Disclaimer: Don't own them sorry… :) Although I'm introducing a character in this chapter…

Rating: Haven't you guys noticed I always rate R? Just to be safe… so people won't piss me off for under-rating… or whatever idiotic thing…

Warning: I already warned you guys in the previous numbers ne?

Notes: I'm sorry to disappoint you guys— but this fic isn't a yaoi… of course— I'm apologizing to those who love shonen-ai things… :)

Pairing: see for yourselves… I already gave you a hint that it would be a love triangle…

Yey! The fourth chapter! How utterly surprising I survived!!!…

So everyone… here's the story… a little plot development here and there… and a huge basketball game…

(Oh yeah… Saki Fuyu is Rukawa's ex-crush from junior high…)

4: That I've Been Looking For

Rukawa glanced as Haruko and Sendoh made their way to the team's quarters. He managed to look inconspicuous as he pretended to practice, all the while looking at Haruko, who was hugging her brother and saying many stuff.

He saw Sendoh approach, and felt a pang of anger— or jealousy— register. He just wanted the Ryonan ace to go away.

"Rukawa," muttered Sendoh, smiling a bit impishly.

"Hn," replied Rukawa, holding the ball with one hand, while he waited for Sendoh to continue.

"You still have your chance," he said before walking away again, "ja… ne?"

Rukawa looked at Sendoh's retreating form and thought about what he had just heard. I still have my chance? With… what?

He sure as hell wasn't talking about basketball…

Kaede Rukawa watched as Haruko Akagi, still limping a bit (thanks to Rukawa), and Akira Sendoh made their way out of the gym. He knew that Sendoh was talking about the girl, and, although he should have been grateful for the chance given to him, he was a bit frustrated.

I don't need any chances… I don't need anyone… he muttered as he threw the ball at the board (of the hoop) and watched it go into the ring. He only hoped that he could convince himself with that…

He didn't want to make the same mistake twice…

Sendoh looked at Haruko, who was happily skipping as they made their way to the bridge. He smiled and placed his arms behind his head. He couldn't forget the look on Rukawa's face when he told the Shohoku ace that he and Haruko weren't a couple yet.

He didn't exactly say it directly— but he knew that Rukawa would have figured that out by then… he wasn't dumb after all…

Sendoh was confident that this girl, Haruko, could bring out the best and the worst in people. He had heard about her from Sakuragi, while the red-head was talking loudly in a restaurant. He had immediately taken interest on the girl who had brought Sakuragi to basketball and made him improve a lot… even before Sendoh had actually seen or met her.

Then, he finally saw her and in her eyes so much devotion and happiness. He thought that he was lucky that he finally got the chance to meet her.

Had he not noticed that Rukawa had feelings for her too, Sendoh would have made a move right there and then in the gym… but, upon seeing the ice prince's stares and the glares, he decided to give the other ace a chance…

As much as he wanted Haruko for himself, he didn't want to get her without everybody else's blessing… they were both from rival schools after all.

"You're awfully quiet today," noted Haruko, looking at Sendoh carefully.

"Was just thinking," answered Sendoh as reached their destination.

"Hmm… I didn't know you could do that…"

"…?"

"Jodan des…"

They laughed.

Haruko, you have no idea…

Sendoh lay on the grass and prepared to sleep, thoughts of fishing long-forgotten.

"It's almost time for your match Sendoh," muttered Haruko to the still-sleeping Ryonan ace, poking him.

"Mm… later…" muttered Sendoh, putting his arm around Haruko and pulling her to him.

"Sendoh-kun!" screamed Haruko in his ear.

"Wha—?! Huh?" Sendoh sat bolt upright, looking around and still holding Haruko in an awkward position.

"The game Sendoh-kun…"

"Eh?" he scratched his head.

"You are playing aren't you?" asked Haruko, ignoring the blush that was threatening to expose itself as she looked at the result of their ineptness.

"Eh?" he scratched his head again.

"Baka (idiot)," muttered Haruko, tugging on his arm, "hayaku!! (hurry up!!) Ryonan might think that I'm sabotaging them by kidnapping you or something…"

"Hai, hai…" said Sendoh. He actually didn't want to leave yet— he was having too much fun watching Haruko wriggle around (yep… you guessed it— like a worm!) and whine.

It was a sight for the sore eyes.

But the game was about to start…

So he gave in and let Haruko drag him to Shohoku High.

Sendoh and Haruko arrived.

Sendoh's hair was slightly disheveled.

Haruko was panting.

Yep… you can only guess what the Shohoku and Ryonan team members thought… (dirty nasty thoughts about Haruko and Sendoh— if you didn't get it by now…)

Uozomi was the first to recover from the shock. "Where were you?" he asked the still-sleepy Sendoh.

"The bridge," said Sendoh simply, putting on his jersey over the white shirt he was wearing.

Thank goodness they were in a public place, thought most of the people from both teams.

"There are still thirty minutes left for warm-up Sendoh," muttered Koshino.

"May I just have a few seconds to talk with Haruko…? Please… just a few seconds…"

"Fine, whatever," muttered Uozomi, since Sendoh didn't need to practice that much anyway (he was already excellent as it is).

Sendoh tugged Haruko by the hand and led her out of the gym, leaving an outraged do'aho and an extremely jealous kitsune.

"Haruko…" muttered Sendoh, while holding both her hands, once they were alone.

"Ye..ah?" asked Haruko a bit nervously.

"Can you promise me something?"

"Ye… ah… s-sure… what is it?"

"Will you promise me you won't cheer for any of the two teams?"

"…? But what about Shoho—" she started, but Sendoh put a finger to her lips.

"Just sit there quietly… please… I don't think I'd be able to play properly if you're cheering for my opponent… I know it sounds selfish of me… but please… I know that we're not a couple— but… I don't think I'd be able to take it…" said Sendoh, almost begging, leaning his forehead with hers.

Haruko took a deep breath and sighed, "sure… Sendoh-kun… I won't cheer for anyone at all…"

"Thanks," muttered Sendoh, giving her a quick kiss on the lips before Haruko could respond.

Haruko reddened when she realized what had happened and felt her heart quicken. "Sendoh-kun…" she muttered, "what was that for?"

"Had to pay you somehow ne?" said Sendoh, giving her a wink, "race you back to the gym!"

As Sendoh and Haruko sprinted to the gym, a figure behind them spoke.

"Akira Sendoh?" a girl with blue green eyes and dark blue hair said, approaching the two panting students.

"Oh, Saki-san," said Sendoh, smiling warmly at the girl.

"Am I at the right place? Is this the place where Ryonan and Shohoku are having the match?"

"Yep! By the way— Saki, this is Haruko Akagi, sister of Shohoku's captain… Haruko, this is Saki Fuyu, a schoolmate of mine…" said Sendoh, making the necessary introduction.

After Haruko and Saki shook hands and muttered "I'm happy to meet you…", the three of them entered the gym…

— end of 4—

So Haruko finally met Rukawa's big crush from junior high… how do you think Rukawa would react upon seeing his past and present crushes together?

Minna-san, review time desu!!