"Kiba Tachibana"
Days have passed and the name was still fresh in the swim team captain's mind. School already started and his life taken at the hands of teachers he focused hard on keeping his grades up for his dream, still no matter how little free time he has his thoughts would still travel to that vary name.
He only seen her a few more times since that night, each time dressed in boys clothes only to rip them from her body and plunge into the waters of the indoor pool a small wave thrown his way from time to time knowing he would never turn her in, to him it was not his place to stop someone from doing what they loved and to him Kiba Tachibana loved water almost as much as Haru.
He has seen a glimpse of a girl that looked like her, but the way she shied away from everyone around her made him think twice. The Tachibana he knew was a daring girl who held pride in her stride, who's eyes gleamed like Amethyst whenever near the water only to jump in without a second thought ignoring the gawking stares he knew he gave her.
A girl who showed off her battle scars as if it was a trophy.
"Rin-Senpai?" Pulling himself from his thoughts he looked down to see a grinning Nitori, the boys silver eyes shined under the unnatural light his face trying desperately to hold in what he has to say. "What is is?" Like lighting a fuse the boy's face radiated as he took his hands "there is a girl in my class thats an ocean racer!" Blinking in surprised Rin tilted his head a bit confused by the confession "ocean racer?" He never heard of such a thing.
"An ocean racer is someone who goes on long races through the ocean or if your like her short ones that are really dangerous because they are full of predators like sharks and octopus!" The older boy sighed "first its octopi and I don't think they are that dangerous in a race and why would anyone like that be in our school?" The only girl he could think of being something that crazy was Tachibana but then again the entire idea seemed too far fetched still the boy shook his head in defence leaning on his tip toes to meet Rin in the eyes. "If you don't believe me then I'll show you she should be outside right now!" Taking him by the arm the tiny Nitori pulled Rin away from the locker room and down the halls to the supposedly waiting girl.
The colder air nipped at his exposed arms like tiny teeth, with the sun going down basking the area in a warm glow Rin found himself looking for the girl Nitori was talking about already having an idea on who it is. "There you are!"
Following his friend's gaze he was met with none other than Tachibana, her back was against a tree leaning lazily to enjoy the last rays of warmth, dressed in jeans and a baggy black tank top it was easy to say she hated the school uniform. A book was resting in her hands her eyes slowly scanning over the pages the other holding onto the tooth at her neck.
Without warning Nitori dragged Rin to the reading girl her head still down ignoring the newcomers "Tachibana-san its me Nitori, were in the literature class together." Prying her eyes from her unmarked book she gave a small smile to the boy "nice to see you so soon Nitori, I can see you brought Matsuoka to, what up?"
Only being confused for a moment the small boy jumped right to the point leaning closer to get a look at her face that remained unchanged from its mellow tone. "Is it true you're an ocean racer?" Rin almost fell from the bluntness of his friend was he always this straightforward?
Closing her book she took the same confident stance, with a hand on a crooked hip her lips pulled back into a smirk. "I guess you can say that" Nitori's face beamed at the words "see Rin I told you!" Practically bouncing his eyes trailed down to the tooth at her neck another trophy that never left her side "did you get that from a race?" The girl shook her head once again holding the tooth in her palm "no I got this from someone who just didn't like me" under normal circumstances it would have sounded like someone just threw it at her and she held on to it, Rin felt his eyes narrow on the tooth a shark gave her that thing, a large one at that, it wasn't a keep sake, it was a prize.
"So is that the sport you been training for?" The words were out of his mouth before he could even realize what he done, looks of surprise were given his way by Nitori the boy looked between him and Tachibana unable to find the connection that the two had.
"Yeah, guess you found out, the races are held in a different country every year this year its Japan thats why I'm here." She spoke about it as if it was the most normal thing in the world, she was living his dream in a different style, traveling the world to do one thing and one thing only and that was swim yet she stated it without bragging in the slightest. "Sadly I missed last year and I only started when I was 15 so I got a lot to learn, who knows with those teeth of yours you would fit right in." Rin tripped over the girl's words already finding annoyance in the relaxed tone she held while Nitori became a traitor and laughed what was it about this girl?
"Well if you ever want to see a race stop by I'll give you two a tour, least I can do for you letting me train."
The day passed by quickly enough, all the new recruits were a loud bunch who were bent on impressing Rin, sighing he felt himself only watching the events unfold picking out the weak from the strong and pointing out faults that needed fixing. The echoes of voices and the smell of chlorine became his home even more than the house he had with his mother and sister and he embraced the thought without any hesitation.
With the passing hours Rin found himself saying goodbye to his team mates saying he would lock up after them. Highfiving and talking about a job well done as he watched the last of the boys leave. Taking a seat on a bench with his goggles hanging from his fingers his gaze watched the pool the unmoving ripples mesmerizing him. He wanted to figure out about ocean racing more than anything at the moment, the idea of another sport in the water interested him but seeing the kind of swimming needed for such a mysterious sport he felt it begin to grip at his mind like a relentless hand.
His hunch spot on he listened to the the creaking of the iron door, the sound echoing through the halls like an alarm. His eyes trained on the entrance he smirked at the sight of Tachibana trying to sneak her way in only to jump at the sight of him. "Did you need something Matsuoka?" she said stepping back "I could ask the same of you, I was just killing time no need to freak out."
Opening the door wider the tomboy allowed herself in still dressed in guy's clothes her face brightening up a bit at the sight of the pool "no matter how much or how long I swim I still get excited to jump in." Pulling off her tank top she throw it aside the black fabric hitting the wall with a dull thud her scar out for the world to see her pants soon fallowing reviling her strange swimsuit.
Swim trunks with a top that cuts off at the chest and wraps around the neck, it was weird to Rin, why not wear a normal one piece for the sport?
With a smile on her face she plunged into the water hands first in a perfect form emerging herself beneath the surface no longer wanting to leave its depths. The sight gained the girl some points of respect, she showed no fear now as long as she had the water.
Minutes passed and still no sign of her, rising from his perch he peered over the edge the clear surface holding her captive as she laid on her back peacefully her eyes open staring at him without any protection. Curiosity overwhelming him Rin stripped down to his own swim pants allowing the water to take hold he pulled on his goggles his fingers grabbing the strap and letting it snap back into his skull with a crack.
Diving to the depths he reached the bottom to the unmoving Tachibana, turning her head her eyes a bit wide she put a finger to her lips. Rin pointed up to the surface wanting to talk to her only to see her shake her head and place her hands on her chest raising it up and down "I want to see how long I can hold my breath" hoping he understood the gesture he tried to sit at the bottom of the pool, the water constantly pulling him up no longer wanting him by the girls side.
Minutes passed in peace before Rin had to push himself up for air, rising to the surface he took in deep hungry gasps looking down to see she has yet to move, how can she stay down so long?
The surface broke beside him a head of black at his side in a spray of water as she took in a deep breath "thought you'd miss me" Rin snorted "as if, how bout we do something challenging like a race?" Tachibana laughed, it was a bright and cheerful one that held no cockiness, the sound caught him off guard when she threw her head back. "You know that I'll lose to you by a lot, I swim for freedom in movement not speed." A smirk placed on his lip and an amused glint in his eyes as he looked her way "you scared?"
She snorted splashing a spray of water at him "I just told you I'd only lose, but fine if you insist" putting a hand on her head he ruffled her hair in a get back before swimming to the starting point ignoring her cries of protest as she made her way after him "no fair."
Putting her feet on the wall she waited for the signal Rin positioned beside her his lips pulled back in a full grin exposing all his sharp pointed teeth. Looking away she narrowed her eyes on her target her heart already pumping she launched herself in perfect time with him throwing herself under.
Forcing her eyes open she put her body into overdrive, she seen Rin swim before and he was a machine in the water. Her body slithering in perfect sync with one another as she cut through each layer of water hair pulling her back in drag nipping at her skull like tiny needles. She felt him on her side, sensed his presence like a shark closing in on the kill as he slid past her breaking through the water breath for breath in a butterfly stroke meeting her gaze for only a moment his eyes full of a crazed joy.
She did not feel her feet hit the wall strong enough, turning her body like a serpent she threw herself the other way Rin already ahead of her sinking into the abyss. With all her strength she slammed her legs through the water throwing all her weight into the never ending forced that pushed her back, she knew she lost but she was not going down without a fight her lungs began to scream as her heart started to beat faster than her body could cut through the water's skin.
Slamming her hands down mere seconds before him she threw her head out of the water gasping for breath in greedy gulps for the first time in a long time she was thrilled from a race in a pool, adrenaline pumped through her veins as she leaned over the stone floor trying to catch her breath.
"Tachibana" turning her head lazily she saw Rin with his hand up a waiting look on his face, smiling she took it in her own a strong grip on both sides "you did good for someone who doesn't race normally" giving a lazy smile she pushed herself from the side "well I don't race against other people." "Huh?" Rin throwing her the now signature look of confusion she felt a lightbulb go off, an idea that should go better than her normal ones.
"If you want to know so badly I have a race this Saturday at the scale cove, who knows you might see me in a new light." Giving her a smile Rin leaned back his gaze out to the night sky that peaked through the glass roof. "Sounds good I'll meet you there."
Just like everyone else Rin Matsuoka developed a new friendship through a single race, looking at the girl in the water made him realize that maybe they could be as close as he was with the others one day, a girl full of mystery only to open like a book beneath the water.
Days passed and Rin would see Tachibana more often than not, her long black hair would fly passed him in the halls dressed in the normal school uniform and to his surprise she was the nervous shy girl that would remind him of his sister, one that would never look anyone in the eye. Trying to figure out why so different he asked her only to see her eyes everywhere but him. "I just don't feel right around so many people okay."
At night though, when everyone was gone and she would sneak in to dive into the pool she was a different person holding herself with pride and daring. Rin began thinking her no longer as a stowaway but as a secret team mate who represents them for the ocean races. The way she had excitement in her eyes and determination when they raced made him think that the two girls he saw were just that two girls one he wouldn't bother a second glance at while the other he looked forward to and had a deep respect for.
Friday was already here and as he watched Tachibana twist and turn he began to feel like he was no longer watching a human but a water serpent, they made a game of him trying to capture her underwater but she would always elude him having acrobatics and flexibility that he never thought possible made him all the more determined to capture the elusive swimmer. Always confusing though she told him that his help meant a lot to her, that the game they played was helping her chances of survival.
Her face was mere inches from his own, encased in a world of shifting black he smirked, ruby meeting amethyst he took a grab for her no longer having anywhere to escape from. To his surprise when he went for her arms she simply moved them up around his neck twisting her entire body so that she was behind him in the blink of an eye. It was her turn to play the face of victory.
"Thanks for all your help Matsuoka" dripping wet with a towel around her shoulders they both sat on the floor their feet hanging in the clear water. "Don't mention it, I just want to see you show your stuff out there tomorrow" taking a long drink from a bottle of water she passed it to him "well if I don't then you might be short one friend" he snorted "what's that supposed to mean" the tomboy giggled leaning her back on the cool floor she looked through the glass roof the night sky twinkling with only a few stars.
"You know the sky is really pretty when you see it outside of Japan, its completely different from here." Looking to the sky himself he saw hardly any stars only the moon lighting the room "yeah, in Australia you can see the entire milky way" "yep, same in Washington so you been out of the country?" Rin nodded "yeah I went to school abroad to become a better swimmer, you?" Tachibana took the shark tooth in her hand the point dangling above her face "my family and I lived there now I'm here." "One of these days that tooth is going to take your eye out." Tachibana snorted, the girl turning her head to look at him "I'd say your own teeth are far more dangerous than this one."
The boy gagged on his water looking at the girl in disbelief only to see her laughing he grabbed her ruffling her thick locks as he ignored her cries of protest "enough!" she cried "Only if you lay off the teeth jokes!" squirming in his grasp she tried to speak between laughs "never!" "Than you will be forever punished by a noogie!" The sounds of laughter echoing through the room splashing soon following after as the two teens began to have another war.
"Well you got a big day in the morning I think you should get some rest." standing up Rin shook his head the last amount of droplets flinging from his hair, holding out a hand Tachibana accepted pulling her up as if she were only a child "see ya in the morning"
"Kiba wake up!" Slamming her head on the top bunk Kiba woke to grabbing her face as she withered in pain Yuki watching with an amused look "you told me you needed to be up early so I made sure to do so." Pulling her hands away from her face her frizzy hair still covering her view she snorted "thanks a lot I owe you one" she said dryly. Yuki only smiled placing a bag on her bed the blond climbed back to the top bunk "what this?" "Oh just something I whipped up for you, its a really light lunch so it shouldn't slow you down."
Kiba smiled, Yuki may be a loud girl but she has only good intentions in mind, prying herself from the blankets protesting hold she made her way to the dresser pulling out her swim suit that she made for the races, a sports two piece made of dark blue with lighter scales. Binding her chest she slid on the garments the semi new fabric gaining a tight unyielding grip to her skin, tracing her scar with a finger she began to get ready. Excitement and fear gripping her mind.
The song of the ocean filled her ears, stepping off the crowded bus Kiba closed her eyes enjoying the music that graced the air, the waves lapping at the sand gave her a soothing comfort that washed over her. Not being able to stay long she made her way to the docs a large building that was recently made standing at the base, its high washed walls with ferocious paintings of the oceans predators stared at her with their hollow eyes, they knew she was there for the race, how her tiny frame would be in those vary waters soon.
"Tachibana-san!" Following the voice she was greeted by Nitori followed by Rin, the boys both dressed causal for the events none having a hint of Samezuka on them. "You guys ready to see something crazy?"
Entering the room they were greeted with all sorts of activity, people from all around the world speaking in excited voices in various languages took over all sound. Fine dining was at their beck and call as men dressed in uniform walked about with all kinds of food that the teens have yet to ever see.
The swimmers stood out like sore thumbs, men all dressed lightly with toned bodies and hard faces, their eyes more animal than human as they scanned the area for their own kind like predators. Making her way to the front desk without fear a woman dressed in a suit was typing away at a computer only to stop at the approaching girl. Pulling out her wallet she handed her an ID the piece of plastic causing the woman's brown eyes to go as wide as plates. "Kiba Tachibana, we've been waiting for you! your number four."
Finding a spot for themselves the three began to feel comfortable in the new environment, the stares that Tachibana was getting soon dispersed no longer making her feel like a hunk of meat. Taking a sip of water she leaned back almost feeling as if all was right with the world only to be shattered in a moment.
"Kiba Tachibana" her name was spoken with sheer distaste, turning her head she was met with a young adult his head covered in blond hair with one blue and one silver eye peeking through both holding smugness as they took her in as if a child. "Mori" narrowing her eyes the girl did not leave her seat, her companions confused already gaining a bad vibe from the boy.
"I can't believe you're still alive, someone didn't do you in yet?" his voice held cockiness but there was more to be told with the way his eyes narrowed into deathly slits "I guess no one has yet to get the nerve to challenge me" Tachibana's voice held a smooth edge threatening to pierce the boy named Mori at any moment. "You do realize that you don't belong here and you never will, this is a man's sport." "Strange I don't see any men here" Tachibana put a hand over her eyes looking everywhere but him snorting in disgust he turned away "lets just hope your new play mates don't have to recover what's left of your body."
When the boy left Rin caught Tachibana's shoulders begin to hunch over, her knuckles turning white by how hard she gripped the bottle that crushed under her hands. "Who was that Tachibana-san?" Nitori held concern in his eyes as he listened to the even breathing as she slowly calmed down "Mori is just someone who sticks to the old ways, there are many who are against me racing because I'm a girl but he tops the list, what gets under my skin though is the fact that he thinks nothing can hurt him in those waters."
Nitori looked over to his best friend neither knowing what to say. The girl kept dropping hints that her race could become dangerous but how bad could it really be? Just how much trouble could their new friend be in?
A man grabbed a mic calling all the competitors down, before Tachibana had a chance to stand she felt a hand pulling her back following the arm she saw Rin holding out a cap to her the blue rubber shined in the light, behind his face was annoyed eyes trying to hide concern as he held out the gift. "You said you need to be faster right? Your hair has too much drag on it this should help change that."
Nodding her head she took the cap from his hands touched that they were somewhat worried for her. "Cheer for me?" Nitori nodded his head eagerly "you'll hear us"
Taking her place in the center she quickly cover her head with the cap, the black mane at her back quickly disappearing exposing her neck to the world, already down to her swim where she felt the news cameras zoom in on her frame the massive teeth marks always holding conversation.
"These five brave souls are the first swimmers to start off this years ocean race! They have a warriors heart and spirit and some even have the attitude of a shark themselves!" Looking back at Mori and Kiba some of the guests laughed at the joke nerves began to pinch at her sides, will it be enough? Has losing a year been to much? Is she out of luck?
Feeling cool metal in her hands she was given an underwater camera that she quickly strapped to her head, the tiny lense flicking on her skull as she ignored the men around her.
"These swimmers will be entering the depths of the ocean in a moving wildlife sanctuary that the committee has gathered for this year, they will be going against time as well as hammer heads and bull sharks the starting is at the end of the docks to the marker outside than back."
Rin's breath was caught in his throat at the words Nitori was serious? She has to swim with bull sharks? Looking at the girl she seemed even smaller than normal next to her rivals, a dangerous look in her eye set on her survival and nothing else. Fear gripped at his chest at the thoughts that ran through his head sweat beginning to start at his brow was the Mori guy joking or could she really be killed?
Looking at her stance though he could not help but feel taken back, those eyes set him on edge, the way she stood with her scar made her look like a predator just as much as the others. Did she really hold her own in a place like this before?
Walking over to the start of the open building she stood on the iron docks that swayed in the lapping waters, the predators are going to be the least of her troubles, the girl can't stay in there too long or she could fall to the cold.
One by one each man jumped into the waters coming back in ten minutes average, the underwater footage seeing just how close to death they all came some would cheer at another good race patting the next on the shoulder while others were shaking unable to sever the link of fear. Tachibana felt sorry for them, they entered in the race not knowing what is really was.
The last man a built guy in his thirties was bitten, the red liquid running down his arm in streams as the paramedics made quick work of the injury she cursed her own blood running colder, now they are going to be in a frenzy she has even less of a chance to make it out okay.
Calling her name she had no time to think throwing herself into the awaiting water she heard the gaps at the sight of a young girl jumping in without hesitation even after a man almost lost his arm.
The cold water felt like needles that pricked at her skin, dark shadows danced in her version adrenaline pumped in her veins as she used all her strength to push through the relentless force.
She felt the smooth skin underneath her like the side of a blade, reaction on instinct she curled her body upward in a dance missing the jaws by a hair. Her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her chest, using the beast as a springboard she launched herself to the marker a pink booie that stood as a beacon of hope, slamming her body against the surface she launched herself through the waters surface cool air whipped at her unprotected body, not having time to enjoy the air she caught she dove through the waters again taking off with even more speed aware of the stalking predator at her heels.
Twisting her body back and forth she placed her hand on the skull of a hammerhead pushing it out of her path that was burned into her mind, using the last of her strength she pushed her legs down as hard as she could forcing her out like a bullet as her body halfway slammed into the unforgiving iron scraping the skin from her shoulder.
Coughing up water hands were at her side in an instant pulling her away just as a pair of jaws forced itself through the water grabbing the air she was at moments ago the men who had her jumped at the sight their grip only tightening. Shivering and at a loss of air she felt a towel being placed around her shoulders the cold stare of Mori at her back.
"Tachibana!" before she could think she felt someone grab her shoulders another pair of hands pulling the towel around her shivering form, everything was in a haze her heart was still crazy and her hands would not stop shaking, looking up to see the face of Rin she began to laugh holding onto him for support. She was alive, and she would be for another race.
Looking back at the footage she saw herself in third person escaping the jaws of a bull shark that stayed on her tail without being swayed. Like a dancer she escaped the hands of death, like a magician she cheated it to live another day. No matter how much of a strain it gave her nothing else ever made her feel so alive. Looking at her time she grinned ear to ear at the numbers 8:12 flashed next to her name, she was the fastest time if Mori did not beat her she would be taking home the title for now and be able to go first in the next race.
"Are you alright?" Looking back to the concerned teen she smiled "my shoulder might be bruised but other than that I'm good." She felt a slight thud against her head looking back Rin's face was one of irritation "are you trying to kill yourself? This is not a game you almost died. That how you you got the scar to?"
Tachibana was not even angry, the slap against her skull meant that they were just worried for her, still the mention of her scar brought some sorrow along with it. "I have my reasons to do this and no sometimes I wish I got in a race though."
Rin could only sigh, he did not know Tachibana enough to tell her how to live her life, even if the sight of her dodging the bull shark was forever burned in his mind. He remembered his heart pounding so hard it hurt when they saw it coming after her, the announcer saying horrid things like "is this it, will the girl power be eliminated?" But seeing her joy afterward when she finally calmed down brought out another side of her. How her eyes sparkled with realization that she made it, how she held onto his arm as she tried to bounce in excitement at her time. He never thought he would see someone be so happy and deserving of a 8 minute time. "Here Tachibana-san" Nitori came with a first aid kit, bandaging up her torn shoulder. "I know Rin-senpai might be mad but were only worried for you, it might look cool but I'm scared you'll get hurt again to." Tachibana smiled at the shota, putting a hand on his shoulder she gave him a reassuring smile "thats why I practice so much, I had much closer calls but I have yet to be bitten when racing."
Looking to the screen Mori swam with a dagger in hand, behaving even more aggressively than the predators around him as he made his way through the water, his form sloppy coming up for air even half way through the course. Tachibana sniffed "and he says I don't belong, one day hes going to get himself killed."
"And what about you Tachibana-san? it seems you were caught once." Pulling away her towel she gave Natori the full view of her past injury his eyes widening as he took in the damage, looking behind him he frowned though noticing no one else cared about the teeth that punctured her skin.
"Don't worry about them, this scar was made famous when I started racing, they all seen it."
Pulling himself from the waters Mori shouted in triumph pumping a fist in the air he sneered at Tachibana as he awaited his time, both watching with eyes belonging to hungry dogs at the numbers that flashed next to Mori's name
8:23
Throwing down his goggles in frustration the boy stormed out kicking bags over in his wake while she high fived the two boys a smile on each face that the girl won. Both were surprised, not only did she put her life on the line but she has a win to show for it, pride illuminating from her in a bright glow as she hugged Nitori both laughing in glee.
The three made their way back to the dorms, with a new title to her name and a belly full of Yuki's lunch the girl held a spring in her step. It really was a amazing day for her, it was rare to share a race with friends, no longer did she have to deal with Mori alone his harsh words feeling far less painful with the guys at her back. The way they worried for her and joked about through the day made it even more of a magical time to the swimmer.
A gust of wind sent a chill through her body, the cold never leaving from the ocean waters like a wound. Pulling her shirt closer she felt something fall on her head the scent of chlorine filling her nose. "Give it back soon okay?" Pulling the grey hoody from her head she saw Rin walking by her side the cold wind hardly bothering him as they walked down the road. Heat rose to her face at the gesture, quickly pulling on the soft fabric she instantly snuggled into the warmth that was a size to big. "Hey with the way you dress even I might think its yours" she playfully punched him in the arm earning a light smile from the shark boy.
"Oh almost forgot" digging into her own bag she was about to pull out the cap when Rin held up his hand "I already know what you're going to do so don't, I have a ton more back in my room." shaking her head she threw the bag back over her shoulder "thanks for coming with me you and Nitori really helped me out."
"Thats what friends do for each other right?" Tachibana felt her chest lighten, slowing her pace she locked her gaze with his "you really mean it?" She asked almost in disbelief only to see him nod a smile on his face revealing pointed teeth
"of course Kiba."
"Well thanks anyway Rin."
Thank you Tacitamura for pointing out that I strayed into typing Nitori's name wrong and explaining how its difficult to read due to how dense the paragraphs are. Because of that I am going threw all of the previous chapters to try and fix the problem so it will be more enjoyable for everyone!