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[ 03: The Reuniting Colors ]

"No way! Is that it?"

Standing before us was a large stadium-like building that must house the basketball courts. There were other buildings separated and spaced out from the largest building. From the windows of the bus, I couldn't make out everything the camp had to offer, but I knew it must be grand to have such a large space.

"Wow... I can't believe we're staying in a place like this!"

"We're really lucky!"

"This is so exciting!"

"I wonder if the other teams are here yet?"

I was beaming with the others up until that last comment. Oh, I could only think in slight dismay. That's right, they'll be here.

It was wrong of me to think like this of them. A part of me was really happy that I would be spending time with them...

Just like old times.

Yes, and with them all changed now, it really could be fun to be with them all once again...

Until you became nothing but a burden to them all.

... And then I was just reminded that no, I couldn't. I couldn't be wholly happy like I really wanted to be. The bigger part of me that stayed in the shadows was owned by the voices.

"Get a move on!" I heard Captain yell, and I realized that we were all filing out. I quickly grabbed my duffel bag and gym bag and walked out behind Kagami-kun.

The sun was bright and warm as it beamed down on us as we all exited out of the very expensive bus. I could see other buses parked and one bus just coming in behind us. I felt the hairs on my arms rise in expectation of what is to come.

The team that filed out of the bus was none other than Touou Academy, and instantly my eyes seemed to make out the blue and pink heads out of the darkly colored bunch.

"Tetsu-kun!" I heard her voice cheerfully shout as she ran up to me. I allowed her hug, as it would be very rude of me to ignore a lady like Momoi-san.

"Hello, Momoi-san. Did you enjoy your trip?" I greeted her kindly even with her arms tightly around me — I tried not to think on the female appendages pressed too tight against my chest. I was not a pervert like Aomine-kun.

"It would have been more fun if you had been on the bus!" Momoi-san spoke while smiling brightly, and I couldn't help the small smile that shaped my face, happy to see her in smiles.

Not like the tears she shed because of you.

My eyebrow twitched a bit, but I remained calm and composed. I wouldn't do that here, not out in the open...

"Satsuki, lay off of Tetsu will ya?" And Aomine-kun walked up to us then, looking annoyed. I didn't understand, did he not like our closeness?

Momoi-san pouted, but let go of me upon her childhood friend's request. That's strange... normally she would not be so inclined to listen to Aomine-kun when concerning me.

"Dai-chan has been sooo mean, Tetsu-kun! He wouldn't stop stealing Sakurai-kun's food!"

I looked at him, my old light and partner. "Aomine-kun, it is not nice to take other's food from them. I would hope you would treat your teammates better."

Aomine-kun naturally scoffed, looking away from my gaze and rubbing a hand through his dark hair. "Yeah, yeah... I get enough of that from Satsuki and the others, no need in you telling me too." And then he just walked away, looking a little angry at something. I didn't understand... Did I cause that?

"Dai-chan!" Momoi-san called out to Touou's ace. She looked back at me with slightly sad pink eyes before running off to catch up with him.

I clenched my hand slightly. What was that look? Did I do something wrong, or was Aomine-kun just in a foul mood?

You always do something wrong.

I ignored the harsh whispers and caught up to my own team who were preparing to enter through the main entrance of the tall and looming building.

"The others teams should already be here, remember to hold your heads high! We are the champions here!" Hyuga-senpai really inspired us as we agreed and walked in.

What must be the dining area and relaxing area was a very large space to hold a total of six teams. Most were standing around while others camped out in the comfortable-looking couches and chairs, and the others were sitting at the long dining tables. I could see the kitchen in the very back, and saw that it was very spacious to have various cooks. Off to the side were different halls that must lead out to the different buildings I managed to make out upon coming here. Double doors must lead out into the gym area.

There was still talking going on from various groups (I was surprised to see so many different colored jerseys all in one group and different groups talking to each other), but most quietened and looked up at the entrance of Touou, and then of us. Oh yes, we were a big deal now, so that would merit more attention.

"Taiga!" Came the voice of Himuro-san, and both Kagami-kun and I turned our heads to see him waving and smiling toward our way. He was sitting with some of his own team members, and some of Rakuzan I noticed.

"Hey, Tatsuya!" Kagami-kun waved cheerily back, and I smiled. I was happy for Kagami-kun, happy that the two managed to re-patch their sibling bond. At least my best friend got a happy ending, I was content with that.

"Kagami-kun should go sit with him instead of standing here waving at him from across the room." I told my light, who stopped and turned to me.

"You sure?" he asked, as if he were unsure and I wanted to roll my eyes.

"Yes, go for it." I sent him off with a smile and nod, to which he grinned brightly, almost blinding me in the process. Yes, Kagami-kun was truly my light.

I watched him run up to his older brother-figure and sit down at the table beside him. Judging by the confused looks, it seems the two slipped into talking in English. That was always humorous to see.

"Kurokocchi~!" I heard Kise-kun's voice and felt the impact of his hug from behind me before I could do anything about it. "You're finally here! I was wondering when Seirin would get here so I could see you!"

"Kise-kun, please let go." I spoke, trying but failing to break out of his hold — he was leaning over me with his arms caging me into his body from behind. It was completely unfair. "We saw each other a few days ago, do you not remember?"

I twitched slightly as I felt him rub his face against the nape of my neck, I heard him inhale my scent.

"I still missed Kurokocchi..." I felt, more than heard, him breathe out and the sensation of warm breath against my neck caused me to shiver slightly. What was this sensation? I was used to Kise-kun's touchy-feely antics, but he has never been so bold as to do something like this to me. My limbs felt heavy as his equally warm mouth pressed against the nape of my neck and I felt his hands roam my chest as he pulled me closer to him. It seemed all of Kise-kun was warm...

Suddenly, that warmth was gone and I was startled to see Kasamatsu-san there kicking the blond away, who whined about abuse. Riko-san also seemed fired up.

"How dare you touch our kohai so inappropriately!" Coach seemed like she was ready to join in on Kasamatsu-san's actions.

"Idiot! Don't you know this is a public place! Think of Kuroko-kun's feelings!" Kasamatsu-san shouted at Kise-kun, who had tears in his eyes as he looked at me.

"I'm sorry, Kurokocchi! I just get carried away when it comes to you!"

I blinked as my mind cleared up. Kise-kun really did seem apologetic for his actions, and it's not like everyone was watching... "It is okay, Kise-kun. Just don't do it again."

I saw Kise-kun pull a sly smirk, "Heh, no promises~!"

"Would you stop it?!" And then Kasamatsu-san was back on him, and I decided to ignore the loud wails coming from the blond. He should know better by now not to anger his captain.

I turned just in time to catch the sight of red hair as a familiar voice came to my ears. "I hope Kise's actions did not hurt you in anyway, Kuroko."

I blinked as my eyes met with the hetero-chromatic pair of eyes of my old captain. Akashi-kun. He was smiling to me politely in greeting, and I smiled back, pleased that the old Akashi was once again back.

"No, I was just surprised. Thank you for your concern, Akashi-kun." I bowed slightly, but I saw him wave it off in dismissal.

"Tch, the fool should know there are certain boundaries that he shouldn't cross, and to do it in a public place no less just proves my point that Kise is a fool." Midorima-kun stated, and I noticed that him and Akashi-kun were currently in the middle of a shogi game with Murasakibara-kun sitting in a chair to the side, eating potato chips. How long have they been here waiting?

"Hey! I heard that, so mean!" Kise-kun shouted toward our way, but it went ignored by Midorima-kun as he calmly pushed up his glasses and coolly regarded me.

"It's about time you showed up, Kuroko."

I just stared at him, "I am sorry you had to wait on us, Midorima-kun. Touou's bus was also late."

"Yeah, thanks to Satsuki packing too much stuff to bring." Aomine-kun also walked up to us, still looking angry, if not angrier, about something. I really wondered what it was but—

You shouldn't even try to get close, do you really think you're worth it?

The voices stung, but I was proud that my mask stayed perfectly in place.

"Kuro-chin~" I heard the purple-haired candy-lover motion toward me and I saw that he made a place for me to sit by him. I walked over and took the seat and he almost shoved a piece of candy into my face in obvious (childish) excitement. "It's a vanilla treat, Kuro-chin will like it."

I grabbed the offered milky-colored candy and smiled at the childish giant. "Thank you very much, Murasakibara-kun." I popped it into my mouth and started tasting it. I almost melted at the flavor — it almost tasted like the vanilla shakes from Maji Burger. I commended whoever created such a divine treat.

"Is it good?" Murasakibara-kun asked in obvious excitement, and I nodded while still smiling slightly.

"Yes, I do enjoy it." I was surprised to see him smile genuinely and start to pat my hair softly.

"Kuro-chin likes vanilla the best, so all vanilla treats will go to him." Murasakibara-kun stated it as if it were a rule or law now. I couldn't help but find it amusing and decided to let the candy-lover continue to pat my head — at least he wasn't doing it roughly.

I noticed the fondness in Aomine-kun's eyes when I looked back at the others and he quickly looked away from me. I tilted my head to the side slightly, what was that about?

"So, Akashi, when is this thing suppose to start?" Aomine-kun asked off-handily, something he did to change the subject.

It was then that I noticed that Akashi-kun and Midorima-kun had both been watching mine and Murasakibara-kun's conversation. Strange, I thought that they would be wanting to continue their game together.

Akashi-kun now looked at the board as he spoke, "It should begin shortly now that all of the teams are gathered. Someone is to come and get us when they are ready for us to head into the gym."

Just as he said that, an official came in through the double doors and gathered everyone's attention. He called all of us to the gym where we grouped into our teams.

"Hello, everyone. And welcome to the Summer's Basketball Training Camp!" One man stated, who seemed to be the oldest and overseer of this event. There were six other officials gathered behind him, and I couldn't help the rising feeling of anticipation well up inside me.

It would be an exciting challenge for us, and I was eager to play in a game soon.

. * .

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