Kuroko had never felt this elated in his entire life and he had never been thankful to anyone to bring him such happiness. The kiss was short lived and he felt Akashi pulling away, Kuroko let him but he has yet to open his eyes again, savoring the warm giddy feelings he received from that kiss. The blue head's lips curved upward in a small smile as he opened his eyes and looked at the baku in front of him; Akashi was smiling too, albeit Kuroko can feel the loneliness in them. Akashi's hold from around his waist did not loosen in the slightest; they stood close to each other, savoring the warmth that enveloped them in spite of the chilly night air. Akashi opened his lips to say something but Kuroko put both of his hands over Akashi's mouth and shook his head, a smile still playing on his lips; Akashi only raised a brow.

"I..."

Kuroko began; he took his hands away and instead placed them at both of the hands holding him, putting both of their hands in front of them, Kuroko drawing small circles at the side of Akashi's hands using his thumbs, an attempt to soothe Akashi and calm himself down.

"I know what will happen... He told me,"

Akashi only nodded and hugged Kuroko tightly; he did not cry but he felt his shoulder becoming wet and heard Kuroko's quiet sobs.

"I'm sorry,"

Kuroko shook his head and wrapped his arms around Akashi, burying his face even more into the red head's shoulder.

"I don't know why you have to but, he looked happy when he talked to me, so I know you did something right,"

Kuroko let out a small chuckle

"You probably saved him for all I know,"

Akashi only hugged him tighter, not trusting his tongue enough to reply to Kuroko,

"Whatever it was, I know you're going to be no longer in pain,"

Kuroko let go and Akashi reluctantly did so too. The blue head raised his head to look at the baku, with all his tear-stained glory, nevertheless, the smile on his face is unwavering.

"I've atoned for my wrongdoings,"

Akashi finally said and Kuroko's smile widened by a fraction, causing Akashi to smile despite himself but it immediately turned into a frown,

"I don't want to leave you like this,"

Akashi admitted, hanging his head low. He's going to leave anytime soon and yet he hasn't given Kuroko an answer as to why he has to, he hasn't given Kuroko the love that he deserved and he can't admit that he took that love from him from his soul.

He can't admit that he was only using him.

"Hey don't cry,"

Akashi heard Kuroko say. The baku opened his eyes and felt the wetness of his cheeks and the sting in his eyes. Kuroko held Akashi's face in his hands and made the red head look at him; once their eyes met, both smiled at the other and Akashi can't help but just tell the boy everything, and so he did. As the baku started talking, Kuroko just kept his hands in place, rubbing soothing lines on Akashi's cheeks as he listened, not once interrupting the red head.

"I wanted to save Chihiro and I don't want to rob you of your human essence; I hope you forgive me,"

Akashi put his hands over Kuroko's and giving them a firm squeeze; the blue head entwined his fingers with Akashi's and held hands between them,

"Thank you for telling me, Akashi-kun; I really appreciate it, don't say sorry anymore,"

Kuroko said and Akashi let out a light chuckle; Kuroko has never seen Akashi with such a sincere smile on his face until now.

"Thank you,"

The baku breathed out and he laughed, Kuroko can't help but smile and he also laughed along, the both of them filing the silence in the clearing. They still hold onto each other's hands firmly and no one has plans to let go of the other.

Their laughter died out after a while but they never moved from their spot; nothing was said between them in those moments, they only held onto each other's hands and gazes with small elated smiles on their faces.

The moon shone around them and Akashi started letting go of Kuroko's hands, the blue head nodded in understanding and he let Akashi's hands slip from his grip.

"Is it time?"

Kuroko asked and the red head only nodded,

"Will I be able to see you again?"

Akashi only gave the teen a smile

"Maybe in the next life,"

Kuroko only chuckled and nodded. The blue head got closer, wanting to hold Akashi's hands again, but found them already disappearing. Kuroko was more than relieved that Akashi has to go in a painless way. The blue head walked closer until he can hear the baku breathe, he looked up and touched Akashi's face; the red head's torso was also starting to disappear.

"Can I kiss you again?"

"Of course,"

Akashi said in a beat, giving Kuroko one of his truest smiles. Kuroko closed his eyes as he leaned in and he felt Akashi's warm lips on his again. They don't do more than a simple innocent kiss and Kuroko moved closer and wrapped his arms around Akashi's neck and the red head put a little more pressure on the kiss before Kuroko felt the warmth on his lips lifting and his arms falling suddenly by his side, he heard one last whisper until all warmth left him.

"Until the next life,"

Kuroko opened his eyes and he's met with the empty clearing, everything suddenly felt so cold with the night air; he hugged himself and he suddenly dropped down on the ground, choking back pained sobs as he futilely try to held his tears back. Akashi's gone but there's a promise that he left.

Kuroko looked at the sky and he tried to smile despite the tears, seemingly trying to find Akashi among the stars littering the night sky,

"Until the next life, Akashi-kun,"

There was hope and Kuroko cannot wait for the next life, but for now he'll strive to live, gripping the baton of life Akashi left him.

The blue head wiped the tears on his face and he lightly slapped himself before standing up, giving one last look at the tree and the sky before turning his back, walking away to build a new chapter in his life.