Ratings: PG13
Warnings: Violence, Swearing
Genre: Angst, Romance, High School, Drama, Friendship, Hurt/Comfort

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters in this story, living (or passed) human beings or fictional characters. These events never happened, according to history or as the original author intended them. This is a work of fiction and is not intended to offend. For entertainment purposes only. Thanks.

Also, the original characters developed in this story are that of the author's creation. They are not to be copied without written permission.

Chapter 2 - Knowing Your Own Darkness:

Wednesday, October 12th

It was still dark out when Murasakibara's eyes slipped open. He sat up in bed and stretched, flexing the muscles in his upper back. On any typical day, a man the size of Murasakibara would indulge in a heavy slumber, barely disturbed by any noise or light. But this wasn't a typical day. Having just woken from sleep, Murasakibara could already feel something different was about to charge into the course of his routine life.

He didn't want to listen to the sound of Nori snoring until the time to rise came. And he couldn't do much upstairs without waking anyone else up. Pulling his trousers up from the floor, Atsushi made his way silently out of the room, down the stairs, past the living space, and down more stairs into the basement.

Used mainly for storage, the basement was a warehouse of boxes and tools. Atsushi began digging in his corner, not knowing exactly what he was looking for but looking for something all the same. He tossed down a box containing Christmas decorations, and another that held their artificial tree, before finally coming to the one he subconsciously wanted. It was one he didn't unpack from the move and had sent straight into the basement without so much as a backwards glance. It held all his middle school memories, from when he started to his last year at Teiko.

Looking around, Atsushi found a sturdy looking table that he could use as a seat. He dropped the box beside him and began fishing around, pausing to tuck his violet hair behind his ear. His mind sidetracked to his eldest brother's appearance, initially comparing their hair colour around the time his eldest brother was his age. The last time Atsushi had seen him he had dark purple hair and eyes the colour of a midnight sky. He stood at seven foot two, and was leaving for his final year at university, where he was studying to become an engineer. He differed from the rest of the family, growing cold and isolated as he matured; his body turning darker, bigger. Atsushi wondered vaguely if he would develop in his footsteps. After all, he wouldn't mind being seven feet or having eyes the colour of darkness now.

He returned his attention to the box, which contained several items. The first that came to hand was his old jersey. He had played numbers twelve and five at Teiko, and was the tallest at their school. Still, the jersey seemed small to him now, and he simply brushed it aside. Underneath the material was a book his sister had put together. It held pages from his yearbooks and newspaper clippings, all about "The Generation of Miracles". He thumbed through the pages carefully, not wanting to tear anything. Though his heart felt like a dead weight in his chest, hollowly beating just to keep him alive, he felt a small thrill at the touch of the book.

"Kise-chin."

He read the signed page by his model-friend. The blonde had never been afraid to speak with him, in fact the blonde was the first to speak to him when he learned he shared him gym class with the titan of a boy. Atsushi smirked and vaguely wondered what Kise-chin was up to now; he had neglected to write back to him in some time and after a while, the flamboyant emails from the model had stopped arriving. He still picked up his magazine from time to time, but Kise had been correct in saying he would be laying the modeling off in order to make more time to devote to his sporting career. Without thinking how early in the morning it was, Murasakibara lifted his phone and punched in a quick text message to Kise. He sent it off and put the phone back in his pocket.

Returning his attention to the book, a clipping Atsushi had forgotten about stared back up at him. It was a large clipping, with a fairly big picture of Aka-chin turning away from the camera. The article was headed "Miracle Generation Planning to Split?" Atsushi's fingers shook as he stared at the black and white picture. Despite the saturation, he could still picture the vivid red of Akashi's hair, his right eye. He snapped the book closed and threw it harder than he meant to back into the box.

He heard the floorboards creak upstairs and pressed himself into the shadows. He didn't want to cause a scene this early. He had already caused more than enough trouble provocatively dancing on the tables in the cafeteria at school, smart-mouthing his teachers, and pushing other students around since he had started at Yosen. His family didn't need to discover him becoming a bat in the night in their basement as well. The creaking stopped and he let out his breath. He knew that they would be at their wits end if they had found him, but he was more worried about how he'd react to their words. Everything they said to him recently seemed to trigger a burning rage in him that only violence or extreme exhaustion could cure. In his heart, Murasakibara felt it was only a matter of time before he did something he would live to regret.

It was late. There was no reason for him to be down here, prowling about like a burglar in his own home, looking for some timeless treasure that was sure to elude him. He went to close the box when something deep inside caught his attention. He reached inside and pulled the figurine out. It was made as a class project, inspired by his crush at the time: the king piece of a chess board. Standing six inches tall and made of a stumpy tree branch from his old district, he had hand carved the piece with Akashi in mind. He dug deeper in the box, fishing out the other pieces of the board. He had made two full sets so that when put together they could be used to play a full game, but as of now there was no distinction between them. He had won first prize for the figurine section in the art competition his teacher had lodged them in, but he never cared much for them. His mouth pulled into a cruel smile and he wrapped his fingers around the king. Fate had opened a door for him.

When it was a decent time to be awake, he left the basement to get dressed for school and collect his schoolbag, stashing his change of day clothes and bag filled with candies and food under his bed sheets. He'd have to pretend to head off to Yosen, but he would double back and sneak in to change when everyone else had left. It was a waste of energy, he thought as he spat on the walk to school, but it was well worth the day's adventure. He turned his music up, letting it surround his mind and soothe him into its trance of melodic riffs and alluring tempos, as he sped down the streets on his board. As he distanced himself from home, he slowed his pace and lowered the volume of his music. There was a row of vending machines and park benches after the next corner, and he planned to use that area as his turn-around point.

Approaching one machine that dispensed chips, Atsushi fished out the several coins required and nonchalantly gathered his many flavors in his arms. He sat on the backrest of the bench with his feet on the seat and began indulging in his treats. Several passing bystanders stared at him displaying his rebellious behaviour, but none ventured to lecture him outright as he'd seen happen to smaller-statured rebels. In the time he finished his chips the bell for first class would ring, his parents would both be starting their shifts at work, and his brothers and sister would be at their respected training grounds. He chewed slowly, letting his teeth sink into the crispness of the chip and feel his saliva turned the once brittle material to mush. With them all out of the house, it would only be a small matter of time before he would join his previous captain for whatever the day presented him. But he wasn't thinking about what the day would shape itself to be, or about the amount of trouble he potentially would be in if he was caught. His mind was on Akashi.

He admitted to himself that he hadn't been the most attractive male in his generation at Teiko Middle School. With his chin-length lavender hair, he had seemed more of a cute puppy than a possible suitor. His tall stature kept him from forming much muscle definition and his voice hadn't dropped despite hitting puberty. Alongside his physical downsides, he didn't have much assets: there wasn't much skills or materials he could offer, and he wasn't as academically intellectual as Akashi or Midorima by nature. All of this held him back from getting closer to Aka-chin, whose idea of a relationship included looks, interest, and skills, which Atsushi's sister had summed up as 'from the dark side.'

However, Murasakibara had grow, time had passed, and his chances didn't seem as low as before. Without looks, interest, and skills he had managed to start a relationship with Akashi, so he felt confident in his ability to win him back over again. Now he had confidence, muscle, style, and attitude. Today was going to be different; today he would have Akashi's attention for sure. And if the redhead still viewed him as simply not good enough to check all the boxes on his relationship bucket-list, he would make sure that he would gain his attention in another, less conventional way. Akashi hadn't appreciated him for his respect of the team and dedication in middle school. He hadn't chided him for his bad habits, nor did he respect him for his outstanding qualities, good or bad. The overall lack of acknowledgement in any regards, and otherwise blatant status of taken for granted, drove Murasakibara insane at times, so if he had to go out of his way to earn Akashi's attention by means of being annoying and downright disrespectful, he was prepared to.

True to his fiery nature, Akashi was not only quick to anger but was also quick to grow tired of something as well. He displayed rejection due to boredom seductively and yet still professionally; sighing, rolling his eyes, even going to the point of brushing back his hair and looking skywards before bluntly informing you how utterly boring he found your company. Murasakibara had seen so many faces displaying crushed emotions and stunned expressions while he shadowed his captain. It was only a vague, misty thought that the same would happen to him one day. But he was positive that he would have an advantage over others boys that crushed on Akashi: he would have the guts to be able to keep Akashi silent for long enough to prove to him that he was more than capable of outperforming the dreaded bucket-list.

Atsushi crumpled his chip bags in his hands until they stuck into an object similar to a ball. He stood up on the bench and fired a shot that landed perfectly in the garbage can across the street before he began heading homewards. He didn't even notice the small amounts of pedestrians that applauded his shot, shocked from the length of it. Akashi was too much to think about, let alone all the reasons the redhead would have to reject him.

Once home, Atsushi hurried inside and kicked off his shoes. He was quiet as he raced up the stairs and into his bedroom despite the fact that no one was home. Still, he felt the need to be both quick and quiet as he charged to his bed and switched his clothes with the ones better suited for their location and timing. Afterall, walking around in his school uniform would draw too much unwanted attention at the least, and a call to the school informing them of where a student was sighted out of class at the worst. He had been unfortunate enough to have had the diligent civilians of Akita already call Yosen on him skipping out twice before, he didn't need to make it a third time. Once changed, he slung his backpack over his shoulder and grabbed a handful of cookies from the kitchen before heading out the door again. Nothing seemed unordinary, and if any of his family went home, they would only assume he ran off to the candy store afterschool again.

He was a block from his house when the text arrived. 'Don't come. It's not a good day.'

Atsushi spat and hit his hand against a telephone pole in frustration. "Fuck!"

Standing in the middle of the street, having already ditched school, Murasakibara was caught like a fly in a spider's web. He wasn't ready to go back to school, but he wasn't prepared to be so easily left alone. It was just like the newer Akashi to go along with everything until the last minute, and then try to get his way out of it. Shoving the phone in his pocket, Atsushi smirked, deciding that this would be Akashi's first chance to see that he wasn't the only one in control anymore.

"Ready or not, Aka-chin. Here I come."

The hotel clerk's eyes were filled with fright as he looked up at the man who requested the room Akashi Seijuro was in. He was told by phone earlier that day to not allow anyone up, but he felt to fulfill those orders meant trouble from the tall, muscular, intimidating man that stood on the other side of the counter. Instead, with trembling hands he handed over a slip of paper with a room number on it, 1404.

"Please understand, sir, that I'm not allowed to give you a key, sir. But I'm sure Mr. Akashi-"

Atsushi smirked and gave a single chuckle. "I'm sure Seijuro will be surprised to see me."

All the elevators were crowded with business men and women coming and going. Murasakibara stuck his hand between closing doors but lifted an eyebrow when a small crowd of people pressed further against the back wall of the already cramped cubicle. He considered entering, but quickly decided not to; the elevator looked like it would snap under any extra weight, and he disliked close, tight spaces where he was made to feel guilty for simply being so large. He released the door and stepped back, but still couldn't understand the elevator occupants' expressions; he couldn't determine whether they were scared to have him ride the elevator with them for fear of it being overcrowded or simply because of his appearance. Rather than stand around and wait for another elevator – with no doubt more judgmental adults – he pushed open the door to the stairwell and began his climb up to the fourteenth floor.

"Nothing lesser for Seijuro." he muttered, pushing open the door to the lavish hallway. The room was on one of the highest levels of the hotel, which also happened to be one of the more decorated floors.

He walked towards the north wing and soon found the door to room 1404. Smirking at the play on numbers - room four on the fourteenth floor and Akashi's previous jersey being number four - he lifted a hand and knocked.

"Aka-chin? I know you're in there. Now open up."

Akashi, standing just inside the little kitchen space off from the door, paused in lifting a glass of milk to his lips. Atsushi's new defiant attitude certainly was something of an interest to him. His lips curved into a sly smile as he realized the man wouldn't leave him alone while in Akita, so he simply gave in to having to entertain him. His silky red housecoat sashayed open about his ankles as he turned, and flipped the lock of the door open with his face set in what would appear to be surprise, as if he were wearing a perfect mask. His large eyes were wide with surprise, but Murasakibara had known that look to mean a dominant assault of seduction was coming up. Akashi's mouth was set in a firm pout, clearly disapproving Murasakibara's presence after informing him not to come.

"Aka-chin."

Atsushi simply forced the door open wider and slid through. He wasn't going to wait and make the same mistake of being too simple, too passive, for Akashi Seijuro's tastes again. This time he would step up to meet Akashi halfway for their relationship to have any balance.

"Atsushi."

Murasakibara looked down at Akashi, his violet hair curling at the ends and his eyes tired through his makeup.

"What are you doing here? I told you not to come."

"We made plans, Aka-chin. It isn't right to just ditch those plans."

Akashi stared at Murasakibara, his innocent eyes turning acidic as he realized he was being scolded for having bad manners. He glared and turned away, pushing the door closed and sliding the lock into place with the flick of his wrist.

"Disobedient as always." he muttered, entering the kitchen and raising the glass of milk to his lips once more.

Atsushi simply lifted the glass out of Akashi's reach and sipped the milk himself.

"Atsushi!" Akashi hissed.

"Hmm?"

Akashi felt a sudden urge to scream. It wasn't that he couldn't foresee Murasakibara's behaviour, he simply couldn't stand to work against it. It frustrated him how irritating Murasakibara was being, and he knew it was on purpose.

"What happened to you, Atsushi?"

"Hmm? What do you mean, Aka-chin?"

Akashi simply poured himself another glass of milk and took his time to order his words before responding. The image of Murasakibara standing before him now battled against the soft purple puppy he had trained at Teiko. He had indeed heard from some teammates how Murasakibara had developed, but he didn't imagine that he himself would be treated with such a bold attitude. His adorable puppy had become a disobedient dog, and the comparison upset him greatly.

"You used to be so well behaved-"

"Ahh." Murasakibara cut him off, unable to resist the opportunity. "So you actually noticed that."

Akashi rolled his eyes and shook his silky sleeves back from his hands, sipping his milk and leaning against the counter to display his fine, slender body. Murasakibara drank in the image acceptingly, but steeled himself from any emotional connection towards Akashi in that way.

"I did noticed you in Teiko. It wasn't as if you weren't there. Besides, you were so big it would be impossible not to notice you."

"You noticed your Miracles, I'll give you that." Murasakibara spat back, turning his face to hide his revolt.

Akashi had never made Murasakibara angry before. In the past it was out of comradeship that they had spent time together. They had only begun to quarrel after their relationship began to fall apart, and Murasakibara felt that it was stupid for them to continue arguing after they decided to remain friends. He didn't imagine that he would be arguing with Akashi in Akita, let alone feeling fevered and ill-tempered because of him. He wanted to see something smash into a million little pieces, but he knew all too well that it wasn't going to help him find any answers.

There were moments in which memories of Teiko would make Murasakibara feel sick to his stomach and this just happened to be one of them. He closed his eyes and held his head up, trying to fight off the urge to vomit on Akashi's hotel floor. Watching that figure dress and undress, command with the fierceness of a general on the battlefield, and turn into a fiery lover were all parts of his life that Murasakibara began to view as his own personal curse. Why couldn't Akashi have dated Aomine and been done with it? He could have just told himself that Akashi wasn't interested then, he was into some other kind of hit-it-and-quit-it guy, so he could have forced himself to move on.

"Does it bother you, Atsushi? That I really didn't care."

"Do you have to make it so obvious?" Atsushi spoke through gritted teeth.

A single beep interrupted their conversation. Murasakibara checked his phone to discover Kise-chin had responded to his text. The screen seemed to glow with a radiance only Kise could produce, and the text displayed on the screen was animated with emojis scattered throughout the message.

'Good morning indeed, Murasakicci! How have you been doing? I'm in history class this period. It is very boring. I missed you very much!'

Murasakibara smirked and punched in a reply. He didn't want Kise to know he had skipped out, so he responded with a casual lie that he felt wouldn't hurt their friendship, before tucking the phone away again.

Akashi made no attempt to question the phone. He simply stared at Atsushi from across the room, his mismatched eyes burning with laughter. "You don't mean to tell me that you are still in contact with the Miracles?" he sneered, reading the expression on Murasakibara's face and immediately knowing it was a text message from Kise Ryota.

"You don't mean to tell me that you aren't."

Akashi scowled and pushed himself away from the counter, seductively walking towards the table so that it would be between himself and Murasakibara. He palmed something in his hand, taking it out of the pocket of his robe. He smirked, touching a forefinger to the corner of his mouth and looking up through his eyelashes. His mindgame was just about ready to begin.

"I have no need to." he replied easily.

He placed a six inch figurine that was a badly carved and rather crooked version of the king chess piece down on the chessboard on the tabletop. It was one Murasakibara had carved in Teiko and after he had placed it down Akashi took a delighted step back, his bangs falling and covering his smoldering heterochromic eyes.

"But I still have my ways to contact each and every one of you. Don't you worry, Atsushi."