Important Note: This is a dark fanfiction. You have been 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 for the butler and the manager(so far).

This chapter contains abuse or mentions of it.

Finals suck and I have been been slow for a bit. Sorry! I will be back and hopefully back in the full swing of things soon!

Scenes where Kuroko is not present, or something of the like, will be written in third person.

Enjoy! Comments, criticism, and the like are all welcomed! Thank you to all of those that favorited, followed and reviewed, it means the world to me!

Chapter Eight - Molten Glass

Kiyoshi was the first to collapse, simply falling to the ground as if it were the most natural thing in the world to sit cross-legged and cradle your head in your hands. "Kuroko and Kuroko-okaa-san.. Such a big burden.."

It was not a moment later that Riko moved closer to Hyuuga, hiding her face in his muscular back and bursting into tears. The collapse of the Iron Heart had triggered a domino effect. "T-that's hor-r-rible.."

"Horrible isn't the word.." Hyuuga whispered, simply gazing at his feet as he attempted to bottle his emotions, staying strong for the others..

"Horrific.." Kagami said roughly, his fists opening and closing automatically, as if mentally gearing for a fight. "I-I have to see Kuroko.."

It was almost as an afterthought that he looked sheepishly up at the woman in front of him and bowed his head, asking. "I-I mean, if that's alright with you, please."

Kuroko's mother did not have as much in her as she'd had all those years ago. Years of facing financial struggle, being near starvation, and being emotionally shut off from the world had indeed caused her to age prematurely..

However, these children..

As she stared at them, she found the strength to stand and straighten herself. Kuroko had found good teammates, good friends. She cleared her throat, brushing long strands of brown hair off of her shoulders as she spoke, slightly pleased with the steadiness of her voice. "Well, someone pick up his bag for me.. It looks like I'll be taking you to our home."

I don't know if I can call it a home without a heavy heart..

I paced rapidly, back and forth across the small space that served as our eating area.

Nigou followed at my heels, whining every now and again as I sighed and frowned. I knew the way I had reacted was stupid, but I didn't understand and I didn't want to understand anything, to be honest..

"They know..!" I whispered, shakily, for once allowing emotion to enter my tone as I dropped to the floor and placed my elbows on the table. This was terrible, or could be terrible. It all depended on exactly how much they knew and to what detail they knew it..

You'll never be normal, you'll always be in my shadow, brat..!

I shook my head and groaned, placing my head on the table as I felt a headache forming. Mitobe probably suspected something as well, but didn't know, so that made..

"Five people..!?" My muffled voice sounded, filling the small apartment with sound as I groaned again. This was all too much and it was all happening too fast. It almost as if in agreement, that some moments later the doorknob started to jiggle.

Nigou woofed at me quietly, licking my arm and running over to the door.

Must be mom..

Even as I sighed and sat up, rubbing at my face, the door was opening. I didn't look toward it as Nigou barked again, schooling my expression quickly, my mother shouldn't have to suffer anymore at my expense. "Welcome home.."

I didn't look up until I heard someone, who would have had to have been much larger than my mother to have made the amount of noise they did, collapse and very familiar voice call out. "Nigou..! Down, down..! Please.."

My lips almost twitched upward at the familiar comedic scene, but I was too upset to see that familiar red head of hair, and Nigou's tail-end, facing my direction. "You're making a ruckus, Kagami-kun."

I didn't address the fact that my mother and Riko's brunette heads of hair were barely visible behind the two other members of the Seirin basketball team. I simply stared and they stared back, silently conceding.

They had done their homework, at least, to a certain extent.

I leaned back as my mother hovered over where I sat, pouring tea for Riko, Teppei, and herself. The silence had not lifted in the past half an hour, but I didn't want to be the one to talk.

"Arigato, Kuroko-san." Teppei smiled, rubbing the back of his head as if this all was a normal house call and as if he were actually ashamed for having burst in. I blinked, my eyes narrowing just slightly as my mother sat at one end of the small table.

"It's nothing." She shushed them with a rather firm tone, strangely choosing to stand out and speak, a far cry from her timid usual.

I like this, I think..

Kagami glanced at me, having been placed at the other end of the table because of his size, frowning and looking away quickly. He had always been hasty, it was an amusing trait, except for when it landed me in trouble.. "Oi, let's get to business already."

I tensed as four pairs of eyes locked on me, along with Riko and my mother grasping my hands. It wasn't unexpected after my last stunt, but I still blanched from the suddenness..

Gomen, mother..

"Tetsuya!" It was my mother, strangely, that stopped me and made me turn, halfway to the door. "Is that how you treat your friends..!?"

Perhaps it was the horror in her tone or in her eyes, but either way, I blinked and plopped to the floor, staring at it. Only one thought, well, more like one voice running though my mind.

You have no friends. You deserve none. You are pathetic and I will see to it, I swear to it Tetsuya. I will see to it, that you know this.

"Can't forget.. I have no..-" I was mumbling, I couldn't hear anything past the ringing in my ears and his voice. I forced my eyes closed as I continued to ramble. Until..

I saw stars as Kagami's fist connected with my cheek, and I blinked hazily as my back hit the floor. "Are you serious, Kuroko.. Teme!?"