Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed the story so far! Seeing reviews always gives me the motivation to keep writing for you guys. I hope you'll enjoy reading chapter two of Eternal Snow. Please review when you're done!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inazuma Eleven. Only the OC, Azumi, that I have introduced into this fanfiction belongs to me.


"Do you know how to play soccer?" he asked her. She nodded, but looked a little uncomfortable.

"Are you sure you don't want to play anything else?" she inquired for the third time, fidgeting a little as she asked him.

"Yes! Soccer is really fun, so I want to play it with you," he nodded his head vigorously. "Why do you not want to play?"

"Well, um, I was wondering... if I win, will you be sad?" she quietly asked. He shook his head.

"Of course not!" he told her. "Losing is just as good as winning. That's my opinion at least. Atsuya only ever wants to win. Besides, you don't know who will win until you actually play."

"Oh..." she trailed off. She seemed to be thinking hard about something, so he let her be for awhile. Finally, she hesitated before nodding.

"I guess... I could play soccer with you then," she decided. He smiled widely.

"Great! I'll start the game," he said and set the soccer ball down. "Ready?" She nodded, and he moved to kick the ball.


Her nervousness had completely disappeared with the knowledge that Fubuki was in the same class as her, more so with the fact that her seat was right next to his. She always felt much more confident when she was with him. But when Fubuki wasn't around to help her, Azumi became unsocial and nervous around large groups of people. In the past, she had hated herself for relying on her friend too much, and after parting ways with him, she had done her best to grow stronger alone. She couldn't always depend on Fubuki, now could she?

Morning classes soon ended, and before the rest of the class could surround the two childhood friends and bombard them with questions, they stood up and quickly exited the room to eat lunch together elsewhere. Walking side by side through the hallways and attracting stares along the way, Azumi and Fubuki made their way to the roof. Both were itching to ask the other questions and catch up on the years they had been apart. Finally, Fubuki couldn't stay silent any longer.

"I thought you went overseas. Why did you come back?" he asked as they climbed another flight of stairs to the roof.

"Well, you already know I went overseas to take on the work my parents left behind. The companies my parents used to own abroad weren't doing very well after their deaths, but with a bit of assistance, I got them back on track. As soon as I finished what I had to do, I decided to come back to Japan. I thought I would surprise you with my return, but I guess you surprised me instead," Azumi laughed. "I never thought that you would be in the same school as me. So why did you transfer here from Hakuren?"

"I transferred to Raimon because of the soccer club here. I've made a lot of new friends with the members of the club," Fubuki explained. He turned a questioning gaze upon his friend. "Did you hear about the Aliea Academy incident while you were abroad?"

"Yes, but I was a little busy while overseas, so I didn't know very much about it. Why?" They headed up the last set of stairs to the roof area.

"I was on the team that saved the world," Fubuki grinned as Azumi looked at him in surprise. "I transferred here mainly because of the members on that team. They helped me understand who I really am and became some of my closest friends."

"Who you really are...?" Azumi echoed. She noticed that Fubuki's scarf was gone just as they reached the entrance to the school roof. "You're not wearing your scarf anymore. Then, did you finally...?" Fubuki nodded, and Azumi smiled in delight.

"That's great to hear! I'm so happy for you," she told him and opened the door. A rush of sunshine met them as they headed out into fresh air and sat on the bench by the door. Azumi looked up at the clear sky while Fubuki unpacked his lunch, her eyes misty with memories of the past. "Things have really changed, huh? I can't believe four years have gone by since we last saw each other. I wish I could have been here to support you like your other friends..." Her voice took on a tone of longing and regret. In all the years that she had been away, Fubuki had steadily changed. He had met new people and made wonderful memories with them. She wondered if he had ever really missed her like she had missed him.

"That's not true," Fubuki shook his head with a smile. Azumi looked at him questioningly. "You were always with me, right here." He placed a hand over his heart to show what he meant and turned to smile at the girl sitting beside him. "I never forgot you, Azumi. When I was in doubt, I would remember you and your smile, and suddenly everything would seem clearer. Even when the others helped me understand who I was, you were on my mind alongside them, cheering me on. If it weren't for you, I don't think I would have had the courage to change." Fubuki gave a heartfelt smile to Azumi, and all the emotions he had kept bottled up in his heart came spilling out with his next few words. "I... really missed you, Azumi."

An entire bucket of feelings washed over her after hearing those words. Where had they come from? She didn't know. Perhaps Fubuki's feelings had reached out and bridged the gap that had grown in his absence from her life, allowing hers to go and meet his. With a somewhat flushed face, she put four years' worth of emotions into her own words.

"I missed you too, Fubuki," Azumi returned quietly. Those simple words they exchanged held more meaning to them than either of them thought they knew. For the four years they had been apart, their emotions had silently accumulated until they were carrying a mass burden. But with this, the burden they had been carrying was lifted, and their chests free of the heavy load. They could finally face the world and each other just like they once had.


The school day was over. Azumi and Fubuki had caught up with one another during lunch. Now it was as if they had never been apart in the first place.

"Your cooking is as good as ever, Azumi," Fubuki dreamily said with a content sigh as he packed up his things. He thought about the cookies Azumi had made in home economics class and another sigh escaped him.

"If you like my cooking so much, why not just live with me so I can cook for you everyday?" Azumi teased. She had meant it entirely as a joke, but Fubuki's eyes lit up at the thought.

"That's a great idea! I should move in with you," he cried. Azumi stopped packing up and stared at him.

"You're joking, aren't you?" she slowly asked.

"No, I'm serious," Fubuki went on. "You live by yourself now that your butler has retired, right? Seeing as how I'm currently living with a friend, it makes a lot more sense if we just live together. I would hate to give my friend and his family more trouble by staying with them any longer."

"No, it doesn't!" Azumi hotly retorted. Her face was burning up at the very notion of Fubuki living in her house with her. "I like living by myself!" Now that was a definite lie. She had always been a bad liar, and Fubuki knew it. Truthfully, she felt lonely living by herself, but it was just too much to ask for Fubuki to live with her. It would only make things a lot more awkward too.

"I can see through your lie, Azumi," Fubuki told her. "It's decided then! I'm moving into your house tonight, and no buts." Azumi opened her mouth to protest only to close it and shake her head instead. Based on past experiences, Fubuki would not budge about his decision no matter what she said. And secretly, she actually liked the idea of living with Fubuki, though she would never admit that out loud. Azumi had just finished gathering her things together when Fubuki suddenly yelped.

"Oh no, we spent so much time talking that I forgot about practice!" Fubuki cried. He hurriedly pulled his belongings together before taking Azumi's hand and lunging for the door, pulling Azumi with him. Her face reddened at the contact.

"W-Wait, Fubuki! Why do I have to go to practice with you?" Azumi stammered. They flew past bewildered students on their way out, causing Azumi to blush even further.

"Because I want you to meet everyone! They're really nice people. I just know you'll like them!" Fubuki answered. Azumi wasn't so sure about that, but she would go meet them since Fubuki insisted on it.


"I don't know about this..." Azumi fidgeted. They were outside of the school now, and nearing the soccer field even as they spoke. Fubuki turned to look back at her with a gentle smile and squeezed her hand in reassurance. They were still holding hands.

"It'll be fine. I told you, they're nice people," he said to her soothingly. With a pink face, Azumi nodded and continued to follow him to their destination. Within moments, a large soccer field came into view, where members of the soccer team were already playing. The people stopped to look at Fubuki and Azumi as they came down the stone steps. Fubuki held his free hand up and waved at them as he and Azumi came closer.

"Sorry for being late by a few minutes, guys! I hope I didn't keep you all waiting for long," he apologized.

"It's fine, Fubuki! Practice just started, so you didn't miss much. Coach Kudou isn't here yet either. By the way, who's that behind you?" a boy with an orange headband asked. His many companions turned curious eyes toward Azumi as well, who did her best not to shrink back in embarrassment.

"Oh, this is Azumi, who just transferred here today from being overseas. She and I have known each other for a really long time," Fubuki explained. Smiling, he nodded to Azumi for her to introduce herself. Letting go of his hand, she stepped forward with a shy smile.

"It's really nice to meet you all. Fubuki has told me a lot about you guys," Azumi greeted in a quiet voice. She could already name each of the members by the descriptions Fubuki had given her earlier.

"Well, it's nice to meet you too, Azumi!" the boy who had spoken earlier grinned. "I'm Endou by the way, captain and main goalkeeper of the Raimon soccer club." He went on to introduce each of his friends in turn, which was unnecessary, but Azumi did not tell say that out loud. There were a few girls mixed in with the number of boys, like the four managers, or Touko and Rika, who actually participated in matches.

"Say, do you know how to play soccer?" Endou curiously asked after the introductions were finished. Azumi stared at him. The situation was oddly familiar... She was getting a sense of déjà vu. It was almost like history was repeating itself. Maybe... maybe it was time to slightly change history. But right as she opened her mouth to give a confident reply back, a man with dark violet hair appeared from the opposite end of the field and began to walk towards them.

"Oh no, it's Coach Kudou!" Endou exclaimed. The Raimon soccer club members were suddenly running for their lives, quickly getting into formation for another practice match between themselves. "Sorry, Azumi, but we have to go before our coach kills us for slacking off!"

"O-Oh, all right," Azumi blinked and watched as Endou ran off to join the others.

"Sorry, Azumi, but I have to go and get changed for practice. Watch us, okay?" Fubuki gave a quick smile before running off himself, leaving his friend to watch the Raimon soccer club play soccer by the sidelines. Their coach, in the meantime, had finally gotten close enough to start instructing them in their practice match. Azumi watched the game closely, noting every hissatsu technique or maneuver used. Not even five minutes had passed before she had a good idea about all of their abilities. She observed how Tachimukai's team went on the defensive, only to fail by letting Endou's team come in through a small gap in their formation. It happened again when the midfielders on Endou's team passed in a certain pattern to the forwards.

"...They're falling into a trap," Azumi murmured.

"Sorry, did you say something?" Aki asked.

"It's nothing," Azumi quickly said, yet it bothered her. Fubuki had told her that Kidou was their main strategist, but in this case he was on Endou's team for the practice match. Tachimukai's team had no such strategists to help figure out the trick. Why can't they see it? Something on her face must have shown how bothered she was, because the next moment Aki was there beside her.

"You look distracted," she commented in concern. "Is something the matter?"

"No, like I said before, it's nothing to worry about," Azumi reassured the manager. She was turning it into a big deal when it wasn't. It was just a practice match after all. But then why did she feel so bothered about it? Aki was silent as she stared at the beautiful girl standing beside her before finally smiling.

"You know what? I think you need something to take your mind off of matters. Why don't you go try on our soccer uniform and come back to show us girls how it looks?" Aki suggested. "The dressing building for the girls is right over there. Spare uniforms are kept inside on the shelf to the left." She couldn't but feel that maybe Aki was right about needing something to distract her from the sensation.

"...All right," Azumi accepted the offer and headed off. She did not notice how Kidou was staring after her with an unreadable expression. He had been close enough to hear what she had said earlier about a trap. That girl...


She zipped up her jacket and stored her clothes in her bag on the bench before turning to view how she looked in the mirror. Azumi had to admit that the uniform was pretty comfortable. At least it didn't look as bad as the uniforms of some other schools. Opening the door, Azumi exited the dressing building and made her way towards the soccer field again. The feeling of walking around in a soccer uniform again after so long was enough to bring a smile to her face. As I thought, soccer and soccer uniforms are the best. Wearing it made her want to play the sport.

Azumi slowed down a little as the field came into view, noticing that Fubuki had finally joined the others. She smiled proudly to see her friend defend the ball from the opposing team as she reached the stone steps leading to the soccer grounds.

Then it happened in a split second. Shadow managed to get the ball, but just barely, and accidentally sent the ball flying in a direction other than the goal... towards Azumi.

"Oh no! Watch out!" Endou yelled. Without even thinking about it, Azumi's reflexes kicked in and she easily defended the ball using her stomach. She then quickly sent it flying back with a good kick. Tachimukai didn't even have time to bat an eye as the shoot made it into the goal. Silence descended over the entire group as they all turned to stare in disbelief at Azumi, who looked a little embarrassed. Kidou was the first to speak.

"I knew it. You're a skilled soccer player, just like I thought. The way you followed the ball when you were watching made me wonder about you," Kidou uttered. He raised his head to stare her in the eyes. "You also figured out our shooting pattern, right?"

"Yes," Azumi responded. Her gaze was steady as she stared back at Kidou. Soccer... It was one of the few subjects that she could talk about for hours on end without getting nervous. It was a fascinating sport that she had played since she was little. After kicking the ball for the first time in four years, she finally realized why she had been so bothered earlier. She loved soccer and she took it seriously. It was a sport she was ready to play on a daily schedule again.

"Who is that?" Coach Kudou asked. His dark eyes were also trained on Azumi. This time it was Fubuki who spoke up.

"That's Azumi. She's a childhood friend of mine. If you're wondering about her skills..." Fubuki smiled knowingly. "They're top-notch, even though she hasn't played in four years due to being busy. If I remember correctly, she's been called the kind of soccer player that won't ever come again." More silence. Everyone kept staring at Azumi, but she ignored them. Her attention was focused on Coach Kudou now.

"If it's all right with you, I'd like to join the Raimon soccer club," Azumi told him.

"Done. As of today, you're officially a part of the club," he answered. And just like that, she was in. Coach Kudou turned his attention to the other members. "Well, what are you all doing? Stop gawking and resume practice. Azumi, switch out with Matsune on Endou's team as forward." The coach's orders were followed as Matsune left the field for Azumi, giving her a look of awe on his way to the bench. Everyone else stopped staring as well, but they were all fidgeting, both with unease and amazement at their newest member's abilities.

"Amazing..." Endou mumbled. He was suddenly shouting at the top of his voice enthusiastically. "That was just amazing, Azumi! I never knew that there were soccer players like you out there!" Azumi chuckled as she took her position on the field. He's as passionate about soccer like Fubuki said he would be. Fubuki came up at that moment to grin at her.

"You're still as good as ever, Azumi," he complimented. "Don't be afraid to go all out, okay? You should show the world the skills you've been hiding all this time as a soccer player."

"I heard you," Azumi smiled back brightly. She was already bubbling with excitement at the chance to play soccer after so long. There had been no time to practice or play soccer overseas. Nodding to each other, Fubuki ran back to his position and the practice match resumed once more. Their team got to start with a kickoff. As soon as Gouenji had passed the ball to her, she kicked it into the air before kicking it again, straight at the goal.

"A direct shoot?" Kidou cried. Tachimukai and the defenders on his team were unable to stop the ball as it landed in the goal once more.

"That's some crazy kick power..." Touko's eyes were wide as she stared at Azumi.

"I couldn't stop it," Tachimukai looked a little ashamed of himself.

"Don't worry about it! You guys did a good job!" Endou shouted to them with an encouraging smile. "Now, let's play some more soccer!"


It was already break time. After washing their hands, everyone proceeded to eat the rice balls the managers had prepared. The soccer club members all sat down in a wide circle on the ground as they ate. Tachimukai's team was slumped over on one side of the circle, wearing such dejected faces that it looked more comical than anything.

"We lost 10 - 0 in the first half..." Tachimukai muttered.

"Yeah..." Kurimatsu groaned.

"Sorry about that," Azumi smiled apologetically. "Fubuki told me to go all out, so..."

"Then it was because of you! She would have gone easy on us otherwise!" Kurimatsu and the others glared daggers at Fubuki, who laughed nervously.

"Sorry. But technically, she did go easy on you guys. If you think back to the first half, she didn't use any hissatsu techniques, remember?" Fubuki smiled. "Otherwise, if she had, you would have been battered and bruised by the end of it."

"Somehow, that doesn't make me feel any better," Tachimukai mumbled and everyone laughed. The conversation took a turn for the better, with everyone having a good time and enjoying themselves. As Azumi smiled at a joke Tsunami made, she couldn't help but think about how nice the Raimon soccer club was. Fubuki had been right. The members were all nice people and she was able to get along with them well. Never before had she felt so happy to have chosen to play soccer. She turned to look at Fubuki, and they exchanged smiles, each having the same thought in their minds.

I'm really glad that I transferred to Raimon Junior High.