Warning: there is mention of violence in this chapter, please skip that part if it makes you uncomfortable.
Chapter 2: Scarred Reminder
Kuroko ran, heedless of where she was going, knowing only that she had to get away from Kise as fast as possible. She dared not even look behind her for fear of slowing down. Eventually though, her horrible stamina got the better of her and she stopped, panting for breath. Straightening, she looked around, realising that she'd come to the secluded area of the park she always escaped to when things became too much, when life just seemed out to get her.
Sinking onto the fallen log that served as a bench, she buried her face in her hands, wondering what on earth she was going to do. She was bonded now, however much of an accident it had been. She just counted herself lucky that all the practise at controlling her facial expressions now meant she had the control to block the bond in her mind, not allowing Kise access to her thoughts and emotions and vice versa.
Rolling up the sleeves on her left arm, Kuroko stared at the silver wrist-cover in trepidation. Slowly, carefully, she flipped the catch and let it fall to the ground with a soft thud. She stared at her exposed wrist. Where there had once been smooth, unblemished skin was now the name 'Ryouta Kise' written in a deep gold untidy scrawl. A brief look of anguish passed across Kuroko's face before it was smoothed away. She turned her wrist over, hiding the name now etched there and picked up the fallen wrist-cover. Securing the silver ornament back in place, Kuroko resolved to avoid Kise as much as possible from now on, ignoring the small twinge of pain the decision caused. It was better for everyone that Kuroko kept her distance from someone as bright and Kise. She didn't want her darkness to taint such a pure soul.
Kise could only stare at the place Kuroko disappeared, shocked at the turn of events. He barely registered the feeling of worry coming from his other bond-mates. He only came out of his stupor when they, unable to get a response from him, came to find him. He snapped out of his staring when a pair of emerald-green eyes moved into his line of sight. Midorima, trying and failing to hide the concern for his bond-mate, gently touched Kise's shoulder, sending a soothing wave of calm through the link they shared.
"Breathe." Kise heard, as though from a long way off. Automatically, he heeded the voice, dragging in a lungful of air, suddenly aware that he had stopped breathing entirely. Swaying, Kise sank to his knees, Midorima automatically following, keeping up a soothing stream of terse instructions while Kise struggled to control his shaking. Upon regaining control of himself, he looked up, eyes meeting crimson and gold.
"Ryouta," Akashi said, gentle yet commanding, "what happened?" "Akashicchi." Kise stopped, swallowed, takes a deep breath, and then said in reverent tones, "I found her."
"What?" Aomine asked, forehead creased in confusion, while Murasakibara paused in his eating to stare, slight puzzlement showing in amethyst eyes. Midorima's face blanked while Akashi's eyes widened slightly in comprehension. Slowly, gently, he took Kise's left arm and undid the catch that secured the gold wrist-cover. Softly, he placed it on the grass and gazed at the uncovered wrist, bearing the names of everyone in the small hideaway, plus one more. Written in small, unobtrusive black letters were the words 'Tetsuya Kuroko'.
"Well," said Akashi, predatory smile blooming on his face, "this is a surprise. Good work, Ryouta." Kise beamed at the blatant approval in Akashi's voice. The smile dimmed, however, and Kise looked despondent as he said, "She doesn't want it." The rest of the Generation of Miracles snapped a look at Kise, incredulous and slightly alarmed expressions on their faces. "Kise-chin should not joke like that." Murasakibara broke the silence, returning to munching on his snacks. Akashi merely narrowed his eyes. "Explain." he said, tone brooking no argument.
"When, when the bond formed, and Kurokocchi realised what was happening, she looked scared, and I felt... I felt utter terror through the bond, there was denial, disbelief, anger, but there was so much fear. She, she ran. I couldn't stop her. I'm sorry Akashicchi." Kise stuttered haltingly, voice shaking with remembered emotion. By the end of his recount, Kise was almost hysterical, sobbing into Midorima's arms.
Aomine frowned. "Wha-" he started angrily before being cut off by Midorima. "There are cases," he began, pushing up his glasses, "where the initial establishment of a bond is so intense that it can cause a panicked reaction, nanodayo." Kise looked up at Midorima's words and made an effort to slow his tears. "You think that's what happened?" he asked. "It is just one possibility, nanodayo." Midorima stated stiffly, blushing. "Thank you, Midorimacchi." Kise said softly, kissing Midorima.
"Kise-chin is fine now, right?" Murasakibara asked, munching on his bag of snacks but still looking at his blond bond-mate in concern. "I'm fine now, Murasakicchi." Kise replied, bestowing a beaming smile on the childish giant.
Akashi smiled indulgently before herding everyone back to their shared rooms. He decided to do some private investigating of their new bond-mate to ensure that she would fit seamlessly into their group. He was absolute, after all, and it would not do to be unaware of anything about her.
By the time Kuroko had recovered enough to contemplate moving from her bench in the park, the sun was going down. Horrified at having lost so much time, she quickly scooped up her bag and raced home, hoping that she somehow managed to make it in time to have dinner ready for when her father came home and avoid his punishment. Reaching her house, she gently eased the door open, only to freeze when she saw the pair of shoes flung haphazard onto the shoe-rack. Luck was not on her side.
Removing her shoes and carefully placing them next to the others, she padded softly into the kitchen, stopping at the door upon seeing her father seated at the table, eyes trained on her. Refusing to allow any expression to cross her face, Kuroko looked down, avoiding the man's stare. He seemed drunk, and that never boded well.
"Well?" he slurred, rising from his seat to loom menacingly over Kuroko. She, for her part, remained silent, experience having taught that it was the wisest thing to do. "What do yer have ter say for yerself?" he shouted, drawing a hand back. Kuroko again said nothing, knowing anything she did say would only make her situation worse.
The stinging blow to her face was expected, but no less painful, knocking Kuroko to the ground. A detached part of her mind noted her split lip and that her cheek would be swollen by morning. As a foot met her hip, Kuroko tuned out her father's abusive raving, concentrating only on maintaining her poker-face. She was barely aware of the shields separating her mind from her new bond-mate's weakening, allowing the pain to travel across the bond. Kuroko closed her eyes when her father began to unbuckle his belt, the passing thought that 'tonight would be a bad one' briefly crossing her mind before she turned all her attention toward enduring the pain and not making a sound.
When the beating was over, and Kuroko Senior had left the house, Kuroko slowly stirred and moved herself into a seated position to take stock of her injuries. She had several cuts and lacerations down her back and arms from being whipped with the belt, as well as what felt like bruises to her legs and head. There were no broken bones that she could detect but it would still be a few days before she would be capable of making it to school. Resigning herself to the inevitable, Kuroko began the long process of hauling her battered body to the bathroom to clean and bandage the worst of her wounds before collapsing in bed, her only consolation being that her father would not be back before she was recovered enough to perform housework.
Author's note:
I am really sorry for the delay, this is over a week late I can't believe I let myself get sidetracked by that! Still, this chapter is better then the previous one, thanks to my new Beta. Thank you DoctorK71! Also, a big thank you to all the people who gave me such wonderful reviews. Writing this was much easier with your encouragement.
I will try to make sure Chapter 3 is out next Saturday, but I can make no promises. Some reviews may help to motivate me though.
Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroko no Basuke or any of it's characters.