Akashi laid the torpid Kuroko in the huge bath. Kuroko had once jokingly commented the bath was huge enough to fit an entire hot spring. Akashi had the bath prepared and filled with crimson red water. It was necessary, someone like Kuroko who possessed the cursed abilities of the devils, was born with flesh and blood of a human. Kuroko was a demi-human. Kuroko was submerged in the crimson water, Akashi joined as he settled himself comfortably beside Kuroko, regardless the wetness of the water the fabric of his kimono was absorbing. He waited eagerly for his awakening.

Blood that had been blessed were the source of the redness of the water. Healers have reported the red essence were used for calming the fragile minds during the awakening, especially for young devils who have not reached the age of maturation.

Kuroko.... Kuroko....

Kuroko found himself sleeping deep within the depths of the water. He felt someone had been calling for his name. He opened his eyes. Everything was dark. He couldn't make out of anything. Where am I? His voice had echoed through the vast space. Another Kuroko had materialized like a mirror image. The only difference was the other Kuroko had red eyes, pointed ears and vampire-like fangs.

"Who are you?"

"You have to wake up. He is waiting for you." The other Kuroko said.

Kuroko was confused what had happened to him. "How do I get out of here? There is no exit."

The other Kuroko smiled. "All you have to do is remember, and embrace your true self. Then, you will have answers to all your unanswered questions. Afterall, I am you, Kuroko Tetsuya."

The mirage vanished.

"My true self...." Kuroko repeated as images from his vast memories began playing like a movie videoclip. He soon became aware of the identity of an individual name Kuroko Tetsuya as truth was slowly being revealed.

"No," he smiled at the images. "My name is Akashi Tetsuya."

He couldn't believe how he had forgotten such an important memory. As if he was brainwashed, he had forgotten the one that had played an influential role in his life. Forgotten about the life they had built together. Kuroko finally realized the last piece to the missing puzzle. Light had shone brightly from the depths of darkness, releasing him from the labyrinth. Kuroko shielded his eyes against the light for protection. The next thing he knew, he was greeted with a pair of worried eyes.

"S... Sei-kun," Kuroko whispered.

Akashi widened. "You remembered?" He whispered gently.

Akashi would not dare to push his luck. The fact that Kuroko had lost everything about him had saddened him greatly. The great extent that Kuroko had hated him, despised him and had even forgotten that Kuroko was engaged to him had impaled a sword through his heart. Akashi felt he had lost a part of himself. He had blamed the humans for destroying his love. He had suspected of underhanded tricks and revenge humans could do.

Akashi was peeved, his wrath was stirred by the greed of humans had come into play. "How displeasing." Akashi wondered who was the real devil. How could humans deceive my Tetsuya? Aren't you satisfied? You got rid of the innocent human because of your greed. You sacrificed him, he no longer belongs to you humans. I discovered his talents, took him in and raised him. Now he belongs to me. You will not have him back. He is mine.

No one could calm the raging devil master. The miracles could only pray that Kuroko would return to them. To Teiko.

"I wonder since when I had forgotten about the most important thing of my life." Kuroko smiled, finding comfort within Akashi's arms.

Akashi had slid off the layers of kimono he wore, revealing the bare skin of his neck. Kuroko clung tightly around Akashi, their arms and legs were entangled like a tight knot. Akashi had Kuroko within his grasp, and was guided to the nape of his neck, where the veins of blood flowed underneath. Without a word, Kuroko realized what Akashi had ordered, what he had wanted him to do.

To take his blood.

The starvation of three years without blood had brought Kuroko to the end of his limits. The essence in the waters had stimulated Kuroko's senses to capitulate to his needs. Kuroko bared his fangs. His fangs had plunged deep into the flesh of his life partner. Akashi had winced slightly his pain sensors had sent its electrical impulses to his brain, followed by pleasure of vampire fangs has to offer as Kuroko fed from him.

"Welcome back, my beloved Tetsuya."