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 Four: Getting To Know You



After a long journey up the stairs, Rukawa was literally in pins and needles of the event. He reached the door with his mind full of anticipation.


'Baka! Get a grip!' his hand was on the handle, 'This is only the do'aho...'


He pushed the handle and the door creaked open. Cool breezes began to beat his skin gently and when he looked up, he found the night sky full of sparkling stars. His eyes searched for the person he was supposed to meet and found him hiding in the shadows. Rukawa noticed that the figure had his back turned to him, obviously not sensing his presence. However, after the dark-haired man took a step forward, the other shifted.


"Rukawa," the man said and turned around to face his rival, "I knew you'd come."


Sakuragi then stepped out of the shadows so that Rukawa can see him clearly. He smirked slightly, giving the same obstinate but determined twinkle in his eyes.


Sakuragi's grin turned into a smile that caught Rukawa's breath. The redheaded man had NEVER smiled at him before, "Long time no see, Kitsune."


Rukawa took a good look at Sakuragi. His red hair danced with the breeze, and his basketball figure was swathed in a white silk designer top, black tailored pants and shiny leather shoes. Then Rukawa began to feel slightly awkward beside him in their difference in attire.


'He doesn't even look like a basketball player.'


He snapped out of his thoughts when Sakuragi gave a laugh.


"Still quiet as ever, Kitsune. I guess you can't stand to see how good-looking I am," he said haughtily but jokingly before turning to sit on the ledge of the building.

"Do'aho," Rukawa rolled his eyes slightly before following the other man to sit on the ledge, "Why did you leave?"

"I thought you knew, Kitsune. I wanted to pursue in writing," Sakuragi said, "Didn't they tell you?"

"They only told me you were leaving, do'aho," Rukawa said, his blue eyes boring in Sakuragi's surprised brown ones, "It hurts me, do'aho."

"Kitsune?" Sakuragi's eyes were by then wide with surprise at the sadness he heard in the monotonous voice.

"Is it because of me?" Rukawa made a grab for his arm. Sakuragi petrified at the iron grip but Rukawa moved closer, "You left without saying anything. When you pushed me away...you're breaking me. Ever since you left, I couldn't stop thinking about you, I couldn't make contact with you to perhaps reconcile and start over. It's been seven years, do'aho. It's driving me crazy. I just want to know why..."


By then, the dark-haired man was gripping the other's arm in a desperate grip and his head was bowed. Rukawa couldn't believe he had said it, he nearly said the words out loud. He could have sworn he heard a sad sigh and a warm hand covering his hand that was gripping his arm. He looked up to find a remorseful look on the redheaded man's face.


"That's why I arranged this meeting, Kitsune. I recognised you at the book-signing session," he softly said, "Do you remember back at the airport?"


Sakuragi took Rukawa's nod as a motion to continue.


"I was surprised to see you there with the rest of the team. And when you hugged me, all the memories of us fighting off and on the court rushed back and I panicked and pushed you away. We're supposed to be enemies. I actually felt guilty by the time I was on the plane. I tried to forget about the hug you gave but I never forgot it. I never thought you actually feel warm...because of that, I couldn't stop thinking about you."


Rukawa jumped slightly at the confession. But it seemed that Sakuragi wasn't finished as there was a faraway look in his eyes.


"I thought I saw something in your eyes before I left...it haunted me. But I thought about you more than the team and Haruko-san. Whenever I get writer's block, your eyes seem to give me the inspiration to keep writing."


Rukawa's heart was starting to do flips as he listened further. Sakuragi's voice was getting softer as he continued.


"All these years, I recalled about us in Shohoku. Maybe everything would've been different if I hadn't bashed you on the head on our first meeting," Sakuragi gave a bitter laugh, "Maybe at that time, I was jealous of you. And do you know what the strangest thing is? I miss your quiet demeanor and your cold Kitsune eyes."


Rukawa saw sadness and regret shining in the redheaded man's eyes. He shifted closer and reached to cup Sakuragi's left cheek in a feather light touch.


"Hanamichi..." Rukawa whispered, making the other man look up in surprise at the mention of his name. The pale man leaned his forehead against his, "What took you so long?"

"I didn't know whether I really had feelings for you, Kaede. You're right, I am really a do'aho," Sakuragi sighed and leaned into his rival's touch, "That's why I came back to set things right. It did prove one thing..."

"What is that?"

"That I did have feelings for you," Sakuragi gave a soft smile and held onto the hand that was cupping his cheek. Rukawa's eyes softened with tenderness and gave a smile of his own, "The relationship with Haruko-san is only platonic...daisuki, Kaede."

"Hana..." Rukawa hugged his object of his affections and stroked the skin with his fingers, "Daisuki..."


Before long, Rukawa and Sakuragi were locked in a kiss. Lips brushing lightly each other yet filled with years of unsurpassed longing and passion with the absence of their past hatred. Rukawa's hands untied the band holding Sakuragi's long red locks, his fingers combing the silky strands, allowing them to blow in the breeze while Sakuragi's arms gently wrapped around the other's waist, pulling him closer. They pulled back for oxygen but their lips were still touching. Rukawa noticed that Sakuragi was blushing.


"Hanamichi..."

"Hmmm..." Sakuragi was humming contently as he settled his head on Rukawa's shoulder.

"Was all of this your unfinished business? Coming back to Japan..." Rukawa sighed when he felt Sakuragi's lips caressing his neck.

"Iie," Sakuragi pulled back and shook his head at his ex-rival, "There's more."

"What do you mean?"

"At the end of the book-signing session, I was questioned by the publishing company I mainly work with whether I want to renew my writing contract after the publishing of my works for five years. I turned it down. I wanted to concentrate on something else," Sakuragi said matter-of-factly, "I want to start playing basketball again and perhaps join you."

"Nani?! Rukawa was shocked and grabbed his shoulders, "You can't give everything up because of me. Your fans would be disappointed."

"I know. But my decision is final, Kaede," Sakuragi firmly said, "And besides, my hands are better for handling a ball than writing. It hurts my wrists so."


Rukawa gripped the other's hand.


"Don't you have any regrets, Hana?"

"My only regret is leaving you, Kaede," Sakuragi said, "And I have yet to defeat you. I have been working out, don't think that I'm lazy."


Rukawa smiled at the familiar arrogance of the redheaded man's voice.


"Come back with me for tea," the basketball star pulled him up and kissed his cheek, "I want to get to know you better."

Sakuragi chuckled and returned Rukawa's kiss, "I'd love to...very much."


With a small smile on the two men's faces, they held hand in hand and walked to the door.


**tzuzuku**