Pairing: RukawaxHarukoxSendoh (it's a love triangle actually,,,but mainly a ruharu fanfic ^_^ I love ruharu 4eveR!!! But don't worry Sendoh fanatics, he'll have a happy ending too...w/ whom?? just read...enjoy!

Thnx for all who submitted their comments and reviews for my first chap! here's second chap for you!! enjoy:))

Disclaimer: I do not own Slam Dunk. I love it!!:))

Unconditional Love

Chapter 2: His Confession

Sendoh took Haruko to the park. They walked together through the place while enjoying their eyes on every wonderful and amazing view they find. They stopped to look at almost everything: from clowns doing magic tricks down to the large stadium to watch some dolphins do their own amazing stunts. They also went to a large oceanarium, where they saw different kinds of sea creatures just inches from them separated to them with just a thick, unbreakable glass mirror.

Sendoh was glad that he sees Haruko happy. He decided to take her out because her hectic schedule as a teacher wouldn't allow her to unwind. And it seems like forever since they last met (just 3 days ago). He's missing her, that's why he had to make sure that even though they both have tough schedules (he coaches basketball to young children), they would be able to spare some time for each other. But he makes sure he doesn't get in the way of her work. He just wanted to have time with her. Fortunately, Haruko feels and does the same thing. That's why as time goes by, their relationship grows stronger.

When it was already dinnertime, he took her to a fancy restaurant near the fountain. They ate outside the restaurant so they can see the brightness and life of the surroundings. Even though there are many people around to make their dinner a 'little less' private, they still see it as romantic. After dinner they went to sit on the bench by the fountain. They enjoyed the view of the fountain and the coolness it brings to them whenever it splashes drops of water on their backs sometimes.

"Are you happy?" Sendoh asked Haruko.

"Absolutely," Haruko answered with a smile. "I've never been to this place for a long time. And I've never enjoyed this much for a long time!" She exclaimed, then gave a small laugh.

"I'm happy that you're happy," He smiled at her so tenderly.

She returned his smile. "Arigatou, Akira-kun. I'm so happy not only because you brought me here but most especially because you are here with me tonight."

He shook his head gently. "No, thank you."

He searched for her hand and held it gently, like it was an important thing that is so fragile, between his two hands. "Thank you for coming here with me tonight, and thank you for being here tonight." He smiled at her.

"Thank you for always being here whether I'm happy or lonely, especially when I'm down. Thank you for your smile that always helps me through the day. Even though I'm always bad at some things, you never cease to believe in me. You are my strength, Haruko. You are one of the few reasons why I survive." He smiled without humor. "No, I can survive without you."

Haruko looked at him.

"But I can't go on without you..."

Haruko's tears suddenly began to fall.

"You just don't know how lucky I am not because I'm your boyfriend but because you love me. You knowing me alone is a big blessing for me already. Thanks for coming into my life...

...and most especially, thank you for loving me..."

Haruko couldn't contain her sobs. Tears fell uncontrollably from her eyes. Sendoh wiped them with the back of his hands.

She didn't speak. She couldn't speak. She couldn't say a word. She was totally speechless by Sendoh's words. She did cry, but because of happiness.

Her heart overflowed with joy. She was so lucky to have this man as her boyfriend, no, to have this man love her. She's the one who's lucky. She can't, and don't want, to imagine her life should Sendoh had not walked in it. She can't believe herself how she did not notice this guy who was by then already in love with her, while she pinned her hopes into someone expecting him to love her in return.

Sendoh laughed gently and held her close to him. He hugged her and put her head on his chest. "Silly girl! I just confessed to you. I poured out my WHOLE heart to you and here you are now crying! You're embarrassing me, you know?"

She let out a soft giggle at his words.

He stroke her hair and her back. He knows that she is crying because of happiness. Although she didn't confess that way to him (she also often tells him how much she loves him), he knows that she, too, loves him as much as he loves her.

But he loves her more, of that he was certain. He loves her more than his life.

She is his life.

Not that she doesn't love him, but he is a person, a man, who can love without asking something in return, without asking someone to love him back the exact way he loves that person. He loves to no extent, without measuring other people's love for him. Well, he doesn't care about that. Maybe that's what love is all about: being able to love deeply and wholeheartedly without asking something in return and without having to measure the amount of what one gives to the other.

Haruko loves him, he was sure about that.

It doesn't matter whether his love for her is greater than her love for him. He's willing to give out ALL that love in his heart for her, no matter how much it costs.

The future doesn't matter now.

Today matters now.

They love each other, and that's what matters the most...

It was five minutes to nine when they arrived in front of the Akagi residence. Sendoh quickly went down the car and went to the other side to open Haruko's door for her. "Thanks." She smiled.

"Your eyes are still red, so is your nose. Your brother will kill me if he sees you that way," he teased her. Haruko blushed.

He held out his hand for her and led her towards the house when the door opened. Takenori went out of the house to meet them.

"You're five minutes early," he said. Sendoh heard a faint sound from Takenori's voice that said he was quite impressed.

He smiled. "Hai. As promised, I took care of her."

"Hmm," Takenori nodded, still sounding a little impressed, when he saw Haruko.

"YOU IDIOT! What are you saying you took care of her?! She cried! Her eyes and nose are red! What did you do to her, baka?!" Takenori's voice thundered.

"Onii-san!"

Haruko got herself in between the two guys when her brother moved forward as if to give Sendoh his famous 'gori punch'.

"Nothing happened, really," she told her brother.

"Then why were you crying? You can't say you did not! Your eyes are bloodshot red, so is your nose!"

Haruko felt embarrassed and a little bit annoyed with her brother. Of course he was just protecting her, and she appreciates that. But how can she possibly tell him what had just happened in the park? She couldn't just tell him that her boyfriend confessed his love for her. She wanted to kick his brother at that moment.

Onii-san, why are you so nosy?

"Onii-san, whatever had transpired between me and Sendoh this evening are a 'little bit' private, don't you think?"

Takenori growled. He looked at Sendoh, looking as if hoping Haruko's brother would not get mad at him.

Sendoh breathed a sigh of relief when Takenori sighed and then said, "Fine!"

Haruko, too, looked relieved that her brother had surrendered and somewhat believed her story, well, er...explanation.

But it's true, isn't it? You couldn't just barge in and ask someone what happened in their date, which is supposed to be private. Sendoh thought.

But he was glad when Takenori came to him and said, "Thanks for taking care of my sister." He bowed down to him.

Sendoh was amazed and shocked. He looked at Haruko and saw her winked at him. He gave her that smile that as if said, "You little brat!" Then he bowed down to him.

"You're welcome, Takenori-san."

That evening, Haruko lay in bed. She looked at the clock on the bedside table. 2:09AM. And she still couldn't sleep. She was wide awake. All the things Sendoh said to her that evening kept going back to her thoughts again and again.

She could have sleep peacefully that night after what she had just heard from him. But she can't. She wouldn't, yet. She still want to cherish those words. Those words kept ringing in her ears, and she didn't care. She want those words to last, and last it will. She was so happy this day she couldn't sleep, for fear that all the happiness she feels now will all be gone when she wakes up tomorrow.

She was really lucky to have Sendoh in her life. To be the one that he had chosen from all the beautiful girls in Kanagawa and other places chasing after him. And she wouldn't let that luck pass her by.

She wouldn't let him go.

Arigatou, Akira-kun...

Author's Notes: Oh, now I feel bad for Sendoh :( Don't worry Sendoh, you'll also be happy in the end ^_^

Hah,,chapter 2 is finally out! I have finished chap 1 and 2 in one day..but I waited for more reviews for my 1st chap so I will know if I should continue,,NAH! just kidding, I would still continue it even though no one reads it..

Please leave comments and reviews for this chap!!:))