Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applied. Excerpt below is taken from the song Cherry Lips, by Garbage.

PART 11: THE SEDUCTION OF THE SEDUCER.

Maki came into the court with newfound determination, with strong will and great confidence. It's Maki, the Kainan captain that made everyone more focused on their game. His appearance gave Kainan the much needed boost. And in no time at all, Kainan managed to catch up with Shohoku.

But Rukawa was unstoppable. He treated the game as the IH final, giving everyone his best. The man practically ran amuck, scoring points after points. General Takatoh had decided to put three players just to guard Rukawa alone. Strength was not Rukawa's strongest point. But his cunning ability is more than enough to make up for it. He managed to elude the three of them and scored.

"You think your tactic can stop me old man?" Rukawa asked the general quietly, after the magnificent score. "Try again in a million years."

General Takatoh broke his fan.

"Time Out! Kainan!" The referee called, with 10 minutes more to spare. Maki took the opportunity to study Rukawa further, from both physical and tactical point of view.

You're such a delicate boy

In the hysterical realm

Of an emotional landslide

In Physical terms

The fatigue slowly eating the frail-looking boy. Sweat running all over his body. The silky jet-black hair falls nicely on his eyes. Lips slightly parted allowing more air to get in. Rukawa. Behind the determined blue eyes was a calculated mind, thinking on how to reach its objective. Winning the game. Getting the bird. Falling in love.

"Coach, let me guard Rukawa alone." Maki asked for the permission.

"Are you sure Maki-san?" Kiyota asked, worried that the super rookie is not just any rookie anymore. He was… becoming the number one player. And his relationship, or almost-relationship with Maki-san…"He trained with the All-Japan Youth Team."

Maki put his hand around Kiyota's shoulder. "Yes, that is right. But this is not a competition. I am the number One player in Kanagawa and I intend to stay that way." Maki reasoned with his younger teammate, confidently. General Takatoh agreed, still mad at Rukawa for making him loose control.

He's a fox. He acts like a fox. Maki played the scene in his mind again and again… since last Sunday. He was obsessed in finding this man that he almost can predict what will be the man's next move. Dangerous. Maki smiled. But he will fall into the trap.

The game started immediately. In not time at all, Kainan attacked. After five minutes, Kainan successfully reversed the score. 75-73 to Kainan. With five minutes remaining, Maki decided to start executing his plan.

"You do know I still have your shoe right?" Maki asked Rukawa while he guarding him.

Rukawa ignored him.

Maki just smiled. More to come.

"You have big feet. You do know what they said about people with big feet?" Maki continued.

Rukawa ignored him again.

"Although mine is bigger…" Maki tormented the younger boy.

Rukawa replied with a dunk.

It was Kainan ball, but Miyagi managed to steal the ball from Maki and Shohoku quickly counter-attacked. He passed the ball to Rukawa, who was unguarded for one second. Rukawa quickly eluded Kiyota and jumped. He was making a dunk, but Maki intercepted, blocking the younger man with his body. Rukawa was surprised with the block, so he shot the ball before both of them fell on the floor, Maki ended on top of Rukawa. The ball, however, went in.

"Foul! White number 4! Basket-count!"

Maki found himself drowning in the mixture of emotion in the younger boy's blue eyes.

"You know, I kinda like your eyes without the make-up."

"Shut up." And Rukawa pushed him away to get up.

Maki grinned at the reaction. At least he's responding. And he was standing near Rukawa, in the line-up for the rebound. Rukawa prepared to take the basket-throw. He bounced the ball, once, twice. Aimed.

"Go baby go go… aww..we're right behind ya!" Maki sang in low voice.

Shot. It went in.

Twenty-five seconds to go. Shohoku got the ball and attacked the Kainan's zone. Shohoku was leading with 88-87, but they knew they have to widen the gap in order to emerge as a clear winner. Rukawa was dribbling the ball, trying to find a perfect opportunity to elude. He was facing what seems like to be his worst enemy in the world, apart from Sakuragi, Maki.

"I know what you did." Maki whispered.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Rukawa replied.

"Of course you do." Maki grinned. "And I want to continue where we left the other night."

Rukawa was startled. Maki took the opportunity to steal the ball from him and counter-attacked. He quickly got into Shohoku's zone and did a fade-away jump. The ball went in. Now, Kainan was leading 89-88 with ten seconds to go. Miyagi took the ball and they quickly run to Kainan's zone. He passed the ball to Rukawa. Rukawa dribbled once, twice, and ran passed Kiyota.

But now, not only he was facing Maki, he was also facing Jin and he knew Kiyota and another Kainan player were at his back. Four players surrounded him. He was trapped. He decided to jump, having a lean figure helped him to jump high in the confined space. And the four Kainan players jumped with him, hands high up in the air. But instead of doing a dunk, in the mid-air, he changed his position and did a lay-up instead.

The final whistle was heard.

The ball went in.

Everybody turned their attention to the referee. He shook his head. "No point!" From his point of view, Red number 11 was still holding the ball when the time had run out.

A milliseconds too late for Shohoku. Kainan had won with 89-88. Satisfied with the result, Maki turned his attention towards a certain tall, pale, blue-fox eyes boy who at the moment, looking quite rejected, not to mention pissed off because of the loss. He had some unfinished business he needs to…finish.

"You might win the last time around." He smiled, seductively. Rukawa looked up, as if the captain had lost his mind.

"But this time, it's my turn." He continued, nearer.

He took another step forward.

"I want to claim my prize."

He lunged towards Rukawa and gave the startled younger man a deep, passionate kiss. A surprise look was evident on Rukawa's face, making the younger boy froze. Maki took the opportunity to explore more. He ran his hands through Rukawa's wet jersey, feeling and touching every curve on his body, just the way he remembers it. Then, there's also a case with his lips. His cherry lips. The taste of the sweat, the passion, the will. He was with two of things he ever loved. This man, and basketball. And the combination, was just heaven.

Time was standing still. Everyone forgot to do what they supposed to do. Kiyota and Sakuragi forgot to have their usual bickering. Mitsui forgot to feel tired. Akagi forgot to say anything. Jin forgot to stand up. Ayako forgot to write in her book. Miyagi forgot to close his mouth. The spectators forgot to cheer. General Takatoh forgot to fan himself. Even Anzai Sensei forgot his usual ho-ho-ho.

Surprisingly, only Haruko smiled widely. "Rukawa-kun! Way to go!"

Sendoh smiled at Haruko's remark. Way to go! I know this will happen, but to see so much passion between them…

"Why don't you look for me?" Maki broke the kiss.

"I…"Rukawa, unsure of himself, of his luck. Maki is actually here! "I thought you want to forget." He replied in English.

The accent, the voice…it's him!

"Forget this?" He kissed Rukawa again. "In your dreams."

And he continued his assault on Rukawa. A groan escaped from Rukawa's mouth. Maki started to direct his attention to his salty chin, sucking each centimetres of the skin. Everyone practically sweatdropped. How do you tell the Kainan captain and Shohoku Ace to get their own room? Everyone continued to stare. Especially when they're in the middle of their personal battle?

Rukawa pushed Maki away when the older man started to bear his shoulder.

"You know, I always wanted to do it on the court." Rukawa leaned and whispered. "In front of everybody."

Maki realised where he was. As much as he wanted to continue, the time is yet to come. He turned to Jin, who managed to get on his feet, after so many tries.

"Jin..can you...ah!" he stopped when Rukawa came from behind and started to slip his hand underneath the Kainan jersey. "take....ohh... captaincy.." he startled when Rukawa started to run his fingers on his hair.

Rukawa diverted his eyes to Jin without his hands leaving Maki. "Take your time, we gonna be busy."

He then gave Maki the smile. That naughty smile. That lazy smile. That suggestive smile. THAT smile. Rukawa had that twinkle in his eyes that just drove Maki crazy. Maki just scooped the younger man up and practically ran out of the gym.

Meanwhile, Jin looked on the verge of going down for the second time that day. Sakuragi and Kiyota quickly came to his rescue, helping him to stand up.

"Ahh... ah! Thank you."

Akagi started to blink. It was a nightmare watching the ever-quiet troublesome yet popular teammate getting on with none other than the Kainan captain. This is not happening!

"What the hell was that???"

Jin gulped. Maki, you are sooooo gonna pay for this.

-tbc-