Me: I'll update as soon as I finish the next chapter!

Also me: Realizes episode 13 is Aomine and Momoi's introduction. Writes a whole chapter in one day.

Haha...yeah...hi everyone. This is the fastest I've updated in a while, but this inspiration isn't going away anytime soon. Not with the stuff I've got ahead of me to write anyway (yes, I'm very excited for episode 14).

But this isn't the time to focus on that right now, we're finishing up Seiho and heading off to Shutoku! Woo hoo!

Thanks to LetTheWorldHonorTheFallen (Thank you for such kind words!) for their review, all 77 followers, 58 favorites and 6,585 readers!

Now then, I hope you guys are ready for several chapters of Midorima vs Kuroko because I forgot just how LONG this game was. Oh boy...(and now I'm kinda dreading how long the Winter Cup Final game probably is, but that's a problem for future Wolfie).

Alright, let's get going! Enjoy!

Chapter 10: From Game to Battle

"You're paying me back for Kagami?" Tsugawa smiled before he turned back towards one of his teammates. "Omuro-san, could I change my mark?"

"Huh? Why?" Omuro questioned.

"Well...it seems I've got a proxy here demanding payment." Tsugawa smiled, looking highly amused as he turned back towards Kuroko, who carefully did not react.

You shall see, Tsugawa-kun. You will not win against me.

As the last five minutes started, tension hung in the air so thick, you could cut it with a knife.

"I'm surprised they sent you and not Kagami, but for them to send a first year at all...looks like Seirin's senpai aren't so dependable." Tsugawa cheerfully stated, quite obviously trying to goad Kuroko into anger. It did not work, even as Kuroko played along and looked at Tsugawa. "They just said they benched you two because it was their will. But here you are."

"I asked to be put in." Kuroko stated. "Anyway, if you've been watching the game, there's no way you could believe that. If the senpai have their will, then kouhai have respect." By now, Tsugawa's smile had vanished and he was glaring at Kuroko. "I will defeat you to support the senpai that I look up to."

The Seiho first year hummed at that, his gaze sliding away...and Kuroko vanished from his sight.

He heard Tsugawa cry out in shock, but he didn't stop, getting into position as Izuki passed the ball and Hyuuga slipped past the player marking him.

With one decisive hit against his palm, Kuroko passed the ball right into Hyuuga's hands. And from there, it was very easy for the captain to score a lay up.

From there, they returned to the other side of the court, only for Hyuuga to steal the ball from Seiho and pass it to Kuroko, who instantly passed the ball towards Mitobe, who easily scored again.

Kuroko could see all too easily how rattled Seiho had become, realizing just what Seirin's senpai had done and what that knowledge, combined with Kuroko's passes, meant.

If Kuroko wasn't so focused, he would have smiled.

This. This is how you witness a Miracle. Not even one of the Three Kings can truly stop it.

"As their name suggests, old martial arts techniques are ancient." Kasamatsu explained as Kise silently enjoyed just how rattled Seiho had become. "Their thought process is completely different from modern sports science. Applying those specialized movements to basketball is Seiho's strength, but...if you're specialized, you've got habits."

And that is why Akashicchi and Momoicchi made sure we each had surprises up our sleeves. Kise mused. If the Miracles had obvious habits, they could be caught and eventually stopped. So to prevent that, they had various secrets that they only brought out if necessary. Kise could remember games where he didn't copy a single person on the court until the very end when the shock would rattle the enemy enough that if they ever had a chance of losing, it was no longer a problem.

Though, Kise doubted such a thing would apply for long now that they were in high school and on different teams. But that was expected and even something Kise had looked forward to upon taking the Oath. He still did, the fire that had lit within him upon playing Kuroko…

But he was daydreaming now and that couldn't happen when Kuroko was playing. Kise forced himself to return his eyes to the gym floor.

From there, the game went fast paced and Kuroko gave everything he had to it, passing every ball that came his way exactly where it needed to go, watching the score climb higher and higher, urged on by Kise's excitement in the back of his mind, until finally there were 29 seconds left.

70-69, Seirin.

Kuroko could feel Kise's excitement and anxiety mixing in the back of his mind, an oh so familiar feeling that only urged Kuroko on, to win.

"We can't let them get this!" Hyuuga shouted. But Iwamura charged and dunked the ball even as Mitobe and Tsuchida jumped to block him.

"Do not underestimate a king!" Iwamura cried. "You need ten more years of experience to beat us!"

Do not underestimate a Miracle and the team he has chosen to lend him strength so he may win.

But even if this game only included one Miracle on the court, Kuroko felt as if he were flying, even as Seiho formed an all court man-to-man. This wasn't a team with even a single Miracle, yet they challenged the team Kuroko chose as his to help him win and didn't give up for even an instance.

It was these kinds of games that had made playing so much fun his whole life, even more so at Teiko when he supported and was supported by his Miracles, his.

And now, here he was, facing an enemy that never gave up and pushed back against him, with one of his Miracles back where they belonged and sending him all the fear and anxiety and excitement he could.

Kuroko felt alive and he was going to win.

Mitobe screened for Izuki, allowing him to pass the player marking him, only to be stopped again. Without stopping, Izuki passed to Kuroko.

The phantom could see Tsuchida moving. He'd be open to the ball as soon as Kuroko passed-

Tsugawa was suddenly in his line of sight.

"Tsugawa? How?" Kise's voice rang out in Kuroko's mind, clearer than it had ever been, but Kuroko didn't stop for even a second, simply looked again and-

There. Do not worry, Kise-kun.

"Kuroko!" Kagami's voice screamed as Kise's choked within Kuroko's mind, sun bursts of surprise bright in his mind's eye.

Instantly, Kuroko lifted his hand the slightest bit, missing the ball. And then his other hand slammed down, sending the ball flying into Hyuuga's grasp.

Within seconds, Hyuuga shot the ball...and it swished through the net.

The buzzer sounded.

73-71.

Seirin.

"Yes!" Seirin shouted.

"Game over!" The ref declared.

Suddenly, Kuroko found himself swept up into a huddle with his senpai, even Koganei had recovered enough to run on to the court and join them. And for once, Kuroko didn't mind as Tsuchida petted his hair or Hyuuga hugged his shoulders.

They were happy, he made them happy.

It...it was a good feeling and Kuroko could feel his heart soften.

Kise was in the back of his mind, joy shining like the sun on a summer day and quiet whispers of 'Kurokocchi, you did it' drifting through on the wind.

Yes, Kise-kun. I did it. Kuroko thought, hoping it would reach Kise as he looked up at the stands, where the blonde was sitting. And sure enough, he watched as an awed smile grew on the copycat's face.

They would have to talk about this later, but for now...for now…

"Why?" Tsugawa shouted, drawing Kuroko's attention. "Seirin just formed last year! We practice way more than them! They didn't stand a chance last year! No matter how you look at it, we're stronger!"

"Enough, Tsugawa." Iwamura stated, placing a hand on his kouhai's shoulder.

"But…" Tsugawa protested.

"The strong don't win. The winners are the strong ones." Iwamura declared firmly. "They were stronger. That's all."

After that, Kuroko began to make his way back to the bench, intent on grabbing a towel and resting, knowing he'd need every shred of energy in his body for the next battle, when Tsugawa's voice called out,

"Tell me your name!" Confused, Kuroko turned back to see the Seiho first year glaring at him. "Your name!" Tsugawa demanded.

"It's Kuroko Tetsuya." Kuroko answered. This was the third time now he knew Tsugawa had heard his name, the second time he told him himself.

And yet this time...this time was different.

"I'll remember it. I definitely won't forget." Tsugawa swore.

"Thanks." Kuroko nodded in respect. There was no animosity, after all. Kuroko and Seirin had won because they were stronger, simple as that. But that didn't mean Tsugawa couldn't continue to grow and improve.

Kuroko had no doubt that he would. And it was that that allowed him to look forward to playing this annoying defender again someday.

"Seventy-three to seventy-one, Seirin!" The ref declared as the two teams lined up.

"Thank you very much!" Both teams chorused.

Once they all stepped out of line, Kuroko could see Riko and Hyuuga standing together quietly. He turned away to give them privacy, feeling his soulmate marks tingle under his wristbands.

"Looks like they're finished too." Kagami stated as a whistle blew, drawing Kuroko's attention from wiping the sweat on his brow to Shutoku's game.

"You're right." Kuroko confirmed.

The final score was 113-38, Shutoku.

"How much do we have to love basketball to jump right into the championship with hardly a break?" Takao groaned as they watched the rest of the team leave the court. "But, well, it's all good. They made it."

"I can see that." Midorima stated, his face and voice giving nothing away. But his heart, oh his heart, was most certainly not pounding within his chest. Nope, not at all.

But even still, Midorima turned his gaze from the court to Kuroko, who stood beside that foolish oaf, Kagami. They, too, were watching him and Midorima watched as Kuroko's left wrist twitched in greeting. His own left middle finger twitched right back.

And at that moment, the prospect of fulfilling the Oath and facing Kuroko, of all people, filled Midorima with a feeling he couldn't quite name, hadn't been able to name in the three years that it's risen up within him.

And he couldn't stop himself from smiling.

When Kuroko returned to the locker room with his jacket on, as Riko ordered, he checked his phone, unsurprised to find several messages from Kise, one from Momoi wishing him luck, one from Murasakibara telling him about some new vanilla sweets he found in Akita (I'll bring you some when I come to Tokyo, Kurochin) and even one from Akashi.

Akashi-kun: I trust you did not lose, Tetsuya.

It was, of course, not a question.

Kuroko: Of course not, Akashi-kun. It is good to hear from you.

Akashi-kun: Excellent. I look forward to hearing of your battle with Shintaro.

Kuroko: As I look forward to it, Akashi-kun.

No other replies came, not that Kuroko was surprised. Once Akashi said what he needed to, that was all he said. Even before everything changed, he was like that.

Closing his phone, Kuroko quietly observed as everyone looked over the sleeping Kagami before he stepped forward.

"Excuse me. I'm going to the bathroom." He said.

"I'll go too." Koganei added, following behind Kuroko.

The phantom didn't think it would be such a big deal, or anything important. But then he entered the bathroom and spotted Midorima's friend, Takao, by the sink. But before Kuroko could say a word to announce his presence-

"Hey." Takao greeted him, his eyes on Kuroko.

"Hello." Kuroko greeted him, his mind sharpening instantly. This boy had been goofy the last time Kuroko had talked to him, but...but he had walked right up to Kuroko then as well. Back then, Kuroko had assumed it was because he was talking to Midorima and Kagami...but what if that wasn't the case?

"Oh? A senpai?" Takao said as he began to leave. "Are you two going to the bathroom together? I look forward to playing you in the next game."

"Oh, yeah…" Koganei agreed, seemingly as on edge as Kuroko was.

Takao...Kuroko would have to pay closer attention to him.

"Ten minutes left!" Otsubo announced as the clock ticked. "Let's go!" Together, the Shutoku team left the locker room, though Midorima remained seated. "Midorima…"

"Sorry. Go on ahead." Midorima apologized. With a nod, Otsubo left and Midorima found himself alone.

Good, just as he wanted.

Kuroko, and his new Light, Kagami. I did not miss a day of shooting. I did not slack off at practice. My left hand nail care is as it always is. Today's horoscope for Cancer is number one. I even bought today's lucky item, a Shigaraki raccoon. I tied the laces on my right shoe first. I have done everything.

"You're late." Takao stated as Midorima left the locker room. "The senpai already left."

The air was tense in the gym as Kise observed the court. This game...it was one all five Miracles not on the court were aware of, were looking to. Because despite the fact that Kuroko and Kise had already faced off...that was not an official match. It was merely a warm-up.

This, this, was the true first battle of the Oath, where the end did matter above all else. Who won and who lost would determine who would move on, to face Aomine, Momoi, Kise, Murasakibara and Akashi.

And even Kise, with all his knowledge of Midorima and Kuroko's plays, couldn't determine who was more likely to win. But it would be a game unlike any other, comparable only to Seirin and Kaijo's practice match, only this time on display for all of Tokyo to see.

Kise held his breath and whispered luck to both Kuroko and Midorima.

"Honestly, I don't think many believed Seirin would make it this far." Otsubo said. "The King of the North losing can only be called an upset. However, it is nothing more than that. For us, nothing changes. Whether we're dealing with a tiger or a rabbit, there is only one thing for a lion to do. Crush them with all our might! As usual, we must win!"

"Yeah!" Midorima chorused with his team.

"I'm beat." Hyuuga sighed. "I've been feeling melancholy since this morning. We've got two games in a row, both against kings. And even while playing Seiho, all I could think about was playing another game after we beat them. But there's only one game left. We don't have to worry about bothersome crap like the next game or reserving our energy. We can focus on the one thing we have to do! Give everything we have until we can't give any more!"

"Yeah!" Kuroko chorused with his team.

"Line up!" The ref yelled as the whistle blew.

"I didn't think you would actually make it this far." Midorima commented as he approached Kuroko on the court. The phantom instinctively covered his left wrist in greeting, watching as Midorima's left middle finger bent down to reciprocate. "But it ends here. No matter how small, weak or unknown, any team can fight as long as they work together. That is an illusion. Come. I will show you just how foolish your choice was."

"No one knows what the right decision is to make in life, and that is not why I made this choice." Kuroko declared, his voice firm with resolve. "Also, if I may disagree with one thing, it's that Seirin is not weak. We will not lose."

You will see Midorima-kun, that my choice was the best for me. Seirin, this team, will be the one that allows me to win, just as all of you did in Teiko.

But of course, Midorima did not hear those words. And yet, Kuroko knew for a fact that he understood just what the phantom meant.

The sharpshooter glared down at the phantom, but neither gave an inch as they joined the line up.

"Will Seirin miraculously beat two kings in a row to win, or will Shutoku protect its rightful throne?" Kasamatsu mused aloud.

Kise had no answer to give him. With two Miracles on the court, it could go either way.

"Let the preliminary A block championship game between Seirin High School and Shutoku High School begin!" The ref declared.

"Thank you!" Both teams yelled as they bowed.

"Huh? Is Kuroko the only one you need to talk to?" Takao questioned as the line up separated. "What about Kagami?"

"There is no need." Midorima stated. Why would he waste his time on such a tool, who played a pathetic game to boot, when an equal to himself was right there? Of course, he didn't care about Kuroko either, it was simply a respect to their previous time as teammates and… "There is no reason for me to talk to someone who played such a pathetic game. If you have anything to say, you can show it to me with your play."

"Right back at you." Kagami stated. "Just thinking about it makes me mad at myself. I've got tons of pent up frustration, so let's do this already. I turned it all into a fight, and I've been saving it for you. I can't hold it in any longer."

"What did you say?" Midorima asked, his voice cold and dangerous. This upstart was beginning to get on his nerves. He was not even fit to stand on this court with Midorima and Kuroko, thinking himself equal to them. He was not. And he never would be, no matter how much latent talent he had. Those were simply the facts laid out to them.

And Midorima would show him exactly why he would not equal them, not ever.

"Do your worst."

Seirin won the toss up and already Shutoku was proving their talent at defense. But it wasn't enough.

As soon as the one marking him dropped his guard, Kuroko moved. Izuki passed the ball and Kuroko passed it right to the hoop, where Kagami caught it and began to dunk it in, a perfect alley-oop.

It was the same technique they had used against Kise and Kuroko could feel the copycat's shock at the reappearing trick, curiosity if Midorima, too, would fall for it-

Midorima jumped up and blocked Kagami's dunk, sending the ball back to the court to be caught by Takao.

"I knew you could do it, Shin-chan." Kuroko heard the boy say before he took off down the court.

"How disappointing." Midorima mused as Kuroko watched him. "You think you can beat us with that?"

But that did not mean Shutoku had an easy time scoring either, no. Seirin refused to let them score, just as Shutoku refused to let Seirin score.

"Once your opponent takes control of the game, it's very difficult to take it back in the same quarter." Kasamatsu mused as he and Kise watched Seirin and Shutoku run back and forth across the court, neither scoring, stuck in equilibrium. "It's been almost two minutes without either team scoring. At this rate, whoever scores the first point will take the first quarter!"

But that won't be easy, neither of them give up that quickly. Kise mused.

"Run-and-gun!" Otsubo yelled as he threw the ball to Takao. And as Hyuuga marked the point guard, Kuroko knew what was coming a second before it did.

Takao passed backwards, right to Midorima. And without a single ounce of hesitation, despite how far he was from the net, Midorima shot the ball. And as it flew through the air, the sharpshooter turned and began to walk towards the other side of the court.

Even Kagami paused in shock at the sight, but Kuroko did not, continuing to run forward.

"Keep running." He told his Light as he passed him. There was one way they could stop this, one pass that would allow them to keep the game in balance for a little longer.

He could hear Kise's rushing, conflicted thoughts, but he paid them no mind. Let the copycat think Shutoku was in control for now. That would last for less than a second.

As Kuroko's hands touched the ball, he instantly began to move, allowing his body to cycle through the familiar movements.

Movements that belong to a pass he created for Midorima himself, to best shock their opponents after they score.

As if sensing what Kuroko was doing, Midorima turned back right as Kuroko released the ball, sending it flying to the other side of the court in his Cyclone Pass, right past Midorima's face.

And Kagami, already at the other end of the court, caught the ball and dunked it in.

Kuroko knew everyone was shocked, that was, after all, the first of the secrets he had always kept in games, as Akashi asked. But he also knew Midorima was furious, this would not be as easy as the sharpshooter planned.

And yet, he also knew that there was a spark of excitement under Midorima's skin, just as there was one sparking under Kuroko's, no doubt leaving Kise's mind shrouded in a dangerous winter wonderland.

This, this, was two Miracles fighting on the court. And Kuroko would enjoy every moment of it.

"Kuroko…" Midorima growled as their eyes met across the court.

"I'm sorry." Kuroko apologized. "I can't let you take the first quarter that easily."

And Kise watched from above, shocked into silence with only one thought ringing out within his mind.

Let the battle begin, Midorimacchi, Kurokocchi.

And there we are!

Am I inserting my own headcanons into this fic? Oh, entirely. But considering Midorima's range, it feels like the Cyclone Pass was conceived partially with him in mind. After all, nothing is more shocking to your opponent then thinking you're going to dunk the ball, only to have it passed to this other guy so far away from the net, he couldn't possibly shoot it, but he does. He does and it's terrifying how efficient it is.

Or I just wanted to add some angst to Midorima's facial expression, who knows! XD

Okay, so here's the deal! Next up, I'm writing episode 14. But I'm also taking the rest of the night off from this story, cause I don't think continuously posting every 24 hours is the best idea, even if I really do want to share all of these chapters with all of you. So tonight will be spent working on another fic, and I'll probably return to this fic as soon as that chapter is posted. You can probably expect to see me again soon, but hopefully not tomorrow haha! Otherwise, I think I have a problem.

In any case, I hope you all enjoyed! Leave a review to let me know what you think. Bye!