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: Just tying up some loose ends about Rukawa's life in this chapter. Lemme know what you think about it, k? Just a tinny weenie bit of angst here.

By the way, I just wanna take this opportunity to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who've been so supportive of my fic so far. *kisses and hugs to all* It's really encouraging to know that you guys like what you read, even if you're not SenRu fans. Nyahahahahaha, time to change preferences. *hint hint* And many many thanks too for staying with me even though I'm not updating as regular as before. ^_______^

To:

White Meteor ~ *gasps* Nooo, you've misunderstood, I won't be writing a FukuJin, no way, not today and definitely not in this fic. I'm not *that* whacked. ^^ And this chappie just a tad longer, hope you like it!

INsAnEbEl ~ New reviewer!! ^^ Aww, why dun you like SenRu?? It's one the most prefect yaoi pairing in the SD world. ^^ Anyways, many many thanks for pointing out my error; it's corrected now. ^______^ Nyahahahaha, now I have a valid reason to shoot my informer.

akane ~ That's Sendoh for you! Persistent, loyal and true!! The perfect boyfriend ne. ^________^

tensaispira ~ Heeeyyy, I answered that question in Chapter Nine. ^^

sLL ~ Why are you finally starting to *really* enjoying the fic now? *confused* Anyways, I'm mucha mucha grateful to you for supporting all my fic!!! *big big hugs* ^________^

chescaOtaku ~ Another new reviewer!! And a SenRu fan too!!! Let's spread the SenRu lovin' around, k?? ^_______^

rj-chan ~ Nyahahahahaha, Sendoh's not going to get Rukawa *that* easily. Ooh, and there won't be a FukuJin, so you don't have to feel sorry for Jin. I was just having a bit of fun with the boys!! ^_____^

Hibiki-chan ~ Don't worry if you'd missed a couple; just read whenever you find the time, k? In any case, I'm as pleased as punch to know that you're enjoying the fic so far. ^_____^

fourteen ~ Gross? Gross? Nyahahahahaha, I'm guessing you mean all those. . . *ahem* lemon stuff right? No cause for concern just yet; I've yet to change the rating. ^^ As for the Aiwa guy, er, was his name ever mentioned at all? Gomen nasai!!! Guess I'm as clueless as you, huh?

* * *

Chapter Ten ~ Semi-Charmed Life

Koshino looked curiously over at his friend. For the past half hour the spiky-haired young man had stared unblinkingly at the scene outside, oblivious to the fact that they were supposed to be studying for an upcoming exam. From across the other side of the table, Koshino offered his friend a none-too-gentle kick on the shin. With a start, Sendoh yelp aloud before turning to glare in annoyance at Koshino, "What was that for?"

"Just checking to see if you were still there. You've been staring into space for the past half hour. You feeling okay?"

Pushing his book away, Sendoh leaned heavily against his seat before sighing desolately, "I'm fine, just a little thoughtful, that's all."

"Let me guess, you're thinking about that Ice Prince of yours again, aren't you?" grinned Koshino suddenly.

"He's not my Ice Prince," retorted Sendoh in indignation.

"But you don't deny that you were thinking about him, right?" prodded Koshino with a teasing grin.

Again that indignant look on Sendoh's face as he answered huffily, "No, why should I deny it? It's not like I have anything to hide."

Koshino held up both hands in an appeasing manner as he chuckled aloud, "Alright, no need to get so worked up. I was just pulling your leg. So clue me in, why is the Ice Prince occupying your thoughts?"

Briefly, Sendoh related the previous conversation he had with Rukawa before ending with a loud sigh, "I'm worried about him Kosh. If only I knew more about his life in Paris, then maybe I could help him feel better."

"Wouldn't your best option be to ask him personally?"

"Yeah, but I've already told him that I didn't care about his past. Besides, I doubt if he'd tell me everything. If you hadn't notice, he's not much of an extrovert."

To Sendoh's surprise, Koshino didn't offer a sarcastic rebuke. Instead, the young man frowned thoughtfully before voicing out his opinion, "I suppose it wouldn't hurt if we asked Fujima or Kogure. I'm sure they'll be able to tell us more about Rukawa."

"You think?"

Koshino stood up, "Well, you never know until you ask. Come on, no time like the present."

Following Koshino's actions, Sendoh couldn't help but ask suspiciously, "You're being awful helpful all of the sudden, what gives?"

Punching his friendly lightly on the shoulder, Koshino grinned as he answered, "Hey, since when do I need a reason to help my best friend out?"

Sendoh couldn't help but smile as he picked up his books from the table.

~ * ~

"Sendoh! Koshino! How nice of you both to visit, so what can I do for you?" smiled Fujima as he stood back for both boys to entered.

"Actually, we. Oh, Kogure senpai, you're here too!" remarked Sendoh in surprise.

Pushing back his glasses, the saxophonist smiled as he looked up from Fujima's bed. He then stretched dramatically as he drawled out with a crooked grin, "Perfect timing guys. I really needed a break."

Fujima laughed upon seeing the bemused look on his two juniors' face, "History. Plenty of names and places to remember. So what's up?"

Sitting down comfortably on the carpeted floor, Sendoh turned to Koshino who gave him an encouraging nod. The boy then turned back to Fujima, "Well, I was hoping that you guys could tell us more about Rukawa."

Kogure snorted, "Hmph, I could tell you plenty about what I think."

Fujima quickly cut in, "Come on Kogure, don't tell me you're still upset about yesterday's incident."

The annoyed look on Kogure's face clearly showed that he was. Koshino couldn't help but ask curiously, "I don't mean to pry, but what's the issue between you and Mitsui anyway?"

Kogure took a deep breath before replying tiredly, "Koshino, I don't ask about your life, so don't start questioning mine, okay?"

The boy nodded as he lowered his eyes, abashed by the rebuke. Hoping to ease the tension, Kogure smiled apologetically, "Alright, I'm sorry for behaving like a sore ass. I'm just not comfortable talking about him, so I would really appreciate it if we leave him out of the conversation. Besides, this isn't about me. You guys wanted to know more about Rukawa, right?"

Without wanting for a reply, Kogure related with a wry smile, "Actually, there really isn't much to tell. Rukawa Kaede is the only son of two very talented musicians, Eiri and Reiko, one of Japan's most celebrated music couple. Eiri first found fame at the tender age of five when he was labelled Japan's music child prodigy. His wife on the other hand, was famous for her role as Christine in the opera's adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera. They married, had a son and later moved to Paris. I heard from my father that Eiri retired some eight, nine years ago to focus his attention on training his son. As for Reiko, I believe she still sings in the opera."

"Actually, make that the late Rukawa Eiri."

Both Kogure and Fujima turned to stare at Sendoh's admission. The latter frowned as he mused, "That's odd. It's the first time I've heard of such a thing. Who told you?"

"I heard it from Rukawa himself. I mean, Rukawa Kaede."

Kogure scratched his chin thoughtfully, "Hmm, I wonder why his death didn't make a splash in the local papers. Even though the Rukawas had left Japan for some years now, they're still hugely popular among the elder generation, especially Reiko. Kanagawa is actually her hometown so she's quite the prefecture's darling."

"Maybe that's why his death was so low-keyed. I'm sure if the media knew of her return, they would be all over her in a flash. No doubt she wanted to stay as inconspicuous as possible," added Fujima as he glanced up at Kogure for his confirmation.

"Perhaps. And let's not forget that Karejji Kanagawa is a private college, so at the very most Rukawa junior would be able to remain as detached as possible from the public's eye."

"Until they hear him play of course," interjected Sendoh with a huge grin pasted on his face. Suddenly his mood dampened, "Oh shit, I forgot the Music Fest is a major event and all of Kanagawa and its dog would be attending. How are we supposed to keep Kaede away from the media's frenzy?"

Kogure coughed delicately, "Ahem, perhaps I'd neglected to point out earlier, but Rukawa junior is not that well known in Japan. If you recall, he did spent the last ten years in Paris so he's virtually an unknown here in Kanagawa. It's his mother who'll be mobbed by the media."

"Oh. Well, I have no doubt he'll be just as popular in no time at all."

"With that icy mask on? Aren't you being just a little too optimistic, huh Sendoh?"

"You worry too much Kogure, I'm sure Sendoh will be able to melt that cold exterior sooner or later. In fact, he's already doing quite a fine job, isn't that right?" grinned Fujima as he punched the boy lightly on the shoulder.

Sendoh laughed easily, "I don't know if I'll succeed but I'm certainly doing my best."

"Yeah, I'm sure you are. That kid needs a little sunshine to brighten up his rather bleak life," added Kogure with a slight shake of his head.

Sendoh interjected sharply, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Kogure shrugged his shoulders, "Nothing. I wasn't trying to imply anything at all."

Sendoh threw his senior a hard look, "You're still keeping something back, aren't you?"

When Kogure didn't reply, Sendoh turned to the other boy for help, "Fujima?"

The brown-haired boy hesitated before glancing worriedly at Kogure, "Should I tell him?"

"If you want to. I really don't care either way."

"Tell me what?" questioned Sendoh with growing concerned. He didn't quite like the way his seniors were looking at each other.

Fujima finally turned back to Sendoh as he sighed heavily, "There's some hidden skeletons in the Rukawas' family closet. Naturally, none of these stories are verified and for all we know, they might even be tall tales spread around to damage the Rukawas' reputation."

"Oh quit stalling and tell us already!"

Koshino blushed sheepishly when three pairs of eyes turned in his direction. He muttered under his breath, "Hey, so I'm curious. Is that a crime?"

Fujima's lips twisted upwards ever so slightly. Meeting Sendoh's impatient eyes, the young man quickly turned sombre as he began his tale.

"Okay, here's the story. Rumour has it that Rukawa senior physically abused his son when the boy didn't perform to expectations. The child was also kept under lock and key for days without end and the only times he was allowed outside was when he had to perform for the paying public. I also heard that Rukawa senior once broke his son's legs when the boy managed to escape from his locked room."

Fujima quickly added in apologetically, "Of course none of these tales may be true. Nobody really knows what happened so you can't take my word as truth."

Sendoh's fists clenched painfully as the young man remarked with an angry scowl, "Truth or not, that's irrelevant. What matters now is how to get Kaede to open up and stop hiding behind a mask. Gods, that bastard! No wonder Kaede hates him."

Nodding ever so stiffly, Sendoh muttered his thanks as he quickly stood up. Koshino too struggled to his feet as he called out loudly behind his friend, "Hey Sendoh, wait up!"

The door clicked shut as footsteps pounding along the hallway quickly faded away. Still staring at the door, Kogure added softly, a wistful look on his face, "Rukawa, you are one lucky bastard. Only the gods know if you truly deserve Sendoh's affection."

Fujima glanced at his best friend with an inquisitive look but the bespectacled boy had turned his attention back to his books. The young man smiled to himself, he really ought to start thinking of a way to get his friend to open up.

t.b.c. ^_~