Disclaimer: I don't own Slam Dunk, it's Takehiko-sensei's.
Crusty's note: November 10th had passed. I guess you've all known it's the date for RuHana pairing. My birthday is on November 9th, I thought it might be cute if it was on November 10th. But I'm grateful being born on November 9th ^ ^
Anyway, this chapter is my favorite one, and I hope it will be your favorite too.
Crusty's alert: still, everything happened in this chapter are flashbacks, but I hope you haven't forgotten what happened in the present for it's the main plot of this fiction.
The Helping Days
FLASHBACK
This morning Sakuragi had pledged to himself that he's gonna apologize to Kitsune.
Yesterday night was stupid. He had spoken his apology, but he took it back for some stupid pride matters.
Rukawa did said that he had accepted his apology, but Sakuragi thought if pride does matters to him, he has to apologize in a noble gentleman way.
"I'm really sorry for your injury, it was my entire fault. I'm going to confess to the team and coach Anzai," Sakuragi said firmly as he met Rukawa at school.
"There's no need to put up the subject anymore. It's far gone," Rukawa replied in a monotone.
"But…you got injured! And you missed the practice for two weeks! It must've been really hard for you!"
"It's far gone."
Sakuragi silenced by the cold-toned line. "Gomennasai…" he said finally.
Rukawa turned around and started to walk away.
"Wait!" suddenly Sakuragi enlightened by an idea," No matter what you said, I still felt guilty. And to make it up to you, I'm gonna follow you everywhere to help you out whenever you're troubled, OK!?" He smiled widely surprised by his own 'genius' idea.
"No thanks."
Do aho!
"No matter what you say, Rukawa! I'm gonna do it!"
Rukawa walked away ignoring the redhaired.
Do aho!!
-------------------------------
But Sakuragi really proved his words.
From studies to basketball, he was always ready to give Rukawa a help whenever the Kitsune seemed troubled--at least to Sakuragi's opinion.
He lent Rukawa a bunch of notes of all the lessons. It wasn't his notes, but he managed to borrow all of them from their classmates.
He brought lunch for Rukawa.
He passed towel and drinks to Rukawa after practicing.
He also took Rokawa's turn to clean their classroom.
He even brought a small pillow for Rukawa to sleep during the lessons!
Rukawa always refused the 'helps'. But Sakuragi with his own forcing way always managed to make Rukawa accepted those offerings.
Today, as usual, Sakuragi followed Rukawa after the basketball practice ended to offer any helps which might be needed.
"I'll ride the bike, OK?" Sakuragi said.
"No thanks," Rukawa pushed his bike and got on it.
"You never let me ride you home," Sakuragi protested.
"I don't need you to!" Quickly Rukawa paddled his bike away from Sakuragi before the redhaired bugged him more.
Do aho!!!
What Rukawa didn't know, this time Sakuragi has prepared his very own bike to follow Rukawa. The Kitsune might need his help on his way home, right?
Sakuragi followed Rukawa carefully. He didn't want Rukawa to notice his presence.
But somewhere around a corner Sakuragi lost Rukawa.
"Damn, where the hell he goes?"
When he looked at his right, he saw Rukawa cycling towards him.
"Shit, he found me…"Sakuragi muttered.
"Nani !!?" Sakuragi widened his eyes to see the figure cycling closer and closer towards him more clearly.
"He's sleeping!!" Sakuragi got hysterical, "How can he sleep while he's riding a bike!!? And he calls me Do aho!!?"
Sakuragi was about to paddle his bike to approach Rukawa when he saw a car driving fast heading Rukawa from the road at left.
"Rukawaaa!!!"
Fortunately the car managed to stop at the right time. But still, it's front bumper hit Rukawa's bike and made Rukawa thrown aside for about four feet.
"Rukawa!" Sakuragi threw his own bike and dashed to Rukawa lying on the street.
"Is he okay?" the driver got out of his car to see how the boy was doing.
"Uh…what happened…" Rukawa rubbed his forehead as Sakuragi helped him to sit.
"You got hit by a car, you idiot!! Didn't you had enough sleep in the class!?" Sakuragi didn't understand why, but he felt so angry for Rukawa's carelessness.
"Are you hurt?" the driver asked carefully.
"Umm… I guess not…" Rukawa inspected his hands. There were only few scratches. "I'm fine," he said then.
"Maybe you should go to the hospital," the driver spoke again.
"No…"
"Yes! I'll take you to the hospital!!" Sakuragi's voice got high since he was mad.
"I'll drive you to the hospital," the driver tried to help Rukawa stand on his feet.
"It's OK, I'll take him there, "Sakuragi replied.
The driver got back in his car and drove away.
"Let's go," Sakuragi turned to Rukawa.
"But… my bike is broken…" Rukawa stared at his beloved bicycle heartbrokenly.
"Don't worry. I got my own."
Rukawa stared at Sakuragi and realized something, "You were following me!"
Sakuragi blushed a bit, "No I wasn't!"
"Yes you were! You take the train to come home, you don't ride!"
"So I decided to ride! What's wrong with that!?"
Rukawa stood up and clutched his bag, "I'll take the bus."
"No you won't! You need to go to the hospital with me!"
"I don't need any hospital," Rukawa walked away to find the nearest bus stop.
Sakuragi clenched his fist so tight, "Fine!! I'll take the bus with you!!"
Rukawa turned to call Sakuragi 'Do aho', but he was surprised to see tears hanging down from the redhaired's eyes.
Rukawa stopped to stare at the boy.
Sakuragi wiped his tears and walked approaching Rukawa. He ignored his bike lying on the street.
"Why are you crying?" Rukawa asked awkwardly.
"Why are you such a stubborn bastard…" Sakuragi's voice sounded shaking.
Rukawa was speechless for a moment, didn't know what to say and what to do.
"I'll go to the hospital if it makes you feel better," he said then.
"You don't have to go if you don't want to…" Sakuragi replied with a rather grumbling tone.
Rukawa paused for some moment and so did Sakuragi.
"I need a ride to the hospital," Rukawa spoke finally.
Sakuragi turned back to get his bike. As he pushed his bike, his tears started to flow down.
"Sakuragi…" Rukawa felt guilty suddenly.
Sakuragi cried in silence. His hands clutched his bike hard.
"I'm sorry…" Rukawa spoke in full regret.
"Why are you so careless…?"
"What?"
"You could've got killed…look who's the idiot now…"
"I'm sorry…"
"You really got me scared there, I thought you were…"
"I'm sorry…"
"Don't just sorry!! You have to promise not to sleep again while you're riding!!"
Sakuragi was about to scold more, but he was surprised to find himself around Rukawa's embrace.
"I'm sorry, Do aho…"
Tears started to rundown more from Sakuragi's eyes. He dropped his bike and hugged back tighter than Rukawa did.
Sakuragi really cried a river. He hid his face on Rukawa's shoulder. His feelings are all mixed up between upset, scared, and relieved.
I thought I've lost you… I thought I've lost you…
By that time, Sakuragi realized that he cares for Rukawa more than anything in the world.
He realized that he has fallen for Rukawa…
TO BE CONTINUED