A/N: Okay, this is the end of part one of the Circle Trilogy! The first part of part two will be posted tonight - there is a reason I'm ending the story here, so...yeah, sorry? As always, let me know what you think!

Kenma couldn't say he was happy. Not really. At first, it hadn't been too horrible. He wasn't used to being by himself but he figured that the feeling of wrongness would disappear with time. He would get used to no one cuddling up to him in the night. He would fall asleep without that warmth instead of just lying in bed for hours. He would stop reaching out for a drink that wasn't there (Kuroo always seemed to have drinks/food sitting beside Kenma when he got too involved in his games). He would get himself up each morning and get to practice instead of being late. He would stop talking out loud to someone that wouldn't respond. Eventually.

But, here he was, two months in and nothing seemed to be getting better. He was vice captain of Nekoma and he was late to practice almost every morning. When he did arrive, he was so dead on his feet that he might as well have not been there at all. He tried to act like everything was fine, that he didn't set the ball to someone that wasn't there. Their newest middle blocker was shorter than Kuroo and the toss was consistently off. He noticed his teammates glancing at each other each time the ball fell to the floor and coach had pulled him aside more than once to talk to him about training with their new first year, like he had done the year before with Lev. But Kenma knew it wouldn't help. If he actually thought about it, he would be able to set it perfectly. The problem wasn't that he couldn't synch with the newest starter, it was that he was used to someone else being in that position.

Kenma had also never been one for homework and he was now completely aware of just how often Kuroo had forced him to complete an assignment. His participation in class was dropping and, no matter how much he tried, he just couldn't seem to get everything done on time.

So, his new routine consisted of pulling himself out of bed each morning, barely making it to practice where he got a lecture from coach and then from Yamamoto, going to class where he then got a lecture from his teacher and usually some form of punishment, got to practice late in the afternoon after being held back by said teacher, and then made his way home where he was usually so tired, he merely fell onto his bed and buried himself in the sweatshirt Kuroo left behind. He spoke Kuroo, Bokuto, and Akaashi often, usually over Skype. They each asked him how he was and he always responded that everything was fine. He knew they didn't believe him, knew that the three of them had to have talked about him when he wasn't there. Akaashi had made sure they met each Wednesday and he caught the beta's eyes studying him more and more. He noticed that those nights became longer and Akaashi always made sure that Kenma was able to press up against him. The two spent every Saturday night in the dorm with Bokuto and Kuroo. They continued the tradition of making a nest on the floor of the main room and Kenma usually sat between Kuroo's legs, his back against the alpha. Bokuto would sit on Kuroo's right, Akaashi on his left, and the four of them would wrap themselves around one another. It was only at this moment that Kenma felt he could actually relax. He felt content being there with the three of them. But…he was never truly happy. Not when he knew that the next day he would once again be alone.

The contact he had with his mates was just enough that he wasn't worried about dropping but… well, if he didn't do something it might be a concern. If an omega was separated from their mates, friends and family were extremely important. But, well, Kenma didn't really have any close friends. He had the volleyball team, but no one he completely relied upon. Kuroo was always that person. There was Shoyo, but he was even further away than Kuroo. And his family was trying to help, he knew that, but he wasn't sure it was enough. His parents had always loved him and been good to him, but even they admitted that they had taken a back seat over the years. He and Kuroo had been completely dependent on one another, so much so that even Kenma hadn't realized how little he relied on his family.

His parents had taken to pulling him into the family room each night, his mother cuddling beside him on the couch with his dad on her left and his father on Kenma's right. They asked him constantly if he needed anything. Kuroo's family had stopped by more than once, his mother pulling him into his arms to let Kenma breath in the familiar scent. It just made him long more for what was missing. He knew that everything he said and did was being relayed so he kept the thoughts to himself.

It all came to a head during Golden Week. Like the year before, Nekoma had decided to travel to play Karasuno instead of joining Fukurōdani for their camp. Kuroo, Bokuto, and Akaashi hadn't been happy about the news.

"Kitten, are you sure you'll be fine?" Kuroo asked, the concern showing on his face. Kenma nodded his head toward the monitor quickly. No, no he wasn't sure. But they didn't need to know that. They didn't need to worry about him when they all had their own things to focus on."If you're worried, Bo and I can try to make it to-"

"You have practice," Kenma cut in, his hands inching toward his DS. He pulled it in front of him, turning his focus to the game. If he looked at that, they wouldn't be able to see how unsure he was about what he was saying. "Akaashi has the camp. We're only planning on being there the first part of the week."

"Yes," Akaashi said slowly, carefully. "However, you are leaving Saturday morning and returning Tuesday. We will be missing our usual meeting Saturday night and Fukurōdani's camp does not end until that Friday."

Kenma didn't bother to reply. He knew this already. They all knew he knew this already. He would be with his mates on Saturday, see Akaashi on his own that Wednesday, and then leave Saturday morning. He was always antsy on Saturday's, his omega clawing at him, willing him to see his mates. But he wouldn't be able to. Instead, he would leave that morning with the team and return three days later. Because of Fukurōdani's camp, he would not be able to see Akaashi that Wednesday, as usual.

"We are only practicing the first half of the week!" Bokuto cut in, his usual smile nowhere in sight. It had been replaced by a frown and even through the screen, Kenma could see the alpha's arms flexing as he clenched and unclenched his fists on his thigh. "Kenma, you could come here Wednesday and stay until Sunday! Akaashi, you come after the camp!" He demanded loudly.

"Yes," Akaashi responded, somewhat impatiently for the usually stoic beta, "but that isn't the issue. Kenma, going over a week without-"

"I'll be fine," Kenma responded, hoping that it was true. "Besides, Shoyo will be there."

Kuroo chuckled but they could all tell how forced the sound was, "Yeah, well, shrimpy will definitely help. But I still don't like it."

"I'll be fine," Kenma repeated once more. The steal in his voice was apparently enough for the three of them to change the topic, but even while looking at his DS, Kenma could see the worry etched on his mates faces over the screen.

And they had been right to worry. Because here it was, just one day after they left, and Kenma wasn't sure he was going to be able to finish this match, much less the ones that were scheduled after. Like the year before, coach had set up a round of different schools for them to play. The first practice match was against Aobajōsai, a school they had never played before but Kenma had heard about often from Shoyo. They were good, very good, but Kenma could tell that they had yet to completely click without "the great king" and ace he heard so much about. However, Kenma's legs were barely holding him up and his hands were shaking, making his tosses go off course. The looks his teammates were throwing him didn't help, as they weren't angry or upset, but all seemed to just have this knowing expression. Like they had expected him to be a mess. He didn't like it. He didn't like not feeling in control, he didn't like that everyone was looking at him, and he didn't like that he knew he shouldn't even be playing right now. He was well aware that coach would have pulled him already if they had a backup setter. There was a first year that Kenma was working with during practice, but he hadn't come this weekend, as they only brought the starting players. Not that he was ready to play with the team, anyway. He still needed a lot more practice.

Nekoma had barely managed to win the first match and Aobajōsai had won the second. They were getting ready to play the third when coach pulled Kenma to the side. "I spoke with Kuroo Friday," he informed Kenma, making the omega's gold eyes widen. Since when was Kuroo speaking to coach? How much did Kuroo know, exactly, about the last couple of months? Had he told Bokuto and Akaashi? "He was worried about what would happen this weekend. Your mates came up with a…solution," Kenma took a step back, not sure what to think about the way his coaches eyes twinkled at him. The old man turned and pulled a black practice shirt out of a bag. Kenma moved before he realized he was even doing so, grabbing the shirt from the startled hands and pressing it against his nose. It was Kuroo's old shirt, the one he had practiced in the year before, and it was clear the boy had done so again sometime recently. On top of the alpha's overwhelming scent, Kenma was also able to smell Bokuto and Akaashi.

"Go change," Coach chuckled, slapping his hand down on Kenma's shoulder. "Have to admit, I had hoped to wait a little longer to give it to you, but…"

But Kenma was already losing it after twenty-four hours. He felt his cheeks burn as he quickly moved away from the curious teams, pulling the practice shirt on and taking a deep, calming breath. His entire body relaxed as the smell surrounded him. It wasn't enough to completely sooth him, only being able to feel their touch would do that, but this was enough to keep him from panicking.

He moved back onto the court and he saw his entire team smile. Lev, the idiot he was, instantly commented that the omega smelled better. Kenma rolled his eyes in response and ignored the victorious looks his teammates shot each other as the third match began.

It ended quickly, Kenma was finally able to focus on what was happening around him and quickly picked up the weaknesses in Aobajōsai's defense. The entire opposing team was glaring at him by the time it was over, and Kenma moved to the side slightly, standing behind the much taller Lev to head off their glares.

That night, when the rest of the team was sleeping, Kenma pulled out his phone.

Kenma: Thank you.

Kuroo: Youre welcome kitten

Bokuto: KENMA! HOW ARE YOU? DID IT HELP?! I WRE IT PRAC ON WED, AKAASHI THUR, AND KUROO FRI. THEN KUROO CALLED UR COACH AND HE PICKED IT UP

Kenma: yes it helped.

Akaashi: How did your game go? You said it was against Aobajōsai?

Kenma: we won.

Kuroo: ooh, good to know. I have an annoying setter to talk to

Akaashi: Kuroo, leave Oikawa alone.

Kuroo: nope.

Bokuto: U SHOULD HEAR THEM. SOMETIMES I THINK THEY H8 EACH OTHER

Bokuto: BUT THEN THEY SEEM GR8

Bokuto: ITS WEIRD

Kuroo: he's annoying. He can pick out the smallest detail and twist it around to get under your skin

Akaashi: Sounds familiar.

Kenma: Hes like you

Bokuto: I LIKE HIM. HES FUN

Kuroo: shut up. Go to sleep.

The next day brought the match with Karasuno. Shoyo had thrown his arms around Kenma the moment they saw one another and Kenma sighed in contentment at the touch given to him from the younger alpha. It wasn't enough to settle him, as Shoyo was a close friend and not a mate, but it certainly helped. "Kenma! How are you?! Are you excited?! I can't wait! Our first years are-"

"Don't tell him anything, dumbass," an angry voice cut in as someone reached over to pull Shoyo off of the omega. Kenma almost scowled at the loss but the urge faded when he saw the furious scowl on Karasuno's setter. "He'll use it against us!"

"Ah, he'll figure it out anyway! It's Kenma!" Shoyo squawked, pulling himself away from the other alpha.

"That doesn't mean you have to tell him! At least it takes more time when he has to figure it out!"

"Oi, are you two done?" another voice questioned. Kenma's back stiffened as the words rolled over him. "We need to get to the gym," it continued. The person in question stepped toward them and Kenma felt his entire body shift toward the beta. That smell. It was like…like strawberries. Like a warm, strawberry tart. He wanted to be closer.

The thought had barely crossed his mind when he realized that he was, in fact, closer. Too close, actually. He had moved at some point and was only inches away from the blond, his arm brushing against the other boy. Kenma could actually feel the heat coming from the beta's body. "Uh, Kenma?" Shoyo questioned, laughter and confusion ringing through the questioning tone.

Kenma quickly took a step back, bowing his head lightly to hide his burning cheeks behind his hair. What – what was that? He knew he had felt something toward the first – no second year now – toward the second year in the past but he hadn't thought…

"Excuse me," he muttered, quickly moving around them and toward his waiting teammates.

He avoided looking toward Tsukishima the rest of the day, instead choosing to focus on these first years Shoyo had started to brag about. Truthfully, there only seemed to be two, one that had made the starting lineup and the other that stood beside Tsukishima's freckled friend. What was his name again? He knew Shoyo had mentioned it…

He saw why Shoyo had been impressed by the first year. He was good and had good instincts. He was still working toward functioning completely with the team, though, and those small missteps were easy to exploit. Nekoma ended up taking full victory, though Karasuno had won the second game. Kenma knew that his own team was going to have to practice because when the summer training camp came around, Karasuno would easily have all of the pieces in place and would be hard to contend with. They needed to make sure they were ready.

It was kind of exciting.

"Kenma-san," there it was again. They were cleaning up the gym and Kenma had made sure to stay away from the young middle blocker, but there he was. He could have sworn the blond was on the other side of the gym with the freckled second year. How had he gotten this close without Kenma noticing?

"Just Kenma," he muttered, looking toward the floor and bowing his head slightly.

"Kenma then," Tsukishima said, his voice slightly impatient. "Are you alright?"

Kenma blinked at the words. Was he…? He glanced up, seeing the blond shift on his feet uncomfortably. He met Kenma's eyes briefly before looking away, "Kuroo-san messages me occasionally. He asked me to check when you were…"

Oh, Kenma was going to kill him.

"Ah, they, um, yeah," for the first time in his life, he couldn't actually think of the words he wanted to use. He ended up motioning toward his shirt, hoping the blond would be able to understand what he was saying. He saw Tsukishima's lips twitch up fleetingly in response.

"Yes, I can smell their…stench," he snarked and Kenma felt his own lips move up in response. He knew the blond was just being, well, himself. He had a feeling the second year wouldn't have bothered to approach him if he truly thought the smell was unpleasant, not even if Kuroo asked him to do so.

Why did that make Kenma's insides flutter?

"It was a good game," Tsukishima said a moment later and Kenma bit his lip to stop from smiling. Tsukishima seemed to be almost as bad as he was at communication but just the fact that the beta hadn't walked away and was trying to actually start a conversation meant a lot to Kenma.

"You're first years are off," Kenma replied. He winced as the words left his mouth. Probably not the best thing to say during a first, real conversation. Kuroo would have rolled his eyes and stepped in to save the exchange. But Kuroo wasn't here. Which meant the second year would most likely decide Kenma wasn't worth it and walk away.

"So are yours," Tsukishima responded instantly, surprising the omega. "You just don't have the idiot duo on your team," he motioned toward Kagayma and Shoyo who appeared to be having some sort of race to see who could sweep the quickest.

Odd.

Kenma let his eyes flicker to the side of the gym, looking pointedly toward the libro and ace from Karasuno. "I think you have more than one pair."

Tsukishima let out a startled laugh, which he quickly hid behind his hand. "Ah, but you're forgetting your own problem children," he replied, inclining his head.

Kenma followed his gaze and scowled when he saw Yamamoto joining Karasuno's ace in some sort of stare down and Lev running around waving his arms wildly behind Shoyo. "Well, two is better than four."

"But ours isn't our captain."

"Point," Kenma relented, moving to wrap his arms around himself. A wave of his mates scent hit him when he did so, mixing with the scent of Tsukishima in front of him.

His omega purred.