CHAPTER ONE

The letter

In just a few weeks, Sakuragi is going to start a new school year as a sophomore. He had been consistent with his basketball practice, even if Coach Anzai ordered the Shohoku team to take it easy for the summer. Akagi and Haruko have gone to the States to visit their father, to Sakuragi's dismay. Mitsui and Ryota decided to stay in the neighborhood to polish their basketball techniques, and it was a good thing, because they served as a basketball challenge to Sakuragi. Rukawa was nowhere to be found, but most likely, he was either seen practicing or sleeping ^_^. Even if Shohoku had lost the Inter-high Basketball Tournament, the experience left them in good spirits. This was an exception for the red haired tensai and his arch rival, and yes, Mitsui, Ryota, Gori… In reality though, all of them were disappointed… but they still shared a goal to win the Inter-high tourney next year.

It was six in the evening when Sakuragi decided to head for home. He stopped by the beach to cool off and to see Yohei and the gang. Or that was his excuse. Actually, the real reason why he decided to visit them was for the barbecue and drinks, which, obviously, he didn't have to pay for. As he was nearing the gate, he noticed a rather large package stuffed in his mailbox.

"What's this?" He took the package and examined it as he was entering his house. It was wrapped neatly in brown manila paper, and had an envelope addressed to him, all tied up in some fancy string. Shaking the rectangular box and seeing that he did not hear anything dangerous or suspicious, he thought, 'I wonder whom it's from.' Sitting down in the couch, he opened the letter. His eyes widened at the salutation. It read:

'Ohayo Oniichan!'

His eyebrows raised in recognition. He knew very well who it was. Those words… and all too familiar a handwriting. Too familiar to be forgotten. It had been a long time since he heard from her.

'It's been a long time, ne? I was wondering how you were. I know it has been hard ever since your father passed away…'

The memory of it was too much for Sakuragi. He did not want to be reminded how helpless he was during that time. He knotted his forehead and rubbed his temples. His head was suddenly aching.

'I am very sorry that I couldn't come to the funeral. I wish I could turn back time, so I could have done things differently and be there for you in your time of need. When I received your letter about your father, I was devastated. We both loved him very much.'

"I loved him and needed him." Sakuragi painfully said. Big difference. Why she didn't write to him after his father's death, he didn't know.

'Mom cried a lot during that time, saying, "Baka… aniki." I couldn't write or call you afterwards, because it was unbearable to talk about uncle. He was so much fun to hang around with and it wouldn't be the same without him. Also, I didn't know what to say to you. It still hurts too much. Nevertheless, I'm still really really sorry about it.'

More apologies. Sakuragi shook his head. She knew very well he deserved it.

'Anyway, enough about sad stories. Your letters about your basketball tourneys as well as your achievements are so exciting. I'm so proud of you. Your letters brought pride to my parents so much that they are happy to be the ones funding your education in Shohoku. I know that you're really smart and you'd excel if you just put your mind into it. Which brings me to the reason why I'm writing you.'

Now promise you won't freak out or anything, okay?

"NANI!?," His mouth hung open as the next sentences of the letter tried to register through his head.

'I'd rather write this down than call you, because I think that the impact of this news would be much greater in a letter than that of a phone call. HEHE. Anyway, let's cut the cake, shall we?

The doctor says that I'm fine now, and that the operation is a success. My heart condition isn't that grave anymore. In fact, she says that I should engage in something, preferably, sports to strengthen my lungs and heart. So there. I'm going back to Japan in 3 weeks. I've been so homesick ever since I arrived here in the States. Three years is such a long time to be apart and I'm so excited that I'll be able to see you again! My parents won't be able to accompany me back to Japan, for some business reason, so it's just my ugly bodyguard and me. He he. You do remember him, right? We both nicknamed him "IGOR." Yup, "IGOR" my bodyguard is coming with me. My father bought this estate from a business friend of his and I must say that it is just marvelous. You should move in with me, because I can't picture myself living alone in that place. It would be just like old times, ne? Everything will be ready when I arrive there. Hmm…that's just about it, so far. I can't wait to see you! I wonder how you look! You never send me pictures of yourself! I mean, what's up with that? Have you become hideous?

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. My parents enrolled me in the same high school where you are – Shohoku High. I'll be starting my freshman year there. They say that it's a good idea if I go to the same high school as you do. And besides, I really want to meet this Haruko girl you've been mentioning to me in your past letters. :-P

Meet me in the airport, three Saturdays from now, ok? That would give us a week's time to catch up before school starts. I'll call you what time I'll arrive in Japan.

Love, your favorite cousin,

Megumi H. Kawasaki

P.s. I enclosed a package that came along with this letter. I'm not telling you what's inside, because it'll ruin the surprise. Please accept it as a peace offering for those missed letters and phone calls. Take care! See you soon!

Sakuragi eyed the brown package and slowly opened it, untying the strings. After a minute of fumbling, he threw all care to the wind, "Ah the hell with it!" Sakuragi excitedly ripped it open, revealing a red basketball jersey with black and white lettering. It looked so much like the Shohoku jersey, except that it was from a famous NBA basketball player.

"23, Jordan." Sakuragi read. He grinned, "Apology accepted."

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AUTHOR'S NOTES: Sakuragi is cousins with the daughter of the famous Kawasaki tycoon. Megumi and her parents used to live in the neighborhood, until she developed the same heart ailment that killed Sakuragi's father in years to come. Special thanks to my brother who helped me come up with ideas for this fanfic.

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"Now, remember not to strain yourself too much. Be religious in taking your medicine. Sleep early and watch your diet. The doctor says that you're fine now, but it doesn't mean you should be reckless…"

"Mother! Stop it already! We've been through this for the past hour!" Megumi made a face and shook her head. She, along with her parents had been in the waiting area in the airport for over an hour. "For the nth time, don't worry. I'll be fine! And besides, I won't be alone, because Sakuragi-kun is going to be there." At the age of 15, Megumi was already 5'10, and still growing. She often thought of her height as some curse, but her father always said that it had its advantages. True enough, she had been offered to model in the States and get paid for it. Though tempting the offers were, Megumi refused, because she knew very well that she would not have the time to return to her hometown. She also didn't want the added stress, since she was just recovering from her heart ailment. Flipping her long auburn-brown hair, she eyed her mother, looking for any sign of nervousness or uneasiness.

Megumi saw that her mother still looked worried. For the first time in three years, Megumi will be away from her family, traveling alone, with the exception of a bodyguard. The mere thought of being separated from her parents made her a bit wary about leaving for Japan. Half of her wanted to stay and continue her studies in the States, but the other half wanted to go back to her roots. She missed everything in her neighborhood where she used to live. She often wondered if things stayed the same in her hometown.

"You worry too much Sumire-san." Ichiro Kawasaki smiled to his wife. At the age of forty, he didn't look a day older than 35. With his dark brown hair, nice features and long lashes, he still was a heart-stopper. He could have been a basketball player with his height of six feet, but he had to take over the business of his father. Since he was an only child, he was the sole heir to the Kawasaki business empire.

"You can never be too careful Ichiro-kun," Sumire sighed. Sumire Kawasaki is a pleasant young woman of 35, tall, with auburn locks and fair skin. She would never leave a room unnoticed, thanks to her striking figure and auburn hair. When she was younger, she modeled in Japan for a while in various fashion magazines, but she had to stop, because she wanted to pursue a business career. Ichiro Kawasaki was in one of her classes, and it was love at first sight. Actually, it was the old love story cliché of archenemies turned to lovers kind of thing. Now married for 15 years, they are still very much in love with each other.

Ichiro hugged his wife and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Some things never change."

Megumi smirked. 'Here they go again.' Turning to her bodyguard, she grinned, "Ready to go? We're leaving in 15 minutes. I'm so excited I want to scream!"

Mahiro Hamada, a.k.a, "Igor," is the faithful and trusted bodyguard/butler of the Kawasaki family for the past 10 years. Sakuragi and Megumi nicknamed him Igor, because he used to be frightfully creepy when they were younger. When Megumi was 10 years old, he began teaching her about everything he knew about the Martial Arts. He saw that she had talent and a liking for it. Megumi, like Sakuragi in basketball, is a fast learner. (Guess, it runs in the family, eh?)

"Megumi-san," Hamada said thoughtfully, "What have I taught you about manners and etiquette? A lady mustn't think of such things."

"Oh, stop teasing." Megumi rolled her eyes. "I was just kidding. And, you of all people must know how I feel. I haven't been to my neighborhood in three years!"

"I know that, but you should be more…" Hamada knotted his forehead, thinking of a proper word.

"Lady-like?"

"No, I was thinking, 'graceful.'

"Whatever…" Megumi said as she looked at the departure time. Only five more minutes before she leaves San Francisco.

At the time of her departure, she hugged both of her parents, saying, "Mom, please don't cry, because it makes me emotional too!"

"I'm sorry. I'm not very good at goodbyes." Mrs. Kawasaki managed to smile.

"Mahiro-kun, I trust that everything will be in place when you arrive in Japan," Mr. Kawasaki shook the hand of his trusted butler.

"Yes, sir. As we speak, the caretakers in the estate are already preparing everything."

"And there is a matter of my nephew in the neighborhood…"

"A limousine is waiting for him and will drive him to the airport, sir."

Ichiro Kawasaki nodded his head. "Good." Turning to his daughter, he placed his hands on her shoulders. "You're a big girl now. I trust that you'll be responsible enough to handle everything in the estate. Your mother and I will be following you in a week or so. By then, take care of yourself and don't forget to call once you arrive in Japan."

"Yup. Got my cell phone right here." Megumi waved it in the air. As she was boarding the plane with Igor, she looked at her parents one more time. "Take care too!" At last, she was on her way back home.