Disclaimer: Rukawa Kaede, the other recognizable characters and the anime Slamdunk belong to its creator Takehiko Inoue. Yui Hiroyuki is an original character created by me..

Summary: Rukawa's childhood friend is back in Kanagawa, and he is torn between anger and happiness on her return.

Author's Note: Italicized words means characters' thoughts and capital letters means emphasized words. The -- part means sound effects(ex. --KABOOM!--) or unfinished sentence/thoughts. 3 * means an end of a part of that chapter while 6* means an end of a chapter.

To all those who have reviewed, Arigatou! This is the 5th chapter, and the end of the story. Please tell me what you think about it(did you liked it, did you hate it, etc.), so I'll know where to improve and so I could write better stories next time. Sorry it took me so long to upload this, its just that I'm busy with school(I'm going to graduate on March 25! ^_^). Hope you guys understand!

Uh, about the airport scene, I don't know what they call that place where one is supposed to go to board a plane...so, forgive me if the right term isn't "tarmac"(hehehe ^_~ v).Oh well, enjoy reading! =^o^=

To Your Heart and Back

Chapter 5: Hearts and Chances

Yui was sitting in the airport's lobby, waiting for the announcement that she can now board the plane that will take her away from Kanagawa forever.

She sat there, waiting silently.

Hoping Rukawa would show up before she leaves.

She glanced at the large digital clock at the lobby.
Only 2 minutes before 8.

No Rukawa showing up yet.

Yui sighed as she hugged her backpack.

Who am I kidding? Rukawa won't show up. He probably didn't even read my letter to him.

The P.A. (Public Announcement) System beeped.

"Calling all passengers of Flight 459 leaving for San Diego, California, Pls. proceed to tarmac 3 now. I repeat, passengers of Flight 459, pls. proceed to tarmac 3 now."

That's my call.

Yui stood up, slinged her backpack on her shoulders and pulled her travelling bag.

Time's up. The waiting's over. She's leaving now.

Goodbye, Rukawa.
***

Darn it! I might not get there in time!

Rukawa was pedaling as fast as he can but it seems no use. He was getting nowhere near the airport.
He glanced at his wrsitwatch.

A minute before 8.

Yui...
Please don't leave.

I don't want to be alone anymore.
***

"Again, calling all passengers of Flight 459, pls. proceed to Tarmac 3 now."

Yui was walking towards the tarmac when the announcement was repeated.

"Good evening, ma'am." The stewardess checking the tickets greeted when Yui presented hers. "Have a nice trip."

Yui smiled weakly. How can she have a nice trip, knowing that she's about to leave the man she loved behind?
"Thanks."

She was about to proceed on her way when a young couple caught her attention.
They were at a corner, holding each others hands, and kissing.

Yui looked at them with envy. She can't help not to look away form them. The couple reminded her of Rukawa and herself.

As if there was even a "Rukawa and me".

She looked away as she continued to walk.

But then, she overheard their conversation.

"Will you promise me you'll come back, for me?" the girl asked.
The man smiled, and hugged her as she rested her chin on his shoulders.

"I promise." The man replied. "I'll come back for you, and when I do...I'll never leave your side again."

Yui stopped. Familiar words.

I promise.

...

I believe in our promises.
Words that were lost...but never forgotten.

...

I believe in him and me.
I believe in us.

...

Without hesitations, Yui turned back and ran. Ran away, without any directions, ran away without any destination.

Believeing is enough.
***

Rukawa quickly jumped off his bike as he reached the airport entrance. he ran towards the sliding doors, towards the lobby, looking for a familiar face, but found none.

He glanced at the digital clock.

8:00 pm.

"May I help you, sir?" the attendant on the desk asked, upon seeing him just standing there, lost in thoughts.

"Did a plane leaving for California just left?"

"What flight number sir?"

"I don't know. I don't care about the flight number, just tell me, did an airplane heading to Califonia just left?"

"Just a minute, sir." the attendant answered. She typed something in the computer, then looked at Rukawa.
"There are 5 flights to California today." She began to recite the flight numbers. "342, 349, 422..."

"I only need the flight number of the plane that recently left." Rukawa interrupted, irritated.

"Flight 459, sir." the attendant answered. "Just left about 5 minutes ago."

Rukawa galnced at the digital clock in the lobby again.

8:05 pm.

It was too late. Yui had already left. Her departure was 5 minutes ago.

Why was he standing there for?

Because, in the back of his head...he thought it might not be too late.
But it was.
And he knew it.

He just didn't want to believe.

Silently, he walked away.

Lonely.

Empty.

No words. Just the endless void in front of him.

He was outside the airport entrance and was headng for his bike when...

"I knew you'd come."

Rukawa's heart stopped. Could it be...? Was it even possible that it was...?

He turned around, and a figure stepped out from the dark. The pale moonlight illuminated her face.

It was Yui.

The girl walked towards her.

"Remember our promises? They were no lies. I came back for you, and you came here for me."

Rukawa, not knowing how to react, raised an eyebrow, as if inquiring why Yui was still there.

Overwhelmed yet in a silent manner.

Yui smiled. "What's good about airplanes is that you can always book another one when you miss your flight."

Rukawa couldn't speak. It was a matter of minutes before he could say something.

"Yui, I..."

But he wasn't able to finish what he was going to say.
Yui placed a finger on his lip to hush him.

"You don't have to say anything, Kae-chan. We're together now."

As she said that, rain began to fall. Both teens looked up in the dark sky. Yui smiled.

"Last one to get to the park is a slimy slowpoke!" she said as she beagn to run, pulling her things with her.

Rukawa smiled, for the first time in years, took his bike, and chased after the girl.

~End~