Betrayal in its simplest form

Chapter 5

"Absolutely not." The protest was deadly, hissed with anger and authority. It made Aomine, who was the only one in the room beside the arguing two, shiver with fear.

Kuroko didn't seem to be fazed by the tone. He was sitting up on the large king bed, which was a little too big for the small teen, his back supported by a large amount of pillows. Heavy blankets covered up to his waist, but did nothing for his naked upper body. Blank, Kuroko-like eyes stared into hetero ones defiantly. The only clue you could pick up from the emotionless teen was the small furrow between two blue eyebrows.

Rakuzan's captain was a different story, however. His whole frame radiated controlled fury. Red and yellow eyes gleamed dangerously at the arguing boy, usually a sign a crazy punishment was on its way. His body stance; back erect, arms crossed tightly over his chest, and legs shoulder-width apart, told that he was not letting Kuroko out of the room anytime soon.

How can Tetsu not be scared? Aomine thought faintly. Or maybe he is, and I just can't tell.

"Akashi-kun," Kuroko challenged. "I have to go."

"Whether you have to or not, I don't care. You are not going."

"Seirin depends on me."

"They will have to do without for awhile, then. A team is not strong if they cannot win with one person missing."

The small teen finally showed more signs of anger. He clenched the bed sheets and threw a small glare at the captain. "I have to go, Akashi-kun! They'll be suspicious of me!"

"You are not going to today's practice, and that is final." Akashi's voice held no room for argument. Even Kuroko knew when to stop pushing the red head. Defeated, said boy lowered his gaze to the bed sheets, his mouth set into an angry line. There was nothing but tense silence for what seemed like hours but was only minutes. Aomine tried to edge closer to the door. "Tetsuya." Akashi sighed and moved toward the sulking boy. "I understand your frustration of not being able to participate with your team, but you're injured. You've only just begun to heal, and moving around, especially in sports, is not a good way to recuperate. Also, I want you out of your mother's sights for a little longer. It's for your own safety."

A hand rested on Kuroko's head. He leaned against the caress, knowing his former teammate was right. Akashi let the teal haired boy rest against his hand for a minute before gently laying Kuroko down into a sleeping position. He pressed a kiss on the pale forehead. "You should rest, now. Daiki, stay in the room and guard the door."

With that, the red head left silently, the door clicking. Aomine sighed. Why me? Why not Murasakibara? He's a better guard than me.

"Aomine-kun?"

The tanned teen snapped up his head and looked at Kuroko. "Yeah?" He grabbed a chair and set it next to the bed, straddling it so that he could hear the quiet boy better.

"Do you—like Kise-kun?"

Tōō's ace could feel his face getting warmer. "What kind of question is that?" he rubbed the back of his neck and let out a deep breath. "Y-yeah, I guess I do."

Kuroko nodded. "That's good. Kise-kun had a crush on you since middle school."

"Hah?" Aomine's eyes widened at the piece of information. "He did? He was always around you, though."

"I was the only one who would listen to his rants about you," the injured boy confessed. "And . . . he would listen to me, too."

If Aomine had dog ears, they would be perking by now. A teasing smirk came onto his lips. "Oh? Does Tetsu have a crush on someone?"