Chapter 8: Blissful Ignorance

"This cannot continue." A dark voice boomed from the shadows. There were several murmurs of agreement from equally shadowed people. This is the Council. The room itself was dark, with just enough light from strategically placed candles and torches to show the silhouettes of the people sitting around the table while still keeping their faces completely concealed.

"The Generation of Miracles has openly opposed us for years. It is only now that they have grown strong enough and have enough support to pose a genuine threat." The agreement was quieter, more contemplative as the Council considered the problem.

"What can be done about them?" The lone female at the table spoke up, hands clasped in front of her on the table. "If they have grown to be so powerful, why have we not taken steps to crush them before now?"

"We could not," the sudden whisper sent shivers through all the people present.

"Councilman!" a chorus of voices exclaimed, appalled. "It is true." A shrug of the shoulders. "Even now the Generation of Miracles remains elusive. We have almost no information about them."

"If, as you say, Councilman Imayoshi, that we have so little knowledge, why don't we send our best operative to dispose of them. They are well-known for never having failed any mission given."

Another round of murmurs broke out at this possibility.

"Silence?" The Council Chairman boomed. All noise immediately ceased. "A proposal has been made by Councilman Hanamiya. All those in favour, raise your hands!" Several hands flew into the air. All but two. "It is agreed! The Shadow will be deployed to deal with the Generation of Miracles!"

Kuroko heaved a quiet sigh, falling to the back of the group. After seeing her lack of possessions, Kise had thrown a fit and demanded to get the girl more clothes. Despite the girl's protests, she had been overruled by the rest of her bond-mates, they had grabbed keys and bags before herding her back out of the door. That had been over three hours ago and Kuroko was exhausted. She didn't see what the problem was, her clothes were fine, they weren't even that threadbare, and her school uniforms were practically new.

"Tetsuya," the quiet voice jolted Kuroko out of her musings and she turned to meet Akashi's gaze. Seeing that he had her attention, he continued. "Are you alright?"

"I am fine, Akashi-kun." Kuroko replied, straightening under the piercing red stare. Akashi said nothing, merely giving her a long look before marching to the front of the group.

"Ryouta."

Kise startled, almost dropping several bags. "Yes, Akashichi?"

"We are stopping to eat. It is lunchtime."

"But Akashicchi, we're not done yet!" Kise exclaimed, waving his hands and pouting.

"We are taking a break to eat."

"Thank God!" Aomine exclaimed. "I was wondering when you were going to stop him."

"Aominecchi!" Kise pouted, crocodile tears welling up in his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah." Aomine patted Kise's head, smirk on his face.

"Kise-chin goes overboard," Murasakibara chipped in around a breadstick as he led the way to a quiet café away from the main street.

Being seated outside gave Kuroko a strange feeling. Normally, she wouldn't be allowed to eat out at all, she hadn't the funds for it even if most places didn't discourage Inferiors from visiting in the first place.

While they ate (Murasakibara ordered for everyone since he did all the cooking and knew everyone's tastes) Kuroko observed her bond-mates. Akashi was the most well-mannered in his eating habits, followed closely by Kise. Murasakibara was surprisingly neat for someone who came across as so lazy but Aomine had almost no table-manners to speak of. Kuroko was unobtrusive, neither particularly good or bad.

"Tetsuya," Kuroko looked up at Akashi, who was looking at her intently. "What do you like to do?"

"I'm sorry?" Kuroko did not understand.

"Yeah, Kuokocchi," Kise chimed in. "What do you do for fun?" The question was met with a blank stare.

"Fun?" Kuroko considered. She did the cooking and cleaning in her house, but she didn't enjoy it so she didn't think that counted. She went to school, but she had no friends and when people noticed her at all they tended to be mean. She liked the library because it was quiet and no one bothered here there but she didn't think that was quite what they meant. There were the periodic jobs she had to do for the Council but they definitely didn't count since she hated when an order showed up.

Kuroko looked up when a large hand reached across the table to envelope her own. "It's okay Kuro-chin," said Murasakibara. "We can try lots of things until you find something you like." Kuroko gave the giant a small smile before looking around the table. Her bond-mates were all smiling, but there was sadness in their eyes.

A sharp clap drew everyone's attention to Kise, who was grinning maniacally. "Let's continue shopping, Kurokocchi! We still need to get shoes and accessories and more clothes!" A chorus of half-hearted groans met these words before everyone started getting up.

Kuroko was exhausted. Kise was a shopping Demon! After lunch they had gone to clothing stores, to sports stores, jewellery stores, shoe shops, DIY stores, Craft stores, boutiques, formal wear, casual wear, accessories, necessities, if Kise could buy it, they went in and shopped. From the good-natured grumbling and ribbing, as well as several long-suffering looks shared between her bond-mates, she could tell this was a common occurrence. Still, even they were starting to droop and, while Kise had slowed down in deference to her stamina, he showed no signs of stopping.

Though she was tired, Kuroko was happy. She had learned a lot about her bond-mates from this experience. Kise obviously adored to shop and he seemed to have a slight tendency to hoard. She found is cute. Aomine practically lit up whenever they visited a spots shop and Murasakibara did the same whenever they went into a shop that sold cookware. Midorima and Akashi were harder to read but she had discovered that they were both avid shogi fans and played each other regularly.

Stil, Kuroko had spent the entire day with them, and she was exhausted. She needed a break. Making sure none of her bond-mates were paying her particular attention, she carefully concealed her intentions and slipped away. She headed for the park, it was always peaceful and had several secluded spots she could hide away and relax in.

Kise was enjoying himself immensely. He was doing what he loved most (shopping), he was with all his bond-mates (they'd found Kurokocchi!), and he was helping to take care of their newest; the most beautiful, fragile girl he'd ever met.

However, as ecstatic as Kise felt, he was still observant. He could see Kurokocchi flagging. The others were used to him doing this and could keep up, but she couldn't. He'd slowed down for her, but they were approaching the limits of what she could take. Not to mention, it was growing late and Murasakibaracchi would want to start dinner soon.

"Okay, we have enough stuff for now. Let's head home!" Kise gave a bright smile, slightly sheepish at the relief he could see on everyone's faces. Taking a closer look, he frowned, noticing something was wrong. "Where's Kurokocchi?"

Silence.

"Everyone remain calm." Midorima's voice pierced through the wordless panic coming from Kise, Aomine, and, to a lesser extent, Murasakibara. He then stepped aside to allow Akashi to take control.

"Tetsuya is not answering her phone," he started, lowering his own from his ear. "It is going to voicemail." Akashi ignored the horror on Aomine's face and Kise's exclamations of "Kurokocchi, Kurokocchi". Flipping through the apps on his iphone, he pulled up 'maps and tracking' observed the screen for a moment, then tucked the phone into his pocket. "Follow me."

He led everyone down several streets until they arrived at the park. There, Akashi took his phone out again and checked the screen. He then turned to the others. "Tetsuya is in the park. You are going to be quiet and not frighten her when we find her." He waited until everyone nodded in confirmation of his words before setting out, Midorima, Kise and Aomine following while Murasakibara waited at the gate.

Akashi followed the trail to a small clearing at the back of the park, secluded and surrounded by trees but very peaceful. He stopped at the edge and was almost bumped into by the ones following him. When they noticed what their leader was looking at, the anxious expressions on their faces softened. Lying up against a tree was Kuroko, fast asleep.

Quietly, Akashi approached the sleeping girl and gently shook her shoulder. Kuroko opened her eyes and looked up at Akashi, rubbing at her face.

"Akashi-kun…" she murmured.

"Rest, Tetsuya. We'll take you home."

"It's alright, Akashi-kun. I can walk." Kuroko got up, still a bit bleary-eyed but nonetheless alert and noticed the others who were waiting at the edge of the clearing. "Kise-kun, Aomine-kun, Midorima-kun," she bowed slightly. "Thank you for coming to find me."

Cheeks tinged pink, they nodded and turned, leading Kuroko back to the gate where Murasakibara was waiting.

"Let's go home, Kuro-chin," the giant said, ruffling Kuroko's hair slightly. She nodded her agreement and they set off, laden with carrier bags.