Disclaimer : *dances around* SD characters will never be ours. They are not ours to have.
Warning : *reads the chapter* etou... arimasen.
Authors' Notes: Guys thanks for the reviews. We never thought we'll get this far. We are very very glad that you like the story.
Across Time
by: Asashouryuu
- Chapter 9 -
3 days after, Sakuragi heard a knock on Rukawa's apartment door. He opened it and his eyes bulged. "Gunsou!" he exclaimed.
"The one and only" his long time friend said. He looked around as he stepped inside the apartment. "So you are living together."
Sakuragi blushed. "Not really. I just told my parents I have to stay in Rukawa's house for few days since we are making a project".
"Where's Kaede-sama?" Jinjin asked as he sat on the couch.
"Out to buy some Sukiyaki ingredients." he answered "So how are you?"
"I'm already a gensui. Leading your former group"
"Really? Still mocking the noble gods?" Sakuragi asked
Jinjin smiled and nodded his head "But discreetly... very discreetly."
Few minutes later, Jinjin stood up. "I'll better go now. Nobody in heaven knows I'm here but Tekken-sama will know and..."
"You'll be punished for seeing me, right?"
Jinjin nodded and then an arrogant smile spread across his face, "Few whips on my body is nothing as long as I get to see my superior", he said with a wink which made Sakuragi laughed.
Jinjin looked at his superior seriously, "Gensui... you are happy with him right?"
Sakuragi looked surprised and then he nodded affirmatively, his face glowing with happiness "Of course. I am. Are you sure you won't eat dinner together with us?"
Jinjin shook his head.
And as he stood outside the apartment he told Sakuragi "Be careful. I don't think Tekken-sama would let you guys slip easily. He always gets what he wants".
Sakuragi nodded, " We will".
"I'll inform you if I will learn something." he said then he cursed, "Those guys are sooo damned secretive".
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Rukawa's mother was walking back and forth in front of Tekken's desk.
"I can't believe he chose that gensui instead of us!" she said disdainfully. "Tekken! I want my son back!".
Tekken placed the paper he was reading back on his table "You're not the only one who wants him back" he told her then he looked at the guard who was standing on the door "Go! Bring me Colonel Taky".
"H-Hai" the guard saluted and then left for the military building.
"Don't worry. We'll get him back" Tekken said wickedly.
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"Hey!" Sakuragi approached Rukawa after the team was dismissed. "The gundan asked me to go with them so I'll see you back at home".
Rukawa nodded "I'll practice here for few minutes".
And for the fifth time, the guys were thrown out from the pachinko.
"Who said we can enter tonight?" Sakuragi asked ominously. The three pointed at Takamiya.
"My horoscope told me" Takamiya explained.
"Let's go home. This is a waste of time" Youhei suggested as he dusted himself. They all agreed.
Takamiya, Ookusu and Noma bid Youhei and Sakuragi goodbye as they took their way to their respective homes.
"Hanamichi" Youhei called out as his friend took a wrong turn "Your route home is straight this way".
"I was thinking of going to Rukawa's house" he confessed.
"Rukawa's house?!" Youhei repeated in bewilderment "What are you going to do there?"
"Youhei... etou... actually... please keep this a secret okay?"
Youhei nodded sincerely.
"I'm living with Rukawa!"
Instead of shouting in surprise, Youhei stood there as still as a statue and was looking at his childhood friend as if he was growing hundreds of horns.
"Did I hear it right?" he asked his friend "That you are living with Rukawa?"
Sakuragi nodded "I will explain everything to you when everything is already fine" he said.
Youhei nodded and took his way to his home almost in a trance.
Hanamichi looked at Youhei's retreating figure and almost jumped in surprise when somebody tap his shoulder. He whirled around and saw a smiling Sendou.
"Konbanwa Hanamichi-kun" he greeted and Sakuragi returned the greeting. "Can I ask a favor from you?"
Sakuragi nodded.
"Can you accompany to the nearest department store?" Sendou asked " I'm looking for a perfect gift for my father" Sendou lied." Is it okay? We can have dinner after then".
Sakuragi just nodded.
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"Tadaima" Sakuragi called out as soon as he closed the door. Translation: I'm home
"Did Sendou walk you home?" Rukawa asked in a deadpan voice as he sat on the couch.
"No he didn't" Sakuragi answered then he looked surprise as he looked at Rukawa "How did you know that he...?"
"Somebody saw you guys and I heard them talking as I stepped outside the house to do some errand" he explained then stood up "Did it ever came into your mind that Sendou likes you a lot?"
Sakuragi looked surprise, "That's stupid. Sendou and I are friends".
"Sendou likes you more than that".
"Are you mad at me for going with him?" Sakuragi asked as he studied his lover's eyes.
"Mad?" Rukawa repeated "Of course not. Good night" then he walked to his room.
Sakuragi sighed and went to the kitchen to drink water when he found out the table was still prepared for dinner for two. It hit him then that Rukawa was waiting for him. He was about to call Rukawa's name when he heard the door being close.
He swore to himself that as long as Sendou was treating him like friend and is not confessing his affection, Sakuragi would not tell him anything afraid that Sendou would think of him as a conceited person.
He walked inside Rukawa's room and he saw Rukawa working on his assignment. He embraced the ace player from behind.
"I'm sorry" Sakuragi said softly "C'mon let's eat"
"I'm not hungry anymore... I mean I'm not hungry" Rukawa corrected. "Besides you're already full"
"You're right I am full but there's always a place in my stomach for your food." Sakuragi said "I know the food you cooked is delicious but only when we eat it together"
Rukawa sighed and stood from the chair "Very well... let's eat" then he left. Sakuragi sighed and immediately caught up with Rukawa. He then linked his arm with Rukawa's and leaned against his lover. Rukawa looked down and saw Sakuragi's smile and he smiled back in return.
Rukawa pulled the blanket to cover their naked bodies after he made love to Sakuragi that night. When he lied down, Sakuragi snuggled closer.
"Let's have a game tomorrow Sunday" Rukawa whispered into his ear.
"No..." Sakuragi murmured "My mother asked me to accompany her tomorrow." he lied.
"Very well... I'll practice alone" Rukawa sighed
Feeling guilty, he suggested "Ne Kaede let's just meet outside the flowershop near the train station. Let's stroll together".
"What time?"
"Around 2. Are you okay with it?"
Rukawa nodded as he pulled Sakuragi into his arms "Oyasumi" he murmured seductively. Translation: good night
"Hai... oyasumi" replied Sakuragi, ignoring the warm, delicious feeling that spread within his abdomen invoked by Rukawa's goodnight.
~Tsuzuku
We are sorry for making this chapter short and slightly boring.
Blue-eyed Fox: I also like your stories. ^_^ Anyway I double-checked the SD manga just to be sure. In the manga, Sendou's name is written in Hiragana characters of SE, N, DO and U. That's why I'm using "U" instead of "H".
Crescent Quetzalcoatl: There's going to be a cliffhanger. Just kidding. Giving cliffhangers is not our cup of tea. So rest assured there will never be a cliffhanger.
Flora: Thanks... Glad you like it.
Annachan: *grins sheepishly* umm... I think you're overpraising.
annedrew: Really? They are also my all-time fave couple.
Hirame: *laughs*
MinaXP: Ah~ you're exaggerating. There are still better authors out there.
chibi koi-chan: But not as close as what will happen in the preceeding chapters. hehehehe
Chris37: I know you still wonder about Sendou. You'll probably find out in the next chapter. Who knows... *grins*