I do not own Kuroko no Basket
"Satsuki!"
"Aomine?" She says, hoping that Seijuro will walk out the door any second, but unfortunately he does not, and Satsuki is left facing probably the only person in the world other than her brother that she feels something strongly for.
"Can I talk to you?"
"I'm waiting for Seijuro, it's best you are not here when he comes out." She tries.
"This will only take a minute." He takes a step forward.
"Okay," She wants to see what he has to say.
"You're my best friend Satsuki, and I know I've not always treated you right, but I love you." Satsuki's eyes widen and she can't say a word. "Auntie always said that you should forgive me because I'm a boy and I'm bound to mess up, so please, don't turn your back on me."
Satsuki should have known Daiki would make this harder than it needed to be, and trust him to use Mai's words against her.
"You don't get it Dai-chan," She says softly, because even if she pushes him away a part of her will always love Dai-chan. "He's always looked out for me, and now, it's my turn to be there for him. I'm sorry Dai-chan, but this is the way it has to be." She reveals.
"Not if we can get him back," She blinks. "He's not the same, he changed somewhere along the way, but what if we can get him back, the real Akashi Seijuro."
"Everyone changed, even me." She dismisses.
"Don't you want him back? The beloved brother you used to tell me about? Don't you want the Akashi who loved to play basketball with us back?" He asked spreading his arms.
"Of course, I do," She cried. "But no matter which Sei-chan is in control, it's still my big brother." She'd known all along that there were two Seijuro's. The one that was in control, and the one that had hidden away. "I love him, Dai-chan." She said, and Daiki could finally see all the pain that Satsuki had ben carrying in her dark pink eyes. "I love him enough, that I'll stay by his side forever if I have too."
"Satsuki," Daiki whispered as he took another step towards her. "Tetsu," He began but Satsuki cut him off.
"I can't betray him, so no matter how you try to explain it to me, I can't go along with your plan."
"This one doesn't care about you, he only cares about winning!"
She didn't answer, didn't get the chance too, as Seijuro walked out of the locker room. "Daiki, I had a feeling you would show up today."
For some reason, Daiki words played over in her mind.
"Come Satsuki, the others will wonder where we've gotten too."
"Yes," She followed alongside him, her eyes flicker up to meet Daiki's as they passed.
His hands were clenched at his sides, yet he didn't say another word as he watched them go.
Finally, they found where their team was sat and joined them. She heard the whispers around them as they sat, some making comments about her, she chooses to ignore them.
She barely pays any attention to the match between Kise and Tetsu, her mind still locked on the words that Daiki had said.
'This one doesn't care about you,' It replays over and over in her mind and she can't escape it. If Seijuro notices that something up, he doesn't show it. He is focused on the games.
Before she knows it the game is over, and Tetsu has won without her doing any data gathering.
The bus ride to the hotel they're staying at is normal, she's sat next to Seijuro. She doesn't remember when, but she falls asleep on her brother's shoulder.
She wakes when someone is carrying her, it's not her brother and her eyes open slightly to see that she's in the arms of Nebuya.
"Almost there," He tells her when he see's her eye's flutter open. "Go back asleep."
His voice is soft and gentle, and it pulls her back into her dreams. The next time she wakes she's in her bed, Seijuro is playing with her hair.
"You need to change," He tells her as she sits up. Her night clothes are already laid out so she takes them into the bathroom with her. Once washed and changed she returns to her room to find Seijuro still splayed across her bed.
"Sei-chan," She says as she climbs under the cover and lies facing him. "You heard what Daiki said, didn't you?"
She's never been afraid of her brother before, but there is something dangerous in that smile that he graces her with.
"Worry not, my dear sister. As long as I am in control, there is nothing to worry about."
She calms and allows her eyes to shut. Her head resting in the curve of his arms, with his fingers playing with her hair that is how she falls asleep. Unknown to her the eye's which watch her tonight might be filled with love, but they are also filled with rage. A rage that someone would dare try to take Satsuki from his side.
Tetsuya will be crushed, and then nothing can ever get in his way. He will be all-powerful, but looking at Satsuki he knows she can be used against him, which is something he can't allow. He only has one choice.
Placing a kiss on her forehead he detaches himself from her and leaves the room, closing the door behind him gently.
Morning came quickly, the final just hours away. Seijuro was eating toast when she arrived into the kitchen. The coach hadn't wanted them sharing an apartment but Seijuro wouldn't allow her to be alone or paired with someone else, so there'd been no choice but to get them a double room.
"Good morning, Satsuki." Seijuro greeted her as she sat down.
"Morning, did you get a good sleep?"
"Of course," He placed a glass of juice in front of her. "And you?"
"Sei-chan was in my dream." She told after taking a sip of her juice.
"Oh? Do tell?"
"I dreamt of when we were young, Ah! Sei-chan was so cute dressed as a prince."
"I don't remember ever being dressed as a prince."
Satsuki pouted. "Well no, it was in my dream,"
He hums, an amused look on his face. "Have something to eat, we have to leave soon."
There's something not right, but she can't put her finger on it as she finishes up breakfast. She joins the others at the bus, Akashi is exchanging words with the coach.
"Satsuki?" It's Mayuzumi whose speaking to her.
"Yes?"
"Are you okay?"
Satsuki frowns. "Yes, why shouldn't I be?"
"No reason, I just thought something was wrong when you fell asleep on the bus. Akashi wouldn't allow anyone to wake you, so I just assumed,"
"Oh, No. I'm fine, I was just tired from yesterday, a lot happened." She told without giving too much away.
Mayuzumi clearly doesn't buy it, but he doesn't push the subject. Instead, he changes topics, and all the while Satsuki keeps an eye on her brother noticing that something is definitely not right, although no one else seems to notice it.
They board the bus, Satsuki taking her seat next Seijuro. There is an excited air on the bus for their last match, the coach is still taking to Seijuro from the seat across from them, so Satsuki turns to look out the window. It's nothing new, she's lived in this city long enough that everything just seems to blend together now.
The coach asked her something, but she hadn't been paying attention. "I'm sorry, what?"
"I said we're here," She looked to see they had in fact arrived. Just how lost in her thoughts had she been, although she hadn't really been thinking abut anything.
"Satsuki, could you stay here with me for a moment?" Seijuro asked, while the rest of their team with on ahead. Satsuki stayed with Seijuro alone on the coach. Even the driver had gotten tickets to watch the match. "Satsuki, there's something I need you to do for me."
"Sure Sei-chan, anything," Satsuki said, ready do anything her brother asked her.
"I need you to stay here, I don't want you to come to the match."
"What? I don't understand?" She was hurt by his words.
"Whatever plan Tetsuya has come up involves you, I can't allow them to use you against me. I can't focus completely on the match if I worry about you, so please, do this for me?" He reached out and cupping her cheek in his hand. "Will you do this, for me?"
Satsuki looked into different colored eyes. She'd made a promise to Seijuro, so squaring her resolve she answered. " I'll do whatever you ask of me, brother."
He smirked, and for the first time ever Satsuki didn't see her brother looking back at her, but the other person that everyone else saw.
"Good!" He said, before pressing a kiss to her forehead. "It'll be over before you know it. I promise."
As the doors closed Satsuki watched as Seijuro walked away, never once looking back.
He'd promised to always be there for her, to always protect her, but in the end, he'd turned his back on her.
Flashback
"You really love your big brother, don't you, Satsuki?" Her mother had been the most beautiful woman Satsuki had ever seen, still, to this day no one could compare to her.
"Yes, and I love you too, Mother. I hope we can stay together forever." Satsuki said, cuddling into her mother's embrace. Seijuro would be finishing his lessons soon, and then he'd join them in the garden.
"I hope so too." Her mother revealed, causing Satsuki to smile brightly.
"Mother! Satsuki!" Seijuro called and they turned to see him running towards them. The smile on his face was bright and the happiness could be seen shining in his eyes from a distance. Seeing her brother made Satsuki wriggle out of the hold her mother had on her and run to meet her brother.
Her brother's small arms wrapped around her, and she couldn't contain the giggle that escaped her. "Sei-chan, I missed you."
"I missed you too." He replied, hugging her that little bit tighter. Their mother was drawing near, watching them with a kind smile upon her lips. A smile that she shared with only her beloved children.
"I love you Sei-chan. You're my favorite big brother."
Seijuro pulled away frowning. "I'm your only brother."
His mother laughed as she leaned down in front of them. "Your sister loves you very much, Seijuro." Satsuki nodded at her mother words.
Seijuro allowed both him and Satsuki to be pulled into their mother embrace. For him there was nothing better, then the three of them spending time together. Their father never joined them, expect for dinner and that was fine with Seijuro. The only people he'd ever need were his Mother and Satsuki, as long as he had them he'd be just fine.
"Seijuro, always protect your sister. As the big brother, it's your job to take care of her."
Eye's sparkling Seijuro puffed out his chest before he answered. "I'll always look after Satsuki, and I'll always look after you too, Mother."
If only he'd known what was to come. He hadn't been able to save his mother, and he hadn't been able to protect his sister. He had failed them both, but when he was given a second chance to protect Satsuki, he vowed that nothing would stop him from protecting her this time around.
Flashback End
He'd hidden away for so long, yet somehow Tetsuya had sent his other self inwards to where he had been staying all this time. In order to be the strongest, in order to not be left behind, in order not to let Satsuki be taken from him again, he gave over control to his other self which could do all the things that he could not.
"Correct. You shall stay here for eternity."His other self-turned to face him.
"I was planning too. But now, the foreboding sense of losing is upon you, also."
"What do you know! You stepped down as one of the meek!"
"Yes, I probably didn't understand. I tried to keep everyone together by winning, but in doing so I pushed everyone away. And now," Red eye's looked up to meet the red and orange eyes of his other self. "If we're going to lose, I thought that might be fine, But...You've pushed Satsuki away." Standing, he stood facing towards the light. "I made a promise to always protect her, I won't break that promise again." And then he stepped forward.
She'd stayed inside the bus, listening to the watch on her wrist tick away. She tried not to cry, and yet the tears that fell refused to stop. He was suffering, Seijuro was hurting and there was nothing she could do.
The match had started, she could hear the roars and shouts. They were cheering for her team, earlier her phone had buzzed. Her teammates asking why she wasn't coming?
Eventually, staying put proved too much. It didn't matter if Seijuro didn't want her there, she'd go because he was her big brother and whether or not he knew it, he needed her. Wiping her eye's she left the bus and hurried into the stadium. As soon as the court came into view, she knew something wasn't right, her brother was losing.
"It's not...possible." She whispered taking a step down the stairs. Soon she took another step and then she was rushing down the stairs straight to wall to look down on the court.
Mayuzumi is saying something to Seijuro, but he isn't responding. She turns around, going find a way down on the court only to have her path blocked.
"Satsuki!"
"I don't have time for this, Daiki. Get out of my way." The cheers of the crowd resound around them as the match restarts.
"No!" He was holding her wrist. Some people around them began muttering, clearly torn between watching the game and watching the two teens.
"Let go!" She hissed pulling her wrist out of his hold and running up the stairs, knowing the only way to get down to the court was to use the stairwell at the end of the hallway. She stopped suddenly at the top, Daiki running into her.
With wide eye's she turned to face the court, watching as her brother played. She could feel it, and by the expression on Daiki face as he turned back to the court, so could he.
Seijuro had finally reawakened, and Satsuki? She took off running.
He'd lost, but he'd given it his all.
He'd congratulated Tetsuya on his win.
It was after they'd bowed to each other that he'd turned and seen her. There were tears slipping gently down her cheeks as she stood staring at him, and for the first time ever he was truly afraid. His team was watching behind him closely to see what would happen and for once, not even he knew what was to come?
She took a step, followed by another and then she was there, right in front of him. She was looking at him in disbelief. Tentatively she reached out, running her fingertips just under his left eye. Slowly she pressed herself against him, her finger gripping his jumper. "I missed you so much, Sei-chan."
Placing his hand on her head, he ran his finger through her hair. "I won't leave you again. I promise." Her cries are muffled against his chest.
Tetsuya, Kise and so many others are watching, but this moment is not for anyone other than him and Satsuki. Satsuki seems to realize this, as she pulls back. "Let's go home,"
He nods, but the thing is, his home shall always be with Satsuki.
They walked together side by side, it's very rare for them to be apart now. It's been some time since they'd lost, but it had brought them together again. Them, their friends, it had even somehow lightened the relationship with their Father, although not by much.
"It's been a long time since we were here, but I'm sure she won't mind," Satsuki said, letting Seijuro lead her by the hand to where it was they were going.
They were visiting for Tetsu's birthday, but Seijuro had asked if maybe they could make a take detour. When he'd told her where exactly, she smiled and told him it was a great idea.
"I'm sorry that we haven't visited you in so long, Mother," Seijuro said as he placed down the flowers they brought along.
They were silent, both having so much to say and yet not being able to say it. Finally, it was Satsuki who worked up the courage to speak first.
Dropping to her knees she ran her fingertips over her mother name. "A lot's happened, the last time we spoke was when Seijuro and I had been reunited, when I could finally came home." She swallowed. "Not a day goes by that I do not miss you, but as long as I have Sei-chan by my side, I know that I still have a part of you with me."
She looked back at Seijuro hoping that he'd say something, but he could only stare at the angel that stood atop the grave. Standing, she squeezed his hand.
"Talk to her," She said, tilting her head up. He looked down, his red eyes uncertain. "Isn't that why we really came here?"
"Yes, it is." He said taking a deep breath.
He spoke for a long time, about many different things. Things that mattered, things that didn't, but finally he felt the burden which had been on his chest begin to loosen. Finally, when he said everything he needed to say, he felt Satsuki hug him from behind.
"She'd be proud of you."
"For what?" He asked sadly.
"For coming back. She loved you, and all that matters is that you're here now."
"And you're here, and this time around I'll be sure to protect you."
Satsuki's eyes closed as she whispered."I'll always need you, so don't leave me alone ever again."
He didn't need to tell her that he would, for they both knew that nothing would come between them ever again.
"We'll be late if we stay any longer." Seijuro voiced.
Satsuki released him for the hug. She kissed her fingertips only to press them against her mother's name. Her mother had given her so much in the short time they had together, but the greatest gift she'd ever given Satsuki was stood right next to her now.
"Let's go Sei-chan, we shouldn't keep the other waiting." She said as she gripped his hand pulling him so that he would run back to the car with her. "It is Tetsu's birthday after all."