Music

By CheeKy

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

To:

All readers ~ I honestly didn't think Music would have proceeded so far, and cliché as it may sounds, but each and every one of your reviews have been immensely helpful. Your reviews have inspired me to do better, write longer (^^;;;) and yes, even rewrite whole chapters. My only regret is that I am unable to appease the requests of every reader. But having said that, I am glad that Music has come to be a fiction worth looking-forward for some readers, and to you who fall in this category, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude. You, who exist through creating a unique handler, have touched and affected my life in more ways than you'll ever know.

I am content.

Ehehe, sorry for the sober note, and no, don't worry cause this fic is not about to end just yet. ^________^ I just thought, since I never sent out personal thank yous to my reviewers, this would be a good opportunity to let everyone know how thankful I am. I'd like to be friends, so mail me if you feel that way too! ^^;;;;

And now, feedback to all my reviewers:

akane ~ For you, huggies and kisses for archiving Music at your site. Ehehe, am on the roll in counting my blessings. ^__________^

White Meteor ~ Am first and foremost, a writer. ^^ I live for constructive criticisms; it's the only way to move forward. ^_______^ As for Mitsui and Kogure's age, erm, they ought be 20, though why Rukawa's 17, still remains a mystery even for me. Eheheheh. . . ^^ As for Youhei on the harmonica, yeah, I really like the guy, he's a cool dude. ^^

abu maktoots [circa '03] ~ For waiting to read more, thank you, thank you, thank you!! ^^

Valencia ~ For bugging me at the AKML.. bug me more and I'll update faster.. ^^

Eddie ~ Can I call you Eddie? Eheheh. . . am always happy to hear from you. *extends baskets and baskets of bananas in gratitude* ^________^

rj-chan ~ Eheheh, I hope you didn't missed this chapter!! ^^ Anyways, I'm afraid I can't give you a definite reply to your queries regarding Kaede and his mother as I'm not sure yet what I'll be writing for future chapters. Am just taking things one step, or rather, one chapter at a time. ^^ Nonetheless, I think it's about time Kaede found some happiness, agree? ^_______^

Aki7 ~ AkiKaenian too? ^^ Am glad the fic inspires, though if it's okay with you, could you please be more specific on which aspect of the fic works for you? It would help me decide what to focus on in later chapters. Thanks again for reviewing!

INsAnEbEl ~ Sowee for the late update!! What happened was, every time I edited Chapter Fourteen, I kept adding in more stuff, hence its impressive (^^;;;;) length. Eheheh. . . my first draft was only 1000-plus but by the time I was satisfied with the final edit, it came to be a 3200-plus chapter. ^_____^ Ehehe, anyways, now that the Music Fest is over, it's time for some good ol' lovin for the SD boys and girls. ^^ And yes, you /must/ watch The Red Violin. I give the film two thumbs up!!

fiery-frost ~ Eheheh, thank goodness for avid imaginations!! Would be horrified if you said something like 'I /cannot/ envision the scene'. . . Ehehe, am gonna get bapped for repeating myself, but thanks again for being so supportive of Music. ^______^

Hibiki-chan ~ Nah, didn't forget to update, just wasn't ready to post the new chapters yet. ^^ I think it would be sheer cruelty to come so far, and not finish the fic. By the way, I accidentally uploaded two copies of Chapter Fourteen and your review appeared for the second copy, which I have since deleted, hence your review is gone too. Sowee about that!! You don't have to review Chapter Fourteen again though, ehehe, just drop a comment for this chapter, okie? ^______^

sLL ~ It would be a great honour if you would tell me that you've enjoy this chapter. Really.

* * *

Chapter Fifteen ~ Irrational Behaviour

"Kaede, you're back! So how was the reunion?"

Ignoring the question thrown in his direction, Rukawa posed another one of his own, "You guys still here?"

The spiky head grinned ruefully, "Yeah, we're still trying to decide on how to celebrate tonight's success. Which do you think is better? To go karaoke or to go clubbing?"

Rukawa merely shrugged unconcerned, "Why ask me?"

Fujima piped in, "I say we go karaoke."

Expectedly, Ayako jumped in with a definite shake of her head, "No way. I've done just about enough singing to last me for weeks to come."

Koshino interjected with a meaningful glance in her direction, "What about dancing? How does dancing sounds to you?"

Ayako blushed crimson as she answered softly, "I don't mind doing that."

"Aww, will you just look at those two lovebirds. Come on Fujima, have a heart and lets all go clubbing together."

"Speak for yourself Mitsui, you just want to get your wandering paws up my best friend."

Kogure couldn't help but laugh aloud, "Hey, I resent that. My Hisashi, despite first appearances, is a true gentleman at heart."

Mitsui grinned sheepishly at the compliment as Maki started clapping his hands to draw their attention, "So it's decided that we're all going clubbing? Any other objections?"

"Hey Kaede, you are coming with us right?"

The boy gave a quick shake of the head, "I don't think so. I'm tired and I want to sleep."

"But you can always sleep in tomorrow. That's what Sundays are for."

"What are you? An Energizer Bunny?"

Sendoh grinned as he caught the boy by the shoulder to stop him from leaving the auditorium. Playfully ruffling the dark locks, Sendoh teased with a soft chuckle, "I'm so proud of you Kae-chan; you've come a long way since arriving at Karejji Kanagawa. Three months ago you wouldn't even smile when I smiled at you and now you're making jokes. Even if they are kinda lame."

Rukawa scowled darkly but Sendoh remained undeterred as he added affectionately, "Smile for me Kaede. You ought be relieved the Music Fest's finally over. It's now time to celebrate and have lots of fun."

"Sendoh Akira, you are the most annoying and persistent idiot I've ever had the unfortunate opportunity of meeting."

"Enough of your snide remarks, you little twerp."

"Don't call me a little twerp, you. ugh! Let me go, you baka, I can't breathe!"

"Not until you agree to come with us."

"Akira!!!!"

"Hey Sendoh, I think Rukawa turning blue."

The pianist finally released his arm around the boy's neck as he offered Maki a lopsided grin, "Kaede's coming with us."

"I am not."

"Aww, don't be such a spoilsport. It'll be fun, I promise. Besides, everyone's gonna be there."

Suddenly Koshino spoke up, "Hang on. Rukawa, you're still seventeen, aren't you?"

The boy stopped glaring at Sendoh to answer the young man's query, "Yeah, so?"

Sendoh let out a dramatic gasp as he smacked his forehead before replying, "Oh no, that means some of the clubs are off-limits for you, Kae- chan. What a pity! And I had been hoping to show you what goes behind the dark and tinted glass. I guess we're just going to have to wait until you're old enough, eh Kaede?"

Maki shook his head in mock-despair as he voiced his thought aloud, "Hey Mr Piano Man, just because you're a lost cause doesn't mean you have to corrupt the kid as well. If I were you, I'd stop trying to pollute his innocent mind."

"Oh, and since when did you become the boy's keeper?"

"Hey, with you around, somebody has to volunteer to make sure he retains his innocence."

Catching the look of utter bewilderment on Rukawa's face, Sendoh merely grinned as he started steering the boy outside, "Be a good little Kae-chan and get changed out this stuffy suit, okay? Now, now, don't give me that cute little pout, it looks out of place on such a beautiful face."

"You are annoying."

"Yes, I know."

"And persistent."

"Hey Kaede, you're starting to sound like my mother."

Rukawa merely rolled his eyes before sighing aloud in exasperation, "Why can't you just leave me alone?"

"Cause I like seeing you happy."

"Baka."

"Besides, it's not healthy to hole up in your room all the time."

"I do not hole up in my room."

"Denial, denial."

Had Sendoh been a lesser man, he might have drop dead at the ominous glare directed his way. But Sendoh being the sunshine boy that he was known as, merely smiled wider as he added almost affectionately, "I'll look after you, I promise."

"Does my going really mean that much to you?"

Looking straight into Rukawa's azure orbs, Sendoh voiced out evenly, "If I said yes does that mean you'll come with me?"

A ghost of a smile passed through the pale features as Rukawa breathed out almost in awe, "You are, simply unbelievable."

Dark blue eyes glinted impishly in response, "And you are, my dearest Kaede, simply a bewitching sight to behold."

Rukawa's face burned as he hurriedly looked away, suddenly feeling shy despite the fact it was not the first time Sendoh had teased him about his. striking features. It all started from the day he fell asleep on Sendoh's shoulder during one of Fujima's compulsory 'prep talks'. Faced with a group of tired-looking members after a particularly tiring practise, their president had taken it upon himself to boost their morals with words of encouragement and spirit-boosting anecdotes. In spite of Fujima's well- meaning intentions, Rukawa had dropped off to sleep and awoke to the patient calling of his name.

Unfortunately for the young boy, he opened his eyes the very moment Sendoh chose to call him 'beautiful angel' and from that moment on, Sendoh had made it a point to greet him every morning with that particular nickname, much to the younger boy's chagrin. And very much to Rukawa's embarrassment, it branched off to cheesy terms like 'Blue-eyed Panda Boy', 'Sunshine' and even 'My Adorable Kitsune-chan'.

Rukawa broke off from his reverie when he realised that Sendoh and the other music group members were now staring fixedly in his direction. The blush deepened as Rukawa mumbled rather haltingly, "I'll uh. I'll see you all later then."

Watching the retreating back, Sendoh started scratching his head in wonder as he turned back to the rest of the CMG members, "Was it something I said?"

Koshino merely sighed deeply as he wordlessly shook his head. Sometimes he really couldn't believe how dense his best friend was. Still standing by Koshino's side, Ayako answered with a soft chuckle, "Time to get your head away from the clouds Akira-kun."

When Sendoh stared back blankly, Ayako added with a mischievous wink, "There are angels on earth too."

And the pianist finally smiled as understanding dawned on his face.

~ * ~

He expected them all at the End Zone; loud music that threatened to burst his eardrums, flashing lights that stung and burned his eyesight and smoke that clogged up his windpipe. What he did not expect was the sight of his ex-boyfriend's oh-so-muscular body meshed with a well-endowed female partner.

His first mistake was to stare too long at the swaying body that moved in perfect coordination with the pounding rhythm. His second mistake was not to run when his ex caught sight of him and started advancing closer, the latter with a growing smirk on his face.

"I never thought you frequent places like these, hmm beautiful."

His mouth was patched dry and his feet suddenly felt like lead. And despite the pain and humiliation he felt coursing through his entire body, he could not find the power to look away.

"You here alone?"

He saw several young men gesturing in their direction and the smirk widened as he answered his own question, "Aah. I thought not."

He finally found his voice, "What are you doing here?"

A face reached out to caress his cheek but stopped short when the owner abrupt tilted his head backwards to avoid the touch. Dropping the hand back to his side, he laughingly answered, "Isn't it obvious? I'm dancing. or as least I was dancing. Now I'm looking at you. and you're still as beautiful as I remember."

He made an attempt to sound angry but failed under the piercing stare, "I meant. what are you doing here in Japan?"

"And you? What about you?"

"This is my home."

"And this is mine too."

"Hey Kaede. what the. is he bothering you?"

Slowly drawing his eyes from the smirking young man that stood inches away from him, Rukawa started turning his head, his vision slightly off-focused as he willed himself to pay attention to the spiky-head who was now shaking his shoulders gently. He started mumbling incoherently, "No. no. it's nothing."

But despite the younger boy's protest, Sendoh found a deep annoyance building up in him as he turned to glare at the blonde who, as far as the pianist was concerned, was the cause of Rukawa's misery. Catching the icy glare, the blonde merely stared back innocently, his wide smile still playing on his lips.

"Akira, lets go."

This time, it was Sendoh's feet that stood rooted to the ground. Still keeping his eyes steady against the blonde's, Sendoh voiced out evenly, "What did you do to him?"

"You heard what he said. nothing. Would you like me to spell it out to you? N-O-T-."

The blonde was given no opportunity to continue as a hard punch caught him on the side of his jaw and he toppled backwards onto the dance floor. With curses flowing freely from his lips, the blonde abruptly launched himself against Sendoh, throwing the spiky head onto his back. Sendoh groaned painfully as his head collided with the hard ground but before he could collect his thoughts, the blonde was unceremoniously lifted from his torso.

Sendoh slowly sat up as he watched dazedly at the heated argument now being carried out between the blonde and a bespectacled man that was not Kogure. From the way the latter was gesturing angrily at the blonde, Sendoh surmised that their brawl must have caught the unwanted attention of the club's owner. Several pairs of arms helped the pianist to his feet and Sendoh felt rather disappointed to note that neither hand belonged to Rukawa. And then he noticed that Rukawa was standing between the two sparing men and it was clear that the youth was trying to appease both their anger. Unexpectedly, the blonde roughly shoved the young boy aside before striding purposely to Sendoh's side. The glare was ominous as the blonde hissed out threateningly, "This is far from over just yet."

Without waiting for a reply, the blonde then strode off, with several of his friends in tow; some throwing curious glance in Sendoh's direction while others looked on meaningfully. Gradually, the crowd that had gathered around them dispersed and Sendoh found himself coming face-to-face with Rukawa, the latter's facial features devoid of any emotions as he spoke up almost accusingly, "What did you do that for?"

Nursing his bruised head, Sendoh couldn't help but answered with a slight pout, "Some words of gratitude would be good now."

"I didn't ask for you to hit him."

"It doesn't matter. I told you I'd look after you."

Dropping his gaze, Rukawa then voiced out with deep resentment, "I'm not a child that needs looking after."

Sendoh reached out to tilt the face upwards and to the older man's surprise, he realised that the cobalt eyes were bright with unshed tears. Gently brushing away the lone tear that slid down the boy's cheek, Sendoh remarked gently, "Why are you crying, Kaede?"

A mirthless laugh escaped the boy's lips as he started leaning into Sendoh's embrace, "I don't know. You make me feel like that."

"Like crying?"

Rukawa smiled in spite of himself at the incredulity lined in Sendoh's voice. Still with his face resting against Sendoh's chest, he murmured quietly, "Baka."

But Sendoh's keen ears caught the spoken word and he sighed inwardly. He'd find out about the blonde sooner or later, but for now, he was just content to have his arms wrapped securely around the slender form.

t.b.c. ^_~