Tiny chapter is tiny. Even though it's technically three pages, it's mostly short dialogue. I actually may update twice today because of that.
-On another note, this story will have 13 chapters.

After that day, Kuroko no longer followed Akashi. He couldn't bring himself to be around someone who obviously wanted nothing to do with him. Still, he continued his mission in attaining sustenance, to eventually test the theory he'd mentioned to Aomine, no matter how ridiculous it seemed.

Aomine was also occasionally building his strength, but for a slightly different reason. Sure, he wanted to be able to talk to Kise, hold him even, but he was absolutely pissed at Akashi. He was planning on confronting the redhead, and he wanted to make sure he had the energy to make him listen.

Finally, he decided the day had come. Akashi had chosen to stay late after practice was over. Aomine sighed and walked over to Akashi, standing only a few feet behind him. He concentrated for a just a moment to make himself visible.

"Akashi."

The redhead visibly flinched before turning his wide eyes to the ghost before him. "D-Daiki…"

Aomine frowned deeply. "You have all the friends you need, huh?"

Akashi's eyes widened further, though Aomine had previously thought it impossible. "Y-you… was it y-"

"No, I heard."

"Then w-who.."

"Tetsu."

The redhead's brows furrowed. "Tet..su..?"

Aomine rolled his eyes. "Dumbass, Tetsuya."

All colour drained from Akashi's face. His eyes were frozen, distant, and Aomine thought the boy might faint. Akashi couldn't believe this.

"K-Kuroko…?"

"So you do remember him."

"O-of course I remember him! He was my best friend!"

Aomine jumped from the shout, dumbfounded. Akashi rarely showed any emotion, let alone this much at once. It took a moment, but the blue haired ghost finally composed himself, closing his eyes.

"I knew you wouldn't forget. But Tetsu thinks you have."

Akashi was silent for a long moment before he slowly fell to his knees, tears coming to his usually dead eyes. "I-I told him… I didn't w-want…"

No more words would come, and all he could do was choke on his own sobs. Aomine sighed, not really the one for emotional encounters. But this was for his friends.

"Oi, relax, Akashi. I'll get Tetsu to come back. You can set things straight."

XXX

"You did what?"

Aomine sighed, looking off into the distance. Kuroko was far too close to him, almost chest to chest.

"What gave you the right to do that, Aomine?"

"Shut up, Tetsu, I was just trying to help! At least something's been done now! He wants to see you!"

Kuroko sighed and fell away from Aomine. "I understand that you're trying to help, but don't do something like that without asking…"

"You would've said no, and then you'd never know how he truly felt, and you'd be sad forever!"

Kuroko was silent. He had nothing to say to that, for he was right. And forever was an awful long time. "You're right, Aomine," he said softly, "I'm sorry. When can I see him?"

Aomine's lips quirked up into a tiny smile. "How about now?"

XXX

It didn't take long for the ghosts to find Akashi. In fact, he hadn't even left the gymnasium yet. He continued to sit there on his knees, staring off into space. His tears had long since dried, but his eyes were still red and swollen.

Whilst the others were just outside the doors, they both became visible, and Kuroko took a deep breath before following Aomine inside. Though his undead heart seemed to be aching in his chest, he knew he couldn't turn back now. This was what he'd been waiting for.

Akashi immediately jerked his head up to watch them enter, his eyes welling up with tears once again at the sight of his lost friend. "K-Kuroko…"

Kuroko hesitantly walked over to the redhead and sat in front of him, whilst Aomine wandered off to the side of the room. "Akashi…"

Akashi's heart was pounding in his chest, and he almost thought it might jump out and leap into Kuroko's soft, cold hands.

"I thought," Kuroko muttered, "you hated me…"

Akashi's eyes grew wide, and he sat forward instinctively, his hand resting upon Kuroko's. "No, Kuroko, how could you think that? I could never hate you, I-" Kuroko's eyes were wide, and a small ghostly blush had appeared on his face. Akashi smiled through his tears. "I love you, Kuroko. I've hated myself for so long for having let you go."

Kuroko was frozen in his place. He wanted to tell Akashi he shouldn't ever hate himself, that there was nothing he could've done anyway. He was ghost for pity's sake. But all those thoughts were drowned out in his mind by another. "Y-you… love m-me?"

Akashi suddenly developed the deepest blush Kuroko had ever seen, so red it rivaled his hair. "I-I mean, well," he sighed and looked away, "yeah… I didn't realize until after you left, but yes, Kuroko, I love you."

A long silence ensued, and Akashi was visibly becoming more and more nervous, avoiding Kuroko's gaze at all costs. A small laugh escaped the bluenette's lips, and Akashi froze, waiting for the rejection he felt was sure to come.

"I've waited so long to hear that, Akashi," Kuroko said as he pulled Akashi's face to look at him. "I love you too."