Also tiny. Rare additional update.

The next few days for Akashi were spent catching up with his long-lost friend. He'd made many excuses to avoid his friends' company, even being the first to leave basketball practice most of the time. But it was worth it. The redhead had learned that Kuroko had died just a few months before they'd first met- he'd been in a car accident, and held in a coma for a month and a half before being released into the spirit world. It hurt Akashi's heart, but he quickly brightened when Kuroko had pointed out that the two probably would never had met otherwise.

He'd also learned why Kuroko had left so suddenly, with no warning or even a real goodbye. Akashi listened intently to his explanation of worry and grief, nodding understandingly. Kuroko was a good-natured boy, he'd always known, but listening to him talk was more than enlightening. Though they hadn't spoken in years, Akashi already felt as though he knew all there was to know about him. In truth, he probably knew more than Kuroko knew himself.

What had really sparked the redhead's interest though, was the theory Kuroko had mentioned. The theory that he may soon be able to interact with the human world, in some shape or form. This made Akashi very happy, and very impatient.

"How long will it take?"

Kuroko smiled sadly. Though he had explained the situation to Akashi many times, he still asked the same questions. "I don't know, Akashi. I don't even know if it'll work."

The redhead bit his lip, obviously trying to bite back another redundant question, but he soon lost to his own tongue. "How much of it do you need?"

The bluenette sighed softly, and Akashi instantly turned his gaze to the ground, feeling ashamed for asking such ridiculous questions. Kuroko frowned at the sight, something prickling at the edge of his mind. He paused, "Akashi."

The other boy looked back up to him curiously, the shame disappearing from his face. "Yes, Kuroko?"

"I ate a bit extra yesterday. How about we play some?"

Akashi blinked. "Play..?"

The bluenette smiled, nodding toward the basketball by the redhead's feet. "Basketball."

Akashi instantly perked up at the idea. "Alright~"

"Eh, mind if I invite Aomine?"

"Of course not, I miss playing with him. But, uh, how are you going to do that? He's not here."

Kuroko smiled, holding up his finger. "One second." Before Akashi could say a word, the bluenette had vanished, willing himself to where he knew Aomine would be.

Sure enough, when the bluenette arrived at Kise's house, he found Aomine sitting lazily on the sofa as he watched the blonde sift through his homework. His dark eyes glanced up at the new energy he felt, recognizing it as Kuroko's by now.

"Hey, Tetsu. I thought you were with Akashi."

The smaller boy nodded, walking closer to Aomine. He looked to Kise, frowning. "We're going to play some basketball. We thought you might want to join."

At the very mention of the word, Aomine's eyes brightened, and he sat a little straighter. "Hell yeah, I would. I only wish Kise could join us too."

Kuroko smiled apologetically, placing his hand on the taller boy's shoulder. "I know, Aomine. Soon, perhaps."

XXX

Two hours later, Akashi fell onto the court's bench, panting heavily with a large grin on his face. "I can't believe you made it all the way through."

Kuroko smiled as he fell at the redhead's feet, looking up at him tiredly. "Me neither. I feel like I might pass through the realms any minute now."

Suddenly Akashi's smile disappeared, replaced by fear, but Kuroko's small laugh pushed it away.

"Matter of speech, Akashi. Don't worry."

Aomine snorted as he too sat on the bench, a little ways from Akashi. "That wasn't so bad."

"You've been storing your energy well, Aomine. How do you not use it?"

The tanned ghost frowned, his eyes darkening. "The only thing I could use it for on my own is touching Kise. And he starts crying every time I do that."

Silence fell between the three, until Akashi turned his crimson eyes to the saddened man. "Perhaps I could assist you, Daiki."

He grunted. "How so?"

"I could subtly tell Kise you're still around. Maybe then when you touched him, he wouldn't feel like he was just going crazy."

Aomine thought it over for a moment before slowly nodding. "That'd be nice. Thanks, Akashi."