Passion, Determination & a hint of Revenge

KuroBas fan-fiction

Chapter 4:

The moment the game ended Rinnosuke stumbled to the nearest trash can and emptied his stomach.

"You'll be alright, this happened a lot to most of our first years," Kensuke stated in a matter of fact tone.

Rinnosuke looked towards his senior, he felt terribly shaky now. "Isn't four games a bit much? Thirty minutes is just ten minutes shorter than an official game and we're not even getting that many breaks in between…"

"It's kind of more laid back than our usual practice though…" The second year stated, "I mean at least the coach isn't hitting us with her shinai," He made a motion as if he was using a sword over his head.

"Is that what that's for?" Rinnosuke asked wiping his mouth on his sleeve as he glanced at the coach. She was looking over at them. Rinnosuke quickly turned back to the trash bin as his stomach lurched. Having already emptied his stomach, there wasn't much that came out. "We need to come up with an attack plan," He said in a weak voice.

"Don't worry about it too much." The second year stated.

"Just play your best n' don't let the other team score, and try not to run yourself down," Kensuke said as he patted Rinnosuke's head.

Rinnosuke frowned. It was a plan but not a very well thought one. It kind of felt as if he was a part of the team but he knew he shouldn't. He couldn't feel at ease until the coach told him that he was in.

"Oh right," He said looking towards his upperclassmen, "Where are the other members?"

"Huh? Oh! Well they're in the second gym. We only practice as a whole club Monday's and the occasional Friday."

Rinnosuke slowly nodded his head, "Oh…um, I never got your names… Mine is Tachibana Rinnosuke…"

"I'm Otomo Junichi, you can call me Otomo-dono or the great and powerful Tomo." The third year informed with a broad smile.

"I'm Tagawa Yuuto," The taller second year stated.

"…Nishimura Hideaki."

"Alright, you break is over, get started with the next match!" Araki-Sensei called out pacing the line she had been observing from.

"Here, just drink a little," Himuro said as he offered Rinnosuke a bottle of water.

"Thank you…" Rinnosuke mumbled as he looked at Himuro in surprise.

"It's no problem," He replied, "…Some advice for next time, if you keep to one position you won't run yourself ragged and it'll help your teammates know which grounds to hold."

Rinnosuke blushed, "Ah-ah r-right, thanks again…"

I was too caught up in myself… old habits die hard. Rinnosuke let the lukewarm water sooth his parched throat and also wash out the rancid taste of bile.

"I'll be taking center if that's alright with everyone."

The other members of the green team looked to Rinnosuke. There was no possible way for someone of his size to secure such a position. He was at least best for small forward. As they considered his fatigue they could only nod and agree.

Rinnosuke smiled at them, "Thank you."

"Ah, it'd be best if you never show the captain such a face," The Junichi commented, glancing away and back at Rinnosuke, "He might cry."

The vice-captain chuckled and herded his team to the face the other team.

Yuuto, as the tallest within their team, was taking the jump going against a tall, lanky, long faced teen. Rinnosuke admired how most of the club members were exceptionally tall, there only seemed a few players at an average height. Rinnosuke was probably the shortest to practice with them.

The tip-off went in favor of the other team, Rinnosuke's legs burned as he rushed to keep them from scoring off another point. Luckily everyone was starting to feel the effects of their vigorous warm-ups and previous game.

We have to win this one; I'm not going to let them score once if I can help it. I need to go against Murasakibara, today might be my only chance… He reached forward trying to steal the ball or at least knock it forward out of reach. Rinnosuke's opponent was feeling the pressure of having him right on his heels, and because he was feeling rushed the player was beginning to lose the ball just trying to keep it from Rinnosuke.

Rinnosuke put his hands up and slowed the moment he realized the player had lost the ball and could not recover it in time.

Already breathless, Rinnosuke once again was feeling nauseous. His legs felt heavy and weak and his hands shook unsteadily. He left the ball to Kensuke and Junichi while he went to his offensive position. His only intention was to catch rebounds and send them back to his teammates, on either offensive or defensive. Any other plan would leave him unable to play throughout the whole thirty minutes.

I can do this… I'm not entirely weak…right? Rinnosuke watched feeling useless towards his teammates.

Kensuke ended up making the first point, his three pointer just barely falling into the hoop.

Rinnosuke stumbled forward before jogging to the other side of the court.

The coach tapped her shinai on her shoulder as she watched. She contemplated pulling him out, but the fire in Rinnosuke's eyes made her want to wait. She was curious as to how he would keep up his pace and if he would show her something new.

The next fifteen minutes dragged on, both teams struggled to gain a lead. When it was time for their three minute break the green team was in the lead, twenty to eighteen. No one seemed to want to even give the other team one single point. Rinnosuke had proved to have a natural luck, especially when it came to stealing and getting rebounds.

It wasn't as if he had an admirable jump, most other players could jump higher than him yet he still managed to get the ball.

Not going against either of Yousen's aces had brought them both at ease and yet at the same time they seemed to be playing more fiercely.

Araki-sensei was rather proud of her team, yet she couldn't help but feel a wave of irritation every time she saw a beginner's mistake.

I want to sit down, but if I do I won't get up, Rinnosuke said as he eyed the floor. He glanced to the clock several times, wondering if he could make another fifteen minutes. How does she expect us to do this two more times? Is she insane?

"You've done enough for today," Araki-sensei stated as she approached Rinnosuke, "You can go on home now."

Rinnosuke stared at her unmoving. In the moment he had forgotten that he was just trying out, and he realized he had failed to impress her. Several eyes fell on Rinnosuke as they comprehended what they had overheard.

"Right...thank you for today…" Rinnosuke said in a neutral voice.

He felt numb. He barely remembered entering the locker room. He stuffed his school uniform in his bag and only changed his shoes; he could find the energy to do anything else.

Was he right? Should I have given up before even trying?

Author's Note: uhhh well made up some characters (finally gave his teammates names haha) and it took me to write this even though it's not that long... :3 i hope you like the ending of this chapter... haha

OTL I'm doing some more studying up so I can at least make the regulars/actual characters not seem so ooc... hopefully it'll seem better in the next chapter if not then... well i dono ;3;

~~ I actually was originally going to let him finish this little squirmish but i changed my mind, mainly because Rinnosuke has like zero stamina and shouldn't have even survived the fifteen minutes of the second round lolol he's sort of weak in that department haha