A Different Path

Disclaimers: Slam Dunk and all mentioned [Japanese] characters are not mine, they belong to Takehiko Inoue-sama. The American cast are mine (though confirmed: Alexander Black IS the American counterpart of Sendoh-sama *waves a Sendoh plushy* And Akira Sendoh is also a character made by Inoue-sama *nod nod*).
Notes and Warnings: Er, still in the long process of being a RuHanaRu fanfic ^_^' They're still trying to kill each other ^_^' *glares and whaps Kae-sama and Hana-sama upside the heads*

Chapter 3 - The Importance of Education

The constant squabbles and low murmurs of impatient students sounded through the classroom. Various lines of interest came between different members of the class, each having a small group to talk with during the free time before their teacher arrives. But these low conversations were then drowned by a larger group that was mainly focused on two, strangely-acting students who sat in opposite corners of the room.

"Oh my, isn't that the new student?"

"What does he want with our beloved Kaede?"

"Oooooh, I wish Kaede won't get into trouble!"

"Don't worry, we'll cut the other guy's head off if he does anything."

"What does that suppose to mean? I think the other guy's pretty cute!"

"What?!? Cuter than Kaede?"

"Ssh! Will you girls stop talking nonsense? Now guys, I bet you 10 bucks they'll end up jumping each other in about, let's see, a minute and 25 seconds."

"10 bucks? Make the damn thing a hundred, and lessen the time, look, the new guy's moving!"

And sure enough, the redhead pushed back his chair and stood up. The group of college boys grinned, expecting him to approach Kaede who sat on the other corner of the classroom, still glaring daggers at Hanamichi. But they didn't expect what came next.

*BAM!* *POW!* *CRACK!* *BOOM!*

Hanamichi snorted. "Tch...yarou...using the tensai to make bets," he grumbled, returning to his seat before resting his chin on one hand. Instinctively, even after he got rid of his little 'audience', he looked back at a certain part of the room where his heated glare once was. And as expected, brown eyes met with cold blue ones. One need not mention the sparks that flew towards both students, even worse than what were exchanged before. And as if nothing happened.

As for the poor boys who got Hanamichi's head butting debut in his new school, they all groaned out in pain, not even daring to touch the throbbing bumps on their foreheads. "What the hell happened to the Beat-Kaede-Up thing?" one of them asked half-consciously, but was only regarded by light snickers from the other students.

A few minutes later, the professor eventually entered the room, thus ending all arguments that were about to ensue among the class. But of course, not before the male population of the class learned their first lessons on 'Things To Consider When Faced With Hanamichi Sakuragi'.

As for the two who were previously the center of attention, well, they were still at it.

"Good morning," the professor greeted. "I expect everybody to be here. Now, as for today's topic..."

But further words just drowned down between the two, both sides still not giving up. But eventually, one figured to at least give his eyes a rest. After all, he's been doing this staring game with the other boy for years now. Pity to the eyes that they both use to engage in such battles, it's a miracle they haven't gone blind yet with the sharpness of their glares.

And so, Hanamichi Sakuragi decided to end their little fight. Sniffing irately, he stuck out his tongue and looked away.

But Kaede, who wasn't able to snap back after the redhead had looked away, scowled menacingly. Checking if the professor was looking (because really, he was kind enough to consider the old man's state), he held a small notebook he was using to take some of the extra notes that were being given, and checking yet again before aiming the said object at the red-haired boy. And swiftly enough, it connected with Hanamichi's head, followed by a loud, "Itai!"

* * * * * * * * * *

Edward Waters was just an average college professor, most of the time nice and considerate when it comes to his students. He likes to be organized, and he wants everything done the way he wants them to be. He expected only the simplest of things from his students of course, and that was sincerity in their subjects, respect towards him and to their classmates and an orderly attitude when inside his classroom.

Well, of course, not all students can please Mr. Waters now, can they?

"You asshole! What the hell did you do that for?!"

"....."

"You dare ignore this tensai?!"

"I don't see a 'tensai', but I am seeing a monkey."

"Why you---!"

*CRASH!*

Mr. Waters blinked. Promptly, he turned around to see what the trouble was all about. "Excuse me, Mr. Rukawa, Mr. Sakuragi. Is something wrong?" he asked good-naturedly, even if it was clear and obvious what was really wrong. Well, considering the fact that a wrestling match was currently being organized inside his beautiful classroom (correction: once beautiful classroom, thought Mr. Waters miserably), he supposed he can have at least a small idea.

"Get off me, dumbass."

"Yarou, Rukawa! Just when did you plan to start fights with me anyway? You know I'd win over you!"

"You wish. You only won before because you had a bunch of shit-heads following you around."

Kaede Rukawa? Since when did that boy develop such a sharp vocabulary? In fact, since when did that boy develop a vocabulary at all? He remembered Kaede to be such a silent boy. Too silent actually. The most words he had heard from the boy was, as he remembered, five words in a sentence, two sentences in a paragraph and one measly paragraph in the span of a whole session. How he managed to have such a way of speaking was beyond him.

"Are you talking about Youhei and the guys?! How dare you mock them! At least I had friends, the closest friends you ever had there were a bunch of basketball jerseys!"

"Tch. Like I care."

Mr. Waters cleared his throat, making himself known. But noticing that he was being ignored, he voiced out his concern. "Hanamichi! Kaede! Please stop this nonsense and take your seats!" he ordered, making sure his voice was loud and stern to rise above the other boys' own.

"Take back what you said about Youhei!"

"No."

"I'm really going to punch you now!"

"Rest assured you'll suffer from food poisoning later on."

Deliberately ignored again, Mr. Waters decided that he had had enough. "Boys! If you two won't stop this, I'll have to send you out of my class!" he warned, near to losing his temper.

For a moment, it seemed as though the class will have its peace. But after a few seconds of silence, Hanamichi turned back to Kaede, standing his ground stubbornly. "Take it back, fox."

The class turned to Kaede, Mr. Waters hoping he'd give up while the class waited for whatever his response would be. To the joy of the male population, Kaede turned away. "Do'ahou."

"Temee---!!!"

*CRASH!*

His doctor once told him to take it easy. The nice man that his doctor was told him that he might have the tendency to have a high blood pressure, considering his age and the job he was taking. But he expected not much problems anyway, he supposed college students were at least more civilized than highschool students to a certain degree now that they're past their early adolescent years. But seeing those two fight it out *right in front of him*, well, he was past both college and highschool standards. He was seeing kindergarteners!

Clenching one fist while the other arm stretched to point out to the exit, the old man bellowed. "OUT! OUT OF MY CLASS! NOW!!!"

* * * * * * * * * *

"Well, that sure sounds like fun. Did you two enjoy yourselves?" asked Mr. Sakuragi mockingly as he handed the two youths in front of him a cold, wet towel each.

Kaede scowled, but took the offered object wordlessly. He really didn't know what possessed him back there in class, all he could think of now is that he's lucky to have his apartment somehow near the school. At least, he'll be able to ease his injuries before his next scheduled class comes in. And also, he was thankful that Mr. Waters was too busy clearing his rising blood pressure to remember reporting them to the disciplinary office.

He then glanced at the cursing boy beside him, taking note that, at least on the bright side, his injuries were just as bad as his. Serves the dumb monkey right, he tends to get angry over such petty things after all. So maybe the fights weren't really one-sided since Kaede himself had participated, but still, he assured himself that he wasn't as shallow as that red-haired clown.

But unknown to Kaede, Hanamichi was having the same line of thinking. Hmph! The nerve of him to bad-mouth the guys! Jealous, dumb, immature fox....

"Hey, you two," called Mr. Sakuragi's voice, cutting off their line of thinking. Once sure he had their attentions, he continued. "Being your guardian, yes, yours too Kaede while your uncle is away, I'd like to warn you two of your current state," he said, giving the two a stern glare. "I don't want anymore fights like this, all right?"

Hanamichi spoke first. "But he always starts the fights!"

Mr. Sakuragi heaved a gruff sigh. "That's not much of an excuse to be so hostile towards each other. And have you ever thought that maybe if you'd stop reacting like a mad loon, there wouldn't be a fight ensuing at all, eh my dear boy?" asked the still gentle-voiced older man.

"But---" not thinking of something else to counter, Hanamichi just looked away. But just his luck his head turned to Kaede's direction. Was that his instinct to always be magnetized by that dumb fox? Screw his instinct then.

The dark-haired boy had a calm look on his face, nodding in agreement to what Hanamichi's uncle just said. The red-haired boy snapped. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Kaede regarded him with no more than a look. "He has a point," he simply said.

"Well I'm not changing my mind. You still start the fights!"

Mr. Sakuragi watched the two fight it over again. He reminded himself to bring a basket of fresh fruits to the professor that his nephew and his 'friend' had just 'introduced' themselves to. Imagine what the poor man must've felt when he saw such violence...Mr. Sakuragi just had to shake his head.

But still, it was strange. Just a few days ago, he could've sworn Kaede was the most silent, most reserved person he even knew. The boy would always keep to himself, bluntly straight forward and would avoid conversations as much as possible. Though most people would see him as a bit of a snob and a loner, the boy was gravely polite, and somehow had manners around other people older than he was. He would always show a kind of poise and dignity in everything he does. But now, well, just looking at those dark eyebrows he doubted could move out of that frown at all and how they'd twitch in irritation whenever his nephew would snap something back, he couldn't help but blinking in surprise. So Kaede was capable of doing something human such as this burst of anger, he just needed a little push. Not that that was a good thing considering the boy's current state. But nevertheless, he was relieved that Kaede's not as inhumanly capable of suppressing his emotions to a fault.

As for his nephew, he's known him to be like that ever since he was a young boy. Always so hyperactive and fighting with other kids, regardless of the age. But it was funny though. He knew in himself, without having to be biased since he was his nephew after all, that Hanamichi can take Kaede the same way he could take those thugs who'd usually corner him back in Kanagawa. But how Hanamichi handled his fights with Kaede was different, but not entirely something new.

Mr. Sakuragi smiled. This little brawl between him and Kaede, well, that was how Hanamichi would fight with his best friend back in Japan, Mito Youhei.

Grinning as if he knew something the two boys didn't, the old man stood up. "All right, that's enough, don't you have classes to go to?" he asked, making sure he kept his smile to himself.

In the midst of tearing each other's heads off, the two miraculously paid attention and blinked up at him. Promptly, they let each other go, taking a hold of their bags on either sides of the couch, standing up to leave. Mr. Sakuragi watched patiently, bidding them a small goodbye.

But not even halfway out the door, the two were at it again.

"Get the hell out of my way, Rukawa!"

"Cut the crap and just let me go, Sakuragi."

"What?! I came here first, you just had to squeeze yourself in, don't you?"

"Me? What about you?"

"You stupid fox! We're going to be late! Aw, shit, I think I'm stuck!!!"

"Quit moving, you're making it worse!"

"You dare order me around? Agh, my arm's going numb! Oi! What the hell are you doing?! RUKAWAAAA!!!"

End of Chapter 3

A/N:
*sweatdrops* Is it me or are they getting more and more violent with every chapter? *sweatdrops again* Poor teacher...is it obvious that I tend to torture teachers in my fanfics? But I think this is good enough for a transition, the story might start making sense around chapter 4. I hope.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, you guys are still and will always be the best! Here, I'm trying to update as much as I can, call it a sign of apology ^_^' Also, I feel bad for letting you people think that chapter 3 is up, ehehehe...!

And to Dee-chan, thanks for visiting my homepage and signing the guestbook *sweatdrops uneasily*. Yep, I just turned 15 last month, ahahahahaha...! *scratches head and sweatdrops some more* SP as a dead fic? Er...I won't exactly call it dead...I like to call it "on hiatus" ^_^' I don't mind you asking for the next chappies (even if I'm afraid they're still going to be delayed *sorry!*), I'm actually touched that you like my fanfics! *hands Dee-chan a lollipop* Sorry if I can't update it much.

Rei-chan (Silvercross)! Thanks again for the corrections! *glomps Rei-chan* You really take you're time explaining those things to me, I really really appreciate them! And I'm still sorry about SP *teary eyes* To everyone who's interested in Japanese, go back to chapter 1 because there are corrections, ehehe, my booboo. But translations are still the same. I can't believe I still commit typos even in Japanese words...*sweatdrops*

Heavens...I'm already in chapter 3 and we're still talking about Study Partners? o.O' Am I still not forgiven? Do I have to make a lamb sacrifice? ^_^' (I wish, I can't even kill a stupid fly *grumbles*)

- Cherrie (blackcape@edsamail.com.ph)