SailorStar9: You ladies wanted this chapter, so here goes. This is Chapter 9 of this fic.

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and the pairing.

Chapter 9: On To A New Challenge

"See you later, Kise." Midorima bade the other two farewell.

"That was quick." The Copycat gaped. "Aren't you shocked at all by these results?"

"You should be worried about Kuroko instead of me." Midorima reminded. "Kuroko's basketball was completely useless against Aomine. It must have been quite psychologically damaging. Not only that, but Seirin is still a young team. It won't be easy for them to come back from that overnight. We can only hope it won't affect their two remaining games."

"And their next two opponents are the remaining two Kings." Ami sighed. "This is going to suck."

Ami waited for the Seirin team to leave before entering the Seirin changing room to find a silent Kuroko still seated on the bench. "Tetsuya…" the older girl pulled her cousin into a hug. "Let it out." She soothed.

"Ami-itoko…" Kuroko muttered and let his tears flow. "Will they be the same? Will Kagami-kun be the second Aomine-kun? I'm scared… he'll leave me behind… like what happened the last time."

"Should I talk to Shun about this?" Ami inquired.

"Izuki-senpai?" Kuroko blinked.

"Oh, didn't you know?" Ami replied. "Shun and I are trial-dating."

Kuroko's agape expression was totally worth dropping the bombshell.

On Sunday….

"What's wrong?" Izuki sighed, Ami had been stirring her green tea soda aimlessly for the past five minutes and looking out of the window.

"What do you mean?" Ami turned her attention back to her date.

"Are you going to tell me what's bothering you now?" Izuki asked.

"Straight to the point, huh?" Ami muttered. "I was there, for the Touou match."

"I figured as much." Izuki noted. "Then?"

"Apparently, something happened between Kagami and Tetsuya after that game." Ami replied. "Kagami told Tetsuya something, leading to Tetsuya believing that Kagami doesn't need him anymore."

"Now that you mention it," Izuki mused. "Kagami's play has gone back to the way it was when he just joined the team."

"Then, my fears came true; Kagami's going to be the second Aomine." Ami trained a look at her partner. "And wasn't it you who told me this won't happen?"

"I'll fix this." Izuki assured. "Somehow." He muttered.

"You'd better." Ami mumbled. "So, it's the Winter Cup next."

"Yup." Izuki nodded. "Now that Kiyoshi's back, we're planning on winning it."

"Kiyoshi Teppei, huh?" Ami noted. "One of the 'Uncrowned Kings'. Winning it won't be easy; didn't three of the 'Uncrowned Kings' go to Rakuzan High? Not to mention, Rakuzan got Akashi this year."

"The Akashi Seijūrō?" Izuki stammered in shock. "We're so doomed, aren't we?"

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.