Forever yours

Chapter 17

I blinked open heavy eyes and stared up at a low wooden ceiling trying to get my bearings. The walls and roofs at the cathedral where I stayed with the Akashi was made of stones. I turned my head to look out a window and was shocked to see the sun high in the sky and a lovely flower garden. Turning the other way I saw a photograph on the bedside table with granny and I in it. My tired brain caught up to the rest of me as I remembered that I had come to grannies and broken down. I had cried and told her all the things that had happened to me. I must have fallen asleep. I sat up quickly, again looking at the sky. It was midday, I had slept an entire day away! I jumped out of bed and rushed out the door. I skipped stairs as I darted down them but skidded to a stop when I saw the lounge room. Granny was serving sandwiches to a room full of people. Aomine, Kise and Momoi were sharing the couch, the exorcist seated between the two laughing and smiling at them. Kagami and Mayuzumi were sitting at the dining table cleaning weapons while Mitobe sat in the chair, his tall legs drawn up with a small cup of tea in his hands. It could have been a normal afternoon in a family's house but it was demons, exorcists and an oracle sitting peacefully around having tea. I couldn't help myself and burst out laughing, clutching my stomach I bent over, tears coming to my eyes.

"It's good to see you smiling Kuroko."

I stood up and wiped my eyes, looking over the room of people I considered family. Granny walked over and rubbed my cheek and I closed my eyes as she kissed my forehead.

"I called them all so they would know you were safe. They all insisted on coming around and watching over you. You have made some good friends."

I nodded and let her guide me to the chair where I sat down and she handed me a plate loaded up with food.

"But I can't say I am happy about the state you are in. You have to eat."

I smiled at her motherly tone and began to eat. She stood over me, hands on her hips until I had eaten all the sandwiches on the plate. When it was done she went away and brought me back a cup of tea. I rested back on the chair as I continued to sip on my tea, enjoying this moment of peace.

"I guess I can't stay here forever, can I?"

Mitobe glanced at me, his eyes sad and shook his head. With a sigh I turned to Momoi and she looked away, biting her lip.

"We are ordered back as soon as you were rested."

I placed the tea down, my appetite gone and stood up, my body feeling sluggish. Granny also stood and before I knew it I was being crushed against her chest.

"Stay safe, we will be watching over you, don't hesitate to call or come and see me again."

I squeezed her back and blinked away tears, I had cried enough. With a nod to Mayuzumi I headed out the door, the exorcists and demons following me. Aomine and Kise walked with us until we were a block away from the cathedral, asking about Akashi and giving me some new reports. It had seemed like the skirmishes between the demon clans had quieted and there had been no sightings of Haizaki. I was worried about that. I wanted to know where he was, knowing he could be in this city or nearby scared me witless. They said their good byes and Momoi showered them both in hugs and kisses before we continued on. I stopped at the double doors and with a sigh stepped back into the darkness.

"You're looking so much better Kuroko!"

I smiled at Kagutsuchi over my vanilla thick shake and blushed.

"Guess you got that weight off your chest huh?"

"Yes, thanks for the advice."

It had been a week and even though we still had a few skirmishes with rogue demons the main attacks had died down. Haizaki had grown quiet but instead of feeling relieved, the exorcists and demons were on edge. I felt the same but I was also glad that they didn't feel the need to send me out to every battle and when I was sent I only captured the demons instead of killing them. They weren't all Haizaki's subjects and I wanted them to have a chance to explain and atone for any crimes they had committed. Many exorcists were unsure of my actions, calling it demon loving, but more agreed with it. Like me, they were sick of the blood shed between both factions and after observing that I wasn't the monster their writings made me out to be they had begun to rethink their positions on demons. Akashi also had worked hard to change their minds and had become a trusted advisor in meetings where they would seek his advice and knowledge. After thousands of years he had a lot of experience to share.