HAHAHA
That last batch of reviews was hilarious xD
I'm glad you liked (or at least felt things for) the last chapter!
Hope you like this one too!
Oh one thing- I guess I've been making some grammatically errors...more than normal...OHOHOH sorry about that - my editing can be spotty and I write stream on consciousness - so I just kinda write whatever comes to mind :x but you should expect a lot of errors none the less~ I maybe be at chp. 13 - but I'm still a newbie writer :)
Disclaimer:...do I have to keep doing these? o.o...KnB isn't mine
"You...You can't be serious?!" Aomine growled and grabbed Haizaki by the collar. Haizaki chuckled, "It's true"
"Drop him, Aomine-kun" Riko barked before Aomine could do anything. "What?! Why?!" Aomine replied, tightening his grip. "If you injure him, he could have you suspended...a player attacking a coach is a bannable offense" Riko grit out. Aomine quickly dropped Haizaki and took a step back, balling his hands into tight fists.
"Ara? Did you see through my plan? Haha, it would've done me some good if one of the GOM actually attacked me" Haizaki smiled. "How did you trick Rakuzan into hiring scum like you?" Akashi asked with a glare. "They're desperate" Haizaki shrugged, "They were the champions before Seirin came along and ruined everything. They knew I used to play for Seirin and thought of no one better suited to bringing you down than a formal member"
"But your record-" Riko yelled. "Is not of concern. They want to win. That's all that matters. It's totally my style" Haizaki smirked, "Besides, taking down Seirin and the GOM in one swoop? They couldn't turn this opportunity down"
"Why are you doing this, Haizaki?" Kise growled. "For fun" Haizaki said, "Besides, I really, really don't like any of you...especially you Kise. Did you know I have the same basketball style as you? Of course I make the moves my own, but essentially we have the same...qualities in basketball...and that really pisses me off". Haizaki walked up to Kise with a devilsh smile on his face.
"Leave him alone, Haizaki!" Riko got inbetween the two. "Oh, so protective" Haizaki laughed, not moving from his spot. Riko growled and shoved Haizaki away, causing him to stumble back. "I wasn't able to protect my players before...but I sure as hell will now. Don't you dare think of laying a finger on any of my team, Haizaki, or I swear to you, I will kill you"
"Oh, you sound so scary" Haizaki pretended to shake and began to laugh. "I'm not afraid you, Ri-ko-chaaannn"
"You should be or I'll show you that I can be quite the demon too"
"You're still calling me that..."
"Because that's what you are!"
"Hmph. Whatever, I just came to introduce myself" Haizaki turned around and began to walk away, "I'll see you at the game. Tell Kuroko I said hello"
"Leave Kuroko-kun out of this!" Riko shouted as Haizaki walked out the gym doors.
"If it makes you feel any better, you were pretty cool just then...Rikochi.." Kise offered a small smile, trying to lift the tension. "Shut up and finish your stretches" Riko growled.
Later that day, Kuroko came home to find Akashi sitting in his living room. "Oh...Akashi-kun, hello. How did you get in here?"
"The door was unlocked, Tetsuya" Akashi stood and approached Kuroko. "Oh is that-" Kuroko was cut off when Akashi grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall. "Are you an absolute idiot, Tetsuya? With Haizaki running around all blood crazy, do you really think its wise to be this forgetful? What if I was Haizaki?" Akashi growled.
"Oh...yes well...I forgot, Akashi-kun. It happens sometimes. Besides, I was only out for a minute"
"A minute, a second, it doesn't matter. Dangerous people could easily get in here and rob you, hurt you, or worse" Akashi replied, his tone calm and cold. "I will be more careful Akashi-kun. I apologize."
"You-...as long as you know" Akashi sighed and released Kuroko. "Now, then, may I ask you why you are here?" Kuroko asked as he took off his coat.
"Shougo came to basketball practice today"
"Oh he did? That's odd. Why would he do that?" Kuroko asked, cocking his head to the side and looking at Akashi with his baby blue eyes. Akashi stared at Kuroko for a moment, enjoying the feeling of seeing him once again. "It seems he's the new coach of Rakuzan High" Akashi replied after a while.
"Is that so? Good for him. I always knew he liked basketball."
"That's certainly not even close to the point, Tetsuya"
"Then what is the point, Akashi-kun?"
"You left the house and Haizaki still came after us"
"He hardly came after you. His school is going against your school. I'm sure it was bound to happen"
"Nevertheless, I think you should come back as our housekeeper"
"...he may not have come after you, but he is still after me. I should keep my distance until I get the chance to talk to him"
"We can take care of ourselves, Tetsuya, just come back to work for us"
"If you can take care of yourselves, you don't need a housekeeper. And I worked for the school, not for you"
"Then don't be our housekeeper, just come back and stay with us"
"Why do you want me back so much, Akashi-kun?
Akashi slowly approached Kuroko. Akashi placed his hands on the wall behind Kuroko's head and stared down at him. "Do I need a specific reason?" Akashi asked in a low voice. He moved so that his body was pressed flush against Kuroko's. "I only want to see you...and nothing will keep me from what I want. Especially some basketball reject like Haizaki" Akashi whispered softly into Kuroko's ear. "Haizaki is rather skilled in basketball" Kuroko said, completely unaffected by Akashi's actions. Akashi sighed, "That's still not the point..."
"Regardless, I won't come back until I know for sure Haizaki won't harm you and the other Miragen to get back at me"
"I...we can help you, you know, Tetsuya. I can't sit back and let him hurt you"
"I am not a princess in need of rescuing, Akashi-kun. I am a capable man. I have to handle him myself"
Akashi leaned back and stared at Kuroko. They stayed like that for a moment until Akashi sighed and took a step back. "I understand...but if I catch word that he harmed you...I will kill him with my bare hands"
"That's extreme..."
"Its not. Not for the person I love"
"That's sweet, Akashi-kun, but you should reserve the word 'love' for someone you truly do love. If you throw it around it will lose it's meaning"
"Thats not what I...you can be stupid, Tetsuya..."
"That wasn't nice..."
"Yes well...I suppose that is a side of you I also love"
"Akashi-kun.."
"I know, I know" Akashi smiled, "When this is all over...I want to tell you something. Will you listen?"
"Of course. I will listen to whatever you want to say"
"Good. Later then, Tetsuya" Akashi chuckled and leaned in to give Tetsuya a quick peck on the cheek.
Before Tetsuya could say anything, Akashi was out the door. Tetsuya cocked his head to the side and touched his cheek. "My, my, my...kids are so affectionate these days, aren't they, Nigou?" Kuroko looked down at his dog, who just stared back. Kuroko smiled and gave Nigou a gentle scratch behind the ears, when the door swung open. "You still didn't lock the door, Tetsuya" Akashi said appearing again. Kuroko sighed, "I was just about to, Akashi-kun"
"I see that" Akashi smirked.
"I am an adult, Akashi-kun"
"An adult who can't seem to lock a door"
"If you'd get out, I would show you I am completely capable"
"Really?" Akashi took a step back and was out the door. Kuroko quickly went to close the door and locked it with a soft click. "I did it" Kuroko said against the door. He felt the door jiggle for a moment. "Ah, I see. Good job, Tetsuya" Kuroko heard Akashi say from the other side. "Then I will see you later" Kuroko replied.
Akashi stood on the other side of the door with a smile on his face. "Yeah...until then...Tetsuya" He muttered before he shoved his hands in his pockets and walked back home.
Rakuzan vs. Seirin:
The fated day came faster than anyone wanted. Riko sat by the benches, her hands on her knees. "Calm down, Riko-kun. Everything will be fine" Momoi whispered, gently putting a hand on Riko's shoulders. Riko released a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. "I don't know about that..." Riko replied staring at the other side of the court. Haizaki looked at Riko with a smirk on his face. Riko scowled in return and looked through her clipboard.
The basketball players were having their talk before the game...after that they would make their way to the court...and then the game would start...and Riko couldn't feel more on edge. Surely, if Haizaki had been training them...then these Rakuzan athletes would be total monsters...their physical abilities and their personalities. Riko watched as Haizaki looked up into the stands, a smile spread across his face as he waved. Riko followed his line of sight and glared when she saw what Haizaki was looking at. The rest of the old Seirin team had come out to show their support for Riko. All of which were sending death glares to Haizaki, all except Kuroko. Haizaki chuckled and pointed a finger gun at his old team. "That bast-" Kagami growled before Hyuga and Teipei grabbed him and covered his mouth. "There are kids here, Kagami!" Hyuga whispered harshly. Kagami growled and sent a middle finger into the air. "Take that...guy!"
The Seirin guys were able to get Kagami to calm down and took their seats. They watched with bated breath as the game started. "They're down a player?" Hyuga asked, recounting the players. "That goddamn Haizaki, overconfident as usual..." Kagami growled. "No, they're not" Kuroko chimed in. "I keep counting...but it really seems they're down one, Kuroko" Teipei stared at the Rakuzan players. "No...it seems Haizaki-kun has found a player with the same basketball style as me..."
"Don't lose...or else" Haizaki said simply to his team. They nodded and went to take their positions. Haizaki grabbed Mayuzumi before he could leave. "Don't lose focus. You are our trump card...don't blow it"
"I have no interest in your petty revenge schemes" Mayuzumi said blankly as he yanked his arm away. "Hah...thats right...but there is one thing you are interested in isn't there?" Haizaki smirked. Mayuzumi glared at Haizaki, who merely smirked and tilted his head towards the crowd. Mayuzumi searched the crowd until silver eyes met sky blue ones. Mayuzumi stared blankly at Kuroko. Haizaki had forced Mayuzumi to watch hours and hours of Kuroko Tetsuya playing basketball. He and Kuroko were cut from the same cloth...and Mayuzumi thought he would feel something special when he saw Kuroko in the flesh. But as the two phantom players stared each other down, Mayuzumi felt completely and utterly...unimpressed.
The GOM were pleasantly surprised to find that the Rakuzan team was much stronger than they had expected. They weren't nearly as strong as the old Seirin team, but still...they were pretty good. The only real problem was the Mayuzumi Chihiro. The GOM could barely stop Kuroko the last time they played him, but Mayuzumi was like Kuroko on steriods. At least with Kuroko, they just had to stop his passes...but Mayuzumi was not only adept at misdirection, but was a well rounded player as well. Mayuzumi might have given the GOM trouble even if he didn't have the misdirection skill.
But this game was for Kuroko - to fight Kuroko, even if it was in a rather small way. There was no way they were going to let Haizaki's team win...there was no chance in hell. After a long, hard fought game...the Seirin team came out on top. Haizaki glared at the score board before slinking out of the gym.
The old Seirin team made their way down the stadium to congratulate the new Seirin team. "You guys deserve a hell of a meal for that!" Hyuga laughed and slapped Kise cheerfully on the back. "Gah...oww...I just played a game! Don't hit me!" Kise whined, rubbing his back. "You did well, kiddos!" Teipei smiled. "We're not kids.." Murasakibara mumbled as he wiped the sweat from his face.
The two Seirin basketball generations were busy talking, that none of them realized Kuroko had gone over to the Rakuzan side. "It was a well-played game" Kuroko said, tossing Mayuzumi a water. Mayuzumi caught it, but didn't say anything.
"You're rather talented. I wish I could shoot and run like you" Kuroko added, his face as blank as Mayuzumi's. Mayuzumi shrugged as he opened the water to take a sip. "Good luck in future games" Kuroko added and turned to walk away. Mayuzumi quickly stood.
"...Thanks" he mumbled before grabbing his towel and walking away. Kuroko gave Mayuzumi a small smile and also returned to celebrate with the Seirin team.
Late the next day:
Kagami had called to say that he would be late coming home. He warned Kuroko to stay home and keep the doors locked until he got back home. Kuroko, through the loud nagging of Kagami, had agreed and was sitting on the couch reading a book.
He was just about done with the book when he heard his phone go off. Kuroko sighed and flipped his phone open.
'Come to the Seirin Gym - Haizaki'
Kuroko looked at the text, debating on going or not. It's not like he specifically promised to stay in the apartment. Kuroko ushered Nigou off of him and was soon out the door. The streets were dark and silent as Kuroko ran. His heart was pounding so loud, he could almost feel it in his ears. His feet smacked against the pavement as he tried to get to the gym as fast as possible. Kuroko didn't know what he was getting himself into...he just knew that if he ever wanted answers...he would have to get them from Haizaki.
Kuroko walked into the gym a few minutes later. "Yo, Kuroko" Haizaki smirked, dribbling the basketball in his hands. "You're rather brave, huh? I thought you'd come with back up"
"Why would I do that, Haizaki?"
"After what happened last time-"
"We both know what happened last time. I have no reason to be afraid of you"
"Is that so?" Haizkai held the ball in his hands, turning it over in his hands, as if he was thinking about something.
"Why did you call me out here, Haizaki?"
Kuroko's voice snapped Haizaki back into reality. Haizaki lifted his head and looked Kuroko in the eye, a smirk planted on his lips. "Because I want to make you afraid, Kuroko"
"I'm not afraid"
"Stop lying, Kuroko!" Haizaki barked, his voice reverberating through the whole gym. "I will make you admit it, Kuroko. I will make you admit it!"
"It would be a lie for me to say such a thing"
"You are afraid, Kuroko! I know it!"
"You are weak, Haizaki"
"If anyone is weak here, its you"
"I won't deny that I was weak once. That day...I doubted you...it was only for a second but I knew you saw it. I should have been stronger. I should have believed in my friend. But I was weak...and I doubted you and I hurt you. For that I am sorry...but you misinterpreted that doubt as fear and you began to fill yourself with hate...you want everyone to fear you...so no one can get close to you...but Haizaki-kun...I am not now, nor have I ever been afraid of you"
"Enough, Kuroko!" Haizaki pulled out his pocket knife, "You don't know me!
"I am the only one that knows you"
Haizaki charged at Kuroko. Kuroko stepped back to avoid the swing of Haizaki's knife. "You don't know me!" Haizaki barked as he continued to swing at Kuroko. Kuroko said nothing as he concentrated on dodging Haizaki's knife, miss-stepping from time to time and getting long shallow scratches all over his body. But Kuroko knew he couldn't keep this up. Eventually, Haizaki had Kuroko pinned to the ground, the knife pressed flat against Kuroko's throat. "Admit that you're afraid of me! Tell me how much you hate me!"
"I can't...because I don't"
"Oh yeah? You know what I'm going to do?...I'm going to kill you...and then I'm going to go to that precious little day care...and I'm going to burn it to the freaking ground"
Kuroko's eyes snapped wide and he quickly bent his legs under Haizaki and kicked him off. "Enough, Haizaki! You're being ridiculous!"
"This is who I am, Kuroko!"
"No it's not!" Kuroko glared at Haizaki. "You are a good guy. I know you are!"
"I damn near killed Ogiwara!"
"You did that on accident!"
"How can you be so sure?!"
"Because, for the last time Haizaki-kun, I know you! I see you for who you are and if anyone else could see what I do, no one could ever be afraid of you!"
"Shut up, Kuroko!" In his anger, Haizaki charged at Kuroko once more. But Kuroko was exhausted...he had used the last bit of his energy and the cuts over his body made it difficult to move.
Kuroko could do nothing but watch as the knife pierced his stomach.
AHAHAHAHA IF YOU HATED THE LAST ENDING I BET YOU HATE THIS ONE MORE!
Ah god...I don't get THAT much enjoyment out of cliffhangers...but I'm not gonna lie...I do enjoy them~
Hope you liked this chapter!
I haven't done this in a while, but replies to reviews!
EclipseKuran: YOU HAVE NO IDEA! I have much, much, MUCH more things planned - some more intense than this!...or not...but they will be pretty intense~
Lord Knight-chan: LOL No, I get you! I'm like that too sometimes, but to be perfectly honest, I HAVE NO IDEA! I didn't plan that far ahead~ I apologize! I'll try and let you know when I have it figured out though? And thanks for the grammar tips! I know my English isn't the best...oho
Lector Dominion: Thank you for all the reviews! I had a laugh at your reactions!3
CrimsonVanilla: I really do. EHEHEHE\
To everyone: Thank you SO much for reading and for writing those absolutely lovely reviews! I hope the story keeps up with your expectations!
...it probably won't LOL
Anyway, review if you feel like it - otherwise, I hope to see you in the next chapter!