GOMENASAI! I'm sorry that I haven't update for um… a month? Okay, anyway, thanks for the reviews, even if there are so few… just joking. Anyway, here's the next chapter. It's not long, but I do hope that it will do. By the way, please review more, it sorts of gives me inspiration and urges me to write more. Hint…hint…
Oh, and another thing, let's pretend that they have only one more week left before their summer. Since I don't really know when is summer time vacation for Japanese, I made it in August-September. Something like that.
The usual disclaimer.
The Sakuragis' Secrets
Secret Five: A Rest or Two (part I)
Author: Lenin
Two days after the battle between Hanamichi and Ray Jin, everything is back to normal.
"Teme, Kitsune! You're showing off again to Haruko's-san (does he call her that or with a chan?)!" an enrage Hanamichi yelled out of frustration. His fist balled and pumping nerves showing at his temple, as Hanamichi stomp towards Rukawa in a man-to-man confrontation. As for Rukawa, he just took a side-glance at Hanamichi and uttered one word that means more than a thousand words, "Do'aho."
As normal as it can get.
Youhei and Noma had to retrain Hanamichi from pulburizing Rukawa after he said that. Meanwhile, Kogure and Ayako had to restrain Akagi from killing the redhead. " Ma, ma, Akagi. Calm down," Kogure said, trying to sooth the um… beast. And surprisingly, it work. Akagi calm down, well, enough not to go and kill Hanamichi for disturbing the class once again.
" Hanamichi, calm down," Youhei somewhat ordered him, patting his shoulder. It took a few minutes of convincing before Hanamichi became rational said "chi" then went back at the corner to continue his basic training. Everybody breathed out a sigh of relief and Takamiya took his hands off Haruko's's eyes and ears. " It's a good thing that Ray Jin didn't see that, or else, it'll be bye-bye Xe-chan," Noma told the others, smiling.
" Hanamichi should be grateful to have friends like us," Takamiya boasted as soon as Haruko went over to go talk to Ayako. " Let's remind Hanamichi that, later. We have a job to go to. If we don't leave now, the boss is going to kick our butts," Youhei told them, walking out of the door, waving at Hanamichi. " Sheesh! We have to do all the work around here," Noma grumbled.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Later that evening, after basketball practice is over, Youhei came back, along with him is xea, looking all happy. Everyone else has already gone, except for Hanamichi, who was still training, and Rukawa, who was still inside the showers " Onii-chan! I have something to tell you!" Xea said in a very excited voice, running towards Hanamichi. Hanamichi kneel down and gave a quick hug, then look at Xea in the eyes, smiling.
" You look excited," Hanamichi commented, ruffling Xea's hair a little. " She was jumping up and down when I pick her up at school. And she doesn't want to tell me why until we come here," Youhei informed Hanamichi, a curious smile on his face. " Alright then. I'm listening."
" Onii-chan, Mito-onii-chan, next week, we have a parent's day at school. We have to make something to show to the parents. I already though of something to do and I want you, Mito-onii-chan, Takamiya-onii-chan, Noma-onii-chan and Yuji-onii-chan to go. Please, pretty please," Xea begged, giving Hanamichi the puppy-dog face. Hanamichi and Youhei laughed, Hanamichi asking, " What time will it be? And when is the exact date?"
" Umm… four! It will start at four O'clock P.M. on June 3. that'll be our last day and then, it's summer vacation. "
Hanamichi frowned while Youhei stop laughing.
"That's…"
Youhei look worriedly at Hanamichi, who is deep in thought. " Why so late?" Hanamichi demanded. " Well, our teacher explained that, after seeing the programs and other stuff, we will all go to the open field and watch the sunset," Xea answer, sounding even more excited at the prospect of watching the sunset together with her brothers. They haven't done that a long time, since the Sakuragis' parents died.
Hanamichi frowned even more, remembering how they used to watch the sunset with their Mom and Dad. Shaking his head, he cleared his thoughts and smiled at Xea. " Oh course we'll come. We won't miss it for the world. Right Mito?" Hanamichi answered, looking up at Youhei. Youhei look startled at first, and then force a smile nodding.
" Yehey!" Xea exclaimed, hugging Hanamichi.
" Alright then. You two wait here for me and I'll just make a quick change, then we'll go home," Hanamichi ordered, taking his clothes. Once he disappeared from view, Rukawa showed up water still dripping from his wet hair. " Rukawa-onii-san, you here to," Xea greeted, smiling up to him. Rukawa nodded in response. He was there when he heard Xea telling Hanamichi about the parent's day. Walking towards them to get his bag, he notices that Xea doesn't have her teddy bear.
As if a mind reader, Xea told Rukawa, " Onii-chan included Tedy with the clothes to be wash, yesterday. Tedy is at home, drying." Rukawa nodded in response, not knowing what to say. " Rukawa, can you accompany Xe-chan for a while. I have to talk to Hanamichi. It's kind of urgent," Youhei, asks Rukawa, his face looks troubled. Not even waiting for an answer, Youhei stood up and went towards the shower room. Guess Rukawa is stuck with Xea.
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At the shower room, Hanamichi is basking under a hot shower, his head leaning on the walls. Youhei is leaning on the walls, behind Hanamichi with his eyes close. " Mito, am I a bad brother?" Hanamichi suddenly asks. " No, you're not."
" Then, would I be a bad brother if I tell Xe-chan that she can't go to that Parent's Day of theirs?" Hanamichi asks again. This time, Youhei didn't answer. He doesn't know how to answer that. " What am I going to do, Mito? Xe-chan obviously didn't remember. I don't have problem with the time. I think that Akagi would allow me to leave. Heck, the whole basketball team may go as well, for all I care. It's the…" Hanamichi said, trailing off.
" Date. I know. It seems that Xe-chan forgot about it. Isn't that great?" Youhei finished for Hanamichi. " She may have forgotten, but he didn't. It doesn't take a mind reader to know that he won't forget. I doubt that he can forget it," Hanamichi told him in a soft voice.
" We'll just have to see and do our best, I guess," Youhei replied.
" I hate you, Ray Jin. I hate you to the ends of the earth."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
After twenty minutes or so, Hanamichi and Youhei finally went out from the shower room, seeing Xea and Rukawa playing basketball. Correction. Rukawa teaching Xea how to play basketball. Xea is looking at the bouncing ball with curious eyes, probably wondering how it can bounce up and down like that as Rukawa shows Xea how to dribble.
Youhei immediately notices that Rukawa's lips are smiling. Well, if you call that smiling. It was turn a little bit up. It wasn't even that noticeable, but since Youhei is a very observant guy, he saw it right away. And he also notices that Hanamichi hasn't gone mad at Rukawa for teaching Xea. That's how much Hanamichi hates Rukawa, at least in the eyes of everyone. Youhei thinks otherwise.
" Thank you Rukawa for looking after Xe-chan for us," Youhei told Rukawa. Rukawa look up and his mouth returned to into a thin line, as it always was. He stood up and nodded towards Youhei. Then turned to look at Hanamichi. He was surprised to find the red hair, basketball player, just looking at him, without any scowl on his face.
" Arigato gozimas, Rukawa-onii-san for teaching me how to dribble. I'm sorry that I haven't exactly got it," Xea said, pouting. Rukawa's mouth move a little bit up, but it disappeared as soon as it comes. " You're doing fine," Rukawa told her. He took his bag and then left the gym, feeling the curious stare of Youhei and the indifference stare of Hanamichi.
" Bye-bye, Rukawa-onii-san," Xea called out.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Two days has passed and a lot of things happened to Hanamichi that he manages to forget all about the June 3 predicament.
Saturday noon, at the household of the Sakuragis' ……
Hanamichi hummed as he stirred the stew, making lunch for him, Xea and two other, in his opinion, annoying guest. Satisfied with the taste, Hanamichi closed the pot with its lid and turn the stove to burn a small amount of flame. Putting the wooden spatula down, Hanamichi went up the stairs to check up on Xea. Hearing some noises from his room, he frowns, knowing what he will see inside his room. Sighing, Hanamichi slowly opens the door, and pick-in, his suspicions confirmed.
Examining his room, Hanamichi can't suppress a smile from forming on his lips. His room looks nice and neat. Not like it was two days ago. His bed used to be full of books, comics and magazines. His small, but expensive bookcase was filled with books unarranged and stick in different angles. Clothes used to be all over the place, discarded; study table filled with disregard paper works, notebooks, books and comics; computer dusty and computer table full of graphs, papers and diskettes and CD; windows closed, curtains stained and carpet dirtied by his resent accident with chocolate milk.
Looking inside his bathroom, Hanamichi is not that surprise to find it spotless, shinning and clean; towels, shampoos (would you believe conditioners as well?) and other bathroom stuff in order. Now, everything is in its place clean, smells fresh mix with smell of outdoors from the open window. But despite the amusement Hanamichi had with the amazing skills Xea has in cleaning things (or people), he frowned and a vein pops from his temple.
" XEA!" Hanamichi yelled, voice tinge with anger, " How many times do I have to tell you not to clean or even move one finger when you're sick with a high fever?!" walking over to her side, he took the feather duster and cloth away from her hands, undid the apron and promptly lift her up, placing Xea gently on his bed. Sighing once again, Hanamichi brush a few strands of hair away from Xea's eyes.
" Look what you have done now. Your fever went up again and you were just about to get well," Hanamichi mumbled more to himself then to Xea. Getting a towel and a basin from the bathroom, Hanamichi filled it with cold water, then dip the towel over it, placing it on Xea's forehead.
Xea pouted, her cheeks still pinkish from the fever. " Demo, onii-chan, your room is so messy and you just passed your exams. I didn't want you cleaning the day away when you are suppose to be celebrating," Xea argued with his brother. " Baka… I won't leave my cute little sister cope up here in this big house all-alone. I rather spend my day cleaning the house with you."
Xea's pout turned into a smile, glad that Hanamichi isn't angry anymore.
Two days ago, Hanamichi alone with Rukawa, Miyagi and Mitsui, failed some subjects and were threaten to be pulled out from the basketball team; if akagi hadn't step in and saved their butts. Akagi asks (more like begged, but Akagi won't admit that) the teacher to give the troublesome quadruple another chance; surprisingly, they agree. Then again, for the first time, Shohoku's basketball team was able to make the Inter-high and their fall won't be cause by their (teachers) hands, but by the players. That way, they (teachers) won't get blame. Got my drift?
Anyway, Hanamichi didn't know what spirit took over him, or what stupid god possessed his mind, but he actually allowed Xea to stay home, alone.
Hanamichi was going to stay over at the Akagis' to study, along with the other three red-markers. Kogure, Ayako and Haruko's were going to help Akagi tutor Mitsui, Miyagi, Rukawa and Hanamichi.
That's the reason why Hanamichi's room looked like a tornado plus a hurricane had hit it. He went hunting for his schoolbooks (I'm guessing that Hanamichi hid it since I never saw him bring anything to school) wanting to impressed Haruko's, beat Rukawa and of course, not to be kick out from the team.
As for Xea, she persuaded Hanamichi to let her be alone in the house for one day, won't hurt anybody. No need for a babysitter or Youhei to take care of her. It must be have been Xea's puppy dog yes that made Hanamichi to agree. That or maybe the teas that Xea gave him made him agreed. Hey, Xea may only be ten years old and innocent and naïve, but that doesn't mean she can't put a powder that could make Hanamichi agree to her will.
At least, that's what Hanamichi thinks. He does have one strong imagination.
Anyway, back to the story. Hanamichi prepared Xea's dinner, so all she will have to do was heat it inside the microwave. Hanamichi drilled it inside Xea's head on how to use the microwave, not trusting the stove or oven with Xea. The stove could have a leaking gas or the oven a loose wire and Xea won't even know about it.
Hanamichi also told Xea not to use glass plates or any other plates except for microwave-able plates. He thought that Xea knew what a microwave-able plates are, but she didn't.
As for Xea, she's smart enough to know that her onii-chan would want the house in one piece, so she went to a nearby store, asking what a microwave-able plates looks like, but got delayed because of a bunch of aged ladies pinching her cheeks and "ohooiing" how cute she was (and still is). The old ladies finally freed Xea when it started to rain, moderately hard. And it was just her luck that she didn't have an umbrella.
Children tend to play under the rain without an adult hovering behind their back scolding them. And since Xea is a child and Hanamichi wasn't hovering behind Xea's back; Xea decided to play around the rain. Until Sendoh came along and saw the cute little girl dancing in the rain, already wet and sneezing.
Sendoh was surprise to find Xea there and was even more surprise to find out that the Sakuragis' was only two blocks away. A small world, isn't it? Especially since Rukawa was passing by on his way to his house, which was only around the block from Xea.
Rukawa finished earlier then the rest, because he didn't want to be around the three stogies, namely Mitsui, Miyagi and Hanamichi. Besides, Rukawa needed his beauty sleep. Actually, Rukawa is pretty smart if only he pays more attention in class than he does in sleeping. And with Hanamichi constantly mocking and taunting him (Rukawa got Haruko's for a tutor, while Hanamichi got stuck with Akagi), Rukawa couldn't fall asleep, did his work and got free from the torturous tutoring session.
Anyway…
Flashback:
" Xea-chan! What are you doing playing under the rain? You'll get sick!" Sendoh exclaimed, covering her with his umbrella. Xea grin sheepishly at Sendoh, her pale cheeks wet from the rain. " Scratch that. You're already sick with a high fever. Where's Sakuragi anyway?" Sendoh asked Xea, lifting her up, and balancing the umbrella. Sendoh made sure that Xea wouldn't get herself (and him) any wetter than she already was, and failing miserably.
" Over at Akagi-sempai's house," a cold voice suddenly spoke up, holding the umbrella of Sendoh for them. Looking up in surprise, Sendoh found himself looking into a pair of cold crystalline blue eyes similar to his, but not entirely.
" Ru-onii-san," Xea greeted in a lazy type of voice. Rukawa raised an eyebrow at the sudden change of nickname, but didn't comment. Instead, he took Sendoh's duffel bag and hold the umbrella over the two's head and started walking casually towards the direction of the Sakuragis' house.
(I wonder how he knew where Hanamichi's house is. *whistle, whistle* Hanamichi looks at the me suspiciously saying, "Why do I have a very bad feeling that you're up to something?" *whistle, whistle*)
"What's Sakuragi doing over at Akagi-san's house and how did you know?" Sendoh asks, striking up a conversation. Make that trying. Rukawa didn't say anything, indicating that he doesn't want to talk, period.
" Onii-chan had to have a tutoring session to pass his exam. But Ru-onii-san, I thought that you were with them?" Xea ask, her curious, but tired eyes, looking at Rukawa. Rukawa's face softens a little and the ever-observant Sendoh noticed. " Finished early," Rukawa curtly replied, but not so cold as he would usually say to other people. " Ru-onii-san is so smart," Xea commented sleepily, rubbing her eyes and shivering.
Sendoh wrapped his arms around her more tightly; worried that Xea's fever might go higher. After a few minutes walking through the angry rain and the deafening silence (Sendoh give up talking since the Ice King is obviously not going to response), the trio finally reaches their destination. Xea gave the keys to Rukawa and he opened the door.
Sendoh brought Xea to her room and told her to change out of her wet clothes into a dry one, while Rukawa and himself look for the things they need to help Xea get well. Soon, the two-basketball player found what they needed. Sendoh gently knocked on the door, asking if it is okay for them to enter, when no answer came, Sendoh look at Rukawa worried, who in return look back in his usual stare.
Sendoh opened the door to find that Xea had already collapsed before even reaching the bed. He rushed over to Xea and quickly placed her on the bed, Rukawa already treating her. They diligently look after Xea. Sendoh and Rukawa even argued who would stay and who would go home. In the end, the two stayed and called home to inform their moms that they would be staying at Hanamichi's house for the night.
Of course, being mothers, Mrs. Sendoh and Mrs. Rukawa questioned the two. They told about Xea and immediately, both mothers insisted on coming over and taking care of the little girl themselves. Fortunately, the two manages to stop their moms from coming over.
Sendoh suggested of calling Hanamichi at Akagis' and telling him about his sister when Rukawa pointed out that he even doesn't know Akagi's phone number. Rukawa even added that if he did know the phone number, he (Sendoh) is a bigger hentai then he (Rukawa) originally thought. To which Sendoh replied, " You know where Sakuragi lives, what does that makes you?"
" A very observant person," Rukawa answer, his back turned from Sendoh.
Sendoh gave up arguing with the guy, knowing that it's no use.
Rukawa noticed the food left by Hanamichi and the first thought that came to his and Sendoh's minds is, " Sakuragi/ Do'aho can cook?" anyway, the two had already ate, but surmised that Xea has not yet eaten. So, heating the food up, the two went up, finding that Xea is wide-awake, weak, but awake. Sendoh forced feed Xea to eat the food, while Rukawa watch them. After that, Xea went back to sleep, Sendoh reading to her a story book as what Hanamichi would have done.
Sendoh and Rukawa decided to take turns in looking after Xea. When it was Rukawa's turn, he made sure that Xea's fever is lowered, before drifting off too sleep until morning.
Let's just say that when Hanamichi got home and saw tow large familiar looking males sleeping on both sides of his precious, not to mention fevered, sister, and "he was shock" would be the understatement of the year.
End of Flashback
Hanamichi scowl at the mere memory of the resent events. He was grateful and all to Sendoh and Rukawa (not that they'll ever hear that coming from him) because of what they did. Well, after he stopped yelling, accusing and trying to kill the two said males, enough to listen. After that, he was embarrassed and the only thing he could think of to repay them was to invite them for lunch or dinner on Saturday. It can't be that day, Friday, because that afternoon he and along with rest of the flunking brigade, had a re-test to go to.
"Ne, Onii-chan, when will Ru-onii-san and Sendoh-onii-san get here?" ask the feverous little bundle of energy.
" They'll get here soon enough," Hanamichi replied.
Ding-Dong
Speaking of the two devils….
