Slam Dunk Fan Fiction ❯ Shohoku's Pride ❯ Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

CHAPTER TWO:

The question that was constantly being asked by the members of the basketball club was "What happened to Rukawa?"

A week had passed and still there was nary a sign of Shohoku's ace player.

"I called him up," Kogure explained to their stern captain Akagi, "but a man claiming to be his uncle said that Rukawa had to go home to his mother's house because he was sick. I was asking if we could go and visit him, but his ojisan said it was the doctor's orders that he have no visitors so he could get enough rest."

"And just when we need him," Akagi mumbled under his breath. "It doesn't matter. Rukawa is the team's ace. He could make up for it when he gets back."

Despite his exhortations that they didn't need the Super Rookie's presence, Hanamichi had to admit that he was very concerned. Perhaps even more so. Since that rainy night, each and every morning, he would find more blood stains, either on the gym floor, the locker room or the shower room. Every time, he would mop the floors and the walls until they were spotless. He had contemplated staking out the gym for the intruder. However, he wouldn't dare do it alone without his infamous Gundan, fearing that he might be facing another gang. Hanamichi may be the top troublemaker of Shohoku, but he certainly was not stupid to face an unknown enemy alone. And he was not about to squeal on these mysterious blood stains if it would most likely get someone into trouble.

Still, seeing the deep worry on Kogure's face, he wondered if he should tell the Vice-Captain at least about his daybreak discoveries.

"Hey, Sakuragi!" Mitsui called out to him. "If you continue staring at Kogure like that, I'm going to get very angry!"

"Speak for yourself, Mit-chin!" Hanamichi ranted back. "You're the one who's going all hentai over Megane-kun!"

The shooting guard snorted as he dribbled away, although a blush had formed on his cheeks. "Kogure is simply a very good friend."

Hurling a basketball after him, the redhead yelled, "You don't fool me one bit, Missy!"

Akagi had overheard the exchange between the two boys. "What was that all about?"

"Believe me, I don't have a clue," said Kogure, dots of pink on his cheekbones. "You know what a wild imagination Sakuragi has."

The Captain of Shohoku thought for a long moment. Then, an uncharacteristic smile quirked up his lips. "I don't like the idea of you being alone, Kogure. I'm not too sure about Sakuragi, him being a Freshman and very irresponsible as well, but Mitsui could be good for you. I've heard that he's applying to the same universities you're considering."

Kogure blinked at the towering center whom everyone called 'Gori'. "Akagi, what are you trying to say?"

Akagi's answer before stalking down to center court was "Just give it some thought."

"But Akagi..." Before Kogure could follow his best friend, Mitsui came up to him with a disarming smile on his face and a basketball in his hand.

"Come on, Megane-kun," the shooting guard said invitingly. "Let's work some more on your three-pointers."

Despite his confusion over Akagi's curious comment, Kogure smiled back at Mitsui and, with a quick nod, answered, "Hai!"

Sakuragi, on the other hand, was lost in deep thought, practicing basic dribbling. Ayako, who was watching over him with her infamous 'Fan of Discipline' in hand, was surprised by the rowdy Freshman's sudden silence. She was about to ask him what was wrong when she caught Haruko's approach out of the corner of her eye. Even greater was Ayako's surprise to see that the redhead had not noticed his beloved.

"Ayako-san," Haruko inquired politely, "might I have a word with Sakuragi-kun in private?"

"I think you'd better ask your oniisan first." Ayako pouted in the direction of Haruko's older brother.

"I already asked his permission. He said it's all right as long as it's only for a few minutes."

"If he says it's okay," shrugged Team Shohoku's manager. She then rapped Sakuragi out of his reverie with her fan.

"Why did you do that for?" Hanamichi wailed. But he brightened instantly, eyes narrowing into slits, seeing the girl he loved. "Haruko-san! Have you been here long? Gomen nasai! This Tensai became too engrossed with practice."

"Don't worry, Sakuragi-kun," Haruko reassured him. "Actually, I just arrived. I would like to talk to you. Please?"

"You need not ask, Haruko-san," the redhead said gallantly. "You know I always have time for you."

As they walked outside the gym, Hanamichi grinned from ear to ear in gleeful anticipation. This is it! he thought excitedly. Haruko-san is going to tell me at last that she loves me!

---

"I'm worried about Rukawa-kun."

Hanamichi felt like a bucket of cold water was dumped on his head. This wasn't what he expected. Already, he was envisioning himself kicking a fluffy-tailed Kitsune in the rump.

"I'm sure he's fine, Haruko-san," Hanamichi replied, trying hard to stop his teeth from gnashing together in seething resentment and jealousy. "Megane-kun said that he's recuperating at his okaasan's house."

"And you believe that?" Haruko exclaimed."You've played with Rukawa. You know how physically fit he is. He's never called in sick." She pressed her hand over her heart. "Something's wrong, Sakuragi-kun. I could feel it."

"Oh, Haruko-san! The Kitsune can take care of himself!"

"Don't you care, Sakuragi-kun? I know you and Rukawa don't get along well, but he's still your teammate. Both of you have the same dreams. Whether you want to admit it or not, you two are more alike than you know."

Hanamichi stared at Haruko in bewilderment. "Haruko-san, this is very confusing for me. What are you trying to tell me?"

Akagi Haruko blanched at that query. How could she tell him what she had observed over the past few months? That it was only when Hanamichi was around that light shone in Rukawa's eyes. That it was only with the redhead that their ace had a spoken word ready for him, even if it was a simple 'doahou'. How could she tell him that it was Rukawa, not her, who was driving him to excel in the game? And how could she say it straight to his face that she too had seen Hanamichi gazing at his reticent teammate with glazed softness in his eyes?

Haruko decided not to reveal her observations. Instead, she straightened up, assuming the fiercesome mein of an Akagi. Hanamichi instinctively flinched, seeing his beloved suddenly look so terrifying.

"Rukawa is your responsibility, Sakuragi Hanamichi," Haruko declared menacingly, her face transforming into that of her brother Gori. "I order you to find out how he's doing...or else!"

Hanamichi gulped hard. "Or else what?"

The redhead felt he would have a heart attack at Haruko's last words. "Or else it's over between us, and I'll have my oniisan throw you out of the team!"

---

That night a mumbling and grumbling Sakuragi Hanamichi was trudging miserably through the neighborhood streets, heading for Rukawa's house.

She certainly knows how to drive a hard bargain, grumbled Hanamichi, hands stuck inside his pants pockets. "It's over between us?" We haven't even started anything yet!

Reaching Rukawa's home, he glowered at the small bungalow before him. "You'd better be home, Kitsune!"

Storming towards the door, Hanamichi started to pound on it, yelling, "Hey, Rukawa! Are you still alive in there? Or should I send the undertaker to fetch your measly carcass?" But no one came to the door. It was only pitch black inside.

Pouting, Hanamichi waved his hand dismissingly. "Hah! Looks like no one's home in the fox den. Gomen, Haruko-san! But I certainly will not walk over to his mother's house at this late hour."

The redhead was about to leave, when he stopped at once at the sound of a soft whimper. Carefully, he went to the back of the house where he had heard the sound, picking his way through the flapping laundry. Sure enough, there was a faint glow coming from one of the windows. His ears perked up, hearing a pinched cry. Curiosity getting the better of him, Hanamichi inched towards the window and peered through the slightly parted curtains.

At once, his eyes widened in shock at the unexpected sight that greeted him.

Rukawa was literally dangling over the edge of the bed, held so tightly by a huge bear of a man. The man was raining kisses upon the ace's sweat-sheened skin, mouth nipping and chewing on swollen nipples. A large beefy hand stroked the flaccid cock of the boy beneath him. Rukawa's eyes were squeezed shut, even white teeth biting down on his lower lip that blood was drawn. His hands clenched the bed sheet beneath him in strained fists.

Hanamichi barely stifled his gasp as the man descended to engulf the ace's manhood to the root. Rukawa's body arched deliciously upwards, his head thrown back, mouth open in a silent scream. Watching the man suckle on his teammate's rod, to his dismay, Hanamichi found himself getting aroused, his erection straining to be free from his boxers.

What the hell! Hanamichi thought in horror and disgust. This is wrong! Surely I'm not getting turned on by...by...

But he was. When the man cupped Rukawa's taut ass, blunt fingers delving inside the crack, Hanamichi had to bite down on his arm to quell the desires that were raging inside him. In his shock, he didn't realize that his left hand had already freed his cock and was stroking it languidly along with the man's pace.

Then, the man suddenly moved to a sitting position, pulling Rukawa along with him. Hanamichi's eyes flew wide, seeing those beefy hands lift Shohoku's star player by his bare bottom and impale the teenager upon his burgeoning length. At that penetration, Rukawa screamed in pain, earning a fierce backhand to the side of his head to silence him.

It was that blow more than anything else that caused Hanamichi's cock to dwindle.

---

God, please let it end! Rukawa sobbed inwardly, his eyes tightly shut as the pain threatened to overwhelm him. It hurts too much! He's tearing me apart!

Not wanting to be beaten again, Rukawa embraced the man, hoping to ease the thrusts that were causing him intense agony, but try as he might, he couldn't hold back his cries nor the tears that streamed from his eyes. As he was about to bury his face in his rapist's shoulder, he found himself staring at the window, and at the startled figure looking back at him, watching as he was being abused.

Sakuragi-kun...no, he recognized his disagreeable teammate instantly. Please! Oh, please help...

---

It was Hanamichi who broke the gaze between them, fleeing from the scene in disgust. He couldn't understand why seeing Rukawa Kaede in the arms of another man was like an arrow piercing through his heart.

"Damn you, Rukawa!" Hanamichi raged at the night sky. "You'd better have a damned good explanation for this!"

---

Inside the house, Rukawa's ojisan came to a shuddering release inside his battered flesh. But the ace had already grown numb to the abuse. Instead, his heart was filled with anger and disappointment.

Damn you, Sakuragi! Rukawa thought in fury. How could you just stand there and watch while he raped me? Why didn't you help me?