Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Kuroko no Basket!
...
...
1st year – Too Academy
Daiki scowled a little as he watched Mac smile widely as she walked away from him and toward Seijuro who actually smiled at his best friend. Daiki clenched his hands as he watched Mac stop in front of the red-head looking happy and smiled at him. Daiki was barely aware of the staring teammates that stared at Mac and Seijuro with wide surprised eyes, or the whispers starting to spread as they stared at Mac and Seijuro.
"Oh-oh," Imayoshi smiled from Daiki's left and Daiki refused to look at him knowing that Imayoshi was looking at him.
"Seijuro," Mac smiled, "what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to come and see you," Seijuro said smoothly. "It's been awhile."
Not long enough, Daiki thought but wisely didn't say anything. Daiki fought to keep himself from twitching as Seijuro placed an arm around Mac's waist before turning to them and met Daiki's eyes. Daiki saw the challenging smirk on his face and gritted his teeth together.
"Daiki," Seijuro said coolly.
"Akashi," Daiki grunted.
Mac frowned looking between the two and wondered why they looked like they were ready to fight. She didn't like it. She sighed and looked at the rest of her team and saw the various looks of surprise and curiosity as they looked at Seijuro and her.
"I'll steal Mac away for a bit," Seijuro said with a polite smile, but the threat was clear in his eyes as he looked at them. He was daring them to protest, but no one did.
Mac glanced at him for a moment before she shrugged and waved at the others, "bye, see you on Monday!"
"B-bye," Sakurai said one of the few who actually said anything as they watched as Seijuro lead Mac away from them still with his arm around her waist.
Daiki scowled again as he started to walk not caring that the others walked beside him now and he just wanted to get home and forget that Mac was with Seijuro.
"They looked close," Inoue commented breaking the silence that had fallen after their manager slash player had left them. "I didn't know she had a new boyfriend."
Daiki's head snapped to him, "He's not her boyfriend!"
"They did look close," Imayoshi pointed out with that everlasting smile of his and closed eyes. "He even had his arm around her waist."
Daiki glared and Sakurai actually took a step away from the tall ace.
"They're just friends;" Daiki growled.
"Hmm," Imayoshi didn't look like he believed that as he looked at Daiki with a pensive look. "If you say so, Aomine-san."
Daiki glared again before he turned away and walked away from the others in a much worse mood than when he had left the gym.
...
Mac looked up at the large, well, mansion. There was no other word for it, she thought as she took it in. The mansion was elegant and white, so white, and intimidating. It was like it said that her friend was from another world than her and she hated that idea because Seijuro was her friend.
"Come on," Seijuro said as he pushed the door open. Mac followed him inside looking around curiously.
"Welcome back, young master," an older man with grey hair and polite masked smile said just as they entered the house.
"We're going to my rooms," Seijuro said in a short commanding voice. "Please, bring us something to eat and drink."
"Of course, young master," the man said bowing politely.
Mac pretended not to notice the older man's eyes on her before he turned and walked away leaving her with Seijuro and she followed her friend when he continued to move toward the large staircase that led them up to the next floor. She followed him through the halls until they reached large double doors and he pushed them open.
"Are you coming, Mac?" he asked smiling slightly.
Mac nodded and blinked as she found herself in a small living room slash office kind of room with a comfortable looking sofa in front of a television and a desk with a computer and a large bookshelf with what looked like hundreds of books. It looked like a room that fitted Seijuro very well, especially seeing the Shogi board set up on a table by the window and a basketball lying on the floor.
She opened her bag and let Nao out of it and saw how he curiously looked around the room as he stood by her legs. Seijuro glanced at him before looking away again.
"Are you playing someone right now?" Mac asked gesturing to the Shogi board that looked to be in the middle of a game.
"Myself," Seijuro shrugged but she saw the small flicker of loneliness in his heterochromatic eyes before it was gone.
"Want to play a game against me?" Mac smiled. "It's been awhile since we've played now."
Seijuro smiled making him look younger and more relaxed (something she counted as a victory).
"Alright," he agreed and cleared the board up before getting it ready for their match. Mac sat down and pulled on leg up to hug her knee to her chest.
They played until there was a knock on the door and Seijuro called for them to come inside. The man from before entered the room with a tray filled with food and a maid followed behind him looking a little nervous yet curtsied politely for him.
"Your meal, young master," the man said.
"Thank you, Takashi," Seijuro said and Takashi bowed. "We'll serve ourselves."
"Of course, young master," Takashi said.
Mac thought it was a little strange to see Seijuro like this, it was a side she had never seen from him before but she guessed she should have known. She knew he was rich after all. She looked at Seijuro who had gotten up from their game and he had his back to her. She thought he looked a little tense, but why did he… she frowned slightly as she noticed that he didn't turn to look at her as he moved toward the tray. The realisation hit her as she watched him and she felt like rolling her eyes.
She got up and walked over to him as he reached the tray with food. She glanced at the food and saw that it was her favourites.
"Looking good," Mac said glancing at him and saw that he was still stiff. She nudged his shoulder with hers making him look at her. She arched a brow. "Are you expecting something, Seijuro?"
He stared at her for a moment and she just waited for him to say something until he relaxed and smiled at her.
"No," he said. "Come on, let's eat."
Mac nodded and happily grabbed a plate with her favourite food and sat down to eat.
"Sooo good," she exclaimed.
"Glad you liked it," Seijuro said amused.
She stuck out her tongue to him for being amused and he chuckled. She just shrugged and smiled as she heard him laugh.
...
"I didn't expect you to come and see me," Mac commented later when they were back at playing Shogi. She glanced up at him as he made his move. She could tell he was holding back a little, mostly to prevent the game to end too quickly.
"Oh?" he said. "Why?"
"You're busy with school, basketball and your dad's business," Mac said looking down to watch the Shogi board. "I don't want you to tire yourself out by coming to see me when you already have so much on your plate."
Seijuro paused and looked at her but she refused to look up and meet his eyes. She wasn't sure why but she just couldn't look up and see the expression on his face.
"Of course I'll come and see you," Seijuro said.
Her head snapped up and he looked at her like she was stupid. She scoffed and he smiled at her making her smile back.
It was much later that Mac got up to leave and coaxed Nao back to place him in her bag again and cuddled him for a minute before she dropped him into the bag. She closed her bag and placed it over her shoulder like normal.
"How long are you staying for?" Mac dared to ask the question she had wanted to ask all night but afraid to. She didn't want to hear that he was leaving again soon.
"Until Sunday night," Seijuro said.
"Oh, ok," Mac nodded.
He followed her to the door and she walked quietly beside him fiddling with the strap of her bag as they made their way down the stairs. She was aware that he was glancing at her trying to figure out what she was thinking.
"It was really good seeing you again, Seijuro," Mac said smiling at him and like she had a few times before reached out and hugged him. He stilled for a second before he relaxed and hugged her back, making her smile.
"You too, Mac," he said.
Mac pulled back and with a last cheerful wave and smile she left.
...
Neither of the two was aware of cold red eyes observing the scene from the top of the stairs where a stern looking man with sharp features took in the scene. His eyes locked on the girl that was hugging the young heir making Seijuro relax and smile. He watched with narrowed eyes as she waved and smiled before leaving the house.
As the door closed the man saw Seijuro smile contently before turning and making his way further into the house, in the direction of the kitchen, never spotting his father standing on the top of the stairs watching him.
Akashi Shichiro walked back to his office and sat down behind his large mahogany desk and placed his elbow on top of the desk folding his hands together as he leaned forward thinking. Just who was that girl? She looked close to his son. Too close. Was she the reason why Seijuro suddenly had come back here? Leaving his school and interrupting his work down in Kyoto?
He called for Takashi and waited impatiently for the older man to enter his office. The grey-haired man bowed politely when he stopped just inside of the door in greeting.
"You wished to see me, sir?" Takashi asked.
Takashi had been with the family for as long as Akashi could remember, probably since he himself was a young boy. The man had the perfect mask of politeness and correct manners for the butler of the Akashi family.
"Who was the girl with Seijuro?" Akashi asked bluntly.
Takashi didn't reveal what he was thinking as he looked at Akashi.
"Potter Mackenzie, sir," Takashi answered right away.
"…and who is she?" Akashi pressed.
"She's one of the former teammates of young master Seijuro, sir," Takashi answered. "They went to school together at Teiko and are good friends, I believe."
Akashi frowned and leaned back in his chair as he stared at the old man. Why hadn't he heard about her before?
"What do you know about her, Takashi?" Akashi asked.
"Not much, sir," Takashi admitted. "I only know that young master Seijuro is very fond of the girl and she seems to be fond of him as well."
Akashi dismissed the older man and swore he would find out more about the girl. He had to find out just who and what she was to Seijuro and then take care of it accordingly. He would order his secretary to look into it tomorrow.
...
Mac was still smiling as she entered the apartment and made her way toward her room when she heard laughter from the living room. She paused before she changed directions and walked toward the living room instead. She paused in the door and looked inside and saw Taiga seated on the sofa smiling and his dad was next to him ruffling his hair while he laughed and Taiga tried to get him to stop.
Mac watched the scene in silence for a little bit a strange feeling in her chest as she watched the father and son together, and she felt hesitant to interrupt the two as she saw the smiles on their faces. She knew Taiga had missed his dad while he was gone and she was sure that Tarou also missed his son.
"Oh, there you are, Mac," Tarou suddenly said breaking Mac out of her thoughts and smiled at her. "Taiga said you were out."
Mac smiled though for some reason it felt a little forced. She stepped into the living room trying to push away the strange feeling in her chest as she turned her eyes toward Taiga to see that he was grumbling something but smiled at her when he met her eyes. So…he wasn't upset with her.
"Yes," Mac said.
"I'm glad you're back now," Tarou said. "I was thinking of calling you so you would be home before it got too late."
Mac nodded silently.
"Are you hungry?" Tarou asked and he glanced at her and Taiga.
"I am," Taiga said.
"A little," Mac answered.
"How about I order some take-out and we'll eat together?" Tarou asked and Mac nodded again before making her way to her room to change and let Nao out of her bag.
...
After having changed she cuddled Nao to her chest and listened to his soft sounds as he enjoyed her attention. He licked her cheek making her smile slightly.
"Mac!" Taiga called and she got to her feet and walked out of her room and toward the living room. She saw that the food had arrived and Taiga was already seated beside his dad.
Mac sat down and watched as Nao curled up by her feet before resting his head on his front paws. She smiled slightly at the sight before taking some food.
"How did your match go?" Taiga asked breaking the silence.
"We won," Mac said looking up at him and smiled slightly.
"Oh, you played a match?" Tarou asked. "Who did you play?"
"Yes, we played a practice match against Seiho," Mac said. "It was a good match."
"Seriously, Riko got angry at me when I didn't tell her that you were going to play Seiho," Taiga complained.
Mac chuckled lightly as she looked over at Taiga. He was pouting and she laughed more making him glare at her, but with the pout, she just thought he looked like a little kid. A cute little kid.
"Sorry," she said as she calmed down aware of the smile on her uncle's face as he watched her and Taiga. "I suppose that Riko would be mad about that."
Taiga frowned and looked at her, "then why didn't you tell me to tell them? And why would Riko be mad?"
Mac looked at him for a moment and wondered what to tell him. It was clear that neither Riko nor the other second years had told their first years about what happened last year. Though, it wasn't like he couldn't find out if he wanted to.
"Why should I tell you to tell them, Taiga?" Mac asked arching a brow. "It's not my job to do research for Seirin as well, you know."
Taiga scowled.
"Anyway…as for why Riko would be mad…" Mac said thoughtfully, "is because of what happened in their final league last year."
Taiga frowned and Tarou arched a brow.
"What happened?" Taiga asked.
Mac took a bite of her food before looking up at Taiga again.
"Hm, well, it's not like you can't find out if you want…" Mac sighed. "They played Seiho in the final league last year and…well they lost."
"So," Taiga asked confused.
Mac sighed again and remembered how Teppei had looked when he told her about it when she came to visit him at the hospital. He had looked sad and worried, and she understood why when she had seen Riko and the others later. They had looked broken, and it was a look she remembered seeing often in their opponents.
"Teppei was injured when Seirin played Seiho," Mac said and saw the surprise in Taiga's eyes and she realised that it was the first time she had said his name (well without being prompted to say it) since they broke up. "I only heard about it from Teppei, but they lost very badly for Seiho. I think the score was 150-40, or something like that."
Taiga felt his eyes widen in shock. His sempai's had lost with that much? Just how strong was Seiho? He knew that Hyuga and the others were strong as well, and to have lost with that much…
"I suppose they wanted to watch us play Seiho because they're planning to win against them next time," Mac said looking at Taiga. "They want revenge."
Taiga blinked and nodded while Tarou smiled watching them interact and feeling pleased seeing that they seemed closer than when he had left on his business trip.
"Do you think we can beat Seiho?" Taiga asked.
"Perhaps," Mac shrugged. "Though… Seiho is tough and not someone you should take lightly."
"We'll beat them," Taiga swore.
Mac shook her head and smiled a little.
...
The next morning Mac had breakfast with Tarou and since it was Saturday she didn't have to rush or have magic lessons before school. She enjoyed having the time to take it easy and just do everything at her own pace.
"How long are you here now?" Mac asked her uncle.
"Two weeks," Tarou said, "then I'll have to go to the offices in New York."
Mac nodded.
"Are you ok, Mac?" Tarou asked. "I know we talked on the phone, but it's not the same. Also, Taiga told me that you and your boyfriend broke up."
He looked a little awkward as he asked but he had a sincere look in his eyes as well.
"I'm fine, uncle Tarou," Mac said smiling slightly. "It's getting better."
He looked a little doubtful, but luckily he didn't press.
Soon Taiga came stumbling into the kitchen making Mac and Tarou laugh as he clumsily made his way over to the food. Mac watched as the father and son started to bicker and tease each other good-heartedly.
Mac was distracted from her observing of her uncle and cousin by her phone and she pulled it up and looked at the message she had just received.
Meet me at the court in 20 minutes. Seijuro.
So demanding, Mac thought fondly as she quickly sent a reply and stood up from her chair just finishing breakfast.
"Mac?" Tarou asked looking over at her.
"I'm going out," Mac said.
"Oh, where are you going?" Tarou asked.
"Meeting a friend," Mac said before exiting the kitchen and going to her room to get ready for the day. Nao following behind her.
...
"Seijuro," Mac said when she saw her friend seated on a bench reading a book while he waited for her. He looked up and smiled at her as he closed the book and put it away.
"You're here," he said.
"Sorry I am a little late," Mac said.
He nodded and grabbed the basketball and threw it at her. She caught it and looked over at him.
"Let's play," he said.
"Ok," she agreed easily and saw the smirk on his lips. She had missed the chance of playing with him and soon they found themselves in an intense battle of basketball.
Mac was breathing harsher and sweating as she moved to defend the basket from Seijuro who currently had control over the ball. He was smiling as he watched her and she knew she was smiling as well.
"I'm still going to win," Seijuro said as he dribbled passed her and scored.
Mac just smirked and used her speed and reflexes to get free from his mark and scored before he even realised what she'd done. He looked at her thoughtfully before smiling.
"We'll see," Mac smirked.
They continued like this for a while and neither really kept count of the score as they both just enjoyed playing together again.
...
Seijuro watched his best friend as she dribbled the ball and looked so much like she always did when she focused on a basketball match. It was good to see her like this like she used to be. He almost regretted deciding to attend school in Kyoto, it was so far away from her and he wanted to be there to protect her. When he heard that Kiyoshi had broken up with her he had almost immediately jumped on a train to go and see her, but his dad had been there and he had demanded that Seijuro was going to attend a meeting. There was no way for Seijuro to say no without creating a large mess that could spill over to Mac, and that was not something he wanted.
He still felt angry when he thought about Kiyoshi. He didn't care about the reason why he had done it, he had hurt Mac and to Seijuro that was completely unacceptable. He never wanted to see or hear Mac hurt or in pain. He had promised himself that he would stop it, and he had failed. Yes, he knew he couldn't control everything. Well, logically he knew that. But it wasn't wrong to want your best friend, the closest person you had to a sister, to be happy and unhurt? Right? Seijuro certainly didn't think so and he would control and manipulate everything to make sure that Mac was happy.
"How are you doing, Mac?" Seijuro asked as he dribbled the ball.
Mac arched a brow as she glanced up at his eyes before looking back to track the ball with her eyes waiting to strike.
"I'm doing better," she answered.
He moved and she followed the movement with an easy twist and stopped him from getting free and he smirked.
"Have you seen him after you broke up?" Seijuro asked.
Mac stiffened slightly and it was telling. Seijuro never paused nor stilled as he asked and she narrowed her eyes as she suddenly lunged forward managing to get a hand on the ball making him lose control over it. She reached the ball first and took control of it.
She still hadn't answered his question, but he waited. He knew not to press and let her tell him what she wanted to.
"No," she said. "Not yet."
"Yet?" he scowled. That sounded like she planned on seeing him again.
Mac smiled slightly as she saw the scowl and dribbled the ball and jumped before releasing the ball into the air and they both watched as it flew through the air and through the hoop.
"He's still my friend, Seijuro," Mac said quietly and he turned his attention back to her.
"Why?" he asked not happy at all.
"He hasn't done anything wrong," Mac said, "It's me that's treated him wrong. He deserved better than what he got."
Seijuro's frown deepened. "I'm sure that's wrong."
Mac smiled slightly and sat down on the concrete court tired and watched as Seijuro also sat down. He was watching her with a searching look and she knew he was disagreeing with her.
"I really liked him," Mac admitted quietly, "and I miss him."
"Then…"
"He's someone I could talk to, Seijuro," Mac said and turned her green eyes to look at him. "He was always supportive of me and that never changed. He's a good person."
Seijuro scowled unhappily and to Mac, it looked very much like he was pouting, but she saw the possessiveness and fear in his eyes that he tried his best to hide from her. She sighed softly.
"You're still my best friend next to Daiki, Seijuro," Mac told him. "You're still the closest I have to a brother and I will always need you. Teppei won't take your place."
"Hm," Seijuro said but the pout slash frown relaxed on his face and he looked a little happier.
"So, you plan on seeing him," Seijuro said.
"One day," Mac said, "but not yet. I'm…not ready yet."
Seijuro nodded, "I'm still not happy with him for hurting you."
Mac sighed but she didn't say anything knowing it would do no good. Seijuro would still be protective (or overprotective), but he would respect her wishes…at least she hoped so.
They stayed seated on the court for a long time until both of their stomachs growled making them aware of the time.
...
Mac had fun hanging out with Seijuro for the rest of the weekend and was sad to see him go when Sunday afternoon eventually arrived. She had insisted on coming to the train station to see him off and was standing on the platform waving at him as he looked at her out of the window.
"Next time you'll come to Kyoto!" Seijuro called through the window and Mac nodded with a smile. It was a promise.
She watched as the train started to move and kept standing there watching as it disappeared and she sighed. She would miss Seijuro, she thought as she turned and made her way out of the station. She turned to leave when she noticed a couple of boys watching her. She saw one of them whisper something to the other before they both looked at her with a look that clearly said they were checking her out. She hid her grimace as she sped up on her way out not looking back at them.
Why did she feel like this? She was not someone who would allow anyone to scare her, but she couldn't help the feeling of helplessness she felt as she was alone. She suddenly wished she had asked Daiki to come, but knew he wouldn't want to come to say goodbye to Seijuro. She felt so weak…so stupid. She shouldn't feel like this, she hated feeling like this.
"Ouch," she moaned as she collided with something solid making her stumbled back without falling completely. She looked up to see what or rather who she had collided with and blinked surprised when she saw Matsumoto Yukinori, the coach of Seiho. She quickly looked behind her and saw that no one was following her before she turned back to face the coach of the team she had just helped defeat. He was watching her with serious eyes.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Mac apologized immediately and bowed to him feeling rather crossed with herself for not paying attention to where she was going. "I…wasn't paying attention."
"That's alright," he said calmly. "Are you alright, Potter-san?"
Mac straightened before she looked up at him.
"I'm fine," she said and he gave her a long look and she couldn't help but feel like he didn't believe her.
"I see," he said. "Well, I wasn't expecting to run into someone I knew here."
Mac nodded, she hadn't either.
"I was just saying goodbye to a friend who was going back to Kyoto," Mac said.
"I see," he said again. "My son also just left for Kyoto. He has a tournament there."
Mac remembered reading that his son was a martial arts champion and both held and participated in tournaments. He was rather well-known in the circle all around Japan. When she thought about it… Coach Matsumoto was also a martial arts champion.
"Potter-san?" the sound of her name made her aware that she had been spacing out again and she blushed lightly embarrassed.
"Ah, sorry," she said. "I got lost in thought."
He nodded but still looked at her.
"I…you also taught martial arts, right?" Mac asked nervously but she refused to let it show.
"You really did your research on us, didn't you?" Matsumoto asked slightly surprised. "Yes, I used to teach martial arts. Still, do sometimes."
Mac looked down for a moment wondering if she really was going to do this, wondering if she really was going to actually ask the question that swirled in her mind. She hadn't really been interested in martial arts before, but since reading about it as she prepared for their match against Seiho she had found…some promise in it. Would it be enough to keep her from feeling like she had just a moment before?
"Matsumoto-san," Mac said looking up at him before she bowed. "Please, teach me martial arts."
Silence. She forced herself to remain in the position she was in and not look up at him as she bit down on her lower lip. She had asked. She felt her heart beat harder in her chest and nerves filled her as she waited for his answer.
"Why?" he asked.
"I want to learn how to protect myself and stop feeling weak," Mac admitted still bowing.
"Stand up, Potter-san," he said seriously and she did and met his eyes. He was looking at her calculating and she refused to show how nervous she felt, but the longer he stared without saying anything the more nervous she felt.
"I will not promise anything," he finally said, "but come see me Tuesday after school and my family's Dojo. We'll have a talk then and we'll see."
"Thank you, sir," Mac said politely and relieved.
He nodded and with that waved her off and she took it as the dismissal it was.
...
...
AN: Thank you for reading and supporting the story! Hope you liked the chapter! :D