Part 7
"I see you found out."
Rukawa instantly turned around and saw an evil grin plastered on Sakuragi.
"Ha... Hana..." Rukawa dropped the notebook he was holding.
"You've been very nosy... it's not like you, Kitsune..." Sakuragi said as he slowly approaches Rukawa.
"I... did you do...?" He nervously asked.
"Yes, I did!" Sakuragi proudly answered.
"Why?"
"You know what? They've ... " Pointing at Kogure and the rest's pictures. " ... been asking me that also... of course before I killed them. But too bad, they died at once and never got to hear my answer." Sakuragi simply answered.
Confusion and fear are both undoubtedly seen in Rukawa's usually impassive face.
"Oh! Is that fear I see in your face? Tsk.. tsk... It's not like you at all, Kitsune." Sakuragi slowly traced Rukawa's face with his fingers, caressing it like it's the most precious thing in the whole world.
"Hana... Hanamichi..."
"Do not call me by my first name!!!" Suddenly grasps Rukawa's hair moving his face towards him. "I hate it when you call me that!"
Shocked by the sudden action, Rukawas's feet are rooted on the ground. He can't move or won't move... he doesn't know. Finally able to gain control of his tongue, he asked, "Why... what's going on?" in his trembling voice.
Still holding on Rukawa, "You really want to know why?" he evilly teased.
Rukawa can only gulp as an answer.
"Because..." Then forcefully pushed Rukawa beside the wall. "I. DON'T. LOVE. YOU!!!" he shouted. "IN FACT I LOATHE YOU!!!"
Upon hearing those words coming out of his love's mouth, Rukawa's world immediately shattered. He stood there against the wall pinned by Sakurgai's strong arms. Tears are freely rolling down his pale cheeks.
"I wanted TO hurt YOU SO BAD! I want YOU to feel the PAIN that I've known so well!!!" Sakuragi continued on. "YOU! Mr. Rukawa, the SUPER ROOKIE! Everyone praises you! You are the epitome of PERFECTION for the female population of Shohoku!" Banging Rukawa against the wall everytime he shouts.
"Ss... stop..." feeling the pain not only in his body but inside as well, Rukawa tried to avoid Sakuragi's hits.
Not feeling satisfied Sakuragi continued to punched and kicked Rukawa until blood is present in Rukawa's face and body. "I HATE YOU!!!"
"But... I thought we..." asked Rukawa. He's already crouched on the floor, clutching his stomach while coughing up blood.
"THERE IS NO WE!!! There never was!!!" Sakuragi again pulled Rukawa up by his hair. "I pretended to be in-love with you, so I can get you." The evil grin is once more present on his face. "And too bad, you fell for it. But fortunately for me, I can now hurt you the most possible way there is."
Letting Rukawa drop on the floor, Sakuragi laughed, not his usual cheery boastful laugh but a sinister laugh. "But of course, it's easy for you to fall. I am the TENSAI after all!"
All that Rukawa can do is cry in pain. "If you really hate me that much, why do you have to murder them? Why not just kill me?"
"Haven't you been listening to me, Kitsune?" Kneeling infront of Rukawa, Sakuragi cupped Rukawa's chin. "The Tensai said! The Tensai wanted to hurt YOU! Wanted YOU to experience the PAIN! There's no fun in killing you right away. I want to see you suffer"
Rukawa cannot believe to what is happening.
"Let the TENSAI explain." Sakuragi then pushed Rukawa towards to the glass cabinet by his nape. "Kogure Kiminobu, my first hell."
Rukawa found himself facing the bag that Kogure once owned.
"He is just too good for his own sake. I hate it when people is soooo goody goody!"
"But... he hasn't done anything to hurt you, Hana!"
"I said do not call me that!" Sakuragi rammed Rukawa's face against the glass cabinet.
There was a short pause before Sakuragi spoke. "Megane-kun did one thing though, HE became YOuR FRiEnD! Knowing you have few, eliminating him is easy but hurting Mitchy on the process too. But that's okay, I don't like him either." He smiled.
"That's insane!" Rukawa's fear became anger.
"Hhmm... insane... My mother called me insane once, even my father. Oh and also my psychiatrist!" Liking the rage that is now present on Rukawa. "You also didn't know that I have to visit the shrink at least twice a month did you?" Then turning a bit thoughtful but still not letting go of Rukawa. "I don't know why my mom wanted me to and the shrink mention that I have mental disorder of something. Humph! Insane my ass! I'm not insane just the Tensai!!!" he laughed once again.
Rukawa saw an opening, he spun around and attempted to punch Sakuragi in the face. But Sakuragi at once caught his fist, rendering him powerless. "Getting feisty aren't we Kitsune?" he simply said. "Why don't you let the TENSAI continue ne?"
Rukawa felt like his wrist was being crushed by Sakuragi's hold, he knelt down on the floor in agony. Once on the floor, Sakuragi took a hand full of his hair and Rukawa again found himself yet again face to face with the glass cabinet.
"Anzai-sensei, my second hell..."
"He liked you! He has dreams for you!!!" Rukawa shouted while struggling from Sakuragi's grip.
"Oyaji only liked you!!! I know that when the Tensai turns his back he laughs with all of them! Making fun of the Tensai!" Sakuragi argued.
"That's stupid!"
"Shut up!!! The tensai said Oyaji's favorite is YOU and NOT the TENSAI so also he has to go. He's old anyways so it isn't much of a loss." Sakuragi spoke as if he killed an ant and not a human. "Hehe, and the pathetic you believed my little excuse of going out with the gundan that night."
"But - "
"Then there is Fujima Kenji, my third hell." Continued Sakuragi, ignoring Rukawa.
Akagi Residence
9:40 PM
"Son, phone call for you." Mrs. Akagi called out. "It's Rukawa's father."
"Got it!" Akagi shouted from his room then picked up the phone.
"Hai, Akagi desu."
"Oh, Akagi-kun. I know it's late but I'm wondering if you know where my son is?" Mr. Rukawa said on the other line. "He's been out since 6 something this afternoon and has not yet come back home even for dinner." Mr. Rukawa worriedly told his dilemma. "I'm just getting worried because of all this murders going."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Rukawa but I haven't seen him after today's morning practice."
"Could you help me contact some of his friends maybe they know where he is or if they've seen him? I really don't know anyone of his friend even the guy my son usually is with."
"I'll see what I can do, Sir. I'll call you back again if I found out anything."
"Arigatou, Akagi-kun."
He then carefully placed down the phone. Slowly walking back and forth of in his room /Where could that baka be? I just told him this morning not to have any night trainings alone! Wait! Sakuragi!/
Looking up from his address book he spotted the red headed tensai's number. Akagi waited for almost ten minutes of ringing and redialing still no one's answering not even the answering machine. Patience slowly leaving him, he decided to dial another number.
*ring*ring*
/Come on, Mitsui! I know you're still awake!/
*ring*ring*
/Answer! Answer! Answer!/
Then a tired voice was heard from the other end of the line.
"Moshi-mo -- "
"Mitsui!" Akagi nearly shattered Mitsui's eardrum.
"Oi! What's the big idea?! I'm not deaf you know!" snarled Mitsui.
"Listen, Rukawa's father called and he's been looking for Rukawa." Said Akagi ignoring Mitsui's complaints. "And I've been calling Sakuragi but no one's answering. And since you live near his place, could you check it out?"
"What?!" Now it's time for Akagi's eardrum to shatter in to tiny bits. "C'mon now Akagi! Maybe the two went out for a date! Besides it's late!"
"Look Mitsui, Mr. Rukawa's really worried and also with all the murders it didn't help. So please I'm only asking this now and never again. Just check if Rukawa or Sakuragi's there, maybe too busy to answer the phone or something. And if we can find Sakuragi then probably we can also find Rukawa."
"All right, all right." Mitsui sighed and agreed. "I'll go and check, you call the others."
"I will." Said Akagi. "And if you don't call back after thirty minutes I'll go straight there to Sakuragi's place and we'll both look for them okay."
"So if both of them are not home I'll just stay there and you'll meet me there is that it?"
"Yes, after thirty minutes." Akagi looked at his wristwatch. "It's 10 PM so I'll meet you at 10:30"
"Got it!" Mitsui then hang up the phone and went straight to Sakuragi's place.
Sakuragi residence
9:40 PM
"Then there is Fujima Kenji, my third hell,"
Rukawa's eyes narrowed at this point. He is now looking at the torn wallet of Fujima and beside it lays a picture of him.
"Did you know that Sendoh found out that I was the killer?" pointing at Rukawa's picture he continued. "It's because of that picture in Fujima's wallet. Heck I merely used his money and Sendoh saw that picture." He paused for a while then he smiled. "You should've seen Sendoh's frightened face! It was utterly priceless!!!"
"Why you -!" Rukawa used his saved strength to shove Sakuragi, but Sakuragi countered it with a punch. "Ungh..." with that Rukawa lost consciousness.
A sound coming from the grandfather clock in Sakuragi's house tells that it's already ten in the evening and it also slowly woke Rukawa up. He gradually fluttered his eyes open. "hnnn..." After a few winks Rukawa can only see the light but everything else is a blur. He tried to touch his head but was not able to as he found himself bound to a chair.
"You've been out for a while." Sakuragi said as he emerges from the darkness. " An there's no use struggling Rukawa. You can't get out." Snorted Sakuragi. "Now where was I was before I was rudely interrupted. Hhmm... Oh! Fujima Kenji!"
"Kenji..."
"Just like Megane-kun there, he's your friend. Heck! He's even your ex-boyfriend! I guess that's good enough reason!" smirked Sakuragi. "And beside I don't like rich mama's boy." Sakuragi said then taking out Ayako's gold necklace from the cabinet.
"Ahh... beautiful Ayako-san, my fourth hell." said Sakuragi caressing the gold necklace in his hands. "I think you know why Rukawa. Still let the Tensai continue and explain."
"Let me go." Rukawa stonily said.
Ignoring Rukawa, Sakuragi continued talking. "It's the fan of hers actually. She doesn't know how many aspirin the Tensai have consumed just to get rid of the headache she caused with her tessen!" Then snapping the necklace into two he shouted. "I wasn't good enough! She always says, "Why don't you be more like Rukawa. Why can't you shoot like Rukawa?" Rukawa this! Rukawa that!" Then calming a little he again began to caress the broken necklace in his hands. "And this necklace helped me kill her. Strangling her with her own necklace then stabbing her. It was quite fun actually." Sakuragi grinned at the memory.
Rukawa looked deathly afraid of the Sakuragi now. This is not the Sakuragi he loves and definitely not the Sakuragi that loves him!
Spotting the blood stained Ryonan jacket Sakuragi again smiled. "Ah! and let's not forget Smiley! My fifth hell..."
Eastside Kanagawa
10:07 PM
Mitsui shivered as the cold night breeze hugged him. Looking around his surroundings, he found himself not far from where Sendoh's been murdered. /Sigh. Sendoh also lives near this place. Poor guy.../ He then glanced up his watch "10:07. I should've used my bike. It'll save me some time. I'm still a few minutes away from Sakuragi's place. Still I gotta hurry though, I also have a bad feeling about this."
Mitsui ran to Sakuragi's place.
Sakuragi's place
10:09
"Ah! And let's not forget Smiley! My fifth hell..."
"You bastard!" Rukawa growled despite of his fear of Sakuragi.
Sakuragi faced him with the deadliest and coldest glare Rukawa has ever seen. Sakuragi carefully moves towards Rukawa fingering the table near him, opening a drawer and slowly revealing a knife. The light reflecting in the knife's sharp edges making Rukawa squint. To his horror, Rukawa found the knife toying his neck and Sakuragi at his back.
"What did you just said?" Sakuragi menacingly said. "I didn't quite catch it."
Rukawa's terror multiplied tenfold.
Sensing that Rukawa won't answer him, Sakuragi continued. "Smiley. Sendoh Akira. Heh! Just like you, he's one of the best there is! Of course I hate his guts! He could smile forever in hell for all I care! Girls following him everywhere he goes and that talent! He seems to be a mountain of it! And he just have to be your goddamn bestfriend!" Saying all these while teasing Rukawa's neck with his knife, letting little cuts run through the beautiful pale skin of Rukawa.
To Rukawa these all felt like the longest hour of his life till he heard the sound of the doorbell ringing.
Outside Sakuragi's place
10:13 PM
/Maybe they're not really here, but still.../ Mitsui kept on pushing the doorbell, he actually tried opening the door but it was locked, he even tried to look through the window beside. /Hell! Everything's dark from the inside! Guess, I should wait for Akagi here./ He seated himself in the front door. /Still, something tells me I have to do something, but what?!/
Inside Sakuragi's place
10:13 PM
Sakuragi stopped his actions when he heard the sound telling that someone outside the door. "Who could that be at this hour, Kitsune?" He asked still not lowering the knife that is still positioned on Rukawa's neck. "Another victim maybe?" He grinned.
Rukawa tried to shout but felt the knife and Sakuragi's hand stiffened on him.
"Scream and this will find it's way to your beautiful, luscious neck." Sakuragi hissed at Rukawa's ear. Pulling down his hair making Rukawa look up and his neck open for an attack.
"Killing an individual that is helpless is a coward's way." Rukawa said in a hostile voice.
"What?" Sakuragi was distracted at this. "The Tensai is not a coward!" Sakuragi almost plunged the knife in Rukawa's neck in anger and annoyance.
"Then let me go and fight like a man!" Rukawa thought that if he presses the right buttons, he'd be free from his current position thus getting a chance of defending himself.
"Or are you that scared of losing to me again?" Rukawa continued his taunts seeing the now a bit perplexed expression of his soon to be murderer.
Taken aback by the question, Sakuragi's rage fired up, making his disturbed mind more demented than it's already is. Numerous thoughts keep flooding his head. Eyes that are naturally soft honey colored are now intense sinister brown that speak nothing but wrath for the pale, stoic boy.
Madness is overpowering Sakuragi's state of reason right now. He unconsciously lowered the knife down on Rukawa's shirt ripping it, stopping only when the shirt fell sideways, revealing a broad pale chest. Gradually a dark thick liquid sipped out of that unnaturally light colored skin.
Rukawa grimaced at the stinging pain as the knife cut not only his shirt but his skin as well.
Insanity is unmistakably present at Sakuragi's face as he intensely stared at the blood running down Rukawa's torso. So amazed by the river of red that he's watching, he again raised the knife to Rukawa's chest and started writing with it also muttering at the same time.
"Rukawa Kaede, my... sixth hell." As this sentence came out of Sakuragi's mouth it was now also printed in Rukawa's bare upper body. Rukawa could only gasp in pain as the knife continued to imprint the upcoming words.
"The TENSAI is not a coward!" Sakuragi plunged the knife a little deeper in Rukawa's chest as the exclamation point was written, the knife almost coming in contact with his heart. At this point Rukawa screamed.
Outside Sakuragi's place
10:30 PM
Mitsui crept at the side of the house looking for a possible entrance when he heard a voice cry coming from the inside and startling him, "Shit! Who was that?! That sounds like Rukawa. C'mon Akagi! Where are you? Hurry up!" He said to on one in particular.
"Mitsui, what are you doing looking like some perverted peeping tom?"
This made Mitsui jumped. "Don't go scaring me like that!"
"Then tell me why are you almost climbing up that side of the wall?" Akagi raised an eyebrow at this.
Dusting himself as he went infront of the door to Akagi, "Look I heard someone scream and it scared the shit out of me. I was --"
"Screamed you say?"
"Not that kind of scream baka! I should know!" Mitsui was tempted to hit the big guy with him now. "Anyways, so I was looking for a way in when you came."
"So that's what've you been doing while waiting for me?" Akagi asked
"Yes, and unfortunately I can't find any unless you wanna go in by the rafters which I know you won't. So be a good gorilla and tear the door down."
Before Akagi can administer his 'gori punch' on Mitsui they yet heard another scream. Not needing anymore convincing Mitsui and Akagi pounded, rammed and forced down the door.
Inside Sakurag's place
10:37 PM
Oblivious to Rukawa's shouts of torture and the banging sound of the door being ripped from its hinges, Sakuragi continued to slide the knife in Rukawa's upper body still writing and a pool of blood started to form beneath Rukawa's chair.
"I will not be beaten by you!" When the last word and punctuation was imprinted, the knife dove, sinking in Rukawa's stomach then twisting it inside. Blood leaked out of his used to lovely mouth.
Sakuragi stopped and watch as Rukawa stared at him, his breathing gradually slowed down until it came to a complete stop. Blood dripped from his body down to the floor making small droplet sounds, the sound that can be only heard inside that confined room.
Then Sakuragi smiled, smiled a blissful smile. He seemed so contented watching Rukawa's dead figure, with his hand clutching the knife that was still plunged in Rukawa's abdomen. Taking out the knife, he's attention now diverted to the red rich liquid that slowly trickled it's way down the knife's shiny, sharp edge. As the last drop fell on the ground Sakuragi let his finger glide and feel the knife's sharpness. Not sensing the cut that formed in his finger, Sakuragi is more focused on the fluid coming out of it.
"Hehe, the Tensai's blood is redder than yours kitsune." He suddenly voiced out still watching his fingers. Then little by little he traced his name in his arm. Again, amazed by the blood flowing out he tore his own shirt cutting himself in the process.
"haHahahahaHa!" Sakuragi manically laughed as he cut himself while writing on his body. "Tensai! Sakuragi!" over and over again. "HahahaHAHahaha!
"Look at yourself kitsune! You're eyes are wide open! Are you staring at me??!?!" Sakuragi furiously screamed at Rukawa's still form, lifeless eyes open that seemed to be looking at Sakuragi. "Answer me Kitsune!" Sakuragi, in his rage, raised the knife up and down only deepening his cuts and stabs. "HahahaHAHAhahaha!"
Slowly, Sakuragi is losing his balance and consciousness from all the blood loss. He staggered back, his vision get blurrier and blurrier.
------
*BANG*
The door fell hard on the floor almost shaking the entire household. Mitsui blindly searched for the light switch. When the light switched on the screaming ceased and was replaced by what sounds like a disturbing laugh.
"Sakuragi!"
"Rukawa!"
The two shouted as Akagi went straight up to the upper quarters to search and Mitsui stayed downstairs looking but they can't find the room where the voice is coming from.
"Akagi?"
"No, Mitsui, they're not upstairs."
"The voice, it's like coming from the walls!" Mitsui frantically punched the wall beside him as they met up in the dining area.
Without warning, a part of the wall burst open, revealing a lifeless Sakuragi. Then slowly a pool of blood formed encircling the dead figure.
Mitsui neither screamed nor moved. The scene before him traumatized Mitsui. He can only gape at the image of a bloody Rukawa on a chair and Sakuragi lying on the floor, a knife plunged deep in his chest by his own hand, both dead.
Akagi fell on his knees, eyes locked on Sakuragi. Various thoughts are battling in his mind but his sense of reason won, telling him to get up and call the authorities.
A residence somewhere in Kanagawa
10:00 AM
Sunday
"... Akagi Takenori and Mitsui Hisashi found the dead bodies of Rukawa Kaede and Sakuragi Hanamichi inside the Sakuragi residence. All evidence point to Sakuragi Hanamichi, a sixteen year old high school boy, in the murders of Kogure Kiminobu a student from Shohoku High school, Anzai-sensei the basketball coach of the said school also the manageress of the team, Ayako. Fujima Kenji, a student in Shoyo High school, Sendoh Akira from Ryonan High and lastly Rukawa Kaede also from Shohoku High school. It was stated in the report that the murderer, Sakuragi Hanamichi, suffered from a mental illness the drove him to perpetrate such acts. Making his mind think that Kogure Kiminobu, the first victim as his first hell down to Rukawa Kaede that he marked as his sixth hell. Unknowingly to this late young lad that he himself brought upon his shoulder his own seventh hell..."
"Baka Hanamichi!" Youhei furiously pressed the off button. He then dropped himself in the couch, sobbing quietly. "Baka..."
The end.
AN: Hope you all enjoyed reading this fic of mine. ^_^
*puts on a new batch of protective gear* Okay! Now I'm ready! Flame me!
"I see you found out."
Rukawa instantly turned around and saw an evil grin plastered on Sakuragi.
"Ha... Hana..." Rukawa dropped the notebook he was holding.
"You've been very nosy... it's not like you, Kitsune..." Sakuragi said as he slowly approaches Rukawa.
"I... did you do...?" He nervously asked.
"Yes, I did!" Sakuragi proudly answered.
"Why?"
"You know what? They've ... " Pointing at Kogure and the rest's pictures. " ... been asking me that also... of course before I killed them. But too bad, they died at once and never got to hear my answer." Sakuragi simply answered.
Confusion and fear are both undoubtedly seen in Rukawa's usually impassive face.
"Oh! Is that fear I see in your face? Tsk.. tsk... It's not like you at all, Kitsune." Sakuragi slowly traced Rukawa's face with his fingers, caressing it like it's the most precious thing in the whole world.
"Hana... Hanamichi..."
"Do not call me by my first name!!!" Suddenly grasps Rukawa's hair moving his face towards him. "I hate it when you call me that!"
Shocked by the sudden action, Rukawas's feet are rooted on the ground. He can't move or won't move... he doesn't know. Finally able to gain control of his tongue, he asked, "Why... what's going on?" in his trembling voice.
Still holding on Rukawa, "You really want to know why?" he evilly teased.
Rukawa can only gulp as an answer.
"Because..." Then forcefully pushed Rukawa beside the wall. "I. DON'T. LOVE. YOU!!!" he shouted. "IN FACT I LOATHE YOU!!!"
Upon hearing those words coming out of his love's mouth, Rukawa's world immediately shattered. He stood there against the wall pinned by Sakurgai's strong arms. Tears are freely rolling down his pale cheeks.
"I wanted TO hurt YOU SO BAD! I want YOU to feel the PAIN that I've known so well!!!" Sakuragi continued on. "YOU! Mr. Rukawa, the SUPER ROOKIE! Everyone praises you! You are the epitome of PERFECTION for the female population of Shohoku!" Banging Rukawa against the wall everytime he shouts.
"Ss... stop..." feeling the pain not only in his body but inside as well, Rukawa tried to avoid Sakuragi's hits.
Not feeling satisfied Sakuragi continued to punched and kicked Rukawa until blood is present in Rukawa's face and body. "I HATE YOU!!!"
"But... I thought we..." asked Rukawa. He's already crouched on the floor, clutching his stomach while coughing up blood.
"THERE IS NO WE!!! There never was!!!" Sakuragi again pulled Rukawa up by his hair. "I pretended to be in-love with you, so I can get you." The evil grin is once more present on his face. "And too bad, you fell for it. But fortunately for me, I can now hurt you the most possible way there is."
Letting Rukawa drop on the floor, Sakuragi laughed, not his usual cheery boastful laugh but a sinister laugh. "But of course, it's easy for you to fall. I am the TENSAI after all!"
All that Rukawa can do is cry in pain. "If you really hate me that much, why do you have to murder them? Why not just kill me?"
"Haven't you been listening to me, Kitsune?" Kneeling infront of Rukawa, Sakuragi cupped Rukawa's chin. "The Tensai said! The Tensai wanted to hurt YOU! Wanted YOU to experience the PAIN! There's no fun in killing you right away. I want to see you suffer"
Rukawa cannot believe to what is happening.
"Let the TENSAI explain." Sakuragi then pushed Rukawa towards to the glass cabinet by his nape. "Kogure Kiminobu, my first hell."
Rukawa found himself facing the bag that Kogure once owned.
"He is just too good for his own sake. I hate it when people is soooo goody goody!"
"But... he hasn't done anything to hurt you, Hana!"
"I said do not call me that!" Sakuragi rammed Rukawa's face against the glass cabinet.
There was a short pause before Sakuragi spoke. "Megane-kun did one thing though, HE became YOuR FRiEnD! Knowing you have few, eliminating him is easy but hurting Mitchy on the process too. But that's okay, I don't like him either." He smiled.
"That's insane!" Rukawa's fear became anger.
"Hhmm... insane... My mother called me insane once, even my father. Oh and also my psychiatrist!" Liking the rage that is now present on Rukawa. "You also didn't know that I have to visit the shrink at least twice a month did you?" Then turning a bit thoughtful but still not letting go of Rukawa. "I don't know why my mom wanted me to and the shrink mention that I have mental disorder of something. Humph! Insane my ass! I'm not insane just the Tensai!!!" he laughed once again.
Rukawa saw an opening, he spun around and attempted to punch Sakuragi in the face. But Sakuragi at once caught his fist, rendering him powerless. "Getting feisty aren't we Kitsune?" he simply said. "Why don't you let the TENSAI continue ne?"
Rukawa felt like his wrist was being crushed by Sakuragi's hold, he knelt down on the floor in agony. Once on the floor, Sakuragi took a hand full of his hair and Rukawa again found himself yet again face to face with the glass cabinet.
"Anzai-sensei, my second hell..."
"He liked you! He has dreams for you!!!" Rukawa shouted while struggling from Sakuragi's grip.
"Oyaji only liked you!!! I know that when the Tensai turns his back he laughs with all of them! Making fun of the Tensai!" Sakuragi argued.
"That's stupid!"
"Shut up!!! The tensai said Oyaji's favorite is YOU and NOT the TENSAI so also he has to go. He's old anyways so it isn't much of a loss." Sakuragi spoke as if he killed an ant and not a human. "Hehe, and the pathetic you believed my little excuse of going out with the gundan that night."
"But - "
"Then there is Fujima Kenji, my third hell." Continued Sakuragi, ignoring Rukawa.
Akagi Residence
9:40 PM
"Son, phone call for you." Mrs. Akagi called out. "It's Rukawa's father."
"Got it!" Akagi shouted from his room then picked up the phone.
"Hai, Akagi desu."
"Oh, Akagi-kun. I know it's late but I'm wondering if you know where my son is?" Mr. Rukawa said on the other line. "He's been out since 6 something this afternoon and has not yet come back home even for dinner." Mr. Rukawa worriedly told his dilemma. "I'm just getting worried because of all this murders going."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Rukawa but I haven't seen him after today's morning practice."
"Could you help me contact some of his friends maybe they know where he is or if they've seen him? I really don't know anyone of his friend even the guy my son usually is with."
"I'll see what I can do, Sir. I'll call you back again if I found out anything."
"Arigatou, Akagi-kun."
He then carefully placed down the phone. Slowly walking back and forth of in his room /Where could that baka be? I just told him this morning not to have any night trainings alone! Wait! Sakuragi!/
Looking up from his address book he spotted the red headed tensai's number. Akagi waited for almost ten minutes of ringing and redialing still no one's answering not even the answering machine. Patience slowly leaving him, he decided to dial another number.
*ring*ring*
/Come on, Mitsui! I know you're still awake!/
*ring*ring*
/Answer! Answer! Answer!/
Then a tired voice was heard from the other end of the line.
"Moshi-mo -- "
"Mitsui!" Akagi nearly shattered Mitsui's eardrum.
"Oi! What's the big idea?! I'm not deaf you know!" snarled Mitsui.
"Listen, Rukawa's father called and he's been looking for Rukawa." Said Akagi ignoring Mitsui's complaints. "And I've been calling Sakuragi but no one's answering. And since you live near his place, could you check it out?"
"What?!" Now it's time for Akagi's eardrum to shatter in to tiny bits. "C'mon now Akagi! Maybe the two went out for a date! Besides it's late!"
"Look Mitsui, Mr. Rukawa's really worried and also with all the murders it didn't help. So please I'm only asking this now and never again. Just check if Rukawa or Sakuragi's there, maybe too busy to answer the phone or something. And if we can find Sakuragi then probably we can also find Rukawa."
"All right, all right." Mitsui sighed and agreed. "I'll go and check, you call the others."
"I will." Said Akagi. "And if you don't call back after thirty minutes I'll go straight there to Sakuragi's place and we'll both look for them okay."
"So if both of them are not home I'll just stay there and you'll meet me there is that it?"
"Yes, after thirty minutes." Akagi looked at his wristwatch. "It's 10 PM so I'll meet you at 10:30"
"Got it!" Mitsui then hang up the phone and went straight to Sakuragi's place.
Sakuragi residence
9:40 PM
"Then there is Fujima Kenji, my third hell,"
Rukawa's eyes narrowed at this point. He is now looking at the torn wallet of Fujima and beside it lays a picture of him.
"Did you know that Sendoh found out that I was the killer?" pointing at Rukawa's picture he continued. "It's because of that picture in Fujima's wallet. Heck I merely used his money and Sendoh saw that picture." He paused for a while then he smiled. "You should've seen Sendoh's frightened face! It was utterly priceless!!!"
"Why you -!" Rukawa used his saved strength to shove Sakuragi, but Sakuragi countered it with a punch. "Ungh..." with that Rukawa lost consciousness.
A sound coming from the grandfather clock in Sakuragi's house tells that it's already ten in the evening and it also slowly woke Rukawa up. He gradually fluttered his eyes open. "hnnn..." After a few winks Rukawa can only see the light but everything else is a blur. He tried to touch his head but was not able to as he found himself bound to a chair.
"You've been out for a while." Sakuragi said as he emerges from the darkness. " An there's no use struggling Rukawa. You can't get out." Snorted Sakuragi. "Now where was I was before I was rudely interrupted. Hhmm... Oh! Fujima Kenji!"
"Kenji..."
"Just like Megane-kun there, he's your friend. Heck! He's even your ex-boyfriend! I guess that's good enough reason!" smirked Sakuragi. "And beside I don't like rich mama's boy." Sakuragi said then taking out Ayako's gold necklace from the cabinet.
"Ahh... beautiful Ayako-san, my fourth hell." said Sakuragi caressing the gold necklace in his hands. "I think you know why Rukawa. Still let the Tensai continue and explain."
"Let me go." Rukawa stonily said.
Ignoring Rukawa, Sakuragi continued talking. "It's the fan of hers actually. She doesn't know how many aspirin the Tensai have consumed just to get rid of the headache she caused with her tessen!" Then snapping the necklace into two he shouted. "I wasn't good enough! She always says, "Why don't you be more like Rukawa. Why can't you shoot like Rukawa?" Rukawa this! Rukawa that!" Then calming a little he again began to caress the broken necklace in his hands. "And this necklace helped me kill her. Strangling her with her own necklace then stabbing her. It was quite fun actually." Sakuragi grinned at the memory.
Rukawa looked deathly afraid of the Sakuragi now. This is not the Sakuragi he loves and definitely not the Sakuragi that loves him!
Spotting the blood stained Ryonan jacket Sakuragi again smiled. "Ah! and let's not forget Smiley! My fifth hell..."
Eastside Kanagawa
10:07 PM
Mitsui shivered as the cold night breeze hugged him. Looking around his surroundings, he found himself not far from where Sendoh's been murdered. /Sigh. Sendoh also lives near this place. Poor guy.../ He then glanced up his watch "10:07. I should've used my bike. It'll save me some time. I'm still a few minutes away from Sakuragi's place. Still I gotta hurry though, I also have a bad feeling about this."
Mitsui ran to Sakuragi's place.
Sakuragi's place
10:09
"Ah! And let's not forget Smiley! My fifth hell..."
"You bastard!" Rukawa growled despite of his fear of Sakuragi.
Sakuragi faced him with the deadliest and coldest glare Rukawa has ever seen. Sakuragi carefully moves towards Rukawa fingering the table near him, opening a drawer and slowly revealing a knife. The light reflecting in the knife's sharp edges making Rukawa squint. To his horror, Rukawa found the knife toying his neck and Sakuragi at his back.
"What did you just said?" Sakuragi menacingly said. "I didn't quite catch it."
Rukawa's terror multiplied tenfold.
Sensing that Rukawa won't answer him, Sakuragi continued. "Smiley. Sendoh Akira. Heh! Just like you, he's one of the best there is! Of course I hate his guts! He could smile forever in hell for all I care! Girls following him everywhere he goes and that talent! He seems to be a mountain of it! And he just have to be your goddamn bestfriend!" Saying all these while teasing Rukawa's neck with his knife, letting little cuts run through the beautiful pale skin of Rukawa.
To Rukawa these all felt like the longest hour of his life till he heard the sound of the doorbell ringing.
Outside Sakuragi's place
10:13 PM
/Maybe they're not really here, but still.../ Mitsui kept on pushing the doorbell, he actually tried opening the door but it was locked, he even tried to look through the window beside. /Hell! Everything's dark from the inside! Guess, I should wait for Akagi here./ He seated himself in the front door. /Still, something tells me I have to do something, but what?!/
Inside Sakuragi's place
10:13 PM
Sakuragi stopped his actions when he heard the sound telling that someone outside the door. "Who could that be at this hour, Kitsune?" He asked still not lowering the knife that is still positioned on Rukawa's neck. "Another victim maybe?" He grinned.
Rukawa tried to shout but felt the knife and Sakuragi's hand stiffened on him.
"Scream and this will find it's way to your beautiful, luscious neck." Sakuragi hissed at Rukawa's ear. Pulling down his hair making Rukawa look up and his neck open for an attack.
"Killing an individual that is helpless is a coward's way." Rukawa said in a hostile voice.
"What?" Sakuragi was distracted at this. "The Tensai is not a coward!" Sakuragi almost plunged the knife in Rukawa's neck in anger and annoyance.
"Then let me go and fight like a man!" Rukawa thought that if he presses the right buttons, he'd be free from his current position thus getting a chance of defending himself.
"Or are you that scared of losing to me again?" Rukawa continued his taunts seeing the now a bit perplexed expression of his soon to be murderer.
Taken aback by the question, Sakuragi's rage fired up, making his disturbed mind more demented than it's already is. Numerous thoughts keep flooding his head. Eyes that are naturally soft honey colored are now intense sinister brown that speak nothing but wrath for the pale, stoic boy.
Madness is overpowering Sakuragi's state of reason right now. He unconsciously lowered the knife down on Rukawa's shirt ripping it, stopping only when the shirt fell sideways, revealing a broad pale chest. Gradually a dark thick liquid sipped out of that unnaturally light colored skin.
Rukawa grimaced at the stinging pain as the knife cut not only his shirt but his skin as well.
Insanity is unmistakably present at Sakuragi's face as he intensely stared at the blood running down Rukawa's torso. So amazed by the river of red that he's watching, he again raised the knife to Rukawa's chest and started writing with it also muttering at the same time.
"Rukawa Kaede, my... sixth hell." As this sentence came out of Sakuragi's mouth it was now also printed in Rukawa's bare upper body. Rukawa could only gasp in pain as the knife continued to imprint the upcoming words.
"The TENSAI is not a coward!" Sakuragi plunged the knife a little deeper in Rukawa's chest as the exclamation point was written, the knife almost coming in contact with his heart. At this point Rukawa screamed.
Outside Sakuragi's place
10:30 PM
Mitsui crept at the side of the house looking for a possible entrance when he heard a voice cry coming from the inside and startling him, "Shit! Who was that?! That sounds like Rukawa. C'mon Akagi! Where are you? Hurry up!" He said to on one in particular.
"Mitsui, what are you doing looking like some perverted peeping tom?"
This made Mitsui jumped. "Don't go scaring me like that!"
"Then tell me why are you almost climbing up that side of the wall?" Akagi raised an eyebrow at this.
Dusting himself as he went infront of the door to Akagi, "Look I heard someone scream and it scared the shit out of me. I was --"
"Screamed you say?"
"Not that kind of scream baka! I should know!" Mitsui was tempted to hit the big guy with him now. "Anyways, so I was looking for a way in when you came."
"So that's what've you been doing while waiting for me?" Akagi asked
"Yes, and unfortunately I can't find any unless you wanna go in by the rafters which I know you won't. So be a good gorilla and tear the door down."
Before Akagi can administer his 'gori punch' on Mitsui they yet heard another scream. Not needing anymore convincing Mitsui and Akagi pounded, rammed and forced down the door.
Inside Sakurag's place
10:37 PM
Oblivious to Rukawa's shouts of torture and the banging sound of the door being ripped from its hinges, Sakuragi continued to slide the knife in Rukawa's upper body still writing and a pool of blood started to form beneath Rukawa's chair.
"I will not be beaten by you!" When the last word and punctuation was imprinted, the knife dove, sinking in Rukawa's stomach then twisting it inside. Blood leaked out of his used to lovely mouth.
Sakuragi stopped and watch as Rukawa stared at him, his breathing gradually slowed down until it came to a complete stop. Blood dripped from his body down to the floor making small droplet sounds, the sound that can be only heard inside that confined room.
Then Sakuragi smiled, smiled a blissful smile. He seemed so contented watching Rukawa's dead figure, with his hand clutching the knife that was still plunged in Rukawa's abdomen. Taking out the knife, he's attention now diverted to the red rich liquid that slowly trickled it's way down the knife's shiny, sharp edge. As the last drop fell on the ground Sakuragi let his finger glide and feel the knife's sharpness. Not sensing the cut that formed in his finger, Sakuragi is more focused on the fluid coming out of it.
"Hehe, the Tensai's blood is redder than yours kitsune." He suddenly voiced out still watching his fingers. Then little by little he traced his name in his arm. Again, amazed by the blood flowing out he tore his own shirt cutting himself in the process.
"haHahahahaHa!" Sakuragi manically laughed as he cut himself while writing on his body. "Tensai! Sakuragi!" over and over again. "HahahaHAHahaha!
"Look at yourself kitsune! You're eyes are wide open! Are you staring at me??!?!" Sakuragi furiously screamed at Rukawa's still form, lifeless eyes open that seemed to be looking at Sakuragi. "Answer me Kitsune!" Sakuragi, in his rage, raised the knife up and down only deepening his cuts and stabs. "HahahaHAHAhahaha!"
Slowly, Sakuragi is losing his balance and consciousness from all the blood loss. He staggered back, his vision get blurrier and blurrier.
------
*BANG*
The door fell hard on the floor almost shaking the entire household. Mitsui blindly searched for the light switch. When the light switched on the screaming ceased and was replaced by what sounds like a disturbing laugh.
"Sakuragi!"
"Rukawa!"
The two shouted as Akagi went straight up to the upper quarters to search and Mitsui stayed downstairs looking but they can't find the room where the voice is coming from.
"Akagi?"
"No, Mitsui, they're not upstairs."
"The voice, it's like coming from the walls!" Mitsui frantically punched the wall beside him as they met up in the dining area.
Without warning, a part of the wall burst open, revealing a lifeless Sakuragi. Then slowly a pool of blood formed encircling the dead figure.
Mitsui neither screamed nor moved. The scene before him traumatized Mitsui. He can only gape at the image of a bloody Rukawa on a chair and Sakuragi lying on the floor, a knife plunged deep in his chest by his own hand, both dead.
Akagi fell on his knees, eyes locked on Sakuragi. Various thoughts are battling in his mind but his sense of reason won, telling him to get up and call the authorities.
A residence somewhere in Kanagawa
10:00 AM
Sunday
"... Akagi Takenori and Mitsui Hisashi found the dead bodies of Rukawa Kaede and Sakuragi Hanamichi inside the Sakuragi residence. All evidence point to Sakuragi Hanamichi, a sixteen year old high school boy, in the murders of Kogure Kiminobu a student from Shohoku High school, Anzai-sensei the basketball coach of the said school also the manageress of the team, Ayako. Fujima Kenji, a student in Shoyo High school, Sendoh Akira from Ryonan High and lastly Rukawa Kaede also from Shohoku High school. It was stated in the report that the murderer, Sakuragi Hanamichi, suffered from a mental illness the drove him to perpetrate such acts. Making his mind think that Kogure Kiminobu, the first victim as his first hell down to Rukawa Kaede that he marked as his sixth hell. Unknowingly to this late young lad that he himself brought upon his shoulder his own seventh hell..."
"Baka Hanamichi!" Youhei furiously pressed the off button. He then dropped himself in the couch, sobbing quietly. "Baka..."
The end.
AN: Hope you all enjoyed reading this fic of mine. ^_^
*puts on a new batch of protective gear* Okay! Now I'm ready! Flame me!