Notes: I'm really making Makoto sound like a monkey =_= Too active maybe? Here's abit more about her past ne. ^^ Thanks to all who reviewed!!! Small LIME part ahead. I won't warn you before the part cos it's abit distracting ^^

Kimeno-pebols: It's pretty obvious what he's gonna tell Hana… hehehe

C.Q:  ^_^ Though he told Makoto she didn't tell Rukawa! He's still as clueless and frightened XD

sLL: Yes poor tree ^^ Nothing can break Hana's head.

Hagane: ^^; Eh…I would expect her too be strong. Maybe be like what Youhei is to Hana =D

Miyahara Yuuki:  shakes head  Can't let Sendoh die ^^;;;; I like him too ne.

Cupid

Chapter 12

Makoto stretched a little on the bed in the clinic. Her muscles were not that sore now, as compared to during practice. She missed about most of her three-point shots because her shoulder hurt so much. Leaving the hospital, she discovered that she had left her file in school. She cursed herself and then proceeded to walk back to school. It was already evening, and the sky was a beautiful shade of purple and orange as night begin to settle in. Little stars were flashing occasionally. Makoto stared at the sky for a while. She recalled Rukawa's strange look during practice. Of course, he had been staring at Hanamichi as usual, but his eyes showed a strange determination. She grinned to herself.

If Kaede was determined with something, he was sure to get what he wanted. Maybe there wasn't any point in worrying after all. 'Wait a minute.' she stopped in her tracks as a giant sweatdrop slowly slid down. But Kaede was impulsive. She remembered the wild look he had when she was trying to prevent him from killing someone who teased her about her position in the Tomigaoka team. It wasn't the fact that she was manager of the team, but the fact that she had cut her hair short like a boy's, so that she could replace the center who happened to be injured at the time of the tournaments. It turned out that she was even better than the center, and from then onwards, she was a reserve in the team. She had decided to back out during the finals, telling them that she was after all, a girl, and that she did not want her secret to be known, which could possibly disqualify the whole team. But then, the team almost lost the game, had it not been for Rukawa who stole the show, as always. However, other schoolmates blamed her because they claimed that she took away the others' chance to play, and therefore, the team was not strong enough when she wasn't there. From then on, she was teased more than before, and it did not help that she was ditched by a guy she had confessed her love to the previous year. But she did not mind, instead, she occupied herself by keeping Kaede from approaching the bullies with a murderous look on his face, ready to start a massacre in the school.

Thinking back, she shivered. If Kaede were that impulsive just because his friend was insulted, what would he do if the dumb and proud Hanamichi tried to reject him? 'I had better take a look at the situation.' Makoto quickened her steps towards the school, praying fervently that Rukawa did not get any influence from Sendoh.

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Hanamichi stood there, not moving, as Rukawa approached him. Rukawa stopped, a little distance from Hanamichi, and repeated again.

"Do'aho, we need to talk." He stared at Hanamichi intensely, waiting for his reaction. The silence went on for a while. Hanamichi shifted uncomfortably under Rukawa's stare. He was desperately trying to find a way to get out of the locker room as soon as possible. He gave a desperate answer.

"Baka kitsune, we have nothing to talk about." Hanamichi mumbled to himself, trying to get past Rukawa.

"I saw you and Sendoh that day."

Hanamichi stopped, stunned. He knew for a fact that the kitsune saw the scene, since he was with Mak-chan that day. But it was really humiliating that someone, especially the kitsune, had seen the scene that he wanted to forget most. Was Rukawa going to threaten him or something? He remained silent, cautious for the fox's attack.

"What do you think?"

"Huh?"

"What do you think of the kiss?"

Rukawa watched in silent fascination as Hanamichi's face turned several shades before settling for a soft crimson tinge on his cheeks. Hanamichi did not know how to answer. He couldn't possibly tell Rukawa that the kiss felt nice and that he was thinking of him all the while! He racked his brains for an answer to throw him off.

"Ha! The tensai has already forgotten! Why should I remember something like that!" He strained to keep a normal tone, that his voice sounded false, even to himself. Hastily, Hanamichi made his way to the door. But Rukawa was faster. He blocked the door, and grabbing the hand that Hanamichi stretched out to grab the doorknob, he pulled the redhead towards him.

"Then feel it again."

Hanamichi could feel the warm breath brushing against his face, then Rukawa's lips touching his. He gasped when Rukawa licked his lips. Taking the opportunity, Rukawa slipped his tongue inside, exploring Hanamichi's mouth. Hanamichi was shocked. Although this was the second time a guy kissed him, he did not make an attempt to push Rukawa away. Instead, to his horror, he was actually responding to Rukawa! Unable to gather his thoughts, he could not do anything but let his body respond. And having mixed-up feelings for Rukawa did not help at all. Encouraged by Hanamichi's response, Rukawa slid one hand under his koi's shirt, relishing the feel of soft flesh against his own calloused palm, his other hand still holding onto Hanamichi's wrist, in fear that the do'aho would run away. The feel of something smooth touching his raw flesh made Hanamichi gasp in surprise. Rukawa eagerly swallowed the gasp, deepening the kiss. The kiss became passionate, and their bodies slammed against a locker nearby. Rukawa broke the kiss, and held Hanamichi closer to him. Both panted softly, trying to get back their breath. Before Hanamichi could recover his senses, his mind went into frenzy again as Rukawa lowered his head and gave his neck a small lick. Rukawa felt like he just entered heaven. Hanamichi tasted sweet, yet salty due to the sweat. He nibbled on Hanamichi's neck again, before stretching back up and whispering into his ear,

" You're mine. I WILL be one step ahead of Sendoh."

Hanamichi only groaned in reply, his mind already somewhere distant. Rukawa continued a trail of soft kisses down his throat, making him lose his senses totally.

"You're mine..."

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Makoto blushed at the scene before her. She had passed by the locker rooms on her way out of the school, when she heard the loud slamming of something heavy against the lockers. Afraid that something bad might have happened to either of her friends, she propped herself on a wooden crate and peered into the window. She sweatdropped and her face flushed when she saw Rukawa on Hanamichi. ' I didn't know that Kaede was so forwards...' Well, at least Hanamichi did not look like he was forced or anything. 'Guess it's alright then.' Makoto prepared to leave the two alone when she had a low growl. She turned her head around and almost knocked into a tuft of spikey hair.

"Se...Sendoh...!!" Makoto managed to whisper. The Ryonan captain was standing beside her, staring jealously at the two in the locker room. He looked as if he could kill Rukawa right there and then. Makoto gulped.

'This. Is. Not. Good."

Sendoh prepared to leave his present position. Makoto panicked, and swung an arm around his neck, almost making him choke. She hopped off the unstable wooden crate and dragged Sendoh away.

"Cmon! We're going to play one-on-one!" With amazing strength, she hauled him away, leaving the two lovebirds alone. But the noise they made was enough to interrupt Rukawa and Hanamichi.

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 Rukawa was over a helpless Hanamichi, who had given up and placed his arms around Rukawa's neck. Moans and gasps of pleasure escaped him as Rukawa's hands explored all over him. Rukawa was feeling euphoric. The sounds Hanamichi made hit his sense wave after wave. Something was building up inside him. Something he could not control. And he did not want to stop. He wanted to feel more of the do'aho.

Hanamichi tried to make himself think rationally, but it was no use. As Rukawa's hands went lower and lower, he felt himself lose any sensible thought that might have been there. Just as Rukawa's hand was hovering over Hanamichi's pants, they heard a crash and muffled protests as well as something dragging on the floor. Rukawa heard a voice vaguely familiar-"Come on! We're going to play one-on-one!" Makoto. He thanked her in his mind. But the distraction was enough for Hanamichi to collect his thoughts.

Hanamichi pushed Rukawa away, hurriedly arranging his disheveled clothes. He blushed furiously as he straightened out his uniform. He panted for a while and Rukawa leaned against a locker, waiting patiently.

"Kitsune, I think it's better if we talk."

Rukawa nodded and waited for Hanamichi to start.

tbc