A/N: Sorry about the lateish update I've been quite sick for coming up on two weeks now and this chapter whilst not overly long didn't prove easy to write.

-Chapter 5—

Declaration of War

Kuroko sat on the side of the meeting table closer to the door flanked on one side by Kagami and the other Riko. A modest stack of papers sat before the Shadow king a pen held in his hand as he scanned through them making the occasional note on the pages. Riko peered over at the papers from where she sat noting the exact wording of the treaty Midorima and his subordinates had put forward carefully scouring for any pitfalls or loopholes in the agreement. Meanwhile Kagami appeared to either be asleep or staring out the window neither of which would have been surprising. Despite being one of the kingdoms' strongest warriors he was most definitely not renowned for his intellectual ability. To be honest and rather blunt about he may have had the lowest IQ in the entirety of Teikou…. well that was probably an exaggeration; academic pursuits just weren't his strong point. Neither was thinking before acting or speaking either, he wasn't nicknamed Bakagami for nothing.

Across the table Midorima glared holes into the section of wall just above Kuroko's head. The process was taking far to long in the be glassed mage's opinion, yes the documents needed to be read thoroughly but surely not so thoroughly that they needed to be gone through thrice before any decision could be made. Takao wasn't helping his patience levels either. The strategist had somehow managed to obtain a piece of paper and a pencil and was doodling something on it, Midorima most definitely did not want to find out what; Takao's brain was something best left alone deciphering it was nigh impossible. He just sincerely hoped that whatever the drawing was wasn't anything to do with battle plans. Revealing any of those to another kingdom would be extremely detrimental. Ootsubo to his credit was actual being calm and patient about he proceedings an unusual sight for the military commander.

"I apologize Midorima-kun but I cannot accept the terms of this agreement." After what felt like hours but in reality was only 45 minutes Kuroko finally broke the silence placing his pen down on the table beside the stack of papers and regarding Midorima with his blank gaze. Riko fought to supress a smile however unable to prevent one corner of her lips twitching up into a barely visible smirk. She was proud of Kuroko, despite the fact his introduction to the position of King had been less than pleasant he'd taken to the role like a fish would to water striving to do what was best for his subjects from the first seconds of hi reign.

"Why?" Midorima spoke plainly enough but a steely edge had come to his voice almost defensive as if he took offence to his agreement being turned down. Takao stopped drawing looking up to regard the trio of representatives from the Shadow kingdom with a critical gaze as if he were analysing them much like he did a battle.

"The Shadow kingdom is already the smallest of the six kingdom's barely any larger than Daichi. To lose land would be betraying the people of my kingdom. I can not allow that." If one knew him well they would've been able to detect the slightest hint of defiance in Kuroko's voice and the hardening of his gaze. Midorima adjusted his glasses in lieu of outright growling. It was far politer and wouldn't get him kicked out of the meeting rather violently by one Kagami Taiga.

"Then I am left with one option." Midorima placed his hands on the table in front of him moving to stand as he did so.
"and what would that be Midorima-kun." Kuroko proceeded to do the same as his fellow king however coming of far less intimidating thanks to his blank expression and small stature.
"From this moment forward the Wind and Shadow kingdoms are at war. No truce can be made; I have tried the polite method. Now we will fight with everything we have." Midorima growled creating a staring contest with Kuroko that lasted for what felt like ages before the Shadow mage eventually won Midorima being forced to give in to his drying eyes.

"Very well; declaration accepted. We will not hold back" The other 4 occupants of the room moved to stand as well before the two parties of representatives left parting ways as soon as they could. Midorima, Takao and Ootsubo headed out of the palace towards the stables lead by one of the servants to retrieve the horses and commence the long ride back to Shutoku. Meanwhile the Shadow leaders disappeared into the strategy room for a well-needed meeting. If war with their more vicious neighbour was inevitable after a reasonable amount of peace for the past 5 years so be it. The only thing that mattered is they had to be prepared.

-Consumed by Shadows—

"Anything from the Water kingdom yet Kasamatsucchi." Kasamatsu Yukio swung around in his office chair in an almost violent manner to face the young Light king. Kise had the grace to look taken aback taking a small step backwards and raising his hands in a defensive manner. Kasamatsu sighed glancing over his shoulder at the wall of screens he'd been facing prior to being interrupted by his rather melodramatic superior.

"If there was anything I would have told you idiot. Now leave me alone it looks like something might happen soon." Kasamatsu spat swivelling back towards his surveillance screens. Kise whined but said nothing more instead slipping into the spare seat putting the second surveillance headset on as he did so he could listen in on whatever was happening on the main screen.

The central screen showed the throne room of the Water kingdom. Aomine lazed on his throne knees bent over one-armrest feet dangling in mid-air. He rested his elbow on the other armrest head placed in the palm of his hand. Cobalt eyes observed his court with an apathetic gaze Imayoshi and Momoi standing before the Water king.

Imayoshi's glasses shone menacingly hiding his eyes from view though the smirk plastered on the notoriously slippery strategists face said more than enough. They were planning something, and that something was huge. Momoi also looked notable exited clutching a clipboard to her chest with one arm a mechanical pencil clutched tightly in the other hand. Definitely planning something if both strategists were in on the game.

Kasamatsu visibly stiffened in the chair beside Kise tapping a set of hurried commands into his main keyboard before flicking a large selection of switches on the mixing board across the back of the desk. Kise went to say something but the dark haired commander stopped him simply by gesturing and pointing towards the screen the showed the Water king.

"So we attack the Light Kingdom's eastern border first. The strategy is agreed on the question now is when." Momoi's clear voice rang through the headset as Kise adjusted the volume nod located just behind his left ear. The blond sat up just a little bit straighter in his chair gazing intensely at the screen. He'd been right they were planning something big. Although he hadn't guessed that said 'something big' would be a strategy for outright attack on his kingdom.

"One week from now, early enough to be a surprise attack. It also gives us long enough to organise the army and Water guard." Imayoshi spoke calmly his Daichi accent painfully obvious thanks to being born of the capital. Aomine sighed looking between his two major advisors before running a hand through coarse strands of navy-blue hair.

"Agreed, make sure this counts as our declaration of War, things have been far to peaceful as of late, a worthy opponent would be enjoyed." Aomine drawled swinging his legs off the armrest so he could sit properly in the throne. Imayoshi's smirk grew and Momoi let a smile creep across her delicate features. In Kise opinion they all looked as if they were one of those classic Disney villains about to burst into fits of cackles whilst proclaiming all is going to plan.

The blond groaned letting the headset slide to hand around his neck. Kasamatsu did the same sending a sidelong glance towards the Light king. Kise ran his hand through soft hair as he turned to face the strategy advisor. The older man tapped commands into his keyboard before also turning to face the young mage.

"I trust you to come up with something Kasamatsucchi." Kise stood pushing his chair back under the desk as he turned to leave.
"Yes, Kise-sama." Kasamatsu replied turning back to his elaborate setup.
"Don't disappoint. I can't to afford to fail as King particularly given the circumstances of how I ended up here."
"I'm more worried about you failing me brat."

A/N: Thankyou all so very much for reading please follow, favourite or review if you enjoyed. I'll try to get another update out over the weekend to compensate for this one being out later than I intended.

Yet again thankyou all so much
-Angel