Title: At the End of the Road
Author: chescaOtaku
Pairings: HanaRuHana; a touch of MitKoMit and RyoAya
Genre: Shounen-ai
Status: Ongoing; 13/14 (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 RoadChapter 12
~*~
The morning sun rose into life, illuminating the once pitch-black horizon that enveloped the entire place of Kanagawa. Fluffy, cotton-like clouds started to appear and the ethereal moon started to take its rest. Winged creatures began to fill the blue sky and distant voices of different people started to pack up the still atmosphere. The gentle wind began to move in all directions, but it never failed to pass through the window of a certain fox-eyed boy with deep blue irises and passed through the smooth, porcelain skin of his face.
The Super Rookie Rukawa Kaede stirred awake, rubbed his eyes and slowly opened it to welcome a brand new day. Two days had passed since he went home from the hospital and was advised to have a full rest—much more like a bed rest—for two straight weeks. Meaning, no strenuous activities such as basketball and cycling, apparently. He was beginning to experience boredom and there were only two things that kept him awake and kept him from leaping out of his bed and heading out to find the nearest basketball court: the numerous NBA videos his father bought him and a certain redhead with copper-brown eyes.
Sakuragi Hanamichi.
He slowly tucked out of his blanket and slowly went into the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth. After doing such, he sat on the chair beside his bed and ate the food that was brought into his room. Since that fateful day when Sakuragi asked for his heart again, he can't get the self-proclaimed tensai out of his mind. The words the redhead uttered reverberated at the back of his mind and the image of Sakuragi, particularly his pleading eyes seemed to be etched inside.
"Kaede… would you allow me to have your heart once more?"
Once more…
Rukawa closed his eyes for a while and gathered his thoughts. He did this kind of routine since the night Sakuragi instantly left the hospital, after saying those words. His mind told him not to fall for the do'aho again, but he knew his heart told him otherwise. His mind shouted he would be hurt again, but his heart insisted that he should forgive Sakuragi and have a new start. "K'so… I don't know anymore…"
He opened his eyes and scanned his surroundings. His eyes suddenly spotted a picture of him and his grandmother that was taken several years back. In the picture, both of their arms were encircled in each other's waist and both seemed jovial. Rukawa then remembered the sole advice his grandmother left him before passing from this world. "Always remember Kaede… you could never hate someone forever… your mind might tell you to hate that person… but do you think your heart could withstand such strong, negative feeling? It cannot. Therefore, follow your heart… it would and would always set you free… in times of grief and confusion, it would be the only truth that will end the rough road you trudge…"
Follow your heart… it would and would always set you free…
Images of him and Sakuragi abruptly filled his thoughts. Sakuragi hugging him… Sakuragi kissing him… both of them smiling… both of them gazing lovingly at each other… both of them making love with such ardent feelings….
Suddenly, he enlightened up and finally realized which he would follow. He knew he could not and never escape from the pains of love, but then, wasn't it the challenges that would make love stronger and more enchanting? Rough twists and turns in the roads of love could never be avoided but could still be straightened by thinking in a positive manner and by facing it with a greater love.
/I know I can't be spared from being hurt again, but hell, I just can't be with someone else./
Rukawa then carefully stood up, looked for a paper and began to write something for his do'aho.
~*~
"Whew… damn, it so hot!! And it's a Saturday morning!"
"Hush, Hisashi..what do you expect? Summer would be here soon… so, naturally, it would get hotter…" Kogure explained to his pouting and obviously irritated lover. It was Saturday and since there were no classes and training for once, Kogure decided to spend some time with his lover. Yet, Mitsui seemed to be kind of irritated due to weather change and he started to doubt that what he planned would turn out the other way around.
"Save those lectures, for later Kiminobu… hmmm… want to go for some ice cream? My treat!" Mitsui gleamed suggested out of the blue.
"Sashi… it's morning, as you said… it would be bad for our health to eat some of those in times like this…"
"Min-kun!!! It's freaking hot! We can't melt here doing nothing! You suggested for a walk and—"
"Sashi! Why… don't we visit Rukawa instead?" Kogure inquired, cutting his lover off.
"Hmm… not so bad… besides.. his room is air-conditioned, ne?"
"Hisashi!"
"Ok, okay, Min-kun! Don't be so serious!! Anyway, I want to know how he's doing. Sakuragi was not himself yesterday so… I want to know what's happening to his other half…" Mitsui suddenly pondered.
With that, both of them turned right to the corner ahead of them in an almost companionable silence. They walked for several minutes and endured the tremendous heat of the sun and finally, saw the blue roof of Rukawa's house. Kogure went ahead and pressed the doorbell and waited for the maid to let them come in.
"Ohayo gozaimasu…" said the maid as she opened the door.
"Ohayo gozaimasu… a-ano.. I'm Kogure Kiminobu and he's Mitsui Hisashi. We're his teammates from Shohoku Basketball Team and uhm.. we.. want to know how is he right now…" Kogure explained.
"Ah! Sir Kaede's teammates! Come in, come in! I'm sure he'd be glad to see you… he's been kind of lonely lately…"
"Well, he's a loner, aloof—" Mitsui piped in.
"A..ano… can you show us his room?" After saying that, Kogure slightly elbowed his lover at the ribs and gave him a you-behave-or-else-mother-will-spank-you look. They then followed the maid and soon reached the door of Rukawa's room and gently knocked.
"Un…" Rukawa replied from inside.
Both seniors opened the door and smiled at the Shohoku Ace.
"Rukawa-kun! Ohayo gozaimasu!! O genki desu ka?" Kogure asked.
"Daijobou ne…" Rukawa softly replied before folding the piece of paper he was holding.
"So… when could you play again?" Mitsui asked.
"Two to three weeks time."
"Sou ka…"
"Have a seat… I know you're both tired, wearing your faces." Rukawa offered.
"Heh! Could you imagine the heat outside?! Feels like hell! I'm just glad that Akagi announced a free day today! I'm not gonna train in a day like this!!" Mitsui exclaimed. Kogure once again looked at his lover with the same manner like he did earlier and then shifted his eyes back to Rukawa. He was curious as to what Rukawa and Sakuragi talked about during the day when the team visited the freshman in the hospital. But whatever it was, the bespectacled vice-captain was aware that it left a great impact on the two rookies, especially Sakuragi, considering his behavior these past few days. During the day after they visited Rukawa on the hospital, Kogure sensed something different with Sakuragi. He lost his lively manner and even stopped singing his 'Ore Wa Tensai' song during practices. He was definitely thinking of something, or rather, someone else that caused him to behave such ways. He even stopped calling Miyagi 'Shorty' and Kogure 'Megane-kun'. /What is Rukawa up to now? Did Sakuragi confess once more?/
"Oi, what's that in your hand? You kept on clutching that thing ever since we went in." Mitsui observed, breaking Kogure's thoughts.
"…"
"Se…sempai…"
"Hai?" Kogure and Mitsui said in unison.
"Could.. could you… hand this to the… do'aho on Monday?" Rukawa asked shyly and extended his hand that had the letter and handed it to Kogure. His pale cheeks turned into light shades of pink and he bent his head down.
"Rukawa-kun…." The vice-captain accepted the paper and put it inside his pocket.
"Uhm… Hana and I talked during the hospital and… he… asked me something…" Rukawa started. The words Sakuragi left him began to reverberate again at the back of his mind and looked at the paper he was clutching. He felt the loud thumping of his heart inside his chest and the hands began to sweat.
"Kaede… would you allow me to have your heart once more?"
"And… I just want to give him my answer…"
Both seniors looked at each other in an inquisitive mode. They seemed to talk with each other in the eyes and immediately knew what the other was thinking and concluding about. Mitsui then decided to speak up and ask the raven-haired boy, "Erm… would you mind telling us what that redhead mon—erm.. Sakuragi asked you?"
"If… I would… allow him to… have my… heart once more…" The Super Rookie's heartbeat raced and he felt blood slowly rushing into his face. /Hmm… some nosy seniors I've got here… but… they ought to know anyway… sempai helped me realize some things so I guess it's just right for them to know…/
"Sou…" Kogure breathed in. "And… this paper you gave me… holds the answer to his question, ne?"
"Aa."
~*~
~*ring ring*~ ~*ring ring*~ ~*ring ring*~
"K'so! Who's this anyway?" Ayako muttered under her breath as she walked down the stairs and lifted the phone beside her ears. "Moshi moshi?"
"Aya-chan!" Miyagi's voice chirped through the other line.
/Hhmm… Ryota… you just can't get enough, can you? Hmmm… cheeky guy…/ Ayako smiled to herself as she continued to listen to the point guard's voice. Miyagi was a good friend to her ever since they've known each other and not to mention over-protective. Ayako was well aware of Miyagi's feelings for her and she even thought of giving it a try in the near future. She herself had grown close to the guy and she can't imagine him with someone else. Miyagi would just have to wait a little longer, when the time would be right for both of them to undergo a deeper, much more serious relationship.
"It's early, Ryota.. what's up?" Ayako said in the line.
"Oh, nothing much actually… just want to say hi…" Ryota answered. /And hear you voice.. aaaahh… Aya-chan…/ He continued silently.
"Hmmm.. I know something's up.. so… spill it out before I slam this phone."
"Aya-chan! Nothing really… well… I.. ~blush~ want to hear your voice… ehehe…" Miyagi answered sheepishly on the other phone.
"Ryota…"
"Ne, ne Aya-chan! Before I forget… uhm… did you… kind of… you know, notice the way our teammates acted these past days?" /This is it, Royta, ask her… maybe she knows about Mitsui and Kogure's relationship! Or does she? How does she feel about being… gay?/
"Hmm… well, that Sakuragi baka was not himself…"
"Not only that… what about… Mitsui-sempai and Kogure-sempai?"
"Ryota… did you… notice it.. too?" Ayako asked questioningly. Ayako knew about the boys' relationship with each other ever since but she decided to keep it a secret for she feared that chaos would occur if any straight team member would find out. For her, it was okay to have to kind of relationship, as long it's real love they feel for each other. Loving is not a sin, much more loving the same gender, it would only turn to be a sin when used in a wrong manner. /Hmm.. I guess it's also time for Ryota to know…./
"Aya-chan… don't tell me.. you… knew it already?!?!"
"Well… yeah…" Ayako replied almost softly.
"Why didn't you tell me?!?!"
"Ryota!! Tone that voice!! You're waking up the dead!!"
"Gomen ne… but.. it seems that I'm the only one who doesn't know. I mean, Mitsui revealed everything to me on the way home after we visited Rukawa. He also told me something about it when we rushed Rukawa to the hospital. Hell, I even saw Sakuragi kissing Rukawa's hand when the baka saw his… his… lover's features! I mean…" Miyagi inhaled sharply before continuing. Everything just rushed in and he didn't even notice it. Everything was a shock, yet at the same time he knew he was learning about different relationships and different forms of love. He knew it was hard to accept and believe it at first but he knew he would be open to it someday and accept things as they were, and as they would be.
"Hush, Ryota… it's a shock, isn't it? But oh, well.. we can't do anything about those… we can't judge and degrade them just because of what they are and of what they feel. That would be ridiculous… maybe, some things are just really unexplainable and you really can't fully understand it unless you yourself feel it."
"Hmm.. yeah…. I guess you're right… but still.. you know… it's all different now… but hey, I'm straight, Aya-chan! Ehehe… anyway, I just hope those relationships will last long enough…"
"Yeah…" Ayako smiled once more.
Miyagi had learned from Sakuragi the gestures of love, Mitsui taught him the see the world beneath it's beauty and Ayako taught him to learn how to accept those… and maybe, someday, he too might be able to confess how he feel and welcome the love he and Ayako would share. He knew that the relationship he premeditated to enter was not the same as those guys, but it would still be love—no matter what—that would be contained in the relationship. What he learned from the boys was that, don't be mortified to show and reveal your feelings in this road called life, for that person won't be by your side forever. Express love as much as possible and take the chance. For at the end, it would be love and only love that would save a person and that would lead the way.
"Aya-chan?" Miyagi asked.
"Hmm?"
"Would you like to go out for a move later? My treat! Besides, we have nothing to do and I'm bored outa my mind!"
"Hmmmm… okay…." Ayako's eyes gleamed with joy.
~*~
It was Monday afternoon and it was time for training again. The Shohoku regular members started doing some warm-ups while the others changed into their training attires. Kogure and Mitsui sat in a corner, obviously engaged in some serious conversation and Akagi was talking to Anzai-sensei about some team strategies. The Sakuragi Gundan huddled in one corner together with Haruko and her friends while Sakuragi just went inside the locker room, readied himself and went out to practice some lay-ups. It had been several days since he confessed again to Rukawa and up to now; he still hasn't received any answer from the fox-eyed boy. He was beginning to fear and assume that Rukawa wanted him no more and that Rukawa had shut his heart closed to him. Forever. He couldn't bear the thought and just prepared himself for a slam dunk to vent out his grief and frustration. If only he did not blow up their relationship the first time around, this wouldn't be happening. Everything would be fine, would be perfect if only he did not throw his Kitsune away from his life that miserable night. Yet, that was in the past and he couldn't do anything the change it back.
/K'so!!!/
He jogged his way to the three-point line and started to dribble the ball. Gradually, he began to run faster and faster and before he knew it, he was holding the ball with such might, leaped into the air and glued his eyes to the ring before him. He then lifted his right hand that held the ball, put all his weight forward, yelled and slammed the ball into the net with a strong intensity. He hanged from the ring a few seconds and went down with his eyes open wide. The soft thud of the ball and his deep, sharp intakes of breath were the only sounds that could be heard in the entire Shohoku gym. Everyone gaped wide and seemed to drop their jaws into the ground. All eyes were stuck into Sakuragi and there was a moment of silence before the people recuperated from the scene that happened only seconds ago.
"Whoa…."
"Sa… Sakuragi-kun…."
"Hanamichi…"
"Whoa!! Man!! You did it! Slam dunk!" Takamiya screamed. Other members of the Gundan yelled victoriously, telling all their hard work paid off.
"Sakuragi!! Are you all right? Maybe you have a fever or something… you couldn't do such thing!!" Miyagi exclaimed.
"Yeah, knowing you… you should've hit the board rather tha— Oww!" Kogure pinched Mitsui on the back before he could finish his dialogue. "Don't piss him off, Sashi-kun… we might not able to talk to him… remember that we still have Rukawa-kun's answer? We have to give it to him!" Kogure whispered from behind.
Yet, all remarks appeared to have no effects on the still redhead. His head was bowed down, his eyes were just closed and he grasped his fists tightly. "K'so…"
"Sakuragi-kun…?"
"Eh?" Sakuragi zapped into reality as he heard his name being called. He turned around and saw Kogure and Mitsui smiling with understanding with him. "Daijobou ka, Sakuragi-kun?" Kogure asked.
"Ha-hai…"
"Could we talk in the locker room? We need to tell you something important." Mitsui said earnestly. Sakuragi just nodded and followed the two seniors into the locker room, not minding the confused and questioning look his teammates gave them. When the three Shohoku players reached the locker room, Mitsui signaled Sakuragi to sit down and he began to talk.
"Sakuragi.. we went to Rukawa's house last Saturday… and…"
Sakuragi's eyes lit up when he head his Kitsune's last name. Then, he narrowed his eyes and asked them, "What did you do there?"
"Well, we asked him how was he and he said he was fine. He said he'd be back in the team after two to three weeks." The bespectacled senior started.
"And he told us…. About what happened in the hospital." Mitsui finished. Upon hearing this, Sakuragi's eyes widened, immediately knowing what the seniors meant.
"So… you know now what…"
"Yeah.. we know what happened, obviously and he told us to give you this." Kogure gave the redhead the paper Rukawa left them with. Sakuragi accepted the paper with slightly trembling hands and asked, "Wha.. what's in this?"
"We don't know… all Rukawa said was that… we should give this to you. He said that, the paper contains the answer to your question." Kogure explained. "And furthermore, we shouldn't intrude on his privacy. So… I guess it's really up to you now…"
"Sakuragi." The redhead looked at Mitsui.
"Nani?"
"Don't mess everything this time, ne?"
The corner of the freshman's face curved up into a smile and said, "Yeah… I know, Micchy."
With that, Mitsui and Kogure left the locker room, leaving Sakuragi alone. The redhead then opened the paper slowly, afraid of what it may contain. Then, he began to read its contents.
I'm giving you a piece of my heart not because you deserve it,
But because it already belongs to you.
It might be not enough, it might be too small…
But this little piece of my heart…
Could probably be… my all.
Dai suki. Itsumo.
-Kaede
Time went still for Sakuragi. All he could hear was the loud beating of his heart against his chest. His hands were shaking and his eyes burned. Before he knew it, the ink of the pen used in the letter was smeared all over by tear droplets. His vision began to double as tears fought its way down into his cheeks. Yet, he didn't seem to mind it and slowly, he felt like he was being lifted up into splendid heights and the side of his lips once again curled into a wide, happy smile. A rush of hope, love, anticipation and passion came into his heart like rapid waters, helping him realize what the letter his Kaede really meant. Then, in a snap of the finger, he was running out of the gym, not minding the curses Akagi gave him and the remarks people gave him. Hell, he even spared the people who whispered something about redhead weirdoes and redhead monkeys. At the moment, all he felt was heaven. He ran as fast as he can towards the house of his lover, and with a happy heart, he shouted, "Kaede!! Dai suki!!"
The wide silly grin never left his face as he ran faster than ever. In his heart, he knew, his Kaede was waiting for him.
~*~
He was panting with exhaustion and he was sweating all over. It looked like he came from a racing game and thankfully, the maid accepted him and led him towards his Kitsune's room, despite of what he looked like. He then raised his left hand slowly and knocked on the door. His heart kept beating fastly like strong drum rolls during a festivity. He inhaled deeply and said, "Ka… Kae…de? Are.. are you awake..?" After saying those words, he heard the television being turned off and he heard slow footsteps nearing the door. Finally, the door was opened and deep blue pools met chocolate brown eyes.
"Ha… hana…?"
"Kaede…"
Silence.
Silence. Footsteps leading inside the room. Heartbeats fill the sound of silence.
~lub dub~ ~lub dub lub dub lub dub~
"Wha… what are you…doing here…. You have…training and…"
"I don't care, Kaede. You're far more important.."
"Hana…" /Is…this the feeling of being in love… and being loved… once again?/
"I received the letter from Megane-kun and… I really did not expect that kind of answer, Kitsune… I thought I lost you for good this time… and… I.. I'm just glad that… you gave me another chance. Gods, I love you Kaede!!" Sakuragi then enveloped Rukawa into his arms and hugged him fiercely. Tears flowed down from the cheeks of both and they stayed that way for a long moment, relishing the presence and warmth of each other. When they broke apart, they stared at each other and laughed. They felt the joy and the light of being together again.
"Gods, Kaede… I missed you…"
"So did I Hana. So did I. But now you're here again…."
"Kaede…" They locked themselves into a passionate kiss and succumbed into zealousness easily. Sakuragi's mouth met Rukawa's and both seemed to be entangled for a certain moment. Fire flamed again together with the burning love that they longed so much more. Rukawa broke apart from the kiss and said, "Hana… I love you so much…"
"And I love you more than ever, Kaede… and I swear I'm not going to let you go again… I made your life a living hell once.. and I'm not going to repeat it again…"
"I trust you, Hanamichi. With all my heart."
Both of them smiled at each other once more and kissed with full fervor. They would build up their lives again, start anew and journey to their roads together, hand in hand. They had been in smooth roads but they entered a rough one that tested their love and trust for each other. That rough road has humps and rocks in the middle that made it worse but they managed to pass it through because of the love and strength they always believed at. And now, they finished traveling that road and were ready to sit back and enjoy a new way to their life. They would prepare for the future and promised to be by each other's side, no matter what happens. At the end of the road, after all, begins a much longer journey.
~*Owari*~
a/n::. Nyahahahahahahaha!!!! At loooooong looooooong last!!!!!! It's finished!!!! Whew!!! I've come a long way, ne? Anywayz, I would like to thank everyone who has read and reviewed this fic.. thank you sooo very much, guys!! I really appreciated it! Anyway, I am also sorry for not updating very long because I'm really busy with school works and this week was exam week… so there.. not to mention big projects that came… again, thank you thank you very muuuuccch!!! /muwah/ I will still be coming up with an epilogue of this.. so still wait for that, ne? okay… again, please review and for further comments, feel free to mail me at chesca14316@yahoo.com or kitsune21@rukawa.zzn.com. Ehhee!
Once again, thank you… and wait for the next chappie of our co-fic, The Fracture in Time… since I'm finished with this, I will devote my time for the co-fic.. nanami's kind of.. well… asking me already about it so… might as well concentrate there… okay, enough with babblings and ramblings!! Thank you once again!!! And oh… before I forget….
|
|
|
|
V
HAPPY HANARU DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy HanaRu Day, minna-san!!!!! /throws confetti in the air/ ^________^
Ja! ^_____^
