Ummm…. SOO SORRY EVERYONE! But this time, I have a very good reason why I haven't updated for soooo long. Our Internet got cut off. My dad didn't pay the bills. Anyway, that is all in the past. Here's chapter six. I've tried to make it as long as possible, but I won't ruin the surprise, just yet. Heheheheh….
The usual disclaimer.
The Sakuragis' Secrets
Secret Six: A Rest or Two (Part II)
"Speaking if the devils," Hanamichi mumbled.
Sternly eyeing Xea, Hanamichi stood to answer the door. " Stay put. Don't move even a muscle. If I even see you lifting a finger, you'll be grounded for the next five years!" Hanamichi stated, leaving no room for argument.
" Hai!" Xea answered in a sing-sand way, her voice cracking because of her cold. Satisfied with Xea's answer, the over-protective brother finally went out of the room. Brushing away the bangs that hindered his eyes (let's pretend that his hair immediately grew), he hurriedly walks down. Hanamichi reached the doorknob and yank it open, irritated that Rukawa and Sendoh are here and going to eat at his household. Rukawa is quite understandable, but Sendoh, people wonder why Hanamichi doesn't like him.
Hanamichi (blushing): he's a hentai.
Sendoh (pouting): you're mean…
Glaring at the two, he told them in an irate tone, "Wait here, at the living room while I go and prepare the table and check up on Xe-chan."
Sendoh smiled at Hanamichi, greeting him. Sendoh's smile suddenly turned into a grin, a hentai grin to boot. As for Rukawa, he just gave Hanamichi his usual cold stare, with hints of a smirk on his mouth.
"Nice apron," Rukawa uttered softly that Hanamichi almost didn't caught it. Hanamichi looked down and blushed hard, seeing that he was still wearing the apron. He quickly removed off the pink, ribbon-filled and fluffy apron from his body. Turning away from the two, Hanamichi went back to the kitchen to check up on the lunch foods. Before he was completely gone, he shouted the reply, " this used to belong to my okaa-san. I would just waste money if I bought one."
Hanamichi, thrifty? That's rare. Then again, having no parents and having to take care of a ten-year old girl makes you like that.
Sendoh and Rukawa entered the house- Wait! Make that a mansion. The Sakuragis' house is really big, having to fit almost all their relatives. Sitting down, Sendoh looked around, observing the mansion for the first time. When he was here two days ago, Sendoh was too worried to look around the house. Now, while waiting for Hanamichi, Sendoh notices that the house is spotless and clean.
There is a long staircase in the center of the house and the railings are made out of silver, pure silver, sparkling with a blue carpet stapled on the staircase. Peaking up, Sendoh saw that it has three floors. From the outside, it looked two floors and a wide, wide wall.
The living room looks normal enough. There are three couches, two sofa chairs and one long, small glass table at the middle. The floor is covered with blue carpet and Sendoh's guessing that the entire house is also covered in blue carpet.
There is a fire place, and place on the corners of it are two picture frames. Standing up, he took a closer look; he saw that one is a picture of the Shohoku team with Haruko's and the Gundan. The other picture frame is of Hanamichi carrying Xea while Youhei, Takamiya, Noma and Yuji circles the two.
Lingering a little to notice the smiling Hanamichi and Xea, Sendoh turned to observe more.
There is a bookcase filled with books. Rukawa was there looking at the books. Occasionally, he would smile (thinking that Sendoh won't be looking) for no apparent reason or raised an eyebrow surprise to find such a type of book in Hanamichi's collection. Besides the bookcase is a tall organizer with a T.V., VCD, DVD and a stack of CD's for both the VCD and DVD.
"One thing is for sure, Sakuragi sure is wealthy," Sendoh thought, smiling, "almost as rich as we are."
Hanamichi: what do you mean by that?! Teme!
Sendoh: that was just an innocent thought. Hana-chan. (looks innocently at Hanamichi)
Hanamichi: Urusai! Don't call me Hana-chan!
Sendoh's smile broadens, seeing Hanamichi enter the room, with the apron on once again. Combing his hair with his hand, Hanamichi looked up and said, " Ummm…. You guys won't mind if we eat at my room, would you? Xe-chan was cleaning it while I was cooking even though I forbid her to do so and when I stopped her, it was too late, her fever grew worst and I thought that it would be not good if I move her and well, its better that way because I could take care of her much better in my room and I…"
Hanamichi finally stopped talking, blushing hard, and realizing that he was stammering as well as babbling. Hanamichi turned even redder when he saw Sendoh's smile broaden even more (is that even possible?) and even the Kitsune was grinning a little bit. " He's extremely cute when he blushes," one of them thought, and his eyes widen a fracture thinking, " where'd that thought came from?! I must be lacking in sleep."
Hanamichi: which one of you said that?!?
Rukawa: -. -
Sendoh: ^. ^
Hanamichi: Lenin!!!!
Me: HI-MIT-SU!
Hanamichi: (pouts) meanie!
Taking a deep breath, Hanamichi calmly stated, " I don't want to leave Xe-chan all alone, so would you guys mind if we just eat inside my room?"
" No, we don't mind. This is your house after all. Right, Rukawa?" Sendoh asked, turning to look at the pale boy. Rukawa just shrug his shoulders, walking past Hanamichi and towards the kitchen. (Unlike Sendoh, Rukawa had enough time to worry and still observe the house. That or he has been inside Sakuragi's house once. I wonder, hmmm…)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Xea was sitting up on Hanamichi's bed, hugging Tedy as she thinks deeply. Of course, like most children of her age, Xea is probably thinking what her onii-chan is doing and if Sendoh-onii-san and Ru-onii-san are already eating. Probably.
Xea wasn't exactly like most children and that deep frown with unhappy eyes that mark her face proves that.
Xea is startled when the door opened and the smiling face of Sendoh appeared. After Sendoh, Rukawa entered holding a tray and his face is set in his usual cold mask but with a tinge of a small smile. (Who could possibly resist a cute, little girl like Xea?) Lastly is Hanamichi, face contorted in a concentrated one, balancing the tray with four glasses of juice.
"Onii-chan! Sendoh-onii-san! Ru-onii-san! What are you doing here?" Xea ask them, surprised. " We're here to keep you company," Sendoh answered, putting down the tray he was holding and got a chair, sitting in front of Xea.
Xea's sad looking face instantly lightens up with joy, smiling at her three brothers. One anyway.
The trio talks as they eat and despite himself, Hanamichi's irritation slowly dissipated for both the guys. Sendoh smiled, noticing Hanamichi's sudden change of attitude, while Rukawa just did a secret smile. Not soon after, Xea fell into a deep sleep. It took some time for the other two guys, Hanamichi and Sendoh, to have notice that she is already asleep.
Rukawa saw, but didn't say anything, not wanting to speak. "Sakuragi, shall we go downstairs? Xea-chan us already asleep," Sendoh told Hanamichi, finally taking notice of Xea. Hanamichi blinked from Sendoh's words. Taking a look at the sleeping angel, Hanamichi smiled a soft smile.
Standing up, he pulled the covers to cover her body, place Tedy on her side, which Xea instantly hugs, and then brush some tendrils of hair away from her face. Sendoh and Rukawa took that as a sign to leave.
Going downstairs, Hanamichi suddenly started to fidgets, facing the two guests. Sendoh look at Hanamichi, somewhat concern as to why he is doing that; Rukawa just gave him a curious look.
"Ano… I can't believe I'm going to say this, but would you two like to stay for dinner as well? I think that Xe-chan would like that," Hanamichi told them, a tinge of reddish hue coloring on his tanned skin. "Sure, I would be delighted," Sendoh, agreed sincerely. Rukawa just gave Hanamichi his trademark shrug. " I'll take that as a yes," Hanamichi said, smiling, too happy to argue.
Hanamichi entered the kitchen, Sendoh and Rukawa following him, but stayed a distance. Both watches with amusement as Hanamichi expertly moved around the premises of the kitchen as he prepares the food for dinner.
" I still can't believe it that he can cook," Rukawa thought to himself resisting to scratch his temples out of wonder. " Sakuragi, how'd you come to learn to cook?" Sendoh ask out loud, unable to keep his curiosity down. Instantly, Hanamichi turned red and looked away from the two guys, ignoring the question altogether.
"Damn! I'm blushing one too many times. Stupid hormones!" Hanamichi irritatingly thought to himself and tried to calm his face.
" Sakuragi?" Sendoh called out, his curiosity grew even more by Hanamichi's ignoring of the question. " Ray Jin," Hanamichi replied finally with a wave of his hand, trying to show that he didn't care when in reality it was the opposite. " Ray Jin?" Sendoh asks, raising an eyebrow. Even Rukawa raised an eyebrow.
" (Sigh) he pointed out to the court that I didn't know how to cook and has been feeding Xe-chan with take-outs and canned foods. I had to learn to cook within two weeks or I would lose Xe-chan to Ray Jin. I almost burned the house down the first few times I started to learn. Anyhow, Ray Jin took pity on me and he came over just to teach me," Hanamichi narrated, his face flaming even brighter.
Sendoh's curiosity even grew and Rukawa started to show interest. " What happened?" Sendoh continued to probed Hanamichi even more. " None of your business," Hanamichi grunted out, turning to get a carrot and started slicing, clearly showing that he does not want to talk about it at all.
" Sa, that was three years ago. Before Xe-chan became terrified of Ray Jin. Before, when this game of ours was only a friendly one…"
Flashback:
Ray Jin grinned at Hanamichi, in his hand was an innocent looking white envelope. Hanamichi scowl and grin at the same time, watching Ray Jin silently, not asking anything.
" I will win this round if you're not very careful," Ray Jin started to say. " Care to elaborate?" Hanamichi coolly retorted. Ray Jin crossed his arms, making Hanamichi's confidence. " I admit that I was surprise that your brain is bigger than an ostrich (Hanamichi: Teme!!) and that you can budget both your time and money. But, I have something that I'm pretty sure you won't over come."
" What's that?" Hanamichi asks, an eyebrow raised, not fraise by Ray Jin's comment.
" You can't cook," Ray Jin stated, throwing the white envelope to Hanamichi and swiftly turned back, walking away. Hanamichi shred the envelope open and read the notice of the Agency. His eyes grew and grew until one would think it is a soft ball.
"NOOOO!" Hanamichi yelled dramatically, water falls and broken rocks in the background. Ray Jin smiled, hearing Hanamichi's dismayed cries even from a distance.
Two days later…
"Come on Hanamichi, it's not like you to not do anything," Youhei scolded Hanamichi. Hanamichi's shoulder dropped even more, and he sighed out loud. " Do you remember the time I tried baking cookies to give to your mom?" Hanamichi ask Youhei. Youhei paled.
" You blew up the Home-economics room and half of the school almost burnt down," Youhei answered in a low, quivering tone, remembering the horror of that day. " Exactly! And not only that; when I did succeed in baking those confound cookies, Auntie and you got food poisoning and spend the rest of you summer confined in the hospital," Hanamichi added exasperated, slapping his face out of embarrassment.
Youhei weakly smiled at Hanamichi, not really wanting to make him guiltier then he already was. " Hanamichi that was baking. Cooking is a whole different matter. All you have to do is follow the instruction and voila! You're done," Youhei encouragingly told Hanamichi, squeezing his shoulders for reassurance. Hanamichi uncertainly looked at Youhei.
" How hard can it be?"
The next day…
" You were saying?" Hanamichi sarcastically ask, watching the firemen rushing to and fro, trying to extinguish the raging fire that is eating away the kitchen part of the house. Youhei opened and closed his mouth, eyes wide looking at the scene. He couldn't think of anything to say. In the end, Youhei just patted Hanamichi's shoulder, at lost of words.
A week later…
" Yo! Hana-michi?" Ray Jin greeted in happily ending in uncertainly. Hanamichi just nodded once in greeted, never taking his eyes from the grass. His face is blank and empty looking. Hanamichi looks terrible. Since last week, he hasn't had a good sleep. His eyes are almost red and eye bugs huge. His tanned skin grew lighter, almost white from hiding from the sun.
Hanamichi even avoided Xea, afraid that Xea would think differently of him, once she knew what was going on. Youhei was given the task to fetch Xea and accompany her to eat outside. Youhei just obeyed without any argument, knowing that Hanamichi was in the brick of depression. As for Xea, she was starting to get really worried about her onii-chan, but said nothing when Youhei ask her not to say anything.
Ray Jin sits in front of Hanamichi and stared at him. Hanamichi didn't move. Ray Jin waves his hand, testing if Hanamichi is still alive. Hanamichi didn't even blink. Ray Jin plucks a strand of red hair from Hanamichi's hair. Hanamichi didn't even flinch.
" HELLO?! IS ANYONE HOME?!?" Ray Jin bellowed at Hanamichi's ear, the redhead falling down sideways, eyes wide and face cringing.
" Nope, he's dead," Ray Jin, stated out loud in an oh-well tone. "TEME!!!! This is all your fault you stuck-up rich kid!" Hanamichi screamed angrily, jumping up to his feet in anger and chibi form.
Ray Jin chuckled asking, " Id this because of the cooking notices you've received from the agency?"
" If you have forgotten already, you personally delivered it to me, you egotistic, self-centered, good for nothing guy!" Hanamichi answered with such anger, Ray Jin felt his hair rose up. Hanamichi crossed his arms, huffed and then promptly looked away from Ray Jin, his mouth immediately turning into a sad frown.
Ray Jin's features instantly soften. Grabbing hold of Hanamichi's arm and dragging him, literally, inside the house, Ray Jin said, " Well then. I have atone of my selfish act now, don't I?" Hanamichi surprisingly look at Ray Jin's eyes, checking to see if the guy was joking or not. " Well, stop looking like some wounded fish and get your cute butt moving. You have only a week to learn how to cook without actually killing everybody. And I'll be your personally tutor."
Hanamichi ignored the "cute butt" comment. For now.
First Lesson: How to boil water
Ray Jin looked at Hanamichi with an unbelievable look plastered on his face (-. -;). "Hanamichi…"
Hanamichi looks at Ray Jin, blinking innocently.
" That's the oven."
" Oh! That's why it always explodes," Hanamichi said in amazement. Ray Jin slaps his face in frustration.
Second Lesson: How to make an omelet
Hanamichi placed a plate in front of Ray Jin. " Looks normal enough," Ray Jin thought to himself, slowly cutting a slice and inserting it on his mouth. He slowly chewed then…
"AUGH!" Ray Jin chocked and then swallowed loudly, turning pale then green. " Hanamichi, what did I told you to put in it?" Ray Jin painfully asks.
" Well, eggs, tomatoes and onions," Hanamichi answered, looking at Ray Jin's face in worry and showing to him the ingredients. Ray Jin's eyes grew wide as a saucer.
" That's not a onion. That's ginger!"
Lesson Three: How to stir-fry properly
Ra y Jin's eyebrow twitched. Hanamichi blink.
" Hanamichi. When I said well-done, I didn't really well done," Ray Jin said through gritted teeth looking at the blacker-than-coal hamburger.
Hanamichi blinks.
Lesson Four: How to cook without burning the house down
" Hanamichi! Don't mix that with-"
"Fire! Fire! Fire!" Hanamichi yelled, running around and gets ready to pour a certain liquid in.
" Hanamichi!!! That's-"
Lesson Five: How to put out fire properly
SWISH! SWISH! "TASKETTE!!!!!"
"Oil," Ray Jin finished, looking at the now black, crispy Hanamichi.
A week later…
*Poke, poke, poke*
"Youhei! It's not alive. Eat it already!" Hanamichi exclaimed at Youhei, who was currently poking the food Hanamichi placed in front of him. Ray Jin, leaning on the door, smirked, looking at the two.
Youhei finally picked up the food saying, " It looks normal. *Sniff, sniff* It smells normal." Closing his eyes tightly, slowly, Youhei bit the lumpia roll, a pained expression on his face. *Crunch, crunch, crunch* swallow*
Tick, tock, tick, tock.
" Hey, it taste normal," Youhei finally replied, opening his eyes. " Yokatta!!! I passed!" Hanamichi yelled gleefully. Ra y Jin slapped him on the back, his way of congratulating him.
Hanamichi was so happy; he engulfed Ray Jin in a big bear hug. Almost suffocating the guy.
End of Flashback
" Ray Jin…" Hanamichi smiled sadly.
" Sakuragi?"
No response.
" Sakuragi!" Sendoh called louder.
Hanamichi still looks space out.
" Uy! Do'aho!" Rukawa called, throwing a carrot at Hanamichi's head. That got the redhead's attention. "Teme, Kitsune! Who are you calling stupid?!" Hanamichi yelled, swiftly turning around to give Rukawa a piece of his mind. " You. Your food is burning," Rukawa pointed at the over well done meat.
" AAHHH!! IIYYAA!"
Monday
Hanamichi slowly woke up, shutting the alarm clock off. As he rubbed his eyes, he felt for Xea, who was supposed to be sleeping beside him. Except she's not.
" Xea!" Hanamichi cried out, alarmed. But calm down when he saw a note in Youhei's handwriting, very visible on the bed. The word "Bakeru" was bolded and big.
" Bakeru Hanamichi. You broke your alarm clock again .Do you know how much one of that things cost? And you go around bragging that you're thrifty. It's a good thing that I'm your faithful friend or I won't come have over so early just to check if Xea's all right. She's fine, by the way. Her fever is gone. Today is her last day for school and she was so excited. I took the liberty in not waking you up and take her out to eat. You should hurry as well, or you'll be late. Knowing you, you'll probably not listen to my advice and still dillydally."
"Arigato, Youhei."
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"Nia ha ha ha ha! Ore was Tensai!" Hanamichi laughed his head off conceitedly after performing a slam-dunk.
*Whack, whoop, whack, paw*
" Ack! Gori! Female Gori!"
" Nani?!?" Akagi, Ayako and Ryota exclaimed.
" OH HO! HO! HO!" Anzai-sensai laughed.
" Do'aho," Rukawa mumbled.
"Yo! You're all very cheerful today."
" Konichiwa."
" Oy! Smiley, Substitute. Did you came here to see my wonderful performance?" Hanamichi greeted Sendoh, Fujima, and the rest of Shoyo and Ryonan behind the two-said name. " Urusai! *Paw*" Akagi yelled out, giving Hanamichi another gori punch.
" What are you guys doing here?" Kogure politely asks. " Well, both teams agreed that instead of mopping around, we would help you train, if you guys would like to agree?" Fujima answered.
" Why the sudden decision?" Mitsui somewhat asks suspicious. " Well, we can kill two birds with one stone. We'll prepare you Shohokus for the Inter-high and we'll train of the winter games," Sendoh nonchalantly answered.
" And Gather Data!!" Hikoichi added with excitement. Everybody sweat-dropped.
" Anzai-sensei, is it alright?" Taoka ask coming out of nowhere. " How does he do that," all Ryonan thought, clutching their hearts from surprise.
"Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! What a great idea," Anzai-sensei answered. " Yosh! The tensai can sho-"
BANG!
" Youhei-kun?" Kogure slowly said.
Youhei entered the gym, face serious, hands formed in a fist. The others are trailing behind him, looking at Hanamichi in a grave expression.
Youhei march towards Hanamichi, his steps in a determined stride.
" Youhei? What the-" Hanamichi started to ask, but was cut off when Youhei punch him in the face. " Youhei?!" Hanamichi ask in pure shock. The usually calm guy grabbed hold of Hanamichi's shirt and jerks him in face level with his own face.
" Do you know what day is today, Sakuragi?" Youhei ask in a strained voice. Hanamichi's eyes grew. Youhei only called him "Sakuragi" when he really means business or really angry. This time, it's both.
" Have you really forgotten what day today is?" Youhei ask again, this time, his voice is laced with disbelief. Hanamichi continued to stare at Youhei's eyes, showing no signs of comprehending what Youhei is talking about.
Youhei narrowed his eyes, stating, " Today's June Third." Youhei didn't have to say it twice.
" Shimatta! Xea!" Hanamichi bawled. Pulling out of Youhei's gripped, he instantaneously ran out of the gym, a panic and horror plastered on his face.
Lenin: was it good? Bad? I'm sorry once again if this took so long. Anyway, I hope that everyone will review. Please review.
