Rescuing the Gori's sister
written by: delusional_lady

Author Disclaimer: The Slam Dunk characters are property of Inoue Takehiko.

Author's Notes: This fanfic is set a fantasy world.

In a small lively village and a guy was in the center with an important proclamation. "Hear ye Hear ye." the boy shouted. "Drop the English proclamation attitude Hikoichi and just get it over with!" Rukawa turned his head to the guy who spoke. It was the man of his dreams. The village idiot. "Alright already Hanamichi. Anyway, this is an official proclamation from the king, Akagi Takenori. He is offering his sister's hand in marriage to whomever manages to rescue her from the large frog like thingy."

Hanamichi's hand shot up. "Me me me! I will rescue the princess Haruko and get her hand in marriage!" The whole village tried hard not to laugh and Rukawa muttered a simple do'aho. "Temee Kitsune!!" Hanamichi argued. "Hey hey hey! I'm not yet finished proclaiming!" Hikoichi protested stamping his foot. "Alright, many men have lost their lives just for this simple rescue operation. The king will not be responsible for any deaths that may occur and nor will he compensate for the damages that may be caused. The frog's lair is located north of the village in a really high mountain. That's it and good day!"

The whole town talked about the proclamation for several days. Many of them dared venture and rescue the princess and almost all the men in the village set off for the tall mountain. Hanamichi was one of them and he consulted his best friend Youhei for advice. "Are you sure you want to get through with this Hanamichi?" he asked. Hanamichi nodded eagerly. "Of course I do! I'll endure anything for the princess!" Youhei smirked. "Anything?" "Anything!!" Hanamichi said.

Just as Hanamichi answered, the door to Youhei's house opened and in came a whole lot of people. They were composed of the Sakuragi guntai, Kogure, Ayako, Sendoh, and Rukawa. "Huh? What is the hentai smiley and kitsune doing here?" Hanamichi asked. He turned to look at Youehi who casually shrugged his shoulders and said, "Meet your teammates Sakuragi."

The whole group squeezed in Youhei's little house and decided to come up with an efficient plan to save the princess. "But what is kitsune baka doing here? You must be after the princess' hand too! All of you are, aren't you!" Hanamichi accused. The Sakuragi guntai waved their hands. No no Sakuragi! We're here to support you!" Kogure paled and shook his head. "I'm just helping out Sakuragi." Ayako winked and said, "I'm joining you for the adventure Sakuragi. and besides, do you really think I'd go after Haruko's hand?" Sendoh just smiled. "I'm coming because I heard that many knights from the other lands have decided to join. And they have cute butts." Everyone sweat-dropped. "It's for the money." Rukawa answered simple. "Nani! What money?" Hanamichi demanded to know. Youhei snapped his fingers. "I almost forgot. There's also a money reward involved." Hanamichi crossed his arms and snorted.

"To get to the tall mountain, we must cross the Mystical woods. It's very dangerous since many are rumored to have been trapped in it. Those who dare venture there were trapped by scary leaflike monsters. Then, we have to cross the raging river. We have to ride a boat there and overcome the currents and the falls too. After that, we come face to face with Illusion woods. I have no idea what lies waiting for us there but let's cross our fingers and hope that we'll push through. Then, the dark bat caves. Vampires are rumored to be there. Last comes the really tall mountain where a huge castle lies on top. That's where we rescue the princess." Kogure explained.

It was nighttime and everyone decided to start the journey at dawn. they all slept inside Youhei's tiny house. They occupied his small room and went to their chosen corners. Ayako gets the dibs of the bed since she was a woman and all. Youhei slept on the floor while Kogure chose the small chair. Sendoh wormed himslf between Hanamichi and Rukawa comfortably. Hanamichi was too excited about the journey to notice. Rukawa was keeping himself busy with slapping away Sendoh's hand whenever it came to rest of Hanamichi's butt. The Sakuragi guntai took every space left.

Night passed on and dawn came. Ayako was already awake helping Youhei prepare food. Kogure was bsy drawing a map. Sendoh was assigned to look for horses while the Sakuragi guntai searched for weapons. Rukawa was still asleep with Hanamichi. The first thing that Rukawa noticed was that something was on his groin. His eyes opened and saw that it was a hand. Not an ordinary hand mind you. It was Hanamichi's. The red head appeared to have awakened and his cheeks were as red as his hair when he noticed where his hand had landed. Rukawa growled when he noticed that his length seemed to have erected. This did not go unnoticed and Hanamichi gruffily stood up. "Baka kitsune. Thinking impure thoughts of the princess I bet." Rukawa felt disappointed when the hand was gone and his object of affection left. "If only you knew that princess Haruko has no place in my heart. Only you and those impure thoughts were all about you." he whispered to himself.

Before the sun was up, everything was ready. Sendoh managed to find three horses and one horse-driven carriage. All in all, there were four transportations. The food was loaded inside the carraige and it was arranged that the Sakuragi guntai would guard the food. All four of them were inside the carriage while Youhei chose to drive the horse that was attached to it. Kogure would be sitting beside him while directing the way. Ayako was to ride one horse and Sendoh rode alone too. That only leaves one more horse which Sakuragi and Rukawa would have to share.

"No way! I'm not gonna share my horse with Rukawa!" Hanamichi argued. Ayako raised her eyebrow. "No can do Hanamichi. There's no space left. You two will have to share." Hanamichi pointed to Kogure and Youhei. "It looks like they have one more seat. I'll just join them." Just as he was about to approach them, a small figure darted in front of him and took away the last remaining space. "What th-?" It was Hikoichi, the announcer of town. "What are you doing here Hikoichi? Shouldn't you be at home with your sister?" Hanamichi asked. "She told me to get a life and a story. That's why I'm here with you!" Hanamichi grumbled and Ayako ordered him to get things over with. "Alright, but I drive the horse." he said. "Do'aho." was Rukawa's only reply.

It turned out that Rukawa decided to drive the horse. He was a pretty good horse rider and he rides horses fast. Hanamichi was not very experienced with horses and he clung onto Rukawa's waist. Rukawa was very pleased with this and savoured every moment of the ride. Ayako was trotting with her horse and they created a special harmonious relationship. Sendoh was particularly observant as he watched Rukawa trying to fight back a smile. Kogure has his eyes stuck on a map while Youhei tried to follow his directions. The Sakuragi guntai inside the carriage were having a friendly chat with Hikoichi as the young boy took down notes.

Kogure told them to stop in front of the woods. "This is it you guys. Mystic woods." The woods looked peaceful and serene. Ayako couldn't believe that it could be so dangerous. She felt her back for her bow and arrow and hoped that she made enough darts to defeat the rumored green plants. Sendoh felt his horse tense up and he narrowed his eyes. His right hand was placed at the hilt of his sword. This wasn't gonna be easy for them. Rukawa felt Hanamichi tense up behind him. The hands that clung on his waist awhile ago was still there. Rukawa knew that Hanamichi had a a sixth sense about these things.

"Alright, are you guys ready?" Youhei asked. Ayako nodded. "I'm ready. what about Hikoichi?" The announcer boy nodded. He chose to sit between Youhei and Kogure. Kogure readied his small daggers and hoped for the best. Sakuragi has a sword and so does Rukawa. The Sakuragi guntai armed themselves with small darts. The sun was now up in the sky but the Mystic woods shielded away a large portion of the light. The small group of adventurers all took long deep breaths and entered the woods.