Just before Seijurou and Kuroko reach their table all the lights in the room go out. Kuroko jumps, startled, but Seijurou continues to usher him to their seats.
"It's just theatrics." Sei whispers to Kuroko. "It's alright, don't worry."
Kuroko turns to look at the familiar but it's too dark to make out his features even from as close as they are. Seijurou stops them in front of the table and pulls out a chair for Kuroko. He guides the boys hand to the back of the chair so he can take his seat.
Kuroko fumbles with the chair in the dark for a moment before the lights under the bar turn back on. The darkness is illuminated with dim pink light and it's just enough for Kuroko to see what he's doing and take his seat. Once Kuroko is seated, Seijurou takes his seat next to him with significantly less difficulty. Kuroko takes a deep breath to calm himself.
A moment later the spot light just above the stage turns on and reveals an older man in a nice suit. Kuroko squints and his eyes adjust to the new light. The man stands straight, his white hair combed back, just as neat as his suit. The man scans the crowd and the ceiling lights turn back on, but only a fraction of how bright they were before.
Like Sei said, this man's entrance was certainly theatrical. Kuroko notices Nijimura stepping over to the side of the stage and wonders if he had been the one operating the lights. Kuroko almost smiles at this, suddenly feeling silly for how nervous he had gotten when the lights went out.
Kuroko sits patiently, waiting for the man to speak, but when the older man's sweeping gaze rests on Kuroko his nerves suddenly sky rocket again.
"Well, well, this is a surprise." The white haired man says, raising his eyebrows at Kuroko. "Kuroko Tetsuya, welcome! I see you've finally made up your mind to join us."
Kuroko tenses as he feels everyone's eyes turn to him at the mans words. He hadn't been expecting to be called out so quickly, or so abruptly. The mans eyes stare into Kuroko, barely concealing is dissatisfaction. Sei reaches his hand out under the table and places it over Kuroko's clenched fist. Kuroko snaps out of his thoughts glances over at the familiar, but Sei is looking up at the man.
"My name is Shirogane." Shirogane draws Kuroko's attention back to him. "I'm glad to finally have you in our coven. Though it would have been better if Akashi didn't have to end up in the situation he's in to get you here. But what's done is done I guess." Shirogane sighs disappointedly.
Kuroko is frozen stiff as Shirogane's words settle over him, but he feels Sei's hand tighten around his. Shirogane continues.
"Speaking of which, before we start I wanted to suspend any challenges between familiars for the next little while, out of courtesy for Akashi's situation. Not that I think you would lose of course!" Shirogane laughs. Seijurou's smile is tight lipped and polite in response.
"Is everyone okay with this?" Shirogane looks over at the rest of the witches. They all voice their approval. Sei bows his head to the old man.
"Thank you very much, I appreciate your concern for my well-being." Sei says.
Shirogane nods. "Now then. Let's begin."
Shirogane quickly shifts to a new topic. Kuroko isn't sure what he's saying anymore, it's suddenly gotten hard to breathe.
He thought he'd finally gotten used to being the center of attention, but being the center of the Coven leader's attention was far worse. Not only that, but Shirogane seems to blame Kuroko for Sei being on his ninth life.
It is his fault. It is Kuroko's fault that Sei has died so many times, and everyone in the room knows it. Everyone knows he's only here now because it risks Sei's life to not be here.
YOU ARE READING
Nine Lives
Fanfiction"Kuroko 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." After an accident t...
