Ok, this chapter is not what I originally planned. I'm trying to wait a few more chapters until things really heat up, so be patient.


Late into the night you sat up in your bed thinking about Hiruma. (As scary as that may seem). You couldn't help it, you also didn't know why. It better not be love, because that's for fucking wimps! Oh God! Now you're sounding like him? What next; ear piercings and the devils grin? Get out of my head! But his face wouldn't leave, neither would that moment on the train when he brushed his hand on your knee. That was a memory you couldn't shake, no matter how hard you tried. Why is this more confusing than it has to be? Maybe it's my fault, maybe I shouldn't have joined the football team and none of this would ever happen. As soon as you thought that, another voice contradicted, Hiruma isn't all that bad, he did save you from Mamori. So what? That doesn't mean anything. Or does it? Shut up! This is making me feel like a mental case. Wait, I thought I was… Never mind!


Last night left you with more questions than answers about Hiruma. What did he really want from you? If he let you join the team, why won't he let you go up against other teams? Why is watching you think out loud right in front of him?!

"Are you pondering over me or something?" He grinned at your confused expression.

"Will you just butt out of my head!"

He sat down in the club house with his laptop, "I never wanted in, so I guess I can leave you alone."

The last question was still driving you mad. "Hiruma, Why am I on this team when you won't let me play?"

"Simple, 1) You're a girl, 2) you would get killed out there and 3) It's a sexist game and you're a girl."

"That was simple? It sounds like excuses. If I'm wearing the gear and pads, and I play hard, who will notice?"

He narrowed his eyes and made his face inches away from yours, " The guy that tackles you to the ground will notice, and more importantly, I will." Then he backed off and continued typing, but with his jaw clenched in anger.

"Why is it important that you notice?" Half wanted him to lie, but the other half wanted the truth. Even though you weren't sure what the reason was at all.

He sighed, "It's important because I don't want one the best damn players on this team get killed before we even get started. I'm saving you for a game when it really matters."

Holy shit, did he just admit that I'm a first string player and not a bench warmer? Thank the Lord for that! "Oh, well that makes sense." Your voice quieter and calm, "Thanks, I guess."

He shrugged and looked back at his laptop. The two of you sat in silence until the rest of the team came for late night practice.


After another hard core practice, you stayed in the club house late into the night to finish homework so that you wouldn't forget to do it in the morning. It was around ten o'clock when you just put everything away and opened the door to go home when Hiruma was right there.

"God dammit, you scared the living shit out of me."

He smirked, "I tend to do that to people." He noticed your bag slung over your shoulder, "You headed home now?"

"Yeah." You walked past him to get started. He followed right beside you.

"I'll walk home with you, it's late and you live on the shitty part of town."

"Gee thanks, you didn't think I knew that? I can take care of myself."

He hasn't looked at you yet, "I know you can, but in your neighborhood, anything can happen after dark."

You had to agree with that, "True, but there's no one there I can't handle."

He didn't respond, he just kept looking straight ahead.


As you waved Hiruma off and walked through the door, you couldn't help but smile. Ok, maybe he is alright. He did say I was one of the best players and he wouldn't let me walk home in the dark by myself. Ok, so the last part made you feel like a little kid, but it was nice to not be alone for once.


Sorry for the ultra shortness. but like I said, the heat will be coming soon, so don't bug out on me yet!