Title: Art Appeal

Story: Set in an AU where there's no GoM and Kagami and Aomine go to university in America. Both of them get stuck taking an art course where they meet someone interesting and learn about more than just art.

Disclaimer: *I DO NOT OWN KUROKO NO BASKET OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS* Although I wish I did :'(

In reply to the Guest who reviewed:

Mimicchi: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying my story and yay for AoKise! As for KagaKuro…we shall see…

*And as always thanks for all the follows and favs! Enjoy :D

Chapter 10: Uninvited Guests

It had been three days since Kagami had punched him and ran off. He had thought about showing up to the red head's apartment and demanding some sort of explanation, but there was something holding him back. He knew his friend too well, and figured he needed some space. When he wanted to talk he would come find him…or so he hoped.

The three days without the red head were not lonely though, and were filled with special one-on-one practices and trips to the local convenient store for ice cream. Although it had only been three days, Aomine could feel himself falling into a routine; one that was different and new, but comfortable in its own way.

Kise had asked about Kagami a few times, and he felt bad when he never really had a sufficient reply. Apparently the red head was ignoring him too. How anyone could ignore the bubbly blonde was beyond his comprehension, but such a fact worried him even more. What is wrong with that idiot?

"Good afternoon class! I have an exciting announcement for today!"

Alex skipped into the classroom in one big motion, causing the power forward to put all thoughts of his friend aside and give her at least half of his attention.

"Golden Dynasty modeling agency will be funding our universities annual art show this year! Mr. Seijuro Akashi, the founder and CEO, will be present at the show and he will be giving one lucky student a scholarship to Rose Haven University, one of the nation's top art schools!" She practically squealed. Aomine winced and tried to cover his offended ears.

Everyone else in the class appeared to be just as excited as Alex, and began talking to one another about the amazing opportunity that had suddenly been presented to them.

Aomine could care less about the art show, or the scholarship, but the name of the CEO guy sounded awfully familiar. He knew he had heard it from somewhere before, be he just could not remember…

"How is our Taiga doing?"

Aomine looked up when he felt his hands being removed from the sides of his head, and gave Alex a scowl. "I don't know actually. That jerk's been ignoring me for the past few days. Kise too…" He added, just for measure.

The professor's spirit seemed to dim, and she cast her saddened gaze to the floor. "Well, when you get a hold of him could you please tell him about the art show? From what Ryouta's told me, I think it would be a great opportunity for him." And she quickly walked back to her desk where she was bombarded by many eager students.

Kise? What has he been telling her about Kagami?

The thought of the blonde talking about Kagami with his family sent a tinge of…jealousy? No, he would never be jealous of Kagami. They were best friends, what was there to be jealous about? Either way, the annoying sensation continued to spread throughout his body and he suddenly found himself in a foul mood. It wasn't until Kise walked in that he let some of the tension he had built up reside.

Still, the blonde was quick to detect something was off.

"Ah Aominecchi, you seem to be more grumpy than usual. Is everything ok?"

"Hmm." He grunted in return.

"Well did you hear about the art show? Akashicchi thought it would be a good idea to do something for the school's art community, and he wants me to help him pick the winning student."

The mention of the other's nickname makes Aomine suddenly alert, and he shoots Kise a suspicious glance.

"No wonder that name sounded so familiar, that's your creepy manager guy right?"

Kise released a nervous laugh, and directed his eyes towards the floor. "Well he's not creepy exactly, but yes that's him."

"Hmm." Another grunt, and from the looks of it the blonde could tell the ace was deep in thought.

"Are you sure everything's ok?"

The blatant concern in the model's voice angered Aomine. Why was the blonde so concerned for him all of a sudden? Shouldn't he be asking about his precious 'Kagamicchi'?

"Tch, why do you even care? Shouldn't you be worried about Kagami instead?"

The harsh tone made Kise flinch, but despite noticing the reaction he couldn't force himself to stop.

"Your aunt told me what a big fan you are of him. Why don't you two just get a room already and leave me alone."

Fuck.

Kise's slap was powerful, and the sting that spread throughout his entire body was like nothing he had ever felt before. The whole class was mute in shocked silence, witnessing the tragedy that was Aomine's stupidity.

The heartbroken expression on Kise's face was too much to bear and he felt a wave of relief wash over him when the model turned and sprinted out of the classroom.

Trying to quickly distract the class from her nephew's personal drama, Alex brought out an elaborate 18th century dress from one of the many cabinets and strategically hung it from the ceiling in the center of the room. "Seeing as we have lost our model for the day, this classic Victorian ball gown will serve as our artistic muse instead."

Without pressing further the rest of the class quietly got to work, while Alex shot the ace a pure look of disgust and left the classroom in search of her nephew.

Never had Aomine felt as stupid as he did now, and he sat there in silence for the rest of the class feeling nothing but the burn of Kise's hand on his cheek.

~ ~ XxXxX ~ ~

Kagami awoke to an unexpected knock on his door. His original instinct was to answer it, but the sudden thought of it being Kise made him a worried mess.

Should I get it?

But what if it's him?

What if it's not?

Then I would look rude.

But what if it's him?

What if he's mad?

What if it's Aomine?

What if it's him?!

He stopped in the hallway leading to the door and inhaled a few deep breaths to get the blood flowing back to his brain again, but before he could think of another scenario, he heard the familiar sound of his lock being undone and the door swinging open.

What the_?

Red was the first thing Kagami noticed about his surprise intruders. The color red and then the color green. The sight of the blonde's modeling manager and childhood friend, along with his trusty body guard, entered Kagami's small apartment unannounced and completely unfazed.

"Shintarou, could you please prepare us some tea."

"Right away Akashi-san" Replied the taller gentleman, as he made his way to Kagami's kitchen.

What the heck is going on here?

Although he did not exactly know him very well, Kagami was not fond of the fellow red head. His presence was cold and somewhat calculating, watching everything with those icy heterchromatic eyes.

"Taiga, please have a seat."

So many questions were swirling in Kagami's mind, like why was he here, and how did they get a key to his apartment? But he figured if he wanted any answers, he would have to comply. He reluctantly made his way to the living room and took a seat on the couch. Akashi remained standing, but upon Kagami's arrival, he made himself comfortable on the arm chair located to the right of the couch.

No words passed until Midorima returned with two cups of tea and placed them down on the table.

The words that came out of Akashi's mouth had Kagami in a nervous sweat.

"I've realized Ryouta has been rather upset lately. Would you happen to have any idea as to why that may be?"

Shit! They're here to kill me and get rid of the evidence.

Kagami did not reply. What was there to say really?

Akashi took notice of his lack of a proper answer, and eyed him curiously. Kagami felt the other's eyes on him, and he began to nervously fidget with one of his throw pillows.

"You do understand that Ryouta is precious to me, correct."

Still no reply.

After a few more moments of silence, Akashi sighed and directed his gaze towards the coffee table where something quite interesting caught his eye.

"Shintarou please retrieve that article there beneath those magazines and bring it to me."

Before Kagami could stop him, Midorima had already successfully possessed the desired item and handed it over to the shorter gentleman.

Akashi's eyes stared intently at the art work before him, his face void of any emotion.

The panic having finally set in, Kagami abruptly stood from the couch and attempted to grab the sketch away from the other red head's grasp. "Stop, that's mine!" He growled, but the perpetrator was unfazed.

"How much?"

"…What?"

"How much do you want for it.?" There was no jest in the manager's voice or eyes. He was truly serious.

"I would like to purchase this work from you, how much would you like for it?"

Kagami stood over the shorter male, unable to process the question. He slowly turned his gaze to the object of desire and felt a familiar fire begin to burn within his chest. Why did the drawing mean so much to him? But still, selling it didn't feel right. Deep down, despite the hurt and humiliation Kagami had felt upon confessing to Kise, his feelings for the blonde had not changed. Kagami was still in love with him. The realization only fueled the raging fire and he came to a decision.

"How much are you willing to pay?"

~ ~ xXxXx ~ ~

Akashi exited the apartment in high spirits.

Well that had gone better than expected.

"Shintarou when we arrive home, please make sure to have that piece properly framed. I have big plans for it."

Midorima silently nodded.

A/N: Thank you all for reading ~