Bright…..

The lights of the hospital blinded him as he opened his eye. He quickly shut it and tried to adjust to the brightness. Then, he slowly opened both eyes.

Red. The first thing he saw. There was someone else besides him in the room. He slowly took note of his surroundings; the four white walls confining him, another bed which was unoccupied, and the smell of disinfectants.

I am in a hospital… huh?

Who is this man beside me? Such striking red hair…

He tried to use what little strength he has to push himself into a sitting position and stared at the redhead who had his arms crossed on the bed and head resting on it. As the boy wondered (and ogled at the male), the redhead woke up from his slumber. He was taken aback when there was a teal haired male staring wide-eyed at him. He almost shouted,

"Tetsuya?!"

Akashi quickly called for the doctors to come and at the same time, five people that Akashi didn't want to see burst in. Why can't they just let Akashi spend some time alone with Tetsuya now that he's awake? Then Midorima's words rang in his head. 'There's no telling if he remembers anyone when he wakes up.'

Dr. Midorima rushed in and gave Kuroko a check. "What's your name?" he asked.

"Kuroko Tetsuya."

"Very well. Kuroko-kun, mind telling me how are you feeling right now?"

"My head hurts a little. Other than that I'm fine except being a little groggy."

"Do you know who are they?" Dr. Midorima questioned as he pointed to the others in the room.

Here it comes, the names that they are anticipating to hear.

"The one with weird eyebrows.., Kagami-kun. The blond.. Kise-kun. The one purple haired, Murasakibara-kun, green haired.., Midorima-kun. The one with very dark skin…. Ao… Aho..? I.. I don't… I don't know…" Kuroko replied with much difficulty. He remembers the dark-skinned male, but somehow, he forgot his name. It was like seeing new faces. There's something about them that seems familiar, yet he doesn't acknowledge the feeling. It feels so empty, hollow. Something about the dark skinned male tells him that he should know his name and not forget it. He doesn't feel sad about it. Just really frustrated at how the names come out of his mouth and only knowing a little about them.

"How about him," the doctor pointed, "next to your bed, Kuroko-kun?"

He stared into Akashi's eyes as he gave his answer. This time, the words came out of Kuroko's mouth easily, and it hurts.

"Am I supposed to know him?" Kuroko questioned instead. He should be freaked out that there was an unknown man beside his bed when he woke up but he didn't. He caught a tinge of hurt in the other eyes when he answered but as quickly as it came, it disappeared. Is he supposed to remember him? All he finds is that the red is very familiar and it comforts him.

The answer earned a few gasps from the five and an Akashi who tried to keep a straight face, not expressing his emotions. The words stung.

It's expected. Akashi tells himself and grimaced. He tries to shrug off the bitterness he felt when the words rolled off Tetsuya's tongue. Of course he wouldn't remember me, or want to remember. I've hurt him most in the past, didn't I?

Aomine wasn't too pleased either. Aho? That's all he remembers? Stupid? He tries to calm himself. How can his former shadow not remember him? Or maybe he did, but just not the name and the 'Aho' probably surfaces since everything about him screams stupid.

The four that Kuroko remembers rejoiced. For the other two, they were both lost in their own thoughts. All of them knew how hard it is for Akashi to digest all the new information. The two of them were in love and Kuroko probably loved Akashi more than anyone can ever think. Was losing memories of Akashi and him together a blessing? This way, he can be rid of the pain he felt when Akashi changed. But it's definitely not a blessing for Akashi. Now that he has come terms with his feelings, he couldn't bear to leave it like this. He has to fight his way in Kuroko's heart again. He needs to. Call him selfish, he doesn't care. It was the same way as Kuroko back then. He denied Kuroko's feelings and existence and now he is forgotten. Is this payback? His mind floated back to the conversation he and Dr. Midorima had the night before.

Dr. Midorima stared ahead as he thought of the possible disease or illness Akashi may have. From what he heard, it's most likely his personality changed. And from stories he heard from his son and the media, Akashi was put under immense pressure. A need for win, a must to win. He is absolute, he cannot, will not, or must not make mistakes.

Once, Akashi lost in a game. He had to withstand unbearable pain for hours until his dad decided it was enough. A child, of only seven years old, tortured until he promised to always win without fail. Up till this day, he has upheld his promise. As an Akashi, no one is allowed to make mistakes and lose. If you lose, you are not an Akashi because that is not how someone in their family is raised.

His attitude remained the same, until he was challenged by his own teammate. He would make his teammate pay for ever doubting him, and his strength. Should anyone doubt him, he will stop their doubts and etch it in their mind forever.

When those at the sidelines were watching the match made comments about him losing and were no match for the giant player, something sparked in him. Since then, he has changed. He will never tolerate himself losing and thus, winning is a given.

When his other personality was triggered, it never went back. Kuroko was shocked at the sudden change and took notice of the bleeding eye which had turned topaz yellow. It was shining so bright and even the ruby red eyes went even brighter. It was as though Akashi was anew.

Dr. Midorima thought it had to be something about his personality change and that emperor eye of his that made him the way he is now. He looked at Akashi's left eye. The yellow was fading and it is now an orange hue. It is fading away slowly as he regains back memories of when both his eyes were of same colour. He guessed that it might be turning red back and when the time comes, he would be the same person he was back in Teiko when everything went well for all of them; the generation of Miracles.

Dr. Midorima pondered for a moment before saying, "It's the other part of you that is resurfacing. Have you checked your eye in the mirror? Have you notice that the colour is fading away from a yellow to an orange hue?"

Akashi thought back and it's true. Now that it is mentioned, when the yellow was starting to fade, the little memories popped up as and when in his head, messing him up.

Although it was a vague answer, it was the answer he needs to clear his doubts up. He has doubts about himself and it is contradicting with what he said about people doubting him. This isn't the cold-hearted Akashi anymore. He was starting to regain his 'humanity' and 'sanity' that Kuroko wishes to be back and surface again.

It's funny how both he and Kuroko are suffering from some sort of memory loss. There is a chance that Kuroko may not remember Akashi seeing that he is the one that caused the most pain and unhappiness to him. Even so, Akashi is determined to retrieve back the lost and forgotten memories both of them had.

"Kuroko-kun, you can be discharged the next day as we still have to keep track of how you are doing. You have a weak body and you should refrain from doing strenuous activities and focus on getting your health back. Drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated. When you were sent to the hospital, you were severely dehydrated. You had a harsh fall on your head so it caused quite an impact. You may not remember some of the people but I'm sure you will after spending some time with them." Dr. Midorima stated, letting Kuroko know his current health. With that, he took his leave and headed for the door.

So that's how it is. Kuroko thought as a thousand other questions flooded his mind. He really didn't like it when Akashi stared at him longingly. He didn't even know the redhead's name. How rude of me.

"Kuroko Tetsuya," a hand extended out to be held onto by the redhead when he noticed Kuroko was introducing himself to him.

"Akashi Seijuurou." The name rings a bell.

The scene is a little weird to watch because both of them clearly know each other (maybe not because now, Kuroko doesn't.)

The five feels as though they are interrupting something and excused themselves. But before they can even do it, Akashi got up of his seat, walking out of the room, mumbling something about "getting fresh air" and "clearing my head".

It's difficult to deal with things now that Kuroko has woken up. Kuroko doesn't remember, Akashi is hurting, trying to chuck away his feelings and the other five, doesn't know what to do.

This chapter is up earlier than I expected it to be. I don't think this is a good chapter and could have been done better.

Thank you guys for being patient with me!

Till the next time.