A/N: Thank you all for your continued support. You guys rock!

ooooooo

12 Years Prior

Tiredness, a fifteen year old Oikawa mused, was a truly inadequate word.

Oikawa vaguely remembered Matsukawa forcing him to get some sleep a night earlier-maybe two nights?-but he couldn't remember actually sleeping. And even if he slept, he was sure it more resulted in continued bodily function than any feeling of restfulness.

Everything was calm right now. The village held in brief lull as the people moved slowly-praying for the wounded, accounting for the dead, preparing for the future. These times were always the worst for Oikawa.

In times like these, he always had enough time to begin questioning his previous decision, his previous mistakes. In battle, there was no time. Everything boiled down to two choices-quick action or quick death. Those were the times that Oikawa's mind flew across strategy, ran through options, shouted out plans with all the speed and confidence of one truly desperate to hide their own fear.

He was lucky as many of those decisions worked as well as they did. Lucky, that his village hadn't fallen like so many of their neighbors.

Oikawa moved his hand across the paper-a map of the village and surrounding ocean with pirate ships and troop numbers carefully marked.

"Ow, shit," Oikawa swore as his palm sliced open on the edge of the paper.

Oikawa looked down and almost rolled his eyes at the sheer irony of swearing over a paper cut while preparing for a battle.

The little red line ran right over the white bandage and Oikawa carefully shifted the bandage to dab at the drop of blood.

He stopped, looking at the bandage or...more like trying to look through it.

It almost seemed that the Hearts Civil War had been going on for centuries rather than roughly three. The last piece of news the village had heard from the capital-and even that news was now over a year old-the capital was still a war zone with all civilians long evacuated.

Definitely, no one to care about a few small shipping villages under siege from Futakuchi pirates.

Oikawa sat back in the room's sole chair-a tiny wooden thing that creaked with every little shift.

There wasn't really time to think in the middle of a war-and Oikawa's village may not be involved in the Civil War; but, they were at war all the same. Sure, there was time to think quick, to make decisions; but, there was never any time to process. Time for true contemplation was rare and often much too brief to reach any resolution.

But, Oikawa got where he was because sometimes he could think ahead-could see the end of the path so clearly that it was like it had already happened. And, right now, he could see his future. Could see his village finally at peace. Could see himself finally having time to process all the many feelings and emotions he'd been suppressing for so long-the hurt and desperation of finding his village without protection, the blood chilling fear of having a village's survival thrust on him, the deep and roaring anger that his village had been abandoned by the Suit he was supposed to one day join.

One day, those feelings would have time to settle and Oikawa would finally see where his heart would lay.

But right now? Oikawa thought and looked back at the map, focusing back on what he could do and on the people who were looking towards him.

Right now, all Oikawa felt was tired.

ooooooo

Oikawa wasn't sure why he was still at the castle. His month was up. Iwaizumi was gone. His village was probably already starting to wonder when he'd returned. There was nothing keeping him here-no unfinished discussion, no meddlesome Fate, not even an unpacked bag.

There was no reason that Oikawa found himself on a familiar palace roof-two full days after the Hearts contingent had left for Spades.

His right hand almost felt like it was burning, a low level awareness that had nothing to do with physical sensation and everything to do with Oikawa's mental state. Once he had gotten to the roof, Oikawa had practically ripped the bandages off to finally look at the mark-wondering if it had disappeared and heart hammering in…

Heart hammering for what, he wondered. The mark disappearing would be a relief, Oikawa reminded himself. He'd been wanting it to happen for years. Hoped and begged the Fate to take it away and find someone else, someone more fitting for the Kingship. So, why, in that heart pounding second where he'd thought it was finally gone, did he feel terrified?

Oikawa was no stranger to regret. He'd made hundreds, possibly thousands, of choices that he would give anything to change. Dozens of disastrous outcomes dogging his dreams even years after.

Oikawa didn't regret anything he'd said to Iwaizumi….well, nothing after those first few tense weeks when they'd been at teach other's throats. Everything after that-everything Oikawa had said about not wanting to be King was true and so, Oikawa couldn't regret it.

He didn't regret kissing Iwaizumi, no matter how painful it had made the goodbye. He'd even told Iwaizumi that he didn't regret coming to the palace. Every choice that he'd made recently, Oikawa was convinced was the right one.

So, why? Why? Why while he was laying alone on a palace roof and looking up at the stars did Oikawa feel like everything was so terribly wrong?

ooooooo

"He's late," Tsukishima commented.

"Barely," Yachi said with an accompanying eye roll. "And it's just a regular check in meeting anyway. You don't even have anything to tell him."

"But I could have," Tsukishima shot back petulantly.

Yachi looked at him with the same expression Tsukishima had seen her use on particularly bad behaving palace children. He resented the implication and told her so.

Yachi just smiled. "He's guarding Kageyama this morning anyway-"

"If 'guarding' is what we're calling it now," Tsukishima interjected.

"Let him have some fun with his new relationship," She finished.

Tsukishima huffed and Yachi's smile took on a positively devious edge.

"You're jealous, aren't you?" she accused. "That's what has you so annoyed."

Tsukishima scrunched up his face in an expression of pure disgust. "Exactly, who are you implying I'm jealous of? The one who's my annoying and incredibly unwanted self-proclaimed sibling or our stubborn minded shut in of a King?"

"Both of them," she answered, grinning like he'd just gifted her a much wanted present. "You're jealous that they finally worked it out while you're still tripping over yourself asking out Yamaguchi!"

Tsukishima scoffed. "Yachi, the kingdom is on the brink of war from Hyakuzawa, we've gotten assassination attempts on both our King and our Ace, The Kingdom of Hearts still doesn't have a king, Noya was stabbed, and Hinata just escaped from being kidnapped. Now is not the time to deal with my love life!" He sniffed. "I just have enough sense to realize that...unlike some others I won't name."

Yachi tsked sadly. "Excuses."

Tsukishima glared. "I could fire you."

"Please, the kingdom would fall within two days" Yachi laughed.

Tsukishima was saved by having to make a patently untrue denial by a knock on the door.

"Hey, guys," Hinata greeted, smile even brighter than usual. "I, um, lost track of time."

Tsukishima rolled his eyes while Yachi looked distinctly amused.

"Anything new," Hinata asked, taking his usual seat.

Tsukishima reached for a paper off his desk, picking it up and skimming it. "Not really. I had a drawing made of the last assassin you stopped and ran it by my informant network. We've got confirmation now that he was indeed part of a discrete, highly trained mercenary group with three main members."

"The other two that kidnapped me," Hinata concluded.

Tsukishima nodded. "Based on your descriptions, yes. Luckily for us, the group's secretive nature means that it should take some time before anyone realizes they're missing, much less for word of their deaths to make it back to the Hyakuzawa King."

"Good," Hinata said, leaning back in his chair and looking more relaxed. "That means it'll be awhile before he sends more assassins."

"It's the waiting game now," Tsukishima agreed. "However, that doesn't mean we should get complacent. Especially with the stupid festival coming up."

Yachi glared. "Do not call the festival that I've been working on for months 'stupid.'"

"My mistake, the highly intelligent but massive security risk of a festival coming up," Tsukishima corrected.

Yachi huffed but accepted the change, waving a goodbye to Hinata before heading out the door.

"I don't know," Hinata said once the door shut. "At least, the festival means the Suits can meet in person rather than having to use the magic or wait for letters. Maybe it'll help figure things out."

Tsukishima sighed. "At the expense of having three fourths of our monarchs in one place and just asking for an assassination attempt."

"So negative," Hinata grinned. "Who's staying behind this time?"

For the seasonal festivals, at least one member of ever Suit stayed in their own kingdom to rule while the others were away. In Spades, Kageyama unsurprisingly never failed to volunteer for the role on the festivals that Spades did not host.

Tsukishima looked down at the paper again. "For Clubs, it's Konoha. Diamonds will have Yaku. And Hearts has Mad Dog."

Hinata cocked his head. "Iwaizumi didn't choose to stay in Hearts? I thought for sure he would, given the risk."

Tsukishima shrugged. "He probably thought it better to be here for the Suits meeting. Not to mention, there would definitely be talk if he missed the match. Having Mad Dog stay behind avoids suspicion while still giving them a good defensive presence back home."

Hinata nodded, apparently seeing the logic.

He sent a lopsided grin at Tsukishima. "Who knows maybe Hearts' Lost King will even show up in the meantime. Save us some trouble."

Tsukishima snorted. "It's been over a decade, I highly doubt we'd be lucky enough for him to appear now."

"Pessimist," Hinata said, leaning over the desk to poke him on the shoulder. "If that's it, I'm going to go head over and check on Noya. See you when the guests start arriving?"

"I can hardly wait," Tsukishima deadpanned.

Hinata stood up and made it halfway to the door before Tsukishima finally let out a deep and very heartfelt sigh.

"Fine," Tsukishima muttered, already wondering how he could prevent Yachi from ever realizing she was right. "Hinata, one more thing."

"Yeah," Hinata asked, hand still on the door.

"Congrats on whatever it is you're doing with our King," Tsukishima said, waving his hand to gesture Hinata out the door.

The spy ignored him, giving a bright wide smile that threatened to blind anyone in eyesight. "Thanks, Tsuki! I knew you cared!"

Tsukishima rolled his eyes. "Just never tell me anything about it.

Hinata's eyes lit up impishly. "But, Tsuki…"

"Never." Tsukishima glared.

Hinata's laugh echoed through the office, even after the man finally departed.

ooooooo

"Come on, Asahi! I can do a better pull up than that and I'm injured," Noya complained. "Want to see?"

"Please, don't," Asahi panted, eyes flickering to the other man to make sure he was still in the makeshift healing recliner and had not jumped on the practice bars.

Noya rolled his eyes. "You're no fun."

"You're a terrible patient," Asahi muttered back.

Noya laughed but didn't disagree and Asahi started back on another set of pull ups, pulling up his tunic to wipe the sweat off his face.

"Weellll," Noya drawled and Asahi could just hear the playful smirk. "At least, this stupid chair is giving me a great view. Real front seat performance."

Asahi blushed and mentally shook himself because it had been three years and Noya's words could still make him turn red.

"Thanks," Asahi breathed out shyly.

"Oh, don't go all bashful," Noya grinned. "That makes this whole not-getting-out-of-the-chair thing even worse when I can't come over and see it up close."

Asahi huffed in amusement, dropping down from the bars and taking the few steps needed to brush a kiss over Noya's temple.

Noya's smile went soft and sweet. "When did Kiyoko say she'd be back?"

Asahi hummed. "Probably sometime tonight. Why?"

"We should do something special," Noya said, reaching out to grab Asahi's hand. "All the guests will be here by then so the castle should be practically overrun with knights. Hinata'll definitely being guarding the King. Perfect time for a night off for all three of us."

"What did you have in mind," Asahi asked, leaning back against the wall and idly threading his fingers through Noya's.

"We can make that chicken thing that Kiyoko really liked," Noya said, bringing the intertwined hands up to hold over his heart. "I'll even pull some candles out, make it a real date."

Asahi leaned down again, softly meeting Noya's lips with his own. "Sounds perfect."

The sound of someone rustling through the tower's outer door stopped him from saying anything more.

Noya didn't stop staring into Asahi's eyes. "Hinata?"

"Has to be," Asahi agreed. "Tsukishima already stopped by this morning."

Noya grinned, pushing at Asahi's shoulder. "Then, off. I am not giving up the game that easy."

Asahi rolled his eyes but complied and by the time Hinata made it through the door, the two were a respectable distance apart.

Hinata still narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Did I interrupt something?"

"Of course not," the two spies replied in unison, faces blank of all except confusion.

Hinata huffed. "You know one day I really am going to find out which two of you are dating. You can't hide it forever."

"Sure you will, Shouyou," Noya replied in a tone that meant the exact opposite. Asahi laughed at Hinata's small pout.

"How are you feeling," Hinata asked, coming over to examine the half-bed half-chair that Asahi had put together for Noya.

"Great!" Noya said, shifting in his chair. "My only complaint is I think Asahi's trying to smother me with pillows."

"They're to support your back," Asahi protested.

"There are hen houses that have less feathers than me," Noya shot back, throwing one of the said pillows at Asahi.

Hinata sat down on a table in between them, idly swinging his legs. "How long do you think it's going to be before you can go on missions?"

Noya looked hopefully at Asahi, who frowned thoughtfully.

"I'd say a full month and then he can go on small ones," the poisoner and resident healer replied eventually. "I'll probably have him up and doing more exercises by the end of the week."

"And I'm definitely still going to watch the tournament. Right, Azumane," Noya asked in a way that was much closer to a threat.

"You probably should be fine for that long," Asahi admitted.

"Good," Noya smiled. "It's only in Spades once a year and there's no way I'm going to miss it. I don't care if you have to carry me there in your arms," Noya wagged his eyebrows in an outrageous gesture. "In fact…"

Asahi blushed again and Hinata groaned.

"Nevermind, I'm not never going to figure it out," Hinata said, shaking his head. "I thought for sure it was you and Shimizu this time."

Noya snickered, giving away nothing. "Maybe, you should stop trying to piece together our love lives and fess up about your own. Heard you finally made a move on the King. Eh, Shouyou?"

Hinata's entire face lit up. "Yeah, I did and it went great! Who told you?"

"Hmmm," Asahi paused thoughtfully, trying to remember. "Was it Suga or Yachi that told us first?"

Noya scratched his chin. "Actually, I'm pretty sure Tsukishima let it slip first when he kept muttering about 'overly affectionate idiots' all morning."

Hinata laughed. "Darn, how did everyone find out so quickly?"

Asahi leaned over and ruffled Hinata's hair. "For a spy, that crush was remarkably unsubtle. I heard Yachi and Tsukishima even had a bet going on which of you would act on it first."

"I hope Yachi won then," Hinata said, rolling his eyes. "What were the stakes?"

"One unnamed favor," Noya answered, cocking his head in thought. "Which I'm sure will be hilarious for the rest of us, I thought they'd agreed never to bet for that after last time."

"Now, I really hope Yachi won," Hinata agreed, thinking back to their last bet which somehow ended in Tsukishima working as a palace servant for an entire two days.

The conversation halted as the sound of trumpets erupted briefly in the distance, playing out what was a very recognizable tune for any resident of Spades' capital.

"Cool," Hinata said, looking back to the spies. "The first guests have been spotted. Won't be long now until everyone's here."

Hinata hoped down off the table. "I'm going to go check in on Kageyama and see if I can see any of the other Suit members before the dinner. Need anything?"

"Nah, go off!" Noya told him, falling back in his chair dramatically. "Enjoy the sun! Bring word back of its beauty to this poor forgotten invalid! Tell me is the sky still blue...it's been soo looongg."

Asahi rolled his eyes. "Have fun, Shouyou!"

"Thanks," Hinata said, smiling as he creaked open the doors and weaved through the vines.

Once he was out of earshot, Noya looked back at Asahi.

"So," Noya said, trying for a smirk but having his grin ruin it. He reached up and pulled at Asahi's shirt to get the larger man to lean back. "Now, that we're alone again."

Noya leaned up, leaving Asahi to bridge the final gap and kiss him.

Asahi stayed where he was with a grin of his own. "Well, I don't know...you are to quote a 'poor forgotten invalid'."

Noya pouted. "Not that invalid. This is why I said you're no fun."

Asahi laughed, leaning down and finally closing the gap.

ooooooo

"Wow, this place is so….green," Lev said with a tone of pure amazement. He paused, waving like an excited child as the Diamonds Suit made their way to the palace. The people in the street waved back, staring and pointing at the visiting monarchs with looks of amazement.

Lev grinned, turning to Kenma. "I like this place."

"Then you should've come with us last year," Kuroo smirked, leaning over and keeping his voice low enough not to be overheard. "When we weren't preparing for a war and you could've actually had time to see the city."

"Awww, but last year, Yaku was still teaching me all the boring ruling the kingdom stuff," Lev complained. "This is much more fun! Oh, and I'll actually get to see Suga in person!"

Kenma looked over the crowd impassively, speaking to Lev out of the corner of his mouth. "You already met him in person during the winter festival."

"Yeah, but that was in Diamonds," Lev said, his tone taking on a shade of hero worship he always had when discussing the other mage. "This is in Spades. His own home terf. I bet his magical library is huge."

"If you asked, he'd probably let you see it," Kuroo told him, rolling his eyes as Lev's jaw dropped.

"Really?! That would be awesome," Lev sighed happily. "This trip is the best"

Kuroo rode closer to the mage, whacking the side of his head. "Focus on the possible war first then you can fangirl."

Lev's face immediately pulled down into a sulk-an expression that always looked ridiculous on the over six feet tall man and one of the four most powerful mages in the world. "You didn't tell off Kenma for being excited to see Hinata. And we just saw him a few weeks ago!"

"That's because all Kenma's said was 'hmm, it'll be nice to see, Shouyou,'" Kuroo quoted, lapsing into an eerily accurate impression of Kenma's soft monotone before swapping back to glare at Lev. "And you've been going non-stop for the entire three day trip."

Lev sighed, his head falling. "I was just excited to go to my first festival."

Kuroo and Kenma looked at the sad lump of magician before glancing back at each other in silent conversation.

You made him sad, so you fix it, said Kenma's steady gaze.

Kuroo's lip twitched down. But, Kenma! He's like a puppy, he'll bounce back soon enough anyway.

Kenma glanced forward at the road before turning back. Not before we make it to the palace. An inquisitive look. Unless, you won't to explain why Heart's Queen is sulking.

A huff of air from Kuroo. But, it was three days, Kenma. Three. Entire. Days.

Kenma hummed, turning back to the front with an air of finality. Fix it.

Kuroo sighed.

"Oi, Lev," Kuroo called and Lev looked up, not unlike a puppy hiding behind their paws. "I'm sure that even between the meetings, you'll still have time to ask about the cool magic library or whatever."

Lev immediately brightened. "Seriously?! Cause you know there's this new spell that I think I've got an idea for but I really want to run it through someone else and.."

Kuroo tuned him out because really, there were limits. The Ace of Diamonds rode a bit closer to Kenma.

"Lev was right," Kuroo commented, keeping is voice low. "You are looking more antsy than usual."

Kenma blinked impassively. "We all are."

"True," Kuroo nodded. "Hopefully, in tonight's meeting, we can at least come up with a good strategy."

"I hope we have time," Kenma said, eyes forward. "To plan before acting."

Kuroo tilted his head, observing the small lines of tension around his King's eyes. "Do you think we won't?"

Kenma blinked and the lines smoothed out. "Just a feeling." He turned back to Kuroo. "I presume you're also looking forward to the Aces' Match."

Kuroo gave a smile that had too many teeth to be anything but predatory. "Of course! Been waiting all year!" He met Kenma's eyes and the smile softened. "Think I can convince Tsukishima to actually have their Ace compete?"

"No," came Kenma's flat reply.

Kuroo laughed. "They'll fold eventually and let me have a look at him."

The Ace's eyes briefly flared Diamond red, a clear indicator he was calling up his power. He winked at Kenma and the red died out, leaving behind warm hazel.

Kenma hummed, unimpressed. "You don't even know it's a 'him.'"

Kuroo's smirk grew wider. "Also true, Yukie'd kick my ass for assuming." He lightly jostled Kenma's shoulder. "Hey, speaking of, you gonna bet on me for the Match."

Kenma shook his head. "No, I think I'll go with Clubs this time."

Kuroo whipped around to see a small hint of mischief play behind Kenma's eyes.

"Rude, my King," he huffed fondly.

The corner of Kenma's lip quirked up before the party made it through the castle gates and were interrupted by a loud shout of "KENMA!"

Hinata ran up to the group, beaming before glancing around at the other servants coming to help the group off their horses.

"Er, I mean Your Royal Highnesses." He dropped into a brief if perfectly executed bow. "We are honored to have you in Spades and extend to you the happiest tidings during your stay."

"Nice save," Kuroo teased, leaning forward to give the younger courier a playful flick on the forehead.

"Shouyou," Kenma greeted, accepting a servant's hand to help him dismount from the horse. Once down, he gave Spades' courier one of his rare small smiles.

One day, Kuroo would figure out exactly how Hinata was able to overcome Kenma's shy taciturn nature and become his friend despite only seeing him briefly on official business.

But for now, all Kuroo did was quickly dismount from his own horse while giving the two his trademark smirk.

"Has anyone else arrived yet," Kuroo asked, directing his question at the courier while his eyes followed Lev's less than graceful dismount.

"Yeah, everyone actually." Hinata gave the Suit a significant look. "I think they were all in a hurry to get here."

"Aww, man! You mean we're the last ones here," Lev complained, brushing the dust off his traveling clothes. "I knew we should've left earlier."

Hinata shrugged. "You didn't miss them by much. Bok-er, their Royal Highnesses of Clubs, King Bokuto, Queen Akaashi, and Ace Shirofuku just got here barely thirty minutes ago."

"They in the dining hall yet," Kuroo asked.

"Nope, still in the greeting chamber," Hinata paused, swapping back to the proper formal stance that always made Kuroo want to roll his eyes. "Actually, Your Royal Highnesses, if you would excuse me. I should go prepare for the Suits' Dinner."

The words were polite and perfectly by route but Kuroo still smirked at the mild dread in the courier's eyes. "Tsukishima's still got you wearing that horrible manservant uniform, doesn't he?"

Hinata shuddered. "I swear it gets worse every year."

Kuroo laughed outright while Kenma gave Hinata a sympathetic look. Lev was looking between the three in confusion.

"You'll see later," Kuroo reassured him before turning to Hinata. "You are hereby excused with my dearest blessings."

Hinata huffed, but still dipped into another textbook bow before darting back into the palace.

Once he was gone, Kuroo turned to a servant to inform him that the rest of Diamond's Knights should be arriving within the hour. The Ace of Diamonds then turned back to Kenma. "To the greeting chamber?"

Kenma nodded and one of Spades' pages-a nervous girl with wide eyes, who couldn't be much older than twelve-stepped forward with a bow and offered to direct them.

A few moments later found all three outside a tall arched doorway.

"Thank you," Lev smiled happily at the page, who was still faintly shaking. He muttered a spell and the water in the air condensed down to form a small ice rose laying gently in his palm. The girl's eyes widened and she bowed again, taking the sculpture gently in her palm before turning away.

"Cute," Kuroo complimented and the Mage beamed happily.

Kuroo pushed open the doors of the greeting chamber

"KUROO!" boomed a voice before the Ace was immediately hit hard in the chest.

"Bo," Kuroo answered at only a slightly more reasonable volume, hitting a fist on the other's back.

"Good to see everyone got here safe," Suga called warmly from where he stood, clearly previously engaged in a conversation with Akaashi. "We should be ready for dinner within the hour."

Lev looked over at the two mages before his eyes darted back to Kuroo and Kenma with a pleading look. Kuroo was instantly reminded of the puppy metaphor again.

"Go on," Kuroo said, pushing Lev over to the other Queens.

Looking around the room, it seemed like the entire assembly was held almost impossibly between tense anticipation for the strategy meeting later tonight and a kind of genuine relief and jovial air that always made the Card festivals so enjoyable.

Kenma had already been pulled into a discussion by Tsukishima and Yahaba that the King of Diamonds was handling the discussion with all of his usual conversational tactics-in other words, silent reflection interspersed with a few soft commentaries. As for Kuroo himself, he had-mostly without thought-found himself involved trading knight training techniques with two of his fellow Aces, while Bokuto and Kageyama listened on with interested expressions.

"Nah, you can't start them off with a sword immediately," Kuroo argued. "They're too clumsy. That's just asking for injuries. Gotta have them build up some muscle first, get them to watch the older knights. Teach them observation skills"

"In Hearts, the new ones practically eat and sleep holding a sword for their first few months," Iwaizumi said, scratching his chin. "Gets them used to it."

Kuroo raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, how many times to they cut themselves on their own sword?"

Iwaizumi shrugged. "Part of learning. Sword's are sharp. They need to know not to mishandle them.

"Harsh," Bokuto accused, but he was ginning while he said it. "And I thought Kuroo was supposed to be the scary Ace."

Iwaizumi chuckled. "Maybe Hearts recruits are just less clumsy than Diamonds."

"Oh ho ho," Kuroo smirked. "A challenge? I guess we'll find out at tomorrow's tournament who's got the best knights." He cocked his head, looking closer at his counterpart. "And, mhmmm, do my delicate ears detect a bit more bite from the Nobel Ace of Hearts then usual?"

"Nothing about you is delicate," Iwaizumi shot back and Bokuto let out a full belly laugh.

"Kuroo's right! You're never this snarky!" Bokuto said. "This is great!"

"Yeah...I must've been hanging around a bad influence," Iwaizumi muttered and for some reason, looked down with an oddly melancholy expression.

Swapping subjects, Kuroo bumped his shoulder amicably into Yukie. "What about Clubs' training? Start with swords or have them earn it first?"

The Ace of Clubs yawned before sedately biting into her apple. "Meh, a bit of both. I always start them on one to one duels. Let's me see what I'm starting with. Then, I divide them up based on that and have them work for the next duel."

"Aww, Yukie! You're leaving out the best part," Bokuto complained. "Tell 'em what happens when there's an uneven number."

"Odd one out duels me," Yukie said lazily. "Good motivator."

Kuroo whistled. "Nevermind, Yukie's the most terrifying Ace now. You lost your title, Iwaizumi."

Iwaizumi hummed unperturbed. "I always thought the Ace of Spades was the one people are afraid of."

Bokuto waved a hand. "That's just because no one knows who they are. The mystery part makes them like five times scarier."

Seeing an opening, Kuroo turned to Kageyama-who had been watching the entire conversation with a small frown. "Want to finally end the mystery? Get your Ace to compete in the Aces' Match?"

Kageyama shook his head. "I can't. I don't know who they are either."

"Wait! Really?"' Bokuto frowned. "Why not?"

"I chose not to," Kageyama muttered uncomfortably. "Tsukishima definitely knows who it is...I think Suga does, too. But…"

The King of Spades trailed off and Yukie stepped in. "So, Kageyama, who's in charge of Spades knights' training. Any good?"

Kageyama looked back up, expression clearing. "Oh, that's…"

The door of the greeting chamber suddenly burst open and a man with short brown clipped hair walked in, eyes flickering around the room.

"Him," Kageyama finished, confused.

"Daichi?" Suga pushed forward to the man with a confused expression. "What's wrong?"

The man-Daichi bent forward to whisper something in the Queen of Spades' ear. Even from across the room, Kuroo could see Suga's face pale.

Daichi leaned back and Suga cleared his throat, turning to the room with a grim expression.

"It would appear we were missing some visitors," Suga announced, tone expressionless. "They should be here momentarily."

"What? Who?!" Lev shouted and the room at large made similar sounds. Tsukishima stepped up beside Suga and they traded a single heavy look before a loud knock echoed through the room.

"That would be them," Suga said, turning once again to the man. "Daichi, would you mind announcing our guests."

Daichi paused momentarily before he nodded, striding to the door and pulling it open in one smooth motion.

"Announcing Their Royal Highnesses, King Hyakuzawa Yuta and Crown Prince Hyakuzawa Yudai accompanied by the Hyakuzawan delegation."

A man stepped forward and the room became so deathly still that it could be mistaken for a tomb. At least, if not for the rolling amounts of tension.

In the middle of it all the man-King Hyakuzawa Yuta smiled, eyes sweeping around the room in a decidedly predatory nature.

"Please, excuse my appearing unannounced," King Yuta said, breaking the silence with a surprisingly melodic timber. "I'm afraid I couldn't help myself after years and years of hearing about the Cards festivals."

He lifted a hand up in a calming gesture and the entire room's gaze was drawn to the single gloved right hand. Kuroo's heart hammered and next to him, Iwaizumi made a sharply aborted move to his sword.

"I do hope you will forgive us," the King continued, seeming oblivious to the rising tension. "If it helps, I believe Hyakuzawa will soon be a much closer ally to the Card Kingdoms."

His smile twisted a bit sharper. "Much closer."