A/N: Here's the next chapter. Just hope you guys will like it. Reviews please!!! Author chants "Review! Review! I want reviews!" got bashed on the head by her sister for being too noisy Oh ya, before I forget, nothing here belongs to me... oh well, except the plot that is. But I was reading some fics and found one that had almost the same plot as mine... but I swear that I didn't know of it until now, I didn't steal/copy the idea.

Chapter III

Sakuragi ran with all his might. He did not know what to do now except to just get as far away from that fox-eyed boy as possible. Many thoughts were dashing through his mind all at once and they were confusing him. Tiredness washed through his body and his mind, he slowed down. Panting, he felt suffocated as his chest was unusually constricted. He suddenly screamed at the top of his lungs, trying to get all the confusion out. It did not work. He admitted defeat, admitted defeat to his very own heart and mind.

"What do you want? Why are doing this to me? Leave me alone!" He slumped on the swing at the playground and shouted to no one in particular, or perhaps, he was shouting at himself.

I want nothing, only helping you sort your feeling out. A voice said in his mind.

"And how are you going to do that? Who are you anyway?" Sakuragi questioned the voice, or rather, he was muttering to himself in a normal person's view.

I am you. Just answer these questions truthfully. Do you still love him?

"Hell, of course I do. He's the one who stole my heart and never return it. That's why here, in my chest, it's still empty ever since he went away. There'll be no one else who could fill that void."

Now he had come back to ask for another chance, why are you running away?

"I don't know! I don't know! Since you're me, why are you asking me?"

So you don't know, there would a chance of you going back to him?

"...No."

Why?

"... I had said before, he did not trust in our love... I could not continue to be together with someone who has no trust in me, in our love. I thought our love would last forever... he said so himself ... but no, he gave it up for a stupid scholarship and shattered my dream... now this dream and my hope and trust of him are so shattered that nothing will ever be able to piece them back..." a single tear trickled down from the corner of Sakuragi's eyes. He paused for a while before speaking to his own thoughts again. "What's more, if I go back to him then we'll be separated in two different land, he in US and me in Japan. Then, he would be distracted from his practices to care for me. I don't want to be in the way of his dream. He has dreamt of this for so long, I can't spoil it for him by being selfish for his love."

But he being a baka kitsune would be too stubborn to leave if he doesn't get what he wants.

"I know, I know! That's why I have to do something to prove to him that I've got over him and that I don't need him, he could jolly well go back to US."

But then you'll suffer...

"I've survived one year without him... I guess I can do it... I'll rather suffer myself than let him regret when he could not fulfill his dream of playing professional basketball in US because of a selfish me."

What're you going to do?

"I'm still thinking... argh! Can't think of anything..."

Maybe a little running would help?

"Yeah." Sakuragi sprung up from the swing and started running. He did not know where his legs were carrying him but he was too busy of thinking of a plan to care. Then he felt himself suddenly stopping in front of a house.

"Huh? Sendoh's house?" Sakuragi did not know why he arrived at Sendoh's house. When he was about to leave, he suddenly thought of an idea. He rang the bell and waited. No one came to answer the door but the light was on.

Damn that Sendoh! Where's he when I need him! "Sendoh!!! Open up!" Being an impatient boy, Sakuragi started banging on the door.

"Coming, coming!" Sendoh's voice drifted from the house and the door was immediately opened. "The moment I heard the voice, I know it's you, Hana- chan!" Sendoh flashed him a thousand mega-watt smile. Sakuragi hated being called 'Hana-chan' because it reminded him of Rukawa but since he was here for a plan involving Sendoh, he decided to let it pass.

"Sendoh, I need to talk to you."

"Tsk, tsk. How many times have I told you to call me Akira?"

"Now's not the time for this!" Sakuragi said.

"Call me Akira or I'll not listen to what you're going to say." Sendoh pouted and placed his hands over his ears, shaking his head in the process.

"You're going to regret if you don't want to listen because this is my answer to your proposal last week." Sakuragi eyed the spiky haired boy and saw him quickly put down his hands.

"Okay, I'll listen. So what's your answer?" Argh! Stop being nervous, Akira, it's not like you. Sendoh was suddenly fidgety.

I'm sorry, Sendoh, for using you like this, but I don't know what else to do. Sakuragi suddenly felt guilty as he watched the fidgety boy in front of him. "What I want to say is that..." Sakuragi swallowed hard as he proceeded to involve Sendoh in his plan, though the other boy did not know it.

"... That I would be your boyfriend... but I don't know if we'll work out..." Sakuragi decided to add that last part so as to prepare Sendoh that they might break up since he only need him for a few days to drive Rukawa back to US.

"Hana-chan! I'm so happy. I know we'll work out!" Sendoh was bouncing up and down like a hyper-active child.

"Sendoh..." Sakuragi's guilt was suddenly doubled.

"Akira! Call me Akira... I insist and no excuses since now you're my boyfriend."

"... Alright... Akira..."

Oh man, what am I doing... maybe this is not a good idea... but I can't stop now... Sakuragi's guilt was starting to eat him alive as Sendoh hugged him and gave him a peck on his cheek.

##### the Next Night #####

Rukawa's P.O.V.

It was only late afternoon, around 6 pm, so the clubhouse was empty except for a few regular customers who liked the quietness of the clubhouse now. Rukawa was sitting at the table, the one where he sat with Sakuragi the night before, and waiting for Sakuragi to report to his work. He drank a cup of coffee as the setting sun bathed him with golden rays. Everything reminded him of his red-head do'aho, especially the sunset. The rays dyed the clouds at the far western sky red... just like his Hana-chan... no, he would be Hanamichi until Rukawa got him back, he had gave up the right of calling him 'Hana-chan' last year. Then he heard the bell at the door chime, indicating that someone was coming in. He let his gaze flicker to the door, hoping to see a red-head.

No, black spiky hair. Rukawa was about to turn back to his coffee when he realized who it was he saw. He quickly looked up again. But this time, it was not only Sendoh he saw, someone was with him. Someone with red hair to be exact. And they were holding hands, Sakuragi was also laughing at something Sendoh was saying. If looks could kill, the tall boy with spiky hair called Sendoh Akira would be dead now. Rukawa was practically boring holes through Sendoh's head as his hand clenched his cup of coffee till his knuckles were white.

Rukawa continued to stare at Sendoh who now sensed that someone was staring at him, turned around and started walking towards Rukawa, pulling Sakuragi with him. Rukawa could see Sendoh beaming like an idiot but he could not figure out what Sakuragi was feeling for the boy seemed to have mastered his forte - being expressionless.

"Rukawa! Fancy meeting you here, I thought you were in US?" Rukawa heard Sendoh say in a cheerful voice. It's none of your business! Why are you holding my do'aho's hand? I'm gonna beat you to pulps! Rukawa gritted his teeth.

"Nothing, coming back for a holiday." Rukawa decided to reply.

"I see. Gotta tell you something! Sorry, I can't wait to announce to the whole world. Hana-chan's my boyfriend now!" Sendoh beamed.

What? Rukawa quickly turned his gaze to Sakuragi. Sakuragi was still expressionless, Rukawa could not find any answer from Sakuragi's eyes either.

"Really?" Rukawa directed the question at Sakuragi. He wanted to hear it from him alone.

"Yea, Akira-kun proposed to me last week and I agreed. That's why we can't start over again because now I have Akira-kun." Then Rukawa saw Sakuragi lock-gaze with Sendoh who gave him a small peck on his lips.

"Come on, Akira-kun, let's go backstage and prepare for tonight's show." Rukawa heard Sakuragi said.

"Okay, see ya later, Rukawa." With that, the two left Rukawa to stare at the space where Sakuragi was standing.

Akira-kun? Hana-chan? Boyfriend? Kiss? No... this is not happening... what I had seen was all my illusion... Hanamichi could not have accepted Sendoh... he could not because I'm the one who loves him the most... That whole night, Rukawa just sat there staring into space, lost in his own thoughts, his own self-denial thoughts. He did not see Sakuragi giving him glances as he performed on stage nor did he hear what Sakuragi was singing until the last song that night.

"Okay! This is the last song for tonight and let me invite a special guest to sing with me! You girls, AND guys, yes you, be prepare to scream but remember to close your mouth before you drool all over the place." Rukawa heard Sakuragi joked with the audience.

"So... let's put our hands together for the town's hottest bishounen, aka my boyfriend, Sendoh Akira, on stage! Woohoo!" Sakuragi whooped and clapped along with the audience as Sendoh went on stage. Rukawa could only stare as Sakuragi held hands with a grinning Sendoh and started singing.

"Just a smile and the rain is gone,

Can hardly believe it (yeah).

There's an angel standing next to me,

Reaching for my heart."

Rukawa watched Sakuragi sang as he looked at Sendoh with... was that a loving look he saw? That should be me! ME! No that good- for-nothing playboy... Rukawa stifled a sob.

"Just a smile and there's no way back,

Can hardly believe it (yeah).

But there's an angel calling me,

Reaching for my heart."

Sendoh now placed Sakuragi's palm over his own chest and continued singing his part.

"I know, that I'll be ok now

This time it's real."

Then Rukawa saw the duo sang the chorus together, both with a happy look on their face.

"I lay my love on you,

It's all I wanna do.

Everytime I breathe I feel brand new,

You open up my heart.

Show me all your love, and walk right through,

As I lay my love on you."

The duo continued to sing their different parts and even dancing together, totally enjoying themselves as the audience whooped and joined in the song.

"I was lost in a lonely place,

Could hardly even believe it (yeah).

Holding on to yesterdays,

Far, far too long.

Now I believe its ok cause this time it's real."

"I lay my love on you,

It's all I wanna do.

Everytime I breathe I feel brand new,

You open up my heart.

Show me all your love, and walk right through.

As I lay my love on you."

"I never knew that love could fell so good."

"Like once in a lifetime,

You change my world."

"I lay my love on you,

You make me feel brand new.

Show me all your love, and walk right through.

As I lay my love on you.

I lay my love on you,

It's all I wanna do.

Everytime I breathe I feel brand new.

You open up my heart,

Show me all your love, and walk right through.

As I lay my love on you."

Sakuragi and Sendoh finished the song as they gained a big round of applause and cat-callings from the audience. Rukawa watched them took their bows. Then someone from the audience shouted and the others joined in too.

"KISS! KISS! KISS!"

I'm going to kill that bastard who suggested it. Rukawa gritted his teeth. But I bet Hanamichi's not going to do it. But what he saw nearly tore his heart apart. Sakuragi leaned forward and shared a passionate kiss with Sendoh. Rukawa caught Sakuragi's eyes and his hope and heart completely crumpled. He could not take it any more and tears already spilt from his eyes.

Rukawa dashed out of the clubhouse into the rain.

A/N: This is not beta-d, sorry for any errors and if it makes no sense... I'm trying to make it make sense... but I guess things got outta hand. Erm... what else? Oh ya, the song is Westlife's "I Lay My Love on You" for those who don't recognize it. So, this is quite a sad chapter, ne? Sorry for making the characters suffer.

What else? I know there's one more thing... Aa. REVIEW!!!