Title: When in Osaka

Genre: Feel-good fic/ Romance/ Progression/SenRu

Notes: My title is temporary. Again, it's TEMPORARY. I honestly don't have an appropriate title yet. It could change anytime soon (if I may so). I accept suggestions though. This is my first fic, I'm not a professional writer- but I work as a professional in real life. I write just to be relieved of stress from working & studying at the same time. (Kinda trying...) SenRu has been my all-time favourite SD couple, I don't think it will change though, ever. If you think this plot is leading nowhere, I cannot do anything about it anymore- I'm trying to write just for the SenRu fandom & for the fans anyway. I have the entire plot in mind already, I know how to end the story- I just hope to be able to put it in words the way my thoughts wants it to be. I may just have to update a bit slow because I am working & studying in post grad at the same time- but my first chapter is 11 pages already!—hope I won't leave you 'hanging' :D

Kindly post a comment if you may, is this interesting enough? Should I continue? Should I just stop? Thank you.

SD is not MINE & it never will be…

Chapter 1

5 weeks until Christmas. It is as if it was 5 days. All the hustle and bustle on the streets, the holiday rush & people going to and fro in the malls to shop. Last two weeks in school & soon it will be the most awaited Christmas vacation every student has been waiting for. Not for them; well not the least. True, exams were done—requirements has been presented and almost all students are now pushing all of their efforts to make that final 'umph' before they can finally say quits. As a school athlete, he was not exempted, as he, too, have to comply with all the necessary paper works in his History and English subjects. Rukawa sighed softly as he passively faced his locker along the aisle amongst others- determined to take home his English textbook and his History book as well to have an early start on their final requirements before Christmas vacation. He remains oblivious to his surroundings as pictures of him were being taken from almost every angle- phones quietly zoomed in to have a better resolution of him. He knows all of this, of course- not one to be completely ignorant; he just don't give a fuss about it. Used to it would be a better statement. And he doesn't even brag about it—it is as if he could do something about it, but truth is he cannot. He cannot just shout and berate everyone to stop taking photos of him, now can he?

Done with his locker, he slammed the locker with just the right amount of wham on it causing for a few 'photo takers' on his side to scamper away and causing for some to snicker & giggle on the sides. He went bug-eyed. Just as he was about to leave the aisle, a familiar voice interrupted him, causing for him to stop; since this voice is very much tolerable & welcome.

"Rukawa-kun!" Ayako greeted cheerfully, while slapping lightly on the boy's shoulder with her paper fan, her tiptoeing of course to be able to do that. "You're not about to go home now, are you?" Rukawa stared at her blankly. He shrugged. For all he know, they got no practice for the remaining two weeks in school, and even if he does want to have occasional practices- his sempais are not already on the mood for some hoops since it's the Christmas season already. All they want now is to shop at the last minute and chill.

"Well? I got something, see you at the gym." And Ayako strutted her way, leaving the slightly puzzled Rukawa.

'Now what?' he inwardly thought. Not that he doesn't care about practice, he does. It's just that- today he didn't bring any extra gym wear with him. Well, he could always sweat it out in his school uniform but he'd be all sticky & smelly when he gets on the train & he wouldn't like that either. Today, he forgot his bike. He doesn't feel like going to school on a bike so he intentionally left it. Sighing for the nth time that day, he found himself going to the gym to have a take on what's up.

Shohoku Gym. A place they are very familiar with. It has almost been their legitimate classroom for the past few months. He decided to go inside the changing room first- knocking twice and hearing no reply, he let himself in and true enough, Ayako was there with Miyagi, his Captain Akagi, and Kogure. He slightly raised a brow and bowed.

"Ah Rukawa-kun, stop being so formal." Kogure smiled softly, obviously a bit reluctant on Rukawa's display of action. Akagi acknowledged him though, & Ayako simply chuckled.

"Come on over, this should be interesting." Miyagi hollered. He walked with casual steps while halting to a stop. Reluctant first whether he will sit on one of the benches since his sempais were obviously standing while Ayako & Miyagi were the only ones sitting. Ayako seems to be holding a few papers that seemed to belong to the registrar department of the school. Rukawa spared a simple glance from the papers to where his two third year sempais are, the two exchanging in a small talk.

"Where's Sakuragi & Mitsui?" Miyagi asked, obviously a tone of annoyance in his voice. "Can we just start yet? I mean I wanna go home early. I need to buy something." Miyagi complained. Ayako simply whacked him softly on the head. "Be patient, will you. By the way, Captain- where are they anyway?" Just as the last inquiry was asked, the door slammed open and in came the two culprits.

"Yo! Starting without us?" Mitsui grinned- his hair dishevelled so as his uniform, a toothpick in his mouth.

"Nyahahah, they won't begin without the Tensai! Oi Gori, what's up anyway, thought it was vacation already?" Sakuragi slightly looked at Rukawa and went bug-eyed. Rukawa simply snorted, no intention of giving an acknowledgement.

"Whatcha lookin, fox?" Sakuragi seethed.

"I aint looking at you, doaho." Rukawa retorted back and turn his gaze to where his sempais are. Sakuragi fumed and before the all too familiar scene kicked off again, Akagi hollered for the two to stop.

"Shut it, the two of you."

"Okay, lets begin now, shall we?" Ayako stood up and started talking.

"I have here your registration forms- I was simply going over them and saw that they've already included in your tuition fee the outdoor event that we will be having a few days from now." Everyone seemed puzzled and surprised.

"Nani?! A field trip?!" Miyagi exclaimed.

"Tsk, so where do we go? If it's the zoo, I'm out." Mitsui obviously gnarled. He wasn't interested in this kind of things.

"Ahahahahahh! An outdoor, seems pretty interesting to the Tensai, count me in! Is Haruko-chan coming too?" Sakuragi, obviously feeling excited hollered like there was a party going on. Akagi had his vein popping on his temple, trying hard to control his shortening patience.

"I don't wanna go, I'd rather get a refund." Mitsui obviously keen on not attending. Kogure tried to calm him down but to no avail. "Mitsui..." Kogure stated calmly. Mitsui shot him back an 'I-want-a-refund-look' causing the bespectacled boy to sweatdrop.

"Okay, so is this mandatory? Where do we go? Its like Christmas in a few weeks, I'd rather hit the malls y'know." Miyagi butted in.

"This is for kids. Tch!" Mitsui, still pretty much annoyed at the announcement.

"Quiet all of you!" Akagi boomed and instantly everyone halted to a stop. "Obviously, you didn't let Ayako finished off her announcement you fools. And you Mitsui, obviously should stop haggling about the refund."

"Not even 50%?" Mitsui shouted, obviously bug-eyed. "I need money, its freaking Christmas!" Everyone in the room chuckled. Obviously somehow, they found their 3-pointer funny- blatantly stating that he's broke on the coming holidays. Even Ayako laughed while covering her mouth with the forms. Kogure enjoyed a soft chuckle, Sakuragi slapped Mitsui on the back while clutching on his stomach.

"Micchy-kuuun, hahahahah! You're even more vent on the refund than the tensai. How come you don't have money at all?! Nyahahaha!" Sakuragi obviously finding everything funny.

From one end, Rukawa simply snorted softly, his lips almost tugging upward- if he can only show to them how he laughs, but of course he would be out of character. Truth inside, he thinks that Mitsui has a point. 'If this is a zoo indeed, I'll pass.' He inwardly thought. Who would want to go to a zoo anyway? He's *in* the zoo already. But of course, he wouldn't say that now, would he? 'Of course, I wont.' He retorted back inwardly.

"Oo~kkayy you guys are obviously not getting anywhere." Ayako regaining her lost topic tried to gather back the details. "So, as I was saying- in a few days we will be going in a small base camp for basketball training. That will be on this coming Friday until Tuesday next week, then on Wednesday-the day after, we won't be having any class- today is Tuesday already so, basically you have two days left. The Osaka camp as you all know has been a sports activity camp for the past ten years and even though it seemed kind of late already; plus it's the holiday season and everything, we will still be going there to instil a mini training session together with the top 4 Kanagawa teams. Obviously, we are one of the top four so you guys should be proud."

Ayako heard a few Oohhs & Aahhs—except for Rukawa who seemed to just stare blankly. Although on the inside he was already contemplating on each of her sempai's words. 'Base camp?'

Ayako continued seeing no reaction from the boys.

"Its just five days and four nights, guys. We won't be staying there forever. We just have to comply with the Ministry of Education that those schools that have legitimate team representing Kanagawa should have at least stayed within base camp for training. So you see, it's still connected to basketball- it's not a plague or some sort." She stated, as a matter-of-factly.

"So it's mandatory?" Mitsui said tiredly. Obviously his 'refund' has already been doomed.

"Yes, sempai- you've paid for it already, it actually costs a lot. Osaka Sports Camp is not a small time camp if you don't know yet, it's one of those sports camp wherein the facilities are at par with those in Tokyo. Everything is well-maintained and there's a small dorm inside the facility so you guys don't have to worry about having no place to stay in. There's a coffee shop inside, a few restaurants, a pool, and other recreation facilities. It's truly very relaxing to be there plus you get to enjoy the sport." She said cheerily.

"Wahahaha! I'm IN! I 'm joining!" Sakuragi stated while punching his fist into the air. "By the way, is Haruko-chan coming?"

"Of course, I am!" Just as that, the door swung open and Haruko came in- a small smile on her lips as she wave her acknowledgement to everyone.

"Haruko-chaan!" And Sakuragi's world suddenly closes in as his object of affection came in view.

"I thought you went home already." Akagi stated calmly, but obviously not liking the way the redhead's been getting all to giddy up.

"We could go home together, oniichan- I have my form here too and saw that I also have an outdoor field registered in." The Captain simply sighed resignedly.

"So we gonna stay there for five straight days, just to what? Play? Can't we just play here in school?" Miyagi asked.

"And put our money to waste?! Nooo waayyy Miyagi!" Sakuragi loomed in closer to Miyagi as the shorter guy gnarled. "Hey keep your distance, I can smell your breath from this proximity." Obviously, Sakuragi wants to have the outdoor thing because Haruko is coming so it might be a chance for him to take her out on some sort of a 'date'. He could just skip the playing basketball part since he honestly believes that he's already perfected the sport.

"You said four teams Ayako-san… that includes?" Kogure, asked nonchalantly. Although deep inside him, he already has an idea.

"Oh yes, sempai—we are going to the camp with our neighbouring friends! Kainan, Shoyo, us-Shohoku and… of course, Ryonan! They have been informed last week, we've been late already. The teams all agreed and most especially since us, Shohoku & Kainan will be competing in the Inter High next year, our cooperation to be a part of this training thing is a must. Shoyo & Ryonan basically is just there since in Kanagawa, their team statistics is also something not to be reckoned with- they're also at the top. We should be feeling grateful, it's sort of their moral support to both Kainan and us, since we will be representing the Kanagawa prefecture in the Inter High."

"So they're just basically there to cheer?!" Miyagi retorted.

"Ahahahah, they will be cheering for the Tensai! Wahahah!"

"Shut up, doaho." The silent boy blurted out finally after minutes of being silent.

"Oh, so you're here? I thought you're dead? Nyahaha!"

"Idiot."

"Teme!"

"Rukawa-kun..." Haruko blushed deeply as her crush is in the same room with her although Rukawa seems to be standing a bit further away from her and obviously she remains 'oblivious' to him.

"Cut it now!" Akagi for the nth time, hollered.

Ayako still, continued. "So, we will be aware of the other impending rules and whatnots once we're in the camp already, for now, I need you guys to prepare all of your things and yourselves because we'll be out in two days, we'll take the bullet train—and we will all be in the train together with the other teams!"

Rukawa's eyes widened a bit. Train? With the other teams? So that means… he, together with them would probably ride the train with Kainan, Shoyo, and… Ryonan? Not that it bothers him, or does it bother him? But why would it bother him anyway?

That night, he lied awake on his bed- arms folded at the back of his neck while staring at the ceiling. He packed everything when he got home, obviously just wanting to get everything done since the days pass by so fast. Rukawa seemed not to be thinking of anything but he in fact is thinking… of something. To be in a camp with familiar acquaintances on court? To have a possibility of battling it out in court with the other top players? To be able to play the sport he is most fond of? To be able to learn a thing or two perhaps? Rukawa did not know, but he found himself a bit looking forward to the outdoor activity. It's not that he is fond of going out- it's just that he found himself face-to-face with a given opportunity to improve on a sport he loved so much.

'I could challenge Maki.' He inwardly thought. But then, he might want to challenge Sakuragi instead since Maki seems to acknowledge the redheads prowess. He thought he could challenge the other players as well, if only he knows of their names. Rukawa went bug eyed. That's the main problem with him, he isn't familiar with the other supporting members on each team. He seems to acknowledge only the top members of the other teams, a reason for others to be a bit annoyed by him.

'Whatever.' Another thought inside. Or maybe, he could just play with him instead. Rukawa thought he felt an organ inside of him leap a bit. Him? Yeah, he honestly almost forgot. Him of course. If there's one player in Kanagawa he would want to challenge, it's no other than perhaps the one guy from his rival school that seems to stand amidst everything he laid upon. But the thing is… would he acknowledge? After all, they beat Ryonan last time- he was just being sceptical if the latter would want to take a head-on challenge. He will never know if he won't ask, will he?

Judging from the looks of it, he's pretty much sure that the sophomore star of Ryonan might actually like a one-on-one challenge, but the truth is... He's just a bit shy to approach his colleagues on court (yep, that is what he calls them) and asked them a head-on challenge. Not that he's scared of a game. Just a bit 'shy' since basically, he is not well-acquainted with the other guy: they just meet on court, no more, no less. That's basically it. It's a different story when he challenges his sempais in Shohoku since they've been with him for the longest time.

It's not that the Ryonan Ace is someone scary to approach at. Truth is, Rukawa thought the latter looks decent enough to talk to about anything off court. 'Talk too?' He went bug eyed for the third time that day. Why would he think about talking when he hates socializing? Must be because he often hears that number 7 of Ryonan is often friendly and has that easy-going-calming-effect attitude to everyone else. But then again, they're not on the same team, so Rukawa thought it's a different story. 'He might not give his friendly expression to me, after all we just defeated them, ugh.' Rukawa sighed. Truth is, almost everyone thought that he's the anti-social brat of Shohoku. It is somewhat harsh, because he is not an anti-social brat, he's just having a hard time expressing himself.

True, he slightly acknowledges him- even told him he's a lot of fun to play with. But the older guy might just be baffling. 'Or maybe he just can't think of anything to say.' He inwardly debated to himself.

'I wonder if he would like to have a game with me while on camp… Sendoh Akira of Ryonan.' And with that name last on his mind, he found himself being cradled suddenly into the arms of Morpheus.

Friday. Trip Day. And of all the time that they have to leave Kanagawa; Rukawa looked at his watch and noted 8:00 pm. Their departure is at 9:00 pm. He inwardly sighed. Not really used to traveling in the evening. Why of all time do they have to leave in the evening? He'd rather sleep. Anyway, his bags have been packed and he just decided to bring one big traveller bag with him and a small hand carry bag in black. He has practised the art of traveling light although he's not a traveller himself. 'Learned on you-tube.' He could almost practically say. He squinted his eyes for a few more moments trying to remember if he hasn't forgotten anything-seeing that he's ready, he headed to the train station via taxi.

'I swear, I want to sleep.' He muttered.

8:30 PM. Kanagawa Station. He scanned the whole place and saw a familiar group of tall boys on one corner; seeing their jacket in green & white, he immediately took notice that its Shoyo. From a distance, he could see the Captain, Fujima Kenji talking lightly with the taller & serious-looking Hanagata. Around them are the other Shoyo members that looked kind of familiar to him but he's not familiar with their names. He decided to just grab something as a stash just in case… walking up onto the platform- there are food stalls available for take-out. He scanned briefly before deciding to just grab a burger and some fries from a familiar fast food chain.

While waiting for his take-out, he noticed that a few other tall guys have arrived and he cocked his head slightly to take noticed of Kainan team. Maki Shinichi of course in front wearing their jackets proudly and the other guy that seemed kinda Sakuragi who's also a loud-mouthed monkey. Jin and the other two were there, looking imposing as ever. Rukawa took notice of how Fujima's face lit up upon seeing Kainan as he and Hanagata walked over to Maki and exchanged acknowledgements. RUkawa almost gasp as he saw Fujima held Maki's bronze hand for a bit before letting it go.

"Here's your take-out, sir!" The lady from the counter cheerily exclaimed. RUkawa bowed lightly, fished in his pocket and paid the bills.

"Thanks." He muttered almost silently.

"There you are!" A pat on his shoulder and as he spun his heels, he saw Ayako. "Been looking all over for you, c'mon I got your ticket- there's our team over there, don't go wandering about."

"I was just buying food…" Truth is, he was thankful because right when he just arrived- he was not able to see as to where Shohoku Team was. Glad someone looked out for him.

"There's food on the train- late dinner!" Ayako exclaimed as the two of them strutted to another corner and that is where his team greeted him with a nod. Sakuragi was busy chatting and looking all too lame in front of Haruko, who took a glance at him (Rukawa) and smiled sweetly. He gave a small nod. Akagi was chatting with—Uozumi of Ryonan together with Kogure. Only then he had notice that Shohoku and Ryonan were at the same corner.

His eyes scanned for a bit and saw team Ryonan in their jerseys as well- Aida Hikoichi scribbling something while chatting with Koshino and what Rukawa miraculously took noticed of as Fukuda. There was another guy who was leaning silently on one post; he doesn't know his name though- Ikegami? Rukawa was unsure. His team, Shohoku was busy doing random things though while waiting for the call. Miyagi, upon seeing him with Ayako approached them both but of course, just focused on their manageress and Mitsui was busy munching in some potato chips while grinning stupidly at Sakuragi; Mitsui knows that Sakuragi was trying to impress Haruko of course.

"Where's Sendoh?" Uozumi asked Hikoichi. Rukawa's ears sort of perk up as he overheard a name being called but continued to remain oblivious though inside, he was also curious. 'Curious?' Why would he? But, really where is he? He found himself one corner and started digging in on his fries while looking uninterested.

"Hikoichi, go phone him now! We'll be leaving in twenty minutes." Uozumi hollered.

"Hai, Captain! I honestly don't know where he is but I'll call him right now!" As the freshman flipped his phone open and dialled a familiar number. Everyone seemed to look at his direction for a few seconds.

'Troublesome.' Rukawa inwardly mutter while munching in some more fries.

"Hai! We're all here… yes, we're waiting for you, yes… please hurry!" Hikoichi confirmed.

"Tell him we're not waiting for him!" Koshino butted in.

"But I just told him that we are!" Aida retorted back.

"Argh! He never learns!" Koshino seemed to have develop a hypertension. Fukuda simply kept his unreadable face on while Uozumi's vein seems to be snapping anytime soon.

"Habitual tardiness?" Akagi asked.

"Don't ask. And to think that I will be leaving the team to him. He could at least try to be early." Uozumi reasoned. "You get problems like this, Takenori?"

"I'll be happy if that is just the problem I would have; true they're never late but they always get into brawls plus the fact that they get flunking grades most often than not." Uozumi stifled an impending laugh.

"Problem indeed for you, Akagi… Sendoh is a late comer but he does well in his subjects, or so I heard."

"Well, he seems a decent student to me as well." Akagi replied while somewhat contemplating if what he said was true.

"He has special exams given to him, being in the varsity and all..." Uozumi continued.

8:45 PM

Those leaving for Osaka, you may now enter the platform and aboard the train. This is you last call.

The female voice on the station informed everyone else and as this was heard, everyone gathered up their belongings and made their way to the platform. Team Kainan together with Shoyo queued up on the first train.

"Here we go! Nyahahah!" Sakuragi cackled as he escorted Haruko. Ayako & Miyagi followed him as Mitsui and Kogure came in next. The other members of Ryonan followed suit with Uozumi & Akagi at the farthest line. Rukawa decided to trail behind Akagi as he continued to munch in his fries while looking nonchalant. 'Just hungry' he inwardly thought. He did not eat dinner before leaving the house and just vent out to eat outside instead.

'I need to sleep.' It was all in his thoughts that moment when suddenly he was bump from behind, knocking over some of his carton of fries. Rukawa's eyes widened at the sudden intrusion and furrowed his brows, ready to give his killer stare to some stupid asshole who was not looking to where he was heading. He abruptly turned his head to his left- his mouth ready to say something like 'Watch it, idiot!' when he was slightly taken aback.

"Oopps, I'm sorry…" Came in the apologetic tone. Rukawa almost looked like he saw someone on TV but he hasn't. Standing three inches taller than him, a body built of that as an athlete, eyes of piercing cobalt blue, skin of one shade darker than him (probably), lips curved upward in an apologetic smile, with hands at the back of his nape—and of course, let's not forget the one thing he was actually well-known for; hair so spiked it actually defies gravity…

"Sorry about that…" Sendoh said in his bedroom & manly voice. His eyes directly looking at the guy he just bumped into. If it was girl, she could have died of epistaxis. For the second time, someone actually said 'sorry' to him in not less than 5 minutes. Rukawa was keen on saying something but the flow of the crowd to get everybody on board kept him from doing so. He huffed softly- turned his back on the latter and went on in just like everybody else.

Inside the train, everyone seemed to be comfortable already as they were lead to their seats. The train is very spacious- one of which Japan is truly proud of; their shinkansen is truly one of its kind: its style, speed & comfort is at par even with the Western countries, and it does get a lot of recognition because of its high end technology to travel at a speed of 200-300 miles per hour, without the passengers feeling it. Rukawa looked down on his ticket & it suggested that he be seated in front. The train has a spacious aisle in the middle, carpeted flooring, fully-air-conditioned, cozy on the inside, and has ten 2-seater rows on each side. Its windows were slightly tinted and an automatic button to keep the curtains up or down depending on the passenger's preference. The seat is made of grey leather—has an arm rest that has numerous button functions; one of which is for an indoor FM radio panel for music & a TV button for the flat LCD screen in front of everyone else. Of course, the best feature of the seat is that it can be tilted backwards so that if one wishes to sleep—he can. These, all of which Rukawa knew and he is indeed thankful nonetheless for the comfort.

As he sat down by the window- all he wanted right then & there was to doze off. Closing his eyes momentarily, he was once again taken aback when he heard voices not from behind him.

"Where have you been? Do you know what time is it?" It was Uozumi.

"Yeah, I know… I'm sorry." There it goes again. The third 'sorry'- his third for the night.

"Hn, you should work on your habits, Sendoh. You know what I mean." Uozumi sounded strict & formal.

"I know Cap, it's just that I overslept and… almost forgot about it." Sendoh humbly countered.

"It's okay Sempai, we couldn't go anywhere without you anyway!" Hikoichi tried to defend his senior.

"Really Sendoh… you should try harder!" Koshino, the hot-headed co-sophomore butted in.

A chuckle. "Sheesh, you guys… yare yare, anyway thanks for waiting. I really appreciate it. Oh and didn't I tell you that I was held back there for a while?"

"What do you mean?" Someone sounded like Ikegami inquired.

"Oh, y'know just a few girls who asked politely for a …how do you call that rave nowadays? Selfie?"

And then a loud cackle boomed. Obviously, it must come from the one & only redhead of Shohoku. Rukawa almost wanted to raise his middle finger.

"Bwahahahah, you enjoying 'selfie' pictures? Really now Spiky, the Tensai finds it funny! Hahahah!"

Sendoh simply rolled his eyes and not the one to be affected that much decided to just ride on with the slightly immature Sakuragi. "You could take an exclusive one with me, though Sakuragi. I'd even give you a signature." A wink and his grin. And everyone at the back laughed.

"What the-?! Teme!" Sakuragi almost turned red. He was not the one to be taken as someone who completely idolizes Sendoh. He just couldn't.

"Serioulsy Cap, I had to run away from them after two shots—actually bumped into… I wasn't looking where I was headed." Sendoh said while eyes sort of roaming around. He actually was about to say that he bumped onto-a name. He just didn't know how come he was not able to say it. He brushed off the thought.

Just then, Sendoh found himself seating on an empty seat with Ikegami who regarded him of course. He smiled at his senior and stood up to put his bags atop them when a lady that looks like the trains attendant approached him—an obvious blushed painted on her face.

"Excuse me…"

"Yes?" Sendoh asked, a smile plastered on his handsome features; hands still hovering above his head trying to re-align his bag.

"You are in the wrong seat—this chair is supposed to be vacant, your seat is supposed to be on AA-02." She politely informed. Sendoh's brows arched up-inquiry written on his face.

"What's that supposed to mean?" A grin. He actually has no idea. 'Am I not supposed to be on board?'

"So I don't get to sit? Do I just stand up the whole trip? Do I need to go home now?" He jokingly asked, this earned a few chuckles from everyone else. He threw a series of questions charmingly making the poor girl blushed a deep shade of pink. "Sir that's not-?"

"Please let me just sit on the floor." Sendoh dramatically imposed on the blushing girl- obviously trying to find amusement suddenly. He grinned. A few chuckles erupted.

"Argh Sempai, you're on the list I swear, I put your name on!" Hikoichi sounded panicky.

Koshino chuckled softly. "You don't mean to go home now do you?"

Fukuda who was being silent, looked amused as he satisfied himself with a grin.

"I could if you would allow me though- I mean, I got gifts to wrap!" And Sendoh smiled and chuckled nonchalantly.

"Do we have gifts too, Sendoh?" Mitsui butted in- grinning.

"I bet we have, this kid is rich." Ryota jokingly reassured.

"Nyahahahha! Just give Micchy-kun cash! He's so broke… He's been dreading this trip, he wants a refund! Bwahaha!" Sakuragi hollered, tears almost at the corner of his eyes.

"Teme, why you Sakuragi- you're really a freak!" Mitsui turned red. Kogure tried to calm him. Akagi sweatdropped. Everyone laughed. Sendoh chuckled, obviously the Shohoku boys are crazy cool.

"Okay go home now! Off you go, out! But be sure to wrap mine in a glittery paper!" Koshino barked liked a madman-obviously he was kidding. Laughter ensures. Uozumi shook his head- his lips somewhat in an upward curve. Some of which the Shohoku members also sharing a soft laugh. The air was truly light in that few moments. Everyone seemed close and cozy with each other… they're like good friends at that time; no rival teams, no heated competitions on mind—must be the Christmas spirit.

Ayako laughed so hard she was the one who already answered for him.

"Oh Sendoh, didn't know you're such a joker. By the way, your seat's in front—right beside…. Rukawa-kun! He's in AA-01. Hurry now, trains above to move."

'Rukawa eh' Sendoh almost looked surprised. He almost blurted out something like 'Seriously?' 'Really?' But he just shrugged it off, smiled and got his bag from atop and started to walk in front to where he was supposed to be seated.

Rukawa's eyes were on the verge of drooping when he caught off his name being somewhat mentioned. He was about to turn his head and asked what's up when a body just blocked his view—he had to looked up. Sendoh was once again fixing his bag atop just in time—he looked down and that was when their blue gazes finally met… cerulean against cobalt blue. Ace & Rookie of two different teams, not too much in common but skills almost at par with each other. Two different people walking two different paths… will their paths cross at the end somehow?

"Hi…" The older greeted softly with a smile as he nodded.

Rukawa, not being a man of many words, managed to somewhat acknowledged the latter back—and he questions himself as to why he was able to do that somewhat effortlessly.

"Hello…" A small nod.

It was 9:00 pm. And the train started to move because the scenes change from a busy station to a series of dark farm fields as tiny snowflakes emerged from the sky like tiny droplets of stars. It was indeed the holiday season.

TBC