A/n: We're finally getting somewhere! Slowly things will be coming together now, hope you'll stick around long enough!

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Daichi had suspicions.

The third year had reasons to believe that Hinata was being abused by his own dad. But he didn't have enough evidence to make assumptions. Just the way that Hinata had sounded the night before, after getting in trouble by his dad for staying up late. Hinata sounded, frightened? Terrified, even. There was also the fact that Hinata denied help from the team. Not once, but twice. The first was when the small ginger ran out of the gym unexpectedly. The second was during that phone call, when Daichi had asked Hinata to let everyone help, and the ginger had replied with a 'everything's fine.' It all worried Daichi.

But went sent the red flag was how Daichi heard the deep, bellowing male voice on the other line. The man's words sound slurred. Daichi could guess that he man might've just been tired, but that didn't sit right for some reason. The next guess was that the man was drunk. Maybe that would explain the bruises and cuts on Hinata's skin.

Still, Daichi didn't have enough evidence.

Still, Daichi has to watch Hinata suffer by himself.

-----

Currently, the high school volleyball team were practicing before class started. The gym was eerily silent, excluding the sound of the volleyballs hitting the wood floors. When Hinata had walked into the club room that morning, everyone had asked if Hinata was okay. But at the same time, no one asked if Hinata got his wounds treated or why he ran off. Somehow they understood why.

Daichi's brown eyes quietly observed Hinata from the other side of the gym. The small middle blocker was slowly practicing the new and improved quick spike with Kageyama. And for once, the two weren't arguing. Kageyama was explaining something to Hinata, and Daichi focused on the cut on Hinata's bottom lip. Another mysterious wound.

Daichi couldn't help but to wonder how he got it. No one asked, and he didn't want to be the first. His mind wandered back toward his accusation from the previous night. 'Could it really be abuse? Why would Hinata hide it from us?' Daichi thought, mindlessly receiving the green, white, and red volleyball that Asahi had served from the other side of the net.

There was the faint sound of a whistle being blown for a short water break. Daichi moved off the court, taking a towel that Kiyoko had offered him. He nodded in thanks and wiped his face clean from the sticky sweat. "Daichi?" The brunette haired captain turned, looking down toward the slightly shorter vice captain.

"What's up, Suga?" Daichi let the towel fall over his shoulders. He opened a water bottle to take a drink. Daichi looked back at his teammate.

Sugawara was frowning. There was something that was bothering the silver haired male. He opened his mouth to speak, "You seem...distracted." Sugawara spoke carefully, brown eyes glancing to the left, where Hinata stood in the corner of the gym. It was the ginger's safe haven that no one wanted to take from him. "Are you okay?"

Daichi hummed, glancing toward Hinata as well. "Honestly?" The wing spiked shook his head. "No, I'm not."

"What's wrong?" Sugawara asked in a whispered voice. "Is it Hinata?" Daichi nodded his head.

"I can't tell you here though." Daichi sighed. "We'll talk more during lunch." He added, setting his things down to return to practice. Sugawara nodded back, following the captain back onto the court.

Throughout the rest of practice, Daichi and Sugawara would exchange worried glances when Hinata would quietly apologize for a missed spike. The two were scared that Kageyama would snap at the small middle blocker, but to their surprise, the first year setter stayed calm and collected. Kageyama would correct Hinata's form and the duo would try again. Just then, Daichi wondered if Kageyama knew anything. Maybe, maybe not. The captain decided to speak with the first year after morning practice.

And Daichi didn't have to wait long.

Ukai dismissed the team, and Daichi approached the team's official setter. "Kageyama." He called. The raven haired teen turned over his shoulder. Hinata stopped too. The ginger glance between Daichi and Kageyama, before running off to the club room. The two remaining high school students watched the ginger go. Daichi turned back to Kageyama. "I wanted to ask if you knew anything..." he spoke slowly, unsurely. "About Hinata."

Kageyama's face scrunched up in clear frustration. His eyebrows furrowed and nose crinkled. "No. He won't tell me anything." He said just as quietly as Daichi did. "He won't let me help. I've tried everything, but he won't..."

Daichi sighed, placing his bigger hand firmly on the setter's shoulder. "We'll figure out a way to help him. Don't worry." He reassured. Kageyama looked at Daichi. And for the first time since Daichi met Kageyama, the latter looked helpless. Kageyama looked like his actual age, a first year. A kid. The look made Daichi determined. Now he was more determined to help Hinata, because the team was suffering too.

Later on, Sugawara and Daichi met up for lunch. Asahi came too. The three sat down in the far corner of Daichi's nearly empty classroom. They spoke in hushed whispers, not willing to let anyone outside of their circle know about their suffering teammate. "What did you want to talk about, Daichi?" Sugawara asked warily. Asahi waited with tense shoulders and lips pressed into a thin line.

Daichi was silent for a minute, in order to gather his thoughts. He didn't was to alarm his friends with mere theories and accusations. He had to speak carefully. "I don't want to make an accusations.." Daichi started off with. Sugawara and Asahi decided to stay silent, waiting for Daichi to finish. "But I think that.." the captain's voice lowered another octave. He stared down at his fidgeting hands. "Hinata might be getting abused...by his dad."

Silence rested between the three. But it was Asahi that broke the silence. His voice was deep, just like when he helped Hinata with a panic attack. "What makes you say that?" Asahi questioned solemnly. His brown eyes half lidded and plagued with a serious undertone.

Daichi massaged his temples. "I know that I could get in trouble...by accusing his dad of abuse." He spoke softly, making sure that only his two friends could hear him. "That's why I haven't said anything to anyone besides you two." The captain took a short breath. "Last night, Hinata called me. I asked him if he was okay, and told him that if he needed help from us all he had to do was ask. Before Hinata could answer though, his dad started screaming for him to go to sleep. His dad's voice sounded slurred." Daichi stayed silent.

"Daichi.." Sugawara frowned and lightly patted the side of his companion's shoulder. "That-"

"I know." Daichi said, shutting his eyes tightly. "I know that that doesn't mean anything. But thinking that his voice was slurred from exhaustion...it didn't feel right. It still doesn't. I feel like there's something going on, but I don't know what it is."

Asahi watched as Daichi looked so lost. Usually the captain was always so sure of himself, of everything. That's the reason why the second and first years confided in Daichi so much. But now Daichi was so obviously stressed out. "We'll watch more carefully." Asahi spoke. Sugawara and Daichi turned toward their gentle hearted ace. "We'll help him inside and outside of practice. Whatever he needs."

Daichi released a breathless chuckle. "You actually sound like our ace." Asahi jutted his bottom lip out a bit and mockingly glared at the captain. Sugawara couldn't help but to laugh at the light hearted exchange between his two closest friends.

-----

Hinata had left practice early again, stating the very vague excuse that he had errands to run. With that, the small ginger had quickly escaped his peer's watchful eyes. During that short second of Hinata's retreating figure, the three third years had exchanged a worried glance. But none of them made any moves to stop their teammate. Afterall, they still had practice to continue with.

During one of the team's short water breaks, Kiyoko walked up to Takeda. "Takeda-sensei." She politely called the club advisor's name. The dark haired teacher looked toward the third year manager.

He smiled at her. "Is there something you need, Shimizu-san?" Takeda asked the student.

"Actually, I was wondering if I could leave early as well." Kiyoko spoke in her natural soft tone. Before Takeda could question why, Kiyoko continued. "My mom had a small accident, and had to go to the emergency room." She explained.

Takeda blinked, then spoke quickly. "Of course! You would want to make sure that she's okay!" He rushed out, with wide and flustered eyes. The young teacher dismissed the team's manager, allowing her to leave practice an hour early. Kiyoko bowed her head, and exited the gym.

Kiyoko didn't bother in changing her clothes either. She simply gathering her belongings from the girl's locker room and rushed to the bus stop. It didn't take long for the bus to arrive either. Luck seemed to be on Kiyoko's side. As she waited upon the moving vehicle, her dark grey eyes worriedly glanced in between the scenery outside and the phone clutched in her hands. Though Kiyoko was beyond worried for her mother's accident, her expression stayed calm.

Soon, the bus had stopped and Kiyoko got off. The third year girl rushed into the hospital, where she was quickly led to her mother's waiting room. "Mom." She called silently, opening the door to room 509, on the fifth floor of the hospital. There in a small bed, next to the window was Kiyoko's mom, sleeping soundly. In the chair beside her was her dad.

"Kiyoko." Kiyoko's father stood up, greeting his only child.

"Is mom okay?" She asked, glancing over to her mom's sleeping figure. "What happened?"

"It was just a small accident, for the most part." The older man replied. "You mother accidentally cut herself while making dinner. It was a deep cut, enough that she had to get stitches. She lost quite a bit of blood. But once your mother wakes up, she'll be able to leave."

Kiyoko sighed in relief. Her mother would be okay. "Thank goodness." Kiyoko and her father waited until the woman woke up, which didn't take long. Luck really was on Kiyoko's side today. The doctor had come back into the room after her mom had awaken, meaning to discuss with her and her husband. Kiyoko had dismissed herself, telling both of her parents that she'd wait in the lobby. And that's what she did. Kiyoko waited patiently by the door, keeping an eye out for her parents in the small crowd that gathered in the hospital lobby.

A flash of orange caught Kiyoko's eye. Drawn in by the bright, stand-out color, Kiyoko automatically turned towards the tuft of ginger hair--which happened to be coming right towards her. Kiyoko froze for a mere second. "Hinata?" The words were quietly uttered. The said boy jumped, his head snapped up so fast that Kiyoko wondered if it hurt. She noticed the small child in her underclassman's arms, whom had the same brightly colored hair as the aforementioned boy.

"Sh-Shimizu-san!!" Hinata was clearly taken by surprise. His--now--dull golden eyes widen in bewilderment, as he clutched the small, sleeping, ginger haired girl closer to his chest. The first year continued to splutter, struggling to find the right words to say. "What're you doing here?" He finally managed to spit out.

"My mom accidentally cut herself, and had to go to the ER." Kiyoko explained briefly. She silently debated whether or not to ask why Hinata was at the hospital. But the question came out anyways, for the sake of conversation, that is. "What about you?"

Hinata seemed to flounder for a minute or two; seemingly trying to come up with an excuse to tell Kiyoko. The third year manager waited patiently. "I-I..." Hinata furrowed his eyebrows, looking everywhere but at the pretty manager in front of him. He went silent. And Kiyoko continued to wait. "Y-you...you can't tell the others." The ginger winced at the sound of his own voice. The request--more like demand--made Kiyoko confused, and even more worried.

"Of course." She had promised. But Kiyoko had also promised herself something. 'I'll only tell the others if it's for your own well-being.'

"M.." Hinata started, staring at the tiled floors below him. He paused unsurely. Then Hinata took a deep breath to calm himself. "M-my mom's in the hospital here. She...she's really sick..a-and.." Kiyoko didn't say anything. Instead she waited for Hinata to recollect his thoughts. "And...I'm really not sure...if she'll.." Hinata trailed off, but Kiyoko understood.

"You're not sure if she'll make it." Kiyoko whispered, quietly watching at the ginger haired by flinched. It probably sounded weird, now that it was said out loud. Even moreso, since someone else had said it. Slowly, Hinata nodded his head. He was careful not to stir the sleeping child in his arms. Kiyoko frowned, wondering if this was why Hinata started acting the way he did. But the look in his eyes--she noticed--held something else other than emotional pain. Kiyoko couldn't put her finger on it. She took in how uncomfortable Hinata looked, shifting his weight from one foot to another. Kiyoko opted to change the subject instead. "She's your sister right? What's her name?" The older girl motioned to the tiny ginger that had her nose buried in the crook of Hinata's neck.

Kiyoko felt a little relieved at the small, genuine smile that formed across Hinata's lips. "Yeah. Her name's Natsu." He adjusted his hold on the tiny girl, who wrapped her arms tighter around her brother's neck. Kiyoko nearly cooed at the sight.

"She's cute. Looks just like you." Kiyoko softly laughed, while Hinata's face burned a bright red. It was the most emotion she's seen from the ginger haired boy in what felt like a long time. She was really glad. Hinata stuttered out a quiet thanks.

"Kiyoko?" Hinata visibly jumped again. The said girl looked away from her junior, and spotted her parents coming toward her and the ginger. Kiyoko's mom was in a wheelchair, while her dad pushed the woman. "This a friend of yours?" Her mother smiled at Hinata, who tried to smile back. Though, Kiyoko noticed how hard it was for him.

"Yes. This is Hinata. He's on the volleyball team." Kiyoko motioned to her junior.

Hinata introduced himself, bowing his head since Natsu was in his arms. "Hinata Shouyou. I'm a first year and apart of the volleyball team that Shimizu-san manages. This is my sister, Natsu."

"It's nice to meet you, Hinata-kun." Kiyoko's mother smiled widely, though fatigued from that day's earlier events. Hinata nodded his head with the smallest of smiles.

"Are you here visiting someone, Hinata-kun?" Her father asked.

"Dad." Kiyoko warned with a small frown.

The man smiled in apology. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry."

Hinata shook his head. "It's okay."

"Hinata-kun, would you like a ride home? It's getting late after all." Kiyoko's mother offered.

Kiyoko's frown deeped, seeing the momentary panic that flashed through Hinata's eyes. She wondered why. Instantly, Hinata politely rejected. But seeing as how it was her mother, Kiyoko knew that she would insist. And insist she did, saying that it was dangerous for Hinata to go home late, much less with his younger sister. Reluctantly, Hinata had agreed. "Sorry for my mother's persistence, Hinata." Kiyoko apologized as the four made their way to Kiyoko's father's car.

"I-it's fine." Hinata tried to smile, but it was half-hearted. The ginger looked tired. He looked worried, but Kiyoko wasn't sure if she should ask. Especially since her parents were around. She didn't want to disrespect Hinata's privacy either. But she was worried for him, just like the rest of the team.

-----

The ride to Hinata's house was silent. Natsu was sleeping still, her head lying upon her older brother's lap. Kiyoko's dad drove, focused on the road ahead and the directions that Hinata gave him every now and then. Kiyoko's mom had soundlessly fallen asleep, tired from being in the hospital for more than a few hours. Kiyoko and Hinata didn't bother in making any conversation either. Kiyoko was still wondering why her junior seemed so uneasy about her family dropping him--and Natsu--off at home. She glanced at the first year. Hinata was to her right, seemingly lost in thought. But by the looks of it, those thoughts worried Hinata because he eyes were narrowed and eyebrows were furrowed. Even the ways he nervously chewed on his bottom lip. Kiyoko was worried too.

"This is it." Hinata announced into the silent car. Kiyoko's dad pulled to a stop. "Thank you for the ride home." The ginger said quietly, opening the car's back door. He climbed out, before lifting Natsu out and resting her on his hip. "Thank you again, and I hope Shimizu-san feels better soon." Hinata waited, thinking that Kiyoko's dad would drive off.

"Well, you go inside first Hinata-kun." Kiyoko's dad insisted. "I want to make sure to fully see you home, or my wife will scold me for it later." He laughed lightly.

Kiyoko noticed how Hinata bit his lip again. The nervous panic resurfaced in his gold eyes. Slowly, the first year nodded his head. He bowed ever so slightly, and bid his farewells. Hinata turned and walked up to his house, pulling out his key with one hand while the other supported his sleeping little sister. The door opened and Kiyoko's dad began to pull away.

As he did, Kiyoko kept her eyes trained on the ginger. A taller male stepped into the doorway. He, too, had orange hair. And briefly Kiyoko understood where Hinata got his unnaturally bright colored hair. But Kiyoko didn't dwell on that for long. As her car slowly pulled further away, she was barely able to notice the glass beer bottle in the taller, ginger male's right hand. Then, the Hinata residence disappeared from her view.

Now, Kiyoko had her suspicions too.