I hope that you have been having a lovely week and if not, I hope that this update might make you feel better!
Also a short note; you can now find me on twitter Youngsoul111. Check it out and maybe we can have a chat or whatever ^^
This chapter was a request by Luminite, thank you and I hope that I did okay.
RATING: T (slight cursing, mentions of blood and abuse [not the sexual kind!])
STORY: Sometimes the best cure for an injury is its prevention.
Disclaimer: Do you see the blue banner? Yeah, it says fanfiction. It basically means that I'm a fan, and that basically means that I don't own the original series.
The sky was slowly growing darker as thick clouds gathered to create an ominous-looking weather as two young volleyball team members were walking home after school. Their club activities had been especially long that day due to a practice match with another team from the region but the boys still remained in high spirits.
"Did you look at Asahi-san today? He was really in the game!" the shorter, orange-haired boy exclaimed as his eyes sparkled with excitement. He was looking at his much taller friend, who was staring ahead with a neutral expression as usual as they kept walking even further away from the school grounds.
"Yeah. I guess he is feeling the spring preliminaries closing in as well," the taller said with a tone that anyone else would have interpreted as lazy. However, the smaller (and, surprisingly, older) knew better. The dark-haired setter was honestly glad for his teammate - whose personality resembled of a shy mouse - for getting his act together as the team's ace.
The two kept chatting for some time before the orange-haired stopped abruptly, letting out a shout. The other jumped a bit in surprise due to the sudden change before turning around in anger.
"What is it?! Don't just suddenly shout like that!" the shorter almost seemed like he wasn't hearing the other player, his eyes open wide as his mouth hung open. Their gazes then met briefly as the shorter explained himself shortly.
"I forgot my math book at school! I gotta get it! Wait here, Kageyama! I'll be right back!" With those words, Hinata turned around and jumped on his bike and was on his way back to the school. Kageyama didn't have any time to even answer the other before he was already gone from sight.
The setter blinked for a few times before letting out a long sigh and pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Seriously...that idiot," he muttered as he turned to walk to the direction he had been heading to earlier.
The two players had decided earlier that day that they would study for the upcoming math test together at Kageyama's place and would eat at the local burger place before heading there. How Hinata had managed to even forget the simple detail of bringing his math book with him was a mystery.
Deciding to find a place to sit while waiting for the other, Kageyama walked towards the nearby park. He was glad to notice that the park was empty of people as he walked to a bench where he could see the road clearly. He sat down and threw his bag next to him before letting out another sigh. He leaned back on the bench and stared up at the dark clouds while letting his thoughts drift. He thought about the practice game they had had earlier and analyzed how all the players – both opposing team and own – had acted.
Kageyama was just going through how he could improve his own play when a voice interrupted him.
"Hey you! You're Karasuno's setter, aren't you?" the person sneered, making Kageyama glance at the person briefly before seemingly losing interest and shifting it back to the sky above.
"What business do you have with me?" he asked, his tone lazy even though his eyes had their usual sharp glare. Kageyama certainly recognized the person addressing him, as well as the three other teens behind him. He had already decided earlier that day that he didn't want to get involved with them any more than he absolutely had to and so he decided to nonchalantly push them away. However, the four had other ideas.
"You were with him just now, weren't you? Where is that pesky little middle blocker?" This time the teen's tone was harder than before and it dripped with venom. Sensing the hostility from the teen, Kageyama straightened himself on his seat and turned to look at the teens fully.
The tallest stood in the front, his hands balled into tight fists at his sides, as his dark eyes focused on Kageyama in anger. The other teens, who stood in silence, seemed to almost wait for an order to attack someone. Kageyama just stared at them and tried to read their intentions. Soon, they became very clear.
"It's due to that stupid kid that we lost. We have never lost a game before, you hear?! He needs to be taught not to mess with us again," the teen threatened. At this point, Kageyama was already thinking about his options. Should he run and inform someone about this? Then again, what could anyone do about it? It was a threat, nothing had actually happened yet. But if he left the matter to be, Hinata would likely get targeted some other time. There was no way to ensure that he was never alone and Kageyama didn't really want to put the pressure on him of having to watch his back every single day. Still, there was no way that he would let these people attack Hinata - even the thought of it made Kageyama shudder inside. What could he do then? Whatever he did, he needed to move soon or Hinata was going to get involved.
He quickly saw what his only chance was and he formed a plan in his head. Once he was ready, he prepared himself to perform a quick act. Then, he let it his head fall a bit and let out a low chuckle.
The teens across the park let out confused sounds before the player at front let out an angry growl, "what's funny!?"
Kageyama lifted his head and smirked.
"I sort of realized during the practice match that you were idiots but to this point... I'm amazed, in a way." The effect was instantaneous; the opposing team members shifted and tensed in rage.
"What the hell did you just say?!"
Kageyama let out a huff while telling himself inside his head that there was no going back now before continuing, "so not only are you stupid but also deaf? I was telling you that your stupidity became fully obvious during the game today. You only saw our middle blocker, when truly your gaze should have been at your true enemy – me. Who do you think made those tosses today, huh? Our players are nothingwithout me – I am the one who beat you." Though those words might have not been hard to say a year backwards, now they almost seemed to sting as they rolled off his tongue. All those words were lies. Kageyama respected every player in his team and he knew that they all were powerful in their own way. He knew that his own tosses could be amazing, but his time as a "king" was over. He didn't control anyone – none of them did. That's what he had come to know. They were all equals and while they sometimes seemed to fight their own battles, they were still connected by invisible threads. Kageyama found himself hoping that Hinata was nowhere near the park so he hadn't heard those words. It soon became forgotten as bigger problems arose.
"You arrogant bastard! We'll teach you a lesson!" the teen, who had spoken before, shouted and raised his fist. Knowing that it was time for the final blow, Kageyama grabbed his bag and opened his mouth.
"Judging by your performance today, I doubt that you will even be able to catch me," he told with a smirk before he took off into a sprint. He ran away from the park to a direction he hoped that Hinata wouldn't go to as he would probably try to find him at some point.
Like he had expected, the opposing team members had ran after him. Not really wanting to receive a beating, Kageyama fastened his pace and took many sharp turns around corners to loose his pursuers. Unfortunately, though idiots, the teens were in good shape and they easily kept up with the dark-haired setter. Kageyama cursed to himself as he realized that he was going to need a new tactic if he was going to make it out unharmed.
While thinking he didn't notice the wrong turn he took before it was too late. A wall appeared in front of him, cutting off his route. He gasped in surprise before spun around in order to safe himself. Unfortunately, it was too late. The four teens ran in front of him that exact moment, trapping him. They all panted for a while before the (seeming) leader spoke.
"That's enough running around."
Kageyama gulped and tried to calm his racing heart while taking cautious steps backwards, away from the players.
The young man spoke again. "Look, I get what you're trying to do. You're protecting your teammate. As honorable as that is – I don't give a shit. That kid pissed me off, just like you did just now. Now, we are going to beat you up before finding that other kid and doing the exact same thing to him. Look, I'm even going to be so merciful that I'll let you watch it," he hissed as he took threatening steps towards the dark-haired setter.
Realizing that his options were slowly all running out, Kageyama retreated against the wall behind him before finding himself wondering if he had any chance to beat the players in a fight.
"Takumi, Ryo...go find that kid. He's going to be around that park. Bring him here," the leader ordered his two teammates before they nodded and started to walk away from the alley.
Kageyama felt his blood run cold at those words. They were going to involve Hinata. Before he had any time to even think about it any longer he shouted,"wait!"
Seeing how the two teens – apparently called Takumi and Ryo – stopped made Kageyama more relieved than he had been in a long time. Quickly thinking about something to say – anything to keep Hinata from getting involved as well – he spoke.
"I have a deal. I'll keep my mouth shut...so don't bring him into this."
–
Hinata found himself pedaling faster due to the wet drops that suddenly started falling from above. The approaching heavy rain definitely didn't make Hinata's mood any better. Not only had he taken ages at the school as he had tried to find his math book, but then he had had to curse his own stupidity as the book had been in his bag the whole time. IN HIS BAG. Usually, he might have just laughed it off, but today he felt a bit angry at himself. Why hadn't he checked the bag in the first place? Now Kageyama had had to wait for him for so long. He would be pissed, Hinata knew. A worry rose inside his chest as he wondered if the taller would even be waiting for him anymore. Maybe he had gone home already? Trying to shake the negative thoughts out of his head, Hinata pedaled even faster towards the burger place they had been supposed to go to.
He soon reached his destination, but already at this point his clothes had started to get damp due to the drizzle. He quickly locked his bike next to the wall, hoping that it would stay a bit dryer under the edge of the roof, before he ran inside. He looked around, hoping to find his friend. He had expected to see him sulking in some corner but even when he had double checked every table Kageyama was nowhere to be seen.
A short feeling of hurt passed through Hinata before he reached down to see his phone for any mails. Maybe Kageyama had messaged him? To his displeasure, he found no mails on his phone.
Hinata let out a long sigh and was about to head back outside before he heard someone call his name.
"Hinata-kun!" the boy spun around to see a nice-looking middle aged woman behind the counter. The volleyball player recognized the woman instantly.
"Kikyo-san!"
The woman smiled kindly at the orange-haired boy as he walked over to her with a big, curious smile plastered on his face like usual.
"Did you seen Kageyama here?" Hinata asked, hoping for a positive answer.
Kikyo shook her head. "No, I haven't seen him here today. Were you supposed to meet him here?"
Hinata's head hung low as he nodded. "Kinda. I wonder if he went home already...?" he muttered and was about to head back outside to face the rain that had started to fall as if someone was pouring it from a bucket, before the woman stopped him again.
"Don't worry, Hinata! Kageyama isn't the type of guy to break a promise." Hinata stopped as he heard those words before he flashing a bright smile at the cashier.
"Yeah! You're right. Thanks Kikyo, see you!" the boy said before he ran outside with newly found determination. Kikyo smiled fondly as she saw Hinata unlocking his bike before riding it back to the road he had come from, his young body filled with energy again.
Hinata wondered where Kageyama could have gone to. The burger place had seemed like the most logical place to go – especially since it had started raining – but since he clearly hadn't been there, Hinata was a little lost. There was no way that Kageyama would be outside in the rain either. Hinata still trusted his friend not to have gone home already, they had made a promise after all.
Hinata shivered wildly as he felt the cold water seeping through his clothes, slowly making him drenched. He knew that he needed to find Kageyama quickly if he didn't want to risk falling ill, and so he kept pedaling towards the place he had seen the taller teen last.
He tried to look out for any nearby shops or other places with a roof where Kageyama could have gone to take shelter. However, the long street only had apartments on both sides and Kageyama was nowhere to be seen.
Hinata decided that his best bet for now was to call the setter and so he stopped and pulled out his phone from his bag. Cursing silently as he noticed that the rain had already managed to damage some of his books, Hinata quickly found what he was looking for before he shut his bag and dialed Kageyama's number.
The rain around him almost seemed to grow stronger as Hinata focused entirely on listening to the slow beeps next to his ear.
A few moments passed and the beeps just went on and on. As cold drops of water ran down Hinata's hand, threatening to cause damage to his phone, the teen finally gave up. Kageyama wasn't answering.
Hinata stared at his phone for a little while, wondering where his friend had gone to. He also found himself getting a bit worried – had something happened to his friend?
The boy closed his phone before stuffing it into his pocket. He steered his bike ahead, determined to look around the area carefully once more. He wasn't going to go home before he found his friend.
Hinata saw the place where he had seen Kageyama last and he scanned the area for any sign of the teen. He frowned as he couldn't see him before he approached the park next to the road. Maybe Kageyama had stopped there to wait for him and had somehow fallen asleep? ..Then again, who didn't wake up when rain started pouring on them? Quickly dismissing his trail of thought, Hinata walked towards the center of the park. He became disappointed and increasingly worried as he saw that the park was empty, but even more so when he noticed something familiar on the ground as he approached a nearby bench.
Hinata kicked the kickstand on the back of his bike so it stood up as he ran and knelt down to pick up the small object. A strong shiver ran through him, though Hinata had no idea whether it was due to the cold, wet clothes that clung to his skin or due to the shock of finding the familiar object. He silently inspected the small key-chain and saw that it had broken off from the biggest loop which was still probably hanging from it's original place – Kageyama's bag. Hinata cleared some of the mud away from the small volleyball with his thumb before he closed his hand around the small object, gripping it tightly.
Hinata felt his heart beating uncomfortably loud and fast inside his chest as he frantically looked around in hopes to see his teammate. He opened his mouth and had to swallow before he actually was able to produce any sound.
"K-Kageyama!" he shouted before he shot up from the ground, completely ignoring how his black school uniform pants had become muddy. He didn't even notice how he held the small key-chain close to his chest as he once more scanned the area and shouted for his teammate.
"Kageyama, where are you?!"
Once accepting that the rain was the only answer he was going to get, Hinata took into a mad sprint across the park, completely forgetting about his bike. The only thing he was thinking about was that he really wanted to find Kageyama and make sure that he was alright.
...Which he was, right?
Hinata tried to ignore his loud breaths as he ran through the empty streets without any direction. By that point, all his clothes had become completely soaked and the cold had started to seep into his body. He tried to ignore the way his body was starting to scream for warmth as he kept running. Had Kageyama been outside this whole time too?
"Kageyama!" Hinata once again shouted, his voice strained with worry. He had stopped to catch his breath, but his eyes never quit their task. He kept searching for any hints – anything – that could lead him to his friend.
During that short break, Hinata found himself wondering why he was even so worried in the first place. Maybe Kageyama had just gone tired of waiting and gone home? The key-chain might have broken off by accident and the setter hadn't noticed it falling. His phone might have been left on vibrate-mode and so he hadn't heard Hinata's call.
While all those could have been reasonable explanations, why did Hinata feel like something was really, very wrong?
Hinata had managed to calm himself down a bit and was just about to break into a spring before he saw four figures walk down the street. He focused on them and during those two seconds he did before the figures disappeared behind a building, he saw a few things. Firstly, they were the volleyball team members that they had been against that day during the practicing match. Secondly, they were all grinning in satisfaction, but it was the sort of evil grin that bad people gave when they had done something bad. And third... the tallest of them, the wing spiker and also their ace, was rubbing his right hand which-
Hinata didn't even finish his thought before he was dashing towards the place the teens had come from. His mind had somehow gone numb from fear and he felt that if he would stop and think about anything, he would become unable to move and so he just ran.
Suddenly, it became really quiet. The rain was still pouring at least as hard as before, but somehow Hinata couldn't hear it. He couldn't really hear his rapidly beating heart, nor his quick breaths as he rounded into an unfamiliar alley. Only then did he stop.
He stood there, his body now beyond shivering, as he shook and breathed heavily. He stared ahead, not seeing anything in the darkness for a while, before his vision focused on a figure on the ground. The dark hair and the black clothes had hid him well into the dark concrete, but now that Hinata saw him he recognized him instantly. His breath caught in his throat as he quickly pieced together what had happened.
"KAGE-!" Hinata began, but stopped short as he focused on making his body move – to run – to his friend. He once more managed to make a sprint before he fell to his knees next to the unmoving figure, ignoring all the pain caused by the uncontrolled fall.
"KAGEYAMA!" Hinata shouted, his voice cracking as he put his hands on the slightly younger teen's shoulders before shaking him.
"Kageyama! Kageyama! Hey!" he kept calling as he shook the taller male. Hinata felt like ages had passed before the body under his hands gave a pained groan and shifted slightly.
"Kageyama? Wha- why did those guys-? No, wait, are you okay?!" Hinata was too worried and shocked to even form a proper sentence and even he could see that no, Kageyama was not alright. Still, he couldn't help but to feel a bit relieved when the taller teen was able to push his upper body up and mutter, "how about you try to learn how to talk, you idiot?"
Hinata stared as the other boy slowly pushed himself into a sitting position, groaning and panting heavily while doing so, before they both were just sitting silently in the heavy rain, both unsure what to do or say.
"Kageyama," Hinata began once more, his voice barely audible this time as it shook with the aftershock of all the events, "what happened?"
Kageyama quickly glanced at the big, worried orbs of his friend before turning his head away. He reached up to touch his pained cheek before giving it a careful rub. He was glad to notice that the opposing team players hadn't done as much damage as he had feared they had. He quickly went through his injuries – a bloody nose, a bruised cheek, probably a bruised stomach from the kicks, red and bruising hand; nothing seemed to be broken. Perhaps they had been holding back?
"Kageyama!" a voice made the teen focus on his surroundings again. He didn't turn to look at the other but glanced at him once again.
"I asked you, what happened?!" This time, there was slight anger mixed with the boy's tone, but the sound died quickly in the rain.
Kageyama stared at his hands for a while before making a quick decision and closing his eyes.
"Nothing happened," he managed to say with the same, steady tone that he always used. He really wished that Hinata would just accept his explanation and not pry any further. It was all for his sake, after all. Kageyama knew that he was creating a wall between the two which hadn't been there before. A wall of lies and mistrust. Just when he was ready to harden his heart and lock away the truth about what had happened that day, Hinata decided to destroy that wall before it had been finished.
"What the hell!? Obviously something happened! You're all bloody and hurt! How can you call me an idiot if you're saying that this is nothing!?"
Kageyama had to suppress an amused huff. Hinata was always like this – he couldn't read the mood or even be smart enough to run away from danger. Just as that thought crossed his mind, Kageyama realized that that wasn't it. He frowned and stared at the dark corner of the alley in silence. Hinata could be stupid, but also very loyal. To say that he wasn't smart enough to steer clear from danger wasn't true. Knowing Hinata, all his instincts had probably screamed for him to run away from danger, but he still came. Even now he probably realized that he might be getting into something bad – something dangerous – but he stayed and decided to get involved anyways. All because he was so loyal to his friends.
Kageyama finally looked at the shorter teen properly. Hinata was on his hands and knees and he was leaning towards the other as far as he could. Only now could Kageyama see how his hands were shaking and how fear and desperation shined in his eyes. He knew that look – being scared and confused – and it bothered him how he was the one causing it. He wanted to just wipe it away and go back to their normal, daily life. Realizing this, he knew once more that he couldn't tell the truth to Hinata. He didn't want to see guilt in his eyes, which he knew would be there every single day if he were to know.
Kageyama lifted his head up and let the rain hit his face.
"You don't need to worry about it. It's over already," he told, his voice slightly smaller than he had intended.
Hinata stayed silent for a while, his brain working slowly due to the shock and confusion. Why was Kageyama being so calm about this? He had gotten beaten by those guys he had seen a while ago! He was sure about it, after all, the opposing team's ace had been wiping blood off his knuckles. Shivering from the image once again, Hinata tried to gather his strength and courage once again.
"I do! I saw those guys just now. They beat you up, didn't they? So..so why are you saying that it's nothing? We should be going to the police or...or the school or someone!" Hinata shouted, his voice desperate.
This time, Kageyama said nothing. He was just staring into the same corner as before, his expression unreadable.
Hinata opened and closed his mouth for several times, not finding the words he wanted to say. Seeing how Kageyama wasn't going to tell him anything, Hinata's emotions started to fade away along with the adrenaline rush he had been expressing since he had found Kageyama. He let his head fall as a sound resembling a sob tore from him. Similar sounds continued to appear one after another from his small body a he clenched his fists tightly.
"What the hell...I don't get this...!" he cried.
Kageyama wished that he could have comforted the smaller teen. He probably would have, had the situation been any less difficult but for now he felt like he needed to look away or he might not be able to do what was the best for his friend; stay silent and keep him safe.
Hinata felt a sharp pain inside his fist, causing his sobs to cut off in surprise. He raised his hand and opened it, finding the small key-chain once again. He had forgotten that he had it. He stared at it and focused on the warmth the memories connected to it brought.
"We...are a team...right?" the orange-haired whispered. "We are supposed to help each other..." As those words left his lips, Hinata seemed to understand something and he looked up towards Kageyama again.
"You...you let this happen. You were protecting someone, weren't you?" Hinata's voice shook as he asked the taller. As the raven-haired teen didn't answer, Hinata pressed on, his voice now much louder. "You were protecting me, weren't you?!" He paused and was desperate to hear an answer but Kageyama's mouth remained closed. "Answer me, damn it!" Hinata cried on top of his lungs, his voice breaking at the last words as a sob tore from him again.
Kageyama listened to his crying once again. He hadn't realized that it would hurt so much.
The silence that passed between the two wasn't silent enough, Kageyama decided. The rain was too loud... but most of all the pain and sadness-filled cries from his teammate were the loudest of all. But what annoyed the dark-haired boy most was that he didn't feel annoyed by Hinata's sobs – he only felt this strange pain and regret which he couldn't fix.
He heard how Hinata slowly grew more silent and obviously exhausted, both emotionally and physically, after a too-long day and was unable to look away any longer. He stared at the flattened orange-hair that dripped with water and saw tiny drops fall down from the face that was hidden by the long bangs. For a moment he wondered if those drops were from sky or if they were Hinata's tears. Seeing such a broken-looking Hinata was truly as painful as he had imagined that it would be as he had listened to his cries. Kageyama could no longer stay silent and so he gave a long, tired sigh before he put a comforting hand on Hinata's back.
He somehow managed a half-smile as he spoke to the boy who still hadn't raised his head. "It's alright. They won't be back again."
This time it was Hinata who didn't answer, and Kageyama didn't really blame him. The whole situation was really messed up and now he was given a chance to just let it go and move on. Obviously it wasn't an easy thing to do.
Kageyama stared at the orange-haired boy's still figure for a while before removing his hand and moving to push himself up to his feet. His body protested against the movement, but he wanted to ignore it for the sake of letting the whole incident become forgotten. He didn't want to see Hinata like this again nor did he want to be the one causing it again. Knowing that there were a lot of bad memories he needed to fix, he straightened himself up with a small groan before he met Hinata's wide and teary eyes. Fear and shock were still visible in those orbs, but Kageyama knew that they could be washed away and so he let his mouth twitch upwards ever so slightly as he offered a hand to his teammate.
"Come on, we still have a math test to study to. And don't tell me that you forgot about our promise to eat before that?" Kageyama asked, making his voice sound like his usual self.
Hinata stared at his friend for a long while, unable to act or do anything due to his surprise. He looked down at the offered hand and soon realized that it was the way to escape all the horrible feelings he had felt – a way to go back to normal! With that hopeful thought, Hinata grasped to the offered hand with unneeded strength before he was pulled to his feet.
As Kageyama saw the small smile playing on Hinata's lips, he knew that things would turn out alright.
Kageyama didn't even have to force himself too much to start a normal conversation as the two slowly walked away from the alley. Even though the rain still poured on them and the two were completely soaked, they managed to smile and chat away. Kageyama was glad that Hinata seemed to catch on what he was trying to do – return their lives to normal again – as he didn't ask anymore questions or show his scared and sad side.
Just when Kageyama was sure that they could leave the whole matter behind, Hinata stopped walking and stared at the ground. The sad look was back on his face again and for a moment the raven-haired teen had to wonder if the smaller was ever able to forget.
Hinata wanted nothing more than normality again. He wanted to go back to their volleyball club and laugh with everyone else and have a nice day at school. He saw that Kageyama wanted it too, but it was hard to just ignore everything that had happened and move on. It couldn't be that easy, could it?
Hinata opened his hand again to look at the key-chain he had yet to return. He knew that the taller teen was staring at him, waiting for an answer to the unspoken question: 'Are you able to leave it?'
Finally knowing his answer, Hinata raised his head. "I won't ask anymore." As Hinata's mouth shut into a tight line, the raven-haired took it as a sign that he was finished and was about to turn around before the voice stopped him. "-But let me just say this:" Hinata stopped and locked his gaze with Kageyama's, his eyes having the same strength than usual. "Thank you...for protecting me."
Kageyama stared at his teammate for a while and studied his expression. His feelings and thoughts were all there to see; 'Thank you', 'I'm sorry', 'I trust you'. The honesty caused a small smile to appear on the raven-haired boy's face, but he quickly turned to hide it. He walked ahead and lifted his hand, shaking it in the air lazily as if he was brushing off a small matter.
"It's fine. You said it too – we're a team."
And that was all that it needed. After that sentence, the matter was finished and their lives could go on like usual.
Though muddy and soaked to the bone, the two teens went to the burger place like promised with smiles on their faces. After that, they went to Kageyama's place and quickly avoided his mother's worried questions before they shut themselves into the taller boy's room. And the best part? Neither commented about not studying the whole evening.
I'm starting to notice how this 'We are a team' is making a pattern. ...Oh well.
I hope you enjoyed and thank you for reviewing! Also, requests are very welcome.
Until next time~! ^^