the story of us

―Chapter I; before the storm

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Kuroko Tetsuya took his towel, wiping the sweat clinging to his face as he reached into his bag, grabbing a bottle of water. He has been doing this for two weeks now. Staying after his usual practice with third-string, only to be practicing with Akashi in the fourth auditorium. Akashi Seijuro was in general a fearsome person, off the courts he acted and looked calm, but on the courts he was a true sadist or as other people would say: a wolf in sheep's clothing.

But then again, he agreed to try.

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"No." said the redhead, his crimson eyes never leaving Kuroko's. "I'm curious about him. Interesting... I've never seen his type of player. He might be hiding a talent completely different from ours... You name is?"

"My name is Kuroko Tetsuya."

The said boy, Kuroko Tetsuya, was rather small, even smaller then Akashi himself. He had icy blue colored hair which was styled to the right along with pale skin and blank blue eyes.

"Akashi Seijuro. So, what do you say Tetsuya? Are you willing to try?"

"…Yes."

A smirk, crept up onto Akashi's face as he watched, now filled with hope, blue eyes.

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"Tetsuya."

Kuroko opened his eyes, putting his bottle on the bench, he turned around facing the taller boy. Akashi has medium long, very slick red hair, his crimson eyes are large and he has a very oval face. Akashi was also taller then Kuroko, but just a little.

"You made some progress over these two weeks." The redhead said and Kuroko nodded for him to continue. "Your speed has increased, though not by much, but your weak presence along with your passes covers for that. So, we will work on your speed. Tetsuya another five laps around the court."

Kuroko nodded and slowly started running, completely unaware that Akashi's eyes were following his every move.

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"Oi, Akashi."

The redhead turned around facing Aomine Daiki ― the ace of the team and Tetsuya's best friend. Though Aomine didn't really look happy.

"Is there a problem Daiki?

"Yes. You are going to hard on Tetsu. Sure him and I used to play everyday after the practice, but Tetsu doesn't have much strength to do everything you ask of him."

Now Akashi's sadistic mode was on.

"Daiki." Underneath his usual calm voice there could be seen such viciousness that would make anybody's blood freeze. "If Tetsuya couldn't do anything of the things that I asked him to do, he would say so. Wouldn't he?"

"Tch."

Was Aomine's respond as he turned around and got back to practicing. After all a mad Akashi ― was a bad Akashi. Pleased with the respond he got Akashi turned around, his eyes searching the icy blue haired boy, who was currently doing some exercises.

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Truth to be told, Akashi didn't really think that Tetsuya could do everything he asked of him, but the boy never said he couldn't do it. Akashi broke his train of thoughts as he heard something collide with the ground. Turning around he searched for Kuroko's figure. Akashi saw Kuroko laying on the floor, he quickly ran towards him, picked him up and without another word left towards the nurse office.

Kuroko slowly opened his eyes and the first thing he realized was that he wasn't in the fourth auditorium anymore. He let out a small groan as he tried to get up, only to be pushed back onto the bed again. Alarmed Kuroko turned his head to left; blue eyes meeting red ones and Kuroko calmed down, it was just Akashi.

"Tetsuya." the boy with icy blue hair looked up, Akashi's voice was serious and he looked mad. "The nurse said that you fainted due to exhaustion. Is there anything you would like to say to me?"

So. Akashi-kun found out. Kuroko thought.

After all it was only a matter of time before he would find out and Kuroko knew that. The first days of practice with Akashi went smoothly, but Kuroko didn't wanted to disappoint him, so he did everything Akashi asked for. He ran the same amount of laps as the regulars, he did every exercise he even did stretching with Aomine. He just wanted to prove himself to Akashi, he wanted to prove that he had a talent as Akashi said.

"Tetsuya?" Akashi spoke calmly, but he was far from that. He just need a reason from Tetsuya. "Tetsuya?"

"Akashi-kun." he started, looking down, breaking the eye contact with Akashi. "...I'm sorry Akashi-kun, I thought I could do it."

Akashi's glare soften at Kuroko's answer, after all it was partly him fault for being too hard on him. They stayed quiet for some time before Akashi spoke, his voice softer.

"I'll forgive you this time Tetsuya." Kuroko suddenly raised his head and looked at Akashi. "But if you promise that you will say 'enough' when your tired next time. We have a deal?"

"Yes."

A small smile appeared on Kuroko's face and Akashi felt his heartbeat increasing it's speed. He quickly got up and walked outside, but he quickly returned carrying Kuroko's bag and uniform. Kuroko just then realized he was still in his black shorts and white t-shirt.

"Here. Get dressed and then I'll walk you home."

Kuroko nodded and Akashi stepped outside.

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"Akashi-kun do you think I could become a first-string?"

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"―the match is in two week. Tetsuya do you think you can do it?"

Kuroko, who was currently standing outside his gate turned around, facing Akashi with a confused look on his face. Akashi was asking him to play in official match with regulars? But why would he do that? He isn't even on the same level as the rest―

"Well?"

Akashi's voice brought him back to reality and all Kuroko could do was a small and slow nod. A smirk formed on Akashi's lips and he looked pleased with his respond.

"Well then, tomorrow after your usual practice, at the fourth auditorium."

Receiving another small nod Akashi walked away as he lived not too far from Kuroko. While Kuroko was still standing in front of his gate.

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"I-I'm sorry Akashi-kun, can we stop now?"

One week passed before the match and Kuroko was doing better, he also spoke up when he was tired and couldn't continue. After all he didn't wanted Akashi to be mad at him.

"Sure Tetsuya."

Kuroko nodded and when Akashi walked out of the fourth auditorium he sat at the floor, not caring if it was dirty. Minutes later he heard someone coming in, but he didn't look up, he knew it was Akashi.

"Tetsuya sit."

It was a simple order, letting out a small groan Kuroko pushed himself up from the cold and hard floor, only to get something thrown at him. It was ice cream, he looked up but the redhead wasn't there, instead he joined Kuroko on the floor ice cream in his hands. Kuroko gave a small smile before opening his own.

"Tetsuya." said boy looked up and the redhead continued. "You are ready for the match."

And at that moment Kuroko couldn't remember when he was happier.

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"No Tetsuya. I think you can make it into regulars."

"So, Akashi-kun and I could play side by side."

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Here it is~! My first chapter, sorry if there are any mistakes after all english is my second language. Please leave a review. Oh, and this text in italic is flashback.