Disclaimer: I don't own Slam Dunk.

A/n: Special thanks to the reviewers.

Viceversa: Thank you!

Miracle: yup! Well I don't want any pity if I have cancer… Thanks for reviewing! Appreciate it a lot!

Frozenfemale: uh, please don't kill me? I'll update! Ty for reviewing!

Yasu: hana likes her? Of course! They're friends. Thanks for reviewing! Oh and this is RukawaXRaye… they have a past together. It'll be revealed.

Chapter 4         Talk To Her Idiot!

Sakuragi was waiting for his mortal enemy after practice. This would sorely damage his reputation but if he has to beg he'd do it. 10 minutes later Sakuragi was still outside debating his decision, everyone has already gone home save for him and Rukawa. Several minutes again later…

"What are you doing here do'ahou?" Rukawa's bored, grating voice sent Sakuragi seething.

"Waiting for you." Sakuragi spoke grimly.

Rukawa looked surprised for half a second then back to his half-hooded stare. He mumbled something beneath his breath and went to his bike preparing to leave.

"Wait! I'm talking to ya!" Sakuragi yelled in frustration, talking to his archenemy was hard enough but asking for a favor was degrading. Sakuragi grabbed his arm preparing to land a punch anything to just make him stop and listen. "Look its about Raye!" Sakuragi yelled angry. Surprisingly, Rukawa stopped and listened. Sakuragi hid his surprise and set out his agenda.

"You both need to talk. Raye is really feeling bad about what happened between you two." Sakuragi spoke trying to be tactful.

"Well, that's her problem cause I'm through talking." Rukawa spoke in monotone. He then mounted his bike.

"You don't understand. You have to god damn see her!" Sakuragi bellowed grabbing his arm roughly.

"Why the hell does she need me when she has you?" Rukawa asked scathingly eyes ice cold.

Sakuragi stiffened. "You don't understand…" Sakuragi muttered. "She has something important to say to you!"

"Whatever." Rukawa shrugged off his hold and started pedaling away. "I have nothing to say to her."

Sakuragi was reaching his boiling point. "Look! I don't even know how Raye is associated with a no-feeling kitsune like you! But Raye is sick okay? Very, very sick and I don't want her worrying about you!" Sakuragi yelled loudly.

Rukawa halted and shot him a glance before pedaling away.

***

The next afternoon, "Hey Hanamichi! C'mon in." Raye greeted opening the door.

"Hey Raye. You were absent today, is anything alright?" Sakuragi asked worried.

"Well, I woke up feeling a little dizzy and mom said I shouldn't go. Did I miss any tests?" Raye asked with a dismissive smile.

"Nothing important." Sakuragi spoke shortly.

"Okay…" Raye said turning to him. "Is there something you need to tell me?" Raye asked curious.

"I…uh, I talk to kits- Rukawa yesterday." Sakuragi spoke uncomfortable. Raye's smile froze. "What did he say?" Raye asked softly.

"Look, its not important. Forget I said anything." Sakuragi spoke hastily, covering it up with a forced laugh. "Hahahaha"

"He still hasn't forgiven me." Raye mumbled biting her lower lip. "Thank you for troubling about it, but it's okay. I don't blame him." Raye spoke quietly.

"I know its none of my business… but what happened between you?" Sakuragi asked.

Raye gave him a waning smile. "Its nothing really. I broke a promise." Raye answered. Sakuragi didn't press on further.

A week after, it was a Monday. During the past week, Raye has been missing some classes already to go to doctors and hospitals.

Rukawa stared at the empty seat across the room from him. "Where was she?" he thought with a tinge of concern. A flashback of the time when Sakuragi spoke to him came to his mind. "Raye's very sick…" it echoed hauntingly in his brain. Rukawa cursed, as he was unable to fall asleep and kept staring at the empty seat.

Soon the lunch bell rang, he went up to his solitary place in the rooftop, and hearing whispers and murmurs here and there. He didn't pay them any attention. For the rest of the afternoon, he was feeling edgy and preoccupied. Finally, it was time for practice.

"At last…" Rukawa though with relief eager to relieve some stress. Practice started and he was well aware that a certain do'aho was missing. He waited for Akagi to mention something yet everyone was quiet as though they knew something that he didn't.

"Oi, Ayako… where is, um…" Rukawa struggled. "Hanamichi."

Ayako looked surprised. "Well, Raye was rushed to the hospital unexpectedly this morning. Sakuragi and Haruko is there right now to comfort the poor girl." Ayako said sympathetically.

A flash of dread crossed Rukawa's face.

"Is something wrong?" Ayako asked worried.

Rukawa shook his head and went away. "What's wrong with Raye?" Rukawa thought nervous having second thoughts on his decision of not speaking to her. He still cares for her of course, she was part of his life one way or another.

He was practicing though his mind was miles away. He started dribbling and prepared to take a shot, unexpectedly Mitsui tried to block him. The shot touched the ring but didn't go in.

A shock gasped came from his brigade and the team members, yet Rukawa didn't even notice. The entire dream hushed as Rukawa blindly stared at the ball without a thought.

Suddenly, "I need to go." He muttered walking off court oblivious to the curious looks he earned as he walked out.

A/n: I haven't yet read some serious stuff about cancer so I don't know how it goes…but I'm trying to focus more on the emotions rather than the facts so please bear with me. OMG! Rukawa missed a shot! That's not possible! But he's still  bishounen so its okay!  ^_^ Review please!