AN: New story and new fandom! Obviously Slam Dunk is not mine. The titles are from SD soundtrack.

Summary: Gorgeous Rukawa becomes slightly obsessed with one peculiar redhead. The story is going to have three parts:

PART ONE: To the King's departure is today (when they're about 26 and Sakuragi is in NBA), then

PART TWO: On the rebound road is going to be about what had happened when they were in Shohoku and then

PART THREE: Till the end of the world - back to the present and future

SET MY EYES ONLY ON YOU

(Anata dake mitsumete'ru)

PART ONE: To the King's departure

Chapter 1

The interview was about to start so Kaede made himself comfortable in front of his TV. He only ever turned the thing on to watch Sakuragi's games or interviews. He'd never missed even a single one. Watching him play was for Kaede almost like masturbation. Often it was a prelude to do exactly that but just watching was almost as good. Or sometimes even better.

Rukawa stayed in Japan and took over his father's company, while Sakuragi grew even taller and had been taken to America, shocking the NBA with his...well... actual talent.

The commercials ended and the programme started. At first there was only a woman speaking about Sakuragi and his career, and then... there was him.

As always, his one look was enough to take Kaede's breath away, one smile to bring him to his knees.

"Hello, Hanamichi. You have no idea how happy I am that I can make this interview with you."

Hanamichi... She used his first name. Kaede hated it. He knew it was normal for the Western people to address each other so casually but... He would give everything to be able to call him that...

Sakuragi was laughing and smiling, answering many questions that were usually asked in almost every interview. But then, something was different. Sakuragi was about to break some news.

"...so, yeah. My contract ends within a month and I decided to go back to Japan."

Apparently the woman wasn't prepared to hear that. No one was. Kaede certainly wasn't.

"W-why?"

Hanamichi chuckled and rubbed the back of his red head.

"I... I don't know. I don't even really know why I came here in the first place. I mean... I've gotten an offer and I accepted it. I played basketball and met strong opponents... It was fun. But now my friend called and..."

"A friend?"

"Yes, my friend Akira. We're going to open a sport centre with a hotel together. It will be awesome!"

"B-but... what about the basketball?"

"I'm not going to stop playing. I like playing. Maybe we'll start teaching or something..."

"We? That friend of yours...?"

"Yes. Akira Sendoh. He's a great player but he always preferred fishing... So the hotel is going to be on the coast. That's an objective."

"So... You're going to leave NBA for your childhood friend?"

"He's not my childhood friend. I've met him in high school, when I started playing."

"But, don't you think it's a hasty decision?"

"Um... no. I think agreeing to come here was, though. I mean... I have a great time here, but it's not like I planned it. I'm not good at planning so I like when people do it for me. Akira planned something for me in Japan so..."

"Just like that?"

Sakuragi shrugged. He looked genuinely confused with her reaction.

"You're going to end your career before it even had a chance to properly start?"

He chuckled. The sound made Kaede shiver pleasantly. He let his fingers brush through his black hair as he felt his cheeks heating up. Sakuragi was coming back.

"It's not like that. I just... want to go back. I received many offers here in US, but they all don't understand that they can't buy this tensai Sakuragi... ha ha ha."

"You really are going to go back aren't you?"

" Yes."

"And nothing can change your decision?"

"I don't think so. I already agreed when Akira called, so..."

"You mean, he called, asked and you've agreed... just like that?"

"Yes. I was always like that. That's how I started playing. That's how I agreed to come here..."

"You're crazy."

"I'm not."

"SO...it's one of your last appearances on our continent?"

"Yes, I guess it is."

"Then... I must make the best of it. Tell us then, how did you start playing basketball?"

Sakuragi leaned his back more on the backrest of the Coach stretching his ridiculously long legs in front of him, and putting his left foot on the right knee. He looked marvellous. Kaede loved to look at him. Not just now, when Sakuragi was always dressed in such a classy clothes, but also before. Even when the idiot was wearing wabaki with old stretched out T-shirt, he still looked good. At least for Rukawa.

"Honestly... It was kind of by accident... I mean, there was this girl in my junior high..."

"Ha! There's always a girl."

"Well then I should start with saying that there were 50 girls… The one I'm talking about was the 50th I asked out and 50th that refused me."

"Oh my God! You're kidding, right?""

"No, seriously. To say that I wasn't very popular would be an understatement... Anyway she had a crush on the guy from the basketball team. So, I kind of started to hate that game not even knowing what it is really. Then I started high school and met the first girl that was actually nice to me. And you know why she was nice? Because I was tall enough to play basketball."

The reporter laughed and leaned closer to Sakuragi. She looked like she wanted to move onto his laps but the idiot was ignoring her. Few years ago he would blush and laugh dumbly but now he seemed completely oblivious of the woman's interest.

"Of course. Seems like you've been cursed with basketball from the start. What did you do?"

"What do you think? I shrugged and let her to put me on the list of school club members."

"So, you started to play for your first girlfriend?"

"No! She was never my girlfriend. She liked another guy from our team. Actually, every girl in our school liked him. And they all totally loathed me."

The woman laughed again. "I can't believe it! They must hate themselves now."

"No, I don't think so. They didn't care about basketball. They liked him, because he was pretty."

"And look who's talking! Your dashingly handsome!"

"Right. You don't really expect me to believe that they want me in commercials for my looks! They want me because I'm a tensai basketball player! But it's alright. I'm a guy. I don't have to be pretty..." Rukawa clenched his fists.

- Dou ahou. You're everyone's wet dream come true... always were.

Sakuragi continued, ignoring the reporter's protests. "Still, he was pretty and he had that... aura of superiority that seemed to be girls magnet. I mean, Haruko was different because she actually liked basketball. Her brother was the Captain of our team. He put a lot of work to teach me basics and even though he treated me kind of like a punching bag, I am really grateful to him."

"So you started to play because you wanted to be more popular with girls?"

"Kind of... yeah. I think you can say that."

"Did it help?"

"No. Nothing helped. No matter what I did, I was always the redhead monkey or the red monk."

"A...ha ha ha... a monk?"

„Yea, after losing one of our games, I shaved my head to apologise."

"Was it your fault that you've lost?"

"Definitely."

Rukawa snorted and stopped himself from punching the screen.

- Dou ahou.

"How did you look without your gorgeous hair?"

- Like sex on legs…

"Awful. People were rolling on the floor laughing to tears. But… it was the punishment I put upon myself."

"I can't believe you were not popular. It's just... unbelievable."

"Not really. But I had friends, my little Guntai... though they were the ones that laughed the most."

"Guntai? What does it mean?"

Sakuragi laughed.

"My gundan, my army. My gang. People were actually really afraid of us. Maybe also because of my best friend... I swear that for years I had no idea he was the heir of yakuza... And he was a part of my Guntai... When I started to play basketball they made fun of me all the time and were even placing bets on how fast I would be fauled out of the game! But when we had an important game in Hiroshima they worked through the summer vacation to pay for tickets and cheer for our team."

"Tell me more about your first team."

"They were great. Perfect. Our captain – Gori – was violent, but I guess that worked for me just fine. Mit-chi never missed a three pointer and Ryo-chin was our brilliant point guard. All five us – main players – were very individualistic, trying to prove to one another who is the best. My rivalry with our pretty boy Ace shooter was legendary. Of course, the whole school hated me for that."

"So you didn't like each other?"

"It's not that I didn't like him, though I'm sure he hated my guts, but... we fought a lot. He taunted me and I was more that eager to take the bait every time and punch him."

"Punch?"

"Yea... I was kind of... a troublemaker."

"Sexy."

"No, it was troublesome, for the team and for everyone really. We refused to pass the ball to one another and it affected our games and teamwork. We were kind of stupid like that."

"So, was he really that pretty?"

"Gorgeous."

Hearing this Rukawa choked on air.

"Hmm... Interesting. It was the one that all girls loved so much?"

"Yea. Those crazy, rabid fan-girls were my worst nightmare. They followed me around, throwing things at me, calling me names and shit... Crazy. And it was getting worse with each passing month."

"Why you of all people?"

"At first it was because... because I was their idol's rival. He was really talented and even though he was definitely not the nicest person to be around, everybody liked him: the girls, Captain's sister and the team... (At least until he told us that he wouldn't pass to us because we're moving like stones. That pissed them off.) While I was mostly a burden for everyone. I guess I was really jealous and tried to make things difficult for him."

"He sounds like an asshole."

"He kind of was, but... when I was about to crack he was always there to say or do something that would put me back onto my feet. Every damn time, it was that fox. Of course, I pretended that I don't give a shit about his boring lectures and what he thinks in general, but in reality, the things he said always worked. I guess, even if I started to play for some stupid reason, I definitely kept on playing because of him. I tried to prove myself in his eyes."

"Sounds serious."

"Maybe... I think he was my first love."

"Oh my... really? So you joined his fan club in the end?"

That made Sakuragi laugh his ass off, while Rukawa just listened with his heart hammering in his chest faster with every beat.

"Damn, those girls would lynch me had they known I was after their precious kitsune."

"So was he your first boyfriend or the 51st person that rejected you?"

"Neither actually. I'd rather eat my own basketball shoes than confess to that foxy bastard. On optimistic days maybe he would just punch me, but I'm pretty sure he would also make fun of me and did everything he could to make my life miserable."

"How do you know, if you didn't confess? Maybe he liked you back."

"Oh, I know. He couldn't stand me since the day one. It took me months to make him at least tolerate me."

"You know this interview is live, right?"

Sakuragi frowned. "So?"

"So, now he knows."

"Arienai... There's no way in hell he would watch an interview with me and even if he tried that narcoleptic bastard would be fast asleep after you've said 'hello'."

"Then someone else may tell him."

"He wouldn't care anyway and it's not like he can make my life miserable now. I'm not a kid anymore and people know I also like guys. I'm not just a clown anymore."

"So, your team though of you as a clown?"

"Yea... I liked to think of myself as their mascot, but that's just a wishful thinking. But, except for our gorgeous Ace, they didn't really hate me. They worked hard to help me improve. They stayed up late to train me. I was always worried that they would get in trouble with their parents but they still did it anyway."

"And what about you. Didn't you get in trouble with your parents?"

"I didn't have parents. I often stayed in the gym up late or even stayed until morning when I was tired after cleaning up."

"They made you clean the gym?"

"Now you make me sound like Cindirella or something. Since I stayed it was obvious that I should clean up. Here people don't think like that, don't think about their responsibilities so much... it's different in Japan. I didn't mind the cleaning. All first years had to do it. But I still hated washing the balls. It was a pain."

"I can imagine. So you had no parents? What happened to them? Where did you live?"

"In the same apartment I lived with my father before he died. One day, when I was still in junior high four thugs didn't like my hair. I beat the crap out of them. When I got home I found my father writhing in pain on the floor. We didn't have a phone so I ran out to call help. Those guys were back, this time with four others. When I reached the phone it was already too late."

"Oh my God... I don't know what to say..."

"Hey, it was long time ago. So anyway I lived alone ever since. The money I got for food were nothing special but I didn't need more. Not until I started playing basketball that is. My friend warned me that doing sports costs money. I didn't get what he meant until my gym shoes fell apart after the game and I realised that other guys didn't play in their gym shoes. They had different shoes specifically to play basketball. I didn't really notice earlier. And Japanese school shoes are really crappy. They're nothing like the real sport shoes. I couldn't afford to buy shoes like that, but... I was lucky and the guy from the shop gave them to me... I still visit him at least once a year. I swear, now his shop looks like Sakuragi temple... The guy is crazy. He probably watches this, so let me…. CHIEKO-SAN! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING! I still only get my shoes from him, though now I'm able to pay him properly."

Sakuragi grinned and waved at the screen, greeting the shoe salesman and advertising his Chieko Sports shop for all he was worth. Rukawa couldn't help but smile, but deep in his heart he was sad. For all this time, being in the same team as Sakuragi, he knew practically nothing about his redhead crush. He was an orphan and nothing in his life came easily, but he still pressed on... and pushed forward. He was amazing. And he was coming back to Japan.

"Tell me then, who else supported you as a player?"

"Coach Anzai. That man... he was incredible. Somehow, he just knew that I may be worth something and tried to make me better. Now that I look back at it, he played favourites. He trained me himself, aside from the team. It's something I could've never afford since I've had no money, but he still did it. He made the basketball player out of me. I'm glad I didn't disappoint him."

"And the man is a legend for the basketball world. He believed in you."

"Yea. Mit-chi was jealous of him."

"Who? The pretty boy?"

"No. Mitsui was our 3-point shooter. He knew Anzai-sensei since few years back and ... there was some serious hero worship going on. We've had really strong players in our team back then. Only I was a novice. I didn't know the rules and constantly made mistakes... but I did my best and I have no regrets about it."

"No regrets? Not even about the confession?"

"And you're at it again? ...women... No. I didn't confess because it was pointless. I told you, I was a clown. I couldn't cross the hallway without someone throwing something at me. I still remember our game with Takezona. We've just entered and the crowd started to roar with the red monkey bashing... It wasn't nice. And the fox – he had his own cheerleaders! He was perfect and he was the hope of our school, our region and the whole country even. He was talented, popular and pretty. And everybody liked him. I was awkward and funny. All I could really do was fight and that only scared people even more. It would be pitiful. He had no reason to like me. He couldn't even stand me, because I was loud and just... hopeless."

"When did you start liking him instead of the captain's sister?"

"I don't know. I think noticed for the first time before our game with Shoyo. I came to the gym in the evening and saw him train. He was brilliant and so fucking beautiful it scared me. So I lashed out, shouted at him and ran away like a total brat. But I really accepted it for what it was during our game with Sannoh, the one when I hurt my back. I watched him play from a bench and couldn't take my eyes off of him. We played and even passed the ball to each other... And I think we were already starting to get along back then…"

"Did your team know about your crush?"

"I don't think so, though Mit-chi said something once or twice that made me think that he may suspect something. But maybe I was just paranoid. Coach Anzai knew and he didn't mind. I think he hoped that it would help us work together and he was kind of right, as always."

"Did he encourage you?"

"Yes. He loved to drop those not very subtle hints that he seriously pulled out of his ass every time the fox was in sight... It pissed me off."

"Care to give an example?"

Sakuragi tousled with his hair with unhidden frustration. The subject clearly made him uneasy but he was too honest and straightforward to avoid it.

"Like... Miyagi-kun, don't bother. You know he only ever speaks to Sakuragi-kun, right? "

"Was that pretty boy really such a boar?"

"I don't know. Guys often joked he was mute but I can't say that about him. No way."

"Maybe he really did speak only to you."

"And only because he knew it pisses me off."

"Did he have a girlfriend?"

"No, no one was ever good enough for him to even spare a glance. That arrogant ice-prince was really full of himself you know... or maybe he just didn't care about anything but basketball."

"I have some pictures of your team here. Let's look at them."

"NO! Don't show it... no... please."

"Come on, Hanamichi. Look. This one is good."

The huge plasma screen in Rukawa's room was suddenly filled with the picture of Shoukoku basketball team.

"Oh my. I still can't believe you were not popular. You look so hot with this short hair. And you were a hunk even when you were... what 15?"

"Thanks but I really don't want to look at those pictures."

"And this must be your pretty boy. He's cute. And look. He's looking at you. All of you look straight forward but he is looking at your face."

"He's glaring. It's not the same."

"He's not glaring! He's looking and smiling. Look, on this picture too."

"Ok, that's bull. It sounds like Anzai-sensei's fantasies. Baka kitsune doesn't do smiles when a camera is anywhere hear him."

"Ha ha. Apparently he does when he looks at a certain red head genius."

"It's not funny. Don't do that. Don't spew nonsense about him."

"Aw, how cute. You still care about him, don't you."

"Of course. Maybe we weren't best of friends but he was still my teammate and we did work our misunderstandings out. I'll always care for all of them."

"Misunderstandings?"

"Ok, maybe it was my fault that we fought so much. I was jealous of Gori's sister. When I stopped we started to get along. As much as you can get along with Rukawa Kaede that is..."

"So, which one of those guys is the spiritus movens of you leaving us so soon?"

"None. Akira wasn't in our team. He was in Ryonan. My first game was against them."

"And still you managed to become friends?"

"Sure. I'm friends with Maki and Kyota from Kainan too and Rango…. And many others. Playing against them was a challenge but also a pleasure."

"Ach, Maki. I know this name from All Japan."

"Sure. He's good."

"How did you become friends?"

"How? Ummm... I guess after I've met him one day and he... he just took me to Osaka to watch a game. He actually paid for my shinkansen tickets and for food. How could I not become his friend, right?"

"Ha ha ha... so your new business partner doesn't play basketball anymore?"

"He does. With me at least. "

"And what about that girl – your captain's sister?"

"She confessed to me during our second year."

"Wow. What did you do?"

"I scratched my head, smiled stupidly and said she deserved better. She believed me and now she's about to marry my friend."

"Wow, so, do you have someone special in your life right now?"

"Why? Are you proposing?"

"Sure!"

Sakuragi just laughed.

"Our time is almost up so one last question: What is the first thing you will do after coming back?"

"Definitely go to Uozumi's restaurant to eat!"

Tsuzuku.

Next chapter is about the past..