"I don't remember discussing this," Kageyama said blankly, staring between Kenma and Hinata.

Hinata was practically vibrating, shifting from foot to foot in his eagerness to be off. "Kageyama, you idiot! I talked about this! I can't believe you don't remember anything at all."

Kageyama shook his head. "Just because you talked, that doesn't mean I was listening."

Hinata rolled his eyes so hard that it was something of a miracle that they didn't escape his skull. "Yes, that has become very, very obvious."

"In my defense, you talk a lot," Kageyama said. "I'm still figuring out what's important and what isn't."

"It's all important!" Hinata stomped his foot at this. It made a more resonating sound than usual, since he was currently wearing wading boots that were obviously a size or two too big for him. Kageyama stared at them for a moment, still fascinated and weirded out by Hinata's attire. He was wearing knee-high waders, a puffy jacket, and a floppy hat stuck through with two or three hooks and lures. Kenma stood next to him, his outfit almost exactly the same, though his wading boots appeared to be a better fit, and the sleeves of his jacket were too long and thus hung over the ends of his fingers. (Kageyama later learned that Kenma was actually wearing Hinata's boots and Hinata was wearing his mother's. Where Kenma's jacket had come from, though, was anybody's guess.)

"I told you me and Kenma were gonna go fishing with my dad this afternoon," Hinata said. "I told you at least ten times!"

"Oh, that." Kageyama nodded in sudden understanding. "I thought you talking about...on the game thing."

Hinata blinked at him. "The...game thing?"

"Yeah. You know, the game thing." Kageyama waved a hand vaguely toward the main room. "Hooked up to the TV. With the games."

Hinata and Kenma looked at each other.

"Are you talking about...the Wii?" Hinata ventured after a long moment.

"Yeah. The game thing."

"You thought we were going to go fishing on the Wii," Hinata repeated. His voice betrayed only genuine curiosity.

"Well, in a game. There's a fishing game on the Wii, right? I saw a commercial about it."

Kenma gave Hinata a sideways glance. "That is how I practiced," he said softly.

Hinata gaped at him in dismay. "You played a fishing game on the Wii to practice for today?"

Kenma nodded shyly, his hands clasped over his stomach. "Yeah, I did. I got pretty good at it."

"Kenmaaaaaa." Hinata groaned and covered his face with his hands. "You can't practice fishing with a video game."

Kenma's face took on a stubborn cast. "I guess we'll see who catches more fish when we get there."

Hinata lifted one hand to peek at him, suddenly interested. "You wanna have a contest?"

Kenma held still for a second. Then his face set firm in decision and he gave a decisive nod.

"Winner picks the movie we watch tonight?" Hinata suggested.

Kenma nodded again.

"Loser carries all the stuff back to the car?"

Kenma wavered at this one. Kageyama could see in his stance how very, very little he wanted to be forced to carry a bunch of stuff while his opponent laughed and hooted in victory (which was undoubtedly how Hinata would react should he happen to win). But that was just more incentive not to lose, wasn't it?

Kenma seemed to come to the same determination. His eyes narrowed into mere slits, sharp and focused. And he nodded. "Yes."

Kageyama drew his head back at his sight. He'd never seen Kenma appear this intent on something. He didn't envy Hinata in competing with him.

In fact, given the facts of the matter, Kageyama would probably bet on Kenma for the winner of this particular match.

"Shouyou, Kenma, are you ready to go?" Hinata's dad appeared around the corner of the hallway, trotting toward them with a sunny grin to join them in the entryway. He, too, was wearing waders and a floppy hat, and Kageyama stared at him mutely for a moment. His resemblance to his son had never been more pronounced. Now, if they just lined up Hinata, Hinata's dad, and Natsu in a row, they would look like those brightly painted nesting dolls from somewhere in Europe.

"Yeah, Dad, we're just waiting for Kuroo-san." Hinata gave his father a matching grin, too. "He said he had to get his volleyball shoes."

Kageyama glanced down at his own volleyball shoes, hanging from his hand, then looked up at Hinata and Kenma again. "Are you sure you're okay with going fishing while we go to volleyball practice?"

"Of course! We've been talking about this all week, and yeah, it's colder out than we expected, but it'll still be fun."

"But..." Kageyama frowned. It wouldn't be fair to drag Hinata along to volleyball practice when he couldn't join in. That would be the saddest thing ever, for either of them. Still, he didn't particularly relish the idea of letting Hinata out of his sight, not right now. "Do you want me to come along?"

Hinata's face softened. "Kageyama, I know you don't want to miss practice again. You skipped yesterday, and I did appreciate it, but you don't have to skip anymore. Go on and have fun. Everyone will be glad to see Kuroo, too."

"But..."

"No, I mean it!" Hinata made a shooing motion with both hands as if pushing Kageyama out the door, even though all four of them were getting a ride from Mr. Hinata—Kageyama and Kuroo were going to be dropped off at Karasuno for practice, then the other three would head to their chosen fishing spot and pick them up again on the way back. "You should go! I'll be fine! I'll have Kenma with me, and Dad, too."

Kageyama glanced at Hinata's father, who gave him an uncomplicated smile. It was true that Mr. Hinata was one of the very few people outside the volleyball team whom Kageyama trusted to look after Hinata. And really, how much trouble could they get into while trying to catch some slimy fish in an out-of-the-way pond? It was going to be okay. It was just an afternoon.

And, to be honest, Kageyama couldn't wait to hit a volleyball again. It had been over twenty-four hours now and his fingers were starting twitch. "I'll hit some good serves for you," he promised Hinata solemnly. Hinata nodded as if he'd expected nothing less.

Kuroo finally appeared, slinking casually down the hallway with his volleyball shoes in hand. He'd taken the time to change into a different outfit, which mostly explained what had taken so long. Kageyama had been wearing his practice clothes all day anyway, so it hadn't been an issue for him. Mr. Hinata smiled at them all indiscriminately and led the way to the family vehicle outside.

The trip from Hinata's house to Karasuno by vehicle was quite short, though Kageyama knew it took Hinata half an hour on his bike. After meeting a number of Hinata's friends and neighbors from his hometown, Kageyama suspected that part of the length of his trip was caused by his propensity to stop and chat with every shopkeeper and pet every dog between his house and his school. It was still pretty impressive that Hinata basically climbed a mountain twice a day just so he could attend Karasuno, though.

When Mr. Hinata let Kuroo and Kegayama off at the school, Hinata rolled down his window and yelled as he waved good-bye, promising to catch plenty of delicious fish for them to eat for dinner. Kenma leaned in behind Hinata, only part of his head showing out the window, and waved to them, too, and Kuroo grinned and waved back. Kageyama just shook his head at the goofiness of it all and refused to even lift his hand, though Hinata blew a raspberry at him for being a spoilsport. His dad finally honked and pulled away, forcing Hinata to withdraw, though Kageyama had no doubt that Hinata was still yelling and carrying on as the car drove away, the sound of the engine and wheels overwhelming his voice.

Kageyama looked at Kuroo, who was still grinning that sideways grin of his. "C'mon, let's go play volleyball."

"No need to scowl so much, Grumpy-kun," Kuroo said cheerfully. "I hear that if you keep screwing up your face so carelessly, it will stick that way."

"If you say so," Kageyama grumbled, leading the way to the gym. Kuroo followed him docilely enough. Kageyama didn't feel like turning it into a race, the way he would with Hinata.

Rather, as they neared the gym, Kuroo slowed down, looking the building over searchingly. Kageyama glanced at him, weirded out at first, but then a light flicked on and he understood. "The school painted over the graffiti," he said.

Kuroo nodded. "Before Hinata saw it, I hope."

"Yeah." Kageyama sighed and rubbed a hand over his suddenly aching chest. "Not that it helped, in the long run."

Kuroo turned that searching look on him. "You mean the note."

"Yeah. It was worse than the graffiti. More threatening. More strongly worded."

"And it was delivered directly to him," Kuroo said softly. "You're right. That is much, much worse."

Kageyama nodded and looked away. The coil of tension in his chest released, just a little. Kuroo really did understand. It hadn't changed anything to talk about it, to exchange these few words, but somehow Kageyama felt better for it, anyway. It was gratifying to have this situation taken so seriously by someone outside of their team and Hinata's family, this semi-stranger from Tokyo who—despite all the connections that bound him to the Karasuno volleyball team and its members—was still an outsider. It was confirmation that they weren't hysterical, they weren't overreacting. This entire thing really was just as horrible as they all felt it to be.

Inside the gym, several of the Karasuno members called out happy greetings when Kageyama and Kuroo arrived. Noya and Tanaka both jogged over to greet them, Noya patting Kageyama's back and Tanaka pointing his finger at Kuroo in his usual ridiculous posturing, promising to beat his block with his spike. "I'll show you, you damn city boy!" The words were aggressive, but his tone was teasing and friendly, though not without a bit of an edge. Tanaka liked the Nekoma team, but he was serious about doing his best to beat them.

Kuroo grinned crookedly at Tanaka, dark eyes suddenly sparking at the challenge. "Oho, you'll show me, huh?" He took off his jacket with a sweep of one arm and took one step closer to Tanaka, flexing both of his arms to show off his muscles (admittedly impressive). "I think Tsukki and I will have something to say about that. Won't we, Tsukki?" he called across the gym to the blocker in question.

Tsukishima froze where he stood, holding a volleyball in his hands, his face abruptly overcome by an expression of surprised displeasure. "Tch."

Yamaguchi, beside him, had to cover his face with his hands, his giggles bursting forth in an audible wave that swept around the gym.

"Shut up, Yamaguchi."

"Sorry, Tsukki."

Yamaguchi almost never sounded very sorry when he said that anymore.

"Hey! Get warmed up!" Daichi yelled from somewhere else. Kageyama and Kuroo glanced at each other, then shrugged and did what they were told. Daichi was the boss.

Practice was a lot of fun with Kuroo there, Kageyama had to admit. Tsukishima was more focused than usual, as if determined to prove to Kuroo that he'd learned everything he had to teach him. (Or, perhaps, to prove that Kuroo didn't need to come check on him.) Kageyama joined the two of them in blocking against Tanaka and Asahi's spikes, since he needed the practice anyway. It took them a few tries to really get into sync, but once they did, the three of them were a pretty forbidding wall, if Kageyama did say so himself. The rest of the team took turns spiking, set by Sugawara and Nishinoya. The spikers still got a few balls through, but a lot of shots were either killed or softened considerably.

Later, they switched off so others could practice blocking, and Kageyama set for a while. Kuroo's spike was impressive, too, and Kageyama appreciated the chance to see it from this side of the net. He had noticed in matches that Kuroo could spike with both his right and left hand—another factor in his flexibility, and Kuroo revelled in confusing the opposing team with his unexpected abilities. He must have practiced for countless hours over many years to be able to switch hands so smoothly and seemingly effortlessly.

Of course Tanaka declared himself the winner, once practice was over, but victory wasn't truly clear for either side. The entire thing just confirmed to Kageyama, once again, that Nekoma was an extremely formidable opponent. Kuroo was their captain, and a strong player, but he wasn't a star. None of the Nekoma players were. And yet just having Kuroo here had raised the caliber of their practice by an astonishing degree.

After cool down, while they were still in the middle of cleaning up, Tanaka bounded over to Kageyama and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Hey, hey, Kageyama, remember that idea I mentioned to you the other day? We're doing it. It's gonna be great."

Kageyama looked over at him, his eyes narrowing. He felt sweaty and gross and he didn't much appreciate Tanaka draping himself all over right now. But this was kind of how Tanaka was and he didn't have the energy right now to fight him. "Really? It still doesn't seem like a great idea to me."

"But we have to do it now while Kuroo and Kenma are here!" Tanaka patted his shoulder roughly, shaking him with the arm wrapped around him. It was like being gently mauled by an overly friendly wolf. Kageyama fought the urge to go stiff. It would only make things worse.

Kuroo had been gathering volleyballs into a bin nearby, and at this he perked up and straightened, eyebrows rising in interest. "What are you talking about?"

"Party at the Tanaka household!" Tanaka crowed, shaking Kageyama again and dragging him over to face Kuroo. "Tomorrow, before the night train to Tokyo. That's the one you're taking, right? Come hang out with us before you go!"

Kuroo glanced at Kageyama, then back to Tanaka's face. "Who will be there?"

"Well, the Karasuno team. All of 'em. That's the idea. We still haven't celebrated Hinata coming back to school, not all of us, and the whole team misses him. So this is the best solution, right?" Tanaka straightened his back and planted one hand on his hip as he laughed, pleased with his cleverness. His other arm remained where it was, hanging heavily over Kageyama's shoulder. "And it will be even better with our friends from Tokyo, of course!"

Kuroo grinned, apparently blind to Kageyama's fierce scowl and fiercer head shake. "Yeah, that sounds perfect to me. I'm sure Hinata has missed you, too. Kenma's not fond of parties, but he'll come along for Shouyou's sake, and if he gets bored he'll just play his game in a corner somewhere."

"Excellent!" Tanaka shook Kageyama again, then scampered off to share the news. "I'll tell everyone else! Saeko is going to be pumped."

Kageyama glared at Kuroo. He couldn't believe this. "What the hell."

Kuroo stared at him blandly. "You don't think it's a good idea?"

"No, I don't." Kageyama pointed out the gym door, currently standing open as someone or other moved something Kageyama didn't care about. "Those bastards are out there, and they've threatened us. More specifically, they've threatened Hinata. I told you that they're doing everything they can to intimidate us. And you think it's a good idea for us, for Hinata, to spend hours in one place, in Karasuno? Really? You think it's a good idea?"

Kageyama was breathing hard now, incredulous and frustrated by this entire turn of events. He couldn't believe how stupid this was. Sure, Tanaka was short-sighted enough not to realize the implications, but Kageyama had thought that Kuroo was smart.

But Kuroo smiled at him, and this was nothing like his earlier smiles. The softness and warmth was gone, and the bright glint in his eyes was not affection. This was the smile of a crouching predator, ready to pounce. This was the smile of a cat with a mouse just outside the grasp of its claws.

"I think it's a wonderful idea," he corrected, his voice silky smooth. "Think about it, Kageyama. The entire team in one place, a location in Karasuno almost certainly known and watched by their enemies. Partying, laughing, enjoying themselves. Their guard down. The richest and sweetest of plums, ripe for the taking. Who could resist? What stupid, thuggish bastards would possibly be able to resist?" His eyes slid to the side, razor sharp. "Isn't that right, Captain-san?"

Kageyama looked sharply over in the same direction. Daichi stood there, his legs spread as if standing solidly against a wall, his arms crossed over his chest. It was a stance of both defense and aggression. It was the way he stood during intense rallies on the court, prepared to receive the ball but also prepared to run and attack if it became necessary, if the opportunity presented itself.

Daichi was an excellent volleyball player—Kageyama had known that since he first played against him in that welcoming match. Daichi could downplay his own abilities all he wanted to, declaring that others were more offensive, that Asahi was the ace, that Sugawara was the rock they all depended on, that Kageyama was their bold young genius and Hinata was their bright and shining diamond in the rough. But Daichi was more than he declared himself to be, and it was as much his ability to fade into the background as anything else that made him such a formidable player. It made the other teams underestimate him, and that was always, always a grave mistake.

Over the past couple of weeks, Kageyama had learned to trust Daichi with a great deal more than defense on the volleyball court. The captain had proved himself to be as solid as a mountain. He had consoled Kageyama, supported him, and brought him back when panic had threatened to overwhelm him. Most importantly, when Daichi said something, Kageyama believed him.

And now, Daichi smiled. It wasn't as sharp as Kuroo's smile, which was sleek and smooth and watchful. But it was a deep smile, a satisfied smile, a smile with a promise. "That's right, Captain-san. They can't possibly resist."

Kuroo's smile widened, his eyes narrowing in contentment. "You already knew."

"Tanaka and Noya have been talking about this since Thursday. They are not quiet. No one in the school could have missed it."

"I knew you were the cunning type." Kuroo chuckled, wagging a finger in a gesture that could have been taken for mocking amusement or sarcastic admonishment. But Kageyama, looking between them with increasingly confusion, read only friendly understanding in their expressions.

"What...what are you talking about?" he ventured at last, the words stumbling awkwardly from his mouth.

The two captains looked at him, their stances loosening as they noticed his discomfort. Their smiles shifted almost imperceptibly, back to the kind, supportive looks Kageyama hadn't realized he had begun to expect from them. "Ah, Kageyama-kun is not a shady character," Kuroo said regretfully.

Daichi shook his head. "Indeed, no. Our genius setter is unfailingly straightforward. He tried to keep a secret from Hinata for this last week—for Hinata's good, mind you, and none of us disagreed—and it nearly killed him."

Kageyama shook his head, tsking gently. "Poor Kageyama-kun. How will Karasuno keep its reputation as villainous crows when all of the crafty players have moved on?"

"I wouldn't worry," Daichi said. "They'll still have Tsukishima."

"Ah, Tsukki!" Kuroo laughed joyously at that, throwing his head back. "He's so quiet, I hadn't realized. No, no, Captain-san, you are completely correct. Kageyama will never lack for a cunning ally as long as Tsukki is playing volleyball at Karasuno. Thank goodness. I was beginning to worry."

Kageyama's fists clenched at his sides and he stared between them, his face turning red. "Would you please...explain..." he requested again, through gritted teeth.

"Sorry, Kageyama." Daichi unfolded his arms from across his chest and stepped closer to place a warm, friendly hand on his shoulder. "I didn't mean to shut you out. But think about it. You don't lack for intelligence. Yes, we will be setting ourselves up to be somewhat vulnerable by having a loud party in Karasuno right now, one that everyone knows about it. It stings to admit it, but our team is under siege, in a way, and we have done the equivalent of announcing our position to our enemies and declaring our intention to stay still for a lengthy period of time."

Kuroo nodded solemnly. "An unwise course in a time of battle, to be sure."

"If they intend to attack us, they know where to find us. But here's the point." Daichi lay a finger along his lips, giving Kageyama a slow, secretive smile. "We know that, too. We are fully aware of what our enemies will do with the intelligence they've gained, since we have already ascertained their character—bastard thugs with not enough subtlety between them to fill a hole the size of my thumb. The most cunning plan they managed to come up with was hiding a threatening note in Hinata's locker—a note, by the way, which they left quite thoroughly covered in fingerprints."

Kuroo shook his head sadly. "Not very cunning."

Kageyama blinked, beginning to get a glimmer.

Daichi gave him an encouraging smile. "Ah, I see you're starting to understand. The thing about making plans in battle, of course, is that they're useless if your opponent knows what you're doing. If your enemies are aware of your plans, and you don't realize, and leave your plans unchanged...well, that's when even the most well-laid plans imaginable become a dreadful liability. We know what they're going to do. It's almost completely certain that they don't know that we know."

"Oh," Kageyama said.

Kuroo's grin was back, long and sly and shining in the light. "And that's when the siege becomes an ambush."