Moonrise

“I always hoped we’d all be together again,” Hotaru said quietly as they all sat around a small table.

Kei was caught admiring the master suite, which seemed to be the thrice the size of the entirety of his flat above the bookshop. He offered a small smile to his mother, and then turned his attention to his family. Reunited. This was way too much to take in, so he simply waited for someone else to start talking. If he learned nothing else on his ten-year flight around the country, it was patience. More than he had in school, anyway.

“Thanks for this,” his brother said gently, as if he was worried Kei would get up and leave at any moment. That was still an option, and he knew no one would stop him. “I want to clear a few things up, if I may?”

Kei simply nodded. His mother reached out to take his hand, and he let her, but only for a short time. She looked hurt, but he couldn’t let that get to him. Not yet.

“I want you to know that I was never under Grandmother’s thumb. Everything was just an act.”
“This sounds familiar,” Kei muttered, narrowing his eyes at his brother, and then turned them on his dad. “You said you had to act, too.”
“True, but while I couldn’t keep up the act anymore, your brother could. He had to.”
“Why?”
“I had to protect mom.”
“But not me?” Kei replied, his voice slightly shaky. He took a deep breath. “Why not both of us?”
“It’s going to sound convoluted, Tsuki…”
Kei snorted, and Akiteru raised an eyebrow.
“I was facing a choice. Protect you, or protect mom. I chose mom. She’d need help keeping up her own act, and Grandmother was already suspicious of her. Plus, at the time, mom needed someone close, someone she could trust. Dad was already gone, and declared dead. You were being thrown out. Mom needed me.”
“I needed you, too, Aki! I needed you both!” There went his patience. He looked at his mother, who was crying silently. Then, he looked at his brother, and saw one tear fall after another. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
Akiteru shook his head. “We deserve it. We failed you, and lost your trust.”
Kei sighed. “Not completely.”
“Right. You at least trusted us enough to help you as much as we could. Even so, once Grandmother started noticing funds missing from our accounts, and that you were being helped without her permission, that’s when we…”
“Stopped everything. With no word as to why.”
“We had to lay low, or else we’d be in trouble, too. We both had to keep up appearances. Me as the heir apparent, and mom as the fragile mother who wasn't too smart, and couldn't make her own decisions.”
Kei tilted his head back and sighed. “Couldn’t be helped, I suppose.”
“No. So when she started talking about having you hunted down and murdered, that’s when…”
“You recruited my teammates, and clearly some people from other teams around Miyagi, including one that’s split between us and Grandmother.”
“They told you,” his dad looked irritated.
“They did. Well, they told me as much as they were allowed to. Besides, they are family, too.”
“I’m glad you see them that way,” Aki said with a small smile. “Tsuki…”
“Might as well use my name, Bro. Tsuki sounds weird coming from you.”
“You’re the one who told me I had to use it. Still a pain in the ass.”
“It’s my job.” He let out a slow breath. “I guess I can finally forgive you.”
Akiteru held out his hand. Kei took it and they held on for a bit. “Thank you,” his big brother whispered.
“I’m not so stubborn as to keep placing blame on you. Or mom.”
“Thank you, Kei,” Hotaru said through fresh tears. She reached out for his hand, and Kei took it.
“May I ask something?” Mitsuhide asked, looking down at his hands.
“Sure,” Kei allowed.
“How… how did you survive with no money to pay for food or shelter?”
Kei was silent, waiting for his father until he lifted his head to look at him. “Do you really need to ask?” he replied quietly.

Kei gave his mother and brother a sympathetic glance, let his mother’s hand go, and took hold of his drink from the table. He sat back in his chair, loose-limbed, slowly bringing an old persona forward. He took off his glasses, his glass hung loosely from his fingers in his other hand, and he grinned suggestively, using the earpiece from his glasses to toy with his mouth.

His family understood immediately. Hotaru started crying again, apologizing for what she thought was all her fault. Akiteru had buried his face in his hands. His father looked pained, but was nodding.

“With no money, no desire to beg, and unable to take a job for any length of time, I did the only thing I could think of,” Kei explained, still in his persona of male escort. “I’d go to bars, clubs, anywhere that didn’t charge a fee for entry. I found other escorts who gave me tips and pointers.”
“Oh, Kei…”
“I did what I had to do, Mom.”
“But…”
“If you’re curious about my first time, I can honestly tell you that I don’t remember it. I was drunk enough to not care, anyway. But, it got me what I desperately needed. Cash. When it was over, I cleaned up and left, taking my money with me. I went to another bar or club, and did it again.”
“Oh god,” he heard Akiteru moan.
“Some nights were pretty good. I earned enough to stay somewhere decent, buy a train ticket, and move on.” Kei shrugged as if that part of his life meant nothing. He was thankful to have left it behind.

“What about your little bookshop?”
“I love that little shop, so before I say anything else, I’m going to do everything in my power to get back to it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Very. That place holds memories for me, and I’m not willing to lose them.”
“Ah, yes. Kuroo,” his father said with understanding.
Kei simply nodded, returning to himself, and smiling softly.
“We met there. He spent time with me there. I can’t imagine not keeping that dusty little bookshop.”
“Honestly, it suits you, Kei. You always had your nose buried in a book when you were little.”
“Right. Well,” Kei interrupted gently. “I met the elderly owner, who wanted to retire and live with her daughter. I told her I wanted to start my own shop. We made a deal.”
“What else?” his father asked.
“What do you mean ‘what else?’”
“What persona were you using with her?”
“Oh, right. I told her I was a graduate of Sendai University, majored in museum studies and minored in library science. She didn’t ask for credentials, but I have a photoshopped diploma on my laptop. If anyone asked to see it, and asked why it was on my laptop instead of an actual piece of paper, I just told them most of my stuff was destroyed in a fire.”
“You know, it’s probably the wrong time to say so, but I’m proud of you, son.”
Kei snorted. “Thanks. I guess.”
“How much of this does Kuroo know?” Hotaru asked.
“Everything. We started talking yesterday after I ended the fight.”
“Speaking of…”
Kei told them about Uriel. If anything, they all started looking quite proud of him.
“Look, I only did what I needed to do to survive. That’s all. After this debacle is over, I plan on going back to my bookshop and staying there.”
“What about Kuroo?”
“Not something I want to discuss without him here,” Kei told them with no uncertain terms. “Not to be rude, but are we done here?”
“Don’t you want to stay with us a little longer?” his mother pleaded.
“To be honest, no. There’s someone else I want to be with, and he’s waiting for me.”
“You must really love him,” Akiteru said wistfully.
“I do. May I leave?”
“Why are you even asking? Get out of here, son,” his father said, smiling.
Kei grinned and wasted no time. He was gone before anyone could think to stop him.

~*~

Early the next morning, Kei, Tetsu, and Yuki made it a point to be with Mitsuhide as they farewelled Oikawa and his team. They wished them luck, gave them food so they didn’t need to worry about that part of their expenses, and generally stood around to talk before leaving.

Kinoshita shook hands with Kuroo and Mitsuhide, and was surprised when Yuki just squished him with a bear hug. But he accepted it, and hugged her back, whispering something in her ear. Nodding, she let him go, and he started down the path, telling Oikawa he’d be waiting at the boat.

Next, it was Oikawa’s turn, and he made a show of it, as was expected. Taking his cue from Yuki, he just hugged everyone… including Kei, who was so shocked he didn’t know what to say.

“If you were ever wondering why I’m even here,” he heard Oikawa tell him quietly. “Iwa-chan and I joined voluntarily. I know we weren’t friends at first, Tsuki. But maybe later, okay?”
“S-sure,” Kei stuttered. “I’d like that.”
“Take care. Don’t get killed.”
Kei laughed. “I don’t plan on it. You stay safe, too.”
“I will. I can’t leave Iwa-chan alone, now can I?” Oikawa let go of him and backed up a few steps. He smiled that charming, bright smile of his, winked, and turned to go without another word.

“Guess I’ll see you in Miyagi,” Aki said after a moment. “Take care. Stay safe.”
“You do the same,” Mitsuhide said gruffly. He took hold of his eldest son’s hand and practically dragged him into his arms. “Don’t you dare die.”
“Like Kei said a minute ago, I don’t plan on it,” Aki replied, his voice muffled.
“Keep in touch like we planned.”
“Right.”

Mitsuhide let Akiteru go, and the younger man turned to shake hands with Kuroo, who wished him luck, and then Yuki squished him, as she had done for Kinoshita. She whispered something in his ear, and he sprung back, looking at Kuroo and his little brother. Yuki tugged him down and whispered something else, and Aki did his best to appear as if everything was normal. He failed. Miserably. But, to his credit, he kept his mouth shut. Until he turned to face Kei.

“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Well… you better take care of yourself.”
“I will. You, too.”
“Of course!”
He held out his arms and, after a few moments, Kei went into them, wrapping his own around his brother.
“You better invite me,” Aki whispered.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Smartass.”
“I come by it honestly, don’t you think?”
“He’ll have his hands full with you.”
“In more ways than one.”
“You’re shameless, too.”
“Stop. You’re making me blush.”

Akiteru leaned back and smiled at his little brother. Then, he let him go, bowed to the group, and left to follow Oikawa and Kinoshita. The four that were left waved until he was out of sight, and then stood around for a few minutes longer. Tetsu stepped over to stand with Kei, reaching over to take his hand. Mitsuhide smiled at them, and then turned to go back into the main house. The two of them gazed at Yuki accusingly.

“You told him, didn’t you?” Tetsu asked.
“I miiiight have said something, yes,” she said with a shrug. Her eyes danced with mischief.
“Mom, you promised to keep quiet until we told everyone.”
“Loophole. Not everyone is going to be here, and I believe Akiteru needed to know. Besides,” she shrugged again. “I didn’t say anything to Oikawa or Kinoshita, so I kept my promise.”
“I suppose so.”
“The next group leaves this weekend, so you two need to say something soon, anyway.”
“Right,” they both said at once. Yuki nodded, satisfied, and looking rather smug.
“Hotaru’s going to be so happy! She was just asking me what I’d think if the two of you got married.”
“What did you tell her?”
“That I’d be the happiest mom ever!” She winked at them. “The ladies back home will be delighted as well.”
“Oh no,” Kei groaned. “When they find out, we could be in trouble.”
“Well,” Tetsu said thoughtfully. “At the worst, they could send us back to Kyoto for a honeymoon.”
“What do you mean the worst?” Yuki practically screeched. “You both loved it there!”
“We did! And we’d love to go back,” Kei replied. “Or maybe…” he looked at Tetsu happily. “Maybe they could find it in their hearts to send us to Okinawa? Or Hokkaido!”
“Don’t push your luck, son number two,” Yuki muttered. Then she smiled so bright, it rivaled the sun. “Oh! I can’t wait til I can say that officially!”

They watched as she nearly skipped her way back into the main villa. Well, they had another day or two before they broke the news to everyone. The decision wasn’t that hard to make, after all. Tetsu brought Kei’s left hand up to his mouth, and gently kissed the ring finger. Kei did one better, and kissed Tetsu, deeply. They moved at the same time, and walked back to their little haven.

~*~

By the weekend, everyone knew that Tetsu and Kei were engaged, including Oikawa and Kinoshita, who sent back their congratulations. An impromptu party was held, and the two of them accepted all manner of well wishes, hugs, and hearty congratulatory back slaps. They enjoyed a grand dinner made by both their moms, Kiyoko, Suga, and Kaori.

No one said anything, but everyone kept an eye on Shoyo, who smiled and laughed with everyone, until no one was looking. Kei promised himself he’d be Hinata’s guardian on this trek together. When he looked at Noya, a slight nod was all he needed to know that he wasn’t alone.

By midweek, the first groups left. Yachi, Inuoka, and Kiyoko went first in the morning, and were followed by Aunt Yui, Eita, and Atsumu that evening.

A few days later, Tanaka, Kaori, and Osamu departed early in the morning. Evening came, which meant Tetsu was leaving. Bokuto and Taichi waited while Tetsu and Kei held each other. They didn’t say one word, but kissed until someone cleared their throat. Kei walked with them to the end of the property, and then watched until he couldn’t see his fiance anymore.

It was his turn to leave by the weekend. The Crows left grouped together and talked together, wishing everyone good luck and to be safe. Everyone was assigned the important task of staying alive. No matter what. They were joined by their lone Owl, Seagull, and Cat. The next morning, Akaashi, Narita, and Fukunaga left with Hoshiumi and Suga. That evening, Kei waved at his parents as he walked backwards, until they were gone from his sight.

“We’ll see everyone again,” Noya said reassuringly as they made their way down to the beach.
“Yeah,” Kei replied quietly.
“Keep on your toes,” his chosen elder brother told him. “Shoyo has a penchant for disappearing. He’s never too far, but he won’t always come when called, either.”
“Right.”
They walked in silence for a while. Then, Noya spoke again.
“Don’t worry. Your news didn’t hit him as hard as you think.”
“How did you..”
“Your eyes, Kei. They speak volumes when you don’t talk out loud.”
“I should work on that.”
“Oh, it’s not always that way. And so far as I can tell, only us Crows can read you.”
“I should work on that,” Kei repeated sarcastically.
“Like it would work,” Noya replied, chuckling. “We know you, lil bro. As long as you can hide it from everyone else, we’re fine.” He paused for a moment. “Well, everyone except Kuroo.”
“Yeah. Duh.”
“Smartass beanpole.”
“Keeps you on your toes.”
Noya laughed out loud. “This is going to be fun!”
“If you say so.”
“We’ll follow the coast for another few miles, then head inland. Our first checkpoint is just over the border in Oita.”
“Understood.”

They traveled for most of the night, and made it into Oita prefecture by dawn. Hinata finally showed up to join them, and the three of them wandered around Saiki, looking like tourists and somewhere to sleep for the next few hours. Noya found a hostel and paid for their lodging. Kei found a little place near the docks that was open and serving breakfast. Hinata kept an eye out for any recognizable faces. Someone was meeting them here, besides their recon group, which would meet them at the hostel.

They were almost finished eating when Shoyo tapped each of their shoulders and gestured out into the growing crowd.

“Well, well. Wouldn’t have thought we’d be meeting him,” Noya said with a smile.
“Didn’t even think he was in the country,” Shoyo remarked. “How the hell did he get here so fast?”
But the answer was never forthcoming as Yaku casually strode up to them.
“Haven’t seen you lot in years!” the former Nekoma libero exclaimed, reaching out to shake Noya’s hand. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Just passing through,” Kei smiled. “Visiting the nearest shrine, you know. Touristy things.”
“Right, right,” Yaku laughed. “Look, I know a place you guys can stay at, keep your stuff safe. Wanna check it out?”
“Sure! Figure you’d know your way around. Lead the way, Mori!” Noya said with the same enthusiasm as Yaku.

Later, they were all together in a small room in the hostel. They’d been joined by their five friends, and food was shared among them. Yaku told them he’d be with them until they crossed into Fukuoka prefecture. He gave each group a pre-loaded gift card for the ferry trip they’d have to take to Shimane prefecture in the Chugoku region.

“We should get some rest,” Kiyoko reminded them. “We have to get as far as we can before nightfall.”
“Right,” the rest of them answered.
“There’s a safe house, or rather, a cabin, we’ll stop at for the night. And then we’ll head out in the morning,” Akaashi told them. “We have provisions there, so we’re set for the night.”
“Good.”
“Will someone tell Kei what we just talked about before we leave?” Suga asked, smiling at Noya.
“Yeah, no problem,” he replied. He looked over his shoulder and tried not to laugh. Both Kei and Shoyo were sound asleep, snuggled up close. “Anyone get a picture of this?” he asked, and both Kiyoko and Suga held up their phones. As did Akaashi and Hoshiumi. Noya grinned at Yaku. “Send us a copy, will ya?”
“Done,” Suga said, already pushing the send button.
“Alright, guys. Nap time,” Akaashi reminded them this time.
“Right!”

Five minutes later…

“Someone set an alarm, right?”
“I did,” Kei’s sleepy voice answered. “Now shut up and go to sleep. And delete that picture, too.”
“Too late, buddy. We already sent it to everyone.”
“Remind me to kick your ass later.”
“Whatever.”
“Can we sleep now?”
“I don’t know. Give it a try.”
“This is going to be so much fun!”
“Shut up, Noya!”

Three hours, and another hot meal later, they were on their way to their next destination.