Notes: Thank you very much for the reviews! Uh, I realise it's been quite a while. My inspiration went for a holiday. But it's back home now. I hope you can enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 2 - Jealousy Defeated (Jealousy Part 2)

Rukawa plopped onto his bed and let out a deep sigh. Rolling over, he looked at a can of juice that stood on his desk. To think that something like that had cleared all the problems Rukawa had had with his jealousy. Well, almost. He put his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling, recalling the events earlier that day.

…………………

"Nyahaha!! He was such an idiot! He thought that he could beat this tensai! Haha, he was a hundred years too early." Sakuragi continued laughing in a most boisterous way that caught the attention of most of the students that were currently in the school cafeteria. The ones that shared his table seemed not to notice how much attention they were getting. Sakuragi acting this way was so common that they didn't even pay attention to it anymore.

"You do realise that you challenged a five-year-old for a match of poker, Hanamichi?" Noma jeered.

"Shut up! You were the ones that bet on it." Sakuragi huffed, a slight pout on his lips.

"That's right," Yohei took part in the conversation, "And you lost, Noma."

"You did?" Sakuragi lifted his gaze from his food and fixed it on Noma instead. The other boy watched in growing terror as the redhead gradually comprehended the meaning of those words. Once the thinking process was over, Sakuragi leapt up from his seat and grabbed Noma's collar. "You bastard! What kind of a friend are you? You thought I would lose to a little kid?"

Even though Noma knew what would happen if he voiced his thoughts he couldn't resist the temptation. "Well, you showed unexpected intelligence and had some luck. Otherwise you would've lost."

Bam! Noma lied on the ground, clutching his wounded forehead. Sakuragi plopped back to his chair. "Don't doubt the tensai again." He took his chopsticks and was about to dig in again, when another boy spoke in a monotonous voice.

"I lost too."

Sakuragi's chopsticks stopped in mid-air. His head slowly turned to the person sitting next to him. The boy was casually eating his food, like there was nothing strange in his words. "Wh-what did you say?"

The boy looked stoically at the opposite wall. "I was going to buy myself some juice with that money."

Sakuragi opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, unable to produce a sound.

The boy turned to look at him and pointed at him with his chopsticks with an accusing look in his eyes. "I lost it because of you. You owe me a can of juice."

Sakuragi was shaking visibly. His face was bright red. Yohei dragged his chair a little further away from the pair. "You…you…" Sakuragi tried to think of something witty to say but since he couldn't come up with anything at the moment, he settled for another: "You!" But this time, he said it with much more emphasis. Then he proceeded to show that, even though his ability in making speeches was a little rusty, his abilities in physical retorts definitely were not. "Rukawa! I'll kill you!"

For awhile the only things that could be seen were flailing arms, blurs of red and black and occasional glimpses of white, when Sakuragi attacked with his teeth bared. Then everything was over, Sakuragi sat back and grabbed his chopstick once again. He grinned widely. "That'll teach you, stupid kitsune!" he said smugly. His face was covered with scratches and his nose was bleeding.

"Do'aho," Rukawa replied, concentrating on his food. His appearance was a little better than Sakuragi's. He handed Sakuragi a handkerchief. "You still owe me the juice."

Sakuragi took the the offered handkerchief and patted his nose. "Bastard, you lost your money because of your own stupidity."

"Hold it in place or the bleeding won't stop," Rukawa said without looking at the other boy. "Do'aho. I lost it because you didn't behave like you were supposed to."

Sakuragi did as he was told. "Don't ever underestimate the tensai and you'll be able to buy tons of juice."

"Do'aho."

"Bastard."

"Hey, let's go to the arcade today," Yohei cut in, telling the two what he and the gundan had been talking about while they were busy swinging their fists.

"Great idea, Yohei!" Sakuragi shouted enthusiastically.

"Hn." That was Rukawa, of course.

Sakuragi laughed. "There I'll show this stupid kitsune who is the best! Nyhahaha!!"

"…Aho."

……………………….

Rukawa put down the gun he was holding and turned away from the machine, stretching his arms. He yawned. Stifled laughter came from four figures standing behind him and his redheaded boyfriend. Rukawa turned to see how Sakuragi reacted to his loss this time. They had been playing for about two hours now and every time Sakuragi had lost, he had shouted that Rukawa had cheated and demanded another round. This time the boy was gaping at the game, still not believing that he had lost. His face looked hilarious. Rukawa had to grit his teeth to stop himself from laughing.

"Wh…wha…" The gun dropped from Sakuragi's hands as he continued to stare at the screen which coldly said: 'You lose.'

Rukawa picked up the gun and put it in its place. He glanced at Sakuragi, beginning to worry a little when the boy continued to be silent. Had he gone too far? Perhaps he should've let Sakuragi win or refuse to play. Sakuragi was a very proud person and hated losing. Perhaps losing for two hours had been too much. "Hanamichi," he said, considering if he should put his hand on the other's shoulder. Before he could make up his mind Sakuragi was brought back to life by a slap on his back.

"Hanamichi, you suck!" Takamiya exclaimed happily.

Sakuragi blinked. His head turned slowly to the shorter boy. "What did you say?"

"Eh…" Takamiya took a step back.

"He said you suck," Ookusu said helpfully. He and Noma were grinning madly, eagerly anticipating to see Sakuragi beat the crap out of Takamiya. They weren't disappointed. Sakuragi launched himself on the other boy, yelling and cursing. Poor Takamiya didn't stand a chance when the redhead vented his frustration on him.

Rukawa watched carefully. Sakuragi seemed to be himself again. Jealousy twisted his heart. So the gundan could do this to Sakuragi? They could somehow make him feel alright again in an instant. They hadn't even hesitated. It had been natural. While Rukawa was still arguing with himself whether or not to console his boyfriend -his own boyfriend!- the gundan had already done it.

"If he's acting weirdly just do this to him and he's fine again. He's an unbelievably simple guy," Yohei said from behind him. He looked over his shoulder and saw Yohei scratching the back of his neck and grinning weakly. "Of course, the problem is who is going to sacrifice himself. Normally we flip a coin to decide. Haha!"

They know him so much better than I do. How can I compare to them?

"But," Yohei said, looking thoughtfully at his raging friend. "You're different."

Rukawa looked at him. "What do you mean?" He shouldn't know we're dating. Hanamichi asked me not to tell anyone. Could it be…that Hanamichi told him himself? This guy is his best friend after all. Rukawa tried to ignore the jealousy that seeped over him. If so, he could've let me know. Now I don't know how to act in front of this Mito guy.

"Around you he's different."

Does he know?…Or doesn't he?

Yohei looked up at him and smiled his usual smile. Rukawa had always felt like this delinquent knew much more that he let on. It was really unnerving. "Well, he does think of you as his rival. Perhaps that explains it. You know, during the time that he's been in the basketball club the only thing he has talked about is you."

Rukawa perked up. Really? I didn't know that.

Yohei studied him closely. "It's always Rukawa this and Rukawa that. I was really surprised to hear that you two had become friends."

Oh really? Rukawa was a little sceptical about that.

"I always thought that you two would make great lovers."

Rukawa jerked. "Wh-what?" He knows.

"Well, it's none of my business, of course. Even if I would advice you to give it a try you wouldn't listen to me, would you?"

He doesn't know. Rukawa sighed in relief. It would've been a little awkward to be around him, knowing that he knows, and still pretend like nothing was going on. So Hanamichi didn't tell him. Rukawa was so absorbed in his thoughts that he failed to notice a small smirk on Yohei's lips.

"Anyway, you make good friends as well. I hope you don't mind us hanging around." Yohei pointed at himself and the rest of the gundan. " It's sort of like a package deal. Become a friend of one of us and you have four others for free. It's the same for Haruko-san."

Haruko? Akagi Haruko? Rukawa turned to properly look at the other boy.

Yohei flashed him a big smile. "Ah yes, Haruko-san. She's the other person Hanamichi often refers to. The difference between you and her was that Hanamichi really liked her and on the other hand really hated you. Well, that's changed now, hasn't it? He doesn't hate you anymore. Ah! I better go stop him now before he kills Takamiya."

Rukawa watched him walk away. He narrowed his eyes. Does he know? Was that a scheme to make me reveal my feelings? Or was it just luck that he stumbled on the subject I really hate. Akagi Haruko. So Hanamichi doesn't hate me anymore. What about Haruko? Does he still like her? Rukawa stared at his boyfriend. No no. He said that he loves me. He can't like her anymore. Rukawa watched how Sakuragi jumped to his feet and bashed Yohei's forehead. Wait! He didn't say he loves me. I just assumed he did. But he let me kiss him. That's right. We kissed. I couldn't have misunderstood his feelings. He wouldn't let just anybody kiss him. And he let's me be near him and be his friend. Friend? Am I no different from Mito and the others? No no no. Hanamichi hasn't let them kiss him. Has he? Rukawa realised he was beginning to panic and forced himself to calm down. Get a grip now, Rukawa Kaede. Think rationally. You're not one to go hysterical. Breathe. After awhile he was relaxed again. Even if he doesn't love me, at least he likes me. All it takes is time. I can make him fall in love with me. And I am different from them. Mito said so too. There's something special between me and Hanamichi. I can feel it. So can he. There's nothing to worry about.

"Oi! Kitsune!" Sakuragi's voice snapped Rukawa out of his thoughts. "I challenge you!" When Rukawa didn't respond in any way he marched to him, grabbed his arm and dragged him next to the game of his choice. "Are you trying to run away? Nyahaha! Of course, of course. The tensai is scary. I understand completely."

Rukawa blinked. Then he smirked, although on the inside he was smiling warmly. Yes, this is it. This is what I want. When I'm near him there are no doubts. Only happiness. If he doesn't see things my way yet it doesn't matter. Some day he will. "Do'aho. You're the one who's lost every game since now. You sure you don't want to give up?"

"Bastard! Who's gonna give up?! Come on! I'll crush you!"

…………………..

Rukawa was walking Sakuragi home. It was dark and stars had already appeared. They had stayed in the arcade for a long time. The thought made Rukawa smile. Before he had met Sakuragi he had spent all of his time honing his basketball skills. Sakuragi had really brought light and colours into his life. He glanced at the boy walking next to him. Sakuragi was ranting about how he was going to kick Rukawa's ass really soon, perhaps tomorrow or maybe next week.

"Haha! You'll have to live in fear, you stupid kitsune! You won't know when the tensai strikes!"

"Hmph! I'll have to see that before I believe it."

"You!!" Sakuragi was about to strangle him when Rukawa turned to look at him seriously.

"Hanamichi."

"Hm?" Sakuragi lowered his fists and stared at him, confused. "What is it?"

"Did you tell Mito that we're going out?"

"Huh?" Sakuragi's mouth fell open. Then he blushed. "N-no! I told you we should keep this a secret!"

"Ah."

"Wh-why are you asking?"

Rukawa looked at the stars with narrowed eyes. "He talked to me today, about weird stuff. I just thought you might've told him."

Sakuragi huffed. "Yohei, that stupid guy! I'm gonna kick his ass."

"I think he knows."

"Wha-?" Sakuragi stopped and stared at him, looking a little panicked. "Are we that obvious?"

Rukawa shook his head. "No. He's just a clever guy. And he knows you well." He hesitated before continuing. "He knows you better than I do. Your other friends do too. I…I wish I knew you better than anyone." He looked at the ground, embarrased by his uncharacteristic words. When Sakuragi continued to be silent he sneaked a peek at the redhead. What he saw almost made him sweatdrop. Sakuragi was holding his chin and squinting his eyes in a manner that told him that the boy was thinking very hard. Apparently he didn't understand what Rukawa had meant. Che! I humiliated myself for nothing.

"Do…" Rukawa blinked and focused on Sakuragi. The boy looked at him hesitantly. "Do you mean…that you're…jealous? Of Yohei and the rest?"

"Uh…" Rukawa forced down the blush that was creeping up his cheeks. Shit! He understood after all. Now that he said it out loud it sounds really stupid. Jealous of Mito? What was I thinking?

Sakuragi burst out laughing his head off. "Hahaha!! You're so stupid, kitsune! I knew you were."

Rukawa looked at him grimly. "Look who's talking."

Sakuragi stopped laughing abruptly. "Why you…" Then he shrugged and grinned. "Well, whatever. I'll forgive you this time. Let's go, I'm sleepy." He grabbed Rukawa's arm and started walking towards his house again.

Rukawa followed him willingly. He savoured Sakuragi's touch on his arm. I really was stupid. The Sakuragi gundan isn't a threat. I'll just look out for Akagi Haruko and Sendoh. Suddenly Sakuragi stopped and Rukawa gave him a questioning look. The redhead had went to a vending machine and was inserting a coin in it. "What are you doing, do'aho?"

Sakuragi made a face at him and then threw a can in his direction. "I was just getting you this. You were right. I guess I did behave out of ordinary."

Rukawa caught the can. It took him a few moments before he understood the meaning behind Sakuragi's words. Then he smiled. Are you saying that I know you already? No need to be jealous, isn't that what you're trying to tell me? He closed the distance between them and quickly kissed Sakuragi. "Thanks," he whispered in the redhead's ear and embraced him.

Sakuragi blushed and they stayed like that for a while. Then he pushed Rukawa away and started walking again. "What are you talking about, stupid kitsune?"

Rukawa suppressed his smile, hurried after his boyfriend and bonked him on the head. "Do'aho."

"Hey! Watch it! You don't want this tensai to get serious."

"Whatever."

"Hmph! See if I'm so nice next time!"

Rukawa opened the can and took a sip. The sweet flavour of strawberry juice filled his mouth. I don't really like sweets but what the hell. He took another sip. Sakuragi began blabbering again.

"The tensai likes chocolate very much. I've successfully stealed Takamiya's chocolates dozens of times. It's really easy. I'll show you some time. Oh! And I love the ramen they sell near my house. And then there's…"

Rukawa continued walking beside him, sipping the juice and listening to his endless chatter. A small smile stayed on his lips. I'll get to know him slowly but surely. We have all the time in the world.