Hey guys..haven't posted a fic in a while... And just got some weird pang of inspiration today... someone asked me, "What's sardonic?" And something in my head just clicked! (People in ML: FINALLY...)

So here it is! I dedicate this fic to...uh...to...uh...OF COURSE, HANA!! (huggles Hana) Darn, I don't know what I'd do without you gurl! Thanks lots... and to Cheeky, (welcome back!) and to the rest of you guys.. I know it's only a prologue, and I've made such a fuss...but I'm pretty darn pleased with myself..so leave me be okay? (Hana: snorts)

Aight...that's all... here you go..will write the next chappie ASAP...

Full of inspiration,

Silver Fox.

Sardonic

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimers: I don't own anything in this fic. Not Rukawa, not Sendoh (sob) but at least I own the fic.

Prologue : Thoughts of Denial

Rukawa Kaede sat silently, looking out the window, as hills and greenery zoomed past him.

"Do'aho." He muttered out loud, as he could hear the shouts of Sakuragi Hanamichi, his teammate, from the other cabin.

Rukawa stared out the train, the scenery all in a blur. The rest of his teammates were sleeping around him. Rukawa sighed. He leaned into his seat and closed his eyes.

He wondered why he couldn't sleep. Usually he was the first to fall asleep. Maybe it was because he was playing a match against Ryonan later. Shohoku VS Ryonan. It was the game everyone was so excited about. Well, honestly, Rukawa wasn't excited about anything. It was just that…

Sendoh Akira.

God, the name drove Rukawa so insane sometimes. He never really understood why. He never knew why every time he was alone he would think of Sendoh, or when he watched Sendoh playing basketball, it created such passion, such desire in him. Sometimes he wanted to pull Sendoh's sweaty body close to his, and caress him.

But it was only a feeling. It was not something Rukawa Kaede would do. Never.

Rukawa opened his eyes. He watched the scenery slow to a stop.

They were here. It was time for the match.

"Rukawa! Let's go!" One of his teammates yelled over to him.

Rukawa took a deep breath. Then he got up, hauled his bag over his shoulder, and followed.

Sendoh Akira flashed a smile at his best friend, Koshino, as they both walked down the empty hall.

"Excited, Akira?" Koshino asked with a laugh.

"Ecstatic, more like it." Sendoh laughed back. Then he let his smile fade.

Ecstatic? It wasn't exactly a lie, but Sendoh was not looking forward to the fact that one very good-looking kitsune was going to be at the match.

"Rukawa…"

"Did you say something, Akira?"

Sendoh shook his head, smiling. "Nothing, Kosh…"

Then he turned back to his thoughts. Sendoh was very distressed about the fact that he was completely crazy over Rukawa. Of all people! Why couldn't he have fallen for one of those pretty fans he has? It just had to be the Ice Prince. But he was never going to admit it. Not to anyone, not even to himself.

They entered their locker room, where the rest of their team was assembling. Sendoh sat down and retied his shoelace. As people greeted him, Sendoh wondered whether Rukawa would be wearing his black Nikes or the white ones…

Their coach called them around him, and gave his pep talk. Sendoh couldn't bother to listen, but he acted interested anyway. Then they walked into the basketball court.

Cheering. So loud, it almost hurt Sendoh's ears. There were lots of people, shouting and jumping, holding banners.

Sendoh let his eyes scan the court. Then he saw the Shohoku team on the other side. His eyes met, with someone's across the room.

Sendoh froze. "Rukawa."