Notes: Thank you for your reviews and kind words! They have made a lazy ass like myself to work harder. Here's the second chapter, I hope it wont disappoint you.
Chapter 2 - Making Him Happy
Rukawa opened the gym door and entered. He looked around to see if Sakuragi was already there but to his disappointment the red head was nowhere to be seen. Patience, Kaede, he told himself, Only a few more minutes and you'll see him. And true enough, when he headed towards the changing room he heard Sakuragi's voice coming from behind him. Rukawa forced himself not to turn around and look at the object of his adoration. He hurried to the changing room before he could give in to the temptation. He barely made it to his locker when the door burst open again and Sakuragi walked in with Miyagi.
"And just look at this, Ryocchin. Look at it! It has to be ten pages long! Does he think that a tensai like me doesn't have anything better to do!" Sakuragi was complaining, holding a notebook in front of Miyagi's face.
The second year tried to shove the notebook a little further away but in vain. "Hanamichi, I can't read it if you hold it so close. Give it to me."
Sakuragi tossed the notebook to Miyagi, threw his arms up in the air and wailed. "I can't believe it! I was going to go to the movies with the guntan but now I'm stuck with this!"
Rukawa shifted so that he could discreetly look at Sakuragi. The wailing boy was apparently trying to pull his hair out, clutching the red locks so hard that his knuckles were turning white. Rukawa hastily dropped his gaze when Sakuragi turned around to face him.
"Kitsune! You're here?" Sakuragi said but was too engulfed in his problem to continue bickering. "What am I going to do? Ten pages! For Friday!"
Miyagi looked up and handed the notebook back. "Well, I think you should ask for help. There's no way you can write ten pages about anything, let alone the Japanese economy in the 15th century."
Sakuragi whirled around and stared at his sempai, threateningly. "Help? What help? The tensai doesn't need any help!"
"…Right." Miyagi started to undo the buttons of his uniform. "So anyway, Kogure is pretty good in school and might be kind enough to help you."
Sakuragi leaped at him, hands strecthed out, ready to strangle him. "Teme!! I told I don't need any help! I can write ten pages easily!"
Miyagi was unimpressed. "Yeah, perhaps about yourself. No chances with history."
"Hmph! I'll show you! You'll see the tensai's abilities."
"I already know your abilities. That's why I'm telling you to ask for help."
"Teme!!!" Sakuragi was about to strangle Miyagi to death when the door opened once again and Akagi stepped in. He took a brief look at the situation and then without hesitation landed his fist on both heads. Sakuragi and Miyagi fell to the ground, nursing their heads.
"What are you two doing? Get changed and start practicing. You too, Rukawa", Akagi said and left.
Rukawa peeked from behind his bangs and saw how the two got up and changed. His eyed lingered on Sakuragi's back and neck. He blinked really fast, trying to block any hentai images that made their way into his consciousness. God, he's gorgeous!
Sakuragi left soon after with Miyagi. Rukawa stayed behind, now staring at the notebook Sakuragi had left on the bench. I could do the assigntemt for him. Yes, I could do that, it would make him happy. Rukawa felt how his insides started to burn with anticipation. I could make him happy. Me! He jolted up and grabbed the notebook. He held it in his hands, trying to fight back the excitement he was feeling. Let's see, today is Wednesday so I'll have to do it tonight in order to be able to give it to him tomorrow before he gets desparate. Yosh! He slipped the notebook in his bag. Don't worry about the assignment, Hanamichi, I'll do it for you. Rukawa almost smiled when he entered the gym.
Later that evening…
Rukawa slumped back in his chair and sighed in frustration. It was a great idea, Kaede. Too bad you're not any better in history than he is. He looked at the computer screen and what he had been working on. Two straight hours and what do I have? Half an ark full of sentences borrowed directly from books. He shifted his gaze. Shit! What the hell was I thinking? He shut his eyes and leaned back. As always, images of Sakuragi filled his mind. After awhile his eyes snapped open and he looked at the computer on his table with new determination. Right. It was to make Sakuragi happy. Work hard, Kaede! He returned to his work.
The next morning, 7 A.M.
Rukawa took the last paper out of the printer and sighed with relief. That was tough. He looked at the pile of papers with pride. It's finished. Now all I have to do is to give it to him. Wait a minute! Rukawa suddenly realised something. He's never going to accept it if I give it to him. He's going to think that I'm trying to sabotage his history marks or something. He frowned, trying to figure out a way to give the results of his hard work to Sakuragi. I'll just have to make him think it's from someone else. Deciding this he sat down in front of the computer again and began to type. Should I sign as a secret admirer? That's what I am, after all. Rukawa thought about it for awhile and then dropped the idea. Knowing that idiot he'll just begin to boast about his new admirer and I'll have to fight against my own shadow. I'll just sign as 'friend'. He typed it, printed his little note, added it to the pile and headed to school.
To Rukawa's relief there was no one at school yet. He sneaked to the lockers and halted in front of a particular one. He knew which of the lockers belonged to Sakuragi since he had been following…no, he had just happened to walk past when Sakuragi had rummaged it, all the while talking loudly to his friends. So, he hadn't been following the dimwit or stalking him or anything. He had just walked by and Sakuragi's voice had caught his attention. Right.
After inspecting his surroundings thoroughly Rukawa took the papers from his bag and slipped them into the red head's locker. Then he practically ran away from it. When he was at the door he suddenly stopped in his tracks. Wait! If I stay here I can see his face when he sees it. Turning around he rushed back and took a good position.
Loud whining could be heard long before one could see Sakuragi, stomping towards his locker, followed closely by Mito Yohei. Rukawa felt a stab of jealousy when he saw the evident closeness these two shared. He gritted his teeth, willing himself not to think about it. Soon he'll see my 'gift' and he'll be happy. I have to enjoy it fully, without distracting thoughts.
"I couldn't find it, Yohei! I looked everywhere. Argh! The history teacher is going to kill me!" Sakuragi yelled on top of his lungs. "That stupid old- " He went silent when he opened his locker and looked inside.
Rukawa watched as Sakuragi took out the pile of papers and read the note he had left. The red head's jaw dropped. He looks so cute. I want to cuddle him. Rukawa nearly banged his head to the wall when he realised what he had just thought. Get a grip, Kaede. You're not that much out of your mind yet. Quit the sappy thoughts and be a man.
"YESS!!!"
Rukawa was startled by the sudden shout coming from Sakuragi and quickly looked at the boy. Sakuragi was grinning from ear to ear, hugging the papers and taking a few dance steps. Rukawa froze and stared at him with awe. This is the first time I've made him happy. This is the first time I've been the cause for his beautiful smile. I-I feel… Rukawa didn't continue his thought. He didn't know how to.
"Yohei! Look at this! I'm saved!" Sakuragi exclaimed, still grinning widely.
Yohei took the pile and examined the note with disbelief and suspicion on his face. "Who is this 'friend'?" He asked his axcited friend.
"I don't know and I don't care! I'll just…"Sakuragi went silent for awhile, then he shouted as loudly as he could: "Thank you!"
No expression could be seen on Rukawa's face as he made his way towards his classroom. But inwardly he was grinning madly. You're welcome, Hanamichi. He took his place in the back of the room and laid his head on his arms that were crossed on the desk. Now, covered by his hair and arms he smiled to himself. You're wonderful, Hanamichi. I'll make you mine one day. I swear it. And then I'll make you smile every day. Then he dozed off and dreamt beautiful and happy dreams.