Hi! Blake here ready to deliver chapter 2! :D I want to thank the people who´ve followed this story I didn´t expect to get so many on the first chatper, hahah, so yes, thank you very, very much, most of all to those who left me a review! This chapter is longish, but I hope you like it!

Chapter 2: Light and Shadow

Kise stared at the neon blue drink Aomine had given him. According to the latter, it would help him get back the electrolytes he´d lost not only during the game but also during his long day. It had been a very caring thing to do, and it did nothing but confuse Kise even more.

"For real, Aominecchi? What the hell is going on with you? Are you going to give me a coffee next?" he muttered as he untwisted the cap and took a sip. He then leaned his head against the back of Aomine´s sofa, where he´d perched on as soon as they´d gotten into the apartment.

He let his eyes wander around the small place. The decoration was minimal and simple; a couple posters here and there, a painting which Kise was sure had been a gift from Momoi, sofa, couch and TV set. The colors of the whole room were pale but understated. It all gave him a strange sense of peace and silence.

"Oi, Kise."

He turned his head. Aomine was holding out a plate with a sandwich in it.

"Thanks," he muttered, and took it.

The bluehead nodded once and sat next to him with a sandwich of his own. When he saw the full bottle of energy drink he said, "If you don't want it I can get you some coffee."

Kise´s eyes widened… then he chuckled.

"What?" Aomine drawled, frowning.

"I was thinking how weird it was for you to offer me a power drink, and how it´d be even more unusual if you gave me coffee… and now you come and do just what I thought."

"Hey, I´m trying to be a good host here, damn it. Don't make fun of me."

"I´m not, but it´s funny anyway." The blonde rolled his eyes and lifted the slice of bread on top of the sandwich. "What did you put into this?"

"Meat. Every single type I had in the fridge. You need protein to get back some energy."

"You said the same with this." Kise waved the plastic bottle.

"But I already said I´ll get you coffee if you want."

He stared, then frowned. "No. This is fine, thanks." He said, then took bite of his sandwich. He swallowed and wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand before saying, "So, Aominecchi, tell me: why are you in college? Weren't you scouted this past Winter Cup? I´m sure you were."

"I was," Aomine replied as he bit into his sandwich. He munched slowly. Anyone else would have thought Aomine was tasting the food as best as he could. Kise knew he was buying time and rehearsing his answer in his head.

"And?" he prompted after a couple of seconds.

"And… it wasn't enough."

"What wasn't? None of the teams seemed like they were worth your time?

"There were other reasons. One… yeah, the teams didn't appear strong enough to me. After being in Touou, and after watching Razukan they all seemed pretty lame. The main reason, though, was the fact I knew I wouldn't play against any of you guys if I began my basketball career right out of high school."

"No?"

"No. See, Kagami and I both got scouted to play in America…"

"That´s awesome!"

"It would have been if we hadn't been scouted by the same teams."

"… Oh. So… I guess you didn't accept any offer because you wouldn't have the chance to play against your rival and being in the same team would mean only one of you could play, and it would all be lame and boring?"

"More or less."

"Sounds like something you would do. What about the others?"

"Murasakibara got scouted for the national Japanese team. He declined and is now in America. He said he was going to study and find new snacks there."

"He never did have a great love for basketball."

"Not for ball, no, but for his babysitter it turned out he did."

Babysitter? Murasakibara had a babysit…? Oh, yeah. "The guy who hid one eye," Kise murmured, and his eyes went wide. More than the words themselves Aomine´s tone and expression said it all.

"You´ve got to be kidding me!" he cried, and felt like a middle-aged woman talking gossip with her girlfriend. Before he even knew it, he´d exploded into fits of laughter.

The bluehead frowned. "Hey, stop laughing. I haven't finished talking yet." He Put his plate on the coffee table, did the same with Kise´s, the leaned forward to grip the blonde´s shoulders. He shook the other man a couple of times.

Amused topaz orbs fluttered open. "Sorry, sorry," he said. He put his hands on top of the brown ones, gave a soft squeeze and shrugged them off. He grinned. "So, Murasakibaracchi got a boyfriend and declined a huge chance. Can´t say I´m surprised. What about Akashicchi, Midorimacchi and Kurokocchi?"

Aomine grunted, annoyed because he had talked twice his daily quota already, but it was Kise. He hadn't talked to the bubbly blond –really, really talked to him– in over two years, and most interesting things had happened in the past four months, so if he had to talk to watch those golden eyes light up even more than usual he would do it.

He cleared his throat, mapped out what could be the longest speech of his life, then began telling Kise about the rest of their former teammates.

First of all, Midorima and Akashi had left basketball for good.

"They didn't!" Kise cried.

And they hadn't, but Aomine felt like they had. Midorima and Tako had gone off to the same college, and while both had joined their basketball team, Midorima could barely attend practice. He was now studying medicine, and therefore his time was to check his horoscope, buy his lucky items, study his ass off, maybe go out on a date with Takao and attend practice every once in a while.

"Hmm. Poor Takao," Kise commented. "Being the third most important thing for your boyfriend must be tough."

"Meaning you wouldn't accept anything but coming first?"

"Well, you date somebody for a reason, right?"

Since Aomine didn't know what to answer, he proceeded to talk about Akashi.

Against his father´s wishes to go study to a place like England, Akashi had stayed in Japan. Not to have his father hate him, however, he had taken a corporate career and was focusing on a lot of economic bullshit. He was also taking over his family´s business already. On time Aomine talked to him, Akashi had said he planned to destitution his father as soon as possible. The redhead felt he was ready to lead the Akashi family… and rub it in his father´s face in the process.

"You mean he did quit basketball for good," Kise said, horrified.

"He joined the team, but hasn't able to gain captainship yet. Apparently, there´s a fourth-year whom he does respect and thinks can lead the team."

"But he´ll play on the upcoming tournaments?"

"If he feels like it, I guess he will. All he has to do is to voice his wishes to be in the game and in he´ll go."

Of course he would. No one would dare defy the captain of the Generation of Miracles, heterochromatic Akashi or not.

"Only Kurokocchi is left," Kise murmured. By then, he´d finished his sandwich, the energy drink and was feeling much better, not good enough to play Aomine until next week, but better nonetheless.

"Tetsu…" Aomine´s lips lifted. "I´m sure he can tell you how he´s doing himself. He… ah… he and I meet once every two weeks over a coffee or something. Kagami goes with him too."

The blonde laughed. "You attend social meetings? That I´ve got to see."

Aomine shrugged. "I´ll be meeting with them in a couple of days. Come with me."

The blunt, expressionless, unwavering invitation made him laugh again. Gosh, it was so nice to see this Aomine again. He´d missed the guy he´d once idolized in middle school so much.

"To answer my own question, Aominecchi, you declined professional offers because you wouldn't get to play against any of us, and even though we´re not the best match for you, you still want to fight the Generation of Miracles on the court?" Kise said, hugging a knee to his chest.

The bluehead rolled his eyes. "I don't know why I seem to get a kick out of beating all of you idiots."

"A long way to say yes."

"Whatever. Now, you talk to me. You joining the basketball team? What are you going to study? Why are you starting college a month late?"

"Are you curious about me?" Kise teased, and was about to snort when deadpan eyes met his.

"You´re so annoying, Kise, I swear," Aomine said, tone soft and serious.

"I know you love me anyway, Aominecchi."

"… Who ever said something about love?"

"Why are you suddenly yelling at…?"

"DAI-CHAN!"

The scream was followed by pounding to the door, then what sounded like sobbing and another shout.

"Is that Momocchi?" the blonde asked, eyes wide. Before Aomine could utter a word, he flew off the couch to open the door.

Momoi spilled inside, looking pale and sweaty. Her pink eyes glanced around the room, and when she saw Aomine lying on the couch, she threw herself at him.

"Oomph! Satsuki, what the hell!" the bluehead cried, trying to disentangle her arms from his neck.

"I thought you´d been kidnapped!" she replied, sniffled, and hugged him tighter.

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"You were supposed to meet up with me in front of the Hindu restaurant an hour and a half ago! You haven't missed one meeting since we began this routine, so I called you fifteen times and you didn't answer. I sent you texts and you didn't answer any of them either. I began looking for you and on my way here a guy said he´d seen you on the basketball court one second and the next you´d disappeared. I was worried!" she concluded, and squeezed him yet again.

Confused, Aomine shot Kise a look. The blonde closed the door, shrugged and leaned against it, arms crossed. A yellow eyebrow went up.

Aomine mewled low in his throat, grabbed Momoi and pulled her off. "Calm down, mom. I´m fine."

"But you didn't go to meet me!"

"Well, excuse me for missing a meeting, but I have no idea where I left my phone and I was very busy until now."

"With that?"

Aomine nodded towards the door.

Momoi turned her head. Her eyes flew wide when she saw Kise standing there. Her mouth dropped to the floor, and then she grinned.

"Ki-chan, your finally back!"

"Hi, Momocchi."

"What are you doing here?"

"I´ve enrolled into this huge place. It´s my first day and I was walking around when I ran into Aominecchi."

"He looked terrible: all exhausted and dumb. I brought him here," Aomine added.

Momoi blinked. "I see."

Kise spread his hands in front of him. "Sorry, though, Momocchi. It seems I came at the wrong time. I made you guys miss your, ah, date?" He frowned when he said the last, in part because he´d never thought those two cared about each other in a romantic way and second because his stomach knotted at the mere thought.

"Date, Ki-chan? You didn't ruin our date. We weren't going on a date. Not the type you seem to have in mind, anyway. We meet twice a week for dinner and for me to make sure he´s doing his homework," she said. She nudged her childhood friend. "Right, Dai-chan?"

Aomine snorted, then pushed Momoi away from him once and for all. "Don't be stupid, Kise. Like I´d ever date Satsuki. She´s the closest thing I have to a sister."

"And a keeper," she added.

Kise´s lips quirked. He pushed away from the door, then walked over to greet Momoi with a quick hug. "It´s good to see you again, Momocchi."

"Right back at you! Where were you, what have you been up to?"

"Well…"

"If you´re going to tell us your life story come here and sit down." The bluehead patted the couch seat next to him, then stood up.

"Be right back. I´m going to get some more food. You up for another sandwich, Kise? Do you want one, Satsuki?"

The other two stared at him in amazement.

"I´ll take that as yes," he said, and wandered off into the kitchen.

"Momocchi," the blonde said.

"Mmm?"

"Did Aominecchi get abducted and replaced by aliens or something in the past years? The man who walked out is not the Aominecchi I played against our first year in high school."

Big pink eyes blinked at him, followed by a weak smile. "Of course he isn't. Dai-chan changed after the first Winter Cup thanks to Tetsu-kun, but I´ve never seen him offer someone food. He must be really glad to see you again."

"Uh… I doubt it."

"Don't doubt, Ki-chan… just be happy about it, I guess."

"Yeah, I´m happy right now, but Aominecchi will regret having me around after this," Kise muttered one week later, as he shoved his arms into the baggy black hoodie Aomine had handed him a few seconds earlier. He grumbled as he zipped the thing up, then stared at the black beanie hat he held in his hand.

"Damn it," he said, put the beanie on and then reached for the dark sunglasses. It was six thirty on the afternoon on spring, for crying out loud, but here he was: dressed like a robber who thought it was midday.

"Kise, if you don't step out of there right now I´m walking away," Aomine´s voice came.

The blonde flinched. "Sorry, sorry. Coming out now," he called, and stepped out of the alley into the street. He pursed his lips. "I think this is way too much," he said, and threw the bluehead an envious glance. The white and trim leather jacket he´d picked for the afternoon looked splendid against Aomine´s dark skin, and they gave the latter an overall elegant appearance.

"I want my jacket back," he almost whined. If Aomine set it off, he was sure he pulled off the look even better.

Aomine rolled his eyes, looked at Kise. The pristine white jeans and bright yellow shirt didn't match at all the baggy sweater and the old beanie he´d been wearing until a girl recognized Kise as the two of them were walking to meet Kuroko and Kagami. They had both been walking and talking softly, minding their own business, when the idiot began screaming her head off and trying to get his autograph. Used to being molested by strangers, Kise complied… until more girls rushed over to him.

Not willing to watch how he drowned in feminine attention, Aomine had dragged the blonde away from the girls and shoved him into an alley so he could get disguised. Not having much stuff on their hands, Aomine ended giving up his sweater and hat and got in return the spiffy jacket. It was a bit tight on him, but it smelled like freaking honey, sunshine and other corny things.

"You smell like a girl, you know, all sweet and bright," Aomine said.

Kise´s expression fell. "Gee, thanks. I wish I could say the same about you."

The bluehead shrugged, sighed. "Let´s go. We´re already late on meeting Tetsu."

"Is your usual meeting place far from here?"

"Three more blocks. I´m sure no one will recognize you again, given how shabby you look."

Kise huffed.

"Do you regret coming?"

"No. I want to see Kurokocchi, I just don't want to meet him looking like this. I look like I live on the streets."

Aomine frowned at him.

The blonde blinked, the gave a sheepish smile. "No offense."

"None taken, mannequin." He hefted Kise´s messenger bag over his shoulder. "Let´s go."

"I can carry my bag, Aominecchi."

"You already gave it to me. Might as well hold it for a while. What did you say you had in here?"

"Presents for Kurokocchi and Kagamicchi."

"Like the ones Satsuki and I got?"

"Yep."

"Who brings clothes as souvenirs, eh? You could have brought a pizza."

"Hey, I brought designer´s clothes, mind you! They´re worth a million pizzas. And admit it, you loved your share as much as Momocchi."

Aomine refused to answer. He had liked the various tank tops, shorts, jackets and jeans Kise had brought him from Italy, but not as much as Momoi had like the dresses, skirts, blouses and scarves. She´d gone bonkers when Kise presented them with their very own gift bags three days ago.

"You´ll wear one clothing item at least once, won´t you?" Kise wondered as the two of them began walking again. He peered at the bluehead form behind his sunglasses.

Aomine shrugged. "If I ever feel like wearing what you brought me."

"The clothes fit, don't they?"

Again, he didn't reply, but he´d tried them on already, and they were all a perfect fit.

Kise sighed. "Fine, be cryptic. Hopefully Kurokocchi and Kagamicchi will at least thank me for their presents."

Aomine wanted to thank him, but he wouldn't. He never thanked anybody, nor did he apologize. It was the way he was. Kise knew it, he knew it, and deep down, they were both okay with it.

Kuroko ran his palm through the small shirt twice. He looked at it from both sides, tilted his head to the side.

"Can I try it on now?" he asked.

The blonde beamed. "Please!"

The bluehead nodded, then reached for Nigou, who whimpered as he was stripped of his little shirt. "Please relax," Kuroko told the dog, then slid on the new shirt. When Nigou was dressed again, he smoothed down the fabric, then gave an almost imperceptible smile.

"Thank you, Kise-kun. I never thought he´d get to wear a designer´s shirt," he said.

"I never thought designers made clothes for dogs," Kagami muttered, staring at the canine. He shook his head. "Nigou doesn't mind wearing the cheap clothes we buy for him," he added.

"Don't be ungrateful," Kuroko told the redhead. "It was a gift from Kise-kun and Nigou appreciates it very much. We do too. Thank you for the clothes."

"Oh, yeah. Thanks a lot, Kise," Kagami agreed with energetic nods.

Kise grinned his answer. He´d given his friends their presents as soon as they sat down on the street café, where the small dog could nap in Kuroko´s lap without a problem. He was satisfied because both of them had slid on one of their new sweaters soon after checking all the clothes.

"You even brought back stuff for the dog, huh? You did think of everyone," Aomine grumbled, sipping from his Styrofoam cup where they sat across from Kuroko and Kagami.

"I did my best no to forget about anyone," the blonde replied, sipping his hot cocoa.

"Looks like you forgot about yourself," Kagami said, "since you look as shabby as Aomine usually does."

"Oh, go to hell," the bluehead snapped.

The redhead gave a sly smile.

"You´re right, Kagamicchi. I don't look like myself." He took off the beanie. "Aominecchi, please give me my jacket back. We are already where we were supposed to be. I can stop hiding."

"I´ll be glad to give you back your girly-stinking sweater," Aomine replied, and took of the jacket. The two of them exchanged clothes, and when Kise was back to his golden glory and Aomine to his black gloom Kuroko said, "Kagami-kun and I may have been the light and shadow of Seirin, but right now, in this new life for all of us, I can clearly see how much of a light and shadow you two are. It reminds me of middle school."

Aomine and Kise stared at each other. "What are you talking about, Tetsu? He looks like a sunflower."

"A sunray," Kuroko corrected.

"Meaning Kise´s the light this time? Come on, I´ve always been the light before."

"And there´s no way Aominecchi would be shadowed by anyone," the blonde finished with a frown.

Kuroko shook his head. Kagami said, "I don't think he means it in a basketball-ish sense, more like you brighten up Aomine´s life or something." The former nodded.

Kise snorted. Aomine stayed quiet, impassive. The only reaction Kuroko managed to notice with his incredible perception skills was a side glance to the blonde.

"You´re babbling, Kagamicchi." Kise up-ended his drink, then stood up. "I´m going to get another chocolate and a muffin. Be right back."

The other three watched him walk away. When they were alone Kuroko said, "Aomine-kun, you may lie to Kise-kun to his face, but not to me."

Dark blue eyes landed on him. "Huh?"

"You´re glad he´s back, and you´re thrilled he ended up in the same college as you, aren't you?"

"No."

Kuroko gave him an eloquent look.

Aomine glared at him. "I´m not glad the airhead is back, and I sure as hell don't like the fact he´ll be studying in the same campus as me."

"If you´re not, why did you insist we meet a day before our usual, and why did you call sounding so cheerful, for you, saying Kise was back?" Kagami asked.

Aomine gritted his teeth. "I did nothing of the sort."

"Yes you did, Aomine-kun. You don't have to hide it from me, though. I´ve known about you and him since middle school."

"… You´re not making any sense, Tetsu. Kise and I…" Unwilling to talk about himself, Aomine rubbed the back of his neck.

"What about you, eh? You've told Kise how you´re doing in college and working half a day in a kiddie center, but neither you nor Kagami has told him about you guys."

"I think he knows," Kuroko replied. "It´s not like we´re hiding it." His pale eyes zeroed in in his friend. "Unlike someone who doesn't want to admit he´s glad to have his light back."

"Kise is not my light, dammit, he never was and never will be… and stop saying meaningless corny things." Aomine sighed and stood up. "I´m getting another coffee."

The bluehead walked away and into the café. Kuroko watched him leave while he petted Nigou. Kagami stood as well. "Do you think I should go in to make sure he doesn't escape through a back window?"

"Please, Kagami-kun."

The redhead nodded and took a step forward. He then stopped and glanced at Kuroko over his shoulder. "I thought you were Aomine´s light during middle school."

"During basketball I was. Outside of the court… I was his friend, but Kise-kun was the only who got him to enjoy the small pleasures of everyday life, even after Aomine-kun lost all will to play basketball."

"Right. He controls Aomine sort of like Momoi does. Got it." Kagami nodded and headed off.

Inside, waiting for the lady behind the counter to give him his order, Kise was humming to himself. This was a nice place, a bit cramped, but it was still nice, and the chocolate he´d had had been the second best he´d tried in his life. He figured the food had to be as satisfying as the…

"Here you go," the lady said, and presented him with a new Styrofoam cup and a small paper bag.

"Thank you." Kise laid some bills on the counter and flashed her his professional smile, which made her blush. Merely for the kick of it, he said, "Keep the change," gave a wink and turned around.

Aomine stood there, brow furrowed. "You don't change, do you?" he muttered.

"Huh?" He looked over his shoulder. "Oh, you mean her? It´s always fun to make people blush," he said.

"Not women; people?"

The blonde flashed a smile again, as bright as the other one, maybe even more so because of the honest feeling behind it. "Yes, people."

"Hmm." The bluehead leaned closer, invading the other´s personal space. Sapphire orbs narrowed. "You love making people notice you, don't you?"

The simple words sent a chill down Kise´s spine. That and the physical closeness were an eerie echo of… of what Aomine had said and done to him once in Teikou right before they´re lips had parted and…

"No, Aominecchi." Rather pale, Kise took a few steps back. He shook his head, swallowed hard. "Let´s not go there again. We´re not confused kids anymore, and you´re not the curious boy from middle school. Let´s leave the little event in the past, where it belongs."

Leaving Aomine dazed, Kise walked past. Kagami, who had stayed frozen a few steps from the other two and had heard the whole exchange, murmured, "Confused kids? Middle school…? What did those two do?"

He frowned, and feeling curious himself, he realized only one person could answer his question.

"Kuroko!" he cried, and ran back outside.

To be continued…