AN: All your reviews really made my week! Thank you so much!
Quite a few of you have been asking me to bring in more characters and there are ton of side characters that I really love but I don't want to overload this with so many characters. Then it becomes hard to keep track and things get jumbled. Sorry to disappoint you :(
HOWEVER, that being said, I have decided to bring in Nigou, but not until his episode. I hope this appeases you!
Episode 7
The new episode stated where the last one had left off. The ball hit the ground after Kagami's dunk. Papa stared at Kagami in complete and utter shock; mouth hanging open. What? What just happened?
"Let's get them back" Papa's teammate, Tanimura, said throwing the ball to number 7.
But before his teammate could catch it Kuroko was there. Tanimura gaped having not noticed him there before. Kuroko hit the ball back to Kagami who dunked for the second time in a row.
"Tetsu's fired up!" Aomine laughed
"You're kidding" Tanimura said
Who are these guys? Papa thought
"Seriously, they dunked the ball right after they stole it." One of the bystanders commented as he watched.
"That's two dunks in a row" Another added. "This is still the first round of the preliminaries."
"Has Kuroko always been this good?" Hyuga asked looking at their shadow player. "Are you really that mad about being called a kid?"
"Yeah" Kagami had a small flashback to Papa calling the GoM weak "It's like don't talk until you play them"
"I'm quite flattered that you're angry on our behalf Tetsuya"
Kuroko's face flamed steam coming off him in waves. Midorima watched the bluenette as Kuroko briefly reached up and touched his lips. Midorima's eyes narrowed and he glared at Akashi.
The buzzer sounded followed by a whistle. Shinkyo-8 Seirin-23
"Kuroko you've got a time limit" Riko started "So we're swapping you out here. Because we've got to conserve Kuroko-kun's strength we'll lose some power during the mid-game, so don't let them close the point gap. They don't have any dangerous players aside from dad. Ultimately it all comes down to how well Kagami-kun can handle dad."
"Just leave it to me" Kagami grinned.
The scene changed. The ball was passed to Papa with Kagami on defense. I will not lose! I will win! Papa thought as he jumped to shoot. Kagami jumped to block but he fell to quickly allowing Papa to score.
"He really is amazing" Izuki commented.
"Has he gotten even taller?" Hyuga questioned
"I'm serious now, I will not lose" Papa declared
Kagami laughed "I couldn't ask for any more, I'm starting to get excited dad!"
The score was 12-24 Seirin.
Hyuga got the ball next he took the shot "Shit it's too short"
Kagami noticed and moved in front of Papa who struggled to break past Seirin's ace. The ball rebounded and they both jumped Kagami recovered it and shot the ball again. Seirin scored.
"Okay, Nice shot" Kawahara cheered.
"Nice rebound" Furihata yelled
"Papa don't let it bother you" Tanimura told Papa "We'll give you the ball" He passed to Number 6 who passed to Papa
Papa moved to shoot and Kagami jumped to stop him. Papa gaped at Kagami before passing it over to Number 7.
"What's wrong Papa, you had that" One of his teammates yelled. They passed it back to Papa" One more time Papa." Papa caught it and turned to shoot. Kagami Jumped reaching up.
Why? Papa thought He's getting more and more…It showed the same scenario again and again. More and more… More and more tall?!
Kagami yelled still reaching for the ball.
"Kagami's amazing" Fukuda commented from the bench beside Riko. "He's more than keeping him in check. He's not losing to him at all."
"As if I'd let someone like him beat me" Kagami grinned watching the game. He was itching to play some basketball, his knee twitching with pent up energy from sitting on a couch for a day.
"Looks like his practice is paying off." Fukuda continued
"But don't you think he's trying too hard" Riko added
Kuroko watched blank faced remembering Kise's words about Kagami reaching the level of the GoM and growing apart from the team.
Tanimura scored a three pointer.
51-60 Seirin
"It's a nine point difference this game isn't over yet!" Said one
"You guys were really weak back then" Aomine commented half-awake stretched out as much as he could on his side of the couch.
"We weren't that bad" Furihata said
"Letting that half assed team catch up to you like that… weak" He leaned his head back and Kuroko, who had made his way over, hit him hard on the head. Aomine sat up clutching his head "What the hell?!" He cursed.
"Don't say things like that about another team. They were trying their best and were good opponents." He scolded straight faced.
"Even though they called us all kids?" Aomine asked. Kuroko's face gave nothing away but his eyes were hard. "I'm sorry Tetsu" Aomine apologized
Kuroko sighed he knew Aomine would always say things like that. He just had that sort of attitude but sometimes it frightened Kuroko. What if Aomine changed again? He didn't think he could bare that. He turned around to walk back to his seat but Aomine caught his wrist pulling him back.
Kuroko stumbled falling into his former lights chest. Aomine hugged the smaller teen who fit snugly against him. "I know I say harsh things sometimes but I promise Tetsu; I'll never hurt you again." He whispered.
Kuroko's arms tightened as he gripped onto Aomine. He was Kuroko's first friend the first person to notice him and play with him no matter how bad he was.
Their moment was interrupted by Akashi clearing his throat and Kise wailing. Kuroko stood up walked back to his seat. Half way there he stopped and turned back to Aomine. "Thank you" He said smiling brightly.
Everyone stared and Aomine blushed.
We can't afford to cut this one close. Riko thought looking at the score. She turned to Kuroko "Kuroko kun can you go the last five minutes."
"Actually I've been ready for a while" Kuroko told her.
"Sorry" Riko apologized then stood pointing at the court "Then go!"
The screen showed Kuroko passing. He stole and passed left and right. The other team didn't know what to do.
"Damn it, there he is again" Said one of their players.
"What's going on with those passes" Tanimura said in frustration.
"Don't let your guard down until it's over" Hyuga reminded his team. "Let's get them."
Papa got the ball and Kagami was there marking him.
"No! I don't want to lose!" Papa said fiercely. He jumped.
"You said you were disappointed in the Generation of Miracles, but you overestimate yourself" Kagami yelled.
"I don't want to be defended by you Bakagami; Tetsu doing that is enough"
"Shut up Ahomine"
"Children play nicely" Akashi said evilly.
Kagami remembered Kise. "Compared to you they're way stronger" He yelled catching Papa's ball mid shot like he promised near the beginning of the game. Papa's eyes went wide and the buzzer sounded.
Seirin won 67- 79
"Game over" the referee yelled.
"All right!" the first years all cheered. Riko gave a sigh of relief.
The camera panned over showing Midorima watching from up top.
"You even went and watched that game" Kise teased
"I was just bored that was all" Midorima turned away. In truth, though he'd never admit it, he liked watching Kuroko play. He was an interesting player.
The two teams bowed to each other. "Thank you"
The scene changed to Kagami zipping up his bag. Papa walked up to him and Kagami turned to face the other player. "I lost" Papa said. "Please play hard for me in your next game"
"That's pretty mature of him" Kise commented
"Uh… sure" Kagami looked half confused but he went with it.
Papa then laughed "I mean you're an idiot, an idiot!" Tanimura grabbed him from behind dragging him away as he continued to shout.
"I spoke too soon" Kise sighed. He didn't get players like that… sure he could be immature too at times but he'd never disgrace himself by being such a pathetic loser.
In this way Seirin High successfully made it through our first game of preliminaries. Riko monologued. Our second game was against Jitsuzen High. With Kuroko-kun benched the whole game we crushed them 118- 51. Our third game was against Kinga high. Last year's top 16, they were a strong team with a good balance of offense and defense. But surprisingly…
"This is going smoothly" Riko commented watching the game. We've even managed to conserve Kuroko's strength. She looked over at said player who was twitching in his seat unable to sit still. "Kuroko kun…"
"It's nothing I'm just feeling restless"
"That's how I feel now" Kagami grumbled
He must really want to play. Riko thought. Our fourth game…
Seirin was the only team on the court. They were warming up when the gym door opened.
"It's the fourth round. We might actually have a tough game for once" One of the players commented. Kuroko and Kagami turned to look.
"We're against Seirin today"
"Hold on! Those were the guys we played the night after the practice match" Kise said pointing at the screen.
"This should be easy; they got destroyed last year in the championship league." Another added. None of them had even looked at Seirin since they walked in.
"They're nothing but a new school who made it through with sheer luck."
"Eh" Kagami recognized them "It's those guys from the other day"
"We'll destroy them this…" The leader was cut off as he bumped right into Kagami.
"Yo, so we meet again" Kagami said.
"Eh!?" The player stepped back
"Hello" Kuroko was beside Kagami spinning the basketball on his finger as he had that night.
The room was filled with laughter.
"Kuro-chin can be intimidating too" Murasakibara said between chips. He leaned over and offered a choice of snacks to Kuroko as if rewarding him for his actions.
Kuroko chose the vanilla pocky "Thank you"
They all looked terrified. "They're going to destroy us"
…Was against Meijo Academy. Riko's monologue continued from where it left off. For some reason our opponents were terrified the whole time, we destroyed them 108-41.
"We're doing well." Furihata stated
"At this rate maybe we'll easily make it through the preliminaries and all the way to the championship league." Fukuda agreed.
"How naïve" Izuki said
"It must be nice being so young and carefree" Koganei added.
"For the last ten years" Hyuga started "The same three schools have moved on to the championship league from Tokyo: King of the East Shutoku, King of the West Senshinkan, and King of the North Seiho.
They're evenly matched so the top team changes every year, but they never let anyone else get better than fourth place. They're the three immobile Kings of Tokyo.
After the fifth match are the semifinals, then the finals. In the finals we'll most likely come up against… The King of the East Shutoku, that acquired Midorima Shintaro of the Generation of Miracles."
"But you guys made it to the Championship league last year" Kawahara stated
"Yeah" Hyuga said softly "But we didn't stand a chance"
Kagami looked serious. Our seniors definitely aren't weak, but… "The three kings"
Suddenly whispers broke out from around the gym. "Look they're here" Seirin looked over.
"It's better to see something for yourself than hear about it" Riko said. "First years prepare yourselves, you're going to see something amazing today. They're supposed to be even more amazing this year."
They all watched as Shutoku walked into the gym all looking ready to play.
"One of the three Kings of Tokyo, Shutoku High." Riko added.
Kuroko watched Midorima intently.
The gym was filled with loud cheers for Shutoku from their school who had come to watch. Kagami stood up from his place "I'm going to go say hi." He said
"Sure" Hyuga nodded not paying attention until Kagami's words sunk in. He looked over suddenly "Hey!" But Kagami was already walking up to Midorima.
"Hey, your Midorima Shintaro, aren't you?"
"Yes but who are you?" Midorima asked a small stuffed bear in one hand.
Takao laughed from behind his teammate. You know who he is. Why are you being so proud?
Midorima glowered in his seat glaring at Takao and thanking god that he wasn't here with him now.
Kagami held out his hand. Midorima looked at it.
"You want to shake hands?" Kagami just smiled and Midorima sighed moving his little stuffed bear to his other hand and moving to shake Kagami's hand.
Kagami pulled out a marker writing on Midorima's hand 'Seirin's number 10 Kagami Taiga'. Midorima looked shocked.
"You look like the kind of guy who'd claim he doesn't remember me if I introduced myself normally"
"Spot on Kagamicchi" Kise laughed. Midorima hit Kise over the head. "Ouch! Midorimacchi!"
"I want the guy who I'm about to get revenge on for my seniors to remember me." Kagami continued.
Midorima adjusted his glasses. "Revenge? You're rather reckless aren't you?"
Takao came up then "You're from Seirin, right? Haven't your seniors told you anything? Last year the three kings destroyed Seirin when they tripled their score."
Kagami looked slightly shocked and the 2nd years all looked serious remembering their losses with definite clarity.
"Say what you want but the difference in strength is absolute."
"You sound like Aka chin" Murasakibara commented
"I was just stating a fact"
"It wasn't a fact, we proved you wrong" Kagami reminded the green haired teen who glowered at the memory of losing.
"Even if we meet again in the championship, history will only repeat itself"
"No" Kuroko had joined Kagami while the two had been talking and spoke up then "You can only speculate based on the past. You won't know what will really happen until you play, Midorima-kun."
"Kuroko" Midorima looked at the bluenette "I don't like you."
*Cough* "Liar" *Cough* was heard throughout the room from various different people. Midorima glowered.
"Do you really dislike me that much?" Kuroko looked up at Midorima head tilted slightly
Midorima cleared his throat awkwardly "I… I really don't mind you… I just think you need to be more self-aware." He grumbled adjusting his glasses and looking away from Kuroko.
"I'll try"
"I'll help you if you have any problems" Midorima conceded as well and Kuroko gave a small smile barely visible.
"Thank you very much Midorima-kun"
"Hmph" was his only response.
"I can't tell what you're thinking," Midorima continued "especially from your eyes"
"But that's what makes him so unique Shintaro" Akashi said. He loved that the bluenette could continually surprise him. It was a breath of fresh air to one who knew all and saw all.
"There is plenty I would like to say to you, but telling you now would be meaningless. Join us in the finals first. "
Takao slung his arm around Kuroko "You've got a mouth on you. You went to school with Shin-chan right? Don't let it bother you he's just a Tsundere. He's actually really interested in you. He even went to see your preliminary game."
"You shouldn't make up so many stories Takao" Midorima adjusted his gasses once again.
"How long are you going to keep talking? Get ready" The Shutoku captain yelled at them breaking the tense atmosphere.
"Okay" Takao said and he and Midorima walked over to the bench.
"Looks like Kuroko-kun really gave them an earful" Riko smiled
"Who cares" Hyuga said "He didn't say anything we weren't thinking"
Midorima turned back to Kuroko "Kuroko I will show you just how naïve your thinking is." He pushed up his glasses.
The scene changed. Kuroko and the rest of Seirin were on the second floor looking down at the gym watching Shutoku play.
"He's five out of five so far. Looks like Midorima's playing well." Kagami said as he watched the court.
"Is that right?"
"I don't know shouldn't you know!" Kagami questioned.
"I don't know. I've never seen him miss" Kuroko confessed.
Midorima on the court shot the ball. He turned around already heading for the opposite basket as his ball slowly swished through the net.
"As long as Midorima doesn't lose his form he makes 100% of his shots" Kuroko commented as he watched.
"Seriously"
"That's just not fair" commented his teammates.
Midorima continued to make shot after shot. The game ended Shutoku dominating the game. Midorima walked past Seirin stopping to look up at Kuroko who looked back at him blank faced.
"You're very impressive" Kuroko commented dryly
Midorima looked at Kuroko then away frustrated. He wished he knew what was going through Kuroko's mind! He always said such nice things without any emotion! Was he teasing? Did he really mean it? Because of his confusion he didn't know how to respond and in the end he just looked away.
This always seemed to happen when the two talked. Midorima sighed; maybe he'd learn something during all of this. Maybe he and Kuroko could even get closer because of it.
"Ok let's go home" Hyuga said stepping out of the gym
"Don't" Riko yelled pushing them "We've got another game today!" She said hands on hips. "Are you stupid? Are you?"
"I was kidding" Hyuga laughed awkwardly "the mood just seemed really gloomy."
"Everyone checked the tournament bracket" Izuki reassured her.
"Huh? We have another game? Seriously?" Kagami asked clueless
"BAKAGAMI" Riko had Kagami in a death hold before he could think to move. He struggled
"Help… please"
Nobody dared step in to help lest they get the same treatment.
"You really are stupid Kagami" Riko yelled at him "Check the bracket. We play two games on the day of our fourth game and on the last day! Our fifth game starts at 5 PM"
Kagami looked at the bracket "the semifinals and finals are both on the same day. Does that mean we're playing a game before we play Shutoku?" He looked closer "Coach the three kings are Shutoku and…"
"Yeah" Riko nodded "Seiho and Senshinkan"
"Isn't this…"
"On the last day our semifinals opponent will most likely be Seiho. We'll play Shutoku in the finals. We're playing against two of the kings in a row."
Kagami smiled "Two games in one day and both our opponents are strong. I couldn't ask for more."
"One step at a time, you have to get to the semifinals first and then beat Seiho. You are all assuming a lot here." Kiyoshi said seriously
Riko laughed lightly rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. "Listening to it we do sound rather presumptuous don't we?"
"But this is too much" Furihata said
"Who are you trying to impress" Kawahara added "right Kuroko?"
"Sorry" Kuroko admitted "But I'm actually excited too"
"What? Did you get Kagami germs too?" Furihata asked
Aomine snorted.
"What are you talking about?" Kagami asked offended
"I hope not" kuroko answered seriously
"The way you denied that pisses me off" Kagami turned his glare on Kuroko.
Aomine was full out laughing now and Kagami's hand was twitching as if he was itching to punch the dark blue haired teen beside him. He settled instead for shoving a pillow in his face.
"But don't difficult situations light a fire in you?" Kuroko asked
Aomine who had been half strangling Kagami who was trying to suffocate him with a pillow stopped and turned to Kuroko smiling "that's my Tetsu!" He grinned "This is why we get along so well"
"He's my shadow not yours!" Kagami glared
"He was mine first Idiot Tiger"
"Yeah and we all know how that ended" The cheerful atmosphere vanished. Kagami bit his lip as he saw Kuroko's face darken ever so slightly. The comment had just slipped out and he really regretted it now.
Aomine glared heavily at Kagami but he could say nothing his own heart heavy with memories. He looked over at Tetsu and was about to slump in his seat and mope but decided better of it. He couldn't just let Tetsu feel sad; hadn't he promised not to cause him any pain.
Aomine stood up. He walked over grabbing Kise and throwing him off the couch. "I'm taking my seat back. You can sit with the Bakagami"
"But I might get Kagamicchi Germs" Kise complained
"HEY!" Kagami grumbled under his breathe about stupid GoM's.
"Who's stupid Taiga" Akashi asked having heard him.
Kagami paled "I didn't say anything!" He denied scooching as far from the crazy red head as he could.
Kise sat down next to Kagami looking decidedly unhappy to be removed from his Kurokocchi's side.
Aomine sat beside Kuroko who was staring at the screen trying not to look at Aomine. Aomine sighed he layed his hand on Kuroko's shoulder and tugged at him till the bluenette was leaning against him. "Stupid." He said softly which was quite rare for Aomine "I'm sorry about the past… but things are different now. I promise, remember?"
Kuroko looked up at him and nodded his expression didn't change but he relaxed and let himself lean up against his former light. Aomine kept his arm tightly around Kuroko for comfort.
"Mine-chin is very sly" Murasakibara said as he watched the scene.
"I agree Atsushi" Akashi agreed.
Aomine was sweating slightly at the feel of Akashi's threatening gaze but he tried not to let it get to him. Kuroko was oblivious as he chewed on his vanilla pocky.
All of Seirin smiled in agreement.
"All right I'm on fire!" Kagami yelled. "I'm going to go practice"
"Don't, you should rest!" Riko scolded "You unbelievable basketball head! You idiot Kagami!"
The episode ended.
Kuroko sighed feeling thirsty. He stood up excusing himself politely. He was walking past Murasakibara who stopped him. "Kuro-chin I'm out of snacks" It was only a statement to those who didn't know him but Kuroko knew better. He let out a small huff of air but turned to face the Purple haired giant.
"What would you like?" Kuroko asked sticking another stick of Vanilla pocky into his mouth.
Murasakibara watched for a second and before anyone could react he had moved over and taken a big bite of the pocky sticking out of Kuroko's mouth.
Kuroko stepped back in shock he could have sworn he felt the soft warmth of Murasakibara-kun's lips against his but it had happened so quickly.
Murasakibara munched on the stolen pocky happily before rambling off a list of snacks. Kuroko made a beeline for the kitchen wanting to get away and cool his head. First Akashi touched his lips and now Murasakibara… he… he…! Kuroko shook his head wildly. This was all so confusing!
"Atsushi is sly too" Akashi said
"Aka- chin and Mine-chin started it" The giant defended
"No fair I want to play the pocky game with Kurokocchi!" Kise pouted
"No thank you" Kuroko made everyone jump as they hadn't heard him come back. He had a glass of milk equipped with a bendy straw in one hand and a bag of snacks in the other. Kuroko deposited the snacks into Murasakibara's lap.
"You owe me a Vanilla milkshake for stealing my pocky" he deadpanned despite the pink tinge to his cheeks.
Murasakibara nodded as he popped open a bag of chips.
Kuroko sat back down slurping his milk through the straw. It wasn't as good as a Vanilla shake but it quenched his thirst.
AN: HAHA Murasakibara go the first kiss XD (Or sort of kiss) I had to give it to him since I forgot about him in the previous chapter. SORRY ATSUSHI!
Anyway I'm anxious to hear what you think! SO PLEASE REVIEW.
Who should steal the next kiss? Vote Now! ;)