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Sapphyre Lily, akemi, Pri-Chan 1410, SkyMadien1, Tainted5pirit, fostine. foli , animelover822, AngelXReaper, alice, ShimonYuukino, Kuro13Dead, Kiri0918
Everyone's awesome! Thank you for reviewing, faving and alerting this fanfic!
~o0o0o~
ClockWorks 02
Bitterness
~o0o0o~
The night Kuroko fell fast asleep in Akashi's arms triggered mixed emotions within the taller male. It was filled with happiness, sadness, confusion, gratefulness, surprise, and nostalgia. How such emotions came into surface wasn't clear in Akashi's point. They just somehow showed themselves up and stirred up his composure.
He carried the sleeping puppet maker and laid him back in the bed. He tucked him in and eyed him for a good few seconds.
Kuroko's peaceful sleeping face reminded Akashi of a familiar figure from way back then. He silently stepped outside of Kuroko's bedroom and out of the place via backdoor.
Mysteriously enough, the backyard was vast and open. In the middle of that backyard was a large tree. It was about a hundred years old and if not, older. Its leaves and flowers were already withering, indicating that the cold season was approaching. Akashi stepped on to the grassy land and made his way to the tree. He can hear the crickets sing their songs during the night.
He never knew that such serenity could exist in a place like this.
Coming closer, Akashi realized that the tree was taller than he thought it was. It must've been a beautiful sight to see that tree in full bloom, the red haired male internally thought. He trailed his hand on the trunk of that tree.
A strained smile appeared on Akashi's features. "After all these years… you still existed…"
…
"Tetsuya…"
~o0o0o~
It was a wish upon a tree the first time the two had met.
Akashi was a kid by then and as well as the person who he knew as 'Kuroko'.
How they met was something similar to a 'fated meeting'… It was unexpected but at the same time pleasant—very pleasant.
The irony…
…
…
The tree was in still young that time. And just like that night, it was losing its leaves and flowers. It was cold and chilly. Back then, there were no buildings and pavements that would ruin a beautiful scenery. That's why Akashi used to escaped their manor and stay at that place. He didn't care about the temperature outside. He just wanted to escape at some point because of the suffocating duties he had to do back there.
The grass was all dewy and moist. Myriads of flowers filled random spaces on the ground. Fireflies would light up the spot by the tree. Insects and some animals would sing their songs while basking under the night sky…
It was relaxing.
Akashi inhaled the night air and stared at the crescent moon. Unlike the present where street lights covered most of the night sky, the past had the sky filled with billions of stars.
"Seijuurou! Are you even listening to me?!"
"…"
A sour face came into view as he remembered his mentor for geometry shouting at him for not listening. He clenched his hands into a tight fist as he kicked the grass. He took a lung full of air and…
"AAAAHHHHH!" He mightily shouted, causing the winged animals to suddenly fly away. Everything suddenly fell silent. Akashi still remained upset and angry over the situations he had to deal with back at home. He greatly inhaled again, "WWHHYYYY?!" The boy covered his face with his two little hands, "WHY AM I DOING THIS?!"
Akashi fell down on his knees, his hands grabbed the grass full-force and his head nearly touched the ground as if bowing. "Can someone switch place with me..?" He weakly pleaded. He was sick of everyday studying and learning. It was dull and boring.
This wasn't the life he wanted.
He would rather be a commoner who played with other kids than to be part of royalty who shouts rude words while hiding behind the castle. It wasn't until later that fireflies created a trail to the tree. Out of instinct, Akashi followed the trail and ended up facing the tree. He became a level more irritated compared to awhile ago as he continued to face the tree for no utter reason.
Akashi sighed dejectedly and decided to just relax next to that tree. He grumpily sat down and watched the fireflies dance around.
'Is anyone there..?'
The red haired boy jumped in surprise. He shot straight up and rolled his eyeballs left and right. There wasn't anyone in this area aside from him during these times.
"It must be my imagination…" Akashi said to himself.
However, he was rendered wrong when he felt someone or something knocked on the trunk. Moreover, the knock came from the inside. The red haired felt like he fell six feet below the ground upon hearing that sound. Akashi slowly back away from the tree as the knocking continued and it grew louder and louder until—
"NOOOO!"
It was the terrified shriek of a child like Akashi. He dashed back to the tree and pounded on the tree. "HEY! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!" Akashi shouted, continuing to pound on the tree as if there was no tomorrow. Akashi was uncharacteristically panicking for the first time.
He was the only one around. There was no adult to help retrieve the crying boy inside the tree. And, what can he possibly do as a child who simply ran away from home for the night?
Akashi's loud pounding was responded with a pound from the inside, "RUN AWAY!" The boy from inside the tree shouted. That boy's voice was filled with terror, not for him, but for Akashi. It was weak—as if that boy was shouting everyday for his life.
"What are you saying?! This is the first time we've met?! WHY AREN'T ASKING FOR HELP INSTEAD?!" Akashi shouted back, pounding the tree in the process.
Before the boy inside the tree could even reply, an eerie witch's chuckle echoed throughout the vast space. The fireflies died off, making Akashi uneasy of his situation. A bead of sweat rolled down his cheek as he slowly backed away from the tree once again. He swallowed a lump. He didn't want to do it but that was the only choice he has.
He gritted his teeth in annoyance and ran away at full speed. "I'LL COME AND GET YOU! REMEMBER THAT!"
…
…
The next day, Akashi requested for lumberjacks. Unfortunately, no one took up on the request the moment they mentioned the tree in the middle of a vast open space. Rumors say that the tree is the resting house of a witch who grabs children on a whim. Witnesses reported that the victims were lured by another kid. It was a vague description but the kid was covered in bandages and he had light blue hair—he was taken to be a ghost.
Of course, Akashi knew better. That boy was being forced. He just knows it.
While it was still broad daylight, he took the opportunity of slipping out of the manor and back to that forest. He brought along small knives and a shovel to get that boy out of that cursed tree. 'Just you wait for me!'
…
…
To be surprised or to be confused was Akashi's option upon entering that vast space. He saw a boy wearing rugged clothes sit in the middle of the myriads of flowers. Small animals and butterflies and dragonflies surrounded him. The said boy with teal hair noticed his presence and lifted a finger up to his lips then said some very silent words—too silent for Akashi to comprehend.
The red haired male then took silent steps to the little boy in rags. Coming closer, he was beautiful especially with his eyes and hair. Too bad, that boy had multiple scars and bruises around his body.
"I didn't quite understand…" Akashi whispered then knelt down to the other boy's level, "Can you repeat that..?"
"The queen does not like intruders." He bluntly replied.
"But I've been here almost every night…" Akashi lightly scratched his head, sighed, then just showed a open palm, "My name is Akashi Seijuurou, son of the Akashi household."
The other boy did the same, "I am Kuroko Tetsuya, son of the diminished Kuroko household." He said, grabbing Akashi's hand shaking it in the process.
"You said 'queen'… why so..?"
"She just likes to be referred that way… the witch, I mean."
Akashi completely sat down together with Kuroko and enjoyed the beauty of nature. Rabbits of different sizes jumped on Akashi. They were adorable—but not as adorable as the person he was with. It was similar to chemistry working in full throttle. They were compatible so much that enjoyed the presence of each other.
Chopping down the tree completely faded out of his mind…
…
…
Akashi continued to visit Kuroko day after day, regardless of the fact that the people in his manor were in search for him EVERY SINGLE TIME he disappears. He would bring food for them to eat, new toys for them to play with, and some books to help Kuroko stand the times he was ordered to capture kids by the witch.
"You know… you can always stay in my household…" Akashi mentioned. He looked straight into Kuroko's eyes and added, "That way you don't have to worry anymore." The red haired boy placed his hands on Kuroko's shoulder, "I'll stay by your side! And I'll also protect you!"
Kuroko casted his eyes away from the other male, "I cannot… for I am bound to this tree. Once I reach a certain age, I shall stop growing and I shall be here for the remaining times. I simply cannot."
"It's because of the witch, isn't it?!" Akashi shouted.
Kuroko placed a finger over his lips, "Shhh…"
Akashi gritted his teeth in anger. "What do you propose to do?!" He breathily shouted. "Cut down the tree?!"
"If the tree dies, I die and if I die, the tree dies." Kuroko shot back. "That is my curse! Please understand that..!"
Anger immediately turned into guilt. "I'm sorry…"
Akashi then returned home with the burden of guilt weighing on his shoulders…
It wasn't until later that the witched learned the existence of another brat in her territory.
…
War ensued on the kingdom. Thousands of lives were wasted. Innocent people and children lost their loved ones. It was a living nightmare.
Inside the castle sat the prince, Akashi Seijuurou, whose eyes were dull and lifeless. Only he was able to see the specks floating inside their castle. His father and mother were doing their best to win the war but to no avail. Thousands of floating specks in the sky flew inside the castle and surrounded Akashi. He wanted to shut everything away.
He can hear the mourning cries of the specks. Each speck glowed different colors but most of them were dyed red—like the color of blood. It was painful for him and he knew that his people felt even more damage compared to his. He knew something was up, but he can't pinpoint the exact reason.
Moments later a large bomb was dropped in his kingdom. It was too bright to see what was happening.
The only thing Akashi could remember was that he was the only one standing in the middle of ashes and debris. A barrier made out of light that protected him dissipated and joined the glowing specks in the sky. Standing before him was his two parents, the king and queen. They were withering.
"We love you…" They said. The boy's eyes were immediately filled with intense sadness as his parents finally joined the lights in the sky.
It was night once more and the sky was filled with the glowing specks. Akashi covered his ears and shut his eyes tight. There were too many voices. Most of them were cries filled with sadness. Soon enough, Akashi was crying as well. "I DON'T WANT THIS!"
"Our prince..!"
"Please save us..!"
Akashi feverishly shook his head. "SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" His was already near to insanity by the time he heard the cries of innocent children. They were weak and heart-breaking. To suffer the fate of death upon those who had nothing to do with it was unacceptable. Akashi was mentally breaking down. The voices that kept lingering around were more than enough to inflict damage towards the red head.
The specks combined together and formed a crystal heart. It glowed crimson red like Akashi's eyes.
"Live for our sake." They said as it combined with Akashi's heart.
Countless thoughts entered Akashi's mind. Most of them were about fighting for what they think is right. Some shouted thoughts of revolution, others thought of justice, and some wanted to know of their other families were alright. Akashi's vision grew blurry upon hearing those kinds of thoughts. He finally broke down as he kept crying non-stop.
"Dear Seijuurou…"
Akashi hitched his breath the moment he heard his mother's voice.
"You just need to fulfill their wish so that they can return to heaven…"
Like a charm, Akashi stopped crying and nodded in response. He could feel the warmth of his mother engulf his whole body.
"If you understand it, please stop crying… It pains me to see my child go down in such a state."
Sorrowful pain started to well up inside of Akashi yet again. But for their sake, he'll toughen up—even if it was just for a little bit.
…
After that traumatizing event, Akashi continued to visit Kuroko as if nothing really happened. Although, the red haired male would occasionally be gone for a few weeks, Kuroko would just brush it off and continue with what they usually do when Akashi does reappear.
Years later, both males already reached the age of 21. By then, Kuroko was to stay looking that way and so does Akashi—though, he didn't mention that to the other male.
"History repeats itself…" Akashi murmured.
"You said something..?" Kuroko said back.
"It's nothing…"
…
How they met was actually a coincidence of a kid and another kid.
Akashi was the prince who lived for other's sake and Kuroko was the noble who was bound by the tree.
'Fated Meetings' were nothing but imaginations set by the mind. They only exist in fairytales.
That's how it was…
~o0o0o~
BANG!
Akashi woke up by the sound of a door forcefully being opened. It remained a mystery to him on how he even fell asleep under the tree—let alone sitting down and closing his eyes. After those last lines in his flashback, everything was a blur. He stood up and admired the tree for a brief moment before returning inside the shop.
Much to his pleasant surprise, the teal haired male was looking for Akashi. Said male felt a smile tugging at the ends of his lips. After all he said last night, Akashi just couldn't let go of that male. Even though both of them are probably living for a centennial already, they just can't get enough of each other's company.
He went behind the panicking male and gave him a soothing pat on the head, "G' Morning…"
Kuroko turned around with a dumbstruck face. Akashi could see the thoughts the other male was probably thinking as he let out a good-mannered chuckle.
"I'm not going anywhere…"
A smile took Akashi back to the past. That smile was the same smile Kuroko would give every time Akashi would bring a new book for him to read. "Thank you… very much."
It was so warm, like how it used to be. It would just never get old. Akashi pressed his forehead against Kuroko's. A light tint of red graced his features as he replied, "No… I, thank you."
They stayed like that for a good few seconds. Akashi pulled back and smiled at Kuroko.
"That reminds me…" The teal haired male started, "I've been thinking… 'Seijuurou' is a name that fits you perfectly. Don't you think that's a good first name for you..?"
Akashi's world crumbled to pieces.
"… Tetsuya… Y-You don't remember me..?"
A simple shook of his head was the only response he got.
~TO BE CONTINUED~
I don't know if this is a good one but… oh well XD (Another past will be brought up on the next chap~)
Care to drop a review?
Ciao~!