A/N: You guys... haiz... go easy on those "no, no... don't kill off Rukawa" thingies and just wait for the tensai's plot, okay? Oh no... I'm starting to sound like Hanamichi... [bashes one's head] Anyway... sorry minna-san for such such late update but my computer crashed for quite some time... haiz... well... I'll just get on with the story, ne?
Disclaimer: Just like anything you'll see on other fics.
Chapter III
It had been three days since Rukawa made his decision and Kogure said the report would be out today. The report took an unusually long time to come out for it usually took only less than two days to have reports like this. Rukawa was eagerly waiting for Kogure to come, but of course he was not showing it. He just sat there beside the still-unconscious Hanamichi's bed. Running his hand through those soft red locks that seemed to have become a shade duller as the days went, Rukawa whispered to Hanamichi.
"Hana... soon you'll be awake... yes, indeed I've decided... I've decided to donate my heart... I have an intuition that my heart and yours will match... and mine will be suitable for you... my intuition had never been wrong... of course, once I donate my heart to you, I'll never see you again, but I, or rather my heart, will always be with you, every moment, isn't that great? And I would rather give up my life to save yours... you know that you're my life... if you're gone, there's no point living on anyway. Oh great, I think Kogure-sempai's here with the report."
Rukawa turned around in his chair as he heard the door of the ward opened. But instead of the bespectacled doctor he was expecting, the one who emerged from the door totally never occurred to Rukawa. There in front of him stood a tall boy, it was Sendoh. The Ryonan ace player had not changed much since he went to the States a year ago. Nope, he still had his famous casual smile on and his hair was still ever so spiky.
"What're you doing here? I thought you're in the States." Rukawa, seeing that it was not the person he was expecting, turned back to Hanamichi.
"Hey! Is that your way of greeting an old friend who was away for so long?" Sendoh said as he pulled a chair and sat down opposite to Rukawa.
"His condition has worsen, ne?" Now the casual smile had disappeared from Sendoh's face and was replaced with a slight concerned frown. "Why didn't you tell me in the very first place? He's my friend too, you know? My very very good friend... I treasure him a lot and will be there the instance he needs my help."
"Really? It would not be of any difference if you know, will it?" It was more of a statement than a question.
"Is it like that?" Sendoh raised an eyebrow and replied quietly as he stared at the red-haired boy lying there on the white hospital bed. This is no place for Hana-kun... no place at all... this does not suit him... it is so plain here... Hana-kun would die of boredom if he knew where he is now... haha... Sendoh smiled a sad smile at that private thought of the most energetic boy he had ever known.
"Kaede? Oh, Sendoh, you're here too?" Kogure came into the ward to see both ace players seated at both sides of Hanamichi's bed. He had the report with him.
"You have the report, sempai?" Rukawa quickly asked.
"Hai."
"So?"
"Kaede, I don't... don't think that you'll want to bother with the report anymore."
"Doushite?"
"Well... we... we found a suitable heart for Hanamichi."
"Hontou!" Both Rukawa and Sendoh exclaimed.
"Hm."
"So when'll be the operation?" Sendoh asked.
What's Sendoh doing here? I thought he went home already. Kogure paused for a while before answering, "The day after tomorrow, if that's okay." At that, he cast a glance towards Sendoh and quickly back to Rukawa.
"That'd be great, won't it, Rukawa?" Sendoh beamed as he bounded back to Hanamichi's side. "Then Hana-kun would be better and wake up, and both of you will be together again, ne? That'd be so great, Hana-kun would be so happy... I can't wait to see his smiling face."
Rukawa just held on to Hanamichi's hand and closed his eyes as he let the news sink in. Soon... we'll be together again, Hana... isn't it great? I can't wait... Thank you, Kami-sama, thank you very much!
A/N: So how's is it guys? I'm not killing off Rukawa and everyone's happy! Isn't that great? I know, I know, the plot's kinda moving quite slow but I'm like this... bear with me... heehee... so Review please!
