A/N: Hello, readers! Welcome to another chapter! Enjoy!

edited on october 14th, 2020 @ 7:39pm

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CHAPTER FOUR - THE NEKO-KARASU REUNION

KARASUNO FOLLOWED THE NEKOMA TEAM into the building as Tadahiro saw Hinata run up to one of his childhood friends. "Kenma!" He shouted making Kenma pause and stare at him. "Hey, you're with Nekoma?" Hinata asked with shock.

"Oh. Yeah." Kenma replied, looking away.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Hinata whined.

"Because you didn't ask..." Kenma replied, making Hinata confused.

"But you said 'see you soon.' You must've known something." Hinata stated as Kenma looked at the orange haired boy.

"Your t-shirt said 'Karasuno High School.'" Kenma replied.

"Hey, hey, hey."

Tadahiro noticed one of Kenma's teammates who had short, thick eyebrows and a mohawk that was dyed blonde, giving him a intimidating appearance. He also had cat-like eyes, similar to most of Nekoma's members.

"Another Tanaka-chan? What a pain..." Tadahiro sighed to himself.

"What business might you have with our setter?" He hissed, making Hinata nervous as he backed up.

"It's fine." Kenma reassured his teammate as Hinata was shaking like a leaf.

"S-Sorry..." Hinata apologized as he bumped into Tanaka who radiated the same energy as the other guy.

"You too... What business might you have with our first-year?" Tanaka hissed back. Tadahiro looked at the two, watching the scene unfold.

"Is there a problem?"

"Wanna fight, city boy?"

Sugawara looked at Tanaka with an annoyed look. "We're going to 'fight.' That's why we're here to play the match. And stop the 'city boy' thing. It's embarrassing." He scolded.

"Yamamoto, you're always quick to pick a fight. Stop it. It makes you look stupid." A guy with light brown hair and eyes and short added.

Sugawara and the guy started apologizing for their teammates. "Yaku-chan became the mom of his team, huh? Reminds me of Suga-chan." Tadahiro thought.

Kiyoko walked over to him. "You okay? You seem distracted." She asked. Tadahiro smiled at the manager. "I'm fine. I'm just wondering what I did in a past life to have idiots as teammates." He replied as Kiyoko giggled a bit.

He suddenly heard Yamamoto yell making Tadahiro look over to see him staring at him and Kiyoko. "A lady... manager... beauty... cute boy... as well..." Yamamoto stuttered, backing away.

"Score!" A Nekoma member exclaimed.

"A lady manager! And a cute guy too!" The other added.

"We win yakisoba bread!" The two shouted in unison.

"I don't even wanna know what that's about..." Tadahiro thinks to himself.

"Setter..." Tadahiro heard Kageyama mumble making him look at his kouhai with confusion.

Karasuno walked into the gymnasium where Hinata is instantly amazed by it. "Wow, the ceiling's so high!" Hinata exclaimed.

"This is normal." Kageyama stated bluntly.

Tadahiro looked over to see Daichi smiling at his ex.

"We're looking forward to our match today."

"We're looking forward to it, as well."

The two captains smiled, but Tadahiro could tell that it was fake. "Here goes nothing... I have to face him in the match. Might as well do it now." Tadahiro thought. He walked over to Daichi. "Yo, Dai-chan. Where do we put our bags?" He asked as him as Kuroo looked at him.

"I'm sure Suga knows. But my guess is somewhere to the side of the gym." Daichi replied.

"All right, thanks." Tadahiro said.

"So Karasuno, huh?" Kuroo said, stopping the red head in his tracks. "That's where you ran off too, Hiro."

"Tch, I didn't run away. Don't tell me you forgot what you did, Tetsu." Tadahiro stated with venom in his voice.

Before Kuroo could reply, Daichi dragged him and pushed him towards Sugawara. "Watch him. We don't need them trying to take Hiro away from us. I won't allow it." Daichi stated.

"Got it." Sugawara agreed, grabbing onto Tadahiro's arm.

Tadahiro chuckled a bit. "Dai-chan must've figured out Tetsuro was my ex that I was talking about. It's adorable seeing him protective." He thinks to himself.

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Everyone was in their uniform as they surrounded Daichi. "Let me be frank. We've all just met. We're awkward and fragmented. But regardless, we're facing our first match. We know nothing about Nekoma's team, nor the kind of walls we'll hit. But when we find a wall, that's our chance to jump over it." Daichi said with a smile as everyone nodded in agreement.

Tadahiro noticed Nekoma's team surround each other, but didn't know what they were saying. Soon, everyone headed towards their positions as Tadahiro stretched his arms and legs so he wouldn't pull a muscle.

TWEEEET!

Both teams lined up. "We now begin the practice match of Nekoma High School versus Karasuno High School." The announcer shouts out.

"Let's play!"

Somewhere at a garbage dump, a crow flew in the air as it cawwed at a cat, who was in a fighting position, ready to pounce at the crow.

You're not nervous today, right?" Daichi asked Hinata.

"Right." Hinata grinned.

Tadahiro was standing next to Tanaka. "Wow. Short..." A guy from the Nekoma team stated as he looked at Hinata. The guy had spiky brown hair and matching brown eyes. Hinata seemed to get irked by the guy who called him short.

"D-Don't underestimate me!" Hinata growled.

"I'm not underestimating you at all." The guy informed, making Hinata be taken aback.

"Really?" Hinata asked.

Tadahiro saw Kageyama glare at Hinata which made both our teammate and Nekoma's player shiver at Kageyama.

"Shoyo. I told you I thought we're a strong team, but it's not me that's strong. It's everyone together." Tadahiro heard Kenma inform Hinata as the orange haired boy stared at the setter with curiosity.

"I wonder if Ken-chan has improved since I last saw him." Tadahiro thought. "No matter... I've known Ken-chan for a long time. His tricks won't work on me."

TWEEEET!

Kenma was the first to serve for his team. "Kenma, nice serve." A member from his team shouted out, as the ball went to Karasuno's side. Asahi was quick to save it.

"Asa-chan!" Tadahiro called out.

"All right." He informed. But the save was a little short. "Sorry, a little short." He called out making Tadahiro scoff.

"That's what you get for ditching a month, Asa-chan!" Tadahiro scolded, making the ace pout.

"I'm sorry." Asahi apologized.

Tadahiro watched the ball as it neared Kageyama and Daichi. "Kageyama, cover." Daichi yelled.

"Yes." Kageyama replied as he got under the ball. Hinata was quick on his feet as he raced to the side. Kageyama tossed it to Hinata who spiked it down with his quick reflexes. Nekoma stared in shock, wondering what happened.

"Amazing speed. What the..." The brown haired guy that Hinata was talking to earlier gasped. Tadahiro grinned a little at this.

"That was amazing." Kenma spoke up. "I'm shocked."

"Nice, Hinata!" Sugawara called from the sidelines. Tadahiro noticed Kenma stare at Hinata, making him narrow his eyes at him.

"Thanks!" Hinata called back. It was Tanaka's turn to serve. "Here goes." He said as he serves the ball. A Nekoma member saves it, as Kenma then sets the ball to Yamamoto. The ball went passed Tsukishima, but Nishinoya was there to receive it.

"Nice receive!" Kageyama called out as he got ready to toss the ball. Hinata jumped, making Nekoma's team jump as well but Kageyama tossed it to Asahi who spiked it down. Nekoma's libero saves it, only managing to touch it as it went out of bounds, making Karasuno gain another point.

"This is too easy..." Tadahiro thought, getting suspicious. Nishinoya walked off the court as Tsukishima walked on. The game continued as everyone kept the ball in play. However, they didn't score a point as Hinata kept messing up.

"I'm sorry." He apologized as Nishinoya rushed back onto the court.

"Hinata, you idiot!" Kageyama shouted.

Tadahiro sighed at his two underclassman, feeling a headache coming on. "Don't mind, don't mind." Nishinoya reassured Hinata. The game continued as Kageyama tossed to Tanaka.

"My turn." Tanaka yelled as he spiked the ball, gaining a point for Karasuno.

Nekoma ended up getting a point since Nishinoya didn't get the ball on time. Kageyama sets the ball for Hinata who spikes it down and got Karasuno another point.

Tadahiro still felt off as he looked over at Kenma who seemed to be staring at Hinata. "He's planning something. I just know it." Tadahiro thinks to himself.

Nekoma's coach called for a timeout, so the game was paused as everyone headed to their respective sides. Sugawara handed Tadahiro his water. "Thanks." Tadahiro said as he drank the liquid. His eyes were on Nekoma's team.

"They must have something up their sleeve..." Tadahiro thought.

Soon the game continues, suddenly Tadahiro felt like he was being watched. He turned to see Nekoma's team eying Karasuno.

As the game went on, Kageyama tossed to Hinata who got them a point. "Damn it!" The guy who tried to block Hinata shouted.

"Don't mind, don't mind." Yamamoto told him.

However, Tadahiro noticed something was up when Hinata spiked the ball. "That was a close one. Their #7... he's following Hinata. They also moved their blockers, and those blockers aren't there to mark the ace. I see now... They're trying to pin down Hinata." He thinks to himself.

Kageyama had set to Hinata who jumped up to spike once more. Nekoma's #10 jumps up to block, as he only managed to touch it. "Touched again..." Tadahiro thought as Karasuno saw Kenma about to set.

"Fast attack's coming." Hinata stated as Kenma jumped up.

"No... He's doing a setter dump!" Tadahiro thinks to himself. He was right. Kenma dumped the ball over the net.

"Bold move, Ken-chan!" Tadahiro thought as he was able to receive the ball. "Nice receive, Kagami-san!" Nishinoya shouted. Nekoma was shocked by this, including the coach.

Tadahiro stood up and looked at Kenma. "That setter dump may have worked on my teammates, Ken-chan, but that was just insulting. How long have I known you now? Besides, I used to attend Nekoma. Unfortunately for you kitties, I know all your little tricks." Tadahiro informed, shocking the Nekoma team even more.

"So this was the guy Kuroo mentioned..." Yamamoto thought, remembering back when they were talking in their hotel.

"Oh, that reminds me. Karasuno has one of the top 3 spikers in Japan on their team, right? Kagami Tadahiro I think his name was?" Inuoka asked, making both Kuroo and Kenma flinch at the name.

"Yeah, they do. I actually ran into him when I found Kenma earlier along with two other Karasuno players." Kuroo responded.

"Eh? You sound like you're close to him." Yamamoto stated.

"Hiro and I used to date." Kuroo announced. "He went to Nekoma as well during my first-year, and played on the volleyball team. Though, after we broke up, he mysteriously disappeared. Never imagined he ran off to Karasuno."

"W-Wait, if he played on our team before, then he knows all of our tricks, right?" Inuoka questioned.

"I guess so."

"Well, we're screwed."

Tadahiro walked over to Kageyama and Hinata. "They can detect the tiniest fault." He commented as Kageyama nodded in agreement. He went back to his position as the game went on. The ball made it's way to Nekoma's side as Yamamoto jumped up to spike, Tsukishima jumped up to block, but Yamamoto got the ball through.

"In front!"

Tadahiro saw Tanaka dive down and save the ball. "Sorry, Noya! Cover for me!" Tanaka called out as Nishinoya ran over. "I got this!" Nishinoya shouted as he receives the ball.

"Right!" Kageyama shouted, calling for a toss.

"Kageyama. Last." Nishinoya shouted as he tossed the ball over to Kageyama who jumps up and spikes the ball, gaining Karasuno a point.

Kageyama pointed at Hinata. "Hey, that's called a straight. It goes straight along the sideline. Learn to discriminate with your spikes." Kageyama informed.

Tadahiro walked over to Kageyama and pat his back. "Good job." He complimented, then lowered his tone.

"You must also notice the way Nekoma is doing now, right?" Tadahiro asked as Kageyama nodded.

"Keep pulling tricks like that. We can't afford to have them on Hinata throughout the game." Tadahiro added.

"Yeah." Kageyama replied. Tadahiro glanced at the scoreboard.

Nekoma

16

Karasuno

18

It's only the first set... We need a strategy, and badly." Tadahiro thought.

Tsukishima jumps up and dumps the ball over Nekoma's blocker. "Nice one, Tsukishima." Daichi praised as the ball touched the ground and gained Karasuno another point.

Kenma glanced up at Tsukishima but glanced away when Tsukishima looked back at him. It was Tadahiro's turn to serve as he bounced the ball. He quickly looked at each of the Nekoma players with red electricity flashing in front of his eyes, finally deciding to aim at the farthest point to where they couldn't receive it.

Tadahiro tossed the ball into the air as he jumped up, aiming the ball towards his where he wanted to go and smacked the ball with power.

"Nice serve!" Daichi shouted.

"Yamamoto." Kuroo called out.

"I don't think so, kitty." Tadahiro grinned as the ball hit the ground before Yamamoto received, gaining Karasuno another point.

"Kagami-san is on fire today!" Tanaka exclaimed.

"I think it's because Nekoma was his old team. He wants to beat them." Nishinoya stated. "I forgot how scary and dangerous Kagami-san can be when he's in the Zone." Nishinoya thought, seeing red electricity coming from his eyes.

The ball ended up going to Kenma, as Tadahiro saw him look to the right. Which made Tsukishima also go to the right. "Tsukishima, don't—" Tadahiro shouted out, as he had a feeling Kenma was deceiving the toss.

He turns out to be correct as Kenma tossed the ball to the left instead. The spiker ended up spiking the ball down as Nekoma gained a point. "All right." Nekoma cheered as Tsukishima observed Kenma who runs to join his team. Tadahiro walked over to the first year.

"I know that you're an observant guy, but, don't always fall for the obviousness. That's what they want you to do." Tadahiro stated, glancing over at Nekoma.

"You knew he was tossing to the left?" Tsukishima asked him, shocked.

"Of course. I've known Ken-chan for a long time. I know how his brain works. I tried to warn you, but it was already too late." Tadahiro replied as Tsukishima nodded in understanding.

"I don't think I've ever seen you like this, senpai." Tsukishima stated.

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Tadahiro questioned.

"In this match... You're more... observant. From what I've seen so far, you never look at the opposing team. Now, you're being the opposite of what I see you on the court. Observing and coming up with strategies in your head." Tsukishima explained.

Tadahiro chuckled. "I suppose it's because I've been on Nekoma's team before so I know how they work. If you ask me, having a former member of their team on the opposite side of the court is their weakness." He said as Tsukishima stayed quiet and took in his words.

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Tadahiro watched Kenma toss the ball to Kuroo who spikes it down, Tsukishima tried to block but was unsuccesful. Nishinoya also failed to save the ball, making Nekoma gain a point. Tadahiro sighed tiredly at this.

The game went on as Hinata spikes the ball but #7 managed to one touch it, as Nekoma's libero quickly saves it. Tadahiro saw Kenma spike the ball to Yamamoto. Nekoma gets another point.

"Dammit..." Tadahiro thought, panting. He looked at the scoreboard angrily.

Nekoma

24

Karasuno

22

"Set point for them... that's not good." Tadahiro thought. The game goes on as Tadahiro watched the ball and dunked down to receive it. "Nice receive!" Tanaka praised as Hinata looked at the ball and runs forward. Hinata jumps and was about to spike, until #7 was in front of Hinata, blocking the ball and making Nekoma win the first match.

TWEEET!

Tadahiro panted as he was bewildered as to what happened. Hinata's special quick attack had failed. "Damn it... Nekoma got used to Hinata's quick attack..." He thinks to himself.

They all group up, as the team took drinks of water. Hinata was quiet making the rest of the team nervous. "Hey, we can't afford to get discouraged. We'll take the next set." Kageyama reassured Hinata.

"There's no such thing as an unstoppable spike. Don't think otherwise." Ukai added as Hinata looked up.

"You'll score next time, Hinata."

"Wham!"

Hinata looks at Nishinoya and Tanaka before having a determined look. "Yeah." He shouted.

TWEEEET!

Hinata got blocked again on the second match. "Nice block, Inuoka!" Yamamoto praised their #7 whos name was Inuoka. Tadahiro narrowed his eyes. "It's not just dumb luck. Their #7's getting used to Hinata's moves." Tadahiro thinks to himself with a narrowed look at Hinata pants.

Hinata got blocked again, but Daichi quickly dives in and saves the ball. "Nice, Dai-chan!" Tadahiro praised as he watched the ball and received it.

"Nice, cover!" Tanaka yelled as he spikes the ball.

"Tanaka!" Nishinoya exclaimed as Karasuno scored a point.

The game goes on as Tadahiro saw Nishinoya save the ball and Hinata ran to spike it, Inuoka chases after Hinata on the other side of the net. Hinata quickly runs the other way, but Inuoka was fast and caught up to him, blocking the spike Hinata did.

Hinata was panting, getting tired. Tadahiro was getting more irritated by the minute, wanting to punch something. "Keep it together, Hiro. The match isn't over yet." He told himself.

Tadahiro looked back at Hinata only to gasp as he saw him look straight ahead with a smile on his face. Everyone in the gym also saw and were taken aback. "Hey." Kageyama spoke, looking concerned.

"Something's different. Different from the time when I couldn't see the 'other side' because of the blockers. I was at complete loss for what to do. But now it's different." Hinata explained as everyone listened to him.

"I can tell they're matching me by the skin of their teeth. I used to be afraid of blocks. I hated them. But when that guy's in front of me. I feel excitement. With your toss, and with some strategy, I'm sure we can break through this wall." Hinata stated as he turned to Kageyama.

"One more time... send me a toss."

Kageyama stayed silent before looking at Hinata dead in the eyes. "That goes without saying." He informed the orange haired male.

The game went on as Tadahiro looked at the scoreboard.

Nekoma

07

Karasuno

05

"Nice serve!"

Tadahiro watched as the ball went to Kageyama as he then tosses to Hinata. Tadahiro glanced up to be taken aback when he noticed Hinata's eyes weren't closed like usual. He also noticed he was trying to spike the ball where there were no blockers, everyone on the team was also surprised by this.

However, Hinata was too focused in the air that he didn't spike on time, as the ball bounces out of bounds and Hinata tumbled down.

Everyone stared at the orange haired male. "T-Time!" Ukai exclaimed calling for a timeout.

TWEEET!

Kageyama walked up to Hinata who started to panic. "It's not that I didn't trust your toss, um... I wonder." Hinata said as Kageyama deadpanned at him.

"What are you panicking about?" Kageyama asked as Tadahiro saw Ukai look at the two.

"Kageyama. Give Hinata a softer toss than usual. Not the usual direct delivery." Ukai suggested as Kageyama looked at their coach with questioning eyes.

"An indirect delivery?"

"In..."

Ukai looked at the two first years. "Instead of the usual fast toss on a straight trajectory, it's a slightly floating kind of toss. I realize it might be hard to suddenly change track, but..." Ukai explained as Kageyama looked like he was in deep thought before nodding.

"I'll do it." Kageyama accepted.

TWEEET!

Karasuno headed back onto the court. The first few tries of Hinata spiking at Kageyama's softer tosses didn't work out that much. After a few more tries, Ukai calls for a time out. Tadahiro didn't pay attention to what everyone was saying, but he did notice his team smiling and having a few fun moments. He looked away from his team and drank some water.

Soon, the game continued as Hinata was swapped out. Tadahiro stayed on the court. The whistle blew as Nekoma served it and Nishinoya receives the ball, Karasuno scored a point, so that was good. Hinata came back in and once again he and Kageyama try their softer tosses, Hinata kept failing, but he was getting slower.

Tadahiro watched as the ball comes at him, making him blink as he received it.

After a few more tries, Tadahiro noticed Hinata jump up and was about to spike the ball, as Inuoka was already going to block it. Tadahiro gasped as he saw Hinata make the ball swerve to the side, however the ball was out.

"That was awesome. That was awesome, Shoyo!" Inuoka exclaimed as Tadahiro saw Hinata take in a deep breath and look ahead with concentrated eyes.

"One more."

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A/N: Another chapter done! Hope you enjoyed!

Word Count: 3561 words.