Ratings: PG13
Warnings: Violence, Swearing
Genre: Angst, Romance, High School, Drama, Friendship, Hurt/Comfort

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters in this story, living (or passed) human beings or fictional characters. These events never happened, according to history or as the original author intended them. This is a work of fiction and is not intended to offend. For entertainment purposes only. Thanks.

Also, the original characters developed in this story are that of the author's creation. They are not to be copied without written permission.

Author's Note (June 2018):

This work has been edited. When I first published this story in 2014, I did not expect it to receive the amount of dedicated readers that it had. I was not as experienced as a writer as I am now, and I was not very informed on some facts about the universe of KnB, (specifically the names). As a result, when I looked back on the story I felt it was poorly written and I didn't have the heart – or the time – to continue the story after a certain point (chapter 8). Now, looking back on this piece of writing, I feel it is unfair to my readers and unfair to the story itself to leave unfinished.

Originally, the story was meant to end at chapter 7, but because of the reviews I was receiving and the further I fell in love with the characters of the series, I began to have other ideas. While these ideas had been saved on my computer for the way the story will inevitably end now, at the time of creating these ideas, I did not have the time or means necessary to write the ending. Now, I have edited the first 8 chapters of the story, as well as finished it.

I want to thank all of my readers that had reviewed my work and reached out to message me and request that I don't leave the story unfinished; truly and sincerely your words have made it possible for me to continue these words, and I really hope that I am able to create an ending to this story that you will enjoy just as much as you have enjoyed the starting. Thank you – for reading, for reviewing, and always for witnessing.

- Witness

Chapter 1 - The Beast Inside:

Tuesday, October 11th

The skateboarder crossed the busy city intersections, past the illuminated traffic signals, and flew down the crowded streets. Long hair danced in the rushing wind like the lavender banner of a medieval army as the skateboarder cut off cars, weaved in and out of pedestrians, and elected shouts of disapproval from both. He didn't seem to bother responding to any of their complaints, not even acknowledging them with a glance. Tuned into his loud, industrial music, Murasakibara Atsushi was safe in his own mind. He continuous glanced around to be safe, making sure his way ahead was clear, and continued on his way. The drums matched the very beat of his racing heart, the clashing guitars synched exactly with the very movements of his body, and the growl of vocals resonated with the voice of his subconscious.

Leaning slightly to the left, he rounded the next corner and continued on his way. When he had reached his destination, Murasakibara simply placed his foot on the ground and kicked the back of the board up and into his waiting hand. His long fingers grabbed the wheel-bar under the board and he tucked it against his side as he entered the small, crowded candy-shop. It wasn't warm or cool inside, but it contained an outrageous assortment of candies, chocolates, and other sweet delights packed on the various back-to-back shelves throughout the store. Murasakibara wasted no time in heading straight for what he was craving at the moment: the sugar-straws at the back counter.

Grabbing a bag, he filled it with several of the large straws before adding a large scoop of gummy bears, sugar worms, sour keys, gummy cherries, strawberry marshmallows, and grapefruit pieces. It was only then that he pushed his headphones off his head and onto his shoulders; the heavy metal music loud enough to still be heard faintly by anyone who stood close to him. The cashier smirked as the skateboarder grabbed a handful of lollipops beside the cash till and added them to the bag as the older man rang up his purchase.

"Really? I thought it would be more. Oh well. That's good I guess." Murasakibara murmured, then reached in his pocket and dished out the right amount of money onto the counter. He hated having to carry around a bunch of money, so he typically used the exact amount to get rid of all his change. Besides, that way he didn't have to wait for more change to be handed back to him.

At the door to the store, Murasakibara stuffed the bag into the large back pocket of his overalls, boarded his skateboard, and was flying back the way he came: through the crowded streets, past the tall proud walls of Yosen High School, and towards the house that was now what he was supposed to refer to as his home.

Moving to Akita and starting to attend Yosen had brought out the worst in Atsushi. He was no longer the high-pitched, nasally, geeky, tall-kid that he was in middle school. He had worked twice at hard in weightlifting, deciding to make the most of his large frame, and had toned himself to an image that made any athlete in their right mind jealous. He grew his hair longer and sliced the ends of it with a razor, creating an intimidating style that he could choose to ignore the world with by wearing it in front of his face and obscuring his violet eyes, which he now rimmed with jet black coal every day.

And it wasn't only in his looks that Murasakibara Atsushi had changed. During classes he felt no grief in putting his books in his bag and sleeping on his desk in the open. He also didn't feel ashamed of his height, as he once had, choosing to stand up straight and tower over everyone instead of attempt to shrink inwards and appear only slightly taller than his peers. Most obviously, he didn't bother to curb his attitude: he swore when he wanted, ignored those he wasn't interested in hearing from, and formed a new habit of spitting on the ground whenever he felt disgusted.

He had gotten home from school before he headed to the candy store so that he could changed into his favourite outfit: brown work overalls which he wore as pants with the upper portion left hanging down since the straps wouldn't reach over his shoulders, and an extra-large black t-shirt, baggy and ripped in one sleeve, with a red design of his comic-hero, Thor, on the front. He also reapplied the thin line of black coal under his narrow eyes, letting it smudge for a bolder look than what he wore to school. After he was comfortable, he headed back out before his siblings returned home, heading back towards the school on his skateboard to get his some sugar. Now that he had purchased his candy, he was on his way back home, hurrying since he wanted to be home before his father got back from work.

He pulled his headphones up and was sneering as he went on his way, chewing on a sugar-straw to ease his worry about beating his father home; he could have gone to the store straight from school – it would have been a faster, more productive method – but he had left his wallet at home this morning, in his rush to not miss first period. He sped by streets and down lanes, chasing cars as he crossed the busy street, weaving in and out of traffic. Where the foot-traffic became heaviest at the train station, Murasakibara was forced to travel by foot. Although, having the longest legs, he knew he would cross the area quite fast, he was still disappointed to have to dismount from his board. He paid no heed to where he was headed or his surroundings; instead listening to his music and rushing with the tempo to cut through the crowd as fast as he could. It was then, charging forwards with board in hand and a large cherry lollipop in the other, that he ran straight into another person.

"Watch where you're go-"

His rude greeting was cut short when his eyes met those of his former basketball Captain, Akashi Seijuro. Standing at five foot eight, with his trademark flaming red hair, his ex-captain hadn't changed at all in appearance. His body was slender, but well built, and his posture was straight and confident. He wore white, skin-tight jeans, a red button-up shirt, and a small, black blazer, with black studded ankle-boots. In his hand he carried a black, leather bag. Murasakibara's words died on his tongue as he drank the sight of him in and he reached up to push back his headphones in front of his peer.

"I think it was you, Atsushi, who walked into me." Akashi replied, his voice still cold and full of authority.

Murasakibara had no words. He'd hang his head, but that only gave the shorter man the advantage.

"I won't keep you. Good day." Akashi averted his eyes and turned to move around his old Center, acting as he said he would at their last meeting in Teiko Middle School's gymnasium, 'as if they were strangers.'

"Aka-chin. Wait." Murasakibara reached out to Akashi, catching his shoulder. "What- what are you doing here?"

Akashi stared into Murasakibara's bright eyes, and licked his dry lips as he considered his words.

"I am here on business."

"In Akita?"

"Yes. In Akita."

"Why- why didn't you tell me?"

"It's not as if we're exactly friends, Atsushi."

The bland words cut deep and tore open old scabs in Murasakibara's heart. It seemed so long ago that he had asked his captain out for dinner after one of their victories to qualify for the championship; they had been the visiting school and rather than take the bus home with everyone else, Murasakibara had taken Akashi out for dinner and then had his father pick them up and drop Akashi home. That had been the start of their clandestine, and rather short-lived relationship. And though the relationship was one they both agreed to take slow and consented to end in a mutual agreement, a part of Murasakibara blamed Akashi for their split. To make matters worse, several members of Atsushi's family blamed Akashi for his changes in attitude and academics. Still, Akashi's words pulled at feelings Murasakibara still held from both his romance with Akashi and his loyalty to his previous team's captain.

"I just thought, you know, since we were on the team together that you might have thought we could hang out. Catch up, you know?"

Akashi nodded slowly, following his words.

"I wouldn't think to hang out during a business trip, Atsushi. And not with anyone that isn't on my current team."

Atsushi spat out of habit. Anger rolled over his body in waves and fought to keep his arms from shaking. At the heart of his beliefs, he viewed that all things were from fate, so meeting Akashi was not a chance encounter. He viewed this meeting – although shocking – as a second chance with the fiery redhead, and he wasn't ready to lose his attention now just because Akashi wanted to play it off as a mere accident.

"Well, I thought of it." he pushed roughly. "So would you like to?"

Akashi raised an eyebrow at this new boldness in his center. He had dealt with attitude from his Miracles before - especially their ace, Aomine Daiki - but he hadn't received such forward words in some time. His members at Rakuzan were always on their best behaviour to obey him every time he requested something of them.

"I don't see the harm in it." He finally replied, having taken the time to think through the consequences of his answer.

"Great. You have my number?"

"Somewhere."

The faint blush on the point guard's cheeks told Murasakibara otherwise. He rolled his eyes, popped the lollipop into his mouth and held out his hand for Akashi's phone. "Lemme sync it."

Akashi pulled his sleek, new phone out and handed it to Murasakibara after unlocking it.

Murasakibara glanced it over before punching in his name and number with his thumb. "Nice." he commented at the latest model.

Akashi smiled at the remark, a forced business smile, and took the phone back with as little physical contact with Murasakibara as possible.

"I'll call you tonight." Murasakibara flashed a rare smile. "And you'd better answer."

Sighting a parting in the crowd, Murasakibara threw his board to the ground and sped off; feeling a slight satisfaction in leaving his former captain breathless and behind him. He repeated the number he took off the phone in his mind until it was etched in, having checked what the number was in the information section of Akashi's phone. He didn't want to leave right away, but he knew standing around in the middle of the crowded square wasn't going to lead to them hanging out any sooner, and he knew that he needed to get home quickly before his father beat him there. He had Akashi's number, he would definitely hear from him again soon.

"Where did you speed off to so quickly?"

Atsushi stopped at the gate door in front of his yard. His older brother, Nori, was leaning on it, evidently waiting for him.

"I had a fix." he held up his bag.

"Did you get any of those gummy rings?"

"Naw, I wanted the sugar straws."

"Darnit."

"I waited for you."

"Did you?! I came as soon as I could, but mom said you left already."

"Then you weren't quick enough."

"Not my fault."

"Let me through."

The pair of brothers walked up the drive and into their cozy house. It had become familiar to Atsushi, and he was grateful he hadn't felt a big difference in districts either. The house was small for a family of their size, with a small sitting room for their rather large family to gather together, and enough bedrooms for them to pair up in. But it was their own little nest and nothing felt better than being home after an exhausting day, especially when there was a hot meal being cooked.

"So, are you gonna share?" Nori teased him.

Atsushi's eyes narrowed and he pulled the bag out of reach, glaring at his brother for taking the sweets he paid for with his own allowance. A sudden thought of Akashi - with his cold eyes and lonely stance - made Murasakibara reconsider. Before he could respond, he moved the bag back and held it open for his elder.

Nori was too shocked to even take a candy. He stared at Atsushi, looking up to him slightly and brushed his hair back off his face.

"A-are you sure?"

Atsushi only nodded. "Before I change my mind." he added.

Nori grinned and took a gummy worm. "Thank you, Mukkun!"

Atsushi pulled him back by the neck of his shirt. "And don't you go letting everyone here know I'm giving off candy. I'll have none left for myself."

"I know the feeling." his brother replied, patting his back. "I've got your back."

Despite indulging in candy during a small soccer match between the twins in the back yard, Atsushi ate two platefuls of the cream stew his mother had prepared. It was almost evening, and he kept glancing at the clock while he debated when would be too early to call Akashi.

'I want him to wait.' he thought to himself. 'I want him to feel my agony. I want him to have me on his mind, wondering when I'll call.'

He did all the dishes, washing them slowly and carefully, then put them away after one of the twins helped dry them. Afterwards, he trudged up the stairs to his room, carrying with him his skateboard and shoes. Nori was already inside, lying across his whole bed on his half of the room.

"Get out." Atsushi greeted him.

"Wh-what?" His brother pulled out a earphone.

"I said, get out!"

"What for?"

Atsushi rolled his eyes. "I need to call a friend."

"How long?"

"I dunno."

"Text me when I can come back in."

"And don't you dare-"

"Tell anyone. Yeah, yeah. I know."

His brother took his leave quietly. Murasakibara hesitated. He did say he would call. But would he feel better standing Akashi up, making him wait for a call that wouldn't come. A smirk grew on his lips but a sinking feeling hit him in the stomach.

"Aka-chin would never do that to me, even if he didn't tell me he was coming to Akita."

He pulled out his cell phone, a simple gadget compare to Akashi's device, and punched in the number he all but burned into his brain. He stared at the little green icon until tears blurred his vision, and he sat on his bed with his shoulders slumped for a moment.

He wouldn't cry over the past. He couldn't let the thought of what happened interfere with what the future held. He pulled back a growl, sucked in his breath, and lifted his head. He forced the tears to stop and held his gaze upwards until he was sure they wouldn't betray him on the phone. He pulled his hair into a ponytail, closed his eyes, and hit the little green button.

The phone rang.

And rang.

On the third ring, it clicked on.

"Good evening, you've reached Akashi Seijuro."

'Professional, huh?' Murasakibara thought, then smirked. "Greetings, Captain!"

"Atsushi." A pause. "I am not your captain any longer."

"You will always be captain to me." An awkward silence dawned and Murasakibara cleared his throat. "So how long are you staying in Akita?"

"Three days."

"Where?"

"A hotel on one of the main roads."

"Do you wanna hang out tomorrow?"

"When?"

"Around ten."

"Wouldn't you be in school."

"Not if I don't wanna be."

Akashi rolled his eyes on the other end of the call, but the gesture went unseen. He was surprised by the tall man's apparent attitude change. "Are you sure that's such a good idea."

"Well, I take it you aren't busy at that time."

"Well, no. Not exactly."

"So, where do I meet you?"

"Atsushi-"

"Yes, captain?"

"This isn't about us, is it?"

"You say it like it's a bad thing."

"I don't want you getting the wrong idea about this."

"I think you're the only one thinking that way, captain."

Murasakibara's heart would have dropped some of the guard it developed to see the blush on Akashi's cheeks. On the other end of the call, Akashi thanked himself that he had spoken his concerns to Murasakibara over the phone Murasakibara couldn't see his emotions on his face.

"Alright." Akashi agreed. "I'll meet you then, I have a few hours I can spare."

"Sounds great! So I'll meet you at your hotel then." Murasakibara quickly agreed, hoping his voice wouldn't waver. "Text me where." He hung up without waiting for a goodbye. He was shivering, his hands were shaking, and he felt like punching a hole in the wall...again.

"You can come back up now!" he shouted, specifically to his brother but knowing most of the house would hear him.

In seconds he was joined by his brother in their room.

"You could've just said so." he chuckled nervously. "The twins nearly had a heart attack."

"I live here, don't I?" he murmured, icily.

"Why don't you tell me what's up?" Nori asked, diving onto his own bed and glancing at Atsushi.

Atsushi glared at him. He pushed his overalls off his legs and off the bed, and rolled over with his back against his sibling, facing the wall instead. He pulled his headphones up onto his ears and rolled his eyes to himself.

"'Sushi?" He brother asked, prompting him to speak.

Atsushi glanced over his shoulder at his brother, glaring at him for prying. He bit his lower lip and then turned away again, scrolling through his iPod for a loud song to drown the sound of Nori's voice out. Once he turned his music on, he turned to face his brother once more to answer his question.

"Fuck off."