disclaimer: Slam Dunk characthers are not mine but the rest is mine...

Chapter 3

School goes on just like normal. However, there is something special about that particular

school day. Rukawa was walking by the canteen when he saw a group of girls laughing while

seeing a newspaper. However, they didn't notice Rukawa was there. They kept on laughing

making Rukawa curious about what they are laughing about. He went nearer towards the group

of girls quietly and he saw something that shocked him. The group of girls suddenly freaked out

when they saw who was behind them. Rukawa snatched the newspaper from one of the girls

grasp and went away as quick as possible.
'What is this paper? 'The Rukawa Gossips'? When did I have my very own newspaper

about me?' thoughts kept swirling in his head as he went outside towards a tree. Without

anyone noticing, he sat down and started reading the first page that is the hottest news.

"Rukawa seen with a new girl from Ryonan High!!!!"
Fans of Rukawa Kaede, the 'Super Rookie' of Shohoku High will be shocked to found

out that he has been with another girl while the school ends. One witness said that he saw

Rukawa with a new girl. Shockingly is that he sent her back home on his bike. That really is the

shock of the century.
"Rukawa never, I mean NEVER, sends a girl back home unless... unless that girl is his

girlfriend," before we could interview her more, this fan fainted and was carried to rest.
Many speculations is that this new girl, known as Yukio Kuzino, is actually playing around

with two boys, Rukawa Kaede and cute boy, Fujima Kendo, from Shoyo High...

'What? Fujima? What has he got to do with her? Are they together or something?' thought

Rukawa before continuing reading the article.
...However, Rukawa does not seem to know anything about it. This morning, both of them

did not seem to have anything suspicious among them. They came at different times to school

and they talk like usual in class. Let's hope that there is nothing between them or many hearts

will be broken in this very school.

Writer, 12/6/2004

Rukawa instantly put the paper and lean his head on the tree branch. He was deep in

thoughts and nothing seems to be able to draw his attention. Few girls walked past him but he

didn't even care to glance. All of them seemed heart-broken and some of them started to cry

but quickly ran away before they do.
'Stupid, if I found out who gave out this information, that person will surely hope that I

won't kill him because I'll make sure I kick his rear hard...' thought Rukawa. The school bell

rang and started getting up and slowly walked back to class. The paper he just read was left

under the tree.
The whole class was very noisy but once Rukawa entered, everyone stared at him. He did

not care at the glances and walked towards his seat quietly. Didn't care about his classmates,

he looked outside his window. To his annoyance he saw "The Rukawa Cheer girls Group"

outside looking at him. They hanged a banner reading: "Don't leave us, Rukawa! We LOVE

you!"
Rukawa instantly looks away before he feels like puking. Yukio did not seem to be school today.
'Good, that will settled problems a bit. At least I can explain to her before anything bad

happens...' thought Rukawa looking at the clear, blue sky outside.

After school, Rukawa walked towards the bike shed to get his bike. He doesn't feel like

having basketball practice at school. He started heading towards the basketball court near his

house. Hoping to be able to practice longer, he started cycling before anyone was coming out

from the school building. However, he found something surprising when he got there. From the

fence, he saw Yukio (who else?) shooting at one half of the court. He looked at her. She seems

imbalance while shooting and many shots seem to can't go in. The way she runs also seemed

unusual.
Instantly, Rukawa got down from his bike and went inside the basketball court. Yukio did

not take notice because she thought it might be someone else. When Rukawa took off his school

uniform revealing a blue singlet, he started walking towards Yukio. Suddenly, she fell

awkwardly because of the imbalance while she shot. Once more, she fell into Rukawa's arms.

She was shocked to see him behind him.
"Rukawa-san... why are you here? Is school over yet?" said Yukio.

"Yes, school is over. I came here to train here because..." Rukawa stooped immediately

when he suddenly noticed that he almost blurted what happened at school today. Yukio looked

at him for a direct answer with a smile. Rukawa said:

"I know you might be here so I came here..." that is totally a lie as Rukawa was shocked

also to see Yukio here at the first place.
"Oh, I see. I thought something unusual happen in school," replied Yukio with a smile. It

seems as if Yukio could read Rukawa's mind. Rukawa quickly brushed aside the expression of

dumbstruck on his face before Yukio noticed it.

"You know, you shouldn't be moving around so much since you are still injured and all...

why don't you just take a rest for a week before resuming playing?" asked Rukawa.

"Well... I guess I'm just stubborn... basketball seems as if without it even a day, I might

die..." said Yukio with a smile.
'Baka, even I won't be that crazy about basketball...' thought Rukawa. Rukawa instantly

take Yukio to a seat and let her sit down. Then, he took up Yukio's injured leg and open the

wound cast. The wound wasn't cleaned properly as expected by Rukawa.

"Why weren't your wound cleaned before casting it? You know it could be infected..."

said Rukawa.
"There's no one to help me do it..." said Yukio as her smile started disappearing from her

face.
"How about you parents?" asked Rukawa.

"They...they died in an accident a year ago..." suddenly, Yukio started to drip tears on

Rukawa's trousers. Then, Yukio threw herself on Rukawa holding him while crying sadly.

Rukawa was shocked by her action but he knew a bit about what she suffered. He patted her

head and held her tightly. She kept on crying non-stop. After a few minutes, Yukio broke free.

She looked at Rukawa with puffed eyes. Rukawa instantly wiped her tears away with his

fingers.
"Let me help you with that wound alright? I'll take you to my house..." said Rukawa as he

packed his things before carrying Yukio to his bike.

Well, Rukawa saw Yukio once more... what does this all mean? Will it be good or will it be bad? Next chapter will tell... R&R plzzzzzzzzzzz................ Thanx!!!