DISCLAIMER:
Rukawa Kaede and Sakuragi Hanamichi belong to each other. All the original
characters are not mine.
Author's Notes: OOC?
Gomen, I can't reply to your kind reviews. I hardly have the time to go online!
*ducks to save herself from rotten veggies*
~
"I'm bored…" Sakuragi mumbled.
Dr. Matsuyama, frowning,
scribbled something on his writing pad. "I know."
"I'm really, really bored…"
"Perhaps you'd like to take a stroll
around the hospital? There's a mini park where you can take some fresh air…"
A grunt. "For what? I can't
see—"
"Why, to stretch your legs, of
course. They must be feeling quite cramped since you hardly moved out of this
ward. It'll do you good, you know. You don't want to be out of shape, do you?"
"And pray tell, who will take
me?"
"The nurse, who else?"
Sakuragi snorted again. He had
developed an immense dislike towards her. He would rather take a walk with…
"I'll do it."
…Rukawa Kaede. Rukawa
Kaede??
"Ah, Sakuragi-kun, your
good friend's here," informed Dr. Matsuyama. He turned to the visitor, who was
seething with confusion when referred to Sakuragi's 'good friend'. "Thank you
for advising Sakuragi-kun that day. You've helped a lot in improving his
condition."
Thank God. Rukawa
nodded.
The doctor, with a satisfied
smile, left the room. He trusted Rukawa could assist him in handling Sakuragi,
additionally aiding Sakuragi as he did so.
"I thought you wouldn't come,"
said Sakuragi softly after some time. "Last night…you were angry at me…"
"No." I can never get mad
at the love of my life…
"Then? Wait, don't tell
me—it's because of Sendoh, isn't it?"
It's time I acknowledge the
genius in him. "Maybe."
"I told you I'm a genius! And
you wouldn't believe me!" Sakuragi laughed boisterously.
"…do'aho," replied Rukawa
without malice.
"No, no, no! You got it wrong,
Rukawa. Repeat after me; pronounce ten-sai. Ten-sai, understand?" Sakuragi
chuckled.
Precisely at that second, the
same thought crossed their minds.
I never thought I'd say
this…but I'm enjoying his company…
"Ne, Rukawa…"
"Hn?"
Sakuragi's searched for
Rukawa's sleeve. "You promised you're taking me out for a little stroll?
Really?"
"Ah, yes. Wait for me here."
"Where are you going?"
"Going to take a wheelchair—or
do you want me to help you along the way?"
"Up to you."
"Either way it's fine."
"If you don't mind…I'd like
the second option." Sakuragi smiled. "You don't mind, do you? Because if you
do, I'm okay with the wheelchair."
I like that better too…Rukawa
put a hand around Sakuragi's waist, helping him out. Rukawa was giving support
to Sakuragi. Both of the boys felt a hot blush creeping on their faces.
"Let's go," urged Rukawa.
They stared walking, making
their way to the lift. They received curious stares from the people around
them, but with Sakuragi blind and Rukawa with his 'ignorance is bliss' maxim,
they did not care at all. They took the lift, went down, and made their way to
the small park in the hospital for the patients.
"Want to sit down?" asked
Rukawa, noticing an unoccupied bench.
"Yes, please."
With Rukawa's help, Sakuragi
settled on the bench. Sensing the raven-haired player was still standing, the
redhead tugged at his companion's hand. Rukawa looked directly at Sakuragi's
face, captivated by the beauty of his charming smile. Sakuragi moved a little
to the side, his free hand tapping he vacant space beside him.
Rukawa was doubtful even as
Sakuragi pulled him.
"What's wrong?" asked
Sakuragi, still smiling. ""Don't you want to sit next to me, Rukawa?"
"I…I didn't mean that…"
The blind boy chuckled. "I get
it. Are you shy?"
Damn right. Rukawa
consented to Sakuragi's wish.
They were sitting so close to
one another that their ears could perceive the sound of their breathing
patterns synchronising, forming a lovely little tune. Their hearts were beating
simultaneously.
"Do you feel bored here?"
asked Rukawa.
"Obviously. There's nothing to
do here."
"I have something for you."
"Really? What is it?" asked
Sakuragi eagerly.
"Hang on."
Sakuragi waited patiently as
Rukawa dug his hands into his pockets. Finally he found what he was looking
for. Rukawa placed it in Sakuragi's hands.
"What is this? Let me find out
for myself…" Sakuragi's hands groped the object, stroking it to get a clue on
what it was. "It's a discman, isn't it?"
Not bad indeed… "I'm
lending it to you, to keep you entertained. That way you won't get bored. The
carvings on the buttons and the writings on it should be able to help you."
"I don't know how to thank you
enough." He once again broke into a smile.
"We're friends—no need to
thank me," replied Rukawa.
"You know what? I never knew
you have this side in you…what I'm trying to say is…now that you've showed it
to me, I admit you're one of the kindest people I know."
It had been ages since Rukawa
heard that kind of compliment directed to him—usually it was about his looks or
basketball skills.
"I guess I was wrong to have
just…"
Knowing what Sakuragi was
going to say, Rukawa had placed a finger on Sakuragi's lips, stopping him from
continuing his sentence.
"I've put that behind me, in
the past," Rukawa told him quietly, "and so should you."
Sakuragi's face softened and
nodded. Rukawa remove his finger.
"I really like to have you around,"
said Sakuragi.
Me too. Rukawa
murmured, "Why?"
"Because what I want most is
to be listened, and yet others don't know that. They talk and talk and talk…but
it's different with you. You listen to what I have to say—and I'm eternally
grateful for that. It's a burden off my mind."
"That's good." I'm happy to
hear that…
"Do you know why I'm not
depressed anymore?"
"No. Why?"
"It's because I've gained
something I might not get when I'm able to see…"
"Sakuragi, you…"
"Your friendship." Sakuragi
felt for Rukawa's hand, drew it nearer to him, and kissed the back of Rukawa's
hand.
They sat there in silence, but
they were contented to be together. Words were unnecessary; the only thing that
mattered to them at that time was each other.
"I
want to go back to my room," Sakuragi told him after some time. "I think I've
inhaled enough fresh air for one day."
"Very well." With his help,
Sakuragi got up on his two feet. They returned to Sakuragi's ward.
"Take
me out again tomorrow, will you?" asked Sakuragi, sitting on his bed.
"Alright."
"Thank
you so much." Sakuragi gripped both of Rukawa's hands.
Rukawa
stayed there for a long time, until he finally had to leave.
"When
you come tomorrow…stay longer, will you?" asked Sakuragi.
"I
will—if I can."
"Deal!"
Rukawa
exited the hospital. Pausing for a while, his hand fell unconsciously on the
spot where Sakuragi had kissed his hand. A faint smile adorned his face, as he
recalled it.
That
meant Sakuragi welcomed his every visit, moreover looking forward to his next
one.
He
brought Sakuragi's kiss to his own lips. There was a vague taste of the
redhead. A pleasant one, and Rukawa wanted to experience it again—the sooner
the better
"Hello,
Hanamichi-kun!" Sendoh said.
Sakuragi was taken back, to have
a voice intruding his thread of thoughts on Rukawa. "What are you doing here?"
"Why, visiting you, of
course." Sendoh patted Sakuragi's head.
Sakuragi was not amused.
"But—"
"So Rukawa-kun was here, eh?"
That got his attention. "You
saw him?"
"Yeah, but I didn't talk to
him. He couldn't hear my calling him." This, however, was not entirely true.
Sendoh had sneaked past Rukawa to get into hospital. Not a demanding feat,
since the shorter boy was too occupied in thoughts.
"Don't you have practice or
anything?"
"No. Why, Hanamichi-kun? Are
you trying to shoo me away?" Sendoh said, his tone rather gloomy.
"Err, no…"
"Then let's forget about
practice. So, feeling better today?"
Normally Sakuragi would have
groaned at the question, but he did not. "I should think so."
"That's great! The doctor's
doing a great job!"
Thanks to Rukawa…"Yeah,
he is…"
Akagi
tapped his foot intolerantly, glancing at his watch every two minutes.
"Are you done yet?" he
demanded. Girls spend at least two-thirds of their lives shopping, what with
the time they use up just to choose…
"No, onii-chan, I'm not."
Haruko straightened and showed him a piece glass painting. "Look! Isn't it
nice?"
"It's nice."
"Should I buy this for
Hanamichi?"
Akagi sighed. Haruko could be
an airhead at times—even he admitted that. "He's blind, Haruko! He can't see
the glass painting!"
Haruko, sighing, replaced it.
"You're right."
The siblings had spent hours
looking for a get-well present for Sakuragi. Akagi was unenthusiastic about the
whole idea, but Haruko pestered him to follow her.
"Maybe…this little glass
figurine?" asked Haruko, touching it with her fingertips. "It looks nice
enough…"
Annoyed, Akagi murmured, "Why
don't you buy something that has music or something he can listen to?"
Haruko's eyes shone; as if it
was the best suggestion her brother had ever come up with. "You're a big help,
onii-chan!"
It's childishly obvious…Akagi
thought to himself.
"That musical box over there!"
Haruko pointed excitedly. "It's perfect!" She glanced at the price tag. "This
thing costs a small fortune…" She turned to look at Akagi.
Akagi didn't like that look.
It meant that she was going to ask for another huge favour.
"Can I borrow some money?" she
asked.
Sakuragi lied on his bed, thinking
about the amble he had had with Rukawa several days ago.
The redheaded boy was not
sure—of everything. He estimated roughly; it had been six days since the
appalling tragedy. It was no simple task counting the days when you only see
night. And everyday Sakuragi had performed the same routine-over and over
again.
But Rukawa made his daily
routine seemed more interesting than ever.
Only one problem, though.
Haruko had been visiting him more frequently now, which meant visits from
Rukawa were getting occasional, what's more shorter. Sakuragi could not blame
his teammate. But…
Do
I miss him?
"I don't know what is wrong with all
of you!" declared Akagi, his hands on his hips. "What has gotten into you?"
Akagi had every reason to be
angry. His fellow team members were not up to his expectations.
Rukawa winced slightly. He was
at fault too. He had trouble concentrating in his games, which narrowly
resulted to losing.
"Practice
today will be extended," Akagi said in a masterful voice. "No one's going home
until I say so!"
Rukawa stared at him in
horror. That means I can't go to see…
"Twenty laps around the
court! On the double!"
Youhei's eyes were fixed on his best
friend. "Anything bothering you?" he asked curiously.
Sakuragi shook his head. "No.
What made you say that?"
Youhei leaned back, arms
folded, eyes watching his best friend carefully. "You never acted this way."
He noticed? "What do
you mean?"
Youhei waved an impatient
hand. "Don't dilly-dally with me, Sakuragi Hanamichi. We're best pals, you know
that as much as I do. I know you better than anyone else. You can't hide
anything from me."
"I'm not fooling around with
you—I know better. What gave you that idea?"
"You look distracted.
Yesterday, during Haruko-chan's visit…normally you hang on to her every word,
not giving a damn about other things until she's done talking. But now…it's
like you have something else in your mind."
No use hiding from him.
Should've learnt that by now…
"Why don't you tell me
what I can do to help you?"
"Really?"
"Of course. Go on, spill it
out."
"Will you ask…Rukawa to come?"
The name was said in a squeak.
Youhei did not say anything
for awhile. Sakuragi was afraid Youhei would burst into gales of laughter any
minute soon.
"Sure thing," replied Youhei.
"You will?" asked Sakuragi, a
momentary flicker of exhilaration in his void eyes.
"Yeah, obviously."
"And…aren't you going to ask
me why?"
Youhei shook his head. "You
can see anyone you like. I, for one, am not going to question your liberty."
"Youhei! I owe you!" Sakuragi
motioned to grasp Youhei's hands, and Youhei surrendered his hands to
Sakuragi's all-powerful grip. "You're a real friend!"
Youhei returned to school and went
straight to the gym. He could hear Akagi's thunderous tone of voice booming,
shaking the building.
He knocked meekly at the door.
Ayako glanced at him and nodded, beckoning him to enter. His eyes searched for
Rukawa, and before long Rukawa's eyes were on him.
"What's the matter?" Ayako
asked Youhei.
He replied straightforwardly,
"Someone wants to see Rukawa Kaede."
Raising an eyebrow, she
enquired further, "Who?"
"Maa, Ayako…just let Rukawa
go," interrupted Kogure, who was listening nearby. He smiled at Youhei, knowing
exactly who the 'someone' was.
Ayako looked ambivalent for a
moment, until she finally nodded. She went to ask Akagi.
"For a minute there I thought your
captain wouldn't give you the green light when Ayako asked for his permission,"
Youhei remarked, trying to strike a conversation with the silent boy. "It's a
good thing Kogure helped you out."
Rukawa nodded. "Anything wrong
with Sakuragi?"
Youhei pressed a button, and
the elevator doors closed. "Well, that depends on your definition of wrong."
He did not get Youhei's
message.
"He wants to see you,"
explained Youhei. He smiled at Rukawa. "And I think you want to see him too…"
"He told you?"
Youhei shook his head. "But I
think…I think Hanamichi has found someone who he feels more comfortable with
than when he's with me," murmured Youhei. He looked up at Rukawa, his eyes
meeting Rukawa's. Youhei smiled. "And I'm happy for you—both of you, in fact."
Rukawa ran to Sakuragi's room and
skidded to a halt. He entered the ward.
"Rukawa?" asked Sakuragi. He
was familiar with the sound of Rukawa's footsteps.
The Shohoku Ace rushed to his
side. "I'm sorry for…"
But Sakuragi had thrown
himself on him. Rukawa was rather shocked.
"I missed you so much…you
didn't come at all yesterday…" Sakuragi sobbed. "And I couldn't sleep last
night…because of that…"
Rukawa stroked Sakuragi's
back, not demurring Sakuragi's hot tears soaking his shirt. Rukawa knew when he
should be silent—to let the redhead speak his mind.
"That day…someone asked
me…what I'd like to wish for…and, that time—I thought my answer was
unwavering…"
Rukawa waited uncomplainingly
for him to finish.
"…and I think I just found out
what my real wish is…"
"What is it?" asked Rukawa
softly.
"I want you to be by my
side—forever. As simple as that."
Rukawa embraced the patient.
"I'll make your wish come true."
"I really like you…"
"Me too…"
"Promise me something, I
implore you…"
"Anything…"
"If I can see again…the first
thing I want to lay my eyes on…is you."
Rukawa nodded. "I'll wait for
that moment to come." He slowly disentangled himself from the hug. He held
Sakuragi's chin. "May I?"
The redhead nodded. They
kissed a real kiss. It was divine for both of them Sakuragi's tears continued
to flow.
Until something upset them; a
crash of something was breaking. Rukawa quickly looked behind him. His eyes
enlarged as he perceived what has occurred.
A musical box lay cracked on
the floor. And there was Haruko—her face was pallid, her expression ghastly.
She stood immobile until she broke into a run, away from them.
"Was that—Haruko?" asked
Sakuragi.
Rukawa's hands firmly gripped
Sakuragi's shoulders, but he did not answer the question.
"It was her…"
~{to be continued}~
More
Author's Notes: I
can't believe how long this chapter is…Aw, my fingers…
Since
it's already going to be the 10th of November soon at my place, I
wish all RuHana fans out there HAPPY RUHANA DAY~!
As
expected I can't finish this fic in time *sighs*. Aw, well, at least there's
RuHana in this chapter, so I'm not that depressed. At least, I think
so…sorry, everyone! *bows energetically in apology* And, just in case I can't
upload a new chapter daily, sorry again! Be patient, onegai shimasu~!
Leave
me a review and tell me what you think of this chapter, onegai? *bows*