Chapter 3: Date with the Childhood Friend

Hey everyone! I know it's been a (realllllly long) while, but I am back with an update! I apologize for the wait and thank you so much to everyone who has been supporting me! Even though I haven't updated since forever, I've still been getting many follows, favorites and reviews. Thank you all so much! You don't know how much those emails mean to me!

Disclaimer: I don't own KnB. This is 100% fanmade ( I wish it wasn't though…maybe)

Warning: unbetaed

And without further ado, here is chapter 3!

XxX

Takao Kazunara grinned and ran forward to hug Kuroko. "It really is you, Tecchan!" She said happily.

Kuroko, after getting over the initial shock, smiled and hugged her back. "What are you doing here, Kazu-chan?" She asked her friend.

Takao stepped back from the hug but did not let go of Kuroko's shoulders. "We moved back into our old house yesterday! I came to see you but your mother said you were at your penthouse! Which reminds me, why do you have a penthouse? I've been thinking about it all day! I mean you already live in a mansion-" she rambled on.

Kuroko smiled happily. She was glad that her childhood best friend hasn't changed in the four years they were apart. The last time she saw her was in her last year of elementary.

"So why did you cut your hair? And why are you wearing a boy's uniform? Is it your boyfriend's? Or do you like cross dressing for fun?" Takao asked at the end.

Kuroko sighed. "It's a long story, Kazu-chan, I'll tell you about it later. I've had a really long day and I just want to sleep. But no, it's not my boyfriend's and I'm not a fan of cross dressing either." She said.

Takao pouted. "I want to hear it now~. Ok fine but you have to tell me everything, including about your boyfriend." She said with a wink.

Kuroko blushed. "H-how do you know I have a boyfriend?" She asked. Well technically he was her fiancé but whatever.

Takao smirked. "I didn't, you just confirmed it." She said before breaking into laughter as Kuroko groaned.

"So tomorrow, should we meet at the usual karaoke place we used to hang out at?" Takao asked.

Kuroko nodded. "Yes, I'll meet you at 6 out here tomorrow." She confirmed.

Takao gave her a thumbs up. "Cool, see you tomorrow then." She then gave Kuroko another hug. "I missed you so much." She whispered.

Kuroko smiled and embraced her back. "Me too, I'm so happy to see you again." She said sincerely.

After a moment, they both pulled back, waved good bye and headed to their homes.

Kuroko smiled as she unlocked her house's front door. She couldn't wait for the next day.

XxX

As soon as she stepped into her room, Kuroko pulled out her phone and called Akashi, after one and a half ring, he answered.

"Tetsuna, are you ok? Why weren't you replying to my messages?" He asked frantically.

Kuroko sighed. "I'm fine Seijuro, I was just talking to Kagami-kun and got distracted." She said honestly.

Akashi let out a breath. "Honestly you should still pay attention to me, or do I have a reason to be jealous?" He said teasingly but Kuroko thought she heard a bit of doubt in his voice.

Kuroko frowned. "Why would you have a reason to be jealous? I could never love anyone as much as I love you. You being jealous of Kagami-kun is ridiculous." She said straightforwardly.

Akashi chuckled. "I can't love anyone like I love you either. After all, you mean the world to me." He said softly but with all the sincerity in the world.

Kuroko blushed and she was glad Akashi wasn't there to witness it. "You too. You mean everything to me." She whispered.

For a moment they stayed silent but then Akashi broke it. "So how was your day? Besides the romantic stroll with Kagami of course." He said sarcastically.

Kuroko rolled her eyes. Looks like Akashi won't be forgetting that anytime soon. "I told my coach the truth, the whole truth and I asked her to meet you this weekend. She was delighted to after she knew who you were." She said. "Also...I met Kazu-chan..." She said happily.

Akashi was quite for a second, as though he was trying to remember who 'Kazu-chan' was. "You mean your childhood friend Takao Kazunara? That's nice, how is she?" He asked casually.

Kuroko smiled. "She's good. She has changed physically of course, but she's the same girl I knew all those years ago." She recalled back to four years ago, when she last saw Takao. "I'm surprised she recognized me. Probably the hair." She said.

Akashi chuckled. "Definitely the hair. You do have a rather unique hair color after all." He stated.

Kuroko giggled. "I guess I do. So how was your day?" She asked.

They talked for about an hour, chatting about everything that was happening around them. The only reason they stopped was because Akashi said that she had school tomorrow and that she should sleep now.

"Good night, Seijuro. I love you." Kuroko said affectionately.

"Good night, Tetsuna. I love you too, see you on Friday." Akashi returned the sentiment and hung up.

Kuroko immediately looked at the date on her phone. It was Wednesday! That means she'll see Akashi day after tomorrow.

Grinning, she hugged the stuffed red cat Akashi had given her on her 13th birthday. 'I can't wait to see you, Seijuro.' Kuroko thought happily.

After brushing her teeth and changing, Kuroko laid on her bed and once again snuggled the stuffed cat. She thought of her beloved fiancé until sleep claimed her.

XxX

The next morning, Kuroko met Takao as she was leaving the house.

Kuroko was surprised; she wasn't expecting to meet her friend this early, especially because she left extremely early for basketball practice.

Takao looked as surprised, but she was also pleased. "Hey, Tecchan! Off to school? I wasn't expecting you to leave this early in the morning!" She said as she walked up to Kuroko and gave her a one hand embrace.

Kuroko smiled back at her friend. "Good morning to you too, Kazu-chan. I wasn't expecting to see you either. Why are you going to school this early?" She asked curiously. It has been so long since they've talked, but she still remembered the days they used to hang out and play basketball together. Could it be that she also...

Takao grinned. "Club activities! I joined the basketball club and since our school's team is super strong, we have practices in the morning and evening. That's why if you had proposed a time earlier than 6, I might've asked you to change it." She said sheepishly.

Kuroko stared at her friend in shock. Takao had also joined the basketball club? Was she a manager or a player?

Before she could question her friend, Takao smirked. "You're going to ask me whether I am a player or manager. Well surprise, because I am a player on the boys team! The boys were skeptical of me at first, but I showed then what I had and they stopped questioning me. Even the coach and the captain were impressed!" She said proudly.

Takao then turned to Kuroko. "So I told you why I was going so early to school, so what about you? You're going for club activities too?" She asked.

Kuroko nodded slowly. "Yeah...I'm also in the basketball team. We also have morning and evening practices. That is why I suggested we meet late." She explained to Takao, whose eyes were widening by the second.

"No way! So we both joined the basketball team?! And you're a player too?" Takao exclaimed. "Is that why you dress up as a boy...?" She asked.

Kuroko shook her head. "No that's not it. Besides, you should know that more than anyone, after all, you're the one who's a girl on a boy's basketball team." She said with a smile.

Takao grinned sheepishly. "Well you got that right. Anyways, I have to turn here. I go to Shotoku High School, by the way, and I better hurry or the senpais will get mad. I'll see you later, Tecchan." She said and gave Kuroko a quick hug before running off.

Kuroko stood surprised for a moment. "Isn't Shotoku where Midorima-kun goes? I wonder if Kazu-chan knows him..." She wondered as she made her way to school. 'No, I'm sure she definitely knows him, he's one of the Generation of Miracles after all.' She thought. 'I wonder how they're doing?' She shook her head. 'No, I have to stop thinking about them. We may still be friends in a way, but now they are my rivals and they stand in my way to get Seijuro back.'

XxX

Practice went by uneventfully that day.

As soon as practice got over, Kagami came up to Kuroko with a grin. "Yo Kuroko, I'm planning to stay back and practice a little bit, do you want to join me?" He asked as he spun a basketball on his finger.

Kuroko shook her head. "Not today, Kagami-kun. I already have plans." She said honestly. She wanted to spend more time with Kagami so that they can become better partners, but that will have to wait.

Kagami frowned. "Oh ok, maybe next time then." He said casually but inside he felt a little dejected. He was kind of hoping to spend more time with Kuroko.

Kuroko, oblivious to Kagami's thoughts, bowed. "Well then, goodbye Kagami. Good work today." She said as she walked away, bidding everyone else farewell as well as she left.

Kagami sighed. Why was he feeling so upset? It couldn't be...he liked Kuroko?! He shook his head. 'We're both guys and I'm pretty sure I'm straight! But if Kuroko were a girl...she'd be kinda cute.' He thought but then shook his head again because thinking about a female version of your new teammate is really creepy.

XxX

As soon as Kuroko got home, she immediately changed to get ready for the outing with Takao. She of course, dressed up as a girl not only because her school uniform and practice clothing were the only male clothes she had, but also because she wanted to dress up like a girl after a whole week of pretending of being a guy. She could finally put on some makeup and wear a dress!

Just as she was heading downstairs, she heard the door bell and her mother answering it. "Ah Kazunara-chan! Hello, how are you?" Kaori Kuroko asked pleasantly.

Takao grinned. "Hi Kaori-san! I'm good, how about you?" She replied. As soon she saw Kuroko from the door she pouted. "Finally! I've been waiting for ages!" She said dramatically.

Kuroko rolled her eyes. "It's just 6:02. And I know you didn't wait at all. I just heard you ring the bell." She deadpanned.

Takao grinned cheekily. "Well let's get going then." She then turned to Kaori and bowed. "Excuse us, Kaori-san, but we have a date to go on." She said with a wink.

Kaori giggled. "I'm afraid Tetsuna is already taken, Kazunara-chan." She smirked and turned to Kuroko. "Didn't you tell Kazunara-chan about Seijuro?" She asked innocently.

Kuroko blushed. "I was going to. I just met her briefly last night." She mumbled. She then stepped forward and grabbed a shocked Takao's hand. "See you later, Okaa-San" she said as she walked out the door.

Kaori waved at the girls. "Bye girls, have fun!" She called.

Takao snapped out of her stupor and waved back. "Bye, Kaori-San!" She called back. Then turned to Kuroko. "So spill! Who is this Seijuro?! He's your boyfriend right?" She asked excitedly.

Kuroko ignored Takao. "Kazu-chan, you know about the Generation of Miracles right?" She asked as they walked to the Karaoke place near their house. As kids, she, Takao and her other childhood friend used to go their together often. Just remembering that friend stung her heart.

Takao snorted. "Which high school basketball player in Japan has not heard of those monsters? My middle school team played against them once last year and we were crushed terribly. I was so heartbroken I even considered quitting for a while. But the drive for revenge was stronger." She said with a sad smile, no doubt remembering the match.

Kuroko's eyes widened. "You played against them?! When exactly?" She asked in shock. She never remembers facing off her old best friend in a match. Then she recalled that once for a preliminary match last year, she fell terribly ill that Akashi forbade from even leaving her bed. That was before everything between them changed.

Takao confirmed her suspicions. "Last spring, there was a preliminary match for the Inter-High. That was the first and last time I face the Generation of Miracles." She said.

Kuroko nodded. "Well the thing is...I was with the Generation of Miracles in middle school." She said slowly.

Takao's eyes widened. "You went to Teiko? And you were on the basketball team?! You must've really improved since we were kids. But you aren't a regular right? And how come I didn't see you in that match? I recall that even the second and third stringers came to see the match." She asked, confused.

Kuroko bit her lip. "I was sick that day, so I was ordered to stay at home the whole day. Otherwise, I'm a regular. I practice a lot, yet I'm not all that good at dribbling or shooting. The only reason I was a regular is because-" but Takao didn't let her finish.

Takao had stopped in shock. "You're the Phantom Six Man!" She exclaimed.

Kuroko nodded. "Yes. But since the phantom sixth man is a myth to most people, no one but the first stringers were aware that there was a girl on the team." She explained.

Takao kept staring at her friend in shock. "Wow, Tecchan...that's so awesome!" She said excitedly. Then her face turned thoughtful. "Wait by Seijuro...you don't mean Akashi Seijuro, the captain of the Generation of Miracles, right?" She asked. Even if Kuroko knew them, she wouldn't date that demon of a captain, right?

Kuroko nodded. "The one and only, and he's not just my boyfriend...he's my fiancé." She said, certain that this information will blow Takao's mind.

'Three...two...one' Kuroko counted down in her head.

"WHAT?!"

XxX

By the time Takao had gotten over the shock, the two had already reached the karaoke place and were ushered to a room.

Kuroko and Takao sat down next to each other in silence for a moment.

Takao finally looked up. "I really can't believe it. You're so young and you're engaged? And to Akashi Seijuro of all people! Is it because you really love him or did your parents arrange this? I know both you and Akashi are heirs to big corporations so that's highly likely." She said as she looked at Kuroko seriously.

Kuroko sighed. "It's actually a mix of both." And with a deep breath she told her the story she told Riko yesterday about her and Akashi's relationship.

Takao sighed dramatically when Kuroko finished the story. "That's so romantic! It's like fate for you two to end up like that." She said with a grin.

Kuroko smiled and nodded. "Yes I'm really glad it was Seijuro. If it were anyone else, I would've refused straight away." She said.

Takao hugged her friend. "I'm glad you're happy, Tecchan. I didn't particularly like Seijuro because I heard he and the Generation of Miracles were ruthless during last year's inter-high. I heard in the finals, they sabotaged the game by making the score 111-11 on purpose." Takao frowned and pulled back. "You...did you help them? I get that it they are super strong, but sabotaging a game is just wrong." She said pointedly.

Kuroko went pale and clenched her fists as she remembered the day that ruined her life. It almost broke her and Seijuro apart.

Takao looked at Kuroko with concern. "Hey, Tecchan, are you alright? You look really pale all of a sudden." She said worriedly. "I mean I won't hate you if you did help them out, after all you were on the same te-"

"I didn't help them do that." Kuroko said quickly as she wrapped her arms around herself. "I got knocked out in the semi-finals and was taken to the infirmary because of my head wound. I wish I was there…I could've stopped them…could've stopped him." She whispered sadly and took a deep breath, trying to keep her emotions under control as she remembered Ogiwara's tear stricken face and the pain in her heart, as well as what happened that night that changed her life forever…

"That day," Kuroko said slowly. "I went back to school after the match to write a letter of resignation and put it in Seijuro's locker, along with a letter saying that I will be spending my remaining middle school days, as I planned to talk to my dad about that, I couldn't stay with him after what he'd done. I needed space and closure, I just couldn't look into his eyes…" Kuroko swallowed back a sob. She had just told Riko this yesterday, why was it so hard to talk to Takao about this?

Before Kuroko could continue, Takao hugged Kuroko. "Tecchan, stop. I know you have trouble talking about this and that's ok. You can tell me later, for now, please calm down." She said gently.

Kuroko looked at her friend in surprise. 'Calm down?' she thought, and it was just then that she noticed that she was shaking and sweating. Kuroko sighed and ran her hand through her face. "I'm sorry, Kazu-chan, you brought me out here to have fun and I just ruined it." She apologized with a humorless laugh.

Takao shook her head. "It's alright, Tecchan, if you want, I'll take you back home and we can hang out again some other time." She said soothingly.

Kuroko shook her head furiously. "No, I'm fine. We haven't seen each other in ages and I really feel like having a vanilla milkshake. What will you have?" Kuroko said as she got up to order a milkshake.

Takao gave her a smile, showing that she was unconvinced but will go along with her for now. "Well if you're sure…I want an iced latte. Ooh and I'm going to chose the first song for you!" she said as she went through the different songs on the karaoke station.

Kuroko smiled and tried to push the dark thoughts out of her head. She just wanted to have fun with her childhood best friend and forget everything. Right now, singing and binging on snacks sounded just perfect.

XxX

Kuroko smiled as she laid on her bed that night. She really had a good time with Takao today, and she looked forward to see her again. 'Ah, I forgot to ask Kazu-chan about Midorima! Maybe next time I will…' she thought and took out her phone from her bag. The last message she sent to Seijuro was just before she left to go with Takao, informing him that she might be busy and unable to reply and therefore he shouldn't overreact like he did yesterday, to which he replied: 'Going on another date so soon? I think I have a right to be jealous' to which Kuroko rolled her eyes.Toher surprise, there weren't any other messages from Akashi like she had been expecting. 'I guess I'll call him.' She thought as she dialed Akashi's number.

After about 3 rings, he picked up. "Hello?" a sleepy voice answered.

Kuroko was surprised. It was only 9:30, was Akashi already asleep? "Hello, Seijuro, I didn't think you'd be asleep, I'm sorry I disturbed you, go back to sleep. I'll see you tomorrow." She said happily.

"Ah, Tetsuna how nice of you to call me. Yes, I was resting a little bit, how was your day with that…friend of yours?" the other Akashi replied.

Kuroko sucked in a breath. They may have the same voice, but Kuroko is always able to differentiate between the man she loved the most, and the man she probably hated the most. "Hello…Akashi-kun. I'm sorry to wake you up, I just recalled that I have something to do, good night." She said coldly.

Akashi chuckled. "How cold, Tetsuna, that is no way to talk to your future husband. Aren't I the love of your life?" he said mockingly and Kuroko could imagine the hard gleam in his heterochromatic eyes and the taunting smirk on his lips.

Kuroko clutched her phone tightly. "I only love Seijuro, you will never be the love of my life." She blurted out and then hung up. Akashi called again, but she just shut her phone off. It was only then she realized what she had done. She loved her Seijuro, but she hated Akashi, why couldn't she love him all of him? 'Akashi may have abandoned me when I needed him the most, but Seijuro never did. They are two different people, yet they're the same. I promised to love everything about Seijuro, but how could I ever love him?'

Kuroko did not sleep easily that night as her conflicted feelings raged in her heart.

XxX

I hope you all enjoyed! Please review, and hope the next update comes sooner than the last xD.z

Kh07gl :3