Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to these characters. Any use of the anime or manga in this story is not mine either. They belong to their original creators.


Kuroo leaned back in his seat as he finished the last question on his exam. Grateful that the test went smoothly, he looked over it once more before standing up and turning it in. There were others in the class that were scribbling away as fast as possible for fear of the clock running out before they were ready and he hoped that for their sakes that time was on their side. As he stretched his arms out briefly, he rested his chin on his hand as he pondered how Kagome and Kenma's exams went. This of course led him to wondering about the rest of the team, because he shuddered to think what Kagome would do to any member who failed to pass their tests and missed a training weekend. Especially, this training weekend. Not only was the Fukurodani Group coming, but so was Karasuno.

He was actually looking forward to seeing their old rivals again. The crows were pretty unsteady on their feet when they faced them, but they should have worked out some of those issues by now. It would be exciting to see just how much they have improved since Golden Week. He was certain that besides Kenma, Kagome was definitely looking forward to seeing the crows—she seemed to have an affinity for Karasuno's shrimpy middle blocker.

The sound of the bell ringing made Kuroo blink rapidly before he grinned and made his way to the gym. He was sure that he was going to have to be ready to force Kagome to calm down over preparing for the training weekend now that she could focus all her energy on it. Granted she's been a bit better about the prep work, but with a new school joining the group, he was sure that he was going to have to suffer for the team once more.

Kuroo entered the gym with a grin as he looked around for his petite girlfriend. Once he spotted her, he chuckled softly—there she was, pouring over a list and chewing on her lower lip. Kenma walked over and stood beside him with a sigh.

"She started as soon as class was over."

"Eh? What's her level of panic?"

Kenma tilted his head as he considered the variables, "I'd say she's only at level 3 at this point."

"Well, she's definitely doing better than she has in the past."

"True, but she's liable to jump a few levels if you don't head her off soon."

"You know, you could help a bit with this."

"I prefer to keep my head attached."

Kuroo gave a skeptical frown at his old friend. "She wouldn't do anything to you, she likes you too much. I mean she makes you treats."

"And that's exactly why I don't help."

"Scaredy cat."

"More like smart."

"Hey I'm smart!"

"I never called you stupid."

"You implied it."

"Did not."

"Did too."

"Did not."

"Did too."

"Did n—" Kenma's eyes drifted back towards Kagome's direction and winced. "Better get over there quick, Kuroo. She's approaching level 6."

Kuroo's eyes widened and he whipped around to see Kagome scribbling frantically on her list and shifting anxiously, "Shit."


Kagome was freaking out. She knew she was and she couldn't help it. It was one thing to organize for three visiting schools at this point, but four? An extra school, meant more planning, and extra arrangements had to be made. Practice rotations would need to be configured as there would be an odd number of teams. Another classroom would need to be equipped with futons—and she only had a week to get everything done. She blinked rapidly as she processed her timeframe.

"Ok, not as bad as it could be. But there's still a lot that needs to be done…"

"You know, Kago-chan, talking to yourself is a sign of insanity. Should I be concerned?"

Kagome jumped and scowled as the lists in her hands suddenly vanished before her eyes. "Tetsu-kun. You say it's a sign of insanity, but I say I simply needed to have an intelligent conversation."

Kuroo frowned down into her sparking blue orbs. "What is with you and Kenma calling me stupid today?"

Kagome blinked in surprise before giggling, "I didn't call you stupid. And if Kenma called you stupid, I'm sure it was for a good reason."

"Oi!"

Laughing loudly, Kagome wrapped her arms around the pouting captain and rubbed his back. "There, there, Tetsu-kun. No one believes that you are actually stupid, at least no one that knows you. You just have clueless moments."

Giving her a deadpanned look, Kuroo's pout morphed into a mock frown. "I'm not seeing how this is supposed to make me feel better."

Smiling innocently, she carefully reclaimed her pilfered lists. "Come on, you need to start warming up." As Kuroo wandered off, she called out to him, "Oh, and Tetsu-kun? Thanks. You always know just what to do to help me calm down."

Kuroo grinned and stole a quick kiss before he strutted off as if he was king of the gym.


Today was the day before the Fukurodani Academy Group and Karasuno would come to Nekoma. Kagome was still anxious, but she knew that she's done everything that she could to prepare for this weekend. She had her list and was busy giving instructions to the boys on what their tasks were, such as arranging the futons in the designated classrooms. Practice rotations have been reviewed and approved by Naoi-sensei and Nekomata-sensei—and the cafeteria was stocked and ready.

"I think that is just about everything… I just need to pull the water bottles out so they are ready for all the teams to use."

"Is everything set Kagome-chan."

Kagome turned and smiled at the elder coach, "Hai, sensei. It looks like everything is ready for tomorrow. We just need to let the team know about their—incentive."

"Good, good. Naoi, let's call the boys over for a meeting before we release them for the night." Naoi chuckled as he walked off to round up the cats. "I do love this idea of yours, Kagome-chan."

"It'll be good motivation for the boys."

"That it will, my dear. That it will."

The boys quickly filed in and stood in front of their coaches and manager. Nekomata grinned with pride at the team before him, they were a fine group of young men and becoming quite the team.

"Tomorrow morning, the Fukurodani Academy Group and Karasuno will arrive. You all need to be here by 7:30am to help set up the gym for their arrivals. Now there will be some changes to the conditioning and practice routines, but I'll let Kagome-chan explain those to you. Kagome-chan?"

Kagome nodded at the elder and smiled serenely at the somewhat nervous looks that she was receiving. Knowing what she did, she couldn't really blame them. "We'll do the stair master every morning before matches begin as per usual. Unfortunately, we will not be able to use the sports center this weekend. Ishikawa-san informed us that the sand pit courts are being inspected. So, all practice will be here in the gym. For the penalties, for every set lost, the losing team will do a lap around the gym, flying. Now, given how you all used to do a lap when you won and double when you lost—the rules will obviously change for this weekend."

She paused as she took in the mixture of hope and terror, "There will be no laps when you win a set." Sighs of relief echoed though the rookies—however, the upperclassmen were not so quick to celebrate. "Instead, there will be a different kind of penalty if you lose a set. You'll still do the flying lap, but—for every lost set, will equal one hour of training with Sesshoumaru-sensei."

"NANI?!"

The rookies looked on in fear and confusion as their senpais souls left their bodies while they shrieked in horror. Inuoka felt the icy grips of terror along his spine as he asked the one question on all the rookies' minds, "Is that a bad thing?"

Kenma was pale as a ghost when he slowly glanced at the taller first year, "He trained Kagome. His teachings are what she uses for our training. And he's even stricter than she is."

'We're doomed…'


The birds were singing a happy tune as Kuroo and Kenma made their way towards school. Both teens were excited and wary of the weekend ahead of them. Playing against the other schools was always fun for the boys, but now with the added punishment of Sesshoumaru? They were terrified.

"Ne, Kenma? Why do you think Kagome decided to bring Sesshoumaru-san back?"

Kenma frowned as he thought about the reasons behind the decision, "The only thing I can think of is Nationals. She knows how badly we want to go—especially you. So, she's doing everything she can to get us there. Plus, it's good motivation for the team to throw everything we have in the matches."

Kuroo sighed in agreement as he saw Kagome waiting just ahead of them. "She did promise that we would make it this year."

"And she always keeps her promises."

"Well, painful or not—let's do our part to meet the goal."

Kenma smiled slightly down at his phone, "Hai."


Kagome waved goodbye to her fellow managers as she left them to get settled in the designated 'Girls Room.' All the schools except Karasuno had already arrived, and she was making her way back to the parking lot to meet them. She could see Kai and Kuroo standing ahead of her watching the newly arrived crows spill out of their bus. As she approached the older boys she suddenly heard Nishinoya and Tanaka taking in their surroundings.

"Is that…"

"Could that be…"

"The Skytree?!"

Kai, being most level headed person she knew, just smiled. "No, that's just a transmission tower."

Kuroo whipped around and doubled over as he cackled like a hyena at the crows' naiveté. Kagome sighed in exasperation as she flicked the scheming cat in the forehead, making him yelp. "Honestly, Tetsu-kun."

"Oi, that was uncalled for" he whined as he rubbed the abused spot.

"So is cackling like a maniac." Kagome smiled as she turned to see the crows' excitement over being in Tokyo for the first time. Greeting the boys, she approached Kiyoko and the newest manager for Karasuno.

Kuroo greeted Sawamura Daichi before he realized that there were a few members of the flock missing. "Hey, come to think of it… Aren't you missing some people?"

Daichi winced a bit in memory of the two first years that would be late in arriving due to each failing an exam. "They both have a supplementary test this morning, and should on their way as soon as they're done."

"Man, they are lucky that they aren't on our team." Seeing the captain's curiosity, Kuroo elaborated. "Kago-chan has a standing warning that should a member fail an exam and miss a practice weekend, there would be dire consequences. Not sure what she would do exactly, but no one is willing to risk finding out."

Daichi was curious about the petite manager for Nekoma. He was aware that she and Kuroo were an item and had been for years, but the role she played with the team seemed to be more than just a manager. As he was about ask his fellow captain some questions, a loud cry rang out causing both boys to flinch.

"G-G-Girls! There are two of them now! Now they've got a pretty one and a cute one!"

Kiyoko stood slightly in front of Hitoka as Kagome frowned at Yamamoto's antics. Seeing how the younger girl was new to dealing with rambunctious teenaged boys, she was ready to put the mohawked ace back in line. However, before she could say anything, Tanaka appeared in front of the girls and addressed his 'twin.'

"Do you see, Tora? This is what Karasuno's true ability looks like."

"So bright!"

Sharing a look with Kiyoko, the girls gave the cackling duo a deadpanned look as they guided Hitoka around them and towards the school. As Kagome passed Yamamoto, she made sure to deliver a warning, "I'll remember this for your conditioning, Tora-kun."

Kuroo chuckled as Yamamoto yelped in horror, before turning to the remaining crows. "All right, when you're ready, come to the gym. The other guys are already there."

Receiving nods of agreement, the boys followed Kai into the school to stash their bags. It was time for their weekend of misery to begin—Kuroo wondered how the crows would fair against Grandpa Higurashi…


Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I hope I can get the next chapter out soon, but I make no promises. Until next time!