A/N: SORRY!!! It's been so long since I've updated, I ain't gonna put words into your ears with my pathetic excuses, but I'm really really sorry.

There might be a few, ok, many mistakes in this fic, because I really don't want to keep you guys waiting any longer, it's even annoying myself that I haven't updated for so long.

Before I say anything else, man I hate floppy disks! It lost this chapter once, I had to rewrite everything! That was a nuisance! I hope this one is better than the older one. . . but none of you would be able to comment on that because you haven't read the one my floppy lost, lol!

And any manga fans out there? I've found another awesome series called Power!! Anyone heard of it or read it?

Thank you for all your patience! Here's another chapter! And guess what? It's a new one! So to all those of you who have read this while it was still called Don't Break My Heart Slowly, this is actually something you wouldn't have read!!! Enjoy!

Sofia/3sh - Awwww. . . I'm so sorry this story made you cry. . . but it's sweet isn't it? Lol I'm praising myself again :-S Anyhow, it's good that I've started reading shoujo mangas again ( yeah, I've stopped for a while) and getting more in touch with my romantic side. . . so there might be more touching stuff coming up, I don't know, I mean I might lose it again, hopefully not though : -(

Krappkarmin - You really printed it out * stunned * * cry * never in my wildest dream did I ever think that someone would print this out!!! WAAAAAHHHH!!!!! * so happy that I'm still crying * Thank you, thank you! I KNOW! When I first started this fic, I had no idea who she should choose, because I mean, like you said, they are both so incredibly handsome and nice * drool * if I was her, I'd be stuffed! And hahahahahaha, me not a basketball player and I usually watch Slam Dunk in Cantonese, so I have no idea what the techniques are called, but hey, thank you for correcting me : -)

Artemis*Obscure - thank you for your comment, I'll look out more for my description. Though it seems I'm always stuffed with school work and it'd be months until I can actually write the following chapters, I often forget what I've described and even if I reread the previous chapters again, I've lost touch! Stupid memory problems * bang my own head * but I'll watch out for it and hopefully will improve my story by doing so : -)

Tze - Awwww. . . I'm really really sorry!!! I'll try to update as soon as possible! Even if it means like this time, cutting the fic down a bit, you'll understand what I mean if you read the author note down at the bottom. Are you still totally in love with Fujima? Lol I look at him every night before I go to sleep * drool *

Micchan - Well. . . it's actually school term break again now and I'm starting school again in a week or two. . . so I'll try to fit in a few more short chapters before then, how does that sound?

Disclaimer: This is so painful. . . everytime I write a chapter, I have to remind myself (and everyone else) that Fujima and Sendoh don't belong to me * cry * Can you feel the pain too?

" Is my hair ok?" Kurako couldn't stop fussing around with her hair, trying to make it look perfect.

Winako laughed, " Kurako, calm down! You've asked me that so many time for the past five minutes! My answer is the same, your hair look just fine."

Kurako frowned, " I'm sorry, Winako. It's just that I'm very nervous about seeing Sendoh."

Winako smiled, " From what you've told me, it seemed alright when you saw him after the game. Besides the whole crying and shaky legs bit, of course"

Kurako laughed and slapped her friend lightly on the arm, but an unsure look covered her face quickly, " I know, but I barely knew what I was doing and we barely talked. I just felt so happy and surprised that he was actually standing in front of me, I just couldn't help but rushed right up to him. When I've finally got hold of what was happening, I swear I've never felt so embarrassed in my life!" Kurako covered her face and groaned, " He must think I'm an easy girl, who would just jump onto any guy. He must have a bad impression of me now!"

Winako reached for Kurako's hands and led them away from her face, " Kurako, don't be silly. If he doesn't like you, why else would he want to catch up with you this afternoon? Unless he wants to, you know. . ."

Kurako's eyebrow scrunched up in disbelieve, " I don't think Sendoh is that kind of person."

Winako nodded, " So what are you worried about?" She smiled, " Go on now, Kurako. Don't keep Mr Sendoh Akira waiting, you're already seven minutes late!"

Kurako looked at her watch and she was indeed seven minutes late already, Sendoh said he would wait at the gate 15 minutes after school finished, but since Kurako was too nervous and needed advice from her friend, she had taken almost 30 minutes to calm herself down. She turned to Winako and gave her a big hug, " Thank you! Wish me luck!"

" Good luck!" Winako waved as Kurako flew down the hallway.

Kurako's heart rate kept rising, rather from thinking about Sendoh than actually caused by running. It was incredible how many emotions she was feeling all at once. Part of her wanted to see him desperately, she didn't want to waste any more time. But another part of her just wished that she could avoid meeting him, the nervousness throughout her body was too great. Even as she was running down the stairs now, she could feel her legs shaking uncontrollably, they felt as though they were going to trip her over any time soon. But before she could even care, she had reached the bottom of the stairs. Many thoughts of Sendoh kept flashing by, then all came to a stop. All thoughts were replaced by the sound of a bouncing basketball, vibrating in her ears. Kurako didn't even have to look and knew that she was near one of the gymnasium's entries. Both of her friends, Januko and Maruko would be in there, she thought and smiled a little. So would be many others, the Shoyo basketball team, Hanagata senpai and . . . Fujima.

Unconsciously, her pace had slowed down as the gymnasium drew near. There was a force that kept drawing her toward the entry, the cheering of the people in there was somewhat enticing. But most of all, the simple thought of Fujima Kenji in that hall sent butterflies in her stomach. So far, yet so near. She could already see in her mind Fujima's face, full of authority, as he would give the first and second years good basketball tactics. Fujima's determined face, as he would be on court, playing basketball. Fujima's focused expression, as he would make for a shot. As the ball would go through the hoop, Fujima's smile. . .

" Stop it!" Kurako shouted loudly.

She couldn't think about Fujima, not while Sendoh was still waiting for her by the gate. She realised that she had stopped moving, standing directly in front of the gymnasium entrance, facing straight at the door. Kurako frowned, then she looked away and began to pick up her pace again.

~*~

Fujima snapped his head toward one of the gymnasium entrance.

One of the first years asked him, " Is something wrong?"

" I thought I heard a voice. . ." Still looking at the door.

If it was just any other voices, he wouldn't have cared, it probably had nothing to do with him. He looked around the gymnasium and caught sight of Kurako's friends, but no sign of her. That voice had sounded like Kurako, that was why he had turned around. Fujima sighed, it must have been his own imagination. Turning back to the first years, he continued giving them some more basic techniques on basketball.

~*~

Kurako had finally reached the school's front door, it had seemed like eternity. As soon as she was out in the open, she could make out a figure leaning against the school gate. As she was coming closer to the gate, the figure was clearer. She remembered another time when she had been running to the school gate after school, but this time, the person waiting for her was different. Instead of the long green pants, this boy had dark grey, not black, school pants on. His hair was not brown in a mop style, it was black and well spiked up. This boy was definitely taller than the other one and by this fact, it was a wonder that Sendoh Akira was actually a year younger than Fujima Kenji.

When she was at a distance where she could make out his features probably, she knew that in many ways, it was still the same Sendoh Akira she had known many years ago. That sheepish expression on his face was giving her a familiar and cosy feeling, which she couldn't and wouldn't deny.

Kurako began to wave, " Sendoh!"

Sendoh waved back, " Kurako!"

Kurako bent down in front of him, trying to catch her breath, " I'm. . . I'm. . . so. . . sorry, I. . ."

Sendoh patted her back, " Calm down, I've only been here for. . ." Sendoh then looked at his watch, " Well, what do you know? Only the past minute."

Kurako lifted her head up and stuck out her tongue at him. He laughed at the silly expression on her face. As soon as his smile appeared, Kurako had to believe it, Sendoh Akira was back. That warm feeling, when he had smiled at her so many years ago, was there with her right at this moment. She had missed him for so long, all those years thinking about him, wondering where he was. All those times feeling lonely, but the thought of him had always made her feel better.

She reached out her arms and wrapped them around his neck, pulling him close. Tears welled up behind her eyes and within seconds, they fell down her cheeks one after another.

Sendoh was taken by surprise, " Kurako?"

But he immediately grasped hold of this moment, because he had felt it too. He had missed her, although he had girlfriends in the past years, he could never let his childhood memory of Kurako and him drift away. The thought of her had always cheered him up, gave him amazing strength. When he saw Kurako after that game, it had been like a dream. He had always intended to find her again one day, but never had he thought that day for them to meet again would come so soon, especially not in that way. But it didn't matter, nothing did, she was here now and he would never leave her again.

Sendoh wrapped his arms around Kurako's waist, they held each other close, not wanting to let one another go. Kurako suddenly snapped backwards, breaking the moment and causing them both to blush furiously, " I. . . I'm sorry. . . I didn't think I could. . ." Kurako couldn't finish the sentence, her mouth was shaking too badly to be able to form any words.

Sendoh tried really hard not to look at her, he could feel the heat in his face. They stood there not looking at each other for a few seconds, then Sendoh reached for her hand and held it tight, " Let's go and have afternoon tea, we really have some catching up to do." He smiled.

Kurako smiled back and let Sendoh lead her away, still holding onto her hand. But this didn't stop the confusion in Kurako's head, when she was embracing Sendoh, all the thoughts were of Sendoh and Sendoh only. It was indescribably amazing how she could finally hold the boy whom she had loved and missed for so long, every emotions in the world were mixed into one. Yet she broke away immediately when the smile of Fujima appeared in her mind.

~*~

" That's all for today, you can all go home now!" Fujima called out to all the other basketball players.

Fujima could see the tiredness in their faces, yet filled with joy because it was finally time to go home. He could hear them laugh, groan or complain, while they all headed toward the changeroom. All except for Fujima Kenji.

Turning his head slightly, he caught sight of a basketball still lying on the floor. Slowly, he approached it and picked it up. He just stood there for a second or two, looking intensely at the basketball. Then the ball began to leave his hand, bouncing up and down between the floor and his palm. Fujima looked at the hoop. He had set himself the target.

Fujima started to run forward, in his mind, he could see Akagi Takenori of Shohaku, trying to block his way. Fujima stopped a little, with his skills, he did a turn and was out of Akagi's defence. Suddenly, another opponent appeared in front of him, it was Maki Shinichi, from Kainan. They had battled each other in tornaments ever since Fujima's first year at Shoyo and what an opponent he was. But Fujima was not afraid, he had confidence that he could get pass Maki. Maki was now closer, closer, closer, with a small swift move, Fujima ran passed Maki's defence.

He had reached the top line of the key. Gathering all his concentration, his knees bent naturally and were about to lift him up into the air. Fujima's eyes widened. In his mind was the sudden image of Sendoh Akira, blocking his way. It was too late to revive the ball, Fujima had already released it. He knew exactly what was going to happen, but he still watched with hope. The ball was in the air, aiming toward the hoop. Fujima held his breath. It had nearly reached the centre of the hoop when the ball fell short, hitting only the rim.

Fujima let his tiredness to pull his weight down, now he had his elbows on his knees, in a crouching position. Fujima huffed and puffed, trying to take in air.

Suddenly, Fujima felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around. It was none other than his best friend, Hanagata. Fujima immediately got up and smiled at him, " Eh? Toru, everyone's in the changeroom, how come you're still here?"

Hangata looked at Fujima seriously, " And you, Kenji? Why haven't you gone to get changed?"

Fujima looked at the basketball hoop, " I just want to shoot a few hoops first."

Hangata sighed, " Kenji, she wasn't here this afternoon. Is that why you've been so out of it today?"

Fujima gave him a puzzled look, " Who?" But deep down inside, Fujima knew exactly what Hanagata was talking about.

Hanagata looked Fujima straight in the eyes, " You know who I'm talking about. It's Kurako."

Fujima turned around, heading toward the basketball that was on the floor, " Oh really? She wasn't here? So what?"

Hanagata shook his head, " Kenji, I'm your best friend, I know how you feel about her. I also know why you've been acting so dazed after Saturday. There must be something between her and Sendoh Akira, I saw your face when you saw them together. Why don't you tell her how you feel?"

" It's more complicated than that, Toru. Anyway, she's got Sendoh now, it doesn't matter any more." Despite of all that he was feeling, Fujima's voice remained toneless.

Hanagata shouted, " This isn't you, Kenji. You always fight for what you want and you have to fight for her. Where is our coach and captain, Fujima Kenji, eh?"

Fujima didn't turn around, though his voice was full of anger now, " You don't understand, Toru. The history they've had that I don't have with her. Did you see her face when she saw Sendoh Akira? Have you ever heard her voice when she talks about Sendoh Akira? She'll never be like that because of me, so just forget about it."

Hanagata stood his ground, " You don't know how she feels about you, Kenji. You have to tell her, otherwise she will never know and you will just be. . ."

" FORGET ABOUT IT! I SAID FORGET ABOUT IT, TORU!"

Hanagata was taken aback by Fujima's anger, never had he seen his best friend so confused and so emotional. Fujima Kenji had always been calm and cogitative, even in the most alarmed situations. Hanagata sighed, " I'll leave you to it then, Kenji. Just remember what I've said, if you don't tell her, nothing will ever be resolved. And Kurako is a nice girl, I think she would suit you. Most importantly though, we really need our coach and captain, Fujima Kenji back."

Hanagata turned around and walked toward the changeroom. Just as he was a few meters away, he stopped and looked at Fujima once more, " By the way, Luciko's waiting for you." Then he was out of the gymnasium.

Fujima continued his way toward the basketball on the floor, when he had reached it, he bent down and picked it up. His deep blue eyes didn't leave it for a few seconds. Thinking.

" If only my heart could change direction." He whispered softly to himself and placed the ball back into the basket, where it belonged with the other balls for the night.

A/N: Is this chapter a bit too short? I hope not. . . I was going to make it much much longer, because whatever's in the next chapter is supposedly in this chapter too, but I know some of you have been waiting for so long to have another chapter up, so I'm cutting this one down and just upload this one first. At least it's something, eh?