Disclaimer: I don't own Kuroko no Basuke. If I do, surely it will be filled with lots of yaoi in it!

Warning: AU. Spoilers to chapter 123, set during Winter Cup. OOC (it happens in this story). There will be a gender bending too in this story, so if you feel bothered by it; I suggest you leave now. Unbeta, so beware of some mistakes and errors the authoress made.

Genre: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Drama, Romance

Pairings: AkashixFem!Kuroko, Slight AominexFem!Kuroko

"..." for memories in Italic

'...' thought in Italic

And "..." present time

-Second Chances-

-Hoping and Looking from Afar-

I can be tough, I can be strong,

But with you, it's not like that at all...

-Avril Lavigne, Wish You Were Here

The sounds of the crowd cheered for their team surrounded the gym as the game ended. Once again, they managed to win the game with the score being 156-80. It was not a surprise to see their team managed to double their scores and lead the game; after all, usually they lead the game by tripled it. If it was not for the ace from their opponent's team, they will surely have tripled the scores. Even Akashi can be seen enjoying their game against this particular team, as their opponent's ace was quite clever too in the strategy game which is to be expected when one has an opponent as Akashi Seijuuro, who is a cunning strategist.

It was not often to see one Akashi Seijuuro so lost in his game since the red haired man was quite an expert on keeping his calm, but somehow the famous point guard had been having a little difficulties to keep his emotions in check in this particular game. Maybe it was because their opponent's team had given a rather exciting game or maybe it was because he still can't forget the look on the particular light blue haired teammate of his when they met with their former teammates. Nonetheless, it was really rare to see him in such condition.

Although no one knows about it except for himself, Kuroko Tetsumi was the only person who can affect him like this. The light blue haired teammate of his always gives him this kind of effect whether when if it was something involved basketball or their personal matters; the usually emotionless girl always manage to occupy his mind in one way or another. Sometimes, Akashi can't help but wonder if the girl has that kind of effect on every people she had met.

It was true that the light blue haired girl had accepted his offer on coming along with him to Rakuzan and even being their team manager and playing with him in games sometimes, still no matter how long they have been together; Akashi always gets this distinct feeling that Kuroko wasn't really happy with her current condition. As if the other was longed for someone else to be there with her instead of Akashi. It was really easy to guess just who it is that the girl longed for if the longing look she had given to the former ace from their middle school was any indications. Nonetheless, Akashi had refused to acknowledge those signs.

Because in his belief, winners get everything in life and losers are denied everything; thus means that he gets to decide whether Kuroko Tetsumi stays with him or with one Aomine Daiki. After all, the said dark blue haired ace had long ago lost his chance when he had stopped relying and took a notice of Kuroko's feeling for him. So in Akashi's mind, Daiki has no right to stay with Kuroko regardless the fact that both of them still hold the same affection for each others.

Clear blue eyes locked with red and yellow eyes as the owner of the said eyes stared patiently at him, while holding his towel and water bottle for him as the red haired point guard walked back to the benches after their game ended. "Thank you, Tetsumi." He nodded his head in short gratitude at the light blue haired girl.

"A good game like always, Akashi-kun. It was a nice strategy," Tetsumi replied briefly, her eyes stared at the red haired player silently.

Akashi wiped his sweat away from his face and neck, red and yellow eyes regarded the girl across him with one of his stern look as he gave the other his threatening smile. "It's Sei-kun for you, Tetsumi. Surely, you haven't forgotten my name, have you?"

Tetsumi sighed submissively before she nods her head in acknowledgement at the other's demand, knowing full well to just obey the redhead when he was looking like that. After all, nothing good ever comes from defying the said redhead's demands. It will only make your life suffers in a long run if you dare to do so.

"Ah, yes... I'm sorry, Sei-kun."

"What is it? Are you anxious for Daiki's match? They should be in intermission right now," He said after some moments of watching his supposed to be team manager.

Tetsumi said nothing to the other's statement though her clear blue eyes flickered with curiosity and hope briefly at the mention of their former ace's name before returned back to its usual blank state. Those brief look on her eyes was enough to justify his guess, since it was clear that Kuroko was indeed worried over their former ace. Somehow the thought of one Aomine Daiki occupying Kuroko Tetsumi's mind even when the said girl was with Akashi, annoyed him greatly. The Rakuzan's point guard gritted his teeth in annoyance at the thought of it before he calmed himself.

"What about we go and watch the rest of his game? We don't have any other matches again today so I don't think the others will mind if we stay a little longer to watch Daiki's game."

Clear blue eyes stared at him in bewilderment as she heard his words before it turned into one which showed her suspicions. After all, one can't expect for Akashi Seijuuro to offer something without any hidden plans behind it. Even to Tetsumi who he treated more kindly than the others, Akashi was still doing something with a hidden purpose behind it. So it wasn't a surprise if Kuroko doesn't believe what the other redhead had just said.

"I just think it will calmed your mind if you know the result of his game. It's not like we have anything to do either after this," Akashi added as he caught the look of doubt the other gave to him.

Tetsumi sighed lightly before she nods her head in agreement, knowing she won't ever win against the redhead's reasoning. After all, it's not like Akashi can do anything either to manipulate the end result of the dark blue haired player's game since the said point guard isn't Aomine's opponent at the moment. "I understand. Just go first to there, I will catch up later with the others."

Akashi merely smiled at the reply he was given from the light blue haired manager before he turned away and leave to the other side of the gym. He can't wait to have a nice conversation with one dark blue haired ace regarding his expressionless team manager. After all, Akashi was never one who likes to share and this habit of his isn't one which will disappear soon.

Aomine Daiki was never one who has long patience. The dark blue haired ace always has a short temper which is the reason why he gets angry and excited over something quite easily. Especially, when it involves one Kuroko Tetsumi. The light blue haired girl always manages to create a lot of emotions within himself no matter what she does or where she is. Even now the said girl manages to make him feel conflicted and rather agitated even though she wasn't with him.

The first part of his game against Seirin has ended and he was currently warming up for the second half while waiting for the intermission to end; when Akashi Seijuuro, his former captain in Teikou Middle School approached him. The heterochromatic young man had looked at the score board in amusement before he told Aomine that he wants to talk alone with him. Thus the reason why the both of them was currently alone in one of the deserted halls of Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.

Even though both of them had once been teammates, Aomine never feels comfortable whenever he was left alone with the red haired point guard. Besides, he doesn't think anyone will feel comfortable enough around the said guy especially remembering the fact the person in question has a quite bad habit on manipulating people. That's why, to say that he was rather surprised when Akashi had asked to talk to him alone was an understatement.

"What is it?" Aomine asked, finally breaking the uncomfortable silence between the two of them.

"I really didn't expect to see that such a team can put a quite challenge for you, Daiki. It was really unexpected to see them manage to score not too far from your team's current score," Akashi smirked at the dark blue haired ace.

Aomine gritted his teeth in annoyance at the remark though he tried to restrain himself from punching the said redhead in front of him. He still loves his life enough to end it, thank you very much. So he takes a deep breath and tries to count to ten to calm himself. Once he was sure that he had calmed enough, sapphire blue eyes looked at the other's red and yellow eyes disinterestedly as he waited for the other's to continue whatever it is he wanted to say.

"Anyway, how about I propose something towards you, Daiki? One thing which involved a certain Kuroko Tetsumi in it," The redhead said once again at the the look he was given from the dark blue haired teen.

That seem to catch the ace's attention as sapphire blue eyes focused back on him. The tanned player looked curiously at him as he waited for Akashi to continue his words. Trust the ace to be interested in one Kuroko Tetsumi. After all, the light blue haired girl always has that kind of effect on each member of the Generation of Miracles.

"If you managed to win this game against Seirin and continue to win until we face each other in game later, I will allow you to talk with Tetsumi as long as you want before our game. And if you manage to win against Rakuzan too later, I will fulfill one of your wish whatever it is. But if you failed to accomplish even one of those requirements; then I want you to never see or even talk to Tetsumi again. Whether it was from phone or text. How about it?" Akashi continued his proposition, red and yellow eyes looked expectantly at the young man across him.

Meanwhile, Tetsumi was looking for both Akashi and Aomine. The light blue haired teen had walked into this particular side of the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium to watch her former light's match but the moment she walked into the court, there's no sign of the dark blue haired ace nor her red haired captain. Somehow, the usually expressionless girl can't help but felt that something was wrong. She immediately excused herself from her current team, intent on finding those two troublesome guys before something bad happen.

However before she can walk out and looked for them, the sounds of her name being called out by someone halted her steps. Clear blue eyes turned around to gaze at the bright pink haired basketball manager of Touou High. It's really been a while since she last seen her, and Tetsumi can't stop but notice how the other girl hadn't changed that much. Momoi Satsuki was and still is looking as beautiful as before.

"Momoi-san..." Tetsumi nodded her head lightly in greeting.

"Tetsu-chan! I don't know that you will be here too! I miss you!" The bright pink haired girl said enthusiastically as she immediately enveloped the smaller girl into a tight hug.

"Momoi-san... please... can't breath..." The light blue haired managed to mumble against the other's chest.

"Ah! Sorry! It just... it's really been a while since I last saw you," Momoi Satsuki said apologetically, immediately letting the smaller teen out of her embrace.

"It's fine. How have you been, Momoi-san? I take it that you joined the same school as Aomine-kun,"

"Well, you know... I really did want to go to the same school as you. But you won't even tell me what high school you're going. Besides, who knows what he'll do if I don't watch him? I've been pretty good. How about you, Tetsu-chan?" The bubbly manager said slowly, her peach colored eyes looked sadly at the mention of her dark blue haired childhood friend.

"I'm fine... I guess..." Tetsumi replied after some moments of silence. Even though she knew that she had to lie and just told the other girl that she was fine, she knew that Momoi at least deserved her honesty. After all, the bright pink haired girl had been a really close friend with her before. And even after what Tetsumi had done back in the middle school, the bubbly girl had never once asked her about it. And it was something that Tetsumi really appreciate.

Satsuki merely glanced at her sadly at her answer, though the other chose to say nothing about it. She understands how much the light blue haired girl was trying to move on and forget the dark blue haired ace, after all Satsuki was there when she watched the two of them started to drift apart from each other. And the bright pink haired teen knows how much it hurts the light blue haired girl to see Aomine Daiki changes. Even though she knows that both of them was still longing for each other, Satsuki also realized that sooner or later both Tetsumi and Daiki have to move on from each other.

"So, you joined Rakuzan, eh? Isn't that Akashi's school?" Satsuki asked, changing the subject immediately once she took notice of the gloomy aura around them.

"Yes. Akashi-kun asked me to go with him in the third year back in the middle school," The light blue haired girl nodded briefly, her face remained expressionless like always.

"Hmm... that was unexpected. Are you coming to watch Dai-chan's match?" Peach colored eyes looked inquiringly at the smaller girl across her.

A brief nod was the only answer she received from the other as the light blue haired teen looked around her surroundings with anxiety. It was rare to see such an emotion from the smaller girl and Satsuki can't help but felt worried as well. After all, even though Tetsumi rarely shows her emotion to the world; it doesn't mean the light blue haired girl was emotionless. "Is something wrong?" She asked, concern laced her voice.

"Momoi-san... have you seen Akashi-kun or Aomine-kun?" Tetsumi asked quickly, the urgent tone in her voice told the other how important it is for her to know the location of the two guys. She knows that something really bad is going to happen. It was obvious to see trouble lurking wherever Akashi goes, the mismatched eyed teen was a magnet for trouble after all. And when the redhead player was plotting something, it never ends good for the receiving end of the sadist's plan.

"Dai-chan? I think I saw him walked into that direction... what's wrong?" Satsuki looked thoughtful for a minute before she pointed the direction where she last saw her childhood friend. She got no answers from the phantom player though since as soon as she said those words, the light blue haired girl had immediately run off to that direction; leaving the bubbly manager alone.

Tetsumi was panicking within her head. Even though she looks calm like always at the outside, she was really panicking inside her head. She really has to find those two soon. Who knows what will happen if Akashi had started to plot something towards Aomine? Tetsumi knows for sure that whatever it is the redhead was plotting, it won't ever ends good for the tanned player. It's not like Tetsumi doesn't realize how Aomine's presence had annoyed Akashi lately. She only hopes she can arrive there in time before anything bad happens.

Aomine Daiki was conflicted. A part of himself had immediately screamed to him to take the proposition and agreed with it immediately but the other part (the more rational one), had told him that it will be dangerous to accept such an offer especially from one Akashi Seijuuro. The guy was a top strategist and a manipulative bastard after all. To accept his offer is the same as to accept the deal with the devil himself. Still, it was a rare opportunity. Especially it involved one Kuroko Tetsumi in it. The light blue haired girl was and still is someone who important for him anyway.

But before Aomine even had the chance to give Akashi his answer, the sound of footsteps approaching them; broke the two of them from the tense silence which somehow had engulfed both of them. Both of them immediately turned their head to the source of the sound, only to be greeted by the sight of the said girl they have been talking about. Kuroko Tetsumi was and still is looked the same as Aomine remembers. The light blue haired girl still looked adorable with her long hair and small figure although, she looked out of breath from running at the moment.

"You're here..." She said calmly, once she had regained her breath back. Clear blue eyes regarded both guys in front of her with curiosity and annoyance.

"Tetsu..." Aomine muttered the girl's name slowly, sapphire blue eyes took in the appearance of his crush carefully as if by doing so can make the girl stays in his mind forever.

"Tetsumi. Are you looking for me or for Daiki?" Akashi asked, snapping Aomine out of his reverie.

Clear blue eyes turned to the mismatched eyes before the smaller teen took a deep breath to calm herself. She really needs to calm herself before she snapped at the redhead. It won't end good if she does so. "I'm looking for both of you. Do you know that the intermission is going to end soon? Why are you here and talking with Aomine-kun, Sei-kun? You do know that he needs to warm up, don't you?"

The sounds of his former captain's given name out from the phantom player took Aomine by surprise. Why she call Akashi with his given name? Does this mean there is something more between the two of them? She never calls Aomine with his given name before regardless how close the two of them were but here she is, calling Akashi with only his given name. Somehow, Aomine can't stop the jealousy and the rage which filled his heart at the thought of it.

"Ah, I guess we lost the track of time. It was nice to talk with you again, Daiki. I hope you think carefully before you take your decision. Come on, Tetsumi. I'm sure the others must be looking for us now," Akashi smiled innocently, before he walked away from Aomine. Somehow the word innocence and Akashi never meant good in Tetsumi's dictionary. She knows that the red haired point guard had planned something against the tanned player before she arrived.

"What is it?" She asked suddenly, stopping Akashi in his steps and surprising Aomine who looked so lost within his own world. Mismatched eyes turned to regard the light blue haired manager questioningly. As if waiting for the said girl to continue her question.

"What is it that both of you have been talking about? Surely you're not taking him to here only to talk pleasantries with him. Tell me, Sei-kun. What is it that you have said to Aomine-kun?" Clear blue eyes glared with the same intensity she used when she is serious about something.

Red and yellow eyes immediately narrowed dangerously at the demand he was given from his team's manager. Even though he treasures the light blue haired girl dearly, there is no way he will take such attitude from the usually expressionless girl. Never mind the fact that Tetsumi was right in her suspicions at Akashi, the smaller girl really has no right to demand something out from him like that. Akashi walked slowly as he approached the light blue haired girl who is still glaring at him with her clear blue eyes.

"You have no right to demand such a thing from me, Tetsumi." He said dangerously in a low tone, his hand cupped the girl's face tightly to the point where he was sure will leave some mark if he wasn't careful.

If possible, the redhead's action only angered Tetsumi further. She knows it was foolish on her part to demand something from the red haired point guard, still she has a right to know what the other had planned. After all, she knows that it involved her in it too in one way or another. The guy was really manipulative after all. So she kept her ground and continued to glare at her captain regardless how his grip on her face was starting to get painful.

"I have any right to know, Sei-kun. Don't tell me otherwise. You're involving me in this too, aren't you?" Tetsumi didn't know where she got all the courage from but one thing she was sure of was she hated being left out from something which certainly involved her. She doesn't need to be protected! She can take care of herself well enough and she was sure that whatever it is that Akashi was trying to hide from her was something that involved her in it.

"You-"

"Let go of Tetsu," Aomine said suddenly, cutting whatever words Akashi was trying to say to Tetsumi. Aomine gritted his teeth in annoyance as he tried to hold back himself from hitting his former captain. It really takes every control on his body to not just punch the red head for touching Tetsumi like that. Former captain or not, there's no way Aomine will stay still if Akashi even dared to hurt Tetsumi. Aomine had once promised himself that he won't let anyone hurt the light blue haired girl after all even though it means he has to protect Tetsumi from his own self too. Red and yellow eyes turned to regard him coldly before Akashi released his hold on Tetsumi and walked back towards the tanned player. His former captain smirked at the determination in Aomine's sapphire blue eyes before he glanced back at Tetsumi who still watching both guys warily. The light blue haired manager had finally grasped back her calm composure once she heard Aomine defending her.

"You still care about her." Akashi remarked briefly, his mismatched eyes looked at the tanned guy across him in amusement.

"Sei-kun... please stop it," Tetsumi said slowly, clear blue eyes stared exasperatedly at her captain. She knows that if Akashi was in one of his mood, there is nothing she can do to stop the other from planning something evil. The guy has a penchant on making someone's life miserable after all. Nonetheless, Tetsumi doesn't want Aomine to feel such a pressure from the redhead. Because, even though Aomine wasn't her partner anymore; she still cares for the dark blue haired ace. And no matter how many times she tried to deny it, it was the fact that she has to face sooner or later.

"I do. And about your offer... I refuse it," Aomine said solemnly, sapphire blue eyes looked seriously at his former captain. There isn't any trace of fear in his eyes as he stared back at the mismatched eyes of his former captain. Instead of fear, what showed from those saphhire blue eyes were only clear determination and a hint of anger. He was confident of the fact that the red haired strategist won't do anything towards him after all. At least, not when he is in a game and has to be in the court some minutes again.

"I see. That's a pity and it was a rather rare offer from me too. I guess you really don't think Tetsumi is worth it," Akashi sighed in mock disappointment before he smirked at the dark blue haired teen.

"No. She is worth it. I just chose to do it in my own way. I will do what I can to mend my relationship with her and I will do it in my own way," Sapphire blue eyes locked with red and yellow eyes determinedly, without any traces of doubt or fear in those eyes. Tetsumi really didn't know if she should feel flattered or annoyed at the two of them. They were practically using her for some bet she doesn't want to take any part in! Still, it relieved her to know that Aomine had refused the entire deal. It won't be good if he accepts it anyway since he was dealing with one Akashi Seijuuro, who is as cunning as the devil himself.

Akashi laughed sharply at the answer he was given from his former team's ace before he regarded the other with an amused look. Never mind that the other had refused his offer, it only makes everything more interesting for him. At least in this way, Akashi knows he won't get bored easily with the game between the two of them should they face each other in a match later. Besides, even though Daiki had rejected his proposition; the tanned player wasn't backing out either on trying to get Tetsumi's heart. Nevertheless, everything was so much more interesting now. After all, it was a nice change to have someone brave enough to defy him. And the victory that Akashi was sure he will get later, will only taste more satisfying if the other given all his best on trying to win from Akashi.

"I'll be waiting then, Daiki. Let see how far you can get with your way," Akashi smirked darkly at the tanned player before he turned away from the other and walk back to the court where he was sure everyone had been waiting for him.

Tetsumi glanced briefly at her red haired captain before she turned her clear blue eyes once again at her former light. She was glad to know that her presence still means something for the other but she also knows that no matter what will happen later, it will be hard for her to return back to Aomine's side. The dark blue haired ace had once abandoned her after all. And Tetsumi really doesn't want to experience the same thing again for a second time. Still, for now all she can do was only hoping that the tanned guy will give all his best to win this particular game of strategy against one Akashi Seijuuro. Her captain was and still is a dangerous person. And if by any chances Aomine lost from Akashi, the light blue haired manager can only hope that it won't really crush Aomine later.

"Please do your best, Aomine-kun. Sei-kun won't take it lightly if you don't give him everything you're capable of. And please be careful," Tetsumi said finally after some moments of awkward silence between the two of them. Finally, she nodded her head at him briefly in acknowledgement before she ran off towards Akashi who without a doubt must be waiting for her.

"Che. I will do my best for you, Tetsu." Aomine scoffed, sapphire blue eyes stared at the back of the girl he is longing for forlornly. Even though he knew that she won't hear him anymore, he still felt the need to say it. If only just to ease his mind. He will make sure to get back the light blue haired girl's approval of him even if it means he has to crush another basketball's team hope for it.

Authoress' Notes: Here it is, the sequel that I've promised you. What do you think about it? Is it pretty satisfying for a first chapter? Or do you find it unsatisfying? Please tell me your opinion about it. In the end, I decided to make Aomine refused Akashi's offer since I think that will only make evrything more interesting for Akashi. After all, in my opinion Akashi is someone who gets more excited in a game where he knows he can get a good fight from his opponent. And Aomine is just someone who won't back off lightly so it will be a pretty interesting match to watch. I think that was why I started the whole fight between Akashi and Aomine. A fight which not only involved basketball but also their mind on making strategy and their resolve and determination to get Tetsumi's heart.

Anyway, I was thinking of making another series of Kurobasu aside from this one. In that series, the pairing will be AominexFem!Kuroko with a slight AkashixFem!Kuroko in it. Lastly, please review and tell me your opinion of the first chapter of Second Chances. I hope all of you enjoyed it as much as I do when I wrote it. Thank you for those who have voted for the pairing for this story, I'm really grateful for your cooperation. And thank you once again for reading this story of mine. And I apologized if there are some errors and tenses mistakes in it. I'm still an amateur after all. Have a nice day~