Disclaimer : Slam Dunk is owned by Takehiko Inoue. Shintaro Ken is mine!

Note: Sentences in italics are thoughts.

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RuHaru 4EVA!! - let me see what I can do, ok?

Laarni - hmm...you actually thought Shintaro has a flaw while everybody else thinks he's perfect. I even got an e-mail that says he sounds like a nerd.

eternalgoddess - thank you! thank you! here's the continuation.

mskitsune - thank you so much. I hope you will continue liking it.

arashi tissue - I don't have a talent in writing yaoi but it seems I am good at writing a Larry Stu. :P

Lambie - I am so grateful for your reviews. I know I tend to mislead people. I guess that's my style. :p

sLL - I thought glaring is Rukawa's normal facial 'expression'? I didn't think there was a reason.

Afrokane - I am happy to see someone who like Haruko, I just cannot understand the hostility towards her. Really, I don't even hate the Rukawa Brigade.

Silhouette Panther - I thought nobody in Slam Dunk exists in real life? They don't even look Japanese in real life. LOL

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Of Love and Friendship

Chapter 7: Walking Her Home

"D-do you need anything else?"

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At the other side of the court, someone is yelling or fuming…whatever….

"Teme kitsune!!!!" Damn that kitsune! Since when did he start talking to Haruko? He is not supposed to talk to her! He never talks to her!

He was about to run to Rukawa and give him a piece of his mind when a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"Sakuragi, you like Haruko-chan, am I right?"

Sakuragi turned around to see Shintaro behind him.

"If so, just let her be. She's a grown lady now. I'm sure she'll be alright. Let her do what makes her happy."

"But…."

"She deserves to be happy, Sakuragi-kun. I'm sure both of us want that."

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Rukawa knows pretty well that a certain redhead baka is fuming and is probably concocting several assassination plots against him but he couldn't care less.

"I asked if Shintaro is your boyfriend." He repeated, still staring at her.

Haruko couldn't answer. She is confused. "Huh?" Since when did he learned to ask questions anyway?

Rukawa raised the bottle and took a gulp once more after which he wiped his mouth with his towel. "Well?"

"Uh no, he is a very good friend of mine." Haruko answered without even looking at him.

"Then he wouldn't mind if I walk you home later?" His eyes narrowed as he was intently staring at her, as if studying her.

Haruko stepped back and frowned. She was in a state of confusion and nervousness. She wasn't expecting this. He must be playing games with her. Sure, she has a major crush on this guy in front of her but it's not like him to be talking to her and to top it all, he is even asking to walk her home.

"I- I will have to tell Shintaro-kun." She nervously answered. There is no doubt that Shintaro would have to know since they always go home together. Besides she is having doubts about Rukawa now.

"I can tell him." Rukawa said with finality. After that, he took another gulp from the water bottle but his eyes are still locked at her.

"I…O-ok." She turned around and left.

She should be on cloud nine right now but she is nervous as hell. What's happening? Why is it that all of a sudden he is talking to her and paying attention to her?

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"Sure." Shintaro answered in his usual smiling self. "Just be good to her, okay?" He winked at Rukawa and left.

Rukawa just looked at Shintaro's departing figure.

"Hey, looks like he likes you too." He teased while giving her one of those playful winks he is known for.

"But…."

"Hushh…you can go with him. Just tell me tomorrow if he's been good to you, okay?"

Haruko nodded.

"He'll be coming out anytime now. You ready to go home?" He placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Ha-hai."

Rukawa emerged from the gym door with his bag on his shoulder. Shintaro extended his hand to him which Rukawa accepted this time. Shintaro smiled. He was glad that Rukawa finally had noticed Haruko. He then gestured for her to come with Rukawa.

"Bring her home safely, okay? I know you are a gentleman." He grinned mischievously.

Rukawa just gave him a nod.

The taller boy stepped closer to Rukawa and whispered. "Hey, maybe you should smile once in a while so she won't be so nervous. She's really nervous about you." Rukawa's eyes widened for a bit but returned back to normal as he looked at her.

"Ok, See you tomorrow! Rukawa-kun, Haruko-chan! Take care!"

Shintaro went on his way after waving goodbye to them. Rukawa faced Haruko even though she is not looking at him.

"Let's go." He said in a soft voice.

Haruko hesitantly took a step and started to walk beside him. She still feels nervous. She was used to a cold Rukawa. True, she had wished that one day, he would notice her but now that it is happening, she is nervous and she can't understand why. She scanned her mind for possible reasons. She is scared actually. Suddenly, she is doubting Rukawa's motives. Why would Rukawa suddenly change. It's very unlikely, right? Besides, she has already accepted the fact that Rukawa won't like a girl like her who is just like all the other girls who cheer for him. He never gave her a minute of his life, why start now?

"Oi."

He's never like this. Oh I am so nervous, I wish Shintaro-kun is here. Haruko looked back wishing Shintaro was there but of course, he wasn't. She sighed. Rukawa stopped on his tracks.

"You already miss him?"

Haruko looked at him. "I…." Yes, she missed him on times like this. Shintaro has always been there for her for support. For the nth time that day, she took a deep breath.

"Shintaro-kun's always been there for me." She started to walk again.

"I know."

Haruko decided to keep quiet and waited if Rukawa would start talking. After all, he was the one who asked to walk her home. She remembered all the times when she tried to get his attention, the times when she loved him in secret, the times when she cheered for him. Was it ever wrong for her to act that way? She loves the guy. Almost everyone in school knows about her infatuation with Rukawa thereby earning her the ire of the school's female population. Was it wrong to love him? Shintaro understands her. Was it ever wrong to cheer and support Rukawa in all of his games? Haruko sighed. Why? I can't help it if I love Rukawa-kun. Why hate me for it?

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Rukawa Kaede has never been a man of words. Although it doesn't show, he too was nervous. He never walked home with a girl before. He was content with his life, with basketball. Of course, he knew Haruko likes him. He's not that stupid not to notice it. He just chose to ignore her. He thought that if he would just continue on ignoring her, she would stop and just give up. He reveled at the sight of Sakuragi being so jealous over him. And he annoyed the redhead every chance he gets. That redhead baka likes her very much, enough to get him into basketball even though his knowledge of the sport was practically zero.

When Shintaro came, it was clear that she was slowly drifting apart from him. Not that they were close to begin with. Shintaro after all is a warm and caring person unlike him. From the corner of his eyes, he would see how Shintaro paid attention to her and how he appreciates the things she did for him and vice-versa. And how many times has he seen them walking together during lunchtime? Coming to and leaving the gym together? For the past few months, she would still cheer for him. But unlike before when she would make efforts to get near him, she maintained a distance between them. Well, he got what he thought he wanted, she must have given up on him. But as the days passed by, he felt something different. He found himself wishing that she would approach him once again and then maybe he could make it up to her and let her know that she is appreciated.

While he used to rejoice when Sakuragi would curse and fume his jealousy over Haruko, he felt a prick in his heart every time he sees her with Shintaro. He never saw it coming. He was jealous. Jealous? Right. It took a while for him to admit that to himself. He shook his head. He never got jealous with Sakuragi. What's the difference, anyway?

He glanced at the girl walking beside him. Yes, she is pretty but surely he did not ask to walk her home just because she is pretty. He has a lot of fans and many of them are pretty too. And she is also a fan. He never paid any attention to his fans but it doesn't mean he doesn't know they are there. He never paid attention to Haruko before but it doesn't mean he doesn't know she is there. So, what's the difference?