Chapter 20: Forest Fun

The sound and smell Satoshi finds himself waking up to is pleasant, attractive even, to his senses. Slowly, as to not irritate them with the light that streams in through the walls of his current shelter, he opens his eyes. For a moment, he is a little confused; he doesn't completely remember how he got into a tent in the middle of a forest. After his moment's hesitation, mentally he collects his thoughts. He had woken up yesterday like usual. Regardless of it being summer vacation for him as a student, he as a Stride runner naturally got up with the sun and readied himself for his usual jog. After his run, he had taken a shower and eaten breakfast which had been prepared by his beautiful mother. From there, he had studied a bit in the form of going over his summer homework that he had at last finished the night before. He had then left the house to run errands for his parents, one needing a small amount of groceries and the other needing some nails for the small shed being built in their back yard. And then Nobuyuki came with a proposition.

Ah, that's right. He had gone camping with Nobuyuki, Tensai and some others.

Fully realizing the situation at hand Satoshi sits up and supresses a shiver that runs through his body due to the fresh cool air of the summer morning. However, though he has figured out just what he's doing in the wilderness that doesn't mean he knows what's going on outside. So, after dressing in proper clothing, a gray baggy T-shirt and shorts coupled with sneakers, he ducks his way through the door after unzipping it. To ensure that no bugs get in, he zips the door behind him as well. Blinking, he spots Imayoshi close to the fire, fiddling with what smells to be fish of some sort atop a pan that Nobuyuki had the foresight to pack and bring along for the trip. Next to him sits Tensai herself, her eyes carefully monitoring the fire that cooks the food at hand.

"Ah, good morning Satoshi-san," Kazefujin greets as she shortly exits the girls' tent. Though she looks to be wide awake compared to his still sleepy gaze. Perhaps she had only gone in there for a moment? As she earns herself a silent nod from the first year, her eyes turn to the duo at the flames. "I still can't believe you're so good at cooking, Imayoshi-senpai. Coupled with Tatsumaki-sama's fire handling abilities and you make a crazy good pair".

Imayoshi releases a light hearted chuckle, his up turned eyes glancing her way before opening up to look at his partner in crime, "Thank you; being able to cook my own meals is quite useful to me. Tensai-chan, did you know that they say that people who work well together on the fly are meant to be together?"

Tatsumaki lifts her hands from the log she had been carefully repositioning with what she has dubbed her 'poker stick', a mere young twig strong enough to handle the duty set before it. "I've never heard about that at all," pausing to look over her shoulder as she hears footsteps, she smiles, "Have you ever heard of that Daiki?"

The blue haired male grunts as he sets down his two buckets of water, behind him two others carrying a bucket each. Enough for drinking water and other things should they need it. "Haven't heard that in my life. Imayoshi, move away from Tatsumaki; you're too close".

"Hmm? But this is the spot where the smoke doesn't get into my eyes," he denies calmly.

In the mean time, Aomine scoffs and shakes his head, "I don't care; move".

Behind him, Satsuki reaches up to whack him on the back of the head, "Shut up or he might burn our food out of revenge and it'll be all your fault". Still annoyed by his earlier notion towards her helping to cook- one which was only heard by one other- she scowls his way. "It's not like they're getting cozy or anything".

"On the contrary," Imayoshi admits, "I feel rather cozy". As though to emphasize his statement, he shifts his weight from foot to foot in order to allow him to shuffle closer to his fire partner. "Right Tensai-chan?"

The girl sitting there sends the squinty eyed male a frown, it resting heavily on her lips, "Yea, no," she denies. She realizes just what the sneaky bastard is doing. She is a friendly person, but not overly happy or excitable as Kazefujin seems to be. She's also not blind to the actions the older student is pulling and shoving her way. She doesn't appreciate it. Why was he invited again?...Probably because there was something about him that Yuji likes and gets along with. Whatever. With that as her answer, she shuffles away from, him, getting his shoulder to stop brushing her upper arm. She won't deny that he's good looking- at the very least- but she certainly doesn't like sadists.

"What a shame," Imayoshi whines lightly but retains his smile. The girl at his side is so stubborn it's actually cute. He's never had someone actually stand up against his advances, and has had many a female fall to her knees and grovel at his feet. They've praised him, even, as though he were some sort of malevolent prince. He's enjoyed every moment of this sort of attention, and has used it to the point of abusing it. But Tensai-chan is different. He's had girls reject him before, yes, but not a single one has stood strong for more than a few tries. And he's been trying over and over with this girl as it were. It makes him only want her more. It is then that he feels a hand on his shoulder shoving him over to the side. The movement gruff and dominating. Instead of falling over, however, he merely counters by shifting a little to the side. There, Aomine places himself between the two. Ah, what a jealous boy.

In the mean time, the cousins set down their water pales. And while Satsuki goes on to chat it up with Kazefujin- as sight he rather appreciates- he approaches his team mate. "Did you sleep well, Satoshi?"

Satoshi nods once, a sweet and simple movement, "I did". That is after Aomine stopped yelling at Imayoshi, and after Imayoshi stopped trying to make a move towards Tensai in the middle of the night. "However I have a question: What are we going to do through out the day? Do you have anything planned? Perhaps we will go for a run?" Though even if they don't, he most certainly will. Running through unknown terrain like this- rugged and uneven- should make his body stronger even if he does it for just one day.

Yuji raises a brow before lifting his shoulders and letting them drop limply back into a relaxed position. "I have nothing planned. You're free to do what you want so long as you come back to the site by sunset. I would suggest sticking around the area however if you plan to go off on your own; you don't want to get lost".

The black haired male pauses before nodding. "I understand. I will be training then. I will return by sunset as to not worry any of you".

However before he can turn and do his own thing, an arm swings over his shoulders, "Now now Satoshi-san, there's no reason for you to be so lonely! Come! Have breakfast with us! And after that," the red haired teen turns to the white haired one, "Tatsumaki-sama I challenge you to a tree climbing race".

Pausing from her conversation with Aomine to look at the older female, Tatsumaki raises a brow in question. "A...Tree climbing race?" Slowly a smirk crawls across her face as a plate is placed into her hands, fork included for easy consumption, "You're on".

"What an excellent idea," Imayoshi praises as he stands from placing the plate into Tensai-chan's hands. Ah, even though she hasn't had a bath since yesterday morning- or perhaps even before that- she still smells of a scent that's intoxicating. At least faintly she does. "We should all join this race. We can make it more interesting by proposing a prize of sorts. Winner gets to request anything they want from anyone they choose".

There is a long time pause for silence as those around the now doused-by-dirt set to eating their fish and eggs. An odd combination, but at the same time two foods that compliment one another. Smoothly does the Captain sit down in his spot next to Aomine. He does not bother to give thanks as Nobuyuki and the others decided to, as he was the one to make the meal. "But if at all possible, the trees should be rather tall. And the goal should be the top or perhaps a certain distance".

Satsuki raises her hand almost sheepishly, "There should probably also be a ref. I'll take that job on free of charge". Honestly she's not all that confident in her ability to win anything against a group of monsterously strong people. First off there's the top three- Aomine, Tensai and Imayoshi- and next up are the other three- Satoshi, Kazefujin and Nobuyuki. To go against regulars of the three top sports teams of their school is a stupid idea. She would probably end up hurting herself in an attempt to win anyways.

In the mean time, Kazefujin's eyes furrow, "Are you sure Momoi-chan? I mean, we can always set a timer and decide who is the winner depending on how high someone gets within a certain amount of time. And plus there's no doubt that if someone wins they'll be higher up than the others. You can play too if you want".

"No no," Satsuki waves her hands almost sheepishly side to side. She's kind of embarrassed to admit it aloud. But in all seriousness, Satsuki is a thinker not a fighter.

(Untouchable)

Shortly after breakfast was had, the group of seven loose knitted acquaintances- friends at best- cleaned up after themselves. They carefully stowed away their leftovers away from their campsite as to not attract dangerous animals like bears or anything else that dare sniff out what they've left behind. And after that, they left for a hike. It was mainly a search for trees relatively the same shape and height- which there was a low possibility of there being a cluster like that however they decided to try anyways. For the most part, the hike was silent, their steps continuous and uncaring for the twigs they stepped on and crushed under their feet. They cared not for the wild life they spooked- though a doe with her three fawn was spotted and marveled- figuring that anything dangerous would show signs of attacking. Of course, if that were to happen, the plan was for them to run for dear life in search for a hiding spot. They had no solid plan for how to handle a savage and wild beast looking to tear off their flesh and probably eat it.

Which was honestly a horrible thing, but none of them paid much heed to this.

Instead, the group stopped shortly after deciding that a certain grouping of life would have to do. The trees were relatively the same at first glance but upon further inspection they showed similarities like dogs and cats do to one another. Each person chose a tree they thought they would have an easier time climbing. Lined up from left to right it was Aomine then Imayoshi, then Kazefujin and Satoshi, and then finally Nobuyuki with Tensai at the other end. Momoi stands back, allowing her to spot each and every one of them with a light smile. It should be interesting to see how they all do. For the most part, each of them is equal in basic physical ability. The sports they play- basketball, Stride and volleyball- all require high amounts of stamina, arm and leg strength. Each of them is also well conditioned for activity, their hands rough from handling either their sport's respective ball or handling all sorts of objects for their gimmicks. As opposed to being dressed in their pajamas- for a few of them, Tensai and Aomine along with Kazefujin, were- they have changed into new clothing better fit for climbing drees. Momoi isn't surprised by their basic attire, though the only one whom wears something less than short sleeves is Tensai herself as he apparently hates most things with sleeves and long hems and thus avoids them as much as she can. The result being her dressed in shorts and a loose crop top as per what Momoi has seen her dressed in for races.

"Okay, I'll state the rules that we've agreed on so everyone is on the same page," she announces at last. None of them face her, let alone tell her that they're listening. Ugh. Athletes. All the same she continues, "The first one to the top of their tree wins. Or, the climber whom is highest up by the time the timer stops wins. The winner is permitted to request anything of any competitor and as such the request must be fulfilled". Finding a relatively flat spot to sit on, she settles down and pulls forth her phone that has been set up to go off in about ten minutes. After all, climbing a tree shouldn't take that long even if it is to the top. "Ready?" When she gets a chorus of nods, she smiles, "Go!" Tapping the 'start' button on her phone's timer, she sits back and watches the show.

As one, the group of teens attack their innocent trees with a flush of speed and determination. Imayoshi takes to the first branch, having chosen something simple for him to get on to to begin with. He realizes that the lower branches hint to the possibility that there are less branches higher up. However, he cares not. Instead he pauses to look over his choice of tree, looking over the branches before beginning his path anew. He carefully takes to branch after branch, pulling up his heavy body with strong arms toned from playing basketball so much and pushing with legs that have grown rather muscled over the years from working out and playing the sport. He can feel his muscles flex and titch under the odd circumstance, not being used to partner up with other muscles he isn't completely certain he even knew about. However, all the same he lets the sky be his figurative limit. The limbs twinge and shift under his weight, threatening to snap though he knows that logically they will not. He rounds around the body of the tree twice, having hit a series of branches that seemed to climb like spiraling stairs and didn't give him the option of going straight up. He knows his ability well, and takes it easy, going at a steady pace but does not take his time.

In the mean time, Yuji is silently wondering why he hadn't sided with his cousin and opted to ref the competition. Was it his desire to show Kazefujin that he too could do cool things rather than Tatsumaki? Or was it for other reasons? Honestly he doesn't Know. Having not been used for sports per-say in at least two years, his limbs quiver slightly and his muscles growl their protest. Certainly, he has been training with the second string of Stride members through out his time at Touou, but that doesn't mean that his body is used to the faster paced strain. Before hand, he had studied the tree he chose, and there was a reason as to why he picked it. Though he had been the first to settle on a target, he finds that his theory was right. With its tightly packed branches, his body being more compact than the rest of theirs- save for Kazefujin's- he is given a better reach. His calloused hands grasp and brush across the slightly warn bark that covers these branches, hinting to the tree's real age despite it looking young and healthy. He had not taken the possibility of there being a weak body despite it being externally healthy. Worst case scenario, the tree would fall, taking him with it. As of right now however, he sees nor feels any issues as he continues up- higher and higher- at a constant pace.

While Yuji and Imayoshi have taken a more technical side to the race and put their plans into place earning them rather nice results, Kazefujin on the other hand is a bit less successful. Unfortunately in her excitement at the thought of competing against her idol, she had forgotten one major detail: She's afraid of heights. She had made it about a quarter of the way up her tree with its randomly placed branches and thinner trunk. She supposes that the trunk's size hints at its probably young age, but she had paid that no mind just as she did with her fear. Instead, when the command for them to go was given, she burst forward like the others, swept up by the excitement of it all. But now about a quarter of the way up the tree, she can't help but tremble as she slowly and carefully makes her way further up. Her body trembles as she stares only at the limbs of nature reaching out to help her up kindly. Her finger nails- the nubs that they are- dig into the tree's flesh with little to no remorse. She works hard to keep her eyes tilted up- or anywhere but down really- and her breath steady. What would Tatsumaki-sama think of her if she just up and chickened out now? She can't have that! But dear lord it's so high up! Eventually she finds herself looking down, the world as a result swimming about her. Okay...Maybe she really should just stop. She means, she would hate to fall with her vision like this and hurt herself- that would be even worse than making a fool of herself in front of Tatsumaki-sama. And so, she takes a deep breath and looks down. Bad idea. It earns a whimper to come from her own mouth, the noise sounding more like a pup than just a frightened girl. As she begins her way down, she realizes that this means- though an unspoken rule- that she drops out of the race.

Satoshi had taken on the tree climbing race as he does any other race. With long confident strides and his eyes resting on the goal. His muscles bulge and strain but do not protest when he climbs up further in his tree. For him, the first branch was quite the hike up the bark. His running start allowed him to run up the tree's side and grab onto the nearest branch and swing him onto its top most surface. His branches are defiantly spaced out, snickering as he's forced to leap to each appendage as it doesn't even make to assist him. However, that is okay. Logically speaking, though he is merely climbing a tree he can look at this as some sort of training all the while. As he leaps his way to the next branch, his stomach and heart reach up into his throat as he nearly misses it but with a gasp catches it and assures his safety. He dangles there by his arms as he releases an honestly relieved sigh. That had been far too close for his liking. He swings his way to stability, tuning out the rustling around and created by him. He takes in his surroundings, attempting to find a new path as the one he currently was taking has been brought to a halt. The next branch he would be taking is far too high for even him to jump to and he doesn't have enough room for another running start. The trunk is far too wide for him to just wrap his limbs around and shimmy his way up. Looking around, he searches for even just a knot in the bark or the left overs of a branch that fell due to age or disease. However, when he finds none, another sigh escapes him. He doesn't have any other way up. Howe displeasing. With no other choice but to do so, he settles down on the branch completely and leans against the trunk. A leg dangles as the other is pulled up to let the corresponding arm rest there.

Climbing trees for Aomine is something of a chore. He's honestly never really bothered to, not this high at least, as it never interested him. Capturing bugs on the lower branches was all he really ever needed to amuse him. And if he wasn't doing that, he was kicking ass and taking names on the courts with basketball. Having not climbed a tree in a good while, he struggles a little in honesty trying to remember the best way to grip the branches and how to use the tree's trunk to his advantage. However upon hitting the quarter-way mark on the tree, he finds himself transitioning from branch to branch with agile ease. He grabs and pulls himself onto a thick limb of bark and sap and life, ignoring the leaves that greet him and urge him to continue further. To reach for the sky from the tree's canopy, to defy anyone whom doubted his ability. He can hear loud rustling from the tree further to him, assuming it to be Tatsumaki also moving from branch to branch. Her rapid pace only urges him to move his limbs and use his muscles- were weren't obtained for nothing, you know- to pull him further up against gravity. However, his brows furrow when a branch opts to crack ever so slightly, alarming him by sending his gut into his mouth as he composes himself on a new branch. He takes a moment to inspect the limb, wanting to remember it for on the way down. It's not hard to tell from the others, its portion of tree-skin duller than the rest and its leaves gross looking. Is this tree in the process of dying? It will be if no one purges it of its sickly limb. Never the less, his biceps budge and consume the space between his dark skin and the fabric of his shirt while the veins on his hands take to being more visible compared to usual all for the sake of getting him to his next destination.

She had honestly never climbed a tree before. She had always been far too preoccupied by anything and everything having to do with Stride. Running, working out, building her lung capacity for oxygen intake and making her heart stronger. Certainly she did normal kid things such as running around laughing and having little cares within the world. She would go this way and that, frolicking over lush grass or ignoring the stab of stones in her tender feet, knowing that they too would one day toughen up to protect that which keeps her mobile. However tree climbing just never came as an interest to her. All the same, just because she's never climbed a tree, doesn't mean suddenly she realizes that she's afraid of heights. Nor is it something difficult for her to do. She treats it like a gimmick, throwing at her will to conquer it and have it bow before her feet as though to blame for being in her way. She ignores the small scratches she gets here and there from the rough bark, as well as the annoyed squirrel that insists on chattering angrily as it harasses her on her journey up. Instead she legs coil and her arms stretch, her strong hands gripping as she continues up, up, up. Her specific tree has rather spread out branches, each one being just out of her reach for her to just reach up and pull herself up. Instead she is forced to jump or use the trunk as a step stool with her well soled shoes. She's brave enough even to leap through an aerial distance from two branches, landing with feline grace and the capability of her species' ancestors.

"Time's up!" Momoi's voice rings true as the sound of her phone going off acts as background noise. "If you guys look around, you'll see where everyone else is in their tree. If you can't see them, I'll tel you where they are and take a picture if I can as further proof when you all come down". Walking around to get a better view herself, she spots each climber, each settled down in their own fashion. However her eyes turn to the feet that tap down onto the ground softly. "Kazefujin-san?"

"Ahaha," the girl laughs, gripping the back of her neck sheepishly, "Well, the truth is I'm afraid of heights," she doesn't feel or she ignores the bland looks given to her that clearly state, 'then why agree to climb at all?' "I didn't get very far so I decided to come back down".

Never the less those remaining in the running look around, spitting either the clothing or hair of their 'enemies' and dubbing them either higher or lower than them. While Yuji appears to be about half way up his massive tree, he still only loses to Satoshi by a hair whom had the luck of having to stop just a little higher than his fellow Stride member. However, looking to the side he finds himself lower than Imayoshi, whose black hair and shirt blend in with the shadows but thanks to the bright sun glinting off his glasses he is spotted in the foliage. He looks to have gotten about two thirds up his tree, his smile calm despite his basically closed eyes looking up. Craning his neck, Yuji tries to spot the other two, but cannot see them. Not from his angle at least.

Momoi carefully captures the sight above her, more than just a little amazed by the sight. After all, she had honestly been unable to figure out just who would win. "Okay guys! Come on down; I'll show you who was where and then announce the winner!"

She watches as those remaining in their trees make their way down swiftly, taking the branches they used to climb up. The first to arrive is Yuji, then Satoshi and thirdly Imayoshi. After a few more moments, during which Kazefujin keeps her eyes on those traversing with wide eyes and a face of disbelief. The rustling that comes from two remaining trees on either end of the line up is constant and like the sound of something falling. However as she doesn't hear any cries of pain or grunting, she can only assume that either person is okay. The leaves shift this way and that, opening up when they are forced to but unfortunately not giving away just what exactly is going on. Not until the last branches that is. On her far left is Aomine, his tall body tense and careful as he rapidly makes his way down from his tall perch, feet carefully balanced and hands ready to grab the nearest branch should he make a singular misstep. The fall from each branch would be greater if he were smaller, however luckily with his stature it would be shorter. Leaping with a powerful push of his strong legs, Aomine lands with a heavy thunk, his crouched low and hands nearly touching the grass at his finger tips as he maintains his balance and absorbs the shock for a moment.

"Yo," he greets the others, not even bothered by the annoyed flesh on his palms.

Yuji on the other hand spots Tatsumaki's brilliant white hair flashing through the leaves as she comes down, her movements causing louder rustling than Aomine's as she keeps pace with his descent. He sighs and closes his eyes, shaking his head. Of course she would take this moment to show off. All the same as she meets the last few branches, her skills in Stride are transferred to her descent. This allows her to step from branch to branch, landing gracefully like a feline as literally on one or two of them she lands on all fours rather composed. She swings around the branches as though they were bars for gymnastics and releases the bark at the right moment to send her to the next lower branch. The final one is shoved off of with a powerful kick, her body sailing through the air as though weightless before touching down and rolling to ease the impact on the balls of her feet and her knees.

Tatsumaki grins as those before her and Aomine stare, "Hey-ya," she greets.

"Ah, Tensai-chan that dismount was lovely," Imayoshi states, "I'm glad that you didn't slip and break your neck on the way down".

Tatsumaki's grin turns into a small smile as a growl comes from behind the Captain. "As if I would slip and do that," mentally, she notes to knock on wood in order to keep karma for biting her in the ass.

"As if I'd let her fall," Aomine defends blandly.

"You were in the tree at the same time as she was," Yuji returns, "How would you have saved her?"

"Urusai!"