Parallel lines

Disclaimer: The characters and the copyrights on the series of Slam Dunk belong to Mr. Inoue Takehiko and the respective owner(s). This story is written by personal enjoyment without any commercial matter incurred.


Oliese: Thanks for review. Of course not...I guess you can get the answer in these few chapter.

whatthe: Thanks for review. In my last story, I used Kiku as the name of the OC character as I am too lazy to think another name...but then I recognized that it might get people mis-understanding that I would like to be the one inside SD. Thus this time I use my friend name (sorry Gimmi) in this story and hope the problem solved. But then your comments come... anyway, it is just a name!

cutiedallie: Nice to see you again! From the outline of this story, Rukawa is a poor guy... I am still thinking to make a happy ending or sad ending for this story.


' ... conversation... '

" ... Thinking..."


07. Just a point

When Sendoh stepped inside the stadium, the 1st sight caught him was Rukawa sitting at the bench. Shohoku was 8 points behind Aiwa and they had 5 minutes to turnover to win the 2nd game.

A minute after, the score didn't change. It was still 68 - 63.

'What is Shohoku doing?' Sendoh shook, "They are not playing good at the court. And why doesn't Rukawa on the court?"

He looked at the bench and saw Ansei sensei talking to Rukawa. Rukawa nodded.

A time-out called by Shohoku. Rukawa was back to the court again. He was playing like he didn't have tomorrow. He dribbled the ball and ran to Awia court. Avoiding the blocks and made a powerful dunk that surprised everything. 68-65

He did that with a purpose to wake his teammates up.

'What are you all doing?' He glared to his teammates.

'Teme Kitsune, how can you show off again?' Sakuragi shouted.

'Defense, Hana.'

Sendoh would smell the smoke from Shohoku team as they were annoyed by Rukawa. He smiled when he saw their defense were better than before. However, Aiwa succeed to get a 3-pointers from Rukawa's guide. 71 - 65

'What are you doing, Kitsune?' Sakuragi said mockingly.

'I will get it back.'

Rukawa ran up along with Miyagi, who passed the ball to him at the 3 point line. He faked and pretended to break through to the inner court, but then resumed and stepped outside the 3-point line. He did a 3-pointers. Score was back to 3-point difference. 71 - 68

'2 minutes left and only 3 points behind. They should have plenty of time.' Sendoh said.

Aiwa missed the shoot and Sakuragi got the rebound. Miyagi controlled the ball and went to the Awai's half. He then passed the ball to Rukawa again. However, there were already 2 people blocking his way. Rukawa dribbled the ball with a slow motion. Suddenly, he turned to the left and fastened the race. Another guy attracted, they followed him. Rukawa intended to let them guiding his left side and with a sudden back pass to the right, the ball went to Mitsui who stood at the right corner freely since his man went to block Rukawa. Caught the ball, Mitsui released a prefect 3-pointer. Swish. The ball went in clearly without touching the hoop. 71 - 71 draw and 1 minute left.

Awai offended again. Dai Moroboshi managed to get a 2 points on Mitsui. 73-71. They returned quick to avoid the fast-break from Shohoku. Time was passing, 18 second left and Shohoku still had 12 seconds to offense. Miyagi wouldn't escape from the defensive net from Awai, dribbling the ball at the same area for another 4 seconds.

'8 seconds.' Mitsui shouted.

"I know! But I cannot do anything."

He looked around, Rukawa on his left but he was not able to pass the ball.

'4 seconds..' Mitsui shouted again.

'I know!' He shouted. He tried to get passed powerfully but still not strong enough to break the net. Finally, he decided to shoot.

'HANA!' He shouted.

They saw the ball flying in the air going to the net while the offense time was counted down to 2.

"BANG!" It wasn't in. 7 seconds left but Shohoku high was still 2 points behind.

6 hands rose up in the air fighting for the orange ball.

'King of rebound!' Sakuragi shouted when he got the ball.

He stole a stare to the count down. 4 second left. He wanted to shoot but he heard someone shouted behind.

'Pass.'

He was Rukawa stood at the left corner. He passed to him without further thinking. A 3-point must be better than 2. They had to win instead of draw since Rukawa didn't do good in the first half, all of them were tired and exhausted. They didn't have enough power to have another 10 minutes.

'Shoot' He shouted, '2 seconds.'

Dai ran and jumped up to block Rukawa. Rukawa eyes altered.

"He blocked the sight!"

'1 second! Kitsune!'

Pulling back, he made a fake-away.

Everyone looked at the ball. Finally it arrived but met the ring. The RING!

'Oh!' Ayako exclaimed.

The ball was still on the hoop turning around. Would it fall out or go into the net? Time was up, their fate depended on the naughty ball running on the hoop.

Finally, time seemed stopped while the ball getting slow in motion. It jumped up a bit hitting the hoop again, when everyone thought it would fall out, it went back to the hoop and fell in.

3-points in for Shohoku. 73-74.

Just 1 point but they won finally, their arc did a bit better at the last few minutes.

They felt happy and excited to win over Awai who had dropped them out from the IH last season.

'Well done.' Ansei sensei looked to them and nodded.

When Rukawa passed by, he patted his shoulder tenderly. Rukawa looked up.

'Good job.' Ansei sensei said.

Rukawa kept silence and shook. He knew he hadn't done good. He patted him again and smile.

"If Rukawa doesn't in good form, we will lose the next game." He lost in his thought.

'Sensai?' Ayako spoke.

'Ho...ho...ho...Let's go.' He turned and went inside the changing room.



Review please.