Hello, my dear readers! I am SO sorry that I haven't updated dated in like, how long? 5 months? Anyway- I had a big writers block, and it did not help that we had speeches at school, and that I missed two weeks of school because me, then my mom, then my dad tested positive for COVID, and then I had a sports tournament just last weekend. So yeah, life threw many thing's at me and made me forget about this story for a few months, but I'm back and ready to write! I won't continue to rant all my troubles to you, I hope you like this chapter, I tried really hard to make is as long as I could!

Warning: Fem!Kuroko, and I do not own Kuroko's basketball, it belongs to it's respectful owner(s).

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"There's a first time for everything."

- Greg Owen

Previously on '5 Lights, 1 Shadow'

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Kuroko's eyebrows furrowed slightly, giving him a black look and instead of answering his questions, she then arched her brow and asked in her usual monotone. "Who are you?" This seemed to shock the blonde, as his eyes widened and his jaw dropped. He quickly got to feet, keeping his eyes on the small, teal-haired female. She took note of their height differences, as her standing at her full height had only helped her reach just below his shoulders. 'Curse my short stature..' She thought, annoyed.

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Chapter 2

First Bond

They were both silent for a millisecond longer. Though, while Kuroko was waiting patiently for the strange teen to answer her question on his identity, the blond was silent just because he was greatly shocked. Mainly because she didn't know who he was, and didn't even recognize him. Even if he was a model, and his face was plastered on the front pages of many fashion magazines, she didn't even recognize him!

"My name is Kuroko Tetsuki. You haven't answered my question yet." Kuroko remarked bluntly, her facial expression unchanging, and her dull blue eyes staring straight into his surprised and curious amber ones, and for some reason, sending chills down his spine and giving him the feeling that this beautiful girl was staring into the depths of his soul.

"O-oh . . . I'm Kise Ryouta. Sorry- I just thought you would recognize me, since I am pretty famous around here, hehe!" The blonde- no, Kise-san, replied cheerfully after a few moments, needing that time to process some things before he spoke again, and for some reason unknown, fearing that he would stutter. Kuroko's expression, though only with minimal changes, turned calculating. Her eyes narrowed in just the slightest, eyebrows furrowed and mouth pulled into a almost unnoticeable frown. Something was off about this blonde teenager. The smile he wore seemed fixed and practiced, seemed like it had been used over and over again until it felt natural to use a smile that looked nothing like a genuine smile.

Kuroko prided herself on her exceptional observation skills, especially since she was an Inferior. For her, living after years of abuse, neglect, and having to fend for herself in the hellhole she called her home, it became second nature for her to spot the mini changes in other peoples eyes and the exact, dark emotions hidden behind a veil of dishonesty and practiced expressions. That was one thing she disliked. Being able to do this second-handedly is great and all, but in most people she meets, (and that's not many mind you) they always believe they're speaking truths, when all she can see hidden in the depths of their eyes are obvious lies.

Oh . . So that's the problem . .

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Kise was staying quiet for once, which is quite unusual for him. While the girl in front of him was observing his facial expressions, he took this time to wonder if his bond mates had noticed is absence yet, and if they did, what their reactions would be.

Kise Ryouta also prided himself on his observational skills and his smarts. So, right when he noticed the teal-haired female, he knew something was up. First off, her presence was nearly unnoticeable that even someone who has a high level observation skill like himself could likely not even notice she was there. The second thing would be that she was way to thin. He has met many other skinny people in his life, but not one as skinny as this tealnnete. Her uniform was slightly loose and her skirt ended at the kneecaps instead of above, but he could see the outlines of her rib cage even from the distance they were standing at. The third, would be the bandages. A teenager her age should not have this many bandages. Some medical gauze was wrapped slightly loose around her forehead and shins, and those were only the ones he could see.

While he was documenting her injuries, she spoke in a small, monotone voice. "You shouldn't smile if you don't want to. Nobody forces you to smile. Smile when you want to." To say he was shocked was an understatement.

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Tetsuki may look calm and collected on the outside, but on the inside she was panicking. Speaking out is not one of her traits, and whenever she did, it always landed her in trouble and no food for a week from her mother, or a beating from her father. Over the years, she forced herself to swallow her words and only say them within the protection of her mind. So, being faced with a situation where she openly voiced her opinion and most likely had offended the blonde Superior, she just panicked.

Quickly looking down and avoiding the other teens eyes, which were most likely burning with anger right then, she stared at the freshly cut, light green grass. A few moments passed before she heard and soft chuckle, and she looked up again to see that Kise was giving her a soft smile. Not one of those practiced smiles he gave her earlier, it was a genuine smile.

"Who knew that you would be able to see through my smile when we just met. You really are amazing, Kurokochi." The blonde remarked, shaking his head in the slightest and gratitude showing in his gaze.

She started, not at all expecting a compliment right off the bat, and turned, preparing to walk away. " . . I'm not- . . I'm not amazing." She whispered, just a slight hint of melancholy seeping into her voice for the first time in awhile. Kise, not wanting her to leave just yet, reacted fast by grabbing her thin wrist. Before ether could say or do anything, a sharp click and a small tingling sensation on each other's wrist informed them of a bond snapping into place.

Kise was shocked (for like, the fifth time today) and slowly said, "Y-you're- . . " Stuttering and stoping before he could finish. Kuroko was shocked as well, never before knowing the feeling of a bond snapping into place, but she recovered from her shock first, yanking her wrist from Kise's hand, quickly turned around, and ran, clutching her wrist with her other hand at the same time.

So yeah! That's the end of chapter 2! I believe this is a bit longer then chapter 1, but still a bit short- . . I started this chapter at 11:40pm and stayed up till 2:30 am trying to finish it, so I'm sorry if there are some grammar mistakes! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as my life lets me.

Next chapter is when _ . . . ( Haha! No spoilers! I'll let you guess! )

Previous Chapter : A New Light

Next Chapter : There is Always Doubt

~ MissAnimeWizard15 ~