Chapter 2

She walked into her first class saying goodbye to Daichi. She couldn't help but smile feeling his eyes on her as she walked through the threshold and into the classroom. It had already begun to fill up, only a few spots were left. Unfortunately the only seat on the far wall was in the second row. That will have to do for now. As she walked over she noticed a girl with wildly curly brown hair and tan skin sitting in the desk next to her. She was bobbing her head to what Temari assumed to be headphones in her ears. To be hinest, she didn't look much like an AP student and began to worry Daichi had brought her to the wrong classroom. If he did bring her to the right one however, hopefully she's nice. Temari walked over and set her back pack on the desk. When she did the girl looked up at her.

"That spots taken," she said in the most serious of faces.

"Oh, sorry," Temari said shyly then pulled her bag away. She turned to find another seat, though none were available. She would probably have to stand.

"I'm just kidding!" The girl laughed. Temari turned to see the girl holding her stomach from laughing so hard though Temari was confused at what was so funny. "Sit, sit,"

Temari did as told. She sat in the attached chai setting her backpack on the desk. "I'm Kinjo," Temari turned to see the girl holding out a thin tan hand. Temari could see the girl better now that she was facing Temari. She wore makeup leaving her skin looking as soft as a baby's skin. Her eyelashes extended long and out to the corners of her eyes and she wore a light pink glossy lipstick. She had big green eyes that made you feel like she was eating away at your soul.

"Temari," she answered taking the girls hand.

"Where are you from?" She asked.

"Kitagawa First," Temari answered shyly.

"No way! I heard that's a pretty upstanding school! I went to Izumitate."

Temari ad seen their volleyball team at the tournament, a small team. Not very good.

"Guess it figures your in the advanced placement class," Kinjo said. So Temari was in the right class. Temari looked at Kinjo. When sitting she seemed to be the same height as Temari. She was busty, and had curves in the right places. Instead of wearing her uniform leggings to her thigh, she only wore them to her knee leaving her thigh exposed and she didn't wear a blazer either. Temari scolded herself for judging Kinjo by her looks. Maybe the girl was brilliant.

"I know, I don't look like I belong," the girl said. "But hey, no one ever said you can't have brains and beauty." She smiled. Temari looked at her desk ashamed. The girl knew she was judging her. So much for not getting bullied and making friends.

Kinjo laughed. "But hey you seem to have that down too,"

"I doubt that," Temari said quietly putting her hair behind her ear.

"Alright guys let's begin." The teacher said at the front of the class. He was a short bald man with large bushy grey eyebrows. "My name is Mr. Toshi, I am your home room teacher."

"Temari," Kinjo whispered quietly. "What do you think Mr. Toshi's eyes look like under those catapillars?"

Temari couldn't help but giggle at such a silly question. The class droned on, Mr. Toshi basically went over everything the principal had at the opening ceremony then had people stand up and introduce themselves. When the bell rang signaling lunch time, Temari was just happy to stretch her legs.

"Hey Temari," Kinjo said handing Temari a slip of paper. "Looks like we're going to have to be friends. Here's my number. If you need anything just give me a call."

"Okay," Temari smiled taking the paper. "Cool thanks!"

Finally she had a friend.

~

At lunch, Daichi walked with his friends to the first floor to the cafeteria. The day dragged on, he'd gone through this twice before already. This year felt different however. She was here. Knowing her beautiful face was roaming these halls somewhere gave him an excitement he hadn't felt since his first day as a first year. Temari. Her name was just as unique as she was. Most girls here were the same, rich, obnoxious, and obsessed with looks and gossip. Temari seemed different.

"So you going to mack or what?" Tanaka said slapping Daichi on his shoulder.

"What?" Daichi responded confused.

"The first year...?" Tanaka answered. "I'm just saying if you're not going to mack I'm going to shoot my shot."

This made Daichi chuckle. He had every doubt in his mind that Tanaka was the type of guy Temari would talk to. But then again he really didn't know her that well. He didn't even know if she deemed himself worthy of her conversation. For all he knew he could've really creeped her out this morning. Though she seemed happy so he wasn't sure that was the case.

"Will you leave the poor girl alone, she just got here she's probably confused as all hell." Daichi argued.

"So you're going to mack," Tanaka said. "No worries bro."

Daichi shook his head and rolled his eyes. As they walked down the hall Daichi admired the sun shining through the large open windows. It was a beautiful day outside. The weather was nice, it wasn't too hot nor too cold. The breeze was just right and the sun not too bright. The trees were a refreshing shade of green. He liked this time of year. Everything just seemed refreshing.

"Daichi!" He heard the high pitched voice and immediately dread filled his stomach. He side eyed Tanaka "Do I have a chance to run?"

"Nope, she's locked in on you." Tanaka said.

"Damn," Daichi muttered then turned around to face the perky blonde running his way. "Mitsui," he put on a fake smile.

"Where have you been? I've been looking for you all morning." She said as she approached him grabbing his arm. "I even saved a seat for you at the opening ceremony." Her thin green eyes pierced his eyes looking deep in his soul. Her long blonde hair was separated in two perfectly curled pigtails on the side of her head acting as whips as she ran.

"I got caught up doing some volleyball paperwork." He lied putting his hand on the back of his neck and closing his eyes hoping she wouldn't see through his nervous smile.

"And what about last night huh? You were supposed to come over." He looked down to see her kicking out a thin leg in the air as she looked at him, her unnaturally large lip sticking out in a pouty face.

"Sorry," he said. "We had a late volleyball practice last night."

"Oh," she pouted letting go of his arm.

Daichi first met Mitsui at a volleyball tournament. She was what they all called, a ball bunny. She was a pretty girl, she had very attractive features, though now they were all replaced with plastic injections. She had gone after every volleyball captain he had known and now that he was captain it was his turn. Though it was against dress code, her skirt was about two inches two short and she never buttoned her top all the way up exposing the deep crevice of her chest. She tied her shirt in the back and rolled it up exposing a thin strip of skin just above her skirt.

"Good afternoon Mitsui," Sugawara said approaching the three but she didn't even acknowledge him. Instead she turned around pulling Daichi with her to the cafeteria.

"I brought you some lunch Daichi, I made rice cakes just for you!" She continued to drone on about how she made said rice cakes because she had heard they were his favorite. To be honest he didn't care one way or the other about rice cakes but he wasn't going to correct her. As she pulled him towards the cafeteria doors he turned back to Sugawara and Tanaka who were both trying to hold on their laughter. He tried mouthing for their help but they shrugged their shoulders in defeat. His friends followed them trying to keep a safe distance from Mitsui's pull of magnetic craziness. The cafeteria was about half full, most students this time of year liked to eat their lunches outside and around the school, bough few elected to eat inside. A buffet style line was formed on the right where school employees were handing out takoyaki for students who elected to not bring their own lunches. Mitsui dragged Daichi to an empty rectangular table on the farthest side of the cafeteria. She sat down and pulled him into the seat next to her. Tanaka and Sugawara reluctantly took seats across from them.

With a shrill scream of excitement another girl approached the table. Approaching them was Yamabe Taji. Mitsui's best friend. Daichi didn't care for her either. She was just as plastic and obnoxious as Mitsui.

"What's our escape plan?" Sugawara asked quietly as the two girls giggled about missed gossip that happened over summer break.

"I don't even know," Daichi sighed unamused slumping over onto the table. His chin resting in his hand he looked around the room. He just wanted to be outside soaking in the sweet sun. The cafeteria walls were lined with large glass windows and he was able to look out and see his class mates as well as lower class men enjoying laughs with their friends, playing games to make the time pass. He watched a pair of second years running after a frisbee in the open courtyard just outside the windows. As he watched, he noticed they were oddly close to a large tree. He thought about how funny it would be if one of them threw the frisbee into the tree. As he did so he noticed the long black hair of a girl whose legs were folded into a sitting position at the base on the other side of the tree. Lost in the scribbles of her book he realized it was none other than Temari. The sun was scattered by the leaves illuminating the grass around her, though she seemed to have found the perfect shady spot. Her hand was delicately sliding her pencil across the paper in her purple sketch book. Her focus from said book was unwavering, she wasn't even blinking. He noticed that small parts of her hair had begun to fall out of her braid and brush her face leaving her in a beautiful mess. Another pencil was sticking out of her braid that he assumed she'd forgotten was there. She looked so small sitting there folded into herself, like a precious flower too beautiful to be picked from its natural habitat. The wind blew ruffles into her skirt but she didn't pay attention. What was she working on?

He thought back to the day he had found her book. He didn't look through all the drawings around his friends but that night he sat down at his desk in his room examining every piece. He remembered thinking to himself just how talented this mystery girl was. Though most of her drawings shared a common theme: a girl in conflict. As incredibly beautiful as they were, he could sense the underlying pain and destruction. Whoever she was, she was fighting a battle that no one knew. What was this battle?

He had flipped through the drawings until he reached a boy in a volleyball uniform. His surroundings just black outlines, a light shining on him as he floated in the air reaching out for the ball just above this net. Was this her brother? She had a beautiful mind, and she was able to capture the beauty in everyone around her.

Then he had flipped the page and saw the unfinished sketch of himself on the page of this beautiful strangers sketchbook. He remembered feeling honored that she had been so interested in him to capture him in this book of beautiful things. Though had she drawn this because she was bored, or because she was in some way interested in him. He wanted to find out. He carried that book with him everywhere he went until he found its owner. He had to know more about this beautiful mind.

Out of the corner of his eye Daichi noticed one of the guys playing frisbee over threw the frisbee and it headed right in Temari's direction. Daichi sat up quickly letting his hand drop on the table. Was she going to see it? If she didn't move now, the frisbee was going to hit her! Did he have time to run out there and grab it? The windows weren't open, by the time he got out the door way it already would've hit her and he'd have to explain why he suddenly ran at her. Just before it reached Temari's head, a gust of wind caught the frisbee carrying it up and to the right of Temari away from her head where it then thumped onto the grass. Daichi let out a breath relieved it hadn't hit her. When he looked back at her he couldn't help but admire how beautifully oblivious she was to the world around her as she scribbled away in her notebook as content as if nothing even happened. He couldn't help the smile that crossed his lips. He looked to the boys who had been playing frisbee. When they gathered it, they moved positions realizing they had almost hit Temari, a look of relief on their faces when they realized she hadn't noticed. Though when he looked back to the tree, the spot where she had been sitting was now vacant, and no trace of her had been left other than the depression of grass. Instinctively Daichi stood up and walked over to the window looking in every direction to see where she had went only to realize she was gone.

"Daichi, sweetie what's wrong?" He could hear Mitsui's voice. He looked back at the table to see the four others staring at him in confusion.

"Nothing," he mumbled then turned back to the window one more time. He surveyed the courtyard one more time before sitting finally sitting down.

~

When the final bell rang signaling the end of the school day Temari couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. Her last class of the day was her favorite, art. The teacher was an eccentric, hair in a mess, paints decorated her face and apron. Mrs. Kaminari. Temari loved her personality and could tell this was a teacher who truely cared about art. Temari had so much to learn from her and was already looking forward to the next school day just so she could go back to art class. Sadly now she had to sit through her brothers volleyball practice. She made her way to the volleyball gym where Tobio had just arrived. She walked in noticing the extremely tall roof and wide space. This was much larger than the gymnasium at Kitagawa First.

"Hey," she said approaching him as he set down his gym bag. He was now wearing his burgundy track suit he used to warm up for games.

"Hey," he responded. No one else had arrived in the gym just yet.

"How was it?" She asked. "Anything exciting happen?"

"Not really," he answered walking over to the ball pin.

"Oh, okay," she said. "I had fun, my art teacher is really cool."

"That's good," he responded volleying a ball to the center of the court. She didn't hold his shortness against him. He was always like this before practices or games. Her brother was a serious person and was not one for much conversation. Sometimes she missed it. It hadn't been like this before their parents passed. She just shrugged it off.

"I'm going to find a place outside to wait," she said.

"Okay," he responded then set up for a jump serve.

She turned to walk out the door but as soon as she stepped foot towards the threshold her view was blocked by a messy red haired boy that stood just about her height.

"Oh sorry," he said then squeezed past her. She recognized this boy. Wasn't this the boy Tobio played against during the tournament? The boy from the team she'd never heard of? He was a lot shorter in person. She was a little shocked that a boy his height would even be interested in the game.

"It's you?!" The boy shrieked just behind her. She turned to see he had interrupted one of Tobio's sets. As Tobio turned to face the boy she could see the fire in his eyes. "This boy was going to die today." She thought.

"You're the kid from last years tournament." Tobio said surprisingly calm. "I don't remember your name."

Of course Tobio wouldn't. Why would he?

"What?!" The boy exclaimed. "Why are you here? I was supposed to come here and get my revenge, but now your on the same team as me?! Why here?!"

"None of your business," Tobio grumbled turning away from the kid. The kid started to argue back but Temari didn't pay attention. It was no surprise that Tobio already didn't get along with this boy, he didn't get along with anybody. She turned to the right and walked over to the stage. She attempted to jump up onto it but lost her balance and dropped back onto her feet. She took off her back pack and put it on the stage. She attempts one more time but was still too short and didn't have enough momentum. During this failed attempt even more of her hair fell out of her braid. This caused her to give up and pull the ponytail out letting her hair fall into a crimped mess. More of her bangs and baby hairs crowded her face. She adjusted her hands one more time and out more force into her legs as she hoisted herself up one last time finally sitting in the stage. She then turned and looked up to see Daichi staring at her as he walked into the gym. She felt her face get hot. She had completely forgot he was on the team let alone the captain. Hell she didn't even know if she was allowed to be at practice. At Kitagawa first the coach understood her circumstances and let her sit in. But this was different. Daichi didn't know a thing about her. He had been nice enough to show her her class and give her her sketchbook back but what if that was the extent of his kindness?

"Oh hey Temari," Daichi smiled. "I didn't expect to see you here."

She just smiled. He had noticed her. She couldn't melt into the shadows and slide by unacknowledged. She glanced at Tobio who was giving her a look that could kill.

"Woah Temari what are you doing here?" Tanaka exclaimed.

She noticed how all five of the boys eyes were on her and she panicked. She didn't know what to say but she had to say something or else she'd look like a fool.

"She's my sister, how do you know her?" Tobio spoke up.

"And who the hell are you hot shot?" Tanaka asked getting all puffed up.

"Calm down Tanaka," Daichi spoke up "This is our new applicant, Tobio Kageyama."

"Oh right your the setter from Kitagawa First," Tanaka said scratching his bare chin. "Well guess what this is high school now punk respect your upper class man!"

Temari couldn't help but laugh. Finally someone to give Tobio a piece of his own medicine.

"Hey I'm here too," the red head cried.

"Right, Shoyo Hinata," Daichi said. "The other applicant,"

"Woah shorty you're hear too!" Tanaka exclaimed.

"Hey!" Shoyo complained.

"Shut up no one cares," Tobio shot at Shoyo.

"Will you get off that high horse! I'm not the Same person I was last year. I'm better than you and I will beat you!" Shoyo exclaimed at Tobio.

"Alright guys that's enough," Daichi said putting up his hands. However they ignored him.

"Oh really, if I remember correctly you couldn't even hit the ball!" Tobio yelled.

"I will take you on! One on one I will beat you!" Shoyo exclaimed with such passion. Did he not realize Tobio was one of the best players in his division.

"Guys!" Daichi tried to calm them down. It was kinda cute the way he was trying to intervene nicely. She didn't expect it. A big muscular man like himself she figured he'd be the first to tear down Tobio.

"You can't play volleyball one on one dumbass!" Tobio insulted. She almost wanted to shrink back of the stage and run out of the room. Tobio was embarrassing her again. This was going to be just like Kitagawa first. He was going to turn everyone against them. Just when she thought things would different. Finally when she found a friend, a boy she liked! Tobio was going to ruin it all! She hugged her knees to her chest just waiting to get kicked out of the gym.

"Good afternoon vice principal!" Tanaka yelled so that the two would stop fighting.

"Good afternoon volleyball club," the vice principal nodded.

"Come on give it your best shot!" Shoyo yelled at Tobio from the other side of the court. Temari was surprised, she hadn't even seen him move.

"Fine but don't blame me when your face breaks!" Tobio shot back.

"Come one guys knock it off!" Daichi tried to remain calm. She could sense the tension between him and the vice principal.

"Captain you better get your first years under control." The vice principal warned.

"Yes, they're just getting out the first day jitters with a healthy dose of competition." Daichi lied through his teeth. She immediately noticed how his eyes closed for a second longer than a normal blink when he said this.

Temari watched the catastrophe unfold. Her brother did a jump serve hitting Shoyo in the face. However when it bounced of Shoyo's face it went straight for the vice principal hitting him right in the forehead. When the ball made contact with his face, the brown tupe he was trying so desperately tried to pass off as real hair flew off his head and onto the ground. For a second the gym was so silent you could hear a needle drop.

"Captain," the vice principal grumbled. "A word," the vice principal grabbed his tupe putting it back on his head then stormed out of the gym. Daichi shot them all a look then followed refusing to look at Temari. She couldn't help but feel a pain in her chest watching him walk disappointedly behind the vice principal.

She could hear the grumbling of the vice principal but couldn't make out what he was saying. Then she heard Daichi quickly apologizing. A few more minutes passed and Daichi walked back in.

"The vice principal let us off easy, he doesn't want an apology but we have been sworn to secrecy. That includes you Temari." Daichi turned to her. The lightheartedness in his eyes was gone. There was something about the serious in his eyes that made her knees go limp. She nodded captivated by the confidence he carried in his shoulders.

"This is your fault if you had just caught the ball!" Tobio argued.

"My fault?! You're the one who didn't serve right!" Shoyo exclaimed.

"That's enough!" Daichi boomed. His deep voice shook her very bones. She wasn't the one being yelled at but she still felt as if she were in trouble. Daichi grabbed the two by their shoulders walking them to the gym doors. "Volleyball is a sport you physically cannot play by yourself. If you two are two selfish to out your pride over team success and can't work as a team then you have no business being her. You two are further kicked out of club activities until you can prove to me you can work as a team." Daichi shoved them out the door and then shut it behind them before any other argument.

Woah. Daichi just kicked them out of the gym. Maybe her brother was going to get his ass handed to him. Finally someone to humble her brother. Though him learning to work with this Shoyo guy was a long shot. They had more chances of transferring to another school. Temari gathered her things and threw her back pack over her shoulder to leave.

"Where are you going Temari?" Daichi asked in a softer tone as if nothing happened.

"Well my brother just got kicked off the team, so I should leave. You know closed practice and all?" She shrugged.

"Don't worry about it," Daichi said. "Stay for awhile, I'm sure he'll figure out what I mean."

She felt a smile form on her lips. Maybe he was right maybe eventually he'd be the one to put Tobio in his place. So she sat there and watched the practice. She admired the team work they all put together. It was nothing like Kitagawa first. Not to mention getting to watch Daichi play. The authoritative voice he had talking to his teammates made her chest tighten. As the time passed and Shoyo and Tobio begged at the door to be let back in, she watched the sweat form against Daichi's brow eventually taking off his track suit jacket. When he did she couldn't help but stare in awe, mesmerizing every muscle and every vein. She could see how muscular his legs were in his gym shorts, even staring when he squat down to receive a ball. Then when he dived, it was like a perfect fluid motion getting her excited when the laws of physics pushed his shirt up a little exposing his soft toned skin. For the most part he didn't even look at her. He was so focused in the game. She admired it. He was passionate about this game. She could see it in the way he strategized, trying different blocks, spikes, and drills. She wanted to capture it. Immediately she took out her sketchbook and began her scribbles of madness. He was an amazing defensive player.

In her drawing she drew every bulge of muscle down to the glistening sweat on his neck. She captured his strong eyes and the delicate veins in his hands. He was lunging to the left receiving a ball, it had just hit his hands. She drew the movement of his shirt and shorts, exposing the noticeable line by his hip. His hair moved with gravity and in the background crows flew from his back until they covered the entire background. She had finished shading and was going to begin the colors when she heard Tanaka.

"Should we check on the first years?" He asked.

"Sure," Daichi answered walking over to the door. He slid it open slightly. "Have you guys made any progress?"

"We have come up with a proposition." Tobio answered.

"We challenge you to a game!" Tobio and Shoyo stated in unison.

"Oh really?" Daichi laughed. It was the first time she had heard it. His deep voice sounded so happy. "You want to challenge us?"

"In a two on two match, if we win you let us back in the club." Tobio answered.

"And if you loose?" Daichi asked.

"You choose the penalty." Shoyo answered. A bold move had they really thought this through?

"Okay fine, I'll let you back onto the team," Daichi began. "Saturday. A three on three. You guys verses the other two applicants. Tanaka will be on your team against me. If you loose, for the rest of my time her at Karasuno Kageyama cannot be the setter."

What Tobio not a setter? That was impossible! After the defense she just saw Daichi preform there was no way that Tobio would win.