AN: Hello guys! This is a new account after my previous one had been hacked and deactivated. Anyways, I've recently been into KnB fandom and I've got to say that I mostly like what I've seen. (1) I wanted to write a story where Kuroko meets Seirin team much earlier and not by perspective only. To me, watching the anime and reading the manga, they're the best thing that happened to him. (2) This would be kind of emotional since I wanted to establish what kind of person Kuroko was developing into.

Warning(s): (1) This is NOT bashing of any characters, especially the GoM (I love them) but after reading the manga when their talents began to bloom (I think it starts around chapter 214), I can't just easily forgive them (specifically, Aomine and Akashi) for how they acted. Aomine: for being careless with Kuroko's feelings and, even though I can see where he is coming from, it is not really much better when he broke bonds of friendship a little too casually for my comfort that obviously meant so much to Kuroko (if he was so determined to bring his former best friend's love for basketball back in the series). Akashi: though, it's more for the 'Emperor Akashi' who had become quite heartless in the face of victory - the way that he had let the team fall apart, crushed Ogiwara and even disregarded Kuroko's honest intentions of fulfilling a childhood promise. And I know the feeling of hating something that you once loved, and believed me, it is a miserable experience and what more if it is caused by the very people you call friends. And, I don't know with other people, but losing those few friends (especially when you aren't even noticeable as a person, someone like Kuroko) is a very painful feeling. That's why reading that part of the manga made me so sad for Kuroko and the GoM. (2) I'm not sure if the other characters became OOC but I'm trying to write from their perspectives.

Pairing(s): None. This is a GEN.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kuroko no Basuke.

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[Chapter One: Weakness I]
"I just want you to feel my hatred, it was a painful feeling–"

Kuroko flexed his wrist and watched as the ball soared in a low arc before bouncing off of the rim of the hoop.

Grimacing, he ran up to pick up the ball. He had been practicing on the public court for almost six hours now and no matter how much his body screamed of fatigue, he had been going at it with single-minded ferocity. It didn't really have much to do with improving his skills but only with trying to get a grip of his basketball. Still, his mind flashed back to practice a while ago which had been ended early.

As expected, Aomine hadn't even bothered to show up. Not anymore.

Usually, he would find himself on the rooftop of his school and coaxing his friend into attending practices, no matter how futile. He knew that he would also receive the same answer and be rejected. Still, he had persisted at the beginning but frustration and a little bit of helplessness had clung to him today. Honestly, Kuroko didn't know what to do anymore. He didn't even know how to bring back Aomine's love for basketball.

Sometimes, as days continued to pass in this desolate existence, he could admit that he no longer knew the current Aomine any longer.

(the only one who could beat me is me–)

At darker periods, he even began to doubt if they were still friends.

While he frantically clung to those threads that marked their friendship, it seemed to him that Aomine had been slowly letting go and drifting further away. When Aomine had refused him a fist bump–one that symbolized their acknowledgement of each other–indicated the beginning of a crumbling bond. Even Kuroko could no longer deny that. That particular memory still never failed to bring up hurt and hopelessness as he realized that those glorious days with his team were slowly becoming nothing but mere memories.

A part of him didn't want to let go. While the other part was already resigned and pained.

Slowly, but without a doubt, an invisible wall appeared to have been made between their team. And Kuroko could only watch as that gap seemed to widen until he could no longer reach them. People whom he considered as friends suddenly became strangers. Even Kise who had been so friendly and genuine in offering his friendship had meandered away in that high pedestal that Kuroko couldn't seem to shake him off.

Truthfully, he was so exhausted. Excruciatingly so.

He didn't know those people anymore.

In fact, even he was starting to fear that he was beginning to find basketball not as enjoyable as before. The only reason why he still played for the team was because he owed it to Akashi. Even now, practicing as he did so, the utter loneliness was suffocating and, deep inside, he knew why he was starting to hate the sport that he loved so much. In matches, he never held a ball for more than at least five seconds and always passed it to his teammate who would bear the greatest advantage for them.

Aomine used to be that teammate.

Lately, his teammates had clearly conveyed through their actions that they didn't need his passes anymore. Somehow, that indirect show of abandonment had left him more distraught and hurt than he had expected.

(Or was it the other way around–?)

After all, wasn't he the one who always, always hesitated?

Even back then, he didn't know who was hurting more–

"I…don't even remember how to receive your passes anymore,"

Those words still continued to haunt him to this very day. What if he had acted more, said more, did more, felt more? Kuroko also had a lot of regrets regarding their failing friendship. He would never understand Aomine because, unlike the other, he was weak. So much so that he wished that he was stronger just so he could help, just to know how it felt. Yet, the more he tried harder, the harder he was pushed away.

Still, he wouldn't give up. He couldn't. Not yet.

Though, as he frowned, he thought about the upcoming match between Teikou and Meikou. He believed that it was only fitting that his last match with the team would be against his childhood friend, Ogiwara Shigehiro, whom he promised that he would play against on the court someday. Though, Kuroko hoped that things would've calmed down after that match. He might not have high hopes for his team (everything had already fallen apart, hadn't they?) but he was still wishing for some improvement before they had to depart after graduation.

Clinging to that excuse, he gripped the ball in his hands with resolve.

He would try hard in fixing the rift within his team after the championship game.

(just one last time–)

The brunette teen looked at Kuroko curiously. Despite the light-hearted smile on his face, Kuroko could easily read the uneasiness dancing in the other's brown eyes. Even though he was currently confined in a wheel chair, Kiyoshi Teppei had never failed to have such a vast presence. Even as he stood there on the court while the other watched from his place by the edge, he knew who was stronger than them. Both in heart and mind.

"You're weird," Kiyoshi commented blithely, his eyes piercing his almost intensely.

"I think you're the one who's weird, senpai," Kuroko refuted bluntly as he returned the stare monotonously. "After all, I'm not the one who showed out of the blue, gave away my name so easily like you did, and talked to a complete stranger like normal," He listed off pointedly.

Kiyoshi had the grace to look embarrassed.

"Well, to be honest, I've been watching you play here for a while now," The older teen admitted with a sheepish smile. "You're like a breath of fresh air when it gets kind of stuffing inside a hospital room," He continued earnestly as he indicated to the nearby hospital by the court which was in full view from the building's windows. If Kuroko was surprised, he didn't show it. Kiyoshi had seen Kuroko and he didn't exactly know how to feel about that.

"And now, you confessed on spying on me," Kuroko observed with mild candor as he raised an eyebrow.

"You weren't easy to see at first, I would admit," Kiyoshi stated casually but there was a spark of wonder in his eyes. "But, despite that, I can see the ball bouncing around the court. It wasn't until I looked really closely that I noticed that someone was actually practicing. And, well, it wasn't really hard to obtain permission to get here as long as I follow some rules," He related.

"I didn't ask, senpai," He merely replied but, otherwise, didn't really appear disinterested.

"I thought I imagined it," The older teen suddenly shifted back to the original topic, his gaze landing on Kuroko's hands which were still holding the ball. "It's rare to find someone playing something that appears to bring them so much pain," He remarked sadly, his voice gaining some thick emotion that Kuroko couldn't place.

He didn't reply to the words as he stared at the ball.

Since that disastrous match, he couldn't find it in himself to venture into anything basketball related. He even quitted the club as soon as he could. It was only after two days, right now, that he was testing something that he had feared. He had really grown to hate it. As he held the ball, feeling great contempt as he remembered everything that had led him to this point, he knew it by then already. Hating something that you once loved was a very painful feeling. Even now, the ache was still fresh.

(Ogiwara-kun, I'm sorry I couldn't–)

Letting go of the ball as if it burned him, he watched in a detached manner, almost lifelessly, as it rolled down to Kiyoshi's feet.

Said teen only picked up the ball and tossed it up in the air quite a few times before settling it on his lap.

"You don't have to force yourself," Kiyoshi said in a gentler tone. "No one is forcing you, see?" He grinned at the blue haired teen who only stared back at him with wide eyes that, as of now, didn't look quite as dead as it did a while ago.

Kuroko didn't know what to think as he stared at the ground.

He had just come back from talking to Meikou's captain, Mochida, and learned that Ogiwara had transferred schools. Clutching the black wristband tightly, he stumbled in his step and leant against the wall for leverage since he knew that he could no longer support himself. Unbidden tears escaped his eyes–a somewhat reminiscent feeling when he saw the look of utter despair on Ogiwara's face. He couldn't believe that Akashi would trample his promise with his friend. And the others too, how could they–

(this is the sport that we once loved–)

"Kuroko?" A voice hesitantly called his name.

Looking up through blurry vision, he saw Kiyoshi in his usual wheelchair accompanied by a teen that he hadn't seen since the start of the Preliminary matches this year. The bespectacled youth might not remember Kuroko but the teal haired boy could always recall the sharp features of one Hyuuga Junpei. After being the person who had picked up the older teen's student ID, he could still remember watching them play in the court.

And Kuroko would never forget how he had felt so envious at how they played, giving their all, trusting each other, and how much they seemed to love basketball.

"Kuroko?" The brown haired teen called again, this time, concern clouding his voice.

"I…" He couldn't formulate the necessary words as more tears came out, his hand tightening around the wristband.

–

"Oi, Kiyoshi, what the hell's up with that kid?" Hyuuga demanded with a grimace, looking at the pale trembling youth that was heavily leaning on the wall.

Without a word, Kiyoshi pushed the wheels forward and determinedly approached the boy. Though, the other didn't make a sound but the tears just continued to stream out like waterfall. Even Hyuuga had to admit that he was getting worried. Psychological breakdowns such as these weren't uncommon back then in middle school due to the additional pressure of Teikou in the basketball circuit. Still, the kid looked like he might double over any second now.

It wasn't until his friend had reached the other that the teal haired boy collapsed on his knees, eyes unseeing, as his hands desperately clasped on the wristband in his grasp like a lifeline.

"What's wrong?" He heard Kiyoshi question with concern as he held the other by the shoulders and Hyuuga, as much as it pained him to admit, was growing worried as well.

"It's my fault," The teal haired boy merely said as he mechanically wiped the tears away. "It's my fault that Ogiwara-kun had quit playing basketball," Kuroko whispered in horrified shock as if the idea itself had yet to sink in, his voice trembling all the while even as his face remained almost painfully impassive.

Hyuuga stiffened at this and, looking at his teammate, he could see Kiyoshi's eyes darken.

"What did your teammates say?" The injured teen merely questioned, his voice sharp that made Hyuuga glance at him more alertly. Kiyoshi rarely showed intense concentration unless it was something really important or basketball-related. Looking at the situation, Hyuuga deduced that it could go both ways.

Though, for a moment, he wondered why Kiyoshi would ask such a question when he noticed that the unknown boy was wearing Teikou's school uniform without the white blazer on.

His eyes widened behind his glasses as he realized that Kiyoshi had just implied that this boy was part of that team. The Generation of Miracles.

"They don't care," Kuroko answered with something bitter and not-quite-anguish in his expression. And for Hyuuga, that already spoke of many things. "Not anymore," At those words, pain made itself more obvious in those icy blue eyes.

(–only scored 42 points today–only managed 10 shots–doesn't matter…we won–)

For some reason, he didn't feel as surprised as he was supposed to be at that response. Looking at Kiyoshi, neither did he.

"What are you going to do now?" Kiyoshi asked gently as he helped the younger boy stand up.

The boy, Kuroko, stumbled on his feet but he remained upright. For a moment, he looked lost at Kiyoshi's inquiry. Then, he looked at the wristband in his hand with something between nostalgic and unbearable misery. Hyuuga would've never imagined that he would meet a teammate of the famous Generation of Miracles with the same despondent eyes as those who have been mercilessly defeated by them. He and Izuki might not have fought them in the court but they knew people who did. Hyuuga was familiar with those eyes, especially Kiyoshi.

"I don't really know," Kuroko admitted with a small frown of his own. "I already told senpai that I've quitted the team after the Nationals."

(–fine! I admit, I love basketball, damn it–)

"Eh?" Hyuuga looked at the teal haired boy with wide eyes.

Anger clouded his mind. He might not have watched the finals since he and the team were busy attending to Kiyoshi in the hospital but he had heard of how the team had toyed with their opponents and even fixed the score. With the boy's reaction, he could only deduce that this 'Ogiwara-kun' was part of that team.

"I'm sorry for troubling you, senpai, but I have to go," Kuroko bowed as he took a step back from Kiyoshi. "I… I came to the hospital to visit my ill grandmother, not to inconvenience senpai with my problems. Thank you,"

With that said, he wiped his face of any trace of tears before going inside the hospital.

"Kiyoshi, that kid–" Hyuuga started furiously, his face set into a dark grimace.

"I know," Kiyoshi cut him off.

But, even Hyuuga could tell that his friend also wasn't satisfied with the answer.

Kuroko just stood there as he watched his father welcome their relatives with a rather forced smile.

He detachedly wondered if those people truly cared. Even he didn't know if his father did. Forcefully averting his eyes from them, they landed on the portrait of his grandmother. Ever since his mother left them rather unexpectedly one day without any trace when he was merely six years old, his father had buried himself in his work and Kuroko had always been left in the care of the old woman. His grandmother had cared for him very much, despite the old age.

(you looked just like your mother, Tetsuya-kun, in most ways–)

So, when she had been admitted to the hospital due to illness, the pain that had been left by his mother had steadily grown in gap. Sometimes, he just felt numb to everything. It didn't help that it had been around the time when Aomine had berated his skills during that rainy day and recalling that painful feeling that it almost hurt to breathe–"I… don't even remember how to catch your passes anymore,"–and he was left with absolute coldness.

Now, he was just standing here during his grandmother's wake, watching as people come and go. He didn't even know if anyone from his school knew but he wasn't going to bother anyone with it. Or rather, he just didn't want to accidentally meet his teammates again and feel that despair when he had seen the outcome of the Finals.

(Ogiwara-kun, it's my fault–)

He had already quit basketball and Kuroko knew that he hadn't exactly touched a basketball for almost three weeks. And, he wasn't exactly in the mood to face anything distressing when he couldn't even mourn properly.

There had been no tears and Kuroko was getting worried at his own response to the situation.

Choosing to get out of the suffocating atmosphere in the house, Kuroko merely stepped into the rain as he let his feet carry him away for the time being. The cremation would be held tomorrow and, even then, Kuroko's mind was at loss of what to do from here. Unlike before, he didn't have basketball and friends (not anymore, right?) to fall back into. And, his father had already told him about his arrangements–apparently, he would start to live on his own from now on and the man had told him that it was Kuroko's time to start learning independence.

He let the rain soak him thoroughly with the cold seeping into his bones and the chill that made his skin crawl. Kuroko didn't even care if the dark formal clothes that his father had bought for him in regards to the funeral were getting drenched.

His feet led him to the nearby basketball court, close to the hospital where his grandmother was previously admitted.

Letting his eyes wander, they instantly zeroed in on the bench by the fence of the court.

He approached the bench and collapsed heavily on to it, letting the rain wash over him. Some part of him wished that it could also wash everything away, that it could wash the pain away just so he could continue feeling numb to everything. Feeling extremely weary, Kuroko felt himself lay his back on the bench and watch the dark sky as it continued the heavy downpour. For the first time, he honestly didn't mind the rain.

Closing his eyes as he continued to lie down, he brought up his arm and let it rest over his eyes.

He stayed in that position until his clothes felt so heavy and the cold had started to settle in permanently. His limbs felt a little rattled at the iciness but Kuroko didn't even know how long he stayed like that.

Though, imagine his surprise when he felt the rain momentarily stopped hitting his face.

Removing his arm, he stared blankly at the stern face of Hyuuga Junpei who was holding an umbrella over him. The older teen was dressed in Seirin team's jacket and his expression was thunderous. Kuroko didn't imagine the evil eye that was being directed at his supposed 'recklessness'. When had been the last time that someone got upset over his rash actions? His grandmother wasn't there anymore to scold him like she usually did when he always came home late from basketball practice.

"What the hell are you doing out in this kind of weather?" Hyuuga asked menacingly as he angrily grabbed Kuroko's arm and pulled him up.

Kuroko weakly stood up and stared at the other. This was the second time that someone noticed him without him first alerting them. Kiyoshi had somehow managed to make out Kuroko's form when he had been practicing here. But now, even Hyuuga Junpei took notice of him. He didn't know how to properly react to that startling discovery.

"I wanted to be alone, Hyuuga-san," He admitted blankly.

"In this weather? Are you kidding me?" The older teen demanded incredulously but seeing his stoic expression, he scowled. "Of course not, who was I kidding? But, honestly, I didn't think that you're actually worse than Kiyoshi," He grumbled as he pulled the smaller boy after him, making sure that the other stayed under the safety of the umbrella.

"Where are you taking me, senpai?" He inquired tiredly, not in the mood to resist as he let himself be dragged by the other.

"Well, I was on my way to visit Kiyoshi to make sure that he didn't do anything stupid, just in case, since that fool's really stubborn. So, I might as well take you there since you seem to be of the same idiotic mindset," Hyuuga ranted as pulled the sopping wet Kuroko into the hospital, mindful of the scene that they were starting to make. But the staff didn't seem to really notice the gloomy presence beside him. Gah, Kiyoshi wasn't kidding when he said that the kid had a really weak presence.

"I apologize for troubling senpai, then," Kuroko replied quietly.

Hyuuga averted his gaze in apparent discomfort.

"My condolences," He instead told the other, genuine sorrow clouding his features. "I heard from Kiyoshi who heard from the nurse that your grandmother–"

"You're rambling," Kuroko cut him off but his expression didn't appear as desolate as before, though, he still looked a bit pale and his face was still clammy. "You don't have to be so awkward around me, senpai,"

"I-I am not awkward!" Hyuuga denied with pink-tinted cheeks before he cleared his throat to regain his composure. "And I was being considerate! We haven't been properly introduced to each other since… that day and, well, since Kiyoshi heard the news, he asked me to look after you if we ever meet. So don't think I'm doing this out of pity, either!" He glared for good measure but he blinked when he noticed that the other wasn't there anymore.

"Do you have a towel, senpai?" Kuroko merely asked as he looked over his shoulder from where he had gone ahead. "I don't think the staff would appreciate it if I continue to drench the hospital floors,"

Hyuuga, who had jumped at the unexpected reappearance, narrowed his eyes to cover his rapidly beating heart from the scare and merely tossed a towel from his bag to Kuroko.

It wasn't until he was drying himself that Kuroko thought to himself deeply, looking at Hyuuga's embarrassed features. He also noticed that the other didn't seem to realize that he had addressed the other earlier by his name. The first year high school student didn't appear to have remembered him after all. But that was fine with Kuroko. In fact, he preferred it that way since he didn't want to be known as Kuroko of Teikou.

(not anymore–)

Apparently, the camaraderie in Seirin's team worked both inside and outside the court.

Envious couldn't even begin to describe what Kuroko was feeling at that moment.

"Kuroko!" Kiyoshi exclaimed excitedly as he watched the other hesitantly hovering by the doorway of his room.

"Eh?" Riko turned around in order to have a look.

But, Kiyoshi was excited for a different reason. Before, it had always been him who would approach the basketball court in order to interact with Kuroko. Barring that incident where Hyuuga had yanked a completely soaked Kuroko after him, this was the first time that the middle school student had come to visit of his own free will.

"I think I may have come at a bad time, senpai–" Kuroko started out with a reluctant glance on Riko's way.

"No, no, of course not!" The brown haired male denied with a grin. "Riko wouldn't mind at all," He pacified the other with his female coach agreeing with a small nod.

"That's right," Riko joined in with a smile of her own. "Any friend of Teppei's is a friend of mine, so don't be shy, Kuroko-kun," She urged enthusiastically.

For a moment, Kuroko appeared as if he still didn't agree but then, he stepped into the room almost shyly with the way he hedged in uncertainly. Though, Kiyoshi was slightly perturbed, even now, at how Kuroko could employ an almost impenetrable poker face like nobody's business. Right now, looking at the brittleness that was still present in the other's blue eyes, Kiyoshi knew that it was a circumstance that had gone too long unfixed. Even he could deduce as much.

(–someone playing something that appears to bring them so much pain–)

"My name's Kuroko Tetsuya, nice to meet you, senpai," Kuroko formally introduced himself with a polite bow which appeared to have flustered Riko.

"U-Uh, my name's Aida Riko," She introduced back with a clumsy bow of her own. "And Aida-san or Riko-san is fine," She insisted with an intense stare that she usually reserved for implementing rather gruesome training menus for the team.

"H-Hai," Kuroko agreed with a wary look.

Kiyoshi laughed since it seemed that Riko hadn't lost her touch.

"So, you're the mysterious Kuroko-kun that had caught Teppei and Hyuuga-kun's attention," Riko observed as she eyed the other teen with a keen eye, her gaze already deducing the other's physical stats just by stare alone. Kiyoshi just hoped that she wouldn't talk too much. Hyuuga might have been gruff around the edges but even the bespectacled teen had expressed some concern over the younger boy. It just wasn't born from the supposedly broken team dynamics back in Teikou.

The scar was too deep for it to be that simple.

(–that I've quitted the team after the Nationals–)

There was a brief flash of surprise in the teal haired boy's expression at the revelation.

"Is that so?" Kuroko blankly responded as he set a basket of fruits by the bedside table, something that Kiyoshi hadn't noticed earlier. Judging from the narrowed eyes of Riko, she hadn't too and her look had turned calculating.

"So, does Kuroko-kun play basketball?" Riko questioned out of the blue as her eyes were trained fixatedly on the younger teen.

Kiyoshi froze in the hospital bed as he watched Kuroko's reaction. Even though he and Hyuuga had hinted to her about Kuroko's conflict with his friends in school, they hadn't exactly said anything about it being related to basketball. In fact, they had steered clear of that topic for the other's sake, since they didn't want to pry too closely. No matter how much they wanted to intervene just so Kuroko would stop flinching at anything associated to the sport.

After all, it was rather hard watching someone get pained over the sport that they all clearly loved. Hyuuga would understand the most, Kiyoshi knew, since he had been the one who had had to pull the bespectacled teen out of his funk before the basketball team was officially formed.

To his relief, the other didn't react as strongly as before. But, on the other hand, his words were hardly any cause for relief.

"I've quitted playing basketball, Aida-san," Kuroko merely shook his head and his eyes didn't look as dead when Kiyoshi first met him. But it was hardly any improvement from before. If anything, to his opinion, it was worse.

Quitting the club was different from quitting the sport altogether.

"E-Eh?" Riko stuttered as she eyed the other in horrified silence.

"You said that you only quitted the club," Kiyoshi felt the need to point out as he directed an almost accusing stare at the other, missing the sharp look that Riko sent him for failing to inform her about this turn of event. "Kuroko, you know that–"

Kuroko blinked at him, taken aback.

"Ah," He answered monotonously. "I think I worded that poorly. What I meant is that I've quitted playing for the time being since the final examinations are coming up. And, I'm not running away anymore, Kiyoshi-senpai," He gave a half-smile to the look of wonderment that appeared on Kiyoshi's face.

Then, the center's face split into a large warm grin.

"You scared me for a moment there," Kiyoshi admitted with a sheepish chuckle.

"In fact, the reason I came to visit senpai was to inform you that I'm going to take up basketball again," Kuroko admitted with a faraway look as he stared at the window by Kiyoshi's room. "So, you don't need to worry anymore,"

Kiyoshi eyed the other boy in surprise. While there was still lingering of…something in those eyes, they didn't look as dark anymore.

"Well, if that's true, then Kuroko-kun wouldn't mind if he played with the team tomorrow then," Riko cut in with a determined air as she looked at the middle school student imploringly. "We have a practice match tomorrow in the afternoon by our school's gym. So, what do you say?" She grinned at the other challengingly.

Kuroko's eyes widened before he averted his eyes from them.

"I…" He hesitated before looking at Kiyoshi and his knee and at Riko who was looking at him with hopeful eyes. "I wouldn't mind, Aida-san," He finally agreed as both of the older teens brightened at his answer.

"Yosh!" Riko grinned smugly.

"Then, I'll meet your team tomorrow then," Kuroko stated quietly with a bow. "I need to get going now, senpai,"

–

With that, he swiftly disappeared from the room. Even Riko was surprised at how quick the exit had been.

"Riko," Kiyoshi called and when she turned around to face their team's center, she was surprised at the look of extreme gratitude on his face. "Thank you," He stated sincerely.

"Well, I saw it too, you know?" She confessed with a sad smile. "Though, even if you were upset, you hardly seemed surprise when he initially told us that he's quitting basketball," She felt the need to point out since she had been harboring the need to know.

"He was that close to quitting," Kiyoshi admitted sadly. "So much so that I readily believed him,"

"That bad?" Riko deduced with growing concern.

For a moment, Kiyoshi didn't reply then, his gaze fleeted over to the basketball by the foot of his bed that Riko had brought earlier.

"Basketball is a sport that isn't played alone," He started wistfully. "In fact, it becomes more fun when you play it with friends. That was the first thing that I noticed about Kuroko. He hated everything about basketball before."

Riko's eyes widened as Kiyoshi nodded in confirmation.

"It's because what made it fun has apparently abandoned him,"

Kuroko stood by the gates of Seirin High awkwardly.

He had just told Riko that he had quit playing for the time being due to exams but he had still agreed anyway. He was dressed in a simple light blue shirt with black jersey shorts and white and blue sneakers. He had his white sports bag slung over one shoulder. Now, he was berating himself for leaving so quickly yesterday. He should've smoothened out the details with Riko first.

Though, he had been overcome by fear that if he did, then he might take his words back.

He hadn't lied to Kiyoshi. But, he also didn't know if he was ready.

So, here he was, hesitating once again. If the practice went smoothly, then it would be the first time in a month that Kuroko played basketball once again. What made him more determined was being able to ignore the silence that was brought on by the absence of his former teammates. Ever since he had resigned, he hardly saw them in school anymore. In fact, while he preferred things to be that way, it still pained him to realize that they had really fallen apart.

(–will show them Teikou's true strength–)

Clutching the strap of his bag harshly, Kuroko almost turned around and left until he saw Hyuuga and Riko moving to the gates with searching eyes. He felt his own widen as he realized that they hadn't forgotten after all.

"I can't believe I forgot to tell Kuroko-kun the specifics," Riko grumbled irately as she frowned.

"Calm down, will you?" Hyuuga sighed as his eyes swept through the gates as well. "I don't think Kuroko's the kind of person that breaks his word,"

Approaching them silently, he tilted his head as he stood in front of the pair not even a meter away from them. This time, Hyuuga didn't notice him but Kuroko contributed it to the fact that he was still reluctant about the practice game today which caused his presence to diminish further. He hadn't held a basketball for a month after all.

"Anou," He started out monotonously, ignoring the way they both yelped and jumped at his sudden appearance. "I'm right here, senpai," He informed them with a bow and part of his mind wondered when was the last time his (former?) friends became surprised or even shocked at his random appearances.

"Kuroko-kun!" Riko merely exclaimed in wonder as soon as she got over her shock.

"You little idiot–" Hyuuga was already glowering at him but a quick jab of the elbow by his stomach stopped any dark mutterings from resurfacing. Though, his evil glare hadn't even faltered in the slightest.

"I'm sorry for startling you," Kuroko apologized and the only sign of his guilt was the faint edge of weariness present in his gaze. "I really have a weak presence–"

"Save it," Hyuuga sighed at him quite exasperatedly.

"It's fine, Kuroko-kun. And don't listen to any of Hyuuga-kun's complaints," Riko waved off dismissively with a grin as she proceeded to drag him into the school. "And besides, we still have a practice game to go to," She smiled at him brightly but Kuroko could make out something threatening in her gaze that told him to just do as she said.

In fact, Hyuuga merely followed after them with a resigned air.

The first time that he saw the whole team, he had been impressed with their dedication and team play.

It came with a pang of longing and envy that Kuroko could hardly breathe.

Even now, being welcomed amongst their midst with smiles and non-judgmental eyes, he realized that it still hurt to breathe. Because, it was so unfair. Why couldn't his team stay like this? Hadn't they once shared the dream of being Japan's number one? Looking at Seirin interacting with one another and the way their hands handled basketball with practice ease, Kuroko could see the love that they held for the sport. Something that was once seen with his former team before everything went to hell.

"So, you're Kiyoshi's friend?" Izuki questioned quite rhetorically as he approached the teal haired boy.

For a moment, he hesitated as he continued to crouch down on the floor and fiddle with his shoelaces, uncertain of how to properly respond. Did he consider Kiyoshi his friend? Even now, it was too strong a word to use now. Not after everything–

"Hai," He found himself answering quietly as he avoided the point guard's gaze.

"Well, that's good," The dark haired teen commented in what seemed to be a mix of relief and approval. "After what happened to him, he needs all the friends that he can get…" He trailed off rather pensively.

Kuroko looked up at the sudden silence.

"Izuki-senpai?" He called out, making the other blink out of his stupor from staring intently at the younger boy.

"Well, looking at you, I think that you could use some friend too," Izuki grinned at him good-naturedly as he offered a hand to the still crouched Kuroko. "And, don't call me senpai just yet! Just save the formalities when you enter high school,"

Kuroko's eyes widened at the words even as he accepted the hand and stood up.

"Oi, Izuki!" Hyuuga hollered suddenly. "Don't go using stupid puns on Kuroko! Now's not the time!" He reprimanded with a tick of his brow.

"Calm down, Hyuuga," Izuki quipped back dryly. "It's too early for clutch time–"

"On the court. NOW!" Riko ordered as all the players sighed in unison before doing as she said. Kuroko, who was somewhat lost on what to do, felt himself be pushed with the others by Izuki who merely smiled at him encouragingly.

Even though he felt a little bit of happiness at the action, his mind just wouldn't stop screaming–

(it was so unfair–)

–

Throughout the practice game, Kuroko was surprised to discover that he still played well in a team. After all, he merely changed the direction of the passes and misdirection worked better at a smaller group of people than in a whole team would. He had been teamed up with Koganei and Izuki against Hyuuga, Mitobe, and Tsuchida. Of course, throughout the first quarter, most of them had forgotten that he was still in the game.

For a moment, during the first three minutes, fear had seized him. Did they also not trust him enough?

It hadn't been until Koganei had roughly bumped into him that they remembered. The distressed faces that greeted him after that knowledge came into light brought out a spark of relief from him. They weren't obviously used to his weak presence and had overlooked him by being too immersed in the game. The fact that he believed their reason was enough. When his former teammates neglected to pass him the ball, it was merely due to the fact that they played alone – and certainly not because they had been enjoying the game too much.

So, Izuki, who was his temporary teammate in this practice game, had kept a sharp eye on him. Kuroko almost caught the ball when it had been passed to his direction instead of redirecting its course. Fortunately enough, he had intentionally missed making contact before slapping it to Koganei's direction which was just under to hoop.

The bafflement and slight astonishment that colored the other's faces made Kuroko uncomfortable. While his talent here was clearly regarded with awe, it was also that talent that seemingly isolated him from his former teammates.

Still, it was the start when he started playing for real and Kuroko ignored the suffocating feeling squeezing his chest when he realized that…

He didn't hate basketball as much anymore.

He might have fumbled a couple of times but he couldn't care less when the older teens surrounding him were whooping at every shot and clapping his back every now and then at a good team play. Even Hyuuga was looking at him with undeniable approval. His skill needed some refining once more but Kuroko realized that it was fine, since he felt some of the burdens leave his frame when he could actually play again.

In fact, smiling when their team won, he realized that this was the thing that he was longing for the most.

Was he being selfish when he started enjoying the game that his former teammates could no longer do? He didn't know because, even though he was the first one to disappear, they had all left him behind before even that.

(this is the sport that we once loved–)

Kuroko looked at Seirin and still thought that it was unfair. But this time, he also knew that they deserved this joy.

(and I want all of them to feel even just a small amount of this hatred–)

It was three days after that game that he was back to school once again.

Since he and his former teammates shared different classes, it wasn't that difficult to actually avoid them. Though, if there was one person that he couldn't avoid forever, it would be his former captain, Akashi Seijurou. Kuroko would've called it a coincidence if the redhead hadn't been waiting for him after his last class. He would've walked away indifferently from the other if Akashi hadn't purposely blocked his way.

Akashi was obviously here for a confrontation. One of which that Kuroko would rather not have. Not now.

He stiffened when his blue eyes met the now heterochromatic eyes of the other. Even now, this development had unnerved him the most. Although this Akashi was clearly different (Very), it wouldn't change the fact that he still wore the face of the person that Kuroko once (still) respected.

(am Akashi Seijurou, of course, Te…tsu…ya–)

"Akashi-kun," Kuroko greeted stoically with a nod, expression clean of anything that the other might use against him.

"I haven't seen you in a while, Tetsuya," The redhead returned almost amiably but Kuroko didn't miss the dark look that briefly crossed his eyes. "After all, as your captain, I haven't really approved of your resignation," His voice was too calm, even Kuroko knew that.

The corridor was quick to empty at the redhead's glare that demanded privacy. But, he wasn't really sure if he wanted to be alone with the other.

"You're not my captain anymore, Akashi-kun," Kuroko felt the need to point out as his teeth automatically clenched together in uneasiness.

The redhead tilted his head as an amused smirk made its way to his lips.

"Would you really defy me?" He questioned in that sardonic tone that hinted of something dangerous. "Since I always win, I'm always right. And, therefore, I am and will always be your captain, Tetsuya. Now, I haven't approved of your resignation from the team," He repeated his earlier words as his heterochromatic eyes gleamed.

"You can't do anything about it, I believe," Kuroko was getting perturbed at how much calm he, himself, was at this situation. "Besides, you had also given me the choice to quit before, hadn't you? So, I really see no reason for you to interfere. I stayed because I owe Akashi-kun that much but my job with the team was already done," He chose his words carefully since he knew that anything might set off the other. In fact, defying the other already guaranteed it.

Though, Kuroko knew that this Akashi also knew that it was the 'other' Akashi he was referring to when talking about owing anything.

After all, it was that Akashi that he had willingly followed as his leader.

"You really dare…" The redhead mumbled as he lowered his head, momentarily shadowing his face from view.

"Akashi–"

He was cut off as he felt a hand closing around his throat. His breath hitched as Akashi leaned his forehead against his, making their eyes stare directly into each other's more closely. The hand might not be squeezing or even bruising, just loosely wrapped around his neck, but it might as well be since Kuroko was having difficulty breathing regardless. The pressure from the other's presence was suffocating as he tried maintaining an impassive expression in the face of this situation.

"I gave you that offer with the certainty that you wouldn't leave the team regardless," Akashi revealed as he grinned maliciously, the same expression when Kuroko had first questioned the other of who he was. "Now, remember this. I discovered you. I found you. I taught you. And that simply states that you're mine, like the others, Tetsuya. And I don't condone disobedience," His voice had gone menacing at the end as his narrowed into a dark glare.

Finally finding the strength, he slapped the other's hand away from him and took two steps back to put some distance between them.

Some part of him was already screaming that Akashi had really gone insane. But dangerous.

"You may have been once the Akashi-kun that I respected but please don't assume that the same could be said for you. I hated what our team had become and I'm not going back. I hated the basketball that they started playing. I quitted for a reason and I'm not going to back down on my decision," He stated strongly and this might as well be the most emotional he had sounded for a long time.

He wouldn't let Akashi destroy this. Not after when he had just rediscovered his love for basketball.

"Is that so," Akashi's flat voice responded.

Kuroko dared a chance to look up at his former captain only to be greeted by the other's retreating back. Inwardly, he was overwhelmed by relief that their encounter had ended but he didn't let his guard down, not even for a second.

(I hate, hate, hate–)

"I hope you stand by that, Tetsuya, because when we stand across each other on the court as enemies, I won't show any mercy,"

[End: Weakness I]
"When there is no love, there is nothing left–"

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AN: Anyway, as for the last part, that was how I really saw Akashi as the leader of the GoM. Or at least, the 'Emperor' side. And since GoM was the team that really made him taste absolute victory, I assumed that he would be more possessive of them. Anyways, I know that the meeting with Seirin was a bit anti-climatic, but I really don't want it to be too cliched. Anyways, this was just encounters but the effects of these events would show itself in the next chapter. If you're confused, I believed that they still got two to three months before graduating middle school. And since it was mentioned in the story that it was just a month that's passed, the progress with his relationship with Seirin would develop more. Again, this is NOT bashing of the GoM, but merely being realistic if we look at it from Kuroko's point of view. That chapter in the manga when he cried about Ogiwara's devastated face really saddened me since Kuroko was introduced as a stoic character who has the best poker face and deadpan expression. That show of emotion meant more to me by then.

Anyways, thank you for reading.