Betrayal in its simplest form

Part 22

Betrayal In Its Most Simplest Form

Chapter 22

Kuroko walked down the route to the vending machine, where hot drinks awaited for him and Akashi. He knew Akashi would be counting the seconds he took, so Kuroko made sure he didn't slow down his speed. While it was nice to have someone worry (Akashi would never admit it, of course) over him, it was also suffocating. He knew it was for good reason, though, as Ibuki was still considered 'innocent' and was out on the loose.

The teen stopped in front of the vending machine and took a small sigh. Kuroko Ibuki; his legally blood-related mother. A mother that could visciously twist matters into her own hands in a matter of seconds. This was the first time he witnessed his mother losing. Kuroko was amazed at the abilities of Akashi and his mother, but he questioned it. It was going too easy, wasn't it?

You cannot think like that, Kuroko berated himself and shook his head. I should believe in Akashi-kun.

He had to get over his fear. Once his mother was put far away from him, he would train himself to not flinch at every new hand, and he would work on basketball more, as he was now always too busy or injured to play. His mother had dragged him down all his life; when she is gone, what are the possibilities that would lay out before him?

Akashi-kun would probably disapprove me buying something unhealthy, Kuroko frowned. I will buy us both hot tea.

He grabbed the two fallen drinks from the machine, nearly dropping them when he forgot it was hot. Using his sleeves as makeshift gloves, he carried the drinks awkwardly and walked back quickly, since his formr captain was waiting. The warmth of the cans seeped through his sleeves and heated his cold hands.

I will not let Okaa-san get to me, he thought, She will be gone. Akashi-kun—

Something cut off his breathing. A freezing, rough palm slapped against his nose and mouth. An arm snaked around his waist and pulled hard, physically immobilizing his body against another's. It was a woman's body, as Kuroko could feel her breasts against his back. Teal hair that was not his own blew into his face.

"Don't you dare make a sound," the attacker hissed. "If you do, I swear I will kill you right now."

~Setting and Time Skip~

Damn it, Tetsuya, Akashi ran down the streets, ignoring the rude stares he received by people whom he passed like a breeze. He had been sprinting for three minutes straight; fatigue in his body didn't even exist right now. Kuroko took over his mind. Where would he be? Where would she take him?

Somewhere secluded, his subconcious told him, but there were so many places that were secluded in Tokyo. It didn't narrow things down for him. Somewhere where even I would not think of . . . Somewhere obvious, too obvious . . .

His extremely observant hetero-like eyes quickly surveyed every corner of the streets he quickly sprinted through. This was where he used his Emperor's Eye, other than for winning. He turned a corner and ignored a woman's yell of indignation. Too many people . . . she could blend in . . . Tetsuya, where?

Where we used to play.

Akashi-kun . . . can we go there?

Okaa-san doesn't let me go there, anymore.

She . . . disapproves of the place . . .

Akashi stopped running. He halted right in the middle of the sidewalk. His breaths didn't even come up as pants. His eyes narrowed.

There.

~Setting Skip~

"Okaa-san!" Kuroko cried before a burning punch connected to his cheek. His body staggered backwards and hit the brick wall of a building. He slid down pitifully. "S-stop, ple—"