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

Note: Sentences in italics are thoughts.

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AjA – Yup, don't you just pity Haruko-chan when she is constantly bashed? I guess that is the reason why I am rooting for her. That and because I am an advocate of girl power. So Haruko-chan, you go girl!!!! Go get your man!!!!

micchan – I am so happy that you like it.

White Meteor – Thanks for reading my fic even if it's not your cup of tea. I really appreciate it. :-)

white soul – There are 4 Slam Dunk movies. If you can get them, you will see more of Rukawa talking there.

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Of Love and Friendship

Chapter 9: Making It Up To Her

So things have really gone out of hand. Rukawa is lost in his thoughts. Shintaro had just told him what happened a while ago and what happened months ago. Why do they assume that I don't know her? Even Haruko should know. I talked to her. Why do they have to be so cruel?

-She doesn't deserve to be treated like this.-

-So you like her.-

-Yes. But she likes you. And you are aware of that.-

And they say I am the cold one! He shook his head. He knew he's always misunderstood because he does things differently. But I am not that cold! I maybe more quiet than most people but I am not cold. I respond to people around me.

Hands on his pockets, Shintaro kept on pacing a few feet away from Rukawa. Then he stopped, placed a hand on the back of his neck and looked up. This is the second time! What do I have to do? I don't know what to do! He glanced at Rukawa who was staring at him. I couldn't ask for his help. He's not that kind. He sighed. What's happening to me? I can't even help Haruko get out of this situation. They would just keep bullying her. Should I confront them? No, I can't do that! What to do? What to do? He didn't even realize he was already knocking on his head for ideas but they wouldn't come.

"Umm…are you going to join us again tomorrow? For lunch, I mean?" Shintaro faced Rukawa.

"Yes." Rukawa answered him loud and clear.

Great. What should I do? Ask him to scrap it? "Are…you sure you don't need to---."

"Yes, I am sure. And don't even think of talking me out of it." Rukawa glared at Shintaro this time to make his point.

Right. Shintaro bit his lip. I think I even put her into more trouble by pushing her to Rukawa. And here I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought she would be happy. I can't even protect her. He let out a long weary sigh.

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Shintaro stick up his index finger and placed it in front of his lips gesturing for Rukawa not to make a noise. Then he lightly punched his forehead. Duh. I forgot he rarely makes a noise. They could hear the soft sobbing. She's there. Her head bowed down on top of her arm against the wall. Her shoulders are shaking because of continuous sobbing. Shintaro tapped her lightly on her shoulder.

"Shintaro-kun!" She turned to him and grabbed his school uniform as more and more tears came out. She is choking from so much tears that wanted to come out all at once.

"Shhh….everything's gonna be alright." He patted her back as he tried to comfort her. He glanced at Rukawa hoping to convey something to him. "Hey, don't cry now, Rukawa-kun's here."

The scene in front of him choked him as well. He felt a sharp pain inside his chest as pangs of jealousy sets in again. He wanted to comfort her as well but he understands now why she is very close to Shintaro. He recalled all the things that Shintaro told him. He understands her. She doesn't deserve to be treated like that. He didn't know she had to endure such things because of him and Shintaro.

Haruko tried to wipe her tears with her already soaked handkerchief but before she could do so, a clean folded handkerchief was shoved into her.

"Here."

"Ru-Rukawa-kun…. " She managed to say in between sniffles. Her eyes and nose are all red now.

"Take it, Haruko-chan." Shintaro softly nudged her.

"A-arigato, Rukawa-kun…." She continued on sobbing in front of them. God knows she wanted to stop but the tears just keep on coming out. Like a broken dam, all the water just kept on gushing out.

The two boys patiently waited for her to compose herself. She tucked her hair behind her ears and patted the last few teardrops that escaped from her eyes. She then straightened her uniform and just stared blankly ahead. After a few minutes, she took a deep breath and hanged her bag on her shoulder. Seeing she is alright, Shintaro placed a hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes.

"Haruko-chan….you did great fighting for yourself back there. You are a nice girl and Rukawa-kun and I know that." He glanced at Rukawa. "Be strong, ne? Look, we don't care what other girls say about you because we know you. They just don't know you." He knows those words wouldn't be enough but he hoped they would make her feel better.

She wiped another small tear that came out and nodded. She was constantly twisting the handkerchief on her hands until it was full of creases that it's almost unrecognizable.

"Awww…look what you did to Rukawa-kun's hankie. Poor hankie." Shintaro had a big grin on his face and winked at Rukawa.

"Oh…no…go-gomen, ne, Rukawa-kun." She panicked as she realized what she had done and tried to straighten the hankie on her lap. Crying in front of Rukawa was already embarrassing enough and now this.

Rukawa tried to turn back from the two as he tried to control his laughter but Shintaro grabbed him.

"Hah! Caught you! You should laugh more often, you know." He continued teasing Rukawa. "Haruko-chan! Come here, he is laughing!" Rukawa turned back to avoid Shintaro's teasing. Haruko's heart lept when she caught the sight of Rukawa smiling due to Shintaro's constant teasing. She can't help but smile at the two boys. Shintaro placed an arm around Rukawa's neck and dragged him to Haruko.

"So, you alright now?" Shintaro asked her.

"Hmm…I…I just need to go to the ladies--"

"Alright. We'll wait for you here so we can go to the gym together. Make yourself pretty for Rukawa-kun, ne?" He grinned and winked at her.

Haruko blushed. Rukawa's pale face turned red that resulted into more teasing coming from Shintaro.

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Shintaro is bidding goodbye to the two after they walked out of the gym.

"Take care, Rukawa-kun, Haruko-chan. Oi, Rukawa, take care of her, ne?" Shintaro is being his usual bubbly self and winked to tease Rukawa once more before he left.

"Would you like to have something first?" Rukawa asked her as he planned he would treat her to a dinner after practice. Maybe this time he could make it up to her.

Haruko looked at him. "Ah…alright." She actually feels good now in spite of what happened that afternoon. Crying surely can ease some burden off one's chest.

They walked out of the school. Rukawa led the way to Yakiniku. Haruko is hesitant since she has never been to that place. She was thinking they would just go for a fastfood or something.

"It's a good place." Rukawa muttered as he sensed her uneasiness.

"Anou….Rukawa-kun…"

"Yes?"

"Err….this is a different restaurant."

"It's my treat." He assured her.

"Uh…Alright."

He let Haruko in and followed suit. He picked a table inside a cubicle at the far side of the restaurant. It's his favorite spot there because it is quiet. They took their seats facing each other. She picked up the menu and scanned for what she could order. Rukawa motioned for a waiter.

"Yes sir, may I take your order?" The waiter asked.

"The usual and …." He gestured for Haruko to place her order.

"Ah…iced tea and some rice balls please."

The waiter left them alone after taking their order.

They were quiet for a couple of minutes. She nervously shifted on her seat and smiled timidly. She looked around and saw that there are not many people inside. It's weekday after all. The place must be filled during weekends though. The restaurant was illuminated by dim lights that made it appear very cozy.

Rukawa is staring at her. He actually looked like staring but inside he was building up his courage to talk. Ok, I can do this. I cannot continue being a jerk!

"You usually eat here, Rukawa-kun?" She broke the silence.

"When I feel like it."

Haruko nodded.

Rukawa swallowed. He cleared his throat and sat up straight. "I…." He started. Haruko looked up to him. "I want to tell you that I appreciate the things you do for me."

She smiled. "Ie, it's nothing, Rukawa-kun. Don't mention it." Haruko felt happy, very happy that Rukawa is finally talking to her.

Good start. He silently congratulated himself. Whew! I never thought it takes a lot of effort to speak.

"I also wanted to.... apologize for the times I…." He paused. "I've been rude to you." Miraculously, he was able to say that to her while staring at her. There I said it.

Haruko just looked at him and blinked. Is he alright? Then she gave him a smile. "Apology accepted, Rukawa-kun. Are you alright?"

He uncomfortably shifted on his seat. "Hai."

Their food came finally. Haruko took a sip from her iced tea.

"Er…." She is feeling really sorry for him as she can see the effort that Rukawa is putting on just to pull this thing. "Rukawa-kun, I also want to thank you for lending me your handkerchief. I promise I will return it to you tomorrow." She blushed at the thought of what she did to his handkerchief.

He nodded at her. Haruko could make out a small curve on his lips which made her stare for a while. She blinked once then went back to sipping her iced tea and started eating. Rukawa on the other hand just continued on looking at her.

"You are not eating your food, Rukawa-kun!"

"Hai." Rukawa picked up his chopsticks and started to eat.

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Whew! This fic is about to finish. Now be a sweetheart and tell me you are still reading. -_~