Chapter Five

You're Sakuragi Hanamichi!

The following morning cast its pale rays in the pink and white bedroom. On Kyouren's white desk lay her black book bag with her new notebooks, pencils, and erasers. Her pressed uniform hung neatly by her chair, and outside, propped gently against the railing her new sunflower yellow bicycle gleamed with morning dew.

But Kyouren hadn't been able to sleep that night. Her mind was full of questions and worries. Going to a new school was always nerve racking– but she was entering a school in a different country. Nitta-san had warned her Japanese schools were different. She was already beginning to see the difference, from her uniform, to the respectful behavior of juniors to their seniors, as demonstrated by the basketball team. She didn't want to make a wrong impression, but her kanji was terrible. She could read, but her writing looked silly. What if she wasn't smart enough? What if she made a complete fool out of herself? What if I run into Sakuragi Hanamichi?

She didn't sleep until 3:00 AM, until she had drifted off from exhaustion.

"Itou Kyouren.. Wake up!" Mrs. Nitta's usually gentle voice was a stern shout next to her ear.

Kyouren burst from her sheets, startled, rubbing the tangled roots of her hair. "Nitta-san.. It's early." She groaned. "My alarm hasn't.." She blinked. Where was her alarm clock?

Sighing, Mrs. Nitta bent to pick it from the floor, where it had crashed down thirty minutes ago. The battery was brained out of it by Kyouren's tight fist. Kyouren paled. "What.. What time is it?"

"7:40 Miss Itou. Class starts in twenty minutes." Mrs. Nitta blinked as she felt a blur of black hair tickle her chin. The bathroom door crashed open and the shower was on. "Ah.. To be young." she chuckled, heading downstairs to set breakfast.

"Teme.." She growled as she stomped her way outdoors. Rukawa's bicycle was gone from its usual place. He could have waken her up. Her hair was still partly wet, she had only gotten in two bites of breakfast, and she hadn't yet changed into her skirt and was wearing black track pants. No matter, she couldn't ride her bicycle with a skirt anyhow, so she stuffed it in her book bag to change into later. She still had ten minutes, and if she rode at full speed she could arrive five minutes early.

With speed born of determination, she hopped on her yellow ride and flashed off like lightning. Huffing and puffing, she made it to Shohoku after several close calls with pedestrians and passing cars alike. It was all worth it to her not to be late on her first day. Besides, the wind had dried the rest of her hair. She parked her bicycle by the rack, ignoring the strange looks the students gave her, since she was wearing her blouse, her vest, and had tied on her red velvet ribbon, but was wearing track pants. Without another word she slipped on the skirt, ripped off the pants, and headed towards the main building.

"Fuji-chan.." A pigtailed girl nudged her friend, pointing at Kyouren. "Who is that? I've never seen her before."

Fuji, a coyly pretty girl with a boyish haircut shrugged, her brown eyes slightly wide. "Me neither.. But If I'd seen a girl like that I'm sure I would have remembered her." She added, chuckling. The two girls walked towards the lockers, taking off their black shoes and changing into their white slippers.

Fuji and her friend Matsui walked to their classes running into Haruko standing outside classroom 2-7.

"Haruko-chan!"

"Ohayo!" Haruko replied cheerfully to her long time friends.

"Haruko-chan!" Kyouren cried out happily, finally finding the classroom she belonged to. Matsui and Fuji looked stunned, as the track-pants girl came sauntering forward to greet Haruko.

"Minna, this is Kyouren.. Kyouren these are my friends Matsui and Fuji. She's from America." Haruko beamed at her astonished friends.

"Nice to meet you." Fuji stuttered, blushing slightly. Matsui held out her hand, giving Kyouren a strong handshake. "Any friend of Haruko's is our friend.. Right Fuji?" Matsui grinned, but her companion only blushed deeper.

Before further conversation could commence, a bell began to ring shrilly. "Well we better head in, see you at lunch!" Haruko waved, ushering Kyouren inside to take a seat.

"Lunch will be interesting today." Matsui spoke aloud, dozens of questions on the tip of her tongue. But Fuji wasn't moving, still standing at the door, looking worried. "What's the matter Fuji?" She asked, grabbing her friends elbow and rushing towards their class.

"Uh.. Matsui-chan.. Wasn't Kyouren still wearing her shoes?" She asked nervously.

"Lets hope not.. Come on we're going to be late!" Matsui replied, and the two disappeared into their classroom.

Kyouren sat at her square, wooden desk, fidgeting nervously. All the students were seated, in alternating rows of boy and girl. Haruko sat diagonally to the right of her. From the corner of her eyes she spotted a mass of black hair to her left. Rukawa sat at the back row corner, his head collapsed between his arms, sleeping as usual.

Her exploration of the classroom came to a halt, when the screech of chairs filled her ears, and she saw that all the students were standing. She hurried to do the same, as a short, middle-aged man walked inside, several books tucked under his arm. She ducked her head low when she saw the other students bow, sharply greeting the 'Sensei'. She cautiously sat back down her heart pounding in her chest. Nothing in this school was like her old school. Nothing at all.

"Good Morning class." The man barked out clearly, ruffling through his papers. "Before I call roll today, I'd like to announce the presence of a new student among us."

Kyouren turned visibly pale, then green. Oh no..Please don't call me..

"Itou Kyouren. Please stand up front."

Kyouren's legs felt like jelly as she made her way up the aisle. She fought the blush creeping to her cheeks, as thirty pairs of brown, blue, and green eyes blinked curiously up at her. Rukawa was still a pile on his desk, snoring away quietly. Somehow that comforted her, as she bowed awkwardly to her Sensei.

The sharp little man looked her up and down, then his eyes suddenly halted at her feet. She blinked, wondering what she should do, trying to ignore the swarm of eyes looked directly at her. She glanced at Haruko, who was smiling encouragingly at her.

"Where did you come from, Miss Itou?" He asked suddenly.

"From California Sensei.. In the United States." She blurted awkwardly.

"I know where California is Miss Itou." He countered sternly. "Now introduce yourself to the class."

She gulped, her fingers fiddling with the fringe of her blue skirt, but she refused to look down and stared straight ahead. "My name is Itou Kyouren, I am sixteen years old. I was born in Kanagawa, but raised in Anaheim California. I have an older brother and a pet dog at home, and my hobbies include writing, sketching, and jogging."

The students clapped politely after her little speech, and she felt a little better. Haruko was beaming at her. The worst was over– or so she thought.

"Very good Miss Itou. Now kindly remove yourself and your belongings from this classroom, and kneel outside until the next period."

The class gasped, but her own shock was greater. Her mouth hung open, as she struggled for the right words. "But sensei.." was all she managed, suddenly unable to feel her legs, as the man glanced at her with cold wrath.

"I don't know what they teach in America, Miss Itou." He spoke, through clenched teeth. "But In Japan our classroom is our pride and we treat it respectfully. You will do well to remember to take off your shoes before entering."

Kyouren glanced down at her feet, realization dawning on her. The damned slippers were still under her bed.

"Demo– Sensei.." Haruko suddenly spoke up. "Kyouren-chan is new to Japan.. She couldn't have known.."

"Well now she knows Miss Akagi." He interrupted, turning his frosty eyes on Haruko, who was forced into silence.

Kyouren stonily picked her book bag off her desk, her back itching with the dozens of pairs of eyes staring at her, as she dragged her feet outside. When the door clicked shut, she collapsed on the floor, tears flooding her vision, which she held back with all her might. "It's not fair." She got out, balling her hands into fists.

"Damn right it's not fair." A voice replied.

Curiously, she looked down the hall from her. A boy sat kneeling, his arms stretched out, holding his book bag above his head. The most striking thing about him was his hair, bright red, and sticking up like many short bristles of pine needles. Sniffing curiously, she pointed to his book bag.

"What are you doing that for..?"

"For being late." He growled, glaring back into his classroom. "The nerve of them punishing a tensai, especially when he's just gotten over his injury."

Kyouren straightened, forgetting her humiliation for the moment. "You were injured?"

The boy grinned, conspiratorially lowering his book bag, shifting his head left and right, then finally relaxing his knees. "While scoring the winning point for my basketball team!" He exclaimed, raising a fist in the air.

Kyouren felt a sweat drop forming on the back of her head. Until it struck her. Basketball team.. Injury.. Masaka.. This can't be.. "Anou.. You couldn't possibly be.. Sakuragi Hanamichi!" She exclaimed, her voice raising an extra octave.

He laughed, book bag completely forgotten, his hands at his hips. "So the fame of the tensai basketman spreads far and wide! Nyahahahaha!"

Kyouren felt her jaw drop, hanging wide open. Sakuragi Hanamichi, the name that had occupied her mind so long. How she had wondered about the fate of her poor abandoned brother. How much she had worried that he would be a sad, troubled, unhappy boy with skinny legs and a sad face. This red-haired man was certainly not what she had pictured. His school uniform was tight across his muscular form, the black shirt unbuttoned halfway, the collar set loose, and he had an earsplitting laugh, his muscular arms jolting at his sides. He was a giant. Just about Kano's height, or slightly shorter. His eyes were the same shade as hers, rich brown with a hint of amber.

Sakuragi Hanamichi let his laughter trail off, seeing as the girl was still gawking at him. Being recognized as a basketball icon was one thing, but the round eyed slack-jawed stare was beginning to make him nervous.

"Oi.. What are you staring at?" He asked, poking her roughly in the shoulder.

"Uh.. Nothing Sakuragi-san!" She stuttered, trying to pry her eyes away from him. Sakuragi blinked as she stuck her hand out into his face. "I'm Itou Kyouren."

Sakuragi shook the small hand, still feeling a bit strange about the girl. Suddenly he noticed a familiar brown head at the window of classroom 2-7. Haruko-san! His heart burst with joy. After a few minutes of daydreaming, he looked down at the girl, Kyouren, his gaze still full of adoration. "Oi.. Jou-chan, you're in the same class as Haruko-san?"

"H-hai." Kyouren replied, a little startled by the lovesick glow of her twins eyes. Kyouren flinched when suddenly, Sakuragi's expression darkened like a storm cloud.

In a flash he was was up, pressing his head against the small square window, his eyes blazing amber. "Kuso! That kistune otoko is in Haruko-sans class!"

Kyouren stood shakily, her eyes focusing on the direction he was staring. "Anou.. Do you mean Rukawa Kaede?"

"Rukawaaaa.. You don't deserve to be in the same room as Haruko-san.." He growled, his hand clenched into a fist.

"How dare he sleep in class." Kyouren muttered, raising her own first in anger. "I get kicked out of class for wearing shoes.. But he sleeps the entire period without a single reprimand!" Indignation rose high on her brow, and Sakuragi turned to her, slapping her shoulder in encouragement.

"Sou da! Rukawa needs to be beaten into a bloody pulp!"

"Yosh!" Kyouren agreed, remembering his unneighborly actions that put her in this whole mess.

"Oi Kyouren-chan.. What are you yelling about?" Ryouta Miyagi whispered, startling her from behind. He was hiding his face behind his book bag and looking suspicious.

"Ryou-chin!" Sakuragi exclaimed, his large arm encasing Ryouta's shoulders.

"Hanamichi.. Wasn't sure you'd be here today." Ryota grinned, giving his friend a friendly slap on the shoulder. "Ah.. So you've met our new friend.." He smiled at Kyouren.

"Aa.. Who is this jou-chan anyhow?" Sakuragi asked, looking down at the petite form from his superior height.

"A friend we met over the summer. She helps out at practices." Miyagi explained, while Kyouren smiled nervously.

"Anou.. Senpai, what are you doing here? Don't you have class?" Kyouren asked, trading puzzled glances with Sakuragi.

"Heh heh heh.." Ryouta responded, rubbing the back of his head. "Actually.. I don't know which class I'm in." he mumbled, causing both Kyouren and Sakuragi to fall backwards. "Anyway.. Sakuragi.. How is your back?" He asked, his expression suddenly serious.

"As good as new!" Sakuragi grinned. "How is the team? Suffering without the awesome skills of the tensai?" he asked anxiously. Sakuragi had been in the hospital for a over a month. Though he itched to get back on the court, he was secretly very worried, that a certain Kitsune-otoko had surpassed him.

Ryouta smirked mischievously, looking to spark a little competition. "We've all improved. Especially Rukawa, since he came back from the Japan league."

"And Mitsui-san too!" Kyouren blurted, earning a odd look from both basketball players.

The bell rang shrill, causing all three students to jump in surprise. The halls filled with noisy students taking their five minute stretch breaks. Kyouren hid behind Sakuragi and Miyagi as her sensei strode out of the classroom, heading towards his next class. Haruko ran out immediately, spotting Kyouren she pulled her forward.

"Gomen Ren-chan." She cried. "Sensei is normally not like that.. He must have been in a bad mood."

"Oh.. I've been through worse Haruko-chan." She lied, smiling with gratitude at her friend. She shifted her gaze at the two men, nearly falling forwards when she saw the expression on Sakuragi Hanamichi's face. His eyes were filled with hearts, his face misty. Ryouta chuckled, waving a hand over his face.

"Haruko-san!" Sakuragi sighed, melting as the bright-eyed girl turned to him, and exclaimed in return, "Sakuragi-kun!"

"This is wonderful! Now Shohoku is a complete team." Haruko exclaimed, eyes shining brilliantly. "You're back is okay now.. Isn't it..?" She asked, her expression softening.

"Hai hai Haruko-san!" Sakuragi exclaimed, his hand rubbing the back of his bristly red hair. "Tensai basketman Sakuragi Hanamichi is invincible! Nyahahahahahaa!" He laughed, full of pride.

Kyouren could only stare at her brother. He was so unlike everything she had imagined him to be. A shadow fell over her shoulder, and she turned back, surprised to see a sleepy Rukawa standing over the doorway.

"I thought I heard a moron." He mumbled, yawning profusely.

"Nande Kitsune-otoko? Are you worried, now that the tensai had come back to challenge you?" he threatened, his brown eyes burning fire.

"Ma.. Sakuragi, hold your horses. Save it for pratice." Miyagi advised. "I've got to.. Erm.. Find class. Ja ne minna!" Miyagi called, running upstairs to find his place.

Rukawa, ignoring Sakuragi's challenge turned to look down at Kyouren. "Oi.. Tansoku. Why weren't you in class?" he asked, mildly interested.

Turning a deep shade of pink, Kyouren sniffed, folded her arms and walked into class. "None of your business kitsune." She called over her shoulder, pleased with the nickname her twin had bestowed upon Rukawa.

When she got to her seat, she kicked off her shoes and stowed them in her book bag, lest she be exiled again. But she had plenty of trouble keeping her mind on her studies, replaying her out of the blue meeting with Sakuragi Hanamichi. He was bold, arrogant, brash, and hot tempered. His arrogant laugh rang through her ears, "Nyahahahahahaa!". In the middle of Chemistry, Kyouren clapped her palms over her ears and groaned, gaining the attention of a few of her fellow students.

It was going to take a lot of work to befriend her twin. She had made her resolutions, the week before school started. Make friends with Sakuragi Hanamichi, then slowly break him the news about their connection.

You red-haired baka. Jou-chan is your own blood sister.