the story of us

―Chapter III; the revenge of the fallen

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"The fourth quarter is starting."

They were amazing, completely different then himself. They had the talent, not him. In only ten minutes they have been able to over throw Meijou middle. All of them got twenty points and more in, while he didn't even knew how to shoot, meaning that the punishment training with Akashi waited for him. Of course, if even after this match he still is a regular. Kuroko didn't raise his head even when the third quarter was finished, he didn't even raise his head when Akashi called him. He was scared.

"Midorima!"

Hearing Aomine's rather loud shout Kuroko quickly raised his head, searching for the dark-green haired boy. From the bench Kuroko could see the Midorima laying on the floor, his left hand covering his eye. Above him was a Meijou player, their ace Namikawa Ran number fourteen, apologizing and offering a hand to Midorima. Aomine and Akashi were the first one to get to him.

"Referee Time!"

Murasakibara quickly helped Midorima and when he was off the floor Kuroko could clearly see, his glasses were broken and the glass hit his left eye muscle which caused extensive bleeding. Akashi seeing what the problem was quickly ordered Murasakibara to take him off the court. As they were cleaning the blood off the court Akashi was doing his best to stop the bleeding.

"Shintaro." He called out, his voice menacing and threatening. "Number fourteen did this, right?"

"Yes. But it's okay, I can still play Akashi."

Akashi quietly examined Midorima's wound. The bleeding stopped, but Akashi knew that it couldn't last for the last 8 minutes of the match. And Midorima already fulfilled his quota, so there was no need for him to be in the match, they had Tetsuya after all.

"No."

Midorima wanted to protest, he really did, but the look that Akashi gave him was enough for Midorima to keep his mouth shut. He knew that Akashi wouldn't let him play in this or in any other match, Akashi will keep him on the bench until his eye is healed.

"Oi, Akashi." Aomine was the one who broke the silence. "If Midorima can't play anymore, who will take his place?"

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Please, please don't let it be me. Please.

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"Why of course Tetsuya will."

The light blue haired boy quickly opened his eyes and looked up, facing Akashi. For cases like this Akashi would always bring two or three players from the first-string (the ones that were playing good, but still not good enough to become regulars) and Kuroko hoped that he wouldn't be chosen, after all he had no talent, he couldn't play like them. But he was aware that Akashi's word is absolute, it was an order.

Without saying a word Kuroko stood up and took off his shirt revealing his jersey with number fifteen. Akashi pleased with Kuroko's answer turned around and once again lead them onto the court. Kuroko could feel that his heart-beat increased it's speed, just like the first time he stepped onto the court. He only looked at Akashi's back before getting into the position, noticing that the guy who hurt Midorima, number fourteen was now guarding Aomine.

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He wouldn't hurt Aomine-kun.

Would he?

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Akashi got into his position holding the ball he looked over the court. Murasakibara stayed behind to guard their basket while Aomine and Haisaki were guarded while Tetsuya was well, unnoticed. Smirking to himself Akashi started dribbling and being faster then Meijou's point guard helped a lot. Kuroko was watching him quietly, his eyes widen when he saw at what direction Akashi passed the ball.

"Man, your captain must have lost himself, the ball is going to end up right in Mikado's hands~!"

Namikawa Ran was one annoying guy, at least that's what Aomine thought. He was also confused by Akashi's pass, but then he saw those familiar blue eyes and finally got it. He moved around, escaping Meijou's ace and the ball was passed to him with such speed and force.

Fukuda Mikado has never thought they would go against Teiko middle, much less that they would do this well. Of course he knew that Ran was responsible for number eight ― Midorima Shintaro's injury. But to think that their captain, the fearsome Akashi Seijuro would throw the ball in his hands, he must have lost his mind. As Mikado prepared to take the pass suddenly the ball was going towards Teiko's ace Aomine Daiki.

"Nice pass Tetsu!"

Aomine dunked the ball so hard that he almost broke the basket. The rest of the match was going smoothly for Teiko. Akashi would send his passes to the right places, most of the passes were for Tetsuya, then Tetsuya would pass the ball to Aomine who would score every time.

"Time's up!"

Akashi smirked while looking at the score, he looked at Shintaro who was simply looking at his lucky item, Haisaki was looking at the crowd and Aomine was with Tetsuya. To Akashi it was the first time seeing Tetsuya with such a carefree smile on his face and he liked it. It suited Tetsuya a lot.

"With 103 ― to ― 56. It's Teiko middle's victory. Stand!"

"Thank you very much."

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"Oh, Tetsu that was amazing, your passes are so good!"

Aomine still talked about the match. How good and fast Kuroko's passes were, Haisaki also joined in saying that Kuroko should pass more often to him or just pass to him, Midorima has already been taken to the hospital, Murasakibara was eating his sweets as quietly as possible and Akashi was walking in front of them all. Kuroko watched Akashi's back with a small smile on his face.

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Thank you Akashi-kun.

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"Nee, nee~. Have you heard about that boy in today's Tanaka-san's gym class?"

"You mean about Kise-kun?"

"Yes, yes~!"

Kise Ryota was one of the popular boys in Teiko middle. He had slightly long blond hair and his eyes were honey colored. There weren't many activities that he did, he didn't even joined any club, but because of his good looks Kise Ryota had more fans then even school's ace Aomine Daiki. Gym class was boring and even though he doesn't play soccer he quickly mastered the ability to juggle the ball. Because he mastered sports rather quickly and because he ran out of opponents Kise didn't knew what sport to do next. After all he wanted somebody who can fire him up.

"Ouch!"

Something rather hard collided with his head. Turning around Kise was facing a very tall and muscular boy. He was obviously taller then himself and he had dark skin, so Kise wondered is this guy a foreigner. He had dark blue hair that is quite short and is parted on his left side.

"Sorry. My.. if it isn't the famous and popular Kise Ryota!"

"So what?"

Kise quickly picked up the ball and threw it at the unknown boy. The boy only smiled and went back towards the gym. Basketball was a sport Kise has never tried before and if their school had a strong team Kise would go for basketball club. He quietly stood by the gym doors, eyes glued to the boy that he saw just seconds ago. He was really fast, he passed three other guys without any difficulties and the dunked the ball. Kise stepped forward, eyes still glued to the boy. He looked back, those dark blue eyes connecting with his own.

"Mnnn…. Still need something?"

Kise stepped forward, completely entering the gymnasium.

"Could I… Could I join the basketball club?"

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I finally found that amazing person.

I want to play basketball with him!

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Sorry for the wait guys. Kuroko's thoughts in italic the last thought was Kise's. Sorry if there are some mistakes, english isn't my native language.

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