SailorStar9: Nya? Chapter 24 goes up and only one review!

Kakashi: You still haven't finished the other fics, you know.

SailorStar9: Shut up! The mojo for this one flowed a lot easier alright?

Kakashi: Forgive me! (Covers face and balls, only to blink) huh? You're not gonna hurt me?

SailorStar9: Naw...you're expecting it (turns away) it's no fun if you're expecting it.

Kakashi: Sadist.

SailorStar9: Here, make yourself useful (Tosses Kakashi a book)

Kakashi: (lets book drop to the floor, when it doesn't explode, he sends a clone to pick it up) Wonder what this is?

The clone opens the book, reads a few lines, sole eye bulging in horror before poofing out of existence, Kakashi's eye bulging as the information was imprinted into his brain.

SailorStar9: (Smirks as Kakashi falls to the ground, screaming and clawing at his eye,) Yami choco, bokoa no s-beep-al h-beep-ment edition. (Shudder) sometimes I even scare myself...

Disclaimers: I own nothing, well except the pairing.

Chapter 25: Ignite! Japan Youth Cup

Time passes…

I know I'm right. Katagiri mused as the World Japan Cup players were announced. These players make a team that can go to the world. They are the perfect players.

In the National Soccer Association building…

"We're gonna go aboard." Tsubasa noted.

"I still can't believe I'm representing Japan." Ryo added. "And I'm going to France. My heart is pounding."

"Tsubasa, Ishizaki!" Jito Hiroshi called.

"Everyone." Tsubasa turned to see Hyuuga and the rest.

"Tsubasa, how's your shoulder?" Matsuyama Hikaru inquired.

"It's getting better." Tsubasa replied. "But I still can't go to practice."

"That's because Tsubasa will what he's not supposed to do." Ryo chided, the group of 17-year-olds entering the conference room. "But that's Tsubasa's strong point."

"We have a training seminar for the Japanese reps." The press conference started.

"Misugi…" Tsubasa trailed, seeing the familiar figure enter the room. "Misugi is a coach?"

"Ami too…" Ryo gawked as the two took their seats.

"As you know," the Association head started. "There's a World Youth Cup in France for players under 18 years of age. There are teams from 12 countries. The players who demonstrate high potential might have a chance to become the best in the world. I hope you will give your best as the representatives of Japan."

"Now, I'll introduce the coaches." Katagiri added. "First is Coach Mikami. He was a goalkeeper in his days of soccer. He has been with the sport for a long period of time. After he retired, he coached in my soccer clubs. He's now training Wakabayashi of the Bayern Munich. Beside him is Coach Kato. Kato played forward position. He has good records at the J-League. Coach Misugi Jun, as you all know, was the captain of Musashi High. This time, he doesn't join as a player, but as a coach. Lastly, Coach and Team Physician, Mizuno Ami, as you all know, was the manageress of Nankatsu Elementary. They will have a chance to develop his calm observations. I hope they will be able to pick out their peers' strong points."

"The day after tomorrow, you will go to Fukushima." Mikami announced. "After the training, we'll select the best players to represent Japan. There'll be training in Germany before going to France."

After the press conference…

"Ishizaki, I got the defense." Jito boasted.

"Liar, I'm not gonna lose to you." Ryo retorted.

"See you in two days." Jito bade the rest farewell as he headed out with Sano Mitsuru and the Tachibana twins.

"Bye." Ryo called.

"Misugi." Tsubasa blinked as Misugi exited the lift.

"Misugi, you got me scared there." Ryo complained.

"Even though I feel bad about not making a player, but I will work hard as a coach." Misugi promised. "And I'm beginning to understand why Mizuno said she'll see me in the Japan World Youth."

"Your good judgment will make you great coaches." Ryo stated.

"If I didn't make it to the team because of my heart, I think it'll be my regret in life." Misugi admitted. "But I won't give up becoming a representative of Japan. I have a dream."

"A dream?" Ryo echoed.

"One day, becoming a representative of Japan and play in the World Cup with you guys." Misugi replied.

"World Cup?" Ryo echoed. "You mean the best of soccer, World Cup? Isn't that…"

"I don't think it's a far off dream." Misugi corrected. "No, I think it's because it's something only we can do."

"Misugi, let's realize that dream." Tsubasa declared. "Let's make that dream come true."

"Okay, come on." Hyuuga announced.

"World Cup." Matsuyama added. "Alright."

"Sounds cool." Ryo agreed.

"A dream must be big." Matsuyama reminded.

"First, it's the preliminary." Tsubasa decided.

"Oozora." Mikami called. "Oozora, come here."

"Yes." Tsubasa nodded.

"We're off." Matsuyama remarked.

"About this training…" Mikami trailed after the three sat down.

"Yes." Tsubasa responded.

"You don't have to participate." Ami dropped the bombshell. "You must cure your shoulder first. Tsubasa, that's what you need to do now."

"Yes, I know." Tsubasa relented.

The next day…

"How long will they last with the varsity players?" Kato wondered.

"I think they are here." Ami cut in. "The elite soccer university, Nohara Central University."

"Firs time with 2 to 1." Mikami noted after the practice match. "Not bad. Misugi, what do you think about the lineup of players?"

"First, we need to make a firm line down the middle," Misugi voiced. "Goalkeeper, Wakashimazu, Libero, Matsuyama, Middle-fielder, Oozora, Forward, Hyuuga. Defender Takasugi, Jito and Soda. Mid-fielder, Sano, Tachibana Jr. forward, Nita, Tachibana Sr. What do you think?"

"4, 3, 3." Mikami mused. "Almost exactly what I'm thinking."

"I see, putting Matsuyama in defense." Ami added.

"I think his judgment, vision and stamina make him a good defender." Misugi stated. "But that's if only Tsubasa can play…"

"Yeah." Mikami agreed. "If his shoulder is not too serious, I plan to let him play."

The next day…

"Tsubasa." Ryo beamed, seeing Tsubasa on the lines.

"Everyone." Tsubasa greeted.

"How's your shoulder?" Matsuyama inquired.

"It's getting better day by day." Tsubasa replied.

"I see." Matsuyama was relieved.

"Get it fixed, or else you'll lose your position." Hyuuga joked.

"Will you make the Europe trip?" Soda asked.

"Of course." Ryo assured. "Right, Tsubasa? Let's go to France with the best players."

"Coach, the Toho players are here." Ami informed.

It was not long before the practice match started.

"Bas, if you're in midfield, this game might have a different development." Ami voiced as the three watched the match. "Misugi, you too. It's the same with you here."

"I want to play." Tsubasa stated. "Looks like it'll be a good game." He noted, once Matsuyama pulled the equalizer in the second half. Everybody, one minute left." He encouraged. "Fight to the end."

At that, Hyuuga scored the second goal with his trademark 'Tiger Shot'.

After the match…

"Now announcing the players that will go to Europe." Mikami declared.

At that, Misugi unrolled the player list and posted it on the board.

"I see it." Ryo whooped. "I see my name."

"I'm the captain." Hyuuga blinked.

"Tsubasa, I see it." Ryo cheered. "I can go to France with you."

"Congratulations, Ishizaki." Tsubasa stated.

"Tsubasa…" Ryo trailed, scanning the list and finding Tsubasa's name missing. "Why…"

"There's no use." Tsubasa remarked.

"No way." Ryo protested. "Why can't I go with Tsubasa?"

"I don't feel any pain, but I trust Ami's diagnosis." Tsubasa reasoned. "There's no use."

At the airport…

"There's so many people." Ryo remarked.

"That's Tsubasa." Matsuyama blinked, the team spotting Tsubasa at the bottom of the escalator.

"Tsubasa, you're here." Ryo ran forward.

"Hyuuga." Ami handed a folded uniform to the forward.

"Tsubasa, I have something for you." Hyuuga stated. "I'll wait for you, Tsubasa." He passed the uniform over. "This is yours."

"This represents Japan." Tsubasa gaped. "I'm not a rep."

"The coach said we could choose our own numbers." Ami supplied.

"And nobody wanted #10." Misugi added.

"Because #10 belongs to you, Tsubasa." Matsuyama remarked.

"That's it." Hyuuga concurred.

"Because only Tsubasa is good enough to wear #10." Ryo remarked.

"And there you have it, Bas." Ami grinned. "It's unanimous."

"You guys…" Tsubasa muttered. "I want to go to Europe more than ever."

"Ishin Airport, Flight 451 for Bangkok." The announcement came on.

"It's time." Kato declared. "Let's go."

"Oozora." Mikami stated.

"Coach Mikami." Tsubasa turned. "I'll get my shoulder fixed in 2 weeks." He promised. "So, please…"

"The ticket to France." Mikami handed Tsubasa the plane ticket. "'Only Tsubasa is good enough to wear #10.'" He quoted Ryo.

"Coach." Tsubasa beamed.

"#10 and France's #11." Mikami added. "We'll become the real Japan reps."

"France's #11?" Tsubasa echoed.

"Misaki Taro." Mikami supplied.

"Misaki…" Tsubasa breathed.

"I'll be waiting for you in France." Mikami stated.

"Okay." Tsubasa swore.

Omake

Shrink my What?

Naruto lay on the psychologist's couch, clutching a small pillow to his chest.

"I've been alone my whole life," he wheezed; a haunted, sunken expression on his face. "No one's ever loved me; no one's ever cared…"

The doctor took a long, thoughtful drag from his cigar, then looked back down at his clipboard.

"So tell me about your mother," he said, in a thick Viennese accent.

Naruto raised the pillow to his face and started sobbing hysterically.

SailorStar9: Not much point to this; I was just wondering how things would go, if Naruto started seeing a therapist.