Stay With Me

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.