1 Even Foxes Fall in Love

By: Abyssynian Sword

Chapter 5

That night, Kaoru was looking at the photos, jerseys and trophies she got

when she is still in junior high. She glanced at the last photo she had with her teammates

during the division championship. A tear trickled down her cheek. "I don't know if I can

play in a championship game again." Someone knocked on her room. "Kaoru, is everything ok?" her mother asked. "Hai." Kaoru replied. "If you need anything__" her mom started. "I'm ok, thanks mom." Kaoru cut. Behind her door, Mrs. Megami looked really sad. "I'll leave you then." The latter said. When Kaoru can no longer hear her footsteps, she collapsed on her bed and cried. "No one in this world will ever understand me." Kaoru said on the empty room. "No one."

The next day at school, Haruko tried to tell Kaoru about what she heard in the doctor's office the other day. Haruko knows it's none of her business but she can't help to see Kaoru sad all the time. She needs to know her problems so that she can help her. Luckily, Kaoru is the first person Haruko saw when she visited her classroom. "Ohayo, Kaoru-san." Haruko greeted. "Ohayo." Kaoru replied. "What have you been doing these past few days?" Haruko asked trying to make a conversation. "Nothing much." Kaoru replied. "Just the same old school stuff." "Don't you want to join the basketball club for girls? We can even make an official team of our own." Suggested Haruko. Surprised, Kaoru dropped her pencil . "Ah-I don't think so." Kaoru said as she picked up what she had dropped. "I plan to join the drama club this year." Kaoru lied.

"Oh, really? That's nice, Kaoru-san." Haruko said cheerfully. The latter stood up. "Well, let me know if you changed your mind." Kaoru nodded. "I will." "See ya." Haruko waved her hand. The latter blew her bangs with a big sigh. " She's so difficult to talk to, how on earth can I let her open up her problems to me?" Haruko asked herself.

Rukawa went to the TBAA office that afternoon. He decided to accept the

association's offer. Sensei Tokairin was happy to know that the former is interested. "What about Megami?" the coach asked. "Don't you two go in the same high school?" Rukawa nodded. "What does she say?" Tokairin asked. "I don't know, it's not like it's any of my business." Rukawa said. Tokairin sighed. "Anyway, tell her were just giving her another two days to decide, after that she can't be included in this year's documentary." The coach said. "I will sensei." Rukawa replied.

That night, Kaoru is deeply engrossed watching two kids play basketball in the park. One can see by looking on her eyes that she loves the game and she has a deep passion in playing it. Kaoru can still remember how she played when she is still in junior high. She made a big sigh. "I feel like I'm pretending to be someone else lately,

I tell people I disdain basketball, but the truth is, I feel like I'm stabbing myself every time I lie to them, and not just to them, I also am lying to myself." Kaoru said. She watched as the little boy stole the ball from his opponent, dribbled it then made a shot. This time, the bigger boy got the ball and he's dribbling it, the latter made a cut and made a successful lay-up. Kaoru sighed. "So much for hating the kiddie sport." Said a voice

behind her. Kaoru looked back and she saw Rukawa standing beside the bleachers. "What are you doing here?" she asked. "This is a public park, I can come here anytime I

want." Rukawa said. Kaoru snorted. "Sorry I asked." Rukawa sat beside her. "Sensei Tokairin wants to know if you'll accept their offer." Rukawa said. Koaru continued to

watch the kids play. "I told you I have no plans to play basketball again." Kaoru said.

"Why? Are you scared to be beaten by better players?" Rukawa asked. " No, I don't care, I hate basketball." Kaoru said. Rukawa stood up. "Liar, you love basketball, Megami, you just don't want to be behind other players." Rukawa said. Kaoru stood up. "What do you know about me? You don't know what I've been going through!" Kaoru said. "Tough." Rukawa said. "As if I care, all I see now is a liar, a two-faced coward." Rukawa said. PAK. Kaoru slapped him. "I'm sorry I'm not what you expect me to be, Kaede Rukawa, I can't just be as good as you are." Kaoru said. She began to leave then she turned around. "Or let's just say as perfect." Kaoru finished.

The Shohoku Basketball team had another practice that afternoon.

Haruko went to the gym to give Akagi his rubber shoes. "Thanks, Haruko." Akagi said.

"Next time, oneechan, you should never leave your shoes at home, good thing this is just a practice game." Haruko said. Akagi smiled. "Don't worry, this will not happen again." Akagi gathered the basketball players on the gym for a few reminders. Haruko

stood beside him. "The inter high is only two weeks away, I want you to give your best efforts in all our practices and to maintain good grades in all your subjects." Akagi said.

"All of you must be aware that Shohoku is not a popular school, so when we get to the

inter high, be ready to receive criticisms but prove them wrong, show them you have guts, that's what what Shohoku students have." Akagi said. Haruko's heart jumped for

pride at what Akagi said. "Right, I don't think any basketball is a coward." Kogure agreed. "Except for Megami." Rukawa muttered. Haruko heard him. "Did you say anything, Rukawa?" asked Akagi. "Nandemonai." Rukawa replied. "The foxy face is probably complaining, Gori." Sakuragi said. "Moron." Rukawa hissed. "Why don't you admit it, bastard?" Sakuragi said. "Enough!" shouted Akagi. "I'll suspend both of you if you ever do this again." Warned Akagi. "All right, everyone, we'll have 2 practice games, split into four teams, we'll used a half court." Ordered the captain. "Hai!" everyone replied. Haruko glanced at Rukawa with confusion on her mind. "Rukawa-kun." She whispered. She called Kaoru a coward, but why? Could it be that he knows

Kaoru's problem?

A few days later, Rukawa was on his way home when Haruko approached him. "Um- Rukawa-kun, can I talk to you for a minute?" Haruko asked.

Rukawa nodded. They walked together. "What about?" Rukawa asked. "It's about Kaoru." Haruko said. "What about her?" the fox asked. "I know you saw how good she is in playing basketball and you also noticed her sudden change of attitude towards the sport lately." Haruko began. "That's none of my business." The fox said. "Anyway, a few days ago, you said Kaoru is a coward." Haruko said. "What other description can you give her?" Rukawa asked sarcastically. "Look, I don't know what Kaoru did to you or why you are so mad at her, but yesterday, I discovered something about her that we ought to know." Haruko said. Rukawa stopped walking. "What is it?" she asked. Haruko started to tell Rukawa how Kaoru became a star basketball player when she was in junior high, her accident in the game with Jonjouno and how she kept her secret from all of her newfound friends. "That's why, no matter how much she wanted to, she can't play again, especially after how strained her bones became after the practice game a month ago." Haruko explained. "And that's why she can't accept TBAA's offer." Rukawa concluded. "Hai,

The doctor told me about that too." Haruko said. Rukawa was really surprised. Now I understand, the look in her eyes every time she watches a game, how she lies through her teeth every time she says she hates basketball and the pain on her face when I called her a coward and a liar. "Um, Rukawa-kun?" Haruko asked. Rukawa snapped back to reality. "Hai- Haruko." Rukawa said. "Will you talk to her? She seems to like you a lot, maybe she will listen to you." Haruko said. "I'll see what I can do." Rukawa said as he stood up. "Arigato-Haruko." Rukawa said.

Kaoru is jogging on the park the next day. "One, two, three,

four." She counted. "One, two, three, four." As she neared the end of the park, her back hurt a little. She fell on her knees. "Ow, I get easily tired now and my back hurts with even just a little pressure." Kaoru said. "But I'll try, I'll really try." Kaoru said as she tried to stand up. "You don't have to force yourself Kaoru." Said a voice behind her. Rukawa is standing beside his bike. "Why are you here again, Kaede Rukawa?" Kaoru asked. The former shrugged. "Just as I said, this is a public park." He approached Kaoru and and offered his hand. Kaoru hesitated, but then, she took his hand and stood up. "A-arigato." They walked towards the swings. Both of them are quiet not looking at each other. It's as if they are afraid of what each of them has to say. Rukawa took a deep breath. "Um, Gomen nasai for the trash I've told you the other night, for calling you a coward and a liar." Rukawa said. Kaoru glanced at the rising sun. "You're right." She said. "Huh?" Rukawa asked. Kaoru looked at him. " You're right, I am a liar, much more a coward, I refused to accept my mistakes and I throw away the concern of my newfound friends." Kaoru said. She looked into Rukawa's eyes. "There are so many times I've lied to you, even though you act rash, I know you are only trying to help me." Kaoru said. Rukawa just stared into empty space. "Now, I'll tell you why I am trying to run away from basketball." Kaoru said. "I-I truly love the sport." Kaoru began. " I am the captain ball of our basketball team when I was in junior high, my dream is to be the national champion, just like captain Akagi's." Kaoru said. "But-but during the regional tournaments, in the game with Jonjouno." Kaoru stopped short then she took a deep breath. "One of my opponents knocked me down and my back is seriously hurt, some of my bones were dislocated." Kaoru explained. Tears filled her eyes. "The doctors said there can be no immediate treatment for the damage, that's why- that's why- until now.." Kaoru's voice trailed off. "That's why I can't play basketball anymore!" Kaoru said as she broke down in Rukawa's lap. None of them said anything for a long time. Finally, Kaoru stopped crying. Rukawa handed her a handkerchief. Kaoru took it and she blew her nose. "Gomen nasai, Gomen nasai, Rukawa-kun for bothering you." Kaoru apologized. "No problem." Rukawa replied. The latter stood up. He started to make his way out of the park, then he turned to face Kaoru. "Maybe you're not a coward and a liar after all." Said Rukawa.

That afternoon, 1st year class 10 is having a lesson about Helen Keller. Ms. Kobayakawa gave them an advanced assignment and she expected everyone

to be familiar of the topic by now. " Now, can anyone tell me his reaction towards the story?" Ms. Kobayakawa asked as she wiped her hands with a towel to get rid of the chalk dust. Several students raised their hands. Ms. Kobayakawa recognized them to be the same students who participate in her class. But then another student raised his hand. Ms. Kobayakawa was surprised. "Yes, Kaede Rukawa?" she prompted. "The story is boring." He said. The whole class laughed. "But I think Helen Keller is one of those people who had real guts." Rukawa said. The whole class fell silent. "Could you explain that further, Rukawa-kun?" asked Ms. Kobayakawa. "She's weird, she's blind and deaf but she can write, but I think that's the amazing thing about her." The fox continued. Ms. Kobayakawa nodded approvingly. "Also, she is not ashamed to show herself to people as a handicapped, and in spite of her condition, she proved that she can do something for the world." Rukawa finished. Ms. Kobayakawa was really impressed. "Well said Rukawa-kun." As she made a mark on her record book. Kaoru glanced at Rukawa from her seat in the front row. She knew Rukawa is trying to encourage her, Arigato Rukawa-kun, Arigato." She whispered.

Two weeks had passed. The students have just finished their final examinations. While the rest of the students prepare for their lessons on the next semester, the Shohoku basketball team is preparing themselves for the upcoming Inter High. They will leave for Hiroshima the next day.

Akagi is fixing the clothes he'll need inside his gym bag. Just then,

someone knocked on the door. "Come in." he said. Haruko entered his room and bounced on her brother's bed. "Oneechan, I still can't believe this is happening, you're

going to the inter high, it's finally coming true, your long time dream." Said Haruko.

Akagi smiled. "I know no matter how hard we try, we could have never made it without God and without your support, imouto." Akagi said as he zipped his bag shut. He went out of the room with Haruko behind her. He faced his parents. "Mom, dad, I have to go, I promise I'll bring home the trophy of the national champion." He said.

It was only 6 am. Rukawa is walking on the street when he passed

by the park. He hesitated for a moment but he finally decided to enter. He took a glance around the familiar surroundings. Rukawa's in deep thought. Can it, she won't be here.

Rukawa told himself. I have better things to think about now. He said to himself. He began to make his way out when he stopped to look at the sidewalk beside the park. This is the place where we first met, the night when I saved her from those bastards. Rukawa said on his mind. Then he glanced at the nearby basketball court. And this is where we had a fight about basketball. Rukawa stroked his cheek. He can still feel the pain caused

by her hand as it landed on it. He shook his head. Just forget about her. Rukawa commanded himself. It is awfully early. Most of the people in the neighborhood didn't even wake up yet. From where he is standing, he can smell the aroma of freshly made coffee and pastry. "The train won't be leaving until after two hours, I'll have a bite to eat." He decided.

"OK, Everybody!" Akagi said an hour later. Most of the players

including Ayako are already in the train station. Akagi is assembling the players when Anzai sensei arrived. "Is everyone here now?" asked the coach. "Sakuragi and Rukawa haven't arrived yet." Ayako said. "Hmm… I'm not surprised about Sakuragi but this is

unlikely Rukawa, don't you think?" Asked Kogure to Akagi. "He probably overslept." Said Mitsui. "Ah!" Akagi grabbed his neck. "You take that back!" he shouted. "Ha!Ha!Ha!" Anzai sensei laughed.

Rukawa is about to go up the stairs to the train station when.

"Um- Rukawa-kun." Somebody called. Rukawa turned around. Sure enough, it was Kaoru in her school uniform. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in school?" Rukawa asked. "Well, school won't start until after half an hour." Kaoru replied. "I wanted to see you before you leave for the inter high." Kaoru clasped her hands at the back. "Well, I'd like to thank you for all that you've done, you've kept me strong and you made me realize I can still do a lot of things for myself and for others." Kaoru said. "You're welcome." He mumbled. "And I know you guys will make it to the top, just have faith." Kaoru reminded. Rukawa nodded. " I wanted to give something to you." Kaoru reached for the paper bag she was carrying. She brought out a green jersey. "This is the jersey I was wearing during my last game with Jonjouno." Rukawa looked surprised. "I want you to have it." Kaoru said. Rukawa looked at her as if she suggested something really silly. "It won't fit." Rukawa mumbled. Kaoru playfully hit him on the head. "You're not going to wear it, idiot, it's just a token from me, a reminder to follow your dreams." Kaoru said. "A-arigato." Rukawa said scratching his head. Kaoru reached out in the paper bag again. This time, she lent Rukawa a laminated card. "What's this?" the fox asked. "It's a poem by Helen Keller entitled "I Can." It kept me strong all these years." Kaoru explained. "I hope it will help you too." She said. Rukawa nodded again. "Thank you." He said. "Well, I guess I've said everything I want to say now, bye!" Kaoru winked at him. She is about to leave but Rukawa stopped her. "Promise me, Kaoru, you'll make yourself better, after that I wanted to have a game with you." Said Rukawa. Kaoru smiled. "A game with Kaede Rukawa? Sure." She said. She took one step forward then turned around to give Rukawa a pet on the cheek. " I'm glad I met you, Rukawa-kun." She said. "I promise I'll make myself better and I'll never let go of my dream, our dream of being the national champion." Kaoru said. Rukawa nodded."Sayonara." He said as Kaoru turned on a corner.

Sakuragi is climbing up the steps of the stairs towards the train station three at a time. "Whoa! I'm late!" he said. Just then, he was surprised to see a

different group of people. Wait, I know these guys. Sakuragi said. Maki of Kainan

pointed to the opposite direction. "Shohoku is over there." He said. Sakuragi squirmed, embarrassed for joining the wrong group. He was about to go to his fellow teammates

when he bumped into someone. "Whoa! Watch where you're going!" Sakuragi said.

"Idiot." It was Rukawa. "Rukawa, baka no, Rukawa." Sakuragi hissed. The two started gritting their teeth. "Baka!" Akagi said as he punched both of them on the head. "You're late, now let's go!" he shouted.

All of them waited for the arriving train. "To the national champions!" Akagi shouted. "To the national champions!" the other players echoed. For the dream of the basketball team. Rukawa said on his mind. And for the dream of one person who touched my life in a different way, someone who'll always have a special place in my heart, Aishiteru Kaoru-dono.

The End

AN: Haaay!!! I thought I'll never get to this. Yes, the last part is pretty familiar, you see,

I got it from the real TV series. Just added some dialogues and scenes. Thank you for everyone who read my fanfic especially my classmates! For your unending support. I'll surely miss you. To my friend L.A, for letting me use your computer. This fanfic is dedicated to my family and for the graduate class of MCLC batch 2001-2002. To our beloved friend Jomi, who had left us too soon, you'll always be in our hearts. To all the anime' fans and basketball fans out there! Stay cool on and off the court! Or should I say on and off your living room? Hehehe. Comments and suggestions are most welcome at mimi_aya_sakura@hotmail.com