Disclaimer – I don't own Kurobasu and I never will
Warning: This will be heavy on spoilers for the manga. So if you haven't read until the latest chapters, please don't read this one yet? Because this is set after the winter cup, so EVERYTHING that went on in the manga will be referenced here. This will have yaoi undertones – you have been warned. Also, to those looking for a pwp, I don't think this is the fic for you. As much as I love pwps, this fanfic is gonna be more plot centric
[edit 10.15.12]
Edited some phrases because I got some feedback that I was using Japanese words here and there, then I read back and realized I used it a LOT OTL. I'm so sorry, I got rid of them now ^^ Sorry for the confusion!
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Prologue
Kise
The end of the winter cup. Kise couldn't believe it but Kurokocchin and Kagamicchi had led the Seirin team to absolute victory, crushing Rakuzan and even Kaijou to grab that much desired Wnter cup championship. It was surreal…he had expected Akashi to shed a tear when his strategy did not work, when his supposed plan did not come into fruition. But there was nothing of the sort.
Akashi was …smiling when they had lost and it honestly sent shivers of dread up Kise's spine.
As much as he respected his former captain, the boy really scared him sometimes. "Mouuuu just thinking about it gives me chills!" he chuckled and his photographer looked at him with a curious look.
"Kise kun?" Kise snapped his head back and let out a weak chuckle. He was talking to himself again in the middle of a shoot. "Ahhh gomen gomen," he chuckled softly as he resumed posing.
As a model he had to juggle his basketball schedule and his shoots, and had to make sure he could perform well in both. He didn't get the rematch he wanted with Aomine because Seirin had taken care of Touou before he could. So even if he was in a shoot with the Winter cup behind him, he still couldn't help but want to train harder.
"Ahhh concentrate Ryouta!" he said as he slapped his cheeks and wake himself up. He had to do his job properly.
Meanwhile, his phone was vibrating because of an incoming message. A message he will read when he is done with his shoot. A message that might never let him get the chance to go against Touou and against Aomine again.
Aomine
Wakamatsu was a PAIN. Really a pain in the ass. Aomine's love for basketball had already returned much to Kuroko's persistence. But he didn't sign up for this!
"Suck it up!"
"Shut up Wakamatsu!" he growled as he looked up from the floor on which he was sprawled on. "You want to kill me or what?!"
Aomine had monstrous stamina, but running around the gym for 100 laps was just hell even for the ace of the generation of miracles. He could swear that Wakamatsu was doing this just to spite him for being an ass when he started and showing the sophomore little to no respect.
"Everyone runs 20 laps, but since you have to make up for all the practices you missed since you started, you have to run more," the older boy smirked as he looked down at Aomine.
"Fuck you," Aomine growled just as Momoi came by his side and handed him a towel and a water bottle.
"But Dai chan…Wakamatsu san is only doing what a captain should."
"Can't you see he's torturing me?" Aomine glared at Momoi as he sat up and began to drink from the water bottle.
"No, because if I had it my way, you'd be running 200," she said innocently, making Aomine spew out water and making a disgusting mess on his jersey.
"The fuck?! You want to kill me Satsuki?!"
Momoi smiled innocently as Aomine drank down his water. "I'm just happy that Dai chan is enjoying basketball again,' she said softly.
"Ah?!" Aomine glared at her. "This isn't basketball, this is torture!"
Momoi giggled and took the empty water bottle. Then she leaned forward and whispered in Aomine's ear. "It will be over very soon," she said softly. "Akashi kun called."
Aomine's eyes widened and his lips formed into a small smirk, his tiredness momentarily forgotten. "Finally."
Murasakibara
Murasakibara undid the ponytail that held his hair back. It was the end of practice, and even if he still towered over everyone and managed to stop ALL goals from getting in, resulting into a very boring match… he was enjoying himself. And he knew why - Himuro was smiling at him, smiling and enjoying himself. At the end of the last winter cup, the reason why he had shed tears that he had never shed before was due to letting Himuro down.
He never realized it before, but he wanted to keep Himuro smiling no matter what. And with that resolution, he managed to enter the zone the last time during the Winter cup. And now, this was his driving force to get better and make sure that Himuro remained happy in this team. They would win next time definitely.
Murasakibara's world used to revolve around Akashi, who led him down the proper path. That was another man he wanted to smile…. Those two – Akashi and Himuro were the two people who trusted him fully regardless of his lack of enthusiasm for this sport.
"Atsushi," Himuro called him back from his daydream by putting a large bag of gummy worms in front of his face. "I got these from friends back in the USA, and I think you'll like them more than I will," Himuro chuckled as he saw the spark light in Murasakibara's eyes at the sight of the colorful packaging.
"Murochin," Murasakibara said as he blinked and took a whiff of the sweet smelling treat. "Thanks," he said softly as he dipped his hand inside and felt around for one of the treats. He took one of the longer worms and stuffed it into his mouth. "Mmmm Murochin, it's good," he said as he took another bite of the long squiggly treat.
Himuro chuckled and reached up to ruffle Murasakibara's purple locks. "If you like it then we can go out and buy some more. Take it as my treat for playing so well today."
Murasakibara smiled and nodded quickly. "That sounds wonderful Murocchin," he said and in record time undressed and changed into a new set of clothes, much to Himuro's amusement.
"You changed faster than I did," Himuro chuckled as he looked at the taller man. "I haven't even changed yet, please wait for me?" he smiled as he patted Murasakibara's back.
Murasakibara smiled and nodded, taking his large gym bag and walked out of the changing room so he could wait for Himuro outside Yousen's gates. He was already so excited, and before he knew it , his long legs had brought him to the gate of the school. Candy and Himuro always made him feel more elated than usual, and he was in a really good mood right now.
Then, much to his surprise, his cellphone rang. He felt the vibrations in his pants pocket and he slowly picked it up, not really in a rush since he was in such a happy state. But when he saw the name on the screen, his eyes widened slightly and he answered the call immediately.
"Akashi," he said the name in a reverent manner. One of the two boys who managed to make him play basketball, and one that he respected fully.
"Atsushi," Akashi's voice flowed from the earpiece. "It's time."
"Yes," Murasakibara said as his eyes flickered for a moment. He closed the phone, ended the call, turned around and left. There was no hesitation in his steps. Akashi's will was absolute. He was afraid of him, but he also respected him above all else.
So when Himuro came out a few minutes later, the tall boy was no where in sight. And Himuro looked around, confused and in the freezing winter felt the cold sting of betrayal as he was left all alone.
Midorima
Midorima threw the ball with his perfect and ridiculous arc and, with his back turned, heard the ball swish into the basket.
"Of course," he said to himself with a smirk. There was no way he would miss. Not then, not ever. Damned Akashi made him look like small fry when he crushed his team during the semi finals. It will never happen again he promised himself. He didn't want to see his team, the very ones who placed their total trust on him, so devastated. He didn't want to see Takao devastated.
Takao should always act silly and smile – that was what he wanted. No matter how much he ignored his fellow freshman's attempts of a closer friendship, and no matter how much he never showed his appreciation for Takao's fondness of him, he returned those feelings of fondness 100%, if not more. He just was not the showy type of person and Takao seemed to have accepted that fact.
The green haired Shooting guard smirked as he used his tape covered fingers to adjust his thick rimmed glasses. It was cute how Takao never asked anything in return and accepted Midorima for all his quirks and strangeness.
He closed his eyes for a moment amidst the squeaking of sneakers on the basketball court. He knew when it was his turn, and for a moment it was alright to just pause and revel in the happiness that this team and that one man had given him.
And his turn did come eventually….with a rather painful basketball hit on his face, courtesy of none other than Takao.
"Takao!" he growled as the man in question took the ball that bounced off Midorima's face and charged against the team they were up against. A few more months and their seniors were graduating already and though they should be focusing more on their studies to get into university, they decided to stay for another month just to be able to play with their underclassmen. Basktetball was fun after all when competing amidst friends.
Even if this was just a practice game between senior members of Shutoku, Takao ALWAYS gave it his all. That was partly why Midorima fell for him, he gave it his all no matter what, even in his affections for Midorima. Others, when shown the same circumstance, of Midorima not returning any form of affection at all, would have given up so easily. But not Takao.
So with a large red ball mark on his face, Midorima ran after his teammate and lover. There were no words, there never was any use for them in between them. Takao knew even without Midorima telling him, and Midorima knew what with Takao constantly showing him his affection. As such, they were never officially a couple. One could say they had a mutual understanding, an unofficial couple.
The game lasted another good thirty minutes, with Midorima and Takao's team slaughtering their opponent. It was no surprise, his horoscope for the day showed great promise after all, and had a 98% compatibility with Takao's hororscope. Fate was good to them today. And with those odds, they were unstoppable in court.
Although…there was something that bothered Midorima slightly when he checked Oha Asa this morning. With a 98% compatibility, they were bound to encounter something that would shift that compatibility, and the horoscope hinted that it would stem from his lucky item today. Midorima assumed that it was a petty quarrel, but so far, nearing the end of the day, Takao was in high spirits. Midorima highly doubted that they would quarrel anytime today.
His lucky item today was a pink flip phone. And though Takao had teased him about it in the morning, Midorima had promptly ignored it and shifted the conversation to another topic.
So what could it be?
"Oi what are you spacing out for Shintarou?" Takao asked him, breaking his train of thought as they entered the locker room.
Midorima blinked and adjusted his glasses."I wasn't spacing out," he grumbled, embarrassed that Takao had caught him in that state. Takao often teased him that he thought too much, and it was true…he was a perfectionist after all, even with his shots. Though, even if he was a perfectionist still, Takao was managing to change him a little bit, making him learn to trust the other to have his back anytime he felt less than perfect.
"Yes you were," Takao insisted. And Midorima felt the smaller hand slowly slip into his, and gave his a gentle squeeze. Takao was smiling and made sure their twined hands were out of eyesight of their teammates. But Midorima could see that concerned look dancing across his eyes. Takao was good at faking his emotions, but never to Midorima.
Midorima sighed. He could never hide anything from Takao either. He opened his mouth to reply, but he never got to say anything as his pink flip phone let out a loud, and rather embarrassing ringtone. He realized to his horror that he had not changed the standard ringtone. So instead of replying to Takao, Midormia grabbed his phone and flipped it open as he rushed outside the locker room, with the laughter of his seniors ringing in the background.
"Hello?" he muttered into the phone, without even checking who it was that was calling him.
"Shintarou," That familiar voice made him stop in his tracks.
"A…Akashi," he recognized that voice anywhere. "What is it?" he asked him, suddenly forcing himself to calm down. The last time Akashi had called on him and the rest of the GoM members was during the beginning of the Winter Cup where he had checked if they remembered their Oath. No, it can't be…he wasn't going to….was he?
"It's time Shintarou." Midorima's hand shook. Those sure hands that never faltered in a match, threatened to let his phone go. It was time…it was finally time. He wanted to say no, that he didn't want to, but it was never an option.
"Yes Akashi," was all he said in reply before the line went dead. It was time. Midorima gave the court and the locker room one last look before he pocketed his phone. Oha Asa was never wrong in its predictions.
Kuroko
"Oiiii you left the windows open on purpose didn't you?!"
Kuroko could barely control the small smile that spread across his lips as he looked up at the man on whose chest he was laying down on. His light, the one thing that kept him rooted in the sport that he loved – Kagami Taiga. They were both naked and were laying with each other (or on top of each other as Kuroko had managed to wriggle his way on to Kagami's chest).
Kagami's apartment and his bed were both too big for him so he insisted that Kuroko come and sleep over more often since their relationship began. It was a mutual thing, their love and fascination for each other. And having grown up in the States, Kagami sure was very vocal about his feelings for Kuroko.
Every time he thought about it, he would smile and feel a small flutter in his belly. The more silent and shy Kuroko had blushed so much that day that for the first time in his life, people noticed him more than usual. So it was a day to remember.
Kagami had taken the now grown up Tetsuya #2 with him on a walk, much to Kuroko's and the whole team's fascination. Kagami hated and feared dogs so much he would never touch Tetsuya #2 when he was a puppy. But that day he actually volunteered to take Tetsuya #2 out for a walk. It was a surprising change of pace.
But what was more surprising that day, was that Kagami came back so soon after. He had changed into a fresh change of clothes, smelled strangely of cologne, and in Tetsuya#2's jaws was a small basket of flowers – blue hydrangeas, flowers that had the same shade as Kuroko's eyes and hair.
Everyone actually thought that Kagami was proposing to Riko or was planning to propose to a girl in his class and he had just come back to the gym by mistake. But lo and behold, he had walked in and stopped in front of Kuroko. Then as if in slow motion, he took out a small ring and slipped it into a silver chain, replacing the one that he and Himuro shared before. "I know it's strange and all, but I really like you," he declared in front of everyone. "Himuro nii was my past, and you are my future Kuroko," he said as he fumbled with his words, and he fumbled to give the other ring to Kuroko. Kuroko didn't say anything then as he was given the ring, and his silence made Kagami's face fall.
A quick tiptoe and kiss on his cheek later and the taller freshman was the one blushing as dark as his hair.
And that was the start of their eventful and terribly exciting relationship together. Now there was one thing that Kuroko could say he loved more than basketball – Kagami Taiga.
Kuroko smiled fondly as he remembered that day, and his hand automatically touched the similar ring around his neck. "Of course I left it open. I don't want to cuddle when it's hot and humid and smells like sex."
Kagami raised an eyebrow and laughed. "You planned this you little pest?" he laughed, teasing Kuroko. "Tetsuya, you trickster. You were sure we were gonna have sex that's why you made sure to keep the window open huh?"
"I'm confident in my skills," Kuroko purred as he nuzzled Kagami's strong chest.
Kagami laughed again and scratched his head. "I can never win against you!" he laughed as he ruffled Kuroko's hair.
"Ah my hair," Kuroko reacted, trying to swat Kagami's hand away, only to be disturbed when he felt the bed vibrate.
Kagami frowned and tried to kick the phone away. "Thought we'd turn off our phones when we get to bed?" he said to Kuroko as he continued to kick the phone to the edge of the bed so Kuroko wouldn't get it.
"You made that rule by yourself, I never consented to it," Kuroko said as he scrambled to grab the phone. "It might be important," he said as he slipped off the bed and took the call. He didn't care that he was naked and that his sexy butt was showing. Nor did he mind the mess between his legs and the markings that Kagami had put around his private areas. And of course, Kagami staring at his bare naked form was just to be expected and he didn't mind that at all.
"Hello," he greeted into the phone.
"Tetsuya." Kuroko's eyes widened significantly and for a moment there was silence between the two boys.
But before Akashi could speak, the 6th man of Teiko spoke in a soft voice. "I know, it's time, isn't it?" he said in a hushed voice. It was barely a question, he knew why Akashi had called.
"Yes. You know what you have to do."
"Yes, I know," Kuroko said softly before turning his cell off.
"So who was that?" Kagami asked, grinning at his lover. "Told ya it was gonna be some useless crap-"
"Kagami kun," Kuroko interrupted his lover, earning him a confused look from Kagami. Kuroko always called him by his first name when they were alone, unless he was upset. Kuroko was a private person as Kagami found out and he never appreciated public displays of affection. But this…. What had he done wrong? Having been with Kuroko just right after the winter cup, he was now very attuned to the boy's nuances. It was really faint, but he heard Kuroko's distress in the monotone voice.
"What's wrong?" he asked as he frowned slightly, worried for his shorter lover. He reached out to take him by his arm and pull him back into bed with him.
But Kuroko stepped back at the last minute and shook his head.
"Tetsu?" he asked in a confused manner. What was wrong?
"I'm sorry…I have to go," Kuroko said the words so easily but Kagami could tell that it was forced.
"Right now?"
"Yes…." Kuroko had dropped his gaze to the floor and the more Kagami worried.
"And you can't tell me why?"
Kuroko shook his head.
"Damn it Tetsu-!"
"I'm sorry!" Kuroko suddenly said quickly as he grabbed his clothes, effectively cutting off Kagami's words. "Don't wait up for me Kagami kun," he said in a rushed manner as he ran out of the door, before Kagami could even react and run after him.
"Shit Tetsu!" KAgami growled as he put on his clothes and rushed to the door as well….only to find that Kuroko was already gone. "What the fuck was that about?"
End of prologue
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author's notes
It's gonna be multiple pairings but it's angsty. I've already established those relationships above KagaxKuro, MidoxTakao, and MuraxMuro. But it's gonna get strained people, the strain above is nothing like the strain I'm gonna put them through in the next chapters -_-
Hoping you can give me some criticisms so I can better write the first chapter. I'm so rusty already, been forever since I last wrote anything :D
