Queens of the Court

by hodgsondr

The Generation of Miracle dominated the basketball courts during their middle school years, but they were not alone. The female basketball clubs were rocked by a team of players that far surpassed their counterparts and continue to do so during their high school years, only now the team known as the Queens of the Court wanted to play harder teams than they faced. T for language

32. A Shift

"I'm not letting you back in until you've calmed down."

"This is bull shit and you know it!"

"Abusing the umpire isn't going to help anyone."

"Although the pay out was pretty good." Jo glanced over to Shira, wanting to smack her upside the head for her less than helpful comment. Takami just sighed, shooting her friend a glare before reaching forward, placing her hand gently on Meyer's shoulder. The latter had her fingers clenched tight, her eyebrows scrunched together as she tried to control the fury that was building inside of her. She had managed to bite her tongue about the horrible game before her right until Kiyoshi had taken an elbow to the face. To say Jo and Shirahad to drag her out would be an understatement. Neither had even noticed that Meyer was agitated and stood up, yelling out insults to referee that were quickly shut down when Takami slammed her hand over their captains mouth.

"You can't go back in unless you're calm Meyer," Takami tried to smile but Meyer just scowled, pulling away from her friend. She didn't like sitting there and watching her friend be hurt by some dick and do nothing about it. Not that there was much she could do at this point anyway. It wasn't like she could just storm down onto the court and punch Hanamiya out, Jo hadn't even let her get out of her chair properly before, there was no way she would manage to get down from the bleachers. Still, she wanted to punch something because she was so angry. And that wasn't much like her at all.

"Shira, Takami, you two just go back in and watch the rest of the game all right? I'll stay out here with Meyer until she calms down." Shira shrugged and already started heading back inside but Takami hesitated, looking between Jo and Meyer. It wasn't until Jo pushed Takami gently did she go, leaving the pair in a rather overwhelming silence. Meyer was still sulking because she had been dragged out of the game. "You want to tell me why you're blowing up?"

"You know exactly why."

"I get you and Kiyoshi are friends but Seirin looks like their handling it. You have no right to interfere."

"When did you start becoming so insightful?" Meyer spat, eyeing her friend up. Jo crossed her arms over her chest, pointedly leaning down so she could look Meyer in the eye. Most people would have shrunk back, avoided looking the giant in the eye as they became cold, irritation starting to bubble over in the giant herself.

"When you stopped." Meyer rolled her eyes rather dramatically, turning around and letting out a huff. Jo would have thought she was giving her the cold shoulder, if it weren't for the fact her shoulders were up slightly. Her whole body was rigid, like she couldn't quite get what she wanted to say out and she was trapped in herself. Jo sighed, reaching out and grabbed Meyer's arms, yanking her back and wrapping her up in a bear hug. Meyer let out a squeak of surprise but Jo ignored that, resting her chin on top of Meyer's head. "You want to tell me what's going on?"

"It's nothing."

"Nothing almost got security called on us. You've been acting weird, all fucking year Meyer. I know you better than that."

"I expect this kind of lecture from Annaisha."

"I don't need some reading ability to know." Meyer pulled out of Jo's grip, stepping forward twice before spinning on her heels. Her hands flew to her hips, her eyebrows raising slightly as she let out a sigh. Her shoulders slumped and she shifted her gaze from Jo to the door behind her before closing them, looking down. Jo tilted her head to the side, searching Meyer's face. They had been friends for years, as far as Jo could think back Meyer has always been there by her side. So why couldn't Meyer talk to Jo about what was bothering her? "You're my best friend Tori, let me help."

"I'm just," Meyer paused, scratching her head and letting out another sigh. "I'm just tired Kida. There's no fun in it any more." Jo felt her mouth dry up a little as she pulled on the end of her pony tail, biting her lip as she tried to think of what to say. What was there to say? Looking around, she tried to think of something desperately, but there wasn't a lot. There was almost nothing she could think of, after all, how could it be fun any more?

"So what do you want to do?"

"I don't know, I just want to feel that rush again. Stepping out onto the court, not knowing if we'll win or lose. It's become a repeat, every game. Shoot, pass, block, run, score. I don't even think any more, you know?" Meyer laughed, throwing her arms out wide as though it was the stupidest thing ever. Jo wanted to hug her again and she felt her chest begin to hollow. This might explain everything, even with Ishimura and the way Shira had been acting. They needed an opponent, someone who wouldn't roll over and die as soon as they stepped onto the court, someone who would fight continuously until that final buzzer rang.

"We'll find a team."

"There are no teams left Kida!" Meyer snapped, "we had destroyed them all. We've always won, we've always been better than everyone and there's no one willing to stand against us anymore!"

"What about Kaijo?" Jo suggested, crossing her arms over chest. Meyer pulled back slightly, frowning at her friend and opening her mouth to reply when Jo put her hand up. Surprisingly Meyer waited for her to continue and Jo licked her lips. "What about Shutoku, or Touou, Yosen. We could try Rakuzan and Seirin as well."

"We've already played those teams Kida," Meyer sighed, running her fingers through her hair. Jo stepped forward twice, grabbing Meyer's arms and shaking her slightly. Meyer wasn't wrong, they had played all the teams that were on offer to them, but what if they played the ones that weren't? In hindsight, it would be difficult considering the Winter Cup was currently in procession but they would find a way, even if they had to wait until after.

"I'm not talking about the team's we've played Meyer, I'm talking about the Generation of Miracles. Kise Ryouta, Midorima Shintarou, Aomine Daiki, Murasakibara Atsushi, Akashi Seijuro and Kuroko Tetsuya. We play the Miracles, we find strong opponents. Plus, Seirin has Kagami too."

"Great idea, but they're all in the Winter Cup," Meyer replied, scratching her chin slightly. She bit her lip for a moment before looking up to Jo, a small grin stretching over her lips, "but they can't all win, can they? I mean, if Seirin wins today they're in. What if we just played them every time they get knocked from the competition?"

"I'm sure they won't refuse. After all, Shutoku will be willing to regain their pride from their last loss and Seirin already wants to play us," Jo grinned. Meyer was smiling wider now, it almost reached her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something else when the door behind them was thrown open. Shira was standing there, looking between the two and panting slightly.

"You two seriously need to come back in and watch the rest of the game, something weirds happened to Kirisaki," Shira panted before disappearing back into the arena. Jo and Meyer looked between each other, the latter having forgotten her previous irritation about the game and the whole reason for why they had been standing outside, before they both ran back in. Meyer grit her teeth, swearing that if anything more happens to Kiyoshi then Hanamiya will not be standing again for a long time.

Thankfully by the time they reached their seats they hadn't missed too much of their game. Meyer tilted her head to the side as she watched the ball fly through the air, only for Kuroko to intercept it and knock it on a different course, almost taking Kagami's head off in the process. Shira pointed before looking over her shoulder to Meyer, frowning and slightly confused.

"None of their passes were going through because of Hanamiya and now Kuroko is making it work," Takami commented from her seat as she leant forward slightly. Meyer felt her eyebrows raise as she sat down, Jo taking the seat next to her as they continued to watch the game. Admittedly, Meyer enjoyed watching the boys play. Most of the games looked really tough and they looked like they were enjoying themselves more than she had in a long time. She felt a small smile etch itself on her lips as she tilted her head, almost laughing at the completely confused look on each of the Seirin's players faces when the ball suddenly came hurtling towards them.

"Shira, what are you doing Monday after school?"

"Huh, nothing, why?" Shira questioned, glancing over her shoulder to Meyer briefly before returning her gaze back to the court.

"I want you to go up to Yosen and find Araki Masako." Shira looked back to Meyer, blinking twice before a wide grin stretched over her face as she turned back to the court. Jo felt a smirk growing on her own face as she nestled comfortably into the seat, her long legs stretching out in front of her as she watched Kuroko running around on the court, completely focused on the game he was playing.

"Yeah Meyer, I reckon I can do that for you."

...

"Any particular reason why you came to Touou, hmm?" Imayoshi questioned, seeing the tall girl walking over towards him. She was wearing the jacket of Iwozuka and her hair had been pinned up to the side of her head and she easily avoided the glances the male players were delivering her. Imayoshi had to admit, she was quite attractive but she had a rather determined look on her face that told him she wasn't going to run off any time soon.

"My Captain sent me to speak with you," Takami almost yawned, looking around at the players who quickly pretended that they were busy practicing basketball and not paying unnecessary attention to her, before glancing back to Imayoshi. The captain of Touou put his hand over his heart, grinning a little too impishly for Takami's liking. She didn't trust the Imayoshi, and the fact that he spent some of his spare time with Hotaru made her like him a little less than what he probably deserved.

"Oh? You came to speak with little old me? How can I be of service to the oh mighty Queens?" Imayoshi questioned, bending slightly as though to enter a bow. Takami raised one eyebrow, considering that perhaps he was mocking her before he decided he definitely was. Instead she looked around, spotting the pink haired manager of Touou glancing warily in her direction. With a flick of her head Takami asked her to come join in the conversation before looking to Imayoshi again.

"I know you were at the game today. I have some information that may be useful for you," Takami smiled, pulling a piece of paper from the back pocket of her jeans before handing it Imayoshi. He raised on eyebrow before unfolding it, glancing down before his eyes grew wide. He looked back up to Takami, genuinely confused as Momoi Satsuki skipped over, glancing to the paper he held in his hands.

"How did you..."

"The 'almighty Queens' have a way of finding things out. I know you were at the game earlier, I'm surprised you came to practice already. A little nervous, Imayoshi?"

"Why did you bring us this?" Momoi questioned, taking it out of Imayoshi's hands and glancing at it. Takami smiled ruefully, tilting her head before she pointed to two school names that were more than enough to cause a grin on Imayoshi's face.

"I overheard that Seirin are going to be at a particular bath house tonight, to relax after their victory against Kirisaki," Takami smiled, taking the paper back from Momoi and slipping it back into her pocket. Momoi looked like she wanted to look at it longer but Takami just straightened up, looking back to Imayoshi. He was frowning again, glanced her up and down before scratching his chin. "You should go meet with them and share this information."

"Why should we?" Momoi tilted her head to the sighed and Takami smiled, putting her hands on her hips and looking over her shoulder. She could see their loud mouth centre yelling as he threw the ball around whilst their main shooting guard was apologising profusely. They looked like a handful of brilliant players thrown together to create a practical and exceptional team. Only not everyone was believing they were. Takami smiled, looking to Imayoshi before sliding her glance down to Momoi. Takami had to admit she was quite cute.

"Because Seirin are going to defeat you."

"You really believe that?"

"My Captain has absolute faith in their abilities, like she has in ours. And as you know, we are undefeated," Takami emphasized the last word as she leant in close to Imayoshi, a little closer for comfort than either of them. She wasn't used to trying to this kind of thing but Shira had told her the best way to get Touou to agree would probably to insult their abilities, what they took pride in the most. They were a team of great players thrown together after all. "And when you are defeated, she wishes for you play Iwozuka."

"They were defeated by..."

"Not Kazuki's team," Takami interrupted, shooting a glare in Momoi's direction. She was slightly insulted that Momoi initially suspected that Takami was here to ask Touou to play Kazuki's team when she was here for her own Captain. Imayoshi scratched his chin again before glancing across to his team. He had absolute faith in Aomine's strength, knowing that no one would be able to match him if he was pushed to one hundred percent, and he grinned, tilting her head to the side.

"And if we win?"

"Then we'll play you when you win the winter cup, or when you eventually lose. All that matters is you will play Iwozuka girls."

"And how does Meyer-San believe that will end?" Takami shrugged her shoulders, placing her hands on her hips and smirking as she stared directly into Imayoshi's eyes.

"I guess you'll have to play us to find out huh?"

...

Jo sat on the benches, watching as Kaijo passed the ball around to each other. Her gaze was constantly drawn back to the happy, chirping blond who was all but dominating the court as he seemed to breeze past, dribbling the ball and dunking and shooting like he didn't even need to think about it. As Jo watched him, she started to doubt that he did a lot of thinking with his play and just went with pure instinct. She had to admit she liked that about him. All he had to do was wipe that stupid smirk off his face and she wouldn't mind him at all.

"So you think your team can hold their own against my boys?" Jo looked to her left, eyeing up the coach sitting next to her. Takeuchi Genta, Jo had seen a couple of his games from her dads collection of basketball games. Her father had all but worshipped the Japanese Basketball team at that time, but now he was at least a little more reserved. Probably would still squeal like a pig if he found out his only child was sitting next to him casually discussing the dynamics of the the team he was currently coaching.

"The question is can your boys hold their own against us. We're not an easy team, Takeuchi-Sensei." Takeuchi looked at her for a few minutes before letting out a huff and crossing his arms, turning his attention back to his team. His gaze did not focus on Kise as she had first expected, but instead he watched as Kasamatsu was running up and down the court.

"Our third years are all very experienced, and we are even in offense and defense. Kasamatsu himself is..."

"A very skilled point guard, I'm aware. Meyer is very interested in his skills, both as a point guard and captain. So, would you be willing for them to play Iwozuka girls?" Jo asked again. She had inquired about the possibility of having a match between the teams right before they were set to start practice, and although Kise seemed exceptionally excited at the possibility, Takeuchi had been adamant Jo watch the team play first. Now that she had seen them in practice (she had not mentioned she had seen Kise and Kasamatsu play before), she was certain they would provide at least an interesting match for the girls.

"Why wait until after the winter cup?"

"Injuries, training, self confidence, that kind of thing," Jo shrugged as she stood. She easily towered over Kaijo's team and she was standing straighter than she would usually. She couldn't afford to give off any impression that they were not the best of the best seeking to play the best of the male team and that there was a doubt of confidence in their abilities. If she tried to shrink herself down, Takeuchi may not be convinced she is completely confident in her team.

"Self confidence?"

"You really want your boys going in to play against Touou or Seirin after having lost to a bunch of girls?"

"From what I heard you are not an easy team."

"Doesn't mean people don't look at us and treat us like china," Jo shrugged, glancing over her shoulder to the coach. He was sitting there with a frown on his face, his expression telling her he was in deep concentration. She left him to his devices as she returned to watching Kaijo. They were an elite team, even before the addition of Kise Ryouta. And it was true what Jo had said, Meyer looked up to Kasamatsu for his captaincy. Although she often tuned out Meyer when she began prattling about Kasamatsu's skills, she did know that he was the big push that causes Kaijo's victories.

Her attention was drawn to Kise and, despite promising herself she would not carry past prejudices, couldn't help but feel a slight manner of disdain for the player. She could understand the hatred Ishimura bore for Aomine but she wasn't entirely sure where the irritation for Kise came from. The teen leapt up in the air, easily dunking the ball using a move that Jo was certain she had seen on someone else before. That was probably what annoyed her about Kise. The copy cat was that, a copy cat. In her mind basketball was all about moving in your own way and figuring out how to get passed your opponents, Kise took what he though looked good and worked well and mimicked it near perfectly. It was a pain in the ass.

"We'll play you then."

"Hmm? Oh, that's cool. We'll probably be watching every game at the winter cup, so Meyer will come and talk to you after your final game to organise when and where," Jo grinned, walking back over to Takeuchi and bowing. When she straightened up she glanced once more to Kasamatsu and wondered how Meyer and Saka would go playing against him.

...

"I swear to fucking god Takao if you don't shut the fuck up I'll shove that basketball up your ass!" Ishimura looked up from her phone to see Hotaru chasing after Takao, spouting profanities and threats whilst the latter ran away with a half grin littering his face. Ishimura didn't doubt that Hotaru would actually do such a thing if she managed to catch the point guard, and instead she turned her attention to Coach Nakatani. Meyer had demanded, when Ishimura finally answer the phone, that if Ishimura was going to be spending the afternoon annoying Midorima then she may as well ask Nakatani if Iwozuka could play Shutoku after their participation in the winter cup had finished. He had already said yes to a game, but Midorima was being difficult. Apparently her antics in the last game had been brought back into memory and he was flat out refusing to participate in their match, even if they were now on pretty solid ground.

"Come on Carrot-Chan, you know you want to play us again."

"I have no intention of playing you again. You become horrible." Ishimura rolled her eyes as the stoic player grabbed another ball and lined up his shot before quickly shooting the ball. As usual, it landed in the basket without so much as a single milliemetre out of place and Ishimura poked her tongue out. Part of her really wanted Midorima to miss so she could make fun of him but figured that in the current situation that would not help the situation in the slightest. Midorima grabbed another ball out of the crate, lining it up when Ishimura came up with a proposition.

"Fine, I'll sit out the whole game then." Midorima missed the basket as he whipped around, glaring at her with a ferocity that spoke of a thousand dragons. Ishimura had no idea what she had said or done but she knew that what she had said must have hurt some sort of pride Midorima carried because he let out an unimpressed hmph that was usually reserved for Takao. "Is that not the problem then?"

"You are the problem, yes."

"Oh, I get it," Ishimura laughed as she waltzed over, laying her arm across his shoulders (which was difficult because of the height difference between them), "you don't like me stealing your balls, huh Carrot-Chan?" Takao's laughter could be heard through out the gym and Ishimura was genuinely surprised that he had managed to hear whats he had said. Granted, he seemed to pick up anything that was in an insult to his dear friend. Midorima on the other hand let off a scowl, shrugging Ishimura off as his cheeks tinted pink at her wording. Ishimura let out a small grin, punching Midorima's shoulder lightly before planting her hands on her hips.

"I have no qualms with you st-... intercepting passes."

"Wow, it annoys you that much huh? You can't take your shots because you can't get your balls?"

"You are despicable," Midorima snapped, placing the ball into the crate and turning to face her entirely. Ishimura straightened herself up, completely prepared for a lecture. Hell she would get them all the time growing up, getting one from Midorima would be no different. Plus he looked really flustered at her comment and that made it all the more amusing for her. "You are crude and irritable."

"Well you're cold and irritable, and childish in your own way," Ishimura replied calmly, only to cause Midorima's cheeks to rosy slightly. By now she heard the balls stop from bouncing from behind her as the rest of the team stopped to watch the interaction between the pair. They were well aware that Takao managed to get under Midorima's skin, but the point guard never managed to get Midorima to looked so irritated and so embarrassed at the perfect mix to cause his cheeks and the tips of his ears to turn red.

"I am not childish."

"You're carrying around a fluffy duck," Ishimura motioned towards the large plush toy sitting on the benches and Midorima straightened himself up, or at least attempted to because he was already so agitated that he was pretty much like a pole at the moment.

"It is my lucky item for the day."

"Yeah, relying on luck is totally a mature thing to do. Instead of relying on my own skills and knowledge of the way the world works, I'm going to carry around a ducky and hope it makes my day better." Another set of snickers were set off from behind Ishimura but Midorima either didn't hear or pay attention to them. Instead he just crossed his arms over his chest and looked down his nose at her. It irritated Ishimura that he was doing that, but she was more irritated that she had retaliated with sarcastic comments instead of helping her situation with the whole getting Midorima to agree to play with them.

"You have failed to convince me to play," Ishimura winced although she predicted that, "and I will speak with Nakatani-Sensei about not playing Iwozuka either."

"Hey wait, why?"

"Because you are a danger to my team mates," Midorima snapped, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. His hand froze midway however as it registered in his mind both what he said and the extremely pissed off expression Ishimura was now holding. He stared at her for a few moments and the whole gym seemed to fall silent, except for a small whimper coming from behind him and Katsumi commenting dryly to Otsubo they were going to be down an ace pretty soon. Midorima expected yelling, spitting, perhaps even a little hissing from the teen standing in front of him. So when her lips cracked open into a smile that didn't quite look right and a dark laughter filled the air, he felt slightly more dread than he would have had she taken a swing at him.

"Oh, honey, people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Sorry, I wasn't clear was I? I'm talking about your games back in Teiko, considering you're talking about mine. You want to discuss a dangerous player, then we can go grab a coffee and discuss how you emotionally and psychologically scarred a bunch of thirteen to fifteen year old players in middle school into never wanting to touch a basketball again." Midorima stared at Ishimura open mouthed and he even heard Miyaji mutter how that comment was quite cold. Takao was standing quite still, staring at them open mouthed and not quite sure if they should intervene in their conversation or see how Midorima would handle the truth being shoved into his face.

"I, you, that..." Midorima stuttered as he pushed his glasses up his nose again, his cheeks swarming red and Ishimura looking slightly too proud of herself for her own good.

"All right, fun time with Shutoku is over Ishimura, let's go," Katsumi declared as she walked over, grabbing Ishimura's arm and dragging her backwards. The latter stumbled slightly, surprised at how hard Katsumi yanked on her. Midorima was still staring at Ishimura with his mouth slightly open and his eyes wide, but he didn't say anything to her as she struggled to get out of Katsumi's grip. Midorima just turned, grabbed a basketball, and started practicing his shots again.

...

"Yo, Aida-San!" Kazuki shouted as he walked into the gym, waving his arm high into the air. Riko looked over to him, her eyes growing slightly wider before she narrowed them again, crossing her arms over her chest and looking rather unimpressed with Kazuki's presence. He shrunk in on himself gently before skipping over to where she was standing, carefully eyeing the boys of Seirin practicing before turning his full attention to Riko.

"What do you want, Kazuki-San?"

"I'm here on Queens business actually," Kazuki mused, rocking back on his heels as he stuck his hands deep into his pockets. He could feel the stare of the captain on his back but he decided against turning around. He was interested in talking to Riko, not Hyuuga.

"And what does Meyer-San want with Seirin?"

"After the Winter Cup she wants to the teams to play properly," Kazuki smiled and he heard a skid from behind him. He glanced over his shoulder, spotting Kagami standing quite close, his eyes wide and a rather happy grin on his face. Kazuki grinned back, already knowing their ace was more than willing to play, although Kuroko looked a little uncertain behind him. Riko on the other hand was scratching her chin, glancing between Kazuki to Kagami and then back again.

"I assume the after is..."

"To avoid unnecessary injury to players," Kazuki shrugged as his eyes shifted towards the basketballs. He suddenly had a massive urge to run onto the court and join in with their practice, but he could hardly see Riko allowing him to do that. He felt slightly dejected at that realisation and his shoulders slumped slightly as he watched the team continue to train. He would have to call his team and get them to the gym tomorrow so they could have a couple of mini games. He was starting to miss playing again and playing with the queens was getting old already. Maybe if he asked Riko she would let him join in just this once...

"Kazuki-San, are you listening?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry," Kazuki mumbled, scratching the back of his head as he turned to face Riko again. He shot her a small grin, which caused her to roll her eyes and shake her head. He could practically hear her muttering about basketball nuts and their constant fascination for the game but that didn't diminish the lopsided grin her carried. He liked the coach of Seirin and kind of wished their own coach was as devoted to furthering of their team like she was. Though he was glad he didn't get punched or hit during training.

"I said I will discuss it with Hyuuga and Kiyoshi."

"Aw sweet!" Kazuki laughed, punching the air before bowing quickly. He couldn't wipe the grin off his face, knowing that was pretty much a yes if Kiyoshi was going to have a word in it and now Meyer would be pretty happy. She had been acting pretty funny lately and he pinned it down to being bored when playing the sport she loved, which was a massive problem for any sportsman. Plus he really wanted to see the Queens in full action mode. "Well, I guess I'll leave you be then! Hey, enjoy the rest of your training guys!"

"See you around Kazuki!" Kiyoshi beamed, waving to the captain as he jogged down the court. Kazuki grinned and waved back before heading for the door, turning back and waving to Riko as well. He caught a glimpse of a small smile that she immediately shot back down as she turned to her boys, yelling out orders as he slipped out from the gym.

...

Shira sat on the benches, hugging her knees to her chest as she waited for the Yosen team to come into the gym. The lady at the front office said their practice started now but the gym had been empty, save for another teacher who said she could stay in and wait for Araki and the team to come. That had been ten minutes ago and Shira was bored out of her mind and assuming they would not be around any time soon. She let out a huff, glancing around and groaned when she realised there were no basketballs out that she could play with. Letting out a grumble she stood, reaching for her backpack when the door was all but thrown open. She glanced up, raising an eyebrow when the Yosen team, at least she presumed it was them, strolled into the gym being lead by a stern looking woman. Shira figured that must be Araki Masako and the woman she needed to speak to.

At first none of them really noticed her, which gave her a few moments to get a look at the players. One looked like a gorilla, one was quite short compared to his team mates, one was an exchange student by the look of it and then there was pretty boy and the purple people eater. Shira tilted her head, noting that three were quite tall, although Murasakibara was easily the tallest out of all of them. The first to notice her was the gorilla, who straightened himself up very quickly and hit the arm of the shortest, asking him something quickly and quietly. Shira decided to make her business here swift, so she jogged over to Araki who was now standing and watching her carefully.

"I am very curious as to why there is an Iwozuka girl standing in my gym," she snapped as soon as Shira was close and Shira slowed to a quick walk before Araki glanced over to pretty boy, "I'm sure you could wait until after practice to speak with Himuro." Shira frowned, tilting her head as she glanced to pretty boy, it was Himuro wasn't it?, before looking back to Araki and shaking her head.

"Who now? No, actually I'm here to speak with you, Araki-Sensei," Shira smiled before bowing deeply. Araki raised one eyebrow before readjusting how she standing, straightening up to get a better look at Shira. She knew she should have felt uncomfortable but she had been chased down the street by Murasakibara and she was more interested in trying to get out as soon as possible so he didn't recognise her. Granted her hair was now a light orange so he probably wouldn't.

"And what business do you have with me?"

"Ah, actually I'm here on a requested from my Coach. She is very interested in the prospect of playing your boys after the winter cup."

"This is a joke right?" Shira spun on her heel when she heard a booming laugh behind her. The gorilla shut his mouth quite quickly after seeing a rather venomous glare from the female.

"The only joke if she believes you'll be adequate opponents, monkey boy," Shira snarled through gritted teeth before turning back to Araki. The coach of Yosen was frowning, scratching her chin and watching Shira carefully, as though trying to place where she may have seen the teen before. Shira straightened herself up again, squaring her shoulders as Araki smiled slightly.

"And who, may I ask, is your coach?"

"Meyer Victoria."

"And why did Meyer-San not come herself?"

"She has business up in Rakuzan, speaking with Akashi Seijuro," Shira replied with a small shrug. Araki looked between Shira to her players, who were all gather around rather intrigued by her now. Shira noticed that the one she had called monkey was quietly crying to himself, muttering something or other about respect, but the others were very interested in what she was saying. Or the fact that her shirt was quite tight fitting, one of the two. "So, are you willing to let us play Yosen boys because, I mean, well your girls must be getting sick of their asses getting kicked every match."