Disclaimers: I don't own SD or Initial D, which is really really sad …. *sigh*
NB: … Thoughts
(…) akane's ramblings
"…" character's speech
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Chapter 14 – Her Promise to Him
They arrived at Hiroshima two hours ago and they've just been to the opening ceremony of the summer national inter-high school competition. They've pled their vows of sportsmanship and been assigned to lodgings. This year unlike the previous, Shohoku's seeded as an A team instead of the C team they were labeled last year. Ryonan, the other IH championship contender from Kanagawa was labeled as a B team.
After the long and boring opening ceremony, the Shohoku players met up with those of Ryonan's outside.
Flashing his usual megawatt smiles, the spiky haired captain of Ryonan greeted their fellow Kanagawans (I made this name up, ok? If you don't like it, gimme a better suggestion ^_~). "Hi guys."
"Hey Sendoh." Miyagi returned his greeting with a smile.
"Hi Aki-nii chan." Tsuki smiled sweetly at one of her so called big brothers.
Sendoh tried to snug up to Tsuki when he saw her but he almost bumped into Kaede who was glaring daggers at him for his stupid attempt.
"Ano, hi Rukawa." Sendoh said sheepishly.
"Hn." Kaede was cold as ever…
"Hey, loosen up will ya, don't have to be so tense all the time." Sendoh yelped.
Kaede sneered at the older boy. "Loosen up when a hentai like you is around? What a laugh!"
Despite of the insults, Sendoh was overwhelmed by surprise. "Wow! You actually spoke more than ten words at one go! Amazing!"
"Do'aho!" Grunted Kaede and turned away from Sendoh.
"Take a walk with me?" Kaede asked Tsuki softly such that she'll hear him but others won't.
Tsuki looked up at him and smiled. She nodded. "OK, but we should settle our luggage first, don't you think?" She replied in the same soft tone as Kaede's.
He agreed and picked up her bag for her. "Captain, we're going over to the dorms first." Kaede said flatly to Miyagi.
Miyagi and the others who were mingling with Ryonan's players turned to look at Kaede with raised brows. Ayako smiled and said, "Go ahead you two, we'll catch up later. Tsuki, we're at room 9, k?"
Tsuki nodded and walked off with Kaede leaving a teeth gritting Sendoh and bewildered Ryonan players behind.
Sakuragi who thought he'd be nice to Sendoh for once patted him on the shoulders. "Sendoh, you'll get beaten up by that kitsune if you keep this up. You don't have any chances with neko-chan at all, so quit it."
Sendoh growled lowly and clenched his fists as he watched Kaede took Tsuki's hand into his as they walked away. Rukawa, what do you have that I don't? Why did Tsuki-chan choose you over me?
o o o o o
The first game Shohoku played was on the first day of the IH games were against a team from Chiba. Tsuki did not play, and they won the game with ease since the other team couldn't keep up with Shohoku's agility. Tsuki sat out of the remaining preliminary games observing each team carefully and drew new strategies for her team to go against the next.
Eight schools were left in the quarter finals, of which two was from Kanagawa, i.e. Shohoku and Ryonan. Shohoku's opponent in the quarter finals was against Michiba, the school which they'd trained with just weeks before. Michiba made it into the quarter finals for the first time in three years, so their players were all energetic and spirited to win. But they still lost even though they had the motivations to win.
Shohoku played against Tokyo's Furinkang High in the semi-finals. The game was a close one since they tied at the end of the second half and had to go into overtime play. However, Shohoku won the game 105 – 101, which ended with Sakuragi shooting his first three-pointer in the IH games. This shocked everyone. Since when did that red head learnt to shoot three pointers?
Ryonan didn't have the luck Shohoku had in the semi-finals. Their opponent was Sannoh. Although Sendoh was able to block off the attacks of Sawakita Eiji, the other Ryonan players weren't able to keep up with the other Sannoh players. They lost to Sannoh 98 – 87.
The finals were between Shohoku and Sannoh. Shohoku determined to win the IH championship for the first time in their school's history, and Sannoh determined to avenge the lost to their counterparts last year.
Players from Kainan and Shoyo came to support Shohoku, and so did the Sakuragi Gundan. The Ryonan players also stayed another day in Hiroshima to cheer for Shohoku. Akagi Takenori, Kogure Kiminobu, and Mitsui Hisashi also came to watch the game and to cheer their kohai on.
During the warm-up session, Sakuragi was more bubbly and hyperactive than usual. Everyone eyed him curiously, even Kaede sensed that something might have happened to cause the red head to 'bouncier' (the right word to use? Hehe :P) than usual.
Tsuki walked up to Sakuragi. "Ne Sakuragi-kun, daijoubu?"
Sakuragi grinned stupidly, "Daijoubu daijoubu. I've never been better."
"Err… OK, if you say so." Tsuki eyed him strangely and walked away.
Kaede dribbled the ball as he walked over to Tsuki. "What's with that do'aho?"
Tsuki shrugged. "No idea."
Sakuragi continued to grin stupidly for the rest of the warm-up sessions. Happy thoughts were flying around his head as he remembered what'd happen half an hour ago…
~*~*~*~*~ Flashback ~*~*~*~*~
"Sakuragi sempai!" Hashima Senko shouted as she ran toward the red head.
"Aa, Senko-san." Sakuragi smiled at her in greetings.
Senko scuffled her feet a little as she stood in front of Sakuragi. "Ganbatte ne sempai. I know you'll win this game. I'll be cheering for you." She blushed as she spoke.
Sakuragi was a little startled at first but smiled at the younger girl. "Arigatou Senko-san. I'll win this game no matter what. For Shohoku, for our team, for us." He said tenderly.
Senko's head shot up to look at her dream guy. "Did… did I just hear what I thought I heard?"
The red head's smile broadened. "Hai. You did hear it and it's no illusion. I'm asking you this once, will you be my girl, Senko?"
Senko's mouth opened and closed but with no words coming out. She was speechless! She'd never thought that the guy whom she'd fallen head over heels for will ever ask her to become his girlfriend.
When she finally managed to gather some words, she stuttered badly. "But…but…I…I thought…you like Haru…Haruko sempai?"
"Yes I do like Haruko-chan." He paused as he noticed the pained look on her face. "But only as one of my best friend. The one I'm in love with is you Senko."
Senko looked at him in disbelief. "But…but…how can that be? And, since when?"
"Since neko-chan yelled at me for being an idiot and after having a long talk with Haruko to sort out my feelings." He placed his hands onto her shoulders gently and pulled her towards him. "Those two girls can be so nasty when they needed to be. But at least I found my true feelings through their friendly nastiness. I found that what I felt towards you is genuine, not silly fetishism or stupid crushes. I'm in love with you, Senko."
Before he knew it, Senko's crushed herself against him, hugging him tightly. "I love you too sempai. I've been in love with you ever since I first saw you on the courts a year ago."
Sakuragi hugged her back dearly and kissed the top of her head. "Thank you for loving me Senko, I promise I'll always love you no matter what."
Senko looked up and saw the warmest brown eyes she'd ever seen. Those brown gems were filled with so much love that their tenderness is fluid enough to flow out as droplets of water. She smiled brightly and lovingly at the red head. "I love you with all my heart Sakuragi Hanamichi. Ai shi te ru."
"Watashi mou. Ai shi te ru Senko." He said before he lifter her chin and pressed his lips onto hers and sealed his promise to her with his kiss.
~*~*~*~*~ End of Flashback ~*~*~*~*~
"Oi Hanamichi!" Miyagi calling to the red head for the nth time. "Earth to Hanamichi!"
Finally frustrated with the non-responding red head, he threw a basketball at him, and the ball landed on his grinning face. (Ouchies! ^_^;)
Snapping out of his reverie due to the forceful hit, the red head glared at their captain. "What the hell was that for Ryochin!?" He roared.
"Teme Sakuragi! What the hell were you doing daydreaming on court, you baka!" Miyagi roared back at Sakuragi.
Everyone, which included the players from both teams and all the spectators in the stadium, had a major sweat-dropping session.
A second basketball flew out of no where and hit Sakuragi's backside this time.
"Calm yourself do'aho, the game's about to start. I don't want to lose because of you." Kaede stabbed the tensai with cold words, yet a friendly reminder nonetheless.
"Teme kitsune!" Sakuragi started. "You're lucky that I'm in a good mood today and it's before a game, so I'll let you off this time and not beat you into a pulp. Nyahahahahahaha…"
"Do'aho." The blue-eyed boy rolled his eyes and walked over to the benches.
Sakuragi grinned. "Baka kitsune was never able to compete with the tensai! Nyhahahaha…" He went into one of his crazy laughing fits again while everyone on the Shohoku bench sighed mushroom breaths. But deep down inside the boisterous and annoying laughter, Sakuragi was rather thankful toward Kaede. Thanks for that wakeup call, kitsune. He smiled to himself. He had stayed on cloud nine for too long since that special moment.
The announcer soon spoke to welcome everyone to the grand final of the IH games. He introduced the starting players from both schools, and Tsuki was one of them.
When they stepped into the court and readied themselves for the jump ball, Sawakita said bold words to Kaede. "I'll make sure you lose this game Rukawa. The last time was a careless mistake and I guarantee that won't happen again. You're out of luck, ace."
Kaede glared at him then a mocking smile crept over his handsome face. "I'll show you how wrong you are Sawakita. You lost last year and you'll lose again this year."
Tsuki heard their conversation and smirked inwardly. Kae-chan's gonna give that guy a beating today. He's been waiting for this for quite a while already. This is gonna be fun!
Sawakita continued to provoke Kaede further by saying, "A girl in your team this year huh? You think a 'girl' can match against the best players in Japanese high school?"
Surprisingly Kaede let out a soft tiny laugh. "You're so full of yourself Sawakita, and that's why you'll be losing to us today."
He looked over to Tsuki who gave him a smile. Their eyes met for a moment and silent words were exchanged.
You're not upset by that clown are you, Kae-chan?
Of course not, but I am a bit ticked off by his comment about you.
Don't worry, it's nothing. He'll know how wrong he is when the game starts, right?
Yeah. We're gonna kick ass today!
Yeaps!
Both Tsuki and Kaede's eyes sparkled with life and determination. Show no mercy! The thought shared by the two.
The umpire blew the whistle and tossed the ball into the air. Sakuragi jumped for it when the ball reached its maximum height and swatted it with full force towards Miyagi. Miyagi jumped and caught the ball. He yelled, "Fast break!"
Shohoku players ran towards their opponent's goal at their captain's command. Tsuki ran passed Miyagi and got the ball off him. She faked a three-pointer and passed the ball to Goto who was just behind her to drive into the key and made a beautiful jump-shot. The crowd went crazy. The skills displayed by Tsuki and Goto in less than one minute into the game startled coaches, players and spectators, also the sport reporters present. Especially since Tsuki sat out during all the past games and only joined this one.
Very soon, Sawakita was off his high heels. Dark clouds loomed over him as his mood changed from bad to worse and worse to worst. He couldn't believe how good Kaede and Sakuragi had become in just one year's time, and was green with envy when he saw Tsuki displayed her skills in front of his eyes.
Who is this girl? How come I've never heard of her? Sawakita kept frowning.
Shohoku never lost the lead they had on Sannoh. The game ended with Shohoku exiting the IH tournament as the new champions. The score was 95 – 78.
The celebration the Kanagawa teams had was huge, and it continued when they went back to Kanagawa with the trophy in hand.
o o o o o
The summer vacation came and went. The exception this time was Hanamichi being picked to join National Youth Basketball Training Camp with Kaede, together with Sendoh. Their performances at the IH were so impressing that rumors of them being allocation places in the national team were heard frequently. But just how true were the rumors? No one knew for sure, not until they do make it into the national team.
The summer season of basketball had gone. As the color of the maple reddened to announce the arrival of autumn, winter followed closely behind. This meant the arrival of the winter championships, and the last games for the seniors. Shohoku played Kainan for the title in that series and won. Kiyota was cursing and swearing beneath his breath during the presentations because he couldn't believe they lost to Shohoku again.
In the meantime, Hanamichi and Senko's relationship had stabilized, and they made such a cute couple that the Gundan always teases them. Obviously, this got the Gundan being head butted by Hanamichi as usual. (*sigh* some things just don't ever changes…)
Miyagi passed down his captain's duties to Kaede just before Christmas and the vice-captain went to Sakuragi. Tsuki became their assistant coach, and she also remained a player who played when she's needed on court or when she felt like it. A new generation of Shohoku basketballers was born that day. Another surprise that caught the team on the same day was the invitations Kaede sent out. Kaede had invited all his present and pass teammates to a Christmas ball, which was to be held at his house on Christmas Eve. The ball was held every year by his parents as a treat for his father's company's employees and business associates. This year, Kaede had decided to invite his whole team to come along for the fun as well (well…it's more like he can't stand the boring event any longer that's why he's dragging everyone down with him… kekeke… XD).
The whole Fujima family was invited to the Christmas ball held at the Rukawa mansion. In turned out that Fujima Shiuichi was a business associate of Rukawa Tatsuya, Kaede's father. Therefore, Tsuki didn't have to go to the ball alone.
Tsuki wore a silver colored dress which draped over her body flawlessly. Her hair was done up in a French knot with a few frills falling against her cheeks. The light makeup she had on made her features more prominent. All in all, she looked gorgeous! She walked downstairs and was met by Kenji, who held out his right arm to her. She took his gentlemanly offer and stepped out into the waiting car where her uncle and aunt had been waiting for them, after the maid put her coat on for her.
When they arrived, a number of guests were already socializing in the large ball room. Kaede had been looking out for Tsuki ever since the sun set into the west that evening. Finally, he spotted her entering the doors and went to her. He gaped at the beauty before his eyes.
"Don't recognize me, Kae-chan?" Tsuki teased.
The raven head smiled sweetly at her. "Of course not. I'll recognize you no matter how you've disguised yourself."
"That's nice to hear."
Kaede offered his hand to her and she took it. He immediately pulled her to his sides and wrapped his large hands over her delicate ones.
Fujima Shiuichi and Kazumi saw this and smiled. They're happy for Tsuki because they saw the unquestionable emotion; love, Kaede's clear sapphires emanated.
"Hey Rukawa, forget about something?" Kenji said mischievously as he glanced at his parents.
Kaede smiled thanking Kenji for the remainder. "Fujima san, watashi wa Rukawa Kaede desu. Yoroshiku gosaimasu." He bowed deeply.
"Well, nice to meet you at last young man. I've heard quite a lot about you from Kenji and Tsuki." Shiuichi said with a knowing smile.
"Aa." Kaede blushed. He was lost for words. He'd never imagined Tsuki's uncle being so direct.
Kazumi let out a small laugh which eased Kaede's awkwardness. "Why don't you kids go have some fun?" She said.
The 'kids' nodded and bowed before taking their leave.
Kenji soon found a few friends and went off to chat with them. Kaede brought Tsuki to where some of their teammates were and stayed chatting with them for a while. One unexpected sight was the display of constant intimacy between Kogure and Mitsui. Tsuki raised an eyebrow at the view. Kaede saw her reaction and whispered something in her ears, and she nodded.
"After returning to the team, Mitsui sempai confessed to Kogure sempai, and they've been a couple ever since." Kaede whispered.
Tsuki nodded. "They look so cute together."
"I know." He smiled at her.
"I'll introduce you to my parents." Kaede said as he saw his parents neared.
Tsuki hesitated for an instant but agreed. He took her by the arm and led her to where his parents were.
"Tou san, kaa san." Kaede called to his parents, who turned to see their son with a beautiful girl. "This is Fujima Tsuki, the girl I've told you about."
Rukawa Tatsuya and Rukawa Yukino smiled at Tsuki kindly. Yukino spoke first. "We've always heard Kaede talking about you when he's home, and now we get to meet you in person finally."
Both teenagers blushed at her words. Tatsuya continued after his wife. "That is so true, it's nice to meet you at last, Tsuki-chan."
Tsuki bowed politely. "Thank you sir. The pleasure's all mine." She smiled a dazzling smile.
Tatsuya punched his son jokingly on the shoulders while grinning. "Way to go son."
Kaede blushed further and a shade of pink started to form on this ivory skin. "Tou san!" He grumbled.
Tatsuya and Yukino laughed at their son's embarrassed actions and at the blushing Tsuki.
"Now go and have fun you two, it's Christmas Eve, and you should be enjoying yourselves." Yukino said cheerfully as she dragged her husband into the crowd with her.
While everyone chatted or danced gleefully on the dance floor, Kaede brought Tsuki upstairs to the library. He knew she loved books and crystals. Tsuki gasped at the sight presented before her as he pushed the heavy oak doors open. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with books of all kinds and languages. She was overwhelmed. But what took her breath away were the countless crystal figurines that shone so beautifully under the designer lamps in the showcases that separated the bookshelves.
She was mesmerized by the beautiful statuettes. She walked across the room to one of the showcases and gazed at the crystal, not knowing that Kaede had followed her and pulled her into his embrace.
"I know you'd like them." He whispered.
Tsuki nodded. "They're so beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you."
Tsuki blushed. At that moment, she knew what she felt for this iced boy was love. She knew that she'd fallen deeper than she'd ever before, not even that blasted so-called relationship she had before was comparable with what she had with Kaede now. And now, she knew it's time to tell Kaede about her feelings and give him the answer he'd been waiting for.
"Kae-chan, I have something to tell you." She whispered softly as she leaned backwards, deeper into his embrace.
"Hmm?"
She turned herself to face him and held his face with her hands. "Ai shi te ru, Rukawa Kaede." She confessed while smiling lovingly at him.
Kaede's eyes widened, and then in a split second, he lifted Tsuki and twirled around in circles. They both laughed uncontrollably at his actions. When he stopped circling, he peered deep into her blue depths with his sapphires. "Honto?"
Tsuki smiled and answered his question by pulling his head down, pressing her lips onto his. The kiss was sweet and tender. When they parted, Kaede whispered, "Watashi mou, ai shi te ru Fujima Tsuki. Always."
Their lips met once more…
o o o o o
Their senior year in Shohoku saw to the engagements of two couples. Kaede and Tsuki, and Hanamichi and Senko. Their friends cheered for them at their engagement parties and well wishes were passed out to them from everyone. At this point in time, Sendoh'd finally acknowledged defeat in losing Tsuki to Kaede. But he showed up at their engagement party to wish them good luck for the future gracefully. Another thing was that both Kaede and Hanamichi had been officially offered places in the national basketball team. They are now members of the national team.
It was the first of January again, announcing the birth of a New Year and Kaede's eighteenth birthday. Tsuki and Kaede strolled along street holding hands.
"Ano, Kae-chan, I need to talk to you about something." Tsuki broke the silence.
"Nani?" He asked.
"You know I applied for a scholarship to Cambridge in the UK right?" Seeing him nod, she continued. "Well, I just received a letter from them saying that the scholarship's been approved, and they'd like to see me there by the middle of summer."
Kaede stopped and held her hands in his. He looked into her eyes and said, "You thought that I'd disapprove of your decision?"
Tsuki smiled sheepishly, "Yeah, guess I kindda did think that."
He smiled and knocked her forehead playfully. "Silly you, what made you think I'd disapprove? I would never stop you from going there to study. I will not allow you to hold back your dreams because of me. You will go to Cambridge next summer and I'll be waiting for you here, right here in Japan. I'll wait for you to return to me no matter how long it'll take."
Tsuki was extremely touched by Kaede's speech. She embraced him with all her heart. "Arigatou Kae-chan, arigatou for understanding and not making me choose."
Returning her embrace, Kaede smiled down at his love. "Promise to come back to me, OK?"
Tsuki nodded her head furiously as she leaned further into his embrace. "I promise."
They continued to walk toward their destination, which was the restaurant they were to celebrate Kaede's birthday in. Suddenly, Kaede stopped walking as he heard the chimes of the ice-cream van from across the road.
"Kae-chan?" Tsuki asked puzzlingly.
"Wait here, k?" He dashed across the street to the ice-cream van.
Tsuki smiled at his childish actions. She knew how much Kaede love ice-cream and can never not have some when he saw them. This was why he ran across the street now.
Then, a horribly loud noise was heard. Tsuki's heart writhed as she witnessed Kaede's body being tossed into the air like a piece of rag.
"IYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Tsuki screamed. She ran to where Kaede's body landed and saw his body colored in scarlet. She gathered his lifeless body in her arms and screamed to the onlookers. "CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE! HURRY!"
"Kae-chan, yamete! Don't leave me! You said you'd never leave me!" Strings of crystal tears fell from her blue eyes. "Yamete! YAMETEEEEEEEEEEE!"
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akane の teahouse…
I'm so cruel! :) wahahahaha~ *grins evilly*