GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUYS I AM BACK~! SORRY FOR MAKING EVERYONE WAIT! But worry not, WE ARE HERE FOR THE LONGEST YET CHAPTER UPDATE! 8wipes sweat from forehead* phew that was super loooong week for me in the University, there were lots of stuffs going and I swear it was the most stressful days of my life. I had to edit a few videos later and then make two research papers ASDFGHJKL so yeah basically my life in a nutshell is filled with these paper works. BTW as I promised here is yet the longest chapter for LION, but who knows, maybe later or on the next chapters we'll exceed this! ARE YOU READY FOR CHAPTER 15! THERE WILL BE LOTS OF EVENTS! With Akashi slowly drifting closer to the peasant, and Kagami leaving to go back to Seirin, what will be in for the Emperor and the Fifth Prince? And what's the secret the King of Kaijo is hiding from Aomine? What happened during in between of the years Kise left to go back to Kaijo? Is there hope for AoKise or is it a bit too late for Aomine to save the other?
THANK YOUUUU EVRYOEN WHO REVIEWED, and our dear readers as well ASDFGHJKL SO HAPPY TO KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE LOOKING FORWARD FOR THE UPDATE! And to commemorate our dearest readers and reviewers who had supported Kicchin from the start up today and since Kicchin is nearing her anniversary since Kicchin has first published her first fanfiction-Monogatari, I dedicate my new work for each and everyone who had went along with Kicchin from start till now-from AJ-san's ideas I present to everyone, Mizuiro to Beni Koi! check out the first chapter that will be published today! I hope you guys like it! Hope you try and check it and maybe leave a review or two! Thank you for Chapter 14's reviewers, to Guest-san ahahaha, yeah its like the Seirin bros seems like that, no? But we need to be a bit patient to the two, since Kouki's character is still shaping into the Crimson Palace. And to AJ-san sorry for having the update for Hollow Thy Macabre a bit late than expected, but I've updated that now, and I hope it's alright ( ^ . ^ ;) Akashi seems like really a big bro, ne, hmm, maybe since they lost their parents he seems to worry lot about everyone, and he thinks too much since Kuroko is really nice, no? let's see what happens to Kagakuro,*Sings Taylor Swift's song* are they gonna be forever or is gonna go down in flames? To bela-chin, WELCOOOOOME TO LIOOOON, sorry for making you wait for so long for the update, I'm so happy you liked it! And to Ceruberos-chan asdfghjkl did you just call me senpai? ASDFGHJKL I FEEL SO LOOOVED! Thank you! And I hope I didnt make you wait for too long. HOPE EVERYBODY LIKES THE CHAPTER UPDATE AND HOPE TO SEE YOU GUYS REVIEWING AGAAAIN~!
PS
Dont forget to review *winks8
Chapter 15: Average
"Now tell me again, tell me I was not a bad person."
Furihata was stunned, for the first time he heard the Phoenix Emperor sounded so unsure. The man had been known for being wise, no, he is exceptionally wise, he had always been absolute with his words and decisions, and that made Furihata think about the expression he wore. For a moment the question it reminded him of his brother, of Kagami. His heart felt like it was stabbed, Kagami would have been probably thinking of the same thing, knowing the other who had such gentle and caring heart for others, he must have been dead worried of him. Even after sending a letter to him, he was sure the other would still be worried, it was Kagami after all. If he saw his brother in this state he would have been devastated. From what Furihata heard, it seems like Kuroko had fallen for someone…yet would not admit that to the person because he feels that his responsibility is in Akashi's, and Akashi felt guilty that his brother had ended up the way he is because he let the one his brother loved die. But truly, it was something inevitable, right? As cruel as it sounds, it was all that Furihata could think of. No one was at fault, not the fifth prince, or the Emperor, or anyone. And yet both of them seem to be carrying a weight that was not theirs to carry. Akashi was not wrong for fearing his brother to feel broken again, to lose someone important again, it was not wrong for him to be conflicted because he wishes for his happiness. When has it ever been wrong to wish someone to be happy, especially your own brother?
"You're not." Furihata found himself saying, "I-If I was in your shoes…I would feel scared to let go of my brother too, what if….what if that person only wish to harm him? What if that person would break his heart as well? Akashi-shujo isn't wrong, he isn't bad for thinking like that. We are all afraid to see our love ones hurt but…getting hurt, is part of the process. We all get hurt one way or another, to be loved or to be rejected, either ways we get hurt. Its better that you let denka take the risk than to let him be always caged into a notion he should not love anyone but you, because…he's only making it worst for himself. What matters in the end is that you'll be there for him…and you will, won't you?"
It took Akashi to digest all the words Furihata Kouki said, there was no use trying to protect Kuroko from everything, because the truth was what he said, one or another, they will be hurt, maybe by others, maybe by themselves. It was better to take the risk, it was better to take flight than to be forever ignorant. It was as simple as that. He needed to let Kuroko grow out of himself, he need him to learn and stopped being caged into his small world and his notion that everybody will hurt Akashi if he was not with him or he needs to be with him at all times. Kuroko needs to think of himself, of what he really wants for himself, what makes him happy. He needs to be a brother this once, not an Emperor or anything, what Kuroko needed him to be is Akashi Seijuuro, his brother.
Akashi found himself smiling, "I…see." He muttered. Ah and yet again he was saved by this commoner, a simple and average commoner. He scoffed to himself, what a pathetic Emperor was he to need an advise from a fairly educated peasant. Or maybe it was what made him able to give him the right words, because he is a commoner, because there was no complexity, he is simple.
"Kouki, thank you."
Furihata waved his hands in front of him, "T-There's n-nothing to be thankful for S-Shu—"
"Akashi."
"Huh?" Furihata blinked, "E-Excuse me?"
"My name, it would have been better to hear you call my name instead. Everybody calls me that already."
"B-But that would be d-disrespectful!"
"Its just between us then. Ah, or maybe you could just call me by my name."
"Y-Your name?!" Furihata's brain exploded, ahd, Kuroko might kill him if he dropped the honorifics he trained him to be as formal to everyone, address them respectively and to call the Emperor—the Emperor of all people—by simply just his name! Oh the horror he will face! And Kuroko said that calling people by the first name was only something either you do to address people below you or—
"Family members…or your lover."
Akashi isnt surely someone who is inferior, nor a family member—Furihata blushed furiously. Does Akashi even know what he means or what he might have been implying?!
"Is it…a problem?"
Its not a problem if Akashi was just a simple person, but Akashi is the Emperor of the greatest Empire! However, Furihata found something about those the other's mismatched eyes that just made him cave in from the others—darn those eyes!
"A-Akashi…-san."
Akashi smiled, just like he thought. It does sound good in his voice as strange as that would seem. The way his name rolled in the other's tongue seemed to have calmed the rest of the storm within his his chest. Again, he found himself breathing normally, the sweating in his palm had faded, and his migraine slightly dispersed in a dull feeling—all because of a simple average brunette.
The very next day, one of the most anticipated guest of the palace came. The Crimson Palace was the biggest, most grandious building he had ever been in his life. The walls were wide, and pillars looked strong and were designed in gold and gems, the ceiling is high, he thought it could house four more Emerald Palace inside. The Ministers and the council of Rakuzan all warmly welcomed him, they all seem happy and dying just to catch a glimpse of the infamous Hawk Child. His heart warmed up even more, Midorima stayed true to his words. As if the curse has been lifted, no tragedy fell upon his stay, even as he look at the people they didn't die. None of them fell in an ill fate. People turned and looked at him with respect unlike before when people looked at him with disgust and fear. He could hear them whispering about how his eyes were beautiful, eyes that he once thought were the ugliest thing that has ever happened to him. He wore the kimono designed by a famous tailor in Shuutoku, it has three layers in various shades of green, the sash was of the color of the sun. His haori was long and reached down the floor, it was black with the symbol of tribe of Shuutoku in the back. His hair was combed and cut neatly.
Today is a special day, Midorima told him that. This is like coming of age, somehow it made him a bit nervous, however, the hand that held his told him it going to be alright, and knowing him—he doesn't lie. He met with the whole Palace except for the Emperor who sent a message of welcoming and said he would wish to speak with him later when he is feeling a bit better. Midorima whispered and told him Akashi must have meant he had a lot of things to do and only made an excuse—someething he and the fifth prince were fond of doing.
Midorima went to have a private audience with the rest of the and unfortunately Takao was bombarded with tons of queries from the guests of the palace, Takao would lie if he said he wasn't able to handle them. They were very shock to know that Takao was adopted into the Emerald Palace by the second prince himself—
"You must have some talent if you could keep up with Midorima-denka!"
He remembered Minister Imayoshi said to him once before leaving with the rest of the Ministers, well maybe it was a matter of getting used to it. It occurred to him that Midorima isn't really good with getting in the good sides of people, let alone expressing himself. People seems to see the prince as someone a bit too tense, frank to the point of insensitivity. Well…those are not entirely false, but not entirely true either, Takao founss this out from staying in the Emerald Palace with Midorima for some days now. He is awkward about people, he isn't used to people speaking casually at him, he is not good at conveying his personal thoughts as well, but he isn't someone you could not learn to like. He has some sides that is a bit admiring, Midorima is hardworking despite all his words, he has this strong sense of justice as well. Midorima despite his consciousness about personal space which he seems to keep repeating over and over he would let him hold his hand when he feels afraid, and that had always been effective to calm him down. In his stay in the Emerald Palace, Midorima had been patient with him, despite all that panic attack during almost every waking morning he spent in the palace Midorima never complained. He stayed there and let him hold his hand until he had calmed down. It wasn't a matter of keeping up, if anyone is keeping up between the two of them, it would be the second prince.
Walking alone in the vast hallways of the palace Takao admired the view that the second prince looked at when he was younger, it was brighter, livelier and much beautiful than what he had. But now…this will be his home as well. Just like what he was taught in the Emerald Palace, he must put in his chest the pride of being one with the tribe. He is no longer just Takao Kazunari, he is now The Hawk Child of the tribe of Shuutoku, the head priest of the Empire of Teiko. This are the wings that Midorima promised, and he must use it just like he said. Today is only the start of—
Takao blinked and stopped midway, for a moment an image of something white flashed in his mind—a small artic…fox? Huh? Looking around Takao only found a few women walking carrying tray of food to bring to the banquet. What was it that he saw? Surely he just didn't imagine that did he? Turning ahead, his eyes widen, he saw a lines of attendants heads all lowered as they walk towards him. He blinked and realized something, at the middle of the pile stood a astounding figure of beauty and grace. As they passed anyone, the servants all bowed their head.
"Colors are important in the courts."
"Huh?"
"Only the Emperor wears red and gold in the court, unless there is a high ranking delegate from another Kingdom or Empire whose symbol is the same color. I, the second prince in formal gathering wears green, this symbolizes the Emerald Palace, black with details of red or blue would be the fourth prince, violet or lavender is the third prince, and the lastly white and gold—"
The fifth prince, Takao was shock, he looks no way in comparison to Akashi or Midorima, he is smaller, and looked even frail than the Emperor. His skin was the palest white he had seen, and his eyes were the color of the sky. He wore a very elaborate kimono with designs that looks like they were real lotus and a white dragon, his obi were the color of ash with golden embroideries of what seems like clouds. His presence was the exact opposite of the Emperor's, his was low barely noticeable, and he didn't ring authority, but rather pure grace and beauty. The line stopped and the attendants made way for the prince to walk between them. He looked like a God walking on top of the water. The prince stopped a few feet before Takao, the Hawk Child stunned with the other's appearance was still dazed until the teal haired prince dropped to his knees and bowed to his feet.
"WHA—H-His Majesty w-what are you doing?!"
Kuroko rose to his feet, and bowed his head again, "Welcome to Teiko, Takao-sama."
"S-Sama?!" Takao was baffled, what is he saying, he is the prince of this whole gigantic Empire, and he calls Takao with such honorifics? "I-I mean, Kuroko-denka you can call me Takao."
"But you are the head priest."
"B-But I'm…I mean you are the prince."
"If ever you meet the fifth prince, do not be baffled, he is usually very formal."
Takao felt his lips twitch, so what Midorima said was indeed true. So this was their youngest? He does look very young. He looks very intelligent just as like Midorima said—
"He likes to run his mouth."
Is actually what he said, but knowing the second prince that was surely what he meant. His smaller compared to the Emperor and relative smaller compared to Midorima. He does seems very formal, even much than Midorima himself. "T-There's no need to be so formal denka." Takao said chuckling as he bowed his head to the other. He smiled at the other and the other returned the gesture, but somehow it was quite different.
"Why are you alone here Takao…uhm…Takao-kun?"
Takao nodded in satisfaction, "Ah, Shin-chan is with the Emperor so I told him I'll just tour myself."
Kuroko stared at him blankly for a moment before he started chuckling, "I-I think, I misheard you Takao-kun, what was that again?"
"Ah, well Shin-chan is–"
"Shin-chan?"
"Yeah."
Kuroko stared for a moment before he turned and his shoulders started heaving up and down, Takao was baffled, "Ah, d-did I say something wrong?"
Kuroko faced him and waved his hand dismissing the thought, "No, not at all Takao-kun." He said, "Why Shin-chan?"
"Ah…well Shintaro is very long and I think it suites…him?"
Kuroko only raised an eyebrow and chuckled against his hand, "Oh indeed it does suite someone as a big shy ball as Midorima-kun."
"You think so too! Ah, you're the only who agreed with me Kuroko!"
"Ah, why don't we have a seat and talk, I have always wanted to be able to speak with you. I have always been curious."
Takao nodded and followed Kuroko quietly. His steps were very light for a male, and his movements were so précised as if he was dancing even as he is just walking. He remembered Midorima once told him that the boy took after their mother, which didn't surprise him now, he does look quite feminine yet he had this unique air of intimidation, different from the two princes. His was brought by the beauty and wisdom his blue eyes kept as if he knew already even before you could have thought it. Now that he thought of it, Midorima said he had four other siblings, now he had met the Emperor and the fifth prince, all that was left was the third and fourth prince, he wondered what they were like, were they tall like Midorima, or is Midorima the only one tall among them? Midorima rarely mentions his brothers and when he does he looks like he was getting a headache, well looking at Kuroko what would be the reason to be bothered by such a light and beautiful sight? Kuroko seems nice.
Kuroko is quiet, Takao noticed this, it wasn't as if Midorima is any chatty as well but Kuroko was really quiet, his composure was as solid as a concrete could be, unlike Midorima to rile the other up isn't a difficult thing—but Kuroko is strangely uptight. His eyes are blank—Takao thought as they walk closer to the palace garden. The gazebo stood in the middle of the garden, the stone garden was well kept, it was very different from the luscious green orchard of the Emerald Palace filled with different kinds of bushes and ornamental flowers. Recently Midorima brought in a Hawk which he gave to him saying he just didn't want him to complain about being alone when the other was outside to work at the council.
Kuroko led them to the gazebo and asked Takao to take a seat while asking his attendants to bring some tea and sweets for the guest. As they left, Kuroko sat on his seat gracefully.
"How was your stay at the Emerald Palace, Takao-kun?"
Takao smiled, "It was great, I've never I mean, my room was the biggest room I probably ever had in my life."
"Oh, was it different from where you came from?"
Takao's smiled faltered, "Yeah."
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you."
"Oh! No, no, its okay now…Shin-chan really helps me you know!"
Kuroko smiled, "Is that so? My brother…does?"
Takao nodded, "He helps me in my studies, ah, I;ve only started recently so go easy on me with the characters please." He said cheerfully. Kuroko could not hide, but this boy might be what his brother needed to lighten himself up. Energetic, lax and random—it was the exact opposite of the second prince. "Oh and he got me a huuuge Hawk last week! Oh, I've never seen a real one until then. Ah, they have big claws, I thought they were tiny, you know the ones that sings in the morning?"
"They are birds of prey Takao-kun, they really are big."
"Eh! Oh you mean the ones that eat meat? Oh yeah, they do give him meat."
"Yes, you are doing well with your studies Takao-kun."
"Eh! Thanks!"
Kuroko smiled back, it wasn't until a few female attendants passed. Takao looked over to where Kuroko's eyes were directed, the women were holding a pile of clothing, they didn't look like the colors that the Emperor would use, nor does a color the fifth prince would wear…was there someone else residing in the Inner Courts? Those were not the kind of materials an attendant would wear. A guest, an important guest.
"Ah, so ouji-sama would be leaving today?"
"Then the war isn't going to happen then, right?"
"Yes, I heard Shujo was able to persuade him."
Takao blinked, leaving…someone is leaving? "Ah, there was a guest?" he asked turning to face to the prince he found the other flinching at the word.
"Yes."
Why did he sound so sad? Takao quietly thought. Unable to supress his curiosity he spoke, "Is there…someone you should be with right now?"
Kuroko quickly whipped his head towards Takao, eyes wide, "I-I…"
"There is right? Someone you want to see?"
Kuroko only looked down in his hands settled in his lap. What will he do when he meets Kagami, what will he tell him? What good would be seeing him do? His chest hurt thinking about it, he wants to bid him goodbye but the rational part of him says it would only do much damage. The quiet whispers of the wind only reminded him of the night they met, the one stupid night he made the same mistake as to turn and speak to that person, if he could have only just let him do as he pleased that night. If he only didn't speak, maybe things would have been different, he wouldn't be wishing again for something he knows is impossible for someone like him to have—happiness. It didn't suite him, someone who passes on a judgement to sinners, what is he to be granted happiness?
When the attendants came to serve them tea and sweets Takao bowed his head and thanked them in behalf of the prince who fell in his own waist deep thoughts. Takao could barely read his expression, his lips nor his cheeks seemed to be frozen like a porcelain doll, he was barely moving any facial muscle, but his eyes were strangely expressive. It doesn't speak words or made sounds just like the sea, but you know when it was upset or a storm brews. Kuroko's eyes were sad and conflicted. It somehow made him think of what kind of family did Midorima really grew up on just looking at Kuroko. Rules, formalities and all those pleasantries, like a woman's corset they gripped and held them tight into a model of beauty and power yet it was not who they really were. Who really is Kuroko Tetsuya, was what Takao wanted to see.
"Why don't you go see that person?"
"I shouldn't."
Takao watched as Kuroko lifted his hands to put them on the tea cup. "Why not?" Takao asked.
"I…I am not brave." Kuroko said just above whisper. Takao tilted his head in the side, not brave…to see someone…but there was nothing to be frightened about, Kuroko is beautiful and dazzling, anyone would be pleased to be showered by his presence even once in their lifetime, why would he be shy to see someone? "I think I did something I shouldn't have."
"Then you should simply apologize for it."
Kuroko shook his head, "It is not easy…I may…hurt that person more doing so."
"Aren't you hurting that person all the more with what you are doing?" Kuroko's eyes widen and his hand shook at Takao's words. "If you know you did something wrong go apologize for it while the cut isn't deep yet, if you just let that person do as he pleases, if you do not stop that person, that person might fill in your silence with his own thoughts and interpretations. What I learned with my lectures with Shin-chan is that people tend to think using the worst possible option in the situation, ah…what was that again…pes….pesi…pessimistic? Yeah, that. People are pessimistic, so who knows what that person might think of your silence? Its more painful to be ignored than to be told off, trust me…I know."
Takao don't know but this seems important for Kuroko, and something told him he needed to tell him and pursueade him to run for it. "Are you scared Kuroko?"
Kuroko didn't answer but it was obvious. Admitting was stupid act for a prince, Takao knew the answer anyways. It was always frightening, to confirm things…back then when Midorima has not yet come, he had always been afraid of the truth, and finding out the outside world was the same, it was frightening as well. But as it was worth it, than to be forever ignorant. It was natural to be scared of the things you are not sure of. But if there was anything Takao learned from leaving the village and taking the risk to escape with Midorima—
"People need to take a risk in order to grow."
Kuroko blinked at Takao's words, and before he knew it he found the raven haired head priest standing from his seat with a cheerful smile, he then grabbed the prince's wrist gently urging him to stand and follow him. Kuroko was stunned but could not speak, he then found Midorima who was standing there at a corner watching the two, he didn't stop Takao or said anything. Before Kuroko knew it Takao had pulled him in the hallways.
"Come on," he said as he let go of him, "go for it, go after that person."
"T-Takao-san…"
Takao shook his head, and spun Kuroko so that he was facing towards the hallways, "The answer doesn't matter, do what you think you need to. The only things we regret in the end are the things we didn't do." Chuckling Takao gave Kuroko's back a gentle push, the prince staggered forward but stop in his tracks. For a moment Takao felt himself frowning, ah…well that didn't turned out as expected. As Takao was about to heave a sigh, he found Kuroko's shoulder tensing and he turned to face Takao.
That was right, Kuroko thought as he faced the head priest, what was there to lose anyway? There was nothing to lose, what was he so afraid of? He was an idiot to think he could have salvaged Kagami's feelings by futher lying to him by simply not telling him the truth, Kagami Taiga would only live in some illusion that his friend is a simple man working in the Crimson Palace. He was silly to think he could have eased it by just avoiding it. What good would be prolonging Kagami's ignorance? Kagami trusted him and yet he couldn't at least tell him something as simple as that? Kagami had been a good man, and Kuroko was only being unfair by feeding him lies. Yes, he needed to go, he needs to tell him at least, Kagami's answer or response does not necessary matter, the fact that he was repaying the man's kindness was enough.
"I…I'm going to stop running away!"
From afar Midorima watched, he doesn't know what the two were talking about, however, he had never seen Kuroko looked so determined before. What on earth did Takao told to him anyways? Midorima was baffled when Kuroko suddenly pulled the hem of his kimono and started running, Kuroko the embodiment of grace and beauty just…ran off like some kid pulling his clothings like that? Midorima almost felt his jaw drop on the floor watching the other run in the fastest he saw him ran for the past years of the other's existence. Kuroko never run, and most especially not inside the Crimson Palace, in the hallways of the inner court to be specific! Midorima waited until Kuroko was out of sight to step forward.
"Shin-chan has a bad hobby of eavesdropping." Takao said as he turned and found Midorima walking quietly towards him, his lips pressed in its usual thin line. Takao smiled at him.
"I am doing nothing as such." Midorima replied with a huff before turning towards where Kuroko's figure disappeared. It didn't surprise him that Takao was able to quickly spot him. "What was that about?"
Takao chuckled and placed a finger against his lips, "Himitsu!"
Midorima sighed and turned before grabbing Takao's wrist, "You are impossible to deal with, what are you a kid?" he said dragging the other along. Takao just chuckled, "I cant seem to get my eyes off from you and expect you not to run into trouble."
"Then isnt that better, at the very least, you will never leave me!"
Midorima scoffed, "Don't count on it."
The sun seems a bit happy shining down on Kaijo, Aomine for a moment wondered if it ever stormed in there. It was as if the weather was in favoured of the Northern Kingdom. However, it was exactly the opposite inside the Golden Palace. Despite all the bright and beautiful structure, the place was always quiet, and for some reason something told Aomine it wasn't like this before. Since their arrival in the palace, the King seemed to have dodge all private audience he asked for and it puzzled Aomine. Whenever he would prompt about his main task, the King would excuse himself and it somehow was starting to irk Aomine. The prince didn't have time to play around and beat around the bushes. Aomine came here for something, and he'd rather do it quickly. Staying in the Golden Palace for days suffocates him as if the air slowly was thinning. Kaijo is beautiful but there was no reason for him to stay.
Aomine sighed for the umpteenth time that day, he decided to ease his boredom by walking around the palace—which he later realized was a bad idea. Clicking his tongue Aomine had never been so angry by the genius whoever decided to made all the doors, walls, and corners of the palace identical to each other. Which was did he took again, left, right, or…straight ahead? Why him again of all people? What was the reason Akashi sent him of all people to Kaijo, he knew well he has no tact with these kind of things, he could have waited for Midorima's return and sent him or Mebuchi, or Imayoshi, or anyone else but him. He has no skills with making pleasantries and impression with others, well maybe if he was a bit two years younger. And the King doesn't seem happy to see him either. Thinking about it, the Emperor could have asked Himuro Tatsuya, the guy was Murasakibara's closest friend—if not his babysitter—and was the most trusted guy when it comes to thinks like affairs of foreign states, the guy was practically made for this kind of things, with that never wavering smiles. Aomine is clearly different from any of them, he didn't have or was ever forced to make pleasantries with anyone, he wasn't made for those things, he was made for the battle grounds.
"This is crazy." He murmured to himself, it had been days and yet not a word from the King. Maybe it's a foreshadowing that yeah, the King has no interest with whatever he wants to say. Which of course is annoying—does he know how damn annoying the journey was? I had to be in the ship for days and all I saw was water, water and more water! Aomine grumbled to himself when something caught his eyes, he blinked and realize something that was out of the place, he turned to his side and found a double door, was there…a double door there? Shrugging, the prince just simply out of desperation to find his way out of the never ending identical hallways pushed the doors opened.
Stepping in the prince's sense was filled with the scent of papyrus and old leather—it was an archive, the tall shelves stood there almost covered in dusts. Aomine stepped in looking at the leather bound books with titles he would surely never be interested to read, he chuckled to himself thinking only either Akashi or Kuroko would be happy seeing something like this. The place obviously looked as if it the last time someone visisted it was a very long time ago. Aomine stopped and sniffed the air, something else seems to be lingering in the room, a scent of…paint? He looked around passing the tall shelves towards the back of the room, he stopped when he found something covered in a white mantle. There was a stool, and a small table next to it where several paint brushes sat ruined from years of not getting any washes, a pallet sat there with paints hardened and empty bottles of different shades of paints. Out of curiosity Aomine pulled the mantle off.
His eyes widen at the sight, the unfinished artwork looked like it was only painted yesterday with the bright colors. His fingers felt numb and the mantle in his hand fell to the floor soundlessly. The unfinished painting depicted a bright and sunny day in a sunflower fields, and there were a figure which Aomine assumed to be a girl, and there was another image, an unfinished image of another child. The prince stared at the image, the girl who was slightly perhaps three years older than the other was wearing a bright blue kimono, and her hair was long waving freely with the invisible wind. Her cheerful smile and beautiful almond shape eyes, and her long golden locks almost made her look so much like the King. For a moment if one would not look closely one could assume the one in the bright blue kimono is the King in his younger days. However, what tugged something in Aomine was the unfinished image next to it, a smaller boy wearing a lavender colored kimono paired with a blue haori, his face was unfinished but his left eye was already done, it was amber, and his hair was shorter, just like most boys in his age would have, and it was the same shade of the girl next to him. It was that unfinished smile that Aomine couldn't take his eyes off.
I've met…one of them before…haven't I?
Who are they, Aomine asked himself, who are these two, why does the girl next to the boy looked so much like the King and the boy…the boy there why does he seems so familiar for Aomine? Where have he seen this boy before? Then Aomine only realized something, up in the wall a big frame hung, looking up, his eyes widen. It was a painting of what seems like a family, a man wearing a crown with dark amber eyes sat on the familiar looking throne, on his left was a woman with a small lithe frame and gentle smile, her hair was long and golden, her small and slender hands rested in the shoulders of the man in the throne, on their right stood two children, a girl with similar hair with the woman, again she looks so much like the current King of Kaijo, and then a small boy holding hands with the girl. Could this be—
"Aomine-denka!"
Aomine turned and found a maid standing there with a horrified expression in her face. Slipping behind the girl he found the raven haired Royal Adviser with his usual frown, Aomine stared at the two. "This place is strictly prohibited, with all due respect I ask you to step out." Kasamatsu said. He was surprised to see the prince to actually find the palace's old archive. The place was filled with sad memories, it was locked out to prevent the same air filling the already barren and dull palace. Looking at it now after so many years Kasamatsu couldn't help but to wish for that brighter days again, when the palace wasn't just a place where the King lived, it was the home of a family as well. "Prince, please…heed our words this is—"
"Who are these people?" Aomine asked.
"Its just His Majesty's predecessors, this is an old archive so—"
"The king is one of these people."
Kasamatsu was stunned and found himself taken aback, how…one could assume simply that those people might be the past Royal Family before Kise's father, or something, also how would Aomine know, he has no evidence…right? "I'll take care of this." Kasamatsu said to the maid, who meekly nodded and quickly left the two alone. As her footsteps grew fainter, and disappeared from their ears' reach, Kasamatsu returned his eyes towards the prince. The painting that was left there, he remember that, it was an unfinished painting of the late Queen. Aomine wasn't asking, he was stating and that itself made Kasamatsu wonder. What was really the reason why the Emperor of Teiko sent his fourth brother to a long and distant journey just to Kaijo just to remind Kise of a promise he made? There culd have been many other people, but why the fourth prince of Teiko? Why Aomine? And the reaction Kise gave them the day Aomine met with him, since then Kise would joke, chuckle and avoid the topic even if Kasamatsu pressed the answer from him. Kise was hiding something.
"Yes." Kasamatsu answered finally. "But what is it to you?"
Aomine's hand clenched to a fist…
"Why…why none of them are here with the King."
Kasamatsu raised an eyebrow at Aomine's question, "Why, didn't the Emperor told you beforehand?"
"What?" Kise Yuuki stood from his seat in disbelief, his wife, Ryouka had only passed a few weeks ago and he was not prepared for the next thing that came. The palace is still mourning over the lost and yet this crisis came. Back then Kasamatsu was still in the ripe of age of thirteen, he stood there with his father who served as the King's informant, he remembered the face the man had, angry, desperate, scared. His children, his own life, and the lives of his people were in danger in the hands of their enemies. What would he do?
"It would be safe to send the prince and princess somewhere, perhaps in the care of someone who would be least expected to agree." Kasamatsu's father suggested.
It was when the idea came, Kise Yuuki's childhood friend was the current Emperor of the Empire of Teiko which was something a lot didn't know. Kise Yuuki and the Emperor chose that to be that way to avoid conflict and people targeting them both, and to be able to provide assistance with each other without putting much attention. "You are right," Kise Yuuki said as he sighed, it was for the best. For them.
His eldest child was sent in a temple in the far north with the female monks while his second child was sent in his friend's care which he and his family warmly welcomed.
When the threat settled down, Kise Yuuki thought it would be alright then, he didn't know it was only a calm before the storm. With his deep longing from his children he arranged quickly for them to be brought back to the palace soon after summer, however—
"They're all dead now." Kasamatsu said as he turned around, "There are nothing here for you to see, you must leave this place be, it is only a box of sad memories."
Aomine's eyes widen…all dead…what about King, if the King was one of them then…dead? That doesn't seem to make sense, however to Kasamatsu it made perfect sense. All of those in that picture is dead, Kise isnt any better. Yeah, he is breathing but that doesn't necessarily meant the man is still alive inside, he is barely living with the crumbs of his and other's sanity. Kise Ryouta…died as well that very same day.
"Oi, what are you doing, we need to go if you want to arrive quickly to Seirin before your father starts building a farm or something inside the palace." Hyuuga said as he glanced at Kagami who seems to have been constaltly looking at the crowd as if waiting for something—or someone. Could it be that his suspicion was right when he thought Kagami is seeing someone in Teiko? It actually made him wonder what he even asked Mebuchi that morning. The young prince and soon King-to-be suddenly asked Mebuchi something in private that morning after that for a moment the man didn't say anything. Could it be that Mebuchi knows who Kagami was seeing? Or…was it something else? Kagami didn't look back at him making Hyuuga sigh, they were running out of time, who knows what Kiyoshi was doing back in the palace while they were out. "Oi, let's go, we're done packing up."
Kagami sighed, stupid, of course…what was he thinking, "Yeah…sure." He replied as he turned and started to walk towards the ship. He was stupid, he should have known, he should have paid more attention to it, he should have realized—that was why he speaks so formally, that was why his clothes were different from the others—and yet…why wasn't he angry? He should have been right? But he wasn't. He lied, he believed him, he didn't told him anything. But maybe it was because he was equally stupid for quickly assuming things.
"Ah, Mebuchi."
"Huh?" The minister turned and raised a brow at the prince, it was early that morning the Minister was helping their party to arrange things they needed to leave that day. Kagami wanted to confirm it now, for himself. It was just starnge, why hasn't he had seen Kuroko even once roaming the palace like every other attendants and servants of the palace, men were not allowed in the kitchen those were tasks for women so surely he would be taking things in and out instead, perhaps tending the gardens or something, yet not even once he had a run about with him. And the clothes he wore, they were so different from the rest, he realized the usual attendants does not wear any jewels, yet Kuroko….gave him a golden bracelet, and his clothes were very intricate, he usually wears a haori over his clothes which was rare among the others.
He had seen everyone in the palace, Akashi introduced him to all the Ministers and the whole Council of Rakuzan, he had seen all the women of the outer courts of the Palace during his arrival in the palace, he had seen everyone except—
"What was the fifth prince's name?"
Mebuchi blinked in in confusion at the question, "What's with the sudden question ouji-sama?"
He is the youngest among the five sons of the late Empress and Emperor, he is Akashi's most pride on and loved brother, there were few to none accounts about him and he was rarely mentioned because he was thought to be sickly, always inside the palace, no one had ever seen him outside the palace, was what most people said.
"Just…please, I need to know."
Mebuchi blinked and chuckled awkwardly, "Ah, I don't know why you are asking this but if you must know—"
Kuroko Tetsuya, he should have known. The guy was the fifth prince. That was why he said those words, that was why he knows a lot about wars, he wasn't a simple guy in the palace, he is the fifth prince. Kagami wanted to be angry at himself and for Kuroko for prolonging his ignorance, but he could not. Instead seated within his chest was the wish that he would—
"PLEASE WAIT!"
He must…be imagining…things right?
Kagami could hear the sounds of the horse's feet against the ground, before he knew it he could hear the people chattering—
"Y-YOUR HIGHNESS!" And that was the last straw, turning Kagami found the most unbelievable sight. The palace soldiers were all gathered almost close to the black stallion all worried for the rider who was in his formal clothing, a kimono that no one would be able to wear so beautifully and elegantly than he would. What was he…doing there, wasn't he supposed to be busy with the affairs of the palace? Didn't they say he never left the palace grounds? Why was he there right now?
With one swift motion he found the prince without any effort jumped off from the horse and down flat in his feet. His eyes were staring right at his eyes, he wish he could read his mind and tell him what was he doing there, why now? He had already accepted that he will not come, that he will just forget about him and the things they spoke about. But Kagami couldn't deny…inside his chest he was waiting for this, hoping he'd dropped by, at least to say good bye and maybe that was why he cannot be angry at him. He wanted to see Kuroko…even once before he leave and hear from him the end of all these lies. Kagami watched as the other discarded his haori on the floor and ran as quickly as his limbs could bring him while he was just frozen in there trying to put in right arrangement his thoughts, what will he say to him, what was there to say?
Kuroko stopped ignoring all the noises and the words the Imperial Guards were telling him, they said it was wrong, improper, he should be in the palace, he shouldn't be there—No, I should be here. That was right, this was what Akashi would want him to do, if his mother or Ogiwara was here, they would tell him the same thing Takao said. Kuroko was foolish to think otherwise, to think his silence would cure it all, would mend the ache in his chest. That was silly of him. And despite all of that, despite all of the lies Kagami turned to him, he was there…waiting for him. His chest was starting to beat loud on his ears, for the first time he felt so anxious, nervous in front of a single man. Maybe it was because this was the first time he would step off the wall he built for himself, it was the first time he decided to stop running away.
"If you do not stop that person, that person might fill in your silence with his own thoughts and interpretations."
"Aren't you hurting that person all the more with what you are doing?"
"The only things we regret in the end are the things we didn't do."
Catching his breath Kuroko balled his hand into a fist, the only things he regrets are the chances he didn't take back then. If he had told Ogiwara Shigehiro back then his own thoughts, if only he ran after him and told him he felt the same way, maybe if only he objected Akashi's decision, if only he spoke up, if only he didn't let those chances pass, things would have been different. And today he chose to make it different, he chooses to stop that stupid cycle, Kagami's reply wouldn't matter now, all that he needed was to tell him.
"I-I have something to tell you." Kuroko said. He didn't wait for the other to reply, "The truth is…I am the fifth prince!"
Kagami didn't flich, he just watched Kuroko for a moment. True that he did say his reply doesn't matter, but—ah…it does hurt still—Kuroko averted his eyes from the other, who would have thought even after so many years, it still feels painful. Kuroko reached to his chest where he hid that small token of their brief meeting. At least he have this, at least he—
"I know." Kagami said, "Thank you for being honest."
Kuroko whipped his head to the prince eyes wide, "Y-You…know…how?"
Kagami sighed, "Your clothes and the way you speak. It rose my suspicion." He said, "Then I realized out of all the people staying in the palace the only one I haven't met is the fifth prince. I asked Minister Mebuchi, he told me the name of the fifth prince."
"I…apologize, I would understand if you don't wish to hear from me anymore…however, I-I would…at least allow me to say my parting words."
Kagami raised an eyebrow at the other's words when suddenly the other dropped to his knees making everyone around them exclaim in shock. "W-What are doing get up this instant!" Kagami said in shock, however Kuroko didn't heed and continued as he slowly placed his hand on the dirt filled ground and was about to bow his head—"OI! That's enough already!" Kagami exclaimed as he pulled Kuroko by the upper arm forgetting all that was due and proper in handling someone of royal birth. Kuroko looked at him puzzled as if asking why he is stopping him. However what stunned Kuroko was what happened next, Kagami pulled him to stand back straight in his feet, and started dusting off his clothes.
"Kagami-kun…what are you—"
"The dirt doesn't suite the one I wish to be my future consort."
Kuroko felt his cheeks burnt red at the other's utter bluntness. However Kagami didn't waver, he had made a decision, even before he knew Kuroko was the fifth prince, it will be stupid if he would even deny his utter adoration to the other. He might not be quite sure yet about how deep his feelings are for the other thinking that they have only met a few times, but seeing that he could not put him off his head is a clear sign as it is, that somehow he did fell for this boy. Even if Kuroko wasn't the fifth prince, if Kuroko was just a simple attendant as he assumed before, his decision wouldn't change. He would still like him no matter what. "Once I become the King of Seirin, I would return, and make you mine." Kagami said barely above whisper just enough for the prince to hear. He knelt and fell to one his knee and cupped Kuroko's right hand. Kuroko's hand were slightly trembling, and cold, strangely though they look small and fragile it was calloused the way a swordsman's hands were. Just like his heart, Kagami thought, it was fit for a uptight and strict life of a prince yet it was gentle and warm as well. "I have made my decision, if I wouldn't have you by my side, I wouldn't want any other." he said and kissed the back of Kuroko's hand as if to seal his words.
Kuroko was stunned, frozen at the other's words—Kagami was waiting for him, Kagami will become the King for him? Eyes slowly breamed in, no one had ever gone so far to do this, none of them looked at him the way Kagami did. And he was so happy he didn't know what to do with the way his heart feels so warm so full. He could only thank Takao and everyone who ever persuade him to run here today. The chance he took brought him here. He could barely even think of what to say, he just feel so—happy. Before he knew it he felt something warm and wet rolling down his cheeks.
"W-Wha—Hey!" Kagami stood and grabbed his shoulders, "Did I say something wrong, why are you crying?"
Kuroko shook his head. "I will be waiting."