Title: Penny for Your Thoughts

Author: Crescent Quetzalcoatl

Genre: Drama

Rating: PG-13 (for now) [erm… I hope you guys read my notes on the 2nd chap? I was planning on moving this fic to the R rating just in case it gets… um… dark? O_o gomen nasai.]

Disclaimer: I sure don't own them…

Chapter 4: Satire

He never saw him crying again.

It was supposed to be another boring day for him. But it was not. Why? Because he was transferred to the do'aho's classroom.

Yes, the blue-eyed kitsune and the redhead do'aho were classmates. For the whole year. Because of him.

Rukawa just wanted peace and quiet while he sleeps and he can't do that to his former classroom because the leaders of the Rukawa shinetai (yes, they're still intact and they grew into a legion) was squeaking and squealing like mice every time he came to their classroom. After a gruesome month of trying to bear their stupid chants and squeals, he decided to approach the school principal and ask if he could be transferred into another room, of course not without the usual death glare and the like. Luckily or not, the principal found him a new section that was quite perfect: mild-mannered teacher, a room that was mostly boys and the perfect seat beside the window, just like he always wanted. But he never knew what surprise installed just for him. The company of his least favorite people. And he's sitting right in front of Rukawa.

Rukawa sighed. As much as he wanted to sleep through the whole afternoon, he just can't doze off to dreamland without being distracted by the squeaking of the chair in front of him (which reminds him of the shinetai), and the occasional tapping of pen against the armchair by none other than Sakuragi Hanamichi. Which was really odd, considering the fact that the Ice Prince would actually fall asleep two seconds flat.

Damn the redhead. Damn the memory three weeks ago.

Looking out the window, the raven-haired boy half-heartedly watched the sun peeping behind the dark gray clouds. Is it going to rain? I like rain. Then he thought of the upcoming friendly match with Ryonan High. They have to practice hard today, not that they don't practice seriously everyday. But it seemed uncomfortable that their vice-captain was playing a little less… cheerful?

A lone bluish butterfly rested its wings on one of the branches of the sakura tree in the midst of the school grounds. It was folding its wings contentedly when a sudden gust of wind blew it away along with the sakura blooms, creating a shower of the pale pink petals across the setting sun. The butterfly flapped its wings against the wind trying to resume its cozy position. In the end, it gave up, allowing the wind to carry its tired wings to wherever it desired.

Rukawa was snapped out of its reverie when he heard the bell rang announcing the end of classes. He saw his classmates pulled their chairs, creating annoying scraping sounds across the floor; he saw their sensei wiping his brow, obviously relieved that the day has ended; he saw his girl classmates talked excitedly about their crushes then gave flirtatious glances towards him (he snorted at that, good thing the original shinetai was not his classmates anymore); he saw his boy classmates joking around and insulting each other like fools (which remind him of another fool in the class) but he shook the thought away.

He saw a pretty brown-haired girl standing by the door not minding the other students unintentionally bumped into her or shoving her. She was just there, all smiling and waving.

To him?

No. She was looking at his right.

Not wanting to be obvious, he stood up and paced to his right, moving to reach for his bag.

It was then when the icy blue orbs met the narrowed brown ones.

He's still here. The redhead do'a—

"Oi, kitsune! Better move your ass out here or you'll be late!"

Rukawa narrowed his eyes. "You should speak. You're still here."

"Hmp! I'm not the captain," Sakuragi snorted.

What? He still holds a grudge with the captain thing 'til now? "Yare yare."

The redhead grabbed his bag and tried to leave the kitsune, but Rukawa found his own and followed him to the door.

"Sakuragi-kun! Rukawa-kun!" Haruko greeted them cheerfully.

"Hi, Haruko-san!" Sakuragi replied with equal cheerfulness.

"Hn." Rukawa nodded and walked pass the couple. Couple? They'd better be not… Matte, what am I thinking? The raven-haired boy continued his way, listening to their conversations.

"Sakuragi-kun, can we talk?"

"Sure. What about, Haruko-san?"

"Can you come with me?"

"Okay."

Rukawa stopped walking and listened for more. There was nothing but silence. He turned around hoping to see them walking his way but it seems they went the other way.

Should I be bothered? Why? Yeah, basketball practice. If that do'aho will come late, I'll—I'll—what? Ch! Stupid do'aho! He went to the gym alone.

+++

"Minna-san! Get ready for tomorrow's friendly match with Ryonan High. Even if their Ace, Sendoh Akira, is no longer playing for them, still expect the best from them. But of course, we will beat them. We are strong!"

"Hai!" the players shouted.

Rukawa glanced at the redhead beside him. He wondered how did the do'aho command such respect even if everyone knew he's not that good on the courts. Well, compared to him, Sakuragi needs more improvement. But his words struck like knife and Rukawa Kaede knew that something changed within the redhead. He pressed his lips together as he searched for the right words to tell his teammates. After all, he's their captain.

He felt a nudge at his arm. Sakuragi…

"Few words doesn't hurt, kitsune," he said.

Rukawa narrowed his eyes at him, then turned to the other players. "Just remember what we practiced and everything will be fine." Sakuragi raised his eyebrow. The raven-haired focused on the players. "We are strong! We will win! Shohoku~!"

"FIGHT!!!" Everyone cheered.

Their manageress, Haruko, came to them. "That was great, Rukawa-kun. You should speak some more, you know." Rukawa nodded and proceed to the locker room.

"Hanamichi-kun…"

Hanamichi-kun… did she call him… Hanamichi-kun? Doushite?

"… Your first speech as a vice-captain, ne? It's wonderful," Haruko smiled at the redhead. Sakuragi returned the smile.

"Did you like it? I was kinda weird. I always thought speeches were corny especially when Ryochin or Gori—erm—Akagi does it," he scratched the back of his head.

"Oh, yes!" Haruko nodded, "I liked it." Pause. "Hanamichi…"

"Hai?"

"We'll go to the movies tonight, ne?" the brown-haired girl, smiled weakly, as if afraid of being rejected. Sakuragi looked at her like he never did the whole time they've known each other.

"Yes, of course."

"Yokatta," she almost whispered, faint blush spread on Haruko's cheeks.

+++

He was alone in the locker room.

His icy blue eyes closed for sometime, then opened them again. Gone was the icy-ness he'd been masking throughout his system ever since the day his parents died.

He sighed.

He also realized he'd been doing that often these past few days. Was it because of tiredness? Or because of something else?

Haruko…

The girl that everyone adores. The former-captain's sister. Their manageress. The ever sweet beloved of the redhead do'aho.

Hanamichi…

Rukawa labeled him a do'aho the very day the redhead came to the rooftop of the Shohoku building because the do'aho found out that his name was Rukawa Kaede and that he was his beloved's Haruko's major crush. He labeled him a do'aho every time he committed mistakes during basketball practices and games. He labeled him a do'aho because of his happy-go-lucky-I-don't care-for-you-I'm-still-the-Tensai attitude. He labeled him a do'aho just because he can… because he wants to… and because…

Hanamichi…

Rukawa shook his head. He regained his composure and went to pick up his bag. The practice was over, he needed some rest before tomorrow's match and someone might see him with his icy mask removed. Now what? He's not waiting for the do'aho. The do'aho and their manageress went for some stupid movie this time of night. He won't be coming in the locker room because his bag was outside. Why does he know all of this? He doesn't know… He doesn't care… Does he?

Something inside him churned. He gritted his teeth as he opened the doors leading him to the outside as he tried to shun the uncomfortable feeling within his chest. It wasn't pain, but it wasn't pleasant. It was more like…

Impossible. I'm not… or am I…?

He hopped on his bike and sped out of the school grounds. He wanted to go away as far as possible from these unfamiliar feelings he doesn't want to find out. He wanted to stay away from those memories of tears… the memories of that night… memories of him… memories of…

Hanamichi…

I'm feeling… jealous…?

Of her…

Of you…

He bit his lip as he fled into the darkness.

-tsuzuku-

Crescent speaks:

*stretches arms* woah! This fic is long!

No, I'm not depressed anymore *smiles* but my cheerfulness didn't help in the fic ne? I guess I've been reading to many novels for my own good. Oh, my school work's not a bother anymore =P.

Umm… the italicized parts are mostly Rukawa's POV. Er… I don't know why he's thinking a lot rather than Hana… and about Haruko… er… it's gonna be a secret for now why she's acting like that, okay? But it still a RuHana, I promise! =)

Thanks to:

Akane – I'm sorry Hana's sad again… I need him like that. Here's the next chap I hope u'll like it… I'll try not to make him sad… um… please bear with me? =) thanks!

Hikaru Itsuko – yep! It's Ru who saw him that night… this chaps mostly his POV as ive said above. I'm trying to shorten this chap, maybe the next one will ans what will Ru do. Thanks!

Tina Caps – Rukawa's here! =) that um… saying was very nice… I agree to that! *cheers* ehehehe… I hope I'm not too hard on Hana… I was thinking of what might be the reason he was doing the job and I came up with that…er… odd… depressing chapter. This one's light I think… Thanks!

sol – gomen ne! kaw kasi magkatabi na nga lang tayo eh… I guess ur favorite word just rubbed on me, ne? after all, lagi tayong magkasama… =P Hana's not crying anymore, so happy ka na ba? =) thanks!

sLL – u don't cry? =P oh well, at least you won't flood the computer screen… hehe… Me too, I hope it won't happen in real life, its just plain scary… where did I get the idea? Um… I really don't know… I was trying to come up how did Hana got involve I the work and it just gives me the creeps if I say he just liked it… O_o okay that was weird, but… well here's another chap… I was planning to put Youhei to help Hana but I guess I'll just wait for the right moment *wink* enjoy! Thanks too! Reviews keeps me going and going and going…

kyou – mean am I? *wink wink* oh it comes out of my system when I'm depressed… hehe… even when I'm not! =) thanks for reviewing!

fourteen - =) I'm planning to put Youhei but I don't know how to get him a good entrance. Yeah with Hana and Youhei teaming up, they can take the bastards down… but with those circumstances… I think anyone might be afraid esp. when they where the ones who caused your loved ones life… ahm, I try to make it light… thank you!

Elizabeth Linares – thank you! Here's the next chap for you! Hope you like it!