WELCOME BACCCCK after a long time we're finally back to LION. *sobs* we're actually very close now to the end as this is the third or second to the last chapter. This kinda got me bit sad and happy as well, Lion is my first fic to reach more than 200 reviews, and for that I'm so thankful. Thank you for understanding my schedule, thank you and wow, could you believe it, Kicchin made LION as an anniversary fic and wow we're finishing on my third anniversary as well.

We had lots adventures here in LION from a tiny idea now it turned to my first longest fic. this whole authors note cannot simply explain how much I have been thankful for everyone who supported me, who reviewed and patiently waited for updates, those who read through them in tears, with smiles on their lips and laughs erupting from their throats. Thank you sooo much! When it gets tough back in the uni, I go back and read your reviews and that honestly makes my day 70% better. I cannot put here names one by one but please know that I sincerely read them through every time, and seriously thank you for those who really look up the names I mention sometimes, especially those who are probably in love now as well with Baozi and Hana ahahahaha.

So yeah, we're probably down to the second or third to the last chapter, I hope you enjoy and please do review!

I love you guys!

Chapter 39: Lush

It was as if nothing mattered, for a brief moment the world went mute and listened to two hearts beating at once then. The sound of the swords clashing against each other was like tune playing for the last dance. Their movement were in sync as if they both knew what the other was thinking. No one dared to take their eyes off the other, one mistake, one brief moment of taking down their defense would cause a lot more damage.

It was a macabre dance, a dance of death.

The most frightening thing about people who goes to war is their preparedness to die, it was the way they held hands with death yet refused to come with him.

Kagami was amazed to see the fifth prince of Teiko using a weapon and fighting in a proper battle. His attacks are not strong, it was obvious anyways due to his body type, however that strength was compensated with his quick reflexes and poker face that barely showed hints of where he is going to hit next. His eyes may not be as wide ranged as Minister Izuki's but Kagami saw the way it sees deep within him, as if he can see what he would do next.

However, knowing that is a weapon itself.

Kagami dodged another attack, he knew where is weak most and that is where he knew Kuroko would try to land an attack. Kuroko sees every weak and defenceless parts of his body as he moves, from his neck, to his sides, to his shoulder and limbs. Kagami gritted his teeth as he found himself too late in switching his footing, Kuroko deliberately switched his footing causing him to step on Kagami's other foot and the taller male losing his balance.

The small distance that separated them disappeared as Kuroko released Kagami's foot and followed his staggering and failing balance.

The young King knew that this may be the tip of balance the prince had been waiting for. He saw the miniscule movement of the prince as he switched his blade in brace for cutting with the blade facing sideways. As Kagami raised his weapon in attempt to protect himself he wondered how many people had he killed, how many people did he love before him and killed?

Clank

Kuroko stared at Kagami with his blank blue eyes, the King was able to regain his balance and fend for the attack. A part of him prayed that Kagami would be able to raise his weapon to protect himself, a aprt of him wanted to pull away immediately. Then there was a part of him that loved the fact that he is crossing swords with the greatest soldier and king in the short history of Seirin. Kuroko didn't engage in any form of battle of dominance like most warrior would, he knew his limit and capacity, it was stupid to try and disarm Kagami at that situation. He pulled away and distanced himself again from Kagami who came charging towards him.

His eyes remind me of the soft and warm glow of fire.

Kuroko dodged the next attack but not as quick as he usually would, he found himself almost stumbling to the ground as he felt a sting in his arm. Turning to look at it he found a bleeding cut just a few inches down his shoulder. He lost his concentration.

"I don't want to hurt you."

Kagami's voice resounded among the other sounds in the middle of the battlefield. Kuroko knew his words were true, but nothing could be said. It was not a matter of what they wanted. Kuroko nursed his aching wound with his free hand, the blood felt warm, it was the first time someone was able to hurt him physically in a battle.

He wondered if he would have any chances of crossing swords with the Kagami if the war didn't occur. He wondered if Kagami would ever know that he is the knew how to hold a blade if Akashi never found out about the truth of Furihata's identity, if Kagami was able to propose that day he wondered if the red head would have the chance of knowing.

Kuroko chuckled at his naivety and his wishful thinking.

He should have known better than to dream in the middle of battle.

No dreams live in the ground made to devour hope.

Even in the end Kagami remained truthful to him, it was such a waste, he thought. When he was a child he dreamt of lover like him, of a person who would look at him discarding everything behind, the flaws, the lies and remaining raw and true. It was such a pain to know such things could only exist in his mind, because even if he is there, somehow fate would rip them apart and not letting go of him would only mean hurting him, even more than he already is.

"Did you regret it?" Kuroko found himself asking the taller male. He looked up staring at Kagami. "Did you regret ever waiting for me, ever saying those words?"

Kagami pursed his lips, he couldn't believe what he was looking at, Kuroko's body movement were exactly the opposite of the words leaving his lips. Kuroko's muscle were tensing again, bracing and moving to prepare himself for the next attack, however his tone, the crack in his voice was pleading himself to stop, asking him to hold back.

"No." Kagami answered.

A small chuckle escaped Kuroko's lips, however, it was voided of any happiness, it sounded more like a strangled cry, a futile attempt of masking his pain. It broke Kagami in to thousand pieces, he wanted to close his eyes to the sight before him, pretend that he didn't see it. His chest felt as if it was just stepped on, Kuroko smiled at him with a sad smile. Kagami could feel his soul radiating from his eyes, an old and scarred soul that had seen too many pains that it was enough for the both of them.

"Thank you."

The words sliced through the air just like him. Kagami's eyes widen as Kuroko disappeared from his line of sight, he quickly turned to find him but he was nowhere to be found. Everything suddenly became too chaotic, as if his eyes saw everything all together, the noise, the people, the blood, the scent. The King felt a chill run up his spine, could he be witnessing now the very thing that all enemies of Teiko feared?

Kagami felt as if his senses were heightened out of his control, he couldn't stop hearing the noises, his eyes kept getting distracted by the movements of people around him, the sound of the rain seemed so loud, he couldn't find Kuroko.

Swish

Kagami quickly spun around as he felt the small shift in the air, he raised his arms over his head as he saw a kick coming towards him. Due to his surprise and disorientation despite the not so forceful kick, Kagami lost his balanced and tripped down. As he tried to regain his balance, Kuroko took the chance to disarm Kagami as he quickly followed him and sent the other's sword into the air.

Dirt and mud splattered under Kagami as he fell down, gravity pulling him with the help of his own weight. Kagami stared as Kuroko quickly raised his sword overhead, his lips were quivering. The rain drenched them both washing away everything but the ones in their hearts. As Kagami closed his eyes he wondered if the water dripping from his eyes were just rain or were those tears.

He wondered if he would be lucky in his next life to meet Kuroko again.

It would be nice if he would be able to hear him laugh then.

Clank!

Kagami's quickly opened when he heard a metal crashing against the other. For a moment Kagami felt the world stop. The young King's eyes darted towards Kuroko who seemed as surprise as him. The teal haired prince quickly pulled away with no intention of hurting the brunette standing between them.

"Furihata…ouji." Kuroko whispered his name completely surprised at the sight before him.

Standing between him is the prince of Seirin, the second son of the former King Kiyoshi Teppei. His eyes were full of iron will just like the look Kagami had the first time they met, however there was a distinct hue it held that was unique to him. The clumsy, and cowardly prince then was now holding a sword in his hands, there was no hesitation in his eyes, it was clearer than ever that it frightened Kuroko.

"What are you doing here?" Kagami roared as he sat up pulling his brother's arm. "Drop your weapon now and return to the palace—"

"I have enough." Furihata said taking Kagami's hand off him. "I have enough of watching from the side lines, I have enough of watching the ones I love fight for me, fight for my ideals, it's time for me to stand for the ones that I value, it's time I take responsibility for the things I caused."

"Are you out of your mind?!" Kagami exclaimed loudly pulling Furihata to face him. "This is not your battle!"

"It is mine too." Furihata answered breaking apart from Kagami, "The ones that should be standing here is me, not you…not Kuroko-denka."

"Return to the palace before you are caught in between, I cannot guarantee your safety here." Kuroko said.

"Would you kill me too?" Furihata's question made Kuroko's hand shook. Turning away from his brother, Furihata looked straight into Kuroko's eyes. "Would you kill me as well?"

"You are not what I came for I—"

"You were told that you need to kill my brother, is that correct?" Furihata interrupted, "You were asked to kill specifically him, that is why you don't have the need to kill me."

"If you do not move however, I will have to use force." Kuroko said taking a step forward.

"Are you simplying following orders or are you doing this so that you may be able to forget?"

Kuroko felt his whole body froze as the words sinks in him like sharp fangs.

"You always said that you envied me, because I had the guts to leave everything I had behind to start a new life where I would be free of the weight of the crown. You always said you wanted to be as courageous as me, and yet you refuse to do anything about it. You had the chance to drop your weapon, you had the chance to leave but you didn't, instead you went here today to end my brother, only my brother." Furihata stood up as he stare right at Kuroko's blue eyes, "You thought that once brother is dead, perhaps it would fade in time, perhaps you would forget about him too. But we all know that is a lie, right?"

"Move."

"No." Furihata answered stiffly. "I understand now, you wanted to protect Akashi-san, I know you want to be there for him, I know you value him, I know you want him to trust you again, I know you want him to be happy again—I want that too for him. But we can't give something we don't have, how can he be happy when you are not?"

"It is not about shujo."

"Then to whom are you doing this for?"

The cold wind blew pass them quietly, Kuroko stood there unable to summon an answer. His hands trembled, Furihata's words numbed his body. In the end he is correct, he wanted to sacrifice what he had with Kagami in order to salvage his relationship with his brother. He wanted to return to the way things were, he wanted to compensate for his betrayal. He thought that maybe one day he would forget about this, that maybe one day the name Kagami wouldn't hurt as much as it does now.

Furihata watched as Kuroko's took his first courageous step as the weapons slips from his fingertips falling down on the ground.

Closing his eyes Furihata turned his head to the sky.

"The sky…is so sad."

…

When he was younger, Furihata would listen to Aida's stories. Just like many kids he wondered what it would be to find that one that you will love, the stories she would usually tell him would have a beautiful end where everyone ends up happy, where love would always prevail. But as Furihata grew up, he understood that love isn't always happy, love doesn't always triumph. Sometimes loving someone doesn't always save them.

The truth is love painful, it is like ripping your chest open and letting someone have all the right to come in and have all of you, break you, scar you, wound you, and it would only take one man, one person, a simple word, one smile, or a laugh. That is why Furihata understood the fear many people held when they speak of love, it was why many people chose to marry someone they merely know, perhaps that way they would be safe from the hurt when they try to hurt them, because they didn't let them in in the first place, even if they do get hurt it would be merely skin deep. But somehow he couldn't let himself have that.

He refused every proposal for marriage, one after the other.

At the back of his mind he waited for it to come, for that one smile, one simple laugh or word that would have him breaking part by part, that would have him wanting.

Dragging the sword behind him, Furihata walked towards the familiar figure in the midst of the pile of body. Rage had replaced the tender expression he once wore, and somehow he understood.

He stabbed him with a glass made of his lies, he watched him bleed, he watched him lose the last streak of trust as he cut himself as well.

He wanted to tell him that he didn't mean to hurt him, but that was wrong. It was not for him to decide if he hurts him or not. He didn't have the rights.

Furihata realized the hard way that sometimes loves is not enough, affection is not enough, sometimes love doesn't always get to save the people. Sometimes love would hurt.

"Furihata-kun, no!"

Furihata heard Kuroko called him, he knows he's running behind him trying to catch up in his stupid and selfish attempt to atone for the things he had done, however he had decided.

Furihata turned around and found Kuroko swept in the sea of soldiers fighting. Despite all the things he say about himself, Furihata knew Kuroko cares for people more than anyone, his heart more fragile—like an ice, it looks so tough yet one knock could bring it down. He always wished for people's happiness in the side lines watching them, always. He could see Kuroko saying but the chaos drowned the prince's voice until he finally disappeared behind the figures of the soldiers fighting.

The brunette finally turned to face his responsibility.

He felt his heart drop down his guts at the sight, no warmth lived in his eyes, and his hands were tainted with the blood their men. Furihata stared at the familiar figure as he slowly walks towards him, he remember the first time he saw him, he was shaking unable to even speak his name out of sheer mix of fright and anxiousness, then the first time he touched him, he was warm and his eyes were so beautiful he doesn't even know where to start. Unfortunately, all his courage seems to have been used up when he escaped the palace, tears started streaming down his face, his throat made a pitiful sound, a lame attempt to put a front, a false bravery in front of the man with the hair that was painted by the color of the sunset.

"Akashi-san."

The word quickly pulled Akashi's attention, removing his sword from the side of his opponent, he turned from the source. He felt a burning sensation in his chest at the sight of the familiar brunette. The brunette stupid enough to march in his life and take all that he had, he gritted his teeth and clenched his hands so tightly that it turned his hands white.

The disgusting beauty of his brown eyes and it's soft glow almost convinced him that love exist, his nimble and fragile hands that he mistook for the warmth that would never be extinguished, it was stupid of them to be convinced of such pathetic thought. Love is not for the likes of them, especially not him. Truly humans are born deceivers, they will always disappoint you, hurt you, that's their nature. There is no one to trust, trust will only result to death.

"How brave of you." Akashi said as he swung his blade to remove the wet blood streaming down from it. "And to bring a weapon as well, you truly overestimate yourself."

"What are you?"

Furihata shoots his first question bravely. The heterochromatic eyes stares back at Furihata without blinking.

It doesn't really make sense at first, anyone would think it is an absurd thought, however it was the only thing the brunette prince could come up to explain the huge difference between the man standing in front of him and the man he first met in the Crimson Palace. There are two Akashi. When Furihata first saw the other Akashi it was brief, however the rage in his eyes told the brunette something else. Akashi is always composed, even his eyes were always a right combination of seriousness and mischievousness, however the man who dragged Furihata out of his room only had rage and this surging whirl of extreme emotions. He didn't flinch when he saw a tear streamed down Kuroko's cheek as the prince raised his sword at Kagami.

"I am me." Akashi answered smirking.

"Who are you?"

Akashi laughed loudly this time, a wide frightening grin spread in his lips.

"We are who we are." Akashi answered putting a hand over his chest, "I am him, he is me."

"Akashi-san I—"

"I've been here you know, since the start." Akashi said as he walked towards Furihata, "I saw there when Shintarou was born, then Atsushi, Daiki, then Tetsuya. What am I? I don't know, maybe just like what they said, maybe I am not a human, maybe I am a God, or a spirit, who knows? Maybe I am a monster."

Before Furihata could say anything Akashi quickly rush for an attack, luckily Furihata was able to raise his sword to block the attack.

"Well, that was surprising." Akashi sneered at him, his golden eyes were glowing. He applied his weight in the sword making Furihata's hold tremble and falter. It was obvious that he haven't been in any sword fight before, his grip is poor and so is his posture.

"I'm sorry." Furihata said with his quivering voice.

"Oh you came here to apologize?" Akashi smirked and kicked the brunette causing him to stagger a few feet away from him. The brunette fell in his knees while his free hand held his stomach.

Pathetic.

"Apology, what betterment would that bring?" Akashi said as he walked towards the brunette.

Stop it…

He's hurt…

Ignoring the voice in his head the red haired Emperor reached to grab a fistful of the brunette's hair forcefully angling it so he would be staring right at his eyes. Blood trickled down the brunette's lips down to his chin, he was cringing in pain.

"You should know better," Akashi whispered lowly at the brunette, "did you truly want to die today?"

"I-If a-apologies could mend the things we did, p-perhaps there will not be need for punishments, everyone would have lived happier." Furihata said between his coughs, he felt all the liquids and contents of his stomach rising in his throat. The brunette stared right at the gold-crimson eyes trying to reach down into the depths of him. "Apologies…won't un-break a broken plate once you break it."

"Don't fancy your words, traitor."

Furihata smiled at the other, "Is that your words…both of you?"

Akashi gritted his teeth and threw the brunette down the ground. The brunettes landed face first in the mud, his clothes were tainted in the disgusting mixture of blood and wet dirt.

"How dare you?" Akashi's voice dripped with venom, hot red rage filled him.

"I am…right." Furihata said as he pulled himself up.

The brunette wiped the mud of his face with the back of his hand and turned again to the Emperor. Compared the other, he is nothing, next to him he is just a petty excuse of a life, he didn't have the rights to tell him what is right, what he feels, what goes in his mind, in their mind, but as Furihata Kouki he thought he had a bit of right to know, to say at least those to the man he loves, because it hurts too, it hurts him too.

"I know." Furihata said, "I understand your hate, you gave me nothing but your kindness and I—"

Punch

Furihata coughed up blood as Akashi's hard fist connected to his jaw. He drops back as he tried to hold back a pathetic scream for help. The brunette prince felt Akashi pulling him by the collar of his clothes before he pushed him down and straddled him putting all his weight down.

"And yet you chose to betray us, lie to us."

Furihata stares at Akashi's eyes.

"You knew I was lying."

Akashi's body flinched at the brunette's words.

"You knew, didn't you?" Furihata repeated. Something about the way he looks at him told the prince that this Akashi knew, he knew and yet—"Why…why didn't you say anything?"

Akashi lowered his head.

"You knew?"

The heterochromatic eyed Akashi turned to face his mirror image. The red eyed Akashi stares at him with disbelief.

"You knew and yet you—"

The red eyed Akashi stepped away pursing his lips.

"Why?"

"Because…I-"

"I thought you were different."

Furihata stayed still watching any changes from the other in hope this would be the real Akashi, however somehow he knew it was not. The Emperor's grip in the collar of his clothes tighten, his face still hidden from Furihata.

"I thought that maybe, this time, he is right." Akashi said, his voice trembling betraying his whole body and intention. "I was naïve to think you would be any different, you are just like them. You must be scared now too, is that why you are trembling? You think I'm a monster too."

"No."

"Liar!" Akashi raised his fist, Furihata quickly closed his eyes to brace for the incoming punch right in his face but instead he felt the ground next to his head made a small tremor. Opening his eyes, the brunette found Akashi's fist beside his head. The red haired Emperor was now trembling. "You are all…liars."

"His eyes are frightening!"

"I wouldn't have stayed if it wasn't for the Empress insisting."

"He stares too much, it's like a monster clawing into me!"

"I wonder if it's even true, isn't his eyes way too frightening to be works of Gods?"

"You are just like all the thousand others, I should have known!"

Without hesitation Akashi pulled the sword from his side and raised just enough right above the brunette's abdomen.

"I regret…every single moment."

Splat

He is familiar with this sensation, it always existed…it was all that he is, anger. He had never until today ripped a human flesh with his sword, not by himself. Somehow though, even how many times he stabbed and defeated those soldiers that anger inside him doesn't seem to die. He thought that maybe, the only way is to kill him. Maybe then he will be satisfied. He is familiar with the sensation of his sword buried beneath flesh and bones, he had lost count of the soldiers he killed before this one, and yet…and yet his body shook uncontrollably. He is angry and yet his eyes started streaming with tears as he stares down at the body beneath him.

He regret every single moment, that first time he laid his eyes on him, that first taste of tranquil, the first time he heard his voice, his laugh, he regret ever wishing to have him. He loved him too, just as much the other loves the brunette. It was utterly stupid for him to think that they would have something so…ethereal. If he had not known of love, perhaps…perhaps it wouldn't have hurt so much.

The color of his blood stained his clothes spreading all over and pooling beneath him.

"Does…this…satisfy you?" The brunette said in a hoarse voice. Tears started streaming down his face as it turns paler, "I'm really…am sorry. I…I'm always so selfish…I wanted to see you…or talk to you. I want to know what you truly feel. Not Akashi-kun but you. I…don't really think you're a monster."

With his trembling hands Furihata reached to caress the other's cheek weakly wiping the streaming tears off.

"See, monsters don't cry for pitiful creatures like me, but you are…because…you're not a monster…you're just…a bit…lonely." Furihata's eyelids slowly lower and Akashi felt his heart hammering in his chest. He could hear a voice screaming in his head. "As for me…you see, it hurts a lot…love, I mean…but I don't regret it. You…were such a nice dream, Sei…"

Blag.