Disclaimer : Slam Dunk is owned by Japanese Mangaka Takehiko Inoue

Author's note : Hmm, things move progressly. I hope I suceed in conserving each character's personnality. Have a good reading and please leave some reviews!

Sakuragi and Rukawa came back to the training sessions the next day they were expelled under the satisfying look of Anzai-sensei and the more incredulous of the others. Nothing appeared really changed; the two teens weren't talking to each other but the usual hostile atmosphere which has always existed between them seemed have vanished.

Anzai-sensei called them out before they attempted to enter on the court.

"Rukawa-kun, Sakuragi-kun, are you finally ready to work together?" asked the old man with a comforting smile.

They both nodded without exchanging any glance.

"So, I want to reserve you a special training. I think that Sakuragi-kun will improve faster if you train him personally Rukawa-kun."

Anzai-sensei turned to Sakuragi-kun and spoke firmly.

"Of course, it will have effects only if you heard what Rukawa want to teach you Sakuragi-kun."

-I understand Oyagi! You need to reinforce the secret weapon because the kistune isn't sufficient to assure us victory! Said Hanamichi, grinning.

Anzai-sensei laughed but not refuted the statement either. Surprisingly, Rukawa didn't say anything. Sakuragi thrusts an astonished look to him and couldn't repress himself to provoke him a little.

"Have you heard that fox? I'm really the secret weapon of the Shohoku Team. Even Oyagi recognizes I'm a tensai!" Hanamichi laughed

Rukawa looked Sakuragi exasperated as if he was stupider than his usual self;

"Couldn't you be quiet for once Do'aho?" sighed the raven-haired youth

-Are you looking for a fight, kitsune?" But Sakuragi's tone wasn't as sharp as it used to be and Anzai-sensei felt it too. Nevertheless, he spoke to them to prevent any exchange of insults.

"So, Rukawa-kun, I want you show to Sakuragi how manage a good defense and also how to perform normal free throws. I see that there is progress in your relationship, well. But I want you are able to cooperate together like you did in the match against Sannoh. This requires a lot of thrust and a common will to win "

"Uss" they shouted in unison.

They entered on a court's free side to do some warm-ups and looked in the same time the others players played a match. Miyagi, the new Shohoku Captain was confronting Mitsui.

Although he is smaller, Miyagi had the benefice of the speed to score.

Sakuragi and Rukawa were now sited down very closely, their shoulders are touching.

"Pay attention to Miyagi's movements, to his basin's and foot's position which permits him to pivot to guard."

Rukawa was murmured these words directly in Hanamichi's ear, his breath making whiffle some red hair. His voice was very concentrated but also very deep and it makes Sakuragi shiver.

Is it possible one day he can evoke an equal passion from Rukawa ? The raven-haired teen continued to talk but Sakuragi wasn't hearing anymore too focused in analyzing his feelings towards the A ce of Shohoku. But the blue-eyed perceived his lack of concentration and pinched Sakuragi's arm.

"If you aren't interesting in improving your basketball skills, say it! Don't waste my time Do'aho!" hissed Rukawa

Sakuragi looked down, ashamed but whispered without thinking

"It's your fault kisune! Your voice is too sexy and I can't concentrate on what you said".

Rukawa blinked before a smirk appeared on his lips.

"Shouldn't be the inverse? If my voice is so sexy – his tone deepened to emphasis this word- you should be more attentive to what I say."

A huge brush spreads Sakuragi's face and he stood up brusquely.

"You're too talkative kitsune! I think it's time to train too" muttered the redhead before taking a basket ball to start his dribble exercises.

"It's the first time I see you accomplish your basics with good willpower, Do'aho" said by squatting to be at his level. Rukawa had a little smile and Sakuragi's heart missed a beat before his cardiac rhythm accelerated. Blood throbbed in his temples and he felt dizzy.

When Rukawa lifted a finger above him to designate the hoop, Sakuragi tried to focus on the words the raven-haired youth was pronouncing.

"I remind you that you have to do 1000 free throws a day. So don't push yourself in basics"

Sakuragi was now wide awake. He stopped his dribbles and flattened promptly.

"Nani? What's wrong with my free throws technique?"Shouted the redhead

"First, everybody laughs at you each time you failed with it. Secondly, a normal free throw has more chances to go in than your actual technique purely based on luck. Besides, if you can do three-pointers shots, shots in the racket, you can also perform normal free throws".

"Why would I obey you anyway?" whined the redhead

-Because Anzai-sensei accords me the full powers to train and command you"

Hanamichi sighed exuberantly but complied by following the raven-haired.

The other players have already stopped to play to see how the lesson would be. Those who had been in the team in the same time than the two players haven't forgotten the results of the lesson about lays-up.

However, Sakuragi seemed to listen to Rukawa and pays attention to his demonstration. He tried to reproduce the movements of the raven-haired youth and succeed.

"Do you see that kitsuné! I'm really a genius! Yelled Hanamichi

-You'll be if you score the 999th others."

And so, Sakuragi continued to shoot.

"What happened to them' murmured Miyagi to Mitsui, glancing to the two players.

It was certain that the training was calmer but he wouldn't want that becomes a habit either. Everybody was tense as if this calm announced a terrible storm.

"They didn't have any bandage so they didn't resolve their problems with their fists."

-But…I never believed I would say that but I prefer watch them insult each other than…this."

Mitsui approved silently.

Miyagi declared the training finished and the team exited the gym except Rukawa and Sakuragi.

When Sakuragi finished shooting 1000 times, he was covered of sweat. Rukawa gave him a bottle of water.

"It's not so bad I have expected" He said, not really surprised. He knew that with good motivation the redhead was able to master anything.

Sakuragi was too exhausted to answer and he keeps drinking. What he wanted right now was taking a good bath to relax his muscles." He was already walked to the locker room when Rukawa called him out.

"After your shower, if you want, you can go to my house. I have a large bathtub with a lot of massaging oils."

Sakuragi lifted a brow to ask confirmation of what he has heard.

"It is late kitsune, what your parents would think?"

-Nothing because they aren't at home. They are abroad, in France to do some affairs."

"Ok, wait me, I will not be too long".

Do you share my opinion? I think Rukawa seiyuu (=dubber) has a deep voice. We didn't hear it a lot but each time it's wonderful!