Shadow's Might (Kuroko no Basket Fanfiction)

Chapter 3

The next couple of days passed in a blur of nonstop practices, workouts in the gym, and rest. Kuroko spent most of his time in the basketball court bringing his muscles back to their best condition. Most of the time he practiced alone, due to the fact that he was too lazy to make his body neutralize the effects of his miss direction. Then again, it worked in his favor since, the paparazzi that plagued their training court left him alone. Which could not be said for the rest of the team.

It was Saturday night, Kuroko was lounging on his bed with the team thrown around the room, since they invited themselves and started a team slumber party. One to which Kuroko half heartedly objected using the excuse that they couldn't possibly fit in the room, which was true. Therefore they settled for a movie marathon before everyone went to their respective rooms for proper rest, coach's orders.

McCal was drifting through the channels looking for a good movie when the sport channel caught his attention. They were playing a clip of the Jr National Team's previous game. "We are all extremely excited for tomorrows exhibition match between our beloved Jr National Team and the world renowned Jr Elite Team. The highly anticipated match will take place tomorrow at four in the afternoon in the Kagasaki Stadium." The Japanese spokes woman. "I am here accompanied by Kōsuke Wakamatsu, the team Captain of Tōō Academy, and Eiji Shirogane, the coach of Rakuzan High. Thank you for taking the time to be here, it is an honor to have you two here." The spokes woman said as she sat down in a chair opposite to where the basket ball captain and coach sat. "No, the honor is all mine." Kōsuke said. "Much obliged." Answered Eiji. "I know were are short of time, I will go directly into the questions. Since both of you, in some way, are connected to the Jr National Japan Team, how do you feel about this exhibition match?" She looked at the coach when he started answering the question. "I have spent time with this team on and of the court, not only because one of my school players is there, but as an assistance to the coach of the National team, and I have to say that this year's team is one of the best we've had for a decade. It gathered the best players of high school players of Japan into just one team. Surprisingly their team work is precise and strong, not what you would expect from a team with players that have strong independence."
"Yes, that is one of the factors that hinders this team since it is fairly new compared to the Elites, who have almost two years of teamwork." The commentator added. "Precisely." said Eiji Shirogane. "Okay, next question. This one is for Kōsuke Wakamatsu, you have played with the team and against it, do you feel they are ready?" Wakamatsu looked straight at the camera. "Like you have said, I have played alongside this team as well as against this team's players, and I have to say that in a basketball game one is either in top form or in a bad shape. I have seen these men work themselves to the ground preparing for this season, not just this match, and I have to say. This team has never been in a better shape than as they are now." The spokes woman smiled while she nodded her head to his answer. "Then what are your impressions of the Elite team?" Eiji Shirogane thought the question over before answering. "I have to be honest, the team we are facing is an incredibly strong team. The matches I have seen are flawless in technique, strategy, and teamwork. It appears almost as if they are a machine functioning at a perfect form, but even so I do not think they are playing to their maximum potential. Whether that is a conscious or unconscious phenomena I do not know. I guess we will see tomorrow." A clip of one of the Elite's game started playing as Eiji spoke, before it went back to the three of them. "And, what about the elusive Dark Prince?" She asked winking at the camera. "That is precisely what he is; elusive. Not only on the court is it hard to capture a glimpse of this phantom player, but also the media has very little information on him." Eiji said. "The playing style does, in a way, remind me of a former Seirin player, but that person disappeared two years ago." Kōsuke thought out loud, but it earned him a surprised look from the spokeswoman and a surprised gaze from Eiji. "Looks like our time is up, but befoer we go I want to ask the one question that has everybody asking. Who is going to win tomorrow's match?" Eiji looked directly at the camera, before answering. "This match could go either way, but I can assure you it is a match worth seeing." Kōsuke nodded in agreement, before both of them said their goodbyes and the news changed to the weather broadcast.

The room was silent as each team member processed what they had seen. It was a mind opener to listen, since the team knew Japanese, to an interview on how people thought things were going to progress tomorrow. Sadly their moods from a happy care-free team plummeted to a sullen too serious mood. They were all thinking of the possibility of loosing the game, though no one wanted to admit to it, it was still a possibility. "That's not going to happen." McCal said, voicing his thoughts. "We've worked just as hard as they've had. We've played against international teams and the best of the best in our country. They may be this so called Generation of Miracles, but guess what? We've got the strongest member right here in this room. We're going to hit them so hard and fast that they won't even know it until it's too late." Shouts and wolf whistles erupted around the room.

Kuroko sat in his bed alone listening to Jack's soft snores. He was smiling to himself. The warm feeling that blossomed in his chest remained even after they watched two movies and the team left to their rooms for a goodnights rest. He looked out the window to the starry sky, wondering if just by chance the Generation of Miracles was doing the same. Shacking his head discarding those stupid thoughts, he pulled back the covers and laid down. Not even once did that warm feeling leave, nor did the sense of safety the team provided go away.