The Lion's Keeper

Summary: Akashi Seijuuro is a young child and Furihata is a high school student hired as his caretaker. They part and meet again when Akashi is graduating from Rakuzan – and Akashi is determined to never let Furihata go again. Slow burn AkaFuri. Also MidoTaka, AoKi, MuraHimu, KagaKuro.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kuroko no Basket or any of it's characters. If I did, they'd all be making out viciously with each other between matches in their sweaty changing rooms. Oh, the sexual tension.

A/N: This will be a slow, slow burn. Expect a lot of kawaii child!Akashi moments before Akashi actually grows up and re-meets Furihata. The rating is M, so yes, eventually, there will be some steamy male-on-male action. But I repeat, slowwww burn.

Chapter 1: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

Summary: In which Akashi Seijuuro is introduced to Furihata Kouki, Yukimaru, and tofu soup.

Akashi Seijuuro is a difficult child.

But not in the typical way that most children are difficult. Some children are whiny. Some crave constant attention. Some are mischievous to the point of being dangerous. But these children are not like Akashi. Akashi's problem is on a different level altogether. That is, being too smart for his age, far too perceptive than he is supposed to be, and unafraid to show it.

"Father?" Akashi peaks his head through the door of his father's office one day, after his father's guest had left.

"Yes? Come in, son. Don't hover, it's unsightly. What is the matter?"

"That man. Who was he?"

"A friend of mine, Seijuuro."

"Oh."

"Why do you ask?"

"Well," He tilts his little head to one side, round eyes blinking up curiously at his father. "You look at him the way you look at Mama sometimes. Why?"

Akashi Junichiro, the head of the Akashi Clan, stares as his son for a long moment. He rests his hand on young Akashi's head gently, but firmly. His lips stretches into a strict line. "You shouldn't ask questions like that, Seijuuro."

On that day, Junichiro decides that Akashi Seijuuro needs a personal caretaker. The kid is already excelling so fast some extra tutoring could be useful – make him marginally more exceptional than other boys of his age; engage him in more physical activities, maybe. Perhaps a music lesson as well. Yes, anything to keep the child occupied – his prying eyes kept away from his parents' business.

Three weeks later, and Akashi Seijuuro's caretaker runs crying out of the mansion, tears streaming her face, blubbering that she cannot and will not put herself through this sort of humiliation on a daily basis. Especially not by the hands of a mere child. Unfortunately, this is the fifth time an incident of this sort has occurred. Five caretakers, all professionals, three who are unable to deal with Akashi's criticism, and two who are fired by Akashi himself.

When questioned about the matter, Akashi simply says, "They are foolish. Impatient. Only here for the money. All of them."

His mother, Seiko, sighs. "Is it necessary to tell that to their faces, though? You weren't planning to fire the latest one, weren't you?"

Akashi blinks, "Pointing out her flaws will allow her to improve. Is that not correct?"

Seiko looks to Junichiro, who only shrugs from behind his newspaper and tells her that they'll just keep hiring. One is bound to work out. Eventually.

One month and six caretakers later and Seiko is starting to become desperate. Her child is beginning to build up a reputation amongst the professional caretakers as a "one-week killer", making it progressively more difficult to find someone for the job. But Junichiro insists on keeping on hiring, and Seiko eventually decides to try her luck elsewhere. If professionals cannot do the job, then maybe amateurs, someone younger, will have a different touch. It might even do her son some good to be with someone less strict – more freedom, less control.

The amateur presents himself in a flyer in the form of Furihata Kouki. Furihata is a local, average high school student who is looking for a part-time job. He can do a little bit of everything – a little bit of piano, a little bit of basketball, hardly a genius but smart enough to be able to tutor child of Akashi's age. He has no experience whatsoever, apart from helping his friends take care of their younger siblings. Seiko is doubtful, but she decides to give it a go either way. After all, what is the worse that could happen?

Akashi stares up at the taller teenager who is approaching him with unblinking red eyes.

"H-hello," Furihata stutters nervously, "Akashi-kun, right?"

"Good afternoon," Akashi politely responds, but offers nothing more. He is still staring, looking at the stranger up and down. He recognizes the uniform and thinks to himself that this one is younger than all the ones he's met before. Akashi wonders how long he will last.

"Ano, it's nice to me- uwah!" Furihata squeaks as he trips over his own feet, stumbles for a few steps, and finally comes to a stop right in front of Akashi. "G-gomenasai. How clumsy of me..." Furihata apologizes, scratching the back of his head.

Akashi lifts his chin and blinks up at him, saying nothing.

"Ah-! How could I not remember?" Furihata surprises Akashi when suddenly the teenager plops down and sits cross-legged in front of him. With Akashi standing and Furihata sitting, their eye levels are much better matched. Furihata smiles sheepishly at him, "Heeh, sorry about that. You were craning your neck to look at me – that probably wasn't very nice, ne? Now you can just look straight at me. Is this better?"

Akashi stares at him, then slowly nods. "Yes. This is better."

Furihata beams at him, and Akashi wonders why he is so happy.

"W-well, it's nice to finally meet you Akashi-kun. My name is Furihata Kouki," He offers his hand to Akashi for a handshake.

Akashi looks down at the hand, back up at Furihata's smile, then back down to the hand before he carefully places his own much-smaller palm into Furihata's own. "Akashi Seijuuro. It's a pleasure to meet you too."

"You're awfully polite, aren't you, Akashi-kun?" Furihata shakes his hand gently. He remains holding his hand even after the handshake is done.

"Am I?" Akashi tilts his head.

"Yes. Akashi-kun is very well-mannered. Especially for your age."

"Hm," Akashi considers this. None of the previous caretakers have ever told him this before. They only scolded him for being arrogant and verbally hostile. "Thank you. And you can call me Seijuuro. My parents are Akashi as well, it is confusing."

"Hehh? That's a good point. Alright, 'Seijuuro-kun' it is, then?"

"Mm. That is fine, Furihata-san."

"Oh, you can just call me Kouki. Don't worry about being formal. We'll be seeing each other a lot after today, ne?"

Akashi looks at Furihata's gentle smile – genuine, for a change – at their still-connected hands, Furihata's palm warm around his fingers, and decides in that moment that he wouldn't mind seeing this one around.

"Alright, Kouki."

One month later, and everyone in the Akashi household is amazed to see the brown-haired boy named Furihata Kouki still appearing at their front gates every other weekday, three times a week. He'd lasted much longer than any caretaker ever did thus far, and the most surprising of all, Akashi seems to have taken to him.

The young master is sitting by the piano today, small fingers playing Canon in D in perfect tempo. He stops playing when he hears the door open, turning his head around.

"Kouki." Akashi nods.

"Good afternoon, Seijuuro-kun. You were playing beautifully just now."

"Thank you." Akashi shuffles over on his seat to allow space for Furihata to sit next to him. "You said we were going to move onto a new song, so I wanted to perfect this one."

Furihata smiles and shakes his head, partly in awe. Akashi, in the one month that he had known him, is proving to be an unbelievably eloquent child who apparently can do no wrong. Everything he touches turns to gold. The piano is no exception. "That's very good, Seijuuro-kun! Well done. Ah-! Maybe I should give you a reward for practicing so well?"

"A reward?" Akashi tilts his head, curious.

"Yes, yes. A reward. Is there anything you want in particular?"

"A horse." Akashi says with no hesitation.

"A- a horse?" Furihata repeats, incredulously. He shouldn't be surprised. Not really. Not after having spent one month with the Akashi family. He smiles dryly at Akashi, "I'm sorry, but that's a little bit, um, far-fetched for me. But m-maybe... if you really want one, you should ask Junichiro-san?"

"I already did. Father said he would buy me one if I finish reading those books by the end of this week." Akashi points with his short, chubby index finger of a child to a neat pile of English books beside the piano. Furihata recognizes a few titles – all by the same author, Roald Dahl.

"But... that's a lot of books." Furihata counts – there are six books in total. Even Furihata would struggle to finish all of those in a week.

"Father says it will improve my English."

"T-that is true. But still. Seijuuro-kun, make sure you're not pushing yourself too hard, okay? You're so young, you should spend more time having fun. I'm sure Junichiro-san will compromise."

Akashi stares at him like Furihata had just said something utterly ridiculous. "Father does not compromise."

"Oh. Um..."

"And I want the horse."

"Right, but-"

"I have already finished three books and am halfway through Matilda." Akashi's eyes narrow in a way that is so un-childlike that Furihata shivers. "I will not fail."

"A-alright then, Seijuuro-kun," Furihata is forced to give in, resting a hand on Akashi's back. When the child seems to have relaxed a bit, Furihata changes the subject. "So, since the horse is already on its way, what about a different reward from me?"

"A different reward."

"Yes. How about, hmm..." Furihata taps his lips in thought, "Something you like to eat?"

"Something I like to eat." Akashi has a habit of repeating words, Furihata notices. He finds it rather adorable – Akashi reminds Furihata of a little red parrot. This habit is also partly the reason why Akashi's vocabulary is extraordinarily large. That, and being ordered by his father to read through a certain amount of pages in the Dictionary each day. Akashi often recites new words he's learnt to Furihata, some words even beyond the high schooler's own vocabulary. It is strange, yes, but Furihata is gradually finding that there is very little that is ordinary about the way Akashi is raised.

"Yes. You know, anything. Maybe sweets?"

Akashi scrunches his nose in distaste.

"Alright, no sweets then. Something savory, hm..."

"Savory. Not sweet."

"What about... chawanmushi? No? Then, tamago dofu? Tofu soup?"

"Tofu soup?" Akashi perks up at that.

"You've never had it?"

"No." He shakes his head, soft hair flowing with the motion. "But I do enjoy tofu."

"Okay then, tofu soup it is. I'll ask Mama to make it and bring some over when she does, ne?"

"Ah. Send your Mama my thanks when you do."

"Pff-" Furihata smiles and chuckles. "Will do, will do."

Akashi is confused. "Did I say something funny?"

"Oh, no, Seijuuro-kun. It's just that you sound so adult-like and proper, it makes me feel inadequate at my age." Furihata laughs easily.

"'Inadequate'," Akashi tests the word out on his tongue, before wondering aloud, "Father likes to say that."

Upon hearing that, Furihata frowns a little. He sincerely hopes that the head of the Akashi family did not use such words against his young son. Unthinkingly, Furihata places a hand atop of Akashi's small head – something he has never done before – tenderly smoothing Akashi's hair. His voice is gentle as he speaks, "You know... from what I've seen, Seijuuro-kun is far beyond adequate at everything that Seijuuro-kun does. "

Akashi merely blinks at him, silent for a moment as he observes Furihata. Perhaps to detect any signs of ingenuity. Perhaps to think over his words. Perhaps to just soak in the sensation of Furihata's hand in his hair. Seiko used to do this to him a lot when he was younger, much younger, but she has been refraining ever since Junichiro told her off for coddling their child too much.

"I think Kouki is very far from inadequate too." Akashi says. And is surprised to find that he actually means it.

"Ah," Furihata smiles, and Akashi notices the way Furihata's eyes crinkles – how they smile with him. "Thank you very much, Seijuuro-kun."

Furihata rubs his head warmly a few more times after that, and Akashi discovers that he does not mind it even a little bit. In fact, quite the opposite.

Perhaps, sometimes, Akashi just misses being coddled.

One week later, Akashi Seijuuro ends up getting his horse. It is a white horse of a pure, expensive breed – of course, only the best for the Akashi heir – apparently born on a snowy day in the exact same month and year as Akashi himself.

"This is Yukimaru," Akashi proudly announces to Furihata, thrusting a photo of his brand new horse into his hand. "I get to see him at the club once a week."

"That's great, Seijuuro-kun!" Furihata beams, knowing that Akashi must be thrilled. The child doesn't smile very much – hardly at all, actually – but Furihata sees the corner of Akashi's lips tugging up just a little when he talks about Yukimaru.

Then, when Furihata presents to him his home-cooked tofu soup – the promised 'reward' - Akashi's tiny hint of a smile grew into a full-smile after the first spoonful. His deep red eyes are wide and positively sparkling, like he had just discovered one of the world's greatest treasures. Akashi finishes the whole bowl in less than ten minutes, eating and drinking everything to the very last drop. Furihata has never seen anything so charming.

Furihata is unable to resist. He reaches out to pet Akashi's head once again, and to his surprise, Akashi leans into the touch.

"Tofu soup is now my favorite food," Akashi declares. Then, shortly after, adds, "Thank you, Kouki. This has been a good week."

The first time Furihata witnesses Akashi being scolded is when Furihata is in his third month of the job and Junichiro had just found out that Akashi had been leaving out particular foods at dinner. Akashi usually either eats with his mother or eats alone whilst watching documentaries. The household maid had been questioned about Akashi's diet and made to report to Junichiro. Furihata arrives just in time to catch Junichiro's final words through Akashi's room's door. Seiko is already there in front of the room before him, and she stops Furihata, pulling him aside, silencing him with an index finger to her lips.

"Are you defying me, Seijuuro?"

"...no, Father." Akashi's voice is quiet and small, like Furihata had never heard before.

"Good. Then finish that bowl before I return. Every last piece, Seijuuro. You will not be particular about food, it is a bad habit. If you are petty about something as simple as this, then what else will you be petty about later? As an Akashi, you should be faultless in all aspects of life. "

"..."

"My orders are absolute. If you do not do as I say, you will not be allowed to go see your horse this weekend. Do I make myself clear?"

"...yes, I understand."

The door then opens a moment later, and a very stern Akashi Junichiro steps out of the room. He eyes Furihata once, then ignores him altogether as though he is not worth the time. His eyes instead settle on Seiko, who looks like she wants to say something.

Junichiro shakes his head, "Not a word, Seiko. He needs to learn to be disciplined – the younger the better."

"I understand that, but-"

Junichiro waves a hand to cut her off, "We can discuss this in my office. Seijuuro can hear us from here." He disappears down the stairs after that. No arguments.

Seiko looks apologetically to Furihata, "Sorry, Furihata-kun. I'll have to leave Seijuuro in your care for now." Then, she sighs and lowers her voice into a whisper, "I'm worried about him. He's far too controlled than any child his age should be. I fear that he's going to crumble up inside. Please, look out for him, won't you?"

"H-hai..." Furihata dips into a respectful bow, feeling the weight of Seiko's words heavy on his shoulders.

When Seiko has gone, Furihata politely knocks on Akashi's door.

"Who is it..?" Furihata may be imagining things, but Akashi's voice sounds strained. Wary.

"Seijuuro-kun, it's me."

"Kouki." There is a short pause. Then, "You can come in."

Furihata finds Akashi huddled in his chair behind his desk, hugging his knees, soft chubby cheeks pressed up by his kneecaps which are peaking out from his yukata. In front of him is a bowl full of wakame seaweed. Akashi prods at the green pieces with his chopsticks with a look of mixed disgust and alarm. His eyes glance at Furihata as he enters the room, greeting him in a flat voice, "Kouki."

Furihata approaches him slowly, kneeling down on the floor next to his chair. "So... I take it you don't like seaweed."

Akashi shudders visibly, "I abhor it."

There it is. Another new word from the dictionary. Furihata figures it means something negative and doesn't dwell on it. "Wakame is pretty tasty, though. It isn't nearly half as bad as it appears to be."

"It is seaweed," Akashi cringes, "It is no different from grass, just that it is from the bottom of the sea. And it is slimy." He shudders again, his entire little body moving with the motion.

"Ano... if you hate it that much you could have explained-"

Akashi scoffs in a way that is terrifyingly adult-like. "You think I haven't tried?"

Furihata falls silent.

"He doesn't listen." Akashi mumbles, almost to himself. "His words are absolute." He prods at the seaweed with more force, as though taking his frustrations out on them. Then, he abruptly stops, and spins his chair to face Furihata, eyes intense. "Is it so bad that I dislike seaweed? I eat other vegetables just fine. It is just wakame that I refuse to eat. Does that make me 'petty', Kouki?"

"Ah, Seijuuro-kun," Furihata shakes his head, "People are a-allowed to have foods they dislike, you know."

"Apparently not in Father's eyes."

"He has... good intentions." Intentions that Furihata will never understand, but still. "He's your father. He only wants what's best for you."

"He wants what is best for 'Akashi'."

"Don't think of it that way. I'm sure that's not true." Not all true, anyways.

"Hn." Akashi is back prodding at the seaweed. "He's even taking away my weekly visit with Yukimaru."

Oh no. Is this Akashi sulking? Furihata has never encountered Akashi in this mood before. "Eh... a-alright. How about this-" Furihata pulls the bowl towards himself, "I'll help you eat your wakame, so you don't have to eat as much. Okay?"

Akashi blinks, "But Father said I have to finish it."

"I won't tell. Junichiro-san will never find out."

"But it defeats the purpose of this punishment. Isn't that cheating?"

"Seijuuro-kun's still eating the wakame anyways, it's not like I'm eating it all for you. I'm just- sharing out the burden. That's not cheating. It's... teamwork. Yeah."

"Teamwork...?" Akashi looks unconvinced.

"Yes, teamwork. And teamwork is a good skill to have, ne?"

Akashi considers this – mulls it over in his head a few times. He eyes the wakame for a long while before he eventually looks back up at Furihata, cautious. "You won't tell?"

"You have my promise." Furihata offers Akashi his pinky finger.

Akashi stares at it ridiculously like Furihata had just offered him a gecko, "I don't understand the hand gesture."

"Oh-!" Of course. Of course he doesn't. "It's a pinky-promise. You link your pinky finger with mine, just like this..."

"And?"

"And we shake on it." They shake. "And it makes the promise stronger – because pinky-promises absolutely cannot be broken."

"...absolutely?" Akashi stares at their connected fingers, doubtfully.

"Absolutely," Furihata confirms, smiling with his whole face. "Trust me."

Maybe it was Furihata's gentle smile, or the warmth of Furihata's hand, or the fact that Furihata had never been anything less than genuine with him, or Akashi is just incredibly glad he doesn't need to consume all that seaweed by himself – but Akashi suddenly realises that he does truly trust Furihata. And it is strange, because Furihata is not even of his blood, but he's beginning to feel more and more like family.

"...Father must never ever find out." Akashi insists.

"Never ever." Furihata shakes their pinkies again to ensure him. "This will be our little secret only. Deal, Seijuuro-kun?"

It took another long moment of consideration, mental lists of pros and cons, before Akashi finally, finally nods once.

"Deal, Kouki."

A/N: Yes, Yukimaru is canon. Also the tofu soup thing, which I think is just the cutest. The name 'Junichiro' I took from a list of names of Japanese emperors, and 'Seiko' is chosen because it's similar to Seijuuro.

I hope you guys enjoyed the first installment. I am just head over heels for AkaFuri. Expect increasing sweetness as we go along!