Pairing: Mainly SenRu, Slightly RuHana/HanaRu and SenKosh
Summary: Sendoh Akira has feelings for the Shohoku ace, Rukawa Kaede. He too feels the same way but how about Sakuragi and Koshino? A certain plan gets in the way. Is it ever too late to say 'I love you'?
A/N: At last I've finished the first chapter. By the way the poems at the start of every POV are personally made by me…it expresses thoughts and feelings of the characters. The story shows a new Rukawa and a very confused Sendoh. Well at least its SenRu and for those who like Sakuragi beware because you might kill me. Sana naman hindi and for those SenRu fans I hope you don't forget to review. Thanks for reading. Ingat and Merry Christmas!!!
Disclaimer: I don't own Slam Dunk Takehiko Inoue I would like to own even one of the Slam Dunk characters ;;runs with Rukawa;; nyehehe…!!! Eto…
Summary of Chapter One: Sendoh Akira and Rukawa Kaede have a one-on-one match against love and basketball. Hints of their feelings that they ignore. What will happen when Rukawa's openness lead to something unexplainable and unexpected.
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Never too Late
By: KaedeRukawa_kill
Chapter One-A Match against Love and Basketball
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**start**
--Sendoh's POV--
People think they know me,
Happy-go-lucky Sendoh Akira.
They just can't see right through me,
They want to believe just what they see.
Except for my bestfriend and teammate,
Who I somehow love and loves me back.
And someone out of reach,
Who I truly love and secretly I hope he loves me back.
I've kept it for the longest time,
Patiently waiting for your reply.
I'll love you until time is through,
'Cause I've fallen really hard on you.
I've been sitting under a maple tree waiting for MY precious Kaede. I felt my cheeks burn as I think of him.
If only he knew…
It's been a routine for me to come here to get a glimpse…every week, in the park court where he practices.
Kaede…
At last he arrived, he's as handsome as ever. I felt my cheeks burn red again.
I stood and started walking away, I always did. I never find courage to confess to him. He was different…now was different. Just the sight of him was enough. I'll never know when I'm ready…but surely I'll wait for that time when…
I am yours and you are mine…
"Oi, Sendoh!" I heard someone call me before my mind registered it was Kaede.
I turned back and replied "Ka-Rukawa?"
"One-on-one?" He asked.
Well I guess its basketball again. Why can't you see me? Am I nothing to you? Just a rival for you to beat.
I just nodded and smiled. We walked in comfortable silence. I was enjoying his presence. Not sooner than later we started our match…
…a match against love and basketball…
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Minutes have passed since this whole ordeal started. Soon he made one last shot before we finally settled and ended our match. [A/N: Sorry if I didn't show the match…wala akong oras…I wanted to post it already…it will take more time if I wrote it…well just continue reading…T-T]
It was a close match but I won. [A/N: It's the usual any ways…T-T]
I bought two bottles of mineral water and offered one to him, which he reluctantly accepted.
Silence ensues.
"I was wondering why you always come here and leave when I arrive. It just can't be coincidence," Kaede said breaking the silence.
I was taken aback for Kaede to speak up but I just smiled to myself. I can't keep something from him he just reads me so well.
I didn't answer to his statement, it was too early to confess. I'm not yet ready that's for sure.
"Thank you!" He said this time.
"For what?" I heard someone say before I realized it was me. I just don't know why he thanked me.
"For the one-on-one match," he replied back.
I just gave him one of my sincere smiles and my heart jumped when he smiled back. I saw him blush as I grinned.
Kaede's weird today. He is open but I have to agree I like it and he looks so kawaii when he blushes.
--Rukawa's POV--
I never knew you cared for me,
Someone who's a nobody.
I've never felt this way before,
It's truly unexplainable.
I feel special in your burning gaze,
That makes me feel very great.
Like there's nothing else but you and me,
If only you knew how you've affected me.
It will never be too late one day in time,
I'll be yours and you'll be mine.
You made my life a new,
And let me fall in love with you.
Akira why do you have to look at me like that. I was unable to stop myself from blushing from his deep stare and grin.
kawaii…
Silence ensues again.
"Are you hurrying?" He asked this time he was the one who broke the silence.
"Iie, Doushite?" I asked him.
"Wanna eat dinner out? My treat!"
Well it was quite hard to decide. He was so desperate that at the end I agreed to eat with him. It was also hard to say 'no' to someone like him.
I felt my cheeks burn again as I think of…
Akira and me together for dinner.
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It took us awhile before we finished dinner and he volunteered to drop me home.
He was a great companion and it makes my heart feel light when I'm with him. It was only two weeks ago when I admitted to myself I was in love with him. Yet…the stupid red-haired monkey thinks that we have a relationship but we never had. I told him a million times but he never listened. [A/N: Sorry for the Sakuragi fans if you read my warning in the author's notes about the Sakuragi stuff. T-T]
I gave a sighed and Akira looked at me worriedly.
"Daijobudesca?" He asked concern evident in his voice.
"Daijobuu! Gomen for making you worry." I replied.
I smiled to myself when I saw Akira blush. He was so kawaii.
At last we arrived at my house. I stopped in front of my house and looked at Akira. I couldn't help but laugh at the scene. Confusion etched MY Akira's lovely face.
"What's so funny Ka-Rukawa?" He asked.
"You," I replied.
He just smiled, I stopped laughing and smiled back.
"You have a big house…do you live alone?" He asked.
I just nodded. I had difficulty living on my own.
"Do you want to enter?" I asked, intentionally changing the subject as memories flooded back.
"Nah…it's getting late…I'll just see you tomorrow, ne?" He asked.
I just nodded in reply.
He cupped my face and looked at me straight in the eye. I couldn't help but blush as he looked at me intently.
He lightly pressed his lips against mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and closed my eyes. It took us minutes before we finally pulled away, slightly flushed at the recent event.
"Oyasumi Rukawa!" Akira called disappearing around the corner heading to his own home.
"Oyasumi my Akira!" I whispered to myself.
I went inside my house and for the first time had difficult sleeping. Thinking of the recent event with a certain spiky-haired Ryonan player and the event outside my house repeating over and over again.
I also thought about a certain stupid red-haired monkey and how could I tell him again that there is nothing between us.
--Normal POV--
Both the Shohoku and Ryonan ace players was unable to sleep both thinking of the recent events between them. They never knew that if only they could find courage to confess to each other they would be together…
They would be able to fulfill each others dreams.
How about Sakuragi Hanamichi and Koshino Hiroaki both of which feel something for one of them?
Love is in the air…destiny is in its way. They can never avoid hurting someone because love can also cause pain. They must find a way to fight their fear of rejection, move before each other's love fades and before they can't handle the game and competition of love.
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."
A/N: At last I've finished the first chapter. People please don't forget to review. Comments and suggestions are always acceptable. Thanks to my friend. Washu2, deathscytheaki7, zhao, murderer_621109131/lethal_virus04 and the others. Ingat always. Thanks.