Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Kuroko no Basket!
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1st year – Too Academy
...
"What are you reading?" Sirius asked looking over at Remus.
"A pamphlet about the Winter Cup," Remus said glancing over at Sirius. "Mackenzie left if for me."
Sirius nodded, "anything interesting in there?"
"Well, basically it says that the scale of the Winter Cup has grown every year and that the tournament is on par with, or even greater, than the Inter-High," Remus summed up.
"The tournament she was playing in when we got here, right?" Sirius said. "Inter High?"
"Yes," Remus nodded.
"Huh," Sirius said. "I must admit that I get a little lost and confused when she talks about basketball and all that, but I can tell she really loves it."
"She reminds me of James when he talked about quidditch," Remus laughed.
"Yeah," Sirius got a faraway look on his face for a moment as he remembered his best friend. "Imagine James' reaction to his daughter talking about basketball like this and clearly preferring it over quidditch!"
Remus laughed, "that would have been amusing."
"He would have been so horrified," Sirius laughed, "but he would be at the front seat to get a look at Mackenzie and cheer for her. Probably embarrassing her with cheers and making an ass out himself. Like a goof."
"And you would be there right beside him," Remus grinned.
"Of course!" Sirius smirked. "And you would be there trying to keep us in line…"
They both laughed as they thought about it. But they knew it was true. If James had been here he would be the first to support her and cheer for her and be so proud… He had always bragged about Mac even as a baby. Her first smile, word and step… someone would think she had invented the sun or something given how much James would brag about her.
Not that Sirius and Remus minded.
...
The large gym was full. The spectators' seats were filled and their loud applause and cheering washed down over the teams that were lined up next to each other listening to the speaker welcome everyone and list information about the matches and other stuff that went in one ear and out another for most of the teens standing there.
Anticipation and excitement clear in the air along with a tension that made them all look solemn as the stood there waiting. Just waiting. The day that they had looked forward to, prepared for and worked so hard for was finally here. The Winter Cup was starting and everyone wanted to win.
"The Winter Cup high school basketball tournament will now commence!"
The speaker finally finished his speech or whatever it had been and a loud noise went off and it was like everyone let out a breath as one and Mac looked over at Daiki who looked a little bored. Like usual.
"Alright," Mac said. "Let's go and find a place to talk and wait until it's our turn."
Imayoshi nodded and lead them off the court and Mac could pick up parts of conversations as they walked past some of the other teams. Some sounded nervous while others were excited and clearly had some hotheads on their team that yelled over the noise.
"Finally! It's here! The Winter Cup!"
Talking about hotheads… Mac looked at Wakamatsu who looked ready to bounce off and just pick up a ball and start playing. She snorted softly.
"Idiot," Daiki muttered beside her.
"Stop it," Mac nudged him. "You were like that once too, you know."
"I was not," Daiki protested.
Mac smiled slightly but didn't push it.
They had found a quiet spot by some windows and Mac had pulled up her notebook. She knew it was hardly any use to look over the research of their first opponent again, but it helped calm her down.
Koshi High was the first hurdle they had to get past. If they lost then they were out. There would be no second chances. She felt a thrill just thinking about it. She couldn't wait to see what Koshi could do…she hoped that they would be able to challenge Daiki. At least a little. She had a small hope because she had discovered that their coach had a past at the American NBA. Something that gave him a lot of different experience than most of the other coaches for the other teams around them. While Harasawa and the Kaijo coach along with the Shutoku coach all had experience from the National team here in Japan it would be different with experience from the NBA.
At least she had a small amount of hope for their next opponent to have gained something from it and maybe, just maybe, offer a challenge.
The sound of her phone interrupted her musings and she pulled it out to read the text that had just arrived.
"Hm," Daiki scoffed next to her and she glanced over at him and saw that he too was looking at his phone.
"We should go," Mac said.
"Why…" Daiki groaned. "He's so demanding…"
"Where are you going?" Wakamatsu demanded. "You can't just take off like that! We're about to play and…"
"Calm down, Wakamatsu," Mac said patiently. "I know when the match starts and we have time. Seijuro has just asked for a quick meeting. Nothing major."
She was aware of Imayoshi smirking but ignored it. She just smiled patiently at Wakamatsu before grabbing Daiki's hand and pulled him with her as she started to walk down the hallway. She should have expected Seijuro to call a meeting before the start of the tournament.
...
"Mac-cchi!" Ryota grinned as he hugged her. "You're here. I thought you never would show up and I was starting to wonder…so, how are you?"
"I'm fine," Mac said pulling back and smiled softly at him. "Much better than I was."
Ryota looked at her with sharp eyes for a moment and she knew he was looking for signs that she was hiding how she truly felt. But she was honestly better than she had been. While she still jumped at times and would wake up with nightmares (just a couple of times, though) she had gotten better and, though she hated to admit it, talking with Koizumi had helped her.
"Mm," Ryota finally smiled. "That's good!"
Mac nodded and smiled again when she was picked up and held tightly in strong arms the smell of sweets would have told her who it was if not for the purple hair that tickled her eyes.
"Mac-chin," Atsushi murmured. "I missed you."
Mac laughed lightly and patted him on the back. "Missed you too, Murasakibara."
She was put back on the ground just as Shintaro came and she quickly spotted the scissor in his hands (probably his lucky item of the day). He pushed his glasses up his nose as he nodded at her and his lips twitched slightly in a hello. He never was one for hugs.
"You're all here," Shintaro spoke up.
"Almost all of us," Ryota said. "Kuroko-cchi isn't here yet, and neither is Akashi-cchi."
"I'm here," Tetsuya's voice sounded and both Ryota and Daiki jumped while Mac just turned and smiled at him before skipping over to him and hugged him.
"Tetsu," she grinned. "And…Taiga?"
"Hey," Taiga muttered.
"Um, what are you doing here?" Mac blinked.
"A babysitter, Tetsu?" Daiki said amused while he eyed Taiga with a curiously considering look.
"Mine-chin has Mac-chin," Atsushi said.
"Oi! That's…" Daiki flushed but looked down.
Mac smiled and shook her head, "so?"
"Well…" Tetsuya looked a little uncomfortable. "Riko…."
"Oh," Mac frowned as she realised what was going on. "Seriously? What do they expect?"
Tetsuya shrugged, "anyway, Riko told Kagami to come with me."
Mac sighed tiredly. "Fine."
"You'd think you're not happy to see me, Mac," Taiga said.
"That's not it," Mac said looking at her cousin. "I am, but it's just that Seijuro…well, he can be a little particular when it comes to certain things."
She sighed. Well, there was nothing to do about it now. She did feel a little annoyed at Riko and the rest of Seirin to think that Tetsuya needed someone to come with him when he went to meet his friends. Seriously. Did they think they would kidnap him or something? (Yes, that's exactly what they expected).
"So, where is Akashi-cchi?" Ryota asked.
"Why is the one asking to meet the last to join?" Daiki complained as he leaned back where he was seated on the stone steps. Mac shook her head and opened her mouth to answer when she noticed a movement from the corner of her eye and she looked up to see Seijuro standing at the top of the stairs looking at them.
"Ah, Seijuro!" Mac waved at him and the others turned or looked up to see him.
"Mac," Seijuro nodded and started to walk down the stairs and stopped in front of her. His eyes, sharp like Ryota's, looked over her before he nodded again. "Good."
She wasn't sure what was 'good' but she just smiled and leaned forward to hug him. He hugged her back and Mac was pretty sure she heard Daiki sigh.
"You're all here," Seijuro said pulling back. "Good."
"So, why did you call us here?" Daiki grumbled.
Seijuro looked at him for a moment before he looked away and his eyes fell on Taiga.
"Hm…I don't believe I asked for your cousin, Mac," Seijuro said his voice calm. "Why is he here?"
"Seems like Seirin is a little paranoid," Mac rolled her eyes. "But it's not a problem, is it?"
Seijuro glanced at her and it was like everyone held their breath (though Taiga looked a cross between defiant and confused).
"Suppose not," Seijuro said after a pause. "Though, I wanted to see you all without any outsiders."
"Outsiders?" Taiga repeated. "You talk like you're still a team or something! Kuroko is on our team now!"
"Taiga," Mac frowned at him.
"They're still mine," Seijuro interrupted his heterochromatic eyes narrowed as he looked at Taiga. "Even if Tetsuya is on your team. He is still part of our group."
Taiga scowled and muttered something that sounded like crazy generation of miracles but Mac wasn't sure and was relieved when he didn't say anything else.
"Woah, can't believe it's finally time for the Winter Cup," Ryota said breaking the tense silence. "I can't wait until our game!"
"Why? It's boring," Atsushi said as he opened a new bag of sweets. "Muro-chin won't let me relax, though."
"Good;" Seijuro said looking at him. "You need to be focused, Atsushi."
"It's no fun," Atsushi pouted.
Daiki yawned while Shintaro looked on with a stoic expression but Mac could see the small light of excitement in his eyes.
"I look forward to it," Mac said.
"Me too," Tetsuya nodded.
"Who are you playing?" Ryota asked Tetsuya.
"Ichikawa High," Tetsuya deadpanned.
"They're a strong team;" Mac nodded. "You ready?"
"Of course," Taiga spoke up and Mac smiled at him.
"Good." She said.
...
"I don't see the point of Akashi summoning us if he was going to leave so quickly," Daiki muttered when he and Mac made their way back to their own team having said goodbye and wished the others luck.
"He wanted to make sure that we haven't forgotten our promise," Mac said glancing over at Daiki. "I thought that would be obvious, Daiki."
"For you maybe," Daiki said and she rolled her eyes. "You always understand him better."
Mac rolled her eyes but squeezed the warm hand in hers and felt him return it. She couldn't understand why there suddenly felt like a thousand butterflies took flight in her stomach and fluttered around all at once.
"There you are!" Wakamatsu said. "You're almost late."
"Almost doesn't mean late," Daiki said.
"Stop it," Susa sighed. "Why do you need to bicker all the time?"
Mac smiled and shook her head.
...
Alex was in the stands waiting for the Too Academy match to start. Seirin was up to play when the Too Academy vs Koshi High was over. She was curious to see Mac play and see what Taiga talked about. She hadn't gotten to watch her yet, and she knew it was her own fault. The other girl was hardly inclined to become her friend, but Alex wished…
No. There was no use in wishing. She would need to show Mac that she was not that bad of a person. At least Alex liked to think that she wasn't that bad of a person. And she was curious to see Mac play. Taiga said that she was good, and so did Himuro. They both had played her and lost. It intrigued Alex.
She also needed to get to see how someone from –what did Taiga call them again?- oh, right, the Generation of Miracles play. She needed to get a clear image of how far behind Taiga was in order to properly help him. Though, she had done her best until now and had put him through some really intense training. He had taken steps in his game and she was confident that he had become a much stronger player. Yet…
She heard the applause and looked down to see one team entering the court. The wrong team, she sighed. That was Koshi High School. She knew nothing about them…no, wait? Was that…? Yes. It had to be.
Togashi Touki.
Wow. He was here? A coach for a Japanese High School? Well, he was Japanese, but still… He had been a great player for the NBA. She remembered watching him play. He was a strong player, physically and mentally. He never gave up. Ever.
"Huh," she said. "This is a surprise…"
She felt her interest for this team go up and she knew that they had to be pretty solid. With him as a coach, there was no other possibility. This was going to be interesting.
...
Kitamoto Teijirou , the captain of Koshi High, looked around with a pensive frown on his face. They had finally reached the Winter Cup. They were ready to play. Even if it was against Too Academy. He felt a thrill go through him as he thought about it.
"Are you ready?" Togashi asked looking around at his players.
"Yes, coach!" They answered.
"This is it," Togashi said. "Lose here and we're out. Don't take anything for granted. You have to give your all. Too Academy will be strong."
"They have a girl on their team," Ogata Chikayoshi huffed pushing his blond hair out of his eyes and pulling up his hairband to fastened it so it kept the hair out of his face. "I still can't believe it."
"She's a strong player," Waki Mahito said quietly. "I remember her from last year at Nationals…"
"She's one of the Generation of Miracles," Kitamoto said. "Don't underestimate her."
"Whatever," Ogata rolled his eyes. "I'm more curious to see what Aomine Daiki can do."
Waki grimaced but didn't speak up. He was the only one of them who had actually played against any of the Generation of Miracles before. The others had come from districts outside of Tokyo and had not met Teiko during the Nationals. So, they hadn't played them.
Loud cheering and clapping interrupted them and caused all of them to turn to see Too Academy entering the court. Kitamoto noticed the Captain Imayoshi walking casually beside a tall teen with brown hair and a soft look on his face, Susa Kitamoto believed, the two talked quietly together. A tall teen with light-blond hair and a scowl on his face walking or rather stalking onto the court with a timid looking boy next to him. A couple of more of their players (Kitamoto didn't bother trying to remember their names) before the ones everyone seemed to be waiting for followed behind them again.
If possible the cheering went up even more as the star (or rather stars) entered the court. Kitamoto heard Torigoe Gensaku, a fellow 3rd year, mutter something under his breath but couldn't make out what he said. Aomine Daiki was…tall. Taller than Kitamoto had thought and stood out with his navy blue hair and even from a distance he could pick out equally blue eyes. Where Aomine Daiki was tall and muscular…Potter Mackenzie was not. Her dark and reddish hair was messy even as it was pulled back and away from her face. A scar was on her forehead and behind a pair of glasses were startling green eyes. She seemed almost small beside the tall ace beside her.
"She's pretty," Ogata commented.
"I doubt they will like you hitting on her," Waki said while Ogata scowled at him.
"What? I wasn't going hit on her!" Ogata protested. "Though…"
"And why's that?" Hemi Wamaru asked before Ogata could finish what he was about to say.
"From what I've heard from my friends who stayed in Tokyo after Middle School Aomine and Potter are dating," Waki said.
"Eh?" Ogata blinked and looked over at them again.
They did see the ace smile down at the only girl on the team and pull at her hair and said girl glared up at him making him laugh and duck as she swiped at his head. As if he felt them looking at him he looked up and over at them. He frowned slightly before getting a disinterested look on his face and turned away saying something and rolling his eyes when Mac said something back.
"He's not scared of us at all," Ogata grumbled.
"Of course not," Waki muttered.
Togashi has stayed silent as they talked. He often did. But now he stepped in.
"Show him what you've got," he said. "And stop focusing on unrelated things. It doesn't matter if they have a girl on their team or not, or if she's pretty or not. The fact is: she's on the team and their coach has a pretty good reason for doing so. We've looked at their play. We're prepared."
...
Mac walked beside Sakurai as they got ready to line up in the normal line-up before the match and felt more than saw Daiki behind her. Imayoshi and Susa were already taking their spots and soon they were all lined up and looking over at their opponents.
Koshi High School.
Mac knew them by sight, of course. There in front of Imayoshi was Kitamoto Teijirou, their captain and a 3rd year, then Ogata Chikayoshi, also a 3rd year, Torigoe Gensaku, a 3rd year, Hemi Wamaru, a 2nd year, followed before their only 1st year in their team, Waki Mahito followed.
She did remember that she and Daiki had played against Waki before. She doubted Daiki remembered it, though. And she had to admit that she was…surprised to find the other player here. He had been one of those who had been broken after playing them. She felt the familiar sensation of guilt but she pushed it back.
"The game between Koshi High School and Too Academy will now begin!"
...
Koshi High vs Too Academy – start
...
Mac caught the ball as Susa won the tip-off and directed the ball to her. She was immediately covered by Torigoe who had a determined look on his slightly narrowed face. She dribbled the ball close to her body as she considered him and tilted her head as she saw him following her movements. She noticed Ogata coming up behind her and she smirked making Torigoe blink at her.
She quickened her dribbled and twisted slightly as she moved and when he followed in the direction she wanted and knew Ogata was right behind her she twisted back and turned around managing to avoid them both and found herself free and she passed the ball to Sakurai who was just outside of the three-point line and ready to take the shot.
"I'm sorry!" he said as the ball went through the hoop.
...
0-3 : 1 minute played – 1st quarter
...
"That's…"
"She moved…"
"…so fast…"
Waki glanced at his teammates and sighed. He had tried to warn them but they didn't seem to have believed him. At least now they saw that she was on the court for a reason. Maybe they now wouldn't underestimate her.
"Well, I had expected it to take more than under one minute for her to prove why she's here," Kitamoto said pulling a hand through his hair as he looked at her.
"Good on, Mac!" they heard Imayoshi grin say and she smiled slightly at him.
"Sorry, sorry," Sakurai was saying again.
Who apologized for scoring?
"Well, let's show them what we can do!" Kitamoto said and the others nodded.
...
Koshi was pressing them back and Mac saw the way they seemed to know where the others were at any point of time as they passed the ball back and forth while they looked for an opening. Just as Ogata made to shoot Imayoshi would be there and block him and he was forced to pass the ball to Waki.
Waki almost grimaced when he saw Mac in front of him. A flicker of pain from before hit him but he pushed it back. He wouldn't give in to it. This was different. He was better, stronger than he had been and he was going to…
..she moved and while he was distracted the ball was stolen from his hands and she was already past him before he realised it. He silently cursed himself and ran after her but she had already passed the ball to Daiki who was closer to the hoop now. Even though Hemi was there and tried to stop him Daiki just took a step to the side and shot the ball with a casual flick with his hand.
...
0-13 : 4 minutes played - 1st quarter
...
"Shit!"
"We have to step up!"
Waki rubbed his forehead and glanced over at Mac who was being clapped on her shoulder by some of her teammates as she jogged back. He shouldn't have gotten distracted. He had thought… Shit. He had to get over it. He couldn't keep thinking about the last time.
"You okay?" Kitamoto asked looking at Waki.
"Mm," Waki nodded. "I'm sorry."
"You'll do better next time," Kitamoto said.
He sure had confidence in him. Waki wasn't sure if it was earned, but he wasn't going to let his Captain down. He would prove that he had gotten stronger.
...
Mac noticed the way Waki seemed to seek her out after she had stolen the ball from him. It surprised her a little because she had noticed the shadows in his eyes and something told her that he wasn't over their last meeting. But while she was surprised she wasn't displeased. She even felt a spark of excitement go through her as she realised that he intended to confront it.
He was getting closer to managing to steal the ball from her but she was still a little too fast.
He gritted his teeth and followed his team in retreating as Mac ran to take her spot while Daiki danced between the Koshi players and performed a formless shoot. Making them stare at him for a moment in shock.
...
Torigoe jumped up to catch the rebound but Susa was there and he was just ahead of him as he got the ball and tossed it back to the one who apologized all the time. Torigoe cursed in his mind as the ball flew through the hoop and the kid apologized. Again.
...
Kitamoto used his speed and managed to get past Sakurai and stopped when Imayoshi was standing in front of him and smiled like he was in on a secret or something.
"Oh, you're here," Imayoshi said. "Do take it easy on me, Kitamoto. I'm not like the others on my team."
Kitamoto narrowed his eyes.
"You're being sarcastic," Kitamoto said.
"Am I?" Imayoshi asked almost looking perplexed. "Hm. Maybe I am."
Kitamoto saw Ogata and passed the ball to him as he ran past Imayoshi and was ready when he got the ball again. He jumped and shot the ball.
The ball flew through the air…
…and…
"Yes!"
...
3-20 : 7 minutes played - 1st quarter
...
"Ah, you got me," Imayoshi said.
Kitamoto looked at him with a deadpanned expression before he started to run past him and accepted the claps from his team.
"We finally got a 3-pointer!"
"Good job, captain!"
"You're always lending us your strength!"
Mac smiled slightly as she saw the way they treated their captain. They sure had faith in him. That was good.
...
5-25 : 10 minutes played – 1st quarter end
...
Alex couldn't look away from Mac. She was good. Really good. Oh, how she wished she had actually seen her play before now. She needed to find Taiga after this. After their match. They would need even more training in order to get him ready. Not to mention that she hadn't really seen what Daiki could do yet. He had not really taken part, oh – he had scored and done somethings but it wasn't anywhere near as the level he had inside. She expected that she would see more from him at one point during the match.
Alex dismissed the thoughts about Daiki and went back to Mac. She couldn't help but feel great respect and intrigue for the girl. Even more so than before. Just looking at her playing, interacting with the others on the court and how her face would light up in a smile as she did…it had Alex wish to play her.
Not to train her necessarily (though, that would be fun as well) but to see how they would fare against each other. Alex felt the old familiar itch to play, really play, again. It surprised her. She hadn't felt like that since she had been forced to retire from the WNBA. Not even with Taiga and Himuro. They had been also been excited about basketball, but they had been asking her to teach them and she had softened up enough by their young enthusiastic joy for basketball that she had agreed and they had become her pupils.
With Mac, though…
Alex wanted to see Mac react to her own plays, see her counter it, and surpass it. It was a feeling she hadn't had in years. Not since losing her spot on her old team and told that she wouldn't be able to play professionally anymore.
...
Taiga stood in the doorway looking in on the match going on. Just a glimpse before he went back to his team to prepare for their match. It was too bad that he couldn't watch this one because it looked to be a good one. He wanted to see how much Mac had grown.
He saw her dodge the mark they had put on her and pass the ball to Susa who passed it to Imayoshi before the mark on him could stop him.
Mac looked happy again. She looked like she normally did when playing basketball and there weren't any shadows hanging over her like there had been since she had been attacked. While she had gotten better and steadily less jumpy and had smiled more, there had been something different about her. Taiga hated that he couldn't help her more, that he couldn't protect her.
But now she was her old self again. It made him smile and feel relieved.
If only he could have watched…
"There you are," Tetsuya said making Taiga jump.
"Shit! Don't do that!" Taiga grumbled holding his heart. "You scared me!"
"It's not my fault you don't pay attention, Kagami-kun," Tetsuya deadpanned.
"Whatever," Taiga sighed.
"Riko is mad," Tetsuya said calmly. "She said you have to come back and we need to prepare for our match."
"I know," Taiga said. "I just…"
"Wanted to see Mac for a moment?" Tetsuya finished. "Yeah, me too. She looks good, though. Like she has fun."
Taiga nodded and with one last look turned and walked away with Tetsuya. It was time to get ready for their own match and they would be there to meet Too Academy later in the tournament. They would be ready to face them then.
...
23-39 : 19 minutes played – 2nd quarter
...
Mac hummed as she looked at the Koshi players. They had gotten more into the match during this quarter. She kind of worried about it.
"We need to do something," Harasawa commented.
She nodded as she had just taken her place on the bench having subbed with Wakamatsu. She didn't like being taken out of the match, but she knew better than to complain. Besides, having the chance to just observe the match for a moment would be a good thing.
"They seem to have gotten over their first shock of playing us," Mac nodded. "And maybe their nerves."
"Nerves?" Abe asked.
"It's their first time at something like this;" Mac said glancing over at him. "It's only natural that they need a moment to get used to the pressure and the noise."
"And they have a good coach," Harasawa said twirling a strand of hair.
"Mm," Mac nodded and looked over at Togashi. He was looking pleased as Hemi shot another ball through the hoop.
...
26-41 : 20 minutes played – 2nd quarter end – Break
...
Mac walked beside Daiki into the locker room and sat down as she drank from the water bottle. They did have a pretty solid lead, but she didn't like how Koshi had been allowed into the match. They made simple mistakes.
"I don't want you to become too comfortable," Harasawa said looking around. "Yes, we have the lead, but basketball changes quickly and giving them the initiative and the momentum of the match will be a mistake. You need to go out there and show them the difference between our play and theirs."
"I told you that the only reason they weren't in the Inter-High was because of injuries," Mac spoke up. "They're a good team."
"Potter-san is correct," Harasawa said. "If we intend to win this tournament we need to win this match and the next one. Do not take anything for granted. A lead can change, do not allow them to get the confidence they need to turn this around."
Mac listened as Harasawa went over the strategy and answered when he called on her to tell them more about the players.
Daiki was sitting quietly on the bench as he kind of listened but he wasn't sure what they worried about. He hadn't really gotten involved in the match yet, so if he stepped it up, even more, he knew they would not have trouble beating Koshi. He yawned. He could not see anyone there who would be able to challenge him. It felt like a heavy stone in his gut. Again.
"Don't know what you're so worried about," Daiki spoke up through a yawn. "We'll win."
Mac looked at him.
"Oh?" Wakamatsu growled. "You're practically doing nothing so we need to step up."
Daiki levelled him with a look before he got up and rolled his shoulders.
"If you needed my help then you should have said so," Daiki said.
"Daiki," Mac sounded exasperated. "Don't provoke them. And be respectful."
"Fine," Daiki said, "but I still don't see a need to worry. I'll take care of it."
He walked out of the locker room feeling heavy and disappointed. It was a familiar feeling for him when playing basketball.
...
"Seriously," Wakamatsu grumbled staring after Daiki with a dark look on his face. "Always acting so arrogant and insufferable. It's not like he's doing anything to actually help if he could have stopped them so easily then why hasn't he done so?"
Mac noticed the others also looking curious and a little annoyed while Harasawa looked pensive as he looked at her. She sighed.
"Don't talk about Daiki like that, Wakamatsu," Mac said quietly. "He might be arrogant but he has a reason to be. You don't know what it's like."
Wakamatsu frowned but didn't say anything even if he did look a little guilty. He didn't like hurting Mac so he stopped the words that wanted to burst out. He just didn't understand…
Mac stood up and pulled a hand over her face suddenly looking tired.
"He has been observing the other team looking for someone who could possibly challenge him," Mac explained. "He's been waiting to see if they can match up with him, but…so far, none of them has done so. He will be stronger for the next couple of quarters. While I do think so, we can't be relying on Daiki either. We need to show the respect of doing our best even if we know we have Daiki's strength as well."
"Potter-san is correct," Harasawa said after a long considering look at her. "Go on. Let's finish this."
...
Mac found Daiki on the courts twirling a basketball on his finger as he waited for them. He looked sad but she knew to others he looked bored. She felt her heart clench in pain and hurt but knew there was nothing she really could do for him now.
"You okay, Daiki?" She asked quietly as she stepped up beside him.
"I don't like how basketball is boring, Kenzie," Daiki said equally quiet. "Why can't I enjoy it anymore?"
How Mac wished she could answer him.
"I don't know," Mac said. "But you have to keep trying. Don't give up, Daiki. Please."
He looked at her and his expression softened as he took in the worry and care on her face. He would always keep going for her. He would do anything for her.
"For you," he nodded.
...
26-41 : 20 minutes played – 3rd quarter start
...
Kanauchi Saita had come in for Hemi Wamaru and was dribbling the ball. He had sharp eyes and Mac looked at him contemplatively. She noticed how he would move to one side but his eyes would go to the other.
She saw Waki open so she moved just in time to steal the ball as Kanauchi passed it intending it to reach Waki. She dribbled it a couple of times before she passed the ball to Daiki.
He crouched down and dribbled the ball from one hand to the other and twisted around Kitamoto who had come up to guard him. Kitamoto was left behind while Daiki moved toward the hoop and paused when Waki was suddenly in front of him.
Mac arched a brow. Waki had a determined look on his face while Daiki gave him a partly disinterested look before he jumped to take the shot. Waki followed and used to much force as he crashed into Daiki making him lose his balance and fall toward the ground but even as he fell and had lost his balance he managed to shot the ball and it went through the hoop.
"Foul!" The referee called. "Basket count! 2 free throws, Too Academy!"
Waki grimaced as he got up and watched as Daiki easily stood up as if nothing had happened. Waki felt guilty for making a foul and causing Too to have two free throws.
"Don't mind," Kitamoto said. "It's bound to happen. Better to try to stop him than to do nothing."
Waki blinked and nodded.
Daiki took the free throws quickly and didn't even smile.
...
42-73 : 26 minutes played – 3rd quarter
...
Torigoe was about to dunk the ball when Daiki suddenly was there, coming from behind, and got a hand on the ball and caused Torigoe to lose the ball. Daiki had already (somehow) gotten control of the ball and was half-way across the court.
His speed was nothing like he had shown earlier in the match and Torigoe could only watch as Daiki was past Kanauchi and Waki with a simple turn and twist while dribbling the ball all the while not even faltering once.
He then dunked the ball through the hoop without anyone managing to stop him. Just who was he? What kind of monster…?
...
"This is boring," Daiki sighed.
Waki flinched. It was just like back then… nothing had changed. He could tell that his current teammates barely believed what they were seeing. They hadn't actually seen Aomine Daiki like this before. They hadn't experienced it, so they couldn't understand before now.
"Come on, Daiki," Mac said bringing Waki's eyes to her. She was frowning slightly. She looked over and met his eyes and Waki was surprised by the searching look on her face, it was like she was looking for something but Waki had no idea what she could be looking for while looking at him.
The darkness that had been so overpowering last year was threatening to take control again. It felt like the distance between him and them were still so long, too far… he had worked so hard to become stronger… but he had made a mistake. He had miscalculated.
"I shouldn't have thought it would be that easy," he muttered to himself.
Of course, they would become stronger as well.
He could give up. It would be easy.
But…Waki looked at his teammates. They were all breathing harder, and while they were disbelieving and in slight shock, at the power Daiki had shown so suddenly (they had just gotten over the shock of Mac's power) there was still will in their eyes.
He couldn't give up.
...
46-98 : 37 minutes played – 4th quarter
...
Mac had been on the bench the entire 4th quarter.
She saw the fight in Koshi and felt a respect for them she had only really felt for Seirin before. They had a very similar will and determination in their team and she had to respect that.
But she saw the exhaustion in them and knew they had given their all and hadn't much left to give now. But they did their best to defend their hoop as Imayoshi was dribbling the ball looking as calm as ever.
She looked at Waki. He had surprised her. She had seen him struggle. She had almost expected him to give in to the darkness that she had seen him lost to before, but this time he had fought it. She remembered the determined look he had suddenly gotten in his eyes and she knew that he had beaten it.
Yes, he had beaten it, she thought as he managed to steal the ball from a surprised Imayoshi and rushed to the hoop. He didn't even blink when Daiki was there to stop him and pushed in order to get past Daiki who gave him a considering look as he actually managed to get past him.
Waki smiled as the ball went through the hoop and Mac hummed.
"Interesting," she said quietly. "Maybe…"
Daiki had a pensive look as he picked up the ball and his eyes followed Waki who was being congratulated by his team.
Maybe one day…
...
48-106 : 40 minutes played – 4th quarter end!
...
They had won their first match! Mac smiled and laughed with the others as she cheered. She accepted the pats on her shoulders and the hands ruffling her hair (why did they always go for her hair?!), but she didn't care.
They were through to the next round!
"We did it!" Sakurai smiled.
"Yes!"
"We're through to the next round!"
Mac looked over at Daiki who was standing quietly at the side but smiled slightly when he met her eyes, but she could tell that he didn't really feel much over their win. It made her feel sad but she pushed it away the best she could.
She looked away from her boyfriend and saw the Koshi players half sitting, half standing around the court looking a little lost and sad. She saw some pulling a hand over their eyes and saw the disappointment they felt.
...
They had lined up and thanked each other for the match when Mac paused in front of Waki and by default the rest of Koshi.
"Good game, Waki-san," Mac said.
"You know who I am?" he asked before he could stop himself and she saw him blush as he realised that he had said it out loud. She felt her lips twitch slightly.
"Of course," Mac said. "We played each other last year, didn't we?"
"You remember…" Waki said shocked. "I would have thought…"
"That I wouldn't remember?" Mac nodded. "I guess I can understand that. I just wanted to say that you played well and that you have gotten stronger. I was impressed when you got past Daiki at the end there."
Waki looked down his cheeks red. Kitamoto looked at her curiously though she could still see the pain in his eyes over the loss.
"I'm sure he didn't really try to stop me," Waki said. "I…He must have felt sorry…"
"Sorry?" Mac interrupted. "No, Daiki would never just allow someone past him like that. It's a pride thing. You got past him because of your own skills. You dared to try and you managed to get past him. You've got great potential, Waki-san. Even Daiki saw that in the one move."
Waki gaped at her but seemed unable to say anything. So she nodded and turned to go back to her friends.
"You're good," Kitamoto said making her pause. "We knew that, but I guess we still were shocked when you first showed us what you could do."
Mac looked over at him and smiled slightly, "I get that a lot."
Kitamoto smiled and nodded before he led the others out of the gym.
...
Scotland
...
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was pacing his office.
It was nothing new, really. He usually did that as it was helpful and cleared his mind. Well, that and the wonderful pensieve. Sometimes it was great to have the extra help in order to sort through his thoughts and see patterns that he might otherwise miss. Well, it didn't help him to find Mackenzie Potter, but that wasn't exactly what was on his mind right now. Though, it was connected to her in a way.
"Ah," he sighed.
"You seem restless, Albus," Armando Dippet observed from his portrait.
"I must say that I find myself at a loss," Dumbledore nodded with a pensive frown.
"And what has brought the Great Albus Dumbledore at a loss, dare I ask?" the snide voice of Phineas Black asked.
"You may, Phineas," Dumbledore said indulgently. "And what brings me at a loss is none other than your great-great-grandson."
"That worthless boy," Phineas sneered. "What has he done now?"
Dumbledore glanced over his half-moon glasses at the portrait of the only Black headmaster that Hogwarts had seen and gave him a considering look.
"It's what he hasn't done that concerns me," Dumbledore admitted.
"And what is that?" Armando Dippet asked interrupting another rant from Phineas Black.
"He hasn't complained about the lack of news about Mackenzie Potter or demanded to be allowed out to look for her," Dumbledore said. "I must admit that it does…concern me."
"So?" Phineas Black yawned. "He's probably sulking like a little kid or better yet gotten over it. He never even knew the girl."
"He knew her as a baby and she's the only link he has to James and Lily," Dumbledore said calmly. "He loves her."
"Why don't you check up on him then?" Amrose Swott piped up from his portrait.
"I was thinking that Phineas might go and check his portrait for me," Dumbledore said. "Tell Sirius that I would like to come and see him. We should have a talk soon."
"Oh, come on, Dumbledore," Phineas Black complained. "I have better things…"
"What's this?" Armando Dippet demanded. "Do I hear you try to say that you have better things to do, Phineas? Do what? You're a portrait and it's your duty to serve the current headmaster of Hogwarts!"
The other voices of the headmasters and headmistresses added their agreement and Phineas Black groaned but did as asked with put out sigh.
"He's the shame of the school…" a witch sighed shaking her head.
...
Ten minutes later Phineas Black returned to the portrait looking a little flustered (or as flustered a portrait could look).
"Well?" Dumbledore asked.
"He's not there," Phineas said.
"What?" Dumbledore narrowed his eyes.
"I yelled and yelled until Kreacher came muttering to himself like normal," Phineas said. "The elf said that my foolish great-great-grandson and his wolf left weeks if not months ago and haven't been back since."
Dumbledore stood frozen in the middle of the office in shocked silence. Sirius wasn't there? He and Remus were gone? Where? How come they hadn't said…but he had gotten a letter from Remus, hadn't he? He had said he had no news on his search for Mac. Had he brought Sirius with him?
Foolish…
"When?" Dumbledore asked. "When did they leave?"
"Kreacher doesn't seem to remember the month but at the start of summer would be my guess from his mutterings," Phineas said.
Dumbledore started to pace again and new thoughts filled his mind. He should have known. He should have realised that something was wrong when he didn't hear from Sirius as often…had he really slipped up that much? Had he grown too sure of himself to believe that Sirius would keep listening to him?
He marched over to his desk and sat down pulling out a parchment and a quill. He would write a letter to them both (he knew they were together somewhere) and ask for an explanation and ask that they returned to where it was safe. If Sirius got caught… he would be kissed and sent back to Azkaban as a shell. An empty shell.
Sirius would be needed when they found Mac. He might be the one to reach her when she was found. In case she was difficult. It all depended on how and where she was.
If she was alive…
No, he would not permit himself to think that she was dead. She was alive and out there somewhere. It was the only possibility he would accept.
He felt old. Old and tired, but he knew that they needed Mackenzie Potter. They needed her here at Hogwarts before she was over school age and taking the lead. She was the one they needed in these days where people struggled to find the right path and were still, even after 15 years, rebuilding after the disruption and traumatic experiences Voldemort had caused them. He still brought fear even though he was long gone, but some of his followers still showed up from time to time just to remind everyone that they were there.
And the Ministry still had a lot of work to do in order to get their laws updated and sorted out.
The Magical world needed someone like Mackenzie Potter to lead them or show them the way. She was the symbol of the end of Voldemort.
He really did believe that.
...
...
AN: What do you think? XD
The Winter Cup is finally here! Honestly, I had started to doubt that I would ever get to this point. Hehe. :) But it's here and I managed to write out a match. I am not sure how it turned out. It's really difficult to make a match up like this without having anything to go on. Also, Koshi High is a team made up by me. The players and the coach is OC's.
So, I have decided to mix it up. The matches from canon will be either be different, or later down the road, or something. I will mix it around so it fits with how I want the story to go. I won't say who will be in the finals or not, it might be the same as canon or it might be different. I've been deliberating for a long time how I wanted the Winter Cup to turn out. It's been difficult. I want it all, but it's not possible. I'm sure someone will dislike it, but I realise that I can't make everyone happy even though I really want to. So, I'm sorry. I don't like disappointing someone.
I also want to thank everyone who has let me know their thoughts about how they think the Winter Cup should go, or who Too Academy should play. It has really helped and I really have appreciated everyone who has taken the time to leave a review. :)
Think this is all I wanted to say for now. I apologize for the long author note. :)
Happy New Year! 2020 is here and maybe I'll even manage to finish this story this year? ;) Who knows? ;)
Thank you for supporting this story! XD