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We can't let it end here...

Not after she worked so hard to bring us here...

Notebooks after notebooks, pages after pages...

We can't let her down, not now...

it's her last chance... her last chance to...

... Go to Nationals...

The day, had been warm... the pressure of the stadium... the cool air blowing into the field. Staring at the field, honey brown eyes stared at the field, eyes going back and forth from player to player, before they glance at scoreboard. The brunette making a tsk sound, turns towards the 'coach'. Giving him a slight nod, he steps out of the dugout.

XX

She had been lucky to even catch this game. On the bleachers, Takashima Rei sat on watching the game play out. The stadium was surprisingly full, but at the same time not all that surprising; Akagi Junior high a no name school, had made a slow rise in nationals, after almost three years.

Despite, slightly being a renowned school for their academic's. The school had been bought out, by another district. They would be shutting down the school early, so that it would be ready to be demolished.

As a result of their school being torn down, there had been a race to interview and get the head coach of Akagi junior high; something the often interested her. From what she found during her research before coming to this game, The school's head coach has never shown their face in public; There was only one coach that has, was the head's assistant.

In the end, Akagi junior high really was a mysterious school. Having come out of nowhere and slowly risen to the top schools,clawing their path to nationals, What most knew was that in the past seven years, there has only ever been one person to ever wear the ace number.

The person who wore the ace number had been selected from the previous members of the baseball club.

At first, Rei thought that this must have been a joke. There was no way that this team, after three years of having their season cut short, could have made it this far. Though she applauds them coming this far as it was no easy feet. Their team in talent and training, in her opinion, were mediocre at best. So what could be so special? That made everyone here so excited?

There certainly was nothing that stood out.

"MEMBER CHANGE!"

So the ace finally comes out. Rei thinks to herself. Watching as the relief pitcher jogs his way back towards dugout. She looked towards the other pitcher who takes one step out of the dugout. W-wait Rei's eyes widen, when she looks closer to the ace. I-is that a ~! Stunned at the realization, she watches as the brunette jog towards the mound, eyes covered by the brim of her hat, a huge smile on her face; as she stepped onto the mound; just as people seem to roar into life.

"A southpaw, huh?" Rei said, faintly to herself. Notting with a sight frown, but pleased nonetheless, that she wore the ace number. Hair neatly in a bun and tucked inside her cap;there was something off. Yet, as her heart skipped a beat, she understood as she watched, Akagi respond correctly at the presence of their ace.

The batter grinned as they step forward into the batter box. Casually the pitcher turns towards the outfield,with a huge grin on her face she shouts. "I"LL BE SENDING BALLS FLYING! SO THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!" Her team grinned right back at her. as they watched her stand tall and proud.

"WE GOT YOUR BACK!"

"YOU DO YOU!"

"RIGHT BEHIND YA!"

The tension that had risen in their shoulders from the last inning, slowly drifted from their shoulders, as they interacted with their ace. Rei respected the pitcher, being able to ease her teammates, regaining their focus just by her mere presence like that.

Glancing by a few rows down, she noticed that there seemed to be some retired players, that came from the school. Raising an eyebrow as she listened in on what they were shouting.

"OI, DON'T HOLD THE PITCHER BACK!"

"YOU BETTER HAVE GOTTEN GOOD AT CATCHING, CATCHER!"

"CAPTAIN, DON'T SUGAR COAT THINGS FOR THEM!"

"YOU NEVER DID IT FOR US!"

The pitcher seemed, to have ignored their very existence in the crowd, her focus on the batter only. Her hat was still hiding the emotion in her eyes, her smile became sharper. Tilting her head in a slight nod, as if to acknowledge her opponent. Before turning to look at the catcher, lifting her hat forward, swiping on the edge with her left hand.

The catcher nodded at her.

"Batting first, right fielder Yamamoto Takeshi."

Rei, narrowed her eyes;Is she making the calls, instead of the catcher instead? She thought. Her eyes looked towards the catcher and then back towards the outfield. Guess it can't be helped it, if they came here only because of her. She mused, turning her attention back to the pitcher. I admit, that while she has a presence of an ace, can she pitch like one?

"STRIKE!

Sawamura Eijun, couldn't remember when this had become her life; thinking back though, she wouldn't have changed a thing. Even if she could, however if she had to pinpoint the day everything had changed, she would pin it on the day her father walked out the front door, again.

Her grandfather tried his best console her mother, tried to remind her and cheer her up, about the life she had and still could have, before his son. That she could and would be able to continue on, because she had an amazing gift; that his ungrateful son left.

Eijun couldn't remember what her father looked like, much less her mother's warm embrace, before it became cold with calculative movements. So in retaliation to gain that warmth back she spent the rest of her time trying to make her grandfather proud, to put a smile on his face again, instead of a tired weary old man that he was.

She could only make him smile on odd days, on even days he was always out of it. If she had her way she would of dropout out of school and helped him out on the ever growing farm, to help with his business papers. But that wouldn't have made him happy, he would be furious! If she ever talked about it. So being young at the time she read, studying so that she wouldn't have to think about it too hard later on in school.

Not wanting to be a burden on her grandfather. She took the responsibility of cooking and cleaning the whole house.

He frowned and scolded at her, claiming that she too young to understand and should be out of the house playing with friends, in there small town. Which made her scowl, honestly at the age of five she was pretty aware of what was happening with her family, she was smart not dumb!

Openly, playing baseball and being a baseball freak was what made him relax.

Of course she didn't discover baseball, until she was almost seven. Having hopped from one sport to another, where she would eventually meet them.

Tennis had been fun.

Honestly, it wasn't for her...

Basketball, great way to have gained reflexes

It was more like a hobby..

Volleyball... it was just an accident waiting to happen...

Swimming, she would have been great in!

If it wasn't for the fact she didn't enjoy the cold air afterwards…

Ice skating...Don't get her started on ice skating! Much less near ice, other than for having fun.

American football... it was best not to ask what happened.

Finally, her grandfather had enough of her sports hopping and took her to Kanagawa, where his favorite team was playing. She often wondered, if he hadn't taken her to that game would she have fallen in love with the sport? Being almost six, She looked at the game wide-eyed and took in the action, asking from time to time what was going on to her ji-san. Falling in love with baseball, with that one match. That one incredible game, where that amazing pitcher played, live.

Starting baseball, on the other hand...

Being smaller than the rest and with a great aim, her first attempt to join the little league; started of with her being a catcher, instead of pitching, like she had wanted... That and her baka of a grandfather messed up the papers, so the team had thought she was a boy!

Not that she minded at the time, She didn't want them to think she was week and send her to the softball team, at the time. Being someone who strived to make her grandfather proud, she soaked up everything like a sponge, looking up old baseball games and tried to figure out how to beat their upcoming opponents.

Becoming a catcher was not her greatest moment, but she wouldn't change a thing. If it weren't for the key trainings of becoming a catcher, then she doubted she would have been able to pull her team into nationals.

Having waked up every morning to her family's rooster, doing her morning runs. Trying to sharpen her pitching, when no one was looking. As the catcher of her old team she needed to know what other pitches there were and how her team could counter and which pitch her pitchers would be best at later on in life. During her research trials, she had found out the most dangerous pitchers could be ambidextrous.

But they were extremely rare..

At the time, having no use for this information, she tucked the info safely into the back of her mind, in case it ever became necessary. Being on the team for only two years, before they subtly kicked her off the team; when they found out she was a girl. She was almost eight. Dazed and numb she mindlessly wondered around her small town, stumbling on Akagi Junior highs field.

Being less than impressed with what she had seen, she scoffed and walked back out. But a month later, frustrated and desperate, with her grandfather in the hospital in critical condition. She made a deal with the assistant principal, if she could get the old team up and ready to go into nationals, than she could have the job. Ever since then she had tried her very best to get the team into nationals, coaching them, learning and growing with them.

Having been a cocky, loud-mouth, impulsive brat. But getting to know the team, did her no justice… Only making her gain.. A bit of a... sadistic trait.

Learning that ambidextrous was in fact a thing and that it would be acceptable; She would rather reluctantly become one, In the two years of attending the school, herself. Was coming to an end; She somehow couldn't take her own team into nationals, for the first two years and now, now it wouldn't matter.

They had taken her to nationals…

Gathering data on other teams, staying up night after night, writing in notebooks about other players weaknesses and strength, trying to build up her teammates. Looking into every single baseball magazine for any little details she might have missed. Watching other opponents games and rewatching their own games of what could have been improved.

It had finally paid of..

She had gotten the ace number, after trying to get rid of the number every year, her ex-players all refused! Damn them! Players too stubborn to take it, after letting her work them to death. She had been named Captain by them, even after trying to chuck the title to someone else! Her town was small enough to know who was really calling the shots, behind the scenes. Who was really coaching the team; who helped them get into nationals… The one who brought them to represent Nagano...

But even after all that…

Taking a deep breath, adjusting her cap, looking towards, the direction of the batter who's grin irritated her, a dangerous glint gleamed in her eyes. i'll make sure to not let it end here...She thinks, unconsciously rolling her left shoulder. I'll get us back onto equal stance with our enemies. A grin makes it way onto her face.

Ignoring the loss of pain.

She needed to throw this last pitch to end the game here, to allow her team to win the nationals. They would win by one, her eyes scanned the batter.

Shoulders are tense, his form isn't the best.

Not a pinch hitter, thank god. She thinks to herself. His grip isn't firm, but loose on the bat, allowing him to switch the style at any pitch.

Dammit. she gritted her teeth, He may not be a pinch hitter, but he's likely close to being a cleanup hitter they have..She glanced towards her catcher, her eyes widened, was Nobu shifting towards the middle..? My one and only fastball, huh? She thought, stunned at the confidence he was giving her. Are you sure? She looked at him in the eyes. This isn't going to be easy, after all you never caught it. She could see the confidence and determination in his eyes to go through with it. Glancing at the batter on last time, she nodded. if he thought he could catch this one, then it was worth a shot.

She smiled, closing her eyes as she changed her grip and got ready.

Golden eyes met sharp brown eyes.

"AND GAME OVER!" The announcer said, the listening people leaned in to hear what happened over the radio. "The match between Akagi Junior high and Namimori Junior high; with a spectacular fight!" The female announcer commented. " Akagi Junior high, while the underdogs, weren't too far behind having ended with a score of 7-5! With Namimori" Looking out towards the field the announcer watch as the two teams, line up. Their ace and captain. Standing tall and proud despite her teams, down look faces. "Winning the Nationals. Akagi Coming from a school take had taken nationals years before hand, and clawing their way back to the top after three years." A lone figure sat in a wheelchair, smiling softly as he took in the news. "A school that will shortly be closing by next spring, we look forward to see what they can accomplish in their high school career!"

"ARIGATOGAZIMOS!"

XXXXXXX

The room was quiet, chatter somewhere in the background, but still quiet. The baseball team had been congratulated plenty of times throughout the day, having won regional's, they had lost nationals. The baseball team had wanted a quiet celebration, but their assistant coach had other ideas. It was nice to finally have peace and quiet even if it was for a little while...

Even if it would be the last appearance Akagi would make and the last. They had been able to represent Nagano, making the people of their town proud.

In a way, they were still trying to process in the information, that they had in fact went to nationals. They hadn't actually believed they would ever make it, despite the hellish training their captain gave them.

Ei-chan had hit them over the head, angrily screeching "WHAT YOU MEAN YOU NEVER HAD FAITH IN MY TRAINING REIGNS!?" Making them realize that winning the regionals, wasn't a dream. That going to Nationals was within hands reach. The last game would be the last ever played by them as Akagi players, a depressing thought; but something Eijun snapped them out of quickly. Having gotten a taste of Koshien made them want more; The blurring sun, the largeness of the field, wanting to go against the top notch players of other schools, that had most likely looked down on them. Having the taste of victory, being in the tense environment of Koshien, they couldn't help but want more. Yet, lining up, congratulating the better team, they left with bitter; but sweet memories.

They had been so close; so close to their goal! Despite depairing over the loss, they couldn't help but smile as Eijun stood up proudly in front of the supervisor. Leading them forward, before huddling her up in a group hug; as she broke down in front of them, apologizing for not being strong enough to carry them on.

When it should be them… A dark cloud hangs over them as they think about it.

"Ano…" The team snapped their heads up, from their depressed cloud to look towards a girl, who stepped back. "A- D-do you know when Sawamura-san is coming?" She asked, looking at the baseball team nervously.

"Who wants to know?" Kenta asks, taking a step forward towards the girl, who shrinks back. "Kenta!" His team hisses out to him, noticing that he was intimidating the girl. Ignoring them he continues. "Especially, someone not of this school." He eyes at the expensive looking uniform.

All eyes snapped to the girls uniform, noticing that it was in fact much different then theres. "E-Itai.." Taking a step back, showing her hands to show no harm, she says. "I'm a student from Rakuzen here to give Sawamura-san her invitation, personally." She pulls out the invitation out of nowhere with a slight smile on her face.

Staring at the invitation before turning back towards the girl, realization struck.

The depressed clouds came back… having been struck cold, they knew what today was; to Eijun and to them. Despite wanting to play with their ace, to grow stronger with her leading them. In the end, Ei-chan would be leaving; Scouts having sent invitations to look at their schools and if it weren't for their persistent pestering; those letters would have gone ignored.

Her grandfather had slapped some sense into her, something Eijun complained about and was more willing to fight back heatedly. She was their friend, since they were in diapers, she was their coach when they started Akagi Junior high, she was their captain and Ace on the field. She never got angry when they messed up, patiently answering their questions, improving them by death training; but blamed it on the supervisor. Eijun, had inspired them to continue training even after practice, They had known this day would come. It didn't matter if they wanted to keep playing baseball with Eijun, they wanted the best for her.

Wakana stepped forward, with a bow. "Arigato, I'll make sure to give this to Sawamura." She said, taking the invitation from the girl. Who reluctantly nods, disappointment that she wouldn't be meeting Sawamura.

Wakana slides the door closed.

Sniff. Sniff.

The team turns to Nobu who sniffles quietly.

"What wrong?' Wakana asks, concerned about one of her childhood friends.

"Is it weird, that i'm gonna miss feeling like like a useless space and being humiliated every other day?" He asked, sniffing.

Multiple tick marks appeared on the teams forehead as Wakana sweat-dropped at the question. "Don't say weird things like that!" The team yelled out him.

"Yea! It makes you sound like a masochist!"

XXXX

Meanwhile in the principal's office.

"Hello, my dear good sirs, what do I owe the pleasure of being here?" Sawamura Eijun said, giving them a dazzling smile, Gaining an amused smile from the old principal and a growl from the supervisor teacher. "Sawamura!" He yells. "Greet us properly, for once!"

"Eh!?" Sawamura blinks up, looking at him confused. "But its too much of a hassle!" She said, whining. Before making herself comfortable in one of the seats.

The old, gentle principal chuckles at Sawamura antics. "It's quite alright, Sano-sensei. It's wonderful to have student with bright personality come into the office, with all the sudden decrease in students;" His smile strained, at the reminder that his school was shutting down. "Plus I believe you should be the most used to her antics by now, especially, her lack of respect." Sano-sensei scowled at the reminder that he had known the brat for so long and has yet to be greeted respectfully. "What with her being the school's mascot and then ace player, Which reminds me." Getting up he walked towards the closet in his office.

"Since the year has ended, and I gave all the fanmail to the team, right after the game; I believe it's time for you to pick up, not only your scout mail; but all the mail, you've been dodging, Sawamura-chan." He pulled open the closest as two bags of mail completely full with gifts covering the floor.

With two large thumps, Sawamura pulled her legs up on the chair with a yelp, looking wide eyed. "What's the meaning of this!?" She yelled, palling at the amount of mail.

"Fan mail." The principal stated.

Slowly she stepped closer to the bags, slight afraid that if she got too close to it, she might be sucked in and never come out alive. Having hoped to dodge all fan mail, not wanting it in her mind during the season or training; although with the season finale ending and with finals coming up soon, the principal thought it was about time Sawamura received and began to read ALL her fan mails; Along with the scout Mail they sent to the school for her.

It was also time for her to take responsibility and respond to the mail.. Even some of the.. Less nicer mail that had been sent.

"72 scout mails, and 16 very familiar schools, where they go too" He said emphasizing them. Giving her a knowing look. "They would all like for you to at least give their school a look before you dismiss them." Scowling at the old man, she nodded with a slight sulky pout. Having a feeling that not all these scout mail, had anything to do with her academic or athleticness; but her coaching skills.

"Why do I get a feeling most of these school want me to be manager?" she mumbled to herself looking at the scout mail, with disdain.

"Well you are the best," The Sano-sensei said, looking away from her disdain look, feeling guilt and worry over his student future.

"These school would do their best to expand your potential in anything." The principal added.

She hummed, before looking at them with a deadpan face. "Who bragged?!" She said, controlling the urge to punch something. When her question was met with a small pause, and a lot of flinching away and pleading states to each other to say something first.

"Your grandfather." They finally settled with. Knowing that it was best to throw the one who started it all under the bus, better him than them. They thought, sighing.

"I should of known, the old man would have something to do with this" Eijun said, shaking her head, looking at the mail in distaste. "What am I supposed to do now!?" She wailed, fat chibi tears fell down. Gesturing towards the fan-mail, She wailed. " I can't possible look at all the schools"

"You should of looked at the mail beforehand," Sano-sensei said, making more fat chibi tears fall. "instead of putting it off!"

"Sano-sensei." The principle scolded, at one of his teacher. Who shrugged adding. "Well it is true."

Panic flashed through her system unable to find a solution to drag all this mail back home, before she bowed her head to them, bruising her pride in the progress.

"Eto..." Blinking and focusing their attention to the girl who was fiddling under their stare, her pointer finger touching each other, as she grinned sheepishly at them. For a girl who had a bright personality on the field, as well as sometimes being a loudmouth idiot. She could become worryingly shy, when off the field. "Would it be okay, if I left early to get a head start in looking at these?" She said, not having the courage to look at them in the eyes.

"Hai, Sawamura-san." The principal said, allowing the girl to leave.. Not that it bothered him it was a half day today, anyway; letting her go an hour early to get all this mail out of his office wouldn't do any harm to her or him anyway.

"Arigatou gozaimasu!" She said, bowing respectful, before side glancing to sano -sensei and hmphed.

"Brat." He muttered under his breath catching the gesture. "Now if you excuse me I need to go get help; in taking these out." Gesturing to the bags.

XXXX

"Arigatou gozaimasu! Arigatou gozaimasu!" She said." You guys are the best!" Fat chibi tears rolled down her face in relief as she watched her childhood friends help with the fan mail.

"Ei-chan, I swear you need to be more responsible about these kind of things." Wakana said, as she looked at the guys who let the fan mail dropped in the living room floor. Jumping back as it let out a loud BANG in the progress. "I worry what's going to happen to you without us."

"Eh!?" question marks popped around Eijun, as she looked at her best friend. "Why would you worry! I'm perfectly responsible." She said, taking off her hair band and started tying her hair to a high ponytail.

You might sometimes be responsible, but since we've all been childhood friends; your absolutely shameless. Wakana thought to herself; If it weren't for the fact the guys thought of you as their baby sister, they would be be blushing like crazy; with how much you body figure has developed. I worry for you; especially since the incident.Wakana's nail digged into her palm at remembering her sister in all, but blood. curled up, not being able to look at the guys in the eyes, much less be in the same room.

Those bastards were lucky to have escaped. She growled to herself, if she ever catched them herself, there wouldn't be anything left of them. They were so damn lucky, there was no evidence left behind!

"Anway," Ei-chan said, trying to get Wakana's thought away from whatever she was thinking. "You guys want something to drink?"

"Tea."

"Do you apple juice?"

"Water, please."

Eijun, smiled at them, before, yelling. "Ojii-san i'm home." Walking towards the kitchen, to get her friends their drinks.

"Eh?" Her ji-san exclaimed. "Ei-chan? Your back already?" He walked out of the kitchen to greet her. "There's a guest here to-." He stopped in his tracks looking at the mail on the floor. "Oi," He yelled, pointing towards the floor. "WHAT'S WITH THIS MESS? And why are they here!?" Giving a pointed look at the male friends of his granddaughter.

They all waved and sweat dropping, under the pointed looked Sawamura ji-san gave them. Despite having known Sawamura-san, who had at one point liked them as Ei-chan childhood friends, before ei-chan started her development.

"I was going to die! By being drowned under the large order of fan mail, they saved me." Eijun said, chibi tears in the blink of falling again. "I can't finish all the fan mail and then look at the scouts in time! I don't wanna miss a year of school! Just ca'se I couldn't decide which suited better!"

"Maybe ay should give up and go ta Miyoshi;" Pausing, Sawamura winced as she realized her farming accent was showing. "Ay don't wan-ta study too awfully hard!" Tick marks popped out in the foreheads of her childhood friends; Miyoshi, easy? Bah! smart alecs could go die faw all they done cared faw!

"Unless.."A deranged smile appeared on Sawamura face as an idea popped into placefisting a hand and smaking it to her her other. "That's It! Maybe I can do a last minute sabotage and get my grades extremely low, I get held back; and become a Yaku-"

SLAP

"Get that 'I wanna be stupid' look off your face! Someone came all the way from Tokyo just to talk to you! So go wash your face; off your lazy ass and get into the dinning room!"

"Eto..." Eijun said, as she rubbed her cheek gently; blinking at her grandfather with a confused look. Her friends taking that as the cue to get out, despite being curious to the new comer to their friend's house, it was best time to leave. Wakana leaving the invitation on the table, so that Ei-chan would notice it right away.

"On the dot!" Her ji-san said, leaving no argument to be made.

With no further need of motivation, Ei-chan scrambled to the bathroom to clean up, washing her face and letting her hair down she made a half-made bun. Making sure her blazer was back on neatly. She walked straightening her back. Letting out a sigh, she made her way towards the dining room, making sure to keep her footsteps as quiet as possible. Calmly, she noticed the woman seated on the other side on the table, facing her grandfather.

The woman was all business like and sat perfectly drinking from one of her grandmother's fine tea cups. Stiffly she greeting the woman who looked at her with sharp predatory eyes that made her feel like a small animal. Gracefully sitting down next to her grandfather. The woman slide forward to what looked to be an identification card towards them.

Is she a scout? Eijun thought to herself. Taking a small glance towards the cards before meeting eye contact with the women.

"It's nice to finally meet you Sawamura Eijun." She said, with a slight smile. "My name is Takashima Rei, I am the assistant head coach of Seido High."

Eijun just stared at her, before taking a better look at the card, well shit. She thought to herself stunned. Here I thought I would finally quit baseball.

Review!

Thank you for reading!

I'll try and post as soon as I can, Note that Sawamura Eijun is going to be a lot more different than canon but at the same time she'll act like the canon Sawamura depending on the situation.

Also please note that this might be slightly different than what I had originally posted, but I decided that I was completely lost when I re-read my story and thought that perhaps I should rewrite some of the chapters… If anyone or if I get multiple people I will re-post what I had originally for this chapter, since I have the original saved in case people don't like the rewritten version of the first nine chapters.

( I know I should of done this in the beginning but I was too lazy :9) Disclaimer: I do not own ace of diamond nor any characters unless they are my oc

Thanks again! Please Review!