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

...

...

1st year – Too Academy

...

School had been back for a month when Mac walked home one day and found someone standing outside of the apartment building. She paused as she watched as he started to pace back and forth and glancing at the door leading into the building. He would move closer before he moved away again.

She arched a brow as she wondered what he was doing there. Well, she had an idea but still… she really hadn't expected him to show up like that.

He turned and froze as his eyes locked on her and his mouth popped open in surprise.

She started to walk again and smiled slightly as she got closer.

"What a surprise to see you here, Himuro," Mac said.

"Ah. Hey," he said sheepishly and reached up to rub the back of his head. "I was...um…"

"You're here to see Taiga?" Mac guessed.

He frowned and looked away.

"I haven't made up my mind yet," he said.

Mac nodded that would explain the pacing; she watched him and saw the indecision on his face.

"Well," Mac said and glanced at the clock. "Taiga should still be at practice. Do you want to come up?"

Himuro looked at her indecisively for a moment and she remained silent as she waited for him to make up his mind. She wasn't going to push him.

"Okay," he finally said.

"Okay," she repeated with a smile and led the way toward the building and entered before he did. She glanced at him and noticed that he seemed nervous but also a little confused.

"Come in," she said as she held the door open and he stepped inside and she didn't miss the way he looked around as they moved further into the apartment. She knew he hadn't been there before and he was probably curious about where Taiga lived.

She put her bag down and allowed Nao to get out. He blinked when he saw Himuro who blinked back as he took in the fox. Nao, much to Mac's surprise, didn't growl as he stared at Himuro but kept close to Mac as she moved into the kitchen after telling Himuro to make himself at home.

She glanced down at Nao who was looking toward the living room and Himuro with wary eyes. She shook her head slightly. She was glad that he didn't growl when he met people as often anymore, though he probably did remember Himuro from the camp.

She prepared the tea and soda and even found some cookies she had made the day before she went back into the living room. He was seated in one of the chairs and was staring at his hands with a pensive look on his face.

"Here," Mac said and put the tray down and placed the tea and a soda in front on him.

"Oh. Thank you," he said looking at her. "You didn't have to…"

"I know," Mac shrugged. "But I wanted to. You should try the cookies. Taiga loves them."

"I bet he does," Himuro smiled before it slipped away but he reached for a cookie.

They sat in silence for a little while and Mac focused on patting Nao's head while she waited for Himuro to talk. She knew he would but it wouldn't do to push him.

...

"I thought about what you said," Himuro said and Mac looked back at him.

"Oh?" Mac said.

"About how I blame Taiga for my own shortcomings," Himuro elaborated as he glanced up at her before looking back at his own hands. "I can't get the words out of my mind."

Mac nodded, "I see."

He looked at her again and this time he didn't look away again.

"He really regrets it?" Himuro asked.

"Yes, he does," Mac said. "Look, Himuro. Maybe I was a little harsh on you before, but I still think I was right. Your friendship and the fact that you were as close as brothers, meant a lot to Taiga. I understand that because it's how I feel about my friends from Teiko. So, the idea of losing it made him make a bad decision."

Himuro frowned.

"I just… I don't know how to do both," Himuro admitted. "How to be his big brother and how to be his rival… It's like the instincts get mixed up and I lose focus on my goal."

"So instead you end up with nothing?" Mac asked arching a brow.

Himuro frowned, "I didn't want that either."

"I get it," Mac said. "It doesn't have to be all or nothing, Himuro. Even if you remain as brothers you can still be rivals. Many brothers see each other as rivals as well. You learn a lot from having a rival, you push yourself harder and you can even help to push each other."

She could tell that Himuro was thinking about what she said. They sat in silence for a while and Mac allowed him to think again.

"Sorry," Himuro finally said breaking the silence.

"Eh?"

"I didn't mean to bother you with this," Himuro looked a little embarrassed.

"I don't mind," Mac smiled slightly at him. "You needed someone to listen. I can do that."

"You're good at it," he smiled back and seemed more relaxed now.

Mac shifted a little in her seat suddenly feeling embarrassed and he saw it if the smile on his face was any indication.

"So, you'll wait for Taiga to come home?" Mac asked.

Himuro hesitated for a moment before he nodded.

"If I'm not a bother?" he said.

Mac arched a brow at him and he laughed.

...

They chatted for a bit before Mac got up.

"I have to start dinner," Mac said glancing at the clock. "Taiga should be back soon."

"Right," Himuro said. "Do you want any help?"

Mac hesitated for a moment.

"If you want?" Mac said. "You're a guest, so I don't want to make you work. I do have it handled."

"I don't mind," Himuro smiled as he got up as well. "I enjoy cooking."

"Murasakibara did say you were a good cook," Mac smiled. "Taiga also mentioned something about it."

Himuro smiled as he shrugged and followed her to the kitchen. He waited while she started to find the ingredients in order to prepare dinner.

Mac was almost surprised with how easily she fell into a rhythm when working alongside Himuro who had started to talk casually making Mac relax. It was a little strange because she normally was a little tenser and wary around someone she didn't know that well.

"So, you're having the school festival soon as well, right?" Himuro asked glancing over at her.

"Yes," Mac huffed annoyed.

"Why are you annoyed?" Himuro asked.

"I'm not annoyed," Mac protested but she knew it sounded weak.

"Then I guess that's how you sound when you're happy?" Himuro smirked.

Mac rolled her eyes but sighed.

"I guess I am a little annoyed," she reluctantly admitted as she finished cutting up the meat she had been preparing and put it into the frying pan.

"Why? What are your class doing?" Himuro asked curiously as he watched her not even pretending to be busy with something else.

Mac watched the food for a moment as she considered her answer. She thought back to the last few days with annoyance and how she had gritted her teeth and forced herself to not respond to the taunts and glares given her.

"We're having a café," Mac finally said and rolled her eyes. "It's alright, I guess. Not very inventive, but who cares?"

"Then why are you annoyed?"

"Our teacher, Tuskuda-sensei, have decided that I need to socialize more and talk to other classmates than Daiki and Sakurai," Mac said emotionlessly.

"Ouch," Himuro said. "Why would he decide that?"

Mac shrugged, "I guess I usually do keep to Daiki or Sakurai, but that's not entirely my fault."

Mac knew it wasn't just her fault. She had never gone out of her way to talk to her classmates, which was true. But she had never avoided them either. Well, besides the period after overhearing them talking about her past. But who could blame her for that?

Himuro glanced over at her and felt a little surprised. Though he probably shouldn't be, he thought as he watched as she adjusted the heat on the stove and stirred the sauce. She was after all a part of the basketball team meaning she was close to the popular boys and most of the girls would probably be jealous of her and intimidated. The boys, well, he guessed a lot had a crush on her but at the same time was intimidated because she could hold her own among them.

But, she was so kind and warm. He had seen it, the way she acted around her team was very telling and the way Atsushi talked about her (he probably knew more about Mac than Mac even realised) had him thinking that she was approachable and the 'easiest' of the miracles to talk to.

"You don't get along with your classmates?" he finally asked as he started to cut up the vegetable she pushed over to him.

"I don't really have a problem with most of them," Mac said not looking at him. "But Tuskuda-sensei put me in the group with someone I really don't get along with and she hates me as well. I would rather not have to work with her."

Himuro arched a brow.

"Oh?"

She sighed not knowing why she continued talking. She should just change the subject but the frustration she had been feeling and repressing because she didn't want to worry Daiki was coming back and had her talking almost despite herself.

"Daiki's ex-girlfriend," Mac admitted.

Himuro winced. Yeah, that would probably cause problems.

"And your teacher put you in the same group?"

"Yeah," Mac nodded. "Sounds like a brilliant idea, right?"

Himuro had to smile at the deadpanned way she said it.

"I can't say that I think so," Himuro hummed and smiled when he saw her small smile.

"Yeah, well," she shrugged. "I'll handle it, but it gets tiresome."

Himuro nodded in understanding but didn't say anything.

...

Mac heard the door open just as they finished setting the table and dinner was ready. Mac noticed that Himuro had grown quiet and seemed nervous again. She patted his shoulder as she passed him hoping to give him some confidence.

"Mac?" Taiga called.

"Kitchen!" She called back.

Seconds later Taiga entered the kitchen and froze as his eyes fell on Himuro. Taiga blinked and then almost pinched himself because there was no way that his old friend, his brother was standing in his kitchen with his cousin.

"Taiga?" Mac's voice called him back to reality and he expected to find the kitchen empty beside her but Himuro was still there. "You okay?"

"Ye-yeah," Taiga stuttered. "Um. What…Huh?"

Mac snorted amused, "very well said, Taiga. Go get ready. Dinner is ready."

"But…"

"You can talk with your friend when we have eaten," Mac said and pushed him gently toward the door. "Go on."

Taiga glanced at Himuro once more before he did as Mac said. He still looked shocked.

Mac glanced at Himuro who was smiling slightly but didn't say anything.

Taiga came back and joined them and Mac smiled to herself when she saw Taiga again look at Himuro like he didn't really believe that he was really there. She hoped that the two would get to really talk now. It was clear to her that they both really cared about each other.

They started to eat in silence no one seemed to know how to start a conversation. Mac waited to see if any of the other two would actually say anything but neither of them did. She sighed.

"So, how was practice, Taiga?" Mac asked.

"Alright," Taiga said glancing at her. "Riko is still trying to kill us and Hyuga gets scarier and scarier in his clutch mode."

"Ha, I bet he does," Mac smiled.

"But… is it normal for him and Kiyoshi to argue all the time?" Taiga asked.

Mac laughed and smiled nostalgically.

"Yeah," Mac said. "I remember Teppei telling me about Hyuga a lot. They would argue but they know how to make each other good. If they're arguing then they both must be really focused and doing well."

Taiga still looked a little confused but he nodded.

"What about you, Himuro?" Mac asked looking over at him. "How are your practices going? Is Murasakibara behaving?"

"He's as lazy as always," Himuro said. "But as long as he gets his sweets he'll show up at least."

Mac shook her head in fond exasperation.

"But our practices are going alright," Himuro continued. "It helped after we played you."

"Eh? You two played?" Taiga interrupted.

"We were at the same spot for our training camps," Mac said. "And our coaches arranged a practice match."

"Oh," Taiga said. "That's how you two met?"

"I met him with Murasakibara before," Mac said. "They're friends."

"I don't know if he sees me as a friend or as someone to get him sweets," Himuro said with a small smile.

"He sees you as his friend," Mac said surely. "He talks about you a lot, you know, when I meet him."

Himuro looked a little surprised but smiled at her.

...

Taiga really felt like he had walked into a parallel universe or something as he sat in the living room after finishing dinner with his cousin and Himuro. It had been strange because the dinner had been nice, a little tense maybe, but nice. Himuro, whose friendship he was sure he had lost forever, had not glared at him nor had he looked hurt.

Just what was going on?

The sound of a phone startled him out of his thoughts and he saw Mac pull out her phone and smile making Taiga hold back a grimace because that was the Daiki-smile (as he had mentally named it) meaning her boyfriend was calling.

"Ah, excuse me," Mac said getting up. "I'll be in my room. You two talk."

She gave them both a meaningful look before she turned to leave them alone with Himuro.

"Hey, Daiki, no you're not interrupting anything;" Mac was saying as he left and soon they heard the door to her room closed behind her leaving Taiga alone with Himuro for the first time in years. He did wonder about the emphasis Mac had placed on the word talk, though.

But, how come Himuro was there? Why was he there? Taiga shifted nervously on his feet.

"I take it you're curious as to why I am here," Himuro said breaking the tense silence.

"Yeah," Taiga said. "I thought you were angry at me."

Himuro frowned slightly.

"I'm still a little angry," he said, "but… I think that I might have overreacted a bit."

"No, I shouldn't have done what I did," Taiga said looking down shamefully. "I shouldn't have missed the shot, there's no excuse for it."

Himuro looked at him and saw what Mac had said, Taiga really did regret it. He sighed and pulled a hand over his hair.

"Mac said you were sorry," he finally said.

Taiga blinked at him. "Mac did?"

"She really let me have it," Himuro smiled wryly.

"But…why?" Taiga asked. "I didn't ask her to…"

"I know you didn't," Himuro said. "But she cares about you and she called me out on my condition to you. Said I shouldn't have given you an ultimatum like that."

Taiga looked down and Himuro frowned slightly.

"She also told me that I shouldn't let my own shortcomings get in the way of our relationship," Himuro said. "Or something similar."

Taiga quickly looked back at him.

"What? That's not true," Taiga denied.

"Good of you to think that," Himuro smiled but it was a little sad. "But…I think it was true. I let my own worries about you getting ahead of me, of losing to you and therefore also losing your respect cloud my judgment and I made that ultimatum. Thinking that I was in control and that I could prove that you still needed me."

Himuro shifted uncomfortably on his feet because he was admitting to a weakness he didn't really want to show, at least not to Taiga. But he owed him the truth. He saw now the pain he had inflicted on his friend and brother by choice by his actions and there wasn't a good excuse for it.

"But, I don't think that," Taiga protested. "I wouldn't think any less of you. You're still the one I look up to."

He was blushing furiously and looked away embarrassed and uncomfortable but Himuro smiled.

"I see," was all he said. "Looks like Mac were right, then."

"She often is," Taiga muttered. "Annoying as it is."

"Oh, well, you have a great cousin," Himuro said and Taiga glanced at him.

"You do know that she has a boyfriend, right?" Taiga said a little urgently and his eyes were wide. "Because…"

Himuro blinked before he laughed and when he started he couldn't stop. Taiga blinked at him confused but didn't say anything as he stared at Himuro.

"Oh…haha…that's…" Himuro laughed and wiped a tear away from the corner of his eyes. "I do know that Mac has a boyfriend, Taiga. I'm not blind. While I like her and think she's pretty, I don't want to date her or think about her like that. One, she's your cousin and two, I would have to deal with Atsushi… that's just not going to happen."

...

"There," Mac said as she closed the door behind her and rolled her eyes when she saw Nao on her bed sleeping. He was getting so lazy… She shook her head as she gently pushed Nao so that she could get room to sit there as well. "Now I'm on my own."

"What were you doing?" Daiki asked.

"Having dinner with Taiga and Himuro," Mac said.

"Himuro?" Daiki asked and she could practically hear the scowl on his face.

"He's here to talk to Taiga," Mac rolled her eyes. "You don't need to be jealous."

"I'm not jealous," Daiki denied and Mac felt her lips twitch.

"Of course not," Mac said amused.

"I can tell you're laughing," Daiki huffed.

"Sorry," she said.

"Yeah, yeah," Daiki said.

They talked for a while since they hadn't been able to talk much at school and Daiki hadn't shown up for practice.

"I hope to get my OWLs results soon," Mac said. "Professor Sato said it would come soon."

"You've been waiting for a while now," Daiki said. "Are you still worried?"

"It varies," Mac said. "Right now, no."

"You'll do fine," Daiki said surely. "I'm sure you'll get top marks."

"How can you know that?" Mac asked.

"Because you're brilliant," Daiki said.

Mac smiled a little at the assured tone in Daiki's voice. He always believed in her and thought that she would do well just because she was her.

"Well, thanks," she said suddenly feeling shy.

...

A while later after having finished talking with Daiki Mac blinked as she looked down at the sketchpad and saw the drawing of her old team staring back up at her. They all looked so happy and content, a basketball under Daiki's arm while his other was around her shoulder allowing her to lean into him. Seijuro beside her and smiling his unrestrained smile and a relaxed and happy smile on his face, burden free. Atsushi munching on his snacks like normal while Tetsuya was sipping a vanilla milkshake and Shintaro was holding his lucky item (a beaver statue). Finally, there was Ryota who was sitting crunched and grinning widely as he was waving like he was greeting someone.

She felt the familiar pull of nostalgia and affection fills her as she stared at the drawing. She normally just allowed herself to draw what she felt like without really making and conscious thought as she picked up her pen and paper. She didn't really need to wonder why she had drawn her friends knowing that the conversation that was currently (hopefully) happening between Himuro and Taiga had her thinking about her own bonds and friends.

She sighed as she put the sketchpad down and made a note to buy a new one soon since this one was almost filled up (she had lost count on how many she had been through by now) and smiled when Nao yawned in his sleep next to her. He was such a good fox and she felt her smile grow even more when she saw his extra tails and how he had wrapped them around himself and seemed to glow a little.

She reached over and gently scratched his ear making him give a soft and content sound but didn't wake up. She smiled again and pushed herself off the bed and moved toward the door. She guessed she should check that the boys hadn't killed each other or something.

She walked into the living room and paused when she found Taiga and Himuro on the sofa talking and actually laughing together. Both boys seemed more relaxed than she had seen them before and she knew that they had worked things through.

"Hey, Mac!" Taiga smiled when he spotted her. "You're still awake?"

"I figured I should check that you two hadn't killed each other before I went to bed," Mac grinned as she stepped closer. She looked between them curiously. "But you both look okay."

"Yeah!" Taiga grinned and looked so happy that Mac decided that she wouldn't regret meddling into his business. If he smiled like that then she had done the right thing. At least in her book.

"Good," Mac said. "Himuro, are you staying the night?"

Himuro blinked and looked out of the window. "Oh. I guess it's getting rather late…"

"We have a guest room," Mac said. "You're free to use it."

"If you're sure?" Himuro asked.

"Of course," Taiga said and Mac nodded.

"Then, thank you," Himuro said. "I would rather not spend the night on the train back to Akita."

Mac nodded.

"Oh, and Mac," Himuro said before she could turn and leave the two alone again.

"Yeah?" Mac arched a brow at him curiously.

"Okamura said to say hi," Himuro smirked.

Mac blinked, "Oh? Well…Thanks, I guess?"

Himuro chuckled amused as he took in the confused look. He was right. She really had no idea that the older boy liked her.

"What was that about?" Taiga asked when Mac had said goodnight and left them alone again.

"Okamura, our team captain, really likes your cousin," Himuro explained. "It's amusing because he spent all training camp trying to win her over and she had no idea and it wasn't until the end that he and the rest of our team found out that Aomine was her boyfriend."

Taiga shook his head.

"She's too popular for her own good," he muttered. "All the boys around her…"

"Oh? Are you the overprotective cousin, Taiga?" Himuro asked with a teasing smile.

"Well," Taiga looked a little sheepish as he glanced at Himuro. "I don't want to see her hurt, you know? She's been through enough."

"You care for her," Himuro finished.

"Yeah," Taiga blushed again.

"Seems like she has a lot caring for her," Himuro said after a pause. "Atsushi and all his former teammates seem to have a soft spot for her."

Taiga nodded and got a pensive look on his face.

...

Fujimoto glared at Mac who was sitting at a desk by herself (for now – she knew the others on their group would be back soon) and worked on the sign for their café during the school festival. Nakano Shizuka had heard that Mac was a great drawer and said it made sense if Mac did their main sign, the one everyone would see.

Like Mac was the only one who could draw.

She saw how Mac absentmindedly pushed a loose strand of her hair away from her face and went back to her drawing. She looked really focused and Fujimoto doubted that she was aware of anything else in the room.

Without meaning to her own eyes sought out Daiki. Daiki was in the corner of the room propped up on his bag and looked to be asleep. He looked so handsome and relaxed, she couldn't get over how tall he was and how he still looked so graceful. She sighed.

She missed him.

He was supposed to be hers. She had been the one he was interested in. He had smiled for her (though not large smiles and not many) and he had spent time with her, he had sought her out before he did Mac. So why was it that he was with…with…her and not Fujimoto? How did that make sense?

Suddenly the blue eyes (she almost swooned just thinking about them) and his eyes instantly locked on Mac. Fujimoto felt something deep inside of her twist painfully and drop at the look in those eyes, the way he watched her and seemed to settle when he saw that Mac was still in the room. His eyes closed again and she knew he was sleeping again.

Why couldn't he look at her like that? What had she done that had been so wrong? Why was it Mac and not her? Why would Mac get everything and she was pushed aside? She had been a good girlfriend! She would have done anything for him.

It was because of her.

The anger and jealousy burned inside of her and before she even knew it she was moving and over at the desk where Mac was seated. She glanced down at the sign and the jealousy burned deeper seeing the sign that was beautifully made, the letters looked great and the decorations on the sides with basketballs and books and things that represented the school was made in a way that was cool and beautiful at the same time. Fujimoto swallowed.

"That's the best you can do?" Fujimoto sneered.

At first Mac didn't react before her pencil stopped and she turned her head so she could look up at her. Fujimoto kept her glare feeling the anger lurking underneath and she really wanted to do something.

"Do you want something, Fujimoto?" Mac asked.

She hated the way Mac always seemed so calm and collected. The way she looked like she found Fujimoto insignificant and small.

"You're supposed to be good but it looks like something my two-year-old niece could draw," Fujimoto mocked. "Or maybe you're so-called talent is exaggerated in this as well as in basketball? Huh?"

A small flash of annoyance crossed Mac's face but it was gone as quick as it came and one perfect brow was arched as she stared up at Fujimoto. Her green eyes were cold and distant, disinterested as she stared at her and Fujimoto hated it. It made her even angrier.

"Well, then," Mac said and turned back to her drawing ignoring Fujimoto.

Fujimoto fumed as she stared at Mac until Mac sighed and looked back at her.

"What?" Mac asked. "You're staring."

"I'm not staring at you," Fujimoto denied.

"Sure you're not," Mac rolled her eyes.

"You think you're so smart don't you?" Fujimoto asked.

Mac sighed and put her pencil down.

"What's your problem, Fujimoto?" Mac asked. "I would like to get back to what I'm supposed to do."

"My problem is you!" Fujimoto snapped unable to keep it back.

"I got that," Mac deadpanned.

"You think you're so perfect," Fujimoto cried. "Good at basketball, good at school, good at drawing…everything gets handed to you and you just take and take. You stole Aomine from me!"

Fujimoto felt tears in her eyes.

...

Mac sighed as she watched Fujimoto. She really wasn't in the mood for this. She automatically glanced at the corner where Daiki was sleeping and saw that his eyes were opened and he was halfway on his way to his feet and he looked angry. She held up a hand making him pause and frown but he sat down again.

Mac got to her feet so that she could face Fujimoto who seemingly had decided that they should have a confrontation right now in the middle of the classroom. She really had no idea why their teacher had thought it was a good idea to have them on the same group.

She had been so happy when she could work on the sign and it was something she could do on her own so she got a break from the group…or more precisely Fujimoto who had been glaring at her the whole time and coming with snide remarks. And honestly, Mac was getting tired of it.

"Look," Mac said her voice quiet but somehow most of the people in the classroom heard her because it had gone really quiet when Fujimoto had started the confrontation. "I am getting really tired of your attitude! I don't like the way you talk about Daiki like he's a possession and not a human being. He has his own will and can make his own decisions. You're the one who messed it up, so you need to deal with it and stop taking it out on me!"

Mac glared and Fujimoto took a small step back as she blinked.

"You…that's… I never thought of Aomine as a possession!" Fujimoto denied. "But you've always wanted him! You always tried to get between us and played on his kindness! You are just using him! I just told the truth!"

Mac's eyes grew colder and she saw Daiki start to get up again and his mouth was open like he was about to say something.

"Oi! Fujimoto, get back to your task," Matsushita Kazou interrupted and stepped up to them. "You're delaying Potter-san and we're supposed to be done today, you know."

Fujimoto glared at him but seemed to realise that there were other people in the room and flushed embarrassed as she rushed walked away and over to her best friend Fukui who gave her a concerned look.

...

Mac glanced at Matsushita curiously before she shrugged and turned back to her own work. She noticed that Daiki had sat back down and when she met his eyes she smiled and nodded letting him know that she was okay. She was proud that he hadn't interfered because it would only make things worse. She knew it had to have been hard for him to remain silent.

Matsushita smiled and sat down by her desk.

"May I help you, Potter-san?" he asked.

Mac looked over at him and noticed the smile on his face.

"If you want," she shrugged. "You could colour the letters on that side."

"Sure," he said and picked up the green that she pushed toward him.

She focused on the decoration on her side of the placard.

"You should just ignore her, you know," Matsushita finally said.

"I try to," Mac said.

"I've noticed," he nodded.

"She's just acting like a jealous prat," Nakano Shizuka said as she plopped down at an empty seat in front of them. She popped her head in a hand as she stared at Mac with wide curious brown eyes.

Mac blinked as she looked up to meet the other girl's eyes. She had never really talked with her before, other than saying hey and stuff like that.

"I don't know what Tuskuda-sensei was thinking placing you two in the same group," Nanako continued.

Mac huffed and rolled her eyes. "Who knows?"

Nanako smiled and laughed as she continued to stare at Mac who was becoming uncomfortable under the stare.

"Something on your mind?" she asked.

"No," Nanako shook her head. "Just curious to see you without your other half. I never have gotten a chance to talk to you before."

Mac frowned slightly. Was she really that hard to talk to?

"Oh," she said.

"So, what's it like to be on the basketball team?" Nanako asked.

Matsushita looked up curiously as well and looked at Mac.

"It's fun," Mac said after a momentary pause. "And tiring, I guess."

"You're good," Matsushita said. "I've watched a few of your matches."

"You have?" Mac asked surprised.

"Most of us have seen at least a couple of your matches, you know," Nanako said.

Mac blinked feeling stunned. She had not expected that.

...

"Looks like Aomine is sleeping," Nanako observed making Mac glance up and follow Nanako's eyes to where Daiki was lying on the floor in the corner and yeah, it looked like he was asleep. She sighed.

"Lazy," Matsushita said before he quickly looked at Mac with a worried look. "Oh. Um…sorry?"

Mac snorted and smirked slightly.

"Daiki is lazy," she shrugged. "There's nothing new about that."

Matsushita and Nanako exchanged looks.

"He should be helping his group, though," Nanako said. "Mori and the rest of his group look pretty frustrated."

Mac glanced over at Mori Juro who was glaring at Daiki and did look to be very frustrated, but Mac just shrugged. It wasn't her problem. Not now. She couldn't help but feel a little vindictive. It wasn't her fault that Daiki was sleeping and not doing his part, nor was it her fault that he wasn't listening to the rest of the group. While she could get him to listen, it wasn't her job. She wasn't on his group.

If Tuskuda-sensei had wanted to be sure that Daiki actually contributed he should have placed her on the same group as him.

Mac went back to focusing on her own work and was curious to notice that Matsushita and Nakano stayed beside her and helping her.

...

Mac stepped into the gym and felt her shoulders relax the tension rolling off her as she took in the others already there. Imayoshi and Susa was playing one on one while Sakurai and Namamura were playing against Abe and Yamaguchi.

She smiled and jogged over to the bench and pulled out her notebook and found the training menus. She looked up when she heard the door open and saw Daiki enter and noticed that he had actually changed and looked prepared to partake in the practice.

"Kenzie," he said coming up to her.

"I didn't think you would show up today," Mac said.

Daiki shrugged as he sat down next to her and looked over at the others.

"I don't like that she talks to you like that," he suddenly said.

"It's not your fault," Mac said

"It feels like it is," Daiki grumbled as he really questioned what he had ever seen in Fujimoto that made him think he liked her. He had hated to see her talk to Mac like that and he was so close to stepping in but when Mac signalled for him to stay back he found himself doing it. It pushed against everything inside of him because he really wanted, no needed, to protect his girlfriend. But Mac could handle it and she was right…it would only get worse if he stepped in.

But he wouldn't let Fujimoto treat Mac like that for long. If he saw it one more time…nothing Mac did would keep him from lashing out.

Mac nudged him gently and he smiled slightly as he saw the concern in her eyes. She worried about him and he didn't want that.

"I missed you today," Daiki said changing the subject rather abruptly.

"I was in the same room as you the whole day," Mac said glancing at him.

"But you were busy with other people all day," Daiki huffed annoyed.

Mac smiled and bit back a laugh.

"Well, yeah," she said. "I missed you too."

He reached out and took her hand in his and squeezed it and gave her a look so telling and meaningful that she couldn't help but blush and avert her eyes as she felt her stomach do a strange flip-flop.

"Oi! Lovebirds!" Imayoshi called breaking the spell and made Mac blink and pull back.

Daiki rolled his eyes and scoffed.

"Shoichi," Susa sighed exasperatedly.

...

"Okay!" Mac said calling for attention after they had all come back from warming up.

"What do you have planned for us today, Mac?" Susa asked curiously.

"1 on 1 post move drill," Mac said simply. "You've done it before."

They had started to do the drill after Inter High because Mac thought they needed to get better at follow up after moves and stay focused enough to get the rebound and defend better. It was a drill that offered this.

"We'll use all four hoops," Mac said seeing that the regulars were the only ones there today since the school festival was happening soon the rest of the club was given permission to skip practice.

She then divided them into four groups and told each group to go to one of the four hoops in the gym where she had put up a chair at the free throw line. A ball was placed on the chair.

At first she was going to go around and observe the exercise before she would join them. Harasawa had a meeting so he wasn't there for the day so he had left the practice to her. It wasn't the first time she'd had the responsibility for the practice but she was always a little nervous. She was afraid she would mess it up.

Daiki sighed but he did as Mac said knowing how she (unfoundedly) worried when she was in charge of the practice and right now he didn't want to make her more stressed. Though, he knew she was more stressed about the school festival than the practice.

"You're doing what you're told today," Imayoshi smirked with his eyes closed. "Oh, my…maybe coach should let Mac be in charge every day…"

"He should be participating every day regardless of who's in charge," Wakamatsu grunted.

Daiki scoffed, "why? So you could be crushed every day?"

"Why…You little punk!" Wakamatsu growled and moved toward Daiki.

"Oi!" Mac's voice interrupted making Wakamatsu stop but still glare at Daiki. "Can't you two just for once behave?!"

"I would if he stopped being such a jerk," Wakamatsu grumbled.

Mac rolled her eyes.

"Stop being so easily riled up, Wakamatsu," Mac said. "Daiki only pushed you because he knows he will get a reaction from you. And Daiki, please stop trying to push everyone's buttons…"

Both boys nodded and gave her sheepish yet apologetic looks that turned to glares as soon as they glanced at each other. Mac sighed and shook her head.

Susa smiled mildly as he watched Mac handle the two hotheads in the team. The two always butted heads and constantly pushed each other, it was getting a little tiring if Susa was going to be honest.

"She really has them handled," Imayoshi observed next to him and Susa knew he was observing their younger teammate.

"You say that like she doesn't have you handled as well," Susa snorted. It was true; Mac really had Imayoshi handled as well. She could make him back off by just saying a word. It was strange because Susa really hadn't seen anyone able to do that before. He knew Imayoshi would listen to him as well, at least at times but with Mac it was like she could actually make him feel ashamed.

"Hm," Imayoshi hummed. "Well, she has a way to do that…"

A sharp whistle sounded and they moved to start the drill.

...

Mac watched as Sakurai and Abe sprinted to the end line before rushing back to the chair where the ball was placed. Abe was there first and Sakurai immediately took the defending position as Abe started to dribble the ball and try to score.

"Come on, Sakurai!" Mac called. "Closer! You have to guard him closer!"

Sakurai stepped up to get closer to Abe who dribbled before he took the shot. Sakurai managed to get a finger on it and the ball hit the metal ring of the hoop and bounced off.

"Rebound!" Mac called. "Come on! Focus! Get the rebound!"

The two who had stilled for a moment seemed to get back to life and rushed the get the rebound. She watched as Sakurai reached the ball first and Abe tried to defend, but Sakurai managed to take a step back and made the shot.

"Good," Mac said. "But you both should not stop just because you think the ball is going through the hoop. Always chase the ball that way you have a better chance of getting the rebound."

"Yes, Mac," they both said before they wiped the forehead.

Mac nodded and walked away to observe the others and observed them as well. She called out corrections when she saw the need and motivation to keep them going. She really did like this and if someone had told her years ago that she would…well, she would have called them crazy.

The Winter Cup was getting closer and she felt really confident about this team.

...

...

AN: What do you think? XD

First of all; thank you all who took the time to answer my question after the previous chapter! It really has helped me a lot and I now have a clearer idea of what I want. I haven't quite made a set decision yet, but it's getting there :) So THANK YOU! XD :D

Thank you for reading and supporting the story as always! XD