A/N: I just had a hard time uploading the previous chapter. I'm kind of new to this version of FFnet; I honestly don't know if anyone knows of this plot of mine ^_^—seems no one's reading (not that I'm overly bothered about it) Still, keen on putting an end to this long, & weird story. Oh and btw, I don't have a beta-reader. Its not that I am confident of my proficiency, (actually, I'm not) I just thought that there aren't many people writing & reading fictions nowadays (unlike before) kind of the fandoms been long and gone already. Anyway, here's the third instalment.

Disclaimer: SD is not mine and will never be. Songs, etc mentioned here are not mine as well...

Chapter 3

You lift my heart up
When the rest of me is down
You, you enchant me, even when you are not around
If there are boundaries, I will try to knock them down
I'm latching on them
Now I know what I have found…

-Latch, Sam Smith

He felt his head somewhat bumped onto the window—causing his lids to fluttered a bit; eyes still a bit hazy; trying to focus- his ears clearly hearing the song being played on his iPod… the soothing and clear voice of the singer- being accompanied by a piano in the background. Rukawa opened his blurry eyes into a final stare straight ahead. The first instinct was to look at his watch. He did so and the time read, 11:00 pm. He was quite surprised that he was able to take a nap by about an hour or so. He straightened his almost slouched position, and took a peak outside—still endless darkness and a few houses with tall lampposts illuminated amidst the blackness and the soft downpour of snowflakes. He looked to his left only to find the seat beside him…. Empty.

Has he been dreaming? He thought he was just sitting beside someone a while ago. Rukawa couldn't help but to slowly tilt his head and peek into the small slit to where he was currently sitting on. From the small space he could took notice of the other sleeping forms of his team mates. Sakuragi was snoring beside Miyagi, both of their heads almost touching each other- Sakuragi still has a drool on his mouth. Rukawa shuddered. 'Gross…' He tried to peek some more and saw the others also sleeping peacefully. Ayako & Haruko were sleeping comfortably, Uozumi too- although Akagi, his Captain seems to be reading something on his tablet. Kogure-sempai has his head on the window, eyes being obscured by his fringes. Beside him, his Mitsui-sempai, mouth slightly parted has his head tilted on the seat- a handkerchief covered on his face- arms tucked together. He could not hear of the others, from his view he saw the other Ryonan members also enjoying their peaceful sleep…except for Fukuda. He seems to be playing a game on his portable player, ears tucked in by a famous brand of headset. 'He looks serious...' Rukawa can't help but to inwardly thought.

His wandering eyes was broken momentarily when the door from the train that adjoins the other cab opened and what greeted his sight was his seatmate. Sendoh walked with careful steps, keen on not disturbing the other sleeping guys. Rukawa returned his gaze up front and pretended to be browsing on his iPod, scrolling randomly on his list of songs. He noticed that he has not been updating his lists for quite some time and came up with a resolve that he would do so once he gets back.

Someone plopped down on the previously empty seat… he did not need to look to know who was that.

"Oh you're awake already, Rukawa-kun…" A low and almost bedroom voice greeted him. Rukawa simply looked back at the owner of those voice, he honestly did not somewhat caught what the latter said to him- the volume of the song on his ears obviously took over his ability to hear… he pulled one ear-bud away but one can still fully hear what song was playing.

"What's that?"

Sendoh rolled his eyes in amusement. "I said, you've waked already." The latter simply shrugged, and just continued to scroll down randomly at his list of songs. He wanted to seemingly ask something like 'Where have you been?' but he kept those words at bay. It's not something he would dare ask, would he? They were not even teammates to begin with… the feeling of starting a possible conversation is not something 'familiar' to him. Sometimes he would prefer that questions just be thrown at him—so that he knows specifically what to respond. Sendoh seemed not the type of guy who would want questions thrown at him- well, Rukawa at least thought so. 'I wouldn't know… he seems the type to talk a lot about random things.'

"You should not really turn it up so high you know…" It was Sendoh. Rukawa looked at his taller seatmate and slightly cocked his head to the right.

"Used to it…" A shrugged. Is Sendoh actually trying to 'tell' him the pros & cons of listening to high volume of music? He could almost went bug-eyed.

"I kinda noticed that—while you were sleeping a while back, I could honestly hear the songs being played." A grin. "Its just that maybe you should turn it down a bit you know, it's bad for the ears just so you're not aware." A plain shrugged- but eyes hinted faintly of genuine concern. When he saw the stoic kid having no response, "…well, not that I'm trying to pry on your preferences-!" Sendoh almost said as if to defend his reasoning.

"No, its okay…yeah… you're actually right. I, uh, thanks." He responded with his usual monotone voice. A small nod. Rukawa understood. He basically knows of this but old habits just die hard and maybe listening to high music at high volume is one of them. He found himself scrolling down the volume to minimum.

"So… where'd you go." He finally was able to blurt it out- he was quite surprised when he said that. 'Great, look who sounds prying now' he inwardly scolded himself. Sendoh seems to be looking at his own phone- scrolling something as well but he heard the other clearly. It was a question. "The other cabin: Kainan & Shoyo." A smile. Hearing no reaction, he decided to continue. "I'm actually getting a bit sleepy already just by looking at you and the others. You're all dozing off- I can't actually bear not to feel sleepy as well…" A soft chuckle.

"Then why don't you just sleep?" It was more of a statement. Rukawa inwardly slapped himself. 'Shut your trap. Why suggest anyway? It's none of your concern.'

"Because, if I sleep now- when we get to the camp, I won't be able to sleep again. Not really used to sleeping while having trips. And for sure, when we get there, I don't think they'll be asking us to form groups and play ball now, don't you think. I sure wouldn't- you guys could play all you want under the snow, I'd ignore you all & just sleep." A soft chuckled followed. Sendoh obviously stated the obvious but he was not sure if the latter knew of this, nonetheless he was just keen on stating his reason. 'Rukawa sure is… cute.'

Cute. The first word he used to described his stoic and younger rival from another school. Obviously he doesn't know what other words he could use to describe the blue-eyed boy of Shohoku at that given moment. He shrugged off his other thoughts.

"Probably." A nod. Rukawa took note of the older guys point. Well, good for him because he could still sleep even if he's taken a nap already or so, it's one of his few characteristics—the ability to just sleep without effort is something he only possess amongst other players. He returned gazing back outside the windows- in a few minutes, they will be reaching Osaka. Rukawa involuntarily felt chills—must be the temperature outside. He unconsciously happened to have scrolled upwards his iPod causing for the volume to increase. He noticed that the snowflakes outside seemed to fall in doubles. Then he thought of Christmas… Truth is, he still hasn't get anything. True, he's thinking of giving something to his teammates- not that it's mandatory, but he would at least want to try to get them a small token. He was obviously thinking what to give them all this coming holidays… He silently remembered that Sendoh has gifts to wrap- or so he thinks. 'I wonder what he's going to give to his teammates though.' He inwardly sighed, suddenly bothered by the fact that he still has other things to do… He seems to have took notice of the soft and melodic lyrics that has been playing on his ears—a familiar song that has been on the routinely played list… Not that he thought of anything of related to the song… he just thought the soothing voice is making a calm effect on him. 'Just like him…' Rukawa did not know where his second thought came from. But he did admit that the latter did possess this so-called calming-effect. 'Weird.'

I'm so enraptured, got me wrapped up in your touch.
Feel so enamoured, hold me tight within your clutch.
How do you do it, you got me losing every breath.
What did you give me, to make my heart beat out my chest…

-Latch, Sam Smith

Sendoh's mind was blank for a few minutes. He wants to do something. 'Like…basketball perhaps.' He inwardly chuckled to himself. It was getting a bit cold already, he zipped up his jacket to his neck and sighed softly. He honestly can't wait to get off the train. He's been sitting for an hour inside the luxurious train- eyes absently focused on the TV in front of him. It's some movie called 'The Giver' – a sci-fi romance movie. He has been watching the whole film for 45 minutes already, his focused has been entirely on the movie; he actually thought the movie was boring at first—but it actually was interesting. It tells of a story about a seemingly perfect community, without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice, a young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man about the true pain and pleasure of the "real" world. Sendoh was about to open his mouth to ask something, and when he turned to his right to do so, there he saw his younger seatmate—eyes closed, lips partly opened, softly breathing, and in deep slumber; his head against the window… he took noticed of the volume of Rukawa's music—it was tuned up in high that he, Sendoh could actually hear what song was playing. 'Sleepy head.' He can't help but to smile. He looked at the back to take a glimpse of the others and saw them actually doing the same…

'Great, everyone's dead already.' He inwardly joked. He shook his head and as if remembering something, got up from his seat to go over the other cabin at the back- to where Kainan & Shoyo where. He was practically bored. He could almost sleep but refrained himself from doing so. He walked softly so as not to disturbed the others when he caught a glimpse of Akagi, Shohoku's Captain staring at him. Sendoh smiled back- waved a hand and walked on. The Captain was reading something on his tablet. 'Technology sure knows how to pre-occupy a boring soul.' But not him, probably.

The door automatically sensed someone standing in front of it as it gave way and opened soundlessly. As if there was rendezvous waiting to happen, his eyes were met with two familiar pairs. Sendoh's both brows arched up- a smile instantly crept its way onto his handsome features. Just as the two pairs of eyes did so, too. It was Maki Shinichi & Kenji Fujima, obviously they were seatmates &… probably something else. Sendoh couldn't bring himself to ask these two, but he's been hearing a few rumours. He just thought that it's really not his business. 'Whatever it is… best of luck.' He inwardly reprimand himself not to think of other thoughts he's not acquainted at.

"Hey, what's up." It was Kenji Fujima- his voice clear but soft; obviously not wanting to disturbed his other sleeping team mates as well. Hanagata stared briefly at Sendoh and could only wonder what does the Ace of Ryonan wants.

"Hi…" Sendoh found himself a vacant seat across the two- glancing slightly at his left to see a sleeping Kiyota Nobunaga.

"Bored?" Maki asked, his eyes full of unidentified glint. Maki actually finds Sendoh very interesting; in the sense that he could only wonder how on Earth a 17-year old boy who possesses awesome skills in basketball could easily be bored. Yes, he sees boredom in the latter's eyes. Sendoh simply grinned.

"You know me, Maki-san." He responded lowly, an affirmative nod followed. If there's one thing Maki wants to say at that moment—he want Sendoh to know that he would have love to see Ryonan team go to the IH with them. He kept that at bay. They were there when Shohoku & Ryonan battled it out as if their lives were at stake, and he, Maki almost wished that Ryonan should have won. He believes that it's rare nowadays to actually come across one talented player such as Sendoh himself. He would have love to see him go against Sannoh or Toyotama. It's not like he dislikes Shohoku- he actually finds the other team interesting as well, especially those two 'twin' towers they have. Maki sighed wistfully earning an inquiry from someone beside him.

"What?" Kenji Fujima asks. Maki simply shrugged. He then turned to Sendoh and tilt his head slightly- his eyes boring into the other's cobalt blue. "How have you guys been?" Sendoh shrugged. Truth is, there's more to the question; almost like asking 'What do you plan now after losing to Shohoku?' But, past is past and Sendoh thought that they- he has quite moved on. 'A game is a game- someone's got to win and someone's got to lose.' He sighed and smiled genuinely. Shohoku has been hot on the grill this season- they are full of surprises. Sendoh honestly wants to see them play on the IH- he made a resolve at that moment that he will do so; 'Wonder what kind of tactics he'll display?' He inwardly chuckle- amused at his own train of thoughts.

"We're good- training for the Winter Tournament; probably early next year. How about you? IH is already in February." The spiky-haired replied.

"Well, probably same as Shohoku—we've been running everyday." Maki replied.

"You guys should at least have a break, you know." Fujima butted in. Obviously he wants to remind them of the holiday season. Maki nodded at him. Fujima grinned. Sendoh was amused. Really. These two… he could honestly see something else and it's been happening right before his eyes- if he were another guy, he'd be freaked out but… suddenly being dawned with an understanding, he smiled as he was able to probably witness something he almost thought of not capable of happening. 'And so it's true then…'

"Something funny, Sendoh?" Fujima asks, a grin on his young feature. Sendoh shook his head. "Nope, nothing important Fujima-san." Fujima simply rolled his eyes.

"So, what of the others in your cabin?" It was still Fujima.

"They're all asleep, apparently, like most everyone here." Sendoh replied.

"Well, it's an evening trip so to speak… by the way, who are you sitting with? Uozumi-san?" Fujima inquired. Maki was looking at him with interest.

"No, I'm afraid not- he's with Akagi-san." Sendoh sheepishly smiled.

"Oh- Fukuda then?"

Sendoh still shook his head. "Hikoichi-kun?" Another shook of the head. Fujima's brows furrowed slightly, quite disturbed with the fact that he can't seem to guess it right. 'Who could it be?' Not that it deemed of utmost importance, he's just mightily curious. Sendoh softly chuckled. He wants to humour those two.

"Sleeping Beauty. I'm with Sleeping Beauty." He grinned mischievously. Obviously the look on Fujima's eyes is not helping him get any further clues. "A girl? Oh, must be the manager of Shohoku! What's her name again?" Fujima almost tugged at Maki's arm. Maki looked from Kenji to Sendoh and… well, he knew instantly who Sendoh has been referring to. He almost want to ask 'how come' but he kept the question at bay—shaking his head lightly, a small smile on his lips, he replied back…

"Interesting. And here I am almost thinking how it's like if the two of you would be in one team? I should worry, shouldn't I, Sendoh?" Maki stated while still having the glint in his eyes. Sendoh simply shrugged.

"I honestly haven't thought about it… I mean, it'll be cool… I supposed." Sendoh sighed and somewhat slouched on the seat. And true to his words, he has not really thought about it- but now given that statement, Sendoh wondered the 'what ifs'.

"No fair—I don't get what you guys are talking. I'm asking whose Sendoh's seatmate was and then you guys went with the Fairy Tales?" Fujima almost looked as if he was a girl who got dumped or something. Sendoh laughed softly. Maki grinned a bit.

"Oi, so who's with you? The manager of Shohoku?"

"No- no, Fujima-san… just-!"

"Sleeping Beauty, Kenji. He's with Sleeping Beauty." There was almost a subtle way as he spoke the name 'Kenji' on his lips, and Sendoh thought he saw that.

"Well then- go back to your cabin and wake her up with a kiss!" Fujima grinned. Sendoh was surprised Fujima pulled off a statement like that. 'I guess he did not quite get who I am referring to.'

"I'm afraid that is not an option." Maki stated, "Right, Sendoh?" The Ryonan Ace simply shrugged- a smile still plastered on his lips.

"Probably not." He grinned slightly.

"You still haven't told me your seatmate." Fujima is getting impatient and that is where Sendoh simply decided to just blurt it out as if it's not really a big deal. 'Is it not?'

"Rukawa Kaede of Shohoku."

Silence.

"Oh, so he's the Sleeping Beauty we're talking about?" Fujima rolled his eyes. "Funny that you two get to be seatmates when you're obviously sworn enemies on court." Fujima grin. Sendoh shrugged. He doesn't really consider anyone an enemy; they're like his… colleagues in a way. And Rukawa is… well, he must admit that Rukawa is a bit different from the others- he likes to consider him as his younger protégé. 'Sendoh Jr.' He inwardly chuckled. The image of a young, pale, and somewhat slender blue-eyed glaring boy from Shohoku—with a spiked hair. Sendoh almost grinned.

"Weird. You guys are seatmates." Fujima chuckled.

"I don't see anything weird with that though, right Sendoh?" It was Maki.

"Probably. Heh." And Sendoh grinned to both of them. He somewhat stretched his long limbs and puffed some air. "I think I gotta get back…"

"Sleeping Beauty needs to wake?" Fujima asks coyly. He has this grin on his face- his eyes almost hinting with mischievous glint just like Maki's. Sendoh absent-mindedly scratched his head. "No—not really, I'm not sure…haha."

"We'll see you in camp, Sendoh. I don't know the rules yet- but I heard they are going to divide us all in pairs. Something like that." Maki said a bit informatively. Sendoh nodded his head, obviously a piece of information was given to him and he was a bit thankful. 'Pairs?' He still wanted to ask a lot of follow-up questions but decided that it could wait, he took note of the time and saw that there's less than 30 minutes left and its Osaka already. He too, needs to get some sleep. He feels as if that this camp is going to be a long one. He yawned, suddenly feeling a bit sleepy as well.

'Well, they could always pair me with anyone.' He inwardly thought to himself. As he nodded his goodbye and thanks, he silently went back to where his original place was. The door opened and he's not just quite sure if it was indeed sleeping beauty that he saw looking back at him. He smiled.

'Looking for me, perhaps?' Sendoh thought that it was something he thinks of as…nice.

TBC

A/N: I realized that I've taken almost 3 chapters focusing mainly on while inside the train. Ugh. Sorry. I would very much appreciate if someone would tell me if I should just—skip on the details? But I seriously intended for this to be a progression fic. BTW, I don't think I'll be able to do much of writing the other SD characters/possible pairings/and their thoughts- I'm afraid I will be focusing mainly on SenRu… I'll try to put on a few paragraphs though- If I can. Sorry for the poor grammar.