Thanks to Alumi, x10TIMEx, AwsumReader, Monkey D. Writer, PuncakeGoddess, anonymous, LovelyAria, teruhi, and Guest for reviewing last chapter! I really enjoyed reading your reactions on my little prologue, haha! I can't say how sorry I am for killing off Kagami. I was crying on the inside as well so don't worry! And please don't hunt me down! :')
And at anonymous, there's not going to be any explicit romance between Kuroko and the GoM in the story. Sorry to say, it's mostly going to be friendship and comfort and a little fluff now and then. So please don't worry about it and I hope you keep reading!
Now for the chapter...
Taking Flight
Chapter 1 - Spark
Humanity's military is composed of three main branches—The Garrison, the Military Police, and the Survey or Recon Corps. The Survey Corps explores outside human territory to hostile areas in a bid for expansion. The Garrison patrols and maintains the walls. They are the first to engage the Titans if the gate is destroyed. And finally, the Military police are the top-ranking soldiers who serve as personal guards for the king and maintain order within the walls. They are the most prestigious due to the safety of their work within the inner wall Sina, abundant resources, and higher authority over other military sectors. The Survey Corps are the most dangerous branch of the military. They are most actively involved in Titan combat and human expansion. Despite having little to no success, they still symbolize the 'hope of mankind'—their insignia being known as the 'Wings of Freedom'. However, because of the low survivability rate of the Survey Corps and the limited entry of the Military Police, most soldiers join the Garrison upon graduation.
Before joining the branches, soldiers must undergo rigorous training in the Training Corps and determine whether or not they are truly fit to be a soldier. Supervision of the Training corps is under the command of Aida Kagetora, a retired member of the elite Survey Corps. With his fierce personality and threatening gaze, he is able to properly recreate each soldier's identity and focus each of them to their current task.
.-.-.-.
Wall Rose - Teiko District Military Training Grounds: 9:30 am
The wind was refreshing as it swept the gray dust particles off the ground and into the air. The open flaps of the brown jackets shifted to the wind and silence completely dominated the area.
Kuroko stood like many of the other new trainees—right fist over his heart and left arms firmly across his back.
Two whole years have passed since Kagami's death and the destruction of Wall Maria and his home district of Seirin. He had barely managed to survive on the leftover rations of the Teiko district. Having vowed to become stronger after the fall of his home, he made it this far. Finally. Finally was he able to start fulfilling his vow.
"STATE YOUR NAME, PUNK."
The loud voice of the instructor Aida Kagetora snapped Kuroko to reality. He turned his head over to his left and saw the instructor looming over a boy with dazzling blond hair and gold eyes. His fist was clutched over his chest tightly and he stared at the instructor with a glance of a frightened puppy.
"K-Kise Ryota from town of Kaijo, sir!" the boy stammered and held his head up higher.
Kuroko could feel the pressure of the instructor raining down on him. Small beads of sweat formed on his forehead and he could feel them rolling down slowly. He took a deep breath before glancing back at the situation unfolding near him.
"YOU? A SOLDIER? YOU LOOK LIKE SOME RICH FASHION MODEL WANNABE THAT CRAWLED HIS WAY OUT OF A DIRT RAG FARMHOUSE! AND WHAT IS WITH THAT BLOND HAIR? TRYING TO ATTRACT ATTENTION FROM THE TITANS BY BEING CONSPICUOUS WITH THAT DIRTY YELLOW?! DO YOU WANT TO BECOME TITAN FOOD THAT BADLY?!"
"N-No, sir! T-The hair colour is natural, sir!" Kise responded quickly, his knuckles white from the tight clench of his fist.
Kuroko shut his eyes. He was so glad that he was not in Kise Ryota's position. He felt sorry for the poor boy—shivering and withering under the fierce gaze of the instructor.
Inconspicuously, he shot another curious glance to the boy. He had to admit, he was rather good looking, even from a male point of view. If he had been born in a differently world, he would no doubt be able to live as a model and attract the ladies. His blond hair was strikingly strange, yet it seemed natural enough.
"TELL ME, PUNK. THE FUCK ARE YOU HERE FOR?"
Kise seemed to play with his answer in his head before opening his mouth to speak, "You see, Sir... My goal is to join the Military Police, marry the girl of my dreams and live a life free of titans."
Kuroko was nonetheless shocked at the careless response. It was as if all the tension had disappeared from the blond haired boy when thinking about his future. Kuroko could probably understand why. Many people had unquestionably dreamed of the life within the interior of the Wall Sina. They would be safe from the titans and able to live a life of pleasure and fulfillment. To be honest, Kuroko himself had considered that path after a year of being a refugee in Teiko. During the first year, over two-hundred thousand refugees from Wall Maria were sent to their deaths under the cover of an expedition to 'reclaim the territory from the titans.' Kuroko wondered how they could be so unbelievably cruel. Humankind's numbers were already dwindling as it is and yet, they still sent thousands of innocent lives to their deaths. Although he felt that way, he couldn't complain either. Because of those sacrifices, he was able to be here. He was able to have enough rations to keep himself alive because the people were sent away.
The whole idea made him feel so guilty and yet a tiny part inside of him was relieved. He would live another day to see the sun and feel the gentle wind caress his cheeks. Kuroko wasn't a realist, yet even he knew that he was living because of the bloodshed of many others. He didn't believe that much in superstition and such either, which is why the guilt eventually overtook his relief. Kagami, soldiers, and thousands of refugees died just for him to be here today.
They were all so much braver and stronger than I was, he had thought to himself. Which is also why he pledged to become stronger. He wanted everyone's death to have been meaningful. Sure, Kagami may have wanted him to live a happy and peaceful life like the one that Kise had painted out for everyone, yet Kuroko knew that doing so would bring Kagami's death to shame. He wanted to become a respected soldier that could make Kagami proud of him. Perhaps it was all a overly dream-like plan in this poor excuse of a world, but he believe that if he worked hard enough, it could be possible.
He could hear the nervous shuffle of his fellow trainees at the boy's response. When Kuroko shot a glance towards Kise, he noticed the colour starting to drain from the blonde's face. He must have finally realized that his answer was a bit too straightforward and that he was either going to suffer something worse than shouting, or just get kicked out of the military completely.
Kagetora let out a snort before turning to the boy and taking a fistful of his blond hair, "So, you're saying that you're going to spend three whole years working your ass off down here in this shit-hole so that some girl will pick you up and the two of you will bunker down behind those walls?"
Visibly gulping, Kise nodded, "Y-Yes, sir."
The impact sound of a fist clashing with a forehead was enough to make Kuroko wince visibly and have the newly formed beads of sweat rolled down from his forehead. He stared at the poor blond haired boy, collapsed onto his bottom and rubbing the bruise that was undoubtedly going to form on his perfect face.
Ouch, both publicly embarrassed and physically damaged. That girl of his dreams may be appearing much later than he had thought she would.
Even then, Kagetora wasn't quite finished, "GET UP, PUNK! THE MILITARY POLICE DOESN'T NEED SISSIES WHO SIT ON THEIR ASS ALL DAY."
Kise tried to hold back his groan as he moved himself up into a crouching position, "Y-Yes, sir..."
At that, the drill sergeant turned away from the pathetic blond and towards Kuroko's direction. The teal haired boy held his breath and slowly let it out as the taller man walked past him and focused on the boy beside him.
Kuroko wondered if the drill sergeant had deliberately passed him, or if he just didn't notice him. He always had a low presence to those around him and he often used this to his advantage to scare Kagami when the boy was caught off guard. The only one who didn't seem to be too affected by his lack of presence was his caretaker, Sasaki.
After the fall of Wall Maria, Kuroko had never seen the old man ever again. He had assumed the worst for him. Yet, he was so sure that the old man had not been in Seirin when the tragedy happened. Then again, if he were still alive, why had he not gone to find Kuroko?
A new shout from Kagetora snapped the teal haired boy out of his thoughts.
"WHAT IS YOUR NAME, MAGGOT?!"
This time, it was a red haired boy being questioned. He was a row in front of Kuroko. He seemed to be about his height, if not a bit taller than himself. Yet, Kuroko could tell that he stood confidently with his chest raised high.
"Akashi Seiijuro, sir," the boy responded firmly.
Murmurs spread through the crowd at the name. Kuroko struggled to remember where he had heard the name 'Akashi' before. He remembered that Sasaki had told him about it...
Suddenly recalling the memory, Kuroko snapped his eyes open.
Akashi was the name of one of the most powerful noble families in Wall Sina. If this boy truly was the son of such a family, why would he be here in the Training Corps of all places?
The drill sergeant seemed to have caught the red haired boy in an electrifying staring contest. Kuroko could see the evident sparks between the two as they both kept eye contact, unblinking. He couldn't quite make out the look on the boy's face from his current position, kept him in a locking gaze with neither of them surrendering. The atmosphere of the area prickled with tension and Kuroko could feel the hairs standing up on the back of his neck and the goosebumps popping up on his arms underneath his new brown Training Corps jacket.
Just when he could barely take it anymore, the drill sergeant removed his gaze and walked away to pick on the next soldier.
Kuroko blinked at the sight before letting out a breath that he hadn't even realized he had been holding. Just what had been exchanged through the two from that single gaze? Who exactly was this Akashi boy to make the fearless drill sergeant walk away without another word?
Some may believe that it was because of the authority that the Akashi Seiijuro boy held, yet Kuroko knew otherwise. Aida Kagetora would be the last one to fall back because of a mere kid from the inner walls. Akashi Seiijuro must have had something in his gaze, his posture, and those alluring eyes of his. Kuroko couldn't see them from where he stood, yet he wanted to. He wanted to see those eyes that pushed the instructor away. He felt a strange curiosity sprouting inside him from that exchange. Kuroko wanted to know Akashi Seiijuro better.
.-.-.-.
Wall Rose - Teiko District Training Corps Mess Hall: 5:23 pm
Kuroko didn't pay much attention to the gathering afterwards. There wasn't much to see after the Akashi incident. He did remember the drill sergeant sending a boy with purple hair running around the area because he was busy munching on a sweet potato during his questioning. He had refused to share and wondered why he couldn't eat whenever he wanted. Kuroko wasn't sure where the boy was now.
Kuroko remembered the boy by his tall stature. Hell, he was probably half the size of a five-meter class titan, if not taller. Kuroko honestly wondered how the heck someone could grow that tall. When he was younger, he had always thought Kagami was tall. Now, compared to the purple giant, Kagami was nothing.
The thought of his old friend was bringing stinging tears to his eyes and the nausea was coming back all over again. He pushed the thought out of his mind and stared meekly at the bun on his plate as he sat alone in the mess hall. The sounds of chatter erupted around him yet he couldn't find the mood or energy to talk to any of the people. His lack of presence seemed to shield him from the other soldiers as well, not that he was complaining. It was nice to be alone. He enjoyed his solitude quite a lot. It was easier to think, to observe. He felt like he could see everything from his small table in the corner.
He could see Kise Ryota sitting with a table of girls, smiling and chatting amiably. He could see two boys shoving the food down their mouths, no doubt because of hunger. His eyes caught the sight of a pink haired girl nursing her head, which had been smacked harshly from the drill sergeant. There were two other girls around her, pitying and muttering words of comfort to her.
Kuroko smiled. He had always been proud of his observational skills. It always calmed him down to just observe his surroundings and take in some knowledge of what people were doing.
Feeling more at ease, he picked up his bread and was about to take a bite when a tall boy with dark skin and blue hair slumped down on the bench beside him.
"Geez, finally away from Satsuki. It sure is noisy there..." he muttered under his breath as he picked up his bread and shove a good half of it into his mouth.
Kuroko blinked while staring at the boy. It seemed like he didn't notice him.
The teal haired boy didn't recognize him either. It didn't seem like he was called upon during Kagetora's inspection ceremony.
"Um...may I ask, who are you?" Kuroko spoke up, all the while giving the dark skinned boy a blank stare.
The boy turned around slowly and blinked a couple of times before jumping up and slamming his hand down on the table, "Ah! Wh-Who are you? Did you just appear out of thin air?!"
"No, I was here the whole time," Kuroko replied in a monotone voice. This kind of introduction was really getting old.
The boy nodded before turning to look around him. It seemed like some of the other trainees had turned around to see what was the racket.
When things settled down, the boy sat back down beside Kuroko and took a deep breath, "So, you really didn't just appear...?"
Kuroko let out a sigh, "No, I was here the whole time."
Not seeming quite convinced, the boy shot the teal head a grin, "Well either way, it was cool meeting ya! I'm Aomine Daiki."
"Kuroko Tetsuya," Kuroko paused, "nice to meet you. "
Aomine smiled, "Well I really didn't notice you there, Tetsu. You weren't picked on during that scary line up either, right?"
"Yeah..." Kuroko nodded, "Aomine-kun, you weren't either right?"
"Nope! I don't know why but he walked right past me!"
Kuroko gave a small smile at the cheerful boy. It was strange that he was already addressing him from his first name, and a nickname at that. Yet, he couldn't quite bring himself to correct him for it. He liked the sound of the name. Kuroko thought it suited him pretty well.
"So, Tetsu," Aomine started and brought Kuroko back to reality, "where're you from?"
The memories flooded back into his mind from the question. Kuroko pushed them away and answered, "The Seirin District in Wall Maria."
Aomine's eyes widened, "Woah! So you're a survivor then! That must've been tough, having your hometown destroyed right in front of your eyes."
Kuroko noticed the sad look in Aomine's blue orbs. He supposed that he wasn't the only one here that had endured a traumatic experience. Aomine, and probably many other trainees, have all fled from the titans.
"Yeah... It was bad," Kuroko meekly replied, holding his emotions and memories back.
Aomine seemed to notice the falter in the teal head boy's voice because he immediately chirped up again, "Hey let's train together when training starts! I'm sure we both have our goals so let's both work hard!"
Kuroko smiled a genuine smile this time, "Yeah."
Bam!
The sound of knuckles hitting bones and flesh brought the two boys out of their happy conversation. Kuroko turned to the sound and saw a familiar patch of red hair surrounded by three black haired boys.
Kuroko met the look that his new friend shot him and the two walked over to the scene.
"Don't talk like you're so high and mighty."
"Yeah, just because you're from Wall Sina doesn't mean that you can boss us around over here. You're nothing but a lowly trainee just like the rest of us, ya hear?"
The boys glared at the red head as he held his cheek and a shadow casted over his eyes from his red bangs. Kuroko watched as he reached for a fork on the table and then held it up in front of him with a menacing glare on his face. The boys assaulting him scrambled back as Akashi pointed the fork at them all. His red eyes were narrowed sharply and glowing in anger.
"You all have no right to talk to me or look down on me!" and in a terrifying speed, he dashed forward in a stabbing motion with the fork. The boys tripped and fell onto their bottoms as Akashi gave them a glare and stared down at them.
"Get out of my way. I'll kill anyone who defies me."
A/N: I don't not own Kuroko no Basuke or the details and settings of Attack on Titan. They both belong to their original owners respectively.
Well. Chapter one is up! Ahaha. God I really hope I portrayed the characters well enough. I couldn't really find a coach that was as sassy and foul-mouthed as Shadis so I put Kagetora on the job! Sorry if he was a bit OOC. It was a hard part to write.
Aomine, Kise, and Akashi's personalities in this chapter are all still before their transformation. Actually, I'm not too sure what Akashi's personality was like before his transformation, so this'll have to do...hopefully. If you see errors, spelling mistakes and such, please PM me or tell me in a review so that I can fix it! I wrote this at one in the morning so I probably have a lot of mistakes in there. Thank you teruhi for pointing out the 'five feet tall' thing in the prologue. Lol if they're five feet tall, then they're even shorter than Levi.
Mukkun was barely mentioned LOL and Shin-chan wasn't mentioned at all. Don't worry, they all will be slowly introduced. All of them... Once I introduce all the GoM, I think I may be switching POV from chapter to chapter so that not all the focus is on Kuroko, like it is now.
Okay, anyways please tell me how it was and any improvements I need to make! I'm really new to this AU thing so feel free to leave reviews on character portraying issues and such. I'll try my best to fix them!
Please leave a review! They mean a lot to me (and I secretly enjoy reading all your reactions a haha-makes writing a lot more fun)! Tell me how I'm doing so far, okay!
I love you all!
~Yuvi