Drives Me Wild- Prologue

S/N: This is the prequel to "Miracles"! It is Aomine and Kagami's dramatic and tumultuous love story. The prologue uses canon from the manga, but the main story (starting chapter one) will diverge into a story about them in college up to the events in Miracles. The main theme of this is dealing with and acknowledging that Aomine canonically suffers from depression, and how important Kagami is to him. This story idea kind of consumed my thoughts, to the point where it gave me writers block over the actual "Miracles" story. I just need to get it out of my system a bit so I can return to Miracles.

A/N: I think Momoi is the ultimate friend. She knows Aomine is depressed, and doesn't have friends or get along with people easily. Instead of letting him face high school alone and depressed, she gives up her desires to make sure he is OK. I hope everyone has a friend like that.

—

Momoi's nagging still rang in his ears. Couldn't she just leave him alone? He was so content watching the clouds crawl by and sleeping his life away. Besides it's not like all that running around will do him any good. He was the best, and that wasn't going to change anytime soon. He huffed, and kicked a rock on the ground. This is why he didn't like going. He didn't like being reminded of all this depressing shit.

The worst was when Momoi tried to get him to hope again. That he could be beaten. That he could like basketball again. That he could be happy.

But the days went by and no one even stood a chance against him. The better he got, the deeper the overwhelming listlessness grew in him. Somedays he felt that if he looked at a rainbow it would appear gray.

But, whatever. He owed enough to Momoi that he could at least show up to practice once a week. When he entered the gym, his teammates seemed excited over something. He looked around and spotted Momoi talking to the captain. As he headed over to them, he heard someone call at him their typical, uncreative snide. "Finally showing up? About time." Aomine clicked his tongue. Maybe if they were better at basketball they would be worth his time. He lazily draped an arm over Momoi's shoulder.

"What's everyone so worked up about?" He drawled, as if this affair were none of his interest.

"Ah! Aomine-kun!" She replied with pep. "I just got back from visiting Tetsu-kun". Aomine gave her an all-knowing stare. Momoi cheeks turned pink as her hair, and she became flustered. "Geez! Aomine-kun! It's not like that! I was there gathering information!" She stamped her foot down and huffed when he raised his eyebrow to voice his disbelief.

"So what happened? Tetsu become more powerful or something."

"Yes, a bit. But it's actually not about him!" Aomine was a little interested now. If something was more interesting to Momoi than Tetsu, it might be good. "It's their ace! He's a returnee from America. He's of high caliber, there is something special about him!" Aomine sighed. He turned around and headed straight for the door. "Aomine-kun?! Where are you going?" Momoi jogged to catch up to him. They were outside the gym now, and Aomine was making a beeline for the front gate. "I wasn't done yet!"

"I don't want to do this again Satsuki. Just let me go, I don't feel like practicing anymore. I want to go home."

"No I will not let you go!" She yanked hard on his arm to get him to stop. "Dai-chan please! You can't give up. I won't let you! I hate seeing you like this." Aomine sighed. He hated feeling like this. I've been wrong in the past, I know, but you have to at least meet him. Then you will see." Aomine sighed. He could feel the despair beating down his hope.

"What makes this kid so special Satsuki?"

"He's like you, and the others. He's different. Right now, he is at least as strong as Ki-chan. Maybe even stronger."

Aomine rubbed the back of his head. A miracle that isn't a miracle? Sounds doubtful.

"What's his name?"

"Kagami Taiga of Seirin High."

—

He could feel it returning to him. His drive, his life-force. It burned through him, clearing his mind of everything except the ball.

The points came easy at first. Then- he couldn't believe it! Kagami was still fighting him, and getting stronger every confrontation! He started entering his field of view, disrupting his flow.

And then he was there. In the zone with him. Nothing but the ball and Kagami. He looked into the redhead's eyes and knew, that he was seeing only him too. Aomine smiled, he was happy. For the first time a long time he had no idea who was going to win. And he was happy.

—

"I lost? I see… so I actually lost." Aomine was surprised he felt sad about it. He wanted this for so long. For someone to beat him, to give him something to fight for again. He was drawn from his thoughts by Kagami and Kuroko. Kuroko, too exhausted to stand was supported by Kagami. Seeing the two teammates so close, made Aomine realize his own loneliness. Would his team accept his apology? Could he be like that with Kuroko again, would Kagami play with him again? He wanted to change.

"Why are you making a face like it's the end of the world?" Kagami asked. "This is just getting started. Let's play again. I'll take you down anytime." Aomine stared at him in wonder. It was if he had seen right through him. Aomine couldn't help but return Kagami's smile.

"Aomine-kun." Kuroko raised his hand for a fist bump.

"What? From way back then?" But Aomine's grin betrayed him. "Ok, just this once. I'm going to win next time though."

Kuroko smiled at him fondly. "Alright." Their fists bumped. In that moment Aomine felt all the hurt and baggage from the past leave him. Things were good again.

Momoi found Aomine on the roof of the stadium. He had been lying there watching the stars twinkle in the sky. He was crying softly.

"Dai-chan. Everyone else is crying too, you should join them at least."

"I'm not crying!" he snapped. Well, he was, but for a different reason. It was because he was so happy. He wanted tomorrow to come. He wanted to practice and try and reconcile with his team. But most of all, he couldn't get Kagami out of his minds. He kept replaying in his mind parts of the game, when the Seirin ace had impressed him. Remembering them made him giddy, and he couldn't stop the corners of his mouth curving up into a smile.

"Ok, whatever you say Dai-chan." She replied in understanding.

"Hey Satsuki. Let's go shopping tomorrow?"

"Huh?! But you hate shopping!"

"I just- I want to want new basketball shoes. I want to practice."

Tears welled up in her eyes. She fought back the urge to hug him. All she could do was smile and be glad that this moment she had fought for had come. Aomine was finally happy again. "Ok, let's go!"

—

It was the first practice since their loss at the Winter Cup. As promised, Aomine showed up on time and in a pair of shiny new shoes. The Tōō teammates whispered amongst themselves excitedly. Since the cup it seemed new life had been blown into their ace, and they liked it. He was much more approachable now. Perhaps he could be their friend and teammate after all.

Their new captain, Wakamatsu frowned. He wasn't exactly convinced. Even if he had turned over a new leaf, he still had a lot of past to own up to. "Aomine. Too the club room. The rest of you, warm up then practice shooting."

Aomine followed Wakamatsu ito the small room attached to the gym. It wasn't like he hadn't expected this. Wakamatsu let Aomine in first and then shut the door behind him. Turning around, he was shocked to see something he never expected. Aomine, bowing before him.

"I'm sorry." Aomine started, maintaining his bow. "I was, well being a jerk. I want to change though. I want to become stronger, not only for myself, but for the team too."

Wakamatsu scratched his head, slightly perplexed. "Stop bowing, its kind of weird coming from you." Aomine rose, and met Wakamatsu's eyes. "For now, apology accepted. Your real apology is how you behave from here on out." He rested a hand on Aomine's shoulder. "Momoi talked to me you know, and told me that you were in a dark place for a really long time. I don't really quite understand it all, but we are a team you know. We rely on each other for more then just playing a game. If something happens we need to be there for each other."

Aomine smiled, slightly embarrassed. "Yeah, I think I understand that now."

Wakamatsu sighed, and lightly punched Aomine's arm. "You better thank Momoi you know. She's been too good to you."

"I know."

"Well, now that that's settled, let's go play basketball."

—