Disclaimer: The SD people are not mine. It belongs to the genius Takehiko Inoue.
Whipped Cream
By
Crescent Quetzalcoatl
Chapter 2: Walk Me Home
Rukawa Kaede took a deep breath at the end of his report, subtle yet relieving. And also quite amusing that the final bell rang at the precise time of his sigh, relieving his classmates off his spell and get them back to normal.
With a decision to sweep a final glance at the odd-smiling redhead, Rukawa cajoled himself that it was mere curiosity that the good-natured smile of the do'aho was kept in his head.
It was as if the raven-haired boy almost expected a familiar cry of war coming from the do'aho, shouting colorful words about a baka kitsune staring at him like a perverted predator over a helpless redhead rival and then lunging from his seat and reaching out to encircle his long-fingered hands around the pale neck.
Of course it never happened but that doesn't made him feel better of what he was about to see. Or make that rather, what he was seeing on this very moment.
Hanamichi's head was a bit tilted in a rather thinking position (though Rukawa really doesn't know what he's thinking about now or maybe if the do'aho was capable of thinking); both arms crossed over his chest, his left leg draped casually over the other like he always used to. But he was sitting comfortably on his seat rather than the agitated pose you'll see when the redhead was benched; his whole profile was relaxed, reclining and quite sexy.
Rukawa's eye twitched. Where the heck did that came from?
Oh, and Hanamichi's still smiling too! Full pink lips with their corners turned upwards, as if some secret waiting to be spilled out.
So maybe he was sexy. So what? So what?! C'mon, damn kitsune! The do'aho was still smiling. He's not moving from his chair a bit and you're standing there like a statue waiting to be carried out the room by a brawny pair of arms and hauled to the nearest…
"Sakuragi-kun!!!"
And the moment just had to get ruined by the small piercing voice of Akagi Haruko.
===
Everything must fall into place, Hanamichi thought. His mind was occupied with the simple idea of making his day with Haruko perfect. Yes. A perfect date for the perfect girl.
He felt elated, so warm with excitement that he simply smiled through all of this, not permitting himself to feel nervous. After all, the girl had been almost an angel to him. Almost.
The euphoric feeling that consumed Hanamichi failed to announce the end of classes. He was still sitting at the far end of the room, his favorite place by the window. Outside, the sky was clear of dark clouds and lush green trees swayed to the breeze. Even the weather was perfect, he thought.
He smiled. Heaven must've like him now, still thinking about Haruko as the redhead gazes into a pair of deep blue eyes that resembles the ocean: calm, clear and collected. He stares deeply into them, entranced by the dark, thick lashes and perfect brows.
Beautiful…
"Sakuragi-kun!"
Somehow, that voice that was so familiar seemed too distant to him. He can hear it, so sweet that it must be Haruko-san. But his mind was only conscious of those deep-blue eyes that widened at the sound, almost alarmed.
His vision blurred like a dream and as the liquid image of the girl he adores disappeared before his eyes, the picture was replaced by another pair of deep-blue eyes. Blue eyes that were but haunting like the sea unlike before that portrays serenity, as if secrets so dark were concealed beneath them.
His breath hitched as the image had formed a face. Skin so pale against long dark lashes and perfect nose with the air of arrogance. Beneath were pale red lips, slightly parted as if silent prayer yet it was almost a sin even by just looking at them.
"Sakuragi-kun!!!"
He tore his gaze away before the image was completed and forced his head to turn to the voice that was calling him before. He had felt it was like eons ago but does it really matter?
"Hai?"
He was right. Akagi Haruko was standing before him and her pretty face was smiling.
"Are you dreaming of something?' she asked. She was teasing him and he liked it. "You know, we must hurry. The museum closes at five-thirty and it's already—" she swiftly glanced at her wristwatch. "—quarter past three!"
"Hai, hai… Ne, Haruko-san, we are taking the train. No need to rush," Hanamichi protested lightly.
"Maybe. But it's a long way from Shohoku and I want to see all of whatever it is in the museum! C'mon, let's get moving shall we?" Haruko said.
The redhead nodded at the girl, seeing her bubbly attitude towards their little adventure. She stepped aside so that he can stand from the chair and get his bag but he froze when he saw the dream he had a while ago had materialized into…
"Rukawa-kun!"
Hanamichi snapped his head back to the girl beside him when he heard the name she was calling out. Then he looked again, thinking he was mistaken but sadly he was not.
===
Rukawa thought he'll never be able to breathe again.
Charmed that it was, the moment their gazes locked in each other was far from relieving; the tension surrounding him was so thick that a knife can slice through it.
What spell those passionate brown eyes had over him that he could hardly move form his place, from the platform in the room? What else is there that the redhead do'aho was hiding, that there's always something he doesn't know of, something he hasn't figure out?
Hanamichi was like an enigma, his every move he can't decipher yet there are times when he was so predictable that you can close your eyes and just feel everything fall into place like animation, that was as precise as the ticking of the clock.
Rukawa thought it was one of those moments he wanted to read him out through those eyes, sensing the burning feeling it held to him. But like any other mystery, there was always this cliffhanger, something annoying but nonetheless irrelevant.
Especially to him.
The raven-haired boy watched as the redhead slowly drew his head away, away from his own possessive gaze. He watched as he gave the brown-haired girl a smile and heaven knows why she got here in the first place. It wasn't even her class, he thought dully. He watched the conversation between them, how the redhead looked so thoughtful, so gentle. He watched until the girl stood aside as Hanamichi bowed to retrieve his bag. He watched as the redhead froze in his place the moment their eyes met each other again at the same time heard the girl call his name, Hanamichi unbelievingly looked at both of them.
===
"Thanks for coming with us, Rukawa-kun. I know you're not much of a sociable person but the more the merrier, you know," Haruko skipped slightly between the two tall gents as she tried to match their long strides as they walk her home.
It was after five o'clock and they had finished visiting the museum they were assigned to. The girl was so happy about the place that they were almost locked inside, forgetting the museum's closing time. And Haruko was happier that the great Shohoku Ace obliged into coming with them. Of course, with the usual protests and tantrums of her redhead friend.
Rukawa merely nodded at the statement she made. It was tactless yes, rubbing his lack of sociable skills in. No need to comment, really especially when the ever-protective redhead around. It's good enough that her infatuation has waned through their first year, much to Hanamichi's delight too. But it didn't stop her from being friendly towards the ace especially that her goal now was to make Hanamichi and Rukawa good friends. "A feat near impossible but never say die!" as she always told her Ayako-sempai.
No one's complaining though, Rukawa was quite aware of it. The plan will only be questioned when the redhead comes in. The blue-eyed kitsune stole a glance at the do'aho again and saw him frowning. Yep, it'll be trouble for Haruko's little project.
"Sakuragi-kun, this is my house now," she tugged him arm to get his attention.
"Oh—ah—hai—hai!" Hanamichi scratched his neck as embarrassment for not paying attention kicked in. "Oh, I hope you enjoyed my company, Haruko-san."
The girl smiled. "I sure did. Thank you." Then turning to the raven-head, "Domo arigato, Rukawa-kun."
He just nodded again. Hanamichi wanted to retort about the stupid kitsune being rude to Haruko-san but he realized the fox hasn't threw an insult at him for the last hours they've been together. The redhead thought better of it and waved to Haruko until she had got in the house. Then he started walking away and noticed that Rukawa wasn't beside him.
"Oi, Kitsune!" he called. "What are you waiting for? I'm not going to walk you home, you know."
Rukawa, who was standing by the gates, turned his head towards Hanamichi but didn't meet his eye. "Then why do you wait for me if you're not walking me home?" he said, almost in a whisper.
Hanamichi frowned even more. What, is the kitsune trying to make me feel guilty? And why does he sound so sorry? Confused as the other, the redhead approached the pale fox and said, "Fine then. I'm walking you home."
"You don't have to if you really—"
"—Oh, stop arguing, Rukawa! I'm walking you home and that's final!"
The redhead took his pale hand into his and pulled the dumbfounded kitsune out of the Akagi vicinity.
-tsuzuku-
Crescent speaks:
Hi, guys!
I've finished this chap tonight and I'm quite sleepy. Please pardon my errors. Few more chaps and this will all be over. Maybe two more. I promised my friend that it will not be too dragging.
To everyone who reviewed, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Arisfilan – hei, Sol-chan! Hindi ako sanay sa penname mo. Anyways, I'm really happy that you liked it. as I've said before, few chaps lang 'to. Besides I still have 'Penny…' to finish. Whipped Cream yung title kasi they'll be buttering each other up with that. JOKE! The story's really simple, I'm making them feel comfortable with each other as possible then saka un romance. Nice no? Happy birthday!!!
Tensai 2003-3003/hanako – hi! thanks for reviewing! You know, I've been e-mailing so often but it keeps bouncing back to me. Why is that? Now I don't know how to keep in touch with you. Sorry if you thought I forgot u already but I haven't. all the same, thank you for remembering me. *huggles*
Chris – hmmm… no hentai thoughts okay? *wink* hehehe… the whipped cream will come out soon, this fic is really short. Hope you're enjoying!