Disclaimers: Do not own Slam dunk.
Author notes: This is mostly Rukawa so there is not as much dialogue. There is a bit of OCCness though, but that's expected I guess. I don't want to change the characters personality too much. I will try to make the chapters longer from now on.
Actually, the original story I had conceived of in my head had a lot more angst. For some reason, when I wrote it down it changed into humor. Where did I go wrong!
It just gets worse and worse!
Sniff…sniff…
Revised chapter
Challenge
Chapter 3: The Kitsune Wakes up
Rukawa rode his bike home. He was going quite fast and the scenery was whirling by. Therefore, he did not notice when he finally reached home, so he collided violently with the front gate.
Not that it was unusual for him to do this, since he was usually asleep when he was riding his bike. As a matter of fact, it was a daily occurrence.
Except this time he was awake and going faster than usual. The impact was very painful.
Rukawa curses and sullenly goes inside. There was nothing to be happy about, his house was cold and nobody was ever home. The encounter with Sendoh had left him very unhappy.
Rukawa stretches out on the couch, he didn't feel like practicing on the courts today as he usually did.
'Damn that Sendoh! How dare he trespass on my territory? He doesn't belong anywhere near Shohoku! I don't care if he did come to pick up that baka! What is the do'ahou thinking? Doesn't he know Sendoh is the enemy?'
Rukawa continues to ponder the problem off in his head, getting even angrier as time passes.
A whole ten minutes go by and Rukawa had not thought once about basketball, very strange indeed. Either way, he decided to go back to doing what he was best at, sleeping.
So he curled up on the couch, got his blanket out, turned down the music, and drifted off to sleep.
But not a minute had passed until he started to dream, and what a horrible dream it was!
It had Sendoh for starters, although some people might actually enjoy this, the ice prince was not pleased.
The red haired monkey was also there. Sendoh and Sakuragi were playing an intense one-on-one basketball game; they were both sweating and trying really hard to beat each other.
It was incredible to watch how they bodies flowed so freely and with such agility. It was a very intense match.
Sendoh stole the ball and made an amazing slam dunk. He had never seen Sendoh make this such a move. Sakuragi had to admit defeat, Sendoh then smiled and walked slowly towards him, he got close to Sakuragi's face and…
/wakes up/
"WAAAAAH!"
Rukawa gets up with a start. He had never had a nightmare before in his life, not even as a kid. He had also never been so loud, he screamed so loud, that the birds surrounding his house all flew away. It seemed that many strange things were happening today.
Maybe hell had frozen over.
/Blush/
'What! Why do I feel so warm! How come I have to have such a perverted dream! And with those two! Am I being punished by the gods! Why are there so many exclamation marks in this train-of-thought paragraph! I am never this loud when I think!'
Rukawa takes a moment to calm himself down. 'In this type of circumstances it is best to pretend nothing happened.'
/Looks around nervously/
'I know I'll go play basketball; this will clear my head of such foolish nonsense. It always helps release any of my unwanted energy.'
Rukawa changed into cooler clothes and gathered his things to go to the basketball court. When he opened his door, who does he see but a surprised Youhei. It seems as if Youhei was just about to ring the doorbell.
He smiles, "Ah, Rukawa! I hope you don't mind but I have a favor to ask of you."
"Hn," Rukawa responded trying to look like his usual, cool detached self instead of a very confused and nervous one.
"This will be quick. I want you to come with me to help find Sakuragi and make sure he is alright. I am worried about him, I don't think Sendoh has good intentions plus I know Hana isn't gay, right?"
'Not gay! That will teach Sendoh!'
"Why do you need me?"
"Simple, if Sendoh tries something we'll need to help Hana. Even though Hana is very strong, Koshino is also there and I might need reinforcements. I know Koshino is a very scary guy when he gets angry and has inhuman strength. The guntai were all busy so I came to you"
Youhei was finished babbling nervously, he hoped that Rukawa bought his ridiculous excuse.
"Ok"
To tell the truth Rukawa was relieved to be given a reason to put his worries at rest, although it must be noted that it was VERY unconscious on his part.
"YEAH! I-I mean good, then let's get down to business. I seem to recall some nonsense about ice cream. I know Hana is a sucker when it comes to sweets, actually any food at all. Hahaha"
Youhei looks behind him. He was very unsure about this, Rukawa was giving him an indifferent look. 'Well at least he's coming. He should add something to this business yet'
'Actually maybe he just looks indifferent, but why is he still carrying his basketball? Has he forgotten to leave it behind? Plus he also seems to have forgotten his way to the park'
/Muffled laughter/
Youhei tries hard not to laugh as he leads the Rukawa to the park.
Meanwhile,
Hana walks grudgingly with Sendoh. Koshino had explained that Sendoh was playing a joke on Rukawa (because they're rivals) and didn't mean what he said back at Shohoku. As compensation for his lost pride, he was being treated to ice cream.
'Well it's free but…Koshino sure is grumpy, it looks as if Sendoh had to literally drag him along. And why is Sendoh so happy? Most importantly why is he holding my hands? He sort of makes me suspicious…'
Sakuragi was doing his best to solve this problem but was failing miserably. He tried to yank his hand back several times, but damn was Sendoh strong!
Finally Sakuragi had his usual megalomaniac insight, 'The tensai has figured it out! Sendoh wants me to teach him the secret behind great skills! Nyahahaha'
Koshino glances back at the two lovebirds. 'Why does Sakuragi have this goofy look on his face? Is he snickering? What about Sendoh? I told him not to be so conspicuous! Damn it! Why am I still here! Am I being punished by the gods!'
(Blaming the gods must be popular these days)
Sendoh was obviously flirting with Sakuragi. Sendoh's iron grip on his hands had not relented, it was a wonder they hadn't fallen off.
'I told Sendoh that I could leave now, but he gave me that helpless puppy face. What happened to my indomitable will! He is too dependant on me! He says he feels more confident with me around, but does he even think of my feelings?…grr, I guess I'll have to be the third wheel again.'
Koshino led them to a very nice part of town near the ocean. They entered a charming little store that sold ice cream. It was not exactly a romantic dating scene, but then again this was not supposed to be a date.
Unbeknownst to them, they were being tailed. A person wearing camouflage and sporting advanced technology watched them go in. It was one of the infamous Sakuragi guntai, he pulled out his walkie-talkie, "Commando here, the pigeons have landed. Over"
/Static/
His walkie-talkie came to life, "Rambo reporting, Confirm location. Over"
/Static/
"2.7 miles west of Shohoku, ice cream shop called "Clear Blue Parlor." Over"
/Hiss…Static/
"Heard you loud and clear. Will report to Alpha Goose. Over"
/Crackle…static/
"Commando will keep tracking their movements. Over"
…………………
Koshino shuddered, suddenly he felt as if he had entered a bad action flick. He looked around, everything was peaceful and quiet, children where running near the beach. Perhaps he was wrong.
Sakuragi finally escapes from Sendoh's grasp, "Wow, this place has thirty flavors of ice cream! Ah! they also have cakes!"
/Drool/
Sendoh looks over at his victim…I mean date…He had such enthusiasm; his red hair was flowing beautifully from breeze entering from the open door. It was a hot day, so Hana was wearing a tank top that showed his perfect muscles and he had on tight shorts, Sendoh was spellbound.
They sat down on an available table. A waitress came and took their order; Sakuragi being himself ordered enough ice cream to feed ten men. Koshino stared at his wallet, he hoped Sendoh had enough money or they would be working here as slave labor for a long time.
Sendoh began his foolproof seduction tactic, which involved a lot of smiling, touching, and being refreshingly charming.
Sakuragi was started from his ice cream worship by Sendoh, "What are you doing Smiley! Don't touch me so much!"
Koshino tries hard to suppress his laughter; here was someone who immune to Sendoh! Usually that technique was infallible!
Koshino: 'the monkey and I have something in common after all! Well…I am only half immune, I can't stand that puppy look!'
Sendoh is not one to give up so easily so he tries again. Sendoh does his best to soothe Sakuragi's worries, dnd he stops pouting and starts eating.
'Now one gets in the way of the tensai when he is eating! Yet, it must be hard having such magnificence around so I'll go easy on him,' Thinks Sakuragi as he tries his peach mango ice cream.
Sakuragi thens speaks up, "Hahaha, Sendoh, I know why you brought me here!"
Sendoh is intrigued even though he is sure Sakuragi is still obliviou, "Really!"
"Of course you can't fool the tensai!"
Koshino was doubtful about this, "Well then, enlighten us"
"You need the Tensai's ungodly ability to help you train your team. In other words, you want to learn basketball from the best, from the Rebound King Sakuragi! NYAHAHAHAHA"
/Sweat drop/
Koshino was near the breaking point, 'The NERVE of this guy! Like we would really need his help in anything! Just when I was starting to like him!'
Sendoh smiles," Well, Hana. I would really enjoy playing basketball with you. That wouldn't be a problem, right? I mean your growth this past few months has been impressive."
Sendoh wasn't really lying. He would love to play with Hana, to see him all excited and happy like he does when he plays basketball. And also, how he looks so sexy!
"Nyahahaha! I will be more than glad to teach you!"
'This is my chance to become closer to him, through our mutual interest' thought Sendoh
Meanwhile,
Youhei and Rukawa were outside spying on them. They had arrived only a few moments earlier. They were situated a safe distance away.
Youhei and Rukawa were both hiding behind a tree and both had binoculars on (provided by Youhei)
Youhei had managed to receive the message from the guntai and bring Rukawa here. He was glad Rukawa didn't ask too many questions, especially on how he knew they would find Sakuragi here.
They both looked through the binoculars.
"Well it looks like Hana is ok. He seems to having quite a good time. Oh look, he's giving his usual boastful laughter. I guess there was nothing to worry about, right?"
"…"
"Wow! Sendoh he sure does like to fondle Hana. But Sakuragi isn't stopping him so it must be ok."
"…"
Youhei: 'It's like talking to a wall! But if you look closely he does seem a little too intent on watching them, especially when I mentioned the fondling. I think I will take a chance...'
"Well let's go Rukawa"
Rukawa looks up at this,"No. Koshino looks very mad. Something might happen. Plus they might get the do'aho to reveal team secrets"
Youhei looks at Rukawa. 'Despite his reluctance to talk, it does seem as if he has a vested interest here. Honestly, what team secrets? Hehehe, my plan is working perfectly. But, I still don't know who Hana likes better. Will he even accept either of them?'
Youhei worried over his friend
"Do'ahou," Rukawa says as he looks at the shop. He can see them clearly through the glass pane. Through the binoculars, he saw how Sakuragi cheerfully taljs to both Sendoh and Koshino.
'But he is mostly intent on Sendoh. Why does that do'ahou act so friendly towards him?'
He sees as Sendoh playfully reaches over and wipes the ice cream from Sakuragi's chin, and then traces his slender finger across his cheek. Worst of all, he saw Sakuragi look away, blush, and then try to mask this by laughing.
He had never seen him like this. Sakuragi was so cheerful but also shy and uncomfortable.
'And that Hentai is putting his hands all over him! I want to …'
/Blush/
'I wonder if it would be so wrong if I did that. Would I like it?'
Rukawa thought about it and slowly realized that he did, he wanted to touch Sakuragi.
'I want to be the one who does that, touching him softly, caressing him, but why?'
There was this thing that was bothering Rukawa, it felt as if he had a pebble stuck was on his throat.
'I don't care about him…I don't need to touch him, I don't need anyone…BUT I will not let Sendoh touch him either. I must get that guy away from him. That idiot obliviously doesn't know any better.'
Youhei looks at Rukawa, his handsome face was first filled with doubt, then longing, and then jealousy. Finally helooks onfilled with determination. Despite his looks, Youhei was very observant.
'Who would have though that Rukawa's face could show so much emotion and so clearly?' thought Youhei, 'It seems that I was correct about him'
Rukawa puts down the binoculars, "I'm hungry"
Without another word, he stalkes towards the ice cream shop.
Youhei decided it was best that Sakuragi didn't see him just then so he stayed behind.
"This is going to get very interesting"
TBC
Notes: there it is! I realize that there is not enough Rukawa as I had planned. I read it and it sounds awkward to me, I don't know how to fix this, sorry.
Next chapter: Jealousy all around
