Tsukishima had seen the bleached blonde once before at the practice match. He had been somewhat impressed, though he would never admit it, with the older boy. He wasn't like his own setter, who was a genius and just tossed in ways that he knew would get them points. No, this boy was smart. He was able to pick apart the other team, was able to see the flaws and plays they were trying to hide. Added with the complete trust his teammates had with him, and the tall blocker that seemed to be good at getting on everyone's nerves, it was no wonder Nekoma was considered a powerhouse.

Tsukishima would have been surprised if they took a single game during the stream of practice matches.

They didn't.

Though he watched the other closely, he never spoke to him. It was obvious that, despite his team rallying around him and the odd friendship he had struck up with Hinata, the boy liked people about as much as he himself did. However, while Tsukishima kept people away with his sarcasm and glare, the older setter avoided those around him, usually with some sort of video game in hand. Though Tsukishima had yet to decide if the avoidance and dislike of people was to do with anxiety or if the blonde had just realized that being around a lot of people made his IQ drop, like Tsukishima had.

Either way, after the first round of practice matches, Tsukishima hadn't really thought much of the other boy. He came to mind every once and awhile when he overheard Hinata talking about him, but that was it.

So, the fact that he seemed to be one of Tsukishima's markmates was certainly a surprise.

Tsukishima hadn't even been the one to notice. Yamaguchi, who knew Tsukishima's mark almost as well as he knew his own, had spotted it first.

It was just after they lost yet another match during the summer training camp. After sprinting up the hill, yet again, and Tsukishima was considering throwing himself down the damn hill just to get out of doing it again, when Yamaguchi came up and tugged on his shirt. Tsukishima rolled his eyes before looking at his smaller best friend. It was a habit Yamaguchi had cultivated over the years, tugging at Tsukishima's shirts when he wanted to tell him something but was nervous to do so.

He had really hoped his best friend would have broken that habit by now. Especially considering the fact that the boy had been yelling at him just the night before.

"What?"

Yamaguchi avoided his eyes, instead staring down at the ground vacantly. "Um, well, I saw…"

Tsukishima sighed, "Saw what?"

"Well…I could be wrong…but I thought I saw your, um, mark."

Tsukishima's eyes narrowed. His mark, which was placed on his right hip, consisted of three swirls, all woven together in an intricate pattern. The specialist he was taken to when the mark first appeared, like all children were taken to, had told his mother the three swirls represented the three people destined to be in the bond. "You've seen my mark hundreds of times."

"I know," Yamaguchi replied, his eyes flickering from Tsukishima's face to where the other people on their team were sitting. "But, I, um, didn't see it on you."

Tsukishima instantly stood up straight, eyes darting to the people around them. "Where?"

Yamaguchi didn't reply, only waved a hand toward the line of people standing at the door of the gym, making sure the Karasuno members completed their punishment.

"Not helpful," Tsukishima muttered as their captain yelled at him and Yamaguchi to hurry up.

The two ran down the hill and followed everyone into the gym. "Who?" He asked lowly.

"Nekoma's setter," Yamaguchi replied just as softly, looking to the older boy. Tsukishima blinked in surprise, turning to look at the blonde who currently was staring at his DS as he sat on the floor, almost hid completely behind the bleachers. "Nekoma's captain picked him up earlier and brought him outside. His shirt pulled up enough for me to see."

Tsukishima rolled his eyes. Kuroo spoke about his best friend regularly during their practice sessions each night and it didn't surprise Tsukishima that he had done as Yamaguchi described. "Are you sure?"

Yamaguchi shrugged, "I only saw it for a couple of seconds before he got away and his shirt covered it again. But I really thought it was the same."

Tsukishima didn't bother replying, instead he looked at the setter closely. He admitted to himself that he had felt drawn to the other boy when they were around one another, though he hadn't actually spoken to him. But that didn't mean he actually was one of Tsukishima's soulmates.

"Tsukishima! We're next!" Daichi said, breaking his thought process. He sighed and followed his team, ready to lose yet another game.

"So," Kuroo started, his eyes narrowed dangerously as Akaashi tried to calm an irritated Bokuto. "Saw you staring at Kenma today. Got something to say?"

Tsukishima mentally sighed. He had realized early on that the bedhead was overly protective of his childhood friend. "No. Even if I did, it wouldn't be any of your business."

The older narrowed his eyes and took a step forward. "I like you, Tsukki. But if you do anything to Kenma-"

"Kuroo-san," Akaashi said sharply, apparently giving up on Bokuto for the moment. "Kenma is able to take care of himself quite well, despite what you think. Although I do not think Tsukishima-san needs the warning you are planning on giving."

Kuroo scowled. "But he was staring-"

"Looking," Tsukishima replied, bored with the conversation. "I was looking. Not staring."

Kuroo let out a growl and ran a hand through his already messy hair. "And why would you be-"

"Sorry I'm late!" Hinata said loudly, bouncing into the room. Lev followed him closely, a smile on his face. "I was trying to get Kenma-"

"Good luck, shorty," Kuroo said with a smile, previous mood seemingly forgotten. "Kenma isn't going to practice any more than he has to."

"Should I be offended?" A soft voice questioned. Kuroo and Akaashi turned to the door in surprise. Tsukishima looked up lazily, carefully keeping his face blank as Kenma slowly made his way into the gym. His eyes were once again fixed on his DS, flickering up every so often to make sure he didn't walk into anything.

"Kenma, are you playing?" Kuroo asked in shock, his eyes widening as he stared at his best friend.

"No," Kenma replied, moving to the side of the gym and sliding onto the floor.

"I wanted him to play, but he wouldn't!" Hinata said loudly from where he stood beside Kuroo. "So I talked him into coming to the gym. He can still play his game! But this way, he gets to hang out with us too!"

"Wow," Kuroo replied, looking somewhat dazed as he stared at his friend.

"Hello, Kenma-san," Akaashi said softly.

Kenma's eyes flickered to the other setter. "Akaashi," he greeted with a soft voice.

"Are we going to play?!" Bokuto finally yelled, his eyes bright as he looked around the gym. "Ooh, Kenma! When did you get here?!"

Akaashi let out a deep sigh as Hinata ducked under the net.

Tsukishima got into position, standing between Kuroo and Lev and the six boys began to practice. Tsukishima began to grow more and more annoyed as it went on. Kuroo, who gave him tips, was the only person who could completely block Bokuto. Tsukishima got it six times out of ten while Lev…well, he was beginning to realize why Nekoma always looked so annoyed at the tall first year.

"Lev, don't spread your arms so wide!"

"Lev, you're jumping too early."

"Lev!"

"Lev-"

Tsukishima clenched his jaw as yet another ball flew pass the block and slammed onto the floor. He landed, shaking his head and slid off his glasses. He lifted the hem of his shirt as he cleaned them. He needed to call it a night. They still had about thirty more minutes left of their usual time, but if he didn't leave now, he might actually kill the half-Russian.

Lev himself was complaining to Kuroo, whining about how he always picked on him and he wanted to spike the ball. "I want to switch with Hinata! I want a toss!"

"I've been tossing-"

"A good toss! Akaashi-sempai can-"

"Lev, stop," a voice said, cutting into the rant. Kenma, who had been quiet enough for the past hour that Tsukishima actually forgot he was sitting behind him, had stood and walked toward the group. "You're giving me a headache."

The tall first year fell silent, a pout on his face. "But Kenma-sempai-"

"Don't call me that," Kenma muttered as he stopped beside Tsukishima.

"Ooh, Kenma! Are you going to play? You can toss to me!"

"No fair!" Hinata yelled, running toward them. "I want Kenma to toss to me! I asked first!"

"He's on my team!"

"He's my friend!"

"Mine too!"

Tsukishima smirked as Kuroo let out a startled laugh at Lev's declaration. Kenma scowled fiercely. Apparently, he did not agree with the friend comment.

"Are you playing Kenma-san?" Akaashi asked tiredly.

Kenma shook his head. "Then why are you-" Kuroo started.

Tsukishima blinked in surprise as the hem of his shirt was suddenly lifted. "What-"

"Kenma!"

"Uh, Kenma, I don't think you should-"

But Tsukishima didn't say anything. And he didn't pull away. He knew what the older boy was looking at. "Holy shit," Kuroo cursed loudly, grabbing Kenma's arm and pulling him away from Tsukishima. He blinked as his shirt fell once more and Kuroo moved to step in front of the bottle blonde who was staring at Tsukishima with wide eyes. Kuroo's eyes were narrowed dangerously. "Tsukki, you-"

"Yamaguchi thought he saw it earlier today," Tsukishima said, cutting off Kuroo and peering behind him to look at Kenma. "He wasn't sure, though and I didn't know how I should ask."

"At least you were going to ask," Akaashi muttered, an amused smirk on his face.

"What's going on?" Hinata demanded, frowning as he looked between Kenma, Tsukishima, and Kuroo. "Why'd you do that?" He asked Kenma.

Akaashi sighed and ushered the confused Hinata, Bokuto, who was just as confused, and a wailing Lev out of the gym. "Good luck," he said lowly to Tsukishima as they left.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Kuroo demanded as the doors slid shut. "You should have-"

"Sorry, are you involved in this?" Tsukishima asked bluntly. He really, really hoped the answer was no. Kuroo wasn't so bad, Tsukishima actually had begun to like the older boy, but he didn't think he could deal with him on a regular basis.

"Of course I-"

"No," Kenma said, stopping Kuroo mid-sentence. "Kuro, move."

Kuroo scowled as he turned around sharply, his back now facing Tsukishima. "Kenma, he should have-"

"He didn't know for sure and he didn't even see it. His friend could have been mistaken. And, considering he and I haven't actually spoken to one another, he didn't know how to bring it up," Kenma said plainly. "He's actually right about this, Kuro. It doesn't have anything to do with you."

Kuroo took a step back, "But, Kenma, you're my best friend!"

"And you're mine," Kenma said simply, "But this doesn't have anything to do with that. I have to do this on my own."

Kuroo scowled at the words. "Kenma-"

"Go see Bokuto," Kenma stated, stepping around his pouting friend. "The two of you can complain that I found my markmate before you did."

The scowl intensified. "You only found one," Kuroo muttered, "you still have another."

"Kuro, go."

Letting out a deep sigh, Kuroo turned toward the door. He shot Tsukishima one last glare before he left.

Tsukishima stared after him. "He is very…protective of you."

Kenma nodded once and pulled out his phone. "Dinner."

Well, okay then.

The two walked in silence. They garnered more than one look as they made their way through the line and sat at an empty table. Tsukishima heard Hinata loudly telling the rest of his team that Kenma was "that asses soulmate!". Nekoma, who apparently heard the comment, began asking Kuroo, but Kuroo was too busy glaring at Tsukishima to answer.

"So," Tsukishima finally said, having enough of the silence. He thought back to his thoughts when they first met. Was it anxiety? "How do you want to do this?"

Kenma sighed, his eyes flickering to Tsukishima and back down to his food. "I'm not good at…I really don't…"

Well, that answers that.

"Not good at talking to people you don't know," Tsukishima said bluntly. Kenma glanced up, surprised. "You seemed to be fine with Kuroo. And you didn't have a problem telling Lev to shut up. So, you're uncomfortable with me because you don't know me."

Kenma shifted uncomfortably for a moment before nodding.

"Okay," Tsukishima said simply. He let his gaze wander to the different tables. Many of them were looking toward himself and Kenma. Well, news travels fast.

Especially if Hinata is involved.

"Kuroo said the two of you have known each other since you were kids," Tsukishima said, sliding his eyes back to the boy in front of him. "How long, exactly?"

"Three," Kenma said, frowning. "Neighbors." He looked over Tsukishima's shoulder for a moment. "You're friend."

Tsukishima turned to see Yamaguchi making his way toward them. He smiled slightly as he came to a stop beside the table. "Hi, Kenma. I'm Yamaguchi Tadashi."

Kenma nodded, "Hello."

Yamaguchi smiled brightly and turned to Tsukishima. "Tsukki, Daichi wants everyone to meet after we eat. He said it wouldn't take long."

He scowled but nodded. Yamaguchi smiled once more at Kenma before walking back to where he had been sitting between Kageyama and Asahi. "How long…" Kenma scrunched up his nose slightly, "How long have you known…"

"We met in elementary," Tsukishima said, answering the question Kenma had obviously been trying to ask.

They continued to sit in silence throughout the meal until Kenma finally let out a deep sigh. "Sorry," he muttered, slowly lifting his hand, "Can I…phone?"

Tsukishima slowly pulled out his phone, placing it in the other boy's hand. Kenma's fingers moved quickly over the keys, faster than Tsukishima's ever could, at any rate. Kenma quickly handed the phone back to Tsukishima and glanced over his shoulder once again. "Your team."

Tsukishima turned around, glaring slightly at his teammates who made it obvious they were waiting for him. "Do you want to meet later, or tomorrow…"

"Tomorrow," Kenma said simply, not looking up.

Tsukishima didn't say a word as he stood and walked away. This was not going to be easy.