A/N: I don't own either series. Another female OC. Yay. (I don't think I'll be writing her too much after I finish the Future Arc.)

VIII. Gateway

It wasn't meant to occur, but she knew that Kuroko would not like the future. She watched as Akashi fretted, though it didn't seem like much. She observed the others' reactions, and knew that this wasn't something that should have happened.

She was meant to go to the future, to see firsthand the effects of Byakuran, but Kuroko had been pushed into her and sent into the future instead.

When Kuroko returned, five minutes later, he seemed almost haunted by the future, and she wanted to offer comfort, but she couldn't. Instead, Akashi went up and comforted his Mist Guardian. (She absently noticed that he was performing his role as a Sky Guardian.)

While he offered no explanation for his expression when asked by the others, she managed to confront him. She knew that Kuroko was affected based on the fact that he didn't attempt to run by using his illusions.

"Look, I know what you saw, and I'm sorry that you had to go instead of me."

He said nothing to her words, but she had a feeling that Kuroko was mildly comforted by it.

"Hey, if you need someone to come crying to, I'm always here. My arms are always wide open for you."

That managed to change his expression slightly, and it soon schooled itself into its infamous poker face. "Thank you."

"No problem. Just come to me to talk."

'Before you leave for the future; before you leave me for Akashi.'

She knew things that would occur, and maybe it was ridiculous to like Kuroko, especially when she knew that he would end up being Akashi's lover, and that she would be alone.

Glancing at Kagami (and Aomine, who was arguing with him), she couldn't help but think maybe, perhaps, she had someone.

Pushing that aside, she closed her eyes and allowed the bazooka to hit her, and she arrived in the future first.