A Co-Captain's Doubts

Has Anyone Seen Hinata?

"Has anyone seen Hinata?"

Daichi stood with one hand on his hip as he looked over the rest of his team stretching and shaking out any stiffness that had settled in after the long period of sitting between their matches. They'd successfully managed to win against their first opponents, which was both exciting and satisfying, but then were less than thrilled to learn their next match wouldn't begin until much later in the evening, when most of the crowds had gone home. With nothing else to do, the pack of unruly boys had been keeping themselves entertained by watching other matches, snacking, and occasionally being threatened into behaving by their Captain.

Now that they were finally back on the court warming up, Daichi was surprised to see one of their most excitable players missing. The same one who'd asked him nearly every fifteen minutes if it was their turn to play again. The usually patient third year would have lost his mind if it hadn't been for Suga offering to send Hinata a few sets outside to help relieve his pent up energy. Daichi really didn't thank his Co-Captain enough for all he did, he'd have to make it up to him with more than a meat bun.

"Maybe he should be put on a leash if he keeps getting lost like some dumb animal." Tsukishima said dryly, crossing his arm over his chest in a stretch as he shook his head.

"Ha!"

Coming up behind his tall blond teammate, Tanaka slapped Tsukishima on the back roughly and barked a laugh, making the underclassman lurch forward and glare daggers at him.

"That'd be hilarious, Hinata would totally look like some yappy little dog running around and barking at everything!"

"I don't know why you're laughing Tanaka, I've considered putting you on a leash more than once with how often I have stop you from giving the team a bad rap." Daichi reminded, crossing his arms and giving the wing spiker a dull glare.

Deflating at the jab, Tanaka let his head fall forward dramatically.

"That's harsh, Boss..."

The brunette just rolled his eyes at his sulky underclassman while the others laughed, still preoccupied with finding his missing player as he came across Tadashi raising his hand and walking toward him.

"You're looking for Hinata? I'm pretty sure he's in the bathroom. He looked pretty sick when he saw Kita Wasaki's players, he left about ten minutes ago."

Daichi gave a sympathetic sigh. It seemed that even after all the progress the novice player had made, his nerves could still occasionally get to him.

"What, again?" Kageyama hissed, squeezing a volleyball with enough force to nearly pop it.

"He's such a little idiot, what could he possibly be nervous about?!"

"Well, their players are pretty big. Imagine how much bigger they look to Hinata, he's quite a bit smaller than you." Sugawara attempted to reason, as he came to stand beside Daichi, arms crossed over his chest as well and nodding sagely.

"Who cares how big they are, that just makes me want to kick their asses even more!" Nishinoya yelled, squatting down to mimic a receive and then jumping back up to clench a fist in excitement.

"The bigger they are, the harder they fall! Right, Asahi?"

"Oh, uh well- I don't want anyone to get hurt, but I suppose so..."

"Hey hey, why's everyone standing around? Enough talking, I want to see more sweat! Get in lines and warm up with some spikes."

Coach Ukai had made his way over and much like Daichi, began taking inventory of all his players, furrowing his brow at the absence of one important decoy.

"Hey, where's Red? Don't tell me he's in the bathroom again." Ukai sighed, shaking his head looking exasperated.

Daichi confirmed his coach's suspicions with a reluctant smile and nod of his head, but waved off his worry as he prepared to go check on the aforementioned missing player.

"It's alright, you guys get started, I'll go get him. It shouldn't take long."

Placing a hand on Daichi's shoulder, Suga shook his head.

"No, you get warmed up. You might make him more nervous on accident; I'll go see if I can calm him down."

"Are you saying the Captain isn't capable of inspiring courage in his own teammate?" Daichi grinned casually at his friend, causing the other to give a light hearted laugh.

"Of course not, but a Co-Captain has to be good for something if he can't even pull his weight on the court most of the time."

"Suga, that's not true-"

"Aw, don't get all sentimental on me, I'm only kidding. Go on, we can't have our Captain stiff during a match, I'll be back before you know it."

Turning, the setter began a light jog across the gymnasium. Daichi wanted to argue, but Suga didn't leave much room for it. Instead, he gave a small sigh and a smile as he watched the back of his silver head bouncing toward the exit doors.

"Fine, but this conversation isn't over Koshi!"

A single hand was raised in dismissive acknowledgement as Sugawara disappeared into the hallway, and Daichi gave a slight shake of his head as he turned back to the rest of his team.

"Alright, line up!"