Chapter Text
"Hyah!"
A cloaked man kicked his horse, spurring it with his heels to go faster as it galloped through the forest. Sniffing the air, he cast a frantic glance back right just as an arrow whizzed past his head, cursing under his breath. But now was not the time to panic. Tucking the boy riding sidesaddle in front of him closer to his chest, he kicked his feet again.
Come on, come on, come on! Faster!
Kageyama raced through the night under the cover of darkness, path illuminated only by the waxing crescent overhead. He hoped, prayed that he would make it to the edge of the forest in time. The young king sighed in frustration, the sweat beading across his brow and dripping into his eyes only adding to his ever-growing list of annoyances.
The kingdom of Karasuno had, for as long as the dark-haired man could remember, been a peaceful country. All through his childhood, he watched his father rule with a stern but kind hand, bringing their lands to a level of never before seen prosperity and wealth. However, as with all prosperity comes jealousy. Despite having bountiful trading routes through the neighbouring kingdoms of Inarizaki and Shiratorizawa that benefitted the countries, the naturally fertile soils of Karasuno were seen as a trump card to the wealth of the country. A trump card that others wanted for themselves.
As the sun set on the eve of Kageyama's coronation, shortly after his father had passed on, the surrounding countries declared war on his newly acquired kingdom. It was the perfect opportunity; a young, inexperienced king, a mourning nation, and the element of surprise. Thousands had been slaughtered in the following week, and Kageyama's hadn't even been on the throne long enough to warm the seat yet. Having never experienced war first hand, the learning curve for the young king was steep.
He continued to ride through the forest at a manic pace, hoping that for once, lady luck was on his side.
Thanks to expert manoeuvring and his mare steady footwork, the cloaked man and his companion manage to lose their pursuers along the way. The pair ride for what seemed like eternity before reaching the edge of the forest; the dirt road becoming more and more sandy until the last of the trees fell away into a magnificent sand dune. The sun now hung high in the sky, beaming down on the two with the renewed vigour that comes with a new day. Waiting unabashed in the sunshine were a small procession of camels.
"You're late." A man, just a little older if not the same age as Kageyama spoke from the back of the procession.
The other camels carrying guards parted, bowing slightly as the amber eyed rider came forward. Unlike the guards and their plain, functional attire, the man's numerous golden bangles clinked together as he rode. The king continued to pant, glaring slightly at his friend as he pushed the hood of his cape back. Dark bags had formed under his eyes after riding for so long non-stop.
"I'm sorry Kenma, there were some unexpected...obstacles."
"You came just by yourself?" The lavishly dressed man raised an eyebrow, before motioning to a guard, who brought forth a jug of water to the tired king.
"It was the fastest option." The raven-haired man smirked, smug in spite of his fatigue. "It's not like I can't handle a few archers."
Kageyama thanked the guard, and without a thought lifted the jug to his passenger's lips. Small, dainty hands reached out to steady the jug as the king tilted the large ceramic. That must be him, thought Kenma. The precious cargo that he was here to collect. The cloaked figure was small in stature, huddled close to the man behind him, head tucked securely under the alpha's chin. Kageyama leant down to the opening of the cloak, "It's time, Shouyou." he whispered.
Kenma urged his camel forward, coming close to Kageyama's steed. The cloaked figure brought his arms up around the king's neck, speaking so softly that the sultan could not hear their conversation. At this close proximity, Kenma began to smell the soothing scent of milk and honey permeating the air. Must be an omega.
Kageyama started to tug at the arms around his neck, a pained expression on his face that Kenma had never seen before.
"Please Shou...we agreed on this."
"I don't want to leave you!" A sweet voice floated out from beneath the cloak, piercing through the silence of the woodland edge.
"I don't want to leave you either...but this is for your own good. Please, I need to know that you're safe if I'm to fight." The cloaked figures shoulder had begun to shake, leaning even closer to Kageyama to nestle in his chest.
"...Promise you'll come back for me?" The raven-haired male pressed a chaste kiss into the omega's forehead.
"I swear on my life."
As he said this, the king carefully extracted himself from the small figure's hold, lifting him up and into Kenma's waiting arms. For the first time, the sultan was able to catch a glimpse of the cloaked figure's face. Large, glassy doe eyes were downcast as the boy settled onto the elaborately embroidered mat on the camel's back, his hands attaching themselves tentatively on the front of Kenma's tunic to keep himself from falling off the unfamiliar animal. The heart shaped face was sullen, as he would expect. Kageyama turned his attention to Kenma, a look of determination on his face.
"I must be on my way; my people need me." He bowed deeply. "Thank you for helping me shelter him during this difficult time, my friend." Kenma inclined his head in return.
"May victory be yours."
At this, the king turned his horse back, riding back into the forest from where he came. Kenma looked down at the small bundle between his arms.
"Well, let's be on our way, shall we?"
His passenger doesn't respond, sitting frozen before him, tear lined eyes staring firmly at the ground even as they set off.
Silence fell quickly within the group, the intense heat of the sand dunes feeling suffocating even to the desert locals. Every once in a while, Kenma would take a peep at the omega to see if he was alright. For the most part, he just seemed to look at his hands, bottom lip wobbling ever so slightly as they made their way through the wilderness. It wouldn't be too long of a journey, no more than a half days’ time, but Kenma wanted to know more about the precious cargo that his long-time friend wanted him to safe keep. Who knows how long Karasuno would be caught in the throes of battle anyway? After a few awkward hours, just as the quiet sultan managed to muster the courage to open his mouth, the cloaked figure spoke.
"Thank you for taking care of me, Mr. Sultan. I'll be in your care." Soft brown eyes peek through the omega's lashes, looking up at the alpha shyly. He bobs his head in a small bow, perhaps feeling that he had been quite rude from the moment they had met. Kenma chuckles low in his throat at the sweet gesture.
"But I haven't even done anything yet."
The omega's cheeks flush red in response to the other's straightforward quip, dark enough to see under the the shade of his cloak. Riding across a relatively flat plain in the dune, Kenma lifted a hand from the camel's reins to pat the omega's head "What's your name, little one?"
"Hinata Shouyou, sir." It was a cute name, Kenma thought.
"Hinata Shouyou...how old are you?"
"I'm turning sixteen in a month's time, sir." The omega started to play with the hem of his shirt, suddenly starting to feel rather self-conscious in the company and focus of an unfamiliar alpha. He lifted his hands, pushing his hood back a little until his fluffy orange hair peeked out, sunlight casting a halo upon his features as he looked around.
"I see...are you originally from Karasuno?"
"No sir, I'm from Yukigaoka. I was gifted to the Karasuno royal family when I was young, as a present."
Ah, no wonder. Kenma had never seen hair this bright in Karasuno before. "Kageyama is very lucky." Kenma murmured nonchalantly.
Despite the sultan's tone, Hinata fidgeted at the insinuation, blush creeping all the way down his neck until it disappeared under his cloak. The soft scent of milk and honey floating around Kenma put him at ease, reminding him of nap times and afternoon sun.
Speaking of nap time, the pudding haired sultan glanced down at Hinata again, noticing that the omega's eyes would flutter shut every once in a while, before opening wide again as he woke himself up. "How about you catch some sleep before we make it back? You must not have been able to sleep while riding the horse."
"No sir, I'm okay..." Kenma cocked his head in confusion, but then it clicked. Ah, he must not want to be vulnerable so close to an unknown alpha. His thoughts wandered back to early lessons with the palace tutor. In the world there were alphas, betas and omegas, each with defined biological roles in society. As the leaders of the world, alphas were sharp witted, often taller, broader and stronger, taking positions of power while omegas were pillowy and soft, better at nurturing and soothing than being authoritative. To make up for their weaker physical prowess, Omegas often had stronger instincts to keep them out of trouble, but nevertheless their numbers were few and far between, a rarity. Like a lock and key, alphas and omegas fit together well, making up for each other's flaws in a way that can only be described as destiny. Aside from those two classes, unassuming betas comprised most of the world's population, the common folk that were not particularly dominating nor submissive.
For an alpha, Kenma knew more than most on the inner workings of omegas. When he was younger Kenma was small and quiet, many had thought that the sultan's son would indeed present as an omega, and as a result he was taught a more omega orientated education. However, once he reached his sixteenth birthday, the boy shot up like a ghaf tree, suddenly towering over his tutors at six foot tall. The sultan was overjoyed that his only son turned out to be an alpha, no longer having to find a successor to the throne, throwing a banquet in celebration that lasted thirty days and thirty nights.
So Kenma hummed in response, opting to give the ginger a little pat on the head instead.
"Sure thing. Also, stop calling me sir, it makes me feel old." Hinata looked up, eyes twinkling. "Oh really? How old are you, Mr. Sultan?"
"I'm ninteen. And Mr. Sultan is my dad."
The little omega giggled at this, laughing prettily behind a small hand. Kenma smiled, I think I know why Kageyama likes this one.
"A friend of Kageyama is my friend, just call me Kenma."
"Okay...Kenma."