DISCLAIMER: The only things that belong to me are the storyline and some original characters. That reminds me—if anyone wants to take Dr. Matsuyama, then go ahead *chuckles*.
Author's Notes: Thank you to Nakkie (I agree about Youhei posing as a bigger threat than Haruko) , sLL (Make it easier for Rukawa? Um, that'll be hard…*grins*), kristel (in my opinion, the idea of amnesia is quite popular now, don't you think? ^^), Crescent Quetzalcoatl (glad to hear you're enjoying this fic! ^^), DT (*grins* You'll have to wait to read my ending to see for yourself…), Dr Jigen (Thanks!), OrOoo (gomen, I'll try my best in making the chapters longer!), ayu (Thanks a lot!) and Yuriko (as for the fan, I was thinking that since Sakuragi was already rather weak, so it's nothing new to see him just go out cold because of the fan. Perhaps I have been too cruel…) for your kind feedbacks! Love you all!
            *coughs* I can't really say how the story will untangle itself nor can I say what the ending will be. All I know is I've some unanticipated stuff in my head right now and I'm planning to transfer them into this story. I don't think I can promise anyone whether Sakuragi will get any more accidents or not. Spoils the fun of it, don't you think? I don't think I'm that cruel, you know… *coughs*

~

            For the first time in his whole life, Rukawa Kaede has had a sleepless night. Because he was so accustomed to cycling in his sleep, he actually got lost on his way to school with his eyes wide open. Talk about irony.
            "What's up with Rukawa?" asked one of his classmates. "I could've sworn there are black circles under his eyes."
            "You can't be serious!" exclaimed another. "The infamous Rukawa NOT sleeping? It must be the end of the world!"
            "Surely it's obvious why," remarked a third person as he motioned at Rukawa, who was staring out the window. "He's in love. One cannot miss the dreamy, far-away eyes."
            "Ishida! There's just no way he could've fallen in love!"
            "Hey, everyone!" The door was opened, somewhat violently. It was a boy from another class. "Have you heard? Sakuragi Hanamichi got involved in an accident!"
            The class sucked their breath sharply. Rukawa had turned away from the window, his eyes now focused on the newcomer.
            Ishida, who was watching the Shohoku Ace, grinned at his new discovery. Bingo! Bull's eye!
            "How is he now?" asked a girl, Akemi.
            "No serious injury, except…he can't see anymore."
            Rukawa sighed silently.

            "Did you tell Rukawa about Sakuragi?" Kogure asked Ayako as they made their way into the locker room.
            "I didn't, and I couldn't. I was too busy in class," informed Ayako.
            Kogure unlocked his locker. "I didn't see him today. He wasn't even on the rooftop when I was searching for him."
            "That won't be a problem," said Mitsui, who had just joined them. He grinned at Kogure. "The whole school knows about it, so rightfully he should too."
            "Not just that," added Miyagi. "There's a rumour saying Sakuragi had broken his neck—and another one saying he has two broken legs."
            "Rubbish," replied Mitsui. "Such untruth!"
            "They are rumours," reminded Ayako.
            "Hello, Aya-chan!" Miyagi brightened.
            "Hello, Ryota," answered Ayako. She looked around, noticing Rukawa was nowhere to be found. "Where's Rukawa? Why isn't he here?"
            "Now that you've pointed it out…" murmured Kogure thoughtfully. "Mitsui, have you seen him? Ayako and I haven't all day."
            "Nope. I thought he's already here—he's always the first one to be here, usually."
            "He's going to skip practice?" asked Miyagi. "How unlike him."
            "Oi!" Akagi appeared in the doorway. "What's taking you people so long?"
            "Move it, move it!" ordered Ayako.
            "Min-kun…"Mitsui whispered to Kogure. "Do you suspect Sakuragi's accident has something to do with Rukawa's absence from practice?"
            "Really? Oh…"
            Mitsui frowned. "Mou, Min-kun…surely that's obvious enough…come to think of it, Rukawa with Sakuragi…"
            "Cute."
            "Eh?"
            Kogure blinked, aware of his sudden remark. "I…I'll see you in court, Hisashi…" Kogure hastily departed.

            Sakuragi was not in a good mood. He barked at the nurses, giving tantrums and causing trouble without end.
            Relying on his hearing, he heard footsteps. They were heading in his direction.
            "I want to be alone!" He threw an empty container towards the door.
            The container bounced off Rukawa's chest. He picked the object up.
            "Who're you?" demanded Sakuragi. He reached for another item to throw. This time, a vase. He flung it, but his visitor was able to catch it smartly.
            Noting there was not any sound of glass breaking, Sakuragi was quietened.
            Rukawa was about to enter, but he heard paces approaching him—approaching Sakuragi's ward.

            Haruko knocked on Sakuragi's door.
            Sakuragi was jolted back to reality, for he was stunned, wondering who his mysterious visitor was and his purpose of seeing him.
            "Sakuragi-kun?" asked Haruko. "How're you feeling today?"
            "Haruko-san? Sore wa anata desu ka*?" asked Sakuragi.
            "Yes. I brought you flowers—all sorts of them. Where can I put them?"
            "Thank you, Haruko-san." Sakuragi forced a smile. "You can place them in this vase on this table right here…"
            "Vase? What vase?"
            Oh, yeah…I threw it… "Haruko-san, did you notice anyone before you enter?"
            "Notice anyone? No, I don't think so."
            "So you didn't see anyone at the door?"
            "No, I didn't. What's the matter? Anything wrong?"
            "A furtive visitor was here, just seconds before you showed up. He took the vase."
            Haruko had a weird look in her face. "What did he do that for?"
            Sakuragi shrugged. He felt touched to know she was there, in the same room—and they were alone.
            "You're all right now?" asked Haruko.
            Biting his lower lip, Sakuragi replied softly, "I…I'm fine."
            "I'm pleased to hear that."
            She must be smiling right now…and I can't see that…
            "Sakuragi-kun?"
            He raised his head. "Ah, hai?"
            "You're…quiet…"
            A sad smile. "Gomen…"
            Haruko shook her head. "No, you don't have to. It's perfectly understandable…"
            Her voice…it's fading… "Haruko-san?"
            "I…It's just that…I missed seeing you in school…on court…that's why I come…to meet you…"
            Sakuragi could not answer. He was cursing his inability to stop her tears.
            "It saddens me to see you like this, Sakuragi-kun…you've always been cheerful and energetic…I've never seen you…not being you…"
            "Haruko-san, are you crying?"
            Is that why my cheeks are wet? "No, I'm not crying…I'm just, uh…"
            "You are. Don't try to hide it, Haruko-san…I know you are, I can hear your sobs…"
            Out of the blue Haruko flung her arms around Sakuragi. The latter was caught off guard.
            "Why—"
            "I can't help it, Sakuragi-kun! I feel guilty! I'm the reason you've become like this! It's all my fault!"
            "No, don't…"
            "How am I ever going to forgive myself? I can never live in peace thinking what I have done to ruin your whole life, your whole future ahead of you! I couldn't sleep last night—"
            "…enough…"
            Haruko shook her head. "It's all my fault! Mine!" Her tears were wetting Sakuragi's shirt.
            Sakurag wrapped his muscled arms around the girl. "There's nothing you can do, nothing we can do…just, don't worry too much…"
            Haruko was speechless in Sakuragi's arms. "But I…I'm not sure if.."
            "If I forgive you, Haruko-san, promise me you'll forgive yourself…"
            "Sa—Sakuragi-kun?"
            "I forgive you, Haruko-san, I sincerely do."
            Tears were flooding her eyes, blurring her vision. She moved closer to him, and he to her.
            "Hanamichi…"

            Rukawa was getting good in playing hide-and-seek. He managed to conceal himself from view and yet saw everything that occurred between Sakuragi and the captain's sister.
            He looked down, staring distractedly at his shoes. With a sigh, he departed. He knew he could not bear waiting a second longer, witnessing the two. He felt his heart was sliced into millions of thin slivers.

~{to be continued}~

More Author's Notes: Is this what people call sap? *grins*

P/s: *Sore wa anata desu ka? = Is that you?