Where Do I Start?

Chapter Five

Kouki gave a huff of annoyance. Takao chuckled.

"Aw, don't give me the cold shoulder Kouki!" He whined.

Kouki shot him a glare, growing more irritated with the ex-point guard.

"Just tell me." Takao smirked.

"Takao-kun." Kuroko's voice answered for Kouki. "I don't think Furihata-kun likes you pestering him about his drawings."

"I'm just poking." Takao replied smoothly, putting one arm around Kouki's shoulders.

"Kuroko is right." Kouki grumbled. Takao gave a sigh. He put his hand up, surrendering.

"Okay, okay. I'll drop the subject."

"Thank you" Kouki growled. His head was hurting and he was tired.

Midorima had been running tests on him all night. Testing his memory, his motor skills, his reaction time, and various other things.

Kouki yawned, he was exhausted.

The door burst open, and a tall blond man rushed over to him. Forcing him into a tight hug. Kouki let out a yelp.

"Furihatacchi!" The blond cried, squeezing him tightly.

"K-Kise-san! I c-c-can't b-breath!" Kouki gasped.

"Kise-kun. Please let him go." Kuroki sighed.

"But Kurokocchi! That horrible bastard hurt him!" The model whined.

"Kise! Do as Kuroko tells you." Midorima hissed.

Kise's grip loosened, giving Kouki the opportunity to breath. The tall, blond model took a step away from the bed, throwing Kouki an apologetic look.

Takao tapped Midorima's arm, pointing to the hallway. "Can we step out?" He ask hopefully.

Midorima shot Kise a glare, before leading Takao out of the room.

Kise pulled a small box out of his pocket. He held it towards Kouki. "Its from Murasakibaracchi."

Kouki gave Kise a strange look. Why was he suddenly so important to the Generation of Miracles?

Kouki cautiously took the box.

"Himurocchi insisted that he sent you a get well gift." Kise smiled warmly.

Kouki gave a gruff thank you before opening the box.

The little box contained: a get well soon card, a couple of dinner recipes, and a small ring with his birthstone on it.

What a gift.

"They didn't have to spend money on me..." Kouki muttered.

"The ring is from Himurocchi, the other things are from Murasakibaracchi. I think it was sweet of them!" Kise purred, his golden eyes closed.

Kouki gave a stiff nod, deciding the gift was sweet and very considerate. He pulled the the golden ring out of the box, studying it closely.

The gem glittered brightly in the evening sun. The gold shone a bright orange as the pink and orange sky reflected off the surface. Himuro really didn't need to get him this. It was too kind.

"Why do you guys worry about me?" Kouki sighed, eyes locked on the gemstone.

"Simple!" Kise smiled. "Despite your appearance, you quite good at games and you friends with Kurokocchi..." Kise trailed off.

"We all knew Hiro and thought he was so nice..." Kise golden eyes darkened. "He proved us all wrong with what he did to you."

That caught Kouki's attention.

"He even had Aomine-kun angry." Kuroko added, apathetic expression refusing to waver.

Even the ace? That was new.

"That doesn't really answer my question." Kouki frowned.

"Yes it does!" Kise frowned. "We're all worried because he took advantage of you!" Kise's voice wavered at the end, the rare sight a fustrated tears pecked the corners of his eyes.

"You didn't deserve it..." Kise whimpered.

Kouki had never seen Kise like this. The blond model vigorously wiped his eyes, refusing to cry.

"We didn't notice and couldn't help you until it was too late! Do you know how horrible that feels?!" Kise's golden eyes locked with brown.

"You guys always looked down on me though." Kouki muttered. His body rigid.

"That doesn't mean we want something like this to happen to you!" Kise hissed desperately. His shoulders stiff and eyes squeezed shut.

"Kise-kun, calm down!" Kuroko raised his voice.

Kise choked. Head turning toward Kuroko direction.

Kurko's brow were furrowed, eyes gleaming ruefully. "Please, go take a walk Kise-kun."*

Kise nodded, head low, he left the room sniffling.

What just happened?

"Kise-kun knows what you're going through."

Kouki glanced at Kuroko, confusion masking his features.

"It happened to him too."

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Story notes

"Go take a walk."- leave, collect you thoughts, take a breather, collect yourself, relax, come back later.