Here it is, my recent and *first* attempt at an SD fic, not to mention this is also the first time I'm going to work with a Rukawa + OC pairing AND a het pairing at that.

-- Fanfiction -

Title: Infinity
Series: Slam Dunk
Standard disclaimers apply.

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Prologue: "A promise left unsaid"

There was a distinct sound to the way one of the swings was moving up and down, its rhythm going from the usual creak, creak, creak to that of a more severe one. The girl seated on it seems to be venting all her suppressed emotions in every sway of the unsuspecting metal, kicking hard in the air to get more force and thus almost made herself fly off to the ground. This made her companion utter a sigh that implied a mix of irritation, sympathy and helplessness. Getting off her own swing, she placed both hands on her waist and stood to the side, large brown eyes observing.

"Yuki, stop."

The girl mentioned just ignored her friend and went on to add more force to the already suffering object.

"Yukime, please stop. Aren't you thinking of what would happen tomorrow? You're leaving in 12 hours, and you know there's someone who would utterly get mad because you didn't tell him and --- "

Ana suddenly stopped in mid-sentence. Her friend had suddenly stopped the vicious motion of the swing and was now looking at her defiantly.

"What do you want me to do then? He'd always known I'd be leaving sometime this year. What difference does it make if I go tomorrow?"

"Don't you think that at least he'd be warned of the impending departure of a friend?" Ana quietly asked, taking her friend's hands in her own. "The three of us has been friends ever since we're little kids, I think he deserves to know when one of us would leave him for who knows how long."

"You talk as if we're old already," Yuki offered lamely, trying to lighten up the impending sad moment between them. She knew how much impact her going away would make on both Kaede and Ana, her childhood friends. When Ana dragged her away from watching their classmates play basketball and led her to the deserted school playground, she sensed something akin to a last-minute persuasion to change her mind. Irritation swept her off her feet and made her act immaturely in front of Ana. But then, as she caught the look in her friend's eyes, she was wondering if it was really irritation that made her act like that. Feeling a wave of frustration come over her, she desperately fought the realization that it was fear, and not irritation that she felt minutes ago. "We're just eleven year olds, we've got long years ahead of us where we can all meet again for sure."

Ana understood the look that her friend had in her eyes. Yuki has always been determined in her decisions, never too rash, but always firm in her beliefs. If Kaede was always cross and at times hard to manage, Yuki was his equal in another way. It was a good thing that Ana has a good mix of emotions, sensibility, and temper in her. Otherwise, the three of them might not have lasted together for years. Looking at Yuki now, she knew she'd somehow lost. But then, she's not prepared to lose, seeing a little bit of hope that for once, she might be able to win over Yuki's infamous stubborn self. "Kaede would get mad, that's for sure."

"I know." Yuki replied indifferently.

"Tomorrow's the first time he'd be playing basketball for our class in the sports fest. We promised to be there and cheer for him."

"Correction. *You* promised him you'd cheer for him. *I* just said I'd try to watch." Yuki answered back with a shrug.

Ana's sad look was momentarily replaced with a scowl. "You're selfish, you know."

"Yeah, I'm selfish, and I'm stubborn. Bet you and Kaede would be glad I'm off your necks by tomorrow," Yuki carelessly said, bending down to tie her undone shoelaces. However, she was suddenly on her feet when Ana, her friend who'd always had her share of temper outbreaks suddenly spat out:

"Yes, you said it yourself. You're selfish and you're stubborn, but unfortunately, that's the very reason why we'll miss you a lot. I know tomorrow's hard on you, that's why you're acting indifferently. Akira told me so."

Yuki didn't know when her tears first started. It just went on and on until she was aware that she was crying onto Ana's shoulders. For the first time, she admitted to herself that she was scared, very scared. She never had any choice with the impending separation, and she was scared of what the future would bring. She was scared of leaving the place she'd grown up in, the school that she took for granted and all the friends she's made. This has been eating her ever since she first learned of it. She didn't even try to think of how hard it would be, but the realization that she might be separated from her two precious friends forever always managed to make it felt. Sobbing uncontrollably now and letting all her feelings out didn't even provide her any relief. "Ana, I'm...I'm scared."

"Hush now, Yuki. Don't think about it now," Ana whispered, as she held her shaking friend closer. Her tears were held in check -- she had to appear strong as she usually shows her friends. "I'm always here for you, and I'm sure Kaede would be too, once he gets over his anger."

That earned a little laugh from the sobbing Yuki. "Yeah, maybe you should prevent him from knowing before the game starts. I'm afraid the boys from the other class won't stand a chance against his temper." She pulled away from Ana and made a wry face. "I'm afraid I made a mess on your uniform."

"I'll live," Ana replied dryly, surveying the wet part of her shoulder. "Sure hope you didn't blow your nose on me, no?"

Yuki grinned. "Maybe." She pulled out something from her pocket and handed it out to Ana. "Here, this is for you. I don't think you'll be able to forget me with that."

Ana made a face at the little box. "Uh, I hope this isn't the key to where you keep all your hentai mangas?"

"Why would I leave you those things?" Yuki wrinkled her nose. "Just open it."

The little box contained silver earrings, set with a small aquamarine colored stone. "But you never wore this, because they were your favorites," Ana said in her surprise.

"That's it. Whenever you wear it, you'd always remember me saying how any shade of blue is my favorite and how I'd be mad if those earrings get lost."

"I'll take care of them for you, but what about Kaede?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, please prod him awake with a pen for me, every time he falls asleep in any class. And don't forget to go to school with him in the mornings because he might collide with anything like he usually does, and oh, lead him away from fights. No one would live ---"

"Yu~ki," Ana tapped her foot impatiently.

"Right." Yuki pulled out another box from her pocket. This time, it was a black wristband, the one that basketball players usually wear. "Of course, it's too large for his skinny wrists," Yuki was interrupted by a frown showing on Ana's face. "Listen, I want you to watch tomorrow's game instead of seeing me off to the airport. Now, don't say 'but', just please tell him I'm sorry and that I hope someday I'd see him on the hard court, the ace player of their team as he'd always dreamed of."

"We both know he'll be," Ana smiled, even as her tears finally fell. "I promise to take care of him."

"I didn't say that," Yuki protested.

"It's all the same," Ana hugged her friend. "Take care of yourself too, Yuki. Now, maybe we should go back to the grounds?"

Yuki forced a smile and nodded. "Let's go." Feeling the stinging of tears again, she broke into a run. Looking far ahead, she could just make out Kaede having made a spectacular steal of the ball. At her right, Ana was screaming her lungs out, cheering enthusiastically for their friend.

At the sound of Ana's "Way to go Kaede-kun!" Kaede turned and nodded his head at their direction, which meant he was glad for their support. A frown registered itself on his young face when he noticed Yuki's forced smile. An ugly memory suddenly presented itself: "I'm leaving you guys sometime this year." He made a successful lay-up, but didn't feel the usual rush of excitement he always felt whenever he played. The small crowd that has gathered around the little court they were playing in was shouting his name, but he didn't notice. His gaze was fixed on Yuki, hoping that what his mouth could not utter, his eyes would be able to communicate. Don't you dare leave us…me.

Yuki caught Kaede's searching glare as she and Ana made their way towards him. As Ana jumped on Kaede to express her enthusiasm, Yuki gave him a little smile that sealed her silent promise.

Someday…someday I'll return for you, I promise.

TBC

A/N: Okay, this was supposed to be a prologue, but somehow, I got carried away and wrote such a long piece.