The last few days have been good, I split time between Fukurodani and Shiratorizawa, I even managed to catch the game Satori asked me to attend. That was a good time, he still loves taunting his opponents. Bokuto and Akaashi have been fun, apparently, I am the fast way to pulling Bokuto out of his moods. Bokuto likes to try and keep me around as much as he can and maybe after I get back to school, we can have a massive movie night or something but that will no doubt have to be after the class 3-E get together otherwise I'll never hear the end of it, hmm maybe we can drag Karasuma along with us and have a real 3-E reunion. I smile at the thought, my name over PA system makes me grin and head off to security to get the day under way and get my pack home.
As predicted the plane staff couldn't get near them once the drugs wore off, they always were testy when they were drugged for flights. I walk in to find all six of them growling and barking at anyone who got even a little close to their cages. I whistle and their heads as a collective snap towards me and they sit. The airport handlers are in awe like they just saw a magic show. A grin on my face and amusement in my eyes I open the first cage that held Senka, my alpha for this pack and only true wolf, his black coat all ragged from the flight and testy it seems as he tries to take a snap at my fingers.
"Now is that anyway to get out of here faster," he growls at me "growl and no after flight steak for you mister." He stops immediately, and I call a techy over and hand over all the paperwork for all my canine companions with their vaccinations and recent physicals along with all other must have government forms from my bag.
"With those you should only need to a basic check-up for any physical sings of something wrong, am I right?" I turn to, I check the name tag, Sam when he doesn't answer. He looks up at me and nods, taking the forms and walking back to the desk to put the necessary thing into the computer and scan the government waivers and information. I turn back to Senka, he is very stressed and high strung. I need him to chill out for a bit before I can even think about getting the others out. He doesn't look bad besides being distressed and being surrounded by people who, I move to the side a little and see what probably put him on edge, they tried to muzzle him. It's no wonder he is being a moody little shit.
"Why is there a muzzle next to this cage?" I ask very calm and curious, that seemed to be enough to unnerve some of the officers.
"He was vicious when he woke up, we needed to get it on so he would bite us during the exams." I turned to the tech who explained. "And why were you trying to touch him without me present in the first place?" I pulled a stool out from under the table and sat in front of Senka, ankles and arms crossed. I'm sure I made quite a picture.
"We deal with dogs every day; we are just doing our jobs." His voice is irritating and snobbish.
"That may be true, but I was one hundred percent sure there was an order to not even take them off the plane until I arrived." My tone was calm and my smile soft. "Yet here I find that someone has not only taken them off the plane but also tried to muzzle and man handle government assets without the proper handling supervision." I turn to the security guard by the door "Please remove everyone from the room and don't let him back in when I get this pack calmed down."
"Before you leave though are there anymore muzzles in this room?" I ask, my voice nice and calm. A brave tech pointed to a bin under the desk in front of me. I nodded in thanks as he closed the door being the last one to leave, I make sure its locked before walking back to Senka who was still standing in the dog crate, ears back, lips quivering but his hackles were down and he was focusing just on me, that was good.
"Alright Senka, out you come." I sit on the stool again off to the side so he can jump down onto the floor and most importantly out of the cage. I watch him walk around the room, I don't say anything I just let him roam around, he will come to me when he is ready. It took him forty-five minutes for him to come and stand in front of me, looking into my eyes with those bright blue eyes of his, I always loved his eyes. He keeps staring, daring me to look away but I won't lose to my boy. My eyes start to water so quick as I can I flash my handout, the fast movement causing him to growl, to scratch behind his ears. He huffs at me and I swear if he could, he would roll his eyes. I slide to my knees and drop my forehead to his while scratching his ears, "I've missed you, old friend." I smile and close my eyes. I sigh and look at the others. "let's get you all out and clam a tad yer? I'm sure you would all like that." I roll back onto my feet and spring up watching the other five canines of my little pack, my family.
The biggest of the remaining five was Rika, she is a Great Dane with a brindle coat and the most stubborn. She was the third to addition to the pack and first one to join after I started working for Karasuma after graduation. She way curled up in a ball watching us move around, she was the calmest of the five still caged.
The next crate over was my second addition, Senka found him and brought him home. Haia is a tri colour Basenji who has been though a lot with me and Senka, but he was an asshole to train. We got there in the end just like everyone else in my pack. Haia was scratching at the floor of his crate trying to get out. I places my hand on the crate and Senka jumped up before I moved onto the next crate.
Okemia is a pure silver Utonagan which is a breed that is excessively wolf like in appearance, I have yet to have any problems with him that I have had with Senka though. Though despite being such a light colour, he is still one of my better stealth members of the pack and an extremely good tracker. I met Okemia when I stumbled across a puppy farm when Karasuma asked me to investigate an adoption centre that was thought to be a front for attack dogs for an organisation he was hunting at the time. He couldn't get near the place, but I was an innocent young girl looking for her next pup. I found Okemia out on his own looking beaten and bloody. I came back later that night with Senka to get him out. He's been the most loyal pup since. I place my fingers through the bars "poor boy what have they done to you guys in my absence." He was curled up as tight as he could but at my voice, he flicked his eyes at my voice before bringing his nose to my hand. I gave him a nudge before I move over to Koko.
Now Koko is a Rhodesian ridgeback who was named such because when I found him his feet were so coated in mud, blood and foliage that his feet were stained black when he came into my care. He is a beautiful red dog that had ran from his previous owner when he clobbered his wife in the woods. He found her not long after, he had been back and forth through the blood and mud his feet were stained into a different colour. He was laid out and watching me as I walk but almost pushed his crate off the table when I was close enough. He hates being away from me for too long. I rushed over and started humming, I needed him to calm down before he hurt himself.
I looked over to the last crate and gnawing on the bars was the last of my pack. She is a pure white Kugsha otherwise known as Amerindian Malamute and her name was Echo. I remember when I got her, she was supposed to be put down because the family couldn't handle having her around and they couldn't get her to a new home. When I heard the discussion while I was getting Okemia her shots for the year so they were on a civilian record and I couldn't let them put such a beautiful dog to sleep. She stopped her chewing on the crate as I got closer. She laid down and looked up at me like she hadn't just tried to chew her way out, ears down and tail moving slowly. I smile at her, god I missed these guys.
"Okay boys and girls sit up and wait." My command was firm but not aggressive and like the unit they are each of one of them followed Senka in sitting up straight and proud. I walked around and opened each crate as I went. After the last crate was open, I called them out one by one to sit on the floor while I put each of the crates in a corner at the back of the room. They weren't mine so I was not going to take them, I didn't like to cage my family if I didn't have to. I put the last crate down, turn around and what do I find, everyone but Haia sitting where I left them. Haia had his snout in my sports bag that I left on the floor that had their vest/harness but under all that was a bag of treats. "Haia" he froze, still as a statue "that doesn't look like something you were told to do." He slowly raises his head with a treat hanging from his mouth. I tried I really did but I laughed, bloody loud to, at least all their tails were wagging at the sound. Once I calmed down, I knew I had to get a vet back in here. I shake my head and stand up straight. A quick scan of the room shows six tables at examination height, perfect.
"Scatter" I watch them move and as soon as they are all by a table, "Senka stay, everyone else UP." Collectively they jump up on a table, one each as I move towards the door. I unlock it and step out. "I am about to have one of the dogs come out, don't move." I told them; I didn't ask.
"Senka find a good one." I open the door and point at the techs. We have done this a few times before, so he just moves along the line and back again before sitting in front of the youngest girl there. I looked at her, she seemed nervous but mostly I think because of the way he would have been acting before I got here.
"Girl, what is your name?" I look her straight in the eyes and she doesn't even flinch, go Senka.
"Kanna ma'am" she spoke strongly and without wavering.
"good work Senka, Kanna I'm impressed, you" I point at her then to the room behind me, "with me. Kanna will be doing the examinations on all six and only Kanna, the rest of you will stay here if you know what's good for you." I waved the girl over and had her follow Senka but proceed me into the room.
I didn't even step into the room before I hear Senka bark followed but a few bangs of what I'm going to guess was bodies jumping back on tables. I groan as I walk into the room, everyone is seated where I left them but Haia has another treat in his mouth, I look at him amused as his tail wags back and forth. I'm glad they have calmed down so quickly; with a smile I take my seat again and watch the techy. She goes around and gathers what she needs, when she is ready, she looks around the room before looking to me. I give no instruction and just watch, she seems smart, and wave my hand at the room to tell her to get on with it. Kanna, a beautiful brunette, green eyed girl of average height and lean build but there is a spark in her eyes that if you look you can see how smart she is. Kanna does a quick scan of the room, focusing on each dog as she goes before walking over to the big black beast, my alpha, Senka, who stood tall and strong. Like I said, smart girl. After Senka she moved to Rika my big calm giant. After Rika was mister treat thief Haia with Senka perched beside him. Echo was easy, being the one who was used to being around people other than me. Once done Haia and Echo came and sat by my side (I had to stop someone from eating all the treats) as Rika and Senka settled by the last two.
Koko and Okemia can be a pain at this stage, I thought I would need to help settle them but while they were angels or fine, they held up as Kanna went through her examinations and called and all clear for everyone they were all seat on the floor.
I was suitably impressed, no one had been able to get through all six without incident. "Kanna pull up a chair." I kick a chair out to her as I walk over to get my bag and make sure the door is locked. Once we are both seated, I look up at her, "Kanna, why is it you're here at an international customs animal check?" she seemed stunned at my question, like no one had shown interest before.
"I love animals and this job is a temporary stop while I'm doing my vet studies." Her answer is honest that much I know but it isn't hopeful, kind of like she doesn't want to be here. I sit back and just watch her. Kanna has dropped her gaze to watch my pack with affection. "what would you say to a government job? You would have to work through a vet clinic while studying but afterwards you would be on a government salary, but you would be working primarily with government animals." I tossed the offer out there, giving myself a note to tell Karasuma later that there is a new candidate for him to look through.
"Why me? Why offer this to me?" she was stunned
"No one has ever done this correctly without prompting and to make it better for at least Koko and Okemia I have had to step in. No one as managed to do what you have, with these guys being mostly wolf or hunting breeds and some with intense trauma." I was calm and straight to the point. I left her to think on it so I could pull out army vests from my bag for each dog. I asked for Karasuma to get them in their coat colours so they wouldn't be as noticeable in the field. Each combat harness vest had a handle I could grip at the top and several pockets along the side. One by one I suited them up and attached strips to the sides to signify working dogs so we could get out without a problem while I was doing this I added on last thing. "You would be working with these guys most of all." I smile and hand over a card with and email and phone for both myself and Karasuma. Karasuma had a lot to do with me and my pack since he took me under his wing after my parents' death as I couldn't be in the public with people still after me.
"When you decide, feel free to call or email Mr K. He may sound gruff and cranky but he's a softy…don't tell him that or who said it okay?" I smile wide and put a finger to my lips, stand up and grab my bag. I look over my shoulder at Kanna one last time before unlocking the door and letting the pack proceed out, giving her a wink before joining them. The site I walk out to find is better than I thought, I am surprised, everyone sitting like they should be except for the growling. It didn't take me long to find the reason. The stupid senior vet was flat on his ass, I don't even want to know why.
"Heel" in a mere second of the command leaving my lips my pack went silent and relaxed but kept their eyes keen and Senka never took his eyes of the idiot. I looked at everyone else present. I groaned "Well since I don't have the time or patience to deal with anymore incompetence today, we will be taking our leave, don't try to stop us." I turn to Kanna "lovely meeting you Kanna, I can't wait until next time." I give a sharp whistle and walk off. Time to get me and the pack home, its only midday but it's been a long day.
We got home about 1800 hours since we walk the whole way and may have taken a detour through the 3-E forest area so yer it probably took a little longer then needed but the pack loved the freedom and I didn't have bike to ride, I had injuries still and I wasn't going to load them into the back of the ute and into the cages after just getting out of the airport and so we walked. By the time we were in the house I had to cave and take some pain meds since I managed to put the injured ankle in a ditch and hit the previously dislocated shoulder on a rock on the way down.
Once home opened the front door, took off all their vests and throwing them on a bench inside the door before I went up to my room. Senka would make sure the door was closed once the last pup was inside for the night. I had laid their food out on the porch before leaving this morning so they were fed, and everything was taken care off so I could finally go for a shower and lay in bed after I got the emails sent off to Karasuma. I kicked off my boots and headed to the shower, leaving a trail of clothes to the door which I closed, I did not want to shower with one of those fluffy beasts again. The hot water took some of the sting from my shoulder and legs while really getting rid of the day's dirt. I didn't know that leaves could get so tangled in my hair or that red dirt (where the hell did, we even find that, in a forest, just outside of Tokyo) could dye white hair so well. Deciding that I had delayed enough I turned off the shower and wrapped a towel around me and walking out into me room. I still had a few things to do so getting dressed in a long shirt and boy shorts, I took my laptop and sat out on the little balcony. I left the glass doors open just as I had the front door and the bedroom door, before seating myself on a metal chair and placing my laptop on the matching table.
It didn't take long for the laptop to power up, so I got to work. I wrote out a quick report detailing the pickup of my pack and the idiots involved, my displeasure on finding people trying to use muzzles and the new college student that could be acceptable for the program to deal with animals like mine for the government. I attached the file to an email tilted THE PACK HAS LANDED though I am sure I'll get shit about it later it still made me smile. I wrote out a quick email as well.
Oi Karasuma,
So yes, the report is attached, and everyone is home safe. Look into a girl Kanna from customs, didn't get a last name whoops, I gave her your info and told her to contact you about being the animal job. She was amazing with the pack.
How is Professor Bitch? I wasn't really awake last time hee-hee
Anyway, don't forget about my bike or the other's requests.
You're a gem Mr K
Your Favourite Pain in The Ass (YES ABOVE KARMA)
Tala Kaida
I laughed oh god I'm going to be in shit about appropriate email content later and send of the email without a fuss. I opened the job I had to do, the class 3-E chat room. They loved the photos I have sent in the past of the pack and it's time to let them know we are all home.
Hey gang so update on my hectic life, for those who don't know I am home, and the pack landed today. Photo to follow later. We will have to catch up soon, 3-E style. So glad to be home
I sent it off and turned the notifications off before closing the chat. No doubt a tone of questions would flood in after but I'm too tired to worry about that now. I had one last thing I needed to do. I opened the chat I had going with Kenma and sent off a quick message.
I'll catch you in a few days, look out for the dog with the waggly tail, he loves to play, and he shares his snacks. Please just you and leave Kuroo behind…. if possible
I closed my laptop and just looked up to the stars. This was the last hurdle I had to climb, Kenma and Kuroo because if I'm being honest then there is no way that Kenma will be able to leave Kuroo behind, he will just be too curious and follow if he doesn't tag along directly but that is a problem to solve another day. A cold breeze and a cold nose pull me from my musings to look down. Okemia had come out and nudged my knee, I look back to the sky once more and lay my hand on his head. "I think after the long day we have had that it's time for bed, hmmm what do you think Mia?" he just lays his head in my lap.
BANG
It was faint enough for me to tell it was the front door, I give Okemia a quick scratch behind the ears before I make my way inside to deposit my laptop on the desk before crawling into bed. It wasn't long before the patter of claws on wooden floors grew closer, Okemia noticed as well and rushed up onto the bed to claim his spot first, curled into my side, his head on my shoulder. It didn't take long for them all to jump up onto the bed, Senka closing the door for me again along with the balcony door that I forgot before curling up at the end of the bed facing the door but still touching my feet. Haia had taken my other side to rest his head on my chest, he looked so dam cute that I just had to scratch behind his ears. Echo had wedged her way under one leg and over my hip where she was resting her head leaving Rika over my other leg and being in the perfect position for a footrest, I used my foot to pat her shoulder. Last is Koko, who had claimed my stomach and resting right next to Echo on my hip. I felt so awkward and uncomfortable, but they had avoided all my injured areas and they got off the plane today after not having been together for a week and a half, so this is a special occasion. Without even realising it I fell asleep to the quiet rumble of my pack.
Lying in bed first thing in the morning with a pack of dogs might be some peoples dream but let me tell you it's hot, stuffy and uncomfortable. I had to wiggle to get them to move and even then, that took half an hour.
"Bloody mutts" it was said with the utmost fondness as I finally roll out of bed. They ended up piled on top of each other in an effort to keep me in bed and I swear if a dog could look proud, that was Haia sitting on top of Senka. Perfect photo op I think, I smirk and snap a quick pic of my doggy pile and head out the door. I made it to the stairs before I heard any movement. Thumps and yelps and growls echoed down the hallway, following Haia as he trotted towards me with his head held high.
"Bacon and eggs for breakfast for the human and raw stakes for my puppies, a good start to the day." I open the fridge and pull out the required items and turn on the stove. I put the eggs and bacon on to cook though I almost knock it off the stove top at a bang behind me. I spin around to see Rika nip at Haia who had tried to get into the fridge. Haia had pushed the fridge door into the bench when he jumped in surprised. I laugh, moving to grab the steaks and (I take another look in the fridge) pork chops, they deserve a treat, before moving out the front door with a quick whistle to the ones still taking their time getting down the stairs. I walk down the line of bowels, dropping meat in as I go. I have to give Haia a good tap on the nose, that boy and his food I swear if I didn't know he could control it when needed he would be going through lots of extra training, but they all have their quirks, annoying or otherwise.
They all sit in front of their food and wait, while they may be closer to wild then domestic, they will have manners and respect me unless it is otherwise needed. I walk back to the door and my breakfast.
"Ithe" was said over my shoulder just as my foot passed the threshold. I flipped my bacon and eggs before jumping up on the counter. I had so much to do today, I need to send Haia off to find Kenma and I may as well get my locker assignment's and such as well as confirming that they were aware of the pack and the presence of them near, and at the school when needed, while always having one there. If there is a problem I may as well sort it out while I was near the school, wouldn't want to get there on the first day and have an issue about it straight up. I have to run past the bakery as well or I might go and see Isogi and get the pie I was after for Kenma and see him at the same time.
God, I hope he still likes apple pie, maybe I can get some fish for Kuroo as well just in case. I was so immersed I'm my thoughts my breakfast was completely burnt to a crisp and had smoke wafting through the kitchen. I sigh, taking the pan off the stove, open the windows and doors, turning on the fan before deciding that I will just go for a shower and get ready. I cleaned off all the fur and tried to wash the rest of the red dirt from my hair hoping to make my hair white again, I swear Tondu is going to love this next time he sees my hair. The dirt has really made my hair red, how the dirt and probably clay did that so well I'm not sure, but anything is possible when it comes to that mountain. Once I'm out of the shower, towel dried my hair and wrapped the towel around me, I walk back into my room and into my walk-in closet. I stop at the door as it occurs to me that I have no idea how it is full of clothes, almost two weeks before I ask that question, gosh I am slow. I scan the little room thinking of what to wear when I spot my old baggy jeans mixed in with some new ones hanging up. I pull them down, grabbed whatever was in the top of my draw of bras and panties and walked out to throw my towel on the desk and start getting dressed.
After I pulled my jeans on, I grabbed my spray and walked out onto the balcony, so I didn't fill my room with aerosol. The pack doesn't like it, and this is not only my place but it's there place as much as it is mine. I listen to the wind in the trees and the absolute silence until my hair started to stand on end from the chill. I rushed back into the closet to find a shirt for today, staying with the comfort theme I pull out my singlet that had just a small-town girl written on the front, it was a bit baggy and loose. I paired it with a red and white assassin's creed hoodie and wasn't that just suitable, I will have to thank who ever made sure that it was in my closet. I throw it on and push the sleeves up to my elbows before taking one last look in the mirror. Everything is loose and casual but still looks good and best of all its comfortable, breathable and I can move. Ill pair it up with my trusty combat boots which I grab and reluctantly make my way downstairs. I drop my boots by the garage door so I could go searching for treats for Haia.
Haia being the most normal looking of the pack and having one of the shortest coats means his collar will be visible and he won't cause as much panic, having a vest with bag hooks that he can remove bags from himself doesn't hurt. I find general snacks and then a bag of his favourite which I will be keeping for myself. He is good but since it's not really work, I don't trust his restraint. They go into a duffel bag along with my wallet and some documents for the school to push the allowance of my puppy of the day. I drop the bag by my boots so I could throw what was supposed to be breakfast out the windows before I close them and turn off the fans. I snagged my ute keys out of the bowl on the bench, grabbed my bag and threw my boots at the front door, I'll put them on after I pull the ute around. I had a black and silver Toyota dule cab ute with a metal tray with chains attached at several spots to clip in the dogs. If I can help it, I prefer to not have them enclosed inside a car, it helps they like the wind in their fur. I pull up in front of the house and jump out to grab my boots, the lead, vest and collar for Haia before sitting on the stairs to pull on my socks and boots then making sure my jeans sit over them.
"Haia come here boy" I call out and it doesn't take long for him to be sitting in front of me on the grass. I give his ears a ruffle and hold up the collar and smirk with a raised eyebrow at his growl. I lean forward, he leans back. I glare, he snarls. I bop him one the nose and he playfully snaps at my finger.
"I know you don't like it but it's just until they know who you are, who you belong to." I was calm and soothing, no one of them like a collar but it is necessary when in public even with the vests unfortunately, it holds all their normal tags with names and number in case some idiot actually decides and manages to catch them on the street. After the collar came the vest and before I even got to say anything he was flying into the back of the ute. I laugh before making my way over to clip him in and head off to the workplace of the prince among men.
I notice that Isogai has his back to me when I walk through the door and decide to pull a little prank, I mean why the hell not. I pull the hood down over my face, walk up to him with silent steps and before someone can warn him of his impending doom I strike, flinging myself onto his back and clinging like a monkey, cackling like the wicked witch of the west. Isogai had braced himself enough at the look on everyone's faces but couldn't do much else.
"How ya doing sir prince among men? Slacking off school I see." I didn't get off his back, but I dropped my chin to his shoulder and loosened my arms and dropped my hood off my head to reveal a big smile.
"Well, you did say you were back," Good old Isogai, no smart remarks just a warm smile, "I have a deal with the school, since my grades are so good, I am aloud one or two days a week off to work but if they drop that stops."
I was surprised he still worked but his family was poor, and we didn't keep a lot of the money from our assassination. The only reason I have so much is because of the post Korosensie work I did.
"Do you want breakfast?" I swear despite his princely standing, he was smirking on the inside. I huffed.
"yes. How did you know?" I thought I got rid of the smoke smell "some apple pie to if you have it um and maybe some grilled salted mackerel." The last bit was quiet and a little mumbled.
"Hey, yer I'm sure we have some if not we can make it. You also still faintly smell of smoke and you could never cook." I pout as he talks to the kitchen to order me breakfast and the food for Kuroo and Kenma. Isogai starts to walk around the restaurant taking and delivering orders, I'm a little surprised I haven't been told to remove myself yet. His next customers come in and he welcomes them by name as he always has but he decided to start introducing me.
"You know me, but this is Kaida Tala and despite her name being very wolf like today she is my monkey helper." I can't even bring myself to dig my heals into his hips, he is just that nice, so I wave and smile before zoning out a little. When he goes to deliver orders that have more than two plates, I hold my hands out over his shoulders, using my elbows on his shoulders to keep stable.
"Load up the helper monkey Prince" I smile wide when I pull a laugh from his co-workers as we walk away with all four hands loaded up with food. After our fourth table we got called back to the kitchen, my order was ready.
"Isogai isn't it time for your break?" a strict looking elder woman from the kitchen said.
"oh, um no I- "he was about to decline when I cut him off.
"You are absolutely right its time he took a break, come Isogai I've got someone who wants to meet you." I grab the three bags, they even put my food in a takeaway container. "Thank you, Oba san you are the best." I finally get of his back and drag him outside to my ute, handed Isogai the bags and jumped up, waking Haia up in the process.
"Haia look who is here." I let Haia off the chain and drop to my ass so I can take the bags from Isogai and dig into a non-burnt bacon and eggs. I peak up from my food and join Isogai in laughing, Isogai didn't get to jump up because Haia was licking his face, paws on his shoulders and his tail moving so fast that his ass is moving. They looked ridiculous.
"Haia down boy." I was never going to get a whistle out while laughing. Haia still sat his but down allowing Isogai to jump up and lean against the cab window next to me.
"He seemed happy to see you." I dug straight back into my food as Haia laid down, dropping his head into Isogai lap with an ever-moving tail. I didn't take long for me to eat my breakfast and turn back to Isogai and his best friend with a fond smile on my face.
"Your boss is pretty cool, letting you out to chill with the girl who attacked you at work." I was said as a statement, but you could tell it was full of questions. Isogai looked up from Haia and nodded.
"I saw your message last night. I thought you might come in and we all know what your like when you feel mischievous." He was playful and his tone a little teasing. "can I ask what the pie and fish is for?"
I leaned back and looked at the sky, "A peace offering. You guys were lucky, after everything we went through, I didn't have to lie to you guys, but there are others who didn't have that privilege." My smile turns insecure as my head drops, very nervous about the rest of the day. I felt his hand in my hair, I whine and bat his hand away making him laugh. It seems like he's going to drop the topic. "How has this guy been? Senka to."
"Well, Senka is the same, you know, still stubborn and loyal while able to keep the others under control. Haia on the other hand, well this little annoyance is still a pain and loves to eat, I took my eyes off him for a second when I got them from the airport, and he had his head in my bag pulling out treats." We both laugh and Haia huffs, I swear they know when I am talking about them.
We talked for another ten minutes before I let him get back to work. He jumped out of the ute and I followed after I clipped Haia up again and grabbed the bags before he could stick his nose in them.
"I am sure I'll see you soon. No doubt Karma or Rio will drag in Nagisa to get us all together, I might be able to drag Karasuma into the fray and have a full 3-E reunion." I give him a hug, but he doesn't let me pull away, he gives an extra Squeeze.
"If anything goes wrong today, call anyone of us. I'm sure all will be fine though." He finally lets me go with a smile. I wave him off as I get in the ute, time to face the last of my bad decisions.
I park the ute and sat in the driver's seat, looking out at Nakoma high, my school for the next two years. I must have sat there to long because I hear a thump behind me. Shaking my head, I grab my duffel bag that had Kenma and Kuroo's peace offering and the lead for Haia that I pull out once I lock the car. I unclip him and he sits in front of me, nudging me.
"Well, Haia time to face the music, I wonder how this will go." I rub his head and clip the lead onto the vest, leaving it slack as he jumps out before walking into the office. It was a cosy office for such a big school. I can't say I didn't expect it to be a little blander and more uninviting. There is no one at the desk so I ring the tiny bell and sit down, Haia sitting between my legs. I waited about fifteen minutes before someone came out. They took one look at me and saw Haia before realising who I was.
"Oh, you must be Kaida Tala, I could have sworn that you didn't start until next week." She seemed a bit confused that I was here a few days earlier then I was supposed to start.
"I am do start next week, I am just here to make sure everything was set up properly, get my locker allocation and sort out any issues there maybe regarding my canine companions."
"oh, right yes so in relation to the dogs, we were told that you would have at least one of them with you at all times, yes?" she looked up at me asking me to verify.
"That would be correct, Haia here is one of them." I answer swiftly waiting for the next one.
"We need to know how many you have in total, breeds, ages, the precautions that will be implemented while they are here and if there will be any more than one at the school at a time. All of this will be registered for the sake of easy identification in case of an incident." I frowned, I can't give her all the information they are after for the reasons they want it and precautions; do they think they will attack someone. I frown at her and put the duffel up on the desk and pull out the papers that Irina gave me to hand over if they were wanting to have things logged into the computer, that was a big no no for a government hired tracker.
"you are not allowed to enter any of their information into any computer system. You can have these and that is all the information I can allow but only after the waiver are singed to guarantied none of this will be scanned into a computer or copied and shared." I look right at her and smirked, "without these singed you get none of the information you are after and as for precautions, they are trained government dogs, they will have leads for the busy and crowed halls but as long as no one tries anything stupid everything will be fine." I smirk, she does not like this at all, "as for identification, if it is needed, they each have a vest harness and all six of them will no doubt show up here at some point, separately or all at once."
She tried to tell me that it was unacceptable and that they would have to have a muzzle on while in the school. I refused, I didn't want to get to over the top since it can be very frightening or so I'm told but I was getting fed up and frustrated. "ENOUGH," I take a deep breath and slowly let it out, "that is enough, I'm sure you're the last one to be told any of this since you- "I didn't get to keep going as the principle walked out of his office, he took one look at us and seemed to understand.
"I trust Kaida san that if something happened with your dogs that you would own up immediately and fix the issue?" I nod, "you will have control over them?" Nod "then I guess there won't be a problem. And we won't need extra information, I was contacted by one Irina Jelavic this morning regarding you and your companions."
I smile, if anyone could get their way with a man it is Professor Bitch. "Well, if that was all I would like to get my locker allocation so I can get my lock on it and this idiot has a job to do today, I apologise if he causes a ruckus on campus." I smile sweetly, the receptionist clears her throat and hands over the locker info and I'm on my way out the door just as the bell rings.
"All right Haia here you need to find this boy, Kenma," I pull a photo out of my bag and show him while holding up a bag with a yellow tag before hanging it on his vest, "give him this one. And if this guy Kuroo, is with him give him the other one." I repeat the process with a picture of Kuroo and the bag of fish then I hold up the last bag with treats in it, "and this one is for you but only after you find them okay. See if Kenma will follow you out okay but either way come back to the ute at when the bell rings" I hang all the bags on his vest, his on the right the others on the left. I let him into the school building "Seek" and off he trots while I try and find my locker.
I am a good boy; I will not eat the treats I can smell until after I deliver my goodies. I peak into each room on this level and I can't find the boy miss asked me to find. I lick my lips, my treats are right there, as I ascend the stairs to level two. I'm poking my nose into doors and moving around other people. They try to touch me, but I am either to fast in my awesome evasion skills or they notice I am wearing my vest and this god forsaken collar. Looking up and down the hallway I have only a few rooms left on this floor. I go to look in the next room when someone tries to touch me. I dash away from him and get a good look at the culprit. He's tall and looks like he has a rooster on his head, a black one. A bed headed rooster I huff a little, a cyclops bed headed rooster. I shake my head, I have a job to do, though he looks like the second photo miss showed me. I sniff and take a step or two closers to him but prance away when he tries to touch me. I'll find him later; I have a pudding head to find. I turn away and investigate the room like I was going to before I was distracted and he reaches for me again, jackpot. I race off towards pudding head, I think I remember miss calling him Kenma, just intime to the cyclops went to reach for me again. I slide to a stop next to the boy and sit down so I can reach back and pull a bag from my vest, the one with the yellow tag. I pop it on the floor and nudge him to get attention.
"Kenma do you know this dog?" its cyclops again. The boy next to me, I know it Kenma for sure now, jumps and looks at me. I pick up the bag, tail wagging and drop it in his lap but he just stares at me, I tilt my head, why is he staring at me. First job done my tail wags back and forth. I pull the second bag and drop it at cyclops feet before finally digging into my bag of treats now that the most important part is finished.
"Kenma, do you know this dog?" I jump startled, to focused on my game. I look down to see a red, white and black tri coloured dog drop a bag in my lap.
"I've never seen him before." I stare as I realise what just happened, a dog gave me food, and Kuroo to if the bag just dropped at his feet is any indication. "maybe he's your friend." I can't help but tease him, even more so when he looks so put out.
"he wouldn't come near me in the hallway." God he's whining. I open the bag and inside is, apple pie, in bite sized pieces. "Kuroo what is in your bag?" I ask a little urgently. He pulls out a container and opens it, takes a bite off some sort of fish square. His eyes widen in surprise.
"it's like grilled salted mackerel pike but bite size pieces."
I look down at the dog beside my desk, a dog with a waggly tail that likes to share his treats, that is what she said. "Would you say that it would be your favourite treat?" I asked Kuroo but I didn't get an answer before the bell went and Kuroo had to go back to class. The strange dog got up at the bell and walked out with his treats back on his vest. I couldn't afford to miss the next class and follow the strange dog either, it was then that I saw that dog again from the window only this time there was someone there. I couldn't see their face because of the hood up over their head but it had to be her.
I was able to dodge everyone's questions and find my locker easily enough. I was still relatively crowded when I slammed the lock into place, I was a chunky thing, but it will do the job if I need to keep things in there that shouldn't be seen at school. I was about to turn and find my class when I saw Haia play keep away from a tall black bed head kid before darting into the room. I giggled, that pup of mine was so silly sometimes, but he always got the job done. Shaking my head, I needed to find my classroom. Following the signs from above the doors and what do you know, I'm in the same room as Kenma. I smiled and walked off. I'll see him soon enough. I walk outside to await Haia and then the final bell.
School may have been finished for a while, but I waited until the campus had emptied of everyone not doing club activities before hoping out of the ute to find Kenma and probably Kuroo.
"Alright Haia lets go find them." He looks up at me, hearing the nervousness leaking into my voice. "it's alright bud this needs to be done, it's only fair." With a rub around his ears and a nod from me it doesn't take long for him to be speeding off to find his prize. Twisting around buildings and hiding from people he comes to a stop in front of a gym, of course how could I forget, volleyball. I walk around the corner and sit on the ground, Haia rests his head on my knees, tongue hanging out as I riffle through my bag looking for my PSP and switch.
"okay Haia here is what I need you to do, I need you to lure out Kenma, you can have fun just don't take too long okay. If he won't follow, find his bag and he will have something like this inside, take it and run straight to me." He was sitting by now all serious like making me smile. "here let me just take this off," I remove the collar, I didn't want to give anyone a chance to grab him, "Retrieve Kenma boy, go" I watch him make a slow walk over to the gym doors. He stops and sits for a bit then jumps, bumping a ball back into the gym.
Well, I said he could play for a bit. It happened a few times before I heard silence in the gym. "Hey, it's that dog we saw at lunch today."
"he was looking into the rooms all over the place."
"KENAM?!" that must have been Kuroo yell,
"I've never seen him move so fast."
I heard running, heavy footfalls and soft padded ones, Kenma must have taken off after Haia. I pull myself up so I could lean on the wall instead of sitting on the ground. My nerves were getting the better of me, looking around for a way out, the end of the building to far, the strut is too high. They were getting closer and closer with each second and I just wanted to flee, runaway and never deal with their hate. I take a deep breath as Haia slides to a stop (seriously how does he do that so well) right beside me, I look up and Kenma is standing frozen a mere five steps from me. I don't know what to say, I wanted to say something, but the words won't leave my mouth even to say hi, "nice hair?" I came out sounding like a question and I freeze, who says that after four years, before I can even think of how to babble Kenma barrels into me leaving me breathless.
His hand comes up and I flinch, expecting to be slapped but he just rests his head on my face, I open my eyes to see Kenma shocked at my reaction.
"It is you, you're really here. It's okay I'm not mad." I seemed to find my words then.
"how can you not be mad? How? After everything I did?" I wasn't yelling yet, but I was close to crying, I made him think I was dead for four years and him and Kuroo how can he not hate me.
"After everything you did to keep us safe for four years, I am sure I am aloud to not be mad." I can't say anything, I just clutch at him and cry. I didn't expect this at all, I expected anger or something. "You told me everything already remember, and I have had time to simmer, be angry and move on. I cried when I first realised it was you. You were alive, my friend was alive."
"Kenma what are you doing running from training? Huuh" I knew that voice, Kuroo, "Kenma has a girl huh?"
I tense but don't move, maybe he won't know who I am…...neither Kenma nor I say a word at his teasing tone. I'm sure it would look like such since I was practically hugging the poor boy to death. I hadn't realised I was shaking and breathing rapidly until I felt my head tipped back so my face wasn't pressed into his chest. Kenma stares straight into my eyes, I froze. Give me criminals chasing me with guns, easy, give me friends who thought I was dead, panic.
"Tala" it was soft, and I almost didn't hear it. My head snapped around to look at Kuroo, standing there watching us. I go to move away from Kenma and run but I fall over my feet and my back hits the wall. Kuroo looks to Kenma then back to me, "Kenma said you would be back, that you were alive." He takes a pause to breath in, he goes to take a step forward but that triggers Haia into action, he goes to protect. I lunge at him, not thinking straight, he redirects from Kuroo to my arm. I hiss as I feel his teeth pierce my arm.
"Release Haia." I growl a little at the end causing Haia to release my arm and he lays at my feet. He knows what he did wrong.
The two boys were shocked still at the action. I think he should be removed from the situation completely. "Haia," he looks up at me and I point to the way Kuroo came from, "Guard and no nipping." He goes and lays down a few meters from Kuroo, ears flicking every now and then.
"You're here," Kuroo walked towards me, looking back at Haia in case he goes to lunge again but it didn't take long until he was pulling me in for a hug, tight and relieved. I sniffle a little, I really wasn't expecting everything to go so well. I thought there would be yelling, balls thrown or something. "your home." I smile, Kuroo was right, Kenma was right.
"I am home and I'm staying," I pull back to look up at a face I haven't seen in five years at least, longer in person, "and your stuck with me." I smile up at him before tuning to look at Kenma, "you specially are stuck with me." They look like they couldn't care less. The emotional rollercoaster finally catches up with me and I slump back into Kuroo, he's warm. I feel his chest move as he laughs, I look up questioningly.
"Your welcome Tala," another chuckle "you thought out loud." You could probably see the giant OH written all over my face. I wipe the last of my tears from my eyes, straighten up and try to pull away. It didn't work.
"Where do you think you are going, koinu?" I look up at him in horror
"Puppy you just called me a bloody puppy." I shake my head, deciding to leave it alone for now. "Don't you have training to get back to?" I look between both; their faces fell a little. I didn't want them to go but before anyone got to say anything, I heard Ritsu.
"Tala, Tala." I looked down at my duffel bag. Slipping away from Kuroo I pull my phone out. it was already on and Ritsu was waving through the screen.
"Hey Ritsu," sniffle, "where is the fire?"
"are you okay?" Despite being an AI, Ritsu was as much of our class as everyone else, she was pretty much human after Korosensie fixed her up, I swear she shows more emotion than most people I know. "I am fine Ritsu, actually better then fine," I look over to Kenma and Kuroo with a smile, "so what is the emergency?" I should also say she is more intuitive than most people. She looks at me, studying me. She pulls up a video of my place, it appears that someone finally got the address from Itona or Ritsu. Running across the front yard, being chased by most of the pack, is Karma, Rio, Terasaka and Yoshida. If you look closely, my two favourite snipers we are hiding in trees and Itona, Shiota and Sugino were sitting on the veranda with Senka laying at the steps, all relaxed, and the rest chasing anyone who moves.
I cover my mouth to hold in giggles, they looked ridiculous being rounded up and herded by the pack. My shoulders started to shake and tears welling up again. Kuroo touched my shoulder with Kenma right beside him and I couldn't hold it in anymore, I burst out laughing. Full belly laugh, bent over, loud and proud sort of laughing.
"Ritsu …...Tablet" I gasped out ad fumbled to pull out a tablet to show the boys. Kuroo joined me seconds later with his hyena like laugh. Kenma smiles his little smile. finally calm enough I take another look and decide they will be fine. Itona is there and they know who he is and with Senka being calm like he is there won't be a problem. That seemed to be just what we needed though.
"Thanks, Ritsu I think we needed that. They took longer than I thought to try and get in, but they will be fine, Senka isn't worried about them so I'll leave them to their fate. Was there anything else that was needed?" I ask, watching Ritsu add little flame trails to copied video.
"Mr K sent an email but it's not overly important it can wait."
"You know if you weren't a friend, I might have found that really creepy. Thanks, Ritsu, I'll call off the hounds later if they don't get bored in a few hours." I heard a laugh from my phone before it turned off. Leaning back against the wall, I checked on Haia. He was standing with his ears alert and tail up and his head in line with his body. It didn't take long to hear what had him up.
"I swear I heard his laugh from this direction, coach is looking for him again."
"Captain can't even stay at training."
"Haia, here boy, well it looks like your needed elsewhere Captain." Haia trots over and I put everything back in the bag, I groan I don't want to get up. I place my bag on Haia, clipping it to each end of the vest and making sure it's zipped up properly. I stand up and stumble into Kuroo who was squatting inn front of me.
"You are coming to training." It was a statement of fact and I had no energy to fight him on it so I just flop over his back, put my feet on his hips to push myself up before I latch them around his stomach. One hand is held out for Kenma, he takes it and keeps playing on his phone with the other. I lay my head in Tetsu's famous bed hair with my arm wrapped around his neck. It really doesn't take long before I drift to sleep to the sway of Kuroo's walk as we went back to the gym.
I fade in and out of sleep for a while until I come to see a peculiar sight, they were training but it seemed that Haia was passing back and forth with someone, wait are they competing with Haia? I blink and no that is really happening.
"She's here…. been hard…. sleep…. call you…." I heard more mumblings and a hand in my hair. I just can't take my eyes of Haia.
"Who is that and what are he and Haia doing?" my voice is a little sleepy still, but god am I curious.
"Well, the dog of yours started to bump balls back to the players so they made a game out of making it harder and harder until Yaku wanted to see who would last longer. That guy out there is Yaku, he is our libero."
The answer didn't come from above me like I expected but from beside me and was extremely amused. I tip my head back to look who was beside my head to find a young-looking kid with spiked up brown hair and a big smile that looked so happy and energetic even though I am sure they have been run ragged this afternoon. "Pity animals can't play. Oh, I'm Inuoka, first year." He grins down at me and it's so cute and full of innocence that I just have to smile back.
"He will need more stamina to keep up with Haia, but you can borrow him occasionally if he doesn't have something to do." I look over at the pair and laugh as Haia sticks his tongue out the front of his snout, between his teeth.
"Cheeky shit." It said under my breath with a giggle but Kuroo and Inu still hear me, and both have a laugh.
"mmm who was on the phone Kuro?" I keep watching my pup keep that ball in the air.
"Some ass Tokala. I said I'd tell you he called but I wasn't going to make you call him back." Kuroo sounded very put out about Toka but hearing him be described as an ass was so spot on that I choked on air.
"He is an ass; I'll text him later he can wait for a call until tomorrow." I yawn and stretch making my back pop, but I arched my back to much and fell off the seat with a crash and a yelp making all eyes turn to our little group. I feel feet on my back, oh he so is not using me as a foot stool.
"AAH being able to stretch my legs is nice thanks Tala." Not two seconds later he goes flying back with a ball in his face. Que gym wide laughter.
"Haia come here we better get going." I pull myself up off the floor and give Kuroo a hand up, "You and Kenma want a ride home? I can wait for to be finished."
"No need to wait they can do without me for one day. Oi Kenma we are heading out." Kenma doesn't even look up as we walk out of the gym toward the ute, Tetsu having gotten both of their bags.
It didn't take long to get to their place from the school and I pull up with in ten minutes.
"We are really glad your back Tala. Don't go disappearing on us again okay." Tetsu was soft spoken for once in his life. "I won't do so on purpose that I can promise." And that was really all I could promise. One thing I learnt is that the past doesn't always stay there, my work over the last few years has just made leaving the past where it belongs all that harder.
"when we have time, movie night at my place. Kenma you'll love it I promise." I look in the rear-view mirror at him, seeing him nod I turn back to Kuroo.
"It's a deal. Don't forget." I grin and shake my head; he would never let me forget it that's for sure. He ruffles my hair as he gets out and pulls their bags from the back seat. I rush out of the ute and pull him in to a hug, today really had gone better than I could have hoped, and I couldn't have asked for anything better. I felt arms go around me and a hand patting my hair and a head on my shoulder. Kenma had put his phone down and lent on my shoulder.
"I missed you guys." I bury myself in them for a moment before pulling away. "you two need to get inside, I'm sure you will be asked lots of questions if your seen out here with a chick and her truck." I duck my head and push them toward their houses. They finally give in and leave, it was time to get myself and Haia home.