Foxy Player

The Coach

Naruto pov

The first week of school was very hectic. With getting into the swing of school, volleyball practice, and earning as much money as I could. With the start of spring Shika and I usually replace anything that needs it before summer. Soon Friday came and it was time to go back to Keishins store.

I was dragging Shika along and he was complaining the whole way. I knew though that if he really didn't want to go then he wouldn't have let me bring him.

We entered the store and for once Keishin had some customers. We stood to the side quietly browsing the items. Once the customers left we walked over to Keishin.

"Shikamaru go to the office in the back, the books are there. Naruto I have some deliveries to do," Keishin said.

"Gottcha," I said. I got the orders and started my deliveries. There were only three, but they were all over the town.

I took a quick look around and when I was sure no one was looking I jumped up onto the roof. This is the quickest way to get around town, I just had to be careful because this isn't the Elemental Countries, people don't just jump around on the roofs. I made sure to use all the stealth skills I had and made all three deliveries in record time.

When I got back to the shop Shika was leaning against the wall outside.

"You're done already?" I asked.

"Yeah," Shika yawned. "It was easy. Keishin gave me money for both of us."

I nodded and we headed to our cave. I didn't even ask how much it was, I knew Shika would put my part in the savings and like I promised, keep the rest. I couldn't wait until tomorrow to find out how the game went.

Unfortunately a storm hit and we couldn't make it off the mountain. We were actually stuck up there for a whole week. The storm only lasted for two days, but there were many dangers on the mountain that we had to clear out before we felt it was safe, we weren't worried about ourselves, more about the people who traveled the mountain. We had to go into our stash of fake doctors notes to excuse us from school.

When we finally got back we heard about the practice match with Seijo and the new coach. Who the coach was really shocked us, it was Keishin.

"I can't believe we missed all that," I complained to Hinata. Hinata just laughed, we both happened to be picked by our teachers to bring papers to the office.

"It's amazing. You missed a lot," Hinata said. I just sighed and completed my task, I couldn't wait to get to practice with a real coach. I mean I have my national team coach, but this was my team. And I wanted to be with them.

"I can't wait until the match against Nekoma," Hinata exclaimed.

"Hopefully I'll be able to make it," I said.

"Why wouldn't you be able to make it?" Hinata asked.

"Lots of things could happen," I shrugged.

"Well hopefully you can make it. I want to play with you in a match," Hinata bounced.

I laughed and we finished the delivery. I waved to Hinata and jogged back to class. Once there I sat through the most boring lessons ever. Once it was done I jumped up ready to make my way to practice. But it just was not meant to be. Because I was about ready to bolt to practice when the teacher stopped me.

"Uzumaki I need to talk to you," they said.

"Yes?" I asked.

"The principal wants to talk to you," the teacher said. This threw me for a loop, I didn't know what I could have done for the principal to need me for, I had stopped pranking when we showed up here and I hadn't done anything against the rules. I headed to the principal's office and when I got there I knocked on the door.

"Come in," someone said. I opened the door and sitting there was the principal. I walked to his desk and sat down in front of it.

"You needed to see me sir?" I asked, because I didn't know why I was here. I was being very polite.

"Yes you have been invited for an interview by Volleyball Monthly. I believe that you should take it. It would be good for you and the school," the principal said.

"Well when would it be?" I asked.

"The last day of Golden week." I sat up in shock.

"But sir the volleyball club has a practice match that day." I protested.

"Uzumaki, this is too good of an opportunity to pass up. You can miss one game." the principal said. I knew he wasn't asking now, he was telling me this is what we were doing. This is the thing I hated about being on the national team. I was expected to do these things and when I tried and said no they basically told me I was doing it anyway.

"Yes sir," I sighed. "May I go to practice?"

"Yes you are dismissed ," the principal said. I grabbed my stuff and headed to the gym. Once there I saw who our coach was. And man did it shock me.

"Keishin! What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Hey brat I'm your new coach, until the Nekoma match that is! So call me Coach," Keishin said smiling at me.

"Huh really!!" I was so excited. I met his grandfather before and have gotten some tips from him, and I knew Keishin learned from him. So even if he was unrefined I believed Keishin would do good.

"Yup and with you on our side Nekoma won't know what hit them," Keishin said with a shark like smile. That is when all my excitement left me.

"I won't be able to play in the match," I said dejectedly.

"HUH!! WHY!" everyone asked.

"Volleyball monthly wants to do an interview on me and the principal is making me do it," I said. Everyone looked at me in shock. I grabbed a volleyball and heaved it at Shika. He admittedly knew what to do.

He served it at me and I popped it up. As it was flying towards the net Shika got under it. He looked at me and that was all I needed to know. I took off towards the net turning and sprinting to the middle at the last second. I jumped, not using all my power as I didn't want to go to the ceiling. The ball came flying to me right in the perfect spot. I swung my hand down and made connection with the ball. It sailed to the other side and landed with a deafening crash.

The whole gym was silent. And then I heard Hinata's cheer. Keishin patted me on my shoulder.

"Do the interview gaki. We'll be fine without you. Just make sure to mention Karasuno in it," Keishin said.

"Are you sure?" I didn't want to leave them if they really needed me. I didn't want to leave them, period.

"Yeah. As long as we have your lazy friend we'll be fine," Keishin told me. I turned and looked at Shika with pleading eyes. Shika sighed.

"Fine, but I'm not playing all the games. I'll do one and then someone else takes over. Got that?" Shika said. I nodded rapidly, I knew that was the best that they'd get out of Shika without me being there and playing.

"Great," Keishin said, putting his hands on both of our shoulders.

They'd be fine. I just had to believe that.... At least I hope.