Title: Lost & Found

Chapter: 3/15

Author: Yukijorou

Genre: Pre-Yaoi

Paring: Ru + Some girl (Fuyuzawa Miyabi), Yaoi pairing later.

Rating: PG

Archive: SDBC, soon-to-be in Homepage.

Disclaimer: SD Original Characters belong to Takehiko Inoue (Ultimate Tensai. -_-)

Warning: None, really. Otherwise, not-nice-writing.



1 Chapter 3: Behind that Mask of Ice

Haruko witnessed their reunion, and a tear trickled down her face, her body trembling with anger as well as grief. Rukawa was never interested in another girl. Sakuragi happened to walk by and saw her tears. "Haruko-san." "Sakuragi-kun!" Crying selflessly, she lunged into the arms of the red- head, who was shocked. His crush on her had passed, but he was still one of her best friends. "Daijoubu. Don't be like this." He sighed, not knowing what to do next. In fact, he still did not figure out what happened in the first place. "Ru. Rukawa-kun."

"What happened to him?" Sakuragi's expression was still shocked, and felt rather antsy.

"He. Miyabi-san. They love each other." Haruko sniffled softly.

"NANI? I thought that his heart is made of ice." Sakuragi let Haruko huddle closer. If this had happened before, he would have been delirious with joy. But now. he felt only sympathy for the weeping girl, and he felt confusion. Kitsune with Miyabi-san? How come they reunited so quickly after a whole day of icy looks to each other?

"This is called Love, Sakuragi Hanamichi," his inner voice had said. "Haruko-san. don't be so depressed. this is for his own good."

"Nani?" Haruko looked at him, teary-eyed. He gulped, not wanting to say anymore, but he had to, otherwise, Haruko would get more upset in the future. "Rukawa and Miyabi-san are meant to be together. I heard that he had been unfeeling, cold, whatever, but he found Love. He did. He'll be happier now. Don't you agree?" Sakuragi looked serious, and he knew that if the Gundam was there right now, they would definitely laugh their heads off.

Haruko nodded and smiled at him, wiping her eyes. "Arigato, Sakuragi-kun. I feel better now. Arigato. E? Gomen ne!" She realized that she had been disgracing herself and stepped back from Sakuragi. "I didn't mean it."

"I don't mind. What's wrong with lending a shoulder to cry on for a friend?" The red-haired man smiled and turned to walk away. "C'mon. I'll take you home if you want to." Haruko gladly accepted and walked side-by- side with him, but still silent all the way.

Sakuragi was disturbed by the fact that Rukawa knew love all along. That baka kitsune, always hiding behind that fake, furry mask. Grinning at that thought, he entered his own home after sending Haruko home. "Hana-chan! Baka baka baka!" a female voice rang in his ears, and my, did it made him mad. "Ore wa TENSAI! Baka? Jodan desu ka, Doi-chan?"

"Don't call me DOI! Aho. Namae wa Tsukiko NE." the girl snorted. Sakuragi sweatdropped. "Hai, hai. Doi-chan." The girl chased him all over the house and their mother watched them, smiling. Like her son, Mrs. Sakuragi had beautiful red hair, and it was silky and fine, especially for a middle-aged woman like herself. Sakuragi Tsukiko, at fourteen, was the do'aho's sister.

"TEME! Yu-chan, WHAT do'aho? I'm the TENSAI!"

"Hana! Stop talking with the author! You baka. You stole my chips!" Tsukiko's face was flushed, and she crossed her arms expectantly. Sakuragi stifled a yawn. "Yeah. whatever. You never wrote your name on your chips, how would I know? Ever though I'm a Tensai, I'm not a saint, you know." "Got rid of that Tensai business for half an hour and help do the housework!" Tsukiko gave up arguing and went to her room.

The next day was dull and gloomy, and the sky was overcast with dark clouds. It would rain anytime, and students were hurrying home as soon as school was dismissed. Except for a certain bunch of very tall guys and another certain bunch of very tall guys. "Long time no see, Sendoh-kun," Miyabi smiled at him, catching the gravity-defying crowned young man by surprise. "Miyabi desu. Moshi moshi? I only saw you only last week. Ba.ka." the girl was clearly annoyed and Rukawa stared at him murderously. That hentai knew HIS Miya-chan? How could he?

"Miya-chan! You know that hentai?" Rukawa said in a monotone. Miyabi nodded slightly. "Sendoh-kun is my half-brother. You don't know that already?" "Sokka. He is. HUH?" Rukawa raised an eyebrow. The whole Ryonan team looked at Rukawa and applaused. The whole Shohoku team sweatdropped. Sakuragi made a face. "Rukawa has a-spoken more than three words. Deserves encouragement," Sendoh smiled charmingly, which ended up forcing Rukawa to kick his butt. Everyone blinked at Sendoh, who was sprawled on the floor.

Miyabi slapped her forehead. "Matte kudasai! This is only a coincidence. So, heh, let's get on with the game, minna!" Rukawa smiled warmly at her, and she walked towards him and whispered into his ear, "Ganbatte, Kae- chan.". Then again, everyone looked shocked. "I'm going to have a heart- attack anytime soon." Aya sighed, directing at Rukawa. "And you look nicer when you smile. Do that more. Now let's start!"

The game started, and the three women start on the bench watching. "You and Rukawa are back together, right?" Aya looked at Miyabi, who was distracted while looking at the game. Haruko was silent and stared at her shoelaces. Miyabi put an arm around Haruko, which startled her. "Gomen ne. Haruko-san. I." "Maa. You two are fated to each other, no doubt. There's nothing I could do about it." Haruko gave her a smile, hiding her sadness in her heart. Miyabi patted her back and gave her another smile before continuing to cheer for Shohoku.

Shohoku won in the end, 89 to 87, which Sakuragi made that last dunk. Rukawa scored 16 points more than Sakuragi, and the two squabbled yet again. "Those two never change." Ayako sweatdropped.

~OWARI~

Author's Notes: I own Sakuragi Tsukiko. *evil smile*

People have commented that they LIKE Tsukiko. ^_^

Find out WHY in Chapter 6! O.o;;