Finally able to continue their trek home, the three made their way back to toward the sidewalk with the scorching sun warming their heads and shoulders, Suga bobbing with sleep. About halfway to Daichi's house, they reached the place the three of them usually parted and waved to Asahi as he turned to cross the street to a different sidewalk, the Captain continuing straight.

It was another five minutes to the Sawamura residence, and a peaceful silence fell between the two as they walked, mostly due to Suga's inability to keep his eyes open. Daichi's steady footsteps lulled Suga to sleep while the sun and his friend's body heat made him far too comfortable, the brunette not minding and allowing him to rest. Soon the relaxing trip home came to an end for the sleepy setter, and even the captain felt a little guilty as they arrived, needing to set him down.

Toeing off his shoes at the door as he stepped inside, Daichi gently unwrapped Suga and set him on the mat.

"Will you be okay here for a minute? I've got to grab a towel and let my parents know I brought a cat home."

Suga shivered, looking more like a drowned rat than a fluffy long-haired cat as he hunched low to the ground and looked up at Daichi.

"I'll be alright, take your time. I'll wait here."

Smiling sympathetically at his friend, Daichi hiked his bag up on his shoulder once more and folded his damp jacket over his arm.

"They're usually upstairs, I'll run and talk to them then be right down. I'll make it quick." He promised, turning to pad up the steps in search of his parents.

Suga had been to Daichi's house many times before, but it was very strange to view it in a much smaller body. Not unlike the chestnut-haired boy, the home leaned on the more simplistic side, holding a comfortable warmth. It was a traditional Japanese style, beige tatami floors and chocolate colored wood, a low table sitting in the family room with simple patterned pillows surrounding it. Paper screens decorated with watercolor herons separated one room from another, and a scent comparable to aged pages in a book was always present. The home was cozy like a library, and just as peaceful. Usually.

Suga was patiently waiting by the door where his friend had left him, but startled violently as a shriek rang out, turning to find Daichi's mother in the doorway of the kitchen.

"A cat! How did you get in my house, shoo, shoo! Get out you dirty animal!"

The two of them hadn't discussed that he shouldn't speak in front of Daichi's family, but he was certain that was the plan without having to ask, how would they begin to explain things otherwise? Suga tried to keep this in mind as the woman grabbed a broom and began to whack him with it, but let out a cat's hiss by mistake when the bristles smacked him roughly on the head. Trying to back up and bumping into the door, Suga flinched as Daichi's mom continued the assault, only vaguely hearing his friend call out as the wood gave way behind him, quickly swatted down the front steps.

"And stay out!"

"Mom, wait! Mom!"

As the door to the house slammed shut, the frazzled setter rolled to his feet, and quickly limped to the bushes to hide from his friend's Mother, cautious eyes narrowed into thin slits as he curled around himself and hid.

From inside the house, Suga could hear a muffled conversation, and then the door was opening once more, making him shrink further into the shadows.

"It's not a stray Mom, it's Suga's cat. He asked me to watch him while he was out of town."

Looking around, Daichi only took a moment to spot his friend in his hiding place, and squatted down to reach for him. Ducking further under the bush, Suga flattened his ears and hissed at the hands that came near, feeling guilty for making such a noise at his friend, but fearful of anymore attacks. Daichi pulled his hand back quickly, but then dropping onto his knees, peeked beneath the leaves at his friend.

"Hey… It's alright, I'm not going to hurt you, Suga. You know that." He soothed, slowly reaching out once more and rubbing a finger against the matted down fur on Suga's cheek.

Reluctant at first, the weary setter allowed the contact, and then leaned into the comforting touch.

"That's right, you can trust me. Let's get you out of that bush…"

Coming to Daichi slowly, Suga kept his ears flat as his fellow third year picked him up, crawling up his chest and pressing his head beneath the captain's chin to make himself feel more protected.

"I've got a plan, just bear with me for a few minutes." Daichi whispered, heading back up the stairs and into the house.

From under his teammates chin, Suga eyed the woman who still gripped a broom and was also staring him down.

"Koushi's cat you said? I didn't know he had any pets, he's never mentioned one before. He asked you to watch this filthy animal?" She asked, sounding very unsure.

"Yeah, he forgot to ask me yesterday, so I didn't have the chance to warn you and Dad. A dog chased him into a pond on the way home, that's why he's all wet."

Seeming to believe her son, Daichi's Mother set her broom aside and donned a more sympathetic expression.

"Oh, chased by a dog? Poor dear, and then I hit you with a broom, you must be terrified." She said, coming closer to get a better look and tilting her head to the side to look into his now wide eyes.

"Wow, what beautiful eyes… What's his name, Daichi?"

Stiffening just slightly, the Captain only paused for a moment before answering his Mother.

"Oh- uh, it's Button. You know, since he's so cute." He chuckled lightly.

Suga would get him back for that.

Daichi's Mother giggled a soft laugh, extending a finger and lightly stroking at Suga's shoulder.

"What a cute name, definitely something Koshi would pick. How long will he be staying?"

The brunette opened his mouth to respond, but just as he did, his 13-year-old sister appeared at the top of the steps and gasped in surprise.

"You've got a cat? Is it yours Nii-san? Where did you get it?"

"It's Suga's cat, I'm watching him until he gets home from an unexpected trip. It could be a couple days." He said, both answering his Mother and sister.

Feeling more confident Daichi's Mom wasn't about to beat him with something again, Sugawara began to purr lightly, nudging into the girl's hand as she held it out for him to sniff. He liked his friend's family after all, Kokoro was always sweet and well mannered when he came over.

"Look at him Mom, he's as cute as Suga-san. Don't you dare tell him I said that either." She flushed, giving Daichi a stern eye.

Daichi returned the glare with a big brother's snicker.

"Don't worry, I'm sure he already knows about your crush on him, Kokoro. Cats out of the bag."

"Nii-san! You didn't say anything to him, did you?"

"Didn't have to." Daichi grinned, letting out a little yelp and a laugh as Suga nipped his arm.

"I don't think Button likes when I tease you." He mused.

Scratching under the cat's chin, Kokoro smiled affectionately.

"Serves you right. Such a good kitty..."

"A good smelly kitty. Honey, you've got to bathe him if he's staying for a couple days, he smells like a swamp." Daichi's Mom admitted, waving a hand in front of her nose.

"I'll help." Kokoro offered, reaching out to tug Suga from Daichi's arms and wrapping him in her embrace.

Daichi made a startled noise as his friend was stolen from him, giving the wide-eyed cat an apologetic smile as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Alright, but be careful with him Kokoro. A dog bit his front leg on the way home, I think he's a little sore."

Taking in a soft breath, the girl hugged Suga to him a little tighter.

"How could you let a dog bite Suga-san's pet? Poor kitty, a toddler could take better care of you." She scolded her brother, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on the setter's head.

Sugawara would certainly be red faced if it were possible, but as it was, the cat just stared his friend down telling him to 'do something!' with his eyes. Not seeing a way out of the situation, the brunette simply shrugged with a grin as he followed his sister up the stairs. He was going to punch Daichi when he turned back into a human, he wasn't to hold back either.