Disclaimer : Slam Dunk is owned by Japanese Mangaka Takehiko Inoue
Author's note : Thanks to my first reviewer mrsklemzak! This time, it's Ruwaka's POV! Next, I think it will be Yohei's!
Edit : Thanks for your advices and your correction^^
Rukawa was known for his taciturn nature. He spoke little but observed his teammates. He was able to define their abilities and their weaknesses. Although he was often asleep, distant or quiet, the Shohoku team was used to his asocial temperament and he could say for the first time in his life as basketball player, he didn't feel they could impose him to change. They know they can rely on him on the court and an exchange of glances was sufficient to make them understand his thoughts.
In Junior High School, as he was the team's captain, he was forced to interact with all the players, those of his team and also those of the opponent team. He had gained the respect of many of them thanks to his performances but as he didn't do many efforts to be more talkative which earned him his reputation as "Ice Prince".
Rukawa Kaede was a man of action; he didn't waste time in useless words except when the situation required them. He discovered he can be talkative around a particular person: Hanamichi Sakuragi surnamed the do'haho. It was so easy to provoke him, to lead him to surpass himself by reviving his competition spirit.
He would certainly never admit it but he started to appreciate the redhead over time. Their first encounter had been disastrous but he was appealed by his athletic features, his physical strength. When he had heard that a challenge was starting between the basketball team's captain and him few moments after, he was curious to evaluate the captain's level but also to see if Sakuragi could manage this situation.
The redhead didn't know manifestly anything in basketball. He was humiliated himself and Rukawa just could go. Nevertheless, the do'haho seemed determinate and so, Rukawa decided to stay.
When Sakuraga managed to dunk though Akagi's physical power, he understood that Sakuragi had a real potential. It was only unfortunate that do'haho was so cocky, loud and noisy. Sakuragi was able to enervate anybody with his hysterical laugh and his childish behavior.
But his nature has permitted to reveal aspects of Rukawa'spersonality he didn't suspect. The Ace of Shohoku can also be childish, take revenge when his pride is injured. He can take pleasure to provoke the redhead. Some of this do'haho's actions can ignite him and make me want to punch this doh'aho who never passed him the ball, preferring to take enormous risks because of his dislike towards him.
In three months, Sakuragi reached to catch up the level of Shohoku's other players (the non-regulars) and to make him indispensable to maintain the team good mood or take the rebounds. His remarks could make them do their best.
Their cooperation during the match against Sannoh had made him understand that team collaboration could bring better results than his individual playing in particular against the strongest opponents.
In first, I deliver different character's pieces of mind and after, I will deepen their relations (in particular ruhana)