Chapter 5: Pain, suffering, confusion - All to move on.

"Is that everything?" Midorima, wearing a plain green shirt with black jeans and a black overcoat, asked from the edge of Kuroko's bed as he started to zip the bag of clothes which belonged to the teal head.

"Yes, thank you Midorima-kun." Kuroko answered back with a smile as he tried to get up from his bed.

It was finally the day of Kuroko's discharge from the hospital and he can never be happier. Sure the nurses were caring and all, and even though he wasn't a really picky eater, he just couldn't take the hospital food for another day more. But the most important thing was that he can now return to his normal life and get used to his life. He did miss a lot of years of his life due to his amnesia and he definitely needed catching up with his life.

Sighing inwardly, Kuroko, wearing a blue sweater over a white dress shirt and navy blue jeans, tried to lift himself up. His left hand firmly holding onto the bedside table while his right hand on the bed to support himself as he got up. Able to stand, Kuroko smiled as he looked down at his legs. The physical therapy helped a lot and he was grateful for the therapist's unending patience and kindness. He was steady and succeeded in taking a few steps towards the door. However after a few more, his legs gave out as he accidentally slipped and he went tumbling down to the ground, that is, if it wasn't for Aomine who caught him strongly by the arm.

"Opps, that was close. Are you all right Tetsu?"

Kuroko breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ah... Sorry Aomine-kun. And thanks."

"Really, you are still as clumsy as ever." Aomine grinned teasingly while Kuroko just glared back at him, pouting slightly.

"I am not."

"Are the two of you ready? We should get going soon. Akashi is waiting at the entrance already." Midorima said after he reread the message he received from Akashi once more and then stuffed his phone into his pocket. Pushing his glasses, he took Kuroko's bag of clothes. "I will take this. Let's go."

"Tetsu, want a piggy-back?"

Kuroko drew his lips in a thin line as he narrowed his eyes.

Aomine snickered as he saw the slight scowl on Kuroko's face.

"No thank you."

Kuroko was careful not to slip a second time, although he didn't need to worry since Aomine was holding onto him the whole time. They were trying to catch up to Midorima who had already gone on ahead of them, saying he will load Kuroko's belongings first and then get Aomine's car from the car park after the latter had handed the car keys to him along the corridor.

Stepping out of the hospital was a breathtaking view and a burst of fresh air for Kuroko. Across the road was a row of Sakura trees and a blanket of pink petals covering the ground. The park that was able to be seen from Kuroko's hospital ward was just beside the hospital and was as usual filled with the children's joyous laughter. Kuroko smiled, the hospital smell filled with medicine and chemicals finally erased from his memory as he breathed in the smell of spring. It was definitely the perfect time to go flower viewing, Kuroko thought. Just like when he was in high school, Maybe to a park and he could have a picnic with his family and friends and then visit a shrine nearby to get their fortune slips. It would be a fun day filled with laughter and bonding time with his-

Not that he could do that anymore.

Kuroko cringed at his stupidity.

He shouldn't be thinking about this now.

Just then, a beep sounded and a red sports car stopped in front of them. Kuroko could see Akashi, wearing a black turtleneck and jeans stepping out of his car and gestured them to come along.

"All right, I will wait for Midorima. You go first Tetsu." Aomine said as he helped Kuroko walk towards the car. Nodding towards both Aomine and Akashi he started to walk but then stopped to remove Aomine's hands from him gently.

"It's all right Aomine-kun." Aomine blinked dumbly at the teal-head as he let the words sink in. Understanding the smaller male's intentions, the tanned male then nodded and let his hands fall to his side instead of supporting Kuroko as he understood the smaller male's intentions. Kuroko then resumed walking, slow but steady. Although he swayed a little as he shuffled towards the car, he was nonetheless steady enough to prevent himself from falling. However, as he almost reached to where Akashi was standing with the door opened for him, he accidentally tripped over an uneven ground and found himself flinging his body towards Akashi. Kuroko's eyes widened and then shut them as he braced for the harsh impact, which never came.

He felt strong hands around him holding onto him as he landed quite gently onto Akashi's chest. He that he fell. His face heat up and he knew it was definitely as red as Akashi's hair now.

I'm never going to trip again...

Kuroko vowed inwardly.

Akashi just frowned.

"You should be more careful... It looks like you still aren't ready- As I thought you should stay in the hospital for a few more days-"

Kuroko chuckled. Akashi raised an eyebrow.

"I'm fine Akashi-kun. You don't have to worry so much. You sounded like a mother hen." He teased jokingly.

"Really, if you can joke like this, I guess you should be fine..." Akashi sighed as he ran a hand through his red locks and then smiled, his other hand still around the teal-head. "Let's go, we should hurry and get you some rest." Akashi said and guided Kuroko into the car and then got in himself too.

A click sounded as the door locked shut. Kuroko slumped right into the seat.

As I thought, I have to go...

A moment of silence between the two of them as Akashi closed the door to the car and started the engine. Sensing the tense aura Kuroko was radiating, he turned to face the teal-head.

"What's wrong?" He asked softly and gently to assure the teen that he would help with whatever Kuroko needed, though he started to narrow his eyes in disappointment as the smaller teen clasped both of his hands tightly together on his lap, not once returning Akashi's gaze.

Kuroko closed his eyes and stayed silent for a moment, causing Akashi to worry as the teal-head has not yet responded to him. Just as he was about to ask again, Kuroko jerked up his head and stared into his eyes, causing Akashi to widen his eyes in momentary surprise due to the sudden movement.

"Akashi-kun... Can we go somewhere else first? Actually there is a place I would like to go first... No matter what." Kuroko whispered sadly, and Akashi took the hint nodding.

He softened his eyes. It was obvious for him; Akashi knew just where he was referring to. After all the years they had been together, Akashi knew Kuroko's train of thoughts like the back of his palm. He knew Kuroko was hurting inside, and yet now he can't do anything except to tug the smallest of smiles he could at his lips.

"Of course, I was intending to bring you there anyways."

It was an hour long ride before they reached the cemetery. Holding on to a bouquet of white lilies and pink carnations, Kuroko treaded the narrow pathway before reaching in front of his parents' grave, with Akashi following closely behind him. He paused as he settled the bouquet lightly in front of the grave tablet and knelt down.

Not sure how to begin, he let the cool breeze blow past him for a few seconds before he started.

"Father, Mother, I finally get to visit you." Kuroko forced a smile on his lips.

"I am sorry for taking so long to come and see you. A lot of things happen and... I am sorry I couldn't even attend your funeral...I am sorry" The words came out as a choke as Kuroko's lips quiver and tears swell up in his eyes, threatening to fall down his cheeks. He hung his head low and clenched his fist on to the ground. Drops of tears splashing on to the ground as his whole body shivered.

It was the same feeling as that time. His heart was aching, it was the second time he felt like this ever since his grandmother's funeral two- no seven years ago, the first time he truly lost someone important to him. His mind was in a turmoil.

He didn't even know exactly how they died. He grimaced at the thought.

"Your parents... passed away in the car accident."

A car accident, Midorima had mentioned.

One which he was caught up in as well.

And yet why was he the only one able to come out alive?

Had his parents protected him? Had they pushed him out of harm's way? And yet if they really did, he couldn't even remember it.

His whole body trembled further as he hung his head lower.

Had five years really just passed like that?

It didn't feel like five years at all. He felt like he was still attending university lectures just two weeks ago. And the day he woken from his coma, he felt like he just woke up from bed like usual. He felt like he was just a nineteen year old, not a twenty-five year old adult who lost five years worth of memories and has been in coma for almost six months! Just what can he do from now on? He didn't have a clue. Just how was he suppose to lead his life now?

Wha-

An instant. It was just an instant. The moment those hands embraced him gently, his haunting thoughts instantly vanished and he was brought back to reality.

It was so nostalgic, Kuroko thought.

As if he had felt this before countless of times.

It was so warm.

"A...kashi...kun" he managed to mumble out as his head was shoved into a warm chest before the hold around him got tighter.

Akashi tightened his hold on Kuroko in his arms. He watched the tears trickle slowly down Kuroko's cheeks and onto his shirt but he didn't care. He placed his chin on to the smaller male's head lightly. Rubbing soothing circles onto Kuroko's back, Akashi indulged himself in the soft teal locks beneath his chin and began hushing the teal-head. After a few minutes when Kuroko seemed to have calmed down a little and his body stopped trembling, he smiled and began softly.

"Tetsuya, have I told you about my mother?"

Another moment of silence before the teal-head managed to mumble out a muffled no.

Of course, I only told you about her after we graduated from university.

Akashi chuckled inwardly. He closed his eyes, his smile softening further as he added more pressure on Kuroko's head and hugged him tighter.

"My mother, as I can remember her, was a really beautiful woman. She had really beautiful long brown hair and her smile always calmed me down whenever I was upset. For my father who was always working, she was my greatest source of support in my life. But, one day during my fifth year in elementary, she suddenly collapsed and passed away. Even until now, I could still remember the drenched smell of the rain and the blaring sirens of the ambulance from that day. The worst... It was the worst feeling I ever felt. It was as if everything before me had been painted with a monotone shade of grey. She had been ill, sickly, frail, weak. That was why she always stayed at home and the furthest she ever went was the garden just outside our house. She liked to take a stroll whenever she felt able to. But, that day, it started pouring all of a sudden and I saw her collapsed onto the ground from my room."

Kuroko flinched slightly, somehow knowing what was coming next.

Akashi opened his eyes and started to look up into the skies.

"And by the time the ambulance arrived, she was already gone." Kuroko could fell Akashi clenching his hands above his head and loosen after a second.

"After that, due to the trauma, I just locked myself up in my room. That moment, the moment my mother collapsed onto the ground so helplessly, I can never erase it from my mind. The only thing that seemed sensible for me to do at that time was locking myself up. I didn't bother to have my meals nor did I even thought of going to school. I couldn't care about those now. The most important person of mine was taken away from me so suddenly, so abrupt that I didn't know how to cope with my feelings. I blamed my father, for always being so busy and not spending more time with my mother and I. I blamed God for taking her away from me like that. I blamed myself, for not being stronger to take care of her... I was in denial that my mother had really left us, believing everything was just a lie. I knew nothing would change even if I continue acting like this. I knew yet I didn't want to believe that all those had happened. That is, until my father couldn't tolerate with me anymore."

"How long are you going to stay in here? Your selfish and childish actions are becoming much too unreasonable and intolerable. Do you think your mother would want to see you like this? Do you think she will be able to move on while seeing you like this? I am sure you understand that she loved you and cared for you very much. If you still intend to rot your life in here, then suit yourself. I will no longer care."

"His words sank in my head and for the first time ever since my mother died, I cried."

Akashi drew a bitter smile.

"And at that time, I thought I heard her say "I'm sorry... I love you." A hallucination, most likely, but it really felt like she was right there, right at that moment. I cried and cried and for the first time, my strict father whom I thought would never show any emotion, knelt down in front of me and hugged me in his arms until I stopped."

Akashi loosen his arms around Kuroko and pulled both of them out of their embrace. Putting both hands on each side of Kuroko's shoulders, he looked straight into his swelling eyes. "After that I truly understood that my mother wouldn't want to see me like this. She would have wanted me to move on with life and not waste time wishing for something that could never change to change. And so, I decided to do my best in everything to make her proud. And I believe it's time for you as well. That's why, please stop blaming yourself, Tetsuya. I-" he paused, pursing his lips before correcting his words. "All of us can't stand watching you like this anymore. We know it's hard but we really hope you can move on as well."

Kuroko saw genuine anguish and concern in those red and golden eyes and he immediately felt guilty. He nodded after a moment of silence and gingerly wiped his face as he felt yet another tear trickling down his face.

He clutched onto Akashi's shirt tighter.

It is going to be hard, but he will move on.

That was what his friends wanted, and what his parents would want.

He won't let his friends worry anymore.

Determined that everything will be fine, he turned to face his parents grave. "Thank you, Akashi-kun." He said softly before closing his eyes.

I am sorry, Father, Mother. I have been selfishly worrying about myself and never once considering about the feelings of those around me. I didn't notice that they were always worrying about me. I won't run away from my fate anymore. Don't worry, I have friends like Akashi-kun who will help me whenever I need them. I will definitely not think like this again. I won't let them worry about me anymore. And lastly, for all these years,

"Thank you, Father, Mother."

Akashi sighed in relief and smiled at the teal-head.

Things will get better as long as he stays strong.

"Kuroko-san, and Tetsuya's mother," Akashi began as he knelt beside Kuroko with a slight bow. "I will take care of Tetsuya in your stead. Don't worry, I will definitely protect him and will not let him get hurt in anyway. If I don't- No, I definitely will protect him." And he ended with a pat on Kuroko's head.

"Let's get going. Daiki and Shintarō might be getting worried." Akashi gestured and the two made their way back to their car, ready to be on their way back to Kuroko's house.

Glancing back to the grave, Kuroko bid a silent goodbye before he got in the car.

Kuroko could imagine himself blushing. No, he was definitely blushing. How long has it been? Probably 5 minutes. 5 minutes since Akashi held his hand and led him out of the car park and onto the streets. And another 5 to reach his house. Were they going to hold hands all the way back?

Kuroko stiffened as he felt the curious glances directed at the both of them. He slowed his pace down and now he was walking behind Akashi by the side. He felt his face heat up further.

Stop looking!

He prayed silently as he wished for them to hurry back to their house. He glanced around and sighed as he could still see the signs that indicate they were still a few blocks away from his house. He faced the ground once again and shut his eyes, praying that they can teleport back to his house that instant. He looked up to glare at the red-head's back. His face twisted in agony a little before he shut his eyes in despair once again. He could almost die of embarrassment.

Why is Akashi-kun so dense?!

There was always the option of dislodging his hand gently from Akashi's but somehow the teal-head couldn't find himself to do that. He dismissed the thought that it was probably because it was pointless to argue with Akashi and dismissed the idea. He sighed aloud and slumped his shoulders in defeat. He will just ignore the passers-by...

"What's wrong? You have been sighing for a while now. Is it too cold?" Akashi frowned. He had stopped and turned around to face the smaller male, worried that Kuroko might be unwell.

"Um... Could you- Um please-... No, it's nothing. Let's just go?" He grinned awkwardly as he walked in front, pulling Akashi along. This time, he led Akashi, hands tightly entwined with his, ignoring the passers-by.

He didn't know how why but it felt a little nostalgic.

Those warm hands around his small ones.

All of that felt so right.

And Akashi probably wouldn't mind at all... right?

Little did he know that faint pink had started to creep up to Akashi's face the moment he realized the position they were in.

"Slow... Too slow! Akashi is too slow! What's keeping them?" Aomine growled and cursed as he fidgeted impatiently on the couch. "Are they flirting on the streets?... Definitely!" He rolled his eyes. "And making us wait here for a goddamned 2 hours?! Really I-"

Aomine cut himself off as he felt a shiver down his spine. He turned back just to find the former- multiply that by eight times- Seirin basketball captain looming over him, radiating a cold and murderous aura. Those menacing and glinting eyes glaring at him and those folded arms were definitely no joke. He started trembling a little in reflex. Damn he was a policeman for goodness sake! That Hyūga guy wasn't even a criminal, so why is he shaking so much?

"Ah... H-haha... S-s-sorry... M-my bad. They should take their time..." That last sentence, Aomine repeated them like a mantra, with each one getting softer than the previous as he chuckled awkwardly with both hands out in front of him in defense in case the spectacle guy decided to do something... violent. Well he seemed to be categorized into violent type by his friends.

"Well they should be here soon..." Kise muttered as he checked his phone for the umpteenth time. Just then, his phone vibrated and a message popped out. Grinning in delight after he widened his eyes, he announced excitedly to the others.

"Akashi-cchi just sent me a text! They are coming!"

"All right! Everybody in position! Kise-kun, the door! Murasakibara-kun and Himuro-kun, the cake! Shun, the door! And everyone else, the poppers!" Riko commanded and clapped to signal everybody to get into their positions.

"Shin-chan! Stop hiding in the kitchen and come give me a hand with the banner!" Takao snickered and he received a snort from the green-head as response.

Everyone, the former Seirin basketball club, Kuroko's basketball mates from Teiko, Takao, Kasamatsu, Himuro- the regular visitors during the time Kuroko was hospitalized- and even Imayoshi was here. The only people missing would probably be Kagami and Momoi who are currently in Los Angeles and Paris respectively. For Hanamiya... though not present, his get well card that Imayoshi and Kiyoshi forced him to write was safely tucked in Imayoshi's pockets.

It was only after a moment of silence before Izuki announced quietly from the door.

"They're here!"

"Somehow... I can feel some tense aura behind the door... Is Aomine-kun and Midorima-kun angry because we took so long?" Kuroko chuckled lightly as he held onto the doorknob.

"It's okay. Open it. I doubt they will dare scold us" Akashi smirked and prompted the male to open the door from behind him.

Kuroko looked at him curiously but seeing the poker face Akashi had on him, he just nodded and turned to face the door, twisting the knob and opened it. And once the door was fully open and he had taken a step in the house, confetti and balloons of different colors came flying down.

"Welcome home Kuroko!" Choruses of cheers welcomed him as he was engulfed in a wide hug by mainly Kise and Riko.

Widening his eyes in surprise and shocked at the presence of his friends, Kuroko's eyes started brimming with tears for the second time of the day.

"Kuro-chan!" Hearing that nickname, Kuroko scanned around the house for the owner of the voice. And soon he found the raven-haired male holding a banner at the back of the house, with Midorima.

'Congratulations On A Full Recovery! And Welcome Back Kuroko!' Kuroko read off the banner and chuckled.

I am not alone.

My friends are here with me.

That's enough.

For the first time ever since he woken up, he felt genuine happiness in his heart. His tears rolled down his cheeks and he answered with the happiest smile he could ever have.

"I'm home!"

Note: Okay, I ended it quite awkwardly... Hahaha! I'm running out of ideas... HELP... Haha! But don't worry, I already thought of how to end this story. I'm trying to stick it to less than 10 chapters. Yeap, it's a short story that I did thought of out of boredom.

Okay, what I really want to say is... HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! YAY! A NEW YEAR! ... Means more school work... T_T

And secondly, I am really sorry for the late update! T_T I am sorry! Forgive me! Don't kill me! T_T

I sincerely apologize for the long wait. I had lots of exams (not tests... tests are short, exams take a long time...) And to think my national exams are taking place this year! T_T God bless me please. I hope I can get into a good university! :)

Which brings me to my next point. I know I won't be updating very frequently, as all of you may have already experienced, it takes me months to update. For this, I really want to thank you readers for being patient all this time and always looking forward to this story! Thank you so much! And thank you for those wonderful reviews! :D

So I will end here. Haha! I feel awkward. Opps. Oh and please remember to review! They make me happy! HEEHEE! :D

Thank you.