He always came here to watch. From afar, just because he was never allowed inside the gym. He watched them when they arrive and when they leave. But he could never really get close to them since security was always tight.

It's been months, it seems. So many months since he'd moved to America. He'd left Shohoku, moved to Chicago then enrolled himself in a public high school here. During weekends such as this, he came here to see the Chicago Bulls practice, hoping only to get at least one glimpse at the stars. At Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippen and most importantly, his favourite, Michael Jordan. But no matter how much he stood here outside the gym where they constantly practiced, he was never allowed in. So, concurrently, he'd never even gotten close to his favourites.

Rukawa shivered slightly. He stood by the main door that lead to the inside of the gym. This is where the players entered and exited. Right now, as always, there was the guard he was quickly getting familiar with - the old man who was lucky enough to stand on the inside of the building rather than the outside. While he, in the meantime, was stuck outside as always, forced to watch nothing but passing cars from the street nearby and the occasional person crazy enough to be walking on a day such as this.

Up high, as if the fates were being merciless, wind blew forth in high torrent, making the singular boy shiver some more on this December afternoon. Rukawa looked up in his miserable state and watched as snow began to fall from the sky. He frowned. Just his luck to be caught in snow fall. Though the reasonable thing to do was to go home to his apartment, he just couldn't for what if today was a day when his chance had come?

Two hours passed. Rukawa tried to keep himself warm by thinking of his dream to meet Michael Jordan. What if the great player noticed him today? What if the guards won't be so tight? What if Jordan would sign the trading card he brought with him today? What if - ?

Rukawa paused in his thoughts. His eye caught movement. He turned his head to the source and found out that the door to the gym had opened. To his surprise though, it was neither a player or a part of the coaching staff. Rather, it was the old guard whom he was used to seeing. The old man walked slowly towards him and Rukawa feared that he was just going to be sent home.

"Hey, kid, you know you're crazy hanging around here every weekend. And today is the coldest day in Chicago, they say. What if you freeze to death?"

Rukawa shrugged slightly. "I... I just want to see them, that's all."

"Hmm." The old guard sighed, mist rising from his lips. He pulled his coat tighter around himself and looked Rukawa up and down. "You know, you remind me of a son of mine. He was obsessed with basketball like you are. You wanna see hmm, let me guess... Michael Jordan, right?"

"Yes. Michael Jordan." Rukawa nodded. He wondered why the guard was talking to him. Perhaps the old man was getting bored?

"It's freezing out here. Why don't you go in, even just to stay by me so we can talk. If you're good enough, maybe I'll allow you to watch them practice." The old man smiled.

Rukawa was stunned. "You mean it?"

"I've been watching you all the time. You always hope, don't you? Well, why don't I fulfil a boy's dream today of all days?"

<Today?> Rukawa wondered what was today, not one to have a family and therefore, not used to holidays and such. Truthfully, today was a weekend where he got to go here not only because it was a weekend but also because it was a two-week holiday. And now, he was allowed to go in? This was nothing short of a miracle!

The guard laughed softly at the content that came to the boy's face. He walked back to the doorway and let Rukawa follow him. When Rukawa entered the building as well, he closed the door so as to not let the cold in. He looked curiously at the boy...

Rukawa looked around, stunned. From afar, he'd caught glimpses of the interior of the building. But now, he was here, even with the chance to see the Chicago Bulls themselves. It was an exciting time for him even though his face didn't exactly show it.

"So, what's your name, kid?"

"Huh? Oh, Kaede Rukawa." Rukawa answered, knowing enough to speak his name in western style. He looked back at the man and studied him briefly. The man was perhaps in his 50s. He was tall and built, obviously a blue-collared worker all his life. He was a latino, with warm brown eyes that seemed to understand him. Well, the man did say that he had a son just like him...

"My name's Carlos. Carlos Corona. You don't have better things to do than go here every weekend? Most teens I know are either going to parties, to malls or to whatever the hell they want to go to. You're different."

Rukawa shrugged. "I just want to see them even one time. That's all."

"Oh." The man smiled. "Well, perhaps today's your lucky day. I guess I'll allow you later on but for now, since they're in the middle of practice, you stay here and converse with an old man such as me, alright?"

Rukawa couldn't help but be more excited at the words. He was going to get his chance finally? This was great! With actual fervour, he nodded at the man, prepared to do anything just to meet his favourite basketball team.

"So, you play basketball too?"

"Yeah, I play shooting guard for a local high school."

"Hmm, you're obviously Japanese. Did you move here recently?"

"I moved here months ago to get more training in basketball."

"Ah, really? Wow, you're really into basketball, aren't you? That's good, that's good. Better sports than drugs or any crap from the streets. I like that, kid. You've got dreams. Most kids these days go for easy cash and shit. You're something to be proud of."

"Uh, yeah..." Rukawa shrugged, not really knowing what to say to that.

The man, surprisingly, just laughed. "You're funny, kid. I bet you don't realize how valuable you are to the community. When you get to my age, you'll realize this too. And by then, you can look back on your life with a smile. Just like me. Even though I'm just a guard at this place, I guess I'm proud to make good clean money. So, hold your head high, kid. You're doing great."

"Sure." Rukawa shrugged.

The old man smiled. He looked down at his watch. "4:30 pm, eh? Isn't it amusing for the team to practice on this day? Anyway, practice is nearly over. I guess you can go visit them now. Just be sure not to cause trouble, alright? Not like you look like a trouble-maker or anything. Go on now, go as you please."

Rukawa nodded his head in gratitude, excited to his very wits. "Thank you very much. And nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, kid." The old guard grinned as he watched Rukawa walk towards the door leading to the court.

Rukawa walked slowly, even though he was excited enough to act like Sakuragi right now. What was today? Why was he being allowed this? But he wasn't complaining at all at the old guard's granting of his dream. This was now or never. Today was the day when finally, he was going to look Michael Jordan in the eye. He was going to ask for his autograph and maybe they'll shake hands. That was the plan.

He opened the door. First taking a small peek, he heard the loud bounce of basketballs on the polished floor of the court. He opened the door more fully and his eyes took in the intense training that consisted of players on a match against each other. It seemed as if there were two teams. One consisted of Michael Jordan and the bench players and the other consisted of the rest of the players. Right now, Jordan was dribbling the ball to mid-court. The opposing team seemed hasty and panicked. Rukawa looked up to see that the game time remaining was five seconds. He looked back to Jordan.

Jordan, with a carefree face even, simply sidestepped his defender, did a fake against another defender then jumped and released the ball even from so far away. The ball flew through the air in a perfect arc before going through the hoop without even touching the ring. Three points!

Rukawa could almost scream in joy at seeing his hero shoot like that. That was his dream - to be like him. And perhaps, one day, maybe they could have a one-on-one. Maybe he could become strong enough to even beat him one time. For now, though...

Jordan raised a fist in victory and grinned at his team mates. "I guess that's it, guys."

"And finally, Jordan does it again." Scottie Pippen grinned back. He shook his head before being handed a towel by one of the towel boys. The other players were handed towels to be draped on themselves before the players began to leave the court. They seemed to be headed already for the shower room.

Rukawa frowned from his place, not expecting that indeed, practice was over. Just when he arrived, they end? Well, it wasn't like he was complaining too much. After all, he saw his hero make a three-pointer from near the mid-court. Now, perhaps, he shall wait for him outside the shower room. An autograph, something to remember this day by. Nodding internally at himself, Rukawa followed the trail of the team, crossing the court and exiting through the door they used. He found himself in a new hallway and he found the Chicago Bulls' locker room nearby. Determined, he decided to stand opposite the door, and to wait until Jordan came out. <I guess I'll wait for him out here. Where's that trading card?>

Perhaps thirty minutes passed before the first player exited the room. He was a bench player, someone Rukawa barely saw playing during gamers. Another followed that player and they walked away talking to each other. Rukawa shuffled his feet, getting more and more excited as time passed. After five more minutes, five more players left the room, joking amongst themselves. They paused for one moment though as they noticed him. But when they were assured that he didn't seem a threat or anything, they simply walked away.

Another minute passed. Laughter reached Rukawa's ears as the door was opened once again. This time it was the coach and assistant coach, talking about something amusing. Another person walked out after them and noticed him standing there.

"You were allowed to come here, boy?"

"Uh, yes sir." Rukawa nodded his head.

"Well, alright. Since today's a special day, I guess." The man nodded and caught up with the two coaches that had left a moment ago.

Two more minutes passed. This time it was Pippen, surrounded by other players Rukawa really didn't care about. Rukawa felt his back becoming rigid at the mere sight of the great NBA player. Pippen gave him a brief glance before walking away with the other players. Rukawa felt himself sighing in relief after he had gone.

More minutes passed. Miscellaneous other players came out but always, there was no Michael Jordan. Rukawa began to pace as ten minutes passed without anyone coming out. Finally, after about a minute more, the door opened. It was a ball boy though. Rukawa took his chance and took a peek as he turned his head sideward. Inside...

Yes, Jordan was still there. Thankfully, he had not yet gone out. He was already dressed, talking in a cellular phone. Beside him, Rodman picked up his bag and began to walk towards the door. The door closed and the ball boy walked away. Rukawa stiffened once the door was being opened once again. This time it was none other than Dennis Rodman, a smirk on his face, and the colour red and green on his hair.

Rodman sauntered out with high confidence but actually paused when he caught sight of Rukawa. He did the surprising thing of smiling at Rukawa. "Hey there..."

Rukawa was surprised to even be talked to by any player. "Me?"

Rodman smirked. "Were you waiting for me, kid?"

Rukawa didn't know what to say. Holding Jordan's trading card in his right hand, he really couldn't say to Rodman that he couldn't ask for his autograph now. But he shrugged, knowing that he just had to tell him. "Uhm... I was actually waiting for Michael Jordan..."

Rodman seemed to think on that. "Ah, I see. A big fan, huh?" He looked Rukawa up and down as if that act was supposed to be with meaning. Rukawa didn't notice it though as the door opened once again.

This time, finally, it was Michael Jordan who stepped out. He was taller than Rukawa, well-built even in his formal clothes of coat and tie. He seemed to have to go to somewhere important later on.

Rukawa, in near hysterics internally, willed his feet to come closer to the man and to do what he came here to do. He showed Jordan the trading card. "Uhm, could I please have your autograph?"

Jordan paused in surprise since there was usually no one out here to wait for him. Anyway, he took the card and got a pen from his pocket. "Sure, kid. What's your name?"

"Kaede." Rukawa muttered, his heart beating very fast.

"Kaede..." Jordan signed.

"Michael!" It was a woman's voice.

Rukawa looked up at the person who broke the moment of his dream come true. The woman approached Michael and gave him a peck on the cheek. Rukawa instantly felt jealous as Jordan's attention on him was snatched away.

"Oh, it's you." Jordan smiled greatly at the woman before remembering to hand the trading card back to Rukawa.

"Your baby has that school play today, remember?" The woman smiled. Now, it was becoming clear that she was Jordan's wife.

"I'm so excited. Let's go." Jordan nodded in excitement before they walked away.

Rukawa could only watch their backs, unable to do anything but frown at the quick departure. It wasn't like his dream at all. Perhaps dreams were nothing like reality. Jordan didn't even look at him...

A sudden voice broke through his thoughts though. "You look upset. Don't let that meeting with your hero get you down."

Surprised, Rukawa turned his head, only to see that it was none other than Dennis Rodman, who hadn't gone away yet. "Mr. Rodman?"

Rodman grinned. "Don't be so formal. You can call me Dennis." He winked.

Rukawa was even more surprised at that. What was Rodman still doing here? What was he thinking?

"And your name? You're silent, aren't you?"

"Uhm..." <Your name, idiot!> "Rukawa... Kaede Rukawa."

"May I call you Kaede?" Rodman smirked, as if he shared a joke to no one but himself at the moment.

"Sure, I guess." Rukawa shrugged his shoulders and wondered at this odd encounter with a player that was not his particular favourite. Again, he wondered why Rodman was still here, talking to a nobody like him.

Rodman focused his eyes only on the boy. "Don't look so nervous. Like you, I'm a person too. Besides, Jordan is your hero, not me. Right?"

Rukawa shook his head immediately. "I watch you too. You're good at rebound, defence - "

"And trouble." Rodman laughed.

<Most definitely.> Rukawa couldn't help but smile slightly at that. Definitely, if there was one thing Rodman was good at, it was making trouble. It was a complete surprise though that today, he was speaking civilly with him. Perhaps there was another side to the trouble-maker?

"Well, would you look at that."

"Huh? What?" Rukawa asked in surprise as Rodman looked intensely at him.

"You're actually capable of smiling. I'm intrigued, you know. About you and your silence. And your rare smile. Most people would be giving me a headache with their kiss-ass comments and self-important boasts. You seem so different."

Rukawa didn't really know what to say to the frank opinion by the celebrity. "It's... It's something normal to me, that's all."

"Hmm..." Rodman smirked, looking Rukawa up and down again. "Would you like to get a drink with me?"

"Me?" Now, Rukawa was in true confusion. Didn't Rodman have better things to do rather than be in his company?

"Why not? It could be fun."

A bit hesitant yet confused and excited at the same time, Rukawa realized that this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Finally, he decided. "Uhm, alright..." <Drink with Dennis Rodman?>

"Great! Follow me to my car." Rodman grinned before walking towards the direction of the main door.

Rukawa, looking sideward briefly at the much taller man, could only wonder at this odd encounter. They walked through the hallway without words, Rodman whistling a tune Rukawa didn't know. Finally, they reached the door where the old guard opened the door for them, giving a warm smile to Rukawa.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Rodman. Goodbye Kaede."

Rukawa couldn't help but give the old man a smile. A smile of thanks for giving him the opportunity...

The door closed behind them. They walked towards the parking lot. Rodman stopped whistling and initiated another conversation with Rukawa. "So, you're from Chicago?"

"Yeah, I moved here a few months ago."

"From?"

"Japan."

"Really? Wow." Rodman said, looking around for his car. "So, how do you like America so far?"

"I... I love it. The opportunities for basketball are much greater."

"Huh? You play?" Rodman paused, looking down at Rukawa with interest.

"Yes. My position is shooting guard."

Rodman grinned before using his remote control to open the door of his car. There was a brief beeping sound and they both turned to the sight of a shiny black Jaguar.

Rukawa was impressed right away. <Black Jaguar... NBA truly pays well.>

"Like my car?" Rodman asked in pride before they both walked towards it.

"Yes. It's beautiful."

Rodman grinned. "And you're beautiful too."

Rukawa paused in his steps, looking at the broad back of the infamously troublesome Dennis Rodman. <Huh?>

Rodman opened the door to the passenger side before looking straight into Rukawa's eye. "Go on. Enter the car."

Rukawa shrugged off whatever thought he had then walked on over, seating himself to the front passenger seat. Rodman closed the door for him and he watched as the older man went over to the other side and entered the car too. Rodman sat on the driver's side, closed the door then placed his keys on the starter. The car was started.

Rodman smiled at Rukawa. "I'll bring you to my house. It's really hard to go out in public, you know. Don't worry. I have a maid to cook for me. Alright, Kaede?"

"That's alright... Dennis..."

Rodman nodded in gratitude before focusing on driving. He backed up the car from its parking space then drove off to leave the parking lot. On the streets, they encountered a stop light. Rodman took a glance at Rukawa then thought of a new thing to talk about with the silent boy.

While Rukawa, meanwhile, looked out on the snowfall, wondering how on earth he'd ended up here. <What a fateful event... I, Rukawa Kaede, sitting in Dennis Rodman's car.>

"You're really so silent, aren't you? Hey, tell me more about yourself." Rodman drove again as the light from the traffic light turned green. He smirked. "I'm sure you know all about me by now."

"About me? Well... What do you want to know?" Rukawa asked as he watched the street fly by quickly across his vision. Rodman sure was a driver who liked speed. They passed several buildings before Rodman took a street that lead to a suburban neighbourhood. It was a hillside and they ascended it. 

"Hmm, how about your family? You came to America with them?"

"I..." Rukawa shrugged, his hands fisting at this question. He focused only on the outside of the car. "I have no family. So I live alone."

"I'm sorry."

Rukawa only shrugged again. "It doesn't bother me really..."

Rodman smiled. They turned a corner and drove by a straight rode that lead to the upper hill. "Tell me about yourself then. You go to school?"

"I'm a sophomore at Gregory High."

"What? You're just a sophomore?"

"Yeah..." Rukawa glanced to the side briefly to note the pure surprise on Rodman's face. Why was he so surprised? He looked back to the road and saw that they were nearing an iron black gate that rose high.

"It doesn't matter, does it?" Rodman took a remote control from his side and pressed a button. The iron gate automatically opened by itself.

"What matters?" Rukawa asked in confusion.

"Nothing, nothing..." Rodman only smirked, placing the remote control back down. The car entered the estate and the gate closed behind them.

Rukawa looked on in awe at the snow-covered yard that would have displayed rolling green lawn in any other season. He looked at the lined trees on the road, the way that snow covered the greenery. Finally, he focused his eyes on the great prize in front of them - the great mansion that was Rodman's property.

It stood tall and proud, broad and beautiful. Designed in Victorian style, it had the tones of light brown and chocolate brown. In front was a fountain that would have been run had it not been winter and all around were golden sculptures of exotic animals like tigers and lions. The car was parked on a separate building that served as garage and Rukawa witnessed all the other great shining sports cars that were parked there. The car stopped and the engine was turned off. Rodman turned to him with a friendly smile.

"You know, you're lucky to spend an afternoon with me. Most kids never get to see the inside of a celebrity's garage."

"Thank you for the opportunity..." Rukawa could only say. He saw Rodman nod and open the car so he himself opened his door and stepped out. Rodman walked towards the exit of the garage, Rukawa trailing behind him. They walked through a brick path towards the mansion itself. Rodman fished for his keys for the house and opened it.

A multitude of aromas was picked up by Rukawa once the warm and richly-flourished main room was presented before his eyes. He smelled, first of all, a vanilla scent that may be the air freshener for this place. Then, there was the scent of cooking food - something that made his stomach growl - thankfully - in a silent manner. He didn't realize he was so hungry since he had skipped lunch earlier on. The door closed behind him.

Rodman raised his voice and called out to someone. "Queenie, is dinner ready yet?"

An old womanly voice answered. "Yes, yes, Dennis. Come on. It's ready."

They moved themselves towards the dining room. There was an old, chubby woman who walked out of the kitchen, in her hand a dish that consisted of a large cooked ham. She seemed to be in her early 60s, with a smile that could only be fitted for kind old ladies with a grandmother's heart. She bowed first at Dennis Rodman before looking in surprise at Rukawa. "And who is this, Dennis?"

"Him?" Rodman grinned. "Well, he's my guest for the night. Hey, Kaede, you don't have to go anywhere tonight, do you? Or do you have to go to some party?"

"I... have nowhere to go, actually..."

"Oh, you poor thing." The woman placed down the dish and neared Rukawa. She looked up to him in curiosity, her eyes sympathetic. "It's Christmas eve and there's nowhere for you to go?"

"Christmas?" Rukawa echoed. Finally, he realized what the big fuss was all about in this 'special day'. That was why the old guard let him in, why Jordan basically snubbed him so that he could go to his 'baby's' play. Why Rodman brought him here...

"You don't celebrate Christmas?" Rodman asked in curiosity, finally taking off his coat. He handed the coat to the old woman. She took it and moved to take Rukawa's.

Rukawa shrugged, handing his jacket to the woman. "In Japan, it's not really a holiday. Children celebrate it though. I only saw it as a commercial holiday..."

"Yeah, I guess it's a bit too commercialized, huh? People look forward to the gifts and all."

The old woman shook her head at them. "Well then, Kaede, is it?"

Rukawa nodded.

"You two keep each other company this night, alright?" She went to hang the coats on a nearby closet. After that, she went to the kitchen to bring back a plate for Rukawa. She smiled at them. "While I go home to my waiting family. Dennis here should have had a girlfriend to spend it with but he messed up pretty badly again, isn't that right?"

Rodman laughed. "You're the first to pick up the news, Queenie. You're going now?"

"Yes, yes. My husband is about to arrive in about a minute. He called right before you arrived."

"That's good. Merry Christmas, Queenie." Rodman neared the old woman and gave her a peck on the cheek. Then he retrieved something from his pocket and handed it to her. It was an envelope. He winked.

"Oh, what's this?"

"A gift for the holidays." Rodman smiled at her.

"Haha, thank you, Dennis. I appreciate it." She smiled back. "Merry Christmas."

"You're welcome. Merry Christmas."

"Alright, I guess I gotta go now." She moved towards the main room before looking back once at Rukawa. "And it was nice meeting you, Kaede. I hope you two enjoy your boys' night out."