Chapter 1

"Your light is too dim."

Kagami felt his gravity shift, pulling him down unto dirt. His exhausted leg met concrete but the jolted pain was much ignored as he stood awe-struck when a whiff of blue bypassed him. Then the blue turned black, like a pool of shadow engulfing him into a bottomless pit.

Was this the power of the Generation of Miracles' Phantom Sixth Man?!

No.

He heard a chuckle. "Power? That's rather the opposite, Kagami Taiga-kun." He says as if he read the red head's mind. Kagami grounded his teeth but with full force, stood up and made a grab for the ball. His back was arched and his pivoting made his feet easier to control its balance once more. "You're full of openings!" he yells, adrenaline pumping through his veins. This player was obviously weak, set aside his presence and physique.

But eyes widened when he caught a glimpse of the teal head's smile. Just a curve at the corner yet his shadow grew darker, as if Kagami made a mistake.

And he did.

The ball was now within his clutch and the other player obviously can't keep up with him from a distance. He positioned himself, albeit unable to dunk, and shot the ball into the net. But the sooner he tried to shot; pain jolted through his right arm and followed by an agonizing scream. The ball never made it into the basket and Kagami once more met the ground while gripping his arm, trying to apply pressure at the pained part.

There was a sinister laugh as the Phantom picks up the ball to dribble once more. "You must wonder; how can someone who do anything by himself be part of the 'Kiseki no Sedai'?"

Kagami was still sweating, knees at the ground while the pressure applied eats the pain away. He could barely digest what the other one was saying. "The answer is simple." Footsteps made its way in front of him. "I am a shadow."

My darkness can easily eat your light.

"Kagamin! We told you not to play until you heal, you basketball idiot!" Momoi Satsuki, lightly tapped her clipboard at Kagami's head but shot him a concerned look. The red head was given special permission to sit out on practice but was met with quite a surprise during his walk to the public court. Going back to the school gym was probably the not a good idea. Especially with the bestacled senior behind him giving the creeps.

Imayoshi Shoichi, team captain of Tou has yet to let off the stubborn red head off the hook. With an evil, sinister smile with shut eyes (even Sakurai Ryou was shaking) he approaches Kagami. He can barely handle the other ace's attitude problem and the other one simply cannot follow orders.

He wants to kick himself in the guts for inviting these two to Tou Gakuen in the first place.

"And so," he slung his arms around the tall physique. "Whatever valid excuse have you to tell on why your thick head can't process simple instructions."

"Ha? It's not my fault-" Kagami's words were cut off when he groaned in pain. The regulars circled around them, surprised at bluish bruise mark forming at Kagami's arm. It wasn't swelling, nor did it look hit the red head bumped into something hard. It looked like it was done by himself.

"Oi, where'd you get that?" Wakamatsu Kosuke eyed him. It was nearly impossible for someone, or anyone at that cause to get injured playing basketball. But then again this was Kagami they were talking about. And before Sakurai could apologize, Yoshinori Susa had already shut him off. He did not want to get a mental image that the frail shooting guard would even do this to their power forward.

While they were fussing over the red head, Aomine Daiki paled (if that was even possible) whilst Momoi shot him a worried glance. "He wouldn't…. would he?" fuchsia eyes became teary, unable to accept such fact but they knew, they knew who did it and why.

"Its Tet- Kuroko we're talking about." He says bitterly before stealing the red head away from them. "Oi, were talking a walk to the infirmary."

"Definitely not." Says Imayoshi, pissed at being ignored. "Since your leg is already damaged enough, I'm sure your arm can take a little pain. Now walk with your hands."

Kagami hardly broke sweat, but that doesn't go with his dignity as he uses his palms to walk. With the pain in his right arm almost gone, Aomine had no qualms accompanying him. Out of sight from the gym, he stops the scorpion walk and back on his feet.

Yet they walked without words, Aomine lost in deep thoughts unlike before when they'd brawl over the smallest things. But the newfound silence made the red head reflected on their Shutoko match two days ago.

They had beaten Shotuku with a buzzer beater, a high dunk Kagami had accidentally formed. Despite the crowd cheers, the sweat dripping at waxed wooden, court floor or the tears his teammates shed in joy. He was still kneading the floor, a grin adorned his face and adrenaline rushed through his veins.

Midorima Shintarou, ace of the defeated school, gave a heavy sigh before turning his attention at Kagami. It was a moment of seconds when deafeat flashed before his high arc three was blocked by Aomine and a passed to his new partner guaranteed them a ticket to the Inter high semi-finals. The green head still, had yet to acknowledge him and Kagami respects that.

But it didn't stop the shooting guard to give him a head-start, or a warning no less. 'There are three powerhouses here in Tokyo; Seiho, Shutoku and currently, Tou.' He starts, eyes looming over Kagami who still sits at the floor. 'There's another player here in Tokyo who used to be one of us, and I assumed that he's in Seiho but he isn't.'

'W-What are you saying?'

A deep sigh. 'Seiho, known for its martial-arts like training. He obviously can't keep up with a training menu like that, but I didn't expect him to go to a no-name school.'

'Like I said, what are you-?'

'Seiho lost the quarterfinals.' Emerald eyes gone cold. '123- 60.'

All of the sudden by unknown factor, chills ran down his spine as if there was another, cold pair of eyes watching him intently. And then the mention of that strong school loosing by a huge margin…

'… Why are you telling me this?'

Another deep sigh. 'Isn't it obvious? Tou will be facing him in the semifinals.' Midorima turns his back, walking on the way towards his team. 'Kuroko Tetsuya isn't a normal player. I suggest you bring a lucky item for good luck.'

Kagami ignored the last part, seemingly as all ex-Miracles had a few loose screws. But perhaps this Kuroko Tetsuya was also insane on some edges. 'I look forward to it.' He grins instead, though feeling the temperature around him dropped. Nerveless he came back to Japan to look for a formable player after all.

'Jeez, how long are you going to sit there?' Aomine came to him and wordlessly slung the other player's arm to support him. Kagami could not protest, as the ache on his leg was too much to endure.

'And so, what have you and greeny been chatting about?'

'Tsk, are you jealous?' Kagami teased and the light red flashing through Aomine's cheeks reflected him immediately. He mentally scolded himself and reasoned it was the after effect of a harsh match. 'Nothing important, just the possible next opponent.'

Aomine says nothing more but his eyes, for a moment, jaded.

The red head knowing too well Aomine had some stuff he had to deal with back in middle school, had not bothered to ask who Kuroko Tetsuya is. It was for the sake of respect but before they even reached their team who were cheering like there was no tomorrow; Aomine had stopped his tracks and eyes widened at a familiar space in the audience. Kagami could feel his blood run cold and mouth agape.

'T-Testu-'

The ace tried to follow his gaze but saw no one in particular staring back at Aomine. 'Are you okay?' he asks, as if he snapped Aomine to his trance before he weakly nodded and set his partner to the bench. The team filled circled around them, congratulating each other but Kagami had his eyes focused on his fellow ace, back hunched as he makes his way towards their manager.

Their words muted against the crowd's noise but the shocked expressions say it all. Momoi hands clasped around her lips and Aomine made a grimed expression. Quite not suiting for a bundle of energy like him.

"Kagami?"

He never had the chance to ask when he lost consciousness due to exhaustion.

"Kagami!"

"W-what?"

His fellow ace sighed. "What the heck are you doing, zoning off like that?"

"Ha? You're one to talk. You and Momoi keep making faces when that guy's bought to the topic."

Once more, Aomine grew quiet and the inkling feeling of anger and curiosity just blew up within Kagami's restraint. He wanted answers, despite going over the boundary line of Aomine's space. He cared for his friend so much, too much, that his blood boils to whoever could've broken his fellow ace so much.

"He told me that he was a shadow, that my light was too dim." They stopped their tracks, Kagami's eyes booring into cobalt blue. "What exactly… happened between you guys back in middle school?"

Flashes of countless memories reflected unto the tanned ace's eyes, his fist clenched before he looks at his worried friend. "That's true, Kuroko was my shadow." And then, cobalt orbs hardened. "But he changed. He is no longer the same person who I played with in court."

He remembers when their fist bumps, the rare smiles underneath the cold façade, the teasing they'd give him when his shadow was with his lover or the way they played basketball in perfect sync. No one, not even the Phantom's lover, can ever match that kind of play.

But Aomine also remembers how he changed; how those eyes lost its spark, how his smiles turned sinister or how his passes hurt not only him, but the players around him. How he bitterly remembered the teal head's last words, adding salt to his wounds and engraving it deeply to his heart.

"He is a monster."

Now Kagami was never one to understand metaphor, but he knew it meant it was a great friendship and however was this Kuroko bastard who shattered his friend like this, he is going down to bite dust.

"Shin-chan! Shin-chan!"

The bubbly ravenette's voice resonated through the empty gym, momentarily distracting Midorima. Fortunately the ball was already out of his clutch. It would be quite an embarrassment to the Generation Of Miracle's name if he, known as someone who had never made a mistake in his whole shooting line, would make a blunder due to his obnoxious partner.

Midorima heaved a deep sigh, a finger in the middle of his glasses frame before turning his head at Shutoku's shadow. Though wet of the afternoon rain, a bright grin reflected unto his face, almost making Midorima do the same. Almost.

"Had I not told you that your lucky item is an umbrella today, considering you ranked 9th today."

"Sheesh, your horoscope just got lucky."

Midorima threw him the spare towel. Oha-Asa or not, he knew his shadow's antic too much to go running around the afternoon rain.

"And so, what might be so urgent today?" Takao hastily caught the towel and ruffled the dry cloth around his locks. "Oh yeah, that! I overheard from coach, that a practice match was decided for tomorrow."

"How is that interesting?"

"Don't be a tsundere, Shin-chan! I know you've been itching for a game too!"

Midorima did not agree, but did not object either. "Is it Seiho?" It was common to have power houses in Tokyo at each other's throat. After all, they also lost within the Inter high, the coaches would obviously pit them against each other at a given moment. With him, an ex-miracle and his new shadow, Shutoku's rookie due, their school's chances of winning against that military-like school had increased. Not to brag, in Midorima's accord.

But before Takao's words came out of his mouth, a wind cut through his left cheek.

Emerald orbs widened upon recognizing the sword cutting pass, momentarily dodging the ball that came at his direction.

Takao almost lost his balance in shock.

Before another word could be uttered, another ball coming at the left direction struck. It didn't give Takao a second to blink when the ball was aiming to strike his partner. He didn't know what was going on but their ace would be injured. "Shin-chan!" He cried and as if reflex, the green head caught the ball and shot a high arc trajectory, making its way to the opposite basket.

It was amazing but it irked the ravenette on who could've done such a dangerous pass. Before he could rant on Midorima, the shooting guard seems to be ... agape, looking at his hand in horror.

"...Shin-chan?"

"There's no doubt about it." He says in a small voice, though Takao caught it.

But Midorima knew, he knew what kind of pass went through them. It was not straight, but curved in a precise manner that could've escape Takao's line of vision. It was like a sword, silently cutting it's way through its enemy. Like wind it was deafening.

And like his eerie shadow, the passer made them stuck where they stood.

That's right, the familiar pang of pain when he caught the ball and the way it moved against his shooting form so precise like it read him, there was no doubt who this person was.

"Kuroko."

"It's been awhile, Midorima-kun."

The icy voice sent shivers going up Takao's spine. He was still frozen from the sudden attack, having to rely on his advance perception to figure out who was behind him.

"That won't do." He says, passing through Takao, presence less and intimidating like the ball earlier. "I'm disappointed your self-proclaimed hawk-eye can't even find me."

"Eh?"

A blur of milky white and blue passed him and he wished their eyes had not met. For a sharp vision person like him, his silver colored eyes could not match the terrifying ones reflected unto aquamarines orbs. "Midorima-kun's new shadow, I see."

"W-what are you doing here, Kuroko?" Midorima's voice was wavering but 'Kuroko' paid no heed, eyes still lock at Shutoku's shadow. Takao got a full look at the boy's appearance; looked too young for someone in a high school uniform, pale skin, petite figure and teal locks. He had some sort of fleeting beauty! Takao couldn't help but stare yet wonder, why does Shin-chan seemed intimidated by Kuroko?

There's no way a weak looking boy could've thrown the ball earlier. Right?

The teal smiled, though just a little curved at the corner of his mouth yet Takao for a moment, felt his heart skip a beat.

"Takao... Kazunari-kun?" Kuroko's voice leveled from icy to neutral, offering a handshake. "Nice to meet Midorima-kun's new partner."

"S-same here!"

Definitely no way.

He was to return the formal gesture when he missed the pale hand, his balance crashing down only to meet with calculating eyes, coldly staring at him.

"But it's displeasure to meet a weaker shadow than I." Their lips inches apart, Takao once more stood frozen from his ground. He can smell minted breath, intoxicating and... There was somewhat copper. Somewhat blood.

His palms let go of Takao's crumpled shirt, the ravenette already dropping to the ground. His senses weren't coming together but the pain on his left heel was suddenly swelling.

Painful as it was, he couldn't bring himself to groan as a huge shadow loomed over him. Takao's lips were slightly parted, a silent scream passed through fear-striken voice. Kuroko seemed satisfied at the result until Midorima clutched his shoulders. "That's enough, Kuroko. In the first place, what are you doing here?"

Kuroko chuckled, removing Midorima's hand and lacing the shooting guard's fingers on his own. Midorima had not looked bothered; as if it was a common gesture. "You've grown weaker, Midorima-kun." He says.

"To bluntly put it that way, you haven't change at all."

Another small laugh. "But you have. Though I admit your whole court range had improved, something had obviously dragged you down. Which also explains your defeat towards Aomine-kun." He withdraws his nimble fingers and detaches himself from the close range space. Kuroko then makes his way to the gym doors as Midorima helps Takao up. "A weak shadow… will only be suffocated by a powerful light, Takao-kun." His presence fade within the instant that not even the ravenette's hawk eye can determine.

"N-ne, Shin-chan, that person was-?"

"Takao," the green head cuts him off. "Who the school against the sudden practice match?"

Was it really the time to think about that when he almost got slaughtered?!

But emerald eyes had shown desperation, somewhat like pleading not to know the answer when he already does. Takao swallows the heavy lump on his throat. "… Seirin."

"Shit."

Now Midorima was never one to curse, from someone of his upbringing, it was unethical. Nor was he the person to haste as he hurrily digs his apple green phone, typing a short message to obviously a number of people. He drowned out the fuss his teammate was making until he press sent.

"Jeez, what's this about?" his shadow complained but Midorima was still keen, dragging his partner out of the gym as he was in a hurry to leave the place. Takao's protest drowned the vibrating noise of messages Midorima was once more receiving.

Subject: (Blank)

He's back.

Authors notes:

Hi! Sorry for the VERY LONG delay, I thank you all for your read, favs, follows, and review. Most especially in Red at It's Finest. Hope to update daily ^^

Now for Q & A

To: C.C Britannia

Is this a drabble series or is this chapter short because its the prologue?- Yes, the prologue is short, though i made an error as it seems more of a summary than prologue -_- but the latter chapters won't be a drabble series.

Are future chapters going to be longer? Yes ^^ the earlier chapters will only show everyone's side of the story and then the rest will be much longer

And also do you have an updwte schedule? I'm sorry but my regular update schedule starts at June, not much in May but I'm already working on the next Chapter.

To: shittyboy

akashi in this fanfiction, is he oreshi or bokushi?- Hmmm can't reveal it yet ;)

four: WHY DID KAGAMIN END UP IN TOUO O_O five- Let's just say Kagami was attracted to a certain light when he came to visit Japan before staring his high school and followed him

whether kuroko has the same personality like hanamiya (more sadistic than him maybe?! if your answer is a yes, i love you. pls love me like you do as much as you love akkr hahahaha loljk)- Thank you for ur enthusiastic review ^^ and yes, Kuroko will first think that they are on par, that Hanamiya is worst as he is until Hanamiya disappoints him (more will be explained in the latter chapter when they go against each other ^^)

To: ben4kevin

... I hope this becomes a Kuroko/All I would love to see everyone become his bitchs- Not a question but... a UkeKuroko who makes his everyone his bitches :3 wat do you think?

See you all~!