Author's note: As promised, beta version of this chapter courtesy to my awesome beta, Christy aka QwertyASDFGHJKL. You're the best ^_^ Warning, lemon alert! I was in a pervert mode when I wrote the first half of this chapter, so be prepared. Thank you for all the reviews, they certainly brighten up my day ^_^ -131012-
Disclaimer: I don't own the boys!
Chapter 10. The Blossoming Bud
We prepare the tea in the kitchen and then bring the tea pot and cups to the living room. We sip the tea in a comfortable silence. I'm surprised to witness Sakuragi break down like that. He looked so lost and pitiful. I wanted to just kiss him senseless to make him stop blaming himself. Luckily I got myself in check so I stopped only at hugging him. I never knew he held such a painful story beneath his happy-go-lucky attitude. I think there are many things about him that I have yet to uncover.
The sound of the doorbell stops me in my trail of thoughts. I get up and walk to the front door to find a delivery guy standing there. I pay for our order and take the food from him. I walk back to the living room.
"I have chicken kung pao and beef stir fry. Which one do you want?" I take the boxes out of the plastic bag and arrange them on the coffee table.
"Chicken." Sakuragi answers.
"Here you go." I give him the chicken kung pao box and a pair of chopsticks. "I also have seafood noodles to share. Here, just take as much as you want." I open the noodle box and motion for him to take it. When he just stares at it, I sigh and take his chicken box out of his hand and fill it with the noodles. I return the box to him. He takes it but he looks at me questioningly. "Eat it." He blinks twice before digging in. He is usually so boisterous and does things without a care, but it seems today is pretty taxing to him, so much that he lost that energy.
We eat without saying anything anymore. I managed to steal glances at him and I'm glad to see that he at least still has that huge appetite. I'm even able to make him finish all the noodles. That is a good sign. We clean the table and throw away empty boxes before returning to our respective seats.
"Do you want to shower?" I ask him after several minutes have passed. He nods. "Come." I take him to my bedroom. He walks in hesitantly but once he's inside, his eyes roam every corner of my room just like a kid in a chocolate factory. "Sit there while I prepare the water." I point to my bed and then walk to the adjoining bathroom to prepare the tub. I pour in bathing salts to help relax his strained body. When the tub is full, I return to my bedroom. Sakuragi is still sitting on my bed. "The water is ready. I'll bring your set of clothes later on. Take your time." He nods and disappears to the bathroom.
I grab a pair of boxers, a sleeveless shirt and shorts for him to change into. I was going to bring them to the bathroom but suddenly an idea comes into thought. Although no matter how hard I deny it, it is pretty much perverted and maybe exploiting his vulnerable state too much. But I just can't help it. I justify my plan to go bathing together with him as being there to support him through his distressing period. So I make up my mind and start undressing. I grab my towel and walk into the bathroom. I smile when I see Sakuragi is relaxing in the tub, eyes closed and with his neck resting on the end of the tub. I hang my towel on the hanger behind the door as quiet as possible so I won't alert him of my presence yet.
"Move over a bit, do'ahou." I say as neutral as possible. He snaps his eyes open and they're widening in surprise to see me in front of him.
"Ru-ru-rukawa! What are you doing here?!" He's panicking, scrambling to cover his privates.
"Bathing, what else?" I muster all my calmness to answer him while the truth is I just want to grin wickedly at him. I stand beside him, giving him clear view of my naked body. He is unconsciously scrutinizing me from head to toe and double checking my crotch. I smirk when I see his eyes are widening in realization that he's been looking at that certain area way too long. The reaction is instant; his face shares the same color as his hair. "Now, are you going to ogle my body all day long or are you going to let me in?" He doesn't react, well, unless getting even redder counts as reacting, so I sigh and climb inside the tub.
The tub is enough to accommodate two huge bodies like ours if we don't mind having intimate skin to skin contact - which is my objective, actually. Sakuragi scoots over to the far side to let me slide in and lies down relaxedly. He just stares at me with that cute blush. I grab his waist and position himself between my legs, pulling his back so it rests on my chest. I keep one arm's dangling out of the tub while the other hugs him around his waist.
"Err, I-I think I'm done." Sakuragi wiggles, trying to get out of the tub but his movement makes his butt touches my sensitive area and I hiss in pleasure. "Ah! Sorry!" He ceases his movement but the damage has been done; the not-so-little-me has stirred to life. I can see his ears getting redder and redder, too bad I can't see his face.
"Shush, stand still, do'ahou. Just relax." And he does what I say. I arrange our position a little bit to make sure my hardening length isn't painfully trapped between our bodies. I'm sure he can feel the stiffness poking into him but he remains still. The friction is so tempting it makes me wish I could take him out of the tub and bend him over the nearest surface. Bad Kaede! Bad Kaede! I restrain myself despite the knowledge that he is also getting hard.
"Ru-ru-rukawa…." He whimpers.
"Rest your head on my shoulder." I ignore his discomfort. He slowly lays his head on my shoulder. His eyes lock onto mine and I smile. I enjoy his bashful expression, his red cheeks and his glazy brown eyes. "Jousei University turned out to be pretty strong." I start the conversation, trying to ease the discomfort as well as to ignore my throbbing length due to our compromising position. "Out of three games, we only managed to have one victory and one draw."
"Really? Are they stronger than Kainan?" He asks in genuine curiosity.
"Hmm, how to describe it…" I pause to find the right words. "They don't have too many surprise factors, unlike Kainan. However, their play is really well thought, it feels mature and consistent. I think that's what experience brings."
"Do you get something from the camp? I mean skill wise." He is now completely relaxed. His back is completely laid on top of my chest and his butt is pressed tightly on my hips. I love how he fits my body like a long lost puzzle piece that has been missing for years. It's like he belongs there.
"Of course. The point of going to a training camp is to improve your skill." I hold his right hand and entwine our fingers together. He responds by holding mine back and I smile contently. "What did Anzai-sensei teach you?"
"Powerful offensive ammo." He grins happily. "I'll show you tomorrow. I bet you'd be pleasantly surprised." He elaborates confidently.
"Hmm, I'll be waiting, do'ahou." I hold his waist with my left hand and I bring his right hand onto my lips and kiss it. "I wasn't planning to do this… But I can't stop myself when I'm with you." I peck his lips when he turns his head towards me, and he blushes. I trail my tongue along his neck, nibble on his Adam's apple, and suck his pulse point.
"Ahnn…" He moans salaciously. "I-I don't mind…" He says softly with the returning blush.
"Let's get out of the tub."
"Eh?" He looks at me, puzzled. But then he follows my lead and climbs out of the tub.
"Here, put your palms on the wall." I guide his hands on the tiled wall so he can support himself. I stand behind him, pressing my chest onto his back. "Open your legs a little bit." I thrust between his thighs, once he does what I ask him. He moans and shudders when the new position creates friction on his sensitive area.
"Close your thighs tightly." He nods and closed his thighs, almost squeezing my length. "I'm going to move, ok." I whisper on his ear. I put one hand on his hip and another on top of his hand. I start to move, thrust in and out between his thighs.
"Ah… Ru-rukawa…" I lick and nibble his earlobe. My hand moves to his nipple, tweaking it and pinching it until it hardens. I move my hand from his hip onto his balls, rolling them between my fingers. Moans after moans spill from his plump lips. Heat creeps all over my body, starting from my spine and polling on my nether region. My fingers trail upward until I touch his leaking head, and start pumping. He shudders and calls my name repeatedly. I push into the slit. He buckles, lost to the sensation and even starts moving his hips to speed up the thrust.
"Sakuragi… Touch me too…" I guide his hand to leave the wall and travel down to touch me. The first contact with his hand lights fire all over my body again. I can't stop the moans that come out of my mouth. I guide his hand so he completely envelopes me. "Move it, Sakuragi…" He starts pumping. "Stroke it harder, faster…" I also hold him tighter and pump it faster, in time with my thrust. I can feel heat coiling in my stomach. I'm so close. I feel like I'm slowly losing my mind
"Rukawa!" Sakuragi explodes in my hand, coating my hand with his thick juice.
"Sakuragi!" I soon follow, biting his shoulder hard and keep thrusting to ride my orgasm. Sakuragi is boneless in my arms. He only remains standing because he leans on my chest completely. His eyes are closed and he lets out small pants.
I never intended to do anything sexual other than kissing tonight. Clearly I've underestimated my raging teenage hormone. I was worried when I saw how distracted he was in the hospital. I was touched and flattered when he confided in me during his episode. And I find him really cute being vulnerable like that. The idea of soaking together did have innuendo, but I wasn't planning to hump him. Lucky I remembered him being a virgin so I didn't actually penetrate him. God, that'd be really awful of me.
I turn on the shower and quickly wash our bodies. Sakuragi is still limp in my arm but I rearrange our position so he is now facing me. I half drag him to grab our towel and dry both of us before exiting the bathroom. I notice the pile of clothes I've prepared for Sakuragi but I ignore it. Instead, I open the comforter and drop his naked body on the bed. I slide beneath the comforter right beside him. Once I'm sure we are both comfortable, I pull the comforter up and turn off the light.
"Good night, do'ahou." He's already oblivious to everything and I smile, kissing his forehead before I close my eyes and join him in a peaceful slumber.
I wake up to the sound of my alarm. I reach out my arm to turn it off. I feel really refreshed. I feel something warm is snuggling to me. I take a peek and all I see is red. I move my head back a little bit, giving some space so I can focus better. I smile when I find Sakuragi is snuggling to me with his head pressed onto my chest. I kiss his forehead. He stirs but doesn't wake up. I get off the bed slowly and quietly. I walk to the bathroom and take a shower. After ten minutes, I'm done and fully clothed. I walk to the still-sleeping red head.
"Wake up, Sakuragi. You don't want to be late on such an important game, do you?" I tap his shoulder lightly. When he doesn't move, I move closer to him and whisper on his ear, "Time to wake up, sleeping beauty." And I bite his ear lightly.
He snaps his eyes open, hands shooting to his ear in reflex. "Wh-wha-what?" He asks dumbly, still half asleep.
"Time to shower. It's six fifteen, you only have fifteen minutes."
"Oh, ok." He gets up but freezes on spot when he notices his state of undress. He slowly turns to me, face red, up to his ears and neck. I just grin wickedly. He quickly dashes to the bathroom and slams the door closed. I laugh, witnessing his antics and enjoying how his nice, round and supple butt sways when he runs.
I come out to the kitchen, rummaging the fridge to take out milk and pour it into two glasses. I open the cupboard and I spot a pack of chocolate chip cookies so I take it out as well. I open the wrap and take a bite of the cookies. Delicious.
"I'm done." Sakuragi approaches me with his gym bag slung on his shoulder.
"Breakfast." I point to the glass of milk and cookies. He chugs down the milk in no time and stuffs his mouth with cookies. God, so adorable. Urgh, stop it, Kaede, focus on winning the game. "I'll grab my bag and then we're off, okay?" Sakuragi nods.
When I walk out of my room with gym bag slung on my shoulder, I notice the empty wrapper of the cookies has been tossed to the trash can. Seems like someone was hungry. I make eye contact with Sakuragi to convey the silent message for him to follow me and then I walk to the front door with Sakuragi close behind me. I put on my jacket and give him my spare one. We walk to the train station.
"We'll win it. For sensei." Sakuragi suddenly says, breaking the silence.
I look at him and I see determination burning in his eyes. "Yeah. We'll win."
We are actually the last people to arrive at the station. The remaining members have gathered there in a thick anxious atmosphere. Even Akagi looks a little bit edgy. We ride the train in silence, busy with our own thoughts. We depart the train and continue our journey to the sports hall still in silence.
"Ok, boys, time to man up and win the game!" Ayako tries to break the silence right before we enter the locker room. We just nod and get inside, changing into our jersey and then scatter inside the room, trying to ease the edge. Some sit on the bench and some just pace around nervously.
"We'll win. We've promised to win." Sakuragi says while sitting, eyes burning with determination.
"Of course we will! Don't try to be cool like that, Hanamichi. It doesn't suit you." Mitsui teases him, losing a little bit of his nervousness.
"We can do it. Just do what we always do, attack aggressively and defense strongly. We're strong!" Akagi adds.
"YEAH!" We yell in confidence.
"Let's go!" And we all leave the locker room and march to the court. We will win this.
"But still, it feels weird without sensei here watching us, don't you think? Let's just put his picture on the coach chair." Mitsui suddenly puts a frame, with sensei's photo, on the coach chair out of nowhere.
"Hey! Sensei is still alive! Don't jinx it, stupid!" Ayako hits him with her folding fan.
"Ouch! But it's good to boost our moral." He rubs his bumped head and whines.
Despite her protests, Ayako still lets Mitsui puts the framed photograph on the coach chair. The game starts with us on the offense. Similar to our match with Kainan, it's so difficult to get the first point. Ryonan's defense is just as tight as Kainan, if not more. I think they're as desperate as us to win this game since the winner will get the ticket to Interhigh along with Kainan. Just as bitter as our match against Kainan, Ryonan scores first. We try our might to return the favor but the score remains the same for several minutes. We couldn't double team Sendoh since there is new skillful player among Ryonan that keeps Sakuragi busy. Sakuragi seems to have trouble handling the new player, be it defending him or surpassing him during offense. The first round is won by Ryonan. We slump on the bench almost in defeat. It is really hard without sensei. We don't have his wisdom or his undeniable support.
"I'm sorry. I'll beat Fukuda for sure the next round." Sakuragi says during our break. His eyes shine brightly and he doesn't pant as bad as us. It's a proof that he has the best stamina after all.
"Let's show them what Shohoku is made of." Akagi says before we get back to the court and resume our game.
"YEAH!" We're not defeated yet and Sakuragi's confidence is contagious. We will keep our promise and win this game.
True to his word, on the second round Sakuragi actually beats Fukuda. It seems like Fukuda has never experienced the feeling of losing so when Sakuragi manages to slam dunk over him, his confidence is crumbling. Fukuda doesn't have the ability to bounce back after being defeated, unlike Sakuragi. And I feel so proud of Sakuragi. Now we're almost even with Ryonan. I'm trying my best to be equal with Sendoh. Every time I slip and let him score, I always make sure that I can return the favor. Just when we're almost desperate, because our stamina, especially Mitsui's, has reached the end, Sakuragi scores with a jump shot. Such a beautiful form with precise accuracy and the ball doesn't even touch the rim. It shocks not only us, but Ryonan players and even the spectators. Time seems to stop. Ryonan's coach stands abruptly in disbelief. After what seems like seconds, loud cheers are heard inside the hall. Once again, proud is swelling inside my heart. That's my do'ahou.
With the new offense skill from Sakuragi, our play becomes more dynamic. Ryota can device more play and Ryonan has to be on guard even more. During the last minutes, Sendoh finally gets serious. His eyes are showing different light and he becomes even quicker. He is panting now even though normally he never does. The rebound saved by Sakuragi and the quick counter attack leads by Akagi grant us a score 70-66 in our favor. The joy overflows us. Even Akagi can't hide his wide grin. The cheers are maddening and we bask in victory. We keep our promise. We pack in happy mood, ready to bolt to the hospital and deliver the happy news to sensei.
"Sensei!" We giddily enter Sensei's room in the hospital, disregarding the common courtesy to knock first because we just can't wait to deliver the good news. "We've won!"
"Hohoho," Sensei's signature laughs greet us, as well as the beaming happy smile of Mrs Anzai who sits on a chair next to sensei's bed. We spill all the details of the game to sensei. He looks so proud it makes us even happier than we originally felt when we burst into the room in the first place.
"Good job, boys." Mrs Anzai praises us. "You should rest for today. I bet the game drains your energy." We agree and excuse ourselves.
"Come with me?" I ask Sakuragi once we're outside the hospital building and the others have departed to their own destinations.
"Ok." We walk side by side under the afternoon sun. I glance at him from the corner of my eyes and I see how the natural light shines his red hair, making a glowing effect on it. The wide grin and earnest brown eyes on that boyish face emanate happiness like a child when he's happy. That's when something blooms inside me; I want to protect that expression of his forever.
It's strange how my feeling of simply being intrigued by his naivety mere months ago transforms into the feeling of superiority for having a devoted admirer, and escalates even more into this feeling of affection and protectiveness. I, who never care about somebody else, actually want to ensure that Sakuragi is happy.
"Rukawa?" Sakuragi's question wakes me up from my trance-like state. Apparently I've stopped when I evaluate my feeling towards him. "Are you okay?" He sounds worried, even his eyes show his concern.
"I love you, Sakuragi." I say firmly.
He blushes hotly. "I love you first, Rukawa." Then he looks down in embarrassment.
"I'm glad to hear that." I smile, truly happy that finally, after sixteen years of my life, I have someone I want to cherish and share my life with. "I'm glad…"
~ to be continued ~