Disclaimer: I don't own Slamdunk or any of its characters... Blahblahblah... The rights for this belong to Takehiko Inoue. Only Aiko and a few others are my creations. ;P This is my first Slamdunk fic, so go easy, OK? No flamers plz!

Basketball Trouble

Chapter 1

9.30am, English Class (Monday)

Rei covered her eyes when she had finished reading the letter on her desk. Aiko, her desk partner and teammate, looked over with a teasing grin," Love letter again, Rei? Who's the moon-struck lad this time?"

Rei sighed," I'd rather it be a love-letter than this, anyday. And put aside your romantic quips or conclusions about innocent lads' feelings, this is the form for the Inter-School Societies' competition."

Aiko shrugged," What's so bad about the competition? The sport for this year can't be that difficult, can it? Last year was volleyball-"

"Doesn't this mean anything to you? We're history." Rei cut in, passing the envelope.

Aiko's eyes widened as she pulled out the paper and scanned the page," Basketball??? ... Is this the school board's idea of a joke?"

"Precisely. No one else - except Hien and Haruko play basketball. We need the points desperately. We're behind the minimum quota with just 5 points, and you know that the school's more than eager to cut so-called 'underperforming' CCAs because of fund trouble... ... So it's either reach the quarter-finals or get cut... ..." Rei paused, looking uncharacteristically grim.

Aiko frowned,"Not that stupid point system again!" Lately this year, Shohoku had decided to allocate a point system to each society and team in the school. It was based on the team's achievements, as well the individual's academic results. Needless to say, their grades were far from perfect, with the usual string of Bs and the occasional A or C. It was hardly enough to clinch more than 2 points on average.

Both of them winced as, behind them, Sakuragi let out a resounding whoop," Oh yeah! With this Tensai around, we will definitely win!!! Nyahahaha! Get lost, dirty fox!"

Naturally, this arrogant outburst drew a groggy 'Do'aho, I'm still better than you.' from Rukawa, Rei's brother, and the classroom promptly erupted in chaos as the daily epic battle 'Fire and Ice: War of Extremities,Episode No. 890' commenced. Rei rolled her eyes, shouting to be heard over the din of crashing chairs, girlish screams (from the fangirls of course) and hoarse yells of 'Baka Kitsune! Just you wait! I'm going to kill you!'

Aiko made an innocent pantomine of 'What? I can't hear you! No, really!', before smiling sweetly at Rei and fleeing. Rei, worried though she was, couldn't help but grin at her mischievious partner's antics. Aiko was never worried; in fact she was always ready for laughs and tricks, she mused as she picked up her sling bag, stuffing her books haphazardly inside as she dodged to avoid a random punch. Oh well. Yawning, Rei settled into the slow-paced, endless plodding of the regular school day.

3.00pm, Soccer Practice (Monday)

The Shohoku soccer team gathered around their coach, Ms Miyako, muttering agitatedly. Hien was the only one that looked remotely happy, but even her optimistic feelings was overshadowed by a pall of general gloom.

Akemi, the team captain, was in a foul mood. The team had not been doing well in the IH tournaments, winning only one game and losing two. Morale was at an all-time low, and it definitely didn't help that the school had come up with an idiotic point system that set them back even further; or even that Haruko and Kasumi, some of the best players in the team, was always late. Come to think of it, where were they, anyway? "Rei,did you see Haruko or Kasumi anywhere? Don't tell me they're late again! Where on earth can they be?" Akemi snapped at the vice-captain. Rei shrugged noncomittally, trying to hide a smile. She knew where they were, of course, but she'd never admit that to either the coach or the captain; both of them would probably have a fit. "I'll go and look, Akemi. Aiko, come with me!" Rei set off at a sprint, eager to get out of the captain's sight.

Five minutes later, Rei raced into the basketball court, her momentum nearly causing her to crash into Coach Anzai, if not for Mitsui's long arm supporting her shoulder. "Gomen me, Anzai-sensei! Thanks, Mitsui-sempai... ... I'm looking for Haruko and Kasumi..." she smiled sheepishly, brushing back raven strands from her face. Mitsui blushed beetroot as a questioning lapis gaze met his. "Er,er... they're... Well... we're discussing..." The lanky basketballer found himself inexplicably tongue-tied, and reddenned even more (if that was even possible, considering his current colour.) ;)

Fortunately, the arrival of a flushed Aiko saved Mitsui from his predicament," Rei! You cheater! You started running first! So that means I win!" she protested loudly. Rei shrugged Aiko's complaints off with practised ease, then catching sight of Haruko and Kasumi arguing furiously with the basketball team, with Anzai and Kogure acting as mediators, she turned to Mitsui confusedly. However, all she got was silence. Mitsui was staring into the distance with a dreamy look, the basketball hanging limply from his hands. Unknown to Rei, Mitsui was currently immersed in a daydream about her. In it, needless to say, he was the centre of attention on the court, three-pointers sailing in gracefully. Each time, the crowd roared in admiration, but the fangirls's screams were inconsequential His object of affection was sitting amongst the spectators, eyes shining as he scored effortlessly.

"Mitsui! MITSUI!" He was rudely wrenched out of his daydream by Akagi's roar. "What are you doing, teme kitsune!? Come here!" Sighing, Mitsui dragged himself over. "You and Kogure are going to coach the soccer team in basketball for the next three weeks. No arguing, do you understand?" Akagi growled. With his fist raised to deliver his special 'Gorilla Treat', compliments of Chef Akagi, he looked extremely menacing. Anyone would have to be crazy not to agree. Mitsui did his usual reluctanct act, grumbling indistinctly under his breath.

Sakuragi dropped the basketball in amazement," Miyagi! Tell me I'm not awake, man! Hisashi Mitsui, ex-gangster, coaching the girl's soccer team!? Why couldn't I have gotten that role instead??? I could've seen Haruko-chan everyday!" He sniffed forlornly at the sheer unfairness of the situation, and also at the fact that fate was determined to separate Haruko and him. Miyagi didn't reply. His jaws had hit the ground, and his eyebrows had shot all the way up to his hairline. Rukawa alone remained unfazed," Because, baka, you're too brainless to teach."

"NANI??? What did you just say, stinking fox!?" Sakuragi screamed, jumping up and down on the spot in rage.

Rukawa looked at him coolly," That you're too stupid to do anything."

Mitsui, Ayako, Akagi, Kogure and Miyagi sweatdropped. Oh no, NOT again, all five thought simultaneously.

For the second time that day, the W.E (War of Extremeties) episode No. 891 broke out again. This time, however, even Akagi's Gorilla Fists and Ayako's fan were unable to break up the fight. Akagi ended up whacking any head that surfaced out of the fray, to no effect. "Enough, Rukawa, Sakuragi! Stop this brawl now." Although spoken calmly, Anzai's words had the desired effect. The two immediately halted the fray, standing up and glaring hatefully at each other.(at least, in Sakuragi's case. Rukawa was already falling asleep.) Rei hastily made an exit, followed by the rest of the soccer players, Kogure and a dreamy Mitsui.

Basketball Practice Monday)

Mitsui's POV:

Mitsui sweatdropped as Akemi's bank shot missed by a clear margin. With a supppressed sigh, he picked the ball up and demonstrated again. How many times have I told her NOT to do that stupid jump of hers that so obviously sends the ball off tangent? he thought frustratedly. And she still expects it to go in... ... Not for the first time, he regretted taking on this assignment. But then, it would have been a long chat with Akagi's fists and me experiencing double vision for three weeks. I wonder how Sakuragi puts up with those bashes everyday.He must have an extra-thick skull, man. Mitsui sighed inwardly and kicked the fence bad-temperedly. Akemi was generally alright, but she had a way of being condescending at times, and it was that which pissed Mitsui off, and it was getting harder to control his rising temper. He sighed inwardly and strolled off, fibbing," I'll take a break for a while. Knee's giving me trouble. Just carry on with those baskets, I'll be back."

Mitsui strolled over to where Kogure was patiently teaching Aiko,"Hey, Kogure, mind swapping? It's been about an hour and a half anyway." He tried to sound as off-hand and casual as possible, but he suspected some of his frustration showed in his voice as Haruko grinned slightly. Damn. So they know. Kogure, as always obliging, nodded and headed off to the far side of the court. Mitsui had a feeling he would would get on better with Akemi than he did. His turbulent thoughts froze when he caught sight of Rei, and for a few minutes, silence reigned. Mitsui was racking his brain to say something, more than aware of the fact that all of them were gazing at him expectantly. Mazui! What is up with me!? Everytime I see those lapis eyes, I lose my train of thought... ... I must look a fool; I can't help myself; would be nice to lose myself in them... No! Aargh!!! What am I thinking about??? I'm her sempai! Get hold of yourself, Hisashi Mitsui, you baka! Damn it!!!

"Uh... Mitsui-sempai?"Aiko asked timidly, seeing that Mitsui was deep in thought.

"What? Oh, right..." Mitsui snapped out of his tangled reverie, feeling his face heat up about a hundred degrees. He wished that he could just run off for good, away from his conflicting emotions and every freaking thing around him. Kicking himself mentally, he picked up the basketball,"Alright, Kogure has already taught you most of the basics, now show me what you've learnt..."

Three Agonising Hours Later (At least for Mitsui)

Micchi: "Hey that's not fair! Haven't you had enough fun placing me in awkward situations and acting like a baka!?"

Author: "Whoops, sorry... But haven't you read the summary??"

Micchi: "GRRRR.."

Most of the team members had gone back, leaving only Aiko, Rei and Haruko in the basketball court, along with Kogure and Mitsui.

"I'll never get this right!" Rei muttered through clenched teeth as she tried to throw a three-pointer for what seemed like the zillionth time. She was perspiring like crazy, her shin ached from an accidental kick from Kogure, and, most of all, her arms hurt. "Rei-chan, just concentrate on the net, and follow what Mitsui told you. You can do it." Kogure, ever-encouraging, smiled.

Yeah, right, when I've done this for the billionth-zillionth-trillionth time! Whatever. It doesn't bloody work! Rei fumed silently. Aiko and Haruko (no surprise) had caught on quickly, but she was still stuck here, shooting airballs most of the time.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself, and focused, like she had done, so many times before. However, this time, she felt something was different. Certainly not Mitsui's gaze from accross the court, where he was supposed to be helping Haruko, but in the way she handled the ball. Rei began to understand Mitsui's instructions. She crouched, bending her knees slightly, eyes riveted on the net. In a swift motion, she brought the ball up with her hands, and flicked her wrists, allowing the ball to fly into the air and swish into the net. Kogure applauded," Not bad, Rei-chan! Try and see if you can get the ball in again before we wrap up." Rei flushed with victory, but composed herself as she took up the ball again. It sailed into the air and ate net.

With a sigh of relief, Rei flopped down on the ground and swigged from her bottle wearily. "I'm worn out... ..."

"Good try for a first. If you continue like that, you'll be as good as Micchi here in no time. Right, Micchi?" Kogure asked.

Mitsui nodded in agreement," Yeah..."

Haruko wiped away her perspiration," Rei, let's go now... Rei? Rei!"

Rei hardly heard. She had followed her brother's habit in dozing off to Lala Land, and was now fast asleep. The Inter-Society thingy could wait. Sleep came first and foremost in her priorities now.

End of first chappie

REVIEWS, please? Pretty please with sugar, cherries and M & Ms on top? I really need to know if it's sucky or good! Thank you very much!