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: Everybody's whose reading.. ^o^ This is the last chapter.. haha.. I think most people are wanting for the fic to end.. so.. here goes. The epilogue will be up in a couple more days. ^____^ Neways, it has been a fun (and rather long) journey, but all things must come to an end.. so I just want to take this opportunity to thank YOU for reading.. *huggies*

* * *

Chapter Eighteen ~ A Second Chance

Koshino stared suspiciously at the two bodies lying fast asleep in the common room, one on the sofa, the other on the armchair. When everyone else had returned to the college around four the next morning, only Sendoh and Rukawa were still nowhere in sight. Standing next to Koshino, Maki scratched his chin thoughtfully, "Do you suppose they've been here the whole night?"

But Koshino was not given the chance the answer as the common room's door suddenly burst opened. Waving two letters in hand, Akagi annouced in his booming voice, successfully waking both boys up, "The afternoon mail's here. One for Koshino Hiroaki and one for Rukawa Kaede."

The violinist yawned lazily as he accepted the unstamped enveloped. And then the boy shot up in his seat just as Maki threw a soft cushion in Sendoh's direction, "Heh, looks like you have competition, Mr Piano Man."

With his eyes still closed, Sendoh merely murmured lazily as he slouched deeper into the armchair, "What can I say? He's more beautiful than I am."

But the loud gasp that escaped from the boy's lips brought the pianist into an upright position as he turned in his seat before asking in concern, "Kaede, what is it?"

He didn't think the boy could get any paler but by the looks of it, all of the blood seemed to have drained from the boy's face. Koshino expressed as much as Sendoh repeated his earlier question, this time with more urgency than before. Rukawa's wide eyes glanced around the three worried faces before finally settling on Sendoh, his voice trembling slightly as he attempted to speak, "Papa. my father. he."

The rest of his sentence died on his lips. With his head slightly bowed, Rukawa wordlessly handed over the letter and after the initial hesitation, Sendoh accepted as the other two men started forward to read over his shoulder

~ * ~

My Dearest Kaede,

This letter will probably come as a shock to you, but before you fist it into a clump, please read on. This is not a sick joke. Without your mother's knowledge, I am writing to you to beg for your forgiveness for having deceived you all these while.

My child, I had never intended to hurt you for pulling such a stunt, but I was so afraid of loosing you, that I could think of no other alternatives or ways to set you free. Except perhaps, to stage my own death.

Kaede, do you think you could find it in your heart to forgive your foolish father? Your mother tells me that you are learning to forgive and forget, and for the first time in months, I dare to hope against hope for an opportunity of reconciliation with you. Even though it has been almost six months, I can still remember that day as clearly as it was yesterday. You walked, no, stomped into the room with expressions of pure hatred as you angrily demanded for your freedom. And when you left me alone with my thoughts, I realised that I was badly shaken up, not so much of the fear that you were leaving me, but more of the horror of what I had created.

With these two hands, I had moulded a child full of pain, anguish and hate.

And my guilt has haunted me since.

I am so sorry my son. I never realised that I was the cause of your misery all these years. Had I known compassion, perhaps our relationship need not take a turn for the worse. For in my selfish pursuit for the perfect apprentice, I had sacrificed the happiness and freedom of the one person I love and treasure most: you.

I pray that it is not too late to for me to seek forgiveness.

Yours truly,
Papa

~ * ~

As Sendoh folded back the letter, three pairs of eyes turned towards the stricken pale face. And then Sendoh slid off from his seat before reaching for Rukawa's knee as he muttered gently, "Kaede. are you. this probably sounds stupid, but are you okay?"

He tried to muster a sarcastic reply but it was foiled by the tears that slid off his cheek, "What do you think? Even my own father lied to me. What next? Oh gods, maybe I'm adopted, maybe I'm really the son of a rock star, maybe."

He buried his face in his hands as his shoulders started shaking uncontrollably. Brushing back the silky ebony locks, Sendoh pulled away the ten fingers as he stared straight into the cobalt orbs. And then the pianist voiced out sternly, "And maybe you're an idiot."

Rukawa blinked once, then twice. He opened his mouth but no words came and so he shut it once more. With a small smile, Sendoh then added, "No scratch that, you are an idiot, but a beautiful idiot nonetheless. Look at it this way, all these time you've been living with regrets, but now you're finally given a second chance to make amends. So why don't you take this opportunity to tell your father how you really feel and how much you've missed him. I'm sure he misses you just as much."

The silence was deafening, and then cherry-coloured lips started tugging upwards, "Akira."

"Eh?"

"You're the best."

~ * ~

The deep blush stayed on Sendoh's cheeks long after the boy had left the room. Maki's eyes glinted impishly as he caught Koshino's gaze. Mimicking Rukawa's low voice, Maki almost choked on his own laughter, "Akira."

The spiky-haired young man stirred from his dazed position but it was Koshino who answered, his face almost breaking from the wide grin, "Eh?"

Maki finished with a triumphant grin, "You're the best."

And suddenly Koshino burst into loud laughter as he pretended to ward off Maki's advances before dropping limply onto the sofa, "If you think I'm going to let you kiss me senseless you can just think again. You're not as cute as Rukawa."

The playful skit finally registered and Sendoh bemoaned in exasperation, "Hey, will the two of quit laughing already, you're embarrassing me."

But his remark merely fuelled the laughter even further. The loud sounds attracted several college students as some of them poked their heads into the room out of curiosity. Fujima could only stare blankly at the sight before turning to Kogure with a doubtful look, "Heh, maybe Maki finally won the lottery."

Giving both boys a slight push inside, Mitsui then commented with a grin, "Well, there's only one way to find out."

~ * ~

"I knew it, I just knew it!! I told you if Rukawa Eiri had died I would have known."

Koshino rolled his eyes, "Aww shuddup Fujima, you're spoiling the mood."

But the young man couldn't stop grinning as he added, "Isn't this just the most perfect ending? Sendoh gets his boy, Rukawa gets his dad, and we get to keep Rukawa in the club."

Mitsui couldn't help but chuckle aloud, "I'm not letting go of my protégé just yet."

Kogure smiled back teasingly, "Your protégé?"

The scar-faced man blushed, "Eh, well, he is quite a talented guy with many skills."

Maki sniggered as he glanced meaningfully in Sendoh's direction, "Well, I'll second that. You should have seen him French-kissed Sendoh, my gods, that tongue!"

Koshino burst into another peel of loud laughter, "That inconsiderate little twerp didn't even care that both Maki and I were gaping open-mouthed at the side."

Ayako suddenly came into the room, her face flushed with excitement, "Guys, you'll never believe who just showed up at the. college. what's so funny? And why are you so red in the face, Akira-kun?"

Koshino grinned, "Let me guess, Rukawa's dad?"

The girl's eyes widened in surprise, "How did you know?"

The young man patted the side of the chair as he invited with a smile, "Sit down and I'll tell you the whole story."

Fujima suddenly announced aloud, "I think I'm going down there to get his autograph."

Sendoh grabbed his President's collar before the young man had even finished speaking. The pianist then growled out warningly, "Don't you dare move from this room until I say so."

The brown-haired man pouted dramatically before settling back on the floor. Seeing the forlorn look on his best friend's face, Kogure offered a sympathetic pat on the youth's shoulder, "Cheer up Fujima, I'm sure you'll have the chance to meet Rukawa Eiri sooner or later. More so considering that his son is dating our very own piano maestro."

Mistui gave the pianist a soft punch on the shoulder as he added teasingly, "Hmm. given your connection, perhaps you could get those two fanboys a personalised Rukawa Eiri autograph, eh Sendoh?"

Sendoh drawled out in a half-hearted complaint, "You guys are so evil, making use of poor little me. Imagine what Kaede would think if I started bugging him for his dad's autograph."

Maki laughed, "At least that would earn you brownie points with Rukawa senior."

The spiky head was suddenly worried, "But what if he doesn't approve of us? I wouldn't know what to do then."

Ayako reached for Sendoh's hand before giving it a light squeeze, "The frown doesn't suit you Akira-kun. You needn't worry unnecessary, I'm sure everything will turn out alright. Have faith, and don't forget that you're strong too. You have to be, for both yours and Kaede-kun's sake."

With his arm resting possessively around Kogure's shoulder, Mitsui smiled as he offered whimsically, "They say true love conquers all." And suddenly the scar-faced youth grinned impishly as he added, "Though they also say that true love is often blind. Makes you wonder what such a beautiful boy such as Rukawa could see in a baka smiley such as yourself, eh Sendoh?"

The pianist shot back crossly, "Speak for yourself. I often wondered myself what sweet Kogure sees in an idiot like you!"

The bespectacled boy mused thoughtfully, "I suppose it's because we complement each other well, right Hisashi?"

Koshino suddenly wrinkled his nose, "Ugh, I think I've witnessed enough kissing scenes today to last me a lifetime."

Maki flung a cushion in their direction instead, "Hey will you two go get a room before I lose my lunch?"

"I think I'm going to lose mine too." offered Sendoh as he place a hand over his stomach.

Koshino rolled his eyes, "Baka, you hadn't even had lunch, what's there to lose?"

The pianist chuckled sheepishly, "Oh yeah. then I guess it must be my stomach growling in hunger."

Fujima grinned, "Hey, let's go downstairs and grab something to eat."

Koshino snorted, "I don't like that smile of yours Fujima."

The CMG President smiled back innocently, "What's there not to like? I'm just being my usual nice self."

Maki snickered, "That's what we're all afraid of."

~ * ~

Rukawa paced around the college's courtyard as he waited for his parents' arrival. His palms were wet with sweat and he inwardly cursed; damn, why the hell was he feeling so nervous, it wasn't as if he had never met his father before. With his head still bowed, he didn't notice the two silhouettes until he heard his name being called. But as he twisted his torso to the left, he could do naught but stare wordlessly, his mouth suddenly patch-dry. His father had aged a lot; the once dark head was now greyish white and wrinkles seemed to have become a permanent fixture. But when the arms opened ever so hesitatively, he didn't even think twice as he fell into his father's embrace. Sobbing, he felt as if he was eight-years- old all over, a child clinging to the safety line unwilling to let go.

"You are strong. I know you're strong, I've witnessed your strength firsthand."

Rukawa struggled a little out of the tight embrace as his cheeks burned; he seemed to be crying a lot of late. Laughing a little sheepishly, he avoided his father's eyes as he pointed out quietly, "Papa... you look... you look..."

The blue eyes twinkled just a little as Rukawa Eiri supplied the answer with a small smile, "Alive?"

Pulling the boy several inches away, Rukawa senior then gave his son a long look before adding warmly, "And you look... happy."

He nodded wordlessly as the smile grew. And suddenly he wanted to share his happiness with his friends. His friends. The smile grew and grew as Rukawa Reiko chuckled softly by her husband's side, "He's changed a lot, hasn't he?"

Rukawa senior nodded before answering laughingly, "I hardly even recognise him." Giving his son an affectionate tweak on the nose, the man then added, "You outperformed yourself last night."

The eyes widened, "Papa... you were there? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

And then the boy answered his own question as a soft laugh, "Oh, it doesn't really matter anymore. Come, I'll show you around. There are a lot of people I'd like you to meet. And you know something Papa? Believe it or not, but you actually have a fan here at the college..."

Rukawa Eiri accepted the guiding hand before answering softly, "And you're looking at your biggest fan."

A second chance to make amends. Rukawa Kaede smiled.

~ * ~

"It's an honour sir, to be shaking your hand," gushed Fujima, his eyes clearly reflecting his excitement.

Rukawa Eiri shook his head as he disagreed, "No, the honour's all mine. If not for your Music Fest, which I must point out, was a great success, I might never been given the chance to reconcile with my son. He's changed a lot under your guidance."

Fujima grinned, "I'm afraid I can't take any of that credit." Pulling a red- faced Sendoh nearer to the violinist, Fujima then added, "This is the man who did it all."

Rukawa piped in from the side, "Papa, this is..."

The spiky head threw Rukawa a mischievous wink before accepting the man's hand, "Sendoh. Sendoh Akira. I'm very pleased to meet you, sir."

Still clasping Sendoh's hand, Rukawa Eiri surveyed the man thoughtfully before replying with a heartfelt word of thanks. Then the man's lips moved, his quiet words reaching only Sendoh's ears, "I believe my son is in good hands."

Sendoh's jaw dropped. He then bowed his head to hide the deep blush as he mumbled under his breath, "Thank you."

Giving the young man a reassuring pat on the shoulder, Rukawa Eiri then reached for his wife's hand before winking suggestively to the group, "Now I can really die in contentment."

Rukawa Reiko merely laughed as the rest of the young men and woman joined in.

t.b.c. ^o^