FOREWORD: Everything dims before you… all falter and fade away. The final moments before the ending credits take charge. Then only a blank screen remains in the dark, soulless theater waiting for another movie to begin…
THE UNDELETETABLE PAST CHAPTER FIVE: Watch as the moon dances
The setting sun was a sign. It was time. When darkness succumbs… the light fades and is taken away. Dusk means the end of today. Although bright stars twinkle in the sky, moods are broken. Wonderful spells slowly fade away. There is always tomorrow but it is a different story. Miracles that happen do not repeat itself. Hope carries us on, forward to the unknown as two shadows pointing to the east stood watching each other.
Expressionless. Eyes distant and unfocused. Perspiration dripped from both their foreheads. A few swallows flew above them in the pinkish orangey sky. All heading back to their nests…The girl walked to the corner of the court and picked up a full bloom white rose.
Sensing her leave, the guy dribbled and charge to the hoop eluding imaginary opponents. Faking both sides with full concentration and ended his feat with a reverse dunk. He held on to the rim for a few moments…looking down at the floor. The orange sphere rolled to her feet. Clutching the white rose with two fingers she picked up the basketball and tossed it to Rukawa.
"Sunsets means the end,"her soft voice spoke
He caught the spinning ball with one hand and started dribbling. He never understood her puzzling words. Bits and pieces scattered everywhere. He has completed one third of it but the rest of her is still a mystery…unsolved…yet. He felt the sun rays on his back. The heat it generated nibbled at his skin. He wanted her to leave and the weird thing was she wanted the same thing.
"Sometimes sunsets brings new beginnings,"he replied and did a few shuffles between his legs and back passed before slicing the net with a smooth 3-point ball. The swishing sound of the net never failed to satisfy him. She saw the complete picture…he lived for basketball…he breathes basketball and that's how she wanted it to be. She could escape now. He didn't need her…she didn't really need him anyway.
"I'll see you around,"with that she headed towards the exit without turning back. The day has ended. They have parted. It was fun while it lasted…both of them comforted themselves. It has been a wonder that an icy frozen and emotionless guy could put up with a girl that had lots of secrets hidden deep inside. The twist of fate that had led them to each other…an unannounced encounter…yet a meaningful one and the moments they shared is priceless.
Rukawa continued practicing. He knew the standard of high school basketball and junior high's has a vast difference. He needed the practice so that he would be able to compete with his teammates and also rivals. He saw only victory. Anything less is unacceptable. He wanted to show off his skills and talent…he was a whiz at basketball. He had devoted his entire life on it. Shohoku Basketball Team watch out for me!!!!!
Aiji sauntered slowly towards home. She never wanted to see him again and hopes he understands. It hurt a lot to love and it isn't as beautiful as love is in fairytales and storybooks. Aiji knew that although she never experienced it before. The closes she came to a boy was with Takashi… She felt many emotions just being with him…but brushed them all off one by one when she became his pet sister. She could still remember his eyes…deep, shinning and full of life unlike hers.
Even before she joined the gang she was a loner. It was not because of Rukawa…she didn't like feeling betrayed all the time. Junior high was really testing…it was where it all begin. She flashed scenes in her head of Takashi and had a sudden urge to see him. Takashi is so happy go lucky unlike her, he was her only true friend in junior high, her only friend.She wanted to see him badly. It was probably a coincidence that she walked past an arcade. Probably a sign. And leaving the sidewalk she entered the heavy tinted doors of Outerspace Arcade.
The noise irritated her a bit. Yet it comforted her. She sauntered past a group of small boys playing some space games. Then there were a bunch of junior high guys at the motor sports corner. She then passed five guys that whistled at her while she went by. One of them had red hair, one was very fat and ugly, another was blond, the one next to blondie was a hard faced guy with a moustache and there was a good looking one flashing a I'm-so-sorry-smile. He was cute but her thoughts then returned to Rukawa and she gave them a dangerous stare.
She walked one round through the shop and proceeded to the exit. She opened the door and faced three tall guys flashing her sly smiles. She didn't want any trouble so she moved a side to let them cross. They had other thoughts and came up surrounding her. The owner of the arcade pretended to be busy writing some stuff behind the counter when one of them said "Hey Mr. Mitdara , I think I heard something break at the back of your store."
The owner took the hint and went away. Aiji kept her cool and walked steadily to the doors when one of them blocked the exit. She fired up, her rebellious self was about to take charge when suddenly the previous five guys that whistle at her came by laughing at a joke of some sort.
"Hey Takima-kun you didn't wait for us,"the cute one said casually and put an arm around her shoulder.
"Gomen ne Daichi-kun," Aiji quickly replied simply giving a name. She almost mouthed Rukawa's name but stopped herself just in time. Mrs. Daichi was what she remembered next.
The three guys moved away when they saw the stone cold stares that were directed to them by the five guys, make that six plus Aiji. The red haired one looked especially terrifying. They stepped out of the arcade and his arm slid off her shoulders. He then just smiled and went towards his gang and strolled off. Aiji was stunned…No pick up lines…No horny comments…Now that's a real gentleman. She did not like talking to guys and went on the opposite direction.
She checked her watch 6.35 p.m. She walked aimlessly thinking what would have happened if that guy did not come over. Blood shed would occur and it would not be hers. She could feel her adrenaline pumping when she first set sight on the troublemakers. She was clenching her fists hard waiting for it all to begin. She just needed another trigger. It's been so long since she has last felt this way and the scary thing was she wanted the fight to happen.
The painful blows that could be delivered although she was out numbered… She had faced tougher opponents than this. Usually trouble makers are real cowards… they only fight in a group or when they can overpower their prey. Alone they are less rated that specks of dust. Probably she was a bit rusted since her last fight but she knew she had not lost her touch. All these incidents made her remember more and more of Takashi and she froze in front of a train station. She did not have any money to board the first train to Tokyo. She ran…ran like lightning to her apartment a few blocks down. Only one thing was on her mind now…Takashi…she had to see him…
On the other side Rukawa was still shooting hoops without fail and planning moves, fakes and offence. He did not like to depend on anybody. He has an ego bigger than the whole Pacific Ocean combined together. He had to master up his skills and whole play. New and improved skills had to be obtained…he practiced hard on his dunks, shots and dribbling moves. He welcomed the challenges that High School basketball brings. Basketball…was all that mattered…nothing else. He dribbled to his left and crossed over to the right, a fake…two fakes and a fade away three point ball sailed high and swiftly went into the net.
He ran towards the board and caught the rebound…his leg muscles tensed up as he jumped up high and dunked the ball into the hoop. With his height it was just a simple thing to do. He released the rim and landed on his feet watching the ball roll to the corner of the court where Aiji last stood. He did not understand it. She was a girl…the species that she had avoided had never trusted. Betrayal. This one syllable word. The images of his mother came flowing back.
" She promised to be with me forever…she said she loved me very much…she said she will look after me…she is so beautiful, "his head whispered. His inner monologue… He remembered the way she smelled, the warmth of her hold, her steady breathing and her soothing voiced…the last time she saw her pale but beautiful face and deep brown eyes. He brush away his thoughts and continued practicing …concentrating harder this time not letting anything come between him and the love of his life… basketball. With the feeling of the ball and the whole court that to him is alive and beats in the same rhythm as his heart and just with the ball he is completed…he is whole. The way he handled the orange sphere, the way he positioned himself facing the hoop, the board, his grace, his flexibility and his reflexes works in unison to conquer the basket.
It was close to eight when he did his finale that was a crossover eluding his first opponent and a fake to take another down…two down three to go…the next one was an ace trying to steal his ball…Rukawa caught his right hand approaching and back passed…As he neared the hoop two forwards were there they jumped and blocked every possibility there was for him to dunk the ball but he was suspended in mid-air and his right hand came in between their blocks to a simple lay-up shot.
He fell losing his balance and landed on his side…he needed to practice that move more…he kept that in mind. He was succumbed by thirst and fatigue took charge. He could feel every muscle of his almost dead but he was still standing steadily. His knees and elbows were slightly bruised as he made his way back to his mansion. That was the first time he tried that move… the picture came to him in an instant and he reacted…he had to go back home and analyze his error…he will be able to perfect that move. He promised himself he will achieve his dream of challenging The United States Of America's professional basketball.
He sauntered towards his house with his backpack…his thoughts returned to Aiji. He recalled her last words "I'll see you around…" her voice lingered in his head. A soft soothing and gentle yet calm voice. He felt relaxed. He wanted to "see her around" then he thought of the way she walked away… he wouldn't be able to talk to her if he coincidently met her somewhere. He was torn…his hands move up to sweep away his damp fringe and he shrugged off those thoughts…He didn't need any friends or girlfriends for all that mattered.
All he needed was basketball nothing else matters. Basketball had never walked out on him and never hurt his heart. But it does bring some bruises every now and then. He felt those scars are merely microscopic pain that he has to endure…the heartache that love cause is unbearable. He did not want that…not now probably not ever as he didn't think he would be ready even after a million years. Aiji….her name made him hurt inside even now they had not even crass the barrier of friends and he felt pain, the closer one gets the pain gradually increases till it strikes you and suffocates you. This is the reason he won't budge an inch closer to anybody.
He could sense what they are going to bring to him in the future. He could sense them looking for an opening to stab him at the back or betray him. He notices people's actions and gets a premonition. Sometimes he thinks that it is six sense but he knows that people stick to friends like leeches, full of pretence, taking advantage to the maximum and if you already get warnings why not just avoid it. Prevention is better than cure.
The big gates automatically opened and the guard bowed low. He walked in with a straight face. His legs were guiding him not to the main entrance but to the side of the house where the well kept white rose garden is situated. He came face to face with his father when he reached his destination. Rukawa was not surprise, his father often return home from work and stared at these special white roses.
" Otousan ," Rukawa greeted.
"Kaede, you're back…"Mr. Rukawa's voice trailed.
Then they both stood side by side watching those bushes of white roses. Mr. Rukawa had heard of the visitor his son brought and the token he gave her. Either the servants or Mrs. Daichi will give a full report on the days' happenings. Mr. Rukawa wanted to know about his sons welfare and loves Kaede a lot although he does not always show it.
"Kaede, it's nice to know that you've finally opened up,"Mr. Rukawa turned and faced his son.
" What do you mean?"
"I think you know, you brought a friend here today."
"Can't I? This is my house too."
"Kaede, I want to know more about your friend."
"She's not my friend."
"You brought an enemy home?" Mr. Rukawa asked and smiled amused.
"She's just someone that I needed to sort things out with and I doubt I will ever see her again."
"I see…yet you gave her a white rose," Mr. Rukawa said thoughtfully
"Otousan…I understand that white roses are really special to our family, yet their meaning is not clear. I want to know why do you give mom a white rose not a red or yellow or pink?" Kaede asked.
" The meaning lies here," Mr. Rukawa touched his chest where his heart supposed to be.
"and also here," Mr. Rukawa's hand went to Kaede's chest.
"This question is something I can't answer like why is the earth round and not flat."
"Otousan…I .."
"Let me show you,"his father said and went to an orchid plant. There he plucked a flower.
"Look…Kaede can you see…"he put the orchid next to a blooming white rose.
"See what ?"Kaede asked puzzled.
"What do you see when you look at the orchid?"
"An orchid."
"What do you see when you look at the white rose then?"
"A white rose?" Rukawa bore a frown. His father's questions have left him more and more baffled than closer to the real answers.
"You are correct. They are merely flowers. But when I look at the orchid I see you Kaede playing in the park when you were younger. You are strong and lasting and calm. And…"Mr. Kaede paused and smiled.
"When I see the white rose I see your mom. I see her beauty, pureness and kindness that touched my heart. And she gives light to my once lonely heart. I have never regretted one moment of my life since I met her…even when she passed on she is still beside me and Kaede she is also beside you."
"Otousan, I should go and bathe now, you should take a rest."
"Iie , I'll stay a while longer, Don't worry you'll find your answers soon."
Rukawa Kaede went inside the mansion and freshened up. He took his dinner and lay on his bed facing the ceiling. He had no friends, he could not get close to anyone and he hated to talk. Aiji … he only met her for a few moments and he felt comfortable. He knows she has lots of secrets. Mysterious in her own way. He wanted to know more about her yet he wants to keep a distance.
"When I see a white rose it reminds me of departure…mom's and Aiji's because I gave them a white rose when they were about to leave…and today the white rose still meant goodbye…still signifies departure…still bring me hurt, regrets and confusion…I don't see happiness anymore…no positive thinking. It is already farewell…tomorrow Aiji is a stranger to me,"Rukawa's mind analyzed as his mind drifted and finally fell asleep.
On the other side of town in a bullet train, Aiji headed towards Tokyo. She stared into the dark reflecting today's happenings and only one face appeared in her mind…and only one name came up…Rukawa Kaede.
"He is still cold and silent. Uncaring towards everything but himself and basketball. I feel that he endured as much pain as me over the years probably more. This is what we have in common. Hurt. Being with him today brought back many memories…he is going to ignore me…suit himself. I don't care. Yet a part of me wants to know him better…wants to put a smile on his face. A bright smile regardless what happened in his past. I have to wait and see,"Aiji thought carefully and made a decision to take in whatever comes next but for now Takashi is all that matters.
Little butterflies dancing gracefully,
As colourful flowers sway with the wind,
A beautiful sight ever so lovely,
Yet all shattered cause rain is never kind.
A.N: Sorry for the long break…writer's block. Actually I m not really satisfied with this chapter…reviews please criticism is welcome..flames…I'll also accept. I already changed my settings to receive anonymous reviews…I didn't know that I can't accept anonymous review till my friend told me. Thanks psyco_kyugurl!!! So read and review ya!!!!