Helloooooo OMG I'm baaack, sorry for keeping you guys waiting I just got home from a vacation-a forced vacation LOL, our school does that for like every year, did I mentioned I attend Private Catholic University so yeah every year we were sent to a force vacation in a retreat house, where we just listen to the priest, pray, eat, sleep like monks. Lol, everyone who graduated from a Catholic school would know the feeling and I'm not sure if I accomplished the 'rest' part of it since I didn't get any sleep during then, the boys of our class which were only five were like wild animals in the retreat house and unfortunately destroyed a handmade hamper and they were running around carrying the huge ass thing trying to hide it from the nuns and priests-yes we are all in college and this how we act outside the laboratory, these future psychologist are more messed up than the people we diagnose, honestly. So yeah basically I had to kick them out every single time because they kept coming back with the stupid broken hamper begging our group to keep it there since everyone would believe if we say that it was broken when we got there whilst it would be a different matter if they were the ones who said that. Yep, the five of them were like our batch's teacher's enemies, and they were literally always in the Dean's office because of their shenanigans. Plus we got into a traffic accident yesterday, the bus which carried our whole class got hit by a sedan. Well our whole class was alright, but you know what was horrific about it? Everyone were exclaiming they needed to use the bathroom to pee, I mean...literally everyone. And unfortunately the car that hit our bus, hit its bumper in the door of our bus effectively blocking it, and we couldn't get out. Half of the bus was literally screaming out for the car to move out but as traffic rules when something like this happens the vehicles were asked not to move until a traffic officer comes, which was annoying took so looong. And the boys started trying to entertain themselves. During then I was sitting quietly on my seat when I saw a motorcycle pulled over and took his helmet and started laughing, I didnt know what was happening so I stood and realized one of my classmates(a guy) had posted a signage in the side of his window, and it said "HELP! We need to pee!" while he was desperately knocking on the mirror. So yeah, every single vehicle that passed us started pulling their windows out and laughing, and we laughed as well as how humorous their reactions were towards the sign. Some even stopped and mouthed that we should just break the glass, we all laughed and the class representative motioned to the guy and said the glass was made of fiberglass and it was almost impossible to break for us. It was a tragedy gone entertainment actually, yeah all was well until some motorist stopped and started laughing and was about to take a picture, that was when the bus started to be filled with damn noise of screams and 'hell no'. I feel so bad about our facilitator because she had to deal with us and the damage of the bus all at once. So I think I enjoyed this vacation at the very least.

Anyhooooow now that I am back from that vacation I present to youuuuu, CHAPTER 6! Its been a while, yeah? So yeah, the Hawk Arc is the first arc of this story, the next would be a surprise. But to those who are asking, Kise would be here too. Ahahaha, yes, he's gonna make an appearance soon! I'm not sure of how I would put them in order but there will be the Hawk arc, The Butterfly arc, the Wolf arc, the rest are still undecided. So there are reason why they were named this way and you would know soon why, ahaha for Takao the Hawk arc is easily revealed to you but the rest I leave to your imagination, who is the pair for the butterfly arc, why do think it was called butterfly arc? And the wolf arc as well, aren't you excited? I am actually excited to write them already, asfdfghjkl! Thank you guys for reading LION by the way, this has practically been the fastest growing compared to my past works and I AM SOOOO HAPPY that you liked it as much as I did. And were down on 31 follows, I mean I got 31 follows in my past works when it was like down with 10 chapters, but this one...omg its like BOOM I have 31 follows and for that thank you very much, I will always try my best to bring you the best I can. Thank you for those who is following Kicchin as well even though i practically wrote nothing in my profile, I'm sorry I dont really know how to describe myself. Also I'm very sorry if some people gets confused due to some of my spelling and grammar errors here and there, I will do my best to improve those and as mentioned by Hinonoona-san I will not rush myself anymore, this is to bring everyone the best that I could. This is nothing compared to all the love you guys are showering Lion. Thank you very much! And to everyone Chieko-san who is asking, I couldn't give straight forward answer to the ages of our characters, however I would slip up some hints, in Kuroko's case he is seven years younger than Akashi, Midorima is two years younger than Akashi and Murasakibara is one year younger than Midorima while Aomine is two years older than Kuroko. Later in the series I would reveal the age difference of Kagami to Furihata and to Kuroko. Oh and since Kise would be appearing might as well tell you he is around the same age as Aomine-lol yes, future!Aokise. The only one I could give precise age for now is Takao he is 24 years old. Thank you to our reviewers again! Also to Cerberos-san OMG thank you for sending me a PM btw, and thank you for reading my works! I will continue to do my best, I'm glad you like it,! Ahaha, thank you very much! And yes thank you to Chieko-san, to Hinonoona-san, to Bubbles9595 and to AJ-san!

So yeah enough with Author-san's ramblings, I'd let you guys read in peace, but don't forget to review alright? Ahahahaha, penny for your thoughts? Love you guys and btw...*whispers*I'm done with Chapter 7 actually.

ENJOY REAAADING!

Chapter 6: Monster

Takao Kazunari was staring at the darkness in his room when a flash of image in his mind came, he saw green, the same vibrant green of the color of the moss and the bamboo groves, but this time it wasn't a landscape, it was a set of eyes encased with darker shade of eyelashes that were too long that it looked feminine already. He had a beautiful jaw line, his shoulders were just right with the build of his body. Like always he knows this man's name, like always he knows about him and the reason why he is there. Why does he know, or more likely, how does he know—is something that he couldn't understand himself. It was like he just knows. It has been like that for eighteen years, things, faces, events flashes behind his eyes as if he is right there within that scenery, as if he was with them. This time it is a prince who inherited the land of Shuutoku, a young man named Midorima Shintaro, second son of the late Emperor, royal birth and he is looking for him.

Up to this day, the boy still wonders what could be the reason many people attempted to look for him, to look for a monster. Though he could see things, farther than anyone else could, earlier than anyone else, he still couldn't read minds. Could it be that they were there to hunt him? Or capture him and put him on a display in the capital? He wondered if they knew the danger he poses for them. His hand moved to his face, slowly under his eyes caressing the skin there with his thumb, sometimes he wondered why this curse chose him of all people. Were his ancestors cruel men, or did they do something bad? He remember the same words was spoken by his father as he cried next to his mother's lifeless body. It has been eighteen years of living on his own, eighteen years of darkness, of living and pretending not to exist. He envied the children who played out in the woods in the morning, their giggles and laughter were contagious, but he could only watch them from afar. He shouldn't be seen, shouldn't be known. It was for the good of the village, for the good of the people around him so that they may not suffer the same fate as his mother.

Midorima Shintaro will come tomorrow morning, he will arrive close by the streams and—NO! Takao found himself standing up from his bed as he saw it, what a horrible thing to see. Tomorrow he will arrive and he would ask to be separated with his guard, then he will wander until he will accidentally set his foot on that boar trap, it will pierce through his flesh clasp tightly and slowly dig into the muscles and then his bones until it swells, then—snap—tear a part of his limb with his foot. He will then bleed until he dies, his guard will come but it will be too late. Takao could feel his pulse accelerating in almost an abnormal speed.

Death comes to those who seek the Hawk Child

The next morning he came an hour earlier before the prince came, watching from afar he saw him walk around. It was his first time seeing a prince in personal, he thought. He wore a simple clothing just like as he saw in his vision, but the clothes looks well on him, better than in his visions. His posture was clearly different from others, and he could feel the air of authority in the way he moves. Behind him were his bow and arrows, an archer, for a moment Takao was lost in thought and he didn't realize that he was so close to the boar trap. He stopped him by speaking, there were many other ways to make the other stop but Takao chose to speak. Later he realized this wasn't what he should have done, he could have thrown a pebble or stone at the man's direction then made a run. He spoke and made himself known.

A stupid decision.

"Father."

Takao called as he stood in the corner, darkness covered his silhouette as he wore the same mask he did from the past eighteen years. Since the death of his mother he had never left his room without it. His father who was standing there staring at the old painting of the Hawk God painted on the wall of the temple didn't even turned or made any response to the voice of his son. But Takao knew the man would hear him, he always does. "Father, the prince of Shuutoku is at the gates of the village, they will be arriving soon. Another man is with him, perhaps his ally, or a guard." Again the man didn't say anything, he didn't move. It has been like that for eighteen years, all he could do was to tell things to his father, he was the one who decides on things and he…he doesn't exist as far as everyone is concerned.

In the small kitchen in the temple, Takao brought the herbs he had gathered in the woods and boiled some water. He has no knowledge like most people in the village does, he couldn't even write his name or read to survive. No one taught him how. He took it upon himself to learn things, to know which among the mushrooms were poisonous and not, he learned how to distinguish a herbal plant to a plant that were used for decoration and from the ones that are harmful, he learned from the way they differ in scent, in shape and color. Pulling his sleeves, he carefully fans the wood with a paper fan that had grown dark in color from the smoke. When the fire was enough he placed the kettle and had some water to boil. When the water was done boiling, he went back and decided which of the herbs he'd use to make a tea…he decided a jasmine tea would be good.

Takao stood there for a few moments, he knows by now his father had brought the two guests in the temple and in a few moments his sister will come in there in the kitchen. Just as he thought a soft footsteps resounded in the floor and as it grew closer the footsteps became louder, until Takao could see his sister standing there at the doorway. Unlike his father, his sister would look at him and bow her head. She has always been a polite and sweet girl, but Takao new as well she couldn't and wouldn't try to defy the words of their father. She never spoke to him.

"I made some jasmine tea for the guests." Takao said. She walked to his side and looked at the pot and the empty cups set in a tray. Without another word she took them in her hands, and bowed her head to her older sibling and left.

.

.

Later Takao realized that the prince was dead set on his aim to meet him, it was strange to see the fire and resolve in the man's eyes when he said he will know about him, that he would do anything to unravel his identity. Why was he so stubborn, why can't he just let him go? He stayed in the temple for more days trying to know all the details about him, he kept trying ask his father about him, the villagers as well. No one would speak, everyone would say the same, that he doesn't exist. They told him over and over again, the same thing, yet he won't give up. They'd tell him it was just his imagination, or it was some villager playing prank on him. Yet he was there standing at the same spot where they spoke to each other for the first time. Midorima Shintaro dares to defy the rules of heaven. What a strange man. Why won't he listen to the warnings, why can't he at least have mercy on himself?

Takao was fast, he saw his head slowly turning towards him and without taking chances he made a run for it.

"Who is it?" The prince asked, his voice piercing through the air. Takao didn't dare to look back, he can see him anyway. He can see that he was walking then he was following him, and faster, and faster until the prince was running and chasing him. He was quicker than Takao imagined, despite his towering height, his limbs were exceptionally fast. He thought princes would not be used to walking or even running, it as if he was wrong.

"Where you going?" Midorima called to him, "Make yourself known, right now!"

His demanding voice is honestly frightening, it made him run even faster, the next question was where is he going? He was so fast he could surely keep up any moment now, Takao could see him closing the distance between them. If it wasn't him this man is chasing surely he had caught up faster. Thankfully Takao had memorized ever nooks and crannies of the mountains, he knows where every single tree stood, where every root ends, where every stream leads. An idea popped in Takao's mind, surely he wouldn't dare right? He made a straight run, he kept his pace as he saw the change in the kinds of plants that they were passing. It wasn't a special ability, anyone could know that there was a change in the plants around if they look, but what made Takao special was he could see them as he run, he could keep track of his surrounding as he could see the one behind him. It was like having a perfect angle and seeing everything all at once without confusing himself which one is which. Finally Takao saw it, without hesitation ran for it.

The bridge is old, he didn't knew what it was the purpose it served before, but this had become his playground as a child. No one ever used it, the woods were rotten and it could collapse any minute if someone dares to step on it. But Takao is Takao, he had been playing in this bridge since his childhood. He knows how to cross it without breaking or making it sway even the slightest. He quickly made his way along the bridge, he didn't let his feet stay too long in the same plank, his weight and the force of the downward pull would make the wood cave in so the trick was to be swift and forget what was beneath you. Takao smiled to himself, surely the prince wouldn't—

Takao quickly turned as he saw the scene flashing through his mind, when he had turned his eyes widen as he saw Midorima had dared cross the bridge. "Don't come close!" Takao said in panic, "Move back, now!" But all of his words fell in vain as he heard the cracking sounds and like a slow motion picture he saw the plank cracking into two and then the prince's wide eyes.

"DANGER!" he exclaimed but it was too late, Midorima was freefalling down the river.

The things that Takao sees, the things that his eyes shows him always frightens him, for eighteen years it never failed to make him shower himself in guilt and anger. Why…why does he has to be the one to see it? Why does he see it? There was a certain pain of watching someone fall to their death, and then not being able to do anything. Eighteen years, he had tried for eighteen years to know what was the reason he had these eyes. It has been that long as well that he kept on failing on himself, people still dies, people are still taken away from him, eighteen years of watching. Can he watch another man die again? That was what was running in his mind as he ran after the green haired prince, can he shoulder another memory of a man dying right before his eyes?

I'm tired…of watching

He dived into the water below a few moments as the prince hit the water, he didn't waste time and he swam to find the man who had just fallen. He saw him terribly confused and in panic, he grabbed him by the color and then by the arm and pulled him with all his might. He prayed he wasn't late yet, he prayed he didn't lose another one again. As he surfaced and the prince as well, he heard him coughing out the water out of his lungs, Takao was able relieved. He pushed him to the river banks and fell to the ground in exhaustion. He didn't mind the coldness of the water in his skin, the adrenaline was keeping him warm. Takao heard the other spoke which shoot his brain to alert, he is speaking which means—

He didn't thought of his actions, his body took over and the next thing he knew he was holding his face in his hand examining the pupils of his eyes, they were…they were still alive, "Y-You…you are alive, right?" he said hesitantly, he watched as the green orbs followed his irises and they were reflecting his—

"Yes, w-who are you?"

Takao flinched, no, no, no! He stood up, he was wearing it when he dived so where was his mask! He cannot be seen, he cannot be known! Panic rose to his system as he gathered himself up and pulled his shaking limbs as he quickly searched for his mask, for that familiar feeling of being unknown, of the the comfort that it brought. Takao felt Midorima pulled him by the arm, his hands were big and frighteningly powerful as he pulls him to face him, "Its gone, it was washed away." Midorima said as he pulled him, how can he say that easily, frustration and slight anger bubbles up in him making him shove the other.

"Stop looking!" Takao exclaimed, "Go away now!"

"Are you him?" Midorima asked not letting go, "Are you that person, the one I met before? Why did you save me?"

"Let go!"

"I will not unless you give me some ans—"Takao stiffen as he spotted quickly from the slope a few silhouette, he recognizes all of them, Moriyama…the man Midorima calls as Moriyama was saying something and pointing at their direction.

"They're coming." He said as he wriggled off from Midorima's hold before running towards the bushes and hiding there.

Takao watched as the scene unfolded before him, the man was saying something, he looks extremely angry and concerned, he was saying something about Midorima's brother punishing him if something happened to the young man. When Midorima finally tore his eyes off him, Takao swiftly made his exit. He ran with his quiet and soft footsteps along the river banks, for eighteen years Takao had memorized everything about this place. He quickly found his way out and brought him back to that familiar place where no one would know about him.

As soon as he slipped into his dark room that was only lit by a single candle, he touched his bare face. He hasn't seen his face, this was the first time and it was in the awed eyes of the prince of Shuutoku. He couldn't say if he was handsome, or if he looks ugly, all he knew was he had a face just like everyone of them, and Midorima Shintaro wasn't afraid of his eyes, if he was anything to be gone by, he was amused, excited, and…he dare say, enchanted. It made the Hawk Child wonder, why would he be interested in a monster like him, the fear was great, knowing he was an ignorant compared to the prince he knows there is a big chance that he might be taking things differently as to the prince. He was an inexperienced with human emotions after all. Why would a prince want to meet a monster like him?

The question ran in his mind like an unending reel until his eyes shut and he fell in a shallow sleep.

.

.

Takao rose up from his sleep, his eyes showed him again, outside it was raining, and a child, there was a child in the middle of the groves, and he was stuck and lost. Takao didn't need to see the rest of what his eyes had to show him, he knows it by himself, a human body could only withstand a certain drop of temperature at a certain time, and a child specifically wouldn't last long alive in the rain and freezing temperature of the mountains. Takao ran outside his den, loud and harsh wind slap against him as he made his way out. He braced himself, he was starting to shiver, his body rejecting the surrounding. Takoa hated the rain, hawks hated the rain, anything that flies hates the rain, it enables them to use their wings, and Takao…Takao felt so vulnerable in it, like the Hawk's instincts inside. However, he pulled all the remaining strength and courage he had to walk into the rain, scanning the familiar ground for that boy. He couldn't imagine how much tears this child's mother would cry if he would learn her darling son is a cold corpse—Takao couldn't, and wouldn't let that happen. He quicken his steps as he try to ignore the sound of the loud thunder, and the lightning mercilessly hitting the dark sky.

It didn't take him any longer to spot the child, he was shivering and barely conscious as he sat leaning against a slender bamboo. Takao without thinking about his identity being exposed ran to the child's side, "Yoshiyo-kun!" he called the boy's name. The boy looked up to him eyeshalf lidded.

"Are you…God?" the boy's said and with a smile he fainted right in Takao's arms.

God…

Was he…God? No, he isnt, he is a monster, and he…he…Takao's eyes widen as the limp body in his arms felt colder, and the color of the boy's body was draining. Would he lose another one, right at his arms? He started to shake in fear, what can he do, what should he do? Why…why does he always have to watch this? What did he do to deserve this kind of life, a tear started rolling down his cheeks. Just like what his father said, he was the omen. He was the reason why the people of this village suffers. It was his eyes.

Tell me what to do

Please,

Anyone.

.

.

"Yoshiyo." Takao heard a familiar voice called, turning towards the source he found the prince wearing only but a cloak with him, he was staring at them wide eyed. Midorima without thinking ran to their side, pushing the man to face him, he was surprised to see that haunting silver blue eyes staring right at him, the emerald green haired prince couldn't differentiate anymore if those were the rain wetting his face or was it his tears?

"H-Help him!" Takao said in a shaking voice, Midorima was shock to see the same fear the man had as he saw in his feature a second before he fell from that bridge earlier and there was another kind of fear that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Something that made the other look vulnerable. Midorima turned his attention to the child in his arms, he was pale and his lips were turning violet. Putting two fingers over the child's wrist his eyes widen—

"He has a pulse!" Midorima announced, relieved that the boy still is alive, however he was freezing, his body temperature is seriously lower. "We need to get him out of here."

The Hawk Child nodded. Midorima grabbed the child from him and carefully carried the boy. The Hawk Child led him out of the groves, they were both quick that Midorima barely gave attention to where they were going. All he understood was the fact that they were running out of time. He didn't know how the boy in front of him could move so quickly, so precisely in this rain, Midorima could barely see. He followed him and before the prince knew it he could see something, like a small entrance while the rest of the seemingly concrete structure was filled with creeping vines and gigantic roots, the path was very difficult, he almost tripped twice from the big roots in the ground disguised by the mud. For some reason that structure before him looked familiar. "Faster, this way!" the Hawk Child said. Midorima nodded and followed where the boy led him. They entered the structure, which was dark, but nonetheless warmer.

He was panting and trying to catch his breath and it was the same as the Hawk Child, but he didn't waste time and lit the torch that was in there. Midorima turned and found a pathway, the Hawk Child gestured him to follow and he did. The Hawk Child…he wondered why the village leader told him not to be close, why does this person embodies death? He was a blessing by the Hawk God according to the legends so why…what happened here? The floor looked strangely familiar, Midorima wondered why. The path ended with a stair leading down, with the light of the torch he was able to see his way as they went on. He was surprised to find a larger place down there, and a cave like structure was in a corner, while another pathway was on his left. He wondered where that path leads, however, he had pressing matters in hand.

"He needs to lay down." Midorima said, "A blanket and a change of clothes as well."

"There is a bed in there." He said pointing in the dark makeshift cave, the Hawk Child walked over to the room and lit up a small candle to lit the place. Midorima couldn't believe his eyes…was this…where the Hawk Child resides? It was…It was a small space, barely enough for a young man, the bed was old, older than the ones in the temple and it was so dark and cramped, not even jails in in the capital look like this, no, the jails were better looking than this. Midorima laid the child in the bed, while the Hawk Child rummage in that old chest in the corner, he ran and handed Midorima the blanket and clothes.

Midorima quickly took the child's wet clothes and changed him into the clothes the Hawk Child brought, it was a white yukata, and surprisingly it fits the child. After getting the boy to change clothes, Midorima draped the child with the blanket. This place was good choice, he thought, it was very warm under those thick walls. He could barely hear the sound of the rain outside.

"Will he be alright?"

"I think so, we just have to keep him warm." Midorima said before turning towards the stranger. Turning towards the Hawk Child the prince briefly wondered what is he doing in such shady place, all the questions he had for him resurfaced like oil in water. Taking off his wet cloak the prince folded the wet fabric and settled it in a corner. "What is a legendary being doing in such a strange place?" he asked. Takao didn't answer he just stood there watching the color come back from the child's skin. He had stopped shivering which was in his relief. The raven haired young man looked at the prince who stood there in the corner waiting for his answer. He was the first one to heed the words of the village leader, he was the first one ever to tempt fate. He didn't know if it was right to call him brave, or was it suicidal? Was he that tired of living already? Too bad, he thought, he looks like a fine young man, he could have gotten himself a beautiful wife in the future, however he had just changed his fate by upfront speaking to him. But on the other side…it was his fault too.

I can't run away when I know I can help them.

I don't want to be the one to witness their death.

I am tired of watching.

It was just like then…

"Why did you save him, why did you save me?" Midorima wanted to hear it from this boy's lips, the truth about what a Hawk Child could do. The prince waited for an answer, the answer he has been waiting ever since the first time he saw him

"…I saw it."

"Saw what?"

"You." The Hawk Child answer, "I saw you…when you came here. I saw you looking for me, I saw Yoshiyo-kun in the groves. I just…saw it. My eyes…see things, before they happen."

Midorima stopped, so that was what the Hawk Eyes could really do. Just as what Akashi said, the power to see ahead. The infamous gift of the Hawk God, the Hawk Eyes, but what puzzles the second prince was the reason why he is here, what does it has to do with him bearing death at his wake? What does the village leader meant, and him as well when he said death awaits does who seeks him? What does the bearer of Hawk Eyes doing in an underground, in a poorly lit place, why is he hiding? "Then, what are you doing here?" he asked.

"I live here."

"Why?"

The Hawk Child looked at him confused, which was strange as well, as if it was a shock to hear that someone doesn't know why he is there. "I thought you know." He answered, "Don't you know, I mean…I am the Hawk Child and isn't it normal that I am away from people, after all I…"

"You're what?"

"I'm…a monster."