The Cat and the Crow

Concerning Our Future

They made it look like they were just out for a casual stroll, but they had a clear destination in mind. At the far end of the park, and off the main path, there was a little copse of weeping sakura trees. The trees' branches sagged low enough that they touched the ground, and were so thick that it was like entering a natural room. Someone had once brought a picnic table into the area, and there it had stayed, and still in near pristine condition. It was like this little hideaway only showed itself to select people, and that Tetsu and Kei were among the lucky few to find it.

Within the branches, and seated at the picnic table, Tetsu held Kei from behind, resting his head on Kei's shoulder. He'd weaved the fingers of their left hands together, enjoying the feel of their engagement rings, which they'd worn since after Nationals. Soon, Kei would have to wear it on a necklace, but not for a little while yet.

"Tell me what you're thinking," Kei said quietly, leaning his head against Tetsu's. "Or maybe just finish telling me what you were going to while we were home."

"I love hearing you say that word, you know?" Tetsu replied after another few minutes of silence. "Never really thought 'home' would carry a deeper meaning than just a place to live."

"Tetsu?"

"Tokyo, Ogawara, Sendai, Saitama... hell, even right here in this park," Tetsu went on saying. "As long as I'm with you, I'm home."

Kei said nothing. He couldn't, not around the lump of feels that was currently lodged in his throat. His eyes had gone misty, too, but he wasn't going to cry. Even if that was the sweetest thing Tetsu had ever said.

"The JVA will be opening up offices in Sendai," Tetsu said matter-of-factly. "If I choose to work for them, and after I finish college, then we could stay here." He took a deep breath, let it out, and shifted so that they were facing each other. "I found out that Kenma will finish school at Nekoma, and... he's going to stay on the team."

Kei opened his mouth to speak, but Tetsu quickly kissed him, instead.

"Shhh, let me explain, okay?" he asked as soon as the kiss ended. Kei nodded and closed his mouth. "He's staying more out of obligation than anything. We only have a few new players, and none of them are setters. No one on the team would even be able to fill in, not as well as Nekomata would like. They had a team meeting, and decided that for his last year, Kenma could remain the setter, if he wanted to. And he did," Tetsu finished with a little shrug. "I think it's because he actually had fun playing volleyball during our match with you. I also think Chibi-chan may have had something to do with his decision to stay."

"But, somehow I thought..."

"Kenma has always been fascinated with Hinata ever since they met. And not in a bad way. Hinata has the power to win just about anyone over, and add the ability to make friends with anyone. Chibi-chan may have been angry with Kenma for a little while, but even you saw them talking after the showdown. Hinata's the friend Kenma needs, and they know that."

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

"Anyway, because he's staying on for his last year, I will have one year to do whatever I want before starting as Assistant Coach."

"What about college?"

"I'd just need to take a few classes, but most of what I'll need to know will come from Nekomata. The biggest hurdle to jump over, if I do decide to go that route, is having to live in Tokyo."

"Why is that even a hurdle?"

"I know you aren't crazy about living in such a big city..."

"Not really, no. But," and this time Kei kissed Tetsu into silence. "I never said I wouldn't try. If being Nekoma's head coach is what you truly want to do, then I will be there with you every step of the way. I mean, it's like you said... as long as I'm with you, I'm home."

"I love you, you know."

"I am well aware of this fact," Kei retorted, grinning. "I love you, too."

"Smartass."

"You love it."

"I do. Forever."

They remained in their little world until the sun started to set. They didn't do much talking, or really much of anything. They just simply existed together. Tetsu had started toying with their rings again, a happy little wistful smile playing on his face. Kei waited for him to speak, knowing he would as soon as he was ready.

"We never really discussed it..." he'd finally started to say, but then stopped, looking deep into Kei's eyes. "When do you want to get married?"

The question surprised Kei so much that all he could do was stare back. Tetsu flashed him a grin, and continued to watch his face. This time, he waited for Kei to speak instead of just charging ahead in effort to make his case. Not that he needed to, but that was beside the point.

"I was thinking we'd wait until I graduated high school, at least," Kei answered quietly. "I mean, I'm still considered a minor. Even though we both know Mom would give her consent, we'd need someone from your family to approve, wouldn't we?"

Tetsu shook his head. "I'm of age legally, so I don't need the approval on my side." He shrugged nonchalantly. "Besides, I'm pretty much it as far as my blood relations go, so..." When he saw the questions in Kei's eyes, he told the short version of his story. "My mom died giving birth to me. My dad was practically married to his job; it took him all over the world, so he was almost always out of the country. My older sister is a decade older than me, she had her own way of moving through life. When she graduated high school, she moved away. I still hear from them occasionally, but that's the extent of it.

"The house belonged to my grandparents, who raised me as best they could. They paid it off, and put my name on the deed. They even put it in their wills that it was mine. They also left an inheritance large enough to last me quite a while, and my dad supplies a monthly stipend, although that's probably about to end depending on whether I stay in college or not. It's kind of like what Keiji's family does for him. I've saved most of it. So, there's enough for us to live on for several years, or more, if we choose."

"So when you met me, and then my mom and brother..."

"It was like being a part of a real family for the first time. I mean, I'd pretty much considered Kou and Keiji brothers, but it was different with you. I don't quite know how to explain it."

Kei did, though. "Family isn't always those you are related to by blood. Family is who you choose to share your life with. We chose each other. Mom said something similar to Keiji on Christmas Day."

"I love Mom," Tetsu said simply.

"She said something else, too. Something like: a heart doesn't really start beating until you find the person you love."

Tetsu reached up to gently cradle Kei's face in his hands. "Mine started beating the moment I first saw you. Have I ever told you that?"

Kei nodded and smiled brightly. "All I did was walk into the gym."

"And that was all it took."

"Think we can wait until after I graduate high school?"

"I'd wait for you forever. But yes, we can wait until after you graduate."

Kei smiled so brilliantly that Tetsu was captivated all over again. Whatever it was he'd done in the past, if it was anything at all, he was incredibly thankful that Kei had come into his life. There were bound to be days where he felt as if he didn't deserve Kei, but those days would be far outnumbered by all the others.

"Let's go home," Kei said quietly.

"Yeah. Let's go home."