Well, here we are with another chapter and I am quite excited! This one will have some abrupt jumping around so I hope you will enjoy it. I don't have much to say except read, review, and enjoy!

Chapter 7

"How'd it get here so fast," I asked myself, sitting in the locker-room, already changed for my big swim. I only half glanced at the calendar on the bulletin board. "March 11, 2005. A day that will certainly live in infamy . . . Wonder if they're here yet?" I couldn't move. After changing into my swim uniform, I had fallen onto the bench. Something this big, how'd it happen to me? Did I even have a chance at getting in? And with only three years to prepare, would the work even pay off? Chills rolled down my body as more thoughts rushed with the growing adrenaline. Remembering the past week, over half of my time had been spent here, practicing. Practicing my strokes, my pace, my breathing; practicing something that my mom had once caught me doing in my sleep. "And here I am shaking . . ."

Footsteps treaded over my thoughts as I caught sight of Coach walking into the locker-room. Concern covered her face. Obviously worried, she sat down next to me and said, "Kagura, you've been in here for over twenty minutes. What's wrong? Nervous?"

I gave a sort of sarcastic laugh and said, "I don't know about this. I mean, I've been practicing for today all week and there are other people who practice this stuff their whole lives and they don't get in. And I wasn't even trying to make the Olympics till last week. What makes you think I'll do any better?"

"Kagura," Coach said softly, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, "How long have you been swimming?"

"Since I was five but . . ."

"But that is almost your whole life. Quite a few people who've been in the Olympics started swimming right around that age. What makes you any different?"

"Because for them, it's been their life. I don't swim or train for that kind of thing very often. I don't swim religiously."

"Now wait a minute, for someone who got a "B" score on their entrance exams and suddenly can't get more than a C- for their grades certainly has to be doing something religiously. What are you worried about Kagura?"

Biting my lip, I answered, "I'm afraid I won't be good enough. What if I screw things up? What if I do something wrong? What if I . . ."

Shushing me, Coach soothingly said, "If you don't get in, then you aren't out anything. You tried. And no matter what happens, you're still the star of my swimming team. You got that?" I nodded as her eyes bore into me. She just wanted me to do my best and I felt a little stupid for worrying her.

"Thanks Coach," I mumbled embarrassedly.

"Anytime. And don't worry, they understand you're nervous. Just don't let those slinky pushovers get to you."

I watched Coach leave and I released a long sigh. She certainly had a way with words. Still, that didn't change the fact that my training and an Olympic athlete's training weren't the same. "Oh well, like you said, I gotta do my best." Getting off the bench, I walked as confidently as I could out of the locker room. Two men in suits stood talking to Coach. They kind of reminded of that foreign movie, The Men in Black. One even wore sunglasses. Both of them carried clipboards tucked under their arms

When I stepped out, they both turned to face me, and I suddenly felt embarrassed with their eyes sizing me up. The older of the two, the one without sunglasses was the first to speak as he grabbed my hand and shook it ferociously. "You must be our future gold medalist. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Sugata and that man over there is Sakiyama-san." Sakiyama-san only nodded in our direction at hearing his name; he seemed more interested in Coach than anything.

"Well come now. Let's get started," Sugata-san exclaimed, not giving me a chance to say a word. He dragged me to the pool with the strength of someone half his age. But his enthusiasm was contagious as he slapped my back and said, "You know, I first heard of you from a colleague of mine. She told me all about you and how she ignored her own daughter's performance during a swim meet just to watch you." I couldn't help but feel a pang of pride stabbing my chest.

"Thank you," was all I managed to say before Sugata-san nodded with delight and took a seat next to Coach and Sakiyama-san on a set of bleachers. Coach had already explained to me the test swim. I'd be swimming a 100 meters for the two men in our 25 meter pool, so it meant a couple of turn-arounds but no biggie.

And so I stood, till Coach's whistle broke the silence and I dived into the water, propelling my body with the front crawl stroke. While trickle breathing, I paced myself to a two beat cycle. My arms pulling me through the water, I quickened the pace but only slightly. Twenty-five meters later and I was still going strong. My breathing regulated and my arms syncing with my legs, I shoved forward. Fifty meters, then seventy-five. My muscles had started to tire, but I shoved on and soon the last twenty five meters passed and I was grabbing the side of the pool to hoist myself out.

A soft wave of applause drifted over from the bleachers. Sugata-san clapped enthusiastically while Sakiyama-san clapped slowly, shocked by my performance. Coach clapped the hardest and made me wonder, just what was my time? Wrapping myself in a bathrobe, we met in Coach's office where Sugata-san explained, "Kagura, for one-hundred meters, we timed you to be at a minute and a half. How do you feel? Think you'd be up for more swimming?"

"I feel great," I said, taking note of my fatigue, I continued, "I could probably go a few more laps."

"Excellent," Sugata-san reveled and said, "well then Kagura-san it's decided. Should you be interested, Japan would love to have you represent us at the 2008 Summer Olympics."

Almost crying from relief, I exclaimed, "I'd love to. It'd be an honor."

"Well then it's decided. We'll start making arrangements immediately."

I couldn't believe it. I was actually going to participate in the Olympics! I flung myself at Coach and cried I was so happy. She started tearing up as well and I could hear her saying how much she was going to miss me and how I had to work on my studies. Everything would change. They had strict policies where I was going to train. Classes in placement of college, swimming training, dieting, and various exercises; it sounded as if I'd have no free time. But it'd be worth it. And so I joined Japan's Olympic Team for 2008, wondering whether or not I'd even survive the first rounds in the competition.

*** 1 Year Later ***

"Alright Kagura, August is almost here so we've got two more years of practice. Let's start cutting in on your time." Sugata-sensei said, pulling out his stopwatch. We'd been working on endurance exercises to regulate fatigue and keep my speed up all throughout the match. I always seemed to tire out on the last 25 meters and my time suffered greatly. But I couldn't stop, not yet. We still had a few more things to do before the end of the day, and I certainly wasn't going to let Sugata-sensei down.

I dived into the water and heard Sugata-sensei shout, "Work on your diving! Too much splash." Mentally noting his suggestion, I wind milled my arms, grabbing at the water in front of me. I felt an increase of speed as I hurtled at the opposite end of the pool. Finally reaching the other end, I dived under and using me feet, launched myself back at Sugata-sensei. In previous swims, I had attempted to keep track of time mentally, but that only interfered with my swimming. Thus, I quickly gave up on that.

As fast as I had started, I suddenly found myself on the last twenty-five meters again. I could feel my chest beginning to ache. The other end of the pool looked so far away with the quick glances I managed to snatch. But I launched myself forward and soon grasped the finish line. Gasping for air, I looked up to Sugata-sensei who checked his stopwatch and said, "Two minutes and fifty-four seconds. Not bad but you gotta do better. We'll practice more, but take a break first."

Nodding, I hopped out of the water and found a seat. Training three days a week was tough, and we'd eventually be moving it up to four. Oh well, I'd worry about that when it happened. And even when it did, we'd be practicing for a slightly shorter time each day with more resting. But what did that matter? I loved swimming; the only downside to this place was the education. Sure I received a variety of classes, but the teachers were second rate. No homework, short classes, and all lecture. I passed merely by attending.

"Kagura," a voice from behind called. I turned to find one of the coaches signaling me. "Phone."

Walking over, I grabbed the receiver and said, "Hi mom." Though she was the only one to call, I still happily answered; grateful that I had a family who cared. I knew a few girls here who've been training here for months and were simply dropped off by their parents with the order "don't come back till you win us a medal." Sadly, none of them appeared to be enthusiastic about swimming.

"Hey Kagura. How are things going?"

"Not too bad. I managed to get my time just under three minutes; even though I've got a long way to go."

"That's great Kagura! I know you'll work hard on that. How are your classes?"

I grimaced at the question. How could I put it? "They're going fine. I got by with no homework tonight."

"Good for you Kagura," my mother lauded. "We're all very proud of you." And I could hear mom nearly crying on the other end.

Just hearing her teared me up as well. "Please mom, don't do that . . ."

"Sorry. Sorry," she quickly said, the crying coming to a halt, but her voice retained a small quiver. "So, how late are you practicing today?"

"I'll probably be done in a couple of hours, no later than five. But then I'm going back to my room."

"Oh I see," mom said, and I could picture her nodding into the phone. She then continued on about some things that were going on at home and such. We conversed for almost twenty minutes when I caught the agitated glare of Sugata-sensei. He didn't like waiting on people.

"Sorry mom. I'll have to go. Talk to you later. Yep, I love you too." I quickly hung up the phone and hurried back over to my personal trainer.

"Kagura-san, your break ended five minutes ago. It's wasted time like that that will cost you in the Olympics."

"I know. I'm really sorry Sensei." Even though I apologized, he continued to stare me down. One could call me a habitual offender. Whenever mom called during practice, I wasted no time in wasting time with her. Sugata-sensei didn't like it, but it was one of my few connections to the outside world. Still, he seemed a little harsher today.

We trained nonstop up until five. When finally Sugata-sensei called it a day, I could barely walk to the locker-room my legs were so worn out. Fortunately the next two days would be practice free. I'd have time to rest my legs and catch up on sleep. With it already being mid-July, we were preparing for an Olympic test run. Maybe that was why Sugata-sensei pushed me so hard today. Though the test run would be nothing special, it'd give me my first chance to compete in more than a year.

Swinging my arms to loosen them up, I sighed and said to myself, "Ah what should I do tonight?" Leaving the locker-room and exiting the training facility, I walked in the direction of my "dorm," pondering the question. "Guess I could play some GTA but I got the whole weekend to do that. Wonder if there's any good movies playing?"

Shrugging it aside, I located the building, no special name; it was just called "the dorm" when the words "apartment complex" fit much better. I had more room than I knew what to do with. But it made it easy to get together with a bunch of other people and everyone'd fit into one room, with plenty of leftover space.

Upon entering, I walked down the narrow hallway; yeah the rooms were huge and the hallways were tiny; that makes perfect sense. Oh well, at least I live on the first floor. I'd heard some nightmarish tales about the stairs in this joint. Stopping at my door, I unlocked it, opened and . . .

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAGURA!"

"Wh-Wha . . ." I stammered, "mom. Dad . . ." Speechless, I gawked at my parents, Coach, and several girls from my old swimming team. They stood in my room with a banner hanging over the entrance labeled, "Happy Birthday!" Closing the door behind me, I felt moist buds growing in my eyes. I was just so happy to see everyone and hugged my mom when she came up to me. I wouldn't cry. That much I had figured out.

"Happy Birthday," mom whispered into my ear and kissed the side of my head. Pulling away, she smiled lovingly and said, "I figured you'd want some company. So I took the liberty of inviting a few of your friends."

"We wanted to make sure you weren't going crazy up here," dad added, chuckling as he held out his hand and I shook. He was never a hug type of person. But his face told me enough.

After my parents, each person took a turn in talking to me. All the girls from my old swim team interrogated me on every aspect of an Olympic life. Everything from my swimming schedule and exercise drills, to the brand of chlorine used in the swimming pools. We rambled on, catching up on all different topics; things that had changed, things that hadn't changed. Finally, Coach sat down with me while everyone else enjoyed a birthday cake that mom had baked. "So Kagura, how are you getting along here?"

"Fine. The drills are rough and Sugata-sensei is very strict." Grinning, I continued, "And after seeing you, I kinda miss my old swim team." Which was true. Seeing the girls again, took me back to the days when practice lasted only two hours and everyone was available afterwards.

"Don't worry. You're doing great I'm sure. And I hear your grades have improved. Be proud of yourself."

I nodded. Coach had a point. She had always had a point. "Yeah you're right. I guess I shouldn't complain."

Patting my back Coach said, "You're right. You shouldn't complain. Because it's your birthday party and you're celebrating it with people who care about you."

I smiled. She was right, but at the same time, she wasn't. Chiyo, Yomi, Tomo, Sakaki, and Osaka weren't here. To be honest, with the rigorous training schedule, I'd spent little time thinking about my high school classmates. But days like today, they always managed to pop into my head and how careless I'd been not to exchange contact information with anyone. As much as I wanted to mention them to my parents, I couldn't because they now stood before me with an enormously wrapped box.

Mom and dad grinned excitedly at me as they carried the thing in and leaned it up against a wall. "Well Kagura, being that it's your birthday and all," dad said, unusually enthusiastic, "your mom and I got you a little something we thought you might need."

I couldn't respond. With the box being so huge, I couldn't imagine anything that big that I'd need. "You can open it," mom said when she'd noticed my hesitation to do anything. I nodded in awe and approached the box, grabbing at the wrapping paper. Tearing off long, wide strips of the brightly colored paper, I felt my face go red from embarrassment with all the eyes on me. I assume everyone knew what was inside as all talking had vanished at the sound of ripping paper.

When I finished tearing and ripping, I stared in confusion. "It's a box."

"Honey you've got it the wrong way," mom fussed as her and dad hurried over to the plain cardboard box and flipped it over. I gasped at the words on the box.

"A trophy case? Mom. Dad. I . . ." I couldn't believe my eyes. Covering my mouth, I quickly glanced at everyone in the room and turning back to my parents, you beamed with pride in their smiles, I stuttered, "B-But, I haven't even won anything yet."

"No," dad said, "but we know you will."

"That's right," Coach interjected, "I remember how dedicated you were to my team. Don't doubt yourself here. You can do it."

Tearfully, I replied, "Thanks Coach." Turning to my parents, I said, "mom, dad. I'll make sure I fill the case." Dad rubbed my head in approval.

"Everyone was so proud of me that night. And after that, I started working harder than before. I asked Sugata-sensei for extra lessons, and I drilled myself on off days." Kagura eyed the dusty case as she spoke. "I came close to overdoing it. Really close."

"But Kagura," I said, "I never saw you in the Olympics. I'm sure I would've recognized you."

I noticed a single tear roll down her cheek. But her face didn't change, nor did her voice. It retained that monotone, uneven tremor. Her disconcerted face then turned towards me as she said, "That's cause I never made it. It's not like I was too slow or anything like that. But . . . there was an accident."

"An accident?"

"Just days before the 2008 Olympics were to start. The Olympics that I was to compete in . . ."

Kagura suddenly grew upset at the lingering memory. As her body started to quiver, I thought this might be it. Placing a hand on her back, I attempted to calm her down. Pushing away my hand, she said, "I'm okay. I'm not crazy or anything like that. It's just . . . I'd spent most of my life thinking about swimming and what I could do with it. Because I was such a bonkler in school, I was worried that swimming wouldn't be enough for me to live off of. But the Olympics, they were exactly what I needed."

Hesitating, I eventually rested a hand on her shoulder. This time, she permitted it and I asked, "So what happened?"

"We were having a mini celebration on campus. Sugata-sensei was sure I'd take home the gold. My parents were there, along with families of the different swimmers . . ."

The party had started around six. And here we all were, three hours later, with no sign of stopping. The celebration itself certainly well-warranted and I managed to see a side of Sugata-sensei that I hadn't seen before. He laughed, he drank, and he reminded me of an old carefree grandpa. Standing next to my parents, I listened to their chatter with Sugata-sensei about my interview with the local news. I glanced around, wanting out of this conversation. For some reason, talking and laughing about my own interview didn't really interest me.

"Ah but anyway, I just can't believe how much progress Kagura has shown," Sugata-sensei exclaimed, finishing his glass of sake. "This time last year, many of those girls that entered with Kagura had given up. And I was expecting her to do the same . . ."

"Well that's my Kagura," dad said, squeezing my shoulder, "always up for a challenge."

The conversation shift had made me even more uncomfortable. Some of the girls that quit had become good friends of mine. However I'd managed to stay in touch with only a couple of them. The new set of girls from the 2007 World Championships hardly talked to me. Quite a few of them had had their noses so far in the air that I'd sometimes watch them practice just to see them get chewed out.

With the party celebrating Japan's swimming team, there weren't many people here that I could talk to. So I was forced to hang out next to my parents, listening to their rambling with Sugata-sensei. Wanting to get out and move around, I tugged on mom's shoulder like a kid wanting candy and asked, "Mind if I drive around for a bit?"

"Sure, that's fine by me. But what about Sugata-sensei? Would that be okay by him?"

About to stutter out an "I don't know", Sugata-sensei, who must've overheard us, said, "Sure, let her go out for an hour or two. Get out of this stuffy place for a while."

Though I suspected hindered judgment on sensei's part, I said nothing and glanced back at mom who reluctantly handed me the keys. Promising a quick return, I left the party and out to mom and dad's car. Not hard to find, it was the only car in the parking lot with the license plate in the rear window.

Pulling out of the parking lot and onto the road, I began driving to no place in particular. I knew of a few back roads to explore, but that was about it. But it didn't matter. I just needed to relax my mind. The party felt too upbeat, too happy. Sure we'd made it at far having a matter of days before the Olympics, but they weren't here yet. And I found myself too nervous to celebrate. Were there things to be happy about? Yes. I topped a world record, but big deal. People did that all the time in the Olympics. Right now, I needed to stay focused. Just like back in college, or even high school, I used prepare days in advance. The intake of food, the exercise, muscle, I worried over everything.

Taking a turn onto some road, I pulled up to a stop sign and just sat there for a couple seconds. With no one behind me, I shoved the car in park and rested my head on the steering wheel. I won't let you down Sensei. Coach, Nyamo, I won't let you guys down either." Sighing, I noticed a pair of headlights sneaking up on me and I reluctantly shoved the car in gear. Pulling out of my resting spot, I a set of headlights out my window caught my eyes. I turned to see the approaching car and everything went black . . .

"Ah, my head," I groaned, my eyes wincing open. "What happened?" Taking my hand away from my head, I found blood smeared all over palm and fingers. Panicked, I quickly glimpsed around, my head pulsating, and I could suddenly feel the wetness of the blood in my hair. Sparkles of glass covered the crinkled hood of the car, with a few shards spread across the floor. The window on my door slightly cracked, with blood running down it, I suddenly realized how hard it was to breathe. And looking down, I noticed the steering wheel shoved into my chest. Dizziness taking over, I noticed a turned over truck in the ditch next to me. "I have . . . to get out." It'd suddenly gotten hard to speak and everything began spinning. Unbuckling myself, I shoved open the door with all my strength. And in attempting to crawl out of the destroyed car, I realized something else. I couldn't feel my legs.