Chapter 6: Hesitant Faith

Everyone stared at Kuroko's bowed head a moment before Akashi spoke. "Tetsuya." He watched as she raised her head, face devoid of any emotion she might be feeling. The red-head kept his own expression open and welcoming. "Come and sit down." He gestured to a chair close to the window in full view of the door, there was no need to make the poor girl feel threatened. Kuroko hesitantly walked forward, glancing at the faces watching her expectantly before gingerly taking a seat on the very edge of the chair Akashi had indicated. Akashi sat down moments after her and everyone else scrambled to find a free seat.

There was silence. The room was filled with nervous tension, no one really knowing how to start conversation. The sound of Murasakibara munching on snacks was the only thing to be heard in the room. Midorima was fiddling with his lucky item, looking down to avoid anyone's gaze. Kise was glancing nervously between Akashi and Kuroko, obviously uncomfortable with the tense quiet but unwilling to break it. Aomine was dozing, bored that nothing was happening but still alert enough to wake should anyone speak. Akashi was preoccupied watching Kuroko, utterly fascinated by her. Finally, fed up with the high tension in the room, Kuroko spoke; "Are you always this quiet?" the question caused Kise and Akashi to smile slightly and elicited a chuckle from Aomine.

After a moment's comfortable pause, Akashi asked, "Tetsuya, what do you know about the Generation of Miracle's?" Kuroko thought hard. She had heard of the infamous Generation of Miracle's, who hadn't? But as for what was known about them. "The Generation of Miracle's is a group that protect Inferior's." she started, continuing after an encouraging look from Kise. "The group is said to be named after the five individuals who run the organisation, though their identities are not known. These five people are likely to be Surperior's, due to the amount of wealth and connections they must have in order to be able to run such an organisation. All members of the group apart from the leaders are of Inferior birth. The organisation is well known but very secretive, as such there is little information about them; however it is believed that they act in defiance of the Council." Kuroko paused a moment, surveying the five males hanging on her words. "Furthermore, I would surmise that you are the infamous 'Generation of Miracle's' that lead the organisation as you have shown uncharacteristic compassion and care towards me despite knowing that I am an Inferior myself." There was a moment of stunned silence as Kise and Aomine stared at the petite girl, wide-eyed while Midorima attempted to hide his shock and Murasakibara put down the bag of crisps he was snacking on. Akashi gave Kuroko a surprised and approving look. "Well, Tetsuya." Akashi said, lips curving into an almost predatory smile, "suffice to say you have surpassed my expectations."

Kuroko blushed scarlet at Akashi's compliment causing the rest of the Generation of Miracles to smile softly at their last bond-mate. "So, Kurokocchi!" Kise exclaimed, attempting to reach over and hug the girl but falling short as she leant away. "Be ours, please!" The hyperactive blond cried, getting up to hug his newest bond-mate only to be stopped short by Kuroko's next words. "But, why would you want me?"

A pained silence reigned, Midorima's expression was tight with restraint while Kise gave a defiant pout and Akashi's face blanked of all emotion except for the displeasure shining through his red and gold eyes. "Kuro-chin is strong." Murasakibara stated with his childlike simplicity before offering a bag of vanilla biscuits to the downcast girl "Kuro-chin is cute too". "Murasakibara's right, Tetsu." Aomine said, voice hard and uncompromising. "You are very strong. You've suffered some of the worst abuse we've ever come across, and it's amazing that you're still as strong as you are. Most in your position would be broken by now." Kuroko was staring at Aomine, sky blue eyes widened in shock. The tanned male payed no attention as he steamrolled on. "You've still shown kindness and consideration to those around you, you don't flinch whenever we get close. You're eyes are full of fire, undampened by the abuse you've suffered. You are one of the strongest people we've ever met, Tetsu, and it is a privilege to know you." "Daiki." Akashi cut Aomine off, seeing the overwhelmed look on Kuroko's face.

Aomine subsided, glowering furiously as though Kuroko's pain was a personal affront. "Aominecchi's right Kurokocchi." Kise stated, eyes blazing. Tone gentling at Kuroko's wide-eyed startled stare he continued, "We would want you anyway but that doesn't change the fact that you are one of the most amazing people we've ever met."

Kuroko could not remember ever feeling so lost in her life. The five men sitting in front of her thought she was amazing. They did not see that they were the amazing ones. They did not shun her, even knowing what she is, and that was a gift rarer to the girl than gold dust. Still, she could not reconcile herself to the fact that they apparently wanted her, yet as she looked around at them, she could see no trace of a lie in their eyes. They genuinely wanted her to accept them as their bond-mate. It was unfathomable to Kuroko, who had never been valued in her life.

Kuroko leaned forward, closing her eyes as her mind span in circles. 'To join them. To refuse them.' Her thoughts spiralled. Ensuring that her mind was completely closed to those she had accidently bonded with the girl considered all her options.

She could refuse their offer, and things would remain as they were and she would be as safe as it was possible for an Inferior to be in this society, her life would continue just as it always had: painful and alone.

If, on the other hand, she accepted them and all they offered, she opened herself to the risk of pain, rejection (though at this point that seemed unlikely) and an all-out war with the Council when they discovered that she had bonded to a Superior. It was unlikely that she would ever experience any peace again. At the same time, she had always dreamed of being bonded to someone, the proof that you belonged somewhere, that implicit promise of unconditional love.

The choice was simple, really.

Midorima was nervous. Not that he would ever let it show and his usual irritated scowl was firmly in place. Still, in the brief, unguarded moment before she had completely shut him out, Midorima had gotten a glimpse into Kuroko's mind, and what he had seen there had shaken him to the core. The pain and conflict raging through her would have brought him to his knees had he been standing, only the brevity of the exposure and his own iron control had prevented the shock from showing on his face. Even if she did accept them, it would take years to undo all of the damage her circumstances had wrought. If she didn't, Midorima had no doubt that she would quickly shatter. He could do nothing and so sat, helpless, as Kuroko made her choice.

Kise was fidgeting, trying to be inconspicuous. He, like Midorima, had felt the turmoil in Kuroko's mind and worried that the fear there might be enough to drive her away. At the same time, he cursed the bastards who had reduced the beautiful girl to the terrified wisp that sat in front of him.

Murasakibara was munching away, seemingly unconcerned. It was only a front to mask the concern he felt as he ran a critical gaze over the small bluenette. People often complained that he ate too many snacks but it was clear that Kuroko did not eat anywhere near enough from her thin frame.

Aomine was completely unconcerned. It didn't matter to him if Kuroko refused them, he would just hound her until she said yes. He had waited a damn long time for her after all and he wasn't in the habit of giving up anyway. Besides, the boy thought, glancing over at Akashi, their unofficial leader was the epitome of confidence so there was no way Kuroko wouldn't be theirs in the end.

"Yes."

There was a moment of complete silence as the Generation of Miracles took in the quiet word, then, as one, they rose and gathered around the tightly trembling girl. Akashi took one of her hands in his as Midorima lightly grasped her shoulder. Murasakibara lay a gentle hand on Kuroko's head while Aomine guided her free hand into a fist-bump against his own. Kise enveloped the tiny girl in a hug, arms circling around her waist and head on her shoulder.

"Welcome home, Tetsuya." Were the only words Kuroko managed to make out before being swept away by the force of three bond-links simultaneously connecting in her mind.

Author's Note: This chapter was finished weeks ago, but took so long to edit and review. Hope you like it! As always, review if you want faster updates but I can't promise life won't get in the way! See you next chapter.