Celibacy
by Aki Midori
Author's Blahs:
First off, I want to say sorry for being so unresponsive these days. Please keep in mind that each and every review means a lot to me. ^__^
Second, I want to apologize because I'll stop writing Kono Do'aho. Gomen, minna. Ehehe... *scratches head* Let me sort the story first, okay? I've had requests of a SenHana & a RuHana for Kono Do'aho. I have to tell you now, I have *no* plans on doing a Ruhana, most especially a SenHana. Gomen, minna. It's not that I hate those pairings... it's just that I... well... I prefer SenRuSen over those. MitRu, even *waves to Dig* ... but SenHana/RuHana... *shakes head*
Gomen. ^_^
Okidokie... for now I have to focus on Celibacy. I'll continue writing Kono Do'aho after this! ^_^
Warnings: Pretty serious chapter. ^_~
diScLaimers: Slam Dunk and its characters are all property of Inoue Takehiko.
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Celibacy
Chapter Seven: For My Pride
Sendoh was going out of his mind!
Why? Oh, there are several reasons.
Number one is that it was lunch time, and for reasons that only the Creator knows, Mitsui and Koshino decided to drop by his office to destroy his much needed solitude. Mitsui was happily suckling on a cherry tootsie pop, whilst Koshino was, as usual, complaining about stupid men who doesn't have anything better to do in life but to suckle cherry tootsie pops.
Number two is that there had been a board meeting this morning, but he was too busy spending time in Mt. Tralala that he wasn't even paying attention to what the CEO was saying. Needless to say, he was reprimanded once again. And that disapproving frown from Maki didn't help either.
Number three arrived just now. Kiyota was so perky, dammit, and his noise was getting on Sendoh's poor nerves. What was he talking about again? Oh... about some new product that 'Hanamichi' was modelling. Some popular brand of clotheswear or something like that. Yeah right... like Sendoh gives a damn about that. Sakuragi could go model for baby diapers, for all he cared.
Oh, and number four arrived, too. And with a cheeky grin, too. Maki just had a call from Fujima, and he couldn't wait to rub it into his friends' faces. Maki, the tightass of the group, Mr. Perfect, Mr. Sensible, Mr. Get-the-job-done-perfectly-or-else... was whistling oh-so-joyfully, he was getting on Sendoh's nerves.
Number five...
Number five...
"What the hell is number five, dammit?!" Sendoh cried out loud as he banged his head on the table. His friends gave him wierd looks.
"Man, this celibacy thing is finally getting to him," Kiyota muttered. "He's been pretty grumpy since we got back from the beach. His temper's so short-fused, he puts Grumpy dwarf to shame."
"Oi..." Mitsui started, "make that, 'His temper's so short-fused, he puts Koshino Hiroaki to shame.'"
Koshino, needless to say, fumed. "Shut up, Hisashi. And would you quit suckling that infuriating tootsie pop of yours? It's getting on my nerves."
"I never knew cherry tootsie pops could be infuriating," Maki said thoughtfully. He ignored Mitsui's snicker and looked over to Sendoh who looked as if his life-source depended on the blows he delivered to the solid oak table. He walked over to Sendoh and held the latter's head firmly with his hand.
"Let me go, Shinichi! I have to do this!" Sendoh protested as he bonked his head *plus* Maki's hand on the table again and again.
"Perhaps it's the only way how to get rid of his hard on," Mitsui thought out loud, which made Kiyota laugh.
"Come on, Sendoh Akira, you're better than that!" Kiyota said. "What happened, anyway?"
"What happened is that he spent two consecutive nights on the same room with the object of his insatiable desires, without having to do a single thing as to how to quench his raging libido," Koshino stated, deadpan.
"Then why don't he just jump on Rukawa and get on with it?" Mitsui asked. "If you ask me, he's just tormenting himself this way. It's obvious that he's gone ga-ga over that ice cold basketball player."
"Sendoh's vow of celibacy," Maki stated matter-of-factly, his hand still being bonked between the table and Sendoh's spiky head. "He *did* vow, with us as his witnesses, that he'd stay away from sex, et cetera, for a whole month."
"Hey, it wasn't as if he's striving hard to please the Buddha or something," Kiyota said. "He could easily forget his vow. It looks to me as if this celibacy bullshit of his wasn't doing him any good."
"But he *did* say that he's going to do it," Maki pointed out. "Akira's a man of his word. When he says he'll do it, he'll do it."
"Try looking between his pants, and see if this celibacy thing's doing him any good," Mitsui pointed out.
"I'm getting the idea that you," Maki pointed to Mitsui (whose cherry tootsie pop was gone, to Koshino's relief), "and you," he pointed to Kiyota, "are ganging up on Akira. What about you, Hiro? What's your say in this matter?"
Koshino stared at Sendoh, who's eyes have turned spiral and goofy-looking and stared at Maki straight in the eye. "Let's just help him end his misery and throw him out the window."
Sendoh wanted to kill his friends. Like he~llo! He was right there! Why were they discussing him as if he couldn't hear them? Sure, his head was hurting, and yeah, he's currently looking stupid (for lack of a better word), but he could hear them! Yeah, so, he woke up today with a hard on! And yesterday. And the day before that. But who the hell could blame him?!
He shared the same damned honeymooners' bedroom with Rukawa for two consecutive nights! Oh, the sweet agony of it all... He would *not* forget that time when Rukawa walked around the room with only a terry-cloth bathrobe. Sendoh was willing to bet three months' salary that the basketball star didn't have anything underneath... and *that* thought was enough to knock Sendoh out due to severe nosebleeding.
What a sight it must have been... Sendoh, sprawled over his bed, his mouth wide open, twin gushes of blood coming out of his nose. And to top it all, it was Rukawa who nursed him.
Well... if you call stuffing his nose with cotton wads, nursing, that is.
But oh, the sweet humiliation of it all... Sendoh couldn't bear it.
That was the first night.
Second night was worse.
After having talked to Fujima as to how to get past Rukawa's defenses, he entered the room only to see Rukawa half naked. Bottomless. Well, not exactly *bottomless*. Rukawa was putting on his boxers, and for reasons unbeknownst to Sendoh, the kitsune didn't even lock the door. He didn't mean to barge in, honest! He knew he could have knocked, but it never occured to him that the boy would change clothes in the *bedroom*. There was a bathroom, for crying out loud! Sendoh would never *ever* forget the sight of that plush, pale, smooth bottom.
And of all the stupidest thing to do, he just have to squeak and faint. He wondered what Rukawa thought of him that night...
"Oi... quit that would you? You're hurting me," Maki said as Sendoh continously bonked his head on the table.
"Then take your hand off, doofus." Koshino snapped. Maki 'oh'ed and indeed took his hand off. He turned to the ever-scowling Koshino.
"Why are you in a bad moon, Hiro?" Maki asked.
"If you ask me, I think he was born with a bad mood," Mitsui pointed out.
"No one's asking you, moron," Koshino snapped again.
"Come on, guys! It's a beautiful day! Quit bickering!" Kiyota said. "Why don't we just focus on the task at hand?"
"And that is?" Maki asked.
"How to help this celibate pervert," Kiyota replied. He took Sendoh's head in his hands and head-butted the spiky-haired man a la Sakuragi style. "Heh. Learned that from Hana. I guess it works."
And worked it did, for the great ex-sex god Sendoh Akira was now sprawled over his chair with tiny tweety birds going 'chirp, chirp, chirp!' around his head. Well, at least, he's not bonking his own head anymore. Off to lala-land Sendoh went.
And he took with him images of little kitsunes clad only in a terry cloth bathrobe...
And kitsunes with plush behinds...
And kitsunes walking beside him along the shore...
And kitsunes reaching for a little beautiful shell with the tiniest hint of a smile...
And kitsunes staring at him across the bonfire with emotionless eyes as he sang a sweet song...
And kitsunes continuously poking him.
Eh? Poking?!
*poke* *poke*
"He's out," Kiyota said as he cautiously poked Sendoh's arm once again.
*poke* *poke*
A vein popped on Sendoh's forehead. "Would you just quit poking, dammit?!" he hollered. "I'm trying to think here!"
Four pair of eyes stared incredously at the supposedly-calmest, coolest member of their group.
"Akira... it's *that* serious?" Maki asked.
Sendoh sighed and bit his tongue. "Sorry, guys," he said. "I'm having shitty days lately, what with me thinking of Rukawa almost all the time."
"You're supposed to *smile* whenever you think of the object of your affections," Mitsui pointed out.
"In my case, it's different!" Sendoh argued.
"State the reasons," Maki said.
"For starters, I thought I was straight," Sendoh said. "But I already accepted the fact that I like Rukawa, so I guess it's okay already."
"And number two?" Mitsui pried.
"I think it's more than *like* already," Sendoh said. "I can't stop thinking about him. I've been spending time with him already, and the more I get to know him, the more I'm falling for him. I certainly didn't plan this to happen. I mean... yes, I've dated many women before. I've slept with them, spent time with them, but to tell you guys the truth, I've never been in love before. Now, I don't know what to do."
"You're not supposed to do something except to accept your feelings you idiot," Koshino snapped. "You didn't have to make a big deal out of it."
"Don't be such a jerk, Hiro," Mitsui said. "Let Akira talk for a while."
"Fine, I'll shut up," Koshino said. "But quite frankly, I think there aren't supposed to be any problems. You just have to accept your feelings, Akira. Falling in love is not supposed to be scary. It's supposed to be good."
"Thanks, Hiro. I'll keep that in mind," Sendoh said with a grateful smile. "But it's not as easy as you think."
"Why?" Kiyota asked.
Sendoh stared as his friends and shook his head. "Look, guys, I can't tell you right now, okay? My thoughts are still pretty muddled. I need to sort them out. I'm going out for a walk." With that, Sendoh donned his coat and walked out of his spacious office.
But not before tripping on his own feet.
He gave his friends a goofy grin and a mock salute before he walked out the door.
Mitsui snickered as he shook his head. "Let's analyze his situation, shall we?"
"Okay... fine. I'll start," Koshino said. "Number one, Akira said he's lacking something in his life, and he's out to find out what it is. He said he wanted a new challenge, so he's practicing celibacy."
"Number two," Maki started, "he met Rukawa Kaede, who's sole mission at the moment is to get laid. And his target is Akira."
"Number three," Kiyota said, "they spent too much time together, so Akira started to feel something for Rukawa. There wasn't supposed to be any problem, but, being the inexperienced dolt Akira is when it comes to love, he doesn't know what to do."
"Number four," Mitsui said, "is the sexual tension between the two. Rukawa's bent on seducing Akira... he's not too excited and happy about it, though, and Sendoh's bent on resisting the advances of Rukawa. That's about it."
"It's not much problem, you see," Kiyota said with a grin. "All Akira has to do is to accept his feelings for Rukawa and hold on for two more weeks... that is, if he's going to push through his celibacy bullshit. Then he could propose and they'll live happily ever after!"
"Yes," Mitsui agreed. "And about Rukawa's dare... well, he was dared a few more days *after* Akira had his so-called vow. So that means, Rukawa still has some time to get laid! See? Akira's just making a big deal out of things!"
"There's one more thing," Maki said thoughtfully. His friends gave him wierd looks. "Don't forget Rukawa. We all know that he's a cold person, which makes everything all the more difficult for Akira. Even if Akira accepts his own feelings for Rukawa, how could you be so sure that the latter would accept *his* feelings for Akira, much less Akira's feelings for *him*?"
"I hate it when you get so damn reasonable," Kiyota said with a fake pout. "Oh well... if you think about it, things would only come down to one conclusion."
"And that is?" Koshino pried.
"Sendoh Akira is in deep shit."
------------------------------------
Like all the others, it was a fine day.
The sun was bright, people are happy, birds are chirping, and the sound of life was all over the surroundings. It was a happy day.
"I'm in deep shit," Sendoh muttered as he plopped down on a solitary bench. He was just about to start pondering about Rukawa when he felt a small bump on his thigh. And of all the moronic things that could happen to him, he just *had* to sit down on a pink bubblegum. Sendoh wanted to cry. "Oh, Kami-sama, why are you doing this to me?!"
People started giving the young executive some wierd looks, but Sendoh paid them no heed. 'To hell with them,' he thought. What, they haven't seen a handsome man talk to Kami-sama in public before? He furiously tried to take the bubblegum off his expensive pants, but the damned bubblegum was being so stubborn and wouldn't let go. Defeated, Sendoh just threw his hands in the air and heaved out a huge sigh.
Now... what to think about?
Rukawa?
But he's been thinking about Rukawa since that day at the grocery store... and he couldn't think of anything else after that. He had to admit, the cold guy was interesting down to the core. At first, he had to admit, he was denying his feelings for the guy. After all, he's straight, right? But then, there's something about this solitary man that drew Sendoh towards him.
Always quiet, alone. Rukawa has an air around him which attracts people, yet repel them in a way. It was as if he was a centerpiece that could be watched only from a distance. Never to be touched.
Rukawa's incomplete.
And so was Sendoh.
And maybe... just maybe, Sendoh thought they'd go well together.
He's been on this stupid quest for a meaningful life... and now he's wondering... is celibacy the real way? What good has it done him, anyway, besides getting those clingy women off his back? He had to admit, though, that this new life was really... refreshing. It was a wholesome feeling, really, to be able to break off from his sinful lifestyle. Nowadays, he doesn't have to wake up beside a nameless face. What did he get from those trysts, anyway? Just momentary pleasure. Physical relief. Nothing else...
Because deep inside, no matter how many women he bedded, no matter how many people be befriended, he was still incomplete.
Sendoh stood up from the bench and continued walking down the busy streets. On and on he walked, until his feet brought him to a storybook neighborhood. He wasn't aware of his surroundings, though, because he was so deep in thought.
"Mama, mama! Look! That big guy has pink bubblegum on his pants!"
Sendoh fumed. Damn impudent little kid...
"Now, now, Kyosuke-chan... don't be so rude. I'm sure he has his reasons as to why he decided to put the, uh... accessory on his expensive-looking suit." the elderly woman said. Sendoh walked faster in order to lose both the rude kid and his nosy mother.
And then dark clouds crawled over the sky. Rain started to drop softly. Pretty soon, it was raining cats and dogs. Sendoh Akira was standing in the middle of the sidewalk, just staring at the sky with a dead-pan expression.
"Is this supposed to be the punishment for devirginizing innocents?!" he cried out.
Sendoh just walked and walked and walked... and suddenly, he found himself in front of Rukawa's gate. He let out a little yelp and started to run. He didn't want to see the guy just yet... not until he sorted out his thoughts and feelings.
"Sendoh-kun? Is that you?"
Ah shit... Good heavens, why him? Why *Kirei*?
"Kaede-love's still at practice," Kirei said, balancing a two bags of groceries on her arms, plus an umbrella. "Would you like to go in and wait for him inside? You look pretty... wet."
Sendoh scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly. "Actually, I was just walking around. I didn't mean to go here, neechan."
"Ah, so it was your heart which brought you here."
Sendoh sweatdropped. "Anou... neechan, I'm sure that's not the case-"
"But why else would you suddenly find yourself standing if front of our house, staring at Kaede-honey's room?" Kirei pried.
"I am *not* staring at Kaede's room!" Sendoh protested adamantly.
Kirei sneered. "*Kaede*, Sendoh-kun? Since when have you two become so close, hmm?"
Sendoh cringed. He wanted to cut his tongue off. "Anou... neechan, that was a minor slip-up. I didn't mean to-"
"Stop stammering and help me with these," Kirei snapped with a smile. Sendoh laughed and took the grocery bags from Kirei. "Really, now, Akira- May I call you that?" Sendoh nodded. "Now... Akira... what are you doing here? The truth, please."
"I told you already... I don't know," Sendoh replied as they got inside the house. Kirei motioned for him to place the bags on the table and rummaged in the cupboards as she signalled for Sendoh to continue. "I was just walking around to clear my head, and suddenly, I found myself here in front of your house."
"Aren't you wondering why?" Kirei teased as she handed Sendoh a blue towel and started to prepare tea for the two of them.
Sendoh decided not to answer that particular question. "The house is pretty quiet. Where's everyone?"
"Work," Kirei simply said.
"What about you?"
"I'm entitled to a day off, you know," Kirei replied as she handed Sendoh a cup of tea.
"Thank you. What's your job anyway?" Sendoh asked as he took a sip. Ah... heavenly tea. Soothes the nerves... calms the soul...
"I own a porn shop."
Sendoh choked on his tea.
Kirei laughed. "Kidding. I'm an interior designer. The office is pretty lame today, so me, being the gorgeous boss and all, decided to go just leave the work to my associates and go home. Good thing I did, because the cupboard's pretty empty."
"For a moment, I thought you really owned a porn shop," Sendoh said. "You looked so serious when you said that."
"Aw, come on," Kirei said, "I just wanted to make you smile. You seem pretty disoriented. Why? Is it because of my dear, darling baby brother?"
"Honestly, yes," Sendoh replied as he turned his attention on the tea. He couldn't meet Kirei's probing gaze. This was Rukawa's overprotective sister he was talking to. Hmmm... the tea looks interesting... so... green.
"Stop staring at the tea and look at me," Kirei snapped. Sendoh complied. Kirei's face suddenly softened at the sight of Sendoh's confused eyes. "Akira, Akira... you've fallen in love with my Kaede, haven't you?"
Sendoh simply nodded.
Kirei smiled. "Then why the long face? Is it *that* bad?"
"Neechan... I'm just not used to these feelings. It's entirely new to me," Sendoh said softly. "Don't worry, though. I've come to accept my feelings for Rukawa-kun."
"But?" Kirei pried.
"But I'm still uncertain."
"Why?"
"Do you know anything about my vow of celibacy?" Sendoh asked. Kirei raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Well... hanging out with Rukawa-kun is pretty much hellish for me. After all, your brother is definitely gorgeous, and I'm only human, so I'm entitled to be... tempted..."
"Go on, now. I'm listening," Kirei urged when Sendoh trailed off.
"Well, you see, neechan, your brother's not helping much, too," Sendoh said. "One minute, he's all seductive and friendly, the other, he'd be so cold and unreachable. I don't understand him. And I don't understand myself, too. I don't know if I'd rather prefer the seductive Rukawa, or the cold Rukawa. If it's the seductive Rukawa, then by gosh, I'm going insane, because all I could ever think of is to take him then and there... but I have to control myself because of my vow. But then, I'm more comfortable with the cold Rukawa, because somehow, I have a feeling that he's being himself that way. But I'm not entirely happy with him giving me the cold shoulder and all, too."
"Wow... that's quite a predicament you have there," Kirei said thoughtfully. "And your problem is?"
"That's just it!" Sendoh cried out. "I don't even know what my problem is!"
Kirei thought for a while and then finally smiled. "I think your problems have something to do with, number one, your celibacy thingy, and number two, you're afraid of reaching out to our cold, distant Kaede. Am I right?"
Sendoh thought long and hard about it. He thought and thought and thought until a lightbulb just went 'ping!' on his mind and then he finally nodded to Kirei.
"I don't know how to help you with problem number one," Kirei started. "After all, you're the only one who can decide whether or not you want to continue that or not. It's all up to you. But maybe I could help you with problem number two."
"Really, neechan? How?"
"How about if we tie him up and lock him in a room with you for a whole week?" Kirei suggested.
"Neechan!"
"Kidding, love," Kirei said and patted Sendoh's hand. "Let me tell you something about my brother."
"I'm listening."
"Well, for starters, you might be thinking why Kaede is like that," Kirei said. "You know... cold and distant and unsociable."
"Yes, I *am* wondering," Sendoh said. "Why is he like that?"
Kirei gave Sendoh a blank expression. "I don't know."
Sendoh sweatdropped. He's beginning to wonder if Kirei was ready to help him or not.
"No, really, Akira," Kirei said, "we really don't know why our little Kaede is like that. Nothing bad happened to him, as far as we all know. Nothing traumatic, nothing heartbreaking, not anything. He's just like that because that's the way he really is.
"We've always been protective of that boy, his sisters and I," Kirei continued. "He's closest to Ayako, maybe because she's the closest to his age. At times, I talk to Aya-chan about Kaede. I told her to watch out for him. I'm worried about him, really. It seems to me as if he's always alone. He always *wanted* to be alone. While me and my sisters would go out and play, he would just sit on one corner and play with his ball. Hana, Soi, Kiminobu and Kenji were the only friends he ever had. They've been friends since they were kids, but still, Kaede preferred to be alone. Whenever they'd go out, he would just sit a little apart from everybody else and drown himself in his own world.
"I'm always watching that boy from a distance. It seems as if he needed something that neither of us could give him. He's restless. He's incomplete. I've never really seen him happy. Oh, it's not as if he doesn't love us and he wasn't happy with us. It's just that he needed something more. He needed to breathe... live... feel life. No one's been able to make him realize how wonderful life could be, if only he'd open his heart. He wouldn't let anybody in...
"I'm thinking that if anybody could pull Kaede out of his dark, dark world, it would be you," Kirei said softly.
"Why me?" Sendoh asked just as softly.
"There's something about you, Akira, which tells me, and my other sisters, that you're the one for Kaede," Kirei said. "Quite frankly, no one could ever affect Kaede the way you do. Even when you were in high school, I've noticed that no one could get his attention as much as you do. Whenever we'd ask him how his school was, his answer would always be, 'One day, I'm going to beat that bastard Sendoh'. It would always be 'Sendoh, Sendoh, Sendoh'. No one else could capture his attention. And now... well... quite funny, actually, because lately, Kaede's spacing out a lot more than he used to. I figured he's always thinking about you."
"Me," Sendoh echoed softly. "You mean... I have a chance with him?"
"Of course," Kirei said. "All you have to do is to be yourself... and reach out to him with your heart. And be patient. It would take some time before he would finally open up."
Sendoh flashed Kirei a grateful smile. It felt good to talk to someone about his problems. And to Kirei of all people. He doesn't have a sister, or a sibling for that matter, and now he's thinking that Rukawa must be damn lucky to have five wonderful sisters.
And to think that he was on the verge of wanting to bed Kirei before... Sendoh snickered.
"Arigatou, neechan," Sendoh said. "I feel so much better now."
"I'll always be here to help," Kirei promised.
Sendoh looked at his watched and gave out a loud yelp. "Oh no... It's waaaay past lunch time already. I have to go back."
"Won't you wait until the rain stops?" Kirei asked.
"No need, neechan," Sendoh said. "And besides, I wouldn't want to face Rukawa-kun yet. Not until all my problems are solved. There's still problem number one, you know."
Kirei smiled. "Well, if you say so," she said. They stood up and both walked towards the door. "What do you know... the rain has stopped, Akira. Have a safe walk."
"Hai... and thank you again, neechan," Sendoh said. "I'm glad I talked to you."
"Yare, yare..." Kirei said with a wave of her manicured hand. "Go on now, Akira-love, or you'll be reprimanded by whoever your boss is."
Sendoh waved one last time before he walked out the gate.
He stepped into the sidewalk with a renewed spirit, all thanks to Kirei-neechan. Certainly a bright man like him could pull this off.
He whistled as he walked towards his office. Whoo, boy... it's gonna be another long walk. Now... what to think about? Thinking would make the walk less tiring.
About problem number one, then.
Yes... he would continue practicing celibacy. Even after his one month ended, he's going to stop fooling around with nameless women. He knew now that sex isn't always the best thing in life. He could do without it. He would focus all his attention to Rukawa Kaede.
Yes... he would continue practicing celibacy. Which means that no matter how hard Rukawa seduced him, no matter how much he wanted to steal a kiss from Rukawa, no matter how much he wanted to flirt with Rukawa, no matter how much Rukawa turned him on, he would push through with his vow.
Yes... he would continue practicing celibacy. He's going to show the others that he is indeed a man of his word. He's going to prove that wasn't ruled by his dick. He's going to prove that he could do without sex and pornography and -
What the hell is that growl?
It was a low growl... coming deep from within a beast's throat.
It caused chills to run down Sendoh's spine.
Sendoh slowly turned around... and saw a huge pitbull glaring at him.
"My, my," Sendoh said shakily. "What nice fangs you have."
It barked. Oh good heavens, it barked.
"Do you have any idea that I *love* dogs?"
Another nasty bark.
"Hey, pal... do you know what celibacy is? Would you like to hear about my story? I'm practicing celibacy, you know. But after two weeks, my month will be over, which means I could steal kisses from my-"
Another nasty bark.
"Oh, well, then... I guess you wouldn't want to hear about my story then. Go on now, little doggie. Run along."
The dog did run.
Towards him.
Sendoh, for the umpeenth time that day, wondered why the hell these bad things had to happen to him.
He ran for the nearest tree.
---------------------------------
"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket. Never let it slip away," Sendoh sang.
"Mama, mama! Look! It's the same big guy with the pink bubblegum on his pants!" a little boy happily cried out. "Mama, what is he doing above the tree? Oh, mama, look! It's Pom-pom!"
'Pom-pom?!' Sendoh thought. 'You call that bloodthirsty beast *Pom-pom*!?'
"Pom-pom! Pom-pom! We've been looking all over for you!"
And that hideous beast named Pom-pom which would visit Sendoh's nightmares for the next couple of weeks let out a happy yelp and ran towards the little twerp.
Soon enough, the boy, his mother, and damned Pom-pom traipsed along the sidewalk, leaving Sendoh alone, perched on one of the branches of an old tree. Sendoh glared at the heaven.
"I don't know what the heck you're trying to prove," he said with profound reverence, looking like an avenging warrior as he stood up on the branch and held one fist in the air, "but one thing's for sure. I'm still going to continue practicing celibacy...
"It's for my pride!" he finished gloriously.
"Mama, mama! He looks like Hercules!"
"Oh, shut up, kid."
Now... how to get down?
**********
tzu.zu.ku
**********
Well, that's it for chapter seven! I told you chapter six would be the longest chapter... hehehe... Oh, before I forget, I noticed that many of you liked the song on chapter six... and someone even asked me if I planned it all along. To tell you the truth, it just popped into my mind. You see, me and my family were having a karaoke session and I sang 'Something Stupid'. And then I thought... ah hell, this would be great for 'Eden'! And then I wrote it! I'm glad you liked it! ^^
Bye-bye for now!
~Aki-chan
www.geocities.com/rusen_0hour
Zero Hour
by Aki Midori
Author's Blahs:
First off, I want to say sorry for being so unresponsive these days. Please keep in mind that each and every review means a lot to me. ^__^
Second, I want to apologize because I'll stop writing Kono Do'aho. Gomen, minna. Ehehe... *scratches head* Let me sort the story first, okay? I've had requests of a SenHana & a RuHana for Kono Do'aho. I have to tell you now, I have *no* plans on doing a Ruhana, most especially a SenHana. Gomen, minna. It's not that I hate those pairings... it's just that I... well... I prefer SenRuSen over those. MitRu, even *waves to Dig* ... but SenHana/RuHana... *shakes head*
Gomen. ^_^
Okidokie... for now I have to focus on Celibacy. I'll continue writing Kono Do'aho after this! ^_^
Warnings: Pretty serious chapter. ^_~
diScLaimers: Slam Dunk and its characters are all property of Inoue Takehiko.
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Celibacy
Chapter Seven: For My Pride
Sendoh was going out of his mind!
Why? Oh, there are several reasons.
Number one is that it was lunch time, and for reasons that only the Creator knows, Mitsui and Koshino decided to drop by his office to destroy his much needed solitude. Mitsui was happily suckling on a cherry tootsie pop, whilst Koshino was, as usual, complaining about stupid men who doesn't have anything better to do in life but to suckle cherry tootsie pops.
Number two is that there had been a board meeting this morning, but he was too busy spending time in Mt. Tralala that he wasn't even paying attention to what the CEO was saying. Needless to say, he was reprimanded once again. And that disapproving frown from Maki didn't help either.
Number three arrived just now. Kiyota was so perky, dammit, and his noise was getting on Sendoh's poor nerves. What was he talking about again? Oh... about some new product that 'Hanamichi' was modelling. Some popular brand of clotheswear or something like that. Yeah right... like Sendoh gives a damn about that. Sakuragi could go model for baby diapers, for all he cared.
Oh, and number four arrived, too. And with a cheeky grin, too. Maki just had a call from Fujima, and he couldn't wait to rub it into his friends' faces. Maki, the tightass of the group, Mr. Perfect, Mr. Sensible, Mr. Get-the-job-done-perfectly-or-else... was whistling oh-so-joyfully, he was getting on Sendoh's nerves.
Number five...
Number five...
"What the hell is number five, dammit?!" Sendoh cried out loud as he banged his head on the table. His friends gave him wierd looks.
"Man, this celibacy thing is finally getting to him," Kiyota muttered. "He's been pretty grumpy since we got back from the beach. His temper's so short-fused, he puts Grumpy dwarf to shame."
"Oi..." Mitsui started, "make that, 'His temper's so short-fused, he puts Koshino Hiroaki to shame.'"
Koshino, needless to say, fumed. "Shut up, Hisashi. And would you quit suckling that infuriating tootsie pop of yours? It's getting on my nerves."
"I never knew cherry tootsie pops could be infuriating," Maki said thoughtfully. He ignored Mitsui's snicker and looked over to Sendoh who looked as if his life-source depended on the blows he delivered to the solid oak table. He walked over to Sendoh and held the latter's head firmly with his hand.
"Let me go, Shinichi! I have to do this!" Sendoh protested as he bonked his head *plus* Maki's hand on the table again and again.
"Perhaps it's the only way how to get rid of his hard on," Mitsui thought out loud, which made Kiyota laugh.
"Come on, Sendoh Akira, you're better than that!" Kiyota said. "What happened, anyway?"
"What happened is that he spent two consecutive nights on the same room with the object of his insatiable desires, without having to do a single thing as to how to quench his raging libido," Koshino stated, deadpan.
"Then why don't he just jump on Rukawa and get on with it?" Mitsui asked. "If you ask me, he's just tormenting himself this way. It's obvious that he's gone ga-ga over that ice cold basketball player."
"Sendoh's vow of celibacy," Maki stated matter-of-factly, his hand still being bonked between the table and Sendoh's spiky head. "He *did* vow, with us as his witnesses, that he'd stay away from sex, et cetera, for a whole month."
"Hey, it wasn't as if he's striving hard to please the Buddha or something," Kiyota said. "He could easily forget his vow. It looks to me as if this celibacy bullshit of his wasn't doing him any good."
"But he *did* say that he's going to do it," Maki pointed out. "Akira's a man of his word. When he says he'll do it, he'll do it."
"Try looking between his pants, and see if this celibacy thing's doing him any good," Mitsui pointed out.
"I'm getting the idea that you," Maki pointed to Mitsui (whose cherry tootsie pop was gone, to Koshino's relief), "and you," he pointed to Kiyota, "are ganging up on Akira. What about you, Hiro? What's your say in this matter?"
Koshino stared at Sendoh, who's eyes have turned spiral and goofy-looking and stared at Maki straight in the eye. "Let's just help him end his misery and throw him out the window."
Sendoh wanted to kill his friends. Like he~llo! He was right there! Why were they discussing him as if he couldn't hear them? Sure, his head was hurting, and yeah, he's currently looking stupid (for lack of a better word), but he could hear them! Yeah, so, he woke up today with a hard on! And yesterday. And the day before that. But who the hell could blame him?!
He shared the same damned honeymooners' bedroom with Rukawa for two consecutive nights! Oh, the sweet agony of it all... He would *not* forget that time when Rukawa walked around the room with only a terry-cloth bathrobe. Sendoh was willing to bet three months' salary that the basketball star didn't have anything underneath... and *that* thought was enough to knock Sendoh out due to severe nosebleeding.
What a sight it must have been... Sendoh, sprawled over his bed, his mouth wide open, twin gushes of blood coming out of his nose. And to top it all, it was Rukawa who nursed him.
Well... if you call stuffing his nose with cotton wads, nursing, that is.
But oh, the sweet humiliation of it all... Sendoh couldn't bear it.
That was the first night.
Second night was worse.
After having talked to Fujima as to how to get past Rukawa's defenses, he entered the room only to see Rukawa half naked. Bottomless. Well, not exactly *bottomless*. Rukawa was putting on his boxers, and for reasons unbeknownst to Sendoh, the kitsune didn't even lock the door. He didn't mean to barge in, honest! He knew he could have knocked, but it never occured to him that the boy would change clothes in the *bedroom*. There was a bathroom, for crying out loud! Sendoh would never *ever* forget the sight of that plush, pale, smooth bottom.
And of all the stupidest thing to do, he just have to squeak and faint. He wondered what Rukawa thought of him that night...
"Oi... quit that would you? You're hurting me," Maki said as Sendoh continously bonked his head on the table.
"Then take your hand off, doofus." Koshino snapped. Maki 'oh'ed and indeed took his hand off. He turned to the ever-scowling Koshino.
"Why are you in a bad moon, Hiro?" Maki asked.
"If you ask me, I think he was born with a bad mood," Mitsui pointed out.
"No one's asking you, moron," Koshino snapped again.
"Come on, guys! It's a beautiful day! Quit bickering!" Kiyota said. "Why don't we just focus on the task at hand?"
"And that is?" Maki asked.
"How to help this celibate pervert," Kiyota replied. He took Sendoh's head in his hands and head-butted the spiky-haired man a la Sakuragi style. "Heh. Learned that from Hana. I guess it works."
And worked it did, for the great ex-sex god Sendoh Akira was now sprawled over his chair with tiny tweety birds going 'chirp, chirp, chirp!' around his head. Well, at least, he's not bonking his own head anymore. Off to lala-land Sendoh went.
And he took with him images of little kitsunes clad only in a terry cloth bathrobe...
And kitsunes with plush behinds...
And kitsunes walking beside him along the shore...
And kitsunes reaching for a little beautiful shell with the tiniest hint of a smile...
And kitsunes staring at him across the bonfire with emotionless eyes as he sang a sweet song...
And kitsunes continuously poking him.
Eh? Poking?!
*poke* *poke*
"He's out," Kiyota said as he cautiously poked Sendoh's arm once again.
*poke* *poke*
A vein popped on Sendoh's forehead. "Would you just quit poking, dammit?!" he hollered. "I'm trying to think here!"
Four pair of eyes stared incredously at the supposedly-calmest, coolest member of their group.
"Akira... it's *that* serious?" Maki asked.
Sendoh sighed and bit his tongue. "Sorry, guys," he said. "I'm having shitty days lately, what with me thinking of Rukawa almost all the time."
"You're supposed to *smile* whenever you think of the object of your affections," Mitsui pointed out.
"In my case, it's different!" Sendoh argued.
"State the reasons," Maki said.
"For starters, I thought I was straight," Sendoh said. "But I already accepted the fact that I like Rukawa, so I guess it's okay already."
"And number two?" Mitsui pried.
"I think it's more than *like* already," Sendoh said. "I can't stop thinking about him. I've been spending time with him already, and the more I get to know him, the more I'm falling for him. I certainly didn't plan this to happen. I mean... yes, I've dated many women before. I've slept with them, spent time with them, but to tell you guys the truth, I've never been in love before. Now, I don't know what to do."
"You're not supposed to do something except to accept your feelings you idiot," Koshino snapped. "You didn't have to make a big deal out of it."
"Don't be such a jerk, Hiro," Mitsui said. "Let Akira talk for a while."
"Fine, I'll shut up," Koshino said. "But quite frankly, I think there aren't supposed to be any problems. You just have to accept your feelings, Akira. Falling in love is not supposed to be scary. It's supposed to be good."
"Thanks, Hiro. I'll keep that in mind," Sendoh said with a grateful smile. "But it's not as easy as you think."
"Why?" Kiyota asked.
Sendoh stared as his friends and shook his head. "Look, guys, I can't tell you right now, okay? My thoughts are still pretty muddled. I need to sort them out. I'm going out for a walk." With that, Sendoh donned his coat and walked out of his spacious office.
But not before tripping on his own feet.
He gave his friends a goofy grin and a mock salute before he walked out the door.
Mitsui snickered as he shook his head. "Let's analyze his situation, shall we?"
"Okay... fine. I'll start," Koshino said. "Number one, Akira said he's lacking something in his life, and he's out to find out what it is. He said he wanted a new challenge, so he's practicing celibacy."
"Number two," Maki started, "he met Rukawa Kaede, who's sole mission at the moment is to get laid. And his target is Akira."
"Number three," Kiyota said, "they spent too much time together, so Akira started to feel something for Rukawa. There wasn't supposed to be any problem, but, being the inexperienced dolt Akira is when it comes to love, he doesn't know what to do."
"Number four," Mitsui said, "is the sexual tension between the two. Rukawa's bent on seducing Akira... he's not too excited and happy about it, though, and Sendoh's bent on resisting the advances of Rukawa. That's about it."
"It's not much problem, you see," Kiyota said with a grin. "All Akira has to do is to accept his feelings for Rukawa and hold on for two more weeks... that is, if he's going to push through his celibacy bullshit. Then he could propose and they'll live happily ever after!"
"Yes," Mitsui agreed. "And about Rukawa's dare... well, he was dared a few more days *after* Akira had his so-called vow. So that means, Rukawa still has some time to get laid! See? Akira's just making a big deal out of things!"
"There's one more thing," Maki said thoughtfully. His friends gave him wierd looks. "Don't forget Rukawa. We all know that he's a cold person, which makes everything all the more difficult for Akira. Even if Akira accepts his own feelings for Rukawa, how could you be so sure that the latter would accept *his* feelings for Akira, much less Akira's feelings for *him*?"
"I hate it when you get so damn reasonable," Kiyota said with a fake pout. "Oh well... if you think about it, things would only come down to one conclusion."
"And that is?" Koshino pried.
"Sendoh Akira is in deep shit."
------------------------------------
Like all the others, it was a fine day.
The sun was bright, people are happy, birds are chirping, and the sound of life was all over the surroundings. It was a happy day.
"I'm in deep shit," Sendoh muttered as he plopped down on a solitary bench. He was just about to start pondering about Rukawa when he felt a small bump on his thigh. And of all the moronic things that could happen to him, he just *had* to sit down on a pink bubblegum. Sendoh wanted to cry. "Oh, Kami-sama, why are you doing this to me?!"
People started giving the young executive some wierd looks, but Sendoh paid them no heed. 'To hell with them,' he thought. What, they haven't seen a handsome man talk to Kami-sama in public before? He furiously tried to take the bubblegum off his expensive pants, but the damned bubblegum was being so stubborn and wouldn't let go. Defeated, Sendoh just threw his hands in the air and heaved out a huge sigh.
Now... what to think about?
Rukawa?
But he's been thinking about Rukawa since that day at the grocery store... and he couldn't think of anything else after that. He had to admit, the cold guy was interesting down to the core. At first, he had to admit, he was denying his feelings for the guy. After all, he's straight, right? But then, there's something about this solitary man that drew Sendoh towards him.
Always quiet, alone. Rukawa has an air around him which attracts people, yet repel them in a way. It was as if he was a centerpiece that could be watched only from a distance. Never to be touched.
Rukawa's incomplete.
And so was Sendoh.
And maybe... just maybe, Sendoh thought they'd go well together.
He's been on this stupid quest for a meaningful life... and now he's wondering... is celibacy the real way? What good has it done him, anyway, besides getting those clingy women off his back? He had to admit, though, that this new life was really... refreshing. It was a wholesome feeling, really, to be able to break off from his sinful lifestyle. Nowadays, he doesn't have to wake up beside a nameless face. What did he get from those trysts, anyway? Just momentary pleasure. Physical relief. Nothing else...
Because deep inside, no matter how many women he bedded, no matter how many people be befriended, he was still incomplete.
Sendoh stood up from the bench and continued walking down the busy streets. On and on he walked, until his feet brought him to a storybook neighborhood. He wasn't aware of his surroundings, though, because he was so deep in thought.
"Mama, mama! Look! That big guy has pink bubblegum on his pants!"
Sendoh fumed. Damn impudent little kid...
"Now, now, Kyosuke-chan... don't be so rude. I'm sure he has his reasons as to why he decided to put the, uh... accessory on his expensive-looking suit." the elderly woman said. Sendoh walked faster in order to lose both the rude kid and his nosy mother.
And then dark clouds crawled over the sky. Rain started to drop softly. Pretty soon, it was raining cats and dogs. Sendoh Akira was standing in the middle of the sidewalk, just staring at the sky with a dead-pan expression.
"Is this supposed to be the punishment for devirginizing innocents?!" he cried out.
Sendoh just walked and walked and walked... and suddenly, he found himself in front of Rukawa's gate. He let out a little yelp and started to run. He didn't want to see the guy just yet... not until he sorted out his thoughts and feelings.
"Sendoh-kun? Is that you?"
Ah shit... Good heavens, why him? Why *Kirei*?
"Kaede-love's still at practice," Kirei said, balancing a two bags of groceries on her arms, plus an umbrella. "Would you like to go in and wait for him inside? You look pretty... wet."
Sendoh scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly. "Actually, I was just walking around. I didn't mean to go here, neechan."
"Ah, so it was your heart which brought you here."
Sendoh sweatdropped. "Anou... neechan, I'm sure that's not the case-"
"But why else would you suddenly find yourself standing if front of our house, staring at Kaede-honey's room?" Kirei pried.
"I am *not* staring at Kaede's room!" Sendoh protested adamantly.
Kirei sneered. "*Kaede*, Sendoh-kun? Since when have you two become so close, hmm?"
Sendoh cringed. He wanted to cut his tongue off. "Anou... neechan, that was a minor slip-up. I didn't mean to-"
"Stop stammering and help me with these," Kirei snapped with a smile. Sendoh laughed and took the grocery bags from Kirei. "Really, now, Akira- May I call you that?" Sendoh nodded. "Now... Akira... what are you doing here? The truth, please."
"I told you already... I don't know," Sendoh replied as they got inside the house. Kirei motioned for him to place the bags on the table and rummaged in the cupboards as she signalled for Sendoh to continue. "I was just walking around to clear my head, and suddenly, I found myself here in front of your house."
"Aren't you wondering why?" Kirei teased as she handed Sendoh a blue towel and started to prepare tea for the two of them.
Sendoh decided not to answer that particular question. "The house is pretty quiet. Where's everyone?"
"Work," Kirei simply said.
"What about you?"
"I'm entitled to a day off, you know," Kirei replied as she handed Sendoh a cup of tea.
"Thank you. What's your job anyway?" Sendoh asked as he took a sip. Ah... heavenly tea. Soothes the nerves... calms the soul...
"I own a porn shop."
Sendoh choked on his tea.
Kirei laughed. "Kidding. I'm an interior designer. The office is pretty lame today, so me, being the gorgeous boss and all, decided to go just leave the work to my associates and go home. Good thing I did, because the cupboard's pretty empty."
"For a moment, I thought you really owned a porn shop," Sendoh said. "You looked so serious when you said that."
"Aw, come on," Kirei said, "I just wanted to make you smile. You seem pretty disoriented. Why? Is it because of my dear, darling baby brother?"
"Honestly, yes," Sendoh replied as he turned his attention on the tea. He couldn't meet Kirei's probing gaze. This was Rukawa's overprotective sister he was talking to. Hmmm... the tea looks interesting... so... green.
"Stop staring at the tea and look at me," Kirei snapped. Sendoh complied. Kirei's face suddenly softened at the sight of Sendoh's confused eyes. "Akira, Akira... you've fallen in love with my Kaede, haven't you?"
Sendoh simply nodded.
Kirei smiled. "Then why the long face? Is it *that* bad?"
"Neechan... I'm just not used to these feelings. It's entirely new to me," Sendoh said softly. "Don't worry, though. I've come to accept my feelings for Rukawa-kun."
"But?" Kirei pried.
"But I'm still uncertain."
"Why?"
"Do you know anything about my vow of celibacy?" Sendoh asked. Kirei raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Well... hanging out with Rukawa-kun is pretty much hellish for me. After all, your brother is definitely gorgeous, and I'm only human, so I'm entitled to be... tempted..."
"Go on, now. I'm listening," Kirei urged when Sendoh trailed off.
"Well, you see, neechan, your brother's not helping much, too," Sendoh said. "One minute, he's all seductive and friendly, the other, he'd be so cold and unreachable. I don't understand him. And I don't understand myself, too. I don't know if I'd rather prefer the seductive Rukawa, or the cold Rukawa. If it's the seductive Rukawa, then by gosh, I'm going insane, because all I could ever think of is to take him then and there... but I have to control myself because of my vow. But then, I'm more comfortable with the cold Rukawa, because somehow, I have a feeling that he's being himself that way. But I'm not entirely happy with him giving me the cold shoulder and all, too."
"Wow... that's quite a predicament you have there," Kirei said thoughtfully. "And your problem is?"
"That's just it!" Sendoh cried out. "I don't even know what my problem is!"
Kirei thought for a while and then finally smiled. "I think your problems have something to do with, number one, your celibacy thingy, and number two, you're afraid of reaching out to our cold, distant Kaede. Am I right?"
Sendoh thought long and hard about it. He thought and thought and thought until a lightbulb just went 'ping!' on his mind and then he finally nodded to Kirei.
"I don't know how to help you with problem number one," Kirei started. "After all, you're the only one who can decide whether or not you want to continue that or not. It's all up to you. But maybe I could help you with problem number two."
"Really, neechan? How?"
"How about if we tie him up and lock him in a room with you for a whole week?" Kirei suggested.
"Neechan!"
"Kidding, love," Kirei said and patted Sendoh's hand. "Let me tell you something about my brother."
"I'm listening."
"Well, for starters, you might be thinking why Kaede is like that," Kirei said. "You know... cold and distant and unsociable."
"Yes, I *am* wondering," Sendoh said. "Why is he like that?"
Kirei gave Sendoh a blank expression. "I don't know."
Sendoh sweatdropped. He's beginning to wonder if Kirei was ready to help him or not.
"No, really, Akira," Kirei said, "we really don't know why our little Kaede is like that. Nothing bad happened to him, as far as we all know. Nothing traumatic, nothing heartbreaking, not anything. He's just like that because that's the way he really is.
"We've always been protective of that boy, his sisters and I," Kirei continued. "He's closest to Ayako, maybe because she's the closest to his age. At times, I talk to Aya-chan about Kaede. I told her to watch out for him. I'm worried about him, really. It seems to me as if he's always alone. He always *wanted* to be alone. While me and my sisters would go out and play, he would just sit on one corner and play with his ball. Hana, Soi, Kiminobu and Kenji were the only friends he ever had. They've been friends since they were kids, but still, Kaede preferred to be alone. Whenever they'd go out, he would just sit a little apart from everybody else and drown himself in his own world.
"I'm always watching that boy from a distance. It seems as if he needed something that neither of us could give him. He's restless. He's incomplete. I've never really seen him happy. Oh, it's not as if he doesn't love us and he wasn't happy with us. It's just that he needed something more. He needed to breathe... live... feel life. No one's been able to make him realize how wonderful life could be, if only he'd open his heart. He wouldn't let anybody in...
"I'm thinking that if anybody could pull Kaede out of his dark, dark world, it would be you," Kirei said softly.
"Why me?" Sendoh asked just as softly.
"There's something about you, Akira, which tells me, and my other sisters, that you're the one for Kaede," Kirei said. "Quite frankly, no one could ever affect Kaede the way you do. Even when you were in high school, I've noticed that no one could get his attention as much as you do. Whenever we'd ask him how his school was, his answer would always be, 'One day, I'm going to beat that bastard Sendoh'. It would always be 'Sendoh, Sendoh, Sendoh'. No one else could capture his attention. And now... well... quite funny, actually, because lately, Kaede's spacing out a lot more than he used to. I figured he's always thinking about you."
"Me," Sendoh echoed softly. "You mean... I have a chance with him?"
"Of course," Kirei said. "All you have to do is to be yourself... and reach out to him with your heart. And be patient. It would take some time before he would finally open up."
Sendoh flashed Kirei a grateful smile. It felt good to talk to someone about his problems. And to Kirei of all people. He doesn't have a sister, or a sibling for that matter, and now he's thinking that Rukawa must be damn lucky to have five wonderful sisters.
And to think that he was on the verge of wanting to bed Kirei before... Sendoh snickered.
"Arigatou, neechan," Sendoh said. "I feel so much better now."
"I'll always be here to help," Kirei promised.
Sendoh looked at his watched and gave out a loud yelp. "Oh no... It's waaaay past lunch time already. I have to go back."
"Won't you wait until the rain stops?" Kirei asked.
"No need, neechan," Sendoh said. "And besides, I wouldn't want to face Rukawa-kun yet. Not until all my problems are solved. There's still problem number one, you know."
Kirei smiled. "Well, if you say so," she said. They stood up and both walked towards the door. "What do you know... the rain has stopped, Akira. Have a safe walk."
"Hai... and thank you again, neechan," Sendoh said. "I'm glad I talked to you."
"Yare, yare..." Kirei said with a wave of her manicured hand. "Go on now, Akira-love, or you'll be reprimanded by whoever your boss is."
Sendoh waved one last time before he walked out the gate.
He stepped into the sidewalk with a renewed spirit, all thanks to Kirei-neechan. Certainly a bright man like him could pull this off.
He whistled as he walked towards his office. Whoo, boy... it's gonna be another long walk. Now... what to think about? Thinking would make the walk less tiring.
About problem number one, then.
Yes... he would continue practicing celibacy. Even after his one month ended, he's going to stop fooling around with nameless women. He knew now that sex isn't always the best thing in life. He could do without it. He would focus all his attention to Rukawa Kaede.
Yes... he would continue practicing celibacy. Which means that no matter how hard Rukawa seduced him, no matter how much he wanted to steal a kiss from Rukawa, no matter how much he wanted to flirt with Rukawa, no matter how much Rukawa turned him on, he would push through with his vow.
Yes... he would continue practicing celibacy. He's going to show the others that he is indeed a man of his word. He's going to prove that wasn't ruled by his dick. He's going to prove that he could do without sex and pornography and -
What the hell is that growl?
It was a low growl... coming deep from within a beast's throat.
It caused chills to run down Sendoh's spine.
Sendoh slowly turned around... and saw a huge pitbull glaring at him.
"My, my," Sendoh said shakily. "What nice fangs you have."
It barked. Oh good heavens, it barked.
"Do you have any idea that I *love* dogs?"
Another nasty bark.
"Hey, pal... do you know what celibacy is? Would you like to hear about my story? I'm practicing celibacy, you know. But after two weeks, my month will be over, which means I could steal kisses from my-"
Another nasty bark.
"Oh, well, then... I guess you wouldn't want to hear about my story then. Go on now, little doggie. Run along."
The dog did run.
Towards him.
Sendoh, for the umpeenth time that day, wondered why the hell these bad things had to happen to him.
He ran for the nearest tree.
---------------------------------
"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket. Never let it slip away," Sendoh sang.
"Mama, mama! Look! It's the same big guy with the pink bubblegum on his pants!" a little boy happily cried out. "Mama, what is he doing above the tree? Oh, mama, look! It's Pom-pom!"
'Pom-pom?!' Sendoh thought. 'You call that bloodthirsty beast *Pom-pom*!?'
"Pom-pom! Pom-pom! We've been looking all over for you!"
And that hideous beast named Pom-pom which would visit Sendoh's nightmares for the next couple of weeks let out a happy yelp and ran towards the little twerp.
Soon enough, the boy, his mother, and damned Pom-pom traipsed along the sidewalk, leaving Sendoh alone, perched on one of the branches of an old tree. Sendoh glared at the heaven.
"I don't know what the heck you're trying to prove," he said with profound reverence, looking like an avenging warrior as he stood up on the branch and held one fist in the air, "but one thing's for sure. I'm still going to continue practicing celibacy...
"It's for my pride!" he finished gloriously.
"Mama, mama! He looks like Hercules!"
"Oh, shut up, kid."
Now... how to get down?
**********
tzu.zu.ku
**********
Well, that's it for chapter seven! I told you chapter six would be the longest chapter... hehehe... Oh, before I forget, I noticed that many of you liked the song on chapter six... and someone even asked me if I planned it all along. To tell you the truth, it just popped into my mind. You see, me and my family were having a karaoke session and I sang 'Something Stupid'. And then I thought... ah hell, this would be great for 'Eden'! And then I wrote it! I'm glad you liked it! ^^
Bye-bye for now!
~Aki-chan
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