Welcome to Chapter 8, I hope you like it!
A/N: I am so sorry if you get this alert twice - for some reason it was saying the chapter wasn't available so I tried re-uploading it. I don't know it this will help or not. But I appreciate your patience and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience!
I've Been Here the Whole Time
Chapter 8
Kuroko's eyes next opened when he felt a searing pain in his chest; the agonized gasp that escaped him would have signaled a death knell in a mortal. He couldn't move his limbs. He was paralyzed from some combination of magic and pain, not to mention he had almost no energy to spare on anything so trivial as movement right now. He tried to reach out with his own magic but it was bound, he was essentially helpless. Kuroko looked around as much as he could without being able to really move his head, he was still in his own home, but something felt different.
Although he couldn't call out, someone appeared soon enough. Kuroko was shocked to see the Messenger, even more so when the kitsune came and sat across from him. He'd donned the appearance of another unknown mortal, but Kuroko had no trouble recognizing his presence – the other spirit wasn't making any effort to conceal it anyway.
"You're not very smart, are you, Kuroko?" The other spirit's voice was tired, resigned even, and the fact he'd left off his usual mocking honorific for Kuroko told him something was up.
The kitsune crooked his lips in a half-smile before he continued. "I suppose you can't talk yet. That's not unexpected. Your magic sent out a massive shockwave when that new contract started taking shape, every spirit in Tokyo probably felt it. You're most likely going to be weak for several more days. You've been out for three so far. I've been sharing my reserve with you since you were locked to this realm – whoever your new patron is, I imagine they didn't properly account for your human body – the binding magic of your agreement prevented you from returning to the shadow realm. That's probably why you feel so weak right now. You might not be able to go back until the vow has finished settling in that form."
Kuroko was surprised, it seemed the deal he'd brokered was more taxing than he imagined and Susanoo's servant nodded. "I knew as soon as I got here." He gestured to the band of energy that encircled Kuroko's wrist. "Your new friend is extraordinarily strong to say the very least. The magic they sent to bind you is nothing short of incredible – your own magic sent out a distress signal in response and Susanoo ordered me to stay with you while you recovered. This is the first time you've even moved since I arrived."
He looked critically at Kuroko's aura before shrugging. "You have enough in your reservoir to handle this now…" and with a negligent wave, the kitsune sent a small jolt of energy to Kuroko. It lessened the painful clenching in his chest and allowed him to speak. It wasn't enough to fully restore him, but it allowed Kuroko enough control to at least sit up.
"Thank you." It was all he could manage.
The kitsune shot him a look of disgust. "Don't thank me. I'm only here because Susanoo requested it. And it's your own stupidity that landed you in this spot – who was it anyway? I couldn't read another energy signature when I got here, it was masked by yours."
Kuroko managed a weak shrug. "I don't know. But they sent Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto to arrange the deal."
If the silence was loaded, that was only to be expected. It took a moment before the kitsune answered -his voice carefully neutral. "You don't know who Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto was working for. And it didn't seem like a red flag that someone that could send a powerful kami like that on an errand might be dangerous."
Kuroko smiled but it was hesitant and not really about amusement. "I knew it was risky, but it seemed an offer I couldn't pass up."
The kitsune stared at him with an unreadable expression on his face before he stood, looking down at Kuroko's still seated form. "You should be fine now. I taught your little shadow dog a better way to share energy so once he returns you should be able to borrow from him until you can return and replenish your magic on your own. You owe him a debt by the way; he's been coordinating a fairly complicated memory modification shield over those mortals you care so much about so that they wouldn't notice you were gone." He paused for a moment and Kuroko could sense the internal deliberation he was carrying on. Finally, it seemed he reached a conclusion because he spoke again, "Take better care of yourself, Kuroko. If anyone gets to kill you, it had better be me." He left after that, not giving Kuroko a chance to respond.
Those words echoed in his mind, and Kuroko felt a slight smile stretch his lips before he gave it up. He had no energy to spare on such things. Kuroko knew this was a bad sign – he'd had contracts with powerful kami before and of course felt the effects, but this was not the least bit similar to those occasions. He hoped it was as the Messenger suggested and that his unknown partner simply had miscalculated based on his current form. But the uneasy shifting of the foreign magic inside of him felt vaguely ominous somehow and Kuroko couldn't help but suspect he'd signed up for something more dangerous than he'd expected.
Nigou returned a few hours later and made his way over cautiously. Kuroko nodded reassuringly to the small shadow and the dog was soon cuddled next to him. Nigou's magic was fairly low, but the steady hum he shared with Kuroko would keep him going as his own internal stores worked on recovering. Kuroko already knew the trip back to the kami realm would be painful, he wouldn't have the necessary control to prevent it before he'd have to go back.
On the positive side, Nigou had learned several new skills over the past few days and he told Kuroko of his adventures with shy enthusiasm. As he listened, Kuroko realized the Messenger was right, he did owe Nigou a significant debt. Kuroko was particularly impressed with Nigou's initiative, he had little experience with this realm but he'd known that Kuroko's absence would cause trouble. He'd been creative and resourceful during a crisis and from all accounts had handled things splendidly.
On the troubling side, however, Nigou's report of Mayuzumi's time among the baku didn't tell Kuroko enough to determine what Mayuzumi had wanted to learn. Nigou had made contact with the dream eaters and they had only been able to say that Mayuzumi had been dutiful during his tenure there. If he'd been after something in particular, the other spirits had no knowledge of it. Kuroko didn't consider that the least bit reassuring. Mayuzumi was devious and he would have gone to their territory with a goal. To spend a century in their company when all his other assignments were among more aggressive kami and spirits, he was looking for something – a spell, a skill, anything – but unfortunately, Kuroko had no idea what Mayuzumi would want from the baku clan. All he could do was wait until he was stronger. Kuroko thanked Nigou; he'd worked hard while Kuroko had been incapacitated.
It was with some relief, then, that Kuroko's magic finally stabilized enough for him to return home the next day. He couldn't remember feeling so relieved to replenish his energy in quite a long time. Kuroko wasn't there just for this though and he immediately made his way to his department to check the file of one Kagami Taiga.
Kuroko felt uneasy as he read the dossier. It felt…manipulated somehow. Unfortunately, there was no clear evidence to support his suspicion, but Kuroko was unable to let the idea go as he carefully considered the document. Kagami was the same age as those in the Generation of Miracles, he was naturally athletic and had a strong body as well. It seemed his interest in the game had been nurtured through street ball and like Aomine he had the talent and inclination to be a power forward. After that though…Kuroko couldn't quite see it, but there seemed to be something wrong. It was unclear whether information had been added, removed, or adapted – but it didn't seem right somehow. Kuroko gave the file to an auditor and asked the shadow to do more investigation on the issue.
Nigou covered his missed schoolwork that day with a spell that prevented any of his teachers or classmates from noticing his absence, but Kuroko showed up for basketball practice. He felt an unusually strong compulsion to see them today and had to forcibly restrain himself from using his magic to check on them before then. Practice went normally, Kise had settled into the team's dynamics with relative ease after a little adjustment, and all of the starters were responding positively. It was more than what Kuroko had expected, especially as none of them had faced defeat and it didn't look like they would either.
Perhaps he let his guard down for just a fraction of a second, but it seemed that was all that was needed before he heard a whisper in his ear as he watched the others practice – voiced by a presence he couldn't see even if he could sense it.
"My my, Kuroko, it has been a while, has it not? You're looking well, and these pets of yours seem so interesting. We should talk about that, don't you think?" Time froze as Mayuzumi activated a spell that made everything halt in its place. The others were all caught in various poses that made them seem as if they were modelling for an artist trying to sketch athletes at work. Kuroko's human side was affected by the spell, but he wasn't completely helpless as his shadow half was already working to undo the magic.
It didn't matter that Kuroko hadn't heard Mayuzumi's voice since the other had been human - it carried the same inflections of pride and anger that had so characterized the speaker when they first met. Kuroko was involuntarily forced to recall the image of the human he'd encountered then; Mayuzumi's bitterness over the invasion to his lands had forced him to seek alternative solutions. His desperate, frustrated prayers and invocations had caught Kuroko's attention as he'd been part of the war god's attachment at that time. If Mayuzumi hadn't decided he'd rather have Kuroko's type of power for himself, both of their paths would have turned out differently.
The voice turned playful, but it was a vicious type of humor, as it continued. "No, your barrier didn't work. Why would it? I'm a shadow spirit just like you are and I have long since mastered how to conceal my intention to thwart an aura reading gate. I'd be insulted if I cared what you thought of me."
There was a sense of heavy wind and tense pressure for a moment before shadows solidified into the shape of Mayuzumi as he had looked all those centuries ago. He'd even kept his clothing and bore the same talismans and weapons he'd had then. He stared down into Kuroko's face and the blankness that was there was interrupted only by a flicker of disdainful triumph.
"Honestly I'm disappointed. I spent centuries training for this and all it took was a simple paralysis incantation?" His eyes flickered over to the prodigies and he smirked for a moment. "This new breed of warrior also leaves much to be desired, even if that is technically not your domain any longer. They compete for entertainment as I understand it, a strange turn indeed."
Kuroko was only half listening as he carefully evaluated the spell that had hold of him. He didn't get far before a sharp jolt zapped him.
Mayuzumi shook his head. "None of that. I'll release you momentarily. I just wanted to ensure I have your complete attention." He smiled and it just missed being genuine. "I heard you were asking about my time with the baku. I'm glad you realized that's the key, even if it won't do you any good." He husked out a dry laugh as he looked at Kuroko's still form.
"You were never human, not really. Even this sham form you've adopted is all predesigned. Do you even dream like this; I wonder? I don't, not anymore. Yet I remember it, the power and fear and exhilaration…particularly during my time…dreams were truly mysterious things. But your kind, those born in the spirit realm, you don't really understand dreams. Shadow spirits should have a better understanding of dreams, they exist in the same way we do, just out of sight of the mundane world but hinting at the potential for something extraordinary. The baku usually only take the bad ones, yet they could do much more, if they ever thought about it. That's what I was searching for, decade after decade, a unique way to use the power that is mine and not yours." He lifted a shoulder in a half-hearted shrug as if aware Kuroko wouldn't understand.
He pointed toward the prodigies, still frozen in place. "I learned what I wanted. I could destroy them without ever having to lay a hand on them. It's not about taking away the capacity to dream, but simply twisting the connection to their very essence. For humans, dreams are the finite moments when the soul, brain, and heart are simultaneously open – it's why dreaming can be so fantastically terrifying – especially tapping into that when a person is awake. The baku could rule the mortal realm if they weren't content to merely siphon off the nightmares. I knew eventually you would interfere with a human again, you're an abnormal shadow but you're consistent in your own way."
Mayuzumi's eyes gleamed as he thought of something before he continued, composed and seemingly with all the time in the world. "Which is why we're relocating this contest, back to a realm where I expect you to come at me with everything you have. I imagine you're almost through my spell, so listen carefully. I'm taking them, all of them, and offering them the chance to become what I am. More than human and certainly better than you. They'll break, you know they will. And your gamble will be lost."
Kuroko felt a sharp pang of fear, if Mayuzumi took them to the shadow realm and showed them what powers they might acquire, it would be almost impossible to expect them to turn down his offer. Kuroko's senses were trying to unravel the knot of the spell that held him, but Mayuzumi's magic was indeed strong, and Kuroko was out of practice. He couldn't vocalize his protest, yet Mayuzumi read it easily enough in his eyes.
He laughed and it was an ugly sound. "Who should I start with, then? I suppose it doesn't matter. By the time you find me in the other realm, I expect I'll have something interesting to show you. And it won't be long after that until your ridiculous oath will call you to account for yourself – I can't tell you how much I look forward to your trial and judgment. They'll have no choice but to exorcise you again and somehow I doubt you'll manage to make it back a second time." He waved a good-bye and it was nearly playful in its mockery.
Mayuzumi looked over at the five prodigies and smiled again, it was feral and angry, holding all the centuries of distorted bitterness he'd been hoarding since his imprisonment. They were easy pickings for him now. With a nearly lazy spell, Mayuzumi gathered them up to transport them. He closed his eyes as if savoring the moment before murmuring a final taunting farewell.
"Why did you think you could protect all of them at once when you couldn't handle me alone? Isn't it time you just admit your failures? I'll see that admission in your eyes before this is over, Kuroko. That's something I've promised myself. Goodbye for now, try not to disappoint me entirely. I'll be heartbroken if you miss my show altogether after all." And with a wave of hot, nearly scalding energy, Mayuzumi simultaneously released Kuroko from his paralysis and disappeared with the Generation of Miracles in tow.
When he was released, Kuroko stumbled before managing to catch himself. His eyes roamed the gym frantically, but the five prodigies were gone. A flash of pink caught his attention and he saw that Mayuzumi had not included Momoi in his plans. It was true she wasn't exactly part of his vow, but Kuroko was relieved she was safe nonetheless. The other players were looking around in confusion, they didn't remember the five starters leaving, but they had no reason to suspect magic was involved and so brushed it off with the careful resilience of human blindness.
Kuroko slipped out himself, using a small measure of his magic to cloak his departure and summoning Nigou to his side. He didn't explain right away, just said they needed to return to the shadow realm as soon as possible. Kuroko could feel the new band on his wrist tightening as if in protest or in warning, but Kuroko had no choice, he had to get them back before the damage was too great. He wasn't breaking his vow by doing this, the magic would have to adjust to it unless his mysterious benefactor truly meant to sabotage the whole thing.
His subordinates were flustered to see him again so soon but his expression warned them away as he moved with a sense of determined purpose, Nigou hovering anxiously at his side. In this realm it was true, he and Mayuzumi would meet on more equal terms. Kuroko's self-imposed bonds didn't apply here, but he wasn't completely at liberty, either. His new contract had hidden clauses he didn't fully know yet and Kuroko was engaging a battle to save people that might not want his help once presented with the type of power that Mayuzmi could tempt them with. It was a battle that was definitely weighted in Mayuzumi's favor, yet it was not in Kuroko's nature to surrender so easily.
Kuroko made his way to Seidai Myojin's suite, asking the guard there to see if their lord would see him. As he waited, Kuroko felt a sense of panic he hadn't truly experienced in many centuries. Had it been inevitable, then? That he would lose them, one way or another? He couldn't give up yet, of course he couldn't, but Kuroko knew that Mayuzumi wouldn't have chosen to arrange things this way if he weren't supremely confident.
The guard returned, his expression neutral and remote, but he bowed and indicated Kuroko and Nigou should go in. As Kuroko entered, his thoughts were a muddled swirl – somewhere between strategy and panic, and yet…even so…a small flare of relief took hold of him as well. Mayuzumi had shown his hand, finally. Kuroko might be in the reactionary position right now, but he had allies and some time to think. If nothing else, his new contract bought him time until Kagami returned to Japan. His enemy would have to capture and convert all six of them to activate the failure clause of the reworked contract and Mayuzumi didn't know of the new clause, of that Kuroko was certain. It wasn't ideal, but it did mean there was hope – small and fragile though it was, but he'd done bigger things with less.
