Nine Lives

2. I Love You

Died.

The word rattles around in Kuroko's head. Died. Dead. The end of a life. It couldn't be. He was here now, in his own bed, alive.

The man claiming to be his pet cat takes the empty mug from the table and leaves the room. Presumably to take it to the kitchen sink.

Kuroko stares after him. This was all so surreal. He knew his mother practiced witchcraft. It was a fact that he never doubted. But for her to leave behind a familiar to take care of him. It was nearly inconceivable. Just as inconceivable as Kuroko being dead for two days.

Kuroko tosses the covers off of him and quickly gets out of bed, heading out the door to the bathroom. He closes the door behind him and strips off his clothes, searching for any indication that he had died. He finds nothing. He runs his hands through his hair, trying to calm his wild bed head, and cringes when he touches a bumpy protrusion at the back of his head. He swallows, gently running his finger along the scar tissue. He died.

A knock on the bathroom door startles him. "Tetsuya? Are you going to shower? I've brought a towel and a change of clothes." Sei's voice says through the wooden door.

Kuroko opens the door just enough to see the red haired man. Seijurou holds out the items for him and Kuroko reaches out to take them. "Thanks." He says before closing the door again.

After a longer than normal shower, Kuroko steps out of the bathroom. He dries his hair with the towel, feeling refreshed in the clean clothes Sei had brought him.

"You're finally out." Kuroko looks up to see the human Sei sitting on the recliner by the window, his legs crossed and is back straight. "That was a long shower." Sei comments.

"I was thinking." Kuroko says, walking over to his couch and looking down at the steaming mug and plate of toast on the coffee table. Kuroko makes a face at the mug. "More?"

Sei shifts in his seat, noticeably uncomfortable. "No, that's just regular tea from the kitchen."

Kuroko sits down and reaches for the mug. "Thanks."

Sei shifts in his seat again and Kuroko looks up to see him frowning at his legs and trying to get comfortable.

"Is this the first time you've been human?" Kuroko asks. Sei looks up at him.

"No, but I always preferred being a cat. It was easier." He says. "I only ever used my human for when you were sick, so I could take better care of you."

Kuroko raises his eyebrows and puts down his tea. "I don't remember that."

"You were usually asleep or too feverish."

Kuroko looks down at his lap. "You really looked after me my whole life, huh?"

"Yes."

"Then you were there when I died as well?" Kuroko glances up at him. Sei looks away.

"Yes. It was my mistake. I didn't realize the severity of the situation until it was too late."

They are both quiet for a moment before Kuroko speaks up again. "I don't remember how it happened, but I doubt it was your fault." He reaches up to touch the scar on the back of his head. "It was a blow to the head right? I never had this scar before."

Sei nods. "Yes. There is always a scar or a mark left over when one dies and is revived with magic."

"You have scars as well?"

"Seven in total. I wasn't able to stop you from dying, so I gave you one of my lives. The scar on your head should have been one of mine, but now you bear the mark of my eighth life."

Kuroko hums as he reaches down to eat the toast. "So then this is your last life. What are you going to do?"

Sei tilts his head in confusion as he watches Kuroko take a bite of his toast. "The same thing I always do. I will stay by your side and protect you."

Kuroko looks up at him. "Don't you have something you want to do, though? It's your last life, you should spend it the way you want to. Go places you've never been. Actually live."

"There is no place I'd rather be than by your side Tetsuya. I'm in love with you after all." Sei says seriously. Kuroko nearly chokes on the toast he's chewing.

"W-what?" He looks up at Sei's heterochromatic eyes in shock. Sei looks at him, the edges of his lips turning up into a small smile.

"I love you."