Title: Penny for Your Thoughts

Author: Crescent Quetzalcoatl

Genre: Drama

Pairing: Yaoi (don't kill me okay?)

Rating: PG-13 (for now)

Disclaimer: I couldn't claim them. Though I would like Hana-kun for my birthday. No? For Christmas? Still no? *sigh*

Chapter 2: Past and Present

Somewhere in Kanagawa…

"So, you'll come…?" a command not a suggestion.

"Yes."

"You're indebted to us. Remember that, kid."

"I know. I'll be coming."

"Good, Nine pm. Sharp."

There's a click. The other end of the line placed the receiver down. He stared at the window for the longest time. Then he put the phone down and got dressed.

+++

Dribble, dribble.

Dribble, dribble, dribble.

Dribble. Spin. Jump shot.

The ball sailed in the basket. Perfectly. Of course, everyone must expect that from the best. And he will be the best.

Dribble, dribble.

Sweat tricked down his forehead, adding an erotic sight to the pale beauty of Rukawa Kaede. Ignoring the burning pain in his limbs, he continued on practicing even in the wee hours of the night. Still he could not forget, never forget the scene in the locker room that afternoon.

The do'aho was crying.

At the last ounce of his strength, the raven-haired boy jumped and performed a perfect 360 degrees slam dunk. His shoes screeched to the ground, the reddish ball bounced away, and he sat on the hard cement, breathing loudly. And still thinking about him.

It's almost midnight, he thought. Rukawa had spent five hours of basketball practice with only few minutes of breaks and he had not yet eaten any for supper. Gathering his things, he slumped on his bike and cycled away to find the nearest 24 hour-diner where he could at least rest and sip a little coffee. Then again, he could go home and eat, but he's too tired and lazy to cook, and his maids are not the stay-in types. Yes, the famous Ace of Shohoku was darn rich. A mansion and a huge amount of fortune was left to him by his parents when they died in an accident, leaving a twelve-year old boy in the care of different guardians and finally, long-distance supervised by his aunt in America. He doesn't even need to study or get a job after. The fortune was so huge, he could survive until the ripe old age of one hundred.

But he needs to go to school. It's the only way where he could play basketball. He can make it a hobby but he wanted a real game where he could vent out all his feelings, his frustrations, his passions until nothing more would come out from him. He needed the diversion from his early tragedy.

So where else could he get a real game?

He parked his BMX in an establishment called Sun Kissed. A pastry shop? I could get a toothache from this.

It's not a pastry shop. It's actually one of those clubs in the further side of Kanagawa district with either corny of catchy names. He had been cycling in that area where life begins at six and ends just before sunrise. And the people here were like vampires that will suck everything they want from you.

But he doesn't give a damn. He just needed food anyway.

The bouncer almost didn't let him in. Rukawa looked suspiciously like a minor, a tall minor perhaps (not that it isn't true). All he did was to give him the famous Rukawa icy let-me-in-or-else glare and seems the bouncer's insides froze up and pull the door for him.

Inside, the noise wasn't loud. Instead, soft, slow music filled the air. Maybe the disc jockey went out for a break, and entwined bodies already filled the space.

Rukawa sat on a high stool by the bar and placed his bag by his feet. He ordered a glass of passion fruit and a plate of lasagna. The bartender gave him that and pushed a slice of strawberry cake for him. Rukawa glanced at the cake, then at the man to tell him he didn't ask for any but the bartender said, "It's on the house," and winked, leaving the fox-eyed boy with an eyebrow raised.

Quickly, he finished his meal, and the cake (it was free), and paid for it. Not because he was bothered by ridiculously flirting girls or indecent stares, both women and men were casting. He just wanted to go home, he's filled and he's tired. Then he went out with his bag and took his bike.

He took a second glance at the place. He was stupid enough not to realize that this area was also the fave hangout of prostitutes and corrupt politicians. How stupid can you get? Such sinful place and he's also there.

He watched as the rows of clubs, pubs and motels as he pushed his bike towards the highway. He cast a glance at the cream and black building admiring its weird designs when someone came out of its doors. It was then when he saw red.

A redhead.

A male redhead.

And the only redhead he knew registered in his mind.

He held on to his breath, making sure it was him, he quickly but silently pushed his bike away from the redhead's vista, and settled behind a huge column that was supporting the next establishment.

He watched the redhead man in the shadows, making it difficult to decipher it is was really him, standing still as if waiting for something as another man with pale complexion and blonde hair tied in a ponytail, went from behind and hugged the redhead, whispering to his ear and placing a kiss on the tanned neck. Then the blonde guy took the redhead's left hand and placed what suspiciously looked like crisp, green bills.

The raven-haired boy stared in eyes wide, felt his chest was about to explode.

The blonde guy left with a smirk on his face.

The redhead slung his head downwards as if in despair.

His left hand trembled as he crushed the crisp paper tightly.

-tsuzuku-

Crescent speaks:

I'm in a depressed mode so it isn't much of a surprise if this chap turned out like this. *sigh* School problems are the worst!

If ever you don't see this fic in the PG 13 area, well then, I probably put it in the R region. I'm having problems, you see, and this is the only way I can get my frustrations out… gomen nasai… if you're brave enough to read (and REVIEW) please feel free to do so… I have no qualms or what so ever…

THANKS to

Hikaru Itsuko – this is for you… first reviewer… thanks!

kyou – I try to put on more mystery if you like it… thanks! For you too…

sLL – hey haven't seen you around lately… thanks! don't worry, I'm not going to make RuHaru or HanaHaru… I'm not a fan of either of them… for you, three…

thanks!!!