Celibacy
by Aki Midori
Rating: Strictly PG-13!
Warnings: OOC (mostly in Ru's part)/ AU/ YAOI!!!
Genre: General/Humor/Romance
Author's Endless Blahs:
Okay... so its lenten season, and my story's really like 40 Days and 40 Nights. But I assure you, I didn't get my insipiration from that movie, okay? It's just one big coincidence... Hehehe... And thanks very much to those people who asked me to beta-read and edit their fics. You made me realize that as a beta-reader and editor, I should do something about *my own* fics... since I'm too lazy to proofread them, resulting to loads of errors.
Finally, last blah, thanks so much to those who reviewed this fic. Let's see if Sendoh will push through, ne, minna? Arigatou!
DiScLAimErs: It hurts, you know... being able to toy with these hunks' lives, yet knowing that I could never own them. *sigh* But I could dream, ne?
----------------------
Celibacy
Chapter 2: And So They Met...
Happy is an understatement.
He is so damn elated. He could jump up and down for joy. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the wind is cool... the whole day is perfect! For this one man, at least.
Why?
Because it's been five days since he last had a hard on.
Sendoh leaned on the railing of his balcony, breathed in the morning air, and exhaled loudly. Yep, five days since he first practiced celibacy. His last hard on was for that nameless, faceless woman whom he slept with just before he told his friends that he will stop his monotonous existence which consists of... well... women and sex. Five days since he turned away from his sinful life, just to embrace a whole new concept.
Celibacy...
He could do it, after all.
Sendoh smiled as he remembered the way he turned down numerous offers from women. Yeah, he still went to parties, but it ended *there*. Just parties. No more sexual trysts. No more kissing. Hell, not even flirting! He certainly showed his friends what Sendoh Akira was made of... Che, he was a man of his word, after all!
Oh well, there was one moment wherein he almost failed and fell for that woman with, uh, blessed front and kissed her, but he stopped himself in time. Mainly because Mistui was there, smirking at him, daring him to kiss the girl and break his vow; and also because his pride wouldn't allow him to fail this challenge. He was so proud of himself for resisting temptation. But yeah, the woman had to spend a whole day in the hospital because he pushed her away too hard. Sendoh couldn't clearly remember what happened, but he did remember hearing the sound of a loud yelp, snapping heels, breaking glasses, and a loud 'ouch'.
Okay, so he was a bit over-reacting back then, but hey, who could blame him? He's on a quest for a meaningful existence- via celibacy, of course- and that woman's trying to tempt him... what's a man to do?.
He's very happy now. He actually showed his friends and himself that he could actually stay away from his vices and live a new life. He's so proud of himself for accomplishing such task. He actually felt contented and renewed.
Celibacy *is* the answer. He just needed a new challenge. A new purpose. Yeah... he's happy now. He knows what he wants.
"Yeah... I'm happy," Sendoh whispered. Then his stomach grumbled and he sweatdropped. "And yeah... I'm hungry, too."
He walked out of his balcony and headed towards his kitchen. He rummaged through his cupboards, but alas... no edible materials. He was so bent on practicing celibacy that for the past few days, he focused his attention on burying his porn materials under the depths of his closet and forgot to refurnish his fridge and cupboards.
His stomach grumbled again, as if threatening to explode if he won't pay attention to it. He cursed and went to his bedroom spike his, ehm, utterly divine jet-black hair and change his clothes.
It's about time this celibate hunk start paying attention to his food supply. After all, gorgeous, hard-working men like him needs lots and lots of healthy food.
"Lemme see... I need ten bags of Doritos, T-bone steak, six bottles of cherry soda, six bottles of Coca-Cola, a pack of mint gum..."
********
"And don't forget my face powder!" Rukawa Kirei shouted at the top of her lungs. "You can get those from the beauty section of the supermarket, in case you don't know, you lazy bum!"
Rukawa stopped himself from raising his middle finger. After all, Kirei was still his eldest sister, so heaven help him, he has to *respect* and *obey* her, as she had so firmly stated this morning, when she recited another long litany as to why *he* should be the one who's gonna buy the groceries.
So he just started the engine of his BMW and zoomed away from his house a.k.a. the pandemonium.
"Oi, what are these female stuff?" Sakuragi demanded as he read the shopping list. "Tampons and feminine pads? Uh, Kaede, I just remembered that I'm needed for a VTR-"
"Shut up, Hana," Rukawa snapped. "I checked your schedule, and you're free today, so be a dear cousin and help me with those goddamn groceries."
Sakuragi looked at Rukawa. The day's too beautiful to start a fight with this cold bastard, so he just shrugged and threw an arm around his perpetually grumpy cousin's shoulder and said, "Fine, I'll help. But I won't go near the tampons and the face powders. I have a reputation to protect."
"Do'aho. Get off me. I'm driving."
"Temee, kitsune!" Sakuragi growled as he pulled himself away from Rukawa. "You should be thankful that this gorgeous, highly-paid model is lowering himself to your level just so I could help you with the damn groceries! Imagine me, Sakuragi Hanamichi, pushing a cart around a measly supermarket-"
"Suits you well, if you ask me."
"Hn, the day's too beautiful. I won't let a stupid fight ruin it, so I'll let that pass for now," Sakuragi said. The two stayed silent for a while, until Sakuragi spoke again. "So... have you seen Sendoh around?"
"Ch'. I thought you forgot that already, what with your limited brain and everything," Rukawa goaded with a microscopic smirk.
"You're really taunting me today, aren't you, you bastard kitsune?" Sakuragi growled. "But no... the day's too beautiful. No, I haven't forgotten that little dare. So have you seen that man yet?"
"Hell, no," Rukawa replied. "I'm too busy with the team. What do you want me to do? March over to his office, wherever in hell it is, I don't know, and seduce him then and there?"
"Actually, that's a good idea," Sakuragi said thoughtfully. Rukawa threw him an exasperated look and rolled his eyes, which, of course, got Sakuragi's attention. "Oi. Quit rolling your eyes, kitsune. If you wouldn't do this dare, you've only got your battered pride to mend. And yeah... you knew Sendoh, right? You're both from Ryonan High and you both played for the team. I remember the old days. I used to kick your ass when I played for Shohoku-"
"Quit re-inventing history, ahou," Rukawa interrupted. "You never won against me."
Sakuragi sweatdropped and scratched his head. "Fine, fine. I thought you've forgotten that already," he said and gave out that same ear-grating cackle. "But anyway, you do remember those high school days, ne? How the two of you fought for the captainship and how pissed off you were when he got it? You were the freakin *sub-captain*, ha! And then he won the MVP honor and you were so mad that challenged him to a one-on-one, on which, of course, you lost."
"Do'ahou," was all Rukawa's reply. Leave it to this moron to bring back those humiliating days. That Sendoh Akira did nothing but to skip practice to maul girls at some secluded place, and yet, he was chosen to be the captain of the team... while he, Rukawa Kaede, actually *lived* for basketball, but was given the measly title as the team's sub-captain. Not only that... the fucking libertine also got the MVP award, for pete's sake! And it didn't end there... Rukawa's pride couldn't accept the defeat, so he challenged Sendoh to a one-on-one... and lost.
He wasn't supposed to be this mad, though. He's not a rotten loser after all. But for Sendoh to actually smirk and tell him that he's *pretty* and invite him for a cup of a goddamn tea after practically destroying his basketball career? He couldn't take that. His pride could only take so much.
So what did he do?
He walked over to that smirking hedgehog, hit him square in the face, calmly gathered his things, and walked away.
And now, this red-headed moron was actually daring him to seduce his archenemy. Not only that... His other friends also agreed with Sakuragi. Rukawa sighed came to the conclusion that the world is too twisted for him. Or maybe Kami-sama hates him. Or maybe-
"Oi, baka kitsune, you passed the supermarket already!" Sakuragi exclaimed and bonked Rukawa's head. Rukawa hit his cousin back before he did a sharp u-turn and looked for a parking space. He found one beside a shiny Ferrari and turned off his engine after he parked his precious BMW.
"You spaced out again, kono baka kitsune," Sakuragi grumbled as he got out of the car and slammed the door shut.
"Careful, 'ahou!" Rukawa exclaimed and ran over to Sakuragi's side to check if there was any damage. Sakuragi smirked. The world could end right before his cousin's eyes, and he wouldn't give a damn, but hell... if someone gives that damn BMW as much as a small scratch, there'd be hell to pay.
"Your car's still in one piece, don't worry," Sakuragi said as he dragged Rukawa towards the supermarket. Once inside, heads turned, ladies screamed and nearly ran towards the two popular guys... if not for Rukawa's mega-cold stare. Sakuragi simply smiled at the people, adjusted his sunglasses, snatched the nearest empty pushcart, and threw the shopping list to Rukawa.
Rukawa merely 'hn'ed as grabbed the pushcart from Sakuragi and said, "Let's get this over and done with. And after we're finished, remind me to tell my sisters that I'm never going to do this for them again."
Sakuragi snorted. "You can't resist them, anyway."
"Shut up."
"Yare, yare. So what's number one on the list?"
"Pond's Skin Whitening Cream."
************
What the hell was that scream?
Oh well, whatever it is, Sendoh doesn't care. He doesn't care for ladies anymore. He pushed the cart along the aisle, absent-mindedly grabbing whatever stuff he could.
"I can't believe it! Sakuragi Hanamichi's actually here!" a high-pitched voice squealed. Sendoh raised an eyebrow.
'Now, now,' he thought. 'Sakuragi Hanamichi? Most popular supermodel, eh? What is he doing at a public place like this? Oh well...none of my concern.'
Five days, he mused. He almost laughed. He still couldn't believe it. Five days.
Oh well. It's no big deal to an average person, but hey, we're talking about Sendoh Akira here. Sendoh Akira... first class, grade A sex god. But that was then and this is now.
"Rukawa Kaede's with him!" another voice cried out, interrupting Sendoh's thougths about his -erm- 'accomplishment'. "I can't believe it. Oi, do you know that those two are actually first-degree cousins?"
"What? No way! They're just best buddies. They're in the same circle as Jin Shoichiro, Fujima Kenji and Kogure Kiminobu. But cousins?"
"It's true. I've read in a magazine that Rukawa-san's dad and Sakugari-san's mom are siblings."
"Sugoi!"
'Rukawa Kaede, hmmm?' Sendoh thought. 'Ace player of the National Team. Sub-captain to Fujima Kenji.'
Sendoh grinned. Rukawa Kaede's pretty popular now. But then again, he's *always* been popular, even long before he joined the National Team. Sendoh remembered those high school days. He was one year older than the guy, but they look pretty much the same age. They were both the most popular guys in school, but they were so different. He was a happy, outgoing fellow, whilst Rukawa Kaede was... oh well... to put it quite nicely... he's *not* happy and outgoing. He used to be in the same team as Rukawa, and he remembered how much the national player hated him back then. Oh well, he was so good at basketball during those days, and he was definitely considered as Rukawa's greatest rival, despite their being on the same team and everything.
He used to be so amused whenever Rukawa would look at him with those deep blue eyes, burning with rage and determination. It was a silent vow. 'I'll beat you,' those eyes said to him. And he would just smile and win.
And he remembered that last day... that day when Rukawa challenged him to a one-on-one right after he won the MVP honor. He won again that day, and was pretty much in a hurry since he had, uh, an 'appointment', but he just had to tease that younger guy. Until now, he doesn't understand why he felt the sudden urge to tease the guy, let alone try to make a pass at him. He's straight, for crying out loud!
But oh well, who could blame him? Rukawa was *beautiful* back then. Yeah, he has oh-so-lean muscles, and he was taller than the average guy, but his pale skin, his long lashes, and his -ehm- full lips made him look more effeminate than necessary.
And yeah, Rukawa sure could pack a punch. He actually had to hide his face from public for a damn long time...
Sendoh smiled. He wanted to see Rukawa again. He wondered if he changed, or if he's still the same old icy bastard. He's just wondering, though. And maybe they *could* get that cup of tea. After all, now that Sendoh's into celibacy, he needed a few more male friends to keep his mind off women. Maybe he and Rukawa could catch up and reminisce the old days...
Hah! What a thought! Sendoh almost laughed in the middle of the aisle. Him and the Ice Prince of Ryonan? Chatting the afternoon away? The idea was too farfetched. For all Sendoh knew, Rukawa might still be mad at him.
But anyway, why is he thinking of an old acquaintance? Yeah, so Rukawa amused him. Rukawa's one of the damned best players he ever knew. Rukawa's too beautiful for a man. But he could care less, though. He's too busy pursuing his new purpose in life to mess with a guy who probably vowed to castrate him out of sheer anger and annoyance.
He was just thinking of another thing to think about when he bumped into someone.
"Oi, watch it!" an arrogant male voice exclaimed as he felt his pushcart hit an ankle. Sendoh started to look up to apologize, but his eyes fell on the pushcart's contents...
There were the necessary goods for the kitchen. There were canned goods, several bags of chips, several cans of sodas... There was meat, hotdogs, bacons... different kinds of food. May it be foreign or local, they have it. Yeah, there were toiletries as well. But what the hell...
Tampons, feminine wash, feminine pads, skin whitening creams, lotions, astringents...
And Sendoh looked at the hands resting on the push cart. Certainly *not* the hands of a woman. Certainly not the torso of a woman either.
He was tall, that much Sendoh could say. Taller than him, maybe, he wasn't sure. Simple clothes, but branded, nonetheless. A mop of red hair. A menacing frown.
Sakuragi Hanamichi.
"What the hell's your problem?" Sakuragi demanded. Sendoh gave him a lazy grin and said,
"I'm sorry. I wasn't looking."
"Yeah, well next time, keep your head out of the clouds, would ya?" Sakuragi snapped. He saw Sendoh looking at the contents of his pushcart and inwardly cursed. "Oi... they're not mine. They're my cousins'."
Sendoh blinked innocently. "I'm not saying anything."
"Just so you know," Sakuragi shot back. Sakuragi studied Sendoh closer and his face broke into a nasty grin. "I know you. Sendoh Akira, right? Executive Vice-President of Happy Smile Advertising Inc?"
"Am I so universally adored?" Sendoh joked and offered his hand. "Yeah, you've got the right person. Nice to meet you."
"Sakuragi Hanamichi, in case you're too dumb to know," Sakuragi said and shook Sendoh's hand. They laughed for a moment, but Sendoh suddenly felt uneasy under Sakuragi's stare. There was a scary glint on the redhead's eye, and Sendoh doesn't like the former's smile one bit. But being Sendoh Akira, he didn't flinch nor falter. He continued to smile.
"What brings you here?" Sendoh asked as he casually leaned onto his push cart.
"I'm with my cousin," Sakuragi replied with a sneer. Yep... Sendoh doesn't like that one bit. But he won't back down. Screw everything.
"Rukawa Kaede, right? I heard the women talking," Sendoh said. "So where is he? You do know that we went to the same high school, right? What with you being his cousin and all. Plus you played against us when you were at Shohoku."
"Kaede's somewhere in this jungle, looking for his sister's face powder," Sakuragi replied. "And yeah, I do remember seeing you play along with Kaede during the games..."
"That's nice-"
"Oi, 'ahou, I got the noodles that Miku-neechan wanted. And also the goddamn face powder," Rukawa snapped as he appeared behind Sakuragi. "What else do those witches need? I want to go ho-"
Rukawa trailed off when he saw who his cousin was talking to. Sendoh Akira. His blood began to boil as memories of his high school life flooded into him.
Sendoh lost all train of thought when he laid his eyes on Rukawa Kaede. He was still as beautiful as he remembered. He looked even better than he did before. Better than he looked on TV, too.
Sakuragi's having the time of his life.
Rukawa scowled and started to walk away. Sakuragi stopped him and raised an eyebrow. Sendoh looked at both cousins... they seemed to be having a... silent argument, for lack of a better word.
Rukawa stared daggers at Sakuragi.
Sakuragi stared back with a feral grin.
Rukawa shook his head.
Sakuragi nodded his.
Sendoh looked confused. But he liked to continue looking at Rukawa, anyway, so he's not complaining.
Rukawa shook his head again.
Sakuragi raised an eyebrow and flapped his arms like a chicken would.
Rukawa scowled.
He turned to Sendoh.
And gave him a sexy smile.
Sendoh gulped.
"It's been a long time, Sendoh Akira," Rukawa said as he advanced towards a now-sweating Sendoh. "What do you say we have a nice cup of tea after we finish this grocery bullshit? My treat. Let's talk about the old days, ne?"
And Rukawa Kaede winked.
Sakuragi walked away and pretended to get a can of mushroom soup, but he just turned his face away from the two and finally gave out a triumphant grin.
"Oi, you're not saying anything, Sendoh," Rukawa practically *drawled* with an easy smile. Inwardly, he was cursing himself, he was cursing his damned cousin, he was cursing his sisters for making him go to this place, he was cursing the place itself, he was cursing the world, and he was cursing *life* in general.
Sendoh Akira... despite his being straight and his celibate state, felt himself go up towards cloud nine. The reason why, he doesn't know.
"Sure, I'd love to go," he found himself saying in a smooth manner. And he gave Rukawa one of his sexy smiles, too.
Good heavens almighty, is he flirting now? What about the five days?! He worked so hard to fight temptation, and now temptation itself stood before him in the form of this once-icy-kitsune. What happened to the cold bastard? What happened to the ice-cold glares, the snappy 'do'aho' and the 'I'll beat you' glare? Sendoh came to the conclusion that Rukawa must have changed. A lot.
'I hate the world,' Rukawa thought behind his sexy smirk.
'Heaven help me,' Sendoh Akira thought behind an easy smile.
**********
tzu.zu.ku
**********
Let's leave you guys hanging, okay?
Before I forget, this chapter's for my friend, Ashtoreth. She's a fic writer for Saiyuki. Her fics are good and original. Go see 'em, okay?
And another thing... I've got an important announcement at my bio. Please read, especially for the SenRu fans out there!
Reviews, reviews!
by Aki Midori
Rating: Strictly PG-13!
Warnings: OOC (mostly in Ru's part)/ AU/ YAOI!!!
Genre: General/Humor/Romance
Author's Endless Blahs:
Okay... so its lenten season, and my story's really like 40 Days and 40 Nights. But I assure you, I didn't get my insipiration from that movie, okay? It's just one big coincidence... Hehehe... And thanks very much to those people who asked me to beta-read and edit their fics. You made me realize that as a beta-reader and editor, I should do something about *my own* fics... since I'm too lazy to proofread them, resulting to loads of errors.
Finally, last blah, thanks so much to those who reviewed this fic. Let's see if Sendoh will push through, ne, minna? Arigatou!
DiScLAimErs: It hurts, you know... being able to toy with these hunks' lives, yet knowing that I could never own them. *sigh* But I could dream, ne?
----------------------
Celibacy
Chapter 2: And So They Met...
Happy is an understatement.
He is so damn elated. He could jump up and down for joy. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the wind is cool... the whole day is perfect! For this one man, at least.
Why?
Because it's been five days since he last had a hard on.
Sendoh leaned on the railing of his balcony, breathed in the morning air, and exhaled loudly. Yep, five days since he first practiced celibacy. His last hard on was for that nameless, faceless woman whom he slept with just before he told his friends that he will stop his monotonous existence which consists of... well... women and sex. Five days since he turned away from his sinful life, just to embrace a whole new concept.
Celibacy...
He could do it, after all.
Sendoh smiled as he remembered the way he turned down numerous offers from women. Yeah, he still went to parties, but it ended *there*. Just parties. No more sexual trysts. No more kissing. Hell, not even flirting! He certainly showed his friends what Sendoh Akira was made of... Che, he was a man of his word, after all!
Oh well, there was one moment wherein he almost failed and fell for that woman with, uh, blessed front and kissed her, but he stopped himself in time. Mainly because Mistui was there, smirking at him, daring him to kiss the girl and break his vow; and also because his pride wouldn't allow him to fail this challenge. He was so proud of himself for resisting temptation. But yeah, the woman had to spend a whole day in the hospital because he pushed her away too hard. Sendoh couldn't clearly remember what happened, but he did remember hearing the sound of a loud yelp, snapping heels, breaking glasses, and a loud 'ouch'.
Okay, so he was a bit over-reacting back then, but hey, who could blame him? He's on a quest for a meaningful existence- via celibacy, of course- and that woman's trying to tempt him... what's a man to do?.
He's very happy now. He actually showed his friends and himself that he could actually stay away from his vices and live a new life. He's so proud of himself for accomplishing such task. He actually felt contented and renewed.
Celibacy *is* the answer. He just needed a new challenge. A new purpose. Yeah... he's happy now. He knows what he wants.
"Yeah... I'm happy," Sendoh whispered. Then his stomach grumbled and he sweatdropped. "And yeah... I'm hungry, too."
He walked out of his balcony and headed towards his kitchen. He rummaged through his cupboards, but alas... no edible materials. He was so bent on practicing celibacy that for the past few days, he focused his attention on burying his porn materials under the depths of his closet and forgot to refurnish his fridge and cupboards.
His stomach grumbled again, as if threatening to explode if he won't pay attention to it. He cursed and went to his bedroom spike his, ehm, utterly divine jet-black hair and change his clothes.
It's about time this celibate hunk start paying attention to his food supply. After all, gorgeous, hard-working men like him needs lots and lots of healthy food.
"Lemme see... I need ten bags of Doritos, T-bone steak, six bottles of cherry soda, six bottles of Coca-Cola, a pack of mint gum..."
********
"And don't forget my face powder!" Rukawa Kirei shouted at the top of her lungs. "You can get those from the beauty section of the supermarket, in case you don't know, you lazy bum!"
Rukawa stopped himself from raising his middle finger. After all, Kirei was still his eldest sister, so heaven help him, he has to *respect* and *obey* her, as she had so firmly stated this morning, when she recited another long litany as to why *he* should be the one who's gonna buy the groceries.
So he just started the engine of his BMW and zoomed away from his house a.k.a. the pandemonium.
"Oi, what are these female stuff?" Sakuragi demanded as he read the shopping list. "Tampons and feminine pads? Uh, Kaede, I just remembered that I'm needed for a VTR-"
"Shut up, Hana," Rukawa snapped. "I checked your schedule, and you're free today, so be a dear cousin and help me with those goddamn groceries."
Sakuragi looked at Rukawa. The day's too beautiful to start a fight with this cold bastard, so he just shrugged and threw an arm around his perpetually grumpy cousin's shoulder and said, "Fine, I'll help. But I won't go near the tampons and the face powders. I have a reputation to protect."
"Do'aho. Get off me. I'm driving."
"Temee, kitsune!" Sakuragi growled as he pulled himself away from Rukawa. "You should be thankful that this gorgeous, highly-paid model is lowering himself to your level just so I could help you with the damn groceries! Imagine me, Sakuragi Hanamichi, pushing a cart around a measly supermarket-"
"Suits you well, if you ask me."
"Hn, the day's too beautiful. I won't let a stupid fight ruin it, so I'll let that pass for now," Sakuragi said. The two stayed silent for a while, until Sakuragi spoke again. "So... have you seen Sendoh around?"
"Ch'. I thought you forgot that already, what with your limited brain and everything," Rukawa goaded with a microscopic smirk.
"You're really taunting me today, aren't you, you bastard kitsune?" Sakuragi growled. "But no... the day's too beautiful. No, I haven't forgotten that little dare. So have you seen that man yet?"
"Hell, no," Rukawa replied. "I'm too busy with the team. What do you want me to do? March over to his office, wherever in hell it is, I don't know, and seduce him then and there?"
"Actually, that's a good idea," Sakuragi said thoughtfully. Rukawa threw him an exasperated look and rolled his eyes, which, of course, got Sakuragi's attention. "Oi. Quit rolling your eyes, kitsune. If you wouldn't do this dare, you've only got your battered pride to mend. And yeah... you knew Sendoh, right? You're both from Ryonan High and you both played for the team. I remember the old days. I used to kick your ass when I played for Shohoku-"
"Quit re-inventing history, ahou," Rukawa interrupted. "You never won against me."
Sakuragi sweatdropped and scratched his head. "Fine, fine. I thought you've forgotten that already," he said and gave out that same ear-grating cackle. "But anyway, you do remember those high school days, ne? How the two of you fought for the captainship and how pissed off you were when he got it? You were the freakin *sub-captain*, ha! And then he won the MVP honor and you were so mad that challenged him to a one-on-one, on which, of course, you lost."
"Do'ahou," was all Rukawa's reply. Leave it to this moron to bring back those humiliating days. That Sendoh Akira did nothing but to skip practice to maul girls at some secluded place, and yet, he was chosen to be the captain of the team... while he, Rukawa Kaede, actually *lived* for basketball, but was given the measly title as the team's sub-captain. Not only that... the fucking libertine also got the MVP award, for pete's sake! And it didn't end there... Rukawa's pride couldn't accept the defeat, so he challenged Sendoh to a one-on-one... and lost.
He wasn't supposed to be this mad, though. He's not a rotten loser after all. But for Sendoh to actually smirk and tell him that he's *pretty* and invite him for a cup of a goddamn tea after practically destroying his basketball career? He couldn't take that. His pride could only take so much.
So what did he do?
He walked over to that smirking hedgehog, hit him square in the face, calmly gathered his things, and walked away.
And now, this red-headed moron was actually daring him to seduce his archenemy. Not only that... His other friends also agreed with Sakuragi. Rukawa sighed came to the conclusion that the world is too twisted for him. Or maybe Kami-sama hates him. Or maybe-
"Oi, baka kitsune, you passed the supermarket already!" Sakuragi exclaimed and bonked Rukawa's head. Rukawa hit his cousin back before he did a sharp u-turn and looked for a parking space. He found one beside a shiny Ferrari and turned off his engine after he parked his precious BMW.
"You spaced out again, kono baka kitsune," Sakuragi grumbled as he got out of the car and slammed the door shut.
"Careful, 'ahou!" Rukawa exclaimed and ran over to Sakuragi's side to check if there was any damage. Sakuragi smirked. The world could end right before his cousin's eyes, and he wouldn't give a damn, but hell... if someone gives that damn BMW as much as a small scratch, there'd be hell to pay.
"Your car's still in one piece, don't worry," Sakuragi said as he dragged Rukawa towards the supermarket. Once inside, heads turned, ladies screamed and nearly ran towards the two popular guys... if not for Rukawa's mega-cold stare. Sakuragi simply smiled at the people, adjusted his sunglasses, snatched the nearest empty pushcart, and threw the shopping list to Rukawa.
Rukawa merely 'hn'ed as grabbed the pushcart from Sakuragi and said, "Let's get this over and done with. And after we're finished, remind me to tell my sisters that I'm never going to do this for them again."
Sakuragi snorted. "You can't resist them, anyway."
"Shut up."
"Yare, yare. So what's number one on the list?"
"Pond's Skin Whitening Cream."
************
What the hell was that scream?
Oh well, whatever it is, Sendoh doesn't care. He doesn't care for ladies anymore. He pushed the cart along the aisle, absent-mindedly grabbing whatever stuff he could.
"I can't believe it! Sakuragi Hanamichi's actually here!" a high-pitched voice squealed. Sendoh raised an eyebrow.
'Now, now,' he thought. 'Sakuragi Hanamichi? Most popular supermodel, eh? What is he doing at a public place like this? Oh well...none of my concern.'
Five days, he mused. He almost laughed. He still couldn't believe it. Five days.
Oh well. It's no big deal to an average person, but hey, we're talking about Sendoh Akira here. Sendoh Akira... first class, grade A sex god. But that was then and this is now.
"Rukawa Kaede's with him!" another voice cried out, interrupting Sendoh's thougths about his -erm- 'accomplishment'. "I can't believe it. Oi, do you know that those two are actually first-degree cousins?"
"What? No way! They're just best buddies. They're in the same circle as Jin Shoichiro, Fujima Kenji and Kogure Kiminobu. But cousins?"
"It's true. I've read in a magazine that Rukawa-san's dad and Sakugari-san's mom are siblings."
"Sugoi!"
'Rukawa Kaede, hmmm?' Sendoh thought. 'Ace player of the National Team. Sub-captain to Fujima Kenji.'
Sendoh grinned. Rukawa Kaede's pretty popular now. But then again, he's *always* been popular, even long before he joined the National Team. Sendoh remembered those high school days. He was one year older than the guy, but they look pretty much the same age. They were both the most popular guys in school, but they were so different. He was a happy, outgoing fellow, whilst Rukawa Kaede was... oh well... to put it quite nicely... he's *not* happy and outgoing. He used to be in the same team as Rukawa, and he remembered how much the national player hated him back then. Oh well, he was so good at basketball during those days, and he was definitely considered as Rukawa's greatest rival, despite their being on the same team and everything.
He used to be so amused whenever Rukawa would look at him with those deep blue eyes, burning with rage and determination. It was a silent vow. 'I'll beat you,' those eyes said to him. And he would just smile and win.
And he remembered that last day... that day when Rukawa challenged him to a one-on-one right after he won the MVP honor. He won again that day, and was pretty much in a hurry since he had, uh, an 'appointment', but he just had to tease that younger guy. Until now, he doesn't understand why he felt the sudden urge to tease the guy, let alone try to make a pass at him. He's straight, for crying out loud!
But oh well, who could blame him? Rukawa was *beautiful* back then. Yeah, he has oh-so-lean muscles, and he was taller than the average guy, but his pale skin, his long lashes, and his -ehm- full lips made him look more effeminate than necessary.
And yeah, Rukawa sure could pack a punch. He actually had to hide his face from public for a damn long time...
Sendoh smiled. He wanted to see Rukawa again. He wondered if he changed, or if he's still the same old icy bastard. He's just wondering, though. And maybe they *could* get that cup of tea. After all, now that Sendoh's into celibacy, he needed a few more male friends to keep his mind off women. Maybe he and Rukawa could catch up and reminisce the old days...
Hah! What a thought! Sendoh almost laughed in the middle of the aisle. Him and the Ice Prince of Ryonan? Chatting the afternoon away? The idea was too farfetched. For all Sendoh knew, Rukawa might still be mad at him.
But anyway, why is he thinking of an old acquaintance? Yeah, so Rukawa amused him. Rukawa's one of the damned best players he ever knew. Rukawa's too beautiful for a man. But he could care less, though. He's too busy pursuing his new purpose in life to mess with a guy who probably vowed to castrate him out of sheer anger and annoyance.
He was just thinking of another thing to think about when he bumped into someone.
"Oi, watch it!" an arrogant male voice exclaimed as he felt his pushcart hit an ankle. Sendoh started to look up to apologize, but his eyes fell on the pushcart's contents...
There were the necessary goods for the kitchen. There were canned goods, several bags of chips, several cans of sodas... There was meat, hotdogs, bacons... different kinds of food. May it be foreign or local, they have it. Yeah, there were toiletries as well. But what the hell...
Tampons, feminine wash, feminine pads, skin whitening creams, lotions, astringents...
And Sendoh looked at the hands resting on the push cart. Certainly *not* the hands of a woman. Certainly not the torso of a woman either.
He was tall, that much Sendoh could say. Taller than him, maybe, he wasn't sure. Simple clothes, but branded, nonetheless. A mop of red hair. A menacing frown.
Sakuragi Hanamichi.
"What the hell's your problem?" Sakuragi demanded. Sendoh gave him a lazy grin and said,
"I'm sorry. I wasn't looking."
"Yeah, well next time, keep your head out of the clouds, would ya?" Sakuragi snapped. He saw Sendoh looking at the contents of his pushcart and inwardly cursed. "Oi... they're not mine. They're my cousins'."
Sendoh blinked innocently. "I'm not saying anything."
"Just so you know," Sakuragi shot back. Sakuragi studied Sendoh closer and his face broke into a nasty grin. "I know you. Sendoh Akira, right? Executive Vice-President of Happy Smile Advertising Inc?"
"Am I so universally adored?" Sendoh joked and offered his hand. "Yeah, you've got the right person. Nice to meet you."
"Sakuragi Hanamichi, in case you're too dumb to know," Sakuragi said and shook Sendoh's hand. They laughed for a moment, but Sendoh suddenly felt uneasy under Sakuragi's stare. There was a scary glint on the redhead's eye, and Sendoh doesn't like the former's smile one bit. But being Sendoh Akira, he didn't flinch nor falter. He continued to smile.
"What brings you here?" Sendoh asked as he casually leaned onto his push cart.
"I'm with my cousin," Sakuragi replied with a sneer. Yep... Sendoh doesn't like that one bit. But he won't back down. Screw everything.
"Rukawa Kaede, right? I heard the women talking," Sendoh said. "So where is he? You do know that we went to the same high school, right? What with you being his cousin and all. Plus you played against us when you were at Shohoku."
"Kaede's somewhere in this jungle, looking for his sister's face powder," Sakuragi replied. "And yeah, I do remember seeing you play along with Kaede during the games..."
"That's nice-"
"Oi, 'ahou, I got the noodles that Miku-neechan wanted. And also the goddamn face powder," Rukawa snapped as he appeared behind Sakuragi. "What else do those witches need? I want to go ho-"
Rukawa trailed off when he saw who his cousin was talking to. Sendoh Akira. His blood began to boil as memories of his high school life flooded into him.
Sendoh lost all train of thought when he laid his eyes on Rukawa Kaede. He was still as beautiful as he remembered. He looked even better than he did before. Better than he looked on TV, too.
Sakuragi's having the time of his life.
Rukawa scowled and started to walk away. Sakuragi stopped him and raised an eyebrow. Sendoh looked at both cousins... they seemed to be having a... silent argument, for lack of a better word.
Rukawa stared daggers at Sakuragi.
Sakuragi stared back with a feral grin.
Rukawa shook his head.
Sakuragi nodded his.
Sendoh looked confused. But he liked to continue looking at Rukawa, anyway, so he's not complaining.
Rukawa shook his head again.
Sakuragi raised an eyebrow and flapped his arms like a chicken would.
Rukawa scowled.
He turned to Sendoh.
And gave him a sexy smile.
Sendoh gulped.
"It's been a long time, Sendoh Akira," Rukawa said as he advanced towards a now-sweating Sendoh. "What do you say we have a nice cup of tea after we finish this grocery bullshit? My treat. Let's talk about the old days, ne?"
And Rukawa Kaede winked.
Sakuragi walked away and pretended to get a can of mushroom soup, but he just turned his face away from the two and finally gave out a triumphant grin.
"Oi, you're not saying anything, Sendoh," Rukawa practically *drawled* with an easy smile. Inwardly, he was cursing himself, he was cursing his damned cousin, he was cursing his sisters for making him go to this place, he was cursing the place itself, he was cursing the world, and he was cursing *life* in general.
Sendoh Akira... despite his being straight and his celibate state, felt himself go up towards cloud nine. The reason why, he doesn't know.
"Sure, I'd love to go," he found himself saying in a smooth manner. And he gave Rukawa one of his sexy smiles, too.
Good heavens almighty, is he flirting now? What about the five days?! He worked so hard to fight temptation, and now temptation itself stood before him in the form of this once-icy-kitsune. What happened to the cold bastard? What happened to the ice-cold glares, the snappy 'do'aho' and the 'I'll beat you' glare? Sendoh came to the conclusion that Rukawa must have changed. A lot.
'I hate the world,' Rukawa thought behind his sexy smirk.
'Heaven help me,' Sendoh Akira thought behind an easy smile.
**********
tzu.zu.ku
**********
Let's leave you guys hanging, okay?
Before I forget, this chapter's for my friend, Ashtoreth. She's a fic writer for Saiyuki. Her fics are good and original. Go see 'em, okay?
And another thing... I've got an important announcement at my bio. Please read, especially for the SenRu fans out there!
Reviews, reviews!