Love Over Fear

Forgiveness

I kept silent as I walked behind Kagamicci, staring up at Aomine. Discreetly, of course. He had been acting strange, and occasionally looked my way, then turned away when I caught his eyes. He didn't talk all that much for someone trying to apologize and gain our trust back. It was, however, understandable when I realized our entire group was quiet. Kagamicchi and Kurokocchi kept towards the front, with me and Aomine following behind. I didn't want to be too close to him, strong emotions rolling together to make an unpleasant feeling in my belly.

But pretty soon, I couldn't handle the silence any longer. Besides, I promised myself I would forgive Aomine if he worked for it. I should at least give him a chance.

"So, Aomine, I wanna know why you left." My voice disturbed the trance everyone was in, ears became perky and alert and Kagamicchi and Kurokocchi adjusted themselves to be able to look behind to acknowledge me. Slowing their pace to get closer to us.

"Uh, well," he began, caught off guard, "the same reason as everybody else, I guess. The drought made it hard to eat and stay focused. The tie with the alpha made it hard to leave, especially being one of the Generation of Miracles, but-"

"Wait, you're one of them too?" Kagami asked, surprise evident.

"Yeah, didn't I just say that, Bakagami? Kuroko was one too. Bet you didn't know that, huh?"

"Did you just say Bakagami?!"

The bickering raged on, but not in one instance did Aomine mention me. Was I invisible or something? I was part of the Generation of Miracles too! We even sparred together sometimes! We were practically on the same level and were tied in wins and losses. My muscles were tense and I suddenly couldn't contain my anger, all thoughts of forgiveness were gone, and all I saw was red.

"Excuse~ me? I am also one of the Generation of Miracles. Did you hit your head? Lose some of your memory? Or is your brain too small to retain information? Huh? Which is it? Tell me, I'm really curious."

Everyone fell silent, any good feeling gone and was replaced by awkward tension. Their feet shuffled on the ground, disturbing plant matter, not sure on whether or not we were to continue. Aomine decided and turned towards me, and although he had looked firm and ready to stand his ground, he just clammed up. He looked angry, that was for certain, but now he looked clueless as to what to say.

"Whatever. I'm sure you haven't changed at all. This was all pointless." I rushed past a stunned Kagamicchi and an expressionless Kurokocchi. I didn't bother to look back at Aomine, for I was sure that he just had the same angry and confused face.

...

No one had talked for the rest of the duration we walked, and setting up camp was even more tense as Kagamicchi told us what to do, saying everything in question. He sent Kurokocchi to make a place to rest, moving fallen branches and rocks, while he went into the river to collect fish. I left before Kagamicci could even assign Aomine a chore, and went, of my own accord, to look for berries or fruit of some kind. It reminded me of my territory when my parents still lived with me. Walking gave me time to think, and as I kept in mind what I was looking for, I thought back to my parents.

I understood why they left, I was old enough to fend for myself and so their job was done. It was unnecessary to stay together, so I don't resent them for leaving.

But it was just a bit lonely to look around and see everything as a memory, of times we spent together. I'm glad I was able to leave for a while, especially with Kurokocchi. Even if I have to endure the pain of an even further past with Aomine.

A pause in my step almost made me trip, only catching myself in the last second.

Aomine. A rush of shaming heat washed over my body. Embarrassment clouded my cheeks in the color red. I can't believe I acted like that, in front of everyone! I should know better than everyone that Aomine was not in his right mind. So of course he wouldn't be able to remember me, especially as someone he did not see to his level of power.