Forever yours

Chapter 26

Akashi's Pov

I wiped the sweat and tears off the face of my bluenette lover who was now peacefully asleep. A few moments ago he had arched his back and screamed in pain and I knew he was reliving that horrible night when he was taken from me the first time. Now he was silent and sleeping, his memories recovered.

"The marks are gone."

I looked up from my work to see Kagami staring down at Kagutsuchi's arm. Kuroko's father smiled sadly and looked at his son.

"So the memories have been unlocked. My poor boy."

I looked down and continued to wipe Kuroko's face with a wet towel, he didn't even mutter as I cleaned him up. Mayuzumi handed Izzy a cup of tea. She was sitting back on the chair, another wet towel over her eyes. When she sat up the towel fell and I could see eyes that were fully white. She was blind. I must have made a sound for she turned towards me, a smile on her ashen face.

"Don't worry crow, I regret nothing. If the cost of helping dear Tetsuya is my eyes than I will gladly pay the toll. He has unlocked all his memories from his first life to now. He should have control of his powers too. We finally stand a chance against Haizaki and his dark army."

Her face twitched as if she was sensing something and she grabbed another towel from beside her, handing it to me.

"It's been hard for you too, sorry."

It was then I realised I was crying. I grabbed the towel and roughly wiped my face.

"Did he know? That his powers would be affected when he was reborn? Is that why he chose to forget that life, to forget me?"

Kagutsuchi sat down on the chair and looked down at me.

"I can't say for sure but he knew that mercury is our weakness. Cold iron simply slows us down but mercury stops our powers. We are even weaker than humans when exposed to it. He lived a hard life after we lost Akane, his mother. Can you blame him for wanting to start over?"

I looked down at Kuroko and shook my head. I could remember clearly each mark on his pale skin. I recalled every time he was killed and attacked. No, I couldn't blame him for wanting to forget, even if it meant forgetting the time we spent together.

"He loves you. Even when he couldn't remember you, he loved you."

I looked up to see Kagami leaning against the door frame.

"He was a popular boy growing up and was never short of admirers but he turned them all down. He told me once that he felt nothing for them and that he was waiting for the man in his dreams. Waiting for you."

"I must look really pathetic if even you are trying to cheer me up exorcist."

Kagami shrugged and stood up, jamming his hands in his pocket.

"I'm not doing it for you. I am making sure you don't hold a grudge against Kuroko when he wakes up. I am sure he will be upset enough as it is. Remember, if you stuff up my door is always open to him and there are many others who would scoop him up."

With that he left the small café and I scoffed, "as if I would let anyone else have him."

"You should both get on home. He will probably sleep for the next two days as his memories sort themselves out in his subconscious. I will keep the oracle and her son here. They will be safe, my power is strong enough for that."

I nodded towards the demon and scooped Kuroko up. He simply muttered in his sleep and rolled into my arms. I held him close and kissed his forehead. I then turned to Kagutsuchi and bowed.