YEHEEEEEY KICCHIN IS BACK! Yes I'm feeling much better now, LOL I still have a Ghost hunt hungover to the fact that Oliver just asked that stupid question by the end of the series, and the mangaka saying she did it because she isn't a fan of happy endings, I mean CANT SHE MAKE AN EXCEPTION FOR THAT MANGA. Hahaha, anyways I am very sorry for lashing out, I'm still bit under the Ghost Hunt fever. My family is getting a bit worried of me being able to simultaneously watch three different anime in a day—they shouldn't its my secret talent LOL. So getting back to our story, today's chapter is inspired by Kuroshitsuji, thank you Sebastian Michaelis LOL—no seriously I'm listening to one of his character songs—Kizu Daraeke no Eternity while writing the entire chapter. One of the chapter in Yana Toboso-san's famed manga Kuroshitsiji took on this topic about Momento Mori(I pray that you read that part already so I wont be spoiling you—but yeah to those who hasn't SPOILER ALERT)in which Ciel found that Undertaker's priced possession is his grandmother's Momento Mori, a few days ago I watched Death Parade and Decim mentioned it again so I said, damn, this gotta be fate LOL so I entitled it Momento Mori—plus it fits our chapter. So we come to our heart stopping moment.
Who is gonna be the sacrificial lamb? *drum rolls* And what is going to be of our darling flying creatures? OMG thank you guys for putting Kicchin and Tsubasa No Yume on your fav and follow alert! And to those who reviewed, Kumiko-Walker-san Bubbles9595 and AJ-san! Ahahaha I LOVE YOU BOOOOOTH AND EVRYONE WHO TAKES TIME TO READ Tsubasa, please review when you have time!
REVIEW PLEAAAAASE I LOVE YOU ALL!
Chapter 14: Momento Mori
"When the warm days had come to an end,
My memories shall be filled with only you."
.
.
He remembered he was in a dessert, in a desolated ruin, he was sitting in a small platform a basket of fruits in his lap, with a different name, longer hair, in his side was an angel with the most beautiful face, the angel whose name meant the bearer of light. He was quiet and his eyes were serene and calm, like the sands and the wind that blows in his scarlet hair and fiery wings. He tucked a lose strand of his long brown locks behind his ear as he watch the angel quietly watch the earth before him. The angel called him Sara. Perhaps that was his name this time. The sky above them looked promising. He felt a small smile tugged in his lips as he enjoyed the quiet day. The angel turned to him raising an eyebrow, "Why are you smiling human?" he asked. His voice was cold and voided of any emotion, but Furihata knew now of all people, he knew that behind that thick wall of defence was a worrisome, protective, and kind being. He shook his head words spilled of his lips without him thinking.
Ah yes, this…this body…isn't really his, but inside he knows this was still him—this was Sara's. These are her memories as well. She was the voice that whispered in the back of his mind, the woman…who fell for this angel, just as hard as he is now.
"I am happy that is why." Sara said simply.
"I do not understand you humans, what are you happy about?"
"I'm happy that I am alive." She said tracing her fingertips with the threads of the woven basket. The feeling of the wind against her cheek, the heat of the sun in her head, the smell off humid in the air, it reminded her that she was alive.
"You do realize that with being born it only means you will die someday?" the angel said.
The human nodded, "Yes, I have come to that point as well. I have realized that as well." She said, "But I am still happy. I mean this is just so beautiful, the world, the feeling of the wind, the sand…the sky, I am so fortunate to see them."
"I do not understand your idea of happiness, though."
She chuckles putting a hand over her lips before raising her head to meet the red eyes, "Humans aren't as complex as you think so Akashi. People get sad and happy with just small matters, they cry and laugh on small details. Whatever makes them happy they smile, whatever makes them sad they cry. That's humans. People are very emotional I think."
"And that is why I think you are so weak."
"I don't think so." The brunette servant replied, "I think that what makes us strong. Because we feel, we understand each other, because we know what pain feels like that is why we try not to inflict the same pain to others, because we know happiness feels like we try to share it with others. Empathy…I think is the right word."
The angel stared at her for a few moments then a small smile tugged in his lips as he looked ahead again. The angel was never really quite vocal on his feelings, if he does have, which Sara believed he does. He was often quiet, smirking, sometimes just small smile, but Sara had found their small chat the most dear moments of her life. Perhaps it was quite strange to be talking to the angel of the lord, or to be speaking with him in this manner, but Sara knew the angel wouldn't want it any other way. She smiled and stood next to the angel. "Humans are all different because we have emotion, its sometimes difficult to understand them—but that doesn't mean their complex. And humans being difficult to understand doesn't mean you should give up on understanding them." she said quietly, she saw the angel glanced at her in the corner of his eyes before closing them.
"Empathy…I like it." He said before walking towards the sands, it was strange how his feet would not leave any footprints on the sand. His back was facing her as he spread his wings. "I will see you again, Sara."
Then the small back flew farther, and farther away until he was nowhere to be seen—
KNOCK KNOCK!
Furihata bolted up as he heard the banging on his front door, his eyes widen as he found himself in his bedroom, he remember coming home, speaking with Akashi and…he blinked…where…where is Akashi? He looked around but he was alone, he could hear muffled voice from downstairs, he climbed out of his bed and found something on the nightstand. He didn't understand…why…why was it there? The cheap wrist watch lay on the wooden nightstand next to his lampshade, he couldn't be mistaken. The red belt was all too familiar to him. He took it in his hand wondering, after buying this a few days ago Akashi had never took it off unless he was helping him with washing the dishes or the laundry. A sudden tinge of fear washed over him as he clutched the wrist to his chest and stormed out of his room.
"Akashi-kun!" he called out in the hallway, there was no reply, he continued to call the angel's name but there was no reply, he ran down to the living room yet there was not even his shadow to be found. Furihata was taken aback as the knocking became louder. He could hear now what the person outside was saying.
"Hello! This the local government unit official please answer the door if you are still in there!"
Furihata quickly opened the door and found a man in a vest and a hard hat with a glow stick in hand. "Are you the occupant of this house?" he asked, it was raining Furihata realized.
"Yes." He answered. "W-What's happening?"
"A very bad weather disturbance, sir, we ask you to come with us for evacuation immediately. We will provide you warmer clothes on the location, sir first is we have to get you out of here fast." He said ushering the teenager, Furihata frowned as he hesitantly tried to pulled back.
"Wait, I-I need to find my friend." Furihata said as he tried to wiggle off the man. "P-Please, I need to see him first we gotta get him too!"
"Sir you have to go now," The man tried to persuade him, "we will look for your friend, we will bring him to the evacuation center as well just please come with us, we must ensure your safety first."
"You don't understand do you?" Furihata said looking back at his house filled with worry, "I cant leave without Akashi-kun!"
"Sorry sir we need to evacuate now." The man said pulling Furihata away and dragging the teenager towards a police car.
The car ride was short, Furihata was baffled as he found the city looked nowhere near how it did a few hours ago, some houses were on fire, some were crumbled to the ground, it was raining as well and the thunderstorm was frightening. They soon arrived at the covered gym along with another car with a woman and her daughter. They were given a blanket and they were ushered to the gym. They were welcomed with chaos and utter noise, everyone was looking for someone, some kids were crying some men were arguing with the officials to get their child left in the school or camp or something of sorts, there was a woman who was pleading someone to call her husband who was still at work. Furihata felt frightened, something was wrong, this doesn't feel like any other weather disturbance for some reason. The pounding in his chest hasn't calmed yet as his eyes scan the place for any familiar face, a scarlet hair. He walked in the room looking at for Akashi, perhaps he was taken here as well? Finally Furihata decided to ask people around.
The first person just ignored the boy the second glared at him, he sighed. He was feeling extremely anxious right then, where was Akashi, why did he leave without telling him? He continued to look around when he suddenly saw a familiar mop of navy blue hair and tanned skin. He was speaking with someone, thinking the Too player may be able to help him with his dilemma. He walked towards the boy when suddenly Aomine turned and bumped into him causing him to fall in his bottoms.
"Yo, sorry man." He heard Aomine say looking up he found the usual intimidating eyes of the monster of the court almost making him gasp. He found the pink haired manager of the Too Basketball Club running to his side muttering apologies in behalf of Aomine. Aomine offered him a hand and he accepted it pulling himself to his feet.
"I-I'm sorry I-I wasn't looking." Furihata apologized bowing his head to the power forward player. The aura of intimidation was almost identical to Akashi's but it was more like monster like intimidate, and Akashi's was regal, royal, power induced intimidation. Aomine was staring at him hard, he wonder if the player could even remember who he is, after all he hasn't play against his team yet—always in the bench. "I-I'm sorry!" he repeated.
"Can I help you?" Aomine asked noticing something the boy held in his hand. It was a cheap looking wrist watch with a red belt, he was clutching it terribly close to his chest as he tried to avoid an eye contact with Aomine. "Hey, buddy, can I help you?"
"I…I was wondering…i-if you happened to have seen a guy, h-he has uhm, this weird scarlet hair, a-and uhm…really bright red eyes, p-pale s-skin, his name is A-Akashi Seijuuro, p-perhaps have you seen someone like that?"
Furihat didn't miss the slight widening of his eyes when he said those words…could it be…he knows Akashi?
"Ah! You're Furihata of Seirin!"
Furihata was surprised when Momoi exclaimed his name, he smiled meekly nodding, "I-I thought y-you'd know," he bowed his head, "I-I'm Furihata Kouki, from Seirin High School, I'm also a member of the school's basketball club." Aomine's eyes widen. Seirin, huh, not that he mentions it, looking around he didn't see any other Seirin players nearby, well they have their own gymnasium so perhaps the covered gym was used as well as evacuation area for the students.
Blinking Aomine shook the thought, how did this kid knew Akashi? Grabbing the boy by the shoulder he looked at him in the eyes, "How the hell did you know that guy?" Aomine asked, "Don't tell me you're one of them?!"
Furihata was shocked when he heard what Aomine said. Aomine…knew about the angels as well? "You…do?" Furihata asked.
Aomine stopped shaking the boy eyes wide…Furihata…knew? He stepped back running a hand on his hair, Furihata had been sheltering…Akashi, Akashi was…
"Whose this Akashicchi anyways?"
"He's…he's our eldest brother…his name is Lucifer."
"L-Lucifer?! Y-You mean that scary satanic crap?! That's your brother? I thought he was a demon!"
Kise shook his head, "Aominecchi, where are you even getting your information?" he sighed, "Lucifer…was the most beautiful angel. But he was only damned. According to prophecies, he will lead an army of demons and damned souls. He is a fallen angel."
"Meaning to say…he's like the destroyer?"
Kise didn't answer .
Why was Furihata with him, why was Furihata with the destroyer of humanity? Narrowing his eyes to the brunette he quickly grabbed him by the shoulder surprising Momoi as well. "Where is that little shit!" he exclaimed, "Do you even know what on fucking hell you are doing sheltering that guy?!"
"Aomine-kun!" Momoi retorted trying to pull Aomine off the scared boy, "You're scaring him!"
"Don't stop me Satsuki this is none of your business!"
"But Aomine-kun—"
"What are you trying to say, I'm looking for Akashi-kun as well." Aomine let go of Furihata heaving, trying to calm down Aomine clenched his hand into a fist and stepped away. "Aomine-kun do you know where Akashi-kun is? Aomine-kun do you know—"
"His fucking brothers are out there trying to fucking stop that shit from destroying the fucking world!" Aomine bursted, "Kise…is there, he…and the others as he say…are trying to stop that guy from killing the whole planet." Furihata's eyes widen…what…what is Aomine saying, Kise…? Who is Kise? Akashi…never really told him about anything about himself, being an angel was quite self-explanatory, but he never really asked him about him. Aside from Sara's memory that he has vaguely held what else does he know about Akashi? He…
I don't really know much about Akashi-kun…his brothers
Where he came from…
Who is he?
What does Aomine-kun means when he said 'stopping him from destroying the world'?
"I… don't understand Aomine-kun…w-what are you trying to say…"
"Akashi is fucking Lucifer!"
Furihata's eyes widen…
Lucifer….Lucifer is…humanity's—Furihata felt his hand shook violently as he stare at Aomine's eyes in search for a hint of lie—but there was none. He felt a breath caught in his throat as the thought sinks in. Akashi is…Lucifer and there was a starnge phenomenon before them. The thought was plausible and basing on the way Aomine spoke about him it seems like he had the impression Akashi is the reason for this catastrophe. Could it be? Could it be possible that it is indeed Akashi that brought this to them? The lights in the gym flickered for a moment as a loud thunder roared, they heard the people shriek and children started crying out for their mothers in fear. Could Akashi ever—Furihata felt his chest tightened as he remember the eyes Akashi had when he attacked those robbers then, that frightening, merciless, cold eyes.
He doesn't want to believe in Aomine he want to diminish the thought, but he knows the look in Aomine's eyes told him the very truth and once those words was left he knew he could not unhear them. A small feminine voice cried in his mind, telling him Akashi isn't bad.
Akashi-kun…
He was quiet, his eyes were usually cold and stoic, bored, he didn't talk often. Akashi liked books more than people, he'd prefer Miso soup than to talk about frivolous things, but…he isn't bad, he isn't evil. He was…he always thought of Furihata in the simplest yet most precious way he could. Akashi wasn't very fond or very good in showing directly how he felt his concern towards the brunette, but he knew that the quiet reminder the scarlet haired angel sent him every time, the small smirk over his annoying blabber, the look he gave him was his way of saying how he cares for the other. He was quite impulsive sometimes, sometimes too calculative, he was too much of everything sometimes but Furihata knew he was anything but evil. He remember the shaking of the angel's arms as he held the brunette in his arms. He shook his head, a tear escaped his eyes as he held the wrist watch in his hand.
"Kouki."
"Y-Yes?"
"Today was fun."
Akashi-kun…wouldn't…Akashi-kun isn't like that!—Shaking Furihata looked up at the blue haired basketball player lips quivering, "He is anything but evil, Akashi-kun isn't like that he might be unable to properly tell what he feels like, but he isn't like that! Akashi-kun will not do that…I…I know, I just…know." He stared at the tanned male despite his shaking legs, he cannot let him say continue speaking like that knowing the truth. He remember the distant look in his eyes, then he would say he was thinking about his home. How can someone with such lonely look in his face would be the destroyer of humanity? "I…I believe Akashi-kun…I believe in him!"
…
Akashi's eyes widen as he turned around and found nothing. Did…someone just prayed to him? It was the strangest feeling, it was so long when someone had prayed on his name. When someone prays in their name they would feel this surge of electric shock like, but not painful, it felt like someone had tickled them, and then followed by the feeling of warmth. It was unbelievable, someone…had thought of him just now, a human? Looking towards at the city beneath him Akashi wondered if he was not born as Lucifer would he live a fairly better life than he does now, would it be easier for him and Furihata, would the brunette fall in love with him? He chuckled to his thoughts, he was being senile. He looked straight ahead a frown fell to his face. The apartment had been reduced to ruins of concrete now and the protective globe of energy that seemed to serve as a cocoon is now in the air, Kise and Midorima came a few moments ago saying they were there to give a hand. Kise had changed and Midorima as well, their eyes were alive. He wondered if they have met someone as well as he did. This only made Akashi's wish to stop the apocalypse intensify. Kise flew and gave another experimental attack only to be blown again by the protective barrier, an invisible electric field seems to have filled the globe of light. As they attack it only continued to become greater in power, soon that energy will be enough to reduce them into microscopic pieces—effectively reducing their existence on earth. Midorima was about to launch another attack when—
"Shintaro stop!"
Midorima stopped and turned to find Akashi, he could not help but notice Akashi's wounded left arm and cracked lips, he couldn't even heal himself. He was reserving them to keep that state he was in or at least his appearance. He turned and found Kise trying to catch his breath, he isn't in any better condition either. His hands were slightly burnt from the counter of Kuroko's protective force field.
"If you continue the field around him will only become more powerful and our next attack might…annihilate us. We cannot come close to it, it is very dangerous." Akashi said.
"But what should we do?" Kise asked, "W-What will happen to Kurokocchi?!"
"We have to think of another way." Midorima said.
"But we do not have time!" Kise exclaimed.
"Ryouta, calm yourself down, your panic won't be any help to us in this situation." Akashi said. He bit his lower lip trying not to show the injury in his arm hurt as much. It was badly broken from getting slammed against the wall a few moments ago. He understand what Kise was feeling, he was as concerned as he is for their youngest, he could only pray that he would snap out of it before he could do any damage. The light had reduced now which means the awakening will be soon over. "Shintaro is correct we need to think of—"
Akashi was cut off by the sound of flapping of wings, they turned and found Murasakibara approaching in haste. Midorima's eyes widen, the shock was mirrored in Kise's face as well. Akashi didn't ask when Murasakibara didn't came despite feeling the other's presence, he thought Kise and Midorima perhaps had asked the six feet angel to do something else.
"What are you doing here!" Midorima's voice roared making Akashi raised an eyebrow, did the composed, stoic, proper brother of his just raised his voice? The angel flew towards his purple haired brother grabbing the front of his shirt, "Did I not tell you to stay there! The instruction was simple!"
"Shintaro there must be a good reason behind this, stop this!" Akashi said to the green haired angel. Midorima shrugged his hold off Murasakibara but still glaring at the angel. "Atsushi, I believe we tasked you to look after the human vessel for Kuroko's sword, why are you here?"
Murasakibara looked at them quiet for a moment, "Takao-chin," he started making Midorima flipped his switch. A hot air of energy emmited from the emerald hair angel as he suddenly grabbed Murasakibara again in the front of his shirt his eyes sending death glares to the taller male.
"What happened to Takao?" he asked his voice dripping with venom.
"Takao-chin asks me to relay a message to you…personally."
"I do not understand why you have to leave your post Atsushi." Akashi said with a frown.
"I do not want to waste Takao-chin's efforts, that is why." Muraskibara said to the three.
"What do you mean, what did Takao do?!"
"Its not important now, Takao-chin wouldn't be happy if we waste more time." Murasakibara said looking at Midorima's eyes as he gently pried the angel's hands off his shirt to be able to speak, "We are able to find a way to stop Kuro-chin's awakening."
…
Nijimura flipped the logbook in his hand confirming each and every deaths on report sent to him by his reapers. He took a heavy breath as he placed the item on one of the glass cages on the quiet room. Humans loves to collect things that reminded them of their history, it enabled the next generation to see what was in the past, and how the previous generations lived. Walking towards the brown haired man standing before an old portrait he reached to his pocket producing a small bottle enclosed by a wooden cork. "Humans continued to fascinate me." He said raising the bottle to the light, he smiled at the silver blue color of the energy inside. "To think he'd risk his eyes, to risk that one thing that he could actually bring him closer to finding his long lost family, to risk the sense in which he relies almost eighty percent of the time, to risk his future as a doctor…for an information he has no idea if true or not."
"Did you know what he told me when I was about to get his eyes from him?" Nijimura placed the regent on top of the glass cage next to the logbook remembering the look the doctor gave him, he had a small smile in his lips, "He said, he trust me…he trust the look I had when I was telling him the information. Trust…such laughable thing. Its intangible and yet a man of logic, a man of science believes on such thing. Such brave soul, I would love to reap his soul personally."
A chuckled finally broke the one sided conversation, the brown haired man ran his hand on the item on his hand. "Indeed, but you can't, not now." Kiyoshi said running his hand on the item before turning to Nijimura.
"That item is from this museum, you shouldn't be touching it so casually Kiyoshi."
The man laughed again, "Do you know what this item is called Nijimura-kun?"
Nijimura blinked, the object was round about the size of a palm of a sixteen year old, it looked like it was shrunk in Kiyoshi's big hands. The edges were gold and a beautiful pattern was etched on it, it seems like a locket the only difference was the front was made of a clear glass showing the item inside. Visible from the glass was a beautifully black hair preserved. "That's…a human hair." He answered cringing. He frowned, what a creepy hobby.
Kiyoshi shook his head, "Its not just a simple hair—it's a hair cut off from a deceased."
Nijimura's eyes widen staring at Kiyoshi in disbelief, "Kiyoshi you and your hobbies are making me doubt that you are God."
"Come on, don't be like that." The man said chuckling, he stopped looking at the item in his hand. The owner of the item was an Japanese woman who married a British young man, he felt the memories of the object flowing in him. A beautiful woman on her young age of twenty and a man of twenty-eight, the woman had a striking beautiful black hair while her betrothed had blonde hair, they were a happy couple—or so until the war broke. The woman died in an attack, when her husband came back he was no longer among the living. He grieved for weeks. "This is called…Momento Mori."
Nijimura finally realized, having lived so many years—being older than God himself, he knew of it but had slipped only in his memory. During the Victorian Era somewhere in England this had become quite a statement during then. He had paid little attention to it of course, things that humans develop doesn't really amuse him that much. "What of it?" Nijimura asked.
"Momento Mori meant…remember your mortality." Kiyoshi said, "During Victoria's reign, early to late 19th century the English nobles and family that were quite affluent would make Momento Mori for their deceased family member, they would usually encase a part of the deceased in items similar to this—usually the hair. It is to remember the deceased member of the family, and as a sign to the living members that they are mortals as well, and thus there will be a time when they too shall cease to live, thus they must live today. To remember death, to remember life, to know your mortality. From ash and so shall come back to ash."
Nijimura smirked, "Well I never thought you'd be interested, you feared nothing, not even me." He said. It was true he could reap God himself, but he has no reason to do so yet. And even if he does, God isn't really like humans, he was one whole being, not humans who has physical body and soul, God, Kiyoshi, had only his soul—his soul was powerful enough to stood to itself making it tangible. Besides if he does reap him—the whole planet, the whole universe will come with him for it was moving, speeding, expanding, changing, only because he was alive. If he cease to exist, aside from apocalypse…there will be again, nothing—not time, not space, not even darkness or light. "For someone who would never experience such, what is it you? Do you even understand their feelings? I am beginning to wonder. Honestly we could truly not sympathize with them, don't you think? For we don't know what is it to be born, nor to die. Even if your son would actually destroy this planet I would still live and so do you, and the others, so what is it you?"
Kiyoshi smiled, "We…couldn't sympathize with them that is exactly why." He said, "That is why I admire them, because they know of it. Because they hold something I don't. The feeling of truly…being alive. That is why…I want to give my children that gift."
"Mortality, huh? Would they be please?"
"You know, when I lived among humans I experienced something—it was grief. I watched a soul be born, then grow into a fine young woman, she called me by the name Teppei, I came to know her slowly every day, I almost forgot about time, then she told me that she had come to love me but I cannot return her feelings, and so…I watched her fall in love with someone else, she got married, she had three children, an energetic son, and a two darling daughters, it was then I realized, she was getting old and I wasn't, I watched her children grow up, fall in love as well. Before I know it she…had fallen ill. She died. And to me it just felt like weeks. Those decades felt like weeks," he laughed bitterly, "I knew one day I will see her once again, and I would see the same thing repeat over. And knowing every single lifetime that I have to meet her, she would be so close to me and I—we cannot be, because she knows of mortality and I do not. I must continue to exist. That grief, that is something I do not want them to feel. It killed me once when I saw that in Akashi's eyes when Sara died. I cannot let them live their lives like this anymore—my sons are my children, they are not tools." Kiyoshi said, "One day…one day I know they will understand, if today they would hate me for these things I have put them through, I know one day they would understand. I put my faith on them as well."
…
Akashi's eyes widen as Murasakibara relayed the information. Somehow, it feels like he knew this will happen, somehow he knows something like this will happen. When the world was filled with sin God sent Christ, his lamb to cleanse the humans of their sins and in doing so he faced death as the sacrificial lamb. This time to save the world from its destruction another sacrifice is needed. Somehow Akashi knew how it has to be done. To stop his brother…a life force must compel him to severe his ties from heaven. This wont only stop the destruction but—he wonder if Kuroko would be alright with it. Such selfish act only befits a selfish creature. Kise and Midorima were still both flabbergasted with the information, but to Akashi it felt like he was only been told what he already knew. To save a thousand, one must sacrifice—how many things had he had read pertaining of that notion? Most people would think of this as an act of selflessness, but Akashi knew better.
He remember the story he read, of a knight clad in black armor, in order to save his friend and the princess he sacrificed himself thinking it was the best possible way to save those that he holds dear. It was stupid, for he did save them from their nemesis but not from grieve. His friend vowed vengeance and the princess cried for weeks until she fell ill. Dying for the sake of others is stupid.
And maybe he was stupid as well.
"Akashi-chin!"
"Wait Akashicchi!"
His flapped his wings as powerful as he could, he sped up like no other the powerful flaps of his wings disturbed the air flow making his brother unable to follow his suite. He knows one way or another they will understand that what Nijimura meant by a powerful life force was either one of them. Only an angel could hold such powerful life force next to a horseman—and he knows by experience there is no way in this world that any of those four would give them theirs. One of them will, knowing Kise's admiration for Kuroko, he wouldn't mind risking his life, and knowing his shallow comprehension he wouldn't actually understand what it means to give their life force. He could hear Midorima's muffled voice calling him as he extended his hand towards the globe of light, his eyes widen as he saw the left wing spreads out escaping the forcefield. He had no time, he gave another powerful flap—
"Ah, Akashi-kun."
"Tetsuya, what are you doing here, wont Father be looking for you?"
"I just wanted to watch you while you're at work."
"Hm? Its not particularly interesting I must say."
"But you're really amazing."
.
He'd rather be stupid, he'd rather be an idiot, he'd rather be a coward but he could not bear watching his brother in pain. Michael, Kuroko, he knew this was all against his nature, even if he does win this apocalypse, the pain he'll carry knowing he killed this many people will keep him barely alive. He would wish he had died. For a moment he thought of Furihata Kouki, of Sara, he knew he'll be upset. He knows he'll cry. But this decision will keep him safe as well, it will keep him and all of the people his brothers had come to love safe. Maybe it was selfish. Maybe it was stupid. But he'd have stupid and save the ones he loves than anything else.
"Akashi-kun…brother…" Akashi heard the faint voice of his younger brother calling. It almost sounded like he was crying.
Akashi supressed the pain the quickly shoots all over his body when his hand made contact against the forcefield, he felt the pain of extreme heat and a hundred volts run in his body. He could hear his brother calling for him in his mind. He cannot let him down. All those years the teal haired angel had looked up at him, he remember he was the last face he saw before he was dragged into the abyss, he was trying to convince their father of his innocence. He believed in him. And he betrayed his trust trying to kill Kagami Taiga. This was only a small price and compensation for him to pay. He was nothing but a mere angry soul rebellious on their father, and now it came to this. His youngest brother was paying his sins in his stead.
"I-It…hurts…"
Akashi reached deeper into the forcefield using all that remains of his strength. "T-Tetsuya…" he called the boy's name. Why did he have to bear the burden of his sins? "I-I'm h-here." He said. He remember when the boy would fall depressed every time he'd be left on his own while the others would be out for their duties. When Akashi would return he would fine the boy quiet and lonely on his own. He never complained but the look in his eyes betrayed it. He would sit with him and talk about his brothers' mischiefs and misadventures, and he'd tell him its going to be alright, he could say anything, that he was there—I'm here. Akashi felt as if his arm was getting peeled off, he dipped another one of his arms and searched in the globe, the pain in his arms and body was bearable but hearing his youngest brother call for him was excruciating. Akashi felt blood trailing down his nose as he dipped further. As the time pass he found the force that was pulling him off Kuroko was getting stronger, he could feel his insides being fried, he could barely taste the blood in his mouth. He didn't have much time.
He felt relief washed over him as his burnt hands felt the familiar supple skin—
"What is his name?"
"We will call him Kuroko Tetsuya, his angel name shall be Michael."
"That's a beautiful name."
"Indeed."
"I-I'm here T-Tetsuya." He said as he pulled the body closer, he found himself getting sucked inside the globe instead and before he knew it he was holding his dear brother in his arms. For the first time in a thousand years he is this close to him. Even how many more years would pass for him Kuroko was still be his little brother—always. A gentle smile appeared in his lips. He had forgotten the unbearable pain in his body nor the turmoil of his internal organs, or his skin slowly peeling off and his exposed muscles swelling. Kuroko's closed eyes opened, Akashi found himself caressing his cheek something he did when the Kuroko first came to them. "I-I'm sorry…brother…was late."
"Akashi…kun?"
Akashi smiled, "Yes it is me," he whispered collecting the boy in his arms for the last time. He could only wish Furihata would forgive him one day for this selfish act. "There will be nothing to be afraid of, I'm here now."
.
.
.
"Its going to be alright, Tetsuya."