Fate, Reason and Destiny - Chapter 9 Inter High went by rather quickly. Ryonan came second, with Shohoku in first place. Sukuragi Hanamichi was the winner of the MVP, and Sunny could not help but laugh at the pride and the smugness she saw in his face. It was nearing autumn, her favorite season. Already the end of July, she could sense the sudden change in the air, as if the earth itself was preparing itself for the harshness to come. Sunny was waiting after school, watching the players play. Sendoh was to stay with them until the end of the season. He was a senior, and would have to leave in winter. She sighed; the team would be different then. They were going to have Hikoichi as their captain. He had been with them for a long time, she was the same age as Hikoichi, and admired the thirst he had for basketball. A true fan of Sendoh, she wondered how he’d be able to cope with his loss. “Kitsune-chan!” Sendoh called out, and waved. He was already changed, and Sunny could not help but smile. “Akira-san.” “Don’t call me that… we’re not strangers, we don’t have to be polite any more.” Sunny stood there, and grinned. “What do you want me to call you? Akira-kun?” “Hai.” Sendoh’s smile fell, and he was watching her with a strange look of intent in his eyes. Sunny looked away for a moment, slightly confused. 'Is he…' she shook her head. It could not be! Not him! She smiled. “Well then, Akira-kun,” she teased, “what do you want to do? Your aunt doesn’t expect us to be home for a couple of hours yet.” He grinned back. “I’m so hungry! There’s a small café which sells the best cake.” He grinned. “Its not that close, so we’re going to have to take a taxi.” Sunny smiled back. “I’ve got money, don’t worry.” At the Café Sunny sat there, and laughed at something Akira said. She smiled. He was so… nice to her. He was friendly, smart, funny, and just a perfect… Boyfriend. She suddenly paused, and shook her head. No…. NO! She was… In love with Rukawa, Dammit! This made her look away, and she just couldn’t seem to keep her thoughts in order. She bolted up, causing Sendoh to watch her. She smiled, a small, wobbly smile at him, and whispered, “I’ve got to go, I’m sorry.” With that, she picked up her bag, and ran out of the café. She couldn’t… couldn’t… deal with this! Tears started to fall down her face. She did not know why. Extreme PMS, or the fact that she did not feel as if she was in control with her life any more. What was happening? Not looking where she was going, Sunny ran into someone else. By the time she managed to look up, she was more in control with herself. And stared right back into the bluest eyes she had ever seen. “Ruk… awa?” she asked. He stared down at her for a moment, and heaved a sigh. His hand reached down, and slowly touched her cheek, wiping off the tears. She stared up, watching him for a moment, and then fresh tears ran down her face. She didn’t usually cry this much. But to be honest, she wasn’t used to this! To falling in love, or to having a guy act the way Akira and Rukawa did. He stared at her for a moment, and then looked around. Sunny looked up at him, and closed her eyes, trying to convince herself that it wasn’t time to cry. “I… I missed you, Kaede…” she whispered. He looked down at her suddenly at the use of his name, and his expression seemed to soften. He did not say a word, yet when Sunny stared into his eyes, she saw all the understanding she needed. “I’m going.” He said. He seemed uncomfortable. “I’ll be back around March, I’m going to check out a college in America.” Sunny stopped, and stared up at him. To be Continued... **Previous ** Next **