Disclaimer: I do not own Slam Dunk, the plots, characters etc. etc. all I own is this plot that is playing in my numb mind.

Author's note: Gomen! Does anybody miss me? (silence) Maybe not. All RuHana fans out there, please content yourselves to my new fic. The definition of geodes and the new Barbie movie (aka, 'The Princess and the Pauper) inspired me to write this one-shot. Hope u like it, considering that I hadn't been writing for such a long time except giving reviews every now and then. U know the usual warnings (some sap, DEFINITELY PRE-SLASH and OOC as such) Enjoy...

Summary: "Unassuming on the outside...but a treasure within...that is what I see in you."

Updated Author's note (27/11/2013): Just re-edited some bits here and there to make this story more readable :) Please enjoy!

A Treasure Within

Rukawa Kaede was having a pleasant dream until he felt the bed's firm mattress's springs squeak, comforter and sheets rustling with movement and the warm body next to him shifting away. He frowned in his sleep for he was feeling a bit chilly. He sleepily reached a lazy arm out only to find his hand grasping the crumpled cotton sheets and a portion of the soft comforter. Sighing with slight frustration, he cracked a heavy eye open to find an empty space where his redheaded boyfriend should be resting. His frown became wrought with concern.

'It happened again...this can't go on...'

Rukawa shook his head but managed to sit up and stretch momentarily before swinging his legs to the edge of the bed.

"Hana?" the normally silent man called out softly before standing to retrieve a night robe to cover himself up.

He looked around the bedroom to find the door slightly ajar. He journeyed outside to find soft glow lit up downstairs. He stealthily strolled down the stairs, avoiding the creaky spots. There in the living room, he found Sakuragi, the redheaded man of his love and affections, sitting on one of the couches near the television. What made the blue-eyed man's heart ache was the sad melancholy look gracing the rugged handsome face. Rukawa often found him in this position. In actual fact...the whole scenario was similar to yesterday...the day before...and every day for the past three weeks.

It greatly worried Rukawa...Sakuragi's strange brooding didn't settle well with him...

Sakuragi had always been a boisterous and cheerful young man. But the most amazing part of his transformation was he had matured since his days in Shohoku High although he still retained his loud sense of humour.

However, from the first day it happened, the redhead had suddenly fallen silent and forlorn, which was greatly out of character. The redhead started to slip out of bed in the wee hours of morning and his trademark smiles were replaced by sad frowns. Although they had their usual personal basketball one on ones after their separate schedules in university, the redhead seemed to lose the cheerful spirit that always attributed to his brash but sociable attitude that always fascinated the raven haired man.

Rukawa badly wanted to help his boyfriend but he found that he couldn't read emotions as well as Sakuragi could. It didn't help that the redhead would dismiss and avoid his questions, reassuring him he was fine when he clearly wasn't. So Rukawa gave Sakuragi some space, feeling certain that his boyfriend would sure to confide in him if he really needed help.

But the worries intensified when Sakuragi began ate less than usual and whenever their making out sessions were on the verge of turning passionate, the redhead would push him away slowly and ask Rukawa to stop, not wanting to go any further...he even refused to let him touch his body...this wasn't right...Sakuragi was a sponge for his affections...was his beloved hurt in any way?

Why was Sakuragi pushing him away?

What happened to the fiery redhead he used to know?

When did he suddenly become a vulnerable being, ruled by fear and sadness?

It was on this night that Rukawa realised that enough was enough. He would get down to the source of his boyfriend's problems and perhaps convince him to TRY and get a full night's sleep...himself included.

Without a second thought, Rukawa slowly closed the distance by walking out of the shadows and sat next to Sakuragi. As the sofa dipped further with both men's weight, Sakuragi sighed, his way of acknowledging the other's presence.

"Kaede, I told you before. I'm fine...I'm just thinking," the redhead's voice was strained and Rukawa didn't like it, "Go back to bed, I'll catch up with you."

But the silent man didn't leave. Instead he cupped his koibito's chin with a firm hand and turned to face him.

"Not this time, do'aho," Rukawa said, shaking his head, "You've told me this excuse countless times and you're not getting any better. I think this has gone too far. Why won't you tell me anything?"

"It doesn't concern you. Just because..." Sakuragi trailed off, turning his head away.

Rukawa was not going to let Sakuragi turn away again. He knelt in front of his boyfriend, his blue eyes turning stony and cold with determination.

"Hana, look at me," Rukawa gently commanded as he took one of his hands. Sakuragi faced him, "I'm here to listen even though I don't speak much as you do. I can't help you unless you tell me what is wrong. I can't read you like you can do to me. You don't have to be afraid of me. It breaks my heart that I can do nothing to help ease your worries and fears."

He heard Sakuragi release a shaky breath. Rukawa observed him closely and carefully with a slight regret. Sakuragi noticeably looked thinner even though his body retained their muscles, making him look more vulnerable. In addition, the redheaded man looked really tired due to lack of sleep: the dark rings under his brown eyes were evidence of that problem. Fear, sorrow and love were evident in the coffee brown irises. The redhead's adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed thickly, as if struggling not to cry.

"Please?" Rukawa softly pleaded, gripping the other hand tighter.

After a moment of silence between both men, Sakuragi finally spoke, "You remember I told you I had an ex-boyfriend, right?"

Rukawa nodded slowly for him to continue.

"I...I happened to meet him again on that day..."

"What? When?"

"Just before I was going to meet up with you to go home...those three weeks ago..."

Rukawa thought back to that day...the day it all started when they were going to have their usual dinner out before heading home. Sakuragi seemed listless that day.

"He had another man with him...the sight of seeing them both together...it brought back memories I wished I never had. That other man...the one who was more handsome and smarter than I am...he was the reason our relationship didn't work out. He said some things to me and...the pain came back and I don't mean like an ankle sprain or cuts..."

Sakuragi looked distant as he was lost in his own thoughts. Rukawa squeezed his hand comfortingly, letting his redhead that he was still here listening to him. As if on cue, Sakuragi continued...

"You knew him, Kaede, in the final year of high school...all those promises...the outings...all the...things he said about how he would make me feel like I'm the centre of the universe...of his world...I thought I found it...what I was looking for...I thought I was loved..." Sakuragi paused, his brown eyes intensified with a faraway painful look and voice thickened with self-loathing and sadness. He sniffled with a shuddering sigh and continued, "It was all lies...and I believed him. When we met up in the park for our date...he broke it off with me. He said that he needed someone with intellect...someone...he can take seriously with, not just for fun and games. 'You were too brash and rough'...'You're not smart enough'...'You were too much to handle'...I couldn't get those words out of my head...even worse...he even said that I don't match up to his level in basketball. He was making fun of me, Kaede! I gave him my heart and he broke it..."

"Hana..."

Rukawa was fuming silently, he did remember the traitorous bastard, all right...waltzing in like nobody's business and serenading the redhead he had come to care for. At that time, Rukawa had realized that he loved Sakuragi...but he decided to step down and be supportive of his relationship...what mattered to him was the redhead's happiness.

Then on that day when Sakuragi was on a date with the bastard, Rukawa felt something was off...and he received his answer when a worried Youhei approached him and asked whether he had seen his best friend who hadn't returned since his date. That set off alarm bells in the Shohoku ace's head and after a quick promise to the other man, he rushed off to the park where the redhead said he was going. It began to rain when he finally arrived at the park...and found Sakuragi standing alone in the middle of the field with the most pained expression on his face. When the redhead broke down in his arms, Rukawa had been there to tell him everything was okay...

"Why didn't you tell me about that meeting three weeks ago, Hana? All the things that son of a bitch said to you," Rukawa said as he sat next to his boyfriend to cup his cheek, "I could've helped you overcome the pain."

Sakuragi huffed bitterly and said softly, "This is something I should be able to handle on my own...my past...I'm so weak that I feel so ashamed...Please, Kaede, I'm not doubting you-"

"I know you don't, Hana," Rukawa interrupted gently.

"But..." his brown eyes were starting to form a fine sheen of tears, "People think I'm just a pebble on the roadside, waiting to get into a shoe, irritate the wearer until I get tossed out like garbage, or I'm just some...something insignificant. They don't look it but I KNOW it..."

Sakuragi's eyes softened when he faced Rukawa.

"And then you came to me...and healed me. You told me how much you loved and cared for me even though we really hated each other back in high school," the haunting sadness returned into his dark eyes, "You've been so good to me during these two years together, Kaede. But I sometimes can't understand why would someone like you want me? There's got to someone who's more better looking than me? Stronger? Cleverer? The list goes on...I've accepted that I'm just a pawn in the game of love. To be manipulated and thrown away for a new round...I even fear that...one day I wake up...and be alone again...just like on that day..."

'On that day?'

The redheaded man seemed to read his mind, "The day he left me."

Rukawa fell silent once again. Wordlessly, he embraced the other man, pulling him slowly until he was nestled against his broad chest within the cocoon of his arms. Sakuragi sagged against him with an iron grip, releasing a small sound that could be deciphered as a sob. The fox-eyed man kissed the top of Sakuragi's head.

"Do'aho," Rukawa murmured softly while shaking his head, "Don't you know how important you are to me?"

Sakuragi lifted his head from his boyfriend's chest, some sadness lifted and a hint of curiosity sinking in, "How? Tell me."

Rukawa gazed down upon the man he had grown to love with all his heart and soul. His brown eyes were full of pleading and they were sparkling with unshed tears, making him beautiful yet fragile at the same time. He had so much to tell him...this man who radiated sunshine...the reason why he smiled, show emotion and be more vocally expressed. He wanted his words to be true...so true and so unforgettable that they would always put his koibito's heart at peace. His cobalt coloured eyes trailed over to a cabinet where their precious trinkets was stored. An idea struck in his head.

"Where are you going?" Sakuragi asked when his boyfriend went to the cabinet.

"To get something that will help me prove what you are to me."

Sakuragi watched closely as Rukawa took something from one of the shelves before returning to his side. The dark haired man was holding a spherical rock that had been split in half and there was a hint of sparkles inside. Sakuragi's sadness was replaced with indignance combined with curiosity.

"What is this?"

"Kogure-sempai gave it to me as a birthday present when we were still in Shohoku High. Anyway...this is you."

"I'm a broken rock? Kitsune, I'm not in a humorous mood."

"I mean this rock represents YOU, do'aho. This is a geode."

"How can it called be a geode? It looks plain."

"That's where you're wrong. Not when it has this..."

Rukawa took one half of the rock and slid it apart. He smiled at the awed expression on the redhead's face. The cavities of both halves were lined with beautiful crystals. They were shaped almost like diamonds and were sparkling brilliantly in all shades of purple and violet under the soft lights of the living room.

"Do you see how perfectly formed the quartz crystals are, Hana? Do you see how the amethyst colour brings out its beauty? Do you see what I mean?"

Sakuragi's look softened and he shook his head, silently imploring his kitsune koibito to further explain. Rukawa was more than happy to oblige. Spending time with his redhead brought an unexplainable force to give him the courage to speak what was in his heart and mind.

"The silica that is lining inside and precipitation of water entering the shell make the crystals form and with its outer shell protecting the interior, many of these crystals are formed perfectly," Rukawa explained before continuing, "Hana, you are like a pillar in the foundation of our basketball team back in high school. But sometimes people take you for granted just because you appear to have nothing spectacular to achieve. Or that perhaps you are not perfect and unassuming in their eyes. However, these people fail to see the REAL qualities and assets inside you."

To emphasize his point, Rukawa placed a hand above the left side of his boyfriend's chest where he could feel his heart beating strongly. Sakuragi's question came out as a whisper, "What do you see in me? What is it that made you...love me?"

"I admire your determination and your perseverance. It makes me wonder so much how you really wanted to improve so much to become a great basketball player as well as being a loyal friend and a wonderful boyfriend. You take things in your stride with pride. You never hesitate to help others, especially Anzai-sensei. You are always ready to give support to others in need of it. You give your hardest to meet expectations, although to their minds, they are unsatisfactory. You are not afraid to give because you have a big heart. You think and care a lot for others. You are a sensitive and emotional person and that's a human quality. You are quick to perceive people's emotions like you do to me, you have strong intuition and you ARE intelligent in your own way even if they and you don't really know it. It is because of you that I am not lonely anymore."

Rukawa placed the rock halves on the table nearby. Then he cupped Sakuragi's cheek softly, his thumb pad softly stroking his skin.

"Yet you left little time for yourself. You didn't want to show your vulnerability, thinking that you are weak in people's eyes if you displayed it, but it is that vulnerability that drew me to you."

"But..."

"Hush, let me gather my words. Your vulnerability allowed me to study you from the inside. You opened up to me and I can see those wonderful qualities clearly. Everything about you fascinates me and I can keep on seeing how similar we are despite obvious differences and being rivals back in high school. Because to me...in my eyes...in my heart, you are perfect."

Sakuragi shook his head and said softly...almost shyly, "Not as perfect as you."

Rukawa smiled tenderly. His thumb traced from his cheek to his lips, where he softly traced the luscious skin and shape.

"But now, this time, will you let me in...for real, this time?" Rukawa asked, staring deeply into his beloved's eyes, "This time, I want to help you...like you did for me. Don't push me away."

Sakuragi stared at him for a long moment. His kitsune was becoming more and more vocal and here he was, wanting permission to help eradicate his pain and his personal demons. He didn't realize he was crying until Rukawa's thumb softly brushed against his cheeks repeatedly, finding tears reflecting on the fingertip.

"Hush now, Hana...everything will be all right..."

"You're breaking me here, Kaede..." Sakuragi couldn't help but give a watery smile.

"Hana...I don't want you to think lowly of yourself because of what that bastard said, ok? The past is the past. Right now, we have each other and I am here by your side," Rukawa said as he pulled the other close for an embrace.

Sakuragi nuzzled against the strong neck, "I know that now."

Both men fell in a heavy and comfortable silence. The dark haired man had a free hand gently combing through the fiery mane of his lover while the other was laid on one of Sakuragi's arms that were draped around his waist. Both pairs of legs intertwined together, allowing them to remain in a comfortable position. Rukawa was pleasantly surprised when his lover initiated a soft and gentle kiss. The ex-Shohoku Ace was the seme of the relationship and usually was the one initiating those kisses. It was full of love and gratitude, a beautiful combination that made his heart dance with joy. His lips tasted sweeter than ever and the touch sent warmth bubbling in his stomach that made him feel like he was on cloud nine. Rukawa was slightly disappointed when Sakuragi drew back just when the blue eyed man was starting to get into it.

"There was a reason I didn't want you to touch me, Kaede..." Sakuragi looked away in shame.

"Hana..."

"I keep on seeing him touching me...he...he was my first..." Sakuragi's face burned and his eyes looked pained. He flinched as if preparing for the worst to come, "I'm sorry, Kaede...I betrayed you..."

"Hana..." Rukawa's heart ached upon that revelation...that he wouldn't be the first to show him the pleasures of the body...but...he would change all that. He would give his koibito all the support and time he needs to overcome this hurdle, "Hana, you didn't betray me...I can wait as long as you need me to..."

Sakuragi looked back up in surprise at his kitsune's reply.

"But will you still let me kiss you and touch you where you feel comfortable? That way...your heart and body will come to see that it is me making you feel this way..."

The redhead felt his breath catch at the consideration and caring lacing the deep voice of his koibito. Sakuragi nodded back softly and he smiled upon seeing the grateful look on the other man's face.

Rukawa observed his redheaded koibito. He no longer looked sad or fearful. Although there was the same hesitance in his dark brown eyes, the raven haired man could see some regret in them too. Understanding glazed in his own sapphire eyes as he kissed Sakuragi's forehead soothingly.

"I will tell you when I am ready...for you to take me," Sakuragi promised, "When the right time comes."

Rukawa smiled and nodded, "And it'll be worth it, Hana. I promise."

Just then, Sakuragi leaned against Rukawa's shoulder, his exhaustion finally catching up to him.

"Kaede..." Sakuragi murmured weakly.

"Shhh...go to sleep, Hana," Rukawa whispered gently, "Let's go out somewhere when we wake up, okay?"

"Hmmm...can we get ramen? It's been ages since we ate it..."

Rukawa nodded, "Anything you want...now sleep..."

Giving into the temptation of heavy eyelids and soothed by his kitsune's presence, Sakuragi snuggled against his boyfriend's chest and instantly fell asleep. Rukawa noted how peaceful his lover looked now...like a sleeping angel. Not wanting to disturb and deprive the tired redhead of much needed sleep just to journey back to the bedroom upstairs, the pale man simply pulled his beloved closer and kissed his head again, gazing at him with true adoration.

Gazing fondly at his slumbering koibito, Rukawa whispered before he also fell asleep, "Unassuming on the outside...but a treasure within...that is what I see in you, Hana-kun."

As Rukawa closed his eyes, Sakuragi who was nestled in his arms smiled softly in his sleep, murmuring his Kitsune's name.

The crystals within in the rocky cavities that were left on the table continued to sparkle in all their splendor under the lights of the living room.

OWARI!