Note: This chapter will explain about Sakuragi and Rukawa and it'll also describe about why Rukawa is so happy. But note that this story is NON-YAOI!!

Chapter 4:

Before the start of the IH tournaments, Sakuragi and Rukawa finally realized childish fights and grudges were just getting in the way of the team, and resolved to not be best friends, but just be friends.

"Well, not actually friends, but at least they didn't insult or kick each now." Mitsui thought as he watched the two of them.

The other reasons for this sudden change was that Sakuragi had saw Rukawa's personal life.

Rukawa is an orphan, just like him, and he has no family except for some uncles and aunts. Sakuragi had seen this at the student profiles in the principal's office (The reason he got in was because he was got in a big fight).

Sakuragi had seen how much Rukawa was like him, and actually felt some pity for him.

Finally, after the Kainan match, Sakuragi had approached him, and called a truce. Rukawa had looked at him questioningly, but accepted.

For the next few days, they got along okay, and during scrimmages they actually passed to each other and talk in a friendly manner.

Eventually, Sakuragi noticed that Rukawa had pretty much no friends, and that he had his only company with the Shohoku basketball team.

Again, Sakuragi felt a wave of pity for Rukawa, and finally he tried to ask Rukawa if he wanted to go to the arcade, or go eat at Danny's.

Surprisingly, Rukawa said yes and they spent happy times together, with the Sakuragi Army. After practice, the six teens went to the arcade and played until six, when they ate as Danny's.

Rukawa had gradually, over the days, opened up, and he seemed much more carefree with having some friends.

Miyagi looked over at the two, Rukawa and Sakuragi. He knew their sudden friendship would help Shohoku very much, and he was glad that they had put their differences aside and become friends.

Apparently, Rukawa was laughing at something Sakuragi had said, and Miyagi could tell Rukawa was content and satisfied, with friends to help and support him. He trusted them.

Rukawa, with newfound friendship and happiness, had also improved his game much better by trusting his teammates, and constantly acting as an assist man, averaging 9 assist in the Inter-High tournaments.

In the IH tournaments, the first two rounds were uneventful, with Shohoku pulling out easy wins, but at the third round they met Toyotama.

With only the 183 cm third year point guard as a scorer, Shohoku beat them, but not as badly as the first and second rounds.

Rukawa and Sakuragi each improved a lot during the IH tournament games. Anzai-Sensei liked what he saw in them. Sakuragi had matured a lot, and now was pounding Anzai-Sensei's belly and slapping his double chin less and less now. (Huge relief in Anzai-Sensei's part)

Both player's passing ability improved dramatically, and now, Sakuragi, who before was a two-dimensional player, was now a three-dimensional one. Rukawa had trained as hard as he could, and now he was the complete player.

Ryonan, surprisingly, were in their division's finals, facing...Sawakita Eiji and Sannoh. Rukawa himself went over the court to see his two best rivals battle it out.

The match was close, but eventually, Sannoh won, 65:62. Rukawa was sure if Ryonan had faced the Sannoh team Shohoku beat last year, they would've lost for sure.

Sendoh and Sawakita Eiji had gone head to head, but like Rukawa last year, Sawakita was out playing Sendoh.

Sendoh was trying his hardest, Rukawa could tell, but he was still losing. Rukawa from the stands looked on and smirked at Sendoh's frustrated face.

When the game ended, the Japan's Inter-High tournament finals were decided, and it was Sannoh high against Shohoku high.

End Chapter 4.

demi: Now you know why Rukawa's happy instead of being cold. Review please.

Note: My account has been locked for a week, so I'll update around Sept.7. Sorry for the late update!!