The two Shohoku sophomores fell asleep on the bed inside the cold bedroom.
Rukawa opened his eyes slightly as he felt the warm sun shining upon his
bangs. Meanwhile, the redheaded self-claimed genius were still fast asleep.
Rukawa stood up as he rubbed his eyes and stretched as he yawned. "Ohayo…"
There was no response, of course. Sakuragi was still in deep sleep. Rukawa
find it funny looking at him while sleeping. Not only his face were looking
so innocent and pure while the eyes are closed, his figure, his positios,
it looked funny since the blanket was tossed all over the face. It no
longer covers him. It was half thrown down to the floor. "Do'aho…" Promptly
he bent down to fix the bed quilt and tucked it onto his chin.
His back were currently aching right now. He wasn't sleeping thoroughly on the bed, remember. He was just leaning his chin upon a vacant space beside Sakuragi's hand. It doesn't matter, though, today's Saturday and he got no school. He can do whatever he wanted today without having to worry about being tardy.
The phone suddenly rang. Strange. That phone hasn't rang for quite a while since his parents were gone. Who could it be? Without longer babbling in his head, Rukawa rushed to the phone stand and answered the call. "Moshi- moshi, Rukawa residence…." His tone were still deep, merged with his sleepiness. For a while there wasn't any reply given on the other side. Perhaps this was just another prank call by some idiot, he thought, so he pushed the phone away from his cheeks. When he was about to place it back to its origin, a voice called out.
"Wait!" It sure was a lady, of course. "Wait," she called out twice.
"…Yeah?" Rukawa gave a hint of counter.
"Is this…" She paused for a while. To think, perhaps, or to gather up words to express the topic. "Is this Rukawa Kaede?"
Wait. Her voice sounds familiar. Rukawa thought he had heard it somewhere once but he couldn't remember. "Yes."
"Kaede-san! It's me… Sakuragi no Ka-san desu." She explained with a vacillating tone. "Sorry if I woke you up or bother you… I just…"
"What?" Impatiently he spitted out a harsh inquiry, cutting her weak sentence of apology and ensure.
"I just wanna know… Is Hanamichi alright?" She asked with a doubtful accent.
Huh. He knew that she'll ask about her son. This lady right here sometimes pisses him off. It wasn't about being irritated by her concerns, is just that sometimes she's too blunt. This is what people call the game of hide and seek. She cared about Sakuragi but she was afraid to meet him in person and be who she really is; his mother. "…No."
Mifuyu sounded hit by his retort. He can tell by the way her voice started to quiver when she begin to talk. "…Ah… I… Can I know… why?"
"Listen here," Rukawa said in a firm character, "If you really wanna know, I suggest not on the phone. It feels lame. You say a place and we'll meet there immediately."
Mrs. Sakuragi halted briefly. It's okay, Rukawa can give her time to think about it. He's patient enough this morning. "Ummm…," she finally spoke up. "At the harbor? I think it's near enough from Shohoku."
"That settles it."
***
Right now Rukawa was standing on a dock. The sea was still tinted in gold. The sun hasn't totally rised into the midst of the crystal sky yet. However, Mifuyu wasn't there, though. Suddenly a Jaguar S-type slid in to the vacuous road behind the pier. Mifuyu, dressed in a suede suit and a dark trouser came out from the hind passenger seat. "Gomen! I'm sorry for the lateness," she hollered out and started running towards Rukawa.
"You're rich now?" Sneered the raven-haired youngster with a sarcastic tone. Mifuyu wheezed for air after jogging.
"No… That's not mine…"
"Then who's?" He threw his face and stared at the horizon line that extends far from the edge of his sight. He saw ships approaching to the harbor. They were back from routine fishing, maybe.
"My fiance's."
Fiance? Rukawa grimaced at the word. "Did your fiance knows that you already have a son?"
"I suppose yes… I've told him once. I don't want to lie anymore."
"But you're living in a lie…"
Mifuyu stood still as her eyes widened. She lowered down her head and chuckled to herself as she augmented the distance between them. "I infer so…" Her voice were trembling.
That wasn't necessary. He shouldn't have spattered out cruel things like that. "Suman…," he said softly as he came near to her and rested his hand on her shoulder.
"Daijoubu yo," Sakuragi Mifuyu pulled her tears back, avoiding it to drop down her pale cheeks. "You were right about that, Kaede-kun…"
The Shohoku ace heaved a deep sigh and then placed his hands inside his pants' pockets. He looked up to the sky and studied the pigeons who flew high in the air, soaring across the sun. "Sakuragi… He… He collapsed again last night, right after you left." With this he tried to change the topic to soothe the uneasiness. He felt bad after meantioning those rude words to her, especially when she's about 15 years older than him.
"Hanamichi…?"
"Yeah… I don't know. He was staying in my house since last night, we brought him there. And then… he could barely move, yet he didn't want to see a doctor."
"Hanamichi…" Mifuyu bit her lower lip. Her eyes were pinned down to the tarnished rough-cutted woods that were bearing them up, keeping them from touching the salty sea water. Rukawa looked at her and arched his brows.
"You… want to see him?" He questioned her. Rukawa had known the answer, though.
"I… Yes…" Mifuyu then shut her eyes tightly and tightened her fists. "I guess I have to put an end to this spy game, huh?"
"Not now," Rukawa quickly snapped back and flashed a sharp look on his face. "Not now… Not when he's not feeling well. You will have to talk to him about it later. Not now…"
"…And then how will I be able to see him?"
"I can disguise you to be a doctor…"
***
Rukawa went back home inside Mifuyu's car. She had offered him a ride home. Mifuyu's on a camouflage right now in order to greet Sakuragi who she had long not seen. This all could be done because of Rukawa's help, though. He understood her feelings. Therefore he's willing to aid.
The Jaguar finally reached the house's yard. Soon after that he opened the door and stepped his shoes out from the vehicle and walked into the entrance. Strangely, it was unlock, not like the way Rukawa left it when he parted to meet Mifuyu. How weird, who could be inside? Is Sakuragi awake? Could he walk right now? Eagerly Rukawa slammed the entry open and rushed in. "Sakuragi! Sakuragi!!" There was no response, though. Pictures of horrific scenes flashed through his mind. "Sakuragi!!!" He tried to call out for his name the last time and hoped to find a signal.
"AAAAAAaargh!!!!!!" There it was, Sakuragi's discerned shrieks. Rukawa's eyes snapped broad and he quickly ran upstairs, following the direction of the sound. He could be in danger, he could be troubled. His heart started beating faster in anxiety. Beyond this door that lays before him, a murder could be happening. Sakuragi's murder? No. Rukawa shook the horrid thoughts of his mind and twisted the doorknob. He opened the door violently and emerged inside the bedroom. "Sakuragi!!!!!"
"Oh it's you…" There was no harm at all. Inside were only Miyagi and Ayako, sitting on top of the floor rug. Meanwhile, Sakuragi were laying face-flat on the floor. "Okaeri, Rukawa!" Ayako glinted a warm smile on her adorable face.
"…Sempai?" Rukawa said out between his hard breaths. "Captain?"
"Kitsune!!!" Sakuragi threw himself onto his butt and sat up straight. He was only wearing his boxer. "Kitsune!! Thank God you came!!! These two are trying to murder me!!" He yelped aloud. Ayako and Miyagi are only laughing lightly.
"Stop it, Hanamichi," Miyagi began, "I'm just tryin' to offer you some teraphies. It doesn't hurt at all! All I got to give to you is an… umm… alligator liver lotion onto your knees, umm… rat brain powder… and…"
"AAAAAAARGH!!!! Those are Freddy Krueger's killing utensils!!! And besides it's gross!!!!! Take that away from me! I could just die by smelling those atrocious odors!! Eww! Disgusting!!! Blehk!!"
"Don't be so mean, Sakuragi Hanamichi." Ayako crumpled her fist as her other hand were stroking her curls. "Me and Ryota went to the China Town last night just for you. And it costs a lot of money, too… You wouldn't be able to resist our good intentions, would you? Not if you're a good boy, Sakuragi." Ayako snatched the lotion's bottle and on her knees, she loomed to Sakuragi slowly.
"No!!!!!!!! Don't come near me, Ayako-san!! I'm gonna jump off the window if you did!!! No!!!!! Not any closer than 1 metres! NO!! NO!! RUKAWA SAVE MEEEEE!!!" Sakuragi hollered out loud as if his life was being threatened.
"Do'aho… I was calling for you and you gave no reply. I was so worried when I heard your shouts so I ran upstairs. I almost tripped over the flight of steps because of rushing." Rukawa stood still beneath the door frame, puzzled by the bizarre inside his bedroom. There's going to be unpleasant smells right there. Man, Ayako and Ryota sounds like Addam's Family for now. And where on earth could they get some ghastly things like those that they brought today?
"Teme!! I didn't know it was you!! Besides I couldn't call for help because they stuffed toilet paper into my mouth!!!!!" Sakuragi was cornered right now. Ayako was already in front of him, ready to pour the nasty 'alligator liver lotion' onto her hand and spread it onto Sakuragi's skin. "Rukawa heeeeeeeeelp!!!!!!"
"Ehm…" Mifuyu, who was watching them all along, cleared her throat. Ayako stopped and then stared at her. Even Miyagi and Sakuragi. "Sumimasen… I didn't mean to interrupt… I'm just…"
"She's a doctor," Rukawa stated clearly, making an easier way out for her. "And she's here to check on you, Sakuragi. She haven't got much time, therefore… Make it quick if you can."
"Teme! Who told you to call a doctor?!"
"…Oh well perhaps you could go with Ayako-sempai's treatment with those China Town stuff then."
"NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doctor-san! Please please! Hahaha! Please!!" Sakuragi grinned sheepishly.
How easing it was to find that he was still alive and full of energy. Mifuyu sighed in relief as she approached him who's fixing himself on the bed. "Minna," Rukawa broke the silence. His eyes rolled around, looking at every faces inside the room. "Would you like some drinks?"
"Sure do," Ayako called out in glee. "I would like… umm… What do you got, Rukawa?"
"I don't know… what do you want, Ayako-sempai?"
"Uh… Got some vanillas?"
"…I think. Hot or cold?"
"Warm, not hot!"
"Same with me here," added Miyagi.
Mifuyu smiled and then tossed her long tresses to her back. "I'll have the same too, Kaede-kun…"
"I want chocolate with marshmellows, Rukawa!!!!!" Still laying on the bed with his boxers only, Sakuragi called aloud for his request. Rukawa shrugged and headed to the kitchen.
Back inside the room, the two couple were watching Mifuyu working on checking up Sakuragi, their teammate. Ayako's eyes sharpened as she examined her, though. Something were looking suspicious. The manager then yanked her lover's shirt and leaned to whisper in his ears.
"Sou yo… You're right about that, honey… Something is… quite awkward here…" Miyagi agreed.
a.n :: wow… alligator liver lotion? Is there such things? I don't know… Sorry about the lateness of the update. I got to work on the end of year projects and still I got to prepare on my grade's farewell party. Uh huh. Oh yeah BTW I've updated my web. The pictures section are available right now! Please visit, www.geocities.com/kepopochi/ . If you don't mind checkin' out, please remember to sign the guestbook too.
Neways, the pc in my room were operating back to normal. And my pc downstairs used for internet are virus-free right now!! Yeah! That means there'll be more updates to my fics and my site!! I'll try to keep the flow goin'. I'll increase the pace if you support me more, though. Hey I was listening to Ashanti's Unfoolish while typing the chap. It's aweseome~!! Aaa… Mou, Popochi! There's no time to talk about songs right now~! Suman nee, minna~… hehehe. You know I'm a die-hard fan for music :P ummmm… yeah. Neways, don't ever forget to review this chap, alright?? :)
Oh yeah… special reply to mayumi-chan :: I know about the term 'Leukimia', mayu-chan~! Daijoubu, I was planning to use it while Sakuragi were visiting the doctor. You said there were confusion about POV? I recognized that. I'm sorry~~~!! I was working on this fic little-by-little. Therefore I kinda lost the actual idea about the current POV that's goin' on… I'm sorry~! I'll try to work on it on the future chapters. Sorry about it thoroughly, to other readers too. My English is not perfect, I'm not a native speaker. Besides I'm just a junior-high who's learning aspects of English language. ^__^ I hope u take the words.
Neways, if there are any other comments u wanna say to me, please feel free to leave a msg on the review section. I don't tolerate harsh flames, though… Try to express it nicely and I'll work on it.
His back were currently aching right now. He wasn't sleeping thoroughly on the bed, remember. He was just leaning his chin upon a vacant space beside Sakuragi's hand. It doesn't matter, though, today's Saturday and he got no school. He can do whatever he wanted today without having to worry about being tardy.
The phone suddenly rang. Strange. That phone hasn't rang for quite a while since his parents were gone. Who could it be? Without longer babbling in his head, Rukawa rushed to the phone stand and answered the call. "Moshi- moshi, Rukawa residence…." His tone were still deep, merged with his sleepiness. For a while there wasn't any reply given on the other side. Perhaps this was just another prank call by some idiot, he thought, so he pushed the phone away from his cheeks. When he was about to place it back to its origin, a voice called out.
"Wait!" It sure was a lady, of course. "Wait," she called out twice.
"…Yeah?" Rukawa gave a hint of counter.
"Is this…" She paused for a while. To think, perhaps, or to gather up words to express the topic. "Is this Rukawa Kaede?"
Wait. Her voice sounds familiar. Rukawa thought he had heard it somewhere once but he couldn't remember. "Yes."
"Kaede-san! It's me… Sakuragi no Ka-san desu." She explained with a vacillating tone. "Sorry if I woke you up or bother you… I just…"
"What?" Impatiently he spitted out a harsh inquiry, cutting her weak sentence of apology and ensure.
"I just wanna know… Is Hanamichi alright?" She asked with a doubtful accent.
Huh. He knew that she'll ask about her son. This lady right here sometimes pisses him off. It wasn't about being irritated by her concerns, is just that sometimes she's too blunt. This is what people call the game of hide and seek. She cared about Sakuragi but she was afraid to meet him in person and be who she really is; his mother. "…No."
Mifuyu sounded hit by his retort. He can tell by the way her voice started to quiver when she begin to talk. "…Ah… I… Can I know… why?"
"Listen here," Rukawa said in a firm character, "If you really wanna know, I suggest not on the phone. It feels lame. You say a place and we'll meet there immediately."
Mrs. Sakuragi halted briefly. It's okay, Rukawa can give her time to think about it. He's patient enough this morning. "Ummm…," she finally spoke up. "At the harbor? I think it's near enough from Shohoku."
"That settles it."
***
Right now Rukawa was standing on a dock. The sea was still tinted in gold. The sun hasn't totally rised into the midst of the crystal sky yet. However, Mifuyu wasn't there, though. Suddenly a Jaguar S-type slid in to the vacuous road behind the pier. Mifuyu, dressed in a suede suit and a dark trouser came out from the hind passenger seat. "Gomen! I'm sorry for the lateness," she hollered out and started running towards Rukawa.
"You're rich now?" Sneered the raven-haired youngster with a sarcastic tone. Mifuyu wheezed for air after jogging.
"No… That's not mine…"
"Then who's?" He threw his face and stared at the horizon line that extends far from the edge of his sight. He saw ships approaching to the harbor. They were back from routine fishing, maybe.
"My fiance's."
Fiance? Rukawa grimaced at the word. "Did your fiance knows that you already have a son?"
"I suppose yes… I've told him once. I don't want to lie anymore."
"But you're living in a lie…"
Mifuyu stood still as her eyes widened. She lowered down her head and chuckled to herself as she augmented the distance between them. "I infer so…" Her voice were trembling.
That wasn't necessary. He shouldn't have spattered out cruel things like that. "Suman…," he said softly as he came near to her and rested his hand on her shoulder.
"Daijoubu yo," Sakuragi Mifuyu pulled her tears back, avoiding it to drop down her pale cheeks. "You were right about that, Kaede-kun…"
The Shohoku ace heaved a deep sigh and then placed his hands inside his pants' pockets. He looked up to the sky and studied the pigeons who flew high in the air, soaring across the sun. "Sakuragi… He… He collapsed again last night, right after you left." With this he tried to change the topic to soothe the uneasiness. He felt bad after meantioning those rude words to her, especially when she's about 15 years older than him.
"Hanamichi…?"
"Yeah… I don't know. He was staying in my house since last night, we brought him there. And then… he could barely move, yet he didn't want to see a doctor."
"Hanamichi…" Mifuyu bit her lower lip. Her eyes were pinned down to the tarnished rough-cutted woods that were bearing them up, keeping them from touching the salty sea water. Rukawa looked at her and arched his brows.
"You… want to see him?" He questioned her. Rukawa had known the answer, though.
"I… Yes…" Mifuyu then shut her eyes tightly and tightened her fists. "I guess I have to put an end to this spy game, huh?"
"Not now," Rukawa quickly snapped back and flashed a sharp look on his face. "Not now… Not when he's not feeling well. You will have to talk to him about it later. Not now…"
"…And then how will I be able to see him?"
"I can disguise you to be a doctor…"
***
Rukawa went back home inside Mifuyu's car. She had offered him a ride home. Mifuyu's on a camouflage right now in order to greet Sakuragi who she had long not seen. This all could be done because of Rukawa's help, though. He understood her feelings. Therefore he's willing to aid.
The Jaguar finally reached the house's yard. Soon after that he opened the door and stepped his shoes out from the vehicle and walked into the entrance. Strangely, it was unlock, not like the way Rukawa left it when he parted to meet Mifuyu. How weird, who could be inside? Is Sakuragi awake? Could he walk right now? Eagerly Rukawa slammed the entry open and rushed in. "Sakuragi! Sakuragi!!" There was no response, though. Pictures of horrific scenes flashed through his mind. "Sakuragi!!!" He tried to call out for his name the last time and hoped to find a signal.
"AAAAAAaargh!!!!!!" There it was, Sakuragi's discerned shrieks. Rukawa's eyes snapped broad and he quickly ran upstairs, following the direction of the sound. He could be in danger, he could be troubled. His heart started beating faster in anxiety. Beyond this door that lays before him, a murder could be happening. Sakuragi's murder? No. Rukawa shook the horrid thoughts of his mind and twisted the doorknob. He opened the door violently and emerged inside the bedroom. "Sakuragi!!!!!"
"Oh it's you…" There was no harm at all. Inside were only Miyagi and Ayako, sitting on top of the floor rug. Meanwhile, Sakuragi were laying face-flat on the floor. "Okaeri, Rukawa!" Ayako glinted a warm smile on her adorable face.
"…Sempai?" Rukawa said out between his hard breaths. "Captain?"
"Kitsune!!!" Sakuragi threw himself onto his butt and sat up straight. He was only wearing his boxer. "Kitsune!! Thank God you came!!! These two are trying to murder me!!" He yelped aloud. Ayako and Miyagi are only laughing lightly.
"Stop it, Hanamichi," Miyagi began, "I'm just tryin' to offer you some teraphies. It doesn't hurt at all! All I got to give to you is an… umm… alligator liver lotion onto your knees, umm… rat brain powder… and…"
"AAAAAAARGH!!!! Those are Freddy Krueger's killing utensils!!! And besides it's gross!!!!! Take that away from me! I could just die by smelling those atrocious odors!! Eww! Disgusting!!! Blehk!!"
"Don't be so mean, Sakuragi Hanamichi." Ayako crumpled her fist as her other hand were stroking her curls. "Me and Ryota went to the China Town last night just for you. And it costs a lot of money, too… You wouldn't be able to resist our good intentions, would you? Not if you're a good boy, Sakuragi." Ayako snatched the lotion's bottle and on her knees, she loomed to Sakuragi slowly.
"No!!!!!!!! Don't come near me, Ayako-san!! I'm gonna jump off the window if you did!!! No!!!!! Not any closer than 1 metres! NO!! NO!! RUKAWA SAVE MEEEEE!!!" Sakuragi hollered out loud as if his life was being threatened.
"Do'aho… I was calling for you and you gave no reply. I was so worried when I heard your shouts so I ran upstairs. I almost tripped over the flight of steps because of rushing." Rukawa stood still beneath the door frame, puzzled by the bizarre inside his bedroom. There's going to be unpleasant smells right there. Man, Ayako and Ryota sounds like Addam's Family for now. And where on earth could they get some ghastly things like those that they brought today?
"Teme!! I didn't know it was you!! Besides I couldn't call for help because they stuffed toilet paper into my mouth!!!!!" Sakuragi was cornered right now. Ayako was already in front of him, ready to pour the nasty 'alligator liver lotion' onto her hand and spread it onto Sakuragi's skin. "Rukawa heeeeeeeeelp!!!!!!"
"Ehm…" Mifuyu, who was watching them all along, cleared her throat. Ayako stopped and then stared at her. Even Miyagi and Sakuragi. "Sumimasen… I didn't mean to interrupt… I'm just…"
"She's a doctor," Rukawa stated clearly, making an easier way out for her. "And she's here to check on you, Sakuragi. She haven't got much time, therefore… Make it quick if you can."
"Teme! Who told you to call a doctor?!"
"…Oh well perhaps you could go with Ayako-sempai's treatment with those China Town stuff then."
"NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doctor-san! Please please! Hahaha! Please!!" Sakuragi grinned sheepishly.
How easing it was to find that he was still alive and full of energy. Mifuyu sighed in relief as she approached him who's fixing himself on the bed. "Minna," Rukawa broke the silence. His eyes rolled around, looking at every faces inside the room. "Would you like some drinks?"
"Sure do," Ayako called out in glee. "I would like… umm… What do you got, Rukawa?"
"I don't know… what do you want, Ayako-sempai?"
"Uh… Got some vanillas?"
"…I think. Hot or cold?"
"Warm, not hot!"
"Same with me here," added Miyagi.
Mifuyu smiled and then tossed her long tresses to her back. "I'll have the same too, Kaede-kun…"
"I want chocolate with marshmellows, Rukawa!!!!!" Still laying on the bed with his boxers only, Sakuragi called aloud for his request. Rukawa shrugged and headed to the kitchen.
Back inside the room, the two couple were watching Mifuyu working on checking up Sakuragi, their teammate. Ayako's eyes sharpened as she examined her, though. Something were looking suspicious. The manager then yanked her lover's shirt and leaned to whisper in his ears.
"Sou yo… You're right about that, honey… Something is… quite awkward here…" Miyagi agreed.
a.n :: wow… alligator liver lotion? Is there such things? I don't know… Sorry about the lateness of the update. I got to work on the end of year projects and still I got to prepare on my grade's farewell party. Uh huh. Oh yeah BTW I've updated my web. The pictures section are available right now! Please visit, www.geocities.com/kepopochi/ . If you don't mind checkin' out, please remember to sign the guestbook too.
Neways, the pc in my room were operating back to normal. And my pc downstairs used for internet are virus-free right now!! Yeah! That means there'll be more updates to my fics and my site!! I'll try to keep the flow goin'. I'll increase the pace if you support me more, though. Hey I was listening to Ashanti's Unfoolish while typing the chap. It's aweseome~!! Aaa… Mou, Popochi! There's no time to talk about songs right now~! Suman nee, minna~… hehehe. You know I'm a die-hard fan for music :P ummmm… yeah. Neways, don't ever forget to review this chap, alright?? :)
Oh yeah… special reply to mayumi-chan :: I know about the term 'Leukimia', mayu-chan~! Daijoubu, I was planning to use it while Sakuragi were visiting the doctor. You said there were confusion about POV? I recognized that. I'm sorry~~~!! I was working on this fic little-by-little. Therefore I kinda lost the actual idea about the current POV that's goin' on… I'm sorry~! I'll try to work on it on the future chapters. Sorry about it thoroughly, to other readers too. My English is not perfect, I'm not a native speaker. Besides I'm just a junior-high who's learning aspects of English language. ^__^ I hope u take the words.
Neways, if there are any other comments u wanna say to me, please feel free to leave a msg on the review section. I don't tolerate harsh flames, though… Try to express it nicely and I'll work on it.