Disclaimer:
As usual, I don't own any of the slam-dunk characters.
A/N: Konnichiwa minna. Gomennasai. I know I said I'll update this in June but a lot of things have been against me in writing this story. I've actually finished it in June but someone sent me a virus and my whole hard drive is damaged. It took me a while to write this up and I think it won't be as good as it should be. Once I get back in the groove (so to speak), I'll be able to write the rest out smoothly. In the mean time, thank you so much to all those great reviewers. I'm really grateful for all the nice reviews and I'm really thankful that I've never had anyone mentioning anything bad about the story. I've been out of the SD loop now with my degree studies but don't worry, I'll still continue this. My friend mentioned that someone took a quote from one of my OC and it makes me feel happy that someone out there would think it's worthwhile. He he. Well, enough of me babbling and on with the story...
Chapter 8: Let The Game Begin
//thoughts//
~^Flashbacks ^~
* Actions *
"Japanese"
"English"
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Last Chapter
Feeling a prickling tingle as if someone he knew was staring at him, Sakuragi stopped his walk. He glanced around the stadium with a disturbed look. As Sakuragi's glance was reaching the pole of the stranger, the stranger pulled back and hid himself behind the pole. Not satisfied, Sakuragi was about to glance around once more when Akagi barked to him to stop daydreaming as the game was about to start.
Once again, Sakuragi sigh and thought.
//Why did I do this again?//
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The start of the game
*Phrittt*
"Let the game begin!"
Akagi and Maki went up for tip off. Using his greater height to advantage, Akagi won the tip off with Miyagi leading up the attack. As he got near the 3 point line, Jin managed a steal and threw the ball high towards the other end of the court, where Kiyota was ready for it.
"Ha ha ha! The first point of the match will be by Kainan's number one rookie, Kiyota Nobu…"
Before he could finish his bragging Sakuragi intercepted the ball by doing a great jump. Everyone including the crowd was surprised at the height of his jump. Quick as a blink, he was back on the other side of the court only to be followed quickly by Maki. As he got to the center of the court, he quickly shoots the ball towards the net. It happened too quickly for Maki, who didn't anticipate this move and turned too quickly that he stumbled.
The stadium went silent as everyone looked on in shock towards the swishing net. Even the referee and other officials were stunned. A roar of cheers from the crowd brought everyone on court back to the game.
//Sugoi! This game will be the toughest game Kainan gets. Everyone needs to be super alert//
"Alright minna! Daijoubu! We'll get back that one point. Do your very best," shouted Maki towards his stunned teammates.
Kiyota continued to stare in shock towards Sakuragi. For once, he was at lost of words. The match continued on until 12 minutes to half time, Kainan called for a time out.
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At the Shohoku bench
"Great work Hanamichi. Maki is no match for you," said Miyagi with a grin.
"Sugoi, Sakuragi, I mean Ken…" stumbled Kogure.
"It's ok Kogure-sempai. You can call me Sakuragi if you want. I'll still answer it. After all that is my birth name," said Sakuragi as he gave a soft smile towards Kogure. He was sweating slightly but still relaxed and it didn't look like he was tired at all.
"Humph. We might have an advantage of 25 points but that doesn't mean we'll be winning this game so everyone keep on you toes," said Akagi with a frown on his face. He turned towards Sakuragi, "Ooi, don't wore yourself out in the game and don't overdo it."
"Hai Hai! Sempai!" Sakuragi said cheerfully.
Akagi scowled at him.
//Before this it was Gori this, Gori that. Now why the hell did it feel weird when he finally managed to be respectful? * Shook his head* I'm going crazy if I start missing that old attitude of his//
*Phriiit*
"Alright minna. Keep it up. We'll win this because…"
"WE'RE STRONG!"
Akagi nodded and turned towards the court, "Let's go."
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At the Kainan bench
"What is wrong with all of you?! Don't you see that banner over there?" Takatoh pointed towards the Constant Victory banner. "We've practiced harder than any time. Just because of one player, everyone is totally scattered. Maki, he's still just a 1st year, show him you're still the number one. Mutou, you help Maki guard that number 10. Grrr! We will not lose to him do you hear me?!!"
"What!!" shouted Takatoh exasperatedly at Maki when he saw Maki raising his hand.
"Kanto[Coach]. I don't even the two of us," nodding towards Mutou and himself, "is enough to stop him. He's better than the last time I saw him play and that was nearly 3 years ago. He's faster than ever and the one thing that is very difficult for us to guard is his ability to shoot from any position on the court. We'll have to put more than 2 people on him. I think Jin will need to help. The moment he gets the ball, we should straight away guard him. I would prefer for the 4 of us to guard him but that will leave the other players free. Kiyota, use your speed and jumping power to intercept any passes and Takasago, use your height and defend especially Akagi and Rukawa under the basket."
"Hai!" shouted Kiyota and Takasago.
"Don't worry Maki-sempai, we'll definitely do our best to win this game," said Kiyota grimly. He turned towards the Shohoku bench and saw the red head leaning on the bench with his eyes closed, with a relaxed look on his face. Upon seeing that he narrowed his eyes and squeezed his fist until his knuckles turned white.
//Zettaini. I'll definitely win this game//
He turned towards the score board and pursed his lips tightly.
//K'so. 35 – 10. That's more than 20 points lead and we still have 12 minutes in the first half. K'so//
*Phriiit*
"Let the match resume"
"Alright minna. Don't worry about the score line. We're still in the first half." Maki turned towards Jin, "We're counting on you to score a lot of 3-pointers today Jin."
Jin nodded, "Um. I'll do my best."
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As the game progresses, it is obvious to the audience that the Kainan team stood no chance of winning the game as Shohoku scored one point after the other wnd at the same time stopping Kainan from making any big advances in the score. All of this is thanks to Sakuragi's great steals and shoots. By half time, the score line was 77 – 23. Victory was within the grasp of the Shohoku team.
Even with Maki's strategy of putting 3 on Sakuragi, he still manages to score a record of 22 points. Adding his shots before the time out, Sakuragi scored a total of 33 points while Rukawa scored 18 points. Akagi scored 6 points before he was taken off due to an injury, Kogure who took over Akagi scored 2 points, Miyagi 6 points and Mitsui with 12 points. Meanwhile, most of the Kainan points were scored by Jin and Kiyota since Maki was guarded by Sakuragi. Jin scored a total of 15 points from his 3-pointers while Kiyota scored 6 points with Maki scoring a measly 2 points.
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In the Kainan locker room during half time
The atmosphere in the Kainan locker room was grim. Most of the players were gripping their hands so tightly that their knuckles were turning white from lack of blood. Some of the juniors could be seen fighting back tears. The seniors were spacing out with pale faces and a look of shock on their faces. All of the starting players were exhausted and trying to hold off their frustration.
Takatoh-sensei had no words of encouragement or plans for the second half as the magnificent plays done by Sakuragi in the game kept replaying itself in his mind and numbing him.
//Even with Maki, Jin and Mutou guarding him, he was able to score some points and make those beautiful passes. He's truly a tensai. Who would have thought that the loud mouth boy in the previous games was saying the truth all along? He's unbelievable//
Kiyota was fighting back tears of frustration and exhaustion. He sat at the floor cross-legged and with his head facing down, he covered his face with his hands.
//K'so! K'so!!!!! Why is it turning out like this? He was just the Foul-out King and suddenly he's the ace of Shohoku. Why wasn't he playing like this against Shoyo when they nearly lost? K'so!!! Why is it that I can't stop him? Kainan is undefeated and now this happens. K'so//
In the meantime, Maki sighed as he looked at his defeated teammates.
//Everyone has tried their best but Shohoku is too strong now with Ken Sanders in their team. They're playing like a different team now. I just wish there is a way for me to stop him//
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In the Shohoku locker room
"Oi Akagi. Akagi!" said a concerned Kogure as he waved a hand a stunned statue-like Akagi.
Akagi has twisted his ankle and was resting in the room on the insistence of Sakuragi and Ayako. He wanted Ayako to tape it up but he finally gave into their demands and stayed in the locker room with Ayako while his ankle is being treated. However when Kogure burst in and told him the current score line, he stayed in a shock state as he was unable to believe that they were leading Kainan by 54 points.
Mitsui and Miyagi resorted to ruffling and doing an arm lock on Sakuragi for his great performance. Ayako nearly started to cry from happiness and Rukawa…he just looked at the foolish antics of his excited teammates and said his typical remark.
"Everyone's turning into a do'aho"
In the midst of their excitement, Anzai sensei walked in with another figure walking behind him. As the figure stepped into the room, Ayako gaped at him upon recognizing him.
"Youhei?!"
With Ayako's surprised exclamation, everyone faced the doorway and gaped at Youhei. Sakuragi was trying to keep his laughter in check while Youhei was openly grinning at the surprised faces of the Shohoku Basketball Team.
He was currently wearing the Shohoku jersey with the number 15 and two black knee guards including one black wrist guard on his right hand. The wrist guard has a small symbol of a silver pistol. With his current attire, his changed appearance was a drastic contrast to his usual casual attire. The only slight changed to his hair is that its slight messy and a bit spiky, not like his usual neat gel style.
"Yo! Sorry for being late. I don't think you'll even need my help huh."
Ayako was the first one to recover and she spoke hesitantly, "Youhei…what's going on" Turning towards Anzai sensei. "Anzai sensei, what…?"
Anzai sensei, "Ho ho ho. Sakuragi-kun and Mito-kun approached me awhile back. Mito-kun wanted to play basketball again since Sakuragi-kun is playing properly again. It seems like he wants to get back in shape and I told him it was alright with me. Ho ho ho."
"Actually we've been practicing ever since that day at the gym. Anzai sensei said he wants me to play in the second half of this match so I had to run back and pick up my stuff," said Youhei cheerfully.
"Besides, we've been practicing on our combos too so we wanted to try them out in a real match. You don't mind do you?" said Sakuragi cautiously as he wasn't sure if the surprise would be well received.
*silence*
"Ho ho ho. I think its ok for them Sakuragi-kun. Mito-kun, you'll take over Kogure-kun's place in the second half."
"Hai Anzai sensei," said Youhei excitedly. Turning towards Sakuragi, "This'll be just like the old times ne Ken?"
"Humph! Baka, what old times? We're not even past 20 years old," replied the amused Sakuragi as he looked at his best friend, who was excited to finally play again.
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Back in the stadium
By now, the entire Sakuragi brigade we're nearly in tears at the fantastic performance of their idol. There are still a few Rukawa brigade, including the original three, cheering on their idol but their cheers are drowned out by the loud cheers of the Sakuragi brigade who has more members.
Haruko was now dazed at Sakuragi's performance and hearts can be seen circling around her. The same goes for Fujii. Matsui could only change glances with the other three of the Sakuragi Gundam and sighed with them.
//Looks like Haruko has totally forgotten about her darling Rukawa// thought Matsui.
The rest of the audience were chattering away excitedly about the first half while the Kainan supporters sat in stunned silence.
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At the press bench
"Sugoi! Sugoi Nakamura-kun! It's unberiburiya. I can't believe that Kainan will be losing this much. So this is the strength of Sanders-kun," exclaimed Yayoi excitedly, while scribbling quickly in her notes. "Nakamura-kun. Make sure you get a lot of good pictures okay?"
While Nakamura, facing the court, had his mouth open doing a good imitation of a fish, Yayoi can be heard muttering Sugoi, Unberiburiya and exclusive.
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The figure hidden among the shadow of the pole had on a big smile as his eyes started getting teary with happiness. He was wiping away his tears when another figure approached him from behind.
"Looks like Ken have shown himself again. I think he's ready to accept the offer. You want to come along to meet him after the game?"
Startled at the other's silent stealthy approach, he turned sharply and faced the second stranger.
"Eric…What???"
"I thought you'd be around. Looks like I was right. Heh. He's not going to snub you if that's what you're afraid off."
"But…I said some mean things then. Even if we were close…"
"Cheh. I never knew you to be such a coward. Remember when I challenged him the first time. Who was the cocky kid who talked back to a senior? If I remember, it was you and that Youhei kid. Not to mention Ken of course. So, how about it…Alex?"
