ALWAYS

Author's note:

Hello!:) I just wanted to tell you a few informations you should know before reading this story! ^_^
Firstly, english is not my native language so there might be some grammatical mistakes, so I'm sorry for that xD
Secondly, in my story Kagami stayed in Japan after Last Game, because my heart refused to write anything with the original ending xD I just couldn't xD
Last but not least, I'm just so used to Akashi calling everyone by their first name I decided to keep it that way :D

Thank you for reading!
Enjoy! ^_^

Flashback

After being beaten by Touou, Kuroko felt down in the dumps. He felt like he couldn't do anything anymore. It hurt. It hurt so much. He put so much effort into his training, into his new moves. He actually believed he could do it. That he could beat Aomine and bring him back to his cheerful and happy self. He wanted his friend back. He wanted all of them back.

He didn't think he could do it by himself, he wans't strong enough. His word was dark and dull, because he was losing any hope he had left that one day they would be all be playing together again. That they would laugh while playing, that they would actually enjoy basketball. He craved for these times to be back. But his wishes were slowly fading away.

That was when he met Kagami. He met his new light that could help him. He had his hopes up again. Together they managed to beat several teams, including Kaijo and Shuutoku, which was a huge success. But after that...they were crushed. Crushed by Touou, by Aomine. Not only that, but also Kagami left him. He didin't believe in him anymore.

He was left alone.

In the darkness.

And it hurt.

As he was wandering through the streets of dark Tokyo, with only few lamps and stars on the sky shining, Kuroko looked ghostly. His eyes were fixated to the ground, his movements were slow and his sports bag was hanging on his right shoulder. He coulnd't focus on anything. He just continued walking something caught his attention.

Basketball court.

It was empty of people. Kuroko sat down on one of the benches and tossed his bag onto the ground. He kept looking ahead as he felt tears slowly rolling down his cheeks.

Dammit...dammit... Kuroko thought to himself. Why?...

Kuroko bent his head and hid his face in his palms, with his elbows resting on his knees, as he let the tears flow.

He was so distracted he didn't even notice someone approching. Only when he felt a hand on his shoulder, he startled and looked up with watery eyes.

"Hey there...you okay?'' a stranger asked with smile on his face.

Present time

When you win against one of the most powerful teams in America, you cannot expect this news to stay unspred. People talk. And let's be honest, they talk a lot. Especially when you are known as the Generation of Miracles, Japan's most powerful players who have gained their abilities at the very young age and who, as a team, were unstoppable. With this reputation one can anticipate the fuss when they can manage to beat Jabberwock, which until then remained unbeaten.

And when you combine this group of six people and Ace of Seirin, team who won the Winter Cup and successfully defeated other teams which GoM were part of, you will get a squad that no one will dare to challenge. At least that's what they thought.

After the victory, Vorpal Swords kept in touch with each other. They got together from time to time to play a few games, practice some new moves or just to hang out. Each of them grew stornger as they had others to help them out in areas that they weren't completely confident at. Well, at least most of them. Even though none of them remained undefeated, some of them still had problems admiting their shortcomings or weaknesses. Ego, huh? But it was still good. Amazing even.

But of course nothing can stay this peacefull. We all know that feeling.

The lull before the storm.

It was one Saturday afternoon when Vorpal Swords decided to play some basketball. All seven of them gathered at the basketball court to enjoy what they expected to be uneventful, calm, sunny day. Thank God it was summer so that they didn't have to be bothered with school and they weren't limited by time, they could play as long as they wanted. As there were odd number of them they played several games while changing the players on the teams.

On the third change of teams Kise finally got to be on the same team as Kuroko. They all agreed on that, so Kise would stop whining about not being able to play with his Kurokocchi. Akashi said it was for the best, otherwise somebody would get hurt. Most probably Kise, because with his peripheral vision Akashi saw Aomine with his arm outstretched while holding a ball. Apart from his grinning, his face was showing irritation. If Kise didn't stop whining, the collision of his head and the ball would be inevitable.

"Yeess! Finally! Let's go, Kurokocchi! Let's show them what we can do together!'' Kise yelled happily while throwing his arm around Kuroko's shoulders, holding him tightly.

"Please go away from me, Kise-kun.'' Kuroko deadpanned.

"So mean!'' Kise whined. His grip on Kuroko only tightened.

"Shut up! And for crying out loud, let go of Kuroko!'' Kagami growled and grabbed Kise by the hem of his shirt and forcibly pulled him away from Kuroko. Kagami was the remaining member of the team so he had to put up with this kind of behaviour.

On the other team was Akashi, Midorima and Aomine. Murasakibara was already comfortably sitting on the bench with bag of chips in his hand, mumbling something about too much moving and running around.

"So are we playing or what?! Come on, Kagami! Stop fooling around and play!'' Aomine shouted as he stretched his arms above his head with a grin on his face.

"Are you trying to pick a fight, you punk?! Bring it on!'' Kagami yelled back at him with a wide smile on his face. He let go of Kise and made his way to Aomine.

"Guuuuys! No fighting!'' Kise pouted and ran to them, trying to prevent any kind of confrontation. Unsuccessfully.

"Shut up, Kise!'' both of them yelled simultaneously and glared at Kise.

"Heeey!..''

The others just watched the scene with amusement. Especially Kuroko. He was smiling lightly and continued watching his friends bickering. After a few minutes the game finally started. They didn't play for that long as it was their third game and they all started to feel a little bit tired.

The sun was shining pretty brightly now so they agreed to take a little break. The one who really appreciated the break was Kuroko, who was lying down on the ground, his arm resting over his eyes as he tried to catch up his breath.

"You really need to work on your stamina Tetsu," Aomine said before taking a swig of his water and taking a seat next to Kuroko on the ground.

"Uuhh…" was the only thing that came out of Kuroko's lips. Aomine chuckled. He assumed the sound meant something like 'Shut up or so help me'.

''Are you okay, Tetsuya?'' Akashi asked, crouching on the other side of Kuroko. Kuroko sighed in comfort as he felt Akashi placing a towel on his face.

''I'm fine, Akashi-kun.'' Kuroko answered. ''I just need a minute.''

Midorima was sitting on the bench next to Murasakibara with his own bottle of water in his hand. On his right side was a little plush toy reminiscent of some kind of fish. Nobody asked as all of them simply guessed it was his Lucky Item for that day.

Kagami and Kise didin't seem to lack energy. They only took a quick sip of water before they ran out back to the court as they had a little one-on-one game.

''Their amout of enrgy is amazing. They are like little kids.'' Kuroko stated when he lifted his head slightly and removed the towel from his face after he wiped his forehead with it.

''We will work on your stamina. Don't worry, Tetsuya. I have already prepared a new training for you.'' Akashi said with a smile. Kuroko paled at those words. He knew he couldn't worm his way out of this one. Kuroko knew Akashi's trainings. Everybody did. They were grueling and demanding.

''It-It's okay, I can manage by mysel-'' Kuroko tried.

'' Nonsense, Tetsuya. I will gladly help you.''

Kuroko sighed in defeat. But he still inwardly smiled. He missed this. As he started daydreaming he became unaware of his own surroundings. That was until he heard a familiar voice, which brought him back to the reality. Voice he prayed not to ever hear again.

''Hey! If it isn't the famous team! Vorpal Swords, right? How about a game?'' a deep voice called.

Everyone turned their attention to the team of five people standing in front of them. Everyone exept for Kuroko. He was scared to move. He didn't want to look and confirm his fear.

No...no no no no...it can't be...

As Kuroko slowly made his body to sit up, his eyes widen. He clenched his fists and glanced at the tall man standing ahead of them.

No God...please no... Kuroko thought as he was staring at his living nightmare.