Ok so, it's been over a year since my last update /laughs nervously but chapter 4 is finally here! Big thanks to everyone who is still reading my story :) It's a pretty short chapter though, sorry.

Not even going to bother with the disclaimer anymore.

Chapter 4

Flopping onto his bed, Kuroko Tetsuya exhaled a breath of relaxation upon sinking into the soft mattress. His aching muscles seemed to loosen up as the bluenette rolled over so that he was lying on his stomach, face pressed into a fluffy pillow.

Ahhh, I'm so exhausted.

His birthday, the previous night, had marked the beginning of spring, and today his mother had taken him around the mortal realm to fulfill his duties as the Spring God. Making the Earth bloom was not easy; it was both mentally and physically draining for the delicate teal-head.

Well the first day is always the hardest. Kuroko thought. I should work to improve my stamina some more. Perhaps I should ask Riko for some training tips. Considering the idea, he remembered the Goddess of Wisdom's Spartan training regimens and blanched. Maybe not.

Yawning, Kuroko snuggled deeper under his bed covers. Closing his eyes, he drifted away into the welcoming embrace of sleep… Maybe I'll see him in my dreams tonight…

Baby blue orbs blinked open, as Kuroko glanced at his surroundings.

This isn't my bedroom. Am I dreaming?

Gingerly raising himself to an upright position from where he had been laying down, Kuroko found that he was sitting on a carved stone bench. Turning his head without getting off the bench, he observed the landscape around him. Neatly trimmed bushes, marble statues, and glistening white ionic columns wrapped in tendrils of green ivy glowed in the soft twilight. Illuminated in the center of scene was a golden fountain with streams of water jetting into the sky, the droplets shining like ambrosia dust. Leading up to the fountain was a thin winding path lined with benches similar to the one he was sitting on. Rose bushes, grape vines, and multicolored wildflowers adorned the lush green landscape.

It looks familiar though…

Looking in the other direction he saw the veranda that led into the Great Hall of Mount Olympus and realized, Ah, this is the garden outside the Great Hall of Mount Olympus, where I met him.

From behind, someone blew into his ear and whispered lightly, "Guess who, Tetsuya?"

Without turning around, Kuroko could have recognized the voice that sent shivers down his spine. Nevertheless, he turned around locking gazes with blazing eyes of crimson and gold. "Akashi-kun…"

The corner of Akashi's lip twitched upward in a playful grin, as he cocked his head to one side in an expression of smug contentment. "I'm pleased that you haven't forgotten about me, Tetsuya."

Snapping out of his daze, Kuroko stood up and backed a few feet from the smirking redhead, arms folding across his chest in a defensive gesture, "Would you please explain how you are in front of me right now. The last thing I recall was that I was sleeping."

The God of the Underworld simply responded, "You are in a dream."

So this was a dream, Kuroko mused.

But,

"Then does that mean that you are not real?" he inquired towards the redhead gazing at him.

"No, I am real; as real as you are."

"I don't understand…"

Sighing, Akashi launched into a full explanation, "Since the night I met you, I've wanted to see you, but I knew it was impossible to meet with you in person because of you mother. So, I asked Tatsuya, the God of Dreams, to allow for us to meet through this dream. Technically our physical bodies are not actually present here; they're still sleeping, but our existence within this dream is real. Think of this as a mutual lucid dream."

"Oh…" was the only response Kuroko could muster.

Changing the subject Akashi shifted closer to the teal-head, leaning his face closer until their foreheads almost bumped, "By the way, did you miss me Tetsuya? You seemed quite keen on meeting me again last time."

Leaning away from the Akashi's advances Kuroko pushed his hands in front of him in an attempt to create a length of personal space for himself. "That was before I knew you were so creepy." Kuroko deadpanned.

Creepy?

…

After a momentary silence, Kuroko wondered if he had offended the other, but instead of getting angry, Akashi, laughed full of mirth, "T-that was the first time some one called me creepy when I was trying to be charming. I can't say I'm not a little embarrassed now, but you say the most interesting things, Tetsuya,"

However, at the last word Akashi's gaze darkened a shade, as he clasped Kuroko's hands, pushing him gently down against the bench, "But I wonder if you know how a real "creep" acts?"

No answer was given, but clear blue eyes stared steadfastly into heterochromatic red and gold.

Exhaling a light sigh, Akashi placed his hand under the teal-heads back, carefully easing him back into sitting position, before sitting down himself and looking off into the distance with a wry smile. "I'm sorry, that was a question that did not need to be answered. Of course, no one would be able to get pass that infallible security system of yours, known as your mother."

"But you got past it."

Turning his head around to look at Kuroko in surprise, "Pardon?"

"You got past my mother." Kuroko repeated with a small smile.

With a low chuckle, Akashi responded, "Ah, I suppose I did, although I don't feel like I've won, since this is only just a dream." Quirking an eyebrow in a teasing manner, he continued, "You sound quite happy that I've managed to breach your security system though."

"Well, I can't help but feel a little excited. Even if this is only a dream, this is the longest I've talked alone with someone besides Momoi or Riko without having to worry about my mother intervening. As of yesterday, I've become an adult. I should be able to explore the world on my own, meet new people, enjoy an independent life. I'm tired of being caged up in my mother's presence, like a baby bird. I understand that I should be thankful for her protection and guidance but sometimes it feels…"

Looking at the teal-head who was gazing up at the stars with yearning eyes, Akashi realized that this was the most expressive he had ever see him be. Usually Akashi tuned out when others started to chat about their woes or sob stories, but this time he wanted to hear more, know more, about this mysterious God beside him.

"….What about you?" Kuroko expectantly directed his gaze towards the redheaded God.

Surprised at the sudden question, Akashi responded, "What about me?"

"What about your life? I've revealed a lot about myself tonight, but you haven't told me anything about you."

"What is it that you wish to know?"

"Tell me about your family or how you live, stuff like that."

"My family? Heh, I'm not sure that you would like to know my family history; it's not a pretty one. I will tell you the basics though, if you are so curious. I am the son of the titans Cronus and Rhea. As soon as I was born my father, Cronus, swallowed me because of a prophecy that predicted one of his children would overthrow him. He also swallowed my four brothers and sisters. The only one who escaped this fate was Vincent, who later fulfilled the prophecy by overthrowing my father, and freeing us."

Concentrating his eyes on the redheaded god whose eyes stared off vacantly in the distance, Kuroko hesitated a second before replying, "…I feel bad for complaining about my mother. I'm sorry, I didn't realize this might have been something you would have preferred not to talk about."

Akashi flashed a charming smile, "Don't feel bad; this all happened eons ago, even I can barely remember."

Feeling the need to change the subject Kuroko asked, "Then why don't you tell me about where you live? You reside in the underworld correct? I have been to Mount Olympus and the mortal realm but I've never been to the Underworld. What is it like there?"

"Oh, haven't you heard rumors about what a horrible and ghastly place it is? 'The realm of death that chills one to the bones is a place not even Gods can enter without fear.'" Akashi whispered the last phrase dangerously into the shell of Kuroko's ear.

Kuroko's face remained passive though, betraying no sign of fear."I've heard rumors, but I won't believe them until I hear that it is the truth from you."

"How wise of you. Then I will confess; the rumors are both false and true. The Underworld is both a golden paradise worthy of rivaling Mount Olympus, and a hellish pit of ultimate vengeance and despair."

Quirking an eyebrow at the contradictory answer, Kuroko inquired further, "How is the place where you live?"

Playfully, with a sly smile, Akashi replied, "I think it's best if you see it in person. Why don't you come to the Underworld with me?"

"If it were possible I would, but I think you are well aware of why I can't." The Spring God's eyes and tone were bitter as he said the last part.

Suddenly all around them, the scenery started cracking apart like broken mirror shards. "Ah, it seems like our time together is up for tonight." Akashi mused, standing up smoothly, while offering a hand to help Kuroko up in a gentlemanly gesture.

"So the dream is already over?" Kuroko asked with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"Sadly, yes. Dreams cannot last forever, you know." Kuroko sent him a glare that said I know that, I'm not a child. Chuckling a little at the petulant expression, Akashi continued, "But I will come back to visit in your dreams next night, so make sure to get plenty of sleep."

Blinking his eyes blearily, Kuroko's mind slowly drifted back to consciousness as he registered the sunlight filtering into his room. Feeling a little bit disoriented and tired, the petite Spring God stretched his arms out for a bit before pulling himself into an upright position. Running his fingers through his unruly bed hair, Kuroko wondered what time it was. A sudden tapping from the window, jarred Kuroko out of his hazy morning state and he slipped out of bed to find what the perpetrator was. Grinning from outside his window was the Sun God, Kagami Taiga.

Opening the window, Kuroko let his friend in. Since, Kagami was the Sun God, he drove his chariot around the earth each day, morning and night. Nothing escaped from his all-encompassing path, which is how he found Kuroko. Since Kuroko was young, Kagami had always popped in for brief secret friendly visits while his mother was occupied with her duties, and Kuroko was always grateful for the social contact he provided.

Letting himself into the room, Kagami greeted the Spring God with a playful hair ruffle and neck lock. "Yo Kuroko! I was looking for you at the party last night, but I couldn't find you. I heard you disappeared, and your mother went crazy looking for you. Where were you anyway?"

Struggling to get out of the arm hold, Kuroko replied in a raspy voice, "I just went out to get some fresh air since it was crowded in there. I was going to look for you too, but I couldn't find you."

Kagami, let out a hearty laugh before releasing the poor blue haired god from his powerful grip, "Oh yeah, what happened to me last night was that those two bastards, Aomine and Kise challenged me to a drinking contest,and I don't really know what happened but I must have blacked out and when I woke up the party was already over." Kuroko inwardly rolled an eye at his best friend's stupidity, but his fondness for the tall redhead manifested itself in a faint smile.

Continuing with his narrative, Kagami said, "By the way, I heard that even the God of the Underworld Akashi Seijuro showed up, which is rare because he never attends any Mount Olympus parties. Also, apparently Aomine puked on his shoes, which I really regret not being conscious to witness. I saw him this morning looking a bit banged up but the stupid bastard deserved it."

Everybody knew about Aomine and Kagami's friendly rivalry, even Kuroko (courtesy of Momoi), so even though Kagami referred to Aomine as 'that bastard', Kuroko knew it was in the fondest way. Although he'd never say that to Kagami's face.

"Anyways, what I meant to say by coming here was happy belated birthday, Kuroko!" the Sun God grabbed the smaller male into another lock hold and gave him an affectionate noogie.

Huffing a little in irritation, Kuroko replied, "I would thank you for the happy birthday but you're kind of annoying me right now."

"Come on, I'm barely using any force. You're so weak because you stay cooped up in this palace all day. You need to get out of here sometimes and become strong like me." Kagami flashed a winning smile, while flexing his bicep.

Rolling his eyes deliberately this time, Kuroko responded dryly, "You know my mother would never allow it. Speaking of my mother, she should be coming to check in on me soon so you better get out of here."

"Oh shit, that's right." Kagami cursed as he hastily slipped out the window. Looking back at the petite bluenette, he parted with one last phrase, "You know, you should really think about standing up to your mother sometime. You can't let her run your life forever." With that, he leapt back into his golden chariot and ascended back into the sky, disappearing in a streak of light.

Kuroko continued standing at the window, his eyes looking out into the garden, but his gaze empty. With a bitter smile, he thought to himself, If only it was that easy.

Kuroko turned around as he heard the click of door, signaling that someone was entering his room. It was his mother. She smiled warmly at him, "Oh Kuroko, you're awake now." Noticing the open window, she frowned a bit, "Why is the window open?"

"I just opened it because I wanted some fresh air, mother." Kuroko replied smoothly and placidly.

The worried creases on her forehead straightened, and she smiled again, "Oh if that is the case, why don't you come with me and we can do some gardening together. You will get lots of fresh air that way. And since it's still spring, I'll have to take you to the mortal realm so you carry out your duties as the God of Spring."

Closing the window, Kuroko replied, "Yes, mother."

AN : So I know it's been a while since my last update and many people thought that I had abandoned this story, but I have always intended to finish it (whether I actually will or not who knows). I just want to let you guys know that I'm still invested in this story, it's just that junior year is a real bitch and I don't really have time to write fanfiction. Hopefully, I will be able to update more once summer vacation starts!

Anyways, since it's been such a long time since I've written for this story, there are some things that I think I might change. Like Kuroko's personality for example. Rereading the previous chapters, I realized he seemed kind of Mary Sue-ish, and that's really not how I wanted to portray his character. /Sighs characterization is a pain. Well, if you guys have any feedback or suggestions or just comments in general, please review!