Hey guys! After a long vacation *ehem*, I'm back! Well, I dunno if that's a good thing or bad thing…you tell me. ^_^ Sooo … here's another chapter of my fanfic. Please, please review this. Umm…oh! And thanks to those who did review that last chapter. Rachelle- yep, I'll continue this story and break the habit of a lifetime…leaving fanfics unfinished! LOL! I don't know how I could put in your suggestion…I'll try in another fic.Pixie-atme- thanks for that wonderful compliment! *blush* dear hana-chan, eh…^_^. Bloody-vixen- I'm so happy it isn't Usagi, too! LOL! ^_^. Mskitsune- I know…I've put a warning in one of them chapters…so sorry. Sandy- ha! Another Filipino who's a Slam Dunk fan! Here's the continuation…^_^. Faith- of course I don't mind continuing the story. It's like an unwritten code, right? Just one thing…review it! ^_^

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CHAPTER 5- Slow Awakening

            She throws the ball in an arch hoping to sink it in that hoop. Unfortunately, it got nowhere near the target. This is hopeless, she said, defeated. I've got to try one more time. She walked up to the ball and tried to dribble. Bad move! The ball fell too hard and bounced back fast and hard and hit her squarely on the chin. Minako fell flat on her butt.

            "Darn it!" she cursed. Her chin hurts, her bum smarts and she's aching in muscles she never thought she had! "It's all your fault, Rukawa!!!"

            "What did I do now?"

            Minako jumped when she heard the icy response. She turned around and saw Kaede in lavender tracksuit. "What're you doing here?" she asked, her voice showing her shock. She stood up and planted her hands firmly on her hips. "It's about six-thirty in the morning and you're up. I could say I'm amazed."

            Rukawa raised one of his brows at the statement and waited for her to go on.

            "It's just…well, you're rarely awake in class, you're asleep during lunchtime and you can barely keep your eyes open whenever you are awake!" she reasoned out.

            "And so?" he asked again. He was holding a basketball in one hand while steadying his bike with another.

            "Why are you here? To prove to me that you're better at it than I am?" she demanded as she advanced towards him. Rukawa simply stared at her, refusing to move from his spot. "Well? What've you got to say for your self, huh?"

            "I'm here because I always come to practice. No, I don't have to prove anything to you. And yes, you're annoying me," he answered. He could see her face turning red in anger. With a huff, she turned away from him and started to walk but Kaede caught her by the hair and pulled her.

            "Hey!" she cried and turned to face him once more. "You're not just satisfied with embarrassing me in front of cute guys, are you? You want to make me bald, too!"

            Rukawa sighed before he blurted out, "I'm sorry." The word surprised them both but that didn't stop his pace. "Look, lady, maybe I slack sometimes but I still got my pride. I'm not comfortable with being taught, especially by a girl. And I'm more uncomfortable with favors…just like the one you're trying to do. So stop, ok? I've passed those dumb tests once without anyone's help and I'll pass again."

            She thought about what he said for a moment and understood how he felt. Pride is a very powerful thing. "Rukawa, why don't we call it even? You teach me about basketball and I'll teach you about math. How does that sound?"

            "Stupid," he answered quickly. "But it's worth a try."

            Minako clasped her hands and smiled widely. "That's great! So where do we start?"

            "Basics," he muttered.

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2 HOURS LATER

            "Oh, my god!" Minako cried out as she sat right in the center of the court, sweat pouring all over her. She looked up at Kaede and frowned. "If you call that basic, then the next part should be called torture."

            He handed her a water bottle and wiped away sweat from his forehead. "You're not quitting now, are you?" he taunted.

            "What? And miss being tired to death?" she said incredulously. "No way!" She glanced at her watch and gasped when she saw the time. "Darn! It's eight-thirty already. Do you know how to get to the mall? I need to buy a few souvenirs for my friends back home."

            He gave her directions automatically, not at all questioning the fact that she asked for the mall instead of the souvenir shop. "Walk 3 blocks ahead, turn right at the ice cream store, take a bus in Hoshin Road, stop at Aki Street, go straight to Mishima Avenue then turn left at the shoe shop. Got that?""

            "Right," she answered with a nod. "Walk to the ice cream shop, then after 2 blocks turn left, take a bus on Hoackey Street, go to Charlie Sheen Road, turn righ at the shoe shop then straight on to Miss Me Avenue."

            The boy shook his head. "Should I turn left at the shoe shop instead?" Minako asked.

            Rukawa walked to the bench where their packs were and called her. "If you want to catch the early bus to Aki, you better pack up quick. It'll be arriving in an hour and a half."

            "I can't believe it!" she gasped. "You're showing a microscopic act of kindness!" She ran to him and clutched his sleeve, her eyes wide in amazement.

            Rukawa tried to back away but Minako wouldn't let him. "Come on," she coaxed. "No need to be shy about it."

            "One more word and the offer's off."

            "Alright. Alright. I'm going already. Hockey Street…here we come!"

            Rukawa shook his head and rolled his eyes. Why do I hear a little voice saying I should've kept my mouth shut?

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well…how was it? Kinda dreadful, huh? So sorry. But at least tell me how it was…please! Review it…^_^    ---jd_anney