Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Kuroko no Basket!
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1st year - Too Academy
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Seijuro got up from his seat and walked toward the nearest door with Ryota and Atsushi right behind him. He didn't need to tell them to follow him because they knew to do just that. He pulled out his phone and sent off two short and to the point texts before putting it away again.
He would not allow this to slide!
He wasn't going to sit back when Mac got hurt again! Again! He gritted his teeth. How many times was she supposed to get hurt on their watch with them unable to stop it? Hanamiya and now Haizaki… it was unacceptable!
...
Tetsuya followed his team out of the spectator area and into the great hall outside without saying a word and tuned out their chatting and worried questions. He knew that Haizaki was not too bad deep down (okay – very deep down) but he had crossed a line that even he didn't see a way back from. Anger filled him rather uncharacteristically, and he wished… he wished he could hurt Haizaki. Tetsuya never wished for that and the violent thoughts he was currently having momentarily stunned him. He knew Seijuro, and the others had seen the match, only Shintaro had been unable to watch it because he had a match of his own.
Seijuro would not let this go… Tetsuya was sure that he was already planning something to get back at Haizaki, and for once Tetsuya didn't feel like trying to stop him. He frowned slightly because he didn't like this violence and the need to hurt a teammate, former or not.
Mac's pained look and the paleness of her skin flashed in his mind and the anger burned through him again and his hands shook.
"Kuroko?" Kiyoshi's voice was calming and Tetsuya looked up at the taller teen.
"Yes?" Tetsuya did his best to deadpan.
"You okay?" Kiyoshi asked, concerned.
"Yes," Tetsuya said calmly.
Kiyoshi looked a little doubtfully at him, "I'm sure Mac will be fine. She's strong."
Tetsuya just nodded. He knew that Mac was strong. She was the strongest person he knew, but that was not the point. Haizaki had hurt her, a former teammate.
He glanced over at Taiga who was scowling and looked both angry and worried, but before Tetsuya could find anything to say his phone buzzed and he pulled it up and saw the single text on it.
Come!
Seijuro was clear and Tetsuya fisted his hands, knowing that he had to obey this command and that he didn't really mind it this time.
"Sorry," Tetsuya spoke up, and the others turned to look at him. "But I have to go."
"Go?!" Riko narrowed her eyes at him. "And where do you think you're sneaking off to at a time like this? We have to get home!"
Tetsuya looked at her blankly, not really caring that he was disobeying their unwritten rule of always leave the arena together.
"I'll make my way home by myself today," Tetsuya said, already turning to leave.
"Wait," Taiga said. "Does this have anything to do with Mac?"
Tetsuya glanced over at him and hesitated.
"Probably," he said. "Akashi-kun asked us to meet."
"I…" Taiga started.
"I'm sorry, Kagami-kun," Tetsuya said. "But I think it's best if you don't push Akashi-kun today. He will not have the patience for anyone out of our group."
Taiga scowled and opened his mouth to say something; probably protest, but Kiyoshi put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sure it's best this way," Kiyoshi said. "I know you're worried about Mac, Kagami. But this has something to do with the Generation of Miracles, and we should stay out of it and let them settle it themselves. Mac will be home soon enough."
Taiga nodded but didn't look too happy about it and turned to leave, saying nothing more to Tetsuya who glanced at Kiyoshi quickly before walking away.
...
Shintaro adjusted his lucky item of the day (a dolphin stuffed animal) and ignored the happy cheers from his team. They had won their match and everyone celebrated that they were through to the semi-finals. He allowed himself a small smile as he glanced over his team and rested his eyes on Takao, who looked happy as he was chatting with Miyaji.
His luck was good today.
He finished getting dressed quietly and was just getting to his feet when Takao jumped in front of him.
"Oi! You could celebrate with us, Shi-chan!" Takao said.
Shintaro pushed his glasses up his nose but didn't answer.
"We're in the semi-finals," Takao grinned. "Aren't you happy?"
"Of course I am," Shintaro said stoically. "But I do not see the point in jumping around like you do because of it."
"Meany," Takao pouted, but it was soon gone and he was smiling again. "At least smile, Shin-chan."
Shintaro sighed quietly.
"Coach said we will meet Rakuzan in the semi-final," Takao said looking at Shintaro. "That means your former captain, right?"
Shintaro nodded and hid a grimace. He didn't really want to play against Seijuro, but he would do it. He would do his best to help his team win, and with a little luck, he might actually win. Though, he would admit that it would be a tough match.
"He's scary," Takao said or more like continued to say and Shintaro realised that he had tuned out some of Takao's chatter about Rakuzan and Seijuro.
"Some thinks so," Shintaro said.
A phone buzzed and Shintaro blinked as he realised that the sound came from his bag and knew the others had turned to look following the sound. He grabbed the phone and flipped it open and saw the text from Seijuro and it was short.
Come – Mac has been hurt!
Shintaro blinked before he frowned as he reread the text, hoping that he had misread it, but it was the same. Mac was hurt? How? She had played, Shintaro knew that. But… had she gotten hurt during her match? Who was it they had played? He couldn't remember…
"Who did Too Academy play?" he asked out loud before he could stop himself.
"Fukuda Sogo," Nakatani answered having been sitting quietly on a bench just observing them having fun and celebrating. He was now looking at Shintaro.
Shintaro hadn't heard of them before. He didn't think so, at least… He frowned.
"I have to go," Shintaro said.
"Oi!" Kimura snapped. "I'll throw pineapples at you!"
Shintaro turned toward the door. He didn't care…
"Did… did something happen, Shin-chan?" Takao asked.
Shintaro had reached the door, and his hand rested on the doorknob. He hesitated and looked over his shoulder.
"Mac got hurt," Shintaro said, deciding to be honest. He knew his team would find out anyway. "I will go see her."
"Oh," Takao said. "I hope she's fine."
"Fine," Nakatani said. "Be sure to be at practice tomorrow."
Shintaro nodded and ignored the others' eyes as he opened the door and stepped out.
...
Shintaro found Seijuro, Ryota, Atsushi and Tetsuya outside and they all looked angry. Shintaro pushed up his glasses as he took in the tension in their body language and the way they kept glancing toward the exit like they were waiting on someone. Shintaro had a feeling it wasn't him they were waiting for.
"Hello," he said as he reached them.
"You're late," Seijuro said.
Shintaro arched a brow and glanced at Tetsuya who smiled a small smile, "we're a little on edge."
Understatement, Shintaro thought.
"What happened?" Shintaro asked.
"Mac got hurt playing Haizaki," Ryota spat.
Haizaki? Shintaro frowned as he pushed at his glasses again. So, Mac had played against him… Shintaro wasn't stupid, he knew Haizaki would carry a grudge toward Mac.
...
Finally caught up on what had occurred and how Mac had ended up hurt, Shintaro felt as angry as the others, he was clutching his lucky item and wondered why everything seemed to happen to Mac.
They waited, and finally they spotted the one they were waiting for. The place was practically empty now, and the sky was getting darker by the minute.
Haizaki came out at the door by himself and looked to be in a dark mood. He scowled when he noticed them.
"I expected you to show up," he sneered. "What? Here to say hello after all this time?"
Seijuro moved quickly and pushed Haizaki up against the wall, an arm pressing against his throat.
"I warned you, Shogo," Seijuro said quietly. His voice was cold. Unmoveable. "I warned you not to hurt Mac."
Haizaki glared back at Seijuro the best he could.
"It's not any of your business," Haizaki wheezed out. "I'll do whatever I want!"
"I don't care about what you do," Seijuro said pushing harder and Haizaki gasped and tried to push him back but Seijuro was stronger than he looked. "But messing with Mac or any of my friends is like messing with me!"
"Let go of him, Akashi-kun," Tetsuya spoke up. "You will hurt him like this."
Seijuro glared over at Tetsuya. "Don't interfere over this loser, Tetsuya."
"Mac wouldn't want you to hurt him like this," Tetsuya said quietly.
Seijuro narrowed his eyes and hesitated for a moment before he pulled back. He glared coldly at Haizaki who gasped for breath and rubbed his neck, a bruise was already forming.
"I don't need your pity, Tetsuya," Haizaki sneered.
Tetsuya looked back at him with a deadpanned expression.
"I don't pity you," Tetsuya finally said. "You're past that point, Haizaki-san. You willingly hurt Mac and I cannot forgive you for that."
Haizaki flinched lightly because everyone knew that Tetsuya was a forgiving guy and for him to state that he couldn't forgive him… well, that was as if he yelled at you and told you he hated you.
"All because of Mac," Haizaki huffed. "She's not anything special… all of you… you think you're so great and have this title and everyone knows who you are and how great you are, but they don't know the real you!"
"Shut up!" Ryota snapped.
"Talking like this will change nothing," Shintaro added.
"I'll crush you for hurting Mac-chin!" Atsushi glared.
Haizaki looked around and glared, but a small spark of fear grabbed him as he took in those cold eyes and the way they all glared at him. He swallowed and mustered up his pride and courage because he would not show them that he was worried.
He laughed.
"How odd," he smirked. "Have you all been such good boys who police around for Mac? Letting go of everything for her all the time? And what does she do for you, huh?"
Ryota moved before anyone could stop him and his fist connected to Haizaki's jaw, making the other boy fly back and crash to the ground against the wall.
"Shut up," Ryota glared. "Stop talking about Mac like that! Your problem isn't with her, but with me! It's me you're angry at for taking your spot on the team!"
He was shaking with how angry he felt.
...
Haizaki pushed himself up in a sitting position and rubbed his mouth with the back of his hand before looking down at the blood. He spat on the ground to get rid of the blood in his mouth.
"I'm angry at Mac," he said coldly. "Do not mistake it for anything else, Ryota. She's the one who had the coaches pull me off the team. I know that, and she knows that. She favoured you even though she didn't like you and your attitude to the sport at the time."
Ryota glared. "Lies."
"Lie, is it?" Haizaki arched a brow. "I heard her tell the coach that he shouldn't put me on the court and that he should use you instead."
Ryota blinked.
"So?" Tetsuya asked calmly. "Even if coach Sanada asked her for advice on the line-up, it was ultimately his decision and if you had shown that your attitude was different, then he would have given you a chance. So would Mac."
"Well, I don't love the game like you all do and I will destroy her and you!" Haizaki said glaring up at them. "I don't give a shit about basketball like you! I don't care about the consequences of my actions!"
He pushed himself up and glared.
Seijuro had been quiet for a little while now, but he glanced at his friends and saw the anger. He nodded. They would deal with this as a team. They never needed to tell Mac exactly what had happened here today. They would protect her.
...
Shintaro's father, Dr Midorima, was watching her with a sad smile and understanding eyes. It had surprised her when he had been the doctor the nurse had taken her to when her name had been called in the waiting area.
A broken wrist, a sprained shoulder and a bruise on her chest/upper stomach was the resulting diagnosis from Dr Midorima who explained that she needed rest and that she could not play in any upcoming matches for at least six weeks. If she was lucky.
She scowled down at her lap.
"I know you are disappointed, Mac," Dr Midorima said.
Mac just nodded.
"But she will be okay, right?" Daiki asked worriedly.
He and Harasawa were in with the doctor with her. She didn't see the point in saying no, because she knew Harasawa would find out anyway since he was her coach and had been the one to take her to the hospital. The rest of their team was out in the waiting area and waiting to hear how she was.
The thought warmed her a little.
"Yes," Dr Midorima said. "She'll be fine."
"Good," Harasawa nodded and glanced over at Mac. She was not saying much and was not looking at any of them; he couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
Mac listened quietly as Dr Midorima went over more of how her recovery would happen, and she mentally scolded herself for not being able to find an excuse good enough to avoid going to a doctor. But she hadn't been able to avoid it, they had all insisted, and Harasawa had been very firm and not allowed her to protest.
So, using magic to heal her wrist would be impossible now. They would react if she suddenly was healed and ready to play. It would be too much to explain, and she knew it was unlikely that Sato or anyone else would agree to it.
"Thank you, Dr Midorima," Mac said when he was done. She smiled slightly as she met his eyes, knowing that he had stepped up when he didn't need to, just to take a look.
"No need to thank me, Mac," he smiled. "You're a friend of my son and I wanted to check in on you."
Mac smiled and nodded, "I'm sure I'll see him soon."
"Ah, yeah, I would expect so," Dr Midorima agreed and glanced over at Daiki. "Good to meet you, Aomine, as well."
"You too," Daiki said a little awkwardly.
...
Mac finally reached her apartment and was not surprised when she saw the group waiting in front of it. She leaned slightly against Daiki, who tightened his hold on her.
"Mac-cchi!" Ryota cried and came rushing over to her and would have hugged her if not for Daiki stopping him. "Eh? Meany!"
"Remember, she's hurt," Daiki scowled at him.
Ryota frowned and looked at Mac, "are you okay, Mac-cchi?"
"Mac-chin got hurt," Atsushi said worriedly.
Mac sighed and smiled at them. She had expected them and was pleased to see them, but she was also tired and disappointed. She wanted to just be by herself and think.
"I'm fine," she whispered. "Come on; let's get up to the apartment."
She saw Seijuro, Tetsuya and Shintaro eyed her quietly but didn't protest.
She stepped into the apartment and was immediately faced with Taiga, who had been waiting for her and looked worried.
"Mac," he said. "Are you okay?"
"Hey, Taiga," Mac said. "I'm all right."
"Your hand…" Taiga frowned, spotting her left hand in a cast.
"It's broken," Mac said.
Mac sighed tiredly and rubbed her face with her good hand as the pain was returning and she needed more of the pain meds they had given her.
"I will be fine," she said. "I just… I can't play basketball for a little while."
She pulled away from Daiki and made her way to the kitchen and found a glass and some water. She frowned as she realised that she didn't have the pain meds and turned to look at Daiki, who was already pulling them out of the bag.
"Here," he said.
"Thanks," she said and was grateful when he opened the box for her and made it easier for her to get the meds. She quickly swallowed them down with some water, knowing that the others were watching her.
She looked up at them, "thank you for coming. I'm sorry… I appreciate your concern."
...
"What did the doctor say?" Seijuro asked when Daiki had pulled her over to the sofa and made her comfortable on it. Seijuro had immediately taken the free spot next to her, and no one argued with him over it, knowing that they would not win such an argument.
"That I have a broken wrist," Mac said. "It's a clean break, luckily. So, they think that the recovery time is somewhere between six to eight weeks."
"And don't forget the sprained shoulder, and bruised chest," Daiki spoke up.
They stared at her with shock and concern, "Mac-chin…"
"Murasakibara, I'm going to be fine," she told him. "Don't worry too much, okay?"
He looked so sad and Mac frowned a little but didn't push.
"Ah, your dad says hey, by the way," Mac said looking over at Shintaro who pushed at his glasses.
"My dad saw you?" Shintaro asked.
"He saw me in the waiting room and decided to take a look," Mac nodded.
"I see," Shintaro said.
"So, you won't play against us?" Taiga asked.
Mac looked over at her cousin and sighed, "no, I'm afraid not."
"Too bad," Taiga frowned. "But your hand will be well again, right? They don't think there would be any long-lasting effects?"
"No, Dr Midorima don't believe that there will be," Mac said.
Taiga nodded.
...
Taiga watched as Mac talked with her friends and smiled slightly. They really cared for her. It was good to see. He couldn't help but wonder what they had done after Tetsuya had left to meet the others. Had they seen Haizaki?
"Did you see him?" Daiki suddenly asked, his voice darker, and there was no doubt about what he asked.
"We did," Seijuro said.
Mac looked between them and sighed quietly. "You did something."
"He hurt you," Ryota said with steel in his voice that Taiga hadn't heard before.
Mac frowned as she looked at them. "It should have been finished on the court."
"There's no need for you to be concerned about this, Mac," Seijuro said. "We took care of it and he won't be hurting you again. That's all you need to know."
Mac frowned at him, and Taiga held his breath as he wondered if they were about to argue. It looked like Mac was about to say something, but then she just sighed.
"You guys are impossible," she grumbled.
"You're our friend, Mac," Tetsuya said, and she looked over at him. "He hurt you."
She sighed and seemed to settle with that. She knew better than push them and, honestly; she didn't have the energy to fight with them over this. Besides, she was touched because they would do this for her; it was more proof that they were her best friends.
...
Mac sat quietly on the bench in the gym, watching as her team practised. She had her notebook propped open in her lap and Nao was resting beside her. Since she couldn't take part in the training, Harasawa had allowed her to have Nao present in the gym.
As she watched, she couldn't help but wish that she was out there with them, getting ready for the match. She had looked forward to the day they would play Seirin again. To see how much Tetsuya and Taiga had grown, to see just how far the whole of Seirin had gotten as a team.
Now… now she was forced to sit on the bench and just be a manager. It wasn't fair… why did this happen to her? Why did Haizaki blame her and hurt her like that? Why? Why… Why did she get hurt? Why couldn't she play and the others could? How could she let them down like this?
Why did she keep underestimating everyone and think they wouldn't hurt her? When she knew they would… when they were just like them. Images of her uncle and cousin flashed in her mind and she pushed them away quickly.
Had she really misread Haizaki that much? Had she forgotten how he had been threatening toward her even back at Teiko? No, but had she really believed that he would purposely hurt her? No, not really. He had been on her team, and they had even had some moments that had been peaceful and not really that bad. He had been a teammate, even if she never would call him a friend.
Her hand fisted around the pen as her thoughts spiralled and were only brought out of it when she felt Nao press his nose to her hand and purr softly. She blinked and looked down at her fox, who was looking up at her with wide eyes filled with concern.
"Sorry, Nao," she murmured.
He yapped and pressed closer to her side, seeking her warmth but also offering his own. She smiled slightly and let go of her pen and moved her hand to rest it on top of his head.
"I'm being a bit dramatic, aren't I, Nao?" she asked quietly.
He looked at her and yapped again. She took it as confirmation.
"I know," she sighed. "I just…"
She just what? Couldn't let go of the feeling of unfairness? The hurt and the disappointment? Well, she guessed that was a huge part of it.
She also didn't like to admit that Daiki might have been right about not wanting her to play.
It made her feel weak.
She didn't want to be weak anymore.
"Oi!" Wakamatsu's yelled brought her out of her thoughts and she looked around to see Wakamatsu facing Daiki who yawned and even from where Mac was sitting the vein popping out in Wakamatsu's forehead was visible.
"Stop lazing around, idiot!" Wakamatsu yelled, grabbing Daiki's shirt.
"Let go," Daiki said bored, but he was glaring.
"You're not taking this seriously!" Wakamatsu snapped.
Mac sighed and got to her feet and walked toward the two hotheads who had caused the others to stop what they were doing as well and were now watching the two.
"Oi," Mac spoke up. "Stop arguing and get to work."
They both stopped and turned their head to look at her. She arched a brow at them.
"We don't have much time before the match," Mac pointed out. "So, stop arguing with each other and get back to what you were doing. I don't care about excuses. Just… stop."
She glared at them both and watched as they backed away from each other and huffed. She shook her head and turned to walk back to the bench and ignored the throbbing from her wrist and the shoulder.
...
"So, we're facing Seirin," Mac said when the practice was over and they all gathered around her and Harasawa who was twirling a strand of hair as he watched them all in deep thought. "That's been decided."
"We already won against them last time, though," Wakamatsu said. "This should…"
"Do not think this match will be the same as the last one," Mac interrupted him with a sharp look. She could tell that the others also believed that.
"But, Mac, they're…" Abe started.
"Idiot," Inoue muttered, eying Mac and Daiki warily. He knew she was protective of that team and he remembered how Daiki had grabbed him when he said something he shouldn't have after their last match about that shadow guy on Seirin…
"They're stronger than last time," Mac said. "They've worked harder than any other team I have done research on, and while their wins have been by one point or a little more, they can keep up with strong teams. They won against Yosen and Murasakibara, despite Yosen being the type of team that Seirin is naturally weak against. The strong defence of Yosen is the kind that a team like Seirin normally struggle with breaking down, but they did it. They forced their way through and they won."
Imayoshi nodded slowly, "I know. We've watched some of their matches, and they have grown. I will admit that."
"Yes," Susa agreed. "We won't underestimate them."
Mac nodded, "and last time we played them they didn't have Teppei on the court."
Daiki grimaced lightly but said nothing.
"Your ex?" Sakurai asked before his eyes widened and looked to Daiki. "Sorry!"
Daiki huffed.
"Yeah," Mac rolled her eyes. "He's strong, and he makes their inside even stronger than before, we won't be able to take their inside as easily now. Taiga has grown as well in both defence and offence, I don't know all the training he has done but I know that he has been working with a former NBA women league player from the States, and she's been here for a while so they've had time to get some work done."
"NBA, huh?" Imayoshi hummed. "Interesting."
"Is she strong?" Namamura asked.
"Yes," Mac said blankly. "She is, and only health issues have stopped her from playing professionally. I am sure Seirin has benefited from her insight and training, even if she has focused on Taiga."
"I see," Harasawa said. "And Kuroko? What about him?"
Mac glanced at Daiki, who frowned slightly.
"He's gotten stronger," Mac said. "His stamina is better and he can last longer, and his understanding and reach are greater than before. He has also worked on some new moves; I do not know all of it. But I believe…"
She trailed off, thinking about Tetsuya. He always had a way to surprise her, and if she wasn't much mistaken, he would have something new that she hadn't predicted. She frowned slightly.
"You believe what?" Abe asked.
"That they will surprise us," Mac said. "But we'll handle it. You know them and know what to look out for, but I warn you… do not underestimate them, not even if we have a very comfortable lead. They never give up. You better remember that."
...
"You okay, Kenzie?" Daiki asked when the practise was over and they had left the gym. Mac nodded and cuddled Nao closer to her chest with her good arm.
"Just thinking," she said.
Daiki nodded and glanced at her worriedly, but remained silent as they walked. Mac knew he wanted to ask more, but he was probably at a loss on what to say or how to say it. He had been looking at her worriedly since she met him before the practice.
"You want to come home with me?" Daiki finally asked.
Mac glanced at him and smiled slightly, "sure."
"Mum and dad are worried about you," Daiki admitted. "They heard what happened."
Mac nodded, "oh. Well, I'll be fine."
"Yeah," Daiki said thoughtfully. "I know."
They reached his home before the others were back yet and Mac sat down on the sofa and allowed Nao to jump up on a nearby chair watching as he circled himself a couple of times before he settled down to rest.
"Here," Daiki said and placed a glass with some soda on the table in front of her.
"Thanks," Mac smiled at him and realised that he was closer than she had thought and blinked.
"No worries," Daiki said, sitting down next to her. "I…"
"Daiki?" Mac looked at him worriedly.
"I don't like feeling so helpless," Daiki admitted quietly, reaching out to cup her face in his hand. She felt his thumb stroke over her cheek.
Mac swallowed at the emotion she saw in his eyes. She smiled softly and reached out with her good hand to place it over his hand that was resting against her cheek.
"I'm sorry," she said, squeezing his hand lightly. "I know and I don't want to make you feel like that."
"I know," he breathed out.
Mac swallowed back the tears she felt swell up and leaned forward to press a light kiss to his lips and felt his arm surround her waist right away while the hand against her cheek traced down her face and to the back of her neck and into her hair.
He was mindful of her left wrist and shoulder as he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss slightly. She understood he needed to just feel her like this and allowed it, and honestly, she needed it herself.
"I love you, Daiki," Mac whispered as she pulled back. "I'm sorry."
"I love you too, Kenzie," he smiled softly and leaned back against the sofa she curled up so she was resting against him with her unhurt side and rested her head on his shoulder.
She hadn't minded having her friends over the day before; she knew they had been worried, and she realised that they had seen it happen and therefore needed to be there too. She would have done the same if it had been them. So, she hadn't minded. But she had missed the chance to just relax with Daiki and having him hold her like this.
She always felt safe when he held her.
"Remember what you told me when I hurt my elbows in our match against Kaijo?" Daiki eventually asked.
Mac hummed, "yeah."
"So, the same goes for you, Kenzie," Daiki said. "Right now you're injured and if you were to play, then you would risk your chances to play basketball again. You've told us about Seirin and prepared us the best you can. Even from the bench, you will be a tough opponent for Seirin."
Mac was quiet before she nodded. She had to remember this; the bitterness was still there, but not as strong. She wasn't the only one who had been hurt during a match before.
"Thanks, Daiki." She whispered.
...
"Mac-nee!" Shiro cheered when he spotted her.
"Hey, Shiro," Mac smiled pulling away from Daiki who grumbled but allowed her to do so. The younger boy came rushing over and only stopped when he was right in front of her.
"Are you okay?" Shiro asked looking at her wrist that was in a blue cast.
"I'll be fine," Mac reassured him. "A minor break in the wrist, nothing that should give everlasting damage."
Shiro nodded, "good. I don't like it when you are hurt."
"Thank you, Shiro," Mac said. "Sayuri, how are you?"
"I'm fine, Mac-nee," Sayuri said.
Mac leaned back against Daiki as the twins sat down close by and talked with her. She was aware of Daiki watching her, but he didn't really say anything as he watched them talk. She waved at Ayano and Takehiro when they entered the house and answered their questions about her injury and how she was with more ease than she had been until now.
...
"I'm free…" Sirius said, shocked. "Really, truly free?"
"Yes," Yasutomi Tomoka, the lawyer who had been working on Sirius' case for the last weeks, months really. "They have found you innocent. The Japanese Wizengamot has gone over everything they could find and your testimony and Potter-san's statement of how you've acted around her, and that she has grown to trust you. I will say that her statement and the word of Professor Sato Taichi have helped to convince the Wizengamot hat your intention is to remain by Potter-san's side and that you do not follow any Dark Lord."
Sirius felt almost weak with relief and had to sit down before his legs gave way underneath him. He stared at the woman who rather stoically told him he was free… he would be able to move outside (at least here in Japan) without fear of being arrested. He could see Mac without worrying about placing her in danger…
"I'm free…" he said again and didn't really mind the tears that sprung to his eyes. He never thought he would hear those words again… "Remus! Did you hear? I'm free!"
Remus smiled, looking relieved and happier than Sirius could remember having seen him in years.
"I heard, Sirius," Remus said. "It's about time, too!"
Sirius laughed and nodded, "yeah!"
He jumped up and immediately pulled Remus into a tight hug and just held on for a moment. It was like he needed to just feel him and feel that this wasn't a dream… that he was touching something solid and it was real.
"Congratulations," Yasutomi said when Sirius pulled back from Remus and turned to look at her again. "A press release will go out to our departments so they know not to go after you, though since you do not wish for it to be revealed to the world yet we will withhold the statement to the media as long as we can. Just know that if you are sighted by someone magical that recognizes you, it would force us to give a statement as to why you are not being arrested and shipped back to Britain."
"Sure," Sirius nodded. "I don't need to go into the magical districts much."
Remus smiled and nodded. They hadn't done so this far, so he didn't really see a need for it later. And Sirius did still have a good disguise as Padfoot.
"We will keep our research and documents about your case for when or if you decide to do something about the British Ministry," Yasutomi continued.
"Okay, not right now because I don't want to bring attention to it," Sirius said. "I need to think about Mackenzie first and right now I want to keep her safe and here with no one back home finding out where she is."
Yasutomi nodded. "I suspected as much."
...
Mac looked up when she heard her name being called as she neared her home. She saw Sirius and Remus standing just outside her apartment building, and Sirius was practically jumping up and down. He waved at her.
She forced a smile on her face as she used her good hand to wave back as Nao jumped up on her shoulders and settled there (somehow managing not to fall off).
"Hey," she said when she got close enough.
"Mackenzie," Sirius grinned and suddenly she found herself in a tight hug and she blinked. She grunted lightly as her shoulder protested the movement, but at least her left wrist was not pressed between them.
"Um…" Mac said.
"Sirius, maybe you should pull back a little," Remus said and Mac glanced over at him and saw him eyeing her cast.
"Sorry," Sirius said sheepishly as he did so and blinked when he saw the brief expression of pain cross her face before she blanked it. "Did I hurt you?"
"No, it's fine," Mac said.
"You are hurt," Remus said, and now Sirius also noticed the cast on her left hand.
"Just a basketball-related injury," Mac said. "I'm fine."
Remus looked at her for a moment before he nodded.
"Come inside," Mac said, breaking the silence that had fallen. "I'm sure you're here for a reason."
Sirius smiled again and nodded.
She led them up to the apartment and noticed that Taiga wasn't home yet. Was he out preparing for their match tomorrow? She couldn't help but wonder.
"So, what's up?" Mac asked, turning to look at them when they entered the living room.
"I'm free!" Sirius burst out and Mac blinked.
"Free?" She echoed before she smiled. "Really?"
"Yeah! We just learned it today!" Sirius grinned. "I'm found innocent and they won't arrest me and send me back to England."
"That's great," Mac said, feeling that the word was not really doing enough to describe it. So, she hugged him and felt him hugging her back. She ignored how he shook slightly as he held her, and she smiled against his shoulder.
"Thank you, Mackenzie," Sirius said. "I know that this is only happening because of you, and I can't tell you how much it means… how much I appreciate the chance you've given me."
Mac swallowed thickly, trying to push her emotion back. She didn't feel like she really deserved the thanks from Sirius; she hadn't really done anything. She had just brought it to Sato's attention, and he had been the one who had taken it further.
"I didn't do much," she said.
"I know that's not true," Sirius said smiling down at her and she could see the emotions swimming in his slightly glassy eyes. "I had given up the idea of ever being free again, Mackenzie. You made this happen when you asked your professor for help. If you hadn't… I never would have been free."
Mac nodded slowly, "well, I'm happy you're free again. It must be a relief."
Remus smiled as he watched them and saw the sincere happiness in Mac's eyes as she talked with Sirius. Sirius, who was smiling and looking younger than he had in years.
...
...
AN: What do you think? XD
Next chapter should be the Too Academy vs. Seirin match and I can't wait until I get into writing this! It will be fun but also challenging to get the match right and believable.
Hope you all are safe and healthy! XD
Thank you for your support and patience for this story! I really appreciate you all! XD