Note: demi-devil-writer(me) am actually demiwriter. Because of some technical problems, I had to start a new account. Sorry for any inconvenience!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters in any way...or do I? BWAAHAHAHAHAHA............

U.S.A: New Challenges for Rukawa

"Pork or Fish, sir?" asked the airplane waiter.

Rukawa then simply stated," Pork."

The waitress looked at him oddly before moving on to the next guy.

Rukawa sighed. He was heading to U.S.A in a really boring twelve hour ride trying fulfill his dream of being the world's number one basketball player but right now, he was only the Japan's number one. Yes, Japan #1. He smiled as he thought back...

Flashback

After his first year in Shohoku, Rukawa had practiced all he can to improve his game.

Then, during his second year, he had completely dominated all the games he had play in, with some help by Miyagi and Mitsui, averaging 35 points, 6 assists, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks each game.

They had completely dominated their division. Then, during their playoff matches with Shoyo, Ryonan, and Kainan, Sakuragi's back had fully recovered and he could play basketball.

Though Rukawa didn't show it, he was secretly very glad that Sakuragi had come back.

Even though they were a pretty good team without Sakuragi, Rukawa was pretty sure if they played Ryonan with Sendoh and Fukuda, or Kainan with Jin and Kyota, that there would be a fifty percent that they would lose.

This was because Shohoku's lack of a real center and a rebounding player really damaged them.

Shohoku's starting five was pretty good, in Rukawa's opinion, with Miyagi, Mitsui, and himself acting as the leading scorers.

The other two players were both first years:

Takarashu Nane:

194 cm.

84 kg.

Position: Center

Profile: An okay player with okay skills. He is inexperienced and his rebounding is weak though.

Kashda Kukatsu:

179 cm.

65 kg.

Position: Small forward

Profile: A very reliable defensive player, always willing to share the ball.

These five, along with other seniors like Yasuda, beat all those weak teams easily, but they hadn't yet met any team that was strong.

Now, with Sakuragi back, they had a center (a slightly small one) and a rebounding monster.

In their first match with Shoyo, who without their best players Hanagata and Fujima, had sunk a lot of ground, but they still put up a challenge:

With two minutes left, the score was Shoyo: 56 Shohoku: 62. Shoyo's small forward, a first year guy, attempted a jump shot from the free throw line. The shot looked good, but it bounded out. Sakuragi snatched up the rebound and threw it over toward Miyagi.

Miyagi then whizzed through all of Shoyo's players, and scored on an uncontested lay-up.

Shoyo inbounded, and their point guard threw a pass to their to an open second-year, who drained a long three point shot.

64-59

Sakuragi passed to Miyagi, who spun around one of Shoyo's players. Ayako then yelled, "Nice Job, Ryota!!!!"

"Ayako-chan" Miyagi purred.

"Watch out!!" yelled Mitsui.

Miyagi, on instinct, dribbled the ball behind his back...and had the ball taken from his hands by Shoyo's quick third year point guard.

The guy then went on a two on nothing break, and passed the ball to a tall center, who slammed the ball down the throat of the net.

"Fuck!" Miyagi cursed.

64-61 with 1:25 left.

With him being captain and all, Miyagi knew he should slow down his fast pace and run out the shot as long as he could.

He then walked slowly up the court, yelling, "Slow it down guys!!" He didn't notice a sly figure run behind him and pick his pocket.

Personally, Miyagi seethed at himself for being such an idiot but he would make up for that mistake. He ran as hard as he could to catch up to the Shoyo point guard but he saw a black blur run past him. The Shoyo guard was relaxed, thinking he would score two points, until Rukawa Kaede picked his pocket.

"JAPAN #1" he though as he faked out a Shoyo player, spun around another, and gave the ball to Mitsui who passed it back to him. Rukawa then took to the air, with a one-handed dunk.

66:61 with a minute left.

Shoyo then put on quite a run in the last 45 seconds, going on a 7-0 run. With exactly fifteen seconds left, Rukawa drove in; drawing five players, then threw it out to Mitsui, who drained a three-pointer. With one second on the clock, Shoyo attempted a hard jump shot, which got easily blocked by Sakuragi.

Final Score: 69-68 Shohoku wins.

End Flashback

Rukawa smiled. That game was pretty sweet, but it was nothing compared to the Ryonan game.........

End Chapter 1.

Demi: I know I know it's not really about U.S.A. right now but it'll get to it. Don't worry. Bring on the Reviews!!!