Author's Note 2: I cannot believe I am doing this now, I mean I do have other things on hand to do but I simply decided to revise this fic of mine, revamping it into something better. Well, here goes nothing and on a side note, the sequel up and running now.
Title: Lost and Found
Genre: comedy/general/romance
Rating: PG-13/ T
Pairing: Fujima Kenji/Sakuragi Hanamichi
Summary: Fujima Kenji and Sakuragi Hanamichi used to be childhood playmates; the two of them ended up losing contact with one another after some unforeseen situation occurred that resulted in Sakuragi's move from the neighborhood.
Disclaimer: No, I do not own Slam Dunk nor its' characters.
Lost and Found- Chapter 6
Weeks has passes them by since the meeting in the cafe that gotten both Sakuragi Hanamichi and Fujima Kenji reacquainted to one another. Ever since then, the duos had tried their best to fit time in for some meet-ups every now and then. In fact, they had settled quite comfortably into meeting up every Thursday at the same venue for some chilling out session as that particular day of the week just happens to be 'off-day' for their respective school's basketball ball training.
It continues on in that fashion until the routine for the Inter-High Best Four Matches drew near, and it just so happen that Shohoku first opponent would be the Champion for the past sixteen years of the Kanagawa Prefecture Inter-High Tournament – Kainan University Affiliated High School Basketball Team. That was when Hanamichi brought the news along that Shohoku would be training on a daily basis until the Inter-High Best Four Matches were over, and that would probably takes about a month since that's how long the tournament would be running.
Fujima Kenji of course expressed his understanding for the matter and took the news well since he'd been the one to challenge Maki Shinichi from Kainan Team over the past two years for the position of the No.1 Point Guard in Kanagawa Prefecture as well as the Championship for the Inter-High Tournament held on yearly basis. This time around though, it would be Shohoku and Hanamichi turn to do it…to challenge the Champion school for the past sixteen years in the Kanagawa Basketball History.
On the day whereby the first round match was held for the Best Four Teams vying for the two positions to enter the National Tournament that would be taking place in the Summer Season…Fujima Kenji opted out from the chance to watch his red-haired friend in action by going for the Ryonan's match against the other school which he truly believed them to be part of the Best Four Teams for this year only by a stroke of luck.
Considering the fact that Ryonan bested them with a high score of 117 against 78 by the end of the second half…not to forget that the coach of Ryonan had actually substituted the whole team down with bench members by the last ten minutes of the game, and the opposing team still managed to lose another 18 more points to Ryonan High. It just goes to show how weak that particular team that emerged out top winner from the C block was.
The Best Four Teams were basically the winning teams of the four blocks in the Kanagawa Prefecture Inter-High Tournament, and most of the time block D would have the toughest luck among them to win against the seed team. Block A, B, C and D would each have a seed team in them that would only make their debut match in the Best Eight competition that allows them to fight for the Best Four positions. And then, the four schools that emerged out as the winners for each block would be competing against one another to fight for the top two positions so as to gain their tickets into the National Tournament of the High School's Basketball Realm.
Judging from the past few years, teams under Block D would have the toughest luck in terms of competition. This year, it was no difference and Shoyo's luck had runs out when Shohoku enters the picture. On the other hand, Block C has the weakest schools competing in it and it was no wonder that the winner for Block C was still the same old opponent. Apparently, this year their skills deteriorate further as they were bested by Ryonan with a score of 117… when last year they loses against them, the Shoyo team with a score of 102 against 79.
The reason why Fujima Kenji opted to see Ryonan's match instead of Shohoku was unlike what his team-mates had thought it to be. It seems as though that his team-mates were actually worried that he might still be having hard feelings about the notion of losing against Shohoku that Hasegawa had actually volunteered himself and his other two friends, Takano and Nagano to watch the game of Shohoku and Kainan while urging Hanagata Toru and him to go watch the other game instead. Finding the way they were behaving around him rather amusing to witness, Fujima Kenji had decided to play right into their 'cards' and avoid the Shohoku – Kainan match altogether.
That was one week ago though, and the outcome of that match between Shohoku and Kainan was kind of within his expectation too. Still Shohoku was one team that cannot be deducted using typical method; they had been able to play with their best capability and winning the match against them – the Shoyo team by marginal difference. By usual circumstances, their performance against Kainan should be about the same level as how Shoyo had always performed against Kainan. However, Shohoku had done it even better than Shoyo ever did by losing to Kainan by a mere two point difference between both parties.
Now…Fujima Kenji was tossing and turning in bed, he hate to admit but he was having some slight problem with the idea of sleeping. He glanced over to his bedside table where his alarm clock was and realized that it was already 4am in the morning. With a sigh, the brunet tossed his cover off his body and headed down to the kitchen with the intention to get a bite.
However, he almost ended up jumping in fright when he heard the phone rang. Cursing momentarily under his breath, Fujima Kenji went sifting through his memory bank to see if there was anyone he knew that would attempt to call up and risk waking everyone in the house at these ungodly hours of time. A quick scan of the possible candidates in his mind had him decided that it was more than likely a certain redhead ringing him up at this hour of time.
It has been days since the match ended between Shohoku and Kainan, and knowing a certain redhead personality. Sakuragi Hanamichi was more than likely to blame himself for Shohoku's loss; he had after all heard all the finest details from Nagana, Takano and Hasegawa. The three of them whom went for the match had came back with a very detailed recount of that particular match played between both teams, and when they mentioned about how Maki had literally took it upon himself to mark Sakuragi…
Trust Hanamichi to do the impossible, he actually had the audacity to challenge Maki. Then again, Hanamichi was one extraordinary presence on the court… the sheer thought of how that redhead had literally knock his head against the flooring in order to snap himself out from being fouled out was a sight that Fujima would never allow himself to forget.
Truth be told, he wasn't angry that Shohoku had lost to Kainan. Well, perhaps he was a little disappointed since they merely lost to Kainan by two points. Nevertheless, he was not angry at all. In fact, he was feeling quite the opposite - he's proud that they managed to lose only by a mere two point's gap. Shohoku had done their best against Kainan, and had in fact exceeded his expectations in terms of the results.
That much, he knew because when his team challenged Kainan in the inter-high tournament over the previous two years, they'd never come in that close in their game points. They always lose to Kainan by at least five to ten points; henceforth he was rather proud of Shohoku's achievement.
The continuous shrill ringing of the phone jerked the teen out from his reverie then, and reaching for the cordless phone…Fujima Kenji brought it along with him as he entered the kitchen for some snack.
"Hello, Kenji?" Hanamichi asked with some slight uncertainty lurking in the undertones of his voice.
"Yes, this is Kenji speaking. Hanamichi, is that you on the other end of the line?" Fujima replied as he poured himself a glass of milk and settled himself on the dining table.
"Yeah, this is Hanamichi... I was wondering if..." Hanamichi voice faded off as he tried to recall what he wanted to say.
"Yes? I'm still waiting..." Kenji prompted as he poured some cereals into a bowl and started to eat his 'early' breakfast.
"I was wondering if you're coming for our game against Ryonan." Hanamichi asked.
"Yeah... I think so... Is that all? Well, usually no one called me before dawn..." Fujima amended when he realized his reply sounded a little too harsh.
"Erm... well, not exactly... I was hoping you could tutor me on some Mathematics problems I'm facing. The homework is actually due in two hours time, but I'm not even half-done with it." Hanamichi answered sheepishly. If this was a video call, Fujima Kenji could have easily seen one Sakuragi Hanamichi scratching the back of his head with a stupid grin on his face.
"…Where were you now?" Fujima Kenji asked, fearing his red-haired friend's response.
"Actually, I'm already at the crossroads two streets away from your house." Sakuragi Hanamichi responded, meekly.
Fujima Kenji blinked once then twice as he stared at the kitchen clock. Sighing inwardly as he sets his empty dishes into the sink, the brunet teen briefly calculated the time he needed to get to Hanamichi and realized he only have ten minutes to get ready if he wanted to make it over to the redhead in time.
"Tell you what… I'll see you in about ten minute's time over at the 24 hour cafeteria in our old neighborhood. I believe you still remember the way there?" Fujima said as he rushes back into his room and threw his school uniform onto the bed while stuffing his stationery and books into his backpack in a frantic manner.
"Yeah... that's fine. Thanks, I'll see you there in ten minutes." Hanamichi answered as he hanged up the phone.
Five minutes later, Fujima Kenji was all ready and set to go for his tutoring session with the redhead when he suddenly realized he had yet to inform his Vice-Captain for the team as well as his classmate - Hanagata Toru of the slight change of plans this morning. However, it was still too early to be calling up his friend's house and so he had to opt for the alternative.
Leaving a message on a notepad by the kitchen table, he could only hope that his parents will catch sight of it in time and inform Hanagata about the change in schedules. After which, he ran all the way to the cafeteria where Hanamichi was already waiting patiently for his arrival. Normally Hanamichi would required more time to reach the venue, as he was now residing further away from this particular neighborhood but since the redhead was already quite near to the Fujima's residence when he called up... the teen simply told the redhead to head over to the cafeteria and wait for his arrival.
Two hours later, Hanamichi was staring down at his assignment in awe. Shooting Fujima a grateful look, he said wistfully. "How I wish I still live near you..."
"Huh?" Fujima Kenji raised his eyebrow questionably as he heard that statement.
"Well... if I still lived near you, I could always consult you if I don't know anything..." Hanamichi explained when he caught sight of Fujima's questioning eyes.
Fujima seemed to ponder about the matter for a second and then shot back in return with an elegant arch of his brows, "Why not?"
Hanamichi snapped his head up at Fujima's words and blinked stupidly; Fujima caught sight of it and further explained his statement.
"Why not? I mean, we're old time friends and our family knows each other well enough. Heck, we've known each other since we were in diapers and my mother used to baby-sat you when your parents aren't home. I bet my parents wouldn't mind it if you moved in with us, in fact, they adored you. Besides we had more than enough rooms in our house; I bet they won't say much."
"But..." Hanamichi started only to have Fujima silencing him with a stern expression, as the captain of Shoyo basketball team start brainstorming for an excuse to persuade his parents about the latest development.
"Well... I bet they wouldn't mind it much after I explained the matter to them fully. That's it; I'll inform them this evening after school." Fujima Kenji said firmly and in a tone that leaves Sakuragi Hanamichi no room for argument.
Hanamichi stared at Fujima for a moment before letting out a sigh and resigning himself to his fate. He knew the moment Fujima decided something, no one could change his mind about it. He briefly wondered what will happen if any of their team mates got hold of this information, he could already hear the hounding of his best friend Yohei relentless nagging about the issue in the back of his mind. Suppressing a shudder, he shrugged nonchalantly as he packed up his belongings and started to head in the direction of the subway train station whereby he'll need to catch a train to school. Fujima Kenji started in the opposite direction which will take him to Shoyo High.
TBC…
Date completed: 10/03/05
Date edited: 01/03/2013
P.S: Wow… this chapter was major editing work… it gets so long that I need to cut the bottom part of it to Chapter 7, well. That's a good thing though, since the original Chapter 7 was too damn short XD