THE ENCOUNTER

"Love never falls in ruins."

Rukawa had been looking for Hanamichi for the last hour. He went to his house but that too proved to be a waste of time.

Where are you do'ahou?

Then out of the blue, like a mating ritual cry, he heard a loud laughter echo from a distance that sounded very much like a possessed redhead.

First a do'ahou, now a lunatic.

Rukawa's brows furrowed. Turning at a corner, he saw Hanamichi sitting on one of the swings. For some odd reason, he didn't want to disturb the redhead. He quietly parked his bike and carefully treaded the sand, as he was approaching the redhead, he heard the words that his heart had always wanted to hear.

"I love you, Kitsune."

That did it. His eyes turned into huge hearts and his back surprisingly developed wings that flew him into the heavens. Ding-Dong. Unfortunately, this is Rukawa and even though he felt like doing a song and dance number, this was definitely out of the question. So he settled for something simple.

"Then, why you ran away?"

And when he saw the dismal face of his beloved, he said the one word that would connect everything.

"Do'ahou."

Hanamichi, though in shock, managed a smile, ran to Rukawa and crushed him in a passionate embrace. Crying shamelessly on his shoulders while saying utterly mushy words that would reunited him with his man. His man.

Unfortunately, that was all in Hanamichi's head. It was a wonderful option and he wanted nothing else but do it. However, the sight of Rukawa scared him because it raised more questions and a whole lot of body hairs.

So, Hanamichi decided to use a different approach. "Teme Kitsune, stop calling me do'ahou." And punched Rukawa on the face.

Rukawa fell back, landing hard on the sand.

"Stupid do'ahou."

His eyes burnt with fury.

I've spent the last hour looking for you and this is how you treat me.

He stood up quickly and kicked the redhead on the stomach. Hanamichi's body rose from the ground. Soon, the two were engulfed in a smoke of fists, legs and heads. Their fight didn't last long because both were already emotionally exhausted which hindered a lot of their physical stamina. Hanamichi fell back on the sand, landing on his butt while Rukawa settled himself on one of the swings. Both were breathing hard while glaring each other down.

"You didn't answer my question." Rukawa said, breaking the silence. "Why you ran away?"

Hanamichi didn't answer.

"Is it because of that Akagi girl?" Rukawa tried again.

"Her name is Haruko!" He exasperated. "And she loves you, you know." He added after a moment of silence, his voice turning low.

Rukawa snorted. "Everybody knows that but that girl just doesn't know how to take a hint. She's as dense as you, even worse."

"How dare you insult her!" Hanamichi shouted, hastily standing up and grabbing a fistful of the foxboy's jacket. "She happens to be a very smart and nice girl." He said, breathing into Rukawa's face.

"So what if she's a very smart and nice girl." Rukawa said, his voice rough. "Get it in your head 'ahou, I don't like her. And you can't force me to like her."

Hanamichi's eyes widened. "What made you think I was trying to pair you up with her." He said in a breath, his arms flailing up in the air, harshly letting go of Rukawa.

"Because she's always the reason and you knew that she was going to confess." Rukawa said, his voice rising in volume. "And unfortunately, she did."

Hanamichi gasped. "Wha… what did you tell her?"

"I told her the truth and she cried like a baby." Rukawa said his voice laced with distaste.

Hanamichi lost it. With a roar, he aimed his fist to Rukawa's pale face. Unfortunately for the redhead, Rukawa saw it coming and grabbed his sailing arm. He used his free hand to jerk the redhead's shirt, pulling him towards his body.

Next thing Hanamichi knew, his lips was infused with Rukawa's.

To be continued…

Tina Caps: You know there's a saying, the meaner the person is to you, the more he likes you, and that's what encouraged me to right this chapter. Isn't the two so obvious, Rukawa's jealous because of Haruko and as for Hanamichi, well, its fight first and make out later. :laughs: