Music

By CheeKy

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

Notes: Here are the rest of the missing SD boys! Well, most of them anyway. There're still several boys missing; think two gori-like boys and one of the tallest players who somewhat reminds me of a Christmas tree. *sniggers* I have a vague of idea of inputting them somewhere else, definitely not in the school grounds, guess you guys will have to wait and see. ^_~ Anyways, to make up for the delay, I've written a very very long chapter. So please read and drop a comment or two, k?

To:

akane ~ *grin* And Hanamichi finally makes an appearance. Well, sorta. Further details in the next chapter I hope! ^___~

sLL, ~ Thanks for the praises! I'm feeling so appreciated! ^____~

tensaispira & Valencia ~ *hugs* Here's the next chapter! Thanks for waiting and don't forget to post a review k?

Jo-san ~ Demo, Sendoh's isn't going to 'play' just yet. *sniggers* But he will definitely be a great pianist, after all, he is the star player. ^___~

Hibiki-chan ~ Ehehehe. I'm glad you enjoyed reading it. Now *I* have another reader to please. ^___~

Fiery-chan ~ Ano, it's kinda hard to understand Fujima cause he doesn't get too much exposure from either the manga or the anime. But I'm trying my best to bring out his best attributes; after all, it's undeniable that he's a super sweet and super smart guy. ^____~

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Chapter Seven ~ The Rock Group

Several slow applauses interrupted their practise and all eyes turned to the door in response. Kogure's lips left the mouthpiece as his eyes narrowed slightly at the sight that greeted him. Silence ensured as the attention darted between the bespectacled boy and the eight newcomers. However, it was the young man with bluish hue hair that caught Rukawa's attention. Cropped short and almost spiky-liked, Rukawa also spied a faint scar that lined the side of the man's jaw. Rukawa turned sideways to glance at Sendoh and was surprised to see the boy frowning ever so slightly. Suddenly, the young man stood up from the piano as he called out in a cheery voice, the familiar smile once more plastered on his face, "Hey, no fair. How long have you guys been standing there spying on us?"

Rukawa looked around curiously as everyone gave a collective sigh of relief at the broken tension. His blue eyes turned back to Sendoh; was the young man some kind of go-between between the different groups? Nevertheless, Rukawa was given no opportunity to question as a nonchalant reply to Sendoh's question was quickly provided.

"Long enough to know that you guys pose no serious threat to us."

Kogure stiffened before glaring coolly in the speaker's direction, "Well, I'm glad the feeling's mutual."

The stillness that followed was so quiet one could hear a pin drop. Sendoh's smile faltered as his pleading eyes caught Maki Shinichi's. The tanned young man caught the hint as he hurriedly interjected, "Uh, Kogure- san, we've reserved the auditorium for practise today."

Kogure's gaze fell on him. A quick nod was the only reply as the young man turned his attention back to the CMG members before announcing loudly, "Alright, practice's over for today. I'll send Aida around later to let you know when's the next rehearsal."

As quickly and as quietly as possible, the CMG's members started packing up their instruments. Rukawa's blue eyes however, continued to dart between Kogure and his adversary; the boy's interests were evidently perked at the strange scenario before him. If looks could kill, both men would have been dead on their feet. Having noticed his unmoving group member, Sendoh hissed in his direction, "Hey Rukawa, stop staring."

Instead of paying heed to the advice offered, Rukawa called out loudly, "Hey, is it okay if I stayed and watched your rehearsal?"

Loud gasps ensured as several pairs of horrified eyes fasten onto the violin player. Not realising that he had spoken the taboo, Rukawa glared around in annoyance, "What?"

A slow smile started to form on Mitsui Hisashi's face as he answered with an unconcerned shrug, "Sure, why not? It's not as if we're an embarrassment to the school, unlike some people."

Kogure visibly paled as his fist clenched tightly around the handle of his saxophone case. Without another word, he started for the exit and Sendoh was about to follow when Fujima arrived at the door. One look at his best friend's face and another quick glance at Mitsui told Fujima all he needed to know. Without acknowledging the CMG members, Fujima silently took up a walking position beside Kogure. Minutes later, the rest of their group members followed.

Sendoh sighed desolately as Koshino approached him with a deep frown on his face. His voice was tinged with concern as he voiced out Sendoh's unspoken thoughts, "You don't think he'd abandon the performance, do you?"

Sendoh smiled easily although his mind was troubled, "Nah, I don't think Kogure's going to let such a trivial incident stop him from playing."

"I hope you're right," answered Koshino before turning to Rukawa with an angry scowl on his face as he stated accusingly, "This is all your fault!"

Rukawa's eyes widened dramatically as Sendoh quickly interjected on the boy's behalf, "Kosh, he doesn't know."

The raven-haired boy cocked his head to the side before mimicking Sendoh's words, albeit several pitch higher, "Yeah Kosh, he doesn't know."

As Koshino started to turn purple in the face, Rukawa picked up his violin case before descending the stage nonchalantly. Sendoh hurriedly grabbed at his friend's arm to stop him from following; given Koshino's quick temper, he had little doubt that blows would be soon be flying if he had left them both alone. Still fuming, Koshino turned around to poke at angry finger at Sendoh's chest, "I am just millimetres to a boiling point so you had better knock some common sense and respect into that Ice Prince of yours. If he screws up the whole show."

The stricken look on Sendoh's face stopped the angry young man from continuing. He took several deep breaths to calm himself before placing a hand of Sendoh's shoulder with a mournful sigh, "Sorry, I should never have vented my anger on you."

Sendoh smiled weakly as he followed Koshino's glance towards the ascending auditorium floor. Slouched lazily in one of the seats along the middle row was a very bored Rukawa. Koshino shook his head his despair; oh woe is the day Rukawa Kaede stepped foot in Karejji Kanagawa. Picking up his instrument case, he too left the stage with the spiky-haired boy following closely behind. However, as the former made for the exit, Sendoh turned upwards before dropping heavily next to Rukawa. The boy pouted in annoyance, "Can't you go take a seat elsewhere? There're plenty of other choices around."

Sendoh ignored the requested as he chided the boy, "You shouldn't have asked to stay."

"Why?"

Sendoh turned in surprise; the usual mocking tone was absent, replaced by the genuine need to know. Sendoh slid lower in seat before plopping his long legs over the top of the seat in front. He sighed, "I don't know; it just isn't done. Ever since I joined the CMG, it was taken for granted that the name 'Mitsui Hisashi' was never to be mentioned in the presence of Kogure. I heard that their hostility began even before they came to the college, so I'm afraid I can't tell you any more than that."

"And yet you're able to get along with the both of them. How did that come about?" prodded Rukawa further.

Sendoh's lips twitched upward as he playfully ruffled Rukawa's dark ebony locks, "Hey, if I can get along with you, I can get along with anybody."

Rukawa slapped the hand away before snorting in annoyance, "Hmph, regular Mr Nice Guy aren't you?"

The smile widened, "Perhaps."

"Idiot. So, tell me about them."

Sendoh's eyes followed Rukawa's gaze. Leaning back with his hands behind his head, Sendoh started his introductions.

"Well, the Rock Group actually consists of two bands. Mitsui, that's the guy with his hair dyed a dark shade of blue, is the lead vocalist and sometimes guitarist for 'Bad Boys'. Backup vocal and bass guitarist is Maki Shinichi, on keyboard is Miyagi Ryota while the drummer is a junior named Youhei Mito. As to the other band, lead vocalist and guitarist is Sakuragi Hanamichi, backup vocal and keyboardist is Kiyota Nobunaga, bass guitarist is Fukuda Kiccho and finally, you have Jin Soichiro who plays the drums."

Turning in his seat to face Rukawa, Sendoh added with a mischievous grin before adding, "Want to know something funny? The boys from the second band actually call themselves 'The Wild and Crazy Monkeys'."

"What?!"

Sendoh grinned widely at the flabbergasted look on Rukawa's face. He then offered an explanation, "It seems that Mitsui was the one who suggested the band name. You'd only have to watch the antics of both Sakuragi and Kiyota to find out why."

The young man then gestured towards the stage, "Look, Sakuragi's the one with flaming red hair while Kiyota's the one with flying ebony locks. They're really quite a striking pair, don't you think?"

Rukawa nodded wordlessly as Sendoh offered additional information, "The Boys was only formed last year but their huge success during last year's Music Fest convinced the school board to fund another band. As a result, The Monkeys were born. Apparently, The Boys even outshone some of the outside bands that the school invited to perform and they're a huge hit with the rest of the schooling population. Jin, that's the boy sitting next to Sakuragi, was originally part of The Boys but opted to join The Monkeys as they needed an experience drummer."

"So who composes?"

Sendoh grinned in amusement, "You really don't any more than necessary, huh?"

A wordless shrug was the only reply. Giving up on his uncommunicative companion, Sendoh sighed before continuing in his explanation, "Jin and Maki usually write the music while Mitsui fills in the lyrics. They're really a great team, just wait till you hear them play, I'm positive you'd be blown away."

As if on cue, 'Bad Boys' started their rehearsal, their loud music rocking the enclosure and Rukawa felt as if his eardrums were going to burst. That is, if the walls didn't collapse on him first. But after giving The Boys several more minutes, Rukawa had to admit that Sendoh was right after all. Even though the rhythm was loud, Rukawa could still pick out the lyrics clearly. He allowed himself a small smile in appreciation before leaning back in his seat. Sendoh however, grinned widely as he gave Mitsui the thumbs up. Acknowledging the compliment, the lead singer grinned back before bowing low in response.

t.b.c. ^_~