Chapter 2- Memories of Childhood
*****
Even as Rukawa dribbled the ball with expertise and precision, he was clearly abstracted. Kogure glanced at the rookie out of the corner of his eye with a worried expression on his face. Ryota on the other hand, had more competitive ideas...
Quick as lightning, Ryota cut in and stole the ball. He began to run and quickly bounce-passed the ball to a chortling Hanamichi. "Hahahahaha! See the power of tensai Sakuragi!" exclaimed Sakuragi as he neared the paint.
"Oi Hanamichi, don't waste my excellent steal!" instructed Ryota as Rukawa quickly overtook the under-sized point-guard and put a man-to-man defense on the red-head.
"Che," cursed Rukawa under his breath. He couldn't seem to concentrate on the game... his thoughts were of Yuzuriha, who had so unexpectedly come back into his life. He remembered what his step-father, Nekoi Reisui would say, even about his own daughter.
The child is a freak of nature destined to die young...
"Hahahahahahahaha! Oi Kitsune, you never told me you had a sister! I smell something illicit..." brayed Sakuragi as he turned, trying to evade Rukawa's defense.
"Teme. Do you even know what illicit means, do ahou?" asked Rukawa, making a vein of anger bulge out from Sakuragi's head. Once distracted, Rukawa easily swiped the ball from Hanamichi and began to run, nimbly evading Ryota's defense and Kogure's attempt to stop him. "Kora Rukawa!" yelled Hanamichi was he sprinted to catch up.
Rukawa paused, dribbling low and waited until Hanamichi was guarding him earnestly. Rukawa smirked before he faked with a cross-over dribble and took a fade away shot that immediately sank in the basket much to Sakuragi's ire.
Ayako whistled as she clapped her hands. "That's it for today minna-san!" she said as she helped hand out towels. As she passed by Rukawa, she winked at him and said, "Maa maa Rukawa-kun, you were certainly distracted throughout the game. Your sister was very charming."
Rukawa stonily said, "She's not my sister."
"Ohohohohoho! Interesting," said Ayako as she went over to Ryota carrying a cold drink.
******
Rukawa was the first to go out, trying to avoid talking to his teammates who were asking him about Yuzuriha. He only changed his shirt and didn't bother to shower when he walked out the gym. He found Yuzuriha, with her back turned to the gym, gazing up at the full moon.
"I had no idea you guys practiced so late," said Yuzuriha as a way of greeting as she turned to smile at Rukawa. Rukawa gazed at Yuzuriha's cheerful face and noted a slight darkness in her huge green eyes.
Rukawa shrugged and slung his bag over his shoulder. He walked ahead as Yuzuriha skipped after him, her hand on Inuki's head. After a few blocks, Rukawa asked, "Where's your stuff?"
Yuzuriha smiled and said, "It's with Haruko-san. We're grown rather close after this afternoon together."
Rukawa nodded and took the direction towards the Akagi's house. After minutes of total silence, Yuzuriha released a pent-up breath. "Kaede-ni..."
Rukawa interrupted and said, "Rukawa."
With a hurt expression in her eyes, Yuzuriha stopped walking and asked, "You're ashamed to be my brother?" She bowed her head and Inuki whined.
"We're here," said Rukawa quietly as they stopped in front of a modest house. Haruko, who was waiting by the window quickly opened the door and welcomed them in. This time, Haruko's eyes weren't glued to Rukawa but she welcomed Yuzuriha like a long-lost sister.
"Yuzuriha-chan! I was so worried about you! I should have know better... here's your bags," said Haruko in a rush as she lugged three bags at the same time to dump them at the feet of the pair. Rukawa glanced at Haruko's apprehensive face and then at his step-sister's confident face.
"Arigato gozaimasu Haruko-san! I told you not to worry, I can handle myself," said Yuzuriha with a cheerful laugh as she lifted one of the bags. She gave a start of surprise when Rukawa took the bag she was going to carry and took the two other bags easily. She smiled up at Rukawa. "Arigato Kae-- Rukawa," she said, correcting herself.
Haruko observed it and smiled at Yuzuriha. "Would you like to stay for dinner then Rukawa-kun?" she asked, the blush returning to her cheeks.
"Iie," answered Rukawa before Yuzuriha could open her mouth to speak.
"Mou!" said Yuzuriha under her breath as she smiled apologetically at Haruko. Rukawa said nothing more as he turned around to walk out. Yuzuriha smiled and said, "Ja ne Haruko-san! Matta no ashita!" as she ran after Rukawa who was already out the gate before waving one last time at her new friend.
Haruko watched after them, a smile on her lips and a worried expression in her eyes.
*****
Rukawa and Yuzuriha stopped in front of an automatic gate as they waited for it to open. It opened to reveal a huge mansion with a long brick driveway and manicured lawns. Inuki trotted after them, his tail wagging as Yuzuriha tried to keep up with Rukawa's long-legged pace.
"Awesome place! I practically lived in the National Assembly when I was in Tokyo and Mitsumine Shrine is nothing like this!" she exclaimed as the front door was opened by a stern-looking butler.
"Okaerinasai Rukawa-sama, Yuzuriha-sama," welcomed the butler as he bowed and ushered the two in.
Yuzuriha smiled as she surveyed the opulent surroundings. She turned to the butler. "You knew I was coming?" she asked in delight as two servants took the bags Rukawa was carrying.
"Hai Ojou-sama. Reisui-sama informed us that you would be staying with us for a duration of time..." answered the butler.
"Did Otou-san leave any message? Will he be coming here for me?" asked Yuzuriha excitedly.
"Iie. He left quickly when he dropped by to tell me. I think he's on his way to Hawaii while Karen-sama left for Paris. My name is Monfort Ojou- sama," replied the butler, watching Yuzuriha's face fall at his answer. Rukawa has already left Yuzuriha standing in the parlor and walked up to his room without a backward glance.
"Mean!" exclaimed Yuzuriha as she stuck her tongue out at Rukawa's retreating back.
Monfort chuckled as he led Yuzuriha up the sprawling carpeted stairway. "Rukawa-sama is not a very gentle person but he has a good heart. He's always been alone my lady, and it's hard for him to reveal his emotions because of that," explained Monfort as he took Yuzuriha to the Eastern wing of the mansion.
He opened the door to the last room in the wing and revealed a peach and green colored room. "This is your room for your stay Yuzuriha-sama. I hope this is big enough for you."
"Are you kidding? This is huge!" exclaimed Yuzuriha as she ran over to her bed and threw herself at it. She gave a groan of bliss when she discovered it was a water-bed. The emotional and physical stress of the day slowly faded away as she relaxed, closing her eyes. "Heaven..." she sighed as she closed her eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep.
*****
Haruko was sitting in a swivel chair, watching her brother lift weights with a pre-occupied frown on her face. After enduring minutes of silence, Akagi sighed asked his sister, "All right, what's wrong Haruko?"
"Huh? Ummm, I was just thinking Onii-chan.." "You're surprised about Rukawa's sister right? We all were, we never expected someone like her..." "Well, yes, I suppose that's part of it," replied Haruko as she chewed thoughtfully on her lip.
Akagi waited but Haruko said nothing more. He groaned and said, "All right, spit it out. Something happened right? Otou-san told me Rukawa and his sister dropped by earlier tonight."
"Yuzuriha-chan and I were attacked in the park this afternoon," blurted out Haruko.
"NANI?" roared Akagi as he dropped the weight and sat beside his sister. Anxiously, he scrutinized his sister. "Are you all right? Are you hurt? Who attacked you?" he asked.
Haruko shot her brother an exasperated look. "Obviously, I'm quite all right. We were attacked by three men and to be honest, Yuzuriha-chan was the one they attacked..."
Tense, Akagi asked, "Then what happened?" "... she fought back... with a sword..." "A sword?!"
"Yes, there was a sudden flash of light and before the men could even step close enough to grab her, she was holding this strange-looking sword with tassels and a slim blade. The handle looked really amazing... but from the way she held it, you can say that she's an expert at it and I really don't know where the sword came from," answered Haruko. "She jumped away from me, it was really amazing and she landed several meters away, drawing the attention of the three men towards her. She jumps higher then Rukawa-kun or Sakuragi-kun, it was like she's flying on air, like the way she did this afternoon. The men were really mad and they all charged towards her..."
Akagi put his head in his hand. "I don't believe this..."
"She slashed her sword towards the men and a strong air current went out, knocking the men away so hard that they crashed against the tree. The sword never touched them but they were all knocked unconscious... and then there was this flash of light again and she suddenly said, 'Arigato Inuki,' as the sword disappeared."
"My God..."
"She smiled at me although there was something strange in her eyes... but who am I kidding? She's a very strange person with that power! But she saved me... at the cost of her own life..."
Akagi flopped down on his bed as he thought about what his sister said. It was impossible and yet... given the strange aura he could sense from Rukawa's sister, what Haruko said can be remotely possible. He had read in certain books that there are some people gifted with high levels of spiritual power... he frowned as he recalled his substitute 5th grade teacher who once let him read one of her books.
He opened his eyes to see Haruko wearing a very anxious expression on her face. He sat up and said gruffly, "Well, as Yuzuriha-chan's friend, the best thing you can do is accept her for what she is and keep her abilities a secret. She did a very brave thing and you were very brave too..."
Haruko thought about it and she smiled. "Hai! I won't let her down Onii- chan!"
"Good."
"Ano-- I wonder, how did Yuzuriha-chan do all that?" mused Haruko aloud.
"She has spiritual powers and if I'm not mistaken, a very high level of spiritual power," answered Akagi.
"Oh that's right! She told me she grew up in a shrine!" enthused Haruko.
"Well, there you have it," said Akagi a little grimly.
******
Fresh from the shower, Rukawa grabbed a sleeveless shirt and pulled it on. He was already wearing sweatpants and he didn't bother to comb his hair when he started downstairs. He came upon Monfort who was carrying a tray of food.
"Oh! Rukawa-sama! Yuzuriha-sama wouldn't be able to join you for dinner, she fell asleep the moment she lay down. I'll just be taking her dinner up so that if she wakes if, she won't have to try and find the kitchen tonight," explained Monfort as Rukawa nodded.
Rukawa sensed Inuki watching him and turned to find the holy dog following him. He sighed as he waited from Inuki to catch up with him. He gave an absent-minded scratch at Inuki's ears as he went towards the dining room with Yuzuriha's dog for company. As they were alone in the doorway, he asked the dog, "What are you two doing here?"
Inuki gave a soft bark in reply as Rukawa sighed. Memories assailed him suddenly. He barely noticed Inuki guiding him to the dining room and prodding him to take a seat at the dining table. Mechanically, he began to eat his dinner as he immersed himself in memories of long-ago when he first met Nekoi Yuzuriha who he learned was his new step-sister.
Flashback
Nine-year old Rukawa didn't like the man his elegant mother seemed to love so much. Nekoi Reisui was smooth, urbane and is seen as a proficient businessman but there was something about him that Rukawa didn't like-- Reisui didn't like children. Months later, his mother who was divorced from his biological father marries Reisui. Reisui later reveals that he has a daughter from his first marriage, a seven year old girl named Yuzuriha who is now being raised by her grandmother in the Mitsumine Shrine.
That summer, at his mother's summerhouse, Reisui came with his gawky daughter to introduce her to her 'new family'. With her over-large green eyes, short black hair and knobby knees and elbows, Rukawa almost completely ignored the girl until he realized that there was a gray dog that followed Yuzuriha everywhere, a dog that no one else seemed to notice.
"Oi little girl," said 9 year old Rukawa as he held his ball with one hand, looking up at the girl who was sitting up in the tree. Those unforgettable green eyes focused on him and the girl smiled, her dimples showing through. "Nani?" Rukawa looked at the puppy up with her in the tree and said a bit hesitantly, "Would you like to play?" A luminous smile graced her young face and Yuzuriha nimbly jumped down from the tall tree, surprising Rukawa. She looked at him solemnly-- too solemn for her age and said, "Yes, I'd love to play with you!"
From that day on, they played together. Whether it was basketball, or building sandcastles, or exploring the nearby areas of the mountain beside the sea, the two were never apart save when they sleep. Their parents never realized how attached the two were growing because Karen and Reisui had cruised around in a yacht. But Rukawa never told Yuzuriha know that he can see Inuki, but he listened to her tales carefully, realizing that this little girl had a destiny marked for her. But one day...
Rukawa found Yuzuriha up in the tree, crying her heart out. He climbed up carefully and settled beside the little girl who was crying in Inuki's fur. Yuzuriha looked up when he sat beside her and he furrowed his brows as he asked, "What's wrong?" "-- I'm going back to my grandmother tomorrow..." said Yuzuriha between sobs. Rukawa sat, shocked. Inuki's dark eyes settled on him and seemed to convey that Yuzuriha's departure was necessary for the future. He took a deep breath, trying not to think of how lonely he had been before Yuzuriha and Inuki came as he reassured the girl, "Your place is with your grandmother from the very beginning and you are here only for this summer." "But everyone calls me a liar there! They don't believe that Inuki exists!" cried Yuzuriha. Not knowing why he did it, Rukawa placed his chubby hand over Yuzuriha's hand against Inuki's fur. His eyes then looked serious and intense (the eyes of an older Rukawa like in the anime) as he said, "I believe you Yuzuriha..."
As he said it, he knew that Yuzuriha can now go back to Mitsumine Shrine. Yuzuriha was the type of person who can be brave even if only one person believed in her and since he believed in her... Rukawa swallowed as he thought of the dawn basketball practices he used to have with Inuki in the court even before Yuzuriha or the household wakes up. He recalled one time when while he was out biking with Yuzuriha, he fell asleep and Yuzuriha had to catch him before he crashed against a tree. But it was all for the best...
Yuzuriha sniffled as she rubbed her hands against her wet cheeks. She looked up at Rukawa, who was quite tall for his age and suddenly threw her scrawny arms around him, knocking the both of them down the tree. But Inuki was ready and cushioned their fall. Surprised, Rukawa only gazed at the dark head nestled against his chest.
"Arigato Kaede-ni..."
The expression in her eyes were unforgettable. So much trust and affection and Rukawa could only smile. But then Reisui and Karen came upon the scene and saw Rukawa and Yuzuriha fall down the high tree and stand up without scratches or injuries. Karen's mouth was hanging open in shock while anger twisted the handsome features of Reisui's face. He marched towards the children and grabbed Yuzuriha's arm roughly, jerking her away from Rukawa.
"You're going back to that cursed shrine tonight young lady," hissed Reisui as he dragged Yuzuriha away. "I won't let you hurt Karen's son! You don't belong here, to this family!" said Reisui angrily as Yuzuriha looked over her shoulder and saw Karen also reprimanding her son. Tears raced down Yuzuriha's cheeks as she looked at the tall but slightly pudgy figure of nine-year old Rukawa.
Their eyes met for the last time, tear-filled green eyes and blue eyes that were getting icy-blue with each step Yuzuriha was taking farther away from him. Suddenly, a word entered Rukawa's mind as Yuzuriha was pushed into the car.
/ Sayonara / It was the last time Rukawa saw his seven-year old stepsister.
End of flashback
Inuki whined the moment Rukawa fell asleep, his dinner not yet finished. Almost immediately, Rukawa started drooling, distorting his almost too handsome face into something endearing childlike and vulnerable. Inuki went over to Rukawa and placed his head against the basketball player's lap, an attempt to keep him warm as the moon rose higher above the sky.
~* TBC
******
Disclaimers: Slamdunk is created by Inoue Takehito and characters that would appear from X are all created by Clamp. I do not own these characters, standard disclaimers apply.
Author's Notes: Hope you guys liked this one and was able to understand Yuzuriha and Rukawa's history together. I sort of linked Rukawa's cold behavior to his background of always being left alone and having the only person he grew close to taken away. Thank you so much to reviewers, I certainly hope to keep this fic up if you keep it coming! More coming up about the triggered spiritual powers of everyone in Shohoku!
*****
Even as Rukawa dribbled the ball with expertise and precision, he was clearly abstracted. Kogure glanced at the rookie out of the corner of his eye with a worried expression on his face. Ryota on the other hand, had more competitive ideas...
Quick as lightning, Ryota cut in and stole the ball. He began to run and quickly bounce-passed the ball to a chortling Hanamichi. "Hahahahaha! See the power of tensai Sakuragi!" exclaimed Sakuragi as he neared the paint.
"Oi Hanamichi, don't waste my excellent steal!" instructed Ryota as Rukawa quickly overtook the under-sized point-guard and put a man-to-man defense on the red-head.
"Che," cursed Rukawa under his breath. He couldn't seem to concentrate on the game... his thoughts were of Yuzuriha, who had so unexpectedly come back into his life. He remembered what his step-father, Nekoi Reisui would say, even about his own daughter.
The child is a freak of nature destined to die young...
"Hahahahahahahaha! Oi Kitsune, you never told me you had a sister! I smell something illicit..." brayed Sakuragi as he turned, trying to evade Rukawa's defense.
"Teme. Do you even know what illicit means, do ahou?" asked Rukawa, making a vein of anger bulge out from Sakuragi's head. Once distracted, Rukawa easily swiped the ball from Hanamichi and began to run, nimbly evading Ryota's defense and Kogure's attempt to stop him. "Kora Rukawa!" yelled Hanamichi was he sprinted to catch up.
Rukawa paused, dribbling low and waited until Hanamichi was guarding him earnestly. Rukawa smirked before he faked with a cross-over dribble and took a fade away shot that immediately sank in the basket much to Sakuragi's ire.
Ayako whistled as she clapped her hands. "That's it for today minna-san!" she said as she helped hand out towels. As she passed by Rukawa, she winked at him and said, "Maa maa Rukawa-kun, you were certainly distracted throughout the game. Your sister was very charming."
Rukawa stonily said, "She's not my sister."
"Ohohohohoho! Interesting," said Ayako as she went over to Ryota carrying a cold drink.
******
Rukawa was the first to go out, trying to avoid talking to his teammates who were asking him about Yuzuriha. He only changed his shirt and didn't bother to shower when he walked out the gym. He found Yuzuriha, with her back turned to the gym, gazing up at the full moon.
"I had no idea you guys practiced so late," said Yuzuriha as a way of greeting as she turned to smile at Rukawa. Rukawa gazed at Yuzuriha's cheerful face and noted a slight darkness in her huge green eyes.
Rukawa shrugged and slung his bag over his shoulder. He walked ahead as Yuzuriha skipped after him, her hand on Inuki's head. After a few blocks, Rukawa asked, "Where's your stuff?"
Yuzuriha smiled and said, "It's with Haruko-san. We're grown rather close after this afternoon together."
Rukawa nodded and took the direction towards the Akagi's house. After minutes of total silence, Yuzuriha released a pent-up breath. "Kaede-ni..."
Rukawa interrupted and said, "Rukawa."
With a hurt expression in her eyes, Yuzuriha stopped walking and asked, "You're ashamed to be my brother?" She bowed her head and Inuki whined.
"We're here," said Rukawa quietly as they stopped in front of a modest house. Haruko, who was waiting by the window quickly opened the door and welcomed them in. This time, Haruko's eyes weren't glued to Rukawa but she welcomed Yuzuriha like a long-lost sister.
"Yuzuriha-chan! I was so worried about you! I should have know better... here's your bags," said Haruko in a rush as she lugged three bags at the same time to dump them at the feet of the pair. Rukawa glanced at Haruko's apprehensive face and then at his step-sister's confident face.
"Arigato gozaimasu Haruko-san! I told you not to worry, I can handle myself," said Yuzuriha with a cheerful laugh as she lifted one of the bags. She gave a start of surprise when Rukawa took the bag she was going to carry and took the two other bags easily. She smiled up at Rukawa. "Arigato Kae-- Rukawa," she said, correcting herself.
Haruko observed it and smiled at Yuzuriha. "Would you like to stay for dinner then Rukawa-kun?" she asked, the blush returning to her cheeks.
"Iie," answered Rukawa before Yuzuriha could open her mouth to speak.
"Mou!" said Yuzuriha under her breath as she smiled apologetically at Haruko. Rukawa said nothing more as he turned around to walk out. Yuzuriha smiled and said, "Ja ne Haruko-san! Matta no ashita!" as she ran after Rukawa who was already out the gate before waving one last time at her new friend.
Haruko watched after them, a smile on her lips and a worried expression in her eyes.
*****
Rukawa and Yuzuriha stopped in front of an automatic gate as they waited for it to open. It opened to reveal a huge mansion with a long brick driveway and manicured lawns. Inuki trotted after them, his tail wagging as Yuzuriha tried to keep up with Rukawa's long-legged pace.
"Awesome place! I practically lived in the National Assembly when I was in Tokyo and Mitsumine Shrine is nothing like this!" she exclaimed as the front door was opened by a stern-looking butler.
"Okaerinasai Rukawa-sama, Yuzuriha-sama," welcomed the butler as he bowed and ushered the two in.
Yuzuriha smiled as she surveyed the opulent surroundings. She turned to the butler. "You knew I was coming?" she asked in delight as two servants took the bags Rukawa was carrying.
"Hai Ojou-sama. Reisui-sama informed us that you would be staying with us for a duration of time..." answered the butler.
"Did Otou-san leave any message? Will he be coming here for me?" asked Yuzuriha excitedly.
"Iie. He left quickly when he dropped by to tell me. I think he's on his way to Hawaii while Karen-sama left for Paris. My name is Monfort Ojou- sama," replied the butler, watching Yuzuriha's face fall at his answer. Rukawa has already left Yuzuriha standing in the parlor and walked up to his room without a backward glance.
"Mean!" exclaimed Yuzuriha as she stuck her tongue out at Rukawa's retreating back.
Monfort chuckled as he led Yuzuriha up the sprawling carpeted stairway. "Rukawa-sama is not a very gentle person but he has a good heart. He's always been alone my lady, and it's hard for him to reveal his emotions because of that," explained Monfort as he took Yuzuriha to the Eastern wing of the mansion.
He opened the door to the last room in the wing and revealed a peach and green colored room. "This is your room for your stay Yuzuriha-sama. I hope this is big enough for you."
"Are you kidding? This is huge!" exclaimed Yuzuriha as she ran over to her bed and threw herself at it. She gave a groan of bliss when she discovered it was a water-bed. The emotional and physical stress of the day slowly faded away as she relaxed, closing her eyes. "Heaven..." she sighed as she closed her eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep.
*****
Haruko was sitting in a swivel chair, watching her brother lift weights with a pre-occupied frown on her face. After enduring minutes of silence, Akagi sighed asked his sister, "All right, what's wrong Haruko?"
"Huh? Ummm, I was just thinking Onii-chan.." "You're surprised about Rukawa's sister right? We all were, we never expected someone like her..." "Well, yes, I suppose that's part of it," replied Haruko as she chewed thoughtfully on her lip.
Akagi waited but Haruko said nothing more. He groaned and said, "All right, spit it out. Something happened right? Otou-san told me Rukawa and his sister dropped by earlier tonight."
"Yuzuriha-chan and I were attacked in the park this afternoon," blurted out Haruko.
"NANI?" roared Akagi as he dropped the weight and sat beside his sister. Anxiously, he scrutinized his sister. "Are you all right? Are you hurt? Who attacked you?" he asked.
Haruko shot her brother an exasperated look. "Obviously, I'm quite all right. We were attacked by three men and to be honest, Yuzuriha-chan was the one they attacked..."
Tense, Akagi asked, "Then what happened?" "... she fought back... with a sword..." "A sword?!"
"Yes, there was a sudden flash of light and before the men could even step close enough to grab her, she was holding this strange-looking sword with tassels and a slim blade. The handle looked really amazing... but from the way she held it, you can say that she's an expert at it and I really don't know where the sword came from," answered Haruko. "She jumped away from me, it was really amazing and she landed several meters away, drawing the attention of the three men towards her. She jumps higher then Rukawa-kun or Sakuragi-kun, it was like she's flying on air, like the way she did this afternoon. The men were really mad and they all charged towards her..."
Akagi put his head in his hand. "I don't believe this..."
"She slashed her sword towards the men and a strong air current went out, knocking the men away so hard that they crashed against the tree. The sword never touched them but they were all knocked unconscious... and then there was this flash of light again and she suddenly said, 'Arigato Inuki,' as the sword disappeared."
"My God..."
"She smiled at me although there was something strange in her eyes... but who am I kidding? She's a very strange person with that power! But she saved me... at the cost of her own life..."
Akagi flopped down on his bed as he thought about what his sister said. It was impossible and yet... given the strange aura he could sense from Rukawa's sister, what Haruko said can be remotely possible. He had read in certain books that there are some people gifted with high levels of spiritual power... he frowned as he recalled his substitute 5th grade teacher who once let him read one of her books.
He opened his eyes to see Haruko wearing a very anxious expression on her face. He sat up and said gruffly, "Well, as Yuzuriha-chan's friend, the best thing you can do is accept her for what she is and keep her abilities a secret. She did a very brave thing and you were very brave too..."
Haruko thought about it and she smiled. "Hai! I won't let her down Onii- chan!"
"Good."
"Ano-- I wonder, how did Yuzuriha-chan do all that?" mused Haruko aloud.
"She has spiritual powers and if I'm not mistaken, a very high level of spiritual power," answered Akagi.
"Oh that's right! She told me she grew up in a shrine!" enthused Haruko.
"Well, there you have it," said Akagi a little grimly.
******
Fresh from the shower, Rukawa grabbed a sleeveless shirt and pulled it on. He was already wearing sweatpants and he didn't bother to comb his hair when he started downstairs. He came upon Monfort who was carrying a tray of food.
"Oh! Rukawa-sama! Yuzuriha-sama wouldn't be able to join you for dinner, she fell asleep the moment she lay down. I'll just be taking her dinner up so that if she wakes if, she won't have to try and find the kitchen tonight," explained Monfort as Rukawa nodded.
Rukawa sensed Inuki watching him and turned to find the holy dog following him. He sighed as he waited from Inuki to catch up with him. He gave an absent-minded scratch at Inuki's ears as he went towards the dining room with Yuzuriha's dog for company. As they were alone in the doorway, he asked the dog, "What are you two doing here?"
Inuki gave a soft bark in reply as Rukawa sighed. Memories assailed him suddenly. He barely noticed Inuki guiding him to the dining room and prodding him to take a seat at the dining table. Mechanically, he began to eat his dinner as he immersed himself in memories of long-ago when he first met Nekoi Yuzuriha who he learned was his new step-sister.
Flashback
Nine-year old Rukawa didn't like the man his elegant mother seemed to love so much. Nekoi Reisui was smooth, urbane and is seen as a proficient businessman but there was something about him that Rukawa didn't like-- Reisui didn't like children. Months later, his mother who was divorced from his biological father marries Reisui. Reisui later reveals that he has a daughter from his first marriage, a seven year old girl named Yuzuriha who is now being raised by her grandmother in the Mitsumine Shrine.
That summer, at his mother's summerhouse, Reisui came with his gawky daughter to introduce her to her 'new family'. With her over-large green eyes, short black hair and knobby knees and elbows, Rukawa almost completely ignored the girl until he realized that there was a gray dog that followed Yuzuriha everywhere, a dog that no one else seemed to notice.
"Oi little girl," said 9 year old Rukawa as he held his ball with one hand, looking up at the girl who was sitting up in the tree. Those unforgettable green eyes focused on him and the girl smiled, her dimples showing through. "Nani?" Rukawa looked at the puppy up with her in the tree and said a bit hesitantly, "Would you like to play?" A luminous smile graced her young face and Yuzuriha nimbly jumped down from the tall tree, surprising Rukawa. She looked at him solemnly-- too solemn for her age and said, "Yes, I'd love to play with you!"
From that day on, they played together. Whether it was basketball, or building sandcastles, or exploring the nearby areas of the mountain beside the sea, the two were never apart save when they sleep. Their parents never realized how attached the two were growing because Karen and Reisui had cruised around in a yacht. But Rukawa never told Yuzuriha know that he can see Inuki, but he listened to her tales carefully, realizing that this little girl had a destiny marked for her. But one day...
Rukawa found Yuzuriha up in the tree, crying her heart out. He climbed up carefully and settled beside the little girl who was crying in Inuki's fur. Yuzuriha looked up when he sat beside her and he furrowed his brows as he asked, "What's wrong?" "-- I'm going back to my grandmother tomorrow..." said Yuzuriha between sobs. Rukawa sat, shocked. Inuki's dark eyes settled on him and seemed to convey that Yuzuriha's departure was necessary for the future. He took a deep breath, trying not to think of how lonely he had been before Yuzuriha and Inuki came as he reassured the girl, "Your place is with your grandmother from the very beginning and you are here only for this summer." "But everyone calls me a liar there! They don't believe that Inuki exists!" cried Yuzuriha. Not knowing why he did it, Rukawa placed his chubby hand over Yuzuriha's hand against Inuki's fur. His eyes then looked serious and intense (the eyes of an older Rukawa like in the anime) as he said, "I believe you Yuzuriha..."
As he said it, he knew that Yuzuriha can now go back to Mitsumine Shrine. Yuzuriha was the type of person who can be brave even if only one person believed in her and since he believed in her... Rukawa swallowed as he thought of the dawn basketball practices he used to have with Inuki in the court even before Yuzuriha or the household wakes up. He recalled one time when while he was out biking with Yuzuriha, he fell asleep and Yuzuriha had to catch him before he crashed against a tree. But it was all for the best...
Yuzuriha sniffled as she rubbed her hands against her wet cheeks. She looked up at Rukawa, who was quite tall for his age and suddenly threw her scrawny arms around him, knocking the both of them down the tree. But Inuki was ready and cushioned their fall. Surprised, Rukawa only gazed at the dark head nestled against his chest.
"Arigato Kaede-ni..."
The expression in her eyes were unforgettable. So much trust and affection and Rukawa could only smile. But then Reisui and Karen came upon the scene and saw Rukawa and Yuzuriha fall down the high tree and stand up without scratches or injuries. Karen's mouth was hanging open in shock while anger twisted the handsome features of Reisui's face. He marched towards the children and grabbed Yuzuriha's arm roughly, jerking her away from Rukawa.
"You're going back to that cursed shrine tonight young lady," hissed Reisui as he dragged Yuzuriha away. "I won't let you hurt Karen's son! You don't belong here, to this family!" said Reisui angrily as Yuzuriha looked over her shoulder and saw Karen also reprimanding her son. Tears raced down Yuzuriha's cheeks as she looked at the tall but slightly pudgy figure of nine-year old Rukawa.
Their eyes met for the last time, tear-filled green eyes and blue eyes that were getting icy-blue with each step Yuzuriha was taking farther away from him. Suddenly, a word entered Rukawa's mind as Yuzuriha was pushed into the car.
/ Sayonara / It was the last time Rukawa saw his seven-year old stepsister.
End of flashback
Inuki whined the moment Rukawa fell asleep, his dinner not yet finished. Almost immediately, Rukawa started drooling, distorting his almost too handsome face into something endearing childlike and vulnerable. Inuki went over to Rukawa and placed his head against the basketball player's lap, an attempt to keep him warm as the moon rose higher above the sky.
~* TBC
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Disclaimers: Slamdunk is created by Inoue Takehito and characters that would appear from X are all created by Clamp. I do not own these characters, standard disclaimers apply.
Author's Notes: Hope you guys liked this one and was able to understand Yuzuriha and Rukawa's history together. I sort of linked Rukawa's cold behavior to his background of always being left alone and having the only person he grew close to taken away. Thank you so much to reviewers, I certainly hope to keep this fic up if you keep it coming! More coming up about the triggered spiritual powers of everyone in Shohoku!