WE ARE BAAACK WITH CHAPTER 33, and I'm pretty sure you are excited to know what happens next. We kinda actually got lucky, my first class was cancelled today and I got time to update which really is as rare as Kuroko's smile in the whole KnB series. Anyhow, I wanted to give you guys a huge THANK YOUUUU for all the love even though my updates date are not very consistent, also those who by the way celebrated Akafuri day with me and the rest of the world thank you, especially those who had read November 9, if you havent read that, I hope you get a time to read them, and let me know what you think of it-it's my first angst Akafuri and my very first attempt in doing a one-shot(I hope you really like it). AHAHAHAAHA yes that's siide promotion for that fic, anyways, all those aside, we're coming down a very suspense inducing road with the two sides of the party coming together. With now the other Akashi in control, just what is left for our baes? Can you sense with your Hawk Eyes the coming storm? Are you ready for ittttt?!
ASDFGHJKL and thanks for our lovely reviewers on the previous updatees, I LOVE YOU GUUUUYS! vennestephany I'm soooo sorry it was kinda short last update, and I must warn you, this chapter is kinda short too. But I still do hope you like it and thaaaank you soo soo much for reviewiiing! SilverWhiteDragon ahahaha I'm sorry I just had to cut it there since I dont know where else to, but I will let you know now what happens to Kagakuro. Ern Estine 13624 yep trouble IS coming *dramatic drum rolls in the background playing*. Yuki578 helloooooo I've missed you and I'm super sorry if I cant reply with your PM in my account, school sucks and I havent checked my inbox yet. ANyhow, thank you and let's see what happens next and I hope you like the update. Z0E the Queen let's find out if Kuroko WOULD save Furi oooor-*insert dramatic drum rolls here*. Ara ara thank you sooo much for patiently waiting and I hope you like today's update as well. Guest-san yeah something bad IS stirring. Pinally316 yeeees a lot of our questions in the first part of the story will be soon answered, which is really exciting for my part, I think I;ve been constructing this parts since I started writing LION-though I still have no concrete results for that BTW. NevermindKaydie *hugs you* AKAFURIIIIIII~~~ ahaha hope you like today's update as well! psychobubbles ASDFGHJKL everybody loves the suspense when its bokushi! FionaEve-chan I'm suuuper happy you liked last chapter, and I hope you liked today's update again. I think I loved the reference of how closely diverse yet similar was Takao's situation with Furi and I kinda wanted to show that last chapter for some unknown reason. Also I think Takao is canonly a very understanding guy, like he has this old soul in him-ahahaha IDK if I'm making sense anymore. Anywaaays, YES thank you guys for your undying support for LION, those who dropped LION a fav and follow as well, thank you sooo sooo much, you have no idea what that meant for me.
ANd nowwwww, before my neighbor turns off their wi-fi, I must say ciao to all of you for now, please leave LION a review and let me know what you think of today's update *winks*
PS
The KnB musical had a great set of actors, I must say...they look so much like the characters its almost looked like the very live-action of the anime.
Chapter 33: Iron's A Traitor
"Tetsuya."
The blue eyes blinked at the identical blue eyes staring at him. The Empress knelt to level with her six years old son, putting her hand on the small and supple cheeks, she smiled. Her beauty was rare and probably a cut above all. Her heart were contrast to the cold blue eyes of hers.
"Tetsuya, do you love your Aniue?"
The boy nodded, his big blue eyes full of innocence of his youth. Without malice. The Empress smiled and took the small hands before putting a katana in them. The mark of the Kuroko clan was painted in the sheaths.
"Then you must learn how to use this." she said quietly as she placed a hand on top of the smaller hands. "To love your Aniue is to love Teiko."
"I love them both Hahaue."
"Very well." The Empress said before pressing a small kiss of a blessing to the child's head.
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Kuroko walked towards the office quietly alone, he had discarded his ceremonial robes, and was replaced by an artic blue hanfu and a white shoal, a single golden kanzashi of a wing decorated his powder blue hair. The halls was quiet, the only guards remained were the two palace guard in the front of the hallways. It was strange even, Akashi had never dismissed the palace guards in the Phoenix Court even during private meetings. It was precautionary methods, and it was never Akashi's nature to be lax especially when it comes to matters of security.
Kuroko stopped in front of the door to the office, to his surprise there was no one standing by the door, there were no guards or attendants. His heart hammered in his chest dangerously, what was going on in the head of his brother? Hesitantly he knocked on the door and quietly opened it.
When the door opened, his eyes fell on the familiar faces of the delegates of the Kingdom of Seirin. The minister Hyuuga Junpei, and a tall guard Kuroko recognize from their previous visit—Mitobe.
"Greetings." Hyuuga spoke first lowering his head and so did the silent soldier. Hyuuga placed a fist against open palm.
He does not recognize the young man but he must be the fifth prince for the pnly ones the King asked to be present were the fifth prince and the Emperor, and with the way he dress, the minister could infer that he is someone of royal birth. Hyuuga had not seen the Fifth Prince before, he had only heard stories of the youngest member of the Imperial Family of Teiko. However none of those ever compared to the sight before him. His eyes were the brightest of all the blue of the world, his beauty was ethereal, nothing could be thoroughly compared.
"Greetings Minister Hyuuga." The prince greeted quietly, as he stepped into the room. Mitobe quickly went to the royalty's aid and closed the door behind the prince. "Greetings delegates of Seirin, I welcome you to the Crimson Palace."
"It is not our first meeting."
The voice reverberated in the quiet room, a voice Kuroko Tetsuya knew so well that it hurts. The prince turned to the source and found the King of Seirin in a red and black military uniform. The King's hair was brushed back clearing and showcasing his prominent and masculine features. The fifth prince could well still remember the day when he came walking into the palace wearing an informal kimono and hakama. He looked young and inexperienced, full of raw rage and confusion. But right then he looked…strangely mature, for a moment the few months they had not seen each other felt like a year.
"Your Majesty." Kuroko couldn't help the crack in his voice, he had to remind himself so hard that they were not alone, the urge to hold the man again close to him was so strong. The letters were not enough, and now that he had seen him in flesh again he knew it was true. Kuroko bowed his head, "Your Majesty, you look well."
"And so are you." The King of Seirin replied with a smile. His muse looked as beautiful as he had last seen him, his porcelain white skin glowed in the color of his clothes and his frost like eyes were as beautiful as the first snow of winter. He wanted to touch his hand so badly his hands ached from fighting the urge. The King stood from his sit and slowly walked to towards the Prince.
The King smiled as he stood a breath foot away from the prince, his eyes were the bluest blue he had seen in his entire life. He had waited for days and weeks for this day, the nights were long and the days were tiresome without the voice and the beautiful eyes to look at. He looked more beautiful in flesh than in his mind. The King went down on one knee, taking the small hand to his and kissing the knuckles.
"I have made you wait, forgive me."
Hyuuga's eyes widen at the sight, he had not thought it was the fifth prince that the King literally meant when he said he would be asking for someone's hand. Now it made sense, the minister thought, all the changes in Kagami's behaviour after they left Teiko. It was stunningly strange, however for some reason they looked perfectly well together.
The prince blushed lightly and only nodded. Kagami smiled and let go of the other. They both looked contented with the silence between them. Hyuuga had not seen Kagami looked anyone the way he did to the young prince, it was as if he saw the galaxies in them, the sky and the stars.
"As I promised I would be asking for your hand in marriage, I hope you are ready."
Kuroko blushed and bit his lower lip, "What a silly thing to ask Heika."
Kagami laughed, "Why not, aren't you jealous of your brother and his consort?"
"You say the most ridiculous things Your Majesty."
"Please, I know that look."
"Did your ego just grew as tall as you?"
"I don't think so," Kagami said truthfully, "I'm nervous to meet your brother in these circumstances."
The mention of Kuroko's brother made the prince went rigid. He had almost forgotten about that, he felt concern washing him. Why did Akashi sent him alone in his office, why did he clear the palace guards as well? What was he going to attend first? What was much important than a someone from a Kingdom's delegates?
"Is something wrong?" Kagami asked as he noticed the slight change in the prince's expression.
"I…It is Shujo." Kuroko said quietly. "I don't think this is the best time for us to tell him."
"What? Why?" Kagami asked out of bewilderment. Weddings were usually celebrated in many kingdoms, a wedding after another meant great news, the King did not understand why the Emperor would oppose this idea. "Is there something I should know?"
Kuroko was about to speak when they all heard a groan which were followed with hurried footsteps.
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A few moments ago…
The Halls of Women were one of the most protected areas in the inner court second to the chambers of the fifth prince and third to the Phoenix Court. During the former Empress' reign she had given significant amount of attention and care to the women who worked for the Palace, they were to be pure in heart and body and so they must be kept in the halls, and no men shall lay there feet in the floors of the halls unless it is of special cases such as security purposes, not even the Emperor himself. Women who works in the palace who wish to marry must leave the palace upon deciding so. Upon the change of ruler, Akashi had given the duties of the late Empress to their youngest brother.
The Halls of Women was the perfect place to hide the secrets of the Crimson Palace.
"Shujo!" Momoi's exclaim fell in deaf ears as the Emperor stormed into the halls.
The women were all baffled and frightened at the Emperor's sudden arrival. The man's footsteps were heavy like a beast hunting its prey. Its eyes shifted at every door in the hallway, it was as if he saw and hear nothing. Not a word reached his ears, not even the gasped of shock and shrieks off the women as he made his way in the halls. Momoi followed the man as fast as she could, she somehow had the feeling why the man is there but she prayed to the Gods that is not the case, she prayed that she is wrong.
"Shujo, you cannot be here." Momoi tried reasoning with the man. It wasn't like him to be like this. "Please Your Highne—"
"Where is he?"
Momoi almost felt his stomach fell to her feet at the heaviness and coldness of the voice of the Emperor. She felt the hair in the back of her neck all stood to its ends. The man stopped and turned to Momoi looking at her straight in the eyes with his gold and red eyes, they were burning with furry. The informant forgot how to breathe for a second.
When the informant did not answer, the Emperor turned towards the hallways, scanning ever single room, until he had reached the last door. The ragged and tattered sliding door would pass as some spare room or storage room—however the Emperor Eye knew better. The lack of dust from anywhere between the gaps of the door told him it is regularly moved.
"S-Shujo y-you are not allowed to access any room in this hall—"
"Quiet!"
Momoi gasped at the man's exclamation. Through her years living the in the inner court, never it had occurred that Akashi Seijuuro raised his voice, not to her. It would be understandable if it was Aomine, the fourth prince had always been quite temperamental, but Akashi Seijuuro, no, he had always been composed, collected—Akashi Seijuuro wouldn't. Momoi took a step back unconsciously shaking her head, no, this is not her Emperor, this isn't the eldest brother of the Imperial princes. This is someone else.
Her body went rigid and all she could do was to watch as the man opened the door open and stepped in.
"A-Akashi-sama?"
Momoi knew it was Furihata's voice, but she couldn't do anything, tears swelled in her eyes as she placed a hand over her lips trying to supress the ugly sobs erupting from them. She couldn't do anything but close her eyes as she heard his shriek.
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Tap
Tap
Tap
Kuroko turned towards the door, the footsteps were uncharacteristically his brother's accompanied by something, it was like the man was dragging something with him as well. Kagami furrowed his eyes towards the door, for some reason he didn't feel good. His instincts were growling inside him. Hyuuga and Mitobe both took their defensive stance holding the sheaths of their sword ready to protect their King.
SLAM
Kuroko blinked as his brother's face revealed from the door. He was panting, and his eyes were now painted with an expression, however the expression made the teal haired prince's heart sink to the pits of his stomach. His golden eyes were glowing with sadistic furry. Kuroko felt an invisible forced knock the wind out of his lungs causing him to take a wobbling step back. The King of Seirin noticed the sudden movement from the prince and quickly went to his aid taking the prince's upper arm and back to steady him.
"Are you alright?" Kagami asked.
Kuroko could barely hear the King's question due to the volume of his heart pounding. The Emperor stood in the door unmoving, half of his body was concealed by the half of the door still unravelled. When Kuroko's eyes didn't tear away from the Emperor by the door, Kagami turned his eyes away from the prince and to the door. He let go of the prince.
"I hope I did not interrupt anything." The man said with a fake smile. Kagami could clearly tell it was not true, there was something in his eyes that he had not seen before the last time that he was there. There was a different kind of danger radiating from the man.
"No." Kagami said bowing his head in respect for the man who govern the land. "We've been waiting for your arrival."
"I am glad then." The man said smiling.
Hyuuga shifted in his knees he couldn't help the unsettling feeling in his chest from just looking at Akashi Seijuuro. He could feel his palms sweating for some reason. There was something about his smile that it seems sinister. Like an overly sweet candy only to learn later it was laced with poison. The Minister felt that if he make the wrong decision and shift his eyes from the man, he will regret it terribly.
Kuroko stayed in his ground watching the room fill itself with invisible tension.
"You see I think I found something that belongs to you."
At that very moment Kuroko felt everything crumbling down his feet. His brother opened the door wider, his smile unwavering as he pulled something—or more accurately, someone, with him by the arm. The Emperor paid little attention the grip he had to the small arm in his hand as he drag him into the room. The trembling figure had his head lowered refusing to show his face to the rest of the occupants of the room.
"What is this?" Kagami asked.
Akashi smirked before pushing forward the figure who stumbled and slid to the floor falling to his knees in the middle of the room.
"Why not ask him yourself?" The Emperor said looking at the brunette on the floor. He then shifted his eyes towards Kuroko and narrowed his eyes on his younger brother, "Why not…ask him yourself."
Kuroko felt his brother's piercing gaze on him. The prince slowly turned towards the floor. The poor brunette had still his head lowered, Kuroko felt the guilt filling him slowly. Furihata despite falling into this demise had still managed to think of this, to try and save the teal haired prince despite being the reason for his demise. His lips quiver and he wanted him to stop it, to just admit their defeat.
"Why this person doing here?" Kagami asked confused, he looked to Kuroko for answer but the prince had shut his eyes with pained expression. The lack of answer had made the King desperate for answer, the man knelt to level with the brunette before him whose face was still hidden from his sight. "What might be your business here, speak I say."
Kuroko shifted his eyes to his brother who stared at him completely placid expression. Silently the prince begged for his brother's mercy. However, none was given.
The brunette lifted his chin and his face became clear to the King. Wide eyes, brown locks and sun tanned skin. Hyuuga's eyes who watched from afar gasped at the sight, he shifted his eyes towards the Imperial Prince and to the Emperor. What was the missing prince of Seirin doing here in the Teiko wearing clothes for servants? Kagami stared at the face of his brother, with a trembling hand he reached to caress his cheek as if ensuring himself this was not a work of his imagination. He couldn't believe it, the warmth of his skin against his palm, his brother…had always been this close to him…and yet…
"Furihata." Kagami breathed his younger brother's name.
"Aniki…" Furihata called his voice breaking.
Realization hit the King of Seirin as the voice of his brother flooded his senses. He had always been this close to him and yet…and yet he was made to believe that he will never come back, that he had left him. His brother was hidden from him, by these men he chose to trust. His body trembled in anger as it filled his lungs and bloodstream. All those times he asked if they knew his brother's whereabouts, every single damn moment they told them they didn't know, every time they told him that he was not seen—every time they lied to him.
"Take him." Kagami said to the Minister with a low growl. Hyuuga nodded hesitantly before taking the prince. Hyuuga shifted his eyes towards the King who stood slowly.
The room was filled with silence for a while until Kagami moved, his long strides moved forward to where the Emperor stood solely. His hand quickly removed his sword from its sheath, the King saw nothing but the man standing there. He spun quickly aiming for the man's neck with his sword when suddenly he felt something cold pressing against his neck making him stop.
Hyuuga gasped at the sight, it was too fast for him to even follow but now he couldn't believe what had occurred. The King was standing with his weapon an inch away from the Emperor's neck, while the man stood still in his position calm and unfazed, and the prince standing behind the King with calculated distance and bearing a sword he was pressing against the man's neck. Hyuuga blinked at the sword Kuroko was using, where did he get that? Turning towards Mitobe, the Minister was shocked to see the man unarmed, his own sword was now being used to threaten their King.
"How dare you!?" Kagami exclaimed however as soon as he moved a muscle he felt the blade press against his skin and causing Hyuuga to exclaim and Furihata to call his name.
Everything went still, the room's temperature quickly dropped.
"Drop your weapon."
His voice was cold, but it was sad, miserable…broken. Kuroko could not help the branded insticnts in his soul as he pressed the blade of the sword to the man's neck as he moved, his lips quiver and a tear rolls down his eye as he repeated those words;
"Drop your weapon…or I will have to end you."