::Time Heals All Wounds ::

[Chapter Two]

[School Daze]

Disclaimer: Slam Dunk and its characters do not belong to me!

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews…and the story goes on…

Replies:

dim soldier: hey, I love happy endings too (oops…spoiler…)

angel007: thanks!

micchy no koibito: here's the continuation…hope you enjoy it!



School had been hectic, with tonnes of introductions made. The heady excitement carried Kimi through the day, but when it was time to go home, she felt lost and disorientated.

Her class was 3-3, made up of students who were keen to learn. They had welcomed her warmly, for which she was grateful. A few girls had gathered around her during recess, saving her from being left alone to eat. They had been interested in her years abroad, and she happily filled them in. She received her share of curious sidelong looks from a few boys, but took them all in her stride.

Most of the students had already filed out of class, and only Kimi and a few others remained. She noticed a very tall boy, the tallest in class in fact, talking to one with spectacles. She caught the words "basketball practice".

Basketball.

The beautiful game. She had not touched the ball in a long time, ever since her return to Japan. Firstly, because she had been too busy, and secondly, there was no court that she knew of.

Hesitantly, she approached the two boys.

"Excuse me, are you basketball players?"



Akagi looked at the person who had spoken to them. It was the new girl. Suzuki-something.

Kogure answered first, "Yes, we play basketball. I'm Kogure Kiminobu and he's Akagi Takenori. Why do you ask?"

"I'm Suzuki Kimi. Pleased to meet you. I like basketball too. But Shohoku does not have a girls' team, does it?"

"I'm afraid not. But you could join us for practices if you want to watch," Akagi invited.

"Really? That's great! When do you practice?"

"Actually we are just going to the gymnasium now. Want to come along?" Kogure asked.

"Of course!" she replied.



The boys went into the locker room after showing Kimi into the gym and introducing her to Ayako.

"Kimi-sempai, how long have you been playing basketball?" Ayako asked.

"Not very long. I started three years ago, when I went to Singapore. I'm not very good, though. I'm hoping I can pick up some tips here. By the way, just call me Kimi," she answered.

"Kimi-chan," Ayako paused for a split-second to judge the older girl's reaction to the address.

"It's okay, really," Kimi said, seeing Ayako's hesitation, "I'm actually your age, if I'm not wrong!"

Ayako was surprised, but put it down, correctly, to the fact that Kimi was a transfer student. Well, she had a feeling they would get along just fine.



Practice was as usual. Tough. Brutal. Intense.

Kimi watched from the sidelines, sitting next to Ayako, who kindly gave a running commentary of the players and their strengths and weaknesses.

Kimi's eyes missed nothing. The underlying tensions between the two juniors in the team, Sakuragi and Rukawa. The stress Akagi faced when the squabbles started. The feelings Ryota had for Ayako. The determination that Mitsui possessed. The willingness on the part of the others to work hard. The hopes that Kogure had for the team.

Kogure. He seemed so familiar. Had she met him before? Not that she could recall.