I re-wrote this chapter several times since I was never quiet satisfied with how it turned out. But now I'm pleased with it. I hope you like it too! Also thanks for your lovely reviews, as always~ they're really motivating me to write!

Disclaimer: I don't own KnB.

This game of his is getting obnoxious. Midorima said, the irritation in his voice was as clear as day as they all stopped in front of another godforsaken door. This one however was of a blood-red colour and everyone was sure that behind it, waiting in the shadows like the lying snake he is, was no other than Hanamiya Makoto.

"I agree. But be patient Shintarou, we shall end this nonsense soon." Akashi reassured confidently and reached out, with the key in his hand, to open the last door.

A hand grabbing his arm stopped him though, and he looked confused at the owner.

"Shintarou...?"

"Just...are you sure you're okay? There was definitely something weird about that powder-stuff that guy threw at you..." the concerned tone didn't go unnoticed by Akashi and his eyes softened.

"I am perfectly fine, Shintarou. No need to worry. Let us proceed." Another moment went by, but in the end the spectacled male sighed and let go of his leader. If he said he felt alright then Midorima would believe him.

Finally Akashi opened the lock and pushed the grand door open.

They carefully stepped into the room and their eyes immediately fell onto a lone figure that sat idly on the only chair in the room.

"What are you going to do now, huh? You're cornered just like the disgusting rat you are. Any last words?"

Aomine said venomously and heatedly glared at Hanamiya. The latter didn't seem to care in the least though. His smug grin never left his face, he seemed to thoroughly enjoy this. Sick bastard.

"Yes yes. You got me, you have my utmost admiration dear Daiki."

It gave Aomine the creeps when he heard his first name being uttered by this mentally deranged being.

"The time to end your miserable existence is here. Do you have any last words?"

Akashi's cold eyes stared directly into Hanamiya's indifferent and soulless ones.

"...heh..hahaha!"

"What the...?"

Confusion spread among the Generation of Miracles when they heard the faint laughter of their enemy, which were steadily increasing in volume. This guy was utterly insane for sure, there was no denying that.

"You think this is over?! You really think I was not prepared for this to happen?! Hahahaha! This only just begun!"

Now Hanamiya was showing his true colours. His facade slowly slipped away and revealed the monster that lay beneath. It made the Generation of Miracles wonder how they ever could think of him as one of them.

"You know, I'm not alone. I have one last trump card, you should know him well yes?"

Their eyes widened in shock and disbelieve. He wouldn't...

"Don't you dare, you bastard. I swear I'll fucking kill you!"

But Aomine's threats fell on deaf ears.

"You seem to know who I'm talking about. No use in prolonging this then. Taiga-kun~ won't you come and lend me a hand?"

It was only a moment later that they heard footsteps aproaching them, and they saw Kagami emerge from the shadows. He already had both of his guns in his hands, his eyes stared at them blankly and Aomine realized, when he looked into those hollow ruby eyes, that this wasn't his Kagami anymore.

It wasn't the Kagami that was kind, gentle and always tried to help in any way he could. It wasn't the Kagami he learned to trust and rely on the past few months. This Kagami, controlled by this sick bastard by the name of Hanamiya Makoto, was cold, uncaring and unpredictable. Right now he simply was Hanamiya's puppet, doing exactly as he said with no will of his own.

But Aomine wouldn't let it stay that way. It was his fault it came to this. If he hadn't said that back then...no. It wasn't the time to dwell on the things that already happened. He had to clean up the mess he created.
Aomine was going to get his Kagami back and put an end to all of this. Together with his family he had no doubt he was able to do this. If he could just corner Hanamiya somehow, just so that Tetsu would be able to touch him...then the victor was already decided. If he worked together with Murasakibara then maybe...

"Feel free to attack me if you want." Hanamiya's sickly sweet voice floated through the large room. Aomine was slightly, he had a very bad feeling about this and he dreaded the next words coming from the black-haired male's mouth.

"But keep in mind that I have full control of your friend. With just one order from me and your dear Taiga will happily kill himself before you can even lay a finger on me. If you don't mind that little fact, then by all means, go ahead."

A sinister grin stretched across his visage, splitting his face into a grimace and the Generation of Miracles gritted their teeth in anger and frustration.

Nobody moved for what seemed like hours to them, but in reality only a few minutes passed by. They were trying to come up with a way that would keep Kagami out of danger but...

"Ah! I just had an excellent idea my friends."

Hanamiya set on a false friendly smile and the others felt like vomiting when they saw it.

"What is going on in that sick mind of yours this time?" Aomine spat angrily. He wanted nothing more than to dash forward and slowly and painfully kill the bastard in front of him, but being aware of the danger Kagami was in he held back.

"Nevermind that question, we won't let you do it."

Midorima said as calmly as he could.

"Oh~? Not going to let me? Nonsense. That's not possible you see? Because it's not me who will be doing anything. My dear Taiga will do all the work."

Akashi's eyes narrowed to slits and his eyes were ablaze with anger, the other Generation of Miracles tensed.

"Do you really believe I will let you do whatever you want?" like only hours before Akashi's left, golden eye was shimmering dangerously once again. He stared Hanamiya down, waiting for the affects to start but was only greeted by Hanamiya's continuously madly grinning face. Akashi's brows furrowed in genuine confusion.

His...His ability...wasn't working?

"What did you...?" he trailed off, too shocked to even finish his question.

"Akashi, are you alright? What's wrong?" Midorima rushed over to him and gave him a worried look.

"Oh~? Maybe you got something in your eye, heheh!" All of their eyes widened in utter disbelieve and they immediately thought back to the fight only moments before.

"The fuck did you do, you filthy little shit?!" Aomine practically exploded.

"Me? Nothing, it's not my fault your leader is so careless." he 'tsed' and made a gesture with his hand like a mother scolding her children.

"So, my dear Kagami..." he paused for a moment and that insane grin was back, even more gruesome than before.

"Kill them. You can start with your beloved Aomine."

They were rooted to the spot at Hanamiya's words. If Kagami really tried to kill them, they'd have to fight him. The redhead's weapons were dangerous for them and with Kagami's new ability it would be difficult to apprehend him. Furthermore Akashi was down, he couldn't help them in the least. What could they do now...?

"He won't do it."

Even Hanamiya's eyes widened in surprise at the words uttered with such confidence and trust.

"Come again...?"

He asked and his eyes shot daggers at Aomine, who had dared to speak of such foolish things.

"I said that he won't do it. He won't kill his friends – no – his family. He won't be controlled by the likes of you."

Aomine took sure steps towards Kagami, who had already raised one of his silver guns and pointed it at the dark blue haired male.

"Daiki, come back. This is too danger,-"

"Akashi, he's my mate. I know him, he won't do it. This is my fault so I'm going to set this right myself. Let me do this."

Aomine's voice was filled with so many emotions all at once – guilt, trust, hurt, despair and hope – that Akashi just couldn't say no. He too wanted to believe in Kagami and that he hadn't succumbed to Hanamiya completely. He wanted to believe in Daiki and that he would bring his partner back. There was no other way left. If this didn't work then...His decision was made.

"Alright, you may do as you please but...please be careful."

Aomine simply nodded and slowly started to walk forward again.

"Kagami..."

Aomine wasn't sure were to start, but he just had to bring the old Kagami back.

"Kagami...I'm so, so sorry for what I did. You have no idea how deeply I regret the words I said to you back then. I know I hurt you and I can't change the past..."

He took another step forward, all the while he looked into Kagami's eyes and hoped for some sort of sign that his words were reaching the other, but they were still void of any emotion.

"You don't have to forgive me but please come back. You're so important to me, to everyone. I just want you to be safe, to be happy. Even if that can't be with me. Even if you hate me."

He was only a few steps away from Kagami now. The redhead hadn't moved and Aomine took that as a positive sign. He hadn't tried to shoot him yet, at least.

"Kagami...I beg of you, come back."

He slowly reached out to pull the redhead into a gentle hug, his hand caressing the soft locks.

It was going to be alright. Kagami was strong, he could break free of this stupid mind control and they would be going home together.

That were his last thoughts before he heard two shots go off.