FREE ALL ANGELS

Title: Free All Angels

Author: ivybluesummers (ivybluesummers@yahoo.com)

Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is not mine, only the plot. The blank verses that will be used in the fic is absolutely mine. Mine, okay? If you want to use it, better ask me first. Or else I'm going to sue you. Hehe.

Warnings: A one-shot fic with angst, vulgarity, rhetoric's... and well, shounen-ai. I'm telling you, you've been warned. I've been reading a lot of news about fanfic sites banning yaoi / yuri / N-17 / R - rated fics... Read at your own risk, okay.

Now, on with the fic...

***********

"Hello Daffodil, how are you doing?

I have something to say, and you must listen.

Get something done only when you're certainly expecting.

Don't speak of what you know,

Don't speak of what you feel, and leave the rest.

Don't put yourself in danger,

For I have acquaintances to take care of."

Kogure helped himself up the benches inside the locker room of the basketball gym, trying very hard to not shed any tear. As much as he wanted to fixate himself reading the letter all day long and cry his heart out for the rest of his life, he can do nothing but to sigh in sad frustration, and at least, to give himself credit, preoccupy himself with something that would let him forget the experience of dreadful rejection and possibly humiliating exclusion of his dignity. Kogure took his clothes off, aware that he is alone in the gym, aware that it was eight in the evening, away from home, and doesn't intend to go back. Not yet. Kogure then turned the knob of the shower and started to lather himself.

How could he have not expected? Kogure winced at the thought of this, the memory reviving the desolateness and melancholy he felt earlier. Of course that was bound to happen, especially with the fact that there are still those who are narrow-minded to accept the fact that there are creatures that exist in the world God hasn't told mankind in any way, not even the bible. Or something to that effect. There are creatures of oddity, if conformity would be a basis, and he himself could not believe at first. But then when he found himself one of those odd creatures, he needed not to close his mind from it, but to embrace it, consider it like breathing. But from what just happened a week ago in this very locker room, he blamed himself from being so stubbornly open-minded. Open-mindedness can be dogmatic in a way, he finally realized. With that, he started heaving big sighs, and Kogure didn't know why.

**********

Hisashi Mitsui thrusted his arms on the brown-eyed lad the after Kogure's lips touched into Mitsui's, his face parading disgust and loathing as he forcefully wipe his lips with his arms. Mitsui's eyes were exhibiting anger, aversion and pity all at the same time, and Kogure knew too well what will happen next.

"What the fuck are you doing?!" Mitsui finally managed to speak, but the tone he had was something Kogure didn't want to hear. Revulsion.

"I- Hisa..."

"Fuck you."

Kogure nodded, preparing himself, preparing his ears for the next burning words that will be blurted out from Mitsui's mouth.

"What do you want to expect, kiss you, too?! Geesh, Kogure, I thought you're smarter than that."

"I- I'm..."

"Sorry? Well you better be."

"I'm sorry."

Mitsui crossed his arms and rested it near his chest. He can't describe the kind of disgust and pity he was feeling towards Kogure. The locker room was silent for a minute, and Mitsui brushed his blue-black hair to not let his bangs cover his negative gaze at the brown-haired lad. Kogure's eyes focused on the ground to avoid his deathful punishment of confessing his feelings towards the former MVP. Yet surely, surely...

Kogure looked up to meet Mitsui's eyes, gathering all the courage he has left. "I... I thought you-"

"How could you expect such a thing!? Of course we're bestfriends, but this?!" Mitsui's voice pitched in anger, his arms swaying through the air.

"Let me finish." Kogure whispered. Mitsui was shocked, since he never saw Kogure, or speak for that matter, in a tone one cannot decipher. Mitsui's lips tried to speak, but no word came out.

"I guess I was too optimistic. I misunderstood you, and I'm sorry. I never want to exasperate your sentiments. As much as I wanted to take back the words I said and the things I've done, I can't."

"And what's that supposed to mean?!"

"I'm sorry that I racked your nerves with things that appalled you. I'm sorry I tried to have courage for once in my life, but I don't regret it." Kogure looked up again to straightly gaze the blue eyes of the former MVP, and knew too well that this moment is the last he can see those pair of musk eyes. He was aware that this will be their last conversation, and he was more than aware that this will be the last the two of them will feel each other's presence. And he risked it.

Kogure made an effort to smile, a smile of accepting a loss and moving on. The kind of smile that would console everybody, except Mitsui. "At all."

Mitsui etched his brows. Kogure's smiled used to tell him that it was nothing but familiarity, a consolation you get from all the drags. But this time he felt like it wasn't a smile at all. This time Mitsui felt uneasy seeing Kogure's smile.

Mitsui finally clutched his bag and went towards the exit of the lockers. Without swiveling, he turned the knob. "I'm going to pretend this never happened. I'm going to pretend you don't exist, so it'll be easier for me. I wish you luck, Kogure. I wish you luck." And he left.

Kogure stared at the locker's door, his body melting in the conflagration of sadness, his body clenching like it was being clamped by the walls of the room. He stood there, silent, not noticing the tears that are profusely coming out from his eyes.

**********

Donning his garments, Kogure locked the doors of the locker rooms and for a minute or so just stood outside the lockers. The experience was only a week ago, but it felt like forever. Every second was turning into minutes, minutes into hours, hours into days. The sadness was like destined to be forever, eternally ripping his insides out like he's being eaten by a thousand termites and leeches, sucking out everything that he held for so long, taking away everything that sustained him for so many years. He then swiveled his body and walked towards the main doors of the gym, turning off the lights before finally closing it, making sure it was secure enough. He then walked towards the exits of the school, sighing as he turned to see a last day's glimpse of his school, which seemed like a ghost town where silence was its ghost. The sight was peaceful. He wished he were the school itself. He opened the letter he was tightly holding, the paper crumpled with streaks of dried tears that stained the inks. He read on it once more, now with tears running down his cheeks. He didn't care anymore. All he wanted was to cry, after all.

"Hello daffodil, how long has it been?

I have something to say, and you must listen.

My anger is boiling, but I'll leave you alone.

As much as I want to pull your roots from the soil,

I still have an acquaintance, and I need to take care of it."

"How can he say he still has an acquaintance with me?" Kogure managed to whisper from the tears he has been weeping, and walked himself home. Alone.

**********

With Kogure's last sip of vodka, he hurried and excused himself from Akagi, his mouth stuttering, maneuvering words he can mutter just so he can excuse himself from the tall dark man's party. Akagi understood, somehow, and let his bestfriend scamper away from the lodge near his house. Kogure thanked him, and with a skip of the clock's hands, the brown-haired boy was out of sight.

Kogure's eyes fixed on the window, looking at the road that seemed very fleeting by each second. He sighed for no reason, shifting his palms so it could support his head and keep himself awake, but for once, he knew it wasn't about the dreadful experience he had three months ago.

"You okay?" it was a very sincere question.

"Yes, thanks..."

"Don't worry, we'll be there soon..."

"Okay..."

Kogure shifted his position to look at the spike-haired lad driving the car. His eyes were very distant, and he could feel the coldness, though the warmth from the spike-haired lad's body was lingering all over the car. He wanted to speak, but in so much of the silence that has overwhelmed each of their existence, he kept quiet.

"We're here." The taller man signaled Kogure and both went to the apartment.

"I'm sorry it's a mess... I'm all by myself... and... well, I'm not that practiced in cleaning..." he swiveled at Kogure and slightly chuckled.

"It's okay..." Kogure managed to smile, too. He saw the man went into a room, and after a few seconds, got out with some clothes in his hands. He then threw it to Kogure.

"Here, you need this."

"Thanks..."

Kogure went into the bathroom. He then took off his clothes and started wearing the ones Sendoh just gave him, and looked at himself at the mirror before opening the faucet and washed his face hard. He looked again at the mirror. His hair seemed a little too long, and his bangs, too. Maybe he should give himself a haircut tomorrow.

Kogure got out of the bathroom and saw Sendoh at the kitchen with two cups of coffee, the steam coming out from its mugs certainly implying that it those coffee were freshly brewed.

"Here..." Sendoh said as he took the mug over Kogure.

"Thanks..."

Then silence.

Sendoh broke the silence. "You know your eyes look much better without the glasses..."

"Thanks..." Kogure whispered. The last compliment he heard was two years ago. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"Oh, you should." Sendoh said with a smile.

Kogure looked at Sendoh, who seemed very aware of his fear, blue eyes displaying true concern. Kogure smiled and the taller man smiled, too.

"Can I ask you something?"

Kogure snapped. "What?"

"Well, is it your first time?"

Kogure heaved a long and deep sigh. "Yes..."

"I see. Me, too."

"Oh,"

"You got someone?"

Somehow it was an obligatory question Kogure needs to answer. The brown-haired boy was silent, and Sendoh can feel the weirdness.

"It's okay-"

"No, I'm not with anyone."

"I see. Me, too."

"I doubt that." Kogure managed to mock him lightly, but he was worried when the taller man's face turned into something he didn't figure out. "I- I... I'm sorry..."

"It's okay."

"I... I tried to be this finally getting to have the courage, but it turned out that things aren't what people seem to think... or expect." Kogure whispered in a tone Sendoh can hear. He felt very vulnerable, exposed again from the pain he tried to escape.

"Oh," was all that Kogure heard, when the spike-haired boy sighed. "I couldn't agree more."

Did Sendoh just got the message he from his rhetoric line?

"You... you know what I... mean?"

"Of course," Sendoh's eyes went blank again.

"I- I... I'm sorry."

Sendoh's face turned then into a big wide smile, and it made Kogure chuckle lightly. "You don't have to be sorry for anything!"

Kogure looked at the medium-sized bed and his sigh was silent enough to not let Sendoh hear it. "Well I can take the carpet." Sendoh said calmly.

"No, I don't mind."

By then, Kogure was beside Sendoh, whose arms are rested in his nape. His right thigh rested on his left knee, eyes focused on the ceiling. Kogure was facing the walls, his arms relaxed beneath the soft pillow the spike-haired boy offered him.

Kogure smiled. It will be Sunday tomorrow. No class. No basketball practice. No Mitsui. "Do you have a class tomorrow?" Kogure asked Sendoh without even turning.

"No I don't, but I do have a practice."

"Oh... I see..."

Then silence.

"Um... can I ask you a very personal question?" Sendoh shifted his position so he can face the brown-haired boy, his right arms supporting his head. Kogure turned and stared straight at those pair of blue eyes, smelling of musk and masculinity. Kogure wanted to inhale loudly, but he didn't.

"Yeah?"

"Have... have you ever-"

"Nope."

"I... I see... Me, too." Sendoh whispered. As if it was a signal, he tip-toed his fingers on Kogure's cheeks before caressing it softly, touching, and he felt it was velvet - soft to the touch even at the tip of his callused fingers. Sendoh smelled jasmine, smiling more as he felt himself welcome from the brown-haired lad's femininity.

Kogure closed his eyes and began to feel the fingers that were running up and down his cheeks, his face blushing hard though he knew it was hidden from the darkness inside the room. He can feel Sendoh's head nuzzling over his hair, whispering words that are inaudible from Kogure's hearing.

Sendoh stretched his arms to embrace Kogure, not caring even if his position in the bed made his body twitch in discomfort. Kogure whispered and showed a concerned face to Sendoh, but the blue-eyed lad just smiled as he kissed the brown-haired boy, awkwardly positioning himself to be on top.

Both lads were panting heavily after their short kiss, hot breaths meeting, creating more flush on Kogure's face. Sendoh smiled before lightly kissing Kogure's forehead, then looked at him with concern.

"Are you sure?" Sendoh's voice was concerned and almost a musical whisper on Kogure's ear.

"Yes." So soft. So sure.

Sendoh kissed the brown-haired boy one more time, and this time it was much more passionate, much more intense, making Kogure's face burn not in embarrassment or hesitation, but in the kind of sensation he was feeling. He began to probe the other's mouth, aware of his need to be satiated, to feel. Sweet. Gratifyingly fresh.

Sweet. That was what Kogure tasted. Not unlike the one he firstly savored. Bitter. Coldly bitter. Kogure was now aware of what a true kiss felt, and he was more than willing to go beyond conformity's limits. He was well aware of the situation. Of one of his so-called escapes. Kogure smiled at the thought.

The two broke the passionate kiss, and Sendoh groaned huskily as the brown-haired boy stretched his arms up so he can embrace the blue-eyed boy, the arms like velvet silk caressing Sendoh's shoulder, his neck, his cheeks...

Sendoh broke from the embrace, much of Kogure's slight disaapointment, as the blue-eyed boy took off his shirt in a fast pace. He looked at Kogure with longing as if the brown-haired boy was his lover. Kogure looked at Sendoh, his half-naked body gleaming from the moonbeams. Sendoh's broad shoulders and chest were glimmering like the moon itself, his muscular stomach, his well-built body making Kogure gape uneasily. He needed a drool cup.

"Anything wrong?" Sendoh asked.

Kogure's hand stretched again and felt Sendoh's stomach, making the blue-eyed boy lightly sigh, his head rushing. Kogure's hands slithered to his chest. The touch was so soft it made Sendoh fiery.

"Nothing..." the brown-haired boy whispered.

Sendoh leaned closer to kiss Kogure once more, and began his ministrations as he kiss on Kogure's neck with the lightest touches the brown-haired boy can feel. Sendoh's lips touched the skin near Kogure's chin, then to the other side of Kogure's neck. Sendoh can still smell jasmine. Where was the smell coming from?

Kogure sighed loudly as Sendoh's lips touched his collarbone, and the spine-tingling feeling made his blood rush, his body now reacting stiffly, though he enjoyed it very much. Sendoh's hands held the Kogure's shirt and gently took it off, and both were heaving by then.

The two lads faced each other, their bodies in a seating position, but in a much more way that both were like in some romantic movies they watch now and then. Kogure smiled, and Sendoh groaned in the sight he saw, an angel freeing himself from one of conformity's oddities. He was such a beautiful sight, the chocolate eyes that gleamed in the moon, his pale brown velvety skin touching, his lips that were as sweet as the honey in milk. Sendoh's nose almost bled when he felt Kogure's face leaning on his shoulder, kissing his collarbone, his neck, then finally, his lips...

"Kimi...nobu..."

Kogure kissed him in full passion, tongues battling, mouth filled with fervor. He haven't done this, and yet his eagerness to learn and experience such was making him a talented enough to make Sendoh moan and whisper loving kinds of words he never heard from Hisashi. All he heard from him were bitterness and rejection. He thought that it if he makes it through the night, he will forget Hisashi Mitsui's discordant words and sentiments, and he wasn't. He was not forgetting, but the memory is now overwhelmed with the new sensation he was feeling right now.

To Sendoh's slight disappointment, Kogure broke the kiss and slid himself away from bed, and sat in the carpet, his jeans saving his skin from getting scrapes. He leaned down to kiss Sendoh's chess as the spike-haired boy hurriedly unfastened his belt and the button in his jeans. Kogure smiled and kissed Sendoh's stomach, making the taller boy moan again, unzipping Sendoh's pants. With a flash of the moonlight, Kogure took Sendoh's jeans and boxers. The taller man shrugged in the bareness of his body, slightly embarrassed but definitely willing to let the ache subside from all over his body, especially somewhere between his thighs. He was now sighing hard, sweats dripping from his forehead, and Kogure kissed the knees, the thighs...

"Kimi...nobu..." Sendoh can't help it, but Kogure was enjoying his torture. He kissed Sendoh's stomach once more, and the taller man grumbled in enjoyment. With a gulp and a sigh, Kogure slid Sendoh's manhood inside his mouth.

"Kiminobu..." Sendoh moaned huskily as Kogure licked his base after some time of torturing, caressing every skin with his wet kisses. Kogure licked Sendoh's manhood and the taller man shuddered as his body stiffened in the kind of sensation the brown-haired boy was giving him, which made Kogure increase the pace of his ministrations. His pace was now more fast, like songs that usually leave you breathless everytime you hear them, twirling his tongue more and more as he enjoys himself seeing the spike-haired boy lost in paradise, blue eyes wantonly staring at me. Moaning, I pumped more and pushed him over the edge, his voice going loud every second.

Sendoh's muscular arms started to seize the brown-haired lad as they kissed once more, making the taller boy taste himself through Kogure's lustful lips. Kogure closed his eyes and felt his jeans and anything underneath it being undone, and moaned lustfully, but gracefully, as the taller man kissed his neck, tasting the skin like it was the most succulent fruit. Sendoh's right hand ran across the bed and it slid in one corner, and Kogure saw a tube that Sendoh opened. Kogure closed his eyes, and a few second more he felt his body rigid as hands probed somewhere beneath his thighs reaching for an entrance. Kogure almost yelped when a slick finger went in through, and Sendoh's face was now in lustful concern, but Kogure just kissed him as another finger was inserted in Kogure's entrance. Kogure was now oblivious to what was happening, and found his hand torturing himself. Kogure gasps seductively and Sendoh took the opportunity to kiss the brown-haired boy on the mouth. Kogure can feel Sendoh's wet manhood exploring the depths of Kogure's body, blue eyes lustful and pleading for release. Kogure can feel the stiff flesh poking his thigh, his skin... "Ah!" Kogure gasps.

Kogure shivered as Sendoh entered inside, almost crying as the taller man penetrated the brown-haired lad. Kogure was rigid and felt uncertain feeling of overwhelmed sensations. He cannot describe the feeling, the pain and the pleasure, and Kogure finally opened his eyes as he felt Sendoh pacifying his stiff body, soothing him with assuring words, kissing him in gentle ways possible.

Neither of the two boys had this kind of experience before, but the two felt they were destined to make rough sex, to have a one-night stand. Neither of them had the experience, yet the two felt like they were the most professional in this kind of activity. They felt secure with each other, though they cannot articulate it. Kogure has forgotten Sendoh. Sendoh has forgotten Rukawa. Whatever that took them into this kind of position right now will never be fate, but the two didn't mind. At all.

Combing his own hair, Kogure took a moment to stare at Sendoh. His eyes were now in full lust, his manhood poking his entrance. He felt betrayed knowing that the sex they were having is just for oblivion, but he knew that he was also betraying the spike-haired boy. Ayako, Akagi and Kogure knew that Rukawa had some involvement with Sendoh, but he wasn't sure if they did have a relationship. Rukawa wouldn't answer his questions back then. But Sendoh just gave the little pieces of the puzzle, and Kogure, being that wise to confirm or not confirm things, except the one when he misunderstood Mitsui, knew the answers. Kogure blinked. Is Akira feeling the same thing he was feeling?

With another gasp from Kogure, Sendoh pushed in burying himself with complete lust and wonder filtered in his face. Sendoh mewled as he begin his thrusts, the blistering flesh tightly wrapped by my lubricated gate, clutching and leaning Kogure's body nearer, stroking. Soon enough the brown-haired boy moaned and begged for more, breathing Sendoh's name like a passing note.

Kogure's body fumbled in Sendoh's lap, gripping the taller man's biceps and embracing tight his shoulders, moaning and whimpering like a little girl, with his hands still working on his own. Sendoh hissed, gritting his teeth, and writhed in the rhythm they were making, pounding deeper and deeper, making the brown-haired boy moan louder.

Making Sendoh's name a mantra, Kogure hissed as he takes all the pain, and all the pleasure. Sendoh's arms were holding Kogure's waist, rocking the brown-haired boy's hips with his arms, the bed slightly quaking from the force they were making. Kogure sobbed and felt another exotic feeling as Sendoh pumped more, voice sweaty but indescribably blissful in his ears. Kogure's head rested on Sendoh's shoulder, the taller man compressing himself harder with pleasure and domination, the pace speeding up.

He slams himself and Kogure feels the taller man's globes ripping themselves only to thrust and pump harder. Kogure bit his lip and found his hands covered in white creaminess as the taller man propel himself more and more. Kogure's body became taut as Sendoh roared his name that echoed throughout the room, pressing himself more onto Kogure's body as his muscles clenched, shooting, and Kogure felt something inside his body - warm and creamy, faintly tantalizing.

Both were panting hard, Kogure's body still on Sendoh's lap. Both expanded their breaths as they stay coupled. After some time Sendoh pulled out, and puffed husky breaths as he lay himself on the bed, grabbing Kogure's smaller body. Kogure rested his head on Kogure's chest and the taller man kissed his forehead. Wrapping his arms around the brown-haired boy, he closed his eyes and sighed. Kogure welcomed the taller man's embrace and sighed. Silence speaking in oblivion, in pain and pleasure - silence that meant everything.

**********

Kogure felt his body ten times its actual weight, and it made him sigh a very deep and heavy one, taking a hazy glimpse on his digital clock beside his bed. It's two in the afternoon. He missed four of his classes. For the first time. He didn't care, though, and the least that he wanted was to get up from bed and take a good look of his study notes. Somewhere specifically in his body felt aching, so he tried to shift his position. Much better. He changed his position again in the bed and he felt the same ache again, and tried to change another position. It felt sore, but pleasurable at the same time. He frowningly smiled as he tried to remember what happened last night, and the thoughts splurged down another ache and pain, like being hit by punches and kisses, the haunting darkness that made him at ease. The thoughts were things yet again to make him slumber into good reveries, the kind of fantasies you everyday think of when you feel in the mood for freeing yourself amidst the locks of stark desolation, like angelic mantras that backdrops every haunting songs. To make himself lax once in his life was good in itself, to be inattentive of the things that give life to you - soothing the ones that need soothing, to be the most wise among the group of juvenile people. He enjoyed the laxness. He needed more laxness, but the brown-haired boy doubted that if he will get addicted to it his life will completely not be the same again. He wanted to be the one, the reality that will promise everyone the expectations, the prospects everyone, specially his family, have foreseen, and he didn't want to fail them. If he will continue the insanity of releasing himself from the worldliness, even for a bit or for once, he'd be insanity personified. He didn't want that. What he wants is justification to why the ache in his body felt good. When Kogure tried to get up, he already knew the answer. He didn't have to be insane, he'd just have to be lax.

Kogure drank the water left in the plastic bottle and made his way to his class. On the way he met Miyagi. He felt uneasy answering the shorter man's questions of why he didn't show up at the morning practice. He felt uneasy hearing the shorter man's comment on where the brown-haired man probably was after leaving the Akagi's party, asking him concerned questions that to Kogure that time meant words to burn his ears, so, intuitively, he told the shorter man that he'd go to his class. Escaping another reality, and it made Kogure relieved.

"Oi."

Akagi's tone was flat but as cold as Rukawa's, and Kogure instantly was sure he was going to be asked the same questions Miyagi did. To his surprise, Akagi just patted his shoulder, and sat on his seat, beside him. Akagi wouldn't understand even he tells him, but the silence the darker man gave him were very comforting, much like words that spoke meaningful consolations.

Kogure sighed. His head was reeling. He hasn't drank too much alcohol in his life, and he was now regretting that he did empty a bottle of vodka last night, or so he remembered. His body was still aching. Painfully yet pleasurably aching. Why was it feeling good? The one-night stand was over. Sendoh have drove him to his house even before the sun rose. Sendoh left him now, like remnants of old paperbacks you've already read, leaving it undone in the most reminiscent ways. For good.

After forty numbing minutes, Kogure finally stood up from his seat. The day's class is over. He peeked at Mitsui, who was already leaving the room and told Akagi he would be at the practice. He didn't even look. He didn't even take a glimpse, even just for the most split second. Kogure realized the man's anger right after he confessed his feelings towards the former MVP. That was understandable. He didn't want any more pain and any more anguish resembling that experience, so just went to the flow. He pretended he never existed. Like what the former MVP said, and was doing. It was understandable, Kogure kept remembering. He kept remembering.

"You coming to practice?" Akagi asked as he organized all his things on his bag. Even after hosting his party, the dark and tall man still had the energy to play basketball.

"I'm sorry, I think I need to take a raincheck."

"I can see..." Akagi's eyes went into the different confines of Kogure's exterior, making the brown-haired boy to feel uneasy, again.

"I don't know, I think I took too much alcohol..."

"You emptied three bottles."

"Did I?" there was a glinting half-smile on Kogure's face.

Akagi walked towards his bestfriend. The room had no one except for the two of them, and this thought made Kogure very uneasy. He tried to hide it with a smile, but he know for sure that Akagi can read his mind.

"Look, whatever hitch you're in right now I'm sure you're wise enough to deal with it alone..." Akagi's voice was nonchalant, though the eyes Kogure can see on his bestfriend was pure concern.

"I wish... I wish I wasn't alone." Kogure tried to stop the tears that were trying to flow in his eyes.

"Like it or not, Kogure, like it or not."

"I know..."

"Anyway, I'd tell the team you're sick."

"Thanks..." Kogure said and prepared to walk towards the door.

"Ayako told me... I don't want to interfere with your personal life, but... Ayako told me she saw you leave the party with Sendoh."

Kogure's eyes widened in shock, and embarrassment. He swiveled his body to meet Akagi, who was also preparing to leave the classroom.

"She did? Oh,"

Akagi walked beside Kogure. Once outside the building, the two passed the gymnasium and Akagi grumbled a sigh. "I told you I don't want to interfere with your personal life. Do I sound redundant?"

"Actually, a bit." Kogure chuckled.

Akagi grumbled again. This time his sigh was very deep, the kind of sighs one usually hear when that someone has something to say, a comment on one's stupidity or an advice to guide a lost one. Kogure knew it was both. "Just don't do things you'd regret."

Kogure didn't know what to respond. Though he knew that what Akagi said was partly true, he never denied that the stupidity he just committed last night was something worth the regret. He cannot tell Akagi. He wouldn't understand. No one can understand. Not even Sendoh. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Take a rest, okay? You look like a haggard."

Kogure smiled. "Am I?"

"Yes."

Kogure chuckled again. "I will. Now you better go back there or Hanamichi will holler again in the gym."

"Yeah..." and he was gone. Kogure was standing at the gates of Shohoku High. He doesn't want to go back home yet. He was kind of tired sleeping. He doesn't want to study, at least not yet. It was four in the afternoon at Kogure's watch. When he saw Akagi enter the gym, Kogure walked hesitatingly, thinking any more places in his school to go to. The field? He's been there, and he remembered fully how he tried to cut his wrist back then, a few days after realizing Mitsui's anger to him. The class building? Too many people. Kogure walked again, now leaving the school. Rooftop? There're student punks there. Kogure stopped for a moment. The gym. Outside.

Kogure clenched his right fist as soon as he saw an alley-like space between the Basketball gym and the school dojo. There was enough space for him to hide somewhere at the back of the gym. As far as he can remember, there's also a big boulder of stone there, something like a seat. He can sit in there and just enjoy the silence and the boulder's company. He can use a little lax of all the things, after all.

Taking a left, Kogure stealthily made his way on the alley-like space beside the gym. Kogure didn't know why he was hiding from his teammates. He knew that he told Akagi he'd be home to rest, but he didn't tell Akagi he wants a little piece of peace. A little piece of peace. It sounded all too like a ramble.

As Kogure made his way, he was shocked to see two boys in the alley-like space. His vision was still hazy, although just for a bit, and Kogure panicked when the two boys looked at his direction. To his relief, he hid himself on a sliding back door of the dojo. He sighed in big relief, and started to walk and leave the school, until he heard very familiar voices speaking in desperateness. Why are their voices like that?, Kogure thought as he eavesdrop.

"No, please don't do this to me."

"It's over, Akira."

"Over? I haven't told you the whole story yet!"

"I know the story."

"What story? Please, Kaede, I need you to listen to me..."

"I don't have to."

"But... but what about twelve months, Kaede... are you willing to throw it all away?"

"You slept with Kogure-sempai."

"I was desperate. You broke up with me. I'm sick of mourning, I need some release... I need my desperation to get away..."

"Are you happy now?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You've finally released your desperation."

"Look, I'm sorry I screwed things over. Come back, that's all I ask. I'll be whatever you want me to be. I'm sorry I slept with him, I'm sorry I screwed up, I'm sorry-"

"Nothing to be sorry about."

"Kaede..."

"You've done what you've done."

"Please... I... I don't know what to do without... without-"

"For the record, I am not angry."

"...huh?"

"You slept with Kogure-sempai. That's not what I'm angry about."

"Kaede..."

"You took everything for granted."

"Kaede..."

"I've got someone now."

"What?!"

"You heard me right."

"Kaede! Wait! Kaede!"

Kogure closed his eyes as his blood rushed to his brain, thinking any way how to get away from his place. Kaede was walking now towards him. Step. Another step. Kogure can feel his heart pumping very hard.

"Kaede!"

"........."

"Is it that redhead?!"

Step. Another step.

"Kaede!"

"None of your business."

"Kaede! I... I..."

The situation Kogure was in is inescapable. The brown-haired man knew that. He is now ought to think excuses. Good damn excuses.

For a moment there in the small space he was hiding, Kogure felt his body froze. He felt like his heart had stopped beating. For a moment, he closed his eyes and felt like it was the worst day yet. Hangover. An aching body. Now this. Kogure was sure his head was reeling. Another step.

Kogure opened his eyes. His vision was hazy, and his hearing was a bit impaired. He focused his eyes on the fan that was on in the ceiling. Where was he?

Kogure's hands crept on his face. Where are his glasses?

"You're finally awake," a voice whispered, but the voice seemed to holler throughout the silent room.

Kogure was silent. Who was the guy? Where is he?

"Where am I?", Kogure managed to croak, his body aching so hard.

The man stood up and leaned towards the brown-haired man. The man had long tresses that reached up to his shoulder, curled and glossy, and the eyes the man had were full of concern. Concern. There that word goes again. And the man wasn't a man.

"Are you feeling okay? Your friends brought you here. You fainted."

"Mom?"

"You better get some rest, dear. I think you're having a fever."

Fever?

"Thanks, mom..."

"I'd get the food ready. Get some rest."

"I will... thanks mom..."

Kogure's mother by then left his room, and the presence he was feeling didn't feel presence at all. He even cannot feel his existence. What happened? All he remembered was that he was eavesdropping, or so he thought, on the two lads whose voices were very familiar. Who were they anyway? He heard the name Adae. Who was that Aede? The voice that shouted the name was very familiar in his ears, almost like music. A haunting music. Bread. He heard bread. Was it a person or food? Kogure got up from his bed.

Outside the window, the brown-haired boy can see the twilight between the horizons of the orange sun and landscapes, scraped to almost burn his eyes with dim light, and his pupils telescoped. He looked at the right. There's a canopy by the set of houses, two lampposts flickering as if they were neon lights. Maybe the bulbs are out of power. Kogure sighed.

At his left was a pavement where the vehicles are supposed to go. There was no vehicle in sight. He can hear the faint noises. Dizzying almost like the bees. Buzzing. Maybe it's the train, Kogure thought.

Kogure sat on the mattress of his bed, feeling all that he lost that day. Four or five classes, basketball practice, his breakfast and his lunch. He felt like that wasn't all he lost. There were more. Kogure still had hangover, and the brown-haired man cannot think right. His thoughts are going runabout. He heaved a deep sigh.

He tried to sleep again, but his body told him that he has been sleeping for almost the whole day. He got up again. He felt his head ache again. There was a ringing sound somewhere in his room. He looked on all directions. What could be ringing? Is this just my imagination?, Kogure thought. Right. The telephone.

Kogure walked towards the phone. His mom is busy readying dinner. His dad is not yet around. His brother and sister are in Tokyo. So he held the receiver of the phone.

"He... Hello..."

"Hello. Can I speak to Kiminobu Kogure?" the warm voice said.

"Speaking."

The other line was silent.

"Speaking..." Kogure repeated, slightly annoyed.

"It's Akira."

"Akira? Who's Aki- Oh,"

"You okay?"

"Just tired, that's all."

"You seem very tired, yes."

"Can I help you with something?"

"Well... you see... um... I don't know where to start."

"Go ahead, I'll be listening." Kogure lied, and he sat on the carpet beside his study table, hands playing with the cable that held and the receiver of the phone. He is very tired. Tired from everything. Listening included.

"Rukawa and I rushed you to the clinic. You fainted. Then we brought you to your home... I'm not bragging or taking any credit."

"Yes..."

"Were you eavesdropping on us?"

"Hell no."

"Excuse me?"

"I was..." Kogure's forehead started to sweat. "planning to go somewhere peaceful when I saw two men babbling on that space between the basketball gym and school dojo. I guess I fainted, after all. My body is aching."

"I see..."

"Now can I help you with something?"

"Let's meet. Tonight."

"Meet? Why?"

"Nothing. Let's meet. Tonight."

"Tonight? My body is aching. I can't go anywhere."

"I'll pick you up there."

"Would you?"

The other line was silent.

"I'm picking you up. Nine. Is it okay for you?"

"I don't mind."

"Okay."

"Okay."

And the line went dead. Kogure hung up, his thoughts running in random again. He hates why his mind does like that. Akira's picking him up at his home by nine. Picking up?, Kogure thought. He felt a slight irritation whispering the words, slight excitement on his aching body. "Picking up." Kogure whispered. He should take a shower and dinner. Then he'd better get ready what will happen next. He wasn't sure of Akira's intention, but what the heck. An angel needs to free himself. At least once a lifetime, that is.

**********

1. Hehe. I'm done. I know some of the scenes in there may be very familiar. I read some Slam Dunk fictions that portrayed some of the scenes in my fic, but the difference all together is that I changed the plot, and the flow of situations. Oh well...

2. Did I miss anything? Reviews!