We are here for you

My decision

Kuroko P.O.V. *

I didn't know what I was thinking about when I offered (f/n) to join our clan. It just came into my head, and my mouth naturally spits the words out. I was also shocked by the fact that she really is a woman, even though I had suspected about it since she first came to our clan, but remained silent about it. I was quite surprised as well when I sensed several auras lingering from her. It was identical to some people I once knew well.
Today has been the fourth day since I had offered her to join our clan, and without anyone noticing, I've been secretly spying on her for the past few days. It's not like anyone would notice me, anyway. I noticed that the girl would play a flute, sitting on top of a tree branch, on the same spot each night. I was mesmerized by by the melody, it expressed her feelings, a beautiful, yet a tone full of sadness grief. But today, she was accompanied by her small fox familiar, snuggling on her shoulder. Then, they started a conversation.
I snucked closer to hear what they were talking about.
" Hey, Kou. " She said.
" Yes, hime-sama? What is it? " The fox replied.
" I'm confused. If I don't leave this place, Akashi might find me. But, if I do leave and join the Seirin clan, I will have a bigger chance of being found out by the others.. I might end up being an imprisoned bird once again. I wonder what will I say if I happen to meet Aomine-san, Ryo-kun, Shin-chan, or Murasakibara-san...huh? " She smiled with a sad expression as tears started to fall from her eyes.
" Hime-sama?! Is something wrng? Why are you crying? " The fox asked with a panicked expression.
" I.. I don't know what to do anymore, Kou. In front of other people, I might be able to hide my sadness and pain, but in private times such as this, the memories... they just flow into my brain with an endless stream... I just can't.. I can't stop them... I wish.. there could be someone who could... " She sobbed.
I had to hold down my urge to come out, sjnce I promised her to wait for 5 days, which means tomorrow.
" Hime-sama. " The fox suddenly turned into a human. An adult man.
" Whatever choice you will choose, I will respect your decision. I won't blame you or leave you, instead I'll support you all the way. After all, you are my master, hime-sama! I will never betray you, even if the whole world hates you! I will follow you to the edge of the world if I have to! " The fox pumped his fists.
" Hmph..hahahahhahahahahahaha! " (f/n) suddenly laughed.
" What's so funny?! " His cheeks turned red.
" You know, those words that you uttered earlier, they.. kinda cheered me up. Thanks, Kou. I can always count on you. " The girl ruffled the fox's hair as she hugged her.
" Hehe.. You're welcome at any time, hime-sama. " Kou chuckled as he scratched his cheek using his finger.
' I guess I'll just have to wait for tomorrow, for her decision. We're also leaving back to Heian-kyo tomorrow. ' A small smile appeared on my lips as I quietly left and headed towards the training camp.

The next day.
* Your P.O.V. *
I woke up early in bed today, with a good mood. Last night, I've made up my mind of what to say. And today, I will clearly tell Kuroko-kun of my decision. I just hope no trouble comes in my way...

I spent the rest of the day labouring in the paddy fields till noon, and then, teaching the village children on how to use a bow and arrow in the afternoon, to make up for the session when I left then to heal Kinatsu.
" Shige-niichan! Look! I've gotten the hang of it! " one of my students, Akira, shouted in joy as he managed to hit a tree in the area that I marked.
" Nice one, Akira! " I ruffled his hair.
" Nii-chan, I also managed to shoot it. " Another student of mine, Wataru, shouted.
" Good job to you too, Wataru! " I came to him and ruffled his hair as well.

These two particular students of mine, Akira and Wataru, are rivals. Akira has a will of steel, and often indirectly challenges Wataru in training sessions such as these. While Wataru, on the other hand, doesn't show much of his rival side, he often replies to Wataru's challenges. I could see that he's also glad to have a rival like Akira. And also, out of all of the village boys, they are the only ones who have a 5-year age gap from me. That means that they're currently the eldest ones in the group.

" Alright everyone, that's all for today.It's getting dark, so all of you should hurry home. See you next time! " I cheerfully bid them goodbye.
" Shigeru-niichan. " Two voices called me at the same time.
" Yes? What is it? Wataru, Akira? " I turned around and faced them.
" You've been looking rather glum lately. Is there something bothering you? " Wataru asked.
" Yeah, yeah! Tell us, nii-chan! We should be able to solve that problem, right, Wataru? " Akira faced the boy beside him.
" Hn. " was the only reply he got as an answer.
" You two... " I sighed as I smiled at the two boys in front of me.
" It's a problem between adults. Not something that kids like you two should be interfering with. " I replied.
" But we've come of age! We already had our coming-of-age ceremony[1]! " Akira protested.
" He's right, nii-chan. You can share it to us, if you want to. " Wataru, being the mature out of the two, said to me in a calm voice.
" ... I really wish I could, but this is an important secret, so I can't tell the both of you. Plus, it's getting late. Your parents might worry if you don't go back soon. " I tried to provoke them to go home.
" Ah! You're right! See you tomorrow then! " Akira pulled Wataru's hand, the boy taking one last glance at me before leaving with Akira.
' Sorry.. I'm afraid that that might not happen... ' I wore a regretful expression on my face as I stared on their backs, and returned home.

Night time came quicker than I expected, and I was prepared to answer the offer from Kuroko-kun. Soon, he came alone, and appeared right in front of me.
" Hello again, Ichijo-san. Do you have your answer now? " He asked.
" Hello to you too, Kuroko-kun. I have made up my mind. My decision is- "
" (F/N)-CCHI!!!!! " A yellow-haired man glomped me from my back.
" Ryo-kun! " I was utterly taken aback by surprise.
I had never expected for him to find me.
" Kise-kun. " Kuroko-kun said.
" Where have you been?! These past two years, (f/n)-cchi, when I heard you died from Midorima-cchi, I was really torn down! Do you know how it feels?! " He tightened his grip onto me.
" I'm sorry, Ryo-kun.. I had no choice, I had to- "
" Disappear from us? Why would you do that? " A lazy voice came to be heard, and a familiar Okami could be seen by my eyes.
" Aomine-san.. " I muttered.
" Nonetheless, it was unnecessary for you to fake your death, nanadayo. " A familiar green-head appeared behind Kuroko-kun.
" Shin-chan.. I'm really sorry. I didn't want to get engaged to Akashi, that was why I did it. " I hang my head low in guilt.
" (f/n)-chan!! I missed you! " Takao-san went through Shin-chan and hugged me. Well, tried to.
" Takao-san, even you? " I was shocked by him.
" Eh.. Kise-chin. You're not playing fair.. I also want to hug her.. " Murasakibara-san's lazy tone could be catched by my ears.
" How.. did all of you actually found me here? " I was amazed that all of them had gathered in one place, excluding Akashi, of course.
" We did information gathering for the past two years, and expeditions to regions of Japan with experts who can sense auras and presences. And we found you here. " Akashi, who appeared from a nearby tree, gave me a look that sends a shiver down my spine.
Then he looked around.
" Nice to see that everyone is here. Daiki, Tetsuya, Shintaro, Ryota, Atsushi, and (f/n). Then, would you mind explaining why you 'died' two years ago, (f/n)? " The absolute emperor glares at me.
In one moment I have peace, in the next, nerve-wrecking and troublesome situations. Life seriously hates me.....
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[1] In medieval Japan, boys, who have undegone puberty stage, will undergo a coming-of-age ceremony. In this ceremony, the boy will be proclaimed as a man, and from then on, carries the responsibility of a man.

(A/N)
Hello everyone! Sorry I had to make this chapter almost full of kuroko-ness.. I had to, so that the other characters can reveal themselves! And.. Ta-da! There you go!