Marked (BokuAka)

1. Alone

Bokuto didn't have a soulmate.

He didn't mind, especially since it didn't seem that Kuroo had one either, but he had always loved the idea of meeting someone just for him, his perfect soulmate, the piece of his puzzle that always seemed to be missing. Well, just another thing he and Kuroo have in common. They were both forever alone.

Every person has a soulmate. It's been that way since the beginning of time, and it will be that way until the end. But sometimes, accidents happened. If your soulmate dies before you turn fifteen, you might go your entire life not knowing what happened.

Unfortunately, people have been losing soulmates more often lately. Though unlikely, there is a good chance that someone you know lost their soulmate. Something that was once impossible has risen in likelihood.

All because of the 'love liberators', as they called themselves. Bokuto scrunched his nose thinking about them, almost wandering onto the road in his daze.

Whatever, it didn't matter. Because thinking about soulmates would just make him sad, and that'd be a whole mess for the team to clean up. And anyway, he didn't need to find love. He had Kuroo and the rest of the team. Besides, he was almost literally wedded to volleyball. It wouldn't be fair to force his soulmate to be second to it.

Also, even if he did have a soulmate, who knows if they'd even like him. A few years ago... Nope! Not going there. Again, he'd get yelled at if he got into his 'Emo Mode'.

Honestly, he should be grateful for his soulmate, or lack thereof. Now he could focus on volleyball! And nationals! And beating Ushijima!

Yep. He nodded, smiling as he strode into the gym. Volleyball is better than any markings on my skin. As he entered the gym, he laced on his shoes and prepared for their run.

"Hey Bokuto." The rest of the second-years entered the gym, also pulling on shoes and stretching.

"Hey hey hey!" Bokuto looked up from his stretch, grinning. "You guys ready? I'm pumped. This is going to be awesome!" He bounced around, the movement refuelling his energy.

"It's six in the morning!" Konoha groaned, glaring at the clock accusingly, "This is an ungodly hour to go for a run."

Sarukui nodded, and pointed his chin at Bokuto. "He doesn't seem to think so." A laugh escaped his lips.

"You must be possessed. No human would be this energetic this early. It isn't human." Konoha complained, as Bokuto smiled and bounced around the rest of the arriving members, excited to get moving. The group stretched and warm-up, all of them confused by Bokuto's seemingly endless energy.

"Okay." The captain announced, "Let's go."

Bokuto wasn't sure how far ahead he was from the group. "Hey guys, look, we're almost done!" He laughed while sprinting forward, excited to finish it. He stopped, panting, and glanced behind him.

"That wasn't that- oh." Bokuto froze, his exhaustion forgotten. There wasn't anyone there. "Well, they probably got tired. They must be at the volleyball court."

Slowly, Bokuto jogged back, his boundless energy stored away for volleyball. And sure enough, once he'd arrived, he was practically bouncing off the walls again, joking and chatting with his friends. He was ready for the freedom of volleyball.

But the scene of him standing at the top of the hill remained in his head, nagging at him. He shook his head, continuing to laugh loudly and joke with his team.

I wish I had a soulmate or someone that would stay with me forever. Even when I am so far ahead that I sometimes forget to turn around. I wish there was someone who was just... here.

Bokuto knew it was selfish to wish for someone he would never have, so he cleared his mind. Volleyball is better than love, and the feeling of a spike and the connectedness of a team is better than any single person.

And after their amazing practice, he almost believed it. He'd hit every set, perfect cross-court shots that sent sharp thrills through his body, so intense Bokuto was shaking.

"Hey hey hey!" Cheering, Bokuto spun to his teammates, grinning ecstatically, "I'm the best ace ever!" His teammates offered him a few smiles and congratulated him on the spike. Konoha walked up to him chatting with the rest of the second years.

"I think we're getting another teammate soon," Konoha stated, glancing at Sarukui, while Washio walked beside him, listening closely.

"Oh, do you know their position?" Sarukui asked, stretching out his wrists as he walked over. Washio hummed in response, reiterating the question. Bokuto listened closely, trying to hear more about their new player.

"Ooo! We've got a new player?" Bokuto strode over, grey, bushy eyebrows perked in excitement.

"Yeah, but I'm not sure what their position is. The coach said little, just 'We've got a new player.' and then left." Konoha explained, sitting down and sipping his water. "But we should meet them soon."

Bokuto grinned, showing two thumbs up. "Awesome! This is going to be so cool." The doors to the gym swung open, pausing the chatter for a moment. The coach walked in, a single person following him.

"Hey, guys. We've got a new player." The coach waved his hands at the boy, wiggling them, almost to say 'Tada!'.

"I am Akaashi Keiji, from Mori Middle School." Akaashi's dark, wavy hair fluttered as he nodded at the exhausted, sweaty team. "I played setter. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

This is going to be my first try at fanfiction, and I hope you enjoy it. If there is anything wrong, please tell me! 

Also, none of these characters belong to me, they all belong to Haruichi Furudate!