Intertwined Destiny

Chapter 16: Contract 

"Akashi Masaomi?" Kuroko was perplexed. He had no idea who this man was, nor the power his name signifies. However, Kuroko was clear of one thing. This man belongs to the Akashi clan, the very same clan and the same name his husband bears. Kuroko's observant abilities had concluded the possibilities that this man before him was a close relative of the master of Teiko, Akashi Seijuurou. Kuroko had frowned. It had piqued his interest. Kuroko was curious about the identity of the man named Akashi Masaomi, triggering Kuroko's renowned inquisitive capabilities as one of the last survivors of the Kuroko clan.

The elder man, who revealed his identity as Akashi Masaomi, nodded. "Now I see. As expected of the man he chose to become his mate. You are extraordinary." The man had drawn an empty chair and settled himself in the wooden chair. "I am who you have predicted, Kuroko Tetsuya of the Kuroko clan. I am Akashi Masaomi, the father of your husband, Akashi Seijuurou." Ah, he is the grand elder of the Akashi clan. The elder Akashi could see at one glance. After all, both he and his half-brother inherited the features of the Kuroko clan. They possessed the rare pastel teal colored hair, that pale, delicate skin, and the most striking feature was their weak presence. They possess an ethereal appearance that no one can mimic by effort alone.

Kuroko placed his vanilla milkshake on the table. "Grand elder Akashi, why are you here? I am pretty sure you should have received news about us half a decade ago." Kuroko's inscrutable stare had bored right into Masaomi, taking note of every little expression which would help in Kuroko's decision-making processes. 

Masaomi gave Kuroko a gentle chuckle. "Do I need to have a reason? I have come here to see the pregnant wife of that impossible son of mine. Can you believe it? My biological son, whom I had painstakingly raised alone since he was just a child, ignoring his father! How could he be so cold to his father? Is Teiko more important than your family?" Masaomi had complained about his son in front of his son's wife. Kise and Aomine sighed. Aomine had scratched his head. The bodyguards had sent a message to their master. It shouldn't be long now.

Masaomi nodded approvingly. "I see you have been through a great deal. Seijuurou must have been good to you. It was the terrible fate of misfortune that the Kuroko clan ended in the hands of humans. Poor child." Masaomi sighed, patting Kuroko lightly on the head. "I had lamented, grieving over the loss of a clan of such great people. Kuroko Tetsurou and I were once good friends. I had lost a great friend." 

Kuroko had stiffened. "Fr...friends, you say?" Kuroko had questioned the grand elder. Kuroko was extremely curious. His father had never brought up the topic that he was in league with the ominous demon clan. Even his half-brother, Chihiro, who had silently stood in the shadows of the doorway, was stunned at the words coming from the grand elder's mouth. It had never occurred to them, even in their wildest dreams, that their late father, Kuroko Tetsurou, was a man who was greatly blessed by the Akashi family. 

"Our father sacrificed himself in exchange for our safety, Grand Elder Akashi." Kuroko finally found his voice, recovering from the puzzled shock. "I'm sure he'd be delighted to meet you one last time if he were to know." Mayuzumi nodded in agreement. Their father was a great man. And he died gallantly, like a true hero. 

"Call me Masaomi, Tetsuya-kun." The grand elder smiled. "I hoped you didn't forget, You are Akashi Tetsuya, the First Lady of the master of the Akashi clan, Akashi Seijuurou. I understand the significance your name carries, You don't have to be so tense." Kuroko and his half-brother were appalled. Flabbergasted at the words coming from the grand elder. Kuroko wondered if the grand elder had approached him to criticize his value or to make jokes about being friends with Kuroko Tetsurou. He was such a strange man. 

Kuroko nodded, finally giving up to Masaomi's selfish behaviours. The doors of the library were once again pulled open with a loud bang for the second time. The sound had startled the attention of everyone. A furious Akashi, accompanied by his trusted advisor, Midorima Shintarou, were standing at the doorway. Masaomi smirked at the arrival of the Teiko master and his trusted advisor. "Took you long enough, Seijuurou." 

The rare appearance of the grand elder of the Akashi clan was frowned upon. The strained father-and-son relationship between the pair had caused a strain over a millennium since Akashi had taken over his position as the master of Teiko. The people of Teiko knew well the man named Akashi Masaomi, who was the predecessor of their previous master, the first-generation master of Teiko. It was the first time the grand elder had appeared within the lands of Teiko unannounced. His intentions and objectives were unknown, dexterously and intelligently masked seamlessly from the public eye. Even to his son. It was one of the various reasons the grand elder was despised by his son. Akashi stomped, having wedged himself between Kuroko and his father. He had surprised the pair of the rarest opposites. 

"Why are you here, Father?" Akashi eyed the elder man with the innate discernment and perspicacious abilities he was blessed with. "You're not supposed to be here." 

"Why not? This land belongs to the Akashi family. I am granted permission to go as I please whatever I do within the grounds of Teiko." The grand elder replied. The grand elder sighed. "Besides, I did not hand over the reins so you can treat Teiko empire, the treasured lands of the Akashi clan, as if it is your personal garden." 

Akashi scowled at the grand elder. The devil master was extremely dissatisfied with his very own father. Akashi had made it his hobby to become possessive of his mate's every movement. The appearance after his long absence had piqued small amounts of interest. The grand elder sighed and demanded Akashi to calm down. "Look at you. You are obsessed with a human omega. You, with the grand title of the Crimson Devil of Teiko. How low you have fallen. With an omega no less." Masaomi could not believe the toxic love that had developed between the entangled pair, deeply wedged into the depths of their passion towards each other, coincidentally became fated partners as destined by the heavens.

There was an extreme pregnant silence of awkwardness.

Midorima, as Akashi's advisor, had seen the familiar scene replaying in front of his clear turquoise irises countless times. Kuroko had silently observed the strained interaction between the father-and-son pair. It was apparent even without Kuroko's observant abilities, the evidence that had displayed Akashi Masaomi's poor relationship with his son. The pair did not have a healthy relationship since the death of Akashi Masaomi's beloved wife, Akashi Seijuurou's mother, whom he had loved with all his heart. Midorima sighed. Their poor relationship had deteriorated further with the death of the only angel of their family. Akashi finally heaved a long sigh, dropping his daggers of menacing aura. 

"What have you come for?" Although it was the second time Akashi had questioned, his father's sudden presence had piqued the interest of many eyes. It was a mystery. Akashi Masaomi sighed. His frown then cracked into a smile. The grand elder shifted comfortably in his seat. He had smiled at the fond memories of the late Kuroko Tetsurou. Kuroko Tetsurou, had entrusted his own son to the supreme clan of Akashi Family. 

The grand elder reached for his clothes, pulling out a roll of parchment. What was that? The attention of many were curious of the parchment the grand elder had produced. He gazed fondly at the clear sky from the elegant windows of Kuroko's usual favourite spot. It was apparent that the grand elder of the renowned demon clan of the Akashi clan had come with a pellucid purpose. It was like gold dust for the great grand elder to grace his presence at such an hour early in the morning. The servants had entered, serving piping hot tea before them. The grand elder had thankfully taken a sip of the tea served by the servants. The grand elder leaned back comfortably in his chair and sighed. "Where should I begin?" Kise and Aomine, along with Kuroko's half-brother, Mayuzumi, who had been observing from the shadow, glanced at each other worriedly. The trepidation of feelings bottled inside had brought quizzical feelings towards the current affairs. 

The scroll of parchment had brought extreme curiosity to everyone present in that room. The atmosphere was filled with trepidation, highly strung nervousness and curiosity to the brim. The grand elder unrolled the century-old yellowed parchment, revealing the contents of the valued, priceless pact between himself and the late chief of the Kuroko clan, Kuroko Tetsurou. It was a marriage contract. There it was, clearly written in large, bold letters. He tenderly traced the letters with the gentlest touch of his fingertips. It brought back momentous memories of the days he had with the late Kuroko Tetsurou. Kuroko couldn't push his luck. The irises of curiosity had screamed questions Kuroko had craved. He had been searching for answers. And today, here was the man who possessed the key to all his questions. His half-brother, Mayuzumi, was just as flummoxed as he is. 

Truly, indeed, the grand elder was relieved. Kuroko Tetsuya had been in good hands. It was fate which had brought them together, and it was destiny which had brought them to who they are today. The grand elder remembered the day they decided the marriage between their children was clear as crystal. It was a day just like today. The clouds roaming in the skies were clear; it was a nice day for a reading session with a cup of hot tea. Akashi Masaomi thus began his story. The children of two families, along with their servants, listened silently, inquisitive to the grand elder's old tale. 

It was a little over half a century ago that his best friend, Kuroko Tetsurou, had a meaningful conversation with a younger version of himself, Akashi Masaomi, who was then still the master of Teiko. One day, Tetsurou had risked himself, taking a long trip into the territory of spirits, demons and devils. The creatures of the darkness loathed humans, had goaded, whispered words which led them astray. He was different. Kuroko Tetsurou was blessed with the powers; indeed, alone was unaffected. His reticent steps had made the creatures retreat with fear. He was blasé that the actions had dragged him into the darkness. As one who was blessed by the heavens, Kuroko Tetsurou walked down the paths, unharmed and untouched. The undeterred spiritual strength he wielded was impressive. His comportment was precisely expected of someone selected to be the successor of the Kuroko clan. 

The mansion of the Akashi clan was palatial, a perfect paramount venerable for a distinguished person such as he is. He was the illustrious man known throughout the vast lands, the man who was revered as the God of War, Akashi Masaomi. Servants and attendants of the mansion bowed to Tetsurou. He was an exception, augusted, respected and dignified. Walking down the resplendently furnished hallways, Tetsurou found his best friend settled comfortably on his throne, just like every day he had sneaked intothe mansion just for a little peek of how his dear friend was faring. The servants and attendants were blaséd with Tetsurou's presence and had utilized no effort at stopping Tetsurou from making a ruckus within the grounds owned by the Akashi clan. 

"Ho ho, look who's here again," Masaomi said as he looked up from his book. However, his posture on the king's throne was extremely undignified for a king with vast lands and empires under his control. 

Tetsurou sighed, settling on the extremely opulent couch in a corner, across from the throne Masaomi was settled in. Masaomi's servants entered and served Tetsurou a cup of hot tea and a refill on Masaomi's part. "Why, there you are, skipping on your work again? Masaomi, you're no longer the prince." 

"Hmph." Masaomi scoffed. He rose, settling himself straight, his usual decent posture expected of a king. "So, why are you here? Certainly you have not risked your life, coming all the way just to see how I fared? It's been over a century since we last saw each other." 

Tetsurou gave a gentle smile. "Seems like I've been enlightened with a prophecy." Tetsurou blasted those words with a straight face and was pococurante he had dropped a bomb, disconcerting his dear friend. "I've come to rant with my partner in crime!" 

"Wha-?" Masaomi blinked; his clear crimson irises stared unwaveringly at Tetsurou. He was appalled. 

Tetsurou had a hand resting on his right cheek. "So, how's Seijuurou? Is everything good?" He was taking in every little detail, scrutinizing Masaomi's wellbeing since they last saw each other. Tetsurou frowned. The memory of their last meeting was like a faraway tree, hazy and out of reach. It was a little over a century ago when his dear friend was still the prince of the lord, the Young Master of the Akashi clan. 

Masaomi sighed. "That child is a handful. I wonder who he takes after. It's been tough since Yui passed. I wonder who he takes after?" Masaomi had been a strict father, had provided the best for his only son, the only heir and successor to the elite vampire clan feared by many throughout the vast lands. His son succeeded far beyond his expectations; the maturity of his growth had, however, strained the innocent relationship of father-and-son and had saddened him greatly. Masaomi soon realized the monster his dear son had become. 

Tetsurou stared at the oblivious state of a father Masaomi had become over the years of centuries. Obviously he took after you. Tetsurou was extremely tempted at activating his sarcastic mode in front of Masaomi. It was his revenge against his best friend when he had experienced the same challenges, stepping into his shoes. 

"So, what was the prophecy you had been enlightened with this time, Tetsurou?" Masaomi leaned against his favourite throne, his chest puffing out. Tetsurou's eloquent expression was extremely solemn. Masaomi had a sense of foreboding perturbation that their successors will face extremely challenging paths when the time is right. The military desires of the upcoming crusades in the near future. It was unsettling. As the master of the Akashi clan, it was also Masaomi's job to be concerned of the quandary rise, especially the lands under the watch and protection of the famed Akashi clan. 

"I fear the future crossroads that our children will face. It will be a long journey. A lonely pair who only had each other." Tetsurou sighed. He recited the prophecy with which he had been enlightened; people had once upon a time, revered him as the Voice of God. Both Tetsurou and Masaomi were extremely apprehensive when it comes to their children, the successors of the respective clans; Akashi Seijuurou of the Akashi clan, and Kuroko Tetsuya of the Kuroko clan. 

In accordance with the ancient pact, the cursed bloodlines who yearned for true happiness. The loss of the traditions of the olde, forsaken by kin of blood and flesh, the solitude of promises through reincarnations of successors, pragmatic understanding of global outlook. The amalgamated clans will true successors achieve veracious peace. A sacrifice, a double-edged sword. Humanity, or darkness, opens the doors to the choices of possibilities. Retain or destroy, He who is chosen shall become the miracle who will bestow godlike strengths onto the world. He who shall call upon the miracles blessed by the gods of the heavens. 

Masaomi stared at his dear friend. He was appalled at the words Tetsurou had recited, presumed were sacred command of the prophecy, divination of future events. "You don't mean…?" Masaomi didn't dare to push his luck. He was no poet, however he was confident in decrypting the meanings of the words recited by Tetsurou. 

Tetsurou nodded in agreement. The consensus was extremely evident between the two leaders of their respective clans. Even without words of confirmation, despite different species, it was ironic that the one who clearly understood the other in depth was none other than the leader of their enemy, the opposites of their archnemesis. For a millennium, there has been an adamant war between spirits and humanity, the inability to envisage a better future. Masaomi and Tetsurou ended military warfare with their tremendous strength. After all, both Masaomi and Tetsurou were revered, with the godlike strengths they possessed, even as children. 

It was as if they had no choice but to give up their precious child to the heavens. Tetsurou had a blank expression etched on his face, as usual. Tetsurou was calm, with no signs of trepidation, and wasn't worried in the least. He was unperturbed. It was as if Tetsurou had foretold what would befall his dear child. The only child he had who was loved and blessed by the heavens, his powers were feared, and was extremely stigmatized by the people he considered his brethren, the society he thought they belonged. The Kuroko clan, who were blessed with powers, citizens and brethren of their own men, came to believe they were messengers of the gods. After all, they could do things no man could. Their powers were rare, unique, and blasphemous. Their existence itself was a sin. Some believed the Kuroko clan were descendants of the spirits, who wielded the cursed blood of spirits and man. They were a clan who possessed hidden arts of their own, beyond the pragmatic understanding of man. Feared and respected by the people of their own, Kirisaki Daiichi's foolishness was what had made the clan return to their place beyond the gates of the spiritual world. Where they truly belong.

Tetsurou and Masaomi believed that a first step was needed in achieving the possibilities in the name of peace. And thus, they agreed their first child would be wedded in the near future. That was how the marriage contract between two prestigious families came to be. Masaomi sighed. Putting aside Tetsurou's concern, he had his share of concerns, the strained relationship between a single father and the only son, the future successor to the Akashi Clan. And like always, his best friend had seen through everything. Tetsurou was an expert. A specialist trained to read his opponents. And none had waged a war against the Kuroo Clan and lived to spin a tale. Nothing had ever escaped his apathetic, observant and discerning clear pastel blue lenses, which the Kuroko clan were renowned for. 

Tetsurou took small steps towards the window, observing the faint figure of Masaomi's only son in the gardens. The gardens were Masaomi's late wife's and the Young Master's mother's treasures before she left the netherworld, turned to dust. She was a person loved by many, including the cold-blooded duo, namely Masaomi and Akashi. Throughout the end of her sufferings from an incurable illness, even as creatures of the darkness. Grieved for his wife's loss, Masaomi began pressuring his only son to succeed. Over the long years, a rift appeared in their father-and-son relationship. Masaomi had felt fortunate he had such a friend like Tetsurou. Although worlds apart, ironically, the people they felt closest to were the ones with whom they had shared bloodshed and sweat. 

"Tsubasa, call Seijuuro." Masaomi ordered his secretary. The man who had been settled idly, silently and secretly looked up as his master addressed his name, had finally ordered him a task. He rose from his chair and bowed at Masaomi before leaving to get the Young Master. Tetsurou scoffed and snickered at Masaomi's strange behaviour. He wasn't a person who would readily believe every little thing he said. Tetsurou concluded that the ambiguity the future holds must be of profound importance. 

"What?" Masaomi turned, glaring at his best friend. 

Tetsurou shook his head. He just found Masaomi amusing. "Nothing." 

Shortly after, the Young Master and Masaomi's secretary re-entered the room. "Father." Akashi greeted the Master of the Akashi with the most formal use of words. "I've come as summoned. May I know the reason why am I here? I'm busy." Tetsurou scrutinized every single detail displayed by the father-and-son pair. The Young Master's heterochromatic irises had a foreign feel. Tetsurou felt he was different from his father. Something he had yet to realize. Masaomi had splendidly displayed a strict facade, which was so not like him. Tetsurou had silently been made fun of in his little corner. 

Masaomi took out a picture from his drawer, leaning back against his comfortable chair. It was a photo of Tetsurou youngest son, which the photo was given by Tetsurou himself. 

"Who is this?" Akashi had picked up the photo on his father's desk, given stolen glances at his father and the man his father was deep involved with every few seconds. Taking in every single detail, he had a good idea the young boy was. He had pale skin, pastel cerulean hair and irises, the notorious pococurante expression displayed on his tranquil and collected self, a famous trait of the Kuroko clan. The boy was a mirror image of his father's best friend, Kuroko Tetsurou. Although a vampire who resides in the darkness, his best friend was a human who served the gods of heavens. Often, Akashi had questioned his father. Father, I don't understand. Why don't you make that human who favored so much yours? You should claim what is yours. His father had chuckled and smiled in bliss. Seijuurou, you will understand one day. Up to this day, Akashi had excrated his father since his mother's death. Akashi had believed it was his father's negligence that had ultimately caused the death of his dear mother, one of the people he had opened his heart to. 

"This is the boy who will be your future mate."