Music

By CheeKy

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

Note: I don't know what I was thinking when I wrote up this chapter. Just typed and typed without processing anything. Must be all the caffeine; it's killing my brain cells. ^^ Anyways, I hope you guys don't mind the uh, odd wrap-up of this chapter, and its 'melodramaticness'. Mucha mucha thanks again for reading and don't forget to review, k? ^___________^

To:

Eddo: Dun worry, I dun go around pinching stuff from other fic writers. Unfortunately, there're only so many words in the English vocabulary. ^_____^ Eheheh, but thanks for dropping a note!

Hibiki-chan ~ Ooops, is it one week left to the Fest? Looks like I better start working on the other ambiguous aspects of the fic, MitKo for instance! Next chapter after this, I promise!! ^^

tensaispira ~ Heeeeyy, wats the Saiyuki Ending Theme doing in an SD review?? ^______^

iNsAnEbEl ~ Eheheh, tis not easy typing your username. ^^ Anyways, we shall not be discussing er, *cough cough* tops and bottoms cause my fic is still rated G. Nyahahahaha. ^_________^

akane ~ Here the next chappie!! ^___________^

White Meteor ~ Wah, I like your dramatisation of Rukawa. "Gone crazy, severely depressed and committed suicide." Yes, it's a miracle he's still alive. Why? Hmm, lemme work on that. ^^ Oooh, and regarding your question on wat's Sendoh gonna do, I've answered it in this chapter. ^_______^

chescaOtaku ~ Oooh, mucha mucha thanks!!! But do feel free to point out anything you like or dun like. It'll help me develop my story better! ^_______^

rj-chan ~ Gomen!! I didn't realise that the fic had gotten so er, angst- like. Ehehe, I started the story with a sad childhood for Rukawa, so I had to finish the loose threads. ^^ But to be honest, angst doesn't become me, so I'm going to modify Rukawa's POV with 'something'. I honestly hope it makes sense! ^^

Jo-san ~ ^^ Missed ya heaps too!! Anyways, more MitKo hints in this chapter. Ehehe, Kogure is rather OOC but he needs to be strong cause at the mo, he's urm, *cough cough* without a leaning shoulder. But don't worry, I promise I'll write a mushy ending for those two. ^_________^

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Chapter Eleven ~ Warmth

"Hey Rukawa!"

The boy being addressed turned slightly as a small smile started to form on his face, "Mitsui."

Dropping onto the soft grass with a soft thud, Mitsui grinned as he asked, "So, how's practise coming along?"

Rukawa woefully held up ten fingers, all covered with blisters and bruises. The guitarist laughed, "Hey, no need to practise so hard. Don't forget the Music Fest is coming up next week and the last thing I need is for the CMG guys to come after me with knives and sticks. Besides, you're going to need all of your fingers if you want to play the violin."

Rukawa merely shrugged his shoulders unconcerned as he turned his attention back to the acoustic guitar. Mitsui had thoughtfully loaned him the instrumental piece with the explanation that it would make practicing much easier.

"So you ready for the big day?"

Again that wordless shrug as Rukawa started strumming several chords. For the next few minutes, both boys sat in silence, the older of the two content to just watch the boy play. Suddenly Mitsui remarked with a wry grin, "You know, you kinda remind me of someone I know. He used to bug me about wanting to learn the guitar as well."

"Kogure?"

Blue eyes looked up to stare steadily into dark brown ones. Dropping his gaze, Mitsui laughed uneasily as he plucked at the grass near his feet, "What makes you say that?"

"I recognised the look."

"So you."

"Yes."

Again that humourless laugh, "Since you already know, then I guess there's no point in trying to hide from you."

To the guitarist's surprise, Rukawa smirked aloud, "Idiot."

Mitsui merely threw the boy a wistful smile, "Maybe. But it's too late to do anything now."

"You'll never know till you try."

"It doesn't matter. I'm happier this way."

"Are you really? What about Kogure? Do you think he's happy?"

"Stop prying into my life. It's none of your business anyway," retorted Mitsui with an irritated scowl.

"Coward," snorted Rukawa as he made an attempt to stand up. One hand reached out to grab at his arm and Rukawa was thrown off balance. With the boy's face hovering inches from his own, Mitsui hissed ominously, "I said, it's none of your business."

Slightly bended at his waist, Rukawa merely leaned closer as he taunted the young man with a wicked smirk, "You think you're so tough but you're nothing but a coward underneath."

A fist slammed into his cheek and Rukawa was suddenly on his back due to the sudden impact. Mitsui stood up as he stared down at the boy at his feet. The young man then spit out heatedly, "Shut up. Just shut up."

"Hey, what's going on here?"

Without another word, Mitsui turned as he brushed passed Sendoh with an angry scowl. The spiky haired young man could only stare at the retreating figure before dropping down next Rukawa who was sitting up on his elbows. Wiping the blood from the side of his lips, the boy then grimaced aloud, "Damn, but that guy packs a mean punch."

"What did you do this time?" questioned Sendoh as he sighed in exasperation.

Rukawa answered indignantly, "Why is everything always my fault?"

"That's because you're such a trouble maker," pointed out Sendoh with a wide grin. He then added with concern, "So is everything alright?"

"Yeah," came the resigned reply as Rukawa rested his head in his arms. Staring unblinkingly upwards, Rukawa then added softly, "Uh, Sendoh, I've been thinking about what you said earlier."

"Hmm? What did I say?" questioned Sendoh as he sat cross-legged while resting his head in the palm of his hand.

Turning his head to face the solemn looking man, Rukawa continued with a small smile, "You know, about being decent to the dead and stuff."

"Oh. And the point you're trying to make is?" prodded Sendoh as he smiled back brightly. Somehow Rukawa's smile felt warm and the older man was encouraged with the boy's affable attitude.

Rukawa flushed suddenly as he sat up, "You were right, I was acting like a spoilt brat. And I'm sorry for taking it out on you."

"Apology accepted. So, anything else?" grinned Sendoh with a mischievous smirk on his face when Rukawa paused again.

Nodding his head slowly, Rukawa continued as he started toying with the grass at his feet.

"Actually there is. I've finally made up my mind and I'm going to invite my mother to the Music Fest after all."

"What? You mean you still haven't told her about it yet?"

The guilty look on Rukawa's face revealed as much and Sendoh sighed aloud, "So what made you change your mind?"

Rukawa's gaze dropped as he explained softly, "When I told you that my father died, I didn't mention the whole story. He didn't just died because of normal circumstances. My father shot himself."

"What?!"

Rukawa cringed inwardly at the loud shout of disbelief but he pushed ahead with his story. He'd already come so far. He wanted, no, needed for Sendoh to understand. After all that Sendoh had done for him, it was only fair that the man was told the whole story, from his own two lips.

"My father had been suffering from Parkinson's disease ever since his middle thirties and the illness deterred him from playing the violin. That was the main reason why he retired. When I was born, it became an obsession for him to groom me into becoming his successor. I hated him for his rigid training, and my hatred blinded me to the pain and helplessness he was feeling inside. I should have read the signs. All he wanted was for me to become the best, and the harder he pushed, the further I ran. The breaking point came was when the French public announced that I had surpassed him in skill. Instead of showing my gratitude, I told him to his face that he was no longer needed and I was cutting all ties with him."

Rukawa's voice broke as he started pounding the ground, "God damn it, he shot himself because of my relentless demands for freedom. Whenever my mother plead on my behalf, he would answer with the same phrase, 'I will give him freedom when he has proven himself worthy'. And now that I had reached the highest level, he was finally granting me my wish."

Sendoh could only stare helplessly as the boy sitting opposite broke down before his very eyes. Burying his head in his hands, Rukawa started sobbing and the anguish touched the very core of Sendoh's soul. Pulling the sobbing boy into his arms, Sendoh started rubbing the boy's back as he whispered words of comfort.

"Sshh, it's not your fault he died."

"I'm sorry, gods, I'm so sorry," whimpered Rukawa into Sendoh's shirt. When the shaking had subsided considerably, Sendoh pushed the boy back up as he tenderly wiped the tears away with the base of his knuckles.

"Regret will only bring more pain. You need to look to the future. Your mother's still alive and she would be very sad to see you like this."

"But I killed him. If it wasn't for me, my father would still be alive today."

"You didn't pull the trigger, now did you?" questioned Sendoh gently. When Rukawa gave a slight shake of his head, Sendoh followed on with another question, "Did your mother ever blamed you for his death?"

Again that negative response. Giving Rukawa's shoulders a soft squeeze, Sendoh added with a determined glint in his eye.

"So stop blaming yourself. He died so you could have your freedom, and if you give up now, then his death will only be in vain."

"I."

"Rukawa, don't you dare let his dream die as well. If you do, then you will never be able to live with yourself."

Once again tears welled in Rukawa's eyes as he gave a mirthless laugh, "Gods, what am I doing? You must think I'm crazy for unloading all this shit on you."

Sendoh smiled back kindly, "Hey, we all act a little crazy sometimes."

Wiping the tears away, Rukawa offered a hesitative smile under the intense gaze.

"You know something, maybe the Music Fest is some sort of blessing in disguise. If playing the violin will help ease the pain and remind my mother of the only man she'd ever loved, then I'm willing to forget the bitter past and move on. The only thing I want now is for her to be happy, and to be proud of me."

The older man answered quietly as he wrapped his arms around the boy, "I'm sure she already is."

For several seconds Rukawa squirmed uncomfortably under the man's grasp, but as Sendoh continued rubbing his back, his shoulders eased and the boy sighed aloud against the man's chest.

"I missed her."

"I'm sure she missed you too, Kaede."

Suddenly the boy stiffened as he pushed against Sendoh's chest before staring upwards. Frowning, he then questioned suspiciously, "What did you just call me?"

Sendoh hazard a guess as he smiled back weakly, "Uh, Rukawa?"

"No, you called me Kaede."

Sendoh gave an uneasy laugh, "Really? So erm, I guess you should call me Akira then."

"Uh, okay."

The unexpected agreement rendered Sendoh speechless and the man found himself reddening beneath the unblinking stare. Laughing a little self- consciously, Sendoh suddenly smacked his forehead before exclaiming loudly, "Darn but I almost forgot. The girls are having a rehearsal and I promised Ayako I'd play for her. Their regular pianist is down with the chicken pox. Come on, I'd introduce you to them. I'm sure they'd be all very eager to meet you."

Then pulling the boy to his feet, Sendoh started tugging the boy along. He almost fell backwards when Rukawa pulled back with a shout, "Wait!"

Turning back in surprise, Sendoh could only grin sheepishly as his gaze followed Rukawa's. In his haste to pull the boy along, they had left the acoustic guitar behind. Rubbing his hand behind his nape in an embarrassed manner, Sendoh released Rukawa's hand as the boy made his way towards the instrument. When Rukawa returned with a soft smile on his face, Sendoh playfully slung his hand across the narrow shoulders as he teased, "That's right, Kaede-kun. Just keep on smiling. You look prettier that way."

"Idiot. Who are you calling pretty?" came the irritated retort.

Sendoh merely chuckled aloud, "Okay, okay, not need to give me that death glare. Hurry up, I'm already late as it is."

Shaking his head in mock despair, Rukawa started running after the young man. Inwardly, his mind conjured up the image of his mother and his gaze softened. He really missed her sorely; looks like it was about time he made that overdue call home. And for the first time in weeks since he arrived, Rukawa felt his heart lighten considerably as the smile on his face widened. He then gave a shout ahead, "Hey no fair, you've got longer legs and you're not carrying anything."

Sendoh merely turned slightly as he offered a laughing reply, "Don't complain. I'm not the one who wants to play the guitar."

Rukawa merely chuckled as he quickened his footsteps.

t.b.c. ^_~