CHAPTER 1/? SAKURAGI: I WILL RETURN

A small figure stepped out of the hospital. The sun was shining bright and not a cloud in the sky. She looked up and smiled. Beautiful… Hontou ni kirei. The day is really beautiful. She thought as she slowly walked down a small flight of stairs. The brown haired girl just smiled again. She was happy. It had been a long time since she met with her best friend and it seemed that he was doing better. He was also happy to see her. Then again, it might have been the food she brought. She just chuckled to herself. It was so like him though. He had always made her laugh. When she was down or felt that something was wrong, he would be there for her to make her laugh. She felt that it was his way of comforting her. That's what she liked about him, always genki, full of energy. Even in the worst of situations, he'd seem full of life and ready to take on anything.

"I really missed him. I wonder when he'll be released. I'm sure the team will get stronger again when he gets back." She got very excited. The dream of the national championship was getting closer.

She hasn't seen the redhead since he was injured and hospitalized. She still remembers the day that he injured himself. At first it looked like he was hurt really bad and that he wouldn't be able to play for the rest of the game. Then he suddenly stood up and said "DAISUKI DESU!" I still don't know what he meant by that. He insisted on playing even if the rest of the team felt that he should rest already. But I trusted him. And he even scored the winning basket. But after the game he had to be rushed to the hospital. It was more serious than we thought. The doctor said he might not be able to play again unless he goes through therapy.

It's been months since then. She was happier to know that he was getting better. The doctor said to her privately that he might even be able to play again soon. She knew how happy the redhead would be. And she was excited herself. He'd be able to play basketball again. She remembered the time he first met him. She asked him 'Basuketto wa suki desu ka, Do you like basketball?' He gave this strange answer about him being a sportsman. He didn't know anything about it back then. But he learned. And because of his stamina and willingness to learn he improved really fast. He eventually became invaluable to the team no matter how the others would deny it. And they will deny it to their graves. She just chuckled at it. It's been a while…

As she headed toward the street she looked back at the window and waved. A figure in the window just smiled and waved. He blushed. The tall redhead was overjoyed by her presence. All these months he missed her, her smile, her energy, everything about her. For months all he had were letters, letters he kept neatly in a box beside his bed. He wrote back to her every time, but never really could put to words how he really felt so most of the time he'd just babble about what's happening with him. And now she visited her. He could hardly contain his excitement. They talked and ate some breakfast.

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"So how have you been?"

"I'm doing really fine. I'm trying to finish all my therapy sessions the best I can."

"That's good to hear. What does the doctor say?"

"She said that I'm doing extremely well. She said I'm progressing and improving very fast. Faster than anyone she's ever seen."

"That's great! You may soon play basketball again."

"Really? You think? I'll do my best, because of course I'm tensai! NYAHAHAHA!" She just chuckled with him. "So how's the team?"

"They're doing fine. Miyagi-sempai is holding his own. And he's getting a lot of help from Ayako-san. They've actually been together a lot these days."

:::whisper::: "Heehee! He's making his moves I see."

"What did you say?"

"No..not..nothing." He shaked his head furiously.

"Well, Mitsui-sempai is working really hard. He challenges Ryota-sempai to one-on-one games always. Though almost always they'd end up fighting.:

"Mitchy's trying to prove something! But he'll never beat this tensai."

"Maybe… As for Rukawa, well, we haven't heard from him since he left. We all believe that he won't come back anymore. After all he's chasing his dream. I've already accepted it." She pressed her hands against her chest. "But I'm still hopeful he'll come back someday."

Actually, he's already here. Damn kitsune-otoko! "Ha..Haruko-san. We don't need him. With just me, we can bring the team to the national championship."

"I'm alright. You know… we really missed you…"

"Really? Except for the gundan I thought everyone had forgotten me."

"No, we always end up talking about you. They always ask me how you're doing. I tell them that you write to me and tell me everything so it's ok."

:::whisper::: "She kept them."

"Did you miss me too?"

She blushed. "Of course… Why would I forget one of my best friends?!"

"Oh… just a friend…"

"Oh no! It's already late. If don't leave now I might not make it in time for class. I have to go. Take care of yourself!"

"Don't leave yet. I really missed you. I haven't had much of anything until your visit.

"But I have to go. I still have class."

"PLEASE!!!"

"I really have to go. Don't worry I'll visit you some other day."

"Oh alright then. Good bye! Safe trip! Itterashaimase!"

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If only she didn't have class.

All he could do now was watch as she left the hospital compound. He just watched her till she couldn't see her anymore. And again he was alone. He sighed. I will be back. I promise. I won't let you down. Just wait and see. "Aishiteru… I love you…"

"Who?"

"Ah, eh, NYAHAHAHAHA!!! Whad'ya mean?!"

"Come on, I heard you. It's that girl I see. I must say she's very beautiful. You have good taste."

"Yes, she's very beautiful. Um, um, I mean…" He blushed furiously.

"Well, it's not important right now. You still have to finish your therapy Sakuragi-kun."

"Hmph! Sensei, we always exercise, always therapy. When do I get out of the hospital? I want to play basketball! It's been months and I've been cooped up here like a baby." It was the hospital after all. The room was very drab and barely had any color. There was just his hospital bed and a table beside him to put some stuff and food when it was time to eat. No television set or radio for any entertainment. He had actually thought what if he had been richer, but of course that was just a dream. The only feature noticeable in the room was a big window where the sun would shine in the room in the morning. It had a great view though. But this only made him want to get out of the hospital more. It was killing him that he couldn't see his friends. Or be able to go to school even although he really didn't care for studying. Or even play basketball. He missed it so much. The feel of the ball in his hands. The thrilll he gets when he shoots. The excitement he feels on the court. And of course, the feeling of satisfaction when he dunks. It's the most exciting thing for him. But all he wants now is just to get out of the hospital.

"Maa, maa, Sakuragi-kun, the faster you do your exercises, the faster you get to go and…"

"DEMO, BUT..BUT!"

"Sakuragi-kun no more complaints. You want to be able to play again, right?

"Yes, but…"

"Again with the 'buts'. Just do it. Besides, this is your last one."

His eyes and ears perked up after hearing this.

:::chibi mode::: "E! HONTOU NI, REALLY?! YOSHA!"

He jumped for joy upon hearing the news. It's the best news he's ever heard since he was hospitalized. The thought of being able to play basketball again made him even more excited.

"Didn't I tell you? Must have forgotten… Matte, wait, where are you going?" The red headed boy was already out the door.

"I thought you said we only have one more to go?" He was obviously excited.

"Take it easy, you might get a relapse." He stopped. The thought actually scared him. He didn't want that happen again. This was the worst injury a basketball player could ever receive. He wanted to play. He had realized a long time ago that he really loved the game. He had found the answer to Haruko's question. He loves basketball and he wasn't going to let himself get injured again. He promised himself that a long time ago.

He just looked back at the doctor, smiled and said. "I won't, I'm a tensai. I'm a genius. NYAHAHAHAHA!"

With her hands on her brow, "Doko, Where's the tensai??"

"SENSEI!! TENSAI BASUKETTO MAN SAKURAGI HANAMICHI!!!"

"Just kidding, just kidding. We don't want anything to happen to you before you get better. Better safe than sorry."

"Un!" Wait and see minna, everybody, I'll be back. I'll beat you yet Rukawa! TEME KITSUNE!! He sighed. Kami-sama, God, I miss them all! Gori, Megane-kun, Mitchy, Ryochin, even that kitsune-otoko. He'll never admit that to anyone though (A/N: No, this is not yaoi). As far as he and everyone concerned, their enemies destined to fight forever. He suddenly remembered when Rukawa suddenly showed up at the beach.

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Sakuragi was sitting by the beach reading Haruko's letter. He was overjoyed as usual when reading any of Haruko's letter. While reading he stopped a bit and looked at the horizon. He suddenly saw a figure running down the beach. I wonder who that is? He looked at the figure as it came closer. Ah! Masaka! It can't be. It's… It's… A raven haired boy stopped in front of him. Rukawa! Rukawa suddenly opened his jacket and showed his shirt. It read…

"Ja..pan.." Sakuragi said. The raven haired boy just continued in his jog. Sakuragi flared up. "The only reason you're in the All Japan Team is because I got injured." He was really irritated. Rukawa glanced at him, then stopped and looked towards the sea.

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It irritated him so much. That Rukawa… I'll show him one of these days. He was glad to see him nonetheless.

He thought of Haruko. She always wrote letters to him and even visited him today. I've really missed you. I just hope you'll look at me the same way you look at Rukawa. He just held those letters in his hand and thought about them. Gambarimasu! I'll do my best for her!

"Sakuragi-kun, what are you doing? I thought you wanted to finish already. Better hurry."

"Yes, sensei. I'm already there." I wonder what she's doing right now…