1. Spring Pageant

Two figures made their way towards the guest quarters where some Seirin people are staying for their prince's coronation. Yes, it was finally his turn and Shuzo had already known that the said teal head was surprisingly so enthusiastic about it.

The cycle of coronations began with Shuzo to Seijuro, Shintarou, Atushi, Daiki, Ryota and then Momoi. It has been a year since he took over Teiko; crowning the Generation of Miracles on assigned months as it had been his father's wish.

He ran the kingdom in a good pace, had reunions with the younger princes and princess and had daily negotiations with the neighboring kingdoms; he was keeping peace. However, he felt like his father wanted him to something more… something he should've known before he left.

Haizaki Shugo, his violent yet skilled knight had once asked him of what bothered him for a long time. "I never told you this but now's the right time I guess."

"Of what, Shugo?" he was surprised that his knight was suddenly (rarely) serious. "When I was a squire, I have sometimes noticed old man Nijimura coming to the phantom brat's room late at night. They always have… serious discussions."

Shuzo raised an eyebrow. "I believe father would come time to time to comfort Kuroko. That child was always troubled." Then his eyes widened in realization. No, that can't be right. He wasn't always troubled. In fact since he and Seijuro were the first to occupy the castle, they were the closest. They did work together to escape these thugs kidnapping them for ransom and making it back to the castle to alert the Teiko guards. But they were weak, so how?

This one time when he was in Kamikazi; urgent news reached him of the two getting into a fight with a prince from Meiko and it seemed they fell from the cliff and drowned. When he got back, gossips spread all over the palace. The staffs were moved to a lower branch and the teal head to another room. He'd caught sight of Seijuro trying to get Tetsuya out of his room for almost 5 years. What really did happen? His father seemed to know as much as he want to…

"Oi, Shuzo? Yo? You listening?" the snapping of fingers bought him back to his senses.

"I'd appreciate it if you'd address me properly." Shuzo growled, massaging his temples. He was definitely going to get to the bottom of this but how can he approach the know renowned 'ice prince' and his isolated demeanor?

"Umm, Heika?"

His eyes directed towards a group of kids in costume and a teacher with short brown hair.

"Ah, Aida Riko. To what do I owe Seirin's most prestigious teacher?" he smiled and the coach grinned.

"Happy to be here, majesty of Teiko. Though I'd appreciate it if you'd stay and watch the children's recital to the play."

"P-play?" Shugo snorted. "I thought the Phantom brat's theme was Halloween-OFF!" A boy running kicked him right in the shin. "You brat!"

The little boy in choir clothes stuck his tongue out before hiding behind Riko's legs. "Bleeh!"

"Kazuki! Apologize at once." Says Riko but the grip on her skirt got tighter. "Yadda (No way). This raddish head nii-san was making fun of his majesty, that's why."

"Radish-head?!"

While the two bickers, the other two adults sighed. "I apologize for my knight's behavior. I am however, willing to watch the play. It makes me curious of why Kuroko wanted this in his theme. Not to offend you or Kuroko but it's not really his style."

Brown eyes widened. "Are you sure? Though he was an impassive person when he took over Seirin; he was very much fond of children."

The two (after prying the children apart) had finally entered the room to watch the recital.

Shuzo sat comfortably in the corner when three little girls came scrambling off the stage with overgrown white dresses. They wiggled and sang:

Winter's gone and Spring is springing

Shines the sun with warmth of old

Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Chapel bells are ringing!

We're done with being cold

(with "dong, ding-dong" repeated under)

Flowers a-bloom with odors pleasant,

All of Seirin is glad!

Mother Earth, we thank you for the presents!

Spring's good and Winter's bad.

The high pitch screeched of the third girl almost made Shuzo's ear bleed. He truly questioned the teal head's interest with children. Now a group of boys came in, one of them the one who kicked Shugo awhile back.

Winter's gone and Spring is springing,

Shines the sun with warmth of old.

Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Chapel bells are ringing!

We're done with being cold.

Brrrrrrr!

"Good! And exeunt group. Narrators come down stage, with confidence!" yelled Aida and the group of girls divided into clear spaces.

We celebrate spring,

We know once it's here,

The ancient troll prophecy

Won't come to pass this year.

Phew

She ran off the stage in relief.

What is this prophecy?

What did it say?

Well, that is the subject

Of our little play!

Irritatingly cute that even Shugo was biting his lower lip.

"Where are my trolls? I need my trolls!" yelled Aida and three more kids came out dressed in horribly fit costume of what seemed to be trolls decorated with crystals.

"Crystals?"

"Ah, when my fiancée was looking up to them; he found out that trolls before had been very much attracted to precious stones." Says Riko with confidence. But the children however were laughing at themselves, making the lines incoherent.

"Oi! You're making my ears bleed. Are you going to act or not!" yelled Shugo impatiently.

"Radish-head nii-chan is right. This is the important part of the prophecy, please don't be more serious."

"Radish-what?!"

"Anyways, start at 'Their future is bleak."

There were force coughing and the children's eyes diverted at the script.

"Their future is bleak

All kingdoms will splinter

All land shall be cursed

With unending winter

With blasts of cold will come dark art,

A fire extinguished, breaking them apart

And comes a ruler

With a frozen heart!

Then all will perish in snow and ice!"

Unless he is freed with a sword sacrifice!"

Shuzo nearly jumped out of his seat. Who knew Seirin had a dark legend? Sang by ignorant children no less!

"What's a sword sacrifice?" whispered one.

"Beats me."

Then came everyone else in costume.

"But Frozen starvation is not today's fate!

Plus we have an EXTRA special cause to celebrate!

The most gracious, gorgeous, smartest, kindest, absolutely perfect..."

"Hai, hai we get it." Says Riko.

"Role model this land has ever seen!

Prince Kuroko! I really love him!

Becomes our KING!"

As on cue, a teal head popped out of the corners; dressed in majestic black western clothes. He smiled and lifted the little girl to his shoulders and all the children as if he were magnet hugged him tightly. Riko smiled softly but the other two were gawking. Long gone were the childish features and had been replaced with a pale young man with teal locks which had grown a bit longer. Though he looked like he was restraining his expressions; this was a whole lot different than the one they had met before.

"Heika." He made his way to Shuzo and bowed. "It has been a while."

"Kuroko… Tetsuya."

Done.

Everything was finally done and in place. Only two weeks and action will take course in Teiko. A year and a half had passed and he was going to try something he had not once done during his stay… well after that incident that is.

Even though he swore that he'd cut ties with everyone, especially him completely, Tetsuya was persistent and had wanted this one last wish to be fulfilled. The invitations were out, personally written by him (well, not that anyone would recognize it) but his hope wasn't as high as the mountain peaks. After acting so coldly these years; he wasn't expecting an immediate yes. Baffled, perhaps but joyful? Long he heard Akashi Seijuro had long stopped smiling.

This was his last time in Teiko and probably the last time he'll ever see the red head. Those coronations went by so fast, and everyone had parted ways. So shall he.

BRSSSH!

He sighed. Once again he unconsciously let out a blue flame and engulfed the edge of the study desk.

"Oi, Kuroko!"

His knight came and out of reflex; the young prince covered it with cloth. "I'd appreciate it if you'd address me proper, Sir Kagami."

"Tch. Don't get all formal me with." Kagami Taiga was his new companion and soon to be king's guard. He was a foreigner along who trained with the great Alexandria Garcia and apprentice Himuro Tatsuya. Though he would obviously choose the raven head because of his humble attitude; he was somehow attracted to Taiga instead. Must be him being his opposite or that red hair. "King Nijimura asked for you."

"But didn't we just talked a while back."

"Dunno, why you asking me?" Definitely his red hair and not his attitude.

Tetsuya sighed and removed his cape whilst making his way. Teiko had changed a bit but the pristine door by edge of the wall was still his and that he could appreciate. He opened the ballroom and spotted the king baffled at the decorations.

He expected all glass, classic, all shades of blue and white or eggshells but this, this was wow. Royal colors clashed together in stained glasses and murals, exotic yet gave a welcoming sensation while the pillars were painted with children folklores and red snowflakes. Normally he'd be pissed at anyone going overboard with his castle but the shocking revelation overwhelmed him.

"You keep surprising me, Kuroko. Walk with me." He says and gestured the prince to come with him. "Red snowflakes, something rare, yet something… that takes you back, right?"

They entered the library where scrolls and books of what seem to be tales from Seirin scattered all around like a tornado struck it. Tetsuya flinched. No, it can't be. He can't find out. The previous Heika had never had the chance to tell Shuzo the truth. "Now talk. What happened before?"

"… There is nothing to talk about-"

"KUROKO!" His arms caged the smaller boy between the wall behind them. "The truth, now."

Aquamarine eyes became cold. "You don't want to get involve, I'm telling you now so please back off." Another rare expression he showed but his fingers were tingling. "Father was helping you all along. Were you… the cursed child of the prophecy?"

No answer and Shuzo was getting impatient. "Shall I ask Akashi? You two were close, or were close." The king of Teiko then decided to use option two and press the teal head's buttons. "Or maybe he'll find some answers with me too?"

"Heika,"

"So do you have some sort of abilities? Something Akashi should know about-?"

"Leave Sei-kun out of this!" his voice roared and flames with the shade of luminous blue erupted. Aquamarine eyes widened in shock and pain upon uttering that name and the anger he confided long ago had erupted.

The heat of the moment died down and they silence ensued. "I.. I-"

"Would you rather have Sei-kun at my shoes at this moment?"

"To His Highness, Akashi Seijuro of Rakuzan

From Seirin

Salutations!

You have been cordially invited to the coronation of our young Prince Kuroko Tetsuya this coming 31st of January."

A simple letter but Mayuzumi Chihiro, the henchman of the red head prince, saw right through it. The prince of Seirin had obviously wrote this, and salutations? How many words must've the teal head thought before writing this; friends? Acquaintance?

He snorted before writing his reply; 'I'd be honored to.'

Unbeknownst, there was another letter that was supposed to be a follow up but it was forgotten.

One more day and it's finallly ovveeerrrr (slumps down) So yeah I'm gonna base the chaps from Frozen's songs, included the outtake parts. Thanks for the reads! ^^