Slam Dunk Fan Fiction ❯ A Fox's Life ❯ What's Goin' On? ... REALLY! ( Chapter 4 )

Standard disclaimers apply.

"A Fox's Life"

Chapter Four: "What's Goin' On?...really?"

"Sakuragi?" Haruko patted her boyfriend's shoulder as she approached him from behind. They had agreed to eat together at lunch.

"What were you thinking? You looked spaced out..."

The red-haired tensai seemed surprised at Haruko's observation. He thought silently, he really did seemed occupied these past few

days since that evening he accidentally overheard Rukawa and Ms. Michiru's conversation at the parking lot. And from his own observation

of the kitsune, he himself was not looking good eversince Ms. Michiru took over the Shohoku Team management. They sure act strange

around each other...

"Honey...?"

"H-huh?"

Haruko now looked pissed. "Okay now. What's the problem?"

Sakuragi was caught off guard. He smiled slyly at his girlfriend. "N-nani? Nothing's wrong Haruko..."

"Then quit spacing off! Our food's getting cold!"

"H-hai..."

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

"Okay guys! That's it for now. I'll see you tomorrow." Michiru signaled them all. "Bring a lot of extra shirts if I were you. You all

look like guerillas after every practice!" she giggled.

Each of them blushed at the look of themselves. They were all bathed in sweat and they indeed look smelly. Sakuragi smelled his

sides and smirked at the odor. I can't see Haruko like this!

Michiru smiled at the scene. She continued, "But don't take a bath okay? Not just yet. Its bad to bathe right away after a hard

practice. You'll get sick, you know. Wait for a while before taking your shower."

Coach Anzai stood up from his bench, "Michiru, I think you should go home now and take a rest. You've been of great help to the

Team and I can't afford to see our great manager get sick. If you know what I mean... hohoho!"

Kogure seconded. "Coach is right, Ms. Michiru. You've been pushing yourself too hard on us. You need a break..."

Ms. Akiyama smiled at Coach Anzai and the 2nd Sempai. "Hai, Coach... Kogure. I'll do that don't worry. I just want you to

do well on the upcoming games." Turning to all, "Oh well, I need to get going. I still have to meet somebody downtown..."

"And WHO might that be?"

All of them turned around at the sound of this inquiry. Kaede Rukawa looked directly at their Manager. He asked again, "Is that

'somebody' that you'll meet an 'old aquaintance' of mine, if I may ask?"

Sakuragi jaw-dropped at the intensity in Rukawa's tone. He's at it again! He and his insults! "Oi Rukawa! Watch your tongue, will ya?!"

He was about to step up to the Fox but then Ms. Michiru prevented him by her arm.

"Nah, its okay now Sakuragi. Arigatou. I'll take it from here..." she leaned her head to the side pertaining to the Tensai. Staring up

at Rukawa, she continued. "And since when had you had any right of asking who I'm going out with?"

Shohoku's Ace smirked at her response. Seemed unminding of the presence of the other's who were staring wildly back and forth at

them in shock, he replied. "Nothing much, Ms. MANAGER. I just would like to ask if your boyfriend knows this. Or better yet, you'd

want us, the whole Team to keep this a secret...?" A taunting smile played at the corner of Rukawa's lips.

Michiru flipped her hair and spoke. "I don't think so, Kaede-kun. There's no secrets here, if you ask me. Besides, I don't have any boyfriend

at present. I'm not that careless you know... what were you thinking?" turning to the others and bowing to Coach Anzai. "I'll see you all

tomorrow. Rest well." She smiled double-meaningly at Rukawa who only grunted in response.

The team watched her strut her way out of the gym. Breathtaking indeed, Hisashi Mitsui thought to himself. Looking back at Rukawa,

he said, "You really got some attitude problem there, Rukawa. Work it out if I were you." Picking up his bag, he excused himself from the others

and went to the locker room.

Rukawa felt his face warm. He was about to follow Mitsui to confront him about what he had said but Akagi placed a hand on his shoulder

and shook his head. So Rukawa didn't do anything but sit at the bench, thinking hard.

Ryota and the others seemed to be thinking the same as Mitsui. Casting Rukawa a disapproving stare, they left him altogether except

for Coach Anzai, Akagi and Sakuragi.

Sakuragi was thinking on his own. It happened again...! Its all the same! Its as if there's tension between them! What's going on...?

Akagi was about to speak when Coach Anzai stopped him. "Its alright, Akagi. I'll talk to him. You go home now. Take Sakuragi with

you."

The Team Captain nodded. Motioning Sakuragi to come with him now to go home, the Tensai blurted, "B-but Gori! You can't just stay

put while that Kitsune goes on and on insulting Ms. Michiru all the time! Somebody has to go really teach him some manners...!" He said

clenching his fists.

"Sakuragi...?"

The red-haired cager's ears popped up at the sound of their Coach's voice. Scratching his head, he smiled jokingly. "He-he-he! I was only

joking, Coach! You know, Gori and I were about to leave actually! Hihihi!" he said trying to pull Akagi with him to the locker room.

The Old Man adjusted his glasses as he stared at the two walking away. Moments after, he glanced at Rukawa, who was now sitting

motionless in the bench.

"Care to tell me what's wrong Rukawa?"

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Meanwhile, Michiru had just gotten out of her car from a restaurant's parking lot.

Looking back and forth at the people walking in front of her, she had managed to get inside and approached a somewhat privately reserved

table for two after inquiring at the receptionist. Her mood dimmed at the sight of the tall man who was already sitting there. Eyes narrowing,

she walked towards the table and dropped her bag at the chair. She sighed heavily then looked directly at the guy in front of her, who was now

smiling at her. "I know you wouldn't let me down, Michiru..."

Michiru let out a fake smile. "Of course. I wouldn't trade this date for the world."

She gazed out the night sky from the window of the restaurant. The expression of her eyes began to sadden...

Kaede... I'm sorry...

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

There's Chapter Four! Please review! I hope you still try to get along with the story. Please be kind! Arigatou...! ^_^