Title: Stalker

Author: Wowie

Status: 8/12

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Humor/Mystery

Archive: Ask permission first.

Previously: Rukawa was "kind" enough to lend Hanamichi his extra white jersey.

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

Author's Note: Gomen if I'm taking so long to update this fic. It's because I have so many school works, add the fact that I'm a slow writer sigh

Standard Disclaimers Apply

...

Strike 8: Confirmation

"NYAHAHAHAHA!!! Did you all see how great the genius is! He surprised you all didn't he?" Sakuragi boasted, striking his customary genius pose. Even though Shohoku was against both Shoyo and Ryonan, they were able to beat them and prove that their team was indeed strong and ready for the coming IH. Not only that, they were all surprised that Hanamichi already knows how to make jump shots.

"See? See? Now you know that the genius is invincible! NYAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" the redhead's laugh echoed throughout the gym, much to the annoyance of Fukuda and Koshino. Then, he suddenly stopped laughing and searched for Rukawa, and saw him in some corner drinking Que Rio "Fox!" he called smugly.

Rukawa stopped drinking and turned to the redhead who was now just a few meters away from him. Apparently, Sakuragi was looking at him somewhat haughtily. Rukawa sighed, "What do you want, idiot?"

Sakuragi did not say a word. Instead, he took off the jersey and threw it down, which landed just beside of Rukawa's feet. Rukawa looked down at it for a while, then turned his gaze back to Sakuragi who seemed to be fighting over on what he would do next. Finally, Sakuragi released a heavy sigh then said, "Thanks."

Rukawa did not answer but just looked down at the pile of white cloth, which was carelessly sprawled on the floor. A minute had passed yet he still did not pick up his jersey and Hanamichi was rather becoming restless standing there waiting for a decent response.

"Rukawa you! Aren't you going to pick up your ugly jersey?" the redhead asked in annoyance. His attempts of being nice and grateful to the fox had obviously failed. 'Ch. Why does he always have to look so impassive?'

"Hey, Hanamichi. That was a fine play you made back there." Sendoh's cheerful voice made Hanamichi jump in surprise. He turned around only to see Sendoh already standing a few feet from him, with his trademark smile plastered on his handsome face.

"Sendoh, since when did the genius allow you to call him by his first name?" Hanamichi retorted. He did not notice Rukawa walk away from the scene towards his bag.

"Oh come on, I've been calling you that since day one so why be formal now?" was Sendoh's reply. His eyes twinkled in amusement as he saw the blush slowly creeping up the cute redhead's neck. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Rukawa walking towards them again.

"But..."

"It's a good thing I won't be wearing this jersey anymore."

Hanamichi turned around and there he saw that Rukawa, with his hand covered with plastic, was picking up the jersey on the floor then carefully putting it into what looked like a garbage bag.

"What?!" Hanamichi exclaimed. "What are you trying to imply stupid fox?!"

"Whatever an idiot like you can interpret," Rukawa replied dismissively as he turned to leave, holding the garbage bag in his hand.

"You!" the redhead started towards Rukawa but was stopped by Sendoh's firm grip on his arm. "Sendoh?"

"Don't bother, Hanamichi. He's just trying to get your attention all for himself," Sendoh said, a knowing smile etched on his face. Hanamichi frowned at this but before he could ask what the Ryonan player meant by that, Haruko, who was standing with her two friends, called him.

"Haruko-chan! I'll be right there!" Hanamichi waved back then jogged towards the girl of his dreams. Sendoh watched the retreating Hanamichi and could not help chuckling at the redhead's childish manner. Again, he felt something cold directed to his back, as if someone was staring-daggers at him. A wry smile formed his lips as he turned around and saw that the culprit was still giving him the coldest glare he could muster.

"You know Rukawa, I noticed that it's starting to become a habit of yours to stare at me like that," Sendoh stated mildly.

Rukawa did not answer, but continued glaring at him. Sendoh released an exasperated sigh.

"I'm getting tired of this." He shook his head. Then before he left to join the other Ryonan members, he added, "You should try to be cautious of your actions, you know, if you don't really want him to know your true feelings. You know why? Because honestly speaking, you're very obvious to me, Rukawa."

Rukawa watched as Sendoh walk away from him. His grip on the garbage bag tightened, his lips pursed tightly.

.....

"What information do you want me to gather?" Hikoichi asked.

"Anything. As long as you think it would be very useful to us," Youhei answered. "We know we could trust you with this, Aida Hikoichi."

Hikoichi nodded fervently, "I'll do my best. Let's just meet at Yoshinoya [1] at five-thirty this afternoon."

"Eh? Why not at Danny's? It's more convenient there," Noma asked.

"Well, there's something I want to show you all to prove my reliability... add the fact that I do want to eat a large beef bowl," Hikoichi laughed heartily before proceeding to where his teammates were.

"Weird..." Noma shook his head.

"Oh but it's true! Yoshinoya's beef bowl is really the bomb! Do you think we could find out who the stalker is before they go to Hiroshima?" Takamiya turned to Youhei who was currently in deep thoughts. "Oi! Youhei!"

"Huh?" Youhei was a bit disoriented as he turned to Takamiya who was frowning at him.

"He said, do you think we could solve this mystery before the IH?" Ookusu repeated.

"Ah... that. I have a very good feeling that this will be solved just in time before the basketball club leaves. Actually, I have a very good guess on who the stalker is... what I need now is something to confirm my suspicions," Youhei said rather absent-mindedly.

Their sight flew to the redhead who was talking to Haruko gaily about his camp shot and how he would bring the team all the way to the top.

"Mito..."

Youhei felt a slight tap on his shoulder and when he turned around, he saw Kogure standing there, looking a bit uneasy. He frowned and was about to ask him what was wrong when Kogure motioned him not to say a thing.

"We have to talk somewhere private."

From the way his voice sounded, Youhei immediately sensed it was something personal so he did not ask if the other gundan members could join in their conversation.

"Hey, everyone. I'll just leave you for a while okay? I'm going to talk to Kogure-san," Youhei informed the group.

"Yeah sure. Go ahead buddy," Ookusu replied while Noma and Takamiya both nodded.

"Thanks," Youhei turned to Kogure then they both walked out of the gym.

They found a spot where no one would bother them and as soon as they settled down, Youhei immediately said, "I think I have a fairly good idea on what you're about to tell me."

Kogure did not respond at once but after a while, he slowly nodded.

-Tsuzuku-

...

[1] I love Yoshinoya's beef bowl!