Shadows of the Heart (Kuroko no Basket fanfiction) DISCONTINUED!

Power of Names

Okay, I'm sorry that this took so long to update. But honestly my inspiration has been up and down for this. So I'm sorry. Here it is now. I hope you all enjoy. Let me know your thoughts. Reviews actually do inspire quicker updates you know. And there is a reason for the chapter title. The way each character mentally addresses people is important in showing their "relationship status." XD

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"She told me she was going to go talk to Akashi-san," Shinko had requested, her dark eyes clouded with worry. "I understand she didn't want me to follow her, but I'm really worried. Ever since he saw her, Akashi-san has been acting weird." She dropped her head, clutching her books to her chest. Her knuckles had turned white from her death grip. "Please, Yoshida-san, just make sure she's okay."

Shinko's request had seemed so simple and almost silly. Akashi was a cold jerk, but Yoshida couldn't see him doing anything as foolish as putting Misaki in danger. That was until he heard her cry echo throughout the hall leading to the secondary gymnasium.

"Sei-kun!"

Yoshida flinched. The scream had not been one of fear, but that didn't change the overall effect of it. If anything, the scream was one of pain, which only made him worry more. The boy took off, not concerned about the rule against running at the moment. The shout was too heart wrenching to ignore.

The distance wasn't far, but Yoshida still couldn't stand how long it took him to get to the final turn into the hallway with the second gym. He had expected to dart straight into the room, but instead he skidded to a halt. He wasn't the only one in the second gym hallway.

Akashi was still there, his forearm against the wall and his other hand forming a fist that was pushing painfully hard against the same wall. His head rested upon his forearm. What made the scene even odder was Akashi's apparent lack of breath and the trembles visibly shaking his body. Yoshida could nearly hear him grinding his teeth together.

In any other situation, Yoshida would have tried to figure out what was going on. With Misaki's scream so fresh in his mind, though, his protective anger took over before logic. Yoshida's hand slipped past Akashi's forearm, grasping the collar of the boy's shirt. Moving before Akashi could even register what was going on, Yoshida flipped him around, used his free hand to grab the other side of Akashi's shirt, and shoved him against the wall.

"What have you done to Misaki?"

Yoshida barely recognized his own voice. It had dropped to a low, sharp tone that even took him off guard. It had been a long time since he felt such a protective anger thrum through him.

Once he began to take in Akashi, though, his shock shifted to him instead. His hetero colored eyes appeared dazed, barely able to focus. There was confusion within their haze, as well as something that Yoshida was sure he was imagining – panicked pain.

"Misaki?" Her name left Akashi's lips slowly, as if he was testing the name himself.

For some reason, hearing her name leave his lips only annoyed Yoshida further. "Yes, Misaki. What did you do to her?"

Rather than answer, Akashi simply glanced past him toward the closed doors. His eyes began to clear right before Yoshida, solidifying once more. His face became blank once more. Yoshida flinched as he realized he was back to the usual Akashi.

"I only showed that girl just where her place is."

Akashi raised his hand, grasping one of the arms pinning him to the wall. Yoshida barely had time to look at it before Akashi's grip suddenly tightened. He grunted as pain spread from the area, and before long it grew to the point Yoshida had to release Akashi.