Lupine

Disclaimer: I do not own Haikyuu!.

Warnings: Hurt/Comfort, Drama

Pairings: Hinata x Bokuto, Bokuto x Akaashi, Akaashi x Kuroo, Hinata x Kozume, Hinata x Miya Atsumu, Hinata x Miya Osamu, Hinata x Miya Atsumu x Miya Osamu, Haiba x Yaku, Kozume x Kuroo, Kuroo x Tsukishima, Kuroo x Bokuto, Kuroo x Akaashi x Bokuto, Sugawara x Sawamura, Iwaizumi x Oikawa, Sugawara x Sawamura x Iwaizumi x Oikawa, Oikawa x Hinata, Shimizu x Atsumu, Shimizu x Osamu, Atsumu x Shimizu x Osamu, Kageyama x Atsumu, Kageyama x Osamu, Kageyama x Atsumu x Osamu, Atsumu x Kageyama x Shimizu x Osamu, Kageyama x Shimizu, Kageyama x OC, Bokuto x Kuroo x OC, Hinata x Kozume x OC, Atsumu x Osamu x OC, Hinata x Akaashi, Hinata x Kuroo, Hinata x Bokuto x Kuroo x Akaashi, Hinata x Kozume x Kuroo, Hinata x Bokuto x Akaashi x Kuroo x Kozume

Plot: The pack celebrates the expected arrival of Akemi at Hinata's baby shower.

Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics


Ch 31: Attune

Kageyama wasn't that surprised to discover Osamu and Shimizu had bonded. He had sensed how close they were becoming, and he knew his sister well enough to realize she was falling in love. He accepted it quietly, unable to speak about it much more than that without losing himself to disassociation. He needed time to process the sudden reality of the situation, and so he distanced himself from his sister and Osamu, and chose to spend time with Atsumu and Hinata instead.

Atsumu and Osamu didn't linger in the city for long, and after about a week of respite they returned to the countryside, continuing to work diligently on their packmates' new homes. Shimizu was busy with her flower shoppe and caring for Artemis, and while Kageyama did his part in watching over their son whenever he was needed, there was a tangible rift between them that was noticeable even to Artemis.

Hinata watched over the pup carefully, spending time with Artemis and Kageyama whenever he could. He played with him happily, coloring with him and introducing him to watercolor painting, watching movies together and snuggling on the couch under a heated blanket, taking naps while Kageyama worked on writing new songs.

At twenty-four weeks, Hinata was beginning to experience a plethora of new symptoms as Akemi continued to grow, and after several doctor visits it was determined that a previous spinal injury from his car wreck was the prominent cause. The doctor recommended physical therapy, along with therapeutic massage and chiropractic visits. Luckily enough for Hinata, he had packmates who were well equipped to handle just those sorts of things. Now that Bokuto had completed his degree and held his official license as a professional masseur Hinata was able to enjoy all the massages he liked.

Sugawara had a table specifically designed for pregnant clientele that he happily let Bokuto borrow, and Bokuto arranged the table in their living room behind one of the couches so Hinata could enjoy a massage while his bondmates spent time with him, watching movies or cooking in the kitchen, happily doting upon him and Akemi.

The pain he had experienced that night while baking cookies in the kitchen with Artemis hadn't returned, and the fear of the unknown gradually faded from all of their minds with the doctor's reassurances. Alpha pups were known to be rather rowdy as they continued to grow, and it was almost a certainty that Hinata had experienced a particularly rough kick that night, nothing more.

At twenty-six weeks, Kozume's mother came to visit to check on Hinata and the baby. It was the first time Hinata and Bokuto had seen her since first meeting her during their idyll. She greeted them happily this time, warm and friendly, hugging Hinata carefully before fussing over his rounded belly, the omega laughing cheerily and thanking her for her concerns. Kozume watched their interactions closely, perking his ears up with a soft smile. His mother stayed with them for a few days before departing, promising to come visit them all again once Akemi was born.

As Hinata reached his third trimester, Akaashi and Sugawara announced the date of Hinata's baby shower, inviting all of their friends and packmates to come. They held the party at the restaurant near the café, the same restaurant where they had gathered the night Oikawa had claimed his life. They filled that place with new memories, bright, happy laughter and warmth and love. Artemis helped Hinata unwrap his presents one by one, Skye and Rue playing with bits of wrapping paper and ribbon under Iwaizumi and Sawamura's watchful eyes, Kuroo and Akaashi sitting together nearby and watching over the babies happily. Akaashi's baby bump was just now starting to show, and Kuroo couldn't stop petting over his tummy and kissing at his shoulders lovingly, the omega sighing and tilting his face up to nuzzle under his jaw, Kuroo crooning softly and keeping him close.

Sugawara and Kozume brought out Hinata's cake, the omega pausing to make a wish before blowing out the candles, everyone clapping and cheering excitedly before Kozume began to cut the cake. Artemis tugged at Kageyama's shirt, pointing towards the cake and whispering happily, "That's the color I picked out! Do you like it? Is it pretty?"

"It's very pretty." Kageyama chucked softly, petting between his ears, glancing up and meeting Shimizu's eyes as she leaned a little closer, smiling sweetly.

"Kenma told me what a big helper you are! You've been learning all sorts of recipes over at Shouyou's, haven't you?" She tucked some of her hair away from her cheek while leaning down to nuzzle Artemis' forehead, the movement causing her shirt to shift just enough that Kageyama caught a glimpse of her mark. He ducked his ears back a bit, swallowing thickly, Shimizu glancing up and meeting his eyes with a happy smile, her expression falling a bit. "Tobio?"

"It's nothing." Kageyama said quietly, not meeting her eyes. He turned his attention to Hinata instead, his expression smoothing as the omega licked stray icing from his fingertips and tilted his face up for a kiss, Kozume dipping down to kiss him slowly before pulling away, Hinata's expression pure unadulterated warmth.

After the baby shower as the packmates parted ways, Yamaguchi and Tsukishima lingered to speak with Haiba and Yaku, the betas conversing back and forth quietly, laughing together and making plans for an upcoming game night. Kozume overheard them, taking a few steps closer and adding to their conversation, the betas nodding and giving little waves before wandering towards the parking lot, Kozume returning to Hinata and Bokuto with a little smile.

"I offered to have us host game night, so Shouyou will be comfortable at home and won't have to miss out on spending time with everyone."

"That's a great idea!" Bokuto grinned, helping Akaashi clean up plates and wrapping paper while Kuroo watched over Skye and Rue, Iwaizumi and Sugawara speaking together quietly from a short distance away while Sawamura took a few moments to speak with Kageyama privately. Shimizu watched from Hinata's side, Artemis in her lap as he examined one of Hinata's presents, a series of teething toys in different shapes and sizes.

Hinata watched Sawamura and Kageyama as well, leaning a little closer to Shimizu while asking softly, "Has anything changed between the two of you?"

She shook her head slowly, her brow pinching a bit. "No, not really. He still feels distant. He won't talk to me. At least, not like he used to."

Hinata hummed quietly, patting Shimizu's arm gently while whispering, "Give him some time. He loves you very much. There's probably a part of him that thought he would be the one to bond with you someday, and he's still coming to terms with that."

"I know." Shimizu said quietly, ducking her ears back and nuzzling into Artemis' soft, dark hair. "I just want him to understand I'm not trying to replace him. I just…" She glanced over to meet Hinata's eyes. "I love Osamu too."

Hinata nodded, smiling gently and squeezing her arm. "I know, Kiyoko. I know how much you care about him, what he means to you."

Shimizu nodded, closing her eyes and resting her cheek against Artemis' crown, murmuring, "I'm so thankful to have all of you. I couldn't imagine doing this without you. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your pack, a part of your lives. I can never thank you enough for your love and acceptance. It means everything. To both of us."

"Of course." Hinata said gently, leaning closer to press a kiss to her cheek. "Thank you for accepting our invitation. We are happy to have you both." He dropped his voice a little before adding, "I'm excited for you and Osamu to celebrate your bond with the world. Whenever you're ready."

Shimizu smiled gently, a soft hitch of breath escaping her as she laughed, the beta nodding and taking Hinata's hand. "Thank you Shouyou, for everything."

The packmates parted ways, Hinata inviting Kageyama over to spend time with him while working on new watercolor paintings, the beta hesitant to join him until Bokuto and Kozume voiced their own invitations as well.

"We would love for you to spend time with Shouyou." Kozume agreed, offering Kageyama a warm smile. "Especially while we're out."

"We don't like to leave him alone for long." Bokuto agreed, the Alpha stepping closer to lean over Hinata and offer the omega a soft kiss, Hinata giggling softly and purring as he watched his mates affectionately, petting over Bokuto's forearm back and forth.

Hinata met Kageyama's eyes, perking his ears up and tilting his head slightly. "Maybe you could work on music while I'm painting? I'd love to listen while you practice."

Kageyama hesitated a moment longer, glancing towards Shimizu, dipping back his ears a bit. She smiled at him sweetly, nodding her consent. "Artemis and I will spend some time at the park before heading home to start dinner. You can stay with Shouyou for as long as you'd like."

Kageyama let out a soft exhale, meeting Hinata's eyes again and gradually nodding. The omega smiled cheerily, resting his hands atop his belly and purring softly while Bokuto and Kozume doted on him, giving him kisses and petting his upper back and between his ears before finally going their separate ways.

Hinata and Kageyama hailed a cab, then stopped by Kageyama's townhouse first to pick up his guitar and a few notebooks before heading to Hinata's apartment, the omega humming to himself happily and looking out the window of the cab, perking his ears towards a certain restaurant as they passed.

He inhaled softly, reaching over and taking Kageyama's hand, squeezing his fingers tightly. Kageyama perked up his ears as well, following Hinata's gaze and realizing almost instantly what had caused the omega's sudden silence.

Hinata exhaled a soft breath, tilting his face up and meeting Kageyama's eyes.

"This is where we first met."

Kageyama's ears pivoted to the side before perking again, the beta inhaling quietly before exhaling slowly, tightening his hold on Hinata's fingers and searching his eyes. He didn't know what to say, so he leaned closer and pressed their lips together gently, Hinata smiling and kissing him back with a shaky sigh, never loosening his grip on Kageyama's hand.

Once they reached Hinata's apartment and ventured into Hinata's bedroom, Kageyama was speechless at the plethora of watercolor paintings scattered here and there beneath the sunlight, waiting to dry. He set his guitar case beside the bed, stepping closer to examine the paintings Hinata had been working on most recently, the beta perking his ears up and reaching out to brush his fingertips along the edge of one of those damp, colorful paintings.

"You're painting Artemis?"

Hinata smiled, humming and nodding while gesturing towards the album resting nearby. "You can look through the others too, if you'd like?"

Kageyama reached for the portfolio, opening it carefully, his eyes widening at the various paintings of Artemis. Captured moments of his son smiling and laughing, playing with Bokuto, baking with Kozume, backdrops of sunshine and grass and flowers. Some paintings were of Artemis with Shimizu, some with Rue and Skye. In every picture Artemis' eyes were vivid and beautiful, sometimes a dark, storm grey, other times a brilliant blue.

"His eyes remind me of the sea." Hinata murmured softly, pressing against Kageyama's side, perking his ears up and watching as Kageyama continued flipping through the album slowly. "He reminds me so much of you."

Beyond the paintings of Artemis, there were clusters of paintings with Shimizu. Some with Kozume and Bokuto, others with Atsumu and Osamu. There were many where she was simply by herself, a backdrop of her flower shoppe or her garden surrounding her with endless colors. It took Kageyama's breath away, seeing her smile, seeing those gentle expressions he loved and knew so well. Hinata must have spent hours with her to have captured her emotions so perfectly, the beta blinking away a hint of tears before looking down at Hinata once more.

"Did you paint these at her shop? While she was working?"

Hinata smiled brightly, laughing a little and turning towards the bookshelf nearby, patting the digital camera sitting there affectionately. "I take pictures beforehand typically! Then I pick out my favorites, and render paintings from there." He bit his lip, casting his eyes across the drying paintings before adding, "I guess I'm copying Toru in that way. He was an amazing photographer."

Hinata's eyes fell on the laptop sitting at the corner of the table, the omega taking a few steps forward and reaching out to type in his password, opening a list of folders and scrolling before finding what he was looking for.

"I have a whole album dedicated to you."

He stepped back to allow Kageyama closer, the beta arching his brow a bit while asking, "You've taken pictures of me?"

Hinata hummed thoughtfully, "Not as many as I would have liked, but I've snapped a few here or there." He smiled to himself secretly as Kageyama explored, scrolling through pictures of Hinata's bonding ceremony, courtesy of Alisa, as well as a few other photos gifted from Shimizu, Osamu, and Atsumu.

Kageyama lingered on the picture that Atsumu had taken, remembering the night they had spent curled up in bed together, Kageyama blushing lightly and biting his lip absently, letting out a quiet sigh.

Hinata smoothed his hand along Kageyama's arm, teasing his fingertips against the beta's wrist before asking, "Will you let me take some pictures of you today? While you're playing your guitar?"

Kageyama looked down to meet Hinata's eyes, holding his gaze for a long moment before nodding. One of his biggest regrets in life was never taking photos with Mala'chai before he died. He didn't have the heart to deny Hinata what he wanted, and watching the way Hinata's face lit up as he agreed made Kageyama's heart soar.

Hinata didn't pick up his camera right away, content to finish the final touches on a previous painting while Kageyama settled down on his bed and tuned his guitar, opening a notebook and thumbing through it quietly. He found the page he was looking for, strumming slowly and humming to himself before making a few notes, reviewing the chords carefully. He was quiet for a while, then once he was satisfied with his work he started playing the melody from the beginning.

He had written partial verses and melodies for several songs recently. One song in particular was starting to come along quite smoothly, but he still hadn't managed to put words to the chorus and final verses, and so he sang the opening to himself under his breath, closing his eyes and simply listening to his burgeoning creation.

Hinata smiled to himself as he painted, his ears twitching slightly towards the sound of Kageyama's guitar, the omega pausing now and then to simply listen to the melody. He tried to envision what emotions Kageyama was trying to express with his music and lyrics, glancing back at him now and then and watching his expressions, his posture and finger placements. He started working on the outline sketch of another painting, waiting patiently until Kageyama was completely focused on his work before fetching his camera from the bookshelf and fixing the beta in his sights.

Kageyama wasn't certain how much time passed before he realized Hinata was watching him, glancing up and meeting his reflection in the lens of the camera just as Hinata captured another shot. The omega peeked around his camera with a smile, perking his ears up and nodding lightly, beckoning Kageyama to continue his strumming and quiet singing as if he wasn't there. Kageyama held his eyes for a moment longer before exhaling a soft breath of laughter, casting his eyes towards his notebook and thumbing through the pages absently before finding another song he had been working on.

This song was not his own. This song had originally been written by Chai.

He knew only parts of the song from memory, and he filled in the gaps with his own variations of the melody until the sound threaded together seamlessly. Hinata drew a little closer as Kageyama began to sing, finding a different angle to capture the beta's expressions as his voice deepened into something low and soft, half of his face bathed in golden sunlight.

"It's been so long…
And tin cans and string for years
Is all that we've known…
"

Hinata perked his ears up, pausing and lowering his camera slightly, watching Kageyama with an unreadable expression.

"Could it be you're really here?"

Hinata stared at Kageyama with wide eyes, his breath caught in his throat. He perked his ears up, his grip on his camera tightening as the melody shifted and began to swell like the tide. It was heart-rending, and filled with emotion. There was a story there, a story that Hinata didn't know.

He suddenly realized he had heard the melody before.

"'Cause my eyes are open~
And everything still moves in slow motion~
Breathless and blue,
And behind your eyes, the sea~
Oceans of light envelop me…
"

"Tobio." Hinata called quietly, Kageyama meeting his eyes and arching his brow at the emotions twisting Hinata's face. His fingers stilled, the sound of his guitar fading as he moved the instrument aside and shifted closer to the omega watching him, reaching out to take one of Hinata's hands.

"Hey, are you okay? Is something wrong?"

Hinata was watching him quietly, not sure what to say. He hesitated, then carefully set his camera aside, reaching for his phone and drawing it from his pocket with a shaky exhale.

He pulled up his text messages, scrolling through his previous conversations, finding the one he was searching for with Yamaguchi when they'd spoken of it weeks ago.

He met Kageyama's eyes, squeezing his hand tightly and pausing a moment before asking, "Can you promise me you'll try to stay calm?" He worried his bottom lip, dipping his ears back a bit while searching Kageyama's eyes. "I need to show you something."

Kageyama pinched his brow a bit, watching Hinata closely. "Yeah? What is it?"

Hinata turned his phone around, offering Kageyama the conversation, pointing to Yamaguchi's question below the video clip. "A few weeks ago Yamaguchi sent me this. He wanted to know if I'd ever heard of this song before." He pulled back his fingers slightly, watching Kageyama worriedly while asking, "The song you were singing just now, those are your original lyrics right? No one else would know them?"

Kageyama was barely listening, his fingers trembling as he began watching the playback of the recording, that same haunting melody whispering back to him from the near pitch-black video.

"It's been so long…"

Hinata shifted a little closer, watching Kageyama's expressions closely. "Tobio?"

Kageyama jerked slightly as Hinata reached up and cupped his face, petting over his cheek soothingly, the beta exhaling and shaking his head, twisting towards the open notebooks resting at his side. He pulled one closer, Hinata looking down at the worn notebook, noticing the handwriting was different than Kageyama's.

"I didn't-" His breath hitched on a sob, "I didn't write this one. This one...it was Chai. This was written by Chai. He wrote it for me-" His face twisted as the recording ended and he quickly tapped it again to start the playback once more, lifting the phone to his ear and listening intently, his eyes overflowing with tears as he choked out, "It's him. It's him! I know it!"

"Okay. Okay." Hinata whispered calmly, reaching out to take his phone from Kageyama's hand gently, "It's alright, we'll figure this out-"

"Where is he?" Kageyama sobbed, watching Hinata desperately, the omega dialing Yamaguchi's number and pulling the call on speakerphone so Kageyama could also hear.

It rang for a while, the seconds stretched out into an eternity, then rowdy laughter sounded over the call, Yamaguchi taking a moment before finally calling out to his friend. "Shouyou? Did you mean to call me?"

"Tadashi," Hinata began calmly, squeezing Kageyama's hand tightly while continuing on, "Can you tell me anything more about the pteropine you're spending time with at the hospital? Is there…" His voice trailed off as he searched Kageyama's eyes, "Are there any distinctive features? Scars? Tattoos? A birthmark?"

"His left wing was torn when he was younger." Kageyama started, his breath coming in rough hitches as he tried to articulate. "T-There's a scar, spanning the length of his elbow to the outer curve of his webbing." He closed his eyes, trembling and trying to catch his breath before forcing out, "H-He has a mark on his shoulder too, by his shoulder blade. It's on…" He shook his head, arching his brow. "It's on the right side, it looks like a star. Like a four-pointed star."

Hinata relayed the information to Yamaguchi, and Yamaguchi took a few moments before he replied. "Shouyou, I'm not sure. I wouldn't know without being there in person, and I'm not at the hospital right now. I'm at home with Kei-"

"Please-" Kageyama sobbed, Hinata ducking back his ears as he watched the beta hunch in on himself, his grip on Hinata's fingers drawing painfully tight. "Please I can't-" He shook his head miserably, "I have to know!"

"Can we meet you at the hospital?" Hinata asked, lifting his phone a little closer as he tried to keep his composure. "Is there any way we could meet with Shy?"

"Shouyou, what's going on?" Yamaguchi asked worriedly, picking up on hints of Kageyama's voice and his pained sobs whenever there was silence. "What's happening?"

"We think that Shy might be…" Hinata pressed closer to Kageyama's side, trying to comfort him the best he could, wrapping his arm around the beta's shoulders and tugging him down so Kageyama could hide his face against Hinata's neck. "Please, Tadashi? I need you to do this for me. I wouldn't ask so much of you if it wasn't important. Please?"

Yamaguchi was quiet for a moment, then Hinata could hear Tsukishima's voice in the background, and Yamaguchi exhaled a quiet breath. "Alright, Sho. It's after hours, but I know the nurses on staff. Meet me at the side entrance in half an hour. I'll have to speak with Shy alone first, to ask about meeting with you once we're there. I don't want to overwhelm him by showing up so suddenly."

"Thank you." Hinata breathed, and after a few moments they disconnected the call, Hinata setting his phone in his lap and focusing on Kageyama once more, the beta's tears slowing as he tried to process what was happening.

"We're going to the hospital?" He asked softly, sniffing and reaching up to rub his eyes.

Hinata hummed a soft affirmation, combing his fingers through Kageyama's dark hair soothingly, wiping away the tears still trailing down his cheeks. "Deep breaths, okay? I'm right here with you. I'm right by your side. We'll figure this out together."

"Okay." Kageyama whispered, nodding his head, wrapping his arms around Hinata and hugging him close.

Hinata rested his hand over Akemi, breathing in deeply and letting out a heavy exhale, his son's subtle movements grounding him. They still weren't certain it was true, that the pteropine Yamaguchi had become friends with was actually Mala'chai, that he had somehow miraculously survived the crash that night. If Kageyama got his hopes up, and in the end Shy really wasn't Chai, then…

Hinata closed his eyes, pressing a kiss to Kageyama's temple and whispering against his ear. "We need to call a cab to take us there. Are you ready to go?"

Kageyama hesitated, then nodded slowly, pulling back while sniffing and wiping his eyes, the beta perking his ears towards the notebook that Chai had owned before. He traced his fingertips over the pages for a lingering moment, then squeezed Hinata's hand and met the omega's steady gaze.

"Okay. Let's go." He said softly, nodding and getting to his feet, Hinata dialing the number for the local cab service and grabbing his coat as they walked to the door. The beta and omega stepped outside hand-in-hand, looking towards the city on the horizon, shielding their eyes from the sunlight reflecting off of the towering buildings amidst the burnt-orange sunset.

-x-x-x-

Yamaguchi glanced between Hinata and Kageyama worriedly as the omega spoke, trying to understand everything that was being spoken, his stomach twisting in knots. Tsukishima was standing quietly at his side, crossing his arms over his chest as he listened to Hinata's voice, Yamaguchi tilting back his ears slightly before perking them once more.

"Alright. I understand the situation. I'll need a few moments to speak with Shy before I introduce you."

Hinata exhaled slowly, nodding his head, looking up at Kageyama and watching him worriedly, squeezing his hand and speaking to him in a soft, comforting tone. Tsukishima lingered in the hallway with them as Yamaguchi stepped away, opening the door and closing it behind him quietly, stepping into the room and smiling over at Shy fondly.

The pteropine stirred beneath his pile of blankets, peeking out from his makeshift nest and listening to Yamaguchi's footsteps as he approached. He frowned a little, hesitating a few moments longer before calling out curiously, "Tadashi? I wasn't expecting you to visit tonight."

"I'm sorry to disturb your rest." Yamaguchi said gently, sitting beside him before reaching out and taking Shy's hand, the other beta smiling a little and sitting up in bed, propping a pillow behind him and perking his large ears towards Yamaguchi. "There's something I need to talk to you about."

Shy listened closely, tilting his head slightly to the side, his eyes searching for Yamaguchi without seeing. "Alright. What is it you wanted to talk about?"

Yamaguchi traced his fingertips over Shy's knuckles, thinking for a moment before asking, "Would it be alright if I took a look at your arm?"

Shy blinked slowly, tilting one of his ears back a bit before pivoting it towards Yamaguchi again, asking curiously, "I guess so? Why do you ask?"

Yamaguchi hesitated to respond, carefully trailing his hand up the length of Shy's arm, examining the webbing branching away from his forearm and elbow, searching for any sign of the scar Hinata had mentioned before. In the soft lights of Shy's hospital room, it was hard to see a difference in the color of his skin or webbings, but as Yamaguchi's fingertips drifted along his smooth skin he felt a subtle difference, tracing over a corded scar spanning the length of his wing, from the curve of his elbow to the outer edge of his webbing.

He swallowed thickly, exhaling a quiet breath before responding to Shy's previous question. "Do you remember the friend I told you about before? My omega friend, who's pregnant?"

Shy smiled a little, nodding and tilting his large ears towards Yamaguchi's voice. "I remember him. You said his name was Hinata?"

"Hinata Shouyou. That's right." Yamaguchi drew back his hand, curling his fingers around Shy's wrist and squeezing gently. "He's here with me tonight. He wanted to meet you. I was hoping it might be alright for him to come in and speak with you for a little while? If you were feeling up to it?"

Shy's eyes widened a little, obviously surprised at Yamaguchi's suggestion. He arched his brow a little, glancing to the side and considering, but gingerly he nodded his head. "I wouldn't mind having some company for a little while, I guess."

Yamaguchi smiled and leaned a little closer to nuzzle Shy's cheek, the pteropine smiling and nuzzling him back before Yamaguchi withdrew, the freckled beta stepping back towards the closed door and opening it slightly, beckoning Hinata to step inside.

Hinata looked up at Kageyama, watching his expressions and whispering gently, "I'll be right back, okay?" He glanced over at Tsukishima before adding, "Stay here with Kei, give us some time to speak with him first. I promise I'll come back to you once I'm sure if it's really Chai or not. Okay?"

"Okay." Kageyama whispered, clinging to Hinata's hand for a moment longer before letting him go, Hinata offering him a warm smile and stepping into the room with Yamaguchi, closing the door once more behind them.

As Hinata approached the bed, Yamaguchi turned up the lights slightly so they could both see a little better, Shy perking his ears up and listening to Hinata's slow approach, Yamaguchi settling down at his side again and offering Hinata a place beside them.

"Shy, this is Shouyou." Yamaguchi said with a little smile, taking Shy's hand and guiding him to Hinata, the omega reaching out and taking his hand between both of his own, squeezing lightly.

"It's so nice to meet you, Shy." Hinata said breathlessly, trying to keep his tone low and calm. "Tadashi has told me a lot about you over these past several weeks." He glanced up and caught Yamaguchi's eyes while adding tentatively, "How has your recovery been progressing from your most recent surgery? Tadashi mentioned that your hearing has begun to improve a little bit?"

Shy listened to Hinata's voice, petting over the omega's small palm and familiarizing himself with Hinata's voice and scent. "Yes, I can hear more now than I've been able to after any of my previous surgeries." He leaned a little closer, pivoting his tall ears towards the omega beside him. "There was a ringing dissonance for a while, but it has quieted for the most part now that the swelling has receded." He squeezed Hinata's fingers, asking after a moment, "Tadashi told me you are pregnant? How far along are you?"

Hinata smiled, taking Shy's hand and pressing it lightly against his stomach, allowing the pteropine to feel the little movements Akemi was making as they spoke. "I'm almost twenty-eight weeks now! Just starting my third trimester!" Hinata smiled over at Yamaguchi as he added, "We were all together at my baby shower earlier today, actually."

Shy's expression softened a bit, the beta smiling to himself and closing his eyes partially. "Congratulations. Is it a boy or a girl?"

"A little boy." Hinata said softly, petting over his tummy as well. "His name is Akemi."

"Akemi." Shy repeated softly, "That's a pretty name."

Hinata hummed quietly, petting over Akemi before tracing along Shy's fingers slowly, the omega hesitating a moment before asking, "I hope it's alright for me to ask this so suddenly, but would it be okay with you if I took a look at your left wing?"

Shy dipped back his ears a bit, his ears pivoting towards Yamaguchi slightly. "Tadashi?"

Yamaguchi exhaled slowly, petting over Shy's knee reassuringly. "It's alright, Shy. You can trust Shouyou. Will you let him take a look?"

"I don't understand." Shy said quietly, but allowed the omega to do as he liked, Hinata lifting his arm gently and examining his wing, his breath catching lightly in his throat. With the lights a bit brighter this time around, Yamaguchi could make out the outline of the scar as well.

Hinata pressed his fingers over it lightly, tracing the corded scar from Shy's elbow to the outer edge of his wing, his brow pinching and his breathing shaky as he whispered aloud, "It's there. It's really there."

"What's there? What is it?" Shy asked, and Hinata pulled back a bit, Shy frowning a little while petting over that same expanse of wing.

"There's a scar." Hinata said gently, trying to keep his voice calm.

Yamaguchi held Hinata's eyes for a long moment before pressing a little closer, rubbing Shy's side and asking carefully, "I don't want to upset you unnecessarily, but there's one more thing I would like to ask of you."

Shy listened to Yamaguchi's voice quietly, asking after a moment, "What is it?"

Hinata gestured to Shy's right shoulder, and Yamaguchi nodded before replying, "Could we take a look at your right shoulder blade?"

"Tell me what's happening." Shy said, pulling back from Hinata and Yamaguchi, tucking his arms away beneath the blankets and pressing back against the wall. "Why are you asking me this? Why are you both here so suddenly? Tell me what's going on!"

Yamaguchi watched Shy with concern, and Hinata reached out gingerly, pressing his hand over Shy's upper arm. "I'm sorry if we're upsetting you, Shy. I promise that isn't our intention. I asked Tadashi if he would bring me here to meet with you tonight because…" His voice trailed off as he tried to find the words, swallowing thickly before managing to force out, "Someone very dear to me thinks that they know who you are. Who you really are." Hinata smoothed his fingers over Shy's upper arm, rubbing back and forth soothingly. "He told us that the person he lost was a pteropine around your age, with a scar on their left wing, and a distinctive mark on their right shoulder blade, in the shape of a star."

Shy listened carefully to Hinata's words, blinking slowly and ducking his ears back a bit, shifting beneath the blankets to trace his fingers over his left wing, feeling the strange texture of that unknown scar. "You mean...you think there's someone who knows me? From the life I had before?"

"Yes." Hinata whispered gently, squeezing his arm lightly. "That's exactly what we're trying to figure out."

"I know this is hard on you, Shy. I can't imagine what you must be feeling right now." Yamaguchi pressed a hand over one of Shy's knees, squeezing reassuringly. "We don't have to do this tonight, we can revisit this another time-"

"No! No, I…" Shy shook his head, arching his brow and shivering while letting out a sharp exhale. "I want to know. Please, I want to know."

Hinata and Yamaguchi exchanged a glance, and Hinata pulled back his hand slightly, watching Shy carefully while asking softly, "Is it alright if I take a look?"

Shy nodded, shifting forward slightly and reaching back to help Hinata tug up his shirt, Hinata smoothing his palm up the pteropine's back and searching for the mark that Kageyama had described, his breath caught in his throat as his eyes fell across a four-pointed star.

Hinata smiled, reaching out to touch it, tracing his forefinger over that distinctive mark, surrounded by a scattered cluster of freckles. "It's right here. A tiny little star."

"What does that mean?" Shy asked shakily, his ears tilted towards Hinata's voice.

Hinata laughed brightly, and it was an elated, melodic sound. He pressed his hand over his mouth, fighting back the tears threatening to spill down his cheeks, shaking his head in disbelief. He wrapped his arms around Shy's shoulders, hugging him tightly while pressing his nose to Shy's dark hair.

"It means your real name is Mala'chai." Hinata said happily, sniffing as tears started trailing down his flushed cheeks. "It means you're alive! You're here and you're alive!" He pulled back, cupping Chai's cheek and meeting his wandering eyes, his brow pinching at the overwhelmed expressions shifting across Chai's face. "I know this is a lot, I know this must be just as insane for you to hear as it is for me to say, but your boyfriend is here. Tobio is here. He's...he's waiting to see you. I told him I would make sure it was really you, before we asked him to come in and join us."

Chai blinked slowly, ducking back his ears, finding it was suddenly hard to breathe. "Boyfriend? I have a boyfriend?"

Hinata smiled and nodded, combing his fingers through Chai's dark hair and leaning closer to hug him once more. "He's told me so much about you, Chai. He loves you so much." Hinata withdrew and quickly got to his feet, wiping his eyes and looking around the hospital room, blinking back tears and shaking his head. "I can't believe this is real! This is really happening!"

Yamaguchi watched Mala'chai quietly, reading his twisting expressions, reaching out and taking his hand gently, Hinata's bright laughter ringing in his ears. The omega stepped towards the door, and as he reached for the handle Yamaguchi called out to him, halting his steps. "Wait, Shouyou!" He paused to speak with Chai first, leaning a little closer while asking carefully, "Are you okay with meeting Tobio? Is this what you want?"

Mala'chai shook his head, arching his brow and clinging to Yamaguchi's fingers tightly. "I...I don't know. I don't know."

Hinata hesitated at the door, frowning a little and pinching his brow, worrying his lip between his teeth. He wanted to respect Chai's boundaries, and he sincerely didn't wish to overwhelm him any more than he undoubtedly already had, but at the same time forcing Kageyama to wait until Mala'chai was ready to meet him would be agony for the lupine beta. Hinata took a deep breath before exhaling slowly, waiting to see what Yamaguchi would say.

Yamaguchi reached up and cupped Chai's cheek, drawing him down a little so he could speak against the shell of his ear. "This is what you've dreamed of, isn't it? Finding out who you were before? Having someone there for you to help you reenter the world? Someone who loves you and cares for you? This is an amazing gift-"

"It's been years." Mala'chai whispered, his tone strained and soft. "I've been in and out of surgery for years, and he's never come for me. He's my boyfriend? Then where has he been? Why hasn't he-"

"He thought you were dead, Chai." Hinata spoke up from across the room, the pteropine pivoting his ears towards the omega's voice. "He's been mourning you, all this time. If he had known you were alive, he would have come for you. I promise you he would have."

Yamaguchi frowned a little, exhaling slowly and squeezing Chai's fingers, pressing their foreheads together gently. "I am friends with Tobio too, and I believe Shouyou is telling the truth. If Tobio had any idea that you were here, he would have been at your side this entire time, just like I have."

Chai frowned a little, but nodded hesitantly, perking his ears up a little and asking worriedly, "You'll stay with me?"

"I'm not going anywhere." Yamaguchi reassured, Chai holding onto his hand tightly and gingerly nodding, Yamaguchi looking to Hinata and giving him the go-ahead to open the door.

Kageyama twisted towards the sound of the door opening, Tsukishima watching as Hinata opened the door slightly and held out his hand to Kageyama, the beta ducking back his ears and stepping forward to take his hand.

Hinata held his eyes, arching his brow and offering Kageyama a sweet, beautiful smile. "It's true. It's really him."

Kageyama let out a heart-wrenching sob, curling in on himself a bit, Hinata shushing him gently and tugging him closer, whispering against his ear, "He doesn't remember anything. You need to be very careful and very patient while speaking with him. He's already feeling overwhelmed from just the two of us talking to him about everything. Now we're asking him to meet with his boyfriend, someone he doesn't remember-"

"I just want to see him." Kageyama breathed out shakily, reaching up and wiping at the tears streaking down his cheeks. "I just want to see him, please-"

Hinata held him close, looking to Tsukishima worriedly and holding the blonde's eyes for a long moment before returning to Kageyama, taking his hands and leading him into the room, giving him a few moments to collect himself before turning to face Yamaguchi and Mala'chai.

Kageyama knew that Chai was blind. Yamaguchi had spoken of him several times before in Kageyama's presence, but the reality of seeing the scar across his face and the lack of light in his eyes was startling beyond words. Kageyama stood where he was, not approaching for several long seconds, before Hinata drew him closer and coaxed him to sit down in the chair at Chai's bedside, leaving a little space between them.

Hinata took a step back, Yamaguchi watching Kageyama carefully as he sniffed and wiped at his eyes roughly with the heel of his palm, his dark ears flattened against his skull as he took in Chai's appearance, his voice trembling as he finally spoke.

"Hi." He managed shakily, Chai tilting his ears towards Kageyama's voice.

"Hi." Chai replied back quietly, shifting a little closer to Yamaguchi's side, squeezing his fingers and trembling slightly as he decided what it was he wanted to say.

Neither of them spoke for a long while, then Kageyama hesitantly leaned forward and offered his hand, asking worriedly, "Is it...umm…" He curled his fingers against the air, then leaned forward a little more, his breath hitching as he forced out, "Is it okay if I hold your hand?"

Mala'chai ducked his ears back a little, listening to Kageyama's uneven breathing and the quiet sobs escaping him now and then, the pteropine reaching out towards his voice until their fingers met. Kageyama broke down completely as he took Chai's hand, ducking his head to press his forehead to the pteropine's knuckles, his shoulders shaking violently as he wept.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" He sobbed, his voice breaking as he choked, Hinata reaching out to him worriedly, rubbing his upper back and whispering to him gently, reminding him to breathe. "I'm so sorry, Chai! I'm so sorry!"

Mala'chai ducked his ears back, flattening them and withdrawing from Kageyama slightly, his hand still trapped between Kageyama's, Yamaguchi watching his growing unease with a little frown.

"It's okay, Tobio. It's alright. Just breathe." Hinata whispered, petting over his shoulders and nape, purring softly and trying to soothe him the best he could.

"I uh-" Mala'chai swallowed thickly, squeezing Yamaguchi's hand tightly, his nails cutting into Yamaguchi's palm slightly as he spoke in a trembling tone, "I think I...I want to be alone now…"

"Tobio?" Hinata called gently, leaning closer and trying to coax Kageyama to respond to his voice, "Tobio, take a deep breath. Breathe, sweetheart. You're hyperventilating-"

Kageyama released Chai's hand a moment later, sobbing miserably and glancing up to meet the pteropine's eyes, seeing the fear and uncertainty there. He got to his feet, tripping over the chair slightly as he backed away towards the door, "I-I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

He turned before Hinata could catch his wrist, fleeing from the room as fast as he could, Tsukishima calling out to him as he ran past, the distraught beta not responding as he slammed into the closest exit door and disappeared out into the dark.

-x-x-x-

Atsumu and Osamu returned to the city as quickly as they could, Osamu staying with Shimizu and Artemis while Atsumu joined the search for Kageyama, taking to the streets alongside Bokuto and Kuroo, determined to find him before dawn. Hinata was worried sick, but he was safe at home with Akaashi and Kozume, trusting his packmates to search for Kageyama in his stead. He wasn't in any state to be wandering the city streets in the middle of the night. He sat in the living room nervously, Kozume holding his hand and Akaashi resting against his side, Skye curled up against his dame's chest, sucking his thumb while sound asleep.

Yamaguchi and Tsukishima had opted to stay at the hospital with Chai, the beta companions trying their best to explain as much as they possibly could about what had happened. Chai listened and absorbed everything that was said, piecing together an understanding of why Kageyama had reacted the way he had and then taken off so suddenly. He didn't remember anything about Kageyama, despite the apparent love they had shared. It twisted him with guilt and uncertainty, having no feelings to tie him to the other beta, and he fell asleep restlessly with Yamaguchi at his side, his dreams filled with fragmented snapshots of a stormy sea.

Atsumu reached out to Kageyama's bandmates first, checking in at the bar and speaking with Saeko before heading to Nishinoya's house, the petite beta answering the door with Azumane at his side, Tanaka passed out in the giant bean-bag chair beside the couch.

"We haven't seen him." Nishinoya said with a frown, Bokuto and Kuroo exchanging a glance before turning around and walking back towards the curb, Nishinoya holding Atsumu's eyes for a moment before offering, "Give us a sec' to get dressed and we'll come with you?"

Nishinoya and Azumane knew the mid-class neighborhoods well. They knew who to ask, and what questions to pose. It wasn't long before their inquiries led them to the local train station, the ticket master frowning and thinking to himself for a long moment before checking his record log.

"There's a train that leaves 'round this time of night that heads out of the city." He glanced towards his watch before meeting Nishinoya's eyes once more, nodding succinctly as he surmised, "The kid you're looking for? If he took that train, he'd be long gone by now. There won't be another 'til well after dawn. You'd have better luck driving all the way out there yourselves, if you're trying to catch him before he makes the next connection at the end of the line."

Atsumu frowned a little, leaning closer to the window and asking, "Where does the line end? What city is he heading towards?"

The ticket master took a map from the wall of pamphlets behind him, unfolding it and pointing to the train station, dragging his finger across the map to another city beyond the mountains, tapping at the connecting station pointedly. "It'll drop him here, though who's to say if he'll hop another train once he's there. Won't have any way of knowing until you speak with the ticket master there, but I'll give fair warning now - that's a sub-class station." He eyed Atsumu and the Alphas standing behind him warily. "They won't take kindly to lupines poking their nose around, asking questions."

Atsumu nodded his understanding, turning and perking his ears towards his packmates while saying, "I think I know where he's going. The town he lived in before, with Kiyoko. They lived in a sub-class neighborhood when he first met Chai." He took a few steps away from the window, Nishinoya and Azumane listening to him quietly. "I think maybe he's heading there to search for their old bandmates. If Mala'chai didn't recognize him, maybe he thinks he'll recognize someone else from their past..." He glanced down to meet Nishinoya's eyes, asking hesitantly, "Did Tobio ever talk to you about his life in the slums?"

Nishinoya and Azumane shared a quiet glance before the smaller beta replied, "Bits and pieces here and there, but not much to go off of." He bit his lip, trying to remember anything substantial that might point them in the right direction. "He mentioned before there was a bar he played at, something about a den?"

"The Burrow." Azumane said softly, his tone a low, thundering growl.

Nishinoya snapped his fingers, grinning and nodding his head. "That's right! The Burrow!" He stepped back towards the counter and gestured towards a pamphlet on the back wall, taking it from the ticket master and opening up the map, pointing to the sub-class station he'd indicated before. "Who knows if it's still standing, or if it's been replaced with something else, but if we go there and start asking around, maybe the locals would be willing to tell us where to go?"

Atsumu grinned, nodding and patting Nishinoya's shoulder, perking his ears up and meeting Bokuto's eyes. "Alright. Looks like we're heading out of the city." He ducked back his ears slightly, looking between Bokuto and Kuroo before adding hesitantly, "You don't have to come with me. I know you don't like being separated from Shouyou for long, and Keiji is anxious when you're not nearby…"

Bokuto frowned a little, ducking back his ears a bit, Kuroo reaching up and rubbing the back of his nape before letting out a heavy sigh. "It's not that...we don't want to help." Kuroo started, Bokuto humming softly and shifting his weight back and forth. "But you're right, Keiji is pregnant now, and the doctors advised to keep his stress levels as minimal as possible, especially this early on." He glanced over at Bokuto, the other Alpha nodding and arching his brow a bit.

"I'm worried about leaving Shouyou." Bokuto said softly, glancing towards the train tracks nearby. "If we leave the city, who knows how long it'll be before we get back, or if we're even going in the right direction…"

"For all we know Tobio is still in the city." Kuroo agreed with a nod, "Do you really think he's on a train in the middle of the night? Heading back to his old stomping grounds?"

"It's what I would do." Nishinoya said, the Alphas turning to look down at him, the petite beta perking his ears up with a big smile. "If something happened where Asahi didn't remember me, and I thought there was even the smallest chance that bringing together our old friends might return his memories, I would do it without a second thought. In a heartbeat."

Azumane crooned softly, Nishinoya looking up at the massive ursine at his side and patting his chest lightly, Azumane watching him with an affectionate gaze before looking to Bokuto and Kuroo, nodding his head lightly.

"We can go with Atsumu." Azumane offered, Nishinoya grinning even wider than before.

"Yeah! We have a van and everything! Let's head back and wake up Ryuu! He wouldn't want to miss this for anything!"

"Are you sure?" Atsumu asked, Nishinoya nodding and giving him a thumbs-up, Azumane smiling and nodding as well.

"We want to help." Azumane reassured, his energetic companion letting out an excited cheer and running past them quickly, already heading back towards the parking lot.

"Come on, what are you waiting for? Let's go!"

Atsumu grinned and started after him, Bokuto and Kuroo trailing behind, Azumane turning to look towards the horizon. The night sky was tinged with golden lights from the skyscrapers in the distance, and beyond that the silent dawn.

"We'll find you." Azumane murmured, wisps of long, dark hair escaping his messy bun and teasing his nose and cheeks. "We're coming, Tobio."

He lingered for a moment longer, tilting his rounded ears towards Nishinoya's voice as he called out to him, then he turned and began walking away, leaving the train station behind.

There had been a time, years before, when Azumane had been the one who was lost. This time, they would be the ones to find Kageyama. Azumane knew that nothing was impossible, so long as he and Nishinoya were together. He had every faith that once they began searching they wouldn't stop until they brought Kageyama home.

It would be nearly eight months before Kageyama stepped foot in the city again.


Thanks for reading! More to come!

The details of Kageyama's search for his past will be continued in Flightless!