Disclaimer : Slam Dunk is owned by Japanese Mangaka Takehiko Inoue
Author's note : I think this chapter is not really interesting but it is important for the following. I hope my characters aren't too OOC. It isn't evident to write a fic in a foreign language about a fandom I discovered only few months ago. So, please let reviews to give me your impression and to encourage me please^^ Constructive reviews are always welcomed!
Hanamichi broke the kiss, sliding his lips over Rukawa's collarbone to bite hard the junction with his shoulder. The blue-eyed teen hissed but couldn't suppress a moan, this repressed sound making the redhead shiver as he felt an incredible feeling of superiority flowed through his body.
Never would he believe he could possess such power over his rival. He knew that he was kind of tied up to Rukawa. He chose this path by deciding to surpass him in basketball. When he had learnt that the fox envisaged going to America to improve himself, he was depressed to not have the abilities to follow him. Hanamichi couldn't deny that he needed Rukawa as rival to make him progress. If the other teen infuriates him so often, it's also because Hanamichi knew that Rukawa didn't want to rely on anyone, so this fox didn't need him as much he did.
Hanamichi had always discerned Rukawa as an insensible and egoistical bastard but the redhead could now heard his heart go faster, his breath become more irregular and when the Shohoku Ace opened his eyes, Hanamichi seemed to forget how to breath under the intensity of Rukawa's gaze, his blue eyes darkened with desire.
They are both panting and Rukawa turned away from him to regain his senses. Hanamichi observed his profile and understood suddenly why so many girls admired the basketball player. He didn't considerate himself as beautiful; he didn't really have good-looks without being ugly either. He was just a redhead punk who loves fighting and who didn't have luck with girls. To be able to make lose his temperance to a man like Ruwaka so popular amongst girls, considering this fact, was very cheering
The atmosphere in the room was silent, almost tense. Rukawa who had controlled the situation in the beginning was astonished to see Hanamichi take the reins. What this do'haho was thinking of although he was manifestly straight? Rukawa had heard many times his friends or Miyagi laugh about his 50 rejections by girls in Junior High School. Besides, anyone who isn't blind could see the redhead tried to seduce Akagi's little sister.
Hanamichi interrupted his thoughts with a question.
"This is my second question: what are you thinking of me as a man?"
Rukawa blinked several times. He looked the redhead teen and saw his serious expression.
"I think you're a doha'hou" answered Rukawa who felt relieved observing the serious expression of the redhead transform itself into a more familiar he could manage: anger. He couldn't stand not figure out Sakuragi's actual behavior. Why these questions? Was the redhead just curious or more? He preferred dealing with the Hanamichi he knew and not this almost stranger.
Rukawa was rewarded when a fist came to connect with his jaw. He smirked and replied also with a fist.
"You shouldn't ask questions if you don't want to know the answers" added the blue eyed player.
"And you shouldn't answer so obvious things, kitsune! I know you were lying because you can't admit I'm a genius" laughed Hanamichi
Rukawa rolled his eyes, sighing.
"Why do you want to know my opinion of yourself? You shouldn't give importance to what others think of you! Aren't you a tensai after all?"
Rukawa's tone was gentle and that reminds Hanamichi the times when the fox tried to reassure him in the match against Shoyo after the dunk which vault him an expulsion or when he was so depressed after the match against Kainan.
A feeling of humiliation was felt by Hanamichi at these words. How could Rukawa who had such self-confidence understand him? They didn't get along and they didn't know each other. How could he hope that the blue-eyed teen offer him reassurance in himself although he tried to fool others with his self-proclamation in genius.
Rukawa seemed to empathize because he approached Sakuragi and pulled his cheek.
"What are you doing, kitsune?" grimaced Hanamichi
"I verify if you're Hanamichi Sakuragi, the most cheerful guy in this High School, the man who dislikes losing, who is able to entertain anyone, to lead the basketball team, to make me be childish. You are the guy who infuriates me, exasperates me so many times but I respect as a basketball player."
Hanamichi get off Rukawa's grip.
"I'd never believe that you can say so many sentences. But you had forgotten to mention my brains and my good looks, fox!" added the redhead with his habitual hysterical laugh that make Rukawa sigh again. Nevertheless, the raven-haired was happy that Hanamichi recovered his true self.
"And now I have answered all your questions, can I know your reason for questioning me?"
Hanamichi looked away, rubbing his neck but his ears reddened, sign of his embarrassment.
"I couldn't figure out myself…when I learnt that you're homosexual, I wondered what it feels like to be with a same-gender person. I wondered if you have told this to anybody, if you suffered to be gay and if you could be interested in me."
-It's because you don't have luck with women? Do you think you can be suddenly become attracted by men, so casually? Asked Rukawa
Hanamichi felt ashamed but tried to explicate himself.
"I haven't never imagined be involved in this kind of relationship, that doesn't mean that I am homophobic. I have liked the kiss we share before. I don't request love from you! It's difficult for you to understand I want to know a real relationship for once? I wanted to be desired. Think also of yourself! Aren't you tempted to have the possibility to go out with a man? I'm certain that you never envisaged it before because you prefer to consecrate yourself in basket but you will not have this sort of problem with me. Besides, maybe that will permit ourselves to improve our cooperation in the game."
"Aren't you the kind of romantic guy who can only go out and make out with someone he loves?" asked a frowned Rukawa
"I don't hate you either; I respect you also as a basketball player. I think I can learn a lot from you and not only in basket."
"Ok let's try it but if we feel that isn't going well, one of us can cancel this engagement."
Rukawa's tone was resigned.
They watched the mural clock and decided to leave after storing the sport material.
"I suppose that we can reintegrate common training sessions tomorrow" Said Hanamichi while they left the school.
Rukawa only nodded and they separated with a chaste good-bye kiss from Hanamichi to a sleepy Rukawa.
There isn't action in this chapter. I tried to develop the personnalities that the SD characters inspire me. I like a lot Hanamichi that I see as a child who needs to be comforted to give his best.