UPDATE: Sorry the "~" symbol didn't come through the first time around so Im going to try again. Sorry for any confusion.

Chapter 9 - The Endurance Test

The team met up in the hallway. Jo noticed a glint of mischief in coach's eyes.

Greaaaaat. The first day back for me and she already is thinking of ways to torture us.

"Ok listen up. This exercise is to help with your endurance and to teach you to think outside the box." Coach smiled evilly. "Today is the day that the cafeteria sells a special kind of sandwich. It's said it brings good luck when you eat it. Therefore, all clubs and teams rush to get this once a month tasty food. The second years did it last year and you will continue on this tradition."

"How hard can getting food from the cafeteria?" Kagami chuckled and crossed his arms.

"Here, lunch is on the 2nd years. Enjoy." Hyuga handed Jo an envelope of money for the first years to use to buy food.

"If you fail at getting the sandwich, you will do double endurance training for the next week. I recommend NOT failing at this." Coach warned them.

The first years looked to one another and nodded in agreement. They all began to walk to the cafeteria. The noise level was higher than normal. They all exchanged looks and opened the door. The mass sea of people was unreal. Hundreds of students shoved one another as they tried to get closer to where the food was usually served. All of them were stunned and just stood there in awe.

"Ah it shouldn't be that hard to get one. Come on!" Kagami said in an assured tone charged forward. Soon he was popped back to towards the team. He landed at Jo's feet and grunted from the knock back.

Jo looked down and crossed her arms. He gapped and shouted in an aggravated voice said, "This is Japanese lunch time rush!"

Jo looked at the crowed and had seen videos and read about the hustle that came around lunch time in the subways. Luckily, she hadn't run into it as of yet, but she got the idea."

The guys tried to move several times but to no avail. Jo tried once but ran into the rugby team and they were not about to let her pass.

The first years stood there out of breath and stared at the crowd then to each other.

"This is impossible!" Tsuchida gasped and wiped his brow.

"There has to be a way. The second years did it last year." Jo stood up and looked around to find a way through the crowd, but it looked hopeless.

"No we have to find another angle." Kagami grumbled, yanked Koichi by the collar and shoved some money in his hand, throwing him over the crowd.

"KagamI!", Jo squealed in annoyance and worry. When Jo looked where Koichi landed, he appeared in the air once more as he headed towards the back of the lunch hall.

"Why is Koichi being tossed around in the air?", Kuroko asked Jo.

She heavy sighed, "Because Kagami thought it would actually be helpful. Be glad he wasn't hurt, you jerk!"

"Jo…", Kuroko started to speak then was talked over.

"I don't see you coming up with any ideas big foot." Kagami glared at her.

"Kagami I…" Kuroko tried once again to talk.

"I think things through before putting them to action and think about the outcome. I am not so careless like some Neanderthal I know."

"Please for the love of God, would you two idiots try to see what Kuroko is HOLDING!" Fuirhata shouted at the two of them.

Both of the two of the players stopped mid yell and looked at Kuroko. He held a bag of sandwiches his hand.

"How… how did you..." Kagami stammered.

Kuroko explained he simply weaved through the crowd, grabbed a couple sandwiches and left some money on the counter.

The first's years mouths gapped open as they stared at Kuroko.

Jo smiled and picked Kuroko suddenly off the ground slightly in a embrace. "Oh Kuroko your sneaky ways are so awesome sometimes! Now we won't have to go through the hell that coach had in mind."

"Watch it woman you'll crush our silent weapon." Kagami chuckled and patted Jo's shoulder.

Kuroko looked oddly at Jo then smiled in a gentle way. "I'm glad I made you happy Jo."

The group laughed and headed to the roof with their victory lunches. The second years were beyond correct when it came to the wonderful taste of the sandwich. Jo slumped against the wall and slid down to the ground. She was tried from the day and the full stomach made her sleepy. Her red haired annoyance sat down beside her.

"Good meal, too bad we have to go back to class." Jo mumbled.

Kagami nodded and leaned his head against the wall to where he looked up at the sky. "Yeah, I wish I could go crash on my couch right now.

"I hadn't had that good of a meal since I left home." Jo took out her phone to check the time.

Kagami asked in a serious tone in english, "Do you miss home?"

Jo heavy sighed, "Yes and no. Yes because of my family, friends, home, food, you know the things you call home to. No because I am enjoying this once and a life time experience. I mean I am in Japan! This was my dream since I studied it in like 3rd grade. So I do I miss home, yes. Do I want to go home? No, not yet."

Kagami shoved her head and little to the side, "You're such a dork."

"Takes one to know one!" She shoved back.

The bell rang to return to school. Kagami whined back in Japanese and put his hands on his face. "I don't wanna!"

"Come on lazy butt. You're going to be late." Jo stubbornly demanded.

"The test is going to be awful!" He whined as he got up.

"Yes… yes it is, but we'll be fine."

They headed to class all the while Kagami whined about school.

School came and went. Jo hurried to the gym. She was so excited to play again. Once she changed into her practice uniform she went out to the court. After they team ran some laps, they worked on some practice drills. They worked on rebound where someone would purposely miss the basket in order to help the defense and offense teams to help on boxing out.

Sweat dripped off Jo's face and her breath was labored as she attempted to box out Kagami which was not an easy task. She jumped for a rebound, grabbed the ball, but was in a bind when she looked for an open teammate. She didn't even notice Kagami's hand reach inside and tapped it out of her hands. The ball bounce out of bounds. Coach blew her whistle and called for a group huddle. She went over some things they worked on. She called for end of practice. When they clapped for dismiss a familiar voice called her name from near the entrance of the gym.

(For the reminder of the story a ~ symbol means the person speaking is in English)

~ "Well, well, if it isn't little Jo!" a voice called her and used English.

Jo stopped midstride and her heart leaped. That deep voice caught her attention and made her skin prickle. Is it him? No. He is in another country! He can't be here. Nah, maybe its Kise. No, the voice was too deep, also Kise isn't that good at English. Is it…

Only one person would even consider her little. She whirled around and saw a very tall man (6' 8"/207.2 cm) with a lean build, buzz cut black hair and green eyes waved his hand towards her. His smile was a full of joy. He wore a blue collar shirt and light tan slacks with dark brown dress shoes.

~ "CODY!" She screamed in excitement. She ran to him and jumped towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He returned the happy embrace.

The team looked from Jo and Cody to each other in confusion.

"Wait, did he call her little?" Hiroshi questioned.

"I guess he can call her little, look how tall he is! I've only seen people his size on television!" Hyuga answered in a low tone.

"Also he must be using english like Kagami and Jo do sometimes." Koichi pointed out.

Coach turned around and nearly dropped her clipboard when she saw the man and looked up and down his tall stature.

~ "Little Jo, sweetie, you've grown! My my, you might catch up to me yet." Cody chuckled as he gently sat her down and lightly kissed her forehead.

~ "Cody, don't call me little in front of the guys!" Jo whined and looked back at the guys who whispered back and forth.

"Hi Cody, I'm Kuroko." Kuroko walked up beside Jo, but scared the heck out of Cody.

"Bwah! Where… Where did you come from? How long have you been there?"

Kuroko looked at Jo with a questioned look on his face.

Jo translated what Cody said to Kuroko in Japanese.

"Oh, since you picked up Jo. I was wondering who you were so I came over here to ask you. I was about to ask you when you call Jo little." Kuroko answered in a simple tone.

Cody looked at Jo and she translated back to him.

"Kon'nichiwa Kuroko." Cody bowed slightly and smiled. Kuroko returned the bow and smiled simply.

~ "When did you learn Japanese?" Jo asked with a mixture of shock and excitement.

~ "Anime. Where else? That's about it besides 'thank you'." He chuckled

~ "Cody, let me introduce the guys! First this is Kuroko, he's a fantastic basketball player. Over here are the others. Come on guys!"

~ "So little Jo who's your friend?" Kagami said with a little bite behind his voice.

~ "Oh hell no Kagami! You are not allowed to call me little. Only Cody." Jo got close to his face and poked his chest.

~"Why? I think it's funny." Kagami mocked and poked her shoulder.

~ "Oh you know english? Are you exchange student too?" Cody said politely.

Kagami looked at Cody with a blank look similar to Kuroko's. It was honestly kind of creepy.

~ "Yes I do speak english, but no I'm not exchange student. I moved here with my parents several years ago. But I am originally from America."

"Anybody understand a word they are saying? Kagami is creeping me out with that calm look." Koichi whispered and looked to some of the other guys.

"I understand bits and pieces, but not a whole lot. I know Cody is also from America and he asked if Kagami can understand him… I think." Hyuga stared at the three that seemed to talk way too calmly for Kagami and Jo.

~ "Well that's great. I know my Jo is in great hands then." Cody smiled and shoved his hands in his pockets.

~ "'His J.." Kagami growled under his breath then turned towards to Jo with anger in his eyes.

~ "So Jo, how do you two know each other? Obviously long enough for a nick name."

~ "Huh? What's with you dude?" Jo question and crossed her arms and cocked her eye brow.

~"Who is he?!" He snapped loudly.

The gym echoed for a moment and everyone jumped when his voice carried. Even though he spoke in english the sound surprised everyone Kagami even he looked for a moment a little surprised. Then the anger was right back. Silence fell on the group.

Kuroko tapped Kagami's shoulders and Kagami shoved his hand away as he still looked at Jo.

"Kagami. I think you don't understand." He said plainly.

"Like hell I don't!" Kagami spat.

"Kagami I think he's her…"

"Her what?!" He rolled his eyes and looked at Kuroko.

With his back towards Jo he heard her sigh with annoyance and answer.

"Cody is my brother you dumb ass!"

Silence fell among the gym. Kagami's back stiffen when she finished her sentence.

~ "Uh what did you say Jo?" Cody asked oddly and looked from Kagami and Jo.

~ "I told him I was your sister." Jo said with an aggravated tone.

Kagami still faced the team because he didn't want to face Jo. The team including coach looked at first shocked at the situation that had unfolded then they began to hide their laughter. Kagami's face turned a light pink.

"Kagami didn't you notice they had the same kind of eyes and stood similarly. Also…" Kuroko began to point out a hint he notice when Kagami lifted his hand to Kuroko's face in anger.

"Shut it Kuroko."

~ "I'm sorry if there was a misunderstanding Kagami was it? I am just her older brother." Cody put Jo in a choke hold and gave her nuggie.

~ "Cody you dick let go of me!" She shouted through gritted teeth and began to struggle to free herself. "Anyways, why are you even here? I thought you were going to be in Australia until Christmas."

The team still tried their hardest to hide their laughter, but some snickers came out once and a while. Coach yelled at them in annoyance to hush up. They all stood up right and the laughter stopped.

Kagami glared at the team then pushed past the team to head to the locker room. Still pinkish.

~ "Kagami! Wait! Come back!" Jo shouted, but Kagami didn't look back and stomped into the locker room.

(Switching briefly to Kagami's point of view)

What the hell was I thinking back there? Why did I get so angry at Jo being happy that another man arrived? It's not like we are… anything. I felt so angry.

He yanked off his shirt and yanked opened his locker. He grabbed his shower bag and headed to the shower to cool off.

She is a good player. She is a good teammate. She is a good friend. That is all! A friend.

Droplets fell off his red hair as he leaned his strong arm against the shower wall. He had washed up, but stood there in the shower to let the water run down his well toned body.

His mind continued to wonder as he heard the rest of the team came into the room. He turned off the water and began to get dressed to head home. As he exited the shower, he noticed Jo wasn't in the room.

Did I make her mad? Well she had have introduced the giant as her brother in the first place. It's not my fault if she's angry.

"Where's Jo?" Kagami asked causally to Hyuga while he combed his wet hair in the mirror.

"She grabbed her bag quickly and left with her brother." Hyuga sifted through his bag when he answered.

Kagami nodded, but inside felt relieved that he didn't have to approach her yet.

"So are you too… you know…" coach asked when she placed her clipboard in the locker.

"Are we what?!" He snapped and slammed down his comb on the sink.

"I think she meant are you two dating right coach?" Kuroko plainly said then turned towards coach to make sure he was correct. Coach nodded slightly at Kuroko who then looked back at Kagami.

Kagami's stomach lurched along with anger.

"NO!" Kagami yelled. He slammed his locker door and yanked his bag as he went out the door. "We are NOT dating."

Why did I Kuroko have to bring up that obvious? Of course we are not dating. I wouldn't date her. She's too stubborn… too annoying… she's too… sigh.

We will return to Jo's point of view next chapter.