Disclaimer: I don't own Slam dunk… but someday I will find a way to be the co-owner of slam dunk… hehehehhe… (Hey, there is nothing wrong in dreaming…J)

Author's note:

                Therefore, I am making this next chapter so none of you will get bored… I hope you will like this…

Rhapsody of Destiny

Chapter 1      Piece of the song

After the interview of Kaede or the exposure of Kaede to the media of his secret causes, a rather heated discussion occurred in the living room of the Rukawa's between the two siblings.

"Kaede, I don't think it was a wise idea for you to expose yourself in that manner. What will happen to your career? I know you love your career as a composure but with that kind of big issue that you exposed might cause the downfall of your career. You're crazy." Kenji reproached his younger brother with his action.

"Ne, Kenji-san, I don't care if it will cause my career upon my exposure. I will continue on making my songs. Besides my songs are still mine and nobody can take it from me."

"Are you sure with your decision?"

"Yeah!"

"You're really brave and courageous one. Runs in our family. Don't worry brother, no matter what happens I will support you all the way." Kenji smiled to his brother to reassure him of his intention

"Don't worry about your career, Kaede-san. It is not your lose but the music industries lose. Beside your one hell of a composure." Shinichi spoke of encouragement to lighten the burden of his artist.

"Arigato, minna-san. I appreciate your concern and support for me." Rukawa form a semi-smile to reassure the two that he was fine with it. However, deep within him sadness filled his whole being.

"You're a darling, Shin-chan. I can't be luckier than anyone else with you around me and my brother. You supported us through in through. You never failed to uplift our spirits especially mine when I am worried for my brother here." Kenji faced his lover and embraced him as his own way of expressing his love and gratitude for his help.

"Ken-san, I will help you two as long as I can. Besides Kaede-chan is like a brother to me, while you my Ken-san is my life. I won't allow anybody to hurt you two. That is how much I love you two… but my affection to Kaede-chan is mere brotherly only. I don't want you to be jealous of your own brother." Shinichi tried to tease his boyfriend, who happens to be very possessive. "I think once, Kaede found his match… He will be as possessive as you Ken-san." He laughs as soon as he saw the two brothers blush like a schoolboy caught doing something naughty.

"Cut it out, Shin-chan. You're teasing me again. Hmmp."  Kenji reprimanded his boyfriend but failed miserably when his own brother joined in laughing and making fun of his tendency to be possessive.

Soon the two couple are making out after having a cold war that lasted for 10 minutes when Kenji got annoyed by the teasing. Kaede left the two couple who continued in embracing and kissing one another after making up.

HE proceeded to his room to relax and try to relieve the stress that filled his system. Was it really stress that filled my system? Why won't I admit it that sadness filled me – no, it does not fill me it engulf me... Sadness is eating me alive. I can't find any cure for my sadness… can't I really find one. Is there really a cure for this sadness? I don't know.

"Ahh… I have everything a man needs. I have money, power, wealth, popularity and intelligence but why am I not happy and contented of my life. I am not fulfilled with my life… my career. Arggh… I hate this feeling… I thought by revealing my secret to the public; I could find my inner peace… I was wrong… I got more messed up." He made a deep sigh… he observed he have been doing it a lot lately.

"Arggh… I can't even find a reason anymore to write a song. Ah… unless I find the right interpreter to sing my two songs... I can't move on… Damn, why can't I find the perfect singer for my latest songs? A lot have already auditioned for it but still no one fit the song." He buried his face in his hands out of frustration. (Kami-sama, help me… give me a sign for the right person to sing my songs.)

 Two days after the revelation, Maki received an important call coming from Sendoh Akira and Mito Youhei, the personal managers of a well known singer, Sakura. They are setting an appointment to talk to him and his artist, Rukawa, to discuss a proposal to make their artist work together in a project – a big project at that matter.

Maki called Rukawa after. He inquired if he will accept the request of Sendoh and set an appointment two days after. Rukawa agreed about the appointment besides they will just discuss and it doesn't mean that they will already sign the contract.

The day of the meeting arrived. The meeting place will be at the studio of Rukawa near his mansion. Sendoh and his company arrived earlier than expected.

"Sakura, are you certain? I mean we can still back-out you know. We don't know what will happen. There is a big tendency that it will not push through as we planned it." Youhei wanted Sakura to reconsider her decision for the fact that there is a big chance that they will fail in their attempt.

'Youhei- san, if we fail… it is alright with me… at least we tried our best… besides I got a chance to even persuade him to allow me to even sing his song." Sakura's voice was not as cheerful as it use to be. As the day pass her sadness and depression got the better of her; she is losing a battle that can't be fought on her own. Sendoh and Youhei know that Rukawa's song will bring back her strength to fight back and to distract her of her weaknesses.

"Don't worry, Sakura… I will try to help you persuade him to allow you to even sing it or for him to hear you sing it. I will even try to use my convincing powers for us to succeed. Nobody can resist me." Sendoh tried to become comical to uplift the spirit of his friend but failed. All he got was a smile but never reached her beautiful and soulful brown eyes.

Unknown to them, Rukawa was in the other room and had been listening to their conversation. He got interested on how will they persuade him to allow their artist to even sing one of his song. His mind is made up – no one will fit his songs. He had better stop hoping that somebody will come to sing his songs in their greatest glory. He decided to leave the place and let Maki talk to them but his decision is final. Sakura will not sing any of his songs or anyone else. He was nearing the door when he heard a song coming from the other room.

It burns within me

Engulf me completely –

As I see your beauty beneath the moon

Blazing, shining, twinkling like the star

Star above that guide my way to you

However, your beauty can be more

Compared to the burning fire

Fire I felt within my soul

Eternity fire filled my faith

Filled my whole being and love for you

"Sakura, where did you get that idea? You're really amazing to sing that verse, where did you get that?" Youhei was taken aback how Sakura manage to sing that song as peaceful and serene as if the song was really made for her to sing.

"I… I don't... I have no idea. I just found this piece of paper laying there. Got it and then song the verse – just like how it was written. I think Rukawa was the one who composed it. He is such gifted composer. He put a soul in the song. That is why I want to sing even a verse of his song." Her eyes twinkle like a star as she returned the paper in the table. She stood up and faces the window where she is overlooking a beautiful garden.

Sendoh and Mito never expected her next words when she turned and her eyes filled with unshed tears. Sendoh came to her aid to comfort her. He stopped in his track when he heard a shocking declaration from her.

"We're leaving. I think we don't have to talk to them anymore. Besides, I have a feeling that it won't work. We had better leave. It is useless to persuade them. Let's go."

Sendoh and Youhei's mouth hang open but soon got their composure as she walked pass them and out of the room in a graceful manner.

Rukawa stop dead in his tracks as he saw a very attractive woman leaving the library. She glances his way, he saw the most beautiful, and soulful brown eyes in his entire life. He never thought that she posses that kind of eyes. Eyes that deep within it filled with the exact same emotions that he has been feeling for years. She continued walking but within his vision she walks in a slow motion as graceful and as elegant as a unicorn.

"Wait, Miss..." Rukawa called out as soon as he was drawn out from his reverie of her.

She looked back in a slow manner. They made an eye-to-eye contact that it seems to him that she was the only person in the room. She became pale and soon collapsed. HE never thought he could move that fast to catch her– in order to avoid her body from touching the ground as she falls. He caught her on time. Grasp was heard from four witnesses - coming from Maki, Kenji, Sendoh and Mito.

HE carried her to the nearest lounging chair – as he hold her in his arms he felt it was the best place for her. HE felt at peace carrying and looking at her paled face. It was the right thing to do – to hold her in his arms like he own her. That she belongs right here – by his side and his arms. HE felt an urge to kiss her paled lips – it was the right thing to do, a voice within him told him so. And kiss he did to her paled lips. A much louder grasp filled the silent room as four people witness how he kissed her like he own her.

"Oh, my god! I can't believe I'm seeing this." Sendoh stated in awe in the scene he is seeing.

"Nor can I… nor can I." Youhei agreed and still in shock for the turn of events.

"They look good together. They are a wonderful pair. Am I right, Shin-chan?" Kenji whispered as he sees how his brother kissed and caressed the face of the sleeping woman.

Before anyone can react, Sendoh and Mito had crossed the living room and took Sakura from Rukawa, who on the other hand was not prepared for the event. Mito carried the unconscious Sakura out the place and proceeded to their parked car. Rukawa tried to catch up to Mito and to take Sakura back but Sendoh stopped him with a punch.

"How dare you kiss her? You have no right to do that?" An enrage Sendoh faced Rukawa after the later one recovered from the blow.

"I know… and I'm sorry but it felt so right awhile ago." Rukawa's eyes was downcast on the tiled floor, but soon met the raging blue eyes of Sendoh with his icy glare. Out of his own attitude he punched back Sendoh. "She is mine!" Upon giving Sendoh a punch he left him to reach Sakura.

Sendoh on the other hand was shocked by what Rukawa said before the blow. She is mine… she is mine… the words that kept on ringing on his head. HE didn't mind the blow that he received but what Rukawa just announced. While Kenji and his koi were taken aback, by the way Rukawa acted. He acted like a jealous lover – a raving lunatic out to get his princess back.

Sendoh nodded as Youhei called his name. The later one left and took Sakura with leaving a raging Rukawa behind. Youhei drive as fast as he can to be as far away as possible so that Rukawa can't catch up with them. He succeeds in losing Rukawa, who tried to chase them.

(Damn, he is good in the road) Rukawa made a turn and returned to confront the other person. He'll get some answers from him or else he'll be skinned alive.

~ OWARI ~

Author's note:

                Please don't judge this fic first… wait for further chapters. I put a lot of twist in this fic.. I hope I can pull the trick –so that it will come out as a wonderful fic…

Arigato minna-san.. hope you like it… please don't forget to review