Thanks for all the reviews. By the way, please tell who do you like Hanamichi paired with. I'm not much good at romance, so I need everybody's help. I'm better at making the main characters life hell. Anyway, I'm not keen at Nippon terms or basketball terms or even the game. Just imagine that what I right can be possible in a real basketball game.

The usual disclaimer.

The Sakuragis' Secrets

Secret three: " Win or lose, we'll still be together."

Author: Lenin

Hanamichi slowly walk towards the center. His heart beats wildly at his chest and he started to sweat even though the game has not yet begun. " This is crazy! What am I doing?! I know that I told Xe-chan that as long as we are together, I'm happy. But…" Hanamichi's thoughts trailed out. " But to be own by someone, not less than a guy, it's scary."

The referee took the ball and got into position to throw it up for the jump-start. Ray Jin and Hanamichi stared at each other. Well, at least the former was. The latter was glaring nervously at the former. Hanamichi's gaze is restless, traveling from Ray Jin to Xea, to his Gundan, to his team, then back again.

The buzzer rang out long, loud and clear simultaneously to the ball being fling up in the air. Everyone watch breathlessly, waiting to see who'll catch the ball first. But to their surprise, none of the two jumped. Both are still looking at each other's eyes, in a jumping position, both feet steady on the ground.

" Here's where everything lies," Mito mumbled out loud. Kogure heard him and asks, " What is it Youhei-kun?" Mito, startled, look at Kogure. He notices that everyone is looking at him. Deciding that he's job for the day is going to be the narrator, he returned he returned his gaze back at the court.

" This isn't the first time Ray Jin and Hanamichi played against each other. Ray Jin has this sick rule that if he scores the first score, he'll be merciless to his opponent," Mito started. " This may sound crazy, but… he can shoot right were he is. Half way from the court," Mito finished. Everybody 's face sprang, almost literary, back to the couple facing out. Every basketball player holds the look of disbelieving.

" I'll shoot first," Ray Jin said cockily. " You wished!" Hanamichi shouted jumping when the ball reaches the level of his head. Bang! Hanamichi's weight falling on the floor rebounded around the closed area.

" Hanamichi! Hayaku!" Takamiya, Noma and Yuji shouted together. " OH!" he replied back, quickly running towards Ray Jin's base, ball intact in his arms. Ray Jin grinned and run after Hanamichi. " I don't like that grin in the bastard's face," Mito commented. " He's quick!" Ayako said.

Ray Jin caught up to Hanamichi and checks him. Hanamichi moved to the right, then to the left, Ray Jin blocking him all the way. He dashed forward, Ray Jin trailing him, but he suddenly stop, pulled back and jump, shooting a two point shot.

" Fake!" Ray Jin thought alarmed. " He's too aggressive," Taoka stated. Before the game started, the Ryonans moved their bench to join with the Shohoku. Now all four schools, Kainan, Shoyo, Shohoku and Ryonan, watch together.

" Rebound!" Akagi shouted without noticing. Hanamichi's feet lightly land on the floor. He didn't move while Ray Jin run to get the rebound, which never happened. Whoosh! The ball sailed in smoothly. The crowd went wild as Hanamichi run towards the opposite side.

" Nii-chan has been practicing a lot. He won't lose, will he?" Xea asks Mito. Mito just smiled at Xea, patted her head, choosing not to answer that.

Ray Jin looks the ball and slowly walks towards the other side of the court. He's smile hasn't disappeared despite Hanamichi getting the first shot. To be exact, he's smile turned predatory. He dashed forward, Hanamichi blocking his way. He dashed right then left, and stops dribbling the ball low and fast.

" I thought you like to stick to your rule?" Hanamichi asks, through gritted teeth, realizing that Ray Jin is seriously playing. Ray Jin dribbled the ball between his legs and jump, Hanamichi jumping after him. Ray Jin put all his weight to his feet and landed heavily on the ground, immediately running towards the ring and slamming the ball through the ring.

Landing gracefully on the ground, he turned to face Hanamichi and answer, " Having two fish in one net makes all the difference."

" What was that?!" Miyagi exclaimed. " I don't know, but I'll tell you one thing. That was no ordinary play," Fujima answered. The game continued, Hanamichi has the ball, which is immediately is steal by Ray Jin and scored, Hanamichi unable to stop him.

" I scored two in just one minute, Hana-chan," Ray Jin told Hanamichi. He's a eye narrowed into slits, blushing a little, Hanamichi set his lips in a grim line.

Hanamichi is once again in possession of the ball. This time, he is able to reached the half court before Ray Jin is able to steal it, jump up and shoot right there. The ball went in even without touching the ring.

" UNBELIEVABLE!" Hikoichi exclaimed in his very irritating loud voice. the crowd cheered wildly for Ray Jin. " That is… that is impossible…" Mitsui shockingly said. " That Ray Jin guy… I have to admit that he is way better than me," Maki admitted. " And me…" Sendoh agreed. " He's just begun," Noma told everyone.

The score is now 3-1, in favor for Ray Jin. time and time again, Ray Jin steal the ball from Hanamichi and scored again and again. When Hanamichi does get to shoot, Ray Jin always blocks it.

" Hanamichi's too tense," Miyagi said, frustrated for his friend. " Even if he is not tense, that guy is more than good, he's probably the best I have ever seen. He practically is a one-man team. He's flexible and light on his moves. He can shift his weight like the way he can control his arms and legs. Not only those, he's techniques are unique. He just do what is available and execute it in the nick of the time," the Kainan's coach enumerating Ray Jin's skills.

" It's not helping that Sakuragi is not good at defense and shooting. The only thing that he can match up with Ray Jin is he's deftness and stamina," Maki added. " Ne, Nii-chan is going to loss, won't he?" Xea quivering asks, looking at everyone. Her hands by her side and clutches tightly.

Everyone turns to face the dismayed little red head. Her cute face is painted with sadness and she bit her lips up to the point where it almost bleeds. Each one of the players looks at each other, not knowing what to do in this kind of situation. A shadow moved and took the teddy bear from Fujima's arms. That shadow was Rukawa.

Rukawa walk towards Xea, he's face the same emotionless face. Once reaching Xea, he kneels down and gave Tedy to her, which she took and hug against her chest tightly. " Your Nii-chan would greatly appreciate it if you just believe in him, not doubt him," Rukawa spoke almost akin to tenderness. He patted her head and stood up, going back to his spot.

" I can't believe that that guy just said something that makes sense," Yuji whispered. Xea followed Rukawa's back, looking confuse at first, then smile her pretty smile, her eyes sparkled. She turned back to the court and shouted, " Gambatte Onii-chan!"

Both Hanamichi and Ray Jin looked at Xea. The former looked startled a first, but a boyish smile appeared. Facing his opponent, Hanamichi's usual spunkiness returned. Ray Jin frowned at the effect of Xea to change Hanamichi's mood. He knows that he can beat Hanamichi, but Hanamichi can turn the tide around if he is not careful. He hates to admit it, but Hanamichi really has skills. More than Hanamichi lets on.

The score is ten to four, Ray Jin's favor. Ray Jin has the ball, he smirk at Hanamichi and did an exhibit, trying to confuse Hanamichi. Hanamichi smiled back, and with swiftness the others didn't know he possess, he steal the ball and run to the opposite side, jumping up he performed a slam-dunk.

Everybody went wild. Facing Ray Jin, " The tensai will beat you," Hanamichi firmly said. " Yosh!" Takamiya shouted. " The Tensai is back!" Mito yelled out, his face broke into smiles.

Ray Jin scowled and took the ball. " I'm finally have the chance to have Xea and I'll not loss. Of course, having Hanamichi with the package it making all this well worth it," Ray Jin though to himself.

Dribbling it, he runs pass Hanamichi and execute a fade away shot. Hanamichi touch the ball a little, making it detour from its course. Without waiting, he quickly positions himself under the ring and get ready to get the rebound.

" You forgot one thing Maki-san, Sakuragi may be weak in defense and shooting, but he is the king of rebound," Kogure said, smiling brightly seeing Hanamichi caught the ball and went to the other side, doing what he calls " Common shot".

After a few minutes, Hanamichi is able to score one point leading. Thirteen on twelve.

" You haven't win yet," Ray Jin stated. He's cocky attitude is now gone and only seriousness is present. He dribbled the ball fast then lift it up and made a move to pass it to the right. Out of instinct, Hanamichi dashed towards the right. Taking the opportunity, Ray Jin dashed, reach the mid court and did he's impossible shot.

Hanamichi growled out loud. " That guy incredibly smart," Akagi told Mito. " You haven't seen anything yet," Mito replied back.

Hanamichi took the ball and run fast to pass Ray Jin. Ray Jin blocked him, not letting him have any space to move without making a foul. Hanamichi circled, making a pass thought Ray Jin's left, but failed. He charged aggressively then jumps. Out of habit, Ray Jin jump too, hit Hanamichi as Hanamichi release the ball. The ball went in and Hanamichi fell in a crouch position.

The referee's whistle rang through out the crowd's cheering. " Basketball count. Charging, Takuri Ray Jin!"

" Way to go Hanamichi!" Miyagi shouted out with glee. Hanamichi did one free throw and it went sailing in.

" How about that, I'm leading by two points," Hanamichi smiled, he's face animated. " I won't let that go by a long shot," Ray Jin answer back. Ray Jin's eyes held enjoyment, but determination.

The game continues. Ray Jin scored two points, evening with Hanamichi, then vice versa. Ray Jin even it, Hanamichi manage to pull through, somehow. It continued like that until…

" The score is nineteen to nineteen," Jin read out loud. " The last shot will decide everything…"

This time, the two are visibly tense. Hanamichi is in possession of the ball. He dribbled it, trying to elude Ray Jin. Hanamichi never felt so tense before. " This is it. If Ray Jin gets the last shot, I'll lose my freedom and Xe-chan," Hanamichi thought getting tenser.

Because he was so tense, the ball slip from his hands and Ray Jin didn't hesitate to take it and run to the other side. He jumps ready to shoot, but Hanamichi slap it away with a fly flap. Landing on the ground, he run to catch the ball before it went outside, run towards the three-point line.

"Bend you knees. Flex your muscles. Relax. Jump and let the ball go," Hanamichi mentally coach himself what Jin and Mitsui taught a few minutes ago.

" Kami-sama…"