The last installment to this little drama. Sorry it took so long. The story's basically done when I was posting halfway through. Long story: I finished it on my PC and forgot to upload it before my main drive died. So now, I backed it up in a friend's house and, well... I'll shut up now.

6

"You two make quite a pair," Mitsui put in. "I can't tell who of you is worse off."

Rukawa gave him a withering glare, as Kogure shook his head at his fellow senior. He had to admit they made a strange sight: him, with an arm in a sling, was aiding his taller teammate by offering his shoulder to cling to as they walked towards the bus.

The minute Rukawa had stepped back into the game, Shohoku never looked back. His teammates seemed to have regained second wind, most notably Sakuragi, yelling he won't be outdone by some sickly kitsune. And outdone him, Rukawa did. With a much-revived team, they executed marvelous plays that moved the crowd.

At the end, team Shohoku prevailed with a score of 88-80. Rukawa sealed their fate when he released a jumper from the three-point line at the last four seconds. The buzzer-beating shot got counted, and he gave way for the second time as if the sound took all his strength away.

"How could you take advantage of Kogure's kindness like that?" Mitsui said presently with a quirk on his lips. He took Rukawa's other arm over his own shoulders. This was met by a scowl.

"Stop acting like a baby, Rukawa," Mitsui chided. "For a moment back there, you couldn't even stand on your own feet."

"Just ignore him," Kogure told Rukawa with a chuckle. "It's his way of being nice."

"Nice?" he repeated with a scoff. "Me being nice? Ha! Never!"

Their other teammates have already boarded the shuttle. Sakuragi was being his rambunctious self. But, at seeing the person behind Kogure, he fell short of his antics and turned away sharply. Rukawa just snorted.

"Poor Sakuragi-kun," Kogure mused. "He wanted to score high so badly." They watched as the redhead stomped off to the rear of the bus and flopped down beside Yasuda.

"He'll get over it," said Mitsui. "He doesn't call himself King of Rebounds for nothing."

"King of Morons is more like it," Rukawa supplied cynically.

Kogure sighed. At least it was a positive sign, he told himself, that everything is getting back to normal.

Rukawa declined any further assistance as they got on the mini bus. He acknowledged Anzai-sensei with a quick bow before going past. His sempais did the same. Kogure was about to settle into a seat when Akagi caught his attention.

"Ayako told me he had some sort of puncture wound," he said as soon as he put Kogure in the other aisle seat.

"What did you tell Anzai-sensei?" Kogure asked in the same low voice as he faced him.

"What you told Ayako," said Akagi.

Kogure just nodded. He hated having to keep things from their coach, and hoped that they didn't have to withhold any longer than they should.

"What did you find out from the boy?" It was Akagi's turn to ask.

Kogure looked up to Rukawa. He was listening to his Walkman, legs up on the adjoining seat as his head bobbed in time with the music in his ears. The eyes were cast downwards, but presently looked up distractedly, then down again.

Should he tell Akagi? He knew he could keep Rukawa's "secret". As far as he can tell, he might have known the freshman's intervention from the start and has been discreet. Also, he is a friend.

"Anou, Rukawa-kun," Kogure began, scratching an imaginary itch at his neck. "He, ah"

"He asked you not to tell anyone, didn't he?" Akagi asked flatly.

Kogure blinked in surprise. "No, not really. But what made you say that?"

"It's just something I'd guess he would do," he answered with a weary sigh.

He agreed with Akagi. Though Rukawa didn't forbid him from telling the others about his injury, his silence and his actions spoke strongly of it.

"Don't you want to know?" Kogure blurted out when Akagi stood up.

"You know I'm not one who'd force a confidence," Akagi pointed out with a small grin. "And I have an idea how he got it, anyway."

"You do?" He swallowed.

"Don't worry about it." He cuffed Kogure on the shoulder lightly. "For Rukawa's sacrifices, I'll play ignorant. This time," he added with a little smirk before going towards the front seats where Ayako was.

Kogure watched as they talked. He saw her look in his general direction, disappointment in her face. He leaned back against the headrest. This wasn't easy. He was keeping secrets from his friends. He would have to make it up to them eventually.

He moved over to the window seat and stared listlessly at the passing view of the city. It has been a very eventful week for him, to put it mildly. Hopefully, things will settle down in the next few days and go back to normal. He had a feeling it was very unlikely. The team will have another game in ten days, challenging the winner of the Myuradai-Imadaoka match five days from now. He might have partial mobility with his wrist by then, but he doubts he can really play. But, again, he was worried about Rukawa. He was certain he had gone through an operation of some sort. It would take more than ten days to completely recover. He groaned softly. He would have to watch out for him in case he forces himself again. And he'll make sure the freshman will listen that time.

Shohoku High came into sight. Kogure was startled as a cheer erupted from behind him. The shuttle parked outside the gates, and an exuberant basketball team filed out. He noticed Mitsui and Rukawa hadn't passed him; so he looked back to see the former looking down at the latter, who dozed quietly.

"Leave him there, Micchy!" Sakuragi called out from the sidewalk. "Maybe we could ask the driver to drop him off outside of town. Itaiii!"

"You're impossible!" Ayako exclaimed.

Mitsui shook his head at hearing the commotion outside. He turned to Kogure. "Do you think it's safe for us to wake him?" he asked.

"If we do it carefully." Kogure leaned down and tapped him at the leg. "Rukawa-kun? We're here." He waited. They could still hear Rukawa's light snoring. He glanced back to Mitsui, who just shrugged.

"Rukawa-kun, we're back in Shohoku now." His hand rested on the other's leg, felt the heat radiating under his palm. Still, Rukawa didn't stir. He frowned slightly.

Kogure breathed in. "Kaede, wake up," he called in a firmer tone.

A frown slowly formed. Rukawa's eyes opened, clouded and slightly annoyed. When he saw the faces in front of him, his expression turned neutral. He looked about him.

"Time to go," Kogure told him.

They found the rest of the team waiting for them with Anzai-sensei at the fore.

"I want to congratulate everyone once more for your performances today," he began when they were all gathered. "You have done very well. Our next match is not for another week or so, therefore we will resume in two days. Akagi-kun, is there anything else you might like to add?"

"None, sensei."

Anzai-sensei nodded. "Rukawa-kun, you can take leave from school tomorrow, and come back as soon as you're able. I'll be informing your instructors."

Rukawa took some time before saying, "Hai."

"That is all," their coach announced. "You may all go now."

Everyone gave a rallying shout before dispersing. The old man gave a jovial laugh before turning towards the school.

"Let me walk you home, Aya-chan," Ryota offered.

The team manager scowled at him. "I can get by on my own, you know."

"Haha! Turned down again!" Sakuragi jeered at his sempai.

"Go bother someone else, red monkey."

"What did you say, Ryo-chin?"

"Who else looks like a red-headed monkey here, ne?"

"Teme!"

Miyagi took off at full speed, a fuming redhead at his heels, shouting. Akagi and Ayako blew out a gusty sigh while the rest looked on resignedly.

"Going our way?" Ayako asked of Mitsui, Kogure and Rukawa after the others had gone.

"We'll be sharing a ride home," Kogure answered as he gestured to Rukawa.

"I'll see these two home," Mitsui volunteered.

Rukawa raised a brow.

Akagi approached them. "Thanks for coming to the game, Kogure," he said. "And you"—he turned to Rukawa—"better be getting some rest. Remember the coach's orders."

"You don't have to do this, you know," Kogure spoke after Ayako and Akagi left.

"So I'm stubborn," Mitsui replied with a rakish grin.

Kogure stole a glance at their other companion and noticed the worry in his eyes. "We'll take a taxi. He and I live in the same neighborhood."

"Are you that determined to get rid of me?" The sarcasm was softened by the smirk he still wore.

Kogure countered with a smile of his own. "I was about to offer you a ride home as well. Mitsui lives near the train station," he added for Rukawa's benefit, to the latter's evident relief.

They hailed the first taxi that came by and got in the backseat. The silence Kogure found himself in felt strained. Mitsui wasn't really a talkative guy; but with the recent events, Kogure was amazed he hasn't asked anything about it since they left Kyuuzen High.

"It was a good game, wasn't it?" Mitsui suddenly asked to no one in particular.

Kogure looked up. "Eh?"

"You had a good game as usual, Rukawa," he went on, "despite you not feeling well."

A grunt was Rukawa's only remark as he still peered out the window.

"However, we almost lost to them," Kogure decided to join in. "They had put up a good fight."

"That's because they pitted their entire team against us," Mitsui boasted.

"I was thinking about that. I might speak with Akagi regarding stepping up training for the secondary players. We'll be leaving the team eventually, and it will be hard to replace you or Akagi," Kogure added wistfully.

"Or you," Mitsui appended with a lopsided grin. "You're also a vital part of the team."

He was totally unprepared for that remark that he turned away and fidgeted with his glasses.

They arrived at Mitsui's stop, a five-story apartment. A low white gate bordered the three-building apartment complex. Mitsui got off and leaned onto the cab window.

"You sure you two will be alright by yourselves?" he asked.

Kogure gave him a weary look. "Mitsui"

He chuckled. "I know, I know," he amended. "Rukawa. You better not give Kogure any problems."

Kogure turned in time to see the strange look the passed their kohei's face, as if the remark affected him.

Mitsui thumped on the door twice. "Ja!" They watched him enter the compound.

"Where to, boys?" The driver asked as he looked from the rearview mirror.

"Kanagawa General Hospital," Kogure said.

"Chotto," Rukawa said all of a sudden. "Can we make another stop before we go there?"

"Where? To your house?"

"Izumiya Memorial," was his low reply.

"Where?" the driver demanded again.

Kogure repeated the destination, intrigued. He didn't try to ask; Rukawa looked preoccupied with his thoughts. He heard the driver mutter something about being able to pay.

The cemetery was two kilometers west of the hospital. No immediate residential areas were in the vicinity. They stopped at the main entrance. Rukawa reminded the driver to wait for them before getting off, as vehicles didn't frequent the place.

Kogure followed, found his teammate making a purchase of flowers and joss sticks from the old woman who sold her wares near the gate.

"You can come if you want," Rukawa said over his shoulder as he entered.

His pace was not hurried that Kogure managed to reach his side. He was curious, but didn't want to pry. This was Rukawa's personal affair, and he was only tagging along.

Slim gravestone markers lined either side of the walkway they were on. Fir trees here and there provided a touch of liveliness in the otherwise somber surrounding.

Rukawa stopped by a particularly large tree where a single marker stood apart from the others. Both bowed in deference. He placed the flowers before it and lit the sticks, planting it in front of the bouquet. Placing his palms together, he bowed his head.

Kogure closed his eyes and offered his prayers as well. As he recited the words in his mind, in time with the movement of his lips, questions spouted somewhere else in his head. Why was he allowed to witness this? Was Rukawa trying to tell him something?

"I've paid my dues now. If only I did the same for you."

Kogure's eyes snapped open. His gaze rested on the writings on the stone. Rukawa Seiji, he read. He died four years ago, and would have been twenty years old today.

"He's—he was your" Kogure amended.

Rukawa nodded, the sadness evident. It seemed the loss pained him still.

"How?" Kogure asked quietly.

"He saved me from bullies that were picking on me." He was holding back the anguish in his tone.

Kogure was stunned. "Then, that night" He trailed off again, eyes unfocused in thought. "You remembered, didn't you?"

Rukawa flicked his gaze at the ground at his feet.

"I'm terribly sorry, Rukawa-kun," he entreated, wearing the shame in his face. "I'm so sorry that you had to go through it again." He laid his hand on his shoulder.

"It's not your fault, Kogure-sempai," he said after a while, his eyes staring at a distance.

"But it is," he insisted, thinking he owed him the truth. "If I kept on my usual route, this shouldn't have happened. You wouldn't have gotten hurt."

The air suddenly chilled him, his head swimming. Kogure was feeling miserable again, and his physical discomfort wasn't even a part of it. To subject someone through the same ordeal was terrible, more so at the risk of his life.

They stood side by side in silence, each absorbed in their own misery. It was Rukawa who first recovered.

"We all make mistakes, sempai," he murmured. "Don't you?"

Kogure chuckled quietly in spite himself at the hint of teasing in his tone. "I guess I do, too, Rukawa-kun," he averred.

He saw Rukawa flinch as his hand went to his side.

"Ike," he urged softly. "The cab is waiting." He bowed again towards the tombstone.

"Hai," the other replied.

They made to go. Rukawa's steps faltered slightly, but Kogure caught him under the elbow I time.

"Domo," he said quietly, the look softened in gratitude.

Kogure shook it off with a slight grin. "Let's get you treated."

The sorrow still flowed beneath the surface, he could tell. He found the pain-clouded eyes disturbing to see on him, having only seen it the first time. Poor Rukawa-kun, he commiserated. He must have meant so much to him.

Pieces of the puzzle were falling into place bit by bit, but he still couldn't picture the whole image. Rukawa was a difficult person to know, but he didn't mind. He was content in knowing his kohei is letting him see a different side of him. Trust was something he hardly gave, even in the basketball court. Kogure was already given that trust. Now, he must strive to earn it once more—this time, as a friend.

Owari

or is it?

Terms:

Chotto - (wait) for a moment.

Thanks so much to all who took time to read this, double the gratitude to those who reviewed.To Alexia for the little nitpickings, sharon for the encouragement, and Kikiam-sama for quite a review. (Sharon: I'd still like for you to beta it for me. Can we talk? If you're edgy in posting your addy in your review as I am, you can just post in a feedback in my Poetry in Blue page [http://poetryinblue.cjb.net] so I would be the only one who gets a hold of your addy)

With special mention to my good friend, Andrew, who saved my drive. ^_^ *mwah*

With the fic rounded up, your thoughts are much more helpful at this stage. Were there conflicting lines? OOC-ness? Pardon my whining. I just want to do the best I can, even on 'mere' fanfics. So bring it on! Even if it starts with a line that says "It sucks!"

Now I close the curtain to this story and let it slip into obscurity, unless I re-edit and repost! T_T