Title: 愛物語: Ai Monogatari

Rating: T

Pairings: Kagami x Fem!Kuroko, Aomine x Fem!Kise, Murasakibara x Fem!Himuro, Midorima x Fem!Takao, OnesidedFem!Kuroko x Aomine, PastFem!Kuroko x Ogiwara

Warnings: Gender Bender, Alternate Universe, OOC, Slow Updates, Slow Romantic Development.

Summary: Kuroko Tetsumi, the First Princess of Teiko and the favourite sister of the current emperor, had been prophesized to love three men. The first man loved her but she hadn't been able to save him. The second one would never love her in the same way. The third one…

Authors Notes: I recommend listening to Baek Ji Young's Again, Today I Love You. For me, that's the theme song of this story's Fem!Kuroko-Aomine-denka pairing. And if anyone of you is Filipino, I would also recommend Aiza Seguerra's Pakisabi na Lang.

AI MONOGATARI

愛物語

(LOVE STORY)

CHAPTER FOUR: HAJIMARU NO WA SAYONARA

(IT STARTS WITH A GOODBYE)

The truth is that… I had never dreamt of becoming the Empress of Teiko. I was certainly not born to become one. I laugh every time I hear stories that I had conspired with the King of Seirin to seduce Akashi-shujo or that I wanted to become the mother of the next emperor as an act of vengeance for my father's death. In the first place, I don't think I have the capacity or beauty for that. There are many women in Teiko who are ten times more beautiful and more capable than I am. But now, rumors on the street says that I am the most beautiful woman in the world. That I am greater that the Four Great Beauty of Teiko. But honestly, comparing me to those great women is like comparing a grass to a flower. I am no great beauty. My looks are average and I am not incredibly intelligent. My magical power is also so-so. They only say that I am an incredibly beautiful because I had managed to capture-and hold onto-Akashi-shujo's heart. I had never understood it myself how I was able to gain his favour.

But it was because of Akashi-shujo that I was able to overcome everything. If it weren't for his unwavering heart, I would've given up long ago. Because I am a coward and lacking in ambition.

I didn't want to become the Empress for money nor for power. Truthfully, those things are burdens to me. I would've been happy just by being a simple unranked concubine as long as I can see Akashi-shujo for a short while. I climbed my way up because I wanted to love Akashi-shujo as much as I want. I wanted to be the one to raise my-our-children. I want to support him as much as I can. These things, I can only do if I become the Empress.

Now as I lay here in my bed, weak and old. I write these things so that people would get to know the true Empress Kou. Behind the glamorous hanfu and thick veil, I am just like any other woman in the world. I lost many things. I gained many things. I loved and, by the lucky stroke of fate, was loved in return. The gods and spirit had blessed me with good and beautiful children, many grandchildren and many many great grandchildren.

Was my life happy?

Yes. But not always so. I guess that my sister-in-law said was right. Half of our life is happiness and half of it is sorrow. But my life is full. The only regret is that I had allowed my husband to precede me. He must be bored and terrorizing everyone in the netherworld now that's why Death is softly calling me.

But I say to Death. Please wait for a while and let me finish my story. Until then, try to restrain the Emperor.

And if I could start my story. It would be with my father's death. He was a farmer whose rich crops brought him to Teiko. But one summer night, his ship was ambushed and he, alongside the other passengers, were mercilessly killed. That was the Black Sea Massacre.

That was the precursor. The event that binds me to the fate of Akashi-shujo.

This is my life.

When I was born, I was called Ko meaning Child. Then when I entered the Inner Courts of Seirin as a maid to the Queen, I was given the name Furihata Kouki. When I became Akashi Seijuro-shujo's woman, he changed the writing of my name to Kouki which means Crimson Brilliance.

I am Empress Furihata Kouki also known as Empress Kou. The 2nd Empress of His Imperial Majesty Akashi Seijuro. The Empress Dowager and the mother of the Sixteenth Emperor.

{From the Memoirs of Empress Kou the Beloved.}

I love you, even now I may confess,

Some embers of my love their fire retain

But do not let it cause you more distress,

I do not want to sadden you again.

Hopeless and tongue tied, yet I loved you dearly

With pangs the jealous and timid know;

So tenderly I loved you, so sincerely,

I pray God grant another love you so.

{Alexander Pushkin}

Kagami-heika had spend the last two days exploring Teiko with Prime Minister Mibuchi, much to the annoyance of Minister Hyuga. Prime Minister Mibuchi had shown a strange liking to their Right Minister.

Kagami-heika was able to see the rich empire up close and marvelled at the great city of Akashi, the capital of Rakuzan. Akashi City was a city that surrounds the Crimson Palace. It is surrounded by thick walls thirty feet high and had the population of thirty five million. The roads were made of paved rocks. Because it is the capital of Rakuzan, the city life was thriving and the people living inside were a good combination of merchants, scholars and farmers. The public ordinance was also good.

Kagami-heika learned that Akashi-shujo had separated the soldiers into two major groups. There are the armed forces and the police. The armed forces which is separated into four division (the navy, the air force, the land and the secret service) is in charge of defending against enemy nations and fighting the occasional beasts and spirits that attacks people. The police, meanwhile, was in charge of public ordinance and public safety. The police and the armed forces was not to meddle with each other's affairs although they would collaborate usually. They were educated differently and have different sets of civil examinations.

As they toured around the city, Kagami-heika had also noticed the public hospital. Prime Minister Mibuchi had told them that it was the pet project of the First Princess of Teiko. Before, the doctor have to go to the houses in order to treat sick patients. Now, the people could go to the hospital and receive treatment. Every city in Teiko, no matter how small, have their own hospital. What surprised Kagami-heka was the knowledge that every service performed in the public hospital was free.

Because Teiko levied a relatively large income tax on its citizens (forty percent in contrast to Seirin's twenty percent), the government was able to provide additional free services to the people. A whooping twenty percent of the yearly budget of Teiko goes to projects relating to health. Of course good tax system is only half as effective if it is partnered by good governance. If ministers were corrupt and would put government funds into their own pockets, everything would be useless.

That's why Akashi Seijuro had decided to separate the government into three independent branches. The executive branches and the ministries under it were all controlled by the Emperor; the Emperor appoints the ministers and controls the army and police force. The legislative branch is an incredibly new idea. Believing that the people have the right to have a say in government, the Emperor established the legislative branch. Every five years, commoners adults of eighteen years and above would vote for running candidates. A representative for every province around Teiko would be elected. These elected would be part of the Lower House. Nobles would also vote for their representative. Thirty-six nobles would be elected and they would stay into the office for ten years. These thirty-six nobles would be part of the Upper House. The upper and lower house make the laws to be approved by the Emperor. Then, the last branch would be the judicial. Every year, aspiring barristers would take the bar exams and those who pass would be state-certified lawyers. These lawyers would represent individuals to settle disputes and cases to be approved by the jury.

Understanding these complex government system, Kagami-heika could see that there would be check or balances between these branches. Lessening the chances of corruption between the branches. Still the Emperor stands at the apex of it.

It was an ingenious way of governing. When things became settled in Seirin, Kagami-heika would reconstruct their government in this way. He had already talked with Senior Minister Hyuuga and Senior Minister Tsuchida. The two also liked the idea.

The two day excursion left him tired but full of hope and ideas to be brought to Seirin. Still above everything else, he was looking forward to meeting Teruya once again. He heard that the Prince of Too and the Princess of Kaijo's wedding and he summarised that Akashi and Teruya's absence the night before. It is not uncommon for an emperor to bring his favourite concubines in trips.

That could only mean that Teruya was a high-ranking concubine. A noble consort most probably. This doesn't surprised Kagami-heika despite not seeing how she looks, Kagami-heika had the feeling that she is incredibly beautiful. Together with her wisdom and knowledge, she must be really favoured by the emperor.

When he arrived at their meeting place, Teruya was already there. She was still wearing a black veiled hat that covered her features. Except this time, the veil was shorter in the front and flared longer on her back. The thick black veil ended just below her shoulders in the front and went to her knees in the back. Because of this, Kagami-heika could see her exquisitely beautiful hanfu. Her hanfu was a three layered white hanfu with silver cloud embroidery on the sleeves. Above these was a sleeveless pale blue layer. Kagami-heika could see silver phoenix embroidery on the shoulders of the pale blue top.

While the men of Akashi Family are permitted to wear the golden phoenix insignia, the women were only normally permitted to have silver phoenix on their clothing and accessories. But still, only high-ranking concubines-those whose rank were noble consorts and above- could only wear the silver phoenix insignia. The only woman who could wear the golden phoenix insignia is the Empress. Still, that only proves that Teruya was a woman beloved by the Emperor.

On her lap was an embroidery hoop with a cloth trapped on it. From what he could see, she was embroidering a flower of some kind. She was no longer wearing the claw-like nail protectors that he had seen before. Instead, she was wearing a thick-ring with a large, glittering sapphire on her left middle finger. The ring was connected by a thin chain to an inch thick bangle with embossed cloud designs. Kagami-heika could see the intricacy of the jewelry peaking from her dangling sleeves.

Though the moment he stepped into her presence, her clothing or her jewelry was the last thing that he noticed. Kagami-heika was able to sense a deep-seethed sadness permeating through the aura of his companion. Even after she greeted him, he was able to feel how much she restrained his feelings. Like a child biting his lips in an effort not to cry. Something squeezed inside his heart at this.

The two of them exchanged greetings and small pleasantries. As they did so, Kagami-heika stared straight to her face. His brows were furrowed as he seemed to try his best to penetrate the thick black veil in the hope that he would get a glimpse of her face. Not because he was curious of how she looks but because he wanted to confirm his suspicions.

But despite not seeing her face, Kagami-heika could once again tell that something happened. When he first met her, he could already felt a strange sort of melancholy in her. Though right at this moment, the sadness he could sense from her had increased a hundred fold. When he first met her, she was like a relative of someone whose death was as certain as the blue sky on a summer's day and she had resigned herself to it. Now, it felt like she was on mourning already.

As though, somebody-or something- had died already.

As his companion poured him tea, he told her these words: "You know, you would feel better if you just let it all go and cry",

Her head snapped upwards and Kagami-heika could hear the faint metallic sounds of the hair accessories that she probably wore underneath her veil. "What is Kagami-heika saying?",

"You're hurt, aren't you? Why don't you stop being stubborn and just cry", Kagami-heika said. His words were brusque as he turned to his head to the right to drink the tea. From the corner of his eyes, he saw her sat down and took the embroidery piece from the table where she had laid it before she poured him tea. But the hand that reached to the hoop was shaking. She was only able to touch the cloth before retracting her hands until it settled on her lap.

A soft breeze blew bringing the scent of the coming autumn. Above the pavilion, a cloud passed by shrouding the moon for a second or two. As the cloud disappeared, the shaft of moonbeam caught on a glittering water drop. Kagami-heika watched it enchanted as it fall-as if in slow motion-to her lap. Then two more followed. The angle on which they were seated amplified the beauty of her tears. Her teardrops were gleaming like jewels as it cascaded to her lap as though it was dew rain. Her upturned hands went up to her covered face and a quiet sob broke through her throat. The king turned his head away discretely. The woman's entire body was shaking but there were only quiet whimpers that left her mouth.

Kagami-heika knew that he had no talent in offering soft, gentle words and he had the feeling that it would not bring her any kind of comfort so he didn't offer any kind of encouragement. He only sat there as she cried.

Kagami-heika didn't knew how long she cried and how long he sat in silence. Not saying anything. The only sound around them were her muffled sobs and hiccups. After several moments-when she had managed to calm herself down-it was Kagami-heika who poured her tea. The tea had a sweet relaxing scent and had a golden color. When he drank it before, it was scalding hot and now its heat had softened so that it could be drank quickly and enjoy its sweetness.

He stood up and put it into the table, in front of her.

"Here, drink it. It'll calm you down", he said as he helped himself with the tea.

"Ah. I should be the one-", Teruya said standing up.

"Don't trouble yourself and just drink ", Kagami-heika said turning his head to the immediate right to the beautiful garden.

He saw her sit down and silently took the tea from the coaster. Together the two of them watched the fireflies floating like tiny fairies.

"Would you listen to the ramblings of a foolish girl?", she asked suddenly. "You see, I couldn't tell these things to anyone else",

"I don't mind", Kagami-heika said urgently. Why is that his heart is palpitating like this? The knowledge that he could have a view of a part of her heart which she had allowed no one to see made his soul soar to the sky. The truth is that he wanted to know everything about her. He wanted to know what had hurt her so much and he wanted to do something for her so that she would never again cry like that.

"Have you ever fallen in love before, Kagami-heika?", she asked solemnly.

The question surprised him but he answered truthfully. "I thought I did until I realized my feelings were not those of a lover but of a brother",

"I fell in love twice. I lost my first love before I knew my feelings so I could only mourn for his death and what might have been for us. I really thought that I would love him until the end of my days but…I fell in love again", she confessed. "But you see, he would never feel the same way for me because his heart already belongs to someone else",

There was a silence in the garden as Kagami-heika watched her clutch the cloth on her lap.

"Do you know that loving someone and never speaking a word about it is the worst torture you could inflict yourself? What's worse is that he's the closest person to me at one time. We knew and complement each other. ",

Kagami-heika's heart went out to her. He had never fallen in love before but the bittersweet tone of her voice taught him how lonely-how painful-it is to love someone.

"I had resigned myself to the fact that I would be just a friend for him-a beloved friend-but nothing more than that. I thought that I could live with it. As long as he's happy. As long as he's smiling. I could be content. Then something happened that had brought darkness in his life and he lost his carefree smile. I was powerless. I, who had vowed to myself to dedicate my life for his happiness, couldn't do anything. But what I couldn't do for him, she did easily. She was able to make him smile and believe in humanity again. She brought him back. At that time, I stayed by his side but was unable to do anything. I prayed and prayed for someone to save him. I believed that as long as he's happy then I, too, could warm myself on his light. But when she finally did what I couldn't do, I was overcome by awful feelings. Hate. Jealousy. Envy.",

There was a definite sharpness on her voice. It surprised Kagami-heika and made him shiver involuntarily.

"I hate her. How could she do it while I couldn't? Maybe if I had been able to save him, I would be loved the same way she is. Can you see how selfish I am? I thought that I could be happy to see him happy but I couldn't. To see him smile for me and only for me. To have his eyes to myself. To be loved by him. I wanted him and hate her for being able to make him happy", she said clutching her teacup tightly. "Isn't loving someone supposed to be caring for them and hoping for their happiness before your own? Maybe that's why I was not loved, my feelings were not pure. I wanted to possess him. I wanted to have his eyes and heart. That time when he was slowly being healed by her was the hardest for me. My heart was filled with jealousy and hatred that sometimes at the middle of the night, I would finger my dagger. I thought how it would feel to kill him",

Her voice was distant and cold and murderous. Kagami-heika was glad that the black veil shielded her face. No doubt that the expression on her face was the same as her voice. Just listening to it made him afraid.

"Every time I see them together, I feel like I'm going to die. Maybe if I kill him, then the pain would stop. I tried to justify my thoughts. After all, didn't he killed me first. For it felt like I was better off dead than to feel that pain", she said indifferently. "After killing him, then I would kill myself. I even have a plan",

She laughed lightly as though the plan was humorous. But her laugh didn't have any joy. Instead of bringing happiness to Kagami-heika's heart, it would brought tears on the corner of his eyes.

"I told you before that I am really close to them. He trust me. It would be easy to kill him. That's the kind of person I am. A hateful, detestable woman who cared only for herself. And now, I lost him completely. But how could I lost him when I never even have him",

She looked up and said quietly with all the self-loathing she had kept inside her soul.

"This part of me… that hopes despite knowing that it is for nothing. That couldn't help but still love him",

Let no one who loves be called unhappy.

Even love unreturned has its own rainbow.

{J.M. Barrie}

"Don't be an idiot", the king suddenly said. Kuroko-himegimi snapped her attention back to Kagami-heika. He was looking at her and maintaining eye contact despite not seeing her eyes. "You're not selfish. The fact that you are here now is a proof of that. You were able to pull yourself out before doing anything harsh. That's a sign of incredible strength. My teacher said that grief is like a reward. It only comes to those who are capable of loving until nothing is left to them. You are here now, miserable, means that you had never confessed to him right?",

She could only nod absentmindedly.

"In order to avoid hurting him, you kept everything to yourself. To love expecting to be loved in return is normal. And it's more normal to be bitter if your love is unrequited. The hell with your love being not pure. Loving someone also means wanting to possess them. Why are you bringing yourself down with thoughts of how awful you are? You were able to admit your weakness and stop yourself in order to avoid hurting your rival. You were able to love with everything you have. For me, you are strong and good and unselfish.",

The long rant ended in an awkward silence and as if realizing his words, Kagami-heika's face turned so red it must've hurt. A joyful giggle erupted from her lips. She laughed so much her stomach hurts. Hearing Kagami-heika's words lightened her spirits.

The bright spark of his eyes. The eyes that told her that he doesn't judge her despite confessing the darkest of her thoughts. He- He accepted her and doesn't judge her. Because of her appearance, because of her daintiness, people had a strange impression that she's some kind of angel or goddess. But Kuroko Tetsumi is not an angel. She's oftentimes selfish, cruel, petty and childish. Even her friends have the idea that she's pure and sinless. But this man, had heard her darkest thoughts and looks at her without any prejudice. She could see it in his eyes that he accepts her just as she is.

"You-I didn't really expect this in Kagami-heika's character", she said in between giggles. How could she laugh like this when moments ago, she was crying? Her emotions were in haywire. Because she was used to hiding and restraining her emotions, the moment that she allowed herself to feel, she lost control. And now, she's snorting and laughing rather inelegantly.

Where is the dainty Kuroko-himegimi now?

"What-What's that supposed to mean?", Kagami-heika asked indignantly.

"Well, Kagami-heika seems to be the rash. The obnoxious type who doesn't have a sensitive bone in his body",

"Hey!"

"But I was wrong. It's the first time that someone noticed my feelings like that apart from my mother and brother. It's also the first time that someone accepted my dark side", she said. Her voice was soft and gentle and sweet. A different kind of red adorned the king's face after hearing the tone of her voice. "Thank you, Kagami-heika. Because of Kagami-heika's words, I feel a lot better",

"How can you say such embarrassing words so easily?", Kagami-heika asked flustered beyond belief. "And what do you mean nobody noticed your depression? You've been sending that kind of vibes since the first time we met. I can actually smell your sadness and everything!"

Underneath the veil, Kuroko-himegimi's blue eyes widened. This man is…

"I see…Kagami-heika is the instinctive type. But I'm really glad that I was able to say these things. Kagami-heika is really great",

"I didn't do anything at all",

Kuroko-himegimi shook her head gently. "Kagami-heika listened to my words and encouraged me to cry. I forgot how purifying it is to simply just cry. Crying really helps. My hear feels so light now. Once again, thank you very much", she said bowing gently.

Kagami-heika turned his head away and Kuroko-himegimi found herself thinking how endearing he looked, with flushed cheeks of an embarrassed schoolboy. Although Kagami-heika has the body of a warrior with wide shoulders and strong built, he had a sensitive and pure heart. The first princess smiled softly, albeit a little sadly. How long can he keep his heart like that? As a king, he would face disappointment and he would encounter treacherous people. He would be betrayed and he would lose faith. It was Aomine-denka and Kagami-heika that people followed because t

hey see the good and trust people with everything that they've got. But a simple betrayal could break their spirit. Because they are loyal and steadfast to the people, they expect the same kind of loyalty to be returned. And sometimes that kind of expectation is a burden to the people. Moreover, people can change and not always for the better. One might start as a trustworthy vassal and end up as a rebel leader.

Kuroko-himegimi hoped that Kagami-heika's vassals would always support and protect him. Despite the short time they've spent together, she had already grown fond of the king and considers him as a friend.

Keeping her thoughts to herself, she watched him as the king suddenly stood up.

"Are you leaving now, Kagami-heika?", Kuroko-himegimi asked. Kagami-heika turned his head towards her and uncouthly yawned.

"Yeah, I'm getting a little sleepy. We have a long journey home tomorrow too",

"Tomorrow? Kagami-heika is leaving tomorrow?",

"Yeah, I'll sign the treaty and sail back to Seirin. I couldn't leave my country for too long. This might be the last time we see each other",

"I see", Kuroko-himegimi couldn't help but feel lonely. She had just gained a new friend and it's already goodbye. A strange feeling came over her and she took her handkerchief from the folds of her hanfu.

"If we'll never see each other again, I hope that Kagami-heika would keep this", she said as she handed the white cotton square to him.

Kagami-heika took the handkerchief from her white hands. As he did, their fingers brushed against each other and a strange petrifying feeling came over Kagami-heika. It flared from the area of contact until it travelled up on his arm, to his heart. The chain reaction caused a strange fluttering on his stomach and he felt himself going cold and hot at the same time. He quickly drew back his hands in embarrassment and snapped his eyes to her wondering if she felt it too.

Turning back his attention to the received item, Kagami-heika spread the handkerchief with his two hands. It was plain white and soft with embroidery of strange flowers on the lower right. The flowers looked like water lilies but with strange colouring. Some of the embroidered flowers were pure black, others were half-black and light blue and then others were pure pale blue.

"For some reason, I had the urge to embroider Black Water Lilies. Now I understand why. These flowers are special to me. They were my mother's favourite. My mother loved them so much that when she married my father, she took the flower from her homeland and planted it here. Black Water Lilies are also called Cleansing Flowers. It can grow on muddy, polluted waters and as they grew, they clean the water from pollution. At spring, the flower buds were pure black but when summer arrived, it turns pale blue and gives off a sweet scent. Moreover, apart from cleaning the water, the flowers can be boiled and used as medicine for fever and colds. Its seeds can be eaten raw or fried with oil. The leaves and flowers can also be used as poultice to avoid infection of wounds",

"That's kind of an amazing flower", Kagami-heika said.

"In the language of flowers, it gives off the message: Trials are opportunities to be something better, Never give up and Turning weaknesses into strength. In the future, Kagami-heika would encounter tribulations and defeat. I hope that he'll remember that Black Water Lilies turn the pollution into medicine and that trials are opportunities for perfection",

Kagami-heika nodded and said "I'll never forget",

"Farewell, Kagami-heika. Please be a good king. I want to see the kind of country Kagami-heika would create out of Seirin", Teruya said bowing deeply her arms inside the sleeves of her hanfu.

"Thank you, Teruya. Even though it was for a short time, I was able to learn many things from you. Don't belittle yourself anymore okay? It's not your fault that he couldn't love you. You are not lacking in anything", Kagami-heika before he bowed his head.

When he finally straightened up, he looked down to the veiled woman. He knew that they were looking at each other. Kagami-heika uttered the last word.

"Goodbye". There were no words left between the two of them. After all, aren't they strangers who met one lonely night when the seasons are starting to change?

And slowly, gently, Teruya turned around to walk to the Moon Gate which will take her further to the Inner Courts. Kagami-heika, with heavy feet, went to the other direction which will take him to the Outer Court where he is temporarily residing.

In that dark night, when the moon was silver and round and the air was getting chilly and fragrant, the two exchanged their farewells.

The sound of silk on the ground.

The feeling of the soft handkerchief on his palm.

The cloud that for a moment blocked the moon and created a shadow on Kagami-heika's form.

These were the memories he would carry to Seirin.

Against his better judgement, he stopped walking and looked back.

Her small figure was covered by a thick veil from the wide-brimmed hat. In that moment, the wind blew and it raised the veil until he could see her white hanfu and pale blue hair.

The same color as the Black Water Lilies.

He still didn't got the chance to see her face but his heart was suddenly seized with a fierce longing he couldn't describe. This would be their final meeting. And because of that, he wanted to stop her. He wanted more time with her. He wanted to know more about her. To listen to her voice and hear her soft laughter. To be scolded by her and learn things from her. To see the passing of each season with her. It was then that he realized what he was feeling. Something was just being born inside him but now is seeing its death.

This is goodbye. What he wished for would no longer happen.

Now the truth finally sink in.

The cloud that covered the moon to cast a shadow on his form moved and he was again in the light. As if a spell had been broken, Kagami-heika opened his mouth.

To call her name. To tell her to stop. To ask her to stay with him and never walk away again.

Don't go. Don't go. This place. I'll take you far away. I'll fill your days with laughter and protect you from everything that will hurt you. I wanted to be always there for you.

I don't want to say goodbye. I am just starting to get to know you.

But before his vocal chords work, Teruya disappeared as she crossed the Moon Gate. It was as if he had been punched in the stomach by ten men at the same time. Kagami-heika slowly closed his mouth. His fierce red eyes softened and his face-already good-looking in its clear lines-became even more devastatingly handsome as an expression of soft anguish passed on it for the first time.

His face never had this expression before. When his father died, he was filled with anger and his heart was full of thirst for revenge. When he lost some battles, he experienced disappointment and frustration to himself as well as grief for the soldiers he had lost. He experienced many loss, many sadness, many painful things but never like this.

Nobody was against him this time. Except fate.

Because she is a royal concubine and before that, her heart belongs to another man. He wondered how she ended up in the harem in the first place. Did she thought she would forget everything if she become the king's wife? But why does it matter anymore?

How come your body belongs to Akashi Seijuro? How come your heart belongs to another man? If you had already separated yourself these many times, what part could I have to myself?

How come the very moment I realized what I feel for you is also the moment you disappeared?

His fist tightened to the soft, cotton on his hand and he raised it to his face.

Nothing is left except those memories and this piece of cloth.

It still bears her scent. A clear, sweet scent.

This would be his treasure. A precious memento of the woman who had first moved his heart.

I haven't even seen your face. Yet how could I imagine going on to the speed of this world without you?

Kagami-heika softly said, "Farewell, my unrequited first love". He stared for a moment to the direction, she disappeared to and shook his head. The truth was, he wanted to follow her. But there things in this world that we couldn't have and Kagami-heika was aware that Teruya is one of them.

As he walked back to his room, he cursed himself. Why now? It would be less painful if I never realize my feelings. Maybe this isn't love. How could I fall in love with a woman whose face I had not seen? But if what I'm feeling is not love, why does it hurt so much? This feeling of loss and despair, this can only be one thing.

A bitter smile spread to his lips. "I'm sorry. I finally understand Teruya", he said silently. How lucky you are. You're the one that got away. But still, thank you. Because of you, I had learned what love is.

To love someone is to wish for their best even if it is your worst.

My heart has left its dwelling place

And can return no more

{John Clare}

The two rulers sat facing each other. The king of Seirin read through the words in the treaty carefully. It contains a simple agreement. Teiko would lower the tariff of goods from Seirin. They would also be allies in war. If a country attack Seirin, Teiko would send reinforcements to help Seirin and vice versa. Seirin would also be able to borrow money from Teiko government with a relatively lower interest from normal borrowing rates. The Right Minister Hyuga had read through it and approved its contents. All that is left is to stamp their seal on it. Teiko had already done so; at the end of the treaty was a glowing red and gold mark, not made of ink, but of magic. The words Servant to the People: Emperor of Teiko was clearly visible. The Emperor had used the Heavenly Phoenix Seal to show his sincerity. As Kagami-heika's hands passed through the seal, he could feel the power of Akashi Seijuro.

So this is the man, Teruya had decided to follow despite loving another.

After getting to know Teruya, his view of Akashi Seijuro changed. Before he was angry at the Teiko's 15th Emperor but after exploring Akashi city, he couldn't help but admire and respect him for what he did and what he is doing at Teiko. It is no doubt that Akashi Seijuro is a great emperor. But after Teruya, he couldn't help but envy Akashi Seijuro because he had a woman like Teruya by his side or more precisely, he had Teruya by his side.

For Teruya is the kind of woman who is more than any jewels in the world.

Yet Kagami-heika couldn't help but wonder. Does Akashi Seijuro know that one of his woman is in love with another man?

"Is there something wrong, Kagami-heika?", Akashi-shujo asked.

"N-no! Nothing is wrong", Kagami-heika stuttered. He turned to his side and nodded his head. Right Minister Hyuga took the case containing the Heavenly Tiger Seal. The equivalent of Heavenly Phoenix Seal to Seirin. He exerted his magic on the case and it opened. The exquisite workmanship that Seirin was once proud of was clearly visible in the small sculpture of the tiger with red eyes. It was made of rose gold and had a red tint on it in comparison to the Heavenly Phoenix Seal which is pure yellow gold. The king took it carefully and once again exerted his magic on it. This was actually only the second time he used the seal. The first time was when he was inaugurated as the king of Seirin. The metal felt cold but incredibly familiar to him. He could feel the spirits of Seirin calling on to him. He sighed deeply to feel that the spirits were not admonishing him but was happy with his decision to form an alliance with the Emperor of Teiko.

He carefully stamped it to the two scrolls beside the Teiko's Imperial Seal. Two scrolls were made so that both countries have a copy. The king lifted the seal and the words Servant to the People: King of Seirin was shining in black and red glow.

"Congratulations Akashi-shujo, Kagami-heika. May this be the start of a long and peaceful relationship between the two countries!" Teiko's ministers and Seirin's ministers said simultaneously.

"So Kagami-heika is leaving Teiko soon?", Akashi-shujo asked as they strolled out of the building. Their ministers formed a straight line behind them, far enough to not overheard.

"Yea… Yes, I couldn't leave the throne for too long", the king said a little awkwardly.

"That's too bad. We had prepared a feast for you but responsibilities must never be abandoned", the Emperor remarked. They reached the entrance to the royal stable where Tama, the Fire Tiger, and the other Seirinian Ministers' Pegasus was resting.

The two stopped in front and Kagami-heika was preparing to bow, expecting the emperor to do so too. But he was surprised to see a hand extended to him.

Akashi-shujo was softly smiling as he said "Thank you for agreeing with this treaty because of this many lives would be saved. We know that Kagami-heika will be encountering many bad comments because of this but we would like to say that Kagami-heika made the right choice. We promised that we would not betray the contents of this treaty so we could only hope that never again would we discuss the possibility of war between the two of us",

Kagami-heika looked at his sincere expression and smiled.

"Yes", he answered taking the emperor's hand and shaking it with a tight grip.

When the two let go of each other's hands. Kagami-heika opened his mouth, hesitating if he should say it.

"Is there something more that Kagami-heika would want to say?", the Emperor asked.

"It's not my business. But could you… visit your consort named Teruya. She's really lonely and hurting because she had to let go of her-of someone important to her. If you could provide her company, I'm sure she'll be grateful", Kagami-heika asked turning his cheek away and was blushing lightly like a little boy asking for a favour.

Akashi-shujo's brows furrowed in confusion as though not understanding his words. "Consort…Teruya?",

"Yeah, she was really upset and was crying last night", Kagami-heika said with hestitation. "Perhaps you could bring her some kind of gift",

Akashi-shujo looked at the tall, warrior-king in front of him. There are no concubines or servants in the Inner Court who has the name Teruya. Nor does any female ministers in the Outer Court. The only woman who has that name was…

"Kagami-heika said that she was crying last night?", Akashi-shujo asked quietly. "Did Teruya said anything why she was crying?"

"Well, she did but I couldn't tell you. It's her secret and she'll tell you if she wanted", the king said stubbornly with his fierce red eyes to him.

The emperor was silent for a moment and he asked "Did she cry in front of you?",

"Y-yeah?",

Akashi-shujo could see the king was getting confused and a little bit intimidated.

But a loving smile made its way to the Emperor's mouth. It was endearing and the intimidating aura that the Emperor had softened drastically.

"Don't worry, Kagami-heika", Akashi Seijuro-shujo said brightly. "I will do so".

The smile seemed to surprise Kagami-heika but the warmth and sincerity of it assured him. The king nodded and said "I guess, this is farewell then Akashi-shujo",

The two leaders would have no reason to meet in the future once again since any problems between the two countries could be settled by their respective ambassadors.

"We have a feeling that this would not be the last time we meet, Kagami-heika. So we would say until the next time", Akashi-shujo answered.

Akashi-shujo watched the Seirinians leave to the sky. Kagami-heika's tall form was clearly visible as he rode the legendary Fire Tiger.

My strong sister who had not cried since the death of her parents. Who had kept her pain to herself for the last decades. Who had tried to busy herself with philanthropic works so that she would have no time to remember. She who had smiled in the wedding of the man she loves with her everything . Whose mask of indifference was a legend even among those outside Teiko.

My beloved sister. My poor sister who could never have what she desired and who could never reveal anything.

Had decided to show her heart to a man she had only met.

Perhaps Kagami-heika would be capable to do something that I can't.

Akashi-shujo turned to his servant and said "Send a message to the White Orchid Quarters. I will visit my sister",

The White Orchid Quarters stands five hundred meters away from the Gate of Supreme Purity, the gate that separates the Inner Court and the Outer Court. It was a large court surrounded by thick walls. The White Orchid Quarters is equipped with its very own stable, kitchen and bathing area. As the residence of an Imperial Princess, its roof was not painted with red nor was it in pink like the normality for Imperial Princesses. Instead the bricks of the main building, where Kuroko-himegimi lives, are black.

Black is the color of water and the only quarters in the palace where the roof is black are the Clothing Room and the Library. Since the contents of the said rooms were highly flammable, painting the roof with black was supposed to drive away the spirits that could bring fire.

But black is also the color of the Kuroko Clan, so when Akashi-shujo gave the quarters to his sister, he allowed the roof to be painted in black,

The White Orchid Quarters was also called White Orchid Pavilion or Winter Pavilion since the princess that inhabits it is the Winter Beauty of the Four Great Beauty of Teiko. It was given the name because its garden was filled with White Orchids that came from the Far West called Vanilla. Kuroko-himegimi loved anything with vanilla. She regularly drinks Vanilla Milk Tea and she uses the fragrance as her perfume.

Apart from the dazzling collection of different vanilla species in the garden of White Orchid Quarters, there were also great cherry and plum trees. A large pond filled with colourful koi fishes was near the garden pavilion Kuroko-himegimi waited for the arrival of her brother as she continued on her embroidery.

"His Imperial Majesty has arrived!",

Kuroko-himegimi stood up and kneeled with her right hand above her left in front of her face.

"Welcome to the White Orchid Quarters, Shujo", she said in her monotonous voice.

"Rise", the Emperor ordered.

She rose gracefully, her silk skirts creating crinkling sounds. The two faced each other and both smiled warmly. It's been quite a while when they last faced each other like this. Akashi-shujo had been incredibly busy with the affairs of the state and the same could be said for Kuroko-himegimi. The Emperor tenderly took his sister's hand and the two sat together.

"It's been too long since we last spent time like this", Akashi-shujo said after shooing the retinue that usually followed him. The two were looking at the garden where the trees were still crowned with green leaves. Soon, autumn will arrive fully and the leaves will turn to red and gold.

The red and gold trees in autumn alongside cloudless full moon. When winter arrives, the leaves will fall and White Orchid Pavilion will be covered with pure white snow. In late winter, the plum trees would blossom and when spring arrives, the cherry blossoms would follow alongside many flowers planted in the garden. And when summer comes, the garden would be inhabited by fireflies and cricket and the pond would be filled with blooming waterlilies and magnolias.

He had given his favourite sister this place because of he knew that Kuroko-himegimi loves the nature and the changing of season. Moreover, this place is really near with the Inner Court library and the Outer Court library.

"I was thinking that Akashi-shujo had forgotten this place already", Kuroko-himegimi teased.

Akashi-shujo chuckled lightly and shook his head.

"If only we weren't brothers and sisters! Fate had been really cruel to us, don't you think?"

"Please stop talking like that, Akashi-shujo. Many people were already gossiping that the reason Akashi-shujo have no Empress and sleeps with no women or men is because we had a relationship deeper than brothers and sisters", Kuroko-himegimi reprimanded.

Akashi-shujo closed his eyes and sighed. "We don't want to repeat the same mistake that our esteemed late father had made",

Akashi Sentoshi, the Fourteenth Emperor of Seirin, was, in no doubt, a good emperor. He had married Kuroko Chie, who he loved deeply and more ardently than any man could love a woman. But despite his feelings for Empress Chie, he had many noble consorts and concubines. He used these women to cement alliances with nobles and also because Empress Chie was thought to be infertile. Because of that, he had many children. Ten sons and Eight Daughters. After Emperor Sentoshi's unfortunate sudden death followed by Empress Chie, the princes started fighting each other for the throne and started the Succession Wars that went for eight years. The war had brought all sorts of destruction to Teiko and had nearly bankrupted the government. That was the kind of scenario that Teiko was facing when Akashi Seijuro-shujo ascended to the throne.

Because of that, Akashi-shujo was immensely wary of marrying or taking any woman as his concubine. It is true that the palace was filled with women that were picked all around Teiko every ten years but these women were for show only. A way to show the power and wealth of Teiko, the same way a woman wear jewelry. Akashi-shujo never touched these women and because these so-called concubines remained virgins, they could leave the Inner Courts after their tenure of ten years.

If they decided to leave, they would be given enough gold that they could use as dowry because they were allowed to marry another man. And those ten years they spent inside the court was not for naught, inside the Inner Courts they were taught etiquette, arts, culture or anything that they may wish. The truth is that seventy percent of the women who were ministers in the Outer Court had once been concubines. Many women who were business owners or great artisans were also once concubines.

At this time, Akashi-shujo still had no legitimate Empress nor does he have any child.

"Kagami-heika left this morning", Akashi-shujo said after a long silence. Kuroko-himegimi stopped for a moment as she punctured the needle in the cloth. The cloth was red silk and the pattern on the silk were a golden phoenix.

"I see…", she said, continuing in her embroidery.

"Did you know that Kagami-heika told us that we should visit our beloved consort named Teruya who was crying her heart out last night?", Akashi-shujo said in a suggestive manner.

The comment surprised the otherwise unflappable princess and she had accidently pricked herself with the embroidery needle. She hissed softly and was about to take her hand to her mouth when Akashi-shujo grabbed it.

The emperor brought her soft hand to his mouth and he, himself, sucked on the wound affectionately. All the while staring at his sister's eyes. A small look of disapproval decorated her beautiful face.

"That's unsanitary, shujo", Kuroko-himegimi complained as she withdrew her hand.

"It is our fault that you got hurt so, at least, we should take responsibility", Akashi-shujo said, his red eyes gleaming with mischief.

Kuroko-himegimi sighed before taking a plain cotton handkerchief and wiping her brother's saliva from her finger.

"Let's go back to Kagami-heika", Akashi-shujo said nonchalantly, as though he didn't just sucked on his sister's hands a while ago.

"Kagami-heika exaggerates", Kuroko-himegimi said.

So she didn't deny it. Akashi-shujo thought.

"So Tetsumi had met the Tiger King. What's your impression on him?"

"He's hot-tempered, proud and naïve. He blurted things without thinking first and more prone to follow his heart before his head. He's also rash and makes decisions at the spur of the moment. But he's also surprisingly sensitive to other people's feelings and had powerful instincts. He also admits to his faults easily and is committed in changing himself for the better. He cares deeply for his people and is prepared to face their anger instead of leading them to their destruction. He's rough around the edges but his heart is in the right place. If he had a good, calm, rational person by his side who could match and subdue his fierce temperament, he would be a good king. An Enlightened Leader",

As expected, she was able to know him from just a short while. Akashi-shujo thought.

"We have the same impression. If all goes well, Seirin would be a great kingdom and powerful ally in the future. But of course, that's only theoretical. Many things could happen", Akashi-shujo stated in a matter of fact voice. "He could be betrayed by the people he trust and lost his will to rule…", Like Daiki. That was left unsaid. Because if it weren't for Kise Ryoko, Too would be in tatters right now.

"We both know that he's the kind of ruler that could frighten the wolves in the day but is helpless as a baby against the snakes of the night. He couldn't see the traps laid in the dark and is too kind to really punish anyone. He could only wage battles for those who confront him straight-on. But, as we both know, the easiest enemies to defeat are those who declares themselves as our enemies and the most frightening are those who masquerade as our allies only to stab our backs. He doesn't have the stomach to fight underhandedly but sometimes, one must do so to avoid a larger casualty in the future. In order to do great things, one must be ruthless and show no mercy", Akashi-shujo voiced out. "Daiki has Imayoshi Shouichi and Momoi Satsuki to strike the enemies of the dark and the snakes on the grass. Shintaro has the Hawk Princess". Akashi-shujo had once been the one who watched over Midorima-denka before he had the Hawk Princess and is currently still looking after Murasakibara Atsushi.

The Emperor could still remember how effectively and mercilessly the Hawk Princess had disposed of few assassins that were targeting the Lord of Shutoku without anyone knowing it. One morning, a minister was a threat and the next morning, that very minister was left hacked and in pieced inside his room. It sends shivers down the Emperor's spine. That was a real blow to those who seek to harm Midorima Shintaro. And the best part was that no one knew or suspected who did it since everybody believed the angelic façade of the Hawk Princess who enchants everyone with her carefree smiles and sweet, childlike gestures. And she was only twelve at that time.

"Atsushi has the support of the Emperor and Ryoko has herself", Akashi-shujo finished.

In terms of ruthlessness and deviousness, Kise Ryoko could rival the Emperor and his sister. She may camouflage herself as a flighty butterfly but those who underestimate her found themselves in tight spots. In a manner of speaking, the Emperor would sometimes simply crush fingers and Kise Ryoko would always chop the fingers of those who hurt her and her principality whether directly or indirectly. After all, chopping one finger is still more effective in bringing terror than simply injuring the ten. She would crush her enemies and pound them to the ground until they could no longer avenge themselves or pose another threat.

"Why are we stating the obvious, shujo?", the Imperial Princess asked. "We have no more business in the management of Seirin, to do so would bring dislike and disapproval of Seirinians. Isn't that what we're trying not to obtain?"

Kuroko-himegimi stared straight to her brother's eyes. The red eyes of the Phoenix Emperor were earnest and his mouth was set in a straight line. He was serious in whatever he was about to say.

"We had invested too much into Seirin's future and we don't want this venture to result for a loss for us. If something could go wrong, we would have lost too much. We would rather have a prosperous kingdom as our ally than a liability that could bring us down",

The Emperor took his teacup and sipped on the tea gracefully. He set it down and once again gazed at his sister's pale blue eyes. He loved his sister's eyes. Large and Resolute framed with long, thick colorless lashes. He could see his own reflection on those eyes.

These eyes that for decades had became dead and lonely. And when it wasn't blank, it would be filled with pain that seemed to pierce through his very heart. How long had she suffered?

No more. Akashi-shujo was powerless to protect her from the pain of loving but perhaps… perhaps…

When fate had sought to punish you when you are innocent

When you could no longer fight and too tired to protect yourself

The only thing to do is escape.

For the first time in a long, long while, Akashi Seijuro's decision was not those of Akashi-shujo, the Emperor of Teiko but of Sei-aniue, the older brother of Kuroko Tetsumi once known as Akashi Teruya.

He would paved the way for her to escape the land where she had suffered on her unrequited love.

Perhaps Kagami Taiga, the man she had allowed to view her moment of weakness, could be the person to heal her and make her smile and laugh once again.

" Tetsumi, my beloved sister. I want you to marry Kagami Taiga and become the Queen of Seirin",

AUTHOR'S NOTES

I hoped everyone is used to the honorific that I used in this story now. If anyone is confused, the previous chapters have the translation and explanation for Shujo, Heika, Himegimi etc. There's really no serious translation for this chapter and I'm too lazy for putting one.

If anyone have any questions, please feel free to drop a word and I will clarify it. I would also like to apologize for the late update. Many things had happened in my life for the past two months. The good news is that I passed everything that I took last semester (slightly bragging: No grades lower than 2.50 or no grades lower than 80). The bad news is that: I couldn't enroll for this semester due to financial problems. Also, the late update was also because my netbook's adapter was broken. I have to buy a new universal adapter.

Right now, I am searching for a temporary-six-months at the most-job. I am thinking of going into the call-center business since hopefull, in the next semester in June, I would be able to study again.

But fear not, those who love this story. I will try my best to finish it and the story is really mapped inside my head right now and I had written notes of it.

On the other hand, I was really devastated by the wreckage brought by the locally named Typhoon Yolanda( International Name: Haiyan). I literally shed tears watching it in the news. But Filipinos are resilient and it would take more than that to bring us down. I am also rather sad by the turmoil of our government. I mean, they are fighting among themselves while people of Leyte and Samar were suffering. Pointing at each other and blaming each other. It really disgust me.

I would like all to think about the effects of Typhoon Yolanda as something that would regularly happen in a country with a vacant throne. In my story, Ai Monogatari, if there are no legitimate ruler who had been accepted by the spirit of the land, these things would happen. That's why people prefer an insipid ruler than none at all.

I'm sorry for the long rant but as you can all see, the future wife of Akashi-shujo is already out. I personally loved AkaFuri. Even before the latest chapters. I really screamed and twist in my seat when I read it. Really a Chihuahua and a Lion? Why am I getting something of a Twilight Reference? The mind of a fujoshi is really something isn't it?

OH YEAH! TODAY (DECEMBER 4) IS MY BIRTHDAY SO HAPPEEE BIRTHDAY TO ME!

You know, ten years ago, I thought that by the time that I reached this age I would be this mature, elegant lady. But personally, I think that nothing had changed. Except this time, I am a fujoshi. Because ten years ago, I was an innocent girl who had no clue what yaoi is and have no idea how two men could do it. But two years ago, reading Fifty Shades… doesn't surprise me at all. I mean, I had seen more intense thing in a yaoi manga and doujinshi. I think that Japanese are still slightly more creative (or perverted) than their western counterparts.

And for anyone wanting to read something life-changing, please read THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by JOHN GREEN. I mean really. Why can't I write like that? The thing that strikes me the most is the quote that goes: We have no control on how hurt we will be but we have a choice on who will hurt us. Can you see his genius in that line? The last time I was like this was when I read ELEVEN MINUTES and VERONIKA DECIDES TO DIE by PAULO COELHO who is a genius in his own right.

Anyways, to those who put these story in their Favorites, Alerts etc: Thank you very much but I would prefer if you would also SAY. SOMETHING.!

And to those who said something, to those who reviewed:

To NuramagoFan: Okay, I'll admit something. The universe of Ai Monogatari was originally for a story called THE SHINING EMPRESS. It was an AkaKuro/AkaFem!Kuro story. The story goes like this, Empress Chie and Emperor Sentoshi never met. Instead Sentoshi married some other woman and because of that Akashi and Kuroko are not siblings. Kuroko was born as a boy and his mother Kuroko Chie was killed in the Succession Wars. Because of this, he swore his allegiance to Akashi and the two fell in love with each other. But on Akashi's coronation, Kuroko was killed. Kuroko had known about the assassin. He had a choice if he would save his own life, Akashi would die so he decided to let himself be killed. But Kuroko also knew that Akashi would go bonkers without him, so he performed a forbidden ritual which would seal his memories into his soul so that when he was reborn, he would remember Akashi when he reached the age of majority. He wrote a letter to Akashi saying this and Akashi was left with the promise that they would again. Then he was reborn, in Seirin… as the younger sister of Kagami.(Oh yeah, Kagami was a girl there). But when Kuroko's memories came back, he had an identity crisis. Was he Kuroko Tetsuya, the shadow of Akashi Seijuro or was he Kagami Teruko, the younger sister of Kagami Taiga? Deciding that he couldn't abandon his past, he sailed with Fem!Kagami to Teiko. Only to find out that Akashi had already married and was waiting for the birth of his first child. (Since it's Fem!Kagami, Fem!Kagami would also met Aomine and Aomine would fall in love with her at first sight). Fem!Kuroko not wanting to intrude anymore to what looked like a peaceful family, decided to live as Kagami Teruko. The two Kagami sister returned to Seirin and Fem!Kuroko helped Kagami become the leader of Seirin. When all else were peaceful, something would happen that would spark a war against Seirin and Teiko. Fem!Kuroko would sail to Teiko and met Akashi face-to-face. Akashi would recognize Fem!Kuroko at once. He would test Fem!Kuroko and when he confirmed that Fem!Kuroko remembered their past, he would be angry because he thought Fem!Kuroko had betrayed him and had became his enemy. He would threaten the Fem!Kuroko that he would destroy the still recovering Seirin and he would only drew back his troops for one condition. Fem!Kuroko knew that Akashi would do it and she would say 'Anything'. Akashi would demand that she, Fem!Kuroko: Kagami Teruko enter his harem and be his 'woman'. And so, Fem!Kuro would be a concubine and later everything would be cleared. Akashi was actually waiting and pinning over her and he only married for politics etc. More political intrigue and Fem!Kuro would rise to the position of Honored Concubine when she 'shared' the bed with Akashi. She would be promoted to Consort… to Noble Consort…and Royal Consort when she gave birth to a son. The problem would start with Akashi's first son with the OC!Empress. Akashi didn't designate the Crown Prince to his firstborn and wanted to give the position to his son with Royal Consort Kuroko. Anyways, more political intrigue until the OC!Empress was ousted from her position. Royal Consort Kuroko would become Empress Teru or the Shining Empress. She would become a great and virtuous Empress who would sponsor many charity and whose works to the public would be legendary. Akashi and Kuroko would have three more sons and two daughters. Their firstborn son would be the Emperor and their daughter would marry the son of Kagami and Aomine and their second daughter would marry Kise! All in all, it would be happy ending. So yeah, that was written in Akashi x Kuroko and Aomine x Kagami phase. While I still like the two pairings, I realized that I'm still KagaKuro, AoKise and FuriAka fan. I'm sorry for the long summary but there you go. There's still MidoTaka and MuraHimu there. I'm sorry for not writing it but there you go. I hope it satisfy your craving.

To Kirie Mitsuru: Wow, thank you for regularly reviewing. I'm sorry for making you cry and everything but I hope that you enjoy this chapter too. And the answer to your question is out in the open. Yeah its AkaFuri! Aomine-denka didn't actually know that he was for Kuroko-himegimi, he knew that he was destined for someone else but he didn't knew it was Kuroko-himegimi. He didn't noticed Kuroko-himegimi's feelings because 1) Kuroko-himegimi is an expert on hiding her emotions. 2) Kuroko-himegimi actually distanced herself away from him and Kise-hime when she realized that the possibility of Aomine-denka loving her back is in negative numbers. Oh yeah, look at my italicized reply to NarumagoFan to satisfy some AkaKuro feels.

To Aotsuki Rieko: Thank you for reviewing. I hope that you would also drop a word for this chapter. Also, thank you for appreciating my story's often time's too much details (I'm trying to tone it down! Honestly!) and saying it's your favourite. I hope this chapter is also to your liking. This chapter also revealed the dark side of Kuroko-himegimi's love but I hoped I made it believable. Some unrequited love would often times become hatred when it become too much. The feeling of hurting those who hurt you is instinctive. Like a wounded animal striking those who approached it. And I had also loved one-sidedly and I couldn't help bad-mouth her girlfriend sometimes because (I'm really not proud of this), I felt really bitter. Thankfully, I didn't do anything drastic and was able to distance myself. Those who love too much. I guess they could understand that. I'm glad that you were able to put yourself on Kuroko-himegimi's shoes and felt her emotions.

To coldforest: Thank you for reviewing once again. Your words really encouraged me. He wasn't in this chapter much himself, but still, Akashi, it seems, can be the sweetest brother ever. That's what you said but… IKR. Akashi-shujo really cares for Kuroko-himegimi because they grew side-by-side. Akashi's mother died early and he was adopted by the Empress. Please drop a word or two for this chapter.

To Sleix: Thank you for reviewing! I am really flattered by the words that you used especially when you said that sometimes you would find yourself skimming through some uninteresting words and I totally understand! I was also glad that you were able to appreciate its complexity. I know that I confuse many people with the jumping of different perspective and time-frame but the truth is that I could see my novel-not as a novel-but as a manga or a movie or a drama series. You know, I sometimes could hear the tracks playing as I write the scenes or see the panels like in a manga. I personally swear by Twelve Kingdoms. I'm really disappointed that it was discontinued. I want to know what happened with Taiki and Gyousou. And to your question if I would recommend Color Cloud Palace, my answer is: HELL YES! I love Saiunkoku or Color Cloud. It has every element that I want. Politics. Romance. Historical. Bishies. And a strong, likeable female lead who actually does something! And if you're into manga, I would recommend Anatolia Story or Red River, the female lead is a bad-ass and it has a good, steady if not slightly tragic (but the main pairing ended up together) storyline. The female lead of Anatolia Story is in my friend's words: A female Naruto. Imagine her character! Please review again!

To hitomi65: Thank you for appreciating and reviewing my work. I hope that you also liked this chapter. Please watch out for more!

To Ginpachi-sensei: This story has a good ending, I swear! But of course, love is not a victory march. There are many tribulations and angst standing in everyone's way. But c'est la vie, we couldn't know happiness if we don't know pain. I would also reveal Ogiwara and Kuroko-himegimi's past in the distant future! So please watch out. I hope you would also review this chapter.

To TheUndertaker-27: I'm really sorry for making you sad but as I said to Ginpachi-sensei, we couldn't know happiness without knowing pain. Don't worry, there would be a bright distant future for Kuroko-himegimi! Please review once again!

To herondalefan: I hope that you like this chapter! Thank you for reviewing . If you can, drop a word again. Because reviews are author-san's food!

To Fujoshi04: I'm sorry but I guess I couldn't fulfil your wish. Even if I also love AkaKuro, this story is really AkaFuri and KagaKuro. To satisfy some AkaKuro feels, I included a scene that I was hesitating to add (the finger-sucking thing between the two siblings). If you want more please read my italicized reply to NarumagoFan. But I can promise some Ogiwara x Kuroko in the future chapters but it happened in the past. If you can understand what I mean! I'm thankful that you appreciates my works and the effort I poured on it. Please review once again!

To Guest who reviewed on Oct.17: Thank you for review. I finally revealed Akashi-shujo's love interest. I hope you like him (her) coz Akashi-shujo's future is with Furihata. I hope you would review again and write your name so I can thank you properly.

To Kohaku Teina: Thank you for seeing what I meant when I said I could see the story being laid out like a movie because I really do see it like that. AoKise is like… fourth of my favourite pairings in KnB. I still prefer KagaKuro, FuriAka and Midotaka over it. The truth is that AoKise pairing in this story for me is a little lacklustre. I actually started at their happy ending and I apologize for that. Anyways, you shower me with too much praise that I am actually blushing. I passed all of my subjects. I am taking B.S. Accountancy and that course requires us to not have grades lower than 2.50 so I have to maintain my grades above 80. I am rather upset because my GPA was lower than my last sem. Oh and winning the NCAA! Hell YEAH! ANIMO LA SALLE! But unfortunately, I was not able to watch it because I was taking my last exam. Tch. Anyways thank you for regularly reviewing. I hope that you like this chapter too. Drop a word or too again, will you?

To Blank Angel: Wow, you're really gushing. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter too. It was rather natural for Kagami-heika to infer that Kuroko-himegimi because she is a woman and inside the Inner Court. Kagami-heika didn't researched enough to know that Akashi-shujo has younger sisters who are living inside the Inner Courts. The tradition is that once the new Emperor ascends his siblings would have to leave the palace but Akashi-shujo defied it by allowing his four younger sisters to remain at the palace. It is justifiable how Kagami-heika had no idea that she's an Imperial Princess. So please forgive Kagami-heika for his baka-ness. And to confirm, indeed Takao-hime had silver eyes and black hair. My mistake! I was actually thinking of dark brown but I'm sorry for confusing you. Indeed, there is something going on with Midorima-denka and Takao-hime. And about Kagami-heika's wife, I guess the answer is out now! Please watch out for more chapters. Please drop a review for me on how you see this chapter.

To Arius the Heretic: OMG, your words sent me soaring to the sky. It's just too much! Really! While I couldn't promise anything since nobody knows what will happen in the future (I could go outside and get hit by a meteor and die), I would try my best to fulfil my promise. And hey, I'm an aspiring accountant. Integrity is the foundation of our profession. And I guess you're really frustrated with me now because I left you hanging again! I'm sorry. I'm sorry! I really kind of like leaving cliff hangers so please bear with me. Thank you for regularly reviewing. I hope that you will continue to do so in the future chapters.

To nhimcon: I'm sorry for confusing you at first. I hope that everything is a little bit cleared now. It's actually more than 17 years more of… 76 years of unrequited love. I'm glad that you liked the Ever Green Palace scene. I love Midorima x Takao and I have a great, story plan for them. Thank you for regularly reviewing. I hope that you would continue to do so in this chapter and the future.

To Pecha Pichuyou: Thank you for appreciating the effort I poured in this story. The thing is that I'm rather frustrated with the English translation of Japanese, Chinese and Korean honorific that's why I tend to use the original Japanese ex. Heika instead of Your Majesty, Shujo instead of Your Imperial Majesty, Himegimi instead of Imperial Princess. As I said before, I love Far Eastern Culture and I'm starting to appreciate Indian Saris etc. Please review for this chapter and the future chapters also.

To DemFeels: Wow, this is the first time you reviewed right? Welcome to the world of Ai Monogatari! I love historical dramas too and if you're interested, read Anatolia Story! That's a really awesome time-travel, historical manga. I also love good genderbending stories, emphasis on the good. My favorie KnB genderbending story is entitled The Emperor's Proposal which is AkaFem!Kuro. I think that Takao would make a cute girl. I can imagine him as a spunky, genki girl who's popular among both gender and incredibly friendly with gazillion of friends. I think the two, Midorima and Fem!Takao would make a good pair. I also feel kind of sorry for Kuroko-himegimi in this story but sometimes, pain must be felt in order to know joy. I hope you like Kagami-heika and Kuroko-himegimi's second meeting. The answer to your question who Akashi-shujo would marry is out now. It's our dear Furi! I love Furihata Kouki because he tries his best despite his average skills. What do you think of this chapter? Please drop a review and tell me how you feel. Thank you for reviewing!

To Guest who reviewed on Nov.6: You know who you are and I'm kind of hoping to know who you are. Please tell me how to address you when you review again. I'm very flattered that you think that my story is the best KnB fanfic. I know that some people doesn't appreciate my over-detailing but I'm glad that you did. Here is the update, I'm sorry for taking too long but as we all know it… LIFE HAPPENS. Darn you real life! If only I could read and write and watch manga all the time! Thank you for reviewing and I hope you like this chapter too. Please review on this chapter too and the future chapter also.

To Princess Lady Subaru: The main characters of these story are not immortal, they have very very long life but they could still grow old and die. These happen because they have 'god's blood' on their body. For more information, read Chapter One's IMPORTANT NOTES. I hope that you like the KagaKuro interaction. Kagami-heika was not really fully able to heal Kuroko-himegimi but he was able to lighten her mood. The future is still hazy for the two of them. And yes, you're right about Furi-chan, she'll be the future empress who'll gain the title Empress Kou the Beloved. I'm really glad that you were able to appreciate my writing. Thank you for regularly reviewing and I hope that you'll drop a word or two again for this and the future chapters.

To JuliessaSora: Thank you for reviewing. I hope that you like this chapter too. I love Furi-chan to the bottom of my heart too! I also think that they are good for each other. Please review for this one chapter too and tell me how you feel about it.

ONCE AGAIN! To the 103 people who put this story in their alerts and the 74 who put it in their favorites! Please please please review!

Reviews are author-san's food and drink.

Next Chapter: Akashi-shujo would send the proposal letter offering his sister as a candidate for Kagami-heika's wife. Some violent reaction from the Generation of Miracles and the general public. Murasakibara-denka would meet a runaway, mysterious slave girl called Dragon Child.