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

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...

1st year – Too Academy

"It's the last day of the holiday and we have to do something!" Ueno declared as she flung herself down next to Mac on the ground. They had just finished their martial arts lesson and Yuki had left them.

"Like what?" Mac asked glancing at Ueno.

"Hm," Ueno frowned in thought. "It should be something super awesome!"

"Super awesome?" Mac repeated amused.

"Yeah!" Ueno nodded eagerly. "Let's go shopping!"

Mac arched a brow. Shopping? She had never really gone out shopping with anyone before; she had thought it wasn't anything for her when she had heard other girls talk about it. But maybe she should try it out. Spending time with Ueno wouldn't be too bad, she supposed.

"Alright," Mac agreed. "But I'm meeting Hermione after our practice, so I hope you don't mind her joining us."

"Of course not," Ueno said. "The more the merrier!"

Mac smiled at the enthusiastic girl and felt her good mood spread and feel some of the same eagerness herself.

"I just have to find my legs first," Mac said.

"You're funny," Ueno laughed. "You're getting really good at martial arts, Mac. I can't believe you only have been doing it for a few months."

"I'm still not good enough," Mac said but she blushed lightly. "But I do think I can defend myself pretty well now."

"Yuki-sensei said you could," Ueno nodded. "But I hope you'll continue with your lessons even if you do have the basic self-defence moves down."

"I'm sure you'll rather just focus on your own practice," Mac glanced at her friend. "You must be tired of taking time to help me when you have competitions and are so much better than me."

Ueno gave her a look and Mac blinked.

"Don't be silly," Ueno said. "I love doing this. I really like to help you and it's fun to get a chance to hang out with another girl like this. Most of my friends aren't interested in martial arts so they won't listen to me talk about it. They won't understand it, but you do. And I'd like to believe that we have become good friends since you started this."

Mac smiled pleased as she nodded.

"Then I'm glad," she said and she knew it wasn't enough but she couldn't find the words to express how grateful she felt by Ueno's words. She was really lucky that she had a friend like Ueno, so different from her other friends.

...

They met Hermione at the corner where Mac had arranged for them to meet and Mac smiled when she saw the genuine smile on Hermione's lips when she saw Ueno as well. At least it wouldn't be a problem for the two of them to spend time together as well.

"Shopping?" Hermione asked looking between the two. "I've never really enjoyed it before, but I'm up for giving it a go."

"Great!" Ueno said.

Mac and Hermione exchanged a smile as Ueno looked really happy and Mac was sure they both thought it was worth it just because Ueno really seemed to like it.

They made their way toward the nearest bus stop in order to take them to a mall Ueno knew about and wanted to check out. She said that her cousins had been crazy about it and said it had a large food court with a lot of different kinds of food from all over the world.

"Did you just come back from England?" Ueno asked Hermione.

"Yes," Hermione nodded. "I was able to go to visit my parents during the summer holiday. It was great. I've missed them."

"I can imagine;" Ueno said. "I don't know if I could attend a school in a different country like that. It's so far and never being able to see them…" Ueno shook her head. "I admire you for that."

Hermione nodded, "it's a challenge but I like my school, so it's worth it. But I miss my mum's cooking and my dad's calm manner of speaking. Mum would cook while I read out loud for her and she would always make sure to compliment me and ask me questions afterwards. Dad taught me how to read by reading his newspaper when I was just three years old. I kept asking what the letters were and he finally just gave in and taught me."

A nostalgic smile crossed her face and Mac felt a little sad seeing it. She saw Ueno nod and had a look of understanding in her eyes and Mac instantly knew that Ueno knew just the kind of feeling Hermione was having and sharing.

"I know what you mean," Ueno said. "I would also miss my mum's cooking, even if she's not always that great at it. But she is always looking for new recipes from all over and while some would fail and taste horrible it was a great experience. Just last week she tried to make something from a country from South-America. It was amazing!"

Hermione laughed and nodded.

Mac looked at a rack of clothes as she tried to ignore the way her chest clenched and how she suddenly missed the idea of having parents and memories that stretched back years and years. Would her mum have like to cook? And would her dad have taught her to read? Would they have been there waiting for her when she got home from school?

She wasn't sure why it hit her like that now. It wasn't like she wasn't used to it, so why was she suddenly feeling the loss? She pushed the thoughts away. She was not going to dwell on it. Not now.

"My old school wasn't that great and I never really got any friends there," she suddenly heard Hermione say and realised that she had missed part of the conversation.

"But you have friends here?" Ueno asked.

"Yeah," Hermione smiled. "I have finally started to make some friends and then there's Mac and you."

Ueno beamed, "I see you as my friend as well!"

Mac turned away to hide the emotions in her eyes. She suddenly felt so alone. It was a feeling she had known very well before but it had been a while since she had felt it now. She wished Daiki was there… he would always make her feel better.

...

They walked through store after store talking and looking at clothes. Mac even found a couple of new shirts that she bought knowing that she was saved another trip later. While she found the endless looking in stores tiresome and not really her thing, she did enjoy the time spent with her friends. It felt different from what she was used to.

"Let's get something to eat," Ueno finally said and both Mac and Hermione agreed with relieved looks on their faces.

Mac looked around amazed as she took in all the different booths with food when they reached the basement of the mall and the smells of delicious food hit them and pulled them in. She inhaled deeply and took in all the different scents.

"It smells so good," Ueno sighed.

"Let's go and see what they have," Mac suggested.

She ended up choosing pizza and water she went to find a seat being the first one to have made her decision on what to eat.

"Looks good," Hermione said as she sat down in the seat next to her.

"Yours too," Mac said. "You also went for pizza, I see."

"I rarely get it while at school," Hermione said. "So, when I saw it I just had to get it."

"I understand," Mac said.

Ueno came over and Mac laughed when she saw the tray filled with all kinds of different food. It wasn't just one kind but a lot of different things.

"You hungry?" Mac grinned.

"I couldn't make up my mind," Ueno admitted a little sheepishly. "So, I took a little of everything."

"Awesome," Mac laughed while Hermione giggled.

Ueno just shrugged and sat down.

"I have to take Daiki here sometime," Mac said looking around as she ate. "He will love it here."

"A perfect place to take him on a date, eh?" Ueno grinned.

Mac blushed lightly but nodded, "yeah."

Hermione smiled, "are things going alright between the two of you?"

Mac looked at her before she nodded.

"Yes," Mac said blushing. "It is."

"Aw, look at that blush," Ueno teased.

Mac just smiled and took a bite of her pizza.

"You really like him, don't you?" Ueno asked.

"Of course I do," Mac said. "Daiki is the best."

"What do you like about him?" Hermione asked.

Mac smiled like she always did when she thought about Daiki and neither Hermione nor Ueno missed it.

"I don't know how to explain it," Mac said. "But I guess I like that he shows another side of himself with me. He makes me feel safe and special, and when I'm with him I feel like he really sees me."

"I'm jealous," Ueno sighed. "I wish I met someone like that."

"Me too," Hermione said.

Mac looked at them, "do you have someone you like?"

"No," Ueno said. "I haven't met the right one yet."

"Me neither," Hermione said.

They chatted more about boys as they finished their meal and stayed there just talking and hanging out for a while just having fun and relaxing.

"Come in and make yourselves at home," Mac said as she led the way into the apartment.

Ueno and Hermione followed her in and Mac noticed that the door to Taiga's room was open and his shoes were gone so he had probably gone out as well. She led the way to the living room and opened the door to the terrace since it was such a nice day.

The shopping bags were left by the door.

"That dress you bought was really nice," Hermione told Ueno. "I wish I could wear something like that."

"Thank you," Ueno smiled. "But if you liked it why didn't you try it on as well? It would look really nice on you."

"No, I couldn't wear something like that," Hermione protested. "It would look too strange on me."

"No, it wouldn't," Ueno said. "Tell her, Mac. She would look nice in a dress like that!"

"Yes, you would, Hermione," Mac said smiling kindly to her. "Next time we go out we'll see if we can find a dress for you too."

"That's a deal!" Ueno grinned.

Hermione looked a little unsure but she smiled as she nodded.

"Ok," she agreed.

"Awesome," Ueno grinned.

...

Remus was reading but he was a little distracted and would at times just stare out into the air without really seeing anything at all.

It had been a while since they had seen Mac now. Not since the day they had seen her kissing Daiki and had, in Remus mind, overreacted. Mac was right when she told them off for their reaction. Remus wasn't proud to realise that he still thought and acted like Mac was the young girl from their memories. The fact that she was a sixteen-year-old girl hadn't really sunk in and therefore he had acted in a very poor way.

And, as much as it pained him to admit it, it wasn't fair that they used her parents an excuse for everything they did or why they did it. It hurt to see the girl she had grown up to be, the beautiful and amazing girl and knowing that James and Lily never would see her or know her. Or her them.

But that didn't mean that they should act like they knew what James and Lily would want for her even if Remus knew that James wouldn't like the idea of Mac having a boyfriend. Lily would probably like Daiki, though. And she would be on James' case when he acted like an overprotective father and make him accept Daiki as well.

And, Remus thought, he would probably grow to like Daiki as well. The way he looked at Mac, the way he acted around her, it was enough to make James soften to him. Even Remus would acknowledge that. And Remus could easily picture James trying to teach Daiki about Quidditch and turn him into a rabid fan of the sport.

Remus sighed and pulled a hand over his face feeling tired and old. The full moon was in a couple of days and he was already feeling the strain on his body. He could feel the familiar aches and protests from his body, he really was getting too old for this.

He looked over at Sirius who was pouting as he was staring out of the window. Remus knew that his friend was more than a little on edge after being cooped up in this place for days. Not that Remus hadn't tried to get the other man out but when they realised that Mac wasn't even home it was no use in even trying.

"Why don't we go out for a little while?" Remus asked getting up.

Sirius looked up.

"What's the point?" he asked. "Mackenzie isn't even home and she probably won't talk to us even if she was."

Remus sighed.

"Then we should at least apologize," Remus said. "We did overreact."

"But she has a boyfriend," Sirius said.

"And so what?" Remus challenged.

"She's too young!" Sirius said.

"She's 16, Sirius," Remus said. "Do you remember what you were like at 16?"

Sirius frowned and crossed his arms.

"Yes, and that's why I don't want her to have a boyfriend," Sirius exclaimed.

Remus stared at him not knowing what to say before he shook his head.

"That's not a good enough reason, Sirius," Remus said. "We're wrong and the only thing we're doing by acting like this is pushing her away from us. We've only just gotten her to talk to us, and I don't want to see her stop."

Sirius frowned.

"I don't want that either," Sirius said. "But, Remus… I already failed her so badly. I just…I don't want to sit by and watch her get hurt."

Remus reached over and patted Sirius on the shoulder.

"I know," he sighed. "But right now I don't think we have much choice and I'm afraid that we're the ones hurting her."

Sirius frowned deeper at that. "I don't like that."

...

They walked toward the apartment building and they noticed that there were lights on in the apartment they knew belonged to Mac and her family. So, someone was home at least.

"Should we go up?" Remus asked glancing at Sirius or Padfoot as he should call him now that he was in his dog form.

Padfoot nodded his head and they walked into the apartment building together and used the elevator to get to the right floor. Remus glanced down at Padfoot who was staring at the door with fixed eyes.

Remus looked back at the doors when the elevator stopped and stepped out before walking toward the door to Mac's apartment. He couldn't help but feel nervous as he got closer and closer. He really shouldn't feel like this, he was a grown man, but he really was worried she would just throw the door in their face.

This time they had to get it right. They had to make sure she understood that they just wanted to be a part of her life.

"Ready?" Remus glanced down at Padfoot again.

Padfoot glanced up at him and nodded.

Remus rang the bell and then they waited.

...

Mac laughed and heard the laughter from Ueno and Hermione as well.

"That Murasakibara sure seemed to be a unique character," Ueno laughed. "I wish I had seen the faces of your two teammates."

"I thought they were going to faint by how pale they were," Mac nodded laughing softly. "Murasakibara is dangerously possessive of his sweets, and it's not wise to eat any of it without his permission. He'll crush anyone for doing it."

"Even you?" Hermione asked.

Mac hummed, "well, maybe not me."

"So, you've got a free pass," Ueno grinned.

"Who knows," Mac shrugged. "I haven't tried to take some without his permission. He gives me some without me doing that. He always would give me sweets when I was upset."

"He sounds sweet," Hermione said making Ueno laugh even harder.

Mac and Hermione glanced at each other before looking at Ueno.

"Sweet… he sounds sweet and he loves sweets…" Ueno said in between her laughs.

Mac shook her head and smiled slightly.

"Yeah, yeah," Mac said. "Murasakibara is rather sweet and gentle, at least as long as he's not provoked or pushed when it comes to basketball or his sweets."

Ueno finally calmed down and smiled as she dried away the tears that had escaped as she laughed.

"Oh man," she said. "I haven't laughed that hard in ages."

Mac shook her head again.

"You didn't take any pictures?" Ueno asked.

"No, sorry," Mac said and smiled.

"Too bad," Ueno said. "I hope I'll get to meet him one day."

"Me too," Hermione said. "I would like that as well. And your other friends as well. I've only met Aomine."

"Well, I'm sure you could meet them one day," Mac said. "But they can come off as rather…cold, but they're really not. Not when you know them."

"Not when you're you, you mean," Ueno grinned. "I've heard enough to know that they all have a close bond with you."

Mac shrugged and didn't protest because she knew it was true.

"They're my best friends," Mac said.

"And that's fine," Ueno said. "But tell me, how did you and Aomine handle being away on the same training camp together?"

Mac blinked.

"Eh?"

"Aw, come on, Mac!" Ueno grinned. "You didn't take the opportunity to get, I don't know, a little touchy feely when you were on your own?"

Mac blushed.

"Ah! You did!" Ueno smirked and Hermione smiled but looked a little shyer and was blushing a little herself. "Look at that face, Hermione! She is hiding something!"

"I'm not," Mac protested but knew it was weak.

"Come on, Mac," Ueno said. "Hermione and I have to live through you! We don't have our own men!"

Mac shifted uncomfortably in her seat and knew she was blushing. She tried to stop it but she knew it was a lost cause.

"I…" She tried but stopped.

"If you don't want to talk about it we will understand," Hermione said and Ueno looked at her and nodded.

"Of course," Ueno said. "Sorry, I didn't mean to push you."

Mac looked at them and wondered if she should talk with them. They were both her friends and it wasn't like she could talk with her other friends about this. She could only imagine the reactions of Seijuro if she were to open up to him about that part of her relationship with Daiki. She almost shuddered.

"I…I don't really know what to do when…" Mac stopped and frowned looking away from them. She felt exposed and vulnerable but she could do this. "When he touches me, and I just… I forget everything else…"

"Ooo," Ueno sighed.

"He's not pressuring you?" Hermione asked and Mac glanced up at her and saw the faint blush in her cheeks as well but otherwise, she seemed calm and none-judging.

"No," Mac said. "He's not."

"That's good," Ueno said. "If you feel pressured, you need to talk to him about it."

"He's…really respectful," Mac said quietly and blushed. "I mean… I know he thinks about it, but…"

"As long as he's not pressuring you into something you're not ready for," Hermione said. "Have…um, have you had the talk? I mean, my mum gave it to me last year before I left for Japan. I think she was worried I would meet someone here and not have her to talk to."

"My mum also gave it to me last year," Ueno said. "It was so embarrassing."

Mac felt another twinge in her heart and wondered what it would have been like to have that kind of talk with her own mother.

"Yeah, I have," Mac said.

"Your uncle?" Ueno asked looking so horrified that Mac had to laugh.

"No! Thank God!" Mac laughed before she shuddered. "Ayano, Daiki's mum, gave it to me."

"That's…awkward?" Ueno said.

Mac shook her head, "no, not really. Well, it was embarrassing, but… Ayano is the closest I have to a mum, and she has always been there for me. So…I guess it wasn't that bad."

Hermione and Ueno smiled and nodded.

"Then that's good," they both said at the same time before they laughed.

"But back to what we were talking about," Ueno said. "You and Aomine... You haven't…"

"No," Mac shook her head.

"Do…do you think you will?" Ueno asked.

"Ueno! We shouldn't ask that." Hermione protested. "That's private!"

Mac blushed and looked down at her hands that were folded in her lap and thought. Did she think that they would? She wasn't sure… or, no she wasn't being honest with herself. Yes, she thought they would. Eventually. But she wasn't sure when.

"I… don't know," she said despite her inner realisation. She wasn't ready to share it with anyone. Not yet. And not with them. "I guess, I just have to wait and see."

"But you love him?" Ueno asked softly after a pause.

"Yes," Mac said surely. "I really do."

"Has he said it to you?" Hermione asked smiling.

"Yes," Mac said again. "On my birthday."

"Aw… so romantic," both girls sighed.

...

They had luckily stopped talking about Daiki and boys when the doorbell rang and Mac glanced at the clock wondering who might be on the door at this time. The empty pizza boxes (yes, they had ordered pizza – again) were lying on the table.

"Excuse me," Mac said as she pushed herself up.

Mac walked the short distance to the hallway and opened the door. She paused when she saw Remus and a large black dog standing outside the door. She glanced at the dog with a pensive frown before she realised where she had seen it before and she frowned.

"Yeah?" she looked back at Remus who looked nervous.

"Um, hey, Mackenzie," he said. "I'm sorry for showing up uninvited like this. I hoped we could talk."

"I have visitors," Mac said shortly and saw the flash of disappointment on his face before he schooled his expression into a calm smile and she heard the soft whine from the dog she guessed was Sirius.

"Oh, of course," Remus said. "We don't want to interrupt."

Mac wasn't sure if she was going to regret it but she found herself opening her mouth and say;

"You can come in if you want. It's Hermione and another of my friends from my martial arts class."

Remus, who had already half-turned around, turned back and looked at her.

"If you're sure?" Remus asked.

Mac shrugged and opened the door wider.

She really wasn't sure why she had invited them in. It always ended with an argument or she got mad and said something stupid, or they did something and… no, she wasn't going to think about it. She had already invited them in and it was too late to regret it now.

She led the way back into the living room and saw Ueno and Hermione talking quietly with each other and they seemed to have moved closer together since she left the room.

They looked up when they heard Mac entering the room again and Mac saw the look of recognition on Hermione's face when she saw the man following Mac.

"Professor!" Hermione gasped.

"Ah, Miss Granger," Remus smiled kindly. "Mackenzie did say you were a friend of hers. How are you?"

Hermione got up from the couch and glanced at Mac before walking over and shook Remus' hand.

"Yeah, Mac's a good friend," Hermione said. "I'm fine, Sir. I didn't know you knew Mac, though."

"He's a friend of my parents," Mac said looking between them. "He found me back when Inter-High was going on."

Hermione glanced at her and then at Remus with a thoughtful look. She had an idea of how that would have gone. Just seeing how Mac had reacted to her was a good indicator on just how Mac would have reacted. But at least he was here now and they were obviously talking.

"Remus, this is my friend from my martial arts class, Ueno Setsuko," Mac introducing Ueno. "Ueno, this is Remus Lupin."

"Hey," Ueno nodded and smiled. "Aw, cute dog!"

Mac felt her lips twitch when she saw the look of adoration on Ueno's face.

"Hey," Remus smiled. "Nice to meet you, Miss. And this is Padfoot."

"May I pet him?" Ueno asked.

Mac looked at Sirius who was frowning slightly but allowed Ueno to come closer and pet him. She smiled slightly feeling both amused and annoyed because she knew that dog. But she hadn't known… She sighed.

Suddenly the dog was in front of her and looked up at her with pleading grey eyes. It should be creepy because Mac knew this was a grown man, but she felt herself soften slightly as she looked at him. She sighed and reached out to pat his head.

"Did you say martial arts class?" Remus asked looking between Mac and Ueno.

Ueno grinned at Mac who smiled back.

"Yeah," Mac said. "Ueno is helping my teacher teach me martial arts. She is really good at it and has really helped me."

"It's fun," Ueno said and nudged Mac's shoulder. "And Mac has become really good as well."

"I'm not," Mac blushed.

"You are, Mac! Yuki-sensei is really happy with you," Ueno said. "He even said he wished you would focus more on martial arts because you have potential."

"I'm don't have the time," Mac said.

"I know," Ueno sighed before she smiled.

"I see," Remus said looking at them. "Why did you start with martial arts, Mackenzie?"

Mac looked at him for a moment before she looked away.

"I felt like it might become handy sometime," Mac said. "I don't want to feel like I can't defend myself, and I thought to learn some martial arts would help with that."

Remus frowned slightly but he didn't push her for answers. Mac looked down when she heard the soft growling sound and patted Padfoot on the head before pulling back her hand again abruptly. She was not sure why she had reacted like she wanted to calm him or comfort him.

...

Ueno left first because her mum called and told her it was time to get back since it was a school night. Mac smiled hugged the other girl as she showed her out and promised to see her again next week.

When she came back into the living room she saw Remus and Hermione already talking about school, Mac guessed that Remus had asked her about her new school if their subject were any indication.

Mac sat down and glanced at Sirius who padded over to her and laid down at her feet looking at her with grey eyes. She ignored him as she observed Hermione and Remus and listened to them talk and discuss the magic lessons. Something inside of her almost longed to take a part in the conversation but she held back.

Mac didn't understand herself. She had thought that she didn't want anything more to do with the two men. But then, why did she almost feel jealous watching Remus and Hermione? It wasn't logical! And Mac hated it when things didn't make sense in her own mind. Why should she be jealous of something like that?!

"…Mac?"

Mac blinked and realised that they were all looking at her and she had obviously missed something.

"Oh. Sorry. What is it?" Mac asked.

"I was wondering how your OWLs went," Hermione said and gave her a questioning look.

"I don't know yet," Mac said. "I haven't gotten the results yet, but I think it went alright. I am a little worried about Potions, but otherwise, I think it went alright."

"Potions are hard," Hermione nodded.

Mac nodded in agreement.

Remus smiled and looked at Mac who was avoiding meeting his eyes. Hermione noticed the tension between them and frowned slightly before she got up.

"I should get back to school, Mac," Hermione said. "I have to settle in before the school starts officially tomorrow and I like to do that before everyone is back in the dorm again."

"Alright," Mac said. "It was fun today. I hope you'll get the chance to come and hang out again later."

"Me too," Hermione smiled. "Nice to see you again, Professor Lupin."

"You too, Miss Granger," Remus smiled back. "It's a relief to hear that your new school is treating you better."

Hermione smiled and nodded before she waved at Mac and left.

...

Mac realised that she was left alone with Remus and Sirius and sure enough when she turned she was faced with them both. She felt a little unsettled and unsure about what she wanted and why she had even let them in, it might just be because she had overheard Hermione and Ueno talk about their parents and that had her thinking about her own. And truth was that the two men in front of her were her closest link.

"So," she said. "What are you doing here?"

She noticed Sirius flinch and even Remus flinched slightly, but she refused to feel bad because their words from last time were ringing in her ears.

"We came to apologize, Mackenzie," Remus said.

"Apologize?" Mac repeated looking between the two. "You think I will just accept it every time you say you're sorry? That it gives you the right to act like you can tell me what to do?"

Sirius frowned and stepped forward.

"Look, Mackenzie," he said. "I know that we, that I have made mistakes. I know and I really am sorry. I…I can't promise that I won't make a mistake again. I won't lie and say that I won't open my big mouth and probably say the wrong thing again, because I probably will. Just ask Remus, I was known for it back at school. I talk before I think; especially when it comes to someone I care about."

Mac frowned as she looked at him. She could still feel some resistance inside of her but even she was aware that she was starting to soften as she took in the sincerity and emotions in those grey eyes.

"And that's okay?" Mac asked. "Because…"

"No," Sirius said. "I'm not saying that it's okay, but Mackenzie… Please just try to understand. I won't use my time in Azkaban as an excuse, but… I really spent every day, every moment in there thinking about you and in my mind you were that little girl who would smile when she saw me. Who would demand rides on my back as Padfoot, who would laugh and hug me... I would see the little girl I took out on my flying motorbike and fly around the village despite Lily's rage and threats just because you loved it."

Mac swallowed as she listened and this time really listened. His words were barging in and she could see the real pain in his eyes as he looked at her. His grey eyes looked dark and haunted, and he suddenly looked so old… She couldn't deny that he really did care for her anymore. She felt like someone hit her in the stomach as she fisted her hands.

He still left you with someone else, a small voice whispered. He just wants you because of your dad and mum.

The voice sounded remarkably like her uncle Vernon and she pushed it away. No. She wasn't going to listen to him anymore. Sirius was being sincere… She was sure about that.

"I'm sorry as well, Mackenzie," Remus spoke up and broke into her thoughts and she really wasn't sure if she had the energy to listen to another apology but there was no stopping it so she steeled herself.

"Oh?" she said weakly unable to find the right words.

"I overreacted," Remus admitted. "I usually have great control over my temper. I always was the calm one in our group."

"He was," Sirius added and Remus smiled slightly before getting serious again.

"I lost sight of my promise," Remus admitted. "When I found you."

"Promise?" Mac frowned.

"When I was looking for you," Remus started as he met her eyes. "I promised myself that the only thing I needed was to know that you were safe, happy and loved. I made all the deal with anyone who would listen, that as long as you were okay then I would accept everything. Then I would be happy. That I didn't need anything else."

Mac blinked at the raw emotion in his voice.

"But then I found you," Remus said. "And I got greedy. I will admit it. I got greedy and I wanted more. I know I said that I would wait for you, but I couldn't stop myself from seeking you out despite your wishes for space. That old dream of watching you grow up, being a part of your life… it all came back and I just… I wanted it. And I'm sorry. I really am sorry for letting it get in the way of what I really should have been doing, Mackenzie."

Mac looked away unable to keep looking at him.

"And I just want to address one more thing," Remus said making her look back at him. His eyes were determined and yet soft as they looked at her. "I am not only doing this for James and Lily. I must admit that I am more selfish than that. I do this because I really care for you, Mackenzie. I do this because I can't forget the little girl I held as a baby. Or the little girl who would instantly calm down when I held her and not even James or Lily could calm her down. James liked to say that I had bribed you with chocolate…"

Mac swallowed and blinked rapidly in order to keep the tears away. She was not going to cry. Not now. Not in front of them. She felt something give away inside of her and the words, the looks, the actions that she had tried her best to deny, to reject sunk in and she couldn't deny it anymore.

She looked at the two men and felt like she really saw them this time. Both looked tired, like really tired, a deep kind of tiredness that came from somewhere deep inside of them and she felt guilty. She had really been stubborn and caused them a lot of pain, hadn't she?

She inhaled as she tried to find her voice again.

"I…" she tried but her voice trailed off.

"You don't have to say anything," Remus said quietly. "We understand if it's too much for you. We'll let you be from now on…"

"No," Mac protested and both of the two men looked at her. "I… I don't know…I don't know what I want or feel or should say, but… I want to try. I… I can be…stubborn at times. Too stubborn, I think. But… I'm scared."

There. She said it. She was scared. She had never really allowed herself to put it into words and definitely the first time she said it out loud. She was scared to let them in and that it turned out that it wasn't real. That they couldn't accept her.

"That's okay," Sirius said. "But we're not going to hurt you, Makenzie."

Mac looked at them. Could she really believe that? Was she ready to take the chance? Would she regret it?

"And you're okay with Daiki?" she asked.

"We're working on it," Remus said and continued before Mac could say anything, "we're getting used to the idea. As Sirius said, we've kept thinking of you as a young girl and not a 16-year-old girl. It will take a little bit before we get used to it, but we're going to be okay with Aomine, Mackenzie."

Mac frowned slightly before she nodded accepting that it was as good as it probably would get.

"Good, because he isn't going anywhere," she said.

Sirius nodded and had a hopeful expression on his face, "so…does this means that you accept our apology?"

Mac inhaled deeply before she nodded slowly.

"Yes," she said. "I'll accept your apology."

The smiles on Remus and Sirius' faces were the biggest and most genuine smiles she had seen them give and she smiled back. It may be small but it was the most open smile they had seen her give. It was a beginning.

...

...

AN: What do you think? XD

Finally a new chapter! Hope you liked it! I am really sorry for the delay! I really didn't mean for it to take so long since the last update.

I know I have asked this before, but I am getting closer to the Winter Cup. I am a little conflicted on how I want it to go. Or should I say, that I have ideas but there's too many and I could use some help in making up my mind by hearing other's opinion? Should I keep close to canon or not? I am thinking about changing the set-up for the games, or changing who wins and loses. But at the same time don't want to lose the original message or the effect of Kuroko... A dilemma. So, I hope that someone might have some advice. I am open to listening. But of course; I will at the end do what I feel is best. :)

Thank you for reading and supporting the story! Also, thank you for your patience! XD