A/N: This chapter was getting a bit long so I've cut it in half. You'll get the next half next week. Because I did that I don't like the ending but the chapter had to stop somewhere. Anyway, enjoy.

Chapter 11: Rescue Operation

The five members of the Generation of Miracles had spent an entire two days planning their rescue. They were aware they had very little time so could not delay their operation any longer than absolutely necessary. They hadn't the manpower to launch a direct attack on the Council and declare open war.

So, the mission would be heavily reliant on stealth. The further compound the difficulty, they had no spies in the Council or working in the building due to the risk of being caught outweighing the potential information. They had only a basic knowledge of the building's layout from when they had to visit on business, and so only had a rough idea of where Kuroko might be.

They were keeping the rescue team at just the five of them. Akashi and Kise were in charge of the actual rescue while Aomine and Murasakibara would cause distractions and divert attention. Midorima would coordinate everything from the designated control room.

"Does everyone know their roles?" Akashi asked through his earpiece. Receiving four confirmation he smirked. "Then commence the operation."

Kise and Akashi entered first. They had to scan the layout and find Kuroko, who they guessed would be in the cells. 10 minutes after entering Aomine and Murasakibara caused a distraction outside the main entrance.

"Your job gets harder now, nanodayo," Midorima's voice came over the earpieces. "The building will now be on alert so make sure you are not seen."

"We know Midorimacchi, we'll be careful," Kise reassured. Midorima was not comforted. Their information had so many gaps that something was almost guaranteed to go wrong.

"Take a left here, Ryouta," Akashi said when they came to an intersection of corridors. "There should be a staircase leading to the prison levels." Unsaid was that it only reached the first prison level and would be guarded.

The pair were making their way down the corridor when suddenly a door opened as they passed it. Before Akashi or Kise could react they were both grabbed and pulled into the room beyond.

Meanwhile, after causing their distraction, (the two had rigged a minor explosion to happen just outside the main doors) Aomine and Murasakibara had retreated far enough to be reasonably safe but still monitor the rescue teams progress.

"Mido-chin, how are they doing?" Murasakibara asked, fiddling with a packet of marshmallows but not opening it.

"They are heading to the prison levels, nanoday," came the distracted reply. "But to get there they have to pass through a corridor of offices, and we've no idea how many are occupied. There are also the guards to consider."

There was a pause. "Kise, Akashi, why are you in one of the offices, what is happening, nanodayo?"

Aomine's blood went cold as endless scenarios flicked through his head, each more terrible than the last. He held his breath as he waited for either Akashi or Kise to reply.

Riko Aida heaved a quiet sigh of relief once she had successfully bypassed the guards leading to the cells.

"What are we doing down here, Boss?" Riko's relief was abruptly shattered and she wirled around, stretching to press a hand to Kagami's mouth.

"Quiet you idiot! We're not strictly supposed to be here."

Kagami shut up and did not say a word until they reached the correct cell.

"We are here to see the Shadow," Riko told the guard, inserting as much authority into her voice as possible. The guard looked suspicious, but let them in anyway, closing the door behind them.

Riko and Kagami took a moment to observe the Shadow. She had not been changed into prison clothes so was still wearing the black dress from her meeting with the Council. The contrast of it against her white skin and long, powder-blue hair made her look ethereal and otherworldly.

Riko cleared her throat. The Shadow turned to look at them and Kagami had to withhold a gasp. He had never seen a face so blank of emotion. He wondered what she had to have seen and done to maintain such a blank mask. He kept his attention on her even as Riko began to speak.

"Shadow," she began, then took a long look at the blue haired girl. "You know, we don't even have any record of your name."

"Tetsuya Kuroko."

Riko looked surprised to get an answer, but soldiered on. "Kuroko-san, why did you refuse the mission to take care of Generation of Miracles?" She made sure to keep any accusation out of her voice, but Kuroko did not speak.

"Is it because you're bonded to them?"

There was a long pause as Kuroko looked away at the wall. Finally, she spoke. "I will not destroy the only good thing to have ever happened to me."

"You know you're going to be killed, right?" Kagami said, drawing Kuroko's attention. She gave him a pitying smile.

"It would have happened anyway. As soon as the Council felt I'd grown too powerful, or that I'd outlived my usefulness."

Before either Riko or Kagami could think of a reply to Kuroko's disturbing statement an alarm pinged and Riko took out her phone. She read the alert quickly and then tucked the phone away again.

"You may want to get ready. It seems your bond-mates want you back."

Riko gestured to Kagami and they left the prison cell, ignoring the horrified shock that flashed across Kuroko's face.

Back outside her office, Riko turned to her assistant.

"Kagami, go find Hyuuga and Teppei. Bring them here."

Not bothering to question his boss, Kagami went to do as ordered.

After the two Council members had left Kuroko buried her head in her hands. She couldn't believe the woman, Aida? She bore a resemblance to Councilman Aida, who'd been in charge of her orders. He'd retired though, she must be his daughter.

What were her bond-mates thinking to come after her? She couldn't go back to them, couldn't taint the one good thing to have ever happened to her.

Kuroko sat in her cell and silently worried. She did not dare go anywhere near the bond in her head, it could distract them right when they did not need it. He bond-mates would need all their wits and attention just to make it out of the building without being caught.

She would have to convince whoever they'd sent to rescue her to leave her here. Surely, they would not have dared come in person? Kuroko's heart sank as the possibilities swam through her mind. She curled into a ball on the hard bench, blocking out everything. She tried to reach that place of icy calm that helped her so much in her job but it wouldn't come.