Disclaimers: Slam Dunk is Takehito Inoue's not mine

Warning: Total oocness

Pairings: Still RuHana



It's been two weeks since Rukawa's return. And everything seemed to be complete in the school gym, except for the presence of a certain spectacled boy, a frightening gorilla and a very vain tensai.

One day, however, Akagi and Kogure decided to drop by the school gym to check out the teammates that they have left behind.

Of course everyone was overjoyed that the two decided to drop by. Everyone, especially Mitsui and Miyagi.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Akagi! Kogure!" exclaimed the two as the retired players entered the gym.

Akagi and Kogure looked at the team and were as equally happy as they were to be reunited again.

After the greetings, they proceeded to the bench to watch the practice with the coach and the 2 manageresses of the team.

"Akagi-kun, Kogure-kun," called Anzai.

"Yes Anzai-sensei?" asked Akagi.

"Would you like to participate in the practice game with Kainan?"

"The team will have a practice match against the toughest team in the prefecture?!" Kogure exclaimed.

"Miyagi knows what he is doing," Akagi said. Then he turned to the coach and asked, "Anzai-sensei, is it really alright for Kogure and myself to participate in the practice match?"

"Actually," the coach replied, "it was the Kainan team that requested this. The reason is because Maki and Takasago also want to participate and it would be unfair if you and Kogure don't join in."

"Why would they want to do that?" Akagi asked.

"Well," the coach replied as he was adjusting his spectacles, "it seems as though they wanted to play one last game with their high school team and against you guys."

"Won't they have a practice match with Ryonan as well?" Kogure asked.

"Well, I guess Coach Taoka is still thinking about Kainan's offer as of now," the coach replied. "Actually Coach Takatoh said his team wanted a match against us, Shoyo and Ryonan. But Shoyo's Fujima immediately declined the offer."

"So even though he's already a retired player, Fujima continues to join his team as its coach," Kogure said in full admiration. "That means he really wants to see his team get through the championships again and again until they finally succeed."

"So would you like to join in boys?" Anzai asked, bringing the old issue back again.

"Of course!" they both responded with great enthusiasm.

"Ho ho ho."

"Well Kogure, since we're playing, might as well practice with our trouble group (ie Miyagi, Mitsui, Rukawa and Sakuragi).

"You can't call them that yet," Kogure said smiling as he and Akagi went to change in the locker room. "Because Sakuragi's presence makes the trouble group complete."

"Yeah," Akagi agreed.

Kogure looked at the tall boy and asked, "You miss him don't you?"

"Huh?!" Akagi asked, surprised at the other boy's question. "Why would I miss that baka?"

"Well, practice does seem more tranquil when he is not around," Kogure said. "But, it's too quiet for comfort. It's as if his presence alone is enough to motivate the team."

"Yeah, I agree with you on that," Akagi finally said. "Can't believe that baka eventually became a big asset to the team." He smiled inwardly and added to himself, 'Yeah, he did become a big asset. He was able to fulfill my dream of defeating the champion Sannoh. If it wasn't for him, we would have been defeated easily.'



The two retired players practiced with the new Shohoku team. All of the old players were still there. But there was this guy who was new to the group.

His name was Tagashi Yamato, first year student and is quite a good player, (too bad he joined the team after the IH tournament).

He had skill which could almost match Rukawa's and add up to that, he had a very humble and kind personality which reminded everyone very much of Jin from Kainan. Yet this guy was almost as tall as Akagi at 195 cm and the position he plays is Center.

Well, the practice was peaceful. Except for some casual bickering between Akagi and Miyagi because the latter wanted to exercise his authority while Akagi was not yet used to being not in charge.

Everyone practiced for a good half-hour and were now all resting for a while.

"So what do you think about the new team Akagi, Kogure?" Mitsui asked.

Akagi drank some water and wiped off the sweat on his forehead as he replied, "I've got to admit, that Yamato guy sure is good. He will become another ace for Shohoku once his skills are fully discovered. He might even beat Rukawa after a while."

"Yeah," Kogure agreed.

"We'll finish what you two started," Miyagi told the two seniors. "I promise you Akagi, Kogure," he said as he looked at the seniors in the eye, "we WILL win the IH tournament for sure this time."

The two were quite amazed at how determined Miyagi looked and sounded.

But the amazement was cut short because the door to the gym opened, even though the whole team was already in the gym.

'Who could it be?' Akagi thought.

The person standing before the gym was a tall one, with a red crop of hair that everyone noticed quite easily.



TBC