Hey everyone! Welcome to the first chapter of Unwanted Bond. At the time of writing this, there hasn't been any reviews on the prologue, so I'll just get straight into it.

ENJOY ~

"I don't like the way you're looking at me right now."

"Well, tough luck, buddy, 'cuz this is how I do things around here."

It was only a matter of time before things escalated to chaos, especially when Matatagi Hayato was involved, so the brunet found himself exclaiming, "Hey guys, we're classmates here. Matatagi Hayato-kun is new here, you know. Be nice to him."

The boy in question, with dark brown hair with blue highlights, was glaring at the taller boy, not knowing his name yet hating the ground he trod on. With a huff, he rolled his eyes as he watched the other stride away. If it wasn't for Tenma, he wouldn't have even walked through the door - yet there he was, his new school supplies laid out on the desk he leant on. If it wasn't for Tenma, he wouldn't have gone to Raimon, but everywhere he went sucked anyway, so being with his friend was a plus.

Fully aware of this, Tenma turned back and smiled at him, glad he had at least one friend in his class that year. Shinsuke and Tsurugi had been placed in 2A, Kariya and Hikaru in 2B, and Aoi hadn't yet returned from her holiday, but Tenma hoped she would end up in his class.

Other than that, second year was proving to be a breeze. The classes were fine, the teachers were fine, there weren't too many dunces in his cleaning group, and soccer - so far, soccer club had been amazing. Despite the departure of Sangoku, Kurumada and Amagi, who had gone on to high school, their practises commenced almost immediately after the first day.

And his three scouts - Matatagi, Ibuki and Tetsukado were the new members of the year, and their joining of Raimon had been smooth, with the exception of the Ibuki vs Shindou 1v1, which had been... chaotic.

Better not think about that, thought Tenma with a small, internal giggle as he half-listened to the teacher. Beside him, Matatagi was clicking his pen openshutopenshut, his mouth lolled open as the teacher droned on with the introductions.

One week of school and everything was already fine. The captain knew it was going to be an awesome year, almost as if he could feel it.

"Show me what you've got, then."

Shindou sneered at the white-haired boy standing in the nets of the goal, and replied, "Just try to keep up, will ya?"

Ibuki had no time to reply, for the ball lying in front of his rival was all of a sudden tearing through the air, purple notes surrounded by energy following it to the goal. "Fortissimo!"

"Wild Dunk!"

To the brunet's surprise, the ball got caught in the sudden explosion of energy, and lay in the middle of the large, temporary hole beneath the keeper. Smoke rose above it as Ibuki looked up dramatically.

Shindou glared at him in response, then his facial features smoothed out as he gave him a rare, "Well done."

Behind them, Endou called on his team to gather at the shelter, Otonashi standing behind him with her smile and clipboard. As they all hurried to comply, the two present managers were scattered around, Akane slinging a towel around Shinsuke's neck, Midori slapping Tenma's back as he adjusted the captain band.

It were these fond moments of family that made their new arrivals truly a part of the Raimon team.

That is, until a white-clad figure appeared in the distance.

"Coach Kuroiwa?"

Tenma's voice broke out in the silence of his team, staring at the tall, muscular man, his hands pressed against his waist as he stared at the teens through his black shades. Beside him, Endou stood watching the children, appearing to be lost in thought as he absent-mindedly bit his lip.

Why would Kuro-no, Kageyama Reiji, want to talk to Raimon now? Amidst the brunet's messy thoughts, the sentence shone clear in his mind. As far as I know, he only just got back from wherever he was in space last year.

Very slowly, in his elegant yet pointed manner, Kuroiwa turned to the captain and hummed, "Hello, Matsukaze. It has been a while."

Beside him, Tenma could feel Hikaru stiffen in a way he wasn't familiar with.

Endou continued. "Coach Kuroiwa wanted to talk to our Soul players here, about some important skills that you need to go over. Tenma-kun, Tsurugi-kun, Shindou-kun, Ibuki-kun, Matatagi-kun, Tetsukado-kun, if you could follow Coach Kuroiwa and I to the inside field to get started. As for the rest of you, Otonashi-san will keep an eye on you as you work through your training menus."

Promptly, the six boys stood up. With a last look at Hikaru, Tenma gave him a small smile as he lead the group walking towards the building, his two coaches hurrying in front of them as they conversed in hushed tones.

"What do you think this'll be about?" Tetsukado materialised at his captain's side, trying to disguise his uneasiness as the playfulness usually featured on his face. Tenma was aware that his brief spell in the Black Room with Shinsuke the previous year didn't do much for the defender's love for Kuroiwa's way of training.

"Dunno. I just hope it won't be spilling beams or anything!"

Tenma smiled at the chuckle this earned from the third-year, and pretended not to notice the worried looks on every adult's face.

"Souls," began the white-haired man, "are highly complicated auras. They are mostly built on a player's determination, desire and design to advance through the game. In Italia, they are also known as beast powers.

"Part of it depends on the player's self, but a lot of it also depends on their personality, their ability to stay in tune with their bodies - and of course, physical activity, although not as much as Keshin."

"Unlike Keshin," Endou picked up, "not everyone has potential to develop that aura. Only people with Soul Potential can unleash their beast power. There are a lot more players in Japan who have Soul Potential, much more than the 12 of you in Earth Eleven, but you were all chosen over them because of the overwhelming Potential each of you had. With others, it would've taken a bit more time to unleash their Souls."

"Had we known about Grand Celesta Galaxy a few months earlier, we would've chosen players who already had soccer experience," continued Kuroiwa, "and not a team of amateurs. However, the circumstances made us select Inazuma Japan without holding a selection match, and you all have progressed much, much further than everyone would've ever expected. Except for me, of course - your Soul presence was so genuine I could feel some of yours from a mile away." He paused, then eyed the Raimon Three, "Matsukaze, Tsurugi, Shindou. I did not have to see you in person to know just how much potential you all had."

Grey eyes met orange, then brown, as the midfielder wondered where this conversation was heading.

Endou, albeit excitedly, checked his watch as he announced to Kuroiwa, "He should be arriving any time soon!"

A hastily mumbled Good was all he received in reply. Turning back to the boys, Endou exclaimed, "Alright, guys! We will be joined by your teammates in Earth Eleven, except for Nishizono-kun, the reason for which you will find out soon. Also," Endou's face lit up, "allow me to introduce you to two people who are very special to me. They will assist us in giving you your Soul training."

Just as the man stopped talking, the doors of the inside field swung open, and eight people trooped in, smiles adorning their faces as the teens of Earth Eleven were finally reunited.

Sakura, Konoha, Kusaka, Manabe, Minaho and even Zanakurou were standing in the doorway, excitedly waving to their team members. Tetsukado immediately stood up, and with his booming voice, hailed them one by one, shaking their hands in delight. The other boys followed suit, and Tenma couldn't help but feel relaxed seeing his friends again. You don't get to go to space with every team you join, and Tenma counted himself lucky to meet the humourous bunch.

Standing off a little to the side were their two chaperones, a man and a woman. The woman, Tenma recognised; it seemed she did too, for she beamed at him warmly as he bowed to her in respect. Her auburn-brown hair was kept loose and wavy, her matching eyes filled with benevolence and trust.

"Alright, quieten down, everybody!" Endou's voice suddenly turned back to his 'presenting' mode as the teens all sat down on the grass. I would like to introduce you to our guests." Waving at the woman, he said with a smile, "This is my wife, Endou Natsumi. She is the chairwoman of Raimon Junior High and has managed almost all of the teams I have joined."

She beamed at the teens who all gaped at the young woman. "Pleasure to meet you all."

Endou continued. "And this is a long-time friend of mine, who I met playing for Inazuma Japan for the first time. He's one of the best players in the Italian pro leagues - Fidio Aldena."

Nishiki would go feral was the first thing the brunet could think about. Paying attention to the man, he could make out confidence, authority and an easygoing air in his dark brown eyes. He had short brown hair, a ready smile and a piercing look, filled with seriousness and determination. Tenma couldn't help but feel awed to be in his presence.

"Nice to meet all of you! I'm excited to meet all these Soul players here in Japan." he said to the players. Then, turning to Kuroiwa, he rearranged his face into an exact match of the ones of the teens surrounding him, and, to the captain's surprise, he bowed low to the man, a soft "Kyōshi" escaping his lips.

Kuroiwa had an unusually soft expression highlighting his harsh features, and he quipped, "We meet again, Fidio-kun." Turning to the teens, the man spoke, "Fidio Aldena is a long-time protégée of mine. He has volunteered to assist in your Soul training for the next week. He is a player of very high skill, and taking his advice will most certainly come to your advantage. It has definitely done so for me."

A slight gasp collectively left the teens as their coach uttered the final sentence. A young man like Aldena advising Kuroiwa Ryuusei? It seemed palpable, but the Endou couple had smiles on their faces, and Tenma could feel the genuinety of the reunion.

"Alright! Let's get started!"

Soo, how was it? Remember, this is my very first committed fic, and I'm still try to develop my writing style, hence why this chapter is so short. I will try go over 3k words next time.

Welp, I forgot I don't have an audience yet :)) But Rome wasn't built in a day, after all.

See you all, and happy Father's Day!

~ Bee