"Pass the ball to me kitsune!"

"Hn"

Rukawa dashed past the defenders and dunked the ball into the basket. The noise reverberated across the gym room. As usual, the Shohoku crowd roared in awe of their ace. It was said that the team managed to make it to the quarter finals of the Nationals because of him. The past month had scores of students flocking to him, not that he ever regarded them.

Coach Anzai walked upto them and said,"I have news for you all." The whole team gathered around him. "Takenori Akagi and Kogure Kiminobu have decided to continue to play for the team in the winter tournament." As if on cue, the towering captain and the arbitrary vice-captain walked into the gym.

"So you came to learn from the genius! Hahahahahahah!" "No Hanamichi. We decided that we'd give this team one last shot in winter. This time, to win the Nationals!" The duo were met with several 'thank you' and 'welcome backs'.

Mitsui's POV

So they decided to stay. Well, good. The team does need a centre. Akagi was coming towards me.

"So you're staying."

"Yeah. Let's win it."

"I have something more to say." Anzai-sensei said. Every body turned to look at him.

"Shohoku's success in the Nationals did not do unnoticed by the school authorities." He paused and continued "the school board has decided to start a girls basket ball team." There were murmurs spreading among the team. A girls basket ball team?

"I have already conducted the selections and practice will begin tomorrow in this gym."

"Does that mean that we will be practicing with them?" Asked Ayako, who seemed to be bursting with joy. Perhaps she felt lonely being the only girl in the team. I hope they don't start a whole 'girl power thing'.

"Yes Ayako-chan. The girls will be doing separate warm ups and exercises, but you will be having many matches with them."

That evening, practice ended smoothly with the players going home thinking about tomorrow. Personally, I'm quite curious as well. Do they have as much endurance as us? No, I don't think so. How are their skills? How good are they?

Author's Note: Future chapters will be much longer. Please read and review!