Hello, everyone! Thank you for taking the time to click on this story! This is my first time writing for Kuroko's Basketball, so I hope you all enjoy.

A couple quick notes before we start: this story has the main pairing of GoM/GoM, meaning all seven of them (including Kuroko and Momoi) are in one relationship. This is also a soulmate AU, where your soulmate's (or soulmates') names appears on a part of your body when you make skin to skin contact. It's probably pretty obvious where each of the Miracles' marks are, excluding Akashi of course. If anyone can guess where his marks are, feel free to do so!

Other things...this story is basically a rewrite of the series with those additional items. Oh yeah, and there will be moments where Kuroko's thoughts are less than flattering to the other characters. This is because I have no doubt in my mind that he came out of Teiko just like the other Miracles, so with that hint of arrogance of him being above others. It will eventually lessen after the Touou game, so please bear with me.

This story is inspired by The Oath by TheWaterGoddess on AO3.

I think that's everything...enjoy!

Chapter 1: The Phantom Miracle

The Teiko Middle School basketball club. An incredibly strong team with over one hundred members and three consecutive championship wins. Amongst their brilliant record, the generation of five prodigies was known as the 'Generation of Miracles'. However, there was a strange rumor concerning the Generation of Miracles. Despite being relatively unknown and lacking a game record, there was one more member recognized by the five prodigies.

A phantom sixth man.

On graduation day, in the Teiko Middle School gym, the five boys known as the Generation of Miracles stood in a circle, all quietly watching each other. Their conversation, their Oath, was complete, and yet they still did not leave, not yet.

Kise Ryouta was the first to move. Gently, almost reverently, he laid his right hand against his stomach, pressing down on it. Without another word, he turned away with a smile.

Midorima Shintaro moved next. With the same reverence as Kise, he looked down at his bandaged fingers and folded them against his palm. With a firm nod, he turned away.

Aomine Daiki let out a long sigh. With less reverence than the previous boys, he rested his right hand on his left collarbone, then his left hand on his right. Without speaking, he left the gym.

Outside the gym, Momoi Satsuki leaned against the wall, biting her lip. But she refused to cry, she's done too much of it already. Instead, she reached down and brushed her fingers against first her right ankle and then her left. When Aomine came out, she pasted a smile on her face and followed after him.

Murasakibara Atsushi yawned as he pulled out a pocky stick. With sloppy motions, he rested his right hand against the back of his neck before leaving with a loud hum in farewell.

Akashi Seijuuro was the last to leave. Unlike the rest of his now former teammates, he did not move, instead staring where they used to be with heterochromatic eyes. With a smile like a knife, he turned and left, his steps filled with purpose.

And later that day, as he stood before Akashi, Kuroko Tetsuya, with the utmost reverence and care, covered his wrists with his fingers. And then, with a determined look in his eyes, Kuroko spoke,

"We shall meet again, Akashi-kun."

With those parting words, Kuroko turned and walked away. As he did, a wind blew by and teased his uniform sleeve, revealing the six names that decorated the inside of both his wrists.

Quietly and unseen, Kuroko walked through the crowd of students advertising club after club, his eyes never left his book, enraptured in the world it promised him, with only one goal in mind.

There was, after all, only one reason he had chosen to attend Seirin High School of all the high schools he could have joined. If he was going to fulfill the Oath, if he was going to win, then he needed a team like Seirin, a team that focused on team play and a player that could become his new Light.

And he would win. Nothing else was acceptable.

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Kuroko looked up and spotted the map that showed all the club tables spread throughout the courtyard. Like always, his eyes were drawn to the table labeled 'Basketball Club' and, without hesitating for even a moment, he made his way over there.

Without even waiting for the girl at the table to overlook him (he remembered her, she was the coach), he filled out an application for the club and set it where she would hopefully notice it. Then, with a quiet bow of thanks, he turned and returned to his book as he continued on his way to class.

He'd taken the first step, now to prove his word.

When he entered the gym for practice later that day, Kuroko remained silent, keeping his presence as low as possible. If this was to be his team (and it was), then he wanted to observe them without them knowing he was there first.

The best observations were made when people had no idea they were being watched, after all.

"Alright, looks like all the first years are here!" One of the second years announced as Kuroko stepped into the gym.

He remained silent as he overheard two of his fellow first years talking about the coach, mistaking her for the manager, only to be punched in the back by the captain for saying so.

"I'm the boys' basketball club coach, Aida Riko." The coach, Riko, introduced herself with a too sweet smile that reminded Kuroko of Momoi when anyone (read: Aomine) made her angry or of Akashi when anyone (read: Aomine again) earned their training menu being doubled…or worse. "Nice to meet you."

"Whaaaaaaat?" The first years all cried in shock and dismay. Well, all except one, who was simply staring at the coach with intense eyes.

Kuroko eyed this boy. Even he could sense the power and raw talent this boy held, but there was also something else…something just familiar enough yet entirely different to what Kuroko knew that caught his attention.

And considering he didn't spot the Uncrowned King he'd considered making his new Light in the gym, well…it never hurt to keep your options open.

"It's not him?" One of the first years asked, pointing at the old man sitting on the bench observing them, obviously still stuck on Riko being the coach.

Was it really so strange? Kuroko didn't think so. After all, if Riko's coaching had what it took to win, Kuroko would follow her coaching. That's all there was to it.

"That's our advisor, Takeda-sensei." Riko explained, causing the old man to look up with a smile.

"Seriously?" Another first year cried.

"You've got to be kidding."

"Now that you're acquainted with Takeda-sensei, you guys…take off your shirts!" Riko suddenly ordered, turning to face the first years with a severe look on her face.

"Huh? Whaaaaaaat? Why?" The first years yelled consecutively. Even the boy Kuroko was observing looked thrown off by the order.

Deciding to take advantage of his lack of presence, Kuroko stepped back slightly and simply observed as all the first years complied and stood in a line as the couch walked in front of them all, observing them as he observed her.

"Your ability to move instantaneously is a little weak." Riko told one first year. "I bet you do 50 side jumps in 20 seconds, don't you? You'll need to do a little better for the basketball team."

"O-okay."

"You're too stiff." Riko continued, turning to another first year.

"Seriously? She's right."

"What do you mean?"

"How'd she know that just from looking at us?" Three first years talked as the coach continued on, talking to the others about what they needed to do to improve.

"Her dad's a sports trainer." The captain, Hyuuga, explained. "Collecting data and creating a training menu. It's a skill she picked up from observing bodies and data every day at his workplace. When she looks at your body, she sees all your physical abilities in numbers. I wouldn't expect any less from a coach."

That means she's similar to Momoi-san…that's good, it's no wonder this team was strong last year with her and an Uncrowned King. Kuroko thought as he made his way over to where Riko stood in front of the boy he had been observing.

She was frozen in shock as she stared up at him, probably seeing just how much talent this boy possessed in a single look.

"Coach! What are you staring at?" Hyuuga called, snapping both Riko and Kuroko from their thoughts.

"Sorry! Um…" The coach trailed off, turning back towards Hyuuga.

"You looked at all of them." The captain reminded her. "Kagami's the last one."

"Really? Huh? Is Kuroko-kun here?" Riko asked, looking up from her clipboard where she no doubt had his name written down.

"Oh, that kid from Teiko…" Hyuuga trailed off.

"Looks like he's not here today." Riko said and that was the moment Kuroko knew he had to make his presence known. Well…no better way then to be obvious about it. Quietly, Kuroko stepped closer to Riko until he was directly in front of her. "Alright, let's get started with practice!"

"Um, excuse me." Kuroko said, raising his hand slightly to make sure he grabbed her attention. "I'm Kuroko."

…

He must have really lowered his presence, considering Riko stared at him in frozen shock for several seconds before she screamed.

"What? How long have you been there?" Hyuuga shouted, looking as startled as Riko.

"I've been here the whole time." Kuroko stated, looking from the coach to the captain, aware of the weight of their eyes, of their expectations.

The weight of victory, of the Generation of Miracles, was a heavy one to bear, but it was one Kuroko had earned and so he would carry it without fail.

"Wha? This guy's part of the Generation of Miracles?" One of the second years, Koganei, asked as he and Hyuuga ran over to Kuroko and Riko. "He couldn't have been a regular."

"Of course not. Right, Kuroko-kun?" Hyuuga asked.

And that…that annoyed Kuroko. Assuming who he was, first based off his middle school and then again off his appearance, who were they to do so? Neither Aomine nor Akashi had done that, they had seen him and helped him become who he was, equal to the Generation of Miracles, part of them even if nobody else saw him that way.

At that thought, Kuroko pressed his wrists against his body, conscious of the lack of covering over them.

"I played in games." Kuroko stated, none of his thoughts given away in his appearance.

"Right? What?" Hyuuga asked, his face going from smiling to confused.

"What? What?" Koganei repeated, looking around the gym as if there were cameras hidden nearby, ready to tell him it was all a prank.

"Whaaaaaaat?" Hyuuga and Koganei cried together, both looking entirely thrown.

I may not appear strong, but that does not mean you should judge me on that. Kuroko thought as he stared at his senpai as they processed the apparent bomb he'd dropped on them.

"T-take off your shirt." Riko ordered, seemingly having collected herself.

"What? Okay." Kuroko complied. He knew what was coming, knew what she would see now.

But it didn't matter. Because no matter what he appeared to them as, he was exactly as he should be: a shadow. And he would remain one and bring victory. That was all that mattered…that was the way to fulfill the Oath.

Later that same night, Kuroko observed the boy he had possibly decided to be his new Light, Kagami. He followed him to a street ball court and simply stood in the shadow of the hoop, watching as he played.

From just this observance, Kagami was obviously good and his talent bright. But he wasn't on the same level as the Generation of Miracles. He wasn't even on the same level as Kuroko, who, with only his passing and misdirection, could be considered the weakest Miracle.

And yet…Kuroko could see it, just as he assumed Akashi had seen him three years ago.

The potential to be something great was there. If Kuroko went about this the right way, nurtured it correctly…Kagami could be a Light equal to Aomine. Key word, however, being could.

Still, if this was the plan he was going with, he had to test Kagami first. With that thought in mind, Kuroko moved the slightest bit, drawing Kagami's eyes to him right as he threw the ball.

Whereas before the ball had gone in, this time the basketball bounced off the rim and landed in Kuroko's hands. Without even looking away from Kagami, Kuroko caught the ball.

"When did you get here?" Kagami asked, his voice low and irritated. Hm, so he was the opposite of Aomine in that way (screams about a ghost filled Kuroko's ears…but he pushed the memory back to where it rested). Still, it was impolite to begin a conversation like that, even if it was common for Kuroko.

So, instead of answering (and confirming himself as a stalker for the moment), Kuroko simply stated,

"Nice to see you."

"What the hell are you doing?" Kagami demanded, placing a hand on his hip, and glaring at Kuroko.

"What are you doing here by yourself?" Kuroko returned, not reacting to Kagami's provocation as he passed the ball back to the taller boy.

"Nothing. I'm not doing anything." Kagami said as he caught the ball.

"Is that so?" Kuroko hummed, continuing to stare at the boy. Now, how to approach this…

"I was in America until my second year of middle school." Kagami said without any segue, surprising Kuroko the slightest bit. Just the slightest. "I've been appalled ever since I came back by how low the standards are here. I'm not looking to play basketball for fun. I want to play a more serious game that really gets me going."

Low standards…? Kuroko thought. That made absolutely no sense, unless Kagami had gone to such a weak middle school that the Generation of Miracles were barely heard of. Kuroko had heard of schools like that, schools where Teiko and its Miracles were simply a legend, too unreal to be real.

But still…claiming that Japan had low standards for basketball, that the Generation of Miracles had low standards for basketball…that was unacceptable. If Kagami was to be Kuroko's new Light…he'd have to show him. Show him just how powerful even one Miracle was.

And perhaps someday, Kagami would be given the honor of seeing all seven of them together…but for now, that was an unthinkable and unreachable dream.

"I heard all about you." Kagami's voice caught Kuroko's attention once more. "I've heard all about the supposedly strong Generation of Miracles from our year. You were on that team, weren't you?"

Clearly you haven't heard of us that much if you think we're 'supposedly' strong. Kuroko thought, feeling anger spark in his veins. Believe me, Kagami-kun, we are not 'supposedly' strong. We are the strongest players you'll ever meet. We are monsters and Miracles, all in one.

"I have a pretty good sense of how good others are." Kagami continued, unaware of the anger in Kuroko as he began to spin the basketball on his finger. "People who can succeed smell differently from others." As he spoke, Kagami passed the ball back to Kuroko. "But something's not right with you. The weak should smell weak, but you…you don't smell like anything. And your strength has no scent."

Now Kuroko wasn't sure if this 'sense' was reliable or not. After all, he had seen both Momoi and Akashi's similar senses for the abilities of players, he had even seen Riko earlier today. But if Kagami was saying he couldn't smell anything on Kuroko, then it had to count for something.

After all, Kuroko was neither weak nor strong. He was a shadow, support to make the light of his team shine brighter.

"Let me see. Show me…show me just how good your Generation of Miracles really is." Kagami stated, a smile that looked ready for a fight on his face. But it was not terrifying, not when one had seen the smiles every member of the Generation of Miracles could give when they were furious. Those smiles were enough to scare even the most hardened of veteran soldiers.

But even still, Kuroko looked down to hide his eyes and spoke.

"How fortunate. I've also been hoping to play against you." The phantom said as he reached up to unzip his gakuran and throw it off. "One on one."

Now, to test this boy…this Kagami Taiga, in a way only the phantom sixth man of the Generation of Miracles could.

"You wanna go?" Kagami grinned.

The match went exactly as Kuroko predicted it would. Kagami easily drove past him, easily dunked over him, and easily stole the ball from him. And whenever Kuroko had a chance to make a shot? He missed so badly it was laughable.

This was par for the course for Kuroko as he chased the ball across the court, picked it up and returned to stand before Kagami with the ball in hand.

"You've gotta be kidding me." Kagami spat. "Have you even been listening? How much do you have to overestimate your own abilities to think you can beat me? I can't believe how arrogantly you challenged me!"

I never said I could beat you alone. You simply cannot see my strength in this match. If Aomine-kun was here or Midorima-kun or even Kise-kun, you would lose. There is no doubt. Kuroko thought, staring up at Kagami.

"You can't be serious." Kuroko said. "Of course you're stronger than me. I knew that before we started."

Suddenly, Kagami grabbed the front of Kuroko's shirt and pulled him off the ground so their faces were close, practically nose to nose.

"You want a fight?" The boy snarled. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"I wanted to see how good you are for myself." Kuroko stated, not reacting, his face blank as always. Unnoticed, unseen, the perfect shadow, the perfect phantom.

"What?" Kagami asked, his brows furrowed in confusion and anger as he leaned slightly away from Kuroko before he threw him back down to his feet. Kuroko stared as Kagami laid a palm against his forehead, looking pained as he stared back at Kuroko.

Kuroko looked down at the ball in his hands then held it up.

"Um…" He started to say.

"Enough." Kagami stated, holding his hand out in the universal signal for stop. "I'm not interested in the weak." With those words, Kagami walked over to where he had laid down his school bag and gakuran.

How arrogant, Kagami-kun. Kuroko thought as he watched the boy. He truly had no idea of the world he was stepping into simply by being on Kuroko's team, yet he had the arrogance to act as if he were above them all, their senpai, their fellow classmen and even Kuroko himself. Kuroko, who had been part of the most legendary team to have formed in years, who had been deemed equal by every member of that team, members that were now seen as the essential players at the top schools in Japan. And yet, Kuroko knew that he couldn't get angry, couldn't let this possible new Light slip away.

His planned one was already missing and it was growing too late to find a replacement…plus, despite his…rough edges, he still reminded Kuroko of Aomine, just enough that this would probably be worth it in the long run…

"Let me tell you one last thing." Kagami said as he swung his gakuran over his shoulder. "You should quit basketball. However much you try to cover it up with nice words like 'effort', raw talent is a fact of life. You've got no talent for basketball."

"I don't accept that." Kuroko called out as Kagami turned away. He could feel the anger of hearing those same words time and time again, both before and during Teiko, sparking in his veins, but he kept his head cool and calm. Anger was not the answer. He'd simply have to show Kagami…and make his dedication clear.

"What?" Kagami asked, turning back slightly to stare as Kuroko walked towards him to pick up his own bag and gakuran.

"First of all, I love basketball. And I don't share your opinion. I don't care who's strong or who's weak." Kuroko stated, calmly and clearly, his words ringing out throughout the court.

"What did you say?" Kagami asked, turning more towards him.

"I'm not like you." Kuroko stated firmly. "I'm a shadow."

When it began raining before practice the next day, Kuroko had an idea of where the practice may end up going…

"What? A mini-game?" One of the first years repeated in surprise as Riko confirmed Kuroko's suspicions.

"I can't believe we're playing the senpai already…" One of the first years, Kawahara, trailed off in disbelief.

"Do you remember the record from last year they told us about during our first meeting?" Another first year, Fukuda, asked. "They went to the finals in just their first year."

"Are you serious?" Kawahara cried, his eyes wide.

"That's not normal." Another first year, Furihata, shivered as he spoke.

You say that, and yet it was five first years that won Teiko not just one, but three championships in a row. And that all began before they bloomed. You're all in for a terrible awakening when the preliminaries begin. Kuroko thought.

"There's nothing to be afraid of." Kagami smirked, radiating confidence and pride. "It's always better to have stronger opponents than weak ones."

That, Kuroko could agree with. He could remember all too well teams that had been deemed too weak opponents for the Generation of Miracles. Even Kuroko had grown bored of how easy it was to play, to win.

"Let's go." Kagami said and led them towards the center of the court.

Riko blew the whistle and threw the tip off. Kagami jumped, gaining possession of the ball and threw it back to Kawahara, who dribbled forward and passed back to Kagami when he saw the boy was open.

Once Kagami caught the ball, he instantly dunked the ball, earning the first points of the game.

"That dunk was unbelievable." Kawahara gasped.

"Amazing…" Furihata whispered.

Everyone was staring at Kagami in awe as he dropped from where he was hanging on the basket back to the gym floor.

"This is unbelievable." Hyuuga sighed, wiping sweat from his brow.

Kuroko, however, wasn't as impressed. Kagami had the talent and ability, sure, but he wasn't even close to the level of a single Miracle yet. He had the potential, however, to at least reach the level of other players, to be a worthy Light to Kuroko's Shadow…perhaps this would be worthwhile after all, despite Kagami's obvious rough edges.

But first, Kuroko had to make sure his team won this mini game before he made any future altering decisions.

The game proceeded from there in favor of the first years, with Kagami scoring the majority of the baskets through dunking the ball no matter what. The score was 11-8, in favor of the first years.

"I can't believe the first years are this strong." Hyuuga said as he observed them and Kuroko observed the second years.

"Kagami's doing it all himself!" Koganei pointed out.

Of course, that didn't mean that only Kagami was getting the ball. Occasionally, the ball was passed to Kuroko, but it was usually stolen easily from him pretty easily, considering he was still observing, still holding back.

That, of course, led to his teammates being rather annoyed with him, with Kagami glaring at him and Furihata yelling at him to get it together.

But it was after that, that Kuroko noticed the shift in the second years.

"Time to put them in their place." Hyuuga stated.

"It's on." Izuki smiled. Instantly, Kuroko knew they had a plan, that they had been using this time just as he was, as a chance to observe and adapt to their opponent.

And, sure enough, in the next play they had three guys on Kagami, not allowing him to move even a little bit.

"They're desperate to stop Kagami!" Kawahara realized.

"They're double-teaming him even though he doesn't have the ball!" Fukuda cried. "They have no intention of letting him touch the ball!"

And from there, things turned around, going in the second years' favor as they stopped Kagami and continuously stole the ball otherwise, the score now being 31-15 in the second years' favor.

"They're good." Fukuda huffed as he stared at the score.

"There's no way we could have won." Kawahara agreed.

"I've had enough." Furihata panted.

"Enough? What the hell are you talking about!?" Kagami demanded, grabbing Furihata's practice jersey and pulling him so their faces were close together, just like he had to Kuroko last night.

Without a word, Kuroko stepped close behind Kagami and bent so his knees poked Kagami's in the back, forcing him to lose his balance and release Furihata.

"Please calm down." Kuroko stated firmly, leaving no room for argument. It was one he had used countless times, especially on Kise.

"You bastard…" Kagami snarled, doing the exact opposite of what Kuroko said and started swinging at Kuroko angrily as the other first years tried to talk him down and then pull him off Kuroko, though they looked utterly terrified as they attempted to do so. Of course, Kuroko easily dodged the exaggerated swings, but it allowed Kagami to work his anger out.

And, of course, forced everyone else on the court to realize he had been there the whole time.

Now…it's time to reveal my hand. Kuroko thought as they returned to the court. Gently, reverently, he touched his hands to his wrists, the motion appearing as if he were simply stretching the muscles in them. But it was so much more than it appeared. Time to reveal just what the phantom sixth man is.

"Excuse me." Kuroko said as Fukuda prepared to throw the ball in. "Could you just pass me the ball?"

"Huh?" Fukuda asked, confused, but Kuroko had already walked away. He had stretched his wrists, he had observed the second years and his team, and he had touched his wrists, his marks. He was ready.

"You can do it! Three more minutes!" A first year Kuroko didn't know cried.

And then it began.

Just as he asked, Fukuda threw Kuroko the ball. Aware of Izuki guarding him from behind, Kuroko caught the ball and threw it over his shoulder, straight into Furihata's hands under the net.

A perfect pass. And, of course, Furihata scored.

"It went…what?" Hyuuga asked, lost as to what had just happened, just as all the other first and second years were. "How did that pass go through?"

Kuroko didn't say a word and simply allowed himself to lower his presence as far as he could.

When Fukuda was next blocked by his mark, Kuroko made himself known and his fellow first year passed, allowing Kuroko to pass the ball again directly to Kawahara.

"Go for it! Shoot!" Kagami encouraged and Kawahara did so.

Kuroko continued in this way, passing to everyone except Kagami so they could score as many points as possible. The second years were lost the whole time, unable to figure out how the ball was being passed the way it was, lost in the magic of it all.

Magic that only Kuroko could perform.

"They passed the ball and made the shot before we realized it!" Izuki gasped as he looked at the first years.

"What's going on?" Koganei questioned.

This is a Miracle, the weakest one of them all, and yet still strong enough to turn the tide of this game in such a remarkable way. Kuroko thought to himself. This is the power I bear as a member of the Generation of Miracles, as the phantom sixth man. This is how much influence even just one of us holds. And I shall use this influence to obtain victory, no matter what.

And then, when the confusion began to reach a fever pitch and Kuroko's weak presence began to diminish, he passed to Kagami, bringing the score to 37-36, in favor of the second years.

"I don't believe it! It's a one point difference!"

Time was running out and as Koganei passed the ball, Fukuda stole it and Kuroko made sure he caught it.

"Crap!" Hyuuga cried as he saw the phantom appear with the ball in hand and began to advance towards the basket.

"Go, Kuroko!"

Kuroko made it to the basket and tried to shoot, knowing exactly what would, exactly who was behind him.

The ball bounced off the rim, only to be caught by a jumping Kagami, who yelled,

"That's why I hate the weak! You have to make the shot, dumbass!"

But Kuroko was smiling just the slightest bit. The familiar feeling of victory washed over him, increased by the confidence in his decision.

Seirin truly was the school for him…and Kagami seemingly more than enough to become his new Light.

Kuroko could have moaned from the pleasure of drinking his favorite vanilla milkshake at Maji Burger. His peacefulness, however, was interrupted as Kagami sat down at his table, carrying a tray filled with as many burgers as Aomine could probably eat.

Kuroko silently watched his fellow first year, feeling amused as he spotted Kuroko right as he took a bite of his first burger.

"Hello." Kuroko greeted blankly.

"Where'd you come from?" Kagami asked, looking honestly frightened. Perhaps Kuroko had his presence too low if he was scaring Kagami so badly… "What are you doing?"

"I was sitting here first." Kuroko stated. "I like this place's vanilla shakes."

"Go somewhere else." Kagami said.

"I don't want to." Kuroko denied around his straw.

"If someone sees us, they'll think we're friends!" Kagami argued in a fierce whisper.

Not like they'd see Kuroko anyway, just like Kagami hadn't.

"This is my usual hangout." Kuroko stated. Kagami let out a sigh, clearly giving up. Then he picked up one of his burgers and threw it at Kuroko.

"Here." He said as Kuroko caught the food and stared at Kagami in surprise. "I don't like guys who suck at basketball. But you've earned yourself one of those."

Kuroko looked down at the burger in his hands before he met Kagami's eyes with a small smile.

"Thanks."

Perhaps they'd be okay…Kuroko was starting to get the feeling that they'd get along just fine.

"Just how strong is the Generation of Miracles?" Kagami asked as the two of them left Maji Burger. "If I played them now, how would I do?"

"You'd be destroyed instantly." Kuroko bluntly stated instantly, without pausing even a second to think.

"Do you have to put it like that?" Kagami asked, his voice annoyed and Kuroko could feel the glare sending daggers into the side of his head.

But it was the truth. Kagami, at this point in time, was barely on Kuroko's level in terms of power ability. Sure, he was good at basketball, but if he were to go against a team with Kuroko as an opponent, Kuroko knew, without a doubt, that it would be the phantom that won, not the arrogant tiger beside him.

If he went up against Kise or Midorima alone? He'd lose flat out.

If he went up against Aomine and Momoi or Murasakibara alone? He'd be annihilated.

If he went up against Akashi alone? Well, Kagami wouldn't be alive to even share the story or have the will to go on so pridefully.

Those were simply the facts as they stood now.

"The five prodigies have each gone on to play for their own schools." Kuroko continued, ignoring Kagami's anger. "One of those schools will stand at the top."

"Heh…hahaha…that's great." Kagami laughed, drawing Kuroko's gaze as he continued to drink his vanilla milkshake nonchalantly. "That's the kind of thing that lights a fire in me. I've decided. I'll crush all of them and become Japan's best player."

How utterly arrogant, Kagami-kun. Just because you can easily beat me one on one does not beat you could beat a single one of the Miracles one on one. Kuroko thought to himself.

He knew arrogance, recognized it well from Teiko, but there was a difference between the arrogance of the Miracles and the arrogance of Kagami.

The Generation of Miracles had the facts to back up their arrogance. When they were together, they were undeniably unstoppable.

But Kagami? He may have the facts from his time in America and his years of middle school, but he didn't have the facts about the Generation of Miracles. He knew nothing and was underestimating them just because of his two days spent around Kuroko. The first time they'd face a Miracle would truly be a rude awakening…

And yet, Kuroko couldn't deny that a drive like that was exactly what he needed from his new Light. It was exactly the kind of drive he required from his new Light in order to defeat all of the Generation of Miracles.

Out loud, however, he bluntly stated,

"I don't think that's possible."

"Hey!" Kagami glared at him, looking ready to try punching Kuroko again.

"If you have hidden talent, I wouldn't know." Kuroko stated plainly. "But, from what I've seen, you wouldn't even reach their feet. You can't do it alone."

As they finished crossing the street, Kuroko turned to Kagami with fire in his eyes, unable to be hidden even behind his blank expression.

"I've also decided." He stated firmly, causing Kagami to look at him in surprise. "I'm a shadow. But the stronger the light, the darker the shadow, and the more it accentuates the brightness of the light. I will be the Shadow to your Light and make you the best player in Japan."

Kagami stared at him in surprise for a moment.

"Ha. Look who's talking." He smiled then. "Do whatever you want."

"I'll do my best." Kuroko smiled. Because if he made Kagami the best, then that meant Seirin would be the best team and he would achieve victory, in the Oath and over the rest of the Generation of Miracles. He'd be able to show them not only that he was as strong as any one of them, but that his playing basketball for fun and through teamwork was not a waste.

He would show them the side of basketball they had lost, the love they had lost. That was his promise, his Oath. And not just to his teammates, but to the other parts of his very soul.

That same night, as soon as Kuroko greeted his grandmother when he walked inside the house, his phone buzzed with a text message.

As soon as he reached his room, he opened it up to see the text waiting for him.

Momoi-san: So? How'd it go?

Smiling slightly, Kuroko sat down on his bed and typed out a reply.

Kuroko: I'm sure you already know, Momoi-san.

Momoi-san: Not true!

Momoi-san: After all, I don't know Testu-kun's fellow first years yet!

Kuroko: You'll know soon.

Momoi-san: Tetsu-kun's no fun!

Kuroko smiled. It was nice, having Momoi text him so often. Despite how busy her schedule could be, she always made time to check on all of them (Aomine more than the others, but it was the thought that counted).

Momoi-san: But tell me!

Kuroko: It went exactly as expected.

Momoi-san: That's great, Testu-kun! I look forward to Touou playing Seirin! I won't go easy on you 3

Kuroko: I expect nothing less, Momoi-san. Have a good night.

Momoi-san: You too, Testu-kun! 3 3 3

With one final smile, Kuroko quickly got up and changed out of his uniform so he could go down to greet his grandmother.

Now…to see what happened next…

And there we are! Quick note: the 3's in Momoi's texts? Those are supposed to be hearts...fanfic does not like the less than sign apparently.

Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed. Including this chapter, I've got about seven chapters of this story written already, so I'll continue posting when I have time, probably when I finish the next chapter.

Please let me know what you think! I hope to be back soon. Bye!