Chapter 1

Makoto stared out at the water. He could see the sun's rays peeking over the horizon as the boat gently rocked up and down, and he could hear the soft sounds of his team mates fast asleep behind him. Their training camp had ended yesterday, but another storm had come through, so they weren't able to leave until today. Haru had looked so sad about leaving that Makoto had suggested they stay on the boat for the night and sleep under the stars one more time.

Everyone had a wonderful time on the boat – they saw beautiful ocean life, had delicious food, and Nagisa's antics all made for an exciting night. Everyone was exhausted when the sky had turned dark, and all fell asleep next to each other on the stern of the boat. Well, everyone except Makoto. Ever since last night, he had an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Haru had noticed, of course, but when he asked, Makoto had quickly changed the subject to dinner options (namely, mackerel).

The storm last night had been a bad one. He and his team were all safe and enjoyed each other's company during it, but it still made him nervous hearing the roaring ocean crash against the beach, closer and closer. He heard the storm had even reached Iwatobi.

He still feared the ocean. Everyone knew that now, and they were proud of him for attending the camp. But somehow, that knowledge didn't make him feel any better. He shivered. When he got close to people, something always seemed to take them away.

He could sense something in the water, patiently waiting to take someone else from his life.

"Makoto."

Makoto gave a yelp, turning quickly to see Haru, rubbing his sleep-tinged eyes wearily, raven hair askew. He looked up a Makoto's frightened expression and sighed quietly. "Sorry for scaring you. Why are you up so early?" Makoto didn't answer right away, instead turning back to the ocean.

"It's really beautiful, you know," Makoto said, as his emerald eyes closed halfway. Haru nodded, rolling his eyes slightly. Of course it was beautiful.

"Then why am I so afraid?"

Haru looked up at his friend, blue eyes wide. Was this about the storm? About staying on the boat? Was he still feeling guilty about Rei? He should have noticed, should have said something, why was he always so clueless? "Makoto…" he stammered, trying to find the right words. Dammit, he wasn't any good at this. Makoto looked at his friend's worried features and seemed positively horrified at causing his friend so much stress.

"Haru, it's ok! It's nothing! I'm just a little freaked out by the storm, that's all! Please don't worry about it, it's not a big deal." Makoto smiled his gentle smile, causing Haru to look away. "How about we go and wake everyone up? I'm starving! I wouldn't even mind some mackerel right now." Haru nodded instantly and followed Makoto to where everyone was asleep. He was happy to pretend that conversation had never happened. When they reached their sleeping team mates Haru woke up Rei and Miss Amakata, while Makoto woke up Kou and Coach Sasabe. While everyone was grumbling and rubbing tired eyes, they both looked at the last resting body.

"Ready?" asked Makoto, and after Haru's quick nod, Makoto pinned Nagisa's body down while Haru attempted to shake him awake.

After much yelling and grumbling, everybody was sitting in a circle eating grilled mackerel, much to most of their displeasures. Makoto looked over at Haru, who he had never seen so content before. Eating mackerel on a boat with the ocean surrounding him on all sides – he must be in paradise.

"Alright everybody!" yelled Coach Sasabe. "It's time to get going. If the sea stays like it is now, we'll be back in Iwatobi in about three hours!" Everybody cheered except for Haru, but Makoto could see the small smile on his face. Even Haru could get a little homesick.

"Well, I'm gonna take this time to relax. You boys just have too much energy," said Miss Amakata as she laid down on her towel with her cell phone in her hand. "Ugh, there's no bars. Kou, why don't you come over here? We need some girl time, wouldn't you say?" Kou nodded in agreement and hurried away from the boys. Sure, she loved watching their muscles, but spending a long time with Nagisa takes its toll.

An hour passed as everyone sat around and talked about how exciting it was to be going back, and how much faster they were going to be at practice, and how much Seijuro was surely missing Kou right now. That last one got Nagisa a whack in the face, but overall they had a good time. Until Miss Amakata squealed in delight out of nowhere.

"Yay! I'm getting service on my phone now! Let's see what we've been missing out on." Everyone eagerly crowded in around her. They had all been deprived of any news during their training camp, so they all wanted to hear about what was going on in Iwatobi.

"Oh wow, I'm getting a lot of messages from last night. Maybe something exciting happened!" She smiled happily, navigating through her phone to get the messages. Her eyes moved side to side as she read the messages, and the smile slowly slipped from her face, and her eyes started welling up with tears. "Oh my goodness…"

"What? What's wrong? Ama-chan?" Nagisa started clambering to read the phone, but Rei grabbed his shoulder. "Rei, let go of me!"

"Just wait for her to tell us, Nagisa." Rei said quietly, his eyes unusually downcast. Nagisa's own eyes softened and he held back. During all this, Makoto was dead quiet, but his body trembled. Haru's hand was wrapped tightly around his own.

"The storm…" Makoto's grip tightened. "It hit Iwatobi full force. It's flooded. The 62nd district is completely gone." Oh, God.

"The 62nd district…oh no, that's where you and Haru live!" Rei exclaimed toward Makoto. Makoto didn't hear him. He couldn't hear anything.

"How many casualties?" Makoto asked. Miss Amakata stared at him with tear-streaked cheeks. "What?" Everyone turned and stared at Makoto. Haru's grip on his hand tightened.

"I said, how many casualties?" His eyes were completely dry. Miss Amakata looked down at her phone.

"246…so far."

"Survivors in district 62?"

"Makoto…"

"Answer the question." Haru's hand was starting to hurt.

Rei interjected. "Makoto-senpai, maybe we should wait, and give you some time to calm down, to think…"

The tiny thread that was holding him together snapped. "Answer the goddamn question!"

Everyone stared at him with wide, shocked eyes. Makoto never cursed, never lost his temper. Kou had tears in her eyes, and Rei and Nagisa couldn't look him in the eye. Haru closed his eyes tightly. Miss Amakata took a shaky breath.

"None."

His world shattered.

A/N: Thank you for reading! This is my first fanfic, so reviews are greatly appreciated. This is going to be multi-chapter, but updates may be a bit sparatic because of school and life in general. Also, I have no idea where Makoto and Haru live, so District 62 it is.