SailorStar9: You ladies wanted this chapter, so here goes. This is Chapter 15 of this fic.

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and the pairing.

Chapter 15: Winter Cup Preparations

"Huh?" Riko walked into the gym to the sound of a ball flying into the basket.

"Hey." Hyuuga greeted.

"Hey, I told you to rest." Riko chided.

"It's just for a little bit." Hyuuga remarked.

"Don't push yourselves too hard." Riko warned. "By the way, the results of the Inter-High are out."

"So, what happened?" Hyuuga blinked.

"Just as we expected," Riko hopped onto the stage. "The schools attended by the Generation of Miracles took the top spots. Third, Yosen. Second, Touou. And in first, Rakuzan."

"Rakuzan…" Izaki mused. "They're the ones who took the Winter Cup last year."

"Yeah," Riko nodded. "Rakuzan's captain this year is a member of the Generation of Miracles."

"Anyway, Touou placed second?" Koganei echoed. "Just how strong is Rakuzan?"

"Actually, it's not that simple." Riko sighed. "It's true all three schools are strong, but their ranking doesn't reflect the difference in their true ability. All three members of the Generation of Miracles were benched during the final and semi-final games."

"Why would they do that?" Hyuuga was puzzled.

"I don't know." Riko admitted. "I could understand one player being bench, but if it was all three… there must have been some reason." All in all, she smiled, watching the second years run across the gym. They're completing their previous training better than they were before. They're definitely improving little by little. On top of that, with such a tremendous loss under their belts, they've become mentally stronger too. They're even playing on their day off. Basketball comes naturally to all of them now. "That's enough!" she blew the whistle.

"Why are we practicing normally?" Koganei posted a question.

"Huh?" Riko blinked. "I was watching you practice on your own, and…"

"Oh man, I'm drenched in sweat." Koganei whined.

"I'm going to go change." Izuki voiced. "I have a date later."

"With Ami, I presume?" Hyuuga gave his best friend a look.

"Hyuuga!" Izaki exclaimed. "What kind of guy do you take me for?"

"I'm sorry." A dressed up Izuki apologized as he ran up towards his date. "Have you been waiting long?"

"No," Ami replied. "I only arrived five minutes ago. I see you got dressed in a hurry."

"What makes you say that?" Izuki blinked.

"Your tie is crooked." Ami smiled and reached over to straighten up her partner's tie. "Much better." She beamed.

"What would I do without you?" Izuki teased, snagging an arm around her waist. "Should we go? We'll be late for the concert if we linger any longer."

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.