asdfghjkl DID YOU JUST-IN TWO DAYS, GUYS ARE YOU SERIOUS? OH MY HOLY YAOI PRINCES YOU GAVE LION A 11 FOLLOW IN TWO DAYS, even my first fic didn't have that! Thank you guys! TO THOSE THREE WHO REVIEWED! Thank you to Guest-san, I'm glad that you like it and to kroscetish-san THANK YOU, I'm happy that the fics brightens your day, as your reviews does to me! Ihope you like the update as well! nd to shia naru-san Its alright, and yes, AkaFuri is the main pair, but sub pair will have a few scenes as well. And with all honesty, my favorite character in the whole series is actually Akashi. I MEAN WHO DOESNT LOVE THAT MANIPULATE DROP DEAD GORGEOUS POINT GUARD? Ahem, anyhow yes, WELCOOOOOME TO CHAPTER 2! But yeah, things are gonna be a biiiiiit slow-not VERY SLOW but slow enough to make paths to where our babies meet(I think I sound so cliche)! AHAHAHA, so yeah, this medeival AU is kinda mix up, I'll explain as the story goes, but the Eastern side or kingdoms are mostly a mix of Chinese, Japanese and Korean heritages so you'll be reading a few stuffs on how a certain people would wear hanbok or hanfu.

SO yep, I wont be keeping you guys for too loooong! I hope you enjoy, and tell me if you like it or not, via review, and to those who have questions, I AM VERY WILLING TO ANSWER. Its okay if you have anything in your mind, suggestion, stuffs, whatever, I am OPEN to it. I swear no hard feelings.

REVIEEEW PWETTY PWEASE? *puppy dog eyes*

Chapter 2: FOUND

All he could say was he was one lucky bastard. Yeah, literally, bastard. In the land where the sun shines at a hundred degrees in summer if not raining like there's going to be ten feet high flood the next hour, a small child was born. His mother, well he isn't really sure about her, came one day to the palace, he could barely understood his mother's intention, he was just suddenly there with her. She said he was the son of that man standing right in front of them, a man who later he came to know as the King of the Kingdom of Seirin, Iron Heart King Kiyoshi Teppei. The man looked at the boy with a smile, he didn't asked question or whatnot, and then his mother left him there, never returning. It was suspicious, he himself, up until now still wonders if he is even the King's real son, or his mother just said that to get rid of him. Though his biological mother seemed to be quite something, the woman who took him under her wings is different. He could barely remember her, she died just a few years after the boy came to the palace, a woman with a kind smile, the Queen. She never had a child, she was often sick if not she was very tired, but she loved the King as much of an airhead and free spirit he might be, she took much care of him. And the King as well. The Queen treated him as her own child, even let him use his family name—Furihata, he changed his pitiful name to a significant one. In the palace grounds he met the child whom made it his personal mission to become a good brother to him, despite—probably—not being blood related. The child was the supposedly the King's heir. The strong—if not hot headed—and passionate prince was the King's son to a royal consort, the Queen is charmed as well with the energetic boy who would bring flowers to her chambers when she is sick. The crowned prince's mother died in a tragic incident when he was only five, that was clearly right before Furihata Kouki was even born. Despite this, Kagami Taiga was a very independent person, strong willed and admirable, unlike him. Kagami didn't treat him any different, he treated him like he is his real brother, even if there wasn't any concrete evidences that may prove that except his mother's words whom left him right after declaring he is the King's bastard son. Kagami Taiga treated him like a blood related brither, he protected him from the hearsay from the people outside the palace, he helped him in speaking in public and councils when he could barely stand in fear. At one point he realized he was relying on him, a bit too much.

As children, this things didn't occur to him, political or state matters, the King rarely gave them any political responsibility, more often than not they lived like normal children—or so that's how Furihata saw it. After months and years of talking, the council and ministers agreed the crowned prince—and the heir to the throne should be the first born, and that would entail Kagami for the crown. Most people will be happy, well, not them—not Kagami. Kagami didn't like the palace life at all, he said it was suffocating, it didn't suite him at all, he was rough, almost if not always forgets his manners, he is also too impulsive as Minister Hyuuga would put it.

But Furihata begged to differ. Kagami with all honesty, is a man almost similar to their Father, he had a big heart for the people of Seirin. He might be impulsive, but he is a force to be reckoned with, something their Kingdom needed. Sometimes his impulsivity and intimidating looks have its perks, no one seems to dare question the man with his decisions. He easily gets into the heart of people, kind and honest, if not sometimes a bit awkward. He is physically strong as well, he could lead the army to a war and win it. In simpler terms, he is everything Furihata Kouki isn't. The thought of Kagami getting the throne was actually comforting for Furihata, the man seemed like he was born to wear the Iron Crown of Seirin, but it seems like Kagami have other plans.

On Kagami's eleventh birthday, he surprised the whole kingdom by suddenly disappearing. Furihata knew of his brother's escape but the man asked him to swore never to tell anyone, he didn't like or wished for the crown and he thought he didn't seem like a fit person to be the next heir. He said Furihata would be more suitable candidate.

But how can a weak, less talented, less appealing prince be actually an effective king? To how his father's thought process works is still a mystery to him. All there he could remember was suddenly one day, his father called the council and gathered the whole palace just to announce that he is denouncing his throne—which entails Furihata to automatically inhert it. But yep, in wobbly feet and wide eyes Furihat quickly thought of only one thing—how on earth was I supposed to lead when I have to slightest to no idea about it? The fear and anxiety ate him the very night. He couldn't sleep, or eat properly thinking of the weight of responsibility in his shoulders, if his brother was there he'll know what to do, if it was his brother he'll be able to say no, if it was his brother—

But Aniki* isn't here anymore.

The thought was horrifying, the thought of having to do everything all alone from now on scared the eighteen years old prince. The council was starting to plan an arrange marriage, and the coronation celebration as quickly as his father denounced his throne. It bothered him how quickly his father's men had accepted the fact his Father just stepped down the throne like he just suddenly got tired of sitting on it and gave it to him. He was just a simple eighteen years old boy a few days ago and suddenly a King the next day? Who doesn't get shocked and scared of that? Most people would say that he should be happy, but for a child who witnessed the steaming rage and hunger of politics and palace responsibilities—he could barely say he should be happy.

It was then when that led to this. He leaned his head on the cold metal bars, he was a damn lucky man to actually live. He had heard of people getting kidnapped and never getting found again. He shifted slightly but his hands were held by the wooden handcuff, its been almost three days since he was brought to this place, he had no idea what this people might want to do to him, honestly. He doesn't even know where they are anymore, but from the likes of it, none of them recognizes him as a prince of some far off kingdom in the west. The place looked like storeroom of some sort, it was barely lit, and he could smell the scent of flour and grains nearby. During the afternoon and the night someone would come and bring him a tray of barely edible soup, and that would do for the whole day. He could only blame himself for the heap of trouble he fell into. He remember coming down the docks and asking a few people how to get to Shohei, but the next thing he knew he was being hauled into a ship, and the next he woke up they were docking—it was morning. Maybe they'll sell him as a slave? He thought quietly.

At one point he had thought of it too, was his Father looking for him, or anyone at all? He sighed, he didn't want to go back to Seirin, he didn't want to face the crown at all, he didn't need those things. Kagami was the only one who understood him in the palace aside from the late Queen, but now both of them are gone.

Clink

Furihata's eyes widen as he heard a strange sound—was that…bells? He tried to scan the room for signs of movement or anyone, he remember someone just got in to deliver his meal, and he was sure it hasn't been a few hours since then. Was he finally losing his mind?

Clink, Clink

CRASH!

Furihata almost yelped in surprise as he heard the loud crashing sound coming from the entrance of the storage room. That wasn't just his ears playing tricks on him, right? His eyes widen again when he heard the loud slamming noise coming from what he assumed to be the front door. He squinted his eyes and found the other side was quite brighter than where he had been kept. Blinking to adjust his eyes, he heard faint footsteps, and before he knew it he saw two figures walking towards his cell. Could it be that he is finally being sold? He swallowed the lump in his throat as the figures continued, until both stopped a few feet away.

"I-I'm not lying, s-see?" a familiar voice said, echoing in the empty room. Furihata recognized this voice to be his captor's, but was he…shaking, his voice is trembling. Then the man suddenly fell to his knees before Furihata making him gasp in surprise, his eyes turned to the one standing next to him. And his eyes fell to—

Shadow

He was wearing a black pants and black long sleeved top covering most of his body, he guessed he was wearing gloves as well, it looked strange somehow—almost western looking compared to his captor's clothing that looked like it some kind of an oriental clothing. The figure had a lean frame, almost—feminine except that it lacked the usual feminine chest. Half of his face was covered in a black veil, starting from his nose below. And in his hand was a gleaming metal—Furihata gasped, it is a sword, he thought, it was leaner, and had only one edge that was sharp, and it had an odd shape. From the dark the only thing he could actually describe about the person's feature was his eyes—it was…the strangest thing he had ever seen. It looked like a doll's.

"P-Please, I-I already told you w-where w-we kept h-him s-so you gotta let me go!" the man said, he sounded scared. Well Furihata was scared as well so he didn't think it was actually fair to criticize the man for it, the stranger has a sword in hand, who doesn't get scared of that?

"Umekazuya Reinosuke," the cold monotonous voice sent shivers in Furihata's spine as it echoed, it felt like a cold spoon pressing in his skin, "according to the facts I have gathered, you have taken ten people, below the age of majority and held them captive, sold them as slaves, and thus violating the law of this land, you as well had used the ship of the Imperial Naval Army for this exploits which also violates the law and the oath you took as you pledge allegiance and loyalty to the Kingdom and the Emperor himself, I deem you guilty of this charges—face your punishment."

"I-I did it because I-I have to, I-I have a s-son and d-daughter to feed! A-And I w-was only t-tempted! P-Please I-I have a family too!"

"And the children you took?" The shadow asked, "How about them, don't they have families as well? You took that from them, all ten of them. For the lives of two? And don't mock me by lying, you think we didn't know you? You do not have children, nor a wife. Do not smear any mud in your name, Umekazuya, and accept your punishment—either that or I shall have to do it myself? Have a little pride on yourself, take your own life or I shall help you with it."

"B-But you gotta listen—"

"Too late, Umekazuya."

SPLAT!

The Teiko Empire lived in peace, there was rarely any violent incidents in the kingdom, especially in the capital. Offenders and criminals never last for too long—literally. A week would be the longest a criminal would have. Usually they are found dead in some shady place, most of them died of drinking poison. It was a homemade poison almost anyone could do, and people mostly thought that the mythical guardian of the Teiko was the reason, the shadow as the myth say would visit them at the dead of the night and haunt their conscience till they couldn't take it and kills themselves or behead those who refuse to listen to his calling—he was like the grim reaper of the West, more likely he was often just he kills just the criminals. People never questioned this, they were actually more relieved, and this caused anyone who does a wrong doing fear for their lives. And no one escapes the judgement of the shadow. The shadow showed no mercy to anyone, as long as the offender is proven of his sin, he shall be perished. For other kingdoms it may sound cruel, but this had been something normal to a closed empire like Teiko—a belief almost tradition.

Anyone who breaks the laws of the land, goes down the soil and is fed to the land, it was what the myth said, the shadow raises from the side of the Emperor, as his shadow, and he shall casts judgement to the sinners who offended the land and the Emperor. It was the reason why the laws were feared, as if it has its own life, it would eat up anyone who dares break it. It showed no compassion, nor any emotion at that.

Many had attempted to draw them a picture of this mythical creature—but none ever had come close as to the Emperor knowing it.

The legend started in a small tribe, in a secluded island of the coast of the empire. A tribe with a very strict tradition, whose people rarely were seen, until the late Empress. The late Empress was also known for her label as the Lady of the Sea, she was given such as she came from the small tribe that inhabited the coastal island. For years the tribe was thought to be a phantom landmass in the east of Teiko, some odd story their ancestors made to shoo away the enemies in fear of the strange place where death awaits anyone who wish to harm the people residing in the mainland. The stories from the Empress' tribe became quite popular to the people of the Empire, little was known to the tribe where the Lady of the Sea came from. And from stories came legend, and from legend traditional beliefs were born, and as if the shadow came with the Empress, as the story became popular, so did its manifestation.

Furihata gasped as he felt his stomach churn at the sight, a head rolled on the floor—literally. Eyes opened, and the body fell to the floor and there a pool of crimson drenched it. Never in his life had he seen a dead body. The doll like eyes were cold and void of all emotion as it swung its blade cleaning it from the blood that had sullied its beautiful silver color. Furihata turned as he heard the bells again, as if warning him. The stranger started walking towards his cell, fear crept to him—was this how his life will end, will this be the last thing he will ever see? He pressed closer to the metal bars, praying to all the Gods he knows to spare his life, he wanted to get away from the crown, but not like this, not through dying. He heard the sound of the metal cell being opened, and before he knew it the stranger was with him in the cramp cell. In the close proximity he could see the person's rest of uncovered face, he looked pale white, and his eyes were big, and he isn't even any taller than he is. Furihata's eyes darted to the sword in the man's hand and it frightened him, he could feel his shoulders shaking and his palms sweating.

Clank

Furihata's eyes widen as he felt the wooden cuff fell off, looking at his wrist he realized he was free. Could it be, he freed him to be able to kill him properly? Without taking a second look the stranger left the cell but stood outside as if waiting for him.

"What are you doing?" the stranger asked, "Why won't you get out of the cell, or would you rather be there?"

Furihata didn't know what to do, but his body seemed to comply to what the stranger wanted him to do, so with his wobbly legs, he got out of the cell but quickly fell to his knees as he saw the hideous sight before him, a decapitated body. What's happening here, he thought, who is this person, and why did he kill these men? "W-Who are you?" Furihata asked with shaking voice. The figure stared at him with its bright blue eyes almost shining in the utter darkness.

"Who are you?" the figure asked, "My identity will depend on your answer."

Furihata blink, can he trust this person? What if he's an enemy too? What if he is someone who is sent his brother, or Seirin to look for him? He looked at the man straight in the eye, for some reason he felt a strange scent of serenity in those blank void. "I…I am…" Furihata decided, maybe this was for the best, maybe he could help him get out of here.

"M-My name is Furihata Kouki."

Earlier…

The Court of Heavenly Tranquillity was the court of the late Empress, however, after her death it was desolated. The Crimson Palace had never been so empty until her death that was quickly followed by the Emperor's. The beautiful court that was known for its rare species of black lilies that grew in its crystal blue pond. It was situated in the heart of the palace. But there was no one to admire or complement its beauty without the Empress, or anyone to reside in it. When Akashii Seijuuro became the Emperor, however, the Court of Heavenly Tranquillity that was originally the court of the Empress was given to the fifth prince. Akashi Seijuuro had implemented many things that somehow had break the norms of the Crimson Palace, just as he decided not to take any consort, nor an Empress yet. Many had offered of course, but the Emperor's words are absolute.

The Court of Heavenly Tranquillity had walls of red bricks and black tiles for roof just like the rest of the palace, but this was changed by both the Emperor himself and the fifth prince, the walls were changed into white, and the roof were let as it is. The Court was one of the heavily guarded, no one could come in without the Emperor's permission, not even women, there was only a certain hour until one is permitted to be in the vicinity, if caught one will be assumed to be a threat to the life of the fifth prince and will be punished for exile from Teiko.

Usually the court is quiet, it was rare that the fifth prince had any visitors. The reasons behind that is simple, the fifth prince didn't like speaking much—or so he says, and second was there was rarely anyone interested in his presence. And this entails the prince with only a selected people who would gather in his court at such early hour of the day. He didn't like waking up very early to listen to his brothers grumbling about some petty matters of the state, much less in his very court.

"I do not see the reason why I would have to go to the mountains." Midorima's said narrowing his eyebrows at the eldest who sat there quietly sipping his tea ignoring the glares the second eldest was shooting at him. "Shujo please reconsider your thoughts."

"I won't." The Emperor said placing the small cup down on the marble table, "Shintaro, I thought you have gone off that phase of whinning and throwing tantrums when you do not want to come and socialize."

"Please, I am not whining, I am simply stating that this is ridiculous, why would I need to come up to that mountains, to God who know might there be just to look for some indigenous tribe who worships a Hawk God?" Midorima said huffing.

"I do not see the reason for this to be brought to my court as well." Kuroko's voice sliced through their conversation, "Brother, why are you all here?"

There was a pause before suddenly, all together the four spoke in unison making the youngest sigh. He sat there watching them throw whatever words they want towards the other until finally they finished speaking.

"Now, can you answer my question?" he asked again.

"Well I just wanted to drop by." Aomine said first. "I'm due to leave for a trip to some little nation in the North. What would you like Tetsu?"

Aomine was due to leave for a trip to a kingdom in the north, from what Kuroko had gathered the small kingdom was ruled by a young king, the last one of his line. Akashi had actually deemed the kingdom as a probable ally in the future and wanted Aomine to try and convince the King into signing a treaty to them. The nickname had stuck in Aomine's tongue like a bad habit, he was as bad as Akashi when he is being protective of their little brother.

"Thank you, anything would do brother." He said bowing his head.

"I am merely here because I wanted to talk to Shujo about that but it seems like he is hiding from me by going in your court." Midorima said eyes still at Akashi.

"I am doing nothing as such." Akashi said almost unbelievably, "I am here for I wanted to merely see my sweet younger brother, is that such trouble that I, your older brother, need to have a legit reason just to be here and see you?"

Kuroko sigh, Murasakibara was quiet as usual as he munch into the home made snacks prepared by the servants of the palace, he guessed that Himuro isn't at Yosen which is why the prince is trying to kill time there in his court.

"Shujo, with all due respect, we live in the same palace, such excuse isn't something I could easily believe, please answer Midorima-kun's question properly, my court isn't built and furnished to be a play ground, or a hideout for playing hide and seek." Kuroko said, sometimes his brothers would swing into the childish zone without even them realizing it. Sometimes he even have to remind himself that this four are princes and Emperor. "I would appreciate it if you wouldn't be very loud, the servants are starting to think you're all just here so that no one would witness of your childishness when it starts to sink in again."

"But as I said, my orders are absolute, Shintaro, you have to go."

"Why can't it be Moriyama-dono? Or anyone else, I do not fancy indigenous people, they are primitive."

"Maybe you're just scared to get mud in your pants, prince." Aomine mocked making the green haired prince turn to him with a scowl. Even as a child Midorima had a knack for tidiness and order. When they were younger, the prince would be cross at the thought of dust in his shoes or a slightly folded page of his favourite book.

"Aomine-kun, please stop." Aomine stopped while grumbling how much the fifth prince sound so alike the Emperor when he means it, and it was downright frightening when paired with his monotonous voice. "Midorima-kun I don't think that is in anyway a valid excuse to be disposed of the task, and Akashi-kun what would you be needing Midorima-kun to go up in that mountains?"

Akashi looked over the cup in his hand, "I have heard of a particular news, its about a child in the village who has a very particular gift, a special and useful one. I need Shintaro to find that child, a child with the gift of the Hawk's eyes." He said. The Hawk's eyes were said to be the gift of the Gods to the people of the village up in the mountains of Shuutoku, it was said that the bearer could see from a thousand miles away, and even the future itself. The village is quite indifferent to outsiders though, just like the tribe where their mother belonged, and from their own experiences, these communities held the most interesting people most often than not. "I need to see this child."

"And if you are wro—"

"I'm never wrong."

Kuroko looked at the two and decided that the matter had settled finally. "Then, this is settled, yes?" he said, "What else is there to discuss?"

"This." Aomine said pushing towards center a letter, the crimson haired Emperor unwrapped the letter and read them carefully. "That's about the information on the naval ship that left and arrived at the time when you asked." The emperor then passed it to the teal haired prince. "Said there was only two that left, the other used the Iyasu Channel, the other docked at Yong Xi island."

"In simpler terms, the one who used Iyasu Channel is what we're looking for?" Murasakibara said.

"Yes." Aomine answered, "I asked around and those guys we're really fishy. I was able to get someone to talk, seems like they're into slave trade."

"What?" Midorima's eyes widen, "Since when?"

"A few months ago." Aomine answered, "They've sold about nine individuals, all kids, about below sixteen, well except this time, the prince is practically eighteen, if I'm not mistaken. I've searched for the kids but, that's a bit difficult since they exported the others as well."

"That is kidnapping and slave trade, that's quite a load don't you say?" Midorima said, Murasakibara hummed in agreement.

"These people," Kuroko started as he read the names of the culprits in the letter, "Aren't they new recruits?"

"They are." Aomine said, "Idiots probably think they could go slip pass us."

Akashi smirked, "Nobody escapes the Emperor's Eyes."

…

"You are…Seirin's—"

"How did you know?" Furihata asked the stranger.

The stranger looked around before looking at the boy again, "The authorities will come here in a few, they will help you return to—"

"NO!"

Furihata's voice was loud, he was surprised himself at his outburst, but he cannot go back, he thought. He can't. If he comes back they'll force him back to the throne and those arrange marriage. "I-I cannot go back." He said shaking, the stranger looked at him with curious eyes.

"Why not?" he said, "That is your kingdom, they are waiting for your return, in that place people will secure your safety, or would you rather a similar incident to happen to you?"

The brunette shook his head, "I-I…there is nothing for me there, they'll force me to be the King, I don't want the crown, o-or anything like that. I-I can live on my own l-like my brother did!" he said almost raising his voice. It was true that he was scared when he was kidnapped, but the thought of the weight of the whole Seirin in shoulders was more frightening, he was scared to let them down, he was scared to be the cause of the downfall of the kingdom his father built in his own sweat and blood, the kingdom that his Father protected with all he has. Someone like him would do no good, if only they could realize. Kagami was the one suited for the crown and not him. They need to realize this. And for that he cannot return. "Please!"

"Your stubbornness will result to a war, have you not thought of this?" the stranger said putting his sword back to its sheath. "Many lives of your people are at stake by your decision, your kingdom will assume that our people had held you hostage."

Furihata stared at the stranger, when suddenly he fell on his knees and bowed his head low at the stranger's foot, "I'd do anything," he said.

"I offer my own life to you in exchange, just don't return me to Seirin!"