Darkness.

That's the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes. I tried blinking a couple of times, but nothing came to my line of sight.

It felt like I was conscious, but unconscious at the same time. In the borderline of dream and reality; it is what Sei told me.

This is a just a dream, right? So why can't I wake up?

My body felt light, like I was not the one controlling it. It felt as if I was floating, but I knew I was moving.

Then there was a light. A speck in the middle of nowhere.

It got bigger by the second, and only then I realized I was walking towards it. Even though I ought to stop, I didn't, because I am not the one in possession of my body. At least that's what I thought.

A few meters away, I could see the shape filtering the light. It was a door. And in it was a figure.

Finally, I felt myself gain control of my body, but I was instead frozen in place.

The floor became wet, water dripping from nowhere. I can hear it very well.

The temperature grew cold, but all I could feel was the intimidating aura of the person before me.

Before me stood my brother's exact replica, except for the hetero chromatic eyes the other him had. His posture was cool and relaxed, even though he was not slacking one bit, like the natural perfectionist he is. His smirk was a devil's prize indeed.

"Tetsuya," he spoke smoothly, my name perfectly rolling off his tongue. "It's been a while."

It had been years since I last saw him. How many was it, four? five? I wasn't so sure. And I wasn't planning on meeting him anytime soon. So why now?

"What are you doing here?" I spoke with such malice, I surprised even myself. But not him. Never him.

He replied with a chuckle, the smirk I so badly wanted to punch never faltering. "Is that how you are supposed to greet your nii-san?"

"You are not my brother." I hissed, glaring at him when he stepped closer to me. He didn't seem fazed by it. I'm still frozen in place, like some force was forbidding me to move.

"Heh." He cocked his eyebrow, an amused expression forming on my brother's face. "Then,"

Closer.

"Who was the one that kept you from falling apart when our mother died?"

Two steps.

"Who was the one that fixed you every time you break?"

One more...

"Who was the one that was there when you needed him most?"

The last step, and he was an inch too close.

"Who, Tetsuya?"

I closed my eyes, couldn't open them when his ruby-amber ones was staring at my eyes, staring right through me, right through my soul. I am opaque, but to him, I was clear as glass.

I took a deep breath, shaky, and I didn't bother hiding it. He will see it, one way or another.

He was wrong, but right at the same time. He is a part of my brother, a split in his personality. But I didn't accept him, couldn't.

There was a part of me that still can't forgive him.

He was the one that had my brother at an absolute wreck the time mother passed away. Sei had been a completely different person; like a decent king to a tyrant. An Emperor, he called himself; he was absolute. For the next three years, he was the one in control. Sei was too weak- too scared -to come out.

It's true that he kept me safe, away from harm. But I can't say the same for Sei.

But he was the one who kept me at bay before I even start to loose my sanity. He was like a guardian angel, yet he was a different, darker side of my brother. The Yin of Yang.

Yet, now that I put much thought into it, he cared for me most, I just couldn't admit it.

"I'm sorry... nii-san."

Arms snaked around my waist, pulling me closer to him. I returned the favour, placing my arms around his shoulders, leaning my head on them. I could just give it a chance...

I pulled back a little, a question suddenly popping in my mind. "But... why visit me now?"

"The time is about to come. He's starting to break."

"How do you know? Nii-san seems fine to me." The words slip past my lips, as I stood in fear, realizing I had just questioned The Emperor. Directly, if that didn't just make it worst.

To my surprise (and relief), he smirked and commented nothing on it, instead saying, "Because I am absolute."

Suddenly, he was becoming distant, everything seemed to fade away. "I will see you again. Soon." A whisper, and then, I felt nothing.

"Tetsuya," Someone whispered, gently shaking me.

I opened my eyes, my vision blurry. A man was standing in front of me, but all I could make out was red and black. "Father?"

"Wake up, my son. We have arrived."

I tried to move but I felt like a ton of bricks had crushed me all over. My neck felt stiff and sore. My legs are sleeping, and so are my arms. I felt a little dizzy, but not that I can't stand up by myself. It was as if I was jetlagged.

Soon, my vision was clear enough that I could take a look around.

I remembered leaving Sei to the training camp, boarding a plane, drinking vanilla milkshake, falling asleep, and then...

My dream.

If nii-san said he would be coming back, then I should check up on a few things. I just can't let him have his way, even when I knew I had already forgiven him. There's no trust yet, only acceptance.

"Young master?"

"Oh sorry, Takumo. I must have been really tired for me to space out."

"Indeed, young master. That's why we need to hurry up to the mansion to get you some rest."

"Hai."

But first things first. I still had to survive this trip in America.

"Tetsuya!" father called from down stairs, "our guests are here."

It had only been a week since our departure, and already, I was feeling homesick. I of course tried not to show it. That's the only thing I'm good at in here after all; keeping my emotions at bay. Instead, I was getting along with father's business meetings and dinners quiet well. Today was not an exception.

"I'll be down in a sec," I replied in a rush, trying to quickly tie my tie which I was obviously failing at.

"Tetsuya," father yelled again, urging me to come down already.

"Agh! Stupid tie! Stupid suit, stupid everything!" I exclaimed, giving up on it after the fifteenth try, deciding to just run down to my father's aid. Takumo came to my save, slowly tying my tie and explaining how to in the process.

I groaned quietly, cursing ties in my head.

I stood beside my father, as the doors opened, revealing our guests for the night.

I wasn't expecting a boy my age to be around, since its always about business in these kinds of meetings.

The boy had chestnut brown for hair, with darker brown on the bottom. His chocolate coloured eyes were staring right back at me.

"Tetsuya, this is the Ogiwara family, second wealthiest in this state."

"Domo, my name is Akashi Tetsuya, it's nice to meet you." I greeted them, bowing, as I heard the silent command of my father.

"I'm Ogiwara Shigehiro. Nice to meet you, Tetsuya." He offered me his hand for a shake, which I gladly accepted.

Our parents were soon engaged in a conversation, leaving us both to wonder off. We ended up talking about basket ball, and somehow, in the court.

"So, do you play?" He asked while practically grinning from ear to ear, picking up a basketball from the side. I nodded. "Play me then! One on one!"

I was startled by the change in attitude. But I shook my head. He pouted childishly, again startling me.

"Why not?" He whined, shooting the ball into the hoop.

"I... play differently, Ogiwara-kun."

"I told you to call me Shigehiro, Tetsuya."

"Sh-shige-kun...?" I asked, unsure of why we even need to call each other by our given names. America truly is a strange, foreign place.

Shige-kun nodded, once again grinning with sparkles in the background. But then he stopped momentarily and thought of something. "What do you mean by 'playing differently'?"

"I..." I straightened my posture, dramatically pausing and staring at him in the eyes. I shifted a bit so there were shadows upon my face. "Am a shadow. I need to have a light to play, and the brighter my light is, the darker the shadow, the stronger I am." I explained, while he just nodded.

"I don't really get what you mean, but that sounds pretty cool!"

And that's how we ended up sprawled on the floor, exhausted. I was panting heavily. He ended up trying to teach me the basics, which was of no use since I was too far gone in the expertise of passing. Not to mention, my body is as weak as ever.

"Hey, wanna go somewhere else?"

I turned my head to the left, staring at him from the corner of my eyes. "You mean leave? But our parents will get worried."

"Don't worry about it. I know this place like the back of my hand. We'll be back before they even note that we're gone." He stood up, offering me a hand before I lead us both to the exit. I still doubt his decision though, but as a host, I cannot refuse my guest. I just can't shake off the feeling that something bad will happen.

Laughing to our heart's content, we both ran away from the angry shop keeper. We decided to have a little fun, playing a little catching game in one of the stores and "accidentally" breaking some stuff in the process. But not really important stuff.

"Well, that was fun." I huffed out some air, before straightening up my posture and walking ahead.

"What did I tell you? And you still doubted me, huh." He rolled his eyes quite dramatically, following after me.

We chatted for a little while, not noting nor caring which part of the city we were in. I was the one who noted it first.

"We should go back, Shige-kun."

It seemed he wasn't paying attention to me. But if he didn't, he wouldn't be able to scream, "Tetsuya, Behind you!" would he?

The last thing I remember was something covering my mouth, not before I instructed Shige-kun to run and ask for help. Then I blacked out.

So yeah, I'm back for more. I'm not gonna abandon this story, at least not this time. As long as there are readers, I'll keep writing. But, I'm gonna need you guys to support me too. Since school's over, I'll be back for more AkaKuro hell!

One question though, would you guys prefer constant updates, or longer chapters?

Please review, follow, favourite. Thanks!