LION

by Kicchin

He didn't thought that running away would end him kidnapped and brought to an unknown territory, not wanting to go back Furihata lied about his true identity and worked in the mercy of the fifth prince of Teiko, but things are bound to swing in all the wrong directions with the Emperor falling in love with a peasant like him, how long can he keep his secret? KagaKuro, Akafuri

4. Chapter 4

SORRY FOR THE DELAAAAY! Please dont kill me, I was supposed to update this yesterday with Tsubasa no Yume, buuut my USB got busted and along with this chapter, GOOD THING I keep back up on my laptop. And yes I was able to retrieve them which is good, because it was filled with the whole semester's worth of school work, honestly. And it contained my class' lecture which my prof entrusted me to send to my classmates today, if I wasn't able to retrieve them my class are going to take the exam without reading those notes, and I swear it is freakishly long to just disappear. So yeah, anyways I'M BAAACK and we're down to Chapter 4, ooooh don't worry guys there is a reason why we haven't showed AKAFURI yet, because when I do, its going to be BIIIG lol, I hope you're okay with a slow burning AKAFURI though, but yeah, it won't take long before you get to see Akafuriiii. I'm actually plotting the whole Emperor meets the peasant thing, and I swore it will NOT be your typical thing, like Emperor sees servant quickly falls in love, NOOOOO, we are going to make it FLIIIIP with excitement and action stuffs. Oh dont worry, not the action kid you see in sci-fi, BUT THERE IS SOMETHING B.I.G.

So yeah, are you ready? LET'S GET ON WITH THE FOURTH CHAPTEEEEER! So yeah, Kagakuro is actually an essential part of AKAFURI but this is an AKAFURI centered fic still, we'll have a few mention of the other pairs in some chapters because they are very important element of the whole kingdom thingy. BTW before I let you guys go, just wanna say hello to our reviewers last chapter, YOOOO! To Guest-san thank you very much, exam week just finished so I'M BAACK! I hope you enjoy this chapteeer! To Bubbles9595 true, for some reason when it comes to medieval AU I always see Midorima as an archer, the sory of the hawk child will be continued sometime along these chapters, just before the AKAFURI ahahaha, sorry if I'm making you guys guess how Akashi and Furihata will meet. I hope you like the update!

Thank you again for everyone whose reading LION! If you dont mind, I'd like to hear from you guys through a review, to those who are shy to say something or point something you can PM Kicchin, I am very open to anything aside from name and address, so yeeah, tell me anything. I love hearing from my readers, your reviews help me see where I should improve or what stuffs I seem to tend to forget. Dont worry no hard feelings, trust me,my schoolmates does worse. Sooooo...REVIEW PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE WITH YOUR OTP ON TOP? Without further adooo~~

Chapter 4: Visitor

The first thing Kagami realized about Teiko was the weather, it was more stable than Seirin's unpredictable weather. The sun was up in the sky, but it wasn't as hot as it was back in his homeland. The wind was gentle and he could smell the cool scent of the sea. The port was buzzling with people, Kagami could barely point whose the commoners and who aren't. Everyone had a smile on their faces. Even the stray animals looks healthier than the street urchins back in Seirin. Kagami wished he could see Seirin become like this one day. The noise of the market was somehow had a tinged of happiness, as if nothing was amiss about their lives. It puzzled Kagami, is this Empire as perfect as he was told? Utopia, does that really exist? He couldn't believe in it, he might be an idiot in numerous fields but he knew for one that perfect doesn't exist. There was nothing that was really made into perfection, one way or the other there surely is a weakness, and he could say for this one as well. Surely Teiko isn't as perfect as it seems. Not that he was looking for it, but he knows it.

They were escorted by a minister who introduced himself as Mebuchi Reo, the man had a sly smirk almost seemingly permanent in his lips, along with several soldiers. Kagami was offered to be ride a horse to the palace which of course the prince didn't mind at all. The convoy continued in its travel to the crimson palace though the minister did warned him about the long hours of travel, Kagami didn't mind, not at all. The ride allowed him to watch the lifestyle of a common citizen of the Empire, it was relatively quiet. Their clothes were very attractive, their clothes were bright pastel colors, very festive. Kagami has to admit, it is quite an attractive clothing. He changed his clothes deciding it will avoid attracting too much unnecessary attention to him, he wore a simple dark blue kimono and gray hakama and a black robe over, his hood was pulled down revealing his crimson hair. The stallion he rode was a black one, it was big and very beautiful. His men wore the same oriental clothings but much simpler. Hyuuga was riding side by side with the prince, while his guards formed a triangle around him. Mebuchi's party was ahead of them.

As soon as they have left the port they swept to borders of the port tribe towards the capital. The borders were filled with tall bushes and wild blue bell shaped irises. From afar Kagami could faintly see the roofs of the oriental houses. Mebuchi talked about the brief history of the Too tribe, then about the current prince in charge of the tribe, the fourth son of the late emperor, Aomine Daiki. The minister laughed as he spoke about the prince, saying he is mostly the black sheep of the family. The hot headed, reckless, loud mouthed, full of complains prince.

"Ah, but he means well." The minister added.

Kagami smirked, "Is that how you speak of the brother of your Emperor?"

"Oh yes." Mebuchi said chuckling, "Do not get us wrong, you see Ouji-sama, we respect him but we are never to speak of flattery just to get to his right side, we speak what we truly see. It is his Highness' request that we do such."

"There is a thin line between disrespect and speaking the truth."

Mebuchi turned to the prince and laughed, "Ah, indeed." He said before turning his head towards their path. "But if you have been in service of those five you'd know, they'd rather hear you speak like that to them than flowery words, it somehow gives them a bit of breather from all the formalities. Let's say we just got a bit used to speaking of how we know them personally. It's the only thing I could have, you could say it has been my bragging rights?"

Kagami raised an eyebrow, to know that much of the royal family is a bragging rights? Just how secretive can they be? Mebuchi continued his story and drifted into the story of Too's symbol, the wild panther. It was said that the first head of the tribe's son had been once saved by a wild panther from a forest fire and since then the head of the tribe had sworn that the panther shall always be remembered, and that is through making the animal the symbol of the tribe itself. As they close in the capital, Mebuchi's story drifted to the story of the man who united the five tribes. The story started with the man who later became the father of the current Emperor, the minister spoke about him with great respect, like how a warrior would speak of his deceased comrade, of a hero. However when the story shifted to the Emperor's wife, the beloved Lady of The Seas, the minister words was more gentle, more respectful, like how a faithful would speak of his goddess.

"She is the Mother of the whole Empire, we are close to believed no one would be able to do as well as she did, that no one would be able to look after our people the way she did." The minister said quietly. "For us she is more than an Empress, she is our Mother."

Kagami was awed at the respect they had towards their late leader, even after their death they spoke with such tenderness. He sighed while wondering, when it is about themselves, how do their men talk about their father. Do they remember him as a leader whom had battled against so many invaders for their freedom, or the man who had that silly smile in his face and most of the time disguising himself just to be able to wander around? He wondered if their men spoke like this to others about his father. Mebuchi continued about the story of Teiko Empire's first few years, until the birth of the first prince who later becomes the Emperor.

"Oh with that in mind," Mebuchi said, "How do you introduce yourself back in your Kingdom, Ouji-sama?"

Kagami blinked, "Ah, well we say our name, and shake hands." Kagami said not quite sure, he glanced at Hyuuga who sighed, that was actually an informal greeting, that was far from the common introduction of the royalties in Seirin.

"Here it's a bit much longer, when someone introduces themselves they say the tribe they belong, the name of their predecessors before they say their full name." Mebuchi said, "When someone says their name, it is also a common occurrence that they tell you how to write the characters of their name."

"The characters of their name?" Kagami asked.

"They have a certain way of writing words here Kagami-sama." Hyuuga said, "This is why I always told you to listen to your lectures," he sighed, "each character represents something, some characters may have the same reading, however they are written differently accordingly to what they represent ."

Mebuchi smiled, "I am impressed that Hyuuga-dono do know much of this."

"I shall take that as a compliment." Hyuuga said with a huff.

"Ah, yes please do, I must admit our written language isn't the easiest to understand." The minister said, "even our citizens are encouraged to actually learn it."

"Your own dialect?"

"Yes, there are certain aspects of it that must be learned and to deepen their patriotism, the fifth prince had suggested it."

Kagami's curiosity had perked up, fifth prince? He did heard the Emperor had other four siblings, but now that he thinks about it, there were only four tribes—Shuutoku, Yosen, Rakuzan and Too. If he remember correctly Rakuzan is the capital, Too is the port area, Yosen is the agricultural field, Shuutoku is the mountain sides—where does the fifth prince serve? "I'm quite curious, what tribe was given to the fifth prince?" Kagami asked. His eyes caught the older man's shoulder tensed for a fracture of a second before it came back to its relaxed state.

"He…He is most favoured son of the late Emperor…he was given the tribe where the late Empress came from—The Kuroko Tribe."

Kagami raised a brow, why didn't he heard of it before?

"Its far from the mainland, though it was given to his care, he had only been there for a few times."

"Why?"

"There isn't a why Prince, it is just how it is."

Kagami was amused by how the minister dodged the question, it was a flat out rejection to answer it. He didn't even made an effort to fake it, he rejected it obviously. Kuroko tribe, why hasn't he heard of it before, why wasn't there anything like that told to him before? Kagami glanced at Hyuuga who shook his head saying he should just drop the topic. Kagami nodded. The trail started leading them to a less vegetation, Kagami could see a city nearby. The infamous capital of the Empire of Miracles, Rakuzan. The tribe's symbol and had become the Imperial family's crest—the half phoenix in full flight. It was said that according to a legend, the God took a form of a phoenix, and half of him dwelt among the first son of the head of Rakuzan tribe and since then as if by fate every first male born coming from the tribe always had a scarlet hair, the red of fire. For generations all first born carried the infamous scarlet hair of the Rakuzan tribe, but aside from that they were feared tacticians. After crossing a small hill, they finally had entered the entrance to the capital. Kagami noticed how the house looked a bit more sturdy, and the roofs were made of red tiles made of clay, the houses were made of concrete and various colours painted them. As the party pass by a few people, Kagami noted the smile on their faces as they met with the ministers face, as if everyone knew everyone who works at the palace. Back in Seirin, when you go to some places barely few could even recognize his Father's face. Kagami blushed as one of the citizen made a gesture that probably meant as respect, the woman went to her knees and folded her right hand to a fist while she bumped it with her open palms. Kagami awkwardly bowed his head to the woman.

Kagami scratched his cheek looking at Mebuchi who chuckled in amusement, "Some people still uses the traditional greeting, but mostly its just bowing heads here." He said.

"It seems like everyone here seems to know you, do you go out of the palace often?" Hyuuga asked beating Kagami to it.

Mebuchi laughed out loud, "Oh this one you ought to hear." He said, "You see His Majesty hates when his subjects don't do anything at all, when our schedules are filled with idle things he sends us out to personally hear our people's complaints or anything. If it is a grave matter we are asked to write it down and pass it directly to him. Of course our posts changes every now and then, this gives us enough time with the people. Isn't quite a neat idea?"

Hyuuga hummed in agreement, "Indeed, this way the people will see that the Emperor's subjects really does job."

Kagami listened carefully, thinking about it Akashi souds like a very experienced person in this field. But people said he is young, just how young is young? "Of course our posts changes every now and then, this gives us enough time with the people. Isn't quite a neat idea?"

Hyuuga hummed in agreement, "Indeed, this way the people will see that the Emperor's subjects really does job."

Kagami listened carefully, thinking about it Akashi souds like a very experienced person in this field. But people said he is young, just how young is young? He looked ahead. Just a few more hours and they'd reach the palace. Soon, he'll meet the man behind this great Empire and reveal the things he wish to speak with the prince.

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Kagami's eyes widen as the second gate opened, it was big—no it is huge. Possibly bigger than the front gate of the Iron Palace, it looked like it was made of wood but it was made of steel instead, and probably tons of it. It looks very heavy and was painted red and was adorned with golden accents. Slowly their party ascended towards the Phoenix Court, Kagami could see a couple of people standing there. When the gate closed behind them Kagami composed himself and prepared himself to meet finally the Emperor. He couldn't quite put all the details into one, young man, bachelor, with scarlet hair? This would be the first actual speaking with a leader of a huge territory in eight years as a prince. Kagami trusted himself, he cared less about how the man would think of him. Slowly the image was getting closer, he could see a few men in the similar clothing as Mebuchi heads bowed down, and a man standing in the flight of stairs at the court. From afar he could only make out the fact that he does indeed have a scarlet hair, as the wind gently blows he could see that scarlet hair looking like fire. When they were close, Mebuchi stopped and climbed down from his horse along with the his men, they stood first straight and bowed their heads before walking closer, as they were at the foot of the stairs, his men knelt in one knee before Mebuchi did the same, and with a fist against his open palm, he greeted his Emperor.

"Shujo, we have escorted the prince as you instructed. I, Mebuchi Reo, gladly announces the arrival of the first prince of the Kingdom of Seirin, and the heir of the Iron Throne to the Crimson Palace." Mebuchi said in a loud voice. Kagami was finally close, he looked at the flight of stairs and found a man in a vibrant colored kimono, his scarlet robe reached down the floor, the first layer of his kimono could be seen as blood orange, while the second was of darker shade. The obi was of red, a regal color. He couldn't say he was smiling, nor was he frowning, his lips were pressed in a thin line. And his heterocromatic eyes that looked at him were piercing, intimidating and gave off the air of superiority. His skin was pale white and he was…unbelievably so young. Hyuuga did said that the emperor is young, but Kagami didn't imagine, this young. Kagami heard he was being officially announced when he heard someone blowing their horn loudly before a loud music was played. He looked around and found a few men with this big drums. Hyuuga walked next to him and told him to come up to the stairs with the Emperor, and slowly he did.

Unknown to anyone right there, that this very moment shall be the start of the biggest changes in their history.

"Welcome to the Crimson Palace." Akashi greeted the young prince with a smile, "We are very glad to have you here Ouji-sama."

Kagami hummed, "Its quite a festive."

"Of course, it is the first time a royalty from the Kingdom of Seirin had set foot in the Crimson Palace, this calls for a festivity, don't you think so Kagami-ouji?" the Emperor said, "Shall we ahead inside, I am sure you are quite tired from your travel?"

Kagami nodded and followed Akashi to the court. The palace is beautiful, the pillars had beautiful sculptures adoring its base, he could make out a few details such as a dragon, and something akin to a fish. The inside was adorned with the colors of red and gold, and wood. As they walk in, Kagami found men dressed in similar clothings lined up and as if on cue all bowed their heads in synch as both Kagami and the Emperor passed in the center. The prince figured this must be the people who worked for the Emperor. Behind the line of the men were the women dressed in aray of clothing, the first line wore a vibrant lavender hanfu, while behind them were women dressed in a blue hanbok. Kagami looked ahead where Akashi just walked casually. It was of course given, after all this is his domain. His strides screamed confidence that made up for his not so intimidating height. Behind Kagami was his men and Hyuuga himself.

"We have heard you do not fancy attention of the public that much." Akashi started. "We have figured you would rather have this meeting in secret, we have not informed of the public about your arrival."

"I'd prefer that." Kagami answered. He wouldn't want people mobbing into the strange Western prince, or just the attention itself was somehow troublesome for the prince whom just recently returned home and retrieved his position as a royalty. "There is no need to be formal, you could call me by my name."

"Ah, but that is improper of me." The Emperor said. Kagami disliked all the stupid formalities of the royalties, he didn't like all the fake respect, he didn't even like the fake smiles at all. It was disgusting, and truly loathsome. And that was what he could hear dripping from Akashi Seijuuro's voice, he was like a programmed speech, he'd reject all that wasn't input in his script and just go on whatever written already. It sounded so surreal. Like a candy that is tad bit too sweet, yeah, everyone likes sweet, but it was too much you'd want to just spit it out. He is a bit too knowing that it was both boring and frightening. This man is still but young and yet he had managed to pull together an entire empire. There was no room in underestimating him.

After a few walks, the Emperor brought Kagami to the court's garden. In the middle of the stone garden was a small rectangular pavilion with floor made of granite and the roof and pillars made of black marble. The table was made of the same material as of the floor. The stone garden was accented with maple trees with bright red and orange leaves swaying with the winds. The tea and sweets were prepared beforehand, as Kagami sat on his seat he noticed the beautifully crafted sweets in the table and the beautiful hand painted ceramic tea cups. The Emperor took a seat just across the prince while Mebuchi Reo stood in his left a few feet away from him, Hyuuga did the same.

Kagami took time to adore the place, before turning to the Emperor, other than Mebuchi there was no one else, his men were standing at the porch all waiting for them. And Kagami's men were the same. Kagami looked down at the tea cup, green tea, of course, he thought. His mother and father were a big fan of tea coming from the Eastern kingdoms, this includes the fresh green tea from Yosen. He could never mistake it from others.

"Does Kagami-ouji prefer other beverages? We had prepared something without consulting you." The Emperor said.

"No, its okay." Kagami answered, "I drink tea."

"That's a relief." Akashi replied, "The green tea prepared are indigenous to Yosen, its Teiko's agricultural capital, the sweets are very known here in Rakuzan it is fancied by many people and we have exported it in a few Eastern Kingdoms as well, the ceramics are hand painted in Shuutoku. I hope it is to your liking prince."

"My father, the…former King, he used to specifically get this green tea, I have grown to like it is what I could say." Kagami said, as he picked up the cup and took a sip from it. It was as he thought, the taste that he couldn't mistake from any other. He put the fragile cup down and looked at the sweets in front, they were colourful and is beautifully presented. He could almost feel sad about eating something so beautiful. The thought was washed away when he realized he wasn't here to have a picninc with the Emperor, he raised his head and straightened his back. "However, I'd like to know what is that you want to tell me."

The Emperor smiled, but this time Kagami felt shivers run up his spine. It was like a frightening predator standing before him.

"Straight forward, it does sound like the infamous prince of the Iron Palace," the Emperor said. Kagami frowned, he sounds almost mocking, and why does he sound like he knows so much about him? "where were you again this pass eight years?"

Kagami frowned deepen, "What is it to you?"

"I assume I should be calling you now heika."

"Are you mocking me?" Kagami asked raising a brow at the smaller man.

"Oh no," the Emperor said in defense, "Why are not planning on taking over the vacant throne? I am sure that for one, it is not healthy for a kingdom to have their throne vacant for too long. And with your crowned prince brother missing, the next sure candidate would be Kagami-ouji."

"I…I am still not sure of that matter." Kagami said.

"I do not personally know of your brother, however," Akashi smiled, "you do seem like a resolute future king."

Akashi was never wrong in judging someone, Kagami stood with power, something almost akin to his younger brother Aomine, but his was raw, explosive and almost recklessly seeping out from his persona. His eyes gleamed of something Akashi couldn't quite put his finger on, he seemed a bit too ignorant yet something told him this man is someone whom he shouldn't underestimate. There was a kind of wisdom that Akashi himself hasn't known of. His hands were calloused, and his body were of that of someone who could fight in the front line, like a general. Akashi knew he wasn't just kept inside the palace, he had went to a real fight before. A wisdom gathered from experience. At such young age, had this young man in his body wisdom of an experienced soldier.

Kagami shut his mouth and paused, he looked at the Emperor and started, "My brother is missing, something such as the throne is second to my priority." He said in a firm voice. His voice echoed with the kind of power and firmness Akashi had known the moment he walked and revealed his eyes. "To be the King or not, I'd decided that once I have found what happened really to me brother."

The Emperor raised his hand and Mebuchi produced a letter from the inside of his sleeves and handing it carefully to the scarlet haired young man. Akashi pushed the letter towards Kagami as he carefully held the sleeve of his robe. Kagami looked at it and opened the contents. It was a report. "We have found the ship in which your brother probably was carried, however, we did not found him there. One of the culprits confessed that the prince had escaped from them."

Kagami's hands shook as he read the report, how dare they lay their hands on his younger brother. It made his blood boil, even though his brother had assured him, that doesn't mean he would easily believe that he is fine. His brother is a bit too kind hearted. He wanted to see any of these scumbags, "Where are they, those mongrels?"

"Unfortunately we could not bring you to them."

"What?!" Kagami exclaimed anger visible in his face. Hyuuga was alarmed that the short tempered prince may want to destroy something at the moment and walked to his side whispering to him to calm down, however, the prince did the exact opposite of the minister's words. "I couldn't settle for that kind of answer! Where are those little mutts? They probably have hurt my brother! They are your men!"

"I know." Akashi answered staring at the prince, had he not known that showing too much emotion is tad bit dangerous for their kind of life? People who are too emotionally open are always vulnerable to others. However, Kagami seems to be an exception. There was something intimidating with the way he expresses himself, that however open the line is someone wouldn't dare tapping on it in fear of getting fried alive. "That is why we did already what is due for them."

Kagami was stopped, "Wha…What?"

"Death penalty." The Emperor said flatly, stoic.

"You…killed them?"

"Not me." The man corrected, "It is the law of our land, whoever goes against it and by investigation if prove guilty, punishment is delivered, as fast as they could blink."

Kagami shivered at the last part as the Emperor dragged his words. Somehow he could imagine a long knife dragging along his skin as the man spoke. Fright. That was one of the power Akashi Seijuuro held, a respect inducing fear. The kind of fear that would make you follow him, respect him. Kagami quickly assessed the situation. Akashi had delivered the punishment? No, it isn't enough. What will he tell the people of Seirin when they start asking about Furihata, where is the crowned prince, what happened to the crowned prince? Was that all? Just because they the Empire had killed those men, that's gonna clear things up? No, things aren't as easy as one would think. The people's heart aren't easily soothed with that.

"Bloodshed."

Akashi hummed, "What do you mean Prince?"

"I said…my people…they would want bloodshed."

Akashi raised a brow, "After what I have said, you still believe there is a need for war?"

"Your men had taken captive of my brother, the crowned prince of Seirin and now he is nowhere to be found." Kagami said firmly, "What are the chances that my brother was killed by those men and they just covered it up by saying he escaped somewhere? Do you ever think something so heavy could be resolved so easily?"

"Yes." Akashi answered, "I do hope. Men in brink of their deaths, would they lie? What for?"

"To save their sorry ass." Hyuuga paled at the prince's colourful vocabulary. "They might thought that saying that could save them from execution.

"I see your point but please, reconsider—"

"The fifth prince has arrived!"

Akashi 's sentence was cut abruptly as the new comer's presence was announced, Kagami whipped his head towards the direction where the servant had announced the arrival of the said fifth prince. Kagami blinked as he saw nothing but a faint shadow of someone the pillar from his angle was blocking his view, but he could see the hem of the clothing, it was black. Akashi stood from his seat, and just waited there.

"Apologies." Kagami blinked at the voice, it was…damn cold. He felt the hair at the back of his neck standing at the cool voice cutting through the silence. "Welcome to the Crimson Palace, prince."

"I-I…Uhm, yeah, thanks I guess." Kagami mentally slapped himself for the lame reply.

"Shujo," the fifth prince said without moving from his spot, "I would like to have a word with you perhaps later?"

"Of course, my dear brother." Akashi said. Kagami felt the way the man spoke gently about the prince.

"Well then, I shall disturb you no more." With that the fifth prince left. Kagami tried to follow the figure, however the distance didn't allow him to see more than the prince's silhouette. He could hear the faint sound of the silk brushing against the floor, and the cat like footsteps. The mysterious fifth prince, Kagami thought to himself. As if he purposed hid himself, was he shy?

"Forgive the fifth prince, he isn't very well with speaking with people." Akashi explained, but for some reason Kagami couldn't believe that. Something told him the prince isn't as aloof as what he imagined he would. Perhaps it was the way he spoke, he had the same air of confidence as Akashi when he speaks, but fainter, quitter.

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His original intention was to sleep, to momentarily forget all of these matters, and at least appease himself, however Kagami Taiga found himself staring at the ceiling of his room. Hyuuga reprimanded him about his harsh words and of course unscrupulous attitude towards the Emperor. However Kagami meant every word that escaped his lips back then. He knows at heart how the people of Seirin would feel, their sweet and young prince, kidnapped and now nowhere to be found, surely they wouldn't simply sit there and forget about it. The kingdom of Seirin had been oppressed to many times to just let the son of the man whom had protected and built their kingdom, and their supposedly next king to simply vanish like that in the hands of other people. It was almost frightening and suicidal the way his people's mind works, but Kagami knows this was due to all the hardships their kingdom had gone before it had become what is it today. They only wish to protect what they value.

On the other side, Kagami can see the point Akashi is trying to push, what are they to a large Empire like Teiko, they were mere dust in their feet. Kagami knows as much that they couldn't offer much in battles, unlike Teiko's large number of trained soldiers and warriors they were obviously out-numbered. A war is like throwing his men in a suicide mission, the point of returning back home was as clear as a mud. Kagami is a trained warrior but he cannot protect all his men, he needed people as well, and aside from the minister of defence, Izuki Shun and his father, he couldn't pin point anyone else who would be a good asset in a war, as painful as it is to admit their forces are mediocre. Groaning and accepting that he cannot sleep at all, Kagami sat up and dressed himself before taking his sword with him as he decided that walking around may help him fall asleep.

Leavning his room he found two of his men standing right at the door diligently watching out for their prince's safety. Greeting them he told them he'll just take a few walks in the palace—alone. At first the two gurads were hesitant, but after a few persuading words, they agreed in the condition that he would not pass more than an hour. Kagami waved them goodbye as he started randomly walking in the maze like hallways. It was colder in Teiko than in Seirin, but he heard that Yosen's weather is quite similar to Seirin. Seirin only had two seasons, dry and wet season. They are what a typical tropical kingdom is. Teiko meanwhile had four, spring, summer, fall and winter. Even in their summer the heat was nowhere to the hellish heat of Seirin's summer. Kagami wondered briefly about his poor brother, oh where he might be. He knows that Furihata can handle himself, but how can you blame a brother to worry about his younger sibling? After all those years of being away and finally coming back just to hear his brother missing? No one would ever be pleased. Does Akashi understand what he feels?

Kagami stopped and spun as he realized he no longer remember the look of the hallway he was walking to. He blinked and realized the walls had gone from red to white, the whole place looks glowing in the light of the full moon. He could hear the soft murmurs of the bushes. Where is this, he asked himself. There wasn't any guards as if he had gone into another realm, which of course he did not wish is true. Looking around he sighed, "Damn." He said out loud.

"Refrain from using foul language here."

Kagami shriek at the voice shocked all the senses in him like splashing a bucket ice at him, he looked at the empty hallways for the source of the voice and found nothing. What the hell? Nervously Kagami gripped his sword, just in case. He firmly convinced himself, that there is no way, there is a ghost right here.

Right?

"I do not encourage bringing weapons here." The voice almost echoed adding the eerie touch to it. It was frightening cold.

"W-Who are you?"

"Who are you?"

Kagami clicked his tongue, he didn't like playing guess who to someone in the middle of the night at an unknown place. He tried to look around and found a small pavilion, its roof and floor and pathway to it was made of white marble, it was surrounded by clear blue water, with a beautiful black lilies blooming in the water. It seems like the pavilion was built in a pond. The air smelled of the combination of water and flowers, but not the very strong sweet, but rather faint but fragrant. From afar he could outline a dark figure sitting there. Could this person be…Akashi's consort—a hidden consort? Ah but why would he hide a consort?

"What are you doing in here, prince?" the stranger said, Kagami's eyebrows furrowed, did the stranger just called him a prince—this person knows him?

"You know who I am, isn't it unfair that I do not know you?" Kagami said as he approached the pavilion. As he was getting closer he could slowly see the color of the clothes, it was a aquamarine colored kimono with black strips in the hems. Kagami stopped as he was right at the steps of the pavilion, he blinked as the cloud from the sky moved and lit the whole place like a stage, the figure stood, he was smaller than Kagami and had a light blue hair, the color of his kimono was the same as with his big eyes, and his skin was white as the marble, for a second Kagami thought this was a girl. He wore a long white robe over his kimono that were filled with various patterns creatively stitched with gold threads. Kagami's gripped in his sword loosen at the sight. He reminded him of a small white fox he saw back then when he was travelling.

.

.

"My name is Kuroko Tetsuya."