Author: I own the characters that are NOT from Slam Dunk…. If they are from Slam Dunk, they are property of Inoue Takehiko. Please don't sue me… Also, a foreword, I tend to be long winded when writing my fics, so at least you get the overall picture, as well as the locations/background, and worth your dollar on Internet charges! LOL Please do email/review me, and I can update the previous chapters. Thanks!

Words in italics or between slashes are thoughts, words within ^^ are actions, unless otherwise stated, words in brackets are locations usually before each section.

(=^_^=)  Chapter 25 – It Takes Two To Tango   (=^_^=)

When they left for the dance floor, Akagi asked Kogure in Japanese; "Aren't you going to ask her to dance?"

"……" Kogure stared his glass, not noticing the many female pairs of eyes on him.

"Will nothing move you to ask her to dance, Kogure?"

"But she's dancing with Enrique-san…"

"That doesn't matter! Go and cut him off! Use a screen out if you have to!"

"Akagi, this isn't basketball! ^Sweat drop^" (L.I.D.[author]: ^Sweat drops as well^ )

A tall Latin female asked Akagi to dance, and he accepted, flattered. As Akagi left for the dance floor, he said to Kogure; "If you're not going to dance, I am."

Kogure stared at Akagi, and his eyes roamed to where Kimiko was dancing with Julio. /I can dance better than that guy! I'm sure of that! Kimiko-chan… /

Somehow, Kogure got the courage to stand up, and headed towards Kimiko, cutting in between Julio and her.

"Kogure-sempai…"

"Onegai, Kimiko-chan…"

"Hai…"

Enrique wisely left, and the two danced the night away, in each other's arms, staring into each other's eyes, not caring about anything else, except the experience of the slow dance.

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It was Akagi's birthday soon, and Kogure and Kimiko collaborated with his younger sister, Haruko to prepare a special birthday party for him, since he didn't want a big party anyway. Kimiko cooked the dishes with the help of Haruko, whilst Akagi's parents help Kogure with the house decorations. All in all, it was a good quiet party. (L.I.D.[author]: what do you expect? Sakuragi isn't there! LOL)

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(A few weeks later)

It was after a late night supper with her girlfriends that Kimiko decided to check out the local 24-hour store to get some titbits to tide her over for her personal VCD movie marathon at home. After buying a couple of nachos, potato chips and drinks, she skipped her way back to her home. It wasn't long before she could hear noises and a loud shriek coming from an alley. As fast as her legs could carry her, she raced to the alley, and found a group of men harassing a young girl.

/She must be in high school… what the hell is she doing out late at night? / Thought Kimiko. As she looked closer, she discovered that it no other than Yuki-sempai!

"Stop fighting, girlie, nobody will hear you! Ha ha ha!" Shouted the male who was pinning her against the wall, whom she assumed was the ringleader. The rest of the group burst out laughing.

Dropping her things onto the floor and leaning on the wall, Kimiko shouted loud enough; "Are you sure, baka yarou?"

The group turned, to face Kimiko, and just grinned.

"Hey, lookie here, another girl for our pleasure… a fat one, but hey… go get her guys!" Shouted the ringleader.

"Onegai! Help me!" shouted the Yuki. /Kimiko?!?! Is that YOU? /

Kimiko began to roll up her sleeves as well as her eyes, and shouted. "Hai! Now, you guys shall know my fury!! SHINE!!!! (L.I.D.[author]: pronounced shee-nae, not shine…  and it means: DIE!!!)"

She began to punch and kick, or in all, wallop the guys as hard as she could. She was, after all, in junior high, a brown belt holder in Taekwondo, but she didn't tell anybody that. They'd just get scared. (L.I.D.[author]: Hee hee…)

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Kogure Kiminobu was hungry. There was no food anywhere in his house, and he had regretted refusing Akagi's offer to take him in for a few days during the exam period.

/Kuso, now I've got to go and get something from 11-7. Looks like its re-heated soba tonight. Again. / Sighed Kogure, putting on a jacket.

Making his way to 11-7, he contemplated his feelings deeper for Kimiko. He wanted to tell her to be with him, and not think anymore about Mitsui. She was not like the other girls. She was intelligent, yet knew how to act like a dazed cute neko, when she wanted. She loved music, and basketball. There were so many other things that Kogure wanted to know about her, but he knew that in her heart, she was still Mitsui's. The ring she wore on her finger told him so.

When he reached outside the door of 11-7, he could hear a shout coming from his left. It seemed to come from an alley.

/I had better check it out… / thought Kogure.

"Itai! Itai!"

"Baka onna!"

Shouts of pain, as well as anger burst through the night air, as Kimiko tried to beat the living plump out of every single one of those guys in the group. However, there were too many of them, and soon, Kimiko was pinned down on the ground, with the girl still in the ringleader's clutches.

"Ho ho ho, so who's got who now, you fat pig?"

"Urusei, Kisama! (Shut up you punks!) I'll never let you get away with it!!!" shouted Kimiko, trying desperately to break free from the entire gangsters grip…

"Is that so? I don't think anyone else is coming by this way tonight… I think I'll be nice tonight, and let you witness how I give this girl some loving tonight!" cackled the ringleader, letting Kimiko see his hands going onto the Yuki's thighs.

"Yamete! Onegai!!! Tasukete!!" shouted Yuki.

"Urusei, onna!" shouted the ringleader, landing a slap on her face.

"Itai!"

"Hmm… a group of guys against two girls, how fair it that?" boomed a voice from the shadows.

"Nani?!?! Who's there?" yelled the ringleader.

"None of your business. Let those girls go." The tone was angry, and full of despise for the gangsters.

A tall figure appeared, into the light of the overhead lamppost, and a sparkle emitted from the shiny surface of the person's spectacles. As quick as lightning, he banged those guys who were pinning Kimiko down.

Kimiko looked up, and saw Kogure's face. /What are you DOING here, Kogure-sempai? / Thought Kimiko. /Trying to be a hero? Ha ha…Kakkoi Kogure-sempai… I never knew you had it in you! / She grinned.

"Thanks for releasing me, Kogure-sempai!"

Kogure landed on the floor, and a bright stroke of realisation hit him.

/That voice… so familiar… Who IS that? /

He looked around, and couldn't believe his eyes. It was Kimiko!

/What is SHE doing here? /

"Oi, Kogure-sempai, are you gonna lie down there, or are you going to help me?" yelled Kimiko.

"Aa."

The two students from Shohoku High then proceeded to truly beat the living shit out of every single one of the gangsters, except the ringleader.

"You leave him to me, Kogure-sempai! He's MINE!!!" shouted Kimiko.

"Sure thing!" Kogure shouted back. While Kogure was fighting, he wondered, since when did Kimiko-chan know how to fight, and what was she doing out so late at night. He kept on beating, and punching, until he could see that only the ringleader remained.

Kimiko, upon realising there was no one left to beat, turned her steely gaze onto the ringleader. He, on the other hand, had this look of utter astonishment on his face. These two geeky students had wiped out his whole group! He was so stupefied, that he hadn't realised the captive girl was already behind Kogure.

"Teme!!!! You are mine, yarou! Kogure-sempai! Yuki-sempai! Both of you cover your eyes, NOW!" shouted Kimiko, proceeding to kick the living shit out of him. (L.I.D.[author]: At this point, there so much violence that both Kogure and the girl obeyed Kimiko in fright. You readers may imagine this scene at your own risk. Thank you very much. I don't want to be responsible for nightmares.)

When it was over, all that was left of the ringleader was a look of utter fright, and foam coming out of his mouth, and blood on his clothes.

"Hora, teme wa (Hey you), I believe you get my drift. No scram, before I beat you up some more!"

With that, Kimiko, Kogure, and the young girl left the scene, with their groceries.

Walking back to Kimiko's home, the trio had a nice chat. Kogure gave his jacket to Yuki, for her clothes were slightly torn, and she was feeling cold too. Kimiko laughed, because she realised that her appearance was so dishevelled, it was comical.

"What are you laughing at, Kimiko-chan?" Kogure and Yuki asked Kimiko simultaneously, with huge questions marks on their heads.

"Nothing. Luckily I came at the right time ne?" drawled Kimiko. "You better be more careful, Yuki-sempai!"

"Hai."

/I didn't know she could fight so well… / remarked Kogure. /I'm sure Akagi would be surprised if he knew. /

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"A girl beat you up?" shouted a male with dark blue hair.

"Gomen nasai, okashira!(boss)"

"I want you to get her, and bring her to me. I'll deal with her."

"Hai."

And with that, Tokuna Ichiro left, vowing to make the girl that made him lose face in front of his boss pay.

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(=^_^=) Meow!

BTW, I have Yahoo messenger now… just thought to let you all know. I got severe neck pain writing this, coz I was on my pc for at least 8 hours… *sighs and stretches*

Replies!

Ghostwriter-chan: I might, but it's not easy composing a song. :p Am still waiting for your fic! ^_~

Mitsui no Miko-chan-chan: LOL my, aren't you an impatient Kogure lover! LOL Mitsui will be along soon, don't you worry. :p Keep me updated on your fics too! ^_^

Super rookie-chan: LOL I'm SURE that Kogure is the only guy who could do that. Singaporean guys can't do shit. :p I'm glad you like the introduction of Ayako and Ryota… he's such a kawaii muffin head. ^_^

Nellie-chan: Will send you the translation soon… ^_^

Cherry Blossoms Kaorin-chan: I have a new reader? Who? Please let me know. ^_^ Yeah, Tama is so useful sometimes in FY ne? ^_~ DO read my other fics, coz one of them is going to end soon anyway… Hai, I AM grateful that you've come back to read my fics. ^_^ Arigato!!

Icko14-chan: Yup, you spelt it right. And Kogure's clothes are NOT tacky! Kevin from backstreet boys wore them! :p

JCM-san: Well, do keep in mind that it wasn't his choice, Kimiko picked out the outfit for him… There places called shopping malls. ^_^ Do you want the photo of Kevin who wears the same thing?

Lady Harlequin-chan: OIC… Please do send me your chapter soon! I'm getting worried!! Take care and keep in touch!

SyiveSe-chan: Mitsui will be along shortly… *sweat drops as SyiveSe drools now over Kogure* Yare yare… -_-

F5C-chan: LOL Will do, and keep tuning in! ^_^