To be your Bird

Summary-Haruka and Rin have been rivals for as long as they can remember. But when Rin gets into an accident, will all of that change?

"What would you do..If I couldn't swim anymore?"

Haruka didn't reply, clutching his phone tightly to his ear; the device was almost trembling. "But you always swim," He finally said. "Why do you ask? This is a hypothetical question, right?"

A beat of silence, then a choked laugh answered him. "Yeah. Hypothetical."

The water is alive.

Haruka blew lazy bubbles as he sank to the bottom of the bathtub, squinting up above through hazy eyes.

It guides us, helps us, and provides what we need to survive-

Yet water is weak, taking on the shape of anything that ensnares it.

Something Beautiful, yet Submitting.

"I'm coming in!" There was a distant shout as the door to the bath rattled open. Haruka kicked his legs sluggishly, not wanting to get out.

"Haru!" Makoto walked over to the edge of the tub. "We have to go," He ran a hand through his hair, biting his lip in exasperation. "Are you in your swimsuit again?"

Haruka lifted his head slightly above the water. "What else would I be in?" His voice was muffled by bubbles, making it hard to understand. "Geez.." Makoto sighed. "What am I going to do with you?" Contradictory to his words, he smiled, extending out his hand to his friend.

"Anyway, good morning." Haruka grunted aimlessly and took Makoto's hand, getting up from his bath. He purposely splashed him with water, knowing that the other would get peeved about it.

He was right.

After much complaining and squabbling, Haru stood in the kitchen, heating up some leftover fish he'd found in his fridge from last night. Makoto stood a safe distance away from him, still wary. "..Do you eat anything other than fish?"

Haruka, who was currently chewing on a piece of dried squid, blinked. "Is there anything else to eat?"

"You're hopeless."

"Fish is good for you, anyway." With that Haruka took his fish out of the microwave and sat down at the kitchen table, snapping a pair of chopsticks and delving into his meal.

A tap on the door, then Nagisa entered, cheerfully calling out a hello. Both boys turned to see the new arrival, Makoto replying enthusiastically, and Haru just dipping his head in acknowledgment, mouth full of seafood.

"Geez.." Nagisa sighed, plopping down by the table. "Ama-sensai still hadn't replied when I asked her if she could design our swimsuits this year…"

"Well, she is a bit afraid of swimsuits for some reason.." Makoto reasoned, putting his hands up in defeat. "I guess we'll just have to wait. What do you think, Haru?"

Haruka ignored him and picked at his fish; there was a bone stuck in the flesh.

"We'll be late to school if we don't go soon!" Nagisa called, already sliding open the door.

Makoto tugged Haruka's arm. "Come on, Haru-chan! Let's go!"

"Wait.." Haruka mumbled around his last mouthful.

"Forget it!" Nagisa ran back in and grabbed Haruka, sending his copsticks flying. Makoto yelped as he found himself nearly impaled by one. "Nagisa!"

~X~

"When's our swim tournament going to be, Haru?" Makoto put his head on his desk, studying his friend. "I don't know." Haruka replied shortly, staring out the window.

"Hmm…" Makoto sighed. "It seems like nowdays, all that's on your mind is swimming..not that you weren't like that before-but now, it seems..diffrent somehow. You've changed a bit, Haru."

Haruka just blinked at him and went back to staring out the window. "I suppose."

"I'll show you a sight you've never seen before! So, wait for me, Haruka!"

But he'd already caught up and surprassed him, Haruka thought. What point is there to 'waiting' now? If anyone needed to wait-

It was Rin himself. What if-he found a better rival? What if he forgot about the old swim team?

Haruka honestly considered Rin his greatest rival in the world of swimming. But having a goal to look forward to-

That was also a good thing, he thought. It was motivation. Before, he really didn't care about-'improving his time', or 'racing', mainly because he felt like it was mainly his fault that Rin left for Australia.

If I'd just let him win that time..would things have been different? Haruka closed his eyes.

No use debating on the past now.

"..ru! Haru-chan! Haruuuu!" Nagisa was shaking him avidly, calling his name over and over.

"What?" Haruka mumbled, looking around. The classroom was dark. Had he fallen asleep?

"school is over, Haru! Makoto is waiting outside, so lets hurry!"

Haruka didn't protest, only following the smaller boy outside.

Makoto waved to them; his uniform was crooked and his tie was gone.

"Eh? Mako-chan, what happened to you?!" Nagisa blinked in surprise. He was just fine a few minutes ago.

"Well.." Makoto laughed sheepishly. "I had a run in..with this dog..and…he tossed me in the dumpster."

"How could a dog toss you in the dumpster? How big was it?" Haruka asked, curious despite himself.

"The dog was huge!" Makoto wailed, stretching out his arms in imitate the height. "You should've seen it! It was scary, Haru! I tried petting it and it suddenly growled at me! I tried to feed it some leftover bread, but then it grabbed my arm and threw me in the dumpster!"

Nagisa laughed, pinching his nose. "You sure do smell bad though, Mako-chan. You should take a bath. Ne, ne!" He turned to Haruka. "Is it okay if we go to your house today?"

"I don't care.." Haruka murmered, staring into a spot by a tree.

Makoto followed his gaze. "Haru?"

Haruka shook his head; it was probably nothing. "Never mind. I imagined something."

"Oh…okay." Makoto shrugged, not arguing with his friend. "well then! Should we be off?"

"Yeah!" Nagisa cheered as they walked on to Haru's house. "Can we eat something besides fish?"

"What else is there to eat?" Haruka replied monotonously.

"Rice! Miso! Sushi!"

"But Nagisa, isn't sushi made out of fish?" Makoto asked sheepishly.

"No! I meant vegetarian sushi! Like those American..Califorina rolls!"

"California rolls? What're those?"

"These crunchy.." Their voices faded off as they went further down the street, until they could no longer be heard. None of them noticed as a faint rustling sound was heard, and Rin stepped out from behind a tree. His baseball cap was crooked, so he reached up, adjusting it. He didn't know why, but he felt a urge to go to Haruka's school..maybe it was just stupid sentimental crap.

He was growing soft, wasn't he? He chuckled bitterly to himself.

He had sworn to cut off all ties, but it seemed like that was hopeless now.

It was like a drug, he mused. Seeing Haruka and the others..for some reason, it made him feel just a bit better. If anyone ever found out about this side of him..he cursed under his breath.
Well, there went the reputation he'd built up for so long.

He was lost in thoughts as he crossed the street, which is why he didn't see the truck, barreling towards him until it was too late-

There was a sickening crunch,

And his hat flew off into the middle of the street,

Stained with a dark substance.

Blood.

So..yeah. I decided to write my first Free! Fanfic because I love the show so freaking much…and Rin is beautiful. Never mind the shark teeth. He's gorgeous. Sorry this chapter is so short..the next one will be longer, I promise!

*dramatic sunglasses flash*

So..this was just a drabble idea I had…

Um..

I guess if I get good feedback on this chapter..(whoo! Reviews, guys! Hinthintnudgenudge)

I'll continue?

Please tell me what you think of it!

Byyeee!

K.K