A/N: So much for writer's block! I'm back! No time to waste, let's get this chapter started! (Thank-you's are at the end of the chapter this time.)
Chapter 13: The Wildcat, The Dragon, and The Mutt
Nathan walked into the gym where his basketball life began over a decade ago. The school colors of red and white were prominent throughout the tiny gym, especiallyin the clothing of thefans. Banners were placed on the walls, signifying both boys and girls State titles. One of them, a portrait, honored the year that Nathan and his brother helped the school take its first state title.
Will…Nathan heard a mighty cheer rising up from the crowd. He saw the scoreboard and saw the reason for their joy…
Wildcats: 60
Guest: 59
The girls game had just ended with a buzzer-beater, and the team rushed the floor in jubilation.
"Dad…who's coaching them now?"
"Who, the girls?"
"Yessir"
The senior Colby wiped his brow, then adjusted his bifocals. "Ulrich took over after your uncle Jasper retired, they've clinched a spot in the playoffs tonight with this win."
Nathan nodded, then father and son found a spot to sit in the crowded gymnasium. Some music was heard playing over the public address system, and the crowd (most of it, anyway) began to cheer and clap. Nathan clapped along, then sang a song that he and everyone in the Red and White had sung since birth…
Fight, You Glenmora Wildcats!
For alma mater fight! (Fight Fight Fight!)
Glory in the combat
For the Crimson and the White!
Faithful to our colors, we shall ever be…
Fighting, ever fighting for a WILDCAT VICTORY!
G-L-E-N-M-O-R-A…Goooooo 'Cats!
After the song was finished, the boys from both teams began to warm up for their game.
"Dad…what about the boys?"
The elder Colby pointed his son in the direction of a person he new rather well. Dressed in a red polo shirt and blue jeans, he set himself apart from his counterpart, whom was dressed in a more professional looking suit. His red hair was cut short, and his piercing green eyes were aided with glasses.
"Chris…my brother-in-law? I thought he was coaching with his dad at Ole Miss (1)."
"Tides of change…his dad got fired after last season, the new guy purged the entire staff. I feel pretty bad for him. What about you…whose running your team these days?"
Nathan looked at his father, and by the look on the aging man's face he knew he was in for a lecture.
"Tristan, my assistant is running the team now…but I'll bet it's the inmates who are running the asylum up there. He's younger than me, you know."
"Looks to me like they let one of the inmates loose…don't you think?" The last part of that statement was a little harsher than Nathan expected.
"Dad…"
"You know what you did was wrong! I've coached and played basketball for more than thirty years, and I've NEVER been more ashamed. Not only did you make a total ass of yourself, you embarrassed me and your mother on national television! What do you have to say for yourself?"
Nathan looked away from his father for a while…instead concentrating on the scoreboard.
"I know you can hear me, Nathan James Colby!"
"It was stupid…Dad, I didn't mean to blow up like that, but I know you saw that last foul…it was so much B.S.!"
"Yeah it was….worst call in about ten years I'd say. That doesn't excuse what you did. Your mother and I stressed to you, your sister, and your brother, God rest his soul, that you are responsible for your own actions, on or off the court."
Nathan breathed a heavy sigh, then replied to his father.
"You're right…looks like Chris's team is having trouble with the press." (2)
"Yeah…you know your momma's gonna whip your ass black and blue when you get home, right?"
Father and Son laughed as they watched the game reach halftime…
Wildcats: 34Guest: 38
Meanwhile, Back at the University…
Happy Birthday To You
Happy Birthday To You
Happy Birthday Dear Joey
Happy Birthday To You!
"You guys…you did all dis for me?" Joey blushed wildly as his friends and sister presented his birthday cake.
"Of course we did Joseph! Now shut up and make a wish!" Mai shouted, smiling at her boyfriend. Joey blew out the candles as he was told, and his birthday celebration got underway.
"Excuse me…Serenity?" The young girl looked around to see Yami standing in front of her, his crimson eyes showing signs of nervousness.
"Would you like to…dance?"
Serenity smiled.
I can't believe the Wheelerette dragged me to this party! It looks like nothing more than a reunion of that old Dweeb Patrol. What's this?
Seto Kaiba gazed from his position in the corner of the room at a sight that he thought would make him vomit. Yami and Serenity were dancing, and it appeared that Serenity was enjoying herself immensely.
The 'Bleeding Heart' Wheelerette and that starfish-haired freak Yami…what a pair!
The sarcasm in Seto's thought forced him to think of a scenario that he wouldn't have thought possible a few weeks ago.
Am…I…jealous? No way! I'm THE Seto Kaiba. I run my own company, go to college, and raise my younger brother at the same time! I have my own damn fan club! I eat lightning and crap thunder! There's no way in hell I could be jealous of that freak Yami just because he has that irresistible, cute, and highly intelligent…what the heck? Did I just say cute?
Seto Kaiba had to admit something to himself...he was falling for Serenity Wheeler more by the second.
Back at the game...
Nathan and his father looked on as the home team pulled away for a historic route of their arch-rival. Historical due to the fact that this would be the first time since Nathan graduated theywould finish unbeaten in district play.
Wildcats: 75
Guest: 56
"These boys are lookin' pretty good, son."
"Yeah...I want to talk to Chris for a second, alright?"
"Sure, I'll be waiting outside. But don't take too long, your mama made sweet potato pie, my favorite."
Nathan chuckled to himself as he made his way towards Chris and his old locker room.
I hope Chris got over that little incident in college...
Flashback:
Orlando, Florida 1995
Mississippi vs. Kansas, NCAA East Regional Final
Chris Ruth just made the shot of his life for the Ole Miss Rebels! They lead the Jayhawks 67-65 with 10.5 seconds remaining.
Mississippi basketball had never been better. They were just seconds away from knocking off one of the great powers of Collegiate basketball and advancing to the Final Four for the first time. Nathan Colby changed all that, not only saving his team from a huge upset, but slowing (if not stopping altogether) Ole Miss' rise to the top.
Chris Ruth and Nathan Colby...Pillars of the Glenmora High championship teams of recent years in Louisiana, have matched up magnificently tonight! Ruth has 26 points, Colby with 30 himself. Here's Buck...he passes the ball up to Rodriguez...Rodriguez dribbels...He's caught in a double team...3 seconds...He's gotta do something! He finds Colby in the corner wide open...
Chris looked on as the ball sailed in the air, his team's fate to be decided in a matter of moments...
It clangs on the rim...and IN! GOOOOOD! KANSAS WINS! THE JAYHAWKS ARE GOING BACK TO THE FINAL FOUR! (3)UNBELIEVABLE!
Nathan felt as if he could walk on water. He leaped triumphantly into the stands, carrying on as if he had already won the National Championship. Chris feel to his knees, no tears, no wailing, no emotion. He knew he gave all he had that night, it just wasn't enough.
When all the celebration was done, when all the tears were shed, the two childhood friends stood at center court and shook hands.
"Good game Chris...We should do this more often." Nathan smiled, his tear-stained face beaming with a bright smile.
"Good game Nathan...Go to Atlanta and kick some butt, man." As numb as he felt, Chris managed a weak smile of his own.
It was a day neither one of them would ever forget.
End of Flashback
Meanwhile...back at the University:
Yami and Serenitywere outside alone, sitting down on a bench near Mai's appartment.
"Serenity...there is something I've been meaning to tell you..."
Yami shiften uncomfortably on the bench. Even though he knew he felt this way for a while, it was still difficult for him to express it.
"What is it?"
Silence...Yami couldn't get the words out. He didn't know how to say it, so he decided to show her.
He kissed her. On the lips.
Serenity was a little shocked. She didn't refuse the kiss, she didn't return it either. She sat there in stunned silence, until a towering figure behind Yami came into view.
"Kaiba?"
Uh-oh? Seto catches Serenity and Yami together! Will sparks fly? Nathan visits with his friend/rival Chris...but is someone else waiting in the wings? Find out next time!
(1) Two things here, "Ole Miss" is a popular term for the University of Mississippi, which I hate. Also, Anime-Ruthless's character, Chris Ruth, made his first appearance here
(2) Press defense in college basketball is just a hustling, man-to-man style of defense that puts enphasis on defensive speed and pressure.
(3) "The Final Four" is basically the four remaining teams in the NCAA tournament playing for the national title at a neutral site. Considering there are well over 300 teams that play Division I basketball, and that 65 of them play in this tournament, making it to the Final Four is almost as big an honor as winning the National Championship itself.
Now...to thank you's:
Anime Ruthless: Yep, that TO kool-aid is badass! It comes in five different flavors! Anyway, I just went random on the physical description of your character. I hope you don't mind. And yes, Garth Brooks indeed is the man behind "callin baton rouge". I'll tell you what your prize is next chapter. Congratulations.
Telecoi: Glad you liked the whole song-fic-within-a-fic, and more SetoSerenity is comming...or is it?
The Broken Bow:bangs hand on desk: NO NO NO! Two people weren't supposed to know that Garth Brooks did "callin baton rouge"! Oh well...I'll tell you and Anime what your prize is in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing.
ShylyintheDark: Thanks so much for your reviews and your patience, and let me make one thing clear: YOU'VE NEVER ANNOYED ME...not once. I just wanted to let you know that.
Well...that's it, friends.
BigLos...out.