Chapter 22: Emperor of the Miracles
That last week of summer vacation and the whole season of autumn went faster than a blink for Tatsumaki. During the week that her uncle was in Japan, she had a grand old time. She and her father figure went to see movies, walked in parks, went to amusement parks, the whole ordeal was just so much that she has no words even now how to describe how she felt at the time. There was one moment, however that they had taken a short cut through a park commonly walked in by lovers due to its beautiful scenery. Hearing people whisper about that 'beautiful couple' consisting of two tall people was somewhat embarrassing for her due to the fact that people thought she was older and dating her 'hot foreign guy' of an uncle whom was thought to be in his twenties. But, Alric had made it into an enjoyable joke by the time they were half way through the park, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close, loudly talking about he loved her and the like. The mischievous grin on his face was just convincing enough for her to join in on the fun.
The day before his last one there, Alric finally met Aomine Daiki. And while he appeared indifferent and completely cool about meeting his girlfriend's father figure, Tatsumaki could tell that he was silently freaking out. After all, he was the man who raised and cared for Tatsumaki all her life even at a distance. Being that the two were obviously close despite what little they've seen of one another, Aomine didn't want anything bad to happen to force the Stride mistress to choose between him and Alric. Which, he figured, would result in her choosing Alric and breaking up with him, leaving him and going either to another school or leaving Japan altogether. None of that which he wanted to happen. Aomine was swiftly coming to a very important realization about himself and his feelings for the runner girl. And if anything were to happen that would cause him losing her, he wasn't quite certain what he would do or how he would handle it.
Alric Leonhardt had asked Tatsumaki to leave him and Aomine alone for the rest of the day if at all possible. The girl had been hesitant and even paused to meet Aomine's gaze before nodding. Daiki had felt abandoned, but he also realized that she somewhat had no choice. The conversation that was to come was to be a man-to-man talk. It would appear that even Germans understand the seriousness of that kind of situation. Daiki spent the rest of the day doing things with his girlfriend's uncle, talking for a good two hours in the living room before going out for lunch. Oddly enough the elder male wanted to eat real ramen and Daiki didn't have the guts to turn him down with his relationship on the line. It appeared that things were going well, to Aomine's careful observation. Alric had loosened up from scowling and carefully watching him and his actions to joking lightly and laughing at various things the basketball prodigy threw his way. From lunch, they did not return to the house until later in the evening where they ate Tatsumaki's home made cooking- the first time Daiki had ever do so and the first time in a long time for Alric as well.
Turns out, the Stride mistress could cook. And cook well at that.
During dinner, the man-to-man talk came to a close. And instead it became a conversation between a young couple and man who acted as the girl's father. He would, after all, be giving Tatsumaki away to her future husband- whomever that would be- when the time came. And if Aomine was deducing his developing feelings correctly, he honestly wanted Alric to give Tatsumaki away to him. So when he was asked what he thought of his girlfriend, he was blunt and straight forward, nothing but brutally honest. It was the first question that had been given to him earlier that day, but this time the girlfriend would get to hear it. He had told Alric that when he first met her he thought she was annoying as his childhood friend Momoi Satsuki. A loud and bothersome girl who didn't know what it meant when he said a certain spot on their school's roof was his and not hers. He had thought her to be weird, insisting to be friends with him regardless of the fact that they hardly knew one another. Further more more when she admitted to doing research on him. He had told the uncle that Tatsumaki in whole is a very kind young woman, with an open personality and adaptable attitude, often liked by more than half the people in their grade. And that he also found her rather harsh and stubborn side side to be endearing as well- a bubbly girl was not someone Aomine Daiki found himself ever wanting to be with.
After dinner, they went out for ice cream with Alric offering it as a treat to the duo. His attitude by then had done a complete one-eighty compared to that morning and when the uncle had gone to the bathroom at they cafe they decided to eat their desert at, Tatsumaki told Aomine that he had done something that Alric liked far beyond normal measures. From what she could tell, Daiki had passed the 'father' test so to speak. This made the rough basketballer more than just a little pleased as he dared to share a swift kiss with the girl across the table from him. They separated just before her uncle could spot them. After desert, Alric insisted on taking Aomine home but had permitted the two to share a goodnight kiss upon Tatsumaki's request. It was weird, Daiki thought, kissing in front of someone else let alone the man who rose his lover. However being able to just touch and kiss her was enough to let him ignore this factor. He left her with little complaint at Alric's side.
It was a good night.
(Untouchable)
The crowd is huge, however she is not frightened by the mere thought of being out numbered should anything go wrong. She along with the others passes person after person, not caring for stares sent her way nor the fact that they're actually being sent at the men that walk in front of her and behind her. Most of them however are aimed at the tall male at her side. He does not hold her waist nor her hand, but instead this is for good measure. No one needs to know that Aomine has a soft spot for someone other than his former team mates and fellow Miracles. It's none of their business. The only down side to her not being actually part of the team is that she'll be forced to sit in the stands. During Inter-High she could get away with it as the venue is smaller than the Winter Cup and a bit less formal. There were less schools around to complain or care that she was on the bench despite her lack of team membership at Inter-High by the time Aomine started playing anyways. Here, however, Touou would be much more busy and pressed for concentration. She realizes that with her being just steps away from the court could be distracting to him.
Tatsumaki spooks a little when a hand grabs her own, tugging her away from the rest of the team and ignoring Wakamatsu's yelling disapproval- something about not needing to make out with his girlfriend just before the games start. Her brows furrow as they weave through the throng of people this way and that, with him not caring for the fact even that the opening ceremony would be starting soon and that it would be rude of him not to be seen with the rest of his team. "Daiki, where are we going?" she questions as she eyes the orange globe under his arm. When did he get that?
"I've been summoned by Akashi," Daiki answers the girl that he tugs along, "He won't actually care if you're there- and even if he does, screw him". He pauses as he exits the building, finding steps to sit on and settle down to wait for the others. It seems that he was the first to report, with not even his former Captain in sight. "Plus I want to know exactly where you're sitting for the games," he wants to know that she won't be taking her eyes off of him at all. Though he highly doubts that she would in the first place. Once settled down, he lets her sit close to him as he spins the random basketball that not even he remembers where it came from or why he had grabbed it- just that he did- and lets his mind wander for a bit. The fact that his girlfriend doesn't ask anything is nice. She understands the situation at hand.
Tatsumaki silently watches as male after intimidating male makes their way towards the stairs, each of them taking up a position away from one another but within the area as apparently ordered by their former Captain. Her eyes travel to the blond ikemen first year at the top of the stairs, his blond hair at longest to the nape of his neck in the back with bangs that flitter across his forehead. A single silver hoop dangles from his ear as his golden eyes only flicker to her for a mere moment. Though it's long enough for her to spot the edge of curiosity sent her way. He dresses himself in a blue and white track suit, keeping him warm due to the cooler weather of early winter- late autumn. He's from Keijo. Looking back forward, Tatsumaki spots Shutoku's ace, his short hair a leafy green as opposed to Yuji's moss green, and his matching eyes hidden behind black rimmed glasses. His serious gaze bores into her as his wrapped up fingers hang onto a pair of scissors with red handles. Why he has them, she has no idea and something tells her that she doesn't want to know. She meets his look fearlessly, unafraid of the intimidation sent her way.
To her right, a lumbering figure whom towers over her with ease stands in his purple and white uniform, not caring for the cooler weather. His just as lavender hair with matching eyes hangs around his face lazily, his mouth munching on a bar of chocolate with no care at all. His body screams laziness, however thanks to her researching of Daiki back when school was still in the beginning of the year, she knows well that he is no sloth- just bored it would seem. She would be honestly frightened of him if it weren't for the fact that her Uncle Alric is taller than the young man. What is scary though is the fact that the boy could grow to be two meters if he keeps at it, being young still and all. This one is from Yosen. Her eyes are drawn to the sound of foot steps as she recognizes the next two people that approach the stairs but do not stand so close to the others. He too keeps a careful distance away from him. With light blue hair and eyes to match, he is shorter than her even, tiny for a basketball player, and he appears to have a tag along. Tetsuya is here, standing for Seirin. It's surprising that Kagami is not there, however, which makes her wonder if he's around. Looking closer into the phantom's eyes as they meet her look, she is surprised to see a determination that would appear unbreakable despite the horrifying defeat at Inter-High.
The tension between Miracles is high and thick, making the air heavy. However, Tatsumaki does not feel frightened nor the urge to cuddle into Daiki's side like most would if they were in her position. She feels bad for the kid behind Kuroko though; he looks just about ready to faint from the danger around him. She herself is at the top of her own game, the queen of her own sport. These boys do not frighten her in the slightest though she knows they would crush her with ease at basketball. At the same time, however, and it is what fuels her confidence, she knows all too well she would return the favor if they were to run a Stride race.
"Tetsu, you have a babysitter," Daiki grunts as he spots the second string first year behind his former shadow. The brunette is unwelcome, though he doesn't care if that makes him a hypocrite for bringing Tatsumaki along.
The surprisingly high voice- for someone so tall at least- of the Yosen player mumbles through his chocolate, "Minechin, you have Saschin. And now you got that girl at your side". Obviously making him far worse than Kurochin in the giant's eyes.
Aomine grunts, "Satsuki is different and Tatsumaki doesn't count," he defends with ease, shooting a dark blue glare at the sweets lover.
From atop the stairs, the blond one from Keijou demands, "Midorimachi, why do you have scissors anyways?" Tatsumaki is silently thankful that someone asked before she gave in and decided to.
The green haired male holds up the cutting tools in his right hand, snipping them carelessly as he speaks, "They're obviously my lucky item, you idiot".
"Yea but it's dangerous for you to walk around with them out like that. I don't like it," blondie replies. Tatsumaki's pretty sure his name is Kise Ryouta, now that she thinks about it.
In the mean time, poor Murasakibara has finished with his chocolate bar and moved onto a bag of chips. However, the down side is that the bag is stubborn. He fears however that if he tries any harder to open the bag he may end up making it burst and spilling the contents all over the place thus wasting his beloved snack. He hums in disappointment as his half lidded eyes turn to the green haired Shutoku player only a few strides from him. "Midochin, let me borrow those scissors," he requests blandly, his lips settled into what appears to be a permanent frown.
Midorima sighs after sparing a short glance the giant's way. Upon spotting the reason for asking for his lucky item, he turns away coldly. "No," he answers with little care. If the dumbass can't open a mere bag on his own, then it's his loss. Like hell he's letting go of his lucky item at a critical time like this.
"Hah?" the short whine comes from Murasakibara, though he accepts it. He was kind of expecting that kind of answer from Midochin, "Kurochin, do you have any?"
"I do not," Tetsuya denies blankly, ignoring the fact that his poor team mate, Furihata, is practically suffocating from the tension and pressure in the air around him. Luckily, while Tetsuya does feel the tension, he does not feel affected.
Tatsumaki tilts her head and shoots a glance Aomine's way, catching his gaze through the corner of his eye. The shrug he sends her way tells her more than words could. He doesn't care if she does what she wants; he knows he can handle herself and if anything happens he'll step forward anyways regardless of who it is. "You're Mursakibara, right? Here, I'll open the bag for you," she offers her hand to him and stands, making her way gracefully down the stairs in order to stand in front of him. "You're incredibly strong, so I'd imagine that if you try any harder than you already have you'll spill your chips everywhere. Right?"
The purple haired enemy, former ally, of her lover stares down at her tall stature. She was sitting she he figured she is actually far shorter than she appears. However, as she stands at a healthy six foot one, he is pleased that Aomine wasn't stupid enough to go for someone short at the very least. He offers her the bag of snacks which she grips on either side towards the top. With a swift jerk in either direction, the bag opens with a crackle and release of enclosed air. He takes the bag and tips his hand in, his long fingers gripping the first chip. "Thanks," he allows, "Who are you?"
"Tensai Tatsumaki," she answers as she offers him a confident smile. He spots no fear of him in those vibrant green eyes, slightly surprising him. Did Aomine get his hands on a good one? She is kind of cute, she doesn't seem like someone he'd want to crush. In fact, she holds herself with a confidence not unlike his or the others' own. She doesn't play basketball though, he can tell with ease. And yet, there's no fear. It's not a farce either. Huh.
Murasakibara nods his head once as he nibbles again, "Tenchin," he acknowledges, ignoring a slightly shocked glance from either of his current opponents knowing well what his announcement meant.
As she sits, however, the ringing of a cellphone intones from above her drawing her attention to Kise. Aomine's navy eyes narrow darkly as he looks to the shorter male, "Kise, your phone is annoying. Is it Akashi?"
Looking down at the screen, wondering if that is who it is, Kise reads the information he needs, "Its," his eyes widen as he pauses, "A text from a fangirl". Tatsumaki can't help but to sweat drop. "Why is the guy who summoned us the last one to arrive?" Kise whines, ignoring Aomine's bland glare.
Midorima, the one with green hair as she believes his name to be rather than 'Midochin', adjusts his glasses smoothly before assuring, "Don't worry about it, he'll be here. It's just the way he is".
"Shessh," Tatsumaiki's lover agrees with an annoyed grunt.
As though to give the saying 'speak of the devil and he shall appear', the sound of footsteps from above catch her attention. The voice that speaks is smooth and commanding without seeming to give a command at all. It demands respect and resounds as though absolute. With it, it carries a feeling of superiority to it that honestly she hasn't ever felt before. Turning to look at the new comer, she finds him to be about Kuroko's height and with the same basic hair style. However, one of his eyes is a red the same tint as Shigeru's, the other- the left- is more of a dull orange or gold color. His pupils, from what she can see at this angle, look far more feline than hers, giving him a menacing look. "I apologize for keeping you all waiting," he speaks, earning all the attention he needn't even strive for. What surprises Tatsumaki though is the way he addresses his former team mates. "Daiki, Ryota, Shintaro, Atsushi and Tetsuya. I'm glad to see you all. I'm also greatly moved that all of us have managed to meet like this. However, there are some here that do not belong. I would like to talk just to my former team mates. Sorry, but could you leave?" His eyes trail to Tatsumaki herself, and then to the brunette part of Seiren's team.
Tatsumaki however holds her ground while poor terrified Furihara trembles and tries to get his frozen body to listen to him. She does not fear the heavy gaze that threatens to crush her in its hold. Instead, she merely stares back at him, calm and collected. She's stared bigger monsters in the eye before. People with far more intimidation in more than just basketball. She can tell that he is fast and strong, a monster on the court. However comparing his speed to her own in a straight out run she imagines that it would be close but at her win. However before she or Aomine can insist that she stay, a new voice speaks up. "What? You're no fun; don't exclude us". Her attention is brought to the tall red haired male that rests his large palm on the quaking Seiren second string player.
Furihara, surprised, greets him with a simple, "Kagami," though he doesn't know how the other male found them.
"I'm back," the monster of a man replies, his crimson eyes holding confidence not unlike Tatsumaki's own. "But we can talk later," as he strides forward, passed his shadow and his fellow player respectively, he only has eyes for his target at the very top of the stairs. "You must be Akatshi. Glad to meet you".
There is a moment of silence that meets the straight forward greeting. A smile rests on Akashi's lips as he glides his way down the stairs, showing his true stature to the others. About Kuroko's height indeed. "Shintaro, let me borrow your scissors," he demands.
"What do you need them for?" Strangely, he does not say 'no' like he did with Murasakibara. Considering the fact that his lucky items are precious to him especially on the day when they are to be of most use- the only day really- this is saying a lot.
"My hair is bothering me," Akashi replies, taking the scissors in kind when the fate obsessed shooting guard hands them over. "But first," before anyone can act, he attacks, his hand poised and scissors turned into a weapon that just barely grazes across Kagami's cheek. In kind, they leave a thin scratch that only releases a few droplets of blood. Eyes are brought to a widened position as Kagami had just barely dodged the so sudden attack. But Akashi is impressed. "My my, I'm amazed that you managed to dodge that. In light of that display of grace, I'll forgive you this time. But there will be no second chance. When I tell you to leave, you leave. In this world, winning is everything. Winners are affirmed completely, and losers are denied completely". As he speaks, he sets to trimming his bangs, making the locks shorter as to allow him better sight. The red colored ends flutter to the ground gently, not daring to touch his white and light blue themed Rakuzan track suit that keeps him warm. "I've never lost at anything before, and I never will. Because I always win, and I am always right". Now with his bangs much shorter by perhaps an inch, the light is permitted to shine on his face, allowing all to see the smile on his lips and the terrifying look in his red and gold eyes. "I will not forgive anyone whom opposes us. Not even my own parents. Turning his mix-matched gaze to the girl at Daiki's side, he suddenly throws the tool once more turned weapon at her head. However, he is pleased to watch her easily contort her body and pull herself into a one handed cartwheel to her right. The scissors are caught mid-air before they can collide with the stairs behind her. Her fast reflexes are far more than he expected. He supposes that he can approve of the girl whom that while she has defied him as well, as also caught his interest. He watches as she hands the tool back over to their proper owner, not a scratch on her as she ignores stunned eyes. "I suppose I will be forgiving two people today. You're lucky, miss. What is your name?" Though he certainly already knows it.
"Tensai Tatsumaki," she greets him evenly, looking down at him solidly as she doe so.
"I see. Well, I am leaving. I only wanted to say 'hello'," he states, business done.
However, Aomine isn't at all impressed. That can't be true. "Hold on a minute Akashi. You summoned us just for that?".
"No," Akashi admits, "I actually wanted to confirm something, but upon seeing your faces I realized that there's no need. No one forgot our promise. The next time we meet will be on the court". Without another word, he turns and leaves, silently announcing the meeting to be over.
As the rest of the Miracles watch their former Captain leave, they wait until he is completely gone to look at one another. And then they look at Tatsumaki and Kagami. "You're pretty fast, Tensaicchi," Kise is the first to say something, "You do martial arts?"
Tatsumaki offers the blond a smile, "Nope. I'm just the best at Stride"
"So you're that Tensai," Midorima states, "No wonder I thought I recognized you".
"Oh? You a fan?" She returns.
"My sister is," he relents, figuring that there's no point in lying.
Before much more can be said, Aomine sighs and takes Tatsumaki's hand, "Let's get you to your seat, Tatsumaki," and then he tugs her along. He ingores her friendly call to his former friends, his hold on her tight and shoulders tense.
"...Daiki," she questions as she looks up to the carmel colored man pulling her along, "Are you okay? You're very quiet and you're holding onto me pretty tight". When there is no answer, she digs her feet into the floor under her feet now that they're inside. It takes a moment, but her weight and the grip of her shoes' soles allow her to keep from moving. When the color of the deep ocean looks back at the forest, she insists, "I said are you okay? Daiki, what's wrong?"
Aomine pauses, looking the girl over for any sort of wound. Even a hair out of place or perhaps shorter when it shouldn't be. However when he finds nothing wrong with her, he sighs and lets his tense shoulders slump. "Good," her clueless eyes and cocked head influence him into explaining, "I was worried that you might have gotten scratched like Kagami".
Tatsumaki, honestly touched by his worried composure, smiles and takes both hands into her smaller ones. Her lips brush against his knuckles, relishing in the soothed sigh and the gentle smile that smooths out his normally scowling face. "I'm okay," she assures, "Stride has honed my senses to be faster than normal people's because of the speed I run at. If my reaction is slowed, I'm more likely to get hurt. I don't appreciate that he tried to hurt me like that, but I also realize that he wouldn't have done it if it wasn't able to dodge; he's not looking to kill, just conquer".
Daiki's eyes tighten, "You talk like you know someone like that. Don't tell me your Stride Captain was like Akashi too".
It is Tatsumaki's eyes' turn to become tight. Shigeru? Like that? Never. "No. My Captain, a man named Shigeru Akihiko, is nothing like Akashi. He's more out going, a jokester but with a temper. It's strange that their eyes are similar save that Shigeru's match where as Akashi's don't, though". Daiki only hums as he pulls her closer to him, his fingers wrapping around her own which still hang on to him.
"I see," he intones. He's glad she never had to deal with someone like Akashi. One of him is bad enough. Ducking down, his lips capture hers while they still have the privacy, the feeling of her mouth is warm and inviting as ever. The simple contact however is more than enough to chase away any lingering tension, a low moan rumbles from his throat when she lets go of his hands in favor of burying her fingers in his locks. His hands in kind tightly hold either of her sides, slipping under the fabric of her shirt to feel her soft skin and powerful muscle.
He pulls her closer, intoxicated and wanting more. He feels like he hasn't gotten to do this in far too long. And so when his tongue is granted access to her mouth and a soft airly moan of her own answers his previous one, he feels fire linger under his flesh. Guiding her gently, he pushes her into a near by wall where he can further move his mouth against her own. Their tongues dance for dominance, battling one another until he runs his along the underside hers. A sensitive spot. It allows him further control of the kiss, letting his tongue explore each and every crevice that he can find as one of her hands leaves his hair in of running along the abs she trails her fingers along. His abdomen muscles twitch and tickle with the feather light treatment she gives to him. As her tongue starts a new battle, wanting to explore his oral cave, that one hand under his shirt travels to his back and runs along his spine. Goose flesh covers his entire person, centering around that very portion of his body. It gives her the advantage she needs in order to explore as his tongue retracts back into his mouth, falling dormant for the time being save for a little brush or two.
At last, he needs to breathe and thus he is forced to pull away from the not so innocent make out session. He presses his forehead against her own, her hot breath ghosting over his face. Her now plump lips tempt him teasingly as his orbs shoot down to look at her mouth and then her eyes again. "You cheat," he rumbles.
"You did first," she returns with an airly laugh, a smile crossing her face. "You know you should go join your team".
"Not yet," he denies, dipping his face low to kiss and nibble at her neck with feather light touches. He smirks as the girl instantly cranes her neck to the side to give him more room to wander. And as she grips his hips and pulls him even closer, he can only relish in the fact that only clothing- stupid, stupid clothing- separates them at the moment. He feels nails trail over the backs of his shoulders, causing him to bite down on her flesh and suck. The sensation of her actions is nice enough to make him have to try not to get hard. He can't imagine trying to play with a boner. It doesn't help that the breathy mewl that comes from her is music to his ears as he leaves his mark just barely visible to anyone who dare look at her longer than five seconds let alone let their eyes wander. To keep herself quiet, she takes his jaw into both hands and brings him in for another tender kiss.
And then his phone vibrates.
With a growl, he ignores the sensation in his pocket, knowing well just whom is calling him to get his ass to the courts. However, he has no intention of doing that any time soon. The teams they're pitted against for now are weak; his team can win with ease without him. However, as the phone again rings for the fifth time, he growls, the sound muffled by his covered mouth.
Tatsumaki too ignores the fact that he really should be getting ready to play- warming up and such. But damn it she wants to kiss her boyfriend as well! And so she does. She can feel her body is hot and excited from all the attention she is getting, his hands wandering shamelessly over her sides, up her shoulders and down to his ass where he cups either cheek gives a firm appreciative squeeze. A thrill runs down her spine as his calloused fingers run just under the band of her pants, teasing her skin there and lingering towards the button that keeps them closed. Her hands greedily pull him closer, one fearless of roaming while the other lays hooked around his neck fiddling with the hairs at the base of his skull. The growl is actually a rather sexy sound, she has to admit, it only being rather interesting to her ears as she spins them around and plants him flat against the wall. She presses her person flush against his body, her chest against his as she takes her turn in leaving butterfly kisses along his jaw, only to trail up and lick the entire shell of his ear. The low groan that comes from him is hardly muffled as he does so while breathing in. It earns her a giggle in turn as her lips trail down the left side of his neck, her own neck's left side throbbing from the mark he so kindly left at the junction of her neck and shoulders. Her tongue dips into the hollow of his throat, her mouth having traveled to the front, earning her a hissed version of her name and the hands on her hips to tighten. Ahh, to have power is nice. But as the phone has begun to continuously ring, she mentally sighs and figures she should bring their fun to a pause. Plus, she realizes, she doesn't want to make him run around with a hard on the whole time if he does play this round. Pulling from the hollow, her teeth sink into his flesh and she pulls it into her mouth, This forces blood vessels to rise to the surface. Having unzipped his jacket to get to the hollow in the first place, when she stops and kindly dries off his skin, she is pleased to se a light bruise just on the junction of his neck; the same place he left his mark. Compared to her own, his is much lighter due to his darker skin but that's also good because they don't need anyone asking questions.
"You should go," she relents at last, "Momoi must be throwing a fit".
Aomine groans and rolls her eyes, "She worries about nothing," but he too relents and admits he should at least go before even his coach gets fed up with him. "What seat are you in?"
"Section E, seat 137. I got a first row seat so I can keep my eyes on you better," she grins.
He in turns smirks and places a hand purposefully over where he left his hickey on her. He dips down for one more kiss, this one shorter but no less tender and meaningful, before flashing her a swift confident grin and then turning to jog to his destination. She watches as he goes, a gentle smile on her lips.