Title: At the End of the Road
Author: chescaOtaku
Pairings: HanaRu/RuHana; a touch of MitKo/KoMit
Genre: Shounen-ai
Status: Ongoing; 11/? (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. ^_^::
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At the End of the RoadChapter 10
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Kotehota Ruji stared at the white door of his son's room. The beating of his heart was so rapid that he thought it would pop out any minute. His body slightly trembled and his hands were closed into tight fists, making his knuckles almost white. /Knock on the damn door, Ruji. All you have to do is knock and go inside. Don't be a jackass./
He arrived ten minutes after the call and practically dashed out of his car and searched for the paramedic who called him. He met up with the paramedic and explained to him further what happened—from the moment his stepson was brought to the hospital, to the worried faces of his friends and up to the commotion caused by Sakuragi when Rukawa did not wake up. All the while, he realized how much he was missing about his son's life, how much time he wasted with all those country club bitches when he was supposed to be by his stepson's side. So now, here he was, standing in front of Rukawa's room, disconcerted to come in, as if he was visiting some stranger he suddenly hit with his car from a far away land.
/K'so. Inside that damn door is Kaede, for heaven's sake. Why the hell don't you just start knocking on the door and peek inside?! Go./
He sighed once more and lifted up his right hand and knocked twice. When he received no response, he reluctantly opened the door with caution and peeked his head inside. He then saw Rukawa Kaede lying on a white covered bed, staring up at the ceiling, evidently in deep thoughts.
Ruji faked a cough and greeted his stepson.
~*~
Rukawa was disrupted in his trance and moved his eyes and looked at the owner of the voice. His blue eyes widened, totally disbelieving the sight in front of him. His eyes held bewilderment, confusion and uneasiness all mixed together. His heart skipped a bit and he felt time stopped for a while. Was he dreaming? Or did the world gone totally mad without him noticing it? Well, he might consider the latter. One minute, a certain old nurse told him that Sakuragi took the pains of caring for him, then hope and love shot up in his system…then now, his stepfather was here in his room, and greeted him?
He was at first too astounded to say anything and for a few minutes, all they did was stare at each other like complete strangers. It was, however, Ruji that broke the silence and asked him, "So… how are you feeling right now? When are you going home?"
Rukawa looked away from his stepfather, tried to recuperate some senses and replied monotonously, "I don't have a home."
Ruji was dumbfounded. "Wha…what did you just say?!"
"You're not deaf."
"Ka..Kaede…"
"…"
"Look, Kaede…you have a home. You… you have…"
"I have nothing."
"Don't say that!!" His stepfather was losing his patience.
"Since when did you care?"
"I… I alwa… Okay… Kaede…. I… I'm sorry. I…wanted to make up for the lost times…for the times when I failed to be a father to you…" Ruji stammered. He was never good at this and revealing his realization to his aloof, nonchalant stepson would certainly need extra effort. And to convince him that what he was about to tell Kaede would be another matter. He sighed again.
"I thought you'd rather spend your nights to those bitches than being with a bastard like me."
His stepfather was speechless for a while, then continued, "Well…before…yes…but now… I guess…I have come into my damn senses and realize what kind of father I've been to you and—"
"You're not my father. And never was." Rukawa cut in.
"Just let me finish this okay? Just this one. Okay…when you did not come home early or the time you usually go home the other night, I thought you were just walking around or doing some basketball practice. So I threw away the little worry I felt and waited for you. But when you did not show up, the anxiety and worry I felt just increased, and for some damn unknown reason, hell, I considered calling the police. I mean…those women did not even enter my mind. All I could think of was you safety. I even remembered when I told myself that I don't know what I'd do if something bad happens to you…."
The Super Rookie intently listened to his stepfather's explanation. He was getting agitated to what his stepfather would say next, and never in his life did he ever anticipated something from his stepfather like this one. He reminded himself to guard his mask, for he never knew what would happen next. He wanted to be void from any emotion, especially right now. Especially now when it was his father he was facing. Yet, he suddenly realized the feeling that entered his heart not so long ago was gradually coming back. Only this time, it took in a different form—a father and son love—and not the kind of love he felt for his Do'Aho. /Is…this…kind of feeling…real? Or just some sick scheme of his? I…I don't want to get hurt anymore…/ Then another voice from his head said, /Look in his eyes, baka. He's damn outright serious. Maybe…just maybe…there's… love. /
"It was only then that I realized that I care for you. That… maybe, I could stop treating you the way I've done these past years and treat you the way you deserve to be treated. Kaede, I know it's my damn fault you became the way you are now…and…"
"Shoot it out." /K'so. Why am I feeling this way?! Could it be…/
"Wha…what do you mean?" Asked his father confusedly.
"Just get to the damn point."
Ruji sighed, gathered some courage left in his heart, looked at his son evenly in the eyes, and said tenderly, "I know this is stupid of me to only realize it now, when your life became jeopardized…but I do hope you can forgive me, ne?"
"…"
"I love you, son."
~*~
"Ne…Sakuragi-kun, why are you packing up? I thought you still have basic training with Ayako-san…" Kogure asked.
"Ano…Megane-kun…the Tensai managed to convince her that Tensais like me don't need those basic stuffs anymore. You see, I'm just too good for that!!! Nyahahahaha!!!" Sakuragi laughed out loud.
Kogure sweatdropped.
"Ch'. If I know, you're just too lazy to practice and just because your Rukawa is not here, you don't have any source of inspiration and you're afraid to show your bad performance, right?" Mitsui suddenly piped in, when he entered the locker room. Practice had ended, and the Shohoku Team decided to visit Rukawa again, tomorrow night, after their training. Anzai-sensei needed rest and Akagi went home earlier because he has other appointments. And Sakuragi on the other hand…
"Nani yo, Micchy?! Just because Kitsune isn't here, it doesn't mean that this Tensai's gonna blow up his shots! Hmph! Maybe you're just jealous because of my greatness and my endless supply of stamina and—"
He didn't have the chance to finish his statement, for Mitsui was already dragging a confused, nervous Kogure out of the locker room.
Sakuragi's head was smoking and several overly large veins popped out of his face.
"Hoi!! Micchy!! Megane-kun!! Do you know that it's rude to leave the Tensai speaking he—"
Mitsui stopped in his tracks and turned around. "Oi! Sakuragi, by the way… gambaru yo. I know where you're going."
"Na…nani yo, Micchy?"
"Nah…your Gundan's waiting, baka. And don't cause too much trouble. One hospitalized cheeky freshman because of that gang is enough, don't you think so?" Mitsui joked. But the concern was never hidden in his eyes.
Sakuragi's eyes softened and immediately knew what the senior meant. "Hmph. Of course, Micchy. The Tensai is much stronger than that dumb Kitsune. I assure you, no trouble will be caused! Nyahahaha!"
"Sakuragi-kun. Kiotsukete kudasai, ne?" Kogure said softly.
"Hai, hai, Megane-kun!! Hmm…and I know where you're going. So…Micchy…don't cause too much trouble to Megane-kun, ne?" Sakuragi teased.
Both of the seniors blushed deeply and Mitsui cast a last glance to Sakuragi and went off. The redhead then continued packing his things up, not minding to take a shower and ran to where his Gundan was waiting for him. "What took you so long, Hanamichi? And why were Megane-kun and Micchy blushing when they went out?" Youhei asked his bestfriend.
"Hah! Just teased them back. You know…"
The five of them walked out of the Shohoku gates and strolled along the streets quietly. It was night again and the surroundings grew deathly still.
There was no moon and the scattered little stars were the only ones to light up the sky and to give light to the earth below. Leaves fell from different trees, creating a mild, peaceful sound and crickets and fireflies began dancing harmoniously around the tall plants. Takamiya spoke up, eradicating the soothing silence.
"Hanamichi, what if those bastards don't show up? What are we gonna do?"
"They have to be here. I'm sure they're talking about how good it feels to stab somebody, how great is to hurt someone like Rukawa Kaede…" Sakuragi said almost bitterly. He again enclosed his hands into fists and fire seemed to boil up inside him. Just the thought of having vengeance for his Kaede made his body burst with energy and determination. Those stupid snipers would surely be paying for what they did. And they would be paying twice the price. The redhead almost grinned diabolically if it weren't for Youhei's question. "Hanamichi…do really think Kitsune's gonna be happy if we do this? I mean…you know he can't stand seeing you bruised and all that…"
"Hmph! And why should I appear all bruised to him? Trust the Tensai, Youhei; nothing's going to go wrong. And besides, you're with me, right?" Sakuragi looked at them for assurance.
"Bingo."
The five of them smiled and continued to walk. Sakuragi sung his 'Ore Wa Tensai' song for a while but abruptly stopped when they heard several laughing voices and smelled strong alcohol scent. They stopped at their tracks and listened for a few minutes what the group was talking and laughing about.
"Hey, Azuro..wonder what the foxy boy's doing right now…"
"Hmm…maybe at the hospital, crying 'mama..mama…it hurts…'" All of the group members laughed.
"Or maybe at a blue coated coffin…being visited by his poor team…"
Sakuragi couldn't take it anymore and stared to charge but two strong arms caught him and stopped him from proceeding.
"Youhei?! Noma?! What the hell are you doing?! Let go of me! I'm gonna take the living hell out of those bastards!! You're supposed to come with me, remember?! Don't tell me you'd chicken out…" Sakuragi nearly shouted. His eyes burned and tears threatened to spill out. He was desperate to get to those bastards and tear their heads off, and now, his friends were stopping him?
"Hanamichi…we are with you. Just take it easy. You know how they react when people do that. Remember what they did to us the last time?! Noma almost got killed!! And it was you who told us that no major trouble would be done!! Stick to your damn words, Hana!! I know you wanted revenge but think first, damn it!" Youhei blew up.
Azuro turned back to where the source of the voices came from. His eyes lit maniacally as he saw a certain redhead and four others walking their way to their group.
"Guys, looks like we have new visitors tonight." Azuro hissed.
"Hmm…isn't that Sakuragi and his friends? The gang from Shohoku? Looks like it's going to be a yet another interesting night." Said Yamato in a low voice.
"Oi, Azuro. Remember the tensai?" Sakuragi started. /Yarou…/
"Heh, of course, Sakuragi. What brings you and your friends here? If you're here to ask about the condition of your school mate, Rukawa Kaede…well…maybe he's in a ICU right now, crying out for his mother's name like this: Maaaamaaa.. mmaaa—" Azuro wasn't able to finish mimicking a voice of a child for a hard punch landed on his right cheek. The impact was great that he thought he heard his jaw bones crack. He muttered a curse and soothed his right cheek before turning back to Sakuragi. "Why, why…a little hot tonight, huh? Maybe you want to follow your school mate, huh?"
"Yarou…"
"Well then, I guess you'd have it." Azuro and the rest of the snipers grinned in a fiendish manner and started forwarding. And so did the Sakuragi Gundan.
Then chaos began.
~*~
/Did…did he just said he loves me….and called me his son???/ Rukawa thought. His stepfather left two hours ago and that question was left hanging in his head. He never expected his father would say such tender, affectionate things to him. And to call him a son means being able to accept him in the family…being able to feel welcomed and cared for…
Being able to belong. With love.
His eyes became hot and his vision began to blur as tears strolled their way down to his cheek. Silent affection and love for his stepfather rushed into him and he knew that the tears that came were tears of joy. Finally, after more than fifteen years of darkness and grief, after more than fifteen years of suffering without a family to support and guide him, there came a light and renewed his life. There came somebody who accepted him, and now he knew he would never be alone again.
Most of all, he now knew had a home to return to, a home to give him the coziest of shelters.
One of his deep torments had been taken away.
~*tbc*~
a/n::. Wai!!! Chapter 10 is done!! Two more chapters to go and this fic will finally be finished!! ^_____^ Okay…anywayz, that's chapter 10 for you guyz.. I'm sorry if it's a little shorter compared to the past chapters and all that, because of time constraint. I was out of the house last Saturday and I still had lots of things to do this morning (it's Sunday today…right, mga Pinoy? ^_^) so there…anywayz, don't worry nothing bad will happen to hana…erm..at least not as bad compared to what I did with ru…tee hee…anywayz, please do review and give me some constructive criticisms, they are (I'm gonna say it again) much much appreciated. For further comments, feel free to mail me at chesca14316@yahoo.com and kitsune21@rukawa.zzn.com ^_^
Btw, thanks to CrYsTaL-sHaDe, Tina, Han, Kelly, princess (nax…special mention…hehe!), nanami, Yumehime Yana Hossuru and to all others who reviewed and still continuing to review my fic. ^___^ and to smatee…will a lime do? Heheh…I don't write lemons…^^; although I read some of 'em…it's just that I can feel ru wanting me to write one…tee hee… -.-;;
One more thing!! (this is getting pretty long… oh well..)
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Attention!!!! To all of you RuHana and HanaRu fans out there… nanami27, Kanon*Altrui and I, chescaOtaku fused together and will write a SD shounen-ai/yaoi fic, entitled "A Fracture in Time". Of course it will be HanaRu/RuHana pairing…^_^ wait for that, okay? That fic was originally nanami's and she asked help to co-write her fic..so there. Expect the prologue to be up…hopefully this week. ^_^ Oh, and we made a new ffn account for that fic. The thee of us has a pen name of : HotZizzlinSexSirens. ^_^ Expect to see that pen name in ffn soon. ^__^ (if you do have any questions regarding our pen name, ask nanami. She'll explain why. ^^;)
Okay, that's it!!! please review and please do wait for that fic of ours!! Ja!!
