AN: I'm currently going through and editing this story. It has bar far been my most successful story on FanFiction, so I just want to say thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favorited, and followed the story. Your support is really what keeps me writing.

Basically this story is my take on what happens during the Kirisaki Daiichi game the year following the series, now that Kiyoshi cannot play. I wanted to focus especially on the friendship between Hyuuga and Kiyoshi throughout the ordeal, and how they deal with Hanamiya's antagonistic ways. Hope you enjoy.

From the time the first few beads of light made their way through half open eyes, Hyuuga Junpei knew that today was going to be awful. He had simply woken up in an irritable and inapproachable mood, and he wracked his brain as to why. Clumsily grabbing his glasses and putting them on, he kicked at the tangled mess of sheets around his ankles and crawled out of bed, stretching as he did so. Scrunching up his nose at the stuffy smell of his room he stumbled over to his window and forcefully shoved it open after it got stuck. He then slowly began to get dressed for school after glancing at the clock and seeing that he still had an hour before he had to leave. He was unable to go five minutes without yawning, but couldn't quite remember what it was that kept him up so late and plagued his normally sound sleeping schedule. Seirin's Captain typically slept like a rock after practice. The morning passed in a sleepy blur, showering, eating breakfast, gathering his books, and grunting a halfhearted farewell to parents that he felt wouldn't ever really be able to see things in the same way he did. They supported him playing basketball, called it a nice hobby, but would never grasp how the boy breathed- lived- the sport.

He made it halfway out the door before he realized he didn't have his sneakers with him, he thought his basketball bag was lighter than normal, and his chest immediately tightened. He turned on his heel and sprinted back into the house, realizing that if he didn't leave immediately he would be late. So much for a drawn out, lazy morning. As he crashed through his house and back into his cramped bedroom, crooping up the basketball shoes with one hand, he triped over a discarded textbook and slammed his shoulder into the wall. He resisted the urge to curse, knowing his mother was only a few strides away in the kitchen, and felt the edges of a headache coming on. He The previous night's practice came back into his state of mind. How he discussed with the new first years who their next opponents were, standing in the middle of the gym with narrowed eyed but wobbly legs and antsy feet. Dizzying anger and frustration and an ache in his chest as he met eyes with Kiyoshi from across the room. The image of him holding an impish Hanamiya by the shirt and Seirin's center blocking a blow meant for him flashing through his mind in a blur. He remembered how he told the new players about Kirisaki Daiichi's rough house style of play- but hadn't gone into detail so as to not scare them, if things went as planned they wouldn't be playing at all- and how he briefly expressed his concerns for specifically Kuroko and Kagami's safety. It was obvious that Kagami was their ace, but Kuroko was also their secret weapon in his own way. They were vital to each other's style of play, they weren't called the team's shadow and light for no reason. Pushing himself off the wall and rubbing his shoulder grudgingly Hyuuga headed out the door, slamming it behind him in his haste.

The boy skidded down the hall and sprinted out the house's front entrance earning himself a smart ass remark from his mother about how he was going to be late again. He mumbled something inaudible, swung his backpack over his not jostled shoulder and continued down the street, making a few too many mad dashes across busy streets that he normally would have been comfortable with. He had only just entered the school's main building when the bell rang, and another two minutes passed before he got to his home room class, right in the middle of the morning announcements. Normally this would have made his face turn red with heat, but it was the last thing on his mind. Their game today was more nerve wracking than anything his mathematics teacher could throw at him.

"Ah, Hyuuga, nice of you to finally join us for class, we were beginning to think that you weren't going to show up," Hyuuga gave a slight bow and apologized, slipping his way towards the far side of the room next to the windows and took his seat behind Izuki Shun and Kiyoshi Teppei, both of which were giving him concerned looks.

Izuki leaned back slightly and whispered, "of all the days for you to sleep in- I couldn't sleep at all. You're like a sloth!"

"A sloth? Oh shut up Izuki I don't need your stupid sense of humor this morning!" Hyuuga grumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose. Izuki held up his hands in defense, a small smile on his lips and turned to face the front of the class again.

It was silent for a few moments, Hyuuga was just beginning to nod off once more when he heard a voice behind him, "I tried texting you to wake you up, but you never answered."

Hyuuga turned slightly to face Kiyoshi and then began digging in his bag to check his phone, only to see the small screen appear with six new text messages. He raised an eyebrow as he began opening them half way under the desk so their teacher wouldn't notice. 'Hey, how are you feeling about today?' 'I'll be able to come, so let me know if you need anything' 'Hello?' 'Hyuuga are you awake?' 'Hyuuuuugggaaaaa' 'You're going to be late for class, please get here soon we want to have a meeting at lunch, Riko told me this morning.' The Captain sighed and closes his phone with a shake of his head. He could never understand Kiyoshi's facade of ease.

"Well, aren't you going to reply?" Kiyoshi snidely asked. Hyuuga huffed and turned around, hearing a light chuckle from behind him. He wasn't in an approachable mindset, and frankly he wouldn't have acted that way around Kiyoshi if he didn't know that he would simply brush off his bad mood.

The rest of his classes passed by in a blink, but as the day went on he himself was going through a seemingly endless cycle of mixed emotions. Hyuuga was nervous and irritated and royally pissed off and there may or may not have been a small inkling of fear in the back of his mind. The mere thought of Hanamiya hurting yet another one of his teammates made his breath get caught in his throat for half a second. He didn't want to take any more trips to the hospital. He was mainly nervous for Kuroko and Kagami, but he knew they could fend for themselves… but he was the Captain. It was his job to worry for everyone and take on the team stress in their stead and do what was necessary to keep the team together- not what was nice. Just like it was Kiyoshi's job to protect everyone and keep the positive energy flowing. But Hyuuga could tell that the normal aura of never ending positivity around Kiyoshi was wavering as the sun steadily sunk behind skyscrapers. It sort of had been the entire year. He couldn't play, he was confined to the sidelines, and still even had a small wrap on his leg from the ACL surgery in America. Hyuuga didn't know who was more torn up about that, himself or Kiyoshi. It was painful for both of them he knew, for Kiyoshi to have to watch everything happen and not be able to help on the court, and for himself to have to play without his best friend by his sided (Damned if he would ever admit this, however). He shook these thoughts out of his mind, he couldn't be thinking about that. He had to be focused on the game at hand.

He made his way up onto the roof after grabbing a sandwich and water bottle for lunch, he wasn't in the mood to eat much of anything. Since the basketball team had won the Winter Cup last year, it was the unspoken rule that they could go on the roof and not get in trouble as long as it was in good condition when they left, even the teachers didn't mind. Everyone in the school was proud to say that their team took down the Generation of Miracles, and everyone was just as hopeful that they could do the same again. Of course, word had traveled a bit about Kirisaki Daiichi and Kiyoshi's sport ending injury and how he got it, but truly no one outside of the basketball circuit understood Hanamiya Makoto's methods. Hyuuga didn't really want them too, anyways. It was like a private affair. It was their problem, he didn't want anyone's pity. They could heal without it.

Opening the door Hyuuga blinked the bright light away and saw Riko, a light grin gracing his face at the sight of their coach. She nodded at him in greeting, expression grim. Hyuuga snapped to attention along with everyone else on his team- Mitobe, Izuki, Kagami, Kuroko, Furi, and the three new first years, Rin, Itsuki, and Yamoto. Hyuuga's eyes skimmed those three over; all three of them looked eager and excited, well rested and innocent. How Hyuuga envied them. Immediately, Riko demanded attention, "alright everyone, listen up. Today we're playing Kirisaki Daiichi. Now, as you returning players know," her eyes wavered over Kiyoshi for a few moments, "this team relies on rough methods and fouls. Now first years, last night I sugar coated their style to make sure you weren't up all night fretting, as apparently," her eyes narrowed as she glanced Hyuuga over, "some of you were. But now I don't have time for that. Kirisaki Daiichi is the team that damaged Kiyoshi's knee intentionally, and ultimately caused his basketball career having to end early. They use their elbows frequently, and be careful if you jump since they may try to get underneath you to trip you. They also utilize rough screens to anyone on the court, but specifically those who are the greatest threat. Now first years I'm not putting you in unless I absolutely have to, but be ready in case. No matter what you see don't yell at the refs and don't foul them back, this goes for everyone. We can't risk getting fouls and having anyone sit out."

She paused and glanced around and Hyuuga took this as his moment to add in his own two cents. He sighed and stood up, cracking his neck as he did so. He thought he saw Kiyoshi and Izuki smile knowingly out of the corner of his eye. "Going off what Coach said, they will go after those who are the highest scorers and best assets to the team. I'm not saying don't try to win, I'm not saying don't give it your all, but don't try to be the hero. Don't draw too much attention to yourself. Pass to everyone, involve everyone, and everyone try your hardest to score. If we don't put the limelight on any one specific person then they won't make one person their target. I couldn't- we can't stand to have any more serious injuries." Hyuuga stuttered and looked at the ground. He couldn't deal with knowing another player on his team was done with basketball due to something as preventable as an injury. He still hadn't forgiven himself for not getting the pressure off Kiyoshi during their last match. He was the clutch shooter, but had gotten so caught up in his own emotions that he couldn't make the shots to get Hanamiya's attention away from Kiyoshi and on him. He looked at Furi nervously, the boy had taken over as center for Kiyoshi after his injury, and even though he was a good player, he was no prodigy. Te boy needed to hit a growth spurt to match his talent, he was determined and proud, but he was one of the smallest center in the basketball circuit and it showed in his play. He was tiny and scrawny and Hyuuga was scared for him.

"Also, the Generation of Miracles will all be coming, Akashi told me last night."

"What?"

Kuroko shrugged. "That's just what Akashi said. He just told me everyone would be coming to watch. I just thought I would tell you all in case you see them. They are," Kuroko paused and glanced at Kagami, "very anxious for the match."

Kagami cleared his throat. "Um- okay- thanks, Kuroko." Hyuuga met Riko's gaze and the pair sighed. This was going to be a trying day.

Once lunch was over, they only had one more class left in the day before they would all pile on the bus and go to the stadium. Hyuuga was making his way towards the classroom when Kiyoshi intercepted him. "Oi, Hyuuga, can I talk to you for a second?"

Hyuuga raised an eyebrow at the seriousness of Kiyoshi's voice. "Sure, but make it quick, I don't want to be late twice in one day-"

Despite the urgency in Hyuuga's voice, Kiyoshi was calm and collected as per usual. But there was a waver in his tone that caught Hyuuga off guard and made him stop in his rampage to the classroom. "I never told you last year, but Hanamiya has threatened you directly before, and I'm afraid he might try something today."

Hyuuga's gut tightened but he kept his face straight and took a deep breath; in through his nose and hissed out through clenched teeth. "I know. I heard two years ago, at the end of the match," he grumbled, and started to walk away, feigning disinterest also as per usual, but Kiyoshi put a large hand on his shoulder. Hyuuga winced and Kiyoshi's eyebrows rose steadily up his forehead. Seirin's Captain gave a barely recognizable shake of his head. The Iron Heart knew of Hyuuga's defense methods, just as Hyuuga knew of Kiyoshi's, and an unspoken conversation of concern passed without result.

"It isn't just that. I mean he told me that I was lucky that you didn't get hurt last year, too. With this happening twice, I'm just nervous that this year he might target you specifically. He's made enough comments about it-"

Hyuuga did his best to remain stoic. "He wouldn't go after me, I'm not enough of a threat. He would target Kuroko or Kagami, or anyone stupid enough to make themselves the shield," he eyed Kiyoshi irately, but his expression remained passive.

Kiyoshi removed his hand from Hyuuga's shoulder and let it fall limply to his side. "Hyuuga I'm serious, I think he's going to actually try to hurt you this year. He never has made any comment about anyone else, not even Kagami and Kuroko-"

"I'm no prodigy, Kiyoshi-"

It was like he flipped a switch and a spark light in Kiyoshi's gaze. Most wouldn't notice it, but his jaw tightened and his fingers curled into fists. "You're stronger than you look. It would be logical for him to go after you, without your three pointers-" Hyuuga growled and Kiyoshi grew silent, deflated. "I'm just trying to warn you. I would be sick if anything happened to you."

Hyuuga was speechless for a few moments before mustering up a reply, "I'll be fine, idiot." I'm telling you they aren't going to target me so shut up already. He resisted the urge to say his thoughts out loud, and without another word slipped into his class.

He was barely able to listen to the physics lecture, instead his mind was playing Kiyoshi's words like a movie. Had Hanamiya really threatened to hurt him specifically? And not just once but twice? It might not have been that big of a deal, he probably just said something to scare Kiyoshi. Yet there was a tiny voice in the back of his head that thought maybe there was some meaning behind Hanamiya's threats, and it terrified him. But at the same time, there was a tinge of pride, it meant that Hanamiya saw him as a talented enough player to want to take him out of the game. By no means did he want to be a target, no he would never want that, but he had a sense of satisfaction. If Kirisaki Daiichi felt threatened enough by him, it meant that he was putting up a fight and playing well, well enough to even be put into the same category as Kuroko, Kagami, and Kiyoshi, as a a member of the Generation of Miracles, an Honorary member, and a Crownless General. He scoffed at himself. Had being placed on the Vorpal Swords team last summer meant anything to his confidence?

Seirin had arrived at the arena before Kirisaki Daiichi and the team quickly changed into their uniforms, put their warm up shirts on top of their jerseys, and made their way out onto the court to begin preparing for the match. Riko had wanted them to show up extra early for more practice time, and due to the hectic buss schedule it had only been partially successful. Kiyoshi cringed when one of the first years asked if they should be wearing mouth guards, given the nature of the team they were playing. Kiyoshi looked on at the others- his teammates- as they were getting ready. He flexed his knee subconsciously only for a small jolt of pain to emanate up his leg, making him frown but show no other signs on discomfort. The doctors had said it would be a long recovery process, considering how badly he had injured it and continued to play for so long, and a light pain would be normal. Still, he felt that he should be on the court. He was glad he could still help out the team by giving them data on their opponents, but that wasn't what he thought he was meant to do. He was meant to be playing side by side, with his teammates and friends. But, ultimately, he wanted to be there for them, to protect them, so he would do anything and everything in his power to do just that. Even if that was by merely playing trainer and manager on the sidelines.

"How are you doing, Teppei?" Riko asked from his side, he shrugged.

"Just fine. Yourself?" She said nothing. Kiyoshi continued to look on, Kagami's dunks were more violent and his sprints more jagged, Kuroko's passes stronger and more powerful yet didn't appear to be any harder to catch. Hyuuga's shots were perfect. Everyone was devoting all of their mental capacity to that game and Kiyoshi was so proud.

Kiyoshi stood up, tested his leg, and waved once at Riko. "I'm going to go walk around for a bit, see you soon." If he stayed sitting for too long his knee would get stiff and ache, and yet if he remained standing for extensive amounts of time, it would start to throb. This kept him in an ever present state of motion and changing positions, which was tedious, but kept him awake at least. Walking up the stairs caused a slight ting of pain but he pushed the thoughts out of his mind, the back flips of his stomach were much more noticeable, anyways. He pushed open the doors and walked out of the arena. Kiyoshi wasn't exactly sure where he was going, so long as he was moving and begging for his mind to think of anything other than horrific images of his teammates sprawled out on the court yelling in pain, laying in hospital beds as the cold night crept in, clutching injured limbs. He reached the main hallway which branched off into different entrances to the courts, only to see a group of forest green and navy blue jerseys and warm up jackets. He stiffened but kept his eyes ahead and continued walking, not wanting to cause a scene or any trouble. He hadn't expected Kirisaki Daiichi to arrive for another fifteen minutes at least, and yet as fat would have it, here they were. A few of them glanced at him with varying degrees of humor to curiosity, as he walked by and rounded a corner, only to see number four haphazardly tying a lose shoe string.

"Hey Iron Heart," He said lightly. "Good to see you again." The mock sincerity in his voice made Kiyoshi's heart drop and he nodded back at Hanamiya in recognition. The self proclaimed Bad Boy glanced down at Kiyoshi's knee once before meeting Kiyoshi's gaze, his eyes grey and murky. "Are you playing today?"

"No," Kiyoshi said sternly. "I can't play anymore, or do any activity that is strenuous for my legs."

Hanamiya frowned. "Oh I'm so sorry to hear that, too bad for that accident two years ago, huh?" Kiyoshi had always been the gentleman, and he was trying to uphold that idea, but he was quickly slipping. Faster and faster, and unless something changed, he would lose his control.

"Yes. It was unfortunate."

It was silent between the two for a few moments, and it was only then that Kiyoshi realized the rest of Kirisaki Daiichi had continued on down the hall, leaving the two Crownless Generals alone. Hanamiya looking up at Kiyoshi lazily, his bangs falling in front of his curious, almost childlike face. Kiyoshi tried to keep his expression passive. "Hopefully nothing else happens today. I would hate to have another accident."

Kiyoshi took a deep breath which did nothing to calm his nerves and turned slightly to see Hanamiya with a minuscule wicked grin on his face- positively insane. Thoughts ran through Seirin's ex-Center's mind at a mile a minute; why was Hanamiya like this? Was it truly such a basic idea as he enjoyed pain? That it tasted of honey and gave him some sense of pleasure? Kiyoshi knew he didn't have time to ponder this. "I hope not. Everyone has improved. It would be a shame to have any one of them be hurt." Kiyoshi knew he was walking on eggshells. If he gave even the slightest hint to Kirisaki Daiichi's Captain that he was concerned about one person in particular he knew that Hanamiya would order his team to go after them. And yet if he was completely passive then he wouldn't be taking care of his team. "I won't let any of them be hurt, I'm working as the manager and the trainer. I scouted out your team and they seem strong, but I have faith in my team. If any of them need anything during the game I'll be there to help, so don't think I'm out completely. I'm looking after all of them."

Hanamiya gave a light chuckle. "Oh I'm sure you will, Iron Heart. If I remember correctly you went to such valiant efforts to protect your four eyed captain particularly." Kiyoshi's breath caught in his throat and for a moment he couldn't breathe. He knew this was going to happen, that sinking feeling was right all along and he just had been too afraid to allow the idea to see any light. He knew Hanamiya didn't throw threats out to players with no reason or purpose.

"And I will again, if I must." Then Kiyoshi turned and fled, walking as fast as he dared considering his knee, down the hall the through the door and down the stairs to the bench. He made eye contact with Riko and she noticed something off, a sharpness that sent a shiver down her spine, an urgency that Kiyoshi nearly never had.

"Teppei slow down," she scolded, eyes glancing over his leg, "what's the matter?" Her tone was hard and nonnegotiable and it made Kiyoshi look his team over, unblinking, until he found a mop of black hair.

He held up a hand at Riko and brushed by, walking over to where his teammates were warming up on the court. "Hyuuga!" Kiyoshi made no effort to lower his voice or be subtle, surely all the other Kirisaki Daiichi players must be aware of Hanamiya's plan at this point? And soon all of Seirin would, as well, so long as Kiyoshi had air in his lungs. Hyuuga raised an eyebrow, having been about to take a shot, but soon bounced the basketball on the court three more times in preparation for getting a few more practice shots in. Kiyoshi made no effort to lower his voice or be subtle, surely all the other Kirisaki Daiichi players must be aware of Hanamiya's plan at this point? And soon all of Seirin would, as well, so long as Kiyoshi had air in his lungs.

Riko put a light hand on Kiyoshi's arm and stopped him before he made it all the way out to the middle of the court. "What is it, Teppei? What's the matter?" Seirin's Coach had her eyebrows furrowed together and lips pursed, being kept in the dark was only serving to infuriate her and tighten the hold her nerves had on her, because Kiyoshi never lost his cool and was always collected. Not like this. Not this quiet rage, this growing hurricane.

"I just ran into Hanamiya."

"You went looking for him?"

Kiysohi gave a single shake of his head. "No of course not. I just went walking around and I ran into him. He told me he's going to try to hurt Hyuuga. He's threatened him numerous times. I tried to warn him but he didn't listen to me. But I'm sure of it, their target is Hyuuga," he enunciated for clarity even though it was hardly necessary, somehow saying it out loud made it more final and more real, like it was something tangible they could either fight against or accept. Riko's eyes grew wide for half a second before she blew on her whistle and all of Seirin came over.

Everyone looked at the Coach and Manager questioningly, and just as Riko was about to say something the doors at the top of the stairs opened and Kirisaki Daiichi came in, set their stuff down on the bench, and began their warm up. "Hyuuga," Riko started, loud enough that her voice may have reached the Kirisaki Daiichi team. "You're not playing."

"What?" He screeched without hesitation, a fury burnign in his grey eyes and lines etched into his forehead as he glared. "What the hell do you mean I'm not playing, Riko?"

Kiyoshi put a hand on the smaller boy's shoulder but the Captain pushed it off immediately. "Hyuuga, I ran into Hanamiya, and he said that he was going to go after you. For two years now he has always said that you're lucky that you weren't crushed, and just now he mentioned how he noticed that I always went to great lengths to protect you-"

Hyuuga was red in the face and his fists were clenched at his sides as he yelled, "And I never asked for your protection, Iron Heart! I tried to get you not to play and you didn't listen- so what makes you think I'm going to listen when you tell me not to? Of course I'm playing! We're all at risk, not just me! Why only take me out? Why just protect me? Then everyone else could get hurt even worse! Don't you dare take me out of this game." Hyuuga was silent as he finished, and it was as if the entire court was empty. Kiyoshi and Riko did not take their gaze off Hyuuga for many moments, but then Kiyoshi heaved a sigh and looked down, a tenacious smile flickering across his face.

"You're right." Riko gave a cry of outrage but one glance from Kiyoshi stopped her. "It's better if you stay in," he resigned, because he could relate, he would do anything to protect his team, he just didn't realize Hyuuga was the same as him in that regard. But the thought of Hyuuga being hurt caused Kiyoshi physical pain. Hyuuga was his rock, the team's leader, their clutch shooter and a motivator, he was a constant that kept them together because he refused to leave the court. Taking Hyuuga out would destroy them all, even if he will be crushed himself. "I figured it was worth a try, though."