Nyukisan10: I'm here again! Please review, we really need to know what we need to look over. Also, I can't believe its chapter four already…wow. On with the story!!

Disclaimer: Both authoresses do not own Eyeshield 21 no matter how hard we beg, end of discussion.

Enjoy~ (and review)

Ryu Earth : Pretty much, yeah. XD

stealingthestars : Don't be too hard on yourself. As we've stated before, our goal is to finish this story. ;) But comments are always loved! Most likely, Ikari didn't beat up Sena due to the second reason. I really can't see him going against an Oujou student. Maybe I'm biased?

Reader One : Thanks!

SplitPersonalities : Ah yes, the wonderful life of Kobayakawa Sena. LOL. He's just a real fun character to play with. And don't worry about not reviewing before. As long as you review now, it all makes up for it!

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Chapter four: Over My Head

"Yes Takami-san?" Sena ran over to the third year captain, finally freed from the evils of carrying the cleats.

"Sena, go change into some protective equipment, a jersey, and a helmet. They should be laid out for you in the locker room. Then come back over here and I'll explain the rest." Takami said with a slight restraint that made Sena wonder if he did something wrong.

But nonetheless, Sena nodded and went along. I mean, how bad could it be? He walked into the locker room and found Sakuraba waiting for him inside. Sakuraba gave Sena a what he supposed was a reassuring smile along with a small white jersey with the number '21' on it. Sena smiled. I guess Takami-san decided that that was my lucky number.

"Thank you," Sena said with a smile.

Sakuraba nodded and helped Sena with the protective equipment. It wasn't too complicated, Sena decided. He would be able to put it on if the Coach decided to use him in a game. Sena mentally snorted at the thought. Yeah right.

As soon as he was all strapped in and ready, Sena put on his helmet and followed Sakuraba out of the locker room. As promised, Takami was waiting for him. Of course, there were other team members also waiting patiently for him, but Sena figured he could ignore them. It wasn't like Takami was going to force him to fight all of them or something… right?

"Here, Sena." Takami passed a football to him. Sena caught it with slight difficulty, much to Takami's concern. "Now, hold the football in between your fingers and tuck it under your armpit." Takami instructed, as Sena did so. "Get comfortable with that position, okay?" Sena nodded.

"But, Takami-san, why am I doing this?" Sena asked.

"Simple. We want to test you a bit more before you officially join the team. Don't worry, it should be fairly simple. All you have to do is run from here, to the other side when I blow my whistle." Takami said nicely, ignoring Sena's questioning look, "Also, try not to get tackled."

"EH?!?" Sena shrieked eyes wide with fear.

TWEET!

"Eh? Eh?" Sena just stood there, looking rather baffled. Is he trying to kill me?!Sena noticed that the light was suddenly dimmed. He looked confusedly up, only to see that a quite a lot of people he hadn't noticed before were rushing at him. "HIIIEEEEE!!" He screamed. Instinct took over as he ran past all of them with the speed he used to run errands. However, as soon as he passed one, another one would take up his place. Sena ran from one place to another, not realizing that he was getting closer to his goal.

Could this guy be...?Everyone had heard of the rumor of the other day. And then there were the few who were there to witness it. How abruptly Takami had stood, and just as if someone had blown a 'Shin' whistle, Shin had ran after the dust cloud. The demonic speed that had taunted Shin all day yesterday and today. The speed that he couldn't reach… I had my doubts…But now I am certain. That speed was you, Kobayakawa Sena!!

Shin readied himself for the speed. This time, you will not surpass me! The memory of yesterday's run was burned deep in his mind. Shin steadied his heart, watching as Sena sped past another group of defenders. "Interesting," Shin found himself whispering. Almost as soon as his whisper was out of his mouth, Sena cut quickly past another defender and was headed towards Shin.

Shin found himself gritting his teeth; his eyes burning with determination. Last time was the second time in his life that he was surpassed in speed, and Shin swore never again. He lowered himself, calculating his usual spot for his special attack when… Sena slowed down. Shin frowned. Why…? Thankfully, Shin was fast enough to adjust to the sudden speed change and tackle the younger boy to the ground. He glanced at the obviously frightened boy, ready to voice his question when Takami interrupted him.

"Shin! Don't kill him! You guys are on the same team!" Takami said angrily as he ran to Sena asking him if he was alight.

"Ow… I… I think so." Sena said with a pained face. He placed a hand on where Shin tackled. That's right this is what it is… This is pain… It hurts… Sena remembered why he was a gopher: because he didn't like pain. I should stop.He sighed softly to himself. Mamori-neechan was right…

Takami looked down at Sena with worry. This was not what he had expected from Shin. Damn him and his random request! He marched over to the linebacker; his lips a thin line. As he left, Koharu quickly fluttered around Sena, giving him a towel and a water bottle. She also checked him over for any serious injuries.

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"What do you guys think of Sena?" Shohei asked, his eyes still on the small form of the boy.

Almost everyone yelled at the exact same time, "He's fast!"

The Coach smacked his forehead. Figures that everyone would state the obvious! But he noticed that Shin hadn't said a word. Curious, he turned to the stoic teen. "Shin?"

"He's probably a touch football player. A self-taught player who has been playing for years without instruction. That change of direction can't be learned in a day. Therefore, he can't be an amateur, but his running…is pure fear." Shin stated, staring at the small boy as Koharu forced water down his throat. There really was one reason that Shin could think of that would cause Sena to be unable to run his best. As if he could sense when he's being stared at, Sena looked up at Shin with a curious look. "He could be of great use."

The team looked astonished at Shin. Wow,as always, Shin says amazing things! Shohei nodded, clearly impressed with Shin. He tapped his chin thoughtfully, his thoughts obviously on a certain small boy.

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Takami tapped on Shin's shoulder. When he was certain that Shin's attention was on him, Takami began his lecture. "I understand that you have your pride as the fastest man in Tokyo, but that doesn't mean you can injure anyone else who's faster than you!"

"I didn't tackle him any harder than I would someone else," Shin answered. "It would be stupid to destroy my rival before he has a chance to bloom."

Takami was obviously taken back at Shin's declaration. Rivals? But you've just met!

While Takami was in his own world, Shin walked up to Sena. With a stiff nod, Shin took off his gloves and gave it to Sena. This was something that Shin saw Sakuraba do with his fans. Although, usually, Sakuraba signed an item before he gave it away. But he figured Sena would be much happier with his gloves even if they weren't signed. That was something else Sakuraba had told him. Fans liked personal items. And to Shin, nothing got more personal than his training gloves. So Shin figured he could give the personal item to encourage the speedy boy. Said boy stared at him as if he had just grown two heads.

"… eh?" Sena asked.

"I understand that as my fan, you feel the need to let me shine. But I need you to run your all. Please don't hold back this time. I already know that I must improve myself. You will not embarrass me if you outshine me." Shin said before turning and leaving.

I'm Shin-san's… fan? Sena rubbed the back of his neck. Did he mistake me for someone else? Is that why he chased me? Because he doesn't like fans? Sena chuckled lightly at the thought. But the moment was washed away when he realized that Shin's words meant that Sena had to run again. Sena felt depression sinking in. But I'm not good enough. I'm not fast enough! He stared at Shin's gloves. I'm sorry, Shin-san, but I just can't…I should just tell the coach that I quit and-

"Sena!" The coach called Sena over. "Have you ever had someone coach you in your running?"

"Um…" Sena thought hard. Does Riku counts as a coach? Sena figured he might as well as mention it. "One of my friends taught me how to run…" Sena admitted.

"For how long?" A curious team member asked.

"For about a week or two," Sena said.

To say that the team was astonished would be putting it lightly. After one week, he learned how to run like that?! Then with proper coaching… he will be the fastest man in Japan!

Shohei mentally grinned. Perhaps loosing the Golden Generationisn't that bad. He nodded, his face as grim as always. "Alright then," he began, "I expect great things from you. Now go back to positions! We're doing that run again!"

"Uh… Coach, I was actually going to say-" Sena was cut off when excited team members patted his back friendly.

"Alright, Kobayakawa!" someone said. "Surpass Shin, alright?" It was said jokingly, but Sena paled at the thought. Pass that crazy stoic guy? He just couldn't do it!

"With your speed, we'll be able to defeat Shinryūji!"

"Yeah, we leave it all to you, Kobayakawa-kun!"

Sena stared at the retreating backs of the strong team members, about to blurt out that he couldn't do it. But the grins and the confident smiles sent his way shut his mouth. What right did he have to crush their hopes? They believed in him. Sena blinked at the thought. Believe? Someone believed in him? But what if he crumbled? What if he couldn't hold onto everyone's expectations? Sena bit his lips. This was his chance. He had to speak out now, before they decided to put him in actual games.

"Nervous?" Shohei asked, barely glancing at Sena. Sena nodded. "You should be. They're placing all their trust on you. Do you know what this means? No matter what, you mustn't disappoint them."

"B-but! I – "

"Give yourself a chance. You'll be surprised."

In matter of moments, Sena found himself in the same position from before. The football was tucked tightly under his armpit. But this time, he was ready. He knew what would happen now. The whistle would go off, and bunch of the team members would rush in for him. Except this time, they'd be slower, because they were certain that they couldn't catch Sena. Because they knew that the real point of this match was to see how Sena did against Shin. Sena exhaled slowly, feeling the breath leave his body. His eyes traveled past all the other players and rested on a certain number 40.

I don't think I can do it…I'm scared…I don't think I can.

Sena heard the whistle. Just as expected, he easily sprinted past most people. But isn't this what I wanted? To fight for myself. To have friends who believe in me. To no longer be protected. Sena gritted his teeth. There was one more person waiting for him, ready to block him. Shin. Then…let me fight for myself! With that determination, Sena pushed on towards Shin. To defeat that man that scares me!

His fear… It disappeared completely. Shin thought surprised. But it doesn't matter;I will catch him with this hand! Shin readied his spear tackle, ready for when Sena arrives. Quickly calculating the route that Sena would take, he pulled back and launched. But Sena wasn't there. Shocked and stuned, Shin turned as fast as he could. But by then, he was far too late. Sena was out of reach, in the touchdown area, kneeling and gasping for air. Shin stared at the younger boy. So that's the speed that I can't even dream of catching…the speed of light.

Shin walked towards the smaller boy, feeling slightly put out. Shin, the fastest lineback in Japan had been surpassed. He wasn't too sure what this dark feeling was but understood that as long as Shin trained, everything would be fine. Shin outstretched his arms to Sena, who stared up at him with wide eyes.

"Con-" Shin began. But didn't get to finish as Sena just collapsed on the ground. Shin blinked. He then remembered the time when the girls fainted because Sakuraba had smiled at them. I suppose that's what happens when you're a fan, Shin decided with a nod.