Ah, I'm back for another chapter. I'm in such a wonderful mood it's not
fair to the rest of you. I just got back from seeing the Goo Goo Dolls in
concert and they were so very awesome. I've seen a ton of bands live and
the show tonight is in the top five easily, right there with Hootie,
Korn/Rob Zombie, Jo Dee Messina, and Lifehouse/Everclear. (rather eclectic,
huh?) if you get a chance to see them, jump on it. I got goosebumps when
I heard the first notes of Black Balloon (which I've got on repeat right
now) and you know when you really get into a song, like it is a part of
you? Well, that's how it was. Incredible.
Okay, next topic. queenrandom, I'm only partially insane, so don't worry. I do love reading your reviews because they make me smile and sometimes nearly fall out of my chair laughing. Just one thing. Quit digging around in my mind. Don't make me get a stick… You're off on the TK/Cody thing, but the other was just too weird. I think you'll enjoy this though, the way I see it in my mind makes me want to lose a tear or two (I'm such a big wuss) I might use the camping trip later on though, I do like that little scenario. And what do you mean if I went to your school…? I guess I missed something there. Anyway, write whatever type of reviews you like, I love reading all of them!!
Okay, topic three, sort of a mini rant. Why the hell can Jeri be a tamer and I can't? I don't want to hear, 'well energy, she is a cartoon character and you're not' because that is not acceptable. Even Susie is better than her. Hell, even Mako (?) and what ever his sister's name is are better. And if she got Beelzemon erased, she'd do best to stay in the D-reaper. (I think I've already said that before)
Now, onto chapter nine. Enjoy, kiddos.
TK awoke the next morning to the sound of snoring. He rubbed the eye buggers away and looked at the source of the sound. Tai. Like that was a surprise. The digi-destined never needed an alarm clock with him around. TK looked at the two of them on the couch, in absolute peace. Koushirou was laying against the corner of the couch with Tai resting his head on his chest. One of Koushirou's arms was draped around Tai in a very cute protective way.
TK grinned and thought to himself that getting the two of them together for the smiles on their faces right now would get him a little bit of good karma. Looking at the clock he saw that it was after ten and he was starving. Time to make breakfast and start getting ready for his game this afternoon. He stretched out one final time and jumped to his feet.
TK had been frying bacon and was bent over getting a pan out of the lower cabinet to cook eggs in when he was surprised by a voice from behind him.
"TK, I can't thank you enough for what you did yesterday." It was Tai. After TK got control of himself again and checked to see if he wet himself, he answered Tai.
"Tai, if you ever do that again, I will do something so horrible that I don't even want to think of it right now. But, you're welcome. It was the least I could do. It worked out even better than I'd hoped for."
"I just want to ask you this one question, alright, TK?"
"Sure Tai, ask away."
"Did you know I was gay before you came up with this plan of yours, or was it an accident?"
"Well, if I said I had absolutely no idea I'd be lying to you. Like I told Koushirou awhile ago, I'm a lot more perceptive than most people would ever imagine. I had an idea or two." Tai looked a bit unsettled at the answer, so TK continued. "Don't go and check above your head for a floating rainbow or anything because it isn't obvious."
"How then?"
"Body language, expressions, language, unconscious clues. Things like that. A trained eye knows what to look for." TK started breaking eggs and was humming a little song.
Tai started to ask TK a question, one that seemed important, but his stomach rumbled while the thought was forming and the thought was lost like a life boat in a tsunami.
"I take it you want some bacon and eggs, huh?" TK said, giggling at the tremendous noise.
"Oh yeah. As long as you don't put tofu in it and try to pass it off as real food."
"No way, Tai. This is gourmet here. No tofu. Would you like some potato juice with your eggs?" TK was laughing now, the escapade with the various juices at Tai's house was well known amongst the digi-destined. (I watched that part again today for inspiration, FYI)
"Have any beef jerky juice instead TK?" [[[A/N: GROSS]]]
"Yeah, in the fridge right next to the glass of bird vomit." The two of them passed the remaining few minutes until breakfast was ready with TK humming and Tai attempting to sing the words to 'Slide' and doing a horrible job.
"Okay, Menudo, go wake up sleeping beauty and let's eat." Tai looked all too happy to oblige. "And don't take too long."
The two came into the little dining area as TK was muttering something about a firehose. The food was passed out and TK and Koushirou ate conservatively while Tai went for the dump truck approach.
"So guys, what are the plans for today?" TK asked the two boys midway through the meal.
"Honestly, I have no idea as of right now," Koushirou proclaimed. Tai only shrugged as he devoured another piece of pig. "What about you, TK?"
"I have a basketball game today at one and that is all that is on my agenda," TK told them.
"Hey Tai, want to go to TK's game?" Koushirou asked Tai. Once again Tai didn't answer but nodded affirmatively. "You wouldn't mind would you?" he asked TK.
"Not at all. This is a very important game, it will help determine the seeding in the upcoming tournament, so we need all the support we can get."
"You guys will win right?" Tai asked, finally taking a moment to breathe and be part of the conversation.
"Hopefully. The winner today will be seeded either second or third, and I'd definitely rather be second than third."
"How much of a difference is it, TK?" Koushirou asked, not really knowing a whole lot about sports in general.
"Well, let me put it this way. If we win today, we won't face the best team until the final game, the championship. But if we lose, we'll see them before that, and likely won't make it to the finals."
"Are they that much better than you guys, TK?" Koushirou asked, quite concerned for his friend.
"Sort of. We never play well against them. In the four games we played versus them, we were blown out twice, lost bad once, and stole a victory the last time."
"How bad?" Tai asked. [[[only Tai would ask that, right?]]]
"We lost the three games by a combined 81 points. We won by two in our victory. It was a last second three that somehow found the bottom of the net." TK looked dreamily as he was obviously remembering the victory.
"Did you hit the shot, TK?" Koushirou wondered.
"I wish, Kou. I had a whopping six points in the game. I rode the bench with foul trouble for most of the second half after shooting like a blind donkey in the first half."
Tai started to make some lame joke about donkeys but was silenced by a soft kick from Koushirou. "Thank you Koushirou, I appreciate that," TK told him. Koushirou smiled. Tai half smirked.
The boys finished up and they all pitched in to help with the pans and plates from breakfast. Once the dishes were completed the boys sat around for a little while and then TK announced that he was going to grab a shower and change.
"Now don't do anything too raunchy on the couch, it's still new," he laughed as he made his way to the bathroom. Both Tai and Koushirou blushed fourteen shades of crimson at that comment. They looked at each other and laughed as well.
TK returned a short while later and examined the furniture in the room closely. "Well I guess you two were at least moderately behaved while I was away," he said. "Everything seems to be in one piece."
"We just sat here and talked and watched tv, TK, that's it," Koushirou said, turning red again in embarrassment.
"Alright. I believe you, I believe you. Now, if you want, the shower is yours. I'd suggest one to you especially, Tai." TK said as he sat down.
"Fine. Since TK thinks you stink, you go first Tai," Koushirou said and then glanced at the clock. "You'd better hurry too, we don't have all day."
"I'm going, I'm going." Tai grumbled off to the bathroom. He returned and then Koushirou made his trip. Once the three digi-destined were cleaned, preened, and ready to go, TK grabbed his gym bag and they made their way out.
It was too cold now to walk all the way there so they took the bus instead. After a ride with some of the oddest people in the real world, they got off the bus and walked the two blocks to the gym. The air smelled like snow, and by the time the three of them made it to the doors there were a few stray snowflakes falling.
The gym was still mostly empty since it was still almost an hour till the game started. It seemed that so far most of the people here were the players and the coaches.
"I'm sorry to have gotten you two down here so early, but I didn't even think about it."
"That's okay, TK, at least we can get good seats to watch you guys win," Koushirou said.
"I hope you're right, get good seats, that is. Of course we'll win. That's not even an issue."
"How good is this team you'll be playing, TK?"
"They're not too bad, but we've had their number this year. We've beat them each time, but the last game was real close. We went ice cold and nearly lost it at the end. Don't expect that today, though. I'll see you guys a little later." TK was looking energized.
"Good luck, TK," Tai told him as TK was walking over to where his other teammates were. TK gave him the thumbs up sign. Tai and Koushirou went over to the stands and settled in in the first row, right at the mid- court line.
They got comfortable and started people watching, commenting on some of the parents and other spectators. The other team was then the topic of conversation, then back to TK's team. When they looked back over, they noticed that TK had gotten a Discman out of his bag and was listening to music of some sort, likely in an attempt to get himself even more hyped up than he already was. The rest of the team was joking around and beginning to do a few stretches, but mostly joking around.
"What do you suppose he's listening to, Tai?" Koushirou asked him.
"Honestly, I have no idea. Barney?"
"I seriously doubt that. I'd say something kind of peppy. Backstreet Boys?"
"Barney is way more serious an answer than Backstreet Boys, Koushirou."
"I guess we'll just have to find out later on," Koushirou stated the obvious nicely.
[[[just for the record, TK was listening to Nine Inch Nails' album 'Broken'. Why you ask? Well, silly, because that is what I listen to before every game, especially 'Wish' and
'Happiness in Slavery'. Wanna get hyped up? That's the way to go. anyway]]]
The stands were starting to fill up now. Tip-off was only about fifteen minutes away. TK had shed the headphones and was now tying his shoes up, obviously bouncing in his chair. The team took the floor and started the shoot-around.
"Hello Koushirou, Taichi," a small voice said, startling the two boys. They turned to the right and saw Cody standing before them, wrapped in a parka.
"Well hello, Cody. What are you doing here?"
"I came to watch TK's game. Would it be alright if I sat with you two?"
"Not at all, Cody." Koushirou patted an empty spot next to him and motioned for Cody to sit down.
"This is going to be an exciting game. They almost lost the last time they played this team," Cody told them.
"You've come to some of TK's other games, I take it?" Koushirou asked him.
"I've been to nearly all of them. I like to watch him play; he makes it look so easy."
"From what I've heard from his brother, he is rather good," Tai said.
"Oh, he is. Just watch, Taichi." Cody said. All three boys turned their attention to the floor. TK shot from the free throw line and it was a complete brick. Cody grinned. "That was just practice." TK got the ball again and shot a picture perfect straight-away three. Cody looked at Tai. "See?"
"This should be good, Cody." Koushirou said. The timer slowly made its way to zero and it was time for the tip. As they all lined up, TK glanced their way and waved at the three of them and they returned his wave with their own. The game started with TK's team, the Pistons, having the ball. The first quarter went by quickly, as did TK's team's points. After one quarter, the Pistons were up 34-28.
The second quarter started off opposite the first, with TK playing like a blind donkey again, apparently with oven mitts on this time. The only 'bright' spot was Cody's exclamation after TK was obviously fouled but no call was made. Energy that they'd never before seen flowed from Cody like a burst dam.
"How was that not a foul?" he screamed. "Hey ref, put your glasses back on!" those and a dozen other things flew from his mouth so quickly that it made Koushirou and Tai blush and grin.
"I take it Cody likes basketball, Tai," Koushirou whispered.
"Obviously."
The second quarter ended with TK's team down by 19, 59-40. During the break, the coach was ranting and raving, hemming and hawing, stomping up and down the sideline, asking his players were their heads were.
"Six points!!" He yelled. "We scored six points in twelve minutes. I hope you can do better than that in the next half, or else we lose and don't get the number two seed." The coach stormed over to his clipboard, trying to figure something out.
"Things aren't going very well, are they, Cody?" Koushirou asked the boy, who now seemed shell-shocked.
"No, definitely not. He's not played this bad in a long time."
"And from what his brother told me, the Pistons go the way TK goes; if he plays good they win, and if not, they lose," Tai said.
"That sums it nicely, Taichi," Cody told him, still sad about the first half.
TK was sitting on the bench trying to figure out what went wrong out there. After that horrible no-call, his game disappeared. He'd not scored since the beginning of the second period, six points total. He'd tossed the ball away a half dozen times, all in all played his worst game ever. He glanced over at the stands and saw the faces on his friends. Koushirou and Tai looked surprised and a little shocked, but Cody… Cody looked like someone had crushed his spirits with a ten ton weight.
The look on Cody's face inspired him like nothing else could have, not even a pep-talk from Michael Jordan could have done more. Newly determined to win this game, not only for himself and his team, but for Cody, he stood up and called the team over for a huddle. The words exchanged were drowned out by the buzzing of the clock and the cheering of the opposing fans, but they likely weren't poetry.
Needless to say, the next 24 minutes were some of the best of TK's life. One trip down the court he'd look at Cody and then score for him. On the next trip, he'd throw a no-look pass for an easy score.
"That is the TK that I usually see," Cody told the other two during a timeout.
"Whatever happened at halftime sure changed him," Tai exclaimed. Midway through the fourth quarter the Pistons were only down by 7, having slowly gnawed away at the lead. Cody and the others were standing in the last few minutes, scared to sit or look away, fearing they'd miss something amazing from TK.
Under fifteen seconds to go, Pistons down two. Timeout, Pistons. Play resumes. TK brings the ball across mid-court and looks to pass inside. Inside it goes. Two good looks are blocked and the ball is tipped out front.
TK looks at the stands and in slow motion sees the group's hopes nearly extinguished. TK then glances at the clock and sees there are two seconds left and they're still losing. The ball makes its way to him, still in slow motion. He catches it and takes a quick glance at Cody and launches their final shot. The gym is silent while the ball is in the air. The buzzer goes off and the ball falls into the bottom of the net.
All at once the crowd goes berserk. TK is mobbed by his team and the other digi-destined at half-court, all of them jumping up and down in disbelief. TK picked up the jumping and squealing Cody in one arm and raised the other in celebration. The crowd eventually died down, but it took quite a while.
I hope I didn't bore anyone with the b-ball centered chapter, but it is a part of the story now, but won't be as heavy in future episodes. In case you couldn't tell, this is now a Takody (or a Takori, if I want to do it correctly and avoid the FFN yaoi police) but it won't happen quite that fast. We have to get to that bridge before we blow it up, my friends… oh, and Cody is 12 in this story, so it isn't as creepy as it would normally might be. He's still small though, just a small 12 year old.
Okay, next topic. queenrandom, I'm only partially insane, so don't worry. I do love reading your reviews because they make me smile and sometimes nearly fall out of my chair laughing. Just one thing. Quit digging around in my mind. Don't make me get a stick… You're off on the TK/Cody thing, but the other was just too weird. I think you'll enjoy this though, the way I see it in my mind makes me want to lose a tear or two (I'm such a big wuss) I might use the camping trip later on though, I do like that little scenario. And what do you mean if I went to your school…? I guess I missed something there. Anyway, write whatever type of reviews you like, I love reading all of them!!
Okay, topic three, sort of a mini rant. Why the hell can Jeri be a tamer and I can't? I don't want to hear, 'well energy, she is a cartoon character and you're not' because that is not acceptable. Even Susie is better than her. Hell, even Mako (?) and what ever his sister's name is are better. And if she got Beelzemon erased, she'd do best to stay in the D-reaper. (I think I've already said that before)
Now, onto chapter nine. Enjoy, kiddos.
TK awoke the next morning to the sound of snoring. He rubbed the eye buggers away and looked at the source of the sound. Tai. Like that was a surprise. The digi-destined never needed an alarm clock with him around. TK looked at the two of them on the couch, in absolute peace. Koushirou was laying against the corner of the couch with Tai resting his head on his chest. One of Koushirou's arms was draped around Tai in a very cute protective way.
TK grinned and thought to himself that getting the two of them together for the smiles on their faces right now would get him a little bit of good karma. Looking at the clock he saw that it was after ten and he was starving. Time to make breakfast and start getting ready for his game this afternoon. He stretched out one final time and jumped to his feet.
TK had been frying bacon and was bent over getting a pan out of the lower cabinet to cook eggs in when he was surprised by a voice from behind him.
"TK, I can't thank you enough for what you did yesterday." It was Tai. After TK got control of himself again and checked to see if he wet himself, he answered Tai.
"Tai, if you ever do that again, I will do something so horrible that I don't even want to think of it right now. But, you're welcome. It was the least I could do. It worked out even better than I'd hoped for."
"I just want to ask you this one question, alright, TK?"
"Sure Tai, ask away."
"Did you know I was gay before you came up with this plan of yours, or was it an accident?"
"Well, if I said I had absolutely no idea I'd be lying to you. Like I told Koushirou awhile ago, I'm a lot more perceptive than most people would ever imagine. I had an idea or two." Tai looked a bit unsettled at the answer, so TK continued. "Don't go and check above your head for a floating rainbow or anything because it isn't obvious."
"How then?"
"Body language, expressions, language, unconscious clues. Things like that. A trained eye knows what to look for." TK started breaking eggs and was humming a little song.
Tai started to ask TK a question, one that seemed important, but his stomach rumbled while the thought was forming and the thought was lost like a life boat in a tsunami.
"I take it you want some bacon and eggs, huh?" TK said, giggling at the tremendous noise.
"Oh yeah. As long as you don't put tofu in it and try to pass it off as real food."
"No way, Tai. This is gourmet here. No tofu. Would you like some potato juice with your eggs?" TK was laughing now, the escapade with the various juices at Tai's house was well known amongst the digi-destined. (I watched that part again today for inspiration, FYI)
"Have any beef jerky juice instead TK?" [[[A/N: GROSS]]]
"Yeah, in the fridge right next to the glass of bird vomit." The two of them passed the remaining few minutes until breakfast was ready with TK humming and Tai attempting to sing the words to 'Slide' and doing a horrible job.
"Okay, Menudo, go wake up sleeping beauty and let's eat." Tai looked all too happy to oblige. "And don't take too long."
The two came into the little dining area as TK was muttering something about a firehose. The food was passed out and TK and Koushirou ate conservatively while Tai went for the dump truck approach.
"So guys, what are the plans for today?" TK asked the two boys midway through the meal.
"Honestly, I have no idea as of right now," Koushirou proclaimed. Tai only shrugged as he devoured another piece of pig. "What about you, TK?"
"I have a basketball game today at one and that is all that is on my agenda," TK told them.
"Hey Tai, want to go to TK's game?" Koushirou asked Tai. Once again Tai didn't answer but nodded affirmatively. "You wouldn't mind would you?" he asked TK.
"Not at all. This is a very important game, it will help determine the seeding in the upcoming tournament, so we need all the support we can get."
"You guys will win right?" Tai asked, finally taking a moment to breathe and be part of the conversation.
"Hopefully. The winner today will be seeded either second or third, and I'd definitely rather be second than third."
"How much of a difference is it, TK?" Koushirou asked, not really knowing a whole lot about sports in general.
"Well, let me put it this way. If we win today, we won't face the best team until the final game, the championship. But if we lose, we'll see them before that, and likely won't make it to the finals."
"Are they that much better than you guys, TK?" Koushirou asked, quite concerned for his friend.
"Sort of. We never play well against them. In the four games we played versus them, we were blown out twice, lost bad once, and stole a victory the last time."
"How bad?" Tai asked. [[[only Tai would ask that, right?]]]
"We lost the three games by a combined 81 points. We won by two in our victory. It was a last second three that somehow found the bottom of the net." TK looked dreamily as he was obviously remembering the victory.
"Did you hit the shot, TK?" Koushirou wondered.
"I wish, Kou. I had a whopping six points in the game. I rode the bench with foul trouble for most of the second half after shooting like a blind donkey in the first half."
Tai started to make some lame joke about donkeys but was silenced by a soft kick from Koushirou. "Thank you Koushirou, I appreciate that," TK told him. Koushirou smiled. Tai half smirked.
The boys finished up and they all pitched in to help with the pans and plates from breakfast. Once the dishes were completed the boys sat around for a little while and then TK announced that he was going to grab a shower and change.
"Now don't do anything too raunchy on the couch, it's still new," he laughed as he made his way to the bathroom. Both Tai and Koushirou blushed fourteen shades of crimson at that comment. They looked at each other and laughed as well.
TK returned a short while later and examined the furniture in the room closely. "Well I guess you two were at least moderately behaved while I was away," he said. "Everything seems to be in one piece."
"We just sat here and talked and watched tv, TK, that's it," Koushirou said, turning red again in embarrassment.
"Alright. I believe you, I believe you. Now, if you want, the shower is yours. I'd suggest one to you especially, Tai." TK said as he sat down.
"Fine. Since TK thinks you stink, you go first Tai," Koushirou said and then glanced at the clock. "You'd better hurry too, we don't have all day."
"I'm going, I'm going." Tai grumbled off to the bathroom. He returned and then Koushirou made his trip. Once the three digi-destined were cleaned, preened, and ready to go, TK grabbed his gym bag and they made their way out.
It was too cold now to walk all the way there so they took the bus instead. After a ride with some of the oddest people in the real world, they got off the bus and walked the two blocks to the gym. The air smelled like snow, and by the time the three of them made it to the doors there were a few stray snowflakes falling.
The gym was still mostly empty since it was still almost an hour till the game started. It seemed that so far most of the people here were the players and the coaches.
"I'm sorry to have gotten you two down here so early, but I didn't even think about it."
"That's okay, TK, at least we can get good seats to watch you guys win," Koushirou said.
"I hope you're right, get good seats, that is. Of course we'll win. That's not even an issue."
"How good is this team you'll be playing, TK?"
"They're not too bad, but we've had their number this year. We've beat them each time, but the last game was real close. We went ice cold and nearly lost it at the end. Don't expect that today, though. I'll see you guys a little later." TK was looking energized.
"Good luck, TK," Tai told him as TK was walking over to where his other teammates were. TK gave him the thumbs up sign. Tai and Koushirou went over to the stands and settled in in the first row, right at the mid- court line.
They got comfortable and started people watching, commenting on some of the parents and other spectators. The other team was then the topic of conversation, then back to TK's team. When they looked back over, they noticed that TK had gotten a Discman out of his bag and was listening to music of some sort, likely in an attempt to get himself even more hyped up than he already was. The rest of the team was joking around and beginning to do a few stretches, but mostly joking around.
"What do you suppose he's listening to, Tai?" Koushirou asked him.
"Honestly, I have no idea. Barney?"
"I seriously doubt that. I'd say something kind of peppy. Backstreet Boys?"
"Barney is way more serious an answer than Backstreet Boys, Koushirou."
"I guess we'll just have to find out later on," Koushirou stated the obvious nicely.
[[[just for the record, TK was listening to Nine Inch Nails' album 'Broken'. Why you ask? Well, silly, because that is what I listen to before every game, especially 'Wish' and
'Happiness in Slavery'. Wanna get hyped up? That's the way to go. anyway]]]
The stands were starting to fill up now. Tip-off was only about fifteen minutes away. TK had shed the headphones and was now tying his shoes up, obviously bouncing in his chair. The team took the floor and started the shoot-around.
"Hello Koushirou, Taichi," a small voice said, startling the two boys. They turned to the right and saw Cody standing before them, wrapped in a parka.
"Well hello, Cody. What are you doing here?"
"I came to watch TK's game. Would it be alright if I sat with you two?"
"Not at all, Cody." Koushirou patted an empty spot next to him and motioned for Cody to sit down.
"This is going to be an exciting game. They almost lost the last time they played this team," Cody told them.
"You've come to some of TK's other games, I take it?" Koushirou asked him.
"I've been to nearly all of them. I like to watch him play; he makes it look so easy."
"From what I've heard from his brother, he is rather good," Tai said.
"Oh, he is. Just watch, Taichi." Cody said. All three boys turned their attention to the floor. TK shot from the free throw line and it was a complete brick. Cody grinned. "That was just practice." TK got the ball again and shot a picture perfect straight-away three. Cody looked at Tai. "See?"
"This should be good, Cody." Koushirou said. The timer slowly made its way to zero and it was time for the tip. As they all lined up, TK glanced their way and waved at the three of them and they returned his wave with their own. The game started with TK's team, the Pistons, having the ball. The first quarter went by quickly, as did TK's team's points. After one quarter, the Pistons were up 34-28.
The second quarter started off opposite the first, with TK playing like a blind donkey again, apparently with oven mitts on this time. The only 'bright' spot was Cody's exclamation after TK was obviously fouled but no call was made. Energy that they'd never before seen flowed from Cody like a burst dam.
"How was that not a foul?" he screamed. "Hey ref, put your glasses back on!" those and a dozen other things flew from his mouth so quickly that it made Koushirou and Tai blush and grin.
"I take it Cody likes basketball, Tai," Koushirou whispered.
"Obviously."
The second quarter ended with TK's team down by 19, 59-40. During the break, the coach was ranting and raving, hemming and hawing, stomping up and down the sideline, asking his players were their heads were.
"Six points!!" He yelled. "We scored six points in twelve minutes. I hope you can do better than that in the next half, or else we lose and don't get the number two seed." The coach stormed over to his clipboard, trying to figure something out.
"Things aren't going very well, are they, Cody?" Koushirou asked the boy, who now seemed shell-shocked.
"No, definitely not. He's not played this bad in a long time."
"And from what his brother told me, the Pistons go the way TK goes; if he plays good they win, and if not, they lose," Tai said.
"That sums it nicely, Taichi," Cody told him, still sad about the first half.
TK was sitting on the bench trying to figure out what went wrong out there. After that horrible no-call, his game disappeared. He'd not scored since the beginning of the second period, six points total. He'd tossed the ball away a half dozen times, all in all played his worst game ever. He glanced over at the stands and saw the faces on his friends. Koushirou and Tai looked surprised and a little shocked, but Cody… Cody looked like someone had crushed his spirits with a ten ton weight.
The look on Cody's face inspired him like nothing else could have, not even a pep-talk from Michael Jordan could have done more. Newly determined to win this game, not only for himself and his team, but for Cody, he stood up and called the team over for a huddle. The words exchanged were drowned out by the buzzing of the clock and the cheering of the opposing fans, but they likely weren't poetry.
Needless to say, the next 24 minutes were some of the best of TK's life. One trip down the court he'd look at Cody and then score for him. On the next trip, he'd throw a no-look pass for an easy score.
"That is the TK that I usually see," Cody told the other two during a timeout.
"Whatever happened at halftime sure changed him," Tai exclaimed. Midway through the fourth quarter the Pistons were only down by 7, having slowly gnawed away at the lead. Cody and the others were standing in the last few minutes, scared to sit or look away, fearing they'd miss something amazing from TK.
Under fifteen seconds to go, Pistons down two. Timeout, Pistons. Play resumes. TK brings the ball across mid-court and looks to pass inside. Inside it goes. Two good looks are blocked and the ball is tipped out front.
TK looks at the stands and in slow motion sees the group's hopes nearly extinguished. TK then glances at the clock and sees there are two seconds left and they're still losing. The ball makes its way to him, still in slow motion. He catches it and takes a quick glance at Cody and launches their final shot. The gym is silent while the ball is in the air. The buzzer goes off and the ball falls into the bottom of the net.
All at once the crowd goes berserk. TK is mobbed by his team and the other digi-destined at half-court, all of them jumping up and down in disbelief. TK picked up the jumping and squealing Cody in one arm and raised the other in celebration. The crowd eventually died down, but it took quite a while.
I hope I didn't bore anyone with the b-ball centered chapter, but it is a part of the story now, but won't be as heavy in future episodes. In case you couldn't tell, this is now a Takody (or a Takori, if I want to do it correctly and avoid the FFN yaoi police) but it won't happen quite that fast. We have to get to that bridge before we blow it up, my friends… oh, and Cody is 12 in this story, so it isn't as creepy as it would normally might be. He's still small though, just a small 12 year old.