The gym was abuzz with excitement. Everyone who has been watching the game for the past 5 minutes saw without a doubt that Shohoku was living up to their name of the team who has risen up from anonymity to the one who had beaten Sannoh in the IH championship last term.
And now they were neck to neck with Ryonan High that is led by the indisputable star and captain of the team, Akira Sendoh.
At that moment, Rukawa went head to head with Sendoh, enjoying the rush he gets when playing with one of the top highschool basketball players in Japan. The only thing marring the brunette's enjoyment of the game was the redheaded do'aho, making a ruckus beside him with insults and petty complaints. As before, Anzai-sensei ordered them to pair up to go against Sendoh and although he'd rather be pitted against Sendoh one-to-one, Rukawa grudgingly accepted the fact that in this game that demanded teamwork, Sakuragi proved to be a valuable partner. Not that the brunette would admit it out loud.

Forcing his attention back to Sendoh, Rukawa growled under his breath at the smiling face of his rival. The only time the brunette saw Sendoh not smile was during their first practice game with each other's team and that was when he was being paired off with Sakuragi for the first time. Rukawa wanted to do that again, to relish the break of composure on that ever smiling Ryonan boy's face but this time by his own efforts, and not with the help of the redheaded monkey.

A vein pulsed on Rukawa's forehead as he was listening to the annoying voice of Sakuragi who was threatening him bodily harm if he lost the ball, when suddenly the ball was slapped from his grasp and he stared at Sendoh, surprised to see the smiley baka holding the ball in his own hands. Sendoh has indeed gotten quicker and smarter than when they last played with him. A small flicker of admiration passed through the fox-eyed brunette's subconcious and at that same moment willing himself to not turn to the redhead to kick him down for still yelling at him like an angry fisherman's wife.

As he was busy holding up his part of the defense as well as calculating a plan to get back the ball, a loud bang suddenly resounded in the gym and everyone screamed or shrieked in fright. The players on court instantly stopped their game and their attention immedietly turned towards the scoreboard where a plume of coloured smoke emerged from each side. As people began thinking that something has happened to the board, a roll of cloth suddenly unfurled itself from on top of it, fully covering the scores and as they stared at what has been unfolded, silence reigns in the gym. Suddenly, a snicker was heard, and then a guffaw. Before long, the gym erupted in laughter, punctuated by wolf whistles, catcalls and lewd words.

A big grin spread across Sendoh's face as he looked at the big banner high up on the board. When he heard a choke from behind, he turned to see Sakuragi's red face turning rapidly blue under the scrutiny of the Shohoku players.

"Stupid Noor and her stupid ideas! Of all the crazy things she's done to me..." the redhead was grumbling to no one in particular.

The Ryonan team manager, Hikoichi Aida, punched his fist on his palm in agitation. "Of course! I forgot that it's today! AH!! Forgive me Sendoh-sempai!"

Coach Taoka groaned while the Shohoku coach laughed his trademarked laugh.

Sendoh was still smiling as he turned around back to gaze at what has disrupted the game. A delighted blush rose to his cheeks.
"Kirei..." he breathed, pleased at the surprise.

On the pale blue banner was a picture of Sendoh and Sakuragi, snatched from one of their quiet intimate moments where the redhead Shohoku player was lying draped half across Sendoh's chest while the two lay down on what seemed to be a bed covered by soft white cotton sheets. Their clothes were loose and half open, leaving the hentai minds to their imaginations as to what the two had been doing before that scene had taken place.

At the bottom of the banner were the words "Happy SenHana Day 2002!! Love, Akiyo, SenHana no seishi ^_^ V"

Everyone who knew how bad it was to be the subject of Noor's ostentatious displays of worship (actually, no one knew it better than Sakuragi himself) felt sorry for the redhead. As the Shohoku powerforward continued grumbling about the injustice done to his life, a husky voice brushed against his ear, making him startle in surprise.

"I think it's suffice to say that the game is over and that we should celebrate our day with some time for ourselves," Sendoh purred. Sakuragi would've immedietly jumped away if not for the strong arms wrapped around his waist.

"W-What??! The game is not over!" sputtered Hanamichi, pushing himself futiley against the set brunette.

"I think it is," persisted Sendoh before turning towards the other half of Shohoku's golden pair, "Wouldn't you think so, Rukawa?"

Rukawa shrugged carelessly. "The score is gone. The game is over."

"See?" Sendoh grinned and proceeded to drag the embarrassed redhead out of the court for some needed intimate moments like the one presented by the banner. But this time, preferrably the
loud-and-vocal-with-sheets-clutched-in-trembling-knuckles kind of intimate moments.

Miyagi, the captain of the Shohoku team shook his head while Koshino, Sendoh's assistant, sighed, echoing the Shohoku guard's helplessness.

"It only happens once a year, Miyagi-san," Koshino said placatingly, patting the boy on the shoulder.

"Thank God for that," Miyagi sighed wryly.


~The End

Ru: This is just for today, right?

Noor: Right ^_^ V

Ru: *glare* ..... I don't trust you....

Noor: Duly noted ^_^;;; V