Love Over Fear

Final Destination

It hadn't been long after we left Midorima and Takao, a little before noon, in fact, that we stumbled out of the jungle, and into the savannah. Well, not immediately, a few trees still crossed our path, casting spooky shadows that too closely resembled human-like figures.

We continued walking until we came upon the entrance of the lion territory, already feeling the creepy air settle around us. I looked up to the sign hanging from a dead tree, 'StAY OuT.'

"Well then, you guys ready?" I asked, breaking the stiff and uncomfortable silence.

A few mumbles of agreement and a couple of nods was all I was able to get out of them. I shrugged, attempting to ease the tension in my shoulders, passing skeletons of unknown animals. Well, all skeletons, in my opinion, never really look like the animal they belong to, don't you think so? I glanced down at Kuroko in worry that he would be scared and- well, I don't even know what I was hoping for, exactly. This land was his home, after all.

I sighed and dreaded what was to come. Dropping Kuroko off seems nearly impossible now that I have discovered my sincere feelings for him. I detected movement from the corner of my eye, and I see that Kuroko glanced at me.

He tilts his head in a questioning manner, and I chuckle. "I'm fine, Kuroko. Don't worry about me."

"Are you sure?" he asks.

"Yes I'm fine-" I was interrupted by a sudden yelp to my left. I immediately look over to see a small character with light brown hair and ears that were too large for his body face down in the dirt. He lifted his head, and the most noticeable feature was his wide and watery eyes like he was about to cry.

"Who're you?" Aomine asked bluntly.

The little man jumped up and seemed tense as he looked around wildly between us. He opened his mouth, but no words were said. But when Kise went to take a step forward, he began to speak with a stutter.

"S-Sorry t-to d-dis-sturb y-you... B-But I'm l-lost..."

"We would love to help-" Kise began.

"But we have other matters to take care of first." Aomine finishes.

"How sweet, already finishing each other's sentences." Kuroko mock gushed. Kise blushed madly on the spot, and Aomine was left a stuttering mess while shifting his feet in the dry dirt.

The young boy was nervous, but he already looked more comfortable than before with the group's antics, but I decided to step in and elaborate a bit more on the situation.

"What's your name?" I ask as an icebreaker.

"Oh! Um, Furihata Kouki," he answers, "I am looking for a place to stay, well, have been for a while, but everywhere seems occupied. I just want to know where to go, I didn't mean to end up here." He was gradually gaining confidence as he spoke and he probably wasn't as freaked out anymore now that he knew we weren't going after him or anything.

"Yeah, so like Ahomine said, we gotta take Kuroko here and return him to the lion territory alpha, but you can come with us and I can help you out after... Are you okay?"

"I-I'm i-in-n l-l-li-ion t-territory?!" he now looked faint and his voice was edging on hysterical, clearly, he was scared out of his mind.

"Where did you think you were? This is the savannah!" Aomine unhelpfully offered as comforting words. He was still flustered from Kuroko's surprise attack, unfortunately.

The, now as I realize it, chihuahua, dizzy and frantic, bit back with, "I said I was lost!" At least he lost the stutter.

As things started to get out of control, I gestured with my hands and said, "Okay, okay, guys, let's just calm down-"