CHAPTER 1

"Flashback"

Thoughts

"Ah, ah… Rakuzan is always so… big, no matter how many times I try to get used to it." Satsuki hummed aloud as she glanced around the giant kingdom. People of Rakuzan enjoyed wearing the color red – the Kingdom of Fire, as some would call them – so respectably, most of the citizens were dressed in different shades of red. Which made Aomine and Satsuki immediately stand out in the busy crowd – as they were the only ones wearing dark blue and peach.

"Well that can't be helped." Aomine grumbled, as he pushed forward. "Since during the War of Teiko, Fukuda Sogo captured the biggest portion of land, and then after that was Rakuzan – who got the second biggest piece of land. Following kingdoms were our kingdom, Touou, then Shutoku, Kaijo, and finally Seirin. Seirin was never a large kingdom, anyways." Satsuki crinkled her nose, at the mention of the much historical war. "Poor Tetsu onii-sama." She sighed with pity in her voice. "His kingdom was the smallest among the five even when Fukuda Sogo wasn't present – and now it's even smaller."

Aomine went on wordlessly. "… Well, he is thankful that he even has a portion of land left for him. It's surprising that Fukuda Sogo hasn't attacked his kingdom yet." Satsuki tilted her head to the side. "Is that so? I always thought it was because Seirin's offense and defense forces weren't something to look down upon. Their generals sound amazing – most of them are only twenty. One of them that came in five years ago seems to be about eighteen." Aomine shrugged, as he opened his mouth respond, until he was interrupted by a loud voice from behind.

"Aominecchi~!" The indigo haired king flinched with discomfort, an animated vein popping up on his tanned forehead. He turned around, seeing a blonde in a golden robe waving his hand at him. People around them were staring at him, wondering if they heard correctly – the King of Touou was present? "I don't know him." Aomine growled under his breath, as Satsuki glanced back and forth at her frustrated brother and sulky looking friend.

"Aominecchi, don't you remember me? It's me – Kise Ryouta, now the King of Kai-" Aomine threw his sword at Kise grumpily, as Kise screamed and caught the blade of the sword in mid-air. "Aominecchi, you almost killed me-" "Shut up, for the peace of Rakuzan's sake, like, my word, Kise. Do you want to make a nationwide announcement that we are the kings of Touou and Kaijo?" Kise finally seemed to notice all the stares they were receiving. He laughed nervously, as they threw the sword back to Aomine. "Seriously, it's not like your shiny robe helps us with anything." Kise caught up and quickly retorted:

"I can't help that – Kaijo is the Kingdom of Gold, Aominecchi!" The indigo haired king rolled his eyes. "Yeah, thanks for reminding me that your Kingdom is the second-richest Kingdom in Teiko, after Fukuda Sogo. It's always surprising that your kingdom is one of the smallest, yet richer than Rakuzan." Kise grinned. "Kaijo has one of the smartest advisors – and besides, trading is always good, Aominecchi. You should try trading with many more countries." "Shut up – you're saying the same things as Satsuki."

They paused, as they stopped their horses in front of the gates of the large castle, and got off. Kise helped Satsuki jump down hers, as Aomine walked through ahead. "This Kingdom is so annoying." Aomine mumbled. "It's all red." Kise laughed a little, as he glanced around as well. "Red roses, red leaved-trees… I wonder where they find these." Satsuki's eyes sparkled as she stared at the red dandelion seed. She attempted to chase it to make a wish, and then stopped, noticing she was falling behind.

"I hurry up and want to meet Midorimacchi!" Kise grinned widely, as Aomine grunted. "Yeah, as if he would want to meet you." The blonde pouted, as he glared meaningfully at the indigo haired male. "I bet Kurokocchi would want to meet me more than you. Like seriously, Aominecchi, you used to be so much more fun when you were young!" Aomine didn't respond, as he remembered his fading memories of twelve years ago.

"Aomine-kun is so strong. You can lift anything."

"Hah? If you put it like that, Murasakibara can lift anything too."

"I guess so."

"Hm, Tetsu, you're odd."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

"We're here!" Kise's voice woke him up from his thoughts, as Aomine narrowed his eyebrows at the sight of the gigantic red tower that stood above them. It was built in that very traditional Japanese way, the whole tower round. The entered, going past the soldiers guarding the area. Inside the tower was painted with a much brighter shade of red – it was closer to orange, if Aomine had to say. Then they noticed the tall, purple haired male standing in the middle, wearing a purple top and dark purple pants. His long hair was tied into a low ponytail, as he nodded. "Greetings, King of Kaijo and Touou." And then he paused and added. "… And the princess."

Kise's eyes widened at the sight. "Murasakibaracchi!" He shouted, as he rushed towards the tall male. He put his right hand on his head, and then reached upward to put it on Murasakibara's head. "You're so tall now!" He sounded rather amazed, as Murasakibara sighed. "You know, you're a king, not a prince anymore." Kise pouted. "Says the one who loves candy apples and everything sweet. It doesn't sound like you at all when you're mature, Murasakibaracchi. You used to call me Kise-chin, too." The purple haired male slapped his forehead. "I was six then, mind you." Aomine rolled his eyes. "Six or not, I am not used to seeing you talk about how we address one another with honorifics. How about you go back to your childish self?" Murasakibara grunted, as he turned around to lead them to Akashi's office. "I wish, Mine-chin."

They walked silently, as Murasakibara knocked on one particular door that was significantly larger than the others. "Akashi-sama, they're here." A muffled reply came from the inside, as Murasakibara dragged the door open. There, was Midorima Shintaro, King of Shutoku, and Kuroko Tetsuya, the King of Seirin sitting down on one of the red chairs. "Good job, Atsushi. I think I will allow you to drop the honorifics, since it's only us now." Murasakibara grumbled. "I was wondering when you would allow it, Aka-chin." Akashi chuckled, as he opened his eyes to scan all his former friends.

"Well, isn't this quite a gathering." Midorima started. "For us to meet again." He glanced around. "Though, we're seemingly missing one person." He added quietly, as Akashi closed his eyes and sighed. "The dead does not come back – that is a proven fact. But anyways," He paused, and then continued. "It's comforting to see you all healthy and well. Aren't you all quite grown, now." Aomine perked up. "Not you." Akashi smirked. "Don't do anything as reckless to test my patience, Daiki." The King shut up instantly, as he sat up straighter than before.

"Rakuzan has really recovered fast from the War, though. Kaijo is still repairing some parts of the ruins." Midorima glanced at Kise who spoke up, and made a sharp remark. "It's because your Kingdom holds the wealth, but not the intelligence." Kise flinched, as he glared at his best friend. "Yeah, like Shutoku holds the intelligence, but not the kindness." Midorima snapped. "What now?" Kuroko sighed heavily, as he slapped the back of Kise and Midorima's heads. "Try to show more respect to one another, Kise-kun, Midorima-kun. We're meeting in 12 years."

"It's 6 years for us, but alright…" Kise grumbled, and then glanced at all the others in the room. "Though, it's really been a while since we have met like this. Kurokocchi, you didn't grow a lot, did you?" The blonde snickered, as Kuroko's eyebrows rose visibly, though very slowly. "I'm not trying to be offensive." Kise quickly added, noticing the arising dark aura. Height was certainly not something to be mentioned in front of two similar individuals – namely Kuroko Tetsuya and Akashi Seijuro.

The said red head cleared his throat, in attempt to capture attention. He succeeded quite immediately, as five pairs of eyes instantly gathered upon him. "The reason I called for a meeting-" "In the twelve years of mere silence you have presented excellently, yes." Aomine grumbled in between, as Akashi simply ignored him. "-is because I have something I want to address in front of all of you – as a group, really." Midorima fixed his glasses into its original place, as he spoke in quite a defiant manner.

"Well, that tells a lot about your personality – it's not an easy thing to do, to just send a simple, neatly written letter and order four different kings and not to mention, a princess to meet the next day right after." Akashi smiled. "I shall take that as a fair compliment, King of Shutoku, Midorima Shintaro." The green haired male rolled his eyes – which was very uncharacteristic of him to do. "But as I was saying, I gathered all of you for one simple but very complicated manner."

"Simple but complicated." Kise repeated after his words. "You should speak but illegible sense, Akashicchi." The red head closed his eyes, as he leaned backward on his chair, his posture more relaxed, and with more confidence. "It's about the War of Teiko twelve years ago." Aomine grumbled, as he replied. "Discussing the past with the members of that past." He paused. "A fantastic idea, King of Rakuzan. You have gained my respect." His voice was tainted with sarcasm, and Akashi noticed.

"Not to awaken any painful memories, Daiki. That is not my true intention, though it might've been an option." The King of Rakuzan tilted his head to the side, supporting his chin with the palm of his right hand. "No, we are here to discuss the matters of the future, with these members in fact – not the past." Akashi went on. "The War of Teiko has left many memorable invisible scars in the heart and minds of our fellow citizens, and I believe, some of us here. It had taken our families away, and our beloved ones. The sinner being Haizaki Shogo and his so called Uncrowned Kings, our life was ruined, and Teiko was tainted with blood."

"Colorful." Kuroko said shortly, as Akashi nodded. "My Kingdom loves the color red," He paused, "But never the color of blood." Murasakibara smirked. "Or do you, Aka-chin." Akashi sighed. "Hush, Atsushi. I'm trying to be serious here." Murasakibara didn't respond, as Akashi continued solemnly. "I have received some very accurate and fresh information from one of my secret private forces led by one of my most trustworthy Generals, that Haizaki is slowly planning for a second War of Teiko."

"A General, you say." Satsuki spoke up. "Namely?" Akashi glanced at Murasakibara, and then shrugged. "Himuro Tatsuya, eighteen, female." Kise whistled. "It seems like female Generals are becoming more and more common as years pass. My Kingdom has one too." "Is that so." Akashi replied, and then resumed to the original topic. "Going on, it sounds like Haizaki's forces have greatly improved as well. Their power is being restored at a terrifying rate, and soon, battle will strike again. From the information I received, it seems like they are aiming for the Kingdom of Shutoku first." Midorima drew his eyebrows closer together, as his face twisted into a discomforted scowl.

"Oh?" He said, after a moment of silence. "How wonderfully courageous he is." Kise could almost swear upon his life that he had seen a spark of green flames arise from his best friend's body. Akashi shrugged. "Well, Haizaki always lacked healers. Shutoku is famous for its experts on medical knowledge and overall intelligence. I would've done the same, if I were Haizaki." Midorima glared at the red head meaningfully. "How helpful of a friend you are, Akashi. I can't expect anything better." Akashi chuckled, as he responded. "My greatest apologies, Shintaro. I didn't mean anything – especially to offend you and your Kingdom." Midorima grunted, as he loosened his tensed shoulders.

"So, what are your plans, King Akashi?" Kuroko smiled and asked, as Akashi simply shrugged helplessly. "For now, I have no thoughts nor opinions about it. War was fated to occur at least once during our lifetime, Tetsuya. I cannot guarantee my own survival, even. It would be satisfying if Fukuda Sogo vanishes, once again. They were intruders from the Kingdom in the first place. No, more easily said, they are traitors. They were all from our Kingdoms, after all. Haizaki, the current king – he was originally from Kaijo. It's no surprise, really."

"My mother always warned me to avoid him at all costs. She always said that she had a bad feeling about him." The blonde haired king said dryly, as he whispered the last part. "She was killed by him in the very end." Midorima cleared his throat, as he fixed his glasses repeatedly. "All of us lost someone, Kise. Nothing is new, and will be new. We all lost our parents in that War, but we survived. My hopes are that we remain that way." Murasakibara mumbled in the corner. "I don't think it will." Kise whined. "You're such a pessimist, Murasakibaracchi." "I'm sorry I am."

Satsuki stared at her friends (that rather acted like a bunch of protective brothers) and couldn't help but have a bad feeling about the following events, after this very day.

So how long, will this last?