Chapter 11:
Kuroko POV
The clock says it's 11 in the evening, but I still can't sleep. Akashi-kun always makes me sleep early, but he's not here to either get mad that I'm still awake or tuck me in. Momoi-san's already asleep, her head resting on Kagami-kun's lap. Kagami-kun passed out just a while ago after we chatted a little. I smile at their sleeping figures and think that they're really sweet. They're fit for each other in ways I haven't noticed before: Kagami-kun being not so bright and Momoi-san being the intelligent one, and how Kagami-kun cooks really well when Momoi-san cannot.
A while ago, I cringed when Momoi-san volunteered to cook dinner. Thankfully Kagami-kun stopped her and said he'll do it. He made a simple yet delicious curry rice tonight and we happily ate dinner in safety. When she fell asleep, Kagami-kun asked me if I remembered the lemons she brought for the basketball team during a game. They looked totally inedible, covered in a suspicious dark brown syrup. She even forgot to slice them. Thankfully, Kise-kun brought his version of refreshing lemons and the whole team was saved. Kise-kun is the second most capable of cooking in our group, me in third place for making the meanest boiled egg. Aomine-kun is worse than Momoi-san though, because he burns cooking utensils and the whole kitchen itself. We made a vow never to let him in a kitchen after he almost burned his whole house trying to reheat leftovers during one of our overnights. Kagami-kun and I laughed together at these happy memories. It is nice reminiscing. I wish Kise-kun and Aomine-kun were here.
But if there was one person I'd really want to see now, strangely, it is Akashi-kun. Now that the room is quiet and nothing distracts me from my thoughts, my anxiety returns. I can't place what's wrong but I feel really nervous. Also, I'm afraid to sleep because I don't want to have nightmares. Usually, Akashi-kun holds my hand until I fall asleep and he's always there to wake me from those dreadful dreams. I suddenly get this weird desire to hold his hand.
I stare at my hand. Momoi-san has been hugging me all day and she doesn't seem to notice the flinches I make. I do gradually relax in her arms, but I noticed something: she doesn't give the same warmth Akashi-kun has. Actually, no one gives off the same warmth Akashi-kun does. I can't explain the difference, but Akashi-kun's warmth is comforting, intimidating, distracting, exciting and relaxing, all at the same time. I wonder how he has that effect on me. I glance at the door, wishing him to enter the room. I sigh, knowing it won't happen.
All of a sudden, I hear a hiss of the door mechanically opening and a flash of red startles me. Akashi-kun?
"Tetsuya? Why are you still awake?" His reprimanding tone doesn't match his relieved expression.
Unexpectedly, I feel a sense of peace now that I know he's safe. He walks toward me and caresses my cheek; the inexplicable effect of his presence soothes my nerves and I unconsciously lean towards his touch. I want to ask him where he has been but I settle for this instead. "Akashi-kun. I thought you were not coming back until tomorrow night?"
"I just dropped by to see you." His velvet voice makes my heart pace rapidly. Does that mean he missed me?
He seems worn out and tired. Taking a deep breath, he asks. "Would you like to accompany me somewhere?" He glanced briefly at Kagami-kun and Momoi-san's sleeping forms and raises a brow in amusement. Turning to me, he states. "We need to talk." Then he removes his hand from my cheek and goes to a cabinet, pulling out a wheelchair. He clicks it, and the wheelchair automatically unfolds itself. I tell him I can walk but he insists, "Indulge me, Tetsuya." I figure I have no choice but to sit.
Wheelchairs nowadays can be operated by the person sitting by pressing the built-in buttons, or by another person holding a remote control. I thought that was what Akashi-kun was looking for as he searches through the back pocket of the chair, but then he pulls out two handles and attaches them to the wheelchair, gripping them firmly as he poses to push. Ah, he wants to do this the traditional way.
"Ano, where are we going?" I ask. "You'll see," he replies coolly. We pause in front of a glass elevator. My chest restricts just at the sight of it.
Akashi-kun reaches for my hand. "I'm here, Tetsuya." His voice is powerful but soft. Just three words coming from him, and I begin to get the courage to fight my fears. I inhale deeply and he pushes the wheelchair towards the thing.
The glass wall helps because I can see the small park of the hospital as we ascend. I also see the city lights in the distance. Akashi-kun distracts me too. I turn my focus on him and take in his exquisitely handsome form.
"What did you do today, Tetsuya?"
"Ah… We just talked all day. Momoi-san bought ingredients and Kagami-kun made burgers for snacks but I didn't have the appetite. Kagami-kun also made curry rice for dinner."
"Hmmm… And how many vanilla milkshakes did you have?" He raises his eyebrows teasingly. That's so sexy, especially with that sultry velvet voice. I shake my head internally at my weird thoughts.
"Ano. Just… Two." I say nonchalantly. I hope he doesn't hear the embarrassment in my voice.
"Heh…" he smirks playfully, not fooled by my monotonous voice. Don't do that Akashi-kun. My heart feels like it's going to burst.
He places his hand in mine again. "I'm really glad that you want to talk now. I have tasted the feeling of helplessness when you went into that no-speaking state. I would be grateful if you started telling me your feelings, Tetsuya."
I ponder on what he said. I don't know Akashi-kun… It's really hard to talk about it…
"I know it's hard to talk about it. Do not worry about it. You'll open up to me soon. I can wait for you." He finishes with a small smile. I did not know how to reply to his words so I just keep quiet like how I always do. I don't want Akashi-kun to know the horrors of what I've been, because I know he'll leave me, once he knows how broken and disgusting I am. But at the same time, his words give me comfort and encouragement, like I can confide anything to him. It makes me want to trust him even though I don't want to. It's so complicated.
We arrive at what seems like the highest floor of the building. We then go up a ramp and suddenly the beautiful night sky comes into view.
"This is the helipad. We'll talk here." He goes to stand by my side and gazes at the city. I love the way the wind ruffles his bright red hair. I inhale the cold air and it feels good.
"What did you want to talk about Akashi-kun?" I ask.
He smirks lightly. "Always straight to the point." Always? What does he mean? I wonder when have I ever talked bluntly to him when I have said so few words in the brief time we've been together. Then I realize, wouldn't he has to know me longer to state an observation like that? It is really odd.
He offers his hand to help me get off the wheelchair and then leads me to a plastic bench. He faces me after we sit and his expression turns serious. "Imayoshi Shoichi." He simply states.
Fear runs through my body in recognition. My hand shivers in his and I try my best to hold back the tears. Akashi-kun stares at me intently. "I want you to tell me everything you know about this man, Tetsuya."
My nostrils widen and I look away from him, swallowing back my dread. The held tears sting in my eyes. I don't want to remember. Please.
Akashi-kun speaks slowly, as if measuring his words. "I have almost captured him today Tetsuya. I located his whereabouts. However, he escaped. I need you to tell me what he did to you, and what kind of person he is."
I stare at the city, pretending not to hear him. Why did you have to pursue them, Akashi-kun? I wail internally. I don't want them to hurt you too! I try to keep a blank face to hide my feelings.
"Tetsuya. Tell me."
"Please stop being so demanding. I don't want to tell you anything. Stop pursuing them, Akashi-kun." I reply in a severe tone.
"You will tell me." He orders firmly. I flinch at his cold tone.
"You don't know what they can do, Akashi-kun. Stop it." I fearfully warn him.
"Well, two can play at that game. Only, it is me they're up against." He retaliates. He then turns sad saying this. "I don't want to make you recall your awful experiences, Tetsuya, but I need information on this man. I need to know my enemy."
"You can't make them your enemy! Stop being ridiculous!"
He narrows his eyes at me in contained irritation and I start to cry. From the pressure he's putting on me, from the painful recollection of the torture days. I bury my face in my hands but he pries them off, gripping my chin forcefully to make me look at him. His mismatched eyes are angry and distant, but there's a softness deep within them that I think is empathy for me.
"Tetsuya. I will not stop until I make them pay for what they did to you. Listen to me," he stresses when I try to back away from him. "After what they have done, do you really think I can just let them go? Just tell me what I want to know, Tetsuya. Don't disobey me."
He surprises me by pulling me to his firm chest. It's so confusing-why are his words so harsh and commanding but his actions so sweet and consoling? I growl as I try to hurl curses at him in my mind for being so irritatingly perplexing.
When I calm down, he wipes my tears away with his thumb. "Are you ready to tell me now?" He asks convincingly. I glare at him with all my might.
"Why are you doing this?" I whisper.
His eyes change into hard and unforgiving ones. "Because I care for you. And because someone has to punish them for their crimes."
"You won't stop until I give you what you want." I state accusingly.
"Of course."
I purse my lips indignantly but finally give in. I don't even know how long I can go on refusing him, seeing how persuasive he can be. As I close my eyes, I try to recall what information I know about the haraguro megane scientist without replaying the horrible memories in my mind. "Imayoshi-san is the head scientist who researched about male pregnancy. My impression of him is that he's a cunning man. He… How do I say this… Ano…" I search my head for words and I recall one of them saying this. " 'He's good at doing what people hates.' That's what they said about him."
I open my eyes and see Akashi-kun nodding. His expression tells me to go on. I sigh deeply. "He didn't really 'hurt' me physically, although he was the one who surgically altered my internal organs and did all kinds of tests to me." I unconsciously rub my stomach as I remember how I woke up in pain after each surgery. "What I hate about him is that he speaks in a seemingly kind way but you don't know what his true intentions are."
Akashi-kun stares into space, absorbing what little I said. To distract myself from the terror of the painful memories, I focus intently on Akashi-kun's features. The serious, contemplating look on his eyes that is surprisingly attractive. His perfectly sculpted nose. His beautiful flaming hair dancing in the wind. His thin lips set in a straight line… Wait… Why do I get the feeling that I've seen him before?
I snap out of my reverie when he turns to me, his face now relaxed. "Thank you Tetsuya. You don't know how satisfied you made me by telling me this." He holds both sides of my face tenderly. I jerk my head away because I'm still angry.
"Did you know you are the first person to ever raise a tone against me and get away with it unscathed?" He informs me. I sense amusement in his voice. I roll my eyes because frankly, I don't care.
"Tetsuya," he pronounces seriously. How does this man change his mood so swiftly? I can barely keep up with his confusing personality. "I'll be away for a while. I'll find them and kill them." He declares, venom laced in his words.
I stare at him pleadingly. "Don't go…" I whisper. I shiver involuntarily.
He sighs quietly, then takes off his suit jacket. He drapes it over my shoulders and I try not to blush. The clothing smells like body wash, dark, musky perfume and most of all, it smells like Akashi-kun. "I'm sorry, but not even you can stop me, Tetsuya. They will come to understand what an emperor does to people who dare defy him."
His dark look and deadly tone makes my spine tingle and goosebumps that have nothing to do with the cold rise on my skin. Maybe I underestimated Akashi-kun. Maybe he's much, much scarier than those guys. I sigh internally. What kind of man have I involved myself with?
"You are leaving tomorrow morning with Atsushi." There he goes again, switching from a creepy to no-nonsense tone. My eyebrows meet in puzzlement in both his personality and the statement. Who is Atsushi? I don't want to go with anyone but Akashi-kun. "He's a good person, Tetsuya. He can be scary at first but he's just a big baby. I trust him and he won't hurt you, I swear."
I feel skeptical but I guess I don't really have a choice. I've seen what he does to people who disobey him, like Kagami-kun. But why am I leaving? Where am I going?
"You'll be staying at my house in Kyoto. I don't want anything dangerous happening again. I won't risk your safety here." He seems to be reading the questions on my mind. But why? Is this about the kidnapping attempt? Or has it something to do with his "revenge"? "Atsushi will protect you while I'm away. Your friends can visit you there.
"Oh, and one more thing." He pulls out something from his pocket. It's a sleek, black, rectangular thing. A smartphone? "This is yours." He gives it to me with a small smile in his lips.
I stare at the gadget in awe. I feel excited exploring its uses and features. "Arigato gozaimasu," I bow in appreciation. He chuckles silently. "You're still so polite." Still?
"Tetsuya." All of a sudden, his smoldering red and yellow eyes melt my insides. My heart beats faster and I can't calm it down. He cups my cheeks again and it feels like electricity flows in my veins. "I will always protect you," he lovingly declares before kissing my forehead. My whole body warms up and I hope he doesn't feel the growing heat in my cheeks. His cool lips linger on my forehead for a while and when he pulls back, he smiles at me so gently and affectionately that I just freeze like a statue.
He brings me back into my room, neither of us speaking the entire time after the kiss. He tucks me into bed and kisses my hand as a goodbye. I watch as he switches on the bedside lamp and turns off the lights using a remote control, then silently leaves the room. An overwhelming feeling of sadness washes over me as I stare at the door where he came so quick and left just as fast too.
I close my eyes, trying to find sleep even though I know it won't come to me for a while. I still feel the adrenaline in my veins, the wild pumping of my heart in my rib cage, the warmth his kisses left on my forehead and hand. At the same time, I feel this discomforting ache brought by his absence. When will I see him again? That's all I can think about. I bring his image in the front of my mind, replaying the way he leans towards me for the kiss, his addicting smell that still lingers on the jacket I'm wearing, his calming, velvet voice and his electrifying yet reassuring touch. My whole being is a mixture of emotions, all of them identifiable yet inexplicable.
And then there's this one feeling which is the most conflicting of all. Déjà vu. Why do I feel that Akashi-kun kissing my forehead while declaring he'll protect me has happened before?
Fin~
I know I know, it's been a while! Please forgive me! *bows* I had a valid reason: Christmas. Waahaha. This will probably be the last update until New Year, sorry! (probably) XD This is all I can give as a gift to you sweet readers! I hope you enjoyed mwaaah *3*
Mitsuyo-chan! Hope you like this AkaKuro (sort of) moment! Hahaha lol. Thank you for reviewing~!
Shiro-Panda-san, from feels to fluff! Hihihi. I hope this replenishes your blood loss lol XD
To Misakicchi, Akemi-chan, Guest-san, and Caith-chan, I can never be happier when you guys tell me what you feel about the story! I love you guys!
Sapphyre-chan, thank you for editing this chap again! I'm so bad at prepositions if you noticed. HAHA! Say HI to your cat for me XD
TO MINNA-SAN, MERI KURISUMASU! love love love!
-Ren-chan (^^,)v