Earlier, outside the palace…
"Then no one has noticed yet?" The captian of the guard asked his subordinates.
"No sir. The honored guests and civil officials are all drunk from the party and fast asleep."
"I see," the captain replied.
"Only General Aomine's movements are cause for concern," the solider continued.
"Who is cause for concern?" Aomine asked, coming out of hiding and striding angrily towards the gathering of soldiers. "Why don't you tell me in detail?" The group drew their weapons, and Aomine charged.
Earlier, in the king's chambers…
"K-Kuroko, quickly, call a doctor…!" Momoi screamed, desperately, reaching towards her fallen father's body.
"King Genta will not wake again," Kuroko stated, eerily calm. "I killed him." It was then Momoi finally noticed the sword in Kuroko's hand and the blood on his clothes. And even as she stared at him horror shock, her voice still spoke in denial. "What are you talking about? Y-you aren't someone who could do this…" Not Kuroko. Not my beloved. Not to my father…
"You don't know how I've lived for this day." His voice was devoid of all emotion, his expression blank as he shattered the world she knew.
"W-why…?" Momoi asked. "My father cared for you since you were a child…"
"I know," Kuroko said. "I loved King Genta too, even though people whispered that he was a coward who hated conflict. I used to believe that was what made him kind," he said as he paced to the other side of the room. "However, I was wrong. That wasn't the case." He turned back to Momoi. "Do you remember my father, Harasawa? Ever since my father was young, he was courageous and intelligent. He grew into a man who always led our armies to victory. Everyone wanted him to become the next king, and no one doubted that he would. However ten years ago your father, not mine, was chosen as king of Teiko. No one understood the former king's choice of successor. My father was the rightful heir to the throne, so why would he choose the weak Genta? But my father kept smiling. He said the throne was no big deal to him, and that he would continue to fight on the front lines to protect this kingdom and its people. I was proud of my father, and had great respect for him. Someday I hoped to stand alongside him on the battlefield, and offer my life to him. But for reasons unknown, Genta assassinated my father after he succeeded the throne."
"You're wrong!" Momoi shouted. "Harasawa died in an accident…"
"That's the official story. But Genta stabbed my father to death with a sword. Genta, who was thought to hate weapons and avoid conflict, killed my father with a sword," Kuroko said as he raised his own bloodstained sword up, casting eerie shadows in the dim light. "Do you understand?"
"No…it's not true…" Momoi cried desperately, no longer sure if she was trying to convince Kuroko or herself.
"It's the truth. I have avenged my father, and to honor his final wish I will become king of Teiko."
It's not true…this is a dream…a nightmare…after all Kuroko…you smiled so kindly when you…when you gave me this hair ornament… Momoi started to cry, soft sobs that eventually turned into all out wailing.
"I wasn't expecting you to be awake in the middle of the night. I heard you hardly ever visited the king's quarters," Kuroko told her, though whether this was supposed to be an apology or a continuation of his earlier speech she was unable to guess. "Why did you come, Princess Momoi?"
"I wanted to tell him…" Momoi choked out through her tears. "I wanted to tell my father…that I could never forget you…" she said between sobs. Kuroko's eyes widened, and he made a sound as if shocked. But it was only for a moment, before the door opened and a strange man entered flanked by her guards.
"Lord Kuroko, everything is ready," the strange man with glasses said. "You've achieved your long cherished desire at last." Momoi couldn't help but feel this man was disconcertingly familiar, though she was certain she hadn't seen him before. She tried to think of where she could have possibly run into him, and the thought of being chased entered her mind. Earlier then…it was him…and then when Kuroko found me in that room…no… The man paused and took note of the scene he was greeted with. "Did the princess see you do it?" He asked Kuroko finally. The blunette remained mute. "Well I suppose this will make things quicker then," the stranger said. "Kill her, Lord Kuroko. You must silence her before she has the chance to speak of this."
"K-Kuroko…?" Momoi begged. Nothing. No emotion showed in those blue eyes of his. No love, no pity, not even hate. Just indifference. He sighed and closed his eyes briefly before taking a step toward her with his sword raised. She tried to escape but her path was blocked by the guards. Mad with her desire to live, she crashed over the table in her escape attempt, knocking over the books and candle lamp that had been set atop it. They hit the floor, and the rug caught fire. "Put it out!" the stranger shouted. "We don't want anyone to suspect anything!" The guards hastened to obey his orders, and moved towards the rug and away from the door. It was the chance that Momoi needed. She ran out the door and into the night. She was vaguely aware of hearing Kuroko's voice ordering the guards to seize her, but it only spurred her to run faster. The person that killed my father and is trying to kill me…is not Kuroko! He is not my beloved Kuroko! He has to be someone else…he has to be! As she turned a corner she was met with the sight or more guards, and as she changed direction they chased after her. She was able to make it all the way to the courtyard, but tripped on the stone path slick with rain and fell. And there, they caught her. "Prepare, Princess," one of them spoke, drawing his sword. "All of this is for the Kingdom of Teiko.
Momoi didn't even attempt to run again, too consumed by her grief. Did Kuroko hate me? Since we were young, I…I only ever loved Kuroko. I didn't ever ask for much. As long as I could see his smile, I was happy. The sword was brought down to end her, and she could only scream through her tears the name of the man who consumed her thoughts. "KUROKO!" But the final blow never came. It was blocked by the one warrior who had not turned traitor…Aomine.
"I knew you would be with Lord Kuroko tonight, so I tried to stay out of your way," her bodyguard informed. "The guards who were supposed to be on watch are all gathered here. There are people I don't recognize too," he said turning a hate filled gaze on the strange man from earlier, who shrank back under Aomine's intense glare. "What's going on here, Lord Kuroko?" She had never heard him speak the name with such bitterness.
"A-Aomine…?" You…came back for me…? You…didn't abandon me…? You…are really here…? He glanced back at her, before turning around completely and dropping to her level. "I'm sorry for leaving your side, Princess Momoi."
"Aomine…Aoimine, are you on my side!?" She wanted desperately to believe it, yet she was no longer sure she could believe in anything anymore. After all, the one she had trusted above all others was…
He looked dumfounded for a moment, before smiling softly. "The king told me to protect you," he said standing back up and turning to face Kuroko and the guards. "And I will obey his orders!" He cried, brandishing his weapon.
"Withdraw, servant," the stranger spoke. "You are standing before King Kuroko, the new master of Teiko castle."
"Who's the master of what now? I've got a bad feeling about this, but I have to ask. Lord Kuroko, where is King Genta?"
Silence, and then… "I just sent him to hell."
SLAM! Aomine brought the butt of the weapon down so hard it cracked the stone path below. All the soldiers backed up in fear. "Are you drunk!?" Aomine screamed, looking positively feral. "That's going too far, even for a joke."
"Ask Princess Momoi. She confirmed the king's death with her own eyes."
That was all it took for Aomine to charge and lock blades with Kuroko. "Tell the truth!"
"I'm not lying," Kuroko said, desperately trying to push Aomine's blade back.
"Kuroko! You're telling me you killed your king!?" He cried swinging his blade in an arc that was barely dodged. "You killed our kind king!?" He charged, forcing Kuroko to retreat to the safety of the soldiers.
"Lord Kuroko" the stranger started, but he was cut off. "Stay back. If you get any closer, you'll lose your head. The man standing before us is Genral Aomine. The heart of Teiko castle, and one of the five generals…the Thunder Beast of Teiko.
"Why, Lord Kuroko?" Aomine asked again. "Are you trying to usurp the throne? No…you're not the type to fixate yourself on that kind of thing. Yet you turned your sword on our kind king who detests weapons? Your pride allowed that!?"
"…Kindness?" Kuroko said bitterly. "This kingdom has no need for a weak king!" And with that, he charged. Their battle was fierce. Blows were exchanged, and ground was gained only to be given up shortly after. They were evenly matched.
"General Aomine," the stranger mumbled thoughtfully. "The grandson of Elder Kagetora, he rose to lead the Wind Tribe at a young age. It's said a single blow from his blade is like being hit with lightning, earning him the name of Thunder Beast." He stopped his musing when he heard Kuroko cry out; Aomine had managed to spear his right shoulder. Deciding to take matters into his own hands, he motioned to one of the guards before addressing the two locked in combat. "That's enough!" he shouted earning their attention. He inclined his head towards Momoi, who now found the sword of a guard pressed against her throat. He signaled the other guards, who quickly surrounded Aomine. "Lay down your weapon, Thunder Beast. Or I kill the girl." Grinding his teeth in irritation but having no other choice, Aomine threw his weapon towards one of the soldiers, nearly nailing them in the head. "Lord Kuroko, are you alright?" the stranger asked. But before he could receive an answer, Aomine spoke.
"Kuroko. Was the Kuroko that I saw an illusion? I thought I could entrust you with the Princess."
"Fool," the stranger spat at him. You may be a general, but you are still young. At this rate, the kingdom of Teiko will fall into ruin before long. For you and Princess Momoi, who have indulged in peace at the castle, there is no way you could imagine Lord Kuroko's feelings-"
"Quiet, Imayoshi," Kuroko said simply. The man bowed and retreated.
"What does that mean?" Aoimine asked.
"It means the Kuroko that you knew never existed," the blunette said, walking towards the general. "Should anyone stand in my way, I will cut them down," he said raising his weapon above Aomine, "no matter who they are." He ended by bringing his sword down swiftly, an almost invisible distance between its tip and Aomine's nose.
I don't want to hear this…I don't want to hear any of this anymore… Just as Momoi was giving up, an arrow sailed between her and her captor. It was all the distraction Aomine needed to reclaim his weapon, grab the princess, and make a run for it.
"After them!" Imayoshi shouted. "Don't let them escape!"
Aomine ran cutting down any guards that crossed his path. He kept going until he heard Owigara shouting. "Aoime, this way!" Aomine followed him, princess in tow. "Were you the one who made that shot Ogiwara?"
"Yes, I-" He started but was interrupted by Aoime. "Take the princess and follow me." Ogiwara knew enough to do as he was told. Aomine dispatched several more enemies, before he suggested they find a place to hide. They eventually took cover behind the wall of the palace garden. Aomine panted trying to catch his breath, and Ogiwara took the time to voice the question he'd been dying to ask. "Princess…is the king really dead?" She nodded mutely, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry…I just couldn't believe it," Ogiwara told her. "Until just awhile ago, he was smiling so happily about your birthday…"
"It's only a matter of time before they find us," Aomine interrupted. "We need a plan. If we're caught, they'll kill us."
"Kuroko and the guards are gathering in the castle," Ogiwara said. "I'll secure an escape route for you. You two have to get away from here."
"But-"
"Don't worry about me. I promise I'll get away." Aomine nodded his agreement, and the plan was put into motion.
"They're around here somewhere. Find them!" The captain of the guard ordered.
"Six guards in front of the rear gate," Aomine counted. "More are waiting nearby for an ambush."
"I'll draw them after me. Use that opportunity to escape," Ogiwara said, taking Momoi's shawl from her and putting it around his own shoulders. "Take care, Princess." Saying that, Ogiwara ran past the guards.
"There she is!"
"Over there!"
"Don't let her escape!"
As predicted, the guards abandoned their posts in favor of pursuing the "princess". Once most of them had given chase, Aomine took out the remaining few and pulled Momoi through the exit. As they made it past the castle borders, Aomine could here arrows fire, and Ogiwara scream. Momoi made to run back, but Aomine pulled her onward.
"They seem to have escaped into the mountains," Imayoshi said frowning. "I will organize a party to search the mountains immediately."
"General Aomine was raised in the prestigious mountain village of Tōō. Even if he is slowed down by the princess, it will be difficult for the men of the castle to find him," Kuroko informed.
"Momoi, do you need to rest for a bit?" Aomine asked? She continued to pant heavily, but said nothing. Aomine took that as a 'yes'. They sat in silence for awhile, before the princess finally spoke. "…Is Ogiwara dead?" Aomine looked at her, unwilling to answer. "Am I going to die too?" she asked. "Will Kuroko kill you as well?"
"I don't have a life to give to that piece of trash." I still can't believe it… Aomine thought. I can't believe King Genta died, and left the princess alone. You good for nothing king. And Kuroko…
"…Please don't die Aomine. If you die…I won't forgive you…"
Silence. Minutes passed, and eventually the princess succumbed to slumber.
"I'm sorry. I had them comb the mountains all night, but they still haven't found anything," Imayoshi apologized.
"How are things inside the castle?" Kuroko asked.
"People are beginning to notice something is wrong, and unrest is growing. What would you like to do, Lord Kuroko?"
"Let's go Princess. We need to keep moving."
"…During the party, even though my father was crying tears of joy, I didn't utter a single word of thanks to him. Where am I supposed to go now, leaving my father behind?" Momoi said crying.
Aomine pulled her into a hug. "We'll go anywhere, as long as it means you'll live. That is how you can thank your father."
My sixteenth birthday…on that night I lost my family, my home, and the people I loved. But I will live…to repay my father's love, and my friend's kindness.