Hey you guys! What's up and all?
Thanks for the reviews, you should review again, and tell me what you guys want in the story. I'll see what I like and such. So then, I'm finally on chapter nine! YAY! Did I tell you how much I hated the anime? One more thing, while I was making the chapter, the song that was stuck in my head this time was White Horse by Taylor Swift, and Absolutely (story of a girl) by nine days.
Disclaimer: Don't' own Eyeshield 21
Warning: Hiruma and Agon. Bad grammer and such you know, the usual.
Enjoy and review~~
Lilbakasaru- Do you really? That's quite interesting
itachisgurl93- This chapter explains it so don't worry!
akuma-river- Do you really think that? Well, don't worry, it explains that too.
Toraus - Yeah, but I had to put someone in the hospital. And why not torture Shin as well?
-No POV-
The entire Oujou White Knight team gathered at the door number 21. Sena's number. How ironic. The newest addition to the family was in the hospital, already. No one planned it. No one saw it coming, especially with him. It just happened.
Who knew that Shin Seijuro would have 'accidentally' tackle Kobayakawa Sena, who sacrificed his shoulder, just so he could take down Deimon's ace running back Kaitani Riku? Well, he got back up, but Sena didn't. It was in all the sports area in the newspapers and such. Saying that Shin himself didn't know what happened, saying that Shin couldn't trust his own players, and saying about how if it was Sakuraba who was playing and took Shin's place,nothing would have happened. Oujou still won though, like everyone predicted, at the cost of two players. One was in the hospital and the other one was feeling guilt for the first time. Who knew Shin would be so clueless about this stuff? It was weird, how Shin would still practice like normal, and train even harder, always muttering, "Sena…" under his breath. Then, he thought of Sena, and all the guilt came rushing back and he would train his body to the max. "I'll protect you…Sena…" he would always said, always thinking about the small running back. They remembered the latest game against the Sengoku Punks, 7-6 they barely won. And then before that, was the Seibu game. They knew that if Sena was okay they would have won more than at the game with Deimon, Seibu, and destroy the Punks.
So there they were, walking in as they saw Sena who was smiling. And it stung, just a little, but it stung. This was the first the entire team, minus Sakuraba who had special access, they got to see Sena. Sakuraba got a recording of the latest games and let Sena watch them, quite happily, too. They had small smiles, glad to see that the poor boy was still happy. "S-so, how was the game? Sa…S-Sakuraba-san hasn't given me the v-video to watch it. W-What happened? I-I-I Her..her-heard th-that y-you guys won 7-6," Sena looked at them concerned as Otawara laughed.
"If you were there, we would have won 100-0!" he exclaimed happily slapping Sena on the back, oddly gentle. Sena laughed partially and then saw Shin. He smiled brightly.
"Shin-san!" Sena physically straightened up and smiled proudly at Shin, who didn't meet his eyes. He saw the games…Against both Seibu and Sengoku, the ones where I played horribly. I should've… Shin twitched at the thought. God damnit… Why can't I play well now since I actually have a fan? No, instead, I had to put in the hospital… And he still respects me!
This feeling… Takami was surprised at the sudden change in Shin's atmosphere. It's the same one as the one after those games when I told Shin that Sena saw the game. The game with Seibu…Could it be…Nah, no way Takami turned his attention away from Shin and focused on Sena, still feeling the atmosphere.
"Sena." Sena looked discourage as Shin just left the room, he looked at the coach. "Get well soon, we need you for the next game." Sena replied with a smile and nod. So, slowly, everyone left. All except Sakuraba, who was in a chair next to Sena and his bed.
"Sena?" Sakuraba looked curiously at Sena. Completely oblivious to the fact that Shin was going to walk in and heard everything they said along with the two Deimon members that were right behind Shin. "Sena, if this is about the money, I already told you. I'll pay." Sakuraba soothed, or at least tempted to.
"Sakuraba-sempai….I-I'm sorry…"Sena's eyes were downcast, "Being a burden to you and such…" I bet that I'm the poorest kid ever. Sena thought glumly.
If Sena needs money, he could just ask me… Riku thought bitterly.
"It's fine Sena," Sakuraba lightly comforted the smaller boy, "I have a job, remember?" he smiled lightly. A job…Maybe…Maybe I should too… Sena thought with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Shin!" Sena's head shot up just in time to meet Shin's eyes. Unreadable. "Sorry, I'll wait for you outside." Sakuraba walked off and Shin stepped into the room, taking Sakuraba's spot on the chair.
"I'm sorry." Sena said, not making any eye-contact with Shin, who just stared at him. This is the first time he comes to visit me and that's all I could say. Great. Shin-san probably hates me for getting in his way during the Deimon vs. Oujou game. Why did I jump in like that? Idiot! "I…I sh-shouldn't have ran in like that. I'm really sorry! I…I…" Sena won't cry if front of someone as great as Shin. Well, Shin was missing training just to see Sena. This was an honor.
"…I'm sorry for putting you in the hospital, Sena." Shin said, got up and tried to leave. Sena looked at him, and then at the empty chair.
"Shin-san!" Shin looked surprised, but didn't turn back, he couldn't. "Next time…I-I'll become faster…and when I do…I-I will make you proud. There won't be a single person in the world that could defeat me…in-including you…Shin-san." Sena smiled broadly but it disappeared when Shin left without saying a word. You aren't going to be the only one improving; I too will not lose, from now to the end. Especially to you. Shin thought, and when he saw Sakuraba, Sakuraba read his eyes and nodded with a small smile
Sakuraba walked back in and sat in the same seat again, "Are you okay? Shin said he was going to go train some more," he looked at Sena's face, he was smiling, but his eyes weren't. Poor Sena… Sakuraba thought. What the hell am I doing? They both thought. I should be training…instead of being in this…this confined hospital…Sena sighed at the thought. At this rate, I'm going to be left behind. And then, the door slammed open and two reporters stormed in. Behind, was long forgotten Riku and Monta.
"SAKURABA!" The lady yelled and Sakuraba's face twitched, "I heard that you were coming to the hospital!" she turned to Sena, "You're very lucky to have the trump card come and support you! Especially when your own teammate came to tackle you! You should…" The lady was rudely cut off at the curtain dividing the room ripped open.
"BE QUIET!!!" A small boy screamed at the reporters and everyone in the room except the boy flinched, "DIDN'T ANYONE TELL YOU THAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE QUIET IN THE HOSPITAL?!?! I ALMOST FELL ASLEEP BEFORE YOU STORMED IN! NOW GET OUT! ALL OF YOU!!" he screamed at the top of his lungs as he though many items at them as the reporter and cameraman were chased away. Riku and Monta (Raimon Taro, but it's not like anyone remembers that) looked quite amused as Sena, Sakuraba, and the boy started a small conversation, completely oblivious to the fact that they walked in.
"Sorry. Did I awake you?" immediately, Sakuraba and Sena apologized "Sakuraba-sempai, how was the game? I didn't…" Sena was interrupted as the boy smiled brightly and started yelling, again.
"YOU'RE SAKURABA? THE SAKURABA HARUTO? I DIDN'T BELIEVE IT! AUTOGRAPH! I NEED AN AUTOGHRAPH!" He yelled as he rummaged through his bad, muttering, "Autograph" as Sakuraba passed him a CD.
"Here." He handed him a CD. An autographed CD.
"What? Do you think I'm an idiot or something? Are you trying to insult me?" Sakuraba stared at him, confused, "Even thought I saw it only once, I didn't think that it was possible to catch the ball like that. I've always remembered you're name." The boy said proudly, giving Sakuraba a football and marker, "Oujou White Knights receiver, Sakuraba Haruto. You're my hero." Monta nodded, Sakuraba was his hero too. Riku turned to Sena and gave him some fruit.
"Sena?" Riku questioned and Sena just smiled lightly at the white haired boy and he blinked, but returned the smile.
"Could you please add, "To Torakichi"?" Sakuraba signed the football and gave it back. The boy took it with both arms and hugged it really tight.
"So, you play American Football?" Sakuraba asked as Sena, Monta, and Riku were completely ignored. Riku wanted to start a conversation with Sena, but he kept his silence. And Monta…For him, this was story time.
"I want to play, but there is no American Football in elementary school, so I play touch football," he said with a happy grin. Touch football, football that doesn't' hurt. How lucky… Sena sighed, rubbing the spot where Shin has practiced many, many, spear tackles on him. "When our game was finished, I caught the last glimpse of the Oujou game, and that's when I saw it. I thought it was amazing back then…no…Even bigger! I may be a shorty, but….I'll get taller…and when I do…It'll be me that could catch all those passes…All of them!" Torakichi smiled brightly as Sakuraba looked away and said it. The blunt truth that only Sena knew.
"That catch… was merely a coincidence." Monta just stared at Sakuraba, jaws dropped. Sena bit his lips, and Thought so. I was wondering why he was on the team for catches I could've caught. Riku thought. "Other people always do what they like and turned me into a hero. You guys have no idea what kind of pressure this is…People expecting so much…All lies…And when I fail…They're disappointed, completely." Sakuraba finished and Monta exploded. Riku tried to shut him up, but it didn't work out so well.
"How could you say that?!" he screamed and Sakuraba locked eyes with him. Pure hatred and the blunt truth. "How could you say that to your own fan? FUCK! I thought you were a great person. But I was blinded! Instead, there is this lame-o-receiver!" and Monta kept repeating it as Torakichi was desperately trying to shut him off.
He tried throwing anything and everything. Including the football Sakuraba recently signed. "AH!" he screamed as he realized what he had thrown.
"Careful there. This is your…precious treasure, right?" Monta lightly threw it back, and it hit a person. A nurse. Nurse Ota.
"AH!!!" Monta and Riku yelled in surprise and because they were frightened, they ran for it. Shit! I didn't get to tell Sena anything! Riku thought and mentally cursed. I'll come back later, I know the room number anyways, room 421!
Sena lightly chuckled as the conversation continued, "You suck. And you're annual records prove it." Torakichi commented and Sakuraba twitched. "But! Lemme say something, this won't change the fact that Sakuraba Haruto is my hero." Sakuraba glanced at him, a small smile growing on his face. "That one catch…was amazing…I don't care how bad you are," he grinned broadly as they were brought some food, it was lunch time. As Sena and Torakichi fought with their green peppers, Sakuraba bought and ate lunch, they patiently waited, so they started another conversation.
"We're having a match next month. I finally made it to the first string…Ouch!" Torakichi grabbed his leg.
"Are you okay?" was the immediate response from Sena.
"Yeah. All this for a stupid car crash…" he smirked, too bad that smirk disappeared as soon as the doctor and nurse Ota came in. While they closed the curtains, Sakuraba walked over with a questioning look, but didn't say anything.
"B….But…I have a game next month!!" He exclaimed, tears forming. Sakuraba and Sena blinked, a depressing look on their face.
"I'm sorry, but…for you to be able to walk again, will at least take one or two years." The doctor said sadly as Torakichi cried.
---
Later, Torakichi began talking, "…My teacher…said I could come out from being a reserve player if I would practice a bit harder for six more years, I could be a regular. She didn't' lie. Instead, this happened. Why? I've practiced so hard for the past six years! Why did I have to lose it?" Torakichi began crying again and Sakuraba walked over to him. Sena hoped that the older male wouldn't do anything to hurt the boy anymore than now.
"I've made up my mind;" Sena looked at Sakuraba, "That catch you saw…I'll make sure that that won't be a coincidence anymore. I'll practice really hard," That means…Sakuraba could become the ace! That means…I'll be the only one lacking the practice. God! Why can't I practice to? "During that period, are you going to be crying?" And then, Sakuraba left, saying a good-bye to Sena, Sena returned it.
"…Torakichi-kun…" Sena started a small smile on his face, "I'm falling behind aren't I? While the team is practicing and training," Especially Shin-san… "I am here in the hospital, resting." Sena smiled sadly, not seeing Shin walk back in with his jogging hood back on. "When I'm back out…I'll make it so that nothing could touch my speed, so that way…Shin-san won't have to worry about me. That way… I won't disappoint him or anyone else."
"Sena…"Sena's head shot up and looked over to the door to see if someone called him.
There was no one there.
I thought that was Shin-san' s voice… Sena thought, but laid back and gave in to the much needed sleep. When I wake-up, I'll go play the video. He thought and fell asleep. Shin-san…
