Waaaaaa... I'm so sorry if it took so long for me to update... it's just that I write whenever inspiration strikes me.. and I haven't been able to log in for a while because I got too busy with many things... hope you understand... anyway, here is the 4th chapter of my first-ever fanfic... :)

Chapter 4: Injured

I slowly opened my eyes. It happened so fast, all of a sudden, I saw 2 eyes directly fixed on me. Shock took over when I figured out Rukawa-kun's face was just inches, no, centimeters from mine!! I let out a screech and fell from my chair. It was so embarrassing and I can really tell his eyes aren't looking away at all.

"You surprised me, Rukawa-kun!!"

He didn't respond.

I tried to stand. "I'm sorry if I was – ouch!!"

There was a stabbing pain on my left ankle and I couldn't get up. I tried again but the pain won't let me get on my feet. Then, without warning, he reached for my arms and legs, and carried me like a baby. I yelped in surprise. He let me sat on the table, and turned around.

"Climb on my back," he finally said.

I passively did so. I embraced his broad shoulders, while he grabbed a hold of my legs again, which made me feel a rush in my veins. But it felt good. I volunteered to carry his bag for him, well, since he was already carrying me.

I felt very uncomfortable, in a different way from what I felt when Hisashi-senpai walked me home. Senpai was a bit warm… but Rukawa-kun's a bit… cold…

"Rukawa-kun…"

He didn't respond again, but I was certain he was listening.

"Why didn't you just wake me up…? It should've been less troublesome…"

"I don't want to disturb anybody's sleep, just as I want no one to disturb mine," he plainly replied.

"Um… oh yeah. Why… was your face… too close… to me… earlier…??" I asked, carefully saying the words, so as not to cause any misinterpretation.

"I was……"

I waited for his answer.

"…observing you."

I didn't know what to say, so I didn't bother to ask any further.

He kept walking forward, his pace unchanging. It wasn't long when we passed by that Takoyaki stall where senpai and I bought food. Just then, Rukawa started a conversation, which to me appeared to be not like him. I always thought of him as a silent and very introverted person.

"I saw you."

"Eh?" I was clueless. "With what?"

"With Mitsui."

He just looked ahead, and I didn't see his face when he said it. "Oh that. Senpai just asked me to try those takoyaki," managing to keep my cool, "It just so happened that it was already late when he saw me and decided to take me home."

So he was the guy who was behind the tree at that time. It was Rukawa-kun who was watching me…

"You two going out?" he asked, as if he didn't hear my explanation.

"No!!" I shrieked, "There's nothing between us," I finally exploded.

Rukawa-kun didn't bother anymore, he just sighed. Darn it, why does he have to be such a HUGE mystery to me…?!!?

I chose to remain silent throughout the rest of the trip. And I guess he also did the same thing. From then on, he didn't mention anything nor made any unusual comments.

Minutes after, he stopped. I looked up; I already almost slept while I rested my head on his back. We're already in front of my house's gate. Gently, he put me down, his arm supported my waist. I only managed to stand on my foot and hopped to the gate. I opened it.

"Sorry."

I glared at him. "For what?"

"For that," he looked at my injured ankle.

"Don't blame yourself," I assured him, "It's my fault for being so clumsy… Hahahahahaha!! Besides, this is just probably a minor sprain… it'll heal in a couple of days."

He scratched his head. "Okay then."

He assisted me through the gate.

"It's okay now, Rukawa-kun… and here," I grabbed the folded towel in my pocket, "This is yours."

But he didn't listen. He still held my waist, this time, tighter.

"Rukawa-kun, I can manage myself," I told him, while handing out his towel.

He gradually loosened his grip on me. He took his towel from my hand and watched me hop my way to the door. I went in and I glimpsed at him before I close it; he was still there, looking through the gate. The truth is, I still don't want to enter the house, but, I don't want to burden him any longer… this is how it should be… in my heart I truly prayed this will happen again and I will find the courage to say those words to him.

"So that's how you ended up having that bandage on your foot??"

"Yeah," Haruko replied, "But it was worth it," she winked.

She and Matsui were at a coffee shop that morning, chit-chatting. Fujii was supposed to be there as well, but she had some other things to attend to. So, it was just her and Matsui, taking their time at the café, since it was a weekend. It was already their habit to go out during weekends and chill.

Her friend giggled, "That was quite romantic, Haruko… how I wish I can have that encounter with Shin-kun as well…"

"Matsui," Haruko said, "I'm sure he likes you too…"

Matsui blushed, and changed the subject, "What did your brother say?"

Haruko sipped some coffee. "Umm… he was kinda mad."

"Mad? Why?"

"Well of course, first because I went home late that night, and because I got a sprain," she bent her left ankle a bit, the slight pain still there, but she felt much better.

"I see…" Matsui said, "Does he know that Kaede-kun literally carried you home??"

"Nah, I didn't tell him, I just said, I took a cab home, because doing so would make him suspicious of me… he's quite overprotective of me…"

"As expected from a very strict captain of the basketball team," Matsui concluded.

"You can say that again," Haruko remarked.

The two finished their coffee and took off. They wandered in the district, shopping for some clothes, hanged out at some benches nearby. However, Matsui needed to leave, and so Haruko began to walk through the streets all by herself. She thought maybe she should go to that basketball court again, maybe she could find that person she wanted to talk to.

And fate was on her side now. Even when she was still quite far from the place she could already tell. It was Rukawa. Good thing she pursued her intuition and checked out the court. When she got there, she saw him, arranging his things. It seemed like he was already finished. Haruko waited for him at the exit. When he got there, he stared at her, a bit surprised yet looked eager to see her standing in front of him.

"What are you doing here," he said indifferently. He started walking away from her, but Haruko followed and walked beside him.

"Nothing, just passing by…"

"Tsk."

"Would you mind if I treat you to some tea?"

Rukawa stopped. He looked at her, pissed. "What is it that you want from me? Stop acting like we're close friends or something."

Haruko was furious, but she couldn't get mad. Instead, tears began to suddenly flow. "I just wanted to say 'thank you'!!! What's so bad about that!!!?" she continued crying, "I know I may sound and look annoying, but all I want is just to talk to you and treat you some time…."

Haruko sobbed, she looked down to the ground and saw some drops of tears. It doesn't matter how ridiculous she looked to him. But she got hurt.

"All right," Rukawa muttered.

Haruko wiped her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"I'll come with you."

Haruko couldn't believe what she just heard. This is really happening, she thought.

Haruko silently walked, while Rukawa followed her from behind. She wiped her eyes again, feeling a bit guilty because of what she said, but she shouldn't be, she thought. He said mean words to her, anybody will be mad if someone tell that to them. The image of Rukawa's cold face flashed in her head, and she closed her eyes for a second, attempting to shrug away the thought.

Kaede Rukawa walked behind her, still thinking if it was right to go with her, he should have been in his house sleeping by now…

Haruko entered an empty alley and he was just behind her, not having an idea how far they have already gone. Just then, someone called him.

"KAEDE!!!!"

Rukawa looked behind him, and there were four gangsters, some of them holding a piece of metal, perfect for beating somebody. On the other end of the alley, there were other guys, all looking very hungry for a fist fight.

"We got you cornered freshman," the same guy said.

Haruko looked so scared by just merely looking at these men. She was worried about Rukawa, and now she really felt guilty for dragging him here. She took a step behind her. And another, but all there is was a huge wall, and they couldn't climb on it to escape. She felt horrified, but Rukawa remained calm.

"Don't even try to run away Kaede," a guy behind the men appeared. He looked really tough and mean.

He's probably the ringleader, Haruko thought.

Rukawa gritted his teeth. "What do you bastards came here for?"

"To settle the score of course," the leader arrogantly replied.

"And you even brought us a bonus prize!!!!" another man exclaimed, looking at Haruko lustfully. Haruko was terrified. Rukawa grabbed her hand.

"Don't you lay a finger on her," Rukawa warned them.

"Protecting his girlfriend, eh?" the man jeered. "That is so not you, Kaede. You only think about yourself and that stupid basketball!!! And besides you–"

Rukawa kicked him hard on the abdomen, and the man fell to the ground, crying in pain. The others were agitated.

"You sure have guts to do that on a senior!!"

"You better learn your lesson freshman!!!"

The men attacked Rukawa. He dodged some punches, but a bat hit his head and he knelt in pain. Haruko leaned against the wall, shaking in panic. She saw some blood gushing out of his head, and his face became covered with blood. She felt mortified. She shouldn't have followed her intuition after all. She should just stay away from him. She cried miserably. She cried but she could only watch. One of the men grabbed her arm.

"Missy, you're coming with me."

"Wh-what is this??! Please let go of me!!!" Haruko cried. She tried resisting but the man was too strong for her.

Rukawa who saw Haruko being harassed by the guy, grew angrier. He ignored the punches and the kicks. He stood up and hit them back. Some of them already lost consciousness from Rukawa's strong fists.

"How can…" the leader said, "this guy still stand??!"

They refrained from beating him. Rukawa paced towards the guy grabbing Haruko.

"You're not going anywhere!!"

They threw a rock at him and he instantly fell on his chest. They caught up with him and began throwing away more kicks. The leader, well-pleased, laughed hysterically as he beat up Kaede Rukawa. However Kaede's thoughts at that time was only concentrated on that one thing he had to protect. His face was looking for her, and there she was, being pulled away and he saw the sleeve of her blouse already torn. With blood on his face, his vision was starting to get blurry.