Disclaimer: Slam Dunk and its characters belong to Inoue Takehiko. The new characters I created in this fic belong to me.

Chalk and Cheese

Chapter Three: Part I: A Friend in Need

"Sakuragi Hanamichi's? That red-headed loudmouth?" the lady at the reception desk growled.

The boy before her nodded with a muffled grunt. Trust that do'aho to give a good impression of himself wherever he goes.

"Oh, you mean the Tensai?" a nurse standing next to the receptionist chuckled. "He was discharged just today."

Discharged? So soon?

Seeing the surprised look on his face, the receptionist said, "That's true, I'm happy to say! "

"Oh c'mon, Sonoko-chan! He wasn't that bad! Actually, I think he is cute!" the nurse protested.

"Oh please!" the former grunted. "I am so relieved that we can live in peace again after getting rid of that horrible creature! His never-ending speeches about him being a blasted genius were driving me crazy!" she barked.

"Oh… you were able to hear him from here?" the nurse blinked in amazement.

"Who wouldn't be able to hear that booming voice and horrible laugh?" she retorted.

The tall boy had already left, having lost interest in the rest of the conversation.

After leaving the hospital, the azure-eyed ace strolled in the streets of Kanagwa, pondering on many things.

He had been very excited when he was selected for the All Japan Youth Team, for it was his first step to becoming the best player in Japan. Of course, he hadn't shown his happiness to anyone. But much to his own surprise, he found himself unable to resist the idea of showing off his uniform to the hot-tempered redhead. He knew he would find him on the beach that day, and so he jogged in front of him on purpose. The latter fumed as Rukawa had expected. When Sakuragi started bragging that Rukawa was selected only because the Tensai was injured, the other boy almost smirked. But being the person he was, he merely grunted to himself and left, leaving behind a certain Tensai cursing and snarling at his retreating figure. He enjoyed provoking Sakuragi, and that idea struck him as odd. He had never shown any interest in anyone before, neither positively nor negatively, yet he did care about the do'aho's reaction when seeing him in that uniform.

He had always been a lonesome, friendless person. Not that he enjoyed being so. Rukawa was the type of who feared getting close to others, afraid of sharing his world with them. He never had the courage to trust or open up to anyone. Thus, he had grown up into an aloof, unapproachable boy. His basketball had been his only close companion, whom he cherished like a living being. He had devoted his time and effort to the sport since he was in junior high school, promising himself that he would become the number one player in the whole of Japan one day. There was no doubt that this loneliness he had always irritated him, since no normal human could savor the bitter taste of being alone. He had always envied his peers for being able to have friends to trust, to rely on, to share joy and pain with, and most of all, to care. Trying hard to concentrate on improving his skills in basketball by spending almost every moment of his free time on this sport was the only way to forget this. Friends would just distract you from your goal, he kept telling himself, as a kind of consolation. Convinced of the thought, he managed to become indifferent towards the whole issue throughout his previous years at school.

But in his first year at high school, things suddenly were going differently.

It all started with that fateful encounter with the redhead on the rooftop. It was a bloody one. It was bad enough that he had to fight a bunch of third year bullies who had disturbed his precious nap, but to top it all off, he was involved in another fight with a wild first year boy. He didn't even know what was it all about. The redhead was just suddenly smoldering with rage, just because Rukawa told that girl to leave him alone. The former gave him a severe head butt that made his head bleed terribly. Rukawa was too surprised to strike back, since no one had ever had the guts to attack him as fearlessly as that, not to mention that it was without a particular reason, too. At first, he had thought of Sakuragi as a troublesome, half-witted boy. He changed his mind as soon as he witnessed the one-on-one game between the basketball team captain and the do'aho. It was obvious that the younger boy was totally ignorant when it came to the game. Nevertheless, he won the challenge beautifully, and every single soul in the gym, including Rukawa, forgot to breathe upon seeing his splendid slam dunk.

He could never imagine that he would actually be interested in someone, but Sakuragi was a first that could be hardly ignored. What really impressed him about the redhead was his enthusiasm for a game he had never even noticed before. The hard work he dedicated himself to in order to develop his skills had gained Rukawa's respect, without any of them realizing that. Deep inside, the cold ace admired his teammate's sincere wish to be a good player. Despite their continuous quarrels that sometimes ended in bloody fights, Rukawa had never looked down on him as an unskilled rookie. As a matter of fact, he somehow considered him his rival. Even so, that didn't stop him from irritating Sakuragi at every single chance he could with his remarks. Sometimes it would be to lift the do'aho's spirit and advise him; other times, it would be to madden him, and no more. For the 'kitsune', it was interesting to watch the easily-provoked boy boil with rage, acting like an angry, wild bull. Somehow, Rukawa enjoyed teasing him. It gave him the feeling of bickering with the brother he never had.

In fact, Rukawa was sometimes jealous of Sakuragi. The reason was that the redhead was everything he wasn't: a happy-go-lucky, loudmouthed, emotional and sensitive person. Although the kitsune couldn't stand the simple-minded, naïve do'aho at first, little by little, he learnt to accept him. He envied him for being able to speak his mind boldly no matter what others might think of him, for his merry personality, his great belief in his potential and his optimism. Moreover, the redhead had many friends who cared about him and stood by him in his hardships, something Rukawa lacked badly. Even their teammates treated Sakuragi as a friend, while they were more formal to the aloof Rukawa, whom they thought of as a cold boy. Rukawa couldn't care less about such things before high school, but now, it was different. All those fans and supporters meant nothing to him, since they were only in awe of the basketball player Rukawa, not Rukawa the basketball player. Sakuragi wasn't the only reason for the slight but remarkable change in Rukawa's personality. Playing with the Shohoku team had its magical touch, too. It taught him the real significance of teamwork. Suddenly, playing basketball was more exciting than ever for the quiet rookie. The desire to bring victory not only for himself but for the whole team brought him a nice feeling he had never known before. He learnt how to share the pleasure of winning with others.

When he started training with the All Japan team, his enthusiasm was suddenly replaced by a feeling previously alien to him: the fear of being alone. He was getting used to the homey atmosphere in Shohoku, where they were all like a big, loving family. Joining the youth team, where all faces were new and unfamiliar made him uncomfortable. He tried to concentrate on the intensive, tough practice that was supposed to satisfy an ambitious player like him, but the feeling of lacking something very important wouldn't let go of him. Funnily enough, he missed the team spirit and the togetherness he liked in the Shohoku team. He missed the redhead do'aho, who was the only person to whom he said more than three words. Even if his relationship with Sakuragi could be described as anything but friendship, Rukawa thought of him as someone who deserved his trust and concern, in one way or another. That memorable moment of cooperation in their match against Sannoh to score the final points still repeated itself in his mind. Together, they had achieved the glory they were seeking. The high-five they made was unspoken evidence of the respect and high regard they had for each other. It proved that the 'kitsune' and the 'do'aho' made a wonderful team and, maybe, good friends.

Friends? Me and the do'aho? The mind boggles.

Not that the idea didn't appeal to him. Rukawa just couldn't imagine the wild boy being friendly to him, since the latter always made sure to announce his extreme dislike towards the kitsune. Imagining that the hostility of Sakuragi's behavior around him would be replaced by something else seemed impossible.

Damn that do'aho. He changed me… he made me feel that I need a friend. He made me feel that I am desperate to have him as a friend. He brought out the best in me somehow… he made me see things I never bothered to pay heed to before. He changed me, yet he is unaware of that. He hates my guts for no reason but his jealousy of my superiority, and that means that he will never think of me as a friend. Not with that bunch of friends around him. Blast him! I wish I'd never known him. Things would be a lot easier then.

Although he was aware of the fact that only a miracle could turn their unwarranted enmity into companionship, he had decided to give it a try. Plucking up his courage, he had decided to visit Sakuragi at the hospital. It was risky, he knew it. The loud boy would start to rant and rave, and then he would rudely kick him out. Nevertheless, he was willing to take the risk. He just wanted to make sure that the do'aho was getting better and that he would return to the team as soon as possible. Whether the do'aho believed it or not, he was to tell him that he sincerely wished him to get better. Much to his surprise, his visit was of no avail, since the do'aho had already left. He was more than amazed to know that Sakuragi had recovered so soon despite his serious injury.

Amazing. That do'aho was strong enough to get over his injury so quickly. It must be his great desire to play basketball again. You are a real bombshell, Sakuragi.

Rukawa stopped dead in his tracks, eyes wide with astonishment. He wasn't the kind of a person that would pay attention to anything going on around him. What he glimpsed was too hard to ignore, however.

Someone was standing on the edge of a railway bridge, looking as if he would jump off it any moment. He was a tall boy with flaming-red hair. He looked like…

"Sakuragi?" he gasped. His voice was audible enough to be heard by the redhead, who turned around and looked at him. Recognizing the interrupter, he growled under his breath and looked away at once in a disgusted manner.

Damn! What brought that blasted kitsune here now? Oh crap!

Rukawa approached the miserable boy, tucking his hands in his pockets in his characteristic nonchalant manner. "What are you doing, do'aho?" he asked coldly in his monotone.

"What do you think I am doing, idiot? Enjoying the sight? I am committing suicide here, you dim-witted kitsune! Now push off and don't distract me!" Sakuragi snapped angrily.

Committing suicide? And I thought he would be celebrating with his friends. Has he lost his mind? Oh, I forgot. He doesn't have one.

"What's the occasion?" he asked sarcastically.

"To put an end to my miserable life!" Sakuragi shouted in a matter-of-factly way. "Now get lost!"

Rukawa rolled his eyes with ridicule. He is in one of those gloomy moods. What on Earth made me wish to have him as a friend?

"What are you still doing here? Don't just stand there like an idiot. Get the hell out of my sight!" the redhead barked.

"Grow up, do'aho," Rukawa replied rather coolly. When will you stop making a fool of yourself? "You are getting nowhere with these antics," he snorted.

"Shut up, kitsune! How dare you call the Tensai's attempt at suicide clowning around!" he snarled. "You are just jealous because you don't have the courage to do the same!"

Rukawa merely shrugged with a 'whatever' expression.

"Ha! Admit it, you chicken!"

"Do'aho."

"Arrgghh! Teme kitsune! You must feel honored to be the last one to see the Tensai before his death, although I never wanted you to be the last face I see before I die!" Sakuragi spluttered indignantly. "I know that you will celebrate my death. You have always wished me dead, haven't you? You were afraid that I would replace you in the team, and now you must be relieved to get rid of me. I can't stand the idea of me giving you this pleasure, but I have no other choice. My life is over! I have nothing to live for. Now you can boast about being the number one player when the Tensai is gone, so congratulations! I am leaving this world with no regrets, except that I feel sorry for the only two people that really care about me in this world. I know they will be sad, but I hope both of them will try to forgive me," Sakuragi said in an emotional way. He was on the edge of wailing like a Shakespearian actor.

Rukawa was hearing this heartrending speech in a daze. Although the wild boy was in a melodramatic mood, the other boy sensed a deep pain in those words. The so-called Tensai sounded extremely hopeless, as if his world has been shattered. Rukawa started to worry about him.

What's wrong with him? Is he really serious about killing himself? I thought that he was just trying to get some attention, as usual.

Folding his arms in front of his chest, Rukawa asked solemnly, "What's this all about, do'aho?"

"That's none of your bloody business!" Sakuragi snapped.

"What happened?" the other boy demanded.

"What do you care, kitsune? Just leave me alone! I want to end this soon, and I am not going to do that when you are looking! Just go away! You can see my obituary in the newspapers tomorrow!"

Suddenly, Sakuragi's face brightened. "Hmm… I wonder what the newspapers will write about me after my death! Every single soul in Kanagawa, no, in the whole of Japan will be shocked, for sure!" he murmured, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. A wide grin was plastered on his face as he imagined the reactions to his death.

Sakuragi's Imagination

Crowds of people in the streets holding newspapers and reading the news in sheer astonishment. Loads of girls were wailing frantically in the background; their tears streaking down their faces like rain. Some of the maniac fans were jumping off the same bridge, squealing that their lives were worthless after the Tensai's death. All the basketball aces were discussing his death miserably; griefwritten on their faces.

Fujima (sniffing uncontrollably): Oh my God! The Tensai is dead? That is a terrible loss!

Sendoh (putting a hand on his forehead while wailing): Nooooo! This can't be true! This must be the end of the world!

Maki (sniveling solemnly): Basketball is worthless if we don't have the chance to defeat a genius like him… but it is impossible now!

Sawakita (pounding his fists on the floor wretchedly): How could he do that? He had a promising future! I was dying to challenge him again and learn some of his awesome skills!

End of Sakuragi's Imagination

Sakuragi was roaring with his characteristic ridiculous laughter, satisfied with the idea that his death would distress everyone and make them believe that their life would be never the same again. Elsewhere, Rukawa was shrugging helplessly with an audible sigh.

Nuts. This guy is nuts. And I thought he might have matured a little.

Shifting back abruptly to his forlorn mood, Sakuragi's shoulders hunched and his face crumpled with misery. "On second thought, maybe no one will be bothered by my death. Perhaps no one really cares about me," he sniffed.

"Cry-baby," Rukawa commented with a grunt.

"Shut up! You are out of my will, kitsune! Oh… I just remembered. I didn't write my will! How could I have forgotten such an important thing?" Sakuragi groaned, slapping his forehead.

Oh brother. This is going to be a looong day. Rukawa shook his head with another grunt.

Deciding that there was no time for writing his will, the wild boy breathed in somberly. He stared at the sight beneath them. Realizing how high the bridge was, he gulped nervously. It was a long way down to the river. There was no doubt that if he jumped, he would drown instantly. Wiping the sweat off his brow, his body started to shudder slightly.

What's the matter? Why am I so scared? There is nothing to be sorry about in this life, yet I am afraid of death? What kind of coward I am? How disgraceful! I won't back down now.

"It's goodbye now," he said gravely to no one particular. Looking at his unwanted companion, he said in a serious tone, "Don't try to stop me. My life is over… I will depart this miserable life right now and that's that."

With that he took another deep breath and looked downwards. "Farewell, mom, Maya-chan, Haruko-chan, Micchy, Ryonchin, Megane-kun, Gori, Anzai sensei…"

There was a moment of awkward silence that blanketed the place.

Silence.

Silence.

And still silence.

"ARRGGHH! Teme kitsune! At least pretend that you are going to stop me!" Sakuragi suddenly howled irately, glaring at the azure-eyed boy.

"You just asked me not to," he retorted with a shrug.

"Oh, I hate you!"

"Do'aho."

Smoldering with resentment, Sakuragi spluttered, "F you… you goddamn heartless kitsune! I wish you'd rot in hell!"

"To hell with you, shit-head!" Rukawa blurted out in a smoldering tone.

Sakuragi was taken aback. He blinked in bemusement several times. "Wow… I didn't know you used bad language, Rukawa!"

The ebony-haired boy merely grimaced. What do you know about me anyway?

"It's funny to hear a sissy guy like you swearing, kitsune!" the redhead sniggered cheekily.

Sissy?! He thinks of me as a sissy guy? Rukawa's face vaulted and he glowered at Sakuragi crossly. Maybe killing this moron isn't a bad idea after all.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing?! Nooooo! Rukawa stooooop!" the redhead shrieked like a scared little girl when his companion started pushing him off the edge. He leaped back swiftly and landed beside Rukawa, putting his hand on his heart which felt as if it was going to burst from his chest any moment. Panting uncontrollably, his face was as white as a sheet. "I don't wanna die! I'm too young to die!" he sobbed absurdly.

Rukawa was fighting back the urge to sneer at him.

After he had regained his composure, Sakuragi grabbed his rival's collar angrily. "Why, you murderer! What the hell were you trying to do? Kill me?!"

"Just giving a hand," he snorted, shrugging the redhead off him.

"Very funny, Rukawa Kaede!" Sakuragi hissed, his eyes shooting daggers at him.

"What was this all about?" the ebony-haired boy asked seriously.

"Huh! What's the matter, kitsune? You seem to be talking too much today. What have you eaten this morning?" Sakuragi cackled.

"Answer me."

"What do you care anyway? You just tried to murder me! I know that you hate my guts and that you will do anything to get rid of me!"

"… No," Rukawa replied serenely.

"Huh?"

"No."

"No?"

"No."

"Arrgghh! No what, you idiot?" Sakuragi burst out impatiently.

"I don't hate you."

"You… don't?" he blinked rapidly. He suddenly frowned; his arms akimbo. "That's not true!" he said in disbelief. "If it is, how come you keep infuriating me all the time?"

"Because you are a do'aho." Who can blame me? You are a clown.

"What did you say, kitsune? I am gonna skin you alive for that!" Sakuragi snarled.

"There is no reason for us to hate each other," Rukawa stated coldly yet sincerely, ignoring the fuming boy's threatening words.

Sakuragi was dumbfounded for the next few minutes. Rukawa's strange behavior was confusing him. Raising his eyebrows in bemusement, the wild boy became lost in his own thoughts.

What is this guy trying to say? That's spooky… Rukawa is giving me the creeps today. Why does he sound so caring so suddenly? He must have hit his head or something. Could it be that he is…? Oh my God!

Rukawa was surprised to see the redhead's face turn blue and his eyes widen with shock.

"R… Rukawa," Sakuragi stuttered, "What are you trying to tell me exactly?"

Rukawa merely shrugged. You should have figured it out by now, Tensai.

"Are you in love with me?" Sakuragi squealed.

Rukawa's eyes widened with shock and disgust. What the…! That ass!

Rukawa treated the Tensai to a severe kick in the butt, snapping angrily, "In your dreams, nutcase!"

The shame-faced Sakuragi forgot about Rukawa's insult and kick, his face flushing with embarrassment. He laughed nervously, "Oops… got the wrong hint. Forget what I said."

Rukawa bit his lips thoughtfully before saying, "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Talk about my problems with you? No way!" Sakuragi snorted, turning his back on Rukawa in a disgusted manner.

"Never mind," Rukawa muttered, walking away. Sorry I asked.

Sakuragi's heart softened, feeling that he had hurt Rukawa with his aggressive rebuff.

He… he was trying to be nice to me. Maybe he really is concerned about me…. I shouldn't have been so mean to him.

When he was about ten meters away from the redhead, Rukawa heard the latter calling out to him. He turned around and eyed him with a glassy stare. "What now, do'aho?"

Lowering his head, the desperate boy bleated hesitantly, "Are… are you really willing to listen to me, Rukawa?" He looked up to Rukawa, sadness clouding his beautiful brown eyes. The latter nodded, his face not deadpan any more.

"Do you promise not to laugh at me, no matter how insignificant my reasons for committing suicide will sound to you?" he asked in a soft, childlike tone.

As if I ever laugh. "Yes."

He paused for a while, the intolerable pain building up in his chest again. Rukawa noticed that his companion's fists were shaking with concealed rage. He waited for the heartbroken boy to open his heart to him when he was ready.

"I was rejected… and betrayed," he finally spoke up, almost choking.

When every moment

Gets too hard,

The end of the road

Can feel so far.

No matter how much

Time we're apart,

I'm always near you.

I'll be the shelter

In your rain.

Help you to find

Your smile again.

I'll make you laugh

At a broken heart,

Wherever you are.

'Cause I'm never

Gonna walk away,

If the walls come

Down some day.

All alone and you

Feel afraid.

Be there when you

Call my name.

You can always

depend on me,

I believe until

Forever ends.

I will be your friend.

So many people

Come and go,

But nothing can

Change the you I know.

You'll never be just a

Face in the crowd,

And time will show

I'll be your rock when every

Candle burns down low,

And I want you, and I want you to know.

('I Will Be Your Friend' by Nikki Webster)