Disclaimer: I still don't own them, but I never stop praying that someday I Will --- like everybody else. Hehehehehe... J

Author's Note:

                Keep the reviews coming… Arigato minna-san.

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(inner thoughts)

Ten Sakura Tree

Chapter 11     Almost Got Busted

The game became more intense as the coaches headed the attack of their team. From the time the two entered, the chances of scoring lessen to about 30 percent since then. The techniques in defense were so awesome that no one can penetrate it easily. Each team had a hard time that each one has a 30-minutes violation in only trying to score and penetrate one's defense. The two teams usually play a half court game to increase pressure and lessen the scoring time of the opponent.

The Kanagawa basketball teams are amazed how well the 10 players play. They never witness that kind of game – a game that is so intense even though it was just an exhibition game between the two. The two teams really play for real yet their skills in basketball are not yet in full display.

Rukawa observed how Rei was playing in the game against Kieta. Every move, step, dribble shown before his very eyes with the help of Kieta were stored in his memory. HE suddenly realizes that the game occurred between them was nothing compared to the game he {Rei} is showing right now. (She sure knows how to attack and defend her position before him. Their speeds are incredible. Their stamina is excellent too. Their stamina is like the Da'ho… bottomless… Their techniques are unpredictable yet effective just like his… Is he part of them? Come to think of it… Mito has some similarity in the way he plays to Hanamichi's game… are they part of this team? But it is impossible. Is it?) HE looked at Hanamichi's serious features as his {Hanamichi} attention was transfixed to the game. He then shifted his gaze to Mito, whose face has the same expression as his koi. Both faces were mask with seriousness and concentration to the game. It did not escape to Rukawa's observant eyes the clenched fist and tight jaw as the game progresses. It seems the two are predicting the outcome of the game, trying to read the player's mind and both are unsatisfied to the player's performance in the game. 

Rukawa was not the only one, who observed the sudden transformation of Mito and Sakuragi. Sendoh too observed the odd expression and attachment of the two towards the international teams. The two seems to be well acquainted to them like as if they have known each other for ages or even played one on one to each other.

Rukawa and Sendoh was distracted from their reverie when a foreign language was heard coming from two familiar voices. The whole gym went silent due to the voice that the only thing heard was the running and the dribbling of the ball coming from the court. Even the players in the court was dumbfounded of the voice, they dropped their concentration from the game and stared amusedly at the owner of the voice. The audiences too were staring at the two persons, who own the voice. Another voice was heard in the same language commanding the players to return to the game – the voice came from the person hidden at the back of the two-focused people, who by now are pale and dumfounded for the questioning eyes focus in them. 

"Angel, Phoenix, play seriously will you?! You're not even attacking anymore… all of you are slacking? What is wrong with you people?" Hanamichi yelled out of desperation as he observes the manner of the two teams in playing is nothing compared to the first half game, yet the audiences didn't detect the drastic change of the atmosphere. They seem to play for the reason of fun alone. They are not playing seriously. Even his sister and cousin's performance are affected by their teammates twisted reason of playing this exhibition game.

"Don't play around in the court – for once play seriously. Don't be such a weenie." Youhie was feeling the same emotion as Hanamichi. He too was disappointed of the game being presented before his very eyes. This is not a game it is a joke – which they seem to enjoy knowing that the audiences can't foretell that what they are seeing is not a game but a joke.

"What the hell are you stopping for? You're in a game remember?! MOVE... Do your job, too. AS I do mine." A mysterious voice yelled which made the players came back to their senses and continued on playing. The game continued and the pace change to suite the expectation of Youhei and Hanamichi as they were assured by the voice that every thing will be alright and be fixed.

He soon revealed himself and mimics the voice of the two focus people using the same language to save the two from the questioning look of the surrounding audiences.

"Nice game. A quite interesting game to watch. For the reason that it was too close for comfort..." He mimics Hanamichi's voice and smiled while giving a small nod as a form of respect to the people who are listening.

"You two almost got busted. You both owe us one. Don't do it again will you. They almost got a heart attack." He then changes his voice to mimic Youhei's and let out a smile upon seeing the reaction of the people surrounding him.

HE speaks in Niponggo for the surrounding people to understand him. "Hello everyone nice to meet you, my name is Kou." HE introduces himself a way to distract them from having suspicions on the Hanamichi and Youhei. HE then continued but this time his statement wasn't address to Hanamichi's acquaintances. "as far as I can see I got their attention away from the game so…" he glanced at his right side where Youhei was standing but his eyes focus on the guy standing next to Youhei. "Mattie, pay up… I succeeded in distracting all of them from the game – so I did the dare and deserve the money…"

"Nice job. I'll pay you once the game is already over. Let's go. I think we need to return there. They need our help there." Mattie soon left followed by Kou, who throws another glance and wink at them before retreating to their bench.

Once the two left, their attention returned to Youhei and Hanamichi to clarify some things but they don't have the courage to ask them except one person.

"I thought you two are the one who spoke?" Riyota voice out his thoughts as he gazes to the two and waited for them to answer like the rest of them.

"How would I be able to speak that strange language? I may be the Tensai but I am not that Tensai to speak another language. I can't even master my English language yet." Hanamichi replied in a snap to erase more suspicions to them. Everyone sweat dropped because of the arrogant way Hanamichi answered.

"Hanamichi is right. I can't even understand a thing that Kou guy said a while ago. But I gave him credit for his ability to mimic our voice and distracting everyone." Youhei added to help erase other chances for them to connect the incident to them.

"Yeah, he sure is good to mimic my koi's voice. I just hope he won't do that often or else, I may get confuse to foretell my koi's from his voice." Sendoh added and laughed that made everyone laugh along too.

A whistle that signaled the end of the game with a tie score disturbed their laughter. The players of the team are already back in their respective bench and are drinking water to refresh themselves. With this, the attention of everyone was distracted and further interrogation for the two were cut short for the game ended.

The two was relieved from the distraction that occurred. Both were so engross with the game that they almost got themselves caught if it weren't for the two, their identity will be revealed ahead of time. Both of them are grateful for the help of their former teammates in rescuing them from a tight situation. They weren't thinking before they acted, they both know that they relaxed and their defenses are down that time that causes both of them irreversible consequences if ever they weren't able to escape that situation.

"Do you think we have to play overtime? I mean the game is a tie and we can't tell who wins." Spike inquired to Kou as he grab a towel and wipe all his sweats.

"If we do overtime – I think it will last us a lifetime before we can tell. With you guys "playing" around like that. Besides we still have a game tomorrow against Hana-kun's team. We have to save energy and -" Kou was cut short when Anzai approached together with the rest of the team.

"Hohohoho… that was a magnificent game. I think the exhibition game does not need to go overtime. They observed and gathered enough information from you already. Thank you…"

"Nothing to it… Besides the exhibition game won't just benefit you… it also benefits our team. We got a chance to play against the Angel team. Besides the idea wasn't ours but Kieta and Yumi, they both wanted fresh exercise for the team since the news of an upcoming international game against all Academy teams." Rei stated.

"Hope you would win." Akagi stated.

"Hope so too…" Rei smiled and bowed to show respect. HE then tuned to his team and ordered them to change. Kieta did the same thing after she bowed to the coach of Shohokou.

Everyone went to change his or her sweaty uniform except one – Kou. He approach Sendoh and challenge him for a one on one game. Youhei was shock by Kou's action.

"Spikey haired guy." Kou called out while pointing at Sendoh, who at that time having a chat with Fujima and Maki while waiting for Youhei.

"Me?!" Sendoh asked innocently and scanned the area if there are other Spikey haired just like him. [As if he didn't know that, he is the only one with that kind of Hairstyle]

"Yes, you. If I am correct, your name is Sendoh, Akira. Am I right?"

"Wow, I am flattered that I am famous. Can't help it if I'm handsome and appealing." Sendoh flashes his mega watt smile. Everyone sweat dropped upon hearing the statement.

"Leave it to Sendoh to make an obvious challenge to one joke." Koshino blurted out in a whisper like tone but it was evident that he was worried for his friend. After all, this guy happens to be part of the Phoenix and he didn't even play in the game.

"I am challenging you to a one on one game."

"Challenge accepted! At least now I can have a good exercise." He smiled and changes his clothes. HE removes his shirt to wear his jersey and his jogging pants revealing his jersey shorts.

"Let's start!" Sendoh declared as he picks up one lose ball in the ground and proceeded at the court to play.

~ OWARI ~