Hi everyone. It's been a long time since I posted anything on this website, and now that I have the time, I decided to celebrate with a new story. None of the characters belong to me, all rights go to their rightful owners.
Let me know what you think; I want your honest opinions. The main pairing with go unannounced until a later time so it doesn't give anything away, but feel free to guess who the male character is. The rating at the moment is T, but if it goes up, I will post and let you know what chapters will have explicit content in advance.
Updates will be rather sporadic due to the length of the chapters and my busy schedule, but I will try to get a chapter out at least once a month, so please do keep that in mind. Other than that, enjoy.
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"Volleyball is a sport of height. It is absolute that tall players are strong. Strengthening each play is a strength, and so is finding a new way to fight. That's exactly why there are so many different attacks and defenses today. There are truly various kinds of strengths." ~ Ikkei Ukkai
ooo
"One more nice serve." As Iwaizumi watched his teammates practicing for their upcoming, he watched Oikawa's powerful serve crash into Hanamaki's arms on the other side of the net.
"Oikawa, stop going all out on your serves. You're gonna break my arms." Hanamaki yelled mockingly across the gym as Oikawa turned to him with a "innocent smile" before serving again.
"Iwaizumi." Said vice-captain turned around to see the Head Coach and Mizoguchi walking up to him on the bench. Setting his foot down from tying his shoe, he stood up and greeted his coach.
"Hai Coach." The continuous sounds of skidding shoes, yelling and the thud of the volleyball falling on the ground was pushed into the background.
"It looks like Oikawa's already back on his feet again. How is the team doing?" The coach replied, as the three of them turned to watch the practice match playing out. Aoba Josai had split into two groups and were playing against each other, training for the inter-high that was just around the corner.
"You know how he is. As for the team, we're practicing serving and receiving right now. Did you notice anything we could work on?" Iwaizumi asked both coaches.
"Just keep up the practice you're doing. And definitely work on your speed." The Head Coach said.
"Watari switched to be a libero last year, right?" At the nod of Iwaizumi, he continued. "He is a good libero, I won't deny that, but he needs to work with another libero. Maybe Mizoguchi can help?" Mizaguchi looked at the coach with wide eyes.
"I haven't played libero in years now Coach." Mizoguchi sheepishly smiled, rubbing the back of his head as he watched Watari fail to pick up one of Oikawa's serves.
"Libero's are crucial in a game, as they are the ones who set the pace for the setter and they are the backbone of receiving. Maybe I'll have to step in." The Coach said as he watched Watari practice. Iwaizumi and Mizoguchi gave the Coach shocked looks, wondering whether the Coach was feeling alright. They didn't want to let the Coach on the court, knowing his age, he might pull a muscle or worse.
"There's no need for that Coach. Oikawa and I know someone who can help." Iwaizumi replied, already dreading the headache that Oikawa would soon cause.
"That's good. If possible, have them come for practice later today. Are they good?" Iwaizumi was quiet. He didn't know really where to start. Thinking back to junior high, memories started to flash through his head.
"She was the captain of the Girls Team back when we were at Kitagawa Daichi. You met her at our game with Date Tech during last year's Inter-Highs." Iwaizumi replied. Mizaguchi's eyes widened, and he went to ask something but was cut off.
"Ah, Shirabu-san? I recall her coming to our games in the past. Isn't she on her high school's volleyball team?" The Coach asked.
"Hai. She's the captain." Iwaizumi could say that without a doubt. While she may have started volleyball after him and Oikawa, they both agreed that she was the best receiver out of the three of them. "She's coming here later on today, so Oikawa and I can get her to stop by for afternoon practice."
"Please do." Mizaguchi told the third year while the Coach called the rest of the team over.
"Practice is over. Get changed and head on to class. Oikawa, stay behind for a bit." The Coach told the group before relaxing, his hands clasping together behind his back.
"Arigato Gozaimashita" Oikawa said, with the rest of the team following in unison. As the boys headed to the locker room to change, Oikawa asked what the coach needed.
"We're going to see if we can get someone your friend, Shirabu-san, to train Watari and polish his skills as a libero. Can you give her a call and ask her to come to practice later?"
"Ahhh, Tsuki-chan's gonna come here?" Oikawa turned to Iwaizumi with a large smile on his face and began to cheer. Iwaizumi's forehead grew a tick mark and he headbutted Oikawa. Oikawa held his hand to his head and whined as two coaches sweat dropped at the normal sight of the two of them arguing.
"I'll ask her and see what she says." Iwaizumi told the Coach, knowing that if he left Oikawa do the talking, he'd all but ask the girl to switch schools and come here.
ooo
"Miles away, in another gym, a porcelain-looking girl shivered as she felt someone talking about her. Pushing her hair out of her face, she continued to watch the match when a set of long pale arms slipped around her shoulders.
"What's wrong Kagome-chan?" She looked behind her to see one of her brother's teammates latched on to her. Knowing it was useless to try and escape his grasp, she ignored the contact and turned back towards the game.
"Not much. Just tired. How are your hands?" Kagome asked as she grabbed his hands and looked over them, making sure he didn't cause any strain to his already injured hands.
"Aww you're worried about me. I'm fine. Nothing more than a dull pain, but the medicine is working." He replied, flexing his fingers as he put his chin on the girl's head.
"That will teach you to go against him when he's in a bad mood. Honestly, do you have any sense of self-preservation? It's a miracle you're still here." Kagome muttered to herself, causing the boy behind her to chuckle.
"I'll be fine Kagome-chan. Ah, what did Tsutomu want from you earlier?" He asked.
"Just to see what kinds of improvements he could make." Kagome replied as she continued to watch her brother set another ball up to the spiker. She went to speak again, when she heard her phone go off. Pulling out her phone, her eyebrows raised at the contact name that popped up on the screen.
"I need to take this. And you need to go ice your fingers. Don't lie, I can tell they're starting to hurt. If I see you do something stupid again, I swear to Kami-sama I'll have the coach bench you." Kagome left the threat hanging as she pulled out of the boy's arms and headed out of the gym. Once she was a safe distance away from the gym, she answered the phone and put it up to her ear.
"Hajime?" Kagome answered as a grin plastered on her face.
"Hi Kagome, what are you up to?" Iwaizumi asked.
"Not much. My coach kicked me out of practice when she saw me go to practice setting, saying that I can't set until she saw a doctor's note. What about yourself?" Kagome asked.
"Huh... where to even begin. I swear Oikawa makes my day so much harder than it needs to be." He grumbled and Kagome laughed, remembering exactly who they were talking about.
"Speaking about him, I'm surprised I don't hear Tooru in the background. Did you knock him out again?" Kagome sweat-dropped at the thought.
"Of course, I did. He wouldn't shut up after the coach brought you up. Listen, I have to get to class, but can you do me a favor?"
"What do you need?" Kagome asked, playing with her fingers.
"Our libero needs some help fine tuning his skills. Do you think you could come over for today's afternoon practice?" Kagome pondered on the thought. They're practice started almost right after her classes ended. It would be a rush to get there. Not to mention various other things, Kagome thought as she looked down at the pressure bandage on her left wrist.
"I'll buy you oden if you come." Kagome bit her lip and gave it a good thought. If she told Iwaizumi about her wrist, he'd tell her not to come and she wouldn't get her oden.
"Only for the oden." Kagome replies. She heard footsteps coming down the hall and saw the volleyball club members talking as they headed to their classes.
"Classes are going to start soon, so I have to go. I'll see you later today at your practice. Ah, say hi to Tooru for me." Kagome told Iwaizumi before ending the call.
"Let's go Kagome-chan. Class is going to start soon." A familiar pale arm wrapped around the girl's shoulder as she was dragged off away from the rest of the group of boys she called friends.
"You're too loud. Honestly, what am I going to do with you Tendo?" Kagome grumbled as the red head gave her a mocking smile before pulling her into their first class.
It felt like an eternity before the bell finally rang. Kagome packed her bag, nodding goodbye to some of her classmates and headed out of her math class. Once she arrived at the volleyball courts, she saw that her friends had already started getting ready for practice to begin.
"Are you staying again?" She turned to see Tendo behind her, dressed in his practice wear.
"Nope. There's no practice today and I'm supposed to head over to Tooru's place for the weekend. You're coming over for the weekend, aren't you?" Kagome asked, as she watched her brother practice setting to the spikers.
"As always. We'll keep it PG for you when you come back." Tendo grinned as the girl's facial expression turned into disgust. She had been rather frosty towards him when they met back in his second year. She had gotten into Shiratorizawa on a full ride scholarship and was even moved up a year, so they were in many classes together. Her brother, who had remained a first year, was quick out and make friends with the team, but she remained quite distant. But over the last year and a half, she had softened up to him and the rest of the main volleyball members.
"Too much information Tendo. I don't need to know that much about my brother." Kagome told him, before checking her phone for the time. Realizing it was time to go, she waved to her brother who had looked over momentarily before turning to Tendo.
"I'm going now. Tell Kei that I'll be home late on Sunday." Kagome felt Tendo give her a small hug before pushing her out the gym doors and waving to her.
ooo
"Where is that Baka Oikawa?" Iwaizumi asked.
"Haven't seen him since class ended." Matsukawa replied as the boys began to set up the volleyball nets.
"Coach is gonna yell at him again." Hanamaki sighed, having said this many times. As usual, the first and second years had changed and come out onto the courts, but there was no Oikawa.
"Boys start your warmup. Make sure to stretch." The Coach looked around, looking for Oikawa, and couldn't find him.
"Where is Oikawa?" The Coach asked, but the man had the feeling he knew where his captain was.
"Ah, I saw him talking with some girls from other schools." Yahaba replied. The team sweat dropped as the Coach let out a dark aura.
"Iwaizumi." Said boy's face darkened as he went off to grab the idiot and drag him back.
"A little birdie told me that a certain friend is coming over to help Watari with his receiving today." Hanamaki told Matsukawa as the team began to stretch and do light exercises.
"Really? And Coach allowed it?" Matsukawa gave Hanamaki a raised eyebrow. Hanamaki nodded back.
"How many times have I told you not to go flirting with girls, Crappy Oikawa!" The team looked up to see their captain being chewed out by their vice-captain.
"It makes me wonder how those two are friends sometimes." Kindaichi said as he stared at the two arguing friends. Even back in Kitagawa Daichi, this was a reoccurring scene he would see at practice and outside.
"You would wonder who the real captain of this team was if you didn't know them." Hanamaki laughed out as the captain and vice-captain joined the team in stretching and warming up.
"As you know, Inter-High is just two weeks away. Make sure your polishing your technique and start working on speed and timing." The Coach told the boys before walking over to the bench where Mizaguchi was sitting. The boys split up into groups and practicing serving and passing, focusing on their technique and control of the ball. Soon, their practice had evolved into a match against each other.
It hadn't been long since they started a practice match when the gym doors opened again. This time, a girl stepped into the gym. None of the boys playing had seen the girl come in besides some of the first years who were taking a break.
"Who's that?" Yahaba asked as he saw the girl walking up towards the team.
"Saa who knows. Maybe she's another one of Oikawa-senpai's fans?" Another club remember replied.
The girl walked up to the Coach, who stood up alongside Mizaguchi to greet her. They shook hands as the girl introduced herself, and the three began to quietly talk amongst themselves. The girl had paused in talking at one point and was watching the players on the court when the Coach blew the whistle and called them all over.
"Tsuki-Chan's here!" A couple of the boys had turned to stare at their captain as he bounced over to the girl standing next to their coach and glomped her.
"Tooru, you're heavy. Get off me." Hanamaki grinned as the team formed a half circle around the coach. Iwaizumi sighed as he tried to pry Oikawa off the girl before deeming that it was useless and stepping back.
"Kagome, it's been too long. How are you?" Matsukawa asked as the third years went up to greet the girl. The first and second years stood back as their senpais chatted with the newcomer, while their captain still hung to her like a sloth.
"Boys, we have asked someone to come here today to help you with your receiving." The Coach told them before letting the girl introduce herself. The first and second years was able to get a good look at who was going to help them with volleyball. The girl in front of them was a dainty looking thing, almost fragile-like.
"I'm Shirabu Kagome, a third year. Yoroshiku." Kagome introduced herself and bowed, her long hair swaying to the side as she pushed it back.
"Shirabu-san is going to be monitoring receiving, so play your best." The coach told them before dismissing them to practice.
"The girls locker room is that way." Mizaguchi told Kagome, who nodded before heading off to change into practice clothing.
"Ya Oikawa-senpai, who is that?" One of the newer club members asked as the new teams were chosen.
"Ah Tsuki-Chan is mine and Iwa-Chan's childhood friend. Iwa-chan asked her to come today." Oikawa grinned.
"I didn't recognize the uniform. Where does she go?" Yahaba asked. He regretted the question when a dark cloud formed over Oikawa's head.
"She goes to Shiratorizawa. This Baka never stops moping about that so ignore him when he does." Iwaizumi told them, kicking Oikawa in the back.
"She goes to school with Ushiwaka. My poor Tsuki-Chan is stuck with him forever." Oikawa whined.
"Aho. Get off your ass and get ready to play Oikawa." Iwaizumi yelled at the boy.
"Maa Maa. Calm down Hajime. Honestly, what am I going to do with you two?" The boys turned to see Kagome watching them. She had changed into black shorts, a purple Shiratorizawa jersey and had black knee pads on. Her raven hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, with the ends flowing past her shoulders. But what caught most of the boys' attention was the pressure bandage that was wrapped around her left wrist.
"Tsuki-Chan, Iwa-Chan is being mean to me." Oikawa wrapped himself around Kagome and began to whine.
"Hai hai. Tooru, Hajime, go so we start your practice. Might I remind you that you asked me to come here to help your libero." Kagome pried Oikawa off of her and sent him off to his team.
"Are you injured?" Iwaizumi asked, looking at the pressure bandage on Kagome's wrist. Kagome shoved her left hand behind her back and brushed the question off.
"I'm fine. It doesn't hurt badly. Ara, if it isn't Kindaichi and Kunimi-chan." Kagome said, walking up to the two first years.
"You guys got into Seijou, huh. Congratulations." Kagome said, greeting the two first years.
"Hai Kagome-senpai. It's good to see you again." The two responded, bowing to their senior from junior high. As the two straightened themselves, Kunimi took a good look at their senpai. She didn't look much different from when he saw her in Kitagawa Daichi.
"Who is your libero anyways?" Kagome asked. Kindaichi pointed at Watari and Kagome turned to look at the libero, analyzing him. 'So, this is the one that switched positions. That's why Hajime called me over,' Kagome thought.
"You used to play setter, didn't you?" Watari was surprised that she knew.
"How did you know?" He asked, but Kagome didn't respond.
"I'm gonna be helping you with you receiving so let's head on over to the other court." Nodding, Watari followed after Kagome as they went to the second court that had been set up.
"I want to see your skills for a bit. Receive the ball." Kagome told Watari who stood on the other side of the court as she grabbed a ball from the net. Tossing the ball up into the air, she ran towards the base line and leaped into the air, striking the ball. The volleyball went sailing to the other side where Watari received it with no difficulty. Ball after ball, Watari received as Kagome kept serving across the court, only pausing to give advice about positioning or timing.
"Have you been able to handle your teammate's serving?" Kagome asked once they had practiced with multiple serves.
"Most of them. Iwaizumi-Senpai's are a little hard to get but I can manage a couple. As for Oikawa-senpai, some of them but not the powerful ones he does." Kagome nodded. As she turned to look at the court, she noticed that the boys had stopped playing and were now lounging on the side of their court watching Watari's training as they took a water break.
"Okay. Let's practice with their serves then. You'll receive a couple of their serves and then I'll help fine tune your skills." Kagome told Watari before gesturing for Oikawa to join them. Once she explained what he was to do, Oikawa went over to the other side of the court and grabbed a ball.
"I'm not going easy on you Watachi." Oikawa said, spinning the ball in his hands. Meanwhile, Kagome had moved to the sideline where the boys were watching and stood next to Hanamaki and Iwaizumi.
"Did you give him sugar or something Maki? Because if you did…" Kagome asked Hanamaki, said third year flinching at the sight of Kagome's grey eyes staring him down and laughed it off.
"He's been like this since he found out you were coming. Wouldn't even pay attention in class." Iwaizumi replied.
"You're all he'd talk about. Ended up driving Iwaizumi over here insane." Hanamaki told Kagome.
"That's so like him." Kagome shook her head before heading over to Watari. Once she reached the libero, she had him move into a receiving stance before telling him how to position his arms to better receive the ball.
"I'm not sure I understand what you mean." Watari told Kagome, looking genuinely confused. Kagome clicked her tongue before telling Watari to watch her and had him back up.
"Tooru, serve me a couple." Oikawa's eyes lit up and he spun another ball in his hands, ready to throw it.
"Is she usually like that?" Watari asked Hanamaki as Oikawa threw the ball into the air.
"Like what?" Hanamaki watched Oikawa make contact with the volleyball, sending it spiraling towards Kagome.
"Somewhat distant." Watari replied.
"Yah. She was like that when we first met her too." Hanamaki said, gesturing to the other third years. "Don't worry though. She'll warm up to you eventually."
Watari turned back to watch Kagome just in time to see her perfect receive Oikawa's serve, stopping the rotation on the ball completely as it bounced off her forearms and onto the floor, rolling to a stop.
"She just... received Oikawa's spike perfectly." Watari was shocked. Looking at the other first and second years, they also looked shocked. The third years on the other hand were all grinning as they cheered for Kagome.
"How did you do that? I can't ever manage to receive those serves." Watari said, running up to Kagome in the middle of the court.
"Watch the path that the ball is coming at. Make sure that you're putting your body in its oncoming path. Push your forearms our more so that the ball hits the flatter side. Make sure to keep your arms level if you want the ball to go up. Once you get the hang of it, it will be easier, and you will be able to direct the serve to the setter or another teammate." Kagome told the libero.
"Won't the ball just bounce off my forearms to the other side of the court, seeing as it's hitting the flat part?" Watari asked as he motioned with his arms. Kagome came closer to him and took his arms in her hands. Watari blushed as Kagome moved his arms and showed him the motion that he should receive with.
"It will feel uncomfortable and Tooru's serves will hurt at first, since you're receiving them with a different angle of the arms. But it will help in the long run."
"Thank you so much Shirabu-senpai." Watari said, bowing to the girl.
"Don't need to add the senpai part. We're the same age." Watari stood back up and listened as Kagome gave him some tips before practicing with Oikawa.
"As always, you're receiving is top notch." Kagome felt a hand on her head. Looking up, she saw Matsukawa ruffling her hair.
"Leave my hair alone Matsu." Kagome moved his hand away but smiled at the compliment.
"And of course, my receiving is the best. Who do you think I am? Tooru?" Kagome replied. The third years burst into laughter as Oikawa's complains and whines could be heard from the court.
The rest of practice finished off smoothly and it came time for the boys to pack up and go home. Kagome has already changed back into her school uniform and was waiting for Oikawa, Iwaizumi, Matsukawa and Hanamaki to finish changing. Once all the boys had finished changing and came out, she turned to Watari who was walking with Yabaha.
"You're pretty good for someone who switched a year ago. Keep it up and you'll only get better. It takes time and effort, and I can tell you're putting in all you got." Kagome told the boy. Watari thanked her again and watched as she left with the group of third years. In the distance, the younger boys watched as the Hanamaki gave her a hug before Oikawa pulled her away, yelling about Maki touching his Tsuki-chan.
"Did she switch to libero? I'm not surprised if she did. She's gotten better since junior high, to be able to receive Oikawa's newer spikes." Watari turned to see Kindaichi and Kunimi walking behind him.
"Wait, she switched positions?" Yahaba asked, curious about the girl that had the captain wrapped around her finger.
"Looks like it. I didn't know she moved up a year, but when we were first years at Kitagawa Daichi, she was a starter for the girls' team and the captain during her third year. She might not look like it, but Kagome-senpai used be a setter. And she was a pretty damn good one." Kindaichi told them.
"Just like me. That's how she knew." Watari muttered before asking "Why did she switch from setter then?"
"I don't know. We didn't really see her much during our second year. But I recall overhearing that Kagome-senpai didn't end up playing in the Spring Tournament."
ooo
"Ah, Maki. Not fair. You can't steal all of the meat." Oikawa yelled as he grabbed the meat from Hanamaki's plate and ate it.
"Keep your voice down Oikawa or we're going to get kicked out." Iwaizumi said, slapping Oikawa over the head. The third years had gone to a local restaurant to eat out, and so that Iwaizumi could buy Kagome her promised oden. Smiling as Oikawa started up a conversation with Matsukawa, Iwaizumi looked across the table to where Kagome was sitting in between Hanamaki and Oikawa. She was calmly sipping the broth of her oden as she listened to the boys' conversations.
"How long are you staying in town for?" Hanamaki asked Kagome as he took a large mouthful of noodles.
"Till Sunday night. I have practice Monday morning and my coach said that she'd let me practice with the team starting then." Kagome replied as she set the empty oden bowl down and dabbed her mouth with a napkin.
"You should come and visit more often. It gets boring otherwise. Those two are our only source of amusement now-a-days." Hanamaki replied, gesturing with his chopsticks to the two arguing friends.
"Tooru, Hajime. Stop fighting. We're in a restaurant." Kagome said, ending the argument then and there. Matsu whistled as he saw the immediate change in his two friends. As annoying and loud those two could get, the only person who could shut them up was Kagome.
"Don't you have a practice match with our girls' team next week?" Matsukawa asked Kagome, who nodded.
"So do we. Thanks to Oikawa here." Matsukawa replied, patting Oikawa on the back.
"What about me? Oh, are you talking about how great of a setter I am Iwa-chan?" Oikawa felt Iwaizumi's burning holes in his head and laughed.
"We're talking about how you got the coach to set up a practice match with Karasuno." Matsukawa told Oikawa.
"Karasuno? Never heard of them before." Kagome said aloud as she raised her hand for a waitress to come by before ordering a slide of gyoza.
"They used to be a powerhouse school like ours but fell once all their good players left. But that's not the reason why we're having the match. Apparently, your little kouhai goes there and Oikawa insisted in a practice match." Hanamaki replied
"Kouhai?" Kagome muttered before turning to Iwaizumi for more information.
"Kageyama goes there. Oikawa found out and told the coach that he wanted a match with Karasuno with the condition that Kageyama plays at the setter the whole time." Iwaizumi explained.
"I have to beat my little kouhai, setter against setter, on the court now that he's at the same playing field as me." Oikawa said, as if that explained everything.
"The King, huh? Why is he going to Karasuno?" Kagome asked. She knew that Kageyama would be scouted, his skills as the genius setter were rather well known among the middle school courts, but to go to a non-powerhouse school was a surprise.
"Who knows? But I can't wait to play him, right Iwa-chan?" Oikawa replied, before looking in Kagome's direction and asked "Can you practice with me tomorrow? I want to perfect my serves and make sure they're un-receivable." Kagome nodded before biting into the gyoza that the waitress has set on the table.
"Count me in. I need to fix my spike aiming. I almost took out one of the first years today when I put too much power into it." Matsukawa joked. Soon, the other two third years had joined in for practice tomorrow, with Iwaizumi only joining to make sure none of them pushed themselves too much.
"Tsuki-chan, why don't you just move to Seijou with us?" Oikawa whined, as he pulled the girl into a hug. Kagome patted his arm as if to console him, before rejecting the notion.
"We've been over this Tooru. Besides, aren't we going to take the exams to go to Tokyo University together?" Kagome replied.
"Of course. The three of us are going to be together forever." Oikawa grinned. Iwaizumi looked up as if he was praying to Kami-sama and Hanamaki had to hold in his laughter. Once the group finished eating, they paid for the food and headed out of the restaurant. Seeing as the four boys lived within the same neighborhood area, they walked together, dropping Matsukawa off at his house first. As they made their way down the next street, they came up to Oikawa's house. Kagome followed Oikawa towards the door, seeing as she was spending the weekend at his place, when Iwaizumi's voice called out to them.
"You two had better not practice anymore tonight. Kagome, don't even think about picking up another volleyball. Take it easy or else..." Iwaizumi said, staring his two childhood friends down.
"Hai hai Hajime. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night." Kagome said before walking up to Oikawa's front door and opened it. The three boys still standing outside could hear Oikawa's mom and dad greeting Kagome as the girl walked into the house.
"She had pressure bandages on her wrist during practice today. Her injury might be acting up again. Make sure she doesn't push herself and have her ice her wrist." Iwaizumi told Oikawa before walking off with Hanamaki. He could hear Oikawa yelling 'bye Iwa-chan' in the distance before he headed into his house.
"Did her therapist even clear her for playing again?" Hanamaki asked as the two walked down the dim-lit street, passing by street lamps and other strangers walking around.
"They said she could do some light practice to warm her hands up but to come in for a consult before playing in a match of any kind. If she pushes it too much, she could possibly lose part of her wrist function."
ooo
Oikawa took Kagome upstairs and let her change her clothes while he set up her futon. Kagome had changed into a pair of shorts and a shirt, before coming out of the bathroom. Oikawa was lying down on his futon with his phone in hand, having changed into his nightwear. Hearing footsteps, Oikawa turned to see Kagome walked towards the futon that was lying next to his.
"Hajime and Maki get home safely?" Kagome asked as she sat on her futon. Oikawa nodded as he set his phone aside before turning to Kagome, sitting up in the process.
"Is your wrist okay? I caught you wincing earlier when you were helping Watachi." Oikawa asked, taking Kagome's left wrist in his hand and rubbing his thumb over the bandage. Kagome had taken off the pressure bandage and put a simple white bandage over her wrist.
"Just feels a little numb. Someone bumped into it when I was on the train. Don't worry about it. I look my meds for it." Kagome replied, looking Oikawa in the eye. Oikawa stared her in the eye, reading her emotions. Kagome looked away before staring down her wrist once more.
"Having heard it from the therapist, I knew it was going to be risky. He said that if I wasn't careful, I could lose almost all function of my wrist temporarily. But you know…" Oikawa let Kagome talk, knowing that it was the best way for her to get her emotions out.
"After the session ended, we were getting ready to head out. I had left my phone in the office, so I went to go back for it when I heard my therapist talking about me to another doctor." Small tears began to fall down Kagome's face as she continued, "He said that it would be lucky if I gained part of my wrist function back at all. That it could be permanent if I injured my wrist again."
Oikawa grabbed Kagome's waist and pulled her into his chest, hugging her tightly as he sat her in his lap. Kagome dug her head into his neck and kept going on. "What am I going to do Tooru? I can't lose my wrist function. It's my last year. I can't bail on my team like I did in Kitagawa Daichi. I can't lose any more." Kagome whimpered as she cried into Oikawa's neck. Oikawa couldn't say anything. He didn't know what to say, so he sat there holding his childhood friend in his lap.
"Your therapist said it was risky if you got injured right? Then we just have to make sure that you don't overdo it." Oikawa told her in a soft voice. Kagome's crying had died down, but she still clung to Oikawa like he was her lifeline. Oikawa pulled back slightly to see Kagome's grey orbs silently leaking tears. Taking his thumbs, he wiped away her tears, kissing her on the forehead before tucking her back into his neck.
"Remember the times that we would play in the playground when we were kids. And you would cry every time you fell. Iwa-chan and I were there to pick you up then. And we don't plan on stopping. We'll be there by your side, okay Tsuki-chan?" Oikawa said, as he stroked his fingers through Kagome's hair. Not hearing anything from Kagome, he looked down to see that Kagome had fallen asleep, a small smile gracing her lips. Smiling, Oikawa kept the girl in his arms and lied down, pulling the covers over them and fell asleep.
The weekend flew by quickly, with the group of friends practicing volleyball most of the weekend in preparation for the Inter-High. Oikawa told Iwaizumi about her breakdown Friday night, and Iwaizumi made sure to keep a close eye on the girl. The two made sure that Kagome did minimal practice, mostly making sure that she was keeping her wrist in the pressure bandage and iced. Oikawa managed to overwork himself, causing him to slightly sprain his ankle. That led to another bout of Iwaizumi's yelling as Oikawa was sent home with Kagome to make sure that he tended to his foot. Sunday evening, Kagome headed back for Sendai with the boys sending her off, and Oikawa whining that he had to keep his foot in the multiple bandages that Iwaizumi had wrapped earlier.
ooo
Tendo was reclining on Shirabu's bed while the boy had just left to take a shower. Flicking through his book, he paused when he heard the apartment's front door unlock. Hearing Kagome's voice filter through the door, he closed the textbook sitting in his lap and walked out into the hall to see Kagome slipping off her shoes, dropping her school bag on the counter. Tendo leaned on the wall as Kagome went walked into the small kitchen area and set the kettle to boil some water.
Seeing the grogginess in her eyes, Tendo pushed away from the wall and went up to the small girl. Gently pulling the girl towards him, he slowly walked her to her room where he told her to get changed and he would make her tea. Moments later, footsteps padded down the hallway and Kagome walked back into the kitchen, dressed in an oversized shirt she had stolen from her brother's closet long ago and a pair of shorts.
"Where's Kei?" Kagome asked as she grabbed the cup of tea in front of her, thanking Tendo in the process.
"In the shower. He just went in. Welcome back. You're rather late aren't ya?" Tendo said, glancing at the second bag on the floor that had practice clothes spilling out.
"Tooru didn't want me to leave as usual." Kagome replied. She blew into the cup before sipping the tea slowly. Tendo reached over and prodded at the area on her arms to make sure that it hadn't bruised or anything. Heavens forbid, if Kagome got a bruise from something other than volleyball, he wouldn't be able to stop Shirabu.
"Are you going to head to sleep now?" Kagome had gotten up to wash the tea cup and put it back with the set. Grabbing the few dishes that were in the sink, she began to stack them in the dishwasher, wincing as she felt a stab of pain in her wrist. Masking her pain, she continued to stack the dishwasher.
"I have some math homework to finish, so I'll be heading to my room." Kagome told Tendo once the machine was turned on.
"Come to Kenjiro's room. He'll be in the shower for a while. It's lonely in there." Tendo told her.
"I'm sure you'll manage on your own for a couple more minutes Tendo." Kagome replied as she grabbed her bag from the floor.
"You can go back to your room after he comes out." Tendo grabbed Kagome's bag from her hands and walked off towards Shirabu's room, forcing Kagome to follow if she wanted to do her homework. Once they were both in the room, Kagome grabbed her bag and set it on her brother's table before taking out her lecture notes and papers. Sitting down on the ground, she grabbed a pencil from her brother's table and began on her homework. It was quiet in the room, with the sounds of pencil scratching on paper and the flipping of pages echoing in the room.
At some point, Shirabu had come out of the shower into the room, decked in boxers and a white shirt when he paused at the scene in front of him. Kagome was doing her homework at his desk while his boyfriend was reading a book while occasionally watching over his sister.
"When did you get back?" Hearing Shirabu's voice, Tendo lowered his book to see his boyfriend come in, as Kagome responded.
"Not too long ago. Tooru's mom made me dinner, so I don't need any." Kagome said, as she packed her homework and slid it into her bag. Nodding to her brother and his boyfriend, she slipped past her brother and headed to her room across the hall.
"Is she doing okay?" Tendo asked as he set his book down and grabbed Shirabu's hand in his, playing with his fingers.
"Lately, she's been doing better though. She's got a practice match with Seijou next Thursday, so she's going to the therapist to see if she's cleared to play in a match on Wednesday." Shirabu replied and rested his head on his boyfriend's shoulder.
"We went to them last weekend to see how her treatment was going. They're letting her do light practice again, but she's going to have to continue therapy for her wrist." Shirabu replied. "They said that if she pushes it too much, she may never gain full function of her wrist." Neither boy said anything after that. The words Shirabu said hit Tendo and the red head didn't know how to console his boyfriend. Shirabu being a setter didn't make it any better seeing as he would be playing the one position that his sister could possibly never play again.
"I see. Go to sleep Kenjiro. It's late. I'll see you at practice tomorrow." Tendo said, brushing his lips gently on Shirabu's before standing up off the bed.
"You know, you can stay Satori. I don't mind." Shirabu said as he went to go turn the lights off.
"Are you sure? Or is it that you're going to miss me too much to let me leave?" Tendo teased, grinning as a faint pink hue spread across Shirabu's cheeks.
"Urasai." With that the two fell asleep in Shirabu's bed. It wasn't long that Tendo had been lying in bed when he heard the sound of something falling on the ground. Cracking his eyes open, he looked to his side to see Shirabu fast asleep in his arms. Hearing a faint voice, Tendo slowly slipped out of the bed, careful not jostle his boyfriend before leaving the room and following the sound to the kitchen. When he got there, the lights were on and Kagome was standing next to the refrigerator with an icepack in her hand.
"Are you okay?" Tendo asked as he walked into the room.
"I'm fine." Kagome replied, holding the icepack on her wrist. Tendo looked over at the sink and noticed a partially full glass of water and a bottle of pills on the counter.
"Did you push it too much during your practice at Seijou?" Tendo asked her in a gentle voice.
"Not really." Kagome replied. Tendo sighed and put his fingers under Kagome's chin and tilted her head up to face him.
"Are you sure you didn't push yourself?" Tendo repeated. Kagome stared at him for a couple seconds, not sure whether to tell or keep up her image.
"You know you can trust me, right? I know I can be annoying and loud at times, but you know that you can count on me, right?" Tendo asked Kagome, still speaking while looking her in the eye. Kagome sighed, shifting her fingers over the white bandage on her wrist.
"Someone bumped into it on the train on Friday. Tooru and Hajime figured out pretty quick during practice and had me not doing anything for most of the weekend. I'm just icing it to make sure that it doesn't get worse, so I can play tomorrow in practice." Kagome replied.
"Does it hurt a lot now?" Tendo asked, gesturing to the ice in her hand and pills on the counter.
"Not anymore than usual. I'll probably put on the cast for the night and take it off for practice tomorrow. That should help it." Kagome replied in all honesty, giving the red head a gentle smile. Tendo nodded before pulling Kagome into a small hug, this time Kagome not protesting, before setting Kagome off towards her room.
"Let's go get some sleep then, huh? Class is tomorrow. And I don't need Shirabu seeing any black rings and thinking that I had a late-night affair." Tendo grinned, lightening the mood up a bit. Kagome bit back a laugh as she smiled at the red head's jokes. Once she had opened her room door and was about to close it, she turned around.
ooo
"She already left?" Shirabu muttered as he grabbed his bag and straightened his uniform. Tendo was already standing next to the apartment door, ready to leave. The two exited the apartment, locking the door behind them and slowly made their way to Shiratorizawa. Once they had gotten there, they headed to the locked room to change before going into the gym.
"Where's Kagome-senpai?" Goshiki asked as Shirabu joined him on the court. Shirabu shrugged his shoulders as he sat on the ground.
"Why?" Shirabu replied, as he did a couple stretches for his legs.
"I had some questions about my serves and was going to ask her." Goshiki told Shirabu as grabbed a ball from the basket before doing a couple small tosses with his hand to stretch his fingers and wrist.
"She's probably at her practice now. Unlike some people, she's the captain of her team and needs to go to every practice." Shirabu ribbed, bringing up the one day that Goshiki skipped due to the flu.
"Urasai." Goshiki blushed before heading over to practice spiking.
"Satori! Put your hands up for blocks." Tendo, who had been standing on the court unmoving, flinched as he heard the Coach yell.
"Roger." Tendo replied as he slunk back into position and began practicing with the other members
Meanwhile in the other gym, the girls' team was huddled up around their Coach.
"Ladies, as you know, we have a practice match with Seijou next week. I expect everyone to be well rested and not injured for it." The Coach said, staring Kagome in the eye.
"Hai hai Coach." Kagome replied, the younger girls around her giggling at their banter.
"Don't give me that. I saw that cast on your arm this morning. If your therapist doesn't give me a note that you're cleared to play in matches, don't expect to play on Thursday." Kagome nodded. The Coach went on to talk about a few more things before letting Kagome take over the reins.
"Okay. We've only got two weeks before the Inter-High starts. And we are going to continue our reign of the court." Kagome said. A tanned arm slipped around her shoulder and she turned to face her best friend from Kitagawa Daichi and her vice-captain, Sango.
"We are Shiratorizawa, the pride of Sendai. And we are going to rise to the top once again and claim the courts. So let's go kick some ass." Cheers erupted from the rest of the volleyball team as they began to part off to practice.
"How is the wrist?" Sango asked as she began to stretch her arms and legs. Kagome grabbed the pressure bandage and tightened it slightly before turning to Sango.
"Feeling better. I have an appointment on Wednesday after practice to see whether I can play in matches." Kagome replied before heading on to the court with Sango. The team had split up and was now about to start a mock match amongst themselves.
"Don't push yourself too much or it's not gonna get better." Kagome nodded as she got into position. Seeing as she hadn't been cleared to play setter, she let their second-year setter play and fell back into a libero position.
"Let's go!" The girls fell into position and the first year served the ball, sending it to the other side.
ooo
Kagome knew that if she wanted to play setter again, she would need permission from her therapist. But she really didn't want to go. She looked up at the tall building with dread, wondering if it was possible for her to forge a doctor's note.
"Come on." Turning her head slightly, she saw her brother pull ahead and opened the door for her. Walking inside the building, the twins made their way up to the 4th floor and headed into the therapy clinic's waiting room.
"Hi. How can I help you?" The lady setting behind the counter asked as Kagome walked up to her.
"I'm here for an appointment with Dr. Saito. My names Shirabu Kagome." Kagome said and waited while the lady pulled up the information. Once she had, she gave Kagome a slip of paper for her to sign before telling the younger girl that the doctor would come get her.
"Shirabu Kagome?" Kagome raised her head to see her therapist looking at her. The man smiled before gesturing for the two siblings to come with him to his office. Once they were situated in the room, he pulled out his chair and sat in it before turning to Kagome.
"How are you doing Shirabu-san?" The doctor asked, nodding towards Kagome's still bandaged hand.
"I'm fine. The pain isn't there unless I push it a little far." Kagome replied as she pulled off the pressure bandage. The doctor took Kagome's wrist in his hand and began to push gently on the different areas of the wrist, checking to see if the bones were growing the way they were supposed to.
"Does it hurt anywhere when I push on it?" Kagome shook her head. Nodding, the doctor pulled up her scans from last weekend.
"These are the scans we took of your left wrist two weeks ago. The bones are all in the right position and it looks like you are regaining motion of your wrist. Do you see this gap right here?" The doctor asked, pointing to the area in between the scaphoid and radius.
"The two bones are normally supposed to be connected with tendons and ligaments entwined, but due to your incident, only part of the damage was repaired. Grab this and see if you can use it." The doctor handed Kagome a small instrument. Wrapping the straps around her wrist and fingers, she held her hand out and began to curl her wrist, moving her fingers into a fist and out.
"It seems like your body has recovered around your injury, taking it into account. Seeing as your able to use that without any pain, we can clear you for playing in matches. However, I do want stress the risk of injuring your wrist again. If you manage to injure your wrist again, there is a high possibility that you will not regain all function after." Kagome nodded. Seeing that they had discussed everything, and the check-up was done, the doctor printed out and signed Kagome's medical leave paper, stating that she could go back to matches.
The next afternoon, once the final bell rang, Kagome headed to the girl's locker room to change into her volleyball practice clothes. Taking off of the white bandage, she strapped the pressure bandage on before grabbing her jacket and headed for the main entrance. A coach bus was waiting to take the Girls' Volleyball Team to Seijou, and the Coach was standing at the entrance of the bus, taking roll of who was on board. Most of the girls had already boarded the bus, having stored their bags in the overhead spacing. As Kagome walked to the bus, the Coach held out a hand, so she handed over the doctors note she had gotten yesterday.
"You're good to go." The Coach smiled before marking Kagome on the chart and shooing her into the bus. As Kagome climbed into the bus, she saw the large smiles and grins as the girls realized that their captain was back from medical leave.
"Our captains back!" Sango cheered as Kagome took a seat next to her, placing her volleyball bag in the overhead storage.
"Did you think I would be gone long? Please, the team would have died under your watch if that happened." Kagome retorted, elbowing Sango slightly as the couple girls around them giggled.
"How did it go? I didn't see you this morning at practice." Sango asked as the Coach stepped on board and told the driver that he could go.
"He said that I would have to be careful not injure my wrist again. I was practicing late last night, and Coach told me to rest for the match today when I went to talk with her in the morning." Kagome replied, turning to look outside the window at the passing scenery.
"Are you going to be playing for the whole match today?" One of the other third years asked. Kagome shrugged, as the small group of girls around her started up a conversation. Kagome was glad that none of the third years were mad or upset with having a girl younger than them as the captain. Looking back out the window, she noticed that they had left the city and were slowly on their way to Aoba Jousai High School. Letting her head rest against the back of the chair, Kagome closed her eyes and fell asleep.
ooo
A ray had settled on Kagome's face, causing thee girl to scrunch her face before opening her eyes slightly. Her head had somehow gone from resting on her chair's headrest to Sango's shoulder, who was quietly talking with their official libero. Lifting her head off Sango's shoulder, she brushed her hand through her raven hair before stretching her limbs.
"Just in time. We're almost there." Sango told Kagome as the girl's grey orbs stared back under hooded eyes. Nodding, Kagome sat back and listened in on her teammate's conversations, talking every so often. The bus soon came to halt and Kagome looked out the window to see a familiar building.
"Wake up girls. Off the bus, let's go." Grabbing their bags, the girls got off the bus and began to follow their Coach to the gym. They were met with the coach of Seijou's girls' team, who directed them to the girl's locker room to change.
Kagome led the pack to the locker room as their coach went into the gym with Seijou's to discuss whatever matters needed to be attended to. The girls entered the room and headed over to the benches before getting their practice gear on. Once Kagome had gotten ready, she checked herself in the mirror, making sure that she looked the part. Shiratorizawa's volleyball practice uniform consisted of a maroon shirt with their school name on the left corner and black shorts that hugged her legs. Once she deemed herself ready, she headed out of the locker room to see the Seijou boys' team cleaning up the court for their use.
"How did it go?" Kagome asked as she walked up to Hanamaki, Matsukawa and Iwaizumi. Hanamaki grinned when he saw Kagome and gave her a small wave.
"They won. Oikawa had to go get his sprain checked out because he overdid it again, so when he got back, he was only subbed in as the pinch server." Matsukawa replied.
"Where is he anyways?" Kagome asked. Iwaizumi dragged a hand on his face as a tick mark continued to throb on his forehead.
"Probably off bullying Karasuno."
ooo
"Spoken like a true captain. You know your stuff." The Karasuno team looked ahead to see Oikawa leaning against the brick wall.
"What you do want? Want to fight?" Tanaka approached Oikawa, with Hinata tagging along behind.
"Don't be so hostile." Oikawa waved his hand, having stood up straight off the wall, before placing a hand on his waist.
"You, little one. Your last one-touch and broad attack were amazing." Hinata rubbed the back of his, flustered that he was being complimented by the 'Grand King'.
"Let's give it all we got the next time, right from the start. You didn't get to see our official set up. Oh yes, and we'll be improving our serves, too." Oikawa told the other team. Both Hinata and Tsukishima flinched slightly, having saw Oikawa's serves first hand.
"It's true, your offense was amazing, but our receives aren't polished. You'll reach your limit very quickly. I'm not the only one who hits powerful serves." Oikawa said as he started walking towards them, on course back to the gym.
"The Inter-High preliminaries are coming up soon. Don't get eliminated, okay?" Oikawa said, having made his way to stand in front of Kageyama and pointed a finger at him.
"The receives will train." Hinata yelled back, grabbing Tsukishima's arm, who was telling the orange-head to let go.
"Receivers don't improve overnight. Ask your captain. He should know." Oikawa told Hinata before turning around to face the Karasuno team. Just as Oikawa went to talk again, a voice cut him off.
"Tooru, what are you doing?" Oikawa turned and eyes slightly widened at the sight. Kagome was standing in front of him with her practice wear on for her match without the knee pads. But what caught his eye was the large white and aqua 'Aoba Jousai' sports jacket she had on.
"Tsuki-chan?" Oikawa couldn't really think after he saw the jacket, wondering which of his teammates' it was.
"Hajime told me you were bullying them. Honestly, what am I going to do with you?" Kagome asked she walked up to Oikawa, noticing that the Karasuno team had turned their attention to her.
"Ho, if it isn't the King himself." Kagome said, standing next to Oikawa, as she stared right at Kageyama.
"Do you know each other?" Daichi asked Kageyama who nodded. While he didn't know her too well, he did recognize her from junior high.
"We'll be taking our leave." Kagome said to the Karasuno team as she turned away, heading back to the gym for her practice match.
"The Inter-Highs are just around the corner. Do try to make it there." The Karasuno team watched as Oikawa turned around and ran after Kagome, grabbing her hand and walking together to the gym.
"Who is she? And why is she with him?" Tanaka asked Kageyama, wanting to know who the grey-eyed beauty was and why she was with Oikawa.
"Shirabu-san. She was my senpai back at Kitagawa Daichi and the captain of the girls' volleyball team." Kageyama said watching the two walking in the distance.
"It looks like she goes here. Not too surprising I guess." Sugawara said as they turned back and headed to their bus. However, Tsukishima didn't seem to think so.
"Are you okay Tsuki?" Yamaguchi asked, seeing the pondering look on his friend's face.
'That jacket. It seemed too big for her. Was it really hers?' Tsukishima thought, nodding to Yamaguchi, as they caught up with the rest of their team.
ooo
"By the way, why are you wearing an Aoba Jousai jacket?"
"Ah, Maki wouldn't let me leave without it."
"Huh, what kind of explanation is that?" Oikawa grumbled as they walked into the gym. The Seijou's girls' team was warming up while Shiratorizawa's team was huddled around their Coach.
"Are you jealous Tooru?" Kagome gave him a look. Oikawa pouting as Kagome's slipped her hand out of his. Smiling, Kagome took off Maki's jacket and handed it to Oikawa, telling the boy to give it to the pink-haired boy when he saw him.
"Next time give me yours then." Oikawa gave Kagome a strange look, to which Kagome sighed. Her childhood friend may be the guy girls squealed over, but he really didn't have any idea what went through their heads.
"I'm coming to watch your games during Inter-High when I don't have my games, aren't I?" Kagome asked. Oikawa nodded, still kind of lost.
"I'll wear your jacket then. So make sure to give it to me." Oikawa's eyes shined as he grinned, hugging the girl tightly, this time Kagome reciprocating the act.
"Honestly, you're such a baby Tooru." Kagome told him once he let her go to go warm up with her team.
"Oikawa, why do you have my jacket? Did Kagome give it to you?" Oikawa spun around to see his friends waiting for him.
"Obviously. What are you guys waiting for?" Oikawa asked, handing Hanamaki's jacket back to him.
"Coach is making us run. Let's go. You're making us late, Crappy Oikawa." Iwaizumi said before running out of the gym, followed by Oikawa, Matsukawa and Hanamaki as they began to catch up with the rest of the team.
"And next time, don't go harassing other freshmen Trashykawa." Oikawa pouted as Iwaizumi shot another insult back at him.
"Don't shorten the insults."
"Trashy Oikawa!"
"You don't have to rephrase it either."
ooo