Fire Dragons Game
"I'm really excited about joining the team", Natsu said suddenly, "I can't wait to play against the guys again."
"You only played with them for half the year Natsu."
"Well yeah, but I wanna see how much they improved."
Lucy smiled genuinely at that. That was one of the things she loved about him, his passion for the game of basketball. She loved how he threw himself into it completely, and how it seemed to bring out the best in him. 'Hopefully it won't be the only thing that brings out the best him, now that he's back' she thought.
"How about tonight I make that spicy curry you love so much?"
"Yosh! I'm all fired up!"
Natsu Dragneel was taking a flight back to Japan after taking care of some things back in America. He was looking the through some videos Lucy had sent him while he was away on his laptop. And as he went through the videos, was becoming an increasingly unhappy camper.
"Mannnnnn this sucks", Natsu complained loudly. "As soon as I head to America Tai-chan and Tetsu, end up having a practice match with Ryo-chan. Then they got to play Shin-chan, and Dai-chin during the Inter High tournament", he pouted.
While he was proud of them for beating Kise and Midorima, and giving Aomine's team a hard time before ultimately losing, why couldn't they have waited until he got back damn it! But there was also room for improvement from what he had seen on video of those games. And then there was the leg injury Kagami had suffered during one of games against the other teams they had played. 'Oh well, I guess you can only worry about one thing at a time', He thought.
"Welcome to Narita International Airport thank you for flying with us."
"Well time to go see how the team is doing."
-FDG-
Meanwhile, Lucy Heartfilia was at home trying to pick out something to wear for her meeting with Natsu. "Gah! Why am I worrying about what to wear? Its just Natsu", she grumbled to herself. "If it doesn't anything to do with a basketball he's just a thick headed moron." Just then her phone went off signaling a text message. Sliding her finger across the screen, and then unlocking her phone, she saw the message was from the same moron she was just grumbling about.
N: Flight just got in are we still meeting at that cafe?
She smiled at the message before typing back a quick reply. Who was she kidding? She was just glad to have her favorite idiot back.
Natsu sat at cafe by the airport Lucy had suggested for their meeting while studying the video of Seirin's games. "Well the offense isn't too bad if I'm being honest. But the defense could use some shaping up especially with the way they lose stamina, playing the Run-N-Gun type offense. But at times their offense can become stagnant relying on Kuroko's passing ability and misdirection, on top of assuming Kagami will dominate his match up", he muttered to himself. While he was being pretty harsh with his analysis it was the truth. The offense was good, but at times depended too much on Kuroko and Kagami, while giving up too many points on defense. They wouldn't get far during the Winter Cup playing like that, especially with teams that had one of the Generation of Miracles. Also considering the fact they were good before one of the Miracles joined. But they were a team with potential from what he heard from Lucy about last years squad.
"Hey! Natsu! I've been calling you for the past minute baka!"
"Hmmm? Sorry Luce I was going over some the teams games."
"That figures you would be you basketball moron," she sighed.
"Hey! I resent that!", Natsu replied pouting.
Lucy rolled her eyes at his antics, "Yeah yeah lets just get to the school already."
-FDG-
It was about a couple months before the Winter Cup was going to start. Riko Aida was very aware of this fact and was currently in the gym looking up effective training methods, when she happened to come across an article about one of her players. Or more specifically a certain Natsu Dragneel.
All eyes on Natsu 'Salmander' Dragneel, freshman basketball prodigy
Natsu Dragneel, a half Japanese-American, is considered by ESPN to be the #1 point guard and the #4 player overall in his graduating class. Dragneel burst onto the scene a few years ago at a Chris Paul basketball camp being held during the summer. Since then he has amazed college and pro scouts while playing at Mater Dei High. He had announced he would be heading to Japan finish out the next few years of his high school basketball career. When asked where he would be playing he only said, "Thats a surprise." Salamander currently has scholarship offers from North Carolina, Kentucky, Duke, Michigan State, NC State, Arizona, and Kansas.
Riko couldn't believe what she was reading. Seirin had managed to aqcuire the best point guard and one of the top five players in the freshmen class! From America no less! The number and quality of top college teams that wanted him was ridiculous. Winning the Winter Cup was becoming more of a reality. Even with the Generation of Miracles participating.
The fact that Natsu was a bit of an unknown had bothered Riko immensely. But she had eventually let it go choosing to focus on the development of the team. After seeing this though she had felt like an idiot for not deciding to do some research and look him up.
"What are you looking at Coach?" Her snapped to up Izuki, who was heading her way. "I don't think I can quite but it into words but take for yourself." She passed him the phone and his eyes went wide at what he saw.
"Holy fucking shit! Is this for real?!"
Riko nodded, "Look him up. There are multiple articles about him all over the internet."
"Damn", was Izuki's intelligent response.
"Something interesting going on over here?"
Riko and Izuki both looked to see Hyuga coming toward them with a confused expression on his face. "We were just discussing Natsu-kun, you know our third talented freshman?"
Hyuga nodded at that, "Yeah what about him?"
"Take a look at what Coach found", Izuki said passing him Riko's phone. Hyuga's eyes almost popped out his eyes at what he saw.
"You...have got to be fucking kidding me."
"I know how you feel", Izuki spoke sagely
. Riko decided to cut in, "With three talented freshmen we have, and Kiyoshi returning our chances of winning the Winter Cup have gone up expectionally."
"Speaking of Natsu shouldn't he be returning today?" Hyuga asked.
"Yeah Lucy-san said she was picking him up today."
After leaving the cafe, Natsu and Lucy decided to head to the apartment where Natsu was staying so he could change clothes. Once he got changed into a red sleeveless t-shirt, black basketball shorts, and a black pair of AirMaxs, they headed off to Seirin. Natsu was excited to see what kind of training to he would be doing for the summer. Arriving to the gym, Natsu and Lucy saw the team already seemed to be in the middle of a practice session.
"Yo guys! Wassup?!", he yelled out.
"Natsu, Lucy-san", Riko said. "Nice of you to join us. I was just about to tell the team where we would be hosting are summer training camp."
"Awesome seems like I made just in time then", he replied with a grin. He then noticed a player that wasn't here the last time he had came, that seemed oddly familiar to him. Deciding to introduce himself he walked over to the court, leaving Lucy to talk with Riko, where the player was working on post play against Kagami. Something about his movement was telling Natsu he was someone he had played before while he was Teikou. Once he saw the timing on his hook shot he was attempting he immediately knew who it was.
"Yo! Iron Heart! Long time no see!", Natsu yelled with a bright grin that reached all the way to his eyes. Kiyoshi paused in his movement and smiled as saw the newest addition to team approaching him. He was really excited to be playing with Kuroko, one of the Generation of Miracles, but also 'Salamander' the captain of Teikou before Akashi had taken over when he moved. Even though he had only played against them once he knew Natsu was on a higher level than the Miracles.
"Hello, Salamander", Kiyoshi replied with a smile. "Good to see you, and you can just call me Kiyoshi-senpai." Natsu grin got even wider at that.
"Sure thing Kiyoshi-senpai, and you can just call me Natsu."
Kagami was looking back and forth between them trying to figure out how the two knew each other. While it was obvious the two had some sort of connection he couldn't figure out what it was. But he decided to leave it alone for now. They would probably tell how they knew each other anyway. Just as he was about challenge Natsu to game of one on one he was interrupted by a yell from Riko.
"Alright guys line up! I've got something to tell you!"
-FDG-
Finding out that they were going to training at vacation resort, had been interesting. But the highlight in Natsu's opinion had been finding out that the Riko couldn't worth a damn. While he tried to not show his amusement, he had immediately lost his composure when Hyuga and Kiyoshi both passed out from the terrible cooking. He, Kagami, and Lucy had then showed her the proper way to cook curry, after Kagami and Natsu had complained of being hungry, having been smart enough not to try the food she had made. With their help she made some curry that had actually looked edible; but it was the exact opposite, for when they took a bite it still tasted gross. They then went over the process to see what went wrong, only to find out that she was adding vitamin pills and powder making the curry unfavorable to eat. Nevertheless Lucy ended up being invited to the camp and was put in charge of cooking along with Natsu and Kagami.
After arriving to the resort where they supposed to be training Natsu had noticed that the inn looked rather old and run down, but had dismissed it when he saw how comfortable the inside looked and the basketball courts it held. Riko had gotten the team started on training right away on the beach with Lucy helping out with supervising then moved them to gym to scrimmage against each other. Natsu found it smart and interesting, considering the beach restricted their movement but, once they got to the court movement felt progressively more fluid. But finding out Shutoku was also training here had put the icing on the cake for Natsu, especially when he find out they would be training together. That is until Riko had sent Natsu and Kagami out to get drinks-with Lucy supervising-instead of letting them participate in the practices. While it bothered him he understood that she was only trying to help them improve considering they were the team's two best players. Deciding that sitting around doing nothing was counterproductive he had convinced Kagami to come practice on the outside courts with him at night; which was where they were now.
Natsu was facing Kagami dribbling casually with his left hand and sizing him up. He drove left full speed; Kagami reacted to his movements and went to cut him off. But then Natsu stepped backed and jumped up. Kagami jumped to block his shot, when Natsu leaned back. 'A fadeaway jumper!' Kagami thought. Natsu flicked his wrist and the ball disappeared from Kagami's sight.
Swish!
Sighing Kagami went over and picked up the ball before tossing it back to Natsu. "One of these days I'm going to figure out how you keep doing that", Kagami said.
"Maaaaaa its a secret Tai-chan~", Natsu drawled out with a cocky smirk.
"Yeah yeah almighty Salamander", Kagami replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"My how devoted..."
Natsu and Kagami turned to sound of the voice to see Riko walking their way with a smirk etched on her face. 'I wonder what Coach could want', Natsu thought to himself. He knew that it wasn't time for dinner or Lucy would've came to get him. And he was pretty sure that Riko didn't have problem with them training on their own as long as they didn't strain themselves. She could be out here to give him and Kagami advice though. He decided to stay quiet until he could figure out what it is she wanted. 'Lets see what Coach has to say'.
-FDG-
After watching Riko give Kagami advice on using his jumping ability to defeat the Miracles in an aerial battle Natsu and Kagami went back to practicing. 'An aerial battle huh? Not an bad idea when I think about it. But he's a bit...limited in that area' Natsu thought. Suddenly Midorima came out near the courts with a drink in his hand. 'Ah just the person I wanted to see', thought Natsu with a feral grin on his face.
"Ah taichou, what are you doing out here with the imbecile?", Midorima ground out.
"What was that you bastard?!"
"Oh you know just getting some extra practice since we didn't get to play in the scrimmage", Natsu replied. "Say wanna play a game with me Shin-chan?" Playing with Kagami was fine and all but he was really starting to itch for a more challenging opponent. And with Midorima here it was the perfect opportunity.
"Oi! Don't ignore me!"
"No" Midorima said flatly.
Natsu pouted, "Mouuuuu Shin-chan your such a spoil sport."
"And I see your still an idiot."
"You won't beat us at the Winter Cup", Natsu said with a suddenly serious expression. "I promise that when the Winter Cup arrives I'll show you and the rest of the other Miracles why you guys gave me the nickname Salamander." Kagami looked at Natsu surprised by his serious attitude; normally the pinkette was a goofy playful idiot that loved to joke around and tease the others. But to see him like this in front of one of the Generation of Miracles only solidified the fact that he was indeed once the captain of Teikou. 'I guess even this dumbass can be cool at times' Kagami thought with a smirk.
"Tch pretty words won't help you against us", Midorima scoffed. "While you might have been better than me in the past things are different now Natsu. I'll show you when Shutoku defeats Seirin at the Winter Cup. Come on Takao, we're leaving", Midorima finished before walking off. Takao scrambled out of the bushes and went after him before got too far away.
"You might as well come out too Tetsu", said Natsu. Kuroko appeared from behind the same bushes as Takao with a blank look on his face. Natsu sighed, "How much did you hear?"
"All of it." Kuroko said with same blank gaze.
"Hmmmm well thats fine", Natsu replied. He turned to Kagami with serious look on his face, "Tai-chan I'm going to help you learn how to defeat the Generation of Miracles in an aerial battle."
Author's Note: And thats another chapter done! Things are starting to heating up for Seirin. Getting things moving for the next chapter in this story. Winter Cup draws ever closer for Natsu's highly anticipated debut. Read and review. Happy New Year you guys!