Disclaimer: I still don't own them
Chapter 25 Coming Home
- LA Airport-
A tall, pale and stoic man boarded the plane that will take him back to his hometown. He walk at a fast but elegant manner not minding all the hustle and bustle that he causes since he is a well-known figure from both the sport and modeling worlds. He was only focus on one goal… to get back home and try to claim what was his…
Once seated on his seat in the business class, he closes his eyes… as memories from yesterday came rushing back to him…
Flashback
He was dead tired from practice but sleep won't claim him at that moment. He has been used to this for six years. Since the time he made the worst decision of his life that cause him everything… his heart and soul. He shock his head to clear his thoughts and not to dwell from the past… since it only brought him more pain…
His phone rings but he has no intention of answering it since h knows that it will just be those females that keep on bugging him to sleep with him or his former friends or family insisting him to return to Japan. He can't return to Japan not until he can find HIM… HE stood up ignoring the ringing phone and proceeded to the loo to refresh himself. After a couple of minutes he opened the door and caught up with the last words of the caller that he soon recognize to belong to one of his sempai in high school… their former basketball manager, Ayako.
The last words he heard was played over and over in his head before the meaning struck him… "Well Rukawa, hope to hear from you soon… since Sakuragi already confirmed that he will join… …Well Ja ne…" ----Sakuragi already confirmed… Sakuragi… confirmed…
Damn… he run quickly to the phone to get hold of his sempai but all he heard was a tone signaling that the other line is already dead. He quickly rewind the answering machine and listen to it…
End of flashback
He was pulled out from his reverie when a flight attendant offered him food and drinks for the night. He merely nodded and took the offered food. He didn't even stole a glance at the blushing flight attendant as he accepted the food. He resumed his usual musing and looks at the pitch-black sky outside his window.
He gave out a deep sigh as he recalled the messages in his answering machine. It was not only his sempai that called him but also a certain person that he least expected to call him since the time he hit him.
Flashback
"Rukawa… if you are confuse for the messages that you will be receiving from your comrades… call me…" He was too shock to say the least as he recognize the voice of none other than his former rival…Akira Sendoh. He write down the number he stated and decided to call him once he heard all the 12 messages he got in his answering machine.
All of the messages told him that his da'ho (he still won't give his red head up to anyone) was back in Japan and seems to stay for a month or so. But he still won't accept the other news that his da'ho is in a relationship with some guy he can't recall but seemed familiar to him.
His last message came from the only person who knows the real reason why he will not return to Japan. The only one who understand him and keeps him updated to any news about his da'ho… his sempai Ayako.
"Ne Keade-chan… guess what… the long wait is over, the famous baka is back in Japan… ooops, I mean your da'ho is back in Japan and mind you Keade he looks really hot and irresistible. Aside from the fact that he is a good cook and host… damn have you heard him sing at all… mean he got one hell of a voice there… I almost forgot that I am already engage to Ryota…if only I'm still available I could have sworn I would have thrown myself in front of YOUR da'ho…he has change… Actually he has been in Japan for almost 2 weeks… he was very busy with his business empire that he got no time to spare… if only Akira-san didn't force him to join the All Japan's Team… we will not be able to spot him… You know almost all of the players from Kanagawa was chosen and gathered to make up Japan's Team for the Olympics…Did you know that even if Sakuragi stop playing for years he still is in top shape… he made it to the team just like the rest of the group. Akira then invited us to celebrate at their manor where Sakuragi himself cook for the food. It was really amazing seeing Hanamichi wearing an apron and cooking…He looks really cute… Ooh yeah… before I forget, the Sendohs with Sakuragi planned to have a reunion with the players from Kanagawa and have a game against each other. Well, we got confirmations from all old players coming from Kainan, Ryonan, Shoyo and of course Shohokou, those of which Hanamichi played against... everyone agreed to join the week long reunion since it is sponsored by those three…it will be held in one of their manor in Nagasaki or somewhere here in Japan. I guess… so Akagi asked me to contact you and inform you about the reunion… I guess I'm not the only one doing it... Kogure is doing some final calls for the others but I'm the one assigned to get hold of you… Oh… by the way… ummm I know it will hurt but I heard that Sakuragi is in a relationship right now…with Michael Okita… I hope you remember him… but I'm not really sure since when I saw them together… there was nothing out of the ordinary between them… I was not able to confirm it from his cousins because I don't want to be snoopy and Ryota won't allow me…but I will try to confirm it… one way or the other without Ryota knowing it…okay? Till here… I know you are dead tired right now from your practice… Well Rukawa, hope to hear from you soon. Oh before I forget… everyone was ecstatic about the game since Sakuragi confirmed that he will join in the game for extra training and to get in shape and get use to the pressure again before his rigorous training coming from Japan's Team… Umm aren't you invited as well to join the team? I know they contacted your manager…Okay… Ryota is already here so I got to go and try to call me back okay…Well Ja ne…"
After hearing all his messages… especially Ayako's he was fixed in his couch… he was thinking about the news he heard coming from them…
My da'ho is back in Japan… I cant wait to see him but… he is already involved…with someone… but it is not confirmed yet… I better call Sendoh…
He made a decision to call Sendoh and confirm all the news. He pick up his phone and dialed the number left by Sendoh and waited for him to answer.
"I never thought it will take you about three days to call me back, Rukawa." A cheery voice piped from the other line that took him from surprise.
"How did you know it was me, Sendoh?"
"Simple… no one knows this number except you…What took you so long to contact me?"
"Hn.." came the simple reply.
"Well ok.. I better hang up already since you are not cooperating…" Sendoh teased and tried to end the call.
"Baka wait… I was out for training for the second session for a week… I just arrived… Happy?" came a panic stricken voice
"Very… goodness, Rukawa… I miss you retort to me and that long vocabulary you keep hidden for my dear cousin." A hearty chuckle was heard coming from Sendoh.
"Hn.." he glared at the phone as if it will reach the person in the other line in frustration.
"I guess you want to confirm the news…right?"
"Hn.."
"Wow… nice words…so was it a no?"
"Was is all true?" came a short question
"Hai… it was all true… from the reunion upto the new guy in his life."
Rukawa paled and dropped the phone upon hearing the confirmation coming from Sendoh. Tears began to flow from his eyes… he covered his face with his trembling hands and ignored the worried voice coming from the forgotten phone.. All he knows is that he is in pain… He once again lost him…
"Damn it Rukawa… pick up the phone or else I will not help you get your Red Head back… I swear…" Sendoh yelled out of panic and frustration… in a heart beat he heard Rukawa's voice again… filled with sadness but renewed hope and determination that he will have HIM back.
"How can I get him back?"
"Do you still love him?"
"Hai"
"How much do you love him?"
"I will give up everything I have right now… to have him back in my side…So how can I get him back?"
"Simple… get your ass back here in Japan…and I will help you win him back…"
End of flashback
So without any second thoughts he called his manager and coach… requested a break. At first they declined his request but soon conceded since Rukawa seemed determined to have that break… even deciding to quit the team… He was allowed to join the Team Japan for Olympics only and after that, he needs to return and continue playing for the team. He just nodded and called to get a plane ticket back to Japan as soon as possible.
"we will be together once again, Hana… just wait for me… I will definitely win you back…"
Rukawa slept after eating his dinner for the rest of the journey… only waking up to eat. He dreams of a happy life with his da'ho…
After some time his plane landed gracefully in Tokyo Airport… soon after he found himself inside his room and calling Sendoh for the nth time… he is very determined to win his da'ho back…
-owari-
a/n: please don't forget to review….