Chapter 8

There was no one around. The sun had long set, and with its disappearance brought the inexorable awakening of a crescent moon, whose luminous glow had illuminated the grounds many walk on in the dead of uncountable nights – and it was no different for the boy. When Kuroko awoke, he blinked a couple of times as he raised his arm to grab his head, feeling a persistent ache gnawing at his temples. The room would have been shrouded with the cold embracement of darkness, were it not for the silver of moonlight that spilled into the room, though not enough to ignite the once brightly colored hues of the room, but sufficient for Kuroko to see as his foggy vision cleared.

Naturally, the immediate thought that had surfaced in his mind was his current situation, and the events that happened prior to it. He knew better than to panic, but as he looked at the empty and darkened room presented in front of him, his mind couldn't help but offer worst-case scenarios. The last thing he remembered was lunging at the green haired man, or Midorima.

What happened? Did he pass out? He probably did. But- Why? Kuroko began to speculate as he swung his legs down the bed, only to be rewarded with a sharp bolt of pain that shot up his leg as he flinched back harshly. He looked down. His feet were wrapped in bandages that he was pretty sure hadn't been there before. Then his eyes travelled to the contents of a lonely bin placed at the foot of the bed, and remembered he had shattered the glass cup, shortly before stepping across the broken pieces scattered on the ground, too blinded by rage to pay any heed to possible injuries.

He sighed, scratching the back of his neck, frustrated by his own actions as he realized it would only result impeding in his escape - something he was set on doing now. Kuroko still wasn't quite sure of everything that had happened, hell he hadn't had a single clue, but one thing was for certain, he was getting out this place.

Wherever it was.

Of course, being human, guilt was a trait he couldn't escape. Kise had been nothing but kind towards him, and he did promise to stay put until he recovered. If he left, it would mean breaking that promise and Kuroko hated breaking promises. But what choice did he have? Kise had left him yet again with little to no explanation of his situation, leaving him alone with a belly full of suspicion and worries.

If he was friends with Midorima, did that mean he was aware of the Takao's abilities? His eyes widened as it sunk further in. Or was he already part of it?

His mind began to wonder to the vast section of the supernatural. There was only so much he knew about folklore, and he couldn't help but snicker as he thought of a ludicrous scenario.

Were all of them possibly not… human?

That itself had sounded ridiculous, even in his head, but it wasn't as absurd as when Kuroko realized he had actually begun to consider that possibility. It would certainly provide a strong explanation to the many things that had occurred; the strange attack in the city, Takao's inhumane abilities of agility and clout and the fact that Kise hadn't looked like he aged a single day, despite the fact that he should've been in his late twenties or early thirties by now. In fact, the man almost looked younger than he did before (and if all of them had similar incredulous abilities, there wasn't any doubt that the city would fall in no time - that is, if it hadn't already fallen).

But the very idea of supernatural beings existing was far beyond what the boy's physical and mental fortitude could handle at the moment and the more he thought about it, the more the throb in his head grew.

He began to feel the familiar sensation of anxiety rising. He paused his train of thoughts, taking in ten slow deep breaths to calm his nerves – an effective technique he picked up from Hyuuga, whose uncertain safety made the swirling pool of guilt in Kuroko's stomach thrive in joy. But there was plenty of time to mope about in guilt later. It would be a foolish mistake to panic now. Whatever the hell was going on, the boy knew he had to get out of it soon before he became too wrapped up in its webs.

Now all he could think about was just returning to his family. He refused to believe the bitter voice in his head that (very helpfully) remarked that they were probably all dead, as he slowly stepped onto the cold tiles, clenching his fist as the throbbing in his souls grew when he stood upright. He had to devise a plan, quick, but to do so, he had to figure out where he was first, as walking out the door of the room in a completely unfamiliar and possibly hostile location unprepared wasn't exactly the best or smartest option.

Kuroko walked over to the large window as he looked out, only to find his heart sinking in complete and utter dismay as he was faced with an ocean that stretched across in all directions for as far as his eyes could reach, and
he realized the true extent of the difficulty of his escape as their district had been nowhere near any oceans. The nearest one would have been almost thirty kilometers away, but if he was unlucky, the ocean staring back at him could be the one that was over a hundred.

Kuroko's eyebrows creased together as he looked to the ceiling. The beige pillars were intricately decorated with carvings that looked of Greek origins, and the height his room was above ground was far higher than any ordinary house he knew of, so he concluded that the place was likely to be a castle of sorts. He'd heard stories of an abandoned castle around one of the few oceans surrounding the island, but Kuroko couldn't be sure as he had never bothered to pay much attention to stories.

He should've.

His gaze wandered further about the area for clues that would aid his escape, and his eyes landed on a folded piece of paper placed on the little table by the bed. It might as well have screamed open me - so he did, walking over to it as he unfolded the smooth paper, eyes scanning quickly across the messy words scribbled onto its surface.

Kuroko

Sorry! Had to leave, needed to handle some hohum matter that popped up. I know there's a lot I have to explain, but right now, don't worry too much. Most of the castle should be out by the time you wake up - but to be safe, please don't leave the room. I can't guarantee your safety.

Kuroko frowned. Ominous, he thought, before turning his attention back to the note.

Doc said you over exerted, and the blood loss you suffered in your souls worsened the stress on your body. But he said you'll be fine. The first time you were out for nearly a whole week! So drink water and get plenty of rest. I'll be back soon.

Kise ~

P.S. In the case where I'm gone for more days than expected, someone will bring you food.

It was probably wasn't the right time to do so, but Kuroko couldn't help the silver of smile that had found its way onto his lips as he reread the message - though it had only served to worsen his guilt. It was bad enough he couldn't shake off the constant thought that he was breaking the (baffling) amount of trust Kise had placed in him - he certainly didn't need a physical reminder of it.

He couldn't believe he had been out an entire week, plus the days that just passed due to his passing out again, it was probably in the second week since he'd been kidnapped. He thought of his family and how they might have been worrying themselves sick.

He'll find them. He'll find them and make everything right again.

His eyes travelled back to the fourth sentence and like cogs, his brain started turning. There were only a few ways "the castle should be out" could be interpreted - either that everyone in the place would be sleeping or that everyone would be literally out for, presumably, to battle. (But there was a critical downside to the new information. Kuroko didn't know how long he had been out, and the day the "castle should be out" might have already been long over, and judging by Kise's ominous warning, going out there might be the last and worst decision he could make.)

But the information had changed plenty and there wasn't much difference either way, though he would much prefer the case to be the latter. The only difference in both conditions was that if it was the former, he just had to keep a little quieter and walk a little softer and Kuroko was a natural at that. He was going to make do and work with what tiny amount of information given to him.

He willed himself to regain his composure, as his hands began to tremble. Was he actually doing this? Could he pull it off? No matter, it was now or never. He had to have faith in Kise. The once seemingly unbeatable situation had turned to be in his favor, and he was going to play it to its fullest. He prayed Kise hadn't been lying, or wrong, as he stuffed the paper into his pocket, walking straight to the wooden door separating his 'safe haven' from the world outside. He grabbed the wooden stick leaning against the wall that was supposedly to aid him with walking, deciding to utilize it (because hey, a limpy half-assed stick would definitely put down immortal men. He was a natural genius).

So grabbing the makeshift weapon tightly, the boy reached for the handle on the door, fingers curling tightly around it before slowly pushing it down, opening a gap through it for him to examine the situation outside.

He turned his head round. As predicted, he was met with a long and empty hallway. To the right was a dead end that led to another door, and to the left was a corner that turned to the front. The walls alongside and across of him were lined with similar doors to his. Slowly and carefully, he pushed open the wooden structure, stepping out as he resumed looking around cautiously, never breaking his defensive stance. He wasn't sure if there were anyone else in the other rooms, but nevertheless, keeping silent was the safer option.

He tried to ignore the logical part of his brain that was yelling for him to stop, to go back to the room, close the door and and lock it tight, because out of all the infinite brilliant plans his idiot of brothers came up with - and not to mention subsequently making him accompany them in their quests - this was by far, more reckless than any of them.

But do or die, right?

He pressed his back to the wall, as he started creeping down the dark hallway, stepping on his tippy toes first so that his feet hit the ground as lightly as possible. He hadn't had a clue where his shoes went. He reached the corner and peered his head over the side. Despite the cool temperature the night offered, by then, sweat had already been trickling down his face, free flowing like condensation on a window pane and beading on his forehead before dripping from his chin where it hit the marble ground.

Thankfully, there wasn't anyone down this hallway either. Just another couple of identical doors along the right walls that led to a large door at the end - his best bet. A large window was centered on the left walls, and after checking for a clear coast, he moved forward to the transparent glass, his heart leaping with joy at the sight that presented before him.

Instead of meeting yet again with a seemingly endless view of ocean, this time, there was a forest that laid before him, conjoined with the ocean he'd seen before, and though it looked equally as impregnable, it was at least a one up from the sea. He spotted a tiny door at the side of the tall walls that separated the castle from the forest through the window, and concluded that that was it.

That door was his way out.

It didn't seem too far away, at least, not as far as he had initially expected an exit to be. There wasn't anyone there now and it was his best bet. Though there were a couple of empty areas that he had to get across, as long as he was quick, no one would notice him.

He pushed himself off the window and headed for the end of the hallway, stopping only momentarily to check his behind.

Kuroko approached the large door, before slowly pushing it open. It creaked like the rusty little shit it was, causing a loud echo to resonate throughout the place. He paused, flinching harshly as he proceeded in his actions but slower this time round. It worked a little, but if anybody had been close by, the creak would have been as clear as day.

He poked his head out. He was (thankfully) met again with an empty L - shaped area. There was a door built on the left wall, and a tiny one at the end to his right. It would have been the same as the previous corridor, except this one wasn't enclosed within concrete, but built so that it was exposed - a tiny corner in the massive castle that spread out into the chilly night as it offered a majestic view of the surroundings. There was a balcony, and the walls around it were lined with flowers with all the different shades of greens and reds and yellows, and it looked to be as well as all the colors of the world, and they seemed to glow under the moonlight and all along its sides were tangled vines stretching out towards every direction. Every once in a while, a gust of wind would sweep the fallen leaves on the floor away and rustling the green ones still attached to their roots, creating a fairy tale-like scene. From where he was, the moon hanging in the quiet sky could be seen clearly, as it smiled down at the blue haired boy. There was a bench situated in the centre of the balcony that looked out of place but at the same time, somehow adding the final touch that completed the arrestingly beautiful picture.

Kuroko gazed at the picturesque scene in front of him, transfixed, as he stepped out from behind the door, his feet moving by their own accord towards the wooden structure. Somewhere in the back of his mind there was yet again that voice, screaming at him to keep moving forward before it was too late, but the longer he looked at the little homely garden in front of him, the more he felt to stay. It was disrespectful, to glance and just leave when such a sight was presented to him. It was so tranquil, the atmosphere, he felt compelled to linger around. He craned his neck up to relish under the light of the dazzling white spots in the dark sky as they beamed down at him - a habit he had ever since he could remember.

He could never look away from stars.

But perhaps some things were inflexible; habits were made to be broken just as were the tiny voices at the back of your head meant to be heeded.

Because just as Kuroko was about to approach the bench, the broad door on his left creaked open without preamble. He froze in his spot as his eyes grew wide in realization.

He was out in the open.

There wasn't enough time to run back and there was no where to hide. Kuroko realized the true extent of the crap he tangled himself in as he involuntarily started trembling, his grip on the wooden rod tightening. It was terrible, how helpless he felt as every fibre in his being wanted to run but he knew he wouldn't make it to cover in time to save his sorry ass. It all happened in an instant and he didn't know what to do. So he turned his head, watching in fearful anticipation as the door slowly creaked open, revealing a man decked in royal white in its leave.

At first the man had his head lowered to the ground, hence not noticing the 5 foot 6 boy in front of him. A few seconds passed like this, with Kuroko trembling still in silence, heart palpitating wildly like a crazed animal trying to escape its cage before the man finally looked up, inevitably spotting the terrified blue haired boy and locking eyes with said boy.

Kuroko took a second to give the man a quick glance over because if he was going to die, he might as well know the identity of the person who was sending him to his maker was. The man had striking red hair that reminded him of the myriad of flowers surrounding the area and his eyes were almost razor sharp, reminding Kuroko of a cat. His posture was near immaculate, and his ivory white royal suit was a vast contrast to Kise's. It looked like it had been ironed out against a board for hours, banishing all possible creases and giving both the top and bottom a strange addicting canvas look. But the factor that had struck anxiety in the boy the most was the fact that his eyes were painted with two different hues - one was red, toward fuchsia, that matched his hair and the other a bold orange, and it made him wonder whether they were natural. Under the influence of the moonlight, they seemed to glow eerily as they stared back at Kuroko, confusion mixed with a spoonful of amusement (and the boy thought that perhaps it might have been linked to the fact that he looked like a deer caught in headlights, with his odd frozen posture and widened stiffed eyes).

It was almost like a horror movie, with him as the innocent poor victim starring straight ahead at the man of unknown source and intention - but this time he played as the audience instead as well; chewing on their nails and grabbing onto their seat handles as they waited at the edge of their seats for the next scene to play out. What was the antagonists' next move? Would the protagonist make it out alive? He crossed his fingers as prayed to the stars above him to let him make it out alive.

But it turned out to be one of those cheap films you'd get at a discounted price because no one wanted to pay to watch. It was very anti-climatic, really, because in one swift motion, the man flicked his eyes behind him, as he walked straight ahead towards the balcony, brushing right past Kuroko.

The poor boy was left standing and staring at the spot where the man had once been in, feeling flustered, confused, thankful and at the same time very annoyed. He still waited for it, for the unexpected twist in the plot, for the good part in the movie as he held his breath in fearful anticipation. But it never came.

Because even after a few minutes of silence had ticked past, he found his heart beating, and that he was still very much undead and alive.

He turned his head, as he stared at the strange man leaning against the balcony, posture so casual and off guard as if he hadn't just witnessed an intruder wandering about in his domain, and Kuroko's mouth dropped open slightly as it began to move but no words came out. He couldn't be sure whether he should be glad or mad, hell he wasn't even sure of what he felt anymore.

The boy didn't know what had taken over him, maybe it had been the remains of the do-or-die adrenaline (which was extremely unsatisfied with the oddly calm situation), but a few seconds later Kuroko found himself lifting both his arms, as he took a large stride forward and swung the wooden weapon across the back of the man's head as hard as he could.

Of course, he hadn't expected it to work. But silly him, he still found the inane need to give it a shot, because dying brutally wasn't enough for him. His eyes followed the split pieces of undependable wood flying across the floor, some lingering about on the fabric of the man's attire, as he dropped the other broken half still in his hand on the ground defeatedly, lips curling themselves into a tight line as he knew there was definitely no way out of the hole he just dug for himself now.

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HELLO AND APOLOGIES FOR THE HUGE 2 MONTHS HIATUS - FORGIVE ME. But hey, I finally decided to upload it! The chapter was initially supposed to be 6k words long but I decided to split it in half.

Did anyone notice the play of words and references made in this chapter? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) There were quite a few and I must say, I take pride in them. If you haven't already noticed, I do like italics very much, but lmao apologies if they annoy you.

I wonder who'll be able to guess the story plot bc its going to get a hellotta messy from here on. There are many little details I included from the start of this whole story that will be relevant in the future parts of it, but don't worry if you didn't get them! I'll probably mention them again when the time comes (ominous, I know)but it's a huge bonus if you did! - (SPOILERS) - bc they're clues to Kuroko's tragic back story.

THE LONG AWAITED ENTRANCE OF AKASHI HAS FINALLY ARRIVED. Was the wait worth it? Was his entrance dramatic enough? LET ME KNOW

Remember to leave a review of the story if you liked it! It would make me very happy to read your opinions, thoughts and comments on the story thus far.

Thank you for reading my story! And if you've made it this far into the author's note, A HUGE COOKIE FOR YOU.

-xelia