Soul and Heart of a Knight

written by: delusional_lady

Author Disclaimer: Inoue Takehiko owns Slam Dunk.

Author's Notes: People are really kind but reviews are still very much appreciated. I do hope that you guys would take the time to comment on my fic and to suggest something. My friends at the babble house were nice to comment as well. I'm trying to include everyone I know in SD.

Chapter 3: Rescue Operation



Koshino wondered if he said anything wrong. The whole table just went silent, as if cats got their tongue. He looked around and they all broke into loud guffaws. It was Hanamichi who spoke first.

"Megane-kun and Anzai-sensei were just trying to find something to eat." Hanamichi said. Koshino was puzzled. "Why would they look for some food when they can join us right here? Uozumi is also a great cook, that dosen't seem to make any sense." Rukawa sighed and remarked his usual do'aho. A loud argument started and the question was soon forgotten.

After dinner, Sendoh volunteered to show Koshino around the castle. It was a very huge place and one could easily get lost, especially a newcomer. "There are a lot of secret passages and trapdoors around here. We used to compete on looking for a new secret door." Sendoh explained. "Are you still looking for secret doors?" Koshino asked. The spiky-haired lad fell silent. It was interrupted by something that went past them.

"Was that Hanamichi or a large, running carrot?" Koshino asked. Sendoh laughed and confirmed that it was indeed Hanamichi. A few seconds later, a large guy appeared. He was dark-skinned and looked like Uozumi, only darker. "Good evening Akagi." Sendoh greeted. He introduced Koshino to the angry man.

"Have you seen Sakuragi, by any chance?" Akagi asked. The two lads pointed to the left. "Arigato." he said as he marched down the hall. The two shared a laugh when they heard Sakuragi's screams of agony. Akagi was hitting him with his famous 'gori punch.'

"Who is Akagi?" Koshino asked. "He's one of the teachers here in the castle. He's very smart. Sakuragi loves to try his patience." Sendoh answered. They continued walking until they reached a garden. There was a huge maze in it and a lot of flowers were growing.

"Sendoh, are you a knight?" Koshino asked. Sendoh shook his head. "Not yet. I was supposed to be a knight but the ceremony was delayed. " Knighting should be done by a king of someone of the royal family. That was when Koshino realized that ever since he arrived, there had been no sign of the royal family. No king, no queen and no princess. "Where is the royal family?" he asked. Sendoh frowned. "The king and queen have been turned to stone. The princess..She was stolen from us, by a giant frog." Koshino was confused. He didn't understand because he didn't know exactly what was going on. He had only heard bits and pieces before he shrunk.

Sendoh decided that it was best to tell Koshino exactly what was going on. "Haruko. She is our princess. Fukuda is an evil magician who kidnapped her from the castle. Before he could escape, Anzai-sensei managed to cast a spell on him and turned him into a frog. Now he won't return the princess until she kisses him and then marry him as well." Koshino wondered why no one was rescuing the princess yet. Sendoh answered him. "We are already planning on how to rescue her. The journey would be hard. Fukuda is still very powerful. That is why we must seek the help of the ancient magicians. That was what Kogure told us. He's currently working on a plan and dosen't wish to be disturbed."

Koshino couldn't sleep that night. Thoughts of the princess were running through his head. He wanted to help in the rescue operation. That way, Sendoh can be a knight. He rolled around in bed until he back ached and he decided to take a walk around the castle.

The wind was brushing against him. Koshino was only clad in his robe and underwear. Sendoh lent him his clothes and under thingies. Somehow, the thought of using Sendoh's underwear thrilled him. "Omigod! I must not let this get to me!" Koshino said to himself. He had been trying to push his homosexuality away since he didn't want it, or at least that's what he kept telling himself. It only returned at the sight of Sendoh Akira.

"What must you not let it get to you?" a voice asked. Koshino turned around and came face to face with Kogure. He was still wearing his glasses and his was holding a piece of paper. "Uh..Nothing." Koshino answered with a weak smile. He then joined the sepctacled lad.

"Can't sleep?" Kogure asked. Koshino nodded, and then said, "I want to help rescue the princess." Kogure smiled softly. He was not surprised at all that the lad knew about the princess. Sendoh must have told him about their dilemna. "Are you sure Koshino? This will be a dangerous mission." Koshino nodded. He wanted Sendoh to become a knight. He felt that the lad really wanted to become one and he wanted to make that dream come true.

"You came right on time, Koshino. We will need all the extra help we can get." Kogure said warmly. "You should get back to bed. I'm holding a meeting after lunch." Koshino nodded and went back to his room. He fell asleep almost instantly. He really felt comfortable wearing Sendoh's underwear.

The next morning, Koshino didn't want to wake up. He wanted to stay in his bed with all the silk sheets and Sendoh's underwear. He opened his eyes in surprise when he felt something snuggling up to him. He saw that Sendoh was lying beside him, eyes closed. Koshino blushed red and got up quickly. Just then, the door opened. It was Hanamichi.

"Morning Kosh-!!!!!!" Hanamichi was unable to finish his sentence when he saw Sendoh and Koshino on the same bed. "Oh my god!!!!" he shouted. Sendoh opened his eyes and started to get up very lazily. "Stop yelling Hanamichi, you're giving me a headache." The red head smirked and his eyes were sly. Koshino knew what was going through his head. "It's not what you think Hanamichi." Koshino said. The red head nodded but the smirk was still plastered on his face.

The meeting started right after lunch. Everyone involved was present. Kogure started to tell the team of his plans. "Alright, Anzai-sensei and I have found out a way to seek the help of the ancient magicians. We have gathered the information based on the old legend. Fukuda may know of our plans but I'm sure that he will leave us alone. After all, he dose not believe that these things exist." He looked at Anzai-sensei and the old man nodded. "Legend says that there are four towers surrounding the Kanagawa kingdom. These four have been then sources of power in all the legends. I have a feeling that if we could find the four towers, we could summon the old magicians and ask for their help. It was difficult to look for the location but we managed to discover an old temple. The temple has always been linked to the four towers and that would be the best place to start."

Everyone nodded and started talking to each other excitedly. "Anzai- sensei will not be joining us in our quest. He will be staying here to find a potion that will bring back the king and queen. However, I will join a few men on a journey to the temple." The mutterings grew noisier and soon, everyone was talking in loud voices.

"We will be leaving tonight. Say good-bye to those you care for beacuse we may never get back safe." Akagi warned them. Everyone nodded and they were dismissed.

"So you're really coming with us." Sendoh said as he watched Koshino pack some clothes. "Yeah, I really want to help you guys out." Koshino answered. "Hey Koshino!" Hanamichi said as he waved something in his hand. "I found these in your old clothes! I guess they shrunk as well." Koshino went over to the red head to discover that his flash light and rings were still inside. There were two rings. They were his birthday present last year.

"This is cool!" Hanamichi exclaimed when Koshino taught him how to use the flash light. Koshino sent the red head off by giving him his flash light. When they were alone, Koshino pulled out the rings. His parents wanted him to give the other to his wife. But that was impossible since he was gay and all. Besides, he didn't see a way our tof the castle. He would probably be stuck here for all eternity.

"I want you to have this." Koshino said. Sendoh took the ring and slipped it through his fingers. "Thank you," Sendoh whispered. Koshino nodded and they both continued packing their things for the journey.

Night came quickly and the few chosen ones got ready to leave. Uozumi had packed them a lot of food so that they wouldn't starve. Hikoichi had given them free notepads for taking down notes. Anzai-sensei had given them a few potions that might help them make it safely.

"You'd best stay here Lady Ayako." Akagi said as he rode on his horse. The rest of them agreed and forbid her to go with them. She was a lady and they didn't want anything to happen to her. She might get hurt. "You should stay home as well, baka kitsune." Sakuragi said to Rukawa. The pale boy merely raised an eyebrow at that. "Well, we're off." Kogure said.

When they were out of hearing distance, Lady Ayako remarked. "They will never be able to come back alive without me." Anzai-sensei chuckled and the pointed to a horse with lots of food. "Anzai-sensei! Thank you very much!" she exclaimed, hugging the old man tight. Uozumi grinned and patted her on the back. "Take care of those men, Lady Ayako. And don't forget the cooking lessons I thought you. They'll need it." Hikoichi nodded and handed her a notepad. "Here's something for you to write on. Don't forget to bring home plant samples. We may need them in the kitchen." Before she could ride her horse, Anzai-sensei handed her some clothes. "Thank you very much Anzai- sensei." Lady Ayako said before changing into the green clothes.



They're finally off and just so you know, the men who went were

Akagi

Kogure

Hanamichi

Rukawa

Sendoh and Koshino.

Mitsui and Miyagi are not yet on the fic. They will appear though. In the first chapter, I might have mentioned somebody who have their characteristics. To make things clear, those are not them! See you in the next chapter! Cheers!!