Disclaimer: I don't own Captain Tsubasa, but if I did, Ken and Kojiro, Genzo and Karl would be official couples, Maki would not exist, and Sanae, Yayoi and Yoshiko would be hardcore feminists... (ha).

And they would have a lifetime supply of Mary Sue repellent (both have been victims, poor dears..)

Ok, people, this is YAOI. If you don’t know the term it's a story where two men dig each other – a LOT. So, if you are homophobic, yaoi means (to quote Saiyan Hideaway) - You Ain’t gOnna like It!

It has been AGES since I have worked on this story. Finally, I'm starting a real chapter 3 (and it will actually go somewhere, yay!)

Will be updating very soon, in the next couple of days ;)

This was called 'How Soon is Now' (a song by The Smiths) but as the story's progressing, I think the current title, Endless Skies by VNV Nation is more suitable.

yeah, I changed the title AGAIN. But I think this one will stick :)

Genzo Wakasbayashi was walking down a shaded Hamburg street, next to a wooded park on a Friday afternoon. He didn’t have any particular plans, as he had just finished practice with Hamburg S.V. Some of his team mates were heading over to their favorite after-Friday-practice pub, and Genzo was contemplating joining them. It was a cool, perfectly grey day. At the moment he was content just walking alongside the park, letting his thoughts drift aimlessly. He could have sworn he heard someone call “Wakabayashi” but, not paying much attention, he kept on walking. It wasn’t until a loud car horn interrupted his thoughts, that he saw a black Porsche 911 Targa parked next to the curb. As the car door opened, a familiar figure stepped out, greeting him with a self-assured smile – Karl Heinz-Schneider. He was dressed rather stylishly in snug-fitting, almost-white jeans, with a black shirt underneath a blue cardigan that accentuated the greys in his pretty blue-grey eyes, although today you wouldn’t have known because they were concealed by pewter-colored Versace sunglasses.

“Schneider!” Genzo said in a surprised voice. “Where were you? Why weren’t you at practice today?” He tried not to sound like he cared so much, even though he did. A little too much.

“I was in Munich” Schneider said casually, removing his sunglasses. “I’ve been offered a contract with Bayern Munich. I start next season”. The attractive blonde sauntered over to Genzo until he was standing directly in front of him. Genzo could smell the cologne he often wore, Jean Paul Gautier. It smelled incredible on him. He gently inhaled the scent, trying his damnedest to control the butterflies in his stomach.

Schneider continued: “It’s a great team, Wakabayashi. Why don’t you transfer? You know they’d accept you. With both of us, Bayern Munich would be unstoppable”. He gave a slow, sexy smile that made the usually strong goalkeeper weak in the knees. Again, Genzo kept his feelings in check, never letting them surface to the expression on his face or to the look in his eyes. Getting to the question at hand, Genzo tipped his head down slightly, as to hide his eyes under the rim of his ever-present Adidas cap. “I know they would”. He replied hesitatingly. “But, I really like the team I’m on now”. He looked back up. “I started out in Hamburg, that’s where I developed my skills. I’ve been playing with them for over 5 years.” He shrugged. “I’m happy where I am.” A half-truth. There was one more thing that would have made him completely happy. Or, rather, one person…...

“But Wakabayashi, how do you expect to improve if you play on just one team?” Schneider asked, trying to persuade his friend otherwise. “If you play on different teams, you’ll gain more experience. Not that you’re inexperienced of course, but you could become even better. Especially on a team like Bayern Munich". Schneider continued in an insistent tone: “You know they’ve been following your career? And they’re interested. Bayern Munich doesn’t ask just anybody to join. You know that.”

“I know…..Genzo replied, shifting uncomfortably. “And I’m honored that they would consider me. But…..” Genzo shook his head slowly and replied with much effort: “I prefer to stay with Hamburg S.V.”

“You’re turning down a chance to play for Bayern Munich because of some-- Wakabayashi, I don’t get you, sometimes. You have talent, experience, and now an opportunity to get on the best team in the Bundesliga, and you’re turning it down?” Schneider asked, raising his voice in disbelief.

“Schneider, why do you care if I join Bayern Munich or not?” Genzo countered. “It’s not like we haven’t been opponents before – why does this bother you so much?”

For the moment, Schneider seemed at a loss for words. He opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it as if censoring himself. When he did speak, he did so in a rather indignant tone: “The only thing that bothers me is when someone with your talent throws away an opportunity of a lifetime.” He couldn’t believe Genzo – if the best team in the Bundesliga asks you to join, you don’t turn them down. You just don’t.

“Well….” He said briskly, “I guess that means we’re rivals again.” He closed his crystal blue eyes as he slid his expensive sunglasses on. He turned and walked back to his car, opened the door, slid onto the soft, black leather seat, and closed the door abruptly. Taking one last look at Genzo, he simply said, “spater” and drove off. After he was out of sight, Genzo let out a deep sigh, feeling like he could finally relax.

He decided to go to the park he had been strolling past to try to collect his thoughts. He sat down on a wooden bench in front of a lake that was surrounded partially by a small forest preserve. Occasionally, a deer would venture out of the thick woods to take a drink before jumping back into the security of the wood. One of the many wild rabbits which inhabited the park got brave enough to hop close to where the goalkeeper was sitting. Genzo smiled as he bent down to try to pet the little creature, but it scurried off just as his finger barley brushed its soft brown fur. He watched it disappear in the thick of the woods.

He sat back and took in the beautiful scenery around him. The trees had already changed to their autumn colors, a beautiful array of golds, browns, reds, and oranges. He wasn’t the only one enjoying the cool, fall day – Hamburg’s locals had picnics, played Frisbee, went fishing. There was even a soccer game or two going on.

As he watched couples stroll around the lake, hand in hand, sharing inside jokes, Genzo felt a pang of loneliness. He reflected back on his own love life (or lack thereof at the moment). He usually had no trouble attracting the opposite sex (or in some cases, the same sex). Labels such as ‘straight’ ‘gay’ ‘bi’ meant nothing to Genzo. He liked who he liked, whether it was a man or a woman. He had a few meaningful, long-term relationships in his life, as well as his share of short-lived affairs. It just so happened that the one person he loved most, the one person that would’ve made him completely happy, he could never have.

Funny, on the surface, he had it all – a phenomenal career as the top goalkeeper not just in Europe, but in Japan as well. He had money, a loving family, good friends….and yet…..

Karl-Heinz Schneider….he was the reason why Genzo couldn’t transfer to Bayern Munich. He knew he could never have the beautiful forward, so why torture himself by continuing his friendship with him? Of course, deep down he knew he could never end his friendship with Karl. But at the same time, he felt he had to distance himself from him. Maybe it would be easier to get over him if he wasn’t around so much. On the other hand….perhaps he should have transferred. At least Karl would be in his life, even just as a friend. Perhaps it would be better than not having him in his life at all.

But, what was with Schneider just then, anyhow? Genzo tried to make sense of his longtime friend and rival’s odd behavior. Schneider usually didn’t lose his temper like that. He was one of the most calm, collected people Genzo knew. Granted, he became angry at times just like everyone else, but even during his parents’ near-divorce, he never flew off the handle the way he did just a moment ago. It even took Schneider some effort to compose himself - all because Genzo wouldn’t transfer to Bayern Munich with him?