ANNND WELCOOOME BACCCK TO LIOOOON! I MISSED YOU GUYS SOOO SOO MUCH! Anyhow, yeah I was done with Finals but I found out that I am forced to take supplementary classes because they're throwing us to train for the real deal. AHAHAHAHA but worry not before they do that we'll make the most of of this. So yeah, how did you guys find the last update? CAN YOU FEEL IT, OMG CAN YOUUU FEEL IIIIT*shakes you*, we're basically slowly drifting towards the main arc of the story which I have to admit makes me very nervous and excited at the same time, as you have seen a few chapters back we didnt tackle much on AKAFURI first-though I have announced this fanfic's main should have been Akafuri and Kagakuro, but you will see soon the great importance of the reason for that. And I hope you still do remember a few details told in the first chapter *winks* there's LOT there that will be straightened in the next few chapters so please stay tuned.

Also btw, I need to thank every single one of you who are reading LION, THANK YOU SO SOOOOOOOOO MUCCCH, you have no idea how happy it makes me to know that you guys are enjoying LION, especially to our reviewers *sends you guys a virtual hug*! Thank you for being patient with me while I'm at school. Also, hello to our lovely FionaEve-chan who expressed her liking to LION and omg thank you so so much for giving LION a shot, and I really hope I didnt make you wait too much. Thank you to Guest1 and 2 who reviewed on the same date, LOL, I hope you like this update too, and Yuki578 I'm being biased here but hey YUKI is one of my favorite Japanese name, and thank you for following MtBK actually you're the first one to coin that short version of the title which I must say is genius-I had been writing MIZUIRO instead but yeah, MtBK is more awesome so thank you-and yeah I'm happy you liked LION too! And to Guest who reviewed on March 19 OHOHOHO Let's see if Akashi really is having only this one-sided love. You were the first one to notice the way I made Furi act around Akashi and I'm glad you did. It is actually an important note, the way Furi acts around Akashi. And Yayoi-san THANKKK YOUUUU! And to Maiokoe truuuee, so let's see why is Kuroko NOT okay with what Akashi is showing? And lastly Ern Estine 13624 clue, actually, the TRIGGER is going to be the AOKISE wedding *winks*

THANK YOU GUYSSS FOR LOTS OF REVIEWS, And yeah, I hope you keep it coming because it helps me a lot. And to everyone who dropped a fav and follow-THANK YOU AS WELL, YOU AWESOME BABY CHEEKS! And btw guys before I let you of with the new update I just wanna say, that I'm greatful for everyone who had been expressing their thoughts about my works, and those who were inspired by them and led them to write a story of their own. You have nooo idea how you guys makes me happy when you do that.

This chapter is dedicated to one of my reviewers back in my first fanfic-Another-Jane-Doe

Chapter 29: Sundown

Furihata's body was trembling as he was engulfed in a warm embrace, his lungs was filled with the comforting scent of summer and sea. The warmth almost lulled him to some state of sleep. The hands that pulled him closer were kind, gentle as if it didn't belong to a young man who was polished into perfection the moment he was born, as if it didn't belong to a man prepared to strike down the enemy without much thought. The hands held him like he was a fragile porcelain item, slowly petting his damp hair. Hearing his name whispered with that voice made Furihata glad, it told him everything he wanted to know, that Akashi is alive, he is well.

His tears were slowly staining the expensive clothing of the Emperor, but the man remained reluctant to let him go. And maybe Furihata didn't want him to let go too. It was frightening to be all alone in a dungeon, he had never been punished like this, he saw the hesitation on the guards eyes when they gave him a whip, some of them turned their backs, when they had to put him into water torture it took them a lot of times to make up their mind who would do it. They couldn't talk to him and he remained alone in the cell for days, in the darkness, too tired to cry or eat. But it was due, he told himself.

For days he was plagued by guilt, he had failed the one person who believed he could be more than a pampered prince, he failed his duty and the man who had become so kind to him…what had he done? He could remember the look he had in his face before he fell unconscious in his arms. He was helpless, he couldn't do anything to help the man who gave him a place to stay, the man who did nothing but kindness towards him, patience towards his clumsiness.

When Akashi pulled away, the man started wiping off the tears off with his thumb. He could feel his warm breath in his skin, but he just let him.

"Come with me." Akashi said and a gentle smile spread in his lips.

"B-But I—"

"No, it is an order Kouki."

Kouki felt his mouth run dry, Akashi had always used this demanding tone when he says an order but this one sounded like he was pleading him not to decline. And Akashi never, ever, begs for anything. His heart cracked at the sight of Akashi's expression, like his heart had been ripped out. It made the brunette want to reassure him everything is alright, like he always did, it had become an unconscious response of his mind toward the Emperor. Perhaps because he had an older brother as well, who he knows felt as strongly as Akashi towards his siblings, and maybe it was his kindness, a kindness masked with his hard to please personality.

But he wasn't hard to please really.

Furihata felt Akashi pulling him by his upper arm forcing him to stand in his wobbly limbs. Furihata didn't trust his limbs, and he was right, the moment he tried, they gave in into his weight. Fortunately, Akashi was quick to hold him up, "Take it slowly." Akashi coaxed ad he slowly took a step forward, the guards all took the cue to prepare the Emperor a path.

"Your Highness let us take care of that for you—"

"No."

Akashi's words were sharp, Furihata looked up and found Akashi glaring at his own men, his hold in Furihata's arms tighten a bit, unconsciously pressing the smaller male to himself protectively. "How could you speak like that when you are the ones who had inflicted him these injuries?"

The men backed away shyly.

"I-Its alright…they did what they have to." Furihata said as he tried to calm Akashi down, he has seen those eyes, those glow were the similar glow his eyes had when he came to see him and Himuro.

Akashi's hold slackens and he turned his full attention on the brunette, "But they were—Kouki…"

Furihata shook his head and no words were needed anymore, but Akashi still refused anyone to touch him. He slowly aided Furihata out of the dungeon. The lights of the rooms and the lamps around the hallways burnt in his eyes, he blinked a few more times to get them readjusted to the sight. Furihata was no longer thinking much, he was letting Akashi pull him, to tired to do anything. He could hear Akashi giving orders but his senses were dull, his mind were in a state of lucidness, he could barely understood how his legs were moving.

The next thing he knew he heard a door sliding, and his nose was assaulted with the scent of lavender and chamomile, and something…something like Akashi's scent. Weakly raising his head up he was blinded by the brightness of the room, it was very well lit.

"Have a herbal prepared immediately, call Tetsuya as well, tell him to prepare to a treatment for wounds and disinfectant." Furihata could hear but their voices were slowly turning into slurs in his head, and he was slowly getting dizzy. There were other people in the room but he couldn't understand what they were saying.

"Kouki?" Furihata tried his best to focus on the Emperor's voice, "Kouki I know well you are tired, but you have to stay put for a while."

Furihata nodded weakly, he would try his best.

"Good, it wont be long."

That voice sure he could trust, he thought. He didn't know if an Emperor usually does this to his people or was it something he felt compelled to do because he was working for him. With his weak and numbing mind, he was reminded of the anger that flashed in Akashi's eyes, and the sorrow that filled them before he fell unconscious. It kept him up at night in the dungeon, wondering. Was he thinking and reading too much on it or is Akashi…

"Your Highness, the bath is ready."

"Prepare him clothing then, after then leave us be."

Furihata knew Akashi whispered something to him but he didn't understood, he felt Akashi pulling him by the arm again somewhere. The next thing he understood was the feeling of the damp and warm moisture in his skin, his vision were clouded with steam. He felt Akashi pushed him down on and he was sitting on a small bench.

"Kouki?"

Kouki tried his best to focus, "Y-Yes?

"I would have to get most of your clothes off."

"M-My…"

"Your clothes off."

The words rung and echoed in his head making Kouki gasped and pulled back into reality. All blood rushed into his cheeks as he realized what the words meant. Westerns were known to have less skin consciousness than Eastern, but he couldn't help to feel self-conscious in the eyes of the perfection that was Akashi Seijuuro. He tugged the haori further to himself, he was full of ugly scars and wounds, to be seen like that—

"If you are worried of your scars, or your wounds, I have seen them." Akashi said taking Furihata's hand that was clutching the fabric of the haori. Akashi slowly peeled the hand away, Furihata watched quietly as Akashi took it to himself and slowly kissed his bruised knuckles. "They have never made me change my opinion of you."

"O…pinion?"

"Yes."

Furihata flushed darker at the sight of Akashi kissing the back of his hand, he wondered if it meant differently here in Teiko, back in Seirin and most Western Kingdom, the act of kissing the back of someone's hand meant adoration, a declaration of faith towards a regent if done towards a high ranking official or royal families and most specially this is done as an act of declaration of commitment towards someone, a kind of veneration. The blood rose to his cheeks even more now, Akashi closed his eyes and held his hand even kinder—if that is even possible. The thick lashes framed his eyes delicately like a woman's but more beautiful.

Akashi let go of the hand—reluctantly—and stood slowly taking the haori off. Honestly, to the Emperor it was not disgusting but painful to watch. Painful to know that he was the cause of it. Furihata is the living proof that everyone that comes close to him would either ends up getting killed or this. The thin yukata that Furihata wore were stained in his blood and dirt. Slowly, Akashi placed the haori beside Furihata.

Akashi placed his hand behind obi and looked up at Furihata as if asking for permission. Furihata felt conflicted, he had never taken his clothes off in front of anyone. He was taught that even as a prince he needs to at least know how to do simple personal tasks including bathing and changing clothes. He was never been allowed to be very friendly to anyone, not ever since the incident that made his father go into a war when he fell ill. But a small voice in his head told him this was alright. Akashi would never. He was not a kind of man that would do that, right? Abusing his powers doesn't suite him.

When he didn't reply but didn't resisted, Akashi took it as a yes and started taking the belt off. The fabric hung loosely in his shoulders revealing his very much bloodied nagajuban. Akashi carefully peeled off the yukata off.

"If you are wondering how I knew of these, I would like you to remember that I have four younger siblings." Akashi said as he placed the yukata down. He is years older when Aomine and Kuroko were born, he went to make sure of that his brothers were taken care of only the best possible way. And especially with Kuroko, when the teal haired infant was born, Akashi felt this hard force pulling and telling he must protect him. It took him years to finally let anyone outside the family lay a finger on the infant Kuroko. "When they were younger I couldn't trust people to touch them, not especially with Tetsuya."

"You feel…strongly for him." Furihata said with a weak smile. "Your sentiments are not wasted Your Highness."

Akashi nodded and helped Furihata back in his feet, slowly leading him to the ofuro. The tub was very big, filled with water and some kind of relaxing herbs. No one had ever been in there other than Akashi himself. But to think that he would let someone else handle Furihata in this state did things to him. He assisted Furihata slowly to get into the tub, a feet after the other, before he slowly pushed him to sit and get himself relaxed in the water.

Furihata breathes a sigh of relief as the warm water embraced his body soothing the aching wounds and muscle in his body. His numbing mind was slowly calming down, and he felt his eyes shutting down. As soon as his mind cleared, Furihata opened his eyes again. Then it dawned to him—he almost botled up from the tub until he felt a hand holding him down by his upper arm. He turned and found Akashi sitting the slightly damp bathroom floor.

"Calm down, you don't want to hurt yourself, wont you?" Akashi said and Furihata stayed in his place.

"I-Is t-this…"

"Yes, this bath is in my chambers."

Furihata flushed darker, "Y-You could have b-brought me back to m-my room a-and I—"

"You didn't stop me earlier."

"I-I didn't realize I-I'm so—"

"Don't you say a word of forgiveness, again." Akashi's voice is firm, "Don't."

"But I have again stepped out of my bou—"

"Its my idea." Akashi said putting an arm over the sides of the tub. "It was an order from me."

"I…"That was not true, Akashi did not asked him to do anything. He did it on his own. Furihata pulled his knees close to his chest as he watches the ripple of waters appear distorting his reflection in the water. Why was Akashi doing this? This was not something he should be doing. He never was concerned about anyone, not like this.

And what if he did?

What if he ever was concerned this much towards someone else?

"What are you thinking?" Akashi asked his voice echoing in the closed space.

"Nothing of importance Your High—"

"Kouki."

Furihata looked down feeling exposed like this towards the man. He sure did find him somehow half naked before but that was in pure accident, and somehow the way he looked at him right now is different. And it was doing things with his chest, with his emotions.

"Kouki I have gotten you off the hook with the fact you refuse to call me by my name, now you are just—"

Akashi sighs.

"Are you…are you still blaming yourself?"

Furihata didn't answer, he couldn't possibly admit yes, because he just said he don't want him to blame himself. But how can he not? He saw the panic in Kuroko's eyes, he remember the anger that filled the usual composure of his sunset colored eyes—all because of him. He didn't understood what drove Akashi to that kind of behaviour but that doesn't matter, it was on him.

Splash

"WHA—"

Furihata gaped as water was splash in his face, it wasn't forceful or a lot. Much more like a child asking for attention kind of splash. He blinked and turned to his side and found Akashi with another handful of water again and childish frown.

"You had this look like you were doing just that."

"W-What?"

"Do you need another?"

"A-Akashi-sama!" Furihata's indignant cry was accompanied with Furihata reaching hold Akashi's wrist preventing him from splashing any to him.

"Thought you needed another."

"No, no, I-I'm alright, I-I'm okay."

When Furihata said those words Akashi's hand fell, his eyes lost its mischevious glint and was replaced by something…something Furihata felt frightened to name, because, that is just not possible right? Akashi's hand slipped off from Furihata's grip and before he knew it he was being pressed against Akashi's warmth again.

"Yes…you are." Akashi said. Furihata's eyes widen, was it him or did Akashi's voice just…trembled? His arms tighten around Furihata and he felt strangely safe and contented. With trembling fingers, the former prince raised his hands and hugged him back. Now that his mind was clear he could feel the drumming of his heart in his chest. His cowardice wanted him to bury himself in that warmth that promised protection from all that was the world. It didn't help that the Emperor was the one who initiates this, he wanted to ignore the feeling of security he felt next to the man since the first time he called his name because right then there was nothing that he could offer in return of this kind of kindness.

Akashi pulled away only to sink in his knees and slide his hand to the brunette's cheeks, the heterochromatic eyes stares in the brown orbs as if it is the only thing that mattered for him at the moment. The fire of the red and gold orbs that usually placed Furihata trembling in his knees out of fear, was now making it difficult to breathe in a different manner, his heart raced faster, and for the first time he understood what it felt like to be sucked into an unfamiliar abyss, to drown without actually being in a high waters, to fall with both feet in a solid ground. He couldn't look away even if he wanted.

The Emperor's hands were soft against his skin, they were warm and gentle. It wasn't the first time Akashi had done this, and he could remember the safe fondness mixed in those fierce and piercing gaze. The fingertips slowly raised and he felt the man's thumb close to the corner of his eyes then slowly down tracing the line below his right eye.

"Kouki."

Furihata's breath almost caught in his throat at the way Akashi called his name, like it was a name of a saint, of some holy creature, full of adoration. Words died in Furihata's lips as he could only focus on the face before him. It was the closest he had seen the Emperor. It made him realize the number of physical similarities he had the fifth prince. The line of their nose, their eyebrows and even the expression.

"A-Akashi-sama I—"

Knock

Knock

Knock

Akashi sighed pulling away from the brunette. With a frown Akashi raised his head to look at the door to the bath where the knock came from.

"Its is me, brother."

Furihata's ears perked up at the voice, despite the voice being muffled by the door separating them he knew that voice very much making Furihata a bit frightened and embarrassed.

"Come in, we have been waiting for you." Akashi said. The door opened and Kuroko came in wearing a simple sky blue hanfu. In his hands is a box. After closing the door behind him, the fifth prince bowed his head.

"Good evening Shujo." He greeted, "And to Furihata-kun as well."

"He is not well." Akashi said as Kuroko walked towards them.

"That enough is obvious seeing you have called me here to tend to his wounds." Kuroko said as he stood before his brother. The two stared right at each other for a complete minute without saying a word, Furihata stared at them uncomfortably. It was as if a quiet fight was brooding between the two siblings. Despite the lack of expression between the two, Furihata could feel the tension between them. The first to break the eye contact was Kuroko who quickly turned away from Akashi to Furihata. "And it would be greatly appreciated if you would rather leave the two of us."

Akashi furrowed his eyebrows and was about to say something when Kuroko turned and frowned.

"Or would you rather watch me as I take off his clothes and thoroughly clean him?"

Furihata's face flushed with a red that would put Akashi's scarlet strands into shame.

"I would be right outside." Akashi said simply as he started walking out of the bathroom.

Furihata was awed, only Kuroko could speak like that to the Emperor, anyone else would have their heads served in a platter. It showed the fact of how powerful Kuroko Tetsuya is. If the fact that he is the gem of the palace isnt enough, he is also the youngest brother.

Once the door closed behind Akashi, Kuroko settled the box in the side of the tub.

"I know you might be quite uncomfortable that it is me who would be tending to you. Please bare with me." Kuroko said quietly.

"W-What? I-I mean, I-I c-can s-surely do that myself I—"

"The Emperor insists. This is his order." Kuroko said as he looked at Furihata, "We couldn't possibly want to oppose him, yes?

Furihata was out of words, he wanted to point out that Kuroko just gave the Emperor the order to leave the room and stared right at his eyes.

"Do not worry, I have no malice with seeing you…well naked."

Furihata blushed furiously, "P-Please d-don't say it."

Kuroko chuckled, "I see you're not used to anyone else seeing your skin then?"

Furihata nodded.

"That's good."

"Good?"

Kuroko shook his head as he started aiding Fuirhata in taking off the stained nagajuban. Furihata didn't seem as uncomfortable to undress with Kuroko in the room compared to Akashi. Maybe it was their eyes. Kuroko were like a placid uninterested eyes, while Akashi's eyes were like staring, watching, examining.

"My brother is aware that you are quite uncomfortable with him." Kuroko said as he folded the wet undergarments in the side of the tub. "He had never let anyone in his chambers before."

"I-I am…aware, I-I tried to…tell him that it is alright i-if I could just stay in m-my chambers."

"You couldn't blame him." Kuroko said in a more quiet voice. "The things…that happened to you is…"

"It was my duty and I failed, I understand."

"You do but he does not."

Furihata let out a dry laugh. This was too much, he even called the fifth prince to tend to him when it shouldn't. There was naturally no need. Practically he is lower than a commoner, to be touched alone by the Emperor would have been too much, and now the gem of the palace is tending to his wounds. Kuroko stood and went to fetch a cloth.

"Here, use this to rid yourself of the dirt." Kuroko said as he offered the cloth to Furihata who accepted them graciously.

Furihata soaked the cloth with water and started cleaning his exposed skin. The wounds sting but he supressed the hiss from his lips. Kuroko watched quietly by his side.

"My brother…isn't easy to please." Kuroko started, "As an eldest, he had learned to be difficult, to be unwavering, that is understandable. When I first suggested that he would take a personal attendant, he had opposed me with all his might. You had no idea how many times he had purposely made himself difficult until everyone I tried to put into your current position to submit themselves and leave the palace. I had given up on that thought until the day you came. I would lie if I would have told you I trusted you the first time I saw you, I hope you understand."

Furihata turned his head towards Kuroko who was looking at him with his usual unreadable expression, why was he talking about this now?

"However," Kuroko's eyes closed, a gentle but slightly pained expression swept in his face confusing the brunette. "I am most likely inclined now to think that fate has brought you here purposely."

"Y-Your Highness I-I am j-just—"

"No, you are no coward." Kuroko said cutting the brunette off. It was the word the former prince loved to use to describe the decision he made to leave his former homeland, the throne and the crown, however, Kuroko realized it was no cowardice to do these things but rather the opposite. "As I have pondered of the act you have done, at first I was persuaded to believe that your actions had reflected selfishness, cowardice to face your responsibilities. But as your stay stretched, you have taught me even without you intending to do so, that it was no cowardice. You, Furihata Kouki is no coward. You were a courageous soul to defy the fate that were forced upon you. For that I envy you, and perhaps that courage is what my brother saw in you as well."

Furihata's eyes widen, he had never saw his actions would reflect like this towards the fifth prince. However, he couldn't deny that those things were what are running in his mind when he ran away from the kingdom. He couldn't take the fact that he would be force to become a King, marry a woman he does not know, rule over a kingdom when he knew himself he was not experienced enough, he couldn't take the fact that he would live the rest of his life ruled by the responsibility and weight of the crown. It was better to be a nameless slave than to be like that.

"You didn't just taught me, but you did as well to my brother. Shujo has changed since you came."

The words of the fifth prince were filled with sincerity that Furihata didn't even know what to say. He a simple, commoner, an attendant, a runaway prince, had taught the youngest, prided, absolute Emperor of the biggest Empire, yet to date? It was unbelievable, if it wasn't said by the fifth prince himself.

"I…that is just…"

"Please do at least receive my deepest gratitude." Kuroko said bowing his head.

"I-I, b-but that is j-just m-my…my duty…"

Kuroko smiled and took the wet towel from Furihata's hand and gently wiped off the mud from the supple cheeks of the brunette. Furihata could feel his heart hammering in his chest, anxiety mixed with a kind of fear of getting known. Kuroko had placed him in his post, he gave him a reason to continue, he had entrusted his brother's safety to him, and he knew it was difficult for him to do that, just as much as it was difficult for Akashi to trust anyone, he couldn't afford to betray that trust due to that conflicting emotions in his heart towards the Emperor.

Furihata had tried to justify it was merely a kind of admiration due to the kindness of the man and his undeniable physical attractiveness. He whispered to himself that it was something that cant be helped, he is in many thousand reasons, beautiful. He is perfection in flesh. He couldn't, he shouldn't harbour any feelings rather than loyalty towards the man he serves. But it was deeper than loyalty, it was deeper than servitude.

But what good would it do?

What good would it bring if he falls for the man? He is a former prince who is assumed to have runaway, he is disguising himself as a servant in an Empire that is not his, if he would fall in love for an Emperor, if the truth would be revealed.

What would he do?

He shouldn't. He couldn't go back to Seirin yet, he cannot lose his place in here where he is unknown, where he is simply Furihata Kouki. But…

He has.

"You are not doing this anymore because of duty." Kuroko said. "I know. Because I see it, I know how you look at my brother, I am not blind. I saw the way your eyes filled itself with tears of fear when you came to tell me what happened to my brother. You accepted the punishment because you thought you deserved it, didn't you?"

"I…deserve it."

"You are guilty but not because of what I have said. You are guilty because…because you think you betrayed me?"

Furihata nodded, "I am…awful, I-I'm sorry."

"You did not betray me, I may have given you the duty but I do not own you." Kuroko said gently as he placed a towel in the rim of the tub. "What you feel towards him is beyond my control. And I couldn't tell you how to or not to feel. I am just…a bit worried of him and of what come what of this."

Furihata nodded in understanding. If he ever let himself, if he ever let his heart tell wallow in those tempting kindness and warmth, there was danger that would lie ahead. It would be difficult to keep his secret before the man, and what would Akashi do if he did know? Perhaps it was selfish, stupid and reckless, to think that it was better like this. It was better that he didnt know.

Even if it hurts.

Badly.

.

.

.

Raising an eyebrow, the blonde prince flipped the letter again making sure that it did came from that person. It was surprising, he knew something was up when he heard about the delegate Teiko sent to Kaijo, he had assumed it was a simply allegiance, but a wedding was beyond surprising. The fourth prince of Teiko and the King of Kaijo, who would have thought. He had never met the fourth prince face to face yet, but he had heard of his capabilities and he never pegged him to b ethe first of the five to get a spouse. But this meant something, it meant Teiko is back in expanding its Empire…and that was their cue to make the move.

A voice behind the door announced the arrival of his guest, making the Nash Gold smile to himself. The door opened revealing a tall man in his military attire with dyed black hair.

"What now?" the man said in a bored voice. In years Nash had learned that it was impossible for this man to recognize authority. After all, he had defied all means of moral the day he killed the mother of his own brothers.

"I thought you want to see this."

Nash tossed the letter to the other who caught it without a sweat. The bored eyes quickly shifted into something else as the symbol of the half phoenix in full flight came into his view, a sadistic smirk painted in his lips. He flipped and opened the letter, inside were the insignia of Kingdom of Kaijo and the Tribe of Too, his eyes read every characters and he suddenly bursted laughing.

"Oh, I think you would be quite sad, after all, didn't you fancy that blonde King?" Nash said smirking. "To think he would be married to your own brother, isnt that sad?"

"To Aomine?" The man laughed and slammed the paper on the prince's table, "All the more reason that I would love to see them and their little empire burn down into ashes."