New Start

Breathe…Breathe…Concentrate… This is endless…

"And Time!" Ruby shouted as I quickly did a last undulation and smacked my hand on the wall. "Wow that was intense!" Ruby exclaimed while leaning over to show me my time. I glanced at the stop watch she was holding while removing my cap and goggles gently tipping my head back in the water to smooth out my long hair. "Well?" she asked waiting for me to respond.

"It's ok." I said.

"It's ok? Oh my gosh! Mizuki like less than two minutes is "ok" but under a minute that's fantastic! Tell me why did you ever quit the swim team?"

"Reasons." I stated bluntly. I haven't told anyone yet about my dad leaving me and mom. Maybe it's because I refuse to believe it. He was the one who taught me how to swim and from that my love for it grew. I recalled the days floating on my back gazing up at the endless blue sky; with my dads arms right underneath me in case I sank.

"Hello? Earth to Mizuki!" Ruby said snapping me out of my memories.

"Huh?" Oh yea. Sorry about that." I said quickly realizing Ruby was now holding my towel out to me. I took it and began to dry off.

"I don't know why you keep practicing if your not interested in joining any teams. Is it just to get a tan? If so stop right there Hun because you already have an amazing complexion. You're lucky you don't burn like me!" Ruby exclaimed while smacking my butt with the extra towel I laid out for her in case she changed her mind to join me for a swim.

"Oh no you did not just do that!" I said raising both my hands as I slowly began to approach her, ready to release the tickle monster!

"EEEEKKKK! Mrs. Hinamori help me!" Ruby shouted while running behind my mom. Most people say I look exactly like my mom with her long straight black hair and thin toned body. But when it came to my personality and emerald eyes you can defiantly see those features came from my dad. Since he left she could barley look me in the eye. I quickly then noticed she wore her black slacks with a sandy brown top that complimented her tired looking hazel eyes. However there was an accessory I wasn't to fond to see… A suitcase.

"Hello Ruby." She greeted. However her eyes were fixed on me and then she took a final glance at the lap pool behind me. "Mizuki I thought I told you to get ready by two our flight leaved in about an hour!" She said to me with a slightly stressed tone.

"Sorry mom. I lost track of time." I said glancing at the cement floor.

"It's ok just hurry and wash up." She said while turning to walk back into the house. The house I've spent my whole life in. A two bedroom two bath single story home. With a killer lap pool that my dad designed.

"Guess it's time to say goodbye?" Ruby uttered while her aqua eyes shifted into a dim blue as a tear escaped down her cheek.

"Oh Ruby…" I said slowly pulling her into a hug. Usually she hated it when I gave her wet hugs, but this was an exception. She clung onto me now beginning to sob.

"I'm going to miss you Miz! Do you have to move to Japan? You can stay with me and my folks. I'm sure they wouldn't mind! Plus we can start High School together here in California where you belong!" She finished now taking a step back from me to see my reaction. Her dark brown shoulder length hair was now messy, and her light blue strapless summer dress damp from the hug.

"You know I would love to stay here and start High School with you. But Ruby my mom needs me. She can't stand to be here any longer. This house…This Country… It's killing her slowly. Everything reminds her of my dad. What she needs is to go back to Japan. Maybe then she can finally…"I drifted off now clutching my other arm in hopes of keeping the tears back. Ruby looked at me with that reassuring smile of hers as she placed a hand on my shoulder.

"There's always Video Chat right?" She asked while smiling.

"Right!" I said perking up. We then began to finish our goodbyes as I lead her out the door.

"This is going to be fun." I muttered now taking my seat on the plane.

"Oh sweetie you're going to love Japan. Plus you get to meet my side of the family for once." She finished as she took her seat beside me.

"Right. And I'm going to your old High School right?" I asked not taking my gaze from the window as the plane began to take off.

"Ah yes; Iwatobi High. It brings back such fond memories."

"Is that where you met dad?" I said slowly, this however caught her off guard.

"Um yea." She said in a whisper.

"On the Swim Team?" I questioned.

"You know Miz; it's going to be a long flight. Why don't you take a nap? She rushed trying to avoid answering the question. I knew persisting forward would only result in another huge argument. So I decided to drop it for now. I nodded to her then shifted my body to completely face the window. It wasn't long before the clouds became a distant memory as sleep began to consume me.

(Dream)

"Swimmers take your mark…Get set…BLEEP!" I jumped back flinging my arms in stream line position as the coolness embraced me and alerted me to proceed. As I began to surface I saw that same endless blue sky. I quickly focused on a center point in the sky to keep my center; as I cut through the crystal blue water. It felt good to be racing. "Breathe… Breathe… Concentrate…" I repeated mentally. With each stroke I heard the crowd roar, but most importantly during the last lap I heard the distant yelling of my Dad.

"Miz! It's the final lap make it count!" I heard as I flipped turned and kicked my undulation into high gear. Back then I loved to swim, especially when it came to backstroke. I could never put my finger on why I loved it so much… I just did. The flags were now above me signaling the last few strokes I needed to hit the wall. My last bit of adrenalin kicked in as I banged my hand on the wall. With one swift motion I quickly turned around to look at the results board for the 100 M Backstroke. It read Mizuki First place, Time 57 seconds! "I…I did it!" I screamed mentally as I hopped out of my lane.

"Honey your broke a minute! Oh I'm so proud of you!" He said while running up to me. "All that hard work finally paid of!" He exclaimed while scooping me up in a big bear. That was the last race I swam in since the incident…

(End Dream)

"Mizuki…Mizuki. Wake up, the planes about to land. My mom said while gently shaking me awake.

"Huh? Already?" I muttered while rubbing my eyes.

"Yes honey you slept the whole 14 hours."

"Wow celebrities weren't kidding when they said how flight travel is very tiring." I joked. "Maybe a new start wouldn't be so bad." I said to myself while getting off the plane.