Carnival Delight!

By coolpriss

Disclaimer: None of them are mine, except the tickets and the storyline (yes, it is supposed to be a story…)

Chapter 1: Let's go to the Carnival!

"NYAHAHAHAHA!!!!"

Sakuragi's laughter blasted through the gym as Akagi opened the door. The captain looked disoriented for a moment, before finally inserting a finger in his ears and walked inside the gym. He looked at his right and saw the redhead talking to girl with short, dark blue hair holding a mike.

"That's right! We won because Shohoku's got the most powerful secret weapon! Even Sendoh is no match for Tensai Sakuragi!! Nyahahaha!!!"

"He's been at it the whole day, Akagi," Mitsui stood next to him, scowling at Sakuragi. "If he says that crap one more time, he's gonna get it from me!"

"And me!" Miyagi jogged up towards the two. He, too, shot the self-proclaimed 'genius' a dirty look. "I didn't mind it at first but it's really starting to get to my nerves!"

"Calm down, Mitsui, Miyagi," the vice-captain smiled anxiously at them. "Sakuragi's just happy we won. Besides, you've got to admit, he had been a great help."

The two just scoffed as Akagi walked towards Sakuragi. He noticed the girl wasn't really listening to the redhead, but was gazing dreamily at the court. Akagi followed her gaze. It was Rukawa.

"Sorry to cut this short, but we have to practice!" Akagi's voice boomed, snapping Mari from her daydreaming. He escorted, or rather forced, the protesting girl out of the gym then shut the door.

"Yosh! Let's start the practice!" his deep voice thundered through the gym.

"Mate kudesai, Akagi-kun," a soft voice came from behind him.

"Anzai-sensei! But you're still supposed to rest!"

"Oi, oji!" Sakuragi dashed past Akagi and started playing with Anzai's double chin. "We won the game yesterday. We got the tickets without your help. Why don't you let us relax for a while? Let's not have practice today, ne, oji?"

A giant fist landed straight at Sakuragi's short hair. "BAKA!! Anzai-sensei's just had a heart attack! Show him some respect! And just because we beat Ryonan doesn't mean we don't have to practice anymore! The teams in the Inter-High are much stronger that Ryonan, keep that in mind!"

"Ku'sho … Gori …" Sakuragi muttered, rubbing his head.

"Oh ho ho ho ho!" the fat, old man laughed heartily. "You're right, Sakuragi-kun. You were all great during that game. You showed them how strong you really are. Demo, Akagi-kun's right. You will be facing even stronger teams than you have seen. You need to practice." Anzai's glasses gleamed. "But, I think you all deserved a break and so I decided…"

"We've got it!" Haruko entered the gym, panting. Ayako was behind her and was waving triumphantly several small strips of papers in the air.

"Haruko-san!" Sakuragi's eyes turned to dots and waved. Then he looked at Ayako. "Eh? What happened to your paper fan, Ayako?"

"That's not her paper fan, baka!" Miyagi frowned at Sakuragi. Then his eyes turned to hearts as he looked back at Ayako. "She's got tickets…we're going on a date…Aya-chan…I knew you liked ---"

Ayako now took out her real paper fan and smashed it into Miyagi's head. "We're not going on a date! These are carnival tickets for the whole team."

"Carnival?"

"Hai," Anzai smiled at their reactions. "You all worked hard for that ticket to the Inter-High. This is my small gift to all of you."

"Demo…Anzai-sensei…" Akagi glanced doubtfully at the tickets then to their coach.

"Daijobou, Akagi-kun. This will be your practice for today. You had great teamwork on your game with Ryonan, which is why you won. But it still needs improvement. I'm hoping your little trip to the Carnival would build up your teamwork. Akagi, I'm leaving everything to you. I want everyone to go because it is part of you practice. Have fun! Oh ho ho ho ho!" the gentle buddha left the gym happily.

The room was filled with silence for a moment.

"Carnival? Carnivals are for kids!" Miyagi frowned.

"No, they're not! I love carnivals!" Ayako replied defensively.

Miyagi's face suddenly changed. "What I meant was, I love carnivals too, Aya-chan!"

"Haruko-san…" Sakuragi was blushing. "Anou…I was wondering…you got the tickets, right?"

Haruko nodded cheerfully. "Um! I think Carnivals are great too! What about you, Sakuragi-kun?"

Sakuragi smiled widely, his blush deepened. "I love Carnivals too, Haruko-san! So, does that mean, you're going with us?"

Haruko nodded vigorously. "Hai! Anzai-sensei invited me too!"

Sakuragi grinned extatically. Haruko-san and me…A dream-bubble appeared with chibi Sakuragi and Haruko riding in a boat, towards a dark, heart-shaped tunnel… "NYAHAHAHA!!!"

"You're coming too, ne, Mitsui?" Kogure smiled at the pensive boy.

Mitsui returned the smile. "Aa. I'm not really fond of carnivals, but if Anzai-sensei thinks it's good for us, then I'm going."

"How about you, Rukawa?" Kogure turned to the quiet, sulking Rukawa.

"I'm not going."

Rukawa's quiet voice silenced the excited chatter in the gym.

"What do you mean, you're not going?" Mitsui demanded. "Anzai-sensei said everyone should go, that includes you!"

"If Kitsune doesn't want to go then don't push him," Sakuragi declared

Rukawa glared at Sakuragi out of the corner of his eye.

Sakuragi sneaked a glance at Haruko's fallen face. Yeah, he shouldn't go…he'll just disturb my date with Haruko-san! "Maybe he's scared of clowns…that's why he doesn't want to go…we understand, Rukawa," Sakuragi forced Rukawa to walk towards the back door, patting his back. "You could go home now…we don't want you screaming each time you see a clown, now, do we?"

"No," Akagi's voice was firm. "We are all going. Including you, Rukawa." Akagi glared at the pale boy.

Rukawa finally nodded. He glowered at Sakuragi for a second before walking towards Akagi.

"Ku'sho…Gori…" Sakuragi muttered, balling his hands into fists.

"Yosh! C'mon! Let's go to the Carnival!" Akagi grinned, punching the air with his fist.

"Hai!" everyone cried, raising their arms excitedly as they all trooped out of the gym and started for the Carnival.

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A/N: And off they go! Is Rukawa really scared of clowns? Can Sakuragi somehow convince poor Haruko to ride into the tunnel of love? Does Miyagi really like the Carnival? Okay, I'm gonna stop now… ^.^ Please read and review!!! Tell me if I should continue! Onegai!