A/N: Hello all! This is my first fanfic, I hope you like it! Please review, I would love your input, ways I can improve, etc. Thank you so much for reading! :) Enjoy!

Prologue

"Morning practice always flies by so fast…" The first-year captain of Raimon Jr. High's soccer team sighed. His companions smiled as they made their way to the main school building. One of them, a slim boy with brown hair that fell in waves to his shoulders, chuckled lightly. "Of course you would say that, Tenma." From in between the two, a voice piped up, "Yeah Shindou-senpai, 'cause he's a soccer freak, just like Endou-kantaku!" Shindou and the speaker laughed as Tenma flushed, embarrassed. "Oi oi, Shinsuke, I don't know about that…"

A deeper, gentle voice spoke from beside the brown-haired captain, "No, I'm pretty sure Shinsuke's right, Tenma." The now thoroughly embarrassed youth covered his face with his hands and cried, "Tsurugi! Come on, guys, stop it! I love soccer, so what? That doesn't make me a freak!" Shindou grinned reassuringly at his friend and spoke in his smooth voice, "don't worry, Tenma, we mean it in the best possible way." Tenma sighed in defeat as they neared the school building. "Whatever you say, Shindou-senpai…" Shindou's laugh died in his throat as Tsurugi interrupted, "Who's that?"

The second-year student's gaze followed that of his junior, and his eyebrows furrowed. "I have no idea…" The person they were all staring at was a girl, a little shorter than Shindou, and she looked a little bit nervous. She lingered outside the gates, as if debating whether or not to enter the school grounds, worriedly twirling a lock of soft-looking light, but bright pink hair that was medium-long, tied up into a high ponytail. The small group continued to watch her as she stood uncertainly, looking as though she wanted to run. But then, she took a big breath, set her jaw, and stepped off the sidewalk. Tenma grinned, "hey! Let's see if she needs anything!"

And before Shindou could tell him that she probably wanted to go to her class and not be made late, the three first-year students had set off in the girl's direction, Shinsuke straightening the light blue sweatband he wore around his hair that stuck up every which way, and Tenma already prepared to ask the poor girl if she loved soccer. Sighing, Shindou caught up to them, and reminded himself to stick with Kirino or Sangoku next time he left practice.

"Hi there!" The petite girl turned quickly, slightly startled at Tenma's loud greeting. She smiled, a pretty gesture that went all the way to her turquoise eyes, and made Shindou's stomach do an odd flip-flop. She was really pretty...

"Oh, hello." Her sweet and gentle voice brought Shindou back into reality. Tenma offered her his right hand. "I'm Matsukaze Tenma!" She reached out and grasped his hand in a warm handshake, "Kimiyama Tori." Tenma smiled happily and then gestured to all of his friends in turn. "This is Tsurugi Kyousuke," The navy-haired boy inclined his head in greeting. Tori smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Tsurugi-san."

Tenma continued, "And Nishizono Shinsuke," The really short goalkeeper waved a hand energetically. Tori's smile grew wider at the sigh of the playful boy. "Good to meet you, Nishizono-san." Tenma waved a hand in the direction of his last companion, "and this is Shindou Takuto-senpai." When the new girl's gaze landed on Shindou, he felt his face heat up, and his lips curled into a small smile. She rekindled her smile, just for him, and said, "It's a pleasure, Shindou-san." Shindou inclined his head, responding immediately, "the pleasure is all mine, Kimiyama-san." The girl shook her head emphatically, "please, call me Tori." The boys all nodded.

"So, Tori-san, where are you headed?" Tenma, ever the conversationalist, asked. The girl shrugged, then said, "I'm heading for the principal's office. My, um, cousin said he'd give me a class schedule." Tenma grinned and grabbed her hand. "I'll take you there! See you in class, Tsurugi and Shinsuke!" And, just like that, he dragged her away.

Tsurugi shoved his hands in the pocket of his purple slacks, the matching elbow length cape he always wore swishing around as he did so. He almost never wore the school uniform. "Well, I don't intend to be late for class. See you, Shindou." He motioned for Shinsuke to follow him, and the two set off for their homeroom. Shindou shook his head, the ghost of a smile playing on his lips. He turned and headed after them into the building, silently wondering where that adorable girl had come from.

A/N: I hope you liked it, I should be updating fairly soon. Don't forget to review, just a little note with what you thought would mean a lot to me.

Thanks again! :D
~Swaggy-chan