YEAR ONE 5/8 Transpiration & Insight
Everyone you will ever meet knows something you do not. ~Bill Nye
Kenma Kozume's eyes drift open, the steady thrum of Kuroo's heartbeat almost soothing enough to send him back into the grey world of sleep.
He blinks, and the events of the previous night ignite in rapid succession in his memory like a fast burning wick. Bokuto's injury, the ensuing chaos, the mounting stress as they waited for news on the owl's condition, Akaashi's collapse… it all assaults him at once, and Kuroo shifts slightly, a large hand coming up to rest on his head in reassurance. That means the black cat is already awake… which means he probably didn't sleep at all. Kenma releases a light sigh. Whenever Kuroo didn't sleep, it usually made him a bit more surly.
Today would be interesting… especially if the other cat was still here. The others might not have noticed, but the tawny feline had put Kuroo on edge off the starting line. Kenma knew there was very little that got by the large black cat, and Kuroo had kept one ear perpetually swiveled in the stranger's direction the entire evening. His hair had nearly bristled on end when they learned he'd had no intention of leaving well after night had fallen and Yachi had finally finished up. It might have made sense if he were avian since they couldn't see in the dark, but he was a cat like them; the blackest of nights wasn't really a hindrance for them.
Kenma can tell some of the others are leery of him, too. Tanaka wasn't at ease and Kageyama had hardly moved more than two steps from Hinata all night, his scowls effectively preventing the redhead from striking up any sort of conversation with him. Daichi had been polite, but not open, and Kenma himself had carefully remained in the background to avoid attention. The only ones who'd seemed normal around him were Noya and Lev, which made Kenma's skin prickle. Both of those two had mouths that neither were very good at keeping tabs on. His gaze slides to the side and lands on the net slung over the railing.
It's finished.
It still looks like a mess, but they should be able to use it now at least. Something that probably would have taken Tanaka and Noya a week had gotten done in an hour with everyone's help. Kenma has to give the bald crow's instincts credit. The instant need to break the tension by giving them something to do had been brilliant.
They'd just been finishing the last few ties when Yachi had stumbled out with a tired but tentatively satisfied look on her face. She'd sent Akaashi back in with strict instructions to keep him still when he woke up before taking a seat on the steps herself. She'd looked exhausted, and a small spatter of blood had marred her shirt, but she'd seemed almost content.
When Kenma had stuck his head inside, he'd been quietly awed at the bunting's work. Suga and Asahi were still scrubbing the blood off the table and cleaning up, but pristine white wraps encased the owl's shoulder and ribs, the rod gone and blood having yet to seep through. His chest had risen and fallen in even tempo beneath the blankets that covered him and he'd noted that Yachi had been serious about the 'no movement' thing. The ropes they used to bind the avians' wings in the past had secured the owl firmly to the table, preventing excess movement.
Bedding had been belatedly pulled out, and Kenma had snagged the young heir's attention when the redhead had started to nod before pointedly glancing toward the strange cat. The black-haired crow had gotten the message and had pulled out a pillow and blanket and tugged Hinata up the stairs after him to one of the unused rooms, followed quickly by Daichi and Suga.
The russet cat was still an unknown, and they had more than a few secrets, the least of which would be revealed by a glowing Hinata.
Kiyoko had gathered the bunting up and led her back inside, already half-asleep on her feet and Noya and Asahi shadowing them. Tanaka had picked out a place against the wall in the large room where he could see both them and the owls, and Kenma had noted that his choice and demeanor were very much like something Kuroo would do.
The golden cat himself had been able to stand being inside for only a few minutes before slipping back out. He'd wondered if it was just him, but it quickly became apparent that none of the cats could handle staying in the large room with the heavy lingering metallic scent of blood. Lev had simply opted to crash out on the porch, a decision the tawny cat readily followed suit on. Kuroo had come up behind him with one of the poufy blankets he favors and had settled them against the wall of the house as well with a frustrated huff, unable to let the strange cat out of his sight.
Kenma presses into the warmth of the black cat a little more beneath the heavy comforter they are wrapped in and watches as his breath fogs just a bit as it leaves his lips. The strange cat's scent is far too strong; Kenma doesn't have to search him out to know he's still here. He's determined to savor these last few moments before beginning a day he's sure will be more excitement than he'd ever wanted.
The front door opens, and just by the footsteps, Kenma knows it's Shimizu, and he feels Kuroo glance up at her. The black cat murmurs a 'thanks' and then a steaming cup of tea enters his field of vision. He blinks.
So much for just a little longer.
He puffs his cheeks in a slight pout and reaches out for the drink. He's barely taken a sip before Kuroo's easing out from under him, and Kenma frowns slightly, his sulk growing more pronounced. The black cat secures the blanket around him snugly with a murmured apology and heads inside, leaving him alone. Kenma has the irrational urge to stick out his bottom lip like a child. Instead he glances balefully toward where Lev and the russet cat had crashed out… and freezes.
Lev is leaned up into the corner against the railing, his green eyes steadily returning his gaze, the tawny cat still sleeping beside him. They aren't where they started and the strange cat is pressed up against him, his head resting against Lev's arm, but it's not the abrupt familiarity that makes Kenma stare. It's the fact that Lev has a new thread… and so does the short cat.
When the hell did that happen?
The golden cat can hardly believe it. If he had the urge to be a child a moment ago, he thoroughly wants to bang his head against the wall beside him now.
This makes everything so much more complicated.
The thread isn't just another thread like Lev's two that run to himself and Hinata. Though not as vivid as the one between himself and Kuroo, this one is brighter— a solid connection. It means they can't just kick this blasted stray cat out without a real reason. It's maddening because, how the hell did they manage to establish a thread that bright in a matter of a few hours? Something like this usually took years.
The door opens once more and he flinches as Hinata and Kageyama walk out, Kageyama munching on a strip of bacon while hinata stuffs a sweet into his mouth. Suga calls something through the door about them eating 'proper' breakfasts, but neither deviate from their course. They gather up the net on their way to the beach and begin setting it back up.
How many people had that much of a one-track mind? Seriously, has Bokuto even woken up yet?
The door opens again, and Kuroo's back in front of him, an apple in hand. He blinks at the offering, knowing Kuroo is catering to his tastes. His golden eyes meet one that matches his and one that's foggy before flicking to the other two cats and back pointedly. One of Kuroo's large hands finds the back of his neck as Kenma takes the apple from him.
"Yeah." He murmurs almost inaudibly as he settles beside him again. "And one more confirmed avian pair."
Kenma's eyes snap back to his face. He draws in a deep, labored breath, as if he's getting way too old for this crap.
"Bokuto woke early this morning. He managed to convince Yachi to let him sleep on the floor with Akaashi. He apparently glows goldish."
Ah. Well that answers one question.
The door bangs open and Tanaka sticks his head out.
"Hey Volley dorks, you can't even wait until after breakfast?"
"It's your fault we didn't have a net yesterday." Hinata points out impishly. There's a mild thump inside and a smattering of voices.
"Careful, Bokuto—" Asahi begins but the owl in question cuts him off.
"Someone said breakfast. I'm starved."
"Be careful! Don't move like that—" Tanaka spins on a dime, his leering scowl snapping into place.
"Oi. You put us through enough hell yesterday, you lousy bastard. Don't shoot for a repeat." He growls, cutting across the anxious bunting.
"We need to get your tea before you eat anyway." Asahi says apologetically.
"That vile stuff you gave me last night? Screw that!"
"Bokuto..."
"Akaashi, I'm hungry."
"Yes, we know."
"Ah! You're bleeding through! Please don't move too much!" Yachi sounds like she's close to tears and Kenma feels Kuroo tense to get up and get a handle on the situation, but Shimizu has it covered.
"Koutarou Bokuto. If you pull out Yachi's stitches, I'm not feeding you." Her voice is quiet and terrifyingly effective, and Bokuto is immediately cowed into sullen complacency.
Tanaka appears satisfied and steps outside and pauses before his eyes lock onto the russet cat who blinks up at him with mocha eyes frowning with the remnants of sleep, having woken with the loud crow's grousing.
"Oi. You're still here?"
"I'm afraid so. Your porch is most uncomfortable." He drawls fuzzily.
"You could have slept at the low tide line."
"You do realize the more hostile you are to visitors, the more delinquent it makes you seem, right?" The cat mumbles with a frown. The door opens once more before Tanaka can respond and Suga steps outside with a bowl of mandarin oranges.
"Yeah, still haven't gotten that lesson to stick." He says with an easy smile before extending the bowl to the two cats and ignoring the sulking bald crow altogether. "There is rice and natto inside along with miso. If you hurry, there might be some bacon left. My apologies, but I don't think we had a chance to really introduce ourselves yesterday so I didn't catch your name." The russet cat blinks up at him before a mild smile eases into place and he reaches for one of the sweet fruits.
Kenma frowns slightly. He doesn't think any of them caught his name… he's pretty sure they'd all been hoping he'd just kind of leave. It's a thought that makes him feel a little rueful now, even if that would have been simpler.
"Morisuke Yaku. Did I hear the injured bird a moment ago?" Suga's smile becomes a grin.
"You did. He's up and about and alive… though perhaps not quite as unsupervised as he'd like to be. I don't know if there's much we can do to thank you for your help, but you are welcome to stay as long as you like."
"Stay?" Tanaka asks, mortification painting his features.
"Ah, it'll be fine." Noya says, pushing through the door and tugging along a complacent Asahi. "We'll just have to start using some of the extra rooms to fit everyone in at night." He says meaningfully and Kenma has to give him credit for being covert about the real reason for splitting up the sleep pile if the cat decides to stay. Maybe it's because Shouyou was raised his younger brother, but the short crow's protective streak has definitely kicked in despite an apparent unspoken resolution to be cordial with the newcomer. Noya catches up the bald crow's arm on his way down to where the younger level pair has begun tapping a ball back and forth over the net.
"Come on, let's go play."
Tanaka sputters, but Noya's insistence is backed up when the large crow behind him picks him up and hauls him bodily down the steps at a single look from the libero. Suga chuckles lightly as Tanaka lets out an indignant squawk.
"Apologies. He's bit caustic with new people." The thrush says and the 'Yaku' cat stretches and stands with a grin.
"Heh. Must have something here he really wants to protect. Anyway, I don't know if I'll stay, but I might take you up on that breakfast. I haven't eaten since yesterday." He says and Lev smirks.
"Good idea. You're so small, I was beginning to wonder if they fed you at all on that ship." He says with a laugh and the small cat jolts.
"Would you like broken ribs, you disproportionate grimalkin?" He grouses sourly before turning and following Suga inside. Lev climbs to his feet and stretches, too, a large yawn cracking his face. He flashes them a playful smile before vaulting the railing and heading down to play with the others.
Kenma worries his lip slightly in annoyance, because he's positive the grey cat knows how complex he's made things with that new thread and could care less… and he can't tell if the other cat has realized it's there yet or not. He hadn't even glanced at the glowing connection; if he does know, he's treating it as if it doesn't exist. Kuro presses a thumb to the lip between his teeth and the golden cat glances at him.
"Knock it off. It makes me anxious when you do that." He murmurs with a slight frown and Kenma blinks. The touch is more informal than Kuroo usually is in front of others.
"I'm going to go get us something more real than that apple. Want anything?" He asks, his uneven gaze sliding away at Kenma's abruptly searching look.
"Anything's fine." He says, carefully watching the black cat as he gets up to follow the others inside. Kenma shrugs and takes a bite of his apple and stands. Pulling the comforter closer, he leans on the railing and watches the growing group at the repaired and replaced net.
The former princeling sets for Shouyou, Tanaka, and Asahi while Noya and Lev run defense on the opposite side… although the shortest crow isn't above popping the ball up to himself so he can set it to the grey cat with a maniacal grin. They could really use a real setter on their side, but Akaashi's probably attached to the streaked owl's hip for the immediate future and Kenma hasn't been awake long enough yet to stoke his motivation to play without being asked. Eh, the cocky little crow has enough energy for two people anyway.
Tanaka seems to have forgotten about his gripe with their visitor in no time flat and trash-talks both the grey cat and the libero on the other side of the net with every toss Kageyama sends his way. Noya gloats every time he and Lev save one, and the bald crow promises to make them eat it the next time, while Asahi interjects plaintively when the name-calling escalates.
But the two that are unusually quiet are the young level pair.
Hinata and Kageyama are more in tandem than they have been in recent weeks and Kenma has to surmise that it must have been a combination of the sobering events of last night and having been deprived of a net for a whole day that's helped close the minor schism that's been developing a bit. He doubts most of the others have noticed— Kuroo and the thrush maybe, but he's heard a remark or two between them that occasionally betrays the growing tension there.
It started a few months back, just before spring had really set in. Everyone would make trips into town as needed, except for Hinata and Kageyama. Given his lineage, it wasn't the wisest idea for the crow setter to be in 'public' where he might be noticed or recognized by a passing sentry or something. And since he'd abandoned his post on account of a grounded redheaded crow, Shouyou was something of a high profile as well. Honestly, if someone were to recognize one of them before the other, Kenma'd have banked on it being Shouyou simply because there weren't many crows with his unique hair and voice, and he doubted there was another grounded one anywhere on the continent... not to mention that any avian who'd been grounded would be stared at with horror, meaning whoever did see him would remember him.
They'd taken precautions and resolved to keep them out of Sheru Bay and the public domain— especially after that incident with the gull at that fish shop. The only exception was Ukai's place on rare occasions. Kenma didn't know how or who he was, but the banded blond had instantly recognized the two off the bat. He hadn't turned them in, though, and instead had quietly welcomed all of them to the area and had even warned them when sentries were passing through.
Confined to the beach house and Ukai's place allowed for little external human interaction, which had suited the black-haired setter just fine. But it had driven Shouyou, who thrived on the social bonds he could bridge with anyone, insane. The kid had had a minor mental breakdown and Daichi and Suga had relented and let him come into Sheru Bay proper with them on occasion.
Except there had been one caveat.
Since both the redhead and Kageyama were prominent figures under pursuit, either one being seen would be a risk; them being seen together multiplied it drastically. The catch: Kageyama wouldn't be allowed to go with on those little trips into town— which had set not at all with the princeling. He'd fought the idea every step, and his wings had often reflected his fierce disagreements with his leveler when he'd start shedding burned feathers to the shocked bewilderment of pretty much all the rest of them.
It hadn't mattered, and Shouyou'd won his way in the end, but it had driven a wedge between them again. Watching them at the moment, Kenma almost can't see it today.
"Wow, they're all playing volley."
Kenma almost jumps at the sound of the russet cat beside him. He turns to glance at him dubiously.
"Most avians do." He says haltingly, puzzled by the remark.
"I've never seen them play on the ground like us, though." Yaku says with interest.
"Oh. They still wanted to play with Shouyou, so they learned to play our version."
"The redhead, right? What happened to him?"
"He never said and we never asked. I doubt it's a happy memory." Kuroo says cooly just behind them, a touch of warning lacing his words. The cat glances over his shoulder at the imposing black feline with mildly defensive surprise.
"I imagine not. He lost his wings." Yaku says with a frown, before looking back toward the group by the net. "How long ago did it happen?"
Kenma's head tilts and he wonders if the cat is fishing for details. It makes him wonder what this feline is really after.
"Just over a year." He answers carefully. Yaku's eyes widen just a bit.
"It just happened then. He moves like he's been without them far longer. I'd have assumed closer to a decade." He says, studying Shouyou with sharp focus.
Kenma watches him curiously; if he'd connected the dots on who Shouyou and Kageyama were, he wouldn't have been surprised to learn how long ago the redhead had been grounded. Either that, or he's exceptional at acting.
"He's been playing Volley on foot almost since it happened. The coordination would progress much quicker under that kind of demand." He says. Yaku nods.
"He's come a long way from almost dying. He's lucky his leveler was there." Kenma's eyes fly wide and he feels Kuroo jerk behind him.
"What was that?" Kuroo asks in a dangerously neutral voice.
"Hm? Oh, he's lucky the black-haired boy was around when it happened. Both are actually." He says with a mild smile and glances back at them, but stiffens at their expressions. Kenma watches him with wide eyes while Kuroo's half cloudy gaze is fixed on him with disturbing intensity.
"How do you know they are levelers?" The black cat asks, the barest hint of frost in his voice as he pushes into the smaller cat's personal space. Yaku blinks and then frowns with puzzlement.
"You mean besides how they are inseparable?" He asks, his head tilting before turning and pointing to Kageyama. "His wings give it away."
What?
Kenma stares at him for a long moment before his golden gaze mimics Kuroo's and seeks out the avian prince.
"The white tipping on the last few feathers? That only happens when the leveler's other half seriously almost bought it. An avian with light wings will tip darker, but the concept is universal for all birds." He says.
Kenma's jaw drops.
The white tipping that had appeared with that molt last fall… was a result of the attack almost seven months prior? He whips his gaze to Kuroo who's wearing a similar expression. The black cat's brows pull down into a frown before he straightens.
"Oi, Feathers." He calls and Kageyama turns a nonplused look on him as they all stop. "Walk your scrawny ass up here… and bring your shrimp."
Everyone turns to stare at them, Shouyou spotting him and frowning. Kenma blinks and wonders if his mouth was still hanging open. For a moment, the golden cat wonders if the former prince will refuse— and Shouyou has that deep calculating look that means he's analyzing the situation to determine if he needs to intervene.
But Kageyama scoffs and drops the ball before starting toward them, the redhead following without needing any encouragement. And so does everyone else.
Oh, joy. Here we go. Kenma knew there'd be more excitement than he'd signed up for.
They pile onto the porch around the three cats, the young level pair guarded, Noya, Asahi, and Lev confused, and Tanaka wearing his typical scowling sneer.
"How often do you molt, Feathers?" Kuroo asks bluntly and Kageyama blinks, his head tilting in a gesture that matches the confusion on the redhead's face at the question.
"Once or twice a year?" He murmurs, his cobalt gaze sliding toward Yaku with suspicion. The golden cat pulls in a quiet breath.
They didn't shed feathers for a year… which meant that the feathers Kageyama had had when they met were the same ones as before Shouyou had been grounded— this side effect wouldn't have kicked in yet. And they'd spent those first six months tiptoeing around each other, so they'd never had any fights; Kageyama never had a chance to lose the feathers via a 'breaking' episode. He'd finally molted as the first frosts had hit and it had finally surfaced. Kenma looks up at the black cat, reeling at the revelation.
"It's possible Kuroo." He says softly, his awe and unease bleeding through.
"Oi. What are we freaking out about?" Tanaka asks, leering between them. Kuroo looks back toward Kageyama.
"We might have just figured out what the deal with your white feathers is." He says and Kenma thinks it sounds like he's trying to speak around something in his throat. They all seem to press in at that, their curiosity tinting with excitement.
"Really? Did he eat something he wasn't supposed to?" Noya asks with a grin.
"Nothing so entertaining… actually, it might be something of a problem."
"Problem?" Asahi echoes, voicing the uncertainty that paints all six of their faces.
"It's a leveler thing." He says evenly and their gazes collectively darken and all find the russet cat.
"You told him?" Kageyama asks, his gaze narrowing and finding Kuroo with accusation.
"He knew." Kenma cuts in, and all eyes swing to him. "The white tipping gave it away. Something about your leveler having almost died. If someone is aware of this side effect, they'll recognize you as a level pair."
They stare back at him and he regrets having spoken. He hates attention.
And then Kageyama's jaw tightens and he spins on his heel and stalks off the porch with a black scowl, the redhead following with clear agitation as he curses under his breath.
"Kageyama, wait— hold on a sec, what's wrong? Kageyama…" The black-haired setter swiftly heads down the beach with a marked stiffness, the little redhead growing steadily more anxious, but they are soon out of earshot.
"Wow, you're all really skittish about this. They're levelers, what's the big deal? It's not like they're royalty or something…" Yaku says with a frown.
Oh, this is perfect. He definitely said that on purpose.
But in the event he's wrong...
Kenma wants to facepalm as several pairs of eyes flicker around the circle, an awkward silence that definitely conveys their discomfort. Thank god for Kuroo, because the black cat has the mental presence to attempt to salvage the situation.
"They've been through hell. They're justified in their suspicion of everyone they meet. You stick around long enough, maybe they'll tell you about it someday." He murmurs.
Yaku glances up at him with an eyebrow raised in skepticism but doesn't get a chance to answer before the door is banging again as Akaashi awkwardly shoulders it open. Between the owl and Daichi, they carefully shuffle Bokuto out onto the porch, Yachi hovering fretfully behind them and Suga bringing out a chair. The wrappings across his chest and shoulder are spotting with the effort to move, but Bokuto barely notices it.
"You couldn't just take it easy? You had a rod through your chest twelve hours ago." The owl setter mutters.
"I'm not staying inside, Akaashi." The streaked owl looks a little pale, but determined and Kenma almost smiles.
Bokuto has always hated being stuck inside— the only time he'd tolerated it was when they were playing volley in that barn this last winter. On top of that, the streaked owl was monumentally stubborn, too; Kenma is certain that if he didn't get someone to help him leave the house, he'd have dragged himself through the doorway on his own— and probably opened his wounds and bled out, too. The golden cat imagines he'd have still died happy simply because he wasn't inside.
"Just make sure you mind what Yachi tells you and you drink the teas Kiyoko makes." Daichi says with a grin as they settle him into the chair. The owl looks up at the crow reproachfully.
"Those taste horrible." He says sourly and Kuroo chuckles.
"If you'd been paying attention, you wouldn't be in a position to need them. Deal with it." He grumbles sardonically.
"We can try sweetening them a bit with honey to cover the taste next time, if you want." Suga offers and Bokuto looks at him with the first bit of enthusiasm the golden cat has seen since he'd left for the docks yesterday morning.
"No promises I won't still complain." He says with a grin.
"Pick your battles, Bokuto. Also, you might thank Yaku. His help was invaluable in treating you." Daichi says with a nod toward the russet cat. Bokuto frowns and his gaze sweeps across them.
"Oi. What are you all looking…" The streaked owl pauses mid thought as he locks onto the newcomer, his gold eyes focusing sharply. And then he leans over to the other owl and fails at whispering.
"Hey, Akaashi… when did we adopt another cat?"
A/N: So, HUGE thank you to Iron Rose Writer for the title suggestion... I think I like it :)
Another longer one and I am slow to post; apologies. Has been a long 10+ hr day and still had to clean up the chapter when I got home, which means it is still pretty rough- so it might not be as nice. :p Thank you all for reading and I hope you have a spectacular night!