problem...someone here killed that child. I doubt it was one of the other child, I can only assume a member of the chur-"
"NO WAY." Kiyoshi clenched his fist. You don't really think one of us had something to do with it do you? We've never had a problem with staff before, there is no way!"
"Calm down" Kagami stood between him and Kuroko. "Accept the facts in front of you and think. You said there were never any problems before, so who is the newest member of the church?" his heart was beating in his chest.
"I...There aren't any new..." he stopped talking, eyes going wide and body stiffening. The priest could tell the man had come to a dark realization. "It's Hanamiya, Hanamiya was hired a little time before Aki came here. He's the newest member but he could never-."
Kuroko and Kagami didn't let him finish. The bolted out of the room only to find an empty hall. Hanamiya and the other children had vanished.
"They couldn't have gone far." Kuroko clenched his fist. How could he have let this happen?
"Wait" Kagami shushed him. "Do you hear that?"
Kuroko closed his eyes and listened. He could hear the children...what were they saying? It sounded like a song, like a chant. But he couldn't make it out clearly.
"It sounds like it's coming from outside."
The two, followed by Kiyoshi, practically flew out the door.
Outside were the children, holding hands in a circle like they were earlier the same day. They were still chanting,
"Kagome Kagome
kago no naka no tori wa
Itsu Itsu deyaru
Yoake no ban no
tsuru to kame ga subette
ushiro no shoumen dare"
"What the hell?" Kagami glared. What are they doing?
"It's a game." Kuroko stared.
"If it's just a game then why do you look so worried?"
"Because this game isn't just for fun. It has multiple meanings in the translation. One of the theories speaks of a convict about to be executed:
Circle you, Circle you
The bird in the cage
When will we meet
At the end of this night
The crane and the turtle slip
Who is it that stands behind me
The person in the middle represents a person trapped in a cage. The crane and turtle are symbols of life, and thus them slipping is a metaphor for the coming of death. When they ask who is standing behind, they are referring to who their executioner is."
He knew there was a reason he had felt such dread when he first saw the children chanting out the window.
"STOP" He called to them, but they didn't hear. They laughed, completely innocent of the harm they were causing. Kuroko recalled reading a story where a mountain oni selected his victims using such a game. It had such a malicious undertone.
"HELP" They heard a child scream.
As the kids moved, Kuroko could see that Aki was the child in the middle. He was screaming and crying but the children did not let him move.
"This is how he's doing it." Kuroko grabbed Kagami's arm as they ran toward the children. "This is how he picks his victims."
"Yeah but where exactly is-"
Kagami felt the sting of steel dig into his side. The pain rushed through his body causing him to fall to the ground. He clenched his mouth shut, holding back a cry. Reaching to his side he felt the warm touch of wood. An arrow.
"Kagami-kun!" Kuroko went to kneel beside him.
"Don't move!" Hanamiya yelled stepping out from a space beyond the woods. He stood a few yards away, gripping a bow whose arrow was aimed at the priest. "If you move I'll shoot one of the kids."
Kuroko knew he would. He had no problem killing the other kids.
By now the children had stopped singing, they huddled together, fear evident on their faces. Aki was among them.
"Why." was the first question that came to the priest's mind.
Hanamiya smirked, his eyes wide with what Kuroko deemed to be insanity.
"It wasn't supposed to go this far." the man laughed. "It was only supposed to be one. Just one of the little assholes. But then he came back. Don't you see, he came back to play."
"Makoto.." Kiyoshi furrowed his brows. "These are children. Whatever could make you-"
"YOU!" Hanamiya grinned from ear to ear. "YOU did. You made me do this."
The man was unraveling before them. Kuroko had no idea how he had managed to cover up the darkness that was now evident. The man was…insane.
"My fault? Makoto, you need help. Put down the weapon, let's talk." he managed to smile at him but Hanamiya only glared.
"You see! THAT is why it's all your fault. You and that dumb smile, you and your blind kindness. Being nice to these brats. They're all worthless, every single one of them. Not even their parents wanted them. "
Kuroko felt his blood boil yet he dared not move while Hanamiya had his arrow pointed at the children. If he could distract him, he may have enough time to erect a barrier. He would have to keep him talking.
"What have these children done to you?" Kuroko yelled.
Hanamiya laughed. "They keep ruining everything! Kiyoshi….Kiyoshi is supposed to be mine, how can I share him with these...these things."
"What are you talking about? No one was stealing me from you." Kiyoshi felt a strong mix of heartbreak...and rage. How could he have been so blind? He thought they could be...together. Together raising these children. Yet here Makoto was destroying it all. "How could you?"
"It all started with that boy. Rei-chan." Hanamiya smiled. "He got lost remember, and you sent me to go find him. He had wondered off deep into the woods, thought he was going to find his parents out there or something. But I found him, and I had to convince him his parents weren't coming back. That he had to accept it. And you want to know what he did?" There was a brief silence. "He started talking about getting a new family. Talked about how, 'Father Kiyoshi would take care of him'. Can you believe that? What a load of shit. He wanted you to take care of him for the rest of his life. BUT WHAT ABOUT ME?" he screamed.
Kuroko was shaking. He was...frightened. Not by the fear of death. Just by the sheer madness, the evil of the man before him. A man who would kill an innocent child to satisfy his own selfish means. He may be human but this man...his soul reeked of the devil.
"Why?" Kiyoshi could no longer contain the tear that had formed in his eyes. He dropped to his knees. "Why." He sobbed into his hands.
"I had to kill him! Don't you see? It was so easy to. He was small and weak, all I had to do was hold him down under the water. He didn't even see it coming, to busy muttering about how much better life was going to be with his new daddy. So I held him down until the bubbles stopped floating to the surface. And I let him go, let him drift away. And it felt great. But the persistent brat came back, this time he was different. He had sunken eyes and a mouth full of sharp teeth. It was my punishment see. He wanted to play, but I..I couldn't I didn't want to leave you. So I promised him friends, told him he could have the others."
"You used the game as a way of picking the next victim. Someone for Rei to 'play' with. " Kagami held his side as pool seeped between his fingers. It didn't hurt though.
"It doesn't matter how it's done. As long as he has the other children, he won't come after me. And I get to stay with Kiyoshi." He tightened his grip on the bow string. "He gets his family, and I... I get Kiyoshi all to myself." he threw back his head in laughter.
Kuroko took the opportunity to fight back. He didn't have any of his charms since he had changed clothes, but if he rushed the man and pretended to have a weapon, he would have no choice but to fire at him rather than the children, No child would die in his presence. He hoped the bluff would work as he reached behind himself.
It did.
Hanamiya aimed his bow and fired at the priest. "I told you not to move."
Kuroko easily dodged the arrow, moving passed it and throwing himself into the man. They fell to the ground with Kuroko pinning Hanamiya to the ground.
"Get the kids go!" Kuroko yelled to Kagami. "That creature is still lurking-ahh"
Hanamiya kneed the priest in the gut and switched their positions. Once on top he struck Kuroko with the bow across the head.
Kuroko's ears rung but he ignored it and kicked Hanamiya onto his back. The raven haired man dropped his bow and Kuroko quickly snatched it up. Before he could strike at the man, Hanamiya had already pulled an arrow from his quiver and plunged it through the priest's shoulder. He buried the arrow deep, driving it in and pushing a screaming Kuroko back.
"I'll KILL you!" he spat using his free hand to grab Kuroko's hair to hold him in place.
"Tetsuya!" Kagami yelled. He and Kiyoshi had gathered the children close to the house, huddling them together. His body moved on its own and before Hanamiya could fathom what was going to happen Kagami was tackling him.
Kuroko yanked the arrow from his shoulder. "Hanamiya, stop this. If you don't-"
"What you'll kill me?" he breathed as he was wrestled to the ground by Kagami. "Do it! Go ahead. It's too late anyway. The next one has already been chosen."
Kagami balled his fist and struck the man across the face. "What do you mean?"
Hanamiya spit out the blood that had pooled in his mouth. "That little shit. Aki. I could see it in his eyes. He knew it was me. He ran from me. Ran from me and clung on to my Teppei. But he's done for now. Good as dead. Rei-chan's here to play."
Kuroko could see it out of the corner of his eyes. A dark shadow zipping across the yard and headed straight for the children. "AKI RUN!"
Aki blinked, his eyes going wide as the kids around him screamed. He was scared.
"Aki!" Kuroko yelled getting to his feet and stumbling as he started to run toward him.
Aki gulped, mustering up his courage and pushing past the kids around him. He ran, ran toward the priest as fast as his legs could carry him. He didn't bother looking back to see if the creature was following him. He could sense it. Its desire, its blood thirst, its pain, its loneliness. He could still feel Rei's soul trapped inside, struggling to pass over but the chained down by the horror of being murdered by a person whom he loved and trusted. He could feel it all, and it made him halt.
"Keep running!" Kuroko couldn't move his legs fast enough. Why was the boy stopping? Why?
"He's scared…." Aki vocalized, his voice was horse from the lack of use. "Rei-chan is…"
He turned away from the priest in the direction the shadow was coming from.
"Aki no! Keep running, it's going to hurt you."
"Aki!" Kiyoshi wanted to rush to him, but the children had clung on to him so tightly that it was impossible to move.
Aki watched as the shadow moved closer, its body becoming more defined and visible until it had taken its monstrous shape. Aki, instead of backing away, took a step forward. He was scared, very scared. He was just a child after all, but so was Rei. Rei must have been just as scared as he was.
"Rei-chan it's okay…" he held his hand out. "You don't have to be scared anymore okay."
Kuroko sucked in cold air, his chest felt like it would cave in. The moment he was in reaching distance he snatched the boy up into his arms. "Aki!" he held the boy tightly as the creature closed in. Holding out one hand, he erected a barrier. The creature slammed against it, waves of energy rippled in the air around him before forcefully pushing him back. "Aki-chan, I'm sorry but…Rei-chan is-"
"He's scared. I can feel it. He's still in there and we have to save him."
"If you want to save him you HAVE to let me and Kagami handle this."
The boy looked at him with blue globes, searching his eyes for something. Kuroko wasn't sure what it was, but he must have found it, because he smiled.
Kuroko returned the smile. "Just stay put okay, let us handle this." He put the boy down, stepping him in front of him. "Kagami. We need to end this before anybody else suffers."
"What about, him" Kagami motioned toward Hanamiya who was still struggling against him.
"We'll handle him later." He looked to Hanamiya. "And if you even think of running, I'll kill you." And he meant it. He would not go easy on a man who had murdered children.
Hanamiya must have got the message because for the first time he shrunk back, wiping the blood from his lips.
The priests held out his hands, summoning all his spiritual might until his chakrams materialized in his hands. It had been a while since he used them, but with theses, he needed no charms to summon. He knew he had enough power to free the child's soul. He could do it easy so long as the creature stood still.
"Aki, when I drop the barrier make a run for Kiyoshi-san. Don't look back, don't stop. Understand?"
"Yes." He replied.
Kuroko dropped the barrier and sprinted forward. The creature eyed him, dragging itself across the ground to meet him. It leapt in the air baring its sharp teeth and attacking with even sharper claws. Kuroko blocked its movement with his weapons before pushing forward.
Kagami came up quickly, he lit his hand ablaze, reaching for the distracted creature. But it felt the heat and leapt away.
Little Aki was beside Kiyoshi by now. He breathed heavily while he watched the priest and his familiar fight a boy who had once been his friend. No….he knew that creature wasn't his friend, but Aki's soul was still trapped inside. Would that priest be able to save him, could he really set his soul free?
Kuroko dodged another attack, rolling out of the way. The creature wasn't strong. Fast, but weak. If he could get it to stand still it would be easy to defeat. He wanted to get this over with. The kids were counting on him. Aki was counting on him.
"Kagami, be ready to use your fire."
Once Kagami nodded in understanding, Kuroko tossed one of his chakrams at the creature, throwing it like a discus. When the creature dodged it, he rushed it with the other piercing its flesh and knocking it to the ground. Kuroko moved quickly away as Kagami came forward, his hand ablaze, and grabbed the creature. It let out a cry like that of a child in pain. Its skin sizzled and popped as the fire consumed it. .
Kuroko and Kagami both took a step back away from the flames watching as a black smoke began to pour from the creature's bod. They could see a faint white light amongst the flames. An orb, the size of a watermelon shot out of the fire. It was a pure white, with innocence that Kuroko could feel spill out.
"They did it." Kiyoshi let out a breath of relief. He put his hand on Aki's shoulder. "They did it."
Aki's eyes glistened as he watched the orb of light circle about the priest, engulfing him in white, and he felt something. Something he hadn't felt in weeks. A feeling he hadn't felt since his mother had promised him years ago that they were going on a faraway trip to escape his demons. The day before she and his father left him on the doorsteps of the church. It was a feeling that pooled in the pit of his stomach and warmed his entire body.
Hope.
He looked at Kuroko with hopeful eyes and smiled.
Kuroko held his hands out as the orb zipped around him playfully before coming to a standstill in front of him. It shimmered, which Kuroko interpreted as a thank you, before floating up and disappearing into the sky.
Kagami approached him, ruffling his hair. "That light…it was beautiful you know."
"There is nothing more pure than a child. Even one like him, when faced with such hatred can be reborn." He smiled. "Did you know Taiga, that children are the only humans that can feel total and utter forgiveness? No matter how cruel a parent may be, a child will always offer forgiveness."
"Do you think Rei-chan, in the end, forgave Hanamiya?"
"I think…." He paused a moment. "I think he does forgive him...even if he doesn't deserve it." He brought his gaze to the criminal in question.
Kagami glared. "Well I don't forgive him, and you can bet your ass it's taking all I have to not put a knife in his back."
"We'll do better than that." He motioned for Kagami to grab a hold of Hanamiya while he himself approached Kiyoshi. "I want you to send him to a man named Midorima Shintarou. He will handle him as he sees fit."
"Thank you" Kiyoshi said teary eyed "I have no other words that do your actions justice. You saved this entire church, and more importantly, you saved these children. "
"I…I wish we could have saved them all. But I am glad we did what we could."
The kids gathered round him grabbing him and yelling their thanks. He knelt down to embrace them, his heart fluttering with happiness.
A few days later, Kuroko and Kagami had packed their things and were readying themselves for the journey home. They had said their goodbyes and had made sure that Hanamiya would have an escort take him to Midorima. The two had also helped clean up the house and even helped some of the children re decorate their rooms. Kagami taught them new games that he had learned as a child, and Kuroko taught them all how to make paper charms that ward off bad dreams and evil spirits.
They also held a funeral, one for Rei-chan and the other children whose lives were taken from them. It was ceremony of closure, one that the kids and Kiyoshi desperately needed.
Aki watched with reluctance as the two packed their last bag. He was perched on the bed kicking his legs. Though he was speaking now, he said few words, and when he did, they were soft spoken.
Kuroko had honestly grown to love the boy. Aki hadn't left his side since that night, he even slept with him in his bed. Kuroko didn't mind the attention, nor did Kagami. In fact, Kagami had grown fairly attached, and he could see the sadness in the familiar eyes the moment they woke up.
"Aki…" Kuroko said so suddenly not even he realized it.
Aki stopped moving and locked his eyes on him.
"Are you….are you still waiting?" he asked
For your parents…
Aki looked down, he understood without it being directly said.
The room was silent. Kagami, who was facing away from the two, looked over his shoulder.
Aki clenched his hands. "They're…they're not coming back for me are they?" it wasn't a question, but a realization. One that came with a heartbreaking expression.
Kuroko took the boys hand in his.
"They're not coming back to me." The image of his parents flashed in his mind. He loved them so much it hurt, yet he held back his tears. Blue met blue as Aki met Kuroko's eyes. "I forgive them…"
He practically jumped into the priest's arms unable to stop the tears from falling. "I forgive them but…please don't leave me to. I don't think…I could handle it." He sobbed loudly now.
Kuroko held him as tight as he could, tears falling from his eyes as well. He picked the boy up and turned to Kagami. "I can't leave him, I can't."
Kagami smiled. "Then don't." he ruffled the hair of both of them. "Don't leave him."
"Kagami, what are you-"
"Let's take him home with us, let's adopt him." He grabbed Aki and held him in the air.
"You..you wanna adopt me." Tears fell to the ground.
"How could we just leave you behind huh? I would never forgive myself." Kagami squeezed him tight.
Kuroko gleamed. His heart was jumping in his chest. "I'll go get Kiyoshi right away." He was practically skipping down the steps. He didn't want to waste time. He felt the same as Kagami, this child….needed him, and Kuroko needed Aki just as much. Through this short time, he had felt a connection which he knew in his heart would set him down this path.
Yes, the boy had a gift and Kuroko could connect to that. He wouldn't to guide him, to teach him. But it was more than that. He couldn't find the words to describe it but he just KNEW this was what he was supposed to do.
Kagami and Aki were not even waiting. They were already packing up Aki's clothes and other belonging, not that they had much to pack. He had yet to see such joy on the boy's face since his time being here. Not even Kiyoshi had seen the boy so alive.
It was almost like they were running away. And for Aki…that's what it felt like. Like he was running away from his past and finally, finally heading somewhere.
The paper work was simple enough, and Kiyoshi had promised that they would be able to leave that same day. He said it was the least he could do for them after all they had done for the children and him.
When everything was signed and done with, and they finished packing everything up, they were set to go.
And as they said their goodbyes and began the long journey home it dawned on Kuroko just how much his life had changed.
He thought on the death of his mother, how he had been alone living in an empty temple at the edge of the village. How he had been mocked and made fun of in school by those he sought out to be friends.
He thought of that fateful day when a man had broken into his home to kill him to destroy him, how that same man now sat beside him.
He thought of his home, now full of life and friends. How each one had their own story yet chose to intertwine them with his own.
He thought of Akashi, of the demon parade, and how they had tried to take everything from him.
He thought of his own strength, of how he had grown so strong with his Kagami by his side.
And now, he thought of the child perched on his lap. The one who he had met with the same empty and sad eyes that he had as a child.
The priest leaned into the arms of Kagami as he held Aki tighter in his arms.
What once he had lost, he had received tenfold.
Family.
Which was all he had ever wanted in the first place.
SEVEN DEVILS: END
Thank you to those who waited patiently for this final chapter, I hope you enjoyed it. I apologize for the ridiculous delay.
I will be starting weekly updates of another series A Noble Affair, another AU with KisexKasamatsu and many other characters.
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