You guys are lovely, the amount of feedback I got last chapter was more than I would dare to hope for!
I realized I may have misused some of the honorifics in the first chapter. Kuroko would probably not be so quick as to call Kagami 'kun' if he'd just met him. I apologize sincerely as I have never been enlightened with aspects of Japanese culture. My only reason for attempting honorifics is to stay true to the show, so thanks to those who are bearing with me. I will attempt to fix my mistakes and especially since I have a lovely Beta now, I should have great help in improving my story!
This does contain a bit of KagaKuro, but never forget the main ship. ;)
Dead. Silence.
The tense moment sinks its fangs into Kuroko, seeping its poison into his veins, its crippling fear melting into his skin forever-
It's broken by the deep laughter that rumbles from King Kagami Taiga's chest.
"HAH! You should have seen the look on your face!" he bellows, those terrifying eyebrows turning upside down. "Priceless!"
It takes a moment for Kuroko to regain his composure. It was a joke? He risks a glance at the strangely-eyebrowed, self-proclaimed king, and subconsciously relaxes once he finds no trace of intended malice.
He opens his mouth to tell King Kagami Taiga that his idea of a joke wasn't very funny and could seriously use some work, but he decides not to just in case this Kagami Taiga was a real king and therefore his words would be considered that of insolence.
Fortunately, this Kagami seems to realize the tension permeating the atmosphere.
"Sorry, sorry," he waves it off, still laughing, "I haven't heard a good joke in a long time! Besides, the look on your face was priceless! Honestly though, do you think that I would have formally made a declaration of war to an altar boy in the middle of nowhere?"
"...With all due respect, Kagami-Sama, this is Seirin Temple, not the middle of nowhere."
"Oh, yeah, right." The fiery-haired giant scratches his head rather sheepishly, but turns right back around to hide a snort. "I apologize, though. Didn't mean to cause you any distress, little guy." Large hands reach out to muss up Kuroko's hair- and since Kuroko doesn't want a broken wrist, he lets him.
"I beg your pardon, but may I inquire why a king such as yourself would be standing with an altar boy in the gardens? The people of Seirin would wish to give you a proper welcome."If this is another attempt at a "joke", Kuroko refuses to fall for it so easily again. How did I become so gullible in the first place? Has it always been a part of my qualities, or has the state of affairs over the past few weeks left this deep of an impact on me?
Kagami absentmindedly takes his hands out of the tangle that is Kuroko's hair and stuffs them into some pockets hidden within the front of his robe. "I uh...traveled in disguise. I didn't want to draw too much attention to my traveling group. It's a small one anyways, and this is actually my first time traveling, after my coronation," he says, and Kuroko is admittedly surprise to see the tinge of pink creeping up the dusty cheeks, "I decided to stop by Seirin along the way because...well, no particular reason actually. Maybe a change in scenery, you know? Where I come from, no one's really heard of the kingdom of Seirin before. No offense," he adds as an afterthought.
Kuroko takes none because actions of heavier offense have already been said and done. "In that case, Your Majesty," he bows, and Kagami looks away for a second, uncomfortable, "Please allow me to welcome you to Seirin. I cannot offer you much out here, but please permit me to introduce you to some of the people of Seirin Temple. They will be able to provide you with a most proper welcome."
Kagami slightly tenses at this, and Kuroko notices as he is observant. It is a gift that comes with always being in the shadows.
"Do not worry, Your Majesty," Kuroko gives him the smallest of smiles, "The people of Seirin will not cause you any harm. We are a small community that likes to demonstrate manner and hospitality towards all of our guests."
Conveniently, Kagami's stomach chooses to emit a loud rumble at that very moment. He clears his throat. "Lead the way then."
Kuroko gestures towards the building that is Seirin Temple. "As you wish, Your Majesty."
Teiko is the tallest mountain for miles around, but it is not nestled atop the summit like many would believe. Instead, it appears to the naked human eye as a kingdom floating on a wisp of cloud, impossible to find within hazy mist and an image fragile enough to disappear upon contact with a single breath.
Teiko is many times stronger than it looks to a stranger, and that is because it is home to the most powerful gods of this millennium's generation. It is not a palace alone, for the palace itself is surrounded by exquisite gardens and surreal landscapes. There exists room for all seasons at once, but it is never less than the perfect temperature. Magical spirits; soft, little critters that dwell among the clouds, come and go as they please.
The plants and flowers blossom with everlasting ripeness, the many springs are crystal clear and taste sweeter than the finest wine on a summer evening. Colossal pavilions of white marble and jewels cut into a million fractures gleam under the golden rays of the sun. Self-playing glass orchestras float and vanish and reappear from time to time whenever they please, granting the ears of whomever was listening at the moment a music unlike that which has ever been heard before. Glittering trees are weighed down with exotic fruits, wine, precious gems, and the other many gifts and offerings that were once offered on the altars.
Indeed, all on Teiko was nothing less than celestial, but one spring of water in particular holds a special essence. That spring belongs to none other than the green-haired God of Fortune, Midorima Shintarou. Its waters pool into a tiny lagoon which is where the god spends most of his time. Through its waters, the stars tell the god of each astrological sign's fortunes for every day. They also show him vivid images of the human world so that he may watch fate play out its will.
As of late, an ominous aura has been looming over one kingdom in particular.
It makes Midorima's blood boil, and over the past few months he's been speaking to the stars more than the normal amount. The people of the kingdom of Kirisaki Daiichi will need all the luck they can get if they wish to survive the ordeal.
The plague does not possess prejudice and it is no different from other plagues. In fact, it is even less nit-picky. This plague wipes out thousands, sending them all down to the god of death and the mortality rate is more than that the gods can bear.
Even the god of death, whom usually licks his fingers in excitement at the thought of new souls, cringes, and came up once to Teiko to demand the cause of this massive genocide.
The gods of Teiko drudge over their work day and night. They try to save as many as they can, try to hear the prayers of all those who beg to be spared from a fate worse than death. But they have no direct cure. To save it, it takes expert medicine as well as the kind hand of fate.
It is a toil, it is endless, and it has begun to take its toll on the gods. Teiko is weakening, and the anger of the Emperor grows and grows, along with the number of dead.
Midorima slaves over his lagoon of fortune. He speaks to the stars, asks them for a kinder fate, asks fate to ultimately show mercy for his people. It is a god's prayer, only he does not beg, but the desperation in his voice and his heart is evident.
Sometimes hope can seem futile, for the god of plagues has grown strong and is only getting stronger. He spreads the plague with laughter on his breath; dank, dark laughter that is born out of spite and malevolence. He laughs and he cackles and he guffaws, he throws his head back in victory as Teiko grits its teeth.
But Teiko has not accepted defeat yet, not with Akashi as their emperor.
Midorima works hours, days, weeks searching for a cure to bestow upon mankind. But the plague is only growing stronger, and he feels as if time is slowly trickling into the bottom half of the hourglass.
He has failed someone once, someone long ago and someone important to him. He does not want to fail his people again. He cannot, not this time.
"Midorimacchi," says Kise, the God of Beauty and Romance, one day. "You have been watching him longer than usual."
Midorima, who normally does not appreciate accusations, nods in grim agreement. "He becomes more unsteady by the day. He is too stubborn to admit it to himself or to anyone else, but he hates living with the idea that Akashi is somehow upset with him."
"My poor Kurokocchi," Kise gasps dramatically, and Midorima frowns.
"I thought you only addressed those whom you deeply respect with that ridiculous nickname."
"Midorimacchi! That is quite mean, especially coming from you, ssu~! I deeply respect Kurokocchi already just from Akashicchi's stories and from your waters! When I meet Kurokocchi, I'll give him the biggest, warmest of hugs, the poor thing!"
"Will you now?" retorts a sharp voice from behind Midorima and Kise, who yelps and spins around in surprise.
"Akashicchi, what an honor!"
"Akashi, nanodayo."
"Save it, Ryouta," Akashi snaps, and steps up to the lagoon ("Ssu, so meaaaan!"). "How is he, Shintarou?"
"As he has been for the last few months," Midorima replies professionally, pushing up his spectacles. "Brooding."
"Kurokocchi is very smitten with Akashicchi," Kise sighs dreamily. "Kurokocchi is especially devoted to Akashicchi. He never prays to any of us anymore, including me!"
"You couldn't offer him anything he would want, Kise." Midorima makes the remark almost as if taking the place of Aomine.
"Midorimacchi!"
"Shintarou, let me see." Akashi steps up to the lagoon, his own grace mimicking that of liquid water. The lagoon ripples, almost knowing that there is a very important presence nearby and parts its currents to illustrate a clear image of Seirin.
Seirin is in celebration, as a gigantic redhead with spiky eyebrows is led to a fancy chair somewhere in the temple and the prince of Seirin himself places a flower crown onto the redhead; it clashes magnificently with his hair, Kise notices, but the others don't. People shake hands with him, clap him on the back, bring him platters upon platters of food which he does not hold back from devouring. And there goes Kuroko, who pours him wine, serves him meat, and then Kagami Taiga runs his hand through Kuroko's blue locks.
Midorima and Kise both feel it at once; the deadly aura immediately radiates from the Emperor of Teiko. His lips curl into a frosty smile that is more of a sneer than anything else, and his eyes gleam with danger.
"So," he murmurs slowly, quietly, but Kise and Midorima hear him nonetheless. "Kagami Taiga...a king, nonetheless."
Kise opens his mouth to say that Kagami is a mortal king and Akashi rules the gods, but one look from Midorima in a situation like this immediately shuts him up.
"Perhaps I have been rather... occupied, as of late. Ryouta, Shintarou, you are to continue to answer the prayers of all those who try to reach you. You are also to continue to search for a cure, but do not waste too much healing power on any individual mortal without my permission. I must admit this god of plagues is a most formidable opponent...though I never show mercy to those who question the power of the gods."
"Yes, Akashicchi/Akashi," they answer, and slightly incline their heads in the universal gesture of respect. Akashi nods, satisfied, and is about to take his leave when Midorima suddenly calls out to him.
"Akashi."
The addressed god stops without turning around. "Yes, Shintarou?"
" ... " Midorima is not sure how to phrase what he wants to say. There is so much, and yet so little actually dances on his tongue.
"I am waiting, Shintarou." Akashi's patience is wearing thin, thin as the eyebrow he's raising, thin as the body of the human that longs for his presence.
Midorima's voice comes out croakier than he expects. "You have not forgotten what happened in the past." It is very vague, but at the same time the words hold an unfathomable and heavy depth.
"No, Shintarou." Akashi's voice fills with anger, but also with a hint of ...condolence? Kise cannot wrap his brain around it. "I have not forgotten. I remember, and I know. But Tetsuya is different. History shall not repeat itself, in this case."
Green eyes narrow. "You may be able to see glimpses of the future, Akashi, but it remains a fickle element to control."
"Then I shall have to beat fate at its own game, won't I?"
And Akashi leaves them with that, and it leaves something bitter in the taste of Midorima's mouth, and something so heavy in the air that even Kise remains quiet during his time looking through the waters of fortune.
Kuroko is gaining a new respect for King Kagami. He'd been loud, rude, obnoxious, even quite intimidating at first. But there is something else about Kagami, and it is that the giant possesses a kind heart. Kagami will be staying in Seirin for only a few days, and Riko assigns Kuroko to accompany the king around the town.
"You two seem to just get along splendidly," she says, exasperated at how much food shopping the next market trip will call for.
Kuroko finds himself aching less at night when he has Kagami's company to look forward to during the day. Akashi, before, had taught him a game called basketball, and had gently coached him through Kuroko's horrible first attempts.
Kagami knows basketball, too. He just has a very different style of playing. While Akashi did not use his godly powers to overpower Kuroko, he still was a highly skilled player and moved with swift grace. Kuroko had felt like a klutz playing with him.
With Kagami, Kuroko still feels like a klutz, but with him, he also feels as if it's okay to be a klutz, because though they are on different levels skill-wise, Kagami is still human after all and sweats plenty enough for the both of them (and stinks, too).
"Kagami-Sanmust have been playing for a long time," Kuroko remarks one day as they take a break to gulp down water from sweet gourds (he tries not to think too much about those sweet vanilla milkshakes).
"Yeah," Kagami remarks, slinging his soaked towel over his shoulder. "Basketball is very common in the kingdom where I come from. We used to have annual tournaments, in fact."
"Used to?" inquires Kuroko, observant as ever.
"Yeah," Kagami uncorks his gourd and gulps all of it down almost at once. "Until the plague."
A moment of silent ensues. "I am sorry," Kuroko says softly. "The plague must be difficult to bear with for any kingdom." He is not sure what else to say, for he has the gods to thank for keeping the plague out of Seirin.
"Yeah," remarks Kagami again, shrugging. "There's only so much you can do as a king. You get crowned, but there's nothing you can do about disease. That's why I set out on this journey. I want to see the world, but at the same time, I want to look for something. Anything. Answers, a cure."
"Kagami-San has a good heart," Kuroko says nonchalantly, and Kagami spins around with a flush appearing on his cheeks.
"I-it's nothing but the duty of a king to try and help his people!"
"That sounds a lot like Prince Hyuuga's philosophy," Kuroko deadpans. "You must have the potential to lead your people to greatness if you are like him, Kagami-San."
If Kuroko notices Kagami flush further, he doesn't comment. "I told you before, it's my duty to help my people as the new king! Besides, this plague is spreading like wildfire. It's practically genocide, do you know that?! But then again, what would you know? Seirin seems to be all nice and cozy here in the middle of nowhere!"
Kuroko can't help but feel as if his words would likewise be embodied with bitterness if he had to witness the death of his close friends and family at Seirin as well. "Kagami-San... Seirin is a rather small and isolated kingdom, that I do agree with. However, with all due respect, we will do our best to provide aid to the travelers passing by and pay our respects to those whom have been infected. Our scientists and our prince has poured most of our funds, aside from the offerings to the gods, into facilitating a search for a cure. I apologize if it's not enough, but we are trying our best- "
"No, no, Kuroko. Look - I'm sorry - I just - flipped. Seirin truly is a great kingdom, I can say nothing against that, and I respect everybody here, truly. Especially the prince, he's a great one. You guys are lucky..."
"Thank you very much, Kagami-San." Kuroko catches Kagami off guard with a smile, and Kagami almost loses his breath at what must be a rare and most beautiful sight.
Izuki Shun announces one day the return of the Royal Ambassador, Ogiwara Shigehiro, to Seirin. Kuroko's face brightens considerably, though he, of course, has duties to his kingdom for now that prevents him from immediately going off to see his old friend.
Despite all this, the atmosphere on Teiko only darkens.
He has but one day off in the duration of Kagami's stay, but the temple has never gone so long without his cleaning. So, as unfortunate as it was, Kuroko spends his day off sweeping. Keeping the floor clean is a chore, but keeping the temple tidy is his service to the gods.
Word has it that the king will be leaving soon, and though Kuroko has enjoyed giving him a tour of Seirin, he has not had any time to spare to visit his childhood friend. Ogiwara Shigehiro indeed grew up to inhabit the important title of ambassador, and Kuroko has never been more proud of him.
The sun is setting in pale wedges of pinks and oranges, and the sky is painted with rose and lavender. Cherry blossom petals settle on the ground like soft pink snow, and a sense of satisfaction hovers in the air for those who witness the spectacle.
Kuroko is just about done with his sweeping, and the front steps of Seirin Temple are scattered with a magnificent carpet of pink and magenta and primrose. For once his sweeping is done before night falls, and he is lost to the world within his head, for he feels extremely eager to get back to his new book. So now that the protagonist has discovered he only has thirteen days left, I must find out what he does to get his heart's deepest desires...
"Kuroko!"
"Riko-san, are you alright?" Kuroko doesn't bother to wipe off his dirt-streaked face and hands since Riko has practically seen him grow up like this. The priest's daughter has burst through the temple doors, leaving them wide open to the evening world.
Riko speaks to Kuroko in between her ragged pants. "Prince Hyuuga has requested your immediate presence! You know where the palace is, so you must go now!"
Kuroko only stares at her. The prince has never personally requested his presence in all his time here at Seirin. "Sumimasen, Riko-san, but is everything alright?"
"Everything will be alright if you go! It's just that you must go, Kuroko! Hurry, hurry now, don't be a baka!" Almost thrumming in excitement, she begins to physically push Kuroko, inch by inch, out the temple doors.
"Surely you'll find your way to the palace, you can see it from here! I need you to go, go, go!"
"Riko-san - "
"Well, okay, in that case, if you're so afraid of getting lost-"
And in a surprising showcase of strength, Riko grabs Kuroko's hand and proceeds to yank him out the temple doors (his broom lands with a clank on the ground behind him) and through the streets of Seirin, much to the amusement and confusion of some onlookers. (The latter wonders why Riko seems to be dragging an invisible body at breakneck speed towards the palace.)
The palace is surprisingly quiet during the evening, with an abysmally low number of guards that barely blink an eye as they allow Riko (and Kuroko) through.
Kuroko actually doesn't remember ever being in the palace before, at least not in this room. It holds a sleek wooden table with many rows of chairs, a high ceiling, and many minuscule chandeliers to lighten the atmosphere during important meetings. A large mantelpiece hanging over a lit fireplace faces the entrance, which is accompanied by a graceful set of double doors. There is also space off to the side of the table for conversation and other things that Kuroko doesn't know about.
Prince Hyuuga stands in that space off to the side in his royal attire, and only then is Kuroko able to grasp the weight of the situation, for even he knows that the prince rarely ever dresses so formally.
King Kagami also stands nearby, adorned with not as many jewels and furs but his presence is still as massive and overbearing as ever. However, Kuroko does not miss the patch of flush that reddens his face.
"Your Majesties, here is Kuroko!" Riko announces to rid the silence and to get rid of Kuroko's lack of presence.
Prince Hyuuga unfolds his hands from behind his back and manages to direct a small smile at Kuroko. "Welcome, Kuroko."
"Erm, thank you, Your Highness," Kuroko says rather awkwardly, unsure about how formal he should be.
Prince Hyuuga gestures for him to take a seat, and Kuroko really feels like standing but he sits out of respect for the monarch standing before him.
"Do you have any idea why I called you here tonight?"
"No," says Kuroko immediately, "But I assume it has something to do with Kagami-Sama, King Kagami-Sama that is."
Kagami, who has seemed to be trapped in a sort of reverie, snaps his head to attention at the mention of his name and turns an even darker shade of red.
"Kagami-San, are you alright?" inquires Kuroko, growing more confused by the minute. He's never imagined that Kagami-San can act so shy. "Has something awful happened?"
"No, Kuroko," answers Hyuuga. "On the contrary, we have a grand announcement to make. It actually involves you."
"Me?"
Riko takes this moment to respectfully bow and close the doors behind her after skipping out with a hum in her throat.
Hyuuga's heart sinks a bit; leave it to Riko to leave him to this by himself! "Yes. You see, uhm, well..."
Now Hyuuga is struggling with his words and Kuroko is left staring in awe. Prince Hyuuga is usually so loud, so confrontational, so confident. What can have possibly reduced him to such a state?
"Please let it be known that I am listening, Your Highness," Kuroko says softly, doing his best to ease the tension. He can feel the beads of sweat starting to formulate on his skin.
"W-well, see here, the thing is that King Kagami, His Royal Majesty, comes from a kingdom called A- Am- Amary!something, and it is very far away from here, oh yes, super far! There's actually not just a single king...there's also a board that rules under His Majesty. They have to approve of his decisions before it becomes official, I don't understand the whole process myself save for the fact that it is mightily complex. But it's the way of his people. Anyways! This may come as a very sudden, very unforeseen gesture, but you see, the board has been pressuring His Majesty for much time now..."
"I am sorry to hear that, Kagami-San. I hope your reign gets better." Kuroko inclines his head slightly in a bow of respect, and Hyuuga wants to scream.
"HisMajestyKagamihasrequestedyourhandinmarriage."
Kuroko blinks, he feels as if he's been struck by a forceful gust of air. "Sumimasen, Your Highness. I did not quite catch that."
Hyuuga takes a deep breath, and he can swear that his right eye is twitching from underneath his spectacles as he forces himself to repeat his words slowly. "His Majesty, Kagami Taiga, has requested your hand in marriage."
Silence. Dead, genuine silence swallows the room in the immediate aftermath of Hyuuga's more pronounced sentence.
When Kuroko does speak again, he begins with a little upturn of his lips. "Heh. Kagami-San sure knows how to pull the most bizarre of jokes. He's even got Your Highness in on it this time."
"IT'S NOT A JOKE!"
Two pairs of eyes turn towards the one who has finally spoken, finding him to be blushing as fiery a red as his hair. Forget the eyes; Kagami's entire face was twitching uncontrollably. Kuroko's mouth drops open.
"Kagami-San...?"
"Here's the thing, Kuroko," Hyuuga begins, although one can tell he's unsure where exactly he should attempt to begin. "Amar- erm, His Majesty's homeland, covers a large expanse of land. It's much, much bigger than Seirin. And that means that the more individuals there are who are able to make decisions, the more efficiently it will run. But it also has some laws that are very different to that of our own kingdom.
"In Kagami's country, being married gives one certain privileges and rights that would greatly aid them in the functioning of their daily lives, especially if they bear the huge responsibility of running a country. This law applies to the king as well. Besides, Kagami's council has been pressuring him to ah, propose to someone for a long time. They believe that having someone to help the king lessen his burden would make the running of the country smoother for all, including whoever helps him.
"And besides, Seirin is not a kingdom of many alliances. You understand that we are rather isolated, but this could be the beginning of something wonderful for us. It would benefit Seirin as well as erm, the other country to secure a friendly alliance, and what better way to do that than through the tradition of marriage? I know that, judging from the unusual expression on your face, this must come as a very unexpected surprise to you and I give you my apologies for that.
"However, it is what His Majesty and I have been discussing since this morning. We both wish to give you time, but we must understand that His Majesty has a limited amount of time remaining before he needs to continue on his travels. So Kuroko, I urge you to thoroughly consider this benevolent offer that will, in many ways, affect more than just the two of you."
Kuroko is silent. His eyes are steely, seemingly digesting and contemplating every word Hyuuga has said. Kagami looks as if he wants to fall off the face of the planet and take every evidence of his existence with him. If not for the fact that he has to be here for this, he would have fled the room. Hyuuga's face is red as well, but his chest is puffed out, proud of himself for spewing out what he just did and maintaining most of his dignity.
"So, Kuroko?" Hyuuga inquires, just to break the silence. "Will you consider the offer?"
The gears in the back of Kuroko's head grind, and it takes a long time for him to answer.
"Since this is not one of Kagami-San's jokes, is it a threat?"
The taller men blink.
"Excuse me?" demands Hyuuga.
"Is there the threat of war involved? Something at stake? Real war this time, Kagami-San, not just child's play. I would hope that Seirin's hospitality has convinced Kagami-San to never second guess your decision regarding war," Kuroko says quietly.
"How dare you-" Hyuuga begins, but Kagami interrupts.
"No, Kuroko. After your tours, I have come to treasure Seirin as a great kingdom. I would never wish to declare an act of war upon it."
Another awkward moment envelops the room, the crackling of the fireplace seeming to highlight every sentiment and thought the occupants of the room are partaking in. Kagami finally dares to spare a glance at Kuroko, the former's face redder and shinier than it has ever been in his life. He opens his mouth, as if to tell Kuroko that he needn't accept his offer, but all he manages to accomplish is to resemble a fish out of water.
"...Sumimasen. I am very sorry, Your Majesty, Your Highness, but I must humbly deny this request."
Hyuuga looks utterly shocked. Kagami almost seems to exhale in relief.
"Kuroko!"
The addressed one flinches, not expecting the shout that bursts forth from his prince's mouth.
Kagami hesitates. "Hyuuga, it's fine- "
"Kuroko!"
"Sumimasen," Kuroko says again, his mouth set in a firm line. "Kagami-San, I am sure your country is great and I have enjoyed showing you around Seirin, but we've only just met. I hardly know you. With all due respect, I was raised to believe that marriages should be built between an existing, committed relationship where affection comes first and all else falls beyond, including politics."
"Kuroko, you are being extremely rude to our guest." Hyuuga can feel the sweat dripping down his face. Has this been too much to ask of Kuroko? But he is an altar boy, surely he gets along with Kagami, surely he wants a better life, something more than that of a mere altar boy, surely he wants the best for his kingdom?
"My Prince, I beg your forgiveness. Furthermore, I am a mere altar boy; I couldn't offer an inheritance of any value in a political, arranged marriage. Besides that, I am already committed to my worship of the Gods of Teiko and there exists little room in my heart for other commitments. "
"KUROKO!"
"It's okay. I understand where you're coming from, Kuroko -"
"This is unacceptable! You've just made huge fools out of yourself, me, and all of Seirin!"
"Hyuuga, please calm down-"
"No! Kuroko, this disobedience from you is simply unheard of." He is seething. He has never been disobeyed outright like this before.
"Hyuuga, there's no need to be angry. I am not upset and I perfectly understand those sentiments of his." Kagami looks as if he's ready to vanish into thin air.
"Sumimasen, Your Majesty, Your Highness," Kuroko bows low, as low as he would normally bow in worship, "But I cannot even begin to fathom a life outside of Seirin. It is all I have ever known, and I want things to remain the same. I don't want to face such unbearable changes, one of them being marriage to a man I do not know."
"Of course, Kuroko- "
"Kuroko, your agreement would be considered proof of your fidelity to Seirin. Is this how you pay back those who have raised you? With Ambassador Ogiwara stricken with plague, I am left but with one choice in order to make the best decision in consideration-"
Four words hold Kuroko still. "Ogiwara-Kun... is sick?"
"That is Ambassador Ogiwara to you," Hyuuga says sharply. "And it was supposed to be classified information, but seeing as he was your friend... He started feeling ill the day he came back. I am afraid he has the plague, and that is no guess. It has been verified by the doctor."
A volcano erupts inside Kuroko, only the agony it vomits out is cold, and he can not stop trembling.
"-So as I was saying, this is a time for everyone to put everything they have into the best interests for the kingdom. Kuroko, where are you going?!"
"I must see Ogiwara-Kun."
"No, you are not going anywhere until we can come to an understanding."
"Sumimasen, Prince Hyuuga, but I must see Ogiwara-Kun."
"Stop saying that! And you visiting him isn't going to help him get any better! Knowing you, you'll probably end up contacting it yourself!"
"I must go see him, Your Highness. It's been too long, and... I don't know when I'll have a chance to again."
"KUROKO!"
"Kuroko, I'm sorry to butt in, I'm sorry for everything but right now you need to listen to Hyuuga!" Kagami butts in, finally daring to look Kuroko in the eye. "You have low stamina and have to be careful not to catch diseases because you'd get them easily - where did he go?"
The double doors are open, but Kuroko is nowhere to be seen.
Hyuuga and Kagami exchange glances.
"SHIT!"
"KUROKO!"
Hyuuga then attempts to go after him, but Kagami grabs his arm and shakes his head. "Listen, everything will be alright..."
The streets are mostly deserted by the time Kuroko sprints through them, but they are lit with the glow of familiarity. After giving Kagami a tour around Seirin over the past couple of days, he has an easier time finding his way around. Getting to know Seirin a little better is a nice accomplishment to have.
And he perfectly remembers the way to Ogiwara's old house. Cheerful, gentle Ogiwara-Kun who never once looked down upon him for being an altar boy, never once forgot his existence. Who would converse with him as they rolled up their pants and waded into the little stream at the edge of the woods. Who would always pluck two vanilla pods so there would be plenty of beans for him to suck on.
Tears pierce his eyes as the memories pierce his heart.
Left, right, left, right. The streets begin to blur together, the buildings and shops little more than passing scenery as foot meets stone and dirt.
He is panting by the time he reaches the aged building, but his stamina is the last thing on his mind. Kuroko takes the rickety steps up to the gate three at a time and pounds on the door once it is within reach of his fist.
A moment later, a man with hair the color of peppercorn peeks out. "Yes? Who's there?"
"I apologize for coming like this, Ogiwara-San. It's Kuroko Tetsuya."
The old man blinks. "Ah, Kuroko. I remember you. How have you been?"
"I hate to barge in out of nowhere like this," says Kuroko, "And I must beg your pardon for intruding like this...but I am asking permission to see Ogiwara-kun."
And the old man's face immediately drains. "May I ask what you want with my son?" he asks softly, a bit too softly.
"I think you can probably deduce the reason, Ogiwara-San," Kuroko replies, looking him straight in the eyes. After a moment of brief silence, the old man sighs at the young one's challenge.
"I'm afraid I can't let you, Kuroko. My son is very sick. I... I do not know if Shigehiro can even last the night."
Kuroko lets this sink in, lets the gangrene of this news befoul him. "All the more reason for me to see him," he whispers, croaks, and he clasps his hands together. "Please, Ogiwara-San. I have never asked for much, and now this is all I ask for."
The old man shakes his head. "I cannot let you risk contracting what he has...believe me, you are the last person who deserves that kind of torment."
"Ogiwara-San -"
"I am sorry, Kuroko. Please go home."
"Ogiw-" The ambassador's father shuts the wooden doors gently in Kuroko's face, effectively shutting down every passage of Kuroko's heart. His previous frantic heartbeats become nothing more than dull, heavy throbs that leave a new ache of emptiness in his chest every time it beats.
The path back to Seirin Temple is long and winding and taken alone, the sun long gone by this time.
It is a prayer and at the same time, not. It is so much more than that, so much more than a normal human praying for a good harvest or rainy season.
"I have never asked for much, I have never asked the world of you, yet this time I plead for you to hear me out. You have given Seirin the means of its survival, and we will forever be grateful to you. Tonight and tomorrow night, I ask that you stay with Seirin as a familiar guardian.
"I ask that you quell the disease from our air, mountain, and spring. The founding of Seirin is our pride, our joy, our jubilee. It is a small kingdom, but it is also a kingdom of plenty. You have juggled fire, stirred the earth, and emptied the bellies of the gorges to give us our home. Now there is a threat to your creation; the plague imperils your masterpiece, threatens all that you have worked hard to give us and all the hard work we ourselves have put in for our livelihoods.
"I beg of you, extinguish Seirin of the fire of disease, cure the only one of our own that has been struck with a fortune so terrible. Allow our kingdom to flourish green and healthy again for all eyes that lay upon my motherland.
"It is all that I ask for, but everything that I ask for. You are our beloved; without you, there would be no home for us. Our thanks will always remain for you from the bottom of our hearts. You abide in our prayers, and we sing for you, pray to you, worship the stars you light.
"I am a poor altar boy with nothing but my devotion to offer you. However, to you, I deliver only my heart, my most passionate words. More than the mighty golden one, you are our sun, our light, and we are the mere shadows of Mount Teiko that cannot exist without our light. The stronger the light, the darker the shadow.
"Please shine your kindness upon us once more."
When Kuroko finishes his prayer, he finds that tears have pooled in his eyes and that his body is slick with sweat. He quickly discards his ceremonial robes and prepares them to be cleansed again in the next rain.
Akashi-Kun, please save Ogiwara-Kun. Please don't leave us to suffer. If one of us suffers, we all do. But even if we all suffer together, we face the most horrific inner demons alone.
"But Midorimacchi! Did you not hear Kurokocchi's prayer!?" Kise seizes the front of Midorima's flashy green robes.
"OI!" The God of Fortune swats away the God of Romance's hand as fast as he possibly can, before harrumphing and smoothing himself over again.
"Midorimacchi! Kurokocchi is in trouble! He prayed to us, he actually prayed to all of us instead of just Akashicchi this time! His little prayer breaks my heart! Do you not hear his dedication? How can you deny a face like that?"
"Whom we deny isn't a matter of how," Midorima says, not bothering to hide the disgust evident in his tone, "But a matter of when. Akashi hasn't returned from Kirisaki Daiichi yet, and I am sure even someone of your caliber understands the consequences if we were to disregard his orders of not wasting too much energy on someone who is already too far gone."
"But Kurokocchi's friend-"
"Is in the last stage, the worst stage. There are seven basic varieties of the plague, for it was, after all, started by the god of sin. He matched each to one of his deadly seven. So far, it looks as if greed, wrath, and envy has often led to the murders of innocent and healthy mortals by those who are plagued. Insatiable lust has been one of the quickest to spread, for obvious reasons.
Kuroko Tetsuya's friend has sloth, perhaps one of the most difficult to detect before it is recognized due to its singular symptom. It is is regarded as the silent killer. By the time it is diagnosed, victims are often beyond the point of medical aid. Survival is rare at this point."
Something melts in Kise's golden eyes. "But if Kurokocchi's friend dies, Kurokocchi will be very, very sad."
"A sensible prophecy, coming from you."
"Whaaat's that supposed to mean, Midorimacchi?!"
"What you think it means," is Midorima's curt reply as he goes back to watching the waters.
Kise glances at the smooth surface before sparing a look at Midorima. "Midorimacchi is watching and caring because Midorimacchi knows the feeling, doesn't he? Of how it feels to lose somebody that was dear to you. A dreadful, hideous feeling that never really leaves one's heart alone, no matter how much time may pass."
"Kise..." The God of Fortune says without looking up.
"Yes, Midorimacchi?"
"Shut the fuck up."
"Meanie!"
"Kuroko?"
Riko's voice is soft, soothing, motherly.
When Kuroko opens his eyes, he does not know whether it is the soft, early hours of the morning or still the vengeful evening of the worst day in his life. A hand strokes at his hair, and like a child, he closes his eyes, trying to nuzzle closer to the source of his momentary comfort.
"How are you faring? Are you doing alright?" It is a series of simple questions that ask so many things at once, but Kuroko knows naught how to answer any of them.
"I heard about what happened."
Kuroko silently winces. Riko is Riko; she does not hold back from making any of her points.
"I am sorry. To hear all of it. Really."
The conversation that Kuroko is anticipating never comes.
It both pleases him and pierces his heart at the same time, and the temptation to weep burdens him like no other.
"You slept for a day and a half."
His eyes widen at this surprising information. A day and a half! A day and a half could have triggered many, many events.
"Kagami has already said he will not in any circumstance declare war against Seirin. Rather, he wishes us the best before his departure. Please do not mind Hyuuga's temper too much, he hasn't been himself these days. The weight of the plague is stressing him out, plus with Ogiwara-San..." she lets out a breath. "I didn't want to worry you, so I didn't tell you immediately. I didn't want you to be upset."
Too little, too late for that.
"Prince Hyuuga didn't want to worry the kingdom. But I think it's better if they all know."
Kuroko silently agrees. Something like this should never have been hidden from the public.
"People aren't perfect, Kuroko. We win sometimes, and sometimes we fail. But the important thing to remember during hard times is that you will always be defeated unless you get back up. Although sometimes, we don't always know where to turn or to begin. That's where most of us turn to the gods." She glances up at the gray skies, visible through the small windows on the mosaic-tiled roof, the weary rain drizzling down through the afternoon. "But sometimes, the gods don't give us all the answers, either. There may be gods of war and power, but there is no true god of victory."
"Riko-San." Kuroko's voice comes out raspy. "How is Ogiwara-Kun doing?"
And to answer his awakening horrors, Riko slowly shakes her head. "I'm going to be honest with you, Kuroko. He's gotten worse. It doesn't look as if... "
Is it possible to feel this much pain, the main root of it stemming from the sword of betrayal that he feels has been thrust deep into him? False hope is such a fickle thing, yet for a god to give someone like him so much of it is all too much for him to bear. I've personally prayed to him ... he heard, and once again took everything I gave him, everything I had...
Those who tease the hearts of the lonely are perhaps the cruelest of all.
"Riko-San," Kuroko croaks again, and Riko seems surprised to hear him again.
"Kuroko?"
"Please inform Prince Hyuuga-Sama and King Kagami-Sama that I will agree to the marriage, on the condition that King Kagami-Sama finds a cure to this plague. Once and for all."
Riko stares at him, eyes wide. "Kuroko, that could months, years, decades. By then it might not even matter - "
"It doesn't matter how long it could take!" Kuroko interrupts, and there is such a look of determination on his face that Riko loses all her words for a second. "What matters is that people can be saved. As long as we have that opportunity, we must not miss it. You are right that we are not guaranteed success, but we will automatically fail if we give up without trying. Kagami said he is searching for the cure. I will help him. Even if others think it's meaningless, I still won't give up."
"But Kuroko, do you even...love him?" Riko asks quietly, and the blue haired boy stiffens.
"That doesn't matter," Kuroko answers, his voice less firm than he'd have liked it to be. "We are all people; we are a team. Teamwork is important...no matter what the circumstances are. I'd be happy to help him find a cure, no matter what I will have to do. If it's for the greater good, I must put the livelihood and happiness of many others before my own."
"Kuroko... I want you to know that I'm very proud of the person you've become. Whether you succeed or fail, I will stand behind you and support you as one of your oldest friends."
"Thank you very much, Riko-san. I will treasure those words as well as your friendship."
Riko smiles and nods. "Then I shall go and let the others know. You want to be alone, don't you?"
With a nod of Kuroko's head, she grabs her straw umbrella and heads out of the cold, empty temple of Seirin.
That night, he bathes in the sacred springs of the temple gardens, used for the cleansing of sin. His robes, slippers, and towel cast off to the side, he soaks without soap or delight. The pearly, translucent waters cleanse his skin and of every buried emotion he's concealed for the past few months.
Tetsuya.
Kuroko opens his eyes, the warm waters suddenly feeling like an inferno. The steam stings his eyes. A waft of pungent aroma drifts into his mouth. "Akashi-Kun...? This must be a figment of my dream."
And indeed the god does appear out of nowhere to be presently standing before him, his presence very much like that of a phoenix: strong, radiant, commanding of the attention of the universe. But this is no simple reincarnation, simply the return of someone whom took more than their share of wonder before departing.
The god looks offended, a slightly dark look passing through his eyes, which are already surrounded by dark circles. His skin, albeit aglow with his godly aura, was much paler and more porcelain-looking than usual.
"Tetsuya, I am the real Emperor of the Gods and I stand before you in the flesh. Must you insult my presence with trivialities?"
"My apologies, Akashi-Kun. I didn't mean to insult you." Kuroko sinks deeper into the blue depths of the waters, for his robe and towel sits a tad further away than allowance for convenient reach. "May I inquire the purpose of your visit?"
This earns him a raised brow. "I am not allowed to visit my own temple?"
"That's not it. I was wondering if there was some special occasion for you to visit or something. Perhaps you heard my prayer last night." After staying silent for all these months, and while Ogiwara-Kun is in very bad condition.
Akashi cocks his head to the side, regarding Kuroko intensely. "I had duties to attend to, Tetsuya. You must know that being Emperor of the Gods does not allow for a treasury of free time to do as I please."
"I understand, Akashi-Kun," Kuroko says tartly, and then he cannot hold back any longer. "Please save my friend."
"Shintarou is working on a cure as we speak. It is not a simple process." The soft grass swishes and makes way for a pair of divine feet as the god comes to tower over the fountain, over Kuroko. "I see you have been cleansing yourself of your sins."
"Yes, Akashi-San."
The formal honorific makes the god slow in his steps. Akashi narrows his eyes. "Tetsuya."
"How may I be of your service, Akashi-San?" Kuroko asks, and he would bow if it did not require him to stand up naked from the water. (But alas it did, and so sitting he remains.)
The god's left eye glints as if punctured by a golden ray of the sun. "Some bird whispered in my ear that you have accepted an engagement these past few months."
Kuroko shifts, and the water remains blue, ever, ever steaming. "Your bird is correct, Akashi-San."
Akashi's patience trickles to a thin halt. "So blunt as always, Tetsuya. Might I remind you that altar boys are forever bound to their temples and therefore serve in no position to marry?"
Kuroko's stare back is equally as challenging. "I don't remember ever hearing of such rules that forbid the marriage of anyone, Akashi-San."
"It is a law crafted by the universe, and therefore implied for all those who come into the service of gods and goddesses. Marriage and other bonds of the same sort create expectations. If you are to serve a god of Teiko, you must be wholly, thoroughly devoted. No exceptions."
"The priest married a woman and they have a daughter," Kuroko objects.
"The priest has formally retired some years ago, Tetsuya. He does a special favor to the king, to the gods in continuing to serve." Akashi's voice carries a hint of something dangerous within it, but this time, Kuroko misses the wind of the message. His head is feeling light, and he is sure his cheeks are as red as the roses in May.
"Akashi-San wants me not to get engaged, Akashi-San wants me to service him and him alone."
"Correct." He says it without unnecessary formality, as if Kuroko has stumbled upon common sense for the first time.
"I can't."
Akashi's eyes narrow further at such a straightfoward retaliation. Candid words come straight from the mind, but hostility stems from within the heart. "Why, pray tell? Do you think this Kagami could be your savior? Do you think he possesses the ability to rid you of the plague, of the heartaches that crumple your villages into ashes?
Do you think he can direct the tides? Do not make me take back my sentiments about you being a fool, Tetsuya. Do not prove me wrong."
And he hates the way Kuroko simply regards him with his blank expression, his empty eyes that give naught a care about the thoughts of the world.
"He does not love you," rasps the Emperor of the Gods, "Mark my words, Kuroko Tetsuya. You will cease to remember a trace of him once he is gone."
"He cares more about me than you do," Kuroko whispers, more to himself than anything.
His last statement does it.
With a hiss of fury, Akashi's hand wraps itself around Kuroko's throat, lifting the boy straight out of the water.
"Do not attempt to defy me, Tetsuya," he sneers, placing his face so that Kuroko can see the wild hetero-chromatic eyes up close, "Because I always win. Because I am always right. If you don't know your place, Tetsuya, I will be more than willing to remind you." The white, bobbing apple of Kuroko's throat throbs, for Akashi is not squeezing but gripping so pressure is still being applied.
Kuroko wheezes, feeling like a virgin being sacrificed for slaughter. "I don't know you anymore," he gasps out, clawing at his throat even though Akashi is not cutting off his air, and with a sullen look the god drops him like a lamb onto the grass, which reach up for him and bite into his shaking thighs.
"Don't tell me you've ever cared for me, Akashi-San. You've said it yourself, many times. I'm just a mortal. I could never mean that much to a god. Decades and centuries later you'll still be alive and living with laughter, and just like what has happened these past few months, I'll be long gone from your memory." Kuroko wraps his robe around himself as quickly as he can, his skin too red to meet the other's eyes. "B-besides, tonight has shown the both of us that you treat me like nothing more than a pet out of line.
"I know that usually gods don't have tea with altar boys. I'm not as callow as some people believe me to be, Akashi-San. However, one thing I didn't know was what I meant to you...what we were. But now I know. And you're right, I am a fool, because even after all this time I had been secretly hoping that there might have been something a little more meaningful.
"But it has been my own foolishness dragging me by the leash, all along. And you and I, we both let it happen." Kuroko is speaking to himself more than anyone. "Sumimasen, Akashi-Heika." He finally meets the god's eyes. "I will go back to being the altar boy of Seirin Temple. I will still dedicate my devotion to the gods of Teiko."
In all his years of being powerful, infallible, immortal, Akashi has never felt the current wave of emotions that has enveloped him. He stares at the object of his desire, mystified above all else.
"But I made a promise to Kagami-Kun. To Prince Hyuuga, to Seirin. And I do not like breaking a promise. It is like breaking a bond. Besides, even the Gods of Teiko can't save him. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and I can't let Ogiwara-Kun die without even attempting to save his life. So I am sorry, but I cannot take it back."
"Then you leave me no choice," the vibrant-haired god finds himself snarling, "Unless the engagement is called off, your fiancé will perish tomorrow at the strike of dawn."
The blood drains from Kuroko's face, and his vision begins to spin. "Akashi-Kun, don't do this..."
Something gnaws from the inside of Akashi's stone cold heart. "I'll make the deal more tempting. Call off the engagement, and your friend Ogiwara Shigehiro will be saved. But if you do not... I cannot guarantee the well-being of either of them."
"Akashi-Kun!"
And with that, the emperor of the gods flees into the night.
The funny thing is originally this was going to be all in Chapter 1...but after reaching 10k for the last chapter I decided it was time to split. I didn't have an ideal place to split. This chapter was supposed to be considerably shorter, oh well X)
Anyone have guesses as who to the god of death and plague/sin are?
Some background info~
~Just because a god answers someone's prayers does not automatically mean they cure them. Rather, they give the best medical advice they can given the context of the situation (since no two bodies react the exact same way to the plague, the gods would have to do a bit of research into the specific individual's body, psychology, and chemistry before deciding on kind of treatment. That's why helping everybody is a super difficult task.) Sometimes, the patient's suffering can only conclude with death.
~The proposal may seem like a brash decision for Kagami, but most people of Greek Mythology did not spend much time to get to know their spouses beforehand.
~Kagami's country is based on America. While America is not exactly a kingdom, it does compose of a rather large government and marriage does provide a plethora of benefits. Look it up, lol.
~Just as Kuroko says, desperate times call for desperate measures. To him, Kagami seems like the kind of person who can achieve great things (like in the show).
~Even Akashi's temper is easy to flare when he is overworked. One thing I love about Greek myths is that the gods exhibit human qualities.
~Mount Teiko is a parody of Mount Olympus.
~If you're wondering why I capitalize Emperor of the Gods and God of Beauty, etc, but not the gods of death and plague, it is because the gods of death and plague are not Kiseki no Sedai gods and therefore do not deserve the respect of proper nouns.
As a thank you for making it this far, here is a preview for Chapter 3:
His tongue slithers like that of a serpent, his laughter a wild man come to stake his claim. "I will rip you to pieces, and when the time comes, I'll decapitate your little emperor too!"
Sidenotes ~ I listened to Mountain Sound by Of Monsters and Men while writing this chapter, so perhaps that song can set the scene (especially when Kuroko runs to Ogiwara's house)
I (unfortunately) do not ship KagaKuro but I 100% understand the reasons why others would and therefore acknowledge it as a real ship. I do not believe that making Kagami more "evil" would make Akashi more appealing XD Akashi is very unique, as is Kagami, and the most I can do for them is keep them in character as much as possible during the story, for they are both rockin' characters.
Thank you so much to all those who have given me generous reviews! :) I'd love to hear from you whether I have or haven't before and let me know what/who you want to see as well as how I'm doing!
I gave myself a personal challenge of writing this chapter using as few words as possible while still keeping details, but how I did is up to you.