Chapter 3

Inazuma Town

The night was pretty much peaceful in Inazuma Town, the sky was considerably dark shaded in midnight blue as the bright full moon shone through the star filled sky. The sound that the crickets, the grasshoppers and cicada's resonated throughout the town accompanied by a gentle night breeze. Yes, It was very peaceful indeed.

"Guh." Akira grunted slightly.

She placed her hands onto the handrail and leaned in slightly; head bowed down and panting. She felt very weak and hot, she supported her weight as she let her grip loosen on the bar and she walked back to the bench beside the tree and sat.

Just what was this? She thought irritably as she placed a hand on her face. She really hated the feeling of being so weak; and by being 'weak' she meant physically. She had never experienced this kind of sensation before so it was very understandable that she would be very irritated by such an inconvenient situation. It felt like, as if she just wanted to lay down right there right now on the very bench she is currently sitting on, as if laziness had taken over her thoughts and is tempting her mind to just lie down there this very moment.

But she wasn't one to be taken down lightly with this kind of temptation. She needs to get a move on and she certainly cannot stay here any longer.

" 'kay, then." She mumbled to herself as she gathered up all her will power to stand up. After successfully standing, she grabbed her ball's net and slung her back on her shoulder in one swift motion. She tapped the tip of her right shoe towards the dirt. Just a slight gesture.

She began walking towards the path down from the steel tower slowly. It wasn't as if she was taking her leisure time, but rather it was because of her condition, blame it for her slowness , 'Is that even a word?' She sighed as she passed through a lamp post and into the park just below the steel tower.

Just as soon as she entered the plaza grounds, she randomly took the right fork of the park and went on, slightly stumbling once in a while.

'This is not going my way at all.' She thought furrowing her eyebrows at the thought.

"Are?" A girl with a wavy auburn hair blinked at her bag. She blinked again before rummaging in her bag once more. She drew a confused look on her face as she pulled out her hand from the bag and bought it over to her lap and peeked inside.

"It's not inside?" She questioned particularly to no one.

"Where is it?" She said, rummaging in her bag once again. But as seeing that the thing that she was looking for wasn't there, she stopped to think.

'Come on, think! Where did i put it?' She thought, bringing her right hand to her chin. She closed her eyes thinking. If she remembered correctly, it was...

She was at the office that time, filing some documents for her father and doing some paper works concerning being the student body president. She was stamping on the papers when suddenly she heard a very annoying familiar voice.

" I don't get it! Why don't they practice!" The voice shouted.

She got up from her chair and went over to the windows to look at the owner of the voice. Once she got there, she leaned in slightly towards the window and took a peek. There she saw a boy with brunette hair hugged by an orange headband, he wore an orange turtle neck covered by a green long sleeved shirt with two vertical orange stripes, green pants and green spike shoes with a lightning bolt stigma.

"Maa, calm down, Endou-kun." The other person with him said. She had a short black hair, she wore a pink clip at the left side of her head and has brown eyes. She wore a white shirt with a green ribbon and a grey standard skirt, partnered with dark blue socks and dark grey shoes.

" But-"

"I'm sure they wanted to play as much as you do." She convinced him.

Endou looked somewhat agitated and huffed. " Then why don't they play at all! All they do is laze around in the club room, play video games or read magazines!"

"Do you want me to try and talk to them?" The dark haired girl offered. The boy 's expression somehow became less agitated than before and sighed.

"Thanks, Aki. I really appreciate it." He gave her a small grin. " I think I'll just go and practice by myself at the riverbank."

Aki looked at the brunette worried, "Are you sure?"

'The soccer club, they should just be better off disbanding.' She thought dismissively and went back to the desk filled with papers.

As she took her seat on the chair, she grabbed another paper and looked through the contents.

"Hmm..." She hummed.

'This seems pretty important. I better let outo-sama deal with this one.'

Just then her telephone rang and she placed the paper down on the desk. She fished her mobile phone out of her skirt's pocket and flipped it open. She bought it near her ear and answered.

"Hello." She answered.

"Nastumi!" A very cheerful voice called out on the other end.

When she heard the voice, her face instantly lit up and smiled. "Shinchi-oji!"

"Yep!" She could almost see him winking as he said that.

"And yeah, guess where I am now!" He said in a teasing manner.

"No way, you're in Japan!" She almost yelled uncharacteristically beaming at the thought.

"You got it half right! I'm still in Korea and I'm taking my flight right now to Japan!" Her enthusiastic uncle told her.

"But, why? I thought you had some business in Finland!"

"Well, luckily, they moved their appointment to another time next week." He grinned.

"So you're going to be here until that time comes?"

"Yep!" He chirped.

"So, Natsumi where do you want to go this time!" He asked her in a carefree tone.

"Hmm..." Natsumi replied, thinking, then she smiled.

" I do have somewhere in mind."

"Yosh! Then how about we go there right now. Come to meet me at the airport? Is that alright with you? You're not doing something important are you?"

"Not really, I only had some few papers to deal with. But it's Friday today, I can surely deal with them tomorrow." She grinned slightly.

"Then it's decided! I'll be there in an hour in Haneda Airport in Tokyo, 'kay? Sorry, I got to hang up right now, I'm already headed to the plane. Bye!"

"Bye, Shinchi-oji. I'll be meeting you in the airport!"

"See you Natsumi!" He laughed on the other end and then all she heard was a beep.

Natsumi exhaled and then smiled happily. She can't believe it! Her uncle was finally visiting Japan after 6 months! Her uncle; Raimon Shinichi. He is the younger brother of her father and her very close uncle. Amongst their family and relatives she was always called her 'Uncle's girl' seeing as how they always got along very well and was very close, even after his son; Hanabusa-Raimon Shiki who was just five years younger than her. She and Shiki got along very well. He inherited his father's happy-go-lucky personality afterall.

Natsumi happily stood up from her desk and dialed her butler's phone number. She went over to her bag on the other corner of the room and took it. She then went to the door. After a few rings, the phone picked up.

"Hai, Natsumi-oujo-sama?"

"Batora, can you come and pick me up in the school? Shinichi-oji is coming to Japan for a week, it's been awhile."

"Hai, I'll be right there, Oujo-sama."

"Jaa, I'll be waiting at the front gate." With that final word, she flipped her cellphone close and placed it inside her pocket before opening the door and exited the office.

...

..

.

'Hmm...-ah! I remember!' She facepalmed. 'How could I forget it there!'

Sighing, she tucked a strand of her hair that was threatening to fall over her face behind her ear.

"Batora," She called to her butler who was driving the car, " Could you go back to the school? I left something important at the office."

Batora looked uncertain for the moment.

"Are you sure, Natsumi-sama? It's already late as it is." He told her glancing at the mini TV in the car, 10:20 P.M. He glanced back at his mistress from the front mirror.

"Your father will be worried." Natsumi frowned slightly at this.

"I already told you, It's very important." She retorted.

"And besides, It's only in the school grounds and it's not very far from here. It won't take long at all. And I can explain to outo-sama later if he ever does question why I was late." She finished with a final tone, indicating that she won't be changing her mind.

Batora mentally sighed and nodded. "Okay."

And so he stopped the car and turned, retracing where they just came from and turned to the left corner of the road.

Meanwhile a boy with a spiky platinum blonde hair placed down the heavy box filled with stuffs on the floor with a grunt. He leaned back up and wiped his forehead from the sweat and sighed.

'I guess that's about it.' He thought as he went towards his bed and sat on it.

He grabbed a nearby box and opened it. Then he started to take out some things and began to organize one what was what and placed then on where they should be. He then took out a picture frame, he stared at it with sad eyes as he remembered what happened to his family and more importantly his sister. He touched the picture softly and closed his eyes.

"Big brother will keep his promise, Yuuka..."

Endou Household

Endou Atsuko in a way prided herself on being a reasonable woman, and as every reasonable and responsible mother there is, she refused her child to be placed in dangers way. Her son, was so much like him, her father. Endou Daisuke. The appearance and personalities alike.

Flashback

From the day Mamoru, her son was born; Her father was the one who named him 'protector' hence the name Mamoru was given. Her father had explained that it was taken from the act of being a goalkeeper, of course the goalkeeper protects the points from being taken right?

She sighed as she continued to wash the dishes, just leave it to her father to even name her son to something soccer related. A small smile crept it's way through her face, She remembered that day as Mamoru was named who squealed in delight as he heard his name, reaching up to her father from his crib hoping for a carry. Her father complied to the innocent child's wishes.

Those were the happiest days of her life, watching her son getting along with his grandfather spectacularly. Yes, she could see it now, where in the future; her son would grow up to be like her father; A great, kind, passionate and a loving man. She greatly admired her father in a sense. He was a great man, well except for the fact that he was soccer obsessed and everything and she means everything he does were all soccer related. Point proven: her son was named after 'being a goalkeeper'.

She could vision her son growing up into a great man just like her father is right now. Of course the chances weren't slim of her son to like soccer or even love it. Her father in the future would teach him the ways in soccer and she will not be surprised by it if it really does happen.

She just hoped that he wouldn't be much of an soccer obsessed freak just like how her father is. Let him at least have some brains for something unrelated to soccer. She thought humorously, as she watched her new born son and her father interact with amused eyes.

But little did she know, that dream wouldn't last long.

She was at home on that very day, that she will never ever forget for the rest of her life. She was just as usual doing her house chores while she still can as a four months old Mamoru was still sleeping in his crib soundly.

It was until then, the telephone rang. She immediately went over to the hallway where the telephone was at. She made a move to pick it up but paused for a moment. She didn't know why but something in her tells her that it wasn't going to be a pleasing news. She unconsciously glance at her family picture for some unfathomable reason and gasped slightly at the sight.

Her father's face in the picture was covered by the crack of the glass of the frame. How come she had not noticed it before? In their beliefs; this kind of sign was a bad omen. By this discovery, her gut feeling was definitely bad. She just hoped that she was wrong.

Exhaling the air that she never noticed that she was holding her breath, she hesitantly picked up the phone and answered.

"Hello?"

"A-atsuko..." A very recognizable voice echoed on the other end nervously.

"Anata(1)...what is it?" She asked nervously, praying that nothing was wrong. But the tone that her husband used wasn't helping her convincing her own self at all.

"D-daisuke-san...Daisuke-san is-" She heard a wheezing sound from the phone, she waited anxiously for him to continue.

"Okay, dear," Her husband began in a much more calmer tone than before, "Please just stay calm, okay?"

What was her husband playing at? What is it about her father and why was he so nervous?

"...Okay..."

" Daisuke-san was in an accident-"

"WHAT!" She shouted in shock and worry.

"Now, now, I told you to be calm, okay?" Her husband, Hiroshi told her softly but his voice also laced with sadness and worry.

"W-what happened?" She asked somewhat frantically but less panicked than before but still, dread was still on her face. But of course, what person wouldn't panic when you just got a word that someone you know got into an accident or better yet; A loved one.

"They were on their way to the tournament, but..." He trailed off.

"What! Hiroshi! tell me!" She almost shook the phone as if it was her husband's shoulder.

"...Unfortunately, the tires exploded just as they were about to turn on a narrow road and...The bus crashed into the street rails..."

Atsuko stiffened as soon as she heard that. Her mind froze for a moment processing the news. She stood there with wide eyes never moving from her spot.

"There were survivors..." At this a small bud of hope went through her...but.

"They were the kids...but-" Another gasp.

"Daisuke-san, however-" A seat ran down her cheek, praying that it wasn't what she thought it would be.

"His body, was nowhere to be found... " Hiroshi finished with a heavy sigh.

Atsuko stiffened even more, if that was possible. 'His body was nowhere to be found?'

Atsuko placed a hand on her forehead. No, this can't be. Surely this was just a plain joke right, right! Her father can't be dead, no! She will not accept it!

All her energy was drained and she fell down to her knee's and the phone was dropped on the floor. Still clutching her head, tears were threatening to pour out from her eyes. 'His body was nowhere to be found' those very words echoed in her mind repeatedly. No, no. Just no, she wanted to believe that this was all just a bad dream. But, she knew better. Her father was dead, his body; his remaint's were never found. She held back a choke as tears started to pour out from her eyes uncontrollably.

Flashback End

Finally she was done washing the last dish, she placed it on the dish drainer and she turned off the running water on the faucet. She took a towel and dried her hands. Now, it wasn't as if she blamed soccer for her father's death...okay maybe partly she blamed it for the death, maybe that was why she was dead-set on disapproving of her son playing soccer. She just doesn't want the same thing happening to her son; She knew she was being selfish but what mother would want her son to be in danger? But even though of her disapproval, Mamoru still stayed strong willed and defied her.

Atsuko smiled at the thought. Well, there was nothing she could do about it, she just hoped that one day, maybe he'll just realize and stop playing soccer for his own safety; but of course, she knew very well that there was only a low percentage of that ever happening seeing as her son loved soccer very much. He even went as far as to but a shrine in his room of his grandfather. Atsuko chuckled, she went to the kitchen table and dragged a chair and sat on it. She stared at the covered food on the table.

Now that she think about it, where was Mamoru anyway? It was a first he's out this late. She wondered resting her cheek on her hand. And as if on cue, the sound of the door clicking open rang at the hallway.

"Tadaima!(1)"She heard a ruffling sound of clothes and a bag and a ball being dropped on the floor. Next thing she heard was the shoes being placed in the shoe rack and then footsteps.

Then the sight of her son all battered up and dirty, probably from training again. She sighed, why was her son always dirty? Really boys are so...She shook her head in slight disapproval at the sight. Mamoru finally noticed her and went over to her dropping all of his belonging at the corner and then sat down.

"Okaeri(2), Mamoru." She replied, she got a grin in response as he sat down across from her.

"You're unusually late today, explanation?" She asked in a motherly tone.

Mamoru looked at her nervously and gave her a nervous laugh, scratching the back of his head.

"Ahaha, gomen, Kaa-san. I was practicing playing soccer and lost track of time." He told her nervously.

"Mattaku, you should give me a call you know," She crossed her arms in front of her.

"I was so worried about you."

"Gomen..." He bowed his head for a second and then after that his face lit up and looked up at her.

"Nee, kaa-san- guess what!" He began excitedly, "I met a really awesome player today! Her kick was so powerful it gave me goosebumps just thinking about it!" He finished with his arms spread to his side in emphasis.

"If only she goes to our school..." He paused, sighing dreamily. " The guys would be more motivated to practice."

"Ara, a girl?" Atsuko's curiosity perked as she heard 'her'.

Her son nodded at her, grinning yet again. " Yeah! She could be a very awesome striker!"

Atsuko leaned in on the table. "Heh~ seems to me you got a little crush."

Her son looked at her confused. "Crush?" He blinked. Then blinked again.

...

..

"No. no, no, kaa-san! It's not like that at all." He said waving his arms in front of him, flushed.

"Hai, hai." Atsuko laughed waving it off.

But then her son's expression dropped a little, "But it's too bad she doesn't go to any school though, with that kind of kick she would've been well known and accepted in many prestigious schools." He whispered.

But Atsuko caught it. " She doesn't go to any school? How come?"

"She told me that she was home schooled with some others in her orphanage." He told her in a low voice.

"An orphan? Did she tell you from what orphanage she's from?" Mamoru shook his head 'no'.

"No, she never did." He replied. Atsuko nodded at the confirmation with a thoughtful expression.

GRUMBLE!

"Eh?" Mamoru blinked at his stomach, Grumble! Both Atsuko and Mamoru looked at each other and then sweatdropped.

"Ahahah..."

"Mamoru, you should start eating, I bet you're hungry from all that practice." She told him getting up. Mamoru nodded and began to take of the plastic wrapper on the plate.

"After you're done eating, take a bath okay?"

"Okay, kaa-san!" And with that he began to wolf down his food, but not without chocking from the food; He quickly reached up for his glass only to find that there was none. His face turned red at the realization, so he quickly got up from his seat and went to the cabinet above the faucet and took out a glass. He then turned the faucet on and filled the glass with cold water. Wasting no time, he immediately gulped down the water in one shot and sighed. Phew, that was close...

Raimon Junior High

"Itte!"

Akira bumped onto the concrete wall grasping her head tightly with a pained expression. She stopped walking and leaned her back onto the wall. She slowly sled down, sitting on the ground; with a heavy breath she gulped and 'tsk-ed' out of annoyance.

She was felt very hot and she felt her energy leaving her slowly, she panted; sweat dropping down from her cheek. Her face was flushed and it felt very hot. Brushing her messy black hair from her face, she raised her head facing upwards and resting her head on the cold concrete wall she was leaning on.

'Damn it, this is not really going my way at all.' She thought.

She sat there for quite a while, her eyes were threatening to close; wanting to rest. Now she remembered, is this what she thought this was? Was she sick? She first thought that she wasn't considering how she never experienced being sick before and this was a first. She remembered how her brother's condition was so similar to hers right now. The burning feeling and weak physical condition.

"Yabe(3), I'm..."She manage to mutter as her sight began to blur.

"...No..." She resisted, but it was futile. Her eyes felt so heavy and her eyelids closed. Black was all she could see before she fell unconscious.

With Natsumi and Batora

Natsumi rested her cheek on her palm watching the outside view from the car, she could see the residence district near the school. They were getting nearer and nearer passing each house on the road. She looked on the front and saw the small silhouette of the school building. As they got closer and closer by the second the silhouette became bigger and the building's feature became much more clearer.

Batora slowed down the car beside the gate and set the car to neutral. He then opened his entrance and exited from the car. Fixing the folds from his butler uniform, he went over beside Natsumi's door and opened it, letting Natsumi get off from her seat. She then went towards the gate.

She paused, feeling the need to direct her gaze towards her right. She gasped at what she saw, there layed a girl on the ground, there was something wrong. In fact, she rarely even saw-no, she even saw someone sleeping outside on the road. Who in their right minds would?

Natsumi ran towards the figure on the ground, kneeling. She inspected the sitting figure, she was still breathing; it was a good sign. Reaching up to touch the girl's face, she almost drew back her hand the minute she touched her face. Natsumi panicked slightly.

"Batora!" She called out to her butler who immediately went over to her side the moment he saw the figure of the girl.

"Batora, could you please carry her to the car? She has a really high fever and she needs to be taken care of right this instant!" She ordered, picking up the girl's belongings. She paused noticing the thing that she picked up.

'A soccer ball?'

She thought for a second before brushing it off as she knew there were more pressing matters to attend to. She went after Batora who just place the girl on the backseat of the car carefully. She joined in not soon after at the other side placing the girl's belongings on the car floor. Closing the door herself, she looked at her butler and said.

"Let's go home, she needs to be taken care of."

"Hai, Natsumi-sama." Batora replied worrying for the girls well being.

With one final shut, the car started and then it drove off from the school with Natsumi's sole intention of visiting the school at this hour, forgotten.

Okay! Phew, that was tiring. Sorry, for updating so late, everyone. I had a major busy schedule and didn't have time to think about this. But I had already planned out where this is heading. I just hope I get it right for that plot to happen. LOL!

(1)I'm home!

(2)Welcome home!

(3)This is bad.

Again, sorry for my bad English, grammar and writing. Please review! be it critiques or flames! In fact it would help me a lot! XD

Bye! I'm guessing chapter 4 will be up soon. See ya!