Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Kuroko no Basket!

...

...

1st year – Too Academy

Mac sighed softly as she stared out of the window of the classroom waiting for the teacher to enter the room and start their class for the day. Her maths books lay opened on the desk and her pen was idly doodling as she waited. She refused to look behind her, at the empty desk as she knew that Daiki wouldn't have shown up since the last time she broke her resolve to not look.

"You're so funny, Aomine," Fujimoto's giggly voice sounded as the door to the classroom was pushed open deliberately, trying to gain the attention to the almost complete class already in the room. Her giggles followed and then Daiki's grunt.

Mac pretended not to notice them as she heard them coming toward Daiki's desk and stared more determinedly out of the window with her head popped up on her hand resting on her elbow. She felt Daiki's eyes on her, but she stopped herself from turning around.

"Aomine," Fujimoto said and Mac could tell she sounded impatient like she was trying to get Daiki's attention.

"What?" Daiki asked.

"Will…will you have lunch with me today?" Fujimoto asked and Mac could hear the nerves hidden in her voice and she frowned slightly.

"Why?" Daiki asked and Mac wasn't sure she hoped that Daiki would be that oblivious and turn the girl away, or if she actually felt sorry for the girl and wanted to smack Daiki for being that oblivious. So confusing.

"I've made you lunch," Fujimoto said her voice almost too quiet for Mac to hear. "I wanted to make you something so I got up extra early to make it."

Mac tensed and stopped herself from saying something that would probably ruin the moment or something. But…why did they have to have this talk right here?

"Oh, I guess," Daiki said and Mac felt her stomach drop as he accepted. She tried to push out the giggle that followed and saw the reflexion of Fujimoto's smile in the glass and it felt like a stab to her gut.

Just then the door was opened again and this time it really was the teacher and Fujimoto skipped back to her desk and whispered something to the girl seated behind her, Fukui Chiyoko, who giggled and Mac saw the look both girls cast at her as she turned her attention away from the window.

"Daiki," Mac greeted with a small smile.

"Kenzie," he smiled back and she wondered what he was thinking.

"Ok, who's ready for some maths?" the teacher asked and a collective groan went through the class making the teacher smile.

...

For Mac the time until lunch went to quick and she soon saw Fujimoto beside Daiki's desk once more carrying a squared box that obviously contained their food. Mac who was turned toward Daiki didn't miss the cold look from the girl but she lost it before Daiki noticed.

"Ah, food," Daiki said and grinned.

"I hope you'll like it," she said a small blush on her cheeks. "Hello, Potter-san."

"Hi," Mac nodded at her politely.

"Oh, would you like to join us, Potter-san?" Fujimoto asked looking at her with a sweet smile but Mac was very aware of the underlying note in her voice. Her eyes were also clearly telling her to stay away.

"Come on, Kenzie," Daiki grinned at her as he got up and yawned. "It's food."

Mac almost said yes just to mess with Fujimoto, but she squashed the desire down and plastered an equally false smile as she looked at Fujimoto.

"Thank you, but I think I'll read instead," Mac said.

"Alright," Fujimoto said a brief hint of relief in her voice.

"You sure, Kenzie?" Daiki asked.

"Yeah, I have a lot of homework to do and managing stuff for the basketball team as well," Mac said smiling more genuinely at him seeing the honest concern on his blue eyes as he looked at her.

"Alright, but remember to eat," Daiki said and Mac nodded and turned around in her seat and pulled her food up from her bag as she opened her notebook.

...

Mac ate as she read the next chapter for Japanese History, but she sighed as she finished her food as she couldn't really focus on what she was reading. She kept seeing Daiki leaving the classroom with Fujimoto and while it wasn't anything wrong with that, she didn't like it. She got up and stretched deciding to walk a little and maybe she could walk off the restlessness she felt.

She was walking past Sakurai who was also sitting at his desk and looked engrossed in something as he was leaning forward slightly. Mac paused curiously as she glanced over his shoulder and saw the detailed drawings of what looked like a manga character. She arched a brow surprised as she saw the secure way he drew.

"That looks great," Mac said after a moment and saw how Sakurai startled obviously not having noticed her pausing behind him. He looked up at her and quickly closed the book and she felt a little disappointed that he did, but she would probably do the same if it was him or anyone else discovering her drawings.

"Sorry! I didn't see you," Sakurai squeaked.

"Obviously," Mac said and leaned against the empty desk next to Sakurai's desk. She gave him a contemplative look. "You're good, Sakurai-kun."

He blushed and stammered something making Mac smile a little amused. He looked like a little puppy or something, she thought.

"Can I see something you've drawn, Sakurai-kun?" Mac asked.

He bit down on his lip before he nodded and opened the sketchbook again and she pulled out the chair from the desk she was standing at and pulled it closer to Sakurai's desk and looked at the book. She saw the page was a boy with longish hair and large eyes, typical of manga characters. Next to the boy were a girl in a school uniform and her hair in pigtails also with wide eyes.

"You like drawing manga characters, Sakurai-kun?" Mac asked glancing up at her teammate.

"Yes, sorry," Sakurai blushed.

"Why are you sorry?" Mac asked looking back at the page. "This is good. I like how you've detailed the eyes, they look really alive. Also how you've managed to shadow the characters making them look realistic. It's difficult to do."

Sakurai stared at her with round eyes and his cheeks were flushed red, but Mac didn't really see it as she turned the page and saw more of the same characters but in different settings. She hummed as she continued to look through the book.

"Do…do you draw, Mac-san?" Sakurai finally broke the silence and Mac looked up from his sketchbook.

"I do," she answered thinking for a moment before she got up and walked to her bag and pulled out her sketchbook. Seeing that he had shown her his work, it was only fair that she'd show him hers as well.

"I guess you could see some of what I've drawn," Mac said and opened her sketchbook to show him. She was a little nervous because she normally didn't show her drawings to anyone that wasn't Daiki, well, mostly. She had shown some drawings to her teammates from Teiko and Teppei, but not really in detail.

"Wow," Sakurai gasped and stared at the drawing of Nao resting on a patch of grass underneath a cherry tree in full blossom. "That's amazing."

"Thank you," Mac said a little embarrassed.

They spent the rest of the break talking about drawings and showing each other some more and commenting on some aspects of the drawings.

"Um, Potter-san," a voice called breaking into their discussion about shadowing correctly and Mac looked up to the owner of the voice, Matsushita Kazuo. "I need my chair."

"Ah, sorry about that, Matsushita-san," Mac said and got up and when she pushed the chair over to him she saw the slightly stunned look on his face. "Something wrong, Matsushita-san?"

"Eh, no," he said rubbing the back of his head looking a little sheepish. "It's just the first time you talked to me. I didn't know you knew my name."

Mac blinked and realised that he was correct. She hadn't spoken to him before, but why would that mean that she didn't know his name? They were in the same class, right?

"Oh, well, we're in the same class, so of course I know your name," Mac said.

"Right," he said smiling cheerfully and a small blush on his cheeks. "Perhaps we'll get to talk more now."

"Maybe," Mac said and turned back to Sakurai and smiled at him. "We'll talk later, Sakurai-san."

Sakurai nodded and for once didn't apologize for something.

...

Mac was preparing for the days practice having talked with Harasawa and had his agreement in what she wanted them to do. They had discussed it and Harasawa had been pleased with her idea and told her that she would have the team after he had talked about their last practice match against Seiho.

Mac stood now next to Sakurai and Namamura listening to the coach talking about their match, the non-regulars was standing behind the regulars listening as well (well not Daiki because he was absent). She listened with one ear as she thought over the plan.

"The regulars will stay here and listen to Potter-san," Harasawa said finishing his speech. "The rest of you will follow me and we'll set up a match for you."

The rustling and whispers broke out and then disappeared as Mac stepped forward telling herself that she could do this and that she had already done so many times. She hated that she still felt nervous before talking to them as a group.

"So," Mac swallowed. "Before we begin I want you all to put this on."

She pushed the box that had been standing there close to the regulars and saw them cast curious looks at it.

"What is it?" Namamura asked.

"It's ankle- and wrist weights," Mac answered. "They weigh 1 kg, and you'll be wearing them for the rest of the today's practice."

"1 kg isn't really heavy, though," Abe commented as he picked up his pair and put them on. He lifted his arm to feel how it felt and smiled.

"You might not think so now," Mac said calmly.

She watched as they all put them on and try them out and heard their comments that it seemed light and careless shrugs. She saw Imayoshi smiled as he watched the rest of the team with closed eyes and she knew he was aware of the real purpose of this test.

"Alright," Mac said when they all had gotten the weights settled. "I want you all to run 20 laps around the outside of the gym."

"EH?!" Abe, Inoue, Yamaguchi yelled.

"I can make it 30," Mac said staring at them blankly.

"Shut up," Wakamatsu snapped at the three regulars. "I don't want to run more, so you better not get us more laps!"

"But it's unfair!" Inoue whined. "Why do we have to run and she gets to sit here and relax?!"

"Does it look like she's planning on staying here and relax, Inoue?" Susa asked.

Inoue blinked and looked over at Mac who had strapped on her own weights and was now bending her knees a little just to warm up a little. She looked up and met Inoue's eyes who smiled sheepishly at her.

They started to run and Mac saw that some of them set their pace to fast and she sighed as she watched Wakamatsu run ahead with Inoue and Abe close behind him. Some like Imayoshi and Susa seemed to take it easy and set the pace to match hers, and she was pleased to see that they managed to think strategically about this.

After the tenth lap she picked up her pace and passed Wakamatsu and Inoue, Abe had been passed two laps ago, and she saw the disbelieving looks from them as she ran passed them without seemingly breaking a sweat.

"What is she?" Inoue panted as he stared at Mac as she already was several meters in front of them.

"How can she run like that?" Wakamatsu wondered before frowning determinedly. "I'm not going to lose! ARGH!" He ran faster and Inoue was unable to follow at the pace.

Mac heard the shout behind her and smiled a little, looks like Wakamatsu was stubborn. She knew Imayoshi and Susa followed close behind and would soon reach Wakamatsu. She shifted her focus and her pace once more as she continued to run. Only three laps left now.

...

Mac was standing leaned against the frame in the doorway into the gym when the rest of the regulars finished their laps one by one and collapsed on the ground panting and sweating. She watched them for a moment before she asked one of the managers to get their water bottles and give it to them.

"Drink," she ordered and watched as they greedily gulped down the water.

She pushed herself away from the frame and looked down at the team who was still breathing harder than normal. She smiled.

"Get up," she said.

"Eh?" Namamura asked.

"Wakamatsu-san, Inoue-san you're with the third years," Mac said, "Abe-san, Yamaguchi-san you're with Sakurai-kun and Namamura-san and me."

They got to their feet and followed Mac into the gym looking a little wary at their teammate slash manager. She saw Harasawa arch a brow as he took in the state of his regulars before he smiled a little impressed.

"Third year- group will be the defence while first-year-group will be the offence," Mac said.

"What are we doing, Mac-san?" Imayoshi smiled.

"We're working on our speed and reaction time," Mac said. "So, I want you to move when you see the pass being sent not before and not after. We'll play 5-on-5 shell drills."

They took their positions around the circle in front of the hoop and Mac caught the ball sent by Sakurai and found Imayoshi in front of her smiling challengingly at her. She knew he was not someone to take lightly so she used her speed to pass and noticed that he was only slightly off in his timing.

...

Harasawa turned his attention over to his regulars who were working on the shell drill Mac had told him about and he was impressed as he saw how she led the drill even when she was part of it. She would pause sometimes to point out where they did wrong and how to improve.

She had this natural way to teach them and get them to do what she wanted, even when she was younger than most of them. It wasn't normal for a first year to have this kind of authority over the second and third years. Harasawa shook his head slightly as she complimented Wakamatsu for reacting fast enough to her pass.

Harasawa saw the moment Mac decided that they had enough and as soon as she called it off the rest fell to the floor exhausted and breathing harshly. He watched as Mac calmly took a drink from her water bottle and wiped her sweat from her brow as she carefully watched the others.

"Take off your weights," she told them and they groaned.

Harasawa almost laughed as he saw how they eagerly pushed the weights away from them giving them the stink eye. He had heard their comments when she ordered them to put them on, now they would know differently.

"Not to light now, are they?" Mac commented almost airily.

"They weigh a ton!" Abe complained.

"While light, in the beginning, they do seem heavier as you practice," Mac said. "They add more resistance to your movement and helps form your muscles. Over time they will make your muscles stronger and help with your movements as well."

"Over time?" Nakano asked.

"Yes," Mac said. "From now on we'll be wearing them during practices."

"Eh…"

"But I do not want to see any of you try any heavier weights," Mac said her tone seriously. "If I catch you with heavier weights you won't like the result, got it?"

"What's the problem with using heavier weights if we want?" Inoue asked.

"Because your bodies aren't used to it and you'll risk injuries," Mac said. "So, the 1 kg weights are enough."

"Ok," they nodded.

Harasawa smiled again and was pleased to see that she did think about preventing injuries as well. He would have had to intervene if she didn't do that. He didn't want to risk injuring one of his players.

...

Mac pushed the doorbell that was outside of the gates to Matsumoto's house and waited for someone to come and open. Even from the outside Mac could tell that this was a traditional house and she was suddenly aware that the Dojo was probably connected to the Seiho coach's home. Before she could think any more about it the door opened and a younger version of Matsumoto appeared, he had the same brown hair and facial structure but he had a small goatee.

"You must me Potter Mackenzie," the man said. He looked to be in the middle of his thirties. "I'm Matsumoto Yuki, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you," Mac bowed politely. "I'm Potter Mackenzie."

He smiled at her and opened the door wider to let her inside. She followed behind him as they walked up a path leading to the houses. She tried not to stare too much but the garden was beautiful and she thought it looked really peaceful.

She was led into the main house and noticed the thin white walls that she could tell was sliding doors framed by what looked like bamboo wood as some were open and letting the nice spring air in and made the house seem very open and nice. She soon found herself being led into a large open room that was very sparsely decorated, a low table and again the sliding doors was opened and let in the natural light allowing that to be the main light source for the room. A low table was near the door or window (?) and a few seats that matched the size of the table surrounded the table.

Matsumoto was sitting cross-legged at the table with a cup of tea in front of him. He smiled politely when he spotted Mac behind his son.

"Welcome, Potter-san," he smiled. "Please, take a seat."

"Thank you, Matsumoto-san," Mac said and sat down.

Yuki sat down as well and Mac waited for one of them to say something. She was aware that they were watching her closely and she fought the need to fidget. Yuki then offered her some tea which she accepted to be polite.

"My father tells me you want to learn martial arts, Potter-san," Yuki finally said breaking the silence.

"I do," Mac nodded.

"May I ask why you want to learn martial arts, Potter-san?" Matsumoto asked seriously. "You said it was to protect yourself?"

Yuki also looked at her seriously and she felt both men could see straight through her. She had thought a lot about it and knew she had to be honest with them and open up about her reasons for wanting to learn. She had seen that Matsumoto was a kind person, but he was also strict and wouldn't teach just anyone who asked.

"I…" Mac stumbled slightly frowning. "I don't want to feel…weak anymore."

"Why do you feel weak, Potter-san?" Yuki asked frowning slightly.

She clenched her hands before looking up at the two men and steeled herself.

"I have always felt weak," Mac admitted. "My…my cousin was always bigger than me and he would target me. Bully me and chase me around, while I'm fast and faster than him he would sometimes catch me and beat me."

The two men exchanged looks.

"Your cousin?" Matsumoto asked.

"I used to live with my aunt and uncle and cousin," Mac said forcing the memories of the Dursley's away the best she could. "My parents died when I was fifteen months, and I was given to mum's sister when they died. My aunt and uncle never wanted me, and allowed their son to bully me."

"Are you still living with them, Potter-san?" Matsumoto asked gravely.

Mac shook her head no.

"They left me when I started the second year at Middle School," Mac said glancing away from them. "I'm currently living with another uncle and cousin. They're good to me."

Matsumoto gave her a serious look before he nodded and relaxed slightly again.

"Anyway, I don't like feeling weak like that," Mac said quietly. "Lately… I feel always watched and…being a basketball player that plays on a boys' team I get some unwanted attention and I…worry that one day some might…"

She trailed off and felt stupid and lame for not being able to explain this properly and worried that they would turn her away. She didn't want to be rejected.

"Why turn to martial arts?" Yuki asked.

"When I studied Seiho before we were going to play them I learned more about it and I thought that maybe it would be a way for me to learn self-defence," Mac said looking back at them. "I just want to feel like I can protect myself, sir. I know my friends would do it, but I can't rely on them everywhere I go."

Matsumoto took a sip of his tea as he watched her and Mac could tell he was thinking, she also noticed that Yuki looked at his father with a pensive look on his face. She wished she could see what they were thinking. Would they accept her as a student?

"Martial arts are a refined art form," Matsumoto said. "It's a discipline that will require both pieces of knowledge in traditions, theories, principle, laws and techniques upon which martial artistry is based. It's hard work, Potter-san."

"I'm used to hard work, Matsumoto-san," Mac said. "I promise that I will do everything I can to be a good student."

Again with the stare and suddenly the older man smiled.

"Alright," he said. "I will teach you or my son will."

"Really?" Mac asked hopefully.

"Yes, Potter-san," Yuki smiled.

"Thank you!" Mac got up and bowed to them.

The rest of the time they talked about martial arts and went over some of the philosophy and ideals of the sport. She listened closely and took note of some books that Yuki mentioned for her to read. She mentally groaned over the idea of having to read even more (she had enough already), but she nodded and promised she would do it.

Yuki ended up showing her the way to the Dojo which was outside on the opposite side of the garden and she looked around with an awed look on her face as she took in the small water lakes and Bamboo water fountains that created a beautiful and peaceful surrounding. The Dojo itself was a rectangle shaped building made with mostly Bamboo wood and sliding doors like the main house, it was slightly lifted up from the ground on pillars and a small staircase was leading up to the house.

Overall it looked like she would have imagined a traditional Dojo to look like.

"It's beautiful here," Mac commented.

"We like it," Yuki smiled.

"When do we start, Matsumoto-san?" Mac asked.

"What about Saturday, Potter-san?" Yuki asked. "And call me Yuki-sensei, Matsumoto-san is my father and it'll get confusing."

"Alright," Mac nodded, "Yuki-sensei."

He nodded and finished the tour before leading her back to the gate.

...

Mac was tired and was still seated in the sofa reading her new martial arts book while her uncle was in the kitchen and cousin was in his room doing who knows what, probably reading some basketball magazines or something. Yet, Mac refused to go to her room because she feared she would fall asleep if she was there without anyone seeing her.

Suddenly the doorbell rang and Mac looked up and glanced at the clock. It was nearly eight and getting pretty late for surprise visitors.

"I'll get it," Mac told her uncle who smiled gratefully at her. She put her book down and walked to the door.

She blinked as she took in the small figure standing just outside the door with a stubborn look on his face, but before Mac could say anything she found her arms filled with a crying Shiro.

"Eh? Shiro?" Mac put her arms protectively around the smaller boy and hugged him trying to calm him down. Just what was going on?

The boy just fastened his hold on her and hid his face against her chest refusing to look up, but she felt her shirt getting wet from his tears. She felt worried and slightly scared seeing her little brother like this.

"Mac?" Tarou's voice came closer and stopped when he saw the scene in front of him. He got a worried look on his face as he looked up at Mac who just gave him a helpless look back telling him without words that she had no idea what was wrong.

"Take him inside," Tarou said and Mac nodded as she guided Shiro inside and to the living room.

"Shiro?" Mac asked when she had somehow managed to seat them on the sofa with Shiro still clutching at her and refusing to let go. "What happened?"

Shiro cried a little more and Mac rubbed his back comfortingly as she wondered what to do now, she had to talk to his parents. They would be worried about him, and she worried about what had caused the distressed boy to show up at her door crying and obviously upset.

She had just pulled out her phone (an awkward affair seeing that Shiro refused to let her move) when it rang and she saw Ayano's name on the caller-id.

"Hello," Mac answered.

"Oh, Mac," Ayano sounded breathless and scared. "I…Shiro is gone! Do you have any idea where he might have gone?" She was straight to the point and Mac glanced down at the crying boy in her arms and while his crying had softened some.

"I was just about to call you," Mac said. "Shiro is here, he just arrived."

She heard the relieved breath Ayano let out and she could tell it sounded shaky.

"Thank god," Ayano breathed. "Is he ok?"

"I don't know," Mac frowned, "he hasn't talked to me yet. He's still crying."

"Takehiro! Shiro is with Mac," Mac heard Ayano call and soon she heard Takehiro's voice closer asking for his son.

"What happened, Ayano-san?" Mac asked worriedly stroking Shiro's hair.

"He ran away," Ayano said sadly.

"Why?" Mac asked shocked.

"I don't really know," Ayano said sadly.

Mac looked up and saw Tarou standing there watching sadly and worriedly. He nodded at her and gave her a small smile.

"I'll try to talk to him," Mac promised. "See if I can get him to tell me what's wrong."

"Good," Ayano said, "Shiro always opened up to you, Mac. We'll get to your place soon, ok?"

"Ok," Mac said and felt how Shiro shook his head and looked down to see him look up at her with pleading eyes. "Wait a minute, Ayano-san…. Shiro?"

"I don't want to see them," he whispered.

"Why? Your parents are worried about you," Mac said.

"I don't want to go back;" he said. "Not now."

Mac felt lost, just what had happened?

"Mac?" She heard Ayano's voice from the phone and brought the phone back to her ear.

"Yes?" Mac said.

"I…I heard him," she said sounding so tired and defeated. "Perhaps…if it's not too much to ask…perhaps he could stay with you tonight and we'll talk to him tomorrow? He'll have time to calm down and you'll be the best to help him, he obviously wants you right now."

Mac knew it cost the older woman to say that and felt bad for the hurt and pain she must feel. She knew that no one was a better mother than Ayano and for her to put her son's needs in front of her own just proved that to her.

"It's not too much to ask," Mac said quietly. "He can stay here for tonight."

"Thank you," Ayano said, "please let me talk to Shiro."

Mac brought the phone down to Shiro's ear and listened as he mumbled something in reply to whatever she said. Shiro held up the phone again and Mac talked a few more seconds with Ayano before hanging up.

...

"Who's the kid?" Taiga's voice sounded surprised as he stared at Shiro who glared back at Taiga as Shiro placed his arms around Mac's neck and held on tight.

"Shiro," Mac protested slightly and got him to loosen his hold slightly. She looked over at Taiga. "This is Aomine Shiro, basically my little brother."

"Mac-nee is mine!" Shiro said scowling.

Taiga arched a brow as he stared at Shiro, "just like his brother, isn't he?"

Shiro scowled and looked away from Taiga making Mac frown worried. Tarou interrupted and sent Taiga to the kitchen to eat as he had been on his way to do.

"Shiro," Mac said looking down at the younger boy. "What happened?"

He swallowed and shook his head.

"Are you hurt in any way?" Mac asked.

He looked away and she frowned feeling more alert and worried again. She gently but firmly pushed him away from her so she could take a closer look at him. Her eyes took in his appearance and while his face as covered in dried tears and a little flushed from the crying it didn't look hurt, her eyes moved and she froze as she spotted what looked like a bruise on his shoulder and reached out to push his sweater away to get a better look.

Shiro allowed her to do it but he looked away and she felt her heart clench painfully and fury build in her chest as she saw the bruise on her little brother.

"Who did that to you, Shiro?" Mac asked working really hard to keep her voice calm.

He still looked down and she reached out and placed her hand under his chin and tipped his head up to look at him. She saw the tears in his eyes again and she quickly pulled him into her arms.

"Shiro?" she asked. "Talk to me, sweetie."

"A boy from school," Shiro mumbled. "He said I was nothing like Daiki and that I should quit playing football. That I was not a miracle like Daiki-nii and he would be ashamed of me."

Mac focused on stroking his back in comforting patterns even as anger threatened to overcome her, but she knew that Shiro needed her right now. So she would wait.

"I said I didn't want to quit and that I liked football," Shiro sobbed. "He said it was my fault we lost our match and that if I were anything like Daiki-nii I wouldn't have lost. Why aren't I like Daiki-nii, Mac-nee?"

"You and Daiki are two different persons, Shiro," Mac said quietly, "you're you and you are more than good enough! You are the sweet little boy who is growing up so fast, and you're kind and patient. Daiki has his good points and you have yours, and no one should ever compare you two and say that you're not good enough, ok?"

Shiro nodded and Mac hugged him again.

"Why didn't you tell your parents, Shiro?" Mac asked after a while.

"I was going to," Shiro mumbled, "but then Daiki-nii…."

"Daiki?" Mac frowned wondering what had happened.

Shiro suddenly looked conflicted and a little angry, making her worried about what had happened.

"Shiro?"

"A girl came to see Daiki-nii at home and mum and dad got distracted with talking with her," Shiro admitted and looked at Mac with a worried look like he was concerned about how she would take the news.

A girl had come to see Daiki? Mac thought a little stunned and she knew it had to be Fujimoto. It couldn't be anyone else. Since when did she go and see Daiki at home? Had he invited her? …but why did she care? Mac frowned.

"Ok, but that doesn't explain why you didn't tell them, Shiro," Mac said forcing the other confusing thoughts out of her mind for now.

Shiro looked down and mumbled something.

"I'm sorry, Shiro, I didn't hear that;" Mac said.

"She was trying to make me talk and said I was so much like Daiki and I must be a good basketball player like my brother," Shiro said looking down. "I didn't want to talk to her and when I refused to say anything mum and dad got upset with me and told me to be polite to our guest."

Mac sighed softly and knew that it had probably been too much for Shiro to handle and without knowing what was wrong it was natural for Ayano and Takehiro to scold their son for being impolite.

"I understand," Mac said softly and Shiro looked up at her.

"Are you mad at me too, Mac-nee?" he asked tearfully. "For not being polite to that girl?"

Mac looked at him for a moment and cupped his face between her hands.

"I'm not mad at you, Shiro," Mac smiled at him comfortingly. "While it's better to be polite and not take your anger out on anyone else, I do understand how you felt. But I'm sure Fujimoto-san didn't mean anything wrong with what she said, Shiro. She's just trying to get to know you."

Shiro scowled.

"She's not supposed to be there," Shiro said.

"Why?" Mac asked confused.

"She's not you," Shiro said.

Mac blinked surprised and looked at Shiro.

"Well, no she's not," Mac said confused about what he meant, "but that's not a reason for being upset with her."

Shiro stared at her blankly before huffing and looking away. She blinked again before shaking off the strangeness of Shiro, though she did feel a little warm as he obviously cared and was on her side in whatever was going on.

...

She was pleased to see that her uncle had put a mattress on the floor in her room for Shiro to sleep on and she heard the water running from the bathroom where she'd told the nine-year-old to go and get ready for bed.

"Taiga?" she knocked on the door as she called her cousin.

"Come in," Taiga answered and she opened the door to his room and saw him sitting on his bed with a basketball magazine in front of him. "Mac?"

"Do you have some pyjamas from when you were younger?" Mac asked.

He got a thoughtful look on his face before he got up and walked to the dresser. After a few moments, he pulled out a pyjama and held it out to her.

"It's probably too big for him, but it's the smallest I have," Taiga said.

"Thank you," Mac smiled at him.

"No problem," Taiga said embarrassed before looking a little concerned. "Is he ok?"

"He will be," Mac said determined because anything else would be out of the question. She would do everything she could to help Shiro.

Taiga nodded and watched as Mac made her way to the bathroom and knocked on the door. Taiga went back to his room and closed the door.

"Shiro, I have a pyjama for you," Mac said and smiled when Shiro opened the door and she saw him still dressed in his regular clothes. "It's Taiga's, so it will be a little big for you but it's better than nothing."

Shiro nodded and accepted the pyjamas and Mac smiled and walked back to her room again.

...

Mac watched sleeping Shiro and felt entirely exhausted as she took in the peaceful look on his face, she was pleased to see that he looked peaceful as he slept and hoped that he was able to let go of some of his hurt and pain in his sleep. Her mind was spinning with everything that had happened and what she had been told.

Had he been bothered by others making comments about Daiki to him for long? Or was this the first time? Did the other kids expect him to be on Daiki's level of good?

The questions swirled in her mind as she kept an eye on Shiro while patting Nao who was curled up next to her, he too was watching Shiro and she thought that the little fox was warming up to the boy and wasn't surprised to notice the small protective glances the fox cast at Shiro.

What should she do? She sighed and wondered why her little brother had to suffer when he was such a good kid? She really wanted to keep seeing Shiro happy and protective like he always had been. She wanted to keep this little boy who had accepted her from the first moment she met him happy and safe. He was her brother and she would make sure that the boy who had hurt him would regret it! She made the silent promise to herself as she saw Shiro slightly turn in his sleep.

...

...

AN: Thank you for reading! :)