CHAPTER 2

9:30 PM.

Still inside the train, almost feeling nothing as it zoom its way on the rails. Outside, tiny specks of snowflakes started to fall-signalling Winter. Good thing he was able to pack himself an extra jacket. Rukawa's gaze has been stuck outside the window for the past 30 minutes- this he knew of. It is not that he's quite interested with what's outside- truth is, he's not just quite sure on what to do because he has a seatmate. Yup. Simple as it may sound, it brings a tiny bit of dilemma in him. He did try to get a nap a while back but to no avail. Closing his eyes for a few minutes only to find them opening once again. His gaze was just either fixated in front of him (on the LCD that plays some random movie) or to his right- the window. He sighed softly—almost contemplating if the one beside him took noticed of his current… restlessness.

It was a bit quiet now, probably half of the passengers where snoring already and he has proof—having been able to hear a few snores at the back. He noted that Ayako & Haruko were still chatting softly; mainly about random girly things. He took noticed of Hikoichi's clear voice and probably… Koshinos? As they converse and talk about the 'camp'.

He sighed once more- this time gaining an attention with his seatmate. Rukawa knew- he not need to look at his left, he just knew that a pair of eyes were staring at him. 'Troublesome' he could almost muttered. He shrugged off his thoughts and decided to look at his side and he was simply taken aback…

'What-?'

Flashback. The week before the trip.

Bored. If there's one thing that he's feeling-it's a combination of boredom & a feeling of… he could not decipher yet. If this trip was not mandatory, he would have declined politely. Sendoh was never a fan of school trips, he only obliges because it's either mandatory or basketball-related. The first time he heard there was some sort of camp to be held weeks before Christmas, he didn't honestly care. 'What for?' he inwardly asks himself then. He was busy shooting some hoops that day while Coach Taoka and the rest of the team were hurdled in a semi-circle obviously trying to talk about it. And although he could practically hear them, he just went on his merry way of shooting some hoops- in hopes that they may not include him on the list of those participating. 'I got things to do and… places to go.' Yup, and he smiled as he made a move as if someone was trying to guard him—imagining someone from a rival team that has honestly, made an impact on his own play. A fade-away shot and it was in. His lips tugged upward.

"Sendoh… oi Sendoh!" It was Coach Taoka. And he looked to where the voice was only to find the rest of the team looking at him, some of whom were grinning.

"So, are you coming?" Uozumi inquired.

"Huh? What?" As he walks toward to where the ball was. Coach Taoka, sighed annoyingly and cleared his throat. It was then Sendoh looked back again—a sheepish smile on his handsome features. Taoka motioned for him to come a little closer thru a flick on his pointy finger. Sendoh grinned like a grade school boy, obviously he knows where this is going to head at.

"Uh… yes, Coach?" A grin.

"You weren't listening again, were you?" Taoka insisted while shaking his head in utter disbelief that his team, Ryonan is going to be led by this… young carefree man.

"I was! You guys were talking about a… plan!" A few chuckles can be heard.

"Hahahha, sempai- we're talking about the trip to be held next week at Osaka! It's some sort of a recreation or training between Kanagawa's top four basketball school teams." Hikoichi summarizing the details.

Thank heavens for freshmen like Hikoichi—expect him to fill in the blanks and Sendoh couldn't be anymore grateful.

"Oh right—that's it…" Sendoh feigned he knew exactly what it was all about. Still a few snorts and chuckles erupted. Uozumi cleared his throat. "So, are you in? Well- it's like this, you obviously don't have a choice, because you're the next captain and it's obviously mandatory for you to get all the necessary training or learning you have to acquire."

Sendoh nodded, a small pout on his lips. "I get it…" Truth is, well like Uozumi said, he does not have a choice. "So, when do we leave then?"

"Next week, Friday." Koshino butted in. "We're going with Kainan, Shoyo and Shohoku."

"This is going to be interesting!" Hikoichi said, eyes beaming with excitement and the whatnots.

"Sakuragi for sure will be there…" Fukuda, the ever silent man on the team muttered. Everyone stared at him for a moment.

"Well, I'm sure he will—Rukawa Kaede of course will be there for sure, in short all the members of each team are going to be there. Further announcements will be given once we're in Osaka." Uozumi said.

"Sugoi! Rukawa Kaede of Shohoku- I'll check him out- it'll be fun to see you two battle it out on court, sempai!" Hikoichi declared with exuberance. Sendoh has still his smile plastered on his face—just simply hearing everything. 'Rukawa eh…' Just then, he shrugged and much as to the amusement of the Ryonan group, he dribbled the ball unexpectedly- sped off to the court and did a powerful slam on the ring.

"Yup… it'll be fun indeed to play with him. I can't wait." He said. Did he really mean that? He wondered for a few but his smile seemed to just grew a bit wider while he thinks of the possibility of being able to play one-on-one perhaps to the so-called pretty boy of Shohoku. Its not everyday someone comes in court with that skill almost at par with him and he doesn't brag about it (his skills)… Sendoh is merely acknowledging the fact that the other guy pretty much amuses him in a way other than the sport they both shared in common.

'You don't seem to give up… you seem unfazed to anyone before you—and I think… that's what makes the game even more interesting.'

That night, at bed—he didn't packed his bags upon hearing about the said trip. He just went on with what normal teenagers of his age does- he logged on his computer, played a few online games and when he got bored, put on a random CD to listen to something, and when he got bored again- switched it off to watch a movie he barely understood; not even finishing the film- he then stopped it midway only to be disturbed by a knock on his door. The door opened and it was his older brother of five years, Sendoh Akito. Towering also as well by 6'4—looks that seems too, mirrored like his own but with more mature features. And yup, even though his five years older, Akira Sendoh knew that his older brother can act like a kid because he always tease him whenever… wherever.

"Yo!" Akito greeted, while adjusting his glasses. Suave in his actions- a grin plastered on his equally handsome face.

"What do you want?" The younger prodded, smiling but not looking at his aniki. Akito entered his room casually, dragged his feet and plopped down on his brother's bed.

"Nothin, I was checkin out if you're watching porn… hahahah!" And he laughed again, too amused at his own insanity.

"What kind of a reason was that? And even if- and I'd say IF ever indeed I was watching something obscene, I would have locked the door, don't you think?" A grin. And Akira found himself on one corner of the bed while just contenting himself on watching plain TV instead.

"Very well said, otouto... but seriously, were you gonna watch and jerk off?"

"Are you simply here to ask me about porn and jacking off?" The younger Sendoh prodded with a hint of playfulness in his eyes.

"No of course not! I know you have them in your laptop, sick bastard you are."

"He-heyy! Akito, I don't have porn anywhere- blaming me for something you apparently have in stored!"

The younger one chuckled- this is why he hated his brother sometime. Not totally hated him but, he enjoys teasing him about seemingly all the mundane things there is. His brother could really be childish most of the time. But he was grateful. Akito is a very warm person, probably one of the many characteristics of the Sendohs—tall, handsome, 'peoples person' type as they all are. He takes work seriously but trust him when he's out of the office—that's where the real Akito reveals himself.

"Heh, it's only natural- we're men Akira, robust, young and very appealing MEN! It's an animal instinct!"

"Whatever…" he paused, before deciding to continue. "I got a trip. Next week, in Osaka. Five days. Basketball-related… kind of mandatory."

"Is your school aware that it'll be Christmas in a few weeks?" A bug-eyed expression graced Akito's face.

"Yeah, apparently they are and it's still on. I can't say no- it's included in my tuition."

"Tsk, those sneaky administration bastards, Ryonan never changed. Even in my time—we have these kind of miscellaneous activities. But it's all good, keep safe there, it'll be snowing a few days from now. And do bring me something from Osaka." A grin.

"Yeah, sure… thanks. I'd give you a box of Marimo. It's the ultimate gift." Akira grinned cheekily.

"Screw that. What would I do with a ball seaweed?" Akito gnarled like a teenager.

Akira simply laughed heartily. "You could cultivate it… hahaha."

"Fuck that. Anything but that lake moss ball."

"Sure…sure! Man, you swear a lot- I'm counting you know." The younger Sendoh responded while chuckling, slightly amused that he was the one teasing now.

"So, I came in here to ask who your new girlfriend is." A cheeky grin by the older Sendoh.

Akira snorted. He could almost roll his eyes. "What do you mean, I don't have one."

"C'mon- impossible, you're on your second year in Ryonan and still single? Not even a fling?!" Akito almost shouted. Apparently he loves teasing the younger guy.

"No. None. Nay." Akira muttered- eyes being a bit mischievous while staring at the TV.

"You're a bore… I'm assuming there's hundreds of girls throwing themselves before you in school and not even one seems to interest you?! That's a bummer man, you gotta collect then select." A loud laugh.

"Thanks for being a very inspiring brother, Akito. Well, I got… fans. If that's what you want to know. Y'know I'm busy…don't have time for-"He was cut off at the middle of his statement.

"Arrghh! I knew it, you're gay?! You like MEN! Oh my fucking God- you disappoint us you homo freak! Nooo! So who's the dude, then?!"

"Cut it, will you! That's even retard." Akira pulled his laughing older brother and forced him out of his room, the latter still chuckling while being forced out. "Ahahaha… don't worry, I still love you man, even if you turn homo. Bring him home sometime! Ahahaha!"

"Fuck off—and I love you too. Good night bro. Stop inhaling weed, you dork." Akira countered in his bedroom voice, obviously he was also grinning and chuckling. He and his brother. They make a good team. And Akira was more than happy because he has someone like Akito.

End of flashback.

'Hello' was the first word he said and probably the last word he'll utter for the whole trip. Not that it bothers him, but he was able to prove that the boy was indeed a man of few words. Sendoh was not the type to typically just converse out of the blue; he'd be doing that of course if it were his team. But not today… or moreover, not at this moment. It's been thirty minutes inside the train and they are expected to arrive in Osaka at 11:30 pm. Upon arriving, they will be taken by a tourist bus that will dropped them off the camp in fifteen minutes. Sendoh thought that it's indeed tiring. And of course, since they will reach the camp by midnight, nothing is to be done anymore but to just sleep and rest.

He knew that he also needed rest, and probably that is what the others in the back have been doing—they seemed quiet already except for a few chatters. He almost want to get up from his seat and strut his way at the back just to have someone to talk too.

'Why not him instead'? Either Rukawa wants to be basically alone on his seat or he's not comfortable with him on his side. In anyway, Sendoh took notice of the others restlessness and decided to reach something inside his bag he happens to remember. And so…

"Skittles?" He asked- a faint smile on his manly features. Sendoh saw a bit of surprised in the latter's eyes. He could almost chuckle but refrained himself from doing so. Rukawa looked from him to the pouch of sweets he was handing him over, eyes clouded with… confusion?

'Oh boy' Sendoh inwardly mutter. Of course, he would not want those- he might actually think you poisoned them so you could actually beat him on camp. He could almost imagine the younger boy's random morbid thoughts.

"I… uh, well, I got loads of them inside." He said pointing on one side of his bag. "My brother packed me a lot of these… really weird." He smiled and cocked his head slightly.

"…thanks." Rukawa was puzzled. 'Skittles?' He knew of them of course, those sweet, coloured, fruity-flavoured candies- he's not really a fan of them, he thought they are just okay. What to do? Is Sendoh giving him all of it? Or do he just get a random candy?

"It's yours! I got a lot- and I think I might give everyone on board. Heh." A grin. Can he read minds? Rukawa almost went bug-eyed. He honestly thought he felt an unidentified organ leaped inside him. He has yet to know what it's all about. 'Odd…truly.'

"I… thanks." He took the pouch and stared at it for a moment. Unsure of whether he's going to open them. Truthfully, Rukawa didn't expect for Sendoh to give a damn about him. They were supposed to be rivals. The people have been branding them as common enemies on court… 'But, we're off court, now are we not?' He inwardly shook his head, quite wondering on the fact that he's agreeing and contradicting his thoughts once in a while- just because of a guy with a spiky hair.

"You could open and eat them." A grin. Sendoh was the one who spoke. So this is Rukawa Kaede of Shohoku. Its not that he's unfamiliar with him, its just that its rare for him to be this close with a rival. He does not seem so bad, Sendoh wonders why he and Sakuragi seems to be not in good terms—but he knew, Sendoh knew that the 'war' between these two twin towers of Shohoku is just an 'act' or some sort. He could somewhat see through them that Rukawa acknowledges the redheads prowess and vice versa- Sakuragi knew that while Rukawa might actually be a notch or two better than him, he (Sakuragi) accepts that very well and he respects his fox-eyed teammate although very much contradicting in his actions.

"I'm full… but, thanks." A nod. It was all Rukawa could think of at that moment. It's not that he doesn't like to eat what Sendoh gave him, he's simply being honest that he's full.

"By the way, sorry for bumping in to you a while back." Sendoh remembered suddenly. The desire to escape from a few fan girls who saw him by the station is so great, he jogged while looking to see if they have been following him, not knowing that he actually bumped into someone already. Good thing though that *the* specific someone is… familiar. Rukawa simply shrugged.

"Fourth."

The spiky haired boy looked with questioning eyes. "Huh? What's that?"

"That's the fourth time you said sorry for tonight." Sendoh muttered an 'Oh' before nodding briefly. But he was simply curious and so he decided to continue.

"Fourth? Really- I was not aware…" And he scratched the side of his cheek, somewhat contemplating on what the other said. "Well, sorry then- oops!" A cheeky grin.

"Fifth." And Rukawa rolled his blue eyes- his lips almost tugging upward.

Sendoh simply chuckled softly. "I'm beginning to wonder if you're The Count of Sesame Street." And he chuckled some more.

Rukawa simply snorted- almost amused at what has been described of him. "More like, the Grouch." He tried to humor himself. Sendoh laughed- causing for the others to glance probably at him. "That's a good one, Rukawa-kun...calling yourself the 'Grouch' of Shohoku." More suppressed laughter. 'Well what do you know, Rukawa seems like a normal teenager after all.' Sendoh thought amusedly.

'Weird. Sendoh Akira is weird. Funny and tolerably weird.' He too, felt weird- suddenly feeling all too casual and familiar with the Ace of Ryonan and he yet has to know on why is that so. He shook his head lightly and decided to just get something inside his handbag. His iPod. He decided he'd just listen to random music. The next few minutes were spent in silence but Rukawa wasn't sure as to why he felt his lips tugging slightly upward while looking outside the window. His restlessness, gone. Must be the weather outside? The soft, chair his back has been leaning on? The random music playing onto his ears perhaps? Or probably because of someone beside him and the pouch of Skittles he seemed not to notice that he's been holding on for a few minutes.

'Osaka… can't you just be in the next ten minutes?' But, he doesn't really seem to mind now.

TBC