WELCOOOOME BAAACK EVERYOOONE! I'm soooo sorry for the looooong delay, I'm sorry for making you guys wait, but you see Kicchin did not anticipate doing the Summer(advance) class is this hectic. BUT DONT WORRY, Kicchin is giving her best to write in between, especially when I get free time. Also, how did you find the last chapter? Can you feel the plot thickening and stirring? ASDFGHJKL can you feel the tension after the last chapter, what will Akashi do now, is there hope for Akafuri, and with Kagami's incoming arrival as the King of Seirin, just what kind of fate awaits them?

Anyhow I would do an all out update, so I would be updating Mizuiro to Beni Koi as well, and my Durarara fanfic-Lycoris, so hope you guys read them as well if you have the time, especially those who havent *gives you puppy eyes* and if you like it, or have a suggestion, or anything, please leave some love in the review box there or follow and fav. Thank you a LOT, and also for our reviewers last chapter; Guest1, Yayoi, pigrabbit09, Nooooo, Guest2, Ern Estine 13624, SilverWhiteDragon, Pinally316, Ara ara, psychobubble and venice!

BTW GUYS before I wave goodbye and all those stuffs, I just want to say and extend my biggest THANK YOU, to Psychobubble and her amazing art for LION, it was really pretty and I hope you guys check it out it's on Tumblr xxforgotten. tumblr post/142672372546/its-akafuri-day-yayy-here-is-some-fanart-of (just remove the spaces)and if you guys have an account there I hope you could give it a LIKE orrrr reblog and it really makes both of us happy. Really, you should check it out*winks*

AAAND without further ado, since I gotta update two more fanfics and review for my statistics and probability exam tomorrow morning- I SINCERELY HOPE YOU LIKE IIIT *bows head* and pleeeeease let me know your thoughts by reviewing!

Chapter 32: Iron's Secret

Mebuchi had been serving the Royal Family for long, he was placed into his position the just before Akashi Seijuuro ascended to the throne. Throughout those years he had seen many sides of the Imperial family, especially Akashi Seijuuro, despite his usual calm disposition, Akashi was like many people. He often found himself sighing at the fourth prince's shenanigans, he snickered at the fifth prince's attempt to establish that he is not a doll for Momoi Satsuki to dress up, he frowned at the stupidity of some of his constituents. Akashi Seijuuro is a human with his own emotions, he understood that very well—however, he had never seen him that angry.

The fury was burning in his eyes making them glow dangerously. Ever since the confrontation he had with the Prince of Jabberwock, the young Emperor had been acting differently. It was not just the anger, it was everything about him. It was as if Mebuchi was looking at an entirely different person. An entirely different Akashi Seijuuro.

He refused to see anyone unless it has anything to do with their journey or the newlywed couple. Mebuchi didn't wish to alarm the fourth prince nor his consort, but he knew they were bound to notice the strange antics of the Emperor. It was strangely frightening, his silence was like a calm before a storm, what made it even more scary was the fact that he didn't know what could have been the reason for this storm. What exactly did the Prince of Jabberwock said, from his point of view the prince barely said anything worth getting angry for, but it was probably different from the Emperor's view. But what exactly?

Something told Mebuchi that as they grew closer to the ports, they were growing closer as well to the very eye of the storm.

Midorima paced back and forth cradling his head, what was he supposed to do? Who should he speak with first? Why didn't they saw it the first moment it came, why didn't he thought of it, why did it felt like fate was collecting the prices of everything they had from the beginning? A few days ago, he found Takao speaking in the hallways with Akashi's brunette attendant, the boy was practically trembling and was down in his knees. To Midorima's surprise Takao turned to him with eyes wide breaming with tears, panic and confusion filled with the second prince and he went to ask what was happening—

"Takao!" Midorima exclaimed as he pulled the raven haired man to face him. He inspected him for any visible injuries and when he found none, the prince found himself even more concerned. "What is wrong?"

Without answering the priest took the front of Midorima's clothes and pressed his face against it.

"What is happening here?" Midorima demanded to brunette who was on the floor with his head hung low.

"I-I'm…f-forgive me." the brunette mumbled, his voice weak and quivering.

"What did you do?" Midorima asked. The brunette didn't answer, his hands clutching the fabric on his lap. The lack of answer somehow made the prince fear for the worse and his patience burn thinner. The prince pulled Takao by his upperarm forcing him to detach himself before cupping the raven's face in his hands forcing him to look in his emerald eyes. "Takao, what happened here?"

Hesitantly Takao's lips moved and he answered the prince's question.

Midorima sighed, if Takao had found out, surely it wouldn't be too long until Akashi found out that the brunette who had been serving him day and night is the missing prince of the Kingdom of Seirin. No, it was almost strange that Akashi didn't notice that all, after all he had the Emperor Eyes, the eyes that saw through all. And what made it even worse was the fact that Kuroko would most possibly the one who made these all possible. He couldn't even imagine what the eldest of the siblings would do.

Akashi hated getting lied to, and he trusted Kuroko more than anyone else. The fact that he let a missing prince from a Kingdom who had a conflict with them into the palace, and even disguised him as a peasant child, a plain and average young man was something no one would expect Kuroko Tetsuya do. Kuroko cared a lot for Akashi and he knew him the most. He knew his wrath, he should have known.

"Shin-chan, it wasn't Furihata-kun's fault." Takao said quietly.

The raven haired head priest sat in the wooden chair since that morning, upon receiving news that the newlywed's party is closing in towards the ports the second prince had been restless. Takao fully understood the man's worries, this involve the Empire his parents had built from their blood and sweat, and his very own brothers. He knew despite Midorima's adamant admission that the prince loved his family. He worries deeply on what would this truth shall bring them all.

However, Takao would remain firm, it is not Furihata's fault.

"How is this not his fault?" Midorima said his voice trembling with tension. The prince stopped from walking, his back facing the raven haired priest. "If he did not came in this palace, it wouldn't have been like this! If he just went back to his Kingdom then it would not have come to this!"

There was silence between them. Midorima dragged his breaths, it felt like lead.

"Don't say that…you don't mean that."

Midorima's eyes widen at the quiver in Takao's voice, he hated hearing that. It was the voice of Takao when he is in brink of his tears. Turning around, he found the raven haired priest staring at Midorima, his silver blue eyes glisten with hurt.

"You don't mean that." Takao repeated.

"Do not try to defend tha—"

"I said don't say that!" Takao exclaimed. Midorima shut his lips and stared hard at the other, eyebrows furrowed he waited for Takao to continue. The blue eyes stared back the emerald green eyes begging quietly. "If you say that it would hurt me."

Midorima's eyes widen at Takao's words, it pierced straight to his chest. He promised to himself never to hurt this man again, never with his words but then again he was standing there watching his silver blue eyes stare at him in pain.

"Shin-chan don't you remember? You saved me too, you brought me out here. When you say it like that it hurts me because I would think that you may think of that of me too once I am no longer convenient." Takao said with a side smile, "I-I don't want you to regret the time we spent or the day you saved me. Was I…was I wrong too, to wish to be free?"

The prince was left with no words, he couldn't bring himself to say anything. He pursed his lips, Furihata wished to be freed from the responsibility of a title he didn't wish for and Takao wished to be freed from the curse brought by the gift he didn't wish for, in a lot of ways they were the same. But Midorima never blamed Takao for getting him some sleepless nights, he didn't blame Takao for the lost of his personal space in his own bed, he didn't blame Takao for having to share his time with someone else again. Who was he to judge Furihata Kouki's way?

"I…f-forgive me." Midorima said sighing. He walked towards the brunette and placing a hand on that smooth cheek before leaning in and pressing a short chaste kiss to those pink lips. "Forgive me." Midorima whispered again as he kissed the jet black locks.

Takao nodded as he wrapped his slender arms around Midorima's waist pressing his head against the man's toned stomach. His scent never failed to bring the priest his comfort, it was the scent of the freshly cut grass and the clean scent of the river freely flowing.

Breaking free from the comfort of Takao's warmth Midorima knelt in front of Takao to level with him before placing a hand on his knee. A worried expression was plastered in his usually stoic face, Takao brushed the man's hair from his forehead in attempt to soothe the lingering pain in the prince's core.

"I…don't know what to do." Midorima admitted.

"Nobody does." Takao answered. It was the sad truth, sometimes even the greatest mind fails. It was too tangled to cut without hurting anyone. It was weaved too tightly that cutting the strings would be impossible without destroying. Was there even a right answer anymore?

"But they are my brothers." Midorima said in a quiet voice as if he was saying something of secrecy. "I wouldn't be able to take it, to see them…like that. Not Akashi, not Kuroko."

Takao understood where Midorima was going. The possibility of Kuroko getting the best of Akashi's wrath was great. But that was not the worse. The worse was the fact that if this truth is revealed, Furihata will have to be sent back to Seirin, he would be accused of disguising himself and infiltrating the Crimson Palace without the Emperor's awareness, and Seirin will be involved they would be accused of sending a spy to the Crimson Palace. The outcome would bring so much destruction to both parties.

Lost for words to comfort the prince, Takao place his hand on top of the other's as he quietly prayed to the Gods who governed fate.

People believed in Gods, for whatever reason humanity had created these divine beings that governed them over. There were diverse beliefs on them, some had human-like-Gods, while to some they were divine souls, intangible spirits, some think they manifest in creatures that had never been seen. Perhaps part of the reason why people created this were to appease what logic could not explain to them, things that went beyond their control, like death.

Many Western kingdoms soon lose interest as the creation of art of knowledge seeking flourished, however the East was a different story, their belief intensified despite the development of their known knowledge. There wasn't any magical moments, glowing orbs floating in the air, but rather it was like the slow setting of the sun in the horizon. When the art of seeking knowledge threaded, many things came to light, many things were explained including the change of seasons, the change of day into night, and many process of medicinal relief, however none of these predicted the birth of the man who came to unite and create the biggest empire known.

It was like a small spark at first when he rose and took the throne and conquered the lost island of the Kuroko clan, it was a spark that slowly started rising into a faint flame, as he created the most splendid Empire known. And like a slow burning fire came in the form of five siblings, and as they grew the kindled the fire and made them flourish and set awe in the eyes of men. What kind of knowledge would explain the birth of five boys who held almost all the beauty of this world, in mind, in skills and flesh?

Many may not realize this, however, the reason why the belief of their Gods were preserved was the birth of those five princes that defied every law of nature. Some said they were the mark of the Gods, they were the reminder that those who never forget will never be left alone to fight their own battles.

Like the birth of the five princes there were things that came unresolved by every available knowledge gathered in every land—the Eyes of the Gods. However, throughout the ages little were known to them and to those who possessed them, they were often feared, thought to be work of a curse or some sort. First was the Eye of the Eagle this gives anyone a substantial amount of ability to analyse a current situation that involves the person who possess them, second was the Eye of the Hawk it was said to give anyone the ability to catch glimpse of the future and their souls, the third is the Eye of the Emperor this was said to give anyone who possess them a great amount of knowledge making them the perfect man in terms in leading, and lastly the Belial Eyes the only eyes that could tell those who possess the Eyes of the Gods, it was said that the history of the Eyes of Gods were imbedded within those eyes.

Throughout history, as far as he knew—he is the first to possess them, Nash sat in his seat in his office looking at the portrait of a brunette in the frail papyrus. There is a weakness in every Eyes of Gods, the Eagle Eye could only be useful for the person himself, anyone who may possess it may suffer the difficulties any outside intervention may cause everything change, the Hawk Eye meanwhile may only catch glimpse depending on the person possessing it they may not be able to understand their visions quickly, and the Emperor Eye—

"Confusion and denial." Nash muttered as if speaking to the picture.

The greatest nemesis of the Emperor Eye was its own knowledge, especially in the case of Akashi Seijuuro wherein the Emperor Eye has manifested itself as a mutually inclusive consciousness within the host. Akashi Seijuuro has a different mind and so did the Emperor Eye, once Akashi Seijuuro as a human fails judgement, the Emperor Eye may become momentarily drowned into it—however one small wave may set everything backlashing into him. The Emperor Eye could bust it's way out to take control as it is proven itself wrong for the first time.

It was amazing what one person can do, a boy who showed little to no potential as a royalty, a boy who lowered himself to escape responsibility and the fancy title, an average brunette can set one of the greatest powers in the world bending in his knees, in his very mercy. Furihata Kouki is a frightening soul than many credit him for.

"Is something wrong?" Haizaki asked as he noticed the prince furrowing his eyebrows, his eyes staring intently at the picture of the prince of Seirin.

Yes, what was wrong was Furihata Kouki. Unlike Akashi he didn't possess any Eyes of Gods yet he was a soul worth fearing. If he can bring burn the Phoenix down he can birth it back from its ashes. He was unlike Akashi he was not bound by absolution, he didn't understand practicality, he was so human, so unpredictable.

"What will you do…Furihata Kouki?"

.

.

The ceremony ended with a loud cheering of the crowd as the fourth prince shared a kiss with his consort. The two looked at the crowd, the blonde consort waved to the crowd before they were escorted back to the palace for the private banquet with the delegates and representatives of allied and neighboring kingdoms. The two other princes followed behind them, namely the prince of Yosen and Shuutoku who was joined by the raven haired head priest.

The Emperor took a last look at the crowd as they slowly were escorted out of the courtyard, the loud drums playing lively somewhere. He shifted his eyes to the teal haired prince next to him staring at the people with stoic expression under the white veil covering from his nose down. As usual, the fifth prince were not to show his face to anyone outside the Palace—it was the sign of his purity as which he stands symbol of.

The fifth prince stayed still putting his best mask of blank expression on despite the turmoil inside his chest. His eldest brother is acting strange, he wondered if he knew. He had been awfully quiet since their arrival in palace, his expression had not changed since the start of the ceremony. He didn't seem fatigued nor did he seem concerned, he looks…nothing. His face blank as a white canvas.

But today marks the day, among the kingdoms that Teiko invited for the banquet was Seirin. After so long Kuroko would see him today, and if the man had stay true to his words, today he shall be asking for his hand as well. Kuroko could feel his chest tighten, he had restricted Furihata's involvement with the arrangements today, he instructed him especially to stay in the halls of women until he sees him personally.

"Shujo."

Akashi didn't bother to look around at the sound of the palace's guard's voice.

"What is it?"

Kuroko felt his knees buckle at the strange coldness in his brother's voice. It was sharp and cold like a spike of an icicle. It was not the usual tone of Akashi's voice.

"The delegates of Seirin is requesting for an audience with His Majesty and the fifth prince…in private." The guard said calmly oblivious of the weight of the news he just relayed. "Should I tell them to wait until the end of the banquet?"

Kuroko's hands were trembling for some reason, he was trying to pull his stoic expression however his body was starting to betray him. Something didn't seem right, something about his brother is not right. Slowly he was starting to feel the weight of the air as Akashi prolonged his answer, it was like steam, the tension was hot and heavy.

"No." Akashi answered finally. "I will see them, now. Bring them in my office."

The guard bowed his head and excused himself.

Kuroko was unable to ask his brother, words died in his lips as Akashi turned to him and he swore his eyes were glowing, the gold in his eyes were scorching betraying the entire placid expression in his face.

"I will see you in my office, there are things I must arrange first."

Without questioning his brother's intentions, Kuroko bowed his head quietly. The man said no more and left. The fifth prince held his chest, suddenly the air was too thick, he could feel the blood rushing in his veins with speed. His brother's words were like an omen, though they were simple words it felt like a dagger was being dragged across a mirror.

For the first time, Kuroko Tetsuya understood the feeling of those who faced his blade.

Fear.