Pairing: Mainly SenRu, Slightly RuHana/HanaRu and SenKosh
Summary: Sendoh Akira has feelings for the Shohoku ace, Rukawa Kaede. He too feels the same way but how about Sakuragi and Koshino? A certain plan gets in the way. Is it ever too late to say 'I love you'?
A/N: Yes! I'm nearly finished not that I want to finish it immediately its just that…well classes are nearing and I won't find time to go online and all so I'm gonna finish this…somehow I can't tell the exact chapters remaining…well for those who want Sakuragi to suffer, I feel pity for him so I'm making this a Hana/Youhei but still I can't tell if it will really end up that way…now I'm getting confused @_@…well never mind…
Disclaimer: I don't own Slam Dunk, Takehiko Inoue does…
Summary of Chapter Eleven: Sendoh Akira falls for the trap Sakuragi set for him, will his end occur now when Rukawa plans to confess sooner or later? Or will we find Rukawa in trouble himself. Read and find out for yourself.
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Never too Late
By: KaedeRukawa_kill
Chapter Eleven-Trapped
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**start**
--Sendoh's POV--
I waited for you,
As you went away.
But something caught my eyes,
Shining dangerously high.
I crept to peak,
What caught my heed.
And behind the bushed I saw,
A shadow too familiar.
I stood up from behind,
Couldn't help but speak up.
Defend the helpless,
And apparently fall for the trap.
"Chotto Matte, what are you doing here? Stop that!" I voiced my thoughts even before I could stop myself from doing so.
I heard an evil laugh and familiar voice saying, "and he falls for my trap."
I felt him almost pull the trigger, I lunged myself to protect and defend the man, I noticed as my bestfriend.
^BaNg^
I heard a yelp of pain as my efforts were put in vain.
"K-koshino…" I called, voice breaking and eyes starting to well with tears.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help you, Akira but don't worry about me its just in the shoulder. You should worry more about yourself," Koshino said.
"Koshino, its also your fault that Sendoh fell for my trap. Of course he'll come running to save you because you're his bestfriend," Sakuragi said.
"But then again I have three bullets so whatever you do, you can never protect him from me," Sakuragi added.
"Shut up!" Koshino said.
"One shot, two shots to go," Sakuragi stated, annoying the hell out of me.
I'm starting to lose my patience here…
"You," I said coldly, menacingly, angrily.
"You want to know? Simple your dear bestfriend crossed the line and warned you of what was to come," he said.
"So?"
"He wants me to fail…fail killing you," he replied.
Sweat trickled down my forehead.
"And take Kaede away from me…never," I said.
"But then again he was too weak to stop me," he said, laughing all the while.
"I should've know you were this desperate, shooting someone older than you, you're such an insane man," I mocked him.
Such an insensitive bastard. Doesn't even know how others feel about his actions.
Moron…idiot…damn him to hell!
"The games over Sendoh. Your time is up," he stated.
"And who are you to judge me?" I asked.
"I'm your worst nightmare. Now I will have Rukawa as my own," he replied.
"He isn't a thing, he can decide on his own and he decide way back. He saw right through you," I interrupted.
"Shut up! True as it may seem that he chose you over me but when you're gone to the next world, he'll just forget about you. And I'll be the one occupying his mind," he said.
"Dream on, Sakuragi," I said.
"You'll see, but then again how? When you're already dead," he said, laughing at his success.
I won't die now; I can't, not now when I'm able to come this close to Rukawa.
"Stop it, Sakuragi. Your just making things worst than it ever was," I heard Koshino speak.
"Don't even try interfering with my plans again Koshino. You're lucky its just your shoulder and not a direct hit," Sakuragi said.
Preparing his gun, he raised it. His new target locked, me.
I closed my eyes as he pulled the trigger.
^BaNg^
Eh? No pain?
^BaNg^
Another one…still no pain?
Am I dead?
Did I die fast that's why I never felt it?
I opened my eyes, and saw a figure all to familiar falling.
And my reflex told me to catch it/him/her.
--Rukawa's POV--
It's been awhile since we come to play,
Laughed together and talk 'til the end of day.
But pain was always in the way,
Cruel fate and a confession too late.
Time has passed too fast,
Wasting every opportunity to last.
But something seems so wrong today,
I hope it's not the thing I hate.
Time is running out,
Better do it now before it screams loud.
That everything is all over,
Every chance wasted all together.
Such a great game, one wine, one loss and a tie.
Funny how things turn out like this.
"Do you like some water?" I asked.
"If its ok," Sendoh replied with one of his breath-taking smiles.
"Sure, just wait here," I said.
Every time I'm with Sendoh, there is no need to tell lies, to act concealed. I can smile freely and act willingly.
I immediately bought two bottles of mineral water round the corner of the park court but when I returned nobody was there.
"Akira?"
Everything was left peacefully without notice, so I placed the bottles at the bleachers near our bags and went out to look for Sendoh.
"It's not good playing games, Akira," I said to no one in particular.
^BaNg^
I heard a gun shot, but it seems no one hardly noticed except me.
Worriedly I tried to track the gunshot hoping that Akira was safe and fine.
Minutes of silence soon passed and I arrived at the area where every movement near the park court was seen.
It wasn't too far but then again I was just trying to track movements but I got lost round the trees making it hard for me to find their destination. I peaked through a bush.
And saw Akira standing there between Sakuragi and a figure who seemed like Koshino, shot near the heart but luckily just in the shoulder.
Is this about me again?
I felt Sakuragi pull the trigger, his target Akira.
^BaNg^
No! Tears fell from my eyes.
I ran towards Akira but was too late. A body fell to the ground, grimacing in pain.
^BaNg^
But I never saw who it was because I was too busy protecting Sendoh from the clutches of Sakuragi to even look back.
I was shot, badly I can tell. Blood rushed out and I felt myself falling.
Falling to eternal darkness.
To my end.
"A-ak-kir-ra-a!"
I extended my hand trying to reach something high above, as I felt someone caught me before falling to the ground.
I tried hard not to fall asleep, not to close my eyes and to fight for my life.
These were the times I wanted to be awake.
I can't die now, I haven't told Akira how I feel, how much I want to thank him and all those he has done for me.
I felt my tears continuously falling, because I wanted to tell everything to him so badly. But the pain held me back.
And fighting it hurts so much, that I would have chosen death and slept, if only you weren't there for me. You gave me a reason to fight back and continue living.
And I felt myself coming back, my vision not blurry anymore and I saw Akira.
I reached out and he held my hand.
I felt hot tears falling from his eyes, and I tried to wipe it all away with my right hand. My left hand clutching the open wound, blood continuously falling.
I did my best to smile at Sendoh.
I looked at my side and saw the horror in Sakuragi's face. I looked for the one who saved Sendoh, wanting to thank him for his braveness but what I saw shocked me.
~T.b.C.
A/N:
Kae: Let's here from Youhei…
Youhei: Kae! Are you trying to kill me?
Kae: well…not really but then again I don't know
Youhei: I'll strangle you…you…you
Kae: *watery eyes* How can you?
Youhei: Attack! *held out right hand*
Kae: *raises her lance [sword stuff]* Really?
Youhei: *stops* maybe next time
Kae: Really? *runs*
Youhei: Help! *opens the door* Hey what are you doing here? *spots Ruru and Sensen*
Sendoh: Just visiting *smiles*
Kae: *keeps her lance* thank them for saving your life…
Youhei: Sankyuu….sankyuu….
Rukawa: Yeah…whatever…
Kae: Oh the next chapter…
Youhei: Sankyuu…sankyuu…
Kae: Shut up will you I'm speaking here…
Sendoh: *ties Youhei* this can help
Youhei: hmph-hmph [not again]
Kae: Arigato Sendoh…as a reward you'll find out on chapter twelve
Sendoh: waii…arigato *eyes sparkles and looks at Rukawa*
Kae: Do'aho…its not a lemon…
Sendoh: eh?
Kae: and there will be a Sakuragi vs. Sendoh stuff…and a little speech from our dear Rukawa
Sendoh: *pokes* Can I kiss Ruru?
Rukawa: *blush* ahou
Kae: depends but maybe on chapter 13 or 14…if I reach that far…
Sendoh: How about now?
Kae: No problem…
Rukawa: *blush*
Sendoh: *kisses Rukawa*
Kae: Well that's all for now…sorry for the long author's notes…don't forget to review…I better leave now, Sensen and Ruru might do something…*unties Youhei*
Youhei: Thanks *smiles seriously this time*
Kae: No problem, let's go, I think they'll be using my room for now…*pulls Youhei*
Youhei: Good luck *winks and closes the door*
