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 27 – Third year, Shohoku High   (=^_^=)

(L.I.D.[author]: OK!!! This is where the series starts off right? Whoo! I'm glad I got this far!!!! Thanks for your patience, love and support! Without you readers, I won't be where I am now! Thank you mucho! *hugz*)

It was spring, and the Sakuras were blooming. It was time for students all over Japan to go back to school, and in Shohoku High, it was a hive of activity, once again.

Kimiko woke up, stretched herself, and smiled. She lazily made her way to the toilet, and stared at herself in the mirror, she recollected thoughts of the past two years, of her friendships, times of joy, and sorrow and pain. She especially remembered the sorrow. A glint twinkled from her reflection, distracting her from her sorrowful thoughts. Kimiko wore the pendant Kogure gave her with pride, for it was now her most treasured item, but beside it, was Mitsui's ring. She had still not forgotten about Mitsui, although she was with Kogure now, and Kogure understood that fact. (L.I.D.[author]: He's such a wonderful guy!) Yes, she was finally with Kogure. Yuki-sempai still hung around the basketball courts, and was in her second year in Kanagawa University. She thought of her relationship with her Kimi-kun, and how he had showed her how much he cared for her, and understood her. The cooking club was doing extremely well, with their numbers growing, and they now had a larger permanent club kitchen to hold their meets. Kimiko was happy, and her face glowed.

Both Kogure and she had a deep conversation, about their feelings for each other, and about Mitsui.

(FLASHBACK)

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"Kimi-kun, you know I care for you deeply, however, I can't erase the fact that I was deeply in love with Mitsui. Even after what he did, I… I just can't forget him. NO, I can forget him, but I can't… Argh, am I making any sense?" cried Kimiko, scratching her head for the umpteenth time.

"Do you care for me as a friend or more?" asked Kogure simply.

"More… Demo…"

Kogure put his index finger on Kimiko's lips, and smiled.

"It is enough. I completely understand. I know it's not easy to explain in words, but I feel your frustration as well. Right now, I have this necklace and you, and I will treasure every moment we have. As the saying goes, if I am meant to have you, then I will. We will take one day at a time, Kimi-chan. Do you remember what I said before?"

Kimiko shook her head. "About?"

"I said, that no matter what, we are friends first…"

"Kimi-kun…"

Kimiko then buried her head into his neck, and the both shared an understanding aura, that could only be felt, not explained.

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(END OF FLASHBACK)

Ever since the incident, Kogure would go to her home, and pick her up, before going to school. There was no way he was going risk losing her again. They never mentioned that night again, though Kimiko often wondered what a weird kidnapping it was, or whether it was kidnapping in the first place. (L.I.D.[author]: ^Sweat drop^)

"Ohayo, Kimi-kun!" waved Kimiko, closing the gate behind her.

"Ohayo, Kimi-chan!" Greeted Kogure, gently grasping her right hand.

"I sure hope this year will be better for the team…" said Kimiko, as she entwined her fingers with Kogure's.

"So do I, Kimi-chan…"

"We're still on for studying with Akagi-sempai, ne?"

"Hai."

And off they went, to Shohoku High, for their final year.

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Upon reaching Shohoku High, and into the room, whereby students had to change their shoes into standardized school slippers, familiar faces greeted Kimiko.

"Ohayo, Kimiko-chan!" boomed Akagi, followed by Ayako.

"Ohayo mina!" smiled Kimiko.

"Ohayo!" smiled Kogure.

"I sure hope you brought your lunch, because I'm not sharing mine with you! Ha ha!" reminded Akagi, and then whispering into Kimiko's ear; "Baka gaki!"

"Yes I did…^whisper^ Baka Nori-kun!"

So the three went off to class 3-6, and waved goodbye to Ayako who went off to hers.

"Ne, Akagi-sempai, we're having our study session later ne?"

"Aa."

Kogure's relationship with Kimiko grew by leaps and bounds, for they trusted each other, and had been through tough times. Kimiko seldom saw Mitsui, but when she did, it would be around the streets of Kanagawa. It didn't matter anymore, since she was with Kogure. Rather, her Kimi-kun. (L.I.D.[author]: Awwww!!!!!) They had spent a wonderful Christmas together, with their friends and family during the evening, and alone together, at Kogure's home. And during Kimiko's birthday, they had a sweet time together. (L.I.D.[author]: gomen, short summary. Writer's block.)

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(Shohoku High Basketball Court, after school)

"What in the world is keeping Akagi-kun?" complained Kimiko, tapping her foot on the floor, to Ayako.

"I don't know, Kimiko-sempai…"

Both girls then saw Akagi and a red head enter the court.

"Nori-kun, what's going on?" ask Kimiko.

Akagi ignored Kimiko due to his anger, and spoke harshly to a red head. Apparently, the red head had challenged Akagi to a one-to-one. The terms were that if within the time limit of when Akagi managed to shoot ten shots, the red head manages to steal the ball from Akagi, and shoot one basket, the red head would win, if not, he would lose. Suddenly, the red head went weird, and started to cry in front of everyone in the court.

Kimiko and Ayako: ^Sweat drop^ "This guy…"

And thus, the game began. When the red head called Akagi a gorilla, Kimiko and Ayako could only try to stifle their giggles, and was lucky Akagi was too angry to hear them. (L.I.D.[author]: ^Sweat drop^) Suddenly, Akagi Haruko rushed into the court.

"Haruko-chan!" waved Kimiko. "Over here!"

Haruko ran to where Kimiko was, and looked flushed from running.

"Haruko-chan, who's that red head?"

"Sakuragi Hanamichi, Kimiko-sempai!! Masaka, (oh no) he's fighting with oniichan!!!"

"My my, he's got himself a handful doesn't he?" remarked Kimiko.

"Who are you referring to, Kimiko-sempai?" asked Haruko, confused.

"Both of them." Smirked Kimiko.

"Oh my… Mite (look), Kimiko-sempai!" cried Ayako.

Kimiko turned to look at the court, just in time to see Sakuragi trip, and pull down Akagi's gym pants.

"Oh my…" began Kimiko, raising one of her eyebrows.

When the smoke died down, everyone had a very good look at Akagi's firm backside, and began to laugh. (L.I.D.[author]: ^Sweat drop^)

"This is the first time I've seen Akagi blush, don't you think so, Aya-chan?" chuckled Kimiko.

Ayako nodded, blushing as well. Haruko rambled on and on.

Akagi had shot the ninth basket, and taunted Sakuragi about it. As Akagi went on the shoot the last basket, Sakuragi defended the basket hoop like a hyperactive child, and managed to prevent Akagi from scoring, and then, managed to steal the ball!

/Sakuragi Hanamichi… He's got guts…/ thought Kimiko.

"Kimi-kun, he's not bad, eh?" asked Kimiko, turning to Kogure.

"Hai, Kimi-chan."

But now, it was Akagi's turn to guard under the basket. This was going to be tough. Kimiko knew that Akagi was good at defence under the basket, but didn't know if the brash red head was going to succeed.

Suddenly, Kogure cried at the memories of the previous basketball matches, along with some other members, and Kimiko looked on with a huge sweat drop.

The red head did succeed, and in the most unusual way. Sakuragi threw the ball at the rim of the hoop, it bounced back, and he attempted a slam-dunk, taking Akagi along with the ball. The crowd erupted in a bevy of cheers!!!

"Nori-kun!!!!" cried Kimiko, going over to Akagi, afraid that he was injured. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Kimiko-chan… I've something to settle, excuse me…" replied Akagi, going over to where Haruko and Sakuragi were.

After all the drama, Kimiko laughed as Akagi pounded Sakuragi on the head for calling him big brother.

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For the next few days, it was all laughter for Kimiko, since she heard of all the escapades Sakuragi had done in order to please Akagi. Sakuragi had even gone as far as to deliver a box of bananas and an envelope full of girlie photos for Akagi, much to the teasing of Kimiko. During practice, Kimiko could see Sakuragi hanging around the courts, and was ordered by Akagi not to take notice of him. She knew better when not to argue with that baka giant. But she did pass Sakuragi a note, telling him not to give up, and to persevere. She was greeted by a sincere smile by Sakuragi.

Akagi finally relented, and let Sakuragi join the team. On the day that the new intakes were to be taken, Kimiko smiled, and tapped her foot, waiting for Ayako to arrive. Kimiko had already carried a lot of supplies, and Ayako had not arrived with the first aid kit yet. Kogure looked on at the new intakes with interest, with his arms akimbo. Finally, Ayako arrived with a blue bag, along with a first aid kit. Kimiko and Ayako then introduced themselves to the team.

Kimiko: "Hello! I'm Kimiko, and I'm the manageress of the basketball club! And I'm in the third year."

Ayako: "Hello! I'm Ayako, sorry I'm late, and I'm the assistant manageress of the basketball club! And I'm in the second year! Ah! Rukawa! You're here! Like Rukawa, I'm from the same high school as he. Have you grown taller?"

"Hai, Ayako-sempai." Replied Rukawa monotonously.

"AHH!!! Sakuragi Hanamichi!!!!" cried Ayako.

"How do you know my name?" asked a bewildered Sakuragi, blinking his eyes.

"You've got to be joking! You're famous now you know!"

"Famous?"

"I saw your performance at the court, and it was VERY interesting!"

This made Ayako giggle and blush, and Akagi sweat dropped at her remark, remembering how Sakuragi had exposed his backside. Kimiko could only suppress a grin, for she decided to let Ayako do the talking.

Practice then started with running, and some warming up exercises. Akagi then passed Sakuragi to Ayako to handle, as he was a beginner, whilst Kimiko took care of the seniors.

Kogure then took on Rukawa, who quickly eluded him, much to Kogure's surprise. Kimiko had given Ayako the charge of whacking people with the almighty fan to train her up, for Kimiko was more interested in keeping scores, and helping the seniors with their game. She would cheer Kogure on as well, as what any girlfriend would do.

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Days have passed, and the team was progressing slowly. There were three girls who constantly cheered for Rukawa, and Kimiko was beginning to think they were very irritating. However, Sakuragi was getting impatient with the basic routine exercises he had been doing for quite awhile. He left the club, but soon returned, much to everyone's relief, and began his training in passing basketballs.

/Sakuragi-kun… That guy is going to be the death of Akagi-sempai… And his enthusiasm! It's infectious! And the way he treats Anzai-sensei! Ha ha! / Thought Kimiko, chuckling to herself. /Rukawa-kun's a ladies man as well, I see! /

It was quite a scene, when Sakuragi Hanamichi dunked a basketball onto Akagi's head during a practice match between the freshmen and the seniors, and Akagi nearly strangled him to death.

It didn't surprise Kimiko that Aota-kun from the Judo club came to harass Akagi about being the best, but it did bother her that he wanted Sakuragi to join their club. /What does Aota-kun have up his sleeve? / However after watching Sakuragi Hanamichi's stunning performance, for he claimed himself to be a basketball man, Akagi, Kogure, Ayako and Kimiko had no doubts about where his dedication was.

And so began, Sakuragi Hanamichi's training, and Sakuragi proved to be a fast learner, as Akagi was constantly coaching him.

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(=^_^=) Meow!

I know, an anti-climax… But best to get the preliminaries out of the way ne? Hope that my writer's block will disappear! Mattaku! And I assure you the next chapter will be more juicy! (Not literally, hentai!)

Replies!

Ghostwriter-chan: That he can be ne? I'm surprised too… maybe.. he he he… How r u? Been a while. Missed your cheerfulness, or have you caught the gothic bug? *hugz* Take care!

RaTt-chan: Wah kao, so long ar? About time you came and check your email sia! If you read the whole fic, you'd know what you missed! LOL Nah, Kogure was angry at Mitsui for fulfilling empty promises.

Madiha-chan: LOL Thanks for your glomps?! ^_~ Enjoy this chapter! Yaya!

Popochi-chan: LOL You'll just have to find out when I insert your song request in my fic! ^_~ Don't worry, I will definitely do it, and make your jaw drop. LOL

Super rookie-chan: LOL you fickle girl… ^_~

F5C-chan: Enjoy! And hope you sweep the confetti later… ^_~

Nellie-chan: Yep, he does, the brooding male… LOL And yes, finally, Kimiko and Kogure are together…

Icko14-chan: Glad you saw the romantic part in the fic. *Whew!* My fave has to be… Kevin! Or Howie, the sweetie. LOL

Fehrocious-chan: LOL that's the response I was looing for when I wrote that part. *Grins, and then sweat drops at dialogue*

SyiveSe-chan: You'll just have to stay tuned now won't you, SyiveSe-chan? ^_~

Dim soldier: Nah! You can make it! I have faith in you! ^_^ Ganbatte, let your heart free your fingers… Hope you understood that. ^_~