Author's Notes: To those people there who noticed something familiar in the "numbers line"… the idea is taken from Erin Brockovich (did I spelled it right? ^___^;;), it's a Julia Robert's film… Anyway, it was only the idea… not the whole line… Well, again for the umpteenth time around, I THANK YOU guys for reviewing. THANK YOU SO MUCH and I hope you'll continue on doing so… I'm really grateful! So, this is the next part… CARRY ON!

STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLY

This Time Around

Part 7

Sakuragi: KITSUNE!

Rukawa: What's wrong? Haven't you seen a girl before?

Sakuragi (stammers): Anou… I… What's… How… Why?!

She continued on walking until she reached the center of the court. There she challenged Miyagi a game of One on One since he was the closest to her height.

Rukawa: One on One? /she said while passing the ball to the still dumbfounded Miyagi/

Miyagi (just eyeing Rukawa from head to foot): H-hai! /blushes/

After 5 minutes of their so-called One on One… Rukawa noticed that Miyagi seemed to be not in his normal cool self…

Rukawa: What's wrong sempai?

Miyagi (can't control himself any more): Why looked like a girl?!

Rukawa (as-a-matter-of-factly): I. Am. A. Girl.

Miyagi: But—

Then Mitsui suddenly buts in…

Mitsui: If I haven't known you before… I swear I could have hit on you! /winks at Rukawa/

Rukawa: Sorry, you're not my type. /turns her back at Mitsui/

All the while Sakuragi is still in his I-can't-believe-it-Rukawa-actually-looks-like-a-girl state that he didn't noticed Rukawa was actually in front of him and saying something.

Sakuragi (to himself): Rukawa wearing a rather fitting sleeveless tank top plus shorts?! Kami-sama, she even had her hair fixed! HEAVEN MUST BE FALLING!

Rukawa (looking at the dazed Sakuragi): What's wrong do'ahou? /looks at the people around her/ WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU GUYS?!

Ayako (pats her shoulder): Maa… don't mind them… Maybe they haven't seen someone that gorgeous, aside from me of course, for sometime.

Rukawa: This is ridiculous Ayako-sempai!

Ayako (raises her invincible paper fan): REMEMBER WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF PRACTICE! EARTH TO EVERYONE!

With that, everyone continued on what they're doing.

Rukawa (sighs): Sheesh…

Sakuragi (approaches Rukawa): What's with the get-up, Kitsune?

Rukawa: You asked me to act like a girl and now you're asking me why I'm acting like one?

Sakuragi: I never thought you'd give into the idea. /runs to his other team mates/ By the way it looks good on you.

Rukawa (blushes): Yeah right! /his words always have an effect on me/

And the usual practice session went on. They finished half-past eight that evening. In the BOYS locker room…

Mitsui: Never thought Rukawa would be that gorgeous… /smirks/

Miyagi: Yeah. But still, Aya-chan is the best. /dreamy look on his face/

Hanamichi (to himself): It's Haruko-san that I like not the kitsune… It's Haruko-san that I like not the kitsune… It's Haruko-san that I like not the kitsune… It's Haruko-san that I like not the kitsune… It's Haruko-san that I like not the kitsune… It's Haruko-san that I like not the kitsune… /he's trying to convince himself/

Mitsui: What's with you Hanamichi?

Sakuragi (shouts): It's Kitsune that I like not Haruko-san, ok?! /then covers his mouth/

Everyone in the locker room: NANI?!

Sakuragi: Iya! It's the other way around! /tries to suppress his embarrassment/

Miyagi: I knew it! That explains your sudden closeness to her… I knew it—

Sakuragi: Shut up Ryocchin!

Mitsui and Miyagi: Hai… Hai… /then laughs at Sakuragi/

After the guys gone home, Rukawa stayed a little more to practice shooting… Unknown to her, someone is watching her practice…

To be continued…

What a crappy chapter isn't it? Gomen… But I promise to make the next one sensible! Until then keep on reviewing… JA!

Dylan©