Tsuki walked leisurely along the paved pathway of the national sports centre.  Looking up, masses of sakuras in pink and white were dancing to the gentle spring breeze.  Petals of the beautiful bloom can be seen swirling in the air creating a picturesque scene.  She stopped in her tracks to admire the scene she'd missed so much when she was away.  It had been six years since she last saw the sakuras in full bloom.  She'd finally achieved the goals she set out to accomplish.  She now worked as a freelance computer software designer and analyst for a few well known computer companies throughout the world, and she'd just been offered a place as a professor at the University of Kanagawa.

Things sure have changed over the years.  Hanamichi married Senko a couple of years ago, and Ayako was now pregnant with her and Miyagi's second child.  Ayako's the manageress of the national team although her hubby had left basketball and went into the family business.  Ex-players from the four schools famous for their basketball achievements in Kanagawa were now members of the national team, and or being very successful in their own fields of expertise.  These were all told to Tsuki by Haruko through their frequent emailing.  Haruko herself was now engaged to someone she met when she studied in the University of Kyoto.  His name was Sakamura Mosuke, an architect.  Her cousin Kenji and close friends Maki, Hanagata and Sendoh had also found their true love, but she didn't know the lucky ladies or gentlemen yet.  Haruko had also told her that Mitsui and Kogure finally tied the knot after years of begging from Mitsui.  (*grins* :P)

She looked up ahead at her target destination, the training centre that was built specifically for the national basketball team.  She smiled and continued her walk.  The glass doors opened and she was greeted by familiar faces that were marked with surprise.  One of the individuals inside, a female who was very pregnant rushed over and hugged her dearly.

"You're finally back."  The curly haired woman said in a soft happy tone.

Tsuki nodded as she returned her sempai's hug.  "Hai, Ayako sempai, and it's so nice to see you and everyone else again."

Pulling away from each other, Ayako and Tsuki smiled at each other.  Tsuki turned to look at everyone who was there, old and new faces could be seen.  She nodded at everyone she knew as a gesture of saying hi, and those who knew her either nodded back or waved at her in acknowledgement.  She then went over to one brown haired, blue eyed man.

"I've missed you Kenji-nii chan."  She said as he hugged Kenji.

Kenji returned her hug.  "So have I, so have we."  He said happily as he hugged his cousin whom he'd missed dearly for the past few years.

After Kenji released her from his hug, he pointed to one corner at the opposite end of the courts.  A raven haired, ivory skinned male was sitting on the floor, dozing, with his left hand leaning on his crooked left knee.  His head drooping while he snoozed.  Tsuki's eyes sparkled brightly at the sight and her blue orbs softened as emotions overwhelmed her senses.  He's still hanging onto this bad habit of his.

She walked over to the sleeping male quietly as others watch.  Maki, Sendoh, and other old friends of theirs smiled happily for them.  She bent over and brushed away the strands of raven locks that covered the face of her love.  The figure stirred and a clenched fist flew in her direction (can't believe that he still does that after all these years right?  *sigh* some things just don't change… ^_^;).  She grabbed that flying fist and held it firmly in her soft hands.

"No one disturbs …"  The sleeping figure opened his eyes when his fist was held by the soft yet firm gripping hands and stopped what he was saying.  His eyes bulged in disbelief.  He even used his free hand to rub his eyes to make sure that he wasn't seeing things and what he saw wasn't a figment of his imagination.

"You're not dreaming Kae-chan."  Tsuki smiled at his childlike behaviour.

Kaede pulled Tsuki into a tight embrace and nuzzled his face into her long brown hair.  "You've finally came back to me."

Nodding her head as she took in his soft musky scent.  "I've missed you my love.  I've missed you so much."

"I know.  I have missed you too, my angle."  He whispered huskily.  His voice was choked with emotions, and most of all, relief.

No more words were needed.  They held each other tightly, ignoring the stares and wops of joy surrounding them.

Those who did not know Tsuki were looking at the pair of love birds in bewilderment.

"Who's that girl?"  "She blocked Kaede sempai's punch, sugoi…"  "She's the prettiest girl I've seen in my life, who's she?!"  "What's their relationship?!"  "The Ice Prince has a girl?  Since when?"  ……  These were the type of questions thrown about by those who didn't know of Tsuki and Kaede's relationship.

"Ahem!  Excuse me, but do you mind stopping what you're doing and continue it when you get home?"  A boisterous voice rang above Tsuki and Kaede.

The pair separated and stood up to face the annoying person who'd disturb their magical moment.  Kaede was frowning and glaring icicles at the person, but Tsuki smiled at him jovially.

"Do'aho."  Kaede blurted.

"Teme kitsune!"  Hanamichi held up a clenched fist at Kaede.

It was just like the good old days back in Shohoku High as the two started one of their staring contests again while everyone sweat-dropped.

A third voice quickly called out to settle the familiar dispute between the two ex-Shohoku players.

"Ma, ma, please stop this unnecessary bickering, Rukawa-kun, Sakuragi-kun."  The gentle voice of the newly appointed physiotherapist of the national team, who was also the ex-vice captain of Shohoku, Kogure said desperately, worrying that the two star players of their team would start on of their fist fights.

The glaring between the aka ozaru and the kitsune continued for a moment, and then both burst into a laughing fit.  As usual, large drops of sweat hung from everyone's temple.  The two arch-rivals had become close friends after being engaged to their true loves, so it was quite rare to see them argue like they used to.  It was quite a warm scene as it brought back old memories.

Both males in the centre of the commotion suddenly stopped laughing and cried.  "ITAI!!"  Two bumps were freshly conjured by Ayako's infamous paper fan, one on each guy's head smoking away.

Tsuki and everyone who'd known the two since high school broke into laughter.  Just like the good old days…

What followed was Kaede staring daggers at Ayako while Hanamichi pulled his innocent puppy eyes at Ayako, asking her what he'd done wrong to deserve this.

Tsuki recomposed herself as she looked on at the situation with a smile curving her lips.  She could still how close she was to losing the person she loved with her heart and soul six years ago…

Six years ago…

When Kaede was hit by that car, she'd nearly gone into another mental breakdown.  But she pulled through the ordeal as her family and friends were there to support her as she waited outside the emergency room.  She collapsed after twenty bleak hours of waiting when the doctors announced that her fiancé's condition had stabilized because she was drained mentally and physically. 

Kaede went through a few more operations after the emergency rescue, and she stay with him through all of them.  His path to recovery was a long one since he had server internal bleeding and the majority of the bones in his limbs were shattered by force of the accident.  Tsuki had deferred her study plans in the UK for a year to stay with him while he went through strenuous physiotherapy sessions, giving him support by means of her love.  Kaede had disagreed with this arrangement, but caved-in to her tears.

Therefore, seeing him standing beside her now was the best sight she'd seen in her entire life.  She's grateful for what she had now and will always treasure every single moments of it.  She could see a future before them, a future which had Kaede by her side.

Kaede looked at her just as she looked up at him.  They smiled at each other. 

"Tadaima."  Tsuki said as she looked into the tender eyes of her love.

"Okaeri."  Kaede replied tenderly.

Tsuki tipped her toes as Kaede lowered his head.  Their lips touched as their eyes closed …

~*~*~*~          OWARI          ~*~*~*~