Gods, I really thank my reviewers for noticing this. I have such wonderful friends! T^T Like what I explained in the premises, Akashi and Kuroko were childhood friends but apparently Kuroko doesn't remember him. I was thinking of making Kuroko a basketball player but since he never "met" Akashi, who would develop his playing style? Desho?
Akemi-chan and Sappyhire-chan, thank you for your eagle eyes and asking about the relationships! This chapter was actually made when I posted chap 4 but due to your reviews, I was able to revise. Thank you so much! *-*
Thank you Naeme for the review! XD I'll do my best to make this story better!
Caithlinn, the answer you're looking for is just around the corner. *wink wink*
There will be a 3rd-person POV here, but it's made into a conversation because I was too lazy. It will be labeled as NO ONE'S POV because I feel like it (lol XD).
Disclaimer: KnB is not mine, thankfully, because if it was it wouldn't be Kuroko no Basket. Instead, it would be KUROKO NO BABY. *insert clap here for my awesomeness* KIDDING! And the picture is not mine too. XD
Chapter 5:
Kuroko POV
After 2 days of staying in the hospital, I am currently staying at Akashi-kun's penthouse. At first, Kagami-kun wouldn't let me stay with the "psycho", but Akashi-kun glares him down. He explains to Kise-kun and Aomine-kun that I'm safer with him, as my kidnappers will probably be monitoring all the people I've known to check if I'm with them. He guarantees my safety by saying, and I quote, "Nothing can touch Tetsuya under my protection". (Yes, it made me giddy inside.) I secretly rejoice that my friends let me go with Akashi-kun (though they probably did it because they were afraid of him).
So here I am in the heavily-guarded, CCTV-surrounded suite, waiting for Kagami-kun to visit. I hope he gets pass through whatever "safety precaution procedure" Akashi-kun laid in the building. I imagine him cursing at being body-inspected at the lobby (I don't know if this is true) and I hope there are no K9 dogs, he'd probably run away seeing that. What if he had to go through lasers, metal detectors and *gasp*, booby traps? Ah, I'm imagining too much. Akashi-kun can't be that overprotective.
Suddenly, I hear the doorbell, and I go to the front door. The live-feed monitor reveals Kagami-kun. "Kuroko, I'm here." he says. I press a button to unlock the door and it opens mechanically.
"Huh?" he scratches his head. "Where is he? Ah, it's probably automated. Shitsurei shimasu…" He walks past me.
"Anooo."
He looks around, confused. I saw his sides shiver. "W-who's there? D-Damn you Akashi, don't tell me there's a ghost-"
"Domo." I bow. He shouts and scampers away from me.
"K-KUROKO?! H-HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN THERE?!"
"I opened the door."
"D-Damn. I haven't felt that for a while." He recovers and walks to me. Nigou barks and I crouch down to pet him. "You're so big now, Nigou. Arigato for taking care of him, Kagami-kun." I bow again.
"Sheesh. It's nothing." he turns around to hide his shyness. I smile a little at the gesture. Nigou licks my face easily because he can reach it now. I feel sentimental, because the last time I held him he was still a puppy, and now he's bigger. I ruffle his soft fur and scratch the back of his ear.
"Damn, this is one big penthouse." he whistles. "Rich people have it easy. Oh by the way, I brought lunch. Can I borrow the kitchen?"
"You ask me as if I own the apartment, Kagami-kun. But I'm sure Akashi-kun wouldn't mind."
"Where is he?"
"He's at work." I say boringly. He shrugs and disappears in the kitchen. I sit on the huge sofa and cuddle Nigou.
Moments later, we eat in the dining area. Kagami-kun brought a take-out katsudon and it smells good. He also bought me vanilla shake which made me really happy. We make small talk while eating.
"So, how is that bastard treating you?"
"He's really kind and I think he's spoiling me. And don't tell me you still have grudges over the scissors thing?"
"HE REALLY WANTED TO STAB ME!"
"He told me he knows you would dodge it."
"What the-? Is he a freak or something?"
I sigh. "I don't know. But I did hear one time Midorima-kun saying 'As usual, you speak like you know everything Akashi.' and he replied 'I do'. "
"He's really a freak." Kagami-kun decides. We go back to eating.
After a while, Kagami-kun speaks. "You know, I'm a firefighter now."
"Really?" I ask. I would have never thought.
"I used to play for Basketball Japan League but I quit after I tore my ACL. I went to surgery and rehab for a year and a half. After that, I came across this burning house, and I saved a baby. It changed my life." I instinctively slide my hand on my tummy on the word 'baby'. Kagami-kun doesn't notice. "I work for the Tokyo Fire Department now." He grins at me.
"That's… amazing, Kagami-kun." I say in awe.
"Haha! Well…" He shrugs. "Kise is still a model but he's a pilot now. And Aomine is a policeman. Oh, Momoi and I are dating."
"What?"
"Hahaha! You don't believe? After you were… gone…" he whispers the word. "She was so devastated. I would console her sometimes. That's when we started to… you know… interact much, I guess."
Kagami-kun and Momoi-san, who would believe? But I'm happy for them. "Who would have known you had dating instincts, Kagami-kun."
"O-OI!" he blushed.
"You were terrible with girls."
"I'M NOT!" I chuckle a little. It's nice to be updated with everyone's lives. I'm grateful that they still remember me even after I was gone. Of course, I wanted them to find me, but I didn't want them to stop living their lives just because of me. I know they were all sad, but I'd rather they continue their lives instead of moping and grieving over me.
I reminisce my memories with my friends. Momoi-san, Kise-kun, Aomine-kun and I were friends in junior high. Aomine-kun was the star player in our basketball team. And while I loved the sport, I never developed the skills. Momoi-san and I were the managers of the varsity. Kise-kun came in the second year of junior high and he quickly became close with us. We met Kagami-kun in high school, and soon, the five of us became inseparable. Well, until high school graduation.
Kagami-kun interrupts my thoughts by putting tonkatsu on my bowl. "You really should eat more," he says with an embarrassed face. "You need to put on weight, you're so thin you know."
"Arigato, Kagami-kun, but I think I'm full."
"Jeez, you and your low appetite."
"Not everyone can eat 20 cheeseburgers a day, Kagami-kun."
"Hey!" He retorts. I chuckle. He's still the same Kagami-kun I know. I'm happy.
"Stop smiling at me Kuroko. It's freaking me out." He says, but there's also a smile in his face.
No one's POV and two-week time skip
"It's true, boss. That Kagami, Kise and Aomine frequently comes to The Empress Azure International Hotel for two weeks now. We can't confirm who they're visiting but the first time the redhead guy went there, he brought the dog but left without it. They seem to be going to a special password-accessed floor."
"Heh… It does sound fishy."
"The Empress Azure is owned by Akashi Seijuurou, if I am not mistaken."
"That creepy bastard? Wasn't he the one who discovered two of our bases? Does our phantom know him?"
"No, he hasn't met him at all. I've ran background checks and Akashi lived and graduated in Kyoto. However, it seems that Kise and the doctor know Akashi."
"Do we have our people in the hotel?"
"Yes boss, although the security seems tight. It might be hard to conduct a raid."
"As expected. Continue following the three. But focus on everything about the hotel. That's all."
"I don't see why we should do that."
"Ah, but the emperor is making his move already. It's only right we should prepare our counterattack. After all, we're aiming for his most important chess piece, the queen~."
Kuroko POV, 1-week time skip
It's time for another check-up. I wanted to sleep all day but Akashi-kun keeps on pestering me. If I'm going to take a guess, he's probably more anxious about this pregnancy than anyone else.
"Hai hai, I'm finished dressing up." I call out after he knocks on the door for the 5th time. I press a button on the side panel and it reveals a smiling red-haired (slightly taller) guy.
"Let's go." Despite his calm demeanor, I can tell he's excited.
We arrive at the damn thing called elevator. I still cannot help the nervousness I feel upon being inside it but he holds my hand. "I have a surprise for you." he says as we step in. I was about to close my eyes when he declares, "Don't close your eyes." The doors close and I feel suffocated.
Suddenly, the walls around us transform into a huge green meadow, with butterflies and trees and the beautiful blue sky. There are even small flowers swaying to the breeze. It feels real. Wow.
"I had them install this live electronic wallpaper last week." He simply states but I hear the unsaid words. For you.
"It actually has a variety of scenes." He clicks something in a panel and we are floating in space, stars and asteroids swirling around us. Wow. He clicks something again and it changes back to the green meadow. It's really beautiful. My fear is forgotten.
"Do you like it?" That red and golden mesmerizing eyes melts mine. I feel my insides soften like jelly and my heart picks up pace.
"So much. Thank you Akashi-kun." He smiles at me softly. My eyes widen when he leans forward, like he wants to kiss me…
Ding! The doors open. I rush outside before something could happen. I forgot I was holding his hand, so he half-stumbles as I drag him. "Gomenasai!" I squeal. He chuckles and flicks my forehead. "You are so adorable."
Why does my cheeks warm and my heart pump wildly?
I stare at the tiny babies on the other side of the glass. Akashi-kun went to buy food while we wait for Midorima-kun who was caught up in a traffic. A baby opens his mouth in an O, he's so cute while yawning. I could watch them all day.
In a few months, I'll be holding my own little one in my arms. I am scared to the bones, but at the same time my heart melts at the thought. My baby…
Questions like 'Will the baby like me?' or 'Can I even take care of it?' run through my mind all the time, but the biggest problem will be how people will react to it. Although half the world accepts the third sex, the thought of a male carrying a child will raise biological, moral and religious issues. My baby will suffer through many scorns and hardships, and sometimes I think I'll let Midorima-kun abort this baby. But I can't bring myself to end its life. It's not fair. It's a living, growing thing inside me, and killing is much, much worse a crime than a pregnant man.
I am so deep in thought I didn't hear the footsteps behind me. Only when a handkerchief is brought to my nose that I come to my senses.
I reflexively thrash around and resist. I elbow the man in his stomach and kick his groin. But another man grips my arms and I writhe and kick and squirm. I feel dizzy and my vision start to blur. He puts another handkerchief and my knees wobble. Akashi-kun…
"What do you think you're doing?!" A familiar voice shouts. The world is spiraling. I can't breathe…
"Tet-chan! Wake up! Tet-chan!" And I drift into the darkness.
Fin~
I have no comment on KagaMomo. I just felt they're too alone while everyone else in their circle are couples. So I was like, "You and you. Now kiss." LOL XD
As u guys have noticed, 1st-person POV is not reliable. =D Tetsu-chan, Sei-kun can be over-overprotective. If you only knew *clicks tongue*
Sorry not sorry for the cliffie! Here's an omake as a peace offering!
Omake!
"Shin-chan, where are you? I'm hungry! *pout pout*"
-_-# "Urusai Takao."
"But I'm excited to see Tet-chan! You told me we would meet him today! How come I got here in the hospital earlier than you?! And I came from overseas too!"
"I'm stuck in this traffic-nanodayo. I forgot to bring my lucky item and Oha-Asa was right. I should have been more careful."
"You and your Oha-Asa horoscopes… *rolls eyes*"
"Be careful, Takao. Oha-Asa says that Scorpios will run into trouble but will not be harmed. Although, Aquarius like Kuroko have the worst luck today, and it says something dangerous will happen if they're not careful."
"Hai~. Akashi-kun is with Tet-chan so it's fine~! =( I wanna see Tet-chan… He was so kind to me. He's the reason I'm alive right now." T.T
"We'll see him together. Don't go crying on me."
"Okay. I miss you Shin-chan!"
"B-Baka. Just go get your food-nanodayo."
"You tsundere! Is it really hard to say you miss me too?"
"*silence*"
"Hmph! I love you, you carrot tsundere! -.-# "
"*looooooong silence" F-fine."
"SAY IT!" '~'#
"*sighs* I love you."
=))))) "I love you too!"