CHAPTER EIGHT

FIGHT! – PART 1

AUTHOR'S NOTE: OHMYGOAT. This really took me a looooong time to update. 6 years to be exact. I'm so sorry for those who have been waiting for updates. Totally my fault. Life got in the way. Anyway, I've decided to finish this. It's been bugging me ever since that I haven't updated this story and left it as it is. Anyway, it's still a work in progress. Will take this up as a project again. I just realized that a lot of the tools have changed. I'm still trying to get used to it.

Oh, FYI. There will be major Rukawa-OOCness in this chapter. You were warned... but you will realize that it had to go that way sooner or later. :P

Here it is!

Megumi awoke to the sound of her alarm. As she wiped the sleep off her eyes, she checked the time of her digital clock. It glowed with green digits, 6:07am. She yawned sleepily, "Less than 3 hours before the tournament."

Monday came by swiftly and she barely had enough rest yesterday with Sakuragi wanting to spend more time with her. During her spare moments with her cousin, they would go to the park and shoot hoops in the morning. Today, Sakuragi left early and more likely than not was with the Shohoku team in a team briefing.

As she stepped into the warm, soothing spray of the shower, she recalled that fateful Sunday morning that proved to be more stressful rather than relaxing. Upon arriving at the open court, she saw someone in a blue sports sweater and matching pants already practicing his free-throws. She didn't even have to guess who it was. She was about to pull Sakuragi away when he started yelling at Rukawa and calling him a court-hog who should leave immediately. It was Megumi who talked some sense into Sakuragi from what could have been one nasty fight.

[flashback]

"Seriously, oniichan. Do you always need to be so violent? This issue with you and Rukawa has been dragging on for so long already and frankly it's getting old."

"He annoys me. But he's also my rival and I plan to beat him one day."

"Or maybe you just want him to notice your skills. You're annoyed because he ignores you." Megumi winked at him.

Sakuragi made a face at Megumi and pinched her cheeks, "When did you get so smart?" They both laughed.

Sakuragi rubbed his tummy. "Since we can't do our usual routine, I'm going to head home for some breakfast. You want some?"

Megumi declined. "Nah, I'll get some later. There's something I just need to do."

Sakuragi raised an eyebrow, "Uh huh... Don't tell me that something you need to do involves that kitsune over there."

"Ok. I won't tell you that that something I need to do involves that kitsune over there." Megumi smirked.

Sakuragi frowned. "Don't be a smart ass." When he saw Megumi pout, he relented. "Fine. Be back before lunch." Somehow it worried him that his cousin was getting too close and too friendly with Rukawa. He already promised Megumi that he would not make it an issue, nor cause a scene. However, despite that, he was still uneasy. He kicked a small rock on the road, 'Maybe I'm just being overprotective. I think I'll have Yohei and the gang come over to the house today.'

Megumi watched Sakuragi disappear around the corner before walking up to Rukawa who, after making another perfect free-throw shot, suddenly began to concentrate on his dribbling. After a few moments, a pair of white sneakers came into his view.

"Hi. Um, nice weather" Megumi mentally kicked herself. 'Nice weather?' Nice weather?!' Great choice of words.

Rukawa dropped the ball and slowly lifted his eyes from the ground, his full attention towards her. His eyes, locked into hers, seemingly prodding on what she really meant to say. Megumi stared at him and her breath caught in her throat. He, for a moment there really looked good. From his 'japaneseque' eyes, from the way his hair softly fell over his eyes, adding to his mystique features, to the way his lips would part...

Megumi exhaled the breath she was holding in all the while, "Look, I know that we haven't been in the best of terms. A lot of it has got something to do with my cousin, but deep down that silent, brooding persona you usually present to people, I think you're really a nice guy. And for what you said in my house the other night, well, um." Megumi stammered.

"Yes?" He replied, the corners of his lips tugging upwards.

Megumi blushed. "Ah, well, I'm sorry for not thanking you, so here I am to make up for it. What I mean is that... I want to say thank you."

Rukawa smirked. It was rare for Megumi to do the approaching and look so awkward doing it. Whenever she was in class or hanging out with other people, he noticed that she exuded confidence and never had any problems saying what's on her mind. Somehow, it pleased him that she was acting this way only to him.

When he noticed her arrive at the open court, his heart skipped at beat. It was perplexing that he felt this way that he almost missed his free-throw shot. For the first time, a girl, who happened to be blood-related to his rival, has caught his attention. Megumi was... different. Different from the other girls in school who would shriek whenever he arrived at the school premises. Different because she made him smile. Different because she made him feel different emotions all at once. Different, because he knew right then and there, against all odds, that he had feelings for his rival's cousin. Was it really a taboo? For once, he wanted to break the rules, because he knew that an opportunity like this once gone, is gone forever.

Megumi's voice jolted him from his thoughts. She bit her lower lip, which he found cute. "Well… I'll be going now, see ya' 'round, Rukawa-kun." Megumi turned to leave, but felt a hand grab her to pull her back.

It was so unexpected that she lost her balance and started to fall backwards. Her eyes widened when two hands steadied her to stop her fall. When her head fell back against a muscular chest she fought not to blush at the impact. Then she stiffened when the two hands became a pair of arms that wrapped around her and brought her closer. The warmth of his body made her feel light-headed and her mind was floating elsewhere, oblivious to the surroundings. Just what was going on?!

Rukawa was amazed how right she feels in his arms. From this close proximity, he got a whiff of her scent. Some fragrant green tea, mixed with a bit of floral. He inwardly smirked, 'She's so much of a girl, but that's just skimming the surface of the real Megumi.' Rukawa wanted to hold her a little bit longer than usual, but he could tell Megumi was getting uncomfortable.

"Anooo... Rukawa-kun. What are you doing?" Megumi tried to squirm away from his embrace, her face already red as a tomato. 'Does he have a death wish?!'

Rukawa grinned, "You know… for a girl who is good with the ball, I'm surprised you haven't joined the women's team." When Megumi cocked her head to the side, he chuckled, "What? You didn't know we had a women's basketball team?"

She took a deep breath, trying to formulate a coherent explanation and found it difficult as she felt Rukawa's breath on her neck, "I have a condition. If I didn't, then I would have joined the team a long time ago." She paused for a moment and continued, her voice growing soft, "I also wouldn't have left…"

"Are you better now?" He felt her nod her head. He sighed in relief. It didn't sit well with him that there was something amiss with Megumi. Though he wanted to know more, he wisely dropped the subject. Someday, she might be comfortable enough to talk him about it.

She turned her head towards him, hoping to say something to lighten the mood, but found that his face was too close for comfort. He had that look in his eyes that wanted to claim her, make her his… and it frightened her.

Rukawa brushed a stray strand of auburn hair from Megumi's face. He gently cupped her face with his free hand and inched his face closer, wanting to finally close the gap between them.

She panicked when Rukawa closed his eyes and dipped his head towards her, 'Oh God… is he going to… Please, I'm not…'

Rukawa felt her stiffen considerably in his arms. When he opened his eyes, he was greeted by a wide-eyed Megumi. Her eyes showed her fear and uncertainty about this strange unchartered path they've taken and it looked like she was holding her breath, which caused her whole face to turn a brilliant shade of red. He whirled her around and held her at arms' length, Megumi now facing him, puzzled at his reaction. His head dropped, with his hair fanning around his face, and his shoulders started to shake.

Megumi's jaw dropped in disbelief. She tried to get a good look his face and managed to see a hint of smile beneath his raven locks. She narrowed her eyes, "Are you… laughing at me?"

Rukawa lifted his head and his face broke in a huge grin, "You're so funny. You remind me of a blowfish."

"Hmph!" Megumi crossed her arms and embarrassingly looked away when he started laughing. She tried to focus on the white-painted court lines - anywhere but Rukawa and his laughter. Come to think of it, it was the first time she heard of Rukawa laugh. He always had that detached and uninterested demeanor wherever he was.

He stepped towards her as if egging her on, "So, you're not going to go on a violent rampage like before?"

Placing a finger at his broad chest and playfully pushing him away, she smirked, "Please, as much as I want to hit you right now, I wouldn't want to injure you unnecessarily before your most-coveted Interhigh tournament."

"Like hell." Rukawa retorted, but then his face grew serious. "Megumi-kun."

"Yes?"

"I've been meaning to ask you, but something always happens or something gets in the way." He frowned in thought, 'More like someone.'

He waved a hand in front of him as if wiping a slate clean. "Ah." He took a step towards her and continued, "I'm asking if you'd like to go out with me sometime after we win the Interhigh tournament."

"Oh." Megumi bent down and grabbed hold of the basketball. She raised an eyebrow, passing the ball to Rukawa, "What makes you sure that you're going to win?"

Rukawa grinned at her as he caught the ball with ease, "I won't lose."

[end flashback]

Megumi stepped out of the shower and wiped the mist from her mirror. She sighed deeply, looking at her reflection, "Arrogant bastard."

Towelling herself, she proceeded to get dressed.

* * * * * * *

Megumi arrived at her team's locker room half an hour later. She heard her cellphone beep and upon checking it, she received a text message from her parents. They called up yesterday to say their regrets that they're unable to watch her tournament. Megumi opened the message and it read:

Hi honey. Hope that you're doing well. We're sad that we can't watch you, but we've asked Igor to videotape the whole fight. Kiotsukette ne. Ganbatte and we love you!

She hit reply and typed out a response:

Thanks. Don't worry about it. I'll do my best and will make you proud. Kiotsukette, otousan, okaasan.

Setting down her gym bag on one of the benches, she was in deep thought in a more pressing matter. She hasn't given a definite answer to what Rukawa asked her, because she needed a bit of time. She knew that there will be consequences, not to mention violent ones should she decide to go out with him. And holy crap! What will happen if Haruko found out that Rukawa was interested with her? 'Ugh. This is going to be bad.' Megumi groaned inwardly. 'Haruko-san will feel that I betrayed her in some way.' Deep down, she really liked Rukawa and would be willing to give it a shot. However, she placed her decision on hold as her mind was on the tournament and she felt that Rukawa shouldn't be side-tracked with this development in their dysfunctional friendship.

The rest of her team flocked inside the common room, save for Aota. Tension was high as this was the first time the Judo club of Shohoku made it to the championships. Though it was only the women's division that made it, the rest of the team was present to cheer them on - particularly Megumi.

Yuki hugged her best friend, "Best of luck to you!"

Akiko, Chiaki, Mieko and the rest of the Shohoku Judo Men's Division gave their best wishes and regards to Megumi, which eased her anxiety a bit.

Megumi smiled weakly at them, "Thanks. I'll do my best."

Aota finally came in the room and upon apologizing for the delay, he showed them all a large print out chart of how the tournament will go. Megumi had to fight off 3 opponents and all 3 were former champions - way before she even came to Japan. To them, she was this mystery newcomer from the US, who needed to prove whether she was up to snuff.

"Megumi. Remember what I told you during our practice sessions. Remember to focus and be steady. I know that there will be an instance where you will be pressed for time to make a move, so be careful not to react quickly. Be cautious, but think fast."

Megumi responded with a light nod. She was ready. She wanted to bring home the championships, not only for her club and school, but also for herself.

* * * * * * *

Sakuragi sneezed as he listened to the briefing that Coach Anzai was giving out to the team. He had this silly look on his face, 'Ah... Haruko-chan is probably thinking about me again.' He let out an audible snort which elicited strange looks from those seated beside him. 'Who am I kidding? It's probably Megumi.'

He looked at his watch. It was a bit past 8:30 in the morning. 'Megumi must be getting ready for her first tournament.' He felt disappointed that he was going to miss one of the most important events in Megumi's life, but he can't do anything because he had a tournament himself. Sakuragi looked at his team, who were donned in their signature Shohoku jerseys of red and black. 'A tournament that we've prepared for for months.'

For a moment, he felt someone's eyes on him and when he glanced at Rukawa, he caught him suddenly looking away from him. 'What's his problem?' Sakuragi raised an eyebrow towards his rival. He's been acting weird. Weird, because he could feel that Rukawa was deliberately trying to stay away from any conflict with him today. He even didn't do anything to him when he was goofing in the middle of the court with Kainan's Kiyota Nobunaga. Said antics awarded both Sakuragi and Kiyota with twin lumps on their heads c/o their respective team captains.

'I'm really thinking too much.' Sakuragi massaged the lump on his head. 'I gotta concentrate on the game.'

"Okay guys!" Akagi bellowed. "This is it. This will be our moment. I want you guys to remember what you came here for. I want you guys to remember the every practice session we've had, the disappointments, the joys, and all your experiences during our months of preparation. I want you to harness that power and bring it in the court. And remember. Play as a team. I don't want to see ball-hoggers." He particularly eyed Rukawa and Sakuragi who both puffed out their cheeks. He continued, "More importantly, I want you guys to enjoy the game. Is that clear?"

"YOSHI!" The whole Shohoku Basketball team hollered as they raised their fists in the air in one collective agreement.

* * * * * * *

An hour passed since the start of the Judo tournament. Megumi inwardly groaned as she stepped on the mat and bowed at her final opponent. Her last 2 opponents were women who looked like males - in height and build. She was thankful that she was tall, but the build of her last two opponents were ridiculous. 'At least we're paired by weight, and that's a good thing.'

Sometime during her second match with one of her opponents who resembled a female orc, her right wrist began to hurt. She didn't inform Aota about this, because knowing him, he will be cancelling her next match. She has gone a long way to just back down from this tournament.

Megumi grunted as her opponent grabbed her shoulders with both hands and attempted to throw her on the ground. Her own hands were on her opponent's shoulders and as she tried to steady herself in vain. She groaned, 'Shit. My wrist hurts.'

A gasp was heard from her team when her opponent pinned her on the mat. The wind got knocked out of her and for several moments, she tried to focus her vision at the predicament she was in. She had less than 25 seconds to break free of the lockdown. With Megumi still unmoving, Yuki's voice broke her out of her state.

"MOVE DAMMIT! You have 10 seconds on the clock!" Megumi immediately snapped back to reality.

Juu! Megumi counted backwards in her head, she tried breaking free of the pin with the clock ticking. She tried not to struggle too much as her opponent tried to force her weight down on her to prevent her from any movement.

It took her a few seconds to adjust herself for her counter-move. Megumi tried to relax her breathing despite the shouts and jeers from the crowd. When she was ready, she resumed her countdown.

San! From the corner of her eye, she saw the referee about to raise his hand to signal the end of the match. She had to act quickly. Her only free hand was her right one, where her wrist was hurting, but it was now or never.

Ni! Using two-fingers, Megumi sent a solid jab to the solar plexus of her opponent.

Ichi! Feeling the hold loosen, Megumi used her own weight and gave it everything she's got to push her opponent away. Amidst the cheer from her teammates and the crowd, she slowly stood up and took a deep breath of relief. Then her eyes narrowed in focus and from Aota's view, he could see Megumi's 'killer eyes' – same look that Sakuragi gives to his opponents before attacks.

Breathing heavily, she made a quick recap of her fight with her opponent. Several of her moves were blocked by her opponent and it was getting to be a bother. A new tactic was needed, but it was hard trying to come up with one, because the pain in her wrist worsened from her trying to break free from the pin earlier. She also can't afford to stay docile, as a penalty will be called.

Have you tried doing a feint your opponent in Judo?

Rukawa's face appeared in her head and she recalled the number of times he would trick his opponent in the court. Feint. Sure it was a basketball move, but it's something to be taken into consideration, now that she's pressed for time. She thought grimly, 'It's a long shot, but it might just work. Then again, I will have to find an opening for that.'

Her opponent attacked and attempted to throw her down, using her submission technique.

'Oh hell no... you are so not going to do that move on me.' Megumi shifted her weight slightly. She said a silent hurrah when her bulky opponent made the mistake of reacting too soon. Megumi made her move. She grasped the arm of her opponent and twisted, wincing at the pain of her wrist, but she paid no attention to it. She bent forward and let out a shout as she threw her opponent over her shoulder.

Yuki raised both her hands in the air as she watched her best friend successfully throw her opponent to the ground.

"Ippon!" The referee raised his hand to issue the winning point to Megumi. The crowd cheered on as she and her opponent stood and moved to their own sides to bow towards each other.

Her opponent nodded at her, acknowledging her defeat and Megumi's victory.

Megumi grinned and raised her fist in the air and started to walk off the mat.

Aota stood from the bleachers and rushed to Megumi's side.

"Megumi!"

Megumi's smile faded when she saw Aota's stern look at her. 'Oh no, he knows.'

"Let me take a look at it." Aota grabbed her right wrist and when Megumi flinched from the pain, it confirmed his suspicions. "Have you been going on in this tournament with this injury?"

Megumi bowed her head, "Hai. Sumimasen sempai. I thought it was nothing and I thought..."

"Well you thought wrong!"

Megumi's eyes widened. Her other teammates who were running towards them in all-smiles suddenly slowed their pace and looked at each other, sensing something was wrong.

"If this match didn't end sooner, you would have had a more serious injury! I'm disappointed with you Megumi. You should have told me about this earlier." Aota motioned to the medic in the bleachers and instructed him to check Megumi's wrist.

"Give me an update after you have thoroughly examined what's wrong with her." Aota then turned to Megumi and said something that Megumi would remember in years to come.

"You won't gain anything from winning if you're just going to lose your sanity." Aota frowned at her.

Megumi bowed her head, "Hai, sempai. I'm sorry."

Aota's expression softened. He placed his hand on her head and ruffled her hair, "For what it's worth, you did great kid. We're already very proud of you to have taken this team this far."

Megumi puffed her cheeks and grinned inwardly, 'First he scolds me, then he congratulates me.' She turned to Aota and her team and smiled - a genuine smile - as she was led away by the medic and Yuki.

* * * * * * *

A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews. It really encouraged me to continue writing this. I had to cut FIGHT! into two parts. When I started writing it, I realized that it was too long for a chapter. Anyway, I'm happy that I got this updated. I'll have Chapter 9 - Fight part 2 up soon. ^_^v Ja ne for now.