I'm REALLY sorry for the delay; I managed to restore this work with help from a friend.

I hope you like the new chapter as I worked really hard on it (its set a few days after the first chapter)

Fluff alert so be prepared for cuteness

please review, follow and favourite

Haru sat by the waterside quietly perched on a rock gazing out onto the beach. She had been waiting for Rin for a long time. Usually the child was out of school by this time and always came to see her.

She wondered if those boys had been harassing her again and calling her names. She really hoped that the poor girl hadn't been crying again. She hated the idea of someone so sweet crying over bullies.

"Rin" she thought mentally her blue eyes filled with concern. She hoped she was ok. Suddenly she heard running footsteps coming closer to the beach. Quick, agile and small; if it wasn't Rin she was prepared to dive into the water to hide.

Eventually the sound grew louder and as she predicted a smiley faced Rin came rushing towards the seashore. "Haruka Onee-san!" Rin cried happily her maroon eyes shining with joy. She had eagerly waited all day to see her again and play.

Haru perked up a little upon seeing her but didn't show it facially. It was nice to see Rin with a smile today instead of wearing a frown and tears. A smile suited her more than wasted tears over bullies.

When she reached the water's edge Rin bent forward panting heavily. She had rushed here as fast as she could and not even said goodbye to the teacher. She would apologize to her tomorrow but she had just been so eager to see Haru. She was the first friend next to Sousuke that she made.

Haru watched uneasily as Rin panted heavily before her. Her cheeks were flushed red with exhaustion and she was panting hard. Had she really ran all the way here?

Eventually Rin straightened up and smiled at her "I came to play again Haruka Onee-san" she said cheerfully. She had been eager to see her all day and now she was finally face to face again.

Haru blinked and stared at the child quietly; as far as she was aware Onee-san meant big sister in Japanese. She nodded in approval as it was appropriate given their large age gap.

"Did you get bullied again?" Haru asked concern evident in her tone. She didn't like the idea of Rin being picked on. If she had legs she would walk up to that kindergarten and yank their ears till they said sorry.

Rin blinked in surprise then smiled "They wouldn't let me play ball; but I heard Sousuke will be coming back soon. So I won't be by myself there much longer" she explained warmly.

Things had become less lonely after meeting Haruka; the emptiness in her chest had vanished and instead filled with happiness. She had something to look forward to at the end of the day; instead of feeling bitter and lonely.

Haru's chest tightened upon hearing that; she had become quite fond of the younger girl. If her friend came back then she would forget all about her and choose her friend. The idea of not being able to see Rin or being able to spend time with her made her feel very lonely inside.

Rin saw Haru's sad expression and smiled reassuringly "Don't worry Haruka Onee-san. When Sousuke comes back I can tell him all about you. Then we can all play together" she said kindly.

Haru blushed fiercely and looked away crossly; how had this child read her so easily? "Who said I was upset?" she muttered defensively.

Rin smiled warmly her gaze softened; Haru was very cute and very kind. She really wasn't like any of the older girls from her village. She was much more mature and radiant; exuding confidence.

She then waded into the water and hugged Haru warmly "Even with Sousuke; Haru Onee-san will always be my favourite" Rin reassured her affectionately. She made the sadness go away and her worries erupt into nothing.

Haru's worries were eased in an instant; this young child had chosen her over her only friend at preschool? Was she really so fond of a mermaid from the ocean over a human boy? Humans were truly an unusual but interesting species. So unpredictable and yet so resilient to what came their way.

She placed a hand on Rin's head gently and stroked it; she hoped Rin would stay this pure as she grew up. If she became as corrupt as the rest of humanity her heart would break.

"Rin-chan what do you want to do now?" Haru asked gently. She could collect seashells for her from the ocean floor, they could make sandcastles together or they could skip stones.

Rin's expression became thoughtful and she pondered over what they could do to spend time together. Eventually she smiled happily "Let's go swimming!" Rin cried happily. She had always wanted to race a mermaid and see who was faster!

Haru stiffened "Are you sure? The tide can be quite strong!" she warned cautiously. What if Rin drowned or was overpowered by tide? She wasn't built to live in the water like she was.

Rin grinned proudly "Don't worry; Sousuke and I go to the local pool all the time. I'm the best at swimming!" she declared. They always competed against each other and she beat him; but he came to a close second and they praised each other afterwards.

Haru scoffed "We'll see about that" she said proudly. She had spent all of her life in the water; Reading its patterns, sensing its currents and adjusting to its temperature.

Rin smirked cheekily at her "Wanna have a race?" she teased smugly. She would love to see what kind of face Haru would make when she saw how good she was. Then she would change her attitude fast.

A short while later

Rin lay panting on the seashore her breath heavy and her cheeks flushed. Mermaids were really as fast as the books made them out to be. She had barely managed to keep up; her chest was racing hard in her chest. It hurt a little but at the same time she felt alive; her entire nerve system was singing.

Haru watched the girl quietly her expression blunt "I told you" she scolded firmly. It would take a few years before Rin beat her. But she had time; maybe they could turn out to be equals someday.

Rin eventually felt her body relaxing and her pulse stabilizing. She grinned sheepishly at Haru "I guess I have a lot more training to do" she laughed awkwardly. Guess she wasn't as good as she thought she was; how embarrassing.

Haru saw the disappointment in her expression and felt bad; she patted her head gently "Your still small Rin; when your get bigger you may have a chance" she soothed fondly.

A child's body could only do so much; when Rin got bigger she would be capable of doing so many things. Then she would become better at swimming and able to maybe beat her. But until then she could work hard and put her mind to whatever she wanted; she was young after all.

Rin gazed at Haru fondly; how had she become so lucky as to meet someone like her? Unlike the boys back home she treated Rin well and didn't mock what she said.

She was kind and gentle; but was firm and motherly when needed. She always waited for her to show up and never left her. She always listened and didn't care if she cried.

She had a really nice figure; slightly curvy but also slender. Her breasts were healthy and not too big; from what she assumed they were maybe a C cup (or what her brother called average)

Her hair was dark and sleek; silky to the touch and shone in the light. It reached her waist like a waterfall and covered her breasts. Her eyes were a stunning blue like the ocean and shone like mirrored jewels.

Rin clenched her fists and got to her feet slowly. She stared at Haru intently her heart racing within her chest all over again. "Say Haru Onee-san" Rin asked cautiously. She knew it sounded strange a girl saying such things to another girl; but she really liked Haru.

"Hmm?" Haru hummed curiously gazing at the young girl. She had better dry off soon or she would get cold. It was early spring so the water was slightly warmer but the breezes god colder during the evening.

Rin hesitated nervously and bit her lip "Do...do you have a person you like?" she asked curiously. She had been wanting to ask this for a while; but she hadn't had the confidence to.

Haru was caught off guard and stared at Rin quietly. She had her friend Makoto back in the ocean and she loved playing with the dolphins. "I have Makoto back home; but he's family" she said thoughtfully.

Rin was filled with some form of relief; so that meant Haru had nobody special to her. So she had hope that maybe one day they had a chance of sharing happiness together.

"So...you have nobody special to you?" Rin questioned hopefully. If Haru had someone she liked; it would break her heart. The thought of losing Haruka to someone else was something she couldn't bare to imagine.

Haru raised her eyebrow curiously "Special?" she questioned in a confused manner. Rin was acting awfully unusual today; had something happened at school today that she wasn't talking about?

Rin blushed wildly "I heard the teacher and some of the boys saying about how everyone has someone they like" she explained hesitantly. When you liked someone you gave them flowers, shared your toys with them, you held hands and you played together. That made them a bit more special than just a friend.

Haru blinked then clicked as to what Rin was talking about. Everyone during their childhood developed a first love. It was part of developing romantic emotions and helping to find a person you may court in the future.

She then smiled warmly at Rin; how cute that she was jealous that someone would have an interest in her. "No Rin; I don't have anybody special to me like that" she reassured her gently.

Rin's eyes lit up with hope sparkling like jewels "Really?!" she cried enthusiastically. She was so relieved that means so merboys had snatched up Haru yet; and she wanted to keep it that way.

Haru chuckled at her instant recovery; she really was adorable. Her personality changed faster than the tide before a storm "Yes" she chuckled fondly. She wondered if she would bounce back as easily when she got older.

Rin stared at her quietly her cheeks flushing red as a sunset. A gentle breeze picked up blowing their hair softly. But the pair didn't notice the chill; they were too engaged with each other.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes "THEN LETS GET MARRIED!" Rin yelled suddenly at the top of her voice. Her cheeks were flushed red as the sunset and her body was shaking; but she needed to let Haruka know how she felt.

Haru stared at Rin quietly silence hitting them hard. Her eyes went blank and her body stiffened. Time seemed to stop and the words took their time in hitting her.

"I really like you Haruka Onee-san. You're the first person other than Sousuke or Gou Otouto-chan who doesn't make fun of me. You're pretty and kind and fun; and I want to be with you always!" Rin cried loudly not missing a beat.

While Gou Onii-chan was important to her and someone she cared about; he would eventually grow up and spread his own wings. One day he would grow up and find someone special to him too.

Sousuke was her best friend and she wanted to go to high school with him when they were bigger. But she didn't like him in that way but he was still important to her; like another brother figure.

Haru eventually caught onto what Rin was saying and panicked "But Rin; your still so small! What about Sousuke-kun?" she questioned worriedly. If that human boy was close to her; even if Haru hand fond feelings for her she would not come between them.

Rin blinked in confusion "Sousuke-kun is like a brother to me; I don't wanna marry him" she said bluntly. Why was Haruka saying such weird things? Did she think that she would forget about her and replace her with Sousuke?

Haru was rather stunned by her honesty; she only hoped for the sake of the boys feelings he felt the same way. Being rejected at such a young age wouldn't be easy and would hurt a person deeply.

Rin walked up to Haru and took her hand gently "I like you Onee-san. I want to be your bride" she said firmly. She was serious about her answer; she would never hand Haruka ove to anyone else.

Haru laughed awkwardly "Rin your still a child. Your feelings may change someday" she tried to reason gently. At this age children got attached to others easily; so when someone would break that bond they couldn't handle the rejection. But as they developed they would mature mentally and realize their mistakes they did not understand at that age.

Rin's eyes filled with hurt and she pulled her hand out of Haru's. She held her ground and glared at Haru. "Then I'll grow up! I'll get bigger so I'm like Haru Onee-san! Then we can get married!" Rin yelled angrily her eyes welling up with tears.

Haru's gaze softened and she was touched by Rin's words. She really meant what she said; she supposed she was Rin's first love. How cute

She then reached out and wrapped her arms around Rin gently "Very well. I'll come back when Rin-chan is all grown up. Then I will become your bride" she said gently. 10 years was a long time to develop and mature your feelings; but if she still felt the same way then she would keep her promise.

Rin pulled away gently a few of the tears spilling over "You promise" she said hesitantly. Sometimes grownups were mean and broke promises they made and it hurt. If Haruka broke her promise then she would never forgive her.

Haru stoked her bangs gently and nodded "Yes" she said gently. She would never lie to Rin; not ever. If her heart was pure then her feelings of love would not waver; then when she got bigger they could be a couple just like she wanted.

Rin smiled and hugged Haru back gently "Then I'll grow up as fast as I can; but you better wait for me ok" she said quietly. She knew it would take a while because she was still a kid; but she would do her best to get bigger faster.

Haru smiled fondly and closed her eyes tightening her grip slightly "I promise" she whispered quietly. Somewhere deep inside her heart; she hoped that Rin would not forget about her and that their promise would come true.

The tide washed over their feet and tail quietly; the sunset beamed in the background illuminating them. They didn't know what the future would bring; but they made a promise they planned to keep.