Author's note: I was too excited to continue writing this, so here's the second chapter! I feel like I dragged it out too much, so let me know what you think! And thank you all for the reviews, likes and follows! I upped the rating to T because of some slight harsh language, don't want to take any chances.

Disclaimer: I do not own KnB, or any of the characters, or the plot, or quotes from the anime.


Chapter 2

Kagami peered at his teal-haired friend from the corner of his eye, watched as the shining droplets fell from beneath his towel-covered head. As much as he wanted to lie to himself, convince himself that it was simply sweat, he knew better. Kuroko was crying.

The almost imperceptible shake of his shoulders, the short, sharp intakes of breaths and most importantly, the falling of just a few tears.

It was too much for him to bear. Kuroko was strong, stronger than the rest of the team put together. Emotionally, at the very least. He saw how hard Kuroko pushed himself during training, how hard he tried to keep up, despite his pathetic stamina. He knew how much time and effort the teal-haired boy had put into developing his Vanishing Drive. Six basketballs, all completely worn out, within a span of a few months.

He knew that his shadow had gone through many trials and difficulties, especially when he played for Teikou. But… Seeing him now, torn and broken because he was unable to defeat Aomine with his basketball, Kagami had never seen Kuroko look so fragile.

What had happened in Teikou? What had occurred such that Kuroko decided to leave all of the Generation of Miracles - including his old light – behind? What made the passing specialist of Teikou start to hate basketball?

Gritting his teeth in anger and determination, Kagami stood up, placing one hand on Kuroko's head. I'll defeat Aomine for you, he promised silently. I'll show that bastard what happens when he tries to break the strongest of us. Out loud, he said, "Don't give up. We're waiting for you. I'll show him there's no such thing as useless effort!"

Kuroko's breath caught in his throat, shocked into stillness by Kagami's words. No one had paid so much attention to him before. And somehow, the words held a greater depth than just pertaining to basketball. Did Kagami-kun see me crying? Even if that was so, why would he care? Even as he thought that, he could already hear Kagami's reply in his mind. Because you are my shadow, baka. What sort of light would I be if I didn't notice how my shadow felt? They were his own words, turned against him. Despite that, he felt some part of him relax a little, allowing itself to be comforted by that faint promise.

Even so, the rest of him was still antsy, wrecked by Aomine's proclamation on the court. If that's how you're going to stop me, forget it. It's a useless effort. It was surprising how much that had hurt. Especially after those strong words, so long ago, now lost in the sea of betrayal. "There aren't any players that a team doesn't need. I can't be convinced that someone who stays behind to practice even more than those in the first string are powerless! I started to respect you because I saw you doing that."

But what about now, Aomine-kun? You don't appreciate team play anymore. Ever since you and the rest of the Generation of Miracles began developing your individual skills, you began to leave me behind. I barely played in any games, and even when I did, my help wasn't needed very much.

"Tetsu. I knew it. It's no use. The only one who can beat me… is me."

Aomine-kun… Since that day, everything began to go downhill. Maybe it was part of Akashi-kun's plan (because when is it ever not), but couldn't you have continued to try? Continued to put your best effort into basketball, the one thing you used to love so much? You were the one who first acknowledged that my playing basketball was a good thing, that I could be useful to the team. The one I looked up to, who inspired me to keep playing basketball. The first one who saw me, and didn't think that I was completely useless.

The light to my shadow.

Kuroko bit his lip momentarily, his calm façade slipping further as the ghosts of his past assaulted him. But what of now? Can you be saved? Can I really complete what I set out to do, and show Aomine-kun that basketball isn't an individual sport, that winning isn't everything? I am neither strong nor very helpful against Touou. My passes don't work against Aomine-kun, and he saw through my Vanishing Drive. He even stopped my Ignite Pass Kai. I want to believe, but the odds are overwhelming. Can I really believe in Seirin and Kagami-kun?

These tormented thoughts swirled around his mind, dragging him deeper into the abyss of desolation. Useless, worthless, inutile, inept, weak. The words echoed hollowly, seemingly spoken by each of the Generation of Miracles in turn. Each word chipped away at his resolve, even as he tried to detach himself from them. No, no. I will believe in Kagami-kun. I will believe that Seirin can bring down Touou! We defeated Kise-kun and Midorima-kun. We even won against Hanamiya-kun. I have to believe. I WILL believe.

Kuroko took a shuddering breath, pushing away and suppressing the negative emotions. Wrap them up in a little ball, push it to the bottom of your heart. Breathe through the pain, smooth out the jagged edges. Cover it with a layer of serenity. Mask it again. You feel nothing, there is nothing there. Keep your face blank, your eyes empty. Breathe.

Throughout the process of sealing away his emotions, Kuroko could feel that the vat where he stored his sadness and loneliness was almost full, practically at its breaking point. Nevertheless, every time he shoved something else in and locked it away, it somehow managed to fit in. He apperceived that it would break someday. He could already visualize the dam shattering, everything he worked so hard to hide away pouring out in droves. Not today. Please, not today. We have to beat Touou first. I have to help Aomine-kun see that light again. Show him the challenge of facing someone more powerful than he. Remind him of the conviction and tenacity that came with each strong opponent, the determination and resolve to play with everything he had. No, it will not all be for naught. I refuse to let it turn out that way. Calm, calm, calm. Peace. Breathe.

Taking a deep, cleansing breath, Kuroko opened his eyes. Sure that the worst of the emotions were repressed, he continued to watch the match, a dim flicker of hope smoldering in his heart.