Prologue: Unfeeling
Authors: dukki and kae
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk does not belong to us.
Pairing/s: RuSen and ToruKen
Genre: Romance and Angst
Rating: PG-13
A/N:
[ "" ] : dialogue
[ - - ] : flashback
[ + ] : end of scene
[ *** ] : start/end of story
***
A figure walked silently. His handsome profile did not deceive his unsure feet that brushed aside the fallen leaves of autumn, nor did it conceal the dark, cold aura he was eliciting.
He was bitter, gloomy, devoid of all.
Everyday he'd pass in that same street, masked in that same cold façade. And everyday, he would look up at the pale moon, and cry to himself…
- -
Nothing could be quieter than that Tuesday evening. It was a long walk home, with his body beaten by three consecutive hours of practice. But, beyond his weariness and the calm night, stood a gripping feeling of uncertainty and apprehension. He didn't know if it was just the dense air, or the emptiness of the streets, or the dimness of the decade-old lampposts that was bothering him so badly. All he was aware of was that the stillness will soon deceive him.
And deceive it will.
"Kaede, are you even listening?"
His head snapped up at the voice of his brother. Toru's framed eyes looked back at him, drawn in a mocking expression of hurt.
He sighed. "Doushita na no, aniki?"
A light-hearted chuckle. "You try too hard to be cool. Try to live in normalcy for once."
"Isn't this normal for you?"
"…not really. You make it seem that I'm annoying you, or something."
The older didn't even flinch as his brother glared at him, nor did he make any attempt to apologize as the latter resumed to his brooding. He knew that Kaede has something worthy to brood about, and sometimes, it can be more than enough for him.
Toru looked up. The stars stood in the heavens, twinkling in merriment. In his search for comfort, he always thought that his parents were there, like the stars, looking after the pair of them. He smiled. There, at the stars, he saw his strength, and his purpose.
"ANIKI!"
He frowned as he saw them disappear, one by one, like the decade-old lampposts dying on that Tuesday evening.
He closed his eyes, the light forever gone. And then, there was darkness.
+
Tonight was no different, stars continued to sparkle yet seemingly gloomier each passing day. If they could breath, would they know how it feels to lose hope? Would they even lend a helping hand? Waste time to wipe his tears away? Or even care to weep with him?
These stars… when will they give him answers?
In a dimly-lit place, another figure stood drinking a glass of vodka. His surroundings were earsplitting as teenagers and adults entered the pub.
A familiar clatter of hasty footsteps stopped in front of the glum individual.
"Sendoh Akira!"
The figure addressed eyed the intruder before he could reply.
"Kosh? What are you doing here?"
"What am I doing here? I was expecting you to be home at six. For Christ's sake, what the hell are you doing here?" His fuming bestfriend and manager said.
He blinked. "Isn't it obvious, Kosh? I'm drinking…"
"I couldn't have figured that out myself," Koshino said dryly. "Tell me, what's up with drinking?"
"Kosh, don't you think my life's not worth living for? I have no one special the same way as to no one treats me as special."
Koshino glared at his best friend. "Oh cut the crap, Sendoh. Why are you even sulking? You're a singer, you're popular, you have everything one could wish for!"
"That's it! I have every material possession one wants to possess but one can live without it."
"So you're telling me after all these years your conscience is breaking in?" He peered closely. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"
"Never mind. You won't understand me…" And you never will…
Slowly he glanced at his watch, then got ready to depart. His mind was blank and his chest all heavy after all the realizations came crashing to his mind.
"I think it's late already. I better go home," Sendoh said, smiling sadly.
"Yes, I agree that it would be better if you would, Sendoh Akira. That's the best solution."
The popular fellow left the pub unnoticed. Though it may seem as if he had everything in the world, his true goal was yet to be found.
"Let me find someone…"
+
The moon continued to illuminate the dark sky. One by one the stars were falling , showering wishes through the night.
Wishes that were too impossible to come true.
Is hoping still possible?
It's not too late to give up, though…as long as we can breathe…there is life. And as long as we have our life, we have our reason to live.
All the more, when we have no one to cherish…and so these will be our aim to find someone we can spend the rest of our lives with: to find a reason of our existence.
Maybe, the same way would happen to two unexpected individuals as their paths cross while defending their lives and mastering the art of letting of go of their pride…
+
In a crowded place I stand alone, waiting for you…
***
A/N: Finally! All done and finished before the exams. A huge apology for the delay. This fic is dedicated to all the members of the AKML.
*Please don't forget to review. Thankies… ^^