I was using Kagami-Kun as a shield. My fingers were clamped down around the back of his shirt as we walked the halls. He didn't seem to be bothered by my actions but he kept throwing me a questioning look. I knew he wanted to know what was wrong but I was to ashamed to admit it. So I didn't speak out I pressed myself closer towards his back hiding my face and body.

The hallways were loud and bustling with students rushing to get lunch. Kagami and I had already successfully gotten ours and was now making are way to the roof top. Though I was glad to be back at school I found it rather difficult to handle. I hadn't expected this outcome at all. If anything I thought I would feel relieved but I was being bedeviled with fear.

I didn't understand it. I had never had anything happen to me at this school. I was always with someone who would help if I needed it. And yet, I was hiding behind Kagami-Kun like some small child. He wasn't aware of this of course. I didn't want him to know, I didn't want him to see me as weak.

I was frustrated and angry with myself. Annoyed that a head injury was causing me to have such feelings. I was angry at myself for allowing my own mind to deceive my emotions. It wasn't even my first day back at school I had attended practice yesterday even though I couldn't play. I had been surrounded by my team and I felt no fear.

Though now being jarred by kids running in the halls and their loud shouts to their friends I was terrified.

How pathetic.

I wanted to be back at home with Murasakibara-Kun even though I knew he wasn't there. He had gone home yesterday. I had finally spent my first night home alone since the accident. It hadn't been horrible in the least, it had been peaceful and relaxing. But now. Now I wanted him there waiting for me even though I knew he couldn't be there. He had classes to attend as well.

I wouldn't have to wait to long for winter term to start the I would have ten day to spend away from school. Though I wasn't sure if Murasakibara-Kun was coming to Tokyo yet I was sure to see him at least once. I could wait that long. I could wait a few weeks to see him.

"Kuroko, were on the roof. We should eat before we need to go back to class."

I blinked not realizing we had made it. The air was cold and crisp, the wind burned against my cheeks.

"Are you sure you want to eat on the roof? It's really cold out today." Kagami-Kun said taking a seat against the wall. He pulled out his large piece of bread and tore into it.

"I needed some air." I muttered following his actions. Though I didn't really taste what I was eating. My fear was so great my food had lost its flavor.

The red head did not miss my jerky movements as I tried to eat.

"What's wrong?" He asked sitting his food aside.

I swallowed. "I don't know what you mean Kagami-Kun." I'm sorry I'm lying to you.

"Tch." He clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Don't act like I'm oblivious."

I glanced down at my bread. I suddenly had no appetite. I didn't want to make Kagami-Kun mad by not telling him what was wrong with me. Not when he had gone through so much trouble to come to my house and cook for a few days.

"I'm afraid..." I whispered. Squeezing my shaking hands closed I looked towards the sky. There was nothing to be scared of here. I knew this. So why didn't my mind understand that?

"Like at the hospital?"

I nodded. It had been much more scary the first time. I hadn't know what was happening. I hadn't understood why I was scared. Now that I knew though, it seemed it still didn't matter. My heart still pounded against my chest. My palms were sweaty. I practically couldn't breath past my anxiety.

"You know I won't let anything happen to you right Kuroko?" I turned my head then staring up into those deep red eyes. Though still red they were so much different then Akashi-Kun's. The held a deep stubbornness. A gentle flare of light and deep seated determination to protect his friends. The same yet so different. They were not as bright, more like a deep burgundy. Eyes of a fierce protector.

"I know."

Kagami-Kun frowned. "Why did it take you so long to answer? Do you not believe me?"

I shock my head quickly. "I was caught in your eyes."

Kagami-Kun blushed. "What the hell does that mean baka!"

I laughed. Then frozen, somehow while being so caught up in the color of his eyes my fear had vanished. So simple. Just Kagami-Kun's eyes alone chased away my fear.

"I was trying to decide what they reminded me of."

That blush didn't fade from his cheeks. "And what's that?"

"Right before sunrise there is a flare of red in the sky bright and blinding. They remind me of that."

"You say the most embarrassing things Kuroko!" Kagami-Kun snapped turning his head away. I smiled to myself. Kagami-Kun was like the brother I had always wished for. Someone to stand by my side no matter what. I had always wanted that growing up, though my parents didn't even enjoy my existence. I would never get the sibling I wanted.

The bell rang. Kagami-Kun jumped to his feet. "Shit were late! Seriously!" Pulling me to my feet he ran, dragging me behind him like a shadow. I didn't mind though, because as we moved through the halls he would glance back checking on me. Though I was his shadow he never forgot about me. Never overlooked me as anything but his friend and partner. I never feared him turning his back towards me. I didn't fear him forgetting me.

Watching practice and not being able to play was awful. I wanted to join in. I wanted to play beside Kagami-Kun. I wanted to pass the ball and help him score, but I was stuck on the sidelines watching. I only showed up because I didn't want to go home yet but watching was torture. Not being able to play with my team was maddening. Though I knew soon enough I would get to play once my injuries were healed. I still felt as if Haizaki stolen something from me.

I still didn't understand his anger that day. What I had done to provoke him so badly. I could feel his fist pounding on me. I could see his red raged face leaning over my body. I remember my vision flashing red as my head slammed into the ground.

I could recall screaming for Akashi-Kun to save me. Yelling as loudly as I could for someone to help me. Then darkness. I don't really recall what happened after I woke up not until I was in the hospital room. I still have this gap in my memory though I didn't know if it was worth worrying about.

"Kuroko-Kun, are you okay? You're pale." I blinked up at coach who was hovering close by her clipboard pressed against her chest, her eyes worried.

"I'm fine. I'm sorry for worrying you."

She looked me over her eyes scanning me like a machine. "If you say so, but if anything is bothering you please let me know."

I nodded not trusting my voice to answer. I didn't want her to know I was remembering what was done to me. Not that it was all that bad. It really wasn't the first time I had been beaten up, though Haizaki did take it to the next level. I guess he could have done much worse to me. Riko-Kun blow her whistle calling an end to practice.

I waited outside the locker room for Kagami-Kun. We had made plans to stop by Maji's burger after practice. I didn't have to wait long though because Kagami-Kun rushed out of the locker rooms faster then normal his eyes wide.

"Kuroko, did you know Akashi has been calling Furihata?"

I smiled at this. So he was just now getting around to telling the team he had a tiny red stalker.

"Yes, do not worry Akashi-Kun will not harm him." As skittish as Furihata-Kun was Akashi-Kun was treading slowly on thin ice. He couldn't risk scaring the boy off.

"I'm not worried. More surprised actually. I was sure he would go after you instead."

I blinked at this feeling confused. "Me? Why did you think such a thing?"

"You're a lot cuter then Furihata." Suddenly Kagami-Kun gasped as if realizing what he just said.

"I don't mean it in that manner! I don't like you that way! I like girls!" I held back my laughter as we walked down the street. Kagami-Kun was so easily flustered when it came to things like romance. For someone who was so fierce when it came to everything else it was amusing to see him worked up over love.

"I did not need to know your preference, I do not care if you like girls or boys. You are Kagami-Kun and that's all there is to it."

He glanced down at me. "So what's your preference then? Oh and basketball can not be a lover, even though I'm sure Aomine thinks it can be."

I chuckled. "Aomine-Kun is dating Kise-Kun now."

"Wha!" He seemed to trip over his feet as he took in the news. "When the hell did that happen!?"

"The other day when I got in the bath with Kise-Kun, we cuddled to make Aomine-Kun jealous."

Kagami-Kun's face was bright red now. "What the hell do you mean cuddled! Like while you were in the bath?"

"Yes."

"T-that's... Kuroko!" The tall boy seemed to be at a loss for words. So he slammed his mouth shut.

"As for my preference, I don't really mind if it's a guy or a girl. I just never found a girl I liked." Seeing as he wasn't going to say anything more I figured I would carry the conversation some.

"No girls... So that means there is a guy you like?"

I was suddenly nervous. "Does that make you feel disgusted?"

"What? No, why would it? I don't care if you like guys." I shock my head. Of course he didn't care. Kagami-Kun was kind in that manner. He wasn't so simple minded that he would be grosses out by guy's liking other guy's.

"So who is it? I know it's not me you don't look at me with those type of eyes." I blinked suddenly surprised. I hadn't realized Kagami-Kun payed so close attention to me that he noticed how I looked at others.

"And I know it's not anyone from the team, because again you look at all of us like we are your family. Not a love interest."

I felt a swelling in my chest now. Something so strong and warm that it brought tears to my eyes. Kagami-Kun did and said everything I always wanted my family and my old team to do. Look towards me as someone they loved and cared about. I finally got my old team back but my parents I probably never had. Yet Kagami-Kun had always been at my side silently pushing me forward. He was like an sail to a ship, pulling me along without me realizing it.

All this time I thought I was pulling him, but now I see he was the one pulling me. He was the type of person everyone needed in their lives.

"So are you going to tell me or not?" Kagami-Kun finally said sounding annoyed by my silence.

"Oh... um it's Murasakibara-Kun... I like Murasakibara-Kun." Why had I said his name twice?

Kagami-Kun sputtered as he pushed the doors open to Maji's. He seemed at a loss of words as we walked up behind the counter. I dimly heard the staff member great me, I was to focused on Kagami as he stared down at me.

"Why do you like that big idiot? Out of all the people you want to date and it's Murasakibara. Oh geez, I don't see what you like in him, but I guess you could have choose worse." He shock his head at me before turning towards the clerk to give his order.

I shivered then suddenly feeling momentarily scared. It felt like eyes were burning a hole in the back of my head. I turned quickly to see who it was but saw no one.

"Hey Kuroko!" Kagami-Kun snapped making me flinch.

"Sorry, did you say something?" I blinked. The cold chill I felt was suddenly gone.

"I said I ordered your shake." Kagami-Kun looked me over his eyes suddenly worried. "Is everything okay? Are you feeling scared again?"

I shock my head. "I'm fine, I got distracted is all."

Everything was fine.

My apartment was to quite. The leaking faucet in the bathroom was dripping loudly. My eyes refused to close as I stared up at the dark ceiling. Every noise seemed much louder then it actually was in the darkness of my room. I couldn't figure out why I couldn't sleep. I had been tired when I made it home after stopping by Kagami-Kun's for a while.

Though now as I laid in bed after my shower and taken my medication for my slight soreness I couldn't get my eyes to close. Every noise made me jump. The foot steps of the people living above me seemed to echo through the room. I could hear shouting from one of the other apartments on my floor.

Why was everything so loud! I covered my ears to make the sound stop. The screaming of an angry couple. The slamming of feet against the floor, the loud dripping of water. I was hyper-aware of every sound.

Something slammed loudly against my front door and I jumped. Biting my lip I pushed myself against the wall. It was just my mind playing tricks on me. There was nothing out there. It would be like that time with Midorima-Kun the sounds would be something silly my mind had mistaken for something else.

Another slam, a frustrated growl of a person.

I dived for my phone, calling the first person on my call log. I couldn't remember the last person I talked to on my phone but I waited as it rang.

"Tetsuya, what's wrong you should be sleeping." Akashi-Kun's voice was thick with sleep.

"I... I'm sorry to bother you... but I'm... everything is so loud." I didn't know how to explain it.

I heard the rustling of blankets over the line. "Listen to me closely okay Tetsuya?" Akashi-Kun's voice was much more alert now.

"Hai."

"Everything you are hearing, it's just your brain misunderstanding. I promise there is nothing to fear."

I took a shaky breath as someone closed a door down my hall. It was loud and seemed to shake my windows but Akashi-Kun seemed to not notice. "Hai."

"Close your eyes for me Tetsuya."

I did a I was told. Slowly I allowed my eyes to close. The sounds seemed to grow louder in my ears and I whimpered. I was ashamed by the sound.

"Just listen to my voice. Here in a moment you are going to hear music. I'm going to play for you, do you understand?"

I went to nod my head but caught myself. "Hai."

Then a sweet slow melody filled my ears. The low hum of a violin. I relaxed on my bed as Akashi-Kun played. Though I knew he could play the instrument I had never heard him do so. The song was slow, a pretty tempo had formed now. I tried picturing it. Akashi-Kun standing in his dark room in front of an open window. Nothing but the moon and stars in the sky illuminating his figure as he swayed.

The tune seemed to be a lullaby of some sort. The pitch was very pretty the pace almost fleeting in its beauty. My hand slipped away from my phone as I listened, my body becoming heavy.

I wanted to see it. I thought as sleep pulled me under.

I wanted to see Akashi-Kun play in person.

He would surly be a thing of beauty.

Sorry for such a short chapter!

I promise the next one will be longer.

Hope you enjoyed.