Title: A Dirty Basketball

Disclaimer: If I owned SD, I'd be filthy rich right now and I'd not have to go through fanfics if I wanted to realize this story, y'know.

Pairings: Umm, at the moment, uncertain. But this is not yaoi!

Time Setting: After Shohoku lost to Aiwa. Oh, wait! After the Interhigh was concluded. Yup, the champs are here. Of course, they're my creation. And here, the teams are still complete.

Fictional/New Character: A whole team, actually… Okay, a whole school. This includes the particular person I created, Aki Sendoh, Akira Sendoh's, umm… cousin… hehehe!

POV's: many, maybe most of my lead characters will have their own share

Summary: Aki plays as special participant in Jonan vs. Tomoeda women's division basketball game.

Chapter 7: Interhigh Women's MVP

NoRMaL PoV:

Where are they anyway? Hmp… Probably flirting out with – Aah! Why should I even care? For Pete's sake, I have so much more to worry about! I can't afford to lose my mind being a parent to them. Yeah. Why should I even bother thinking where they are? Good thing that stalker's not hitting on again. But even with that away –

Aki's thoughts were cut as her bedroom door opened, Rukawa standing in the doorway.

"A – Rukawa-kun,"

"Hn,"

"Wh – What is it?"

"You, uh, wanna eat dinner?"

"Dinner?"

"We just came home,"

"Oh, yeah. Akira and you,"

"…"

"Um, no, thanks. I ate before I came home. You guys just eat without me. I'm full," Aki said, preparing her bed.

"Are you sure? You're not hungry?"

"Hn," Aki said with a smile. Rukawa closed the door and she was again left alone. She turned off the light and crept into her bed.

"Oi, Aki. Get up," Sendoh shook Aki's bed.

"Hn… Five more… minutes," Aki mumbled in her sleep.

"Aki! Today's your game! Get up or you'll be late for any warm up time!" Sendoh panicked for his cousin.

"I… don't need… warm up… Leave me… alone,"

"You don't need warm up? Ha ha! Very funny!" Sendoh made a sarcastic laugh.

"You're as stubborn as she is, y'know," Sendoh turned and saw Rukawa standing at the doorframe.

"C'mon, you punk. Get up!"

"I don't need warm… up… I can play… anytime…"

"You boastful punk! Every athlete needs warm up! Get up!" Sendoh said, racking Aki's bed even harder.

"Alright already!" Aki almost yelled as she got up. She momentarily glared at her cousin and then, started taking out clothes. She got her towel and made to take off her shirt on the way to the bathroom.

"Whoah! Wait! What's with you?"

"What now?"

"Undressing in front of us! Are you really awake already?"

"I thought you'd get the signal that it's time for you to get out but this proves that you're just too slow," Aki said while rubbing her eyes.

"Argh! I shouldn't have bothered to wake you up!" Sendoh yelled as he marched out of the room, Rukawa following closely.

"Good you realized that!" Aki yelled back as she slammed the door at Sendoh's and Rukawa's backs.

"She's so ungrateful! Doesn't know how to respect others' efforts!" Sendoh said. Rukawa stared at him. "What?" He said, irritated by Rukawa's manner.

"You wanted her to undress. I know," Rukawa said as he turned towards the stairs.

"What?"

"You should prepare for school, too, y'know," Rukawa said as he walked down the stairs.

At Jonan…

"Tomoeda has been a great rival of Jonan since who knows when, but several times did they beat us in sports," Aono lectured to the men's and women's basketball team members, the Kanagawa players sitting at the back of the classroom. The door suddenly opened wide and Otome Karu, with his committee (including Aki), appeared.

"So sorry to cut your lecture short, Aono-san, but you all have to proceed to the gym already," Otome said. So, they all got up and got out of the room, Sendoh, Rukawa and Mitsui at the rear. They noticed Aki standing at the doorway. Wearing a loose black sleeveless shirt and really short white shorts, a black traveling bag around her, Aki was indeed ready for a game.

"Hmp," Sendoh rolled his eyes away from his cousin. Aki started walking to the front of the pack, and Sendoh gave in. "Hey," Sendoh held Aki's left arm.

"?" Aki turned, puzzled.

"What's with you?"

"What's with – me?

"Do I smell lovers' quarrel here?" Mitsui butted in.

"Okay. Forget about earlier, okay? Peace?"

"Okay. I'll see you guys later. Jya," Aki addressed the sentence to the three, but gave Rukawa a wink. She waved a hand and walked off. When she disappeared, Rukawa blushed and Sendoh glared at him.

"Thief," Sendoh said to Rukawa.

"What?" Rukawa turned to Sendoh.

"You're a thief,"

"Do ahou,"

"Thief!"

"Jealousy in the air," Rukawa sang in a mocking melody.

"THIEF!"

When they arrived at the basketball court, it was already packed with Jonan and Tomoeda students, all cheering for their own schools.

"Go, Jonan!"

"Sendoh! Sendoh!"

"Wow. Never heard my name cheered this loud,"

"Baka! They're not cheering for you. It's for your cousin!"

'Shut up, Mitsui! You're ruining my illusion,"

"She's last Interhigh Women's MVP. This cheer is just natural," Mitsui said.

"…" Sendoh and Rukawa remained silent.

And now, the first five of the Jonan women's basketball team!

The game comentator spoke through the noise and cheer.

Senior high student, team captain, number 4, Iyagata!

The crowd cheered for the women's team captain.

Also senior high student, vice captain, number 5, Ryuuji!

Cheers again.

Freshman, awarded Basketball Women's Division MVP for last year's Interhigh, number 9, Sendoh!

"Sendoh! Sendoh!" mixed voices cheered.

Freshman, number 12, Ashton!

Mostly male voices cheered.

Last but not the least,freshman, number 15, Wayne!

Male voices cheered once more.

The Jonan women's basketball team received much support from the school. Their captain, Iyagata, is also the student council secretary and top student in her class. Vice captain, Ryuuji, is a member of the student council staff. Sendoh's publicity lies in her MVP reputation, and also in her active participation in the Jonan Sports Committee. Wayne and Ashton get the support they need, well, from the guys in school who daydream about them. The endearing and skillful first five of the team make them popular and successful in or out of Jonan.

And now, Tomoeda's women's basketball team first five!

Cheers, too.

Senior high student, captain, number 4, Kana!

Senior high student, number 6, Hayame!

Sophomore, number 7, Hideki!

Sophomore, number 11, Kagura!

Lastly, freshman, number 14, Seiya!

People cheered particularly loud for the freshman member of their team.

"Seiya Kasumi, the Tomoeda ace player," a voice said behind Rukawa. He turned and saw Aki, wearing her black and white Jonan jersey. The women's jersey was different in pattern and not design. The top was more fitted, and the shorts were a little shorter thatn the men's. But it was Jonan nonetheless. "Hey," Aki said to Rukawa, who was not able to reply.

"What're you still doing here?"

"No need to rush,"

"Think it's gonna be a good game?" Mitsui asked.

"It better be. They're Tomoeda,"

"That's my cousin. Never too proud,"

"Wasn't it only earlier this morning when you said that I'm too boastful?"

"Er…"

"Good luck,"

"?"

"Did I hear that right? Did you actually wish another basketball player good luck?"

"Shut up, Mitsui,"

"I thought you don't want any other player to have any luck because you want to be the best player in Japan?" Sendoh said, too.

"Do ahou,"

"And now, you're wishing Japan's women's MVP good luck?"

"Don't' you think it's a risk? If she gets good luck, she might end up better than you in basketball. Will it be okay with you?"

"Shut up!"

"Hey, don't tease him too much, y'know," Aki said, making the three look at her suspiciously. "I've observed he blushes easily and often. And that doesn't look good, especially when it's caused by bad emotions. No offense, Rukawa-kun, but it may be bad for your health," Aki said, smiling. "See you," Aki turned and walked towards the Jonan bench.

"So she does notice you blushing!"

"Good for you!" Mitsui teased Rukawa again.

"No! It can be bad for his health, y'know!"

"Ahahaha!" Sendoh and Mitsui laughed their heads off, as Rukawa remained silent.

So, the game went on fast pace, reaching scores almost a hundred. (They're the top 2 teams in Japan, y'know.) Five minutes left in the game, however, Aki's right arm got injured, done by the other team, but Wayne and Ashton actually gleeful at the fact that she (Aki) was out of the game. Jonan number 19 replaced her and finished the five minutes left. Jonan won by a good eleven-point lead.

"You okay?" Sendoh said, cautious to help his cousin sit down. Aki had her right arm in a sling. She, Sendoh, Rukawa, and Mitsui were onboard the train going home. Sendoh and Aki were again sitting beside each other, Rukawa and Mitsui sitting opposite them. (again )

"Fine," Aki said quietly.

"How many times have you gotten seriously injured in basketball before this? Mitsui inquired.

"Loads of times," Aki smiled. "Don't' really remember,"

"Not to mention motorcycle injuries," Sendoh said.

"We're talking about basketball injuries here, Akira,"

"You got injured on that motor bike of yours, too?"

"Loads of times as well,"

"Shut up!"

"Easy! Your arm might get worse," Sendoh said grimly. "This is the perfect time for me to get back at you!" he said, this time, triumphantly.

"Ah, Rukawa-kun?" Aki said, peering at Rukawa. Rukawa was staring at the floor. When Aki spoke to him, he looked up, surprised. "Daijobu ka?"

"A – Hai," Rukawa said weakly, though he didn't blush this time.

"Hey, you're not blushing anymore! That's great progress for your health, y'know!" Senodh teased. Rukawa glared at him.

"Akira! Stop it!"

"No. Seriously. What were you thinking about?"

"Her injury,"

"?" Aki looked at Rukawa, puzzled.

"I never had an injury like that. Is that what it takes to be Japan's MVP?" Rukawa said, looking into Aki's eyes.

"Not this," Aki smiled. "A whole lot more than this, Rukawa-kun…"

End of Chapter 7: Interhigh Women's MVP