I'm back! I'm sorry for the long wait! School just started and you know the rest. Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers. Please let the reviews pour in! Cheers to everyone! Happy New Year!

Words in Italic Bold: What the silly characters are thinking. If you're confused bout the whole thing, just note that each paragraph focuses on a certain person's point of view.

Words in " ": The character's speech

Words in Bold: * Taken from Shape of My Heart By the Backstreet Boys

** Taken from This I Promise You by N Sync

Only Love Sets You Free

Chapter Seven: SLAM DUNK!?

"You broke up with him?" Shioko asked, completely surprised.

"Yeah." Ria mumbled, kicking a pebble into the pond.

"Why?" Shioko asked, thinking Man! It must have been something bad. But Toru is a nice guy!

"Gomen ne. But right now I just want to be alone. I'm sorry for disturbing your training." Ria looked away, trying to hide the tears that had welled up in her eyes.

"Oh, alright. If you need me, I'll be in the gym." Shioko turned and hurried back to school.

Ria got up, and vented her anger on a tree by kicking it. I can't believe this. I just can't believe I broke up with Toru. Shoot. I miss him already. Damn. Forget bout him! You need to concentrate on your studies. Ok! I'll ask To-... Shit....That stupid Ruriko! How did she get Toru's wristband? And why did he lie to me about where he was going to? I hate To- No. I hate her.

Shioko let out a huge sigh as she stared at Rukawa who was doing a dunk. He looked so cool, his hair flaring up, and she could feel an aura of a domineering power that a dunk gave to the people. Then her thoughts shifted suddenly to Ria. Poor Ria.... But Toru... He's a good guy. I don't believe he'd break up with her. It must have been Ria who wanted to break.... I'll make sure she gets him back or he gets her back! He dunked again.. He looks kinda cool and maybe a little cute when he dunks......... I want to dunk. DUNK! But I don't want to have my funeral tomorrow. Ask the expert when in doubt!

"Ne Kaede...." Shioko called from her bench, too lazy to get up.

Rukawa turned in surprise. She... called... me... Kaede. What... does ... she ...want..... He went over to her, a question mark printed on his face.

Shioko patted the empty space beside her impatiently. Rukawa stared at her for a while and sat.

Why is she the first person who can order me around... Hmf... Ahou Kaede.. Ahou... Rukawa thought to himself, wondering why she could summon him without any of his wisecracks coming out of his mouth.

"I want to dunk." Shioko stated in a matter of fact way.

"Why Kaed- Dunk..." Rukawa paused and peered at her closely.

"Dunk... Like the ones you do." She repeated slowly, including the dunking actions.

"Ahou I know. Just dunk. Like that." Rukawa grabbed the ball from the floor and did another successful dunk, then he went back to the bench.

"Bravado! But I'm not doing that. I might die. Heh. What if my ball hits the rim and I fall!" Shioko laughed nervously, staring at the hoop as if that was the most interesting thing in the world.

"Do ahou. If you fall... I'll catch you." Rukawa said, throwing her the ball.

"Sure? Pinky swear.." She held her pinky out, and a chibi Rukawa hooked it.

"If you don't catch me... I'll break my whole body. And I'll be gone..." Shioko said dramatically.

Do ahou. I won't let you fall... I'm not that dumb.. But if you fall... you won't... Rukawa stared at Shioko, and she returned the look

She started to bounce the ball, and ran with it, but as she neared the hoop, she paused, turned to face Rukawa, and shook her head, scared.

I can't! No way! I'm going to crash into the board and die! Shioko thought, frightened.

He stopped and tapped his foot. "If you want to you can do it." He said out loud.

I can? Ok, you're not going to die Shioko. Who ever has heard of anyone dying from doing a dunk? HAHHAHHAHAHA! Shioko started to laugh, her whole body shaking.

Rukawa stared at her, and muttered something about girls.

When she finally stopped laughing, he nodded his head. "Just do it.." He said impatiently.

Ok.. you're gonna do this. Ok.. here goes.... Shioko took a deep breath, and started to run, her right hand bouncing the ball in rhythm. Jump! Now! The ball! slam it in! Oops... I'm.gonna.fall.

The ball hit the rim, and bounced off ,and she fell. Straight into his arms.

Her heart beat was racing like crazy, and he could hear it. She got up, and jumped off from his arms.

"Arigatou ne... "

Rukawa shook his head, and his hand, instinctively reached out to brush aside a bunch of her hair that was covering her right eye. Chi... What am I doing... I think I'm getting weird...

She didn't seem to notice his action. "I jumped too early? Didn't I?"

Rukawa nodded, and glanced at the clock. "Tomorrow. Its seven thirty already."

"SEVEN THIRTY? OH SHIT! Otto san is coming home at eight! Bye Kaede!" Shioko yelled, grabbing her bag and sprinting out of the gym.

Rukawa took the ball, and started training again.

As she neared the house, she prayed fervently that her father wouldn't be home. She hurried to unlock the door, but the door unlocked itself. A fat face with eyes of slit stared back at her, threatening to beat her up again.

Shioko did the unnerving. She smiled at her dad. Her dad's eyes nearly popped out when he saw her smiling. "You're trying to be funny again? I'm sick of you and your nonsense!"

"Wait.. Tell me the truth.. Why do you always beat me? 'Cause I'm fun to bully?" Shioko asked, averting her eyes away from her father's cold glare.

"YOU GAVE ME BAD LUCK YOU FOOL! YOU WERE BORN ON THE THIRTEENTH. THEN YOU CAME AND THIRTEENED MY EXPENSES! AND BECAUSE OF THE I HAD TO GO TO JAIL! I BET YOU NEVER KNEW THAT DID YOU! YOU BROUGHT GREAT SHAME TO ME. AND WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, YOU WERE SO NAUGHTY, ALWAYS MAKING YOUR MOTHER SICK! YOU ARE A BURDEN TO ME! I DON'T WONDER YOUR MOTHER DIED BECAUSE OF YOU!" Her dad yelled, his whole face tomato red.

Jail? Me? It's your fault you had sex! Burden... You could have dumped me at birth! Mum died of too much you! Shioko thought, completely furious at her father. She ran upstairs, despite her father's warning of escaping.

She slammed the door shut, and locked it. She could hear her father panting and ranting away, as he climbed up the stairs. Shit... shit! Is he going to kill me?

"OPEN THE DAMN DOOR I TELL YOU!" Her father banged on her bedroom door, causing her whole room to vibrate.

"No." Shioko said, obstinately. "I'll not open this thing."

"Open it. Or I'll...." Her father's voice came, dangerously low.

"No. If you're going to beat me again, I swear I'll tell anyone. I'll tell everyone." She got up from her bed, and went to the window. She drew her curtains back, and looked down. It was only two stories high, but the road certainly wouldn't cushion her fall. But even if she ran away, how was she going to survive.

Her father kicked the door, and click. Her father had unlocked the door with the keys. A replica of the angriest Chicago bull charged in grabbed her by her hair, and gave her the worst trashing ever.

He stalked out of the room, and thundered down the stairs. Shioko heard the front door slam shut, and her father's car engine roaring to life.

She sat on her bed, inspecting her wounds for the millionth time. Shit... you freak.. what did I do? I know you detest me.. but just leave me alone... I hate you too.... And she cried for the first time in five years.

Shioko went out of her room, and went to her brother's room. She opened the door, and her brother was typing furiously away at the computer, his rock music blasting loudly over the speakers.

She walked over to him and tapped him on his shoulder. "Oi.." "What.." Her brother replied, never taking his eyes off the computer.

"I need the first aid kit. Where is it?" Shioko said impatiently. "He's been beating you again?" Her brother asked, his eyes still stuck to the computer.

"Duh... YOU KNOW WHAT? WILL YOU STOP TALKING TO THIS PRETTY BABE OR WHATEVER HER NICK IS? ITS NOT FAIR! HE'S ALWAYS TRASHING ME UP AND NO ONE CARES.... AND HE LEAVES YOU ALONE, GIVES YOU EVERYTHING YOU WANT....I THINK IF I DIE TOMORROW YOU'D BE HAPPIER RIGHT? AND ITS...its j-just not f-fair....." She trailed off, shocked at her sudden outburst.

Her brother turned to look at her, and sighed. "What can I do? That's otto san... " Her brother turned back to the computer and started typing again. She swiped at her tears, irritated. "J-just forget i-it. Give m-me the f-first a-aid kit..." Shioko snapped at her brother. He rummaged around for the first aid kit. "Here..."

She snatched it, muttered a thanks and went out of his room, slamming his door. Her brother continued chatting with the pReTtY bAb3, oblivious to his sister's crying.

Stupid. Stupid. I can't tell Ria. She's already so troubled.... Poor Toru.... He must be really unhappy.. I hate otto san... I hate guys... especially the devil and onee chan.... Shioko thought, as the water ran down her scarred body. The open wounds hurt, but she was so used to the pain, and she ignored them.

Rukawa kicked his television. It was spoilt, and he couldn't play with the PS. "Ahou.." He decided to sleep, but his thoughts shifted to school. He was exceptionally worried about his school work. He was a slacker, and he barely managed to scrape through the monthly test. Usually, some girls would pass him a piece of paper containing the answers. However, he was smart enough to copy only some of the answers, in case the teacher suspected he cheated. Do ahou.... If I don't pass more than five subjects I'll be out of basketball... Kusou.. This is so unfair.... Baka...

He finally got the television started, and the first words he heard was

'*Loneliness is tragical...' (taken from BSB'S first single of Black and Blue, Shape Of My Heart) Loneliness is tragical? Teme... Tragical... Lonely.. Me... Baka.. Do... ahou.. Not.. But in the deep down in his heart, he knew that tragical and lonely were in his vocabulary.

"Class? Can you tell me what is the answer to question 1a? " Their pretty sensei chirped, smiling at the class.

1a) (4x-8)(4x+8)

1b) (15x-6)(5x-88)

1c) (3y-4x)(7-8y)

"How about you Shioko?" The teacher smiled at Shioko who stared blankly at her. "Huh? Er.. Will you please repeat yourself?" Shioko looked up at her sensei, and at the blackboard.

Her sensei shook her head. "You should know this! I want you to stay behind in school after this. You should be ashamed of yourself. This is an easy question!" Every pair of eyes turned to look at her.

"So? I asked you to repeat yourself. I never said I did not know how to do the sum. And I am not ashamed of myself. If its so easy why bother teaching us? Are you implying I'm stupid?" Shioko stood up, and challenged her sensei.

Shioko's sensei looked at her, her lips quivering. "You better not be so cheeky .. Sit down before I get the principal."

Their whole class erupted into cheers. "Yeah! She isn't stupid! And we're not too!" "Go tell the principal! We're his favorite class!" Their sensei burst into tears and ran out of the room, and to the Principal's office.

Rukawa, however, was paying attention in his class, much to the surprise of that old man teacher who wears flip flops. The old man was really pleased with Rukawa, and gave him a sweet.

"Shioko! Your socks!" Ria handed Shioko her Adidas (All Day I Dream About Sports ) socks, which had fallen to the floor twice.

"Oh.. thanks. I heard you told Fishy off. She cried I heard?" Ria asked, grinning at her friend as she pulled her knee guard on. "Yeah. She was being ...I mean she totally pissed me off." Shioko replied, staring out of the window.

"Let's go.. Training's about to start." Naoko said, calling to them from the door. "Coming, coming..." came the two replies.

"Ok, today we shall concentrate more on your ball skills. We need to throw more accurate lobs. Ours usually get tapped by the defenders." Their sensei said, as her team listened to her. "We shall split into groups of four. I want two people to defend, and two to attack, and remember to switch partners."

"Yeah.. I tried to dunk.. But it hit the rim, and I fell. But he caught me.. yeah.." Shioko told Ria, as they sat down on the benches for their drink breaks. "He caught you? He asked you to dunk? I think he likes you.." Ria replied, thinking it was quite possible.

"He like me? Hahaha. Very funny. Just don't let anyone know... If his brigade hears about this...they already intend to kill me.." Shioko whispered, looking around to make sure no one heard.

"TOO LATE!" Yuri shouted, as she poked up from behind the bench. "I heard everything you said! Rukawa asked you to dunk and caught you when you fell!" Yuri sang out, and all the RKFC (Go figure!) members in the basketball team started to yelp, squeal and roar.

Shioko groaned, as a bunch of girls started to crowd around Ria and her. YURI!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll get my revenge!!!!!!!!!!!

Ria squeezed her way out of the crowd, trying to pull Shioko along with her, but some of the RKFC pulled her back, and wouldn't let her go. Ria sighed. She knew Rukawa liked her best friend. It was so obvious. But her thoughts always traveled back to Toru... She caught sight of the band on Ruriko's wrist. It was Toru's... She recognized it. Hers was in baby blue and dark green, while he's was pale green and white. However did she get Toru's wristband? Ria went closer, and saw it that it had Toru's initials on it.

Ria went over to Ruriko who was talking to Miaka. "Ruriko.. I like that wristband. Can I see it?" She said, trying to ignore the fact that Ruriko was talking to Miaka about a certain raven haired, tall Shoyo basketballer . Ruriko ignored her, and continued her interesting conversation with her silly friend. "Actually, I think it looks like Toru's... He gave you his huh? I guess he must really like you a lot."

"He does. He gave me this if you want to know. He's so sweet. I'm in love with him." Ruriko giggled, and noticed Ria's expression. Good.. she thinks she has no chance now. After all... who can stand a chance against the prettiest girl in the whole of Shohoku?

W-what? He gave it to her? Maybe I should really give up... I mean.. Ru is a bitch, but she knows how to act in front of guys... but I thought she had a boyfriend already? If Toru doesn't like me.. I guess I should move on.. I can't keep missing him forever... Ria looked down at her wrist, and fiddled with the wristband.

t0rU's and rU's conversation on MSN Messenger.

t0rU: er.. ru? when can i get my band back?

rU: oh.. the lady says she'll take a week to complete the exact same pattern..

t0rU: ok.. please send it back to me asap k..

rU: yeah sure! i just had to have it.. actually you walked past me.. that's y i saw the band..

t0ru: i see.. ok... i g2g bye

rU: bye!!!! gd night sweet dreams and take care! love ya..

Hanagata sighed, and took out his algebra homework.

"Orewa tensai!" Sakuragi sang, after he dunked. "Sugoi!" Haruko clapped, and Sakuragi blushed. "Ahou..." Rukawa said, loud enough for Sakuragi to hear. "NANI! TEME KITSUNE!" Then he did a fade away shot. The cheers that were given to him were a trillion time louder that Sakuragi's. He paused, and wiped his sweat onto his wristband. Even Haruko's eyes had turned heart shape...

Double dodge, bounce, shoot! Shioko shot the ball, and it went in with a whoosh. Tired and completely exhausted, she went to take a break. She took a swig out of her water bottle. "Oi..." Rukawa said, who had forgotten to bring his water bottle pointed to her bottle. "Say please... say thank you.." Shioko said, as she capped her water bottle, and stuffed it into her bag.

"Please.. thank you.." Rukawa mumbled, feeling like a dumb little kid.

"That's a good boy." Shioko took her water bottle out of her bag , got up, went over to him and patted his head. He shook his head, irritated, and she laughed. He looks like a little puppy... So cute.. Now I know why he has fan clubs ...

"Now I know why you have fan clubs.."

"Ahou... why.."

"Cause you're so cute.."

"Do ahou.. cute.."

"I think you're cute..."

"Ahou Shioko.."

"Wh-hat.... you called me by my name.."

"Mitsui thinks you're cute...ahou.. he likes you.."

"Stop ahou-ing... Cute and me.. what a contrary.."

"Do Ah- you're alright.. not like those ah- girls who come everyday and yell.."

"Chi.. How come you are always so quiet?"

"........"

"Come on.. tell me..."

"Ah...ou.........."

"Just tell me..."

"On one condition.."

"Ok...what?"

"Just say yes..."

"Ok...ok.."

"Ah- .... People betray each other.. who can I trust.."

"I see.."

Rukawa took her hand, and pointed to a bruise, and another and another.

Shioko shrugged, and mumbled something about falling into a dustbin. He knows.... How?!?

"No.. Tell me the truth.. or you're one of them.."

One of them? Of course I'm not... I can be trusted... Shioko thought, looking at Rukawa's face. She sighed. "My father beats me okay? The belt.. chairs, clocks.. anything.. He hates me. The other day I asked him why he hated me so much, and he said it was because of me that he went to jail, and that I'm a burden to him. And no one cares if I die.. it's not fair.. My mum died a few years back... And... my stupid brother doesn't even give a damn about me..."

**I've loved you forever in lifetimes before

Little Kaede cheered when he saw the fairy granting the little girl a wish. He wanted to be Cinderella's friend...

And I promise you never will you hurt anymore

He wanted to be the Prince that cheered her up...

I give you my word I give you my heart

And so he told Cinderella in his heart that he would cheer her up, and make her happy..

This is a battle we've won

And he thought, if he could protect her from her evil step mother and sisters, he would win her heart...

And with this vow, forever has now begun

Indeed, for little Rukawa Kaede, forever had just begun, and he would wait forever to find his Cinderella...

Ahou.. why beat her up... I care if you die... I don't like people to die... Maybe those girls... Rukawa wiped his face with his towel and dug into his bag for his first aid kit, and took an ointment out. "Wait.." He said, as he uncapped the ointment. He placed the cap on the bench, and applied some onto the back of her neck.

Oh.. no wonder it hurts so much.. She took off her rubber band and retied her hair. It stuck out like a sore thumb.

"I don't want you to die ahou... Where am I going to get my water from..."

"There.. water cooler.."

"Who's going to take my balls?"

"The fan club girls.. Just ask them.."

"Just don't die ahou.."

"....."

"Oi... take care... here.. keep this... Don't let him beat you up..." Rukawa pressed the small tin of ointment into her hand. Shioko nodded, and said "I won't.. don't tell anyone about what I told you." Rukawa nodded, and walked on, but he couldn't help but turn and take a glimpse at her house.

"HE WALKED HER HOME LAST NIGHT!" Yuri burst into the fan club's official room. The ladies on the first floor. "WHAT??????????????????? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" "BOO HOO HOO!" "I HATE HER!" "YOU'RE KIDDING! LET'S ATTACK HER!!"

Shioko grabbed Ria's hand and ran. "Hurry! They're still behind us!" Shioko yelled, as she ran down the stairs. "Let's go to my class! Rukawa will make them er... less violent." Ria whispered, as the mob followed them around. "I haven't eaten.." Shioko complained, as her stomach growled loudly. "Shush.." Ria said, running even faster.

Rukawa was struggling to do his homework. They hurried in, and the mob crowded outside, swooning and fainting as they saw Rukawa. Rukawa looked up as he saw Shioko and her good friend. Shioko went over to him, and Ria went to her seat. "They were chasing me.." Shioko pointed to the girls outside the door.

"Hn... I'm doing my work.." Rukawa said. "Doing your work? HAHHAHHAHAHA!" Shioko started to laugh and choke at the same time. Then she stopped. "Need help?" he nodded, and pointed to a question in his book. "Let's see... It's The teacher reprimanded the boys for being rude to her." "Hn.. Ah-..ou.."

"She's talking to him! I hate her!" "Yeah! But I want to be her!" "I'm so jealous!" "I think he likes her!" "Let's attack! I can't stand this!" "ONE, TWO, THREE! CHARGE!" Suddenly, the whole mob ran in, wanting to attack Shioko.

"Uh oh.." Shioko looked up at the girls who had surrounded her. Shioko grinned, and stood up, towering over them. "NOW WHO WANTS TO FIGHT ME?" She looked down at them, revealing her finely toned arms.

Ria turned to look at the commotion. She couldn't stand being near any basket ballers. It made her think of Toru. But its time to move on.. Just forget him... I can't... I miss his glasses.... Ria looked as Rukawa leaned over to flick a spider off her best friend's head. Shioko grinned at him, and Ria realized that Rukawa hadn't taken his eyes off Shioko ever since she came in. Rukawa's eyes met hers, and he turned away, and his cheeks turned slightly pink. Ria knew he liked her.. and she was going to do something about that.

"I'm sure he likes you. I bet you he does. But do you like him?"

"He doesn't! Who told you that?"

"I can figure out certain things. I'm not dumb."

"Do I like him? I like him.. He's cute and all.. but.."

"I know you do.. I can tell. Let me tell you how. You keep on looking at him. And you're always smiling when you're around him. And you speak to him in a softer voice. Like that... " Ria mimicked Shioko's voice.

"W-what!!!!!!"

"I know. That was how I found out I liked Toru. And Rukawa keeps looking at you. Trust me. But anyway, are you meeting us at the library today?"

"Yeah..."

"Ok. I'll see you at two outside the entrance."

"Ok, bye."

"Bye."

"Ok.. You get the guide books, I get the newspaper articles." Shioko said, looking down at the list. "Eh... Yukino.. will you get the encyclopedias? Yakima! Stop eating! Can you help us to book those computers?"

Ria took the book off the shelf, and read the summary at the back. She turned, and accidentally bumped into someone. She muttered an apology, and "Ria...". She looked up, and saw Toru in his uniform. Behind him was Ruriko.........

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