Chapter Text
“Alright everyone, that’s a wrap on practice for tonight.” Ukai explained as the team gathered to listen. “Make sure you get a lot of rest and a nice big meal. We definitely won’t let up for morning practice, so no excuses or complaining tomorrow! Be here by 10!”
Groans of annoyance rang through the air as the Karasuno team pictured getting up early morning for practice, rather than sleeping in on the weekend.
Ever since they won that game against shiratorizawa, coach Ukai had been very persistent and pushing them past their limits.
Whether it came to, adding an extra mile to their runs, increasing practice by an hour, having practice everyday including weekends, or even just insisting on maintaining a healthy diet.
It was going well, but it was exhausting to say the least. Hopefully their hard work would pay off in time for nationals.
“Yo Noya, hurry up would ya? I’m looking forward to some of Saekos delicious rice and salmon when I get home!” Tanaka exclaimed as he watched the other second year tie his shoes and shove his volleyball gear into his backpack.
“Calm down Ryu! I’m just finishing!” Nishinoya replied as he stood up, clutching his bag strap. “And you better save some for me!”
“Maybe I would if you weren’t slow as hell.” Tanaka stated.
Nishinoya rolled his eyes in response and shifted his focus to Hinata and Kageyama.
“You two ready? You probably wouldn’t want Tanaka getting on your ass too.” Nishinoya said sarcastically.
“Yeah! We’re ready to go Noya!” Hinata said as he accidentally elbowed Kageyama, earning a whack on the head.
The four teens headed for the door, excited to return home and finally get some rest after a long day of conditioning and practice, trying to forget that they would do it all again tomorrow morning.
Before they could make it out the door, a voice called for the shortest second year. “Hey Nishinoya! Don’t forget to arrive an hour early for that extra training you wanted.” Ukai yelled across the gym, catching some of the other teams glances in the process.
Nishinoya simply gave a thumbs up as he led the other three out the door, before muttering. “Shit. I forgot about that extra damn practice.” He sighed.
“You’re such a hard worker! I wish I could be like you!” Hinata exclaimed.
Nishinoya rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s nothing really! I just wanted to work on more blocked ball retrieval. I still haven’t nailed it, and we’ll definitely need it if we want to win nationals.” He stated with a hum.
Tanaka started at his friend in awe, even Kageyama felt the need to pick up his jaw.
“How are you such a badass all the time?! Every time I see you, you have more and more bruises!” Tanaka said as he wiped an imaginary tear of awe.
Nishinoya chuckled as he stretched his arms. “Just part of being a libero!” He grinned.
They continued walking until they came close to the road, right beside the Karasuno High School sign.
Before they could go on, Nishinoya remembered leaving his elbow pads in his locker. He hadn’t used them today since it was just a conditioning practice, so he left them behind.
“Ahh—shit.” He called out as he placed a hand on his head.
“What is it bro?” Tanaka asked.
The first years turned around, curious to the situation.
“I left my elbow pads in my locker! I need them for that extra hour tomorrow with Ukai. I don’t want to fuck up my elbows more than they already are.” Nishinoya explained.
“Cant you grab them in the morning?” Kageyama asked.
Nishinoya lightly shook his head at the raven haired first year. “No, since it’s only a weekend practice, the school doors will be locked.”
“What if they’re already locked? It’s already been 5 hours since school got out!” Hinata added.
“Well, tonight has a better chance than tomorrow. I’m going to go and get them, you guys can go ahead.”
“Want me to come? You should have someone come with. You know, just in case.” Tanaka said, not wanting to take no for and answer.
“I’ll be fine, it’s only to my locker.” Nishinoya replied.
“Tanakas right. You shouldn’t go alone, it’s already 10 past 8, and the sun is barley up.” Kageyama added, signaling to the very dark blue that painted the sky.
Nishinoya sighed knowing that they would rather restrain him and drag him there as long as he had someone with, rather than let him go alone. “Fine—fine. But it’s really not necessary.”
“Oh, yes it is! Come on, let’s go get those pads!” Tanaka slightly shouted.
Nishinoyas eye twitched.
“You make it sound like I’m on my period.” He said with an eye roll.
“With your attitude, maybe you are.” Tanaka said sarcastically.
Hinata cupped his mouth to prevent laughing, not wanting to get murdered as he observed Nishinoyas rising anger.
“Uh we’ll—just—continue on.” He managed to say between giggles.
Kageyama nodded at the idea.
“Sounds good.” Nishinoya said threw clenched teeth.
The duos split ways, Nishinoya and Tanaka heading for the school, as the others headed home as stated.
The air was cool, and had a slight breeze to it. Perfect weather for their circumstances, or just a walk.
Just within the minute they had been walking, the sky had become a significantly darker shade of blue, practically considered night by then.
“Did you see how lovely kiyoko looked today!” Tanaka brought up.
“Of course I did bro! Her hair was shining today!” Nishinoya replied.
“Isn’t it always?”
“But today it was especially shiny, and—it shimmered.” Nishinoya argued.
“She’s just so perfect!” Tanaka added.
“I know right she’s so—“ a loud crash erupted the air before Nishinoya could finish his sentence. It was the type of crash you would hear if you were to smash open a window, indicated by the small fragment of glass they could hear as they hit the ground.
“What the hell was that?” Tanaka asked.
Nishinoyas hair stood up for no particular reason, just a feeling. He turned around, trying to figure out what his body was telling him. And at that moment….
It was telling him to run.
But his mind argued. His hyperactive and reckless brain told him to figure out the cause.
“We should go check it out.” Nishinoya stated.
“Are you crazy?” Tanaka said as he look at the shorter second year in disbelief. “That sounded like someone trying to brake in!”
Nishinoya started to walk towards the noise. “Don’t be such a baby. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
Tanaka crossed his arms as he followed the other, not bothering to hide his annoyance. “The whole reason I came was to prevent something like this. Remember that time you got mugged?”
“Of course I do. It was literally two weeks ago though, that’s like—forever in the past.” Nishinoya responded.
“Tell that to your black eye that just healed.”
Tanaka pointed to the freshly healed and small yellow bruise they laid just below his eye.
Tanaka remembered the first time he saw Nishinoya after the mugging. He had been on his way to school, and called Tanaka for a ride after it happened. When he arrived, he found Nishinoya learning against the wall with a hand on his rib, a bruise coating his left eye, and his lip had been busted open.
“For the record, I took down that guy no problem! He just got lucky shots is all!” Nishinoya persisted.
“Sure—“ Another crash, only this time it was much smaller, but also closer as they continued walking, now carful to avoid the detection of their footsteps.
The sweeping of glass could be heard, indicating they were very close. They noticed that the commotion was coming near the gym as they got closer.
“Maybe one of the third years accidentally broke something? I’m pretty sure they stayed later than—“
“Shh!” Tanaka interrupted.
“Don’t shush me! I’m just opening an explanation!”
“Noya be quiet.”
“No! Why are you so worried? It’s just—“
Tanakas hand clamped over Nishinoyas mouth, finally silencing him. “Seriously, shut up and listen.” He whispered.
Nishinoya stood still, looking down at the hand muffling his words.
He listened for a moment. A very quiet but audible talking could be heard. They sounded distressed, and mostly annoyed.
“Shit, are you fucking kidding me?” The voice barked with a hiss.
Nishinoya looked up at his best friend before he pried the hand that silenced him.
“I think he needs help.” Nishinoya said.
“I don’t know-“ Tanaka whispered.
“Come on—“ Nishinoya said as he turned the corner.
“No, Noya. I don’t think you should—“ Tanaka started, but Nishinoya had already turned the corner.
He was met by a man standing near the back window of the storage room, faced away from the duo, clutching his hand as blood dripped slowly onto the pavement. He wore a black hoodie and some jeans as light blonde hair covered his head.
“Hey—buddy, do you need some help? We heard the crash and we—“ Nishinoya attempted to ask.
“No….” The man called out, still facing away.
“Are you sure? You look a little….injured there.” Tanaka said.
They could hear a sigh as the man looked towards the sky, still clutching his hand. Nishinoya and Tanaka glanced at each other, unknowing of what on earth to do in that situation.
“You should really let us help you.”
The man spun around. “Look kids, I don’t need any help! So why don’t you run along and leave me alo-“
He paused once he made eye contact with Nishinoya, shifting his mood entirely.
“If I’m correct, you’re the libero on Karasunos volleyball team, right?” He asked slowly.
“Uh yeah, I am. Why do you ask?” The second year responded curiously.
The man dismissed Nishinoyas question.
“Actually—I could use some help…you see, I’m a uh—janitor….and I was trying to clean these windows, but I—accidentally broke it.” He managed to get out, trying to sound somewhat believable.
Nishinoya nodded slowly as he noticed a decent sized rock lying near the shards of glass littering the pavement.
“I see that…uh—I think there might still be a teacher around here. If you want I could—“
“No!” He yelled, causing Nishinoya and Tanaka to slightly step backwards.
“I don’t need a teacher. That will take too long…I—need help now.” He said as he walked closer.
Nishinoya walked back a step, slightly grabbing Tanakas arm to also pull him backwards. “Yup—sure. We can help, just stay put, I think one of our teammates might be inside.”
The man tilted his head, sending a chill down the each of the duos spines.
“Sure..” He casually said in a low voice.
Nishinoya gave a small thumbs up before Tanaka grabbed his shirt, turning him around to walk towards the gyms entrance.
“I have a bad feeling from that guy.” Tanaka whispered as they started to walk.
“Yeah me too.”
“I think we should call the police.”
“Yeah—or at least tell someone.” Nishinoya replied.
“Right. I think we should—“ he was cut off by the loud sound of footsteps at a running pace.
The two quickly turned around to find the man running at them with full speed, a pole in hand.
“Shit!” Tanaka called out as the man lunged for Nishinoya.
Tanaka watched as the man tackled Nishinoya to the ground, attempting to restrain his arms above his head with one hand, and hit him with a pole with the other.
Tanaka wasted no time jumping in on the attacker, shoving him off of Nishinoya.
“What the hell man!” He called out, quickly helping Nishinoya to his feet before the man could stand.
The blonde in front of them glared as he slowly stood up, clutching his side that had impacted the ground when being shoved.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!” Nishinoya yelled, gathering himself from what just happened. One second he was walking to the gym trying to get some distance from some sketchy dude, and the next he’s on the ground with the same guy trying to bash him with a pole.
“You cheated didn’t you?!” The man yelled. “There’s no way you could have won without cheating!”
“What?!”
He charged, this time aiming for Tanaka. He quickly dodged the incoming attack and landed a good punch on the blonde, slightly knocking the wind out of him. But the man quickly stood straight up, elbowing Tanaka right in the jaw, causing him the stumble backwards.
“You should have never won against shiratorizawa! They deserved the win!” His voice angrily rose as his fingers turned white from clutching the pole.
“This? All over a volleyball tournament?” Tanaka questioned, holding his jaw.
“Yeah, how old are you exactly?!” Nishinoya added.
The man drew his brows together before he pointed at Nishinoya with the pole.
“You.” He called threw his clenched jaw. “You’re Karasunos guardian. You’re the only reason they won. If you’re gone, Karasuno is nothing!”
This guy is insane, Nishinoya thought bitterly.
“I’m not the reason we won, it was a team effort!” Nishinoya argued.
“No…it’s you. You are the only one that’s ever been able to successfully receive Ushijima’s spikes perfectly.” He paused. “Do you know how many academy’s want you to join their team?”
Nishinoya bit his lip.
“Too bad you won't be around to join them.” The blonde said with a smirk.
“What do you want with him?!” Tanaka protectively asked, trying to partially shield Nishinoya, stepping in front of him.
The blonde clicked his tongue as he fiddled with the pole in his hand. “Do you not pay attention boy? He’s going to regret ever joining Karasuno-he deserves to suffer—unless….he joins shiratorizawa. With you—Nishinoya..as the backbone of our defense and with Ushijma’s powerful attacks…we won’t ever lose.”
“I would never join your team.” Nishinoya said angrily. “Karasuno is a way better team than yours will ever be. It’s already been settled on the court. We won because we’re better!”
The man sighed. “How many times do I have to tell you? You’re the only one who’s better. And you’re coming with me.”
Tanaka and Nishinoya looked at each other. “What?”
“I’ll give you one chance to join shiratorizawa willingly-or you’ll pay the price.” He stated.
“Never.”
“Very well then.” The man said.
Suddenly, Tanaka dropped to the ground, landing face first onto the pavement. Nishinoyas eyes widened as he watched his best friend collapse. “Tanaka!”
The blonde laughed as he nodded a good job at the man who knocked him unconscious.
“What the hell?!” Nishinoya yelled, noticing another figure where Tanaka had been standing, and that figure was holding a rock, slightly littered with Tanakas blood.
“Seriously! What the fuck is wrong with you?!” Nishinoya angrily said.
“Well you refused. Now this is the price you have to pay.” The man started, “Don’t worry. We only want you, we’ll leave him be.”
“I’m not something you can just have!” Nishinoya yelled as he observed the man coming closer.
“We’ll see about that.” He called before he lunged with the pole.
Nishinoya quickly dodged the man, causing him to stumble forwards. “You’re crazy!”
Nishinoya said, but the man didn’t listen.
He charged again, causing Nishinoya to dive for the ground, grabbing the man’s leg and taking him down with him.
He let go of the pole in process, causing Nishinoya to think that he could get him immobilized until he got some help.
The other man must have ran off, since he was nowhere to be seen. Thank god for that though. He didn’t think he could fight off two grown-ass men.
The blondes sharp elbow contacted Nishinoya in the face, stunning him for a moment, as he stood up. Nishinoya came back to his senses just before the man could land a kick to the ribs, rolling to the side just in time.
The second year quickly gathered himself as he stood, getting into a fighting position. His arms guarded his face as he took a step back, waiting for the blonde to once again make a move. And make a move he did.
He swung at Nishinoya, only to have it blocked, earning a punch in the face from the libero. He stumbled backwards, but recovering in just about a second as he wiped his now bleeding nose before chucking.
“Didn’t expect you to have a good arm.” He casually said.
“Let’s just say this isn’t my first fight.” Nishinoya replied. It was true. During his grade school years, and encountering random wanna be hot shots, he had his share of fist fights. Even with his size, he surprisingly won.
The blonde chuckled for a second time before he lunged once again, managing to pin Nishinoya against the wall by his shirt. He delivered his own punch, but this time, one after the other. Nishinoya could feel his gums start to bleed.
He forcefully pushed the guy off, causing him to land onto a trash bin, knocking it over as he went down with it. Nishinoya took that as an opportunity to get the upper hand. He grabbed the pole that had knocked out of the blondes hand, watching him as he struggled to get up.
Once he did, Nishinoya wasted no time on swinging the pole, hitting him directly on the head. For the second time, the man collapsed. Only this time, being unconscious.
Nishinoya dropped the pole, leaving the sound to ring through the cool night air. “Fucking madman.” Nishinoya whispered before sprinting over to Tanakas side.
He knelt down, turning him over so that he was lying on his back. Nishinoya observed his face. His forehead was dripping with blood, and his nose was probably broken from his landing. “Hey Tanaka—you need to wake up, you need to wake up buddy.” Nishinoya insisted.
All he received was silence.
“Tanaka. Wake up! We need to get out of here!” He yelled, slightly slapping his face, to which he received a groan. Nishinoya sighed in relief.
“Noya-?” Tanaka asked.
“Yeah—yeah man it’s me. Hey we’re gonna get you out of here and get you some help.” Noya reassured.
Tanaka nodded before clutching his head, finding blood on his hand. “Where did—the guy go?”
“I knocked him out.”
Tanaka sat up. “Damn Noya.”
“Shut up man. Let’s get you up and going—“ Nishinoya said as he attempted to reach a hand for Tanaka to grab.
“Noya, behind you!” Tanaka suddenly yelled
That’s when Nishinoya felt a sharp pain explode in the back of his neck. His vision started to blur as the noises around him seemed to fade.
He spun around, finding the guy that had been there before. Only now, he held an empty syringe in his right hand.
Nishinoya blinked a few times, trying to contain his consciousness to avoid passing out.
“What did you do to him?!” Tanaka yelled, standing near Nishinoya, watching him start to sway.
“It’s only a sedative. You know—to keep him in check.” The man cooed.
Nishinoya felt the world beneath him sway as his eyes began to roll to the back of head, grabbing unto a nearby wall to keep himself upright.
“Shit—“ Tanaka muttered. Before he could help Nishinoya, the man swung at him, landing a pretty solid punch. Definitely harder than the other guys. Speaking of the other guy, he had fully woken up by now, and was heading their way.
This isn’t good, Tanaka thought concerningly as Nishinoya tried to stand, only to sway back and forth.
“Just give it up, and give him up. It would make our lives much easier.” The man motioned towards Nishinoya, who was on the brink of collapsing, the sedative overtaking his consciousness.
It just felt like all the fight in him suddenly vanished after, making him feel groggy and confused.
“In your dreams.” Tanaka muttered.
The blonde rolled his eyes as he felt his head, which was streaming blood due to Nishinoya knocking him out. “I’m surprised on your will to keep going, along with Yuu’s. He put up a good fight you know.”
“Don’t call him that.” Tanaka spat.
The man only smiled before the other man started to grab at Nishinoya, carrying him over his shoulder in the direction of a nearby parked car. Aka, their getaway car.
Tanaka was quick to advance, only to receive a blow in the face. With his already damaged head, it took a pretty heavy toll on him as he collapsed to the ground, fighting off unconsciousness.
“Mr Yuu,” the man started, trying to rise Tanakas anger even more, “will endure his punishment.”
Before everything went black.