SailorStar9: Anyway, Chapter 22 goes up. This is Chapter 23. To all my non-reviewing readers, I love you all! Will love you more if you review! *hugs all round!*

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and the pairing.

Chapter 23: Definitely This Time

"What?" the Seirin team exclaimed as one when Ami informed them. "America?"

"Kagami?" Koganei echoed.

"When?" Izuki asked.

"Our school has a short-term study aboard program." Riko explained. "Our sister school is in Los Angeles, where Kagami used to live. Apparently, he has a master there who taught him basketball."

"A master?" Furihata blinked.

"I haven't heard anything about this." Hyuuga remarked.

"I just found out last night." Riko added. "This year's first years have really been coming and going as they please." She twitched, tightening her palm over Kuroko's head. "It's like they like messing around with me."

"Riko," Ami gave the female coach a look, as she went Mama-Bear mode. "I would appreciate it if you'd stop tormenting Tetsuya over information he isn't privy about in the first place."

"Well," Hyuuga stated, still a little unnerved upon seeing his long-term female friend's overprotective streak emerge. "If he's going to come back stronger, I can't complain."

A grouchy Nijimaru rolled out of bed as the cordless phone by his bed rang ceaselessly. "Hello?" he took the call.

"It's been a long time, Nijimaru-san." Ami greeted.

"Mizuno-san?" Nijimaru blinked.

"I have a favor to ask." Ami requested. "Are you free for at least a week, starting from today?"

"I am." Nijimaru replied. "Why?"

"There's something I need yours and Coach Shirogane's help with." Ami replied. "It's you-know-who."

Nijimaru felt like sighing, "I'm listening."

"Okay, go play cops and robbers." Kagetora instructed.

"Again!?" the boys chorused.

"The losers will do double strength training." Kagetora added.

"How are they, Dad?" Riko asked, after the boys headed out.

"They just have to do what they have to do." Kagetora replied. "On weekends, they improve their stamina with fartlek lessons. On weekdays, they improve their individual skills. How much more they'll improve in half a month is up to them."

"Endurance training aside," Riko remarked, putting the grocery on the stage. "Can they really master special moves in less than a month?"

"The first years can't, but the second years…" Kagetora remarked. "They can probably do it. Airhead already has his own style, and he's talented. Four-eyes and cutie have found answers o their own. The remaining three will surely manage something."

"What about Kuroko?" Riko thought to ask.

"Sorry, but there's nothing I can do." Kagetora admitted. "I've never seen a player like him before. He's a mutant. It's pathetic, but I have no idea what to teach him. But well, I've given him some advice. I told him about the wall he's likely to hit soon. How he'll overcome it is up to him."

"If I may I interject." Ami cut in, after getting off the phone with Nijimaru. "Kagetora-san, is it possible that you hand Tetsuya's training over to me?"

"I assume you've made arrangements." Kagetora remarked.

"Yes," Ami nodded. "I do believe you should know him: Coach Shirogane Kōzō."

"I see," Kagetora nodded. "Teiko's former coach. Alright, I'll leave that to you."

"Tetsuya," Ami informed her cousin, once the boys returned from their run. "Pack your bag, we're going back."

"Going back?" Kuroko echoed. "Where?"

"Teiko." Ami replied plainly. "It's time for the 'Mirage: Final Form' to emerge."

"Damn it!" Riko erupted after the Winter Cup opening ceremony ended. "What is that idiot Kagami doing? The opening ceremony's already over."

"Apparently, he forgot about the time difference." Fukuda remarked. "He'll be here soon."

"Unbelievable." Hyuuga muttered.

"This is amazing." Furihata gaped.

"The Inter-High courts were amazing, but this is even bigger." Kawahara was awed.

"On top of that," Furihata looked around. "Everywhere you look are schools we've seen in books or magazines. We're supposed to fight these monsters?"

"Idiots!" Hyuuga chided. "We weren't invited as guests. Hold your heads high."

You're scared, too. Izuki deathpanned, seeing his best friend's expression.

"Sorry, but can I step out for a bit?" Kuroko requested, having read the message that was sent to his phone seconds earlier.

"I told you not to wander off." Riko whipped out the paper fan.

"Yes, but…" Kuroko backed off. "I've been summoned."

"Summoned?" Kiyoshi echoed.

"I'm going to see Akashi." Kuroko informed.

"The captain of the Generation of Miracles." Izuki muttered.

"Fine." Riko relented. "We've got a game this afternoon. Be back by then. Furihata, could you follow him?"

"It's best that you don't." Ami cautioned.

"Ami-itoko," Kuroko blinked. "You've been summoned, too?"

"In less colourful words." Ami muttered. "By the way, Riko," she looked over to Riko. "Unless you want him," she pointed to Furihata. "To die via Akashi, I'd strongly suggest he doesn't tag along."

"EH?" the rest of the Seirin team exclaimed.

"What do you mean 'die'?" Izuki stammered.

"Akashi always has a pair of scissors with him and he isn't afraid to use them to mete out punishment." Ami replied. "On anything and anyone. Trust me."

What kind of captain did Teiko have? Was the unison thought running through the Seirin team's minds as the two cousins made their way out.

"You've got a babysitter, Tetsu?" Aomine inquired, spinning a basketball on his finger.

"Minechin, you've got Sacchin." Murasakibara reminded.

"Satsuki's got nothing to do with this." Aomine retorted.

"Midorimacchi, why do you have scissors?" Kise asked.

"It's obviously my lucky item, you idiot." Midorima replied.

"It's dangerous, though." Kise stated. "I wish you wouldn't walk around with them out like that."

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Kuroko greeted his former teammates.

"Atsushi-chan," Ami reached into her tote bag and pulled out a pack of chocolate sweets. "Catch."

"Thanks, nee-san." The purple-haired center caught the pack.

"Your phone is annoying, Kise." Aomine twitched, hearing Kise's phone ring. "Is it Akashi?"

"It's…" Kise gaped. "A text from a fangirl."

"Ryouta, just so you know, I brought my senbon pouch with me today." Ami stated, all too calmly.

"Midochin, let me borrow those scissors." Murasakibara requested.

"No." Midorima rejected.

"Kurochin, do you have any?" Murasakibara turned to the phantom player.

"No, I don't." Kuroko replied.

"Don't even look at me." Ami added before Murasakibara could get a word in.

"Why's the guy who summoned us here the last to arrive?" Kise wondered.

"There's no need to be upset." Midorima adjusted his glasses. "That's how he is."

"I apologize that I've kept you waiting." Akashi appeared on the top of the stairs. "Daiki, Ryouta, Shintaro, Atsushi, Tetsuya, and Mizuno-senpai. I'm glad to see you again. I'm deeply moved we were all able to meet like this."

"Well, you're no fun." Kagami rested a hand on Kuroko's shoulder. "Don't exclude me. I'm back. We can talk later. First, you're Akashi, huh? Glad to meet you."

"Shintaro, can I borrow those scissors?" Akashi requested.

"What are you going to use them for?" Midorima inquired.

"My hair is annoying me." Akashi replied. "I've been waiting to trim it. First," he passed Midorima and took the scissors. "You're Kagami, aren't you?"

What? Kagami was stunned, barely dodging Akashi's stab, Ami's flung senbon having saved him from further injury.

"My," Akashi grinned. "I'm surprised that you were able to dodge that. In the light of the display of grace, I'll forgive you this time. However, there will be no second time. In this world, winning is everything." Reaching to his forehead, he used Midorima's scissors to snip off his fringe. "Winners are affirmed completely and losers are denied completely. I've never lost at anything before, and I never will. Because I always win and I am always right. I show no mercy to those who oppose me. Not even my parents. Well, I'm leaving. I just wanted to say hello to everyone today."

"What?" Aomine exclaimed. "Don't be ridiculous, Akashi! You summoned us just for that?"

"No," Akashi corrected. "I actually wanted to confirm something, but after seeing your faces, I realized there was no need. No one has forgotten our promise. Everything's fine, then. The next time we meet will be on the court."

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.