AN: Sorry I kind of took an unintentional 2 month hiatus... It's like I miss a week of updating, and then I'm always like "tomorrow I'll write it" and then before I know it, it's 2017. Literally. Thanks for sticking with me and thanks to all the new favourites, follows, and reviews! That said, the heralded Shiratorizawa game! Kiss Canon goodbye – not that I own Haikyuu, but there are some lines in here that are word for word when we get to the third set. That said, please enjoy and review!

Guest reviews: Reincarnation15 (thank you for your stunning words, I'm glad you like the story), Roz (he totally will and it is joyous), HopelessBubbles (I'm trying to make it really slow and keep it in character, but sometimes my excitement gets the best of me. I hope you don't mind reading some of the Shiratorizawa game, I only really expanded on one set so hopefully that makes it better! Thanks for sticking with me!)

Next chapter I plan on an interlude from either Ushijima or Tendou (or both, who knows). Review and let me know your thoughts!

Chapter 14: We are the Champions

From: [Bokuto Koutarou]

To: [You] and [Akaashi Keiji]

We beat Nekoma! But Tetsu isn't answering.

Kei blinked at his screen. He was at home and just getting ready to sleep when his phone started buzzing.

From: [Akaashi Keiji]

Have you heard from him Tsukishima?

Kei took a moment to write to Kuroo and decided to wait on his answer before answering the group chat he was added into.

From: [you]

To: [Kuroo Tetsurou]

Are you still alive over there?

A minute later and his phone buzzed in answer.

From: [Kuroo Tetsurou]

Yeah, I just can't deal with them right now.

Kei responds to both texts now.

To: [Kuroo Tetsurou]

At least you still have a chance to advance.

After a second thought, he added,

That is, if you ever do want to get to battle at trash heap with us.

To: [Bokuto Koutarou, Akaashi Keiji]

He's alive, just can't talk to you two yet.

After reading their answers (a "thanks Tsukki \^.^/" from Kuroo, "!" from Bokuto, and another "thanks Tsukishima" from Akaashi) he turned off his phone and laid in his bed.

He still can't believe it. He likes volleyball again. Just seconds after the game against Aoba Josei and Kei knows that he loves volleyball. He doesn't know whether to cry or laugh. He thinks this was a lot easier when he hated and could not bring himself to care for the sport. This is worse. He likes volleyball. How long has it been since Kei could say he genuinely liked volleyball?

Three years, 10 months, 4 days ago Kei's mind reminds him. When you watched your brother work for nothing. Kei stops his brain before it could go any further. He was already out late with the team hashing over plans for Shiratorizawa tomorrow morning. The biggest issue would undoubtedly be Ushijima – not only is he left-handed but considering his age, his power was almost ridiculous. Kei knows that his blocking will be put to the test. He's confident though that he will be able to stop some of his spikes – he doesn't know if he has a limit considering he's never really tried in volleyball. That and the team has never played a five set game before. Shiratorizawa however, has. Their stamina will most likely be better. Their only redeeming quality is that Shiratorizawa is filled with powerful individuals. That speaks nothing for the actual team. We will see who will win tomorrow: the swans or the crows.

With all these thoughts racing through his head, Kei is unlikely to sleep anytime soon. He turns his music on and plays it through his speakers; letting the sounds lull him into sleep.

oOo

The gymnasium is small. Rather, it is the same gymnasium as yesterday but the sheer amount of Shiratorizawa students makes the gym feel twice as small. They have bands.

Tadashi is asking for medicine.

Asahi is asking for the same.

Shouyou has left for the bathroom for the fifth time today.

Yuu and Tanaka are crying while looking at all the girls.

Takeda-sensei is trying to loosen everyone up.

Kei just snickers at this pathetic attempt of a warm-up.

Good luck to them.

oOo

The first set is over and Karasuno has just gotten their feet under them again. The first set they already knew they wouldn't win. They had to suss out the competition before drafting any counterattacks. Kei was asked to watch as much as he could between his times on the bench and out there playing. Suga-senpai is telling the team what he knows before asking Kei for any further information.

"We already know how to deal with Ushijima. The second set I think we should focus on pressuring him to see if we can direct the spike in a certain direction – learn if he has the ability to change momentum at the last minute – and if we can capitalize on that. Second, Tendou uses guess blocking, most other players use read blocking – he's also really annoying (and considering he knows Shouyou, that's saying something) so he'll be a pain to deal with. While I'm at the front I'll help call for timing, Yuu be ready to receive. Try to stop or one touch Tendou's spikes – it will piss him off and we can use that."

"Ready team?" Daichi calls, "Karasuno!"

"Fight!" The team answers as they walk back onto the court.

They won the second set 31-29. Both teams have a set under their belts. The third set will be crucial for morale. It will also be the last set that they are used to playing – Kei hopes that they can still breathe by the end of this.

The team huddle or information hasn't changed. Besides Kei voicing that he won't actively try to block Ushijima with the other versus analyzing everything, the team is still going to be doing the same thing. Shouyou and Tobio were getting frustrated with Tendou and his attitude but they have seemed to take what Kei mentioned to heart and are trying to refrain from letting it get to them. Kei's noticed that Tendou sees this and doesn't know whether to try harder or just laugh at their responses. He hopes that the oddball duo can keep Tendou on his toes.

The third set may decide the outcome of this game. Whoever wins this set will be a single set away from winning. Kei's hoping to use all of his flexibility and psychology that he's learnt to the test. If he can get the other team doubting themselves than the battle is half won. The easiest way to do this? Come out strong and stop Ushijima.

The set starts with Shiratorizawa's serve. Daichi dives to receive it, coming off at an odd angle, Tanaka sets it to Tobio who spikes it for a cross, but at the last second Tendou moves his hands and sends the ball back into our court.

First blood to Shiratorizawa.

Kei just focuses for when he gets to enter the court. Shouyou, meanwhile, thinks that Tobio is getting a little too agitated and starts to mock him. Idiot. It continues down this line until the score is 3-4 for Shiratorizawa. Reon continues to serve and Kei can see the moment when Tendou realizes that Tobio faked to Asahi.

3-5 Shiratorizawa.

Tendou has found his niche in this game. If he isn't stopped soon then it will be bad for morale. Takeda-sensei decides to take a break to forcefully break Tendou's momentum.

"Tendou uses guess blocking. He'll read the play but as soon as he's airborne, he will go with his intuition. The best way to overcome this is to lead him as far left or right as you can. Hinata – I'm leaving this to you. Yosh! Let's go and get some points!"

"YOSH!"

With the newfound calm, the team begins to play.

11 all.

Hinata has been using his speed and stamina to his advantage. It's times like this that he is actually a decent decoy.

14-16 Shiratorizawa. Kei is subbing in. On his way in, he hears Tendou speaking to him.

"Oh. It's the normal guy." Kei is going to make him eat those words. He readies himself for the serve. It falls short and Shiratorizawa gets a chance ball. Tendou goes up to spike it using a time lag attack. Kei times it properly and stops the ball. He can sense Tendou's confusion as everyone on Karasuno rejoices.

Kei starts putting his plan into action.

"Hey." He calls to Tendou to get his attention. "I'm the normal guy. That time lag attack may have fooled our court jester, but it doesn't work on me. Pleasure to meet you." Cue insult from Tendou. "Thank you." Kei manages to say with not smirk but a genuine smile. Tendou's frothing at the mouth was well worth it.

Asahi's serve.

Shiratorizawa sets it; Kei looks and realizes it is going to Ushijima. He braces himself. Times it. Jumps.

Pain.

His arms burn.

The ball, however, was redirected to Shiratorizawa's floor.

16 all.

The gymnasium is silent.

Shiratorizawa seems to be trying to compute what just happened. That a first year no name could stop Ushijima. None of their data predicted that. No one thought that he, or anyone, could stop Ushijima. Certainly not someone younger.

Kei decides that pain was worth it.

He suddenly hears everyone on his team and those cheering for his school cheer.

Tanaka and Yuu run up and are slapping him on the back – and is Yuu biting his arm?! He shoves them off before regrouping with the rest of the on-court team.

"He spikes really hard. I'll aim to one touch everything else but Ushijima's spikes."

Tanaka spikes the next one; right in between two of their players. Miscommunication and Karasuno is in the lead.

Suga-senpai subs in for Kei.

Karasuno initiates a setter switch and unleashes a combination attack. Tobio spikes a point.

18-16 Karasuno.

7 more points until they take the set.

Reon spikes it and Suga-senpai's receive is lacking.

18-17.

They take advantage now that Kei isn't there, Ushijima spikes and the score is tied again.

Kei is subbed back in.

Shouyou and Tobio execute a quick to take the lead.

Tadashi subs in, Shouyou's off.

The pinch server.

Tadashi's time to shine.

"Nice serve." Kei intones. He can feel Tadashi's nerves slide off his frame, his posture poised and ready to serve.

Point Karasuno.

Point Karasuno. Tadashi switches serve styles.

Point Karasuno. 22-18.

Tadashi serves, but this time Shiratorizawa has enough time from breaking their formation to set it to Ushijima. Daichi, Asahi, and Kei all jump at the appropriate time.

Ushijima does a last minute cross.

22-19.

Daichi receives their serve, Tobio sets it to Asahi, who hits the block and bounces out. Point Karasuno.

23-19.

They volley the ball between teams before Reon spikes it, Daichi dives to save it and just gets under it before the ball hit the ground. Tobio scrambles to set it. Asahi and Kei jumps to spike it. Just as the blockers get to Asahi, as everyone assumes it's going to him, Tobio dumps the ball.

24-19.

Daichi serves for the potential set winning point.

Point Shiratorizawa.

24-20.

Shiratorizawa serve. Karasuno receives, Asahi spikes, only to have the ball recovered by their libero. Ushijima runs up to spike it. They make a hole specifically for Yuu to receive the ball.

It goes up.

Tobio prepares to set the ball. Asahi and Kei prepare their run up to spike.

Kei can see Tendou running for Asahi, sucker. Kei spikes it down into the gap Tendou left.

Point Karasuno.

Third set Karasuno. 25-20. Bless Tadashi and his pinch serves.

They take a small break as the team rehydrates as much as they can.

The fourth set will be a battle; Karasuno is leading Shiratorizawa in sets. Shiratorizawa will be coming with their all in the next set to try to tie it up. Daichi and Yuu are going to be put to the test for receives. Kei will try to block so everything is a one-touch, including Ushijima. It is better to keep them guessing, to know that Kei can stop him, but chooses not to. To let those thoughts fester and capitalize on their weakness. That is what will earn the team points here.

oOo

27-29.

Karasuno wins.

Despite all the hurdles faced, Kei getting a hand injury and having to sit out half a set, Shouyou deciding to start blocking like he's spiking, and Kei and Tobio's own time lag attack. Yuu's solid defending, Daichi's receives, their combination attacks, and Tadashi's amazing pinch serves.

By fighting as a team, they were not weak, they proved that individual skill does not necessarily equate to winning.

The seniors are crying as they embrace everyone on the court.

Kei is trying not to get water and snot on his jersey, but hesitantly allows the contact. He chances a glance up to see Aki crying big, proud tears as he smiles at Kei. Kei sends a little smile back to Aki before focusing back on the team.

They bow to Shiratorizawa and to the crowd before everyone starts to pack their things to leave.

Shouyou and Tobio have already left and will meet them at the bus. Kei takes a second to text Bokuto, Kuroo, and Akaashi the results before stuffing his phone back in his bag.

He gets onto the bus with Tadashi sitting beside him.

"Good game."

"You too Tsukki! You really killed it out there today! How's your hand doing?" Tadashi begins to babble, already reaching out his hand for Kei's bad hand.

"Shut up Yamaguchi." Really, an ingrained response by now, nevertheless, he stretches out his hand for Tadashi to inspect.

They reach the school by midafternoon. Everyone heads to the gym for a debrief. What they didn't expect was for the rest of the school that cheered for them at the entrance. Cheering loudly for all of them, for making it to Nationals.

And doesn't that just feel good.

Nationals.

They thank everyone and walk into the gym.

As coach Ukai debriefs them, Takeda-sensei leaves to go to the staff room when he was told he had a call.

Just as Ukai is finishing, Takeda-sensei barges in; glasses askew and out of breath, the team waits until he catches his breath.

"They want Kageyama at the All-Japan Youth Intensive Training Camp!" As everyone starts yelling all at once Takeda-sensei continues when it has calmed down. "Another person on this team has received an invitation to another training camp overlapping the first. This one is for Miyagi Prefecture First Year Intensive Training Camp." Just as Shouyou jumps up to accept it he continues, "Tsukishima – they want you to join. Both, of course, are compulsory; considering they occur the first week of December but the Interhigh starts in January you are under no obligation to attend."

"I'm going." Tobio says, as if he was ever going to say no.

"Well, considering that it happens right before Interhigh I am going to have to decline." Kei gets out while Daichi starts talking in the middle of the sentence, jabbing Kei in the ribs before speaking over Kei.

"Do your best Kei!" Echoes across the gym while Shouyou tries to compute that he didn't get an invitation to train anywhere.

"Great! I will confirm with both people that you will be attending the training camps."

"For someone that says we don't get many training opportunities outside of school, we've been getting a lot lately." Kei spits, thinking back to their last group training, all their practice games, and just general interaction with new volleyball players.

"Now Kei, just think! New friends to make and volleyball tips and tricks to learn. Do you best!" Suga-senpai sweetly coos back at him. "Both of you make us proud!"

Tobio, quite seriously responds in the affirmative and Kei just rolls his eyes and mutters an okay. Suga-senpai ruffles both of their heads before slapping their back on his way out, following after the rest of the third years.

oOo

At home, after dinner, Aki has gone to get some paperwork done and promises not to bug Kei as he skypes his 'Tokyo friends'

Kei calls Akaashi on skype and waits for the three of them to pick it up.

Soon the screen lights up with three smiles, all facing him. Various utterances of 'so proud Tsukki!', 'I heard you stopped Ushijima!', to 'I knew you could do it.'

He mutters his thanks before launching into their usual Saturday night catch up. Changing topics from training, favourite things to do, to just general life before Bokuto insists on hearing about the game and often he stopped Ushijima.

"I stopped 5 of his spikes, but the last one split some of my skin between my fingers and I had to sit out some of the last set." He shows them his bandaged hand to add to the story. "But we won anyways so I guess I can't complain," he smirks, "much." Akaashi replies with a smirk while the other two laugh. "So what are your plans until January Interhigh?"

"Fukurodani just has training and school, nothing really of note going on." Akaashi answers for both of them while Bokuto nods in the background. Turning his attention to Kuroo, he prompts a response.

"Same really, training will probably pick up a bit but nothing outrageous. You?" Kei clears his throat before answering.

"I have a Miyagi Prefecture First Year Intensive Training camp for a week..." he trails off. All three have dropped jaws before smiling proudly, a warm feeling rises in Kei but he pushes it away, focusing on the congratulations that the three are giving him. "Nothing's planned yet, but my brother was talking about going to spend Christmas as my Grandma's." They nod along. "In Tokyo." They nod again before pausing and focusing back on Kei in the screen. Kei snorts before continuing, "I don't know what you are all doing but maybe we could meet up for an afternoon or something."

Bokuto squawks and flails toward the camera shouting yes exuberantly before grabbing Kuroo and dancing around the room. Akaashi smiles softly at Kei, as if Kei is something precious all on his own, before agreeing that it sounds like a good plan.

Kei promises to send out more details when plans become more solid before signing off so they can go to bed.

Kei goes to sleep that night with a smile, high off his win today and how everyone he knows was proud of him. He knows his mom is proud of him; can picture her upturned lips as she congratulates him and he pretends it doesn't mean the world and shrug her compliments off. It's probably the first night he falls asleep with a positive memory of his mom rather than regrets.