The weeks drug on in a pattern of class, practice, and Saturday meetings. While the original plan had been to shift between their houses, the four boys had quickly come to realize that Bokuto's house was the best place to meet. It was easier for Kuroo and Kenma to meet the other two boys at the school once Saturday practice ended. If they did it the other way, Kenma had to wait for the two to make the forty minute train ride before he got to see them. That meant they spent less time together and none of them liked it. Besides Bokuto's home, though smaller than the other two, seemed to feel bigger because Kenma had his mother, father, and dad at his home while Kuroo had his entire family circle, a total of six with an omega, two alpha's, and to beta's, in his.
On top of that, Bokuto-san always seemed very excited to see them. Bokuto had also been happier than usual, less likely to fall into his 'dejected mode' as it was called, and Kenma had a feeling that the happiness of his mother contributed to that.
Each week it was harder and harder to leave and return home. Kenma knew that he wasn't the only one that felt that way as their meetings began to grow later, most of the time Kuroo and Kenma barely making it to the last train. Their chat had grown substantially, the four in almost constant communication. Kenma wanted to bond. He wanted the constant pull to ease, to know that the two would be tied to him no matter how long they spent a part. Now, even if he logically knew it, he was constantly anxious that one of them would change their minds or another circle would offer them something that he and Kuroo couldn't.
They were all aware of his mood. Kuroo was jumpy as well, their bond always feeding him bits of Kenma's worry, and Akaashi and Bokuto assured the two of them multiple times that they would not be leaving. Kenma's omega was completely focused on the two, constantly wanting to show them attention and receive their praise. It was at the point that, even if someone else that suited the circle was standing in front of him, Kenma wouldn't notice.
Which is why, for the first time, he was actually almost looking forward to a training camp. He would get to see Shoyo and spend more time with Akaashi and Bokuto. Then, in just a few weeks, they would have the summer training camp and after that, their bonding.
The second Kenma laid eyes on Akaashi and Bokuto at the camp, he moved toward them and fell into the warmth that they granted him. Akaashi laughed lightly as he wrapped strong arms around the other setter and Bokuto smiled as he hugged the both of them to his chest. "Kenma!"
"Are you okay?" Akaashi gasped out, Bokuto cutting off his air supply.
Kenma nodded before pulling out of the tight hold. His DS had already been confiscated by Kuroo and he ended up fiddling with the sleeves of his sweatshirt to distract him. "Kenma, you need to get changed and get in the gym," Kuroo reminded him, walking up and throwing one arm around Bokuto and the other around Akaashi. "You two as well."
"What about you, Kuroo-san?" Akaashi replied, looking toward the other boys' sweatpants and jacket.
"Karasuno's captain messaged me that they would be here in ten minutes," Kuroo answered. He let his arms drop as he took out his phone. "I told them I would meet them and show them where to go. Can the two of you make sure Kenma gets to Nekoma's room?" Right. Like Kenma was incapable of getting there on his own. He sighed but didn't protest. He got to spend more time with Bokuto and Akaashi this way and it would make Kuroo feel more comfortable if they were with him.
"Sure!" Bokuto saluted, jumping to the younger boy once again and wrapping his arms around him tightly. Kenma gasped as the breath left his lungs.
"Too tight, Bokuto-san," Akaashi cautioned as he leaned into the hug Kuroo had suddenly given him. Bokuto loosened his hold on Kenma and the omega threw the beta a grateful glance. Akaashi just sent him an amused smirk as he led the way into the school.
Kenma found many of the Nekoma players already in the room and he changed quickly so he could travel with them to the gym. People noticed you less if you traveled in a group. He followed as Yamamoto led them to Nekoma's practice area and saw Akaashi and Bokuto enter only a moment later. Bokuto waved to him excitedly and Akaashi's lips twitched up as he pulled the captain to his own practice group.
Kuroo joined the team quickly enough, explaining that Karasuno had been led to their own room and would be coming shortly. Kenma felt excitement bubble in his chest at the thought of seeing his friend again – and of seeing him play again. No matter how often he saw it, those quick's amazed him. Though Shoyo desperately needed to work on other things…at least he was better than Lev.
But when Karasuno entered the gym, Kenma felt a frown cross his features. "Huh? Where's Shoyo?" he muttered out loud.
Yamamoto overheard him and offered an answer, "Apparently, he had a supplementary exam."
"Ah," he shouldn't have been surprised by the answer. The other boy had told him he had been studying so he could pass the tests, but even he could tell that Shoyo wasn't confident. He wondered if his absence would hurt Karasuno.
Kuroo moved to join Karasuno's captain and Kenma watched their interaction from the corner of his eye. Kuroo liked him. Kuroo didn't like a lot of people, no matter how polite he acted or how many people thought Kuroo got along with everyone he met. Just the fact that Kuroo willingly went to the other third year and offered advice was telling in itself. Usually at these camps, the only ones Kuroo really spoke to were the players from Nekoma, Bokuto, and Akaashi.
Kenma turned his attention away and rejoined practice, knowing if Kuroo or coach caught him slacking off they would lecture him. As they did so, he would space out and then they would catch him not paying attention and the entire thing would start all over again. It was easier to avoid the entire thing. He met Akaashi's eye across the gym and the other setter sent him a challenging smirk. Kenma rolled his eyes in response.
Karasuno's first match seemed to be against Fukurōdani and Kenma didn't even have to pay attention to know how that was going to go – especially when he realized Shoyo wasn't the only one missing. The genius setter was also absent. Kenma didn't have too high hopes for Karasuno's chances.
He turned out to be right and Fukurōdani moved on to play their own team next. Kenma stared impassively as both Akaashi and Bokuto smirked at him. Bokuto began to taunt Kuroo only a moment later, earning himself the full on provocation that had earned Kuroo his nickname. Akaashi, who had seen what was happening, quickly caught Bokuto's attention and was the only reason Bokuto didn't fall into one of his moods. Kenma sighed as he played against the other team. Akaashi was just as analytical as he himself was, maybe even more so, and he knew how to use Bokuto and his spikes to his teams advantage.
Kenma had to jump to block those spikes and he felt himself wincing back on multiple occasions. At one point, he moved his arms to the side midblock so the ball wouldn't slam into him and he felt his omega yelp as the ball slammed into the floor and ricocheted toward the blond from Karasuno. The blond lifted his hand, stopping it just before it slammed into the side of his face. Kenma winced when he saw the mark on the boys' hand.
"Damn it, Kenma!" Coach yelled. "Don't run away!"
Kenma turned his head, not caring if the coach was upset with him. "But my arms are gonna break off…"
"They won't!" Came the angry reply.
"All right!" Bokuto screamed from the other side of the net. "I'm so awesome!"
"You really should try to block," Kuroo commented in amusement as he walked up to Kenma's side.
"I don't want the bruises," Kenma replied.
"If you do bruise, Bokuto would be so upset that he probably won't hit it toward you again."
"Pain in the ass, Kuroo-san," Akaashi muttered, obviously over hearing the manipulation Kuroo was tyring to put in effect as he was directly on the other side of the net. Kuroo laughed loudly in response, sending the other boy a wink. He broke off as something across the gym caught his attention.
"So the stars are showing up fashionably late?" he chuckled, "How annoying."
Kenma turned to see what his mate was talking about and couldn't stop the happiness he felt when he saw who was standing in the doorway. Shoyo was there, along with the scary setter.
The next practice match Karasuno played was far more entertaining and he couldn't help but watch from the corner of his eye. Kuroo nudged him more than once, telling him to pay attention to their own game, but seeing the reaction of the other team, and those watching, was fun. Even Bokuto was staring at the two with amusement and complete fascination. He didn't see Akaashi, which was disappointing. He wanted to see how the other setter would take the weird quick Shoyo and his setter accomplished.
Karasuno won their first, and last, match of the day and Kenma finally turned his attention completely on his own match. They won quickly and Kuroo shot him an annoyed glance when it was over. "We could have ended that earlier," he chided in slight annoyance.
Kenma shrugged but didn't bother to respond. "Well, we're going to meet Akaashi and Bo for dinner," Kuroo sighed, grabbing onto Kenma's wrist and pulling him toward the dining area. "I think Bo will want to do some extra practice after that. Do you want to-"
Kenma's expression must have been answer enough, because Kuroo broke of his sentence with a loud, embarrassing cackle. "Bro, what was that?!" Bokuto asked, doing his own version of Kuroo's earlier laughter as he joined them.
"Like you have room to talk!" Kuroo retaliated, mimicking Bokuto's laughter.
Bokuto looked offended, "Hey! There's nothing wrong with my laugh!"
"And what's wrong with mine?!"
Kenma sighed and pulled ahead of the two third years. The two would be able to catch up to him easily, but they seemed to be more interested in their argument. He found Akaashi already at a table in the dining area, food placed in front of him. He greeted Kenma as he slid into the open space beside him. "Where are Bokuto-san and Kuroo-san?"
Kenma waved a hand toward the doorway, "Arguing over whose laughter is more annoying," Kenma muttered, slowly taking the plate Akaashi was offering him. He glanced down, seeing that the boy had filled it with foods that Kenma liked. "Thanks."
Akaashi nodded in response and only a moment later Bokuto and Kuroo joined them. "Kenma! We were worried! You were right there and then you were gone!" Bokuto exclaimed, staring at the omega with sad eyes.
Kenma didn't bother to respond, instead holding out an open palm toward Kuroo. "Kuro," he demanded when the alpha merely stared at him.
"Why didn't you get us plates?" Kuroo asked instead, his eyes turning toward Akaashi and ignoring Kenma's outstretched hand.
"You aren't as cute as Kenma," Akaashi responded blankly. Bokuto yelled loudly in denial but Kuroo narrowed his eyes.
"Come on, Bo," the raven haired alpha said, moving toward the food line.
"Kuro!" Kenma demanded again, golden eyes narrowed as he looked at his mate. But the alpha ignored him once again as he and Bokuto moved away from the table.
Kenma pursed his lips in annoyance. "I assume he has your DS?" Akaashi questioned.
"He said I'd get it back after the matches were done," Kenma muttered, glaring at his mates back. Akaashi didn't respond as he leaned comfortingly into the omega.
Kuroo and Bokuto were back quickly enough, both of their plates overflowing. Akaashi looked at the two in disgust. "That is why I did not get you anything."
"We're growing boys!" Bokuto said loudly, throwing his arms out. "We need to eat!"
"If you aren't careful, you'll be growing in other ways," Akaashi remarked as he finished his own plate.
"Are we practicing after this?!" Bokuto asked, his mouth full of food. Kenma scrunched up his nose as he saw the half chewed…whatever it was.
"We are," Kuroo agreed, "but Kenma isn't."
"Wh- Kenma!"
"You already have Akaashi tossing for you," Kenma muttered, ignoring the "does he now?" from Akaashi. "I want to see Shoyo."
"Ah, I forgot about shrimpy," Kuroo sighed, his eyes narrowed as he leaned toward Kenma. "I thought you said that you didn't-"
"He's my friend, Kuro."
"Oh, yeah!" Bokuto's head whipped around, his eyes narrowing every time he landed on a player he didn't recognize. "Didn't you say something about feeling a pull toward a person from Karasuno? Which one?!"
Kenma hid his face in his hands as multiple people looked at him curiously. Of course Bokuto would choose to shout that out now when every member from every school was in vicinity. "I'm sure that Kenma is focused on us at the moment, Bokuto-san," Akaashi said, his own face showing his impatience for once.
"Yeah, I know, but after we-"
"Then we can discuss it after, if it is still relevant," Akaashi cut in.
Kuroo let out a deep groan as he finished eating. "I might have trouble practicing as well. I ate too much." He then moved, placing a familiar item on the table. Kenma snatched it up quickly, not wanting it to disappear again. "Alright, you can play while we're in the gym. But I expect you to put it away once I get back."
"Yes, otosan," Kenma muttered in annoyance.
"Kinky," Kuroo responded, earning himself a glare from the omega.
"Kenma!" A loud voice shouted. Kenma turned slightly to see a blur of red running toward him. The blur came to a stop and Kenma greeted the small, excited alpha. "Do you want to practice?"
Kenma heard Akaashi cough beside him as Kuroo laughed. Kenma had to force himself not to throw a glare around the table. "I'm tired," Kenma told the first year as he flicked his DS on. "But you could come with me to the Nekoma room. I was going to play a game."
"Okay!" Shoyo exclaimed, bouncing up and down as he waited for Kenma to stand. Kenma waved slightly to the three at the table as he walked toward the classroom Nekoma was staying in, Shoyo chattering happily beside him. "…so I was like, whoosh! And Kageyama was like, woah!"
"Shoyo!" Inuoka said loudly as the first year followed Kenma into the room. "Are you going to hang out with us?"
"Inuoka!" Shoyo greeted back in the same tone as he took a seat beside Kenma, "Yeah! Kenma didn't want to practice, so I said I'd come here!"
"You tried to get Kenma-san to practice?" Inuoka laughed, only to cut himself off when Kenma stared at him with golden eyes. "Uh, well, it's good to see you! That quick was amazing as ever!"
"But at this rate, nothing is going to change," Shoyo admitted and even Kenma, who was distracted by his game, could hear the dejection in his voice. He seemed to snap himself of whatever mood he had fallen into quickly and looked at Inuoka, "Hey! Who the heck is that middle blocker?"
"Oh. That's the first year, Haiba Lev," Kenma saved Inuoka from answering. He knew it was a sore spot for the first year. "He's half Russian and half Japanese."
"H-half?! So cool! L-Le-"
"Lev. What does it mean in Russian again? Tiger?" Kenma asked, glancing up from his game. He never could remember. Usually Kuroo reminded him.
"It means lion! Yeah, lion!" Inuoka replied.
"He wasn't there last time, right?"
"Lev started volleyball in high school," Kenma explained, frowning when he remembered the multiple extra practices he had to have with the first year. He shuddered at the memories. "When we went to Karasuno around Golden Week, he still hadn't played very much and only the regular members went."
"He just started and he can play like that?!"
"Yeah, and when we were paired together, it was really difficult," Kenma admitted, still remembering the horror of those weeks. They really were enough to give him nightmares. "No matter how hard I tried, our timing was off."
"Kenma-san couldn't stop sighing," Inuoka said in amusement.
Kenma looked back toward his game, not wanting to discuss Lev any longer. "I guess there are times when even you can't read people, Kenma," Shoyo stated.
Kenma felt a frown cross his face at the words, "Lev is just too special. Right now, he's mostly working with his innate physical abilities and instincts. And his height."
"Yeah, his height totally isn't fair!"
"He's been blessed with too much!" Innuoka agreed.
"Well, he's a powerful asset, honest, and not a bad guy," Kenma told the two, slightly amused by their behavior. Not that he would ever admit any of those things when Lev was actually within hearing distance. The first year would never leave him alone if he knew that Kenma thought he was a good person. "Though he's too honest sometimes." Kenma thought about the tall middle blocker for a moment and was reminded of his thoughts from earlier. "Oh, but his passing basics are still completely bad. He's worse than you, Shoyo. His serves are worse than yours too, Shoyo."
"Am I the guideline of what's bad or not, Kenma?!" Shoyo asked loudly and Kenma winced. Ah, maybe he said a little too much.
"But you are bad," he pointed out to the annoyed alpha.
"I'm not that bad!"
"You're getting better," Kenma agreed, unperturbed that the alpha seemed to be getting upset.
"Whatever," Shoyo huffed, leaning over to peer at the game Kenma was playing, "So, what are you playing?"
Kenma continued to play his game, with Shoyo looking over his shoulder and talking to Inuoka. They stayed like that until Kuroo walked in. "Kenma, times up," the third year commented.
Kenma turned his back on Kuroo and nodded as Shoyo said his good-byes. "Kenma, come on. Bo and Akaashi are outside."
That got him moving. He placed the console on his mat and moved to stand slowly, Kuroo grabbing his arm and helping him to his feet. The alpha and beta were leaning against the wall in the hallway. "We wanted to say goodnight!" Bokuto said loudly, bounding over and wrapping his arms around the omega.
Kenma pried himself out of the hold. The boy had been practicing for hours and really needed a bath. Kuroo barked out laughter as Kenma moved to stand a ways away from the three of them. "Goodnight," he replied.
Akaashi hid a smile behind his hand, "Yes, we will see you in the morning."
Pouting, Bokuto crossed his arms over his chest and Kenma couldn't help but be destracted by the way his biceps bulged when he did so. "I wanted a kiss."
"Nope," Kenma replied, ducking back into the classroom and wishing them a goodnight over his shoulder. He quickly finished his current level and slid into his futon, knowing Kuroo would be irritated if he was still playing when he came back.
"Night, kitten," Kuroo said softly as he slid into the futon beside Kenma. Kenma rolled on his side, pressing himself as close to the alpha as he possibly could, and quickly fell asleep.
"Our first match today is against Karasuno," Kuroo said as they walked toward the gym.
"I get to play against Hinata!" Lev cheered. Kenma winced into Kuroo's side. A strong curled around him in response and Kuroo leaned down to brush his nose against Kenma's mating mark. Kenma relaxed against the alpha while their teammates "oohed" beside them.
"Shut up or you'll all be running extra laps," Kuroo muttered as he lifted his head. The team quickly shut their mouths and Kenma hid a blush in Kuroo's shoulder.
The first match was interesting, with Lev using his height to stop Shoyo's attacks. It certainly helped, even if the first year wasn't sure what he was doing most of the time. The most interesting part of the game was when Shoyo jumped to hit a ball that was clearly meant for Karasuno's ace. Kenma knew that Shoyo hadn't meant it the way it looked…but it showed a new side to Karasuno. Kenma wasn't sure what had happened after that, but it looked as if there was some sort of distance between Shoyo and his scary setter. That distance seemed to quickly spread to the rest of the team and Nekoma won the match easily.
The day finished quickly enough and soon Kenma was on his way to Bokuto's house with Kuroo and Akaashi. "Those things went, whish!" Bokuto whined. Kenma blinked at the description. Maybe he should introduce Bokuto to Shoyo. At least the older boy might understand what Shoyo was saying. "Akaashi, why can't we do that?!"
"Sorry, Bokuto-san," Akaashi responded with a small frown, "I do not think I have the capabilities to do something like that. Karasuno's setter is…"
"Shoyo called him a monster once," Kenma put in when Akaashi struggled for the correct term. He remembered the claws the younger boy had mimicked when he was describing Kageyama and he thought it was fitting.
"It would be an apt description," Akaashi acknowledged.
"But you're an amazing setter, Akaashi!"
"I'm average, Bokuto-san," the second year beta countered and ignored his captain's protests at the words.
"I heard he was called the King of the Court in junior high," Kuroo put in, a frown on his face. "I don't think it was a compliment."
"Shoyo says that there is another setter in Miyagi that might even be better," Kenma voiced, earning himself disbelieving looks from the other three. "He calls him the Great King."
"…well then," Kuroo coughed, "just who is this Great King?"
Kenma shrugged as they walked into Bokuto's warm apartment. "He just said that he's a third year and that he was Kageyama's senpai in junior high."
"That…I do not know what to say to that," Akaashi admitted as the four of them made themselves somewhat fit on Bokuto's couch. Kenma was perched on top of Bokuto and Kuroo while Akaashi had squeezed himself between the arm and Bokuto. Kenma was pretty sure the other boy was more on Bokuto than the couch.
"I kind of want to see," Kuroo confessed.
"Me too!"
"Shoyo seems terrified every time he's mentioned," Kenma told them in amusement. "And he says Kageyama always gets really angry."
"Isn't that kid always angry?"
Kenma thought back to their first training match, when the other setter had stared at him and muttered under his breath. He was still wondering if the boy had been trying to curse him. "Well, maybe we'll meet him somewhere!" Bokuto said loudly, jumping to his feet and dislodging both Kenma and Akaashi. Kenma fell to the side, resting his entire weight on Kuroo, who only saved him from the floor by grabbing onto his waist. Akaash, unfortunately, wasn't so lucky.
"Bokuto-san…" came the deadly voice that accompanied the fierce glare the beta wore as he laid sprawled on the ground. Bokuto whimpered and climbed over the couch, ducking down so they couldn't see him.
"Alright there?" Kuroo asked, his eyes dancing as he and Kenma both stared at the usually stoic and graceful beta.
"Sorry!" Bokuto yelped from his 'hiding place'. Kenma bit his lip as Akaashi's glare turned more savage as pulled himself onto his feet. Should he be worried that he thought it made the other boy look even more attractive?
"Bokuto-san," Akaashi started, his calm voice completely at odds with the look on his face. "Was there something you wanted to admit to Kenma?"
"Uh…"
"Something about our games this weekend?"
Kenma felt his eyes narrow at the suggestion and he heard the panic in Bokuto's voice when he spoke. "Akaashi! You said –"
"I said that Kenma would back away from your spikes," Akaashi purred as he walked around the couch and stared down at the whimpering alpha, "I do not remember telling you to aim for him on purpose so we could score points."
Complete silence met the words and then Kenma felt hands lift him off of Kuroo's lap and onto the couch as Kuroo turned to look at the quickly retreating alpha. "You what?!"