Title: Stalker

Author: Wowie

Status: 3/12

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Humor/Mystery

Archive: Ask permission first.

Previously: Someone breaks into the basketball club's locker room and left a bouquet of roses for the freaked out Hanamichi.

Warnings: Shounen-ai (Boy X Boy Love) and some mild swearing.

Author's Note: I've been receiving different speculations. Of course I won't answer those questions 'cause if I do, you won't be reading my fic anymore (hehe!). Anyway, it will come out eventually.

Standard Disclaimers Apply

...

Strike 3: I Want You

"Sakuragi, look out!"

"Huh?" Sakuragi turned just in time for the ball to hit his face. It was so fast that he lost his balance and fell to the floor.

"Fool! Always pay attention!" Akagi shouted.

Kogure and Yasuda helped Sakuragi to his feet.

"Thanks, Yasu, Glasses-kun. I'm okay," he said.

"Concentrate, Sakuragi. Don't think about it for now," Kogure patted him on the shoulder. Sakuragi gave him a strange look.

"What?"

"You know what I'm talking about," Kogure replied then went back to his position, leaving a dazed redhead.

At the sidelines, the gundan watched the whole scene in deep thought. Knowing Sakuragi, having occasional drifts and distractions was just a normal occurrence in all of their basketball practices. But then most of it was filled in with thoughts of a certain brunette girl with a gorilla for a big brother. This time though, they knew that Sakuragi's thought was directed to only one thing.

"He's still thinking about that stalker," Youhei said worriedly.

"Actually, I'm also thinking about the same thing," Takamiya directed his look to a certain rookie, "... speaking of which, look at Rukawa."

Youhei directed his attention to the super rookie who was currently watching the redhead in a very subtle way. But of course, this slightest detail would never miss the ever-prying 'army' of Hanamichi.

"You know what? I've got a strong feeling that he's the one who sent those chocolates and those flowers," Ookusu crossed his arms over his chest. Youhei shook his head.

"But how can that be? Each basketball club member has a spare key to the locker room and the lock was destroyed."

"What if it's just a tactic so no one would suspect him," Noma added in. Youhei considered the possibility for a moment, and then was a bit convinced.

"Yeah... come to think of, it's a very likely scenario... but we still lack proof. And I think there's more to it than this. I mean what if the stalker doesn't even belong to this school at all?"

"Youhei-kun, is Sakuragi-kun alright?" someone spoke from behind. All of them turned around to find Akagi Haruko looking at Hanamichi, her face worried.

"Nah, it's nothing, Haruko-san," Youhei smiled. Haruko looked at them and noticed the bouquet of red roses in Noma's hand.

"Super! Those flowers are pretty!" she said excitedly. "Where did you get them?"

"Uh—"

"Haruko-chan!" Hanamichi called out as he jogged towards them. Haruko turned to him and waved.

"Hello Sakuragi-kun! I guess I'm wrong to think that something's wrong with you," she greeted him cheerfully.

"Nyahahaha! Nothing could go wrong with the genius!" he laughed but was beet-red all the same.

"You're really funny, Sakuragi-kun," Haruko said then turned to Noma. "By the way, I was just asking Noma-kun where he got those flowers. They're so pretty you know and I particularly like red roses."

"Ah well—"

"I'm actually going to give it to you, Haruko-chan! I just let Chu hold it for a while," Hanamichi grabbed the roses from Noma and handed it to Haruko, his face redder than ever.

"Hanamichi! I thought you said umf—" Ookusu covered Noma's mouth before he could all get them in trouble.

"Thank you, Sakuragi-kun. You didn't really have to."

"Nyahahaha! Of course I have to! You're a special girl you know. And a special girl deserves to be given a bouquet of flowers." His laughter was replaced with a groan as soon as the fist from a very angry captain (with his vice trying to stop him) landed on his head.

"Onii-chan! (Big brother)" Haruko covered her mouth in shock.

"Fool! Go back to court!" Akagi bellowed over the cringing Sakuragi.

"Bad Gori! Kill joy!" the redhead retorted, still cringing from the pain.

"What did you say, stupid?" Akagi would have delivered another gori punch if Kogure weren't able to stop him.

"Calm down, Akagi," Kogure said as he restrained his friend, which was quite a difficult task if Yasuda hadn't come to his aid.

With his free hand clenched hard, Rukawa dribbled to the basket and did a perfect 360 dunk. The board rocked so hard that he caught everyone's attention, especially his infamous brigade. Haruko was also ogling at Rukawa, which added up to Sakuragi's current frustration.

"Eeeeh!" they giggled, their screams were like that of a pig. "Rukawa! Rukawa! L-O-V-E Rukawa!"

"Nice one, Rukawa!" Ayako complimented but Rukawa didn't seem to care. He just stood there, bowed down and hands clenched on his sides.

"Hmph! Show off," Sakuragi muttered while stroking his aching head. Akagi ignored the comment and proceeded to call the other members' attention.

"Assemble!" Akagi shouted and the whole team immediately lined up. Sakuragi on the other hand stayed where he was for a while more.

"Hey... Sakuragi-kun... Are you okay?" Haruko asked worriedly. Upon hearing this, Sakuragi got teary eyed.

"Wow... Haruko-chan is worried about the genius..." Sakuragi sniffed, which made the gundan members' faces contorted to what you might call suppressed amusement, except for Noma who was still grudging over the fact that the redhead took back the roses that he was really excited to give to his mother.

Then Sakuragi wiped his tears carelessly and did his trademark genius pose. "But you don't need to worry about the genius, Haruko-san! One stupid gorilla punch will not stop the genius from pursuing his dreams! Nyahahahahahahahaha!!!"

Obviously, Haruko had no idea what the redhead was talking about and turned to Youhei who just shook his head. "Don't you worry about Hanamichi, Haruko-san. He's okay now. After all, his head is as hard as rock, both literally and figuratively speaking." The other gundan members smirked at his last comment.

"Oi! What do you mean by that Youhei?!" Hanamichi growled and was about to give his best friend a proper bashing when Akagi's angry voice suddenly rang throughout the gym.

"FOOL!!! HOW LONG ARE YOU PLANNING TO STALL US?!!!"

Sakuragi grumbled as he went to where his teammates were while the gundan guffawed. "Ch. Some friends they are," the redhead muttered to himself bitterly.

Akagi looked again if there was anyone missing and when he was sure there's none, he started to talk.

"I know all of you are pretty excited for the National Inter High School Tournament. And what is our aim?"

"National championship!" they all shouted and Akagi nodded approvingly.

"So I expect you all to practice hard and do your job well, got that?"

"Yes!"

"Which also means that we'll also have practices this coming weekend..."

This time groans could be heard from the whole team. Akagi raised one brow, "Any problem with that?"

No one dared to answer.

"Sadistic gori." Sakuragi wrinkled his nose.

"You got that right." Miyagi sighed.

In a few moments, the two of them were cringing down on the floor, holding their aching head.

"Okay, that's it for now. You're all dismissed." All the people went to the shower room, except for Sakuragi who went straight to his gundan with his hand still stroking his head.

"Grr... I can't believe that gori punched me two times today!" Sakuragi complained.

"Yeah me too! I mean the lowest number of punches he gives you during practice is five! I can't believe that he just punched you two times today!" Takamiya commented cheerfully.

"Shut up, pig!"

"Aren't you going to take a shower?" Noma asked.

"Of course I am, I'm just going to tell you that—"

"Fox alert," Ookusu whispered. Hanamichi turned around and saw Rukawa standing a meter away from them.

"Well, what do you want?" Hanamichi asked irritatingly.

Rukawa's blue eyes regarded him coolly for a while then said, "You shouldn't use a gift from someone as a gift for somebody else."

"I'm making my own business and I'm not about to take an advice from you. And what is it to you anyway?" Sakuragi glared at him.

Rukawa did not answer. Instead, he walked away to join the others in the shower room.

"You! Don't you walk out on me while I'm still talking to you!" Hanamichi made a move to follow Rukawa and beat the crap out of him, but his gundan held him back.

"Let him be, Hanamichi! You wouldn't want to get in trouble if you want to go to the Inter-high," Youhei reminded, which calmed down Hanamichi's temper.

"Well he's lucky that fighting is not allowed in here. But someday, there'll be no escape for him," Hanamichi vowed. Youhei just shook his head.

"Forget him." 'Though I must admit he's been acting strange,' Youhei thought. He remembered what Noma, Takamiya, and Ookusu said earlier about them thinking that Rukawa was the stalker. But Youhei's not about to tell Hanamichi that if he did not have any proof. "Anyway, where are we going after this?" Youhei said to divert Hanamichi's attention from Rukawa. He succeeded in doing so because Hanamichi was instantly back to his cheerful self.

"We're going to the record store, then to our house," he grinned. "Okaachan (Mom) left a chocolate cake for me before she left for Hokkaido this morning. She told me to invite you four and have a taste."

"Oi good! I can't wait," Takamiya said in anticipation.

...

"I've found it!" Sakuragi exclaimed. The gundan gathered round the redhead and looked at the pile of Third Eye Blind CDs. There was only one 3eb (the second album) CD left. Hanamichi has been looking for that particular album for a long time now since his first copy was damaged. Now, here he was again in the record store to see if he can find a copy and was able to find one. The problem was, it costs 2,500 yen.

"So how much do you have there, Hanamichi?" Youhei asked.

"Well... I got 50 yen..."

Silence ensued for a minute.

"But I was hoping if any of you could lend me some money."

"No way! We're broke too you know!" Takamiya exclaimed.

"But I need that damn CD and it's the last copy!"

At the moment, Kiyota Nobunaga, the rookie of Kainan, entered the record store. An idea crossed the genius' head.

"Wild monkey! You're just in time!" Hanamichi greeted cheerfully.

"What is it this time, red monkey?" Kiyota said irritatingly.

Hanamichi ignored the insult, "Do you have 2,500 yen there?"

"Huh? Yes, so?" Kiyota raised one brow.

Hanamichi clapped his hand then put his arm around Kiyota's shoulder. "I'm just wondering if I can borrow that money from you."

"What?!" Kiyota shrugged off of the redhead's arm. "You haven't even paid me for the ticket and the food I bought for you on our trip to Nagoya!"

"I told you I'm going to pay you when we face each other in the Inter-high."

"I won't lend you any more money!"

"But I need it to buy 3eb."

Kiyota was stunned for a while, then a sly grin slowly showed in his face. "Oh, that. I'm going to buy that."

"REALLY! Thank—"

"I'm not buying it for you, stupid! I'm buying it for myself!" Kiyota sneered and grabbed the CD from the rack and went to the counter.

"Damn that wild monkey!" Hanamichi said in between his teeth. Kiyota passed them again, deliberately showing his purchased CD while the gundan tried very hard to restrain Hanamichi from wringing Kiyota's neck. Kiyota, on the other hand, was having fun annoying the red monkey that he almost forgot that he was supposed to meet someone at six pm. His eyes caught a glimpse of the time at the wall clock just above the entrance. It was already six-fifteen.

"Oh no! I'm late again!" he immediately went out of the record store.

"Wait you wild monkey! I'm not finished with you!" Hanamichi forced his way out of the restraining grasps of his gundan and was about to throw them on the ground with his body when Ookusu talked.

"Calm down! I'm sure we'll still find a copy in other record stores. And don't worry. We'll buy you that damn CD."

Hanamichi stopped struggling then smiled from ear to ear. "I heard that and I won't forget it. So come on, let's go to my place," Hanamichi whistled as he walked out of the record store. Mito, Noma, and Takamiya gave Ookusu a very dark look.

"Ehehehe! Don't kill me guys. I didn't really know why it went out of my mouth and it's the only way we can stop him from whining," Ookusu begged.

"Well, nice work," Youhei said sarcastically.

...

He hesitated for a moment. He didn't really know why he chose that particular song and he didn't even know if Sakuragi would like it. But for him, it was the perfect way to express what he felt for the redhead. It was as if the song was made for them. He had been planning on giving this to him personally, but somehow he chickened out. Maybe it was because he was afraid that his relationship with Sakuragi would change for the worst if the redhead finds out that he was really attracted to him. Okay, that was an understatement. He wanted him badly.

...

"Oi Hanamichi! Something's in your mailbox," Hanamichi had just opened their front door's lock when Takamiya called out. The redhead went to the mailbox and there he got a small package wrapped in a newspaper.

"But this wasn't here when I checked the mails this morning," Hanamichi said.

"Maybe it came when we were in school," Noma suggested.

"Maybe. Anyway, why don't you open it?" Youhei added.

Hanamichi ripped off the wrapping and it revealed a CD. He couldn't believe his eyes, "3eb."

"Well then, we don't have to buy you a CD after all!" Ookusu happily said. Then Takamiya noticed something.

"Look, there's a Post It (TM) attached on the back," he removed it from the cover then read its contents loud for them to hear.

To my flower,

I hope you like this little gift of mine. I'm not really sure if you're listening to 'Third Eye Blind' but the song 'I want you' is the best description of what I feel for you. [1]

Hanamichi froze at this. Actually, that song was his favorite.

"Wow! Come on let's play it!" Takamiya exclaimed then grabbed the CD from a frozen Hanamichi. The gundan hurriedly went inside the house. A few moments passed before Hanamichi came to his senses.

"Oi! You can't barge in to our house like that!" he also went inside only to be greeted by the sound of the stereo.

I've seen suckers lose themselves in the games they learn to play
Children love to sing but then their voices slowly fade away
People always take a step away from what is true
That's why I like you around, I want you'

Yeah you do, you do, you do, you make me want you.

Youhei was standing beside the sound system with a meaningful smile. Takamiya was sitting cross-legged on the carpeted floor, nursing a ham sandwich—from Hanamichi's fridge where else? It eluded the redhead how quick his friend prepared the meal. Ookusu was rolling on the floor with mad laughter and Chu was clutching his stomach with tears coming from the corners of his eyes.

An open invitation to the dance happenstance set the vibe that we are in
No apology because my urge is genuine and the mystery of your rhythm is so masculine
Here I am and I want to take a hit of your sent and it bit
So deep in my soul, I want you

Yeah you do, you do, you do, you make me want you
Send me all your vampires
And I can't get enough

By that time, all the members of the gundan were laughing so hard while listening more to the song. Hanamichi couldn't stand it any longer that he unplugged the stereo.

"Hey! Don't be such a kill joy," Ookusu complained.

"And I can't get enough," Takamiya sang then laughed, not minding Hanamichi's glare.

"This is not funny, dammit!" Hanamichi gritted his teeth. The gundan immediately turned serious.

"I agree with him. We shouldn't take this as a joke," Youhei said then looked at Hanamichi. "I think this is proof that the one sending you gifts really is male."

Hanamichi sank to the nearest sofa. "Then who is he?!"

"Don't worry Hanamichi, we'll find out for sure. We'll think of a plan to lure him out to the open," Noma assured.

"Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it," Hanamichi looked at the letter again and somehow, he did not mind at all being called "my flower", for it was the first endearment he had ever received from another person other than his mother.

-Tsuzuku-

...

[1] Thanks to Akin Sijin for suggesting the song.