Disclaimer: Kuroko no Basket is owned by Fujimaki Tadatoshi
Pairing: AkaKuro
A/N: I hate writing action scenes _(:3/
Thanks to my reviewers: SSailorSScoutSS, silver woman, ghost reader, Rinfantasy, xx-BrittCullen-xx, zoedapoey, New Procrastination, Moonta11, Korunakuroko, lulubeck, Kottori, ShinseiShinwa, BerryBliss, 123ANIMEfun, Ritsu0593, Melashnaw, AyakiStory, jilnachtaugen, Lady Kosame, Kasu97, psynekopath, Orangeiskindamyjam, yoshan-chan, Gly, Eugi-chi, angelgoddess10, Angel3687, Purified Sins, FluffOP, ghost reader, Dragon Silhouette, ss1912, r3crd282, MandM, Boralis, lovelyflames98, Shinju Hatsune and 4 Guests. Thanks for the favorite and follow alerts, too.
Warning: Violence | Language | Gore (?)
「Second Descent: Arc II」
Nineteenth Night: Frost Against Night
Akashi surveyed the place. The dense trees covering their surroundings. The mansion up ahead. Blasts and raucous uproars piercing in the still night. Screams and yells echoing beyond the gate.
His informants must have started the first wave of attack.
Akashi raised a hand and motioned for his coven to move forward. They became a blur as they ran towards the mansion and split off in different directions. As for him, he didn't hurry and just casually strolled forward. He wanted to. He wanted to obliterate everything he saw until he found Kuroko but he trusted his coven to find him first. He didn't trust himself if he found Kuroko—
Akashi shook those thoughts aside. He mustn't go out of control. But it was hard. Very, very hard. He didn't know that he depended on Kuroko to abate his dark and vampiric side until now. He was there, closer to the surface more than ever. He didn't want to but at the same time he does.
For Kuroko he would do anything.
So Akashi gave up control to him.
Seijuurou opened his eyes, his left one glowing in golden color before sprinting to the gates and unsheathed his sword, brandishing it efficiently and decapitating several vampires at once. He didn't look back knowing ashes and dusts were the only things left behind. He only moved forward, vampires after vampires meeting his blade to welcome death and not even humans were spared from his sword.
Sensing an oncoming attack to his left, Seijuurou threw his sword in that direction and pulled his gun from it holster, firing off rounds of bullets ahead as he kept on going. He reloaded his gun when he ran out of magazine as he willed his element and burned the ground, trees and enemies near his vicinity. Seijuurou could hear their horrified screams and directed his flames to consume them faster.
Seijuurou jumped over his fire and saw many vampires and humans alike running away. So they finally figured out just who they were dealing with. But they were too late. He took out his other gun and fired them off as he continued on, not leaving any of them alive. Abruptly, Seijuurou raised the gun on his right hand and watched as an arrow with a silver tip speared through it cleanly. He could feel the magic pulsating from the arrow. He pulled out his back-up gun.
Seijuurou could hear an agonizing yell where the arrow came from. He glanced and saw branches strangling a woman, severing its head from its body with blood sprouting like fountain before crumpling to dusts. "Don't overdo it Atsushi," he said. "Their numbers were more than Momoi calculated."
"Yes, Aka-chin," obeyed Atsushi. Subservient as always.
Seijuurou decided to entrust the place to Atsushi. He would make sure none of their enemies could escape. Meanwhile, Seijuurou made his own path of ashes to get near the mansion and then saw his informants fighting up ahead. He swiftly fired his gun when one vampire went behind one of them. They turned to him but Seijuurou didn't have time for pleasantries and tipped his head to the right. They nodded and headed that way while Seijuurou veered in the opposite direction.
Akashi had a mind to wonder how Hanamiya hid these many soldiers in this place but swept it out of his mind and concentrated. When one of his guns ran out of bullets and his reserves all gone, Seijuurou imbued his power on the gun and flung it to a group of vampires, exploding as soon as it hit them. He emptied the other gun before doing the same thing and hurled it to unsuspecting opponents.
Akashi noticed that their numbers were slowly dying down. They must be running away once they knew it was the Red Emperor they were facing. He was infamous after all for his cruelty.
Seijuurou slowed to a stop when one vampire came onto him head on, undoubtedly spurred on as Seijuurou didn't have any weapons in his hand. Seijuurou leaped, meeting it halfway but before it could notice, Seijuurou's right hand already impaled its chest and seized its heart. Seijuurou disregarded the blood spraying on him as he pulled out his hand with its heart and crushed it on his palm.
Seijuurou assessed his surroundings and the vampires watching him in fear and even some that were rooted in their hiding places. He bent down to pick up two stray katana and in a blink of an eye; he cut and slashed them down. He mentally used his flames to burn those in hiding into nothing.
Seijuurou narrowed his eyes when he saw one vampire in a suit with blue-green band on its left arm. This one must be in the upper echelon of Hanamiya's men. Seijuurou relaxed his stance and waited for the vampire to attack first but it got tense instead.
Seijuurou blinked and at once the vampire was in front of him, its sword poised to cut him. Seijuurou blocked with one katana, unfazed as the vampire relentlessly attacked with Seijuurou thwarting every last one of it. Akashi wanted to finish this. They had no more time for games.
Seijuurou activated his Emperor Eye, his golden left eye glowing. The vampire's eyes widened when he saw it but it was too late, the vampire froze mid-attack. Seijuurou swung his katana and neatly sliced the vampire's head off, its remaining body instantly crumbling to dirt.
Seijuurou swerved his body as he narrowly evaded an attack from another vampire before flipping backwards. He quickly fended off several kunais thrown at him with his swords. He squatted down as the vampire tried to catch him behind and flipped his katanas backward, spearing it from its chest. Seijuurou turned around, his hand ready to crush its heart but before he could, it spoke.
"You're too…late…human's dead…"
Akashi Seijuurou gave no outward reaction and instead grabbed the vampire by its hair, uncaring of the hisses, curses thrown at him. He gripped the vampire tighter as his fire slowly trailed over it, scorching and incinerating the vampire. Akashi Seijuurou ignored the rancid smell of burning flesh and mentally directed his flames inside the vampire, boiling it on the inside. The vampire tried to twist out of his grasp, yelling and pleading him to stop but it was no use. He only removed his hand when there was nothing left but ashes.
Using Tetsuya to rattle him. How impudent.
He knew Tetsuya was alive and Akashi Seijuurou is always right.
xXx
Kuroko woke up lying face down on the floor.
It took a few minutes getting his bearings back and acknowledging that he was freed from his confines. How, he didn't know. Pushing his body off the ground with his hands, he hissed at the numbing cold that invaded his whole body. He looked around and finally noticed that the whole room was covered in frost, ice and snow.
What happened here?
Kuroko looked to the metal door and saw it was wide open and there were two vampires outside passed out. Even mystified, he didn't let the chance slipped away and carefully stood up. He was hungry and utterly exhausted. Too weak to fight. But there was no way he was going to stay in there waiting Hanamiya to find him.
Kuroko's body felt heavy. It was as if his legs had gone numbed and couldn't move due to being immobile for a long time but he forged on. He only gave the unconscious vampires a guarded glance before leaving them. The hallway was void of any light but his eyes soon adjusted to the dark and could see a little. It seemed he was in a basement of sorts and searched for stairs to go up.
Even so, Kuroko was puzzled as to why there were no guards nearby aside from the two he saw earlier. More importantly, he didn't hear anything at all. The silence was too deafening for his tastes. It gave him a bad feeling. Not to mention, the reason why the room he was imprisoned in became some kind of a winter scene. As he travelled further, it showed signs that it was only that room that were like that.
Was it Hanamiya's doing?
Or perhaps…
Kuroko halted in his steps as rushed footsteps and frantic yells resounded overhead. He narrowed his eyes in the dark and saw flashes of light up ahead. He saw the stairs but didn't dare step on it until he could discern that everyone was gone. He overheard some conversations but he couldn't make sense most of it that was until they mentioned him. Kuroko gulped and warily eyed his surroundings for a good place to hide if they decided to check up on him. Fortunately for him, one said that Hanamiya forbade them to go to his prison.
When Kuroko was sure they were gone, he went up the stairs and shielded his eyes with his arm due to sudden brightness and having used to the dark. He jumped in surprise when he heard loud explosions nearby. Were they under attack?
Was it Akashi and the rest?
In any case, Kuroko had to get away here fast. He didn't want to get caught up in this conflict. Kuroko checked himself. He was tired but he still had energy to spare. He would use this chance to run away unaware. And if it really was Akashi and the coven then he needed to meet up with them soon.
Kuroko readied himself and jogged to the hallway, careful to keep an eye out of loitering vampires. He was glad he met none and then hesitated when he passed several windows. He went near one and looked on in astonishment as he saw two men fought several vampires and were winning. Kuroko didn't know them but it was obvious they weren't part of Hanamiya's men.
Seeing it was dangerous to stay and watch, Kuroko resumed running but the windows on the hallway shattered one by one before he could react. The impact sent Kuroko to the side and he loudly groaned in pain and shock as his back crashed to the wall. He had a mind to protect himself with his arms from the stray glass shards, uncaring of the cuts he got.
Kuroko didn't even notice that he closed his eyes until he opened them when the chaos ended and looked at the ruined windows, hearing the loud noises from outside clearly now. Kuroko hesitantly straightened up and the winced as his whole body ached. He froze when he sensed a vampire behind him and swerved around only to be met by a kick to his gut. Kuroko's body flew afar and painfully crashed to the ground.
Kuroko let out a wheezing cough as he clutched his stomach. His eyes trailed over the vampire who kicked him. Kuroko sensed its thirst for blood and violence and he was its unfortunate victim. He tried to stand up except he could only afford to crouch. He wanted to escape but having eaten nothing but water for days he had no strength. The vampire knew it, too as it smirked and ambled closer to him. Kuroko strained to straighten up but his legs gave way and he sunk down on one knee.
Steadying himself with one hand, Kuroko winced when he felt something cut his right hand. At the corner of his eye, he saw a piece of broken shard glass and his blood soaking the edge of it. Kuroko coughed so as to not alert the vampire that he picked the glass up.
"Frankly, Tetsu, your stamina is a huge weakness. You'll exhaust yourself if you fought in a long period of time or because of other circumstances. So you have to be smart to finish your fight quickly. Deliver a fatal blow before the vampire could even blink, that's where your weak presence and misdirection comes in."
Aomine's words reverberated through Kuroko. He also remembered something Kise said when he retold his past. A few seconds, Kuroko thought, just seconds to distract it and I'll strike. But he couldn't find any way to distract the vampire. Kuroko didn't have the time to evade when the vampire brought his fist to his face and Kuroko hacked up blood. His body swayed sideway but the vampire grabbed a fistful of his hair and tipped his head, showing his neck and his throbbing pulse.
A surge of scorching anger went through him when Kuroko figured out what the vampire wanted to do. He'd rather take a beating than let anyone else aside from Akashi to drink his blood. He didn't know what was happening but he felt his rage cooling down to icy fury, igniting his senses.
Kuroko chuckled and through his blood red lips, he smiled. The vampire was confused at this and his hold on Kuroko's hair slackened. Kuroko took the opportunity and brought his left arm up, the black bracelet and its ruby glinted in the moonlight by the window. The vampire must have sensed Akashi's blood on it as it stared at the bracelet in fear.
It was all Kuroko needed as he gripped the big shard of glass on his right hand. He ignored the deep cut on his hand and struck the glass through the vampire's chest. He ignored the vampire's shouts and curses as it thrashed, screeching like a banshee. Kuroko didn't know if it would work or if he stabbed it deep enough. So with his other hand, he grabbed the vampire's arm on his hair and tugged it closer, sinking the glass shard deeper before it could even react. He didn't have any strength left to fight it.
Kuroko didn't let his grip relaxed despite his fatigue until the vampire's body gradually but surely crackled to dust. Kuroko gazed at the ashes on the floor with empty eyes and slowly released his hold on the shard glass. He had a fleeting thought of leaving it there but his blood stain on it would become a problem so he pocketed it. He might need to use it later.
Leaning a hand on the wall, Kuroko slowly stood up and propped his body on it as he panted in exertion. His sight was hazy and darkness was creeping in the edges of his eyes. He knew he wouldn't last long. Kuroko ignored the shouts, loud blasts and noises outside as he sluggishly continued onward.
Kuroko didn't know if it was some kind of hallucination or some fragile hope but he could sense Akashi and the others nearby. He needed to go to them. He needed to see them. He needed to feel safe.
Kuroko faltered in in his step when he heard a pitiful keening sound like an animal dying somewhere. Through his blurred vision, he saw a room ahead with its door opened a few inches. Not knowing what but something compelled Kuroko to go to that room. He didn't sense any danger either so he opted to check it out.
Kuroko placed his hand on the doorknob but he must have put too much pressure on it as the door gave way, revealing the whole room to him. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw someone convulsing on the floor. Kuroko hobbled closer and stooped down only to gasp in surprise when that person grabbed his wrist hard.
Kuroko tried to shake off the person's grip but he couldn't muster any strength anymore. He froze when he heard the person whispered something. Now that he took a good look, it was a woman. "…Are…you—"
"No time…" she interrupted him. She coughed hard, spewing blood on the floor and some on Kuroko's clothes. "…die…soon…help you…"
"W-What are you talking about?"
She reached out her forefinger to Kuroko's forehead but he hastily backed away before she could touch him. "You—" he broke off when the woman pressed her palm on his chest instead.
"…you've awaken…but still weak," she mumbled and then spoke one word in a language Kuroko was vaguely familiar. "…this help…you…fight…defeat him!"
Before Kuroko could respond, the hand on his chest sent a flash of heat throughout his body and his vision got swallowed by a blinding light.
And then, Kuroko's world exploded.
xXx
Kise bent over and almost hurled when his senses were overwhelmed by a sudden burst of magical power. He took a couple of deep breaths to calm himself and wondered where in the world that came from. That magical surge was so overpowering that fear took a deep root in Kise's heart. It was a long time ago when he was this frightened to the core. If the cause of that was an ally of Hanamiya then they were in a huge pinch.
Aomine's curses permeated through Kise's ear comm. "What the hell? Was it just me or did someone else feel that?"
Akashi answered for them. "Someone see to it."
"I'll do it since I'm the closest," Kise volunteered. He was scared, yes but being afraid wouldn't help anyone. He would face anything as long as they get Kuroko into safety. He was more important than Kise's idle and cowardly thoughts.
"Go Ryouta."
Even though Kise said he was the closest, he was actually on the opposite wing from that magical explosion but he was nearer than the rest. Aomine was supposed to be inside the mansion, too but perhaps he encountered more foes than Kise so he was late. Anyway, it was up to Kise now. He only wished that he would find Kuroko soon.
Kise hurried and jumped on the floor below and turned to a corner. He skidded to a halt when he saw the whole floor frozen in ice and even objects were encased in frost and snow. Was this the doing of whoever made that burst of magic? Kise swallowed his trepidation as he took careful steps forward. Whoever that person may be, he or she was obviously powerful. Powerful enough to be on par with Akashi in terms of magical power.
Kise shook off those thoughts. Now was not the time to think about those things. He had a mission to fulfill first. And he was starting to get really worried about Kuroko, too. Kise sprinted to the room where he distinguished the source of magic and when he saw the door opened, he entered it only to stopped dead on his tracks.
Kise's eyes widened when he saw Kuroko lying still on the floor. He ran towards Kuroko in alarm and terror. "Kurokocchi!" Kise shoved his panic aside as he recalled Midorima's lessons in first-aid and checked Kuroko's pulse. He heaved a big sigh of relief when he found it. It was too slow for his liking but it still meant that Kuroko was alive.
Kise surveyed Kuroko's body and it took a lot of willpower not to lash out in anger when he saw countless of cuts, wounds and bruises on him. He inspected if Kuroko had any life-threatening injuries and was relieved when there was none. Still, Kise took care of the deep wounds on Kuroko and tended to the rest as best as he could. It was only when Kise was done dressing Kuroko's injuries that he remembered to notify his coven. "Akashicchi," he called in his ear comm. "I found Kurokocchi."
"…"
"Thank fuck."
"How is Kuroko, Kise?"
"Kuro-chin is okay, right Kise-chin?"
Kise bit his lips in nervousness when he didn't hear anything from his leader. "Kurokocchi's okay for now. He's still unconscious and I did my best in taking care of his wounds—"
"What do you mean by wounds, Ryouta?"
Kise shivered at Akashi's cold and emotionless voice. "I don't know Akashicchi. I found him in a room out cold and already injured." When Kise only heard still silence, he hastily added, "But it's nothing serious or anything. Kurokocchi is fine. He will be okay Akashicchi."
Kise looked down at Kuroko, who was cradled in his arms, and touched his face just to reassure himself that Kuroko was real and not a hallucination. The quietness from Akashi frightened him to the core. He was startled when Midorima spoke instead.
"What about the source of that magic explosion, Kise? Did you find it?"
Kise blinked. "…I didn't. I mean, I followed its source but I found Kurokocchi in the room instead so I kinda forgot."
"Search, Kise. Is there anyone or anything else there aside from Kuroko?"
Kise assessed his surroundings and found a person on the other side of the room. Carefully placing Kuroko back to the ground, Kise stood up and made his way to that person. Judging by the form, it was a woman though it was kind of hard to recognize considering her poor appearance. He stooped down to verify if she was alive and when he didn't find any pulse, he sighed. "I think I found it. I don't know if it was her or not but she's the only person here aside from Kurokocchi. I think it's the witch Hanamiya hired. That magical outburst must have killed her."
"You mean like a magical suicide? Well, since it's that fucker Hanamiya she was working for, I couldn't exactly blame the witch for doing that. Wait, I thought the barrier was tied to the witch's life. Why was she still alive after it got broke?"
Kise shrugged and when he remembered that they couldn't see him, he answered. "I don't know Aominecchi. But she must have been strong to withstand it until she killed herself."
"Kise-chin, why is Kuro-chin in that room with the witch?"
"I…" Kise paused. Why didn't he think of that?
"Get Tetsuya out of there, Ryouta. Now."
The insistent and strict order of Akashi promptly moved Kise as he carried Kuroko out of the room only to freeze when he saw vampires blocking his way. Kise protected Kuroko with his body as he tried to dodge the bullets raining on them, quite a few nicked him in the arms and legs. He winced at the pain but overlooked it as he thought up ideas to flee from that room. Kise couldn't fight them with an unconscious Kuroko in his arms.
Resolute, Kise jumped and house-kicked one vampire as its body sailed to the rest of its companions and deterred them for attacking. That little time was enough for Kise as he dashed towards the hallway but the impending footsteps behind him told Kise that it was only a matter of time before they caught up.
Kise was so focused in getting away that he didn't notice Kuroko was awake until he spoke. "…Kise-kun?"
Surprised, Kise looked down and when he saw Kuroko's sky blue eyes he almost cried in relief. His happiness was short lived however when his left thigh got shot. Kise realized he couldn't run far in this state. He dove behind a big shelf and took out his gun and fired back, copying Midorima's signature move and shot a number of them dead-on considering the short distance.
Kise knew there were more so he limped away from there and tried to search for a good hiding place. "Put me down Kise-kun," Kuroko lowly whispered but his tone was determined with an underlying tint of concern. "I'm just holding you back. Kise-kun can't fight them while carrying me."
"Kurokocchi, I would really appreciate it if you just let me do my job," Kise gritted out and leaned his weight more to his right as to not aggravate his gunshot wound. "I know you can't run right now let alone walk so just leave it to me, okay? I swear we're going to get out this."
"But I—" Kise looked down at Kuroko when he stopped and saw his eyes widened in alarm. "Behind you, Kise-kun!"
Kise quickly swiveled around and saw the sword coming down on him. He instantly copied Akashi's Emperor Eye, freezing the vampire on his place and the blade halting just inches from Kise's face. Knowing how taxing copying Akashi's ability was, Kise hastily fired off his gun and hit the vampire squarely on the chest.
Kise shakily breathed a sigh of relief and stared at Kuroko to check if he was alright. "Are you okay Kurokocchi?"
"Shouldn't be me asking Kise-kun that? That was a close call."
Kise nodded. "Yeah," he said and tried to hide his grimaced when his body felt the strain of the Emperor Eye when he stepped forward. He did use it without preparation after all.
"Are you alright Kise-kun?" Kuroko asked, worried.
Here was Kuroko concerned about Kise when he was the one who just been a captive moments ago. Kise nodded his head and gave Kuroko a reassuring smile. The bullet was out of his thigh and his injuries were starting to heal as well so he wasn't hurting much anymore.
Kise heard shouts and rapid footfalls coming closer to them and he inwardly cursed at their wrong timing. His gun was almost out of ammo as well and though he did have another one, it would be difficult to take it out while carrying Kuroko. Guess he had to use that.
Kise bent down as he dug the soles of his shoes on the floor in preparation. "Kurokocchi, can you wrap your arms around my neck? I need my hands free," he whispered. Kuroko stared at him for a moment before complying. "Don't ever let go, okay?"
As soon as Kuroko was in place, Kise pressed his palms on the floor and as he concentrated, he felt the vibrations of several feet running. He waited until they were closer. And waited. And waited. Now!
Kise summoned a huge wave of water and as he punched his fists to the floor, the waves rushed towards the vampires rendering them immobile. Kise's immediately brought his hands back to Kuroko as he bolted from there. That gave them ample time until Kise could find a way out of the mansion.
Kise cursed loudly when another batch of vampires hounded after them. Was there no end to them? He paused for a second and stomped his right foot to summon another wave to hold their pursuers back.
"That won't work Kise-kun," said Kuroko. Kise blinked and much to his surprise, Kuroko's body suddenly grew cold and without warning, placed one hand on Kise's shoulder. "Surge."
Turning around, Kise's eyes widened in shock when his water waves rose up to the ceiling and flooded the whole floor behind them, sweeping the hunting vampires far away from them. He looked back at Kuroko in astonishment. "How…Kurokocchi…?"
Kise panicked when Kuroko coughed coarsely and tried to withhold all the questions in his head. He got the sense that Kuroko wouldn't be able to answer it anyway. His main priority was to get Kuroko to safety. That was all that mattered.
With that in mind, Kise ran in full speed and evaded the vampires blocking their way. He didn't know what Kuroko was doing but it felt like his powers were amplified and used his water to attack or defend. A quick glance on Kuroko meant that Kise wasn't draining Kuroko's energy so he used his powers liberally. He never once controlled water this easily before and now he only had to use his fingers or slight movements of his feet to command it, pretty useful since he was carrying Kuroko.
Up ahead, Kise saw too many vampires thwarting their way. He couldn't fight them while carrying Kuroko even with his powers. And in a split decision, Kise stopped and kicked the window glass to his left. "Hold tight Kurokocchi," was his only warning as Kise jumped from the window. Kise tightened his grip on Kuroko, who held tightly to him as he used his fingers and gathered up a bubble of water below to cushion their descent.
The water bubble burst at the impact of their fall, its waves crashing to the vampires coming their way and cut their bodies grotesquely, raining blood everywhere. Kise held out a palm above them to manipulate a thin coat of water and cover them from the blood shower. He looked down at Kuroko uneasily. He didn't know whether to be relieved that Kuroko was unfazed at the scene or be worried because of it. Kise gripped Kuroko tighter as he hastily made his way out of the castle's vicinity.
Kise thought that inside the mansion was already a disaster but it didn't hold a candle to what was happening outside. It was utter chaos and pandemonium. Kise saw them fighting vampires one after the other. When one of them saw him, he signaled Kise to go while they hold their enemies off. Kise nodded in thanks and darted forward. He felt more at ease with them protecting his back and focused on ahead instead.
Kise bit the inside of his cheek as he scanned the view as they passed by; roots and branches strewn around and some had even just sprouted from concrete, it was obvious who did that. But what made Kise nervous was the blackened charred ground in certain areas. If Akashi was using his powers then it meant he was really, really furious (or the other Akashicchi was in control; maybe both).
Kise willed those thoughts away. For now, taking Kuroko away from this place takes precedence. He would leave it to everyone for exacting their revenge. And he was sure Akashi would personally ensure Hanamiya can never touch Kuroko again.
Kise promptly stopped and watched as a vampire treaded out from the trees and headed towards the exit but then froze at the sight of him. Kise curled his fingers to get ready and call for his water. His suspicion arose when instead of attacking or getting away the vampire calmly raised her hands in surrender although Kise sensed her underlying fear.
"Wait, Kise-kun," Kuroko's whisper prevented Kise in killing the vampire but kept his eyes trained on her. His glare barred her from doing unnecessary movements. "You're that vampire. You helped me."
The vampire retained her position as she answered. "I wasn't helping you. I was just following orders. Boss wanted to keep you alive. Weak but still alive."
"That's not true," Kuroko continued after a bout of coughs and Kise held him tighter but Kuroko's next words made Kise's blood boil. "I'm not in my right mind most of the time but you still continued to make me drink water even when I kept screaming and shouting in pain. And you cleaned me up and changed my clothes. Thank you for helping me."
The vampire regarded Kuroko in disbelief before chuckling in amazement. "You really are a weird human. But you're not entirely human, are you?"
Kise narrowed his eyes at the vampire for that. The vampire noticed this as well but disregarded his look. "Look, if you're going to kill me do it now. We're wasting time here. I know how strong the Generation of Miracles are, I'm not going to fight a losing battle. But just make it quick, okay?"
"No."
Both Kise and the vampire looked at Kuroko in surprise. "Are you crazy?" the vampires asked, stunned. Kise didn't want to agree with her but he was feeling the same way.
Kuroko stared up at Kise. "Don't kill her Kise-kun."
"But Kurokocchi—"
Kuroko ignored Kise though. He turned back to the vampire. "Let's make a deal. We'll let you go if you tell us where Hanamiya is."
"What?!" Kise and the vampire said at the same time. "Kurokocchi! What do you think you're doing?! I'll let the vampire go but I'm not bringing you to Hanamiya. Akashicchi—no, everyone will kill me if I do that!"
Kuroko raised a finger to Kise's lips to shush him, his sole attention on the female vampire. "Well, are you going to tell us or not?"
The vampire blinked and shook her head in resignation. "Fine, I'll tell you but I need a promise that after this none of the Generation of Miracles will hunt me. I don't want to live a life always watching my back for death to come."
"I promise but only if you live quietly and won't do any of this again," Kuroko said and Kise wanted to protest but Kuroko pressed his finger to his lips deeper. "We'll know if you break the arrangement so don't even think of it."
The vampire shrugged. "Sure, it's not like I wanted to do this anyway. Hanamiya just forced me into this and considering the destruction the Red Emperor is making, I don't have to worry about Hanamiya anymore." The vampire eyed Kise intently before looking back at Kuroko again as she slowly put her hands down. "Hanamiya is at the back garden. It's obvious he's losing so he might make an escape."
"Akashicchi is already there," Kise pointed out when Kuroko removed his finger. "He won't let Hanamiya escape."
The vampire nodded. "I figured as much. Even here I can feel the Red Emperor's immense power. Hanamiya doesn't stand a chance no matter how many tricks he has on his sleeves."
Kise turned to Kuroko when he heard him mumbling it was him? in disbelief but returned his gaze back to the vampire. "Okay, since Kurokocchi promised you can go now."
"Kise-kun," Kuroko interrupted and gazed up at Kise full of determination.
Kise sighed. "Kurokocchi wants to go there, don't you?"
"I have to go Kise-kun. I need to go there."
Kise stared at Kuroko and seeing the stubbornness on his face, he knew he couldn't say no. "Okay, fine. I'll explain to Akashicchi after this." He turned around to go back to the mansion.
xXx
Tetsu is safe. Tetsu is safe.
Aomine kept repeating those words in his head like a prayer. He trusted Kise to take care of Kuroko. But he still couldn't forget when Kise mentioned that Kuroko was hurt. He gritted his teeth in anger. These bastards would pay for abducting and harming Tetsu.
Aomine froze and immediately somersaulted back a few meters and watched as a magical bomb detonated. He closed his eyes as smoke filled the space and stopped breathing, knowing it was poisonous. He ducked as countless kunai sailed above him and rolled to the left to dodge a sword attack. If this idiot think that he would get him behind a camouflage then he thought wrong.
Aomine spun his guns pointing behind him and fired. He tried to jump but paused when his legs went numbed, their weight felt like lead. He clucked his tongue in annoyance and shot wildly to his left, dodging the returning fires. Aomine smashed his guns to his legs, wincing at the pain but it at least helped him to move them and shuffled closer to a wall.
Damn it, Aomine thought. Where's Midorima when you need him?
The mist and smoke was making it hard for Aomine to see and he still needed to hold his breath. Even so, some particles of the poisons seemed to seep in his body. He wouldn't hold out long if this continued. He took out his knives from his boots.
Aomine closed his eyes and let his wild instincts direct his body. He clumsily leapt to the right and the gust of wind let him know he just evaded a sword attack. He positioned his knives in front of him as he fended off kunai after kunai. He cursed loudly when he heard a soft thump near him and knowing he couldn't get away, braced himself. The magical bomb blew up and Aomine groaned in pain and agony as his left part of the body felt like being boiled in acid.
Aomine opened his right eye and through his blurry vision, he saw a vampire in a suit with a blue-green armband loosely pinned on his arm with a mole on his forehead. Aomine gritted his teeth when he saw that son of a bitch smirking in victory at his poor state. (Also, what's with the hair? It was like the vampire dolloped all the gel in the world to his hair.)
Aomine discreetly pressed the tiny button on his belt for some medicine and growled in irritation and pain when a kunai drove through his right hand. He glared at the vampire with full of hate as he weakly moved his aching left hand and savagely removed the kunai from his other hand. Aomine flimsy hurled the kunai back.
The vampire laughed with scorn at Aomine's feeble throw. "How the mighty have fallen. It's nice to finally meet your acquaintance, Aomine Daiki. I'm Seto Kentarou."
The fuck is with this guy. It's not like I'm asking for his name. Aomine quickly snapped out of his thoughts and stumblingly dove to the right as kunais embedded themselves on the wall. He then cursed when he noticed that they were infused with lightning. He only had seconds to spare before it goes off.
"I didn't know you were this easy to be killed but goodbye Aomine Daiki—the Dark Hunter and the Emperor's Executioner. Your reputation exceeds you it seems."
Aomine wanted to roll his eyes at the dramatic remark but settled on finding that item on his body. Where the hell did he put it?
A loud explosion drowned the other chaotic noises around the mansion, smoke billowing out to the sky as fire rapidly spread through a part of the mansion.
Opening one eye cautiously, Aomine gratefully sighed as the barrier was put up in time and flames skirted around it and Aomine. That bastard—Seto was it?—probably thinks he already killed him considering Aomine was in the center of the firestorm. If only Akashi were here, this huge fire would be gone in an instant.
Aomine pressed a hand on the left part of his body as his senses were brought back. The feeling of being cooked alive was gone. He tried to wiggle his toes to check if they were now working which they did. He forced himself to stand and though shaky nevertheless he was okay for the time being. Now, if only that asshole hadn't escape yet. Aomine would make sure he would pay for trying to poison him.
Aomine bounced on the balls of his feet to get their feelings back. The counteragent Kagetora gave them sure worked. Well, since it was her concoction it was no surprise. Aomine stretched his arms and legs as he waited for the fire to dwindle down. Once he was certain that his body was working perfectly did Aomine disabled the barrier and leaped above. He squint his eyes to hunt for his prey and as he saw Seto walking ahead smugly, Aomine let out a feral smirk.
Aomine darted from trees to trees and zoomed past other vampires, his sights solely on that vampire. He never let any prey of his get away alive and as if he would let that Seto bastard broke his immaculate record. Once near, Aomine jumped down from a tree and brought his feet down to an unsuspecting Seto, kicking his head down to the ground and dug his feet on Seto's head for good measure.
Aomine leaped back when Seto made to grab his feet. He watched as Seto pushed off from the ground and attacked him like a wild animal. Aomine easily evaded and blocked the hits and blows and bent down to sucker punched him in the solar plexus, Seto's body sailing through the air like nothing. He ambled closer to where Seto flew off and sidestepped as knives whizzed past him.
Aomine halted a few ways off from Seto, knowing the vampire has other tricks waiting to be used. He glared at Seto and when he saw him opening his mouth, Aomine instinctively kicked a stray stone and hit his forehead. He so did not have time for any more of his dramatics.
Aomine was choosing whether to throw a compact poison to kill Seto (it was payback) or just call Murasakibara since he was close by when he heard a loud crackling. It seemed Aomine wasn't the only one who heard it when Seto also looked up and saw the windows broke, a flood of water falling through. Aomine knew one person that could do that and hoped that Kise and especially Kuroko were okay. He then smirked. But he was sure lucky for this.
Aomine waved a hand and controlled the water, turning it into ice. Why the hell didn't he think of this earlier? (Aomine's eye twitched when he heard Midorima saying idiot in his mind.) He waved his hand forward as hundreds of sharp icicles volleyed towards Seto. Aomine crouched down and pressed his other hand to the ground, smirking as the earth was encased in ice with Seto slipping on it. Aomine coolly watched as his icicles stabbed every inch of Seto's body, dipping red everywhere.
Aomine carefully straightened up and stiffened when he sensed vampires coming onto him from above. Before he could do anything, the vampires were stabbed by several branches and turned to ashes. He turned to his right and found Murasakibara.
xXx
"Thanks for that Murasakibara."
Murasakibara stared at the bloody corpse of a vampire on the ice until it turned into ashes before facing Aomine. "Mine-chin should stop playing."
"I wasn't playing!" Aomine protested and swatted the branches coming towards him. "The bastard was slippery as hell and he's a bit strong. And damn it control your fucking branches Murasakibara!"
Murasakibara mentally veered the direction of the branches behind Aomine and instantly stabbed the five vampires coming towards them. Aomine looked back and grumpily complained the ashes raining on him. Aomine stomped his right foot and two vampires to their side was suddenly enclosed in ice. Aomine raised his hand and made a crushing motion with his fist, killing the vampires.
Murasakibara only gave Aomine a fleeting glance as he hid behind him and used Murasakibara as a shield when numerous silver kunai rained on them. "Protect," Murasakibara mumbled as a thick branches enveloped them, ricocheting the kunais off. Murasakibara crouched down, ignoring Aomine's complains that it was dark as he touched the ground and felt the pulsation of the earth. "Shake."
Aomine hastily grabbed at Murasakibara's jacket as the ground shook slightly, the tremors making them unsteady on their feet. Well, it was mostly Aomine though. "A little warning next time Murasakibara!" Aomine groused. As soon as the quakes ended, their barrier of tree branches disentangled and Aomine quickly fired off his gun, shooting the bewildered vampires sprawled on the ground dead on.
"You bastards! You'll pay for getting Seto!"
Murasakibara blinked as a noisy vampire faced them head on, brandishing his swords threateningly. He mentally ordered his branches to get the vampire but it seemed to evade and dodged his branches efficiently. "Break," he mumbled as the ground broke into two but the vampire had the gall to use his branches to hang on and vaulted to safe ground. Not that there were any safe grounds for Murasakibara's power.
Murasakibara glanced back at Aomine when he heard him whistling in wonder. "That guy's good. A bit of an airhead though," said Aomine, nonchalantly stuffing his hands to his pocket. "I think the guy's close to Hanamiya. See the blue-green armband, it's a sign he's one of Hanamiya's elites."
"Then, Hanamiya's level of an elite is abysmal," Murasakibara responded as he called back his branches and fused back the broken ground together. "And Mine-chin, aren't you gonna fight?"
Aomine waved his hand dismissively. "You can take care of this guy with eyes closed Murasakibara. And I'm recovering." He then raised a hand and summoned a thin but impenetrable thin ice wall, blocking knives and kunais.
"Don't ignore me you bastards!" the vampire yelled in outrage, his orange hair conspicuous. Well, the guy was pretty attention grabbing just from his loudness though. "I'm going to kill every single one of you, Generation of Miracles!"
Murasakibara frowned. He really hated it when their group kept being called by that nickname. Their coven had a formal name, why doesn't anyone use it? "You're so noisy," he commented and ignored Aomine snickering beside him.
"Huh?!"
"Then, I'll let you handle this guy Murasakibara," said Aomine after his bouts of laughter and wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. He tapped Murasakibara on the shoulder.
Murasakibara turned his scowl to Aomine. "Mine-chin, don't leave me with this cockroach."
"Who're you calling cockroach!?" orange complained.
Aomine paid no heed to Murasakibara though and scampered away before he could touch him. He could use his branches to dragged Aomine back but he knew Aomine could just freeze them off so it was a moot point.
What Murasakibara hated the most was fighting annoying enemies. He turned to the orange vampire with a really pissed off expression. "I'll kill you," he said menacingly.
Orange vampire visibly gulped at Murasakibara's expression but gave a brave front. "Bring it on, you ti..tan…" he trailed off when Murasakibara leapt from his place to his direction in an instant, his landing shaking the ground a little. "…Oh, shit."
Murasakibara punched orange guy but he seemed to be strong despite his looks as he took the blow shakily with his arms, bones snapping and popping echoed. Murasakibara put more pressure and pushed the vampire back. He brought his leg up and kicked orange in his stomach, its body flying through the air. Murasakibara gathered up his branches and caught orange vampire before it could land.
The vampire dangled on the air like a ragdoll and Murasakibara's branches shook him until it woke up. A branch covered its mouth before it could spout stupid and annoying things again. Murasakibara decided to play a little. Kuroko was safe in Kise's hands and judging by the flames he saw moments ago, Akashi was busy looking for Hanamiya so Murasakibara had free time.
Murasakibara veered one branch to wrapped one of orange's arms and without any qualms ripped it off. He paid no attention to the muffled shouts of pain and mercy as he did it again and this time with orange's left leg. Blood kept gushing out of orange's body as Murasakibara removed the branch from its mouth but it seemed the vampire had no strength to talk anymore.
Murasakibara was happy that everything was blissfully quiet again.
Murasakibara almost went for another one but Akashi's voice in his ear comm halted him. "Atsushi, stop playing around. Finish your enemies quickly."
"Eh~ But I was having fun Aka-chin," Murasakibara complained and then wanted to backtrack when only silence greeted him on the other line. "Sorry, Aka-chin. I'll do it."
"Ryouta must be outside this place. Convene with him and protect Tetsuya."
"Roger Aka-chin~"
With his orders given, Murasakibara looked at orange vampire and without any remorse crushed its body with his branches, coating them and the ground with red all over. He took one last look at the billowing dusts before turning around and made his way towards the exit.
He had to meet up with Kise and Kuroko after all.
But first, Murasakibara had to take care of pests obstructing his way. As soon as he thought that, branches sprouted from the earth and stabbed, cut and slashed vampires endlessly, making a bloody and full of ashes path for him.
xXx
"Oya~ I thought I would get the giant but I guess you'll do."
Midorima pushed his glasses upward and narrowed his eyes to the vampire in front of him. Judging by his appearance—an expensive suit haphazardly worn, blue-green armband on its left biceps, an air of nonchalance as he chewed a bubble gum and long, messy purple hair that hid his eyes; Midorima knew this was one of Hanamiya's direct subordinates.
"Hey, not even saying anything Megane-kun~"
Midorima internally sighed. He just had to get an obnoxious opponent. He wanted to get this over with quickly. He wasn't Aomine who liked to prolong fights. Midorima raised his right hand but before he could do anything, various needles were aimed towards him. He sidestepped to the right and caught the knife thrown behind him. He swiped his leg to the left but the vampire jumped before it connected and another batch of needles was directed at him. Midorima used the knife to rally off the needles and used his left hand to swiftly grab his gun from its holster, firing it rapidly to the vampire.
The vampire laughed playfully as he dodged the bullets clumsily and whistled when Midorima threw the knife, almost getting his eye if he hadn't dodged in time. Midorima tried not to show his impatience and gathered up the winds with his fingers, stopping the needles hurling towards him in mid-air.
The vampire hooted in delight at Midorima's powers. "Wind, eh? That's cool!"
Midorima curled his fingers and sent back the needles to the vampire and when it evaded, he used his other hand to control the air and grabbed the vampire in a crushing grip. Midorima fisted his hand and watched as the vampire opened its mouth but gasped for air instead. Midorima was depleting oxygen around the vampire so it was only a matter for time until he ran out of air and passed out.
Interrogation wasn't always his cup of tea but it would have to do. There were some things that he needed to know and confirm first. He couldn't exactly do that to Hanamiya considering Akashi would want to kill him by his hands. Midorima left a bit of air just enough to keep the vampire barely conscious.
Midorima walked nearer with his guard up, who knew what this vampire could do. "I have some questions and I expect you to answer," he started. He sighed and punched the vampire on the face to end its farce of sleeping. "I know you're awake. Either you answer me now or wait for my leader to finish with your leader and interrogate you instead."
"I'm awake, I'm awake," the vampire nodded his head. "Ask away, megane-kun or should I call you doctor instead?"
Midorima ignored the last part and tugged his gloves. "What secret did Hanamiya meant when he sent that message through Akashi's blood donor?"
"Nothing," the vampire answered and seeing the dark expression on Midorima's face, he hastily added. "Really, there's nothing to it. We don't know any secret nor does Captain. He was just bluffing. We didn't know it would work so well until your coven reacted."
Midorima pushed his glassed upward. "So Hanamiya doesn't know anything about Kuroko? Anything at all?"
"Kuroko? Oh, you mean the human? No, Captain doesn't know anything. We only found out basic information before your leader erased any data on him."
Midorima narrowed his eyes at the vampire and pointed his gun between its eyes. "Tell me everything. Don't leave anything out."
"Okay, okay. Jeez, you're sharp, sensei," the vampire sighed in defeat. "I only heard Captain mention it once but you know about Captain's ability, right? The Spider Web."
Midorima couldn't hide his flinch and the vampire nodded at his assumption.
"Yeah, the kid went through it. Most people who went under the Web didn't even last a day but the kid was different. He didn't go insane. Well, he did sometimes. We could hear his scream throughout the mansion and man, it was creepy. But the kid's sanity seemed to be still intact despite undergoing the Web for days. Captain was curious and intrigued so sometimes he kinda upped his Web until the kid passed out due to pain. But the kid was tenacious and clawed his way back to reality. Captain said that there's something more to the kid. I don't know what that is though."
It took a lot of Midorima's control not to eviscerate the vampire in front of him as he continued to listen. If Akashi found out about this— Midorima couldn't even finish the thought as the repercussions were too severe to even think about.
But Kuroko…
Midorima put his own feelings aside and thought objectively. If Kuroko was still fine after days of going through Hanamiya's Spider Web then it only meant that Akashi's hypothesis from before was true. He knew Kuroko's mind went through a traumatic experience but perhaps the reason why Kuroko wasn't completely broken was because his dormant ancestry kept him alive.
Midorima resumed his questioning. "Have you seen Kuroko during his imprisonment?"
"Nah," the vampire shook his head. "Captain was the only one who saw him. Captain forbade us from going to his room. Well, except from one vampire who kept him clean and gave him water. But pretty sure she's dead now with your companions wreaking havoc."
"I see," Midorima said and prepared to end the vampire's life. But sensing a malicious vibe, Midorima skipped back and glared at the vampire as the air holding him disintegrated.
The vampire grinned and blew out his bubble gum. "Wow, these items sure worked," he commented and smugly showed Midorima a small box. Midorima could only presume that was a containing box, capturing anything magical within its vicinity. "Thanks to your interrogation I got out." The vampire waved back as jumped. "See you around, doctor megane-kun~"
Midorima raised an eyebrow before moving his hands downwards and flattened the vampire to the ground before it could escape. Considering containing boxes could only hold limited magic, it wouldn't be able to repress his winds.
"You're an idiot," was Midorima's last remark before firing his gun to the vampire's heart.
xXx
Akashi was only dimly aware of where he was but the sweet fragrance of the flowers around him drowning out the smell of blood and smoke dominating the place made him realized that he was in the garden. Seijuurou wanted to burn down those flowers into smithereens.
Seijuurou slowed to a stop.
"There's no use in hiding Hanamiya. I know you're there."
Seijuurou heard the echoes of laughter around him but his eyes stared straight on, focusing on a faint shimmer in the air until it revealed a smirking Hanamiya. "So the Red Emperor found me," Hanamiya said, bowing exaggeratedly at Seijuurou before letting out a chuckle as jumped to the side to evade the wall of fire erupting where he previously stood. "Well, well, aren't you testy tonight, Akashi?"
They regarded each other silently which was only broken by, not surprisingly, Hanamiya. "Do you know how greedy you are, Akashi? You amassed the most powerful vampires in the world to your coven. Forming an alliance to powerful covens and what's more some of them has connections to the Council. There are also rumors that the Council invited you to join them. And now you have a little witch as a lover. You'll start a revolution, Akashi if you continue this.
"No matter how much the Council favors you or the whole vampire society respects you or how strong your influence is, there's no way you can protect the little witch. I'm doing you a favor here. Don't worry I won't kill him. He seems interesting which I'm sure you know. You already have a witch working for you, what's wrong with me taking this one away. I know male witches are rare and you like collecting unique things but he would much safer with me."
Akashi blinked as he let Hanamiya spill his nonsense dialogues. Seijuurou didn't have time for some idle chitchat though and instantly sprung to attack Hanamiya. His two katana were blocked by Hanamiya's sword. But Seijuurou didn't stop there and continuously struck in rapid succession. He jumped back when Hanamiya almost touched him. Akashi knew he was still susceptible to Hanamiya's Spider Web.
Once was enough. It would never happen. Especially now when Kuroko needed him.
"Sharp as alwa—"
Seijuurou lobbed one katana to Hanamiya, not even listening as he summoned his flames.
Hanamiya clucked his tongue when he got interrupted. "Oi, at least listen when someone's talking to you. Your lover was more accommodating than you are. Unlike the previous one."
Seijuurou leapt, his katana poised to Hanamiya's heart. He glared when Hanamiya skirted around his blade and twisted his katana, slicing Hanamiya's right arm. Seijuurou incinerated the severed arm and sword and brought his katana to Hanamiya's chest, stabbing right through.
Seijuurou frowned when he didn't hit Hanamiya's heart since he moved a little. Seijuurou called his fire into the katana but Hanamiya pressed a hand on his arm, planting a bomb talisman on him. Seijuurou burned the talisman before it could set off but that was enough for Hanamiya to get away from him.
Hanamiya cursed as he pressed his hand on his bleeding right shoulder where Seijuurou cut him off. He then laughed maniacally. "You're too quiet today. Don't you want to talk for old time's sake? I know so much about you than any of your coven. Tell me Akashi, does your coven know about your true nature yet?" Hanamiya gave a wild laugh as he dodged the pillars of fire that burst out of nowhere. "Still protecting those brats, are you? Scared that they might leave you behind like, say, your mother dearest~?"
Akashi's eye twitched at the mention of his mother. His reaction didn't escape Hanamiya's attention, of course and let out a smug grin. Seijuurou schooled his expression back to apathy. Hanamiya only knew how to taunt his opponents to rile them up until they made a mistake. Seijuurou would never fall for that.
Taking a deep breath, Seijuurou summoned his fire dragon. He watched as Hanamiya shielded his face with his arms as huge flames of orange, red, blue, yellow surged between them, heating up their surroundings and burning and scorching anything close to them into ruins. Crackles and sparks of embers steadily changed to glazing scales until the flames completely transformed to a blood red dragon, its orange eyes blazing with intense wrath. The dragon coiled its snake like body around Seijuurou protectively, its temperature could burn anyone inside out but Seijuurou wasn't worried. He was accustomed to it and his fire would never hurt him.
The fear and hesitation that reflected in Hanamiya's face for a second as he gaped at the fire dragon was enough for Akashi to know that Hanamiya still hadn't forgotten his previous experience with Seijuurou's flames. And Seijuurou would make sure Hanamiya cannot and will not escape this time around. Hanamiya needs to pay for taking his Tetsuya away from him.
"Blaze him," Seijuurou ordered, prompting his dragon to attack. The fire dragon uncurled from Seijuurou and flew to Hanamiya, breathing out numerous balls of fire from its mouth. Hanamiya ineptly dodged but his hand and half of his body was seared when it touched the ground, his face and body sweating uncontrollably due to the boiling temperature.
Seijuurou watched in apathy as his flame dragon played around with Hanamiya, cornering him. It was no use no matter how much Hanamiya avoid Seijuurou's dragon and looked for a safe place. This place already became Seijuurou's territory.
His dragon must have sensed Seijuurou's impatience and inhaled before roaring out massive fire on Hanamiya. It lasted for a minute, burning the flowers, trees, ground and everything to nothing until the dragon snorted out smoke through its snout. Seijuurou narrowed his eyes as smoke filtered out and found Hanamiya nowhere. He knew Hanamiya didn't die yet so it was impossible that he turned into ashes.
Seijuurou walked closer as he dispelled his flame dragon, leaving only smoke and embers in its wake. He scowled when he saw a scorched compact mirror. So the fool used a barrier to escape. Such a useless thing, it didn't stand a chance to his dragon but Hanamiya might have used it and allowed him to flee.
Akashi Seijuurou crashed the mirror with his foot.
This wasn't over yet.
xXx
Kuroko glared stubbornly at Kise.
They were in a standstill because Kuroko wanted to stand on his own feet while Kise insisted on carrying him. Kuroko knew he was already asking too much of Kise with his request in going to Hanamiya but he couldn't afford to show weakness (or more of it) to Hanamiya. He was under the Spider's Web but he still remembered what he sworn to himself.
Kuroko would make Hanamiya pay. With his own two hands and no else's.
Kuroko frowned at Kise as he kept his glare, not backing down. He almost smiled when Kise sighed in defeat, raising his hands in surrender. "Okay, fine. You win Kurokocchi. But if I see that you can't take it anymore I'm going to carry you whether Kurokocchi likes it or not."
"That's fine with me," Kuroko responded as Kise let him stand. He tested his feet and balance and knew that he could walk and run now. He understood that using Kise would be faster but he didn't want to burden him. Kise would be able to fight more decently without him as a baggage. Kuroko's main objective was Hanamiya after all.
And then, they ran slowly at first until Kuroko got used to it. Fortunately, they didn't encounter too many vampires and when they did Kise took care of it. Of course, it didn't escape Kuroko's notice how their route was the least tumultuous and he was certain of the reason why. The charred ground and the billowing ashes were obvious enough.
Kuroko ceased in running when he sensed a strong vampire up ahead. And then he blinked when he realized who it was. "Aomine-kun?" Kuroko called. Kise stopped beside him as they watched Aomine halting before them.
"The fuck Kise?! What it Tetsu doing here?" Aomine groused as immediately grabbed Kuroko's shoulders and scrutinized his whole being. Only when he deemed Kuroko to be alright that Aomine relaxed his stance and pulled Kuroko to his arms for a short hug. He then pulled back and pinned Kise with a withering glare. "Well, aren't you going to answer me or what?"
Kuroko gently placed his hand on Aomine's arm. "I asked Kise-kun to escort me here."
Aomine's snapped his head to him. "What!? Why do you want to do that?"
"Hanamiya and I aren't finished yet."
"Don't be stupid Tetsu! Just let Akashi handle that son of a bitch!"
Kuroko shook his head and stared at Aomine full of determination. "I need to do this Aomine-kun."
"I get it, okay. I get you, Tetsu," Aomine said, almost pleading. "But Tetsu, more than you, Akashi has the more reason to confront Hanamiya. They have a long history of bad blood together. And taking you now just reminded Akashi of what happened before. Just leave it to Akashi, okay Tetsu?"
Kuroko knew that. He knew all that. He understood that Akashi was feeling the same way. But he made a promise to himself. He couldn't just leave all his problems for Akashi to solve. "Then, I just need to be one step ahead of Akashi-kun. Hanamiya will be dealing with me and not Akashi-kun."
"You're crazy Tetsu!"
Kise finally spoke. "Aominecchi, maybe we should just Kurokocchi do this," he suggested and then gulped when Aomine glowered at him.
"No," Aomine insisted between gritted teeth. "You weren't there Kise so you don't know. Tetsu, don't make me take you away by force. I don't care if you'll hate me for the rest of your life but I am not going to let you go after Hanamiya."
Kuroko quickly realized that Aomine was serious and before Aomine could move, he spoke. "Freeze." He watched in fascination as ice and frost snaked around Aomine's leg up and up till it covered half of his upper body. A cry from Kise caused Kuroko to look at him and inwardly cringed when the same thing was happening at Kise. Kuroko wasn't meant to do that.
"The fuck! Tetsu what did you do?!"
"Why did you include me, too Kurokocchi?!"
Kuroko was sorry for Kise but Aomine needed to stay there and not to prevent him in going. "Forgive me Kise-kun. I'll make it up to you one day. Sorry Aomine-kun," he said and proceeded to run away from there paying no heed to their shouts and yells to come back.
It was clear where Akashi was due to the excessive power he was displaying. There was a huge possibility that Akashi and Hanamiya are engaging in a battle now but there was a slim chance of improbability. And that was for Hanamiya to slip free from Akashi. It was unlikely that it would happen considering this was Akashi they were talking about but Kuroko was banking on that implausible option.
In an instant, Kuroko looked above and skipped a couple of steps back and warily regarded Hanamiya as he landed on the ground. Clearly, his guess was right on the dot. He saw how Hanamiya's clothes were coated in soot and even some of his skin was red, in the process of healing due to burns. He also carefully eyed the empty space for the right arm. Kuroko tensed as Hanamiya watched him in confusion and then amusement.
"Look what we have here the Red Emperor's little witch," Hanamiya drawled out.
Kuroko schooled his expression to a cold one even though his mind was turned into chaos at Hanamiya words.
A witch? Him?
Kuroko wanted to deny it but there was no use in pretending that he was normal with all the things he did. Seeing Kise control water. Even helping him. What he did to Aomine and Kise a while ago. (And the room where he stayed. And the woman. A witch. Those memories.)
It all made sense. But Kuroko didn't have time for that.
Hanamiya was in front of him.
Focus on him.
"You don't seem shock," Hanamiya mused. "You already know? Or are you in denial? So this the secret Akashi was keeping from you. That's unfair of him. Something this big shouldn't be kept. Especially since you're lovers and he's a vampire to boot. What a tragic lo—"
Kuroko didn't let Hanamiya finished as he attacked him upfront. Hanamiya didn't bat an eye as he seized Kuroko's fist. "Did you finally lose your mind? You may be a witch but still untrained. You're no match for me."
Kuroko was certain that Hanamiya would talk back and inconspicuously took the gun hidden on his back that he procured from Kise unknowingly. He trained it on Hanamiya's face and fired point blank. Kuroko's left shoulder quavered at the blowback and awkwardly leapt back. He gritted his teeth when the bullet only grazed Hanamiya's cheek.
Kuroko shot Hanamiya again only to found him gone. He suddenly crouched down and blindly fired behind him. His eyes widen in shock when Hanamiya snatched the gun from his hands and threw it aside. Kuroko gasped when Hanamiya quickly grabbed him by the neck. Kuroko choked for air as Hanamiya squeezed his neck hard.
"I know I won't get out of this alive. But I won't fucking go down peacefully!" Hanamiya snapped and hurled Kuroko to the ground. Kuroko grunted and wept in pain as he feebly removed Hanamiya's hand from his neck to no avail.
Kuroko tried. He really did. He clawed at Hanamiya's wrists to let him go but he was losing air and he was this close to succumb into darkness. But he can't. Not here, not now. He couldn't die here. Kuroko's hands slowly loosened their grip as they dropped to his side.
"That's right," Hanamiya hissed with a manic face. "Die! Die! Akashi can take everything from me right now but at least I'm going to take you—his most important thing—to my grave. And I will have the last laugh!"
Kuroko only had seconds. Just a few precious seconds. It was either him or Hanamiya. And he refused to die at his hands. "…No…I…win…" Kuroko choked out with everything he had and swiftly brought his right hand to Hanamiya's chest, the glass shard digging and digging deep to his heart.
Hanamiya's expression turned from arrogance to smug, shock and confusion before his face twisted into frenzied anger. Kuroko gasped and wheezed as Hanamiya's clutched his throat tighter but he held on to his consciousness as he twisted the shard, burrowing it deeper to Hanamiya's cold, cold heart.
It was as if the world slowed down at that moment, the ticking of seconds lasted like a lifetime and Kuroko wasn't sure if he could still clung onto his life and escape death. He was losing strength and through his hazy vision, he saw Hanamiya smirking as Kuroko's hand slumped to the ground, the glass shard still embedded in Hanamiya's heart.
"…Die…" Hanamiya desperately muttered.
Kuroko took no notice of it as he closed his eyes before sluggishly opening them, staring straight at Hanamiya's eyes and faintly whispered one word. "…Scatter."
Hanamiya's eyes widened before his mouth opened for a silent scream as his body was impaled by multiple icicles from the inside. Kuroko gulped and inhaled and coughed for air as soon as Hanamiya's hand obliterated to dusts and his body reduced to nothingness. Kuroko heard the clunk of the glass as it dropped to the ground as he stared up at dark sky and watched as snow and ashes gently showered over him. He was glad that he thought of coating the glass with ice before stabbing it to Hanamiya.
Now, he could rest. He was tired. He closed his eyes.
"—tsuya!"
"Tetsuya!"
"Tetsuya!"
Kuroko fought and forced himself to stay awake as heard that voice. He longed for that voice. He wanted to see that person. He felt his body being gently cradled by warmth and care and love. He sighed when that familiar hand caressed cheek so tenderly that his heart ached for him.
Kuroko willed his eyes to open. His eyelids little by little fluttered open. His sight was greeted by red and red and gold. "Tetsuya," he heard Akashi's murmured. Kuroko felt something wet dripped on his face and he blinked to clear his sight and what he saw almost made it like his heart dropped to the pit of his stomach. He never once thought that he would see Akashi cry. Especially for him.
Kuroko wanted to comfort Akashi but he had no strength left. It was even taking a lot of him just to stay conscious. He took a shaky breath as he just now noticed how Akashi kept repeating his name again and again like a prayer. He could sense the others nearby but his attention was solely focused on Akashi.
Kuroko breathed in deeply as his senses were invaded by Akashi's spicy fiery scent. Akashi leaned forward as he pressed their forehead together. "Don't leave me. Please don't leave me," Akashi whispered and cried and begged. "Tetsuya…"
Weakly, Kuroko brought his hand to Akashi's face and wiped the traces of tears and blood away though it was for naught as his hand were bloodied, too. Still, Kuroko gave Akashi a soft faint smile as he softly promised. "…I won't…"
xXx
"…I won't…"
Akashi stared at Kuroko's soft sweet smile, committing it to his memory as he watched Kuroko closed his eyes and caught his slumped hand, holding him tight to his body. Kuroko's body was cold, so cold. He's not dead. He's not dead. His mantra was the only thing keeping him sane. He knew that Kuroko's body was cold due to his powers and not because of…
Akashi softly pressed his lips to Kuroko's freezing ones, trying to keep him warm with his powers. Kuroko promised him. He will believe in that promise. Kuroko won't leave him.
"Akashi," he heard Midorima calling him.
Akashi closed his eyes and kissed Kuroko one more time before standing up with Kuroko in his arms. He opened his eyes and faced his coven. He knew the ire and wrath in their eyes was mirroring his own. "Destroy everything," his voice echoed the place, his tone reverberating in anger and vengeance. "We will turn this place into oblivion."
Akashi's eyes eerily glowed, accentuating the gold in his left eye and disregarded the tears continuously flowing from his eyes. He gritted out his word command. "Ignite."
And then, loud explosions after explosions burst and erupted, heated fire and fiery flames raged and blazed behind Akashi as he took a step forward and another and another, leaving inferno behind in his wake. His coven lingered to make sure all of it was razed into cinders until nothing remained.
Akashi tipped his head down to Kuroko's hair as he kept track of Kuroko's indistinct heartbeat, trying to keep himself from getting out of control. He was faintly aware that he timed his heartbeat to Kuroko's until they both beat as one.
"I'm sorry, Tetsuya."
Q&A CORNER!
Q1: ...I do wonder, how do you plan for your stories? I assume you must make a detailed outline but do you also write bits of scenes from your chapters? Do you normally write one chapter from start to finish and then just write down ideas for other chapters? Do you draw / write out a timeline? You have given so much though behind the story already and I am very, VERY much enjoying how it is turning out. (SSailorSScoutSS)
A: I know it seems like everything is already planned down to the ending but actually I only know the main points of DD and plots for the Arcs. The details become clear when I'm writing the chapters itself and sometimes even I'm surprised when I encounter new information in DD's world. Like with the flashbacks, at first it was just scenes of witches dying one after another but when I started writing those parts, they actually have their own story. It pleases and fascinates me when that happens.
I don't have written notes for DD, they're all in my mind (though I do need to start now with the language, potions, runes or spells). Though I written down scenes from future chapters/Arcs so I won't forget but most of the time they were scrapped or revised. I already know Arc II and chapters after it but ask me about Arc III and I drew blank except for its main plot. So, yeah, sometimes it's planned but sometimes I make it up as I go along, too.
Q2: Did Akashi knew that Kuroko power was ice since he wasn't surprised when Kuroko choose the snow room? (Rinfantasy)
A: No, it was just a guess. He still wasn't sure at that time. And Akashi was surprised but he was more intrigue than anything.
Q3: I think Kuroko use his powers unconsciously, maybe he'll need a special training in the future? So he can control it freely and better next time. | Who's going to teach Kuroko about his powers? (Moonta11 | Orangeiskindamyjam)
A: Why do you think Akashi wasn't one of Kuroko's teachers when he trained before? But this is only for Kuroko's power, everything witchy will be taught by someone else.
Q4: Did Kuroko had a different appearance when he's 'awaken'? You know like webtoon called "Black Haze"? If you never read it, I'll tell you the webtoon was funny, and it was my second favorite after "noblesse". (Moonta11)
A: No, Kuroko still looks the same. I often see Black Haze when I check for manga updates but I don't read it unfortunately.
Q5: Don't worry Kuroko-chan! We will keep it a secret for the kissing scene. Well, as long as the gom can keep it a secret I mean. Thats mean for you, Kise-kun. Shssh. Kuroko-chan, can you kiss Akashi forehead for a goodnight for me? Please? Here, I'll give you a special ultra-size milkshake for your hardwork. (Moonta11)
Kuroko: I'm afraid Akashi-kun already found out about it. No secrets can stay hidden to Akashi-kun. Fortunately for everyone, Akashi-kun wasn't mad. [eyes sparkles at the milkshake] I'll kiss Akashi-kun later after I finish the milkshake. [happily sips the milkshake]
Q6: If Kuroko is a witch and he were to turn into a vampire, wouldn't his abilities increase or he'd get a new one? | Can Kuroko turn into a vampire even though he's a witch? (Korunakuroko | Boralis)
A: And there in lies the problem. Kuroko would be the first vampire/witch hybrid when that happens so... *shrugs*
Q7: Also do witches age after a certain period of time? Meaning do they stop aging at like twenty or do they continue to get older? (Korunakuroko)
A: They grow up in the same pace as humans. Though there are spells or runes that slows down their aging. At best, they will be able to live for 200-300 years. But seldom witches do this and often chose to grow and die naturally.
Q8: Does Kuroko's parents know of his powers? | Did his parents know about Kuroko's true nature? (123ANIMEfun | Ritsu0593)
A: Not yet. But when they came to know about vampires, they guessed that something was different about Kuroko. Details will be on Chapter 23.
Q9: And because the vampire is made by someone then, did Akashi become one of those first vampire? Or maybe it just one at first? (Ritsu0593)
A: Akashi is not one of the original vampires. The original vampires are all dead.
Q10: Author-sama, have you planned out your entire plot and ending? Is there a chance that we can implant suggestions in your creative mind? (jilnachtaugen)
A: I already have the main plots and ending planned. But I'm interested to hear what you readers think so sure give me suggestions. Still, it depends on what it is if I want to incorporate it in the story. Some things/ideas are already set in stone so I can't change it.
Q11: And, Kuroko? Say hi to Akashi for me (just to annoy him) ;) Also, here's a kiss for Kise! (jilnachtaugen)
Kuroko: I'm sorry but I don't want to disturb Akashi-kun right now. Akashi-kun isn't in a good mood. As for Kise-kun... [turns around and finds Kise peeking from the corner] Kise-kun?
Kise: [shakes head] [mouths] Hide, Kurokocchi!
Kuroko: What are you talking about Kise-kun? [walks to Kise]
Kise: It's starts from there Kurokocchi. Just. One. Kiss. And the next thing you knew, you have them all lined up trying to kiss you anywhere, pulling your clothes and touching you inappropriately!
Kuroko: I'm sure that's an exaggeration Kise-kun.
Kise: NO! [grabs Kuroko's shoulders hard] Be careful Kurokocchi! Fangirls are scary!
Kuroko: [removes Kise's hand on him and walks away] I'll keep that in mind Kise-kun.
Kise: Kurokocchi! [follows Kuroko]
Q12: Is that barrier in Kuroko's mind where Hanamiya couldn't go is related with his powers of witch? (Guest 1)
A: Yes, it's like a defense mechanism to protect himself.
Q13: And will Kuroko be one of that powerful witches? (Guest 1)
A: Kuroko is powerful. In a way. But not the most powerful.
Q14: Did Kuroko just admit he's in love with Akashi? is he right in his mind? Kuroko baby did all these events make you realise you love him? (Kasu97)
A: Well, Kuroko wasn't really in the right mind. He's still in denial. But those events made him realize that Akashi is very important to him.
Q15: And those dreams/memories... You will explain them in detail on later chapters, right? (psynekopath)
A: I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not. I mean, they are important to DD's world and in a way some of those flashbacks have some significance to the story. But they're not really that important to Kuroko and Akashi's story. And I'm also not sure If I'll include it in WH. Maybe it will forever be a secret or something.
Q16: When Kuroko says "I'm not like you. But I will be strong as you." is he talking to Akashi's previous lover? Does that mean he sees him/her in his visions? Or to someone else? (psynekopath)
A: No, it was someone else.
Q17: Is everyone gonna be okay? (Orangeiskindamyjam)
A: They will after this.
Q18: Also, I want to say hello to everyone. Especially Murasakibara-kun! You're my favourite character. Here's a box of Maiu-bo and a basket of chocolate and vanilla bonbons! (Orangeiskindamyjam)
Murasakibara: [greedily takes the maiubo, chocolates and bonbons] Thank you~! [quickly eats it]
Kise: How come Murasakicchi gets all these things while I got obsessive fangirls?
Kuroko: That's so rude Kise-kun. Don't come crying to me when you receive hate mails.
Kise: Kurokocchi!
Kuroko: [ignores Kise] And Orangeiskindamyjam-san, I'll send your greetings to everyone. They're so busy they don't want to be disturbed. Except for Aomine-kun, he's napping.
Murasakibara: [sees Kise staring enviously at him] [hugs and protects his snacks] I'm not giving Kise-chin any!
Kise: I don't want it!
Q19: ...Is kurogane or/and his wife kuroko's ancestors (Gly)
A: Yes, both of them are.
Q20: ...And was the reason why his [Kuroko] ability(ies) has been dormant, was because of his grandmother? And was this, being dormant because his grandmother sealed(?) his ability in someway the reason why kuroko kept on getting those nightmares, because he is powerful, had kuroko's grandmother foresaw kuroko's ability(ies) and decided to interfere(?) since kuroko will be burdened by it. (Gly)
A: Um, no. Kuroko's powers have been dormant since he was born. And Kuroko's grandmother only helped with his nightmares since she didn't want to see her grandson in pain, that's all.
Q21: ...And is kuroko one of those powerful witches that can cast runes and spells , brew potions, and can able to affiliate themselves with the elements or are there some specific element/s that kuroko can affiliate with and ability(ies) that he can wield. (Gly)
A: Kuroko can control snow (and a bit of ice after training) and he can cast runes and spells to an extent. But he can't brew potions. He doesn't have the talent for it.
Q22: ...The lineage was it from his [Kuroko] mother side, or the father (Gly)
A: Kuroko's witch lineage is from his mother. Kuroko's father is just perceptive, that's all.
Q23: ...Is it also possible that both kuroko's parents have the same witches lineage since the deranged woman mentioned 'blood, pure'. (Gly)
A: I did think of that once but I figured it was too much and chose to go with Kuroko's mother instead since that's where Kuroko inherited his weak presence from in the canon anyway.
Q24: ...Its one of his [Kuroko] ancestors that spoke to him, right? (Gly)
A: Yeah, I guess.
Q25: ...And does that mean kuroko has another enitity(?) inside him, either to teach him the ways of being a witch or just stayed in his mind to chill (Gly)
A: No, that was a one time thing. There's someone else that will teach Kuroko all about witches and their powers in the future. (And no, it's not Akashi. That person is a witch, too.)
Q26: ...And the nightmares will he [Kuroko] gain some knowledge from them? Assuming that he could now remember them. (Gly)
A: Kuroko does remember bits and pieces so he kinda gains knowledge from them. But not all though.
Q27: ...The last part of chapter 17 of kuroko's nightmare was actually a premonition (prediction) in a form of a dream right? (Gly)
A: Yes, as seen in Chapter 18.
Q28: ..Taga saan ka? [Trans: Where are you from?] (Gly)
A: I'm from Metro Manila (I'd rather not be specific, sorry.) And your gifts have been well received by the coven. They say their thanks. And thanks for your gifts to me, too. As for the book recommendation, the ones on my profile are those I like so you can try them!
Q29: Also, I thank you for answering my questions without fail and say 'Hi' to everyone for me. Let Kuroko kiss Akashi for me. *hands Murasakibara three boxes of macaroons* Remember. Share, Mura. SHARE. (Eugi-chi)
A: You're welcome. And I like answering questions so I don't mind.
Kuroko: Hello, Eugi-chi-san. Sorry but Akashi-kun and Murasakibara-kun aren't here. They just left. But I'll be sure to give these macaroons to Murasakibara-kun and remind him to share of course. Kise-kun, Aomine-kun and Midorima-kun send their greetings back.
Q30: Does Kuroko's family always giving birth to mostly girls relate to his witch ancestry because Aomine said something about them only being girls? (FluffOP)
A: Yes, it does.
Q31: And wouldn't the male version of a witch be a wizard? (FluffOP)
A: Yes, supposedly. But in DD, male witches are rare so naming them wizards (or warlock) is uncommon. Actually, Kuroko insisted to be called a wizard since that's more accurate but everyone was used to the term 'witch' so he gave up and let them call him that instead. (Should I include this in WH or what?)
Q32: And what if Kuroko has healing power or something like that? That would be super cool! (ghost reader)
A: Kuroko can't do that. He'll be too overpowered otherwise.
Q33: Riko and Kagetora are vampires and they will show up? (ghost reader)
A: Yes, they are vampires. Riko will show up in Arc III. Kagetora-san, I'm not sure yet, but he will either be on post-Arc IV or Arc V. (I was actually waiting for someone to ask this. I thought readers glossed this tidbit or didn't notice.)
Q34: What happened that they are vampires?! (ghost reader)
A: Kagetora's story and how Riko became a vampire will be on WH.
Q35: Kagetora trade magical items? (ghost reader)
A: Hmm, how to explain. Kagetora-san has lots of connections and doesn't have any affiliation to anyone (except Riko but that's another story) so Akashi asked if he have specific items. Kagetora had it and was supposed to convene with Akashi's informants but they were busy so it was Aomine instead (←this actually what Aomine's call was about that Kuroko overheard in chap 16).
A/N: So apparently, simultaneously writing 5 chapters is not good for my health (or soul). Anyways, Chapter 20 will be up in a few days.
