Author's Notes: Hey People! It's me again… I'm back from the grave, alive and kickin'… It's been a while, I supposed… Sorry for the delay… I need to study for my qualifying exams which was given last Monday… and guess what… I PASSED THE CRAP. Thanks to those who wished me good luck. Anyway, back to business… this is the 12th chapter… Read on and please, don't forget to review… ENJOY MINNA!

STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLY

This Time Around

Part 12

Sakuragi didn't take heed to Rukawa who was tracking him for the past 30 minutes. He didn't even bother listen to whatever Rukawa was saying… He's lost in thought again for the millionth time that day. Actually, he was going nowhere… he just walked and followed his feet to wherever they were taking him.

Rukawa (shouting): For kami-sama's sake, PLEASE LISTEN TO ME SAKURAGI HANAMICHI!

No Reply.

Rukawa (frustrated): Please… please… listen to me… /she managed to say before she fell into her knees and broke into tears/

He didn't stop.

Rukawa (shouting at Sakuragi's retreating figure): I'M ALSO FALLING INLOVE WITH YOU BAKERO! Don't dare treat me like this! /she just said it loud enough for the whole of Kanagawa to hear/

That made him stop and look back at Rukawa's crestfallen figure.

Sakuragi was at the corner of the street parallel to Rukawa's current position. When Rukawa was about to cross the street to go to Sakuragi's place… she didn't notice that there was a vehicle fast approaching…

Sakuragi saw this.

Sakuragi: TEME KITSUNE! YAMERO! DON'T—

And the next thing he heard was loud scratching sound of wheels against cement and a loud shriek of a girl who happens to be—

Sakuragi (he couldn't believe his eyes): KAEDE! /tears are already falling from his eyes as he ran to her/

No response.

Sakuragi cradled what seems to be the lifeless body of Rukawa.

Sakuragi (cradling her in his arms): Kaede… I'm sorry… I'm sorry… /he cried for all he's worth/

Rukawa (wiping Sakuragi's tears even though the simple act of breathing already consumes much of the little energy she has in her body): I'm so stupid.

All she feels now is pain. Pain that's killing her slowly.

Sakuragi: Don't speak. Please… /not knowing what to do/

Rukawa (with a ghost of a smile on her lips): Maybe I was the do'ahou all along… /silently/

Sakuragi (still crying): Shh… please…

Rukawa (whispering): No… Sakuragi… I just want you to know that I-- /then she passed out/

Then the thing he knew was the paramedics are taking away Rukawa away from him.

Paramedic: We need to take him to the hospital before his condition becomes worse.

Then they (the paramedics) took Rukawa away from Sakuragi, placed him in the ambulance and brought him immediately to the nearest hospital.

Sakuragi (eyes red from crying): HIM?

With that he rushed back to school to inform his teammates what have just happened.

To be continued…

Hey, 1 more chapter and an epilogue. I hope I didn't confuse you guys. Everything that had happened will be explained in the next chapter. Keep on reviewing please. Ja matta ne…

Dylan ©