Title: Struggle

Part: 20/?

Author: Issei

Genre: Yaoi

Paring: MitHanaRu… up to you to decipher!

Rating: PG

Archive: Sdfic ML and Jem's homepage!

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2 Please ignore any typo errors/ gammer mistakes.

Disclaimer: the characters do not belong to me……dun sue!!

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Warning: The characters may be OOC.

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5 Hello everyone!!! The fic had finally touch the twentieth chapter…*amazed*…hmm didn't think this fic had been that long…^^;;; and to those of you who have been following this all the while a very big thank you for your support… this chapter is specially dedicated to you!

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7 Words in * * is action

8 Words in ^ ^ is character's thoughts

Words in [ ] refer to the setting

Words in ( ) are words by writer…^_______^

8.1 Chapter 20

Rukawa packed his bag after some two hours of training. The sun was already setting outside. The blazing yellowing sun was crimson red and the sky was dyed pink. The last rays of the evening sun entered the glass windows of the basketball court and the court became brightly illuminated.

Rukawa rested on one of the makeshift bench, catching his breathe and watching Hanamichi shoot.

Rukawa: ^Is he really a tensai? ^

Rukawa could not help but wonder. The very guy before him had appeared to master the skill of shooting from where he was standing and almost every shoot goes into the basket. This would have been impossible for anyone to master in 2 two days

Rukawa: ^But he had done that before. ^

Rukawa exhausted eventually left the court, but not without saying good- bye.

Rukawa: Oi, I am leaving.

Hanamichi: Erm…

Mitsui: Ja…

Hanamichi: Erm…

Hanamichi gave him halfhearted replies. He was simply too focus on shooting. His whole mind and body was concentrated on shooting and nothing else. The imagery of the ball falling into net played repeatedly in his mind. And it was his aim to let what he saw happen.



The sky was already getting darker. The blazing red sun was no longer burning, instead its rays felt comfortable and gentle. The sky was no longer only pink but a fine blend of navy blue, purple and pink. Rukawa rode along the streets, asleep as usual with a pair of headphones over his head. He was dreaming of a world, a world where all dreams are granted.



When the darkness of the night eventually invaded the day, a certain guy walked towards the basketball court. Walking silently like a cat, he adjusted his bag pack. He pulled his woollen jackets closer to his body as if that would make him feel warmer. He rubbed his hands and tried to warm them by breathing into them. Finally, he reached the court. The loud echo of ball bouncing could still be heard.

Mitsui: ^I knew it! He is definitely in there. ^

Mitsui pulled open the sliding doors to see a lone person shooting on the court. Mitsui's eyes widen with terror and stared horrified at the scene in front of him.

Mitsui: Just what are you trying to do?

Hanamichi: Micchy? Why are you here?

Mitsui: That was terrible! I had never since such a horrible posture for a three point shot! You are doing it all wrong.

Mitsui who is an expert at taking three-pointer takes pride in his ability to execute them almost perfectly. In fact, to himself, his shots were perfect. And now upon seeing Hanamichi throw with all his might at the basket is a totally horrifying sight and he could not believe his eyes.

Hanamichi: Who are you referring to? Me? The tensai?

Mitsui: Yes, that was a really ugly posture and please don't do that again.

Hanamichi: But I am practising how to do a three point.

Mitsui: You will never get it if you do it this way!

Hanamichi: But I must do it! I have a challenge with the fox!

Mitsui: Challenge?

Hanamichi: Well, he says that I will never beat him if I can't master three- point. And I am going to prove him wrong and beat him to pulp!

Mitsui: Well…keep trying.

Hanamichi: What are you doing here by the way?

Mitsui: ^To see you^ I left some stuff in the locker.

Mitsui: How is it between you and Rukawa?

Hanamichi shifted about, and stammered a reply

Hanamichi: Well, I guess we are friends. I don't hate him anymore, but I still want to beat him!

There was silence between the two guy but Mitsui broke the ice.

Mitsui: Say, how about me helping you. If you want to learn three-pointer, you have an expert in front of you. *Grins*

Hanamichi: You?

Mitsui: Why, I am best you can find in the whole state!

Hanamichi: Haha…Jin and that short goggles guy still exist remember.

Mitsui: Well, I am sure I am better…Maybe Jin will beat me, but that shortie! What an insult!

Hanamichi: Haha, me the tensai will also beat you some day!

Mitsui: No, you will never, not without my help. Offer's still up for grabs.

Hanamichi: No, me the tensai will be fine by myself!

Mitsui: Well, fine then.

Feeling disappointed and dejected, Mitsui walked towards the changing room. He had thought he would be able to spent more time with Hanamichi. Yes, he can stand by the door of the basketball court from morning to night, but to find an opportunity to talk to Hanamichi without having to hide was rare.

After the fiftieth try from the three-point line, which either landed on the board or the rim or nothing at all. Hanamichi was actually thinking of Mitsui's proposal. It was not a bad idea and if Mitsui is willing to teach him, he will be able to learn it very quickly since he is the tensai. But, he the tensai has to learn from someone else, this thought was not very appealing indeed. Yet he wanted so badly to wipe the smirk off the face of the fox, and he knew that if he was to do it alone, he will take forever. Moreover, all the shooting he had learned had been taught by someone, so what is the harm. After all, he was going to beat him with his own skills.

Hanamichi: ^Maybe I should take up his offer…^

Hanamichi decided that was all for the day, he had been training all day and it was already 6 p.m. (Sunsets early in winter) feeling his stomach growl, Hanamichi picked up his towel and headed for the changing room.



[Changing room]

Hanamichi: You are still around? I thought you had gone back.

Mitsui: It is too cold outside, want to defrost before I go out again.

Hanamichi: I see…Erm…Erm…about…Erm…

Hanamichi find it difficult to bring up his request after he had so smugly claim that he was a tensai and totally rejected the idea.

Mitsui: Yes?

Hanamichi: Erm… I was wondering if your offer is still available.

Mitsui: Offer? What offer?

Hanamichi: The three-

Mitsui: Oh, you mean that. *Recalls *

Hanamichi: So?

Mitsui: Sure. *brighten up*

Hanamichi: Me the tensai will learn it so quickly I will amaze you.

Mitsui: Haha, we will see.

Hanamichi: Say I treat you to dinner and you teach me three-pointer? Then we are even.

Mitsui: ^But I don't want you to repay with a dinner…only^ *stands and wonder, frowning slightly*

Hanamichi: Micchy, have you come to a decision, you have been standing there like a status for the past five minutes.

Mitsui: Have I? *Slightly embarrassed*

Hanamichi: So, are you coming? *Irritated* ^Why do he have to think so long about eating dinner with the tensai? He doesn't want to teach? ^

Mitsui: Sure.



[Outside school]

Hanamichi: Where do you want to have your dinner?

Mitsui: Anywhere will do.

Hanamichi: Then let's just settle for the Danny's. The food there is cheap and good!

Mitsui: All right.

The two boys walked into the dark of the night with the stars and moon cheering for Mitsui not to give up.

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To be continued…

Mitsui: Do I have to really teach that idiot three–pointer?

Hanamichi: Who are you calling idiot? I am the tensai you know!

Mitsui: Yah…when you beat Rukawa…

Hanamichi: Will I get to beat the fox?

Issei: I don't know…

Hanamichi: What do you mean by "I don't know"? *Killer glare*

Issei: Erm…erm…sorry I have to go…*runs away*

^^;;;

A moment of silliness…gomen… well hope all of you have enjoyed that and do C&C!!

Issei_kun_@hotmail.com