A Co-Captain's Doubts

Found in a Dark Place

Daichi's unease grew with every step he took, a fact that was not helped by the cacophony of footfalls echoing behind him, although his team's presence was a reassurance. There were very few people in the halls, as most had either gone home or made their way into the gymnasium for the last couple matches, it left the building feeling very empty and eerie.

"How much further, Hinata?"

"Not far, just around this corner. I left him... right... Here."

Slowing to a stop as he took the turn and appeared in front of the boy's bathroom, the first year began to scan the entirety of the hall and shake his head. No one could be seen in either direction, the only sound a soft buzzing that came from the florescent lights above.

"I know this is where I left him. I don't know where he is now." Hinata admitted, looking defeated. He hadn't been quick enough.

"It's not your fault, thank you for showing us. Alright everyone, we don't have a lot of time. Fan out and look for Suga, check the bathroom, look in the stalls, behind any vending machines, or trashcans. Give a shout when you find him, move quickly, go!"

Splitting off into smaller groups, the boys began calling out for their missing teammate, and listening carefully for any replies. Asahi, Tanaka, and Ennoshita by his side, Daichi entered the bathroom and bent down to peer beneath the many stalls before pushing open the doors, and double checking inside them. A few tense minutes later with no results, the captain turned as he heard his name called from the hallway. Quickly emerging from the bathroom with the others behind him, he found that it had been Tsukishima who'd called for him, Yamuguchi standing beside him and looking more green than usual.

"What is it Tsukishima, did you find him?"

"I don't know, maybe. There's something on the floor here outside this closet, it looks like blood. There isn't a lot of it, so I can't be sure. We tried the door and it's locked."

The level headed first year nudged his friend to the side as they got out of their captain's way, watching as he looked over the questionable speckles on the floor with a silent frown. Deep crease forming between Daichi's brows as they pulled together, the third year approached the heavy oak door and rattled the handle to double check it was indeed locked. The part of his team that remained near stood back as the brunette investigated, all looking hopeful, but tense. Lips close to the wood, Daichi pounded on the door with his fist.

"Suga? Suga, are you in there?"

...

Bang, bang, bang, bang...

"Suga... Sugawara...Koshi, are you in there?"

Sugawara had been content in his blissful and quiet unconsciousness, but gave the faintest of groans as a loud incessant noise began to rouse him. The first thing he was aware of as he came back to the land of the living was how much everything hurt. There was a terrible ache in his rips where the corner of something hard was digging into him, and not only did the back of his head sting, but his face felt like a truck had hit him. It was as if someone had thrown him into a giant blender and turned it to pulverize.

Wishing to find a more comfortable position instead of lying face down under a pile of heavy clunky objects, Suga opened his eyes to find it made almost no difference. The space around him was so dim he couldn't even figure out where he was.

"Suga? Hey, say something if you're in there!"

Letting out an involuntary groan, the setter blinked slowly as he tried to get his bearings, and shifted slightly beneath the cleaning supplies that had fallen on top of him. Someone was calling to him... He should answer.

From somewhere he couldn't see, Suga could hear voices.

"I heard something just now, I think he's in there! Tanaka, get Coach Ukai and Takeda, tell them to bring the janitor."

"You got it, Boss!"

Suga could hear footsteps that sounded like they were getting further away, but then was displeased as the banging, on what he assumed must be a door, continued.

"Suga, can you hear me? It's Daichi, we're going to get you out of there!"

Finally the pain from whatever was digging into his ribs became more acute than his desire to fall back into unconsciousness, and taking a second to remember how to move his hands, Sugawara grunted as he slowly pushed himself into a lopsided sitting position, bottles of hand soap and a wet floor sign clattering to the ground around him as he did so.

Testing his voice, he laid a hand against his tender face and groaned softly.

"Daichi... That you?"

That was a mistake. The sound of his own voice gave him a splitting headache, and suddenly he had the urge to be sick. Clenching his eyes shut tight, he willed away the bile that rose in his throat, and prayed for the pounding to relent.

"Suga! Tanaka went to get a Janitor; you'll be out of there in no time. Are you alright?"

Daichi's voice sounded full of relief but tight with nerves...Ah, he must be worried about him.

Not really sure of the answer, the silver haired boy took inventory of his situation and decided things were less than grand.

"I... I think so... My head is killing me. It's too dark in here to see anything...I don't' know where I am." He admitted, looking to the small crack beneath the door that let in the faintest glimmer of light.

"You're in a cleaning supply closet, three Kita Wasaki players tossed you in there, do you remember?" Daichi asked sounding put out, but seeming to want Suga to keep talking.

He was quiet for a moment as he thought, and then winced as his memories came flooding back too fast and too clearly. Squeezing his eyes shut, he fought against the nausea that had returned.

"Yeah... I remember."