Turtle-chi: Welp, There you go, the chapter which I revised countless of times. Anyway, thanks for all the support guys! I love you so much! I'm sorry for being a lousy author with the penchant of updating really long time. I promised I would do my best to update quickly and with quality hahaha!

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The world is dark, and selfish, and cruel. If it finds even the slightest ray of sunshine, it destroys it!

In the darkness, a gust of arctic wind blew from houses to houses. Swiftly in the night; a shadow running in the alley. Light footsteps echoed. Tapping the cobblestone; similar to clacking of heels. The silhouette was slim with distinctive curve of a female body. The shadow was wearing a robe, concealing her identity. As quiet as she could, going around unnoticed; carrying something in the form a rectangle. She holds the rectangle shape thing against her chest, cradling with both of her arms.

Her eyes darted towards the dark clouds in that night. Black nimbus clouds approaching towards castle. Brewing storm. Heavy rains will soon befall the empire. The shadow slips a smirk under the hood she's wearing.

"It's almost time." She let out strings of cackle, gleeful almost borderline mad. Faintly, she heard a footsteps coming her way.

The light started to grow strong as the people approach the alley.

Two guards wearing the emblem of Seirin, illuminate the passage.

"Did you hear that?" said the guard, briefly scanning the dim lit dumpster. The other sentinel shook his head.

"Must be a rat." he said in irk tone. Glancing once more over just to make sure of.

"Oh c'mon now!" His pal throws him a light punch at his back. "Let's head back. I wanna stuff myself with my beloved wife's cooking!" They erupt into laugh like a drunken men and walk away from alley.

Unbeknownst to the both, the shadow was still lurking, eyeing the two with hatred before vanishing in thin air again.

Promising the demise of the Empire Seirin upon her lips.

The day came out of blur in Akashi. His headache increase when he was being grilled at the kings and the council meeting. The affairs with the missing items had cause a lot of ruckus. Though, some greenhead king tried to press the blame to him- saying that the young king was as incompetent to handle a simple guarding more so, governing the prosperous empire Rakuzan but Akashi quickly shot it down with his absoluteness. As much as he didn't want to fight with the old man, he just had to pushes buttons that does not need to be. Belittling him with his age was the last straw, that's why he stood up; present himself to the mission of retrieving the items as well as stopping the use of evil sorcery.

But all he got was disbelieving look from everyone. They were so skeptical that almost all of the kings had already betted on him that he will return empty handed. Shame and humiliation upon his bright red hair.

That strike another nerve. He was an inch away from committing multiple regicides if not for his rational part. Just thinking of the consequences vexed him. Sadly and regretful about it, he does not want war knocking at his door anytime soon. The redhead had more problems that need to be accomplish and war would just add another batch from his still full plate of duty. But he did not erase the thought that one of this day; he will get those old fools. By any means necessary. Akashi will also make the green king eat all the shits he said at the assembly, he will get those books back and he will had the utmost pleasure in seeing the Shutoku's king humiliated.

Turning around at the corner, Akashi saw a vibrant green hair heading his way. He had this permanent scowl and glasses glinting in the presence of light.

"Akashi!" The greenhead looked very upset. Akashi mentally sighed; great another greenhead wanting his royal head.

"Shintarou, if you want to discuss about the books, I recommend that we talk about it in private." He dodged the prince, dragging his feet to his desk room. Akashi thought that the day wouldn't get any worst except it did. He sagged into his seat and let the raging green prince erupt into his complaining tirade.

"They are treating the forbidden books as a joke Akashi and I do not want just any— and I'm repeating myself—just any soldiers or some dim-witted recovery team to get it." Midorima Shintarou pressed his fist onto the counter looking dead-set determine. "I want someone who's a hundred percent; in no doubt returning with the books in tow!" he added.

The red head glance up at him, unimpressed. He wanted to blurt out that his own father's fault but hold his tongue for some tack which he didn't accomplish.

"Shintarou, I'm saying this not because I hate your old man but it is the truth."

"Get on with it Akashi." The greenhead scowled.

"It's your father's blunder. He order it, which he say and I quoted "Because the military in Rakuzan is obviously inadequate with the midget king present; that is why my men will take this duty from now." With the exaggerated haughtiness, the greenhead didn't quite believe at first save for he knew his father too well. Certainly it may had been the case.

Midorima lean back to the chair provided in front of Akashi. He groaned in his hand, letting his frustration slip from his already sapped lips. All of the worry about the books made the greenhead lost his beauty sleep as well as time for taking care of his former pristine lips. Well not that it actually matter right now.

A knock broke the eerie silence of the room. Emerging an ashen head from the door; he halted when it sense the despair from the two royals.

"Whose favorite teddy bear died today?" Mayuzumi remark which in return got him a heated glares.

"I hate you."

"W-what!"

"So it's Midorima's!" Mayuzumi gleefully exclaim while faking a shocked expression. Before the green head retaliate to make the ashen hair to stop it, Mayuzumi was already brandishing a mischievous grin. "Next on Inside the Royals, Midorima Shintarou, next in line to Shutoku Empire grieved for the death of his precious teddy bear!"

"I am not!" His faces burn into a nice shade of red. It was easier to tease now. Mayuzumi waggle his eyebrows to the latter and the greenhead only slumped down begrudging further in the seat.

"Chihiro that's enough inflicting suffering to others." The ashen puffed out, clearly annoyed for making him stop.

Another silence, except for the constant heavy muffled grunt passed. Akashi gaze was far away; in fact his eyes were murderous and are killing off the objects it stared upon. Midorima was still crumpled in his seat; subdue voice escaping once a while. In addition Mayuzumi was trying-not really trying to pacify his laughter.

A moment came by with no one particularly commending, until Midorima abruptly stood up, snapping head in Akashi direction. Those emerald eyes spoke as if in front of him was the answer for his entire problem.

"You!" Taped fingers point at the redhead.

"I will not hesitate to slice that finger if you did not put that out of my face, Shintarou." Removing it quickly, the greenhead spoke again, this time without pointing "Your special squad! Send them. They are better off rather than those buffoons sent by father."

Mayuzumi sweat dropped, knowing that the redhead became a ticking bomb the moment he was reminded about the three idiots who took an unexpected vacation.

"They are dead." An ominous aura was seeping out of Akashi betraying the poker face he wore. Midorima carefully glance to the ashen hair asking what in the world the greatest knights of Rakuzan done to make the young king mad.

"They are searching." Mayuzumi supplied only for the greenhead to raise a brow. The ashen hair cautiously watched Akashi reaction who's more invested in the papers, scribbling as if he didn't hear the words of Mayuzumi. He leaned to the confused prince and murmur, "The voice." Oh…

Oh.

Oh!

Oh shit!

"For the love of Oha-Asa, why would they search at the time when they are needed!" he pace around the room, scrambling with his words, worry and desperation etched on his face. "We're doom! God of calamity had descended on us!"

"Shintarou, shut your incessant rambling or so help me finish this paper so I can go myself." Midorima stopped.

Two heads instantly turn to the redhead.

What?

"What?!"

"You heard me, I will go and seek for the books." He said nonchalantly.

"B-but you are a king!" Midorima stressed out while Akashi just stared at him ̶ you-don't-say-captain-obvious ̶ which made the greenhead stuttered out of embarrassment. "I mean you have duties to rule over Rakuzan!"

"Great idea, Shintarou." Mayuzumi gazes at Midorima with pitiful eyes. He already knew what would Akashi subject the greenhead to, though, it is much preferably since he would have a new partner of being enslave by the devil. Mayuzumi whisked a fake tear away.

"You do that in my stead."

"Are you out your mind! I'm a prince from another empire Akashi and-!"

"̶ and it will spite your old man." The young king said vengefully, laughing in the process. "I could already see his ugly face. Seeing his son being ensl-in cohort with the abomination name he called midget." Midorima was so sure he heard enslaved but for all he knows it's just in his head nevertheless, if it's for the books, all is fair. Even if his obnoxious father was insulted in return. Wait… Midorima felt that something is not right… He felt like he should feel offended.

Akashi swiftly stacked up all the documents and pulled another batch under the table and put it at the top. He made a quick note; stamp it with Rakuzan insignia and sign above. The young king stood up and sauntered towards his right hand man. The two discuss about something leaving the prince on edge and it only made it worst when Mayuzumi threw him the sympathy eyes.

Midorima tried to make sense but nothing was entering his head. He was being pushed to kingship when he still yet to have his coronation day. Emerald eyes flick towards the sound of opening doors and he saw the young king already preparing to leave.

"I'll be out for days or even weeks. I trust that you could handle everything here without me." He gave a decent farewell wave.

"You couldn't possibly leave me with these pile work!" Scrambling on his feet, he dash toward Akashi, gripping the door from shutting.

"I'm going to look for the books." Akashi repeated. Mayuzumi just rolled his eyes.

"Excuses! I refuse this kind of arrangement! In fact I didn't even agree on anything!" He screamed unprince-likely. A hand held his shoulder; he saw the ashen hair giving him disapproving look. "You know that Akashi is our best bet, right?" He stated.

"B-but the papers…" The green head was ushered back to Akashi's previous chair, letting him sit down. Mayuzumi grab the pens and put it to the greenhead's palm.

"If you start today, it will be done."

With that Akashi, closed the door and already walking towards his chamber, all set to pack his thing for the long journey.

The next day, the young king is by now in front of the gates. Clad in a bright crimson doublet, sewn with fine gold edges especially at the collar. He wore black tights with a knee length black leather boots. He adjusted his black gloves and checked his equipments and necessity supplies. He pulled a piece of paper and a pen and scan through it.

Check List:

1. Swords (Check)
2. Talisman and stones (Check)
3. Food and Water (Check)
4. Money (Check)
5. Extra clothes (Check)
6. Pendant (Check)
7. Swiss knife (Check)
8. Destiny (Blank)
9. Find the forbidden books (Blank)
10.

"Better check the number eight now." Akashi tenses, a split second of shock appear on his face before dissolving into stink eye again. He quickly pushes the piece of paper inside his pouch. "Chihiro" he grimly greeted.

"Hey-hey, I brought your horse and besides you should know I was already here." Mayuzumi countered.

"I knew that, but it didn't cross my mind that you would have the gall to snoop on someone's privacy." He said while reaching out for his elegant, white majestic horse. Patting its snout, it neighed in delight. The redhead eyes soften before hardening again when it landed on the ashen hair.

Clearing his throat, he spoke strictly to the person in front of him. "I expect full reports when I come back. Never forget to contact me if there is an emergency and lastly, never let Shintarou get out unless he finishes his paper works." Mayuzumi snorts and nod.

Well, at least everything will be fine in his absence. He took out the paper once again and scribbled one last time on his list and shoved it into his pocket, making sure that Mayuzumi didn't see what he put in it.

The young king hopped on his trusted steed. Ready to leave the castle and travel in quest to find the stolen forbidden books.

"By the way, Akashi." The redhead halted.

"While you're searching for the books, do us a favor and search for the voice too." The ashen smugly said to the redhead. Akashi flinch visibly and it didn't go unnoticed by the former. The young king tried to ignore the ashen hair's knowing smile; nothing came good when he smile like that. Not that he was afraid. He will just give him another punishment for his insolence when he comes back.

Akashi grunted and turned his horse around, galloping away from the castle. He didn't say goodbyes or an acknowledgement to Mayuzumi's statement. Wind blew harshly on him but he continued his trip towards the northern land, where Seirin Empire was located.

The redhead stopped by the nearest river in order to take rest. He and his horse had been traveling for two days and might as well take a break for the sake of his precious Destiny. He was almost at the Seirin, just another few hours to reach the boundaries of its kingdom. The young king grabbed his water bottle and took a long sip to remedy his parched throat.

A day like this is welcome in his life. A time just to relax, rather than having his stern face on. Ruling a country is not that exactly easy, especially when that country came from an awful past. Whisking his head away from the thoughts, he closed his eyes, relishing the soothing breeze under the shade of an oak tree. Akashi succumbs to the comforting lullaby of the nature and let his mind drift off to the land of unconsciousness.

In his head, the pictures come flashing in, fleeting just like birds are, the images come and go. Frame by frame, Akashi saw the person his heart had long forgotten, turning in a blur, quickly fading like he had never known. He had tried to grasp the person but all he could hold on was dust, pouring out of his hand. The place slowly turn into pit; darkness and only him at the center. He felt alone and utterly miserable.

This dream, or rather this nightmare is not new to Akashi. The young king always sees this in his close eyelids. It frightened him at first but gradually it turned into dull feeling to the point he never gotten scared anymore.

Its better this way, he said. Nothing will touch his heart and no more feelings that could hurt him anymore, he reason. The redhead let the dark engulf him. He knows that's the place where he belongs. Where he and his sins should lie and in no way to wake up.

At that moment, a warm wind fluff up around him. Jolting him to awaken from his nap. Red eyes flashing like headlights.

That feeling again.

The tingling sensation coursing through the back of his spine crawling upward to his nape, making his hair stood up. Akashi looked around; to find something or someone but none came up to his vision.

He knows it that something is happening. Every time he feels this shudder, people around him stops; act as if they are hearing things.

The voice?

Was it really possible that such thing really does exist?

On his feet, Akashi tried to sense where the feeling came off more. Until he hear his horse, thrashing on its bound. It tugs its leash, stomping just to break its chain.

"What in the worl-!" he was almost knocked by the slender feet of his mane, barely ducking around just to dodge it.

The tree where the horse was bind wobbled, nearly tearing off on its own roots. The white horse still hauled on to rope. Akashi never had saw his horse who he had tame and known for its elegance react this way. It seems very excited. Its head thrown towards a single direction, wanting to go there but the leash prevent it to do so.

The thumping in Akashi's chest started to increase in rate. Nonononono—

It can't be. There is still no logical evidence for that miraculous voice. He berated himself. There is no chance that he would fall for that myth story. He knew he was better than that. Akashi just wanted to prove his stance. He was not seeking or anything similar to that act. He just wants to—

The leash snapped and as soon as that the mare was no longer bound, it started to dash into the thick forest. Acting out of his instinct, Akashi promptly snatched the rope causing him to dangle at the side of the horse.

"Destiny! Heel!" he commanded but it fell into deaf ears of the white mare.

Akashi was practically dragged into the forest. Trees flew by his side of vision and dangerously close to him that would certainly have knocked him dead.

Having enough of the ungratefulness and disobedience of the horse, he grasped the rope to get on top of it. Bad decision. Since a branch big enough had blocked his way. He was hit spot on his head, causing his grip on the rope to loosen, throwing him off balance and sending him stumbling down the steep slope. Akashi rolled along the side of the mount in resulting him some gash and bruise appearing later. When he had finally stopped tumbling downhill, he was already dizzy. Everything around him started to spin. Shit

"Des-des-tiny…" he called. No answers. Not even a neigh.

His horse, his noble steed who he given the utmost position of the "things/someone I like" had just abandon him in a creepy forest. Great. Now it got demoted. Third place.

Taking the trunk of the trees as support, he staggers to stand up. He blink the wooziness away and walked in front of him, hoping that when he get to the end, there is someone or something that could be of help to him in his terrible state.

"Ugh… I feel shit…" he limply said, as he totter on the path he was taking. The light at the end starts to shine brighter, signifying that the egress of the forest is near. Akashi tried to focus on the road. When he steps more closely towards the exit, something had tickled his nose. Sweet. His nose crinkled.

Please don't be ginger bread house. Please no witches that will try to eat me. Damn it no—

As soon as he step out of the dark forest- with a cross finger at his back- he was welcome with the blinding light of the sun. He tried to adjust his senses, majorly his eyes to cope with the intense radiance to at least grasp his location and be well damn guarded if there is a witch in front of him.

Once the shine had dissipated, his eyes landed on the vast prairie with nothing but sky blue colored flowers growing there. Hydrangea flowers.

Thanked goodness no ginger bread house. Though, just a suspicious tower, stood up like a sore thumb amidst in the grassland.

A wave of tiredness had pass after his long suffering sigh and continue to saunter towards the column. It was suspicious okay. The tower seems to be calling— perhaps taunting him that inside there, something is doubtful going on and if you passed this opportunity up, you will go home to the kings laughing at you. And that didn't bode well with him. If the witch was there, kill it. Bring its head in the court and make those kings bow to him and very well damn lick his feet for forgiveness.

Once Akashi is at the foot, he stared straight up. Well ain't it damn too tall. Akashi had already circled the tower and of course, thinking that getting inside was easy was not a good thought entering his mind because for some reason it was jinx. He just couldn't grasp the idea of a tower without a door. He tried looking for hidden passage without any fruition.

"Tsk"

Alright. This tower is indeed in any level of suspiciousness had achieved Akashi's greatest curiosity peak. And in no way he would stop without seeing what's inside of this thing. Akashi knows no failure and he wouldn't start now.

The only way to get inside was up. Through the window.

Preparing himself of the climb, he hissed under his breath, forgetting the fact that his traitor horse had held his equipment. He examined the tower again. Noting the structure, it seems not far off to collapsed any time now, with cracks litter its body and mosses and vines engulfing it, sure thing it, it's not too far to buckled and destroy itself.

Something to hold on would only be the vines. The question is, could it support his weigh.

Akashi tried to pull one of the creeper plant, fortunate for him it was stiff. It was sturdy enough for him to climb.

Clambering the thing was a piece of cake, Akashi had reflect. Too easy for a suspicious tower.

Unsheathing his sword from his pelt, he steady his blade in front of the closed window. With the speed of a train commander, he swiftly opened it, bursting and hitting the wall. His eyes scan the perimeter. Hopping off the veranda, he let his self in while eyeing the cozy house.

Akashi felt someone was with him there. He knows that it or he was just hiding.

"I know someone is here. Show yourself!" Akashi commanded.

Eerie silence had only answered Akashi so he continues to scout the house. It was really an act of trespassing but Akashi justified himself that he was just looking out for doubtful people, especially in time like this that the forbidden books are stolen. In addition, if that person who is hiding is innocent resident of the tower he should have showed himself and had talk to him but instead he had made this hide and seeks game.

A shuffle was heard on the other side of the room which is dark without the luminous of the sunlight. Red eyes glared at the place where it came from.

"You won't escape" the red head glowered. He flicked his sword toward the rustling noise. The blade had flew directly at it, implanting itself on the ground. Akashi quickly dash to see what it had hit only for his eyes to widen.

Nothing.

Nothing but a strange glowing threads, the color of hydrangea he saw before he came to this tower.

Is this hair?

Akashi grab a handful to inspect and to his surprise it is really hair, a glowing powder blue hair. He searches its end or the owner. Madly dashing around once he saw the glowing hair scattered around the place. But just like the unbelievable no door he encounter at the base of the tower; it has none. Or in some sense, he couldn't find its begin (the owner) or the tip.

A shadow loomed at the back of Akashi. Quickly spinning around to catch the suspect but to his utter disbelief he found none.

"What in the world—!" He exclaimed, he had felt someone was behind him. He knew he saw a blur of sky blue in front of him. He swears to his deceased mother that someone was in front of him when he had turn around. Had he lose sight? Is this the work of the user of the forbidden books?

Another rustling sound echoed in the house. Akashi ceased all his movement. Letting his senses increase its sensitivity. He had now used his emperor eye, nothing would pass his watching orbs.

A minute had gone by with nothing but breathing of Akashi could be heard.

Five minutes.

Ten minutes…

A shadow appears on Akashi's line of vision and quickly, he got his Swiss knife off his pocket and throws it at the direction where he saw the silhouette.

Thwack!

The knife dug on the wall, but no person was there. Akashi stops on his tracks. Dread come full force on Akashi's spine. Behind him—

"It couldn't be—!"

And for the first time in Akashi's life, he had failed to see someone. To top it up, the first thing he saw, when he turn around was a rusty butt of a pan, hitting him straight on his face so hard that he had been consume by the dark. Akashi's body fell on the ground- face first- with a loud thud.

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"Nigou, I beat the monster!"

In front of the Rakuzan's Gate:

'

Akashi had already left for his quest, leaving Mayuzumi, in the dust. Which it was literally- Mayuzumi eating Akashi's horse dust. Piss off!

Complaining that he could just take off, without creating so much dust for the grey head to eat.

"That fucking twerp! I swear, some of this day I will strangled that head of yours!"

Somewhere between, cursing the short bastard king, Mayuzumi spotted a white sheet on the road. Seeing that it was very much familiar to him, he picked it up only to burst into fit of laugher.

"Pfft! Hahaha! Oh my fucking-!" The grey head cackle his heart in contentment, forgetting his anger towards their kings. He walks back to castle still, snorting to his self.

"Why won't he just be honest once in his life, pfft-" Tucking the piece of paper inside his pocket. Mayuzumi would just have to step up his game, before some red head get to his object of interest first.

Well, leaving for his deserved vacation would give him time to start searching.

Check List:

1. Swords (Check)
2. Talisman and stones (Check)
3. Food and Water (Check)
4. Money (Check)
5. Extra clothes (Check)
6. Pendant (Check)
7. Swiss knife (Check)
8. Destiny (Check)
9. Find the forbidden books (Blank)
10. Voice (Blank)

Too bad, Akashi. I would be the first to find out who the voice is.

Turtle-chi: Hahaha, Akashi is not honest, not honest at all. Hope you guys drop reviews, just let me know what you think of the chappie. That would seriously help me up! Cya again for the update and this time, bonding moment between our two little babies *waggle eyebrows*

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Next Chapter: She or He? With a Rusty Frying Pan