Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applied. I don't own Slam Dunk, Takehiko Inoue does.

Author's note: Please tell me if this fic is getting boring, and then review your ideas to make it better.

~ Darkness enters into Light ~

It waited for its chance and then pounced squarely unto Kaede's body, pinning him down with its force and weight. He struggled with the lion, unknowing to him that he held a weapon that could save his life, until it happened. The lion was about to ripe his heart out when his hand automatically clutched the lion's neck. In his hand he still held the cherry blossom flower and as the little flower came into contact with the lion's skin, it sent heat that was so extreme it burnt the lion's fur and skin leaving a deep wound at its neck. The wound bleed and steam could be seen spiraling up from it. It gave a loud roar of pain before retreating back into the forest, but not before it gave Kaede a deep, long cut on his chest.

Kaede was in a daze. Everything happened so fast without him realizing it happening. He got up, shook himself and finding no other wounds beside the cut, and decided that he had enough fun for one day. He made his way back to the castle, to the comfort of the dark enclosure and its companions.

As morning dragged unto afternoon, Kaede noticed the difference in the mood of the castle's occupants. As the day began to turn into night, they began to act strangely. For as darkness closes in, they began to show signs that something bad was about to happen. In fact, it started when he told them about that morning's incident. They cleaned and tidied the castle in a great hurry, making sure that everything was in place, but with an added element, fear.

"You must leave this castle immediately or else you shall face your doom," pleaded the occupants.

"No, I will stay and see what happens. I cannot bear to see my friends in danger," answered Kaede.

"But we are not in trouble. You are!" they begged.

But nothing could change his mind. Once his mind is made up, no one can change it for him, for he would have set his mind like a hard, cold iron, indomitable. It was unfortunate of him that curiosity was the culprit that made that decision, for as we all know, 'curiosity killed the cat'. But he would not falter, and bravely prepared himself for the consequences.

Night approaches, and everyone was huddled at the darkest corner of the castle. In a matter of minutes, the master of the castle would return to his refuge. Kaede watched as time passes slowly by him. To the occupants, he looked calm and well-composed, but in reality, his heart was filled with fear and he felt the harshness of this waiting was very unbearable.

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blow the great oak door open, issuing a tall, silhouette draped in a dark cape. It stood for a while at the door, black against dark blue stormy sky. A lightning lashes out followed by thunder, reveling dark red hair, like blood on a dark battlefield. At last it came in, like a shadow. It glided through the hallway like a spirit. At its presence, all the occupants fled into the dark for fear of it, except Kaede. He stood there, hidden by the darkness, watching the silhouette carefully.

The silhouette walked up to the throne and turned to face the empty courtroom. Its hand slit up to its throat to untie its cape and then it let it fall to the ground. Lo and behold, there now stood a tall, handsome man with red hair. His body was well-built with hard rock muscles. His opened shirt revealed tanned broad chest, heaving up and down as he breathed deeply and slowly. His face was illuminated by the lightning and it shone with beauty and great royal aura. His head was lifted up proudly and his fiery honey-brown eyes shone wildly, like little tongues of fire dancing in the dark. In short, he was majestically beautiful in sight.

Kaede observed every detail of him, from head to toe. He was fascinated and attracted by this alluring young man. Never before has he ever seen a creature as attractive as that man. He felt his heart skip a beat, not realizing that he has fallen in love with that man at first sight.

'What am I thinking? Could I be a gay?' he thought to himself.

As if those thoughts were like mind waves that could be read, he suddenly turned towards the direction where Kaede stood hidden. With eyes burning with great intensity, he thundered a commanding voice that was deep, rich and sexy to Kaede.

"Who may you be, stranger?"

Author's note: This fic is going to be filled with lots of suspense. Please bear with me OK! Oh, and please R@R or else I'll have no more ideas for this story and there will be no ending for this beautiful fairy tale! Ja ne!