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: I think the characters are starting to act a little OOC but who cares…well I'm still thinking if I'll make an epilogue, what do you think? Hope you can tell me…well I don't have anything to say anymore…so here goes chapter twelve…

Disclaimer: I don't own Slam Dunk, Takehiko Inoue does…

Summary of Chapter Twelve: Will Sakuragi realize the truth at last? Will Youhei die? And what will happen between Sakuragi and Sendoh? Rukawa seems to be in trouble…Koshino escaping for the hospital…Read and find out...

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Never too Late

By: KaedeRukawa_kill

Chapter Twelve-Death?

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**start**

--Youhei's POV--

I ran worriedly towards the park,

And heard what I feared most.

Gunshots near the court,

But people seemed so careless nowadays.

I ran through the bushes,

Hurrying to stop Sakuragi.

But when I saw them,

He pulled the trigger.

And I couldn't help,

But cover myself.

As I fell to the ground,

With no one to catch me.

I saw Koshino shot in the shoulder leaning against a tree, supporting himself.

I looked at Sakuragi and saw the horror in his face and couldn't help but pull the trigger once again in anger.

I breathe heavily, trying to voice my protest but I lay there motionless unable to speak.

^BaNg^

Shit! Sendoh…

I tried my best to turn.

"A-ak-kir-ra-a!"

And I knew right then and there, he made a terrible mistake, he has shot Rukawa.

I tried my best to move once again and leaned against a tree as blood spilled through the open wound.

Sakuragi tried his best to pull the trigger once again but all his bullets were used.

Eyeing Rukawa, I saw the deep wound created by the shot. Deeper than Koshino and mine.

"That's enough," I said.

"Why did you do that, Youhei? Rukawa? Why are you protecting him?" he asked, first turning to me.

"Because it was never wrong to love but to take somebody's life is another question," I replied.

"If only you knew how hard it is to keep up with you," I said.

"Why care?" He asked.

"Because I loved you," I said outright.

"You what?" He asked totally surprised.

"I said I fell in love with my bestfriend," I answered slowly.

And he sighed in defeat.

"Rukawa?"

"You never really loved him," Koshino filled.

"W-we w-were n-never m-meant t-to b-be," Rukawa tried to say.

Tears fell from his eyes. He finally realized his actions at the last minute even if it was too late.

Or maybe I spoke too soon.

"You're all lying," he stated coldly.

"Baka…" I said but was cut short.

I wanted to say more but then again my vision started to blur and I felt myself slipping to unconsciousness and soon everything turned black.

"Youhei…"

--Sendoh's POV--

Another two were heard,

And a body fell to the ground.

Aloud thud was heard,

And another one falling down.

I heard my name pronounced,

And recognized the sound.

A voice too familiar to forget,

Once smiling now tainted with his own blood.

I felt myself crying,

Watching him in pain.

Makes my heart ache,

Sacrificing himself just for me.

I fell silent once Youhei lost his consciousness, Sakuragi rushing to aid his bestfriend.

"Y-you l-love h-him, y-you j-just d-don't w-want t-to ad-dmit it-t, S-sakuragi," I heard Rukawa say.

"Listen to him, Sakuragi. Even Rukawa can see right through you," Koshino added.

"He's my bestfriend," Sakuragi whispered.

"And you love him," Koshino said.

Rukawa tried hard to stand up and I was there to support him.

And when Rukawa neared Sakuragi, he punched him hard in the jaw despite his current state. He fell and I was there to catch him.

"A-arigato," he said.

"What the hell was that for?" Sakuragi said, massaging his jaw.

"I-I n-never w-wanted t-to h-hurt y-you, I-I told y-you a m-million of t-times. I-I d-don't l-love you b-because e-even b-before I-I already-y k-knew y-you l-loved Y-youhei," Rukawa said, breathing harshly just to finish such a long sentence.

"Save your energy," I said.

I carried Rukawa near Koshino and placed him near the tree.

"Call a hospital while Sakuragi is preoccupied speaking with me," I whispered.

But before I could leave Rukawa side, he held into me.

"I'll be fine…" I whispered into his ear, and smiled lightly.

"Your all lying," Sakuragi said again.

"Then tell me, if you really loved Rukawa. Why would you hurt him badly?" I asked.

"I never meant anything like that to happen…" Sakuragi answered.

"But you were willing to hurt those who makes him happy," I countered.

"Because I can make him happy if he just listen," Sakuragi said.

"But if you love him, you'll let him decide on his own…not with your help, not with anyone's," I replied.

Next thing I knew, a punch hit me square in the face.

I saw Koshino, slipped unnoticed to call the hospital.

Rukawa's condition is getting worst by the minute.

"Shut up, Sendoh," Sakuragi said.

"Why don't you admit the truth?" I shouted.

"I know the truth," he replied.

"Then do what's right," I said.

"I don't know why Youhei loves you but I know one thing he'll wait for you. Its not yet too late," I said.

"But…" Sakuragi tried to say.

"Don't be naïve," I interrupted.

He fell to his knees crying, whispering apologies but he can never return what's already done.

Sakuragi went to Youhei, tears continuously flowing.

"Hana…"

Youhei opened his eyes.

"Arigato Sendoh," Youhei said.

"No problem," I replied, smiling their way.

"I'm sorry for not realizing it sooner…I love you," Sakuragi told Youhei.

"I've been dreaming of you lately and maybe I was too blind to see," he added.

"I love you too," Youhei replied as he leaned closer towards Sakuragi's chest as they embraced.

"A-ak-kir-ra-a!"

I turned around and hurriedly went to Rukawa.

"Y-you d-did g-great…t-thank y-you! I-I'm h-happy Y-youhei and-d S-sakuragi are already-y t-together," he said with a painful smile.

"Save your energy, Kaede. An ambulance will be here soon," I said, worriedly.

"Our-r t-things are s-still in-n t-the c-court w-with t-the m-mineral w-waters," Rukawa tried to say again, trying to laugh but coughed in return.

"Sh…you'll be ok," I said, hugging him tightly, tears falling once again.

"D-don't c-cry I-I'll b-be f-fine f-for y-you," he said.

~T.b.C.

A/N:

Youhei: *hugs Kae tightly* Arigato!!!!!!

Kae: I c-can't b-breathe…p-put m-me d-down Y-youhei…

Youhei: *releases Kae* whoops…sorry…

Kae: *breathes* after what I did…are you planning to kill me?

Youhei: eto…I was just happy…

Kae: never mind…

Sendoh: *sniff* Kaede… *sniff*

Kae: What the hell's your problem?

Sendoh: Kaede *sniff*

Rukawa: ahou…I'm still alive…

Sendoh: I thought you have a reward for me, you said so during the eleventh chapter…

Kae: well maybe I'll place it on chapter 13 and 14…

Sendoh: Really…

Kae: Yeah…just stop sniffing…

Sendoh: ok *smiles*

Rukawa: better…

Kae: next chapter: The Unsaid

Rukawa: seems interesting…

Kae: its for you and Sensen…*winks*

Sendoh: yehey *eyes sparkle*

Kae: the ambulance will arrive at the end…

Rukawa: finally…

Kae: *scratches head* I need long chapters for the event to make it exciting…

Youhei: she's right you know…

Kae: and we'll find out what happens to Sakuragi…

Rukawa: I know your starting to feel pity for him

Sendoh: and you'll make up to him

Kae: *nods* well I better leave…

Youhei: don't forget to review…

Rukawa: find out what happens to me?

Sendoh: and to the other characters…

All: Ja ne! See you on chapter 13…*waves*