I'm back! Before anyone starts asking this will probably be the last story my main OC Tonya is in. This particular story is special to me because it spoke to my inner athlete while I was watching the anime and reading the manga. The story is named for the song that actually inspired me to write it. Clarity by Zedd. If you aren't familiar with this anime/manga I suggest going to check it out because it is awesome!

Anyways enough rambling time to get on with the story. This is set after the fall tournament and I'm making the assumption that they won it. Only slight spoiler is in this chapter. The rest is my own story line.

Disclaimer: I don't own Ace of Diamond/Diamond no Ace or any of its characters. Just my OC's.

~*Busted*~

"So this is Seido." A short brunette muttered. Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

The girl continued her walk into the grounds. Passing the school and heading towards the dorms. She'd heard tales of how serious Seido was about their baseball program. Pouring most of their resources into being one of the best teams in the nation. Seems like all that hard work finally paid off. The team had finally managed to secure themselves a spot in the national tournament. But that wasn't why the girl was there today. She'd been asked to drop by per request of her father who was supposed to be meeting an old friend. Only reason she'd agreed was because her school happened to be in the area.

'This is cutting into my practice time.' The girl griped internally. Making her way down to the fields as instructed. Taking a seat on the bench and waiting. Annoyance radiating from her.

"Still the same as ever I see Tonya." A deep voice chuckled. Drawing her attention as he looked down at the girl. A warmth in his eyes.

The girl stood up, returning his warm look. She stood at 5'4" with her brunette locks falling to her waist. She had a slim body, but Kataoka knew there was power hidden away within the small package. A black blazer covered her shoulders, a sliver of her white undershirt showing underneath. She reached down to adjust her red plaid skirt before leaning against the fence. Her uniform signified she was from Kitigawa Academy. A school dedicated solely to sports.

"Oh, Uncle Shin. You're still the coach?" Tonya asked. Perking up upon seeing the man smiling down at her. "Dad told me you had resigned."

"Well, these boys fought hard to prove themselves to me. I couldn't just abandon them now could I?" He grinned. Turning to look at his fielders who were currently trying to figure out who the girl was. All of them quickly looking away when Kataoka turned his steely gaze on them.

"So dad said you needed to see me? Must be pretty important if you wanted to yank me from practice." Tonya noted. Watching the practice with mild interest. Having known the girl since she was a young child, he knew she was just as serious as his players when it came to her sport. If not more with all the work she'd put in over the years.

"I need your sharp eyes." He said. Leaning back against the fence, folding his arms and looking towards the exhausted boys walking in. They'd just finished running sprints between the poles. "I have an injured player. He swears he's better but I have my doubts."

"Ah, I see. Use one sneak to pick out another. Gotcha." She grinned. Shifting her weight off her left leg.

Tonya moved off to the side to get a better look at all the players. Keeping her eyes on those that Kataoka had pointed out to be on the first string. Slowly watching each of them in turn. Her face remaining neutral as she did so. She had to give Seido this, they had a way of drawing out the best in their players. Always coming out with a strong team somehow. Finally proving it since they'd earned themselves a ticket to the dream stage everyone fought to go to. As they began situational practice, it was then Tonya spotted him. Being very careful not to draw too much attention to himself. Lightly skimming his injury, wincing every so often when he thought no one was looking. Favoring the side with the injury whether he realized it or not. Grinning like the Chesire Cat, she cleared her voice and pointed out the player. Kataoka nodded to confirm that he was the one.

Unbeknownst to him, Miyuki was doing his best to keep quiet about the pain in his right side at the moment. Throwing had been bad enough, but the fact that they also had to take so many cuts for soft toss that day wasn't helping. He could feel his side starting to swell up. He wanted desperately to just hold his aching ribs, but fought the urge. Constantly readjusting his gear ever so slightly to take some pressure off his side. Knowing that if the coach still thought he was hurt he'd be done for. He didn't want to lose any practice time. When winter break came around, only then would he rest.

"Miyuki!" Kataoka hollered.

The boy turned to see coach motion him over. Miyuki took his gear off before quickly jogging over and following behind him. The two heading towards the score keeper's box where they would have some privacy. Miyuki remained silent. Wondering what the coach wanted to speak to him about. It more than likely had something to do with the first string starters or the two idiot pitchers. His money was on the pitchers. Before he could ask though, he felt something poke him in his injured side. Pain shot through him as he reached up to cover his mouth. His knees threatened to buckle under him as he struggled against the slowly dying out pain.

"Son of a—!" He cut short. Turning to see what had poked him. Surprise coated his face upon seeing a girl who only came up to his shoulders looking at him. Had she been the one to poke him?

"Told you he was faking it." She muttered. Smirking at Miyuki as he realized now what was going on. He'd been caught trying to hide his injury.

"I feared as much." Kataoka sighed. "Miyuki, you told me that you were given the all clear. How long have you been lying to me? To your teammates?"

Miyuki could see the disappointment in Kataoka's eyes and could hear it clear as day in his voice. All he could do was lower his head. Unable to meet the gaze of the man he respected so much. The man they'd all fought so hard to keep as their coach. Instant hate shot through him for the girl who'd outed him. Knowing there was no use in trying to hide it anymore, he figured he'd come clean.

"….For a few weeks now. I convinced the doctor that I was okay after I'd rested for a week once the fall tournament was done…." He admitted. Shooting a glare at the girl who had been leaning against the wall. Watching it all with that smirk on her face. How she'd even been able to tell he was injured was beyond him. And what was she even doing there? He knew by her uniform that she didn't belong to their school.

"A few weeks huh? Was it ever reported that his ribs had been cracked?" Tonya asked. Turning her honey brown eyes to Kataoka who shook his head. "Good. Then that means it's purely muscle. Alright, take off your top."

"Huh?" Miyuki balked. Thrown a bit by her sudden request as she motioned for him to hurry up. The catcher turned to Kataoka who nodded for him to comply with what she'd said.

Now Miyuki was totally confused. But he wouldn't disobey the coach. So he did as he'd been told. Taking his cap and glasses off first. Setting them on the table before yanking his two tops out of his pants. Unbuttoning his practice top and throwing it on to the table before pulling off his long sleeved undershirt. It was then the girl pushed off the wall. Moving towards his front. Holding her chin as her eyes scanned over his bare chest.

"Tonya here is the daughter of a friend of mine who is a well-known trainer/physical therapist. She's got extremely sharp eyes and can tell whenever someone is trying to hide an injury. I asked her to come today to confirm my suspicions and look you over." Kataoka explained as Miyuki turned his gaze back to the girl. Doing his best to not openly glare at the girl and offend Kataoka.

"Hands above your head." She ordered. Ignoring the icy stare she felt aimed at her.

Knowing that he didn't really have a choice in the matter, Miyuki raised both hands above his head. Wincing a bit as he did so. Revealing the full damage he'd been attempting to hide. Bulging skin met her eyes on his right side. Extending from the middle of his rib cage, almost down to his waist. Kataoka couldn't believe he'd been practicing in this kind of state. Tonya knew better though, unfazed by the sight before her. Her cool hands came into contact with his skin. Sending shivers through Miyuki's body. Her hands slowly slid down either side of his body. Moving from his chest to his sides. It was silent for a time as Tonya worked him over. Gently poking and prodding his body. Figuring out just how far the damage extended. Moving from the front to the back and repeating the process.

"You'd need an MRI to confirm it for sure, but I'd say he's got quite a few micro tears. Obviously the superficial muscles were damaged. I think he has some deep muscle damage as well. But his ribs feel ok. Probably still a bit bruised but nothing major." Tonya noted. Looking to Kataoka as she said this. "Dumbass is lucky he didn't tear anything major if he's this tender."

"That's good to hear." Kataoka smiled. Relieved that the damage wasn't as bad as he'd feared.

A phone went off at that moment. Tonya held up a finger and stepped outside. Leaving the two alone as Miyuki slowly redressed himself. Knowing that silence meant trouble. Already having a pretty good idea of what the coach was going to say as he put his glasses back on. Turning to face him and take his punishment.

"I should ban you for the rest of the year for this stunt. Do you realize how bad this could've gotten if you'd continued to practice in your state?" Kataoka said in that stern tone of his. Miyuki remained silent. He knew the coach was far from done. "Weren't you always the first one to tell the others to take it easy? To not overdo it? To know their limits? Yet, you can't even follow your own advice."

"I didn't wish to worry the team. I'm sorry for my actions." Miyuki said softly. Bowing to show he meant his words.

"Put your gear away and then head back to the dorms to ice that injury. Even I can tell it's swollen and inflamed. We'll discuss this later." Kataoka grunted. Leaving the boy alone in the office.

When Miyuki felt like he could move again, he turned and reached for the door knob. Twisting it and pulling the door open. Only to find Tonya waiting for him. His anger instantly spiked again upon seeing the girl. It was her fault after all that Kataoka was mad. He had been careful. Making sure to stretch, ice, and even wrap it when things seemed too much for him to handle. He wouldn't have reinjured himself. He'd have healed just fine. But she had to come in and mess up his plan. Miyuki narrowed his eyes at her. While he was normally a bright and very approachable person, (despite his twisted personality) he didn't want anything to do with the girl before him. Seems she didn't care though since she walked up to him. A neutral expression on her face, not bothered by the full out glare Miyuki was giving her now.

"Here." Tonya said softly. Taking his wrist and pulling it forward, turning his palm up. She dropped something small and white into his hand.

"What's this?" He grunted. Looking at cut pill.

"Painkiller. It should help somewhat." She turned to leave him alone.

"If you'd wanted to be of help you should've kept your damn mouth shut." Miyuki snapped. Clenching his hand up, fixing to throw the pill away.

"You keep quiet because you don't want anyone to worry. You don't want to be seen as weak. Especially since you're one of the essential pillars that holds this team together. Everyone looks to you to help guide them. So naturally you can't allow yourself to show any sign that you may be breaking down. Despite the crippling pain that racks your body every waking second of the day. And it only gets worse at night when all you crave is rest. To be freed from the pain, even if it's only for a few hours. All for the sake of lying to your team, your friends, just to show that you're okay. Saying nothing's wrong. Telling yourself that you can still keep playing. That it'll all be okay as long as I don't push things too hard. Right?" Tonya said softly. Easily holding his gaze. Watching as his eyes widened just a fraction. It was as if she'd read his mind.

"How do you…?" He left the question hanging.

She gave him a cryptic smile. Walking away shortly after that. With her job done, Tonya was ready to head back to her own school and catch what little there was left of her own practice. She didn't blame Miyuki for hating her. She'd felt the same when she'd been busted. Her own injury flaring up at that moment. Tonya easily blocked out the pain, having gotten a handle on it by now.

'We're more alike than you realize.' Tonya thought to herself. Sparing one last glance towards the school. Knowing that she would see Miyuki again before long.

_._._

Miyuki was all smiles later. That painkiller had helped him out majorly. Numbing him to the pain and putting him on cloud nine in the process. His world was spinning slightly as he lied on his bed. Shirt off with ice on his injured side. His senses were numb by now and the swelling had gone down some. He was glad he'd decided to keep the pill instead of chunking it. He'd be able to get some good sleep tonight.

'That reminds me. Why is she carrying around painkillers?' Miyuki thought to himself. Tilting his head a bit as he stared up at the bunk above him. Three loud knocks pulled him from his thoughts as he turned his head towards the door.

"Miyuki, Coach wants you." Maezono called out.

Reluctantly the catcher sat up. Giving it a minute to allow the room to stop spinning before slipping into his sandals and heading down the walkway. Slowly making his way into the office. Suppressing a yawn as he did so. Why was it that when he stood up, now he felt sleepy? Miyuki nodded in greeting. Spotting Kataoka behind his desk, completely overlooking the other person in the room.

"Damn I didn't think just half a pill would do this to him." A man snickered. Drawing Miyuki's attention to him. "Glad Tonya didn't give him the full thing."

He had dark brown hair that was pushed back and fell to his shoulders. He had a clean shaven face, hazel eyes, and a fit body. Miyuki wondered who the strange man was, turning to Kataoka for help. The coach just motioned for the boy to sit. Giving him a chance to get settled before starting.

"Miyuki, do you remember our talk from earlier?" Kataoka asked. Snapping Miyuki out of his daze.

"Yes sir." He replied softly.

"I had a feeling you were hiding something long before I asked Tonya to come check things out. That's why I already cleared things just in case." Kataoka said. Motioning to the man to his left. "This is Grey Nathaniel. He's the friend I was referring to earlier. I discussed your problem with him and he's agreed to take you on as a favor to me. For the next few months I would like for you to stay with him. Let him slowly rehab you and then build you back up." Kataoka explained.

"Not to be rude, but how am I supposed to fit school, rehab, and practice into my schedule?" Miyuki asked. Not liking where this was going.

"Well, till you're healed you won't be doing any practicing boy." Nathaniel said. Freezing Miyuki where he sat. "I'm sure my daughter told you that if you keep going down the path you're on, there's a real good chance of you tearing a major muscle and ending your baseball career. What Tesshin is proposing to you is that you come stay with me. For the first few weeks you won't do nothing but work on healing that injury of yours. Once that's done we can strengthen you back up and even allow you to come back to practice. If all goes well I'd say you'll be back in your dorm before Christmas. But, there is always the alternative."

"Alternative?" The catcher whispered. Turning to look at Kataoka whose eyes were like steel.

"If you insist on going down this path of self-destruction I will have no choice but to ban you from practice till I think you're ready. You will not touch a ball, you will not touch a bat, you will not dress out, and you could very well lose your starting spot. If I find you going behind my back on this then I will kick you off the team. I will not allow someone so young to destroy themselves. Are we clear?" It was a rhetorical question. He already knew the answer because he wouldn't give Miyuki any other choice.

"Look kid. From what I'm always hearing, you got something special. Something that none of us want to see you throw away just because you're too damn proud to admit that something's wrong. I know Tesshin doesn't want to be hard on you, but that's just how things are. He's trying to help you before it gets to the point that there's nothing anyone can do for you." Nathaniel said softly. Resting his chin on his interlocked hands.

"What about the team? If I'm away for so long…" Miyuki whispered. Not liking things one bit.

"They'll be fine. Practice right now will be lightening up since you guys don't have to worry about anything till the coming spring. Besides, if all goes well you'll be back here to supervise in at least three weeks tops." Nathaniel boomed. Scaring the boy who hadn't been ready for that.

"Miyuki….don't make me force my hand." Kataoka pleaded. As much as Miyuki hated it, he knew that this was all being done for his sake. To help him get better the right way so that he could return to the team that much faster.

"Alright then. I accept." Miyuki grinned. Seeing the men share a look of relief.

"Go back to your dorm and pack then. We leave tonight." Nathaniel stood up. Offering his hand to Miyuki. "Looking forward to having you around these next few months."

"Yeah. Looking forward to it." Miyuki shook his hand. Sealing the deal.

_._._

'So this is going to be my new home for the next few months huh?' Miyuki thought to himself.

It was a pretty big one story home in one of the nicer neighborhoods. Plenty of spacing and privacy between homes. Miyuki wondered what Nathaniel had to pay in order to get a place like this. Letting out a small whistle before following the man inside and looking around. Impressed with how opening and welcoming the home felt. He'd been expecting the place to feel as stuffy as it had looked on the outside. It was peaceful. Calming. Very sparsely decorated. Very spacious. Giving the place a nice balance. He would make sure to explore a little bit more once he was unpacked and settled in.

'Well, at least I don't have to worry about people barging into my room and keeping me up at all hours of the night.' Miyuki chuckled weakly. Wondering how everyone would feel when they learned he'd been moved out of the dorms temporarily. Guess they'd have to find someone else to harass for the time being.

"This will be your room. You'll share the bathroom that's just down the hall with my daughter. For now just rest and relax. Tomorrow after school you'll come by the clinic and I'll assess where we should start." Nathaniel stepped aside to let Miyuki inside his new lodgings.

The room was fairly big. It felt odd to step inside and not see bunk beds against the walls with clothes, practice gear, school books, and water bottles strewn all over. This would definitely take some getting used to. The catcher dropped his stuff near the bed. Sitting down and taking it all in. Even though this was for his own good, he still wasn't too happy about being away from the team.

"Something wrong?" Nathaniel asked. Leaning against the door frame as Miyuki looked up at the man.

"It's just weird. The silence was calming at first, but now I'm not sure." He admitted. Missing the warm and boisterous atmosphere of Seido already.

"Heh. Well, enjoy the quiet while you can. It doesn't tend to stay that way for long." Nathaniel grinned. Leaving the boy alone.

Miyuki slowly unpacked. Putting what few things he'd brought with him from the dorms into the drawers of the dresser in the room. Laying out his school stuff on the desk. Finally coming to his catcher's mitt. Tracing his hands over the old worn leather glove. He set it in plain view on the desk. Making sure that he had a reminder of why he had agreed to do this in the first place. Voices could be heard coming from down the hallway. Since he was going to be living here for the next few months he may as well introduce himself to the family. Slowly, he headed out of his room and back down the hall.

A soft swishing sound reached his ears. One that Miyuki recognized well. Someone was throwing into a net. He slowly tracked the sound down. Eventually winding up outside and around back. He couldn't believe what he saw. There, throwing into the net, was the pain in the ass that had landed him in this mess. Dressed in a sleeveless shirt, short cotton shorts, with her hair pulled up into a ponytail, cleats scraping against the ground as she threw. Miyuki had seen videos and highlights of softball pitching, but it was something else to watch it in person. To see how much more complex it was than throwing a baseball. Her focus was intense. Eyes glued to the net as she pitched the much bigger ball towards it. Sending it flying with ease. He vaguely wondered what kind of sound her pitches would make upon hitting his glove.

"Aah!" Tonya yelped as her left knee buckled a bit. Sending her pitch into the top bar holding the net up. She'd just barely caught herself from hitting the ground. Slowly pushing herself back up. Testing her weight on her knee, gritting her teeth as she did so. "Damnit. Not yet. I still have twenty to go."

It was then Miyuki spotted it. The knee sleeves on either of her legs. He could see her left leg trembling a bit as she took a breath and calmed herself. Reaching down into the bucket of balls and setting up once again. Throwing a perfect pitch as she got back into her rhythm. Zoning out completely.

"I heard from Tesshin that Tonya didn't leave a very good impression upon you today." Nathaniel said. Spooking Miyuki. "Want to know why she was able to spot your injury so well?"

"Coach said it was because she has sharp eyes." Miyuki replied softly. Turning his gaze back to the girl who was drenched in sweat.

"That's one reason." Nathaniel chuckled. His eyes softening as he watched his daughter go through her workout. "She can tell when someone is trying to hide an injury, because that girl hid hers from us till her knee finally gave out. Tonya, probably better than anyone, understands how you feel about your situation. She was stubborn once and paid the price. Now she doesn't want to see anyone else end up like her if she can avoid it. Even if that means making them hate her. Miyuki—I'd like to ask you to do me a favor while you're with us."

"What is it?" He glanced up at the man who was running his fingers through his already slicked back hair.

"Tonya injured her left knee awhile back and her right one is beginning to give her issues from her favoring the left for so long. She knows her limits so I'm not too worried about her pushing it unless it's in a game. But she has issues elsewhere. Like you, she'd rather suffer in silence than let anyone know just how badly she's hurting. Miyuki, I'm asking you to keep an eye on her. Just like she called you out on your injury, you need to do the same with her when things get too tough." Nathaniel said weakly. Clapping Miyuki's shoulder before heading back inside.

Man I didn't realize how long this chapter was going to be! But then again I had a lot of fun writing it. Most of the chapters will be longer than my previous stories because I really want to get in depth with this. As I mentioned before this will be my special baby and updates will take much longer than I ever did with my other stories. Can't wait to hear what you think!