Hinata slammed his hand down onto the alarm clock on his nightstand, knocking it off the small wooden table. Somehow, the stupid clock kept beeping. He groaned, dragged himself out of bed, reached under the table, and finally shut the alarm off. Natsu sat up, looking at Hinata.
"Watcha doing, Hinata?" She jumped out of bed, full of energy.
Hinata looked up, narrowly missing smacking his head on the table. "Oh, hey Natsu."
He stood up and walked over to the closet, pulling out his Karasuno uniform. Hinata also handed Natsu her uniform. Natsu wasn't old enough to go to Karasuno, obviously. She attended the education center further up the road.
Shirts were a strange business when you had wings. The front looked normal, but at the back, about 3 inches down from the neck, was a large empty oval, where your wings would slide through. Lower down from the oval was a zipper, just in case you got stuck. Natsu got stuck a lot.
Hinata, now in uniform, shoved his school work hastily into his bag, along with a few pens and pencils. He dashed down the stairs, telling Natsu to hurry up.
"Can I have chocolate for breakfast, Hinata?" Natsu thudded down the stairs.
Hinata poured two bowls of cereal and set them down on the counter. "No, Natsu. No chocolate." He picked up Kageyama's bag and set it beside his.
"Please?" Natsu looked up at Hinata with her round eyes. "I really, really, really, want chocolate. Daichi-san gave me chocolate!"
Hinata looked up from shoving food into his mouth. "He what?"
She grabbed her bowl of food and sat down on the floor, even though there was a perfectly good stool right next to Natsu. "Daichi gave me chocolate after breakfast when you were away in Tokyo for exams! He said it was for being good. I've been good recently!"
"Ok, but I'm not Daichi. Hurry up, Natsu, we're going to be late!"
Natsu slurped up the extra milk left over in her bowl, then dumped it in the sink. "You hurry up, Hinata. You're making me late!"
"Fine, fine. Get your lunch from the fridge. I made you a sandwich last night."
Hinata finished his cereal and pulled out Natsu's baby-blue lunch bag. He passed it to her, and she clutched it in her small hands. Hinata grabbed his lunch, his bag, and Natsu, and together they ran out the door.
The sky was alive, today. People zoomed about, going off to work, school, or wherever. Natsu pointed up at Daichi and Sugawara, yelling. Hinata craned his neck upward, hoping to see Kageyama.
Instead, he saw Yamaguchi and Mei. Yamaguchi waved, his messy brown hair wind-blown. He glided down towards them, landing perfectly, wings folding in. Mei landed next to him, running over to hug Natsu. Mei sometimes volunteered at the education center, so she was a familiar face to Natsu.
Yamaguchi spoke. "Want a ride, Hinata? Natsu?"
"Sure, if you could." Hinata nodded politely.
Mei picked up Natsu, and she squealed in delight, wings fluttering in excitement. Hinata grabbed Yamaguchi's hands, and they took off together. He was light, and despite Yamaguchi's small physique, he had no problem carrying Hinata. The view was amazing, and Hinata pretended he was flying himself. His tiny wings rippled in satisfaction, feeling the cool air on the black feathers. Mei flew alongside them, her red-streaked hair flying out behind her. Natsu giggled with happiness, kicking her small legs.
They soared over Karasuno, and Yamaguchi began his descent. Hinata saw all of the other students coming in for a landing, too.
"Hey, Tsuki!" Hinata called. Tsukishima looked up, waving.
Yamaguchi set Hinata down, and Mei flew off to take Natsu to the center. They walked through the doors together, Yamaguchi making sure to keep his wings to himself. The halls were a blur of colors. Spotted, dappled, streaked, plain, you name it. Every pair of wings stood out in their own way.
Hinata gulped, trying to shrink into the crowd, hoping no one would notice him. He didn't want to be called out with Tiny Wings today.
Now, he thought, Where's Kageyama?
Hinata struggled to keep his eyes open during English class. The teacher was so boring. He sat up in his chair, glancing around the classroom. Tsuki wasn't in his class, as he was in more advanced classes, being Tsuki and all. Yamaguchi was trying to be perky and attentive, but with his wings sprawled over the wing rests on the sides of the chair, he looked more like he was trying to pose for a fashion magazine.
A pencil poked him in the side, and Hinata sat up suddenly, scraping his wings on the back of the chair.
"Oi, Shoyo." It was Takito, a kingfisher-winged girl. "Pay attention. We have a project."
Takito and Hinata had hung out a lot in elementary school, but after the Tiny Wings business, they had grown distant. They had tried to rekindle their relationship, but Takito was always busy, and Hinata always forgot about her.
"Alright, listen up," The teacher explained. "You have an essay project due in two weeks."
Everyone groaned.
"Since this is a bigger project, you will be working in a group of three..." The teacher continued.
A mixed reaction. Some people groaned, some cheered, and started talking about partners and groups. Hinata was happy. He shot a quick glance at Yamaguchi, who sat a few seats away from him. Yamaguchi held up his crossed fingers. He never liked working alone, preferring a team to get the job done.
And it wasn't because he was lazy. Hinata just liked working as a group.
"Ok, enough talking, everyone. I'll be picking your groups. Listen up."
The teacher began to list names, but Hinata was busy reading the guidelines for the essay.
"Alright. Our third group is Hinata," Hinata sat up, dropping his paper on the floor. The teacher glared at him for causing a disturbance.
"As I was saying, Hinata, Yamaguchi, and Takito." Hinata grinned at Yamaguchi, who smiled back.
"Ok, that's all. Class dismissed." Everyone rushed out of the class, crowding around the door to get out quickly. It was lunchtime, now.
Hinata ran over to Yamaguchi with Takito. Yamaguchi handed Takito the project sheet. She cursed under her breath.
"It's about politics," Takito announced.
Yamaguchi threw his hands up in the air. "Great. Just great. I love politics so much."
"Come on guys," Hinata tried to cheer the disappointed duo up. "It could have been worse."
"Anyways, Hinata. Let's go eat lunch." Yamaguchi turned out the door, Takito following close behind.
Hinata didn't follow, instead turned left down the hallway, trying to find Kageyama. He ran down multiple hallways, twisting and turning deeper into the school. The corridors were by now fully deserted.
A noise to his left startled him.
"I knew I'd find you here." It was Kichimiri, Karasuno's resident bully. He was tall and strong, with large eagle wings and a menacing stare. Everyone knew to stay out of his way, even the third-years.
Hinata turned, wings bristling. "What do you want, Miri?"
Kichimiri faced Hinata, his shadow falling on Hinata's face. "I think you know exactly what I want, Tiny Wings."
Hinata took a step back. "Get away from me."
"You ordering me around, punk?" Miri clenched his fists and jaw, glaring at Hinata.
Hinata took another step back, pressing himself against the lockers. The metal was cold against his face. "I... Just go away!" He curled his wings around his face.
"I'm not gonna leave you alone, Tiny Wings. Give it to me now." Miri kicked Hinata in the stomach, and Hinata crumpled to the floor.
Another voice entered the room. "Get away from him."
It was Kageyama. Hinata looked up from the floor, gasping for breath. Kageyama's wings snapped open, almost matching Kichimiri's huge wingspan. His eyes were cold and dark, unlike the warm indigo Hinata had stared into yesterday.
"Says who, Crow-face?" Kichimiri turned on Kageyama but kept his distance.
"Says me. And you're going to get away from him, now." His voice was deadly calm.
Kichimiri shrugged. "Fine, whatever you say, Tobio. But sleep with one eye open." He stalked off. Kageyama ran over to Hinata, who was now sitting up.
"Hey... You okay?" He helped Hinata up.
Hinata smiled up at Kageyama. "Yeah. Thanks for saving me."
"No big deal," Kageyama shrugged, wings folding back in. "You want to eat lunch together?"
Hinata's heart and wings skipped at the thought. "Sure. And you forgot your bag at my house."
"I know." Kageyama stood up, gesturing for Hinata to stand, too.
Hinata ran down the hall to his locker. "It's in here." He handed Kageyama the brown bag.
They walked off to the lunch room together.
Hinata lay on his bed, trying to read the manuscript his teacher had given him, but he couldn't concentrate.
The rest of the day had happened in a daze. After Kageyama saving him, they had eaten lunch together, outside. The lunch room was full, so Kageyama had shown Hinata his "secret spot", really just a small alcove in the school gardens. They talked about school, life, food, and so many things. And Hinata would have paid to do it again...
His phone buzzed. Someone was texting him.
He picked up his phone checking to see who it was. It was probably Daichi or Tsuki. Maybe Yamaguchi, Kenma, or Takito.
But it was Kageyama. Hinata dropped his phone onto the bed.
Kageyama saw my note in his book!
Is this Hinata? The text read.
With his hands shaking, Hinata typed back. That's me.
I knew I recognized that drawing.
Hinata smiled. Thanks.
Anyways, Kageyama replied. Have you tried jumping off the roof yet?
No way. I'm kinda scared.
Well, you should. You really need to learn how to fly.
My mom would kill me. Then Natsu would want to try, and then what would I do?
So don't let her see you. Do it at night or something.
Hinata decided to change the subject.
Ok, enough about me jumping off roofs. How's your life?
My life is fine. Besides the fact that I always burn rice when I try to make it.
Hinata laughed. What?
It's true. I try to cook once it a while, but it never works.
The trick is to soak the rice in water for a few hours before you make it. Then cook it for a little less than you would, and leave it to sit before serving.
There was a pause.
And how would you know this, Hinata?
I cook, a lot. It's fun.
Okay, cool. I'll take note of your rice-stuff.
Hinata had an idea.
Hey, Kageyama. Do you wanna come to the nationals with Daichi and I on Friday?
Sorry, I can't.
Hinata almost moaned in despair.
WHY?
There was a long pause, and Hinata got really impatient.
I'm in the nationals.
Hinata dropped his phone off the bed, again.
Are you? I didn't know that! Hinata typed quickly.
I am. I'm on the school team, with Mei.
What do you perform?
Mainly just solo and duo acts. No group flying for me. Also, I do Dives.
Hinata gasped. Dives were arguably the most dangerous competition in the nationals. You stood on a very high platform, jumped off, and at the very last second, flared your wings and pulled out. You were judged on how close you got to the ground. Many people had died while doing this event.
Aren't you nervous? Hinata asked.
Not really. It feels natural to do all these tricks and stuff. Hey, maybe after my events I can come see you and we can watch the older groups perform!
That sounds great!
Hinata heard Natsu drop something downstairs.
"Hinata! Assistance!"
I have to go, Hinata told Kageyama. I'll see you soon.
He threw his phone down and sped down the stairs.
"Natsu! What did you do, now!"
Natsu was standing on the counter, wings spread wide.
"I... um... dropped the bowl."
Hinata looked over the counter. She had dropped a small plastic bowl, nothing to worry about.
"It's fine, Natsu."
"No, it's not." Natsu often got concerned about small, little things in life, and Hinata would have to explain to her that it was okay.
"Yes, it is." He bent down and picked up the bowl. "See? It's fine."
Natsu took the bowl from Hinata, turning it over in her hands. She slid off the counter. "It's not fine. It's chipped here, here, here and here."
He sighed. "Look, Natsu. You can't let the little things in life bother you. They're not important." Hinata set the bowl down on the counter.
"The little things are important," Natsu announced defiantly.
Hinata blinked. Those were brave words coming from Natsu. He twitched his wings and crouched down, looking at her.
"Tell me why the little things are important, Natsu."
Natsu placed her little hands on her hips, ruffling her wings.
"The little things are important because the little things make up the big things. If you take out one, the whole thing goes boom. Then the big things are gone, too. It's like one moment in your life. Little, small, small moments make up your life. Take out one and you may have never met a friend, done good on a test, or made a team. Small things matter. Like your wings, Hinata. I know you feel bad about them, but they are important. They're part of you, and if you take them out, you go boom, too."
Hinata gasped. Natsu's words had touched him. Even though she was young, her words were often wise beyond her years.
Hinata stood up. "Ok, Natsu. I get it."
"I told you! You are important!"
He smiled. Then there was a knock at the door.
"Stay here, Natsu. I'll get it."
Hinata ran over to the door and opened it. It was Kageyama.
"Kageyama? Why are you here?"
Natsu, ignoring Hinata's orders, ran over. "Yama-kun is here! Hinata? Why is Yama-kun here?"
Kageyama answered. "I'm going to teach your brother how to fly."
"You... You are going to what?" Hinata gasped.
Kageyama ruffled his wings impatiently. "That's right. I'm going to get you off the ground. We're going to the park, now."
"Can I come?" Asked Natsu eagerly.
Kageyama looked down at Natsu. "Can she?"
"I guess," Hinata shrugged. "But are we really going?"
Kageyama narrowed his eyes.
"Of course we're going. Now come one, Crow-boy. We've got stuff to do."
