Disclaimer : Slam Dunk is owned by Japanese Mangaka Takehiko Inoue

Author's note : I know I have already started a firt fic and I will continue it. This idea crossed my mind few days ago and I couldn't resist to put it on the paper. As always, English is not my native language so excuse me for the mistakes^^

"Enough is enough! said a booming voice, making the eyes of all the players in training, converge towards its origin. Anzai-sensei, during this moment was certainly more like "the white-haired devil" he had been when he trained the basketball players at the University rather than the serene man he seemed to have become until his nickname was changed to "white-haired Buddha.

The old man got up from the bench and walked the field with determination towards the two men who were the sources of his torments.

It's been several days that Sakuragi Hanamichi had a more childish behavior than usual to Rukawa. During most of the matches, the redhead used to commit several offensive fouls against the other, which eventually lead to exchanges of insults and fights.

Everyone knew the redhead was particularly furious since Haruko Akagi resigned from her position as manager. The girl had found the courage to confess to Rukawa but had been rejected. Since this rejection, she was no longer coming to their training games or even the official matches, and this situation necessarily caused much pain to the red, not because only she was no longer here to encourage him but also it seemed that Rukawa had injured her to the point of affecting her love of basketball.

Today was no exception but such situation couldn't become permanent. Akagi was not there to calm things down and after several attempts to make them get along better, Miyagi had finally stopped the reprimands.

"Sakuragi, Rukawa, you are forbidden to be here until you are able to keep in the same room without fighting! Now, get out! "

The first blinked several times as if he did not understand the words pronounced while the latter kept a marble face.

But seeing how the coach seemed serious, Hanamichi was the first to react, putting his arm around the Anzai-sensei's shoulders while pulling on his double chin.

"Oyaji, you're not serious? You know we have a match in three days and we need the tensai's training! Surely we can do without this kitsune but not Tensai! "
In the biggest surprise of all, Anzai-sensei pulled away from the embrace of the redhead. He used a voice a little quieter but more bass that gave chills to the players.
"Do not even expect to play this game if you have not changed your behavior in three days."
Sakuragi remained silent a few seconds before pushing his usual hysterical laughter.
"Yare, yare Oyaji, it is only a bluff! We will lose our effectiveness to take all the rebounds if I'm not there, and even if it hurts to admit it, we also need the Kitsuné to put baskets.
"

See you admit this is a first progress Sakuragi-kun but it is not enough. "Anzai-sensei said in a voice softer, going down again, meaning the two youths that the discussion was closed.

Hanamichi understood, of course, that meant he could return to the match before being reprimanded by the coach.

He would get excited again and get lost in arguments when he received a kick from Rukawa.
"Learn to close your mouth when it's necessary Do'haho

-Jerk" Hanamichi muttered in his beard

Rukawa left the gym in front of the other players before being soon followed reluctantly by Hanamichi.

In the locker room, as they were out of sight of the coach, Hanamichi vented his anger.
"It's your entire fault Rukawa! Stupid kitsune! Ingrate! "Shouted the redhead by pointing an accusing finger at Ruwaka, who was ranging his affairs without even paying the slightest attention.
Hanamichi continued to babble. "Poor Haruko-chan! Why did she fall in love with a guy so callous? She is so kind, so ready to help and encourage others, so ... so perfect. You do not really deserve her, Kitsuné! And at the same time, I wonder what a girl should have to please you even if Haruko-chan is not to your taste. Your groupies have no brains, and you do not pay attention to them although they harass you mercilessly. It makes me wonder if you don't just like girls".

The atmosphere in the room seemed to cool at these words. In the corner of his eye, Hanamichi felt Ruwaka stiffen.

Hanamichi blinked while watching the profile of the man in front of him. Despite his large size and his athleticism, Rukawa was much slimmer than him; he had blue eyes that become expressive only when he played basketball, eyes surmounted to long lashes which gave him a captivating look. He was not particularly effeminate but Hanamichi was aware that it was a stereotype.
"You're gay, right? He asked in a hesitant voice as if he was afraid to hear the answer.
Rukawa turned to him and his eyes darkened with anger.

"It's none of your business Do'haho".

Just the fact that he doesn't deny it was a response. Hanamichi was surprised to feel no particular disgust at this discovery. How Rukawa had reacted showed that it was a painful subject and he felts suddenly sorry.

Rukawa slammed the door of his locker and was advancing towards the door when Sakuragi called out.

"It doesn't matter Kitsune, it changes nothing for me. You're still the same idiot addicted to basketball and able to fall asleep anywhere. Rukawa left the room.

The redhead was as unpredictable in real life than on the basketball court. First, Rukawa would never have imagined that this idiot can see through him. He was also surprised that Sakuragi didn't seem to be disgusted by his homosexuality.

The look he had in the end was a look a little lost, embarrassed but also compassionate.
Rukawa did not know at what moment in his life he had discovered his penchant for men. He was certain that the girls had never really interested him : they were too noisy, they were too in demand for attention that he could give them and they were also too fragile, too sentimental to bear the fact that basketball comes first in his life and his asocial nature.

At nightfall, Rukawa was not really surprised that Sakuragi was already training at the gym.

Anzai-sensei had forbidden them to come back to train with the others, he never specified that they couldn't use the gym outside normal hours. It was not the first time they found themselves both to train. In such cases, they were accustomed to do their exercise each of their side. Sometimes, a provocation would lead them to do a one against one.

Sakuragi was doing three-point baskets. Judging his sweaty brow, he was there for some time.
"250" he shouted before putting the basket. He stopped, breathless before turning to Rukawa.

The redhead removed his shirt and Rukawa suddenly wondered why it bothered him even though Sakuragi did that all the time when he sweated too.

"Hé kitsune, would you like to do a little one against one?" said the redhead.

Rukawa frowned. It wasn't a habit that this do'haho challenged him without a first provocation, mainly when he knew he would lose.

"If I win, you will have to answer a few questions, ok?" added Sakuragi while a blush spreading his cheeks and not because of the heat.

In the afternoon, he had given much thought to his discovery about Rukawa. He couldn't hate him to being gay as he had never appreciated that he was misjudged because of his red hair. Haruko didn't have any chance in the beginning because of her gender and that's not Rukawa's fault to be who he is.

He didn't know anybody who was gay and he wondered what it felt. Disturbing thoughts had haunted him and he surprised himself to wonder what kind of men Rukawa liked. He remembered how his movements when Rukawa played could hypnotize him and even now, when he looked to the man, he wondered how is a relation between men Or more specifically, how is a love relation with the kitsune.