Title: At the End of the Road
Author: chescaOtaku
Pairings: HanaRu/RuHana; a touch of MitKo/KoMit
Genre: Shounen-ai
Status: Ongoing; 6/9 (series)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimers:: All Slam Dunk characters mentioned below are properties of Takehiko Inoue, TOEI and his other colleagues. Only the storyline is mine. So…don't sue me. ^_^ I'm too young to go to jail. ::
~*At the End of the Road*~Chapter 5
~*~
/Ah… those two. That redhead baka, especially. I hope they would get through this. Just like Min-kun and I./
Mitsui was on his way home after a long talk with Sakuragi. He actually had a heart-to-heart talk with the guy, and was able to know him more and went deeper, inside. He never realized how frail the redhead was, how delicate he could be. He realized that beneath the loud and pompous façade Sakuragi showed to everyone laid an unconditional love for the walking block of ice and a perceptible fear ready to explode at a snap of a finger. He never knew how different Sakuragi could be when his repugnant masquerade was off. /Now I know what Rukawa saw in that monkey. But what did Sakuragi saw in that walking block of ice?/ Mitsui thought. Then, his contemplations were interrupted when he smelled the stinky, metallic smell of blood. Human blood.
Letting his senses lead him, he cautiously scanned the dark area, hoping to spot where the foul smell came from. /Seemed like another hell of a gang war happened in here and someone got injured./
But what he saw in front of him after a few minutes of searching was more shocking, more dreadful than he expected. On the dusty empty streets, he saw the unconscious figure of the Super Rookie Rukawa Kaede lying in a dark, pool of blood.
~*~
Miyagi Ryota was whistling blissfully as he strolled his way to his house. He had a wonderful dinner with Ayako's family. Her parents invited him to dinner and asked how he was, after they heard the news about him being confined in a hospital after a bloody fight with his other schoolmates. They also congratulated him on the team's win versus Ryonan and bid him good luck for the upcoming Inter High. It seemed like 'his' Aya-chan chatted so much about him. After that, all the tiredness he felt, all the aching muscles of his body disappeared and were replaced by sheer joy. He felt like he was happiest guy in the world right now. No… he felt like heaven. It looked like Ayako's parents had already accepted him.
/The challenge now is how to get Aya-chan's heart…Ah…Aya-chan…/ Miyagi thought dreamily.
He walked absentmindedly for a few minutes, accompanied by his seemingly endless whistling. Then, his whistling was abruptly stopped and all of a sudden, his feet were frozen and his eyes widen into its natural limits.
"Holy shit…Ru-Ruka…wa…"
~*~
"Oi, Miyagi!!! Glad you're here!! Let's get help, fast!! He lost a large amount of blood!!!"
"Mi..mitsui!! What are you doing here?! It's late!!" Miyagi questioned.
"There's always later to talk about that shit. Let's just get Rukawa to the hospital, fast. Its…fatal…"
Before Mitsui could finish the sentence, Miyagi was gone, looking for a cab that would take them to Kitamura Hospital. He sat down, gently laid Rukawa in his lap and examined the raven-haired boy's condition. The latter was out cold, and his lips were turning blue and his clothes were ripped off. Several cut and bruises appeared on his face and blood soaked through his clothes. But what caught his attention most was the two stab marks inflicted on his bruised and bloodied stomach. The gashes were big and deep, causing more blood to ooze out. Mitsui pleaded quietly, "Rukawa…hang on…."
~*~
/Love is never wrong…/
Sakuragi was lying on his bed, his chocolate brown eyes staring at the ceiling, patently holding thoughts in unreachable depths. He had been pondering about the words Mitsui spilled to him about true, enduring love. The way the senior talked about love was swathed by thick emotions, filled with profound meanings. The way his eyes sparkled whenever he talked about his Kogure was totally amusing and revealed how much he loved the vice-captain; despite the way Mitsui knew how society would react. Such actions made Sakuragi undeniably envious and a jolt of yearning went through his body. He realized his love for the kitsune was far greater, deeper than he expected before. He then remembered the times he was with Rukawa, the times when they would just stare at each other with endearment and later on kiss each other deeply. He remembered the times when Rukawa encouraged him in his unique way and the times they teased each other. Most of all, he remembered the times when they made love after dinner and waking with the sweet greetings of morning, curled up in each other's arms.
/Gods, I miss you, Kaede./
Sakuragi gradually recalled what they both did on their first month anniversary. It was night like this, and everything then was completely perfect.
~*flashback*~
The weather on this night was perfect, the splendor of the silver moon traced the beauty of the sea, radiating almost timeless precision. The wind was cold, and the soft rustling of leaves near by made a soothing sound. The endless waves of the sea that crashed with grace along the seashore completed the breathtaking scenery; making it more romantic than ever.
Two, tall figures were lying on the mat, and seemed to be enjoying the environment around them. Their bodies are locked together in a tight embrace and they were illuminated by the pale moonlit.
"Kaede…" Sakuragi breathed.
"Hm?"
"Did I ever mention to you you're so… beautiful?"
"Aa. Several times." Rukawa answered softly.
"Well, I'm going to repeat it again. You're so beautiful…"
"And you're perfect."
After a short while, their tongues met and plunged into each other's mouth. They kissed with such intensity that their bodies seemed to melt at the ordeal. The fire inside them blazed with full passion and the warm feeling that surrounded them turned into seemingly powerful heat. The air supply in their bodies was running out, but neither of them seemed to mind. They were totally lost in their own world, creating an eternal haven, a paradise. After a few more moments, they broke apart, panting for breath. Both were lightheaded due to lack of air, but Rukawa managed to say something.
"You are a great kisser, Hana. You improved much better." Rukawa teased, obviously amused and pleased as to what happened.
"Are you implying that the tensai doesn't know how to kiss?Hmph!"
"Do'aho. I only told you're improving."
"I'll let that pass for now. Ne, Kaede, it's been one month since…err, you know…"
"We became lovers?" The fox-eyed boy finished.
"Yeah. Lovers…"
"Doshite, Hana-kun?" Rukawa implored curiously.
"It's just that…I can't believe it. I mean, time flows so quickly, ne? It's fast! I mean, it was just like a month ago, I was sweating with nervousness and fear because I was going to tell you I love you…and now, you're in my arms…"
"Hanamichi…"
"I love you Kaede…" Sakuragi said softly, yet full of love.
"So do I, Hana. So do I. Just promise me three things, though." Rukawa whispered.
"Sure. What are those three things, then?"
"That you're not going to leave me, ever. That you'll be at my side, no matter what. That you'll never let me feel anguish and loneliness anymore…" The raven-haired boy said, his tone barely above a whisper and closed his eyes.
"Kaede, look at me."
Rukawa opened his sapphire eyes and met golden brown gems engulfed with love and promises.
"I promise that. I'll never leave you. We both know the feeling of being alone, the feeling of no one to hold on to. And I'll never going to let you feel that. you can count on me, Kaede. I'll be here. Always."
"And I'll be here too, Hana. Forever."
Then, they were once again locked into a deep kiss and entered a blissful reverie that the both of them only knew.
~*end, flashback*~
The redhair's eyes were filled with tears, regret and guilt. /Kaede, I'm so sorry I broke my promise. I'm so sorry I let you feel the way you shouldn't feel. I do hope you would forgive me…/ Sakuragi decided that tomorrow, he would meet Rukawa and fix things with him. He realized his faults, and was determined to mend their relationship again. How he would tell his family about the relationship, how he—they both would face the society along their rejections and reactions were another matter, but that matter would just have to wait. He knew that they would find a way to get over it, and someday, he hoped, they would eventually accept them and treat them as normal, regular people that feel emotions, particularly love. No matter who's that love for. During that process, Sakuragi knew many hearts and minds would be boggled and shattered, but both of them could do it. He was determined to show them love was, is, and would never be wrong.
Having those decisions and regained courage, he wiped his tears away, smiled a little and closed his tired eyes.
/Kaede, I'm sorry. Would you give me another chance? This time, I won't blow it up. Promise./
Just as he was about to sleep, the phone near his dresser rang.
/Who could that be? Ah, I guess it's Youhei. We'll, I have good news to him!!/ Sakuragi said silently and reached the phone.
"Yo!"
"Sa-sa..kuragi…ano…Mi-mitsui here…"
"Eh?? Micchy!! Why? Can't sleep?" /Why did he call in this time of the night?/
"Listen, Sakuragi. Miyagi and I are in Kitamura hospital right now and—"
"Nani?! Did something happen to Oyaji or—"
"I…ie. It's not Anzai-sensei. It's Rukawa…well…"
"Ka…kaede?!?!"
"We found Rukawa lying unconscious on the streets in his own blood. Somebody, or rather a group of bastards stabbed him twice in his stomach and his face and the rest of his body was…"
Time seemed to stop for the redhead. He did not hear the rest of Mitsui's sentence for he dropped the phone almost unconsciously, due to utter shock. His eyes widened and his body began trembling. Tears again formed in the corner of his eyes, threatening to spill at any moment. Then, before he knew it, he was out of the door, running in full speed on the way to Kitamura Hospital.
~*tbc*~
a/n::. Ahh!! Finally, I've finished this chapter!!! I haven't touched this chapter for four days…oh well. Hope you like this. Anywayz, as you may have noticed, bold and italics already appeared in this chapter. ^_^ I decided to include it as to emphasize more on words and thoughts. The past chapters will also be updated (hopefully, soon) and italics and bold will appear. So do will the future ones. Ok, please review!! They are muuuch appreciated. ^_^ further C&Cs are welcomed, mail me at chesca14316@yahoo.com. ^_^ ok, that's it for now!! Ja!! A big thanks to those who reviewed and to those who will review this ficcie!! ^_^
