The Second Phantom

Together Again

I brushed his hair back slightly, avoiding the bandaging that I had placed. It looked like he was going to be alright, there wasn't any alarming damage to be seen right off the bat. I would have to assess that more when he wakes up... When he wakes up... I don't want him to see me, all of the countermeasures that I have taken in order to ensure that he doesn't think that it's me, or at least doubts that matter.

I could feel a pair of eyes burning into the back of my head, glancing back I could see an anxious looking Kise. I looked at the nervous team and stood up, making my way towards the tall, childlike blonde who was on the verge of tears.

"Kise." I breathed.

"Hidecchi... Did I do this... I mean, is he...?"

I shoved my hands into my pockets," He's going to be fine, there isn't any long lasting trauma that I can see."

He visibly relaxed at my statement and placed a hand over his heart, "Thank god..."

I turned and looked at Kuroko, "Oh and Kise."

He hummed.

I didn't bother to look at him as I spoke, "If you ever lay a hand on him like that again."

He froze.

"I'll kill you." I hissed and walked away from him, and back to the team.

They stammered back and forth about how they were going to win the game without Kuroko on the court. Talk about a desperate bunch, but they have their hearts in a good place, I hope they can still play without him. It would be rather disappointing if my eyes are deceiving me after all this time.

"Won't that be hard without Kuroko?"

I walked into their small circle, "No, it won't. Don't get me wrong, Kuroko-kun is an immaculate player when he's on the court. But just because you're a man down, doesn't mean you should be terrified of this team."

"Why not?" Koganei asked.

"Yeah, and who are you by the way?" Kagami asked.

I kneeled beside Kuroko, "You all have great talents. Kagami, your physicality and your passion leads you to play better than anyone I have ever seen. Hyuga, you're a clutch player, a barrier jumper with an earth shooting form, that coupled with your mentality to lead your team can help you win. Izuki, your eyes play a key role in the way the game goes and that standard alone is a strength that holds no bounds. Mitobe, you have a calm-before-the-storm sort of mentality, which helps in your preasure defense and your hook shot. Koganei, you are a jack of all trades my guy, that combined with your animal instinct is such a strong form, you just need the practice. Tsuchida, you have this amazing power to rebound that ball. Furihata, you are a Strategist if I ever saw one, so cautious so instinctual. Kawahara... to be perfectly honest there is not anything particularly special about you, but you still are a vital member of this team as a small forward. Fukuda, you stand in the same position as Kawahara, but can do wonders as a center."

They all looked at me with wide eyes.

"How...?" Aida asked.

I looked up at her, "My scan ability far exceeds your own Aida, I see more than numbers and statistics. I see the soul, the person and how to nurture their talent, if any. And you, don't have one other than those eyes of yours which leads to excessive planning and overthinking of play strategies that somehow just don't pan out the way you would like."

"Hey!" Hyuga snapped.

I glanced at him, "Go out there and play. The second year's will be the pillars of your offense, not that the first year's can't do that. Just now, expierence trumps all else. It's barely the second quarter of this game, don't start doubting yourselves now. You can keep up with them, you can beat them without a doubt, but you need to believe that you can."