First off, I must say, I absolutely love DestinyGirlz for making the cover for this story. I mean, seriously, I am not worthy of such a creation. At all. I am still gaping at this amazingness.

I hope you enjoy this. It's just the prologue, so it's short. I'm still planning this as I go, but so far it's a fun plot (to me). Okay, enough of my blabbering. Without further ado, enjoy.

*~*~*~

"Are you sure you want to stay with Grandmother and Grandfather, Nii-san?" Misaki had asked this question a myriad of times, yet she couldn't help asking it again. First their parents had separated, and now her older brother was opting to stay with their grandparents.

Misaki and her brother were standing on the steps to their grandparents' house. It was a bit larger than the one they used to live in. It was also on the outskirts of town, giving it a somewhat lonely yet peaceful atmosphere. What Misaki had always loved about it was the large yard in the back where she could lay under a tree and nap. None of this explained why her brother chose to stay, though.

A large hand fell on her head, ruffling the hair that wasn't in her ponytail, pulling her from her thoughts. Misaki pouted, but she didn't move away. "I'm in my third year of middle school, Misaki, and I don't want to abandon my team."

His reply finally drew enough annoyance for Misaki to duck from under his hand. She knew that wasn't the full reason, but he wouldn't tell her all of it. "Teppei-"

Teppei simply grinned like an idiot. "You'll be sure to visit me, won't you?"

Misaki was about to continue her interrogation but paused. There was something in Teppei's eyes that made the thought of continuing hurt, something that cancelled out the stupid grin on his face that should be so convincing to others. The two siblings were close, so Misaki could normally read Teppei when nobody else could. In that moment, she saw a deep pain and desperation in his gaze. Why, Nii-san? she thought. If it does this to you, why won't you just come with me?

With a defeated sigh, Misaki nodded. "Of course I will. And every chance I get I'll be sure to watch your games."

The grin shifted into a gentle smile. Teppei pulled her into a tight hug that she returned. "Thank you, Misaki. I'm going to really miss you."

Misaki closed her eyes, fighting back her tears. After what she had seen in Teppei's eyes, she couldn't make this any harder. "And I will miss you, Nii-san."

With their goodbyes said, Misaki released her older brother to go to the car in which her mother waited. She had been too afraid of crying to stay out while Misaki said goodbye. It was because Misaki's back was turned that neither child saw the other as they finally started to cry. And to think, Misaki still had one last goodbye she had to go through before they went on to their new home.

*~*~*~

She heard the echo of the ball off the court and the shouting voices before she even reached the gym. It filled the halls, growing louder and louder the closer she grew. Regardless, once she reached the doors, she paused. The familiar sound reached out comfortingly, though. It helped her steel her heart slightly for what she was about to do. Taking a deep breath, Misaki made her way into the gymnasium.

It appeared the team was doing a practice match because half of the guys on the court had a yellow jersey on over their normal shirt. As Misaki watched, it was clear which team had the advantage. As her gaze swept over those wearing the jerseys, it was obvious why.

Just as her eyes began to rest on their target, a voice spoke up.

"Hello, Kiyoshi-san."

Misaki jumped as she realized someone had walked up to her. Recognizing the voice, she turned with a friendly smile. A blue haired boy her age stood beside her, gazing at her with calm, unwavering eyes. She'd been so focused on finding her friend she hadn't noticed him. "Hey, Kuroko-san," she greeted.

Kuroko returned the smile with a small one of his own. Then he pointed toward the practice match. "He's over there. The captain decided to have the second years play half a match with the first years to test them."

It wasn't at all fair to the first years, but if there were any geniuses, the best way to find them would be to put them against Teikou's other genius players. "Are they almost done?" Misaki asked.

"Yes," Kuroko replied. "There was only a minute when I saw you."

As if on cue, someone shouted out, "That's game! Winners are the second years with 86 to 12."

"They scored 12 points. That's pretty good at least," Misaki remarked. Considering the talent against them, it was a great achievement for first years who had had only a few weeks of practice.

Kuroko nodded in agreement. "So, have you come to say goodbye?"

Seeing as she hadn't thought of them as close, she was shocked to hear the slight sadness in Kuroko's voice. Although they both attended Teiko, she only spoke to the phantom boy when he didn't have anything to do during practice such as then. Although shyness told her not to, seeing as she wasn't sure if she'd ever see him again, Misaki gave Kuroko a hug. Although obviously shocked, after a second he returned the hug. When she pulled away, she could have sworn he was blushing.

"Well, look who it is." An arm slid around Misaki's shoulder. "Kiyoshicchi has decided to come see me one last time."

Despite her slight shock once more - she was definitely off today - Misaki grinned. "You sound way too happy about that, Kise-kun," she teased, glancing up at the blond. Although he had just come from a practice match, she noticed that he wasn't even sweating. Sheesh, they really hadn't had to try hard against the first years. Although that wasn't surprising, it was still abnormal from normal people.

"I think we all know she's not here to see you, Kise." Another boy, this one dark skinned with blue hair, had walked over, though he was joining Kuroko.

Kise mock pouted. "How could you be so cruel, Aominecchi?" Despite this, he was chuckling good-naturedly. "Regardless, I want a hug before you get stolen away for your real goodbye."

With a roll of her eyes, Misaki hugged Kise. This hug was a bit longer than the one with Kuroko. After all, he was a close friend of hers. They'd been in the same class for the past two years and they'd bonded. Though he wasn't the one she had fought so hard to be able to come say goodbye to, it would still stink not being able to see him.

When footsteps stopped behind them, Kise sighed and released her. "And now the real reason for you being here has arrived." With one final smile, he began walking away. "Goodbye for now, Kiyoshicchi."

Misaki gave a small wave before turning to the new arrival. This boy had red hair and unique red eyes with slits. She could still remember how much those had intrigued her when they first met. A sadness began to set in as the boy approached her, realizing she wasn't sure, as with Teppei, when she'd next see him. The happy, fine persona she had tried to put up began to bit by bit shatter with every step closer her best friend took. By the time he wrapped his arms around her, she was once more near tears. "Sei-kun," she murmured into his shoulder.

Seijuro squeezed lightly. "Misa-chan, I'm glad your mother said it was okay for you to come here."

If only he knew the fight she'd had to put up to get her mother to go in the opposite direction of their destination just to say goodbye to her best friend. Her brother was one thing, but a friend was completely different considering she'd had school the previous day. But this was Seijuro. He was like family to her. Leaving him was nearly as bad as leaving Teppei. But she couldn't do what Teppei was doing and just stay.

"I had to say goodbye to you," she said. "I couldn't just go without doing so."

Seijuro pulled back, crossing his arms as he examined her. "If that's so, we're going to have to change one thing."

Misaki's eyes narrowed in confusing. "What do you-" Before she could finish, the sides of her mouth were pulled upward. "Sei-kun!" she complained, but her attempts not to giggle took from her annoyed tone.

"Much better," he said. While she was still laughing, he pulled her into another embrace. "I am going to miss you, Misa-chan. I hope that we can see each other again in the future."

"We will, no matter what," Misaki guaranteed. She didn't know when, but they had to see each other again sometime. The thought of never seeing Seijuro again was too heartbreaking to even consider. "After all, you're going to have to become amazing at basketball, so I'll have to come see you become champion some time."

Seijuro reluctantly pulled away, wiping a stray tear that had remained from her face. "Of course I will. Now you'd better get going so your mother doesn't get mad."

Parting hurt, but Misaki knew he was right. With a final goodbye to him and any of the other Teiko students that spoke to her, Misaki left.

It was time to leave, and when she would return, she didn't know. Deep down, though, she knew her story with those of Teikou had not yet ended. Though she could never guess the shadows that would shroud that future.