Author: Simply Kim
Title: Little Akira... The Tokyo Terrorist!
Genre/ratings: (Shounen-ai /Yaoi) (Humour / (a bit of) Angst)
Length: 3/5
Disclaimers: The series I'm referring to obviously do not belong to me, only this story does.
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Part 3: When the Walls Come Tumbling Down
* * * * * * * *
"Come on, Akira... please..."
"No."
"Please, just a little?"
No answer except for a sticking out of a rebellious tongue.
Rukawa sighed and leaned tiredly on the back of his chair. This is not working out as well as I hoped it should be... He thought dejectedly. I always thought that taking care of kids don't usually drain a person out... obviously, I was wrong. He gazed thoughtfully at the scowling features of a chibified Sendoh Akira. VERY wrong indeed... Sighing for the umpteenth time, he straightened up and held up another forkful of vegetables before the boy's face. "Akira... listen to me..."
It must have been the desperation in Rukawa's voice that compelled Sendoh to stare at him, strangely, in full attention. "What?" He snarled, obviously crossed.
There's no other way... Rukawa thought determinedly. If I get him to eat anything other than potato chips, then the money I would soon spend would definitely be worth it...
"I'll have a deal with you." He said in a surprisingly clear voice. "If you eat everything on your plate during mealtimes, I'll buy you the red scooter you've been eyeing for a while now..."
The declaration made the boy's eyes widen that they resembled porcelain saucers. "Honto?" Came the amazed response.
There was satisfaction in Rukawa's eyes as he gazed at the child trying to struggle to come up with his decision. He knew it was a big deal to Sendoh, since the kid seemed to like the contraption (judging from the way his eyes danced when he saw the shiny metallic finish of the miniature scooter in one of the popular stores in the mall the other day...).
"Yes."
* * *
As predicted, Sendoh wolfed down the whole plate of food with much gusto. His smirk was somewhat excited, and his eyes were glittering with pure bliss.
Rukawa wished he had a camera on hand right then... The kid looked so cute!
With a minute smile, he collected the utensils used and began moving towards the kitchen sink. With a lighthearted sigh, he opened the faucet, his eyes absently watching the flow of tap water that gushed from the metal mouth. He never felt more relieved... and more elated.
The boy would finally be bearable from now on... he had the ultimate bribe!
Finally!
With a low hum, he shook out the excess moisture from the soggy sponge he had just wrung, and began soaping the dinner plates.
Everything was definitely looking up.
* * *
Or maybe he was just being too positive about everything.
Sendoh was still the stubborn little brat he had been before – just a scooter richer.
Rukawa sighed as he shook his head, trying to pull out his patience from his soul, feeling the depletion burn a hole in him. If this continues, he knew he would just die from soul-depletion... or maybe not, he was sure no one ever died from that... he wasn't sure it existed in the first place.
His eyes followed the ecstatic figure of the eight-year-old boy showing off the scooter to everyone in the playground. He's almost never home and Rukawa was constantly worrying his head when the boy hasn't shown up on his doorstep in time for seven o'clock dinner. Because of that, he spanked his bottom without much force, and Sendoh, soon after seemed to be going out of his way just to irritate him all the more.
He tried everything short of threatening in order for the boy to be more considerate. He was losing sleep, intent on keeping a watchful eye just in case Sendoh would slip out again in the middle of the night. He was losing track of his homework, always handing out delayed papers, and he was seriously lacking nutrition because his allowance was vastly diminished from the petty expenses following the purchase of the red scooter last week.
He had collapsed again in the courts yesterday, and Maki and Fujima... and practically everyone else in the team reprimanded him, making him sit out the next game against Kainandai University.
His only consolation was seeing the saru Kiyota raising hell when he was matched up with Sakuragi instead.
He smiled in mirth. That sure was funny. He conceded, eyes never leaving the playing bundle of energy. Sendoh would make fun of him in court if he were playing... His eyes dulled, an overwhelming sense of loss reflected in them. I look like someone dumped by a girl. He thought, as he felt the curious gaze of almost every passer-by. But he didn't care. I can pine all I want – no one's gonna stop me... and I won't let anyone stop me...
THWACK!
He landed with a dull thud on the hard concrete ground of the public park, swirly-eyed with a painful-looking mark on his pale forehead.
"Ite..." He moaned helplessly, too shocked and tired to get up immediately.
"Oh! I'm sorry oniisan! Are you alright?" Came the panicked cry of a young boy. "Ayeka! He's hurt! I told you not to pass the ball too high!"
"Gomen nasai! I didn't mean to... oi, oniisan, are you alright?" A young girl sobbed, shaking him as hard as she could. "I didn't mean to hit you! Honest!"
"Oi! Kitsune! What the hell are you lying down for? It's too early to count stars! The sun hasn't set yet!"
Rukawa groaned as the distinct voice of Sakuragi Hanamichi penetrated his senses, painfully increasing the pace of the throbbing in his head. "Do'ahou... stop... yelling..." He retorted without heat. "My head... Ite... Why does this always... happen to me... of all... people...?"
A pair of strong arms hauled him to a sitting position, calloused fingers threading through his hair and pressing once in awhile, searching for bumps or cuts from the impact of his fall.
"Mister, is he alright?" Asked the girl almost falteringly, obviously afraid. Rukawa wanted to laugh. If only Sendoh would be just as caring as she was, then he could probably die then and there with much happiness. But he knew it wasn't happening anytime soon... and probably never will be happening at all.
"Ah, he's fine ojo-chan." Sakuragi assured with relief creeping in his tone. "He's just knocked out for a bit. He'll be better after a helping of ice cream!"
Rukawa opened his eyes and focused on the redheaded idiot smiling reassuringly at the girl continuing to sob in apology. Her eyes were swimming with tears as she looked up at him. "Oniisan... gomen ne... I was..."
Wincing slightly, He extended a hand and laid it gently on her head, ruffling her already dishevelled chocolate hair. "I'm fine... like this idiot said, nothing a dose of ice cream can't fix."
Her face brightened then, eyes twinkling with relief as she was joined by, obviously, her older brother. The boy was carrying three ice cream cones, offering one to his sister, one to Sakuragi, and one... to him.
Frankly, Rukawa was taken aback at the boy's actions. How come this boy, practically a stranger can give him a treat to make him feel better, and Sendoh, in his younger form couldn't? Smiling softly, he accepted the offered sweet and took a huge bite to show his appreciation.
The boy grinned happily, nudging his sister as she licked hers with much gusto. Sheepishly, she bowed low, apologising again before both of them waved goodbye. He could see their mother opening her arms to them in the distance. And as they flew into the waiting effeminate arms, Rukawa wondered if Sendoh would do the same if he opened his arms to him...
"Kaede, you're thinking about Sendoh again."
Rukawa blinked almost stupidly, realising that Sakuragi was still lounging near him, watching the play of emotions of his face. He rubbed his aching forehead. "Y-yeah..." He murmured, giving the fast melting treat in his hands a lick. "I guess..."
"You don't have to guess... you ARE thinking about him. I can see it plainly on your face." Sakuragi sat down next to him, wolfing down his own ice cream. "You miss him, don't you?"
He was impressed by the perception of his best friend. It was no surprise to him that he was the first person to figure him out back in their high school days. He turned to him, taking a bite of the chocolate treat, before giving his reply.
"Yeah... I was thinking about him."
"Was?"
"Is." Rukawa amended with a forlorn sigh. Sullenly, he looked away, staring back at the young Sendoh Akira who hadn't given him even a small glance... even when he was knocked down by a speeding rubber ball. It made his heart ache that the boy clearly didn't care much about him, but he knew he had to bear with it until he was back to normal again. Maybe then he would care...
Or not.
"The brat's really the polar opposite of Hentai Smiley huh?" Sakuragi mused, shaking his head as Sendoh picked on a braided girl sitting peacefully on the playground swing. "Unbelievable, really. If I hadn't seen that guy terrorising everyone else, I wouldn't have believed what the old man or the Grinch said about him being a fucking headache and all..."
Rukawa had to smile. Sakuragi was too creative with his nicknames. They match the person's personality so much that it was a kind of scary... he had once entertained the thought that he was empathic, but, after the lack of empathy regarding his official break-up with that annoying Gori-imouto, he proved he wasn't.
The guy sucked at those things.
"You like him, don't you? I mean, the older one, the older Smiley."
Rukawa turned to him almost immediately. "EH?" He intoned in surprise. What brought that on?
"I..." He did not know what to say. "I... I..."
Unexpectedly, the redhead smiled at him, as reassuring as the smile that he had given to the young girl just a while ago... and maybe more. It was comforting, and almost warm as a soothing arm was draped easily on his shoulders. It was the closest to a hug Sakuragi could give, knowing that he was not such a showy person. He couldn't help but lean lightly, thankful for the given support, as he finished the last of the ice cream cone.
"You cannot ever hide from me, Rukawa Kaede." Sakuragi admonished, knocking on his head a couple of times with his free hand, earning him a playful wallop on the back of his head from Rukawa. "Ite..."
"You started it..." He defended himself with a wry smile. "And... I have nothing to hide from you, you know..."
Sakuragi smirked, shaking his head, clearly not believing his best friend's defence. "Aa... right..."
The sun was slowly setting and the sky was painted a breathtaking shade of orange. He didn't want to go home yet, but he knew if he had to catch up to his studies, he had better do it. Sighing, he stood up and dusted the seat of his jeans. He offered a hand to Sakuragi out of habit, warranting a chuckle from the redhead who easily evaded his hand and got up by himself.
"You sure are a weird chap." He said, imitating Rukawa's dusting a while ago. "You offer what you have without any regard to how it would affect you."
"I don't understand..." Rukawa started, but Sakuragi silenced him with a raised hand.
"Like what you did just now." He explained, tucking both hands in the pockets of his baggy shorts. "You offered a hand to a person much able than you are. I mean, you're ready to fall off from exhaustion, and then you got knocked off by a ball thrown by a young girl for heaven's sake, and seemingly in need of proper nutrition... still you extended a helping hand."
Sakuragi gave him a warm grin. "You're really one of a kind Rukawa Kaede... after all, you're my best friend, so you're the best right?" He laughed as Rukawa tried to land a punch on the side of his head for being the egoist again. "Seriously, you are one of a kind... in a good way. When everything works out fine, and you fix your problem with the older version of that impudent brat," He pointed at the bullying child with much distaste. "I just know you'll be the happiest person alive."
Warmed by the kind words, Rukawa smiled, and for once, it reached his azure eyes. "Thank you... Hanamichi... When that happens, you'll be the first to know."
Sakuragi's expression became comical. "BWAHAHAHAHAHA! Of course Kitsune! I should know first! I'm the bestest best friend you have! I'm the TENSAI!"
Rukawa grinned wryly. Some things just never change...
* * *
It took a lot of coaxing on Rukawa's part to entice the young boy to go home with him. And, foolishly, another promise was made. He told the boy that if he returned home before dinner, he would give him a box of the treat he loved so much.
POCKY.
Seriously, he shouldn't have offered that to him. His pocket money was seriously depleted, and his monthly pittance would be given to him three weeks from that day. He did not know how he would be able to feed two mouths and buy such stupid kiddie snacks everyday...
He did not want to borrow from anyone. It was his problem; he should deal with it alone... He did not want to disturb other people's lives just because he couldn't run his own efficiently.
Why did this have to happen to him of all people?
Why him?
Why not the old woman living across his home? The one with the annoying shaggy mutt?
He slumped tiredly on his swivel chair, trying to decipher the equations staring back at him from the Economics books on his study table. Honestly, nowadays, he wasn't acting like a future Economist. He couldn't even use his resources efficiently. Maybe... after he actually majored from his course, he would be better at it – If he ever major at all. At the rate he was going, he would finish his pre-requisites the day he turned thirty.
He knew he couldn't afford to sleep, besides, it was only eight in the evening, but...
His brain was not functioning so well... he was so tired...
And soon, he fell asleep, the fountain pen in he held in his hand dropping on the pale coloured carpet, soiling it with black ink... his weary head dropping down on his open books...
A suffering expression on his face.
* * *
Sendoh was about to sneak out of the house when a sudden noise in Rukawa's bedroom alerted him. It sounded as if something fell from a great height, and a sudden panic overtook him. He did not know why he was feeling that way... he wasn't supposed to care for the idiot who took him in. After all, all he wanted were the freebies the guy seemed to like giving him. It cost him only a few undesirable actions, and then Walla! He had a treat in hand!
After a few moments of internal debate, the unknown feeling he had won out and he slipped quietly into the brightly lit room, wincing as the scribbled walls of pale blue greeted his sight. He shouldn't be surprised; after all, he was the one who had drawn those entire things on the walls with a permanent marker. Slowly, his gaze travelled to the study table beside an opened window. The translucent curtains billowed softly, making the sleeping figure seem unearthly. A sudden pang in his heart surprised him. What's happening to me? He thought, trying to clear his head. Something in him was trying to come out... as if there was another person inside him... But he knew the notion was just plain insane. His feet moved in their own volition, crossing the carpeted floors and stopping just beside his sleeping host.
There was a sense of wonder in him as he gazed at the youthful features and something in him reacted, reaching out was his hand... reaching out and gently touching the tired brows. An apology rose from his lips, but, at the last moment, he shook himself of the almost drugged sensation he was enveloped in. He did not utter the words, and instead, he frowned. What is happening to me? He asked himself for the second time. I don't care about this guy! He's nothing to me! I don't even know why I'm with him and not with my family! He snatched away his hand and quickly turned, running away from the slumbering figure as fast as his feet could carry him... back to the extra room near the kitchen...
His plan to get out forgotten.
* * *
"SENSEI! WAIT!"
Rukawa was breathing hard as he tried to catch up with his Economics professor. He was very thankful that the elder man turned and waited for him near the back entrance of the university.
His professor eyed him with distaste. "Rukawa-san." He admonished. "You've been absent from my class this morning, and now I see you running around and hollering after me like an uncivilised individual. Your grades have been slipping. Would you please tell me what in heaven's name you're up to?"
Rukawa hung his head in apology. "I'm sorry Yasuba-sensei... I'm having umm... problems, and I forgot to set the alarm clock this morning so I woke up late and... I..."
Yasuba-sensei raised a silencing hand. "Stop. I don't need your excuses. You were supposed to hand me your research paper this morning. Where is it?"
"Uh... that was what I was going to talk to you about, sensei... you see..." Rukawa started, wringing his hands in complete nervousness. "I... could I possibly ask for another deadline? I mean... I..."
His professor's eyes widened in disbelief. "ANOTHER deadline?" He grated out incredulously. "I moved your deadline TWICE already, and now you're asking for ANOTHER one?"
"Y-Yes... I..."
"No."
Rukawa wanted to cry. "Sensei, please... please.... I need that for additional credit..." He pleaded, trying to get his professor to agree, but seeing the angry features of glaring up at him with much fervour, his heart immediately sank.
"Rukawa-san, maybe you should reconsider taking this course. Economics needs a lot of work before anything could be done, and if you insist on having no time for your studies and asking for too many deadlines, then you're not fit to be taking it up... you're not fit to be in this university either. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go home. I have lots of work to do."
"Sensei... I..."
Rukawa wanted to protest, wanted to throw a tantrum until Professor Yasuba agreed to his proposal, but it wasn't happening. He couldn't do anything but stare at the elder man's back and try not to break down in front of the whole student body congregated around him, feeling sorry for him... and he knew, were gossiping about him.
With agonising slowness, he trudged away, his feet taking him by habit to his hiding place – his college building's rooftop.
As soon as his feet touched the concrete floor, the desperate tears he had been holding fell in huge torrents. He trudged away from the door, towards the railing, collapsing against the strong iron bars a couple of metres tall, feeling the strong gusts of wind that froze his cheeks. His lifeless eyes stared at the light blue horizon, the view seemingly a mockery of what he felt inside... or rather, what he did not feel inside.
He was hollow, he was empty... he was no one... he was nothing.
I am no one...
A sob escaped his constricted throat.
I am nothing.
He wanted to die... he couldn't take it anymore... Why him of all people? Why him?
I am nothing.
He lay down on his side, curling into a ball, waiting for nothing, caring for nothing... just lying down...
Broken.
I am nothing...
* * *
Sendoh felt a slight twinge inside him, but he wasn't sure why he felt it. He only did when something was wrong... but he couldn't figure out what.
Shrugging, he continued to play, looking for other boys to show off his riding prowess on his scooter.
It was probably nothing.
* * *
"Hanagata, have you seen the kitsune?" Sakuragi asked the senior member of the team after taking a long swig from his water bottle. "I didn't see him in Art class. It was his favourite subject and he had never missed a single meeting... until now, that is."
Hanagata frowned, his heart stumbling a beat. Something's wrong... He thought, wiping his brow with one of his unused towels. "I haven't seen him either..." The beat of his heart accelerated. Something's definitely wrong... He quickly turned to the other members of the team. "Did any of you see Rukawa-kun today?" he called out.
Twelve people shook their heads... and then one nodded as an afterthought.
Misuzawa Ichiro.
"Ichiro-kun?" Sakuragi asked eagerly, trying hard not to panic. "Where did you see him?"
"At the back entrance of the university. He had a run-in with his professor I think, and he was let down pretty bad if his defeated expression was any indication..." Ichiro started. "And then he went away to the direction of the Business and Economics building..."
Exchanging a knowing look, the two titans of the basketball team deliberately left practice and went out to look for Rukawa, followed closely by Fujima who was also worrying about the younger boy.
Kae-chan, don't do anything stupid. Hanagata thought as he ran full speed, dodging students on his way. Don't you dare do something stupid!
* * *
TBC
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A/N: Would you believe I updated?! Gyehehehe... I'll finish this fic, don't worry too much! ^___^ I hope you'll continue to support this fic! Reviews everyone! ^___^