Chapter 3: Tryout Part II: Making the Team

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story. All Characters in the story all belong to their corresponding authors.

This was it! This was the day that girls would fine out if they would make the team. Most of the girls like Sakura Haruno and Miko were excited that the time for a great opportunity would arrive. Only one girl was unsure of herself and that was Ichigo Momomyia. The red head girl was slightly unsure of her abilities to make the team. She never even got a good idea how to practice by herself as a wide reciever. If she didn't then the whole world would know her secret and she knew Kaiba wasn't lying about not sending the footage.

Right now like most girls, she was watching the footage of the NFL Post Season Game NFC Championship game between the Sanfransico 49ers vs. the Seatle Seahawks. Her eyes were strained on two positions on the Offensive Line, the Quarterbacks, Kolin Kapernick for the 49ers and Russel Wilson for the Seahawks and both team's Wide Recievers. She concentrated on the Wide Recievers the most hoping to understand what her position as a Wide Reciever would be about. She saw the Quarterbacks retrieve the Football from the Center then on passing plays passed it to a Wide Reciever whom caught it or dropped it. Ichigo sweatdrops thinking I better be one of those Wide Recievers that catches passes the most rather then dropping them to make the team.

Sakura's attention was on the two team's quarterbacks. She could expertly see that the QB was the leader of the team, well he was more of a leader on the offensive line but even when he wasn't on the defensive line, she could still see he was the top leader on the team. Watching the footage she felt better about herself making the team. She knew she had the arm power, the accuracy, and even if rushed by the defensive line the legs to extend plays. She looks around the room briefly trying to see if any of the girls here would be her competition. There was one that stood out, a blond girl whom sat studying seriously, dressed in a blue military uniform. Sakura could tell that this woman was studying the Qbs as well. Sakura now thinks once she does a successful scan around the room trying to see the other girls trying out for Quarterback That girl right there might be my only competition I have to worry about. She does look very serious.

Miko watched the game with great interest. She was focusing on the Centers of both team. No Center made any errors that she could see. She saw the Center's on screen. Still she knew what the Center's job was supposed to do and she practiced her role seriously with Jack, and Rath. Jack was her practice QB and Rath acted as defensive lineman trying to get passed her to sack Jack. She felt really sure of herself that she'd make the team with no problem.

Ku-Fei was also watching the Wide Recievers of both teams and felt excited and even imagined herself as one of them being challenged by both team's Cornerbacks and or Safties. There she knew she'd be the best at. If there was anything people knew about her, it was this simple fact: You challenge Ku-Fei you lose each time. Ku wasn't sure what position she'd be playing as but watching the footage she now knew which and decided to play as a Wide Reciever. She eyes Ichigo whom was looking worried and manages to scoot over to her whispering "What's wrong?

Ichigo responded in her own whisper "I'm trying out as a Wide Reciever."

"Oh! You're going to be my competition!" Ku-Fei said.

Hearing this Ichigo looks at Ku-Fei's body. Out of all the Girls trying out for the Wide Reciever position, Ku looked very athletic and even looked as if she'd be her greatest rival in the position. It was as if she knew that Ku would get the position as well. Ichigo's heart wanted to stop now knowing that Ku was one of her competitors. She even heard rumors about Ku-Fei being very great at anything. Ku notices this "Something wrong?"

Ichigo whispered watching it still "I'm honestly worried about making this team. I'm sure you'd easily make the team."

"Oh, why thank you" Ku said "Ku-Fei is my name."

"I'm Ichigo Momomiya" Ichigo tells her then sighs "I'm unsure if I can make it, I mean against you, there is no way I can compete against you."

"You know there are at least two Wide Recievers on the field right?" Ku pointed out.

"I do know that" Ichigo said to Ku silently "But I didn't get practice for this position."

"I never got practice with this ether" Ku admitted to her.

Ichigo looks at Ku. Ku sees this and smiles "No doubting yourself; be yourself. Sure competition is fearful but that is what happens during Tryouts."

Ichigo now felt a bit better even giving Ku a friendly pat on the back "Thank you for your kind words. Do you think I have a shot though? I mean I know you'll make it."

Ku actually nods at Ichigo's question about having a shot "You have better luck then my friend Asuna would if she were trying out for the position we are."

Ichigo blinks remembering Ku-Fei's friend "What position is she trying out for?"

"I suggested some position where kicking the football is good" Ku told her.

"The Field Goal Kicker" Ichigo muttered she and Ku watch as the Field Goal Kickers for both Teams would kick Field Goals when needed to "Hmm, not bad."

Ichigo and Ku sit side-by-side watching the rest of the game. Ichigo does one last look over on Ku knowing she'd couldn't compete against Ku, but knowing there were at least two Wide Recievers out meant she could have found a partner or friend to practice the Wide Reciever Position alone. She now felt better with her abilities knowing that if both Wide Recievers did well in catching the ball then she and Ku would be two dangerous weapons in the Passing Game of the Tokyo Vixens.

Kallen Statfield was watching the team's Runningbacks make rushing plays. She did feel that this was more suited of her nature. She wouldn't have minded being a Wide Reciever ether but she wanted to help on the ground. She does notice there were other girls trying out for the same position but most preferred Wide Receiver if they were on the offensive line.

The game finally ends and the Seahawks would win by their Cornerback Richard Sherman Intercepting a Hail Marry Pass by Kolin Kapernick in the Seahawk's Endzone thus ending the 49er's hopes of any comeback. All of the girls in the room clapped their hands as it was an exciting game between both teams.

Kakashi Hatake stood up as the footage finished. Agent Fowler turned the lights on. It is Kakashi that spoke "Greetings ladies, I do hope you enjoyed our footage of this exciting game, allow me to introduce myself I am Kakashi Hatake, I am the Head Coach of this experimental NFL Football Team and with me are my assistant Coaches. Assistant Head Coach William Fowler,"

At this Agent Fowler stood up waving to the girls. Kakashi continued " Offensive Coordinator Shikamaru Nara."

Shikamaru stood up waving lazily.

Kakashi continues " Alan my Defensive Coordinator."

"Hello ladies" Alan said waving to them while standing up.

"And" Kakashi began "Special Teams Coordinator, Suzuku."

Suzaku stands up waving even bowing "Greetings ladies and good luck to all of you."

The girls all clapped once again. Kakashi now spoke "For the whole day we will be assessing your abilities. It won't be until tomorrow afternoon where we will announce the ones that made the team. Now I know many of you ladies didn't get a lot of time to practice so do try your best in what you saw in the footage. There will be road to improvement and we'll focus on our efforts as a team in our practices once the team is formed. So with those said, let the Tryouts begin in five minutes."

The coaches of the Tokyo Vixens left in a hurry. This gave the girls enough time to go and use the restroom and some to try to meet whom they thought was their competition. Sakura walks over to the blond haired girl, if this woman was her competition then she'd better know her name at least "Hello miss, I'm Sakura Haruno."

The blond haired woman seems to acknowledge her even shaking her hand "Why hello, nice to meet you Sakura. I'm First LT. Risa Hawkeye."

Sakura knew by military ranking in most other countries what a first LT was "With no disrespect ma'am, why is a First LT doing at a football tryout?"

Risa answered "Wasn't sure if there were any girl trying out to be the team's Quarterback, so I've came to tryout" She then muttered lowly that caused Sakura to giggle a bit "Plus, a certain Colonel asked me to tryout."

Risa then asked Sakura "So, what are you here for Sakura?"

Sakura answered now knowing her answer, it was confirmed, Risa and her would be competitors for the same job and knew that both potentially would make the team as the team needed at least two Quarterbacks with one being the Back-up Quarterback just in case something happened to the Starting QB "Well, Kakashi-Sensei asked me to attend the tryouts as a Quarterback as well."

"No kidding!" Risa said smiling a bit "And wait don't you mean Coach Kakashi now?"

Sakura nods "Yeah, he's Coach Kakashi now but he is a Shinobi just like me and was a teacher of my group."

"Nice of him to think of you Sakura" Risa said then her glare tightened "So you're going to be one of my competitors."

"Sure looks like it" Sakura said to her "Um, I sort of guessed you were going to be trying out as Quarterback but did you see any other girl?"

"None that I could see clearly" Risa admitted "But I had the same feeling about you trying out for the Quarterback position. You do know what this means right?"

Sakura nods "I do, 1st Lt. It means that if we both tryout we'll succeed in getting on the team, but we'll have to compete against each other for the Starting role."

Risa Hawkeye shakes Sakura's hand "Please, Sakura, no need to be formal, Risa is fine enough, and that's true, I have no intention of losing that position to you."

Sakura smiles at Hawkeye shaking her hand, this would be a rivalry when it came to getting the starting position but for right now the two would be great friends "I myself will have no intention of losing the starting position to you. Right now we have to make the team so let me say it now, may the best QB win the starting job when that time comes."

Risa agrees shaking Sakura's hand as well "You bet!"

Soon all of the girls trying out to make the team met on the football field. Then the tryouts started, Shikamaru organized his offensive line dividing them into the three possible offence positions. Alan the Defensive Coordinator for the Tokyo Vixens did the same for the defensive line. Suzaku would help tryout the Field Goal Kicker and Punter. Shikamaru was looking for one thing in each position. For the offensive Linemen it was to see how well they were able to read Alan's defensive line and protect the girl trying out for Quarterback. He did focus a bit more on the Centers sensing they were the ones that snapped the ball to give to the Quarterback and blocked to defend the Quarterback.

Alan was looking for the opposite, for how the defensive linemen broke the block and got to the quarterback on Blitz and trying to put pressure on the Quarterback in general. He also was watching the girls trying out for linebacker to see how well they could help lead the team. He like Shikamaru was watching closely on the girls.

Now Shikamaru helped Kakashi coach the offensive line for the Wide Receivers, both were watching for how well they could read the defensive line and how well they could catch the football. On the other side of the ball, Alan watched how well the women playing Cornerbacks covered the Wide Receivers, and how well the Safties could help the Cornerbacks. For the Runningbacks on the offensive line it was to see how far they could run and how they could try their hardest to make positive gains. For the quarterback position though, like all good teams they really wanted to see four things in the Quarterback. One was to see how well she read the defensive play, the second was how she done under pressure, and third how accurate she was, and then the fourth Shikamaru and Kakashi were looking at was how she handled herself as the leader of the Offensive Line. Out of all the ones playing on Offence, two Quarterbacks literally did quite well then the other three Quarterbacks. Those were Sakura Haruno, and Risa Hawkeye.

Coach Fowler watched the two girls on the sidelines amazed at these two girl's ability to tryout as Quarterback. Kakashi was watching both girls with interest. Shikamaru calmly watched both girls, with both expertly reading all of Alan's defensive plays. Sakura scored well in almost all areas they were seeing problem was so did Risa Hawkeye.

There was a slight difference in the two, other then age, both were extremely well being able to read the defence in fact no matter what, Alan's best Linebacker which was a girl name Keade wasn't able to sack Sakura. Sakura under pressure though extended the play and at times when she saw an opening ran. She was also very accurate during the tryouts but she did tend to be like most other Quarterbacks in throwing the ball a little too much over the Wide Reciever's heads. She was also a great leader.

Risa Hawkeye on the other hand was nearly similar to Sakura, she read defences well, she did well under pressure in the fact she was able to throw the ball away quickly before sacks could happen which she was sacked by Keade meaning Sakura was much better at handling pressure but when Risa Hawkeye threw the Football she was so accurate that she never missed a Wide Reciever or Tight End, not even overthrowing the football or under throwing it. When she threw she was dead on her target. Like Sakura she was a great leader.

Coach Fowler turns to Kakashi "Wow, Kakashi, your student Sakura is something else. She's as you said excellent at QB."

Shikamaru nods agreeing "Yes, Sakura's good, but Hawkeye is certainly also good. Almost Equal even."

Kakashi agreed "Both girls are excellent Quarterbacks." he adds on in a whisper "It's fair to say we know the first two girls that made the team."

"Kaiba really should sign those two girls on the team right now" Fowler admitted he then also admitted "It would be really hard to determine our Starter Quarterback though."

Shikamaru agreed "Yeah, both girls are extremely well, but the Preseason Game will determine who gets the Starting Job...But man picking whose going to be our Starter is going to be a drag..."

Kakashi wrote Sakura and Risa's name on the list of those who made the team. Now another girl that did extremely well on offence was Miko, Fowler's choice at Center. No matter who was Quarterback of the girls trying out, Miko was able to hold her own against any defensive linemen successfully able to snap the ball, hand it over to the QB and even blocking quite well. In fact no one managed to get passed her, Now there were other Offensive Guards that faltered a bit. To Kakashi, Fowler, and Shikamaru's eyes, they knew Miko was also going to make it.

"You can't have any better Center then Miko" Fowler admitted.

Shikamaru was quick to argue though "She's certainly the best Center we've seen so far. There are other teams that may have great Centers."

"Point taken" Fowler admitted.

Kakashi agreed with Fowler "Miko certainly has what it takes to make the team. She's only going to get better once she make it...Hopefully."

Shikamaru understood the hopefully part "Right, because this is only the Tryouts which where it maybe hard, it's another thing during a real game though."

Ichigo found herself actually having fun as Wide Reciever. She caught passes by the quarterbacks, even caught a screen pass and ran a bit until she was tackled. She certainly knew she was a bit better then other Wide Recievers on the team, except for Ku-Fei. There were times Ichigo was on the side lines watching Ku-Fei play. To her eyes Ku was extremely good at her position. Ku easily caught screen passes, made several players miss her and made impressive gains. Ichigo still had a great time trying out and never dropped a single pass...That was until Homura Akemi whom was playing as Cornerback tackled her in the chest nearly knocking the wind out of the catgirl.

"Sorry" Homura said extending a hand to help Ichigo onto her feet.

Ichigo gasps for breathe a few times but she extended her hand to Homura "No need to worry, I just didn't see you coming that's all. But thanks for helping me."

Homura nods and went to continue on playing. Sakura watches as Ichigo comes over to the sideline to regain her breathe "You okay Ichigo?"

Ichigo pants a bit still trying to regain her breathe "Yes, I am. Ouch!"

Sakura starts to heal the red head girl and both girls watched as Ku-Fei caught a pass by Risa Hawkeye and dodged Rei Hino's attempt to tackle her and take it into the End Zone for what would've been an eighty yard Touchdown. Ichigo bit her lip "Man...Ku's good"

Sakura nods "She really is, but you're good as well."

"Thanks" Ichigo smiled at Sakura "But please honestly tell me what you think of my performance so far."

Sakura answered "You were excellent, well compared to Ku not so good but compared to the others we've seen already you were excellent especially getting in those plays that a normal Wide Reciever would be ruled out of bounds catching the pass. You always seem to keep both feet inside before stepping out of bounds after catching the ball."

Ichigo smiles feeling better as both girls returned onto the field. Miko snapped the ball once again and to prove Sakura's point, Sakura passes to Ichigo managed to catch the football after getting it for ten yards and managed to step out of bounds before Ahsoka Tano whom was trying out as Safety could tackle her. Watching Ku and Ichigo play as Wide Recievers made Shikamaru admit out "Ku and Ichigo would be great, Wide Recievers."

Kakashi agreed "Ku's great for explosive plays. Ichigo is very great at catching passes before stepping out of bounds, Ichigo certainly would be a big player on the Two Minute Warning because of that and other times we need her. Fowler watches Ku dodge a tackle this time from Homura whom was perhaps a slightly better Cornerback then Rei Hino was "Man, you can't challenge Ku at all. Challenge her and she makes you pay."

"Right" Shikamaru agreed "Which she'll be a terror for opponent defences, because one, you can't leave her open otherwise she'll easily score, and two, you can't exactly challenge her because she easily seems to make you miss tackling her. I do believe that if the Tokyo Vixens are a success in Kaiba's mind that Ku would make one of the Top Wide Receivers in the NFL.

"And feared" Fowler agreed.

"That too" Shikamaru admitted.

Kakashi was already writing Ku's name and Ichigo's name on the list of girls that made it.

Kalen Stefield was perhaps the best Runningback Trying out. She was reading the defence and she was fast on her feet but, just like all Runningbacks had a lot to go. She would rush up the middle and got some impressive gains but Keade was able to stop her at other times. Now when she managed to go to ether left or right sides Kalen was able to gain more yards. She did much better then the other girls. Still she was determined and that determination told all Coaches of the Tokyo Vixen that she was a Runningback of the Tokyo Vixens.

Now there were some excellent playmakers on Defense as well. Keade was one of the best Linebackers trying out. She was able to stop nearly all Runningbacks, and even able to sack the girls trying out as Quarterback, except for Sakura. Ahsoka Tano was excellent at Safety, heck she had picked off two other girls trying out as Quarterback like three times each making her getting six interceptions. Homura Akemi as Cornerback was a great addition to the defense as she was able to cover all of her Wide Recievers, except for Ku-Fei whom even threw her off guard. Rei Hino was another excellent Cornerback. Rukia somehow managed to even do well on Defence as Safety even managing to pick off a Quarterback twice due to her size and speed. So that was both Safties and Cornerbacks doing well.

Now on Special Teams, Suzaku was helping Asuna Kagurazaka in her kicking attempts at Field Goals. Out of all the girls something told Suzaku Asuna would be an excellent Field Goal Kicker or even Punter, or both! Still at one time while Suzaku was testing Asuna's leg for the kick. She accidentally missed the ball slamming onto her back. Suzaku blinked at seeing this as he rushes over to her "Are you okay Miss. Kagurazaka?"

Asuna nods getting up rubbing her back a bit "I am Coach Susaku!"

Ichigo saw this on the sign lines and giggles to herself muttering "Good job Charlie Brown."

This got Asuna to glare at her a bit. Despite the setback Asuna was able to successfully kick Field Goals from even 50 yards. Watching Asuna tryout was Ichigo and Ku. Ichigo's eyes widen as Asuna managed to get a 55 yard Field Goal jaw dropped "What's her secret."

Ku was smiling laughing in the inside at Ichigo's reaction "Asuna-san's always had strong kicks. Heck she kicked Negi-Sensei thousands of times, and she's kicked Evangeline's butt with her kicks."

Ichigo turns to Ku "Shoudn't anyone be able to kick a child teacher's butt and this Evangeline's butt?"

Ku mutters a secret that she kept for years "Not every person could kick a Mage's and Vampire Mage's butt like Asuna can due to easily shattering their Magic Barriers."

Ichigo looked bewildered she never heard of real mages as she whispers "Wait there are real mages?"

Ku noticed her error and whispered "Promise you won't tell anyone?"

Ichigo agrees "My lips are sealed."

Ku then explained how Negi was in fact a mage and that she was part of the group of girls that helped him on his extremely terrifying adventures. That Evangeline AK McDowelle was a vampire. The mention of an actually immortal vampire sent a chill of fear threw Ichigo's spine "Ku..."

"Yeah, Ichigo?" Ku asked.

"When you say vampire mage...Are you saying this Evangeline drinks blood from humans?" Ichigo asked.

Ku nodded and made Ichigo shiver a bit more " Yep, if Eva-chan as we called her didn't freeze you to death first."

Ichigo was now paranoid "She's not trying out is she?"

Ku calms her down "No, Eva-chan isn't to my knowledge, I haven't seen her but even if she was, Asuna will kick her butt like always, not to mention I would help defend you."

Ichigo calms down now that the chances of her meeting Evangeline would be slim "Thanks Ku."

"No problem!" Ku said.

For the remainder of the Tryouts, everything went out smoothly. Although even though she was told that Evangeline wasn't trying out Ichigo kept looking over her shoulder. Both Asuna and Ku noticed this with the Red head Asuna asking Ku "So...What's gotten her on edge?"

Ku sweatdropped "I may have accidentally told her about Negi."

"Ku!" Asuna whispered in a shout "You know that was a secret between the two of us!"

Ku sweatdrops again "Yeah, but she's not terrified of Negi-Boyo"

Asuna had a feeling why "If it isn't Negi...Then...No way, you told her about Eva-chan!"

Ku nods "Yep, it accidentally fell out but she's promised to keep it a secret."

Asuna watches Ichigo "She does know Eva-chan didn't even tryout right? That and the two of would stop Evangeline from harming her?"

Ku nods "Yes, she does"

Ichigo eyes the two "Hey I applaud you two for cheering me up, but I'm still a bit unease."

Soon the tryouts were over and every girl was interested in who made it and who didn't. At this point Seto Kaiba walks out to see the offensive line. It was time to see if Ichgio Momomiya made the tryouts. Ichigo saw him with Head Coach Kakashi, Assistant Head Coach William Fowler, and Shikamaru Nara the Offensive Coordinator. Her heart froze as she saw Kaiba with them hoping she made the team. This was one safe part of her deal, if she made the team then that was half the battle, the next half would have to be a starter. She whispers to Sakura "Uh, this maybe a bad time to ask, this but what's a Starter?"

Sakura whispers back the answer "A Starter is any player on the team that automatically starts off during a game. For example Colin Kapernick is the Starting Quarterback of the Sanfransico 49ers! He will always be the true Quarterback of that team. The backup is well the ones that fill in when a Starter is hurt."

"Oh" Ichigo whispered back she then fears that unless she was a Starting Wide Receiver than her secret would be known threwout the world. She gulps silently looking at Miko whom was excited "I have a great feeling I made the team!"

Ichigo smiles at Miko's enthusiasm. She had seen Miko Trying out as a Center and there was no doubt in her mind that Miko was the best one that was trying out as Center. Ichigo made her way over to Miko "I want to say this to you Miko, you looked great out there."

Miko shakes Ichigo's hand "Thanks, Ichigo, and to be honest, you were great out there."

Ichigo eyes Ku as she sighs " Thanks for the kind comment Miko. But I think Ku was greater than me."

Miko blinks knowing something was up "Man...What's wrong?"

Ichigo flashes a kind smile "Nothing much, but let's just say if I don't make the team, a secret I am trying to keep will go public."

Miko just looks at Ichigo, in all her years, she too had a deep secret and she for once placed herself in Ichigo's shoes, she supposed she'd be a bit unease with herself. All Miko could do was place a hand patting Ichigo's back "Don't worry I know you made it"

Ichigo feels a bit better at Miko's comment, with the hand patting her back, she felt that Miko also had a secret that she was sworn never to reveal. Asuna Kagurazaka and Ku-Fei certainly had a huge secret which she learned accidentally by Ku.

Ichigo whispers to Miko "How good are you at keeping secrets?"

"Before I had the secret I had, not very good. After I got the secret I have, well I have to continue to keep it and have. So I can keep yours, fair trade, we'll tell each other our secrets."

"Deal!" Ichigo said with a wink feeling that she and Miko would become great friends "But only if we make it."

"I like the sound of that!" Miko agreed.

Now Kakashi calls out the names of the girls that made the team "For Quarterbacks, we have two of them, Sakura Haruno, Risa Hawkeye. For Center, Miko, and Ten-Ten, We also have four Wide Recievers, Ku-Fei, Houki Shinonono, Misty, and-"

Ichigo didn't hear her name as she crossed her fingers praying mentally Please make it Ichigo.

Kakashi says the name she was hoping for "Ichigo Momomyia!"

Ichigo blinked as Miko smiles at her "Told you you'd make it."

Ichigo sighs as she hears other girl names from Kakashi, the Runningbacks Kallen Stefied, and Nao Cure had made it. Followed by eight other girls for Offensive Guard, Tifa Lockheart, Poula, the Anbu Komachi and Ten-Ten. For the Tight Ends they ended up having two talented ones, Makoto Kino.

Now for defense out of the four Safeties the former Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano and even Rukia managed to stand out. Out of the four Cornerback names that stood out were Homura Akemi, and Rei Hino. Out of the six Linebackers, Keade made perhaps one of the best of the three linebackers which another was Temari of the Sand Village and Kitana managed to be another Linebacker. For Defensive Guards, four names stood out, Cassie Chan, Sonya Blade, Rachel, and even Hinata Hyugga.

For the Special Teams Asuna Kagurazaka made Field Goal Kicker, Kick off Kicker, and Punter. Ahsoka Tano would fill in as a Punt or Kick off Returner as well as her Safety Position.

All of the girls that made the team were surprised they had made it. Kaiba looks at Ichigo speaking to her as he left "You passed half of the test. Good luck at being a Starter."

He walks off now and Ichigo sigh, Kaiba was right, she passed one part, now with other four Wide Receivers how was she going to compete for the Starting Job. She knew it would be a bit hard for her but she wasn't concerned about the other two girls that did make Wide Reciever, she was afraid at the competition she'd have to face against Ku-Fei.

Still this was a good day for Ichigo.

End of Chapter. The team has been assembled. Not that there are more 22 girls there are 48 girls on the team. Now let me hear some input on your ideas of the QB situation of the TOkyo Vixens on who you think should be the Starting QB, Sakura Haruno or Risa Hawkeye. I already have the Starter in my mind but let me hear your input on it.