The Brothers - Chapter 1 Hanamichi froze, unsure of what to do. He would have liked to tell the truth but he was at the same time afraid of doing so. Since the death of their mother, Hikaru had looked up to him as his hero. That was why he avoided fighting if not necessary. He met Hikaru’s gorgeous big brown eyes uncomfortably; he really did not want to insult him with the truth but if there was no other way, then he had to do it. /Shall I tell him? Tell him that his hero hates someone he barely knows because of a girl!? Shall I lie to him!! No!! I cannot either way!! If I…. I lie than those stupid people will immediately tell him the truth and I… will be a liar!! Nonononono!!! I cannot handle that I cannot let that happen!! / “It’s not true, is it? You didn’t really hate him, did you? Oniisan?“ Hikaru’s question was slightly demanding. The red headed beauty was staring at him with a pair of worried eyes though Hikaru did not notice. Standing tall a few feet away was Rukawa, who had been forgotten since Hanamichi spoke. He had his arms crossed over his chest, his face showing no emotion as he observed the scene quietly. Beyond the uncaring feature he was wearing, there was a concern deep down in his heart. A concern he had for no one but the naive guy who held the mimic image of him in the strong, yet, lean arms. /What are you so afriad of Hana? You are the one who always hurts me without a second thought and now with this little child, you’re scared to death to hurt him? You love him that much? I wonder Hana… I wonder if you can ever give me half of the love you have for him.../ He did not want to think about it. It hurt inside every time he thought that the one he loved would never return his love. He tries not to think but he always fail…. /You are so cute Hana. Your eyes sparkle with worrys and concerns, your lips part slightly as you try to utter the words that would break my heart anytime you say them.. AAA!!! Your lips, how many times have I dreamt to touch them, brush mine slowly on yours? / Then he chuckled bitterly and softly at his ridiculous fantasy. He knew better. This would never happen; it was a dream that would never come true; a dream that would never exist in the real world. A dream "he" would never know. While he was occupied by his thoughts, Yohei managed to sneak up on him without anyone noticing and totally coughed him off guard. “Yo, Rukawa!! Sorry to bother you, but could you do me a favor?” Rukawa jumped, desperately trying to hide his face under the unemotional mask of his. “What do you want? ” Rukawa asked shortly. Yohei did not expect the quiet youth to comply to his request but seeing that he did, Yohei would not let this opportunity go by. “Listen man. As you see, Hanamichi needs help. So… I kind of… hope that…” Then he paused before continued. “Well! You know…” “I will help,” Rukawa finished for Yohei who nodded in relief. Yohei was a bit surprised but that could be saved for later. The taller youth looked in the direction of the cute brothers who stood in the middle of the gym. A second later he turned, giving a brief, unusual, side view grin to Yohei. Yohei closed his eyes instantly but when opened them again, the grin on Rukawa’s face was gone. /What the...!? I am sure I saw he…? / “What would I get in return for helping him?” The question snapped Yohei’s attention back to Rukawa. “Err! What did you say?” Rukawa sighed then repeated his question. “What will you give me for doing this?” “What? A fee? Oh my, I had no wonder you were a business type. Okay, whatever you want, I’ll get it for you.” Yohei spoke as he extended his hand to Rukawa who accepted and shook it firmly. “Deal!” “Deal!” The fox eyed the youth immediately, turned around towards the brothers and just before he took his first step, he whispered his price. “My price is Sakuraki Hanamichi.” Then he was gone. “What?” Yohei yelled dumbfounded. He did not believe what he had just heard. /He has got to be kidding me! He didn’t really say he wanted Hanamichi, did he? God…. I feel as if I have gotten a heart attack!/ Rukawa ignored the shorter youth’s surprised reaction and continued to approach the brothers. He reached out for Hikaru who, together with Hanamichi, was oblivious to his presence and swiped him gently into his arms. Hanamichi gasped in shock, watching his brother allow Rukawa to willingly carry him. The entire gym fell silent. Even Mitsui and Ryota were stunned at such an unbelievable scene. Ayako dropped her superior fan on the floor unconsciously when she heard what the raven-hair youth had to say next. “Don’t be sad, little one. I don’t hate your brother even a little bit and I don’t think he hates me neither, right HANAMICHI” He smiled sugary at Hanamichi. For the first time in his life, Hanamichi felt a chill run down his spine and his hair stood up all over as he slightly trembled in fear. He sensed something in Rukawa’s voice but he did not know what it was. He did not even notice that the raven-hair boy called him by his first name for the first time since they met. /What ever it is, I will figure it out later but now I will have to agree with the fox or have Hikaru hated me for real. / With a strong determined voice, Hanamichi managed to put a fake smile on his face and said to Hikaru with a quiet voice. At the same time, he was unable to keep his mind from feeling ashamed. “Yes, absolutely not.” Hikaru beamed at his brother then turned to Rukawa who smiled back at him. He immediately wrapped his arms around his neck with a giggle, snuggled closer to the youth happily. “*Giggle* A friend of oniisan!! I meet a friend of oniisan!!” Hanamichi felt a sudden jab of jealousy rising rapidly. He quickly swiped Hikaru back into his arms and gazed at deadly at Rukawa. “Let’s go home Hikaru, we have been here long enough.” He spoke through gritted teeth still glared at Rukawa. “But I don’t want to go now, oniisan! I want to play with him first,” Hikaru protested with his childlike voice. He looked at Rukawa, then at his brother, then deep in thought, putting one finger into his mouth. Meanwhile, Hanamichi waited patiently for his little brother. Finally Hikaru smiled. “Can we take him home, PLEASE?” He pleaded. “But Hikaru, I don’t think he wants to come since it’s already late. I think…” “I don’t mind Hikaru, if you will lead me to your house,” The dark-hair boy smirked at the redheaded triumphantly when Hikaru hastily lead him in the door direction. Yohei looked helplessly at Hanamichi who now ran after the two out of the gym door with a really red face. /Oh man! I hoped he would do fine. Rukawa seemed to be serious and I have already promised to get him what ever he wants. Since I don’t like breaking my promise, you’ll just have to fight alone, ne Hanamichi? But I have never thought Rukawa would be gay, Oh well, it does make sense because I have never seen him talk to anyone but Hanamichi!?/ With a soft chuckle he walked out of the gym through the opposite door. To be Continued... **Next**