The Image

Standard disclaimers apply.

The two-wheeler continued its even movement until it came in contact with a small bump on the road. Sapphire-blue eyes jerked open, rousing its owner from his peaceful slumber. He glared at no one in particular, irritated at the thought that he had nobody to blame for that incident. At least he was almost in school already.

As soon as he entered the gates, he was greeted with the usual sight. It was a normal day at Shohoku high - girls chatting loudly while laughing with each other; boys goofing around, some talking about girls and stuff; the others if not studying, were quietly reading something or engaged in some deep conversation. He eyed the groups warily and noted that the one he was looking for was yet to come. The raven-haired boy regarded the scene before him with much distaste, the air of indifference slowly engulfing his form once again. Without the do'ahou, everything seems so dull... he admitted in his mind.

Loud gasps suddenly disrupted his thoughts of the redhead, and he found himself curiously seeking for the source of disruption. The students around him had their mouths dropped open, seemingly gaping at something... or someone who had just entered the premises. It sparked his interest and he turned around to where everyone was directing their gaze.

His eyes widened in shock.

There, entering the gates was someone all too familiar, yet not in some ways.. in new ways for that matter. Chocolate-brown hair was swaying in rhythm with the person's strides and fell naturally on the sides of his face. Wait a minute... brown?! And straight?!

Despite his surprise, his gaze towards the boy never faltered. The boy's current haircut was almost the same as his, he noted, only a little longer. The boy's face hadn't changed much because of that, but what struck him most was the other's eyes and expression. It no longer held the look of egotism, nor challenge, but something else. Something, the blue-eyed boy thought, very familiar... something similar to his own.

The boy had the same face that held nothing. Expressionless... unfeeling... the boy was mirroring him.

"I-Is that S-Sakuragi?", someone from the crowd of students asked shakily.

Sakuragi. Somehow, he found it hard to associate that name with the person currently walking towards them. It seemed so... off.

He noticed that Youhei and the others were trailing behind the boy; their expressions not far from most of the students and him. They were exchanging glances and looking at the boy every now and then.

The aforementioned boy didn't freeze on his tracks even when almost the whole school's population gaped at him in a mixture of shock, confusion and disbelief. The usual cold, blue eyes which were now flooded with unknown feelings, followed the boy's direction intently. He didn't turn around even as a familiar voice came from behind him.

"Whoa, Rukawa.. tell me I'm dreaming. That's not the redhead monkey we just saw right?" Mitsui asked, his gaze also unfaltering.

"I must say it's quite a surprise, ne Akagi?" The vice-captain of Shohoku basketball team piped in. Kogure Kiminobu had his eyes also fixed on the the redhead. The one beside him just nodded in agreement, seemingly dazed at the unusual sight. Even the captain of Shohoku basketball team couldn't contain his shock. Sakuragi Hanamichi was always too full of surprises.

"Hah, I bet he's still the same loud-mouthed monkey we know. His appearance may have changed, but that doesn't mean he's less of a baka than he was before!" Mitsui said in an amused tone.

Akagi Takenori closed his eyes in thought. What's that idiot up to now? If he gets any ideas involving my sister I swear I'll punch that hollow head of his until it deflates!

As if knowing what Akagi was thinking (that and the obvious veins that have magically appeared somewhere on the captain's forehead), Kogure lifted a hand and rested it on his friend's shoulder.

"Ah.. I'm sure Sakuragi means well. Let's ask him later why he suddenly decided to change his appearance, it would save us from jumping to conclusions and the like." The bespectacled boy said reassuringly.

Mitsui snorted and shook his head. "Knowing the baka, he'll probably laugh out loud and tell us, 'Ahahaha! The tensai thought that his appearance should go well with his abilities! After all, a talented and intelligent guy like me must be perfect in every aspect!', and then laugh and laugh some more." The three-pointer shook his head again. "I don't even want to think about it.." He grimaced at the idea.

Unbeknownst to them, a raven-haired boy was feeling undeniably perplexed but still managed to maintain his composure. He turned to his teammates and spoke in his usual, cold voice.

"It's not the only thing that has changed."

The three seniors blinked their eyes in confusion. They looked at him quizically and asked. "What do you mean, Rukawa?"

Before he could reply, someone appeared from nowhere and shouted Sakuragi's name. "Oi, Hanamichi!" Miyagi Ryota called out loud to the boy. He quickened his pace to catch up with his kohai. Finally reaching the 'ex- redhead', he gave him a gentle pat on the back.

"Yo, Hanamichi! What's up with you? What did you do to your hair? I've got to admit they look good though! So you're finally growing up, eh?" Miyagi nudged the boy on the ribs, wiggling his eyebrows in an attempt to embarrass the junior. He was laughing heartily until he heard Sakuragi answer him back. And he didn't expect it at all.

Sakuragi just gave him a humble smile and replied.

"It's nothing Miyagi-senpai. I just decided to change my image, that's all. It's for the best, I guess."

Everyone's jaws had dropped open in bewilderment. All had the same thoughts.. 'Sakuragi... humble?! Miyagi-SENPAI?! Change image?!'

Akagi, Kogure and Mitsui had been caught off guard as well. They hadn't seen that coming, and it was too much for them. The three of them hadn't noticed that Rukawa was already gone, and had caught up with Miyagi and Sakuragi already. As the pale boy passed by his two teammates, he uttered his usual insult in a low tone. "Do'ahou."

As if the previous scene wasn't enough, the redhead answered his supposedly arch-enemy cheerfully.

"Oh, good morning, Rukawa-san."

'R-Rukawa-SAN?! What the hell?!'

Miyagi stopped and gave the boy a confused and shocked look. Rukawa on the other hand, froze on his tracks. The way Sakuragi treated them confirmed his fears. The once bouncy, energetic, violent and foolish redhead was now a totally different person.

He didn't like it.

Rukawa turned around, determined to approach his do'ahou and demand an explanation when he saw Sakuragi and his gundan already walking away from them. He was too baffled to even hear Sakuragi excuse himself. He was about to run and catch up with them when Youhei Mito, Sakuragi's bestfriend, suddenly stopped and turned to look at him. Rukawa wanted to speak but the boy's eyes told him otherwise and he realized it would be better to drop the issue for now. Later, he told himself. There would be time later, and he decided he wouldn't go home until he gets an explanation.

This is actually my first Slam Dunk fic. I'm just trying it for kicks, to see if I'm actually capable of writing a decent SD fic. And yeah, I'm a die-hard RuHanaRu fan ^_^

I'm not really sure when I'll be able to update since I'm always in a slump. Please excuse my poor writing skills -_-;; But I'll try very hard since SD's one of my favorites ^_^

Do'ahou/Baka = Idiot

Tensai = Genius

Senpai = Senior

Kohai = Junior