Author's note:

Yagh! At last our terror exams are finished! Well, off to our intramurals now (I prefer calling it Intrams...but...oh well...)!!!! I'll be playing one of our country's traditional (yet super fun) game, namely tiyakad (in English, slits). Oh!!!! I'm sooooo exited!!!! Minna, wish me luck! My other whicky whacky super duper tense tomodachi authors are taking part too (of course, it's our PE grade, everyone on the class MUST join). Just like Raei D@gger, whose game is basketball!!!! Go Raei!!! Be like Ryo-chin!!!! (hehehe, she's a point guard ^.^) And A. Pikachu's playing patintero, another traditional game of our beloved country (^.^). Go!!!!! Section six is the best! Ganbatte, minna!!!!

This chappy is for my beloved, member of my KKK + 69 crushes, R-U-K-A-W-A!!!! Since his birthday is near, I'd be really happy to dedicate my whole life and soul to this chappy!!! Oh, Rukawa-san! January one is very near!!! I'll light a million lusis, fountains, firecrackers, blow lots of horns and bake a dozen cakes for you!!!! I'll even present myself as a gift for you!!!! Rukawa-san!!! Rukawa-san!!! God, you look so cute, Rukawa-san! Or should it be Kaede since were already...you know....( Blushes and shakes her head)...Oh! How could I say this in public!!!!

Bag!

Minami: Stop daydreaming and get back to work, you baka neko postcard!!!

Hagaki: (sticks out her tongue) Hm! Don't boss me around!!! ( Then spots Rukawa passing by)

Both: RUKAWA-SAN!!!

 Note than this sign--- (*)= flashback starts/ends

Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is the property of Takehiko Inoue-sensei. We are just borrowing it.

Chapter 10: To him...

Blinding white dresses flooded around the burial of the National Team's beloved captain, Nobuhiro Oda. Fans, family, friends, teammates, and even the Prime minister came to this distressing event, all with sad, grieving eyes. With those same eyes, they stared at the peach white colored coffin, with streaks of gold at the sides, and a small sash on the top, showing his name. One by one, his last minute visitors placed their flowers on top of his coffin, whispering some things they should've told him before. After that, he was lowered 6 feet down on the ground and was covered with dirt and soil. There was a note beside his name, saying this:

This is our beloved team captain and friend

Who wanted as his last wish...

To see smiles...

The smiles of victory...

The smiles of Joy...

Which was not granted

Slowly and solemnly, people left the place, one after the other. Surely, no one would forget, Nobuhiro Oda.

Because of this, Akagi moved forward in being the captain, which was also under Nobuhiro's wish. ( If you remember him saying that Akagi would be the vice-captain).

" We've got this fill-up from to be able to register on the up-coming Busan games. I'll distribute this to each and every one of you. You need to pass this to me not later than twelve." Akagi said, showing the fill-up form he was holding. Ayako helped him distribute the forms.

" Oh yeah, where's Yohei? He's been missing for quite a while now." Takamiya told Sakuragi.

" Hm.. now that you've said that..." He said.

" I also notice Haruko-chan's been missing for some time too." Noma said.

" Could it be.." Ohkusu said.

" It couldn't be!" Sakuragi exclaimed.

" Before complaining, fill up your form first." Takamiya said. Grunting, Sakuragi grabbed a pen and started writing.

Rukawa looked at the form he was holding. He then answered it without saying a word. He then stopped after he wrote his age. He wrote 21. But he was already a year older...his birthday already passed, the same time when the firecrackers and other fireworks displayed beautifully in the sky...

Yes...a year older...

(*)

 Rukawa entered the gym in his usual mood, wearing normal jeans, shoes, shirt, and jacket while listening to the music being played in his walk man. It was December 27 that day. He then yawned as he went to the locker room and changed his dress. The moment he stepped out of the locker room, he spotted a happy Ayako, a grinning Akane, an interested Nobuhiro, a glad Ryota, a normal Akagi, a blushing Haruko, an irritated Sakuragi, the guntai (without any expressions at all), a bothered Kogure, and a smiling Mitsui.

Rukawa sighed. Maybe it's one of those surprise happy birthday parties. Well, it's not a surprise now. They were too obvious. He then decided that he'll peek at what they're doing, even though he was already 99.9% sure that it was a surprise party planning.

" What are you doing there?" He asked at a questioning tone, using his height to peek at the object of their attention.

He was then shocked at what he saw.

It wasn't a birthday party planning. What he saw was a baby picture album.

" Yo, Rukawa! Care to join us?" Ayako said.

" We're looking at some of the pictures of Ayako's nephew. Look, he's so kawaii!!" Akane said.

Rukawa just refused and brought a ball with him outside to practice. But how could that be? He was so sure about that.

After he had left, they all sighed.

" Good thing Ayako quickly took out her nephew's album or else..." Akane said.

" Good, cost is clear now." Ayako said as she flipped the pages of the album. She then stopped on the page where her notebook was placed. She then pulled out two pictures from the notebook.

" Haruko, good job on these." Ayako said with a wink.

" It was so hard getting those from his mom! I mean, it was hard thinking of the right words to say to his mom...." Haruko said, as she blushed more.

Sakuragi : (veins popping out) (with Kogure and Mitsui calming him down :)

" Anyway, Rukawa's really cute. But I didn't know that he was so cute when he was a child." Akane exclaimed, taking a picture from Ayako.

The picture was cute indeed. It showed Rukawa when he was around four or five. Behind him was the basketball court, and on his hands was the basketball. He was wearing basketball uniform (which drops on the sides because of his size) and his expression towards the camera is the same expression he shows currently, except for his rosy red cheeks.

The other picture was more UNlikely of Rukawa. He was riding a horse on the merry go round, with a striped blue and white shirt, and a pitch black shorts. Besides from him looking cute and all, he was smiling. His smile isn't just the normal, small smile. He smiled like a really happy boy who had his toy at last. His set of perfect white teeth displayed beautifully, like rare pearls in the depths of the ocean.

Everyone laughed.

" His attitude before is the opposite of his attitude now." Said Ryota.

" It sure is" Assured Mitsui.

" But don't you think that maybe he'll get mad?" Asked Kogure.

" Daijobu, daijobu." Ayako said as she placed the pictures back on her notebook. " Rukawa won't get mad."

" Hn! Why do I have to do his stupid thing for that cocky kitsune?!" Sakuragi shouted, waving his hands violently in the air.

" Everyone needs to take part! And this is just once, Sakuragi! PUHLEEESSEE?!!!!" Ayako pleaded.

" No! You lady-go-"

The guntai pulled Sakuragi back to prevent him from doing something to Ayako (and to prevent him losing his teeth like Mit-chan ^.^;)

" Ah...he said yes..." They tried to say.

" Yare yare." Akagi said.

" Saa... let's continue." Akane said.

The next day, December 28, Rukawa received his normal amount of practice as usual. But then, he noticed that everyone was soft on him these days. After practices, many would offer him a drink or lend him a towel, if not, when he enters the gym in the morning, warm smiles welcome him. But then, as usual, he didn't react much. He thought that this was the part of that surprise party again.

The next day... it was a chilly December 29. But this didn't succeed in stopping the very determined party planners (^.^ hehe...) on their plans (huh? 0.o)

 " Okay! Minna! Let's start our 'OPERATION: CATCH RUKAWA'S ATTENTION '!!!" Ayako said happily as she asked Ryota to put two cards in front of Rukawa's locker (which he happily did). After that, they started practicing again.

" Go! Hanamichi!!!" Shouted Ohkusu, Takamiya, and Noma in unison as Sakuragi succeeded in making a dunk shot despite the fact that Akagi was guarding him.

" Yoshi!" Sakuragi shouted. " Haruko-san! Did you -huh..?"  He then noticed that Haruko was AGAIN missing. The three shook their heads. " Even Yohei is missing." Takamiya said.

" But he was here a while ago." Ohkusu said.

" Maybe..." Noma said in a mischievous smile.

" NO! NO! NO!!!!! That's just a coincidence!!!" screamed Sakuragi, at the same time giving the poor blond a head butt on the head.

Late afternoon, everyone rushed in the locker room and quickly changed into their spare dresses. If Rukawa saw the two cards (invitation blah..blah) with his picture on top while they were there, the plan would be a mess.

When Rukawa entered the locker room, everyone panicked and moved quickly. Others just stuffed their things in the bag, others not locking their lockers. Rukawa then walked in while the others swiftly walked out.

" What's the matter?" He asked, trying to sound as innocent as possible.

" Ah...you know...my grandma invited me to her house to have an important talk. Bye!" Mitsui said rapidly as he left.

" And how about you?' He asked to Ryota. " Talk with grandma too?"

" A-actually no." He said, fixing his bag on his shoulder. " You know, a family reunion...ehehe...." He said as he quickly left.

After Ryota left, he then looked at the next man leaving, Sakuragi, with the AND-HOW-ABOUT-YOU-? look.

" Me? Well, the mother of my cousin which is the brother of my auntie and the bestfriend of my grandma which is the mother of my uncle which is the brother of her maid and the brother-in-law of my cousin which is the grandma of her grandpa of her brother of her sister of her servant of her uncle of her mother- in- law decided to have tea with me in their house near the swamp which is the base of the...."

" Urusai, do'aho. That's enough." The irritated Rukawa said. Sakuragi left, leaving the others with their own reasons of why they would be leaving early (with reasons that were TOO obvious) until they were all gone ( but they were hiding somewhere to see what happens...)

Rukawa sighed heavily as he walked to his locker. Obviously, this was part of that party AGAIN.

As he changed his dress, he noticed two cards with a familiar picture on top. recognizing that it was him when he was still a kid, he picked up the card.

" Look! He got it!" Kogure said in a whisper.

" Where?" Ayako asked out of nowhere.

" Ayako-san?" Sakuragi said.

" Ayako! This is the men's locker room! You're prohibited here!" Mitsui exclaimed in a whisper.

" What's wrong with that, sempai?" Ayako asked.

" You girls are prohibited!" Mitsui repeated.

" Mitsui..." Kogure said, tapping his shoulder.

" What?" he said, irritated.

He then pointed a very...very mad Ryota.

" Ah...you could stay...." He said, turning blue, remembering his false teeth...

Rukawa then looked at the card closely. After a few moments, he took the picture off from the card and left the card on the ground, not even bothering to look at the content of the card.

" What did he just do?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!! He spoiled our plan!!!" Ayako exclaimed, panicking.

" Daijobu, Aya-chan. We'll just talk about it tomorrow..." Ryota said.

The next day, December 30, Ayako rushed to the gym, panicking.

" Minna!!!!!" She shouted (Rukawa isn't there yet...).

" Ayako-san!!!"

" We were talking about the..." Kogure started.

" The notebook! The notebook with the plans!!! I lost it!!!!!!" She screamed.

" NANI?!"

" I'm sorry...I'm really sorry...I'm sorry..." She said, bowing several times.

" No, it's just okay. We'll make another." Akane said.

" But the time's running out." Akagi said.

" We'll just do things randomly, darn it!!! Whatever comes into your minds tomorrow!!!" Ayako said.

" But..."

They were then cut short by Rukawa, who just entered the gym, with his usual look, with his walkman, plain blue shirt and pants, rubber shoes, national team jacket, and his Just-awakened hair look.

December 31, time's really... really short. Rukawa noticed his teammates with big bags or plastics this day. He then sighed. This darn surprise party which was too obvious again...

Oh well...let them be.

As usual, practices again, teaching his old teammates basics (again), game with captain and the others, so on...

Later afternoon, he was forced by his teammates to go home early, even if he didn't want to.

" C'mon now. Go home now. Your parents are waiting for you." Ayako said.

" But..."

" No buts or excuses, go home now and sleep tight." Akane added.

Okay, okay. They were so stubborn that he just said okay as an answer.

This night, he said to himself, that party would happen. That surprise party that is not a surprise anymore.

" Yoshi, minna. Let's get started." Ayako said, as soon as Rukawa disappeared in sight.

Akagi and Sakuragi's height were used to hang the banner in hard to reach places. Kogure, Akane, and Ayako herself (with a bit help of Mitsui) prepared the food. The guntai arranged the fireworks.

Despite this, they all also had a secret plan hidden inside them.

" Kae-chan? Why are you so early today? Anything wrong, dear?" Rukawa's mom asked, rushing to the door, helping her son in his things.

" Nandemonai, 'kassan. (Nothing, mom)." He replied, hanging his jacket.

" Hmm..maybe they have a really good reason, Kaede. Go take a bath now. I've prepared the tub for you." She said.

" Yeah."

It was kinda fishy, though. His mother would usually prepare his bath later because he always goes home late.

Does his mother know something about the surprise party that is not a surprise anymore?

Anyway, whether she knows it or not...

It's not a bad thing at all.

" I almost forgot!!!! Who would fetch Rukawa if everyone is busy?!?!?!" Ayako shouted, panicking terribly. She then looked around and saw that everyone was too busy. She then sighed heavily. " WAAAH!!!"

Mitsui held the seat where Akagi stood, hanging the decors.

" Akagi! Don't ever fall over or I'll kill you!!!" Mitsui exclaimed, specs of blue covering his face.

" Really?" Akagi said mischievously. He hen leaned a bit that made Mitsui shut his eyes tight and whimper in fear.       " And how about that huh?" Akagi laughed.

" Darn you gorilla!!!" Mitsui said, turning red.

" Move,, move, move!!!" Sakuragi shouted, carrying lots of boxes with him. He ran past the annoying Akagi and the mad Mitsui, causing Akagi to fall on Mitsui's back. (Poor Mit-chin...)

" Ehehe, gomen!" Sakuragi exclaimed as he rushed towards the place where his guntai was waiting.

" Hanamichi! help us here, 'kay?! You're just fooling around!" Noma asked.

" Hai hai!!! Wakkatta teba, baka!" Sakuragi shouted, banging the boxes on the floor.
" Wait...is Yohei here...?"  he added.

" Umm...yeah. What's the matter, Hanamichi?" Yohei asked, facing Sakuragi while fixing a banner.

" Yohei, tell the truth. Why are you disappearing with Haruko-san these days?" He asked sternly,  eyeing Yohei madly.

" With Haruko-san? What're you talking about?" Yohei asked.

" Haruko isn't here, Hanamichi." Takamiya reported.

" Haruko is still in the house because our mother asked her to do something." Akagi said after recovering fully. (How about Mit-chin? ^.^)

" See? It's just a coincidence that we disappear together." Yohei said. Sakuragi let out a sigh as he continued fixing, leaving the others behind.

Yohei then looked at Akagi with a 'thank you' look in his eyes.

" Darn, darn, darn!!! Who the hell would ca-" Ayako then spotted Hagaki walking outside.


" Hehe...I know now." Ayako said.

Hagaki: Huh?

Later...

" I'll do it! I'll gladly do it!!!!" Hagaki exclaimed .

" Yoshi! Now go there and fetch Rukawa!!" Ayako said, patting Hagaki's back.

" We'll go." a group of girls said.

Hagaki turned blue as she saw who they were.

" Anatatachi!!!! (You guys!!!!)" She screamed.

It was her friends, A. Pikachu, Raei Dagger, Silent X,  Kanzeon, Koujyo, and even her sister, Minami.

" We'll go with her." Raei repeated.

" It's because we know that she'll do something..." A. Pikachu added.

" Really..." Silent X said.

" Really..." Kanzeon said.

" Really..." Koujyo said.

" STUPID!!!!" Minami exclimed.

Hagaki (chibi) cried.

" You ruined my plan..."

Rukawa, after taking a relaxing bath, dressed in his pajamas and seated in front of the TV, watching the " NBA Greatest Games". He was waiting for those to come in his house. He already knew the flow of their plan. It's just like studying an opponent's tactic. It was exactly quarter to twelve now.

DING DONG!!

There they are. He then turned the TV off and opened the door.

" Konbanwa, Rukawa-kun." Greeted Hagaki and  the others.

" Ano..." Hagaki stammered, turning beet red.

" She wants you to go with her." Raei said.

" Raei!" Hagaki exclaimed.

" Okay." Rukawa answered.

" Okay...what the-" Hagaki and the others exclaimed.

" Kaede? Who's that? The mail-oh! Please come in!" Rukawa's mom said.

After changing, Rukawa went with them without any complaints.

When they reached the gym, it was dark.  You could hardly see anything. It was only five seconds before twelve. And then...

" Happy...!"

" Birthday!"

" New year!"

" Hey that should be birthday first before new year!!!"

" No!!! New year before birthday!!!"

It was a mess. Since the plan was crammed, it wasn't performed in order. The others had a plan on their own. Later, what they were saying were things like "HAPPY RUKAWA" or " BIRTHDAY NEW YEAR" or some silly things like that.

Rukawa just couldn't help but sigh and smile secretly so no one would notice it.

It wasn't boring after all.

It was fun.

Later on, they fired firecrackers and enjoyed the food, drank liquor (even Akagi now), and enjoyed the rest of the night. (Haruko came in too.)

It was a happy, exiting, and downright funny happy birthday for the brunette, fox, ace player of the team, the now 22 year old, Kaede Rukawa.

(*)

Rukawa couldn't help but sigh when he recalled his birthday. At exactly twelve noon, he passed his form to Akagi, the paper with a mark of liquid paper, that was written over it was: AGE: 22.

" Captain." He said to Akagi.

" What?"

" A year older means another ten years for you to beat me." Rukawa said.

After that, Rukawa left and practiced again, leaving a smiling Akagi behind.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Author's note:

So how was that? I was happy when I finished this. New year is near minna! Don't forget to greet my Rukawa a happy birthday! Don't forget your resolutions. Let's welcome 2003 happily and live life to the fullest!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

( WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING BETWEEN YOHEI AND HARUKO? FIND OUT!!!)