Good day dear Readers! I'm so sorry for the supeeer late update… *bow deeply

Work is consuming 80% of my life! Well, I guess it's like the phrase ' Welcome to reality!' stuff… and it's sucks...Hahaha...

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter! Happy Reading!


Chapter XVII

Question, Answer and Decision


Akashi was now sitting on an empty seat in a quiet hallway, waiting for the bright red light to be turned off. He averted his gaze from a closed door and sighed. That black tinted glass door was closed 15 minutes ago but it seemed like hours for him. He leaned back his head to the wall behind him as he grabbed tight a plushy dog key chain. A husky dog with same blue eyes as him. He recalled the conversation before they departed.

"Seijuro-kun, would you please hold on to this?"

Akashi raised an eyebrow while holding it. "A plushy dog?"

"It's an old memento of my parents. They gave it to me before they passed away. They said Nigou's eyes look exactly like mine. So, they bought me it for me."

"Nigou?"

"Um... well, I named him Tetsuya #2, Nigou for short." He flustered while avoiding my eyes.

Akashi chuckled while the younger teen in hospital gown pouted. He turned to the red haired captain in annoyance. "I was wrong to give him to you. I thought he could replace me while I will be punctured later." He extended his arm to me "Please give him back."

"Don't be mad." Akashi held Kuroko's hands. "I am happy to see your other side, Tetsuya. I didn't know my boyfriend is this cute." The red haired kissed the pale colder hands.

The bluenette blushed. He cleared his throat as he tried hard to return his cheeks color to normal. "You are so mean." He pouted.

"I am only mean and selfish to my boyfriend." Akashi smirked

Kuroko slightly blush and said. "Just think Nigou as me. I will be back before you know it."

Akashi leaned forward and placed his lips on Kuroko's. "I know you will. Come back safe."

"I will be fine. I did this before and I am still alive."

After that, a nurse came to get him. They took him to another room where they would take Kuroko's bone marrow sample. Akashi read about the procedure before. Even though the failure rate was closed to zero but it could be fatal one if the doctor made a small mistake. Not to mention the patient would be in enormous pain.

Akashi closed his eyes to calm down. He needed to be strong for his beloved, needed to support him in any way he could. He sighed and he looked at Nigou again. Its eyes really a perfect copy of Kuroko's. He stared at those eyes as he thought mentally; I hope your owner will come out safe.

After he said that, the lights turned off and the door was opened. Sato-sensei came out with mask covered half face. Akashi stood up and walked to her.

"The process went smoothly. We will analyze it in the laboratory and notify you as soon as possible." She smiled.

"How is his condition?"

"He is unconscious now. The pain will subside after he wakes up. He did well." She smiled remembering the small blue haired boy tried his best to stay still during the process. She admitted that he is one of the toughest patients she had. "We are moving him back to the room. Notify us if he woke up and we will check on him to decide if he needs to stay or he can go home." She added.

"I see. Thank you Sato-sensei." Akashi sighed in relief. "Can I see him now?"

"Of course. I think they are about to move him now."

Not long after that, two nurses came out pushing a bed. Akashi could see the blue haired from afar. His pale sweaty face lied sideways and covered in a blanket.

"His pain will subside soon. Just let him rest." Sato-sensei repeated calmly. Akashi nodded but his eyes were not leaving the bluenette. "Alright then. I should excuse myself, Akashi-kun. Have a good day."


A few hours later, Kuroko moved a finger and fluttered open his eyes. He could only see blur at first but he knew Akashi was at his side. A warm hand holding his cold one was the prove.

"Tetsuya?" a worried voice called him

"Seijuro-kun?" He replied in raspy weak voice. He blinked a few times until his vision cleared.

"Welcome back." He gave a light kiss on the bluenette's forehead. "Do you feel any pain?" Akashi brushed the teal bang.

"A little." He smiled weakly. Kuroko tried to adjust his uncomfortable numb position. But as soon as he moved his back, he flinched.

"Don't move just yet. I will call Sato-sensei." Akashi held his upper body and pressed a button.

Kuroko looked at his boyfriend face closely. His tired and worried face was clearly shown. Kuroko frowned. "Do I really look bad?"

"Yes." He admitted. "But it doesn't change the fact that you are my cute little boyfriend." Akashi said as he put Nigou beside his pillow. "He's been a good boy while waiting for you."

Kuroko chuckled weakly. "Of course he is."

A knock on the door broke their conversation. Sato-sensei and a nurse walked into the room. She smiled at the two teens. "Good afternoon, Kuroko-kun, Akashi-kun." the two teens greeted back.

"Kuroko-kun, I will check on your condition now." The bluenette merely nodded. "Akashi-kun, I'll have to ask you to wait outside, please."

Akashi nodded and kissed Kuroko's forehead. "I'll be back soon. Be a good boy." He whispered before going out and not to forget to take Nigou with him. Kuroko chuckled at his action. He was not the only childish one in the relationship.

After Akashi closed the door, Sato-sensei began checking on his temperature and other physical condition. She also asked a few questions while the nurse wrote down the data.

"Kuroko-kun, I will give you another medicine. After half an hour you can go home. Please rest your body well. Try not to move your body so much, okay?"

"Yes. Thank you, sensei." Kuroko gave her a weak smile.

"You are welcome." She smiled back as she was ready to leave.

"Sato-sensei?"

"Yes, Kuroko-kun?" she turned her head to the teal haired.

"Please tell me… will I really get a donor?"

Sato-sensei walked back to the teen. She said in an assuring calm tone. "Kuroko-kun, I can't answer that now. We need to wait for the result."

Kuroko shook his head. "Sato-sensei, you must've received my medical record from the States… judging from the record, please tell me honestly… Will I really get a perfect donor?"

She was taken aback by those determined eyes. They were so stern and strong, wanting to know the real truth. Sato-sensei studied his expression carefully before answering. He was not afraid at all. He has readied himself for every possible answer.

Sato-sensei sighed. In years of her medicine career, she vowed herself to smile at patients, no matter what happens. She needs to make them relax as much as she could. But now, for the first time, this young patient broke through her façade.

"Kuroko-kun, you know… You are one of the youngest, bravest and strong patients I've ever met." She smiled gently. Like a motherly smile. "Do you really want to know the truth? No matter how bad or good it is?"

"Yes. Please do tell me, Sato-sensei. I am ready for anything." Kuroko smiled back.

"Kuroko-kun, when I tried to match the donors with your past records, the highest probability is no more than 50%. If we conducted the operation, it would be a failure." She explained carefully as Kuroko calmly listened to her. "But it might change. Your bone marrow result might change after the treatment. So, don't lose hope just yet."

"I understand, sensei. Thank you for telling me." Kuroko nodded.

"No problem. Anything to make you feel better."

"One more thing, sensei. If in any case, it's not working well, how much time do I have?"

She frowned at his question. "Kuroko-kun, I told you before. That's…."

"Sato-sensei, please don't get me wrong." Kuroko held his hands in defense. "I'm not giving up yet. It was Seijuro-kun who made me want to fight once more. But life is not a fairy tale...I need to prepare for the worst and if I happen to leave him, I need to do what I must do before it's all too late…" Kuroko let out a sad smile. "So, I have to know how much time I have left. Please tell me honestly, sensei."

"I'm sorry Kuroko-kun, I misunderstood you." She gave an apologetic look. "If this fails, we will keep trying to find other donors. And honestly, it will take much time. But your operation must be conducted by fall. Much later than that, the more dangerous it will be."


"Tetsuya?" Akashi shook the bluenette gently. " I'm sorry to wake you up. But it's time to take your medicine." He brought a couple of pills and a glass of water. The red haired sat on the bed and he handed those pills and the glass.

"Thank you." Kuroko who had a slight fever sat up and took three different shapes of pills and gulped them down with water.

Akashi put back the glass on the table. He turned to his beloved. He pit a hand on his forehead. "You are still kind of warm." Akashi frowned. He moved his hand down and stroked his cheek. "How do you feel? Your back still hurts?"

"Just warm. The pain will go away soon. Don't worry." He smiled gently.

"I hope so." He smiled back as he tried to fix his bed hair. "By the way, they came to visit you earlier. But you were sleeping."

"Aomine-kun and the others?"

"Yes. Including, Shintarou. He gave you that alarm clock as your lucky item." Akashi chuckled and pointed at a medium-sized-owl-shaped alarm clock on the table.

"That's very nice of him."

"Yes. They wish you well and they will come back tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

"Hm… well… I was planning to ask Seijuro-kun to go on a date tomorrow."

"Tetsuya is asking me to go on a date?" Akashi repeated to make sure he heard it right.

"Mmm.." He nodded. "But, since they are coming, I don't mind to spend the day together. We've never hang out together, all six of us."

"No problem. They can come here on Sunday. I will arrange the time." He stated as he flipped his phone and began typing.

"Wait! It's ok. They can come tomorrow." Kuroko quickly stopped the red haired.

"It's not ok." Akashi smiled. He leaned in to give him a kiss. Kuroko closed his eyes as he responded to the gentle loving kiss. Akashi pulled back a little, their foreheads were touching. "I told you before, I am a selfish person, Tetsuya. It's the first time you are asking me out. I am not spoiling this chance."

"My boyfriend is not only selfish but also childish." Kuroko stated deadpan with pink tinted on the cheeks.

"I am an Akashi. Things like that won't beat me. And I don't mind being selfish, childish or even possessive. As long as it's involved you, Tetsuya."

"Okay. You are forgiven." Kuroko gave him a kiss on his cheek. "Pick me up on my door at 10am tomorrow."

"No problem." Akashi chuckled. "Where are we going tomorrow?"

"It's a secret."

"Alright. But we are using a car. Deal?"

"Okay. But don't kill me with your driving style."

"Deal."


End of Chapter XVII: Question, Answer and Decision

BabyNightmareLady: Thanks much! I am so sorry for the late update! Thank you for dropping a review for most of the chaps! I really appreciate it! :D

TrollQueen: Thanks for the review! I hope you enjoy this chap! :)

Siscarilia: Thank you too for dropping a review! I am so sorry for the late update! :D

Rinfantasy: Thanks for liking the previous chap and so sorry for the late update! :D

I would like to thank SetsunaLovesYaoi, NoirSoleil, layla200, SailorPeach5, Animelovertillend, Crystal3300, Animenurdd, FallenCrowOfHell, mychibidragon, SoraLight, Abysseum, the0thuht, nerdyangel. Amv, merrag, thegirlthatlived129, sylwialagosz10466, luluroller for adding the story in your favorite and follow list!

Thank you all!

A/N: Once again I am sorry for the late update! Since work is driving me crazy, I am not sure when I can update the next chap but most likely I can update on weekends…

And I think it's about time to wrap this story up! I guess there will be another 2-3 chapters more! So stay tuned readers!

See you all on the next update! Thank you and have a great day!