Hey all! So here we go! The last 5 chapters! I hope you are ready for this!
I'd like to thank my beta reader heichousheadphones ( ) for taking time from their busy day to help proofread all these chapters. Hurray!
Without further ado here is chapter 26!
The Break In
Tsukishima felt ready to take on the fox demons and get his Tadashi back. He had spent the whole day with Chikara practicing his footwork. It had been a long morning but as it grew into the afternoon, Tsukishima spent less and less time on his butt and more time lunging and dodging Chikara's attacks. He now felt just as comfortable fighting on land as he did underwater.
Once training had ended for the day, Tsukishima found himself once again in the living room of the hunter's house. He looked to Kuroo and Bokuto to find that both men seemed just as satisfied with their practice as Tsukishima felt. A fire burned in Tsukishima's chest as he glanced out the living room window at the fiery red volcano that Chikara had pointed out to be the mountain that housed the fox demons and his Tadashi. He could feel Tadashi calling him, pulling him to the volcano. Tsukishima's heart clench as he fought to ignore the call for now.
The group of merfolk and humans congregated in the living room as they readied themselves for the raid. Kuroo, Bokuto and Tsukishima had been given sturdy armor enchanted by Kiyoko to raise their defenses. Kiyoko had also gifted said armor to Tanaka and Noya who insisted on joining the raid despite Tsukishima's objection.
"We will be needing these bad boys," Noya cheered as he and Chikara dragged a rather large wooden crate into the living room. Without giving much time for questions, the two pried the box open.
"Weapons!" Bokuto gasped as an array of glowing weapons revealed to be in the box. Without much hesitation, Bokuto plucked a large sturdy claymore. "Wow," He gasped as he nearly took Kuroo's head off examining the thing.
"Watch it!" Kuroo scolded as he fell into Tsukishima.
"These aren't toys, you know," Tsukishima snapped as Kuroo almost knocked him down.
"Oops, sorry," Bokuto laughed, placing the weapon back into the box.
"These are special demon fighting weapons," Tanaka started as he picked up a glowing sword. "They have been blessed and are made of pure silver. Even the fox demons will be feeling it if we land a blow with one of these bad boys."
"Neat," Bokuto gasped in awe. His round eyes studied the sword in Tanaka's hand with hunger.
"We will each choose a weapon," Noya prompted as he beckoned the others to the box. "Choose whatever you'd like. Tanaka and I already have our own."
Tsukishima, Kuroo and Bokuto each took turns studying the weapons in the box. There were several swords of varying sizes and shapes, bows and arrows, spears, clubs and even a spiked flail. Bokuto took no time in reclaiming the large claymore he had swung around earlier. Kuroo opted for bow an arrows saying that at least one of them should have a long range weapon. He also pocketed a small knife incase things became short range only. Tsukishima examined each weapon carefully before deciding on a sturdy sword. It was similar to a sword he had used during sparring tournaments back home.
"Kiyoko, aren't you going to pick a weapon?" Yachi meekly asked from beside the sea witch.
"I have my magic," Kiyoko calmly replied with no more explanation. Yachi nodded in reply but said no more.
"Please be careful when you're up there," Akaashi began in worry as he studied Bokuto, who was making heart eyes at his claymore. "Come back to me in one piece."
"Don't worry, babe, we'll be back in no time," Bokuto cheered as he gave Akaashi a confident one armed hug.
"I mean it, Bokuto, don't get careless up there," Akaashi scolded in a more serious tone. "Those fox demons sound like they won't be an easy fight."
"Don't worry! We'll make sure to get everyone back in one piece," Tanaka confidently replied with a wink.
"And you'll get Tadashi back for us?" Yachi added, her tone hurried with worry.
"I won't return without him," Tsukishima confirmed, his eyes held no room for argument.
"And if we do not return by sunrise, you and Akaashi will alert Kenma and he will get in touch with the kingdom," Kiyoko instructed as she looked to Yachi. Both Akaashi and Yachi hesitated as the group looked to them. It was clear that it wasn't the ideal situation but they too had their duty.
"Don't worry. Everything will be okay," Chikara reassured calmly. His words seemed to only convince Yachi and Akaashi only a little.
"You can count on us to follow through if things go south for you all," Akaashi replied after a few more seconds of hesitation.
"Hey, everything will be fine," Bokuto insisted once more, this time giving Akaashi a proper two arm hug. Akaashi shyly nuzzled Bokuto's neck.
Tsukishima fought the jealousy he felt building in his stomach. Soon he'd be holding his Tadashi. He needed to focus.
"Well, if we're all ready, we can head on out," Noya prompted, the short man seemed over excited despite the danger they were about to waltz on into. Tanaka replied with a whoop of agreement. Despite their volume, Tsukishima quietly agreed.
Akaashi, Chickara, and Yachi took time bidding each person a good bye. All the while Noya and Tanaka reassured the bunch that all would be well. Akaashi took an extra few minutes saying goodbye to Bokuto. Bokuto didn't complain about the unusual clinginess but Tsukishima was about ready to snap. Before long the group of warriors headed towards the fox demons domain.
Noya and Tanaka lead the four merfolk deep into the thick forest, with Tanaka in the lead, Bokuto, Tsukishima, Kuroo and Kiyoko in the middle and Noya taking the caboose. They weaved through large trees and thick bushes. The two hunters led as if they were following some unseen path. To Tsukishima everything looked the same. He hadn't a clue how the hunters knew where to go.
"Are we there yet?" Bokuto asked from between Tsukishima and Kuroo. "I feel like we have been walking in circles."
"We'll be there soon," Noya replied from behind Kuroo. "The entrance is just past that large tree."
"What large tree?" Tsukishima mumbled, causing Kuroo to stifle a laugh. To Tsukishima all the trees were large.
The group pushed past several more thorny bushes and around more large trees before they came across a very curious pond. The water in the pond almost glowed and was filled with many vibrant water lilies. A babbling stream emptied into the pond yet the pond didn't seem to fill up. Small glowing bugs danced on the surface of the clear water only adding to its mystery. A variety of gold and white fish circled in the pond, not taking any mind of the people standing around it. Tsukishima didn't need to be told that the pond was in face a magical pond.
"Is this a fairy pond?" Kiyoko asked as she bend to examine the water.
"Yup, and it cuts right through the fox demon's barrier!" Tanaka replied with a proud smile.
"I see," Kiyoko hummed thoughtfully. "I'm guessing that it weakens the barrier here?"
"That's how we have been sneaking in all this time," Noya nodded as he puffed out his chest. "Dumb demons don't seem to even realize this pond is here."
"That, or they don't care…" Kuroo added in a low mumble.
"Once we are past the barrier we will have to walk lightly," Tanaka explained, his tone more serious. "It's important that we keep the element of surprise on our side."
"Won't they be able to sense us once we enter the barrier?" Bokuto asked, though he didn't seem too concerned himself.
"I have enchanted our armor to cloak us," Kiyoko replied as she pointed to Noya's armor as an example. This seemed to cause Noya to become slightly flustered while Tanaka jealous. "That doesn't mean they won't be able to track us, but it will make it harder for them to do so," she carried on her explanation.
"Hey, they probably won't even notice us," Noya added with a carefree shrug.
"They never seemed to bother with us before," Tanaka pointed out thoughtfully.
"Probably because you're not much of a threat," Tsukishima mumbled under his breath.
"You say something, goldilocks?" Tanaka hissed, his eyes wide and teeth sharp. With a snarky smirk Tsukishima shrugged.
"Anyways," Kuroo cut in before anymore could be said. "Shall we get on with our rescue mission?"
Tanaka shot Tsukishima one last warning glance that had no effect on the prince. With that the group returned to their earlier formation before each passed through the barrier one by one. The forest on the other side was no different from the one they had just come from. Not only that but Tsukishima didn't feel any different being on the other side of the barrier. Without wasting any time, Tanaka led them up the side of the mountain.
As they went on, the forest's green trees slowly changed to red leaved maple trees, and before long they were surrounded by a forest of red trees and bushes. Tsukishima imagined that under the right light the forest might look like it was on fire. As they traveled closer and closer to their destination, Tsukishima could feel Tadashi's pull become stronger and stronger. He could sense himself closing in on where his love was being held. He just hoped that they weren't too late.
Tsukishima also took notice of another presence. It was a strong foreboding feeling that sent a shiver down his spine. The others seemed to be aware of the presence as well. Tsukishima was almost sure it was the fox demons he was sensing. The further they climbed the mounted the stronger the feeling. It only worried Tsukishima for a moment for every time a shiver ran down his spine he would also feel Tadashi pulling him onward.
Before long the thick forest began to thin out and through the trees Tsukishima made out a large dark stone castle. The castle looked to be made of a dark stone and reached high into the sky. The second Tsukishima's eyes laid upon the castle he knew Tadashi was somewhere within it. The realization caused his stomach to do an anxious flip.
"He's in there," Tsukishima whispered unconsciously.
"What, you mean the castle?" Bokuto asked from behind Tsukishima.
"I can feel him calling to me," Tsukishima replied in confirmation.
"I was afraid you'd say that," Tanaka replied from the front of the line. "We haven't ever tried to break into the castle before."
"What?" Tsukishima snapped "I thought you two had a plan?"
"Well, we were hoping maybe someone who lived in a surrounding huts would have him," Noya replied with a nervous laugh.
"Why would you assume that?" Tsukishima hissed. It took all his effort not to yell at the two.
"It's fine," Noya shushed in an attempted to calm the irate prince. "We'll just have to sneak in. There has to be a way."
"Yeah, I mean the fairy pond was a thing so I'm sure other parts of their defences have cracks," Tanaka pointed out weakly.
"I sure hope so," Tsukishima grumbled.
"Don't worry, Kei," Bokuto comforted from behind. "If all else fails we will just muscle our way in."
Tsukishima fought the urge to snap back. Getting any more upset was not going to save Tadashi.
The small group pushed on further toward the castle and before long they found themselves at its base. Hiding behind a large bush they studied the situation at hand. Much to their surprise there didn't seem to be too many guards on duty. The few guards that passed by the entrance seemed to be relaxed and lazy as they marched about. It felt almost as if the demons weren't even concerned about intruders.
"Cocky bastards aren't going to know what hit them," Noya grumbled from beside Tsukishima.
"I don't sense any further barriers around the castle," Kiyoko examined as she studied the large structure. "But I do sense great power from within it."
"Do you think it's just a farce?" Kuroo suggested, not so ready to assume the fox demons to be lazy. "They could use this to lure criminals in."
"That is possible but there is only one way for us to really know," Tsukishima replied. Tadashi's presence felt so close. He could almost feel his love next to him.
"I think it would still be best if we snuck in from the back," Kuroo hummed.
"Agreed," Kiyoko nodded. Everyone else in the group seemed to be on board with entering from the back as well.
As carefully as they could, the group made their way around the castle. They dare not venture from the forest's cover as they did so. Fortunately for them, the further they ventured around the castle, the less they saw of the fox demon guards. Once at the back of the castle they waited several minutes, studying the movements of the few guards station on this end. There seemed to only be two fox demons and they both seemed to be reoccupied by a game of cards.
"Look, a window is open," Noya whispered almost inaudibly. "I bet we can sneak past those two demons if we play our cards right."
"So what are we going to do, sneak along these bushes here and just jump through that window?" Tsukishima scoffed sarcastically as he rolled his eyes. "Those demons will see us for sure."
"Hey, that's not such a bad idea," Noya agreed, seemingly not picking up on Tsukishima's condescending tone. His reply cause the rest of their party to look to the small man in shock.
"What do you mean 'good idea'? It was your idea," Tsukishima quietly hissed.
"I was thinking we'd just run for it," Noya shrugged, not taking notice of everyone shock and disbelief.
"I was kind of thinking the same thing," Tanaka quietly admitted.
"How are you two not dead yet?" Kuroo groaned as he buried his face in his hands.
"Listen, I'll go up ahead and make sure no one is in that room," Noya said ignoring Kuroo's misery. "Once I give the signal that the coast is clear than you come one at a time. If I yell than run!"
"Sounds good to me," Tsukishima shrugged, more than happy to let the idiot be the bait if he wanted to.
"We can't leave you behind," Bokuto replied almost at the same time as Tsukishima.
"Don't worry, with my experience I will be able to slip away from them real fast if they catch me," Noya proudly proclaimed, almost too loudly.
"Did you hear that?" one of the fox demons, a large demon with red ear and tail, grumbled as his ears perked up. He turned to face where the group was hiding but was unable to see them for they had all ducked behind a large bush.
"Hear what?" replied the smaller fox demon, his brown ears perked as his yellow eyes scanned the forest.
Tsukishima glared at Noya as the group did their best to keep quiet. Noya smiled sheepishly, almost as if he lived for moments like this. Tsukishima scowled. He would kill the man if this caused their rescue mission to end short.
"I thought I heard talking," The red fox replied as he relaxed a bit.
"It's probably nothing," The tan demon said waving his partner's worry off. "No one would be crazy enough to sneak into this castle. Atsumu would slaughter them."
"Yeah, probably just a fairy or something," the red fox chuckled, thought he didn't seem 100% convinced.
Tsukishima and the others quietly spied on the two fox demons from behind the bush. Tadashi's presence felt so close that it took everything in Tsukishima not to act on the impulse to charge the two demons and run into the castle. As the others looked on at the guards, Tsukishima glanced up at the castle. He could tell Tadashi was not on the ground floor. His eyes wandered up to window that looked to be about four storied up. Tadashi felt to be somewhere around there but Tsukishima couldn't pinpoint exactly where.
"I'm going," Noya whispered once the two guards went back to their card game. Tsukishima looked to the smaller man in mild shock. He had been so lost in thought he almost forgot where he was.
"Be safe," Kiyoko quietly replied, causing Noya to almost melt on the spot.
The group watched while Noya carefully slipped through the bushes that lead to the open window. Neither guards seemed to take notice of him as they carried on with their card game. It didn't take Noya long to make it to the window and without a moment's hesitation, he hopped through it. Tsukishima felt the air around them grow cold as they waited for Noya single. If Noya shouted, Tsukishima didn't know if he would be able to run away. He was far too close to Tadashi to turn back now.
To everyone's relief, Noya popped up from the window giving the signal that the room was indeed empty. Tsukishima sighed, grateful for the demons stupidity. Part of him also wondered if they really were so powerful that they just didn't care but he ignored that part for now. Starting with Tsukishima, one by one each member snuck through the bushes, to the window and into the castle. Fortunately for them, the card game between the two fox demons became so heated that they didn't seem to take notice of the intruders.
Once all were in the castle they took a moment to regroup. Tsukishima looked around to find that the room looked like a small library, or perhaps it was a study. He didn't waste time deciding which it was for it didn't really matter. He refocused his energy on Tadashi's presence instead.
"What now?" Bokuto asked as he looked around the room.
"I guess we just look around until we find your friend," Tanaka suggested with a shrug.
"I wish we had some sort of blueprint of this place," Kuroo sighed for the task of checking each room in the castle felt taxing and impossible.
"I know he isn't on this floor and not on the 2nd floor ether," Tsukishima cut in before anymore could be said. "I can feel it."
"Right, the keychain must be zoning in on Tadashi," Kiyoko nodded thoughtfully. "We should be able to follow it's pull to find him."
"I guess you're leading the way now, Prince," Kuroo smiled as he gave Tsukishima a pat on the back.
"Don't fall behind," Tsukishima nodded in reply. He was more than happy to lead the way if it meant getting to Tadashi as soon as possible.
"Don't get reckless," Kiyoko warned, reading Tsukishima's growing haste.
Tsukishima looked to Kiyoko. The woman's stone cold eyes studied him with warning. Though the look was intimidating, it also calmed him a bit. It wouldn't do them any good to be caught.
With that the group made their way out of the study. In groups of two, Tsukishima and Kiyoko, Noya and Tanaka and Kuroo and Bokuto, they made their way down the hall. Tsukishima and Kiyoko would lead down the hall. Check if the coast was clear, and than wave the others two by two to where they stood.
The halls were not too full. They only ever saw a few guards on patrol and they seemed to be very lazy about their job. It worried Tsukishima to see them as such. It felt almost as if they weren't even the slightest bit of a threat to the fox demons. Those guards had talked of this Atsumu killing anyone who trespassed. Tsukishima hoped they didn't run into Atsumu.
After several twists, turns and close calls the group finally found themselves on the third floor. This floor seemed different from the others. While the first, second and third floor looked to be made of banquet halls and studies, the fourth floor looked like it housed bedrooms. Tsukishima didn't know if this was a good thing or not. Trapping Tadashi in a bedroom did seem more reasonable than trapping him in a study.
"Do you think Tadashi is on this floor?" Kuroo asked, making sure to keep his voice low.
"I can't really tell," Tsukishima said in concentration. He tried to focus on Tadashi's presence. He felt so close but Tsukishima couldn't tell if it was coming from one of the rooms around them or from somewhere above.
"We can take a look at a few rooms and if we come up empty maybe move on," Bokuto suggested.
"It's better than nothing," Kuroo agreed.
"Right, each check a room down these halls and reconvene here," Kiyoko instructed after making sure no one else seemed to be in the halls. "Be careful not to walk in on anyone."
The group split up as they checked the rooms down the hall. To Tsukishima's dismay, the rooms he checked were all empty. They both looked to be guest rooms. Something told him none of the room on this floor belonged to any of the castles inhabitants. He thought for sure Tadashi would be in a guest room. It worried him that Tadashi wasn't.
"Well, that was a bust," Noya shrugged. "There is still the other side of this floor we can check," he sighed as they all rejoined.
"I'd say we could split up. Some of us carry on upward while the others look here," Kuroo begane reluctantly. "But I feel like that would be dangerous."
"What, you don't think we could take these demons," Bokuto laughed as he one arm hugged his friend. "I'm more than ready to take one on."
Kuroo smiled as he turned to answer his friend but stopped as his smile fell in shock. The others looked to him in question as the air around them went cold. Kuroo's eyes stayed fixed on something just behind Bokuto's shoulder.
"Don't move," growled a voice from behind Tsukishima. "Put your hands up and don't you dare touch those weapons."
Tsukishima did as he was told. He quietly lifted his hands as he turned to find a dark skinned fox demon pointing a loaded crossbow right at them. Behind the dark skinned demon stood a tall demon with a lazy gase and dark hair. He didn't even seem to bother with pulling his weapon. Tsukishima heart sunk. How could they have been so careless?
"Who are you? How did you get in here?" The dark skinned demon demanded, his white ears flat on his head. The aura he produced sent a shiver down Tsukishima's spine.
Tsukishima swallowed his instinctual fear as he looked the demons head on. "We are here for Tadashi!" Tsukishima demanded, somehow keeping his voice from shaking. "Bring him to us and we will leave without a fuss."
Kuroo and the others looked to Tsukishima in mild worry. All were ready to put up a fight but riling the two daemons up didn't seem like such a great idea at the moment.
"Tadashi?" The taller demon drawled as he looked Tsukishima up and down a few times. "Who is Tadashi?"
Tsukishima blinked in surprise for only a moment, not allowing himself to let his guard down. "Don't play games with us! I know he is in here," he growled.
"Tadashi is our friend and we've come to take we him back," Bokuto added, non too scared of the two demons.
"Do you know who they are talking about, Aran?" The taller demon asked with a sigh that sounded like he couldn't be bothered with the current situation.
"Suna, stop missing around. These are intruders," Aran replied, frowned at his partner. He then turned back to Tsukishima and company. "There is no one here by the name Tadashi," he said as his eyes narrowed.
"Don't fuck with me!" Tsukishima growled as his chest began to burn. "Oikawa said he traded him to one of you! I know he is here. Tell us where he is or we will have to force our way past you," Tsukishima warned, his voice laced with venom.
Tsukishima's threat didn't seem to affect Suna or Aran quite how he had expected it two. Aran dropped his bow as he and Suna exchanged questioning looks. "You don't think their talking about…?" Aran began.
"Atsumu's snack?" Suna finished with an almost amused smile. He seemed to like where this is going.
"Snack?" Tsukishima questioned, not liking the sound of the nickname.
"We can tell you where your friend is," Aran nodded as he turned to Tsukishima. All threat the demon once showed had vanished.
"Atsumu isn't going to like this," Suna warned though he didn't seem to bothered by it.
"What are you talking about?" Kuroo cautiously asked as he made himself ready to get between the prince and the demons if things got sticky.
"We know where the human is, this Tadashi," Aran clarified, ignoring Suna's warning. Suna rolled his eyes but didn't seem to care much more.
"Where is he?" Tsukishima practically shouted as a sudden rush of urgency shot through his veins.
"How do we know we can trust you?" Kiyoko questioned before anymore could be said.
"Does that really matter?" Aran began as he shot Kiyoko a challenging look. "You want your friend back and to be honest, it would be best for all of us if you just took him."
"What are you getting at?" Kuroo asked in suspicion.
"You all don't have to trust me, but I can tell you where Tadashi is," Aran insisted, both his tone and body language calm.
"Please, tell me where he is," Tsukishima urged. He didn't care if the demon was setting them up for a trap. He could fight them. All he wanted was to be with his Tadashi.
"Sixth floor," Aeran began. "Three doors down on the right."
"You better hurry," Suna added with a taunting humm. "Atsumu will be back soon to feed on your pathetic human friend."
Tsukishima didn't even wait to see if the others were going to follow him. He rushed past the two demons to the staircase. He ignored the calls of Kuroo and Kiyoko as he climbed the stairs, leaping two at a time. His vision became tunneled as the demon's directions raced through his mind. The further he climbed the stairs the stronger Tadashi's presence grew. When he got to the sixth floor he followed Tadashi's pull, finding himself outside the door that Aran had promised Tadashi to be behind.
Without hesitating, Tsukishima pushed the door open. He had half expected it to be locked but found it to be quite open. With his heart racing and body hot from the adrenaline he stumbled into the room. As he scanned the room the whole world seemed to stop for sitting upon a large bed was a very shocked and very tired Tadashi.
Finally! Our two boys have been reunited! But are they in the clear. Was this a trap! Will Atsumu find them!? Will they just make it out safe and sound! There is only one way to find out and that is to stay tuned.
I will definitely be getting chapter 27 out on time next week! I am excited for you all the read what happens next!
Thank you all so much for the kudos, bookmarks, follows and reviews. I love to hear your guys feedback. Please comment to let me know what you think about the fic or this latest chapter. Feedback is always wonderful.
Thank you all for getting back to me about my upcoming Pokemon au fic. I have pieced together most of it and have started the early process of writing it. That being said I am still open to other people's ideas on the types of pokemon characters may have so do let me know here or on tumblr ( pastaprincess). I hope to start posting this fic once this one has ended. I'd guess the first chapter will be out in July.
That's it for now! See you all next chapter.