November 15, 1955- age 10

Black, suffocating smoke arose in the midnight sky, mixing with the hundreds of desperate villagers pleads for help.

"My son, my daughter! They're unconscious! Someone please, help!"

"I can't breathe! I've been shot!"

"Please, help us!"

Children were stuck in burning houses, glassy-eyed expressions through windows witnessed the bloodbath unfold. Their last sight would be people, before their own eyes, being shot dead to the ground.

Endless bombs fell, curdling screams sustained. Chaos struck as people ran for their own lives, leaving the dead behind them. The matter of life and death hung from a thin, weak thread.

Flickering lights from countless helicopters above illuminated through the dark smoke, scoping out those who ran. They didn't hesitate to shoot. Those who ran were shot almost immediately, falling to the ground as multiple bullets pierced them.

The sound of bullets rang for what seemed like hours. The innocent cries became hushed until silence engulfed the air. Red, scarlet blood stained the gravel roads as the hundreds of villagers lay to their unexpected death.

Silent tears fell down his blood stained cheeks, watching the sun rise into early morning. Kenma lay among the dead, alone and very much alive. He had merely escaped death, yet his heart was left heavy with the awful sight of his dead, bloodied family's bodies that lay beside him.

Pushing himself up onto his battered knees, his eyes briefly hesitated to scan the village he had called home. Houses and buildings lay in crumbled ashe, some even still burning. His eyes finally met the ground, analyzing each body that lie scattered in the bloodied massacre.

The war had only just begun.

August 23, 1962- age 18

Kenma tsched, narrowing his eyes at the orange headed fluffball who was jumping up and down on the seat beside him. The boy soon glanced over and caught his unamused expression. He stopped bouncing and lowered his gaze to the ground in defeat. Just as Kenma was about to stare back out the train window, the ginger spoke out to him. He was definitely not looking for a conversation, especially with this guy.

"Hi, I'm Hinata!" The boy exclaimed, reaching his hand out in a friendly manner to meet his own. "I didn't notice you over there, you're so quiet!"

Kenma just stared blankly at the boy's hand, noticing one of his legs starting to shake out the corner of his eye. This kid had to have ADHD or something.

"Anyways, what's your name?" Hinata questioned once the blonde didn't respond, realizing that Kenma wasn't the "touchy-feely" type and putting his hand back down instead.

Kenma gnawed at his cheek, debating whether he could ignore him or if he should just tell him his name. Although, Kenma knew that exchanging names would lead to even more conversation.

"Kozume Kenma."

Hinata's star struck expression almost made him want to laugh.

"Wooa, that's such a cool name!" The orange haired boy praised, scooting closer to him. "So what made you want to get into the Army?"

The blunt question coming from the obnoxious ginger caught him off guard. He didn't really know how to respond or what to respond with. No one typically asked this question, let alone tried to talk to him in general. He hadn't thought of what to say when someone did ask this.

"I, um, just was into medical and helping people I guess.." The blonde's face flushed red, his golden eyes skimming the window for a moment before he continued. "The Army was looking for people and they told me I could be trained as a military nurse."

Hinata's eyes were burning into him and he felt as if the boy could tell how much he was leaving out.

"Ah, cool! I want to be a soldier!" The orange fluff continued, his smile growing as words came spewing out of his mouth. "Even though I'm short and look shrimpy, I'm strong! Everyone says that I won't be able to make it, but I know that I can. People doubt me for my small size but I sure can fight!"

Hinata began punching the air with one hand and pretending to shoot a gun with the other.

Kenma just twisted his lips, playing with his hands nervously.

"You know, you don't really seem like the type to be in the military," Hinata speaks freely and Kenma can already tell that this guy doesn't know how to think before he says something. Kenma hears him mumble something about him looking like a fragile kitten, but he isn't sure. "But I'm sure you will be the best nurse ever!"

The two eventually fall into a comfortable silence once Hinata finally stops talking. Kenma swears that the kid will have a rough time at training if he plans on talking the trainer's ears off.

As the sky darkens, Kenma allows himself to slip into an unwavering slumber. He, as well as all the members aboard the train, await to arrive at the training facility.

August 25, 1962

The city was substantially large compared to anywhere he has ever been. His hometown had consisted of a few hundred people, yet this place housed well over thirty thousand. The thought made him anxious.

"Everyone here has already passed the written test, correct?" A tall, slick-backed blonde haired man stood before the gate to the facility, balancing a cigarette between his lips.

"You all will be individually split up into groups based upon the interest you had selected and trained for another test. This test will determine if you're strong enough to be in the Army. The weakest will be soughted out and will be sent back to their hometown. We need strong recruiters, folks."

Kenma side glanced at Hinata beside him, who was thoroughly engaged in the man's speech, bouncing up and down eagerly on his toes.

The man introduced himself as Ukai, who was one of the top officers at this specific facility. He began talking more in depth about "what being a soldier was really like," which Kenma zoned out on.

"Also, another thing to remember, folks. Physical strength does not determine if you're strong enough." Ukai made a great deal in glancing at a younger, slightly bald man who appeared to be pretty buff leaning against the fence by a shorter man with a blonde stripe in his hair.

"Aye!" Tanaka shouted, a playful expression settling on his face. "Don't look at me when you say that."

"Anyways, let's get you guys in groups. You will be assigned to a trainer, who you will report to when needed."

Ukai turned on his heel, pushing the gate doors open and walking inside the facility. There was a big building in the middle, while small, what looked to be cabins, scattered the premises. There was also a huge field filled with obstacles which Kenma hoped he wouldn't have to ever go through.

Following Ukai inside the bigger building with the rest of the members, Kenma laid his eyes on all of the officers and trainers who were lined up in a horizontal line. His eyes stuck on a tall, black haired man with a roguish smile. He admired the way he stood; tall, proud, and confident. Something he isn't. Although his gold eyes quickly darted away once he realized the man had been staring right back at him.

Ukai then began to name off the names on clipboard that he had been handed.

"Yamaguchi Tadashi..

Tsukishima Kei..

Group one with Bokuto. "

Ukai pointed to a smug, owly looking man with spiky white hair and black tips. A tall blonde with glasses started walking towards him and a freckled brunette trailed behind.

"Asahi Azumane..

Haiba Lev..

Yaku Morisuke..

Group two with Daichi."

A friendly, but stern man waved and the group who had been called gathered around him.

"Oikawa Tooru..

Kageyama Tobio..

Hinata Shouyou..

Group three with Iwaizumi."

Ukai smirked at the clipboard, pointing in the direction to a pissed off, dark spiky haired man. A pretty, brown haired boy was smiling ear to ear as he walked up to him, whispering something into his ear before standing beside him, smile never faltering.

Kenma then stiffened as Hinata's presence left his side, going to also stand by the people in his group. He had grown so used to hiding behind his shadow that he felt even more alone than when he was on the train before he started talking to him.

His heart lifted though when he saw Hinata wave excitedly to him, standing next to a black haired boy with a cat piss expression.

"Kenma Kozume..

Akaashi Keiji..

Group four with Sugawara. And Kuroo will be assisting with the physical part, not the medical part."

A grey haired man who looked part angel gave a small, warm wave and a beaming smile to signal his presence as Kuroo crossed his arms in response next to him.

Kenma let his hair fall over his face to cover the blush on his cheeks. Oh god. Did he really have to get stuck with the guy he had been gawking at when they came in?

He took small footsteps towards the two, glancing sideways to see another pretty, black haired guy with dark eyes heading towards them as well. Atleast he wasn't alone in this.

"I'm Sugawara, but please, call me Suga!" The angel sang as they got to their group, his voice literally radiating kindness.

"Kuroo," The tall, black haired man responded, anything but kindness flowing out of his.

Kenma pulled in his lips, willing himself not to sneak a glance at Kuroo. He could feel the man's gaze on him already. He already pictured the smirk that lay comfortably on his lips.

"I'm Akaashi," The brunette next to him spoke; his voice was soft and it lingered beautifully in the air. Kenma could tell that he was going to get along well with him.

"Kenma," Kenma restated like Kuroo had, almost as if to mock him. The blonde finally gained the courage to glance up to indeed see the black haired man staring down at him. Kenma, in response to this, rolls his eyes.

"Now that you have your groups, this is where you will be spending most of your time. I hope you all get along with your group members because there is no changing." Ukai grins, staring down at the cigarette between his fingers.

"Also, you'll all be expected to share a single room with all of your group members. Bonding is a thing, kids."

With that, Kenma takes another single glance at Kuroo, who again is staring back at him, and sighs deeply.