AN: Thanks for your reviews. The poll for next kiss is still going so cast your vote if you want a say XD.
Episode 8
Aomine glared at Murasakibara as he sat protectively between the two on the edge of the couch. He couldn't believe the purple haired child man had landed a kiss on Tetsu! The shadow in question didn't seem too bothered, except maybe being a bit embarrassed, but Aomine knew that was probably because he was innocent enough to think that it was an accident. He'd have to double his efforts in keeping his shadow out of the hands of his sneaky teammates.
Midorima sighed at poor Kuroko he was having one crazy morning. What with whatever Akashi had done to him, and then the surprise kiss from Murasakibara. He pulled out a small blue paperclip and clipped it too Kuroko's shirt. The bluenette looked at him quizzically.
"It's your lucky item of the day" Midorima explained "I just happened to have it and it's no use to me." He made sure to clarify. Kuroko gave a small smile.
Kise was pouting. How come Murasakibaracchi got to kiss Kurokocchi and Akashi hadn't even killed him for it. This sparked an idea in the blonde's head… if Murasakibaracchi could than so could he. Kise looked at Kuroko and grinned.
"What's so amusing Ryouta" Akashi asked
"N-n-nothing" Kise stuttered quickly he smiled nervously and Akashi narrowed his eyes at the blonde. He didn't like the way his former teammate was smiling at Tetsuya. He needed to keep watch out; Atsushi would get his due soon, but he had to be sure no one else thought they could pull a fast one. After all no one got to touch Tetsuya except him. He was absolute.
The episode started with Kagami gorging himself on three different breads. He ate at his desk Kuroko sitting right behind him eating his own food.
Murasakibara looked down at his snacks suddenly feeling hungry for the bread that was shown on TV. He stood up and grabbed some before sitting back down.
"You're eating more than usual." Kuroko commented. Kagami turned regarding Kuroko who was eating only a small sandwich half.
"I'm surprised that's enough food for you."
"Starting today I'm issuing you a daily food intake menu Tetsuya" Akashi said
"But…" Akashi raised his eyebrows at the bluenette sandwiched between Aomine and Midorima. "Fine" Kuroko sighed there was really no point in arguing with his former coach.
"You can eat some of my snacks" Murasakibara offered
"I think he's had plenty of your snacks Atsushi" Akashi said.
"We played two games yesterday" Kagami continued "I'm so hungry" He took another big bite of food.
"I'm sore at least" Kuroko said
"What does that mean? I guess I am too" Kagami stretched
"Kagami kun, Kuroko kun" Riko appeared at the door carrying a box "Perfect, come with me" She told them.
The scene changed to Kagami and Kuroko carrying boxes. Kagami looked over at Riko dubiously "But we're sore. What are you and ogre?"
"You want to make a maiden carry those boxes?" Riko asked sweetly. "That's your job boys."
"I don't see a maiden anywhere" Kagami said
Hyuga held up three fingers silently counting down.
Riko punched Kagami just as Hyuga hit zero.
The Riko on the screen did the same punching Kagami in the side. "What is this anyway" Kagami asked afterward. The box showed that it was filled with DVD's
"They're DVDs of this year's and last year's games from the club room. They're for scouting and the club room is so small. We're going to be playing two games in a row against the kings in the semifinals. There's no such thing as over analyzing."
The scene changed to Takao and Midorima. Takao held up a DVD to show Midorima.
"DVD" Midorima said
"Yeah of Seiho."
"Look at that they're doing the same thing we are." Furihata exclaimed
"That pisses me off" Kagami muttered
"Huh? Why?" Fukuda asked
"It means that they don't think we'll win against Seiho" Hyuga answered for Kagami.
The others frowned having not seen it like that at first.
"We're the only first year regulars" Takao continued and we don't know anything.
"I'm not interested" Midorima said bluntly
"Just because Kuroko and Kagami aren't on it, don't be like that" Takao pouted "These are the guys to beat in the finals. Besides we're off today, it's not like we have anything better to do"
"No,"
"It's decided then." Takao smiled
"Hey" Midorima glared at his friend
Kuroko smiled a bit "I'm glad Takao is your friend, you need someone like him" he commented
Midorima looked at Kuroko startled but the smile was gone and Kuroko was back to watching the show as if he hadn't said a thing. "Yeah whatever" he said
The scene changed once more to Kagami walking into an empty locker room. "I forgot my towel" he complained to himself. He opened his locker grabbed his tower and closed it. Kuroko was right beside him looking in his own locker.
"You're like something out of a scary movie Tetsu" Aomine laughed. "That gives me a great idea for Halloween" He grinned evilly thinking of how he could use Tetsu to scare the pants off people.
Kagami let out a yell "What are you doing? When did you get here?"
"I forgot something" Kuroko said blandly "You're the one who came in after me"
"You should have said something, you scared me." Kagami yelled.
Kise got a sudden idea and stood up vanishing in the back.
If I'm not paying attention I don't notice him at all. I haven't experienced that in while. Kagami thought
"Look at that" Kuroko said Kagami looked over to see a lone DVD on an empty stool in front of the TV "The coach must have forgotten it."
The DVD showed Seiho playing against another team.
The TV switched to show Midorima and Takao who were watching the very same DVD.
"I can see why they are considered one of the kings. Their defense is especially strong" Midorima commented. "However…"
Back to Kagami and Kuroko.
"Their movements are kind of weird" Kagami said as he watched. "I mean…"
The TV Showed more of the game.
Their rhythm is different what is this feeling? Kagami wondered to himself.
Midorima and Takao
"I forgot to mention it" Takao said "but this school holds special practices. I don't know how they do it but their mobility is exceptional. They run the best defense in Tokyo. "
And back to Kuroko and Kagami
"The bald guy's defense is especially tough" Kagami said.
"I know him" Kuroko said. Kagami looked over at him for explanation. "I played against him in middle school. We had only just started but he stopped Kise kun" Kuroko said.
Kagami looked surprised.
Flashback
"Twenty four seconds over time" a referee yelled
"What?" Kise looked around confused the bald guy was guarding him with a smile on his face
"Kise, you kept the ball too long, you idiot" Aomine yelled at him.
"Sorry" Kise apologized
"Kise chin give me a break" Murasakibara said
"This is why you aren't any good" Midorima added
"Kise kun please pass the ball" Kuroko also commented
"Kurokocchi even you're mad" Kise gaped
"Kise you're the only one 20 points under your norm" Akashi told the blonde from the sidelines.
Seirin couldn't help but feel sorry for the hyper blonde.
"Sorry, but Kurokocchi…"
"Kuroko's different" Akashi told him.
Kise glared at the other player "What's your name?" He asked. "Because of you I'm the only one getting yelled at today?"
"Tsugawa Tomoki" The bald guy answered "They're yelling at you huh?" he suddenly smiled "that's great, I love seeing people get upset"
"That guy really irritates me" Kagami frowned
"Who is this guy, will someone change marks with me?" Kise asked pouting. The flashback faded back to Midorima.
"Yeah I didn't like him either. And everyone was picking on me" Kise pouted having come back from whatever he was doing in time to see the flashback
Seirin was glued to the TV they found it incredibly interesting to see the flashbacks of Kuroko's day's in Teiko. It was one thing to be told about it and another to see it.
"Kise kun what are you doing?" Kuroko asked flatly drawing everyone's attention. Kise was tying a scarlet ribbon around Kuroko's neck. He pulled away satisfied. Strung on the ribbon was a little bell. It made a small ting sound every time Kuroko moved his head.
"There we go, now we'll know when Kuroko is in the room even if we don't notice him, we'll hear him" Kise exclaimed sounding proud of himself.
The others had to admit it was a good idea. "I like the color" Akashi added. The scarlet ribbon matched his hair and it looked good around Kuroko's slim neck.
Kise pouted "I tried to find a pretty gold ribbon but all they had was red"
Akashi smirked.
Kuroko sighed he really didn't care either way.
"Kuro chin you're like a cat" Murasakibara said and reached over to try and pet the blunette. Aomine blocked him glaring "Are you mad at me Mine chin" Murasakibara asked confused and irritated.
Aomine didn't answer.
"To be honest I do not particularly wish to go against him" Midorima said
"But you're the only one who can take him" Takao said "Their defense is good on a national level. They might even be able to stop you."
The video ended Seiho winning 71-12
"It's over" Takao said "Seirin won't be able to overcome this wall. Sorry but we're going to have to play these guys in the finals. Keep that in mind."
"I know" Midorima said
The scene changed to all of Seirin watching the DVD as it ended.
"We already knew it would be, but this is going to be tough" Izuki said
"Sorry but I feel like crying again" Koganei said
"Frankly we'd lose nine times out of ten against Seiho and Shutoku" Riko told them "We just have to bring that one win to our games."
"Hey listen" Hyuga spoke up "I wouldn't go as far as to call it a strategy, but I have an idea."
The scene changed to the gym the day of the semifinals and finals. Shutoku was warming up on the court as was Seiho and Seirin.
Kagami ran forward and dunked the ball he looked over finding Midorima among his teammates. Midorima looked back at him and the two had a stare down. Kuroko watched them until they were interrupted.
"You're staring down the wrong guy idiot" Hyuga grabbed Kagami's head forcibly turning t toward Seiho. Kagami glared at Hyuga. "No matter how hard you stare, if we lose this next game we'll look like an idiot" Hyuga told him.
"I was just looking at him" Kagami said "I'm focused on our next game" Kagami looked over at Seiho
Who are these guys? They seem good, but they're completely different from Shutoku. Kagami thought as he watched.
Kagami turned away
"You're Kagami kun? You're hairs red, scary!" The bald guy from Seiho, Tomoki, said smiling. Kagami looked confused. Tomoki turned "Captain this is the guy right? Seirin's really weak but they've got one strong guy"
The entire team glared at the guy on the screen. Kuroko's expression didn't change but the air surrounding him seemed to grow colder.
"You've done it now, you little shit." Riko glared evilly
The Seiho captain hit Tomoki over the head "Quit messing around, you idiot. Sorry about that, this guy can't read situations so he just says whatever he's thinking"
"You don't need to apologize" Hyuga said "We're going to win, if you look down on us like you did last year, you'll end up in tears."
Kiyoshi grinned
"That won't happen" The captain said "Besides we weren't looking down on you. You were just weak that's all"
Kagami glared and Kuroko just stared. ((Haha that rhymed! ))
"Captain, you're not mincing words either" Tomoki said.
"You idiot I just don't sugar coat my words" the captain said pulling Tomoki back to their teammates.
The scene changed to Kise walking with Kasamatsu.
"What are you doing?"
"Listening to Oha Asa's daily horoscope, if this thing's good than so is Midorimacchi."
"That guy from Teiko. What's his sign"
"Cancer. Kurokocchi is Aquarius."
"I didn't ask"
Kise grinned. Seirin shook their heads at him and his obsession with Kuroko. They wondered if they would be shown why Kise was so into Kuroko. Though maybe not it seemed the entire GoM was 'into' their teammate.
"First place goes to Cancer!" Oha Asa said "You have no complaints today! Last place goes to Aquarius play it quiet today."
"And yet, we beat both Seiho and Shutoku!" Kagami smiled
Midorima glared but said nothing.
The scene changed to the Seirin locker room. Everyone was silent and brooding.
Everybody's a little tense Riko thought she clapped her heads to get their attention "You're all a little too uptight so I thought of an award to cheer you up" She smiled "If you win the next game I'll give each of you a kiss on the cheek"
Seirin all snickered and Riko huffed.
"Why did she laugh?" Izuki asked
"You can't be serious" Koganei commented
Riko looked majorly depressed
"You idiots pretend to be happy if you have to" Hyuga yelled not helping at all
"Somehow I think you just made it worse" Kiyoshi laughed
Riko got even more depressed. She then started to laugh eerily and turned around to face them "Shut up and get it together you idiots! Don't you want to pay them back for last year! Its got to be quite a lot with a year's worth of interest!"
"Sorry sorry we know" Hyuga said "All right I'll tell you gain before we start. I'm sure you'll feel it as soon as the game starts, but first years, prepare yourselves for the worst. Seiho is strong. After last year's massive defeat we hated basketball so much we nearly quit."
Kuroko stared and the others looked down sadly
"Don't be gloomy" Hyuga told them "We got over it, we're better now. If anything, we're happy. This year won't be the same as last year. I'm confident we've become strong enough to be sure of that. Now we just have to win, let's go!"
Seirin all cheered lost in the moment.
The tea all walked back toward the gym for their game. Kagami noticed Kuroko lagging and turned to him "What's wrong"
"Kagami kun have you ever hated basketball?" Kuroko asked softly
"What? No I haven't"
"I have." Kuroko stated
The vibrancy and cheer in the room fell.
"I believe my reason was different but I know the feeling. They're cheerful now but hating something you love is a painful feeling."
The GoM looked away from the bluenette unable to face him. They had caused Kuroko pain. There was no one they could direct their anger towards but themselves.
"When I spoke with Midorima kun I told him the past and future aren't the same but they are not completely separate. I think this game is important for our seniors to get over the past. So…
The scene changed to the start of the game. Seiho and Seirin were lined up. Kagami and Kuroko both looked determined.
The scene changed to Kise and Kasamatsu walking toward the gym.
"It took you so long to get a drink the game's already started" Kasamatsu said irritated.
The walked into the gym and stared at the scoreboard in shock.
0-12 Seiho
"What?" Kise asked disbelieving.
"Whoa seriously" Kasamatsu added.
Kagami was facing off against Tomoki and having a hard time of it.
This guy's defense is almost as good as Kise's.
Tomoki smiled laughing as Kagami dribbled
"Kagami you're holding the ball too long, pass it!" Izuki yelled
He passed to Izuki who went for a layup but was blocked by the captain, Iwamura.
I thought I was wide open. Izuki thought. He appeared out of nowhere!
"How naïve, your offense will never crush our defense at that level." Izuki glared
Their defense is so tight. This is tough… Hyuga ran down the court.
Kise was watching from the stands "What are they doing?" He asked.
"I thought so when we played them, but Seirin is a slow starter." Kasamatsu said. "Kagami's usually the one to put his foot on the gas but without that they can't hit their stride."
"Tsugawa its fine if you're excited, but don't wear yourself out before the second half" one of his teammates called to Tomoki.
"I won't, they're not as good as I thought so this should be easy"
"Now's Kagami and Kuroko's turn to prove them wrong." Kiyoshi said.
"What did you say" Kagami growled.
He broke past the defense dribbling toward the basket.
"Charging white 10" The referee yelled blowing his whistle.
"Just how easily does that idiot get angry" Riko growled
Everyone looked over to Kagami who was biting down on a pillow in his anger. Just the memory of the game and the big mouthed Tomoki was pissing him off.
Riko sighed "Basketball headed idiot"
"Kagami you already have 2 fouls get 5 and you're out" Kuroko told him emotionlessly
"I know" Kagami said "Somehow their movements are impossible to play against.
"Bakagami nothing's impossible to play against"
"I know that shut up!" Kagami yelled back.
Akashi looked irritated the two had to yell across the room now that they were on separate couches and their arguing was beginning to give him a headache. "If you continue to argue," Akashi began catching everyone's attention "I will make you hold each other's hands or maybe hug for a total of 60 seconds without complaint" He threatened
Aomine looked horrified Kuroko actually laughed at the mental image. Everyone stopped Kuroko laughing was rare and it was a nice sound.
Akashi's headache evaporated and he smiled; he may just have to go through with his threat just to hear Tetsuya laugh again.
We can't pass so we can't make plays with Kuroko kun. Riko thought looking troubled.
Izuki grabbed the ball and passed to Kuroko who turned and in an instant knew he had no where to pass the ball.
There it is again, he can't pass Riko thought.
Kasamatsu explained About Seiho's defense. "You can't break away from them easily. No matter how good you are at passing if there's no one free, you're playing at half power." He said
"Their defense is strong but they'll never last to the end of the game playing like that" Kise said.
"But they do because…" Kasamatsu started
The whistle blew. Seirin sat on the bench looking exhausted.
"They use old martial arts techniques" Riko told them
"Old Martial arts" Kagami questioned "You mean this kind of thing" he made a weird noise and pose like something out of a cheesy B movie
Everyone laughed and Kagami ignored them crossing his arms. He thought it was a very legitimate question.
"That's not old martial arts" Riko said flatly "To be precise they incorporate movements from old martial arts. One of the techniques they are using is called 'Namba running.'" She went on to explain th technique.
So that's how they do it. The scene changed to Kise Tsugawa's defense has increased since last year. However…Kise looked over at Seirin They won't take this sitting down for long.
"Thank you Kise for believing in us" Kuroko said
Kise grinned "of course I'll always believe in you Kurokocchi!"
"In addition to Namba running they use all sorts of Martial arts techniques for effortless strength." Riko continued. "Moving quickly without missing a beat and other basic movements, that's how Seiho moves. But it's not like they can fly or disappear." Riko reminded them "They're high schoolers just like you. They fall for fakes, they'll lose their balance if you catch them off guard. They're playing the same basketball we are. If you play like you always do it'll work. This isn't over yet!" Riko encouraged.
The Seirin first years cheered and whistled. "GO!" They yelled. The seniors smiled at their over excited teammates fondly. They had made it through many tough games because of their enthusiasm and support.
The whistle blew again signaling the timeout was over.
Kagami walked up to Izuki. "Izuki could you pass me the ball" Kagami asked.
"What?"
"Let me go against Tsugawa again" Kagami said determined
"Do you have a plan?" Izuki asked
"No, but he's only human too right" Kagami said. "I just have to be faster than him" Kagami walked off.
"What are you saying, are you sure it'll work?" he asked
"Probably" Kuroko answered "he does what he has to do"
"Should we leave this to him then?" Izuki asked
Izuki tilted his head; he had never noticed how much they turned to Kuroko for support or to ask what they should do. The shadow of Seirin really held the team together and gave them confidence.
Kagami had the ball. Tsugawa smiled "One-one-one… bring it on!"
"I don't care about your martial arts or whatever" Kagami told him "Basketball is basketball"
Kagami dribbled past him going for the goal.
I think this game is important for our seniors to get over the past it flashbacked to what Kuroko was saying earlier. So…
"SO what!" Kise questioned finally "It keeps stopping at so!"
"Probably something Like so let's not lose" Aomine guessed
"Daiki is acting smart how odd" Akashi smirked
"Oi I'm smart"
"Yeah right Ahomine"
Aomine glared over at Kagami and made to yell some insult back at the stupid tiger but he felt Akashi's gaze on him and he quickly shut his mouth remembering the threat.
I've never hated basketball Kagami thought to himself. So I couldn't understand everything you said, But I definitely understood the last part.
It flashbacked to Kuroko walking with Kagami "So now that I think about it, I really want to win this game."
And with that Kagami dunked the ball. Everyone stared in shock. Riko smiled.
Kuroko caught the ball as it bounced and Kagami walked up to him. "We will win this game"
Seirin cheered
"This games finally getting started" Kasamatsu said and Kise grinned.
Tomoki laughed "The fun and pain is just getting started."
The scene faded.
Everyone waited for the next episode to start.
Kise had spent nearly the entire episode in thought now finally it was time for Operation kiss Kurokocchi!
Kuroko felt a shiver run down his spine and he looked around confused before looking back at the TV.
AN: PLEASE REVIEW!
Also, lately it's been hard to concentrate on this fanfiction and even though I love this story sometimes I get in a funk so to get out of that I decided to throw myself farther into it.
So I started a Tumblr blog! Ask the GoM. I know there are other similar sites and there's a chance no one will ask me anything but I figured I try it out anyway.
Basically it's a sight where you can ask the GoM any questions and I rp them and Answer the questions the way I see them answering . I'm hoping this will help get me back into the groove of things. If any of you would like to participate to help me or just for fun please go to the link below.
THANKS AGAIN GUYS I LOVE YOU ALL!