Disclaimer: Slam Dunk character belongs to Takehiko Inoue. Gensomaden Saiyuki belongs to Minekura Kazuya
To:
anime-luverjc, XxOo, ryosashi, Lady Kai, YunCyn, kiku ~ Thanks for reading!! Read on to find out bout the 'plan'. ^o^
AluCard ~ I'll see what I can do about adding more Saiyuki charas. ^___^
***** ~ *blink blink* hehe, do I call you asterisks? ^__^
* * *
Chapter Three ~ Chicken Soup, Anyone?
"Now, do you finally understand why it is important to consider the feelings of your teammates?"
Rukawa yawned sleepily as he snuggled deeper into the bedcovers. For the past hour, maybe more, he had been listening to Fujima lecture on about his selfish play. After changing out of his wet clothes and into his pyjamas, Rukawa had been hoping to do what he liked best: sleep. But things didn't go as planned and the boy tried to sniffle another yawn.
Fujima sighed, "Alright, let me run through everything again, no doubt you weren't paying attention the first time around."
Had Rukawa been a social person he might have voiced aloud that Fujima was right, but as it was, he wasn't a very talkative person, so the boy merely maintained his silence while paying, or at least, he tried to pay attention to what the Shoyo player was saying.
"See, the problem with your type of play is that you tend to view it as a one-on-one match with the rival team. Now that's a wrong and selfish attitude to have. Your teammates are also in court with you, and they deserve the chance to play ball too. Basketball is a team effort and as such, you should never be so proud of your own abilities that you forget that very important detail. Take my case for example…"
Here Fujima paused as he settled himself more comfortably on his own bed which was placed next to Rukawa's. When Rukawa offered him the slightest nod in acknowledgement, the third-year student asked instead, "Do you remember the match you had with us when we were both fighting for chance to enter the semi-finals? You know, during the Inter-High games?"
Taking the boy's silence as affirmative, Fujima then continued, "Well, now that I have the time to reflect on it, I dare say Shoyo lost to Shohoku because I was too proud of my abilities. In a way, my pride and arrogance cost us the semi-finals seat as I was under the impression that as long as I was playing in the match, Shoyo could never lose to anyone else. Had I played against your team right from the start, who knows what the outcome might be. In other words, for the best chance in winning, you have to consider the feelings of your fellow teammates. So, just to sum up, will you at least try to be more of a team player in the future, eh Rukawa?"
The boy nodded again. Fujima suddenly grinned as he mused inwardly to himself, "Well, that wasn't so bad. Despite all the rumours, Rukawa does listen after all."
And then the Shoyo captain sweatdropped furiously when his keen ears picked up the softest of snores. He cursed aloud, "K'so, how long have you been fast asleep?"
Naturally, there was no answer. A big bubble sigh escaped the boy's lips as he got up from his seat before making his way over to Rukawa's bed. Pulling the bed covers so that it covered up to the boy's chin, Fujima then muttered in exasperation, "What am I going to do with you?"
And still shaking his head in disbelief, the youth then made his way back to the common room.
~ * ~
"Ah Fujima, you're back! So, how's Rukawa doing?"
The boy sighed before answering Maki, "Fast asleep, as usual." Dropping next to Kogure, the Shoyo player then asked disinterestedly, "So, what have you all been up to during my absence?"
Mitsui sniggered, "Well, we've been busy thinking of the perfect plan to get Rukawa to loosen up, you know, be more human…"
"Like the Tensai here… nyahahahhahahahah…"
"Do'aho."
Everyone except Sendoh and Sakuragi sweatdropped as the former grinned cheekily, "Sorry, I couldn't resist."
Mitsui snorted, "Heh, keep that up you baka smiley and we'll put you together with Rukawa."
Catching the mystified look on Fujima's face, Mitsui hastened to explain, "Okay, let me just run through what we've been talking about. We've just finalised several plans on how to encourage Rukawa to be a much more sociable person. As such, Akagi and Uozumi will be teaching Rukawa how to make soup…"
Koshino clarified further with a wry grin, "Or to be more exact, chicken soup for the soul."
The smirk on Mitsui's face widened, "Right. Sakuragi and Kiyota will, and I quote, 'goad the kitsune into talking more by exchanging insults'."
Fujima stared, "That's crazy!"
Jin laughed, "That was the same thing I said forty minutes ago."
Maki commented dryly, "That's why Hanagata has been put in charge of making sure they don't kill each other."
Both Hanagata and Mitsui nodded as the latter then ticked off another finger, "And then, Kogure and I will attempt to convince Rukawa that it's in his benefit to be fully aware of his weakness and not be afraid to depend on the strength of others. Finally, if all goes well, meaning that our plans have succeeded in changing Rukawa into a less detached person, as well as becoming much more considerate and thoughtful of his teammates, Maki and Sendoh will guide him on some leadership skills."
Fujima interjected dryly, "And if I could just add my two cents, good luck to both Maki and Sendoh, my pride's already been shredded to pieces."
Sendoh stared, "How's that again?"
The youth sighed tiredly, "I just spent the last hour telling Rukawa the merits of being considerate and to be less of an arrogant player, and you know what he did, he freaking fell asleep on me!!"
Kogure hurriedly patted the boy's back in a bid to calm the fuming youth whose voice had rose to a half-scream. Mitsui clicked his tongue sympathetically, "Looks like we've got our jobs cut out for us, eh guys?"
The other twelve heads nodded in unison as Mitsui added, "Oh, and before I forget, Hikoichi is in charge of recording the whole process while Ayako will talk to Rukawa after every plan to see how far we've gotten."
"Ayako?" echoed Fujima curiously.
Kogure supplied the answer instead, "Ayako's the only one who Rukawa listens to, or at least, shows quite plainly that he's listening…"
Mitsui nodded, "But just in case, Miyagi has offered to erm, accompany Ayako during the heart-to-heart talks. Koshino on the other hand, is in charge of making sure Sendoh stays out of Rukawa's way least the boy feels tempted to wring Sendoh's neck and as a result, have our camping trip cut short."
And suddenly Jin sighed mournfully, "Last but not least, poor me has been saddled with the job of making sure everything goes according to plan and nothing backfires."
Maki chuckled at the forlorn figure, "More importantly, if any of the senseis or Toki-san ask what we're doing, Jin has to tell them 'absolutely nothing'."
Sendoh laughed, "It's that baby face look of yours, Jin, no jury in court would ever doubt your word."
Mitsui clapped his hands, "Alright, now that's everyone's clear on their respective jobs, good luck and sleep well tonight. We're going to need to be fresh and alert tomorrow when we start messing up Rukawa's life for the better."
It was a roar of approval that followed. And then everyone started making their way back to their respective rooms.
~ * ~
Rukawa couldn't understand why everyone was giving him funny looks the next morning. But him being himself, he couldn't be bothered to find out why. After basketball practise and a hot shower, he then proceeded to the dining room for brunch. Conversation ceased the moment he entered the room and this time he couldn't help but stare suspiciously at the whole bunch. He glowered at Hikoichi who was sitting opposite, "What?"
Koshino clamped the boy's mouth shut least he gave the game away. Meeting Rukawa's gaze, the Ryonan played widened his eyes before answering innocently, "Nothing."
Still glowering, Rukawa then proceeded to attack his meal. Watching the boy's antics, Sakuragi couldn't refrain from throwing out a snide remark, "Yo kitsune, I think your sushi is quite dead so quit torturing it."
He shot back heatedly, "And you'll be dead too if you don't shut up."
"TEMEE!!!"
Maki pulled the redhead back into his seat as his gaze searched for Akagi's. Catching the hint, the Shohoku captain coughed loudly as a cue for everyone to keep quiet before announcing loudly, "Toki-san has been kind enough to give Uozumi and I a free rein of the kitchen. As a show of gratitude, we've offered to cook tonight's dinner and we would like a volunteer to help out with the preparations. Any nominees?"
A grin was threatening to crack Mitsui's face wide opened as he hollered from the end of the table, "Rukawa!"
Kiyota seconded, "Rukawa!"
And then everyone else was echoing Rukawa's name after one another. Still glowering, Rukawa faced his captain before answering tersely, "I refuse."
Sendoh pouted dramatically, "Aww, don't be such a wet blanket, Rukawa. We're all putting our hopes on you, and it would be such a shame if you were to disagree."
He growled back in irritation, "Find somebody else. I can't cook."
Uozumi spoke up, "Don't worry about that, Rukawa. We only need an assistant to help prepare some stuff while we do the cooking."
And suddenly they were chanting his name like a mantra while banging their utensils against the table. With a scream, Rukawa finally relented. The voices stopped as everyone sweatdropped before turning towards a wide-eyed Rukawa who voiced out breathlessly, "Did I… did I just say yes aloud?"
Miyagi sniggered, "Actually, you screamed it, but don't worry, we forgive you for your raw show of enthusiasm."
If looks can kill, but thankfully it can't, so Miyagi's health remained in perfect condition. When the meal was finally over, Akagi called out, "Alright Rukawa, let's go."
He stared back in disbelief, "What, now?"
Uozumi answered instead, "Of course, don't forget, we're cooking for nineteen hungry people."
He offered the only excuse he could think of, "But… but I want to practise basketball…"
Ayako shook her head sternly, "Not on a full stomach, Rukawa-kun, otherwise you'll get kidney stones."
Koshino added by her side, "Besides, we just had four hours of non-stop practise, isn't that enough for today?"
"And since you don't play cards…" pointed out Hanagata.
Maki continued, "Or chess…"
"Or pool…" added Fujima.
"You best be on your way," finished Mitsui with a wide smirk.
It would have been undignified to bawl but Rukawa came close to breaking point. After the three bodies had disappeared behind the kitchen door connected to the dining room, a raucous roar sounded. Mitsui grinned as he pumped his fist into the air, "Alright, first plan in motion."
A door suddenly opened and almost everyone screamed in fright. Toki sweatdropped as he called out hesitatively, "Is everything alright? I thought I heard a loud scream."
Jin answered hastily, "Nothing's the matter, Toki-san."
The brown eyes widened, "There it is again. Hmm, I think it's coming from the kitchen…"
Kainan's future captain practically leaped from his chair before guiding the man back outside into the main hall, "You must have heard wrong. By the way, Toki-san, my family runs a hostel too, if you don't mind me asking a few questions…"
The boy shut the door firmly behind him as everyone gave a collective sigh of relief. Maki pretended to wipe the imaginary sweat off his brow, "That was close…"
Sakuragi thought aloud, "I wondering how the kitsune's doing. Maybe he sliced off a finger or something."
The paper fan came flying, "Stop talking nonsense."
Sendoh mused thoughtfully instead, "Still, one can't help but wonder what's going on in there…"
Mitsui offered the spiky head a stern warning, "Don't even think about it, Sendoh. We don't want Rukawa to get the wind of anything so absolutely no spying, you hear me?"
Koshino cracked his knuckles as he threw his teammate a warning look, "Don't worry Mitsui, he wouldn't be thinking of it, right Sendoh?"
The boy gulped as he nodded stiffly. Maki stretched as he then voiced out lazily, "Well, no point sitting around. Dinner's not ready until another six hours. So anyone interested for a movie or two? If I remember correctly there's a VCR player in the common room."
Hikoichi suddenly sang out, "One, one VCR player."
And more sweatdrops flooded the floor.
~ * ~
This was madness, sheer madness, thought Rukawa woefully as he stood in between the two gorilla-like creatures. He glanced down at the dead chicken lying on the chopping board and sighed before musing in his head, "You lucky chicken, at least you don't have to listen to them both talk."
So engrossed with staring at the dead chicken that Rukawa's ears failed to register the calling of his name until he was given a hard nudge. The boy almost dropped against the table, and onto the dead chicken but caught himself just in time. He then turned to his left to glare wrathfully at Uozumi but the man had shifted position and was now several feet away collecting vegetables for the soup.
Akagi spoke up instead, "Have you ever had chicken soup?"
Rukawa turned to his right and blinked; what kind of question was that, of course he had eaten chicken soup before. When his captain continued staring patiently at him, he realised that he forgot to answer aloud. His shoulders slumped tiredly; he was not used to having to answer verbally to every question. Taking the action as negative, Akagi started explaining the benefits, "On a cold winter's night, warm chicken soup does more than warm the physical body, it can actually calm the soul."
He almost snorted aloud but didn't really want to risk getting a gori-punch so he stayed quiet instead. The older boy continued, "Did you know that chicken soup has been scientifically proven to cure colds?"
What's that again? Rukawa was confused.
And suddenly Uozumi intercepted from behind, "I remember my dad making chicken soup for me when I was down with a cold. Once, I caught a cold before a match but thanks to his chicken soup, I was up and running the very next day."
Rukawa was very confused.
His captain explained, "So you see Rukawa, if you know how to make chicken soup, maybe some day in the future you'd be able to make it for someone you care for. And if you're ill, you can even make it for yourself too. Isn't that fantastic?"
Rukawa kept his thoughts to himself, "Why not just buy the soup from the can? Two minutes in a microwave and it's ready to serve. No cutting, no mess, and no dead chicken."
Uozumi finished solemnly, "That's why you should pay attention while we're cooking. So, will you be needing paper and pen to take down notes?"
He shook his head stiffly before choking out his reply, "Uh, no thanks… I'm sure I'll be able to remember everything."
The Ryonan player nodded and the lesson on how to cook chicken soup began.
~ * ~
"Hey, Rukawa, sure smells good…" grinned Sendoh as he glanced up to meet the boy sitting opposite.
He stared at the spiky head. What? He smelled good? Even after he had showered and changed, he could still smell the chicken on him. Seeing the confused look on the boy's face, Fujima offered kindly as leaned forward in his seat, "He's talking about the soup, Rukawa."
The pale face cleared just as their teachers entered the dining room, followed by the hostel owner and a harassed-looking Jin. The boy gave Maki a weak smile and the thumbs up before dropping tiredly next to Kiyota who promptly gave his teammate a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. Akagi then brought out the final bowl of soup before seating himself next to his coach. Anzai Sensei smiled, laughed merrily and invited everyone to begin eating. They shouted 'itadakimasu' in unison before turning their attention to thick creamy dish. But only Rukawa sat unmoving and Kogure gave the boy a slight nudge as he whispered in concern, "You okay, Rukawa?"
The Shohoku Ace could only nod wordlessly. As much as he hated to admit it, he was curious to know what everyone else thought of the soup. After rattling off the things needed to prepare and the correct steps to make the said dish, the two third-years had decided that he was fully capable of cooking the soup alone. Upon hearing the announcement, Rukawa almost reached for the fruit knife to slice his wrist but as he stared at the dead chicken, his conscience kicked in and the boy reluctantly changed his mind. Since the chicken had already sacrificed itself, he might as well not waste its efforts.
Koshino's eyes widened after taking several sips. And then he voiced out in surprise to the man sitting several chairs away, "Uozumi-senpai, this tastes even better than your father's!"
Sendoh nodded, "Hey, how about that, Koshino's right."
Sakuragai laughed his Tensai laugh, "Nyahahahahahaha, and I thought the Boss Monkey only knew how to make sushi…"
*twack* *twack*
Across the table Maki sweatdropped, "Where do you hide the paper fan, Ayako?"
The girl smiled back smugly, "I don't give away my secrets that easily, Maki-san."
Akagi cleared his throat, "Actually, Rukawa was the one who cooked the soup, all by himself."
Their jaws dropped as Anzai Sensei started laughing merrily, "Ho ho ho, good for you Rukawa-kun. Now you can cook for yourself when you're away at America."
More sweatdrops as Rukawa avoided everyone's eyes. He was quite sure even his ears were burning and Kiyota didn't hesitate to point out gleefully, "Hey look, Rukawa's all red!"
Maybe, just maybe if he wished hard enough the earth would open and swallow him up. On his left Mitsui chuckled aloud, "Heh, not bad for a freshman." And to Rukawa's horror, the scar-faced youth started applauding as everyone followed suit. The head bowed even further; damn, he probably wasn't wishing hard enough.
And the end of the table, Gojyo stared suspiciously before nudging Hakkai who was applauding just as heartily, "Ne, what's going on?"
Without pausing in his actions, Hakkai answered simply with a smile, "I don't know, but since everyone's so happy…"
Gojyo could only sweatdrop in response.
t.b.c. ^o^
