Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroko no Basuke or its characters!

A/N: Thank you people for the reviews and favourites! It really encourages me. This is my first fic that has gotten to six chapters. So as you can see, I'm really just a noob. Anyway, sorry but this is going to be a short update, just to quench your thirst a little.

Chapter Six

Beep. Beep.

A foreign beeping sounded from a cold machine from his left while the air smelt strongly of antiseptic. It was a familiar smell which told him where he was.

Blurry lights came into view as he squinted through his half opened eyes with what little strength he had. He could hear voices of people talking from across the door, outside the room, but he couldn't make out what they were saying exactly. Groaning and shifting his position, Kuroko's vision finally focused.

His blood literally froze when the first thing he saw was Akashi staring at him from the side of the bed; his expression forebodingly cold. He knew this couldn't be good.

"A-kashi..." Kuroko managed to get out with a muffled voice.

Akashi remained silent for a moment before replying decidedly. "You won't be participating in next year's Interhigh Tournament."

Blood drained from Kuroko's face, if it was even possible for him to get any paler.

"W-why?"

"We have no need for someone who will drag us down," Akashi stated blankly.

"I won't drag the team down!" Kuroko tried to retort, getting agitated and trying to sit up from the bed.

"You will be if you don't go through the operation..."

"Y-you know?" Kuroko stuttered. Everything he had feared was starting to come true. He had thought about this countless number of times. It would always start with one person knowing and within a week, everyone would start to give him with weird, sympathetic looks. They would then start to ask him to rest, leaving him out of things. And if he left for the operation, the rest would still go on with their lives, winning competitions after competitions and eventually, he would just be forgotten. No, he didn't want that to happen. He wouldn't allow it.

"I won't." This was probably the first time he so directly defied Akashi, earning him a glare so intense that a hole would have burnt through him if Akashi could shoot fire with his eyes.

"You will go through-" Akashi dictated with authority, only to be interrupted.

"I won't!" Kuroko repeated more indignantly. As long as Aomine is there, there is still a purpose for me in this team. I won't back down. I won't give up. "I won't be a baggage for the team!"

"Kuroko!" Akashi raised his voice, his nostrils flaring with anger, "You-"
"Kuroko-san, I see you've awakened," came a gentle voice which was followed by the appearance of a kind looking female doctor, "How are you feeling?"

"Fine, thank you very much," Kuroko replied politely, turning away from Akashi's gaze to look at the doctor.

"I've spoken to your father about your condition and it might..."

"Doctor-!" Kuroko panicked.

"Oh, sorry. I see you have a friend here... Do you mind taking a step outside...?"

Akashi didn't reply but shot Kuroko a look before obliging and stepping out while the doctor spoke to him.

"Ahh... I can't focus! I wonder what happened to Kurokocchi!" Kise whined as he slammed the ball against the ground. He wasn't the only one who was worried or frustrated. Upon coming back from the retreat, the team had been restless. They were all still gathered at the courts going about their usual training though the low morale was obvious. There was still no news from their captain who had followed Kuroko to the hospital. Needless to say, Aomine didn't even have the mood to practise and just sat in a corner, burying his head under his arms. Momoi had very understandingly condoned his selfishness.

"There is nothing we can do but wait," said Midorima calmly.

"-but Akashi should have informed us of what happened!" Kise retaliated.

"-nom-Akachin will know what to do...-nomnom-" stated Murasakibara indifferently.

"How can you-!" Aomine roared, rising from his corner and clenched the collar of Murasakibara's shirt.

"I only stated a fact," Murasakibara replied, looking down at Aomine without so much as a change in expression, still munching on his amaibou.

"Why you...!" growled Aomine as he attempted to swing at Murasakibara.

"Stop it," came a cold voice from behind them.

"Akashi!"
"Akashicchi!"
"Ah... Akachin..."
"Captain!"

Aomine sucked in a sharp breath as everyone sprang to their feet and gathered around their captain.

"How's Kuroko?!" bombarded the team members as their captain finally returned.

"It seems like he was down with dengue fever," Akashi explained, "but his condition is now stabilised."

"Ah! That explains why he was having fever one moment and then freezing up the next!" exclaimed Kise who had been looking after Kuroko that night along with Aomine.

Not having taken his eyes off Akashi from the moment he entered, Aomine frowned.

"You have something to say, Aomine?" Akashi questioned threateningly.

Furious but unable to say anything in return, Aomine stormed off.

Everyone was perturbed by his behaviour. However, no one dared to question their ace, much less their eccentric captain. So, they left it at that.

Bang! The walls of the shower room shook with the impact of a stone-hard fist being slammed against it.

Head bent down, Aomine gritted his teeth in frustration as the ice-cold water from the shower ran down his torso. His precious partner was lying in the hospital because of god-knows-what and yet here he was not knowing anything and not able to do anything. This helplessness was tearing him apart from within.

If only I had kept closer watch on him... If only I had insisted against Akashi and not let him go along with that ridiculous training! If only I knew what was wrong... Tetsu...

"Akashi-kun..."

"Yes, Momoi?" said Akashi as he turned around to face her after everyone had left the gym.

"Your lies may work with the rest but not with me. I don't think Daiki buys your story either," Momoi told him straight-forwardly. She was sure Akashi was hiding something, just as Kuroko had been.

"Believe what you want... I have nothing else to say."

With that, Akashi continued on his way and left Momoi behind in the dimming gym.

Yes, sorry... That's it for now... I think if you pay attention to the hints I drop here and there, you might be able to guess what's going on. Oh but please don't reveal it in your comments. You may want to pm me instead. :)