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:

                Please don't forget to review after finishing reading this chapter… J

Info: Rukawa will be for Rukawa Kaede while Kenji for Kenji Rukawa.

Note:

Japanese

English

(inner thoughts)

Rhapsody of Destiny

Chapter 5      The Cure

It has been over two years since Sakura left Tokyo. It has been that long since Rukawa became more distant and cold. HE change to a more aloof person but because of his attitude he wrote great songs. His songs are now known internationally. He has just been awarded with a trophy for the best composer and interpreter of the year. Ever since Sakura left, no one was able to convince Rukawa to compose a song for them. He, himself sang his song – he vowed that he will only allow others to have his song as theirs once Sakura came back and sang his best and compiled songs made especially for her.        

Rukawa's life has never been the same since then. But it all changed in a matter of two days. Rukawa felt he just woke up from a deep slumber that lasted him for two years. He felt alive again and hope surge through his body that he will soon find his one and only Love… Sakura.

Kenji and Maki were glad for the improvement of Rukawa. HE returns to his old self little by little but there are still some instances that he would snap back to his protective shell for security. All the change that occurs to Rukawa was due to the firey guy named Sakuragi Hanamichi.

"Baka Kitsune!!! Just because..." veins popping, Hanamichi wasn't able to continue his sentence. He was too angry to say anything else.

Rukawa just stared at Hanamichi with his cool blue eyes, turned around, and continued his interrupted walk.

HE never misses to utter a simple word. "Da'ho"

With this two simple words the two would get to each other throats that seems not to end until one of them got tired of throwing words to each other {as if it ever happens}.

This "affectionate" discussion between the two started at the restaurant when Rukawa commented on Hanamichi's table manners and artistic style. This happens to be unlikely of Rukawa, who rarely speak and care about others peoples business, – that made his brother raise an eyebrow and made the other people choke in their food. There began the never ending battle of words between the two "sweet" and "dream" couple of the century. So every time their path would cross, the two make sure that the other know of ones presence and never misses to "touch" each other.

Hanamichi is the only person aside from Kenji and Maki to "juice" Rukawa out of words… I mean to speak more than 10 words in an hour or so.

*****

"Hana-chan, I never seen you become so rude or prude towards another person. I mean you always have a sense of control of your temper. You are a calm type of person. I think you are living to your hair-expectation now. For a certain, Kitsune?" Kiminobou teases his li'l brother for the big change that occurs to him. Hanamichi became red that matches his hair because of his teasing.

"Min-kun, you, too? Don't tell me you believe those two about me and that Kitsune." Hanamichi pouted like a kid being outwitted by everyone. Kiminobou laugh his lungs out seeing his brother's reaction towards the issue that his friends weaved for the past days since the two met. "Besides, I am not interested to any relationship. May it be homosexual or heterosexual relationship at that matter." Hanamichi closed his eyes that he missed seeing the sad expression that crossed his brother's face.

*****

"Kae-chan, I never seen you use that piano again since SHE left. Aside from that, I never seen you smile, relax and talk that way since then. You became secretive and secluded even to me. Now, look at you, you change back – maybe not totally at least you change. I am happy right now for you. Does it have something to do with a certain hot tempered guy?" Kenji trying to caught his brother for the big change that occurred. At the same time, trying his best to make sure that his brother won't be offended and to avoid opening up healed wounds.

Rukawa turned his gaze towards his brother and have a locked eye contact with him. He could sense that his brother became tense and nervous by his actions. HE could actually foretell that his brother's knees are trembling like crazy at that moment. To Kenji's surprise Rukawa let out a loud laugh for the reason that he was amuse by his brother, who is left open mouthed by his act.

"Maybe… maybe he is the reason… maybe he is not." Rukawa stated in a serious tone and continued on playing the piano. He closed his eyes to feel the music and to convince himself that nothing has change – that Sakura is still the one but how come the face that lingered in his memory is Hanamichi's.

"Damn, we just met. I mean I don't even know the guy for Pete's sake." Rukawa voice out his thoughts out of frustration. 

"Really? I think we can solve that problem, brother" Kenji trying to comfort the young one.

"Damn, yes… I mean he has been here for two months and that we always got to each other's nerve. It doesn't mean I like him or something. Much more him liking me." Rukawa laugh to cover his true feelings and tried to convince his brother but the laughter turned out to be force and sarcastic.

He sighed before he continued. "Besides even if we gather information, we can't still get enough information because Sendoh and Mito won't give it to us easily. Just like the last time." This time his voice turned soft.

"Kae-chan, this time we will not fail. I am sure of it." Kenji said trying to comfort his brother.

"You wouldn't give up Ken-chan, do you?" Maki butt-in in their conversation.

"But Shin-chan, since that Hanamichi guy appeared Kaede became "happy"."

"Whatever… but don't you think that Kae-chan gets attracted for the second time this time to one of Sendoh's and Mito's friend. Aside from that, I think it would be unfair to Hanamichi - ." Kaede interrupted Maki

"Why would it be unfair to him, Maki-san?" Rukawa's voice was cold and eyes shot daggers to his brother's boyfriend waiting for answers.

"It would be unfair to him with two reasons. First, everyone knows in this business that you – Kae-chan happens to be madly in love with Sakura, who happens to leave the country. Secondly, I don't think that his kind would be interested to a homosexual relationship. Do you see my point?" Maki explained carefully, so not to upset the ice king. Rukawa went silent and considered the reasons stated by his manager.

"Maybe… but I think he is open to the idea. Besides Sendoh happens to be gay and as you have witness, his elder brother is gay too. Maybe he is into it too." Kenji countered his koi to uplift his brother's spirit again.

Rukawa's blue orbs sparkled as he considers the big possibility of his brother's analysis and sees a lot of hope in there. "Do you think so, Ken-chan? Maki-san?" Rukawa's eyes are pleading while looking at the two guys that are important to him that must support him in his endeavor.

"You will have our full support, little brother." Kenji vowed while eyeing his koi to agree. Rukawa was glad for the support coming from his brother but he was waiting for Maki's answer, which almost astounded him by the outcome.

"You have to make sure that you are over with Sakura first so that you can concentrate on making Hanamichi yours." It may not be bluntly expressed but Rukawa was sure that he would have his manager's support.

"I am over her a month ago. But she still has a special place in my heart, though my Da'ho already took over the whole place of my heart." Rukawa blushes as he admitted to them how special his Da'ho to him. Out of nowhere, a folder landed in front of him coming from the smiling Maki.

"I know you like him, but I am not sure if you are over Sakura. So I have to confirm first before giving you Hanamichi's schedule and profile." Maki stated while smiling at how Rukawa became too busy reading the reports. This earned him a very deep and passionate kiss coming from his koi.

~ OWARI ~