Chapter 13:

A new beginning part 1

''Kise, hold up!'' Kagami shouted, the blond sure could run. He somehow regonized the place, before frowning. 'Oi, this is where he jumped the last time. He's not going for it again, is he?' he ran even faster, before finally catching up to the blond, tackling him. ''Ouch!'' Kise yelped as the both landed on the street. ''You are not going to jump, are you? I can't stand the thought of losing you.'' Kagami murmured, just loud enough for Kise to hear him. ''I wasn't going to jump, Kagamicchi! I was going to head home, that's all.'' Kise replied, before adding, ''I want to go back to the time it was just about basketball, is that too much to ask?''

Kagami nodded, before pulling Kise close to him. ''Back in those days, everything that happened made you who you are now. It weren't good days back then, they only seemed better before everything scattered. And if we went back to those days, you'd never had met me.'' he told Kise fondly, before he added ''We had so much fun today, why head home out of the sudden? What happened, Kise?''

''I don't want to talk about it, Kagamicchi.'' Kise said a little sad. ''Well, you can keep it in I suppose. The last time you kept something in, this bridge had a big part in it, I want to prevent that from happening again. I won't lose to Haizaki's curse.'' Kagami said. ''It isn't Haizaki, you know.'' Kise replied. ''We don't know what it is, so I'm blaming him for the time being.'' Kagami said, before taking Kise's hand. ''Let's head to my place and talk.''

''Wait, Akashi is what?'' Aomine asked, making sure he heard it just right. ''You heard me just fine.'' Takao accused. ''Well, yeah, but I thought he had a crush on Kagami. Having a crush on Kise only makes him more human.'' Aomine said, making Takao giggle, and Midorima give him a strange look. ''What do you mean by that?'' Kuroko asked. ''I mean, Kagami and Akashi is unnatural. The one is a tyrant and the other is Kagami. But Kise, I mean, Kise is likeable, and Akashi has always been close to him in one way or another. If that is his terrible secret, then it's amusing.'' Aomine said.

''Sounds more like a pain to me. Kise likes Kagami, and Akashi has done everything in his power to push them together, for Kise to be happy.'' Kuroko said. ''I'm not saying it's easy, I mean, honestly, I still think Kise is going to end up with Kagami. But I think it's okay for Akashi to like Kise, because, honestly can you blame him? And, didn't we kind of see that coming. The only thing we could have done is warn him, and even then this was bound to happen.'' Aomine said. Takao and Kise smacked their foreheads, before Aomine uttered an ''Oh, right..''

''I did as you said, are you happy, now that I have played along?'' Akashi asked, as he encountered Haizaki at the entrance of the park. ''It's a start, I'll give you that. Doesn't it feel better though, now that you've acted upon your urges. This body hasn't done that enough, I can sense what he regretted not doing. Such an interesting mind he has.'' Haizaki said.

''Haizaki made his own choices, for the better or worse. I think I have earned some knowledge by playing along, and therefor destroying the friendship we were rebuilding.'' Akashi said. ''Earned? I'll use your own words, this isn't a game, in which you earn points. This isn't alike your precious sport.'' Haizaki told him. Akashi's eyes widened, as he gave 'Haizaki' a look. ''Then, if it's not a game to you either, what is this about? Why would you cause all of this? Who are you?'' He demanded to know.

''You don't listen, I'll answer those, when you can answer your own questions. But I'm not too bad, so I'll give you a heads up. If you turn up all of this to a satisfying end, I shall spare someone of your choice in the next phase. I think I know who to spare.'' Haizaki said. ''I don't think you do. I don't even know what to expect for your next phase, but I'll tell you this. Messing with them without a purpose won't do you well in the end. As for the one to spare, if there is someone that has to be spared, it's real Haizaki who's suffering the most.'' Akashi told him, as Haizaki smirked. ''You're an interesting person. I like that.'' he said. ''I don't trust you.'' Akashi said. ''I didn't expect something else from you, trusting is something you have yet to learn.'' Haizaki said as he walked off. 'A satisfying end, huh?' Akashi thought, as he stared to the sky.

''We're home!'' Kagami yelled, as he opened the door. The building was completely dark. ''Odd, I thought Alex would be here. Oh well, come on in.'' he told Kise, who nodded thankfully, as he stepped inside, taking off his shoes. ''Kagami, you're back ear- Honey!'' a female voice yelped as she tackled Kise in a hug, pressing her giant front against Kise, causing the boy to blush.

''Hello Alex, nice seeing you.'' Kise said politely, as Kagami gave her a look and said, ''Down Alex. I told you to stop launching attacks on my friends.'' ''I'm not a dog, Kagami. Haven't seen you 'round for a while, Kise. What brings you here tonight?'' Alex asked, as she released her deadly grip. ''Boy, you see awfully pale.'' she added, feeling his forehead. ''Something happened back at the park. I took him here, in case pretty boy was getting ill.'' Kagami told Alex, who nodded. ''Clever move. I can see why you brought him here. Why don't you lie down, while Kagami cooks something for you? I can show you his bedroom, it's clean enough for now.'' Alex said.

''Are you lending my bed, without my permission? You aren't supposed to live here, it's my place. And why do I cook?'' Kagami asked, as Alex already had taken Kise's arm, dragging the boy towards Kagami's bedroom. Kagami sighed, as he shook his head, before heading to the kitchen. ''There, I've taken him to bed. He seems so tired.'' Alex said, when she returned. ''Yeah, again, why my bed?'' Kagami said, as he stirred the rice.

''Oh please, we both know how much you love him. Might as well make a move anytime soon, Kagami, before someone snatches him away.'' Alex said. ''It's a little more complicated then you think.'' Kagami said. ''Wuss. There's nothing a good talk won't help against. Go take care of him, and confess, Kagami. Anyway, when things head off the right direction, don't hesitate. I'll be off for tonight, won't be back till noon.'' Alex said, teasingly, before heading towards the door.

''Good luck.'' she shouted before leaving the apartment. ''Why do I even bother?'' Kagami wondered out loud., before tending to dinner. Kise seemed like he could use some good food. 'Wanting to go back to the simpler times, just being able to play basketball. I want the same thing.' Kagami thought as he sighed. ''Need some help with that?'' he heard someone ask, only turning to see Kise.

''I thought you were going to sleep.'' Kagami said. ''I was put to bed, can't sleep. Too much on my mind to do so. Want me to cut the onions?'' Kise asked, taking a knife anyway, before standing next to Kagami. ''Sure. I hate cutting those things.'' Kagami replied, seeing how Kise was doing it already. ''So, mind telling me what happened today?'' he asked casually after they were done cutting the vegtables.

''I was going to ask to have a talk about it with you. Weirdest thing ever, and I swear I didn't see it coming, but Akashi kinda kissed me. On impulse.'' Kise said. Kagami blinked a few times, ''Makes sense.'' he eventualy managed to say. ''You saw it coming?'' Kise asked. ''No, but now you say it, it makes sense. He reacted really strong on his concerns when he requested for me to protect you when this started, almost killed me when I 'rejected' you, and has been acting weird ever since.'' Kagami explained.

''Right.'' Kise managed to say, before focusing on the sauce. ''Do you think we're really in love?'' he asked. ''I'm not sure. I mean, there is something going on inbetween us, and I really don't mind spending the rest of my life with you.'' Kagami said. ''Yeah, but, we don't have to hold back. We don't have the urge to kiss, to express romantic gestures. Akashi restrained himself because of his feelings.'' Kise replied.

''Do you want to kiss me?'' Kagami asked. ''I'm not sure.'' Kise said. ''Neither am I. I mean, I wouldn't mind pressing a kiss to your lips, but I don't want to do this under the current circumstances. I'm too scared it will affect this or the next phase and I might lose you, or someone might get hurt. I want to snuggle with you, and give us a chance, but don't want to be unsure for the future.'' Kagami said.

''Kagamicchi...'' Kise said, fondly. ''I didn't know.'' he added. ''So, do you want to kiss me?'' Kagami asked. ''Kinda. But, I've been holding back for so long, I'm not really sure. And if we were to act on our impulses, and regret it, we hurt ourselves, but Akashi too.'' Kise said. ''I don't want to lose you to Akashi.'' Kagami instantly replied. Kise blinked a few times, before flashing a smile. ''That's easy, Kagamicchi. Then you shouldn't lose. Could you wrap up my share of food to go. There is something I need to do.'' Kise said.

Kagami blinked bewildered, as the blond started gathering his stuff, and putting on his shoes. ''Where are you going too? What are you planning to do?'' he shouted, as he put the food into a box, shutting it, and putted some chopsticks on it. Kise took his food, before he said, ''I'm going to solve all of our issues.'' he sprinted out the door, looking more alive then ever before. 'What the hell is this about?' Kagami could only wonder what kind of urge had gotten into the blond.

Later that evening, both he and Akashi recieved the very same message. ''Tomorow at our old gym, twelve o clock, bring your sportswear. And this time, my orders are absolute, ssu.'' Kagami had to read twice, before checking the messenger. Kise, what did he have planned this time? Akashi blinked a few times, before texting back, ''Only because you ask Ryouta.'' He placed his phone on his desk, but couldn't help but wonder the blond would do. Would they talk, would he accept Akashi, or reject him nicely? Akashi didn't like not knowing what would happen.

The next day, Kise sat in the middle of the court, watching the clock intensly. ''What if they don't show?'' Kuroko asked. ''They will, none of them ever backed out when called out.'' Kise said. ''Kise coming up with drawing out Kagami and Akashi, whatever happened? Why are we here?'' Aomine asked. ''Because, I want it to be like the old days, when everything was different, but then with Kagami. We can't take back what we've said or done, but we can chance what's coming up. I thought you were just as intent on beating 'Haizaki' as I was.'' Kise said.

''Believe me, I am.'' Kuroko said, and Aomine nodded in agreement. ''Then, we must co-operate as a team. Together.'' Kise said, as the clock struck twelve, and instantly the door opened, reveiling Kagami and Akashi. ''Ryouta, what is this about?'' Akashi asked, as Kagami said, ''What are we being called out for, blondie?''

''Basketball. Three on three, first up to twenty points wins. If your team wins, I'll go on a date with both of you, and we look on what to do further on. If my team wins, we focus on helping Haizaki, defeat what possesses him, and move on naturally. Rules are pretty standard, only new things that apply, when you've the urge to do something you usually you won't, then you don't. And having fun, of course. To make things more interesting, you play with Aomine, just for communication skills.'' Kise explained, tossing the ball to Kagami.

''So, are we playing?'' he asked, as Akashi and Kagami gave him a bewildered look. ''Have you gone mental?'' Akashi asked, why would he work together with the brute, and the idiot? Though, their skills were better combined. ''Don't know, seems kinda unfair. Seeing only Kuroko joins you, and our styles combine better.'' Kagami said, did Kise want to lose. Kise smirked. ''Kurokocchi will be on my team, don't underestimate him. And I said three on three, didn't I, Midorimacchi?'' Kise said, as Midorima showed himself.

''Don't ask what you already know.'' Midorima scolded, walking over to Kise. Kagami and Akashi looked to eachother for confirmation. ''You're on.'' they both stated, making Kise smirk, Aomine stretch his neck and Kuroko smile. ''Get on with it.'' Murusakibara said, who took the ball, appearently he was the refferee for this match. ''Go, Kuroko!'' they heard someone cheer simoutainesly with someone else, shouting, ''Win this, Shintarou!''

'Kise really went all out.' Akashi thought as he watched Satsuki and Kazunari cheer. ''Oi, Moimoi, you're supposed to cheer for me.'' Aomine shouted, as Moimoi laughed, ''No way.'' Soon enought the match started, both teams giving it their all. It lasted and lasted, until both teams grew tired at some point (three o clock). ''It's eleven to twelve to Kise's adventage.'' Takao said, when they called for a rest. ''We aren't backing down.'' Kagami said.

''We do need a rest, or we'll lose.'' Aomine said. ''So, we rest. Go get some beverages. After we drank those, we'll continue. I refuse to lose.'' Akashi said. ''Why us?'' Kagami objected, but it fell on deaf ears. ''Something wrong, Akashicchi?'' Kise asked. ''No, they are getting some drinks. We need a bit of rest, and then we'll continue. As if we would back down, Ryouta.'' Akashi said. Aomine shrugged before dragging Kagami with him.

''Let's go already, the sooner we can continue.'' Aomine said, before they headed towards the vending machine. ''Kise seemed different today, more sure.'' Aomine said. ''He has chanced, for the better. I didn't see it coming. He did say he just wanted to play like the old days. Who knew it was as easy as that?'' Kagami said. ''It's not. I mean, I don't think this is over, at least not inbetween you three. Can you still make Kise happy?'' Aomine asked.

''Yeah, I mean, I think I can. Kise was unsure last night, when we talked. Wondering why didn't act upon our impulses, and if that meant anything. So I can understand where he is coming from, but I do want us to be together, and see how far we'd make it.'' Kagami explained. ''Way too sappy man, but maybe sappy is something Kise could use for now. I think you two are good together.'' Aomine said.

''Thanks, but I don't need your permission, I need Kise's. Maybe his parents' one day.'' Kagami said. ''Still man, this all has chanced us a lot. Kise has never been like this, so confident, telling you and Akashi what to do. And Kuroko is changing too. Maybe this all, wasn't that bad.'' Aomine said, as he paid the drinks and Kagami collected them.

''It isn't all that good either, and I remember you protesting the most.'' Kagami replied. ''Not anymore, it's has been done. Let's just hope nothing too bad happens anymore.'' Aomine shrugged, as they headed ''What the hell!?'' they heard Akashi yell. They shared a look before Kagami said, ''You shouldn't have said that.'' and the headed to the gym, only to find the surprise of their lives.

And that concludes the second phase! It's had been an exciting road, with it's ups and downs. This fanfic will have six phases in total, because that's how many characters are participating. And Haizaki is getting more interesting, isn't he? For those that miss Murusakibara, no worries, there will be more coming up!

So Akashi loved Kise, that concluded this finale, many updates in the future. Please read and review for your support of this fanfic, though I thank all of you who read this. And now to the third phase, I'm so excited. I thought of genderswitching at first, but no, this will be way better (and cuter). Saving the gender for another time though.