Project Crimson » Haikyuu!! AU «

Five

"Hi, Na-chan! Happ--- ah!" 

The camera fell, causing the screen to show the ceiling. There was clattering and quite a ruckus as the man bumped his leg onto the table, causing paper and all sorts of other random stuff to fall into disarray. 

Alas, he picked up the phone and replaced it on his makeshift tripod. 

"Okay, where was I?" 

He scratched his head, making more of his messy hair spike out in different direction. His eyes lit up as he remembered. He combed his black hair out of his face with his fingers and smiled. 

It's that awkward dad smile he always give when he does these speeches every year for Natsuhi's birthday. 

"To my dear daughter, Na-chan. I'm sorry but you're gonna be called Na-chan even after you turn 50 because you'll forever be your old man's little girl." His grin grew wider. "I'm sorry I couldn't come home this year. But, as promised, I got you a birthday present!"

He pulled out a box from under the table, perfectly wrapped in glittery golden colored wrapping paper. Even the wrapper is always the same color. He says the gold reminds him of her and her mother's hair and eyes. 

"You're in 3rd year of high school now so, do you best. Uh, knock 'em out at the Double A entrance exam! I'm proud of you and happy birthday!"

He motioned to turn off the camera but pulled back.

"Ah, the present has a little surprise in it. I'll show you when I get back. Again, happy birthday, our dear Na-chan!" 

But, he never got to come home that year.

The next time they heard from him, it was what ACE assume to be his final recording before going missing completely. 

Bokuto has never seen Natsuhi breakdown like that before. It was like their world was flipped upside down and the earth disappeared beneath them. He could still hear the echoes of their cries as the officer informed them. 

After what he went through before the Kazehaya took him in, he never thought he would feel a pain that excruciating ever again. But he did and somehow this felt worse. 

"Na-chan, Koutarou, Musashi. You are my pride and joy. Take good care of each other."

- - -

Take good care of each other.

"Take good care of each other. Protect them at all cost. Find Na-chan!" 

Bokuto barged into the operation room of the Fukurodani-Nekoma Base. Officers at the location earlier were wrapping things up, Kenma was sent for medical attention. 

But, they still couldn't find Kuroo and Natsuhi. 

"Shirofuku-chan, report. Anything on Kuroo and Na-chan's location?" 

The reddish brown haired base support officer, Shirofuku Yukie, flinched at the sound of Bokuto calling her by her surname instead of her usual nickname, Yukippe. He's dead serious right now. 

"Negative, Vice Captain." 

"Suzumeda-chan?" 

Then tan haired officer shook her head. "Negative." 

"Can we access the nationwide communication satellite?"

"Awaiting access permission from HQ."

"Access permission granted." 

"Search the whole country. If that doesn't work, get access for the continental satellite," Bokuto ordered. 

Everyone in the room couldn't say a thing. The usual playful and somewhat childish Bokuto was not here right now. 

His sister was missing. He would dig a hole to the Earth's crust by hand if it meant finding her. 

"Vice Captain, we picked up something from the Okinawa Maritime Base."

"Playing audio now."

"Captain Kuroo, Division 15, to ACE Task Force bases within proximity. Requesting transport. Over." 

Bokuto's weariness dissolved. Was Natsuhi with him? 

"Captain Kuroo, Division 15, to ACE Task Force bases within proximity. Requesting permission and transport. Over." 

"Can we get a satellite view?"

"Yes, sir." 

The screen the view of what seems to be an escape pod. Kuroo stood at the front, continuing to reach out for help while Natsuhi sat beside an unknown young man. 

"Vice Captain Bokuto, Division 15, to Captain Kuroo, Division 15. Please tell me you guys are okay!" Bokuto asked loudly, skipping protocols.

"Oh, Bokuto! Kazehaya needs a medic over here ASAP. Her shoulder is kinda banged up."

"Got it!" Bokuto nodded. He turned to Shirofuku once again. "Send their coordinates to the Okinawa Maritime Base and make sure they have a medic on board. Get a helicopter to take them back here." 

"Roger!" 

Bokuto allowed himself a sigh of relief. But he willed the rescue team to retrieve Kuroo and Natsuhi quickly, if that was possible. 

She's going to be alright. She's fine. 

- - -

"Kuroo-san, I think something's wrong with her." 

While waiting for Kuroo to make contact with any nearby bases, Natsuhi and Akaashi took a seat at the back to the craft. It was cramped in there with the 3 of them. 

But when Natsuhi suddenly slumped onto his shoulder, Akaashi felt that her entire body was burning up. She was losing consciousness. 

Akaashi cradled her weakened body. 

"Oi, Kazehaya. Come on, kiddo. Stay with me!"

The adrenaline from earlier had passed. 

Now, Natsuhi's entire body shivered. A deep chill was settling into her bones. The blue sky was blurry, a mist invading her vision.

"Her wound is bleeding again!" 

"Oi, kiddo. Hang in there!" 

Even their voice sounded as if a void of water separated them. 

Then, silence.

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Author's Note:

Good news! I passed my driver's test today wohoooooooooooooooooo!!

~kimmie_ryren