Sorry for being this late… I know this had to be out awhile back but I had some other things to deal with (by the way I hate any kind of accounting classes… and I hate my university even more :D) and when I had finally time with the chapter I got some pretty nasty pm about just why my story sucked and let's say I temporary lost any want to continue it but thank you all for the good reviews because I finally decided to continue this story.

I will try to keep my updates coming at least once a week but I don't promise anything.

If someone feels like beta-ing this story you can contact me through a review or pm me.

Sorry if my English isn't very good.

I don't own Kuroko no basket!

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 7 – It finally begins….

Through the one month training Seirin gathered each day in the early morning and left in the late evening. In the beginning Kuroko continued to act the way he had before but then Kagetora decided to tell in front of everyone that he had watched their last couple of matches and also the one they had with Touou and pointed some of their mistakes and when he come to Kuroko he said that he didn't know how to help him, which to Kuroko pretty much sounded like he was in a hopeless situation and that pissed him off.

"You make it sound like I am a third wheel to this team!" Kuroko growled out as he glared at Kagetora, who shook his head.

'I haven't seen him this pissed in a while… well he was pissed at our last match but this is more like how he was in the match against Shinkyō Academy.' That was the thought that run through most of his teammates.

"I didn't mean to sound like that but it's pretty much what the situation is. For now your vanishing drive is working but it's all thanks to Kagami and then there is the part where you still need someone to make the point for you. All your opponents have to do to stop you is not to look out for your drive but to make it so your teammates won't be able to make a point once you pass them the ball. I don't know what I am supposed to teach you but I can tell you that you've got to learn to make points by yourself." Kagetora said as he looked at Kuroko, whose glare slightly lessened but then he looked away and searched for a ball and as he found one he went to it and took it in his hands.

"I know I have to soon start making points by myself and I also know that I can't keep on playing this style for much longer, but I've used this style for years and it was thanks to it that I was able to come back to the court, so I don't feel like just dumping it out of the blue, so I have a bit of a plan about fully driving the misdirection's spark out in the next match." Kuroko said as he turned towards Kagetora and everyone else and then looked at the hoop that was slightly behind them. "But if the need arises I will strike at the hoop without hesitating." And as he said that he jumped and threw the ball at the hoop and as it went through the ring everyone grasped.

'We did see him strike at hoop that time too, but why did we all forget what he told us? Did we all think of it as a dream just because he continued to act like he did before? But damn it- is he Midorima? From just how far did he think that was? He could have stroked that shot towards the hoop in his side and it would still be effective but to shoot it towards the one on the other side without much of a doubt that it would went through… just how much do we not know about him and his abilities?' Hyuuga thought as he looked wide eyed toward his blue haired teammate while everyone else found themselves too shocked to do anything or say anything.

"So you could actually hit the ring…" Kagetora said as he looked at Kuroko, who nodded with a slight smile.

'Damn I got lucky, but I can't keep on counting on luck… lately more and more of my shots are making it inside the ring but I need to set my mind straight and get my old ability to calculate mine and everyone else's shots before the next match. Without my ability to calculate shots I can't make it so every strike I make would be a point.' Kuroko thought while everyone were looking at him.

Ever since that day Kuroko started playing more openly with his team, pointing mistakes when he saw any in their shooting or moving around and while they did train until they could barely walk at all they had fun doing so.

In the last day they were told to come a bit latter then usual and when they all gathered they were divided into two teams. The first one consisted of Kuroko, Hyuuga, Fukuda, Furihata and Kawahara while the other one was made of Izuki, Mitobe, Koganei, Tsuchida and because they were one person less Kagetora took the fifth place.

"You've trained a lot and I have shown you all I can teach you in the one month we got, so I decided that in the last day is better for you to see and find out just how much each and every one of you has grown up in this one month, so we are going to play. Don't hold back on me because I am older than you because I won't be holding back at all." Kagetora said and then they started playing.

Everyone of them gave their all in the game. The marks were:

Fukuda vs Mitobe

Furihata vs Izuki

Tetsuya vs Kagetora

Hyuuga vs Koganei

Kawahara vs Tsuchida.

The most surprising in the outcome was that both teams ended up in a tie and actually no one of them wanted to find out just which one of them were winners and left it with the tie.

"Thank god we had Kagetora-san on our team…" Izuki said as he, Mitobe and Hyuuga were going home together.

"You were playing great! I don't think you would have played worse without Kagetora-san." Hyuuga said as he looked a bit surprised at the words of his teammates and his eyebrow rose slightly when Izuki shook his head.

"He is a great player and he did teach us a lot while also picking our stamina up and did I say he was a great player yet he had so much trouble keeping up with Kuroko's shots and passes, most of the time he couldn't even be sure if Kuroko would pass or shoot and it feel like he was gambling each time he tried to stop Kuroko. Most of the time I had a bit of a filling like I was watching Kiyoshi's Right of Postponement with the way Kuroko went from shooting to actually passing the ball. Kuroko has already pointed that he has much more to re-learn about this new-old style of his but if this is just a small part of it then I seriously can't think what the full version of this style is. But what I am trying to say is if we didn't have Kagetora on our team then I don't think anyone would have been able to stop Kuroko and he would have ended up beating us without even sweating." Izuki said and both of his companion looked at him with wide eyes, they had both gotten amazed at Kuroko's play but no one had played much mind to it because as much as they had seen Kagetora having trouble he did still manage to stop Kuroko most of the times but now thinking about it and remembering the game felt like someone had lit a fire beside them.

"He really is amazing…" Hyuuga said as he was feeling at a loss of words.

Back in the gym both Kagetora and Riko were gathering their belonging while thinking over the match.

"I don't think anyone of us thought he could be this great when he told us his story and I think because no one believed it that everyone took his story like he was telling us something normal but this kind of play is not normal!" Riko said as she put her bags in the back seat of the car and then climbed in the front seat and her father then started the car.

"I have played in many games and have countered many players and I always ended up being able to read them at least a little by the end of the match. But in this game I couldn't read him at all. Not once could I say what he was thinking when he was on offence, because each time I was sure he has searching for someone to pass the ball to he ended up scoring even when he was on the other side of the court. I've got to say I was lucky on the times he missed the hoop and our center was a bit better so we most of the time won the ball in the rebound and scored but that boy is almost next to impossible to read and what made me glad he is on your team is not just his talent but also the reason behind his unreadable style." Kagetora said as he was driving and smiling.

"What do you mean reason, dad? Did you find why he is unreadable?" Riko asked as she looked surprised at her father.

"He is better at reading people than anyone I have ever seen and actually that is also the reason why his misdirection style is such a success. He can read every small move of his opponent, so he can easily stop them but that's not all he is capable of… he actually takes misleading poses like let's say he is about to pass the ball but then end up scoring. Having two unpredictable players on one team… that means trouble for your opponents. I've got to say that you have picked up an amazing team and you have a big chance to actually end up winning this Winter Cup." Kagetora said while Riko looked at him with wide eyes but then she smiled and whispered.

"I hope we do…"

The next morning come quickly and they all gathered at the Opening ceremony.

"Damn it! What are those two idiots doing! Damn Bakagami and that baka Teppei! The opening ceremony is already over!" Riko sword loudly while looking more pissed than ever and then the team talked some more until Kuroko's phone rang and he excused himself to go see Akashi while being followed by Furihata.

'This feels so different from the times we used to train together. I guess everyone has changed but this kind of unwelcoming and heavy feeling this meeting creates isn't something I thought would happen the next time we all gathered… But I am one to talk, I already stopped counting them for friends a long time ago…' Kuroko thought as Akashi appeared but then the heavy feeling he had disappeared and a slight smile made its way on his face as Kagami appeared together with Kiyoshi.

"Well, you're not fun. Don't exclude us!" Kagami said as he put his hand on Furihata, so he could calm his fear down.

"Kagami. Kiyoshi-sempai." Furihata exclaimed surprised yet happy to see his teammate.

"We are back. We can talk later." Kagami answered with a gentle smile as he looked at Kuroko. "First… You're Akashi, huh? Glad to meet you." He continued as he turned toward the red head and stepped before his teammates.

"Hey, guys. Sorry for being late…" Kiyoshi said cheerfully as he put his hands over both Kuroko's and Furihata's heads and ruffled their bangs.

"Shintaro, could I borrow those scissors?" Akashi asked as he stepped down the stairs, ignoring the greeting Kagami gave him.

"What are you going to use them for?" Midorima asked as he looked at Akashi.

"My hair is annoying me. I've been wanting to trim it." Was the answer he got from his used to be captain and he passed the scissors to him.

"First… You're Kagami-kun, aren't you?" Akashi asked as he looked at Kagami and then tried to shove the scissors through his face, slightly slicing Kagami's cheek as he was able to move away in the last second.

"Kagami-kun." Kuroko exclaimed while both Furihata and Kiyoshi went pale and wide eyed.

'Ano yaro!' Kuroko thought as he looked at Akashi.

"My, my. I'm surprised that you were able to dodge that. In light of that display of grace, I'll forgive you this time. However, there will be no second chance. When I tell you to leave, leave. In this world winning is everything. Winners are affirmed completely, and losers are denied completely. I've never lost at anything before, and I never will. Because I always win and I am always right. I show no mercy to those who oppose me. Not even my own parents. Well, I am leaving. I just wanted to say hello to everyone today." Akashi said while cutting his bangs and then he turned his back, giving Midorima his scissors back while climbing the stairs. Aomine started to complain but was shut down by Kagami.

"Kuroko, just how the hell did you manage to play with these dickheads?" Kagami exclaimed loudly and while Kuroko, Furihata and Kiyoshi looked at him like he had grown a second head, each member of the Generation of Miracles were glaring at him.

Kuroko couldn't keep it down long and he ended up laughing loudly. 'Only Kagami's reaction can be like this!' he thought as he couldn't stop laughing and most of his ex-teammates looked at him surprised.

"Each and every time I meet one of them I get so pissed like I've never been before… Just how the hell did you do it? And one more thing…" Kagami said with irritated voice and then he turned toward Akashi who was glaring at him. "Oh so great used to be captain of the Generation of Miracles watch out for Seirin. I don't care if you've never lost before because very soon you will!" Kagami stated loudly and then turned his back not caring for the answer or looks he could get and left toward the place his team was.

"He pretty much summed it all, so be careful…" Kuroko said with a smirk and he too turned his back to the wide eyed looks he got and left after Kagami and he was immediately followed by Furihata and Kiyoshi, who was smiling from ear to ear.

"You could have told me you were leaving for America, you know?!" Kuroko stated as he entered the locker room and moved toward Kagami, who was seated on the ground with his back to the lockers and looking at him a bit guiltily.

"Sorry, just the idea came out of nowhere and I couldn't think of a way to tell you 'bye for a whole month, so I ended up leaving without a notice." Kagami said as he smiled to Kuroko who shook his head slightly and smiled too.

"I also come to tell you it's time and don't think too much about Akashi."

"Okay. There is no point thinking about a guy we're not facing yet. Besides, my head's full of thought of him right now. Let's go." Kagami said as he got up and then the two of them joint their team as they made their way out.

All of them were surprised at the mass of people there to watch this match.

"Don't lose your cool. We knew…" Riko started as she thought her team was getting depressed but was surprised at the faces they were actually making, so she smiled.

"Teppei, you're still recovering, so please refrain from using the full power of your legs, just like you have done until now. I don't want you to get injured, so go easy for a couple of more matches and be careful. If I see you in any pain I am pulling you out!" Rikko stated as she smiled at Kiyoshi, who nodded.

"Don't worry. I still have a fear that I might regress my ankle to how he was if I start using more power out of nowhere, even though I pretty much got an okay from my doctors. Then there is the part that I have gotten too used to not using all of my powers, so I would have to first outgrow that habit of mine before I use it. And there is the part that I also don't want to let them find out just what is this team capable of from the very first match of this tournament." Kiyoshi said with a smile.

"It's time. Both schools please line up." The referee announced and both teams' starters made their way on the court.

"Hey." Kagami greeted Aomine who firstly looked at him bored-ly but then looking him in the eyes he got slightly surprised.

"You seems to have improved a little." He said as he smirked. 'He didn't seem like he was kidding back there but he seems to have a bit too much confidence that he could beat me!' Aomine thought.

"Well, yeah." Kagami said and then Kuroko appeared next to him.

"We definitely won't lose this time!" Kuroko said as he looked at Aomine with confidence and that made Daiki laugh slightly that ended with a smile.

"Fine. In that case, let's settle things once and for all."

Soon after the match started…

They were slightly surprised that Touou were going at them seriously from the gateway but right after Aomine had made the first point Seirin returned it with one of their own.

'That was some amazing pass. I guess he didn't lose time when I was gone.' Kagami thought as he looked with a smile at his blue haired boyfriend.

"So that's how it is. I can have some fun with you, Tetsu." Aomine said as he smirked slightly and that kind of played a little on Tetsuya's nerves.

"I'd be surprised if you thought I hadn't changed!" Kuroko stated seriously.

'You think you can use my height and speed against me? Well I did show at least this much in our last match, so it's no big deal to do it again.' Kuroko thought and then jumped and knocked the ball from Touou's number 7- Yoshinori Susa and everyone's eyes widen at him.

"So it was not coincidence last time." Imayoshi said as he looked surprised at the blue haired boy who in return just smirked slightly, but that smirk quickly disappeared as that ball still ended up with a point for Touou thanks to Sakurai's three points.

'I thought I would be feeling a lot worse with facing Aomine but Tetsuya really has a way to pick up my spirit and confidence even with just being around. I am going to do all I can to handle Aomine on my own. If we want to win this Winter Cup we would need a thump card and that is Tetsuya… we can't have him go all out in the very first match. But that also means I can't be reckless and end up losing this match thanks to me being stupid… I still need some time to be able to go one-on-one with Aomine…' Kagami thought as he passed the ball to Izuki.

"No use. It sucks but I can't win this. Not yet, that is." He said and then moved away from Aomine.

"Seirin High, time out!" The referee announced and the teams made their way to the benches.

The time out ended with some small talks and the decision that Hyuuga would draw Touou's attention on the outside.

In the next couple of moments of the match it was one-on-one battle between Hyuuga and Sakurai.

'Nice one, Sakurai… pissing Hyuuga off…' Kuroko thought feeling like he would end up laughing at the childish acts of the two shooters.

'Knowing Satsuki and also thanks to the part that I already showed it to her once she will certainly know what the trick is behind the Vanishing drive after the first time I use it… but we need to make this quarter end with a tie. I guess this game really is the one in which I would drive the misdirection dry…' Kuroko thought as he used the vanishing drive and then the quarter ended with a tie.

"Somehow we are keeping up for now. Kuroko, maybe you should sit out for a little bit." Kagami said as he set on the bench.

"No, I can go a little more." Kuroko stated.

"Koganei-kun about the drinks…" Riko started but was interrupted by Kuroko.

"Coach, let me use the Vanishing drive again as soon as the second quarter starts." Kuroko asked. "We are tied but we are barely keeping up. I don't want to see the team in a bind."

"I would make for a good preemptive strike, but I don't know…" Kiyoshi said and looked at the ground.

"They might figure out the trick if we rely on it too often. We have to use it carefully." Izuki said.

'They already know it but I want to shut it out…' Kuroko thought

"Fine. Do it." Riko said and got a couple of whats and some surprised looks. "It's better than waiting for their move. The important thing is to stay one step ahead. They'll figure out how the drive works eventually. But even if they do, it doesn't matter. It's not a move we can use all the time, but if the conditions are right, it's unstoppable. It's how it works. But even if it still get's stopped it's not like that's all we are counting on and all we have." Riko said with a serious look and then smiled at Kuroko in a way that made him flinch slightly. "Don't show anymore than you did with that jump, Kuroko-kun!" She finished and Kuroko nodded quickly and soon the match started again.

Right out from the start the match went into Aomine vs. Tetsuya on one-on-one but to everyone's surprise Aomine managed to counter the Vanishing Drive.

"Too bad, Tetsu!" Aomine said as he opened his eyes and stole Kuroko's ball, shooting it in the ring seconds after.

'I was right against him Vanishing Drive and Ignite Pass Kai wouldn't work again but it's best to try it out now, before I end up incidentally try it later in the possible worst moment. I guess it's time for misdirection to run its course in this match I will use it all and we will see what happens later on.' Kuroko thought as he lifted the ball. 'A shadow can't win against a light, huh… but a light that hid itself in the shadows has a really big chance to winning, you know…' and then he used the Ignite pass kai.

"Did you think that the same trick would work twice against me? Try not to disappoint me all the time, Tetsuya. If this is how you want to defeat me, I'll make it clear. It's useless effort." Aomine said and then he picked the ball and started making his way towards the hook, not seeing the smirk on Kuroko's face as he passed him.

'Useless effort, huh? Let me show you just how useless my efforts are, Aomine!' Kuroko thought as he sprang after Touou's ace.

Just as Aomine shot the ball at the ring Kuroko jumped and knocked it away and out of the court.

"Out of bounds. Seirin time out." The referee said while everyone were frozen from the surprise.

"What were you calling useless effort?" Kuroko asked as he passed the wide eyed Aomine and made his way to Seirin's bench, knowing he was going to get yelled at.

"How the hell did he stop Aomine's formless shot?" was what almost everyone inside the gym were asking themselves.

"Kuroko I asked you to leave Aomine to me!" Kagami growled out as he sat next to Kuroko.

"Kuroko-kun, you're out." Riko said as she looked at Tetsuya, who smiled sadly and nodded his head.

"This was not something that was in the plan but it would give them something to think about, so it's not that bad. Listen up, everyone. This is what I noticed watching the flow of the game…" Riko was talking but Kuroko found himself getting lost in his thoughts.

"There is no shadow without a light… It's useless effort." Kuroko remembered Aomine's words and his eyes filled with tears. There was a time where Aomine had made his love his new style and basketball. He had made him forget all the bad feelings that came with losing his original style and that tanned blue haired boy had become one of his closest friends… Yet here they were- with Aomine looking at him with eyes that if weren't looking at him with boredom or disgust looked at him with hate and it was finally hitting Kuroko that he was never getting his friend back. Even if he won and made Aomine smile again, they would never return to those times and a couple of tears made their way down his cheeks, but then he stopped as he felt a strong but gentle hand on his head.

"It's not useless, you moron. I don't like the part that I couldn't stop Aomine on my own but thanks for stopping him for me. Do keep yourself in check and we will win this game, but we need you not to go blindly in this… We are a team so rely on us, because we all believe that you'll come back. Don't give up this time and go all out on your own. While you're sitting out, I will show him! There is no such thing as useless effort. So get it in your head, you are the once that taught me that. We are a team and we play together, so don't you dare think you've got to go all out and leave us behind, just to make sure we would win this game. There is no fun if you do it all by yourself." Kagami said before he stepped in the court and got a smile from Tetsuya.

"Thanks, Taiga-kun. Don't worry about me, I never planned to show anymore than I already did but I will show him just why I was also proud of my misdirection style." Kuroko said and then the match began again.