The Boy is Mine

Disclaimer: I don't own SD boys, Inoue does. The events that follow are not included in the original plot but enjoy anyway.

Summary: Rukawa and Sendoh heat up a competition as they struggle to get the attention of the same guy. Pandemonium follows, the fight turns into a circus and both get more than what they bargained for. On-going.

Chapter I

There was only a flurry of electrified cheers from the crowd when the 2nd half started. Fresh from the locker room, Sendoh Akira moved his way to the court, humming, striding lightly, smiling. As always, he was doing what he did best; unconsciously charming the skirts off the female audiences who already had their throats pared down after 20 minutes of screaming his name. He fumbled at the side court, tucking his top in, careful not to catch the referee's reproachful look which he had earlier received after his jersey, which now bore the number 4, loosened out of his shorts. He wordlessly gathered his team mates around to utter their battle cry and sooner than it was heard, a cacophony of wild voices--collective and individual--issued out of the blue and white portion of the crowd.

In an immediate response, Sakuragi Hanamichi muttered to himself, 'Damn Ryonan fans.'

'I heard that.'

'Ryochin?'

'Captain.' Ryota Miyagi, now the rightful owner of that title, corrected him.

'Uh-huh.'

'Don't get carried away, Hanamichi. They're just spectators.'

'Yeah, I know.'

'You should. Now stop scowling, will you?'

'Right.'

Both traipsed past their dug-out, positioned themselves in the middle along with the rest of Shohoku team and faced their respective opponents. At that instant, the spellbound watchers furthered up their volume and the crowd, once again, seemed to sink under its own cries. Sakuragi snuck a glance at the scoreboard. They were trailing by 3 baskets, with a possible inclusion of a free-throw if neither of their shots was to be a three-pointer. The score was 50 to 55. It was evident by the beaming, half-jesting confidence of Ryonan players that they intended to keep their lead up to the last moment. Sakuragi returned an even more sinister smile, the look of which seemed to say he was going to change that in a matter of seconds or less. The referee whistled for the centers to take the jump-ball. Sakuragi and Sendoh surged forward. Sakuragi held his gaze steady, imposing Sendoh under his infamous killer-eyes and curling his lips into a lopsided grin. Sendoh flashed him a dreamy smile in exchange.

'Ready, Hanamichi?'

'Are you?'

Sendoh and Sakuragi sprang themselves up in the air, stretching their arms to slap the ball in opposite directions. To Sakuragi and Sendoh's dismay, it landed on Rukawa's clasp who, in pure self-command, handled the ball in sustained speed. There was a sudden shift in the atmosphere as the players, as if in accordance with the frenzied crowd, assumed tenser, more agile movements. Girly shrills wafted up from the audience box, which only made Sakuragi wring his hands and utter in low key the words 'cocky bastard'. Red, white and blue figures sped past him. He could see them trooping after Rukawa who now provided the spectators with more reasons to be amazed; he had just topped his fast-break with a turn-around dunk, all in 10 miserable seconds of Sakuragi Hanamichi's life. Sakuragi, resentful and suffering, plugged his ears, disbelieving the very loudness of the shrieks, reserving his curses for some other moment when it couldn't be drowned by these bimbos' stupid screams.

'Nice work, Rukawa.' Miyagi said and offered the sophomore a high five. At the other end of the rectangle, Sakuragi cursed.

30 or so minutes later…

The referee blew his whistle. Alerted, both teams waded their way to the dug out. It's clear to see who won the game, as the crowd which was striped with red and white smirked victorious amid the cheers. Once again, it was better luck next time for Ryonan. More or less dissatisfied, the team members shook hands with the winners. A look of unmistakable grudge was on their faces as they did so.

'Nyahahahahaha!' Sakuragi, for a reason or another, started guffawing. Apparently he was about to laugh so for another good twenty minutes when Sendoh decided to monopolize him. The older lad led him out of earshot, or so he thought, and commenced what seemed like an interview. From where Rukawa stood, he could see how engrossed Sendoh was in his little chitchat with the red-head. What could they be talking about this time?

Out of sheer curiosity, which had since begun torturing him, Rukawa gradually sneaked his way nearer the two lest he blew off his cover. It needed to be done carefully. It didn't take minutes for the fox-eyed boy to realize that Sendoh was up to something.

No, it wasn't just something. It was something that would ultimately concern Rukawa, it dawned on him in shock. Yes. Sendoh was infringing on something Rukawa had hitherto held scared and safe…yes…it was about Mitsui. No doubt about it at all. Sendoh was weaselling something out from Sakuragi…about Mitsui. Not realizing how conspicuous he'd become Rukawa stood there in a trance-like pause.

'Oh you're there, Rukawa.' Sendoh grinned. Something moved inside Rukawa then, like it gave him some kind of stimulus to jerk Sendoh away. 'I was just telling Sakuragi here how interesting your team mate Mitsui is.'

'No, you weren't. You were trying to find out his interests and quirks and everything. You want his biography.' Sakuragi frowned. At this, Rukawa became ever averse towards politeness. 'Why don't you bug Rukawa here? I'm going.' Sakuragi announced and went to smoke.

So Rukawa was right; Sendoh had cornered Sakuragi to find stuff about Mitsui. How nasty.

'You stay away from him.' Rukawa blurted out just then.

'From Hanamichi? He's all yours, dude.'

'No, from Mitsui-sempai.'

Sendoh stared at him. Seeing how possessive Rukawa was didn't make Sendoh feel like an intruder any, rather he was emboldened and seemed very interested in the turn of the events. There was a peculiar informality between them as they exchanged looks.

Each kept a straight face. Unless something screwed up Rukawa's eyes, Sendoh was smiling, insultingly. How could he look so carefree after that irrevocable mess his team just managed with Shohoku? He seemed to be loving every bit and piece of this, the thrill of being introduced to his rival in love not the less. In due course Sendoh came back to himself again, cleared his throat and spoke,

'Speak for yourself.'

Having duly accepted the challenge, he turned his back and marched out on Rukawa.

TBC