... Chapter 4 ... The Basketball Players
Disclaimer:No, I do not own Naruto! Although I wish so. It belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. I love the characters and the show more than I love myself. Please don't sue me, I'll return them after I'm finished.
A/N: KONNICHIWA! Here's the chapter four! Yippee! Once again, I hope you enjoy this and thanks for all the reviews! Thanks MyGoddessofthemoonandsun, kakashi-vivi for being my big fans!
I'm glad you like the story.
Very appreciated! So this one is for you!
The story continue…
It was 5pm in the afternoon, all the contestants and audience exited the building after the exam was over.
The fifth hokage had called the captain of the basketball team and Gai sensei into her office. They have some job briefing with the great Hokage-sama in her office. At the same time, Lee was waiting for them, they will having a basketball training session later.
Some time later, Lee was still waiting outside. He leaned against the wall and tapping his foot when the closed door swung opened, he heard footsteps, someone walked out. It was the dark haired lieutenant Shizune. Lee stood straight and turned at her.
The first thing she noticed were his eyebrows, (A/N: lol) "Lee-san," she greeted, "Are you looking for someone?" she asked closing the door.
"Aa…Hai. Konnichiwa, may I know when it ends… I meant the job briefing." he asked politely.
"I believe soon it will be over." she replied with a smile.
"Arigato."
She nodded back and walked away.
Moments later, the closed door pushed open again, he heard footsteps, multiple ones this time, this was more than one person. He saw Gai-sensei and Neji walked out from the office. Lee catching up with them and said, "Gai-sensei, Neji, how's the job briefing?"
"My dear Lee! Gomen ne for waiting….."
"We were assigned on a mission, and will be departed by tomorrow."
"Huh? With Gai-sensei. How many days u need to complete the mission?"
He took a deep breath before answered, "Maybe two."
Gai-sensei stopped walking, which made his students to stop too. He turned and looked at Lee.
"LEE, you must train even harder these few weeks for the coming quarterfinals tournament, since Neji and I going on a mission." Lee's most respected sensei demanded solemnly.
"Hai, Gai-sensei!" Lee nodded instantly and Gai flashed his perfect white teeth which went 'ping'.
"…..…." Neji stood between the two and stared blankly at them. He already used to it, as he was with them for more than five years.
"Lee, Neji, I gotta meet Kakashi now to discuss about our next contest. Ja, my dear students! See you later!" Gai waved to them and vanished.
"Ano Neji, I know you cast a lot of jobs recently, (A/N: Jounin exam, mission, basketball tournament… even a date!) but please, please make sure you take a rest if necessary. We need your strength in the quarterfinals tournament." Lee said with a thumb-up accompanied with his sentence.
"Aah. I'll remember that Lee."
They walked lightly down the corridor together towards the locker room, where just next to the indoor basketball court.
A group of girls turned red and began to giggle hardly when they saw the famous basketball star. He was walking next to the Konoha green beast. Although it was a little far from where they were, but they totally knew that, no doubt that gorgeous guy was- Hyuuga Neji! They all began to crowd around him, trying to get a conversation with him.
"Neji-kun, I'm your biggest fan! You can just call me Yumi!" the fan girl said happily.
"…how big?" Lee mumbled.
"Neji-kun! That was an awesome fight between you and the Uchiha."
"…. Mine was not bad either!" he mumbled again. Probably he was jealous.
Shit, he felt a body pressed up at his back, one of the fan girls was hugging him from back.
"Congratulations, Neji-kun!"
"…..Thanks… c-can… can you let go?" The famous center of the prefecture lowered his head and smile at the girl. He wasn't felt annoying today (A/N: only today) as he was in a good mood. He won the fight, eventually he got a chance to meet up with his cyber-pal.
The girl released him.
"Um… ah… sorry… Neji-kun." the girl walked away shyly.
Lee raised his voice so that the girls around them could hear, "Well, make way for our Hyuuga prodigy and me the master of taijutsu! Thanks!"
Neji laughed lightly.
The conversation had been steered away by Lee and they walked faster until they reached the locker room. They locked the door, (YAY, must make sure it's locked!) threw their bags on the floor and changed into their uniforms. Neji gathered and pulled his hair away from his face and tied in the ponytail at the base of the neck, it's tighter than his usual low ponytail.
After changed, they headed out to the indoor basketball court.
"Thank goodness, they didn't follow."
"Maybe you should get yourself a girlfriend?" Lee asked quietly.
"NO! I'm afraid she will get killed!" he smiled.
He feels surprise yet annoyed that he found that there is a fan club dedicated specially to him.
"Hey Neji! Sometime I feel envy of you, I don't have a fan club that specially dedicated for me but I do have a few fans, just a few…" Lee sighed.
Hyuuga Neji, 17 and was the charming basketball star. He's not only working hard in his daily training to be a strong shinobi, yet he has joined this school activities club 3 years ago. It was his dream to become a good basketball player. He had promised his uncle that he will do his best so that he will let him stay in the team.
Years later, he had strengthened his basketball skill and become the captain of the team.
The team had their training at the basketball court. They began with a warm-up training session. Neji jumped and made the shot perfectly. He bounced the ball off the floor, holding up and made another shot and made it perfectly, again.
"Hey, Neji! Give me the ball!" Naruto yelled at him. He was getting irritated as Neji controlling the ball in his high defensive.
He sent the ball sailing and before it entered the basket, Naruto jumped up and catch the ball swiftly.
"Finally, I got the ball!" he said smugly.
"I won't let you win, so don't be so ecstatic."
With his brilliance quick-thinking mind, he calculated every move, every action and tried to grab back the ball.
One of the boy in their group snorted in replied sleepily, "Wow, I'm so tired!" He leaned against the wall, taking a break by gulping down some water and wiping sweat off his forehead with towel.
"Shikakun, STANDS UP! We need to train more! Gai-sensei demands us to train harder!" Lee scoffed, he was training his shooting skill seriously.
"Let me challenge you!" said Kenji as he walked up towards Lee.
The coach looked at the players in the court and smiled. Finally he put his gaze on Lee and said, "YOSH! Gambate, Lee!" encouraging his favorite pupil while performing the 'good guy pose' and flashing his gleaming teeth
"How troublesome…" he was watching the friendly compete between the long haired Hyuuga versus the blonde haired boy.
There took a break thirty minutes later.
"Wow! I haven't felt so tired since my taijutsu training!" the blonde dropping down on the floor, he was sweating and tiring but satisfied. He liked to train with Neji.
The Konoha High School Basketball Team
An all round team, it has a nice defense and offense as well. Since they have very a capable scores Rock Lee, a brilliant point guard Nara Shikamaru, a spiritual power forward Uzumaki Naruto, Rock Lee who is a great shooter and the most important a very good captain Hyuuga Neji, the best and outstanding center. They are the five main players.
And we can't miss out the soul of the team- the marvelous coach Maito Gai, who always gives them a lot of tough training. (A/N: do you think he can handle this post?)
The coach and the players
Maito Gai
Position: The coach
Nick: Gejimayu-couch
Height: 196cm
Weight: 80kg
Age: 34
Rank: Anbu (already promoted in my story)
The most powerful shinobi in the village. At the same time, he is also a marvelous strategist of the team. He loves to use the term "bursting with youth" to encourage his students. Despite his rather goofy nature, he's actually a very strict, serious and powerful sensei when come to training. He knows the game very very well and also understands his players.
Uzumaki Naruto
Position: Power forward
Height: 183cm
Weight: 74kg
Age: 16
Rank: Jounnin
Jersey No.: 10
He is arrogant and cocky. His love for basketball is incredible, that's why he approached his best buddy Hyuuga Neji to join the team. He is great defensive player, usually plays and scores under the basket, his blocks are just frightening. He's a fighter for victory no matter what. Beside Hinata and Sakura, the only thing he cares about is basketball.
Inuzuka Kiba
Position: Small forward
Height: 180cm
Weight: 73kg
Age: 16
Rank: Chunnin
Jersey No.: 11
The rebounding king. He is known for his ball handling skill and high jumps. He has a nice dribble and is a good rebounder due to his length and athletic jumping ability. When the team is behind, he'll show his scoring ability.
Akamaru will not involve in the game. Normally, he will sit quietly next to the bench watching his master doing his training or even in a tournament. (A/N: lol)
Hyuuga Neji
Position: Center
Height: 182cm
Weight: 70kg
Age: 17
Rank: Jounnin
Jersey No.: 4
As a team captain he provides the team the mental support and discipline. He has the ability to fire up the team, calm down and unify the team. When things going wrong, the team members keeping faith and believe in their star player. He's confident, high-spirited and even ruthless. He is an amazing all-round player, he can play defense and offense as well. Although he is not the best shooter in the team but most of the time he is the strongest player in the team. Usually very cold and unfeeling, AND yeah, he hates to lose as he cannot accept defeat.
Besides, he happens to be a top student in class. He is a star player, who is extremely popular in his school. Same as Uchiha Sasuke, he has his own cheerleaders club, which started with a few members but grew out to sea of members.
Nara Shikamaru
Position: Point Guard
Height: 173cm
Weight: 65kg
Age: 16
Rank: Jounnin
Jersey No.: 5
The co-captain. He is the excellent point guard of the team. The best ball handler, he controlling the ball and make sure it gets to the right players. He's the best strategist in the team. Although he's the shortest players, but he's the most brilliant player in the team, he always looks to get the rest of team involved before they even think about shooting. He's an easygoing person, but he has a bad habit—lazy as he always oversleeping and arrives late at training sessions.
Rock Lee
Position: Shooting guard / Combo guard
(Swingman: a player who can switch between playing shooting guard and small forward)
Height: 188cm
Weight: 68kg
Age: 17
Rank: Jounnin
Jersey No.: 14
A scoring machine, his main objective is to score points for their team. He's the best threepoint shooter in the team. He loved to play basketball, but is not very talented therefore he practiced very very hard due to his devotion to get to the top. He's known for his incredible scoring ability. Sometime he might need to bring up the ball as well, because of his incredible speed. He's a very serious person on work. His biggest dream is to become a great shinobi and yet a best shooter.
He fell for Tenten long time ago, even though she only had eyes on Neji.
Kenji Togashi (A/N: I own this person ^_^)
Position: Shooting guard
Height: 194cm
Weight: 75kg
Age: 17
Rank: Chunnin
Jersey No.: 7
The best outside shooter in the team. He has a very nice and accurate jump shoots. He is not the main member in the team.
Tenten
Position: Manager of the team
Height: 156cm
Weight: 40kg
Age: 17
Rank: Chunnin
Because of Lee and Neji, she joins the team. Schedule and arrange training time table, concerning discipline are part of her job. Even though she is in a lower position in the team, but the players all treat her with respect. Like most girls in Konoha High, she admires the captain a lot. (Currently off from the story as she's on a mission)
(A/N: Sorry, I had exaggerated their height, to suit in as basketball players. Actually I'm thinking of to put Neji as a point guard, but how about Shikamaru? It was… hard for me to decide. There will be a few juniors, but I'm not gonna mention all.)
"Naruto-kun." a soft voice called out his name.
"Naruto! Your girlfriend's here!" the dog boy teased.
"Be careful, she's taking control of your life!" Shikamaru smiled sly.
"Shikakun, LOVE is C-O-N-T-R-O-L-!" the dog boy raised his opinion, "I'm sure Ino did it on you!"
"Yeah… I just hate it!"
"Hinata!" he waved his hand at his girlfriend and turned towards his teammate, "You two lousy kids shut your pie hole! If you keep teasing me, I'm getting really mad at you!"
"Shhhh….. He's getting M-A-D!" Kiba said as a grin crossed over his face.
They saw the slight pink tinge on his cheeks. He turned away tried to hide the blush that creeping on his cheeks.
"C'mon, we're just kidding, have fun!"
Neji noticed that his cousin was here, he glanced at the big clock hung on the wall, and it pointed 9.
Gai-sensei blew the whistle and gathered everyone at the middle court, "Ok team, it was already 9. I think that's enough for today. Due to a mission, Neji and I will be leaving tomorrow, probably will be back the day after tomorrow, but please train harder. Shikamaru!" he voiced out his name as the team gathered around him, "Guard them to train harder. And I do hope you will not disappoint me."
"Yeah, sure!" he nodded and hiding his lazy attitude. "Why me? How troublesome…"
"Ok with that I will now leave, I got some important meeting. Good luck kids! Don't wasting your precious youth! Ahhahahah…" he laughed after finished his sentence and he started out the entrance but was stopped by Naruto.
"Gai sensei!" Naruto exclaimed.
Gai turned around and struck a manly pose, with one hand fingering his chin, "Hmm?"
"Would you like to have a s-t-e-a-m-i-n-g bowl of ramen with us?"
"Ahhahaha… if only you ask me earlier! Sorry kids, I'm going to meet Kakashi-sensei now for our drink contest. Maybe some other time, kids. Ja!" he waved and dashed out the entrance.
The basketball court had cleared by now. Everyone got changed in the locker room. Before Hinata walked out the room, Kiba already took off his shirt.
"Hey Naruto, your slamming skill is just awesome!" praised Kiba while taking out a towel from his locker.
"Hinata-san, are you sick?" asked Shikamaru as he saw her face gone red.
"Kiba-kun is …." Hinata whispered. Men's bare chest was always her weak point. Embarrassing warmth rushed into her face.
"Naruto-kun, I'll be waiting for you outside." she said not turning her head at Naruto and make her way to the door quickly.
"Aa." He nodded and glared at Kiba.
"Ano… Gomen! Gomen!" he laughed.
Neji smirked as he took his bag from lockers and sat on a long bench, resting.
"Hey, guys I'm so hungry. I'm going for a bowl of ramen later, wanna join?" the blonde suggested.
"I think you've become a slave of ramen." Neji said coldly.
"Oh yeah, definitely! My stomach's torturing me!" said Shikamaru, blaming his stomach.
"Yeah sure I'll come with you." said Kenji.
"I want to take a bath, I'll join later." said a certain bowl-headed boy, his white shirt was soaked.
"How bout you Neji?"
"Well, ok, I'll join later. I want to wash my face."
"If you're hot take a quick shower!"
"No thanks."
"C'mon, Neji! Are you still scared of what had happened last time, aren't you?"
"…..…" he didn't answer as his mind flashed back with the terrible and unfortunate memories that happened last year.
"Hah, I know I know, some crazy journalists sneaked in the boy's bathroom, trying to get a picture of Neji! Right?" Kiba teased.
"That's the biggest news in Konoha. A shocked and furious look of Hyuuga appeared on the cover, again. But, half NAKED!" said Kenji.
"…..…"
"But I think the fan girls are wasting their time, he's gay I think!" winked Naruto.
"Fuck you man!"
"Say Neji, have you ever dated?" asked Shikamaru curiously.
"…..…" his brows creased in a frown.
"See! I'm always right!"
"Listen, I'm going to a date in t-h-i-s-…" shit, some words just slipped out from his mouth. The next second, he was regretting... He shook his head, when he realized what he had said. "Oh god, what am I just said." He was not supposed to talk about this…
The five opened their mouth flabbergasted. "Ahh-ha-?"they were eagerly waiting for the answer.
He discontinued his sentence, trying to skip the topic. He grabbed a clean shirt from his bag and got changed.
"Say- say- say! Who's the lucky girl?" asked Lee disbelief.
"Tell me! Tell me! We are good buddy right?" said Naruto.
"You're warned! Don't annoy me! GET LOST!"
"Do you mean you're dating? HEY!" Kiba shouted but the man paid no attention, he picked up his bag and walked towards the bathroom.
Nobody knows he already had a high school sweetheart.
Author note:
Well, there you have it, the chapter 4!
Wow! the Konoha basketball team, it was just a brief introduction of the team players and I tended to exaggerate a bit of their height since they're basketball player, right? Lol. It's hard for me to decide how to put them in the right position.
That's fun writing both Gai and Lee about their 'PRECIOUS YOUTH' things. Lol. I'm not good in humor but I do hope you enjoyed this.
I plan to write a side story in the coming chapter, it's about the "unfortunate incident" that happened in the boy's bathroom (that Lee mentioned). Tell me if you want me to skip this.
I need reviews! The only strength can push me to write better! Please thank you.
Thanks for reading!