Hi guys, Rain here with a new story! I'm sorry I haven't been updating "Nanairo" recently since I haven't errr exactly fished out yet how it's supposed to go aha sorry ;_;" I promise within this month I'll have something up for it, but still...yeah. That's my first fic and my trial fic, so I'm not sure how it's gonna go smooth or rough eek. I'll do my best though!

Also, this story was inspired by Sleeping With Siren's "Four Corners and Two Sides" and "Fire" heehee. I don't own them, okay? 'Belongs to them, y'all!

Post-Script: How do you guys feel about having a KnB Facebook Community? =w=

Okay done babbling. Enjoy!

Nothing is mine unless stated.

It started in their second year of middle school, and it wasn't supposed to happen either. Tetsuya was supposed to stay undercover until he graduated high school, and was to not show any part of his skills and true self when it wasn't working hours for him.

He really didn't mean it, he swore.

Tetsuya forgot something in the gym lockers one afternoon, and he realized it when he was already outside the school gates. He debated on whether he should just leave it or take it back. He was tired and wanted to get a Popsicle or two with the others, but that thing he left was important. He couldn't leave it behind, because if anyone found it, it would mean trouble for him, and hell for whoever found it.

After all, he would have to break that seal he placed on himself if that ever happened.

So, he apologized to his friends, and ran back to the school with all the remaining energy he had left. Once he arrived there, all sweaty and more tired than before, he stopped in front of the gym's doors as he heard grunts of pain from the inside.

Slowly, he opened the sliding door of the gym, and with his little presence, he easily peeked into the place without getting noticed. The first thing that caught his attention was the shock of yellow hair on the floor, and the tints of red gathering on it. Then, he took notice of the other taller people surrounding him, and the things in their hands and on their faces.

Smirks. Grins. Sets of pearly white teeth showed off in a big smile. Bats in hands. Balled fists. Brass knuckles.

Kise-kun on the floor, his head seemingly to have been smashed down on the wood below him, and the red that was seeping through his golden blonde hair.

Tetsuya didn't know what made him react, or what made him snap in general. Maybe because he was really tired, or maybe because he was frustrated for leaving his things and being careless, or for coming here when he could've just prayed that no one gets what belongs to him, and get it tomorrow. He had greater self-control than this, and he knew better than to act so recklessly like Aomine-kun and Murasakibara-kun, but he did. He snapped into two as he saw that metal bat swing down on his student, his new teammate, his friend, and watched as that head collided with the floor once again.

Thankfully, he was thin and unnoticeable enough to open the door a bit larger—but not large enough to let sunlight seep in—and slipped through the space he provided himself. Quietly, he shut the door and.

But not quite quiet enough.

The upperclassmen stopped what they were doing and looked around, searching for who could've opened the door. "Who was that?"

One shrugged. "I don't know, dude. Let's just carry on, or someone might catch us here."

"You mean someone might catch sight of this model," another dug his foot into Kise-kun's stomach, and Tetsuya barely suppressed the growl to escape from his throat, as he bent down to retrieve something from his legs, "—all bloodied up and not looking so perfect anymore, right?"

The group of five barked out in amusement at the joke, as Kise-kun coughed violently as the foot stomped repeatedly into him as they laughed. Tetsuya saw it—he saw the tears threatening to spill from joyous, golden eyes, which were now starting to brim with fear, determination fading. He knew he was starting to lose consciousness, if the blood when he entered the gym and the bruises were any indication.

It made Tetsuya's blood boil. The fact that these upperclassmen—trash, trash, trash, trash, trash—were people he and Kise-kun played with almost on a daily basis, would hurt another because of jealousy and pride. He knew how it felt; to be unnoticed as you try so hard while others who may or may not be trying as hard get promoted while you stay down. They bloom, you don't. They move on, they evolve, they beautify, and you don't. He knew that feeling all too well, but he never acted upon it. He got to the top on his own efforts and some from Aomine-kun and Akashi-kun. He believed in Loyalty and Camaraderie. He hated betrayals. He hated them—dreaded, loathed, he was disgusted by such acts that were caused by such petty, petty things and yet, they managed to create gigantic heaps of trouble—and no matter what, he couldn't forgive anyone who did so.

What this was, it was a betrayal in a simple form. Just like backstabbing, spreading rumours and leaving banana peels on the ground or laughing at someone out loud.

As he eyed Kise-kun once more, he watched as his slightly pale eyelids—from the blood loss, no doubt—slowly dropped down, yet he managed to fight back. 'No matter what it seemed, Kise-kun was still Kise-kun.'

He let a little small slip into his face.

'It's okay now, Kise-kun. You can sleep.'

Crouching down a bit, pale blue eyes narrowed in a glare, and silently, he charged.

Suddenly, all laughter stopped as one of the upperclassmen fell to the ground, part of his body falling onto the fallen Kise-kun, who was growing dizzier and dizzier. He fell to ground, a knife embedded into his back, just behind the heart.

Yet, judging from how long the hilt was and the amount of blood seeping through his uniform, the knife was stabbed deeply into him, most likely reaching the heart already.

The remaining four looked around, guards up as they searched the killer of their friend, equipped with bats and brass knuckles. They wouldn't let that slip, oh no. They'll beat that piece of shit up too, like what they did to the shitty blonde, and they'll beat him up so bad that he'll be dead too—

A sharp shot rang throughout the gym, and the other dropped his bat, placing his hands on his neck. At the side of his neck was a gaping hole where the bullet went through. The said bullet went through the other side of his neck, and was now rolling away on the polished and wooden floor, spreading red onto it. He raised his head up high, struggling to breathe as the bullet hit directly onto his windpipe, and said part now had a gaping hole in it, air not entering properly or at all even, yet going out easily. He fell to his knees, and starting trashing around, foam forming at the side of his mouth.

"Tch!" One clicked his tongue. "Come out, you shit! Don't be a coward and face us head on!"

Tetsuya stepped closer to them, yet, still stood under the shadow of the windows. The upperclassmen's eyes widened at the sight of the Generation of Miracle's Phantom Player, one hand holding a pistol, the other, a dagger.

"Ku-Kuroko…" One stuttered in shock, momentarily unclenching his fists, letting the brass knuckles fall to the ground audibly. "W-What are you…"

"A coward…you say." Tetsuya said, taking a step out of the shadows—one foot remaining in the darkness, one out to the light. "You dare call me such strong words, senpai-tachi." It was his normal voice, normal blankness, normal Kuroko Tetsuya. Yet, it was sharp, dangerous, lethal. "When you don't even know yourselves."

One from the frozen three, brave as he was, spoke up, "What the fuck do you mean, hah?! Are you trying to say we're cowards or something? That we're shits?" He scoffed, and pointed his bat at him. "If anything, that'd be you and this shit here," he kicked the half-conscious Kise-kun's chin, "Since he's just a newbie and yet he's in the first string, and you—you're shit at basketball and yet you're here!" He smirked. "And here you are, with a gun and a shitty knife. What, are you trying to kill us or something for hurting your oh-so precious friend?"

Tetsuya stayed silent the whole time, and instead, twirled his dagger around his hands. "Well, what do you say, Kuroko-kun?" The upperclassman taunted with a shit-eating grin in place.

The shadow stopped twirling his weapon. It was silent. "I say," he began, "I'm thankful that a stupid and cowardly senpai like you has brains."

Then, in the blink of an eye, he flicked his wrist and the dagger went straight through the loudmouth's head, the sharpest part of it sticking out on the back of his head. With an audible 'thud,' he fell to his side, eyes wide open in fear as blood spilled from where he was stabbed.

The other two stood in fear as slowly, Tetsuya went out of the shadows, his footsteps echoing in the deathly silent gym. One dropped his bat, and it joined the brass knuckles on the floor.

"I don't normally do this, senpai-tachi." Tetsuya began as he walked towards them painfully slowly. "You and I both know that my patience is longer than this. I, myself, don't know what caused me to snap so easily." A small smile bloomed on his lips, as his footsteps grew louder, as his simple steps became stomps. "Maybe because I'm tired, and that I really want to go home. I just left something here and I come back to see you all ruining my friend."

He stopped. One hand went behind his back, and once it went back to his side, the two noticed the new gun in hand.

"More importantly, I wasn't even supposed to do this at all. It's not time yet for you or Kise-kun to know." He raised both arms and aimed at them. "It's not time for anyone to know at all. And because of that," he unlocked both the safeties at once, and the two began to shake, "I'll have to make sure you keep quiet, senpai-tachi."

Two guns, yet one simple, resounding bang echoed through the gym, and both bodies fell in sync to the ground, blood oozing from their chests and smoke from his guns. At the same time, he brought down his arms, and eyed his friend.

Kise-kun was unconscious. One upperclassman's body was partially on him, and Tetsuya mercilessly kicked the offending body away, not paying it any mind as it collided with the floor and its arm lay on the other upperclassman. Tetsuya crouched down to Kise-kun's level, and he placed back his pistols in their proper places—one at the back of his thigh, the other, behind his back. Once both hands were free, he used one hand to elevate the blonde's head, and the other, to stroke his hair.

It would've made a peaceful scene—Kise-kun in Tetsuya's arms, being stroked so affectionately, so warmly— if there weren't five dead bodies around them.

They stayed like that for a while, until the sound of the gym door and footsteps heading their way invaded Tetsuya's ears. Currently, they were facing against the door, and he knew if he moved suddenly, Kise-kun would wake up and see the chaos he's caused—and at the moment, he did not want that to happen. He was about to reach for his gun once more, until he heard them get closer. He knew those steps. He knew that style of breathing. He knew that aura.

A yawn was heard, and the shadow turned to look at the black haired upperclassman of his that carried the thing he came back for, and hovered above the duo. Tetsuya's guard lowered down, and he let out a sigh of relief before tilting his head upwards. "Senpai."

He gave a slight nod, and Tetsuya nodded back. Wordlessly, he gave him his schoolbag, and turned around. He took out his phone, started dialling a few numbers, and placed it close to his ear. When someone picked up, he spoke, "Oi. I need a few cleaners here, will 'ya? There are five dead here and I need…" he looked around. "A set fit for ten. The blood here is shit, seriously."

After a while, the call ended and he kept his phone. He opened the door and stepped out. However, before he shut the door, he looked over his shoulder and said, "The papers are in there. Be sure to read them." Then, he looked at his watch. "Hurry up, Kuroko. The infirmary's gonna close soon."

Tetsuya nodded and said quietly, "Thank you, Nijimura-senpai."

Nijimura-senpai walked away, and Tetsuya stood up with Kise-kun on his shoulders, and his bag in his hands. They split up, and silently, the duo went to the infirmary. A feeling of guilt grew in Tetsuya, and immediately, he smashed it down.

Kise-kun remembered nothing that happened.

-xxx-

"Are?" Momoi asked as she got out of the convenience store, two popsicles in hand. "Where'd Tetsu-kun go?"

Daiki grunted as he chomped on his snow cone. "'Said he had to go back to school. Forgot his school bag."

The manager blinked owlishly. "What are you talking about, Dai-chan?" She asked, before raising her arms up in the air, where her right had one bag, and the left, another. "It's with me!"

The group went silent.

"Speaking of which," Shintarou pushed up his glasses with his left, as his right held an ice cream-less popsicle stick, "Didn't we leave behind that Kise guy with the other senpai-tachi, who said they had to talk to him in the gym?"

"Hmm. Kuro-chin said he left his bag in the locker rooms. That's there too." Atsushi chewed nosily on his bag of chips. "That seems suspicious, ne, Aka-chin?"

All heads turned to the redhead, who was reading a pocket novel. He looked up from his novel, before letting a small look of curiosity come to place. "Hn. Yes, it is."

"What do we do then?" Momoi opened her Popsicle, and placed it in her mouth, savouring the coldness. It felt wonderful, but something didn't seem right. "Something gives me a bad feeling with what you guys are saying."

Akashi closed his book shut, and placed it in his bag. "Ki—Ryouta is most likely in trouble, and so would be Tetsuya."

The group wasted no time in running back to the school.

-xxx-

They passed by Nijimura on the way to school, and they bombarded him with loads of questions, all having the same meaning: Where are Kuroko Tetsuya and Kise Ryouta?

He didn't answer, he didn't shrug. He did, however, walk past them as he closed his eyes and placed his hands behind his head, and formed his lips as if were whistling. "It's kinda funny to see such a small guy carry another practically twice his height and weight on his back, you know? Especially when the big guy's all bloody and unconscious and practically half-dead."

Nijimura then went on his merry way, and they all headed for the infirmary, understanding full well what their eccentric former captain was trying to say.

They knew that the room must be locked, as it was an hour after school ended already, and so they resorted to violence and Atsushi kicked the door down. The scent of antiseptic filled the air and the scent of metallic copper as well. All eyes flickered to the lone bed in the room, where an unconscious and newly-bandaged blonde lay asleep, and beside him, a pale boy was preparing medicine for him if ever he wakes up.

"Ah." Tetsuya turned around, feeling hot gazes on his back. "Everyone. What are you doing here?"

"Tetsu!" Daiki said in surprise. "What the hell happened?!"

Tetsuya placed the tray of medicine down, and went to the table to get a glass of water. "Well, like I said, I had to go back to the gym to get my school bag, but then I saw Kise-kun all bloodied up on the gym floor." He poured himself a glass before getting a new one for Ryouta. "Then Nijimura-senpai found us and told me to get him to the infirmary."

The shadow walked back to Ryouta's bedside, and set the water down with the medicine. "And the attackers?" Shintarou asked, watching their manager check over the blonde in worry. "What happened to them?"

"Judging from the blood on Nijimura-senpai's knuckles, I'd say they were well-taken care of." The blank look on the pale teen's face was quite unnerving for what he said. However, they knew it was normal for him, and knew that he was immediately straight to the point, no matter what.

Akashi raised a brow. Something seemed off with the way things were. "However, Tetsuya," he began, "How did you get in, when the infirmary was locked?" He asked.

"Ah, actually the nurse left it open." He said as he got a chair from the stack, and placed it beside the blonde and sat down on it. "So I had all the access to this whole place. Luckily she left a manual of sorts if ever something like this happens." He pointed nonchalantly to the medium-sized poster on the wall, which was filled with text and a few pictures on different kinds of injuries and what to do with them. "I locked it afterwards though, for privacy reasons."

It was a fair reasoning, but something was off. Akashi can feel it, yet it all seemed so normal. Tetsuya's blank eyes. Tetsuya's pale blue hair. Tetsuya's pale complexion. Tetsuya's bluntness. Tetsuya's mannerisms.

It was all the same, maybe save for the fact that he spoke more, but it was understandable. In a situation like this, playing twenty questions would be tiring, and it could possibly wake the sleeping Ryouta with all the noise they would cause. He was quick to the point even if he spoke more; in fact, he seemed blunter as he did so.

Yet the fact it seemed so normal seemed so different. It was unexplainable to Akashi, but he knew something was off.

"Ehh." Murasakibara drawled out. "But Kuro-chin, why did you get your school bag when you brought one and left it with Sacchin?"

Momoi froze, and then she remembered. "Sou, sou!" She huffed and pouted. " Tetsu-kun, you left it with me, remember? So what did you get here then?"

Tetsuya was quick to reply. Akashi wasn't sure if it were rehearsed or the truth. "I actually left it yesterday, so today I brought a spare." He pointed at the extra one which Daiki now carried. "They have the same contents, luckily, but the one I got today," he picked the one from the floor up , "Had important test papers I need to review over for tomorrow."

"Oh, is that so?" The manager blinked owlishly, before breaking into a smile and hugging him. "Well, I'm glad you're safe and you saved Ki-chan, Tetsu-kun!"

Tetsuya nodded and she stood up and went back to the group. "You can go ahead, everyone." He said. "I'll wait until Kise-kun wakes up. Also, the nurse hasn't left yet anyway, since her things are still here." His gaze flickered to the leather bag on a table. "Don't worry, we'll be fine."

They looked unconvinced, but a word from Akashi means law. "Yes, we'll be doing just that, Tetsuya." He then faced the others, "Come, let's go. We don't want to stress Ryouta when he wakes up now, do we?"

"Well…no." Daiki said, sheepishly rubbing his head.

"Then, let's go." As one, they headed for the door. However, before completely leaving, Akashi looked back at Tetsuya, who was now reading from a bunch of papers in different sizes and colours, and he could see tints of red on them—studying old test papers, he presumed. "We'll be going now. Take care of Ryouta for us."

Tetsuya looked up from his notebook, and nodded. Akashi nodded back, turned around, and left. The shadow turned back to his notebook, and his gaze hardened once more as his guard went up.

"I hope Kise-kun wakes up soon," he whispered to himself, "Or at least, the nurse comes back earlier. I cannot afford to be late this time." He looked at the clock. 5:30 pm. "I am being called by Nijimura-senpai's family again for another mission at 6:30 pm."

Okay, done! I'll have the next chapter up soon. The plot for this has been done, and character development is half-way done too. Don't overlook anything at all in this chapter, okay? Especially Nijimura's apperance.

Well, it's near midnight and I have to sleep eek. Tell me your thoughts on this chapter and the idea of an FB Community/Page for KnB Fanfiction!

-Unscented Rain 0742 (060513)-