SLAM DUNK: A PLAYER'S HEART

Chapter 6: Sudden Change...

"Sacrifice not choices is the measure of true knowledge!"

Vanessa Arrha A. De Leon

It was already 1 week after the incident with Kyo Gaita and his goons. Already, everyone at Shohoku High knew everything that had happened. That the cold and selfish, Rukawa Kaede risked his life to save his nemesis' younger sister. It was something unbelievable at first especially for Rukawa's adoring female supporters. That made Ran, for the following weeks the subject of these girls' gossip and envy.

Fortunately for her, Shohoku had a game coming up in one of the farther provinces of Saka. This was the 1st game for the qualifying rounds of the Inter High, all they needed was 5 wins and they'll already be allowed to enter the Inter High as one of the top 12.

Now because this was a far province, the Shohoku team needed to pack up and leave Kanagawa for Saka, a small town which is bullet train ride away from Kanagawa. They will be staying there for the rest of the Christmas Break.

And because no one will be there to take care of Ran, they chose to bring her along including Haruko and Sakuragi's friends. (Mito and the others)

-------

"Where are we going to stay in, Gori?" Sakuragi asked as they were treading along an orchard path towards the inn that Coach Anzai had reserved for them.

"Its called Kirro Inn! It's at the far end of this orchard. We should be reaching it before dark!"

The team walked on, awed by the breathtaking sceneries around them.

"This is such a wonderful place!" Ran commented as they all walked along.

"Hai! Hai! And it will be much more beautiful when snow already falls!" Ayako added.

"I wish I could stay here forever!" Ran said as they walked on.

-------

"Irrashai!" greeted their host who was a kindly old woman dressed in a worn-out kimono.

"Arigatou! We're here for Shohoku's reservation." Akagi responded.

"Uhmm... Hai-hai!! Anzai-san called me a few weeks ago and told me to reserve 8 rooms."

"8 rooms? But that's not enough!" Kogure remarked.

"Excuse me, but do you have any other available rooms?"

"Uh! Gomen, Akagi-san! We're fully booked for the holidays, those 8 are the only rooms available."

Their host excused herself and the team was left outside to discuss what they will do to share the 8 rooms.

"Okay! Shiozaki, Yasuda, you go into 1 room!" Akagi ordered.

"Hai! Taicho!"

"The 2 freshmen will share also 1 room!"

"Hai! Taicho!"

"Ryota and Kakuta will share another room!"

"Mitsui, Sakuragi and the other freshman will stay together!"

"Kogure and me will stay in 1 room!"

"While Ayako and Haruko will have one room for themselves!"

"Sakuragi's friends will also have 1 room!"

"And Rukawa will stay by himself in the remaining room!"Akagi finished.

"Oi! Gori, why does Rukawa have one room all to himself?" Sakuragi asked.

"Well! I know Rukawa is narcholeptic and I don't think anyone of you would like to disturb his sleep!" Akagi replied, his eyes shining. "Or perhaps you would, Sakuragi?"

"Hehe...No! Forget it Gori! I'd rather stay with Mitsi!!"

"Sempai! What about Ran?" Ayako asked.

"There's no more room left and she can't stay in your room because you will be overcrowded." Akagi said.

While the others were thinking of what to do, Rukawa said something.

"She can stay in my room!"

Ayako, Haruko and the rest of them gasped at Rukawa's sudden words.

"Nani! Kitsune!! I'll never allow my younger sister to stay with you!" Sakuragi said.

"I think that's the only way!" Akagi said.

"Demo, Gori!!"

"Shut up, Sakuragi, That's the only way" Akagi reasoned then turning to Rukawa, he added, "Demo Rukawa, you have to promise that you will not harm Ran in any way!"

Rukawa nodded. Akagi turned to Ran, "Are you okay with this?"

"I know Rukawa-san can be trusted so hai."

"Now that it's all done, everyone you could now rest for tonight and the next 2 days, our training will resumed afterwards."

"Hai! Taicho!"

And the team proceeded inside the inn.

-------

When it was time for all to sleep. Ran and Rukawa quietly settled in their rooms.

"Rukawa-san, thank you for letting me stay here!"

no reply

"I'll sleep now! It's better that you also get some sleep!"

no reply

"Good night!" Ran said before laying her head on her futon.

While Rukawa was left looking outside his window at the beautiful full moon of that night.

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Ran woke up rather late that morning. She stretched out and put away her futon into a small closet in their room. She looked over Rukawa's futon and found that it had already been kept.

Afterwards, she took a bath and dressed herself promptly. When she walked out of the room, she was surprised, when she found Rukawa standing outside.

"What are you doing there, Rukawa-san?"

"Breakfast is ready!" he replied not really answering her question. Then walked ahead while she trailed behind.

The dining area was a small room with a traditional Japanese decorated table. When the two arrived, the others were already seated there, together with their host.

"Now that's everyone's here, I think we can now start eating!"

As they were eating, their host spoke of many places they could go visit to relax and have fun:

"Since you'll be relaxing for 2 days, I suggest you wander around here. This is such a beautiful place, it's a shame if you don't get to see it. Aside from the orchard, there's a small town festival at Saosaki. You could go there tonight, to see the fireworks. Then you can go swim at Hatsuden Springs today before it all gets cold! Anyway, I hope you enjoy your stay here!" Their host said as she excused herself to entertain other guest.

"So where are all of you off to?" Akagi asked after they were done eating.

"We'll go explore the town!" Mitsui, Ryota, Ayako, and the rest of the players replied except Rukawa.

"I'm going with Ran, brother!" Haruko replied.

Afterwards, the team separated to explore Saka.

Haruko, Sakuragi and Ran were about to go when...

"Matte... I forgot something!" Ran said.

Ran ran back to their room to grabbed her purse when she found Rukawa lying sleepily on the floor.

"Rukawa-san, would you like to go with us?" Ran offered.

no reply

"Well! If you don't want to---" Ran said as she was about to go out the room.

"I'd like that..." Rukawa faintly said then grabbed his jacket and went outside with Ran.

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"Oni-san, I hope you don't mind but Rukawa-san would like to come with us?"

Grrr.... Kitsune!! Sakuragi thought. While Haruko was at the side blushing sheepishly because of Rukawa.

The foursome walked side by side. Ran and Haruko were at the middle while Rukawa was at Ran's side and Sakuragi at Haruko's.

"Where would you like to go first, Ran-chan?" Haruko asked.

"I think we should explore the orchard first!" Ran answered.

As they walked along the Orchard Path, Ran suddenly had the urge to stay there.

"Haruko-san, if you want you could go ahead!"

"But, why Ran?"

"I'd like to do something first!" she answered.

"Rukawa-san and Oni-san, I think you should go with Haruko-chan!" Ran said as she ran off towards orchard garden.

"Well! I think we should all go!" Haruko said, turning to Rukawa.

"I'll stay here!" Rukawa said then ran off to where Ran went.

"Haruko-chan, I think we should go!" Sakuragi said then lead the way towards the town while Haruko was left looking sadly to the path Rukawa ran off to.

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Ran found an old Sakura tree at the end of the Orchard Slope. After gathering some flowers she sat there and braided it into a small bracelet.

It was there where Rukawa found her. Rukawa didn't say anything, instead he sat beside her quietly then laid his head on an enormous tree root. Ran smiled softly as she looked to where Rukawa was.

After finishing her flower bracelet she put it aside and turned to Rukawa.

"You know, at my first day of school Ayako-san told me that she didn't trust that you'll be nice towards me or be my guide or anything! But now I know she's wrong!"

no reply

"You may seem a bit selfish and cold but I also know you're a great guy!"

"How do you know?"

"I don't know! Maybe I felt it or..."

"What?"

"Nothing, Rukawa-san!"

They all sat there quietly for quite a while before Rukawa suddenly spoke up.

"Ran..."

"Nani?"

"Do you think you could be my friend?"

"Eh!"

silence

"What are you talking? I am your friend even from a long time ago!" she replied then grinned towards him.

"I don't want to be alone..."

Ran was surprised at Rukawa's words. She didn't really cared a lot about him before but she was particularly touched at this sudden revelation.

"You'll never be alone, you've got the basketball team around you!"

"How about you?"

Out of nowhere, Ran was suddenly pulled by Rukawa into his arms. Her eyes widened as he kissed her cheek followed by a tight embrace, burying his face onto her shoulders. How about you?

"I don't know, Rukawa-san..." was Ran's reply.

Rukawa loosened his grip then looked at her in the eyes... "Why? Don't you feel anything?"

Tears began to fall down her cheeks, "Gomen, Rukawa-san, I can't allow myself to be with anyone!" she answered as she ran off towards the Orchard Path.

The words she spoke resounded in Rukawa's mind. I can't allow myself to be with anyone!"

Why, Ran?

-------TO BE CONTINUED;)-------