Chapter 10

It Rained That Night

Haru knew Rin would be there exactly on time, he was never late nor was he ever early. Wear a long sleeved, ocean blue buttoned down shirt, Haru tucked the bottom into his pants. The satin material of the shirt was soft against the still healing cuts on his arms, making it more comfortable to move around. The clock in his bedroom read 4:58pm, and the dolphin boy could feel his heart pounding. Rin would be there in two minutes. In about five minutes, Haru could not imagine what would happen. He pulled on a pair of nice black and white shoes, glancing briefly in the mirror before going downstairs to wait for Rin to knock on the door.

4:59pm. Haru felt his hands shaking slightly as nervousness and fear set in. He had to do this. He could not live with this anymore. Distantly, he heard rain lightly tapping against his house, and a faint roll of thunder. He went to the door, waiting to hear the few knocks that would mean Rin had arrived. Checking his silver watch, he watched the sapphire minute and hour hand move to 5:00pm. At that moment, there were a few knocks on the door.

Haru drew in a deep breath, letting it clear just some of the nerves that swam in his stomach, like a school of fish through a storm. Reaching out, he pulled the door open and was greeted by the prescience of Rin; huge smile and all, with rain as a backdrop. He wore a similar outfit, except his shirt was a deep red. Rin laughed, reaching that same realization.

"I guess we know each other a little too well," he mused, leaning in slightly and giving Haru a soft kiss. Haru pulled away, looking into his boyfriend's crimson eyes.

"Rin, we need to talk."

/

Sousuke felt anxious. The rain outside was growing louder and harder, and thunder was shaking the windows of his and Rin's dorm room. It was only 5:05pm, so nothing could really be happening right? Everything should be fine. But, uneasiness set itself in Sousuke's belly, making him restless. He knew Haru would call him if he needed anything, but there was still a sickening feeling that was coming over him.

Haru...be careful.

/

"You're breaking up with me..?" Rin's voice was quiet, low. His eyes were downcast, searching for something; a reason for this sudden development. Haru felt his heart twist in his chest, watching the redhead carefully. Seeing Rin like this made his chest tight, and made him feel so terrible. But, Haru could not live any longer with his abuse.

"Yes, Rin." The shorter boy responded, his eyes level with Rin's as the redhead looked up at him. There was silence, and Rin looked back down. He stared at the floor for a long time, and Haru saw his hands beginning to shake. This was never a good sign, and Haru knew that well. Backing up slightly, Haru continued observing his now ex-boyfriend. The rain outside was growing louder by the minute, echoing in the only lightly furnished house. Then, a sound from the shark made Haru raise his eyebrows.

He's...laughing? Fear began settling into the dolphin's belly, his ocean eyes clouding with anxiety.

"Rin?" He asked. Just as he spoke, Rin lifted his head and laughed wholeheartedly, his hands balled so tightly in fists that his knuckles turned white. Thunder rolled, and lightning struck.

"You're breaking up with me? Haru, you can't leave me, not unless I say so. Or at least, if you do..." crimson eyes locked with azure, a sadistic gleam in them. "Let me give you a farewell gift."

/

The rain outside of the dorm grew harder and louder, lightning brilliantly splitting the sky and illuminating the room. An uneasy feeling had been eating away at Sousuke ever since he left Haru's house.

Is everything going okay? I haven't heard anything yet. Maybe I shouldn't worry so much. Sousuke mentally scolded himself. Haru was strong, he could take care of himself. Shutting his laptop, the Samezuka swimmer stood up and grabbed his team jacket. Throwing it on, he slipped on his running shoes and left the room, heading for the gym.

/

Pain. Haru felt pain coursing through his body as Rin's fist connected with his stomach and then his head. For a moment, his eyes would not focus, but once they did, he backed away from the redhead.

"Leave me alone! Get out of my house," Haru demanded through gasping breaths in an attempt to refill his lungs after the punches. Rin laughed again, advancing toward Haru and reaching out to grab his shirt. In retaliation, the blue eyed boy smacked Rin's hand away and sprinted toward the living room. Rin growled in irritation, running after Haru and grabbing aggressively onto the back of his shirt. Haru felt himself be yanked backward, falling heavily onto his back, and feeling a large weight settling on his hips. Looking up, Rin was staring down at him. A hand grabbed the front of Haru's shirt, pulling him slightly off the ground, and then forcibly slamming his head back to the floor. Dizziness rocketed through Haru's head, his vision getting bleary.

"Oh Haru, you were always so beautiful." Rin said lovingly, a wicked grin plastered to his face. Strands of hair fell before his eyes, framing his face sharply. Haru opened his mouth to speak, but was instead met by a bursting pain over his right eye, and then his mouth, and then his temple. Fists were colliding with his face faster than he could defend himself. Reaching down quickly, Haru balled his hand into a fist and slammed it hard into Rin's groin, earning a pained gasp as Rin fell to the side, clutching his groin.

Haru struggled to his feet, stumbling partially as he left the room and ran up the stairs, slamming his bedroom door shut as he ran in. With shaking hands, he pulled out his phone and dialed Sousuke. Loud, quick footsteps came up the stairs, and the door was kicked in as soon as Sousuke answered the phone. Haru dropped his phone on the floor, and stared at the silver object Rin held in his slender hand.

/

Sousuke saw his phone light up from where he sat at the leg press machine. Standing from the machine and wiping sweat from his forehead, Sousuke clicked "Answer" and was greeted by a loud bang.

"Haru?" He asked, pressing his phone to his ear in order to hear better.

"You are going to suffer for that, you fucking bitch." Sousuke heard on the other line. It sounded like Rin, but what was he talking about? Another loud thump sounded and he could hear something that sounded like hyperventilation.

"Rin, seriously, I'm sorry! Please stop," Haru's voiced begged. An unfamiliar sound barely made it through the receiver before Sousuke heard Haru scream; a horrific, agonizing scream as he begged for Rin to stop whatever he was doing. Sousuke was shaking, unable for the long time to move as he listened to the pained cries and angry words of the two people on the other phone. Thunder boomed deafeningly in the sky, rain beating down against the windows. Hanging up the phone, Sousuke shoved it in his pocket and yanked on his jacket. He sprinted from the gym, not caring at the amount amount of protest he got from his legs. Haru's house was somewhat of a distance away, and Sousuke prayed that he would get there on time.

/

Rin stood up, panted hard and staring down at Haru's motionless body. He looked so utterly broken, gashes and stab wounds littered his once beautiful body, his face swollen and bruised, blood trailing from his parted lips as his head lolled to the side. Tossing the kitchen knife aside, Rin made his way to the bathroom, washing his hands and face. A sense of satisfaction flowed through him, and he smiled. Drying his now clean hands off, Rin calmly walked down the stairs and was about to leave when he heard rapid knocking at the door.

Shit, Makoto must've come over. He cursed under his breath and quickly ran to the back door, exiting through it as the man on the other side of the front door entered.

"Haru?!" Sousuke shouted, running into the living room, and not seeing him. Furniture was all over the place, and there were some marks on the floor. Panic rushed through Sousuke's veins as he ran upstairs. A trail of blood drops went from Haru's room and into the bathroom. Fear and panic made Sousuke hesitate. The bedroom door was only cracked open, and Sousuke found himself unable to push the door the rest of the way. Only when he heard strangled coughing did he lurch forward, shoving the door open and freezing in place.

Haru lay in a pool of blood, his shirt shredded and torn partially off, his shoes still on, and his pants ripped and partially sliding down his hips as if he had tried to scoot away on the floor from his attacker. A disgustingly bloody knife was beside Haru, dripping and making a puddle of its own. Haru's eyes opened suddenly, and an awful choking noise came from his throat. Blood poured from his mouth, down the sides of his face and chin. Sousuke went to him, kneeling heavily beside him with wide eyes.

"Haru?" His voice was small. Again, strangled coughs erupted from Haru's chest in an attempt to breathe. His eyes were distant, but he turned his head, and Sousuke thought he was looking at him. Leaning down, Sousuke scooped Haru up gently, however, he heard a pained cried come from the smaller at being touched. Blood seeped into Sousuke's jacket and onto his chest, making him feel too warm and sticky. He went outside, and felt his legs giving out. Sitting heavily, he hugged Haru to his chest and took out his phone. Dialing the emergency services, he told then through tears what happened and where he was. Upon hanging up, Sousuke put his phone down and hugged Haru to his chest. The freestyle swimmers' skin was cold, but Sousuke could feel his heart beating still.

Sirens blared from down the street, and Sousuke waited. He heard rapid footsteps coming up the stairs, looking up to meet the eyes of Haru's three teammates. They stood there, staring in shock at the scene before them. Nobody spoke, but Sousuke felt more tears rolling down his cheeks. He leaned his head on Haru's and cried softly, apologizing over and over for not being there. Makoto, Nagisa, and Rei, who had been at Makoto's house that evening, came closer and stood with Sousuke. Makoto put a hand on his shoulder, and nobody spoke as the paramedics ran up the steps.

It rained that night. That terrible night when Sousuke felt every emotion in the world run through his body. The rain was cold against his skin, but he did not care. All that mattered was Haru. Sousuke's eyes widened and he stared down at Haru's bloody and bruised face through tears. He whispered softly to him, feeling Haru stir slightly in his arms after he spoke.

"I will always protect you."