Disclaimer: As usual, the characters in Slam Dunk do not belong to me and belong to their respective owner(s). Aside from the characters I create, I do not mean to infringe on any current copyrights on the series and this fan fiction is merely a means of promoting Slam Dunk and to serve as a creative outlet for my writing. Thank you.

Authors Note: I'd just like to thank all the readers and writers on Also, thanks to Inoue Takehiko for creating the wonderful series and I hope he knows we are all still expecting that sequel someday.

Reviews:

Um. So yeah. Hi.

I'm sorry for my lack of updates, and I'm sorry that I'm not taking the time to respond to all the reviews for last chapter; I just wanted to get this chapter up as soon as I could. School has been extremely busy, to the point where I literally have no time for my friends or myself.

Plus, I've been chasing a girl I like too. Wish me luck on that, although things look sort of down on that. :)

I thank all of you for being patient with me. I've been getting tons of ideas for future matches, and trust me when I say I won't give up on this fic. until I finish this for good. Slam Dunk deserves it.

Chapter 35 – Star Festival

Rukawa lethargically pushed himself back up in his seat, and if there was any surprise from Sakuragi's request Rukawa didn't show it.

"The old captain's sister, right?"

Sakuragi nodded, a bit peeved that Rukawa even needed confirmation for a beauty like Haruko.

"No."

Sakuragi exploded. "What?! How can you even turn her down like that, fox?! You know she likes you!"

Rukawa shrugged absently. "Not interested."

Sakuragi ground his teeth in rage, and was about to give Rukawa a piece of his mind before Rukawa stopped him with a question.

"You don't like her anymore?"

Sakuragi froze, and turned his head away from the star basketball player, already turning a bit red. "Why does that matter?"

Rukawa narrowed his eyes at Sakuragi's response. The two rivals weren't even facing each other anymore as they talked, as Rukawa kept his hands in his pockets and slouched a bit in his chair, looking forward. Sakuragi was resting his head on his left hand, looking to his right.

"You like her, so it matters."

Sakuragi didn't turn towards Rukawa, because a part of him knew that Rukawa was right. Sakuragi just didn't want to admit it.

Rukawa sighed. "Dou ahou. Did something happen?"

Sakuragi quickly danced around the question. "Fo—Rukawa, please just ask her out," Sakuragi corrected himself as he tried to sound polite towards his rival, although each word he said pained him.

"No."

Sakuragi finally looked back over at Rukawa. "What the hell is your problem, fox?!"

"Not interested." The same words Rukawa had used just moments ago now just enraged Sakuragi further.

"Damnit, fox! At least give me a good reason!"

Rukawa looked pensive, and a silence settled between the two for a moment. Rukawa finally gave his typical curt reply.

"I don't like her romantically. I want to focus on basketball now."

Sakuragi scoffed, then his eyes widened. "Fox, don't tell me you're gay."

Rukawa gave Sakuragi a look. "Are you an idiot or something? That girl just isn't my type."

Sakuragi frowned. "Oh come on, you can tell me if you're gay. You have so many girls chasing you, and you don't even react to them? You must be gay if you don't like someone like Haruko!"

Rukawa sat back up in his chair. "If you like her so much, then why don't you ask her out? Why are you telling me to?"

"Because she likes you!"

Rukawa smacked Sakuragi on the head in a quick motion, catching the redhead completely off guard.

"Are you dense? What good does this do for any of us?" Rukawa suddenly made the connection.

"I see. You like her that much…" Rukawa turned away again, and the two fell into another silence… much deeper and longer this time as Sakuragi rubbed his head.

"You like her that much?" Rukawa quietly asked instead of stated this time— the same phrase, but it carried a different meaning. Sakuragi looked at the other basketball player in surprise, as Rukawa seemed to show actual concern towards Sakuragi's situation… but then again, maybe it was because Rukawa himself was involved, one way or the other.

"Yeah, I do fox," Sakuragi said without hesitation.

Rukawa stared at the table blankly. "You like her so much that you just want her happy?"

Sakuragi bit his lip. "Yeah, fox."

Rukawa expression changed slightly, reverting to his typical emotionless stare as he stood. "You forget something, dou ahou."

Sakuragi gave Rukawa a curious look. "What?"

Rukawa turned, and began to leave the room. He didn't turn as he said his final words of the night. "You may make Haruko happy. But it won't make me happy to go out with someone I don't like, and it won't make you happy to not be with the one you care about."

Rukawa walked up the stairs, ending the conversation as he opted to go to his own room to sleep and left Sakuragi sitting there, pondering Rukawa's final words.

"Crap! We're screwed!"

The four basketball players pedaled like mad towards school. Mitsui and Ayako had hitched a ride from Rukawa's mother. Mitsui because he couldn't exactly pedal on his bike, and Ayako because she was supposed to have gone home last night but instead had slept over, leaving her with no means of transportation. However, for the rest of the players, they weren't offered such a luxury. Miyagi began to realize that Rukawa's mother didn't want to spoil Rukawa, and that's why he biked to school instead of having his parents send him.

Or maybe he was just embarrassed. Whatever.

Either way, the Shohoku starters had woken up late, and although Miyagi and Hiroshi didn't have to retake the test, they still had to attend classes.

"Watch Rukawa!" Miyagi warned as Hiroshi steadied the sleeping Rukawa on his bike. Sakuragi looked pretty energetic, despite the all-nighter he pulled.

"The fox won't crash!" Sakuragi asserted. "Even if he does, there won't be much loss."

Just as Sakuragi said that, Rukawa slammed his bike into a parked car. Miyagi turned in dread, putting on his bike's brakes.

"Holy crap! What are we going to do?!"

Rukawa slowly opened his eyes, and was met with a punch on the head by Sakuragi.

"Idiot fox! What the hell was that?!"

Hiroshi quickly put Rukawa's bike right side up again. "We can't exactly cover up that dent…"

"Hey, hey! What are you kids doing?"

Miyagi instantly panicked, as the owner of the car came running out of a nearby shop. "Damnit! Go go go!"

The Shohoku players leaped onto their bikes and found new speed as they pedaled away feverishly.

"Where are you kids going?! What the… argh!!! My car!!!"

"Turn! Turn! We can't let him catch us!" Miyagi ordered as they turned into a busy street, taking a more dangerous route to school.

"This is going to weigh on my conscience for a while," Hiroshi groaned as the Shohoku players rode right through a red light, rousing the honks of all the drivers around them.

"It's all that fox's fault," Sakuragi grumbled. Sakuragi turned to look at Rukawa, then exploded.

"Damnit! Asleep again, fox?!" Sakuragi screamed at the sleeping Rukawa, who didn't seem to mind anything that was happening around him.

He still didn't give me a clear answer… Sakuragi thought glumly as the group rode on. Sakuragi realized that Rukawa was right; deep down, he knew it. But he didn't want to admit it, so he decided to just go through with the plan.

For Haruko. It was all for her. As long as Sakuragi could see her smile again…

But… she smiles for me all the time, Sakuragi thought as Hiroshi again helped Rukawa turn the corner, with Miyagi in the lead. A bit of doubt invaded Sakuragi, as he began to realize that maybe there was still some hope left.

No, Sakuragi brushed the thought aside. She chose Rukawa. Haruko's words… her mind was clearly set on Rukawa, and only him.

"Whew, we're here!" Miyagi sighed as the basketball players rode through the entrance of the school. They all quickly parked and locked their bikes, with Hiroshi nudging Rukawa awake. Mitsui was leaning against the bike racks, looking as if he's been there for a while.

"What took you?" Mitsui asked with a sarcastic grin.

"Hey, shut up," Miyagi grumbled. The two met eyes and smiled sardonically.

"Good luck, you guys," Hiroshi said as he began to jog away. The freshmen and seniors of the school were all in different classrooms.

"Of course, Hiro! This Tensai will pass easily!" Sakuragi laughed in self-bravado. Hiroshi gave Sakuragi a smile and dashed off to class.

"Don't be dumbasses and waste all our tutoring," Miyagi sighed. "If you guys fail, I blame any and all losses we have in the Inter-Highs on you guys."

"Is that fair?" Mitsui asked the short point guard. "After all, Akagi didn't scold us like you…"

"Oh, yes he did," Sakuragi muttered.

"Hey!"

Sakuragi turned. "Hi guys! Hey, Youhei!"

The Sakuragi Army sauntered up, with Youhei in the front.

"Today is the Tanabata Star Festival, so I wished you guys will pass the re-exam. See? I even wrote it on this colored piece of paper and I'm going to hang it on the nearest bamboo I see!" Youhei showed them a small slip of green paper, with writing on it.

Miyagi overheard them and burst into laughter. "Sakuragi's friends sure do look out for us. Thanks."

Sakuragi snorted. "Youhei, I can't believe you actually still believe in that stuff."

Youhei shrugged. "Doesn't hurt, right?"

The school bell rang quietly.

"Crap, we're late for classes!" Mitsui leaned on his crutches. "I'll see you guys after school for the re-exam, then."

"See you, Micchi!" Sakuragi waved, and everyone dispersed.

"Hey guys, remember! No basketball practice today! I called it off, so Hiroshi and I will wait for you guys outside the class!" Miyagi shouted as he ran toward the school building.

"Right, Ryo-chin!" Sakuragi called back. Rukawa walked lazily off as the Shohoku players went to their classes.

"How do you think they did?" Hiroshi asked, his lean form splayed out on the school floor. Miyagi and Hiroshi were waiting for the other plays to finish taking their test, and were just chatting outside the testing room.

Miyagi shrugged. "They're idiots, but I think they can finish off that test without too much trouble."

Hiroshi chuckled. "Don't be so hard on them, captain."

Miyagi smiled at the rookie, staring at the opposite wall. "Hiroshi, it's because I care that I'm so hard on them."

Hiroshi looked up at the short point guard with respect. "Yeah, I know that."

At that moment, the door burst open. Sakuragi walked out, his head down as the other players followed him.

Miyagi straightened, looking at the redhead anxiously as Hiroshi lazily picked himself off the floor. "Well, how'd it go?"

Sakuragi looked at Miyagi, and Miyagi felt a chill. No… they didn't pass?

A burst of laughter immediately abated Miyagi's fears.

"Haha, of course this Tensai passed!" Sakuragi laughed, grabbing Miyagi in a headlock. "What did you think we were? Idiots?"

Hiroshi smiled. "Mitsui-senpai? Rukawa-senpai? How'd it go?"

Mitsui grinned. "We all passed. Don't worry, we'll be at the Inter-High matches."

Miyagi kicked the giggling Sakuragi away. "Dumbasses. If you guys hadn't passed…"

"But we passed, right?" Mitsui interrupted. "Don't be so uptight. You act like Akagi more and more everyday."

The two gave each other a look, and then burst into laughter… more in relief than anything.

"All right, let's get to practice," Miyagi said, walking off towards the gym casually. Mitsui groaned.

"Give us a break," Mitsui sighed. "You said there was no practice…"

Miyagi grinned devilishly. "I lied, so you guys wouldn't think about it during the test. Now get your rear in gear and let's practice!"

Mitsui groaned loudly again, but followed along anyway. The rest of the basketball starters followed, now feeling a great burden lifted off their shoulders.

"Guard him! Guard him!"

The basketball gym was hectic with activity as a 5 on 5 scrimmage was going on. The Sakuragi Army was there to watch, along with the two manageresses and Anzai-sensei.

"Guard me?" Sakuragi grinned, bringing the ball down to his knees as Kakuta attempted to stay in front of him. "No one can stop this Tensai!"

Sakuragi smoothly faked, catching Kakuta off guard before racing along the baseline, twisting his body in the air as he avoided contact. Sakuragi quickly reached his right arm across the bottom of the rim and threw down a thunderous reverse dunk that stunned even Miyagi.

"Whoa! Great work, Hanamichi!" The Sakuragi Army cheered from the sidelines. Anzai sipped his tea thoughtfully as Yasuda took the ball out.

He really is getting better… Miyagi thought as his team switched to offense. That fake wasn't perfect, but it definitely was done at the right time and Sakuragi compensated with his monstrous athletic ability…

Miyagi grinned as he dribbled the ball down to the other side of the court. The potential still there for him… it's amazing…

Kuwata reached in to steal from Miyagi, and Miyagi instinctively spun around Kuwata as his mind focused back onto the game. Miyagi ran in, throwing a precise one-handed bullet pass between Mitsui and Sakuragi to Rukawa, who caught the ball and easily laid it in.

"That's game," Miyagi declared, wiping sweat off is forehead with the back of his wristband. "We worked out enough for today, so you guys can all head on home."

"That was a pretty dangerous pass there," Mitsui teased as everyone began to pack up their stuff.

Miyagi waved Mitsui off impatiently. "Yeah yeah, we know you're bitter. Take the loss like a man."

Haruko timidly walked over to the sweaty Rukawa, who was kneeled over as he wiped his face off with a towel. "Ah… Rukawa-kun…"

Rukawa didn't even look over at her as he packed his things up. Haruko kept talking, anyway.

"Could you meet me outside for a moment? I want to talk…"

Haruko watched in a bit of confusion, as Rukawa's first reaction wasn't just typical aloofness; rather, for a brief second Rukawa's eyes shot towards Sakuragi, who was just next to him as he packed his things up as well. Sakuragi didn't say a word, although he had heard what Haruko just said.

"Mm," Rukawa agreed, standing up. Haruko blushed.

"Great. I'll just wait outside for you, then…" Haruko said, walking out the door in a nervous hurry.

Rukawa and Sakuragi were silent amidst the chattering of the other players. Rukawa continued standing there, as Sakuragi also continued to kneel over his bag.

"She's going to ask you out," Sakuragi said finally, his voice not playful. Rukawa didn't say anything, reverting back to his usual silent self… a strange but justified occurrence, considering how Rukawa had managed to open up to the players in the best few weeks.

"What are you going to say?" Sakuragi inquired, as the two didn't look each other in the eyes.

"I don't know," Rukawa replied in his quiet voice, uncertain. It was a completely different Rukawa from the night before, who was resolute about rejecting Haruko.

Another silence.

"How can you not know?" Sakuragi sighed. "She's a great girl. Just give her a chance."

"I don't like her," Rukawa said quickly. "The only reason I'm wondering about this is because of you, dou ahou."

Sakuragi looked up. "What?"

Rukawa kneeled down to Sakuragi's level, and the two looked into each other's eyes. Rivals before, but now just a bit closer to friends.

"Rejecting her won't be a problem for me," Rukawa said. "I'd rather not leave her hanging. But if I reject her, it will upset you more than it will upset me."

Rukawa stood back up. "You only want her to be happy, huh?"

Sakuragi looked up at Shohoku's ace. "Right, fox."

Rukawa's eyes trailed to the door blankly. "I guess I can give it a try, then."

The way Rukawa was acting… really surprised Sakuragi, more than upset him. Rukawa was clearly not hiding anything; he didn't like Haruko, and Rukawa's body language clearly showed it. Sakuragi was more surprised that Rukawa seemed so sharp about the whole thing; Rukawa seemed to recognize both Sakuragi and Haruko's feelings, and were weighing them against his own.

Still, Sakuragi felt disappointment in Rukawa's agreement. "Right. Okay, fox. Go listen to her confession, then."

Rukawa looked down at the redhead again. "As soon as I step out that door…"

"Right. No turning back." Sakuragi kept nodding and agreeing, as if he understood what he was getting himself into. Bitterness welled up in him, but Sakuragi managed to control himself from sounding too upset. Rukawa considered Sakuragi for one more moment, then walked to the double doors of the gym and went into the cool night to meet Haruko.

Sakuragi sighed and zipped his bag up. Sakuragi quickly stood up and walked to the other exit, not bothering to talk with any of the other players or the Sakuragi Army.

When Sakuragi finally reached his apartment, he looked down and saw a tiny bamboo. On it was a piece of paper with Youhei's writing, wishing him good luck on passing the test.

Sakuragi bit his lip. Sakuragi picked the bamboo up and carried it into his lonely apartment room, and set it on a table. Sakuragi reached into his bag and found a piece of paper, which he promptly tore. On it, Sakuragi quickly scrawled some words in his messy writing before deciding to sleep, dropping it on top of the bamboo as he crashed onto his bed.

I wish that Haruko will be happy.