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: In Chapter Fifteen I wrote that the blonde's home is also in Japan, well, scratch that. He stays in Paris. Heh, if you don't recall such a detail, well, even better!

To:

Kae ~ Heh, you're settling in nicely at the ML no? ^^

INsAnEbEl ~ Duet? Hmm, maybe in the next chapter, need to smooth out some loose ends first. ^o^

Aki7 ~ Perhaps you've read this already at the ML? *kicks ff.net* Hmph, this should have been up sooner.

Hibiki-chan ~ Exams, dreaded exams!! But am pretty much back for good, so more updates more frequent. And your blonde's here too. ^^ Heh, I'm a sucker for happy endings.

FaNTaSY_GuRL ~ *baps* Heh, I wrote it in between exams period, so was pretty stressed out. This chapter's longer, I think. ^o^

akane ~ More mush? ^o^

sLL ~ *glomps* You're back!!! Yay!!!

And finally, to akira and fiery-frost ~ heh, thanks lots for reading!

* * *

Chapter Seventeen ~ All That Matters

"Hey Kaede."

"Hmm."

"Let's go for a walk outside, it's noisy in here."

Sendoh's fingers intertwined with his and Rukawa found himself liking the feel of the young man's callous hands. As they darted in and out among the crowds of people, a slow smiled started tugging at the corners of Rukawa's lips as he stared at the back of the spiky head. Somewhere along the road of finding himself, he had found a friend. A friend he had come to depend on, a friend he looked forward to seeing each day, a friend who made him laugh and taught him how to smile again.

And his friend just confessed that he loved him.

His grip on Sendoh's hand tightened unconsciously as he kept his head bowed, trusting Sendoh well enough to know that the young man would lead him safely out into the open.

Trust, such a fragile emotion.

And yet, strong enough quell the storm ranging in his heart.

He was never going to let go.

~ * ~

Rukawa blinked at the absence of the bright lights as his pupils gradually adjusted to his new surroundings. But the pull on his arm didn't relent and he allowed himself to be drawn further away from the noise. Several minutes later, they had left the busy district and Rukawa realised that Sendoh had slowed his pace, allowing for him to catch up. They continued their walk in companionable silence along the rows of shops, now empty and lifeless due the early hours of the day. When they had reached the pier, Sendoh stopped as he leaned against the railing, letting out a soft sigh at the same time. With a slight tilt of his head, he gestured for Rukawa to do the same and the boy complied, his gaze following Sendoh's as both boys stared out into the open sea.

After a long while, Rukawa turned to look at Sendoh as he started chewing on his lower lip. Sendoh looked so serene, so peaceful. and the boy felt almost guilty for having to break the silence. But he knew he couldn't keep silent any longer, not when Sendoh had stood up for him without even asking why. Rukawa sighed as he mentally prepared himself, it was going to be now or never.

"His name is Ian, we went to the same high school."

Taking the slight tilt of the head as a sign to continue, the younger boy acquiesced, his low voice carried to Sendoh's ears with the cool sea breeze.

"Ian was, is. a little like Mitsui I guess, loud, passionate. He had his own rock band and pretty much had the whole female population eating out his hands."

Sendoh couldn't help but intercept with a quiet chuckle, "So that's why you were so interested in Mitsui."

The pale face turned just the slightest tinge of pink and Sendoh laughingly added as he reached for Rukawa's hand, "I must be the luckiest man in the world."

Blue eyes stared back in confusion and Sendoh leaned forward to place a chaste kiss atop the boy's nose before explaining affectionately, "Because despite Mitsui's rugged good looks, you still chose me."

Rukawa couldn't refrain from rebuking dryly, "Only because Mitsui had Kogure."

Sendoh clutched both hands over his heart before calling out dramatically, "And the most beautiful boy in the world plunges his knife without remorse. oh my ego. my poor ego."

He laughed, the quiet bubble gaining momentum from within before bursting out into the open. Catching the sudden look of resolve in Sendoh's eyes, the violist's laughter abruptly stopped. Rukawa shivered slightly as Sendoh caressed his smooth cheek with the back of his hand before murmuring almost in awe, "You look even more beautiful when you laugh."

This time his cheeks flamed. Avoiding the twin pools of blue, Rukawa stared at the broad chest as he continued, "Uhm, well. Ian had a girlfriend, Kris, who played in the orchestra I was in. Kris also played the violin and the both of us would practise together at least twice a week, sometimes at my place, sometimes at Ian's. And we would go out in a group with a bunch of other people. On my sixteen birthday."

Rukawa paused abruptly as his shoulders tensed in remembrance, "We were out celebrating. and Ian was. he was quite drunk when he suddenly leaned over and. and told me that he liked me."

He didn't realised he was shaking until he was pressed tight against Sendoh's embrace. Almost at a whisper, he added against the soft material, "Two weeks, and then he dumped me. Told me it was all a game. that he just wanted to see if I was. to know for sure whether I was. gay."

Sendoh almost missed the last word as it was choked out in pain. And then the words came tumbling out in bitterness, "He freaking lied to me. and the whole bunch of them knew about it right from the start. even. even Kris knew about it. and she thought it was funny. I trusted them. damn it, I thought they were my friends!"

"So that's why you were so afraid of opening up."

"It hurts, Akira. and it still freaking hurts."

"But you're strong."

His head snapped up as Sendoh gently wiped away the tears, "You're strong enough to move on. I know you're strong, I've witnessed your strength first hand. Hey, do you remember the first day we met? How we collided in the hallway? Bang! I saw stars then. at first I thought it was from the collision, but now I know it was me being star struck with your beauty. Heh, I was so dazed I was even late for class! And then you suddenly showed up, boy, I'll never forget the wrathful look on your face when I offered to show you around college."

Rukawa's fist tightened around the older man's shirt as he spoke up hesitatively, "Was I. was I really that rude?"

The pianist gently ruffled the dark locks as he chuckled softly, "Yeah, but you still looked cute nonetheless." Ignoring the look of embarrassment on the boy's face, Sendoh continued musing aloud, "I'm glad Fujima asked me to invite you to join the Music Fest, if not I may never have had the opportunity to hear an angel play."

This time Rukawa punched him lightly on the chest as he chided in mock exasperation, "Where did you learn to smooth talk like that?"

"It must be love. love makes you do and say crazy things."

Rukawa sighed as he leaned back into Sendoh's embrace. After a long stretch of silence, Rukawa stirred slightly as he muttered aloud, "Akira."

He would have been content to remain standing in silence but figured the boy was probably waiting for a reply, "Yeah."

"In that case I must be crazy."

Sendoh glanced down as he caught the slightest hint of mischief in the azure orbs and his breathing stopped when Rukawa confessed shyly, "Because I love you too."

~ * ~

They were waiting for the sunrise when they heard the footsteps. Turning his head, Rukawa stiffened slightly and Sendoh glanced over to his left in surprise. Following the boy's gaze, he too then turned around to face the trio. Sendoh's eyes narrowed; by the looks of it he wasn't quite successfully in wiping that disgusting smirk off the first time around.

"You with the spiky head."

Rukawa cut in coolly, "His name is Sendoh."

They both blinked in astonishment. Clearly not expecting such an icy reception, Ian could only stare stupefied as Sendoh took the opportunity to echo with a slight smirk, "Yeah, his name is Sendoh."

Ian growled back in irritation, "What's that suppose to me?"

Sendoh merely shrugged nonchalant before grinning back cheekily, "Beats me. Say Kaede, what's that supposed to mean?"

Shaking his head in mock exasperation, Rukawa finally breathed out in a huff, "Akira, I'm trying to be serious here."

The grin merely widened, "Ne Kaede, you look really cute when you pout."

Rukawa drawled out the pianist's name in a warning tone as the blonde's voice rose, "I'm talking to you, you freaking spiky."

The scathing rebuke was swift and the glare ominous, "I said, his name is Sendoh."

This time Ian's jaw dropped. But by the time he recollected his wits, Sendoh was almost giddy with hysteria as he echoed once more, "Yeah, his name."

Ian interrupted rudely, "Is Sendoh, yes fine, I heard you the first time, Sendoh."

The pianist sighed mournfully, "Maybe it's just me. but somehow it just doesn't sound as sexy when he says it."

Trying his best to keep a straight face, Rukawa whacked the man's arm as he growled out in annoyance, "Sendoh!"

The lips tugged up mischievously, "Aww, Kaede. that's so sweet of you to offer your friend a firsthand demonstration."

"Listen up Sendoh, if you don't stop mocking Ian, I'll."

Sendoh threw the stranger a hard stare as he interjected evenly, "You'll what?"

The young man visibly flinched as he took a step backwards behind Ian. Rukawa on the other hand, reprimand Sendoh in vexation, "He's right you know, we'll be here all morning if you keep this up."

Sendoh turned his head sideways as he caught Rukawa's eyes, "Kaede, tell me something, are you still troubled?"

He stared back in confusion, "Are you referring to the Ian issue?"

"What do you mean the Ian issue?" snapped the blonde several feet away.

Ignoring the show of bluster, Sendoh nodded solemnly as he watched Rukawa bowed his head slightly before giving the question some serious thought. After several moments of silence, the boy finally looked up with a smile as he gave Sendoh a vehement shake of his head. And the grin was back on the pianist's face as he muttered back softly, "Then that's all that matters."

Ian's voice rose several pitch higher, "Excuse me, but am I that transparent?"

Paying no heed to the blonde, Rukawa gave Sendoh's arm a slight tug as he looked up hopefully, "Ne, Akira. let's go."

The blonde finally screamed, "You're not going anywhere until."

Whirling around, Rukawa snapped furiously in response, "Oh for gods' sake Ian, grow up."

The rage reflected in Rukawa's orbs left the blonde speechless. And then a series of applause broke the silence as the five men simultaneously turned towards the source. A young woman in her early twenties took several more steps closer with five other youths in tow and Rukawa scowled darkly in response, "How long have you been standing there watching us, huh Kris?"

Kris smiled a little sheepishly, "We were just several minutes behind Ian."

Rukawa shot back scathingly, "Well, I hope you've enjoyed the show."

As the boy was about to walk away, Kris hurriedly voiced aloud her opposition, "No wait, Kaede, don't leave just yet."

Without turning around, he mumbled quietly, "Why? I have nothing more to say."

"But I do. Listen, what we did to you in the past was wrong, and I stand for everybody in expressing our sincere apologies. It was a hurtful and spiteful thing to do."

"I don't recall asking you to speak for me."

The woman snapped, "Oh for crying out loud, Ian, will you just get over yourself? Are you even listening to what you're saying? Do you know how shallow and narrow-minded you sound?"

Turning her attention back to the pale young man, Kris pleaded earnestly, "Look at me Kaede, please, I meant every single word. A bunch of us are here for a visit and it would be great if we could patch things up before we leave. When you suddenly left Paris without notice, my biggest regret was not telling you how sorry I am. It must be destiny that we are able to meet like this and I'm not leaving until you at least acknowledge the things I've said."

"Akira."

The pianist's worried glance passed between the woman and his boyfriend before he finally released a soft 'ah'.

"Thank you."

Clearly caught off guard, Sendoh exclaimed as much, "Eh? What for?"

The eyes were solemn, "For teaching me how to forgive and forget." Then turning to Kris, Rukawa continued just as seriously, "Regrets only bring more pain and I. I want to look into the future. so I suppose. apology accepted."

She whispered her heartfelt thanks and Rukawa offered a small smile in return. Shifting his feet a little, Ian muttered awkwardly from the side, "Kaede. I uh. well. I'm sorry too."

And suddenly those present were apologising in turn. Slinging an arm across Rukawa's shoulder, Sendoh whispered teasingly into the boy's ear, "What a pity. just when my fist was ready to make contact with his jaw."

He laughed, the warm sound echoing across the pier and after the slight hesitation, everyone else joined in. Sendoh then took a discreet step backward as Kris approached Rukawa with a shy smile, before giving her junior a warm hug. Catching Ian's apologetic glance, Sendoh nodded his head ever slightly in acknowledgement. And then the first rays of the morning sun peeked from beneath the horizon as all eyes turned in unison towards the sea. Leaning once against the railing, Sendoh sighed in contentment as he mused aloud, "A new day, a new beginning, eh Kaede?"

But the boy was too caught up renewing old friendships to hear him. And the smile on Sendoh's face merely widened in response.

t.b.c. ^_~