Sorry for beeing... well, years late everyone. I have started studying gamedesign last year and it's a riot! But incredibly busy. Whatever free time I have left I use up sleeping (thnk you very much). Anyways, I have been asked a LOT of times to finally update, so thank you all for your patience and I hope I can meet your expectations with this chapter. I have also started another story in the digimon section. That one's gonna be an epic and the single OC i'm going to add (I never work with OC in fanfiction but I'll make this one exception) will have some characteristics I kinda wanna show. Since I'm autistic (I got asperger. If you don't know what it is, L of death note is a good example of a case though everyone's case is different) I get misunderstood a LOT. 50% of the time, sometimes more, when I say something people misunderstand me and it is highly frustrating. One of the reasons I sometimes say nothing at all. There's also a lot of misconceptions about autistic people and the way we see the world so I thought I would show you my point of view, at least up to a certain point since it's still a story and I plan to have fun with it! :D But now back to Innocence, read, and most of all, have fun!!!

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So no one would notice my weak defence.

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The small freshmen in PE clothes silently made his way through the school. A blue cap on his head, pulled over his eyes in an attempt to hide his face as much as possible. The corridors were still empty, filled with the soft rumble coming from the classes which had yet to end. The boy himself walked slowly, his head down, it was the walk of someone who did not want to be noticed. It was the way Sena usually walked but right now, right now he wanted to be noticed even less then usual. He had spend the last half hour in front of the mirrors in the men's toilets, not wanting to alert anyone to his state by going to the nurse's office. He had used his t-shirt to dap water on his mouth, his side, and both of his eyes, in an attempt to cool his wounds, lessen the swelling and ease the pain. Luckily, he always had some aspirins with him so his head at least, didn't hurt that much anymore. Still, he had known as he stared into the mirror, he was in no shape to play sports, let alone American football. His side still stung from the last kick Ikari had dealt him and though his head didn't really hurt, his vision still swam every time he moved too sudden. Also, there was the issue that during today's training the freshmen would probably be there and unless he was very much mistaken that meant that his attacker was going to be there and Sena still had some sense of self preservation left. Hell, some people would say he was nothing but self preservation. He was jumpy, he ran at the slightest sign of trouble and he had acted like a goofer for years simply because he didn't want to be beaten up. "It wasn't even self preservation anymore", Sena had mused as he kept investigating the small, weak features of his reflection. He was simply a coward. And he knew it all too well. But also, as a direct result of this, it had been years since he had felt any serious amounth of pain. He wasn't used to it and it hurt. It hurt so much. But in some way it was a relief. It hurt but he was still here, the world hadn't crumbled, his life hadn't been turned upside down (not yet anyway). Tomorrow there would still be school and tonight his mom still would have food on the table. It hurt, but he would survive. It was enlightening, in a way. "Even so", Sena thought as he moved through the school, limping slightly to favor his right side, "It hadn't really changed anything, he was definitely still a coward." If anything, he had been beaten up because he, for once, hadn't run away at the slightest sound of trouble… Hell, there hadn't been anything 'slight' about the sound of trouble this time. It would probably make him, if possible, even more jumpy then before, Sena decided. But now he had to hurry. He wanted to be early for practice. After all… He had actually been invited by someone to join a club. And that meant more then he dared to admit to himself.

Since classes would still be in session for another 5 minutes Sena was the first student to arrive at the football field. The coach was already there, readying the equipment for the training of the day. He looked up from his work when the small freshman approached him. Sena still had his cap on to hide his face and he had stopped limping. Clenching his teeth and stubbornly ignoring the pain in his side every time he took a step. It wasn't going to ruin this, he had decided. Oujou's coach narrowed his eyes at the boy that didn't even attempt to meet his eyes, his cap still in the way, but he didn't comment on it.

"Did Shin speak to you, Kobayakawa?"

His voice was deceptively neutral and Sena didn't like it. People that sounded like that usually had something on their sleeves. Still, this was the coach so maybe he could be less worried. Sena urged himself to answer the question, realising he had been quiet for too long.

"Yes sir, coach. I… would like to join."

The coach almost had to strain to understand him. The boy had more mumbled then spoken. But he ignored that too and instead, went down to business. The boy was too jumpy. He'd comment on his behaviour when he was less likely to run away.

"All right, then follow me."

He turned around to the clubhouse, expecting the newbie to follow.

"It is good you are early. We are training in full gear today and the other students have gotten their protective gear and uniform already."

He told the fidgeting kid behind him as he lead him into a room full of helmets and other protective material.

"We always have some uniforms in the smallest sizes just in case they're necessary and since there wasn't anyone who needed one this year we at least don't need to order a new one for you."

With those words the coach turned around and left Sena to himself. Sena nodded and started making his way trough the room, picking up gear and his uniform as he went. Finally the only thing he needed was a helmet. The helmets were situated at the very back of the room. Sena looked down miserably. The pain in his side had come a long way and he was almost positive he could run like nothing happened when the team got here but if he had to wear a helmet that meant he couldn't keep on his cap. Ikari would attack him again and the other people on the team would look at his bruises and laugh. Maybe he would even be send away! Sena fidgeted nervously and finally grabbed at the helmets and started trying them on. What came would come anyway, one thing at the time. After trying on 10 different helmets (most of which were so loose that they almost rested on his shoulders) Sena tried on yet another helmet which was too big for him. But when he looked through the visor the world was blue-tinted. Puzzled, the boy took of the helmet and, shaking his spiky hair loose before looking at it. It had a pale blue eyeshield stuck at the front. Probably there because the last person to wear it had either thought it was cool or had had problems with his eyes. Sena's eyes widened momentarily before he put the helmet back on and walked to the mirror at the front of the room. The three quarters of the upper side of his face were hidden and the fat lip he sported was easily ignorable with the steel contraption of the helmet also in the way. Suddenly in a hurry, Sena pulled off the helmet and started to unfasten the eyeshield from the helmet. Ten minutes later a thin kid in an American football uniform with the number 21 came from the room. He looked way too small and thin, his walk was too awkward for the uniform he wore but the eyeshield concealing his face made it impossible too guess what else he should be…

"All you first years, get in line!!!" The coaches gruff voice was heard over the entire field and the players, most of them standing around and talking, immediately reacted. The regulars had already started their training but the new club members, not yet as sure of their position, still had to be told what to do. The small boy in uniform number 21 had been standing in 'his' corner of the field, stretching as unnoticeable as possible. His body was still a bit painful from earlier experiences and he steadfast ignored the sharp knocking in his skull. When he was called he went to stand at the very end of the line, seemingly trying to be normal and to disappear at on time. His year mates luckily payed nim no attention as they were all trying very hard not to get the coach angry.

"Okay all of you! I want you all to run 10 laps around the school!After that you'll come back here and you will make groups according to your positions which you told me last time. You all got that? Then go!!!"

Sena immediately started running, at a fairly normal pace mind you. He was trying to slowly warm up his muscles so he would have no problems participating in the rest of the training so he stayed with the rest of the group. There was hardly any talking except for some grumbling about the time it would take to make it ten times around the school (Oujou was BIG) and some people mumbling quietly that they wouldn't even make it halfway. They had already had enough experience with the coach to know that it wouldn't do them any favours to say it out loud. Sena usually ran everywhere he went so he wasn't that worried about not making it but his gear was heavy and his head hurt. That, and he still didn't know who the other running back's (that was what Shin had called him right? ) in his year were so he wanted to be back a little early so he could ask the coach. When he was sure his side could handle it he upped the speed a bit so he was running with the front group… Next to Ikari. Which he only noticed when he was actually there. The masked boy's first reaction was… well to freak out. Ikari looked to the side, his attention drawn by the static movements the kid next to him made, and glared with his ever crazy eyes and Sena really, REALLY wanted to run. Run for real. But he pushed back the impulse and directed all of his attention forward. Forcing his tred to stay fluid and not to stiffen up. Whatever leeway his body gave him was almost used up for today and he had to be careful with whatever his body had left in it. He didn't want to collapse before the training was good and done with. Sena could feel Ikari giving him another suspicious gaze but he looked straight ahead and forced himself to ignore it. After that the run finished without any problems.

Since the boy with the blue eyeshield was one of the first ones back he had a bit of time to catch his breath. His side had started stinging harshly again by his fifth round of the school and he needed the time to let it eb away somewhat. His head hurt so much by now that he wanted nothing more then to pull off his helmet like the other first years had done after the run, but he couldn't. Ikari had made it back at the same time as him and he sincerely doubted that his bruises had disappeared in the hour since he last looked into the mirror. So he just sat, a bit away from his classmates, his hand pressed to his side and tried to give his body the rest it needed. He didn't notice the coach watching him suspiciously. Nor did he notice Shin Seijiro frowning as he ran by. Luckily the 'ahead' group of running first years had been a fair bit in front of the 'behind' group so he had plenty of time to rest and by the time the coach called the group of 'running backs' he felt fairly capable again. There were 6 first year running backs in total and they were told that the coach was going to measure their time at the 40 yards (something the running backs other then Sena hadn't done yet) and afterwards they would do dodging exercises. Sena hung back a little and of course, as a result…

"KOBAYAKAWA!!! Stop hiding behind your classmates and come to the line!"

Sena winced and walked around the group and up to the line. Just when the coach made to blow his whistle a terrifying sound came from behind.

"WRAAAAAAAAH!!!"

Sena slowly turned his head. His eyes immediately met with the source of the sound, an enraged looking Ikari who was running straight at him. Sena screamed and obeyed his first impulse when such a thing happened, the pain in his side and head as well as the weight of his gear completely forgotten. He ran.

He ran like his life depended on it, hell it probably did! His feet flew beneath was almost completely across the field when the sound of the coach's voice got through to him.

"KOBAYAKAWA!!! That was way beyond the forty yards. Get back here right now!"

Sena braked, going back from top speed to zero in an instant before carefully looking back. Ikari was still running but not at him. He was crashing 'through' the objects made for tackling and, after grumbling they broke way too easy, he put them back up and did it again. Sena trembled a bit. All that power. Scary! But at least him running at Sena seemed just a coincidence. Strange. Hadn't the coach called his name? The answer could be found on the faces of his 'fellow running backs' (if he ever found out what the term meant), still standing next to the coach. They were looking at him with wide eyes but mostly seemed to be trying to place him. It was sad but after going to school with them for a month, with two of them in the same class, it seemed that none of them could remembered the name of Kobayakawa Sena. Sena was relieved as he slowly walked back to the group. The coach looked irritated but had already told the next first year to take his place behind the line.

And then it hit him. His adrenaline rush was gone and the pain crashed into him. Sena tried to simultaneously grab his side and head and almost screamed out his pain. He could barely stay on his feet now but he made an effort to stumble along. Step after step, back to the group. The attention of the other first years was already on the next runner so they didn't notice the small boys predicament. But the coach send him a sharp look and when the runner was done he turned to Sena.

"Kobayakawa, this is your first time wearing your gear and you obviously still have to get used to it. You can go now and take it with you. Make sure you have gotten used to the weight by next week!"

"Yes sir"

Sena breathed.
He almost started to cry of thankfulness. He honestly didn't know how he would have managed any longer. After nodding to the coach he shuffled slowly towards the locker room. Luckily nobody paid attention to him, too busy with their own training otherwise it would have been clear there was something wrong and more then anything, Sena just didn't want any attention right now.

When all of the running back hopefuls were done with the measuring of their time and busy doing their dodge training the coach motioned for his star player who had been looking somewhat angry (for as far as emotions made it onto Shin Sejiro's face) ever since Kobayakawa Sena had disappeared from the field. When Shin reached him he simply pushed the list of data he had been writing on in his hands. "Look."

Kobayakawa Sena (Running back): 40 yards – 4.20 sec

Eyes the color of the midnight widened momentarily before narrowing harshly at the paper. If looks could affect reality in any way the paper would have gone up in flames. There was no hostility in his gaze though. Only fire.

"He is faster then me."

The coach nodded.

"Right now, yes he is."

A look at Shin's grim expression made him pause. The fire in his eyes was a good thing, especially with Shins lack of rivals but the target of the fire caused him to call him on it.

"Shin!"

The grey haired coach made sure he had his attention before going on.

"He will be an excellent player but right now he is nothing but a slightly fast beginner. One that needs to be trained. And it seems to me that he still has some things of his own to work through before he'll be anywhere near ready."

That seemed to focus the attention of the linebackers back were it needed to be. His expression darkened. And the coach nodded at the difference.

"You noticed it right? That boy should have been nowhere near any sports activity today. And someone needs to make sure that he wont do any more stupid things before he can become a somewhat useful player. Understand?"

The coach raised an eyebrow at Shin and watched contently as Shin turned around to walk towards the clubhouse. He had a great amounth of trust in the darkhaired player so this should somewhat take care of that.

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To be continued

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Can you maybe, possibly, in any way review?

Since I want to get better and you want me to get better so my story gets better so... Anyway, you know what I mean... Please review!