You might wanna sit in the front this time. We're making an extra stop to pick up another teammate.

Eris smirked at Kurama's displeased look.

Don't worry, I've made an offer she can't refuse. She looked pointedly at Alex and narrowed her eyes. She'll drive like a normal person if she knows what's good for her.

Alex winced and smiled sheepishly. Uh, right! Hehehe

And she did. Whatever the had been, the thought of it made Alex stare straight ahead and bite her lip in concentration. Or frustration.

Halfway to this new person's house, a line of angry drivers were honking periodically behind them. Eris sat in the backseat, leaning forward against her seatbelt with her eyes glazed over and mouth hanging open.

Aleeeex! I said drive like a normal person, not my grandmother! You're 20 miles under the speed limit!

Alex glared over her shoulder. Make up your mind would you?! With that, she floored the gas pedal, nearly hitting a man in a wheel chair much to the displeasure of Kurama's and Eris' blood pressure, and peeled into the driveway of a small white house.

Alex honked the horn a few dozen times and seconds later the sun flashed off of the glass front door as it opened and a tall gangly kid with shaggy blonde hair grinned and waved as he jogged over to the car.

Hey gang! Whoa, new kid! the boy smirked mischievously and thrust his hand through the window to shake Kurama's hand.

Howdy! Jack the Smack's the name!

Alex shook her head. Uh oh

Kurama smiled awkwardly and shook his hand. Pleasure to meet you? If you don't mind me asking, why do they call you Jack the Smack'?

Jack's' eyes glittered and he grinned, showing off a mouthful of pearly teeth. Glad you asked-!

Eris leaned forward into the front seat and glared. Ducky! Don't even think about it!

Alex laughed at Ducky's disappointed face. Don't you both have to be standing for that line to work?

Ducky pouted and sat himself huffily into the back seat next to Eris, sending her an icy look. Kurama looked around, hopelessly confused. Alex laughed to herself and started the car.

I just wanted to have a little fun with him Ducky stared moodily out the window at the passing houses and trees.

Eris snorted. More like just wanted to have a grope at him.

Kurama's eyes widened. Alex had to stuff her fist in her mouth to stop laughing.

He is very good looking, you have to agree on that! Ducky muttered into her ear.

Blushing and feeling a little uncomfortable at the moment, Kurama pretended not to hear, but strained his ears for Eris' answer. Just being curious, of course.

Well-ALEX LOOK OUT FOR THAT CAR!

****************
I cannot believe you almost hit a parked car. Eris shaded her eyes from view as she leaned against the black Sunfire's door.

Give me a break! It came out of no where!

Riiiight. Especially since it wasn't moving. Ducky slapped Alex on the back with a wide grin and started towards the soccer field. A large group of people were already there, and every now and then a ball would pop up into the air to the beat of radio music coming from a radio somewhere on the field.

Shut up Ducky! Alex growled and followed, swinging an athletic bag over one should and shoving a hand into a pocket of her pants.

Eris shook her head, laughing, and swung a pair of soccer cleats around. Come on Kurama, before she hits another car.

Kurama, who had been enjoying the little banter between the other teens with a little smile, pushed himself off from his leaning point on the trunk of the car and fell into step beside Eris.

He motioned at Ducky's back, So, is he

Yes. Very. She patted his arm. Don't worry though, Ducky's just having fun with you. I think.

He responded with a shocked and worried silence, eyes widened a bit.

I heard my name! Ducky turned around and started walking backwards, giving Kurama a wink and an innocent smile to Eris. Kurama averted his eyes to the soggy ground.

No you didn't you condescending bastard. Turn around before you hurt yourself. Eris called back with an equally innocent smile.

Ducky saluted her. Aye aye Captain!

Eris turned back to Kurama. Don't worry about it, it's just the way he is.

No, no it's fine. I don't have a problem with him, I was just wondering why it was me he decided to latch himself to.

HOLY HELL! Elf! Who's the sex god?!

They stopped their trek and looked up to see everyone staring at them, the boys with curiosity and the girls with hearts in their eyes.

Eris snickered. That would be why. Hey guys! This is Shuichi. First thing's first. DJ, hands off-

Oh, you ruin my fun Elf! A tall black girl with cornrows stood up from her little camp beside the radio. Recognizing her voice from the yelling before, Kurama turned pink.

Exactly my point. Where's your brother?

Max is gonna be late. He said to start without him.

At least he has some sort of decency-

Hey now!

Heh, sorry. You know how it is. Umm, Skip! Where are you?

A light brown haired boy with dark eyes standing to her right poked Eris in the shoulder. I've been standing next to you for the past 5 minutes.

Good Lord man! Don't do that! Goodness knows I've had the lights scared out of me enough times in the past two days.

A blonde girl in pigtails sighed and crossed her arms. Alex didn't hit a mailbox again did she?

The group laughed, all except Alex who stuck out her tongue at the younger girl.

Shut up Baby!

Eris called back everyone's attention. Skip, how's your arm feeling?

It's no good Captain. Baby's been taking shots on me all morning and I could barely swat one away without thinking I'd gone and broke it.

It's true, Baby's pigtails swung as she talked. I scored 12 times before he nearly killed himself stopping the thirteenth one. Usually he gets at least 4.

Eris clapped the crestfallen boy on the back. No worries, I was planning on you playing field today anyway.

Skip's eyes widened. But who's playing goalie then?!

Eris grinned and snaked an arm around Kurama. Shuichi is.

They all looked at her skeptically, including Kurama.

Forgive me, I think I had something in my ear. Did you just say my name?

Yeah, I don't know about this Cap'n, A kid with long, bright blue hair held back by a sweatband raised a pale arm with several spiked bracelets into the air. He don't look like he can handle much.

Eris felt Kurama stiffen a little at this and smiled. Oh but he can, Blue. Trust me. And take off the bracelets before you go on the field. You nearly put out Baby's eye last week!

Yeah! There was blood everywhere! Baby's voice went screechy and her hair bounced angrily.

Blue rolled his eyes and started unlatching the clasps and buckles. Oh stuff it, I didn't even touch you.

Knock it off you two! Another tall girl, later found out as Charlie, Hispanic looking with her pretty dark eyes and hair pulled back stepped in, and then turned to Eris. You sure he can take on Max, Captain?

Eris smiled smugly. Aye! And then some! Plus with our defense line, he'll have a hell of a time getting that far. Especially with our front men having possession of the ball the whole time.

Equally smug looks flitted onto the team's faces. A few confident 's rose, followed by declarations of various ways each of them were going to run the other team into the ground.

Right then! No-OW! HEY!

Eris rubbed the back of her head furiously. An orange and white soccer ball rolled to a stop near Blue's foot.

He picked it up and motioned with his head behind her. We've got company.

Eris turned around, still rubbing the spot on the back of her head and glared at an approaching mass of people. A kid similar in looks and build as DJ strutted in the lead with a smirk on his face as his team snickered behind him. Kurama frowned and narrowed his eyes. This kid already rubbed him the wrong way.

You're late! Eris growled out, eyes dripping in malice.

Max shrugged a brown shoulder and laughed. Yeah, so what? I said I would be.

You didn't say your whole team would be! That's grounds for declaring us the winners by default I hope you know.

He waved a bored hand and sighed dramatically. Whatever. Can we get this over with? As much as I love kicking your ass, I do have important business to deal with later.

Do you use your left or right hand for that?*

Eris' team erupted in laughter, sneering and taunting. Max folded his arms and narrowed his eyes.

You wish!

Eris laughed with her team. Actually I don't, but whatever floats your boat Maxey Poo!

Max growled and started strutting down the line to the other side of the half line, his team glaring and making threatening movements with their hands. Team Eris simultaneously waved back with big grins then turned to their captain in a huddle.

Alright you guys, enough foolin' around. It's only been 2 minutes and already they've started using death threats-

A new team record! Ducky grinned.

Eris rolled her eyes. Listen up! Usual positions except for a few tweaks. Shuichi's in goal, Alex left D, Skip you're right, I'll be mid D and stopper-

Charlie raised a hand. I thought you hated being stopper? That's why you put me back don't you?

Yes. In fact I'll probably switch with you halfway in, but someone has to be back to help Shuichi. Now, Blue you're at left midfield, Charlie you're center, and Ducky's right mid. Baby, you're the usual forward.

Aye aye Captain! So we're going by 3, 3, 1?

Yup, so that means if I make a run you all better get back to cover each other's asses!

Blue slung an arm around her neck. No worries Cap'n, we do anyway!

Eris smirked. Remind me, why was it we lost last week when Baby got side tackled and that totally butch girl got past the mid line?

Blue rubbed his neck and took his arm back. because I wasn't back where I was supposed to be?

Exactly. DJ! Time!

Five minutes until game time Captain. Go easy on my brother, please? He said he was sorry.

Not a chance.

Kurama tilted his head to the side. Sorry about what?



Max called her ugly. Ducky bobbed his head, then hid behind a flushing Kurama at the look he earned from Eris.

Yeah, then he cheated on her with Charlie! Baby piped up, hair bouncing. Charlie hit her shoulder and glared.

If you're all quite finished! Eris huffed. Hands in!

A ring of hands was made, determined looks on the players' faces and grins tugging at the corners of their lips. The feeling was strangely invigorating to Kurama.

On 3! 1, 2, 3!

The team began their chant in loud obnoxious voices, laughing and pumping their hands as they sang.

Don't mess, don't mess, don't mess with the best cause the best don't mess; don't fool, don't fool, don't fool with the cool cause the cool don't fool! From the East to the West we are the best! We're going to b-e-a-t beat em b-u-s-t em beat em bust em, that's our custom, come on guys! Let's readjust em!! WOOHA!

With a final big whoop, they trotted out to their respective places on the field, slipping and sliding a little on the wet grass. Or at least what grass there was.

Captain, I don't know if we'll be able to run in this muck

Hey, we've won in worse conditions than this, Skip. Just be glad it isn't raining.

Skip snorted. Yet. Not raining yet you mean.

Yeah that too. Eris stretched her quads for a minute then began to situate Kurama in the goal.

You're the only player on the field who can use his hands to pick up the ball when it's not a throw in and it's probably the least complicated position on the field. Not that you couldn't handle anything else! She scratched her neck, then went back into Captain mode.

Now, you've got awesome reflexes, which is another reason I put you in goal. Don't be afraid to dive for the ball or come out of the goalie box to catch one outta the air, alright?

Kurama nodded, a set look on his face.

Eris smiled at him. Don't worry, you'll be fine. I'll be coaching you along the way. And if you notice anything, like patterns in their game play or which way they're going to go, shout it out. We can shut em down easier if we know what they're thinking. Alright?

Aye aye, Captain. He smiled. Eris laughed and gave his shoulder a playful shove.

That's the spirit!

DJ appeared on the field between the two teams.

she called and waited for Eris and Max to do the coin flip for first possession of the ball.

Skip threw a pair of gloves with foam padding on the palms to Kurama. You'll need those. Max has one hell of a kick.

He nodded and put them on. Who is this Max anyway?

DJ's twin brother, Alex answered, eyes set forward in her game mode. And Elf's ex-boyfriend. After he cheated on her with Charlie, they broke up obviously. Nobody really blamed Charlie for anything, Max can be pretty persuasive when it comes to something he wants, and when he tried to get back together with Elf she said See ya!' They've been bitter enemies ever since.

Only it was more gruesome in actuality. Skip threw in. And since DJ and Elf became friends, DJ didn't want to be considered a blood traitor by Max when he started his own team, so she became a makeshift ref.

I see. Kurama liked this Max person less and less. A girlfriend was a potential mate, according to his youkai way of thinking, and you treated them as such.

Eris trotted back to her position between Alex and Skip, throwing a confident look over her shoulder to Kurama.

We've got the ball, mates! Now let's do this!



DJ's whistle blew, and the game was on.

Baby passed back to Blue, running down line ready for his pass back. Burning a thick-necked opponent, Blue passed to Baby.

Defense, push up! Eris yelled, keeping back behind Skip and Alex a bit. You got Ducky back, Baby! Charlie, go down and help! Keep on your marks you guys!
They all held their breath as Ducky faked out the other team's stopper and passed to Baby, leaving her a clear shot at the goal. She reared back a foot, a real power kick ready to be executed, when on Max's command a burly kid side tackled her.

DJ blew her whistle and glared at her brother, who shrugged coolly in response. Damnit Max! Play fair or I'm taking you out! PK to Baby!

Kurama questioned.

Penalty kick, Eris said over her shoulder, eyes blazing. Son-of-a-bitch better not try that crap again or I'll come after him myself

What's with me being the side tackle target all of a sudden?! Huh?! Baby cried, so upset that she missed her PK.

Don't worry about it Babes, Blue comforted her. We'll get the bastards!

We so have to get those two together! Alex whispered loudly to Eris and laughed.

With the ball in play again, Max trapped it out of the air and began sprinting his way down line, ignoring the calls of his open teammates.

Stay on your own marks! Eris shouted. This one's mine!

Watching his movements like a hawk, Eris jockeyed for all she was worth, butt sticking out and going low to the ground, calculating the time when he'd make his move.

Left, right, right, man coming down to the left, stay on him Alex, GO!

Max bolted. Eris caught him, nutmegging the ball through his legs and weaving her way down line.

Got your back Captain! Alex puffed. D push up! Everyone haul some ass and get up there!

Eris could feel Max bearing down on her. Fast as she was, Max wasn't far behind. His defense were abandoning their marks and getting ready to trap her in a corner. Baby, Blue, and Ducky all looked panicky, following their marks for lack of a better play.

Damnit, no! Go back to the goal for the rebound!

Thinking fast, Eris shouted,

Realization spread; Baby ran ahead and Ducky to the far right. As soon as the defense were well away from Baby and Ducky, Eris passed to Baby and sprinted ahead with her last spurt of energy for the return pass.

By the time Max's team knew what was going on, it was too late. Eris passed back to Ducky who went in for the shot, the defense at least 20 feet away from where they had to be. Ducky faked out the goalie and kicked a beautiful shot high in the right corner.

OH MY GOD! Ducky screamed, his voice going unnaturally high, hands over his mouth and eyes wide. I actually scored!

Eris launched herself on him and hugged him for all she was worth. Baby slapped him on the back, congratulating him on his first successful goal. Blue and Charlie hailed him for the superb goal, smiles wide.

Way to go Ducky!! Alex beamed. Taught him everything he knows!

Kurama smiled and waved congratulations to the ecstatic boy. For once, he was the one to make Ducky blush.

Eris nearly collapsed as she jogged back to her spot, a satisfied smirk on her face.

Nice run, Captain. Alex laughed at her friend. Your recovery time's a little shoddy today.

she leaned over on her knees and held up a finger to ask for a moment.

Better get ready Cap'n, the whistle's getting' ready to blow.

Ah fuck. Eris quenched a stitch in her side and stood up with a groan.

We're only ten minutes in and already she's burned herself out. Alex talked over her head to Skip.

Don't talk as if I'm not here! Eris scowled and shook out her legs. I'm fine.

She was most certainly not fine. While Ducky had been taking his shot, Eris had been in the middle of a double defense sandwich. This resulted in an old injury in her knee to flare up and leave a hole in the defense for Max to take his vengeance through.

This lead to a moment of truth between Kurama, Max's legendary kick, and a soccer ball with too much air.

With Alex and Skip trying their best to hold the defense line up, there was no one to help Eris as Max bore down on her. The growing pain in her knee caused her to falter at a crucial moment and let him blow past.

Watch him Kurama! Eris panted out, all caution at using his real name abandoned. Not that anyone was actually listening; everyone's attention was firmly locked on the inevitable.

Watching his movements like Eris had, he noticed a pattern. Dribble left, right, left, left, right

He crouched instinctively, anticipating the kick, watched him draw back his leg and

Somehow he found himself lying on the ground with the ball is his hands and looking into the worried faces of Eris, Alex, Skip, andMax?

Eris fell back on her butt with relief as she saw his green eyes open again. Thank God!

Kurama blinked. What happened? Why am I on the ground? he sat up and was answered with a painful jolt in the back of his head. He rubbed it in vain and squinted his eyes.

Dicklick over here, Alex shot Max a dirty look. Kicked the damn ball so hard you slipped in the mud and knocked your head against the goalpost.

Hey! It wasn't my fault!

Was too! If you and your ogres didn't play for blood-

I play for blood?! Are you people blind?! Blue tripped Jimmy at least three times before DJ called him on it-

Hey now, don't get me involved in this! I only have 2 eyes, and if you and Eris would stop tormenting each other-

Don't even go there-

QUEIT! All of you! Kurama shut them all up with a uniquely angry-Kurama-like tone. With the combined efforts of Blue and Skip, they got him into a standing position and looked around with a hard look.

This sobered them up quite a bit.

Max turned his face to the sky, fat water droplets running from his hair. Maybe we better carry on next week He muttered.

Eris nodded, and grudgingly agreed. It's too dangerous with all the mud and rain.

As if to further strengthen this thought, a sudden clap of thunder and a harder onslaught of raindrops announced an approaching storm.

Using Skip and Blue as crutches Kurama made his way with Eris, Alex, and Ducky to the parking lot.

Ducky shook his head. You are one dirty boy.

Eris snorted and opened the door for him. Your back is completely covered in mud! Look, it's even in your hair!

Is it now? he ran a hand through it and flicked some mud at her with a smirk.

Hey, Elf! A word, please. They turned to see a soaking wet Max, hands in his pockets and the usual cool look upon his face.

Eris raised a brow and took her time walking over. The conversation exchanged between them was lost through the noise of the rain and thunder. Alex, Kurama, and Ducky waved goodbye to Skip and Blue, and waited for Eris in the car; the heat turned on full blast at Kurama polite request.

When Eris returned, she had a large smile on her face.

Alex prodded her. What did he want?

Asked me if there was any chance I wanted to go out for burgers sometime. Then he held my hand and called me beautiful.

For some reason, Kurama wasn't exactly happy for her.

And what did you say? Ducky asked eagerly, starting the car.

Still smiling, Eris turned her head back towards her friend. I told him to go fuck himself.

Ducky laughed and ruffled Eris' wet ponytail. That's my girl! You tell that scum bag!

Alex sighed and shook her head. Oh Elf

Kurama couldn't help the tiny smirk tugging at his lips.

Oooh! I know that look. Ducky's murmur snapped him out of his thoughts.

Hmm? What look?

You're sweet on her! he hissed excitedly, giggling behind his hand.

Kurama's brows knitted. Sweet on who?

Ducky nudged his head in Eris' direction, who was currently in a heated discussion with Alex on who was hotter: Johnny Depp or Legato Bluesummers.

(You can't compare living heartthrobs to pencil drawings, Elf. It just doesn't work that way!

Johnny Depp's got his fine points, and he's a hell of an actor, but he's got nothing on Legato!

He's a complete psychopath! Plus he's dead, and you can't love something that isn't real!

Watch me!)

Who, Eris?

Is that her real name? Wow, I completely forgot. Anyway, yes!

Kurama shook his head. I think you are mistaken, we've only known each other for three days.

Well, I've only known you for an hour-

DUCKY! Hands to yourself! Eris gave him a look by way of the rear view mirror.

Eep! Yes ma'am!

As Alex pulled into Ducky's driveway and they waved goodbye, Kurama stared out the window, pondering the boy's words.

Maybe I do

*******************

*-Courtesy of Teddy and Gordie fromStand By Me. Love that movie. ^_^

AN-So sorry for the late update! I was planning on posting this way earlier, but my Internet connection decided to go on strike for a day and a half. ::angry growl:: Plus everything else that could have gone wrong did, so the fates were working against me in a most hateful way. I hope you all liked this chapter! I had fun writing it! ^_^

Reo*nari-I knew ya'll would like it!

Hiei- Oh you know you love me! I know you enjoy watching Kurama squirm as much as I do.
Koroga- I do believe you're right. ::latches onto Kurama:: You're cute when you blush, did you know that?

Wizardess Gal- Isn't that weird? It happens to me too. Vedy vedy creepy!