Shira panted as she ran alongside Jo, trying to keep up with the pair in front of them and not fall behind. She was covered in mud, sweat and pretty soon there would be tears, especially if she fell behind. The cost would be too dear. Takami had been beside her earlier, but she disappeared at some point and Shira hadn't dared slow down to try and see where she got to. Those who fell behind, stayed behind.
"This is fucking nuts," Jo hissed as she wiped the sweat from her brow, sneaking a look behind her. There was one very large dog, a doberman, barking at her as they were chased. Shira stiffened slightly at the noise but she continuted to push herself to run even faster. It was hard running beside Jo, she might not be as fast as Meyer or Ishimura, but her long strides gave her an advantage. Worse, was that her stamina had been improving over the last few months. The game against Touou girls had proven that she was getting better, but she still didn't hold anything next to Shira. Either she was going to run out of steam or... "Ah, fuck!"
Jo tripped on a tree root, crashing to the ground and almost tripping Shira up in the process. Shira simply leapt over her fallen comrade and kept sprinting, not looking back as she heard snarls. This was the one time she wouldn't stop to help. Hell, not even Saka would have. Speaking of Saka, Shira looked around her. She swore she had heard Saka's squealing before as she ran about twenty yards away with a pitbull after her, but she was no where to be seen now. Poor girl, Shira was surprised she had been chased down so quickly though. She looked ahead just in time to see Meyer and Ishimura crash to their knees, flattening against the ground in front of them. Shira let out a yelp as she tried to draw back but it was too late. A large ball of black fur was hurtling through the air towards her and she saw the Ishimura and Meyer had started running again.
"Well there goes Shira!" Ishimura almost cheered as she kept pace with Meyer. The Captain didn't say anything, just snuck a quick glance around before pressing on. They were almost out of the woods and as soon as they stepped out they knew they were safe. She glanced over her shoulder, letting out a yelp and suddenly she was gone from right beside of Ishimura to three steps ahead, her shorter legs propelling her forward at a speed Ishimura wasn't entirely willing to try. Worse, she was only getting faster, her legs moving quickly and her feet working easily against the uneven ground they were running across.
Ishimura groaned, hearing a growl from behind her and tried to kick her ass into gear, but her thighs were starting to burn and she was more than willing to just lay down and give up. If she did though, that wouldn't end well for any of them. She glanced over her shoulder, seeing the doberman gaining on her fast. Clearly he was finished with Jo and Ishimura squealed slightly when it lunged forward, snapping at her shirt. She heard the fabric rip slightly and the knowledge the dog had gotten so close triggered some hidden adrenaline in her body. Ishimura scuttled forward, pushing her legs faster than she ever had, about to make it out when something slammed into her from the side.
She spun to the ground, landing hard on her back and letting out a loud groan before feeling something wet and rough drag along her cheek. She opened one eye, seeing a german shepherd standing above her quite proudly. Her cheek was licked again before she was sat on, the dog wagging his tail happily as he barked once before leaning down to lick her again. Ishimura held her arms up, gagging slightly at the smell of dog breath.
"Oof, Killer, get off," Ishimura muttered, trying to push the dog off but it was no use. All Ishimura heard was a loud bark and her face was attacked with kisses again. She let out another groan, attempting to swat away the unwanted affection as Killer refused to relent his onslaught. "Seriously man? I'm going to stink for a week, please off, you win!"
"Killer, up!" Killer looked over his shoulder before pulling off Ishimura, letting the teen sit up. Kazuki was grinning, holding his hand out for the basketballer, who gladly accepted it, and she looked around. Jo and Shira were stumbling back through the forest, being shepherded by a large malamute (who looked rather proud of herself). Jo was covered in dirt and what Ishimura hoped to be mud trailing up her side, whilst Shira looked like she had been attacked by kisses much like herself. The doberman was sitting on the edge of the forest line, wagging it's tail as it watched Meyer incessantly. The Captain was standing on the concrete, grinning to herself before bending her knees slightly.
"Come here Brutus! Good boy!" she cheered as the Doberman ran up to her. He jumped up, licking her face before flopping to the ground, rolling onto his back and waiting for his belly to be rubbed. Obediently Meyer fell to her knees, attacking Brutus' tummy with scratches and the dogs leg started to go nuts, his tongue flopping out of his mouth as it looked like he was grinning.
"Yeah, next time, we do the forest run without the dogs," Jo groaned, rubbing her leg before glaring at Meyer. The Captain didn't notice, or didn't care was more a possibility, as she was too preoccupied in rubbing Brutus' stomach. The doberman was kicking his feet, whining happily and wriggling on the ground. The malamute, Kia, was sitting patiently for any orders that might be given to her. Jo leant down, scratching the top of her head as Ishimura looked around, noticing they were still missing a few of their team mates.
"So where'd Saka get to anyway?"
"She's probably back in the forest with Takami," Shira yawned and as if summoned by her words Takami and Saka appeared, carrying a rather tired looking pitbull. He was panting and licking Takami's chin, as though in thanks for her carrying him out of the forest. Ishimura raised one eyebrow, staring at the dog in Takami's arms with surprise. She had heard so many stories about pitbulls being ruthless killers, but all the memories she had of this one were lazy afternoons and half assed attempts at chasing balls. Which often accumulated in the dog flopping down onto the grass and whimpering until someone gave him the ball.
"He kind of gave up, I felt sorry for him so I let him catch me," Takami shrugged her shoulders before Saka ruffled the short hair on his head. The pitbull stopped licking Takami, letting his tongue flop out of his mouth lazily as he pushed his head into Saka's hand. No one could deny that he was quite possibly the laziest dog in all of existance, the fact that he had even ran up to Takami and 'caught' her was a surprise to Ishimura.
"Yeah, F-f-fudo's pretty lazy after ru-ru-running for a few s-steps," Saka grinned, kissing the top of the pitbull's head. He let out a huff noise as Takami placed him on the ground before flopping to the side, lying against the concrete and panting again. Saka shook her head, leaning down and rubbing his belly as Kazuki handed out the leads.
The dog chase had been Ishimura's idea, although it was most likely a sarcastic suggestion after Meyer complained she had to take her dogs for a walk. Saka had suggested they all take their respective dogs for a walk each but Takami had argued they needed to train for stamina, and then this catastrophy happened. Kazuki whistled for Killer to come over and he gently put his harness on, patting his head and telling him how much of a good boy he was. Saka stood, tilting her head and watching as Fudo completely gave up on life and just started to sulk when she tried to get him to stand. Try being the key word.
Brutus was still lolling around on the ground, whining a little because Meyer wasn't paying attention to him. Kia had waltzed over to Meyer, appeased with the attention she had recieved from Jo, and sat at her feet, patiently waiting for her master to put her leash on. Meyer grinned, clipping the blue lead to her collar before looking at the others.
"Ready to go?" She questioned, and with those words Brutus was back on his feet and wagging his tail excitedly. He started jumping up and down, grabbing his red lead and trying to tug Meyer down the road. Jo stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, giving him a quick kiss on the top of his head before clipping his lead for Meyer before taking it off her hands. Brutus ran around the back of Jo's legs, headbutting her thighs to try and the giantess moving.
"H-h-hang on, m-my dog's n-n-n-not going anywhere an-an-any time s-soon," Saka complained as she prodded Fudo gently. The pitbull whined and rolled over, away from her, and started sulking as he stared at Takami, all but begging her to carry him again. His brown eyes seemed to double in size, no doubt a trick learnt to get more treats from the dinner table during the night. Takami quickly started talking to Shira and Kazuki sighed.
"Ki-Chan, take Killer. I'll carry this lump of dog," he resigned, handing her the lead. He bent down ignoring her protest and easily scooped Fudo into his arms, pulling back as the dog attempted to lick his face. He grimaced as Fudo succeeded and Meyer broke out into a laugh, causing Brutus to jump and wag his tail happily, attempting to run off again. The sudden movement jolted Jo and she stumbled forward before pulling the lead back, groaning.
"Meyer, can I take Kia?" Jo pleaded, eyeing up the patiently waiting malamute. Meyer shook her head, still grinning as she glanced back to Shira and Ishimura, both of whom were attempting to get the dog saliva off their faces. Kazuki was struggling to win against Fudo's attempts at kisses and Saka was already amused by how obedient and energetic Killer was compared to her lump of laziness.
"Eh, fine, if you really want," Meyer resigned after seeing her best friend adopt the same pleading face that was akin to Fudo. She stepped forward, handing the leash to Jo and taking Brutus off of her hands. The doberman leapt around excitedly, grabbing a hold of his leash again and started yanking Meyer down the road. She stumbled slightly and Brutus took this chance to start running completely. Meyer let out a yelp, holding onto the leash tightly as she was forced to run after him. She could hear Ishimura cackling from behind her and she, if possible, would have given her the finger if she wasn't hurtling down the road after her brothers doberman. She wasn't surprised honestly, the poor bugger hadn't been taken for a walk in a while, not by her or him at least.
"Are you sure she'll be all right?" Kazuki questioned as he readjusted how he was holding Fudo as Ishimura skipped past, making her way after Meyer. Shira, Jo and Takami were walking ahead of them, Kia obediently walking beside Jo. Saka shrugged her shoulders as she reached down and ruffled between Killer's ears, smiling up to Kazuki.
"I s-s-suppose. B-b-brutus isn't that b-bad." She could still remember the first time she had met the doberman. She was terrified of large dogs back then, and Brutus must have sensed that because he bolted straight for her before flopping to the ground and rolling onto his back, all but begging her to scratch his tummy. He was more energetic than Fudo, but he was still a sook like her own damn dog.
"Is everything all right with Ishimura? I mean, she's been a bit, off." Saka looked up to Kazuki before shrugging her shoulders. Sometimes it felt like Kazuki knew more about what was going on with the girls than Saka did, and then sometimes it seemed like not even the girls knew what was going on with them. Saka glanced over to Ishimura, tilting her head as she watched her carefully. Ishimura had always been the kind of person with a short fuse, ready to blow at any moment and just waiting for someone to ignite her fury. Of course, over the years her temper had calmed down, but there was still some sure fire ways of igniting her. Aomine Daiki being one of them.
"I th-think that sh-she'll be b-better after the g-game ag-against Touou," Saka smiled before scratching Killer's ear. The dog let out a whine and pushed his head up against her hand, asking for more and he looked like he was pleading for more scratches. He is a lot more affectionate than Fudo, Saka thought, Fudo's too lazy.
"Is that why Meyer suddenly decided to knuckle down training?"
"I th-think s-so. We can't af-afford to l-lose."
"Huh? Why not?" Kazuki frowned, readjusting Fudo. He was already regretting offering to carry the pitbull. The damn dog was too fat for his size.
"B-because we're not p-playing just for us. Every t-team we've played and d-defeated s-stand behind our s-status. If we l-lose, then th-they l-lose their c-credib-bility t-too." Kazuki almost dropped the dog, mostly because he decided to kick him in the face, but partially because of what Saka had said. He had never quite realised before what they each carried on their shoulders, why they completely refused to lose. It wasn't because they just wouldn't, it's because in their minds they couldn't. When did basketball become such a heavy weight on their shoulders.
Kazuki looked from Saka to the girls walking in front of them. Takami walked with her shoulders squared, her head bowed slightly as she walked beside Shira, who was chatting with her arms over her chest and a rather nervous smile twitching on her face. Jo was standing straighter than usual, her fingers gripping tight on the leash of Kia for no apparent reason. Were they tired from running, or were they becoming nervous about the upcoming games, where they were going to have to face the Generation of Miracles? This was what they wanted, wasn't it?