A/N: Hello there! I am sorry for the lateness of my updates! I do know some of you are being super impatient now for the next chapters of most of my fanfictions. I do hope you can bare with my hiatusness (if that's even a word) since it'll last for few more weeks…about two more weeks, I think?

Um, is there anyone here who has read Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series, and Heroes of Olympus Series? If so, do any of you ship SolAngelo: Nico and Will together? Because I just published new stories concerning these two, and I'd be so glad if you try them!

Anyway, prepare tissues.

Me and my sadistic-masochistic tendencies,

LFMH021

"Our Ray of Shine"

Chapter Eight:

Eiji Shirogane paced his office back and forth. He peeped through the curtains, and clicked his tongue when he saw some of Seirin's members walking downtown while laughing and chatting animatedly. He narrowed his eyes, and glanced at the folder on his desk before sighing. "It seems like their skills have turned rusty." He hissed as he walked towards his desk to pick up the one and only folder on top of his table. He opened it, and scanned its' contents.

He couldn't help gritting his teeth in annoyance. Days he tried to find where the Generation of Miracles lived, but he still had no real track where they'd hidden. Yes, Nijimura sometimes visited and told him reports about the five, but the latter never could somehow pinpoint the Generation of Miracle's exact location. Nijimura could only tell him their phone number, but nothing more.

Knowing he didn't know something made Eiji more pissed than he was before. Days have passed since these five failed on trying to kill their thousandth target: Tetsumi Kuroko. He thought they had another plan, but it seemed they didn't. They just ran off, and stayed as peaceful as they wanted somewhere.

Seeing as these five were necessary to his plans, he didn't want to kill them yet even if he has all the resources he need to get rid of them if he really wanted to. These five were remarkably efficient and full of skills he has never seen on the other kids he adopted and trained before. These five were the greatest silent murderers he could find. Even if you disband them, each of them would be a league of his own.

And he didn't want any of them to slip from his grasp, especially Akashi Seijuuro. He wanted to test Akashi that's why he commanded the red-head to kill the Seirin members, but it seemed that after not killing for quite a long time, he has fallen into Seirin's trap, and ended up failing.

And Eiji didn't tolerate failure, he never did.

He raised his eyes when he heard his office's doorknob being turned. He blinked when Nijimura Shizuo appeared before him. The dark-head bowed, and then saluted. "Nijimura Shizuo, your right hand has arrived. I have an announcement to make—"

"Akashi failed on killing them, didn't he?" He interrupted with a smirk. "I saw most of them pass by just now. It seems our client will be disappointed on this failure…again. He has been failed twice, he wouldn't like that." He added before placing the folder back on the desk.

Nijimura gulped, and nodded. "W-What do you want us to do now? Do you want us to find them, and finally kill them?" He asked while trying to keep a straight face. Eiji couldn't blame him, these five have been the best kids thy adopted and trained. Nijimura almost became their old brother for all those missions they went to.

Eiji smirked. "No, I'll deal with our client's rage. Just find out first where they live, what they do, and how they are. If Tetsumi Kuroko's with them, try to bring her back. Alive or dead, I don't care. Trick them, if you must. I'll give you a week to bring her back."

"Y-Yes, Sir!" Nijimura answered, and then blinked in sudden realization. He pursed his lips. "What about Himuro Tatsuya and Takao Kazunari, Sir?"

Eiji exhaled in exasperation before pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. "You mean those two are also with the Generation of Miracles?"

The dark-head teenager in front of him nodded sharply. "Yes, they took these two in as well, together with Tetsumi Kuroko."

"Fine, bring them back. Alive, if you must. If you need to torture them to coming with you, you can. I don't really care. Three weeks, this is the final deadline. If you also fail, consider you along with those five dead as I hunt you down, and kill you myself. Do know I show no mercy for those who don't bring me home victory." Eiji threatened as he picked up a dart, and threw it right at Nijimura. The latter stiffened when it missed his left cheek half an inch away, and landed on the soft carpeting behind him instead. "Understood?"

Nijimura Shizuo straightened up. His usually bored eyes turned sober. His face revealing who he really was: the strong kid who Eiji adopted because he was abandoned when he was ten years old, and then was trained, and could only be given freedom to do whatever he wants with all money he wants if he could kill five thousand targets. After almost seven years in service, he had killed three thousand and two targets. How? No one knew. He just kills as silent as a feather passing by, that's what most know since he has never seem to have failed. He was one of the best murderers Eiji has trained. "Understood!" He shouted, and quickly ran off Eiji Shirogane's office.

No one knew that behind the famous loaning company: 'Empress' Corporation' was a black market organization where gambling happen, drug pushing happen, red district happen, human trafficking happen, and murderous paid murders happen. Looks could be deceiving.

~LFMH021~

The mansion was as silent as it was yesterday. The only things you could hear around was the echoing of the silverwares against plates and the sound of the Television, which was just left there without anyone to watch the show being televised.

All Kuroko had done since yesterday was tending to everyone's needs while dismissing her own. After doing the chores, she would just pick up some bread and then quickly go to Akashi's side.

Everyone knew his condition, but it seemed to have become a taboo topic, which was why no one spoke of it.

Midorima was restless, he always went back and forth in town for supplies Akashi needed. It perked everyone's interest on how he could get everything he needed, even blood, and dextrose, but no one spoke a work of it.

"…I'm done, ssu." Kise mumbled as he placed stopped eating his half-touched lunch. He looked at the stairs, and prayed that a miracle happens, but he just ended up even sadder than he already was.

"That's rare. You haven't finished your lunch, Kise." Aomine commented as he asked for seconds.

The blonde shook his head. "I don't have an appetite."

That was when the bluenet grabbed Kise's lunch, and ate it as well. "Oh well, more for me!" Aomine announced and continued eating.

"…care…" Everyone heard Kise murmur.

Takao raised his eyes to look at the copycat. "…Kise—"

But the table was brought to a sudden surprise when the blonde stood up, slammed his hands on the table as he glared at the bluenet right beside him. He gritted his teeth, and growled, "Don't you even care, Aominecchi?!"

The ace looked up, and shrugged. "Even if we mourn, not like he'd get better." He answered nonchalantly.

"Ever since yesterday, you look so perplexed about what happened with Akashicchi! Your careless attitude pisses me off, ssu! Why are you such a bastard when we need your support most, Aominecchi? Don't you even care about how much Akashicchi has done for you?!" The blonde shouted, hopeless tears running down his cheeks.

"Calm down, Kise, he is quite right. Mourning won't solve anything at all. How about we just, you know, enjoy every day?" Takao suggested, and tried to make his opinion sound as a joke, but it was the first time he felt like he was the most idiotic person in the world as Midorima casted him a pained gaze. "I-Uh-I mean—" He stuttered.

Midorima tried to hold his sobs, but he ended up crying, anyway. "Don't think you can make everything as a joke, Takao, nanodayo!" He growled. "This is a serious issue, and you want us to enjoy every day when we don't even know what will happen with Akashi? Just who do you think stopped Aomine from killing you? It was Akashi!" It was unusual for the green-head to shout, but he was sobbing while helplessly shouting these things. Seeing those tears run down Midorima's face suddenly made Takao regret his carelessness in everything.

"I…I'm sorry. I was just trying to relieve the stress and tension in here…I…" Takao trailed off as Midorima continued crying across him. "Do you really care that much about him, Shin-chan?" He blurted out.

The green-head stared at him for awhile before looking away. "…Akashi was the one who helped me, and asked our boss to take me in. He was my savior. Of course, I care about him, nanodayo." He replied, and casted a cold glance at the dark-head before him. "Unlike you."

Takao's rage somehow got into him. "For freak's sake! I care about him, of course! But what does mourning would do?! You damn bastards all know is mourn and mourn!" He grunted.

Himuro sighed. "Cut it out, people." He mumbled. "Aomine-kun, please do behave appropriately, Kise-kun, please calm down. Takao-kun, I do see your point but please lower your voice. Midorima-kun, we all care—"

Murasakibara looked at the dark-head. "Muro-chin, whose side are you really in? You always seem to be neutral, I'm having my doubts you're really with us…"

"What-? Where did this even come from, Atsushi? Of course, I'm on your side!" Himuro protested desperately.

Kise glared at Himuro. "Are you? I feel like you aren't." He snapped.

Takao smirked. "You're so great at accusing others, but you obviously seem to not trust one another despite being together for years. Who are you kidding?" He pointed out, which made Kise turn to him.

Aomine frowned. "Oi, you have no say to this. Be grateful I spared you."

"But you didn't. You obviously always wanted to kill us if only Akashi-kun didn't cast you a dark look every single time you had that murderous look on your face." Himuro hissed.

"You idiots—" Murasakibara was starting until a sudden shriek stopped them all.

"SHUT UP!" Was Kuroko Tetsumi's scream as she walked down the staircase. Everyone stiffened when they saw her swollen eyes. She sniffed, and glared at them. "Just shut up, please?" She whimpered, and ended up sitting on a step. "We all care about Akashi-kun, I can see that. But…would accusing one another bring his consciousness back? Do you think he'd like seeing like this?" She whispered, and sobbed. "I know, he was your savior. He was also my knight, my savior, my hero…but I've gotten into a lot of thinking, and I concluded that I should just, you know, surrender and let them kill me."

Everyone's eyes turned at her like they just saw a ghost.

She smiled bitterly before lacing her fingers. "If I wasn't brought here instead of being killed then you would have all lived freely now. If I was just gone, you could have just been happier. If it wasn't for me…" She paused, and glared at the ground while continuing on crying. "He…he ended up like that…because of me…" She added, and tried to wipe away the tears, but they continued streaming down her face.

"…Ne, Kurokocchi…" Kise, who has regained his composure, called out as he slowly approached her. "What do you really think about Akashicchi?"

The teal-head looked up, and frowned. "I…I don't know." She admitted. "He makes me feel like I finally belong somewhere. He treats me like I'm so fragile and delicate. He spoils me like I'm a princess that was caged too long. He shows me the happiest smiles despite the nightmares he always have. He makes me feel like my heart would burst whenever he looks at me. His heterochromatic eyes always give me the feeling that I am safe with him…"

Akashi extended an arm. "Copy my hand."

So she also extended her arm, and opened her palm.

The red-head took hold of her open palm with his own, and he raised his thumb. He poked her thumb with his own, and hers ended under his. "I won."

She blinked. "So all this time, you just wanted to say you want to play thumb wrestling?"

He looked away. "Well, yes."

Kuroko blinked, and poked his thumb with her own. She went side to side, and then her thumb backed away when he tried to capture it. Her thumb then went down, and completely pushed his thumb under hers. "Looks like I won."

Akashi seemed surprise. "…You really are out of the ordinary. That was the first time I was defeated on this game."

She sobbed, and looked at the ones that had surrounded her in concern. "I love him…" She whispered, and wailed even more. "I love Akashi-kun…" She repeated as she sobbed on Kise's chest. "I cannot let him go. Many times, I wanted to suggest to give me back, but imagining not being with him…makes me so sad, I cannot bring it up…I love him…"

Nigou, the puppy who helped her yesterday, whimpered and licked her hand. It went on her lap, and sat there with eyes filled with love.

"Barbecue."

"No, cheddar."

"Barbecue." She insisted as she hugged the Barbecue flavored potato chips.

But Akashi took the one she was holding and grabbed the cheddar flavored one instead. "Cheddar." He urged.

She pouted, and glared at him.

"Tetsumi, don't you dare—"

But her hands had started moving, and finally she ended up crossing her arms in front of her chest as she glared at Akashi. "I. Hate. You."

He stiffened, and sighed in defeat. "Fine, we take the barbecue one."

Her pout dissolved, and was replaced with a small smile. "Thanks." She said as she hugged her bag of potato chips.

They all looked at the front door when someone suddenly rang the doorbell.

"Who could it be?" Kise whispered.

"It's just after lunch, do you think it's safe to open it?" Himuro murmured.

Aomine huffed. "So suspicious. Want me to open the intercom?"

Midorima nodded before taking out the small gun on his back pocket. "If it's someone suspicious, I'll get him upstairs."

Takao stared at the gun in Midorima's hands. "Do you always have that?"

The green-head looked at him as if he asked the most obvious question in the world.

"Shin-chan, that's creepy!" Takao hissed.

Murasakibara took long strides, and opened the intercom.

They all gasped with the familiar face on the screen. "Oi, open this up! It's me, Nijimura! After trying to find you for a whole day, you think I'd let this go? Open up!"

"Do we need to hide now?" Takao mumbled.

"Yes, if you can, please run—" Midorima started.

But Kuroko has stood up, and was now approaching the door. Her usually emotionless eyes filled with something unusual—rage, perhaps?

"Open it." She said to Murasakibara.

The violet-head blinked. "No, Kuro-chin. Hide first."

"No, open it, Murasakibara-kun." She replied.

"But, Kuroko—" Himuro began.

"Open it or I'm going to grab Midorima-kun's gun and kill myself." She threatened, which made the room's temperature drop to zero.

Murasakibara gulped, and then opened the front door.

An energetic Nijimura Shizuo entered. Murasakibara quickly shut the door as the unexpected visitor looked around in amazement. "What a great mansion!" He commented with a grin.

But everyone just stared at him with unreadable eyes.

"Uh, oh, and such great interior designing! I must commend the one who designed it!" He added with a laugh, but it died down when everyone still didn't react or say anything.

Nijimura blinked. "What's with the cold shoulder?" He grunted, and no one answered. "Oh, by the way, I heard about what happened with Akashi. He survived, wow, but he failed. I wonder what the boss will say…Anyway, he's upstairs, right? Can I see him?" He was about to walk upstairs when he was halted by Tetsumi. "WHOA! When did you appear—"

"Don't go to him."

"Huh? But why?"

"I'm sorry, but it seems I need to say this to you. I hate you, Nijimura-san." Tetsumi politely stated.

"What? What did I even do—"

"If Akashi-kun dies, I'll never forgive you." Tetsumi added.

The black-head was about to retort when he saw the tears that were in verge of being spilled. He bit his bottom lip. "He's…in a bad condition, isn't he?"

"He's in coma." Was the others' direct answer, which made them feel like the silence suddenly echoed all around them.

Nijimura stared at the ground in shock. "That bad?" He whispered in alarm. "He ended up that bad?" He repeated as he fell on sofa. "…I didn't know he'd end up that bad when I passed this mission to him." He admitted.

"But you still did." Midorima remarked before pushing his glasses. "His heterochromatic eyes have turned both red now. And you know what that meant, nanodayo. His abilities rely on his eyes, along with his reflexes. If his eyes have turned both red, and quite not as powerful, it means his energy was disappearing. His life force is dissolving after all the torture he had gotten into when he was jailed by Seirin." He explained.

Nijimura gulped. "He's almost like a little bro for me…just like you all are. Can I see him?"

"You can't. Until I tell you that you can, please do not go near him." Tetsumi commanded before walking upstairs. "I'll guard him for awhile, please wash the dishes." She added, and disappeared.

Nijimura looked around him, and saw Himuro and Takao in a corner. His eyes narrowed a little.

"Fine, bring them back. Alive, if you must. If you need to torture them to coming with you, you can. I don't really care. Three weeks, this is the final deadline. If you also fail, consider you along with those five dead as I hunt you down, and kill you myself. Do know I show no mercy for those who don't bring me home victory."

He was about to stand up when Aomine grabbed him by the front of his shirt. "I know you. And you know me. You dare lay a finger on any of these three we've taken in, I promise you that you'll see our abilities which Eiji has never seen."

That was when Nijimura remembered his and Eiji's conversation once when these five were still on training.

"They seem to be very skilled." Nijimura commented.

"…They are, but it seems like I can't take out their full abilities. I feel like they can still do better." Eiji murmured.

"How is that even possible? They're so skilled now."

"Zone." Eiji answered. "The 'Zone' is the ability of an individual to go beyond his limit. It's like a special place for those that are chosen. This Generation of Miracle, I'm sure they can enter the zone, but I feel like they don't want to."

Aomine huffed, and released him. "Tetsu's our ray of shine. You dare try to bring her back, and Akashi will surely rise from his slumber."

~LFMH021~

Kuroko took hold of one of Akashi's hands, and squeezed it before looking at the sleeping face of Akashi.

"You have a great voice." Akashi commented when she stopped singing while washing the dishes.

She turned, and shook her head. "I don't."

"Don't be too modest, I feel kind of embarrassed with my pride now. But yes, you do have a great voice. Mind singing again?"

"Love of mine, some day you will die. But I'll be close behind. I'll follow you into the dark." She began as she squeezed his hand. "No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white. Just our hands clasped so tight. Waiting for the hint of a spark." She sadly smiled as she remembered the way he first looked at her when they busted open into her room on her birthday, and it sent something like sadness within her.

"If Heaven and Hell decide. That they both are satisfied. Illuminate the No's on their vacancy signs. If there's no one beside you. When your soul embarks. Then I'll follow you into the dark." She continued and realized death didn't seem that scary when she try to imagine being with Akashi. "In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule. I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black. And I held my tongue as she told me,"Son, fear is the heart of love." So I never went back." That was when she remembered the way he leaned down, and kissed her when they went out. She wasn't sure what that kiss meant, but it would be one of her unforgettable memories.

"If Heaven and Hell decide. That they both are satisfied. Illuminate the No's on their vacancy signs. If there's no one beside you. When your soul embarks. Then I'll follow you into the dark." She sang and then whispered, "Don't take my ray away. Please, give him back…"

"You and me have seen everything to see. From Bangkok to Calgary. And the soles of your shoes are all worn down. The time for sleep is now. It's nothing to cry about. 'Cause we'll hold each other soon. In the blackest of rooms." She tried to think of how much torture Akashi has taken from keeping her away from Kagami, and she burst into tears again. She was no crybaby, but who could smile when you weren't sure anymore if the one you love would come back?

"If Heaven and Hell decide. That they both are satisfied. Illuminate the No's on their vacancy signs. If there's no one beside you. When your soul embarks. Then I'll follow you into the dark. Then I'll follow you into the dark." She finished, and placed her crying face on Akashi's chest.

"…You don't…need…to follow…I'm…back…" said a hoarse voice from inches away from her.

She lifted her head, and gasped when a smiling Akashi looked back at her. His eyes were back to being golden and crimson. His lips weren't as pale as they were minutes ago. "A-Akashi-kun!" She whispered as she squeezed his hand.

He squeezed hers back weakly. "I'm sorry…Did I sleep too long?" He choked.

She nodded with tears streaming down her cheeks. "You slept in. You didn't get to eat my new invention. Y-You should have warned us you're sleeping in…"

He chuckled, and caressed her cheek. "I told you didn't I, your voice is great. It even healed me, somehow." He mumbled, and motioned her to get closer.

So she did.

And her eyes widened when he weakly pulled her head, and leaned his dry and cold lips against her. "…Don't ever think of following after me again…" He scolded, and caressed her cheeks. "I will never leave you alone." He added, and placed a small kiss on her lips again.

She tried to hold it down, but she ended sobbing as she hugged the finally-awake Akashi with her arms. "Don't scare me like that again, Akashi-kun. It wasn't funny, and I don't appreciate the way you just kissing me without explanation, and then leaving me alone."

He chuckled as he wiped her tears away. "It seems you're still confused." He murmured.

She blinked. "About?"

He intertwined their hands, and let out one shaky breath. "I love you." He confessed as he stared right back at her teal eyes.

A/N: Ugh! It's so hard to rush! And I'm all out of feels because of Percy Jackson's sassyness and SolAngelo's fluffiness!

Anyway, I hope you still liked it!

Oh, and it's not nearing its' end. Hahahaha! We still have a long way to go, guys!

PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW!

SNEAK PEEK:

"Do you know who asked us to kill you?" Nijimura mumbled as he trapped her to the wall.

She tried to struggle away, but she was right to suspect he was really strong. "Do I really need to know?"

He smirked. "I figured that if I let you know, you'll kill yourself."

She glared at him. "I am so sorry to disappoint you, but I am not as weak as you think I am." She replied.

Nijimura blinked. "Oh well then. It's Kuroko Hutaro. Your father. He wants you dead so that the Kagami family, and all your other connections will provide your family money to send their condolences. With all of your connections, he'll surely gain more even if you not marry Kagami Taiga." He answered which made her freeze on her feet. "And Akashi Seijuuro is actually being considered being adopted by him after you're killed. It seems Akashi has agreed for the money." He added. "Your father wants you dead for the money. Akashi agrees on being adopted for money. It seems that money is more important to them than you, Tetsumi Kuroko."