Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is owned by Takehiko Inoue-sama.

Dedication: For Seraph-Kirin

Warning: People here are OOC.

Notes: Please read my mumblings after. It's really important. Please.

Dusk to Dusk

By

Crescent Quetzalcoatl

Chapter 2: Request for indulgence

After his shower, Sakuragi fixed his bag to prepare for home. Or the dormitory rather. It was Ayako's idea for him to share the dormitory room with the two blue-eyed aces during the sports clinic. He had been living in his house since the start of his classes in Kanagawa University but an incident altered his life, and the manageress decided to step in.

He kneaded his neck with a hand, the warm shower was not enough to eliminate the fatigue of the practice.

Then he felt a warm hand placed over his on his nape.

"Need some help?"

Sakuragi twisted away in surprise and found a pair of twinkling blue eyes directed at him.

"Why so jumpy, Hanamichi-kun?"

"Sendoh," the redhead narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

Sendoh shook his head. "How many times do I have to tell you to call me 'Akira'? Anyway, are you going back to the dorm? Let's go then."

"I'm not coming with you. I have to go somewhere," he refused.

"Why are you always like that? What did I do to make you so distant?" Sendoh asked, grabbing the redhead's arm.

"Let me go! You're hurting me!" the redhead pulled away angrily.

"And you think I'm not?"

They were glaring at each other again, almost a reminiscent of the old times of the do'aho and the kitsune, but this was different. To the redhead at least, Sendoh's cerulean eyes spoke of hidden anguish and unwanted sorrow.

"Just leave me alone," Sakuragi uttered, almost tired of the argument. "I want to be alone, Sendoh. How couldn't you give me that?"

"Because it's not healthy," Sendoh said releasing Sakuragi's arm. "Because I don't want you going down like the last time."

The redhead snorted. "What, you're my counselor now? You and Rukawa should mind your own business and stop prying at my affairs."

Sendoh watched him took his duffel bag, headed towards the door. Then Sakuragi paused and spoke in a cold tone.

"And stop pretending to be my friend because you're not."

===

Grass that smelled the sweet scent of dew in the morning but of clouded thoughts and rain in that particular afternoon was somehow ignored by a particular redhead as he kneeled towards a great slab of stone, smoothened by marble and engraved with a familiar name. He traced the hollow markings with a lone finger as he slowly rested his forehead on the cool stone, his breath silently heaving in quiet pain and his thoughts hollered out a name in his heart.

I promised to stay with you forever…

Sakuragi closed his eyes, keeping the salty moisture of sorrow within. He removed his hand on the headstone and lifted his head up, watching the shadows cast their claws upon the place; the cemetery wasn't the most comforting place in the world especially for someone with a broken heart. The man, then a cheerful youth in his high school days gave out a small smile coated in both anguish and guilt.

I didn't think back then…

He stood up and walked away from the headstone, a tear escaped from his eye. There was nothing he can do now but cry; it was always for the friend he had, the promise unfulfilled and the only person who understood his heart.

Youhei…

*Flashback*

Sakuragi clucked his tongue impatiently as the orange ball bounced off the ring and plummeted on the shiny wooden floors. He had been practicing yet again – the pressure of the upcoming game against Ryonan was taking a toll on him and on the rest of his teammates. With the Ryonan Ace or not, they still have to win.

Quickly, the redhead picked the ball and stood a good stance, powerful hands tossed the ball into the ring… and sailed neatly into the basket.

"Yosha!" the redhead exclaimed happily.

Then he heard an appreciative clapping of hands behind him, whirling around, Sakuragi found himself looking into a pair of friendly deep-blue eyes.

"Not bad, Hanamichi," the person smiled and folded his arms over his chest.

"Thanks, Youhei!" the redhead grinned, happily knowing that someone truly appreciated his skills in basketball. Picking the ball again, Sakuragi turned to face his best friend in question. "So, what brings the student council president to the humble abode of a mere basketball player?"

The other snorted but nonetheless blushed at the compliment. Ever since the brunette jokingly ran for the position and surprisingly won, the Gundan did nothing but tease Youhei for becoming serious about it and got a lot of head-scratching and blushes at the jests. "Betsuni… I was just checking how my best friend's progressing." Then, Youhei paced around the gym, trying to find out if anything changed since his last visit. "So, the game will be next week?"

"Hai," Sakuragi threw another three-pointer at the ring, the ball went in much to the redhead's delight. "And with this Tensai's talent, I will bring the team to victory!" thumping a fist on his chest as if he's King Kong or something. Youhei merely smiled at him.

"Hanamichi…" he started.

"Uh?"

"Your game will be next week right?"

"Yeah…" the redhead curiously waited.

Youhei looked more than thoughtful and his lips opened for words but he closed them again dismissing any statement he wanted to say. Shaking his head, the brunette gave out a smile.

"Nandemonai…" he said. "See you at the games. Good luck, Hanamichi."

Sakuragi stood completely puzzled at Youhei's weird behavior. Yet he could only watch him walk away from the basketball gym of Shohoku High.

*End of Flashback*

-tsuzuku-

Crescent mumbles:

Okay… for everyone who were wondering what's happening to the fic (and me), our dear boys are in college now and I think everyone's gone to be OOC.

But there has been a little problem on my part and I think this fic needs a lot of polishing so I think I'll just stop this here and wait until my summer classes are over before I'll continue this one.

Seraph-Kirin, thank you for your generous patience for this fic. I know this had been long prolonged but I'm hoping to gather my wits before I totally destroy everything I had planned. Yes, I'm planning to lie low for a while before continuing to write more. So maybe I'll be writing again after my summer classes which will be… um… a month from now. Thank you for everything…

Everyone, I'm sure you've been disappointed as I am to myself but I can't help it, there's too much pressure these days. No, I'm not blaming you, the readers, instead I want to thank you all for being kind for such wonderful reviews. Of course to mention a few, Celeste and Cymone for the constructive criticisms that have been really helpful on my part. I'll be doing a lot of revising on this one as I'm not really happy with my work. Thank you so much guys and I hope to meet you again!

Chris – they are in college and well, something happened to Hana that's why he's different. Thank you so much!

Devil – Thank you very much!

Taka and Keichirou – I'm glad you did! ^_^ Thank you, but sadly I can't continue anymore. I hope you read my notes.

Renei – renei-san! Thank you for reviewing! I got your other review for 'Whipped Cream' and I'm glad you liked it. I'm really flattered. Uh… FujimaxHanamichi is not really original but just quite rare. You'll find some of these in Cymone's works. Thank you so much for having time to read my fics!

Blue-eyed fox – hey! Anou… this is supposed to be a SenHana but due to some unfortunate circumstances, I won't be able to continue. *sigh* lagi na lang bitin… oh, I haven't forgot about the lemmie fic I owe you. Give me time and my first *ahem* lemon fic will be dedicated to you. Pray mo magkalakas-loob ako. Cheers!

Cymone – ah… *scratches head* I'm going to make adjustments here and there so… *sheepish grin* I really don't understand myself as I type. I forgot to announce that they are OOC and well, after seeing Sendoh on the last few episodes of SD, my opinion about him change a notch. I can see that he could be as serious as gori. Maybe not as serious but uh… you get the picture. I admit I did make Rukawa talkative and Hana really weird but I should've explanations on that. Uh… and I can't continue my fic. *teary-eyed* Than you so much and you've been a great help! *hugs Cymone*

Ayu – anou… there should be something that made Hana mad at the both of them and he'd been running to Fujima for some sort of comfort. Thank you for reviewing but sadly I would stop for a while. Thanks!

Seraph-Kirin – no no it's okay really! I'm not mad. I thought you would be since it's really late. I should be trying really hard by now continuing this one. It's yours and I promised. Please forgive me too? Okees, if I resume writing I think I'll just make you beta-read it first ne? I'll try make Sendoh a bit more hentai if that's what you like, no problems actually. Thank you for everything!!! *hugs Seraph-Kirin*

Celeste – Thank you so much for reviewing! Only you and Miss Cymone have given me a really long constructive criticism and I really appreciate it. Uh, the mystery would have to wait until I sort everything out; Rukawa should really keep his mouth closed. Hehe… I told myself once it might scare the readers and I was trying to experiment on his attitude. I think it didn't do well. As for Sendoh, I've watch him go serious on some moments in the anime and I thought I could use it, just like what I told Cymone. *scratches head* I really should sort out my priorities ne? Thank you so much!!!

Annachan - *hugs Annachan* I checked my stats while logged in the ffnet and I found out that you've put me in your favorite's list! Thank you so much!!! I'm really grateful! Uh… about this story I couldn't continue, I hope you've read my notes. I'm sorry for that. Thank you and I hope you'll wait for my other fics one I resume writing. Thank you!!!