Warnings: AU Universe. OOC. Nice Akashi. Overprotective Generation of Miracles

Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroko no Basuke and any of the characters, but the OC characters belongs to me

Chapter Ten: No Time

Harasawa Ryu barely knew where he was going, merely allowing his feet to take him.

He barely noticed it as he started running at full speed towards the gym where the basketball team would be practicing and threw the doors opened with such force that it created quite a crash, thus startling the club members who were practicing.

Harasawa Katsunori looked up in surprise in the middle of his conversation with Imayoshi Shoichi and Momoi Satsuki who had a clipboard in her hands, most probably talking about possible opponents that they might face in the Winter Cup.

"DAD!" Ryu hollered even as he cut through the court where the regulars were having a mini competition with some of the first string reserves, causing Sakurai to let out a startled squawk. "Shige called!" Ryu came to a stop before his alarmed father, letting out huffs. "Tetsu has another attack!"

Momoi went pale, and Katsunori even more so. "Practice is over." The Touou coach ordered, before glancing at Imayoshi who nodded grimly. Katsunori picked up the files on the bench before following his son out of the gym.

Ryu barely noticed where he is and what he is even doing until he is bundled into the car by his father, and Katsunori had immediately drove as fast as he could towards the Midorima Municipal Hospital.

Ryu had never believed in the existence of gods ever since his mother had passed away. Back then, he had prayed fervently every single day, begging them to spare his mother. But still, it didn't work. Henceforth, he had stopped believing in the existences of higher powers since.

But for the first time in years, Ryu muttered a small prayer over and over again beneath his breath, clasping his hands together, hoping that he will see his best friend alive when he gets to the hospital.

"He's going to be fine." His father said suddenly, and Ryu turned towards his father. Harasawa Katsunori looked tense, with his mouth twisted grimly, keeping his eyes on the road, with his hands clutching onto the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles are nearly white. "He's going to be all right. He's not that weak." Katsunori almost sounds as if he's saying that to reassure himself.

"…You don't know that." Ryu's voice cracked, and he quickly blinked back tears. "You know that he doesn't have much time left. Dr. Midorima said so." He closed his eyes briefly. 'Please… Don't take Tetsu away…'

Shige and Takaya were waiting in the waiting room, their faces equally pale, when Ryu and Katsunori arrived.

Shige's eyes were red and puffy, and he looked as if he had just been crying which he probably has. The normally cheerful teen immediately latched onto Ryu like a lifeline the moment that Ryu had sat next to him. Katsunori muttered something in a low voice to his best friend who looks about to collapse.

"How did he get an attack?" Ryu asked Shige quietly, knowing that Shige had been sitting with Tetsu that day.

It is always that case whenever one of them can't be with Tetsu. Someone will always be with the teal haired teen, whether it be Ryu, Shige, Takaya, Katsunori, or even one of Tetsu's other friends, usually that Kagami guy.

And then again, it shouldn't be really all that surprising that Tetsu had an attack. Dr. Midorima had warned them when Tetsu was hospitalised again that summer, looking as if he might be looking at a long-term hospitalisation stay that he might get another attack sooner or later, with just how weak that his immune system had been, and had been steadily growing worse since.

Shige shook his head frantically, his hair looking extremely untidy, looking as if Shige had ran his fingers through his hair multiple times until it had all but stood up from his head. "I…I don't know!" Shige admitted. "I was just sitting with him, reading to him, when the heart monitor suddenly started going like crazy, and he couldn't breathe! I…I just panicked!" Shige looked as if he is on the verge of a panic attack.

"He's going to be just fine." Katsunori told a distraught Takaya who seemed to have just aged ten years with all the stress piled on him. "He'll be all right. Tetsuya's a strong boy. He's going to be fine."

The doors of the operating theatre swung opened just then, with the red 'Operation' light above switching itself off, and Dr. Midorima stepped out in green surgical garbs, looking extremely tired.

"How is he?" Takaya demanded, almost stumbling over his feet in his haste to make it to the doctor. Katsunori had to steady him, as Takaya seems as if he didn't even have the strength to stand up.

"We managed to stabilise his condition." Dr. Midorima told Takaya gravely. "It's as if we've feared, Takaya-san. The experimental treatment that he's on… True, it had been clearing the unhealthy cells in his lungs, but it is also killing him just as quickly. That's what triggered the attack." He sighed, looking as if he didn't want to say this. "I'm sorry, Takaya-san. This is as much as I can do for your son."

Silence.

"Is there really nothing that you can do?" Katsunori asked, looking worried. And if he is looking worried, Takaya is looking distressed.

"I've told you months ago. I've already done all that I could." Dr. Midorima sighed, looking very tired. "I've tried every medication that I had, even those that are usually used to treat cancer patients. I've also tried every treatment that I could, every surgery that I could perform. I've exhausted all my options. Nothing is working. Even the experimental treatment that you've given me permission to administer to him two months ago isn't working as well as I'd hoped. It is killing him faster instead." He looked tired. "I'm sorry that I must say this. But it is better if I just take him off the treatment. It might at least buy him some time. I have no idea how long that he has. Maybe until the end of winter." He looked exhausted. "Make him happy. But he is fine. For now at least."

The words echoed in Ryu's mind even as the nurses and the assistant doctor pushed out the gurney on which Tetsu is lying on, an oxygen mask and a tube running out of his mouth.

For now.

For now, he is fine. But…

How long does he have?

XXXXXX

"Nigou!"

Tetsu almost wheezed even as Ryu helped him to sit up, with his back propped by two pillows even as the adorable black and white puppy barked happily at having been reunited with his master at last, and tried hard to wriggle out of Shige's arms.

"He's been lonely when he's in my house." Ryu explained even as Shige dropped the puppy into Tetsu's arms, and Nigou snuggled up to Tetsu's side. The dog seems to realise that his owner is really ill, and knew to keep silent.

Shige and Ryu exchanged looks even as Tetsu patted Nigou on the head gently with the hand that had several tubes running into him. They could almost see the bones of his hands, and even his cheekbones. That is just how much weight that he had lost.

Tetsu had always been thin, but now, he looks almost anorexic. And with the fact that the medication had been causing him to throw up more than what is actually consumed, it isn't that surprising that Tetsu has been losing weight rapidly. During the times when Takaya, Ryu or even Shige have to help him with his bath, or even just to go to the toilet, Tetsu barely weighs anything at all.

It had been two days since Tetsu had collapsed, and he had slept for nearly an entire day after the emergency operation that Dr. Midorima had performed to save his life, only having woken up yesterday.

"I hope that we aren't interrupting anything."

There was a knock on the door just then, and the door swung opened to reveal all of Seirin standing there, looking quite anxious, with more than one of them bearing gifts of some sort. As one, all of them sighed in relief when they saw Tetsu awake.

"It's Seirin!" Shige perked up, having met the Seirin basketball team several times before, and they hit it off immediately, though Hyuuga had mentioned more than once that Shige could almost be Kiyoshi's long lost brother—the two acted so similar.

"We've came to visit, Kuroko!" Furihata Kouki chirped, hiding his distress cleverly at seeing how weak and pale that Tetsu seems to be, placing the large basket of fruits on the bedside table. "And is it really all right for Nigou to be here?" He asked curiously, looking at the black and white puppy that is slowly dozing off.

"I asked Dr. Midorima." Ryu said from his place next to Tetsu where he'd been sitting beside the teal haired teen on the bed, sharing with his best friend his body heat, as Tetsu had said that he's cold, despite having turned on the heater as high as it could go, and having at least five blankets tucked around him. "He said that it's fine."

Silence.

"Kagami, what do you think you're doing back there?" Hyuuga barked, adjusting his glasses to hide his discomfort and worry at seeing one of his freshmen looking more like a skeleton than anything, glaring at the redhead who had scooted to the back of the room, petrified, eyes fixed on the snoozing puppy. "You're the one who practically dragged all of us to the hospital after practice upon hearing from Ogiwara that Kuroko has woken up."

"Oh honestly…" Riko almost groaned. "Haven't you gotten used to Nigou yet? He's not going to bite you!" She lectured Kagami, one hand on her hips.

"That's not the problem!" Kagami protested even as Riko grabbed him by the ear, and almost forced him to the front.

"You're looking really tired," said Kiyoshi suddenly, looking at Kuroko with concern. "Are you sure you're really all right? And what's with all the blankets?" He looked oddly at the five or so blankets tucked securely around Kuroko's shoulders.

"He said that he's cold." Ryu answered, looking worriedly at Tetsu. "We've already turned the heater all the way up, but Tetsu is still feeling the chill."

Despite it being already winter, the room seems to be really warm to the point that none of the others even need to put on a jacket or even their scarves. Dr. Midorima had also specified that Tetsu must not catch a chill or some other illness, as his immune system is already weak enough as it is. Hence when Tetsu was first hospitalised once more, all his friends and family were told not to come and visit should they be sick or getting sick, as Tetsu might catch it from them, and hence, worsen his condition.

"Well…" Kagami coughed, not knowing what to say to break the awkward silence. "We made it through the Winter Cup preliminaries and defeated Senshinkan!" He grinned. "We're up against Shutoku next. The match is in two days. We will definitely make it to the Winter Cup! That's why… Hurry up and get better so that you can join us." Kagami's eyes looked suspiciously bright. "It isn't the same without you."

There was a knock on the door just then, and Kuroko Takaya stepped in. "I thought that it sounds really lively in here," he smiled at Seirin. "Hello."

"Kuroko-san." Riko bowed politely to the man. "Pardon our intrusion."

"Oh, don't mind me." Takaya smiled at them gently. "Tetsu always seems really happy whenever you guys visited. And that reminds me." He pulled out a thick leather bound album out of the paper bag in his hand. "I found this when I was cleaning earlier. It might cheer you up." Takaya handed the album to Ryu. "I have to go and see Dr. Midorima, so I'll see you later, Tetsu. I'll bring your dinner too." He kissed Tetsu gently on the forehead, and ruffled his hair gently before leaving the hospital room.

"What is that album?" Izuki asked curiously even as Ryu placed the album in between Tetsu and himself, and opened it only to realise that it's a photo album.

"It's our childhood album." Ryu chuckled, smiling fondly, as the first page was full of photos of him and Tetsu when they were babies. "We've been friends for as long as we could remember, and Takaya-san was quite the doting father. Dad went a little camera crazy when I was little too."

"Let me see! Let me see!" Riko almost squealed, eager to see more of Kuroko's baby pictures.

The next couple of photos were that of when they were five or so, and Seirin resisted the urge to squeal like a fan girl when they saw a particularly adorable photo of Ryu and Tetsu standing on a street basketball court, dressed in identical looking shirts and pants, with Tetsu half-hiding behind Ryu, clenching the hem of Ryu's shirt in his tiny fists, a bewildered expression in large blue eyes.

"Kuroko is so cute!" Fukuda smiled.

"Don't call me cute." Tetsu almost pouted, and Seirin chuckled.

"Oh, this is…" Shige's eyes brightened when he saw the first photo of him with Ryu and Tetsu, all resting after a game of basketball. They all seemed to be around six or so. "It should be just after I've met you both."

"I remember that." Ryu grinned, recalling those days. "Tetsu used to follow me all the time back then, especially after we've started kindergarten. He's the tiniest kid that you ever saw, and all the teachers just love to spoil him rotten, especially the female teachers." He grinned at the small pout on Tetsu's face. "He's really popular with the girls too, though they seem to think of Tetsu as some human sized teddy bear."

"And this is?" Kagami quirked a brow as Ryu turned another page and saw a photo of what seems to be Kuroko at age seven or so lying in a hospital bed, with presents surrounding him, and Shige and Ryu sitting on either side of him.

"Oh." Ryu's face fell as he exchanged looks with Shige who looked really sad.

"The first time when I had to spend time in a hospital." Tetsu whispered, half-leaning against Ryu.

"It was back when we're in second grade." Ryu explained. "Tetsu… Well… He had a sudden relapse in school at that time, and we ended up having to celebrate his birthday in the hospital."

Seirin exchanged uncomfortable looks with each other. It sounds like Kuroko had been in and out of the hospital ever since he was a child.

"So!" Riko said suddenly, and everyone turned towards the brunette who is smiling in a way that no one likes, as it's the same look on her face whenever she had another plan in mind to torture her team. "I heard from Ogiwara-kun that you're going to participate in the Winter Music Tournament this weekend!" She beamed as she turned towards Ryu who looked annoyed.

"Someone doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut." Ryu almost growled, glaring at Shige who looked sheepish. "And when did Shige tell you?" Ryu asked.

"Yesterday when he phoned to inform us that we could come and visit Kuroko." Kagami answered. "We'll come and cheer for you." He promised, and Seirin nodded.

Ryu is a nice guy, for all his sharp tongue when it comes to things and people that he dislikes. The Generation of Miracles could stand witness to that. And Seirin appreciates the fact that he had been there for Kuroko whenever they couldn't be.

"Yeah. Thanks." Ryu smiled. "I'll be playing the piano."

"Ryu…"

"What is it, Tetsu?" Ryu asked, turning towards Tetsu. He had an idea what Tetsu is going to ask him though…

"You promised." Tetsu gazed at him with his best puppy dog eyes, and Ryu cringed. He could never say no to Tetsu whenever he looks at him with those eyes. "You said that I could go and watch you play."

"I…don't know if it's such a good idea, Tetsu." Shige said uncomfortably, exchanging looks with Ryu. "If something happens, we won't be able to get you help in time."

"Ryu, you promised." Tetsu looked at Ryu pleadingly. "At the very least, I want to be able to hear you play for the last time. You completed your song, didn't you?"

Ryu looked at Shige and sighed. "…I'll do what I can," he promised. "I might have to abide by some rules though. And Shige will have to come with you."

"I can do that." Shige nodded.

Tetsu yawned just then, rubbing his eyes blearily. "We should go." Hyuuga spoke up, seeing the look that Ryu gave them, and took the cue to excuse themselves. "We won't be able to come until after our match against Shutoku, Kuroko. Rest well until then." He ruffled Kuroko's hair affectionately.

"Yeah." Tetsu said sleepily even as Ryu helped him with his pillows, allowing him to lie down. "…Goodnight."

"I'll walk you out." Ryu said quietly as Seirin exited the hospital room, and he followed them out, closing the door behind him. "…If you could, come and visit as much as you can." He told them seriously.

"What's his condition like?" Riko asked, worried. "Ogiwara-kun didn't say a lot over the phone. But it sounds bad."

"It is bad." Ryu looked tired. "We're out of options. Dr. Midorima had tried everything that he could think of. But nothing is working. Even the new experimental treatment that Tetsu is on had failed. It is why he had an attack. Dr. Midorima took him off it as it's only killing Tetsu faster."

Seirin looked distressed, and Kagami looked as if someone had just clobbered him over the head.

"…How long does he have?" Kiyoshi asked with a sigh.

"I don't know." Ryu shook his head. "Maybe until the end of winter. It could be sooner or it could be later. No one knows just how long that he has anymore. That's why I promised him that I'd take him to the music tournament. I used to play for him and Shige as a kid. At the very least… I want to be able to play for him for the last time." Ryu bit on his lower lip, wrapping his arms around himself, trying to hold back his tears. "I…don't want Tetsu to die. But at the same time, I don't him to be in so much pain to the point that I think it might be better and kinder for Tetsu if he just…leaves." He admitted. "Am I being selfish?"

"…No." Riko sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Because we want the same thing too."

A/N: I hope that you like this chapter, and please read and review! Reviews give me inspiration to update!