Title: Rules of the game
Part: 1
Author: Jing Ling (aka hua_pen)
Genre: yaoi, but no SenRu till later…
Rating: Anyone and everyone
Email: hua_pen2001@yahoo.com.sg
Warning: erhm… it’ll be a long and slow fic… and I have little idea what I am doing! ^^! You have been warned.
Author's Notes: Hope that this is not boring, it’s the start of the fic and not much action will take place here…
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is not mine… TT



RULES OF THE GAME


In school. For trainings. Again.

Such was the mundane routine of the star player, the ace of Shohoku High.

Ex-ace of Shohoku High to be exact. For he was no longer studying there. Rather, Rukawa had surprisingly graduated from high school, despite always succumbing to the sandman in class. Everyone thought that failure in his studies was an imminent ending to his high school life. But Rukawa always surprised others. Though he wasn’t the top student, he had performed reasonably well to enter University. And with his impeccable basketball talent, all the Universities were eyeing on him, each one giving promises, like scholarships, attachments with basketball-oriented schools in the US, a guaranteed place in the course of his choice, the inter-university championships…

To Rukawa, they were just empty promises. Promises he knew would be broken the minute he stepped into the school ground and the University, gaining all the benefits that HE would reap for them. A pessimistic thought, but then, Rukawa was never optimistic when it came to the world outside his sacred universe of basketball. He had a month to think about his choice of school, and for now, he had no intention of giving any school false hope.

Most of his friends, teammates from the Shohoku team that took Japan by storm when he was a super rookie, all went to University too. Akagi and Kogure did exceptionally well, but with the fact that they did not make it to Top8 in the championships that year, and with many other aspiring students and athletes, they were squeezed out of the enrolment in the University of their dreams. They settled, instead, for Nagasaki University. Subsequently, Mitsui joined them, rejecting better schools, for the simple fact that he could never forget the beautiful memories he spent with his friends, the way they pulled him up from the throes of depression and let him rediscover the basketballer within him.

Or so he claimed. The people of the Shohoku team knew better. It was not only that. It was also because his close friend, or rather boyfriend to be more exact, was there. And to quote in Mitsui’s own words, “I do not feel at ease when he is all alone with only a Gori for company.” Rivalry was there, but everyone knew that Kogure only had eyes for his one and only Hisashi. Subsequently, Jin joined the University too.

Maki and Fujima went to study in Meio University, in Okinawa. They apparently wanted a change of environment, away from the limelight, where they could be together. Ryota soon joined them, claiming that he wanted to learn more from the famous point guards in Kanagawa. But everyone knew it was a lie. It was so unlike Ryota to bow down so low to his rivals. The main reason why he went to Meio University was because Ayako went there to study business and management. Hence he followed too. Outsiders who were amateurs when it came to basketball sighed at the loss of 3 good point guards, and could never understand why they had to congregate at the same school. But the players all knew that with these 3 people alone, it was not going to be an easy year with Meio.

The rest of the Ryonan team went to Ryukoku University. Fukada, Ikegami, Koshino and the others all went there. Teamwork they called it. So did the likes of Hanagata from the famous Shoyo team. Ryukoku would be strong. All except Sendoh. He went to Ferris University in Kanagawa. He said that there, he could really do things he wanted. He was now majoring in Literature and dabbling in a bit of math and music. He seemed happy there, so no one questioned why he did not leave Kanagawa for greener pastures.

It seemed to Rukawa that everyone knew what they wanted to do with their lives. Even Hanamichi, who usually didn’t bother, said he wanted to go study somewhere else, like Tokyo or Hiroshima or even Aichi. Rukawa was in a little dilemma. He was so tempted to go to Nagasaki and meet most of his old ‘gang’ again. Yet there was something he could not let go…

No one knew much about Rukawa. Maybe no one will ever know. His parents were not by his side the moment he turned 9. It was a painful memory, one he would rather bury deep inside him. Since then, he had been living in an apartment in Kanagawa. His guardian would occasionally visit, give him money, sign report books… He was ‘satisfactory’, in Rukawa’s point of view. Rukawa had a younger sister. 3 years younger. And ever since they were both thrown into the cruel, merciless world to fend for themselves, two innocent little things out all alone, they had learnt to depend on each other. To care, share and look out for each other. His sister, his one and only family. He had cared for her as his father would have, tucking her into bed at night, reading bedtime stories to her before she went to sleep, comforting her when she had nightmares, sticking up for her when she got bullied in school… everything a father, and a brother would.

Her name was Yukino, and she was studying in Shohoku too. Yet no one knew about her relationship with Rukawa, for she entered school the year he graduated. She had raven long hair too, but the similarities ended there. She was tanned, from hours in the hot-sun playing softball. There were a few pimples on her forehead too, though she insisted that they were evidence of she youth. And she was a petite girl, unlike her tall brother. Yet, despite their differences, Rukawa and Yukino were very close, always communicating, and relying on each other, since they were young.

Now, Rukawa did not want to just leave his sister all alone in Kanagawa while he went to further his education. He was worried about his one and only kin. Especially when they depended so much on each other, emotionally and mentally. Thus he had to settle down somewhere in Kanagawa, and the only place he could think of was Ferris University. Not because Sendoh was there, but also because he could do 2 things he really liked. Basketball, and… music. Rukawa was a prodigy not only in basketball, but also in music. He played and learnt new instruments with ease. He loved the flute, with its mellifluous notes, the piano for the way its sounds would flow, like a river or a stream. He thought the violin was an expressive instrument, one that produced a different effect depending on the way the strings were held and the bow was moved. In basketball, he found excitement, fame, exuberance, team spirit and the feeling of pushing oneself past physical and mental boundaries. In music, he could seek solace and ease the pain and trauma he was going through. In music, he could ease his sister’s pain too, for she always listened to him play, mesmerized, forgetting all her sorrows.

Thus, Rukawa settled for Ferris University, amid protests of shock and horror from better institutes. Hanamichi and Kiyota were posted to Muroran Institute of Technology, where the basketball team had Minami, previously from Toyotama, and Mashashi Kwata, the ‘round gorilla’ from Sannoh. Basketball fans and lovers were all geared up in anticipation for this year’s inter-varsity basketball championships. As all the good players were spread out among various schools, the competition would be evenly matched, instead of an expected win from Nagasaki University, which had Akagi, Mitsui, Jin and Kogure in their team. Meio came in second; while Sendoh having tired himself out while single-handedly trying to match all his strong opponents, saw Ferris to a disappointing third place.

Not many people knew much about Sendoh too, he was like a fallen angel, good-looking and radiating brightness, yet somehow, distant, despite his grins and easy-going nature. Maybe it takes 2 fallen angels to understand each other, for people of the same kind usually clicked instantly, a liaison only 2 of them could interpret…


***********


First day of school for Rukawa, a new place, a new environment, a new start.

The buildings of the school were old, ancient to be exact. The whitewash had now turned slightly yellowish under the merciless hot sun and the torrential rains, and sometimes even snow. The school compound had an air of culture and refinement. After all it was a place to study literature, culture and music. All around, there was lush greenery and trees. Little pavilions were dotted around the campus, places were lovers met, where projects were being completed, or for people to just enjoy the solitude by themselves. It suited Rukawa very much. For this was the kind of environment he liked, peace and comfort.

Taking in the beauty and majesty of his new school, Rukawa was oblivious to everything else. So much so he didn’t notice a tall, young man deep in thought, walking in the opposite direction.

They collided, Rukawa’s shoulder ramming into the young man’s upper arm. It was a hard contact, and it momentarily stunned the both of them as they fell to the ground. Rukawa looked up, meeting eyes as deep and soulful as his own.

“Sendoh…”

“Rukawa?!”





Tbc…







Title: Rules of the game
Part: 2
Author: Jing Ling (aka hua_pen)
Genre: yaoi, but no SenRu till later…
Rating: Anyone and everyone
Email: hua_pen2001@yahoo.com.sg
Warning: erhm… it’ll be a long and slow fic… and I have little idea what I am doing! ^^! You have been warned.
Author's Notes: Yea~ after thinking so long… I finally got the second part done! Hope you guys like it…
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is not mine… TT




RULES OF THE GAME




“Hey Rukawa… So the rumors were true! You did come to Ferris after all! Why? Too scared to face your opponent knowing that the all great Sendoh Akira will downright trash you?” Sendoh teased, knowing full well that the tougher the competition was, the more psyched up his rival would be. Make that ex-rival, team-mate-to-be.

“……..” Rukawa was silent as usual, dusting himself as he languidly stood up.

“So I suppose you will join forces with the ace of Ferris U this year and clinching the championships will be your aim…” Sendoh smiled, trying to figure out how to get the younger boy to speak up.

“Uhm…” was all Rukawa could master. For now.

Before Sendoh could say anything else, Rukawa was already giving him a slight bow, marking his exit from the conversation. As he strolled off into the school compound, Sendoh hollered after him.

“ 5.30pm after school, the indoor basketball courts, basketball trails, don’t be late!”

A slight nod was all he got for an answer.


******


“You’re home!!” 2 hands flung themselves around Rukawa’s slender neck, and a lithe body pressed against him for a hug. A bear-hug he always gave Yukino.

“Hey,hey… not too hard! You are not a small girl anymore!” Rukawa chided, but there was a gentle look in his eyes, a look devoid of all the ice and cool he exuberated outside home. For here, he was home, where he could really be himself, where he belonged. Where he could show his true emotions and feelings without fear of being mocked at or taunted at, an experience from younger days. Or receive stares of amazement now, if he showed his rich vocabulary of emotions. “How’s school?” he asked in a fatherly manner. “ Its your first day in Shohoku isn’t it? Enjoyed it?”

“You know what, brother? You are so incredible! Even until now, your fan club hasn’t disbanded! They are all hoping that you will come back one day to acknowledge the efforts they spent supporting you,” replied Yukino, breaking into a wide grin.

“Hoping in vain… How did you know?” Rukawa was getting irritated, the mere mention of the girls made him feel…

“Disgusted? I know you are! Haha… well I approached one of the seniors and asked her if she knew you. And it turned out that she was the chairperson of the club. She even offered me a free membership pass since I seemed so interested in you… Don’t worry, I didn’t tell anyone I am your sister!” Yukino burst into laughter, unable to hold back her peals of laughter.

Rukawa could only sigh.

“So how was YOUR day?”

Rukawa hesitated, before saying, “Remember my rival Sendoh from Ryonan?”
Yukino nodded. “ We are now in the same U and are most likely to be team-mates. I’m going for basketball trails later in the afternoon. Oh… and I enrolled for English Literature, Japanese History & Culture as well as the Music Elective Programme. In the mean time, I’ll also be doing courses on Math, Computing and Physics.”

It was Yukino’s turn to sigh. “Don’t be so caught up in your work that you forget about me…”

A hand ruffled her hair. “That’s impossible. We only have each other now.”


*******

5.30pm. No one was at the indoor basketball gym yet. Rukawa picked up a ball. Dribbling across the court, he imagined some opponents in front of him. Manipulating the movement of the ball, he twisted and turned, eluding them and finally prepared a lay-up shot. Suddenly a hand shot up. The ball was smacked away.

As he landed on the ground, Rukawa looked up, surprised. A smiling figure stood just meters away from him, surveying his handiwork. “Ne, you should be more focused on your surroundings. Your opponent could just sneak out from behind and block your shot.”

“Mind your own business…Sendoh. Don’t forget you only came in third last year.” Rukawa’s words were full of ice. He could not understand how Sendoh was always appearing in places where he least wanted to see him. And he was especially bitter after Sendoh had easily blocked his shot, and was now criticizing him.

The trials started. Rukawa was confirmed a place in the team. He had impressed everyone on the court with some dribbles, passes, shots and blocks that matched Sendoh’s evenly. And Sendoh was the ace of the team, while he was only a freshman in Ferris. As Rukawa advanced to the hoop to make one last lay-up shot, after eluding the seniors, he sensed a person behind him, waiting to swat his shot away. Sendoh’s words of advice suddenly rang in his ears. “Focus on your surroundings…” To prevent the shot from being blocked, Rukawa made a dunk instead. He felt an unexpected wave of emotions. Emotions like gratitude. And something else he could not pin-point.

That dunk created an uproar. An assurance that he was one of great caliber and skill. For the person who tried to defend the goal was none other than the great ace of Ferris himself. “Looks like you’ve learnt your lesson, Rukawa-kun.” Sendoh grinned. “ I’m most delighted to have you in the team. We have a lot of catching up to do… How about dinner later on?”

“I’m going home, thank you for the offer.”

Somehow to Sendoh, Rukawa’s ‘thank you’ was not only a manner of courtesy after declining his offer, but also directed at the advice he had given him. Sendoh’s thoughts strayed back to when Rukawa was a first year, and he, in second. The time when he gave Rukawa advice on how to be a better player. He had done that out of goodwill, for not many rookies impressed him as much as Rukawa did. He saw Rukawa as one full of hidden potential. And since he had the key to unlock this potential…why not? It would have been a great service to the basketball arena, to have one more talented player, one more gem. After the match against Sannoh, Rukawa had approached him and thanked for his help. “Thank you,” was all Rukawa could muster, but it was a sincere one and it meant so much to Sendoh then. For with the word of thanks, came a small smile…


*******


It was late by the time Rukawa reached home.

Yukino was already asleep. As Rukawa gently covered her with a blanket, his thoughts shifted back to the past. His mother left the family, running away with another man. There was no love in her marriage, according to her, and it only brought her a lot of stress. After all, her marriage with Mr. Rukawa was an arranged marriage. Thus, she left the family, leaving her 2 children, aged 9 and 6 behind, not even turning back when Yukino and Rukawa cried piteously for her to come back home to them. Mr. Rukawa was heart-broken, he loved his wife so much. Depression set on him, and it became worse when he tried to contact his wife, in futile attempts to reconcile. He had a heart-attack when the one he loved so dearly said something to him over the phone. Little Rukawa could only watch as his father let out an agonizing cry before slumping to the ground, clutching his chest, gasping desperately for air. By the time the paramedics arrived, it was too late…

Rukawa snapped out of it instantly. He had to live with such pain. With the image of his father, face twisted in agony and torture, muscles clenched and contorted. A nightmare, one that even his sister knew nothing about. For his sister was still young and innocent then and did not know what was going on. Luckily, she did not have to witness her father’s death, so it did not add on to the pain of losing her parents. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. He scoffed at the game they called “love”. For to him, it only caused pain and sorrow. Maybe it was also confusing because there were no rules in this game, unlike in basketball, for him to follow, to guide him. There were no rules in this game stating that people in love could not inflict pain on each other and the people around them, no rules stating that the love 2 people once shared had to go on forever. Maybe that was why he took no interest in girls. Because love, to him, equalled pain.

It was their little secret. They swore not to let anyone know about the horrible experience they went through. Perhaps it was fear – but Rukawa and Yukino preferred to see it as a form of protection, protection against the savage world that might insult them, mock at them or even take advantage of their handicap. While Yukino preferred to be overwhelmingly cheerful on the outside, Rukawa rather hide himself beneath a cold façade.



******



In the meanwhile, Sendoh was having dinner with the rest of the basketball team.

“Hey… That Rukawa guy is really something, don’t you think?”

“Think he’ll be able to match you, Sendoh?”

“Yeah, is he a threat to your position as THE ace? Hahahah…”

“Sendoh? Sendoh…!”

“Oh, huh? Sorry, I was thinking about something…”

“Man, this guy never learns to snap out of his day-dreams…”

But Sendoh was not listening. In his mind, he was only thinking about a lonesome person, a person of few words and limited expressions. “Rukawa… other than basketball, do I even know you? As a person?” Sendoh thought silently to himself.

It was a question left unanswered. For the person with the answers was not there.




Tbc…

Hee hee… hope you enjoyed this part of the fic!
Title: Rules of the game
Part: 3
Author: Jing Ling (aka hua_pen)
Genre: yaoi, but no SenRu till later…
Rating: Anyone and everyone
Email: huapen@hotmail.com
Warning: erhm… it’ll be a long and slow fic… and I have little idea what I am doing! ^^! You have been warned.
Author's Notes: Phew! Third part already!
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is not mine… TT



RULES OF THE GAME



A week had passed. Sendoh had been trying to seek Rukawa out from the crowd of students all week, hoping to find a chance to talk to him. But it was not easy. Being in different classes, their time-tables rarely bore any similarities. It was either Sendoh stuck with lessons, Rukawa having his break, or the other way round. It was already Friday and Sendoh was still unable to catch hold of Rukawa. The times they met each other during basketball training sessions did not count. For the rest of the team were there too, and there was no way both of them could get enough privacy for what Sendoh termed “ a man to man talk”. Sendoh once tried going for trainings earlier, in hope of meeting Rukawa, but it was upon reaching the gym did he realize not EVERYONE came for trainings as late as HE did. So much for trying…

He took a deep breath, his chest expanding and rising up with the extra intake of air, before letting the air all out with a loud “whoosh”. Sendoh had never felt so frustrated before. He needed to see Rukawa and talk to him – about basketball, about their pairings together during the games, to discuss different moves to elude their opponents… Rukawa was so passionate about basketball that it was worth exchanging pointers with him. “Maybe I’ll even get to learn more about him…” Sendoh mused to himself. Somehow, there was a nagging thought at the back of his mind, “Ultimately, I want to know what sort of person he is really like, don’t I? I want to know more about him other than the part of him that believes so intensely in basketball…”

He strolled around the school campus in a last-ditch effort to search for Rukawa, coming across a pavilion situated near the school’s koi and turtle pond. The pond was named ‘koi and turtle pond’. “How apt,” Sendoh thought to himself sarcastically, snickering at the school’s lack of originality and creativity when it came to names. Just then, his eyes lit up. A lanky, raven hair boy was making his way to the pavilion there. And he was alone. “This has to be my lucky day. I finally found you, Rukawa…” Sendoh smiled inwardly, taking big brisk strides over to him.

“Hey Rukawa!” greeted Sendoh, tapping Rukawa on the shoulder. “I’ve finally found you. Busy at the moment? I need to talk to you about – ”

“I’m busy, sorry sempai.”

“Wh..what?! What do you have to do? Its break now isn’t it? Look, its real important.”

“I’m going to play some basketball now, so if you’d excuse me, I only have an hour of break and you are wasting my time like that.” It was then that Sendoh’s eyes traveled to Rukawa’s hands, noticing that he was carrying a bag. The bag was made of black netting and in it, was indeed a basketball.

“That’s exactly what I want to talk to you about!” Sendoh was getting desperate, putting both hands on his shoulders, forcing Rukawa to sit down. After all, he had taken great pains to find him, and he was not going to let him go so easily. “I’ve noticed that you’re not your usual self this whole week. Even when you play basketball, you don’t seem to have that drive in you. The fiery passion I saw when I played with you in high school is somehow not there now. You do realize that something is missing in your play too, don’t you?”

Rukawa was momentarily stunned. He had heard that last sentence before. That was the rhetorical question Sendoh had asked 3 years ago, before telling him that he needed to pass more to his teammates instead of being so selfish. And now, 3 years later, this. Yet, he could not deny that there was AGAIN, something wrong. Trust Sendoh to have such keen observation. Unconsciously, Rukawa nodded. Did the problem lie in his shooting? His passes? Was it because he was not used to the environment? Was he…

“Tired. You are worn out. That’s your problem,” Sendoh answered a matter-of-factly. Seeing the confusion on Rukawa’s face, he explained, “ I believe, that since you are in the school team now, you are beginning to spend all your time training, be it by yourself or with the team right?” Without waiting for an answer, he continued, “ Fatigue sets in when you train too much, and you become drained of your energy. Remember, basketball is a sport, a sport that is not only physically demanding, but mentally challenging as well. So if you don’t give your body enough time to rest, how can you expect to stay focused on your next training?”
Rukawa shook his head. “The more trainings I have, the better I’ll become.”

“No. Not in this case. When you are so tired after one session, how can you expect to give 100% the next day during the next one? Quantity is important, but without quality in those trainings, it doesn’t matter even if you go for twice as much trainings as me. Because I maximize my potential during those trainings but you don’t. You see?”

“Yes… I see it now…” Rukawa was surprised at the amount of help he was getting from the person who was once his rival. Feeling a sense of obligation, he turned to Sendoh, who was relieved after finally able to say his piece.

“And I know the real reason why your team could only manage a third in last year’s championships. I watched a videotape of the match.”

Sendoh cocked his head to one side. He had a vague idea as to what happened then, but wanted to hear what Rukawa had to say. And it was not always that Rukawa had much to say to him.

“You did not have the drive and determination. I don’t know how to put it. You were not fired up. Although you were losing, it seemed as if you didn’t care, as if you lost all passion in the game itself…” Rukawa’s voice trailed off. He looked at Sendoh questioningly, as if expecting him to say something.

Sendoh spoke. “Yes, you hit the bull’s eye. I did not have any motivation that year. No urge to train, no drive to improve, no hunger to win. You know why? I suddenly felt that basketball was so boring, meaningless, like there was nothing left for me to hold on to. I guess because there was no one to be on par with me during trainings. I’m always the best, the one to be worshipped… so much so that I never got a chance to improve. I mean, you can’t improve playing with weaker players than yourself, can you?”

Rukawa did not answer, only staring intently at him, as if urging him to continue.

Sendoh sighed, a resigned sigh, before summing everything up, “I guess it was because I did not have a worthy opponent then, to push me to greater heights, unlike back in high school, when I had you.”

“When I had you…” Those 4 words struck Rukawa. “I meant so much to him?” Rukawa thought. In a flustered state, Rukawa questioned, perplexed, “Wh…why are you telling me all these?”

Sendoh smiled, a tiny smile, before replying, “Because we are friends, aren’t we?”

Seeing Rukawa even more uncertain, Sendoh continued. “Friends are actually 2 bodies with one mind. Through basketball, we can actually ‘see’ each other more clearly. Due to our love for basketball, we both have this single-minded thing for the game. Because of basketball, we become one person, because our main goal is the same. We both want to excel in it and can thus relate to each other.”

A friend! A surprise, but a pleasant one. Sendoh Akira, his senior, his partner in the game, his friend? Maybe what Sendoh said was true. Maybe they did have something in common, something that bound them together. Wait, they DID have something in common, that ‘thing’ was basketball was it not? And was there any harm in making friends with a person who shared the same interest? Rukawa doubted. Sendoh seemed sincere, and, well… harmless. “Friends,” he whispered, extending out his hand for a handshake.

“Yeah. Friends,” Sendoh took the outstretched hand, smiling. “By the way, since you should take a break and not tired yourself out too much, lets say we talk about moves we can execute to make an impact on the court. I was thinking of a fake, before passing to you, or how about a dunk…”

Students walking past the ‘koi and turtle pond” would notice 2 boys, a slender one dressed in white T-shirt and jeans, with raven hair, and the other, hair spiked up in a blue shirt and jeans. The raven hair boy listening intently, nodding his head in agreement, while the other boy gesturing animatedly, telling his companion something with gusto.

Below them, the golden koi in the pond swam gracefully, their golden sheen reflecting sunlight that filtered through the leaves of the trees beside the pond. The turtles with their shells, like cracks on an egg, were in a world of their own, in search of food, bits of bread that students normally throw in, to nibble on. 2 totally different species of water-animals, one a fish, the other… well, a turtle, cohabiting in the same place, excepting each other’s presence. Naturally.

Just like the 2 boys above them. Stark contrasts to each other, not only in personalities, but also in physical appearances and their views on life, yet, being able to get together easily. To understand. To communicate. To realize the wonders they can create together with each other. And it happened. Naturally.

The bell rang, signaling the end of their one hour break. Amazed at how quickly time flew by, Sendoh hurriedly motioned to Rukawa. “Hey, there is no training today. And I command you to take a break. Why don’t you come over to my apartment. It’s only a 10 minute walk away from here. We can discuss some more, then put what we’ve talked about into practice during tomorrow’s training. Meet you here at 3.30pm. You lesson ends then too, right?”

Rukawa nodded, watching his older companion take his leave. “Hmmm, what a friend he has turned out to be…” Rukawa was feeling light-hearted all of a sudden, happy at the acquisition of a new friend. It took him a while before he noticed that Sendoh knew his time-table without Rukawa even telling him.




Tbc…































Title: Rules of the game
Part: 4
Author: Jing Ling (aka hua_pen)
Genre: yaoi, but no SenRu till later…
Rating: Anyone and everyone
Email: huapen@hotmail.com
Warning: erhm… it’ll be a long and slow fic… and I have little idea what I am doing! ^^! You have been warned.
Author's Notes:
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is not mine… TT



RULES OF THE GAME



After his conversation with Rukawa, Sendoh was feeling, well… rather light-hearted, and excited about meeting him later. There was a prickly feeling near his chest, something akin to butterflies fluttering around, but not quite. He couldn’t wait to talk more to his new-found friend. To talk about the possible combinations they could attempt, the ways of defending and blocking… The options when it came to basketball was limitless with the 2 of them around. And deep down inside, he really felt that they could connect, that they could relate to one another. And he also knew that he was getting rather fond of the boy…

His teacher was lecturing one of his favourite subjects, literature. “Friends, Romans, Countrymen… Now as you can see, Shakespeare makes use of such an introduction…” However, Sendoh’s attention was not with his teacher, but rather, he was pinning for the time he would be able to see his friend again. A real “friend”, a refreshing change from bootlickers and idol-worshippers…

Rukawa eluded a sense of trust-worthiness, making Sendoh instinctively tell him how he felt about the championships last year, something he never told anyone else. For Sendoh had already accepted Rukawa, knowing that his secrets were safe with him. Because Sendoh trusted him.

‘Trust’. What an interesting term. Few can define it. It’s just a feeling that one gets, telling you that a certain person could be trusted. And there is no way of describing this feeling as well. For you can only trust a person after interacting with him. Someone once said that ‘trust’ is a feeling based on instinct. Maybe it is true. For Sendoh instinctively trusted Rukawa.

3.30pm, and Sendoh was already waiting for Rukawa’s arrival.

“Here! This is my apartment…” Sendoh proudly opened the dark brown door to reveal a living room. There was only a sofa, a TV set and a coffee table. Rukawa ventured inside. There were only 3 other rooms, a bedroom, a kitchen and a toilet. Rukawa was amazed at the sheer simplicity of the apartment, and it’s small size. “You live alone?” He questioned. Sendoh nodded, proud of himself.

Rukawa scanned the small, but cozy home. It had the bare necessities. Like a bed, a study table, a bookshelf… It seemed that Sendoh liked simplicity. But something was bothering Rukawa. All along, he had thought Sendoh came from a happy family, which was why he was always bright and sunny. But here, the Sendoh he knew was actually a lonely person, staying all by himself. Where were his parents, his family? Was he a simple person who enjoyed the little things in life? His taste in furniture in his house certainly gave that impression.

As if sensing Rukawa’s thoughts, Sendoh spoke up. “My parents are in Tokyo, working. They wanted me to come along, but I preferred to stay here. I like what I’m doing now. Oh, and I’m an only child.” To Rukawa, Sendoh always had so much love to give to everybody, so it seemed he came from a happy family. Unknown to him though, Sendoh had so much love for everyone, because unlike Rukawa who showered all his love on his sister, Sendoh had no one else to give his love to.

The beeping sound from a handphone interrupted Rukawa’s thoughts. Reaching into his jeans pocket, he pulled out a sleek black handphone. Tapping on the silver buttons, he read the short message that was sent to him. “What’s up, Rukawa-kun?” Sendoh was curious.

“Nothing much. My sis wants me home for dinner. She cooked.”

“You have a sister?” Sendoh asked, intrigued by the new discovery about his friend. “Yes, 3 years younger than me. Studying in Shohoku.”

Another interesting discovery. “So what’s the occasion? Your parent’s wedding anniversary?” inquired Sendoh.

“No. They’re both gone. Dead.” Came the reply.

Sendoh was shocked. ‘Dead?’ He did not know what to say, it was a sensitive issue. “I’m… sorry…” That was all he could master. For the first time, Sendoh the ‘blabber-mouth’ was stumped, at a loss for words.

“It’s ok. I’ve got to go now. Tell you what, since tomorrow’s Saturday and training is in the afternoon, can I meet you at your apartment at 7 in the morning? There’s some place I want to bring you to.” Rukawa said casually. Sendoh, still at a loss of words, this time by the fact that Rukawa was being so initiative, could only nod in response, as he watched his friend leave.

Outside, the evening wind was cool. It was the start of spring, a beautiful season, where the weather was not too hot and not too cold. “Why did I tell him about Dad and Mom?” Rukawa wondered to himself. “Do I now see him as a confidant? A good friend? I promised Yukino that I would keep this a secret. Why did I just blurt it out to him? It was so instinctive, so unlike me.”

The instinctive nature of trust.

Rukawa was not himself today. At least not himself in Sendoh’s house. Not only had he told Sendoh about his parents, he had also invited him to go out with him. But behind everything lies a reason, and Rukawa certainly had a cause for his actions.

When Sendoh was telling him about his own parents, Rukawa had caught that faint glimmer in his friend’s eyes. A glimmer that was so familiar. An expression that was reflected not only in Yukino’s eyes, but Rukawa’s own as well. A look of sadness and resignation. Somehow, Rukawa sensed that though they seemed very different, they were ironically very similar. In terms of family background, jarringly unhappy pasts, devotion to basketball…

Instinctively, Rukawa felt, that as his friend, he should do something to help Sendoh. For after all, Sendoh had helped him before, all the time not expecting anything in return. And Rukawa felt that he should at least do something for his smiling senior, who gave him advice and was always talking cheerfully during trainings, brightening up a dull day with lame jokes and wild antics.

He was sure Sendoh would appreciate what he had in store for him. He had a feeling Sendoh would enjoy the simple things in life.

Out of nowhere, Sendoh’s words that afternoon flickered in his mind. “Friends are 2 bodies with one mind.” If it were true that they could connect with each other and share similar interests, Rukawa was sure Sendoh would enjoy the outing just as much as he did.


*****



“Yo Rukawa, why are you taking me here? It’s 7am and I’m stuck here with you in a NATURE PARK?”

"If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive..." That was all Rukawa had to say.

That was all Sendoh had to ponder on.

The air was cool. As there had been a strong wind the night before, leaves from the trees littered the trail leading into the nature park. Shades of green, yellow and brown rustled and snapped as the 2 boys crushed them. The morning mist hung around the trees like a translucent veil, making the place seem dream-like. The sun was awakening from its morning slumber, slowly peaking out from the clouds. Beside the nature park was a pond, not the small ponds that were around Ferris, but a big one, almost like a reservoir of water. The water was calm, with lotus flower buds, waiting to bloom and water hyacinths floating gently on the mirror of water.

Sendoh and Rukawa, in silent companionship, walking together, with Rukawa leading the way, uphill, and Sendoh, looking very sleepy, following….sleepily behind.

Dawn. The start of a new day. A new beginning. The birds on the trees were chirping, crickets crying out mating sounds, the rustle of the leaves when a gentle breeze caressed the lush greenery.

Peace. A sensation the surroundings gave, a feeling within 2 people.

By this time, Sendoh was wide awake. He enjoyed these moments, moments of peace and tranquility. It brought him joy, just like fishing did.

Shafts of sunlight were now slithering through the canopy of leaves, sending beams of sunlight down the trail. It was a beautiful sight. Sendoh reached out, intrigued, “It’s almost as if you could touch them.” His fingers wrapped round a beam of sunlight, innocently trying to grab hold of it. But the beams eluded his grasp, and was now shining on his outstretched palm.

Rukawa looked on. At Sendoh’s childlike quality. Sendoh was at ease with himself, and HE was too. Rukawa enjoyed these kind of walks, it brought him close to nature and opened up his heart. Unconscious of his own actions, Rukawa advanced to the rays of sunshine, letting them fall onto his face, as he closed his eyes and tilted his face upwards, meeting the warmness and comfort the morning sun brought him.

When he opened his eyes, the brightness of the sun stung his eyes and he turned abruptly away. Face to face with Sendoh. Sendoh smiled, shrugged his shoulders and just said, “You should have told me there was such a large stretch of water… I could have brought my fishing gear.” Embarrassed by his seemingly stupid actions in the sun, Rukawa turned. “Lets go eat. I’m hungry.”

2 boys in the Nature Park. Shoes grimy from the morning dew on the ground, and T-shirts matted with perspiration from the walk uphill. Yet, they looked happy, and free. Mother Nature does work miracles, and sometimes, she can soothe the human heart as well.




Tbc….























Title: Rules of the game
Part: 5
Author: Jing Ling (aka hua_pen)
Genre: yaoi, but no SenRu till later…
Rating: Anyone and everyone
Email: huapen@hotmail.com
Warning: erhm… it’ll be a long and slow fic… and I have little idea what I am doing! ^^! You have been warned.
Author's Notes: Ok, this is a useless part of the story, not many developments, in my opinion… but hope you’ll enjoy it all the same! Oh… and I think that its getting OOC… shucks!
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is not mine… and neither is Linkin Park’s song…





RULES OF THE GAME


A day passed by quickly. And then another day passed by. Then a week, and another, and another…

In Ferris, it was not unusual to see 2 guys, both tall and good-looking, walking side by side during breaks or after school. It was also a common sight to see the same 2 guys hanging out at their usual lunch table or at one of the many pavilions round the school doing their homework.

Ever since that outing at the nature park, Sendoh and Rukawa were together whenever their timetables permitted. It was as if they had finally got to know each other better and were becoming bosom friends. They were both the objects of interest of the girls in Ferris, where gossips and crushes and professions of love for the 2 stars were part and parcel of a female student’s life in Ferris. But from the rest of the male population’s point of view, “you either love them, or hate them”.

Sendoh was always looking after his younger friend, seeing to it that he was not bullied by older students, checking on his work, even going to the extent of spending most of his free periods with Rukawa. There were moments when both friends were spotted under the trees. The shade from the tree leaves masked the expressions on their faces, but underneath the coverage, was an air of peaceful companionship.

If Sendoh were the cheerful and suave actor with a warm smile for everyone, Rukawa would be his shadow, the ‘man-behind-the-scenes’, letting Sendoh hog most of the limelight while he enjoyed the exuberance and jubilance from afar. Sad, and lonely, but that was Rukawa. The guy who seldom took initiative, who had few expressions – both facial and emotional, the guy who was always aloof and distant. Some students wondered how 2 people poles apart could come together in a harmonious blend, others felt that opposites attract.

It was a Friday. And it was an unusual sight. Rukawa was alone today. The whole day. There was no Sendoh by his side. The students around him, and classmates from Sendoh’s and Rukawa’s faculty thought that it was weird. Very weird indeed, as there was no special activities in school today to tear the 2 friends apart.

Rukawa sighed. He was used to loneliness but for the past 3 weeks, Sendoh had somehow filled that emptiness and he was getting used to having a friend. Now, Rukawa felt lost, the slightest bit of the feeling, but nevertheless, lost.

Rukawa strolled to the ‘koi and turtle’ pond. He plopped down on one of the benches, not knowing what he could do next. After all, he had 2 hours before his next lecture. Bored, Rukawa rummaged through his black converse duffel bag before fishing out his journal. This was his personal journal – one in which he wrote anything or drew anything he felt like at a spur of a moment. His journal was a black, hardcover A5 sized book, and Rukawa thought it was a good habit to write down whatever he thought was difficult to express in words.

Having nothing better to do, he started flipping the pages, reading the past few entries… about how he met Sendoh on his first day of school… the time when they had a talk at the ‘koi and turtle’ pond… the nature park… all those were just superficial recordings, merely stating the events that occurred, nothing about his feelings. Rukawa chided himself, “A journal for you to pen down your feelings and you are even afraid to do so…”

His gaze fell onto a CD in his bag. “Linkin Park”, a band playing heavy music, a band that Sendoh recommended as an alternative to the classical and instrumental music that Rukawa liked to listen to. Plugging his earphones into his ear, he began listening to the music. Ironically, the first song was “By myself”. Rukawa found himself drawn to the song, and unconsciously started replaying it over and over again, listening to the screaming, bitter voice spewing words of anguish, frustration and confusion. Listening to the lyrics that reminded him so much of himself.

“What do I do to ignore them behind me?
Do I follow my instincts blindly?
Do I hide my pride from these bad dreams
And give in to sad thoughts that are maddening?

Do I sit here and try to stand it?
Or do I try to catch them red-handed?
Do I trust some and get fooled by phoniness?
Or do I trust nobody and live in loneliness?

Because I can't hold on when I'm stretched so thin
I make the right moves but I'm lost within
I put on my daily façade but then,
I just end up getting hurt again

By Myself
I ask why, but in my mind I find
I can't rely on myself
I ask why, but in my mind I find
I can't rely on myself

Chorus:
I can't hold on
To what I want when I'm stretched so thin
It's all too much to take in
I can't hold on
To anything watching everything spin
With thoughts of failure sinking in

If I turn my back I'm defenseless
And to go blindly seems senseless
If I hide my pride and let it all go on
Then they'll take from me 'till everything is gone
If I let them go I'll be outdone
But if I try to catch them I'll be outrun
If I'm killed by the questions like a cancer
Then I'll be buried in the silence of the answer

By Myself
I ask why, but in my mind I find
I can't rely on myself
I ask why, but in my mind I find
I can't rely on myself

Chorus:
I can't hold on
To what I want when I'm stretched so thin
It's all too much to take in
I can't hold on
To anything watching everything spin
With thoughts of failure sinking in

How do you think I've lost so much?
I'm so afraid that I'm out of touch
How do you expect I will know what to do
When all I know is what you tell me to

Don't you know
I can't tell you how to make it go
No matter what I do, how hard I try
I can't seem to convince myself why
I'm stuck on the outside
Don't you know
I can't tell you how to make it go
No matter what I do, how hard I try
I can't seem to convince myself why
I'm stuck on the outside

Chorus:
I can't hold on
To what I want when I'm stretched so thin
It's all too much to take in
I can't hold on
To anything watching everything spin
With thoughts of failure sinking in

I can't hold on
To what I want when I'm stretched so thin
It's all too much to take in
I can't hold on
To anything watching everything spin
With thoughts of failure sinking”

The lyrics seemed to speak so much of Rukawa. His inner feelings. His turmoil. Rukawa jotted the lyrics quickly into his journal. They would be pondered upon later, for now, he concerned himself with writing a little more in his journal.

“ Akira Sendoh. A friend. Or more than just a friend? He treats me nice, and we can understand each other. But still. I’m so confused. I don’t know. The rules of this game… they don’t allow this to happen. 2 males to be together in love… I like think I like you, but I don’t know. I am so different from you. Why must you be so nice to me, Sendoh? I’m a failure, I can’t socialize well and I am cold. I have an unhappy past and I am not the most beautiful of characters… I am inferior when compared to you, I know I am. So why – ”

A hard thump on his back jolted him. Amid the heavy thumping and drumming of the songs Rukawa was listening to, he did not hear someone approaching him, calling out his name. Rukawa spun around and came face to face with Sendoh. His first instinct was to shut his journal and bury it deep inside his bag. Then, taking off his earphones, he greeted his friend, “Sendoh… where were you… the whole day.” A statement, never a question. Rukawa hardly asked questions. Rarely expressive, both facially and vocally, the only time when he was more open was that day in Sendoh’s apartment, and in the Nature Park.

Sendoh smiled, eyeing the duffel bag. He had never seen Rukawa so secretive before. Curiosity was mounting inside Sendoh but he knew better than to disrespect his friend’s privacy… but he had caught a glimpse of his name, and was wondering what was going on. “I woke up late! Haha, I’m learning from you, my sleepy friend. Just arrived in school.”

Rukawa nodded. No sign that he was irritated, or angry, or frustrated or… But then again, Rukawa did not have many expressions to begin with. “So different from the time we met and went out together… I wonder what’s wrong…” Sendoh muttered to himself.


*****


The night was a dark and quiet one. Rukawa pedaled home slowly on his blue mountain bike, the street-lamps above him giving off dull rays of yellow light. The moon, like the street-lamps glowed dimly in a sheen of yellow. A crescent moon. Not round and perfect like the full moon, but equally beautiful and captivating in her own way.

Rukawa could no longer continue his solitary game of basketball. It was getting too dark and the University authorities were about to lock up the indoor gym. His favourite outdoor basketball court did not have any spotlights or lamps near-by, rendering him helpless as he could not see the hoop. Rukawa had something on his mind, a frustration, a problem that was tugging relentlessly inside him. He wanted to be free from this uncomfortable feeling, but he was unable to play the game that allowed him to vent his frustrations. It made him all the more restless.

Back at home, Yukino was worried. Very worried. Her brother came home much later than usual, not even calling back to tell her he would be late, something Rukawa never forgot. Upon arrival, he had stormed into his room, refusing her requests for him to take his dinner. Strains of the violin was later heard, first a slow and woeful tune, which later accelerated in speed and intensified in emotions. Clearly, something was bothering Rukawa.

Sneaking a peek at her brother, Yukino saw her brother, bent in intense concentration. The hand holding the bow was waving furiously, in a whirl, and the fingers on the string exerting more and more force on the strings. Rukawa kept on playing, faster and faster. His hair was already matted and messy, falling in wet locks over his eyes. But he did not notice, for his eyes were closed. All the pent up feelings, the uncertainty, came pouring out.

The notes Rukawa were playing reached its climax. Suddenly there was a loud snap, and Rukawa stopped playing, chest heaving in and out as he took in deep breaths of air. The blue T-shirt was soaked and his arms were glossy with perspiration. He diverted his gaze to his instrument.

One of the violin strings had snapped under the immense force.








Tbc…


























Title: Rules of the game
Part: 6
Author: Jing Ling (aka hua_pen)
Genre: yaoi, but no SenRu till later…
Rating: Anyone and everyone
Email: huapen@hotmail.com
Warning: erhm… it’ll be a long and slow fic… and I have little idea what I am doing! ^^! You have been warned.
Author's Notes: Sorry for the long delay… been drowning in so many stuff… whew, finally got this done….
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is not mine…



RULES OF THE GAME



Sendoh was worried. Though Rukawa never showed any signs of frustration (he was expressionless as usual), Sendoh could sense that something was wrong.

And that was no good. Tomorrow, they would be starting their inter-university basketball summer tournaments. Ferris University had an unlucky draw for the preliminaries. They were in the same draw as Nagasaki University and Meio University. Nagasaki had Akagi, Kogure and Mitsui, while Meio boasted a team of Maki, Fujima and Ryota. The 3 Universities were very strong, and main rivals in the tournament. However, out of the 4 teams in the draw, 2 teams had to be kicked out while the victors went on the quarterfinals. Together with the 4th University, which was a weak opponent, one of the 3 schools had to go too, and Sendoh did not want Ferris to end the summer season that quickly.

The next closest competitors vying to be the overall champion was Ryukoku University, which had ex-Ryonan and Shoyo players, as well as Muroran Institute of Technology, the school of the great tensai, the wild monkey, round monkey and coconut head… However, their preliminary rounds would be a breeze for them, since they were in the weaker groups…

Nothing should happen to Sendoh and Rukawa. Ferris was strong in basketball only because the team relied on the 2 boys to attack, defend, pass, steal, snatch rebounds and counter-attack. In Ferris, basketball was no longer a 5 man showdown, but a 2 man team. Sports critics said the team could never go far, as the game was one that required support and teamwork from every player. Not in Ferris. Sendoh and Rukawa dictated the game, played basketball with their own rules and definitions. And they were good. The only problem was that the team would be less threatening without either one of them.

“Rukawa…” Sendoh was consumed in his thoughts. A gentle sigh, hair ruffled by the cool sea breeze, Sendoh sat in his usual car tyre, waiting for fishes to bait.




******



“Beep-beeeeeppp….” It was the start of the game against Nagasaki University. A jump ball taken by Akagi and Sendoh kicked off the tournament, but the visitor was lucky and the ball fell into Nagasaki’s hands. An elude, and a pass by Mitsui but the ball was intercepted by Rukawa.

It seemed that Sendoh’s fears yesterday were uncounted for, as Rukawa, facing a challenge from his former sempais, was burning with fiery passion and determination.

Rukawa passed the ball to Sendoh, who sprinted down the left side of the court, with Rukawa running beside him at the other side. But Nagasaki had been training very hard, and their defensive fallback was swift and efficient. 2 players were guarding Sendoh, but Rukawa was able to break free from his guards.

“Pass!” Rukawa raised his hand. However, Sendoh dribbled his way through and scored with a fade-away shot. It was unlike Sendoh to leave his teammate out of the game, especially when Rukawa was free, but Sendoh had an indescribable feeling when he was standing on the court. A feeling of nostalgia, a feeling so strong it made him forget his role in the game for a split second. Thoughts wandered….

8 years old then. Playing in a park, playing basketball with neighbours from the vicinity. The boys were standing along marks they had drawn on the floor, trying to shoot the ball into the hoop, progressing to the next marking when their shots went in. Sendoh had found it boring, and was instead, trying to execute fade-away shots, like the ones he saw on television by NBA players.

“Go away, we don’t want you to play with us!” The children rounded him up, sick of seeing him defy the rules of their game. Pushing and shoving erupted, and everyone was against Sendoh. They hated him, he did not want to pass balls nor shoot from fixed points. But at that point of time, a young boy, no older than Sendoh himself, a boy with raven hair, had walked up to him and said, “ Your shot was nice.”

A stranger. With encouraging words, reminding him that as long as he did what he liked and believed in himself, someone would appreciate his efforts. He never saw the boy again, even if he did, it would be hard to recognize him. They had grown up, but the incident remained in Sendoh’s memories, until now…

As they jogged back to Ferris’s half of the court, ready to defend against Nagasaki’s attack, Rukawa glanced over. “ Nice shot. But next time remember to pass to me.”

An appreciator? Sendoh was reminded of the raven hair child he saw before. He flashed a smile and said, “ Of course! I’m the ace of Ferris, my shots are first class ones.” A snort, and a faint smile tugging on Rukawa’s lips. “ The game has only started. Don’t smile yet, smile when we win the game.”

Reminiscence. Sendoh remembered yet again, another childhood incident.

He loved ice creams and was happily licking a chocolate one when another child accidentally crashed into him, sending his treat to the ground in a splattering mess of brown. “Don’t cry, Akira dear,” said his mother when tears threatened to roll down the boy’s cheeks. “Smile and everything will be better. Smile, and I’ll buy you another one…”

From then on, a smile to young Sendoh was one that could bring comfort and ease a terrible situation. When he was in the wrong, Sendoh just had to smile and apologize, and the storm would just blow away. Day after day, smiling became second nature, he smiled not because he was happy, he was used to it.

The day the other boys in the neighbourhood were unhappy that he did not play by the rules of their game. The day when he was shoved around and shouted at, Sendoh still smiled, he believed that by smiling, the boys would leave him alone.

They did not.

It took a raven hair stranger to pull him out of the angry mob of children. It took the strange question Sendoh’s theory about smiling. “Don’t smile,” said the stranger. “You only smile when you are happy.” The same stranger later said that his fade-away shot was nice.

Sendoh snapped back to reality. But he was acutely aware of something. Rukawa was like that stranger. Someone who appreciated his impulsive actions and what he believed in. Someone who did not take his habitual smiles for granted. Someone who understood.

Sendoh knew then, that despite repeated denials, he was beginning to like Rukawa. Not for who Rukawa was, but for what Rukawa was.

Only had time to read the first three chapters, but I'll eventually get around to reading the rest... hopefully soon...

So far, I think it's pretty good. Only a few grammatical errors here and there, and I think there are areas where your expression isn't very fluent, but otherwise, the story is quite interesting (coming from a person with a deep, ingrained dislike of SenRu, that's pretty high praise... jk ^^;; ).

Well... I'll probably have more to say after I've read the rest... ^^;;

Ju-chan
The Blue Elephant

Look for me when you're on msn... I'll give you my comments there....