Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Kuroko no Basket!
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2nd year – Teiko
Mac sighed and ran a hand through her hair as she pondered her next decision. She felt the excitement just thinking she would be able to play together with Daiki and the others, but especially Daiki. They had played basketball together for so long and she loved playing with him, but…would she be able to keep up with him and the others in a real match? She knew that all of them had more inside of them, they would grow even more and she knew better than anyone that it was only a matter of time before they did. So, would she be able to keep up with them when that happened or would they leave her behind?
Mac stared at the basket hoop in front of her not really seeing it but seeing the distant hoop with her friends running ahead of her leaving her to try keeping up. Could she risk it? She really wasn't sure she could. She was happy the way things were now, with being their manager and analyst. She helped them grow and win matches; she helped them reach farther than they could on their own. Wasn't that enough? Did she really need to play with them to truly be part of their team?
Mac was so lost in thought that she didn't notice when someone stopped beside her and looked at her, not until a hand was waving in front of her eyes did she blink and startle a little as she looked around for the source of the hand.
"Kenzie."
Daiki was looking at her concerned, his deep blue eyes clouded with worry and Mac wondered why he looked so worried and what her expression had been like if he looked like that.
"Daiki," Mac smiled slightly, "something wrong?"
"You looked upset," Daiki said frowning, "are you really that upset with Akashi?"
Mac blinked again and her thoughts turned to Seijuro who had caused all this, and while she had been angry at him she wasn't so much now. She knew he had tried to help and did it the way he always did, by forcing the issue and manipulate the events so it suited him. She just didn't like the way he did it.
"No, he only tried to help," Mac finally said looking at the hoop missing the small frown on Daiki's face.
"Then why do you look so upset? Is it…you know?" Daiki asked and Mac knew he referred to magic and her family, but since they were outside he wouldn't ask.
"No," Mac shook her head, "I'm just thinking, Daiki. I…can I really play with you and the others? Is it…okay for me to play?"
Daiki looked at her surprised before understanding crossed his face.
"What are you talking about?" He asked gruffly making her look at him wide-eyed. "Of course it's okay for you to play with us! You're good, Kenzie! We want, I want, you to play with us."
Mac stared at him for a long time, looking for a lie in his words but seeing none. She finally smiled letting the excitement she felt burst through and Daiki grinned back. He grabbed the ball she had been holding and started to dribble it. Mac immediately got in position and they were off.
Mac reached for the ball, but Daiki quickly turned to the other side and she only hit the air. Quickly following she managed to touch the ball with her fingertips just as he was about to shoot causing the ball to hit the metal of the hoop instead and tip the wrong way and down to the ground.
Mac caught the ball first and dribbled making sure to keep Daiki away from it, but she was being forced away from the hoop by a grinning Daiki letting her know he did it on purpose. She crunched down before jumping and released the ball just at the right time.
Daiki spun around and watched as the ball flew through the air and through the hoop. He grumbled but smiled at the same time. It felt good to play again, just the two of them. It was too long and it was a long time since he had enjoyed playing basketball like this.
...
Mac breathed hard when they finally stopped playing, they had given up keeping the score but Mac thought Daiki had won but it didn't matter. Today it didn't matter who won or who lost, it was simply…fun. The need to play and just feel the ball in her hands and her body move and work to get past Daiki's defence and stop him from reaching the hoop.
"See, who says you can't play with us?" Daiki huffed out between breaths.
"I'm just worried about keeping up with you all," Mac admitted. "You're all so good and you'll grow even more. I…"
"You're still a part of our team, Kenzie," Daiki said. "We'll always be your team."
Mac glanced at him, an uneasy feeling settled in her gut but she pushed it away and focused on that he was right. They would always be her team, no matter what happened. She would be there with them and help them grow.
Mac grinned and met him in a high five before laughing being joined by his laugh seconds later. When was the last time she had laughed like this? Mac absently wondered, but who cared? She would just enjoy being with Daiki and knowing she could now play basketball with her friends.
...
Mac swallowed her nerves and nodded trying to look as calm as possible. What if they didn't want to give her the permission she needed? What if they thought she wouldn't be good enough…what if…
"Of course," Takehiro smiled interrupting Mac's gloomy thoughts making her blink.
"Really?" she asked while Daiki grinned.
"There's no reason for denying you the opportunity to play with your friends, Mac," Takehiro smiled at her, "besides, I know you're good enough to play. I will look forward to seeing you play alongside Daiki in a match."
"Thank you," Mac managed to get out blinking away a tear that formed.
"Just be careful that you don't take on too much, Mac," Ayano spoke up and both Mac and Daiki looked at her. "You will start your magical training soon as well, and still have your original schoolwork and managing duties. Be careful that you don't wear yourself out, sweetie."
"I will," Mac nodded seeing her point and knew it would be rough, but she wouldn't back down.
...
Mac walked through the corridors and ignored the students around her like she always did, she had left Daiki and Tetsuya to their silliness, and she thought she had seen Ryota also making his way to the place where they had gathered to eat lunch. So, she was on her own for now but she was almost in the classroom where she knew she would find the person she was looking for.
She paused briefly outside the room before entering and a quick glance told her the room was empty except for Seijuro who was sitting by himself by the window, he had a knee drawn up to his chest and arm loosely wrapped around it as he stared at the shogi board in front of him. He looked…lonely, Mac realised. Was he really lonely, just like she had been and sometimes still was? She took a moment to really look at him, it wasn't often someone could catch him unaware and really see him without the masks.
He had a small frown on his face and she noticed that he would glance out the window from time to time before looking back at the board set up as if there were two people playing. He must be playing himself, Mac thought.
"Seijuro."
Mac wasn't sure what had her call him by his first name, but the name was out of her mouth before she could stop it. His head snapped up and she saw the brief look of surprise before his face fell into the familiar mask not revealing what he was thinking.
"Mac," he answered.
Mac stepped further into the room and walked over to the desk he was sitting by and sat down opposite him and glanced out of the window reveals that he had a view of where Daiki was joking around with Tetsuya and Ryota. Mac noticed that Shintaro and Atsushi had joined them now as well. She turned to face Seijuro again not revealing that she knew he had been watching them from his position.
"What do you want?" Seijuro asked.
"What about a game?" Mac asked gesturing to the board in front of him. He arched a brow before he nodded and set up the board for a new game, Mac watched in silence as he placed the pieces where they were supposed to be.
"You have to continue teaching me, Seijuro," Mac said with a small smile, "I'm not that good yet."
"Alright," he nodded looking pleased.
They played or rather Seijuro taught her more about the game without bringing up their argument the last time they saw each other, but Mac knew it lingered in the back of both of their minds. She glanced at him when he didn't move a piece for a long time and found him looking at her with unreadable red eyes.
"I thought you were angry at me." He stated sounding vulnerable in a way Mac had never heard before.
"I was," Mac said quietly, "but…I know you only wanted to help. I just… I don't like to be put on the spot like that."
"You're good and belong on the team, Mac," Seijuro said looking at her.
"I appreciate you saying that and believing that Seijuro," Mac smiled slightly, "and I have decided to accept the place. I have already talked to coach Shirogane."
Seijuro grinned and Mac smiled softly at her friend who had quickly grown to become one of her best friends, not surpassing Daiki of course.
...
"Quicker!"
Mac panted as she ran laps on the court, she wasn't sure she enjoyed being on the team now, though. For once she was included in the insane training regime they had, and she didn't want to admit that she had helped develop it with Seijuro and Sanada.
"Faster! Come on!"
Mac groaned but raised her speed as she ran passing Haizaki who was panting even harder than her, she noticed the glare he sent her but ignored it in favour of keeping her pace. She felt it in her legs as she ran and ran, it felt like forever but she knew it hadn't passed twenty minutes yet. It felt like it never was going to end until a sharp noise sounded and Mac stopped and leaned forward to rest her hands on her knees.
"You okay, Mac?" Ryota asked worriedly.
"Fine," she smiled shakily, "just…not used to the amount of training yet. I'll…get there."
"Kenzie," Daiki held up a bottle for her looking much to rested for her taste, but she saw some sweat on his forehead.
"Thanks," she said.
It was a stupid miscalculation on her part; of course, she wasn't used to the training they were doing. She could keep up when they played for fun, but she still needed to catch up on stamina and strength. Well, she would never be as strong as they but she knew she could develop ways to keep up with them anyway. She just had to find a way to use her abilities in her favour and in a way to get the better of her opponents.
...
"You think you belong on the team?!" Haizaki sneered at her roughly shoving her making her stumbled a few steps but didn't fall. She glared at him but didn't say anything, she knew he was upset and mad that he seemed to be pushed even further away from the starting line.
"You're not good enough! What can you offer the team, Mac? They just accepted you out of pity," he continued to rant at her and she flinched slightly as he came closer, she hated that he was so close but she didn't want to show any weakness in front of him either.
Gathering her courage she glared at him, "are you done taking your insecurities out on me?"
Mac saw the slightly surprised look in his eyes as he glared back at him, but she didn't care. She pulled herself together and stepped forward forcing him to take a step back this time.
"I told you last time, Haizaki, that you needed to show up to the practices and actually prove you have a place on the team," Mac said coolly, "show that you are better than the others who actually show up and care. Right now they are better, but if you really want to play then you need to actually learn how to work with the team and not against us."
"You count yourself as one of the team already?" he sneered trying to win back some ground.
Mac hid the wince at his words, he seemed to know just what to say to hit on her vulnerable points but again she pushed it away for now. She was done with letting him intimidate her. Just why had she decided to stay behind today? She was furiously scolding herself for not joining Daiki and Tetsuya to the grocery store after practice like they asked her to. She could have finished the analyse of the practice at home…
"You…!" Haizaki stepped forward and grabbed her shoulder hard making her wince in pain, she bit her lip to stop herself from crying out.
"Mac?" a voice called and Mac blinked and looked to the door, Haizaki had frozen still holding her shoulder when Seijuro stepped through the door and froze when he saw the scene in front of him. His eyes narrowed and in front of Mac's eyes his entire aura seemed to change, suddenly dark and threatening instead of polite and sly.
"Let her go," Seijuro growled out and Haizaki let go as if burned and stepped several steps back looking scared.
Mac inhaled shakily not realising until now that she was shaking, she didn't look when Haizaki ran out of the gym the door slamming shut behind him.
"Mac," Seijuro sounded calm and worried and she looked at him. She swallowed and tried to smile at him, but it came out more as a grimace. He led her to the bench and helped her sit down before he looked at her with that unreadable look he so often got before he pulled out his phone.
Mac didn't look up at him as she stared at her hands, now that the situation was over she couldn't stop the words from Haizaki playing in her mind, taunting her. Was he right? She was so wrapped up in her mind that she wasn't aware of how much time had passed and was startled when the door was roughly pushed open and footsteps came rushing in.
"Kenzie!" Daiki rushed to her and she blinked confused wondering why he was there. "Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"
Mac frowned and looked to Seijuro who looked at her with a concerned look, she realised he had called Daiki and wasn't sure if she was grateful or annoyed.
"I'm fine," Mac said silently. "Seijuro stopped it before it could get out of hand."
A strange look crossed Daiki's face before he pushed it away, "where is he?! I'll punch him!"
"You will not!" Mac said sharply, "we do not need you to get into trouble with the school over something like this. They'll ban you from basketball, Daiki. It's not worth it."
"I'll decide what it's worth," Daiki said but he calmed down a little. "No one threatens or hurt you without me doing something about it, Kenzie!"
"I can take care of myself, you know," Mac frowned at him, "I'm not some damsel in distress that needs rescuing every time!"
She felt annoyed and weak; again someone had seen her when she was weak. Seijuro and Daiki both saw her like that too often, and she didn't want them to think that they needed to be there and rescue her all the time.
"I know that," Daiki said frowning at her slightly, "but that doesn't mean I don't want to be there and help you. I know you're strong."
"So do I," Seijuro added and Mac glanced between the two before sighing and nodded in acceptance. She knew that.
Daiki let her get up without offering help and she grabbed her bag that had dropped in the commotion before turning to Seijuro who looked pensive.
"Thank you for your help, Seijuro," she said.
He nodded and with that left the gym without really saying why he had been there in the first place, Mac realised when he had left. She shook her head a little before smiling at Daiki and joined him in silence on their way out.
...
Daiki breathed out relieved when the fresh air hit him as he stepped out of the gym together with Mac who seemed to be just as relieved to be outside as he. When Seijuro had called and told him what happened and come to the gym because Mac needed him he had felt scared and angry at the same time, but he had rushed off leaving Tetsuya, Ryota, Shintaro and Atsushi behind all three letting him go with confused looks on their faces. He hadn't calmed down before seeing Mac, but the anger was still burning inside him and he wondered how he was going to face Haizaki now without punching him like he so longed to do! It wasn't even the first time he had approached Mac when she was alone and this time he had even turned physical, he shivered thinking about what could have happened. It kind of annoyed him that he was grateful toward Seijuro of all people for stopping Haizaki before he hurt Mac.
A scowl crossed his face as he thought about Seijuro and his frequent appearance around Mac. He hadn't missed how she was now using his first name, and they seemed closer. That feeling he couldn't name grew in his gut and he fisted his hands alongside his body in an attempt to not hit something.
"Daiki?" Mac asked sounding worried and Daiki glanced at her to see her wide green eyes behind her glasses looking at him. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine," he said smiling slightly ruffling her hair like he did when they were kids. "Just…thinking."
"Sounds dangerous," Mac teased and Daiki felt his lips twitch in amusement. He was happy she could tease him even when she must be rattled about what had happened.
"I don't know… I think I have some pretty good ideas," Daiki said playing along with her and she arched a brow in disbelief.
"Good ideas? What are those?" Mac asked feeling her mood lift a little at the familiar bantering with her best friend.
"You little…" Daiki growled but she heard the amusement in his voice. She squeaked before starting to run with him after her, she felt lighter as she ran and giggled lightly when he nearly caught her but she managed to slip away with a twist.
...
The next day Mac entered the gym next to Daiki feeling nervous but strangely calm even at the prospect of seeing Haizaki again, but she was surprised to see that he was not there. She looked around once more but still couldn't see him. Maybe he didn't dare show up? He must know that Daiki and Seijuro were pissed.
"I have something to say," Seijuro spoke up bringing the attention to him. He had a closed off expression on his face but she thought she saw the underlying anger on his face, but maybe it was just because she knew he was angry? "As of today, Haizaki Shogo is no longer a part of this team. He quit and no one will talk him into changing his mind. He's no longer welcome on this team."
A silence stretched in the gym after the statement as everyone stared at Seijuro who looked back at them with a colder mask than normal, his voice and tone suggested that he was not going to discuss it or explain it any further.
Mac looked down and ignored the look Daiki gave her. She felt torn. She felt guilty for being the reason for why Haizaki was off the team, she knew that he hadn't quit by his own free will. Seijuro had something to do with it, probably forced him to quit somehow. She couldn't help to feel that she was responsible, and should do something. Was it fair that he was off the team because of her? Then there was the fact that she felt relief and strangely vindictive that he was no longer a part of the team. She wouldn't have to deal with him and he had crossed a line yesterday, she didn't feel safe with him and that had put a damper on the thought of going to the practice today. Also, a small part of her felt he deserved it.
"Good," Daiki said breaking the silence after a long moment, drawing some startled looks but also some suspicious. Mac noticed that Ryota glanced at her with a pensive and suspicious look before turning back to Seijuro with the same look. He, for once, held his tongue, though, something Mac was very grateful for.
The rest of the practice passed without incident and Mac had fun even as she still was behind the others, but by now she expected it and made mental notes on how she could catch up. The nationals grew closer and closer and they all wanted to win.
...
"Mac-nee-chan!"
Mac looked up from her sketchpad where she had been drawing another picture of Daiki playing basketball, she didn't want to think about how many drawings she had of him playing but she couldn't stop herself trying to catch the pure joy he normally showed when he played. Even if it was not so pronounced as it used to be anymore.
"Yes?" She answered closing the sketchpad and pushing herself out of the bed, she winced slightly as she felt the sore muscles from a week of hard practice and she was very glad it was now Friday, but she also knew she still had to train tomorrow.
"Sasaki-san is here to see you," Sayuri said opening the door and looked at her. "He's in the living room with mum."
"Thank you, Sayuri-chan," Mac smiled and patted her shoulder as she passed the younger girl.
So, Sasaki was back. She had almost forgotten that he would come when he had found a solution for her magical training. Or was it her living situation he was here for? Had he found something else? Nerves bubbled in her stomach as she entered the living room to find Ayano already placing tea on the table and a smiling Sasaki, but he wasn't alone this time. Mac glanced at the other man, he was older than Sasaki and had a stern face with a small goatee that seemed well-trimmed. His hair was short and dark while his eyes were a cross between dark blue and black. Mac had a feeling his eyes would change colour with his mood.
"Ah, Potter-san," Sasaki smiled when he spotted her frozen by the door. "Good to see you again!"
"Y-you as well, Sasaki-san," Mac said politely trying to not look at the other man, but her gaze wandered to him anyway. She looked away when she found him looking at her calculatingly.
"Come, come," Sasaki said happily, Mac wondered if he was always so happy, though she had seen him serious. "I want you to meet someone."
Mac swallowed and glanced at Ayano who smiled reassuringly at her so Mac walked further into the room and stopped when she was in front of Sasaki and the other man. He was tall, Mac thought, taller than Sasaki.
"This is Sato Taichi," Sanada introduced, "he's a former professor at Mahoutokoro School of Magic. He's one of my old teachers." Sasaki winked at her. "Professor, this is Potter Mackenzie."
"I'm not your professor anymore, Sasaki-kun," Sato spoke up, his voice dry but there was an underline of humour there that made Mac relax slightly. "Nice to meet you, Potter-san. Sasaki has told me some of your situations and has asked me to train you in magic."
Mac tried to smile but it felt shaky. "Nice to meet you, Sato-san."
The man looked at her for a moment, "this is a very unusual situation, Potter-san."
"I guess," Mac mumbled not looking at him.
"I will tell you right now that I won't take on students that aren't motivated or interested in learning," Sato said sternly making Mac look at him, he looked very strict and she fought the need to shift on her feet as she met his eyes. "If I am to agree to teach you magic I will need to know that you are ready to give it your all. If not, then you're wasting both of our time."
"I-I want to learn," Mac said quietly, "I want to learn how to control my magic and to learn more about the world my parents were in. I just… I don't want to leave my friends behind to do so. They're important."
Sato was silent for a moment before he nodded, "as long as you remain willing and motivated to learn, I see no problem in that."
Mac let out a relieved sigh and smiled more genuinely at the older man.
"The ministry has approved of your request for a Time-Turner," Sasaki spoke up, "because of your unusual situation and needs. It's few who ever get to see a Time-Turner, never less use it. It's very important for you to understand that, Potter-san. You can never use it for personal gain, for anything other than your lessons. You understand?"
"Yes, sir," Mac nodded seriously.
"Also, be very careful not to see yourself when you use it," Sato added. "Horrible things happen to wizards and witches who have travelled in time and spotted themselves. They have ended up killing their past or future self and that is not good."
Mac nodded seriously, she would imagine that was not a good thing to happen so she took note of what they told her.
"I understand," she said again. "I'll be careful."
Mac spent the next hour listening to them explain more about Time-Turners and about what Sato wanted to teach her first, she felt excited that she was finally going to start learning magic. Since the trip to get her books and wand she had thought about magic a lot, she had even read a few of her books already and knew she already liked the Defence subject from what she had read. It looked interesting.
...
Daiki hummed as he listened to Mac talk about her meeting with Sasaki and Sato (who had told her to call him Professor now that he was her teacher). "Sounds interesting."
"It does," Mac nodded before smiling, "he wants me to start next month. He wanted me to read a bit more before we started so I have some knowledge about what he wants to teach me."
A hand went up to the Time-Turner that was now hanging on a golden chain around her neck, it was a fascinating magical item, Mac thought. Even if she had been familiar with magical items she would have found the Time-Turner fascinating. It resembled an hourglass and Sasaki had explained that she had to turn it for how many hours she wanted to go back in time. He had also put a charm on it so that she was the only one who could see it, so she didn't need to worry about it when she was at school or playing basketball.
"So, you're going to be even busier…" Daiki whined making Mac blink and focus on him again. "Not fair."
"You could do your own homework at the same time, you know," Mac told him with a look. "And not leave it at the last moment."
"Nah, that's boring," Daiki protested. "Besides, I never understand that stuff."
"That's because you don't read!" Mac said exasperatedly.
"I don't need to, I have you," Daiki grinned and Mac shook her head but couldn't help the small smile that crossed her lips at his words.
"You're impossible," Mac said making Daiki grin at her and she burst out laughing.
...
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AN: Thank you for reading!
Also thank you to those who have reviewed, favourited and/or followed my story! :)