disclaimer: too bad... Slam dunk is not mine... but the created characthers are mine!
'No, I can't let you go to America... You don't seem to be able to fight there... Stay in Japan and train more...'
This thought kept on playing in Rukawa's mind... 'I can't fight there? I don't think so...' Rukawa thought.
Suddenly, thoughts of the past kept swirling around his mind. 'You can't even defeat Sendoh. You still want to go to America?' a voice said.
Rukawa sat at the basketball court looking at the ring. His bicycle was beside him. He didn't notice anyone passing the court, as he was deep in his thoughts. Everyone who wanted to play at the court started to leave when they saw Rukawa there. No one wants to play one-on-one with a "Super Rookie".
'Stupid... I'm not like that... why did I became like this after seeing Coach Anzai?' Instantly, his thoughts disappeared and he took off his shirt revealing a blue singlet. With one hand, he took up his basketball and started walking towards the ring. He stopped at the three-point circle. He dribbled twice and shot from the three-point range. Then, the sound of the ring rattling can be heard. The ball bounced out and towards the bench. This may be normal for normal people but to Rukawa, it means that something is wrong. His mind was distracted with something.
'Stupid... Stop bugging me...' he said to himself.
As he was walking towards the bench to pick up his ball, he noticed that someone is coming near the court. He looked at the gate and saw a girl with a basketball in her hand. From the looks of her, it seems she is the same age with Rukawa but only shorter. Rukawa picked up his ball and sat at the bench and look at her.
'Let's see how good you are...'Rukawa thought to himself once more.
The girl walked up towards the three-point range. She dribbled a bit and shot. The ball seems to swerve away from the ring but it seems to swerve back towards it.
'Aren't it too early to learn to shoot a three-point for your standards?' thought Rukawa.
As Rukawa thought about this, the ball flew through the air and the sound of the net bouncing shocked Rukawa. The ball had gone in. The girl leaped into the air with joy.
"Alright! I scored! Cool!" squealed the girl in delight.
'Chih, beginner's luck...' thought Rukawa.
The ball started to roll towards Rukawa. Before it touched him, he took it and stood up. The girl got surprised when she saw Rukawa. He passed the ball back towards her.
'Man, he's tall and cute, too!' said the girl to herself. The girl looked at him with a smile and continued playing.
Rukawa looked at her as she lay-upped, shot and rebounded.
'She's good...maybe she joins the school girl's basketball team.' Rukawa thought.
Then, his thoughts were once more disturbed. The girl called him. Once more, her ball rolled towards him.
'What's wrong with this ball? It keeps coming to me...' Rukawa took up the ball and walked towards her.
"Hey, want to play one-on-one? My name is Yukio Kozino. You are?" said the girl with a smile.
With a snort, Rukawa answered "Kaede, Rukawa Kaede..."
"Oh, nice to meet you... Anyway, want to play?" She took the ball and hailed it towards Rukawa.
'Well, you asked for it. Might as well relax a bit... She's a girl anyway...' thought Rukawa to himself.
Rukawa let the Yukio start first. To his surprise, Yukio race into the box immediately. Rukawa, for the first time, was amazed by the speed of her dribbling. Soon, Rukawa was back to his senses and ran towards the box and hit the ball, which is bound for the net towards the board making it come out. Yukio was shocked by the defense but quickly claim the loose ball. She started dribbling with incredible speed. Although Rukawa was fascinated, he did not flinch but shows his expressionless face. 'Man, he can really defend, it's the first time I can't score from the start,' thought Yukio. Rukawa kept on keeping his defense tight disabling Yukio's attempts to get under the basket. Suddenly, Yukio rushed towards him and played the ball under Rukawa's legs. Rukawa, noticing his mistake quickly ran after her. Once more, Rukawa manage to block the ball but only barely. The ball hit the board and fell to the floor. Rukawa claimed that ball and started attacking Yukio's defense. 'She can attack and defend as well... Looks like I can't relax myself.' Thought Rukawa.
Instantly, Rukawa ran toward the box but was chased by Yukio. As he tries to run, he suddenly stopped, making Yukio to leave some space between them. Rukawa played the ball under his legs and back again before shooting. (Remember what he did against Sendoh?)
The ball was net-bound and it went in. Yukio was shocked but amused as well. Rukawa picked up the ball and gave it to her.
"Loser's ball..." Yukio smiled and stared attacking with Rukawa defending. As they kept on playing, the sun started to set. It was getting dark but both of them kept on playing. Suddenly, Yukio ran inside the box trying to lay-up but failed as Rukawa blocked the ball with full power. Yukio fall awkwardly towards the ground and give a cry of pain. Rukawa leaned beside her and look at her leg.
"I sprained my leg... I must have fallen awkwardly just now." Said Yukio as tears started rolling down her cheeks because of the pain.
Usually, Rukawa would never care but he knew that she got injured because of him. He walked towards his bag and took a packet of tissue (WHAT???!!!) and gave it to her. When she stopped crying, Rukawa packed his things and put on his jacket. He walked towards Yukio who was seated at the bench.
"Where do you live? I'll send you back since you got injured," said Rukawa.
Yukio thanked Rukawa for his help and Rukawa let Yukio to sit behind him. After they steadied themselves, Rukawa fetched her home in the night.
What will happen after this? Is it going to be nice or is it going to be bad? Is Rukawa feeling soft at the heart? R&R plzzzz..... Thx!!