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 Three: A Near Miss


After parking the car, Rukawa took a long, observant gaze at the school building before him. There was a quite large crowd packed walking into the gates. People were talking their own conversations, carrying their own books that they wanted to be signed. The compound had changed for he was seeing some buildings he didn't remember being there when he was schooling with Sakuragi.


'Sakuragi...' Rukawa glanced at his hand that was carrying his favourite novel.


He adjusted his hat and sunglasses, eyeing the stadium that seemed to be packed full from the looks of it. He gruffed with dislike. He wasn't going to be caught in public like the other times and besides Sakuragi would only hate him even more just like in high school. After waiting for a while, he blended in the crowd of fans. He sighed with relief when no one recognised him, but he knew he was in for quite a long wait.

After what it seemed like eternity, which was actually about a few hours, the basketball star was inside the hall, already in a short queue to see him. Rukawa was then able to catch a clear glimpse of the person he longed to see. Sakuragi was sitting on one of the benches behind one of the tables from the classrooms, looking more mature than from the last time they really met. He didn't look like the brash do'aho he remembered from high school, although the dark-haired man could make out the same cocky shine in the chocolate brown orbs. He was smiling at each of his fans as he signed the books given to him and answering questions now and then. Rukawa vaguely noticed that the majority of the fans were girls, especially from the group of the new-generation of Shohoku students. On one hand, he could feel the familiar pang of jealousy of how they could stand by the redheaded man easily. On the other hand, he felt relieved that Sakuragi didn't seem to pay much attention to them except giving a boyish smile to make them faint on the spot.


"Anou...you're next."


Rukawa shook out of his reverie when an irritated fan was poking at his backside. He strode forwards and placed the book on the table before the redheaded man. As if in slow-motion, the two men made eye contact even though Rukawa still had his sunglasses on.


"Yes?"


Sakuragi's voice sounded a bit strained. Rukawa found that even though he wanted to say something, he only watched to see his book signed, not giving him a chance to say anything. An awkward silence followed after a moment before Rukawa picked up the book and left in a hurry, not noticing a strange look in the redheaded man's eyes.



"Kuso!" Rukawa pounded his forearm on the school wall once he was outside, 'Why didn't I say anything? I lost it...'


He took off his sunglasses to gaze down on the book. The cover was signed but afterwards noticed that there was something in between the pages. He didn't remember leaving a bookmark in it. He opened the book and found a folded note addressed to him in his old nickname he thought he would forget. He unfolded the note and gaped inwardly at the brief written message.


'Kitsune,

I'm free tonight so I thought that this is a good chance to talk to you. Can you meet me at the Shohoku rooftop tonight at 8? I'll be waiting.

Yours Truly, Tensai Sakuragi

P.S. I saw you on TV yesterday, Kitsune. I hate to admit this but you are good even though I WILL defeat you someday.'


Rukawa was full of bewildered wonder and relief. How did the do'aho recognise him? How did he put the note in without him knowing?
As he left the building with the note and his book, he wondered what Sakuragi had in store for the evening.


**tzuzuku**