Hello guys Im back and still alive...kinda
Sorry it took so long but I was in the hospital for a while and dealing with recovery accompanied with school (yes I go to school when recovering) it really gave me no time and even now I don't have a lot. This is more of a filler to make the story a bit longer cause I originally was going to have this be 10 chapters but now I can make it 11 so I really hope you enjoy and please review!
to Tacitamura
Thank you for pointing out that I was not spelling all the names right I feel like a total idiot. And no Ocean racing is not a real sport but I got the idea from the running of the bulls believe it or not. That and I grew up with having a three foot orange fin shark as a pet and I used to stick my fingers in the tank to outrun him and remembered it being a rush even though it was just my hand at risk so I thought it would be crazy to have your entire life at risk instead of just a limb.
Its been days since Kiba felt like sleeping. The idea of sinking into the covers of fabric only to be engulfed by darkness was never truly appealing to her to begin with. The racer always found herself wanting more out of life, far too much to be spending her nights in slumber causing her to spend up to almost a week at a time without rest. More than once she thought to check in to see if she had insomnia but every time she tried she would always be lulled to sleep by some masterful plan that her shark for some reason alway knew when to put to work.
Now she doubted that even Rin would be able to get her to sleep normally for some time, after all she had an even wilder drive to get what needs to be done then she did before. Like a never ending current her mind pulled her away calling her to her favorite place in the world in soft whispers that tickled her restless brain.
Looking out the window she felt a smile grace her lips, with the lights turned off she was greeted with a cool glow of not only the moon that hung fully in the deep blue sky, but now the light flakes of snow that caught all of the light to bounce it through her very room. Winter was now here and the first snow, though as light as it is, had finally graced the year with sparkling white that twinkled in the night air like a thousand lights.
Though as beautiful as it was Kiba felt herself sighing in the dark, the sleepy snores of Yuki playing in the distance. It will take a few months for her to compete. She has to force herself to wait for the snow to give way to spring then summer for her to finally brave the depths of the ocean. Her name on the list, second to only last years champion would have to sit with it's blank score for some time.
To make her impationess work its way even more the tomboy was allowed to add one more win to her bucket list. A win that made her realize just how much she improved.
The splashing of the pool echoed off the walls like an orchestra that graced Kiba's ears. Still in her normal clothes she leaned against the wall overlooking her team that was demanding constant improvement under her and Rin's watchful gaze. Seeing her shark boy out of the corner of her eye yelling out the faults and perfections of his team caused a now routine smile to form on her lips.
He was always saying how he might not be cut out for being the caption, almost always a little unsure but seeing him with that glint in his eye made her realize long ago that the self doubt he gave never held any weight. Neither he nor she were ever too hard on their fellow teammates yet because of that they never found themselves scolding someone for slacking.
How she wanted to join the guys in those waiting waters instead of slacking! the lane before her tauntingly empty called to her like it always had yet she shook her head and looked the other way. After all it would be rude to jump in now that she was waiting for someone.
Today was the day that she was allowed to race the swimming machine her blood already began to pump at the thought of it. Closing her eyes she waited for the familiar sound of the iron doors being opened, its was strange but she never felt right meeting a challenger in the water. She always enjoyed the shocked expressions when she was about to jump in always trying to get the best face possible.
Oh and how sweet that iron door sounded when accompanied by the laughter of the Iwatobi Swim club.
Pushing herself off the wall she waved to the group, all smiling and laughing except Haru who lingered at that back, his eyes already fixed on the pool before glancing her way for the briefest of moments. She wasn't even offended by the gesture, it just made it all the more ideal that he was the swim addict she always heard about.
"Kiba-chan! Its good to see you again" yelled a higher pitched voice, looking down to Nagisa she could not help but laugh at the cheeriness of the guy in front, it was as if time has yet to ever affect him left behind long ago. "Still what's with those cloths? You looked so much cuter at the festival."
Heat rose to her cheeks causing her to rub the back of her neck as kiba found herself looking everywhere but the shota. She was never good with taking complements unlike her roommate she preferred to be in the background when it came to physical appearance."Well, you see I like baggy clothes because they're comfy" about to question her again she felt herself sigh in relief as Makoto jumped in saying hello and telling Nagisa to stop questioning her fashion. Giving a warm smile she couldn't help but return. Kiba already began to warm up to the guy, it was like he was another brotherly figure one a bit more caring than even Sousuke.
Seeing a new member of the group Kiba was surprised to see a young girl with the boys. A small thing who shrugged off the ever present complements of Momo she seemed to be used to the boy hanging off her every move. Clicking her head to the side though she could not help but notice the similarities of Rin. The same wine colored hair, the same Ruby eyes she seemed like a smaller female version of the shark.
"Thats when it clicked, already annoyed by the pestering of Momo she slid over a glare on her face with her arms crossed as she caused Momo to stop mid sentence of his flirting. "Momo if you have time to be flirting with her than you have time to also be doing double laps am I right?"
With his checks turning red and a nervous laugh she watched him run out of sight, sighing in the effort it took not to push him back into the pool. Looking back to the younger girl she extended her hand which she took on instinct. "Name's Kiba Tachibana, haven' met you but I'm going to take a guess and say your Rin's sister."
It was no surprise to see her eyes widen a bit confusion sitting in on the smaller girl's face she simply rolled her eyes. She had to admit the girl was cute, it honestly made her want to take her all for herself, yet knowing Rin she probably has a hidden attitude somewhere in that innocent shell. "I'm Rin's girlfriend, he told me a bit about you, but it's good to see you in person."
Realization breaking way she was met with once again surpise as the girl began to speak "oh I'm so sorry I didn't realize, its just my I always thought by brother was to much of an idiot to find someone like you." Shrugging her shoulders she put her hand on her hip already feeling relaxed around her. "Well I guess that makes us both idiots,"
Already at her side and missing the insults from his sister Rin slung his arm around her shoulders a smirk on his face as he high fived his friends "Haru, I hope you're ready to lose too little spitfire here" she only snorted in response at the comment before she noticed that Rin finally gotten the addict's attention, his eyes a bit duller now away from the water he simply shrugged "she wanted a race weather I win or lose doesn't matter."
With a smirk that she was sure matched Rin's she narrowed her eyes locking them with her opponent who was a calm as the still waters of a shallow pool. If he was indeed a calm surface without a ripple then she knew that she must have been a current in the deepest depths, it took everything in her to not snap and jump in and judging from the small twitches that went through his body she guessed that he was not far behind. "Well then what are we doing up here?"
Throwing off her shirt and pants she was greeted with gasps and hidden laughter, the fabric slammed into the wall and landed in a heap of black as she was already pushing her hair in her cap still watching the gaping mouths of Nagisa and Makoto as Rei held his hand to his face. The reactions will never get old.
"What happened to you Kiba-chan?" Asked Nagisa. Already making her way to a waiting Haru who stood on the platform she grabbed her tooth finding the answer was to easy.
"Ask Rin, after all he was probably friends with whoever wanted a taste."
She was already in the water before Rin could even get a word in about the shark comment.
With her lungs full of air Kiba instantly took to the depths, her body cutting through like a sharpened blade already feeling the weight being added on causing her to push even further through the never ending blue. Her body moved rabidly causing bubbles to torment her unprotected eyes that pulled her back and nipped at every inch of her form. And yet it only caused her to go even faster.
Despite constantly hearing about how amazing Haru was though Kiba felt that she was not given justice to a accurate description. She seen some beautiful swimmers and for a human he easily took the top of her list. Both powerful and effective he was already able to gain what little distance she had during their dive already neck and neck he seemed to just glide through the waters. As if he was not a person testing the limits he was granted but instead a welcomed guest that parted for him in his wake.
In all her races she has never felt so alive when against a human. Yet her she was pushing herself beyond limits determined to come out on top, Haru was no human but a resident of the waters and boy did it show. Throwing herself at the wall she landed only a fraction of a second before him both taking off like a cannon with such power that waves rippled in the surface above her head causing the on lookers to step back.
Holding a stop stopwatch in hand one of the team mates looked at the numbers in sheer amazement his hands shaking as he saw what could be passed for a clash of titans. "Their speeds off the charts! Shes beating her record!" Already at his side Rin took a look at the screen only to look back at the small waves created that brushed the surface and slapped at the sides. Never had he seen Kiba swimming this fast, the sheer power she held to Haru caused him to double take. How could she have improved this much? The only time he seen her ever come close to this kind of power was in the ocean and even then she could not even hold a candle to the sheer craziness of her time.
Both pushing themselves to their limits they forced themselves to battle for everything, oxegen, speed, power, time every little thing about this race Kiba found herself fighting Haru to get a better score before she even knew it she felt her face collide with the tiled wall causing her to slam upward and take in greedy gasps of air that was followed by cheers.
Far to out of breath to even ask why she was given such a positive reaction Nitori ran over kneeling down to eye level his silver eyes sparkling. "That was amazing! Kiba you beat it, you really beat it!" Still panting she tilted her head unable to respond "It" she highly doubted they would call Haru a it no matter how inhuman he seemed.
"You beat your record while kicking Haru's ass" said Rin helping her up from the waters she felt her legs buckle from the change in pressure falling like a puppet cut from it's strings. Did she really beat her record? How fast was she really going? Catching her before she hit the ground she only heard laughter from the Iwatobi gang. "That was some speed you had Tachibana-chan" said Makto even Rei nodded shocked that she had something else under her sleeve. Looking past them she was even able to get a glimpse of Sousuke pride etched in his features giving her a thumbs up from behind the wall of people.
Holding out his hand Haru now stood before her a new look in his seemingly calm face. His eyes now holding a dash of respect that she could not help but pride herself over. Taking his hands in her own they shook a vary small smile on his lips that she could not help but catch. "Nice going Tachibana-chan, you really are a good swimmer."
Basking in her fame for only a moment she was met with a wave of pain in her skull her hand resting on her forehead only to be taken away by Rin, his eyes searching only to sigh like a brother when a younger sibling fell of the slide.
"You idiot, you weren't able to stop in time were you?"
Yes she beat Haru, in all honesty even she was not sure she would come out on top, yet somehow she improved enough to put her past self to shame. With the win under her belt and a new record to shatter like the last she felt herself wanting to race more than ever. Confidence radiated about her whenever she thought about it.
No longer able to stay in the cramped room with the scene outside her window Kiba found herself throwing on her coat and shoes, quietly making her way out to the halls and down the stairs until she pushed open the glass door making way for the cold air to seep through her skin, her breath coming out in wisps of smoke like a dragons voice that danced in the winter air.
With the eyes of a child Kiba took everything in, the massive school yard untouched by anyone else sparkled in the moonlight even more beautiful when seen face to face. the gentle flakes landing in her hair and on her face caused her to giggle her voice reaching far in the silent night.
Running and jumping through the blankets of white Kiba began feeling like a child once more, snorting in laughter she rolled and tumbled, built snow creatures only to have her interest be taken away at even the slightest moment. She loved swimming but the idea of snow alway sent pure joy through her mind and being the first in Samuzuka high to enjoy it made it all the more special.
"Of course you're a snow person" lying on her back in the grass Kiba only giggled knowing full well who the voice belonged to she turned anyway to see Rin wrapped in layers with two cups of steaming liquid. Pulling herself up from her snow angel she was handed one of the cups, the scent of cinnamon and apple filling her nose and tingling her fingers in the heat.
Never was Rin unimpressed by what he found out about Kiba, seeing her lying in the snow laughing as she made a snowman caused a smile to appear. He had no idea how he knew she would be out at 2 in the morning enjoying the snow, he just felt like this is something she would do and sure enough he was soon graced with one of the sweetest tunes he ever heard.
Kiba was someone who would give out dry laughter or call out someone on a joke it was rare to ever hear her truly laugh, the last time was when they were on Tsume's boat and she saw the pod. Such a light sound filled with life like the ringing of bells. It was something that was almost intoxicating that he could never get enough of. Listening to the tune without the noises of the real world about them made it all the more beautiful.
It really did feel like they were cut off from the world, the only sound was Kiba's laughter from afar lying in a world of white burying the school and all their troubles along with it. He did not have to think of projects or swimming even, all that was there was white with Kiba at its heart.
Walking to her side to see her lock his gaze made him glad he came out. Her face was pinched by the cold and her hair covered in white flakes with her eyes full of joy like ones of a child bright and lightful. Handing her a cup she smiled saying thanks taking a sip only to burn her tongue sticking it out to try and ease the pain. "You idiot, its supposed to be hot" she only shook her head "so what if its hot, its not nice to burn someone." Ruffling her hair causing her to shake her head he took a sip of his own drink the warm liquid spreading through his body like iron.
Sitting in silence as they enjoyed their drinks Kiba felt herself be pulled into Rin, his body heat coming out in waves causing her to snuggle closer. The beating of his heart ever present as she closed her eyes for a moment.
"So any reason why you couldn't sleep?" he asked, she only rolled her brows "I could be asking you the same thing." Feeling his lips on her forehead gentle as can be he sighed "I asked first," making herself more comfortable by burying her face in the crook of his neck she breathed in the smell of mint already feeling much warmer thanks to the drink. "I'm too pumped about racing."
She could practically feel his eyes roll, "so you're not going to sleep for the next five months?" It made her feel bad about the way he said it almost tired himself. "I can get some sleep, but it was snowing." Chuckling at her response her ruffled her hair again his hand ever gentle as if to frozen to move it faster. "What about you?" It wasn't the question she wanted to ask, she really wanted to know how he always knew when she snuck out, it was so accurate it could either be called a super power or crazed stalking.
"Two reasons, I had a project that's due soon, and I was worried about you." Pulling away just a bit she looked him in the eye, rubies that sparkled yet a curtain of worry even further back. "Why would you worry?"
It was his turn to speak and wonder about super powers "you do realize that you need to sleep and eat, you can't live off of a diet of swimming." Kiba sighed again Rin was right. She needs to eat and sleep yet here she was in the snow with her shark boy the feeling alone made her into a child never wanting to go to bed.
"I bet Haru lives off of swimming" she wasn't lying she really did think that sometimes. "No believe it or not but Haru lives off of mackerel."
The idea that the merman ate nothing but his fishy friends sent a worried thought on her mind. Would that be considered a level below cannibalism? He seemed to move like a fish enough.
Once again they found themselves talking throughout the friday night. Joking about things they seen or heard or just going over who is improving for the team. It never really mattered about the topic that they choose somehow they were able to make each other laugh in the end gaining points in a game that only Kiba kept track of. With the snow falling in light flakes replacing their foot steps they found themselves in the lightening sky both tired yet neither wishing to leave.
"Thanks for coming out here, its always more fun to hang out with you." It was true that Rin was always able to make her time pass by even faster. Giving her a light kiss in response she soon asked for more the heat that came becoming intoxicating. Trailing kisses down her neck she shivered at the touch as he grazed the tips of his teeth down her skin. It was rare he ever used those things always scared that they would cause harm. Yet for some reason the cool air made him more daring. She could feel him smile against her skin a predator waiting in the dark before she felt him give a nip causing her to gasp.
It was a surprise indeed, Rin was always worried that he might hurt her with those freakish teeth despite him never saying anything about it. Yet he gave a light laugh so quite that it could barely be heard in the silent night. Once again she felt the sharp points dig into the crook of her neck sending fire through her body causing her to throw her head a bit by the surprise. It wasn't painful as she thought it would be, it was numbing that sent shock waves through her body causing her to shiver at the touch. Thinking she had enough she felt him kiss the mark she was sure he made. Feeling him lick the nap of her neck as if she were wounded made her all the more happy that it was so cold out, her face was so warm she was sure it was an even deeper red than a tomato.
With the minutes passing by and the sky growing slightly lighter Kiba realized that they needed to go back to the dorms, it was early and soon it would be to late to sneak back inside without being caught. With a disgusted thought at the idea of walking she tried to get up only to realize her legs have fallen asleep as if they went on strike because of Rin't attack.
"I'll give you a option, I'll carry you back only if you decide to go to sleep." The words were tempting, with the cold nipping at her fingers and ears despite the heat at her cheeks and her legs now asleep she no longer cared as she just leaned into him a light laugh escaping his throat "I'll take that as a yes."
Picking her up under the knees she felt herself being lifted through the air with another arm on her back she let her head go limp on his chest, his beating heart thumping against her ear in a peaceful melody that was almost enough to fall asleep to.
Like leaving a high from sugar rush that lasted almost a week Kiba began feeling content about the future in store for her. She had everything going for her physically when it came to the races but something even more comforting had been present for some time. No matter what happens she was sure she would always have Rin at her side, the one person alive that she could trust with anything, even her life.
Yes I added the last bit and put Gou in her cause I forgot that they did not meet at the festival. This is still a filler and Im sorry for being so slow. Con season is here and I am building things left and right while juggling school and now a job. Still I hope you enjoy the filler and please please please Review. Every one's thoughts means the world to me!
Thank you my lovely humans Close Enough is out
