The Merman and the Prince

Chapter 37

Akashi's Pov

"Tetsuya!"

I bolted up in the bed, startling the figure resting on the chair beside me. I looked around and blinked my eyes a few times. I could tell it was night time but somehow I could see clearly, like it was midday.

"Go and tell the others he is awake!"

I started to kick back the covers, noticing that I was dressed in a fresh set of pants but nothing else. Hands grabbed me to stop me from getting up. I saw Midorima standing in front of me, his eyes checking me for injuries.

"How are you feeling Seijuro?"

I remembered then, the pain of being stabbed and the coldness that spread over my body. I touched my stomach and was surprised to feel there was no wound. Looking down I saw no bandages, no stitching just a pale blue scar that ran down the middle. I touched it and jerked my hand away in surprise, it was warm. Midorima shook me gently, bringing my attention back to him.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine Shin. Where are we?"

"Still on the island. The hunters have been taken care of and we have the mercenaries' imprisoned in the old slave compound in the fort. There were only a few casualties', none from our crew. Plenty of injuries but they have been manageable. The islanders have been helping and Kagami's healing skills have been a great assistance to them."

I gripped his arms tightly, looking up at him but I couldn't make the words come, my throat was dry. As I coughed he poured me a cup of water. While I drank, he answered my unspoken question.

"Nash is dead. We arrived after you were injured and he was trying to spirit Kuroko away. He told us to choose between the two of you."

My heart sunk at his words and I glared at him. If I was here did that mean they had chosen me?

"We didn't have to make that choice. A young slave girl, a member of the Teiko kingdom stopped him. Be aware that if we had to choose though you would have been the one we would save."

"Shin, you dare"-

"Kuroko made the same decision."

Time seemed to stop at those words and I glanced around the room, half expecting to see the bluenette sitting in a chair.

"What do you mean? Where is Tetsuya?"

When I met his green eyes I wished I could un-see the depressed and painful expression that crossed his face.

The room was quiet as I walked in, my crew assembled behind me, all wearing the same sorrow filled expression as Midorima. I was aware of Kagami sitting in the corner, his face pinched, his skin pale and clammy with sweat but it was the figure lying on the bed that held my attention. Kuroko lay prone before me, a blanket covering his lower half. His hair spread out on the pillow underneath him and he looked like an angel but when I moved closer his skin was far too pale and his breath was slow and laboured. I reached out a trembling hand and brushed my finger against his arm, biting my lip when I felt how cold he was.

"How"- I couldn't get the rest of the question out and everyone looked down, not daring to meet my gaze.

I felt my familiar rage bubbling up and turned around to glare at Midorima.

"What did you do?"

They all flinched at my quiet voice which dripped with venom.

"It was Tetsu's choice."