Third person's POV :

Akashi dropped Akira off, and closed the door behind him.  He looked around, before walking down the fleet of stairs. He took an immediate left, and made his way towards a street away from the bar. 

He walked down the side walk which looked as though an elephant in stiletto's had tottered down it causing great cobwebs of cracks.

He had a way of walking that made him seem perpetually in a hurry. His steps weren't long but they were rapid. Like a speed-walker without that odd twisting motion they make. His left hand rested on his sheathed sword while his right was clenched into a fist. 

He suddenly came to a stop, when he felt someone's presence.

" Akashi-sama"  said a coarse yet firm voice.

Who would address him by his last name? The voice seemed familiar. Akashi spun around, and noticed a group of six Rakuzan soldiers, standing upright and rigid. 

The lamppost flickered eerily on the pavement and they felt the hairs on the back of their necks stand on end. It's orange glow only made it worse as it made Akashi's eye look monstrous. They all bowed to him in tedium.

Silence, was all that came out of Akashi. He looked at them expressionless, as if it was the first time he had seen them, which was not true.

One of the soldiers decided to break the silence.

" Akashi sama, the king sent us out to look for you." he said.

Akashi chuckled, almost inaudible. Who knew what he was thinking? One thing was clear, he didn't like what he just heard. He turned around to walk away.

They ran a bit to catch up to him and almost surrounded him.

" Please, hear us. " said one of them.

Akashi stood still, and looked at the man in the eye to show him that he was listening. Akashi's glare pierced through, like a dart.

The man bent his head, " Your father is ill sire. He has been bedridden for a while now. He is unable to move and doctors at the castle suspect that it is due to old age. He is taking his last few breaths my lord. "

The man looked up at Akashi before continuing " He said his last wish was to see you ".

The flock of men stood on hold, waiting for a response from the Prince. Akashi's silence grew and expanded. Their legs went limp. They tried to suppress the shaking of their limbs atleast for a few more moments but failed. 

They tried to drink in the silence to counteract the fear that threatened to engulf them. This kind of thick air chilled them all , especially on an inky night devoid of even moonlight or stars. They felt it.

Akashi finally spoke, " I have no bonds or ties with the Royal family. "

" But you are the Prince, and no matter what you say, you can't undo the fact that you are the King's son. " said one of the soldiers who knelt to touch Akashi's feet.

Akashi maintained his emotionless face. The soldier seemed to sum up all his courage just to talk to him.

" Please come back, my lord "  he begged.

Akashi smirked, and uttered " Do not follow me " and walked away.

The soldiers didn't dare enough to follow the great Seijuro Akashi. His orders were absolute. They were disheartened, as they failed to convince the Prince. The king was on the verge of loosing his life, but on the other hand the Prince wasn't even ready to see his own father.

~~~

As Akashi stood in the bar's doorway the smoke from inside billowed out into the bitter wintry air. It swirled in the momentary light that streamed out until the door swung shut. He opened the door again, and walked in. There were two people inside, the bartender and Akira. He walked further in, and noticed that Akira seemed to be asleep on the table.

" We are closing " said Gabey.

Akashi gave her a few gold coins, and bought a bottle of water for himself. Her eyes widened when she saw the gold, and she immediately grabbed them off the table. He avoided her gaze.  He leaned closer to Akira, and shook her shoulder attempting to wake her up.

She wasn't asleep, she was awake, but too drunk.

She jumped down from the high stool and lost her balance. Right when she was about to hug the ground, Akashi held wrist and straightened her up. She was staggering like an inebriated tramp and invaded his space. She plastered herself to him, and threw her arms around his neck.

" Sei - juu - rouu" she uttered and smirked at him.

He dragged her out of the bar. He pushed her off of him, and helped her stand on her own. 

She toppled down the steps onto the cobbled street and the houses swayed like they were part of a fun house mirror illusion. After only six staggering paces she threw up, vomit splashing on the stones and spraying the road.

"Tch" he groaned annoyed.

He quickly grabbed her, and pushed her hair off her face. He rubbed her back, while she vomited. Once she was done, he gave her some water and she cleaned her mouth. He helped her up, she swung her right arm over his shoulder and put all her weight on him. 

They walked quietly in the street for a while before Akira decided to shout out loud.

"Seiiiiiii.... " she screamed.  " Let me go!! "

He quickly shut her mouth,  "  Shusshh " he whispered.

She slapped his hand off her mouth, and got out of his grip. She smiled at him as she swayed right to left. She took a step back and kneeled before him. Akashi was trying to process what was happening, while she was before him on both knees. He narrowed his eyes and widened them when she pulled out the small wooden box which she won earlier.

She reached forward and pulled his right hand, and placed the box on his palm. Her hands dropped, and Akashi brought the box closer to his face, to see what was inside. 

Inspite of the darkness, he could make out the words written on the metal ring.

'Be mine '

He was taken aback as he stared at her. Akira grinned at him and spoke, " Seijuro, don't look at me that way! It kills me! Your eyes are red and..and gold."  she chuckled and looked away. She looked at him and spoke again " You look so...your hair..your eyes..your smile.. It's just so... Arghhh! Why do you have to be so perfect Sei?" she questioned.

" Why are you doing this to me? I.. I.. I'm addicted to you. I want you Sei! " screamed. " Marry me. " she stated and buried her face in her hands.

Akashi stood startled. He looked at her with his eyes wide and lips slightly apart. He wanted to speak, but didn't know what to say. There was only one thing surrounding them, it was silence.

Akashi closed the box and placed it inside his pocket. He knelt down on his knees, in front of her. A smile played on his lips, as he moved her hands off her face. " Akira?"  he uttered. 

She kept her eyes low, but reached forward and placed her lips on his cheek. When she pulled away, all it left was a little wet mark; a shallow pool of saliva on his cheek. But when she planted the kiss there he felt warmth spread through his limbs and his mind felt a pleasant buzz. Every good thing seemed possible, likely even. And then he knew he had found what he had been looking for, someone to show him what it means to be happy from the inside out, so his smile could  be real and not a mask.

Before he could respond, her head fell forward and hit his chest. Of all the things she could do, she fell asleep!

He wrapped his arms around her, and held her tight as he breathed in her scent.

He stood up and pulled her with him. It was evident, all he could do now was carry her home. He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.  Akashi was surprised that she wasn't very heavy. He walked in search of his horse, so that they could reach their residence before midnight.