Chapter 4

"Hey lab partner," Kinjo's voice stabbed her ears.

"Hey," Temari trudged to the desk putting her backpack on the counter.

"Woah what happened to you?" she asked in shock. "You look like you haven't slept at all.

"I haven't," Temari answered rubbing her eyes. "It was a long night and my brother had practice really early."

"Here take this," Kinjo rummaged through her bag then set an aluminum can on the counter.

"What is it?" Temari asked picking it up.

"It's an Eagle Shot, just drink it. It's that drink all the basketball players use." Kinjo answered. Temari opened the can and chugged the tangy liquid setting it back onto the counter when she was done.

"Thanks," Temari said slumping down to the counter letting her face rest on her backpack.

"What sport?" Kinjo asked.

"What?" Temari asked.

"What sport does your brother play?"

"Volleyball," Temari answered.

"What's his name?" Kinjo asked.

"Tobio Kageyama," Temari answered. She probably should've been curious why this girl was asking but at this point she was too tired to care.

"Oh he was one of the players that got kicked out of the gym." Kinjo said.

"How did you know that?" Temari asked.

"My cousin is captain," she answered taking Temari by surprise. She couldn't tell if it was because of this or the Eagle Shot, but she suddenly felt wide awake.

"Wow, I didn't even notice, you guys don't look anything alike." Temari said.

"I take that as a compliment," she laughed. "I would not be able to handle it if I looked like Daichi. Ygh," she shuddered at the thought.

Just her luck that the only guy she'd ever had a crush on just so happened to be related to her lab partner. This sure was going to be an interesting semester.

~

When the final bell chimed, Temari was glowing with energy. Tobio still couldn't practice in the gym so she grabbed her books and waited by the boys locker room until he finished changing. As she was waiting, none other than Daichi himself walked out surrounded by the rest of the guys on the team. One of them must have said something funny because he erupted in laughter causing her lips to contract in a smile. She tried to shrink into the shadows as they walked by, but it didn't work.

"Hey Temari," Daichi said as he walked by giving her a smile that made her melt.

"Hey," she said shyly lifting up her hand in a short wave.

"Hey Temari!" Tanaka practically yelled. She had seen him this morning when her brother came to practice. He had tried to hit on her then too.

Temari laughed to herself and waved at Tanaka. They kept walking and talking as they made their way to the gym. Not long after, Tobio walked out.

"Why are you smiling like that?" He asked her.

She looked up from the ground surprised.

"Like what? I'm not smiling weird," she said standing up straight. She turned her back to Tobio and began walking away.

"Where are you practicing today?" She asked as he followed her.

"Soccer field," he answered.

"Do you think you'll win?" She asked.

"I have to, I can't not be the setter." Tobio answered. She just nodded walking alongside her brother. They made their way to the soccer field where the girls soccer team was practicing on the far field. Shoyo was already waiting there stretching.

"Let's do this!" He exclaimed as the two approached.

"Remember, be nice." She said tugging at her brothers sleeve. She heard him grumble then set his bag down be a tree. She sat next to his bag against the tree. The two practiced receives for hours. In fact when she finally looked up from her sketchbook, the sky had turned a deep orange.

"Your not doing it right!" Tobio yelled at Shoyo.

Tobio set up another serve and Shoyo went to receive but his technique was all wrong. From his hand placement to his stance. When he received the ball it flew past her head and into the tree.

"Are you trying to kill my sister!?" Tobio exclaimed.

"No that's not it!" Shoyo exclaimed. "I'm so sorry!"

"It's okay," Temari said standing up. She looked up into the tree, easily climbing up it and getting the ball. She threw it down to the boys. Then she jumped down onto the grass.

"That was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," Shoyo stared starry eyed at Temari who giggled.

"Stop looking at her like that," Tobio growled then slapped the back of Shoyo's head.

"Right, sorry!" Shoyo apologized turning back to Tobio. Tobio did another serve and Shoyo received though it shot into the fence. Tobio ran over to grab it.

"Hey Shoyo, how long have you played volleyball?" Temari asked.

"This is my first year on a real team," he said. "At my middle school we weren't big enough to have a team, I just had anybody I could convince to play with me."

That explains it.

"I've noticed your technique is all wrong," Temari said.

"Hey!" Shoyo exclaimed.

"Here watch this," she said then turned to Tobio throwing her hands up. Tobio served her the ball and she received, positioning her hands and applying enough force to hit it straight in the air. Then she set up for a setter toss straight in the air that she also received her self. She then set it again and received aiming the ball for Tobio who then caught it.

"Wow your ball control is amazing!" Shoyo gasped. "Do you play too?"

"No," Temari shook her head. "I just practice with Tobio a lot."

"Wow," Shoyo said. "Here let me try,"

"Wait you have to hold your hands like this," she said holding out her hands in the correct position. He copied her though his elbow was a little crooked. She reached over and corrected him.

"Now sit like this," she said squating down into a movable position. Shoyo copied her. "Good, now try it."

Tobio served the ball and Shoyo received. The ball flew over Tobio's head, however it was in the same direction as Tobio which was a start.

"Well that's a little better," Temari shrugged.

"You call that better?" an arrogant voice scoffed behind her. She turned to see a tall boy, definitely over six feet with blond hair and light brown eyes. Standing next to him was a shorter boy, maybe a little smaller than Tobio, though extremely skinny.

"Who the hell are you?" Tobio grumbled.

"Oh look Yamaguchi, we better humble ourselves in the presence of his majesty." The tall one spoke.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Shoyo asked approaching them.

"Oh nothing, I'm just really looking forward to seeing those royal sets on Saturday." The tall one replied. They must be the other first years, the ones her brother had to play against. The tall one gave off a cocky arrogance that Temari just couldn't stand.

"We are going to beat you," Shoyo exclaimed.

"Really?" the tall boy said. "We don't really care one way or the other as long as his majesty makes an appearance." Temari glanced at her brother. She could read the frustration and anger in his face. He looked at the boy then to Temari's surprise turned the other way.

"What is with all this 'your majesty' crap?" Shoyo asked.

"You mean you haven't heard?" The tall boy laughed. "Rumor on the street is Kageyama's old teammates gave him the nickname 'King of the Court' because his obnoxious ego and tyrannical leadership."

"That's bullshit!" Temari screamed at the taller boy. He hadn't expected it. Hell neither did she. "Tobio Kageyama is the most determined volleyball player there is! You have no idea what he has done, what he has gone through to get to where he is!" her mind thought back to this morning. Her dads last words to her brother. "He has worked countless hours to be the best player there is, it's not his fault the others couldn't keep up!"

"Temari!" Tobio shouted above her. She turned to see her brother, his back to her but his eye looking at her through his loose hair. "That's enough,"

Instantly she regretted the outburst. It wasn't her place to say these things. She just couldn't stand to listen to guys like this who thought Tobio was just an arrogant prick. Sure he acted like it sometimes, but that's not who he was.

"See you at the net, your majesty." the tall kid spat then walked away with the other boy. Temari's fist tightened. She hated that boy for the way he talked to Tobio. Why did he have to throw that in his face? She turned from the boy and watched Tobio walk over to the ball.

"What was that all about?" Shoyo asked approaching her.

"Nothing," Temari grumbled then walked back over to the tree.

~

She grabbed her black painting shorts along with black knee high socks. She threw on a black t-shirt with "The Gazette" logo on the front, it sleeves she had cut off. Then she grabbed her lucky red flannel and tied it around her waist. She also grabbed a plain black hat throwing it on her head backwards as well as a green bandana. She walked to her closet where she hid all of her spray paints. She stuffed them into her bag then walked over to her window. Luckily there was a tree just on the other side of her window that she could easily climb down. She had done this quite often. She understood her grandfather's concerns about her being by herself, but sometimes she just needed space. After what had happened today, many mixed emotions found their home inside her tonight. She needed to vent, she needed a release.

She climbed down the tree then looked back at the house making sure none of the lights had turned on. When she realized the coast was clear, she silently shrunk into the shadows making her way to the street. It was a bit of a mission to get to her secret spot. A warehouse along the Saikachi river. It was abandon long ago, though the owners still kept it in its aging state. After the death of her parents, Temari threw herself into street art. It was her way of reminding everyone about the fight for her parents killer. Eventually the owners of this building found her, they told her about this place. A place where young street artists like herself could go to safely exhibit their art.

As she walked down the streets, she listened to the quiet noise. Hardly anyone was out, only the occasional car passed by. She looked up at the stars twinkling against the dark sky. This is when she felt most at ease. Under the light of the moon surrounded by thousands and thousands of stars.

Car headlights blinded her then quickly passed. Though, she didn't hear the car drive away. Instead it slowed then, she could see her shadow in front of the headlights. Was it the same car or another passing by? She heard the sound of a car approaching then it slowed just behind her. She reached into her pocket making sure she had the pepper spray key chain with her. Her heart beat faster and faster as she heard a car door open.

"Temari... is that you?" she heard behind her. She stopped in her tracks. How did this person recognize her? Who was it? Were they going to turn her in? She'd barely left her house. She slowly turned, holding her hand up in front of the lights of the car so she could see. To her embarrassment, the person standing outside the car door was non other than Daichi.

"Daichi?" she asked. "What are you doing?"

She could see the round neck of a burgundy t-shirt and jeans as well as his white sneakers and a tight fitting black jacket.

"I could ask you the same question." he smirked. "Need a ride?"

She looked around desperate for an escape but none was apparent to her. If she didn't go with him, he'd tell Tobio and if he told Tobio, he would tell Miwa who would then tell her grandpa. She reluctantly walked over to the passenger side door. He met her there towering over her for a second. She barely stood at his shoulder and his shoulder width was practically twice her size. He stood so close to her she could smell his sweet cologne and feel the warmth his body radiated. He opened the door for her and she climbed in. It was a black Honda civic with a clean black leather interior. It was a really nice car, definitely not like the old beat up Subaru. Inside smelt nice, just like Daichi himself. It was sweet, like an expensive cologne. She nervously pulled at the ends of her flannel as Daichi opened the driver side door and got in. She definitely didn't belong in this nice of a car with her raggedy torn and painted clothes. He reached over, putting on his seatbelt, then smoothly merged onto the road. She didn't tell him where to go, he didn't ask.

"Are you okay?" he asked. In the car she couldn't hear any outside noise. The only sound reaching her ears was the soft pop music coming from the radio. Though it was turned down pretty low. The way he spoke, his deep voice felt like it was wrapping itself around her in this car.

"Wh-what do you mean?" she asked quietly.

"I mean what's a girl like you doing out here all by yourself this late at night?" he asked. He had one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting on the shifter just in front of the arm rest. When she didn't answer he continued. "It doesn't have to do with you yelling Tsukishima does it?"

"You saw that?" she asked her face growing hot in embarrassment realizing he had seen her blow up in front of some random stranger.

"Yeah," he said as they stopped at a stop light. "You seemed really upset." he turned his head to look at her.

"It's a long story." she said.

"I've got time," he responded. She looked over at his perfectly smooth face. His big brown eyes staring right at her. His body was relaxed into the seat, his hand resting so close to her seat. Should she? Was this really a good idea? "I know what it's like to want to defend your siblings. Hell if it was any of my brothers or sisters being picked on like that I would've beat a guy like Tsukishima to the ground."

"People misunderstand my brother," she said shyly. "I get he can be arrogant, but he's been through a lot. We all have..."

"Want to talk about it?" he asked, curiosity filling his voice. She looked at him then back at the light which had been green for awhile now. Daichi knew this but he didn't budge. "I get it's a little weird since your brother and I are teammates but... I'd also like to get to know you... if that's okay."

"I dunno," she said pulling her hair back behind her ear.

"Whatever you say to me Temari will always stay between us." he said.

"Why?" she asked.

"Why what?" he answered confused.

"Why do you want to know?" she asked.

"Because I think you're an interesting person and I'd like to get to know you if you'd let me." he answered. What was that supposed to mean? How could he think she's interesting if he barely knew her? But maybe this was her chance? After all she was sitting in a nice car with a really cute boy. She'd never thought in a million years she'd be in this situation. Especially with a boy as captivating as Daichi.

"Promise me that what I say stays between us and will never get back to Tobio or anyone else for that matter." she said then looked at him watching his eyes carefully.

"Temari you can trust me. Anything you say stays with me." he answered not even blinking. He didn't close his eyes like he did with the principal. This told Temari he wasn't lying. She wasn't really sure why she had this feeling of comfort and trust with this boy. She hadn't even known him a week! Maybe it was his demeanor, or the way he talked to other people. He had a reputation of being an all around great guy. Being the wallflower she was, she heard all about different people's reputations. She knew Daichi was considered highly respectable, extremely talented, and smart.

"How much time did you say you had?"

A smirk appeared on his lips. "I've got all night,"

A smile formed on her own lips as he finally drove past the green light. She had never been in the car with anyone but Miwa, and compared to her driving, being in the car with Daichi was a lot more relaxing. Well, she assumed it would be relaxing if her whole body wasn't tingling at the fact she was in the same car as Daichi. Alone. He was an upperclassmen after all! What did he want with her? Why was he so nice to her?

She told him where to go and he followed every direction, not questioning her until they pulled up to the wire gate consumed with over grown weeds.

"Stop here," she said.

"Here?" he asked putting the car in park.

She opened her door and got out. Daichi followed.

"Temari where are you going?" he asked as she walked down the dirt road.

"You'll see," she said shoving her hands in her pockets. She heard the beep of his car alarm then his footsteps fall in line with hers.

"You're not luring me out here to kill me are you?" he asked making her giggle.

"Of course not," she said. "That would be no fun,"

Daichi chuckled.

"So seriously, what are we doing all the way out here?" he asked.

"My grandfather never lets me go anywhere without Tobio glued to my side. He says it's for my safety," she said. She found the small hole in the fence that she used to stick her foot in and climb over the fence. She walked over to it and threw her back pack over. She looked at Daichi who was staring at her in wonder. Then she proceeded to put her foot in the small hole and climb over the fence. When her feet hit the ground on the other side she grabbed her back pack and waited to hear Daichi. "Are you coming or what?"

"You know this is extremely illegal right?" she heard his voice as he climbed over joining her on the other side.

"Is it?" she asked, a playful smile on her face. She grabbed her backpack straps and began down the worn dirt path to the ware house. It took a second, but she again heard Daichi's steps fall in line with hers. She couldn't help but get a sense of excitement being with him, showing him this place. As they walked through the thick dense grass, she could feel it rub against her skin. She stuck her hands out taking in the longing sense of freedom this place gave her. Here she was free to be who she wanted to be. She was a street artist. She wasn't just Tobio Kageyama's sister, she wasn't some girl sitting in the bleachers. She was an artist. A good one.

When they reached the warehouse, she peaked in to see if anyone else was there. When she saw no one she turned back to Daichi. He looked on edge, she was surprised he had followed her this far. He stared at her, watching every move. Something ignited inside of her. For once, someone was watching her, seeing her. She bent down and dug around in her backpack for a spare bandana. This place was so full of paint fumes, breathing it all in was extremely toxic. She took out the black bandana and handed it to him.

"I-I've never told anyone about this place before," she spoke up. "Sometimes, when it's all too much, this place is my escape."

He nodded taking the bandana. She grabbed her own and tied it around her mouth and nose. He did the same. She grabbed onto the large steel door and shoved it open with all her might. Then she stepped inside. The moonlight shown in from tiny windows at the top of the warehouse. Art pieces from artists all over the prefecture decorated the walls, even some on the ceiling. The ground was littered with old beer cans and spray bottles.

"Wow," he breathed looking up and around the walls. "What is this?"

"This is the House of Art," she smiled. She turned and watched him marvel at the vast murals painted on the walls admiring the way the moonlight danced through his hair. "Come here," she grabbed the sleeve of his jacket. She pulled him across the warehouse through a doorway leading into a smaller room. The walls stood up about ten feet of pure concrete. This was the hall of legends. In here were three other street artists, whose street art surpassed her own by a long shot. She walked over to the far wall, where her own painting sat. She had done this just before school started. She was dealing with Tobio not getting into his dream school, him being a douche about it as well as the emotions of starting a new school and realizing her parents weren't going to be here for any of her high school memories.

In the center of the painting was a small girl, sitting in the fetal position, not showing her face. Above her was a boy not much bigger than her, on his knees holding his arms around her. Above him was another girl, a lot taller then either of the kids. The older girl had her arms around both the younger boy and girl. The three sat holding each other amongst the roaring flames of fire that destroyed everything in her family. In the flames was a woman. A woman looking down, much larger than the three kids holding out her arms to protect them. Around the woman in the flames was a man also inside the flames, holding his arms around the woman and their kids. Behind the man's head was a large black barrel of a gun as if someone was pointing it at the mans head. She watched as Daichi marveled at her painting.

"Those people," he said. "They were the ones involved in the shooting three years ago."

She nodded surprised he knew of it. "They were my parents,"

Daichi looked from her to the painting. She couldn't tell if he felt sorry for her, was creped out by how morbid it was, or if he was just amazed at how a small girl like her could paint something so large.

"They were mugged on their way home from the market," she said. "No one knows what happened, and their murderer was never caught. That's why I have to stay with Tobio. Whatever he does, I do, and whatever I do he does."

"Does he know about this?" Daichi asked.

"No," she shook her head. "This is mine. This is my place, my safe place from everything."

Daichi continued to stare at the painting in awe. He couldn't believe the incredible detail she was able to capture using this paint.

"When my parents died, I felt like everyone was suffocating me, trying to protect me. I know they do it out of love. But I couldn't take it anymore. I was never left alone to grieve and to cope. So I started sneaking out, doing street art to make sure their faces were never forgotten. I wanted to make sure no one gave up on finding their killer. Eventually I found this place. The people who own it are artists themselves. They have warehouses all around the district for street artists to go and showcase their new work to other street artists." She didn't know why she told him everything, but once she started talking she just couldn't stop.

"Temari this is..." he spoke staring up at the painting. She braced herself for the worst criticism she thought of but what he said next took her breath right out of her chest. "This is amazing." He finally looked at her. She could see in his eyes he was being sincere. "I had no idea any of this was here. I mean I knew from your drawings you were insanely talented but this..." he let out a laugh. "Temari this disserves to be seen, this is beautiful." she could sense the excitement in his voice.

"It has been," she said. "It's been here for over a week, time for something new."

"You're joking right?" he asked looking at her. "Temari this is way to beautiful to paint over, this should be in a museum."

Temari giggled. "No I'm not that good,"

"But if you paint over it, it'll be lost." he said disappointed. She felt giddy knowing he loved this painting so much.

"It's okay, I always take a picture of my work after I finish it. That way, its never lost and I can always look at my pieces." she said setting down her back pack. She unzipped it and pulled out a can of whit paint. She began to shake it.

"What are you going to do next?" he asked.

She stopped in embarrassment. The sketch she had brought with her was one she had drawn a long time ago, but never showed anyone. It was a girl, one that looked like her, in a beautiful blue flowing dress with green and turquoise accents. The girl was in a large clear light bulb that was filled with water, bubbles escaping her mouth to a thin surface of air at the top of the light bulb. She found herself often sketching this or different versions of this when she was feeling desperate. Sometimes she felt as if she was drowning in other peoples issues and she couldn't deal with her own. She looked at it one last time before handing the drawing over to him.

"What's this?" he asked looking at it for a second.

"It's how I'm feeling," she answered then turned back to the wall.