Shatterproof:

Disclaimer: Kuroko no Basuke does not belong to me, and I am in no way associated with the franchise. I don't own any of the characters, settings, etc.

A/N- So, this is set during the GoM's third year at Teiko. For this story, Kuroko left school for a week after the team's change in attitude, and has just now returned. I apologize in advance if you find Kuroko a bit OOC. This is also my first time writing in present-tense, so I will do my best to keep it consistent. Also, a very special thank you to Made2352, for introducing me to KnB!

Chapter 1: The Long Way Home

During the summer of my third year of Teiko, everything changed. They say that the first wound cuts the deepest...so perhaps the loss of Aomine-kun hurt the most?

The dull, monotonous thud of a dribbled basketball fills my ears. The frigid air of the fourth practice gym does nothing to dry my profuse sweating. I look down at my shoes, panting with exertion, as I observe the uniform pattern of the hardwood floors beneath me. This desolate gym, now underused to the sight of abandonment, should be a sight for sore eyes.

It's quite the latter. Instead it's looked upon by weary, detached orbs that are anything but focused. After all, the physical strain I'm under frays my nerves much less than the emotional strain. This experience almost feels surreal, as if my muscle memory is guiding my obligatory practice, rather than the cognitive will power of my mind.

I half-heartedly practice a drive, running through exercises that I constructed after watching the rest of the first string practice. Afterwards, I mindlessly attempt a shot, watching as the ball bounces pathetically off the backboard. Maybe my body is mocking my inability to utilize the most basic of core fundamentals. Or perhaps playing basketball and thinking pointless drivel just don't go well together.

This gym used to be a lot brighter. The walls echoed with the sounds of words of encouragement, friendly jeers, and incessant laughter. A deadpan alto voice would humor the whims of a easygoing baritone. It was also much warmer. It's not as if the body heat of two individuals compensated for the overall freezing temperature, but I suppose it was a mental issue. After all, a pleasant presence makes for a nice distraction. Back then, the fourth gym was so inviting to me that I thought of it as my second home. And, if the rest of the Miracles happened to be there- they were my family.

More than anything, I wish to return to that radiance. If only this bleak gym could be made lively once more. But- it's a commonly known fact of science that many environments need light to sustain themselves, and without it, they will indefinitely fall into ruin.

Speaking of luminescence, I glance outside, making note of the scarlet hues filtering through the dusty gym windows. Realizing that it's almost time, I quickly get ready, changing back into my school clothes and mopping up my sweat with a cotton towel. I stand outside the door, in the shadows cast by a stooped sakura tree.

Sure enough, I spot a lithe figure hopping down from the nearby school roof. Landing deftly on his feet, the man begins to walk away from the school at a slow, leisurely pace.

Aomine-kun.

I do my best to clear my head of any lingering thoughts, and hurry to close the distance between us. I try to mimic his naturally long-legged pace, and quickly fall into stride. My breathing evens out as I grow more comfortable, and begin to relax. Walking home together like this has become somewhat a routine of ours. It always has been, ever since the discovery that Aomine-kun and myself actually live nearby each other.

With the both of us settling into a tranquil silence, I take the time to observe the sights and sounds of the city. The convoluted cacophony of traffic fills my ears: agitated horns blaring, gas engines humming, and spinning tires squeaking. It's almost as if the machinery, too, is anxiously waiting to get home.

The presence of nature here is scarce, but it exists nonetheless. I find myself quietly appraising the trees we pass, the weeds that grow between the cracks in the sidewalk, and the black birds that seem to herald the pinnacle of summer. These stoic life forms bring a calming aura to an otherwise bustling street.

Pedestrians shuffle past Aomine-kun and I, as we go opposite directions on the sidewalk. Their lively chatter fills my ears, as they punctuate their speech with elaborate hand motions and ever-changing countenances. I take the time to discreetly observe them- I always have found analyzing others fascinating.

However, no sound is more significant than the mutual rhythm of our footsteps, echoing softly together amidst the streets of Tokyo.

Nonchalantly, I realize that I'm poring over exactly the types of sentiments that Aomine-kun dismissed as irrelevant. Perhaps my fondness for the small details-the little things-is starting to suffocate my thoughts.

I know better than to strike up a conversation with Aomine-kun, because he's usually a little cranky after his naps. So, I continue to survey the sights.

Aomine-kun and I pass by the street basketball court that we sometimes meet up on during the weekends. The metal hoop stares down almost condescendingly from its ten-foot high throne, challenging onlookers to play. On top of that, the weathered surface of the rough gray cement boasts excellent traction for running shoes, lacking the incessant squeak that came with playing on a serious court. The final component to perfect this picture would be an elastic rubber ball, becoming an orange blur as it's used with the finesse of a master.

Not too long ago, Aomine-kun would've been the one to confront the hoop, to exploit the broad expanse of the court, and to assume total dominion over the basketball. But that was a case from the past.

We also go by a convenience store, one that we're quite familiar with actually. Colorful posters advertise the recent products in stock, and bright white lights stream through the large glass windows. Crowds of people, the majority of which are high schoolers, gather in clusters around the sliding doors. They share popsicles, not minding if their treats dripped all over their hands; they didn't seem to mind getting sticky. After finishing they examine their sticks, groaning with disappointment upon receiving an ordinary result, and hollering with excitement if they get a "WINNER". Hardly anyone gets a winner, though. The last time I've seen one was from that time, where I had given it to Momoi-san.

I remember when Aomine-kun was the one who would've treated me to the summer delicacy, pressing a strawberry popsicle into my hand with an exuberant grin on his face. We would've enjoyed our snacks together, making a game of seeing if we could shoot our used sticks into the trash can. I would always pick mine up off the floor after I missed.

Finally, we reach the bridge atop the train station, the final intersection Aomine-kun make on our route together, before parting ways and saying goodbye. In my mind's eye, I can see Aomine-kun partially turning, before uttering, "See ya' tomorrow, Tetsu."

In my distant memories, I can see him raising a single hand to casually wave goodbye as he strode down the sun-warmed sidewalk, alone. Navy blue hair is gently tousled by the wind as he walks. His silhouette stands out brilliantly among the dying rays of crimson.

Now it's a bit different, though.

Aomine-kun says nothing to me, and makes no sign of realizing that I stay behind. Wordlessly, thoughtlessly, he continues down the road as if nothing has happened. And perhaps to him, nothing has.

For I have been staying in the shadows this entire time. I've yet to say anything, make any sudden movement, or even breathe heavily enough to alert him to my presence. He's been left in blissful ignorance to the silent accompanist trailing a few feet behind him on his way home.

I've tried. I really have. Going through the school day without Aomine-kun, playing basketball without Aomine-kun...and walking home without Aomine-kun. Alas, it is among the most fundamental laws of nature that a shadow cannot stray too far from the light, lest it lose the creation and purpose of its existence entirely.

But there will always be distance. There exists a perpetual, invisible wall that prevents me from getting any closer. Those few feet of detachment are so far more significant than the eye can see, and carry a weight much more dense than the expanse of air.

But you really must forgive me, Aomine-kun. No matter how much I try, I can't completely cut ties with you. I hope you don't me subtly following you, throughout both of our daily routines.

In exchange, I will be content with staring at your back.

A/N- I hope I didn't make Kuroko seem too angsty, or stalker-like. Forgive me if I did. Anyways, please review! The next chapter will be about everyone's favorite glutton, Murasakibara!