~Submission~

Akashi Seijuro is the meanest, most brutal and without any doubt, the most dangerous military captain to ever walk the earth's surface. He is the perfect epitome of sadism and his words are of absolute law, as accordance to him anyway, and defying him would mean an ominous and terrifying punishment probably much worse than death. Actually, death might be the better option.

Seriously if the devil is to retire and find a replacement, Akashi Seijuro is the perfect candidate.

Well, the Teiko kingdom's highest ranking captain is not really evil in a satanic way but evil nonetheless. Just an hour ago, some trainee soldiers found themselves being chucked at with a pair of dangerously glinting red scissors just because they're a minute late for training.

"Tardiness is intolerable, are you going to laze around and take your own time before defending your country when an enemy kingdom attacks? I am training you as capable soldiers not a bunch of defenseless sissies" Yep his exact words.

The soldiers, even the early birds weren't exempted with the triple amount of training from the sadistic captain.

...iOiOiOiOiOi...

"Reports?" Kuroko Tamaki, Teiko's current Ou asked as a man in his early twenties entered the castle's main meeting area after announcing his arrival. The king's wife, Joou Iori simply smiled at the young man in front, opting to not get involved in the discussion unless necessary.

Nijimura Shuzou, his Heika's right-hand and the young Ouji's self-defense tutor albeit only a few years older, bowed down in respect before facing the king to start his briefing. "We found three intruders from an enemy kingdom trying to lurk around the northern forest, now they are under interrogation. Also, the annual harvesting festival is in three weeks and the festival coordinators would want to know if you can attend the opening ceremony"

"Gather as much information from the enemies as you can and tell the coordinators that my wife and I will attend the ceremony. Is there anything else?"

"It's about Captain Akashi, Heika-sama"

"What about Seijuro?"

"He's doing it again. So far seven soldiers suffered broken bones due to immense training, another seven had quit and everyone else fears him for his sadistic ways. That guy refuses to listen to anyone and I'm afraid that if this keeps on, we might lose soldiers even before they start to serve the kingdom"

"What do you suggest we do?" The Ou asked one of his most trusted confidants. Nijimura is being considered as one of the Teiko's most brilliant minds and his logical analysis and strategic solutions had helped their kingdom a multitude of times, not to mention he had acted as the crowned prince's older brother by anything but blood.

"I suggest that Heika-sama should talk to him"

"I will do my best, despite the fact that he won't listen to just about anyone even to me" Teiko Kingdom's current Ou sighed. "Seriously, that boy is way too hard-headed sometimes"

"Then why not send Tetsuya to do the job?" The Joou finally broke her silence. Her smile filled with knowing. "If there's someone Seijuro would listen to, it's going to be my darling son"

"But my queen, sending Tetsuya there would be dangerous" The Ou tried to reason out with his wife, his overprotective fatherly side quickly taking over reasoning. No one can blame him though, the young prince is his only child and if something would happen to him, the king might do something dreadful.

"Dear, our son is growing up and he'll soon be the crowned king. It is necessary that he venture out of the secured comforts of the palace. He needed to explore his surrounding, the people he must know and the people too should know who their future ruler is"

"Still..."

"Honey, we can't just lock our son here forever. All children are bound to leave their homes someday but it doesn't mean they won't be coming back. They need to grow, he needs to grow. It's for his sake and besides this is a task only Tetsuya is capable of doing"

"I agree with mother" a soft, almost nonchalant voice filled the room as a small thud sound was heard as the door closes.

Iori stood from her chair as she welcomed her son with a hug. Tamaki also stood up and followed his wife's actions.

Nijumura having been noticed bowed his head in response to the prince. Tetsuya smiled at his tutor.

"Anyways, son, are you sure about your decision?"

"I am sure, father. It's time for me to get out and know the kingdom better. Frankly, I'm getting tired of always being cooped up and not knowing the happenings within the kingdom" Tetsuya spoke the words in a serious matter. As the next in line to the throne, his life had always been filled with too much protection that he had felt himself suffocating a couple of times. Seriously, if he hadn't sneaked out of the castle grounds that one time, he wouldn't have met Seijuro.

"All right, but you need your guards with you. I still haven't forgotten your little escapade"

"It was three years ago and I prefer no guards for this, father" Tetsuya deadpanned. "I want things to run my way"

"I can't, there might be trouble or enemies might know who you are. I am just thinking about your safety"

"I am capable of defending myself, father"

"Why don't you just have at least one of your guards with you? You can even do the choosing" Iori proposed to her son "At least in that way; someone would be there to assure your safety"

"Then I'll bring Himuro-kun along"

"That settles it. So what's your plan about Seijuro?"

"I don't know yet but I'll figure it out somehow"

"I wish you the best of luck, son"

"I'll be going now mother, father, Nijimura-sempai" That being said, the prince walked out of the room and into the stables.

...iOiOiOiOiOi...

Akashi Seijuro is clearly unsatisfied, in exception to a given few, with the trainee soldiers progress. They all lack in an area or two and being the youngest to ever gain the title of captain in the history of Teiko, the heterochromatic is clearly not happy and he is sure to voice it out to the trainees via doubling even going as far as quadrupling their training menu.

He needed strong, reliable soldiers and so far most of the trainees in his group can't even do a mere 500 pushups. The numbered few who can, although capable and all had given the young captain a different kind of headache.

Very few which includes Shintaro Midorima. The young man is tall, smart and knowledgeable with the bow and arrow. With his sharp aim, he can be the greatest archer Teiko will have surpassing even the other archers before him. There's just an odd thing about him, his slightly disturbing over obsession with the Oha-Asa horoscope and not to mention the lucky items that he would carry around with him the entire day. Also, he's a Tsundre.

Then there's Aomine Daiki. So to say, he is not the smartest of the bunch but he is strong. He is the quickest one, agile and the fastest to learn on physical combat skills. The problem lies on his attitude. Aomine Daiki is lazy, arrogant and at times, too egotistical for his own good. The tanned man also seemed to have a severe case of narcissism, often muttering about no one can beat him but him earning him a couple of fights from the other soldiers who had been unable to put up with the man's stuck-up attitude. Aomine ended up beating all of them without having much as a scratch and a black eye. As much as Akashi had been impressed with the skills shown, Daiki clearly have a major attitude problem and Akashi is not fond at all with the fact.

Ryota Kise, another intriguing trainee, entered the training camps a year later than the rest. What the other captains all saw was a boy with a shiny blond hair and a pretty face, overlooking the capable soldier lying underneath the still then amature-ish blond. Akashi however saw the potential within the boy and took him under his wing and he was right, the boy is a fast learner adopting on different skills almost instantly. Akashi Seijuro can still remember clearly the looks of utter disbelief on the other captains' faces for having realized that they had let go of a prized and rare gem. The only trouble about Kise, he is way too whiny and sometimes clingy for Akashi's own liking.

Lastly would be Murasakibara Atsushi, a soldier to tall for his own age. Akashi doesn't really have that much of a problem with the purple head as the other does follow everything that Akashi says without any protest...all except when it comes to food. The giant is always seen carrying a snack of some sort anywhere, every time even during times that he shouldn't have just like that one time where they had some underwater training and a lollipop is still stuck in Murasakibara Atasushi's mouth.

If only Akashi hadn't sensed the great potential within the four, there is no way he'll put up with all their odd doings.

Still, he would remind himself as to why he's hell-bent into trying to protect Teiko. Every time his Tetsuya's face would flood his mind, Akashi without a doubt will overlook beyond the small imperfections if that would mean that he can assure his beloved's safety. If it can keep Tetsuya protected then so be it.

Afterall, Tetsuya's happiness and safety had always been Akashi Seijuro's top priority. That and giving the teal head lots and lots of Akashi Seijuro filled love.

...iOiOiOiOiOi...

"Tatsuya-kun"

The mentioned young knight wasn't that surprised when the prince had found him by the stables at that very hour as almost everyone in the castle knew how much he like spending time grooming the horses and taking care of them. Aida Kagetora, the man in charge of the stables would often joke about the young man wanting to steal his job.

"Is there anything you need, Tetsuya?" The young man addressed the other casually without honorifics. Tetsuya didn't mind one bit, he actually liked it as the raven along with three others is his closest friends and calling each other on first name basis was something they have all agreed to.

"I need you to go to town with me"

"Sure, so who will be going with us? Have you called them yet? I can do it for you"

"It will only be just the two of us, Tatsuya-kun"

"What do you mean it'll only be us? Are you planning on sneaking out and making me an unwilling accomplice? I have no plans of being beheaded or loosing either of my fingernails"

"An accomplice, yes but I'm not sneaking out. I need to do something really important. Don't worry, my parents knew of this"

"Like what?"

The crowned prince started explaining every little detail to the young knight who had listened the entire time, not interrupting the royalty even once. In the end, though with some skepticism in his part, Himuro agreed to the crowned prince's plan.

"Are you sure about this, Tetsuya?" Himuro Tatsuya asked unsure as they head to the soldiers eating quarters, riding horses and dressed like normal Teiko citizens. Yes even the young prince himself was currently dressed in a simple cotton blue shirt and jeans with a pair of sandals, his crown currently nowhere to be seen.

"I have already decided about this Tatsuya-kun. I figured the best way for me to find a solution with the ordeal with Seijuro is the need to know the other people involved"

"But this is risky and dangerous. What if your plan backfires and they find out who you are?"

"I've also reached that conclusion and have come up with solutions although I really doubt they'll figure out who I am"

"And what solution would that be?"

"Deny everything and then run away"

Himuro stared at his friend with disbelief "Sometimes I really want to smack you in the head"

"But you won't"

"But I won't" The raven can't help but sigh "Come on, we're here. We need to find Taiga"

...iOiOiOiOiOi...

"So you plan to sneak out into the dining quarters. Obtain some information and make an impromptu solution from there?" Taiga Kagami can't help but look at the crowned prince with slight irritation.

"Is there something wrong about it Taiga-kun?"

"Off course there is! You can't just go around asking those people about Akashi without creating suspicions. They might think you're an informant from an enemy kingdom and if that happens do you know how much trouble that means?"

"I'll be extra careful"

"Your words are not reassuring at all!"

"I really need to do this Taiga-kun"

Kagami Taiga stared at Tatsuya for help. The raven just shrugged "You do know that if Tetsuya decided to put his head to something, no one can talk him out except Akashi but seeing that the captain is the main cause of this ordeal, there's nothing else we can do"

"Fine" The young chef halfheartedly agreed by then "If you really want to get knowledge of how the soldiers' think of their captain, your best option would be the Generation of Miracles"

"Generation of What? Come again"

"The overly talented, easily surpassing the others and highly talented soldiers in Akashi's group. It was rumored that your lover actually favored them among others" Kagami briefly informed.

"It was even rumored that they are being trained to be your elite guards once you attain the throne. Which makes me wanting to ask, I'm still your knight right?" Himuro suddenly asked

Tetsuya gave the raven a reassuring smile "We promised each other right?"

Tatsuya Himuro nodded and smiled.

"Now tell me more about the Miracles"

"Seriously, sometimes the king's over protectiveness towards you is a bit overly out of place. Imagine not knowing about the miracles when you're the crowned prince"

"Trust me; I don't like it more than you do"

...iOiOiOiOiOi...

A few torturous, has-it-really-only-been-that-long-it-feels-like-a-gazillion-years, hours later the trainees finally had their lunch break.

"Damn my back hurts" Aomine Daiki growled as he started giving his shoulders a self massage.

"Captain Akashichii is such a slave-driver" Ryota Kise whined as he applied cream to one of his many bruises.

"Quit your whining both of you and just eat your lunch, if you must know I don't have time to listen to your whims" Shintaro Midorima stated as he clutched a small wooden fork closer to his chest, Oha-Asa stated that Cancer's are second last on the list for today's prediction and judging about what's going on, he'll need all the luck he can get.

"Have you ever wondered if Captain Akachin even listens to anyone?" Murasakibara Atsushi asked in between his munching on an apple, a healthy snack on his part for once.

Aomine snorted "Pfft. I don't think he'll listen to anyone except himself, he even said that his words are absolute"

"I even heard rumors that he never listens to what the Ou and Joou has to say and only do as he pleases" Kise chimed in as he started on his own lunch.

"And to think he's the same age as us" Aomine snorted as he stabbed a piece of meat, pretending that it was their red-headed captain.

"We can't do anything; everyone knows that he's way better than any of us. Though it wouldn't hurt if he shows a bit more consideration as I don't think he's even capable of compassion" Midorima added "He won't even let me take a break to meet the merchant that sells Oha-Asa items"

"Is he really that scary?" A foreign voice suddenly speaking out of the blue spooked the hell out of the four trainee soldiers. They're supposed to be strong, formidable soldiers who fears nothing...oh wait, they already fear Akashi.

"G-ghost!" Aomine almost jumped away from his seat, if only he wasn't man enough... his knees where trembling though.

"It's a paranormal activity!" Ryota beamed with excitement. It came as a shocker when the others found out that the whiny boy is an avid fan of horror, suspense thrillers and gore novels and even going as far as disguising himself into going to other kingdoms to watch some 'bloody' stage plays.

"Oha-Asa is right, Cancer's are unlucky today" Midorima fixed his glasses up, trying to hide the signs of his almost heart attack.

Murasakibara munched on his fifth apple, seemingly unaffected by the boy's sudden apparition, though if one will look closely they'll notice the visible albeit small trembling on his body.

"If you must know, I am not a ghost nor am I into the dark arts of witchcraft and black magic. I've been sitting on this table even before you guys came" The stranger with blue locks spoke in a nonchalant voice.

"Ah so that explains the extra plate" Murasakibara Atsushi commented lazily. "Can I have your desert?" The purple giant is now eyeing the slice of lemon cheesecake. The stranger simply pushed his plate towards the gigantic soldier before giving a slight nod.

"Our apologies then, it would have seemed that we didn't pay much attention to our surroundings and took an occupied table" Midorima can't figure it out why but he felt that he needed to respect the strange boy or he's doomed.

"My presence haven't been noticeable at most and people do tend to miss me if they aren't focused enough, I don't blame you"

"I don't think I've seen you before, setting aside your lack of presence. Are you visiting from a neighboring kingdom?" Ryota asked with interest.

"Not really, I'm from here but I rarely do go out" The boy spoke nonchalantly. "So you guys are talking about Captain Akashi? Is he really that scary?"

"Ah yes, he likes to torture his men and he's a fucking sadist" Aomine cursed not even taking into consideration that someone else is with them.

"Is he really that bad?"

"He's a good captain alright and a great strategist but he overworks us at times. He won't even let me take a break tomorrow to meet the traveling merchant with possible Oha-Asa items. Doesn't he know that the merchant only visits Teiko on a quarterly basis?"

"Seriously, uhm...What's your name?"

"Just call me Tetsuya"

"Okay, then, seriously Tetsuyachii what kind of cave have you been living that you haven't heard about Captain Akashichii?"

"I know him but I don't think he's that bad"

Aomine rolled his eyes. "You my boy are so naïve. Keep it up while you can"

"He's not that bad of a captain. We just hope he'll give us a little more break. That man should loosen up a bit" Midorima glared at Aomine who had snatched a piece of meat from his plate.

"Come to think of it, the captain is so dedicated with protecting the kingdom. I know there's loyalty, patriotism and all that shit but seriously his dedication clearly surpasses many if not all" Kise added finally finishing his meal, half of which actually went to Murasakibara.

"Now that you said that, there seems to be a reason why he's so terrifyingly overprotective of the kingdom" Midorima added

"Or maybe it's someone" Murasakibara added with a shrug.

"You mean to say that Akashi Seijuro, sadistic captain from hell is actually capable of human emotions? Like compassion and kindness and holy shit...love?" Aomine stared at his companions.

"Nah" almost instantly, that one word chorused from the four soldiers.

"I don't think he's that bad" Kuroko chose that very moment to speak. Aomine almost fell from his chair while the others managed to put a calm face.

"Fuck I forgot you're here!"

"I'm sorry to startle you, Aomine-kun"

"Just don't do it again"

"Soldiers break will be over in ten minutes!"

"Wait I just realized, this is supposed to be the soldiers dining quarters. Why are you here, Tetsuya?" Midorima asked finally having noticed. Usually non soldiers aren't allowed inside the area unless they have valid reasons, business orders or connections and if they are part of the higher echelon.

Does it mean that Kuroko is actually someone of high-caliber?

"The head chef is a friend of mine. I came here to visit"

"You know Kagamichii?"

"Hai"

"So are the rumors true that he actually cooks for the royal family and have met the mysterious Ouji-sama?"

"He does cook for the royal family from time to time, as with meeting the Ouji, I don't know, you need to ask him that"

"And I thought we already found someone who can describe how our future leader looks" Aomine yawned before gulping a glass of water in one go.

"Meeting the Ouji will be exciting -ssu".

"We need to go; if we're late Akachin won't be very forgiving"

"Yeah, right let's" Midorima also stood up and gave the man he just met a slight nod. Usually, giving more than necessary attention to someone he just met is not a thing he usually does but there's just something about the other that makes the green head wanting to acknowledge him. Midorima knew that the others felt it too. "Till we meet again Tetsuya"

"See you soon Tetsuyachii"

"Bye Tetsu"

"If I see you again, would you give sweets if you have some?" Murasakibara smiled at the immediate nod he got from the teal head before heading out to follow his fellow soldiers. Tetsuya remained on his chair, currently in deep thoughts when footsteps drew closer and closer before halting into a full stop just mere steps away from the young man. As the soldiers went back to training, only the two of them were left inside.

"Ouji-sama"

"Nijimura-senpai" Tetsuya acknowledge his tutor, not even the slightest bit surprised that his tutor knew he was there; he gave a small nod before asking "Sei studied under your care too, right?"

"Not really, I was just assigned to teach him a few things about the military when he first joined as I am his senior and it is my responsibility. He had grown though, exceeding my expectations"

"Did he listen to you?"

"At times, with lots of persuasion on my side but mostly he does as he pleases. He won't even try hearing me out nowadays"

"I don't really get it why Sei won't listen to other people but he does to me"

"It's actually quite simple, Ouji-sama. It's because you are his most precious person. The one he treasures the most and the last thing he would ever do is to watch you get hurt because of him"

"If he only listens to me then the only way he'll hear the other soldiers out is if I make him, right?" Kuroko Tetsuya asked himself more than his tutor/brother like figure.

Nijimura simply nodded opting not to say a single word as the young Ouji of Teiko continued on his own thoughts.

"Nijimura-senpai, can you prepare me a carriage for tomorrow? Just an ordinary one, nothing too fancy or extravagant"

"Yes, Ouji-sama"