Story Downloaded from Open Scrolls Archive (https://www.openscrolls.net)

Title: Stay With Me (#4593)
Author: isilelensar
Chapters: 9

Archive: Haikyu!!
Category: Alternate Universe
Description: Continuing the story from 'How We Began.' Kei Tsukishima is on the run again, running from hitmen hired by his grandmother, and forced to leave Tetsuro Kuroo behind. But behind the scenes, key players are beginning to make their moves against the matriarch of the Tsukishima family. Part Two of the Moonrise series
Published: 31 Dec 2021
Updated: 13 Jan 2022
Warnings: canondivergent, kurootsuki, implied sex
Type: Romance
Characters: Kuroo Tetsuro, Tsukishima Kei


Chapter 1 - Part One: The Setup

“Thanks for coming. I really appreciate it,” Akiteru said to the men, and lady, gathered at the table at the non-descript, little hole-in-the-wall restaurant he’d picked to meet at. He’d paid the owner handsomely to let him use it for an hour after closing.

He smiled briefly at each person. It had taken time finding the right people in order to put this small force together, and he needed them to help guard and protect his little brother, his brother’s lover, and the latter’s wily aunt. They’d been suggested by his most trusted advisors, so he knew they’d be the best for the job.

“In front of you is a packet that I’ll need everyone to commit to memory, ASAP. Destroy everything afterward. In them is information on the three people you are to protect at all costs. I trust you understand?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Three people, sir?” Eita asked, noting the addition. They were only told about two before they arrived.
“I’ll get to that,” Akiteru answered shortly. “Bokuto, I’ve given you directions for the whereabouts of Kuroo Tetsuro and Shibata Yui. I’m sending Eita and Tanaka with you. Keep them safe, and if possible, do it without their knowledge. If you do need to break cover, make sure they know you’re friendly.”
“Yes, sir,” the man with black and silver frosted hair replied.
“Akaashi, you will go to the last known location of my brother, the information is in your packet. He may have moved on already, but you know what to do if that’s the case. Fukunaga and Shimizu are with you. Your situation is different; as soon as you locate him, he’ll need to know you’re there and why. Your biggest hurdle will be getting him to trust you, but please stick close to him, regardless.”
“Yes, sir,” the man sitting quietly next to Bokuto replied.
“As far as my brother’s concerned, I work for my Grandmother. It will be hard to convince him otherwise. I have no doubt he’s told Kuroo the same.”
“Wouldn’t it be a good idea to just meet with Kuroo and Shibata to explain, then?” Bokuto asked. “I mean, it would make things easier if they trusted us.”
“You may be right. However, Shibata may reach out to you; she knows more than her nephew, and she’ll want to know what’s going on. Tell her what you know.”
“Are you sure she can be trusted?” Eita asked cautiously.
Akiteru paused. “Without going into too much detail, yes. She can be trusted.” He affirmed, and then continued with the last of his directions. “Stay on your guard. Grandmother has yet to send out any of her Specials, but if she does, you’ll have to move fast, think faster, and out-of-the-box. Be prepared for that. Got it?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Any questions?”
“How long is this assignment?” Tanaka asked.
“Indefinite. But I’m hoping it won’t be that long.”
“Do we need to check in with you at all, or are we on our own?” Shimizu inquired.
“You’ll need to coordinate with each other, but no need to contact me unless absolutely necessary.”
“Weapons?” The group smiled and laughed softly at Fukunaga, who looked around at everyone with wide eyes. “What?”
“Who else would ask that question?” Shimizu sighed into her hands.
“I don’t know? Eita?”
“Dude, I already know I’m bringing my own,” Eita chimed in.
“I’m just asking if we need more than standard issue.”
“Do you actually plan to blow things up again, or nah?” Tanaka joked.
“That last time was the Miyans fault, and you know it!”
“Oh, yeah! Are we allowed to bring in more people, if necessary?” Bokuto asked, excitement lighting up his eyes.
“Yes, but only in case of an emergency. However, I have alerted my colleague and he’ll be sending his own teams to help. You shouldn’t need more beyond that.”
“Understood.”
“Time is of the essence. We need to move before Grandmother does. You have until 7pm to get your things in order, and until 8pm to get out of Miyagi. Good luck.”

The group of six all rose at once, bowed, and proceeded to leave the room separately. After waiting out the rest of his paid hour, Akiteru left to return to the residence.

~*~

“Report, Washijo,” a thready, high-pitched voice said from the dark end of the boardroom table.
“The individual is no longer in Tokyo. We’ve yet to discover his location, but we assume he won’t stay in one place long enough until he feels he’s safe. We’ll find him once he slows down.”
“Hmmm,” was all he got in reply. “Irihata?”
“The individual was seen associating with one Kuroo Tetsuro, junior officer with the JVA, sports promotion division. Unclear how close they were, or if it was simply a one-time thing.”
“Tsk. I do not care for that information. Have this Kuroo followed, anyway. I can’t place how I know that name.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Omizu?”
“I’ve put the Specials on stand by, Tendo will head the operation.”
“Not Ushijima?”
“Still laid up from the last mission. He can serve as remote ops, if necessary.”
“Do it.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Anything about that troublesome outside interference?”
“Nothing. We can’t trace a single thing.” Washijo replied, with frustration. “A mere blip on our radar, and it’s gone before we can get a good lock on it.”
“Put Daisho on it,” she ordered.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I trust I don’t need to tell you that we need to gather as much information as we can before we make our move?”
“No ma’am,” they all said, but for Omizu, who sounded as if he were questioning her. Naturally, she caught on.
“What is it, Omizu?”
“Forgive me, ma’am, but shouldn’t we at least get people out there and in place?”
“How would you suggest doing that if we can’t even locate our primary target?”
“Tendo is good at what he does. If we could just put his team out there…”
“Waste of money. I’m not going to authorize any extra funds to send people out on a wild goose chase. We need concrete information. Are you telling me I don’t have the best people working on that?”
“No, ma’am,” he answered, feeling thwarted.
“Good. Is there anything else?”
“No ma’am,” they all replied.
“Dismissed. I’ll have your findings in three days.”
“Yes, ma’am.”

The three of them rose and filed out. When the door closed, the old woman slumped in her chair and started coughing. From behind a concealed door, a doctor and nurse came out quickly. The old woman grabbed the oxygen mask in the doctor’s hand, and put it over her nose and mouth, breathing raggedly. It took a good fifteen minutes before she was breathing almost normally again.

“Ma’am, you really should be resting,” the doctor said patiently. “You are supposed to be on bed rest…”
“I’m fine!”
“Clearly, you’re not,” the nurse spoke acerbically.
“Hush your mouth, young lady,” the doctor scolded.
“Help me up,” Grandmother demanded. “I have a meeting with my grandson and daughter-in-law.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they replied, knowing the old woman wasn’t going to listen to them. But they did as they were told, anyway.

~*~

On a pitch dark, secluded beach in Miyazaki prefecture, another small group was meeting. At least, five were actually out on the sand, while three remained in the shadows, as was their preference. The tallest among them, the leader, stood proudly in front of his team, with a tiny grin lifting the corners of his mouth.

“Good work on the last assignment, men. And lady,” he said, his baritone voice just loud enough for them all to hear. “You incapacitated their leader, and scattered the rest before they could get to Kyoto. Well done. Now, down to business. Akiteru has informed me that Tsuki is on the move again. There was a tip off to his location in Tokyo.”
“Any idea who that was?” Narita asked.
“I have a good guess,” the man said ironically. “She never could keep her nose out of everyone’s business. She’s harmless.”
“What do you need us to do, Boss?” Noya spoke up from the shadows.
“I need to divide you guys, and both teams will offer assistance to the two teams Akiteru should have already sent out. He’ll be informing me soon…” he paused and pulled out his phone. “Okay, I have his teams. Narita, you’ll take Hinata, Kinoshita, and Osamu to meet up with Akaashi’s team protecting Tsuki. Suzu, you’ll be in charge of Hoshiumi, Noya, and Atsumu. You’re to meet up with Bokuto’s team in Tokyo.”
“Guess it’s my turn with Captain Chaos, huh?” Suzu groaned, earning snickers from most of her team, and the side-eye from Atsumu.
“I thought that was Noya,” Narita imparted, fully earning the death glare from the former libero. “In which case, you have both of them.”
“Well, at least our fearless leader split both pairs of Chaos Twins.”
“We can’t have anything else blow up. I can’t afford it.”
“This is why we can’t have nice things,” Suzu said sarcastically.
“Who was on that assignment, anyway, hmmm?” Kinoshita asked, smirking.
“Hinata, Noya, and the Miyans,” Hoshiumi answered.
“And Fukunaga,” Suzu added.
“Yeah… that was fun,” Atsumu joined in.
“For you, maybe,” Osamu elbowed his brother.
“Says the one who flipped the switch,” Atsumu growled. He was about to pounce on his brother when their leader cleared his throat.
“Okay, guys. Enough. I have further instructions.” Everyone snapped to attention… mostly. “Those going to meet up with Akaashi’s group, your primary goal is to help them earn Tsuki’s trust. I’ve added enough familiar faces, so that should help.”
“Who’s in his group?” Hinata asked.
“Fukunaga and Shimizu.”
“Kiyoko-san?! Why didn’t you put me in that group?” Noya moaned dramatically.
“Still simping even after she married Tanaka?” Kinoshita teased.
“Someone has to,” Noya grumbled.
“Yeah, well, Bokuto’s group includes Tanaka, so try not to get too carried away, okay?” their leader said wryly. “He also has Eita, so I’m going to need someone to keep Miya from getting too competitive over weapons.”
“Ouch, sir!” Atsumu groaned. “I ain’t that bad!”
“It was a competition that you started with Fukunaga that blew up. Literally!” Hoshiumi was incredulous.
“That said,” their leader said loudly to regain their attention. “Hoshiumi, Hinata, and Noya, I’ll need you to stay undercover, as always. With the exception of Hinata as an identifier for Tsuki, all other times, you three remain hidden until necessary.”
“Right!” the three replied.
“The rest of you will lend whatever help is needed, and you’ll be under direct command of Bokuto and Akaashi once you join up with them.”
“Where do we go to meet up with Akaashi?” Osamu asked. “I don’t think you mentioned it.”
“You’re right. I didn’t.” He told them Tsuki’s last known location. “Akaashi was sent there as well. That’s where you’ll go.”
“Now, sir?” Narita asked.
The elder man nodded. “Go. Hurry, and be careful.”
“Yes, sir!” and the four of them ran toward the dock where a speedboat waited.
“The rest of you can leave in the morning. Bokuto’s team is stationed in Tokyo. You’ll meet up with him there.”
“Sounds good, sir.”
“Now go get some rest. You have an early start.”
“Right!” and the other four headed inland, toward their hidden base.

Hanging back for a little bit, the man tilted his blonde head and looked up at the moonless sky. The faint starlight glinted off his glasses, and he thought the sight was beautiful. Sighing, he almost wished the moon was out, but then, they’d have had to meet inside the base, and he wanted to feel the cool sea breeze before things got started in earnest.

Reaching into another pocket, he brought out an old school flip phone, opened his text window, and typed in a coded message to those in his chat group.

[Teams mobilized. Operation: Guardian protocols now in effect.]
[Understood]
[When should we expect you?]
[Not now. Not yet. Soon.]
[Be safe. Be careful.]
[Aren’t I always?]

He tucked the phone back in his pocket and looked over his shoulder toward the ocean. The speedboat was just maneuvering away from the dock, and then the driver gunned the engine, and he could hear the boys cheering as they raced away. Smirking, he waited until he couldn’t hear anything other than the tide washing in, and then he made his way back to base.

~*~

[test: coded message]
[Tsuki?]
[yeah. sorry to wake you.]
[no, it’s fine. i wasn't asleep anyway :-) ]
[just wanted you to know i’m okay]
[good. i’m glad. thank you.]
[i can’t stay long. i’m just resting for now.]
[resting?]
[well, i’m horizontal, at least.]
[you should be horizontal here. with me.]
[i wish i was, Tetsu. i miss you.]
[i miss you too]
[i love you]
[i love you too]
[good night, Tetsu]
[good night, Moonshine]

Tsuki closed his flip phone and hid it under his pillow. He was resting in a hostel on Okinawa, but would be on the move again in a few hours. The note his mother had written told him to stay moving for as long as possible (which was a given) , and gave him a suggested route (not that he’d follow it, specifically). This was the toughest part of anytime he was forced to run; constantly moving, barely enough time to rest or eat. Never in one place long enough to leave an impression on anyone, which was mandatory. During each stop, he attempted to alter his appearance, so that if anyone tried to follow him, they wouldn’t have a clear description. He only slowed down when he felt it was safe to do so.

He’d been too tired to change his appearance once he made it to Okinawa, but since he’d be gone again soon, he didn’t worry too much about it. He planned to make more of an effort once he was back on the mainland.

But for now… he turned over on his side, and pulled out the phone from under the pillow. He opened it, and reread the text between Tetsu and him. And read it again, until he almost had it memorized. Then he closed it again, and stuffed it back in its place. He turned over on his side, facing the wall, and squeezed his eyes shut. He needed to try to sleep at least a little bit before the alarm went off.

Even if he knew he wouldn’t sleep enough, if at all.
Even if he knew he’d be an exhausted wreck later.
He had to try.

After another futile effort, he sighed and struggled to sit up. Well, at least he felt a little relaxed, if nothing else. He grabbed his backpack and brought out his laptop, waited for it to boot up, and hooked up his headphones. Maybe he could watch some brainless movie that would help him fall asleep? No, he wasn’t really interested in anything. Maybe some music? He brought up one of his favorite stations, and hit play. His head fell back against the wall, and he smiled gently; the station played music Tetsu was inclined to like more than he did. Also, he could just imagine Tetsu dancing to this song…

As the next song started playing, an idea formed in his sleep-deprived mind. The combination of codes they were using were old, but could easily be cracked if given more than two thoughts about it. They needed something to use that might look easy on the surface, but would be hard to figure out without proper context and meaning.

One more song, and Tsuki had the basic idea for the code they could use, in addition to the two they used now. He was also feeling a lot more lethargic and definitely ready for sleep. Pulling off his headphones, he closed his laptop, and put it all away. Curling up under the blanket, he shut his eyes again, and was fast asleep within minutes.

~*~

“What are you doing up?” Aunt Yui asked quietly as she walked into the kitchen.
“Couldn’t sleep,” Tetsu replied, his voice gruff.

He smiled at her and put his flip phone down. He’d been staying at her place a little more often, mostly because he didn’t want to be alone. He was glad she kept a room ready for him whenever he stayed over.

“What are you doing up?” he returned her question.
“With all the racket you’re making down here? It’s a wonder the neighborhood isn’t beating down my door.”
“I already sent them away. I’m just waiting for the torch and pitchfork crowd to show up.”
“Smartass.”
“Learned from the best,” he lifted his mug in a toast to her.

Rolling her eyes, Aunt Yui got her own mug from the cabinet and turned the electric kettle on to reheat the water. She picked out her favorite herbal tea, opened the pack, and put the tea bag in the mug. While she waited, she pulled out the chair across from Tetsu and sat down.

“Have you heard from Tsukishima-san?”
Tetsu smiled fondly. “Yeah. He’s okay.”
“Thank god,” she replied, breathing a sigh of relief. “Did he say where he is?”
“No. And I didn’t ask. He wouldn’t tell me anyway.”
“Maybe it’s for the best. At least for right now.”
“I guess.”
“You miss him, don’t you?”
“Yeah.”
“Didn’t think your first hurdle as a couple would be something like this, did you?”
“No.” He looked up at his aunt. “Everything after this will be a piece of cake.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re not giving up on him. You’re not letting him go.”
For a moment, he looked confused. “No. Why would I?”
“I knew you two would be perfect for each other,” she said.

Tetsu was about to say something, but the kettle started whistling, and Auntie stood up to go make her tea. She reached back, and Tetsu handed her his empty mug, which she made him the same tea she was drinking. Plunking the freshly steaming mug of peppermint tea down in front of him, she sat down with her own.

“So. What now?”
Tetsu shrugged. “I don’t know. He said he can’t stay where he is, but at least he’s trying to get some rest first before moving on.”
“Has he ever told you about his life before meeting you?”
“A little.”
“Tell me.”
“Auntie, you know I love you, but I can’t tell you that.”
“Did he tell you not to?”
“No, but I’m still not telling.”
“Tsk.”
“Nosey.”
“I am not! I’m just… very curious.”
“Yeah, meow.”
“Shut it, child. You’re just as bad!”
“I am the epitome of incuriousness.”
“Yeah, meow.”

They talked and laughed over their tea, and as the sun peeked over the horizon, they had finally reached a point where they could admit they were finally tired. Clearing up the mugs and washing them, Yui shooed her nephew out of the kitchen and back to his bedroom.


Chapter 2 - Part Two

“Tsuki was here,” Shimizu reported as she ran up to Akaashi. “Stayed in a hostel just a few minutes from here.”
“Did anyone talk to him, see which way he went?” Akaashi asked.
“Not really. He acted friendly enough, but kept to himself. No one saw which way he left; everyone was still asleep,” Fukunaga said from right behind her.
“Damn. Well, cast your nets, see what comes up. I just got a message that we need to wait here for the rest of our team.”
“Who’s coming?”
Akaashi grinned. “They didn’t say.”
“They never do,” Shimizu sighed. “Completely random, as always.”
“I wonder…” Fukunaga mused.
“If they send both Miyans, I’m going home,” Shimizu said flatly.
“I’ll join you,” Akaashi agreed.
“Come on, guys! It really wasn’t that bad. No one was hurt.”
“You got lucky,” Akaashi reminded him. “The building was abandoned and on the outskirts of town. Good thing they already had plans to tear it down. You three just helped them with early demolition.”
“So why won’t you guys let it drop?”
“You used enough explosives that they heard it in the next prefecture? You not only completely obliterated a simple two-story wooden building, but left a 10-foot deep crater in its place? That you got caught up in a competition with Atsumu in the first place?”

Shimizu ticked off three of the biggest reasons she had on three fingers. Fukunaga at least had the presence of mind to look ashamed. For about a minute. Then, he smiled, and the others knew he wasn’t sorry in the least. Akaashi rubbed a hand down his face, and Shimizu shook her head. Fukunaga was their weapons expert, after all.

“Go see what else you can find out, and pray the trail isn’t too cold. I only have a general idea of his next destination, and that’s assuming he’s going by the directions he was given,” Akaashi ordered. “I’ll wait here for the others.”
“Yes, sir,” his teammates replied, and they left immediately, in opposite directions.

Akaashi found a bench nearby, and sat down, making himself comfortable. Outwardly, he was looking at the ocean, admiring the view. But, inwardly, he was considering his next move. If Tsuki were to go by the letter his mother had sent him, he’d be on his way to Fukuoka prefecture. From there, he was supposed to end up in Hyogo. But knowing the man had been on the run for a decade, he wouldn’t do exactly as he’d been told. More than half that time, he was on his own in terms of running and hiding.

Akaashi chuckled. He’d never met the youngest Tsukishima, but he wanted to. He wanted to meet the man who had been forced to essentially become a human chameleon.

They had their work cut out to find and catch up to him, that’s for sure.

Within a half hour, and just as Shimizu and Fukunaga returned with nothing new, he sighted a speedboat flying into port, and then performing what he could only describe as a skid as it ended up flush against the nearest dock. The rest of their team had arrived, and Akaashi was already guessing who drove the boat.

“Three guesses as to who’s driving,” Shimizu said quietly from beside him. “And the first two don’t count.”
“Only one comes to mind, to be honest,” he replied. And had his suspicions confirmed the moment he saw Oikawa appear at the stern. “Show off,” he muttered.
“Is he joining us?”
“God, I hope not.”
“Who else can you see?”
Fukunaga squinted. “More crows,” he said quietly. “Likely to help get Tsuki to trust us.”
“I see Narita, Kinoshita, and… Hinata. This will be interesting,” Shimizu added. “Oh! Also, one of the Miyans.”
“Which one?”
“Osamu.”
“Good. The sane one.”
“He’s just as chaotic as his brother. Just… sneakier.”
“Right. Well, let’s go meet them. We have less than no time to get moving again.”
“Right.”

The three of them made their way down to the dock, and happily greeted their friends and teammates. Akaashi quickly outlined his next plan, and they all agreed it was time to leave. Then, he turned to face Oikawa, who was sitting nonchalantly on the stairs that led to the cockpit.

“Think you can get us to Fukuoka?”
“Well, yeah…”
“But?”
“She just barely made it here from Miyazaki. I’ll need to gas up, and make sure she’s good to go again.”
“How long?”
“A day at the least.”
Akaashi squinted. “What else?”
“Five passengers is all I can do to keep things safe and speedy. There are seven of you, with me making it eight. That’s way too heavy a load, which would, at the very least, slow her down. Besides, I assume you need to get there as soon as possible, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Let me call a friend of mine. He owes me a favor, anyway. He’ll fly you there.”
“Fly?”
Everyone looked at Kinoshita. He shrugged helplessly. “I hate flying.”
“We can’t afford to leave you behind…”
“I’ll go,” he reassured them. “I just… really hate flying.”
“If you’re sure?” Akaashi watched as Kinoshita nodded. Then, he turned back to Oikawa. “Make your call. We need to be in the air as soon as your friend is ready.”
“Done. Give me a few minutes.” He got up and climbed the stairs, disappearing into the boat.

While Oikawa was calling his friend, Akaashi and the others started outlining their two main objectives. First, earn/regain Tsuki’s trust. That would take the most effort, especially because they’d been ostensibly sent by his brother, whom he barely trusted. Second, they had to keep him safe, which meant they had to move as quickly as he did from place to place. Which would be difficult for eight people, even with their combined expertise.

Oikawa came back, and when his eyes met Akaashi’s he gave a thumbs up along with his trademark bright smile. “You’re good to go. He’ll be ready as soon as you get there.”
“Thanks, man. Appreciate your help.”
“No worries! Glad to help.” His expression turned serious in the blink of an eye. “Be careful out there. Best of luck.”
“Thanks, Oikawa. You too.”

They waved at each other as they parted ways.

~*~

Bokuto snickered as he put his phone away. Akaashi had just texted him with news, and the last part had him wishing he could have been in Okinawa.

“What’s got you laughing?” Eita asked from beside him.
“Akaashi met up with his half of the backup team.”
“Which means ours is en route.”
“Or already here,” Tanaka added as he walked up to them. “Who’d he get?”
“Half your old team,” Bokuto replied with a grin.
“Understandable.”
“Yes, but who?” Eita asked. “I need to know if I should be concerned or afraid.”
“You’re never afraid, Dude,” Tanaka joked, slugging him in the arm. “You shoot first, ask questions later.”
“Best way to deal with scary people.”
“If I thought you were serious, I’d have to reevaluate Aki’s reasoning,” Bokuto joined in. “Anyway, Akaashi said that Narita, Kinoshita, and Hinata are all part of his team.”
“Hinata! That sneaky little son of a…” Eita muttered under his breath.
“Still bitter over that loss, aren’t ya?”
“Not even a little bit.”
“It’s been, like what, thirteen years or something? But okay, yeah, sure.”
“We get Atsumu,” Bokuto interrupted them.
“Captain Chaos! Alright!” Eita cheered, his eyes lit up with excitement.
“But, I thought that was Noya.” Tanaka was as loyal as ever.
“He’s coming, too.”
“Even if they are half of two pairs of Chaos Twins, Noya and Atsumu could wreak enough havoc on their own.”
“Truth.”
“You don’t get to agree, Tanaka. Compared to the Miyans, Hinata and Noya, you’re the tame one.”
“What’d you just call me?”
“Do I need to separate you two?”
“This from Emperor Emo?”
“Never going to live that one down, am I?”
“Not even a little bit.”
Bokuto grinned. “Suzumeda and Hoshiumi round out our team.”
“Oh, good.”
“You sound relieved.”
“Suzu and Hoshi are the sane ones.”
“Truth.”
“Why are you even agreeing with me, Tanaka?”
Tanaka shrugged. “‘Cuz I know it irritates the hell out of you.”
“Okay, guys, I think I see Suzu and Atsumu walking this way. Let’s go.”

Eita and Tanaka immediately ended their verbal scuffle and followed Bokuto out into the open. When Suzu caught sight of the three of them, she smiled big, made a show of hollering and raising her hands and waving, and then threw herself into Bokuto’s arms.

“Play along,” she whispered in his ear. “We may have been followed.”
“Already?” Bokuto replied, but leaned back far enough to smile brightly at her. “Glad you two finally made it!” he exclaimed loudly.
“We nearly got lost! You’re so bad with directions.”

Atsumu gazed at them fondly, as if he were a doting elder brother. But he gave a slight hand signal and Eita moved so that he could hear clearly.

“There were four men tailin’ us halfway here. We gave ‘em the slip a couple times, but they’re tenacious.”
“Any sign of Kuroo or his aunt?”
“Not yet, but it’s almost lunch hour, so if they stick to their usual pattern, they’ll be around soon enough,” Suzu told them after surprising Bokuto with a kiss on the cheek and a pat to his chest.
“What’s yer plan, o fearless leader?”
“Smartass.”
“Smart up here, too,” Atsumu tapped the side of his head.
Eita snorted. “Debatable.”
“Guys, let’s find a safer spot. Where are Hoshi and Noya?” Bokuto interrupted them.
“Taking care of our followers. Give them a few more minutes, and they should be joining us.”

Making it look like they were just a group of friends meeting for fun, they started walking and talking as if they didn't have a care in the world. In between bouts of laughter and light-hearted punches, Bokuto outlined his plan.

They were going to arrange a meeting with Kuroo and his aunt, letting them know they would be protected. They meant to stay out of the way, most of the time, in order to make everything appear normal. But, if necessary, one or two of them will be there with them. It all depended on what the enemy threw at them.

When they came to a stop at an intersection, they found Hoshiumi and Nishinoya waiting for them.

“Took you guys long enough!” Hoshi said, leaping off the bench he’d perched on.
“Thought I was gonna starve waiting on you,” Noya grinned as he stood up. “TANAKA!” he hollered, racing over to leap onto his best friend.
“NOYA!”

Suzu grabbed the back of Atsumu’s shirt. “Don’t you dare.”
“Why not?”
“I’ll let go if they invite you over.”
“Fine.”

“What do we need to know?” Hoshi asked Bokuto, who filled him in.
“Compared to Akaashi, our job is relatively easy.”
“Do they really need all of us?”
“Well, considering you and Noya are supposed to remain unseen, for the most part, yeah. They need all of us.”
“So, when do we arrange the meeting?”
“How about now?”

The new voice startled the seven of them into silence. Atsumu even had the gall to fake a jump, like he’d been scared. The older lady raised an eyebrow in his direction, and he immediately looked chastened, though he was grinning anyway. When Bokuto turned around, he found a tiny (she had to be as tall as Noya at the least) dark-haired lady with small rectangular glasses watching them with a puckish smile, and a much taller man just behind her, looking rather menacing.

Bokuto smiled, bowed, and held out his hand. “Kotaro Bokuto, ma’am. Nice to meet you.”
“Yui Shibata,” the lady sounded so amused. She returned his greeting. “That’s my nephew, Tetsuro Kuroo. He’s not as scary as he’s trying to look.”
“Auntie,” Kuroo groaned.
“She’s right, though,” Bokuto said out loud. He held out his hand to Kuroo. “Besides, pretty sure we’ve met before.”
Kuroo tilted his head and looked at him at the same time he shook Bokuto’s hand. Then, his eyes lit with remembrance.
“Captain of the Fukurodani VBC! Yeah, I know you! How’ve you been?”
“Great! Thanks for asking…”
“Guys, reunion later. We need to get moving,” Suzu reminded them. “It’s crowded, but that gives them the opportunity to sneak up on us if we’re not careful.”
“You’re right.” He turned to smile at Shibata. “Any suggestions?”
“I know a place. They serve good food, too.”
“Lead the way!”
“Wait,” Kuroo said, and they turned to look at him. “Weren’t there two shorties with you?”
“Oh, yeah, them,” Bokuto replied with a little shrug. “They’re still around.”
“Really? Where?”
“Oh, don’t worry. They’ll catch up to us. Now, why don’t we catch up to your aunt? She’s commandeered Eita and Atsumu, and I have a feeling they’ll want backup.”
Kuroo laughed and started walking alongside Bokuto. “We should just watch and see what kind of fun she has with them.”
“Good idea!”

~*~

[If I didn’t already know how serious this is, I’d say I’m going to have fun with them]
[You would. That’s probably why that particular group is there.]
[Probably. How are you doing?]
[I’m fine. Within reason. Grandmother just left, trying to see if I know more than I’m supposed to]
[Which you do]
[She still thinks I’m lost without someone telling me what to do]
[I’d have gone crazy trying to keep up that act]
[Yeah, well, it’s harder than you think]
[I bet. You definitely have the talent and temperament to keep up appearances for however long you have to]
[I’ve had to. For my family, especially my sons]
[I know]
[Speaking of…]
[He’s holding up well enough]
[Good to hear]
[I need to go. Just thought I’d check in]
[Thanks for that. Be safe]
[I will. You too]

Hotaru Tsukishima smiled as she tucked the flip phone into the secret drawer she had beside her bed. It was nice to be able to talk with a friend from time to time, but part of her act was to be the clueless and isolated young mother who couldn’t string two decisions together if she tried. She’d managed it for over a decade, but only now was it starting to grind her gears.

Add to the fact that she had been unable to protect her baby boy when he needed her most, then and now, she was doing everything in her power to maintain her act. It didn’t help that Grandmother seemed to be onto her, visiting even more than before, and at random intervals, so that she barely had enough time to prepare. Making Akiteru join them was especially cruel, since he had to act like he was completely under Grandmother’s thumb.

They’d been so heartbroken the night Tsuki was forced to run away, and unable to do anything but watch him go. They’d cried so many times, remembering the look of utter betrayal on his face.

Even now, Hotaru wiped away a few tears. She guessed it was enough that he’d even talk to Aki when they met, even if it was orchestrated so the meeting was unavoidable. And it was enough that Tsuki accepted her letters, and sent messages back via Aki after those meetings. He’d always been a good boy, even if he acted salty and acerbic around new people.

Still, he didn’t trust them to help him, any more than the occasional tip off, which was understandable.

What was remarkable was his trust in his lover. He’d only known Kuroo for a short time, but it was enough that he had someone to trust. She’d been so happy when Aki told her about them, about the love they both had for each other. She hoped, once this was all over, that she would be able to meet Kuroo herself, and see him with her son. She wanted to see for herself how happy Kei was when he was with Kuroo.

~*~

“Well?”
“Still no location on the individual,” Washijo sighed. “He’s still going. We can only hope he runs himself into the ground. We might be able to find him, at that point.”
“Dammit! You’d think with all the men I’ve sent out, that we’d at least be able to catch up to him!” Grandmother exploded. Then, she began coughing, a deep and ragged cough that sounded painful. They waited while she fought for control. “Omizu, send Terushima. He might have better success,” she panted her order.
“Yes, ma’am!” Omizu replied excitedly, pulling out his phone. He stood and moved to a far corner of the room.
“Irihata?”
“Kuroo and his aunt have managed to evade our people, too. We can’t follow them without being diverted.”
“What is wrong with you?! How is it that we’re unable to locate my disgrace of a grandson? How is it that we’re unable to keep eyes on his closest friends?”

The room was silent. Even Omizu had gone conspicuously silent, though he still held the phone to his ear. He quickly gave his orders and hung up, returning to the table to sit down. By then, it looked like Grandmother had gotten herself under control.

“Double your efforts. I want answers, and I want them yesterday. I will not accept any more failures.”
“Ma’am, if you would just let me send…”
“You have Daisho and Ushijima. Use them. Put Tendo with them, and see if he can guess anything.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered, sounding both disappointed and excited at the same time.
“Dismissed.”

The three rose up and bowed, leaving the room in single file. Once the door closed, Grandmother held herself upright for a few moments before collapsing in her seat. The doctor and nurse ran out from behind the hidden door, and barely managed to revive the old woman.

“Get off me! I’m fine!”
“Ma’am, you passed out. I must insist…”
“I told you I’m fine! Help me up,” she grumbled. “I have to meet with my grandson and daughter-in-law.”
The doctor sighed. “Yes, ma’am.”


Chapter 3 - Part Three

[Email sent: tickets to Himeji, Hyogo prefecture, hotel name, dates for reservation]

Tetsu leaned back in his chair at his desk, having just pushed the send button to their email. He instantly received a notification, which meant Tsuki should be receiving one as well. The JVA was sending him to speak at two of the local high schools, and he was staying in a swanky hotel near Himeji castle. Tsuki would love that, and, aside from the speeches, they’d surely have some time to explore said castle…

Off and on during the last couple weeks, Tsuki had checked in with him for short chats. Usually just enough to let him know that he was okay, and that he missed and loved him. With each text, it became obvious that Tsuki was exhausted. The random misspellings and grammar mistakes started off very few and far between, even in code. As time passed, they grew worse, until it was almost like trying to decipher a whole new code in order to decode it from the original two.

Suddenly, a loud buzzing sound came from inside his briefcase; it was the flip phone he’d bought two weeks ago in order to keep in touch with Tsuki. Dropping everything, he grabbed his briefcase and damn near ripped it open, fishing out the phone. Instead of a text, though, it was a call.

“Hello, Moonshine!”
“Hi, Tetsu.” He sounded exhausted.
“Tsuki, are you okay?”
“No. I’m so damn tired. I haven’t been able to stop anywhere long enough to get decent sleep.”
“I know you can’t tell me, and I’m not asking your exact location, but…”
“I got the email. I’ll be there.”
Tetsu sighed with relief. “Great. Do you want me to meet you somewhere first?”
“Himeji train station.”
“Fine. Tsuki, I…”
“I just had to hear your voice, Tetsu. I missed it. I miss you.”
“I miss you too. You sound like you’re on the verge of tears.”
There was a soft chuckle. “Maybe I am. I think I told you I haven’t slept much.”
“You said that, yes.”
“Two days ago? Maybe three?”
“Shit. Tsuki, why…”
“I can’t stop. Not yet. It’s always like this. I have to go, go, go until I can’t anymore, and hope like hell I’ve lost them long enough to crash for a day or two.”
“Well, you’ll have time when we’re in Himeji.”
“But Tetsu…”
“No. As much as I want you right now, you need to sleep. You sound like just talking to me is taking monumental effort. You’re going to sleep for as long as you need to.”
“Yes, dad.”
“Well, at least your snark is still functional.”
“Last to shut off.”

There was a lengthy pause, and for a moment, Tetsu thought Tsuki might’ve actually fallen asleep, but he didn’t. They were quietly enjoying the connection and just hearing the other’s voice.

“Are you sure you’ll last another few days?” he asked, still concerned.
“Yeah. I’ll meet you at the station, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Also, I’ve had to change my appearance.”
“How so?”
“Auburn hair. Grey eyes. Stayed out in the sun long enough to get tanned.”
“I’m actually curious to see you, now.”
“I also need to change my appearance again before we leave.”
“Tsuki, I really wish this wasn’t happening to you.”
“Same. But I’m used to it.”
“You shouldn’t be.”
“I know that! I know it, and I hate it! Just…”
“Look, Tsuki…”
“Tetsu, I need to go. I’ll meet you in a few days. I love you.”
“I love you too.”

And before he could say anything else, he heard the click signaling the connection was gone. He closed the flip phone and put it away, and then resting his elbows on his desk and his face in his hands.

He really hoped this would be over soon.

~*~

{3 days later - Himeji Station}

Kei was no longer certain what day it was as he wandered along the concourse at Himeji station, hoping to see a familiar dark, perpetually messy, head. But he was so, so tired. And he wasn’t feeling well. His vision kept swimming at random intervals, his mind was playing tricks on him through his peripheral vision. He couldn’t think beyond the desire to sleep, and the need to keep going. He felt hot.

Kei also couldn’t stop thinking about Tetsu, wanting to see him, needing to touch him.

After he nearly fell down a small set of stairs, he hazily thanked a passer-by for the help and managed to stumble to the nearest bench. This was as far as he could go, for now. Just a little rest, and a moment to mentally prepare himself to move again.

The insidious thought of being able to stay in one place for longer than a few hours wove its way through his mind. He’d been constantly running for the last month; never staying for more than a few hours before running again. The hostel in Okinawa was a vacation compared to some places.

His phone buzzed, and he fumbled it out of his pocket. Opening it, he squinted at the display: a message from Tetsu. Tapping a button to open the message, he read it twice before comprehending.

[Where are you?]
Easy enough.
[station]
One or two words seemed easier to handle; his fingers were shaky.
[okay, but where?]
[no idea]
He really had no idea. None of the signs made sense anymore.
[can you send me a picture?]
[sure]
Kei struggled to lift the phone high enough to take what he hoped was a decent shot of the nearest signs.
*five minutes later* [jpg sent]
Tetsu could have found him in the time it took to send that.
[on my way]
Oh, good. It made sense to Tetsu.
[okay]

Kei blinked rapidly to clear his vision and fumbled with the phone to put it in his pocket again. He waited what felt like forever before he vaguely recognized the man jogging toward him. As soon as he got close, and knelt down in front of him, Kei’s exhausted brain finally registered the man as Tetsu.

“Hey,” he managed to say, trying to smile.
“Tsuki, please don’t take this the wrong way but, you look like shit.”
Kei chuckled. “Feel like it, too.”

He could barely keep his eyes open. It felt like Tetsu put his hand on his forehead, the side of his face, and the back of his neck. That hand was so cool, he wanted it to stay on him, and moaned when it went away.

“Kei, you’re burning up! We need to get you to my room.”
“Can’t.”
“What?”
“Can’t. Legs don’t work.”
“Goddammit, Kei…. Here, I’ll help you.”
“Gimme a minnit… I c’n walk.”
“No. Absolutely not. You’re obviously in no shape to do anything on your own right now. Put your arm around my neck.” Tetsu did it for him; Kei could barely lift anything. Slowly, Tetsu got him to his feet, but it was a struggle to stand. “Where are your bags?”
“Locker.”
“Here?”
“Dunno.”
“Okay, we’ll figure it out later. Come on.”
“Heavy,” he protested.
“You are, but the cabs aren’t far. We’ll make it just fine.”
“‘Kay.”
“When was the last time you had to run like this?”
“Dunno.”
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to ask out loud.”
“S’ok.”
“Just a little further. Think you can make it?”
“Keep talkin.”
“Right.”

Tetsu kept talking, asking questions that forced Kei to answer. He did it to keep him awake enough to move, with the promise of a large comfortable bed, soft sheets and warm blankets in a cool, dark, quiet, safe place that he could finally slow down enough to sleep the way he needed to. He was promised a banquet; everything he could possibly imagine and an abundance of all his favorite foods, once he woke up.

All of it sounded wonderful. It really did.
But nothing compared to the sound of Tetsu’s voice, of being this close to him again. Kei just wanted to wrap himself around Tetsu and never let go. Tears began to fall like rain, and Kei didn’t have the strength to stop them.

“Oh, Kei. Don’t cry! I’m here. Everything’s going to be just fine.”

Tetsu stopped moving, wrapped his arms around him and held tight, murmuring soft love words non-stop. He knew when they started moving again, but had no recollection of ever being put into the cab, or the short trip to Tetsu’s hotel.

Kei passed out.

~*~

“Auntie, can you come to Himeji?”
“What? Now?”
“Yeah. Like, ASAP.”
“What’s wrong? You’re not hurt, are you?”
“No, I’m fine. I ran into a mutual friend of ours. They’re in real bad shape, and I can’t skip out on my speeches to take care of them like they need.”
“You mean…?”
“Yeah. Can you come?”
“Consider me there! I’ll let our friends know, too, okay?”
“Do you think we should? I mean, they were sent by…”
“I trust them, Tetsuro.”
“Fine. Tell them to keep an eye on things, okay?”
“Will do. I should be there in a few hours at most.”
“Thanks, Auntie.”

Tetsu gave her the name of his hotel and how to get there from the station. He also asked her to bring what she could to help bring down a fever, as he only had washcloths from his bathroom.

Next, he nudged aside one slat of the vertical blinds and looked down. On the ground, he could see the top of Bokuto’s silver and black hair, and a little further away, he saw Tanaka’s buzzcut. He already knew that his aunt would be bringing Eita and Miya (ironically, neither of them minded sticking with her). The others were scattered around the hotel, keeping an eye out for hostiles.

Tetsu found it a little surreal to be a part of this fiasco, even if he was considered a target.

Taking out his phone, he was about to call Bokuto, when there was a soft knock on the door. He glanced at Kei, who was still out cold, and breathed a sigh of relief. As quietly as he could, he crossed the room to the door, and looked out the peephole. Suzumeda stood there, calmly waiting.

“Come on in,” he said after opening the door.
“I came as soon as I could,” she said, just in case anyone was listening.

Once behind a closed and locked door, her expression changed to concern as she approached the bed. Tetsu joined her, and then sat down on the chair he’d put next to the bed. He felt her watching him take the heated washcloth off Kei’s forehead, sink it into a bowl of cool water, wring it out, and replace it. Kei moaned softly, stirring in his sleep.

“I’m right here, Moonshine,” Tetsu said quietly, gently brushing a lock of auburn-colored hair to the side. Kei immediately sighed and settled down. Tetsu sat back in his chair and just watched his love.

“He’s looking a little better,” Suzu whispered. “Maybe sleeping will help.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for,” Tetsu replied. “Too much moving and not enough sleep. I don’t want to think of how many times he’s run himself down this far before.”
“How much has he told you?”
“Enough to form strong opinions on certain members of his family,” Tetsu answered curtly. “But, not a lot, actually.”
“I see.”
“Will you answer some questions for me?”
“I’ll answer what I can. Not even we know everything.”
“Okay. What do you know about Akiteru?”
“Loaded question.”
“I met him once, and there was a moment when I thought…”
“Yeah?”
“It looked like he wanted to be the one to comfort Tsuki. There was this look in his eyes…”
“Look?”
“Remorseful is the best word I can think of.”
“That’s pretty close to accurate.”
“Oh?”
“All I know is that Akiteru was forced into a position where he had to choose who to protect: his mother, or his little brother. He couldn’t choose both. And because he had to keep up his own act, he chose his mother.”
“Shit.”
“Exactly. He wanted to explain, to apologize, to Tsuki, but the damage of his decision had taken its toll.
“What about his mother?”
“Unfortunately, I know little about her.”
“It seems she’s been doing what she can,” Tetsu said. “She’s the one who sent the letter for his escape route. And he gave Akiteru a message to give back to her, so there’s that.”
“Sounds almost like Tsuki misses her.”
Tetsu shrugged. “Probably. I don’t think he trusts her, though.”
“Right.”

Tetsu glanced at her, and leaned forward, repeating the process with the washcloth on Kei’s forehead. He gently caressed his face and neck, and promptly moved the blankets down a bit, dipped another washcloth in the cool water, wrung it out, and used it to rub down Tsuki’s neck, shoulders, and upper chest. During that, Suzu had moved to the window. She was checking her phone.

“What’s going on?”
“Bokuto wants an update on Tsuki.”
“Ah. No change on that score. He’s still burning up, but at least he’s calm.”
“That’s because he knows you’re here.”
“Yeah.”
“Eita told me they bought tickets for the bullet train. They should be here in half the time.”
“Good.”
“Do you think Tsuki will be okay with you leaving?”
“I can’t avoid it. When my aunt gets here, I’ll have her talk around him and see how he reacts to her.”
“Has he ever met her?”
“Once, when she visited his bookshop.” Tetsu smiled fondly. “It was all mostly her idea to get us together.”
“She’s a good woman. I like her.”
“Yeah, well, I love her, but she’s definitely a handful. Your Eita and Miya have already discovered that, I’m sure.”
“They are firmly in her pocket,” Suzu laughed. “Anyway, did you need to know anything else?”

Tetsu thought for a minute. He wanted to know more about Kei’s grandmother, but he knew that would take forever, and he probably wouldn’t have the patience to listen anyway. He already knew he hated the woman. That was enough for now. However, there was one person he was curious about…

“What do you know about Tsuki’s father?”

There was a telling pause, and Tetsu looked over at her. She’d sucked her lower lip between her teeth. She finished typing something on her phone, and then looked back at him.

“I can’t tell you,” she replied.
“Why not?”
“Cliche answer, but it's classified. Sorry.”
Tetsu narrowed his eyes. “Would you be able to tell Tsuki if he asked?”
“No.”
“Will you ever be able to talk about it?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s not improbable. That said, I need to go back. I just needed to check up on you two.”
“We’ll be fine.”

Suzu smiled and made her way to the door. But just before she opened it, she turned back and smiled.

“I can tell how much you care about Tsuki. I think it’s sweet.”
“Thanks. I think.”
“You’re welcome. See you later.” And with that, she swept out the door.

Tetsu shook his head, and then turned his full attention back to Kei. He peeled the sheets down further, to reveal Kei’s flushed torso, and he dunked the washcloth he used earlier into the cool water, and began to wipe his love down. It was all he could think of to help bring the fever down, and he hoped it worked. He made sure the washcloth on Kei’s head was cool, and then sat back again, but this time, held Kei’s hand in his.

“Sleep well, my love,” he murmured, weaving his fingers with Kei’s “Sleep as long as you need to. We’ll do whatever you want when you wake up, okay?”

Tetsu stayed with Kei, leaving only when he had to eat and take care of business. About an hour and a half later, his aunt arrived, and they swapped places. Aunt Yui spoke softly, making sure Kei was comfortable, and Tetsu watched. There was no reaction from Kei, even when he left the room for a few minutes, so bringing in Aunt Yui was a great idea. Now, all they had to do was wait for Kei’s fever to break, and for him to get back in good health.

Three days later, Kei finally woke up, smiling at Tetsu who had fallen asleep beside him.


Chapter 4 - Part Four

“Kaashi, how close are you to Himeji?”
“Less than two hours. We had to stop in Hiroshima.”
“What for?”
“Hinata might not be enough to convince Tsuki we’re trying to help him. I’m picking up my trump card.”
“Who?”
“You’ll see.”
“Okay, but either way, you and your team need to get here, ASAP.”
“You found him?”
“Technically, no. Kuroo brought him here.”
“Kuroo’s there, too? Bokuto, you have got to be the luckiest…”
“Nevermind that. Just get here, okay?”
“Already on my way.”
“See you when you get here. Love you.”
“Love you too.”

Akaashi turned to his team, who was seated around him in the compartment. The newest among them leaning nonchalantly against the door.

“Once we get to Himeji station, I’ll need you, Shimizu, and Hinata to hang back,” he said to the newcomer.
“Wouldn’t it just be easier for Tsuki to see us first?”
“Probably. But I want him to see everyone else first. We shouldn’t gang up on him, and there will be plenty of unknown faces.”
“Makes sense.”
“Tanaka and Noya are already there, but haven’t made their presence known to Tsuki.”
The older man chuckled. “Surprising. Those two were usually the noisiest among us.”
Shimizu laughed. “Accurate. Until you add the first years.”
“We were Crows in name and attitude,” Kinoshita added with a smirk.
“That’s very true,” Narita agreed.
“Alright, guys,” Akaashi interrupted, and they turned their attention back to him. “Narita, you and Kinoshita will stay with me, Fukunaga, and Atsumu. Hinata, you’ll take Shimizu and that one,” he gestured to their new member, “with you.”
“Right. And we’ll stay hidden until absolutely necessary.”
“Exactly. I’ll use the usual signal when I need you to make your appearance.”
“Got it.”
“You three will wait for us to leave the station. And then make your way to the hotel.” He told them the address. “If you can, find Noya and Hoshiumi, and stick with them.”
“Yes, sir.”
“What will the rest of you be doing?” The newcomer asked.
“Meeting with Bokuto and his team, and likely Kuroo and his aunt. Or maybe just his aunt. I haven’t clarified that with Bokuto.”
“Not Tsuki?”
“Bokuto will fill us in on the situation when we get there.”
“Why does this sound like something went sideways already?”
“Everything has run fairly smoothly, so far. I mean, aside from us chasing Tsuki all over Kyushu and Kansai. And that’s if we get a lock on his trail.”
“What do you mean? His height alone should be noticeable.”
Akaashi grinned at the newb. “He’s a chameleon.”

He watched the new guy’s expression as it went from confusion to understanding in seconds. With a nod, Akaashi shifted in his seat and looked at his team.

“With all of us in one place like we will be, it’ll be difficult to keep it under wraps. We’ll need to be extremely careful in how we handle this going forward. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
Akaashi checked his watch. “We’ll be there in a half hour. Do what you need to prepare.”
“Yes, sir.”

His team stood up and filed out, with another verbal scuffle cropping up between Fukunaga and Shimizu. Shaking his head, he waited until the door was closed before standing up and fully facing the newcomer.

“I’ve been out of this for so long,” he said quietly. “Are you sure you need me that badly?”
“We’ll only need you if Tsuki still refuses to believe us. We’re hoping with all the familiar faces of his former teammates, including you, that it will go smoothly. Hinata was supposed to be the key player, before I thought of you.”
“You really think I can help?”
“You were one of his favorite senpais, right?”
“I don’t know about that…”
Akaashi smiled. “You’ll be a huge help, if it comes down to it. If not, then consider it a reunion… of sorts.”
“Maybe,” the other shrugged. “Not much of a reunion if Shimizu and I are the only ones left of the original team’s third years.”
“I’m sorry.”
A gentle smile appeared on his face. “I’ll help you. And like you said, it’ll be a reunion, of sorts.”

Akaashi had nothing else to say, and he bowed respectfully as the older man quietly left to join Hinata, Narita, Kinoshita, and Shimizu.

~*~

“Welcome back, Tsukishima-san,” Yui said calmly, smiling as Tsuki turned his head in her direction.
“Thanks,” he replied, his eyebrows furrowed for a few seconds. “Aunt Yui?”
“The one and only! How are you feeling?”
“Better,” he replied. “I think.”
“Well, you’re certainly looking better. Your fever finally broke yesterday afternoon, which is good.”
“I had a fever?”
“Yeah. We managed to bring it down.”
Tsuki grinned. No need to ask who ‘we’ meant. He turned to look fondly at Tetsu, still sleeping beside him. “How long have I been here?”
“You don’t remember?”
“Not really. I barely remember boarding the train to come here. Everything after is a blur.”
“Tetsu found you at the station, after texting you. He brought you here, and called me for backup care.”
“Thank you,” he said again. “But…”
“Three days. Almost four.”
“Damn,” he cursed and tried to sit up. His world immediately spun, and he was flat on his back again.
“What are you doing? You aren’t in any shape to move right now,” Yui said urgently. “No, Tsukishima-san! Stop trying to get up!” She attempted to hold him down, but even in his weakened state, he was still stronger. “Tetsu! Wake up!”

Before he knew it, an arm wrapped around his midsection, and a leg was flung over his, and he was slowly dragged closer to Tetsu until his back was against Tetsu’s chest. He tried to escape the hold, but Tetsu was the strongest of them both, right now, so he settled down again. Not that he really needed much encouragement. He missed being this close to Tetsu. Hell, he missed being even closer.

“I don’t think so,” Tetsu said, his deep, raspy voice sending shivers down Tsuki’s spine. “You stay here until you’re better.”
“I’m better,” Tsuki insisted.
Tetsu snorted. “Like hell you are. You were burning up with fever for who knows how long before I found you. I’m not about to let you do it again.”
“If I need to go, I will,” Tsuki argued. “I’m not about to let them catch me.”
Tetsu sighed, his hold tightening. “I get it. You’re in flight mode, and if you’re truly determined to leave again, then you will. Regardless of your health.”
“Tetsu…”
“Stay with me, Kei. I’m only here for another three days. One more speech, and then I’m all yours.”
“How could you refuse an offer like that?” Yui said sarcastically.

She smiled brightly at both of them when they lifted their heads to look at her where she sat on the chair by the bed.

“Forgot I was here, did ya?”
“Yeah,” Tetsu said.
“Something like that,” Tsuki muttered.
“For what it’s worth… you’re welcome!”
“Lookin awful smug, there, Auntie,” Tetsu said, but he was also grinning.
“You two look adorable together. I give myself full credit. Way to go, me.”

There was nothing but silence for a couple minutes. But soon, Tsuki snorted, then started chuckling, before finally breaking out in full-belly laughter. Tetsu buried his face into Tsuki’s neck, but was also laughing within seconds. Yui’s smile grew to near blinding.

When they finally calmed down enough to hear her without yelling, Yui’s smile dimmed slightly.

“We do need to talk, Tsukishima-san, and before you leave, too.”
“Okay, but only if you drop the honorific. Call me Tsuki.”
“Deal!” She slapped her hands down on her legs and stood up. “Now, I’ll see about dinner. Tsuki, you’re only getting soup and maybe bread.”
“So little,” Tetsu said. “He should eat more.”
Yui gave him a stern look, and then turned her gaze to Tsuki. “How much have you eaten since you left Tokyo?”
He had to think about it, and when he hadn’t answered to her satisfaction, she snorted. “Let me guess: only enough to take the edge off your hunger, right? Not even a full meal, or even anything healthy.”
“Not the full meal; I did try to eat healthy, though,” he defended himself. “But you’re right.”
“For the love of…” Tetsu muttered from behind him. “It’s no wonder you caught a fever. You’re lucky it wasn’t worse.”
“I know.”
“So given that information, you get soup and maybe bread. If you can hold that down, then we’ll try something a bit more substantial.”
“Yes, Auntie Yui,” Tsuki said with his usual sarcasm.
“That’s better. Now, just keep it to either Auntie, or Yui, but never both at once, okay?”
Tsuki squinted at her. “Is she always like this?”
Tetsu laughed. “Always. You’ll get used to it.”
“Good grief.”
“Same.”
“Keep that up, and it’ll be soup and bread for you too, nephew of mine.”
“The horror!”
“Smartass.”
“All thanks to you, Smartass-sensei.” He ducked as a damp washcloth sailed overhead. “You’ll get used to that, too,” he told Tsuki, who had also ducked.
“Has she ever landed one?”
“Couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn.”
“I’m not even trying,” she replied off-handedly. “I’ll go see about fetching dinner,” she added as she picked up her purse and opened the door. “I’ll be back soon.”

Once the door was closed behind her, Tetsu moved Tsuki so that they were facing each other. His eyes searched Tsuki’s, and then flitted over the changes his love had made to himself. He had to admit, it was a good look for him, but he loved the way Tsuki had looked in Tokyo and Kyoto; blonde hair, golden brown eyes, lightly tanned skin.

“I can see what you’re thinking,” Tsuki said with a tiny smile.
“Oh yeah? What’s that?”
“You don’t really care for my new look.”
Tetsu shrugged. “It’s not bad, really. I know why you’re doing it. But, still…”
He lifted a hand and lightly brushed his fingers through auburn locks. “Guess I prefer blondes to redheads,” he said softly.
“You better,” Tsuki teased. “It’s a bitch trying to make this color look believable.”
Tetsu smiled, and then he took his hand away and looked into Tsuki’s eyes again. “What are you going to change it to?”
“Dark. Like yours.”
“And your eyes?”
“Gray. Like yours.”
“Why?”
“As long as I’m wearing the disguise, I’ll be reminded of you.”
“So romantic,” Tetsu teased, even as a light pink appeared across his cheekbones.
“I thought so, too,” Tsuki deadpanned.

They stared at each other for a few moments, and then they were kissing each other. It started out carefully, as if Tetsu wasn’t sure how much Tsuki could handle after being in a fever-induced sleep for a few days. Little nips and sips that both teased and tempted; kisses that made Tsuki feel adored and loved. And also frustrated.

It was Tsuki who strengthened the kiss, deepened it, made it feel as if this were the only thing he’d wanted since leaving Tokyo. Since leaving Tetsuro.

They both used their hands… everywhere. Gliding along expanses of bare skin, making it feel as if they left trails of fire in their wake. Tsuki knew where to touch Tetsu that drove him absolutely wild. Tetsu knew where to touch Tsuki that earned him a full-body shiver, and a gasp that broke the kiss.

But Tetsu didn’t stop there. He maneuvered his way down to where Tsuki’s neck met his shoulder, and renewed his mark. He trailed his lips along Tsuki’s collarbone, and then just below it, leaving yet another mark.

He stopped once he got to the area above Tsuki’s heart. There was no kiss; instead, he pulled Tsuki closer, and rested his forehead against his chest, feeling the strong, yet quickened, beat of his heart, letting out a shaky breath.

“Tetsu?”
“Don’t do it again,” he said, his voice muffled.
Tsuki said nothing, but wrapped his arms loosely around Tetsu’s head.
“Don’t do it again,” Tetsu repeated. “Please.”
“I can’t promise…”
“You scared the shit out of me,” Tetsu nearly growled. “If your fever hadn’t broken, we wouldn’t be here right now. You’d have woken up in a hospital, which I can only imagine you wanted to avoid.”
“I’ll take better care of myself,” Tsuki said.
Tetsu huffed. “Liar.”
“I’ve never lied to you,” Tsuki replied seriously. “I’m not now.”
“You better not be. I don’t want to find you burning up, half delirious with a fever, and too weak to stand ever again. You don’t know how much I wanted to go straight to a hospital and get you proper care.”
“You and Aunt Yui did a great job.”
Tetsu nodded. “I just did what I thought would help, but she did the rest.”
“Thank you.”
“Just don’t do it again.” Tetsu moved so that he could look Tsuki in the eyes.

If there was a moment when Tsuki knew he’d fallen so deep in love with Tetsu, it would be this one. Oh, he’d been in love with Tetsu for quite a while, that wasn’t the issue. Seeing the love, worry, anger, mingled with joy that they were together again, even for such a short amount of time, all in those beautiful gray eyes… Tsuki’s heart now belonged to Tetsuro Kuroo. Every last broken piece had been mended by his tall, dark, and sinfully handsome boyfriend.

“Okay,” he whispered, barely trusting his own voice.
“Yeah?”
“I promise to take better care of myself. I promise to get more sleep, and eat healthier. I promise to slow down…”
“No,” Tetsu said, but another voice spoke at the same time.
“About that…”

“Auntie, you absolutely have the worst timing ever,” Tetsu said without looking away from Tsuki.
“Actually, I think it’s the perfect time. We really do need to talk, Tsuki. But, it can wait until we’ve gotten some food into you.”

Mood effectively shattered by one tiny, determined, Aunt Yui, Tetsu levered himself up to sitting position, and helped Tsuki do the same. With all the love and care in the world, Tetsu and Aunt Yui helped Tsuki to his feet and over to the table, where she’d put down the bags of food. He ate as much as he could, which wasn’t much at all, but it at least satisfied the two most important people in Tsuki’s life.

“Thank you, Aunt Yui,” Tsuki said.
“You’re welcome. But now, we really should talk.”
“Okay…”

~*~

In a little out-of-the-way area of the Princess Sen Peony Garden, on the grounds of Himeji Castle, all but three people of fifteen met for a quick meeting. The first several minutes were spent reuniting with friends. Bokuto and Akaashi simply embraced each other, and held hands while they waited for everyone else to settle down.

Naturally, the former Karasuno team members gravitated to each other, quite like the Crows they were. Akaashi smiled seeing them all together like that. He smiled softly, knowing there’d be three more to join them soon. His smile turned bittersweet, remembering that five of them would never meet again.

And then there was Tsuki; the one crow forced to fly alone.

But soon, if they managed to persuade him to let them help, he’d be back with his former teammates, with a few additions to the flock.

“Okay guys,” Bokuto announced, bringing their attention to him. “If we’re successful, Operation: Guardian will be in full effect. We’ll regroup, and reassess our options, and then move forward from there. We’ll be switching up team members, as well.”

“Everyone?” Suzu asked.

“No, just a few.We’ll work that out as well. It may just be easier to keep Karasuno together, since Tsuki would feel more comfortable with them. But, we’ll see.”

“We seem to be missing a few,” Eita noticed. “Where are…”

“They’ll be here soon,” Akaashi interrupted. “I told them to wait a bit before joining us. And they won’t be out in the open, so keep that in mind.” He glanced around, noticing that Hoshiumi and Noya had withdrawn, too.

“Just so you know, Tsuki is recovering from a fever, and we likely won’t get to meet him until the last day of Kuroo’s stay here.”

“A fever? Is he okay?” Noya’s voice came from the shadows.
“He’s fine. Now. Kuroo and his aunt nursed him back to health.”
“What happened?”
“He just ran himself into the ground. His arrival here was his utmost limit.”
“Shit.”
“He’s fine, Noya. You and the rest of the Crows need to figure out how to bring him back into the flock,” Bokuto said firmly.
“Yes, sir.”
“Now that that’s out of the way, I need to know everything you guys did since we were deployed.”

Akaashi went first, and started telling him of their wild goose chase, trying to catch up to Tsuki, who kept eluding them.

~*~

“Found them, Boss,” Terushima said quietly.
“Where?!”
“Himeji, in Hyogo.”
“How many?”
“I can only count eight from where I am. Any closer, and I may be chased off.”
“Can you tell me who we’re dealing with?”
“At least four Crows, two Owls, and a pair of Foxes.”
“The Owls and Foxes are easy enough to figure out. Odd that you haven’t seen the entire murder of Crows.”
“Nor will I,” Terushima answered. “Five are out on patrol, and you know it.”
“Right.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“Keep on them. Report back the moment you see our targets.”
“On it.”


Chapter 5 - Part Five

In yet another secluded, small place, nestled at the center of what could be considered a crossroads between four prefectures, Akiteru stood waiting. He’d only been there for five minutes, but it felt like forever. His colleague was due soon, and it had been years since he’d last seen him. Seen. With his own eyes. Talk and text were one thing, but to finally see him after all this time?

“I’m here, Akiteru.”
“Took you long enough.”
“Yeah, well, aside from a few stops, and a few more evasions, it’s a long way from Miyazaki to Miyagi.”
“I’m glad you made it safely.”
“Thank you. I am too.”

Akiteru turned around then, and it was almost like being thrown back in time. Barely any gray touched the wavy blonde hair on the older man’s head. His thin, dark-rimmed glasses reflected the moonlight. He wasn’t as thin and wiry as he remembered, but there was no mistaking the strength and danger that lurked under the surface.

“You look well, D…”
“Let’s keep my identity under wraps for just a little longer, okay?”
“Yes, sir,” Akiteru said automatically. “But why? I only have a few men with me, and none of them are close enough to overhear us.”
“I have my reasons,” the older man said simply. “But soon, alright?”
“Alright.”
“Now, has anyone updated you on the current situation?”
“Both Akaashi and Shimizu texted me a few days ago. Everyone is in Hyogo.”
“Yeah, Narita informed me, too.”
“Do you think that’s wise? I mean, with all of them in one place like that…”
“It’s not optimal. I’d much prefer to take a little more time to get our people in better positions, but I also understand the need to get this over with. It’s gone on for too long.”
“It never should’ve happened,” Akiteru growled, old wounds reopening. “At the very least, you could have helped him.”

He opened his mouth to start his questions. Questions he’d needed answers to for sooo many years. Questions that only this man could answer. But, once again, he was thwarted. The older man held up his hand and glared back at him.

“I know I can never apologize enough for what I did. But I had my reasons, and it required drastic decisions.”
“But…”
“No, Akiteru Tsukishima! We have an operation to complete successfully, and neither one of us can let the past get in our way. Get that out of your head, or I’ll take you out of the equation.”
“You can’t. You need me and my people. If you take me out, there are no guarantees they’ll stay to help you.”

A few minutes of silence passed between them. Tempers had flared, and now both were letting things cool off. They both knew neither could run the operation alone; fighting between them would serve no purpose.

“I’ll answer your questions as soon as this is over, alright?”
“As long as you answer them with Mother and Tsuki there, too.”
“I’m sure they’ll have their own questions.” A short pause. “Fine. You all may interrogate me. Happy?”
“No, but I’ll accept it.”
“Fair enough. Now. Tell me everything you know.”

~*~

Omizu practically ran into the room where Tendo, Ushijima, and Daisho were working. “Tell me I didn’t misunderstand what you just told me!” he demanded the second the door slammed shut behind him. “You found Tsukishima Kei?”
“You completely misunderstood, dude,” Tendo said irreverently. “I never said we found Tsukishima. I’m guessing he’s there. But nobody, including Terushima, has laid eyes on him yet.”
“Then what the hell did you call me here for?”
“What we have is a gathering, for the most part,” Daisho chimed in. “Two Owls, a couple Foxes, one Cat, and four Crows.”
“Terushima confirmed the Cat an hour ago. That brings the total to nine,” Ushijima said. “He’s trying to confirm any others, but can’t risk getting too close.”
“Why not?”
Tendo facepalmed. “Dude. I can’t believe you forgot.”
Omizu looked confused. “Forgot what?”
“Terushima led the team on an assignment that took out one-third of the Crows. Several years ago.”
“Yeah? So?”
“Oh my god,” this time Daisho replied, sounding more than just exasperated. “I can’t believe our coach is this dense.”
“You’re not helping!”
“Why would I?” Daisho sneered.
“Don’t you think that those left behind would want to repay us, Terushima especially, in kind?” Ushijima asked quietly. “Quite frankly, I’m glad I’m not out there. Not with that particular group of people in one place. I’d be just as nervous as Terushima, right now.”

It took another few minutes before it dawned on Omizu what they were talking about. It had been a particularly nasty fight, outside a sleepy little town near Nagano, and Tsukishima had already left the area long before it started. It was unknown if he was even aware of what happened, as those who were there fought to keep Terushima and his team from giving chase.

The ensuing battle claimed three Crows almost instantly, and two more a few days later. But they were the only casualties on the enemy’s side. Terushima’s team of twenty had been practically wiped out. Only one other had been there, and he was running ops for this current operation.

“Alright, so we know what, and who, we’re up against,” Omizu said, trying to sound as if he’d known everything all along. “Recall Kyotani and Futakuchi. As soon as they get here, Tendo, you gather up enough people to counter theirs.”
“Yeah. Already did that,” he said. “Catch up.”
“You forget who gave you the lead in the first place, Tendo. I can demote you.”
“Yes, you could. But then, how far would you be right now if I wasn’t in charge?”
“Do not, for one minute, think you’re irreplaceable, Tendo,” Omizu threatened. “You are good at what you do, but I won’t tolerate insubordination.”
Tendo looked like he was about to offer another sharp riposte, but Ushijima grabbed his shirt. “Stop it, Satori. We need your brand of guess work to succeed.”
“Right.”
Omizu looked like he had just mentally patted himself on the back. “I’ll make my report to Grandmother,” he said. But just as he was opening the door, “Oh! Daisho? Anything on that outside interference?”
“Nothing. I’ve been able to catch a few anomalies, but nothing ever comes of them. Whoever is behind this… they’re really, really good at hiding.”
“Keep on it, then.”
“Right.” The door finally closed behind Omizu. “Ass.”
“Come on, Daisho! Get more creative!” Tendo laughed.
“Whatever.”

~*~

[Why didn’t you tell me my son was ill, Yui?!]
[He was my priority, Hotaru.]
[Right. Sorry… How is he?]
[Better. Not one-hundred percent, but we’re working on that]
[What happened?]
[Didn’t take care of himself, really.]
[Oh god]
[He’ll be fine]
[I hope so]
[Tetsu and I are taking good care of him]
[Good. He needs you both]
[I could argue that he needs his family more]
[Hell would freeze over before that happens]
[Grab your parka, then]
[Has he met the others yet?]
[Not yet. That’s going to be the hard part]
[But… he trusts you and Kuroo]
[Yeah, but he might not once we tell him what’s going on]
[Yui!]
[He’s been on the run for a decade. His instinct is flight before fight. In a situation where he’d need to make a quick decision, he’d trust his instincts first.]
[Please, please, help him see we want to help him]
[We’ll do our best, but I can’t promise anything]
[I can’t help but think this could end in disaster]
[Yeah, well, stop it. That kind of thinking will lead us right to it]
[I just want my baby boy back]
[We’re doing what we can, Hotaru. Just be patient, okay?]
[Okay.]

Yui tucked her phone away in her shoulder bag, and headed for the Otemon gate of Himeji Castle. Ostensibly, she was on an errand for dinner, and she would bring something back to her boys. But first, she was going to meet with Bokuto and find out just how he was going to handle this meeting with Tsuki. And that was assuming Tetsu and she could convince him to agree to the meeting in the first place.

Best case scenario: he’d be open to at least meet with the men (and ladies) who would be protecting him. Nevermind that they were going to protect him, anyway, whether he wanted them to or not.
Worst case scenario: He’d fall back on his instincts, run, and they’d never hear from him again. Which would also end in two very broken hearts. Three, if she counted her own.

Tsuki was a good kid; she already considered him family, and almost a second son. She could see how easy it was for anyone to like him, or even love him. When he wasn’t on the run, he was kind and caring, had a sarcastic wit that could slay, and a heart of gold. No wonder Tetsu had fallen for him so quickly.

Still, what she told his mother was also very true: Tsuki would run if he thought it the best option, regardless of reason. Which was why she called Bokuto for a meeting. Everything needed to go smoothly enough that Tsuki would stay.

She rounded the corner and stopped dead in her tracks. Not just because she caught sight of Bokuto kissing someone rather tenderly, but because the two following her were taking their good old time. Turning around, she stood there, tapping her foot, arms akimbo, and attempting to look stern. The second Eita and Atsumu turned the corner, they had to stop or run over her.

“You’re both taller than me, and yet I’m faster than you,” she said with a smirk. “Try to keep up, yeah?”
“We were literally, like, two steps behind ya,” Atsumu protested. “Casual stroll to your sprintin’.”
“So, you’re telling me you took the scenic route? I’ve been standing here for five minutes.”
“More like two minutes,” Eita muttered. “Anyway, I think the person you want to talk to is ready now,” he reminded her, pointing over her head at Bokuto.
Yui turned back to find Bokuto walking her way, smiling brightly and holding hands with the man he’d been kissing.

“Aunt Yui! We got here a little early. What did you need to talk to me about?”
“Bo, I think maybe you should introduce us,” the man said quietly. He smiled at Yui, and damned if he didn’t look prettier.
“Oh! Sorry, sorry! Yui Shibata, this is my fiance, Keiji Akaashi. He’s the other team lead.”
“Nice to meet you, Akaashi,” she said with a smile.
“Nice to meet you, as well.”
“So…?”
“I need to know how you plan to confront Tsuki.”
“Actually, a confrontation isn’t what I had in mind,” Bokuto started, but Akaashi stopped him.
“How about if I tell her what we came up with, and see if she agrees with it? Besides, we might need both Kuroo and her to help us.”
“That all depends,” Yui said quietly. “I’d rather not see either of them get hurt if things don’t go the way they need to.”
“I understand,” Akaashi said gently. “Let’s take a walk, and I can tell you what we’ve planned so far. If you have any ideas, or corrections, we can discuss those, too. Is that acceptable?” He bowed slightly, and offered her his arm. “Shall we?”
“Yes, we shall,” she agreed with a smirk and a twinkle in her eye. Once they were just past Bokuto, she looked back over her shoulder and winked.
“Bokuto, keep him.”
“Planning on it, ma’am.”
She glanced back at Eita and Atsumu. “You two could take lessons from him,” she tilted her head at Akaashi. “He knows how to be nice to an old lady like me.”
Atsumu gasped, and clutched his heart, as if mortally offended.
Eita snorted, rolled his eyes, and coughed a “yeah right.”
Bokuto started laughing. “Come on, guys.” The three of them followed at a respectful distance, and remained on guard duty.

~*~

On the last day of Kuroo’s stay in Himeji, the two of them spent the day exploring the Castle and roaming the grounds and gardens. Aunt Yui had gone off to do her own thing, but came back from time to time to “check up” on them. Tsuki was enjoying himself immensely, almost as much as he did in Kyoto. Tetsu had a way of helping him forget, just for a little while, that after today, he’d be racing around the country until god knew when.

As the sun started lowering toward the horizon, Aunt Yui met them near the Princess Sen garden. Tetsu stuck close to Tsuki, the grip on his hand just a little tighter than before.

“Are you ready?” he asked quietly.
“Yes. And no,” Tsuki replied honestly. “I really want to see them, but…”
“Your first instinct is to run,” Aunt Yui finished for him. Tsuki nodded. “Well, just keep in mind that they’re not only here to protect you. They’ve been wanting to see you, too.”
“Yes, mom,” Tsuki replied sarcastically.
“Do we need to take a minute?” Tetsu asked. “You’re shaking.”
“If we wait, I may lose my nerve completely. Which doesn’t even make sense. I shouldn’t be so nervous seeing them again.”
“It’s okay, Moonshine. I’ll be with you, alright?”
Tsuki nodded. “Thank you,” he said, with a shaky reply. “I still haven’t thought of a nickname for you, yet.”
“Maybe later. I still love hearing my name when you say it.”
“Tetsu…”
“Guys, we really need to get going,” Aunt Yui calmly reminded them.
“Right,” they both said, trying not to laugh.

They started into the garden and it wasn’t long before Tsuki started seeing familiar faces, and not just those of his former teammates. There was one of the Miya twins, he remembered from Nationals, the blonde one. He was walking alongside that one pinch server guy from Shiratorizawa. A little further in, and… was that Tanaka and Noya? But when he tried to get a good look, they were gone. However, he also saw someone who looked dead on to Fukunaga, from Tetsu’s old team.
“One wonders why you aren’t among them,” Tsuki wondered aloud.
“I was asked,” Tetsu admitted. “But I turned it down.”
“What? Why?”
Tetsu shrugged. “It didn’t really appeal to me, I guess.”
“Hmmm. There’s more to it, isn’t there?”
“Not much, but yeah.”
“Guys?”
“Geez, Aunt Yui! Think you could slow down?”
“Tetsuro…”
“Full first name. I may be in trouble.”
“First of all, you’re not in trouble. Yet. Second, this is for Tsuki.”
“Right.”
“I know you two want to be together as much as possible, but… this needs to happen.”
“Right.”

They followed her again, and eventually they ended up in a small wooded area, where they found… everyone. Including those Tsuki had caught sight of on the way here.

“Tsuki? Is that really you?” Narita asked, taking a step forward. Just behind him was Kinoshita. “You look… different. Good! But different.”
“Yeah, sorry. I’ve had to change my appearance..” He’d already dyed his hair dark, kept the gray contacts, and was wearing small rectangular sunglasses. He was also wearing the crescent moon and cat earrings Tetsu had given him.
“No, no! We get it! Just… we remember the tall, lanky, smart assed blonde from high school. It’s been too long, man!”
“TSUKI!!” the familiar voice of Noya exclaimed as he came out of nowhere to tackle him.
“Keep it down, dorkwad,” said Tanaka from just behind him, throwing himself onto the pile.
“Get off me, you idiots!” Tsuki ground out, struggling to be free of them. “Is it your goal in life to jump on me?”
“You make it so easy, Beanpole,” Noya laughed. “How’ve ya been doin, man?”
“Recently, or overall?”
“Point taken.”

Eventually, they helped each other up and dusted each other off. Narita and Kinoshita came over to join them, and most of the others just watched, with varying expressions, but mostly happy that the lone Crow had been reunited with some of his team.

From the side, Kuroo and Aunt Yui stood with Bokuto, Akaashi, Eita, and Atsumu. The two that had been closest to Tsuki had tears in their eyes.

“He looks so happy, Auntie,” Kuroo said quietly.
“He does. Though, not quite as happy as he is when he’s with you.”
“Well…” he started to say, but didn’t finish his thought.
“Did I just render you speechless?”
“Not really. I think I caught sight of someone else.”
“Who?” Aunt Yui sounded a little alarmed, but when she glanced at the others, they were all bright smiles. “Now I gotta know who you saw.”

Akaashi winked at her and then looked into the shadows. There was no perceptible signal, but after a few minutes, a quartet of people came out of the shadows.

“Well, I guess they called in their own insurance,” Bokuto murmured, nudging Akaashi with his elbow.
“Well, she does complete the team.”

A young man with bright red hair made his way to Tsuki so fast that everyone was left blinking and wondering just how fast he’d actually moved. Even his own teammates. But this was one of his signature moves, and even Eita was impressed, though he was cursing under his breath.
“Hinata?”
“Hey there, Saltyshima.”
“I thought you were…”
Hinata shrugged. “We thought this would be more exciting.”
“Wait. We? You mean, King…?” and he looked up quickly, trying to find Kageyama.
Hinata nodded, but was oddly quiet. “He’s out on patrol.”
“What?” Tsuki asked, even when he knew what that meant. Hinata just shook his head. The rest of the Crows bowed their heads. “Who else?” Tsuki asked, his voice just above a whisper.
“Daichi, Asahi, Ennoshita…” Narita told him quietly. “They are out on patrol, too.”
As Narita spoke, two more Crows slowly walked to join the rest. Shimizu had her arm tucked around Sugawara’s, who smiled gently at Tsuki. The two came over to Tsuki and hugged him.

“It’s good to see you again, Tsukishima,” Suga said softly. “You’re looking good, considering…”
“T-thank you, Sugawara-senpai,” Tsuki replied with a shaky voice.
Suga chuckled. “Good grief. Why are we being so formal?”
“Well, you started it, Sugamama,” Tsuki replied, grinning.

Tsuki looked at each of his friends, teammates, no family, and was grateful that Tetsu and Aunt Yui had convinced him to come. He’d wanted to run, at first, not wanting to involve anyone else, especially not these people. As it turned out, they were already involved, and had been for quite some time.

Even so, there was still one face he hadn’t seen yet. One face who had been closer to him during his high school years than any of the others. And a sinking feeling started in his stomach. He could only hope they hadn’t been able to come, for whatever reason.


Chapter 6 - Part Six

“I can’t believe they’re so stupid as to meet all in one place,” Kyotani whispered to his colleague. “It's a bonus that Tsukishima is with them, too.”

That little bit of intel was surprising, as no one had been able to identify him among the group. All the info they had on Tsukishima was that he had blonde hair, was tall and lanky, and had pale or lightly tanned skin. He wore glasses often, but was also known to wear contacts. When they located the group, no one matched that description. Until Terushima came over, and pointed him out almost immediately.

“One chameleon recognizes another fairly easily,” he’d said cryptically.
“If you say so,” Kyotani had replied, still shocked at how quickly that had happened.

Now, here they were, watching the enemy and waiting for the order to start wreaking havoc.

“It’d be so easy to start pickin’ them off…”
“We can’t. Not yet.”
“Excuse me? We could end this right now.”
“You’re not wrong. But we have orders.”
“From who? You know Grandmother wants him dead. She’s even put an additional 600,000 yen on the bounty.”
Kyotani snorted, but still looked interested. “Where’d you hear that?”
“Scuttlebutt, mostly,” his colleague replied. “But it wouldn’t surprise me if it were true.”
“It’s true,” another voice confirmed from behind them.

Both Kyotani and his colleague started and then turned to see who came up from behind them. There were two; Terushima, who apparently decided to show himself now that he had better backup, and Futakuchi, who was smirking at them.

“She just sent the message out,” Terushima continued. “Don’t lose your minds and balk orders because of the money.”
“What do you mean? It’s 600,000 yen! That’s a lot of money, even for you, boss,” the other man said. “And they’re all… right there!”
“Don’t get excited!” Kyotani barked. “If you screw everything up, you won’t see the next minute, much less that bounty.”
“Are you telling me you'd kill me for taking the initiative?”
“Do what you want, dude. Find out what happens.” Futakuchi shrugged, looking gleeful.

The man looked at Kyotani, as if he’d find backup there, and who merely stared back. He knew he wasn’t the only one who’d be desperate enough to get their hands on the money.

“What do we do, then?” he asked, challenging them. “Just sit here and watch?!”
“Yes, that’s exactly what we do,” Terushima said. “Our orders were to gather up here, and then keep an eye on them. We’re merely surveillance until we get the green light from Grandmother.”
“When will that be?”
“It could be now, or two years from now. We won’t know until we get the orders,” Kyotani growled.

When they finally got it through the man’s head that he couldn’t just go shooting up a group of people in a very public place (not to mention governmentally protected), they all settled in to watch. Except, now, something was… off.

“I don’t see everybody anymore.”
“Yeah. Three, no four, are gone,” Kyotani confirmed.
“Which ones?” Terushima asked, his voice suddenly strained.
“Hell if I know,” Kyotani replied.
“Hinata, Noya, Sugawara, and one of the girls,” Futakuchi supplied the answers. “Oh! No, Kyotani, you miscounted. I don’t see Hoshiumi, either.”
“Which one was that?”
“All white hair. Slightly taller than Hinata.”
“Oh, yeah, right.”
“Fuck. Run, guys.” Terushima was already running.
“What? Why?”

It only took them all a few minutes to figure out that, with the exception of the Seagull, all the ones who had disappeared were Crows, and the most dangerous ones of all.

They bugged out. Post haste.

~*~

“I really wish Hinata hadn’t taught Noya and Hoshiumi that move,” Bokuto sighed, and then looked at everyone. “Guys, we need to break up.”
“Wait. Why?” Atsumu asked as everyone grouped around Bokuto and Akaashi.
“I’d say we’ve just been found,” Akaashi told them. “Which means, we need to think fast and move faster.”
“Okay, so what's our exit strategy?” Suzu asked them.
“Our what?” Tanaka asked before anyone could answer.
“Oh my god, we’re all gonna die,” Osumu groaned.
There was a sprinkling of laughter through the group before Bokuto spoke up. “Eita, Atsumu, Akaashi, you go with Aunt Yui and Kuroo. I have your numbers, I’ll contact you with a rendezvous point. Hoshiumi will catch up to you.”
“Right.”
“Narita, Kinoshita, Tanaka, you go with Tsuki. Same instructions. Hinata, Shimizu, Suga, and Noya will find you.”
“Nice touch, boss,” Fukunaga nodded. “Keeping them together.”
“Figure people will think twice before messing with a murder of Crows. Especially now.”
“Good point.”
“Everyone else is with me. I don’t care where you go in the direction I point you in, just be sure to make it to the rendezvous point once I get it to you. Understood?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Wait! What about Yachi?” Everyone turned to her, and she flushed.
“Oh! Don’t worry about me. I’ll just go back…”
“Unfortunately, you’ve been sighted with us. You can’t go back.”
“Oh. Well, then…”
“She can come with us,” Aunt Yui said, gathering up the younger woman under one arm. “I think I’ll need my own backup with all these guys around me.”
“She’s funny,” Atsumu said sarcastically, pointing in her direction.
“Oh, a real riot,” Eita followed suit.
“Surprised you’re not used to it by now,” Kuroo added.
“Watch for flying objects,” Tsuki offered. “She may, or may not, miss.”
“I know how much you guys love me, but honestly…”
“Hey, Bokuto?” Kuroo looked over at the de facto leader of their group.
Bokuto winked. “Go ahead. We’ll cover for ya. Just don’t take too long.”
“Right.” Kuroo grabbed Tsuki’s hand and they ran off to a less public area of the garden.
“If anyone else needs to take a minute to…”
“No goodbyes, boss,” Tanaka said fiercely.
“Gonna let me finish?”
“Sure. As long as you don’t say goodbye.”
“If anyone else needs to take a minute to wish friends, lovers, fiances good luck and farewell, then do so now.” He reached for Akaashi, who was already reaching for him. “We’ll see each other again soon.” And they were gone.

Everyone else just grouped together and talked quietly, enjoying what time they had left until they met again.

“Ummm… Auntie Yui?”
“Yes, dear? Oh, but please. Call me either Auntie, or Yui, but never both at once.”
“Oh! I’m so sorry!” Yachi bent in half bowing.
“Yachi, sweetie, please don’t do that, either,” Yui said, gently urging the younger woman to stand up straight. “Now, what do you need?”
“Before we go, I have to speak to Tsuki.”
“What about, dear?”
“I- I’d rather not say. It’s for his ears alone.”
“Oh, but…”
“Hey, Auntie Yui?” Eita interrupted, deliberately using the nickname she hated to get her attention. “Let them talk. Not all private matters are for you.”
“Wow, Eita. Grumpy, much?” Atsumu said.
“No, he has a point,” Yui said, only slightly contritely. “I can be too nosey.”
Eita snorted. “I didn’t mean it to sound that way,” he apologized.
“Oh, you’re fine,” Yui smiled, waving a hand at him. “Someone has to be the grumpy one to Atsumu’s sunshiny nature.” Both tall men smiled at her, clearly won over by the tiny lady. “Yachi, dear, I only ask one thing: don’t you think your timing may be a little off?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, he’s with my nephew at the moment, and they’re having to split apart again, which is hard enough for them both. Do you think you could wait a little bit before talking to him?”
“But what if…”
“No, dear. No ‘what ifs.’ We’re all going to make it to the rendezvous point, and that’s all. Do you think you can wait till then?”
“I suppose…”
“I’m sorry to ask it of you, because it looks like you really need to get it off your chest. But, I think it’s best to wait.”
“I understand.”
“Thank you. I only want the best for those two boys of mine.”
“You make it sound like they’re your sons, Auntie,” Atsumu said with a grin.
She smiled fondly. “They might as well be,” she answered softly, looking off in the direction Tetsu and Tsuki had gone. “They might as well be,” she repeated, more to herself than the others.

~*~

“Think maybe they’d let us go together?” Tetsu asked after a long, slow kiss. “If we’re all on the run now, I’d rather be with you.”
“We could ask,” Kei replied breathlessly, leaning into Tetsu’s touch. “But, even Bokuto and Akaashi are splitting up.”
“Right.” Tetsu’s mouth went to Kei’s neck in response to the hands gliding under his shirt and over his skin. “Be careful,” he whispered. “Take care of yourself. Don’t make me sic Aunt Yui on you.”
“Oh god,” Kei panted. “Not Aunt Yui.”
“And she’d be second in line behind me.”
“Oh yeah? What would you do to me?”

Tetsu backed him up against the nearest tree, his mouth firmly locked on Kei’s, hands roaming his skin, fingers toying with the waistline of his jeans. One hand kept moving lower, gliding over the denim fabric everywhere but where Kei wanted that hand to go. His hips hitched forward, his body begging for what Tetsu was denying him. The other hand, curse it, unsnapped the button at the top, ever so slowly unzipped the zipper, and still somehow left him untouched.

“Tease,” he gasped, breaking the kiss, his chest heaving.
“You asked me what I’d do to you. I’m showing you.”
Kei moaned when that hand brushed over him. “Fuck.”
“Not here. Not unless you want an audience.”
“Pretty sure they wouldn’t disturb us. Ah!” The hand pressed against him, making him see stars. “Tetsu, please.”
“Please, what?”
Kei was losing his mind. He reached up to take Tetsu’s face in his hands. “Please?”

Tetsu smiled, and relented, lowering himself to his knees.

A little while later, after Kei had done the same to Tetsu, they quietly held each other for as long as they could. They had put each other back to rights, so aside from flushed faces and dazed eyes, no one could really tell what they’d been up to. Not that anyone would ask.

“Think they’d say yes if we asked them?” Kei asked quietly, moving so that he could look at his lover. He smiled at Tetsu’s surprised expression. “I never said it was a bad idea. Just pointed out that we weren’t the only pair to be forced apart.”
“True. Let’s ask. I mean, it’s only a 50/50 shot they’d say yes, right?”
“Right.” He waited a few moments. “But, what if they disagree? No, wait. Nevermind. We have to trust them.”
“Still want to run away alone?”
Tsuki shrugged. “It’s all I knew for ten years. I trust them because I trust you more. If you hadn’t been here, I would have been gone already.”
“I know.”
“Oh! What about your job?”
“That’s not totally random,” Tetsu quipped. “What about my job?”
“Well, you’re part of this now, so you can’t go back. At least, not right away.”
“To be honest, I don’t know what might happen. But, if I can, I’ll see about taking a hiatus.”
“Tetsu…”
“I’ve been meaning to take a break, anyway. I mean, I do love my job, but I haven’t taken much time off at all.” He shrugged nonchalantly and grinned. “Workaholic, reporting for duty.” He playfully saluted.

Kei caught his hand and gently weaved his fingers through Tetsu’s. He watched as the playful grin faded into worry, and even a little fear. Kei hated seeing that look on his face. Yet, this was likely how he’d look until they somehow managed to beat Grandmother.

“Kuroo? Tsuki?” Akaashi’s quiet voice broke the silence around them. “We need to go.”
“Right,” they both replied, grinning at each other like a pair of school children.

When they met up with Akaashi, Kei was the one to ask their question as they walked back to join the group. As they walked, they held hands, unable to let each other go yet.

“I wish I could say yes, honestly,” Akaashi said apologetically. “It might be easier if you were.”
“But?”
“We decided that it’d be better for everyone, especially the Crows, that you stay with them, and only them.”
“I see.”
“Trust me, I know you two want to be together. So do we,” and he looked over at Bokuto, who was chatting with Aunt Yui and Yachi, making them laugh. He smiled wistfully. “We even tried, once. But this way is better. We have more people able to keep you safe, without having to worry about others. That’s why we split you up.”
“But, you have myself, Aunt Yui, and Yachi in your group,” Tetsu argued. “And if it’s a case of defense, I can hold my own in a fight.”
“Bold of you to assume the other guy wouldn’t have a gun or a knife.” Akaashi sighed. “Look, I get it. I do. But for now, this is how we’re going to do things. Alright?”
“Yeah.”
“Right.”
Akaashi looked relieved that they agreed. “Tsuki, your team is calling for you.”
Tsuki turned to see Narita, Kinoshita, and Tanaka waiting for him. He waved and then turned back to Akaashi, holding out his free hand.
“Good luck, Akaashi. Take good care of them, please?”
Akaashi took his hand and shook it briefly. “I will do everything in my power to see they’re safe,” he promised.
“Thank you.” Tsuki turned again to face Aunt Yui and Yachi. “Guess I’ll see you two again soon, huh?”
“Of course you will,” Aunt Yui said with her characteristic confidence. “We got this.” She bypassed his hand and hugged him, which made him let go of Tetsu. But he didn’t mind at all. “Be safe, okay, Tsuki?”
“I promise.”
“I’m holding you to that.”
“I expect nothing less.”
When she finally let him go, she patted his cheek gently, and then went to her nephew, which left Tsuki alone with Yachi.
“I’m sorry,” they both said at the same time, grinning at the memories of doing the same thing in high school.
“I didn’t know you were involved, but I’m sorry I got you back into it,” Tsuki said quietly.
“I was only involved peripherally. Only asked to join in when they needed my help.” She looked like she wanted to say something, but remained silent. Instead, she held out her hand. “Good luck, Tsuki. Be safe. Come back alive.”
“I will. I promise,” he told her, unsure what exactly she meant by that last phrase.

Still, he took her hand, and something cold touched his palm. There was an odd look in her eyes, like she was determined for him to understand whatever it was she couldn’t say. When he let go, he put the thing she gave him in his pocket and nodded to her. Whatever she’d given him, he’d look at it as soon as he could. Yachi seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

“Okay guys,” Bokuto’s voice gained everyone’s attention. “I’ve already told Akaashi and Narita which direction they needed to go from here. They are your leads, so please keep that in mind. No fighting,” and he looked meaningfully over at Tanaka.
“We always fight, dude. We’re Crows!” Tanaka said, laughing along with the rest of them. “But we know what you mean.”
“Alright. You got an hour to get the hell out of here. Get whatever stuff you have stashed, and disappear. Plan on shaking off whatever followers you have, and we’ll meet again soon. Got it?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Good luck! Now, get out of here!”

~*~

The four of them looked down at the body, yet none of them really felt any better for having killed him. Each had blood spatter on them - each had gotten in at least one strike - but none more so than Hinata, who was practically covered in it.

“Terushima never had a chance,” Hoshiumi said from his place in the shadows. He hadn’t taken part; only made sure that no one else intruded, or even stumbled upon them as they worked. “Though, I honestly didn’t think you guys would go this far.”
“He killed five of us,” Shimizu said calmly, as if this was a daily occurrence.
“I thought it was just two, with the others falling to his men.”
“He was their leader. He killed them,” Hinata growled.
“Calm down, Sho,” Noya rested a hand on the younger’s back. “We got him back. We got our revenge.”
“No. There’s one more.”
“Wait. Don’t tell me someone else survived,” Suga sounded surprised, his eyes flitting between Hinata and Noya, and then to the others. “We tore through everyone left. Who is it?”

No one moved or spoke for what felt like eons. Hinata was visibly shaking, fighting within to get himself together. It wasn’t like his loss was anymore significant than the others, and none of them viewed it that way. But the connection between Hinata and Kageyama was unique. They were rivals, teammates, lovers. They equally hated and loved each other. Where you found one, the other was nearby. The two of them were inseparable. They’d been married only a few weeks before…

“Hinata?” Shimizu quietly encouraged him to speak.

He lifted his head, his eyes glimmering with pure, unadulterated hatred. No one had ever seen that look on his face. Frustration, irritation, even anger; they’d seen all of those. But never in all the years they’d known him had he ever looked so crazed with hatred. Their sunshine, the boy that never once let anything get him down, had died the same day Kageyama was killed. Who he was now, well… he just wasn’t the same.

“Sho?” This time it was Noya who asked.
“It was… Ushijima Wakatoshi. He killed Tobio.”
“Oh my god.”
“Are you sure, Shoyo?” Hoshiumi asked calmly.
“Oh, I’m sure, Korai. I was there. I saw him do it.”
Silence filled the little meadow. Not even the night creatures sang their songs.
“I guess he’s next, then,” Suga said, as if this really was a daily occurrence.
“He’s mine,” Hinata whispered. “He’s mine.”
“Done, man,” Noya agreed. “We’ll make sure you get him.”


Chapter 7 - Part Seven

After a long night of travel (taking a longer route, back roads, and making sure no one was following), the newly reformed Crows gathered in a small clearing, just inside Buttsu-ji grounds in Mihara, Hiroshima prefecture. They worked together like a well-oiled machine: pitching tents, building a small cook fire, and otherwise making the site habitable for the two days they planned to be here. Tsuki, unsure of what to do to help, or just plain anxious about getting in the way, stayed near the fire. Through the trees, the sun was just about to crest the horizon.

“How are you holding up?” Kiyoko asked, putting down a couple bags, and settling down beside him.
Tsuki grinned at her. “Maintaining,” he answered. “I’m not used to traveling with others,” he admitted slowly.
“Well, now you’re with us, and we don’t plan on leaving you alone.”
Tsuki smiled. “I’m glad. I missed you guys. I’m pretty sure Tetsu knows all about…” His voice trailed off and his smile faded. “Sorry.”
“No, don’t apologize! Tell me more about your Kuroo. All I ever heard about him was that he was one of the best middle blockers in Tokyo, back when we were in school.”
He was about to regale her with his time with Kuroo, but then he looked at her and smirked. “They sent you to keep me company, didn’t they?”
She chuckled. “Well, yes…”
“I knew it.”
“Perceptive as always.” She nudged him with her elbow. “But also, no, it’s not just to keep you company. They’ll be over eventually, as soon as they’re satisfied the area is as safe as possible. We missed you too, you know.”
“Ah.” He inclined his head and gestured to the bags. “What’s in those?”
“Breakfast,” she replied, reaching into a bag and bringing out a few pans, cooking utensils, and even a coffee maker. “Help me set up so we can have the food ready for the boys.”
“Thank you, Kiyoko-san,” he said quietly, relieved to be finally helping.
“You’re welcome. I figured you wanted to do something. Oh, and drop the honorific. We’re family.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he saluted smartly.
“Glad to see you haven’t lost that part of your personality,” she said wryly. “Come on, let’s get breakfast ready.”

Tsuki happily helped her out, following her directions, and even doing some of the cooking (which really surprised her). One by one, the others drifted back, lured by the smell of a hot meal. Tsuki gladly served them a heaping plate of food, and Kiyoko gave them all a steaming mug of coffee.

They spent their breakfast eating and talking, regaling each other with stories from the last decade. Most of them were good, and some drifted off into nothing once any of their missing members were mentioned. A brief pause would follow before someone else brought up another story.

Curiously, the only one who didn’t participate, at least not with any stories past high school, was Hinata. Oh, he ate heartily, smiled and laughed with the others during one of the better tales. But otherwise he simply sat there, close to Noya and Tanaka, and listened to everyone else, seemingly content to be that way. It was the complete opposite of the Hinata he remembered from school; the one who was loud, obnoxious, in everyone’s business, and overall spreading his sunshiny disposition around.

Tsuki meant to ask what happened, why this Hinata was so different, but both Noya and Tanaka shook their heads, warning him off. This wasn’t the time, then. Maybe later, once they’ve been together for longer than half a day.

Once they finished eating, and everything was cleaned and put away, the fire doused and buried, they made their way to their tents. It was clear they’d done this often enough too, but with him there, things had to be switched up. They assured him no one minded at all. Suga was also a new addition, so they rearranged sleeping orders a bit. Tsuki eventually found himself in a tent with Noya.

“Glad to have you back, man,” Noya said quietly. He playfully slugged Tsuki in the arm.
Tsuki grimaced and rubbed his arm. “Yeah. I think you just wanted me here for a punching bag.”
“Naw! Knew it annoyed you, so we both made it our mission to be as annoying as possible. It was our way to try and include you, since you were always so salty and stand-offish.”
“Was I?”
“Well, at first, yeah. By your second year, you warmed up to us nicely. We kept it up, though. Tradition and all that.”
“I knew it! Tackling me after every game we won, and during practices. I was beginning to think you just hated my height.”
“Well, maybe a bit jealous, but your height helped us win games, too, so I wasn’t mad. Much.”

They laughed together for a little bit, and settled down into their sleeping bags. That was another thing he’d noticed about his team: they had enough food and supplies for an extra person. Two, if they made everything stretch. Somehow, that comforted him, and yet…

“Noya-san?”
“Yes, my curious kohai?”
“Seriously?”
“Dude, you insist on using those honorifics around us.”
“Well…”
“Well, nothin. Stop it. We’re family.”
“Right. Sorry.”
“You need to stop that, too.”
“What?”
“Apologizing. We know you’re not used to being on the run with people. It’ll take time to get used to it. We aren’t used to having you with us again. Everyone’s changed since high school. The dynamics are going to be weird until we’re all used to each other again. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“So… what’s on your mind?”
“I… I just want to know…”
“What happened to them?” Noya replied quietly, his earlier joviality dimmed.
“Yeah. Four of them, right? Daichi, Asahi, Ennoshita, and Kageyama.” He listed their names quickly, but quietly. He knew how attached Noya had been to Asahi, especially.
“No. There were five. Did they not tell you?”

Tsuki slowly sat up, and drew his legs up so he could rest his arms and head on them. Noya followed suit, but said nothing, waiting for him to speak. Since he hadn’t thought to change clothes, Tsuki reached into his pocket and brought out the thing Yachi had given him before they parted ways. He held it in his clenched hand, knowing exactly what it was, and not wanting to admit he knew.

Slowly, he turned and opened his hand: in his palm lay a class ring. Specifically, their class ring. The year 2015 straddled the orange garnet stone in the middle. A volleyball was engraved on one side, and the number 1 on the other. Inside the band, he read the name of his best friend: Tadashi Yamaguchi. His hand started shaking, and he clenched his fist closed around the ring. His best friend since before high school, the one he’d had a crush on and confessed to with disastrous results, was one of the five Crows that were killed.

“Are you sure you want to know?” Noya asked softly.
Tsuki nodded. “I do. But maybe not now.”
“Understandable.”
“One question.”
“Go for it.”
“Was Yachi there?”
Noya inhaled deeply, and let it out slowly. “Yeah. She was there. We all were.”
“Was she with him when…?”
“Thankfully, no. He was one of the first to fall. We wouldn’t let her go find him, and we gave her the ring. That was what he wanted.”
“Right. He always did love her.”
“Since the first day she came to us, hiding behind Kiyoko,” Noya said nostalgically.
“Right.” Which is why his confession hadn’t gone as well as he’d thought. Tadashi had lost his heart to tiny Yachi. Even then, Tsuki hadn’t been mad, and Tadashi had stayed his best friend. Yachi, too.
“Well, let’s go ahead and get some sleep. You need to rest as much as the rest of us,” Noya interrupted his thoughts.
Tsuki squinted at him. “Did Kuroo say anything to any of you?”
“Nope!”
“How did you know?”
“We arrived in Himeji around the same time you did, and met up with Aunt Yui. She told Bokuto, who told us.”
“Right.”
“You’re not alone anymore. Get used to it… Beanpole.”
“Short stack.”
“I’m too tired to tackle you for that.”
“Point for me.”
Noya laughed. “Sleep well, Tsuki.”
“You too, Noya.”

~*~

“From here, we need to make our way to Kochi prefecture,” Kinoshita reported to them over a late lunch and more coffee. “We stay there for another day, and then on to Miyazaki.”
“Are we going to the base?” Suga asked, looking almost excited about it. When he caught sight of Tsuki’s curious expression, he explained, “I haven’t been back in a while.”
“I don’t quite understand,” Tsuki said hesitantly. “I thought everyone was together…”
“We started out that way,” Kiyoko joined in. “All of us were based in Miyagi, since we were all familiar with the territory.”
“But eventually, we realized we needed to split up,” Narita followed. “All of us together made it too easy for them to find us.”
No need to say who “them” was.
“Suga, Narita, Ennoshita, Noya, Hinata, Kageyama, and I went to Miyazaki to the base there. The rest stayed in Miyagi,” Kinoshita supplied.
“Okay. I understood most of that. But why a base in Miyazaki? I mean, I know my brother sent some of you, but…”

Narita looked a little uncomfortable, as did Kinoshita. Hinata still hadn’t spoken, and after Tsuki asked, he’d handed his empty plate to Noya and went off into the trees, disappearing from sight. Noya handed off both plates to Tanaka and followed Hinata, worry etched on his face.

“We can’t tell you everything,” Suga said into the silence. “I really wish we could, as some of the info would help you, too, but…”
“We’ve been ordered not to tell you more than you need to know,” Narita interjected. “And just so you know, it wasn’t Akiteru’s orders.”
“Then who?”
“Classified.”
“Why?”
“Also classified.”
“Please, Tsuki. We know you’re curious, and we hate not being able to tell you, but…”
“Sorry. I won’t ask.”
“Thank you. We’re sorry, too.”

After a few moments of awkward silence, Tsuki tried to ask another question. “What’s with Hinata? He’s not… the same?” He knew the moment he finished asking that this wasn’t going to go well. “Nevermind. You don’t need to tell me. I just wondered why it seems like he hates me.” That just seemed to make everything worse. Tsuki, very uncomfortable, stood up, handing his plate to Narita. “I need to walk a bit. Do you mind?”

“I’ll go with you,” Suga offered.
Kiyoko also stood up. “Me too, if you don’t mind.”
“Well, I kinda meant by myself.”
The two former third years looked a bit bashful, and Tsuki smirked. “Orders to keep an eye on me, too? Make sure I don’t run away from you?”
“Something like that,” Suga said.
“At least you’re honest with me. For the most part.” He smiled a bit. “I won’t run.”
“And we’ll still come with you. Consider us glue,” Suga said, his famous wicked grin showing up.

Tsuki shrugged and started walking, and they caught up to walk beside him. No one said anything for a while. But, as they went deeper into the temple grounds, they found a tiny shrine. It didn’t look like much, but it seemed to have been cared for. As old as it looked, it was free of moss and mold, and someone had lit some incense, a thin plume drifting up and curling before dissipating. The three of them stood there, each slowly raising their hands to pray.

“I don’t think he means to blame you for anything,” Suga said quietly, a little while later. “His heart was broken that day, and remains shattered.”
“You’re right,” Kiyoko spoke up from beside him. “He’s not the same as he was, and that was made quite clear to us last night. Don’t ask,” she put up her hands in the shape of an ‘x.’ “Just know that the rest of us are all worried about him.”
“Tobio was killed as he was trying to protect both Tadashi and Shoyo. He was too late for Tadashi, but he’d taken the hit that was meant for Shoyo.”
“Oh my god,” Tsuki whispered. He felt the sting of tears, and tried to blink them away.
“Shoyo went mad after that. He tried to kill Tobio’s killer, but couldn’t leave Tobio, so…”
“Enough, please,” Tsuki begged them. “I get it. But… Why were you all even there? That’s what I don’t understand.”
His two favorite senpais looked at each other, and then at him. It was Kiyoko who answered him.
“Do you not know?”
“I wouldn’t ask if I did,” he replied, frustration lacing his voice.
“Each of us were recruited in our third year, with the understanding that we’d be called to duty soon. And we were… After you graduated.”
“What…?”
“Akiteru called us a few days after you ran the first time. Our job was to protect you from Grandmother’s forces.”
“But then, why…?”
“We were told what happened. We were ordered to keep our distance. But besides those orders, we also knew we couldn’t approach you personally.”
“But…”
“Would you have trusted us, any of us, if we had come to you and told you why we were there? And who sent us?”

She had him there. At that time in his life he could trust no one, not even those close to him. He’d harbored that practice until he met Tetsu.

“Do you all blame me for…”
“Oh god no,” Suga said strongly. “We understood what we signed up for, and none of us ever blamed you for anything. Maybe a little irritated that we could never quite keep up with you, but other than that… You’re family, Kei,” he said, deliberately using his first name, knowing it would work in convincing him. “And like I told you before, I really don’t think Shoyo blames you, either. Not deep down. He may not be the same person you knew, but he’s still our Shoyo. We’re not giving up on him, either.”
“Right.” He laid a hand on his neck and shifted a bit. “Do you think I could talk to Tetsu?”
“Is it a secure line?”
“Yeah. Only we know our numbers, and they are disposable phones, so if I am traced…”
“We can get rid of the phone. Good thinking. Well, I don’t see any harm, so go for it. We’ll wait here for you.”
“Thank you!”

Kei walked far enough away that he stayed in sight, but couldn’t be heard, and took out his phone. The signal wasn’t the best, but he still had enough for a call. Flipping it open, he quickly dialed Tetsu’s number and eagerly waited for him to pick up.

~*~

“Hey, Tetsu!”
“Moonshine! Are you okay? You’re not hurt?”
“You worry too much. But I could ask the same of you.”
“Yeah, well, can’t help it. I’m fine. So are the rest of us.”
“Same here. Well, mostly. I just found out a few things and am not sure how to process it.”
“Can you talk to me about them?”
“Yes, and no. I really just wanted to talk to you.”
“Read my mind. I was about to call you.”
“Ha! I beat you to it!”
“Well, next time, I’ll beat you.”
“You’re just a sore loser.”
“Whatever. Hey, where are you?”
“I can’t say. Same rules apply as if I was on my own. Just like I can’t know where you are.”
“I mean, I know you’re right, but…”
“How about, I’m way too far away from you?”
“Hmmm… I like that answer.”
“Smartass.”
“And you like it.”
“Duh! I wouldn’t hang out with you if I didn’t.”
There was a brief silence, and then, “You sound like you’re back to normal, considering. I miss you.”
“I miss you, too.”
“Hey, do you want to take a minute to talk to Aunt Yui?”
“I guess I have to. Is she right there next to you?”
“How could you tell? And I think Yachi wants to speak with you, too.”
“Didn’t think this was a conference call.”
“Me either, but they are practically hanging off me…”

Tsuki started laughing, and would have told him to put one of the ladies on the phone, but at that moment, a piercing scream rent the air. Tsuki froze, nearly dropping the phone. He turned to Kiyoko and Suga, who looked stricken, as if they knew exactly what, or who, made that scream.

“Kei, what was that?”
“You heard it, too?”
“Yeah. Kei?”
“I don’t know, but…”

Another scream, and it was much louder and longer than the first. Definitely human, and it sounded like that human was…

“Shoyo…” both Suga and Kiyoko said at once. “Come on, Kei. We need to go.”
“Okay, but…”
“No! Hang up the phone! He needs us!”
“Okay,” he put the phone to his ear as they started running. “Tetsu?”
“I heard. Talk to you later. Love you, Kei.”
“I love you, too.”

He hung up and pocketed his phone, racing after Kiyoko and Suga, in the direction of the screaming Hinata.


*Author's Notes*
I don't know if class rings are a thing in Japan for graduating seniors (third years), but I couldn't let go of the thought that Yachi gave Tsuki his best friend's class ring.


Chapter 8 - Part Eight

*a little earlier*

“Shoyo!” Noya called, having lost sight of his friend after another nasty turn.

The man was some sort of ninja, or he’d put all his volleyball abilities to another use. Whatever it was, Noya had only been able to keep up for so long. Thing of it was, Tobio knew exactly when and where Shoyo needed to be, and would signal him to go. Noya was almost convinced that Shoyo was still hearing Tobio’s directions, and was stuck somewhere between memory and reality.

“Shoyo!” Noya called again, and this time he heard a twig break.

He waited a moment, and then shifted left, letting the broken twig fall to the ground. Folding his arms, he waited a little more, listening for the moment when Hinata would drop, too. It was faint, but when he heard it, he remained where he was.

“You’re getting better,” the redhead said from behind him.
“Yeah, well, I have a good teacher.”
“Oddly enough, I get a strange kick out of knowing the younger is teaching the older.”
“I’m still older, Sho.”
“And still shorter,” came the laughing reply.
“Tsk. Such a sharp tongue.”
“I know.”
“Mean-assed, too. Are you trying to…”
A sigh came from Shoyo and he walked around to face Noya, rubbing a hand over his face and into his hair.
“No. I didn’t mean it. Sorry.”
“You know we’re here for you. All of us. Even Tsuki…”
“Don’t! Don’t you dare mention his name. He’s the entire reason…”

Noya’s rage spiked. He lashed out and punched Shoyo in the face, ducked a return fist, and then used his own swiftness to beat the younger man enough to slow him down.

“I knew… you’d defend him…” Shoyo panted, attempting another kick.
Noya dodged it easily. “I’d defend you too, dumbass! When are you going to wake up and come back to us? We need you! Tsuki needs you!”
“Fuck that!” Shoyo shouted, he flung dirt and ground debris up at Noya. “Ushijima may have killed Tobio, but it’s Saltyshima’s fault we were even there in the first place!”
“AND YOU KNOW WHY, DAMMIT!” Noya roared back.

He raced to catch up to Hinata, and launched himself at the redhead. Wrapping his arms around Shoyo’s midsection, he maneuvered himself in midair so that he landed on his friend - no little brother - hard. Quickly, he pinned the other’s hands on each side of his head, and fought to pin his legs. No one could best Noya’s groundwork. Then, he smashed his head down on Shoyo’s.

“Ow!”
“Damn right, ow. That hurt,” Noya agreed breathlessly. “But I’ll do it again, and gladly, if you start spoutin’ shit again.”
“I’m not…”
“Think, Hinata! Think! Somewhere in that memory of yours, you’ll find the entire reason we’re all in this business instead of our original goals. Look even harder, and you’ll remember WHY, too.”
“But… Tobio…”
“Yes, you lost Tobio. I lost Asahi. Suga lost Daichi. You know how close our bench squad was with each other. Is any of this helping you out, or are you still going to be deliberately dense?”

Shoyo went still and silent, his eyes swimming with tears. Noya sighed and moved off, sitting down beside him. Shoyo didn’t move. Not until he heaved a huge breath, and screamed for all he was worth. When he ran out of that breath, he pulled in another one, and screamed again. Noya let him scream, let him grieve, knowing his little brother hadn’t even stopped long enough to do so in god knew how long it had been. Who even cared if they brought attention down on themselves. Shoyo needed this, and to be honest, so did the rest of them.

He heard crashing sounds coming toward them, and the rest of the Crows at camp showed up, rushing to surround them both. A few minutes later, they were joined by Suga, Kiyoko, and Tsuki, who had stopped a few yards away. Noya got up, pushed his way through, and went to Tsuki, who had fallen to his knees. They were joined by Kinoshita, and eventually, Kiyoko. They did what they always had, supporting the youngest Crows, whether they wanted it or not.

“I did this…” Tsuki half-whispered, looking so stricken.
“No! None of this was any of your fault,” Noya tried to assure him. But it was obvious Tsuki didn’t believe him.
“It was my Grandmother, my own family, who did this,” he said. “Because of me.”
“Oh god, please tell me I’m not going to have to beat him, too,” Noya whispered loud enough for the others to hear, jerking a thumb in Tsuki’s direction.
“You did that?” Kinoshita pointed behind him at Shoyo, who was… looking a little worse for wear. To put it mildly.
“Yeah. Dude was being stupid. He deserved it. This one,” and he pointed at Tsuki, “is being just as stupid.” He gave Tsuki a baleful glare. “Are all you first years really that dumb? I mean, I really just thought it was the weirdo duo, but you…”
“But…”
“Is anyone going to hold me back?”
“Are you really about to lay into him?”
“We’ll start verbally and go from there.”
“If you insist…”
“Kei Tsukishima. I DO NOT want to hear you blaming yourself EVER again. Do you understand me?”
“Noya…”
“DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?”
“We really are gonna need to hold him back, aren’t we?” Kinoshita whispered.
“I’m staying out of it,” Kiyoko said, her eyes flashing.
“Clearly,” Kinoshita replied wryly.

Tsuki blinked at Noya. Part of him, a very small part, knew he wasn’t at fault. He was the original victim of this whole sad chapter in his life. But even so, he couldn’t help thinking that because it was his Grandmother, that he, too, had some part in everything that had happened to them. Still, he had to at least agree with Noya. If the way Hinata currently looked was any indication, Tsuki did not want any of what Noya seemed to be capable of.

“Yes,” he replied quietly.
“Say it again,” Noya demanded.
“Yes, I understand,” Tsuki dutifully replied.
“Good.” That seemed to calm Noya down a bit. “Every second, minute, day, month, and year of this … this … fiasco can be laid in your Grandmother’s lap. It is entirely her fault. We can’t help who we fall in love with, and there’s no one on this planet who can tell us otherwise. I hate to say it, but we might have been able to live with it if she’d left it at your exile from the family. But the minute she marked you for death, and sent her men out to kill you, that’s when we stepped in.”
“I see,” Tsuki replied carefully.
“Do you? Do you really? Do you understand that once you stepped into our gym, joined our volleyball club, and became part of our team, that you were also adopted into our family?”
“You guys keep telling me that.”
“Only because it doesn’t seem to stick,” Kiyoko imparted quietly. “And we’ll keep reminding you until you believe us.”
“Right.” He thought for a moment, and then he looked at Noya. “Think you could let me talk to him?”
“Wait. Why?”
“I have an idea. It may help knock some sense into us both.”
“Knock some sense… Kei, you’re not suggesting…?” Kinoshita asked incredulously.
“I am suggesting.”
“But… Do you even know how to fight?”
Kei turned his gaze on Kinoshita. “Short answer, yes. I know how to fight.”
“This I gotta see,” Noya muttered. “And I want to know the details.”
“You think I spent ten years on the run and didn’t learn how to defend myself, or fight back, if necessary?”
“Fair enough,” Noya said. “But what did you learn?”
“Tell you what,” Tsuki said as he rose to his feet. “Let Hinata try to beat me first. If he wins, I’ll tell you.”
“Okay, but what if he loses?”
Kei looked down at Noya and smirked. “I’ll still tell you.” And he started walking over to the rest of the Crows, leaving the three looking slightly confused. But, they stayed where they were.

~*~

Once he joined the bigger group, he lowered himself down beside Suga. Hinata was a hot mess, and Tsuki almost hated himself for doing this. But, he hadn’t lied to Noya: both Hinata and he needed some sense knocked into their heads for very different reasons. A fight between them might just solve at least some of their differences. He hoped.

He hated fighting. Tried to avoid it if at all possible. But during his travels, he’d met an Israeli man, living in Kanagawa prefecture, that wanted to help him out, to teach him that defense was important, but fighting was necessary if he found himself in a situation where defense wouldn’t be enough. Tsuki agreed, and learned what he could before he’d been forced to move on once again.

Later on, he found out what he learned wasn’t just one type of martial art, but a mix of them, plus a bit of boxing and wrestling as well.
“Hey, Shrimpy,” Tsuki said, using his mocking voice. “I heard you’re blaming me for all of your issues.”
“Uhhh… Tsuki? What are you doing?” Suga asked. Everyone, including Hinata, was looking at him like he’d lost his mind. He ignored them.
“That’s right. Blaming me for King’s death, even when I wasn’t there. Mighty brave of you,” he taunted further.
“Don’t call him that,” Hinata growled. “He hated that name. You know it.”
“Why not? He couldn’t completely hide his bossy, overbearing, personality. Kept trying to take over, because the setter is the ‘control tower’ of the team. He always managed to push everyone’s buttons, but the only one to push his was… you. Shrimpy.”
“Tanaka! Suga! Narita! Get your asses over here!” Noya shouted as Hinata struggled to rise. “NOW!”
“But, Noya…”
“Move your ass, Ryu!” This time it was Kiyoko, and Tanaka went without another word.
“You always needled him, poked fun at him,” Hinata said slowly, dangerously. “Taunted him any chance you got. All over his argument at Kitagawa First, way before you even knew him!” His voice rose steadily until he was screaming at Tsuki, who calmly sat there and waited. “You were the one to start all that mess between you over something you had nothing to do with!”
“I know. It was fun, really.”

The sound coming out of Hinata was something akin to a cougar’s scream, if one could call it that. Tsuki knew what he was doing, making Hinata angrier and angrier, until the sheer force of that anger finally propelled him forward.

Suga lunged for Narita and they ran off to join the others.
As an added measure, the group backed up a bit more.

Tsuki grunted with the force of Hinata’s body hitting him, but he was able to easily roll out of it and get to his feet. Hinata was on his feet in the blink of an eye. Both of them took defensive stances, ready for an attack.

“I know now’s not the time to ask, but are you armed?” Tsuki asked.
“Wouldn't you like to know,” Hinata bit back. “Are you scared?”
Tsuki shrugged. “No. Just need to know so I can prepare.”
“You should be scared.”
“Why?”
“Has no one told you my position in this business?”
“No. I’m rather new, so to speak. How about you tell me.”
“Assassin. Same as Noya. Same as Hoshiumi.”
“Assassin? Impressive. Show me what you got… Shrimpy.”

Another angry cougar scream, and Hinata charged. At the last second, Tsuki dodged, but had to readjust quickly because Hinata recovered and came right back. Hinata grabbed him around his middle, still too short to go for a proper choke hold, but Tsuki reared back and brought his elbow down right between the shoulder blades. Hinata let go instantly and hit the ground with a grunt.

Tsuki started to back away, but Hinata snatched his ankle, and yanked hard. He hit the ground with a thud, and then raised his arms to deflect the blows Hinata was suddenly pelting him with. He had to give the little man credit for moving so quickly, even when hurt. Occasionally, he even landed a hit, but Tsuki ignored it, and grabbed both wrists.

His groundwork could be compared to his receiving during his first year on the volleyball team. He wasn’t that bad at it, but he wasn’t good, either. Still, he kicked and bucked in an attempt to remove the redheaded fury from his body. In rapid succession, he managed to bring his knee up between Hinata’s legs, striking him in the most vulnerable area, and before Hinata could react, he nailed him with his head.

“OH! Twice in one day! Man’s gonna have a nasty headache in the morning,” he heard Noya yell from the side.
“Yeah, well, so are you,” Tanaka added. “You got a helluva goose egg under that fringe, buddy.”
“Yeah, I know. I only hope it’s worth it.”
“Why’s that?”
“I forgot the pain meds.”

A groan rippled through the Crows and they started to shove Noya around like a doll. The whole time, Noya was laughing.

Throwing Hinata off him, he slowly rolled to his knees in seiza, and turned so that he could see the other clearly.

“Some assassin,” he panted, still taunting. “You could barely get a hit in.”
“Tell that to… the men I killed… protecting Tobio. Tell that… to Terushima.”
“Terushima? What does he have to do…”

Hinata struggled to roll over and face him. He began to talk, and for once, almost sounded normal.

“He and his men had been sent after you. We were sent after them. Both sides learned that you were supposedly already gone, and both sides reported that no one had even seen you. We didn’t know you’re a chameleon. Terushima somehow figured that out. We fought anyway. I think you know what happened next.”
“Yeah. I do.”
“Just so you know: you won because Noya got to me first.”
“You think you can beat me when you’re healthy?”
Hinata paused. “Maybe. The technique you were using…”
“Krav Maga.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“I could have killed you within the first few seconds.”
“But you didn’t.”
“No. I didn’t.”
“Why?”

Tsuki moved closer to Hinata, trusting that the man wasn’t going to try anything more, but ready for it anyway. He also angled himself so the others couldn’t hear them, or read lips.

“Do you really hate me, Sho?”
Brown eyes went wide. Tsuki had never used his nickname. Ever.
“Do you truly blame me for Tobio’s death?”

Shoyo slowly maneuvered himself so that he was sitting in front of Tsuki, cross-legged, arms draped loosely over his knees, and head lowered. At first, Tsuki didn’t know what was going on, but eventually he heard it. Soft gasps and sobs, and tears were dripping from his face.

“No. I don’t,” Shoyo finally said, his voice watery from tears. “I never did. I knew what I signed up for; so did Tobio. I guess I… I just thought… I don’t know. I needed someone to unleash on, and I couldn’t get my hands on you. It’s like I couldn’t remember anything beyond you being the reason we were there.”
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Shoyo raised his head to look at him steadily.
He didn’t expect that. “For everything? For having a … family member like mine.”
“HEY SHO! DID HE JUST APOLOGIZE?!”
“Dammit Noya! Keep your small-assed nose out of our business!” Tsuki hollered back.
“Damn son! Guess he told you!” Tanaka added, laughing.
“SHO! ANSWER ME!”

They stared at each other for ages. If they’d had a chance at any point in the last decade, Tsuki wondered if they’d have been actual friends, rather than frenemies. Even so, he still wanted to make it work. Shoyo was a good guy, and an asset to their team; both then and now. Tsuki wasn’t about to ruin it by just being here, and if the others were willing to fight to keep him here, including fighting each other, then he’d put forth the effort, too. It’s like they keep telling him: they are family. They chose to be family. That meant so much more than just being born to what amounted to a bunch of strangers with the unfortunate circumstance of sharing the same blood type.

Shoyo slowly raised his right hand, and then slowly lowered all but one finger.
Shoyo had just flipped off Noya, and was smirking at Kei.

“OOOHHHHHH!!!” Everyone erupted at once, including Noya, who clearly didn’t mind he’d been shown the bird.

With the same hand, Shoyo brought it back and held it out to Kei, who took it in his own. It wasn’t the best start, but it was something, and Kei would take it.

“Shoyo Hinata. Assassin. Nice to meet you.”
“Kei Tsukishima…. Uuuhhhmmmm…. No title. Nice to meet you, too.”

Shoyo tilted his head and thought for a few minutes. “Fighter, definitely. Maybe Ops. Not sure if you could actually be an assassin, though.”
“Considering the three I’ve met, it seems to be a position for people of shorter stature.”

It took a few minutes, maybe less, but Shoyo smiled first, and then started laughing. Not just any laughter, either. Even in pain, he gave a full belly laugh, which echoed all around them. Tsuki smiled back, and looked at the rest of his family. They were all shocked, and then started running toward them. Soon, the two of them were being hugged and shoved and, in his case, slugged in the arm. But overall, they were all together again, because Kei was sure those that weren’t, were there in spirit, too.


*Author's Notes*
The world’s most effective and dangerous form of martial art is also the deadliest in the world. Krav Maga is a non-sport form of martial arts, which means it doesn’t care for rules or the opponent's well being.

The basic philosophy of Krav Maga is a ‘he or I’ situation in an environment where defeat would be deadly.


Chapter 9 - Part Nine

In a darkened boardroom, with only enough light to make out those on either side of the table, five people waited for the matriarch’s next orders. In the back, stood two more people, but they were only there in case of an emergency, which was highly possible considering the amount of wheezing coming from the old woman at the head of the table.

“Grandmother? Are you alright?” a soft voice asked her from the left. “Don’t you think…”
“I’M FINE! There’s nothing wrong with me. Mind your business, Hotaru.”
“Yes, Grandmother,” the lady replied meekly, smiling like she always did.

Akiteru glanced at his mother, and then stared at the three men across from him. Washijo; the old man was the same age as his grandmother, if not older. He was a thinker, and he tended to be the man to recruit people for their hit squads. A few years ago, he’d retired from being the lead of the Specials, in favor of Omizu, who had more ambition than one could shake a stick at. Which was fine. Washijo was also the most senior member of this council, having been here, well, forever.

Akiteru couldn’t decide if it was because the man had a century-long crush on his grandmother, or if he was just here because he was bored.

Irihata had been here almost as long, but was at least ten to fifteen years younger than Washijo. He was in charge of surveillance and ran their spy network. He generally worked closely with Washijo, and barely tolerated Omizu. Those two rarely got along. The man was content to give his report to Grandmother, and sat grinning placidly while Washijo used his intel to give his reports.

This man could be dangerous, if he truly wanted to be. Which was not what Akiteru knew of him. Irihata did his job; no more, no less. And he was good at it.

Finally, his eyes landed on Omizu, who was also staring at him with narrowed eyes. The most ambitious, opportunistic, and brazen leader of the Specials, Akiteru was convinced the only one to like him was Grandmother. And that was saying a lot. Universally hated, even by his own teams, the only reason Omizu had climbed so high was his ability to impress Grandmother by doing exactly what she said, when she said it, and how.

Akiteru had a feeling the man was onto him. Though, it was a wonder he hadn’t caught on in the decade he’d been here. He just needed to be more careful from this point forward.

“Call off the hitmen… for now,” Grandmother pronounced. “I have another plan.”
“But ma’am!” Omizu protested, looking like someone just snatched away his favorite toy. “We were closing in on him!”
“From what I’ve been told, we were practically on top of him in Himeji. Nothing was done.”
“No, because we were not cleared for the hit. Your orders, ma’am.”
“Be that as it may, we also lost Terushima, and very nearly lost Kyotani, though we might still lose him if he doesn’t pull through the surgery,” Irihata said patiently.
“And about fifteen men on his team also met their ends,” Omizu added. “Taken out by just five of theirs.”
“Who?!” Grandmother sounded livid.
“Hinata, Nishinoya, Sugawara, Shimizu, and Hoshiumi,” Washijo reported.
“So much talent,” Grandmother sounded a little wistful. “How did we not get them to work for us?”
“Unsure,” Washijo said. “I offered them what you told me to, but they all came back with refusals.”
“Did they ever say why?”
“No. Just said no, and left it at that. Each year we tried to recruit from Karasuno, and each year turned us down.”
“Well obviously,” Omizu said sarcastically. “Why would they even consider working for us?”
“What do you mean?”
“The name alone,” he said as if everyone, including Grandmother, were simpletons. “They’ve been associated with your youngest grandson for thirteen years. They’ve made him part of their family. You could offer them the universe, and they’d still turn you down.”

Omizu slowly turned his smarmy gaze to him, and Akiteru smiled.

“With the exception of one,” Omizu said quietly. Akiteru’s smile disappeared. “What happened, Tsukishima-san? What made you turn against your Crows, and your little brother?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” he sneered. “At least I didn’t kiss ass to climb the ranks, Omizu.”
“Watch it, kid! You’re not the boss…”
“Yet.”
“Calm down, Aki,” Grandmother’s rough voice came to him. “You’re still learning. One day, I’ll be glad to hand everything over to you. Then you can do with Omizu whatever you see fit to do.”
“Excuse me, ma’am?” Omizu was incredulous.
“He’s not wrong,” she said. “I’ve tolerated it this far because you do come up with some results. Watch your step.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Now that that’s out of the way, Irihata, I need you to locate my grandson, and his… friend… as soon as possible. I want them captured and brought to me.”
“Kidnapping, ma’am?”
“Yes. It’ll be a family reunion… of sorts.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Washijo, I need you to find the most capable people to do this.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Omizu, you are to send out Tendo and Ushijima with Washijo’s people. With the loss of Terushima, and Kyotani out of commission, Tendo and Ushijima are the only ones fit enough to carry this off. Tendo will still be the lead. We'll keep Daisho here. Reel in Futakuchi. I want him here, too.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I don’t care how you do it, just get them here.”
“Right.”
“What about Kuroo’s aunt?”
“What about her?”
“Do we bring her in as well?”
Grandmother thought for a few minutes. “Yes. I doubt she’d want to be separated from her… nephew.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Dismissed.”

Everyone rose at the same time, bowed, and started filing out. But one command from Grandmother, and Akiteru stayed behind, as well as his mother. They spared a quick glance, tried not to show their confusion, and turned back to face the matriarch of the family.

“I had your rooms searched again,” she said calmly.
“Okay. What for this time?” Akiteru asked. He wasn’t worried. He kept nothing of any importance in there anyway.
Grandmother waved her hand. “Just a precaution. I can’t have my own family turn against me.”
Akiteru chuckled. “Why would we? You’ve taken such great care of us since you moved us in.” If she only knew how much it stuck in his throat to say that.
Grandmother placed a flip phone on the table softly, and nudged it forward so that it crossed the line between light and shadow. Akiteru recognized it as his mother’s phone. The one she usually kept hidden.
“Hotaru? Care to explain this?”
His mother remained silent, but her lower lip was quivering slightly. Akiteru folded his arms and acted like he was disappointed, but this… wasn’t good.
“I decided to have Yui Shibata brought in as well because of this,” Grandmother informed them. “I hope she’ll forgive you.”
“She will,” Hotaru said softly, hopefully. “She will.”
“That’s good. I was planning on bringing her in anyway, since I finally figured out who she really is.”
“What do you mean?”
“Did you think you could keep her identity a secret from me?”
“I’m sorry, Grandmother, but I’m not following,” Akiteru jumped in.
“I’ll have a file sent to your room, Akiteru.”
“Thank you, Grandmother.”
“Aside from the phone, everything else was cleared. Hotaru, I’m moving you. Be packed and ready in three hours.”
“Yes, Grandmother.”
“Akiteru, I have something I need you to do.”

~*~

“Get word to Bokuto. He needs to split his group and add to the others. I’m going to pull in Oikawa, and two more people. We need everyone on high alert.”
“Sir, what happened?”
“Just get on it. And send word to both Akaashi and Narita that they need to expect a few more people.”
“Shouldn’t we tell them to split up? More people would draw more attention, would it not?”
“I think they know not to travel in a single pack, or flock.”
“Right. Even so…”
“Who do we send where?”
Writing could be heard, and a piece of paper was handed over.
“Bokuto will handle the splitting of his team, but I want these people sent to Akaashi and Narita.”
“Also, I need them to stay in place until I give them the order to go to the rendezvous point. I haven’t heard from Akiteru, and he missed his last call in. Until I find out what’s going on, no one moves anywhere. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Alright. Get out of here.”

Once the men were out, he sat down in his chair and covered his face in his hands. It had been several days since he’d gotten the short text that told him that shit was about to hit the fan. He went with his instincts; Grandmother was changing her game plan, but he didn’t know anything more. What was highly frustrating. And because Akiteru had gone dark, he could only assume the worst. Which meant, he needed to double up on protection for Tsuki, Kuroo, and Yui.

“I have to ask the same question,” another voice said into the silence. “Do you think it’s wise to add more instead of dividing them?”
“Instinct, Nekomata,” he replied quietly. “I have to trust that I’m right.”
“What do you suspect?” Hibarida asked.
“She’s not after Kei to kill him anymore. At least, not somewhere random. But without confirmation…”
“You think she has another plan for him?”
“I don’t know! This is driving me up a wall. I should have put someone else in besides Aki.”
“Well,” Ukai senior said. “Send in Oikawa. He’ll have them talking to him before they even realize he’s not actually one of them.”
“Too dangerous.”
“I agree. But he’s been chafing at the bit for something to do besides transportation, and a bored Oikawa is not a person you want to deal with right now.”
“Hmmmm…”
“I know you’re hesitant to send people out there, again, and take the chance that they could get killed… but as long as you let them choose who goes where, that’s their best weapon. They know their people, and their strengths, better than anyone,” Nekomata advised.
“Are you saying I don’t?”
“Not at all. But how often are you out there with them? You and Akiteru have let them make all the decisions in the field since day one. I trust them to know what they’re doing.”
“Well, in this case, I’ve already made that decision. Akaashi’s team needs more muscle. Narita’s team, well… they just need added insurance.”
“Right.”
“I’ll contact Suzumeda. She’s been with Bokuto, so we can discuss the plan further.”
“Sounds good.”
“Let’s just hope Akiteru gets word to us soon, or we’ll really be flying blind.”

~*~

Everyone was in the dining room at the villa eating the dinner Tsuki and Kiyoko had cooked up, when two things happened simultaneously. Kinoshita’s alarm went off, and he took a look at Narita before they both got up and ran from the room. At the same moment, Tsuki’s private phone also buzzed. Taking their cues from that, everyone else finished eating and began to clear everything away. Tsuki excused himself, and went out into the courtyard to answer the call from Tetsu.

Hinata and Noya followed him, but stayed out of sight.

“Moonshine, are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Why? You sound frantic. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. We’re all fine. But something’s happening. Akaashi just told me I need to wipe this phone and break it.”
“Wait. What?”

He heard someone come to a stop behind him, and he turned to find Narita standing there. He gestured for a moment to speak, and Tsuki took the phone from his ear.

“I’m assuming Kuroo just told you about the phones?”
“Yeah.”
“Security precautions. I’m here to tell you the same thing. You need to destroy the phone.”
“Why?”
“Bokuto heard from his superior that something’s gone sideways, and we are amping up protection for you, Kuroo, and Aunt Yui.”
“His superior? You mean my brother?”
“No. He hasn’t been heard from in the last week.”
“What…?”
“I don’t know anything further. I’m sorry. But please, make your phone call with Kuroo quick, and then we need to destroy it.”
“Okay…”
Narita turned on his heel and started walking away, but he stopped and looked over his shoulder. “Please, we still need you to trust us.”
“I do.”
“Then why do you look like you’re about two seconds from running?”
“Habit? Sorry.”
“It’s fine. See you inside.”
“Right.”

He turned his back on Narita, who had already gone back inside. Slowly, he lifted the phone to his ear.

“You heard?”
“Yeah.”
“Guess we have no choice.”
“No. But then, we kinda knew we’d have to eventually, right?”
“Right.”
A few moments of silence.
“I wish you were here,” they both said at once.
“I hate that you’re so far away,” Tetsu said softly.
“Yeah. Same.”
“We’ll get through this, okay?”
“Ever the optimist.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“It’s not. I love that about you.”
“Yeah, well…”
“Are you blushing?”
“Yes, he is! He’s totally blushing!” Tsuki heard Aunt Yui holler.
“Here she is,” Tetsu said and he heard him hand the phone to Yui.
“Kei, be careful out there,” she said urgently. “Be safe. If you need to run, do it, okay? No matter what anyone says, if you think you need to run, run.”
“O-okay,” he stuttered, more so because she used his given name, which she’d never done before.
“We love you, Kei. Don’t do anything stupid like getting yourself killed.”
“Aunt Yui!”
He heard both Tetsu and Yachi protest. Hell, he thought a few of the others may have joined in, but he couldn’t be sure. It sounded like the phone had been passed again, because now Yachi was there.
“Kei?”
“Hitoka?”
“Be safe, okay?”
He heard her voice shake, as if she were about to cry.
“I will.”
“Promise me?”
“I promise.”
“Good. I don’t want to lose you like I lost Tadashi, okay?”
“You won’t. I’ll be careful.”
“Okay.”
“Hitoka?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you. I’ll keep it safe.”
“You better. He wanted you to have it.”
“What? Why?”
“He always felt a little sad that he couldn’t feel the same way for you that you did for him. He was going to give it to you himself, but you had to run, so…”
“Thank you.”

Movement from the side gained his attention. Both Hinata and Noya were waiting for him.

“Let me talk to Tetsu, Hitoka.”
“Right. See you, Kei.”
“See you.”
He waited for the phone to be passed and heard Tetsu thanking Yachi.
“It’s time. I gotta go.”
“Yeah. I love you, Kei.”
“I love you, Tetsu.”
“Be safe.”
“I will. You be safe, too.”
“I will.”
“I’m not saying goodbye. I’ll see ya later, okay?”
“Yeah. See ya later.”

Tsuki quickly hung up the phone, went into the settings, and started a factory reset. When it was done, he cradled the phone in his hand like he had Tadashi’s class ring. This phone had been his life line to Tetsu, and now… well, now it was nothing more than a standard flip phone. Looking up at his… brothers, he attempted a smile, but knew he’d failed. Taking a few steps, he handed the phone to Hinata and mumbled, “you do it. I can’t.” He walked between them and into the villa, stopping for no one and went directly to the room he’d been given.
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