Author's Notes

This story is originally for a manga that I am currently doing.

I'm only itching to share the story to you, so I change the characters into Slam Dunk characters so I can put it here.

If you're interested to see the manga when I've done it, I am honored to give you the address of the site.

You can mail strictlyruhana@yahoo.com.

The mail ad you use to send me a message, will be the mail ad where I will send the address.

Introduction

Kanagawa is a country ruled by one Emperor.

Each city has a King and princes.

The Emperor would choose one prince to marry his son who would be next Emperor of Kanagawa. In the case of our story, the Emperor has no son, so the heir to his throne will be his nephew.

The prince chosen to marry the next Emperor of Kanagawa is called the King of Kanagawa and would be the second highest authority in the land. He symbolizes Kanagawa for whoever he marries (not entirely a free choice) will be the next Emperor.

Chapter One

Scene1:

Emperor Maki perched on the royal throne made of gold and silver.

He was invited by the King of Shohoku, King Akagi to the celebration of his son's birthday.

The last time Maki had seen the Prince of Shohoku was years ago and the prince was still a little kid.

Magnificent chandeliers illuminated the vast ballroom and long white curtains beautified it.

Maki was relaxing himself with a taste of white wine in his wineglass when he spotted a blooming young man going down the gargantuan spiral staircase.

Dressed in light blue silk cloth that wraps around his body, the young man slowly inched towards the royal flatform where Maki and Akagi were sitting in their royal thrones.

The young man kneeled before them.

"Your highness," Akagi said proudly. "May I present to you, my son, Prince Hanamichi of Shohoku."

Maki's eyes widened. He had never seen a young man as beautiful as the Shohoku prince in his whole life.

"Come here, little prince." Maki spread his hands to welcome Hanamichi and the latter inched in front of him, then kneeled. The Emperor lifted gently his chin and stared at his loving face. Red semi-bald head, hazel brown eyes that shone with serenity, clear and soft skin, and cherry lips. "I've never seen such beauty before."

"I am honored to please you, your higness." Hanamichi blushed at the commentary.

"May the Emperor dance with the prince?" Maki asked.

"Yes you may."

The Emperor escorted the lovely prince towards the dancefloor.

"You are indeed a treasure in this city." Maki uttered... without taking his gaze of admiration to Hanamichi.

"I am very overwhelmed with your praises, your highness." Hanamichi slightly smiled. Shohoku had known such beauty exists in their place. Hanamichi is used of compliments, however, a praise from the Emperor was something to be really proud of and very flattering.

When the sweet music was about to end, Maki smiled at Hanamichi.

"I shall ask the Shohoku for thy son's hand. Thou shall marry the Prince of Kanagawa, the heir to my throne."

Hanamichi's heart jumped for joy. It only meant that he would be the next King of Kanagawa once he had tied the knot with the next Emperor. Secondly, who would refuse to be married with the Prince of Kanagawa? Hanamichi had never seen him before but there had been rumors that he was indeed very handsome, courageous, clever and tough.

His noble friends, whether girls or boys have a deep infatuation to Prince Akira. He's everything anyone can wish for a husband.

Scene 2:

The royal chariot... being pulled by four healthy white horses, crossed the warm dessert.

Inside was the Prince of Shohoku voyaging miles from his city to Ryonan; the center of the Kanagawa's royalty.

Hanamichi still could not believe his luck. He was really exhilarated finally meet him.

His father, King Akagi was really proud. As well as the entire population of Shohoku.

The news spread like a wildfire. The next King of Kanagawa has been chosen and thus will be travelling to Ryonan and meet the man he would spend the rest of his life with.

Suddenly, Hanamichi heard a loud thug coming in front of the chariot... until it fell down and his head hit the wall.

Hanamichi opened the curtain and looked at the window. He saw the man in-charge of the chariot with a bow that hit his neck and killed his life. Two horses were gone and the ones left were wriggling. Their legs were tangled in the rope.

Then, Hanamichi noticed a dozen of rebels approaching the chariot in swift pace.

Nervousness didn't easily dominated the tough prince. He untied one horse from the tangle and rode it.

The white horse was well-trained and brought up in good condition and ran very quick.

Hanamichi had no idea where he was. All he was certain of... the rebels weren't able to catch up on him. He stopped in the nearby flowing river with clear waters.

He tied the horse for a while on a tree and let it drink on the river.

Hanamichi was trained in archery, fencing, moutain trek and horse riding, but not in forest survival.

He wasn't used of drinking in the river or cooking animals he caught in the forest or any rural areas. He's hungry, exhausted and all he could do was to sleep. He laid his back on a big rock.

He was about to close his eyes when he heard a splash of water. Thinking it was the rebels, he almost freaked out.

What Hanamichi really saw didn't allow him to move.

A man with a raven-black hair and ivory skin was currently taking his shirt off.

A godly body was revealed, toned chest... light-colored nipples... and tight abdomen. Hanamichi's eyes widened as the man removed his pants. A globular butt bloomed and Hanamichi wanted to close his eyes, but he didn't. The sight was peasurable, entertaining and arousing to pass out.

The man dipped himself in the waters. Hanamichi wished that the man faces him so he could see his facade, but if that happens, the man would find him.

Hanamichi looked closely on the man's thighs that's a little reddish due to the warm temperature of the surroundings. Until... Hanamichi saw partially the long and tan manhood and he wasn't able to control his scream.

The man glanced to the origin of the scream and saw a redheaded being.

"Who are you?" The man's low and serious voice astounded Hanamichi.

The redhead slowly stood from the ground. Now that he had seen the man's face in a whole, he was impressed with such sapphire blue eyes that gloomed against the afternoon's sun.

"I... I... didn't mean to peek at you. I... I was only resting in this rock."

"Turn around." The man coldly said and while Hanamichi's back was facing him, he immediately swam out of the waters and wore his pants. "Is that your horse?" The man queried after he had put on his pants.

Hanamichi still resisted to look at him or he might be allured too much by the hunky chest of the man.

"Yes."

"Only the royalties can own such horse."

"I know." Hanamichi suddenly felt his heart thumping against his chest. What if the man is part of the rebel group? "I... just found it somewhere."

When Hanamichi noticed that the man was walking away, he automatically catched up.

"Where are you going?"

"Home. I only came here to get some herbs for my mother."

"Where do you live?"

The man wasn't looking at him but he stopped to entertain his question.

"In Ryonan City."

"That's good. I'm heading there too. Do you know the way?"

"Absolutely I do." The man said with bewilderment for the fact that it's obvious that he knows the way to his home.

"You can ride in my horse." Hanamichi offered cheerfully.

The man agreed.

Hanamichi reasoned that he's too exhausted to be the one to control the horse so he asked the man to do it for them.

The man said yes and lifted himself up on the back of the horse. He was half-naked and Hanamichi found his big chance.

Hanamichi also took off his long-sleeved royal leotards and sat in front of the man. He discreetly laid his back on the man's husky chest... feeling the contraction of his muscles.

"Ha!" The man triggered the horse to move and Hanamichi was impressed with the manly voice.

"Where did you learn to ride a horse?" Hanamichi initiated the conversation.

"I used to ride the nobles' chariots."

"Why did you stop?" Hanamichi felt the comfort of his position too much that his head was now leaning on the side of the man's neck.

The man loved the sweet scent of the redhead. He inhaled the smell of his hair to his lungs and pressed his chest even more against the redhead's back.

"It's a common knowledge that there's a time limit in working for the nobles." The man uttered emotionlessly. "I'm a slave in Ryonan."

Hanamichi's eyes opened wide. There are no slaves in Shohoku City but he knows what a slave means.

If Maki learned about this... that he rode a horse with a slave and even touched his skin with a slave, there would surely be a trouble.

Hanamichi was aware on how protective the Emperor was to him. Like he's a very precious gem. The Emperor gave him the best chariot to bring him in Ryonan City and had prepared an extravagant room for him in the Ryonan Grand Palace.

But no matter how he forced himself to pull his back away from a slave, he knew in his heart, he felt serene and relaxed and he wouldn't let that feeling slip away.

"What's your name?" Hanamichi yawned. He was becoming sleepy as the sun set in the horizon.

"Kaede Rukawa. Are you a slave too?"

Hanamichi was definitely awakened. He wanted to spank the man, but he can't or they'll fall down... so he just said the truth knowing that the man isn't a rebel.

Hanamichi snickered first. "I'm the Prince of Shohoku."

Kaede immediately halted the horse.

"You're Prince Hanamichi of Shohoku???" He asked with stunned blue eyes.

"Yes."

"The prince chosen to marry the next Emperor of Kanagawa."

"Yes. I didn't know the news had reached you."

Kaede jumped out of the horse that surprised Hanamichi.

"What's wrong?" The prince queried.

"I must not get near to a prince. That's a law for slaves."

"But you have to accompany me. I don't know the way."

Kaede went in front of the horse and held the rope near its mouth. He guided the horse to Ryonan City while he's walking.

Silence reigned between them. They were both in deep thoughts.

They both know what they've done was totally forbidden in the laws of Kanagawa... they've done it.

If none of them would speak about it, then they're saved. But they've only met each other... they barely know each other's character.

-to-be-continued-