Title: Ai Monogatari

Rating: T

Pairings: Kagami x Fem!Kuroko, Aomine x Fem!Kise, Murasakibara x Fem!Himuro, Midorima x Fem!Takao, OnesidedFem!Kuroko x Aomine, PastFem!Kuroko x Ogiwara

Warnings: Gender Bender, Alternate Universe, OOC, Slow Updates, Slow Romantic Development.

Summary: Kuroko Tetsumi, the First Princess of Teiko and the favourite sister of the current emperor, had been prophesized to love three men. The first man loved her but she hadn't been able to save him. The second one would never love her in the same way. The third one…

Authors Notes:Edited so that the audience could view the meaning easily.

AI MONOGATARI

愛物語

(LOVE STORY)

PROLOGUE

The first time I knew romantic love was when I was five years old. I couldn't remember many things about that day but I could recall that Hahaue(1) had received a message from Chichiue's (2) valet. At that time, the borders of Yozen were attacked by barbarians from the west and Chichue had gone to the frontline to personally oversee the battle. He was a Warrior King and the years spent in the confines of the Crimson Palace had bored him. He was more suited as a general but, nevertheless, he was a good king. Despite hating politics and paper works, he had bear it all because he loved Teiko with all his heart

I didn't know what the message contained but I could still recall the paleness of Hahaue's cheeks that even the rouge couldn't conceal. Her hands were shaking as she took mine and she led me to the temple. My mother was known as a calm and composed woman so her face didn't change as she uttered and bowed to the ancestors and gods as I knelt beside her. Hahaue didn't force me to pray with her but I stayed by her side until I fell asleep. I didn't know how long I was asleep but by the time I woke up, the sky had turned into a red-orange shade. My mother was still praying but upon seeing me awake, she smiled gently to me and patted my hair. It was then that one of my mother's lady-in-waiting had arrived in a hurry and almost toppled over as she bowed to my mother and me.

" Shujo(3), the Emperor is here!",

My mother stood up and bowed to the altar as she, once again, took my hand. She was still shaking as she led me to my wet-nurse. My wet-nurse carried me in her arms and we, along with my mother's ladies-in-waiting, followed my mother. We stopped in front of the stables. I could see Chichiue surrounded by his ministers and generals, fussing over him. His face was tired as he patted his Pegasus (4) but then he saw my mother. I couldn't really describe Hahaue or Chichiue's expression but when they saw each other, it was as if everything around them disappeared, like they were the only people in the world. After a few moments, Chichue smiled, a little awkwardly and my mother raised her arms and her elbows perpendicular to her shoulders, performing a customary greeting of a lady to his lord, with her sleeves covering the lower half of her face. Her ladies-in-waiting and my wet-nurse kowtowed and I was lowered to the ground. When Hahaue put down her hands, there were tears running down from her eyes. My father seemed to have been alarmed by this sight and rushed to Hahaue, he touched Hahaue's face and wiped the tears away. My mother smiled and apologized and my father grabbed her into an embrace.

The look on their face…

The small, secretive smile on Hahaue's face…

The incredibly gentle way in which Chichiue held Hahaue…

I couldn't help but wish that someday someone would look at me like that.

I hoped that one day, I would have what they had.

Long ago, when the world was still young and the gods still lived among humans, there was a beautiful maiden. She was nothing but a simple human with no magical powers whatsoever but she had a kind and gentle heart. One day, the maiden saw a bird. What a great bird it was with its crimson wings and golden eyes but the maiden saw that its wings were badly injured that it couldn't fly. Her heart was at once overtaken by pity so she brought the great bird home and tended to it carefully. Then suddenly, as she was applying medicine to its wings, the bird suddenly transformed into a man with crimson hair and golden eyes. The bird was the Great Crimson Phoenix(5) himselfand had been injured after a great battle with tainted creatures that sought to bring pestilence to the humans. The maiden and the Crimson Phoenix instantly fell in love with each other and their love brought forth a son. That son was the first emperor of Teiko.

Teiko is a great empire and one of the oldest with its history spanning thousands and thousands of years. Teiko is divided into five principalities; Rakuzan, Yozen, Shutoku, Too and Kaijo. Its capital is Rakuzan and it is where the Crimson Palace(6), the main home of the Teiko Emperor, is located. The mountain ranges of Yozen are its main vanguard against the barbaric tribes of the west. Shutoku is the closest to Rakuzan and a center for intellectual learning, many of the greatest scholars and mages came from Shutoku. Kaijo is a great center for commerce and relaxation; this is the home of the Merchants Guild. Too, meanwhile, is a sub-tropical region and is best known for its ports and strategic location for trade since it is closest to the Southern Kingdom Desserts. At the East of Teiko, after you crossed the Black Sea and the Black Islands, there is another great country which had close ties to the empire itself, it is called The Kingdom of Seirin.

The Empire of Teiko and the Kingdom of Seirin are said to be 'Brother Nations. The reason behind that name was the fact that the First King of Seirin was a Prince of Teiko. At the time of the Third Emperor of Teiko, the Empress gave birth to two identical twin boys. Both grew up to be of equal good looks, intelligence, military prowess and wisdom. No bond could've been stronger than the bond between the two of them. Both of them had incredible potential to be an Enlightened Emperor(7) that the Third Emperor couldn't decide to whom he should give the throne to. In order to avoid conflict and unnecessary war, the younger brother decided to denounce his rights to the Phoenix Throne(8). He took his wife and his concubines-their servants and whoever followed him-away from Teiko and settled on a large island. The land was fertile and green and the waters were plenty with fishes, it was on that island that the younger prince founded the Kingdom of Seirin.

Since he denounced his rights to the throne, he took his mother's clan name; Kagami. And since then, the royal family of Seirin bears the name of Kagami. And under the Kagami Dynasty, Seirin flourished.

Naturally, Teiko and Seirin enjoyed good diplomatic relationship. They traded with each other and were allies at wars. Seirin's Royal Family is still regarded as relatives of Teiko's Imperial Family.

Then, two hundred and fifty years ago, a general, through his treacherous deed, killed the Kagamis. The usurper took the throne and he and his successor brought all sorts of misery to Seirinians. The usurper closed the harbours of Seirin and forbid any trading to any kingdom or empire. He also levied large taxes against the people and killed anyone who opposed him.

Unbeknownst to him, one member of the Royal Family of Seirin had survived. He was a young prince who was disguised by his wet-nurse as a girl in order to escape the massacre.

It was through his bloodline that Kagami Taiga had sprung from.

Kagami Taiga was the grandson of that prince. Fifteen years ago, he rebelled against the usurper's son and succeeded in ousting him out of the throne. His blood red eyes and his red hair were proof of his lineage for only the members of Imperial Family of Teiko have both red hair and red eyes. He was called the Light of Seirin and the Tiger for he had the intensity of one. He proved to be a good ruler and surrounded himself with all sorts of people who had integrity and loved Seirin with all their hearts. He had opened the ports and once again encouraged contact and trading to the outside world. He repaired the decaying dams and built roads all around the kingdom. He pawned and sold many of the jewels that the usurper and his successor had collected throughout the years. His devotion to the welfare of Teiko was so great that for the first seven years of his reign, he had not once step into the Fire Palace(9). Instead he was literally running around, supervising the constructions of his different projects. And such devotion had paid-off, with just eight years, Kagami Taiga had turned Seirin to a kingdom where, if one work diligently, would have no fear of going hungry.

The passion of their ruler was returned by the people of Seirin. They all love and respect Kagami. He was the Light who had shined when everything was dark. But then on the spring of the fifteenth year of Kagami's reign, something incredibly outrageous happened.

On their way to Teiko, a civilian ship carrying a hundred Seirinians was ambushed by a ship bearing the sign of Teiko. They were even wearing the military uniform of Teiko's army. Ninety-five people were killed, two dozen were children.

No words could express the rage and disbelief of Seirinians after learning the truth. The flame became larger when Teiko denied the incident saying that the Seirinians had lied. But the five survivor swore to their lives that they really saw the Crimson Phoenix Insignia(10) printed on the Golden Flag.

It seems that war was inevitable for the two countries. Seirinians were known to be simple, down-to-earth people who made their living by tilling the Earth or fishing but they were also proud and protective people. The Teiko's action was a lighting strike on a clear blue sky. And they wouldn't stand down to such injustice.

"The Kingdom of Seirin declared war against us", Midorima Shintaro, the Prince of Shutoku informed to his companions. He was carrying a red scroll tied with a black rope. It was sent by Seirin containing their declaration of war

"How incredibly foolish…" Akashi Seijuro, the Emperor of Teiko and Prince of Rakuzan shook his head as he calmly took a sip on his tea cup. His long fingers held the teacup delicately.

The Empire of Teiko is possibly the oldest of the world and the largest in terms of land space. It is composed of five countries; Rakuzan, Shutoku, Touou, Yozen and Kaijo. Rakuzan is the ancestral land of the Emperor of Teiko and it is where the Palace of the Crimson Phoenix is located. The Emperor of Teiko stands at the pinnacle of the hierarchy in Teiko and underneath him are the four princes who ruled Shutoku, Touou, Yozen and Kaijo. The Emperor is also traditionally, the Prince of Rakuzan. Although the emperor is the supreme ruler of Teiko, he doesn't mix himself with ruling the other four countries and only took five percent taxes to the four countries. Nevertheless, the Emperor could revoke any order given by the four princes but it is not often done.

"…Foolish is a light word to describe their actions. Suicidal is more appropriate", Midorima said as he took his seat on the round table.

The Round Table of Teiko(11).

Like what it name implies, it is a table circular in shape and have seven seats around it. One for each of the four princes, one for the emperor, one for the head priestess of Azalea Congregation(12) and one for the head of the Shadow Clan(13). The round shape shows that in this table everyone is equal and could speak whatever they want to say without censure. Most of the important decisions of Teiko were made in this Round Table. The Round Table is located in a Red Pavilion surrounded by a pond with water lilies and magnolia. Moreover, the Round Table was not really on this world it is in a place created by the magic of the emperor and the princes and in every palace is an entrance to this place. Only the people who created this world could enter it, meaning the Emperor, the Princes, the leader of the Shadow Clan and the Head Priestess.

"According to the information I had gathered, their army is not even half of Rakuzan's army. Moreover, they are still struggling from a century under an oppressive dynasty", Momoi Satsuki, the Head Priestess of the Azalea Congregation, said.

"Wouldn't expect this kind of thing from Kagami, eh?", Aomine Daiki, the Prince of Touou yawned lazily as he stretched his arms.

Nobody had really met Kagami Taiga but, in a way, the Five Rulers in the Pavilion could relate themselves to the Tiger King. Like Kagami, they had, after all, clawed their way to their thrones.

"No, we(14) already expected this to happen", Akashi said lightly. "The Seirinians were known to be incredibly brave, fanatically loyal and extremely proud people. They would rather die than face life knowing that they abandon their fellow countrymen without avenging their death",

"But isn't it really strange?", Princess Kise Ryoko, the Princess of Kaijo and Aomine Daiki's intended, asked. "They seemed really convinced that we had massacred their civilian ship",

"How troublesome", Murasakibara Atsushi was munching on a bag of sweets as usual.

"Hmm…"Akashi made a thoughtful sound. Something is indeed fishy. Kagami wouldn't risk going to war without proof of attack from Teiko side. "What do you think, Tetsumi?"

"The admiral of the navy had denied their allegations and we all know the admiral. He's not the type to do such thing as attacking a ship of civilians", Kuroko Tetsumi remarked making everybody jump in fright with the exception of Akashi.

"Kuroko!"

"Tetsu-chan!"

"Tetsu!"

"Kuroko-chi"

"Kuro-chin."

"I apologize for coming on late", she bowed, her hair accessories tinkling. She had suddenly appeared at the back of Akashi. But such occurrence was not unusual for the First Princess of Teiko, she had been know to possess an untraceable presence that even the most seasoned warrior couldn't sense despite wearing the usual elaborate outfit of her station.

"Geez, why do you always do that kind of stunt?" Aomine asked scratching the back of his head.

"Kuroko-chi!", Kise exclaimed engulfing the shorter princess to her ample chest.

"Ah, that's so unfair Ki-chan!" Momoi grumbled. She was just about to do what Kise was doing but because Kise was neared to Kuroko, she beats the Head Priestess to it.

"Kise-hime. Please release me. I can't breathe", a small muffled voice said in a type of tone of a mother patiently lecturing her child why they couldn't have a puppy.

"Sorry, Kuroko-chi", the Golden Princess said releasing Kuroko but still holding her in the shoulders. "Kuroko-chi is adorable as usual",

"…",

Akashi watched the Three of the Four Great Beauties of Teiko(15) with fond eyes. His sister with her delicate, doll-like looks, Kise's vivid beauty and Momoi's lovely, voluptuous figure; the three of them together was a sight to behold. A feast for the eyes especially after looking at his old ministers and gruff hairy generals all day.

"We're stirring out of the conversation", Midorima remarked sliding his spectacles upward. Stubborn and proper as usual, one could always count on the Prince of Shutoku to be a voice of reason in their inner circle.

With Kise and Momoi hanging on her thin shoulders, Kuroko faced the Emperor and the Prince of Shutoku with an unperturbed expression. "The admiral's integrity is unquestioned. But there are disturbing rumours about his son",

"His son?", Akashi asked.

"Ah, I heard those rumors too. Admiral Mizuno's wife died giving birth to his daughter and he never took any concubine or wife again. He spends his free time doting on his daughter. Admiral Mizuno's daughter had recently married to her childhood sweetheart, a captain of the army. But Admiral Mizuno's son-in-law doesn't really have a good reputation", Momoi explained.

"How so…?", Kise-hime(16) asked.

"He spends most of his time in the red-light district and had been known to start a brawl or two there", Kuroko-himegimi(17)'s cool voice revealed.

"Hmm… Interesting", Akashi-shujo remarked. "Satsuki, Tetsumi, use your network to find more about this incident", he ordered.

"Thus it shall be done", the two ladies said. Their bow was formal as they put their hands inside their long sleeves and their left hands were on a fist striking their right palm.

"Ah…I hope this crisis could be resolved quickly", Kise complained.

"Don't worry, Kicho(18) even if there's a war, I'll make sure that our wedding date wouldn't be jeopardize. Afterall, you had denied me your bed chamber all throughout these years…" Aomine said lecherously.

"Aomine-chi! H-how could you?!", Kise exclaimed scandalized at her fiancé's words.

"Isn't it fine? We'll be husband and wife soon right?"

"It's not too late to back out, Ki-chin", Murasakibara teased.

"Oi!",

"Yeah, that's right. Ki-chan, I'll offer you asylum in my temple! I'm sure that Dai-chan wouldn't be able to get you there", Momoi said adding more fuel to the fire.

Midorima sighed and stood up. "If there's nothing more to discuss, I'll go now…"

Knowing that he'll be the subject of tonight's taunts and jibes, Aomine turned his attention to the Prince of Shutoku and said with the usual grin "What? Too excited to get back to that little birdie you are raising to be your wife someday?"

"Wh-WHAT?", Midorima said, his face pink.

"Isn't that why you bought her? Nice decision by the way, no woman would be sane enough to marry you even with your wealth and status", Aomine's horns were really showing.

The Red Pavillion Official Meeting dissolved into chaos after that. Despite the teasing and ruckus behaviour, there was laughter in there. No one would expect this group to be the Generation of Miracles. The group of royals who had been accepted by the spirits of Teiko Empire to be their ruler. They were talented people in their own rights and have the strongest magic in the world.

Amidst the shadows, where everyone had once again forgotten her presence, the First Princess of Teiko watched the group but her eyes were really on just one person.

Longing for the moon in the sky.

1. Hahaue – The most formal Japanese way to address Mother. Literally means Mother Above and can be interpreted as Most Respected Mother. Commonly used by Royalty in referring to their Mother.

2. Chichue – The most formal Japanese way to address Father. Literally means Father Above and can be interpreted as Most Respected Father. Commonly used by Royalty in referring to their Mother.

3. Shujo – Means Your Imperial Majesty. This term is used for an Emperor in contrast to Heika which is used for Kings. By the way, Aomine and the other GoM are usually referred to as Denka which from what I had researched is used for Princes. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the kanji characters for it, but Nakajima Yoko (Twelve Kingdoms) and Shi Ryuuki (Saiunkoku Monogatari) was referred to as Shujo in contrast to Shibuya Yuuri (Kyo Kara Maou) as Heika. I think it's because Yoko and Ryuuki are Emperors or leads an Empire and Yuuri leads a Kingdom. The Empress is also addressed in this way. Technically, the only two people who have the title of Shujo is the Emperor and the Empress.

4. Pegasus – There are strange creatures in Ai Monogatari and this is an example of this. A Pegasus is a flying creature (without wings) with the appearance of a horse. The only difference is that it can fly and it could not be pierced by normal arrows and swords. It can still fly after one of its heart stop because it has three hearts. (Imagine an airplane with three engines). It is five times faster than the fastest land horse and four-times faster than a winged horse. It also have incredibly long life span (about 100 years in average). It is hard to breed and hard to tame but once you did tame it, it's loyalty to you would be so strong that it would never allow anyone to ride it other than the person who tame it. Pegasus is normally used by high-ranking generals and ministers as well as Royalties and Imperial Families and is incredibly expensive. Other officials normally rides a winged horse. A winged horse, meanwhile, is a creature who looks like a horse and has wings. It is less expensive than Pegasus but have shorter lifespan and more susceptible to injuries. It also only has two hearts and is considerably less faster than a Pegasus.

5. Great Crimson Phoenix – The ancestor of the Teiko Imperial Family. The deity of Teiko Empire who is said to protect the populace. You could compare it to Izanami and Izanagi of Japan.

6. Crimson Palace – its formal name is Crimson Palace of the Great Phoenix of Teiko. The home of the Imperial Family and is divided to two; the Inner Palace (the Harem) and the Outer Palace (the Administrative Area). It is so big that it is also called the Crimson City. It has approximately 6000 rooms but only about two thousand is currently in use by the Imperial Family. The 4000 had been converted by the First Princess of Teiko into public hospitals and be compared to the Forbidden City of China.

7. Enlightened Emperor – An emperor who brings peace and prosperity to the Empire. Akashi Seijuro was said to be one. It's not a title that an Emperor could take but is given by the population. Out of the Fifteen Emperors of Teiko, only four were said to be Enlightened Emperors.

8. Phoenix Throne – The Throne of the Emperor. Located at the Hall of Peace and Prosperity (the main hall where the emperor and his ministers and generals conducts meetings and the said to be 'center of Teiko') at a podium of fifty steps.

9. Fire Palace – its formal name is Vermillion Fire Palace, Residence of the Fire King. The home of the King of Seirin and have similar structure with Crimson Palace but smaller in size. It is also divided into two; the Inner Palace (the Harem) and the Outer Palace (the Administrative Area).

10. Crimson Phoenix Insignia – the main symbol of the Imperial Family. It is a Phoenix in full flight with red wings (the tip of its wings are yellow) with golden beak, eyes and feet.

11. The Round Table of Teiko –when Akashi Seijuro had bound the Five Countries of Teiko, he promised the royalty of each country that they would be equal as long as they are on the round table. Together, they created the Red Pavilion Universe using their own magic.

12. Azalea Congregation – the largest, most influential sect in Teiko Empire with about 150,000 priests and priestess. It is responsible for rituals, rites and matchmaking of nobles. The current head is Momoi Satsuki.

13. Kuroko Clan – the most obscure clan in Teiko. They cloud themselves in mystery that they are called the Shadow Clan. They are said to be skilled assassins and an autonomous group who only obeys the Head of their Clan. Said to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time. They are said to be living in the Black Sea and Black Islands. Nobody really knows. No one knows who its members. The only one who really knows about the clan is the Emperor, the Princes and the Head of Azalea Congregation. The only known members of this clan are the Late Empress and its current head, the First Princess.

14. We - Akashi would normally use we even if he is talking about himself alone. The same way that Shi Ryuuki of Saiunkoku Monogatari would refer to himself. In Japanese, monarchs and royalties would use "Yo wa…(余 or 予)" instead of "Watakushi wa…(私, わたくし)". For example "We are expecting this to happen", Akashi said. He was actually talking about himself alone.

15. The Four Great Beauties of Teiko – from the name itself, the four most beautiful and most powerful women of Teiko. Also called Beauty of Four Seasons. The Four are Momoi Satsuki (the Head Priestess of Azalea Congregation), Kise Ryoko (the Princess of Kaijo), Takao Kazue (the Hawk Princess – currently under the care of the Prince of Shutoku) and Kuroko Tetsumi (the First Princess of Teiko). Momoi is called Haru no Bijin (Spring Beauty), Kise is called Natsu no Bijin (Summer Beauty), Takao is called Aki no Bijin (Autumn Beauty) and Kuroko is called Fuyu no Bijin (Winter Beauty). In Ancient China, there are also Four Great was my inspiration.

16. Hime – Princess. The Title of Kise Ryoko as the Princess and leader of the Principality of Kaijo. Aomine, Midorima and Murasakibara's daughters would also be called Hime. Kagami's Daughter is also called Hime.

17. Himegimi – Also means Princess although the Kanji Characters are different. The Title of Kuroko Tetsumi. The Emperor's Daughters are referred to as Himegimi in contrast to the King and Princes' Daughters who are called Hime.

18. Kicho – Means Golden Butterfly. It has the Kanji of 黄蝶. It is Aomine's term of endearment for Kise.

IMPORTANT NOTES: PLEASE READ TO UNDERSTAND THE STORY

This fanfic is inspired by many animes and mangas as well as many Historical Korean, Japanese and Chinese Drama. Saiunkoku Monogatari, Twelve Kingdoms, Magi: Labyrinth of Magic, Anatolia Story, Torikago by Shinohara Chie, Dong Yi, Jang Ok Jung Live for Love, Gou: Himetachi no Sengoku to name a few.

The setting of this story would be more likely Classical China especially before the Qing Dynasty. Their clothes would be more likely hanfu in the Ming, Yuan, Han Dynasty.

Another IMPORTANT NOTE is that there would be a status system that I got from Twelve Kingdoms and Kyo Kara Maou.

At the top of the status system of this Alternate World would be the Imperial and Royal Family. The Imperial and Royal Families have longer lives about five to six times longer than an average human. They have magical powers and can control elements. Although the emperor seat was normally hereditary, in order to become a king or an emperor, the spirit elements of the land need to accept the emperor. A country without a proper emperor or king is a doomed kingdom, there would be countless disasters like great typhoons, plagues, locusts' invasion, and it would also be susceptible to the attack of evil spirits and malicious monsters. That's why the emperor seat should never remain vacant for long. They were said to have descended from gods who married humans.

There were also Bonded Servants, commoners who serve royalty. They are bonded in the sense that as long as their masters are alive, they could also live but will die as soon as their masters' die. They were also capable of using their master's main element. The number of bonded servants a noble can have depends on his/her own magical power. Some nobles do not even have the capability to support one bonded servant.

There were also Commoners, and they usually make up 4/5 of the population. They are farmers, soldiers, craftsmen, merchants, fishermen, doctors, scholars to name a few. They only have enough magical powers to support their lives and couldn't normally project their magical powers outside. They mostly live simple short lives in comparison to nobles. But together they could even bring down a king since they are the largest portion of the population.

There was also a class that was a mystery, the Sages. The sages were born from ordinary commoner parents yet they have the same powers as nobles. They have long lives and powerful magic. Some speculate that they have noble ancestors who keep on marrying nobles until their line become commoner. There were very few sages in the world and they are usually prime prospects for marriage by nobleman/noblewoman.

The reason why sages were high demand is that if a noble keeps on marrying another noble, their line would result to children with several defects. Normally a five generation noble is advised to marry a commoner or a sage, to bring 'new blood' to the line. The Azalea Congregation usually handles the matchmaking.

The Azalea Congregation is a special case since its priestesses and priests are bound to the spirits themselves but they don't have the capacity to rule. They wouldn't die or age as long as they serve the Azalea Congregation but once they removed themselves from the list, they would age normally if they are commoners. Many of priests and priestess of commoner status retire after fifty years.

Edited: 8/21/13

AUTHOR'S NOTES: For some unknown reasons the Japanese Characters don't appear. I'm really sorry for this.