Disclaimer: I don't own Slam Dunk.
A/n: Thanks to those who reviewed.
Miracle: Thanks. ^-^ I'm glad you liked it.
Karen Is The Best: I've already read K.I.S.S. and signed a review under my diff. pen name Rheia.
Maybe I Care Too
Chapter 3: No Pity Please
Sakuragi Hanamichi entered Shohoku for the first time with a serious expression…He wasn't shouting loudly of his genius superiority or muttering about that damn kitsune. He was quiet. He met up with his other fun-loving and loud friends.
"Hoy! Hanamichi!" His best friend Youhei waved enthusiastically as he approached them. Sakuragi's eyes wandered to them and left without a thought as they proceeded walking together inside the building.
"Is there something wrong Hanamichi? You've been very quiet." Youhei commented concerned.
"Maybe Haruko dumped him!!!" Noma exclaimed loudly followed by laughter.
Sakuragi stopped in his tracks a dark aura seeming to radiate from him. The rest of his gang swallowed preparing to flee when… like a hot air coming out from a balloon Sakuragi seemed deflated. He walked out of them not saying anything or doing anything about the scandalous comment.
***
Raye was about to enter her classroom when a call stopped her. "Yo, Raye!" Sakuragi called loudly. Raye turned to him with a welcoming smile. "Thanks for helping me out last afternoon." Raye spoke.
Sakuragi shook his head. "Your mom told me." He said softly.
Raye stiffened and the smile left her face. "I see." She spoke quietly. The bell then rang. "Looks like I've got to go." She spoke her voice dry.
"Wait…" Sakuragu\i protested and grabbed her arm. Raye halted. Suddenly feeling awkward, he dropped his hands. "I'm…I'm sorry." Sakuragi spoke his face full of pain of not really expressing himself well
"Don't worry…everyone is." Raye spoke tonelessly as she entered the classroom leaving Sakuragi in the hallway.
After class, Raye walked as fast as she can to avoid meeting with certain people. "Raye wait!" Sakuragi Hanamichi's voice rang out loud. Raye cursed beneath her breath and tried walking even faster. Sakuragi called her again much more loudly. Raye winced and was forced to stop.
Sakuragi ran to catch up with her. Raye slowky turned towards him, her eyes guarded though there was a smile plastered at her face. "Is there something you need Hanamichi?" Raye asked not meeting his eyes.
"Um…" Sakuragi faltered.
"You do have basketball practice in 5 minutes." Raye pointed wishing that he'd go already.
"Practice can wait. We need to talk." Sakuragi said in a breath.
"There's nothing to talk about." Raye spoke defiant as she finally met his eyes straight. "Really." Her voice insistent.
Sakuragi shook his head. Raye frowned and crossed her arms. They had a staring contest. Suddenly Haruko interrupted them, "Hanamichi… practice is already starting!" Haruko spoke while approaching them.
"Looks like you've got to go." Raye spoke tonelessly before she about-face and walked away before Sakuragi could protest. But as fate would have had it…
"Raye!" Sakuragi spoke in horror as his friend suddenly collapse with no warning. He caught her before she hit the ground. His heart was also in hurting as she saw her expression etched full force with the pain that she was used in concealing. Then her eyes once again cleared and she was okay again.
"Are you okay? Is this like yesterday?" Haruko asked fanning her.
"I'm fine." Raye muttered standing up. "Go, or your captain will be angry." Raye insisted giving them a smile that caused much effort.
Sakuragi and Haruko looked at each other first before Sakuragi spoke. "I think we need to talk Raye." Sakuragi's voice was soft but firm. "Haruko tell Gori I need to do something okay?" Sakuragi asked before he guided Raye away.
They walked in silence to the park and sat on some seats. "Well? Aren't you going to tell me something? Anything?" Sakuragi prompted.
"…"
"Damn it Raye. You can't shut me out of your life." Sakuragi nearly shouted.
Raye's eyes became faraway and her mouth began to speak.
"You know how it is…you're young, immortal, confident, at the peak of your life and all those kind of things and then suddenly one day you wake up and there's this slight pain bothering you…but well who cares? Then the pain keeps persisting and then you cant bear it anymore." Raye spoke in monotone as though if she added any more emotions she would break down.
"I went to the doctor one day and then suddenly he says…"You've got cancer" and then I go home, passed the grocery before I did and then suddenly it hit me. I've got cancer I'm going to die." Raye's voice became harsh.
"I ask myself lots of times I mean why me? I didn't do anything bad… sometimes I still can't believe it, as though I'm not the one living anymore and the real me is just there somewhere watching this movie. Sometimes the pain isn't so bad but the fact that knowing you're going to die surpasses all kind of pain making you numb all of a sudden, makes you stop feeling." Raye spoke softly. A tear fell from her eye making Sakuragi feel bad that he kept asking her to speak.
Sakuragi slowly hugged her. "You can stop talking now. I understand, I know how much this pains you." Sakuragi spoke comfortingly. Raye shook her head within the embrace. "Let me tell at least someone." Raye whispered.
"I have so much things that I wanted to do! Finish high school, college get married have a couple of kids watch thousands more or sunsets…so much." Raye poured out the tears streaming now as though a dam has broken.
"I've got 2 months to live Hana-kun. Two months give or take a couple of days." Raye spoke silently hugging him back full force eyes closed and tears still streaming.
From an outsiders point of view they make a nice couple out on an date and showing their love for each other. The park was the route to Rukawa Kaede's house, and at that moment he passed by. His eyes that were usually sleepy and lifeless burned as he watched the scene. Raye's back was turned and Sakuragi was the one who saw the kitsune. He gave Rukawa a glare of his own and then continued comforting Raye.
"I think practice's already done." Sakuragi told Raye as they broke apart.
"Really?" Raye asked rubbing her eyes.
"Kitsune just passed by."
Raye froze her eyes glassy and her mouth forming a little "O". Then she fainted.
A/n: Review please… ^_^