A/N: Starting a new series to put fun crossover one-shots. Requests are welcome!

Lucky: Midorima Shintaro

"Nice item, Shin-chan," a snickering Kazunari Takao remarked as Midorima Shintaro entered the threshold of Shutoku High School. "Even the universe thinks you need to find a girlfriend."

"Shut up, Takao," was the simple, rather curt response as it was far too early in the day to deal with such nonsense. In the palm of the green-haired player's hand laid a spool of crimson thread. Casting a scathing look over his shoulder, Midorima ignored his companion as he continued his path. Pouting indignantly, Takao caught up to him quickly fussing about "tsundere meanies." As they switched into their school shoes, Takao couldn't take his eyes off the shiny spool. He knew why Midorima had been upright as of late, but he still felt entitled to at least some teasing to lighten things up.

Unbeknownst to Takao, Midorima found himself considering his taunt. Oha-Asa's lucky idea for the day was a spool of red thread. Considering his neglect of romance, Midorima disregarded the notion that the thread symbolized a soulmate. It was a little too ambiguous of a reading for Midorima's comfort, he preferred the surety of Oha-Asa. Even so, the thread was not the oddest item he had gotten, but the horoscope had made a point of informing that the planets were about to begin a new motion. With such trepidation in the cosmos, Oha-Asa called for action for Cancers, to follow their path with their heads held high. The basketball player wanted to think of it in the same vein as basketball. After Shutoku's recent defeat, a fire lit in his chest that demanded victory. Ever since then, he had thrown himself deeper into basketball.

Regardless, in his mind, the spool was an artifact of protection. Such astral movements meant that change eagerly awaited over the horizon, so Midorima Shintaro was particularly careful as he picked out the thread. There were far too many stakes at hand to allow any mistakes, the upcoming games were going to present new challenges that he deemed essential to prepare for. After all, when the Generation of Miracles came together it was a cosmic occurrence and one couldn't be more careful.

0-0

Today was possibly the longest day in all of history in Midorima's mind. Typically, he would be able to separate his mind from basketball while in class. But not today. He could feel his nerves spiking as the minutes ticked on. Each second that passed was one closer to the end of school which meant practice would begin. His taped fingers itched for the rough skin of the ball. The anxiety energy didn't sit right with him, but it couldn't be helped. Once the highly anticipated final bell of the day chimed, Midorima hastily left the classroom.

Only the students tasked with cleaning the classroom remained. Them and the abandoned desk sat the lucky spool of thread which had been forgotten in the player's haste. A small hand brought it up to a pair of curious blue eyes.

"What's that you got, Kagome?" Ayumi asked, looking over towards her friend who stepped away from cleaning the board. Higurashi Kagome observed the wrap of crimson curiously. She vaguely knew of her classmate's superstitious tendencies, many obtrusive statues had sat in class much to the teacher's dismay. Although it was left behind, Kagome assumed that he was probably missing it.

"I think it's Midorima's, he left it at his desk," Kagome answered, showing the spool to her friend. Ayumi could only roll her eyes.

"That guy is so paranoid, it's kinda scary," Ayumi said with a purse of her lips. Kagome laughed lightly as she placed the spool in her pocket. Midorima Shintaro was a reserved one as he mostly kept to himself, from arrogance or shyness it was hard to tell. He was friends with Takao Kazunari, a very extroverted and friendly person, so the basketball player couldn't be all that bad. Kagome recalled seeing them walk home together after Kyuudo practice, bickering so loud the whole city of Tokyo could hear it.

"I'll be right back!" Kagome called over her shoulder as she made her way out of the classroom.

"Mah, just return it and get to practice. I can finish this up," Ayumi waved her off with a wide smile that turned devious. She brandished Kagome's abandoned broom at her. "You'll just have to owe me!"

Rolling her eyes, the girl slung her backpack over her shoulder and left the classroom. Quickly, she began her beeline towards the gym. Luckily for her, it was on the other side of Shutoku's campus where kyuudo practice was. She sped up her pace to make it before their practice started.

0-0

It was simply disastrous. On the way to practice Midorima: ran into a pole, tripped over a lost branch, and dropped his school bag. Takao's raucous laughter shrieked in delight as green eyes glared into the heavens. It was evident that fate was trying to crush him under its foot. Which, now that he was thinking about it, should be impossible with his attention to detail with Oha-Asa's suggestions. Fate couldn't torture him for long because he had his– Midorima felt in his front pocket for the spool of thread, finding only empty air. He spun around on Takao.

"What did you do with my spool," Midorima accused icily. Takao's laughter dissipated from the accusation, and a frown formed on his lips.

"Hey, I didn't take it! You probably left it in the classroom, dummy," Takao replied with a pout. "I can't believe you would accuse me of such a– hey wait!" Midorima was already walking away towards the direction of their classroom. A few strides and he caught up to the irate green-haired player.

"We'll be late to practice, Shin-chan, come on," Takao pleaded. Midorima ignored him as he was lost in his frustration. It was no wonder all of those unlucky things occurred in such a short time, and he was not about to allow such misfortune to carry on.

Unfortunately, it did, as a running, raven-haired girl crashed into him. The impact of her bony shoulder reverberated in Midorima's chest as he nearly stumbled over, but the girl hit the ground hard.

"Ouch," she groaned. Leaving his green-haired teammate to get himself settled, Takao's attention was on the girl. Looking closer, he gasped dramatically as he recognized the girl as their classmate Higurashi Kagome, remembering her pretty blue eyes.

"Higurashi, you okay?" Takao asked holding out his hand. She gladly took it and found herself swiftly back on her feet. As Kagome dusted off her skirt, Takato took a long look between Midorima and Higurashi. Promptly he took this moment to step out of view and observe with a mischievous smirk curled on his lips. He was curious as to how his friend was going to react to a pretty girl running into him.

"Watch where you're going," he hissed, his green eyes staring coldly into her widened blue. Midorima glared down at her in earnest, this was just the cherry on top of his utter misfortune. Taken aback by his reaction, the girl's lips parted to say something before hardening into a line. Shortly, her surprise was overtaken by fury.

"You weren't watching either! I was going to apologize so you don't have to be such a jerk about it." Kagome fumed as she pulled the spool of red out from her pocket. "I came to give this back to you."

"Where did you find that?" Midorima asked, dropping the glare in his surprise. Relief flooded his veins and his mind blanked at the spool's sudden presence in her palm. His attention was particularly drawn to some of the red thread that had unwound and dangled between the girl's pale fingers.

"You left it in the classroom, I thought that you'd want it back," Kagome said, keeping her glare. A pregnant silence stretched between them for a moment, neither wanting to say a word. With a resigned huff, the girl picked up his wrist and gently closed his bandaged fingers over the spool. Midorima nearly flinched at the sudden touch, but her fingers were warm over his.

"There," she said. She mumbled about "jerks" and "stupid men" under her breath as she stalked off. While the thread was back in his possession, the green-haired player turned in her direction, not taking his eyes off the girl. "See you in class, Midorima-san."

"Well, that went well," Takao suddenly appeared behind Midorima with a hard smack on the shoulder. "No wonder you don't have a girlfriend, you're so mean to girls, Shin-chan~" To his surprise, Midorima didn't say anything as his gaze followed the girl's receding form.

"Who was that, Takao?"

"Higurashi, she's in our class, remember?" Takao rewarded his friend with an incredulous look.

"She's the kyuudo club's best shooter?"

Another blank stare.

"C'mon she's hot, how the hell did you not notice!"

"Shut up, moron." Midorima gave his glasses an indignant push. "Let's go."

Dropping it for the time being, the two made their way back to practice. Throughout, the green-haired three-shooter was distracted. Even so, whenever he held the basketball swiftly it made its arc into the net. Midorima couldn't help the image of red thread spread over Higurashi's hand. There was no way that the universe would present such an image and item without a purpose.

'Higurashi Kagome…'

0-0

"Cancers, carry a silver arrow for the best fortune. Return something that is lost and luck will come to you double!"

Oha-Asa today's lucky item was a simple charm to get a hold of, Midorima had one on hand. He observed the arrow keychain in his palm, the sun glinting off its metallic surface. Internally sighing, he clenched his fingers around it. With the Interhigh only a few days away, the point guard was anxious to find something lost and return it.

Green eyes peered around the classroom, landing on a head of raven hair propped by her hand. Higurashi's eyes were closed as she peacefully slept. Without a glare furrowing her brow, she was… acceptable looking. Their interaction from the previous day weighed on Midorima's consciousness, he felt bad for the way he had scolded her. Plus, her handing him the red thread was no accident. In his soul, he knew that action was an extension of the universe connecting him to the girl. The only thing he couldn't understand was why. He hadn't even noticed her presence in class until they ran into each other.

Midorima was brought out of his reverie as the ending bell rang for the day. As normal he gathered his things and just as he was about to leave, something white caught in the corner of his eye. On Kagome's desk lay a long white ribbon. Green eyes widened at the sight of it, it was too good to be true. He remembered the ribbon holding her dark hair back in a braid and now it lay ready for him on her desk. With a new rush of determination, Midorima scooped up the ribbon and made his way out.

Takao waited patiently for the point guard to come out of the classroom and immediately took notice of the ribbon on the desk as well. As he followed Midorima towards the kyuudo club practice arena, Takao was anxious to see how the situation would play out. Higurashi Kagome wouldn't know what hit her.

0-0

When Midorima and Takao entered the kyuudo arena it was bustling with activity as the archers were about to begin their practice. Some were stretching, others were checking their bows. Standing out in the bustling room a familiar form, already in practice gear, stood with a Hankyu bow drawn.

Kagome's dark brows furrowed in concentration as she steadied her breathing. The priestess always took her first shot slowly, for luck in its strange way. If she were in the Feudal Era, her life would have been forfeit. But she wasn't there anymore, and she was in control.

"Hit the mark!" Kagome cried as she released the arrow from her fingertips. Midorima's heart clenched as her arrow hit the direct center of the target. Sweat began to pool at his temple as a sudden onset of nerves tingled across his body. Takao, sensing his burgeoning anxiety, took this moment to call out the girl's name.

"Yo, Higurashi! Nice shot!" Takao shouted, waving his arms around like a lunatic. His outburst caught the attention of some of the archers, but when they saw who yelled they looked away shaking their heads. Kagome, on the other hand, turned around and waved back.

"Hey, Kazunari," she greeted kindly. Her blues eyes turned cold upon his green-haired companion. "Midorima."

"Higurashi," he replied back with equal indifference. Takao was not fooled though so he pushed a little further.

"I heard you made captain really quick and I can see why. Your aim is comparable to Shin-chan's." Takao nudged his friend with his elbow. Midorima narrowed his eyes at him with a huff.

"My aim has one hundred percent accuracy. She only fired one arrow, so I would hardly call that comparable." Midorima stated. Takao gulped nervously seeing Kagome's deadpan expression towards his friend. Fucking tsundere was ruining his chances with a hot chick! Before the Hawk-Eye player could rectify the situation, Kagome's lips quirked into a smirk.

"Is that so? Alright then, shoot the bow then Midorima. Get three bulls eyes and you win. Show me your accuracy." Kagome challenged. Swiftly, the girl drew the bow and shot two consecutive arrows. The second pierced close to the first, but the third split the arrow's wood in two. Victoriously, she shoved her Hankyu bow into his chest and moved out of the way. Curious onlookers began to (not so) subtly watch what was going on. Midorima stared at her, a mixture of astonishment and something else with her challenge.

Typically, he would call this whole situation utterly ridiculous and deny such a stupid attempt at rivalry. However, he was captured by her fiery gaze and found that he wanted to prove her wrong.

Or rather, prove himself to her.

"All right then, I accept." Midorima stated. He had never shot a bow in his life, but he was not about to back down from the challenge now. One of the archers offered their arm guard which he slipped on.

His nimble fingers pulled the bow of the string back. It pushed into his skin painfully, even through the bandages. Why would anyone willingly put up with this assault on their fingers? He shot the three arrows into the target. One hit the second ring, the second his the very edge of the bullseye, and the third hirt the dead center. Cursing, Midorima blamed his failure on the string digging into his fingers. He refused to look at anyone as he returned the Hankyu bow to Kagome.

"Let's go, Takao," Midorima stated before he left the room. Takao's gaze flitted from his retreating figure to Kagome's face before scampering after him.

0-0-0

Takao and Midorima didn't say a word to each other as they left the locker room. Practice proved to be particularly grueling today. Standing outside a convenience store, Takao demanded he wait for him while he grabbed a pork bun.

For once, he aquiesced to his friend's request, the point guard waited outside. Anxious fingers tapped against his phone where he read that day's horoscope ruefully. Sensing his poor luck, Midorima opted to sit on the sidelines that day. It infuriated him to stand idle after building up so much anxious energy. All because of a stupid girl and her stupid challenge. Walking into the night air helped a little, a gentle breeze cooling his heated blood. Midorima squeezed the infuriating piece of ribbon in his pocket. How could he have been so stupid?

"Oi!" Kagome's voice called out to him.

"Higurashi?" Midorima said her name like a question.

"I needed to talk to you, well," Kagome said.

"If it's to rub your victory in my face, then drop it. I have no desire to hear such things." Midorima grit through clenched teeth.

"As if. You've probably never shot a bow in your life, why would I hold that against you? No, I wanted to ask, have you ever lost before?"

Midorima said nothing as he pinned the girl with an icy glare. She put a hand on her hip and rolled her eyes at him.

"I'll take that as a no."

"What's it to y–!"

"What it is to me is seeing someone struggle needlessly," Kagome interrupted him. "What do you know about kyuudo?"

"Is that a trick question?"

"In kyuudo, you have to know how to lose. Your life can't be over because you were defeated."

"Who ever said–!"

"I can tell and don't even try to deny it, mister! Just, I wanted to tell you don't give up." Kagome finished her speech with a gentle smile. Midorima felt heat creep up his cheeks to the tips of his ears. He scoffed at her, turning away with a cross of his arms.

"I don't need advice from you."

"I never said you did. I just thought you'd want to hear it." Kagome said softly. "Anyways, that's all. Have a good night, Midorima."

"Wait!" Midorima stopped her by grasping her wrist. The girl quirked a brow at him. From his pocket, the point guard pulled out her white ribbon and secured it in her palm. "You forgot this earlier."

Kagome stared from the ribbon in her hand. She had been wondering where her ribbon went. Glancing up, she giggled at the flush that bloomed across his cheeks. Before he could open his mouth and say something snarky, she got up on her tip toes and placed a gentle peck on his cheek.

"Thanks Midorima! See you tomorrow!" Kagome called over her shoulder as she sped away.

A wrapped hnd gently touched where she had kissed , Takao came in and ruined everything the moment he walked out of the store with a bag of pork buns.

"Shin-chaaan, let's go home!" Takao sang happily.

"Shut up!"