Author's Note: Hello everyone! Ten chapters! I can't believe we're on chapter ten. So some of you have been asking for more romance and more fluff and the feels, those moments will be coming very soon, I promise! Please leave me a review and tell me what you think so far, I'd really love to know. Until next time you wonderful readers!

Special Thanks To: cocobobo10, Lunary, Soma, SoulXHunter, Piczle, Guest, and enchanted-nova! I love reading all of your comments they always put a smile on my face, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

RIVALS

Izuki looked over to Tetsumi, who nodded to him. He let out a breath and prepared to pass the ball. Kaijo's players were watching him closely as he scanned the court. Just as Tetsumi had shown on the clipboard, everyone was in their proper place. He swallowed hard and looked to Tetsumi. She readied herself for the ball as Izuki lifted the ball above his head and tossed it to her. When she caught the ball, Moriyama was on her, but she passed it to Hyuga across the way. Kasamatsu ran in front of him as he prepared to make a three, but he faked it and passed the ball back to Tetsumi.

Kasamatsu turned around and watched as Tetsumi caught the ball and went in for a shot. He noticed that it wasn't going to make it in, so he quickly shouted for Kise and Hayakawa to get the rebound. Kagami refused to let that happen though and leaped into the air, using both hands to sink the ball into the hoop. The Seirin bench cheered with excitement, and Kagami pumped his fist in the air the moment her landed.

"She's having them do fast plays," Kise said as he came up beside his captain. "Tetsucchi's very good with coming up with plays on the fly."

"I can see that, so let's show them up," Kasamatsu commanded as they prepared for the next play. Kobori checked the ball in and Moriyama caught it with ease, they jogged down the court. Moriyama passed the ball to Kise, who was about to go in for a shot. The blond came to a stop and dribbled the ball at his side. Seirin had switched over to a zone defense, effectively keeping Kise from the basket.

"You guys are pretty serious, aren't you?" Kise asked with a chuckle.

"Very serious," Tetsumi chirped from behind him as she swiped the ball and raced back down the court. Kise's eyes widened in complete shock, he couldn't believe Tetsumi had stolen the ball from him. When he whipped around, he watched as Seirin and Kaijo darted down the court. His golden eyes narrowed as Tetsumi bounced the ball across the court to Kagami, who captured it with ease and dunked it into their hoop. Kasamatsu and the rest of the Kaijo team panted heavily and watched as the freshmen duo of Seirin showed them just how tough they were.

"All right, Kise," Kasamatsu said as he walked up to the blond. "Your former teammate has got some impressive stealing abilities." The captain of Kaijo looked over to the girl as she stared back at them.

"We're rivals now," Kise commented as he glanced to his captain, who nodded in agreement. "I won't let them win."

"We, Kise, we won't let them win," the cobalt-eyed captain said, jabbing his fist into Kise's side. The blond whined in pain and pouted at his captain, who walked on. "Let's keep it together, I don't want them to gain another point!" Kasamatsu shouted at his team. They all shouted their approval and got into position for the next play.

"Ki-kun," Tetsumi said and the blond looked to her. "We're going to win."

Kise stared at Tetsumi for a few second before snickering. "The game's only just begun, Tetsucchi." In an instant, Kise had the ball and weaved through the Seirin defense with ease. Tetsumi watched as he preformed one of her very own moves. She lifted her head high and went tight lipped as Kise spun around Kagami and bounced the ball off the glass. Kagami seemed to recognize the move as well and looked to Tetsumi. When Kise came back around, he looked to Tetsumi. "You're gonna have to do better if you wanna beat me." He smirked at her and continued on down the court.

"Kagami-kun," Tetsumi said as she jogged along side the redhead. "Please be prepared to make the next basket." She reached up and tightened her ponytail, leaving Kagami behind in an instant. He was impressed that she was moving faster than her normal pace.

"Like you even have to ask," Kagami said with a chuckle as he picked up his pace.

Tetsumi dribbled the ball up the court and came to a stop when Kasamatsu and Moriyama blocked her path. She lowered herself, defending as best she could. Her eyes darted to Kagami, but Kise was keeping him occupied. Passing to Hyuga or Izuki would be too risky since neither Kasamatsu nor Moriyama were letting up. She had to make a decision quick. When she met Kasamatsu's eyes, she swung the ball around her back and spun around him. Unfortunately, Kasamatsu was faster than she initially assumed. He knocked the ball from her hands, and she cursed under her breath as Hayakawa took hold of it.

He dribbled it down the court and dunked it in with ease. The Kaijo onlookers all cheered their team on and started chanting. Tetsumi shook her head, Kaijo was pushing defense hard and they were trying to restrict her from passing. Her cerulean eyes peered over to Kise, who only smirked at her triumphantly. Tetsumi felt the twinge in her knee getting a little stronger, but she did her best to ignore it. Against her better judgment, Tetsumi called Mitobe over.

The tall and quiet defensive player came to her side. Tetsumi wanted to get a score before the end of the period. Her eyes went to the clock, only fifteen seconds left. That would be just enough time to score another basket. She locked at the score, which had Seirin at 27 and Kaijo at 36.

"I need you to be a screen for me," Tetsumi whispered to him. He nodded his head in understanding and she continued, "Stay on Moriyama, okay." Mitobe smiled at her and nodded once again before walking away.

"What's the plan?" Kagami asked her when he walked by briefly.

"Don't take the shot, just pass me the ball," Tetsumi said, wiping the sweat from her brow. The redhead furrowed his brows and was about to protest, but Izuki was about to pass the ball. Kagami got open and Izuki quickly passed him the ball. The shot clock started rolling and Tetsumi ran past Kasamatsu. He followed her and Moriyama moved in just like she figured he would. "Kagami!" she shouted and he sidestepped around Kise, bouncing the ball on the court towards Tetsumi.

She caught the ball and backed up behind the three-point line. Kasamatsu and Moriyama blocked her, keeping her from taking a three point shot. She didn't want to take a three point though, but she was going to make them think it. Her eyes went to the basket and she squared up her shoulders. She pulled the ball back into her chest, looking as though she was going to try. Kasamatsu went in to block, but Tetsumi crossed the ball over behind her back. Moriyama tried to reach for the ball, but she spun around him. He stumbled a bit when Mitobe screened him in.

Tetsumi stopped at the free throw line and took the shot. With that beautiful sound of the swishing net, Tetsumi beamed when the buzzer sounded. The Seirin benched cheered as the first period came to an end.

"While we're on different teams," Kise began as he walked forward, gaining the girl's attention. "It's good to see you playing again." He smiled at her, and Tetsumi nodded her head in agreement.

"It feels good too," Tetsumi said.

"Stop flirting already," Kasamatsu snapped at Kise as he slapped him on the back. The blond got teary eyed and complained that Kasamatsu always hit him. The captain only snorted, saying he deserved it. Tetsumi laughed lightly and shook her head, causing both players to look her way in confusion.

"I'm sorry, but you're a good captain," Tetsumi explained as she regained her composure. "You two are obviously good friends."

"Let's not get carried away," Kasamatsu muttered. "He's like the annoying kid brother I never wanted." He nodded to Kise, who pouted and muttered a few choice words under his breath. Tetsumi smiled, and glanced back at Kise. She was happy that he'd found a team that could very well change him. At the end of middle school, Kise was undeniably cocky and self-centered, but it seemed to be more watered down. Kasamatsu must have beaten some of it out of him.

"Tetsumi don't mingle with the enemy!" Kagami shouted from the Seirin bench. She looked back at him and nodded her head. Tetsumi started making her way over to them, but Kasamatsu called out to her. When she stopped, she turned around to look at the handsome captain.

"I underestimated you," Kasamatsu said, placing his hands on his hips. "You're a better player than most."

Kise smiled brightly. "See! I told you, Kasamatsu-senpai! Tetsucchi is amazing, isn't she?"

Kasamatsu grabbed Kise by his ear and scolded him for being too hyper as he dragged him over to the Kaijo bench. Tetsumi smiled and chuckled lightly as she jogged over to the bench. A sharp pinch came to her knee and she limped a few steps before stopping. Tetsumi closed her eyes tightly and gritted her teeth as she tried to walk. The stinging pain trickled up and down her nerves.

"What's wrong?" Kagami asked as he came over to her. "Your leg?" he assumed with concern, gesturing to it. She had her head down towards the floor and swallowed the pain. It was too soon for her to get out, she had to suck it up and keep playing for a little while longer.

"Nope, I'm good. Just tired, hard first period," Tetsumi said, looking up at Kagami with a bright smile. She hid any traces of pain or discomfort. "Come on, breaks almost over." She started walking again, and thankfully the pain subsided.

-###-

"Aomine-kun!" Momoi huffed as she stood at the entrance to the basketball court by Tetsumi's house. "What are you doing here? You have to go to practice! The game is next week!" the pinkette explained as she started climbing up the wooden bleachers.

The dark skinned basketball player didn't respond at all. He remained at the very top, laying on it with his hands tucked behind his head. Aomine had one leg bent and the other stretched out. His steel blue eyes flicked to Momoi as she stood on the bench below his own. He shrugged his shoulders, causing Momoi to lecture him. She ranted and raved about how he owed it to the team to go to practice, and that she was disappointed in him, and that he wouldn't get better at basketball if he kept skipping out. The last bit made him snicker, and he sat up slowly. He turned on the bench and planted his feet on the walking board.

"I don't need to practice, Satsuki," Aomine stated simply, meeting her gaze. She rolled her eyes and shook her head, scolding him for acting so proud and cocky. The basketball player only snorted and stared at the basketball court down below. "Don't you have anything better to do than lecture me?" he asked before laying back down on the wooden bench.

"Yes as a matter of fact, I do," Satsuki said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Aomine looked at her with a raised brow. "Well," he paused, but Satsuki remained where she was. "Go do it then." He waved her off, which caused her eye to twitch. She didn't understand why Tetsumi had a crush on him. He was so difficult. Momoi wouldn't deny she cared about him; in fact Aomine was her childhood best friend. There relationship was strictly platonic, but sometimes she felt like a mother to him.

"Get up," Momoi commanded, pushing his shoulder.

"No," Aomine replied with a sarcastic laugh.

"Get up, Aomine-kun!" she whined, stomping her foot in the ground.

Aomine furrowed his brows and turned to look at her. "Oh, I'm convinced," he stated sarcastically, causing Momoi to huff in frustration. "Let me sleep, Satsuki." The pinkette shook her head and pushed his shoulder again, telling him to get up. Aomine, being his usual self, refused once again and closed his eyes.

"Why must you be so difficult?" Momoi asked as she crossed her arms over her chest. The sunshine beamed down on them and there was a gently early summer breeze. It was a beautiful day to be out without a single cloud in the sky. Aomine never answered her question, and Momoi rolled her eyes. She wished she had a way to bribe him to get up. "Tetsu-chan is playing today," she informed him.

"And?" he prompted, his eyes still closed.

"Don't you want to go watch?" Momoi tried, but she already knew the answer. Aomine had been very anti-Tetsumi the pass week. He brushed everything about her off, and acted like it didn't bother him that they weren't exactly on speaking terms. Momoi wasn't stupid though, Aomine wanted to talk to Tetsumi so bad. It was evident by the way he acted. "Just apologize, Aomine-kun. Tetsu-chan isn't a bitter person, you know that."

"Goodbye, Satsuki," Aomine muttered, but the pinkette didn't leave. She just stared down at him and sighed softly. "Why do you care so much?" he asked after a few seconds of silence passed between them.

"Why else?" Momoi asked with a small chuckle. "You two obviously care about each other. Not talking to her bothers you."

"We've hardly talked since middle school, so it really makes no difference to me," Aomine said coldly, trying to brush off the fact that Momoi had hit the nail right on the head. She scolded him for acting so cold, but Aomine just told her to shut up and go. The pinkette sat down beside him and asked him why he was being that way. "Satsuki, seriously just go away."

"No!" she snapped, causing Aomine to open his eyes and gaze into the clear blue sky above. "Stop acting like this doesn't bother you! Like you aren't sad!" Momoi told him harshly. "You miss your friend, and it's okay! But you can't miss her if you don't make an effort."

Aomine didn't say anything, nor did he do anything. If he said anything Momoi wouldn't stop, she would just keep going. The truth was, Aomine was sad. He did miss his friend, but they weren't exactly friends anymore. They were rivals now, she was playing for her own team and that's all there was too it. In time, he would get over it and Tetsumi would find a new light. He just had to make his peace with that.

Momoi sat silently, waiting for Aomine to do something. He never did though; he just sat there in silence for the next five minutes like nothing happened. She frowned as she glanced down at him. His eyes were open and devoid of all emotion. The pinkette brushed her hair behind her ear and was about to say something when he phone started ringing in her jacket pocket. When she plucked out her phone, she raised a brow as Midorima's name flashed on the screen.

"Midorin?" Momoi questioned as she put the phone to her ear.

"Put Aomine on the phone," Midorima said suddenly, causing Momoi to furrow her brows in confusion. "Momoi, just give him the phone, I know you're with him." She closed her mouth and agreed, holding the phone above his face.

"What?" Aomine asked as he took the phone and put it to his ear.

"You should come to Kaijo," Midorima said simply, and Aomine's eye twitched. He could believe Momoi forcing him to go watch Kise and Tetsumi's game, but coming from Midorima it was just weird. "Tetsumi-chan got hurt."

Aomine sat up and narrowed his eyes. "What?"

"Kise got a little reckless," Midorima explained.

"Kise?" Aomine repeated, gripping the phone tightly. "What did that idiot do?"

Momoi was sitting beside Aomine, wondering what was going on. The way he sat up and the tone of his voice made her worry.

"He hit her—"

Aomine hung up the moment those three words came out. He didn't care if it was accidental or on purpose, Aomine was going to break Kise in half. When tossed the phone back to Momoi and she squeaked as she nearly dropped it. She scolded Aomine, but stopped mid-sentence when he climbed down the bleachers.

"Where are you going?" Momoi called out to him when he reached the bottom. He didn't answer her. "Aomine-kun!" she shouted and scrambled down the bleachers to catch up with him.

-###-

It was a complete accident. Kise would never ever dare—let alone think—of harming or hurting Tetsumi. Aside from the fact he cared a great deal about her he knew that Akashi and Aomine would kill him dead. He trembled at the half court mark as he saw Tetsumi staggering near the hoop behind him. The third quarter was half way through and Seirin was closing the gap. He started getting aggressive, which resulted in him slamming his elbow into Tetsumi's face. All he wanted to do was block the shot, and when he succeeded when he ripped around, he hit her.

"Kise, it was an accident," Kasamatsu said as he walked up to the blond, clapping him on the shoulder. "Its just part of the game, sometimes we get hurt." Kise knew his captain was right, but it was Tetsumi! His friend, his former teammate, and he had drawn blood. If any of the Generation of Miracles found out he'd hurt her, even though it was an accident they'd beat him.

"Tetsumi!" Kagami called out when the girl collapsed, causing Kise's eyes to widen in horror. He shook his head as Kagami carried the girl in his arms and brought her over to the Seirin bench. The referee had called a time out while Seirin tended to the stunned and injured player.

"I'm so dead," Kise mumbled with fear, which made Kasamatsu furrow his brows in confusion. "Akashicchi is going to kill me…and Aominecchi…I don't even wanna think about it," the blond whimpered as he stared at Seirin's coach fussing over the wound Tetsumi had received.

"Who are you talking about?" Kasamatsu asked. "Just go apologize and get your ass back to the bench." The Kaijo captain shoved Kise in the direction of the Seirin team and walked back towards his own teammates.

When Kise was just outside of the circle of the Seirin team, he froze. Kagami was kneeling down beside Tetsumi, holding a cloth to her face. The white cloth was stained red and Kise felt his knees buckling. He didn't realize he'd hit her that hard. Everything had happened to fast, he was just trying to block Kagami. His success of doing so caused him to hit her it was a complete accident. Even though Kise knew that, he still felt bad for hurting Tetsumi.

"Is she going to be okay?" Kise asked quietly.

Riko stopped digging around in the first aid kit and looked up at the blond standing a few steps away. The entire team looked up at him; making him feel even more awkward than he already did. Riko grabbed a tube of ointment and some gauze pads.

"She'll be fine, but she's out the rest of the game," Riko explained.

"I see," Kise said, wishing he hadn't hit her. The game was getting very intense; Tetsumi was playing harder than he expected her too. Kagami was a real challenge too. Kise could see his potential. He understood why Tetsumi had taken a liking to the redhead; he showed true talent for basketball. "I'm really sorry, I didn't—"

"Ki-kun," Tetsumi said as she sat up, despite the protest of her teammates. "It was an accident, don't worry about it."

"But—"

"No, stop it," Tetsumi said, smiling weakly at him. "It was probably for the best."

"Come again?" Kagami choked from behind her. "We need you out there."

"During the second quarter my knee was really starting to act up, it was becoming almost too much to handle. But we were keeping up with Kaijo, I didn't want to stop, so I pushed through it even though it would have potentially wrecked my knee and leg." Tetsumi looked at her team and muttered a small apology before looking back to Kise. "Looks like I won't get to remind you of our basketball."

Kise stared at Tetsumi not knowing what to say. At the current point and time, Tetsumi had led the Seirin team to be tied with Kaijo. The score stood at a solid 68 to 68 with the ball to be Seirin's.

"Don't worry, Tetsumi," Kagami said as he stood up behind her, narrowing his eyes at Kise. "We'll remind him for you." The Seirin team all agreed as they stood up and looked at Kise.

"Looks like you have a new family now, Tetsucchi," Kise said, regaining his composure. He could see the fire in Seirin's eyes; they still had some fight left in them. It actually inspired Kise, and made him smile a bit. Tetsumi always knew how to keep the spirits of her teammates high. Even in Teiko, Tetsumi could light a fire within the team even during their darkest hour.

"So it would seem," Tetsumi said with a bright smile as she looked amongst the Seirin members as the rallied behind her.