Title: Stalker

Author: Wowie

Status: 12/12

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Humor/Mystery

Archive: Ask permission first.

Previously: They were able to catch three stalkers, only to find out there is still one left on the loose.

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

Author's Note: Sorry if this took so long. It's just that I got busy with many stuff and then whenever I get the free time, my inspiration always abandon me. Anyways, I hope you won't be much disappointed with the finale. ;

Standard Disclaimers Apply

...

Strike 12: Totality

In two days time, the Shohoku team will depart for Hiroshima [1] where the Summer Inter High will be held. And so even if it was Sunday, Akagi called for a practice and surprisingly no one in the team complained. Maybe because they all realized that at times like this, there was no time to be slacking around. Everything went smoothly, consisting of their usual routine of jogging and dashing around the court which usually takes up to 30 rounds, 50 when Akagi's all fueled up (more like in a sadistic mood) and some passing and shooting drills.

Kogure was somehow suspicious of the whole ordeal. It's not that he's not happy that there's some improvement in the team's cooperation. It's just that he felt that there's something missing in the picture that makes the scenario not normal. And so with these thoughts he tried to observe the current situation. As per usual, the Rukawa Brigade was present, never getting tired of singing their Rukawa Love Me Jingle even if their voice were already hoarse from squealing non-stop. And of course, Haruko and her two friends, Matsui and Fujii, were also on the sidelines giving shouts of support once in a while. Upon looking at them, that's where Kogure realized what was missing. The Sakuragi Gundan was nowhere to be found.

This was really a surprise to the bespectacled vice-captain because the four of them never misses watching them practice, their reason being that it wouldn't be fun to let a day pass without tormenting their redheaded friend. And speaking of Sakuragi, he hasn't engaged into a single verbal war with Rukawa and the latter hasn't insulted him one-bit. The redhead was a bit furious that the stupid fox has been ignoring him since their practice started and tried provoking him with his killer eyes but to no avail. He sulkily stopped his provocations and just resigned himself into just focusing into training, although there were some daydreaming lapses here and there, care off the girl of her dreams who also happens to be their gorilla captain's little sister.

He also noticed that Mitsui seemed to be intent on having nothing to do with the redhead. At first, he thought that it was just a coincidence but Mitsui's excuses were kind of farfetched at times. Like when Akagi ordered him to teach Sakuragi a better way to screen an enemy from under the basket, he excused himself by saying he needed to go the washroom to heed nature's call, yet again. He'd been using the same excuse ten times already that you'd think he had a bladder problem or something. Another odd thing was that Mitsui seemed hostile to Rukawa and vice versa whenever their eyes met. Also, there were times that Kogure felt the two of them staring behind his back but whenever he would turn to them, they would look as if they haven't been staring at him at all. Kogure assumed that something happened last night and that maybe Youhei had finally exposed them and that he might have also mentioned that he was the one who told them some of the things he had witnessed. He couldn't blame two of them if ever they hold something against him. Even if he was in their place, he might feel the same way.

'Not that it would ever happen.' Kogure shook his head and smiled to himself.

Next to him was Ayako who was currently yawning. He understood the girl for being bored because practice seemed a bit dull without the disruptions. Ayako was holding her unused fan and tapped it impatiently over her shoulder.

"I never thought there would come a day that you won't need that fan of yours, Ayako-san," Kogure said with an amused voice.

"Me either, Kogure-sempai," Ayako mused. "I mean it's really good everything's in order but then—"

"It's not the same without some of the banters right?" Kogure supplied.

"Right!" she sighed then looked at her watch. "Uh... Kogure-sempai... I think they've practiced enough for today. I mean, I know that Akagi-sempai is a slave-driver at times but don't you think he shouldn't overwork them so much since the train ride is the day after tomorrow?"

"Yeah, but you know how Akagi is," Kogure smiled apologetically. He too thought that the team has been working really hard these past days and that they deserve a day's rest. As if on cue, Akagi blew his whistle and called the team to assemble. His face shone with satisfaction as he watched them all line up in front of him.

"I would like you all to know that I really appreciate all your efforts in today's practice. Anzai-sensei was sorry that he couldn't accompany us today because he had some important errand to finish but promised that he'll join us on our departure for Hiroshima on Tuesday. Remember, train arrives at exactly eight in the morning and so I hope everyone comes on time," he sternly gazed at the redhead who looked pretty clueless, "got that, Sakuragi?"

The redhead scowled, "Of course the genius will come on time!"

"Right, Hanamichi, and pigs can really fly," Miyagi snickered.

"Asshole..." Sakuragi muttered and would have gladly give Ryocchin a piece of his mind if only he hadn't seen at the corner of his eyes the eager Ayako who was itching to use her fan. He sulkily brought his attention back to Akagi, much to Miyagi's delight and Ayako's slight disappointment.

"Back to what I was saying, since we leave on Tuesday, we'll be taking the day off tomorrow. So you could do what you want, rest, shop, go on a date, or whatever. Just make sure you're all in great shape by the time we have our first match."

Loud cheers of approval rang throughout the gym. Even the quiet Rukawa gave a sigh of relief. As usual, Sakuragi was the loudest of them all with his genius pose and laugh which earned him a super fan slap, care of the bored team manageress who eagerly did the job.

"Wow! You totally outdid yourself today, Ayako-san!" someone from the gym entrance said. They all turned to see the Sakuragi Gundan along with Sendoh Akira and Aida Hikoichi standing with Haruko and her friends. Two individuals from the team visibly flinched at the sight of them which hadn't escaped Youhei's attention and brought a smirk on his face.

"Oi! You guys!" Sakuragi, already forgetting the pain on his head, jogged toward his friends. He didn't even wait for Akagi to tell them that they were dismissed. This only earned the captain an exasperated sigh and just let the matter be. He told the others they could go and made his way towards the shower room with the other players. Seeing that the team practice is finished for the day, the other spectators along with the Rukawa Brigade left the gym. Kogure lingered for a while and frowned when he noticed that Rukawa and Mitsui were also on their way to the group.

Feeling the presence of the annoying fox approaching, he delayed whatever he was about to say to his friends and directed a glare to the said boy. The latter just ignored him and continued walking over to the four who were all trying hard not to burst out laughing. Haruko turned beet red upon her crush's proximity while the rest had this amused expression on their faces, except of course for the spiky haired captain of Ryonan who was feeling a bit awkward at that time. Miyagi and Ayako also joined them, curious on what the sudden gathering was all about, making it more uncomfortable for the three culprits whom were all subjected to the Sakuragi Gundan's mental torture.

Of course, the lovely redhead (in the eyes of his three admirers) was starting to get confused with the situation. Questions like 'What's going on here?', 'Why the hell is everyone quiet?' and most importantly 'What the fuck is that stupid fox doing near my Haruko-chan?!' were ringing on his head while he looked back and forth his friends and the others.

Kogure on the other hand had an idea on what was going to transpire and decided to leave immediately before they notice him and get called to join them. From the looks of things, something equally out of the ordinary was going to happen. Also, he was saving himself from the two Shohoku players who were probably thinking of ways on how to confront him, or worst, possible ways on how to exhibit their wrath on him.

But it was too late because Youhei already noticed him.

"Hey Kogure! Can you come here for a sec?!"

Kogure flinched a bit and then slowly turned around and found everyone in the group staring at him, especially two of his teammates whose eyes were narrowed.

"Um, yeah, okay..."

He approached the group carefully and it didn't help feeling those two hard stares following his every move. [2] Hanamichi, on the other hand, was getting restless with the sudden tensing of the atmosphere and finally voiced out one of the questions in his head, "Why the hell is everyone quiet?!"

"Eh? Oh! I didn't notice we were too quiet, right guys?" Youhei turned to the other gundan and all three nodded with that maniacal grin plastered on their faces.

"What's this, some kind of a public hearing?" Ayako raised one fine brow and looked at everybody. For some strange reason, the group was divided in half with the gundan standing with her, Ryota, Haruko, Matsui, Fujii, Hikoichi and Kogure while Sendoh, Rukawa and Mitsui on the other side, and Hanamichi was in the middle of the two groups. How they moved in their places like that, she had no idea.

Youhei's grin widened considerably to the horror of the other group.

"Um, Mito... I don't think this is a good idea... didn't we talk about this yesterday already?" Sendoh said nervously. There were too many audiences and the subject of discussion was actually there.

"Huh? You talked to Youhei yesterday?" Hanamichi asked curiously.

"Great," Mitsui muttered to himself.

"Idiot," Rukawa rolled his eyes.

"I did talk to him yesterday, while you were practicing before you suggested a practice match," Sendoh glared at the two.

"And pray tell what did we talk about Sendoh?" Youhei asked with that amused undertone.

"Mito!" Sendoh's eyes budged out in panic. "You wouldn't dare or the deal is off!"

"What talk? What deal? What's going on?!" Hanamichi asked innocently and look to and fro Sendoh and his best friend.

"Okay, great, bucko. Just ruin everything and spill it out already! I don't care anymore! That way I can save money! Sheez!" Mitsui shouted in frustration.

"Spill out what?! Save money for what?!" Hanamichi shouted the question just as loud.

"Hey, hey! What's been happening behind my back?" Miyagi interjected.

"Mito-kun, what does this all mean?" Haruko turned to the now chuckling Youhei.

Just what Kogure thought, everything was becoming out of hand. He had to do something before everyone starts making trouble and decided to interfere when suddenly an excited Yasuda came out of the Shower room.

"Kogure-sempai! Oneesan asks if you would like some more of those milk chocolates you bought from her the other day?!"

Everyone went quiet with the sudden outburst and turned their eyes to the vice captain who was now as white as sheet. Yasuda was clueless on what was going on at that moment and continued.

"She also asks if she could borrow your 3eb CD before you go to Hiroshima for the Inter High."

Kogure was still rooted on the spot. He knew it. He shouldn't have talked to Mito yesterday. He shouldn't have told him about Rukawa and Mitsui. Now he knew how it was to be subjected to karma. [3]

Ookusu was the one who first recovered from the group and then sniggered, "Oh... just tell your sister that Kogure doesn't have his CD anymore."

With this statement, the others also snapped out of their stupor and realization dawned at them. Except of course for Haruko and her two friends who were totally ignorant about the stalking business, Miyagi and Ayako who wasn't able to follow everything that was happening behind the scenes, and Hanamichi who was now starting to have a migraine trying to digest the turn of events.

"Huh? Uh? Kogure-sempai?" Yasuda asked while frowning.

"Go now Yasuda, I'll just talk to your sister later..." Kogure replied quietly, his voice trembling a bit.

"Uh... okay..."And so Yasuda silently went out of the gym, looking back at his sempai once in a while, who suddenly found his feet interesting.

Youhei turned to Haruko, "Um, Haruko-chan, would you mind if we ask you to leave for now? There's something we have to talk about."

"Is everything okay, Mito-kun?" Haruko asked worriedly which made Youhei sigh. This was proving to be difficult task. It was a good thing that Matsui realized that they were not welcome there and nudged Haruko.

"We have to go, Haruko. We still have to go to the bookstore today, right?"

"But—" Before she could protest, she was already being dragged by her two friends outside the gym. Youhei gave Matsui a nod which the latter also returned. As soon as the three of them were out of earshot, he turned his attention back to Kogure who was still looking down on his feet.

"Unbelievable...!" Hikoichi exclaimed for the first time since they arrived. And this outburst was followed by a series of questions and exclamations from the others.

"Kogure-sempai! What is the meaning of this?!"

"Kogure! I knew something's fishy about you telling Mito about me!"

"... Sempai..."

"Kogure... you actually look like the type of person to do that..."

"Kogure-san! I knew you were kind of a mother hen to us but I never knew you were gay!"

"This is unbelievable, Kogure-sempai! So you were the one who gave those gifts after all!"

Kogure's head was starting spin with all these questions that he finally shouted, "YES! IT WAS ME ALL ALONG!!! AND I'M NOT ASHAMED TO ADMIT IT NOW!!! I LIKE YOU, SAKURAGI HANAMICHI!!! I LIKE YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!!"

He breathed heavy so that he could calm his nerves, relieved at the same time that he'd finally let it all out. It's been bothering him for quite some time now and he must admit shouting out his frustration was very relaxing. It's like a big torn was pulled out from his very being. Also, seeing those dumbfounded looks from everybody was satisfying. Except that he'd forgotten one thing...

"Glasses-kun...?"

Upon hearing the familiar nickname, Kogure turned around to the redhead whose eyes were wide with shock. Seeing this, a blush crept up from Kogure's neck until he was as red as a ripe tomato.

"Erm... Hana-ku— I mean, Sakuragi... I didn't mean to scare you... it's just that I don't know how to tell you how I feel... I was afraid that you'd... reject me and... you'd be disgusted so... so... I decided not to tell you that I gave you all those chocolates... I really tried... and well I thought the CD was a good idea... but I realized that it probably scared you more... so I tried to call you on the phone and finally admit it that it was me... but I just lack the courage to do it..."

The redhead was still awfully quiet. And so Kogure bowed his head and whispered, "I'm really sorry..."

"Kogure-sempai..." Ayako sniffed. She couldn't help but sympathize with their vice captain because it was really obvious that he's under a lot of strain right now. She just hoped that Sakuragi wouldn't do anything rash and well the redhead being awfully quiet was not really an assurance.

"Okay! Since Kogure spilled it out already, I'm going out in the open too! I also like you, you stupid fool! I don't really know why I fell for a dumbass like you, but I did and I can't do anything about it! And yes! I stole your jersey because I thought what the heck! Just let me have something to remember him by! But then Mr. Prim and Proper and Mr. Foxy boy just had to ruin everything by telling Mito!" Mitsui burst out.

"Idiot..."

"Shut up, Rukawa! I bet you didn't really throw away that ugly jersey of yours and had it sealed inside a vacuum bag just to retain Sakuragi's essence! I bet you open it and smell its sweaty scent once in a while and fantasize about him!" he accused.

"Eeeww... Missy, that's gross!" Miyagi and Takamiya grunted in unison while Noma and Ookusu had the sudden urge to gag. Hanamichi's eyes widened even more and directed his gaze to Missy, then to his archenemy and rival.

"You shut up, sempai. I'm not the one who stole one of the idiot's clothing. You're probably the one doing all those things."

"You swine!" Mitsui was about to lunge at Rukawa but was quickly restrained by Miyagi and Noma.

Rukawa sighed and then turned to the still awed redhead. "I was really angry when you gave those roses to that bitch..."

"What... you...?"

"Yeah, well at least I don't scare Hanamichi off by giving anonymous gifts."

"Shut up, Sendoh! You're the one stalking Hanamichi! Going to his house everyday, watching his every move inside his house! I bet you were even peeping on him while he changes his clothes!" Mitsui exclaimed, still being restrained by Miyagi and Noma.

It was Sendoh's turn to blush this time from embarrassment and fury. "I so do not go there every day! I just went there four times! Five if you add last night!"

"You... go to my house...?"

"Hanamichi, I'm really sorry! I only want to see you. That's all. I never peeped at you while getting dressed! Not once! Mitsui is inventing things so that you'd be angry at us and he'd have you all for himself!" Sendoh tried to reason out to the already flustered Hanamichi.

"What?! How dare you, you spiky head bastard!" Mitsui was able to free himself from the restraining grasps at once and was able to lunge at the unsuspecting Sendoh.

So a scuffle of hands and limbs started between the two. Sometime in the middle of the fight, Rukawa was dragged in, probably because he's the reason why Mitsui was being restrained a while ago. And then when Kogure tried to get in between and stop them, he was accidentally kicked by Sendoh, which made the normally gentle vice captain see red and gave the other a punch on the face. Meanwhile, instead of trying to stop the fight, the gundan and Miyagi made bets on whether who would emerge victorious. Ayako was confused on to whom she should use her fan first.

Now what was the redhead doing all that time? Of course, he was still rooted on his current spot in the middle of the two groups, still trying to digest all the information he found out this afternoon. One could say he's like one of those old computers that hang whenever it was computing too much information and it usually takes a while before everything was functional again. But if one was impatient, he would try to press "ctrl alt delete" to either end the task or restart the computer. But since the brawl itself could've probably taken quite a number of minutes already, then it would come to the point that Hanamichi's brain was finished computing and was functioning again.

But then, this was Hanamichi. And so the first thing he did after realizing the extent of the whole situation was to:

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

And then he dropped in a heap on the floor.

Windows has been shut down.

...

Hanamichi tried to open his eyes but closed it immediately because of the blinding light. He must've groaned aloud and so the other people inside the room were alerted.

"Oh! So you're awake!" Youhei, who was sitting beside his bed, smiled at his friend.

Hanamichi groaned once more and then tried to sit up in bed while rubbing his eyes.

"Where am I?"

"In your room," Ookusu replied. He was sitting on the window sill with his arms crossed over his chest.

"What? How?" Hanamichi frowned. He was sure he didn't remember walking home from the gym.

"We carried you here after you fainted from mild fever," Noma answered this time while leaning on the door jamb.

"I fainted?! That can't be! The genius doesn't faint!" He would've shouted some obscenities if not for the sudden aching of his head again. Youhei chuckled at this.

"Okay, so let's not use the word 'faint' and use the phrase 'passed out' instead."

"What happened anyway?" Hanamichi asked again while rubbing his head and then shaking it in between.

"Well, you were talking to Haruko when suddenly, blag! We just saw you lying on the floor," Youhei stated while looking at back and forth Ookusu and Noma who both nodded in agreement. Hanamichi stopped rubbing his head and then looked intently at his best friend.

"Wait... that's not what I remember... I know something else happened after talking to Haruko... I'm sure of it..." Hanamichi searched his head and then said, "Yes! I remember the fox, Missy, Sendoh and Glasses-kun saying they were the one stalking me! I even remember them having a brawl!"

"What are you talking about, Hanamichi? Kogure, Rukawa and Mitsui were nowhere near us that moment and that Sendoh was the only present. He even helped us carry you up to the train station," Youhei frowned at the redhead's statement.

"What? But I'm positive that—"

"Hey Hanamichi! Look what I've found in your laundry basket!"

All eyes flew to the door and saw Takamiya holding a white jersey on his hand.

"So it wasn't stolen after all," Youhei said mildly and then looked back at the confused redhead.

"But... but... I was sure that..." Hanamichi stammered and tried to search his brain again, and then heaved a sigh, "Bah! Who cares anymore? I'm getting dizzy again so I'll just go to sleep." And so he lied down on his bed again and readied himself to sleep.

"Wait, you haven't taken your medicine yet," Youhei reminded him.

"Bah! No need. I'm sure this'll be gone when I wake up later," he replied, his eyes already closed and his right arm rested on his forehead.

Youhei gave a final glance at his best friend, and then signaled the others to leave the room. He was about to close the door when he heard Hanamichi call his name.

"Yeah?" he answered.

"Thanks for being there always," the redhead gruffly said and then turned his body away from the door.

Youhei was speechless for a while then grinned, "Right." And he finally closed the door.

When Hanamichi was left alone in his room, he also grinned to himself, "Right."

...

And so no one mentioned about the events that happened during those three days of "stalking". Somehow the gundan were able to convince Hanamichi that the fight between Rukawa, Sendoh, Mitsui, and Kogure in the gym was all just a dream. Although Youhei knew that Hanamichi was just getting along with it so that whatever deal the gundan made with the four culprits will still be on.

What was their deal? Well where the heck did four poor guys get tickets to the bullet train just to watch every match of Shohoku in the Inter High?

Somewhere in Kanagawa, a white jersey stained with a blotch of black ink in front was sealed in a vacuum pack and was hanging beside a shelf full of trophies and medals.

-Owari-

...

[1] I remember reading in some manga summary site (I forgot the exact URL) that the Summer IH is being held in Hiroshima. But Eliar Swiftfire told me when we were chatting in MSN that it was held in Okinawa. I haven't exactly read the whole manga and that the only thing I possess is the JUMP tankouban volume 31 and I don't remember reading anything about the IH's location. But now that I've finally downloaded the scanlation, I'm definitely sure it's Hiroshima.

[2] To MitKo and RuKo fans please don't react violently at once. I know Hisashi-sama and Rukawa would never glare like that at Kogure-sempai, but for the sake of the story, I had to do it. After all, it's Kogure-sempai's fault that's why they were being blackmailed by the Sakuragi Gundan and so you could just imagine why they were feeling that towards Kogure-sempai, ne? And this is Hanamichi-uke, not Kogure-uke (although I'm more for Kogure-seme... hehe...).

[3] Buddhism and Hinduism term. It is defined as the totality of a person's actions in any one of the successive states of that person's existence, thought of as determining the fate of the next stage. Meaning, whenever you did something wrong in your present life, something worse will happen to you when you reincarnated into your next life. It can be instead of being reincarnated into a human, you might be reincarnated as a cockroach. But now, it's commonly attributed to the saying, "Do unto others what you don't want others to do to you", or do something bad to others and it will be returned to you ten times worse.

Final words:

I know this fic has taken too long to finish and well I have no excuse for the very long delay. I admit that it's mostly because I was really a lazy bum and tends to change her mind from time to time. I'm sure most of my early readers had forgotten about this fic already and well I couldn't blame them because I know the feeling of reading a fic with a cliffhanger and not being able to read the next chapter for ages, only to find out that the chapter you're waiting for is also a cliffhanger. It sort of makes you wanna shake some sense to that author right? Hahaha! Oh well... so there most of them probably got tired of waiting. ;

As for those who followed this fic up to the last, I wanted you all to know that I really, REALLY appreciate it. Thank you so much for bearing with me all this time. And so now, we've come to a close. I'm really proud 'cause... well... I'VE FINALLY FINISHED A MULTI-CHAPTER FIC! YEY!