Title: Penny for Your Thoughts

Author: Crescent Quetzalcoatl

Genre: Drama

Rating: PG-13

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

Disclaimer: The story is mine. Not the SD characters. Of course, the OCs are mine.

A/N: Rukawa might be OOC. *sheepish smile* Gomen nasai! I was thinking to the lines of 'no more angst, a lot of mushiness'. No? *readers hurls spatulas and pans* Gomen!!! .

Chapter 5: Anxiety

Ryonan basketball court, early morning.

"Anzai-sensei," Haruko politely called their white-haired coach. "Hanamichi's not yet here," she said with obvious worry in her voice.

"I see. We'll play without him. Rukawa-kun," Anzai-sensei called the blue-eyed Shohoku forward, "You'll be the center. Sakuragi-kun can play later."

The Shohoku captain straightened his form, blue-kitsune eyes quickly scanned the courts. "He's not here."

+++

The game was over.

Shohoku lost to Ryonan, three points behind.

Missing that was Sakuragi, his rebounds were a great loss. It was bad enough during the first half, whereas Rukawa did most of the work, and got worse during the final half when Sendoh Akira, former Ace of Ryonan, dropped in and assisted in coaching their players.

It was hard for Haruko to think of better strategies for she was panicking the whole time and the Shohoku team had a really hard time of filling the gaps caused by Sakuragi's no-show.

Rukawa was so pissed off at the game that his three-point shot rebounded off the ring rather than sailing in the basket, that might have tied the score during the last few seconds. He was even pissed off when a certain spiky-haired smiley approached him and asked for the missing do'aho.

"I don't know!" the raven-haired kitsune scowled, irritation present in his voice.

Sendoh raised an eyebrow, seeing for the first time an emotion crossing the handsome features of the Ice Prince himself. Did I ask something wrong?

"Hey! Easy there, buddy. I was just asking for—"

"I know! And I said, I don't know!" Rukawa scowled again, grabbing his bag and walked out of the Ryonan gym leaving his teammates behind.

Sendoh was stunned. His mouth opened and closed like a goldfish, not believing what was happening. Was that really Rukawa? He turned to the Shohoku team to ask if he's dreaming. And judging from their expressions… he was not.

+++

Rukawa was angry.

For the very first time, he was angry but he didn't know why.

He was angry because they lost in their first match for the year.

He was angry because he was the captain and he let Ryonan got better of him.

He was angry because his vision of being the best was being shattered in front of him.

He was angry because the do'aho's rebounds were not present to save their game.

He was angry because the do'aho intentionally missed the game.

He was angry because the do'aho wasn't there when they lost.

He was angry because the do'aho wasn't there.

Rukawa pedaled hard as he trudged the familiar road to the do'aho's house. He knew where he lives and it wasn't just a consequence, for he once followed him when he wanted to give him a piece of his mind.

And he wanted just to do that right now.

He skidded to a halt, left his bike near the gates and went up to the doorsteps. He dropped his bag and knocked hard on the door. No one came but the door sailed open. Frowning, he pushed his way in and stepped inside. There, he caught a faint but frightening metallic scent.

Dried blood.

On the floor.

On the rails.

Up the stairs.

Hanamichi…

His heart pounded fast against his chest, dreading something bad had happened. The anger in his icy-blue eyes subsided and was replaced by worry, anxiety but most of all, fear.

His legs dragged him to one of the upper rooms. Hoping against hope that the redhead was there, breathing… alive. He almost wished he'd hear him laugh, scream, or even feel Sakuragi beating him just to make sure he's all right.

Gritting his teeth, he put his hand on the doorknob of the last room and twisted it to reveal the picture he might dread to see. There were not one but two occupants in the room. The first figure was bending over the other, with a towel in one hand caressing the other's face and arms that were full of bruises and cuts. The second one had vivid red hair and was lying on the bed, still as a photograph, letting the former clean him.

Rukawa let out a gasp.

The conscious one heard him and looked up. "Rukawa…"

"Mito-san?"

Mito Youhei carefully placed the towel in the basin next to the sleeping boy.

Silence enveloped them. Youhei pulled a chair for Rukawa next to Sakuragi's bed and he sat on the bed itself, as if trying to protect the redhead from the kitsune.

"Why are you here, Rukawa-san?"

Rukawa was caught unguarded by the question. Why is he here? He's here because he wanted to ask Hanamichi why he didn't attend the game. He's here because he wanted to tell him that they lost. He's here because he wanted to know why Hanamichi's lying in the bed, sleeping through the pain that might've been killing him from all those wounds he acquired from God-knows-where, why Hanamichi didn't even care to tell where he's been, why Hanamichi let him worry, why—

"Hanamichi…"

Youhei's eyes widened. Rukawa's calling his rival by his first name? He tried to shun the thought away and talked to the raven-haired boy now gazing at the redhead's distressed state.

"Are you pitying him, Rukawa-san?"

"Iie," he answered, his eyes not moving from the redhead. "What happened?"

"Some thugs beat him up. I was walking home from my job in the restaurant last night when I heard noises in an alley. I saw him fighting," Youhei adjusted the blanket that covers Sakuragi's body, "Who wouldn't? After all, his hair's always a giveaway."

"Do you know those people?" Rukawa asked.

"No. I suppose they're some stupid gang looking for kicks," Youhei said, his expression darkening, "But they went too far."

Rukawa looked at Youhei and noticed his quite bloody clothes and a hole in his shirt. "You're hurt."

The shorter boy smiled weakly. "They were aiming at Hanamichi. He's almost unconscious when I got there. And they got me."

Rukawa stood up and placed his hands under the sleeping redhead. Youhei was surprised and held to the raven-haired boy's arms. "What are you doing?"

"I'll bring you two to the hospital," his tone had a hint of worry.

"Iie. Hanamichi won't like that."

"Nani?! You're his best friend and you don't even care if he won't receive proper medical attention?" Rukawa hissed.

"Whoa! Rukawa-san! Don't be surprised if Hanamichi wakes up to your voice," Youhei commented, his eyes unbelievingly wide at a different Rukawa he's seeing. "You're quite loud for the reputation you're living."

Rukawa surprised at himself, sat again and focused on the redhead. "I don't see how you care about him."

"And you do?"

Me?

Rukawa's blue-eyes widened. Me? I actually… care… for… Hana—

Youhei smiled. "Yeah… you do…" he stood up and took the basin beside Sakuragi. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. I'll just call a doctor if that'll ease you." Then he added, "You can call me Youhei." He went out of the room and closed the door.

Rukawa was speechless. Too bad he always is, but the point is somebody else just noticed his change of feelings towards the redhead that he's been trying to ignore for quite long time.

The kitsune looked at the sleeping do'aho devoid of all pretensions and apprehensions. It was a bit surprising that he didn't even flinch or squirm realizing that those unfamiliar feelings that has been bugging him were not at all unnerving. In fact, it was quite pleasant.

A pale hand touched the red silky strands of hair, moving them to one side so he could set eyes on the angelic face of the redhead. Long fingers moved from the forehead and lightly traced the straight nose, the high cheekbones, and the outline of the full red lips.

Rukawa cringed at the sight of the bruise at the corner of the mouth, touching it lightly then looked for other bruises on his arms and shoulders.

Who did this to you? If I ever found out I'll—!

He gritted his teeth, angered by the feeling of helplessness, both by him and Hanamichi. He almost saw how Youhei nursed Hanamichi. Gone were the bloody clothes and was replaced by light blue pajamas. The bedcovers smelled fresh and the dirty laundry was out of the room. Youhei must have stayed up all night to clean him disregarding of his own pain because the redhead needed it more. Then he remembered the blood on the floor downstairs and on the steps, Hanamichi might be unconscious and Youhei must have dragged him to the room. Rukawa bit his lip.

He must have cared for you so much.

Rukawa sighed. He adjusted the blanket and placed Sakuragi's arms out of it. He noticed a deep gash on the redhead's left palm; a sharp object might have cut him as he fought.

Placing his own hand over the Hanamichi's palm, he gently entwined his fingers with the redhead's, praying to all the gods that Hanamichi will be okay. The redhead's hand felt cold and Rukawa placed another hand as he leaned forward to place a chaste but lingering kiss on Hanamichi's forehead.

"Be well…"

"Youhei…?" He heard Hanamichi's soft voice.

"Do'aho…" Rukawa whispered. I'm not Youhei…

"Kitsune…" Why are you here?

"Go to sleep, do'aho…" My do'aho…

"Arigatou, kitsune…" So warm… the kitsune…

"Do'aho…" I care for you…

+++

The telephone rang.

Rukawa woke with a start and glared automatically at the ringing telephone. Slowly he lifted himself from the chair then glanced at the sleeping redhead.

"Matte, Hana-kun," he whispered, then gently removed his hand from Sakuragi's. He strode towards the phone, still glaring at it, pissed off for waking him up and leaving his do'aho's side.

The telephone stopped ringing and the answering machine switched on.

*click* [Sakuragi's voice] "This is the Tensai's residence…"

Rukawa smirked at this. Tensai do'aho, he thought lovingly.

"… I'm not here right now so kindly leave your message after the beep."

*beep*

*click* [caller] "Hn! Tensai my ass, Sakuragi! I see you're still out cold, na? *snicker* You're being stupid for not showing up on the job last night. Serves you right, baka!" *maniacal snicker*

Rukawa's hands clenched into fists, nails digging inside his palms. Bastards!

[caller] "… so you'd better come on Sunday night 7pm. It's on an underground rave in one of the mall's basement. *snort* Better be there." *beep*

Rukawa jabbed the machine off angrily. He took the tape out and flung it out the room's window.

Bastards!!! Were they the ones who did this to you?! Hurt you?!

He went back to Sakuragi, kneeled beside the bed and took his hands in his own.

"I'll protect you, Hana… I won't let them hurt you…" he whispered, fear and anger present in his voice, "I'll protect you… I care for you…"

He gingerly pressed his forehead to him; he hesitated but assured he's doing what he felt was right. Slowly, the blue-eyed boy leaned and let his lips touched Hanamichi's, having the first taste of the red full lips' sweetness. It was chaste and quick but the kitsune could not help but blush.

Aishiteru… Hana… Aishiteru…

Then he stood up and went out to find Youhei.

-tsuzuku-

Crescent speaks:

I know, I know. It's long! Eight pages really, eight! *grins* I hope it's not a bit sappy… I wanted Rukawa to realize what was happening around him, especially to him. And I put Youhei in! Yay!!!

Really hope you'll like it! I'm going away for the weekend and I was feeling kinna guilty leaving the 4th chap like that. Thanks! Oh, gomen too for any grammatical and spelling errors that I might have overlooked.

Read and Review onegai!!!

Thank you, minna!!!

m.s. renae – babies? Ehehe! Quite impossible, but they can adopt one! *scratches head* okay, bad joke… you like RuHana, me too! They're my favorite pair! Thanks!

Nakkie – thank you for reviewing *sheepish smile* is my fic slow? Gomen ne, I was trying to give justice to what might have happened to Hana… I'll try to speed it up. But as always thanks for reading and you liked it! *grins* I really couldn't write good humor so I'll stick to this genre… for now…

akane – O_o err… I'm not sure but I hope u'll not get angry with this chap… gomen for hurting Hana again… . don't worry, he'll not suffer anymore… I hope… . Rukawa and Youhei will save him! Err… I gave out my plan…

sLL – ehehe… no, Hana don't like it… Oh yeah, Youhei's going to help! I think (um… I'm still thinking) Haruko was like that because she wants Hana and Ru both for herself! *scratches head* okee… wrong answer… um… I'm not sure but she's intent on having Hana's attention to her, that I can tell… Thank you for reviewing!!!

kristel – okee… deep breath… don't strangle Haruko yet I still need her in my fic *grins* okee I'm bad… Rukawa's finally done it ne? Haruko mustn't interfere with my plans! *hunts Haruko* thank you!!!

Tina Caps – wow! I never thought I'd see the day u'd give out short review… ehehehe… okay… gomen nasai… I should thank you u reviewed… *bows low* Arigatou gozaimasu! Err… this chap… angst-y again? *shakes head* gomen…

Hikaru Itsuko – aweee!!! Kawaii? *sheepish smile* thank you! Here's more of Rukawa's pov… I hope I did justice… Don't worry about Haruko… err… once I got my hands on her again, I'll lock her up in a closet! Muahaha!!! (gomen for Haruko-fans out there, reading this)

sol-chan – aweee!!! You like it!!! *glomps sol-chan* *sol-chan pries crescent off* gomen!!! You liked it! *blush blush* unbelievable! Okay, okay… hope u like this one, more of Ru's pov… o dava my kiss pa? And don't you speak of lemons! I don't know how to write that! *blush blush* kaw na lang kaya? *wink wink* I don't know if they'll allow lemon in a PG-13 okay? So don't push it… Ah, wag ka mag-alala kay Haruko… ako bahala dyan… Review! Thanks!!!