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Chapter XIV

Needle from the Past

Monday morning soon arrived. The five teens, including the red haired captain, must go back to face reality: school, assignments and exams. For regular class, they had normal studying sessions; few subjects had small tests, or which the teachers regarded them as 'pre-mid term exam'. The only purpose was to check if students were ready for the real ones. Advance class had different schedules. They only had small tests in the morning and later followed by individual or group studies, whichever the students prefer.

Akashi and other students submitted their last test paper. The teachers check the papers before finally went out of the class. Akashi looked at the time as the clock showed 11.20 am. He flipped his phone and sent a short message to his driver. As he flipped it closed, Midorima stood in front of him with a lunch box and a big-yellow-one eyed minion key chain, his lucky item of the day.

"Akashi, let's have lunch."

"I am sorry. I need to leave early today, Shintarou."

"What happen? Is something wrong with Kuroko?"

"Sato-sensei called this morning and asked us to go to the hospital for a discussion."

"I see. I thought something happen bad to him." Midorima sighed in relief.

"That also means, I have to leave the team to you. I know the preliminary is around the corner but please supervise them and continue with this new training menu." Akashi said as he handed the taller teen a print out.

"I understand. Don't worry about the team. I will take good care of them. You should focus on Kuroko's condition first." He said while adjusting his glasses.

"Thank you for understanding the situation, Shintarou." Akashi smiled a little as he began collecting his books and bag "I am sorry, but I need to leave soon."

Midorima knew Akashi since they were very little. He knew the red haired old self to how he had changed because of the car crash. And after meeting with Kuroko, Midorima felt something different with him. "Akashi, remember what I said to you before? About you started to change?"

"Yes." Akashi said and waited for him to continue.

"You are slowly changing to your old self." Midorima pointed out his thoughts. "And I believe it is all thanks to Kuroko."

"Good afternoon, Kuroko-kun, Akashi-kun. Please have a seat." Sato-sensei greeted them as they replied her back.

"I have great news for you. This morning I got a mail from a doctor association in the States. They sent me a list of possible donors that might be suitable for you." Before the two could speak, Sato-sensei held her hands up. "Hold on! Don't get too excited, you two. It's not certain yet. We need to take your latest bone marrow sample and match it with the donors' sample." She explained. "You also need to prepare yourself, both your physic and mental, since it will be a tough and painful process." She ended her explanation.

"Okay. I understand." Kuroko gulped. He went through that process before and he could already feel the pain from the past.

"Alright, according to your physical check-up just now, you are getting better. Your wounds are almost healed. I suggest we do it on Friday. Is that okay?"

"Yes, Sato-sensei." Kurkoko answered.

"Good. Then, I will see you on Thursday. Until then, please relax yourself and take your medicine properly. I will leave the supervision to you, Akashi-kun."

"Of course." Akashi replied calmly.

"Alright then. That's all I need to say. Do you have any questions?" The teen shook their heads.

"Good, you can go back now. Don't forget to get plenty of rest, Kuroko-kun." The doctor reminded him again.

"Okay. Thank you, Sensei." The two teens replied.

Akashi and Kuroko walked out of her room. The red haired noticed how nervous and worried Kuroko is even though he didn't show it on his face. Akashi would do anything to lessen his pain but during the process later, he couldn't much.

He took Kuroko's hand in his, which startled the bluenette. Kuroko looked at the teen beside him but Akashi just kept walking and leading them to a bench.

"Let's sit down here for awhile." He said as he helped Kuroko to sit.

"Tell me, are you afraid?"

"I am, Akashi-kun. I've been through that before… but I didn't expect to that process again." He flinched remembering it

"I am sorry. I can't help you out." Akashi squeezed his hand.

"Don't apologize. I've been through something worse. And you know, maybe Haizaki-kun's beating has made me tougher."

Akashi was amazed by the shadow's statement. He was supposed to cheer him up yet it was him who got cheered up by the patient.

Akashi chuckled, making the other one confused. "Why you always do something that surpassed my expectation?"

"I don't know. Maybe because I am with you. If it were someone else, they must have thought I am a boring person."

"You are right." Akashi gave him a light peck on the lips. "Would you wait here for a minute? I will go settle the papers. After that, we will go to the locker room and change your clothes. By the way, I forgot to tell you. You look adorable in that oversized gown." Akashi teased him

"Adorable? Maybe you should get your eyes checked, Akashi-kun." Kuroko stated deadpan.

"My eyes are perfect. And you do look adorable in my eyes." He smiled. "Be a good boy and wait for me. I won't be long." Akashi ruffled his hair before walking to the administration office.

"Okay." Kuroko smiled at him.

Kuroko stared at the red haired figured. He could see the captain's back getting smaller and smaller before disappearing to a corner. Seeing that, he began to think, if later his time had come, would he see that for real? Seeing your beloved person in your eyes before his sight slowly got consumed by darkness? What truly happened now, Kuroko wasn't afraid of the procedure. He was more afraid his thoughts became reality. Seeing his beloved Akashi for the last time before darkness consumed him forever.

His train of thoughts suddenly was cut off by something. Or rather it was someone who was calling his name. Kuroko responded to the familiar voice and turned to see its owner

A certain red haired was growling and cursing at the same time. He didn't expect to have a misfortune first thing in the morning just because He overslept! He rushed out of his apartment and ran to school. He found the gate was close tight so he decided to make a turn and climbed the back wall.

However, he didn't know that there was a school dog there. Heck, he didn't even know his new school has a dog! So, there he fell down miserably and hurt his ankle. Unfortunately, the school nurse was absent and his homeroom teacher who was on duty, took him to a hospital to get proper check up.

After he got a treatment, his teacher scolded him for being irresponsible and reminded him how lucky he was to get away with a mere ankle sprain. And then he asked him to sit somewhere while he will go to the administration office to take care of the bill. So here he was, wondering to find a seat when a certain someone got his attention.

"Kuroko? Is that you?" He said that unsure if he got the right person. But then that person turned to his way. Kagami widen his eyes. He never expected to meet his past best friend here, in the hospital, of all places in the world.

"K-Kagami-kun?" The teen also widen his eyes as he felt the same as the other taller guy. But soon, he regained his composure and acted normal "Hello. I didn't know you are back here in Japan."

"Ah… er… I.. I also didn't expect to see you here." Kagami scratched his not itchy cheek. Kuroko knew that gesture, Kagami-kun is nervous now. He is still the same. Kuroko silently smiled. "So… er.. why are you here? You are sick or something?"

"No, I had a check-up."

"Check up? Do you have some serious illness? Come to think of it, you look paler and thinner than usual." Kagami pointed out.

Kuroko silently gulped. He realized his physic was starting to change. He was pale and skinny in the first place but not this bad. Today physical check-up said he just lost a few kg, which made it significant. As for Kagami, he was a dense person but at the same time was also observant. He needed to think of something to get out of his suspicion. There was no way Kuroko would tell him the truth.

"Than usual? You know Kagami-kun, today it's the first time since we graduated elementary that we've seen each other again. How do you know that I have changed?" He said in a dead mocking tone.

"I-I know that! But still, no healthy person would look that skinny!"

"There is one here." He said as cold and monotone as possible. "Now, would you excuse me? I need to go somewhere else."

Before Kuroko could walk away, Kagami had already grabbed his wrist. Kuroko was forced back.

"Kuroko, wait! I am sorry. I didn't mean to argue with you." He said while staring down. "I… I am just… I am just so happy to meet you again, even though it is a coincidence." Kagami waited for his reply. But nothing came out of the smaller teen. So, he decided to continue. "You know, many things happened after we went to different schools. I broke up with Maika two years after that. I know the truth from one of her close friends. When I wanted to apologize to you, I found out that you had gone back to Japan. I tried to look for your address but I found nothing. So, when I got into High school, I finally had the freedom to live alone. And here I am in Tokyo trying to find you. But I never expect that school dog leaded me to this. I think I should give him a treat later." Kagami smiled sadly as he remembered the past.

He felt hot sensation in his eyes. Not because of anger but because of relief. He was really glad that his best friend tried to find him. All this time, Kagami had been asking for his forgiveness. At this moment, Kuroko wanted to tell the taller teen how much he had missed him. How long he had long forgiven him.

But he remembered. He mustn't do that at any cost. He promised himself not to drag anyone to his life ever again. Not even Kagami. After all, if they ever got back to their previous relationship, it would only cause him more misery. So, t would be the best option to let him out of this.

Kuroko closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he readied himself. "Is that all?"

"Huh?"

"Is that all you have to say?"

"Yes?" He said unsure of what the bluenette meant. "And I haven't apologized to you yet. I am so sorry for blaming you all this time when you were the one who tried to warn me." Kagami said sincerely.

"Okay. I forgave you."

"Really? Thanks Kuroko! I thought you will never forgive me."

"Now, would you excuse me? I need to go." Kuroko broke free from his grasp harshly.

"Kuroko?" Kagami was surprised by his action. "Wait! You are still mad at me, don't you?" Kagami managed to grasp his shoulder this time, hurting Kuroko in the process. He let out a winced.

"Please let go of me, Kagami-kun. You are hurting me."

"S-sorry." He released him fast. Kuroko rubbed his bruised left shoulder. "Kuroko, please listen to me. I am really sorry. I know I was wrong and I never meant what I said about being friends with you. I was just so frustrated back then. I was just too blind. I am so sorry. Please forgive me."

"I said I forgive you."

"Really? Then why are you avoiding me?"

For once Kuroko let himself to be the biggest liar in his whole life. "I am not. And FYI, I moved on, it's all in the past. Let's just forget this matter and pretend we never met each other. It will be better this way." It will be better for us this way. He mentally said.

"W-wha? What do you mean by that?!"

"I mean exactly what I said." Kuroko gave him a cold look as he revised what the other said years ago. "Kagami-kun, we are not friends anymore. From now on, we don't know each other." He looked away and said "We are just a mere stranger." He said in a low whisper.

Kagami was shocked and completely, utterly hurt by those words. Kuroko didn't even bother to look at him and took this chance to walk away.

Rinfantasy: Yeah, that would be great if they were compatible. But sadly to say, only close relative could be a donor (and it's not 100% guaranteed yet). Thanks for the review btw! :D

Tear of the Hearts: Thanks for the review! I might write it as an extra chapter later on! Stay tuned! ;D

Guest: Thanks for loving the story! Hope you like it till the end! :D

BabyNightmareLady: Thanks for your review! You can rest assured; there will be no bomb for now. The war is on truce! ;D

SSJ Mirai Gohan: LOL! XD…. Thanks for liking it! Keep praying so no one died in the end! ;D

I would like to thank Zeawesomepaste, Haru Hime-sama, Mizurinn, Potatoteito for adding the story in your favorite and follow list!

Thank you so much and see you all on the next update! Have a great day! :D