Autumn Prologue

Prologue - Black-cat and Seven

One cold Autumn night...

The myriad of lights seemed to flicker from the blurred view that the fogged window presented. In the darkness, those lights slowly came alive, allowing the familiar view of the city to be seen. Refocusing one's eyes though, one could see what was inside the apartment, the shadow that belonged to oneself - familiar and dull. For one brief moment, the figure standing there just looked at his reflection, as if wanting to glare...

Rukawa sighed, closing his eyes briefly before moving away from the door finally as he entered his apartment. He walked into the living room and switched on the light, the dark coat coming off his shoulders as he adjusted himself to the warm temperature of his unit. Taking off his shoes, he bent down to pick them up before heading towards his closet, to place both coat and shoes there. He closed the closet's door and headed for his room then to his bathroom. And as if automatic, he was turning the shower on, stripping himself and stepping into the tub. A basic requirement he did whenever he came home at night... Almost a daily ritual.

Closing his eyes, he just stood there, letting the hot spray of water wash him. Slowly, he reached out for the soap and began to lather it and apply the suds to his body. He was beginning to think...

Earlier that day, one unintentional push by a team mate sent him to the gym's floor. It was a hard fall, something that caused panic immediately, but all that resulted from it was a loss of consciousness. His face had landed on someone's shoe and he had suffered a small shock from it. They'd rushed to him - their star player - and inspected him. He did not know whatt followed next. When he regained his senses, he was laying in the changing room and an ice pack was on his head. Ayako informed him that it was just another shock - just like the last time. The last time... The one when Toyotama High's Minami intentionally hurt him. That had been a few months back. Anyway, after telling him about his condition, he was left alone to rest. They were all relieved. And that was that.

After practice was over, he'd come home, forgotten once again as they laughed about, talking about random things. And in the background, he had felt himself seething quite a bit, acknowledging something deep inside himself...

Rukawa opened his eyes slowly and focused, turning towards the shampoo. He took it, squeezed some of its contents on his hands before applying it to his hair. He closed his eyes once again as he washed his hair.

<What had caused that? That deep anger, so familiar yet so unknown...> He massaged his scalp, slow strokes trying to relax himself. The scent of the shampoo was intoxicating, a sweet blend of cherry. He inhaled it to distract himself but that attempt was not so successful as he continued his usual internal monologue.

<So tired, perhaps...> He frowned, letting his hands fall to his sides as he allowed the hot water to rinse the suds. <Angry for yet again being ignored, being so distanced from people, so... out of reach...>

He often wondered why that was so as his nature had always been to be solitary and cold, unable to really trust people to become closer to him. But perhaps the truth behind himself was coming back, that particular fact from his childhood. What was it? The fact that he too longed for something? The fact that he was not so strong to live independently?

<Alone, trudging through the years, even now, I still feel this anxiety. This hurt, this pain... A longing deep within my heart. The fact that my memories would not allow me rest. And that even now, I am haunted by my weakness to be like everyone else... The fact that I could not move on and become as strong as I dreamt to be... That and this person that I am today...>

Sapphire eyes opened. Under the spray, Rukawa lifted a hand to smooth back the long bangs that was matted to his face, in front of his eyes. For a moment, he tried to enjoy the shower. It didn't work though - it never did. And sighing to himself, he turned the knob in front of him, ceasing the flow of water. Reaching for the towel located near the tub, he began to dry himself.

Rukawa stepped out of the shower and headed towards his room. Picking a simple black shirt and shorts from the closet, he put them on mechanically, his eyes closing slowly in the process. He was feeling sleepy suddenly, the usual after effects of a hot shower in the night. He shook his head though, determined to get some nourishment into his body. Looking down at his wrist, Rukawa noticed that he was getting too thin, something that could ultimately affect his game play. He had to eat tonight at least, something he was forgetting to do on other nights. Rukawa began to walk towards his kitchen but then paused, remembering something.

Rukawa looked on at his desk and saw his recently bought laptop. He went nearer it and booted it, not being able to resist. It was his new past time - something he had begun to do after buying the laptop and connecting himself to the internet through a local server. It was his other obsession besides basketball - chatting, surfing the internet and email. He'd become attached to it.

Done booting the computer, Rukawa went on to the kitchen to prepare his dinner.

***

The quiet surroundings, the radiation he felt from the screen and his filled stomach... It all contributed to the sleepiness he felt. However, obsession was obsession, and he logged on to the internet despite his body's qualms. The computer dialled and he waited...

The tone dialling was quick and it took no more than one ring and the hum that signified that he had successfully logged on was heard. The window that was for connecting was minimized automatically and his browser was loaded. Rukawa loaded his chat program too, intent to speak his mind now that he wasn't required to reveal who he truly was. The habit of chatting was somewhat helpful for it was sometimes the only time when he expressed himself as someone he was deep inside himself - or just someone he wanted to be. He logged on to a local server and viewed the channels list.

Ryonan, Shohoku, Kainan, Kanagawa-Teens, Teen-Sex...

Rukawa rolled his eyes. Shaking his head and really feeling his sleepiness, he picked up a remote control that was conveniently right beside the laptop. He pressed a button and his stereo was turned on, a local station playing some new music on the airwaves. Radio... It played some cheesy boy band's pop song. He pressed another button and listened instead to techno music. Turning back to his computer, he skimmed more at the channels list.

Shoyo, Gay-Boys, CounterStrikers, Loveless...

Rukawa groaned. Not being able to decide, he closed his eyes and just clicked one of them. When he opened his eyes again, he discovered that he had joined # Kanagawa Clubhouse, something sounding safe and boring. Nevertheless, Rukawa entered the chatroom, looking first at the conversations inside and at the people who were chatting. He noticed that he didn't know any of them. Shrugging, he focused on the conversations...

<Trk> Surely!
<Keikei> Hahaha!
<Ho> You're absolutely right! Hah!
<Trk> Hehehe...
<Slik> LOL

Rukawa frowned in frustration. Now those statement definitely didn't get him out of the dark. He looked down at the the laptop's keys, positioning his fingers before typing...

<Black-cat> What are you guys talking about?
<Jhar> Hahaha!
<Trk> Eh? Talking about something that happened in the warehouse the other night... Something funny...
<Black-cat> What warehouse?
<Trk> You don't know? What are you here for then?

Rukawa raised a brow. For a moment, he considered changing the channel but then stopped himself, wanting to find out about this one first. He had forgotten after all to look at the description of this channel earlier on...

<Black-cat> First time here...
<Ho> Really? Welcome to the club!
<Black-cat> What exactly is this club?
<Trk> Oh, we're just a bunch of high school and college students who hang out at this warehouse sometimes. There's a rave happening there mostly everynight. The place is in downtown Kanagawa, just behind the former postal office. It's an old abandoned warehouse that's been renovated quite a bit...
<Jhar> And it's called "Siren". It plays techno obviously. You should come. The place is really good...
<Black-cat> Oh.
<Trk> Oh? Hey, we long to meet you there!

Rukawa did not type any response for awhile, not really knowing what to say. He was not really one to socialize, not being used to other people. Well, he was used to some people and those were because he was obligated to... or because they were related to something he was passionate about. The only people he really talked to these days were his team-mates in Shohoku, Ayako, his teachers if needed and of course, the person he played with outside school, Sendoh Akira. Since it was the off season and practice was not as often as it used to, he was often playing one on one with Sendoh since they seemed to be the only ones near each other's skill. After all, Maki and the other famous third years had retired...

Sighing to himself, Rukawa looked on at the chatroom again as he ceased his thoughts. They were speaking amongst themselves again, forgetting about him. Typical... He should probably change the room. As he was about to exit the chatroom, a sudden sound was heard besides the music from the radio. A sudden 'ding' was heard from the laptop's speakers and a two way chatroom was opened right before his eyes. It seemed as if someone wanted to talk personally to him...

<Seven> Hello.
<Seven> A/s/l, please...

Seven? Brows frowning, Rukawa decided to humour himself...

<Black-cat> 15/m/here
<Seven> Where's here?
<Black-cat> a/s/l first since I already told you mine...
<Seven> Huh? Ok... 17/m/here =P My birthday was recently...
<Black-cat> Very funny...
<Seven> What? My bday?
<Black-cat> You copying my 'here'...
<Seven> Heh, where's your 'here' anyway?
<Black-cat> Why should I tell you that?
<Seven> Hah, what a funny guy... Anyway, my 'here' is Kanagawa...
<Black-cat> *rolls eyes* We're the same... Everyone's the same... Oh and I'm not funny.
<Seven> Uptight guy... =P You remind me of someone I know.
<Black-cat> And who's that?
<Seven> Why should I tell you? Anyway, I want to confess something...
<Black-cat> What?
<Seven> I lied telling you my sex was m...
<Black-cat> You were really a girl pretending to be a guy? Another of those yaoi freaks...
<Seven> Nah, nothing like that... m should have been b.
<Black-cat> b as in boy?
<Seven> no... b as in bisexual...
<Black-cat> ...
<Seven> Let me guess... you're homophobic...
<Black-cat> Nah... Just that maybe I should change something too...
<Seven> Tell!
<Black-cat> m should be g
<Seven> g as in girl? ;P
<Black-cat> Stupid, as in gay!
<Seven> Hey, don't call me stupid! Anyway, you are? Serious?
<Black-cat> I think I am... I've never been interested in girls so...
<Seven> Know what you mean... ^_^ Sometimes I'm only interested in guys too but most of the time my attention is on girls. I have one major crush on one guy though!
<Black-cat> *rolls eyes* Anyway, humour me... Who is it?
<Seven> Hah, why should I tell you?
<Black-cat> So that we could talk about something? *rolls eyes* Maybe I know him...
<Seven> Alright, I'll give you a hint. He's tall but smaller than me, thin, slender, pale... He's quite a looker.
<Black-cat> That didn't help much. There are about a hundred guys who has that description...
<Seven> Alright, I'll tell you something more specific. He plays basketball.
<Black-cat> Huh? Really? From what high school?
<Seven> Uh, Shohoku...

Rukawa blinked. He looked on up at the description then suddenly realized something. <Wait... Thin, slender, pale...>

<Black-cat> What's his name? I think I know this guy...
<Seven> Name? Er, Kaede-chan...

Rukawa felt indignant at being called that then suddenly his eyes widened as he realized that he was the one being named. Well, that wasn't something new. But there was something peculiar about this one... The fact that he was speaking to one of his admirers and that admirer was actually male... and bisexual too.

<Black-cat> Rukawa Kaede!?!
<Seven> You know him?
<Black-cat> Uhm... doesn't everyone?
<Seven> You're perceptive! I like you! Anyway, isn't he sooooo good looking? Beautiful for a male. I think I'm getting obsessed by him...
<Black-cat> Er... are you from Shohoku too?
<Seven> Won't tell... =P How about you? Are you? Do you also have a crush on Kaede-chan?
<Black-cat> Kaede-chan? Er, he's not my type. Too quiet or something. And no, I'm not from Shohoku.
<Seven> Kaede-chan may be quiet but I think there's a reason behind it. He's so mysterious yet I plan to unlock his secrets one day. I think he has some deep, hidden secret. I want to be there to comfort him one day! ^_~
<Black-cat> Right... Do you know him personally?
<Seven> Why should I tell you? ^o^
<Black-cat> *rolls eyes*
<Seven> Alright, so I know him somewhat. I also play basketball...
<Black-cat> A teammate of his'? A player from another high school?
<Seven> Heh, why so interested about my secret crush? We should talk about you now!
<Black-cat> About me...
<Seven> Yup, for starters, what school are you from?
<Black-cat> Uh... Ryonan...
<Seven> Ryonan, eh? You must know the basketball stars of Ryonan then. Fukuda, Koshino, the handsome Sendoh...
<Black-cat> Uh, yeah, I know them...
<Seven> I must've met you before since I've been to Ryonan quite a few times.
<Black-cat> What high school do you go to?
<Seven> That's a secret! ^_~
<Black-cat> No fair!
<Seven> Heh, I have the right to remain silent...
<Black-cat> *growls*
<Seven> I'm scared, so scared...
<Black-cat> *rolls eyes*
<Seven> Heh... anyway, let's talk about something else. Uh... so, you're gay, huh? Did you come out yet?
<Black-cat> Come out? Uh, no...
<Seven> Why not? Scared?
<Black-cat> Nah, there's just no one to come out to. If there's someone, it'll be the whole school. That's not an option.
<Seven> Really? Why's that?
<Black-cat> I... live alone. No parents, no family, no friends.
<Seven> ...You have me as a friend now! And you just came out to me! ^_~
<Black-cat> *sarcastic* Really...
<Seven> Of course really! *laughs* ...Anyway, you've got a boyfriend?
<Black-cat> None.
<Seven> Wanna hook up with me? We could do a one night stand...
<Black-cat> Pervert! *glare*
<Seven> Hehehe... So does that mean you're still a virgin?
<Black-cat> ...
<Seven> Heh... So, you are aren't you? Saving yourself for the right person?
<Black-cat> ...
<Seven> Don't want to talk about it huh? I bet you're blushing right now...
<Black-cat> Am not... Anyway, I think you're a virgin!
<Seven> I'm not. ^_^ So many girls already but no boys yet... I want Kaede-chan to be my first one...

Rukawa felt himself blushing but he ignored it, knowing that it would not happen. He wondered though who 'Seven' was. Perhaps he should start looking tomorrow. Maybe it's one of those other Shohoku team members who are not so superior in basketball. Hell, it could be Mitsui, Ryota, Akagi or Sakuragi! Or Sendoh, or Nobunga, or Jin or any other random player. It could be anyone!

<Seven> Suddenly silent... I think you're thinking. Hey, what if you're Kaede-chan?
<Black-cat> I'm not...
<Seven> If ever you are then... You're so hot, man! I just want to taste you all over!
<Black-cat> *indignant* I'm not!
<Seven> No need to be so squirmish... Oh yeah, you're a virgin. You're probably blushing all over now. ^o^
<Black-cat> *frown* I'm not.
<Seven> Heh, I've got a good question for you.
<Black-cat> What?
<Seven> When you have sex, what'll you want to be?
<Black-cat> Huh?
<Seven> Top or bottom?
<Black-cat> ??
<Seven> You really are naive... I meant, you want to be the one to fuck or be fucked?
<Black-cat> You're vulgar... Anyway, I haven't really thought about it.
<Seven> Well, I'm top always. Since that's what I'm used to and I just can't imagine myself getting screwed in the ass... Though, some say that there's some pleasure in being bottom.
<Black-cat> Maybe I'll be bottom... Not sure...
<Seven> Heh, you the girly type?
<Black-cat> Nah... just want the... attention...
<Seven> Heh, makes sense.
<Black-cat> Huh?
<Seven> You told me you were alone, didn't you? No family, friends... To have someone fussing at you and being dominant over you makes sense. You want to be loved. You want someone to make love to you.
<Black-cat> Maybe... You're perceptive. You remind me of someone I know.
<Seven> Heh, that's funny because you also remind me of someone I know. Maybe we've already met before. Then again, maybe we actually know each other personally. You're from Ryonan after all and I know lots of people from Ryonan.
<Black-cat> Yeah, maybe...
<Seven> Oh wait... Oh damn. Look at the time! I've gotta go now but it's been interesting to talk to you. We've got lots of things in common. Wanna chat again?
<Black-cat> I don't mind...
<Seven> Here's my email address: SevenFishes@kanagawa-teens.jp
<Black-cat> Right.. I guess I should call it a night too. I'm damn sleepy.
<Seven> What's your email address?
<Black-cat> BlackAngel@kanagawa.jp
<Seven> Cool addy! You must look like an angel...
<Black-cat> *shrug*
<Seven> Heh, you intrigue me. Let's talk again tomorrow. Same time, same place if you're available. If not, another day. Bye!
*Seven logged off*

Rukawa yawned, stretching his arms as if to help him wake. He was too sleepy though even to think of his interesting chat mate and the fact that that chat mate was a basketball player and had a major crush on him. Tomorrow, he would think about all that. By now though...

Barely able to keep awake, Rukawa logged off the internet. Done with that, he stood groggily and moved closer to his bed. He dropped to the mattress, closing his eyes. He hadn't even closed the light or turn his laptop off but... He was so sleepy...

In no time at all, Rukawa fell asleep.

***

Starlight twinkled, the moon shined. Silver crescent and a million different dots in the black velvet sky. Rippling like waves, clouds moved over as if caused by wind to cover the sterling moon. Suddenly, the calming ambience turned to darkness and for a moment, everything was still.

Sendoh watched the change in the sky from his chair inside his room before stretching and standing. Doing a few bends to the side and shaking of his hands, he decided to go out to the kitchen and get himself a drink before sleeping. Out his room and downstairs... He was made to pause by his elder sister's voice.

"Akira, you're still awake? Ten o'clock and you wake up so early to train. Bad for health." She was in the kitchen. When Sendoh entered, she saw her making a late night snack that comprised of vanilla ice cream and a banana.

"'Neechan, isn't it a bit too late for something like that to eat? Calories... Bad for health." He grinned at his sister along with the joke. He received a frown then a rolling of the eyes then a barely restrained grin of her own. And suddenly she laughed softly, causing him to echo her own reaction.

"Akira, Akira..." She shook her head. "By the way, did you disconnect the phone already? You know Mom and Dad are going to call to check on us tonight."

"Yeah, I disconnected... I nearly forgot. There's some interesting guy who I was chatting with."

She just shook her head amusedly at him. "With your personality, everyone is interesting."

"You're probably right..." Sendoh laughed, going over to the cabinet to get a glass. After that, he went on to the refrigerator to fill his glass with cold water.

"So, Akira... who were you chatting with again?"

"Some guy... Younger than me and acting a bit like a wet blanket. Reminds me of someone I know actually."

"A guy..." She grinned. "You've been doing dirty things, haven't you?"

Already drinking the water, Sendoh spluttered his drink. "'Neechan!"

"Ah well..." She just laughed. "By the way, lots of girls were calling earlier on. Looking for their Sendoh-senpai again..."

"Fans..." Sendoh rolled his eyes, not being able to help it. "They're always stalking me. I guess it's time to request another number again, right 'Neechan?" He drank his water to the last drop before placing the used glass to the sink. "Well, anyway, I gotta go sleep now. Another big day, I guess."

"Alright. Good night, ototo."

"You too, 'neechan."

That night, he stared silently at the ceiling of his room, thinking to himself. He watched the small cracks that contributed to the design of the ceiling but did not really pay heed. His mind was curious about that person he had just chatted with earlier on. It was as if they've met before or at least know each other. Perhaps tomorrow he'd try to be more perceptive about his school mates in Ryonan. The guy seemed to be from his school too. Then again, that could be a lie and he could just be anyone he knew outside of school.

Sendoh smiled. Anyway, he revealed the one male person he admired to that mystery chatter. Rukawa Kaede from Shohoku High. Someone he often played with and he often tried to provoke with simple gestures. Perhaps tomorrow he would try harder to provoke him, just to see his reaction. He loved it when he made the younger boy react. It was like doing the impossible... And he always loved challenges. Rukawa had always been a challenge as well as a good point of aesthetics. He'd always admired the younger boy's beauty - something Rukawa never paid attention to, and something that gained Rukawa his large base of female fans. He'd certainly become a fan of him because of that too.

Yawning, Sendoh turned to his side and watched as the moonlight poured in through his room's window.

With that last thought, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

E-Mail Crystal!

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