Knights of Teikou

Genre : Adventure, Fantasy

Kuroko no Basuke is owned by Fujimaki-sensei. May included OOC because of ages and environment. Hope u enjoy it minna! :)

Chapter 15: Anew

"Hey, Kagami. Are you sure… you are alright?", Maguchi asked again for the umpteenth times today. Ever since yesterday, he noticed that the boy was not being his usual self. How should he say it? He was not focused during the training, get agitated easily and looked so… frustrated. He was completely different from the calm but high-spirited Kagami that Maguchi knew. The way he was right now was alike with how a kid was throwing a tantrum when they did not get what they wanted. If Maguchi thought that Kagami looked more than what his ages supplied before, now he thought that Kagami was acting normally as his ages were.

Kagami continued stuffing his mouth full with foods served in front of him.

He put down the twelfth empty bowl on the mount of bowls he had made on the table, "Mister, five more bowls of fried-noodles again!", he yelled to the counter before continued stuffing himself to his thirteenth bowls.

Maguchi was only on his third bowl and was now looking at Kagami weirdly, so did the other customers inside that restaurant. They were amazed at the amount of foods a young boy could eat.

"Oi, Kagami. Are you sure you are going for your next five bowls? You still have another two bowls there.", Maguchi pointed to the two still untouched bowls near Kagami.

Kagami slurped loudly, uncaring about the noise he had made. He put the thirteenth emptied bowl on the mount of bowls at his right and took his next bowl.

"Oi, Kagami!", Kagami did not answer and continued on his foods.

"Here is the next five bowls you have ordered, kid!", the owner of the restaurant came and put down the foods on the table.

Kagami stopped his eating for just a moment to thank the boss before continued eating the foods.

The owner laughed merrily, "Such a big-eater you are, kid! I will take the dirty bowls away okay?", he took the thirteen bowls on Kagami's side and another two bowls from Maguchi.

Maguchi chuckled awkwardly when the boss joked with him about their difference in numbers of the bowl. After the boss went away, Maguchi turned his gaze back at Kagami who was now already on his sixteenth serves.

Maguchi sighed, he was planning on cheering the boy a bit by bringing him to the shopping street to eat but… Was it a right thing to do? Uhhhh~ I wonder if I bring enough money to pay for all of these?, Maguchi cried as he eyed his pocket.

-After that…-

"Wuaaaaaaa~!", Kagami patted his stomach with much satisfaction showing on his face. "I'm so full. The foods here are soo~ delicious~~!"

The boss came with the bill to their table and Maguchi gasped in shock for the amount of money he needed to pay. Maguchi was counting the money he had under the table while silently crying inside. Kagami ended up eating thirty five serves, 35! In one time-eating! He could eat those much for at least ten times!

"Ah! Hiroma, you don't need to pay for mine.", Kagami took out a pouch of money from his pocket and gave it to the owner to count.

"Ah, yes and here.", the owner took the right amount of money and gave the rest back to Kagami. "Thank you so much for the business, boys! Come over again anytime! I will really welcome you here.", the man laughed friendly and went back to his work.

Kagami peeked into his pouch to see how much was left and winced a bit, "Ah, I forget to hold back a bit.", he murmured and put the pouch back into his pocket.

"Kagami, sorry, I'm the one who asked you out but you are the one who ended up paying for the foods, sorry.", Maguchi smiled apologetically. He did not insist of paying because he did not bring that much money out with him that day, it was today that he finally learnt how much of a big-eater Kagami could be.

"Ah… It's okay, Hiroma. I ate a little bit too much, how could I let you pay for all of those?", Kagami said embarrassedly, he had really forgotten to hold back.

"By the way, Kagami, I'm surprised that you bring so much money with you.", Maguchi said. He was sure that there was still a lot left in Kagami's pouch.

"Yeah, aside from the monthly money the kingdom gives us, I also had brought some money with me when I first joined the army and because the kingdom pay for all our living expenses so I do not get to use the money.", Kagami said and huffed again, patting his stomach.

Looking at Kagami's gesture, Maguchi commented, "You sure eat A LOT, huh Kagami? I don't know whether to be amazed or scared."

Kagami laughed heartily, "You can do both if you are confused, Hiroma. ", then he frowned and closed his mouth. "And well~ I think I really over-eat it this time, I think that if I move a bit, I'm gonna vomit."

"I'm surprised that you just feel this now. I lost my appetite while I was watching you eat just now."

Kagami smiled a bit, "Sorry then. Now that I have finished eating, do you want to eat again? I promised I will not order anything this time, maybe only a drink.", he offered amusedly and his smile widened when he saw Maguchi's disgusted expression.

"Ugh, please, I'm already full now. There's no way I'm gonna eat again.", Maguchi answered bitterly, making Kagami laugh again.

They stayed there for a moment to wait for Kagami to feel better before they left the restaurant. The shopping streets were still full like days ago due to the New Year countdown. Kagami and Maguchi walked around, feeling the merry situation from the New Year's.

"Oh hey, Kagami, look.", Maguchi stopped at one of the crowded stands and struggled to have a look at the ornaments displayed there.

Kagami just stood there behind the crowd helplessly, he was too short and small to be seeing anything they were selling. He waited for Maguchi who was pushing his way forward while he looked around, everywhere was crowded with people and carriages. Kagami did not remember the situation to be this crowded that morning, the wave of crowd must have just arrived in the evening.

Someone accidentally stumbled against Kagami and mumbled a short apology before continuing his walk, Kagami only watched the boy for a sec to see that the boy was short and wearing a plain white non-sleeved-shirt and an old scarf covering around his neck, quite an unusual attire during this cold season. Not that he could protest much since he and Maguchi were also wearing very little clothes, just their usual uniform while Maguchi also wore the green hood of Teikou that showed that he was a soldier.

Kagami was about to look elsewhere when he noticed something missing. He patted his pocket again and it was flat, he patted his other pocket and it was also empty. My pouch!, Kagami looked up to see that the boy secretly peeked behind at him and flinched when his gaze met with Kagami's, the boy quickly turned around and fastened his pace.

"Hiroma! Hiroma!", Kagami tried to call his companion first but Maguchi could not hear him and the boy was going into the crowd, trying to mix into the crowd. "Hiroma! I'm going first!", Kagami yelled louder and immediately chased after the boy.

Maguchi had heard the last yell and looked behind to see no Kagami there, he looked around and saw that Kagami was running, "Hey, Kagami! Where are you going?!"

-Meanwhile…-

The carriage of Seraph Kingdom had just left the King Palace and was now on their way to the East Gate; one because the East Gate was not as crowded as North Gate was and two because it was closer by going that way to go to Emeraldine.

Behind the group from Seraph was the group from Teikou, a group of soldiers led by Kiyoshi was guarding a carriage with the emblem of Teikou on it where the young prince and princess of Teikou were inside and a group of soldiers behind it.

They were all going to Emeraldine to attend the New Year Eve.

They only had half the way to go before reaching the East Gate when suddenly a boy ran out from one of the dark-alley and almost hit the horse the Seraph's soldier was riding on.

"Hey! Watch where you are going, kid!", the soldier shouted angrily.

The kid looked up at the soldier who had just shouted at him in shock, he then moved his gaze around to see so many soldiers and even a knight there, he was suddenly feeling afraid. His gaze settled on the emblem of the kingdom they had on the carriage in the middle and he stared at it, wondering what that flag meant because he remembered that Teikou's emblem was not like that.

The kid was startled when suddenly someone jumped onto him from behind, causing his face to kiss the ground. That someone bent his right hand and pushed it onto his back.

"Caught you. Now where is my money? Give it back.", Kagami said sternly, keeping his grip firm.

The kid winced, "W-What are you talking about? I don't know what you are talking about.", he murmured stubbornly.

"You dare to lie!", Kagami used more strength to push the boy onto the ground. "If you didn't do anything guilty then why did you run after I saw you?"

"I-I, y-you suddenly chased after me, of course I'm scared and then I ran!", the kid stuttered because he was being hold onto the ground.

Kagami narrowed his gaze, "I don't think so."

"What happened here?"

Kagami raised his gaze up and he had finally, stupidly, realized the presences of peoples in front of them. And to make it worse, Kagami recognized the Seraph's emblem and their uniforms. He looked at the man who had just voiced his question, Kagami remembered that he was the fierce-looking knight he had seen three days ago.

"Help me!", the kid had yelled before Kagami could say anything. "He suddenly chased after me and all of you saw it, he suddenly attacked me! Please, please catch him!", the kid yelled desperately.

"W-Wha-?", Kagami was caught off guard by the sudden lie. "Hey! You are the one who stole my pouch!", Kagami yelled to the boy.

"I said I'm not! You got the wrong person!", the kid yelled.

"Oh yeah? Then how about I check it, to see whether I get the wrong person or not.", Kagami was about to check the kid's clothes but the kid squirmed and started to fight back by kicking and hitting.

"Wahh! Waahhh! Helpp! Hellppp, ! He is going to harass me!", the kid shouted while squirming.

"W-W-Wha-", Kagami's face flushed a bit, he would not expect the day when he was going to be put into one sentence with the word 'harass'.

"Help! Help!", the kid kept on struggling.

"Kagami?"

The two of them looked up at the same time to see Kiyoshi riding a horse, approaching them.

Kiyoshi gave a short bow to the Seraph's side before he stopped near Kagami and hopped down from his horse, "What is going on, Kagami?",Kiyoshi asked again.

"Kiyoshi-san! This kid-"

"Helppppp, ! This boy was following me secretly a-a-and he suddenly attacked me. He was saying I stole his pouch but he only wanted to harass me! I-I-I'm so afraid, Mister! Please help me!", the kid fake-crying.

Kagami gaped in shock, what was the boy spluttering about? How come he became the bad person now?

Kagami looked up at the silent Kiyoshi hopefully, "Kiyoshi-san… You don't believe him, do you?"

Kiyoshi was only staring at Kagami and did not say anything.

" , you must believe me.", the kid sobbed, his eyes blinking tearfully. "I-I'm only a poor kid and I'm helpless, I am only living with my grand-ma and my grand-ma has always taught me to be a good boy, there's no way I'm stealing anything from him. Please believe me."

Kiyoshi looked at the kid and there was a glint of sympathetic in his eyes.

"Wha-?! Kiyoshi-san! Sir! You believe him?! I will not do something like that!", Kagami had accidentally stood up and let go of the kid.

The kid saw the chance so he slowly and sneakily tried to step away from all of them and back into the dark-alley which he had just came out from. Now. The kid turned around and was about to run when suddenly a sword which was still in its sheathe halted his path, right in front of his head. The kid looked up and saw a young boy with light red hair and a wise smile on his face, he was wearing the uniform of Teikou. That means he is a soldier b-but doesn't he… look young?

"Where are you planning to go? Let's make clear of this misunderstanding before you go, we will give you the just if you are really being endangered.", the red-haired boy said with an assuring smile.

"Akashi!", Kagami called in surprise but also a bit happiness.

Akashi? I-Isn't that the name of one of the nobles? T-Then… H-he… He is the rumored Kisekis?, the kid thought in shock as he stared at Akashi's form.

Akashi turned and smiled at Kagami, "Hello there, Kagami. It has been a month since we last saw each other but…", Akashi looked at the kid again before back to Kagami, "I would not expect us to meet each other in this situation."

"Uhh? Akashi, you are not going to believe that I'm planning to do something to him right?", Kagami asked.

Someone chuckled on his horse, "I don't know you are such a naughty boy, lil' Taiga."

These words… Kagami turned his head to the right and saw, who he had guessed to be, Shoma in his complete armor on his horse. Kagami looked behind and saw a carriage with Teikou's emblem on it and a group of soldiers and knights from Teikou guarding around it.

"Shoma…", Kagami deadpanned. "What are you doing here?"

Shoma laughed, "What a funny question that is, Taiga. Why could I not be here? And don't try to avoid the main topic, Taiga. Hoho, I don't know you are someone like… this.", Shoma smirked in amusement.

Kagami was red in embarrassment now, "He is lying!"

"Maa maa~ We will know who is lying soon.", Kiyoshi cut in. He looked at the Seraph's knights. "I'm sorry for the trouble but would all of you like to go on first? We will catch up once we are finished here."

The knight approached the carriage and asked his King, he nodded after getting the response from his king and turned to Kiyoshi. "Our King said it was alright to wait, you may solve the problem first before we continue the journey together."

Kiyoshi smiled, "I see… Then please give us some minutes.", he turned to Kagami. "So… Kagami, mind telling me what happened? Does what this kid has just said… true?"

"Of course no, Sir. This kid bumped into me just now and then I realized that my pouch was missing. This kid suddenly looked panic when he saw me and walked away in hurry, so I thought he was the one who stole my pouch and chased after him.", Kagami explained.

"No! I did not steal anything!", the kid shouted.

"Maa maa, no need to argue anymore.", Kiyoshi approached the kid who later flinched when Kiyoshi was close to him, "Kid, I'm sorry… But can you let us check your clothes for a while? We will prove your innocence if you are not guilty.", Kiyoshi smiled warmly.

The kid frowned and crossed his hands in front of his chest, "Go on.", he murmured.

Kiyoshi smiled, "Then excuse me.", he said before he checked every pocket on the kid's clothes. After checking it, Kiyoshi looked up and announced, "I do not find anything."

Kagami was surprised, "But-"

"See?! I have said that I'm innocent!", the kid stated.

"But you-!"

"Enough, Kagami.", Kiyoshi said. "I have checked the boy and there is no pouch on him at all. Maybe you lost your pouch somewhere along the crowds, you need to be more careful."

Kagami opened his mouth to argue but then he closed it again, he was certain that the kid had stole it from him. But it was true that Kiyoshi-san had checked the boy and found nothing.

"Then I can leave now right?", the kid asked.

"Alright, you can leave now.", Kiyoshi said. "Sorry if you are scared from this, I apologize in his behalf."

The kid hummed and was about to leave when Akashi suddenly spoke up, "But Sir, there's still one place you haven't checked yet.", Akashi said.

"Uh?"

"Huh? W-What are you talking about, he has checked all my clothes! There's no way I hid it under my shoes, right? The pouch should be round in shape, it will not fit under my shoes!", the kid said.

Akashi smiled, "You are right, but I'm not talking about the shoes but your scarf. Excuse me.", Akashi stretched his hand out and grabbed the old scarf covering the boy's neck, not long after that he took out a small pouch from under the scarf.

"That's mine!", Kagami proclaimed and he took it from Akashi to check it, it was indeed his pouch.

The kid immediately attempted to run away but Akashi had blocked his escape way easily, "Kid, stealing is not good. Would you promise not to repeat this again?", he asked gently and wisely.

The kid frowned, "Don't tell me what I should or should not do! Someone living a good rich peaceful life will not know what we the poor one is doing for living!", this time his shout sounded more sincere. He tried to run again and this time Akashi intentionally let him go.

Akashi turned to Kiyoshi and bowed apologetically, "I'm sorry for letting him go, Sir."

"Maa~ It's okay, I don't intend to give him any punishment too. Maybe a short lecture will do and you have tried to… It's okay, Akashi, and well done.", Kiyoshi smiled warmly.

Akashi nodded, "Thank you, Sir.", he had said, but Kagami did not see any bit of accomplishment coming from Akashi. Kagami dared say that he was affected by what the kid had said just now.

Kagami turned to Kiyoshi and bowed, "I'm so sorry for the troubles, Sir. Urr, I must have intruded into something I must not, right?"

Kiyoshi chuckled and ruffled Kagami's hair, "It's okay but please be careful next time okay, Kagami?"

Kagami nodded and he watched as Kiyoshi talked with the Seraph's knight, he turned to Akashi,

"Say, Akashi, I have heard a lot about you and the others. When did you come back and how about the others?"

"By the others, are you talking about Tetsuya and the others?", Akashi smiled.

Kagami nodded, "Yeah, and Aomine and the others."

"We are doing our missions separately so I do not know when they are coming back and if it is me, I have just come back this morning.", Akashi answered as polite as usual.

"This morning? Then…", Kagami looked at Akashi's uniform. "Are you going to leave again?"

Akashi nodded, "The King has ordered me to go to Emeraldine."

"Ah, that city… I've heard a lot about it, it's famous, right?", Kagami asked.

Akashi nodded and then Kiyoshi had called for Akashi that they were continuing their journey now. Kagami watched the Seraph's carriage leaving first and then the Teikou's carriage followed behind, Akashi was riding on a white beautiful horse with some red-hair on the tip of its hair alongside the other horses.

"Hey, lil' Taiga.", Shoma approached Kagami while the rest of the group advancing forward.

"What is it, Shoma? They are leaving already.", Kagami asked.

Shoma chuckled and leaned down to whisper, "I will tell you something interesting.", he smirked.

"What?"

"Do you know about the big tournament Emeraldine held every year? Where kingdoms around Emeraldine gather their selected soldiers to compete against each other?"

"Uh? There's also something like that? I thought there is only the celebration there that is famous.", Kagami said in wonder.

"Yeahh, the New Year's celebration in Emeraldine is also famous but after that, they held a friendly tournament in between some kingdoms for two days. And the kingdoms usually only selected the skillful ones to represent them there.", Shoma smirked.

Kagami raised his eyebrows, looking at Shoma's expression, "Are you one of the representatives?"

Shoma chuckled, "Guess-able, huh? That's right and every year there will be five representatives from each kingdom. You can see it in the group just now, Kiyoshi-san is only accompanying us there to supervise us and watch the whole process of tournament, also protecting the Prince and Princess."

"Prince? Princess?", Kagami asked. "Ah, so the ones inside the carriage just now…"

Shoma nodded, "Yes, they are our little Prince and Princess. But the thing I want to tell you is not that, Taiga."

"Then what is it, Shoma?, ", Kagami frowned.

"Like I said, Kiyoshi-san is the one supervising us and there are five representatives from Teikou. Me and the other four are there, don't you get what I'm trying to tell you here?", Shoma chuckled amusingly when Kagami showed his clueless face. "Look carefully who is there, Taiga."

Kagami was confused and turned his head to where the Teikou's group was leaving. They just continued on without caring that Shoma was not following them, only Akashi had glanced back once to them.

"Akashi…", Kagami looked back at Shoma, "Is he…?"

Shoma smirked, "He is the second from Nijimura who has joined that tournament without the title of knight, because you see… usually the ones represented Teikou must be at least a middle-ranked knight. He is amazing, right? That Akashi-dono… If he could give a good result in this competition, the world will surely keep an eye on him. And he is still 12, just like you, Taiga."

Kagami was surprised but at the same time awed...

Shoma chuckled and patted Kagami's head, "The kiseki-boys all have started to shine, don't stuck as an errand-boy okay, Taiga? Ahahaha… Oh, by the way I've been meaning to ask you something but I will save it for when I come back okay?"

"What do you want to talk about, Shoma? Can't you say it now?"

"Nahh, little boy must be patient.", Shoma snickered when he saw the frown on Kagami's face. "So see you. Remember! Before we talk, don't you dare go anywhere!", Shoma rode his horse to chase after the others.

Kagami sighed, "I don't understand."

Kagami stared at Shoma's leaving form in silence for quite a while before he heard a sound of thump and something rushing. Kagami walked into the dark-alley he came out from and saw the kid just now was stuck in the middle of the trashes.

"Guh.", the kid immediately tried to free himself as hurry as possible but ended up getting more tangled by the plastics.

Kagami helped the kid out from the mess and once he did, the kid pushed Kagami away, "Don't think that I'm going to apologize okay?!"

Kagami sighed, "I'm okay if you do not apologize to me but don't steal again, kid. The ones you steal from in the future is not going to be as forgiving as the one you met today and who knows what they might do to you.", Kagami pulled the tie on his pouch and took out more than a half of the money he had left. "Here.", he grabbed the kid's hand and put the money onto his palm.

"What? This-…", the kid looked at the money in confusion.

"Don't steal again and don't lie too much, kid.", Kagami put the pouch back into his pocket and patted the kid's hair once before leaving.

The boy was staring at the money he had on his palm dreamily, in his whole ten years he had never seen or even held so much money. Even if the sum of the money was actually no much in normal people's eyes but for that kid, it was the most money he had ever had.

He grinned widely and stuffed the money onto his pockets, then started running off. All he could think about was how happy his grand-ma would be when she saw him coming home with that much money.

-The last day of the year-

-Kuroko...-

"Oy, Kuroko! Where are you?", a boy in his 15 walked around the barn, looking for his comrade. "Kuroko! Kuroko~!", he called and called.

"Ogiwara-kun, I'm here."

"WOAHH!", Ogiwara flinched too much and turned around to see the one he was looking for was just about four steps behind him, how come he did not notice that boy? "Oh hey, Kuroko, find the one you like?"

Kuroko looked back at the grey horse with blue round eyes, "He has caught my eyes.", he said softly. He reached out his hand slowly to the horse and much to Kuroko's excitement, the horse had approached his hand and leaned onto it. Kuroko smiled and rubbed the horse's ear softly.

Ogiwara grinned, "Then you are choosing him then. I will tell our Captain."

"Ogiwara-kun, I don't think this is right.", Kuroko suddenly said.

Ogiwara raised his eyebrows in confusion before he ooh-ed, understood what Kuroko was trying to say. He chuckled and ruffled the teal-hair friendly, "Don't say so. Captain is very generous and he said that all of us have done a very good job this time so he wants to reward us. If you really want to pay for his kindness then you can do it through your performance, Kuroko.", Ogiwara said.

Kuroko smiled and nodded, "Then how about you, Ogiwara-kun? Have you chosen the horse you wanted?"

"Yepp!", Ogiwara nodded excitedly. "Would you want to see? Here, here.", Ogiwara brought Kuroko to where a black horse with very unique hair which was black and had yellow color in it which was forming the lightning pattern. "Cool, ain't he?"

Kuroko smiled again, "He is very unique indeed and very suitable for someone like Ogiwara-kun."

Ogiwara giggled, "Right?"

Kuroko smiled and nodded. He was fortunate to have met such kind persons to be his comrades. He had joined the high-ranked Mayuzumi's order, Mayuzumi was a close-friend of him in the noble. Both of them got along because of some similarities that the two of them had and Kuroko had learnt a lot from the nineteen-years old knight before he earned the title of 'Generation of Miracles'. Also, most of the people in this order had mostly known him through Mayuzumi before he had even joined the army officially so when he joined that order, he was treated fairly.

Ogiwara was a freshman this year from Squad 10, one of the squads for spear combat-art. He, like Kuroko, was invited by Mayuzumi to join. And because that he and Kuroko joined the order around the same time, Ogiwara hung around Kuroko a lot. He had heard of Kuroko's reputation but he did not treat Kuroko differently just because of that or Kuroko's status as a noble, he indeed found Kuroko as someone funny and kind, he always acknowledged Kuroko's strength.

Kuroko was grateful to be able to join this order… This would be his path to his goal. Even though Kuroko was now in a different order, he never stopped thinking about his friends but he had faith in them, he believed in their ideals. The only thing he could do now was to do his own best here. He also prayed everything to be well for his friends too.

-Kise…-

Kise tried to smile normally but the smile still showed his nervousness, judging from how the others around the table were teasing him for being too innocent. Kise tried to endure the awkward situation for the whole night and finally his four seniors were all drunk and they left the bar after that.

Kise was walking behind the four of them, watching as his seniors swayed right and left, occasionally bumped against the other people on the street and teasing the girls around.

What are they doing? Wearing Teikou's uniform and behaving like this…, Kise frowned from his place.

They had just finished their mission the day before and by the endless pestering from the men, their Captain, Kasamatsu Yukio had decided to have a short break in one city until the New Year passed.

Kise would not say that he was welcomed warmly when he joined under Kasamatsu's order and during the missions, he could pinpoint the discrimination and occasional sneering under the friendly fronts they had. But Kise did not back down and just continued doing what he should do.

That night, his seniors suddenly approached him for the first time and invited him out with them. Kise had actually sensed their no-good intention but being the newbie he was, he was trying to get along with his comrades and so he agreed.

And his seniors had brought him, a boy under-aged, into a bar, a night bar. Kise was honestly dumbstruck when he stepped into that place. It was crowded with people just like the big party he had occasionally joined between the nobles but that was way too different from this place. The thick scent of alcohol, sweats, smoke and perfumes were all lingering in the air, the dimmed room, the very loud and noisy music, peoples drinking and dancing and the worst… flirting with the women who wore a very… inappropriate clothes, from the bar.

Kise felt so out of place there and very… very uncomfortable.

He had now understood his seniors' intention for bringing him there, to show him how he should not be there. A noble kid, and moreover still twelve years old. But Kise had endured it. All the sneering and laugh they directed at him that night, he had all endured it. He was still trying to be as friendly as he could be.

"Oh hey, little girls."

Kise's attention snapped back to his seniors who were now blocking the path of two girls. Kise felt surf of anger started to swirl in his stomach when he saw his seniors were trying to grab the girls and even doing something inappropriate to them.

I have had enough.

Kise stepped forward and grabbed the hand which was pulling one of the girl's hands.

"What are you doing now, little beautiful kid?", his senior said unclearly while his eyes were unfocused and body swaying.

"Seniors, may I ask what you might be doing right now?", Kise asked coldly, no more friendliness showing in neither Kise's face or voices. He was looking at his seniors the way he was looking at someone unworthy of his respect.

Kasamatsu had heard about his men bringing Kise out for a drink and he immediately departed from the inn they were staying momentarily to bring them back. They have overdone it. He was very much angered by how foolish his men could be, bringing an innocent under-aged boy to a bar, not to mention that Kise was the son of the noble family Kise. What would his parents said if they found out about this? And worst, what if something happened to him there? Like traumatized or something worse…

Kise was under Kasamatsu's care right now and he was going to be responsible of him and every single subordinate who followed him. Today even if Kise was someone he did not know, he would still not tolerate anyone bringing a kid to a place that might badly influenced them.

Kasamatsu saw a circle of people crowding at one spot and he immediately sensed that he was late and something had gone wrong. He immediately ran toward the crowd, "Sorry, excuse me.", the people had easily gave way for him when they saw his armors and the insignia of Teikou on it.

Kasamatsu stopped at the front of the crowd and saw his four subordinates, who he was absolutely going to punish later, were now lying on the road, drunk and unconscious. There were two girls who were attending to Kise's bloodied-lips and red-swollen cheek there.

Kise noticed Kasamatsu there and he smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry, Sir."

Kasamatsu sighed shortly and knelt down beside him, "I will be taking over the rest, could you two kindly bring me some buckets of water?", he asked the girls who immediately nodded and went to search for the water. He looked at Kise who was still smiling nervously at him then to the crowd who had went their own way as quick as they possibly could, then back to Kise, he reached his hand out and PAK, lightly hit Kise's head.

"I'm not going to punish you this time but next time, think more cleverly, Kise. Don't just be that stupid and follow wherever everyone bring you to.", Kasamatsu scolded. "You are not that stupid, are you Kise? Or are you?"

Kise chuckled, "I'm sorry, Senpai. But I wanted to believe that they were really trying to get along with me but I should have trusted my instinct."

Kasamatsu noticed the little bit of disappointment lying under Kise's voice, "Idiot, they were only trying to prank the newbie like what they always did to every newbie but they have overdone it this time.", Kasamatsu gritted his teeth and mumbled about 'I'm going to give those idiots some lessons.'

Kise chuckled then Kasamatsu looked back at him, "By the way, Kise, what exactly happened to be like… this?", Kasamatsu looked at the four drunk men.

Kise smiled too-innocently to the point Kasamatsu was feeling a bit annoyed, "Seniors have drank too much and they were trying to do inappropriate things to the two ladies just now so I tried to stop them. No worry, Senpai, I did not do anything to them. I only talked with them until they fell unconscious themselves due to the alcohol."

Kasamatsu glanced at the blood near Kise's mouth and the red-swell on his cheek, "Did they hit you?"

Kise touched his swollen cheek and laughed merrily, "They were drunk so they did not think clearly, Senpai. I can understand it."

Kasamatsu sighed, "Idiot. Even if they are your seniors, if they have really overdone things, you should not have kept quiet and do nothing."

Kise chuckled and smiled teasingly, "Are you telling me to fight back to my seniors, Kasamatsu-senpai? I don't think it is a very wise advice that a captain should give to his subordinates."

Kasamatsu frowned and hit Kise's head again, "Then you should just let them do as they please. Up to you, idiot."

Kise laughed softly, "Don't be angry, Senpai." Then he smiled confidently, "And don't worry. Now that Kasamatsu-senpai has given me the go, I will look on the conditions and act accordingly. But… ", Kise's smiled turned doubtful. "Is it really alright for me to be doing it to my seniors? Do I have the right for it?"

"Idiot.", Kasamatsu stated loud and firmly, then he crossed his hands. "Today even if it is me who has done something wrong, you are welcomed to correct it out for me. The same way works for you, Kise. One day when you are starting to lead the others, you must not forget this."

Kise's eyes widen and he just stared at his senpai-now-captain.

The two girls just now had brought the water there and Kasamatsu thanked them, also apologizing for what had happened to them. The girls asked the captain what the water were going to be used for. "Oh, these?", was the simply reply the captain gave before he took one of the buckets and threw it mercilessly onto his men who immediately woke up due to the cold sensation.

"What the-?"

Kasamatsu had thrown the rest of the buckets again to his subordinates and then ordered them to apologize to the two girls. The men had clearly forgotten what they had done when they were drunk but still they apologized because they would not want to test their captain's patience.

-Midorima…-

"Happy New Year!" "Happy New Year! Ahahahahahha…"

The small village was now having a New Year Celebration in the centre of the village.

Midorima had silently moved away from the group and he walked to the only lake near the village, in the middle of the woods. He was sitting on a large stone beside the lake and watched the moon himself. It was his first time spending the night out with peoples he was foreign with, out from his comfort zone, without his close friends.

But he needed to get used to this… They were going to be his comrades starting from this point.

SYUT

An arrow had landed just a narrow three centimeters from where Midorima was sitting. Midorima glanced to the direction of the trees and saw a shadow of someone whose face was shadowed by the tree's shadow but Midorima had a feeling on who was there from the figure.

"Kasunari-san… What is the meaning of this?", Midorima asked sternly.

A short boy with black short hair and narrow black eyes came out from the shadow, now that he had stepped out from the trees, Midorima could see the twelve-years old boy was holding a traditional wooden bow in his left hand and some hand-tied wood-arrow on his back. "Duel with me, Shin-chan!"

Kasunari Takao, a twelve-year old boy he had met in Haleir Village, a poor village located in the deep Tenma Mount. Haleir Village is very out-casted and the villagers had almost never stepped down from Tenma Mount but the skill of the warriors there was magnificent, they mostly relied on what nature could provide them with for survive. That village was also under the protection of Teikou and because they had never stepped out from the mountain, Teikou usually ordered someone to go there to give some supply and to see to their need. In this part, General Ookabo was the one who was responsible of this so he had brought some of his men along with Midorima to pay a visit there and to give some New Year's supply for the village.

And this boy, Kasunari Takao was a son from one of the families in Haleir Village. He was a very talented boy and he had a great accuracy in archery. He was also smart and fast among his ages, the elders in the village highly regarded him. But he was very blunt and always straight-forward, making it hard for him to get along with the kids his ages, especially because he was talented and always praised by the elders, making the kids envied him and thought of him as arrogant and so isolating him.

When General Ookabo introduced Midorima to them, Takao had immediately recognized him as the rumored 'Generation of Miracles' he had heard, that rumor was so famous to the point it reached his village.

He had always wanted to see what kind of boys these 'Generation of Miracles' were. He wanted to test his skills out. Takao had a high confidence that he would not lose to the rumored miracles, he had confidence in his skills, intelligence and speeds because in Haleir Village, he was the best out of the kids his ages.

That was why he had been following Midorima everywhere in these three days and tried to have him had a match with him but Midorima had declined all of it. Rather than being disappointed, Takao felt challenged when Midorima had declined him the first time and the times after that. He was determined to have Midorima dueled with him.

Takao approached where Midorima was sitting and stopped just few steps on his right, "How about this? I will try to aim for the fish in this lake and if I can get it in one try then you must agree on having a duel with me."

Midorima turned to see a lot of fishes in the lake, "No, I decline."

"W-! Why, Shin-chan!"

Midorima raised the rim of his glasses once, "First, I don't find any use for doing this. Second, I will not randomly use their lives as a gamble for something silly."

Takao was speechless but he gripped his bow tighter and forced a grin out, "What is this? You keep on refusing my challenge, could it be the mighty awesome 'Miracle' is afraid of an ordinary commoner like me?", Takao shrugged his shoulders and looked away, did not notice the change in Midorima. "Hehh, so the Generation of Miracles is not that much huh? You can just say so from the beginning then I will stop bothering you in this instant."

Takao was still looking away and waited for Midorima to take his bait but when Midorima did not give out any responses, he peeked to see Midorima was looking down and silent. He suddenly got nervous, did I go too far? Well, he is from the noble so he might be more sensitive than normal people is.

"Kasunari-san.", Midorima looked up at Takao flatly. "Would you finally stop bothering me if I agree on accepting your challenge?", he asked sternly.

Takao made a nervous grin, "Of course.", he answered simply.

Midorima thought about it for a moment before he stood up, "Alright, state your challenge."

Takao was surprised for a sec before he grinned excitedly, he finally got to have a match with the awesome kiseki. Midorima was someone who used sword, he saw him bringing a sword with him here. Takao knew some about sword but he never really practiced it because it was not needed much in his village, he did not want to take a risk of losing because rumor might be wrong but also might be true. So if he wanted to challenge him, he might as well do it with his specialty.

"Just now you said not to involve living things in it so let's change the target to the tree over there.", he pointed to a tree at the other side of the lake where they were standing right now. The distance between them and the tree was around sixty meters. "Whoever could hit that tree with the least arrows, win.", Takao turned to Midorima. "How? Are you satisfied with it, Shin-…chan?"

Midorima looked at the tree and nodded, "I agree. Then who is going to do this first?"

Takao smiled, "Because I'm the challenger then allow me the honor to be the first one to go. May I…, noble-san?", Takao noticed the way Midorima stiffened a bit when he called him that. 'So he doesn't like when people call him noble?'

"Alright, you can go first, Kasunari-san.", Midorima took two steps away to give the other boy some spaces.

Takao smiled and moved to what he thought to be the most advantageous spot for him. He positioned his bow up diagonally then took one arrow from his back and pulled it along with the string of the bow, he took his time aiming for the target and he let it flew forward.

The arrow hit the trunk of the tree, slightly to the lower right perfectly.

Takao grinned in satisfaction and turned to hand his bow to Midorima, "Your turn now, noble-san."

Midorima took it and only took a step forward from where he was just standing, "You make it in one try so how will we decide the winner if I also manage to do it in one try?", he asked.

Takao was caught off guard when Midorima had asked that question bluntly, it was as if he had the total confidence that he could do it in one-try. Takao felt a thrill spreading into his body, 'I don't know whether he is confident of his skills or over-confident.'

"It will indeed be troublesome to decide the winner if that happens…", Takao started and looked at the target-tree, thinking of a way.

"I will aim for the little hole on that trunk and if I can do it in one-try, I win, but if I can't, even if it hit the trunk, it still counts as your win. How about it, Kasunari-san?", Midorima suggested.

Takao narrowed his eyes to see better, there was indeed a hole around twenty centimeters on the trunk slightly to the left. He could see it from that distance because he had always a very sharp-eyed that could look quite far and clearer. He was surprised that Midorima noticed that hole and even saying he would aim for that small target which was not an easy one. Just how much confidence he has?

"Alright. Then let's do it that way.", Takao said and observed Midorima closely.

Midorima nodded and pushed the rim of his glasses up once before he positioned the bow up vertically. Takao looked at Midorima's posture and could not help but be surprised. 'The way he positioned the bow is not like those first try-er.' He watched in anticipation as Midorima aimed the arrow and after he finished calculating it, he let go of the arrow.

Takao watched the arrow neatly flew and stuck right onto the spot, he was stunned. "No way…", he unconsciously blurted out.

Midorima pushed the rim of his glasses up again and handed the bow back, "Now that I have won this, could you keep your word and not bothering me anymore?", Midorima said before he left the boy there alone.

Takao was so stunned, for the first time in his twelve years of life, he had lost and it was in the thing he had the utmost confidence with. He was the best in between the kids in his village and he thought that he was really the best in the world but no, he was proven wrong, outside from his small 'world', there were still so much more people who were stronger, more talented than him.

That night, he realized… He was not the best like what he had thought he was. He was only seeing the world in his village. The world in reality was much bigger and full of things he had never seen and experienced.

Takao smiled then turned to a chuckle until he laughed out loud, he held his stomach and wiped his non-existent tears, "So there are still things I haven't learnt about. This is the world unknown to me.", he grinned.

-Murasakibara…-

"Damn, he is sleeping already. I have warned him not to sleep before us."

One of the men complaint while looking at Murasakibara's sleeping form, "That stubborn brat, he does not heed my words at all."

The high-ranked knight, also the captain of the team, Kenichi Okamura, chuckled, "Let him be. He has always done his task well, and that's what matters most!"

"But Captain! How can we let him eat so much and then directly went to sleep? He will get overweight and he is already almost so tall! We must not spoil him!"

The captain laughed, "Alright, alright. Then try waking him up then~! Good luck~!", he left the room.

"Heyy, Murasakibara! Brat! Wake up!", the man, Kensuke Fukui, kicked the boy out of his bed harshly.

Murasakibara squinted his eyes, he had actually heard their voices and attempted to get up (after some minutes) but he hadn't expected the harsh treatment. Ever since he joined this order, his movement had always been restricted, he might not eat too much, he had to follow them around and even when he had got nothing to do, he was not allowed to do his own things. Like this time, it was already very late in night and he had told his captain before he went to rest which he was allowed to but as you could see, his seniors did not let him sleep too early even though it was already very late into the night.

When he was still in the army, he was not treated this badly. And he still had Akashi to direct him the right thing to do, he had always believed in Akashi's words and listened to him all the time without a doubt. This was the first time he was doing something without Akashi and the others.

They had made the promise to do their best in their own teams before they went their own way and Murasakibara had agreed on it but he did not know that it was going to be this hard.

But there was no way for him to quit now…

He had his own goal, his and his friends' goal… He remembered Akashi's words and he was certain that his friends were all working hard so he would also be working hard here.

"Wake up and follow us downstairs, you sleepy-head!"

"Yes~!", Murasakibara answered and followed the man obediently. He would try to change his behaviors first and improved his skills so that when he met with his friends, he could show them proudly the results.

-Aomine…-

CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG

The sounds of iron-to-iron resounded in the middle of the night in the wood. There were fights happening right there now.

"Don't you think you can escape!", Wakamatsu proclaimed as he slashed another man.

Wakamatsu and Sakurai had made two groups and ambushed their target's den, Sakurai's group's goal was to save the hostages while Wakamatsu's group was to attack the mercenaries, to partly distract their attention. The situation was looking good for Wakamatsu's side until he heard a shout from Aomine calling, "Roka-san!"

"Wait! Don't, Aomine!", Wakamatsu had shouted.

But it was too late, Aomine had run to the direction of the wounded comrade, the mercenaries had clearly saw an opening and aimed for it. Wakamatsu tsk-ed and ran to their direction, "Stupid!", Wakamatsu had shouted very-loudly, making Aomine flinched and looked around to see the one he was fighting just now was now swinging his sword forward. He was too shocked to be able to do anything, he managed to still raise his sword up to protect himself but there was no power on his arm because of his shock. He lost his grip of his sword which flew away and fell down one step behind onto the ground.

"Kahahaha, good bye, kid.", the mercenary raised his sword up high and stabbed it downward.

Aomine had closed his eyes, preparing for the upcoming pain but he only heard a wince and he felt something spluttering on his face. He opened his eyes shakily and took a deep breath, the mercenary was right in front of him, body limp with a sword thrusting on his chest.

"Kuh.", the mercenary fell limply to the side, along with his sword.

"Idiot! Don't lose your focus during a fight!", Wakamatsu had immediately turned around to block the coming attack and focused back in his fight without a miss.

Aomine was too shocked over everything that he lost his mind on what to do.

"Wake up, Aomine! Don't sit like an idiot!", Wakamatsu's shout had woke Aomine up from his stupor.

He shakily got up and grabbed his sword, continuing to the three mercenaries left there.

It was not long until the situation was under their control, they managed to capture all the mercenaries while one of them that Wakamatsu had thrusted his sword onto was died. The hostages were all safe and Sakurai's team had also caught the rest of the mercenaries inside.

On their side, only two of them were injured, one of them was Roka-san from before and the other one was in Sakurai's rescue team.

"Where's Aomine?", Sakurai asked as he looked around to see the sign of the boy.

Wakamatsu jerked his thumb to the right, "Has been sulking there since we are finished here."

Sakurai frowned in worry and approached the boy, Wakamatsu only watched from where he was standing. It was not that the boy had done poorly, it was the opposite. In Wakamatsu's honest opinion, the boy had done very well for his first experience, even though he had almost done a mistake, a gravely mistake, just now but he had recovered quickly and it did not affect his performance at all. He had helped a lot in capturing them.

But Wakamatsu was not going to comfort him. If Aomine was really a soldier in heart and mind, then he would not be falling down for too long just because of something silly as witnessing enemy died and comrades almost hurt. They were in Squad 11, these would absolutely happen often during their missions and he did not have the time to baby-sit.

One who had decided to join the battlefield should have had the resolution for the worst.

Wakamatsu saw Sakurai sitting down beside Aomine, then he walked away to see the capturers and his comrades. He would leave Aomine to Sakurai, though he had this sorta feeling that even without Sakurai's help, the boy would stand up by himself.

-Akashi…-

Akashi should admit that the New Year's celebration in Emeraldine was really done magnificently. The performances, fireworks, musics, the dances, all of it were entertaining and the crowd must have agreed with it, judging by how excited they were currently.

Akashi and his companions were now gathering in the office that the Council, the ones controlled the White Cities, had prepared for them for this occasion while watching the performances through the wide glasses-wall.

The big tournament would start tomorrow, by the first day of the New Year and Akashi had been taken to talk with some of the participants from another kingdoms and Akashi was certain they would be a tough opponent, indeed. The people from the Council and Seraph were also the same.

But Akashi knew he had reliable comrades with him and most of all, he was certain that this tournament would be a very good lesson for him to learn to, either from his own comrades or the opponents. He was grateful for the chance which the King had given him and he would try to not disappoint Him in this match.

He was looking forward for the upcoming tournament.

-Kagami-

Kagami could hear the merry noises coming from the opposite of the army's walls. While the others were having their relaxing time, enjoying the New Year's celebration; every soldiers presented in Eclipss right now were attending an annual New Year's assembly where they were gathered to hear their King speak some wise words regarding the upcoming new year. (Kagami could not see their King's face clearly due to how behind he was standing). They had a wine toast where each of them held a glass of wine and then led by the King himself, for the good fortune in the upcoming year, they cheered and toasted then finished the whole drink (none was allowed to drip even a drop of the liquid was what Maguchi told Kagami).

After the King, was the Main General Geneda's turn, talking about the resolution and the goal every soldiers must aimed for. Then after that, was every Squad Captain presented in Eclipss's turns for a speech. After the whole assembly finished, they were dismissed after wishing a Good New Year for the King, the Kingdom and the Army.

"So this is what we do.", Kagami had said when he and Maguchi were walking together around the field, after the assembly.

Maguchi chuckled, "This is a first for me! Amazing, isn't it?"

Kagami looked at his companion and smiled, he was going to miss his companion a lot.

After the New Year, Maguchi had been assigned along with some of the soldiers to the base in West Coast due to the lack of people there. Maguchi told him that he was the one who had applied for it because his hometown was only few cities from West Coast and Kagami was told by the boy himself that the move might be permanent and to be honest, Kagami was a bit down when he heard that.

But he still grinned and cheered for the boy. He just thought that he was going to miss the boy a lot because the boy was the one who had been accompanying him the most in the army and taught the newbie-him the ways everything worked, he was his first friend here and he had got a lot of help from him.

Kagami did not think he would ever forget there was a boy named 'Maguchi Hiroma' who had helped him a lot.

Kagami smiled and looked up to the bright moon up in the night sky, 'Now even Hiroma is starting to go his own path… '

-…-

That year ended in different ways for everyone. It signaled the start of something new and a future completely unknown. 'Fate' existed but it was still up to the person himself to decide which 'path' they were following. Who knows what was awaiting them tomorrow, the day after tomorrow and so go on; it could be something good and even something bad.

-To be continued-

To 'Comrades-Part 1'