New Chapter! As this is chapter 10, I though I'd go with something cute for a bit and so, this one's rather relaxing and surprisingly easy to write. I'll apologize beforehand to all Akakuro, Aokuro, Midokuro, and Kikuro fans! This one's more for Mukuro fans! I'll try to write something for them in the next chapter. Also, I'm glad to hear from some of the readers. I hope you'll bare with me as I'm a freshmen in high school and can only update on weekends. Special thanks to the many who took the time to review every chapter and please continue to support me and, just out of curiosity, how would you like if I continued the story in a second part for the high school after this is done?
As usual, Kuroko no Basuke belongs to Tadatoshi Fujimaki-san!
Chapter 10
On the base of a mountain that loomed ominously into the sky, most of the members of Teiko basketball team's first string stared in disbelief at the sight before them.
"We're going to die" went through most of their minds.
"What are you all spacing out for, hurry up and go in and get settled. Training starts tomorrow so get a good night's rest." Nijimura spoke up behind the group.
"Yes sir." The basketball team grumbled, heading inside.
"Nijimura-san, you make sure everything is prepared." Coach Sanada spoke from in front of their bus. "Also, Momoi-san, please make sure the food supplies are here."
"Yes coach!" Momoi beamed and headed to the kitchen, causing those that haven't entered the building yet to pale drastically and run after her. The team had learned after the first match just how bad, no terrible, their manager's cooking ability is. The coach knew as well, but as Momoi excelled at information gathering and training, he decided to let the boys deal with it themselves. If they don't want to eat her cooking, they could always cook for themselves.
"Yes coach." Nijimura replied, "Kuroko, come help me a bit."
Kuroko looked up to Nijimura and said, "Hai, Nijimura-sempai." He proceeded to follow Nijimura inside the hotel. The two of them engaged in a quiet conversation, tuning out those around them.
Meanwhile, five of the students observed the interaction closely.
"Hey, hasn't Tetsu gotten closer to Nijimura these past few days?" Aomine asked suspiciously narrowing his eyes on the two figures.
"Aomine, address him with –sempai at the least." Midorima scolded pushing his glasses up. "Plus, it's none of our business what is going on between those two." Contrary to his words, though, Midorima stole another glance over to the current captain and the shadow. The others sweat-dropped and thought "You're the one to talk, tsundere."
"Aomine-chi is right for once, though" Kise said, ignoring the "Hey!" from Aomine, "They've been hanging out a lot these few days, huh?"
"Ah, now that you mention it, you're right Kise-chin. Mine-chin, you've gotten smarter huh?" Murasakibara grumbled lazily as he chewed.
A tick mark appeared on Aomine's forehead and he glared at Kise and Murasakibara and scowled, "You two… want to die early, huh?"
Murasakibara merely tilted his head lazily and replied, "I take my word back, you're a hopeless idiot, Mine-chin. After all, I can crush you before you can do anything, Mine-chin."
"You-!" Aomine shouted but was interrupted by Akashi.
"Enough Aomine, stop causing a scene. Also, Murasakibara and Kise, stop provoking Aomine." He commanded calmly, affectively silencing the oncoming argument.
Midorima observed how calm Akashi appeared over Kuroko's sudden attachment to their captain. He learned very quickly that Akashi was a very dangerous person and should never be angered. He knew of the Akashi name through his father, who was a famous doctor and dealt with some rich patients. Midorima never thought he'd actually meet up with an Akashi, let alone befriend him. It's questionable at times, though whether they're actually friends or not as Akashi seems to treat them like subordinates. He like to say that aside from Kuroko, he knew Akashi pretty well. The two talked from time to time about Akashi's decisions with the captain and they played shogi once in a while during their free time. He never won once, much to his irritation, which led to him placing Akashi as what he presume others would call a rival. It's rather one-sided, though, as Akashi won whatever challenge Midorima threw at him easily.
There is one thing Midorima knew never to use to challenge Akashi, or rather someone, and that is Kuroko Tetsuya. He's never met anyone quite like Kuroko, emotionless yet not necessarily cold, weak yet strong, knowledgeable yet innocent at the same time. It made everyone who knew him feel a need to protect from the world, and Midorima being no exception, having a need to care for others since the beginning. The rest of the 'miracles' are the same, each careful to make sure no harm came to Kuroko, jealous of those that came between 'their' shadow and them. Along the way, Kuroko became the center of their group. Almost every decision revolved around him yet that didn't scare him. What scared Midorima is the fact that he's fine with it. Akashi was the same, protective and possessive of Kuroko at the same time and, much to Midorima's delight, not that he'll ever say it knowing he'll be killed instantly, Akashi's weak against Kuroko's requests. Midorima was relieved that Akashi has a weakness, making him just a little more human yet at the same time, he's irritated that an Akashi would be going for the affection of the same person as him.
Unlike previous times when Akashi would appear irritated over Kuroko getting close to another, he seemed rather calm. In fact, he appeared a bit smug, as though he knew something none of the others did. It was subtle and most would have missed the hints to the red head's emotions but Midorima's different. He's been observing Akashi ever since he known him, doing his best to decipher the calm mask he possess. Next to Kuroko, Akashi's the most confusing person Midorima has ever met.
"You know why they've been talking to each other more, don't you, Akashi?" Midorima asked Akashi suspiciously.
Akashi gave a small smirk and glanced over to the two in question and replied, "Maybe, but you'll find out soon enough, Midorima."
Midorima's eyebrow twitched in annoyance but he didn't question Akashi. The group headed inside the hotel and picked up the keys to their rooms, being the last to head in. The hotel wasn't bad, in fact, it's amazingly well equipped for basketball training and also had a great bath. The only thing that's not given is a chef that'll cook for them. Knowing how horrid Momoi's cooking would be, the captain and vice-captain created a chart on whose cooking for what days, deciding to spare them one day of rest to cook for the team, which the members were thankful for yet at the same time, fearful of how bad their teammate's cooking abilities might be as they were all boys.
As there's not enough room, the players had to share in groups of four. When the five glanced over where they would be sleeping, Aomine, Kise, and Murasakibara grumbled over how unfair it was that they had to room with each other and, of all people Haizaki, who didn't look too pleased either. To Midorima's delight, and, as he helped plan the rooming arrangements, Akashi's satisfaction, the two shared a room with each other along with Kuroko and Nijimura. The group separated, heading off to their respective rooms, placed far from each other, curtesy of Akashi who knew of Aomine and Murasakibara's loud snores somehow.
Akashi and Midorima entered the room, greeted by Nijimura and Kuroko. Both were in the middle of unpacking as the two entered.
"Ah, Akashi, Midorima, you're here. Kuroko and I have chosen our spots so please find a place for yourself. We also decided that each get one drawer space to place their usual clothes. The rest of your stuff can go in the closet over there." Nijimura said placing some of his clothes in the drawer and indicated to the closet off to the side.
All the rooms in the place were similar in placement and futons were already placed in the closet for the four of them. Akashi and Midorima nodded to Nijimura and began unpacking. Once they've finished, the four of them headed for the bath. They met up with Aomine, Kise, and Murasakibara. The three, seeing Kuroko immediately pounced on him and complained about having to sleep on opposite ends, giving a small suspicious glance over at Akashi as they talked. Akashi merely gave a rather sickening small smile, effectively causing the three to change the conversation and the group headed into the bath. They've eaten dinner already at the last town they've passed so after the bath, the group headed for bed.
Midorima, Akashi, Nijimura, and Kuroko didn't waste time over frivolous things and went to sleep, knowing fully well that tomorrow would be quite exhausting. They took out their futons and rolled them out on the floor before snuggling in. Nijimura, being the closest, turned off the lights after each of them had got into their bed.
"Good night, Nijimura-sempai, Akashi-kun, and Midorima-kun." Kuroko said groggily.
The three, hearing Kuroko, bid him good night as well before going to sleep.
Meanwhile, off on the other side of the hotel, Kise Ryouta cried to himself as he listened to Aomine, Murasakibara, and Haizaki snore.
"Akashi-chi, you're too cruel," Kise thought as the night bore on. He definitely won't survive through a week of sleepless nights and training. With that thought, Kise cried even more.
"Kuroko-chi, save me!"
Kuroko sneezed a bit and turned in his bed, but he didn't wake from his dream, and the tiny, unusual sneeze was forgotten.
The night soon turned into day as the sun rose slowly over the mountain. Kuroko woke up early. He was the first on the cooking list so he had to prepare the breakfast. Yawning he went to the sinks and cleaned himself. Patiently brushing out his rather ridiculous bedhead. He met up with Murasakibara in the kitchen, who surprisingly made it there on time albeit with a few grumbles of displeasure.
Murasakibara noticing Kuroko, brightened a bit, "Kuro-chin, good morning."
"Good morning, Murasakibara-kun." Kuroko said.
The two fell into a comfortable silence with each other as Murasakibara hummed happily while he worked. The two made the meal based on the cook book the members brought to guarantee at least an edible meal. They had decided on a Western themed breakfast, followed up by a Japanese themed lunch and dinner. Murasakibara seemed surprisingly good at cooking, probably because of all the sweets he eats, so Kuroko just helped with the batter and measuring of ingredients and making sure Murasakibara didn't eat everything he made. In Murasakibara's defense, he hasn't eaten yet and the breakfast looked so tasty that he just can't help himself.
As they were finishing Kise entered the kitchen, looking extremely tired and mumbled, "Good morning, Kuroko-chi, Murasakibara-chi."
"Good morning, Kise-kun/Kise-chin." Kuroko and Murasakibara replied.
Kise smelled the air and perked up a bit, "It smells rather good huh. I can't wait to eat what Kuroko-chi made."
"Kise-kun, I just helped with the ingredients, the actual cooking was done by Murasakibara-kun." Kuroko stated.
"Still, Kuroko-chi helped with it, so I can't wait to eat it." Kise said brightly.
Murasakibara pouted a bit as Kise broke his and Kuroko's comfortable little bubble and decided to kick Kise out the kitchen along with some plates and said, "Kise-chin, go set up the tables, you're being a distraction."
"Eh, that's mean!" Kise cried out but Murasakibara had already shut the door.
Kuroko scolded Murasakibara for the little stunt by saying, "You shouldn't kick Kise-kun out like that, Murasakibara-kun. It's impolite. If you wanted Kise-kun to help, you should have just asked him."
"Eh," Murasakibara pouted, "but I don't like him getting in the way."
Outside the doors, Kise, who was still by the door, shedding tears for himself, heard Kuroko's words and cried in his mind, "Thank you, Kuroko-chi!"
Feeling a slight chill, Kuroko continued, "The way you did it is fine, though."
"Kuroko-chi!"
Murasakibara glanced down at Kuroko and saw some cream that had stuck to the side of his cheek. He stared at it for a bit, causing Kuroko to question him.
"What are you doing, Murasakibara-kun?" Kuroko asked.
Murasakibara didn't answer and bent down and licked the small smudge from Kuroko's cheek. Kuroko's eyes widened in surprise as Murasakibara brought his head back up again and licked his lips. The two stared at each other for a while before Kuroko said calmly, "Please don't do such a thing again, Murasakibara-kun."
Murasakibara looked down again as he replied, "Kuro-chin tastes nice though, I want to eat Kuro-chin up."
"Still," Kuroko followed up Murasakibara's retort calmly, "it's not something that you should do. Plus, it wasn't me that tastes nice, it's the cream."
With that, Kuroko turned and grabbed a tray that's been prepared, taking it out the kitchen. Murasakibara stared at Kuroko's back and mumbled, "It's not the cream, though since I've taste tested it before and it didn't taste as yummy."
Unknown to him, a tint of pink graced Kuroko's cheeks as he walked away, carrying a tray of pancakes.
Sitting at a table patiently waiting his meal, Akashi that something had happened in the kitchen.
"It appears that even Murasakibara can't be trusted to keep to himself, huh." He thought, starting to think of ways to punish Murasakibara for whatever he did to Kuroko.