Author: Crystal Arie
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Hanamichi Sakuragi and Kaede Rukawa
Disclaimers: I don't own Slam Dunk. It belongs to Takehiko Inoue.
CHAPTER SEVEN
"Hah?" Hanamichi instantly stilled at that reply.
Yohei patted his shoulder and said gently, "Remember what you said at the ramen house? If you spoke to him like you usually do, you don't like him. But, if you talk to him differently, you like him."
"Aa." Hanamichi affirmed.
"Well," Yohei looked away, saying, "You DIDN"T talk to him, which counts for talking to him DIFFERENTLY, and in conclusion, you..."
Hanamichi's eyes dulled. "...like him?" He whispered faintly.
Yohei nodded and gave his friend an encouraging smile. "Maa...it's okay. Rest up. You had a long day, both physically and mentally." With that, he left, leaving Hanamichi to stand there at the center of the court.
Everything that happened after that seemed to pass by in a blur. He remembered Haruko-chan helping him clean the gym, him agreeing to see her tomorrow, and assuring her that he could finish cleaning up, so she could go home early. She seemed uncertain at first to leave him, but after a while, she smiled and nodded, thanking Hanamichi and telling him that he did a great job.
Finally alone and drained, Hanamichi lay down on the gym, his form spread out, his face looking up at the ceiling. He sighed and thought back on what Yohei said. He closed his eyes and murmured, "So...I'm gay...ka?"
He exhaled and closed his eyes as he tried his best to relax his system into accepting the new fact. He chuckle. 50 break-ups, and now being gay...life couldn't get any stranger than this.
He smiled and saw the kitsune's face in front of him. He reached out and gently ran his fingers along the raven-haired boys' smooth cheek, all the while whispering his own poem as he stared transfixed at the face.
Hair as soft and cool as the wind,
Lips that gently kiss my own with love,
And a beautiful soul that has no end..."
He moved his finger along the shape of the kitsune's lips and marveled at how soft and warm they seemed under his touch. He smiled. "So, I like you, eh?"
"Do'aho..." Came the gentle reply.
Hanamichi's eyes widened at that, his arm slackened, and his body became tense, as he stared up at the form looming above him. He swallowed and gasped out, "Ki-kitsune?"
Kaede raised an elegant brow. "Aa?"
Hanamichi reached out and grasped Kaede's arm. Faintly, he whispered, "You're...real?" He asked in disbelief.
Kaede gave Hanamichi a weird look. "Aa."
"AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" Hanamichi screamed, jumping to his feet and glared at his rival while blushing. He struggled to breathe. Oh God...he felt sick. He just touched the kitsune, recited a stupid sappy poem about him, and- he scratched his head in annoyance. He looked at Rukawa and stuttered out, "Na-na-na-I mean, what are you doing here?! It's-" He checked his watch and continued. "10:15! You're not suppose to be here!"
Rukawa straightened his form and walked towards Hanamichi in a predatory way. He grinned slyly as his eyes traveled up and down the redheads' body. "Actually, I was going to ask you that question."
"What-"Hanamichi felt his voice disappear as he took a step back every time the kitsune took one towards him. He swallowed nervously and looked around for a way out. He saw that there was none. He nearly cried out. Oh great! I'm stuck with HIM! Help me, Kami-sama! He looked at Rukawa's face and tried to stall him. "So, ano...oh yeah! How was the training camp in Shizuoka?"
"Fine." Rukawa didn't stop walking forward.
Hanamichi tried again. "Uh...wa-was Josei really hard to beat?"
"Not really."
"Ah-how many points did you score by yourself in all 3 games?"
"79."
"So, ummm...aren't you tired or something?"
"Iie."
Hanamichi's back made contact with the wall, and he jumped at the feel of cold metal on his skin. He watched Rukawa warily as he continued walking lazily towards him. He felt his knees buckle. God... He watched the moonlight hit Rukawa's face and felt his breath escape. His eyes felt weird. Even i this kind of situation, he still manages to look cool, composed, and... He groaned, feeling dizzy all of a sudden.
"Ru-Rukawa..." Hanamichi gasped out.
Rukawa smiled gently, and reached out to caress Hanamichi's face. "Kaede."
"Kaede..." Hanamichi felt his mind clouding up until he couldn't think straight. Oh God, I REALLY like him after all. He felt Kaede brush his knuckles along his jaw line, as the other hand held his chin and tilted it.
"Hanamichi..." Kaede whispered as if it was a song, and brought the redheads' face closer to his as he stepped forward, chest touching chest. Hanamichi closed his eyes as Kaede kissed his cheek. "I missed you."
"Ho-honto?" Hanamichi asked, cheeks tainted red.
"Aa." Kaede hugged the warm body to his and asked seriously, "Hanamichi...I want to know something before we continue."
"Continue?" Hanamichi lifted his head off Kaede's shoulder as he drew back.
Kaede looked at the hazel brown eyes and felt his heart stop. He wanted nothing to do but kiss the do'aho senseless, knowing that the redhead liked him back, but he knew that he had to ask him first. "Are you..."He blushed and tried again. "I-I mean, I found out that I am and I don't want to force you into it if you aren't, and I...like you, so...are...you...?" He blushed again, failing to complete his question.
Hanamichi watched Kaede quietly, noting how strained his arms and face were. The hands that were on Hanamichi's applied more and more pressure every now and then, and his body was tense. Hanamichi felt his eyes widen. Ever since the first day he met him, Kaede always seemed to get anything he wanted with force. He could have done the exact same thing with Hanamichi, but instead, he asked. Hanamichi smiled lovingly. Ahhh...I really like you...baka kitsune.
Kaede rubbed his head. "Ummm...are...are you..." He blushed harder.
"I am."
Kaede's head snapped up, and he was met with a warm smile. He watched as Hanamichi embraced him, holding their bodies so close to each other that they could feel each other's heart beats. Hanamichi rested his head on Kaede's shoulder and closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth from the other boy. Kaede raised his head. "Hanamichi?"
"You know..." Hanamichi whispered. "We should give each other nick names, don't you agree...Ru-chan?"
"Ru-..." Kaede blinked at that and chuckled, his own arms encircling the do'aho's. "Well then, I'll stick with calling you..." He grinned. "Do'aho."
"Eh?" Hanamichi lifted his head, his mouth shaped in a pout. "Change that, Ru-chan! It's not my name!"
"Demo do'aho is cute."
"It's not! Call me...Hana-kun or something!"
"Hana-kun..." Kaede thought it over, his arms tightening their hold around the redheads' body. He shook his head and smiled. "Nah. I really like do'aho."
Hanamichi groaned. "Fine. Then I'll call you baka kitsune."
"Okay."
"Wait! I wasn't seriou-mphf!" Hanamichi's sentence was cut off as Kaede's lips landed on his.
TBC