I do not own any of the Naruto or Kuroko no Basuke characters. Their ownership resides solely with Masashi Kishimoto and Tadatoshi Fujimaki.
Normal speech - "Kurama"
Flashback – kurama
Sound effects – kurama
Chapter 10
Naruto wrapped his jacket tighter around himself in an attempt to keep the cold breeze at bay.
"So you ready for tomorrow? It's the first game after all." She smiles softly at him as she sits next to him.
"I'm nervous as hell! Everyone will be there because it's the first game of the season." he replies as he rubs the back of his head; a nervous tick of his that he has never managed to get rid of.
"You'll be fine Naruto-kun. It'll be no different from middle school and all the camps you went on. The players will just be better than before." She glances at him out the corner of her eye before she scoots over and lays her head on his shoulder. "Are you going to keep yourself locked away again this year?"
He sighs at her question. It was one of the few things they constantly fought about. She kept telling him to not hide away his true self on the court and he kept wanting to keep that side of him locked away.
"Maybe I'll let him out this season… I'm finally playing against the best players in the world so there's really no reason at all to keep him locked away?"
He feels her graze his cheek with a sweet kiss as he continues to gaze at the stars above them.
"You know what you need?" she sits up in excitement, eyes wide with joy and glint of mischievousness that she only ever allows him to see. "A special move. Something unique only to you. A basketball move so difficult that its never been done before in the NBA." She jumps up and points a finger in his face. "Your own signature move!"
Naruto looks up into the sky and releases a chuckle while thinking back over the past few weeks of training with Lee and Gai.
"Don't worry about my signature," a vicious grin appears on his face, "I finally have it down."
He pulls her down so that she's sitting between her legs with her back against his chest. He wraps his arms around her and breathes in her lavender scent.
"What if I'm not good enough?" he allows his insecurities to surface, only ever around her.
"Then you'll get better. Its just high school basketball Naru-koi." She turns around in his arms to look at him. Her eyes conveying all the unsaid things that he needs to hear. "You are the best Naru-koi. You'll always be the best."
She leans down and kisses him with so much love that he forgets about everything else for that moment in time.
Naruto's self control slips as he allows himself to become lost in the moment; a lone tear the only indication of his inner turmoil as he gazes at the headstone before him.
"I miss you Hinata-hime."
"You know, the rest of the team met up earlier for some stupid team bonding session thing but no one could get a hold of you. I told them to not worry about it and that I knew exactly where you would be. Glad to know I didn't lie to anyone."
Kobe, wearing a tailored suit, walks onto the Staple Centre's court to join Naruto. Both men are then surrounded by silence that's only interrupted by the bounce of the ball in Naruto's hands.
"Got restless. Wanted to come in early to get in a good warm-up. Instead of getting that warm-up I just ended up bouncing the ball for two hours."
Both men chuckle at that as both have experienced the same thing more than once. The moment lasts for a few more minutes before the tension between them slowly rises.
"As soon as you get on the court they are going to come for you. You will be up against Harden and Beverly. One is one of the best 1v1 in the league at the moment and the other is a pure lockdown defender."
"I know, I stole your tapes." The tension is broken as Kobe looks at Naruto in complete shock. "You didn't think you were the only one who studied, did you? I would've used my tapes but yours are specified to players and not just teams."
"I should have known." Kobe shakes his head.
Naruto sits down and leans back on his hands as both men face the stands, each thinking they have been in this situation before.
"Are you going to be sitting with the coaches? Cause if so then I have a favour to ask." Kobe nods for him to continue but gives no verbal reply. "If Harden or Beverly catch fire in the first half, please do your best to get me into the game."
"You have the whole third quarter to go up against whoever is on the court. You really going to push your luck and ask for more? Besides, you really think you are ready to take on the two of them? Harden is useless on the defensive front but Beverly is a fighter. He'll fucking beat you down with no remorse."
Kobe watches Naruto, looking for any reaction that might come his way. Instead of a reaction, he gets a taste to what Naruto has been trying to keep locked up inside him. He catches a glimpse of Naruto's eyes and lets out a bellow of a laugh.
"Kid, you are more like me than you'll ever realise!" Kobe keeps laughing while Naruto looks on in confusion. "That look in your eyes is the exact same one I used to get back in the day. I admit that I hardly get it now-a-days cause all my biggest rivals are gone or we are all just past our prime. It was the best feeling in the world…"
Again, both men allow the silence around them to take over. Neither will admit that more is being spoken without the use of words; the two of them so alike that none are needed.
Eventually Naruto gets up and begins to make his way to the rest of the team as he notices the Staple Centre staff begin setting up for the game tonight. He stops walking but doesn't turn around as Kobe calls his name.
"Are you not at all nervous about playing tonight?"
"Since I started playing when I was five, I've waited to play against someone in a situation where I didn't have to hold back. You are asking me if I'm nervous for something I have been waiting for since I stepped onto a court?" Naruto walks down the tunnel but his voice still carries to Kobe, "I got rid of any nervousness the night before my first high school game."
Naruto walked into the locker where the rest of the team were busy getting ready for the game. As he walks past some of the players to get to his locker, he greets them with handshakes and silly comments. The atmosphere inside the locker-room is upbeat with music playing and players getting dressed.
He stands in front of a locker that has a Lakers top hanging from the with a big number 9 on the back. Naruto stares at the Namikaze that is printed above the 9. Everything else around him becomes a blur as his sight is fixed solely on the jersey before him. While the rest of the team are busy enjoying themselves, the air around Naruto becomes incredibly tense. Slowly the players around him began to take notice of the change in him. Unbeknownst to anyone in the room at that moment, most of the players in the room unconsciously started to see him as the alpha of the current team. Just the intensity of his gaze alone was enough to show all of them how much he wanted to go out and win.
Naruto becomes aware of others around him when a flash goes off. He glances at the Steve Nash who has a camera in his hands and has a sheepish look on his face.
"Sorry. You just had the most intense look on your face. I had to capture it on film."
Naruto gives him a nod of the head before facing the locker again and changing into his gear. He opens his Laker's gym bag and pulls out the new wrist-bands that Himawari made for him with the help of Rin and Shizune. He reached under his seat and pulled out the shoe given to him by Adidas. The official name for it was Crazy Explosive Solar Red. It was a shoe exclusively made for him.
The coach walks in and goes over the game plan with everyone. Naruto was surprised to find out that Kyle was also sitting bench with him. Surely he would have been someone they needed on the court.
An NBA official then makes his way into the room to inform everyone that its time to take to the court. The team down and out the tunnel to a roaring crowd. Naruto spots his family and friends in the stands. He waves at that and blows Himawari a kiss.
When both teams are done with the warms ups, the starting members take the court for the tip-off. Naruto sits on one of the seats as the game begins. The Lakers were starting off the game by scoring at the hoop closest to the Rockets' bench.
As the match progresses Naruto doesn't take note of his leg that begins to bounce as he becomes more frustrated with how the match is going. Harden is destroying the outside defense with his quickness and getting the ball to the other Houston players. That's not even taking into account the shots his taking when he has even a little bit of space. Beverley was roughing up the guards when they tried to run the lane. The Laker's outside shots just weren't landing and it didn't seem like anyone on the court was willing to take a risk to spark a come back. On top of that, every time a big play was made by the Rockets they would taunt Naruto who still hadn't stepped onto the court yet. The crowed noticing what was happening started to get behind putting Naruto in the game by chanting his name. However, the coaches stuck with the decision to keep him on the bench.
Everything finally came to boiling point halfway through the 2nd quarter with the score at 47 – 28 to the Rockets. Naruto, who became eerily calm, watched as Beverley stripped the ball off of Steve Nash before running down court for a dunk. As he lands he walks over to Naruto while making the talking gesture with his hand and pointing at him. Naruto stands up to meet him and the crowd's noise level reaches fervour pitch as players from both teams step between Naruto and Beverley. The officials eventually get things under control and give Beverley a technical for taunting the opponents too much.
"Namikaze!" Naruto snaps his head towards the coach. "Take your suit off. You're subbing in."
Many of the people hearing this look at Naruto expecting to see a smile on his face. The expression on his face is anything but a smile. His jaw is tense with rage and the look of his eyes is so intense that they belonged on that of an animal. He rips his tracksuit off and walks towards the announcers' table but is stopped as someone grabs his wrist.
"Go get him, Kid."
Naruto doesn't turn to face him but Kobe knows that what he said was heard. Naruto waits for the buzzer to indicate he can step off the court. Steve walks off while tapping Naruto on the shoulder. Naruto walks on the court to the roar of the crowd, adrenalin pumping through his veins.
"Tou-san, kaa-san, one day I will stand down on that basketball court and everyone will know that I am the best."
"I have no doubt that you will, Sochi."
"If that is really what you want to accomplish then your mother and I will help you in anyway we can. We will be right there supporting you every step of the way."
"Watch me." He whispers as he gazes towards the ceiling.
Due to the technical the Lakers were to take two free-throws. Naruto stood in their half of the court while this was happening. He was ignoring all the players standing around him as he kept his eyes closed to center himself. On the outside he appeared to be calm, even relaxed. Inside however, Naruto was experiencing an excitement he hadnt felt in years.
He opens his eyes to see Harden catch the inbound and dribble the ball up court. Naruto calmly walks towards him and meets him beyond the 3-point line before getting into a forward defensive stance. Harden started dribbling the ball faster to see if Naruto would bite but Naruto doesn't move an inch. Harden sees the lane open up and drives past Naruto who doesn't move to stop him. As he jumps in the air to lay-up the ball Naruto slams it against the back board before bringing it down to his body as he lands back on the floor.
Without hesitation he races down the court and a full sprint. As Beverley steps up to meet him past halfcourt Naruto crossovers to the left then quickly back to the right as he blasts past a stumbling Patrick Beverley. However, the slight pause in his sprint allows a defender to catch up to him and reach for the ball. Naruto quickly brings it behind his back, into his left hand, and sends an under-arm pass to Kyle Korver in the left-hand corner. Naruto turns back around as soon as he sees the ball in Kyle's hands and doesn't even look as the ball is sunk for a three.
The crowd roars its approval and the display put on by Naruto. The team, picking up on the excitement of the crowd, becomes more lively on defense forcing the Rockets to rush a shot. As the centres get ready to duke it out for the rebound, Naruto is already flying through the air and catching the ball. He lands, pivots on his left foot, and throws a touchdown pass to Jodie Meeks who lays it up while being fouled.
The crowd once again loses its mind at the brilliant play. As Meeks makes the free-throw the Lakers quickly set up and defense. This time Harden doesn't mess around he dribbles the ball at a frantic pace before driving to the right with Naruto following him every step of the way. What Naruto isnt ready for is the step back Harden takes as he gets behind the 3-point line and releases a 3 as Naruto jumps in the air in a attempt to stop it.
On the next play Naruto holds up his finger for a 1v1. Pau steps up as if his about to set up a screen before the entire Lakers team jogs to the left side of the court. Just as Naruto is about to start driving the ball, Beverley steps out of nowhere and presses right up against him. With Naruto focusing on kepping the ball away from Beverley, Harden easily strips it from him and runs up court for an easy dunk.
The 2nd quarter was coming to a close and Naruto still hadnt been able to get a shot off. With Beverley and Harden double teaming him all he could do was pass to the open man. Naruto already had 6 assists because of the fast pace that the game was being played at.
With the clock running down, one of the Rockets' players fumbles the ball and its picked up by Kyle who throws it to Naruto. Naruto races down the court. As he sees Beverley get into a defensive stance in the paint he gathers himself and jumps from the free-throw line to perform a metoar jam right before the buzzer sounds.
The score at the end of the 2nd quarter reads 58 – 46 with the Lakers drastically closing the gap to the Rockets.
Naruto walks backwards towards the Lakers' bench as he and Beverley have a face off.
"Come at me bro!"
"I'm on my way! Don't worry about waiting! I'm coming!"
The Laker's locker room was extremely upbeat. All players were filled with energy at the way they were playing. The amazing thing abut it all is that it wasn't just one or two players doing well. Almost everyone on the court was scoring.
Sitting down in front of his locker, Naruto was taking a drink of water as he tried to catch his breath.
"Tough out there?" Kobe asks as he makes his way over.
"Just not used to the level of play." Naruto replies when he gets his breath back. "I'm pushing myself to the limits just to keep Harden from making his shots. Him and Beverley are tearing me down with that double team."
Kobe nods his head in understanding. He was actually amazed that Naruto was doing so well in his first game. However, he was concerned by the amount of fatigue that Naruto was showing having not played a full quarter yet. He sits down next to Naruto and leans his arms on his knees.
"Okay here is what I want you to do. Look at your teammates all over the room." Kobe waits for Naruto to focus on his teammates. "The Rockets are going to come for you expecting you to go for the baskets. First and foremost you are a PG. That means you can't take on everything on by yourself. Now, how do you get their attention away from you?"
Naruto looks around him. Slowly, I plan starts to form in his head as he watches his teammates go about their business.
"You move it onto someone else…" whispers Naruto before he jumps up in excitement. "Ey! Kyle! Pau! I need a favour from you guys!"
Starting the 3rd quarter Naruto noticed that the Rockets had Beverley and Harden on the bench in order to rest them. He glances to where Kobe is sitting on the bench in excitement.
"Take over Kid!"
"Run and gun!" Naruto shouts to his teammates of the court.
And take over is exactly what Naruto did. Naruto was everywhere on the court. Instead of trying to takes shots beyond the arc, Naruto was rushing the lane for lay-ups and looking for fouls. He also made sure to keep his teammates involved by ensuring the ball kept moving asround the court. On defense he was pressuring the opposing ball handler as soon as the inbound was in his hands.
As the quarter continued to progress the crowd kept getting behind every play Naruto was making. The team was feeding off of the crowd's reaction. Naruto had 16 points, 14 in this quarter; 9 assists; 6 rebounds; and 3 steals. He was getting more hyped up as the crowd cheered him on. He kept glancing at the Rockets' bench everytime a big play was made. He wanted Beverley and Harden back on the court and was quickly getting tired of waiting so… he decided to do exactly what Beverley did to him.
On the Rockets' next play Naruto let Kyle guard the PG as he stayed in the line, out of sight from the PG's vision. On instinct Naruto quickly sprinted out of painted with his arm outstretched just as a pass was made. Naruto smacks the ball down court and sprints after it, leaving everyone else in the dust.
He grabs the ball as he nears the hoop and slows down to settle himself. As he enters the paint from the right-hand side he jumps in the air and spins twice before slamming the ball through the hoop.
Everyone in the Staple Center goes insane at having just witnessed a 720 dunk in an official NBA game. Naruto hypes the crowd up even more by walking past the Rockets' bench and pointing his finger at Harden.
"Come play with a demon!"
Naruto's family started chanting his nickname after hearing what he shouted.
"Kitsune! Kitsune! Kitsune!"
The rest of the crowd picks up the chant as the Rockets call a time out. Naruto walks towards his bench, being congratulated all the way by his teammates. He walks right up to Kobe who is sitting on the bench chuckling to himself.
"So, how was that?" Naruto asks with a vicious grin on his face.
Kobe lets out a bellow of a laugh at Naruto's brashness.
"Kid, I couldn't have done it better myself."
Naruto hears the crowd start booing and gances over at the Rockets' bernch. He watched as Beverley and Harden walked onto the court. He immediately went over to Kyle and Pau.
"Hey guys! You ready to go through with the plan?"
"Yes, I am."
"Yeah I'm ready to go."
The team walks on the court and sets up on defense. Naruto watches Harden dribble past half-court. Naruto steps up to meet him. Harden does a crossover and tries to get past him. Naruto is still riding the momentum from before the time-out. He is all over Harden, forcing a pass. The Rockets manage to score after almost running out the shot-clock.
Naruto calls for a quick rebound and sprints down the court for a coast-to-coast. Beverley meets him just as he reaches the lane, forcing Naruto off balance as he releases the ball. As he rushes back to stop the fast break he sees Kyle start heading in the same direction.
"Stay in the corner!"
Naruto races back and gets between Harden and Beverley to stop a pass with his left hand. He pivots on his left foot as he releases the ball. Using the momentum of the spin, Naruto places his right hand on the ball and pushes it as hard as he can. Everyone watches as the ball flies to seemingly no one. Lots of people are surprised to find the ball land in the hands of Kyle Korver, who stayed behind in the corner, as he sets himself and releases a perfect 3-point shot.
The crowd goes insane at the latest amazing play that just transpired on court. Naruto was completely dominating the game. Everyone watching the game at that moment were in utter shock at the rookie sensation going head-to-head with two veteran players and coming out on top.
Naruto is once again being double teamed on the right side of the court. He catches a glimpse of Pau setting up a screen on the left side. He jumps into the air, a good few inches higher than either defenders, and uses both hands to send the ball across the court. Just as it seems its about to hit Pau, Kyle appears around him to perform a catch and shoot.
With the clock running down to end the 3rd quarter Naruto sprints down. As Beverley steps in front of him Naruto turns around and performs a post-up. He looks ahead and sees Kyle running towards him so he casually throws the ball right into his hands. Kyle releases the ball just as the buzzer.
The team go crazy at the buzzer beater with everyone on the bench jumping up and performing handshakes with Kyle. It was Kobe that noticed Naruto was amongst those joing in the celebration. The crowd's cheers slowly die down as more attention is being placed on Naruto who still hasn't moved away from his place.
Kobe walks on court and steps up to Naruto. Its as he gets a good look at Naruto that he takes note of the amount of sweat pouring off of him and the heavy breaths that are being taken.
"Kid, you okay?" Kobe asks in concern.
Naruto lets out a chuckle but otherwise doesn't move a step from his position. He struggles with trying to regain his breath.
"I'm scared that if I try to take a step I'll end up falling. I don't think I can make it off the court on my own."
Just as it seems that Naruto is about to tip over, a figure appears and catches him while throwing Naruto's right arm over his shoulder. Naruto glances down and is surprised to see Patrick Beverley being the one to hold him up.
"You played a good game out there bro. I know now you the real deal. I look forward to out next match. We have to settle this score."
Kobe rushes over to Naruto's other side. Both men help Naruto over to the Laker's bench. Once Naruto is with his team Beverley heads back to his own. Kobe calls for the medics to set up in the med bay as he helps Naruto down the tunnel.
At the end of the 3rd quarter the Lakers were leading with a score of 79 – 73. Naruto ends his debut game with a 23 points, 12 assist, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals.
so as usual review and let me know what you think. obviously i am not going to go into great detail with every single game, only the ones i feel is important to the story. please excuse any spelling and grammar errors, they'll be fixed at a later date. i just want to get a bit further into the story before i decide to go back.