I'm not dead!

So for my long time followers I apologize for going MIA. Life happened and I lost my will to write. Like I hit a period where I didn't find much joy in anything I did anymore and just lost the passion. But things have been looking up as of late and I was encouraged by a few of you and those in my personal life to pick up things that once brought me joy again. So here we are! I have a bit more to share but I'll save it for later on. For now enjoy!

~*Secrets*~

It was Wednesday evening after practice as Kagami trudged his way towards Kaijo with Kuroko by his side. Why was he on his way to Kaijo you ask? Kagami had just made a big decision concerning his future. He would be leaving Japan after this school year was up and heading to America to take Alex up on the offer she'd presented him during their time dealing with the Jaberwocks. He'd been sitting on this information for some time. Before Mira had shown up, he'd been pretty sure of his decision. But with his cousin in the mix now and the big part she played not only in his life, but he in hers as well—Kagami had been delaying the inevitable. Now that Mira had returned to her old self, had good friends surrounding her, and Kise to keep an eye on her 24/7, he knew he could leave Japan without any worries.

"Don't worry Kagami-kun. West-chan is going to be happy for you. I'm sure of it." Kuroko encouraged his friend. The shadow himself wasn't exactly jumping for joy at the thought of his friend leaving him, but he also wouldn't stop him.

"I don't doubt that. I'm more worried about the fact that she's going to be mad that I've been keeping this information from her for so long." Kagami chuckled weakly as they walked through the grounds of the now desolate Kaijo.

As they drew closer to the gym, they could hear sounds coming from inside. Kagami hovered near the door as Kuroko walked forward and watched for a break in the practice. They had to surely almost be done by now. Out on the court was an exhausted Kise, dripping sweat as he faced off against Jason in a one on one match with Mira watching from the side. She'd been told to rest during the week and follow a light training menu so that her ankle could finish healing. For once she wasn't pitching a fit, instead turning her attention to a project she'd started a long time ago with Kise. Trying to get him to learn her style. Mira blew a whistle as Kise sank to the ground and flopped on to his back.

"It's not perfect, but he's gotten much better since you guys first started." Jason breathed, wiping the sweat from his face and revealing a sliver on his toned body.

"I don't get it Mira. How do you play like this all the time?" Kise tilted his head back to see Mira squatting down behind him.

"Just kinda developed normally, I guess. I realized when I try to think on the court, I tend to over think and over analyze things. When you stop trying to predict everything, you gain speed and learn to trust yourself in the process. Why do you think I had you run parkour with us before trying to apply it to the court?" Mira grinned as she tilted her water bottle just as Kise opened his mouth. "I don't have in born skills like you or the other Generation of Miracles. Meaning my adaptability was learned. Which means you should be able to learn it to. Once you stop fighting your natural instincts, you'll be fine."

With that, Mira pushed herself up and moved to go grab the lonesome basketball. Kise pulled himself into a sitting position before turning to look over his shoulder at Mira. It amazed him again as to how much work she'd put in just to be able to stand toe to toe with those whom most guys would've cowered against. He had to admit, when Mira had first tried to teach him how to turn his mind off it seemed impossible. But thanks to his copy ability, and many matches against Mira herself, he was getting the hang of it. He just hoped it was useable by the time they faced Akashi. Why Kaijo had drawn the hard bracket this year he didn't know. Kise flopped over on to his back as a water bottle appeared before him. He glanced past it to see Chance grinning down at him with his brother standing nearby.

"Told you he was sturdier than he looked." Chance smirked at his brother who held his hands behind his head.

"There's still the rest of the week. We'll see if he makes it." Chase whistled as they joined Malacai out on the court.

Kise popped back up as he saw his own teammates dread their own intense regimen. Every day after school for the past few weeks they'd been put through the ringer by the other four. Even without the Americans having a fifth, Kaijo couldn't ask for better people to push them to their limits and make them reach beyond. They'd seen how the last few games had been mainly Mira and Kise bearing the brunt of the work. They had to step up their game as well if they wanted to stand a chance against Rakuzan this time and not have the score ran up.

'So this is where those four have been going right after the bell lets out.' Kuroko thought to himself as he watched the rest of Kaijo's starters get a good workout facing off what could be called the American version of the Generation of Miracles.

"I think we can pull this off." Mira muttered as she sat down beside Kise, feeling him sling an arm around her shoulders.

"Akashicchi sure is going to be surprised this time around." Kise grinned as Mira and him shared a giggle.

The two shared a look that they knew if their teammates saw, they'd never hear the end of it. One where the two locked eyes and felt as if they were staring into each other's souls in a good way. Kise pulled Mira close to him, their foreheads touching as the two were lost in their own little world. It was during this that Kagami decided to walk forward and look into the gym. And he happened to see how close Mira and Kise were to each other. How they were looking at each other. And what exactly Kise was thinking of doing to Mira as his eyes flicked to her lips before reminding himself of where they were and what promise the two still had. Kise settled for a kiss to Mira's forehead. And to the surprise of the two Seirin members, Mira didn't swat him away. Which seemed to tick off a certain tiger greatly. Kagami stormed over and physically separated the two as he pushed Mira behind his back.

"What in the hell do you think you're doing to my cousin?" Kagami growled as he began to reach for Kise. He felt something latch on to his arm, stopping him as he looked back to see a fuming Mira glaring at him.

"Better question, why in the fuck are you here?" Mira hissed through her teeth as practice came to a screeching halt. It was instinct now to turn towards Mira any time they sensed her anger spike.

"Mira, everyone is looking." Kanika whispered to her friend who was refusing to be the first one to back down.

Kise sighed as he was the one who looked past Kagami to Mira. As much as he didn't want to, he knew it was time to break the news to Kagami. He waved at Mira, finally getting her attention as she shifted her violet eyes off her cousin and to the blond. He motioned outside with his chin as Mira got what he wanted to do. She released Kagami and turned on her heel, not needing to look back to know he was following her.

"Try not to get yourself killed." Jason called out in encouragement as he got the others back on track to finish up their practice.

Outside…

Mira walked far enough away from the gym to make sure they wouldn't be heard and interrupt practice again. She turned and faced Kagami with her arms crossed as Kise walked around and stood with her. Ready to back up, or stop, Mira as the occasion called for it. Kagami looked between the two to see Kise's protective stance. Even if he was standing slightly behind Mira. It wasn't just a case of the two being close friends anymore. Even he could see that now.

"How long?" Kagami growled as he glared at Kise.

"We haven't even been on one date. Calm down." Mira huffed as furious red eyes shifted towards her.

"Kagamicchi I'm sorry for not telling you sooner. But I like Mira. And she likes me." Kise said in a firm voice, surprising Kuroko watching from the side. He secretly cheered the couple on as he prayed for once Kagami would rein in his temper and just listen. "I know I'm going out of order, but I'd like your permission to date Mira."

"Why should I give it? Clearly you two hadn't planned on telling me. Who else knows? Your team? Ichinose-chan? Your friends? Everyone else but me?!" Kagami hollered as Mira had enough. Five short steps and a firm slap to his face shut the boy right up. Everyone visibly flinched upon hearing that slap. Kagami was stunned silent for a minute before the pain began to register in his cheek. He whipped his face around to say something to his cousin about her actions but was shut up by the ice in Mira's eyes.

"You're one to talk about keeping secrets. Tell me, when did you plan on breaking the news about you going to America?" Mira said softly as Kagami took a couple steps back. "Didn't expect me to know did you? Alex called me and wanted to know how everyone had taken the news. She told you to discuss this with everyone before leaving right? That was before the Winter Cup. Funny how when I know you're having trouble trying to find a way to bring up big news, I was willing to let you work through it. But the minute you find out about my little secret you fly off the handle? Yes, Kise and I confessed to each other a while back. So what? It wasn't anything worth bringing up because I wanted us to have a good last tournament together without any distractions. I began thinking that's what you wanted as well, so I pushed Alex's news to the back of my mind. Fucking hypocrite." Mira clicked her teeth in annoyance as she turned away from Kagami.

Kagami clenched and unclenched his hands as he stared at Mira. He looked to Kise, unable to hold on to his anger at the blond anymore as Kise gave him a confused look himself before placing a hand on Mira's shoulder. Kagami turned to Kuroko last who had an 'I told you so' type of look on his face. It was true. Kagami could remember the multiple conversations the two had in class as to when Kagami should break the news to everyone. Mira especially. Kuroko gently placed a hand on his friend's back before guiding him out of there. Both cousins were heated and hurt. This was not the time or place to try and force everyone to play nice. Kuroko spared one last look back, but not to Kise who was working on calming down Mira as the two took off back towards the gym. No, instead he looked into eyes very similar to his own. Kanika gave him a brief nod as she seemed to understand what he wanted.

_._._

After the day's events, Kagami was happy for any kind of distraction he could get. According to Kuroko, Malacai had offered to play Kagami one on one in order to help better prepare him for Aomine since the two would face each other in the semifinals. Kuroko tagged along silently as a small smile played on his lips. Only he and another really knew what was going to really happen that night. Just as Kagami turned into the park and made to head for the basketball court someone called out to him.

"Oi." Kagami froze midstep as he instantly recognized that voice. He turned slowly to see Aomine sitting there, blending in perfectly with the dark like the panther he was. Kagami's mouth literally fell open as he looked to Aomine before shooting a look over his shoulder to Kuroko.

"You have something to do with this don't you?" Kagami muttered as Kuroko simply nodded with that blank look on his face.

"You finally found out huh?" Aomine asked in that annoying way of his as Kagami felt his anger spike. Just how many others knew about Mira and Kise before him? "Any moron with eyes could see they were getting closer. Your own fault for not noticing."

"Excuse me if I don't have inside information like you." Kagami snapped as Aomine instantly bowed up at the mention of his girlfriend.

"I'll have you know I saw that those two were going to end up together before I asked Ichinose-chan to be my girlfriend." Aomine growled, daring Kagami to try and say anything about the small girl that he was dating.

"I asked Ichinose-chan to call Aomine-kun here Kagami-kun." Kuroko spoke up finally before a fight broke out between the two hot heads. "Aomine-kun, could you share your phone with Kagami-kun? Just the messages between you and Kise-kun."

Aomine let out a frustrated sigh, but did as asked as he pulled out his phone and then messages. Once he had them open, he tossed his phone at Kagami who easily caught it. The red head wondered what Kuroko was up to as he began scrolling through the messages. It was the same crap Kise sent him and Kuroko, nothing special. He didn't see what Kuroko was trying to prove until he realized he'd already gone back about a month through the messages. That's when it hit him.

"Kise didn't say anything…." Kagami whispered as he felt all his anger leave his body.

"To be fair, I knew West-chan and Kise were close to dating the night Ichinose-chan moved in with you two. She hinted that something would probably happen but didn't want me saying anything out loud. Kise clearly felt the same since you saw he didn't mention it once since I figured things out that night. When I asked Ichinose-chan about why Kise was being quiet, she told me it's because the two wanted to put basketball first before even thinking about the idea. It was after their last game that the two decided to just tell everyone openly. Even then it's only their team that knows." Aomine said as he closed his phone and pocketed it once more.

"Kagami-kun, West-chan was doing like you. She didn't want you to lose focus while the tournament was going on. She knew how much this tournament meant to both of you." Kuroko said softly as Kagami let his head fall.

Evidence had been presented to him very clearly. Kuroko was right. Mira had only the best intentions when keeping her secret. In his mind, an image of Mira wrapped up in Kise's arms flashed. He chuckled weakly to himself while shaking his head. He supposed there were worse options for Mira to date. At least Kagami knew Kise would take care of and treasure Mira. He'd seen it when their friendship had first blossomed over a year ago. A bond like that was only bound to get stronger. Either the two would've ended up really good friends or they'd end up together.

"West-chan doesn't need any protection. We all know that. Our job, yours more than anyone else's, is to just be there when she needs a little support if Kise for some reason screws up. And even then it'll be to help hide his dead body." Aomine encouraged as he gave Kagami a hard slap to his back.

"Argh! What the hell Ahomine?!" Kagami growled, back to himself as he turned to glare at his rival.

"The girls are making food. I'll be at your place." Aomine called over his shoulder.

Kagami stretched his back out as he looked to Kuroko. He grinned at the shadow before pulling him close. Kuroko didn't fight it, just glad to see his friend back to normal. With the silent thank you out of the way, the two Seirin players caught up to Aomine. It wasn't long before bickering broke out between the two loud ones as Kuroko was just happy things were smoothed out. The bickering between the two boys was soon silenced as even higher pitched bickering could be heard coming from a certain apartment as the boys stepped off the elevator and headed down the small walkway.

"I'm not trying it."

"I supervised. I promise it's edible."

"Then why don't you try it?"

"Am I really that bad of a cook?"

"Come on guys. You're going to hurt Momoi-chan's feelings."

"Then you try it."

The three opened the door to see both Kise and Mira looking at Kanika who paled at the suggestion. She didn't want to be rude and say no, but past history of trying to teach Momoi how to cook hadn't exactly gone well either. Thankfully the others had shown up at the time as Kanika spared a look over her shoulder upon hearing the door open. She gave Aomine a pleading look as the boy couldn't help but snicker. While he loved seeing the adorable panicked face of his girlfriend, he was chuckling for a more devious reason.

"Let Kagami try it. Consider it his way of making peace after today." Aomine announced loudly as Mira glanced over at Kagami.

"Is loud mouth #2 speaking the truth Taiga?" Mira asked with a bit of an edge to her voice. Kise reached out and gripped her hand in a calming fashion as Kagami took a deep breath.

"Yeah. I'm sorry. You were right. I shouldn't have blown up at you and Kise when I was keeping my own secret." Kagami grunted while scratching the back of his head. "Alright Momoi, give me a bite of whatever you made."

Kagami swallowed hard once Momoi pranced back into the kitchen to grab whatever it was she'd made. A simple sponge cake with whipped icing and strawberries. Kagami took a deep breath before cutting off a piece of the small slice he'd been given and popped it into his mouth. To his surprise, it tasted right as he went back and took an even bigger bite this time. Momoi beamed at her success as she quickly rushed off to get Kuroko a piece while Aomine claimed a spot on the couch and held his arm out. Kanika happily filled that space as Mira shot Kise a sideways glance.

"Don't even get any ideas." She warned as Kise laughed nervously.

Kagami looked around the small apartment with new eyes. In only a few months, he wouldn't live here anymore. It would be just the two girls. Scenes like this one would happen more often. Only, he wouldn't be around for them. And if he was absent, then he was glad that Mira had people around her to keep her from getting lonely. To still have a family around her when he wasn't anymore. Kagami smiled softly as he placed his plate down and stepped outside on the balcony.

"Loudmouth #2?" Aomine questioned once Kagami was outside.

"What are you more upset about Aomine-kun? Being called a loudmouth or being called #2?" Kuroko questioned, scaring Aomine and Kanika both into each other. Laughter broke out inside as Kagami closed his eyes and just enjoyed the moment.

"Kagamicchi." The tiger opened his eyes and turned to his left to see Kise standing there with resolve in his eyes. "I want to apologize again for not asking your permission. I planned on formally asking once the Winter Cup was over. But since it's out in the open now—"

"Relax Kise." Kagami grinned as he turned back to look out across the city. "I know you didn't seduce Mira. If anything I'd expect her to be pushy with you. I know you'll treat her right. But if you do anything to harm her…."

"Believe me I won't. There's too many waiting for me to screw up." A certain pretty boy flashed in Kise's mind as he quickly waved the image away. "Besides, I don't want to have to deal with you and Akashi coming after me."

Kise visibly shivered as Kagami let out a raucous laughter. He'd forgotten about the odd ball relationship between Mira and Akashi. He laughed till his sides hurt as he realized he didn't have to worry anymore as more and more faces flashed in his mind. There were plenty of others to make sure that he would have nothing to worry about once he was gone. Kagami glanced over his shoulder to the girl who was like a little sister to him. Mira was grown now. She didn't need him to protect her anymore.

"Taiga." The person in question called out to him as the boy turned around. Before he could react, Mira had already wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. "Don't even think you can go a day without calling or messaging me got it? Just because you're not here doesn't mean I won't still need you."

Kagami was staring down at Mira who was refusing to pick her head up. But he could tell by the way she was gripping him that she was on the verge of tears herself. She was going to miss him as much as he was her. Kagami stooped down and held Mira tightly as he fought against tears of his own. But neither one would allow themselves to cry. Not now. This wasn't the time for tears. This was a time for enjoying what little time they still had together before he moved. There was still the semifinals and finals left of the Winter Cup. Only once a winner was decided and it was all said and done would the two shed tears for each other. The two released each other and looked into each other's eyes. Fire burned brightly in both pairs as they clasped hands and gripped each other tightly.

"You two better not even think of counting me out. You still have to get through me first Bakagami." Aomine drawled as he placed his hand on top of theirs. The same fire in his eyes as Kise added his hand to the pile.

"Then I guess we'll be seeing one of you in the finals now won't we?" Kise chuckled lightly as Momoi giggled off to the side.

"You have to get through Akashi first." She grinned as Kanika crossed her arms while staring at her fellow Kaijo members.

"I know they can do it. Just wait." Kanika promised as Kuroko nodded softly. A smile gracing his lips as an argument broke out between the players while they moved back inside.

'Kagami-kun, I can't think of a more perfect send off for you.' Kuroko thought to himself as he watched everyone just fall back into old routines. Ignoring the upcoming matches and countdown of when everyone's favorite tiger would be leaving them to chase his own dreams.

I realized my mistake with the whole timeline issue long ago so this was my attempt to correct it. Plus I feel like Kagami wouldn't have just left like that after facing Jabberwocks. So my take on the whole Kagami leaving issue.

As I'm sure a few can tell, the story is drawing to a natural cause. However, since I've found my love for story writing once again I may consider doing a third part to the MiraxKise saga. I'll know more for sure once I finish this story up. For now I hope you all enjoyed and are looking forward to the Rakuzan vs Kaijo match next chapter!