DISCLAIMER: I do not own GA.

CHAPTER 26: Go warriors rock the gym!

The white wolves are now rejoicing since they are on the lead and that there are only 6 minutes left until the whole game ends. On the other hand, the crimson warriors are on the verge of giving up since they knew that luck was on the side of their opponent this time. It was a break time and then Coach Izumi gave them a few reminders.

"Okay team, there's still 6 minutes and that's enough to beat those puppies. All you have to do is act as a team and then get your head in the game. Just aim to shoot the ball. Don't be discouraged right away since it won't help you guys to get that trophy. Got that?" Coach Izumi said as the whistle was blown indicating that the game will now continue.

The ball was now on Ruka's hands and then he passed it on to Natsume. Natsume got it and then as he was about to shoot, someone from the opposing team got the ball and then he shot it perfectly giving them another point.

"This is so not good. At this rate, we will definitely lose." Hotaru mumbled.

"No they won't. *pant* They can't lose *pant* as long as I'm *pant* around." Mikan said in between her pants as she was already wearing her cheerleading outfit.

"Mikan? You're here." Hotaru mumbled as she gave her a hug.

"Hai. I've realized some things and that I really can't leave Natsume and you guys. But I'll explain later. I need a whole team to cheer." Mikan said as she left towards the crimson warriors cheer squad who are now just sitting quietly doing nothing. "Sheesh! Aren't cheerleaders supposed to be happy and perky?" she thought upon seeing them all.

"Hey warriors! Introduce yourselves!" Mikan yelled enough for the whole squad to hear. Upon hearing her voice, everyone was shocked and happy at the same time as she gave them a let's-all-do-it look.

"Hey warriors! I said introduce yourselves!" Mikan yelled again as the whole squad stood up and started cheering. "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, we're the warriors and we say hi! 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, back it up and watch us win! Go warriors!"

Upon hearing the cheerleaders, the whole players of the Crimson Warriors Basketball Team had a sudden burst of encouragement and then they all acted as a team just the way they were supposed to act from the very beginning of the game. As the cheerers continued on cheering, the players kept on shooting some hoops one after the other.

"Go warriors rock the gym, jump and shout so we can win! Go warriors! Yeah! Yeah! Go warriors!" The girls cheered as Mikan was the one leading them. She was gracefully and elegantly dancing and doing stunts in front of the crowd with a cute smile on her face.

Since the white wolves doesn't have the chance to shoot due to the sudden burst of energy of the crimson warriors, their coach requested for a time out. Both teams were now with their coaches…

"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Coach Izumi stated. "Continue with a performance just like that and we will surely win this competition! Just act as a team and focus for a few more minutes!" He continued as all players cheered except for Natsume who was currently eyeing a certain brunette.

"Tch. She came back." He thought happily.

"He's right. Our cheer squad will be there cheering for you all the way. Right, Mikan-chan?" Coach Takashi added.

"Hai!" Mikan said.

"Oh, you're here? So that's why the cheerers became lively all of the sudden. I guess your appearance made everyone work harder." Coach Izumi said while Mikan just smiled. "Okay team, let's all do this!"

"Hai!" they all yelled back as the whistle was heard again as they went back into their places. While walking, Natsume stared at Mikan as Mikan caught his eye and then she just smiled at him and gave her a good-luck-and-win-this-thing type of look.

"Okay! Let's beat the butts of these petty puppies!" Natsume yelled enough for everyone to hear.

The game continued on as the scores are now very close to each other. There was only a minute left the score of the warriors is 74 while the score of the wolves is 75. The ball was now with Ruka. He was being blocked by 2 people so he passed it to Natsume. Natsume quickly got the ball but he was also blocked by 2 guys.

"Damn! Time is running out! I need to shoot this thing!" Natsume thought as he was trying to maintain the ball in his hands while finding a way where to go wherein the ball will not be snatched by the others. He was so confused on where to go since time is kicking until he heard a very familiar voice.

"Natsume! You can do it! I'll be cheering for you!" Mikan yelled as Natsume suddenly turned to his right and the passed the ball to Tsubasa who now subbed an injured player. Tsubasa then passed back to ball to Natsume. He shoots and he scores! The bell then suddenly rang indicating that it was the end of the game.

"And that's all for the day! It seems that the crimson warriors are still the champion! This team is definitely unbeatable! Congratulations to all of their players and good job for their cheerers!" the emcee announced as everyone from the crimson warrior's side burst out into loud cheering.

~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~

A few minutes after the game, two best friends were talking at a bench near the fountain of the school.

"So, you've decided to show up. You know, I already thought the warriors would be history a while ago. You really have an impact on those guys." Hotaru said.

"Well, it would be a waste for all of my practices and such if I won't come right? It was a good thing that I even made it for the last six minutes of the game." Mikan replied while playing with the water in the fountain.

"Yeah. But about ten minutes earlier would have been better, you know. I got really bad shots since they were playing real bad."

"Oh Hotaru, you never change, do you?" Mikan replied as the both of them stayed in silence. "Ano… Hotaru? You knew from way back then how Natsume felt for me right?" she asked while Hotaru just gave her a nod.

"I see. I guess that even Ruka noticed it. I wasn't the only know noticed. i was so dense that I never knew that he was falling for me." Mikan continued.

"I'm pretty sure that he fell in love with that certain aspect of yours. Who wouldn't, right? You're nice, cute, smart, talented and everything that every guy could ever dream of." Hotaru responded. "So have you given him an answer yet?"

"Not yet." Mikan replied. "I wasn't really supposed to go back for the game but then I had realized some things when I was fixing my things in Miyu-san's place. That's why I rushed here so that I can be able to talk to him even just for a while."

"I guess that you have finally sorted out your feelings for him?" Hotaru asked.

"Hai. It was only this day that I have finally realized that I love him too. I just hope that it's not yet too late. Come to think of it, where is he anyway?" Mikan asked.

"I dunno. With Ruka and the others I guess. You know them. Celebrations always come right after their victory. I heard Ruka a while ago that the victory party will be at the Hyuuga's residence since Natsume is the captain of the team and their house is the biggest."

"I see. But how come that the party is there? Natsume never liked parties." Mikan wondered.

"He wasn't the one who planned it. It was Auntie Yuri. You know her every time Natsume wins a competition. She's just so… proud." Hotaru replied.

"I see." Mikan mumbled.

"Shall we get going? It looks like they are all at your house." Hotaru said while standing up.

"But Hotaru, it's not my house anymore. I'm not a Hyuuga anymore remember?"

"So? Trust me. you will be a Hyuuga again." Hotaru mumbled.

"Huh? What do you mean? I already signed the contract of being a Sakura once again." Mikan answered back.

"Never mind. Let's go." Hotaru stated as they headed on to the Hyuuga mansion. "Soon enough Mikan, I'm positive that you'll be a Hyuuga again."