DISCLAIMER: Slamdunk ain't mine.

Thank you for all those who reviewed…

Kka: Eheh, not really. I promised myself I'm only gonna kill one more. Yes, actually, it's based in America where the slave trade was rampant. I don't know where exactly… eeekkk *quickly takes a history book bigger than her from her pocket and flips through the pages*

Teh tarik: I'm glad you think my story's interesting *smiles happily*. You may notice the way I write. I don't really explain everything in the first chapters but I explain them along the way all throughout the story… like whodunnit suspense novels… nyaha… makes you think… ^_^

Krappkarmin: Eheheh… Don't worry, somebody's resurrecting from the dead… *smiles mysteriously* I was picturing Sendoh with a gun, big black motorcycle, and leather jacket… Looks good… *drool*

Sereneione: Aha!! You're getting suspicious… *laughs maniacally* You're on the right track… ^_^

Chris: Eheh… That scene just flowed out of my typing fingers… ^_^

ImmOrTaL-sOu: Eheh… Yes, I killed another monkey… ^_^

Chapter Seven: Doubts

Sendoh was sitting tiredly on the floor. Beside him was Sakuragi who had his face hidden between his knees, eyes closed. Maki was eyeing the door that Chris closed… the door that they came from. Uozumi stood helplessly at the center of the room, a resigned look on his face. Jo was inspecting the contents of her backpack. Maya stood silently at one corner.

Everybody was silent.

Sendoh eyed the room interestedly. Apparently, they were in the armory room of the lab. Guns in different kinds and sizes lined the walls behind the glass. Ammunition were in the drawers.

After a moment, Chris gestured towards the guns. "Take your pick."

Uozumi looked at her doubtfully. "You want us to shoot those creatures?"

She nodded her assent and headed towards the ammunition drawers, looking for the right kind for her gun.

"You don't understand." He began. "I've never shot anyone in my life, and I certainly never killed anyone."

"Listen." She explained patiently. "When you pull the trigger, you ain't killing them because they're already dead. And if you don't get them first, they're gonna get you. It would be a pity if you're gonna be reduced to those sadistic creatures."

Uozumi nodded understandingly after a while, then headed towards the guns. Maki followed suit.

Suddenly, Sakuragi spoke up quietly. "I don't believe this. We just lost two of our companions and you talk as if nothing happened." He raised his head, eyes flashing fire. "Have you all gone insensitive?"

"You'd rather we get down on our knees and pray for their souls while the dead are right behind that door?" Chris answered expressionlessly while changing her ammo. Maya was already loading her gun and pocketing spare ammo.

In a flash, Sakuragi was already standing, hands clenching and unclenching on his sides. "Bitch." He hissed savagely.

Anger instantly flared in her eyes, but was quickly controlled. She shot back coldly. "Stupid bastard. At least I'm a bitch who uses her head."

Sakuragi looked as if he was going to strangle her right then and there. If looks could kill, Chris would already be lying dead on the floor by now. However, Chris matched his stare. His eyes flashed fire while hers were freezing cold. Sendoh carefully stood up while Uozumi and Maki tensed.

Unexpectedly, Sakuragi smiled. Only, his smile was hostile. "I suppose you're right. I should have expected that from an unfeeling, cold-hearted bitch like you."

Maki gasped in shock. "Sakuragi…" He warned.

"That's not the right way to talk to a girl." Uozumi reprimanded quietly.

Chris looked at him unfeelingly, unaffected by the insult. "I'll take that as a compliment." She turned her back on them, effectively ending the argument. Sakuragi was still staring at her, surprised and angry, while the others sighed in relief.

He opened his mouth and was about to say something when Sendoh suddenly nudged his shoulder.

"Quit it." Sendoh whispered warningly.

He was about to protest when the look on Sendoh's eyes stopped him. He sat on the floor resignedly and covered his face with his hands.

"I can't believe these things are happening to us." He murmured brokenly.

Sendoh sat beside him and stared unseeingly at the floor. He wholeheartedly agreed with Sakuragi but chose not to say anything.

I can't believe these things are happening to us…

Sendoh tried to recall the events that happened before they went to this isolated town. He closed his eyes and pictured Uozumi standing infront of the Ryonan basketball team and announcing that they would all be going on vacation, courtesy of Coach Taoka.

Coach Taoka…

Coach…

Coach…

Coach?

His eyes flew open in shock.

Wait a minute…

A loud banging was heard from outside the door. Everybody jumped in surprise and quickly glanced at the door warily. Sendoh and Sakuragi abruptly stood up and took guns from the wall. They trained their guns towards the source of the sound as Maya and Chris briskly leaned on either side of the door. Maya cautiously pressed the code and the doors automatically opened.

A figure stumbled inside.

"Don't shoot!" The figure yelled frantically. Behind him were the dead. Maya instantly closed the doors and locked it. Seven guns were aimed at the figure. "Don't shoot." The figure repeated, turning his face towards them.

All immediately recognized him. They lowered their guns.

"Fujima?"

"Fujima!" Sakuragi cried happily, advancing towards him. Maki and Uozumi were already helping him get to his feet.

"You're alive." Stated Maki, smiling at him with a mixture of amazement and relief.

Fujima smiled back at them. "I got lucky. I was able to…" his voice faltered when he saw a gun still pointing at him. It was Sendoh's.

"What are you doing?" Sakuragi exploded angrily.

"Sendoh, put that gun down." Uozumi said, turning to him.

Sendoh was stubbornly pointing the gun at Fujima. "Who sent you here?" He asked, his voice deadly quiet.

Fujima's eyes widened. Angrily, Sakuragi stepped infront of Sendoh. "What are you talking about?" Sakuragi demanded.

"WHO?!" Sendoh's voice raised as he asked the question to Fujima, pushing Sakuragi out of the way.

"Have you gone mad?" Maki asked sternly. "Of course he was sent by their coach…" His explanation trailed off as he finally caught what Sendoh was saying. He looked at Fujima and slowly backed away. The three girls had no idea of what was happening but were standing rigidly, watching the whole scene with their hands clutching preparedly at their guns.

"What?!" Sakuragi asked exasperatedly as he noticed Maki backing away and Uozumi suddenly paled, realizing Sendoh's point.

Sendoh answered his question with deadly calm. "Shoyo's coach and captain are one and the same."

Everybody was now looking at Fujima, Sakuragi with a confused look on his face and the rest were looking at him suspiciously. They were surprised when Fujima suddenly laughed aloud, making all of them jump.

"I was beginning to wonder when one of you would find out." He smiled evilly, eyeing all of them mockingly.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Nyaha… and the plot thickens… ^_^