Dear Reader,

You might find this story weird and all, but let me just inform you that this fic is just a dare given by my sister (Shirodachi) to her friend (Seiyo), who passed it down to me. I don't know how I got caught up with it, but I think the idea was kinda challenging so I accepted it (and the fact that it involved Rukawa-kun ^^). Anyway, when you see some words that are in italilics like this, it means that those were her choice of lines that were supposed to be used in the story, as her dare.

This is my first time to write a Slam Dunk fanfic (and with original character). Please bear with me. And, if you ever come and pass by a story written Sarah Yuy, go read it! It's still mine. I just used a different author name for this fic.

I won't explain the japanese terms that you may encounter anymore. I'm sure all of you know its meaning by now.

Thank you and enjoy!

Chapter 1 - Trouble

RUKAWA KAEDE TASTES LIKE CINNAMON

The statement was written in big, bold, messy letters of bright red, and was scandalously displayed on Shohoku High's gymnasium wall, with blots of red ink sloppily drizzled across the tiled floor.

"Who in the world would think that stupid fox would taste something like that?" Sakuragi Hanamichi's boisterous laughter echoed throughout the gym.

"Well what do you think he should taste like?" hissed Mitsui Hisashi, narrowing his eyes over the tall redhead.

Sakuragi cringed, showing a disgusted face. "What do you mean by that, Mitchi?"

"If you don't agree that he tastes like cinnamon, then what do you think he should taste like?" Mitsui pointed out, grinning boyishly.

"Eh?! I don't care! All I asked is, why would someone say something absolutely stupid like that?!"

"Oh… so now, you're defending Rukawa?!" Miyagi Ryota stood beside him and teased.

"Ryochin!" Sakuragi exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. "I think that person should have wrote something more better like: Rukawa Kaede is nothing compared to The Genius Sakuragi Hanami---"

Before the so-called "Genius" could finish his sentence, he was punched on the head by their team captain, Akagi Takenori. "Maybe it was you who wrote that!" the tall guy accused.

"Gori!? Would you possible think I would even write the name of that stupid---" Sakuragi tried to protest, but a basketball suddenly flew straight at him, hitting the back of his head. "Kuso!" he cursed as he slowly turned his head and saw the victim, Rukawa Kaede, glaring at him with no emotions.

"You know anything about that?" Mitusi asked Rukawa, pointing his thumb at the wall.

Rukawa picked another basketball from the cart and replied, "No." Then he walked away dribbling the ball to the other side of the gym.

"I bet you did!" Sakuragi yelled as Akagi hit him again on the head.

"You are so annoying, you know that?" The tall center looked at him as if he was throwing daggers with his eyes.

"Why do you always have to hit me?!" Sakuragi complained, gritting his teeth. "I was just stating what I thought!"

"Keep your thoughts to yourself then." Rukawa grumbled.

"Anou… Sakuragi-kun, I think Rukawa-kun wouldn't do such a thing to our gym." The cautious Kogure Kiminobu tried calming up the redhead in rage.

"Hey! Shouldn't you guys be practicing now?" Ayako, their team manageress reminded them. Her hands where on her hips and she was tapping one foot.

"Yes! Aya-chan is right!" Miyagi nodded approvingly like a child.

"Oniichan!" The lovely Haruko Akagi suddenly called as she came running into the gym. Her face was exhausted. She walked towards her brother and gave him a worried look. "I… I saw Principal Kanada. He is on his way here."

Sakuragi's faced beamed, while Akagi's expression was alarmed. "Line up!" he ordered. Then the members of the Shohoku basketball team immediately formed a straight line.

After a few moments, a tall, lanky man wearing large round-rimmed glasses entered the gym, behind him was their basketball coach, Anzai-sensei. They all greeted them with a nervous 'Good Morning'.

Their school headmaster looked at the wall and then approached the tall center.

"Kanada-san," Akagi bowed his head.

"Akagi-kun," The man said, adjusting his glasses. "Do we have a problem here?" he squinted his eyes.

Akagi, with his head still inclined answered, "We were only informed this morning. The first class who used the gym called us to see it."

Principal Kanada walked towards the wall and placed a finger on it. The he looked at his finger and turned back to show it to them. "The paint is still fresh, whoever did it just wrote it this morning. Do you know who was the first class who used the gym?"

Haruko all of a sudden gasped. They all eyed her from afar.

"Yes, young lady?" Principal Kanada looked at her thoughtfully.

"It was our class who first used the gym this morning." She responded nervously.

"Nani?! Ha-haruko-san?! Haruko-san wrote that?" Sakuragi dropped his jaw. "Why?!"

"Baka!" Mitsui and Miyagi snapped back. Then Akagi again hit Sakuragi on the head with his fist.

"Do you know who did it?" The principal asked, ignoring Sakuragi's actions.

Haruko shook her head. "When we opened the door it was already there." She explained.

There was a sudden feeling of relief coming from Sakuragi.

"I see." The principal nodded briefly then he turned to Coach Anzai. "We have to close the gym for a while. No one will enter, until that monstrosity is removed."

Anzai-sensei nodded helplessly.

"Wait! How will we practice then? The winter games are near!" Miyagi voiced out.

"That's right!" Sakuragi clenched a fist. "We have to practice!"

"That's not my problem." Principal Kanada replied, walking out of the door then he stopped and took a quick glance on their fat coach. "Anzai-sensei, may I excuse Rukawa-kun? I need have a word with him."

"Certainly." Anzai-sensei agreed, looking at Rukawa.

Rukawa, with his messy hair and pale skin walked out of the gym following their headmaster.

* * *

"Are you in some sort of fight, Rukawa-kun?" Principal Kanada asked him from his air-conditioned office. Rukawa was seated in front of him.

"No sir," he answered briefly.

"Maybe you forgot and made someone angry at you?"

"No."

"Do you think someone wants you out of the team?"

"No." He said, then an image of Sakuragi entered his mind. He looked annoyed, but still he said no.

"Do you think someone is jealous of you?"

"No."

"Do you taste like cinnamon?"

"No."

"Any ideas of who that person could be?"

"No."

"Well then," the principal sighed while leaning back on his chair and clasped his hands. "This might be a little strange but, with a personality like that I'm sure someone might be obviously mad at you."

Rukawa chose not to answer. He didn't care.

"Or it could be someone wanting your attention."

The idea surprised him for a moment.

"If this happens again, please to report it immediately." Principal Kanada stood up.

Rukawa rose from his seat not even saying a thing and left the room.

Outside, he walked quietly along the school corridors. Students, especially girls were overwhelmed with his sudden appearance in the hallway. He was wearing his basketball training shorts and a black sweatshirt, with a white sleeveless shirt on top. His hair, as always, were messy and almost covered his eyes. Still, he was flawlessly handsome. His dark blue eyes staring blankly at the air as he descended the stairs.

"Rukawa-kun." A girl with a layered haircut reaching her back spoke his name softly as he passed by her.

"Naomi-chan!" Another girl, with hair just reaching her shoulders, tried getting the attention of her awe-struck friend. She looked annoyed to the fact that Rukawa in all his glory walked pass by them without even noticing, as if they were ghosts.

"There he goes, Yumi-chan. There he goes…" Naomi faltered as she followed him with her eyes.

"Naomi-chan." Yumi sighed and shook her head. "But he… he's a member of the basketball club right? I thought you didn't like that sport?"

Naomi giggled and grinned, "I know that. I just find him attractive."

"You should go out with Haruko-chan often rather than me." Yumi looked away. "She likes him so much, I've heard."

Yumi's friend's expression changed. "But, you are my friend! I can't just turn my back away from you." She said smiling.

"Maybe." Yumi returned a faint smile.

"You are my best friend, Yumi-chan." Naomi tilted her head and gave her sweetest smile. "It's just a school girl crush. Come on, let's go back to the library."

Yumi, as Naomi called her, nodded and followed.

When they turned left and entered the library door, two other girls kept their voices low as they talked.

"Why did Naomi ever exchanged Hatsue-san for that shy girl?" The first girl whispered.

"I don't have a clue. I don't like her that much. She's too quiet." The second girl answered and both then marched down the hallway.