Hey guys, I know I take too long but finally, school's out so I can update much often. However, you have to help me with this one. Choose an ending that you like for this chapter (I promise this will only happen once) and I'll base the rest of the story from there. Please consider the flow of the whole story and don't choose one just because you wanna get on with the whole thing. I promise I'll finish this soon so I can put it up on my website already. Thanks.

Rukawa is a bit over-demonstrative…but as I've warned earlier, some characters are likely to be oc.

I'm barely passing Grammar, so expect typos and other errors. Please bear with me.

I don't own Slam Dunk.

Requiem for the Dead

Chapter VII

It Kills Me To Be With You

            Akagi Haruko shifted her weight from one foot to the other, amazed at how Rukawa Kaede was able to sling his bag over his shoulder so casually, with it being so heavy. He was an athlete after all. But still she'd carried her brother's duffel once or twice, and it didn't weigh as much as this. The thought of Rukawa stuffing his bike in it crossed her mind, and it made a tiny smile creep onto her face.

            She had eagerly volunteered to take the bag to him, knowing that he couldn't stay in his jersey all day long. Also, she wanted to know if Hanamichi was alright. She had almost fainted with fright when she saw him slump over in the game. Sakuragi-kun, what's happening to you? She found it horrifying to watch him without his confidence and his trademark grin, eternally lifting the spirits of the Shohoku side.

            Haruko gingerly stepped out of the elevator that seemed to take forever to get to the 8th floor. The doors opened and she almost bumped into Youhei. He was just as surprised to see her, and for a moment Haruko forgot about the whole Rukawa's-bag-business. "How's Sakuragi-kun?" Youhei shrugged and told her, "He's doing ok…don't worry about him, the tensai can pull through…I hope…if I can help it.

            He forced himself to laugh and plastered a smile on his face. The poor girl fell completely for it. He found a genuine reason to grin as Haruko once again proved to him how naïve she was, and he was reminded that hiding behind masks was another skill he shared with his best friend. Youhei's gaze shifted to what Haruko was lugging around and as the elevator doors opened with a ding!, announcing their arrival at the first floor, he asked, " Isn't that Rukawa's duffel?"

            Haruko gasped and hurried back to her original destination. She soon found a nurse and asked where Sakuragi Hanamichi was. She saw Rukawa in front of the door, staring at it with his pale hands balled up tightly. Haruko wondered how close she could get before he noticed her, and she soon found out that Rukawa had a built-in radar as he suddenly spun round and took his bag from her, giving her an almost imperceptible nod to show his gratitude. She was almost relieved to have the weight of the bag taken off her hands, but she instantly regretted it when she had no reason to stand by him anymore.

            Haruko traced circles with her foot, hoping it could give her an idea of what to say to him, hopefully something more than the, "Hi! Did you realize that the floor has the most interesting pattern I've ever seen?" that she was thinking of, to say to him, Rukawa, who didn't even deem her worthy to spend his time on. Before she knew it, she had already asked him, "Why don't we go inside and check on Sakuragi-kun?"

            Rukawa fought hard to keep himself from turning around to face her and yell at her that if he were allowed to do that, he wouldn't be standing in front of the damn door, waiting for the quacks inside to tell him that it was okay to see him…to see Hanamichi and perhaps ask him questions that had been bothering him since about, say three hours ago? He mumbled, "The doctors won't allow it," partly because she was the captain's sister, and mostly because the redhead inside was smitten by her, "They told us to wait."

            Only seconds after those words left his lips, the door was flung open by a nurse and a couple of doctors went out, grumbling and muttering medical terms that seemed like gibberish to regular people. Doctor Mizuki was left inside, and he beckoned to them, inviting them to come in. His face was red, full of anger that slowly drained when he saw Rukawa. "They wanted to cut his head open to look for answers. Don't worry, I won't let them." Rukawa saw the doctor's face darken, and he shared the sentiment. Neither would I…

            He tried his best to smile at Haruko and said, "I've seen you before. You're Akagi-kun's sister aren't you?" She nodded and asked, "Why do they want to perform surgery on him? Why don't they just do other tests?" Rukawa was glad as she had voiced out his queries. "Mizuki-sensei?"

            He ran his hand through his short hair and told them, "Apparently the accident left Hanamichi-kun more injured than we thought. It's not just amnesia. We thought that it was just caused by the light concussion but it was more serious. Something happened in Hanamichi-kun's brain that we can't explain. When his memory comes back, a circuit in his head malfunctions and sort of sets of a series of electric pulses that cause his whole system to kinda…reboot. If it happens a lot, his body might not be able to take it and he could die. I'm sorry but the only way to save him would be to give him a new life, to shield him from his past. So the people who trigger his memory might as well bury him six feet under." Like that boy…

            Haruko asked, "So does that mean…we should stay away from him?" Rukawa stared at her, shocked at her words. Stay away from him? He now realized what Youhei had said to him. The shorter freshman had talked to the doctor before him and upon leaving, he told Rukawa painfully, "Make him forget." His voice had been hoarse, desperately held steady by Youhei's will. He now realized the significance of those words.

            The doctor said, "Something like that. You guys are safe anyway; you've been with him for just three months. But for people like Mrs. Sakuragi and Youhei-kun…"

            Rukawa suddenly felt pity for him. He had seen the anguish plague Youhei's face when he stepped away from the doctor wordlessly after their little 'talk'. And what about Hanamichi's mother? She had finally found a way to come back to Japan to see her son, but now she can't…she shouldn't. For her son's sake.

            Haruko bit her lip in her sudden urge to cry. Life was really cruel to some, but she hadn't expected this. She couldn't imagine living without being able to see her brother, her parents, Fuji…Aki…Sakuragi-kun…

            She had left almost an hour ago, and Rukawa was left in his usual position, sitting by Hanamichi, keeping a close watch on him. He traced the patient's face with his eyes, moving from the forehead to the tip of his nose, lingering on the soft lips down to the well-defined jaw. He puzzled over what to tell the redhead when he wakes up. Would he introduce himself as an archnemesis? A teammate? A friend? He was proud that Hanamichi remembered his name, and relieved that the same couldn't be said about their squabbles.

            Hanamichi wondered why he couldn't open his eyes. A mysterious force held him back, pinning him down in the darkness. He didn't know why, but he felt like he had to get to the light, the one far from his reach, calling to him, pleading him to go to it. He struggled but felt like he had been chained down, frozen to the spot. The ground slowly melted and he found his feet sinking into it, deeper and deeper until it was up to his chin. He stretched out his arm to the light, begging it to help him.

            Rukawa sprang to his feet as he heard moans coming from the redhead. His face was ashen, eyebrows knit together and lips pursed, mumbling incoherently. His chest heaved while he took in ragged breaths, struggling to keep the air flowing in and out of his lungs. His hands were flailing wildly in the air, clawing at it and reaching upwards. Rukawa grabbed hold of them and pinned them down with his elbows, and reached for Hanamichi's face, stroking it gently, hoping that he could stop the nightmare. He was already half-lying on the bed when Hanamichi arched his body forward, throwing his head back, letting his red hair glimmer in the shadows. "Hanamichi, wake up…wake up…" Rukawa spoke his name, hoping to comfort him, "Hana, Hana, you can make it!"

            It had already reached his mouth, choking him, preventing him from breathing. He desperately stretched his fingers, trying to grasp the air, trying to cling to anything. Then he saw a pale angel descend from the light. It had raven-black hair, floating gently like the plants under the sea dancing with the current. It had wings lined with snow-white feathers, glistening and shimmering in the darkness. It reached out to him, pulled him out and held him in its arms. Hanamichi stared at its face, into the familiar blue pools. He craned his neck to gaze at it more, but he was suddenly blinded by the light…Never mind. He knew who it was anyway. Hanamichi had already known for a very long time. Every moment he was around, a certain feeling that he couldn't understand washed over him. Maybe…it's…

This is where I need your help. When you review, please tell me whether the first or the second ending is better. They'll be marked by asterisks (*). Thanks. Oh by the way, just as a warning, may contain…sensual stuff (the first one).

*          Rukawa lowered his face to Hanamichi's, trying to decipher the words coming out of his mouth.  To his surprise, Hanamichi's eyes flew open and he raised his face towards Rukawa's. Their lips met and both were stunned by it. Then Rukawa felt Hanamichi's hands free themselves from his grasp to encircle him and pull him closer as Rukawa tilted his head to deepen the kiss. Hanamichi felt Rukawa's tongue part his lips and explore his mouth with passion. Parts of his body touching Rukawa's tingled with pleasure and he let his hand run down the delicate hairs of the pale youth's neck, stroking them, making Rukawa gasp. He quickly caught the raven-haired boy's lips, tasting the sweetness of his mouth as Rukawa's tongue touched his, making him moan softly. Hana…I've waited so long…

            They broke apart from lack of air. Rukawa rested his head on the redhead's chest, letting his hot breath drive Hanamichi mad as he whispered his name lovingly. Hanamichi could hardly contain himself as he pleaded, "Please, Ruka-" when he was stopped as he felt Rukawa trace his neck to his ear with soft lips, making him moan in pleasure. He felt the sapphire orbs stare at him as he whispered in his ear, "Kaede…Call me Kaede."

            Hanamichi grinned at him and played with the new name, letting it roll off his tongue a few times before placing his hand on Rukawa's cheek, forcing him to look into his warm chestnut eyes. He said, "You're my angel Kaede. I don't need my past to fall in love with you."

            And that's how it's going to be…my Hana…He softly planted a kiss on the tanned forehead before saying, "I've loved you forever, Sakuragi Hanamichi."   

**        Rukawa lowered his face to Hanamichi's, trying to decipher the words coming out of his mouth.  To his surprise, Hanamichi's eyes flew open and he raised his face towards Rukawa's. For a split second, Hanamichi thought that he was still in dream land, and so he muttered, "Angel…"

            It was then that Hanamichi turned his face away to hide his blush. Rukawa worriedly asked, "What's wrong Hanamichi?" He caught a glimpse of chocolate brown eyes shining with tears.

            Hanamichi whispered hoarsely, "It's you. It's always you. Every single time." Rukawa looked down, crestfallen, and he apologized, "I'm sorry. I didn't know I caused you pain. I just…I just can't leave you anymore." He was surprised as a hand lightly touched his cheek, making him look up.

            There, grinning at him was Hanamichi, who told him, "I wanted it to be you…so much…" He pulled Rukawa to himself and wrapped his arms around him.

            Rukawa's heart skipped a beat at those words. Youhei's voice echoed in his head, "Make him forget." He didn't want to lie, but the truth may lead Hanamichi to an early meeting with the Creator. Besides, he had a perfect opportunity. Hanamichi remembered nothing of their rivalry, of Haruko…

            Yet somehow a voice inside told him to wait. Maybe it's better to leave things as they are right now.

To be continued…

Please review. Thanks very much, and soon I'll write the next chapters. The ending that gets 10 votes first will be the winner. And I can go on with the story. See ya!