A Wacky Winter By Cheeky

Disclaimer: Slam Dunk character belongs to Takehiko Inoue. Gensomaden Saiyuki belongs to Minekura Kazuya

Note to all: Heh, I know it's been a long while since I posted an update, but I hope you guys still remember this fic. And er, I don't think it's gonna be yaoi, so for all the yaoi fans who are reading, ne, you can still continue reading and reviewing, please? As for the non-yaoi fans, I hope you'd continue giving your comments and criticisms, cause heh, I've never done a non-yaoi fic before. -___-

And just a couple of feedback to:

gjgfg ~ *grin* I like putting noisy people together in the same room. That's why Sakuragi's stuck with Kiyota.

krappkramin ~ *wink* heh, don't tempt me… I might end up having Sendoh jump Rukawa or vice versa…

*          *          *

Chapter Two ~ A Blissful First Day… Not!

"And on your right is the tennis court, ping-pong room and ah, here we are, the basketball court."

With a dramatic wave of his hand, the spotlights suddenly came on, flooding the large room in brightness. At once, gushes of approval and awe burst from Toki's guests and even Anzai Sensei could be seen nodding his approval. The floors were spotless clean, the four basketball hoops could be seen gleaming and even from their distance, the transparent boards looked almost as if they were sparkling. Toki grinned widely in pride; after the car accident six years ago, his doctor had given him the final ultimum: stop playing basketball or risk further damage to his spine. Left with no choice, Toki had opted to return to his father's hotel management but soon found himself regretting the decision. Given the island's remote destination, business was slow and almost at a standstill during winter. And then the young man had a brainwave. The hotel was subsequently converted into a hostel, given a fresh coat of paint and its sporting facilities upgraded. Soon after its reopening, backpackers, surfers and plenty of students came flooding to the place, and Toki's father retired in contentment.

A low grumble sounded from the boy standing next to Toki and the hostel owner glance over in surprise. Jin could only blush as he grinned back sheepishly. Toki chuckled aloud before clapping his hands to gain everyone's attention, "Alright, let's move on. I'll show you the common room and then we can all have dinner. I'm sure everyone's hungry, right?"

Sakuragi answered for all, "Nyahahahahahah… the Tensai is always hungry!"

"Do'aho."

Mitsui rolled his eyes when his two juniors started eyeballing each other, their stance clearly in preparation for a fight and even Maki couldn't suppress a tired sigh. But to everyone's surprise, Hanagata abruptly dragged Rukawa by the collar as he spoke up sternly, "Move."

Sweatdrops flooded the floor. Too stunned to react, Rukawa couldn't even muster a glare as he found his feet unconsciously following after the Shoyo centre. Sendoh gripped Koshino's arm, "Did you see that?!"

The boy nodded soundlessly. Suddenly an evil smirk found its way onto the shorter boy's face as he challenged his teammate, "I'd like to see you do that to Sakuragi, captain."

Sendoh blanched, "You must be out of your mind. I'm very fond of my life, thank you very much."

"Nyahahahahahahah… what a dumb kitsune…. Nyahahahahah… ITAI!!!"

Ayako rained several more whacks before offering the redhead a stern warning, "You better behave yourself too, or else…"

Shohoku's team manageress slapped the paper fan against the open palm of her hand with a meaningful glint in her eye as more sweatdrops flood the already wet floor. A chibi Miyagi with hearts in his eyes gushed, "Aya-chan!!"

Kogure sighed before shaking his head as he muttered under his breath, "And to think he's going to be the next captain…"

Mitsui slung his arm over the bespectacled boy's shoulder before grinning mischievously, "Heh, don't lose hope just yet. If all goes well, I'm going to be assistant coach next year."

A fine eyebrow was raised, "You have a death wish or something?"

The scar-faced boy put on a wounded look, "Aww, come on Kogure, you of all people should have more faith in my abilities…"

Kogure merely shrugged nonchalant as they finally reached the common room. Over their shoulders, Maki muttered his appreciation, "Cosy."

The two Shohoku players nodded in agreement when Hikoichi suddenly appeared, notebook in hand, "One, one billiard table. Two, two chest sets. Three, three bookshelves. Four, four tables…"

The boys hurried away before they fainted from dehydration. Fujima grinned wryly in Sendoh's direction, "Let me guess, they teach you maths using Sesame StreetTM videos, huh?"

The Ryonan Ace blinked back in confusion, "Huh?"

Koshino snorted, "He talking about The Count, you baka."

Again that blank look but this time Koshino didn't bother explaining. As they entered the dining room, he caught the slight whiff of something delicious and his jaw dropped at the array of dishes laid out at the buffet table.

A voice sounding suspiciously like Sakuragi's travelled over to the entrance, "Itadakimasu!!!"

And so dinner ensured.

~ * ~

The next morning, fifteen young men and women gathered at the basketball court as Toki proceeded with the introduction, "Guys, and gal, meet your basketball instructors for the next twelve days, Cho Hakkai and Sha Gojyo."

The first man stepped forward with a grin as he offered the youths a slight bow, his laughing green eyes twinkling at the youths who were gaping openly at him and his partner. Gojyo on the other hand held up his fingers in a victory sign as he chuckled a greeting, "Ohayo minna-san!"

Sakuragi spluttered in disbelief, "Aren't you both a bit young to be instructors?"

For the first time the redhead's bluntness didn't earn him a gori punch or a paper fan whack as fifteen heads nodded simultaneously in agreement. Hakkai laughed a little sheepishly, "Hai. Uhm… actually, we're only representatives of the All Japan Basketball Team…"

Toki interrupted as he spoke up in their defence, "Just wait until you see them play, I guarantee you'll be amazed by their skills. They're not your average basketball players, you know."

The boys could only shrugged wordlessly as they were subsequently divided into two groups: Fujima, Hanagata, Maki, Rukawa, Mitsui and Kogure would train under Gojyo with Hikoichi as their manager, while Akagi, Uozumi, Jin, Miyagi, Sendoh, Koshino, Kiyota and Sakuragi would be under the guidance of Hakkai with Ayako as his assistant. From the side of the court, Anzai Sensei sat sipping tea as he chuckled his trademark 'ho, ho, ho', his eyes clearly reflecting his amusement over the whole scenario.

~ * ~

"Hoi Rukawa, you pass the ball. It's really not that difficult to let the ball go. Just release your fingers gently. Go on, try it," encouraged Gojyo as he shouted from the side.

Momentarily distracted with the advice shouted in his direction, the ball was suddenly knocked from Rukawa's hands. A rude expletive escaped the boy's lips as his blue eyes narrowed in annoyance. A loud screech of rubber and he was after Maki, a slight smirk on the latter's face as he dribbled the ball towards the end of the court. But as the former Kainan Captain was about to shoot, Mitsui intercepted with a clean steal. And without hesitation, the ball quickly passed out of his hands, falling neatly Fujima's. A successful three pointer ensured and the score was now evenly tied.

Jogging alongside Rukawa, Mitsui snorted aloud, "Hey, just play your game and don't pay any attention to the baka instructor, okay?"

And suddenly the 'baka instructor' was standing next to them, his eyes slightly narrowed as he chided, "You're supposed to encourage your teammates, Mitsui."

The scar-faced boy stared back innocently, "I am. Rukawa's a loner, that's his style."

Gojyo crossed his arms as he shook his head in his disagreement, "Well, that's about to change. If you want to win, you need teamwork. You can't just let any baka nozaru take all the credit, now can you?"

Across the room, two uhm… monkeys sneezed. Somewhere faraway in Tougenkyou, another monkey sneezed. ^^;;;

Mitsui sniggered, "He's not a monkey, Gojyo-san, he's a fox…"

"A'ho, who asked you?"

Kogure quickly intercepted as he placed himself before the fuming third year. Maki on the other hand had a firm grip on Rukawa as he warned, "That's enough. And Gojyo-san does have a point, you're not going to get anywhere if you continue playing a lone hand."

"Ch."

A hard tug to remove the hand and the pale young man started walking away as Fujima gave a slight shake of his head, "Boy, do we have a long way to go…"

~ * ~

Several feet away, Hakkai's group were also pitting their skills against each other. It was an extremely close and intense match as the two first years were one in their effort to beat the gori and the boss monkey. With their well-coordinated moves and the superb skills of both Sendoh and Koshino, they were successful in scoring points after points.

Not that the other team was any worse off. Thanks to Jin and Miyagi's deft movements, Akagi and Uozumi were able to maintain the score to an unwavering tie. As the game unfolded before his very eyes, the smile on Hakkai's widened. Giving Sendoh a slight nudge, Koshino muttered darkly, "Hmph, and I thought you were the only baka smiley around."

Jin panted as he took up position to guard Koshino, "He's got a quick eye though. It's like he can read our every move…"

Sakuragi shouted, "Slam dunk!"

Shohoku and Ryonan's former captains jumped in unison and Hakkai had to look away as the three collided before landing in a heap. For a minute there, it almost felt as if the ground was shaking. Sighing a little, the group's instructor then jogged over with a worried frown on his face, "Daijoubu desu ka?"

Miyagi grinned, "No worries man, we get this all the time."

Green eyes stared back in confusion while the three boys on the floor slowly got to their feet. Giving his instructor a closer look, Miyagi suddenly added with a grin, "Hey cool earrings man."

Hakkai smiled back weakly, "Uh, thanks." Then turning back to the fallen boys, Hakkai repeated his earlier concern.

Akagi straightened before answering solemnly, "We're okay."

"Great, then let's continue the game!" grinned Sendoh as he twirled the orange rubber with one hand. Hakkai nodded in agreement as the two teams once more took up position.

~ * ~

"I'm beat! Even Taoka Sensei's practise isn't as gruelling…"

"Ch, what would you know, you're always absent for the first half-hour when we run thirty laps around the gym."

"And you wonder why I'm late, come on Koshino, surely you're brighter than you look…"

"SENDOH!"

"Itai!! Koshino, that hurts!"

The shorter boy merely snorted unconcern before taking several large gulps from his water bottle. Rubbing his bruised nape where Koshino had whacked with his open palm, Sendoh spoke up curiously, "Hey, what gives with Rukawa? He looks…"

"Angry?"

Sendoh's eyes widened, "What do you mean Fujima?"

Falling in step with the other two boys, the Shoyo captain started explaining, "Mitsui claims it's because our instructor wouldn't stop harping on Rukawa's selfish play, but I think…"

Koshino prompted with the Shoyo player paused, "You think…"

Fujima smiled knowingly before adding, "I think his pride's stuffed. Imagine being told off in front of all your seniors, and realising that you are in fact, at fault."

Sendoh suddenly snapped his fingers, "Hey, now that you've mentioned it, everyone in your group is in third year."

Koshino started scratching his head, "It's just a coincidence, right?"

Fujima shrugged, "Who knows? Maybe Anzai Sensei has something up his sleeve that we're not aware off."

Sendoh muttered softly under his breath, "I wonder now…"

~ * ~

"I can't believe we lost, argh, it's all your fault you baka nozaru!!"

"Who you calling a monkey? You monkey!"

"Hey, can it!"

Sakuragi and Kiyota gaped open-mouth at the towering Shoyo player who by the looks of it, was on the verge of snapping. Passing his eyes around the common room, a slow smirk started forming on the older man's face as he then spoke his thoughts aloud, "Here's a suggestion, let's play cards."

The two first years blinked. Hanagata then added suggestively, "Unless, of course, you're afraid to lose…"

Sakuragi snorted, "Hmph, the Tensai doesn't lose to nobody over no cheesy card games."

Kiyota started nodding vehemently as he crossed his arms in a decided manner, "Same here. I am Kanagawa's number one new boy. No way will I lose to the likes of you."

Hanagata merely shrugged unconcerned before picking up a deck of cards. After the two younger boys had seated themselves opposite him, the Shoyo player then started dealing.

~ * ~

Mitsui sniggered as he looked over Hanagata's shoulder, "Well, well, what have we here? Blackjack? Hmm… my kind of game. So, any room for another player?"

Without turning in his seat, Hanagata smirked aloud, "Pull up a chair and make yourself right at home."

Taking Hanagata's advice, Mitsui sat down before asking with a wide smirk, "So how much have you cheated from those two bakas?"

Hanagata started counting the wade of notes and loose change before looking up with an innocent grin on his face, "Eight thousand and forty two yen."

Mitsui whistled before turning to the two wailing first years, "Heh, who would have thought they had that much money on them…"

Sakuragi suddenly paused in his bawls to stare at Mitsui, "Cheated?"

The Kainan player echoed as he focused his attention on Hanagata, "Cheated?"

Hanagata could only stare forlornly at the scar-faced boy before sighing in mock despair, "Ah… how could you bear to say such a thing, Mitsui? Think of my reputation, if word gets out…"

Cinnamon eyes blazed as its owner came near to a shout, "You cheated??!!"

Hanagata pulled the boy's head down as he hushed the redhead. Giving Mitsui a quick wink, Hanagata then whispered, "If you promise to keep it down, I just might be willing to teach you both a thing or two."

Kiyota and Sakuragi gaped in unison, "What the??!!"

Mitsui laughed, "Hey, don't forget about me, Hanagata-san."

The Shoyo centre merely smirked his reply, "I wouldn't dream on it…"

~ * ~

"How does he do it?"

Maki captured another pawn before answering his opponent, "Do what?"

"And Maki takes another pawn. Oh no! What's Koshino senpai going to do now?"

Maki sweatdropped upon seeing the veins forming on the Ryonan player's forehead. A low growl formed at the base of the latter's throat as Koshino glared menacingly at his junior, "Do? Do? I'm going to wring your neck if you don't shut up!"

Hikoichi paled before settling back in his chair. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Koshino then turned his attention back to the chest board as he repeated his earlier question, "Hanagata. How does he manage to shut the first years up? First Rukawa, and now Sakuragi and Kiyota. Can you believe that those two bakas actually argue in their sleep?"

Maki laughed, "I hear Hanagata helps out at his mother's kindergarten, but I could be wrong…"

Hikoichi suddenly screamed, "Ah, wrong move! Wrong move!"

Koshino blinked as Maki deftly moved his knight before muttering smugly, "Check-mate."

And the Ryonan point guard turned to strangle his junior.

~ * ~

"Woo hoo, and Japan's number one point guard sinks another shot!"

Ayako rolled her eyes as Miyagi danced around the billiard table in glee. Jin chuckled as he patted Fujima's back, "Heh, looks like you two will just have to do better in the next game."

The Shoyo captain merely grinned good-naturally as he turned to his partner, "Come on Ayako, we can't let them beat us two games in a row."

The young girl smiled back ruefully, "I'll do my very best, Fujima-san."

"Kenji ne, Kenji," winked Fujima suggestively.

"You… you…" stammered a teary-eyed chibi Miyagi as he pointed a finger at Fujima. But before a blushing Ayako could reply, the door suddenly burst opened with a bang, followed by a screaming Sendoh.

"Help! Save me, save me!!"

The occupants' jaws dropped as a screaming Sendoh leaped over the sofa Kogure was reading on, before hiding himself behind a wide-eyed Koshino. Seconds later, a fuming Rukawa stalked in with a murderous glare on his face.

Maki sighed as he glanced over at the spiky head, "What did you do now, Sendoh?"

Kogure who was closest to the door suddenly exclaimed aloud in surprise, "Rukawa, you're wet!"

Sendoh started howling, "I didn't mean it, Rukawa, I swear. Please don't kill me!!"

Shohoku's vice-captain took another step closer before adding almost in disbelief, "Is this… snow?"

Rukawa nodded stiffly as his eyes never left the Ryonan Ace. Maki arched his eyebrows in Sendoh's direction, "How about telling us the whole story, eh Sendoh?"

Still standing behind Koshino, the spiky head swallowed painfully before explaining, "Well, uh… you see, I saw Rukawa slip out after dinner so I followed him…"

"That a'ho splattered me with snowballs."

Sendoh whined dramatically, "I was hoping it'd cool you off…"

"Nyahahahaha… as if the kitsune isn't cold enough…"

*twack* *twack*

"ITAI!!"

When Rukawa continued shooting daggers in Sendoh's direction, Fujima approached the Shohoku player before giving him a slight tug on his sleeve, "Come on, you better get changed out of these wet clothes before you catch a cold."

Rather unwillingly, Rukawa followed after Fujima. After the two boys had exited the room, Sendoh slumped pitifully next to Hikoichi before sighing aloud. Koshino echoed Sendoh's sigh before muttering in despair, "You really are a baka…"

Maki on the other hand spoke up in Sendoh's defence, "Actually, as dumb as Sendoh's plan may be, you have to admire his guts. Besides, Rukawa does need to let off some steam from this morning. Gosh, I've never seen anyone sulk for so long."

Just then Akagi and Jun entered with two large trays of funny looking desserts but both boys stopped short upon sensing the forlorn mood. Kogure gestured for them to sit as he smiled tiredly, "It's a long story…"

Biting rather cautiously into something that looked like a cross between a muffin and a strawberry cheese tart, Kogure then repeated the earlier incident as the rest of the other boys gathered around the coffee table to sample the sweets. After Kogure had ended his tale, Mitsui's eyes glinted devilish as he spoke up, "What we need guys, is a plan."

Maki raised an eyebrow, "A plan? A plan for what?"

But it was Miyagi who supplied the answer as a smirk started forming on his face, "A plan to get Rukawa to loosen up."

"Nyahahahahah… in that case you're gonna need the Tensai's help."

Kogure stare suspiciously at the horns that suddenly appeared on his teammate's head, "Why do I have the feeling that I'm not going to like this plan of yours, Mitsui?"

The scar-faced boy snorted, "Well, do you want to help out or not?"

When the boy finally nodded reluctantly, Mitsui glanced around the room as he added, "Who else is in?"

Twelve hands shot up in a flash and Mitsui's grin widened, "Alright, then listen up…"

t.b.c. ^o^