TITLE:  EXTRA-ORDINARY LOVE QUADRANGLE

( ayami – sakuragi -  haruko - rukawa  - ayami )

PURPOSE OF WRITING: This fic's purpose is…SECRET!!! Hehehe…..~_^

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Slamdunk or any of its characters…don't sue me……^_^

* Author's notes:

      [my comments]                 " their lines"

     (the situation)                   no "" or italicized means their thoughts

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

~ tesuka!: TY for reviewing! It's nice to hear from you again. And don't worry…the size of my head's just fine. Thanks for your "praise". ^_^

~ kyo: TY for reviewing! You don't like Rukawa eh? Too bad… And about your request to make this an AyamiXSakuragi fic…maybe next time? ~_^

~ akuma-tenshi: TY for reviewing! That was a really LOONG review…and don't worry about that bakazaru high school student. He's NOTHING compared to that pervert Michelle and I met after our "finals from hell" (remember that "tabloidal" story I told you? ^0^). That man's a real pervert. Just thinking about that incident makes me want to puke. It made my already supersaturated brain even more saturated (if that's possible!) BTW, SHINDOU SHUICHI IS MINE!!!!!! Hehehehehe….^_^

~ tensaispira: TY for reviewing! And thank you for understanding Rukawa's OOC-ness. ^_^

~ wadohui: TY for reviewing! And…hello to you too, my psychotic imouto ( is this the right spelling?). ^_^

~ mitchi-girl: TY for reviewing! And…I'M NOT IN LOVE!!! These things just pop inside my head. If I know, you're the one who's in love…(wink! wink!)…hehehe…^_^ TY also for your "love" messages. I really appreciate them…and my friends too. 

* Now on with my story…shall we…

CHAPTER 13: When The Lights Went Out

AYAMI

It's been two weeks since my last talk with Bakemono. I know I promised myself that I'd talk to him to know the real reason why he's been acting differently these past few practices but I just couldn't find the right moment.

I tried to talk to him during our classes but he was either busy sleeping and flooding our room with his drool OR he's busy not attending our classes. It's a miracle he only failed some of our classes. I was actually expecting he'd fail every subject that we have.

I tried to talk to him during our practices but he was either busy showing off and annoying everybody OR busy locking himself inside the men's room then leave without even saying goodbye.

I tried to talk to him during study camp at Akagi-sempai's house but he was either too busy sleeping OR too busy answering the practice test. Besides, Haruko-chan was there. She'd just bug me again if she caught me talking with that Bakemono.

Well…come to think of it…she had been avoiding me these past few days. Oh well!

I tried to talk to him yesterday but he was busy challenging Mitsui-kun. Miyagi-san said that Bakemono's doing that to know who's the real ace of Shohoku. I don't really know why he has to do that. I mean, what's the point in knowing who's better, right? So, without thinking twice, I cheered for Mitsui-kun. Then, Sakuragi-kun challenged Bakemono. Of course, Sakuragi-kun lost. I was so angry with Bakemono for not even giving Sakuragi-kun a chance to prove himself that I did not even bother to congratulate him.

In other words, he was very, VERY busy during the past few weeks. SOOO bizarrely busy that I'm beginning to wonder if he's avoiding me.

HAH! I give up. He's really a hopeless case. I should just stop this nonsense…

HARUKO

I had been avoiding Ayami-chan these past few weeks since I discovered Rukawa-kun's feelings for her and since I've discovered her feelings for Sakuragi-kun. I know it's not her fault but I was scared that I'd suddenly cry in front of her and say things that I'd regret later on.

But, I noticed these past few days that Rukawa-kun's been avoiding her.

Maybe he already realized that he's not good enough for Ayami-chan! So that means I have a chance again!!!!

RUKAWA-KUN…

SAKURAGI

I noticed these past two weeks that Ayami-chan had been acting…differently.

She had been following that baka kitsune wherever he goes and when she finally has the chance to talk to him, she'd mumble something then turn her back and go away. I thought that she had already became one of Rukawa's idiotic fans with the way she's stalking that kitsune but I proved myself wrong yesterday when she cheered for Micchi and when she was there to console me after that baka kitsune defeated me.

Maybe's she's just plotting some kind of revenge to get back at that kitsune…NYAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I've got to give her my all out support…

Also, Yohei said that he noticed that Haruko-chan's been avoiding Ayami-chan as if the latter has some kind of infectious disease. He said that Haruko-chan would always find some excuse not to join them if ever Ayami-chan's around.

I wonder what's wrong with those two…

RUKAWA

I've got to avoid that do'ahou ononoko at all cost to keep my sanity…

~ The next day ~

AKAGI

" YOSH! PRACTICE'S OVER. No late comers tomorrow ok?"

" HAI CAPTAIN!"

" Anou…Ayami…can I talk to you for a second? I've got something to tell you…privately."

Ayami looked at me curiously then looked at the others. They, in turn, looked at me suspiciously.

" Oi Ayami-chan! Don't worry…he doesn't eat humans, ne Gori?"

" OI Akagi! I didn't know you also have a 'thing' for Ayami-chan eh?"

" Anou…Akagi…isn't she too young for you?"

" Captain…this is unacceptable, ne Aya-chan?"

" Akagi-sempai…"

" ……………………………………"

" Ayami-chan! Just scream if Gori does something anything to you ok?"

WHAT THE?!?!?!

" URUSAI!!!!!!!"

I gave each of them a Gori punch on the head.

Che! That should teach them.

AYAMI

Akagi-sempai led me outside the court. I was a bit feeling guilty because it's partly my fault that the others have smoking bumps over their heads.

" I can't believe I work with those bakas!"

I looked at Akagi-sempai. His face was really red and I could see smoke coming from his nose. I couldn't help but giggle. It was a REALLY funny sight.

He just looked at me and gave me an amused look. Then, his face turned serious again and cleared his throat.

" Ah…gomen. Anou…what is it that you want to tell me sempai?"

" It's about your punishment for missing one of our practices."

" WHAT?! I thought you already forgot about that?! I mean…it's already a LOOONG time ago. And…and it wasn't my fault! It's Bakemono's. I…I photocopied my notes and…and…"

" I'm sorry but a rule's a rule. One missed session means a punishment."

" But…but…"

" For your punishment, you've got to clean the court all by yourself today. And you can't leave unless everything's clean, from the floors to the balls. And, you can't leave unless everyone's gone. Understood?"

" What?! But that's…that's…"

Akagi-sempai just looked at me, determination plastered all over his face.

If I know, he just don't want to clean today so he decided to put the burden on me. HAH! I guess I have no other choice then…

" Okay…"

" YOSH!" He gave me a slap on the back, which almost sent me to topple on the ground, " You better start now if you want to finish early. It looks like it's going to rain really hard later."

" Anou…does ojii-san knows about this?"

" Hai."

" And what did he say?"

" He just…laughed."

LAUGHED?! Ojiisan could be really weird sometimes…

And with that, Akagi-sempai went back inside the court. He was immediately bombarded by Sakuragi-kun and Mitsui-kun but he just brushed them off.

MITSUI

I saw Ayami-chan enter the court looking as if she has the world on her back. I immediately went over her side while Sakuragi continued on pestering Akagi.

I asked her what Akagi said to her and she relayed everything to me. After that, I joined Sakuragi in pestering Akagi but he won't budge. Then Sakuragi went on annoying Akagi, which eventually led to some barbaric events.

I, on the other hand, volunteered to stay here with her and help her clean. Ayami-chan refused my offer, saying that she can handle everything and she can't afford to be a burden to me. I tried convincing her once more but she won't give in.

So, after a few minutes, we all bid goodbye to her.

Or so I thought.


RUKAWA

I've got to practice some more so I just stayed inside the men's room until everyone's gone. When I went outside to start my 'private' practices, I saw that do'ahou ononoko waving outside. When she turned around, she gave me this surprised look and then this disgusted look then went over to the place where the cleaning materials were placed.

So, she's here to clean the court all by herself. How very nice of her…

Is she thinking that I would eventually help her? CHE! Not in a million years, do'ahou!

And with that, I got a ball and started practicing.

AYAMI

What is the Bakemono doing here?! He's supposed to be on his way home right?!

This is VERY degrading…I hope he doesn't make fun of me or he'll gonna regret that he decided to stay here.

Then, I saw him get a ball and started playing.

ARGH!!!! Is he always this stupid or is he making a special effort today?! Can't he see I'm supposed to be cleaning?! HOW can I clean if he's playing over there?!

HAH! I should just start with this side first. I'm in no mood to enter a battle with him right now.

I got a mop and started to run from one end of the court to the other.  

" HORA! HORA! HORA!!!!"

THIS IS FUN!

~ After 30 minutes ~

AYAMI

" KAH! KAH! (gulp) KAH! KAH! (gulp) KAH! KAH! (gulp) KAH! KAH! (gulp)"

FINALLY! I'm almost finished. The only remaining part for me to clean is the side where the Bakemono's still happily playing, oblivious to the fact that I'm sweating like a pig here.

I went over to the bleachers and sat there for a while to take a short rest. I got my bottle of water and started drinking every drop in it. AHH! That tastes so good.

Then, sensing that Bakemono still has no plan to stop practicing, I decided to watch him first.

I've got to admit that he's a really good player and the 'ace' of Shohoku. He's so determined to win every game and he gives everything he has. I can see why many girls admire him. I would also, if he'd just stop acting like some VIP person. He just goes WAAAY too overboard sometimes.

Like now. I wish he would stop already…I'm tired and I still have a lot of things to do.

Can't he give his body a break?! I wouldn't be surprised if he collapses in their next game…

Then, it started to rain.

GREAT! My day just keeps on getting better and better.

RUKAWA

She had been staring at me as if it's her first time to see someone play basketball. Not that I care. I'm already used to girls staring at me while I'm playing. It's just that, her stares are somewhat different from the others. It's as if she's analyzing my every move. Very disturbing…

" Oi! When are you planning to stop and go home?"

" ………………………………."

" Look, it's already late and I still have a lot of assignments to do. How can I start doing them if I'm stuck here waiting for you to finish your practice? Akagi-sempai will be very mad at me if he sees this place dirty and I can't finish cleaning and go home if you won't go away! So could you just practice tomorrow?"

" No."

" If I throw a stick, will you leave?"

" Do'ahou."

" Fine! Be an asshole. I'd just shine the balls first."

She went to the side of the court where the basket of balls was placed and started shining them while giving me a very nice glare once in a while. I just continued practicing.

Then, the lights flickered. Uh-oh…not a good sign.

I looked at do'ahou ononoko and saw that she's thinking the same thing because she's shining the balls really fast while mumbling some curses under her breath.

Guess I should stop now…I'm already tired anyway.

" Oi!" I threw her the ball. She caught it. Nice reflexes…

" Do I look like a hoop to you?"

"  ……………………………….."

" HAH! Forget it. Just get out of my sight."

" Do'ahou."

I turned my back and was already on my way to the shower room when she spoke.

" Oi Bakemono! I know you're trying to annoy me but I know you like me…"

WHAT THE?! How did she…how can she possibly know?! Am I that obvious?! Am I --

" …I can practically see your tail wagging furiously!"

AYAMI

I saw Bakemono pick up a stray ball and threw it at my direction. Of course, I caught it. I have amazing reflexes. Then he continued walking while clenching and unclenching his fist.

" THANK YOU!"

" Do'ahou."

Finally! I can now start cleaning his side.

I picked up the mop and started cleaning the floor. The rain got heavier and the lights began to flicker even more.

HAH! I better finish this immediately. I already have a bad feeling about this…

KZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!!! (lightning and thunder galore)

FASTER AYAMI FASTER! YOU CAN DO IT!  GANBATTE AYAMI! JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE…FASTER! FAS--

" AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"

RUKAWA

The lights went out. GREAT. JUST GREAT. How am I supposed to dress up?

HUH? Why is that do'ahou screaming like that? The lights just went out. It's not the end of the world or anything.

I heard running footsteps leading to this room. Then there was a loud bang outside the door.

Now what?! 

" Bakemono! I know you're inside. Will you let me in?"

" ……………………….."

" Please?!"

" I'm naked."

" I don't care! I just want to have a companion."

" I'm NAKED."

" SO WHAT?! It's not like I'm CRAVING to take a look or even a glimpse at your overly pale and sickening body. That sight would just make me want to puke and would really scare the hell out of me! So please, LET ME IN!!!!"

Did she actually think that I'd let her in after insulting me like that?! Do'ahou…

" Hey! Open up…it's really creepy here. What if ghosts suddenly appear in front of me? Or aliens? Or monsters?"

" They'd be scared to see you."

" Not as scared when they see YOU."

" Do'ahou."

" Fine! Be a jerk. I'd just wait here. If something happens to me, it's all your fault."

~ After 10 minutes ~

AYAMI

Kami-sama…kami-sama….kami-sama…kami-sama…kami-sama…

The rain just keeps on getting heavier by the minute. Then, the door opened. I saw an outline of a very tall man emerge from inside the room.

" Bakemono, is that you?"

" No."

Baka Bakemono…" Good. I thought that I have to spend the whole night with him. That will be a very miserable experience, ne?'

" Do'ahou."

" HAHAHAHA! I just love to annoy you."

" ……………………………"

" So, do you have any umbrella or raincoat or anything we could use to get us out of here?"

" You're the girl scout."

" So…I would take that as no?"

" …………………………."

" No answer means yes. Let's just go over there and get my bag. I think I have a candle there and some matches."

I saw a blurry image of Bakemono having this stupid look on his face and looking at me as if I'm the weirdest girl he had ever seen. I realized immediately why he's giving me THAT look.

" NO. We used it during our Chemistry class remember? Ah! I forgot…you skipped that class today."

" Oh…"

" Baka! Did you actually think I bring candles and matches just for the fun of it?"

He nodded. HE NODDED!

" Ehehehe…well done! You're doing a really nice job being yourself- a 100% idiot."

The nerve of this guy…there are several people in this world that I find unbearably loathsome, and startlingly enough, he's all of them. Why, of all people, do I have to be stuck with HIM?!

" Let's just stop this…this… garbage talk. C'mon, let's go. I think I placed my bag somewhere over there."

I took his hand and made our way to the bleachers.

RUKAWA

She's holding my hand. No girl, besides my mother, has ever held my hand before.

Ugh! I should wash my hands later on. Full of germs…[The act of denial…here we go again…~_^]

Weird…why am I feeling uncomfortable all of a sudden? Why is it getting hot? [No hentai thinking here ok?]

" Hey…you ok? I felt your hand tense a little bit. You cold?"

" ……………………………………."

" Ah….don't tell me no girl has ever held your hand before? That would be REALLY unbelievable."

"………………………………………."

" You know, you're one of those people who would be enormously improved by death. At least at that time, you'd have a valid reason to be this silent."

" Do'ahou."

" You know, you're REALLY -- hey! There's my bag. Now let's see…um…er…ah! Found it."

She shoved a really big candle in front of my face. " Here! Hold it while I look for the matches."

She rummaged inside her bag. She took out some books, notebooks, papers, a pencil case, two bento boxes, a CD player, some CDs, a stack of letters with hearts all over them, her pillow, her first aid kit, a picture frame, a --

" WHERE are those damn matches?!"

She held her bag upside down that sent a bunch of crumpled pieces of paper to slide down.

" That's a trash bag."

" You know, you have an ABSOLUTELY beautiful and mesmerizing voice. WHY spoil it NOW, of all times?!"

She's really weird. One moment she gets mad at me for not being talkative enough and now that I'm talking, she's telling me to shut up?! Definitely weird…

" And for your information, these papers were sent to me because of you. Want to know why?"

" ……………………………"

" I'm still telling you. Did you know that one-fourth of these were sent to me by girls who want to either poison me or strangle me to death? Did you know that one-half of these were from girls who want to burn me in a stake because they think I'm a witch? And did you know that the remaining one-fourth were from girls who want to mutilate my body to tiny pieces and feed it to lowly bottom-feeders like you? And do you know why?"

" ……………………….."

" BECAUSE, they think I'm such a harm to their beloved and worshiped 'Rukawa-kuuuun!'"

" Oh…"

" OH?! That's what I get? OH?! How very comforting…"

" Do'ahou."

" Well, it doesn't really matter. I'm already used to it anyway. It's really creepy at first but as time went by, I've come to finally realize that this school's just made up of stupid and pathetic girls who have boring lives so they decided to worship a boring person like you."

" ………………………………"

She sure loves to annoy me and frankly, she's doing a VERY good job.

" Hey! Finally found the matches. Place the candle on the floor."

" I'm not your servant."

" Just do it ok? In case you haven't noticed, it's getting pretty cold already."

I placed the candle on the floor and after a few seconds, there was light.

AYAMI

" See…isn't that much better?" I looked at Bakemono and grimaced, " You look REALLY disgusting. You look like you've come straight out of the grave. What's with those dark circles around your eyes? And those sunken cheeks? Is that the latest fashion trend?"

" Do'ahou."

" Hey, have you been skipping meals again? I knew I shouldn't have left you…"

" I'm FINE by myself."

" Okay. No need to get angry."

" ………………………….."

" ………………………….."

" ……………………………."

" Hey, you hungry?"

" No."

I heard his stomach grumble. He looked away. I rolled my eyes.

" You're stomach betrayed you. Here, I think I have some food left here."

RUKAWA

Stupid stomach…

I looked at her as she fumbled again inside her bag. Then she took out her bento boxes.

" Here. Eat Mitsui-kun's left-overs."

WHAT?! I'm hungry, but I'm not desperate!

" What? They're not spoilt or anything."

" …………………………………"

" Fine. Eat mine then. Sheesh…you're pickier than a girl. Maybe you're really gay…hey! It was just a joke. You don't have to glare at me like that."

She began eating and I just kept on staring at her. After a few minutes, I saw that she still looks fine so I began eating too.

AYAMI

Baka Bakemono! Do I always have to prove to him anything I say?! Why can't he trust me?! Baka…

" Hey…going back to our previous topic…are you gay?"

" ………………………………."

He stopped eating and glared at me. I saw him clench the chopsticks in a dangerous way. I could sense that he was debating with himself on what he'd do with it: poke me in the eye or just stake it through my body.
 

" OKAY! You don't have to answer that…I think I already know your answer."

" Good."

He continued eating as if nothing happened. As for me, I thanked Kami-sami for letting me live another day.

But, it seems that I've let my stupid side get the better of me today….

RUKAWA

" SO, let's SUPPOSE you're not gay…"

Did she mix any kind of drugs in her food?!

I glared at her again and made myself look more determined to use the chopstick as a lethal weapon.

" I said SUPPOSE ok? It means, I'm not really saying you're gay cause we're just assuming here…unless you really are and you're just trying to hide it by scaring me like that…"

" ……………………………"

One more provoking word from her and this chopstick will be the end of her!


" Fine. You're REALLY not gay…I got that now! Thank you for clarifying that to me."

" …………………………………"

" But why don't you have a girlfriend yet?"

AYAMI

I saw a muscle twitch under Bakemono's eye. That's the second time already. The first one was when I was explaining what 'suppose' means.

" So, why don't you have a girlfriend yet?"

" ………………………………….."

" I mean, you're so popular that you could have different girls under your sweaty and smelly arms every minute but no…you still remain single. Why? Is it because you prefer…men?"

" Do'ahou."

" C'mon…just answer my question."

" Why the sudden interest?"

" I'm just…curious."

" Why?"

" Because…if you have a girl or a boy, whichever you prefer, by your side, somebody would have been taking care of you and therefore preventing you to look the way you look right now. You should have seen the way you ate my food…it made me think that you've not eaten for days and those black circles around your eyes and sunken cheeks were added evidences for your obviously poor health."

" So what?"

" What do you mean by that?"

" Why bother?"

" I said I was just curious. Don't you know the meaning of curious? But then again, you don't know the meaning of most words. You don't even know other insulting word besides do'ahou! And --"

" No time for that."

" What?"

" NO TIME, do'ahou."

" That's all?! No 'tabloidal' reasons like you once had a girlfriend but she died or you were once heartbroken and promised yourself to never love again or you like this girl but she already likes someone else or because there are still people who are apprehensive to male-male relationships or --"

" NO."

" You know what, this only proves one thing…"
" ………………………………"

" You're a REALLY boring person, do you know that?"

" YES."

" Fine. Let's just continue eating…"

RUKAWA

We ate our food in silence. I was ECSTATIC during that time because finally, she stopped asking me those annoying and silly questions.

After a few more minutes, we finished eating all the food stacked inside her bag.

She proceeded to clean her bento box with the water flowing from the gutter of the roof while I just stared at her. Then she got the mop and started mopping the floor again. Apparently, she was finishing her work that was abruptly stopped when the lights went out. She was humming to herself a happy tune while doing that so I just got my CD player and listened to my CDs instead.

After that, she sat across me. She had her legs crossed in front of her and was busy staring at the fire. After a few minutes, she yawned. She got her pillow inside her bag and laid down on the floor with her back facing me. I just stared at her. After a few minutes, I felt sleepy too.

While I was preparing myself to lie down, she suddenly spoke, which startled me cause I thought she was already sleeping. Good thing she had her back turned or I'll never hear the end of her teasing.

" Anou…it's been a long time since we last ate together, ne?"

" Hn…"

" And it's been a long time since the last time we talked, ne?"

" Hn…"

She turned around and looked at me. Then, she smiled.

" Well, I just would like to tell you that it's nice doing it again…arigatou."

Then, she closed her eyes. After a few seconds, she was asleep. She looked peaceful and happy.

I don't know but I suddenly felt…comfortable, just by looking at her sleeping figure.

But I know that's impossible. Nobody could feel comfortable just by looking at someone who's sleeping. Especially if that someone is do'ahou ononoko.

So, I just laid down on the floor, dismissing that crazy feeling that took over me. A cold wind passed by, which sent the fire on the candle to go out.

After a few seconds, I also fell asleep… 

" You know you love someone when you could just sit by the fire,

And look at that someone while sleeping,

Liking that peaceful feeling that's building inside your heart…"

/Anonymous /

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~_^ MY! MY!

So…what do you think? I really can't say anything about this chap. This is actually NOT the original idea of what's supposed to happen. To tell you the truth, the original piece was deleted…or rather attacked by a virus. It REALLY annoyed the hell out of me to the point that I actually cried and screamed offensive words at our computer (as if that helps!). I was supposed to upload chap. 13 last week but because of that stupid virus, I have to write EVERYTHING again.

SO, I hope you understand the late update and if you ever find this chap confusing or hideous or too long (14 pages…wow!) or full of OOC on Rukawa's part, I'm REALLY sorry…and this is not yet the end of their "adventures" inside the court! Next chap, something will be revealed about Ayami's past…

And one more thing…I would like to ask all of you if you could R&R akuma-tenshi's fic entitled "Do You Belive In Faith?"  under Saiyuki. It's a good fic, trust me! (OI Eri! This is NOT a free ad…PAY ME ok? Hehehehe…~_^)

BTW, I just finished watching all 13 episodes and 2 OAVs of Gravitation and I've got only one word to describe it…COOLNESS!!!! It was really nice! I thought I wouldn't like it because it's a shounen-ai anime (not much of a fan) but after watching it, I was craving for more! It was really nice and funny and sweet and…full of bishounens!!! (SHINDOU SHUICHI IS MINE! ^_^ à looks like Omi of Weiss Kreuz/Knight Hunters) The sounds were also nice. All in all, Gravitation is a nice anime so I recommend it to all of you to watch it.

So, before I start raving AGAIN about Gravitation…

Love it? Hate it? Let me know!

Pls. Review! JA! ^_^