Important Note: This is a dark fanfiction, I was never well known for sunshine and daisies, but this particular story is going to include hints of parental abuse, so.. You were warned! There may be (hints of) pairings in later chapters, but I think that's about it. This is going to be mostly in character and cannon otherwise. Anyway, I do not own any characters except the butler and the manager(so far).

This chapter is mostly abuse free.

Two slightly important things:
A map of an amusement park that I may reference to for names of rides or attractions has been added to my bio page.
Scenes where Kuroko is not present, or something of the like, will be written in third person. Sorry for any confusion!

Enjoy! Comments and the like are welcomed! Thank you to all of those that favorited, followed and reviewed, it means so very MUCH!

Chapter Four- Tinted Glass

Mitobe-senpai..

I could feel it coming, and while I was fighting it, I knew I would soon pass out. "A-are you alright, senpai?"

He blinked, still staring at me for a moment before he hesitantly nodded. It was strange, I probably should have been worried about the confused expression on his face, but all I could manage to feel was relief. Maybe Riko and Kiyoshi had been right about my being dehydrated..

"I'm glad.." A sigh left me as I collapsed on top of him, a smile gracing my lips as I heard footsteps approaching. Help was coming, we were safe..

You failed, you failed again..

It had been quiet for far too long . Shinji found himself unable to truly start a conversation as of yet as he watched over the still form of his friend..

Some friend you are..

He inhaled deeply, trying to ignore the fact that the small shards of glass and scratches that littered Mitobe's body were his fault. If only he hadn't wandered off..

"Maa.." Koganei drawled out, finally pulling up a chair next to bed Mitobe had been told to lay on and sitting. "It's a shame you didn't get to ride the coaster you wanted to.. What was it called? Fahre.. Fahrenheit? Yeah, that thing.."

He watched as the silent man's lips twitched and his eyes opened. Clear amusement in his movements, Mitobe shrugged and sighed silently. It was as if he was here for his physical, and not to get treated..

"Well.. We'll go back soon! I'll even watch your brothers and sisters while you go on it!" Shinji exclaimed, folding his arms behind his back as he made the promise as if it were nothing.

Mitobe's expression tightened for a moment at the mention of the younger members of his family, but he quickly smiled and nodded, punching his hyper companion in the shoulder. The response he received was enough to cover up his smile flattering for a moment as he thought of Kuroko. He would have to do his research before saying senseless things, however..

"Oi..! You listening?" Mitobe rolled his eyes and nodded exasperatedly, staring at Shinji as his thoughts clouded over.

Please.. Let me be wrong..!

"We'll see you on Monday.." Kagami whispered and nodded to the rest of the muted team, carrying my 'resting' form to the bus stop that led to our houses. I opened my eyes just a crack to observe the fleeting scene. I didn't risk shifting in the slightest, least my sore muscles protest.

Everyone was splitting up and showing varying signs of exhaustion and contentedness. I could hear small whispers about the food, amazing roller coasters and carnival like games. If had been another day, I might even have been able to smile..

Even as I thought that, my eyes fell on Hyuga and Riko, who seemed to be arguing. It was nothing really new, and yet, I could not help but frown slightly..

Although, it could just have been the fact that Mitobe had been taken to the doctor's by Koganei. I couldn't decide if I was more worried over his condition, exhausted, or worried he would realize something. Exhaling softly, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to relax in one of the only safe places I knew..

Mitobe-senpai.. Please, please let everything be alright..!

I could faintly hear Kagami calling my name and feel him shaking me after a while, but I batted at his hand, promptly falling asleep. Or rather, it probably seemed like I had probably passed out again..

"Just want to sleep.."

"Drop it." Hyuga commanded, turning away from the persistent coach.

"Daga.. Didn't you feel he was acting weird, Teppei?" She turned from one boy to the next, not letting go of the subject. Kiyoshi sighed, shrugging as he put on a sunny smile.

It was clear that both he and Hyuga had decided to leave Kuroko alone, as per their usual. However, as twin fists came down on their heads, it was clear that the matter was not closed.

"I'm disappointed in both of you!" She ignored the winces on both of their faces as she prattled on, "He's a member of our team, and you're both his seniors, you should be checking on him!"

Hyuga found himself struck by a wave of guilt and stayed silent, not recovering as quickly as Kiyoshi, who, as always, had a response for Riko. "Maa.. But we don't even know where he lives.."

The woman's eyes shone as if she had been waiting for that exact excuse. "I have his address right here."

It was only half an hour later that Kiyoshi found himself trailing reluctantly after Hyuga and Riko. He yawned, rolling his broad shoulders as he glanced around. "How far are we?"

He could almost hear Riko's temper start to bubble over. Had he asked that many times?

"It should be around the corner and down a block.." Hyuga answered, quietly diffusing the situation.

This is why you're captain..

"Hai." Kiyoshi yawned again, taking the time to look around at the sparse and shady buildings as they drew nearer to.. To what?

"Um.. Where exactly are we?" Kiyoshi asked, his tone deepening and his back straightening as his serious side surfaced. This was no place for a family to be living, especially not Kuroko's, and it was certainly no place for a young lady to be walking around in the evening.

"That's what I've been wondering.." Hyūga glanced at him, a deep scowl marring his face as he muttered just low enough to avoid being heard by Riko.

"Let's go! It should be right... Her-?" Riko stopped as suddenly as her words, causing Kiyoshi to frown to at the top of her head as he stumbled to a stop.

"What the fuck..?" Hyuga muttered, scratching the back of his head as he glanced around. Looking for a house or even a wandering human, at this point. "You're sure this is the place..?"

Riko nodded, looking back at Kiyoshi with a halfway shocked expression. "He lied.."

Kiyoshi frowned, walking away from the other two, toward the apparently abandoned warehouse. He ran a hand along the rusted side of the building. "What is all this, Kuroko..?"

He sighed, disappointment settling deep into the pit of his stomach as he turned back toward the other two. He had almost reached them when something caught onto the leg of his baggy pants. "Nani..?"

He bent down, frowning as he pulled the dirty pipe-cleaner away from his clothes. He sighed heavily again as dirt rubbed off the blue material onto his fingers. "Wait.. Blue?"

"Teppei!" He looked up to find Riko standing over him, not surprisingly, without the stubborn Hyuga. "What is that?"

He shrugged, smiling slightly as he pulled at it, trying to find whatever it was attached to. It was secure, but he continued to tug, determined. "I dunno, yet."

"Eh?" As the coach finally crouched next to him, he gave a massive tug, dislodging a square glass box and falling backward. "Are you okay!?"

"Hai, hai.." He waved off her helping hands, smiling easily as he picked up the rusted box. He turned it over in his hands, hearing something rattle in it. "So.. Should we open this?"

She stood up, inhaling deeply and looking upward as she thought. "No.. We should take it to my place, so we can open it safely, and research Kuroko a bit.."

Kiyoshi blinked dumbly for a moment before realizing she had extended a hand to him, grinning. It seemed they had been right to come after all..

"Nani?" Hyuga screeched, nearly deafening Kiyoshi as he slammed down his half full cup. "Kuroko? The same Kuroko that barely managed to afford sneakers last month? That can't be right!"

Kiyoshi sat back in his chair, shock washing over him as he took in the information. His hands tightened around the glass box, which he had yet to clean completely or open, and glanced down in surprise at the fact that it had not broken. It was deceivingly strong..

Tetsuya Kuroko is the heir to the business tycoon Kuroko's empire. We were at Kuroko's father's amusement park. Our Kuroko is filthy rich.. This.. This.. No.

Kiyoshi and Hyuga did not see it coming this time when Riko's fists hit their heads. Kiyoshi, for one, pouted at the unexpected attack and opened his mouth to comment..

Only to be cut off by Riko, again. Honestly, why did he even try to get a word in between these two..?

"You two are such blockheads, obviously if Kuroko is hiding this, it's for a good reason!" Her words, as usual, stung worse than any of her attacks. "There's more to the story.. Kuroko's family isn't.. It's.. Well, it's shady.."

At this point, she had regained both of their full attention. Even as her voice became hushed and the clicks of her mouse began to interrupt her speech, they stared at her back..

"It's speculated his father and mother no longer live together, even though they're still married.. His grandmother fell into a coma after singlehandedly managing the business for over five years.. But this is the fishy part, his father has been under house-arrest for over ten years now.." Kiyoshi blinked and leaned back, looking from Riko's back to Hyuga's shocked-still profile.

Should I ask? Do I want to know..?

Kiyoshi inhaled and looked up, remembering how Kuroko had said he was like his older brother. There would be no going back if they meddled further, he knew that..

Maybe it's because it's you Kuroko.. But I want to act in the way an older brother would..

"Why is he under..?" He managed out, feeling as if all the air in the room had turned to poison. He didn't even look at Hyuga, already knowing that he would have assumed his grim facade. Riko was still typing and clicking away, well aware that the two men were waiting on her.

"G-give me a moment.. This can't be right.." Riko muttered and inhaled sharply, clicking and typing furiously as she tried to find a single contradictory source. The media had recorded everything, however ineffective it had proved, determined to bring the injustices to light..

"K-kuroko's father was sentenced to t-thirty-five years.. He's serving them under house arrest. He had been accused of a long list of crimes.. Including battery, child abuse, t-two counts of k-kidnapping and attempted murder.."

There was nothing they could think to say after that. Riko turned around, stunned as she looked from the frozen Kiyoshi to the grim Hyuga. She had no idea what to say, what to do..

"We have to talk to him.." Hyuga whispered hoarsely after recovering from his moment of shock. "On Monday.. We-"

Kiyoshi recovered soon after and placed a hand on his shoulder, nodding silently as he closed his fist around the box. Kuroko was their top priority, nothing else mattered as much at the moment..