Slam Dunk is not and will never be mine.nooooo!
Chapter 6
Rukawa stared at his pale reflection in the mirror. He almost recoiled at the sight of himself staring back and he flinched at the icy face gazing back in the looking glass. He had grown even paler in the last few days. Eye bags hung below his startling blue eyes. He seemed to have lost a lot of weight due to lack of sleep and appetite. The asthma or whatever illness he had was certainly having an effect on him. Rukawa had never cared much about his looks before, to him, mirrors were a waste of time. But today, he just could not understand why he was staring at himself for so long, and why he could not bear to have his ice cold eyes glaring back at him. Cold. Emotionless. Maybe he should try to smile.
Smile? He wondered. Maybe I should just give it a try, even when there's nothing to smile about. He tried to force his lips to curve upward. To form a smile. It hurt. It hurt inside. He could feel all the hurt and self-pity welling up inside him. Does it hurt as much to other people when they smile? He stared at his reflection again. It was not a happy smile. It was bitter, empty and insincere. He let his lips droop back into the ever- present frown. He changed and headed downstairs. His stomach was empty, but he could feel the urge to throw up every time he thought of food.
Match against Ryonan today. Damn. I can't end up collapsing or coughing up blood in the game today, or Anzai-sensei will never let me play. His head ached, his chest felt like it was on fire. He rode all the way to Shohoku High without falling asleep once on his bike today.
**********************
"Rukawa-kun," called a familiar voice. Kogure's. "You're early today."
Rukawa made no response and just headed for the locker room. Kogure frowned. He was used to the silent, moody freshman, though he could not help wishing that Rukawa would be a bit friendlier with other people. But today, Rukawa seemed different. Usually he would mumble a response, but today, there was just plain silence. Rukawa quickly changed into his Number 11 basketball jersey. But before he put it on, he stared at the colour. Red. Red as blood. Red as the blood he constantly coughed out. He scowled at the thought of his illness and quickly put it on. The door banged open and Sakuragi came in.
"Nyahahahaha!" he laughed. "Today is the day that the tensai shall show all his skills! Watch me play, kitsune!"
"Do'aho," Rukawa mumbled, not really listening to what that baka said.
"Teme! Kitsune! I, the tensai will beat you today!" Sakuragi imagined the whole crowd of people cheering and clapping for him as he made a powerful slam dunk shot. The gym resounded with the vibrations of the basket as the ball was slammed in. "Nyahahaha! You watch, kitsune!"
"You will probably beat me in getting fouled out," said Rukawa.
"Teme kitsune.!"
Stupid baka, he thought. He massaged his chest a bit trying to ease the pain. But the pain was inside. There was nothing to do now, but wait.
**********************
Both teams marched out into the center of the gym. The gym resounded with cheers and catcalls. Both captains of the teams shook hands while the team members exchanged smiles with each other, except Rukawa. He just let his icy glare rest on each of them. At the same time, he could not help wondering.
Does it hurt them? He wondered staring back, unsmiling as Sendoh flashed him a smile. Does it hurt them to smile like that? And Sendoh is always smiling. Does it hurt him to? Why does it hurt when I try to smile? Why can't I smile and be happy like them? Why am I so cold, so indifferent?
Sendoh flashed a smile at Rukawa, which, as he expected, was not returned. He could not wait to play with his old rival once more. Had Rukawa improved? Sendoh could not wait to test him out. But, something was wrong with him today. Sendoh glanced at him again. The look of steely determination in those ice blue eyes that always seemed to say, "I will beat you, Sendoh," was not there. He looked distracted. Rukawa? Distracted? Sendoh wondered. Then he studied the younger boy closely. He saw that Rukawa looked even paler and sicklier than ever. He had lost a lot of weight. And, he was sweating. Sweating before the game had even begun. Sweating as if he was in terrible pain.
Kogure, sitting on the bench also noticed the changes in Rukawa. He seemed tired, and unable to hold himself up properly. What is wrong with him? Kogure wondered.
Rukawa wiped the perspiration of his forehead. He was already sweating, and the game had not even started. "Kuso," he muttered under his breath. He could feel the terrible pain stirring in his chest. "Kuso."
"Players! Take your positions!" the referee ordered putting the whistle between his lips.
*************************
In the midst of the noisy, cheering spectators, Mizuki, Kiyomuri and Harusumi watched. They watched as the two teams assembled in the middle of the court and shook hands.
"Kaede, where is he?" she asked straining her eyes to find Rukawa. Her eyes scanned every player until it rested on the pale, raven-haired boy. "Kaede!"
Kiyomuri smiled. "That's him, okaa-san. Now we'll see how well he plays. Whether he is going to fulfill that dream his of becoming the best basketball player in Japan."
Mizuki smiled warmly, remembering the time long ago when Kaede had told her of his ambition. Then she frowned and said, "Kiyo, I don't understand why Kaede did not tell me who he is the day he saved Chihiro. He called himself Hisashi Mitsui instead."
"He recognized you, okaa-san. He was afraid that you would not remember him, and even if you did, he was afraid you would reject him. After all, you now have another family of your own."
Mizuki looked perplexed and sighed rather guiltily. "I should never have left in the first place. One silly misunderstanding with Sako nearly ruined his whole life."
There was a silence, before Harusumi said softly, "The game is starting."
***********************
Akagi leaped into the air and managed to smash the ball away from Uozumi into the hands of Ryota Miyagi. Miyagi dribbled the ball halfway to the net when Fukuda appeared out of nowhere and tried to steal the ball. Miyagi passed the ball to Rukawa who stood waiting. Rukawa felt the rough, spherical surface of the ball enclosed within his palms. Then, he saw a face with those ever so familiar spikes jump in front to block him.
I'll beat you, Sendoh, he silently vowed. At that moment, with lightning speed a hand appeared out of nowhere and lightly tapped the ball away from his grasp. Sendoh had stolen the ball. Everyone gasped. Rukawa Kaede had let Sendoh steal the ball so easily? Shit! What the hell is wrong with me! He cried out silently, running after Sendoh.
Sendoh easily threw the ball into the basket with no one to stop him. He glanced back, and saw Rukawa quite far behind. He was moving very slowly, slower than usual. His whole body was drenched with perspiration, and Sendoh could see him wincing with pain and every step he took. His eyes were unfocused.
Akagi, too, sensed something was wrong with Rukawa. He was not his normal self today. "Baka Ryochin!" Sakuragi shouted suddenly. "Stop passing the ball to kitsune! Then tensai here is waiting!" Koshino immediately jumped in front of him so Miyagi could not pass the ball to Sakuragi.
I must win. I won't lose. I will beat Sendoh! I will beat Sendoh! Damn it, I'll beat you, Sendoh! Kuso! Rukawa received the ball and ran toward the basket, dribbling the ball. He jumped in the air, meaning to do a dunk. The basket! Suddenly, all the cheers of the spectators, the encouraging shouts from Ayako and the substitutes on the bench seemed to be drowned by a strange eerie silence. Darkness seemed to enclose from within all corners of his vision.
I am going to pass out, he told himself. Then, Nani! I am not going to pass out! No way! I am not going to pass out! The basket! It was coming nearer! He pulled back his hand meaning to dunk the ball in with all his force, but the his vision was becoming blurred.
The basket! The basket! His mind screamed out hysterically. The basket was closer and closer and so was the darkness. Then, a large hand appeared right out of nowhere, right in front of his face, as Sendoh rose up to block him. He smashed the ball out of Rukawa's hands into the waiting Ikegami's.
Rukawa fell crashing to the gym floor and the referee blew the whistle. It was a foul. Kogure gasped from the bench. Rukawa lay motionless and dazed on the floor for awhile. The crash, instead of blacking him out had jerked him to his senses. He picked himself up. Kuso! He told himself. Kuso! How could I have been so careless! Now Anzai-sensei might substitute me!
Sendoh watched Rukawa with narrowed eyes. The freshman was panting hard. No, panting was not the right word. He was gasping for breath. At the bench, Anzai-sensei told Kogure, "Get ready."
Rukawa had to take two free throws. He saw Anzai-sensei watching him carefully behind glistening spectacles. He knew he had to get those shots in, and then maybe, just maybe, he would not be substituted. He aimed carefully. I have to make it go in to continue playing. To beat Sendoh.
"Rukawa! Concentrate!" Akagi roared. He could not understand why the freshman was playing so badly today. Rukawa's eyes narrowed with concentration and determination. His eyes focused on the basket alone. He threw the ball in. Both shots went in, much to everyone's relief.
The game after that was fast and furious. Every step Rukawa took, his chest seemed to explode in pain. He desperately tried to swallow every urge to break down coughing out blood. He put his whole mind and soul in the game. His eyes and face burned with determination. But, for the sake of winning the game and beating Sendoh was he willing to endure all this pain. Each minute, he threatened to pass out, but his mind would scream back, I won't lose! Damn it, I won't lose! I WON"T LOSE!
I'll beat you, Sendoh. I'll beat you. I won't lose. I won't lose. I will win this game.
Tbc.
Oh another chapter done.I get the feeling that I'm doin worse and worse each chapter.review n tell me if you don't like this chapter.and if you like.review me anyway!!! If u reelee reeelleee dun like this story n you think its all crap, review me n I might discontinue!!! Arigatou gozaimasu!!
Chapter 6
Rukawa stared at his pale reflection in the mirror. He almost recoiled at the sight of himself staring back and he flinched at the icy face gazing back in the looking glass. He had grown even paler in the last few days. Eye bags hung below his startling blue eyes. He seemed to have lost a lot of weight due to lack of sleep and appetite. The asthma or whatever illness he had was certainly having an effect on him. Rukawa had never cared much about his looks before, to him, mirrors were a waste of time. But today, he just could not understand why he was staring at himself for so long, and why he could not bear to have his ice cold eyes glaring back at him. Cold. Emotionless. Maybe he should try to smile.
Smile? He wondered. Maybe I should just give it a try, even when there's nothing to smile about. He tried to force his lips to curve upward. To form a smile. It hurt. It hurt inside. He could feel all the hurt and self-pity welling up inside him. Does it hurt as much to other people when they smile? He stared at his reflection again. It was not a happy smile. It was bitter, empty and insincere. He let his lips droop back into the ever- present frown. He changed and headed downstairs. His stomach was empty, but he could feel the urge to throw up every time he thought of food.
Match against Ryonan today. Damn. I can't end up collapsing or coughing up blood in the game today, or Anzai-sensei will never let me play. His head ached, his chest felt like it was on fire. He rode all the way to Shohoku High without falling asleep once on his bike today.
**********************
"Rukawa-kun," called a familiar voice. Kogure's. "You're early today."
Rukawa made no response and just headed for the locker room. Kogure frowned. He was used to the silent, moody freshman, though he could not help wishing that Rukawa would be a bit friendlier with other people. But today, Rukawa seemed different. Usually he would mumble a response, but today, there was just plain silence. Rukawa quickly changed into his Number 11 basketball jersey. But before he put it on, he stared at the colour. Red. Red as blood. Red as the blood he constantly coughed out. He scowled at the thought of his illness and quickly put it on. The door banged open and Sakuragi came in.
"Nyahahahaha!" he laughed. "Today is the day that the tensai shall show all his skills! Watch me play, kitsune!"
"Do'aho," Rukawa mumbled, not really listening to what that baka said.
"Teme! Kitsune! I, the tensai will beat you today!" Sakuragi imagined the whole crowd of people cheering and clapping for him as he made a powerful slam dunk shot. The gym resounded with the vibrations of the basket as the ball was slammed in. "Nyahahaha! You watch, kitsune!"
"You will probably beat me in getting fouled out," said Rukawa.
"Teme kitsune.!"
Stupid baka, he thought. He massaged his chest a bit trying to ease the pain. But the pain was inside. There was nothing to do now, but wait.
**********************
Both teams marched out into the center of the gym. The gym resounded with cheers and catcalls. Both captains of the teams shook hands while the team members exchanged smiles with each other, except Rukawa. He just let his icy glare rest on each of them. At the same time, he could not help wondering.
Does it hurt them? He wondered staring back, unsmiling as Sendoh flashed him a smile. Does it hurt them to smile like that? And Sendoh is always smiling. Does it hurt him to? Why does it hurt when I try to smile? Why can't I smile and be happy like them? Why am I so cold, so indifferent?
Sendoh flashed a smile at Rukawa, which, as he expected, was not returned. He could not wait to play with his old rival once more. Had Rukawa improved? Sendoh could not wait to test him out. But, something was wrong with him today. Sendoh glanced at him again. The look of steely determination in those ice blue eyes that always seemed to say, "I will beat you, Sendoh," was not there. He looked distracted. Rukawa? Distracted? Sendoh wondered. Then he studied the younger boy closely. He saw that Rukawa looked even paler and sicklier than ever. He had lost a lot of weight. And, he was sweating. Sweating before the game had even begun. Sweating as if he was in terrible pain.
Kogure, sitting on the bench also noticed the changes in Rukawa. He seemed tired, and unable to hold himself up properly. What is wrong with him? Kogure wondered.
Rukawa wiped the perspiration of his forehead. He was already sweating, and the game had not even started. "Kuso," he muttered under his breath. He could feel the terrible pain stirring in his chest. "Kuso."
"Players! Take your positions!" the referee ordered putting the whistle between his lips.
*************************
In the midst of the noisy, cheering spectators, Mizuki, Kiyomuri and Harusumi watched. They watched as the two teams assembled in the middle of the court and shook hands.
"Kaede, where is he?" she asked straining her eyes to find Rukawa. Her eyes scanned every player until it rested on the pale, raven-haired boy. "Kaede!"
Kiyomuri smiled. "That's him, okaa-san. Now we'll see how well he plays. Whether he is going to fulfill that dream his of becoming the best basketball player in Japan."
Mizuki smiled warmly, remembering the time long ago when Kaede had told her of his ambition. Then she frowned and said, "Kiyo, I don't understand why Kaede did not tell me who he is the day he saved Chihiro. He called himself Hisashi Mitsui instead."
"He recognized you, okaa-san. He was afraid that you would not remember him, and even if you did, he was afraid you would reject him. After all, you now have another family of your own."
Mizuki looked perplexed and sighed rather guiltily. "I should never have left in the first place. One silly misunderstanding with Sako nearly ruined his whole life."
There was a silence, before Harusumi said softly, "The game is starting."
***********************
Akagi leaped into the air and managed to smash the ball away from Uozumi into the hands of Ryota Miyagi. Miyagi dribbled the ball halfway to the net when Fukuda appeared out of nowhere and tried to steal the ball. Miyagi passed the ball to Rukawa who stood waiting. Rukawa felt the rough, spherical surface of the ball enclosed within his palms. Then, he saw a face with those ever so familiar spikes jump in front to block him.
I'll beat you, Sendoh, he silently vowed. At that moment, with lightning speed a hand appeared out of nowhere and lightly tapped the ball away from his grasp. Sendoh had stolen the ball. Everyone gasped. Rukawa Kaede had let Sendoh steal the ball so easily? Shit! What the hell is wrong with me! He cried out silently, running after Sendoh.
Sendoh easily threw the ball into the basket with no one to stop him. He glanced back, and saw Rukawa quite far behind. He was moving very slowly, slower than usual. His whole body was drenched with perspiration, and Sendoh could see him wincing with pain and every step he took. His eyes were unfocused.
Akagi, too, sensed something was wrong with Rukawa. He was not his normal self today. "Baka Ryochin!" Sakuragi shouted suddenly. "Stop passing the ball to kitsune! Then tensai here is waiting!" Koshino immediately jumped in front of him so Miyagi could not pass the ball to Sakuragi.
I must win. I won't lose. I will beat Sendoh! I will beat Sendoh! Damn it, I'll beat you, Sendoh! Kuso! Rukawa received the ball and ran toward the basket, dribbling the ball. He jumped in the air, meaning to do a dunk. The basket! Suddenly, all the cheers of the spectators, the encouraging shouts from Ayako and the substitutes on the bench seemed to be drowned by a strange eerie silence. Darkness seemed to enclose from within all corners of his vision.
I am going to pass out, he told himself. Then, Nani! I am not going to pass out! No way! I am not going to pass out! The basket! It was coming nearer! He pulled back his hand meaning to dunk the ball in with all his force, but the his vision was becoming blurred.
The basket! The basket! His mind screamed out hysterically. The basket was closer and closer and so was the darkness. Then, a large hand appeared right out of nowhere, right in front of his face, as Sendoh rose up to block him. He smashed the ball out of Rukawa's hands into the waiting Ikegami's.
Rukawa fell crashing to the gym floor and the referee blew the whistle. It was a foul. Kogure gasped from the bench. Rukawa lay motionless and dazed on the floor for awhile. The crash, instead of blacking him out had jerked him to his senses. He picked himself up. Kuso! He told himself. Kuso! How could I have been so careless! Now Anzai-sensei might substitute me!
Sendoh watched Rukawa with narrowed eyes. The freshman was panting hard. No, panting was not the right word. He was gasping for breath. At the bench, Anzai-sensei told Kogure, "Get ready."
Rukawa had to take two free throws. He saw Anzai-sensei watching him carefully behind glistening spectacles. He knew he had to get those shots in, and then maybe, just maybe, he would not be substituted. He aimed carefully. I have to make it go in to continue playing. To beat Sendoh.
"Rukawa! Concentrate!" Akagi roared. He could not understand why the freshman was playing so badly today. Rukawa's eyes narrowed with concentration and determination. His eyes focused on the basket alone. He threw the ball in. Both shots went in, much to everyone's relief.
The game after that was fast and furious. Every step Rukawa took, his chest seemed to explode in pain. He desperately tried to swallow every urge to break down coughing out blood. He put his whole mind and soul in the game. His eyes and face burned with determination. But, for the sake of winning the game and beating Sendoh was he willing to endure all this pain. Each minute, he threatened to pass out, but his mind would scream back, I won't lose! Damn it, I won't lose! I WON"T LOSE!
I'll beat you, Sendoh. I'll beat you. I won't lose. I won't lose. I will win this game.
Tbc.
Oh another chapter done.I get the feeling that I'm doin worse and worse each chapter.review n tell me if you don't like this chapter.and if you like.review me anyway!!! If u reelee reeelleee dun like this story n you think its all crap, review me n I might discontinue!!! Arigatou gozaimasu!!