Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the plot and any OC's that may appear.

Trigger warnings: Blood, explicit violence, torture, panic attacks. I won't be held responsible if you do not heed my words.

"You…" lithe fingers ghosted over a pale face, lingering just beneath eyes with pupils blown wide from terror. Rich brown eyes drifted downwards, slowly, fearfully, until they met bloody crimson. Their skin paled further, taking an unhealthy paper-white pallor, but they couldn't look away from that manic gleam. A small, gentle smile was pasted on that face, and it felt so wrong alongside the murderous desire hanging heavily in the air.

"These eyes of yours are quite nice, aren't they?" That hand drifted higher, only a millimeter away from touching terror-filled orbs. "It's really too bad." His voice didn't sound regretful in the least. "That they've been looking at something they shouldn't."

Agonized screams rent the air as deceptively thing fingers dug in and tore brown eyes from their sockets, but Akashi didn't even seem to notice. He held up the bloody organs, glanced at now empty sockets dripping blood down a screaming visage, and turned them around, examining the brown tones uncaringly. Nice enough, he supposed, but they certainly couldn't compare to his Tetsuya. He dropped them on the floor and crushed them underfoot, before giving a distasteful look towards the now sobbing wreck in front of him. Tetsuya was far more dignified in agony when he was seven years old.

"I hope you've learned your lesson." His voice was as friendly and genial as before. "Have a nice day. Don't forget to turn in your resignation forms tomorrow. My company no longer has a place for you."

Walking away, he wondered how Tetsuya was doing.

Bokushi frowned, waking up from his restless sleep. He felt the usual exhaustion and ache in his Emperor Eye that came after such episodes. His eyes saw everything, including the future, and it could strain his energy.

He sighed to himself, unhappily, and shifted as best as a consciousness trapped in the mental plane could. Oreshi was becoming more and more unstable as time went by, and Bokushi was fairly unsurprised at what the future held. He had become desensitized to seeing what would happen in the next 20 years if things continued as they were. They had understood that having half of your personality and consciousness locked away couldn't be good for your mental state, but hadn't expected things to progress quite so quickly.

It was lucky that Oreshi was still mostly stable. Otherwise Tetsuya would have had a bit of trouble. It was interesting though, how Tetsuya was completely outside his Eye's power. He could never see what would happen if Tetsuya was involved. His current predictions were based off of a situation in which Tetsuya was present, but changed nothing. He could remain calm in these visions, knowing that they were impossible since Tetsuya not affecting something was a ridiculous idea.

Bokushi also knew that he and Oreshi's positions had essentially been reversed. Without Tetsuya's influence, Oreshi would have snapped under the pressure a couple years ago. Bokushi, who would have been deranged and unstable having been denied and rejected for so long, would have taken control and locked his counterpart in their mind until Tetsuya broke through his walls, resulting in the two personality's reconciliation. Instead, the reverse essentially happened. Bokushi was locked away along with Oreshi's memories and their soul bond with Tetsuya (which was all that kept him sane for the time in which the barrier was still too strong for him to look through Oreshi's eyes, even if his other didn't know he was there) instead, and Oreshi was the one going insane.

Bokushi was naturally the more ruthless personality, one who stood above others, not beside. Oreshi was kinder but still harsh, with an inferiority complex and the ability to recognize and draw out the best ability of everyone he worked alongside. It was comparable to a rubber band. Kinder people could be stretched farther before they broke. However, the farther they stretched, the harsher the recoil.

Really, he was looking forward to seeing Tetsuya again. Their one way connection where Bokushi could feel things from him, but nothing could get out to Tetsuya, wasn't satisfying anymore.

Tetsuya had integrated fantastically into the school. The students moved in a week before classes started, in order to settle in and begin making connections. This was a bit difficult for Tetsuya, with his low presence and the fact he didn't want to be seen. Of course, Kagami-kun, his closest friend for the past year in which they had met, and the rest of the Seirin group (the name they had chosen for themselves when they all moved into the Seirin dorms together) didn't allow him to isolate himself.

Well, not from them. They actually tended to scare away any outsiders who tried getting near him, despite the fact they didn't even notice he was there. Even the freshman trio had revealed a surprisingly aggressive side. He was touched by their care for him, recognizing it as similar to how his parents acted with everybody.

On another note, they had finally acknowledged the unresolved sexual tension between them three years into his, his absence (the unwanted spike of fear that occurred when he even brushed up against those memories had him quickly moving on). It was all that had held them up during the years of his absence, and even then, when he came back they were irreparably changed. But they worked through it together, even if there was many a bump in the road, what with the panic anytime he left their sight for over a year after his return, or the variety of other issues.

He jerked his mind away from those thoughts, not needing to descend into more unpleasant memories and have an anxiety attack, and focused on some simple, average information to keep from drifting.

'I'm 37 years old, about to start my ten years of school,' those memories were still brushing at the back of his mind, and as his breathing sped up he focused even more on average, everyday things, that had nothing to do with his issues. 'The school system is set up so, after learning from their parents, they can get used to associating with others during their mid-developmental stages.' His breathing was returning to normal, but he still didn't let his thoughts wander. 'The first two years of the mid-development stages, from 35-37, are vulnerable years, and are spent gaining self-confidence and affirming ones identity, so one isn't as pressured or affected by others once they get away from the safety of their home. Eight years are left in the mid stages, where they develop their social identity, and the last two years are spent in the final, young adult stage, where they affirm their position.'

Tetsuya nearly sobbed in relief as the panic finally left him, and the memories slunk back into the hole he kept them in. He though he was strong, but even after all these years of freedom, those memories still wouldn't let him go. It seemed that he was weak after all. But he couldn't tell his family, or Seirin, they would just worry, and there was nothing they could do differently. They helped him enough already, just caring for someone like himself, he could not burden them any further.

He stood from his bed, glanced himself over in the mirror, and nodded at his neat, dignified appearance. If someone actually managed to see him, he wanted to make a good impression. Mother would say that the white and blue uniform complemented his skin and hair nicely, or that the blazer made him look particularly handsome, something that filled him with confidence. But he was alone in his room, and he wouldn't bother her for something so trivial.

Those people had taught him well, after all, on how to hide away his emotions and not let them affect him. So even with fear clogging his throat, his voice would never waver, and his legs would never shake. He wouldn't disappoint his parents because of his emotions.

Walking out the door, he flashed a smile at the pictures of his family decorating cream-colored walls with light blue trim, and stepped off the plush, similarly-colored carpet into his indoor shoes.

Walking down the long hallways, he told himself that everything would be perfectly fine, and for a brief moments his thoughts strayed to Akashi. His first friend who had been taken from him by force by Akashi's own father. If they had parted on better circumstances, he wouldn't think of him so often, but as things were, he worried. Because their link had gone dull, and the only thing he could sense was that the other was alive.

But he had experience with the fact that being alive certainly didn't mean that one was okay. Very personal experience, that he could never forget.

He shook those thoughts off and continued walking.

"Kuroko!" Kagami practically growled out the name, having been searching for over 10 minutes now.

"Hai, Kagami-kun."

The redhead would never admit that he jumped and screamed in shock upon hearing the other's voice behind him. A year, and he was still snuck up on every damn time! It had pissed him off at first, but at this point he felt more exasperated than anything.

Turning around, he eyed his best friend and hoped the other would chalk his brilliant blush up to anger. He didn't know anyone who wouldn't blush in front of Kuroko though! Getting a good look at the bluenet equaled developing an instantaneous crush. Getting to know him was falling head over heels in love.

Honestly, it was just a good thing that Kuroko always had his scent under control, even in his sleep. Because Kagami wasn't exactly a good example of control over his Alpha instincts. While him hurting Kuroko was frankly absurd even under influence, the way he would act would be incredibly embarrassing. His only consolation was the same applied to just about everyone else. Except they wouldn't be as averse to hurting his Omega friend.

Which was why Kagami, and the rest of Seirin, had to protect their Phantom. They knew that he could kick the ass of anyone who tried something up and down the street without breaking a sweat. The problem was he wouldn't. Kuroko was more likely to let someone assault him than try and hurt them. Which wasn't unusual for an omega, at all, considering their nurturing instincts. The problem was Kuroko didn't let people fawn over or protect him like most Omegas did. It left way too many chances for someone to catch him alone for anyone's comfort.

His train of thought had smoke coming off his head as sparks began igniting from his irate aura. Kuroko gave him a look, though, and patted the tiny flames down to prevent him from full out bursting into flame. Kagami blushed bright red in embarrassment, looking down at having forgotten to keep his fiery aura under control. You see, he had the unfortunate combination of an extremely powerful and reactive fire alignment, and a easily ignited temper. He spent most of his life spontaneously combusting when he was irritated, which was often, though he had started getting it under control in the past year.

He couldn't embarrass himself in front of his crush, alright!? Another spark was patted down, and he seemed to shrink.

Yeah, he was trying, but it wasn't going all that well.

It was at this point he realized he hadn't responded for way too long, unless you counted almost lighting himself on fire as a response. Which he didn't. He wanted to dig a hole and jump in it right about now, but he gathered himself and tried blustering his way through a greeting.

"Damnit you bastard! Stop sneaking up on me!"

He nearly cringed at his failure, but the tiny twitch upwards of Kuroko's (full, beautiful, pale-pink) lips instantly chased away anything resembling negativity. He grinned back, face still a bit pink but for a different reason. Well, it looked sort of like a predator baring their teeth, and was enough to make other alphas scramble away, but Kuroko easily recognized it as a smile. He was a bit too optimistic when it came to seeing the good in people, but his powerful empathy kept him from getting taken advantage of.

If not for the fact that he allowed himself to knowingly be used without someone to keep him in check. This tendency had earned him many a clutch-mode lecture from Hyuuga, and a smack with a paper fan from Riko. Depending on how idiotic they thought he had been, there was also a chance of a boston crab hold.

"Tch, whatever. I've been waiting for you, so let's just go. If we don't get there on time…" There was a simultaneous shudder at the thought of what Riko considered a fitting punishment for tardiness. It suddenly seemed like a good time to get in a bit of speed training.

As they ran towards the Seirin basketball gym, they ran past a particularly colorful group. Most only saw one person running past, and grumbled in irritation. The redhead spearheading the formation, however, noticed a second person running just behind the other.

Eyes just the slightest bit wider, he realized it was a person he most certainly recognized.

Who wouldn't recognize their obsession of the last 27 years? With all those hours he spent staring at pictures like some kind of stalker, it would be weirder if he didn't.

Slowly, his lips curled up into a smug smile, sending shivers down the spines of the four walking behind him.

'It's about time I found you, my dearest Tetsuya.'

Riko looked up as the gym door was flung open, arching an eyebrow at the two standing in the doorway. Kagami was heaving for breath, but Kuroko appeared unaffected, unless you knew what you were looking for. Riko could easily tell that the bluenet was just as bad off as his counterpart.

It didn't matter how athletic he truly was, with how he kept his abilities forcibly sealed all the time. They had never seen his "bright" style, as he called it, since he only used it against someone with equal or stronger ability in basketball than himself. So his parents were the only one who had seen it. His "shadow" style was just as powerful though, simply in a different way. A style where he was the central actor, and a style where he was the supporting cast, the latter of which he vastly preferred, and the former which he was too traumatized to use.

If Seirin ever got their hands on the people who did this to him, then there were very few lines they wouldn't be willing to cross. Not like they would go to prison considering who Kuroko's parents were.

No one could hurt Seirin's precious Phantom without consequences.

They were all either Alphas or powerful Betas after all. People tended to forget that everyone had vicious, animal instincts, trying to pass themselves off as cultured and civilized. But in this particular school, the average person didn't exist. It was filled with Alphas, and Betas who might as well be, because it was the school where only the strongest went. The ones who embraced their animalistic nature, which was naturally more powerful than most.

Animals don't take more than they need. But nor do they tolerate others poaching from their territory, and they certainly don't tolerate others hurting their flock. Getting away without your throat being ripped out could be classified as lucky.

It might seem odd that Kuroko, an Omega, came to this school for the most dominant characters in the world. However, despite his guise as a gentle doormat, he utterly outclassed every Alpha in this very school. When he was ordered around, it was because he allowed it. Every single person who had ever commanded something of him couldn't help but be aware of this fact, no matter how cocky they were. Because even those with the weakest of instincts knew when they were in the presence of something far beyond themselves.

Even as Riko smirked, gave a pointed look at the clock indicating they were two minutes and seven seconds late, and ordered them to start their punishment exercises, she was perfectly aware that Kuroko followed her orders not because he had to, but because he wanted to. Because he respected her knowledge, respected her, and wasn't that knowledge humbling?

Kuroko Tetsuya was the kind of person that no one in the world deserved. But Seirin would do their best to be someone worthy of knowing him, no matter how impossible the task was. Not to mention getting rid of anyone who thought they could just come in and sidle up to him because he was ridiculously, incredibly, amazingly, shockingly, inhumanly, she was getting a bit carried away here but even all those words couldn't quite convey just how attractive he was. Thinking about his appearance, one couldn't help but get distracted, no matter how disciplined they were. Thinking about his personality? Just give yourself up as a lost cause.

Watching the light and shadow duo run around while Kagami exasperatedly scolded Kuroko for who-knows-what, her smile softened a bit, before turning back into a smirk as she faced the rest of the team, nervously awaiting her next orders. Her grin widened as they flinched at the devious look in her eyes.

"You've all been getting complacent lately, so I think it's about time to step your training up a bit." She laughed internally at their paling faces, and began handing out training menus, horrified groans music to her ears.

It was good to be the coach.

Kuroko walked casually through the school courtyard, wiping off a residual drop of water from his recent shower after Riko's training-from-Hell. The burn of his muscles was satisfying, a physical confirmation that he had done his best and was improving for it. He was beginning to get the hang of his latest technique, passing the ball to the hoop rather than a player, which would allow him to properly score in a pinch.

While scoring would be child's play with his bright style, he physically couldn't use it. He was able to gauge the ability of anyone he played within ten minutes of playing them, and could accurately compare their strength and ability to his own. His mind subconsciously limited his skills unless they were able to match his ability, and there was no way to get past that. Being honest, he didn't actually want to. After what he had done, he realized his bright style wasn't something you could freely use against just anyone.

For a while, he hadn't been able to play at all, which nearly broke what remained of his spirit after that incident, and his hosts certainly weren't being considerate of his state. His previously perfect form always was subconsciously ruined at just the right moment to give him a 1/10 accuracy rate, his stamina fell a ridiculous amount, he was suddenly slow and always tripped up on drives, all in all, he became a pitiful player unless challenged by someone capable of removing his limitations. However, he soon discovered that passing was still open to him. Not only that, but he derived more pleasure from what he dubbed his shadow style than his bright one.

Sure it was fun to go all out against someone who could match him at full strength, but bringing out the strength of his team was a far more enjoyable experience. The feeling of working alongside others, getting a friendly slap on the back at the end of a game with a word of praise at an especially good pass, was far superior to standing ahead of others and pulling them along to fit his pace.

Kuroko Tetsuya loved being Seirin's shadow, and wouldn't give it up for any amount of recognition. The only acknowledgement he needed was from his team.

Lost in thought, he didn't notice the person in front of him until he already ran face first into the brick wall that was their chest.

"My apologies, I am afraid that I was lost in thought." Looking up, he forgot to breathe as he met very bright, and very familiar, ruby red eyes.

Akashi had seen the other coming, but rather than move aside, he had intentionally stood in the other's pass for the sake of instigating an interaction. He needed to catch Tetsuya's attention, and was pleased when he succeeded and was rewarded with the most stunning blue eyes he had ever seen raising to meet his own. He nearly forgot to breathe, looking into them, and wanted to jump for joy at the recognition he saw in those eyes. Tetsuya's voice, though… no words could describe its sheer beauty. However, he prided himself on his self control, and showed no sign of this, instead giving a small smile to the other boy.

"I assure you, the fault is my own. I would be more than willing to make it up to you, Tetsuya."

"Akashi-kun?" Tetsuya's mouth widened into a desperate smile, enough to make Akashi choke on his own saliva, and the hope shining in the phantom's eyes only heightened the effect. He didn't notice when the hope faded, replaced with confusion, which was rapidly turning to disappointment.

"Indeed, Tetsuya." Akashi lifted a hand to the others face, cupping it tenderly, too enthralled to notice the other growing tense, a spark of anger igniting behind the usually placid eyes. "Then, you are mine." He drew his hand away, expecting the other to follow as anyone he graced with his attention usually did.

Even the most gentle person would be upset if something they had desperately hoped for the past 27 years turned out to be a disappointment. Suddenly being treated as a possession by someone you once considered your best friend, still considered your first friend, would doubtless make one angry.

Tetsuya always did have a bit of a temper, when you got through his usual passiveness.

He could clearly see, now, what had discomfited him so. What he had denied all this time. The beautiful, orange-gold portion of Akashi's soul was dull, a despondent grey color. He reached out mentally, and sensed the tampering that locked away Akashi's memories, and half of his soul.

Suddenly, he was very, very, angry. At himself, for hoping and being disappointed. At whoever it was that did this. And most of all, he was irrationally angry with Akashi-, no Oreshi. He was not the complete Akashi with half of himself gone.

His Omega side had respected the strength and force of will that made up Akashi's strength as an Alpha. His human side had respected Akashi's genuine care for him, his strength of character, and his wit. Suddenly being greeted with half his Alpha side, which was pitiful having known his true strength, though it seemed exceptional to others, enraged him. Seeing a naive brat who thought that he could give a command and have Tetsuya follow without question downright disgusted him.

Both sides of him were completely in sync. They would not acknowledge a smattering of leftovers as a proper meal. Why should they acknowledge a clearly unstable Oreshi as the full Akashi?

"Did you believe that would do something?" Akashi jerked, turning in shock at the sudden fury in that previously hopeful voice. "Did you honestly think that someone as weak as yourself could order me about so flippantly?" Burning teal pupils shrank further and further in his rage, and beneath his skin, the seven colors of the rainbow began to swirl violently in response to his anger. He kept the presence of mind to mostly keep himself under control, but he couldn't keep his tail from uncurling from his waist, feathers splaying out aggressively.

"Do you think half an Alpha can earn my respect? I met you expecting the strength I acknowledged and get half the person I knew. As long as part of your soul is dull and locked away, I refuse to associate with someone such as yourself. Utterly pathetic." Whipping around, his tail flew up and slapped Akashi across the face, showing utter disdain in the fact that he didn't even look at the redhead while he did so. "For your own sake, I hope that you regain yourself quickly. I miss Akashi. Not a piece of him that hasn't even noticed he's being deceived."

Then he stalked away, tail lashing behind him, and no one stood in his path. He was very visible at this moment, and everyone had enough sense to avoid being between him and his destination. Even someone without their strong instincts could tell that much. Akashi didn't even notice the crowd that had gathered during his tongue-lashing. Instead, he raised a hand up to his reddening cheek, absently noting the sting there.

He was stunned, but what Tetsuya had said raised several questions, which he would be looking into immediately. The other seemed focused on the fact that he was "half" of what he had been when they knew each other, and had mentioned something about him not having noticed being tampered with. Yes, these things bore investigating, and soon. Because the faster he understood, the faster he could regain Tetsuya's acknowledgement. Their meeting had affirmed what had previously been an errant thought in his mind.

'I won't let you go. Soon enough, I'll prove that I am worthy of you.'

Akashi also shared a common thought with everyone else who had seen the encounter.

'Note: Kuroko Tetsuya is incredibly sexy when angered.'

Kuroko snarled angrily, stalking around the clearing he had found a couple days ago. He was closely attuned with nature, considering one of his alignments was Life, and the atmosphere in this clearing was perfect for soothing his emotions. He had chosen it because of the powerful nature aura it gave off, in case he had an anxiety attack. It had been a long time since he was so angry, and he hadn't expected to need it for this, but was glad he had it all the same.

Abruptly turning, he lashed out towards a nearby tree, hand easily going through it to the other side. He didn't flinch at the splinters that flew everywhere, or the ones now digging into his skin. Jerking his hand out roughly, he turned away from the tree, and an absent fluctuation of his aura pushed the splinters out and healed over the tiny wounds. A bit calmer, he pushed a little of his aura out, and within seconds the hole in the tree closed over, and it looked healthier than before.

Having gotten rid of some of his anger, the emotion he had been ignoring pushed through, and he sank to his knees. A choked sob tore its way out of his throat, and he slowly curled his spine until his forehead lay pressed against the ground. Low, heaving keens ripped from his throat, pitiful, choking sounds that clawed at your heart. His eyes were closed tightly, painfully, and tears poured from the lids and corners, soaking his face and the earth below him.

More than anything, he was heartbroken. Betrayed. Akashi had forgotten about him, gone on with his life without a second thought for his dull, uninteresting childhood friend who was in the past, not worth a second thought. He had allowed Bokushi to be sealed away, lost all their times together, ignored all Kuroko had taught him. Did he matter that little to Akashi? All this time, he'd been pining like some dumb, heartsick little creature, and Akashi hadn't even remembered him. It hurt, it hurt so badly. Gradually, he went from sad to panicking, older, darker memories rushing back in his moment of weakness.

Breathe.

They were etching pretty little symbols across his arms, with red-hot knives. Things went dark.

Breathe.

A fist sunk into his stomach, and as he collapsed to the floor, breath stolen, a leg came up, slamming into his curled up abdomen, and sent him flying into the wall. Things went dark.

Breathe.

A newspaper clipping, waved in front of his face, and he recognized that person, very very clearly. He had done that, they told him. He had caused that. And he knew it was true. His breath grew short, and things went dark.

He couldn't breathe. It wasn't working. It wasn't working. The natural aura around him couldn't compare to his panic. His vision narrowed down, lack of oxygen making dots dance across his eyes, and as the lights shrunk to a pinprick, he only felt relieved as things went dark. The last thing he felt was unusually large hands, familiar hands, gently picking him up.

A/N: Did you like it? Kuroko is traumatized, the miracles are hardly alluded to, Seirin makes a cameo (they'll be the focus of the next chapter) and Akashi is a stalker.