Slam Dunk Fan Fiction ❯ If Looks Could Kill ❯ The Challenge ( Chapter 1 )

Title: If Looks Could Kill

Author: Blue-eyed Fox

Rating: R to PG-13 (not too sure yet ^_^;)

Disclaimer: I don't own Slam Dunk. So, don't sue me (-_-). All characters, blah, blah and everything else belong to Takehiko Inoue.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Chapter 1: The Challenge

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

SATURDAY ATERNOON

"Arghh!! Ayako, I'm getting in this! No way, No how!" Hanamichi Sakuragi, the infamous power forward of team Shohoku, screeched as he stared at the package at his hands.

"Oh you will and besides you lost your one-on-one game with Rukawa, 10-4." Was Ayako's casual reply.

~*FLASHBACK*~

"Oi Kitsune!" Hanamichi said while pointing at Rukawa, "I challenge you to a one-on-one game!"

Sighs were audibly heard throughout Shohoku's gymnasium on that Thursday afternoon.

"Do'aho" was Rukawa's usual toneless reply.

"Whadya call me you silly fox?! Just wait and I'll show you what this TENSAI can do! I'll beat your sorry little ass!"

Everyone in the gym sweat dropped. The one-on-one games between Rukawa and Sakuragi were getting very often the past few weeks and as always Rukawa gets the last hoop.

But for Rukawa, he didn't mind at all. Sakuragi's one-on-one challenges would only mean for him to get physically in contact with his fiery redhead. But honestly speaking, the do'aho was getting better with his skills, both in offense and defense. Every one-on-one challenge meant a new surprise waiting to be unfolded.

Hmmm… I wonder what'll he do this time. I hate to admit it but he is getting better every moment. Even I find it hard sometimes to look for an open spot. Rukawa thought as he stared a t those deep brown shining orbs. He just quickly looked the other way when he noticed that Sakuragi was getting suspicious.

As they were getting ready, Ayako got an idea ¾ a very strange but interesting idea.

"Hep-hep, hold on a second." She said to stop the players on their tracks. "Since that both of you seem to be enjoying every game your playing, why don't we make it more interesting." Everyone turned their heads to look at Ayako.

"Let's make a deal here, since Kainandai will be celebrating their a victory ball this coming Saturday," everyone's faces contorted and some went lopsided at the fact that Kainan has won the 17th time in a row and the fact that Kiyota Nobunaga, Kainan's wild monkey, has been the one who delivered their invitation with matching his annoying personality, "what will happen here is that the one who loses this game will have to do something. In other words, there will be a consequence," said Ayako who just sheepishly grinned at the two players.

"That's a great idea Aya-chan!" Ryota was practically drooling over their manageress with hearts in his eyes.

"So, do the two of you agree?" Ayako asked the two towering players with slight amusement and at the same time, hopeful that they'll agree.

Rukawa just nodded his head in approval. He already knew what Ayako had in mind and that made him more willing to play against Sakuragi. Sakuragi and the other members except Kogure were suddenly confused with Rukawa's sudden agreement.

Ayako, noticing the sudden change of expressions, said coaxing to Sakuragi, "well, the consequence will test whether or not you're flexible enough in a certain situation."

Oh, I hope Sakuragi agrees. Ayako thought.

"So Sakuragi, do you agree?"

"Wait a minute Ayako, what's the consequence?" Mitsui curiously asked their manageress abruptly butting in with a raised brow.

"Yeah, what's the consequence?" Sakuragi chorused with Ryota.

Ayako just smiled and said, "You'll see… So, what about it Hanamichi Sakuragi, would you like to go for it -"

"Or unless you're a coward do'aho." Rukawa butted in.

Everyone in the gym gaped at the small forward. It was very unlikely for him to say something like that, even if it was to that redhead Sakuragi.

Just agree you dumb ass. Rukawa thought to himself while imagining what the outcome might be on Saturday night.

With those words, Sakuragi glared at Rukawa with eyes as those of a feral lion. "Who do you think you're calling a coward you skinny fox?! Ayako, I'm in!"

Rukawa felt himself go hard and shiver under that look. That was all Rukawa needed together with Sakuragi's answer to get his adrenalin pumping. He was determined to win no matter what. Ayako on the other hand can't help but smirk at the situation. She knew what would possibly happen in the end. She knew too well, why Rukawa agreed with her.

It had only been the past month when she discovered Rukawa's feelings for the redhead. Ayako noticed that there were times that she caught him just staring at Sakuragi for no reason at all. The strangest thing about it was his gaze; it was softer and a bit warmer than his usual ice-cold death stare. And if her observations had been proven correct all along, there were times that Rukawa was practically drooling every time Sakuragi had to practice the basics and some other shots while topless. Ayako just smirked to herself as she recalled those times.

On the other hand, the game had already been brewing between the blue-eyed fox and the fiery redhead. Rukawa had already gotten ahead, seven points to four. All the people in the gym watched in awe as both players were remarkably doing well. Showing moves that both they alone possess.

"Amazing! Sakuragi is almost equal to Rukawa," stated Takenori Akagi, Shohoku's team captain, "It's only been a few months and yet he's becoming better." The rest of the gym population could only nod their heads in agreement. Seems like all of them are captivated by the two's performance, especially Hanamichi Sakuragi's.

Sakuragi was able to tie up their score in their game. However, Rukawa still had his aces with him. He won the game as usual. He didn't let Sakuragi score nor block his shots. Whatever Ayako was planning, he hoped that it would be something interesting. The game ended with Rukawa, as usual, getting the last hoop.

Everyone in the gym cheered. They cheered both for Rukawa winning and Sakuragi showing a good display of skills.

Sakuragi's jaw dropped when the ball entered the ring. He was dumfounded. "I…lost…?" was all he could say to himself. Then he abruptly turned to Ayako and said, " Ayako, whatever you're plans are just make sure its worth it!" And then he turned to Rukawa and said, "You may have beaten me again but I'll never give up! I'll beat your sorry little ass for sure." Everyone in the gym sweat dropped. But at least Sakuragi admitted that Rukawa beat him.

"Well, that's it. Sakuragi, be at my place at ten o' clock Saturday morning. Kogure-sempai will come with you since you don't know my place. I'll be telling you you're consequence by then and I'll be providing you your needed paraphernalia's necessary." Ayako said beamingly.

"Yup! Just meet me here at school around 9:25 am." Said Kogure, smiling assuring to Sakuragi while he patted his back.

~*END OF FLASHBACK*~

"Hey Sakuragi-kun, chill out besides, it's only for tonight's event. You're not going to be in it forever." It was the spectacled boy, Kiminobu Kogure, who was grinning from ear to ear.

"Megane-kun," Sakuragi eyed the vice-captain of team Shohoku with disbelief, "do you have any idea how HUMILIATING this is?! What would everyone think of the TENSAI! What would become of my handsome image?!"

With those words, Ryota Miyagi, Shohoku's point guard was suppressing his laughter. Seeing the open package on Sakuragi's hands wasn't helping him either.

Just the thought of Hanamichi Sakuragi in it was making them hold on to their sides trying to prevent themselves from bursting out.

"Teme! Whatcha giggling and snickering about you little shrimp!" Sakuragi howled as he saw Ryota almost slipping off his seat, as he was trying not laughing out loud.

He knew very well not make the redhead's temper burst out.

"Yamero! You're just making things worse by the moment!" Sakuragi fumed out as he blushed Beet red. By that sight, Ryota snapped. He was laughing like crazy over Ayako's living room. He was laughing an infectious laugh that even Kogure and Ayako was already snickering.

A vein popped out of Sakuragi's head and he was already growing really furious. He was already ready to beat the hell out of curly-haired boy as Ayako was just in time to bring out her giant paper fan.

<WHACK> <WHACK>. That was two for Ryota and, <WHACK> <WHACK> <WHACK>. And that was three for the redhead.

"OWWW!!!! Aya-chan! Why did you do that?!" Ryota said while he was nursing his freshly steaming bumps on his head.

"ERGGGGHHH" Sakuragi was just holding his head in sheer disbelief of just what Ayako did.

I have to get that paper fan away from her! She's really getting to my nerves! Sakuragi thought.

"Will the two of you stop it!! And besides, all of us should be getting ready. And you," she eyed Sakuragi from head to toe, " should be preparing."

Sakuragi's eyes widened with those words from Ayako. Ayako seeing this told Sakuragi to not worry about a thing.

~TBC~

~*~*~*~*~*~*~