I'M BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER! God, it's been too long, honestly. I haven't posted anything for so long. I hope you all enjoy this much delayed chapter. Also, I skipped writing the game because I have absolutely NO idea how to do that. If anyone has any advice for that, please do tell. I'd like to add it later if I can. Grazie.

Chapter 8- The Game and the Aftermath

The entire situation was getting awkward and the air seemed thick enough to be sliced with a knife.

Akashi had managed to pull Kuroko back into his arms where the two year old snuggled up next to his 'Mama'.

Kagami was standing in the middle of the court, lazily bouncing the basketball he'd brought with him.

He hadn't been expecting this when he'd left his house for a bit of self-practice. His new coach may be a girl, but she was tough and relentless.

And, she knew what she was doing. Kagami didn't waste time on his days off, like today, and would continue to practice.

Out of everyone on the court, Kise looked the most uncomfortable. The blonde didn't enjoy highly awkward moments and, because it was in his personality to do so, broke the ice.

"Sooo...what brings you here, Kagami-san?" His voice was polite. He was trying to make good of an awkward situation.

Shocked at being addressed so formally, Kagami fumbled with the ball, causing it to roll not too far away from him.

"Uh, to practice, I guess." He picked the ball back up and, resting it in one arm, used his other hand to rub the back of his neck.

"I should get going and leave you guys to use this court. There are others." Without waiting for a response, he began to walk off the court, through the high fenced exit.

"Kagami! How would you like to play a game with us? Practicing alone seems a bit ineffective." Akashi surprised himself by calling out.

For some reason, he didn't like this guy but yet, he'd offered a game to him. Kuroko was making him go soft.

Said child began to stir in his arms and looked up to Akashi, asking to be let back down. The red-head hesitated at first but complied.

"Game! Game!" Kuroko chanted. By this time, Kagami had already turned back around.

"Sure, if it's not too much trouble." Kagami glanced from the little kid grinning at him to the rest of the players who all looked a bit intrigued by the thought of a game with a stranger.

To tell the truth, so was he. Each of them seemed to have a hidden strength to them and he was interested in seeing what they were.

"Great! That means we'll have even teams this time. It sucks when Akashiichi wins all the time." The blonde erupted into smiles and grins.

Kagami managed to notice the subtle nod the kid with the glasses gave, as though he was agreeing with the blonde.

"Then let's make teams." Akashi said. He'd managed to get the little kid they'd brought with them to sit down on the bench that was normally used for benching players.

Kuroko sat patiently and quietly, waiting for the game to begin.

"I call the new guy." Atsushi called out, and thus, the teams were made and the game began.

Kagami was exhausted. His entire body felt like it might break if he moved even just an inch.

The game he'd played with the other guys, he'd learned their names as the game had progressed, had been intense.

Even training with Aida was never this tough, and she had a pretty scary training regimen.

Kagami had been right when he'd thought they all had a specific special skill. Kise was able to copy anyone's moves, Atsushi was badass at defense, Midorima had a killer 3-pointer, Aomine's speed and flexibility was incredible, and lastly Akashi.

The kid with the heterochromatic eyes was the most interesting. His ability to control his team and come up with unrivaled strategies.

He seemed to be able to see everything on the court, all at once. Kagami had only had one one-on-one with the other red-head and it was a terrifying experience, truth be told.

Not oven five seconds, and he'd fallen straight onto his back. It was like the intensity of his stare just cause Kagami to lose the ability to stand.

His team had consisted of himself, Kise, and Atsushi. They'd lost but Kagami had felt that it was probably one of the best games he'd ever played.

Even if it was a friendly battle (at least that's what Kagami thought), they'd all seemed to had put in their full effort. It was terrifyingly amazing.

Throughout the entire game, the kid, Kuroko, had been cheering the whole time. To Kagami's amazement, he seemed to know what was going on.

Everytime Akashi's team scored, he'd cheer loudly. Everytime Kagami's team scored, he'd stick his tongue out but still held a pleased smile on his face.

After the game, everybody except for Akashi and Midorima had collapsed into the ground of the court.

Kagami wasn't the only one that was exhausted.

"That was...intense." Kise spoke. It seemed as though he was the one that normally liked to break the ice, seeing as how this was the second time he'd spoken after everyone was lost in silence.

Kuroko was walking from person to person, poking their cheeks and asking, "Kii-chan? Aoi-chan? Atsu-chan?"

Once he'd gotten up to Kagami, there was a look of total thought and confusion on his features.

"Who's you?" He asked. Everyone was slowly getting up while Kuroko glanced at Kagami's hair.

He pulled gently, and then a grin spread across his face.

"Daddy!"

Everyone froze and heard the sound of a basketball losing all its air. Akashi had popped the ball with his bare hands.

Question: Is there anyone here who had an interest in basketball even before this anime/manga?

Dun dun dun! Cliffhanger! God, I feel evil. I had a tough time trying to figure out a plausible reason for Kuroko to call Kagami 'Daddy' and then I remembered, Akashi and Kagami both have red hair. For a two year old like Kuroko, it would seem like they were somehow related...I guess. But anyhow, I hope you enjoyed this. Oh, and my answer to the previous question is Midorima Atsushi ;)