The Beginning of the End

Chapter 7

As soon as the boys had dispersed, Hinata went straight for the volleyballs.

He didn't care that they were supposed to be looking for weapons. He wanted to go to the one source that gave him comfort.

With trembling fingers he picked up one of the balls. Turning it in his hands and letting the familiar touch relax him.

Hinata bit his lip, he didn't want to cry again.

He had shed so many tears in the last day and a half that it drained him.

"Hey Hinata"

Hinata jumped in surprise and turned to see Yamaguchi standing behind him.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you" said the freckled boy bashfully.

"It's okay. Where's Tsukishima?" Hinata was used to the two always being together so he found it odd that they were apart.

"He said he wasn't feeling well so he went to the bathroom. What are you doing here?"

Hinata shrugged, looking at the ball in his hands. "I just wanted to be by something familiar."

Yamaguchi nodded, picking a volleyball up himself. He tossed it up and down, remembering the sensation he had felt whenever he would serve.

"Kiyoko and Yachi were supposed to head to Tokyo today to meet us for camp.. I wonder if they're still alive.."

"Maybe they got rescued and made it somewhere safe" replied Hinata. "At least, we should pretend that they did."

Yamaguchi nodded, blinking tears out of his eyes as he sat down. "I'm glad you're here Hinata. Tsukki and everyone else too."

The orange haired boy sat down, facing Yamaguchi.

"Me too. Maybe some day we can all play volleyball together again."

The boys smiled at the thought, feeling comforted by the balls in their hands.

"Oi."

They looked up to see Kageyama looming over them, a glare fixed on his face.

"Hinata, I need to talk to you."

Hinata gazed at Kageyama expectantly, waiting for him to speak. The black haired boy shifted uncomfortably, "I need to talk to you.. alone."

He didn't wait for a response and grabbed the ginger's shirt, dragging him away from Yamaguchi.

"Hey! Why'd you drag me away like that for.. you didn't even give me time to respond.."

Kageyama leaned over, a grim expression on his face.

Hinata fiddled with the volleyball in his hands nervously. It wasn't like Kageyama to be so serious. He didn't understand why he wanted to talk to him alone.

He took a chance and looked up. He was met with unblinking blue eyes, their intensity made him nervous.

Hinata reverted his gaze back to the volleyball. "What do you want Kageyama?"

"For you to stay by my side!" huffed the boy.

"Huh?! Why?!" asked Hinata, looking at him incredulously.

He was confused on why his friend would ask such a thing. After all, Kageyama tended to be annoyed with his presence.

"Because you're a boke that's always getting himself lost!" Kageyama yelled in response.