A Different Path

Disclaimers: Slam Dunk and all mentioned [Japanese] characters are not mine, they belong to Takehiko Inoue-sama. No money is made while making this fanfic.
Notes: Developing RuHanaRu shounen ai. Kaede thinks up of a plan to finally stop his fights with Hanamichi all in all.

Chapter 5 - The Deal

The sounds of a confidently hummed tune graced the whole room, together with the light ruffling of cloth against cloth. The quick sound of a zipper followed next. Hanamichi Sakuragi grinned to himself, his mood strangely pleasant that morning, though he wasn't exactly sure why. As far as he was concerned, he lacked sleep. Well, sort of anyway. But he knew he'd be a fool to say that his sleep last night wasn't pleasant.

Brown, copper eyes trailed to his now neat bed (so a certain obsessive-compulsive fox-eyed boy wouldn't have his head and accuse him of "soiling his house"), stopping momentarily at a familiar pillow that lay atop his own. Kaede's pillow. It was funny. Perhaps the fox's uncanny ability to sleep in any given place somehow penetrated even to his own belongings that it almost seemed like a contagious disease.

Hanamichi laughed. Laughed. That's funny. Wasn't he supposed to fume like mad whenever that guy passed through his thoughts? Geez, he must be in a really good mood to let such a thing pass.

But then again, now that he would think about it, he supposed that it was because he never really had the reason to hate him anymore. Well, sure he picks fights (though he'd still tend to push that Kaede's the one who starts them, which was true in some cases at least), but those weren't as heated as the ones they've had back when they were in highschool. Though the physical aspects were still the same, and aside from the possibility that maybe Kaede still bore his dislike towards him similar to what he had back then, Hanamichi was certain that he was free from such ill feelings now.

Perhaps it ended when Haruko finally found herself a suitable man who Hanamichi knew can be trusted (thanks to his constant spying sprees of the said boy every time he gets the chance). He didn't really know why, but when he found out that Haruko has a boyfriend now, it didn't bother him as painfully as it should. Sure he was hurt, but maybe the hurt that he felt was that of his male pride. You know the kind, the one that would yell like hell in your head just because another guy got the place you feel that you're supposed to be in? But that's it, not the kind of pain one might experience from a lost love.

It took him quite a while to get used to the idea though. But he supposed that it was because he was concerned about Haruko's well-being, and his own sanity. He thought he was in love with Haruko. But nevertheless, Haruko, crush or not, had been a hell of a good friend to him, and surely he wouldn't entrust her to just any guy. But the boy convinced him in his own little ways, like the way he would speak towards Haruko, the way he'd smile whenever Haruko sees something that makes her happy, the way he'd cancel upcoming schedules just so he'd be able to accompany Haruko in her job of being the assistant manageress of the Shohoku basketball team. And after all, the boy also gained Akagi's, Haruko's older brother, aka Gori by Hanamichi's own terms, trust and consent. What more can Hanamichi ask for?

But then, perhaps, the real time and place that made Hanamichi realize that his supposed hatred for his arch-rival for three years had finally died down was when they were at the airport. Everybody, even Akagi, Mitsui, Kogure, Miyagi and the other older year levels came back just to bid their legendary ace goodbye. It was then that Hanamichi realized, if not admitted, that he was going to miss the guy despite their bloody history.

"Oi, do'ahou. Are you really planning to waste your day staring at some stupid pillow?"

Hanamichi blinked. He hadn't realized him standing there at all. Was he really that deep in thought that he hadn't noticed?

"Teme, kitsune! How long have you been there?" he asked, turning his head to face none other than Kaede Rukawa himself. A slight shade of pink graced Hanamichi's cheeks. Not only was he coincidentally thinking of the fox-eyed demon himself who stood right in front of him, but he was also caught in the act. He wondered if Kaede knew. Heaven forbid.

One dark eyebrow rose in interest as he took in that blush. Oh hell, he thought Hanamichi only had the decency to blush when that annoying girl back in highschool was around. Not that he'd call it anything decent either, but one would get the idea. Thinking back on Hanamichi's last question, Kaede merely let out a shrug as a reply.

Hanamichi snorted. Kaede could've sworn the do'ahou was muttering something about a "stupid fox" behind his back, but then again, he was used to those grumbling curses anyway.

After what seemed like three minutes, Kaede decided to finally speak. "Have you eaten yet?" Well, not a very characteristic question, but that was why he was there anyway. But then again, why he'd care about the dumb redhead's health was beyond him just as well.

Hanamichi, to Kaede's amusement though it may not be obvious, seemed to be just as surprised with the question. "Er, no, not yet," he replied. Not able to fight off his curiosity and doubt, he cast Kaede a suspicious glare. "Why?"

The raven-haired boy rolled his eyes at the childish display. "There's food downstairs," he said, a matter-of-factly.

"Huh?"

"Thought you might want to eat first before you leave."

"Oh," Hanamichi uttered, taking the words in. And then, "How can I be sure you didn't put poison on that?"

A brow twitched. "Idiot. You've been eating my food for a month already and you only ask that now?" Kaede asked, not even bothering to hide his irritation.

There they go again. Hanamichi sighed exasperatedly. Their fights seem so endless, don't they?

Again, he sighed, waving a hand in dismissal. "Yare yare...fine, I'll eat," he said, closing up the last zipper in his bag.

"Hn," Kaede turned to leave, but not without a last scowl. "Don't make it sound like you're doing me a favor."

"Tch, you should be lucky I even bother eating the crap you cook."

"It's better than your burned up ones anyway."

A blush. "I made those well done, they're supposed to be that way!"

"Hn. So you mean you really meant to cook ash and soot out of an expensive steak?"

"Teme...I'm not THAT stupid, baka kitsune!!!"

They went on as so up until they reached the dining room, up until they pulled their chairs to settle down and up until the covers of the plates were taken off by Kaede as he listened to Hanamichi's relentless ranting. Willing himself not to scratch his head in frustration, Kaede watched Hanamichi threaten to ruin his table from all the fist bashing.

He winced. He swore he heard a crack. He had to stop this now. "Oi, ahou, stop that."

"And who are you to tell me what I should do?!"

"Urusai..." A deep breath. He needed to calm himself. "Look. Let's make a deal," he offered, willing fate to make this work. He looked up at Hanamichi to see if the other was listening. Judging from the silence that met him, he supposed he was. Taking yet another deep breath, he continued. "Throughout the two weeks that you're uncle will be away, I want us to try and get along. That means no fighting, no name-calling, and especially no physical assaults. Because seriously, Sakuragi, I am not willing to live through a year wasting my energy fighting it off with you, and I do not want to risk infuriating my own uncle. Since I don't seem to have any choice in this, I want to make the most out of it. Got that?"

But he was only met with a silence dead-pan. Copper eyes stared at him unblinkingly, as if he was the most fascinating thing the redhead had ever seen. Kaede could feel the hair from the back of his neck rise just from the sheer pressure of it. He growled. "What the hell's your problem now, do'ahou?"

"You..." Hanamichi started, pointing a finger at Kaede. "Do you even realize how much words you've just said, kitsune?!" he asked incredulously. "I never thought you had it in you!"

Laughter.

Kaede scowled. "Nevermind that," he said, trying his best to have Hanamichi's attention again. "Did you even hear what I said?"

After a few more seconds, but a mere moment before Kaede would stand up to knock some sense into the redhead's mind, Hanamichi thankfully woke up. Between his stifled chuckles, he was able to nod. "You said no more fights," Hanamichi said, nodding again and again. "Tch, like you'd last. As far as I can remember, you're the one starts the fights."

"Am not."

Oh, Hanamichi knew fully well where this was leading to, but nevertheless... "Are too."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Fine!" Kaede growled out, his fist inevitably rolling up into a ball. "All right, let's say that I do start the fights. That aside, then do you think you can do your part and make this work?"

Hanamichi raised an eyebrow. "Why are you so worked up about this anyway? I don't think I'm capable of killing you anyway."

"That's none of your business."

Hanamichi scowled. "This, so far, sure is a great idea, Rukawa, 'cause I'm currently tempted to call you names again," he said sarcastically, looking away.

Shit, this'll never work. Kaede frowned, watching the redhead play around in his seat, refusing to meet his eyes. Well, one thing that he knew off in the beginning was that his proposal wasn't as easy as it sounded. But still, he was willing, though why he was is still beyond him, to do anything just to have this so-called "peace" that he had just mentioned.

Taking yet another deep breathe, he spoke. "All right. I apologize. Now will you listen?"

That didn't sound right at all. Kaede Rukawa? Apologizing? To this accursed idiot too, no doubt! Oh hell, whatever's happening to him, it better be worth everything he's currently doing.

On the brighter side, he got Hanamichi's attention. And needless to say, the young man seem to be thinking in the same line Kaede had just been in. "Apologize? Now I know I'm dreaming," he answered mockingly.

"For heaven's sakes, Sakuragi, is it really that hard to think for you?"

"Oh, so NOW you're angry! Oh hell, you've done a great job thinking, all right."

Kaede gritted his teeth irately. "So does that mean that your answer's 'no'?" he asked simply, glaring at the other.

Hanamichi looked away again. "Did I say that?"

"So it's a 'yes' then," concluded Kaede.

"Hmph," Hanamichi looked back at the raven-haired boy, for the first time meeting those blue eyes seriously. "I'll try anyway."

If only he'd be able to believe it, Hanamichi could've sworn he saw those lips tug slightly upwards. He barely heard Kaede's quietly muttered "good", before he could realize that their food was getting cold. He picked up the silver spoon and fork, still trying to be at ease with them, and looked down at his plate. "So," he started, looking up at the other. "I don't know if you've noticed yet, but we tend to fight right after a few exchanged lines."

Kaede at first was silent. But eventually, he nodded.

Hanamichi retained his gaze. "Do you honestly believe this will work?" he asked, obviously doubting.

Kaede shrugged. "Why not?" he replied, casting Hanamichi his own look. "It's better than doing nothing about it, isn't it?"

The redhead grinned. "Heh. Finally feeling guilty about those old guys we sent to the hospital, huh?" he teased, knowing fully well that Kaede knew what he was talking about.

But Kaede didn't reply. Contrary to what he just was a few moments ago, he ignored Hanamichi and settled on cleaning up his plate off its contents.

Hanamichi watched Kaede eat, lifting his own fork just as well. "You know, you should stop ignoring me if you intend to get along with me," he said, pushing the silver utensil on a piece of ham.

It took the other a few seconds to respond, but he did. "Fine."

"And what should I call you now? The guy's back at school calls you 'Kaede', but I'm not used to that," went on Hanamichi, one finger sticking out to prove his point.

"Call me whatever you like then," replied the other.

"All right, I'll settle for 'Rukawa'. How's that?"

Kaede nodded. "Then I'll settle for 'Sakuragi'."

Silence. Well, this wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. At least Hanamichi's cooperating. More than what was expected of him actually, but that was a good thing, wasn't it? But still, there was one other thing that's been bothering him since he woke up, and he intended to settle it that day as well.

"Anou...Sakuragi," he started, training himself to use that name now instead of his infamous "do'ahou". It shouldn't be as hard as it sounds, right? And after all, they needed a good start in a conversation anyway. He cleared his throat. "Last night, the one you said about the rain? What's with that?"

Hanamichi looked up at him and blinked, his mouth barely full. He somehow had the decency to swallow first before he answered at least. "You mean the one with my mom?"

Kaede looked down. "Un," he mumbled before nodding.

"Forget about it," the redhead said dismissively. "I just got into one of those moments, that's all. It always seems to happen when it rains for some reason." Hanamichi then looked down at his food again, fiddling for a while. Kaede could've sworn those eyes seemed blank and distant for that short moment. But after a few seconds, they lit up again, as if the boy remembered something. "Hey! What happens then if we accidentally forget we made this deal and picked a fight against the other or started the name-callings again?"

Hanamichi didn't seem to want to talk about anything less than happy, so Kaede decided he could let the redhead go. As an answer to the boy's question, he held up five fingers. "5 dollars," he said.

Hanamichi grinned. "All right! It's a deal then! But I bet you won't be able to beat me, considering that I'm a tensai and you're a not, nyahahahaha!"

"Hn, like I'd lose over you. Do'ahou."

A moment's glare was all it took to make them realize what they had just done. Kaede blinked. Hanamichi slapped his head. Both looked exasperated as ever.

"All right, who started it?" Hanamichi asked, scratching his head.

"You started it," replied Kaede, pointing a finger at Hanamichi.

"But you took the bait. And at least I didn't call you names," defended Hanamichi.

They both sighed wearily.

"It's useless to pay each other now, isn't it?" Hanamichi said, grinning.

Kaede shook his head. "We'll start the deal then after breakfast," he said.

Silence passed them again. But a few minutes later, Hanamichi spoke up again. "Oi kits---I mean, Rukawa. I forgot to give you back your pillow. I think unc would have some extras in his house anyway. I slept well last night, but I can't help but thinking..." he paused. He looked at Kaede. "Do you still drool in your sleep?"

A brow twitched. "What kind of question is that?!"

"Wha-at? Is it my fault you're known for that aside from sleeping too much?"

"Baka yarou, Sakuragi! I thought we've settled that we'd shut up if it won't do us good?"

"But breakfast is not yet over, which means it's still okay."

"Urusai! You really are picking a fight with me, aren't you, ahou?"

"What did you call me, baka kistune?!"

"Do'ahou!"

"Kitsune!"

End of chapter 5

A/N:
Hopeless, hopeless, they're both hopeless! *bawls over* Here I am, thinking up ways as to not make them jump on each other anymore and what do they do?! They just seem to be naturally made to constantly be in fights! *bonks Ru-sama and Ha-sama on the heads* And war-freak Ru-sama + war-freak Ha-sama + boke Che-chan = chaotic 5th chappie!

*wipes brow* But I thought for a second there that I'm suffering from writer's block again. Which I was honestly, but I realized that I've had my share of rotten tomatoes thrown at my face for the lack of updates, so here you all go ^_^' *bows down in apology* This was a chapter that was forced out of my drained mind, so if it doesn't satisfy you, I'm sorry then. I try to be better with each and every chapter, so though I may not promise that you would love the things I write, rest assured that I try my best every time I let a chapter go. *bows again*

Thanks for reading! Comments and reviews will be greatly appreciated!

- Cherrie (blackcape@edsamail.com.ph)