Music

By CheeKy

Genre: Drama

Rating: G

Pairings: Still early days yet. ^_~

Disclaimer: The following Slam Dunk characters belong to Takehiko Inoue. Any unfamiliar names, places or otherwise will naturally be my properties.

Notes: Inspired by the film 'The Red Violin'. If you hadn't watched the film, you really ought to. It's absolutely fantastic.

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Prologue ~ Violin Lessons

"No, no, no! You've got the beat wrong again!"

A loud and deep voice shouted in frustration as the owner tugged at his greyish white hair. Narrowing his eyes threatening, he leaned forward in his seat before gesturing for the boy to start all over. With a nervous nod, the boy replaced the violin on his shoulder as he complied with the order. Bright blue eyes reflected the boy's deep concentration as he rubbed the bow against light silvery strings. In an instance, soft music flooded the room and the man crossed his arms while nodding in satisfaction at the boy's performance. Grey eyes closed as the man started to tap his right foot gently in accordance to the beat. The rhythm quickened and the volume increased in pitch. It wasn't long before the boy's laboured breathing was heard, but he nevertheless continued in its furious pace, not daring to pause least he incited the man's wrath. He blinked away the sweat that tickled down from his brow; the hot and humid summer day was making him sweat. Minutes later, salty liquid tickled down the boy's neck, soaking his shirt as his eyes darted between his music notes and the man. His arm was beginning to hurt, and the heat was continuously blurring his vision. Feeling light-headed with dizziness, he pulled his bow across too far.

The man jumped up as if he had been shot. In two strides he had reached the boy's side and a loud slap ensured. Already feeling faint from his practise, the boy stumbled backwards and would have fallen to the floor had the man not grabbed his roughly by the arm. The grip was none-too-gentle and a large bruise was beginning to form on the pale and thin arm. The man hissed threatening, "You will continue to practise until I am satisfied, is that clear?"

A teardrop slid down the boy's cheeks as he nodded soundlessly, his blue eyes wide with terror. The painful grip on his arm was released without warning and the boy fell with a soft thud. The man pulled himself to his full length as he looked down ominously before breathing out, "Good."

Still on the floor, the boy watched as the man departed from the room. The wooden door shut with a final click and a key was heard turning on the other side of the room. Painfully, the boy struggled to his feet when his keen ears detected voices outside. Reaching the door, he dropped to his knees before peeking cautiously through the crevice.

"Please, you have to let him out. It's the third time this week that you've locked him in the room," a female voice pleaded.

The man gave a harsh reply, "The boy needs discipline if he is to succeed in life."

"But he needs freedom," countered the first speaker.

"I will give him freedom when he has proven himself worthy," snarled the man in return.

"But he is not a criminal, he is your son!" screamed the woman.

The boy jumped back as a fist collided with the door. He had to strain his ears as the man hissed softly back, "Precisely because he is my son, I will not allow him to be weak."

"But he is only eight-years-old! He doesn't understand why you are doing this to him," sobbed the woman upon realising that her husband would not relent.

"Reiko, please understand that I only want the best for him," the voice was surprisingly gentle as the man pulled his wife into his embrace.

Still sobbing, Reiko continued to implore her husband, "I miss him so much and I want to see him. Oh Eiri, please let him out."

Even without hearing his father's reply, the boy knew the answer. Footsteps gradually faded away as the boy returned to his space near the window. Picking up the reddish brown violin from the floor, a lone tear fell on its side. Tenderly, the boy ran his fingers across the smooth surface before placing a soft kiss. He smiled to the door as he whispered, "Don't worry mother, I will be strong for you."

The violin was replaced on his shoulder. Closing his eyes, the boy allowed the bow to move instinctively across the violin's strings. He played for the day where he would satisfy his father, for the day where he would be let free to play with other children, and most importantly, Rukawa Kaede played for his mother.

t.b.c. ^_~