Disclaimer: I do not own Slam Dunk (the whole lot, even though I adore the series)

Warnings: This is a chaptered slash fic (I'm sure you know what that means) purely out of imagination. There will be some OOC-ness and a clichéd plot thingie but don't mind. As long as you like it, it doesn't matter, right? Anyway, enjoy.



Chapter Two: A Second Chance Granted


Rukawa parked his Mercedes outside a large white building with a large sign clearly signaling a home for orphans. As soon as he was out of the vehicle, an excited voice echoed from the interior of the building.


"Mite, minna! Rukawa-jisan's here!"


The young man smiled slightly as he watched the doors open and a crowd of excited and smiling orphans filed out. They grouped around him. Rukawa then recognised one of the orphans and picked him up to carry him. The little boy laughed when the man used his free hand to ruffle his hair.


"We saw you in yesterday's game on TV, Rukawa-jisan," the little boy had green eyes and thick black hair, "You're awesome!"

"Rukawa-jisan, you promised that you would teach us how to play basketball when the new basketball court is finished," a girl with pigtails piped up. She piped up with glee when Rukawa nodded his assent.

"Sugoi! He'll show us how to do those 3-pointers!" A bespectacled boy with freckles shouted.

"And how to dribble fast," soon after, the children were buzzing excitedly.

"No!" a young girl with waist long hair piped up and gazed up at the man with shiny black eyes, "Tell us more about Sakuragi. You must be his best friend or something since you mention so much about him."

"He sounds nice," another child agreed, "How come you're not meeting him?"

"Ma ma, minna," a motherly voice interrupted the conversation. They turned their heads to find a pretty, young woman who looked like Rukawa; black fine hair, blue eyes and pale skin. She came out of the door, giving sweet smiles and pats on the children's heads as she made her way towards Rukawa and the child in his arms, "Children, give Kaede some room. Kojio-kun, it's best that you come down."

"Do I have to?" the boy pouted as Rukawa placed him onto the ground.

"Go inside to the playrooms, minna," the woman instructed, "We need some time alone."

"Rukawa-jisan, will you come and play with us later?" Kojio asked and grinned when Rukawa nodded his head once again, "Ne, minna, ikuzo!"


The two adults looked on as the group disappeared inside the building. After a moment, the young woman turn to smile at Rukawa.


"Let's go inside and we'll talk, Kaede-kun."



"How's the orphanage doing, Shizuka-chan?" Rukawa asked as he sat down on a settee inside the woman's office.

"Very well. It's all thanks to your funds that made it possible, Kaede-kun," Shizuka brought a tray with two cups of tea, "The children never seem to tire to talk about you ever since you started visiting two years ago."

"Anou..." Rukawa scratched his head, "Why did you call me for?"

"Here," Shizuka handed him a magazine opened on a particular page, "I know that you subscribe for the paper but I thought that this article would...interest you."


Rukawa didn't understand what she was talking about until he glanced on the printed matter. His breath caught and his cold eyes were filled with trepidation as he read this short passage.


'Sakuragi Hanamichi, popular contemporary novelist, will be making his appearance at a book-signing session on Thursday, 1st April at Shohoku High School in Japan, where he had been schooling in his previous years. This day will mark his 27th birthday as well celebrating his five years of his successful writing career. His works have been in high demand and are in top ranks of the book charts. According to sources, Sakuragi Hanamichi's purpose of returning to Japan is not clear. All he revealed is that he has 'some unfinished business [he] should have done seven years ago and before'. The session will start at 8am and last until 4pm. The venue takes place in the basketball stadium.'


Rukawa's hands were shivering and he couldn't read anymore. He gazed at the colour photograph provided in the article. His eyes drank in the sight of the redheaded man. He was giving a mature smile as he posed in an elegant writing pose. His red hair had grown to his shoulders and tied back in a loose ponytail.


'He's changed...' the raven-haired man thought as he traced a finger on the paper where the other man's cheek was positioned, imagining he was stroking his skin, 'He's so beautiful...'

"Anou, Kaede-kun?" Rukawa's head shot up when he heard his name and found Shizuka giggling, "What do you think? Don't you think it's a good time to see him again? Good thing you told me about Sakuragi-kun."

"Is this..."

The young woman gazed at him compassionately and laid her hand on his, "I'm your cousin, remember? I want to see you happy. This is the time to set things right with him."


Rukawa wasted no time to hug his cousin, feeling relief welling in his heart and tears in his eyes.


"Kami-sama, arigatou."

Shizuka smiled, "Domo, Kaede-kun. Just make sure you inform me when your wedding is."


She giggled when Rukawa's face turned to a shade of light pink.


**tzuzuku**