Hi! First chapter update! Yay! I normally wanted one big chapter of child Ha-Ru meeting child Rin, but the introductory part of Ha-Ru's way of living and his relationship with the tribe members has gotten bigger than I thought.
I didn't really reread this chapter so sorry if there are some mistakes! I'll make sure I correct them asap!

Side notes: Ha-Ru's mother is named Mi-Ya. In case you would get confused.

Enjoy!

Ha-Ru was already getting fed up with the legend of the Great Duel, as the tribe men call it. He was fascinated by the story when he was a little child. But as the years went by, he noticed the women and the children getting overboard with the details. They were starting to add horrifying, obviously made-up details, like that Ki-A took a firm hold of his spear and that he perforated right through Ru-O's left eye. Or was it the right eye? He doesn't remember.

As the children were carefully listening to the elder Mi-Ho, with disgust and fear written all over their faces, seven year old Ha-Ru would scoff a little, stand up and start searching for berries, because he didn't have anything else to do. Ma-Ko would always join him when he sees the black haired boy take off. Ma-Ko knew after a while too that his father would never have such horrifying actions done, and also wouldn't appreciate Mi-Ho spreading stories like that over the tribe members. Ma-Ko was three years older than Haru and was very bright for his age, with his personality a lot similar to his mother. Ma-Ko was just as kind as Na-La and had a strong sense of responsibility. He had a warm smile, kind green eyes and his tenderness has gotten to all the tribe members' heart. Although he had a strong, responsible Leader as a father he could look up to, he preferred keeping his eyes on his best friend. Although the younger male was pale, smaller and more delicate than him, his azure eyes were entrancing and beautiful. Most of the time it seemed like they were staring at a far distance, but whenever he needs to protect someone who is dear to him, his eyes would turned focused and so threatening that it would even send shivers down a lion's spine. Even Ki-A admitted that Ha-Ru could be a promising leader if Ha-Ru only had some motivation.

However, everyone knew that Ha-Ru didn't possess that motivation. It was obvious to anyone that the boy was very introverted and preferred spending time on his own at the lake. The boy had a very strange addiction to water, and loved swimming more than anything else. He would always head off to the lake whenever he could, but he wasn't always allowed because he needed supervision of his mother. Or when it rains, Ha-Ru would often sneak outside when the others searched for shelter in the cave, and lifted up his face towards the sky to let the raindrops fall on his eyes, cheeks, nose and lips entirely. Ha-Ru loved the feeling of the drops falling from the bone to his nose, over his cheeks, past his neck and then on his chest. During summer the others would leave him standing there, because there was no stopping him when he wants to. But when the days were turning colder, both Ha-ru's mother and Ma-Ko try their best to keep him sheltered, so he wouldn't catch a cold the next day.

When Ha-Ru was nine, he has gained more freedom from his mother and was, finally, officially old enough to go to the lake by his own. His mother was always worried that Ha-Ru would spot the nearby waterfall and would try to swim in there. The other side of the waterfall ended up in the Outlands, so having Ha-Ru in there back when he was a toddler was one of Mi-Ya's biggest fears. At nine years Ha-Ru was already aware of the waterfall, but never had the opportunity to watch it up close.

"Ha-Ru," She called him, "I beg of you, do not swim near the waterfall. You know how strong the current there is. If you get swept along, you'll end up in-"

"The Outlands, I know. Mom, I will be fine" Haru replied, rolling his eyes.

Mi-Ya took a deep concerned breath. There had been too many incidents with the boy. "Na-Gi and Rei will join you."

"But MOOOOOOM!"

"Do not 'mom' me. They are going with you. End of discussion."

"But..!" Ha-Ru looked at his mother's glaring blue eyes and decided that's it's best not to start a debate with her.

"Fine."He mumbled after a couple of seconds with an angry huff. He took off as fast as possible in the hope that Mi-Ya would be too slow to call the two younger boys so they could go after him.

Later when Ha-Ru reached the lake, he realized he was a little bit too slow, because he saw Na-Gi and Rei catching up with him quickly. Too bad.
Ha-Ru didn't hate the two boys. They were quite nice since he has gotten to know them well, but they were often put in the position as Ha-Ru's guards so that he wouldn't do anything silly concerning water. So aside from picking berries together, or hunting some smaller animals and go fishing, he stays from a safe distance from the two boys so they won't be constantly reminded of their 'important' task during their spare time. Especially Rei had a strong sense of responsibility for his older friend.

"Ha-Ru!" Na-Gi cried, "Why do you always have to run?"

"Wanna go and swim alone" Ha-Ru replied loosely.

"Ha-Ru, please, you have to be more careful!" Rei butted in. But Ha-Ru only gave him a short glare. He swiftly removed the deerskin covering the lower part of his body and gracefully dived in the water like he was always meant to be in there.

"I think he will be okay, Rei. As long as he doesn't go near the waterfall, nothing should happen, right?" Na-Gi smiled cheerfully but his voice ended up sounding more concerned than he intended to.

"Right." Rei said as he watched Ha-Ru swim.

...

Meanwhile Ha-Ru drifted on the other side of the lake, hearing the soft clatter of the waterfall as he had his ears underwater. After several minutes he quickly batted one eye towards Na-Gi and Rei to see if they were still keeping an eye on him, but he noticed that the two weren't there.

...

"Na-Gi! Is this really okay?"

"Of course!" Na-Gi whispered. "Look at that little bunny over there! Let's catch it. So I can show daddy that I'm old enough to go hunting!"

"But we have to watch Ha-Ru!"

"He can wait, Rei!"

Rei stayed quiet for a while and then finally agreed to help Na-Gi catch the bunny. Rei wasn't so looking forward to go hunting but agreed because Na-Gi was counting on him.

...

Great. If Na-Gi and Rei are gone, Ha-Ru guessed it was safe to finally check out the waterfall. Like he promised his mother, he was not going to swim in the river leading to the waterfall, since the current near the waterfall was so strong. But he just needed to see it. For years now he has heard the constant faint clattering of the waterfall, but never had the opportunity to see it up close. According to the men the waterfall is just a bunch of water falling from a really high cliff and Ha-Ru got so excited just hearing of water... falling! With blue eyes sparkling in excitement Ha-Ru grabbed his deerskin, clothed his lower part and ran off between the trees, following the clattering sound.