AND WE'RE BACK FOR ANOTHER UPDAAATE! Did I made you wait for too long guys? I feel like I made you wait a bit too long, anyhow, unfortunately college is still being bitchy on me which mean I'm having difficulty being consistent with the update dates which is why I AM SOOOOO SORRY! And lol I'm seeing lots of familiar names in AO3 hi guys *waves at you from the other site* Ahaahahaha, BTW guys have you heard it? There Seirin Basketball Club gained two new members LOL, yeah, that's not fanmade or anything, its serious, I heard it was Asahina and...Ya-something, the kanji for their names are "Sun" and "Night". Anyways, that sounds like Kuroko-Kagami all over again ahahaha! Oh, oh, guys anyone here is watching the new anime, Aoharu x Kikanjuu? ASDFGHJKL its awesooome! I seriously recommend everyone to watch it ahahaha. BTW to everyone who are going through my AO3 meaning you've been following Kicchin both here and in here, I have a huge explosive gift for you guys-clues? *smiles wickedly* SARISHINOHARA/FORTY-SEVEN. That's for AJ-san btw AJ-san had actually suggested this theme, and AJ-san I think you aready know what it is about. LET'S MAKE YOUR REQUEST COME TRUUUUUE~~!
Also to everyone who without fail been following Kicchin thank you-ssu~~ *bows head* To our reviewers especially to BUBBLES9595, welcoooooome baaack! *hugs you tightly* I MISSED YOU! ahahaha, don't worry I feel you! Honestly, I haven't even started in my thesis, and I'm starting to feel that among the three that composes my group I'm the only one fussing about the deadline *sighs* Oh and yeah job interviews...ahahaha actually in my line of field its actually me who does the job interview. Break a leg btw, I'm sure you'll land a great one! About Kuroko's true personality, ohohoho soon enough, soon enough, his personality will slowly show when Akashi's true personality starts to show as well. What is behind all that shiny facade of the Imperial Family, what is true about the shadow, what is real about Akashi? And to Hinoonona-san ahahaha, I realized it was you when you said something about MAGI lol, and yeah I'm so confused I want Morgiana to be with Alibaba too but there was Hakuryuu, but Hakuryuu had become the villain and there is Alibaba again ASDFGHJKL ahaha my shiiips lol. Anyhow what's going to happen to our main pairs, who attempted to injure the Emperor? And what's this is Akashi seriously considering the peasant's physical attractiveness? And who exactly is Kise Ryouta and how he become acquianted with the Teiko's Imperial Family? Oooooh read to find out moooore! THANK YOU FOR OUR REVIEWERS, please dont be shy and share your thoughts with us by dropping a review, a fav or a PM~~! It really makes me happy to receive reviews, like REALLY HAPPY! So reviews? Please? Lol
Again thank you everyooone~! Enjoooy(and review?)!
Chapter 11: A Forgotten Promise
"Do you even see the worth of these gems?"
Furihata was frozen in his place as the Emperor retracted his hand, did…did the Emperor, the Great Phoenix Emperor, the first son of the late Emperor, the man who held in his hand nothing but the greatest Empire the world has ever seen, did he just…compliment him, he a simple minded, clumsy, coward and nameless peasant? Was he always like this, Furihata asked himself, is this the reason why people followed him, the deep seated kindness or his flowery words? He felt heat creeping up his cheeks, he wasn't very fond of compliments, only his family had complimented him and of course that's quite out of the question. Silently he watched the other looked around figuring what to do next, he was saying something that Furihata was sure he had already missed half of, there was something about the way Akashi said those words that made Furihata's chest churn painfully. Why does he look like he was envious?
Furihata walked closer to Akashi and the other continued walking saying something about a way back to the palace if they only found where the river leads to. The other was very different from Furihata's father, though he is probably younger than King Kiyoshi with the way he spoke, stood and brings up himself it was as if he had out lived the man by a hundred years. His eyes were contrast to te familiar eyes Furihata had over the years came to know, the King had such soft and gentle eyes, however Akashi was a different kind of warm—no it was not warm, but hot, like a raging fire. Somehow it made him think of a bonfire…and it made him sad. Bonfires, big fires, raging red hot fire, underneath them were black burnt beyond recognition woods. For eyes that blazes like a raging red fire was once a beautiful heart sparked with hope that was torched beyond repair and now blazes with spirals of emotions that was burnt with that small heart. Was it the reason he looked at him like that?
Was this…the price to pay for the weight of crown?
Furihata clenched his hand into a fist, that was right, Akashi's eyes were ablaze while Kuroko's were frozen. Eyes that swore to never forget, and eyes that had forgotten how to feel. It was such a tragedy to see such beautiful eyes so broken.
"…Shujo's eyes…are more beautiful." Furihata found himself saying out loud unconsciously, it was the kind of beauty you would call the sea after a great storm. Akashi stopped as he heard it and turned towards the brunette with questioning look.
"I beg your pardon?" Akashi asked, did he heard it right…someone actually…said his eyes were beautiful? Looking at the other straight in the eyes Akashi searched for any hint of underlying motives, anything that that would indicate any hidden agenda but there was nothing. It was plain sincerity and wish to express his thoughts.
"I-I mean…" Furihata tumbled in his words realizing what he had just said feeling a bit embarrassed by himself, "I-I…W-Well…S-Shujo's eyes are really p-pretty…I-I mean…its n-not usual b-but i-in that way i-its special…I don't know i-if I-I'm making sense anymore, so I'll just stop."
Pretty…when was the last time someone actually said that to him with that a smile, with sincerity. Flashes of images of the people who said those to him made him shiver, fake smiles, compliments just to get in his good sides, it made him want to puke his insides. And then looking at Furihata, it was strange that this innocence reminded him of the gentle touch of his mother. Isn't he even aware what happens to people who are this kind?
Chuckling the Emperor diminished the thought, he shouldn't be letting the other see him thinking of things such as this, "You're strange Kouki." He said as he continued walking.
…
The sun was starting to set Akashi and Furihata decided to stop moving around. Akashi had to pretend to have fallen exhausted from walking around, if not he was sure that the other would not stop and push himself into the journey. It was evident the brunette wasn't at any measures used to this long journey by foot, however his will and determination exceeded Akashi's expectation. He was quite an entertaining sight as well, he is quite a chatty person, not the kind of chatty that would annoy you, rather the Emperor found himself listening to him even if the stories he told were already told by someone else. There was something with the way he speak, the way his eyes shines, and his voice that made Akashi's attention turn full on him. For a moment Akashi had to think to whom exactly was he doing that, speaking that is, was it to ease Akashi's trouble right then push the thought that someone actually dared to try and injure him or was it for Furihata's own sake, to ease that anxiety he had all the moment he is with him?
Akashi isn't blind to see that Furihata was extremely scared and nervous around him. He was constantly fidgeting under his gaze, he knows that his golden eye, his strange mismatched eyes had that effect on people. Normal people like Furihata rarely lasted a day around him without actually surrendering and asking, if not begging to the fifth prince to bring them back to the outer courts. When he was younger the attendants merely stayed because of their loyalty to the Empress, but deep inside they were dying to get out of his line of sight. However…however Furihata was different, despite his shaking limbs, despite his quivering lips—he does not lie—Akashi thought to himself as he looked at the sleeping figure curled in next to his side sleeping in his exhaustion. After a few hours the other fell in his battle with exhaustion and fell asleep under a shade of a bulky tree. Usually Akashi would not permit this however, he wanted a time for his own thoughts right now and that could only be with the brunette asleep. He had seen many people shaking under his gaze, yet this was the first time he had seen someone who remained true to his words despite the fear. His eyes were like an open book to Akashi, he sees the emotion like a thorough glass and yet something foreign lives there something that was wrapped in his innocence and gentle smiles.
Furihata was exceptional because he is too plain, it somehow had caught his eyes. It was like diving in a sea of precious stones and gold then seeing a single ore there. Even an ore becomes precious when it is the only one that could be found. Despite being frightened himself the brunette even had the audacity to speak words of comfort for the others. It actually shocked Akashi that someone like Furihata had managed to survive in this cruel world, a person with such heart was often destroyed in this world.
"It is not a weakness Seijuuro. Having a heart in such a cruel world, isn't that a beautiful example of courage?"
Courage…Furihata Kouki, a courageous soul brave enough to carry his heart in his skin, brave enough to know pain and accept it and still have these dazzling eyes that see no evil. Akashi wanted a heart like that, however with much hatred he had seen, his heart had been defiled, stomped, crushed before it was even built. But even if he had such heart Akashi wouldn't be sure what will he do with it, for so long of living with a stone cold heart who knew nothing but politics and practicality how could he managed handling a real beating heart?
Akashi's ears perked up as he heard noise near, there were so many footsteps and from the weight of it, Akashi concluded they were wearing armor…the Palace Guards. He blinked as he realized he couldn't hear the familiar sound of bells, could it be that Kuroko isnt with them? But if they found them, it only means that they saw the stacks of stone he laid there, and only Kuroko would recognize that. Akashi didn't take any chances, he made a defensive stance in case they aren't the search party that Kuroko sent for them. The Emperor reached for the hidden dagger inside his kimono ready to protect himself—
"Shujo are you there?" Akashi heard the familiar almost faint voice, he was shock when he heard his brother's voice without the familiar sound of his brother's bells. Slowly the party appeared, Kuroko was riding a black stallion, he wasn't wearing his usual formal kimono, instead he wore a yi that reached just half of his upper thigh, the collar was black with a white snake's body decorating it unlike the rest of the garment which was plain white, he paired it with a cotton black ku and with a leather hunting boots that reached a few inches below his knee. It didn't escape Akashi's eyes that the prince brought his katana with him, the prince only did this when he knows something might happen which would deem him to do so. He removed all his hair ornaments as well, anything that would have identified him as the fifth prince was removed. Akashi relaxed and stood as the whole search party came into view. Kuroko spotting the Emperor quickly climbed down of his horse to check on his brother, "Shujo are you alright?"
Akashi nodded, "Yes."
"Furihata-kun, where is he?" Kuroko asked, Akashi stepped aside showing Furihata's sleeping figure, "Is he alright?"
"He has merely fallen asleep, I insisted that we take a rest, the earlier events seemed to have taken a toll on him." Akashi said. They both walked over Furihata, Kuroko's eyes widen as he realized that Akashi was no longer wearing his haori rather it was placed lightly over the sleeping figure. "Don't wake him yet…he's been accompanying me despite his current state, let him rest."
"But Shujo we cannot travel with him in—"
"Let him use the palanquin." Akashi said simply making the fifth prince shock at the Emperor's consideration to his attendant's state.
"Are you sure Your Highness?"
"Of course." Akashi said, "I would like to speak with you and I'd love to use a horse instead."
Kuroko nodded and instructed his female attendants to carefully aid Furihata to the palanquin, however the decision made the women look at each other, Kuroko realized this and immediately felt the mistake. As he was about to go tell the palace guards to do this but—
"It's alright," Kuroko heard Akashi said, turning towards Akashi, the fifth prince's eyes widen as he found the Emperor carefully carrying the brunette. "I would do it."
" S-Shujo!" The women exclaimed in shock, they all offered their help even the palace guards but Akashi didn't listen and continued bringing the brunette to the palanquin urging the women to open the palanquin for him.
"Oh my Kuroko-denka please do something about this!"
Kuroko however remained silent letting his brother do as he please, after all even if he said anything Akashi wouldn't surely listen. That is his nature. Kuroko wondered what happened in these two's brief moment alone. Had Furihata managed to prickle something no one had ever deep within those mismatched eyes? When Furihata had been finally settled Kuroko took one of the horses from the guards instructing them to just follow by foot. Akashi saw the horse offered to him and climbed it without any complaints.
The journey will not be very long, where they had stopped and taken a rest was already a few feet away from where the river leads, the river passes a part behind the outer court this was a secret passage way only the royal family knows of, without Kuroko's knowledge no one is to use it, it was the reason why the royal family spread rumors about the woods, it was to protect the secret passage from commoners. As the party journeyed to the thick forest, Akashi started the conversation. "I assume you were the one who instructed Kouki to bring me to the woods when things go out of hand?" Akashi asked the other. Kuroko was shock to hear his brother call his new attendant using his first name, though it wasn't new that Akashi calls people using their first name—it is new that he calls someone by first name at the first day they met.
"Yes." Kuroko decided to answer, "I figured he needs to at least know that. It's a precautionary measures, we both know that."
"He is very keen in his job." Akashi said.
"That is new, I am glad though." Kuroko replied. It was rare that Akashi is actually satisfied with someone's assigned task, usually he'd speak of where the areas they lack and talk about how it was a bad idea putting them in charge of his safety when he can perfectly take care of himself. "Furihata-kun is just like that."
Akashi hummed, the palanquin was behind them where the peaceful brunette sleeps.
"We unfortunately didn't caught the instigator of the earlier events, though it looks like you are in a very good condition, the fact that someone brave enough to plot something like that is enough reason for me to hunt again." Kuroko said, his eyes shined in malice it didn't help that the color of his eyes were like a cold frozen sea. Akashi saw the grip Kuroko had in the reins tightened. Ever since the death of their mother the innocence that was once his youngest brother had faded. Their mother did succeeded in protecting them from physical harm but she wasn't able to protect that fragile soul encased within. After the death of the late Empress the emotion that was once held by those mystic blue eyes was frozen. Sometimes it hurts to look at them, sometimes when Akashi would look at them he wished that it would be back, the days when those blue eyes reflected the sky, when it saw and loved unconditionally. But right then, he could say his eyes were no different from Kuroko's. He had thrown the word "me" in his life. He had lost himself, probably intentionally left it somewhere or hid it away. "I will not stop until I have unravelled who did it."
Akashi didn't say anything, he knows that murderous look in his brother's eyes…just like that day…
"Mo…mother…"
Akashi was too late, when he came Kuroko was already there staring at the man made lake inside the Crimson Palace, the attendants and soldiers were all in chaos, some had jumped in the water screaming towards the pale body there unmoving. Her beautiful blue hair floating encasing his ethereal beauty than has now passed. He could hear the screaming like echo in his ears, they were crying, calling for help, praying. And he was there standing eyes wide staring at the fidgeting small body of his younger brother being pulled back to the palace.
"Kuroko-denka please come on back, prince, please listen to us."
His blue eyes that looked so identical to the woman lying lifelessly on the lake were wide, shock, unsure of what was happening, questioning what had his mother done to deserve this? Falling in his knees his attendants all screamed in panic in fear of the other's health. "Kuroko-denka please we cannot stay here, you must retire to your quarters."
"No…" the childish personality was no longer found in his small trembling voice, the eyes wide in shock faded into thousands of destructive emotions, his small and delicate hands clenched into a fist as he swore to nothingness all his anger towards whoever did this to their mother. And that was the first time he saw what Kuroko Tetsuya is when angered, standing up the fifth prince who was known for his cool and composure pushed away everyone who came in contact with him—forcefully, all his attendants fell to the floor shock. Taking off his haori, then his headdress, the fifth prince threw them on the side, even the palace guards wasn't able to stop the prince, taking off his obi, then the first, then the second layer of his kimono, the fifth prince jumped down the lake refusing to listen to anyone. Akashi wasn't able to save his brother from any of these pain, he had to watched him drown in it.
"MOTHER!"
All he could do was to close his eyes from it.
"I heard a voice…it must have been the signal." Akashi said.
"The arrow shot to you is a fairly ordinary arrow, it is very difficult to trace, there is nothing to have identify where or who it came from." Kuroko added, "They are pretty confident to themselves, don't you think?"
Akashi nodded, "How about the people? Is there any civilians hurt?"
Kuroko shook his head, "No, that is very fortunate." He said, "Or they must be just aiming on you aloe."
"It seems like want to stir us."
"Who would even do that?"
"That is what we need to know."
There was silence for a moment before Kuroko spoke again, "Did I made a wrong decision when I let you go with only Furihata-kun?"
Kuroko was always like this ever since that day, whenever something happens he feels compelled to be the one who takes care of himself. It was as if he felt like he was the one to blame for everyone's misery. Kuroko Tetsuya cared too much even if doesn't want to show it, he still do. Frightened that something would happen when he turns his back, Akashi understood where Kuroko is coming from but…please think of yourself even a little—was what he always wanted to tell Kuroko.
"Kouki saved me, are you aware of that?" Kuroko's shoulders tensed, looks like he didn't. "He pulled me down from my horse, if he wasn't very careful my fall could have broken his bones. I don't know where you got that clumsy excuse of attendant, however…I could only say that you didn't do the wrong decision. He did as what you would do that moment. Even when he was afraid, even if he know he couldn't fight."
"Shujo I—"
"I am alright now, Tetsuya…" Akashi understood now, the reason for putting Furihata on him. Ah, he had never imagine this day would come so soon. If he wasn't riding in a horse he'd walk close to Kuroko and hold his hand, just like when they were younger. Even if he was the eldest, Kuroko seemed to have taken the role to protect them. And it was sadly what he was supposed to do. Kuroko left all the things that made him who he is for them, for Akashi, to protect him. However, Akashi knows, one day it will come, one day Kuroko will have to step out from Akashi's shadow. One day, Kuroko would need a light of his own. One day, Akashi would need to let go of him. And Kuroko would need to let go of Akashi. And both of them need to survive. Kuroko looked at him puzzled, but Akashi only smiled. "I will be alright."
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.
.
According to Akashi's instruction, Furihata was brought back to his quarters, Kuroko checked on the brunette to make sure he was not hurt or had fallen ill. Thankfully, the boy was in top shape. Akashi instructed his men to spread about his safe return to the palace and his apologies to the interrupted parade. His people rarely fret about these things this was due to the shadow's legend. After getting dressed in a comfortable clothes, Akashi called the fifth prince yet again upon receiving a message from the council in Too. When the fifth prince came, he had changed in his clothing into a midnight blue kimono paired with a white sash and a long black haori. Akashi sat on his office quietly as he held in his hand the letter sent by the council.
"Shujo you called?" Kuroko said as he took a seat before his brother, unlike most Emperors Akashi refused for his office designed where the seats were parrarell from his desk, he said he dislike being unable to see the faces of his audiences. The office was simple, there were no unnecessary objects, no charms nothing but shelves and chairs and drawers. Behind his desk is a huge golden framed insignia of the Imperial family, the Phoenix.
"Yes." Akashi said, "I have received a news, it seems like Daiki is due to arrive at the capital of the Northern Kingdom tomorrow."
"That is great news, however I do not see why I am needed."
Akashi smiled, "You have asked about it, however I didn't cleared myself haven't I?"
"About what?"
"About who, is the question."
"Then…about who Your Highness?"
Akashi smiled, "Kise Ryouta—ah, my mistake, Kise-heika."
Kuroko was amused, a king? What would Akashi need from a king? And somehow the name—
"Sounds familiar?" Akashi asked his younger brother.
"Yes, it does sound quite…familiar." Kuroko said.
"Of course," Akashi said, "After all, he had spent quite sometime in the Crimson Palace."
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It was summer when he came in the Crimson Palace, his father Kise Yuuki was the man who led the infamous Northern Kingdom of Kaijo, a beautiful kingdom abundant of natural beauty. It is the very known place of retirement and vacation, it blossomed with its tourism. His father was scrupulous and an uptight man, who was widowed a bit too early. That summer, none of the princes knew the real reason why he came, he just arrived there without explanation. The Empress escorted the small blonde boy inside the court, his smiles were the brightest that ever existed inside the court, and his golden locks and amber eyes was something the five princes had never seen around the Empire. His name was Ryouta, the second child of the King of Kaijo that for some reason had come to Crimson Palace with a temporary stay. Kise Ryouta is not a difficult child, however it was wrong to say that he is anyway an easy child as well. His bright smile was a façade by the sadness from the fact that he was left in a Palace away from his own kingdom, away from his own family. Nothing amuses the prince very much, all games bored the blonde easily. He was a quick learner and he always master a game without anyone noticing it, then it becomes boring to him.
It was then when one day when Akashi offered the young prince an escort around the training grounds of the Palace with the intention to at least ease the other's boredom. Kuroko who was least than six years old then was in Akashi's side holding his hand with his tiny hand. Kise seems to be unable to say no to the teal haired boy and when the boy asked if he could come, the blonde prince squealed in agreement. It was a quiet walk, the prince rarely gave a second look to the palace soldiers practicing with the general, however—
CLANK!
"Huh?" The prince stopped turning his gaze towards the training ground. Akashi stoped as well to see what had caught the blonde's attention. To his surprise he saw the fourth prince holding his sword dangerously close to the soldier's neck who was now unarmed, hands in the air in surrender. "Isn't that…"
"Yes, the fourth prince." Akashi answered, "It is only natural that he trains with the garrison. This is to improve his skill." However, his skills were actually superior against them, that part was left unsaid. Everyone who knew the fourth prince would know this, the fourth prince despite his young age could hold a sword as skilled as an experienced soldier, and yet this boy hasn't been in a real battle yet. "He dreams to hold the Imperial Army when the time comes."
"He wants to be a general?" Kise asked.
Akashi hummed in agreement, "Strange, isn't it? Most people who was given a title as a prince would aspire to be a King, an Emperor—however, Daiki is different."
Kise shook his fervently, "No, no it is not strange at all!" he said then he grinned at Akashi making the other stunned, "Isn't it such an amazing dream! To become one who leads the garrison, to protect your people, isn't that such an amazing dream!"
Akashi chuckled, for some reason this boy had the same one track mind like his brother. But the difference was the beautiful glow in his eyes. "Hm, maybe you are right."
"One day…I want to be like the fourth prince."
Akashi's eyes widen and turned to the blonde prince, a prince…admires this reckless power of the fourth prince? It was the first time he had heard someone say that. It was rare that someone actually say that, most people feared Aomine, the monstrous power and battle instincts were no joke, and to think he was only a boy, the thought sent many people frightened of the , Kise was different. Kise…idolized this boy whom many feared. He admired the color of his eyes, the movements of his limbs, a boy who lived a luxurious life inside a palace without the need to protect himself because everybody loved him wanted to pick up a sword?
Before anyone knew it, Kise had come and asked Aomine to teach him to weild a sword, normally it would alarm the people in the palace, which in the cases of Aomine's attendants and the soldiers—however the Empress only shook her head, "Don't stop him Seijuuro." Was the only thing he told Akashi when he found the two speaking. Akashi only bowed his head as her mother left leaving him to watch the scene unfold.
"Please teach me!" Kise exclaimed.
"No, go on, leave me be pretty boy."
"Please!"
Aomine clicked his tongue and smacked the blonde's head casuing the whole garrison in panic as well as Aomine's attendants all screaming his name. However, Kise didn't flinch, he didn't complain like everyone would, instead with his teary eyes looked straight in the fourth prince's eyes, "I'm not giving up!" he said, "I want you to teach me!"
Aomine who was shock at the other's reaction could only blink, most people who was royal at birth would responded with "how insolent" or "how dare you do that", however Kise was only determined to learn. Chuckling the young prince snatched a sword from one of the soldiers and threw it at Kise who caught it expertly.
"Come on."
Kise Ryouta is a prodigy, Akashi thought as he watches the two from afar. Surely Aomine had seen it as well, Kise Ryouta is clearly new to this however, the way he quickly relaxed his posture and went to a fighting stance was no joke, and it wasn't just that…it was exactly like Aomine's stance. It was the first time Akashi saw Aomine smirk in a mock battle, he gripped his sword tightly which rarely happens, when Aomine do this it meant that he is serious. Aomine…won't hold back. When the battle begun, Akashi was gripping the railing of the balcony in fear for Kise's state, however his concern was futile, Kise at first seemed clumsy with his movements, he barely dodged an attack, however as few moments passed, he was merely watching his steps yet his movements had come with precision. And slowly he watched as he copied Aomine's movements, the way he moved his sword, the way he docked, spin and the way his limbs moved. Then again it caught Akashi's eyes, both of them were smiling, both of them were enjoying the neck to neck battle. No one was letting the other gain a hit.
It was a close call when the battle ended with Kise's broken sword. Everyone's eyes widen as they saw the broken piece flew across the two and grazed the prince's neck, the cut bleed making everyone found themselves in panic. Akashi was alarmed as well and quickly ran to the site. Despite the attendants running towards the blonde prince's aid, the prince didn't move, didn't even shed a tear.
"Daiki!" Akashi called angrily, pulling his brother by the arm to face him. "You could have done something about that, I know you could have made it so it didn't injury him! Have you forgotten?! Mother will be enraged!"
"Hmph," Aomine scoffed, "If he is afraid to scar his beautiful skin, then he is not cut out for this, better yet give up now."
"Daiki!"
"No!"
Akashi turned when he heard the exclamation of the blonde prince, turning towards the boy, he found him staring towards the two, "I refuse to give up!" Kise exclaimed, "I'm going to learn, and more, and more! Then I'll beat you!"
"Yeah, sure, dream on pretty boy."
However, despite that Akashi saw the way Aomine's eyes shined, he was looking forward to it. Days came, Aomine took up every time Kise would challenge him, despite Kise getting defeated over and over Aomine didn't seem to mind. And every single day the other would become better, stronger, as if every day he came closer to Aomine's light. The face he wore when he fought with Aomine showed no lies, the smiles he wore were genuine and somehow was refreshing to see from the other. And without the two noticing Akashi found them even closer to each other.
"How is your hand Kise-sama?" Akashi asked as he saw Aomine excused himself, he was called by the general of the garrison. Kise smiled back without answering the prince. "Does it hurt? I could get the attendants to bring you some ointments to prevent them from getting calloused and scarred."
Kise shook his head, "No, its alright." He said and presented his hand proudly, "This is like a trophy you know! Like a proof I worked super hard, and the times I stayed here with Aomine-cchi! It means I've become stronger!"
Akashi smiled and sat next to the blonde, "Hm, yes, indeed, they are pretty, a beautiful proof of your determination Kise-sama."
"Ah! I'll be super strong when the time comes, then I'll be the King of Kaijo then and then you'll be the Emperor then!" Kise exclaimed with big wide gestures, "When the time comes, when I become really worthy, will you be my ally, will Teiko be my ally?"
Akashi blinked and chuckled, "Yes, of course but…the reason for that could it be that—"
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Kuroko's eyes widen, "You mean Kise-heika…"
Akashi chuckled, "Ah, we were young back then who knows, but still isn't Aomine the best person to remind him?"
Kuroko shook his head, "You're very sadistic Shujo."
"Its only but an embarrassing memory for someone, unless…" Akashi smiled, "it still stands to be the truth for him."