A/N: Ohayo minna chan! Sumi masen for not updating the chapter earlier. For
all those who had mailed me with your comments and questions on when is
this chapter going to be updated, I truly appreciate for waiting.
Oh yeah one more thing... I DO NOT OWN SLAM DUNK OR SAILORMOON!!! *sniff*
Chapter 2:
A big sigh could be heard from a raven-haired girl. No matter how blank her face looked, underneath the facade, her guts were in knots.
"Take care, Hotaru." The girl turned to meet a pair of ruby eyes.
"Thanks. I suppose I need it," Hotaru laughed nervously.
Taking a deep breath, she plastered the blank face again and took her first step into Shohoku High.
At the front of the class, a certain grey haired man with glasses trembled as he tries to suppress the urge of murdering his BELOVED student. The chalk that he had been holding snapped and the already throbbing vein at his temples grew bigger at the obviously loud snores.
That's it! Enough is enough!
Grinding his teeth, he faced the class and murderously glared at a certain sleeping beauty. "Sakuragi!!!"
A soft knock saved the sleeping beauty from the fire breathing white-haired dragon.
"What is it?" the dragon snapped, irritated.
The door slowly slid open and a raven-shouldered haired girl stepped in. gracefully she executed a bow, "Sumi masen. Watashi wa Hotaru Tomoe, the new transferred student."
Everyone gasp in awe when she had straightened herself. The reason being that she had brilliant violet eyes.
Glancing at her result slip, the sensei was pleased to find a student who seemed to have aced all of her grades. "Well at last!" he mused to himself.
"You may sit at the empty seat there," the sensei waved, totally ignoring the rude student who seemed to have totally resided in Dream Land.
Smiling in gratitude, Hotaru slowly made her way towards her assigned seat. Once seated, she took out her books and began flipping the pages. Her lovely brows creased into frown when she realized that she had forgotten to bring her pencil case.
Hotaru turned around with the thought of borrowing a pen but was stopped short. She nearly laughed out loud at the rare sight before her. Taking a few deep breaths to control her mirth, she finally poked the sleeping beauty on his back.
"Ano... sumi masen. But may I borrow your pen?" the boy snuggled deeper and groaned in his sleep.
Taking that as a yes, she quickly took a pen from his scattered desk and turned around. Her last thought before she began writing was that the boy looked vaguely familiar.
"And she got these gorgeous violet eyes. I can't believe that you didn't realize that she sat beside you," Sakuragi's best friend rambled as the red head donned his shirt onto his well-defined muscular chest.
The muscles on his shoulder rippled as he dumped his school uniform into his gym locker.
"Well whatever is it, I'm not interested, Yohei." The red head tensai calmly commented over his shoulder as he stepped out of the changing room.
Mito Yohei smiled after his five years best friend. It is strange that Sakuragi had totally matured over three months. He remembered the time when he visited his best friend in the hospital after Sannoh match.
Sakuragi had looked really old and matured as he sat on the bed and told him that he wanted to change. He was sick to his stomach at how people had regarded him as. The fool of the community. The ever-enthusiastic fool. Perhaps the match had shown him something.
He was totally shocked at Sakuragi's announcement especially at how he regarded himself. He had never regard Sakuragi as a fool. He had regarded Sakuragi as a fool. In fact he sees Sakuragi as the best role model of an innocent, sensitive, caring, hardworking and strong willed player. He could bet that event everyone who had watched the matches thought of Sakuragi as such.
But strangely Sakuragi shows his matured self only to him and to others who did not know him. Why is that?
The ex-brawler sighed as he pushed away the thought. Stepping out of the gym, he greeted the rest of the Sakuragi gundam.
Violet eyes huh? So what if Yohei description of the new comer as a goddess? He still think that a certain girl with her captivating violet eyes gorgeous.
Sakuragi's mind slowly meandered towards the violet-eyed goddess that he had saved last night. Beautiful slender form, rosy luscious lips, nimble fingers, long sexy legs and flawless white skin.
~*Bloody hentai! What the hell do you think you are doing thinking about the innocent girl that way?*~
~*Come on! It was just a thought. Anyway it's not like I'm going to meet her ever again.*~
~*Hentai!*~ and so Sakuragi conscience argued with his evil mind.
Out of the blue, a ball suddenly smashed itself into Sakuragi's face. "Pay more attention Sakuragi!" one of the best point guards in Kanagawa, the new captain of Shohoku, chided.
Just when the redhead wanted to apologize and got up, the ice prince of Shohoku muttered an unwanted comment. Smiling secretly, the red head forced his childish side to the surface and jumped onto his feet, an angry face plastered on his bored face.
"Teme Kitsune!" and so a fight commenced.
Hotaru hugged the familiar jacket closer to herself. She had been searching high and low for the owner of the jacket. Still no sight of him.
Sighing, she let her mind wander. The entire day, she wasn't able to concentrate. Her mind had constantly meandered towards the heart-throbbing red head savior of hers. Her heart had raced every time she thought of him.
Strange but she swore that she had sensed his presence in the class. But no matter how many times she glanced around in the room, she still can't find him. Then there is the student who sleeps in the class next to her. Her guts had kicked in and told her that he looked familiar even though his back faced her during the entire day.
Snapping out of her reverie, she approached the nearest person. "Excuse me, do you know that person by the name of Sakuragi Hanamichi?"
"You mean that red head basketball player?" the boy asked.
"Hai!" Hotaru nodded. So he is basketball player. That explains the large jacket.
"He must be at the gym with the other players."
"Arigato!"
After searching for a long while, at last the exhausted Hotaru stood in front of the entrance of the gym. Screeching noises, bouncing balls and shouts were heard coming from the gym.
Opening the door, Hotaru watched in awe at the sight before her.
Running past Ryota, Sakuragi suddenly stopped when Mitsui suddenly approached before him in defense. Uncaring of the presence at the great defense, the red head center took a step back and dribbled the ball between his legs and shoots.
The ball nicely swished into the hoop.
"Yosh! Two more points for Tensai!" the ego head Sakuragi laughed.
Ayako smiled as she watched Sakuragi's antics. It is strange to find the ex- brawler to have actually mastered basketball and even became one of the best players in Japan. She still can't get over the fact that the 'Trouble maker of the Team' (that's what Gori called him) actually beat Rukawa in one on one match. It must be a major blow to Rukawa's pride.
Turning around to take her clipboard, she noticed a raven-haired girl wearing her school uniform, standing as the doorway, watching the team. The curly brown haired manager sighed. Not another one! She had enough of keeping Rukawa's multiplying brigade and fans. Sighing again, she walked up towards the student.
"Excuse me but no Rukawa fans allowed," Ayako smiled with her famous paper fan armed. DonâEt know what crazed fans might do when provoked.
Hotaru snapped out of her stupor. "Uh.. Sorry but I'm not a Rukawa fan. I'm here to see Sakuragi," she smiled back.
Ayako was shocked. "Uh... Sakuragi?" she asked again. Perhaps her ears are failing her. When did Sakuragi have a fan?
"Hai. Sakuragi Hanamichi." Hotaru smiled politely as she nods.
Still in shock, Ayako lead the girl to the bench.
"By the way. I'm Hotaru Tomoe. You can call me Hotaru," the raven-haired girl smiled as she offered her hand.
"I'm Ayako, the team manager. Nice to meet you," Ayako took the offered hand and shook it. Hmm... polite and friendly.
"Umm... may I ask why you want to meet Sakuragi?" the manager suddenly blurted out.
Violet eyes once again rested on the curly brown haired manager. "I came here to return something," the owner smiled again.
Curiosity seemed to gnaw her mind and Ayako had a hard time pushing that nagging curiosity aside. She was about to search for her clipboard again when a voice called out.
"Haruko-chan!" Ayako smiled in greeting as a petite brown shouldered haired girl walked towards her.
When Ayako saw the curios look on Haruko's face, Ayako turned and introduced Haruko to the new girl. Likewise with Ayako, the violet-eyed beauty shook hands with the brown haired girl. As one, all the three girls turned to watch the match between the seniors and juniors.
"Ganbatte Sakuragi-kun!" Haruko cheered as she watched excitedly as the red head dribbled swiftly pass Ken and passed it to Rukawa who then did a lay up.
"Sugoi Rukawa-kun.." Hotaru heard the whisper and nearly laughed out loud when she saw her new friend go starry eyed at a certain jet-black player. Hmm... cool and reserved. Even though Rukawa had been the one who scored, she still thought that Sakuragi was great.
Ayako looked at her watch and blew the whistle. "Time out. Game over!" she shouted.
All of the players stopped and headed towards the bench where drinks were served.
Hotaru watched as Sakuragi, who had a face towel hung around his neck, stood as a far end of the bench and taking a swig of the cool refreshing drink. He looks so cute and dangerous. Slowly, Hotaru walked up to the sweating red head.
Yohei slapped Anozumi's back teasingly. "Hey let's go and tease our good friend."
"No problem!" laughed a certain blond head brawler as they entered the gym.
The group was still laughing as they talked about the latest bets when Yohei suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"Oi Yohei! Daijoubu, ka?" a moustache friend of his asked when he noticed the shocked look on Yohei's face.
"Ano.. you better look at this," Anozumi told his friends as he pointed towards their red head friend and a raven-haired girl.
"That's Hotaru. The girl I was talking about just now" Yohei burst out.
"Nani?!" the rest of Sakuragi gundam shouted, shocked as they watched Sakuragi resting his hands on the laughing girl's waist.
"Mi-kun," Sakuragi heard.
Turning around, he exclaimed in shock. "Hotaru! What are you doing here?"
The girl in front of him giggled for the first time since they met. "Well for a Tensai, you really aren't that smart in figuring it out, huh?"
"You heard that one huh? Hehehe..." the red head laughed sheepishly.
"Since I am wearing Shohoku's school uniform, didn't the thought that I am studying here ever cross your mind, Mi-kun?" Hotaru playfully teased.
The red head laughed sheepishly again. "Well what class are you in?"
"2-10"
The sharp thick eyebrows creased into a frown. "Hey that's my class. How come I never saw you?"
Hotaru looked perplexed. "Your class? Strange, I didn't see you too. Anyway I sat at the back of the class, beside a snoring student."
Sakuragi grimaced slightly. "Umm.. did you borrow a pen from him?" he saw her nod and nearly groaned out loud. So this is the new girl Yohei was talking about.
"What will you do if I say that I was the umm.. snoring boy?"
Mirth bubbled up and laughter soon followed. Soon Hotaru leaned against the scowling red head for support as she was too pre-occupied in laughing.
"Is it my eyes or it that laughing girl leaning against Sakuragi?" Ryota asked as he once again rubbed his eyes.
Ayako, who heard the comment turned around and was stop short. Her jaw dropped a foot as she stared at the picture before her.
Hotaru was laughing and leaning against Sakuragi. Sakuragi who had a scowl on his face had unconsciously rested his hands on her slender waist and was taping his index finger impatiently waiting for the laughter to subside.
"I knew he had it in him!" Mitsui laughed as he looked at the odd couple.
"I knew that student looked familiar," Hotaru laughed softly as she wiped the corner of her eyes and looked up. Violet eyes met midnight eyes. Hotaru could feel her heart racing rapidly.
It was Mitsui's laughter that brought them back to the real world. Hastily, Hotaru and Sakuragi broke away from the embrace.
Blushing hotly, Sakuragi asked suddenly, "Aren't you suppose to be in bed?"
Remembering last night's event, she blushed furiously. "Ah... I'm ok now. Truly!" she exclaimed when she noticed the doubtful look on Sakuragi's face.
"So why are you here for?"
The question brought her back to her purpose being there. "I actually wanted to return this to you. Don't worry, it's clean," Hotaru took out the jacket from its wrapping.
"Thank you for saving me." Sakuragi heard her say as he took the jacket from her.
Haruko watched in amazement as Sakuragi smiled down at the girl before him as he took a jacket from her. The brown haired girl suddenly frowns as she watched the two walked together towards the rest of the team and her. Why do I feel so uneasy at their smiling faces?
"Wait here while I change." Hotaru nodded as her eyes followed Sakuragi's back entering the changing room.
"So are you Sakuragi's girlfriend?" Mitsui blurted out which resulted Hotaru to turn a shade of hue.
"You mean Mi-kun? Oh he is just a friend, that's all," Hotaru blushed hotly.
A grin spread onto the three-pointer shooter's face when he noticed the way she called Sakuragi. No friend would call a person as such.
"By the way I'm Mitsui Hisashi." Hotaru nervously shook the offered hand.
"Hotaru Tomoe," She replied weakly.
The little devil inside Mitsui suddenly popped out and ruled the three- pointer's mind. "Nice name. So can I call you Hotaru?" he smiled.
"No you may not!" a voice from behind Hotaru spoke.
Bringing his eyes up, Mitsui saw the fierce frown on his good friend's face. "Hey I was just asking. No need to be mad," Mitsui nervously laughed as he held up his hands.
"Yeah right. If I wasn't around you would have swept her off her feet," the red head grumbled as he walked past those two to get to his bag.
"Hey look out!!" Sakuragi heard the shout of warning. Turning around, his heart nearly stopped when he saw a basketball flew at fast speed towards Hotaru.
"Hotaru!!" the bellow came from the depths of his soul. Sakuragi's heart felt as though it were being ripped out of his chest. All he could think about was getting to Hotaru and protecting her.
Hotaru turned around to see a basketball flying straight towards her. Her brain screamed for her to run but unfortunately her legs didn't want to comply. Hotaru felt the impact of the ball and was thrown against the bench. Searing pain tore at her injured legs as she crumpled to the ground.
Without a scant moment, Sakuragi gathered her crumpled form in his arms and placed her on the bench.
Violet eyes opened and the wounded girl struggled into a sitting position. Violet eyes met the worried pair of midnight eyes.
"I'm alright. Look no pain on my body," to stress the meaning of her words, Hotaru tried to flex her legs. Unfortunately, a searing pain immediately shot through her and she had to bit her lips from crying out in pain.
Sakuragi noticed the action and glanced down at her legs. Blood slowly sipped from the fresh cut on her right knee. "No pain all right," he muttered as he inspected the wound.
The panic ridden first year rushed, to the wounded girl. "Sumi masen. I'm truly sorry," he apologized nervously.
The red head senior straightened up and the junior shrunk in fear. Stories and news of his senior's famous head-but and hot temper flashed through his fear-infested mind. God only knows what Sakuragi-sempai would do if he is mad at someone. Unfortunately for him, he is just about to unravel the truth behind all those stories and news he had heard.
"It's ok Ken. It's not entirely your fault. Go and get me some clean towel and water," Sakuragi sighed.
Ken could only stare in disbelief. What? No head-but? Without trying to dig his grave deeper, the junior quickly scrambled to do the bidding.
Sakuragi sighed again and turned towards the gaping Ayako. "Ayako-chan, could you please get me the first aid kit?"
"There all done!" Sakuragi exclaimed as he stood up. All through the ordeal, Hotaru had been very quiet when he had cleaned and tended the wound. A few times he had stopped to check whether she was still breathing since she had not made a single sound.
"Can you walk?" Sakuragi asked tenderly.
Hotaru nods her head, still not trusting to speak. She was afraid instead of words coming out, only a scream of agony would escape. Taking a deep breath, she struggled to stand up.
Unfortunately for her, luck wasn't on her side. As soon as she stood up, the searing pain that had plagued her before shot through her injured leg and stumbled. Flinging her arms, she grabbed the nearest thing to support her.
Strong arms enveloped her as soon as she flung her arms. Bring her gaze up, she stared into a pair of amused eyes.
"I guess not huh?" Sakuragi teased. Hotaru could only reward him with a small appreciative smile. What an irony. Only yesterday did the both of them converse the same dialogue.
Sakuragi brought her up to his chest. "It's ok. I can always carry you home," he smiled. Tucking his left arm underneath her knees, he brought her entire form to his chest.
The rest of the basketball team gaped as Sakuragi carried the blushing beauty in his arms. First, he called her by her name, without any formalities. Second, he had rest his hands like a lover oh her waist. Now, he is carrying her and sending her home as if it's the natural thing to do. Only one question lingered on their mind now. What is Sakuragi's relation to her?
Unlike Sakuragi who is oblivious to their stares, Hotaru uneasily shifts her weight. Blood rushed to her face making her flushed.
Sakuragi felt her shifting. If she did not stop that action, she might end up kissing the floor. Sakuragi looked at her flushed and frown. What the hell is bothering the woman now?
"Why are you blushing?"
Sakuragi didn't hear her whispered answer, so he leaned closer. "I don't think you could carry me now, Mi-kun" he heard her whisper.
Sakuragi looked incredulous. "Why now? It's not like I had never carried you before," he exclaimed.
Absent mindedly, Hotaru snuggled her face into the crook of his neck. "Your friends are staring," she answered.
"Let them." Turning his head towards his gaping and bewildered friends, he scowled.
"What are you guys gaping at? Never seen a wounded girl being carried before?" he snapped, irritated.
The red head strode to the other side of the bench, with the girl in his arms, where his bag and hers are. Without unsettling her, he gave the girl her bag and slung onto his shoulder. Without a last glance at his comrades, he strode out of the gym.
A/N: hi again!! So what do you think of this chapter? I hope its ok. It took me a long time trying to get the right ending to the chapter. Anyway I won't be posting the next chapter till next month. Probably the last week of May. I'll be out of station for two weeks. No pens or papers to write on...ok then. Ciao!!
Oh yeah one more thing... I DO NOT OWN SLAM DUNK OR SAILORMOON!!! *sniff*
Chapter 2:
A big sigh could be heard from a raven-haired girl. No matter how blank her face looked, underneath the facade, her guts were in knots.
"Take care, Hotaru." The girl turned to meet a pair of ruby eyes.
"Thanks. I suppose I need it," Hotaru laughed nervously.
Taking a deep breath, she plastered the blank face again and took her first step into Shohoku High.
At the front of the class, a certain grey haired man with glasses trembled as he tries to suppress the urge of murdering his BELOVED student. The chalk that he had been holding snapped and the already throbbing vein at his temples grew bigger at the obviously loud snores.
That's it! Enough is enough!
Grinding his teeth, he faced the class and murderously glared at a certain sleeping beauty. "Sakuragi!!!"
A soft knock saved the sleeping beauty from the fire breathing white-haired dragon.
"What is it?" the dragon snapped, irritated.
The door slowly slid open and a raven-shouldered haired girl stepped in. gracefully she executed a bow, "Sumi masen. Watashi wa Hotaru Tomoe, the new transferred student."
Everyone gasp in awe when she had straightened herself. The reason being that she had brilliant violet eyes.
Glancing at her result slip, the sensei was pleased to find a student who seemed to have aced all of her grades. "Well at last!" he mused to himself.
"You may sit at the empty seat there," the sensei waved, totally ignoring the rude student who seemed to have totally resided in Dream Land.
Smiling in gratitude, Hotaru slowly made her way towards her assigned seat. Once seated, she took out her books and began flipping the pages. Her lovely brows creased into frown when she realized that she had forgotten to bring her pencil case.
Hotaru turned around with the thought of borrowing a pen but was stopped short. She nearly laughed out loud at the rare sight before her. Taking a few deep breaths to control her mirth, she finally poked the sleeping beauty on his back.
"Ano... sumi masen. But may I borrow your pen?" the boy snuggled deeper and groaned in his sleep.
Taking that as a yes, she quickly took a pen from his scattered desk and turned around. Her last thought before she began writing was that the boy looked vaguely familiar.
"And she got these gorgeous violet eyes. I can't believe that you didn't realize that she sat beside you," Sakuragi's best friend rambled as the red head donned his shirt onto his well-defined muscular chest.
The muscles on his shoulder rippled as he dumped his school uniform into his gym locker.
"Well whatever is it, I'm not interested, Yohei." The red head tensai calmly commented over his shoulder as he stepped out of the changing room.
Mito Yohei smiled after his five years best friend. It is strange that Sakuragi had totally matured over three months. He remembered the time when he visited his best friend in the hospital after Sannoh match.
Sakuragi had looked really old and matured as he sat on the bed and told him that he wanted to change. He was sick to his stomach at how people had regarded him as. The fool of the community. The ever-enthusiastic fool. Perhaps the match had shown him something.
He was totally shocked at Sakuragi's announcement especially at how he regarded himself. He had never regard Sakuragi as a fool. He had regarded Sakuragi as a fool. In fact he sees Sakuragi as the best role model of an innocent, sensitive, caring, hardworking and strong willed player. He could bet that event everyone who had watched the matches thought of Sakuragi as such.
But strangely Sakuragi shows his matured self only to him and to others who did not know him. Why is that?
The ex-brawler sighed as he pushed away the thought. Stepping out of the gym, he greeted the rest of the Sakuragi gundam.
Violet eyes huh? So what if Yohei description of the new comer as a goddess? He still think that a certain girl with her captivating violet eyes gorgeous.
Sakuragi's mind slowly meandered towards the violet-eyed goddess that he had saved last night. Beautiful slender form, rosy luscious lips, nimble fingers, long sexy legs and flawless white skin.
~*Bloody hentai! What the hell do you think you are doing thinking about the innocent girl that way?*~
~*Come on! It was just a thought. Anyway it's not like I'm going to meet her ever again.*~
~*Hentai!*~ and so Sakuragi conscience argued with his evil mind.
Out of the blue, a ball suddenly smashed itself into Sakuragi's face. "Pay more attention Sakuragi!" one of the best point guards in Kanagawa, the new captain of Shohoku, chided.
Just when the redhead wanted to apologize and got up, the ice prince of Shohoku muttered an unwanted comment. Smiling secretly, the red head forced his childish side to the surface and jumped onto his feet, an angry face plastered on his bored face.
"Teme Kitsune!" and so a fight commenced.
Hotaru hugged the familiar jacket closer to herself. She had been searching high and low for the owner of the jacket. Still no sight of him.
Sighing, she let her mind wander. The entire day, she wasn't able to concentrate. Her mind had constantly meandered towards the heart-throbbing red head savior of hers. Her heart had raced every time she thought of him.
Strange but she swore that she had sensed his presence in the class. But no matter how many times she glanced around in the room, she still can't find him. Then there is the student who sleeps in the class next to her. Her guts had kicked in and told her that he looked familiar even though his back faced her during the entire day.
Snapping out of her reverie, she approached the nearest person. "Excuse me, do you know that person by the name of Sakuragi Hanamichi?"
"You mean that red head basketball player?" the boy asked.
"Hai!" Hotaru nodded. So he is basketball player. That explains the large jacket.
"He must be at the gym with the other players."
"Arigato!"
After searching for a long while, at last the exhausted Hotaru stood in front of the entrance of the gym. Screeching noises, bouncing balls and shouts were heard coming from the gym.
Opening the door, Hotaru watched in awe at the sight before her.
Running past Ryota, Sakuragi suddenly stopped when Mitsui suddenly approached before him in defense. Uncaring of the presence at the great defense, the red head center took a step back and dribbled the ball between his legs and shoots.
The ball nicely swished into the hoop.
"Yosh! Two more points for Tensai!" the ego head Sakuragi laughed.
Ayako smiled as she watched Sakuragi's antics. It is strange to find the ex- brawler to have actually mastered basketball and even became one of the best players in Japan. She still can't get over the fact that the 'Trouble maker of the Team' (that's what Gori called him) actually beat Rukawa in one on one match. It must be a major blow to Rukawa's pride.
Turning around to take her clipboard, she noticed a raven-haired girl wearing her school uniform, standing as the doorway, watching the team. The curly brown haired manager sighed. Not another one! She had enough of keeping Rukawa's multiplying brigade and fans. Sighing again, she walked up towards the student.
"Excuse me but no Rukawa fans allowed," Ayako smiled with her famous paper fan armed. DonâEt know what crazed fans might do when provoked.
Hotaru snapped out of her stupor. "Uh.. Sorry but I'm not a Rukawa fan. I'm here to see Sakuragi," she smiled back.
Ayako was shocked. "Uh... Sakuragi?" she asked again. Perhaps her ears are failing her. When did Sakuragi have a fan?
"Hai. Sakuragi Hanamichi." Hotaru smiled politely as she nods.
Still in shock, Ayako lead the girl to the bench.
"By the way. I'm Hotaru Tomoe. You can call me Hotaru," the raven-haired girl smiled as she offered her hand.
"I'm Ayako, the team manager. Nice to meet you," Ayako took the offered hand and shook it. Hmm... polite and friendly.
"Umm... may I ask why you want to meet Sakuragi?" the manager suddenly blurted out.
Violet eyes once again rested on the curly brown haired manager. "I came here to return something," the owner smiled again.
Curiosity seemed to gnaw her mind and Ayako had a hard time pushing that nagging curiosity aside. She was about to search for her clipboard again when a voice called out.
"Haruko-chan!" Ayako smiled in greeting as a petite brown shouldered haired girl walked towards her.
When Ayako saw the curios look on Haruko's face, Ayako turned and introduced Haruko to the new girl. Likewise with Ayako, the violet-eyed beauty shook hands with the brown haired girl. As one, all the three girls turned to watch the match between the seniors and juniors.
"Ganbatte Sakuragi-kun!" Haruko cheered as she watched excitedly as the red head dribbled swiftly pass Ken and passed it to Rukawa who then did a lay up.
"Sugoi Rukawa-kun.." Hotaru heard the whisper and nearly laughed out loud when she saw her new friend go starry eyed at a certain jet-black player. Hmm... cool and reserved. Even though Rukawa had been the one who scored, she still thought that Sakuragi was great.
Ayako looked at her watch and blew the whistle. "Time out. Game over!" she shouted.
All of the players stopped and headed towards the bench where drinks were served.
Hotaru watched as Sakuragi, who had a face towel hung around his neck, stood as a far end of the bench and taking a swig of the cool refreshing drink. He looks so cute and dangerous. Slowly, Hotaru walked up to the sweating red head.
Yohei slapped Anozumi's back teasingly. "Hey let's go and tease our good friend."
"No problem!" laughed a certain blond head brawler as they entered the gym.
The group was still laughing as they talked about the latest bets when Yohei suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"Oi Yohei! Daijoubu, ka?" a moustache friend of his asked when he noticed the shocked look on Yohei's face.
"Ano.. you better look at this," Anozumi told his friends as he pointed towards their red head friend and a raven-haired girl.
"That's Hotaru. The girl I was talking about just now" Yohei burst out.
"Nani?!" the rest of Sakuragi gundam shouted, shocked as they watched Sakuragi resting his hands on the laughing girl's waist.
"Mi-kun," Sakuragi heard.
Turning around, he exclaimed in shock. "Hotaru! What are you doing here?"
The girl in front of him giggled for the first time since they met. "Well for a Tensai, you really aren't that smart in figuring it out, huh?"
"You heard that one huh? Hehehe..." the red head laughed sheepishly.
"Since I am wearing Shohoku's school uniform, didn't the thought that I am studying here ever cross your mind, Mi-kun?" Hotaru playfully teased.
The red head laughed sheepishly again. "Well what class are you in?"
"2-10"
The sharp thick eyebrows creased into a frown. "Hey that's my class. How come I never saw you?"
Hotaru looked perplexed. "Your class? Strange, I didn't see you too. Anyway I sat at the back of the class, beside a snoring student."
Sakuragi grimaced slightly. "Umm.. did you borrow a pen from him?" he saw her nod and nearly groaned out loud. So this is the new girl Yohei was talking about.
"What will you do if I say that I was the umm.. snoring boy?"
Mirth bubbled up and laughter soon followed. Soon Hotaru leaned against the scowling red head for support as she was too pre-occupied in laughing.
"Is it my eyes or it that laughing girl leaning against Sakuragi?" Ryota asked as he once again rubbed his eyes.
Ayako, who heard the comment turned around and was stop short. Her jaw dropped a foot as she stared at the picture before her.
Hotaru was laughing and leaning against Sakuragi. Sakuragi who had a scowl on his face had unconsciously rested his hands on her slender waist and was taping his index finger impatiently waiting for the laughter to subside.
"I knew he had it in him!" Mitsui laughed as he looked at the odd couple.
"I knew that student looked familiar," Hotaru laughed softly as she wiped the corner of her eyes and looked up. Violet eyes met midnight eyes. Hotaru could feel her heart racing rapidly.
It was Mitsui's laughter that brought them back to the real world. Hastily, Hotaru and Sakuragi broke away from the embrace.
Blushing hotly, Sakuragi asked suddenly, "Aren't you suppose to be in bed?"
Remembering last night's event, she blushed furiously. "Ah... I'm ok now. Truly!" she exclaimed when she noticed the doubtful look on Sakuragi's face.
"So why are you here for?"
The question brought her back to her purpose being there. "I actually wanted to return this to you. Don't worry, it's clean," Hotaru took out the jacket from its wrapping.
"Thank you for saving me." Sakuragi heard her say as he took the jacket from her.
Haruko watched in amazement as Sakuragi smiled down at the girl before him as he took a jacket from her. The brown haired girl suddenly frowns as she watched the two walked together towards the rest of the team and her. Why do I feel so uneasy at their smiling faces?
"Wait here while I change." Hotaru nodded as her eyes followed Sakuragi's back entering the changing room.
"So are you Sakuragi's girlfriend?" Mitsui blurted out which resulted Hotaru to turn a shade of hue.
"You mean Mi-kun? Oh he is just a friend, that's all," Hotaru blushed hotly.
A grin spread onto the three-pointer shooter's face when he noticed the way she called Sakuragi. No friend would call a person as such.
"By the way I'm Mitsui Hisashi." Hotaru nervously shook the offered hand.
"Hotaru Tomoe," She replied weakly.
The little devil inside Mitsui suddenly popped out and ruled the three- pointer's mind. "Nice name. So can I call you Hotaru?" he smiled.
"No you may not!" a voice from behind Hotaru spoke.
Bringing his eyes up, Mitsui saw the fierce frown on his good friend's face. "Hey I was just asking. No need to be mad," Mitsui nervously laughed as he held up his hands.
"Yeah right. If I wasn't around you would have swept her off her feet," the red head grumbled as he walked past those two to get to his bag.
"Hey look out!!" Sakuragi heard the shout of warning. Turning around, his heart nearly stopped when he saw a basketball flew at fast speed towards Hotaru.
"Hotaru!!" the bellow came from the depths of his soul. Sakuragi's heart felt as though it were being ripped out of his chest. All he could think about was getting to Hotaru and protecting her.
Hotaru turned around to see a basketball flying straight towards her. Her brain screamed for her to run but unfortunately her legs didn't want to comply. Hotaru felt the impact of the ball and was thrown against the bench. Searing pain tore at her injured legs as she crumpled to the ground.
Without a scant moment, Sakuragi gathered her crumpled form in his arms and placed her on the bench.
Violet eyes opened and the wounded girl struggled into a sitting position. Violet eyes met the worried pair of midnight eyes.
"I'm alright. Look no pain on my body," to stress the meaning of her words, Hotaru tried to flex her legs. Unfortunately, a searing pain immediately shot through her and she had to bit her lips from crying out in pain.
Sakuragi noticed the action and glanced down at her legs. Blood slowly sipped from the fresh cut on her right knee. "No pain all right," he muttered as he inspected the wound.
The panic ridden first year rushed, to the wounded girl. "Sumi masen. I'm truly sorry," he apologized nervously.
The red head senior straightened up and the junior shrunk in fear. Stories and news of his senior's famous head-but and hot temper flashed through his fear-infested mind. God only knows what Sakuragi-sempai would do if he is mad at someone. Unfortunately for him, he is just about to unravel the truth behind all those stories and news he had heard.
"It's ok Ken. It's not entirely your fault. Go and get me some clean towel and water," Sakuragi sighed.
Ken could only stare in disbelief. What? No head-but? Without trying to dig his grave deeper, the junior quickly scrambled to do the bidding.
Sakuragi sighed again and turned towards the gaping Ayako. "Ayako-chan, could you please get me the first aid kit?"
"There all done!" Sakuragi exclaimed as he stood up. All through the ordeal, Hotaru had been very quiet when he had cleaned and tended the wound. A few times he had stopped to check whether she was still breathing since she had not made a single sound.
"Can you walk?" Sakuragi asked tenderly.
Hotaru nods her head, still not trusting to speak. She was afraid instead of words coming out, only a scream of agony would escape. Taking a deep breath, she struggled to stand up.
Unfortunately for her, luck wasn't on her side. As soon as she stood up, the searing pain that had plagued her before shot through her injured leg and stumbled. Flinging her arms, she grabbed the nearest thing to support her.
Strong arms enveloped her as soon as she flung her arms. Bring her gaze up, she stared into a pair of amused eyes.
"I guess not huh?" Sakuragi teased. Hotaru could only reward him with a small appreciative smile. What an irony. Only yesterday did the both of them converse the same dialogue.
Sakuragi brought her up to his chest. "It's ok. I can always carry you home," he smiled. Tucking his left arm underneath her knees, he brought her entire form to his chest.
The rest of the basketball team gaped as Sakuragi carried the blushing beauty in his arms. First, he called her by her name, without any formalities. Second, he had rest his hands like a lover oh her waist. Now, he is carrying her and sending her home as if it's the natural thing to do. Only one question lingered on their mind now. What is Sakuragi's relation to her?
Unlike Sakuragi who is oblivious to their stares, Hotaru uneasily shifts her weight. Blood rushed to her face making her flushed.
Sakuragi felt her shifting. If she did not stop that action, she might end up kissing the floor. Sakuragi looked at her flushed and frown. What the hell is bothering the woman now?
"Why are you blushing?"
Sakuragi didn't hear her whispered answer, so he leaned closer. "I don't think you could carry me now, Mi-kun" he heard her whisper.
Sakuragi looked incredulous. "Why now? It's not like I had never carried you before," he exclaimed.
Absent mindedly, Hotaru snuggled her face into the crook of his neck. "Your friends are staring," she answered.
"Let them." Turning his head towards his gaping and bewildered friends, he scowled.
"What are you guys gaping at? Never seen a wounded girl being carried before?" he snapped, irritated.
The red head strode to the other side of the bench, with the girl in his arms, where his bag and hers are. Without unsettling her, he gave the girl her bag and slung onto his shoulder. Without a last glance at his comrades, he strode out of the gym.
A/N: hi again!! So what do you think of this chapter? I hope its ok. It took me a long time trying to get the right ending to the chapter. Anyway I won't be posting the next chapter till next month. Probably the last week of May. I'll be out of station for two weeks. No pens or papers to write on...ok then. Ciao!!