A Different Path

Disclaimers: Slam Dunk, Hanamichi Sakuragi and Kaede Rukawa are all owned by Mr. Takehiko Inoue. No money is made in the creation of this fanfic.
Notes: Shounen ai in the near future. *nod nod* Okay minna-san, you're right, they've had enough fights for three chapters already. So here comes Che-chan playing matchmaker, bwahahahahahahaha--*gets hit by a lightning bolt*. Okay, so make that a poor excuse for a matchmaker, but whatever works with these two ne? ^_~ Don't expect much though, I can't make them fight in one chapter and smooch in the next, if you know what I mean ^_^' So, er, ahahaha! *scratches head* Forgive this chapter's possible lack of quality, my ptinsy tinnie tiny brain was overworked this week, so I might have a few booboos here and there *pats her own head dumbly*.

Chapter 4 - Rain

"I cooked today, so why should YOU take the last piece of toast?!"

"Because I cooked yesterday and still you got the last piece."

"But---! That's different!!!"

"Hn, do'ahou."

Mr. Sakuragi sighed exasperatedly, watching the two younger boys as they fought over the last, measly piece of bread. Really, those two fought over the most stupid things. The old man sighed again, wearily scratching his cheek as he waited for the right opportunity to break in on the two's conversation to say his share of words.

"I'm hungry!"

"You're always hungry."

"Well what the hell, I'm a growing boy!"

"Urusai! You make the dumbest excuses, do'a--"

"Okay, that's enough!"

Ah yes. That line seemed to be overly used now, wasn't it? Mr. Sakuragi frowned, glaring at the two younger males on the table. "I have something important to say. Can I trust you two to listen?" he asked, eyebrows rising.

Kaede, being the naturally polite boy that he was despite how Hanamichi might tend to disagree, just bowed his head in apology. Hanamichi, however, wasn't as silent. Finding the opportunity, he grabbed the toast from Kaede's plate and stuffed it on his mouth. Fortunately, Kaede only rewarded him with a death glare and nothing more. Well, the boy did growl something out, but he didn't hear.

Mr. Sakuragi shook his head. "Hanamichi..." he called threateningly, but decided to just sigh again to keep the unwanted feelings out. He shouldn't risk his own health despite his nephew. A small memory of Mr. Waters and his rising blood pressure came to mind, and Mr. Sakuragi cringed.

"Oi, what is it unc?" asked Hanamichi in between munches, making Kaede glare at him menacingly yet again.

"Look you two, you can't be fighting each other all the time," he started, looking at them both. When both set of eyes just stared at him inquisitively, he decided to get on to the subject. "Me and my family will be out of town for two weeks," he turned to Hanamichi. "So that means that if you want, you may move in in our apartment space for a while, seeing that you may be needing a few quiet times alone. Am I right, Kaede?" he then said, turning to Kaede.

But before Kaede could nod, Hanamichi butted in. "Hey! Why are you asking him for?!"

A short chuckle. Mr. Sakuragi shook his head. "Nevermind, Hanamichi. But needless to say, I expect that everything will be all right when I get back. If you have any problems with the apartment, just call me. Hanamichi, I'll be leaving you the number of the hotel just in case something goes wrong. I already told Mr. Wilson about this, so you don't have to worry about him," he explained.

Both boys nodded. Mr. Sakuragi could've sworn that a sigh of relief escaped Kaede lips though. Not that he could blame the boy. Hanamichi may be his nephew, but the boy is really loud, much to his dismay. But he supposed that that was what made the redhead so unique. Strangely unique, but special anyway, despite everything that has happened to him.

A small, sad smile played on his tired lips then. No, he mustn't think of such things. He promised Hanamichi that they'll both forget the past and go on with their share of life. With that thought of, he continued, dismissing the sudden play of memories in his mind "Anyway, that's it. We'll be leaving tonight, so Hanamichi, you can move in tomorrow," he said, fixing up his plate.

"All right!" cried Hanamichi, pumping a fist in the air. "Finally! I get to go around without having a paranoid perfectionist running around behind me!"

Kaede scowled. "'Paranoid perfectionist'? Admit it, you're just too messy."

"No, you're just too much of a clean-freak for your own good!"

Kaede looked away, suppressing the urge to growl. Mr. Sakuragi watched all of these with a mere shake of his head, inwardly thanking Kaede for being the patient one to give up on his stubborn nephew. Little by little, he could see the boy adjusting to Hanamichi's constant outbursts. And knowing Hanamichi, just how thankful Mr. Sakuragi was was quite measurable.

"Hey, Kaede. Will you be kind enough to drive me and my family to the airport?" he asked gently, taking note of the wide eyes and worsening color of Kaede's already pale face at the possibilities that may happen while he was away. Mr. Sakuragi laughed. "Don't worry, I don't think my nephew is capable of soiling your apartment in the span of a few hours. He may prepare his things for the time being. Is it all right?" asked Mr. Sakuragi as he caught Kaede's eyes.

Though doubtful of the old man's reassurance, Kaede was not the kind who'd refuse people he somehow respected. Ignoring the loud male beside him, he turned to Mr. Sakuragi and gave him a small nod. "Hai."

* * * * * * * * * *

It was raining.

He didn't know why, but he had always liked the rain, no matter how strong, no matter how loud the thunder. It was soothing, and the way the tiny raindrops flow across the silent leaves, streets, and glass windows almost made him want to drift his eyes closed. But nevertheless, he always made it a point to always watch the rain before he finally drifts to his usual habit of sleeping. Like a mother's lullaby, it makes everything else disappear, as if the only one existing in the world was him, that not even the booming thunder outside could interfere.

Kaede sighed, leaning his head on the cold glass that separated him from the heavy rains. He was just back from the airport after driving Mr. Sakuragi and his family there. But after that, though he didn't know why, he couldn't sleep. That was why he stayed up to watch the rain to begin with. Considering Kaede and his relationship with the Sandman, this was a very absurd situation.

The luminescent neon green glow of his wall clock's hands blinked a disturbing 2:59 at him. Finding no more excuse to stay up, he surrendered to his eyes' pleas, closing them little by little, savoring the sounds that flowed around him like a blanket. He could only wish this moment would last, peaceful, comfortable.

But then again, who ever said all wishes come true?

Poke, poke. "Psst, hey, Rukawa."

Kaede winced at that voice, more so because of the none-too-gentle pokes he's been receiving on his left shoulder. Not even suppressing his growl, he opened his sleepy blue eyes and glared at the only person who can be responsible for shifting his good mood into something not as nice in a second flat.

"Do'ahou, what are you doing here?" he asked, sliding his eyes closed after saying so.

Funny. Why didn't that sound as irritated as it should be?

"I can't sleep," came the answer. Even if he had his eyes closed, Kaede could've sworn Hanamichi was frowning.

Furrowing his brows through closed eyes, Kaede growled. "The hell do I care?" he snapped. Again, he failed making it sound as stern as he wanted it to. Damn. Maybe he's just too sleepy. Darn that idiot...

Hanamichi snorted. "You should actually thank me I woke you up. You'll get a stiff neck in the morning if you sleep like that," he replied, poking the raven-haired boy again. "Not that I care of course. Just don't whine about it or I'll take your head off myself," he added quickly after three more pokes.

A brow twitched. Closed lids slid open to reveal ice blue eyes, clearly in the verge of getting annoyed. "You woke me up just to piss me off, didn't you?" came Kaede's irate accusation as he glared at Hanamichi. "How I sleep is none of your business."

Hanamichi looked away stubbornly. "Oh yeah, I forgot. You've always had the reputation of the constant sleeper who'd sleep even in positions most yoga experts can only dream about." Another snort.

Kaede scowled, catching the other's eye. "Is that all you have to say?" he asked, already annoyed. For once, can't this idiot stop irritating me?

The redhead frowned again. "No," he said, the look of sarcasm and mockery leaving his face. "I need a pillow."

A--what? Kaede blinked. "Excuse me?" he asked, suppressing the urge to knock the redhead unconscious.

"I said I need a pillow," repeated Hanamichi, after heaving a tired sigh. "Y'see, I soiled my second pillow, so I only have one now. But I can't sleep with only one pillow, not to mention it's raining," he explained, pointing at the window outside. "Tease me as you will, I'm like that. I just hate the stupid weather, that's all."

Kaede took a moment to follow what Hanamichi just said. "I like the rain," he said suddenly, but obviously not picking a fight. Hanamichi just stood there though, and shrugged as recognition to his opposing comment. The young raven-haired boy turned to the other, sighing. "So? What are you doing here?" he asked, dismissing his earlier statement as one of those that just pop out of nowhere.

"I came here to borrow a pillow," Hanamichi replied, pointing at one of the few number of pillows that lay on Kaede's bed.

Kaede turned around to look out the window again, resting his chin on one hand. "Go ahead," he said, his eyes drifting closed again.

Hanamichi's footsteps were the only sounds that came after that, even though Kaede could've sworn he heard a low, "thanks". The redhead stopped momentarily in front of the bed, his back to Kaede. He took a lone pillow on the side closest to him and turned around to face the other boy. But instead of leaving, he took his time and sat on the edge of the bed. "You know, my mom died on a rainy day."

Blue eyes opened, but he didn't turn around to look at the red-haired boy. Instead, he just stared off outside his window, but Hanamichi took his silence as a sign that it was okay to go on. "I was six years old then. I was holding on to my father's hand. It was raining outside, that was all I could remember of the outside world. The hospital room was so quiet, the only sound that I could hear was the beeping of my mother's heart in that thing across from me on the other side of the bed. The doctor was saying something about pulling the plug, and I remember my father nodding and he let go of my hand. The beeping stopped suddenly, and was replaced by a long humming, and I watched my mom's body stiffen, then grow cold. I couldn't understand what was happening, and I got scared," he bowed his head, a bitter smile gracing his lips. "So instead of listening to that cold humming, I listened to the rain."

Hanamichi's voice died down after that. Cold minutes passed and none of them spoke. The wind howled. Thunder crashed. But none of these things were paid any heed, for different thoughts ran around the two boys' heads, though their lips remained silent.

After what seemed like a few minutes more, Hanamichi stood up. "Well, I better be going then."

Kaede let his eyes follow the other in silence, even after the door slowly closed. He listened to those heavy footsteps, heard them stop momentarily as the door to the room beside his opened, then to die down again as the redhead probably laid down to sleep. Kaede sighed.

He didn't remember where he heard it, but he knew during his second year in highschool that Hanamichi didn't have a father. Well, as far as he knew, Hanamichi's father is dead. He died of heart attack during the boy's early adolescent years, or so he had heard. But he never really thought much about it. That was when he realized that he never actually heard of Hanamichi's mother either.

I see, he thought to himself. So, he supposed Hanamichi had been living alone. He never knew any siblings Hanamichi may have had. But...what the hell possessed him to tell me that?

Kaede sighed, shaking his head. He would be a fool to say that he wasn't moved by the story. Heaven forbid though, he of all people should know better than feel sorry for the redhead. It's funny. Nobody hardly gave the boy's feelings any mind, he always seem so happy that the thought of him being sad at all was just absurd. He supposed that that was why the others never bothered thinking about Hanamichi's personal life.

Blue eyes softened. Well, he certainly had more time in him to actually think of that redhead. He didn't know why, but why did it bother him so much? What was that feeling he suddenly felt after sensing that light die away from Hanamichi even for a mere two minutes?

"Teme, kitsune! If you're planning to sleep there as I caught you a while ago, I was damn serious when I told you not to bother me about a stupid stiff neck!" came Hanamichi's voice, muffled by the single wall that separated their two rooms apart.

Kaede blinked. How did he...?

He shook his head. That redhead was just filled with wonders, wasn't he? Sighing, Kaede, for once in his life, obliged to what that voice told him to do and stood up to head back to his bed. But not before he turned back to look out the window again, as a bolt of lightning flashed outside, followed by a loud crash of thunder a moment after. He turned back and looked at the far wall beside his bed, as if he really saw the sleeping form of Hanamichi there.

He frowned. He knew that he knew nothing about the red-haired male, but why did it seem like he held such a huge secret now?

"Do'ahou," he grumbled, not used to the feeling. He walked towards his bed, covering himself with the thick blankets as yet another loud crash of thunder sounded outside his window. Blue eyes slowly drifted closed again. But this time, he saw an image that should've triggered a vein to pop in his temples, but miraculously did not. Irritated and amused at the same time, Kaede let out a gruff sigh and mumbled, "Oyasumi, baka."

What possessed him to say that was beyond him. He doubted anybody heard it, but he supposed that he overestimated the thickness of the walls of his apartment when he heard a familiar voice reply from the other room. "Oyasumi, kitsune."

End of Chapter 4

A/N:
*brow twitches* What the hell was THAT?! *scratches head like mad and bonks her head on the wall* I just got a very long vacation from writing and THIS is what happens?! Geez, I should stop taking trips to merry land!!! *boxes herself* I'm sorry for this chapter everyone, I guess I'm just lacking inspiration. But...it can't be that bad, ne? *gets hit with a raw egg square on the face*

Anyway, a few points about the story. I noticed that most RuHanaRu, if not all, always seem to have Ru-sama as the poor, quiet boy with the sad past. Well, I figured, maybe he's just like that. There are people who are quiet and reserved without their lives having to be tragic. Well, last time I checked, I'm like that ^_^' So I twisted it a bit and gave a little bit of story on Hana-sama's part, just so we can practice on Ru-sama's emotions to care and understand. I hope that turned out well though *bows down in advanced apology just in case*.

*whirly eyes and scampers off to Rei-chan* Oneechan, make up your mind! Ne ne, maybe the exams just got into your head ^0^ But that's okay, I don't have to change the translations again anyway, right? *hugs Rei-chan* Thank you again! Ehehehe, don't mind me, you're good in Japanese! Better than Che-chan obviously, you're the bestest I can find! (*sweatdrops* no better word in the dictionary to describe you, heehee!)

*glomps Raven* You're alive!!! *climbs up Rav's back and plays baby monkey* About that lamb sacrifice, I changed my mind. Lambs are too cute to be killed! You and your sadistic way of thinking. I'll be praying for you, though. Y'see, I still do that...(Hehe!) About the hiatus bit, ahahahahaha! *slaps Rav's back* Ah yes, yes, I'll keep that in mind *hides an embarrassed cough*. I'll tell Lu you're still thinking about him though, hehehehehe... (but heaven knows I'll kill you if you ever do something funny *beams and hands Rav-chan a lolly*).

This so far is the longest A/N I've ever given . I promise to be less talkative on later chapters, please don't be angry! *bows apologetically again* Thanks to everyone who reviewed! Pray that my stupid mind won't run off somewhere again! With special thanks to Nuriko-sama's "Perfect World" song for keeping me company throughout all of my fanfics, ja minna-san!

- Cherrie (blackcape@edsamail.com.ph)