Thank You

Author's rantings and ravings: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH

Thanks:

Swimmingchinchillas: heyo!! You FINALLY came. Haha...you read slow! Jus kiddin'. Review!!! GOOOOO!!!....

Tensaispira: geezus you review so fast one would think you have no exams..........haha..RUKAWA BRIGADE SUCKS!!!!!! GO TO HELL!!!!!!!hahahahaha.......we wish.....





Part 13: Rukawa!! Fujima!!!

Maki guarded Sendoh, and Kiyota guarded Aya. Dribbling the ball, she could see Sendoh's movements were closely matched by Maki.

Sendoh could see that she wanted to pass to him, but was hesitant about it. He wanted to tell her to go for it, but didn't want Maki and Kiyota to know. So he kept quiet, willing Aya to know his intentions, somehow.

Her expression changed. He could tell, though her face remained impassive. She nodded, and suddenly broke through Kiyota's defense.

"Nani?!" Kiyota stood there, dumbfounded, until Maki shouted at him to follow her. Aya smiled a small smile.





**

"That will be fifty-six dollars and thirty cents, sir."

He took out his wallet and paid the amount.

"Hey, isn't that..."

Surprised, he glanced at his wallet.

"Yes?" He said politely.

The cashier pointed at a picture in it. "It's Adelaide Iyashite, isn't it? The youngest MVFP of Los Angeles! She's cool! How did you get this picture? She's really pretty in this photo."

He looked at it. The girl in it was laughing, her cheeks red, bangs covering her eyes. He felt sad looking at it.

"She's...an old friend. Hey, don't tell anyone I'm here, kay?"

The cashier grinned. "Sure."



**

She threw it to Sendoh, who did an alley-oop. By now the score was twelve to six, in their favour. Just then, she felt another presence in the court. Still holding the ball, Aya turned to the entrance.

Another guy was there, leaning on the gate. He had hazel brown hair too, but hers was lighter. He was smiling, watching them play.

"What's wrong?" Sendoh rested a hand on her shoulder, then noticed the person.

"Hey Fujima! What a small place Japan is, seeing you here." Maki called.

"Are you gonna play?" Kiyota panted. He was tired from guarding Aya.

"Ohayo, Fujima!" Sendoh said cheerfully.

"Hello all. Interesting game, this is. You and the girl Ayra are beating up Maki and Kiyota bad." Fujima smiled.

"She's good," Kiyota protested.

"Really? I want to try," Fujima walked over. "Nice show miss. May I play against you?" He asked her.

She shrugged. "Whatever." And signaled Sendoh to pass the ball.





Rukawa walked past the playground. A few more meters and he would be at the court.

No matter what mood he was in, he still had to practice.

In order to achieve his dream; to be the best in Japan.

Taking out his earphones, he placed them back into his bag and took out his basketball.

Five meters...

Four...he could hear people playing already.

Damn.

It wouldn't hurt to see who, would it?

Two meters and a couple of centimeters...

"Aya! Pass!"

Aya?

"Idiot! You're not free!"

"...don't play solo, kid..."

"Don't call me kid! Stupidhead."

Yup. Definitely her.

He looked through the fence and saw Maki, Kiyota, Fujima, Sendoh and Aya playing. He felt a rush of blood in his head. Aya, playing in jeans. Again. Aya, playing two against three and obviously thrashing their asses anyway.

She suddenly moved. Fujima, guarding her, was caught unawares. Like lightning, she did a lay-up and got another two points.

Sendoh turned to high-five Aya and saw him. He grinned and waved.

"Hey! Join us!"

The rest, hearing him, turned towards Rukawa. He saw Aya, in the process of wiping her sweat off, stopped and wave at him too, a smile on her face.

"Hey Rukawa!" She greeted. "Come on! Kiyota," she pointed at him, "has nothing to do."

Kiyota started yelling how much stress he was in right now just even guarding Sendoh. Rukawa didn't even need to think. He put down his bag.

Aya passed the ball to Rukawa, and allowed Fujima to block her fiercely. Maki guarded Rukawa, while Kiyota continued to guard Sendoh. Rukawa dribbled, his mind taking over. Never mind the basketball block. It disappeared as soon as Aya asked him to join her.







13.......my fav number.......hhmmm.....might have to change rating........