15 minutes later and in the club room, the boy's volleyball team was gathering their bags and heading home, the third years lingering as they discussed their plan.

"I once heard a children's story about how a little girl rescued a piglet from a flock of crows, it got separated from his family and got lost in the woods. Turns out it was a spirit animal, and as a thank you it turned the little girl into a piglet for a day. Do you think this is the same?" Asahi asked, reaching out to tentatively rub an index finger on Suga's small grey head.

"A flock of crows, huh? I wonder if it's like a trickster god or something, I wouldn't say I believed anything like that until today. It sounds as good a speculation as any, you should be grateful Suga." Daichi said with a light laugh.

Suga batted the finger that mused his furry head.

"How so?"

"It'd be a lot harder to take a pig home, although I do regret missing the opportunity to watch you roll around in the mud."

As the two larger third years laughed, Suga huffed through his small pink nose and reached up to swat Daichi's chin.

"I'm the only one nice enough to help a poor defenseless cat, and this the thanks I get. It's completely unjust if you ask me."

"Maybe you'll listen to your wise Captain telling you to butt out, next time."

"Not likely."

Daichi shook his head at the stubborn boy, he might be a gentle, but he that didn't mean the Vice-Captain wasn't rebellious and persistent.

"Go in my bag and get my phone. I've got to tell my Mom I'm staying at your place tonight so she doesn't worry." Suga said, springing from the brunette's arms.

Landing clumsily, he ran to the brown duffle bag that sat beside Daichi's grey one, and bumped against it.

"It's in the side zipper pocket, just throw my clothes in here, Asahi."

Crossing to his teammate's bag after putting his shirt back on, Dachi raised his brows.

"I didn't know cats were so bossy, in this one? What's your password?"

"I don't have thumbs if you haven't noticed, it's not like I can do it." Suga complained. "It isn't locked, you just have to swipe up."

As the amused brunette knelt, the grey cat jumped up to rest his fluffy front paws on Daichi's thigh. Pulling the bag to him, the Captain knelt to look through the compartment on the side and drew out a phone in a light blue case.

"You really should lock your phone, Suga, what might happen if it falls into the wrong hands?"

Sugawara scoffed.

"The wrong hands? I spend almost all my time with you and the rest of the team, I think I'm okay."

Sliding his thumb up the screen like he was instructed, Daichi became intrigued as he saw the background, bringing it closer to get a better look. Standing on a concrete staircase outside and bundled up for cold weather, Daichi, Asahi, Kiyoko, and Suga each claimed a step, looking at the camera. It was obvious Suga had taken the picture, as the camera was closest to him and angled up to capture his friend's smiling faces.

"Is this from New Years?"

"Yeah, isn't it a nice photo? It's the perfect wallpaper, it has all of us third years." Suga commented proudly, beginning to purr and rubbing his head against Daichi's knee.

A little surprised at the affection, Daichi looked down to Suga and then to Asahi who had come to drop the setter's clothes into his bag. The two grinned at one another and shared a laugh.

"I agree, it is a nice photo." Daichi admitted, ruffling the soft fluff on his friend's head.

Realizing what he was doing, Suga quickly ceased his snuggling and pushed off his friend to wrap his poofy tail about his feet, fully intending to pretend he hadn't been cuddling the brunette's knee.

Daichi grinned but spared the silver haired boy as he navigated to his texts, locating 'Mom' and quickly typing a brief message. Turning the screen to the cat, he lowered the phone so that his friend could see.

"How's this?"

Suga read over it.

"'I'm staying at Daichi's, I won't be home tonight.' What are you, a robot?" He chuckled, Daichi wrinkling his nose in a dull glare.

"It's Sawamura when I'm talking to my Mom. Add a 'love you' at the end, then you can send it."

The Captain shook his head but obliged.

"Of course, your highness."

Suga snickered.

"Now that's more like it. Cats use to be worshipped, you know."

Daichi snorted as he grinned at the feline setter.

"Are you saying you want us to worship you, Suga?"

"Well, I mean a little bit wouldn't hurt. Who doesn't want to be admired?" Suga said in an impish tone.

"I admire you Senpai! You're smart and super nice, not to mention you helped me with my receives! You're totally awesome!"

Suga blinked surprised as Hinata stood in the door of the clubroom, gripping his backpack straps and beaming reverently at his upperclassman. Smiling, the cat laughed lightheartedly, grateful he wasn't capable of blushing at the moment. Daichi chuckled and shook his head.

"You're gonna give him an even bigger head, Hinata."

The energetic first year cocked his head to the side in befuddlement.

"But… Sugawara's head is really small right now, what do you mean?"

Asahi laughed softly, stooping to grab his duffle bag and tug it onto his shoulder.

"It means he's already cocky, so your compliments will only make it worse."

"Ooooh… But confidence is good right? That's what Tanaka always says!"

"Yeah, you should pick and choose the advice you take from Tanaka." Daichi said as he turned to Suga's bag and zipped it up once more, looking to the cat as he got to his feet and pulled his own grey duffle onto his shoulder.

"We should probably leave your stuff here, my Mom might think it's weird if you're not with me. I'll hang onto your phone though, let's get going."

After ushering the last few guys from of the clubroom, Suga trotted outside, tail in the air like a flag and waited for Daichi to lock the door behind them. Taking the steps carefully, the boy turned cat quickly found himself on the ground and did a couple small circles.

"This is so weird, I feel so light and springy. I bet I could outrun all of you now."

"And you only had to transform into a cat to manage it." Daichi teased, him and Asahi stepping onto the ground beside him heading to the sidewalk they took to and from school every day.

As they walked through the school grounds on their way to their usual route, their red headed underclassman parted ways with them and waved as he jogged off to catch up with Kageyama by the bike rack.

"See you tomorrow! Good luck Suga-san!"

"Thanks, Hinata. Get home safe."

"I will!"

Managing to keep pace, the third-year setter ran through the space between Asahi and Daichi so that he could lead, looking back at them as he spoke.

"So you think this cat thing will wear off by tomorrow? I don't know how long I can convince my Mom I'm staying at your house without at least going home for a change of clothes… And I really don't want to be litter trained." He sulked.

Daichi snickered under his breath but shrugged his shoulders.

"We're just going to have to take it one day at a time. We don't know anything about this 'blessing' or whatever it is, so we'll have to be patient."

"More like a curse… Who would want to be turned into a cat?"

"At least you turned into a good-looking cat, your fur is a nice color." Asahi smiled genuinely, trying to cheer up his friend.

Sugawara sighed, appreciating the effort but still frustrated.

"Thanks, I guess it's better than being hairless."

Crossing his arms, Daichi donned his Captain's voice.

"Suga, did you swap personalities with Asahi too? What's with this sulky pessimistic attitude?"

Shoulders drooping, the Ace frowned at his teammate.

"Hey…"

Ignoring Asahi's disapproval, Daichi continued.

"I'll bet you change back before we know it, there's no use brooding until then."

Suga was reluctant to see the logic behind the brunette's words but in the end, he agreed.

"You're right Daichi, I'll cheer up!" He said with a determined nod, turning to face forward once more and then freezing in his tracks.

Looking down confused, the Captain adjusted his bag strap to hike it further up his shoulder.

"Why'd you stop?"

Just then, a woman yelped, and the sound of barking rang through the air.

"Nori! Come back! Nori!"

Black and white, a medium sized dog had spotted Suga and yanked free of its owner, leash trailing behind it, and eyes trained on the grey and cream cat. Tail fluffing up to twice its size, the setter was tackled by the other animal before he could pull himself together, letting out a cat's cry as his left arm felt the nip of teeth.

"Suga!"

Fighting to get free, he instinctively lashed out with sharp claws and scratched the dog's nose, earning a yelp and a moments reprieve. Managing to squeeze out from under the dog, he lunged to safety and took off with everything in him, pushing his short but agile legs to get him as far away as possible.

Suga ran with terror as his motivation, not paying attention to where he was going, just the sound of paws hitting the ground behind him, a bark trailing too close for comfort. Looking back over his shoulder, he saw the dog was hot on his heels, yapping and eager to catch him once more. Panic flooded him with adrenaline, but as he turned back around to look for somewhere to hide, he found himself needing to hurdle a low brick barrier. Jumping just in time to avoid crashing into it, Suga cleared the short wall landing right in the center of one of the court yards Koi ponds.

Water splashed over the sides of the man-made pond, fish fleeing to the corners as Suga sunk beneath the surface and then emerged gasping and flailing. The barking that had him sprinting for his life was now completely forgotten as he tried to stay above the water, Lily pads tangling in his legs as he scrambled to reach the brick barrier he'd jumped over.

"I've got you!"

Grabbed by the scruff at his neck, Suga was hauled out of the pond, and clutched to someone's chest as he registered barking once more.

"Suga, are you alright?!"

Trembling from cold and fear, the traumatized third year clutched the white shirt beneath his paws and buried his soaking wet head under the scruffy chin above him.

"Nice grab, Asahi. Hey, stop pulling, bad dog. Sit."

Daichi worked to get the black and white dog under control as he held its leash, tugging it back every time it lunged to get at Suga who was securely held in the larger third year's arms. It wasn't long before the owner of the dog showed up, and then she was apologizing profusely. Bowing deeply, she quickly took the leash back and drug away the barking dog, scolding it in a whisper.

Going to check on his friend, Daichi approached Asahi and took in the dripping cat's soaked form, noting how their Ace's shirt was now completely drenched.

"Are you okay, Suga? We nearly had a heart attack when we saw you jump into the pond."

Peeking at Daichi, Suga continued to shake as he spoke.

"I'm okay I think… That dog bit my arm-…Leg? Whatever it is. I don't think it's broken, but it hurts." He mumbled.

Coming closer, Daichi began trying to unhook Suga's claws from Asahi, the taller boy lifting his chin so that the captain could see better.

"Let me see… You've got to let go of his shirt."

Unwillingly, Suga retracted his claws and then felt a bit of guilt as Asahi let out a sigh. He must have been poking him without realizing it.

"Sorry, Asahi…"

The large boy did not sound at all mad, accepting his apology with a light smile.

"It's okay, it's not your fault."

Letting Daichi take his paw, Suga offered the one that hurt and watched as the brunette gently squeezed up his leg that looked rather scrawny now that it was wet. When he got to the middle, the setter tensed and pulled his limb away.

Frowning, Daichi rubbed his chin but then gave his diagnosis.

"I'm not a veterinarian, but I think it just might be bruised or strained. We'll carry you to my house so you don't have to walk, are you cold?"

Feeling miserable, Suga nodded his head.

"I know it's hot out, but I'm freezing now."

Thinking for a second, Daichi dropped his bag from his shoulder and stooped to unzip it. Pulling out his volleyball jacket, he got to his feet again and held it up.

"Here, I'll wrap you in this. It should keep you warm until you dry off some."

Suga's ears flattened in guilt.

"Yeah but then it's going to smell like a koi pond, Daichi… I don't want you to ruin your jacket."

"It can be washed, don't worry about it. This will work, come here."

Tucking the black zip up around Suga's shivering body, Daichi took the cat from Asahi's arms and wrapped him up and tucking him against his chest for safe keeping.

"There, how's that?"

Looking up at Daichi with big hazel brown eyes, Suga blinked.

"I feel like a cat burrito. A soggy one at that."

Unable to help themselves, the two other third years laughed.