Title: Wild Animals
Author: imaginary_witness
Pairings: AoAka
Characters: Akashi, Aomine, Midorima, Kise, Murasakibara, Momoi
Ratings: Teen
Warnings: None.
Genre: Friendship, High School, Romance.

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.

Author's Notes: AoAka is one of my favorite shippings in the KnB world, (as it is two of my favorite characters), and is also one of the least written (that I have discovered thus far). So here is the idea, just started, please enjoy and review!

Everyone seemed excited by the talk of the upcoming school dance. Whispers of it were on the lips of all students lips, and there wasn't a wall or door that wasn't home to an advertisement of some kind. Even the backside of the washroom stalls held promotional flyers for the events. Akashi Seijuro searched in vain for a place unspoiled by the event, but even in the library he found no silence on the topic. He sighed and sank slowly into a seat under the windows in one of the empty classrooms. He didn't care for the dance, there was something in his heart that just wasn't into the trouble of it all.

The dance was supposed to be a costumed ball, one like the nobility of earlier times held in the harvest season to promote their estates and advance their connections. Akashi vaguely wondered what the administration of Teiko Middle School was thinking to host such a thing, though the sun was beginning to sink earlier in the day and the fair breezes were picking up. Autumn had always been Akashi's favourite season. Growing up, autumn held the allure of waking early to the dancing leafs falling from their branches, warm soups and noodle bowls, and rides at the stable yard with his steed. Hallowe'en and Thanksgiving would be coming up, and Christmas after that. And what excited him the most was when the whole world around him transformed into an oasis of reds, golds, and purples; very much like himself.

The door to the classroom slid open and Akashi lifted his head from lying atop his arms; he vaguely realized he had been daydreaming as he gazed at the leaves outside, slowly fading from their vibrant greens to a subtle yellow.

"Oh, I didn't see you in here."

It was Shintarou.

Akashi smiled and turned to see his friend.

"I just needed some space."

"I just wanted to review before next period's test."

Akashi smirked.

"I'll do fine."

"I'm sure."

Akashi got up and moved two seats back, to where he was assigned to sit in next period. Shintarou sat at a diagonal to his right, which suited him just fine, but he was glad he had the window to his left. It always offered him an escape from the dreary confines of a classroom full of average teenagers.

Akashi smirked and looked out the window, resting his head in his hands again.

"Are you going to the dance, Akashi?"

Akashi's mood was spoiled. He turned and rolled his heterochromic eyes.

"I was actually enjoying the silence on the topic."

"Oh. I see."

Akashi allowed a moment to slip by in silence before he poked the subject with the same sneer he had used whenever another had brought it up to him before.

"I cannot believe you, Shintarou, are interested in the dance, of all things."

Shintarou smirked.

"Don't be coy, Akashi. I may not be interest in dancing, of all things, but I am a young male."

Akashi raised an eyebrow.

"And what, pray tell, does a young male have in mind at this dance?"

"Costumes."

Akashi stared, unsure of what he just heard.

"I am interested in what animal people choose to reflect themselves."

Akashi slowly nodded his head. So the theme was animals then.

"Oh."

He turned to face out the window and turned slowly when he felt Shintarou had moved. Silently, the boy that played Teiko's shooting guard had come to stand at the corner of Akashi's desk. He raised his right hand, the unbound one, and brushed his fingers through Akashi's bright hair, pushing it off his face.

"But you wouldn't suit an animal," he whispered softly, his voice dropped to a silky purr. "would you, Akashi?"

He let the strands of hair slip between his fingers and stroked the side of Akashi's face from temple to jaw. He held Akashi's desk and leaned down so his face was mere inches from Akashi's, his green eyes boldly staring down Akashi's, his voice whispering softly into his ear.

"You would suit something as gentle and timeless as nature itself; the trees or a river flowing onwards, perhaps?"

Akashi felt a chill race up his spine. He wanted to scream, to run, to hit Shintarou as hard as he possibly could. How could it be that his best friend was hitting on him? And in this talk of the dance. Akashi shuddered and felt the numbness of shock that froze him in his place wear away. He opened his mouth, unsure of whether he would be rude or still try to maintain a friendly charade, when the bell to announce lunch was over tolled.

The door to the classroom slid open, their teacher walking briskly into the room. He noticed Akashi and smiled.

"Seijuro, can I see you up at the front for a moment?"

Akashi shook his head and smiled.

"Sure."

The end of the day came much too fast and Akashi found he wanted desperately to cancel the team's practice to hoard the gym to his held up energy since lunch. Something in the air was telling him something was going to change, and he found he could rightfully say he feared for the direction his relationship with Shintarou was headed. The truth was someone was going to get hurt, and he knew it wasn't going to be him.

Akashi got the attention of the first string and began leading stretches to warm up their growing muscles. He partnered them up, taking advantage of his small size and their novice Ryouta's status to pair with him. Once they stretched and loosened their muscles, he decided to start off with some cardio and had them race around the gym ten laps. His palm stung with the amount of high fives he gave out, which was one per person every lap, to make sure none skimped off one or two rounds. Momoi stood to his left, ticking off names and recording times, which he measured on his stopwatch.

Aomine, once again, completed first. Akashi handed him his water bottle. He took it and looked down at Akashi, trying to read his thoughts.

"Thanks."

"Welcome."

Aomine took a quick drink from the bottle and held it, one hand on his hip. He pressed himself alongside the wall to allow those still running room to pass. He watched as several others, led by Atsushi and Ryouta, finished but received nothing from the captain. He looked to the bottle of water and grinned: if he was on Akashi's good side, that wasn't his problem.

"I need a line across the center of the gym," Akashi called, once the last member had slapped his hand. "Shintarou, you are at the far end. Momoi could you go and stand down there."

Once everyone was arranged, Akashi had all but the two at the end lie down: feet to feet and head to head, so that they formed a long line.

"Captain, what are we doing?" Atsushi asked, with his feet locked to Ryouta's and his face beside Akashi's foot.

"Working out everyone's core." Akashi grinned.

He picked a basketball from the metal trolley and passed it down to Atsushi.

"I want everyone to do a sit-up for everyone time the whistle is blown. Pass the ball to one another, and Daiki, you will pass them to Momoi. Momoi, you will hand the ball to Shintarou, who will practice his shooting to the hoop behind me. Tetsuya, you are in charge of collecting all the balls and bringing them back to me, or else thing whole line shuts down."

Akashi didn't allow them time to process his instructions; he simply began. He blew the whistle and Atsushi sat up and passed the ball off to Ryouta, who passed it off when he lay back down. The first ball carried onwards in the same fashion, from hand to hand as people passed facing their partners and off to those behind them. Once Atsushi's hands were empty, Akashi dropped another ball into them, blowing on the whistle when Ryouta was clear to pass to. Momoi received the first ball after Akashi had put thirty out, and twenty-nine more were headed her way. She passed them off to Shintarou quickly and Akashi smirked as he fired his first shot. It landed through the net with a graceful swish, and Tetsuya caught it and shot it towards the trolley. Akashi smirked as Kuroko's shot went in, but continued passing the balls to Atsushi. He recorded stats and observations on his clipboard and increased the pace.

'Let's see how well Shintarou shoots with added pressure.' he thought slyly to himself.

Much of practice had been in similar habit, with Akashi creating loops with his teammates to create an environment which relied on each other to continue their work out. Akashi watched them, observing their sweaty bodies, and pinpointing what needed to be worked on next. He started to group them into smaller groups in his mind, planning out their next training schedule as Momoi assisted them whenever he requested.

At last, with all of the boys tired out from so much use of their abdomen and legs, he tossed them two balls and split them into four teams for two practice games. Daiki was to rotate, being one team all on his own. He handed Momoi the stopwatch, set to ten minutes, and instructed her to tell them when to switch. He was off to the track for a warm up before his own work out; which consisted of a similar setup as he just led.

The weather was cloudy outside as he began running, but after his first lap he doubled back for his sweater to protect him from the wind. He was unaware he was being watched from the gym doors, as the Teiko Ace crossed his arms against the wind and leaned into the doorway. Akashi's flat chest was accented by the wind pushing the material against it, and his toned shins were exposed as he raced around the track, his silvery shorts pulled and tugged by the breeze.

Aomine pulled his eyes away, then did a double take, before retreating from the door. Momoi had to call his name three times and he didn't want her to come and check out what he was staring at after the fourth.

"It's alright, Satsuki. I was just thinking of dinner."

"Dinner?"

Akashi was at the far end of the track when Aomine left the doorway. He smirked, finding it a close shave that Akashi wouldn't see him leaving the door, but he felt a small concern for the redhead, as the light was slowly fading from the skies.

It was dark out when Aomine left the lockers, with his bag slung over his shoulder. Momoi was waiting for him at the water fountain, at the end of the hall. He risked a peak into the weight room as they walked by, hoping Akashi wasn't still out in the dark at the track: he had heard several stories from other boys about some rather hungry animals roaming the yards recently.

Akashi was in the weight room, on a yoga mat doing burpees. Aomine didn't know which rep he was on, but the look in his eyes burned brightly. He was smiling as he forced his body to its limits, and Aomine found he smiled at that. Akashi was one of the only boys he knew that wasn't content with just life; he, like Aomine, needed to find a challenge.

"Did you hear what I just said, Aomine-kun?"

"Huh? Sorry, I was thinking."

"About?!"

"Dinner."

Akashi was tired as he sat at the kitchen table and dined with his father. His mind was on his body, focused on improvements.

"Did you just hear what I said, Akashi?"

"Huh? Sorry, father. I was just thinking."

"What about?"

"Nothing important."

Akashi's father let it go. He was interested in part of Akashi's life that his son didn't seem to notice; parts like his friends and social circles.

"So are you going?"

"Going?"

Since being stirred from his thoughts, Akashi was focused on his salmon filet. It was soft and moist, and best of all, was warm with just a bit of steam rising from each bite.

"To the dance. I heard your school is putting on this costume masquerade."

Akashi groaned.

"Even you?"

Akashi's father smiled.

"Son, I think you should go."

Akashi put his cutlery down and groaned again.

"It would be good for you. Besides, I'm sure all your friends are going. I think it would be better for you to go and have a good time with them. Do something asides from all that basketball work."

Akashi raised his head and looked at his father; his lips were pursed, yet they held a small smile. His eyes read a child's disbelief in a parents words.

"You want me...to hang out...with my friends."

He picked up his food once more and ate a bite. His father smiled and gave a low chuckle.

"Yes. I want you to have friends, Akashi."

There was a moment's silence.

"Shintarou is going. I'm sure-"

Akashi put his cutlery down once more, forcefully this time.

"I don't need any friends right now. I'm done eating."

Akashi made his way to his room, but once inside he felt empty. He sat on his bed and stared at his hands for what seemed like hours, thinking over what his father had just said and recalling how Shintarou had acted at lunch. A shiver ran up his spine; he never wanted that moment to repeat again. Ever.

A knock at his door brought him from his discomfort.

"Come in."

Akashi's dad entered and pulled the desk chair over to sit with Akashi.

"I know you're upset over something now, but I think if you keep your mind on it it's only going to eat you alive."

Akashi smirked.

"You're not that hard to read Akashi, you are my son."

"Shintarou and me just don't see eye to eye anymore."

Akashi wasn't sure just how much information he should give his father. He had a way of knowing things, that was for sure. There were times, late at night, when Akashi would vaguely wonder how his father even found out certain things.

"Go to this dance. Go with Ryouta and Atsushi if you have to. Just, please, have a good time for yourself. You need connections in this life, Akashi. You're not going to go far without them."

Akashi thought about what he said. Ryouta had asked him to go along with them. And perhaps time to do something friendly with his team would be a nice change, even if just because it was their last year together as a team. And if he were with Ryouta and Atsushi, perhaps it would get Shintarou off his case, or at least give him a hint?

Either way, Akashi was finding it harder and harder to evade the inevitable. He sighed. Deep down he knew honestly it was because his father was right: he needed to have some social circle, and he did care for his friends on the team.

"Can I ask you something father?"

His father smiled, his little patience was running low on this paternal role tonight, but he sighed.

"Ask away."

"What animal do you think I'm like?"

His father only smiled, knowing he'd won his argument.

The last day of school for the week had wrapped up uneventfully and Akashi stripped with the rest of his team in the locker room after a practice that he left feeling quite confident in their abilities. Though the year was turning cold, and changing the world into a beautiful autumn, Akashi felt that it was a meaningful time of year. It was time to make some memories and connections, like his father said. This was his last year at Teiko, his last year coaching his Miracles, and his last chance to enjoy this team.

Akashi turned to Ryouta, who sat sipping water on the bench in the middle of the lockers, and sighed.

"You've got me. I'll come with you."

Ryouta turned to Akashi with curiosity in his eyes.

"Eh? What's that Akashicci?"

"I'll come with you. To the dance."

Ryouta flew up from the bench and grabbed both his wrists, pulling Akashi into a circle with him.

"Oh, I'm so happy! That's awesome news!"

"What's good news, Kise-chin?"

"Akashicci is going to be coming with us to the dance!"

"Oh! That is delightful news!"

Akashi's cheeks burned red.

"Please. It isn't that big of an ordeal."

"No problem. We'll be quiet about it, won't we, Kise-chin?"

"Sure, sure! What are you going as?"

Akashi sighed, turning back to his locker.

"I'm...not sure yet."

"Me neither! I'm torn between going as a fish or a puppy!"

"I know what I'm going as. I just haven't finished making it yet."

"You're making it?"

"Yeah."

"I didn't know you could sew, Atsushi."

"I can. I just don't like to. See, if I had you threading all those little needles for me Aka-chin, it would be much, much faster."

"Oh. I see."

Across the room, Aomine chewed on his thumbnail, watching the scene unfold before him without interference. Anyone present last year would be able to tell Aomine had changed since then. He was no longer the spontaneous, energetic youth he once was. Though his thirst for a challenge only grew, and his love for basketball still thrived, Aomine had indeed bloomed to become a distant, thoughtful man. While off the court, he preferred to be in the shadows than the light, observing the environments around him and involving himself in the wrong-doings he caught going unnoticed by others. A passion for justice seemed to be a part of his soul, and he didn't admit it to anyone yet, but a career choice had already been brooding in the back of his mind late at night for many weeks now.

He smiled to himself.

'So Akashi will be going to the dance after all.'

Midorima entered the room, wet from the showers, with a towel about his waist. Though many of the younger boys didn't feel the need to use the locker room's showers, Shintarou was part of the circle that insisted on washing the sweat from their bodies before changing clothing.

"What's all the hype?"

he turned to Aomine, as he was the first person available that wasn't amidst the commotion.

"Akashi is just talking to Kise."

"Oh. About the dance?"

"You too, eh?" Aomine chuckled. "Yes, about that thing."

Midorima stared at Aomine and pushed his glasses up his nose.

"Indeed."

A small package arrived to the Seijuro household one evening the next week at five thirty in the afternoon. Unaware of any deliveries, Akashi's father signed for the package and left it on the table in the family room for Akashi to inspect when he got home at six.

When Akashi arrived home, taking off his shoes and slipping his feet into the black slippers that awaited him, his father had come to stand in the doorway from the kitchen just off the hall.

"Were you expecting anything in the mail, son?"

Akashi's face instantly brightened.

"That was fast!"

"It's on the house-table."

He moved to walk through the kitchen to see into the family room, watching as Akashi sat on the floor and began to open his small package. Inside was a bunch of Styrofoam packing pellets and several small bottles; one orange, one red, and one white. A smaller package inside the first held a small tray of cosmetics. Akashi's father looked over the top rim of his glasses to better sight the objects.

"What did you order, Akashi?"

Akashi looked over the table and smiled, a sweet smile his father hadn't seen for some time.

"Just some necessities for my costume."

"Like the chicken wire and trip to the stables, this past weekend?"

"Uh-huh."

"What are you going as?"

"It's a secret."

"It's a secret, eh?"

Akashi's father had come over to sit on the sofa's arm, wiping his glasses on a cloth, feeling more like a father to a young daughter than a pubescent son. But perhaps that what he should get for encouraging him to going to a dance with his friends.

"It's so secret that you can't even tell your dad?"

Akashi shook his head. His defenses were set.

"Nope. I promised Ryouta I wouldn't. He made me a deal. He won't tell me if he's going to be the fish or the puppy, and Atsushi has sealed his lips about his animal too."

"I see."

For a brief moment, Akashi's father felt kept out of the loop. But he smiled to himself and resigned himself to being the father of a teenager. Soon he would have to let go of his son, give him leave to college and then onwards to make his own life.

"Alright then." Akashi's father stood up slowly and made his way to the kitchen. "Just do me a favor, son?"

Akashi looked up from his delivery, fingers curled around the red bottle. "Yes, father?"

"Let me take a photo before you leave."

Akashi smiled.

"Deal."