Disclaimer: I don't own Slam Dunk and all things related to this anime! I only own my plot and my OC /heh I don't want to be dragged to court…

Kuya q c Micchy-thanks for the review… It's nice chatting with you… hehehe… ; Santeira-what is that thing that you're talking about? Ermm... I can't remember… Sumimasen! Heheh…

Whoa! I forgot to proofread the last chapter… It's full of typographical errors and stuff… Gomen nasai! And the texts are bunched up! What in the world happened! Oh well, I've proofread this so I guess it's okay now… /no1

Chapter 11

It is a very cold and cloudy day. It's been a while since the start of autumn. There are only a few leaves left in the tree branches. Everyone is busy raking away the dried leaves on their back yard and front porch. Everyone is expecting the first snowfall of winter very soon. Mitsui woke up and looked out the window. He smiled as he looked up the sky. It's going to be winter soon… That's nice… He went outside and looked around. He got a rake from the tool shed and began raking the leaves from his front porch.

"Mitsui!" Miyagi called out to Mitsui. He is riding on a bike. He maneuvered towards Mitsui and flashed him a big smile. "Doing some raking, eh? That's unusual for you to do… The Mitsui I know would usually call up one of those housecleaners to do the raking…" Miyagi said as he parked his bike by the tree. Mitsui smiled as he looked at the pile of leaves and remembered what Miyuki said to him before..

Yes… I'm reminiscent of autumn very much! The colors make me feel at ease… And… oh yeah! I'm fond of winter too!

Miyagi looked at Mitsui as he scratched his head. "Oh yeah… Are you feeling better now? I mean, you just got out from the hospital a week ago, right? If Miyuki finds out about this I'm sure she'll barge in here and send you to bed!" he said sarcastically.

Mitsui chuckled as he placed the pile of leaves on a garbage bag. "Well, as long as she is still not around, I'll clean up… I don't want to be a household slacker forever…" he said with a grin. Miyagi is surprised at Mitsui's statement, but he smiled and nodded his head. Good for you buddy! It seems Miyuki is slowly influencing you… After cleaning up the pile of dried leaves, Mitsui sat under a tree and looked at the scenery. Miyagi is busy adjusting the chains of his bike.

"Yo! Why aren't you with Aya-chan now?" Mitsui asked as he watched Miyagi maintain his bike.

"Hmm… she needs to do some cleaning today… And I'm busy running errands for my mom too! I'm just taking a short break…" Miyagi replied as he fixed the chains of his bike. Mitsui nodded as he looked at his hand. I still can't help but wonder what those words really meant… Why did Miyuki even say that?

Why are you…? Always the one… Who takes away my pain? Why are you always by my side? When I need you the most? Why do you… care so much?

Mitsui lowered his head as he clenched his fist. How did it happen? She might be happy now… But how sure am I? How sure am I that her smile is one of those fake smiles that she's talking about? Mitsui's thinking is cut short when Miyagi snapped a finger in front of him. "Hey! I'll be going now… See you!" Miyagi said as he rode on his bike and drove back home. Mitsui smiled as he raised his hand and watched Miyagi. Hmm.. Maybe a little walk will do me good… And maybe, I'll pass by Miyuki's house… Just to make sure she's okay…

Meanwhile, Miyuki looked out the window as she sighed. She finished raking the leaves yesterday so she have nothing much to do. She stared up the sky and sighed. It's been years now… She went outside and sat on the front porch. It's been this long…Ever since that day…But still…

My experiment will be more imprudent to female genes! And you of all people should know that! I don't care what happens to her, as long as I can prove my presumptions!

Miyuki scowled at the thought. She lowered her head as she picked up a handful of dry leaves from the ground. "That foolish scientist! I'm never going to forgive him! He'll feel my hatred for perpetuity!" Miyuki said to herself as she crushed the leaves in her hand. The cold breeze blew and swept the crushed leaves from her hand. She sighed as she stood up and is about to get inside the house.

"Yuki-chan…" A voice muttered behind her. She turned around and saw her brother, Kaname. He smiled at Miyuki and approached her.

"Onichan… What brings you here?" Miyuki said as she smiled faintly. "Since when did you call me Yuki-chan?" Miyuki asked.

Kaname smiled sheepishly as he scratched his head. "Yeah, I guess… But, there is one person who calls you by that…" Miyuki looked at his brother. There was only one person who continued calling her Yuki.

"Ever wondered why you were named Miyuki?" a woman whispered. A 5-year old Miyuki nodded in anticipation as she sat up straight and prepared to listen. The woman looked out the window and watched the snowflakes fall from the sky. She smiled as she took Miyuki in her arms as they watched the snowflakes together.

"When you were born, it was almost the end of winter…The snowfall was not that heavy anymore…That's when I noticed, you were looking out the window and watching the snow fall…" The woman giggled as Miyuki looked at her with her deep green eyes. "You love snow very much ever since you were a kid… That's when we decided to name you Miyuki… And call you Yuki-chan…"

"Okasan…" Miyuki muttered as she spaced out and tried to remember those days. Kaname nodded as he stood next to his sister. He looked up the sky and watched the clouds. "Really… Onichan… What brings you here?" Miyuki muttered as she looked at her brother.

Kaname took a deep breath and handed Miyuki a letter. Miyuki stared at it for a while before getting the letter. She opened it slowly and read the short message inside while keeping a blank expression on her face. Kaname watched her expression carefully as she read through the whole message.

"Okasan has been sick for quite some time now… She said she wanted to see you so she sent me here to fetch you… " He looked at her sister as he sighed. "I know deep inside that you're not angry at her…"

Miyuki nodded slightly as she held the letter in her hands. "You're right. I don't hate her… I'm just disappointed. She just left me here on my own, just when I needed her the most…" she muttered. "But… In spite of all that, I… want to see her…"

Kaname was surprised at what Miyuki said. He smiled as he took her sister's hand. "Well, fix yourself so that we can visit her today…" Miyuki smiled as she nodded and went inside the house. He stood under a tree as he waited fro his sister. He then saw Mitsui at the other side of the sidewalk. He quickly ran at the other side and called Mitsui.

"Yo! How are you doing?" Kaname greeted as Mitsui faced him. "What brings you around here?"

"Err.. I.. was just passing by.. To check up on Miyuki… you know… she's been locking herself up in her house… I just want to see if she's okay…" Mitsui stammered as he laughed nervously.

Kaname smiled but he tried to keep a serious face. "I suggest you come with us. If you do, it's going to answer all the questions in your head about my imouto." Kaname said as he lowered his head. Mitsui is silent as he tried to think. After a while, Miyuki went out of the house and approached Kaname and Mitsui.

"I'm ready, onichan! Eh? Sempai… what brings you here?" Miyuki asked as she stood in front of Mitsui and Kaname. Mitsui's face turned red as Kaname tried not to snicker. They began walking to the train station.

"Oh… so you invited sempai along… Well, It's okay with me… The more the merrier." Miyuki said as they rode in the train. They're going to get off somewhere in Tokyo. They were silent as the train speeded down the tracks. Mitsui can't help but glance at Miyuki who is looking out the window with traces of wretchedness in her eyes. He sighed as he watched the view outside the train. Kaname snickered lightly as he looked at Miyuki and Mitsui. Mitsui-san is a nice guy… Although, he's just too slow in giving her hints…

They got off the train and took a short walk towards the hospital. Miyuki is walking by herself while Kaname and Mitsui walked behind her. Miyuki is walking with her head down and is thinking very deeply. Mitsui sighed as he looked at Kaname. I wonder why Kaname-san wanted me to come along…

"Hey… What happened to your mother? Is she that sick or something?" Mitsui asked as he looked at Kaname.

Kaname fixed his glasses as he looked up the sky. "Depression. She became ill because she missed Miyuki so much. Soon, she can't even stand straight and won't talk to me… But it was only recently when she became really weak that she collapsed. Okasan loved Miyuki so much… But my father warned her not to get too attached to Miyuki. But she didn't listen and continued taking care of her. That's when my father became so angry and decided to separate okasan from Miyuki. That's why we left her in Kanagawa…"

After a while, they reached the hospital. Kaname guided Miyuki to her mother's room as Mitsui followed behind her. Kaname stopped in front of the door and looked at Miyuki. He can see that his sister is hesitating to see her mother.

Miyuki lowered her head as she closed her eyes and shook her head lightly. "I… I can't do it… onichan. I… I can't look her in the eye after all those things I said to her… I never even tried to understand her even though she's doing her best to understand me… I always think pessimistic things about her… I can't do this…" she muttered. She then felt a hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and saw Mitsui in front of her.

"You can do it… And I don't think your mother would care about something as petty as your reasons. She said it herself… She wants to see you, and I know you want to…" Mitsui whispered to her as he kept his hand on her shoulder. Miyuki looked at him for a while. She then smiled faintly and walked to the door. Kaname smiled as he opened the door for her.

Miyuki entered the room silently as she looked around. She saw her mother by the hospital bed and is looking out the window. Her mother gazed by the door and saw Miyuki standing next to Kaname with a blank expression on her face. Miyuki looked at her mother for a while as she slowly approached her.

"O.. ka… san…" Miyuki muttered under her breath. After hearing that word, tears welled up in her mother's eyes. She leaned closer as she embraced her mother. Her mother held her in her arms as her tears ran down her cheeks. "Okasan… Gomen nasai…"

"It's been so long, Yuki-chan…" he mother whispered to her as her tears continued to roll down her cheeks. Kaname smiled like he never smiled before. He opened the door and invited Mitsui into the room.

"Well now, what a sight for sore eyes…" Mitsui muttered as he smiled and looked at Miyuki with her mother. Kaname nodded as he patted Mitsui's shoulder. "Come on, I'll introduce you to our mother." Kaname said as he pulled Mitsui.

Miyuki looked back and saw Mitsui and Kaname. She wiped her tears as she stood up and pulled Miyuki beside her. "Ah… Okasan, This is Hisashi Mitsui. He's my sempai!" Miyuki said. Mitsui bowed down and introduced himself.

Kaname and Mitsui decided to eat while Miyuki stayed with her mother. Miyuki opened the curtains and looked outside. Her mother smiled as she held a small rag doll in her hands.

"Yuki-chan… You and Hisashi-kun seems to be at ease with each other…" Minaku said as Miyuki seated beside her.

"Eh? Hai… You see, I owe sempai a lot… He's been so good to me and cares for me when I need someone the most." Miyuki replied as she giggled. "However, he is too nice to me…"

Minaku smiled faintly as he held on the rag doll. "Yuki-chan… I'll be okay, knowing that Hisashi-kun is with you… And it's nice that he cares about you a lot… But, can you bear to leave him when that time comes?"

Miyuki thought for a while. She sighed as she looked out the window. "It's going to be hard for me to leave such a nice sempai… But, I can take it…" she muttered as she held her mother's hand. Minaku smiled at her as he listened to some of Miyuki's stories. Yuki-chan… You don't have feelings for him, don't you? And you don't even realize that he has one for you…I saw it in his eyes. I'm worried, not only for you but also for him. When that time comes, can he accept your fate?

Minaku erased that thought from her mind and decided to change the subject. "Yuki-chan, have you heard the news about your father?" she started. Miyuki looked at her blankly. She suddenly stood up and looked outside the window.

"What do I care about him?" Miyuki said blankly. Minaku was used with her snappy reactions when she thinks of his father. "Where is he now? Isn't he supposed to be here with you? Where is he? Is he busy taking plasma samples from one of his deceased patients again?"

Minaku shook her head and clutched her blanket. "Iie… He's in a mental hospital right now. He's been having more and more tantrums lately so we decided to let him stay there for a while." She narrated.

Miyuki squinted her eyes and maintained her blank expression. "Serves him right. It looks like Karma is haunting him. I'd love to see him suffer, just like he made me suffer before…" she muttered as she looked out the window.

Minaku sat up and pulled Miyuki's arm. "Aren't you going to see him for just a while." She asked.

"I won't! He deserves that kind of treatment, because he is really insane! He's using Science as an excuse for his insane experiments!" Miyuki snapped as he glared at Minaku. They were both silent for a while. Miyuki lowered her head as she sat on her chair. "Gomen nasai… I was just enraged…" Minaku smiled faintly at her and held her hand.

"I understand… Do whatever you like… I'll be here to back you up." Minaku said in a low tone. Miyuki smiled faintly as she sighed.

Kaname and Mitsui went back to Minaku's room to fetch Miyuki. They have to go back to Kanagawa before sunset since the train station closes early every autumn and winter. Miyuki hugged her mother and promised that she would visit her again in a couple of days or so. Miyuki went out of the room as Kaname and Mitsui followed behind her.

Just when Mitsui was about to walk out of the room, Minaku called him, He turned around and approached her. Kaname noticed that Mitsui is not behind him so he decided to wait outside with Miyuki.

"Hai.. How may I help you, Minaku-san?" Mitsui said as he approached Minaku. She was silent as he looked at Mitsui. She shifted her eyes by the window and looked at the view.

"Hisashi-kun… Please stay by Yuki-chan's side. Don't leave her… Sooner or later, she's going to need you the most…" Minaku muttered. She shifted her eyes back to Mitsui. "I'm counting on you… If you're truly serious about your feelings with my daughter..."

Mitsui was surprised upon hearing those words from Minaku. They looked at each other for a while. Mitsui smiled faintly as he nodded. He bowed down and walked out of the room. Minaku gazed at him and smiled. I'm counting on you… You're the one that she needs to be with right now…

Mitsui looked around and saw Kaname and Miyuki by the stairway. "Gomen ne… Minaku-san called me for a while…" Mitsui said as bowed down. Kaname walked Miyuki and Mitsui by the train station. Miyuki embraced his brother and entered the train. Mitsui patted Kaname's shoulder and followed Miyuki. While on their way, Mitsui and Miyuki were silent. Miyuki looked out at the passing scenery as Mitsui glanced at her for a while. His thinking was cut short when Miyuki tugged his sleeve.

"Arigato sempai! Thanks for being with me when I need you the most!" she exclaimed as she smiled. Mitsui smiled awkwardly as he nodded. After a while, they reached Kanagawa. While they were walking, Miyuki looked up the sky as she walked aimlessly beside Mitsui.

What did Minaku-san mean by that? Does that mean she's at ease when I'm with Miyuki? Mitsui thought as she looked at Miyuki from time to time.

"Sempai… Aren't you lonely living by yourself?" Miyuki asked as she looked at Mitsui.

"Eh? Well… Sometimes, it seems so boring living alone… But I can manage since I can entertain myself with basketball once in a while… You know… Why ask?" Mitsui replied as he chuckled.

"Hmm… Nothing special. It's kind of weird. Back then, I 'm so used being all alone. But now, I feel so happy when I'm with you, Aya-chan and Ryota-chan… Oh! The same goes with Kiminobu-san too!" Miyuki said with enthusiasm. "It seems that… I won't be able to bear the thought of being alone again…"

Mitsui chuckled as he folded his arms. "Well now.. that's good to hear…" he replied.

Miyuki nodded with a smile on her face. After a while, her smile faded and looked at the ground. "You know, back then… It seems that I'm always so sure with my answers. It seems like I know everything… But now, I'm beginning to doubt about my decisions… I wonder what would I feel when that time comes…" she closed her eyes and sighed. "I'd break down eventually…"

Mitsui gazed at her. "I'm glad you're happy right now, but what in the world are you talking about? Are you going somewhere or something?" he asked.

Miyuki kept quiet as she shook her head. "Iie, sempai… Forget I said that… I was just thinking about some bizarre thoughts." She replied as she giggled. They passed by Mitsui's house and yet Mitsui continued walking. "Matte! Sempai… You should go home now. Your house is right here!" Miyuki exclaimed as she turned on her heel but Mitsui grabbed her wrist and pulled her with him.

"Iie… It's late and I can't afford to let you walk all alone out here!" Mitsui shot back as he tightened his grasp. Miyuki got confused, but she smiled and walked beside Mitsui.

As they passed by the park, Miyuki felt something fall in her head. She stopped and looked up in the sky. Mitsui looked back and wondered why Miyuki suddenly stopped. Miyuki saw one snowflake, then another one. Soon, a number of snowflakes fell from the sky. The streetlamps lighted as snow continued to fall from the sky.

"Look sempai! It's snowing!" Miyuki exclaimed as she lifted her palm and waited for snow to fall on it. Mitsui looked up and smiled. Miyuki walked beside him as they both looked up and watched the snow. The people from the nearby stores went out and watched the first snowfall of the year. Mitsui looked at Miyuki and took out a handkerchief from his pocket. While Miyuki is gazing at the snow, she felt someone put a cloth on her head. She looked up and saw Mitsui who is smiling at her. Miyuki smiled as they stood close to each other.

Back at Tokyo, a nurse went inside Minaku's room to check up on her. The nurse looked out the window and smiled. "Kanazumi-san… Look out the window. It's the first snowfall of the year!" she exclaimed. Minaku looked out and smiled. Kaname smiled as he opened the curtains and admired the view.

"Well now… I believe Miyuki is watching this right now, ne okasan?" Kaname muttered as he looked at Minaku. She nodded and took a rag doll from the drawer. The nurse bowed down and exited the room. At least Yuki-chan is happy while watching the snow this year…I'm sure Hisashi-kun is with her right now. That would make it more special…

Miyuki and Mitsui decided to go on their way. After a while, they were in front of Miyuki's house. Mitsui walked her to the porch and smiled at her.

"Arigato sempai… Hope we can get together again sometime." Miyuki said as she bowed down. "Oh… come inside and have tea…" she added.

"Well, I can come by here anytime… And with that tea thing, I need to go back now before the snow gets heavy. Oyasumi Miyuki." Mitsui said.

"Hai! Well... Oyasumi sempai!" Miyuki exclaimed. She pulled Mitsui's hand and tiptoed to give him a peck on the cheek. She opened the door and went inside the house. Mitsui stood flabbergasted as he held his cheek. What was that! Oh… don't be silly Hisashi! It's a peck on the cheek obviously! But why? He shook his head and walked away. Inside the house, Miyuki is looking at him from the window. She smiled as she closed the curtains.

"Oi! Mitsui!" Miyagi called out as he approached Mitsui. "Where have you been? Are you dating Miyu-chan?" he added as he snickered with a bit of sarcasm.

"Nope… We just went to Tokyo to visit her mom… Nothing special. How about you? Where have you been? You're all dressed up." Mitsui replied as he looked at what Miyagi's wearing.

"Oh… Ayako and me went out for a while…" Miyagi replied. "Well, see you around… I'm going inside now… Ja!" he added as he waved at Mitsui and went inside the house.

Mitsui walked home as fast as he could. He dried himself up as soon as he arrived home and ate his dinner. Afterwards, he lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling. He touched his cheek and smiled faintly. Why did she do that? I'm not expecting something like that to happen…He tried to find the right side of his bed, but to no avail. He sighed as he sat up and looked out the window. The streets were covered with snow already. He sighed as he got up and changed his clothes. He got his coat and scarf and opened the door. A light breeze brushed against his face as he stooped down to wear his boots. He walked against the pile of snow as he wore his mittens.

Okay… now this is kind of weird… I'm outside in this very snowy night. It's freezing out here, but I just have to get out and walk around a bit… Maybe when I'm done I'll be able to sleep well… Mitsui decided to walk by the park. There are only a few people who are outside at that time of night. He sighed as he shoved the snow off a bench and sat down.

Sooner or later, she's going to need you the most… What did Minaku-san mean by that? Mitsui sighed as he looked around. It's been so nice having her around…

Mitsui's thinking was cut short when he heard faint footsteps on the snow. He looked around and wondered who might be walking around at that time of night.

"Anou… Konnichiwa… What are you doing here at this time of night?" A faint voice asked from behind Mitsui. He turned around and saw Miyuki in her winter clothes. She smiled faintly but she blushed and looked away. Probably because of the cold wind brushing in her face.

"I should be the one asking you that question. Your house is a long way from here you know! Not to mention that it's snowing already and it's even more dangerous!" Mitsui exclaimed as he stood up.

Miyuki smiled as she steeped closer to Mitsui. "You are always so concerned, sempai!" she exclaimed as she poked her finger on Mitsui's cheek.

Mitsui was surprised at the way Miyuki is acting. He chuckled as he scratched his head. "Well now! You're way too blissful tonight? What happened to you?" he exclaimed.

"Why… Is it a miracle that I'm like this right now?"

"…."

"Hmm… You're speechless! Oh well, I'm just glad I finally have my Okasan back… And I'm happy because in spite of my well-being I realized there are still friend like you guys who are willing to accept me for who I am…" Miyuki looked up the sky and smiled. "Okasan made me realize that."

"So, what are you planning to do now?"

"Hmm… I have no idea… I guess I'll be more optimistic when it comes to my viewpoint in life…"

Mitsui nodded as he smiled. Miyuki giggled as she watched the snowfall. They were both silent for a while as they stood next to each other. "I think I'll stay here for a while…" Mitsui muttered to Miyuki. They stayed there for a couple of hours.

Early the next morning, Mitsui woke up with a very bad cold. Oh well, this is what I get for staying out... Achoo! ..side with all those snow! He went to the next room and looked at the person sleeping on one of the beds. Oh well, at least I got to convince her to stay for the rest of the night…She will get more than a cold if I let her walk back to her house. It's a good think I managed to drag her here… Literally. I have to carry her on my shoulder! He smiled as he looked at Miyuki who is sleeping peacefully. He brushed her hair off her face as he went downstairs. After a while, Miyuki followed downstairs.

-Flashback-

"Sempai! I have to walk home! I can manage, hontouni!" Miyuki exclaimed as she pleaded Mitsui to let her go. Mitsui kept shaking his head as Miyuki continued to plead even harder. Then, Mitsui carried Miyuki on his back and walked as fast as he can.

"You're staying tonight! That's final! I'll call up Miyagi and tell him you're staying for tonight!" Mitsui replied as he walked at a faster pace.

"Sempai! Put me down! You don't need to carry me you know!" Miyuki exclaimed as she tightened her grasp on Miyuki's shoulder. She can't afford to fall down in the snow since it's actually freezing already. ----

"Eh! Ohayou sempai!" Miyuki greeted as she yawned. "I'll be going now sempai… Thanks for letting me stay here…" She said as she smiled.

"You still look sleepy… Maybe you should go back to sleep…" Mitsui suggested. But Miyuki simple shook her head. "Arigatou sempai… But I really have to go back…"

Mitsui sighed as he walked Miyuki to the door. "Arigatou again sempai! See ya!" Miyuki said as she bowed down and walked down the thick pile of snow. Mitsui followed her in his gaze and smiled.

I think this chapter is kinda boring… What do you think guys? I'm really sorry… It's just that something is bothering my brain cells… Gomen nasai.

Weeee… Now what is that "time" that everyone's talking about! Mitsui doesn't have a clue, and that goes with the rest of Miyuki's friends… Well then, it's going to be revealed in the upcoming chapters…Thanks for reading this! Hehehe.. Please drop a review on your way out... /gg