A/N: Sorry for the long wait! I kind of had a little troubles with this... I don't feel confident about this chapter either. :/ I just hope it wasn't too bad though... *shrinking*

There's a little announcement/clarification on my part I've got to make at the bottom there. Please take a little of your precious time off and check them out. ^^

Edited: 3/04/2014

Disclaimer: I do NOT own KuroBasu. Except for my OCs-desu~

Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.

- Albert Einstein

Who Are You?

Third Person POV

"... What are they doing?" The child tugged at the older woman's shirt next to her. Her dull russet orbs fixated at the sight of groups of people playing and dribbling with an orange ball.

"They're playing basketball, Izana." The older woman with striking blond hair, replied sweetly to the child as they stopped in their track.

Both of them were currently standing behind a fence which separates the court and the street, watching a two groups of players engaged in a non-official match with five players on each group. In the eyes of others, it was just a normal game play with a bunch of youths. But to the young Izanami, she wasn't quite accustomed to this sport yet.

"Bas-ket-ball?" She peered up inquisitively at Alex. She cut up the word into three parts, hopefully would make it easier for her to spell out this foreign word that had just introduced to her.

Alex chuckled slightly at her attempts of pronouncing the word accurately. She crouched down so that they were both on the same eye-level.

"Yes. You're right. Basketball is a sport played by two teams of five players on a rectangular court. The objective is to shoot a ball through a hoop that is high mounted to a black board at each end..."

Alex explained the game rules to the curious child patiently. Izanami would occasionally nod in between her sentences to indicate that she was listening. As she tried to absorb as much information from her Aunt as possible, her gaze never once leave the court and the orange ball.

"Basketball is also one of the world's most popular and widely viewed sports. Do you understand now?" The voluptuous woman stood up after she was done with her prolix explanation. Her shoulders slumped when a relief sigh escaped from her.

"Oh..."

While Izanami was focusing on the game intensely, Alex couldn't afford not to smile endearingly at her petite form. After all, she has never once seen the child entranced by anything before.

Not after she had met her.

They both stood in silence. Taking in the resonated sounds of ball bouncing on the ground, the sight of every players drenched in sweats, the muffled gasps and pants as they played strenuously with everything they've got. Izanami's line of sight traveled along with each and every movement they have made. As if she was trying to memorize a list of spelling words for a spelling test.

When the match has ended, the winner group cheered loudly with their bodies jumping up from joy. Giving high-fives to their own teammates and bro-hugging one another. Grinning and smiling whole-heartedly– like a family.

Family.

Unbeknownst to the former WNBA player standing beside the child, the young girl's brows furrowed at the thought. The more she looked at their blessed and delighted faces as they circled in glee, the more her heart ached.

She bit her lower lip. Hard. Her anguish expression was masked by the layered of bangs hovering over her eyes, casting a shadow to them. She didn't know why seeing the smiling faces of those players who won pained her so much, nor did she know what this tingly sensation gnawing at all her being was.

There was, however, one thing she knew at that age and time. And that's–

She hated it.

Amber orbs fluttered wide open. Staring panicky upon the white ceiling that greeted her in the noon.

Izanami shot out of bed. Flood of sweats damping her as she began to perspire heavily. Her breaths came out ragged and unsteady.

A dream...?

She brought a hand to wipe away the infinite amount of cold sweats dripping from her face. While a pair of soulless eyes darts aimlessly around in her room; Across from her bed, there's a display cabinet. It was filled with all sorts of different models of Gundam, ranging from earliest to the latest were lined up neatly inside the cabinet.

Izanami should've mentioned it earlier. That, she has a hobby of collecting model figures such as ones from the animation. As well as machinery figures; Pistol, Sniper, Revolver, etc. Don't worry, they're obviously fake. And she definitely didn't collect them to start a war or anything.

At a corner, there placed a workbench. For her to do her mechanic works. Being obsessive with machines and anime figures (Gundum nonetheless), one can already expect her to be interested in mechanic work as well. No?

Even her neighbors would occasionally dropped by with a few broken gadgets they owned in her place. Don't misunderstand. As much as she loves mechanics and Gundams, she loves it more when people around her relies on her. Izanami's the ideal type who hates to be a damsel in distress the most.

Several animation, games and rock band's posters were plastered onto the wall and the door. At first glance, the room looks boyish and could be easily mistreated as a boy's room instead of a girl's. Minus the Gundams, posters, and workbench, it was actually quite a plain-looking room with a single bed, wardrobe, and a study desk. Just like any typical student's room.

In contrast to Kagami's spacious apartment which consists of 2-3 rooms, her was just a studio flat; Cramp and small.

Well, what could people expect from a high-schooler with no stable incomes?

The bright, afternoon sun, shone passionately through the curtains. Illuminating the room with its radiance. She could even feel the warmth from the Sun giving butterfly kisses on her cold, pale skins.

Thankfully, today is Saturday; No school, no extra classes, or whatsoever.

At least, she didn't think there was any. Under normal circumstances, Izanami would have reclined back to the softness of her mattress and continued sleeping through out the day. Without a care in the world. However, this time she didn't do it. She couldn't do it. Not after having a flashback into her childhood, something which creeps her up a little.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed, and slipped into a pair of black slippers. She trudged towards the bathroom. Stripping off her red tank top and khaki shorts before turning on the shower.

She inhaled a deep breath whilst the water was raining down on her. Interestingly, Izanami has always find the water calming.

Whenever she felt terrified, or troubled, she would give herself a shower. Mainly because of the pattering sound and the water beat against her skin soothe her. It puts her heart at ease.

It felt like her sins were being cleansed and washed away.

Her hand reached hesitantly to her back, gliding her fingers across the not-so-smooth's skin that has mounted deep onto her, onto her very soul. She held the place in a vice-like grip, as she dug her nails into it. Clenching the scar ever so deeply as if she was trying to peel it off.

The truth is– she loathed it, to her very core. The scar was nothing but remnants from hell to her.

She drooped to the floor and squatted down, bringing her knees close to her chest as she wrapped her arms around them. If only such actions would be enough to protect her from dangers and harms...

She closed her eyes, and decided to stay like this. Until calmness envelopes her again.

"... She isn't picking up her phone."

"Could it be she's busy?"

"Yeah right. Busy sleeping like a pig."

Kagami snorted. Fiddling around the buttons on his phone as he clicked his tongue annoyingly at the countless failed attempts of dial he had made to the manager of their team.

"Kagami-kun, apologize to all the 'pigs' you've just insulted living in this world." Kuroko frowned. Showing a rather disapproving look at how his partner had compared their friend to a pig. Well, more like, the pigs and Izanami hasn't done anything wrong to receive such comparison. It was unfair to both of them.

"W-What? I'm just trying to imply that Izana has an obsession of hibernating in a bed ALL day."

Man. The redhead could recall back during the time when they were still in America, and he had gone over to Alex's house to hang out with his childhood friend. However, it didn't go the way he expected to be. How was he supposed to hang out with her when all she did was slept!?

If Kagami recalled back correctly, she could sleep up till 48 hours– which is two days. He swore he almost called the Paramedics over when he discovered her comatose-state-like-body. In addition, once she goes into hibernation mode, she won't wake up even if the house collapse on her. That's what frustrates him the most!

"I guess she must have forgotten there is training today..." Riko sighed. Massaging her temples as she pondered over something.

The Interhigh is only less than a week away from now. So it was only natural that the regulars of Seirin Team would be spending infinite amount of time on training – even during weekends.

Apparently, a certain feisty manager of their hasn't made herself accustomed to such changes yet.

"I guess we should just start on with the practice without her then. I'll try to contact her later during the break." Riko asserted. Looking at the duo with a side-glance before nodding her head to reassure them not to worry.

Kuroko merely nodded his head in respond, and trotted back into the gym where everyone was doing their vigorous training regime. Kagami heaved a heavy sigh, but decided there was no helping it. He followed a few steps behind the bluenette as they headed back into the gym. 'Really. What the hell is she doing?'

'Exactly, what the hell was I doing?'

After she has had her shower, she returned back to her room. Flipping her phone open to meet the digital screen. Checking any possible notification inside. And much to her astonishment, there were 40 missed calls and 18 unread messages.

Most of the calls were from Taiga, and a few were from Kuroko, Riko and even Hyuga. She gulped anxiously. Hesitating whether she should really read it. Since the girl kind of has a bad feeling about where it lead to. Nonetheless, she still decided to proceed and read the bombardment of messages to her; 'Where the fuck are you?' 'Did you overslept again!? Don't tell me you forgot there's training today?' 'If you're awake, at least reply or give a damn call!'

Those were without a doubt, from her fellow American returnee. Taiga and her has a habit of texting in English, a language which they both familiar with after all.

Izanami continued to scroll down her screen to read the rest of the messages. Eyes glued to the screen concentratively; 'Izanami-san, the training is starting soon. Please rush to the gym as fast as you can. P.S. That is, if you're already on the way to school... — Kuroko'

'Really... where in the world are you, Izana!? Forget about the practice, just reply or give us back a call once you see this IMMEDIATELY. We're all worried sick for you! — Riko'

'You're going to run 20 laps once you gets here. — Captain'

Izanami's jaw slackened dramatically at the last message, sweating-buckets now. Though she had just finished her shower earlier.

'I'm so doom...'

So here she was, trying to fetch a taxi after she realized that it is the fastest transportation she could get to get to her school.

"Darn! Just when I needed Taxi the most... where is it!?" The gray-haired teen flared as she paced impatiently back and forth. She bit her nail anxiously, searching for any possible sign of a yellow cab on the road. And, no. There wasn't even a single soul seen on the street. Much less a vehicle.

The time was ticking by, and she certainly didn't have the luxury of waiting after finding out she had forgotten the training their club have today. Lord knows how many laps she has to run by the time she reaches school. The thought of her being pummeled by their great Captain and Coach was the last thing she wants to go through.

She did thought about sprinting to school. However, her house was quite far and it'd at least take 20 minutes if she runs full throttle. Whereas the taxi, it most likely would just take 5-10 minutes.

Izanami's facial expressions now ranges from; Frustration, impatience, fears (of Hyuga and Riko's wrath), to a defeated look.

"I guess, even a miracle wouldn't happen now..." She muttered dishearteningly. A deflated look morphed onto her features as she looked drably on her feet. She pivoted on her heels. Decided that she would just go the tougher way and walked for 20 minutes—

Clatter

"... Hm?"

Clatter

Her gaze trailed off to her back. Ears perked up at the clattering sound echoing from the distant. She squinted her eyes to look at the black spot of two figures that slowly came into her view.

As it got closer to her, she could hear a conversation being engaged by two males. "Man. Why don't we just take the bus? It's much faster and MUCH less energy consuming! Mou!" The raven-haired guy with a few of his bangs parted at the center, complained. Pouting like a child that couldn't get his way.

"Oha-Asa says that today for Cancer, is best to not deviate from your agreed routes, as you will meet an unexpected person who'll be helpful to you in the near future. Also, lend a helping hand to anyone who's in need. You might gain something favorable in return."

A bespectacled male with verdant hair recited the information he had acquired with ease. His left hand reaches forward to adjust his spectacles. While the other hand, held a what seem like a... plushie? A Koala plushie, to be exact.

The raven-haired continued pedaling on the bike, albeit reluctantly. He would groaned and whined but nontheless, still did what he was told to whilst the verdant teen stayed seated in the cart comfortably.

Izanami watched in disbelief at the rickshaw that just passed by her. Mouth hung wide as her eyes threatening to pop out of its sockets.

'A rickshaw just appeared in the modern street... No. That's not the point.'

She snapped her fingers as a switch in her flipped. The light bulb in her head lit up instantly. 'That's... IT!'

"Hey! Wait!"

The guy who was pedaling the rickshaw with its bike attached to the handles, stopped abruptly. He peered over his shoulder to look at the girl that has called out to them. Spotting a nest of gray hair sprinting towards the duo with sparks flying everywhere from her.

"Can you please take me to the Seirin High?" She beamed brightly at Takao. If she were a dog, you could see her flapping her ears and wagging her tails with puppy-dog-like-eyes. As if Takao owned a load of treats or toys.

"E-E-Eh!? What-"

"Please! I'll pay for it! I really need to get there in a hurry!" She plead. Clapping her hands in a pleading gesture while she hung her head low with a bow.

Takao was... dumbfounded. Did she even know that they were strangers? Asking random people passes by for help is really reckless – much more with people who pulled rickshaw in the middle of the road. As much as he wanted to help this cute, troubled lady. He knew the decision wasn't up to him.

"Miss, as much as I want to help you, I'm afraid that the decision isn't for me to make... Er, Shin-chan?"

"No."

"Oh~ Come on, Shin-chan! She seems really pity! Let's help her, yeah?"

"No."

Midorima opposed gruffly. Something Takao would have expected. However, Izanami ain't the type who would let her chance slip away from her grasp. This is a miracle. No fools will let such chance to slip by in front of their eyes.

"Oha-Asa also mentioned that, today's lucky color for Cancer would be gray. And I could see that neither the biker nor you, the four-eyes, has this color on either of you."

Izanami retaliated. Midorima swerved his head to meet the girl stood in front of him. A tad surprised at how she knew of the Oha-Asa and the lucky color for Cancer. However, it was quickly replaced by a deep scowl. He hadn't left out the part where she had called him names. Of course.

"But~ I have the lucky color on me." She continued. Unfazed by the glaring-daggers he threw at her. For once, Midorima was actually paying attention to her now upon her proclamation. Even Takao was participating in their conversation. Though it was one-sided...

Izanami pointed to herself, "My hair is gray." She grinned. Chest puffed up with dignity as she said so.

"Indeed. Your hair is gray, bu–what are you doing?" Amidst Midorima's talk, Izanami has hopped onto the cart. Ignoring the bespectacled male's presence and his glares as she brushed off his earlier opposition like dust.

"We can continue our chat on the way. Hey mister, could you take me to Seirin? I'll even treat you to lunch. In exchange, I've to get there as fast as possible. Deal?"

"Okay, leave it to me!"

"Wha-!? Takao!?"

The truth is, Takao hasn't had his breakfast since morning. So, when Izanami proposed such an alluring proposal to him, his stomach couldn't help but growled loudly. He even drooled a bit at the image of it. Well, who could he blame? He's a teen, going through his puberty and all. Of course he would need a huge mountain of foods to sustain his body. More so he's a basketball player.

Izanami could be quite pushy at times like this.

Midorima looked at the girl incredulously. Stupefied at the whole ordeal. His mouth parted slightly as he intended to rebuke. But nothing could come out of it. He was put off by her brusqueness to say.

Takao happily got onto his bike, and pedaled in a lightning speed that might possibly rival with Usain Bolt. That's why, people should never underestimate the sheer of willpower – regardless of where the power originated from.

Izanami gripped onto the edge of the rickshaw for dear life, as rush of wind blew her locks back like a blow dryer. She has to admit though, it was nice when the impact of the violent wind hurled at her. She could feel the adrenaline surging through her veins when the rickshaw speeds up.

A small smile stole across her face as she closed her eyes. Feeling the wind while she can.

She pretty much has already forgotten there was still another presence beside her. If the aura wasn't menacing enough, then she must be too dense to realize there was a pair of malicious glare bore dangerously into hers.

Midorima readjust his glasses as he scrutinized the stranger before him disdainfully; Judging from her voice and height, she must be around the same age as him. Her long gray hair was damp and unkempt, as it didn't flutter in the air as much as how other girls with long hair would.

He sent a downcast glance to the uniform she was wearing. His frown deepened even more at the sight of it. Seirin...

She must had been in a frenzy if she hadn't noticed the few loose buttons and another fews tugged wrongly at different holes on her shirt. Not like he cared. Plus he isn't the friendly type, so he didn't even bother to point out her disheveled appearance to her, seeing it wasn't his concern to begin with.

Once her adrenaline has subsided, she peeked over her shoulder to meet a scowling male. Finally acknowledged his presence. She cocked her head to a side as her face was morphed into a serious, yet confused expression. Staring at the Shooter all the while.

If it was only for a few seconds, Midorima would have ignored it and shrug it off. But it wasn't. It was a few minutes of awkward silence, filled with questioning stares from a stranger he had-unwillingly met a few minutes ago.

Izanami parted her lips, finally initiating a conversation.

"... Who're you?"

…

If they were in a manga, you could see a crow flew past them above. Squeaking.

"I SHOULD BE THE ONE ASKING YOU!" Midorima snapped. Izanami had to pull away from him before his deafening roar destroyed her eardrums.

Takao held back a chuckle upon seeing his friend's outburst. Gosh. He has never expected this stranger could elicit such reaction from the reserved man. And it was supposed to be HIS job to carry out 'annoying-the-shit-out-of-Shin-chan' like a daily task. Though he just got his character stolen by an unknown girl, the sight of Nation's No.1 Shooter popping several of his veins was worth it!

"Ah."

Belated realization kicks into her as she bumped her fist against her palm, "I'm sorry~ I should've introduce myself sooner~ Heheh." She laughed sheepishly. Earning a load of twitches from the man across from her.

I don't care – and don't want to know. Midorima mentally cursed at the girl's carefree attitude. How could she blatantly ignored someone's presence up 'till now and acts like nothing has happened so nonchalantly?

The more Midorima thinks, more steams evaporates out from his boiling head into thin air. Face grew red from pure anger and irritation.

"My name is Garcia Izanami. Nice to meet you!" She flashed a toothy grin at the bespectacled male. Smiling with her eyes seemingly closed.

Garcia? A foreigner...? Midorima pondered, as he eyed skeptically at the gray-haired girl. Her features were as define as a typical Asian though.

"If you're wondering my origin, fret not. I'm 100% Japanese." Izanami said with an all-knowing smile.

Midorima creased his brows. A tad annoyed by how she managed to read through his mind. Be it flute, or the experience gained by getting judged and asked by others with the same question as him.

An exasperated sigh escaped his lips. Although the tension between them has abated, it still doesn't change the fact that it was an irksome journey for Midorima. He just wished they could reach wherever her destination was, and get her out of his sight...

A few minutes later, the rickshaw skidded to a halt once the looming building of said school came into view. Takao parked the rickshaw outside the gates of Seirin High as he panted heavily. He hunched down and placed his hands on his hip, before swiveling and looked at Izanami. Pointing his thumb at the school. "W...W-We -pant- h-have... rea...ched. -pant-"

"Wow. That was super fast! I thought I was riding a bullet train!" Izanami exclaimed. Bouncing in her seat excitedly up and down like a child. Rocking the cart along with her as well.

"Stop bouncing, you idiot!" Midorima chided. Grabbing the edge of the cart for balance before he suffers from vertigo.

She pouted childishly back at him. But decided to let it go. She didn't have the time to fool around.

Izanami swiftly hopped off the cart. She sunk her hand into her pockets, fumbling around before taking out two pieces of cramp papers.

"There it is!"

She trotted towards the exhausted teen, placing two free coupons given by a nearby Sushi restaurant that she was a regular at on his hand. "Really, you're a life-saver! Thank you so much! Uhm..."

"Kazunari Takao. Nice to meet 'cha! And it's my pleasure to be able to help a cute girl such as yourself!" Takao began shaking his hand with Izanami enthusiastically. Grinning from ear to ear.

"I'm Garcia Izanami! Thank you, Kazunari-kun! You're such a nice guy!" She replied to him with an equal – or even greater enthusiasm than him. A goofy grin latched onto her face as they both shook their hands furiously.

"Don't sweat it! Takao is fine!"

… What the hell are they doing?

Midorima, who has kept his silence and watched at a side through out their exchanged of greeting, sweat-dropped at the baffling display of the dumb-and-dumber duo. He rolled his eyes behind his shade of glasses; A scatterbrain with a peanut-sized brain, certainly made quite the friends...

Midorima brought his hand forward to adjust his glasses–

"Thanks to you too, Koala-kun!"

Crack

–and it cracked.

"–Pffthahaha!" Takao burst out laughing. Slapping his knees furiously as he hunches down again.

"Err... Did I said something wrong?" Izanami scratched her cheek with her finger. Confused.

"Shut up, Takao! STOP LAUGHING!"

"–haha... No can do, Shin-chan~ It's j-just too f-funny... and it suits you too. Pfft–!" Takao said as he wiped away the few drops of tears away that has leaked out from his eyes.

"Well... You had never told me your name, so it can't be help..." Izanami mumbled as she looked away. Avoiding the piercing glares from the apparent 'koala-kun'. Finally realized the mistake she had made.

"... Midorima Shintarou. Don't you dare call me that again. And Takao, one more laugh and I'll murder you."

She knew it was a threat. Heck. Even though she enjoys annoying people, she's wise enough not to fool around with this weird, horoscope-obsessed-guy. She didn't want him to curse at her with forbidden spell or any of those sorts. She guessed Takao was having the same thought as her. Seeing how he had quiet down from boisterous laugh to a mere chuckle.

"B-By the way, how did you know about Oha-Asa and Shin-chan's lucky color for the day, Nami-chan?" After he has calmed himself down, Takao asked curiously at Izanami. Midorima was also pondering about it. Just that he never says.

"Well, that's because–"

"IZANAMIIII!"

Uh-oh.

Izanami flinched at the second thunderous howl in her day. Making the ground and walls vibrated from the impact of the rave. She turned her head cautiously, subconsciously holding back her breath as well. Preparing herself for the impending doom that lie before her.

"You DUMBASS! Do you know what time it's now!? At least act like a Manager once in a blue will you!?" Riko bellowed as she sent a flying kick to said manager. Earning a shrill cry from the disheveled girl as she tried to escape from her wrath by running aimlessly around in the school.

"Eeeeek-! I'm sorry! Please don't hit me!" Izanami cried. Cradling her head as she sprinted toward god-knows-where. Leaving the angered Coach and her two life saviors behind.

"Hmph." Midorima grunted. Unimpressed by the scene before him. His mind then trailed off to what Oha-Asa had said this morning; 'You will meet an unexpected person who'd be helpful to you in the near future.'

He cast a glance at the direction where Izanami has ran off to. There's no way it'd be her...

"Let's go, Takao."

"Huh? O-Oh..."

Midorima spared a last glance at the entrance gate of Seirin High, before tearing his gaze away and going off with the rickshaw. Little did he knows that, life is always full of twists. And it never head the way people expect them to be.

A/N: I almost tore my hair off my roots with this chapter. After countless changing and checking which lasted about a week. (I could've posted this a week ago, but I had a lot of doubts in this so I put it on-hold until now. Sorry)

Anyhow, I'm gonna pick up the pace from here onwards. I might even skip some canon scenes (ones that held little to no significance at all). I'll alter and put in some of my own scenes to where it seem fit for my own plot to flow naturally along with the canon's. I know I'd already said this before, but I won't touch/change the canon plot too much. Since I really loves how KnB is going so far. :)

Reviews, suggestions, questions, feedbacks, constructive criticism are all welcome!

I was holed up in my room to finish up this chapter even on Valentine's Day... (Not like I'd got anything better to do that day. Lol!) So, me asking for a review won't be too much right? Right? Ri~ght~? *puppy-dog eyes*

Reviews = Chocolates = Sweets = Sugar = Brain works more effectively = A faster update!
See, it all links together! /wink