The Miracle Island

The Reunion

Kagami was blocking the enterance of the cave. He wasn't going to let Kuroko out in any way. Even if Akashi was lying, it was still dangerous to walk around alone at night.

- What do you think you are doing? - Kuroko asked.

- Saving you.

- So you too are under the magic of that jerk?

Kagami sighed. It required a big amount of pain for Kuroko to act like this, to use words like this.
He got colser and cupped his face.

- Kuroko, look. I don't believe Akashi... but I don't believe you either. You are not thinking straight right now, it's not you. I know you are hurt, I know how much you cared for Riko, but the thing you are about to do right now is too reckless for me to accept it. You are staying here until we are sure of the whole situation.

Kuroko was about to say something, but he gave up on it when he saw the other three boys coming from the woods. Akashi was hurt. His arm was tossed over Aomine's shoulders and the bigger boy was almost dragging him forward. There was an ice block casually levitating over their heads. Why was Kise doing something like this? When they reached the cave, Kise got it down and blocked the enterance with it.

- What happened to you? - Kagami asked.

- Long story...

Kise did his best to perfectly seal the enterance and backed away. The looks on the others' faces were full of questions.
Akashi slipped down from Aomine and kneeled, caughing up some more blood.

- Akashi!

Aomine got down as well and placed himself behind him for support.

- Kuroko, do something!

Kuroko was hesitant. It was the first time in his life that he didn't want to help someone "close" to him. He had the purest soul of all of them, it wasn't like him at all, but he felt too betrayed to heal him. Everyone could see the worry in his eyes, but he didn't move, he couldn't. Akashi was his enemy now. This word cut through him like a knife.
Enemy... betrayal... death...
Aomine got up and stood right in front of the light bluenette. He was angry. He knew Kuroko wasn't stupid, he definitely wasn't, so why was he acting like a fool? He had no idea what was going on and yet he dared to stay with crossed arms when one of them is clearly not alright. He had no idea that if it wasn't for Akashi, he probably would have ended up like Riko.

- You know what, Kuroko? You are pathetic!

- Watch your words, Aomine! -Kagami interferred.

Aomine ignored him and continued staring at the smaller boy's eyes with anger.

- You think Akashi did it on purpose? You think he is a liar, manipulator, betrayer, killer... which one is it? Or should I ask, which one isn't? Yeah, why don't we make assumptions before we are sure of the truth? You know, Kuroko... I am "the feel". Does this something mean to you?

Kuroko's eyes widened. Could Aomine sense something too? Was it actually real?

- Yes, Kuroko, don't stress your little head. It's real! The ghosts are real! And they can kill, they could have killed all of us! Can't you see him? Akashi risked his life to find out what were we sensing, he endured more than you actually can think of and all of this just for the sake of us!

Kuroko felt ashamed. He knew Aomine couldn't lie to him. That was his best friend, if he did, he would have known. Aomine was a person of justice, he might have a strong temper, but he was an angel inside. Kuroko didn't know someone more heroic than him. His hands started to tremble, his mind was a total mess. Was Riko wrong? She believed that Akashi manipulated them, she was constantly watching him from afar. She was sure of it.