Rakka eda ni kaerazu
~ Fallen blossoms do not return to branches ~
-- a Japanese proverb
Chapter Twenty-one: Flying
Summer, Present
Kanagawa, Japan
A stadium
Rukawa came to life.
Summer, Last year
Kanagawa, Japan
A stadium
The fans were screaming, cheering.
More of the screaming sort, though.
Rukawa Kaede, junior high ace, was playing. And playing well.
His shots were neat, beautiful, picture-perfect. And his skill was amazing.
Rukawa was oblivious, however, to his surroundings. All he cared about was the game at hand. He waved, indicating to his teammate to pass the ball to him. Another shot. A dunk. Over three defenders.
Rukawa dropped lightly down onto the floor. He had sailed spectacularly through the air in the previous dunk. He preferred to think of it as flying. He was well on his way to a record number of points.
He was well on his way to becoming the best. Of the best.
Summer, Present
Kanagawa, Japan
A stadium
In the stands, a very curious Fujima was watching the progress of the game. His mind was flooded with the memories of Shoyo's narrow defeat to the unheralded Shohoku. 60-62. A worthy opponent. Actually, a winning opponent.
Despite that fact that Shohoku's victory, and ticket to the prefecture's finals, were at the expense of Shoyo, Fujima could not help but marvel at the team's progress.
Three months ago, Shohoku had a crumbling team. Akagi was practically the only good player, together with his vice-captain, Kogure. Now, Shohoku had two up-and-coming rookies, Rukawa and Sakuragi. And their star players had all returned. In a dramatic fashion, as he had learnt from Michiko.
Michiko. She was so animated now. Fujima watched as she cheered the team on, her face expressive, changing with the scoreboard. A man's folly twenty years ago had created them; a cell's mutation had brought them together years ago. And an old, faded photograph had bridged the gap, had revealed the truth. Had confirmed their bond.
Michiko. She had come far from the sick, helpless, dejected girl she had been three years ago, when they had first met. She was flying high now. An eagle heading for the clouds.
Summer, Present
Kanagawa, Japan
A stadium
The match ended in tears.
Akagi was crying like a baby, and so was Uozumi. But for different reasons.
Sakuragi had his hand on his captain's shoulder, a gesture of comfort.
Even gorillas can cry.
Sure. Boss-monkeys do cry as well.
Michiko was hugging Kogure, their faces both pictures of delight. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. But she couldn't care less.
Shohoku had won.
Without a coach.
Against their nemesis.
Shohoku had won.
Rukawa Kaede took a deep breath.
He was well on his way to becoming the best. Of the best.
He had beaten the best.
He looked at Sendoh Akira, standing on the opposite side of the court.
He was surprised. Sendoh was smiling.
Sendoh Akira. Ryonan's ace. Watched as his team got cut out of the Inter High. By none other than Shohoku. A coach-less Shohoku. The fact that they had two of their best players playing again meant nothing.
Actually, winning and losing meant nothing.
He had played a great game. One of the greatest.
He stood up and looked back at the player who had made it a great game.
And smiled at Rukawa Kaede. The Year One ace of Shohoku High.
It had been a game he would never forget.
Spring, Two months ago
Kanagawa Japan
Airport
As the Boeing-747 touched down in the airport, her heart leapt with joy. It was a wonderful feeling, coming home. What made it even more special was the fact that she was, for the first time, the person who had saved her life.
She had flown all the way from the United States.
Yet, she had flown further than that just to get here.
Three years ago, her body, battered and bruised, had been in search of healing.
Instead, it, through a certain brown-haired Eurasian boy by the name of Fujima Kenji, found wings.
To fly.
And fly she did.
She had raised her spirits, and enough funds, for her operation and treatments. And later, to finance her life in Japan.
She was alive. And that was enough reason to smile.
She was soaring. And that was more than enough reason to be grateful.
Summer, Present
Kanagawa Japan
At a hospital
"Anzai-sensei!"
Much to the nurses' collective shock, disapproval and disbelief, Shohoku High School's basketball team stormed the tiny ward where Anzai-sensei was staying in.
And promptly started tossing their dear coach into the air in celebration.
They had won.
You are strong.
We are strong.
'You were right, as usual, Anzai-sensei,' Mitsui thought as he joined in the fun and laughter.

Author's Notes:
It's over...the Shohoku team has found its way to the Inter High. But the story's not over...I haven't reached a satisfactory ending for Kogure and Michiko yet.

Hope you liked the chapter...sorry it took so long in coming.

Thanks renei, Alexia (or now The Northern Star ^^) and Ballpoint Pen for reading and reviewing!

renei: sorry...no sendoh x michiko here. *laughs* yes...I sense an ending too. It'll be strange not working on this story anymore....it's been so long.

Alexia: I come back visiting to FFnet again and you've changed your nick. Guess I could do with a change too....after this story's done there'll be a change in style. *grins* That would be fun....i'm looking forward to experimenting again!

Ballpoint Pen: Of course i remember you! *smiles* Still waiting for you to continue to write Fragrance of Vanilla! hmpf. Thanks for coming by.

~rurouni

8 Sept 2003