Title: Colleague

Author: Kuroi Tenshi [kuroi_22@hotmail.com]

Pairing(s): SenKosh ::waves flaglets happily:: ; SenRu

Warnings: Shounen Ai; violent Ryonan player with crazy dialogues with himself and his "friends" ^-^

Notes: Hao. This is my first SenKosh ficcie so if it's not that great… ::sigh:: Please be gentle when you R/R? Feedback is much appreciated, it's rewarded by cookies too.

Oinktots: That's right, bribe them to give feedback. That's just so like you.

::frowns:: Not true! Well… yeah, a bit. But anyway, C&C much appreciated. Flames would be used to build bonfires [obviously, I'm still bitter about the beach outing with friends but oh, well, you guys don't care ^^;;] Hope you guys like!

NOTES PART TWO: This one's important, well, not that much but it actually has something to do with the fic, so please read. ^_^ I'm not sure about the dates in the series, I mean, I don't know exactly what date they had a match against this team or that so… I'm making up the days, okay? I'm not sure if the match against Ryonan for the last ticket to the IH was really around the month of March. Let's just say it happened on March, okay? Hehe, if I'm wrong, just ignore me and forgive me for the mistakes.

Oh, another thing, as usual, as I said earlier concerning fanon, this one's based on my imagination. The family backgrounds you see for everyone are products of my warped imagination. So yeah, fanon galore. ^_^V

Disclaimers: Would any of you believe me if I said that I secretly own Slam Dunk and some other cute anime series out there? No? Why not? It's true! You still don't believe me? ::sigh:: Fine, no, SD doesn't belong to me. But I haven't given up on it yet, I'm on my second year in asking it for my birthday. Then for Christmas. Who knows, Santa might take pity on me soon enough and grant me my wish. But until then, Slam Dunk belongs to its rightful owners. I'm only borrowing the boys to have a little fun to suit my twisted quirks. ^_^ I'm not making any money out of this, so don't sue me; I'm just a poor undergraduate who's more than happy leeching off her parents. BUT if you think I'm a great writer and you want to pay me for doing this kind of stuff, please, by all means, email me and we'll discuss about it.

Ack! It took so long for me to start the fic, I ramble damn too much! Gomen, gomen! On with the fic!

===============

Koshino glared at the Shohuku player that ran past him, eluding Sendoh gracefully. He watched in tensed silence as the game continued with Shohoku leading by four points. He clenched his fists as Rukawa, the rival team's ace, scored another shot. Then glared more as he saw Sendoh make eye contact with the pale raven-haired teen.

His eyes hovered menacingly at Rukawa, hoping to burn a hole at the boy's head. He caught the smile that graced Sendoh's lips and his fist started to clench and unclench as he kept his eyes on the two, trying to keep his temper under control. They would loose this way if all Sendoh kept trying to do was impress that block of ice!

Hikoichi, who had been standing close, started to subtly inch away from the fuming shooting guard. He knew how temperamental Koshino was. And he know that when he couldn't contain his anger anymore, the one nearest him was bound to be black and blue. He followed Koshino's eyes and saw that he was glaring at the way Sendoh whispered into Rukawa's ears, undoubtedly trying to psyche him out.

"That idiot!" he heard him say. Hikoichi frowned. Wasn't his sempai happy that Sendoh was trying to make Rukawa lose concentration? Then he saw Sendoh smile from where he was guarding Rukawa. Then heard Koshino curse again, his hands fisting once more. He inched away again. What was wrong with him? the younger boy wondered.

Then shrugged. Of course it's only natural for Koshino-sempai to feel agitated that Shohoku was leading. This was the last ticket to the Inter High, it's only natural for him to feel tensed. Everything was at stake here.

~*~*~*~

We lost the match. I cried, at least I think I did, I can't remember much of it. Probably because it was too much of a shock to me. And I'm not talking about JUST the game here.

Sendoh confessed to me right after the game. I was right.

He's in love with Rukawa Kaede.

Yep, Mr. Ice Man himself, that same pale boy who can sleep virtually anywhere and that same boy who never utters more than a word. Yes, Sendoh, warm, cheerful, Mr. Sunny Boy a.k.a. Smiley is in love with his exact opposite. His *rival,* his *enemy,* Rukawa Kaede. It's been a day since he told me about his "crush that blossomed into love" (I' quoting him here, can you believe that guy? What a stupid sap) after the game but I don't think it registered yet. I'm still left a bit numb and shocked, to put it mildly.

But that shouldn't have been the case. I already knew about it. WAY before he told me. I have this feeling I knew about it even before HE did. Stupid Sendoh. It's just like him to be stupid enough not to realize it himself. I managed to realize it and I'm not the one who's giving Ice Man those *looks*, I was merely an observer.

Okay, I just reread the whole thing and I admit, I'm making myself seem like I'm sensitive guy who sees things most people don't. That actually sounds cool, me? Sensitive? Definitely. Another thing I noticed is how theatrical this whole entry seems. It makes me think of Reiko's diary, each entry filled with her deepest, darkest and *girliest* secrets. I shudder at the prospect of writing my journal filled with that crap.

Ugh! I'm wandering off topic again. Back to Smiley and Ice Man… I knew about his feelings for Rukawa even before he did. But then again, anyone who had half a brain would. Wouldn't you suspect of your friend liking this certain person if he drags you all the way across town to go to the rival school just so he can "spy on the rival's progress"? Spy on the rival's progress my ass. More like spy on Rukawa while he practiced with the team. Or wouldn't it seem suspicious that every time our paths crossed with Rukawa, (it doesn't matter how, as long as we're in the same area) Sendoh would be extra charming and nice? To Rukawa anyway. The guy never tried being nice to me like the way he is around other people.

That stupid, stupid, stupid idiot! I'm sure all the gel's killing his brain cells, if there are still any left. I have nothing against Sendoh having girlfriends. Or boyfriends. I couldn't have cared less if he slept around with everyone. But I wish he'd somehow… learn something from all his relationships. The longest one lasted only a month, though technically, it was only three weeks and five days. But still. I wish he'd stop playing around and claiming he's in love with this girl or this guy every now and then.

Love's not something you treat as a game. There are feelings involved. And even if that baka doesn't get hurt, I can't say the same thing for the other. I just wish he'd realize that. You can't say you're in love with this person and that person at the same time, not if you're *really* in love. And from past experiences, Sendoh's relationships always start out as "I think I'm in love". I want to grab a mallet and use it on him every time he utters those words. He THINKS he's in love, period. Thinks. Thinks. Thinks. There's a big difference between thinking you're in love and being in love.

I wish he'd realize that. And I hope Ice Man beats the hell out of him when Sendoh professes his love for him then make out with another the next minute. Maybe it's high time for him to learn his lesson the hard way.

I just reread the whole thing. And I'm on the process of debating whether I should burn down this whole journal. I did NOT write this! I swear it was Reiko's spirit, taking over my body and writing all this crap stuff. No way would I write something this… *girly.* I'm not one to talk about love. That's Sendoh's (and Reiko's) territory. I should start a new one, dealing with the butchery of Sendoh Akira for calling me short and weak last practice.

***Excerpt from Koshino Hiroaki's journal***

***March 11***

~*~*~*~

"So will you help me?" Sendoh asked, plopping down on the massive bed at the center of the room. The room's owner, Koshino, looked up from where he was doing his homework on the desk to the right.

He glanced at him then turned back to the Biology experiment he was answering. "Don't you have your Bio experiment to finish? I asked you to come over because I thought having someone with you while you study would help. I guess not. You only succeeded in annoying me for the past hour," he said, face scrunching as he studied the questions.

Sendoh threw a pillow at him, which landed three feet short from its aim. "I was hoping Reiko would help us. She's great at Bio, right? I don't understand why you won't go and ask for her help. I'm sure she'll be more than happy to help her favorite brother."

"I'm her only brother," Koshino replied, sighing at the problems again; they seem to hover in front of him now, dancing across the page, making his head swirl. "She's good at it alright. But I wouldn't expect her to help without something in return. And knowing her…" he involuntarily shuddered. "Just study in silence, okay? I need to concentrate on this."

"But you'll help me?"

Koshino had hoped that after their brief shat about Reiko and her unsolicited help, the spiky-haired boy would forget his earlier question. "You can copy my experiment, if you want."

"I don't mean the assignment," Sendoh replied, sitting up on the bed. "Besides, I always copy your experiments anyway. I'm talking about Rukawa."

"Didn't I tell you I want no part from it?"

"Aren't you my best friend?"

"Aren't you the same guy whose last relationship ended with your so-called boyfriend seeking therapy because of the damage you caused to his mental health?" Koshino retorted, crumpling the experiment and hurling it across the room in an effort to displace his frustration. "I don't want another parent glaring at me and calling me the devil's subordinate for trying to help you date their son."

"I promise, it'll turn out great this time. He's The One."

"Where have I heard that before?" Koshino wondered sarcastically. "Oh, wait. I heard it coming out of your mouth just three hours ago. But the difference is, you were referring to the first year from Hikoichi's class."

"But this one's fore real!"

"That line sounds very familiar too. Would you like me to tell you where I heard it the last time?"

"You're not helping. And I thought friends were there for each other," Sendoh pouted, giving Koshino his infamous puppy dog eyes, which had been known to cause thousands of men and women alike to faint and succumb to whatever he wanted.

Koshino's eyes softened. "You know there's only one answer left whenever you use that look on me… NO." He glared at the clean sheet of paper in front of him in annoyance. Then shredded it to pieces. He just felt so frustrated. And Sendoh begging him to help him with Rukawa wasn't doing anything to alleviate the aggravation slowly building inside him. "That's it, I'm beyond desperate, I'm going to ask Reiko's help." He stood up from his chair then glanced at Sendoh. "Don't you have any plans of doing your assignments?"

"You're doing yours, I can always copy," Sendoh shrugged, lying on the bed with his arms folded behind his head. "Tell Reiko I said hi."

"You won't even go with me? I can't believe you're expecting me to face *her* all by myself and then profit from it later by copying my assignments after you've done nothing to help!"

Sendoh sighed, standing up from his comfortable position on the bed. "All you needed to do was ask."

Koshino shook his head, trying to keep himself from using the thick textbook he had on his hands on his friend's head. When Sendoh got nearer, Koshino's arms instantly sprang above his head and came crashing down on the other boy's head with a loud "OWW!" and a muted thud.

Koshino shrugged when Sendoh gave him a perplexed look. "Sorry, I couldn't help it. It was like my body was acting on its own."

Shaking his head in disbelief, Sendoh opened the door of Koshino's room and stepped out into the hallway, still holding his head at the spot where Koshino's thick Biology book had connected with his skull. They made their way toward the staircase near the east wing.

They were heading toward the store Koshino's family owned. Sendoh whistled softly as they descended the grand staircase, passing by the waiting butler who stood stiff near the door as they approached. "Will I call for Wayne, sir?" the older man asked as Koshino paused at the door.

He shook his head. "Nah, we'll just be around the corner. I'll be back later," Koshino said, walking out as he opened the door, not waiting for the butler to do it for him, Sendoh following behind. Once they were outside, Sendoh shook his head in amazement.

"After two years of being best friends with you and yet I still can't believe how rich you are," he commented, shaking his head in daze as Koshino shrugged and they made their way to the little art gallery they owned around the corner.

Koshino's father was a wealthy businessman who ran transactions concerning stocks and so forth in the Tokyo. While his mother, who passed away few years ago, was an art dealer. They owned a little art gallery and framing store near their house. Reiko, Koshino's older sister, who had inherited their mother's love for art, was to take over when she's ready. She worked at the gallery to pass time and to learn how to manage things at the same time. To say they were well off was an understatement.

But despite Koshino's wealth, he never really acted like a spoiled brat who was raised in top-class *everything.* Well, if you don't count the constant temper tantrums (which most often than not results to someone needing immediate medical attention) and outbursts. He was nice and warm when it came to his friends, contrary to what people usually thought of him when they find out he's rich.

"Are you sure she won't mind that we're coming over?" Sendoh asked. He found his friend's older sister nice, in a scary kind of way. It seemed as if the girl just took pleasure in scaring people, intimidating them as much as possible. But she's nice and harmless after you get past the dark looks she gives you.

Koshino shrugged, Bio book still at hand. "I'm sure she won't mind. She's practically the queen of the place. I hope she doesn't ask too much as payment for her help."

"You can pay whatever amount she asks for, I'm sure," Sendoh shrugged, walking with his arms tucked behind his head, sighing in boredom.

"She *never* asks for money as payment," Koshino grumbled, pausing to look at the two-storey store in front of them. "Why don't you go in first?"

"She's your sister, why are you afraid of her?" Sendoh shook his head, walking past him and pushing the glass door inward, the chimes announcing their arrival. The store employees looked up form their workstations, expecting a customer. Reiko looked up from the selection of frames she'd been examining then smiled as she spotted him. "Sendoh, what a nice surprise. Is Hi-chan with you?"

"I told you not to call me that," Koshino frowned at her, coming from behind Sendoh. The store was relatively empty, except for the man wearing a hooded shirt who stood by the fabric lining selections, his back facing them. He walked toward his sister's table and slammed the book on her table. "Mr. Yoneda upstairs?" he asked, referring to the store manager who usually stayed at his office most of the time, where the gallery was located on the second floor.

She nodded quickly then raised her eyebrows at the book on her table. "I'm taking it as you're not here for a friendly visit?"

"I can't answer the damn experiment," Koshino stated, still frowning.

Sendoh, in the meantime, was passing time by looking around the workstations and selections, trying to distance himself from the siblings. He knew from experience it would take a lot of arguing and scuffling to take place before Koshino agrees with Reiko's "exchange". The other workers also started to subtly clear valuable things away, taking down priceless paintings and sculptures scattered around as decorations. The customer was still busy with the linings.

"You know it'll cost you," the older girl grinned.

"What would it be this time?" was Koshino's annoyed response, seating himself on the chair in front of her desk, facing her. The last time he asked for her help, she asked him to put on a pink tutu and made him dance in the privacy of her room (which he was grateful for, he'd just die if anyone other than his sick, twisted sister saw him) in exchange of her aid.

She drummed her fingers on the table as if mulling over what she'd get for helping her brother. "Oh, I don't know… Miyazawa's little sister's looking for a partner to a school dance they have in a few weeks. She told me if I could get someone I know, who's about the same age as her sister or a year older, to take Kasumi, she'll do all my English assignments for a month. But where could I find such a young man?" she sighed dramatically, turning to the others as if seeking their help in finding the answer.

"Then I also need someone to take Lance, my friend's little brother, touring around town since they're new in town. Again, where shall I find someone who'll willingly take him and show him around, sightseeing galore?"

"Why don't you try calling the travel agency? I'm sure they can help you a lot," Koshino replied, still frowning. "All I'm asking you is to help me with my Bio experiment!"

"And all I'm asking is that you help me out as well in exchange for my help. It's only fair I get something in return, right?"

"You're supposed to help your brother unconditionally."

"You're supposed to obey your older sister unconditionally."

"How can you do this to me? All I'm asking is a little help from you," he said, crossing his arms over his chest as a show of defiance.

She raised an eyebrow then shrugged. "Fine, but don't blame me when father scolds you for another red mark in Bio. I'm offering my services here, and I'm not asking too much too, am I? You'll also have fun while helping me. You should be grateful, you can go out with two people."

"How can I be grateful when you're treating like THIS?"

"And what's so wrong about *this*?"

"You're treating me like—like—like a gigolo!" Koshino exclaimed, his cheeks burning as he uttered the words, taking everyone in the room by surprise.

The room suddenly became deathly quiet. The employees, including Sendoh was biting their lips to keep themselves from laughing at Koshino's outburst; they knew better than laugh at a time like this. Making even the smallest sound meant death for them. The silence reigned for another minute before it was interrupted by the customer who turned to face them, asking, "How much will all this cost?"

Sendoh's eyes widened as he recognized the man wearing the hooded shirt. "Rukawa!"

At the mention of the other player's name, Koshino's head whipped sideward and stared in horror as Rukawa Kaede crossed the room and stood in front of Reiko's table. "How much will framing this photo cost?"

Reiko stood up from her chair and took the photo from him. She turned to her brother then grinned. "We'll talk about our… business later," she said, patting him on the head. Then turned to Rukawa. "It depends on what you want to be used for it." She signaled for one of the girls standing at the workstations to attend to him as another customer entered.

Koshino stared in disbelief as the store's business continued on after his little gigolo-outburst. Which should have left him feeling relieved, right? But… for some strange reason, he's not. Nobody was making fun of him for saying such a stupid thing. Sendoh was too busy salivating after Rukawa to pay attention to him; the employees, others too occupied with their own work to take much heed of him while the others, too scared of risking his wrath to comment, pretended nothing happened. Reiko didn't have the chance to torment him further as she was tormenting the newcomer.

"You want a gold frame for this one?" she asked the short, plump woman who looked at her with wide eyes, cowering before her as Reiko stood on her full height, eyes resting on her. "Or would you rather have a wooden frame? I think the wooden frame works better, don't you think so?" She didn't wait for the woman's response and grabbed another selection. "Now, about the thickness of the frame…" The woman with her just stood there eyes wide as saucers as Reiko picked this and that for her photo.

Koshino noticed how many times the woman seemed like she wanted another choice other than the one Reiko was suggesting. But she never voiced out her concerns whenever Reiko would look at her with her intimidating blue eyes and wide smile as she fingered the staple gun nearby. "I'd be writing this order for you then. You can pick it up after a week," his sister said to the customer.

The woman nodded, still dazed from the terror Reiko inflicted upon her. "Alright them. Tha—thank you, miss," she nodded as she signed the papers Reiko handed her then made a mad dash for the door, giving Reiko one last look before throwing the doors open and rushing out.

Sendoh, all this time, was tagging along Rukawa who was being attended by one of the young female employees. "It never came to me you were interested in arts, Rukawa," Sendoh said, trying to start a conversation with him, giving him one of his captivating smiles.

"My mother asked me to frame this for her," the pale boy shrugged.

Sendoh nodded. "You have a mother?" he asked, a bit surprised. He always assumed that Rukawa's type lived alone, he seemed like he grew up ion his own.

"No, he sprang from a flower somewhere as a full-grown man," Koshino rolled his eyes, coming between them and frowning at Sendoh. "Don't you have to do the experiment?"

"Aren't you supposed to be discussing your 'trade' with Reiko? She's free now," Sendoh said, trying to communicate with his friend through his eyes. 'Go away,' his eyes said. 'You're ruining everything!'

Koshino frowned at him then shrugged. "Don't expect me to let you copy my assignment," he said before turning and walking back to his sister's table. As Reiko seated herself in front of him, he threw the two standing at the counter one last annoyed glance then faced her.

"Do we have a deal?"

"I still can't believe you're treating me like… you're acting like a pimp, you know that?"

She shook her head. "Nope. And besides, you don't need to feel like a gigolo," she said, letting the last word roll on her tongue, enjoying her brother's discomfort with the use of the word. "Those guys get paid, and my, are they expensive!" she mused. "Anyway, like I said, they're paid. And I'm not paying you. You can call the whole thing as… a token of your appreciation for me helping you."

"By going out with those people?"

"Not going out," she shook her head, opening his bio book. "You're *escorting* the girl. While you're playing tour guide for the other. Unless you kiss during said 'rendezvous' you're not really dating. You're just… spending time together."

"It's the same thing," he frowned. "You just reworded what you said earlier."

"Well? Do you want to spend another dinner with father talking your ear off for failing bio or would you rather have fun and *spend time* with these people?"

"Do you even need to ask?" he said in a pained, defeated voice.

Reiko clapped her hand happily. "Good! Now that we have that all cleared up, you can go back to your friends. I think Sendoh's about to hyperventilate, that tall guy just smiled at him."

"WHAT?"

"Jealous?"

Koshino frowned at her. "Are you serious? I'm just worried Sendoh drooling all over the floor will ruin the carpet."

Tbc