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Author's Note - Helloooo~, Internet!

I want to express my gratitude to you all! Thank you favoring and following this story. I did not imagine ever getting this much recognition. I have over 10 reviews on ff.net as well as over 650 VIEWS!! HOLY S***!! That might not be a big deal, but to me, that's f***ing AMAZING!! I am so happy! ;w;

Speaking of those who ARE favoring and following. I would very much appreciate some of you would leave a review/comment. I know some of you have yet to do so. I am not demanding you to do it, I am just very curious of what you think of my story. That is IF you have something positive to say.

Once again, I thank you all.

Onward to the fourth!

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WARNING!

This is a story of pure fanfiction and is to be taken subjectively. I am only taking in positive reviews and criticism. I will not tolerate any slander, slashing, maiming and theft of my character and story. If there is something that you do not like in particular and/or hate the story and character in general-
-leave now.
You have been warned.
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~Going All-Out! Pinniped Thrust~

"Do you think you can beat her?" A question Gou asked timidly from behind the drapery in the locker room. A question Shiro has been asking herself over and over again in the span of several minutes while changing into a spare swimsuit.
"Honestly, I have no idea." She told the freshman truthfully, snapping a strap over her shoulder. "I can't make any promises to you."
"I see." Gou muttered quietly to herself craning her head downward, staring silently at the floor. Metal rings rattled on a metal bar surface as the curtain was pushed to the side and revealed Shiro in a spare swimsuit, the only female suit Gou could find.
The swimsuit was a one-piece cerulean, slimmed wet suit with large white dashed-grooves on the sides. A small white-winged logo in the middle of the chest. To her displeasure it left both her legs and arms exposed to the air. The suit was worn-out and it had light stains on the bleached half's. This swimsuit had seen better days, but it will have to do for now.
Shiro turned to the sad young girl next to her, the feshman's gaze was glued to the floor. "By the way, Gou, there's something that's been bugging me since we first met." Gou looked up at her with a confused look.
"How did you know who I was?" Shiro had taken her entrance exams here once before, not in the same building though. The exams were a month ago, but she did not get her results back after the first semester had started. The possibility of the school notifying the other teachers about her and students finding out due to the often 'grape-vines' could have been a probable possibility.
Gou's eyes widen with sudden surprise and, brows and eye lids drooped and crimson eyes shifted back and forth. "Well, I heard from miss Amakata-san, she's our advisor to the club." The freshman revealed to her, shifted her gaze back to her. "The day before she told me that she was getting a new student."
"Makes sense, but why did you ask me if I could swim?" Shiro eyed Gou, one brow knitted down and the other raised in question. "Amakata-san told me.. she found out who you were by your father." Shiro's eyes grew wide in shock. "He found out about your acceptance here and came to thank her. He was very happy to hear that you were in her class. Then she mentioned the swim club, she said that's when he started talking about you, and about how you were talented in swimming."
When the hell did her father do that?! Must have been after she got her results back in the mail, or one of his friends told him and he immediately went straight to the school. Damn him, she was set up from the very beginning!
A fist clenched tightly in vexation, lids tightly closed shut and Shiro turned her head away. The muscles in her mouth and her cheek began to spasm and twitch from the anger rising in her chest. "I see.. I guess you guys are pretty lucky I enrolled today then, huh?" A forced chuckle came through her gritted teeth, doing her best to make light out of the predicament she and Gou were in.
"I'm sorry for the trouble." Convulsions ceased as Shiro looked back at the freshman, she was staring at the floor once again, her eyes were sad and apologetic. "I didn't mean to drag you into this mess."
Looking at her unhappy expression, she could tell her friend was lost in thought. She wasn't just sad, she was scared. Shiro sighed as her expression softened, "This club is important to you, isn't it?"
Gou blinked, looking back up at her friend. "Yes." She nodded. "I have worked really hard with everyone. It's not just for me, it's for everyone here who swims. I- we need this club."
Well, there's no walking away from this now that her father has made sure of that. Shiro sighed heavily "I'll do what I can, Gou, okay?" Gou looked back up at her, Shiro put on the best smile she could muster, one she had to strain perfectly to make it believable. "I'll save your club."

Gou's eyes lit up brightly to her senpai's response. With a gentle countenance on her face Shiro earned back a kind and relived smile. "Thank you, Shiro-san!"

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The moment you have to perform, singing live on stage, taking a very important exam in class, or driving a car for the first time, is when your body begins to produce a large amount of zest. An energy that disperses from your very core and creates a swarm of uncontrollable warm quivers and tight painful hitches in both your abdomen and chest.

That is called anxiety.
A feeling of worry and unease that quickly develops into fear. Fear that is born when you are pressured, expected or forced to succeed. An imminent event that you have no control over and has an uncertain outcome.
Aside from the insane muscle seizures it generates your anxiety rekindles your soul, and rouses a spirit within you.
An instinctive and primal persona.
"Keep calm, don't think about it." Shiro contemplated with a strong shudder as she began to fit a white cap over her head. Her slender fingers trembled as she tucked in any loose strands of hair so they would not block her vision or hinder her before she swam. "Let it go, stay focus, tune it out."
"Hahah, oh my, you're much shorter than you looked in your uniform!" Kurosawa snickered when Shiro came out from the locker room building, with the other girl in right beside her. Never in her years of swimming has she come across such a small statured girl. The ridiculous part was she was only a year younger than her. "You must not have had enough calcium in your diet."
"At least I don't have to worry about a bust that could give me back problems on a small frame."
The arrogant teen huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. Shiro walked up to the starting block, solid cement felt very cool and damp under her feet. Glancing at her opponent the teen's hair was tightly tucked into a pink, rubber cap. A large bulge protruded on top. She must have wrapped her hair into a tight wreathed bun. A swimmer who has too much hair has to keep it tightly wrapped and tucked into the cap. Hair retains a lot of water, weighs a person down, more so if the hair was very thick.
"Ready?" Ami eyed young opponent next to her as she placed her dark-navy blue goggles over her dark stained eyes and red glossy lips. "Are you sure you should be wearing make-up while you swim, won't it run?
"It's water proof! I've worn this mascara many times before when I swim. I have to look good when I get out the water." She must have her goggle's strap woven very tightly around her head then, if that's the case. Maybe that's the cause of her big ego and bad attitude. All of the blood is being cut off from her brain.
Shiro rolled her eyes and rested her goggles firmly over her sight. The sophomore glanced to her left and noticed Gou, Hazuki, another young man with thick red spectacles, and her two classmates stared at her from the pool side. She looked back down at the water with a solemn expression. Just like Gou, all of them were scared. They're afraid, and when people are afraid, they look for somebody to hate. They look for somebody to blame. If she loses, not only will she be miserable, but she'll be blamed and hated for the rest of her semester and possibly her life.

Not that you should feel anything if you do lose.

Shiro looked away from the water and shook her head. No, she needs to keep her focus. She needs to keep that voice away. She doesn't need to hear it now. "Are you guys ready?" Gou asked the swimmers. Both teens nodded and shifted into position. Toes curled over the edge of the block from one foot while the other was pulled back about shoulder-width underneath them. Bodies arched down far enough till chests were touching the top thighs.
At that moment, Shiro, as she glared down at the glistening aqua below, regarded as to why she was doing this again. Despite outside circumstances that predetermined her fate, she could have easily walked away from this stupid game. Who cares if she feels guilty about it? She can definitely push away any guiltiness she would have by the next day. She doesn't need any friends or anyone for that matter.
The strong scent of chlorine burned her nostrils and her mouth began to salivate inside and drip due to her current position.
If all of that is true, then why is she still shaking so much from the anxiety?

Because you're scared too!

Scared of people hating you. You loathe being disregarded because-

"Shut up!!"

"This will be a freestyle race, two-hundred meters." Ami announced to Shiro. "Think you can keep up with me?"
"..." Shiro did not respond to her opponent and focused more on her body, quelling the uneasiness permanently. She just has to keep calm. Don't listen to it. She knows it's there.. watching her from the water. Waiting for her.

"Ready."

Muscles tense at the sound of the manager's voice. The swimmers prepare themselves for the leap. Finger's and toes tightened around the edges of the hard concrete.

"Just let go, forget, endure."

"Get set."

----SILENCE----

"I mustn't turn away, I mustn't look back, I must-"

"GO!"

Arms quickly streamlined and sprang into the sky before descending and curving into the water. Bodies crashed through the wet surface followed by white beads that spewed and coiled around them after diving through the exterior and into the blue depth. Shiro dolphin-kicked her way up through the strong resistance and used her arms to break through the surface, thus began her two hundred meter endurance.

"Swim!"

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Black ink carved an imprint onto the white and blue-lined paper. The inked print formed cursive lines, that formed symbols, that formed kanji, created to make sentences that were notes. These notes were very important to the writer who knew very well that they were behind in their studies.
Kaito sighed heavily as he finally finished jotting down facts and key words about marine mammals, the current topic being about seals and crustaceans, from the thirtieth chapter in his biology book.
"Almost done. One more chapters to go!" He muttered tiredly, a lazy grin on his face as he stretched his arms over his head and leaned back far enough for his back to bend, enough to hear loud cracks and pops in his joints, relieving much stress. "I wish I was more excited to say that if I didn't have the critical questions to do too."
Four critical questions to answer, for every chapter he has read.
The eldest brother's head crashed down onto the table. A miserable, horsed sigh vocalized from his throat. He has been at this since morning. He has been on his ass all day in a very, uncomfortable, hard-wooden chair.
Why wasn't he in his room, you ask? Well, he was, but then he got bored and irritated by the humming of his computer and turned it off, then irritated again by his alarm clock's ticking so he turned that off too, then he was irritated thrice that there was no sound to keep him focus so he opened the window to hear the ocean instead. After four hours of listening to the water he grew bored of being in his room and decided to move downstairs.
Now he was in the kitchen, with his thick blue, text biology book opened wide that bared printed, paragraphed texts and graphic pictures of sea animals and their anatomy, and his small note book filled with disfigured scribbles of important information. He hates school, hates studying.. he just wants to eat junk food, crash on the sofa, watch TV, and sleep, or go outside like the 'healthy' adolescent he was and swim.
"I'm home!" A cheery voice announced into the household before the sound of the front door slid shut with a loud thud. "So, how goes the studying?"
"Great, in fact I'm almost done!" Kaito said as he picked up his heavy, paper-back book in both hands and showed the chapter he currently finished. "Would like to do the rest for me?"
"You know I would, but my specialty is in math formulas and predictability. I'm smart, but I am not an animal enthusiast like yourself." Hanataro stated, smirking down at his brother. "Nice try."
"Didn't hurt to ask at least." He sighed in defeat and placed the book back down on the table and flipped over to the next chapter. "Why don't you ask Shiro for help?"
"She's not here, hasn't come home yet." He looked up to his brother who was now washing his hands in preparation for dinner. "I assumed she was coming home with you."
"Nope, I thought she came home already. School doesn't get out until three." Hanataro galnced over the other side of the room noticing the clock on the wall, it was almost four o'clock.
"Hmm, that's odd." Kaito pondered, hand reaching up to cup his chin. "Do you think something happened?"
"If you're thinking about the worst case scenario, don't." He chuckled, drying his hands off with a small rag he keeps close to the sink. "She might have met someone and is probably with them at school, maybe she's in a club."
"Hmph, I find that hard to believe." Kaito snorted, leaning his head back. "There's no way our Shiro would join a club group unless she was forced against her will or something." Kaito knew his sister's attitude very well, just as well on a physical level. His sister to befriend someone on their first day was highly unlikely. "You never know, Kai. After all, you always say that 'life is unpredictable.'"
"Very true, but this is Shiro we're talking about here. Aside from talking to us and the other adults, what makes you think she can easily get along with people her own age?"
"Do you have any proof to back up this claim, brother?" He glance behind his shoulder as he opened the fridge to get the ingredients for tonights dish. "I'm sure she's alright. I sent her a text not to long ago, if I don't receive a message back before I am done cooking then we can start worrying."
"You know, you're awfully calm about this. Aren't you at least a bit worried?"
"Of course I am, but I also know our dear sister isn't a child anymore and she can look after herself. Now, stop distracting me and finish your homework."
"Yeah, yeah." He sighed, so much for trying to get out from doing the rest of his labor. His hand was still numb from all the tedious writing. His head craned back into position, elbows supported his slumped form on the table as he continued to read. "Hey, Hana.. did you know that the cephalopods are the fastest marine animal in existence, faster than a seal?"
"Huh?" Hanataro glance over his shoulder, mid cut into the chicken and onion. "A sephal-what?"
"A squid, nimrod." Kaito huffed with an agitated look. "We're practically in the same class together, how can you not know what the group term for a squid is?"
"I told you I am not a marine enthusiast like you are, Kai." Head shaking at is older brother before he resumed his trimming of chicken into bite-sized pieces. "I am only interested in facts and numbers."
"The numbers, yes, but the fact part should apply to creatures as well, there are tons of facts about fish!" Kaito was always baffled by his brother's lack of interest in marine life, despite fishing with him and the rest of the crew. "Marine animals have always fascinated me." Hanataro rolled his eyes, oh no, here he goes again with his 'love' for fish. His affection towards them can go from being smartly scientific to beyond philosophical. "There are so many different creatures in this world, but the ones that pique my interest are the beings that live in the ocean. Like us, their bodies had to evolve in order to survive and adapt. Some, in fact, have always remained the same, from the very beginning of their birth. Makes you wonder what would happen to us if we had to live in the water too."
"I find it fascinating that you have so much enthusiasm in fish that you don't channel that towards your homework."
"I'd rather be scuba diving, dissecting, and experiencing first hand instead of sitting on my ass all day reading from someone else's perspective." But, not before he has taken his regular nap on the couch and watched his daily dose of shows on the history channel.
"What does that have anything to do with your previous question?" He turned on the stove and grabbed a frying pan that hung over the electric powered machine. He first added a quarter cup of sauce he had prepared earlier today, then dumped small chunks of chicken and onions hot iron. Loud, sizzling cracks erupted from the pan. Next was the scallions.
"Every marine creature has a unique way of swimming due to their bodies. For example, a squid propels itself through the water, it stores liquid in a tank called the mantle cavity, then expels. The cavity refills itself by doing the opposite. In other words a squids can move through the water by sucking in water and pushing it out, kind like trying to extinguish a flame on a candle by inhaling the air instead of blowing."
"The seal on the other hand swims by moving their streamlined body against the water with their flippers. The rear flippers are used more in swimming because they are more developed than their front flippers. They can also hold their breath underwater for almost 2 hours."
"You're point?"
"Well, what would happen if the two would race each other? Who do you think would win?"
"Hmm.." He had taken out the rice and eggs from the fridge before lowered the stove's temperature, letting the ingredients simmer in the hot pan. "Well, the squid obviously they're faster."
"Interesting, but you're right though." Kaito leaned back in his seat, arms folding over his head, tired eye lids closing in thought. "That is of course if it was a real race." Hanataro blinked and tilted his head, causing strands of hair to hang loosely on the side then questioned "You don't think the same?"
"Nope!" He answered. "I'd have my money on the seal."
"Why? The seal would lose to a squid."
"Yes, scientifically, if the scenario was to come to be, however it never will. Seals prefer very colder waters in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and squids are more likely to swim on the dark floors of the sea. But.."
"But?"
A laid back smirk spread across his tired features "Do you believe in reincarnation, Hana-chan?" One eye peeked open to his young brother.
"Oh no! I am not getting into THAT topic again!" Hanataro threw his hands up. "You know I don't believe in that stuff. All those things like ghosts and the after life aren't real, there's never any proof!"
"I beg to differ." Kaito chuckled. There have been many documentaries he has watched about ghosts and haunted places that are said to house evil demons and spirits. He has heard many strange stories from his father, as well as the crew members who have claimed to see other worldly creatures in the dark waves. "What about those old stories about Cthulhu?"
"There is no such thing as a sea monster of that size that can summon demons to venture on land and kidnap people. They're most likely exaggerations based off of an octopus." At least that's what he believes. There are no such thing as demons or ghosts that live in the oceans.
"Anyways~, the body is nothing more than a shell. When the shell stops functioning and dies, the soul is released."
"All of that is conjecture and theories, none of that is true."
"The soul is freed, and returns to the creator.' Kaito continued, ignoring his brother's annoyed words 'some believe that the soul is recycled and begins life a new in another vessel. The shell is different, but the soul remains the same. Do you know where I am going with this, Hana-chan?"
"You lost me after creator." He lied, eyes narrowed as he did his best not to follow his brother's exaggerated theory.
"Alright, let me phrase it this way; souls can come from anyone and anything, when a living creature dies, specifically a fish, their soul is recycled and reincarnated into a new vessel. Whether that soul becomes a new fish or a human is entirely up to fate." Kaito looked back his brother, both eyes stared at him with a wide, silly grin. "Now do you see where I am going with this?"
Hanataro was trying hard, really hard, not to play along. Sadly, his brain and ego wouldn't let him. "So.. what you're saying is.. a seal and squid would never race in real life, but if they died and their souls reincarnated into humans, they would be able to race each other?"
"Correct!" Kaito exclaimed as he stood from his seat, arms spread wide "Well done, Hanataro, you're not as ignorant as I thought."
"I.. still don't get it though." The eldest brother's arms dropped to his sides, his head hung. "So close and yet so far away." He recovered and placed his hands on his hips. "Basically, if the souls of a squid and a seal reincarnated into humans and swim against each other, then what would be the outcome of that race?"
"Umm." He tilted his head and pondered. This was crazy enough as it was. How the hell did the conversation go from being about sea creatures and turned into spirits and God?!
"Hehehe, it's not that hard think about, little brother." Kaito snickered, "The squid is faster in the water because of it's original body's design. Now that it's human the squid becomes handicapped."
"Except the seal?"
"Yes! Seals have a natural body to begin with, no special features attached they are flexible and very agile, ergo-"
"The seal would win, right? Great, is that it?" Hanataro sighed heavily glanced at the clock. Nearly twenty minutes have passed and he hasn't even prepared the rice and eggs yet! All of that crazy exposition just to spew a bunch of philosophical nonsense? Kaito was never blunt, unlike Shiro and their father. No, he would be witty about it and explain it in a way he enjoys. He loves listening to himself. "Unless you have any more silliness to spout, I have a lot of cooking to do, and you have homework to finish!"
"Yes, mom." An exasperated groan huffed out. Kaito plopped back down in his seat and resumed his tedious labor.
"Sheesh, you'll do anything to get out of work." Hanataro muttered loudly, "What on earth would bring that up all of a sudden?"
"Didn't you just say I should be working rather than talking?" He heard a frustrated growl from his brother. He loved to mess with him. "No reason, really. All this talk about seals reminded me of our own."
Hanataro stood there for a moment and processed the words his brother had just said to him, then he slowly turned to look at Kaito with an incredulous expression.
"..Eh?"
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Water sprayed wildly about as Shiro continued her glide through the water, she was almost finish with one-hundred meters and going on two-hundred. Bubbles spewed from her lips and nose, arms burned intensely from the swift exertion, it became harder and harder to dig through the water's resistance. Shiro's head resurfaced to catch a brief drink of air, she was still at arms length next to her opponent, neck and neck just about to tag the other end.
"Whoa, look at her go!" Nagisa, and the others, watched in awe as he looked upon the two women swimming in the pool. Already have witnessing the other's swimming before, he was completely captivated by Shiro's strokes. "At this rate she could win!" Gou smiled excitingly as Shiro tagged the enclosure and propelled herself from the wall. "Oh, that was nice push!"
"She's really good, those last two thrusts were strong." The sharp, brown-haired teen observed. He has been watching his sophomore classmate quite carefully, and was stunned by her talent. He never would have thought she could swim like this.
"Indeed. She must have tremendous power in her legs to achieve such a strong force." Another young man ascertained, he adjusted his thick red frames on the bridge of his nose. He too has been observing the girl closely. "I have seen a few women who swim in competition, but to experience one in real life."
"That's right you weren't here the other day, were you Rei-chan?" Nagisa glanced over his shoulder at the young teen named Rei. "This isn't anything new to us though. Back in our old club, there were a lot of girls in our club and they could swim just as fast!"
"Hamasaki-san is strong, but Kurosawa does have a bit of an advantage with her body length. Her crawls start slow at first, but then pick quickly when she spreads out her arms and legs. At this rate.."
"You don't believe Shiro-chan will win for us?" Hazuki interrupted him, causing the young man to sputter and retort, "O-of course not, I want her to win! I am only pointing out-"
"She's slowing down." The raven-haired teen finally spoke. All heads turned their attention to the smaller swimmer who had begun to fall back on her strokes.
"Oh no, she is!" Gou started to panic as she could clearly see her senpai struggling to swim. "Come on, Shiro, you can do it! Swim, swim!" Gou shouted cupping bother hands to her mouth to projects more voice in her force. "Swim, Shiro, swim!" Nagis too had joined in the cheering.
"I.. I'm so tired." Shiro panted, her whole body was slowly becoming numb from the heat in her joints, the water was slowing her down. "She's just too fast I can barely keep up anymore." Kurosawa tagged the other end for the fourth and last time, then she pushed herself down the lane. Shiro raised her head again for air at that moment, Ami passed by her. Shiro caught a glimpse of her smug smirk, mocking her as she swam away.
"Dammit!" She cursed. How on earth is she going to pick up speed with her? Taking in a gulp of air her head dipped back in. Shiro demanded her body, her arms, hands, legs, feet to move faster and faster.
"This is all I can do?" Swimming at top speed it felt like her body could not move any faster, in fact, it seemed like she was slowing down and the wall was growing further and further away. Extending one arm out her head went back up for air once more, wheezing as she breathed in deep for air. "Am I going to lose?"
When her face slipped back under water her eyes widened, the ripples that wrapped around her goggles shifted her vision from a clear, pristine blue to an obscure black. The dividers in her lane were gone, she no longer heard the cheering from the side, or her opponent swimming behind her. Water had become dark and void. The pool no longer existed.
Why are you panicking? A muddled, incorporeal voice spoke indifferent to her. Her body tensed as a dark mass began to coil and slither about her limbs and wrists. You know you can't swim any faster than this, you might as well give up.
Numb and tired she dug, and dug, and dug, through the dark pressure. She dove under and spun, her feet touching a solid wall. When she gazed back up she was greeted by a long, dark, tunnel. Shades of gray bubbles twined and curled and reached out towards the light at the end of the exit, that was slowly, being diminished.
Losing isn't that bad, you can escape and go home. Away from the humans that hate you.

A heavy weight pressed itself onto her back, indents grew around her body and constricted her tightly. You don't need to feel scared, you don't need to feel guilty. It continued to coax beside her. She could feel it's presence pulsate, attempting to lull her body to relax and give in. Indulge yourself in ignorant bliss.

Shiro slowly closed her eyes, her head cranes down as the darkness envelopes her.

All you need.. is me.

Eyes snap open, gold amber flashed intensely in the dark.

"No!"

Shiro, with all of her might, propeled forward and escapes the suffocating, dark grip. The path, now illuminated, was open to her. She breached the dark hole and swims into the light.
"Look, look, she's going faster!" Gou shouted when she noticed her senpai's change in pace. All four boys and manager stood on edge. Gou jogged to the other end of the pool to referee the coming winner. "She's catching up, come on, Shiro-san!!"
"What?!" Kurosawa heard the loud cheering from the side and glanced behind her. Her eyes widened in fear to see her opponent was just a thighs length next to her. She had believed to have this game in the bag and decided to leisure the rest of the way. Now the unthinkable happens. "You're kidding me! How the hell did she catch up so fast!?"
"There almost there. They're neck in neck!" Gou was practically hopping up and down. It was close, both swimmers were practically flying through the water. They were nearly finished.
Ami was struggling now as she swam with all of her strength. Shiro was just inches from breaking ahead. There's no way she can beat her! She's the athlete, she's supposed to win! "I am not losing to this dumb sophomore, I'm-what?!" Shiro had just surpass Kurosawa's pace. "The hell?! This is impossible, how is she doing this? Is she even human!?"
"Almost.. there." The world was almost a complete blur. The only focus was the goal in front of her very eyes. Just a few more inches and.. "Almost there!"

"Almost there, Shiro-san!"

"Go, Shiro-chan, go!!"

"Hamasaki-senpai!"

----SMACK----

Water splashed forward from the hand's critical hit to the barrier, heads broke through the water and lurched back, gasping in loudly for air. Shiro wheezed and breathed out, her hand was still stuck fast against the pools wall for dear life. Her hand grasped the goggles and the cap and pealed them off. She heaved "I.."
"Shiro won!!" Gou cheered loudly raised a fisted hand in the air, she spotted both hands that tagged the wall. Shiro's hand was the first to touch the pool's edge. "She won, she did it!" Nagisa noticed the finished tag as well, and joined in the reverie with his manager.
Shiro still had her hand on the wall, she stared at in utter disbelief. She really won, she pushed herself over the limit. How on earth..
"AAARGH!!" A loud screeched snapped Shiro out of her daze. She glanced over to her opponent and flinched, the others yelped and squeaked behind her from the sight before them. "You got to be kidding me! How the hell did I lose against YOU!?!" Kurosawa yelled. With her goggles and cap off they all saw her true face. Her expression twisted with anger and her eyes were seething with hate, but that wasn't the frightening part. The supposed water proof make-up on her face had leaked all over her skin. The black mascara was now bleeding down her cheeks, her lipstick too had bled as is she had hemorrhaged from her mouth.
"Guess her make-up wasn't as water proof as she claimed." Nagisa muttered. "Her beauty was nothing more than a mask." Rei said, his glasses shielded his disgust.
"Looks like you lose, Kurosawa." Shiro got the angered teen's attention back. "This means I win the bet."
"I can't accept this! You must have cheated!!"
"How on earth would I cheat in swimming?" Shiro scoffed, her shoulders shrugged. "How was I supposed to know that I was going to swim against someone on my first day of school?"
"W-wait, what? First day?" Ami blinked in confusion. "They said you were part of their club! You've been here since day one!!"
"And you believed them?" Shiro smirked, eying the girl. "Didn't you find it a bit odd that I wasn't here when you swam on your first day. If I was part of their team, then I should have been here on the first day of school. Today, however, is my first day."
Stunned, her mouth gaped. If it could stretch any further it might have splashed into the water. "Don't feel to bad though. Ignorance is very common in people, I should know."
"Y-you mean I... b-but.." The girl stuttered. "Anyways, you lost and I won. But I'll admit, you were a pretty fast swimmer. Since you did put up a lot of effort, I'll give you advice to leave with. Think of it as a consolation prize." Ami looked back at the winner, still in utter disbelief.
"Next time you go off and make you're own club, make sure you know what you're doing." Shiro told her opponent, a cheeky smirk on her lips. "There's a good chance you'll get another whipping if you continue to let your unawareness be the judge of your character."
Eyes twitched before she let out another angered screeched. "DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU ALL!!" She bellowed and made her way out of the pool. "I don't need this club, or this school. I'll make my club somewhere else. This place is too good for me!" She declared and made her exit out, while muttering insults under her breath in humiliated defeat.
Shiro sighed in great relief. Finally, it's over. "You did it Shiro!" Gou said from above her. She was extending her hand towards her, offering to pull her out. "You save our club!" Shiro blinked, eying the hand before she shook her head. "Don't mention it, I got lucky." She told the freshmen and politely brushed the hand away before she pulled herself out.
Shiro cringed, the pain in her joints had finally caught up to her. She used her palm to wipe away any water from her vision, then Gou offered her a small, red towel. "We owe you, Shiro. Thank you, again!" She smiled at her. Shiro stared at the towel for a moment before she shrugged and took the second offer, and patted down her face dry. "That was amazing, Shiro-chan!" Nagisa praised as the others came over to congratulate her. "You were really fast in that water, just like a sea animal!"
"Indeed, your form in the water was absolutely stunning." The blue haired teen name Rei agreed with his teammate. "We're really sorry for the trouble." The taller green-eyed male smiled down at her. "If I had known.."
"No reason to apologize, what's done is done." Shiro shrugged her shoulders to the male. "You're club is safe now and you remain as captain.. umm."
"Oh, right. We haven't introduced ourselves. I'm Makoto, Makoto Tachibana." Her classmate introduced himself. "This here is my friend, our classmate and vice-captain. Haruka, Nanase." The raven-haired boy, named Haruka nodded to her. Not much of a talker is he? "And this is Rei-chan!" Nagise dramatically gestured both arms to the other taller and handsome male next to him. "He's a freshman, just like me!"
"Hmph! It's Rei, Rei Ryuugazaki." The male reiterated as he adjusted his glasses. "Heheh." All four boys turned heard a chuckle from the young swimmer. Shiro half-smirked up at them, one eye open. "All of you.. have girly names, don't you." Nagisa certainly wasn't kidding earlier. "Yep! We're the perfect team and we're proud of our titles!" Nagisa raised his head up, pumped chest forward. "I don't think that's what she meant, Nagisa." Makoto chuckled down at the young man while smiling.
Geez these guys were certainly happy weren't they? Well, all of them did look quiet relieved. This silly ordeal had finally been put behind them. This whole thing could have been avoided easily with the help of the school board, but it really didn't anymore.
"What will you do now, Shiro?" Gou asked her when she noticed her senpai had gone quite. Shiro recalled her earlier proposition. "Oh, right."
"She should join the club, regardless!" Nagisa bounced in closing space between the girls. Again, invading her space. "She can swim with us from now on!"
"Well, technically she can't." Makoto interjected. "She can swim, but we're a male team and she's a girl. If there were more girls here, but-"
"Then she can be our coach! We're always looking for someone for training, since Goro-san is busy. She could also be Gou's assistant. There are a lot of positions to fill." He added, "Plus, now that we have another girl in the club, she'll definitely attract more members!"
"Excuse me?" She eyed the young boy in front of her. What the hell did that mean? The boy just laughed as if to hide his real motive. "What he's trying to say is' Makoto interpreted. 'swimming in the club or helping us out doesn't really matter to us. We're alway looking for people to join the club."
"The more the merrier!" Nagisa chipped in again.
"Would like to join us, Shiro-san?" It was Haruka's turn to speak now. Everyone, in including Gou, looked at her with anticipation. In all honestly, she had technically given her answer when she said she would help. But, these people didn't seem like the type to force her into a position she was not comfortable with. "It's your choice." Makoto said to his classmate.
Shiro closed her eyes for a moment in contemplation and recalled all previous moments that lead her here. She could almost say that Hanataro's prediction, for once, did come true, if it wasn't for that fact her father had intervened prior. Her first day and she has met over six different people in the span of seven hours, and the possibility of meeting more is very likely to happen in the future. A part of her was a bit excited, but as for the other quarter half, is far from happy. It's very possible she may reveal things she would rather keep under wraps.
Fate can be merciful and can also be very cruel, but no matter the reason in the end, it had a strange and funny sense of humor. She'll play along for now. Who knows, maybe something good will come out of this. At least she won't be bored with a group of 'friends' like them.

With her thoughts resolved and her answer final, Shiro opened her eyes and gave them the best smile she could offer them.

"Sign me up!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

See You Next Water Time!
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SuperiorDimwit - You have no idea how honored I am to read your comment to my story. I must have re-read your statement several times now. I could almost die happy~!
Anyways, thank you for you review. You are absolutely right about re-reading. You're not the first person to point that out. I have always had this bad habit of typing or writing what I think I am saying and believe I have put it down on paper and never going back to check it. When I think about it, I find it rather funny and a bit perplexing, since I always call myself the 'patient reader' I am in fact being a hypocrite for not re-reading my sentences. Next time I will make sure future chapters are revised several times before I publish them.
That ends pt 4 of episode 1.. and.. that's it! Story over, BYE!
I kid, I kid!!
This is only the beginning of what I hope to be a good fanfic to Free!. I still have no idea how the hell Shiro is going to go to Samezuka and or meet Rin.. but I am getting there. I can't believe the series is over.. well, there's always tumblr and FF.net, right? Well, until next the second summer season at least!
I think some of you are aware by now that this update took longer than the last. Well, that's because I am in College this semester.. so, these updates will be slower. Nonetheless you should not feel sad, if I were to put these on a chapter or two monthly upkeep, then these pages will be more refined, polished and better quality.
Again, references from previous Animal Planet knowledge and Wiki.
I hope you guys keep following me, and I to continue making you all happy!

Till next time!
From your patient reader,
Phoenix.

:D (Big Grin) — Description
Author's Note - Helloooo~, Internet!

I want to express my gratitude to you all! Thank you favoring and following this story. I did not imagine ever getting this much recognition. I have over 10 reviews on ff.net as well as over 650 VIEWS!! HOLY S***!! That might not be a big deal, but to me, that's f***ing AMAZING!! I am so happy! ;w;

Speaking of those who ARE favoring and following. I would very much appreciate some of you would leave a review/comment. I know some of you have yet to do so. I am not demanding you to do it, I am just very curious of what you think of my story. That is IF you have something positive to say.

Once again, I thank you all.

Onward to the fourth!

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WARNING!

This is a story of pure fanfiction and is to be taken subjectively. I am only taking in positive reviews and criticism. I will not tolerate any slander, slashing, maiming and theft of my character and story. If there is something that you do not like in particular and/or hate the story and character in general-
-leave now.
You have been warned.
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~Going All-Out! Pinniped Thrust~

"Do you think you can beat her?" A question Gou asked timidly from behind the drapery in the locker room. A question Shiro has been asking herself over and over again in the span of several minutes while changing into a spare swimsuit.
"Honestly, I have no idea." She told the freshman truthfully, snapping a strap over her shoulder. "I can't make any promises to you."
"I see." Gou muttered quietly to herself craning her head downward, staring silently at the floor. Metal rings rattled on a metal bar surface as the curtain was pushed to the side and revealed Shiro in a spare swimsuit, the only female suit Gou could find.
The swimsuit was a one-piece cerulean, slimmed wet suit with large white dashed-grooves on the sides. A small white-winged logo in the middle of the chest. To her displeasure it left both her legs and arms exposed to the air. The suit was worn-out and it had light stains on the bleached half's. This swimsuit had seen better days, but it will have to do for now.
Shiro turned to the sad young girl next to her, the feshman's gaze was glued to the floor. "By the way, Gou, there's something that's been bugging me since we first met." Gou looked up at her with a confused look.
"How did you know who I was?" Shiro had taken her entrance exams here once before, not in the same building though. The exams were a month ago, but she did not get her results back after the first semester had started. The possibility of the school notifying the other teachers about her and students finding out due to the often 'grape-vines' could have been a probable possibility.
Gou's eyes widen with sudden surprise and, brows and eye lids drooped and crimson eyes shifted back and forth. "Well, I heard from miss Amakata-san, she's our advisor to the club." The freshman revealed to her, shifted her gaze back to her. "The day before she told me that she was getting a new student."
"Makes sense, but why did you ask me if I could swim?" Shiro eyed Gou, one brow knitted down and the other raised in question. "Amakata-san told me.. she found out who you were by your father." Shiro's eyes grew wide in shock. "He found out about your acceptance here and came to thank her. He was very happy to hear that you were in her class. Then she mentioned the swim club, she said that's when he started talking about you, and about how you were talented in swimming."
When the hell did her father do that?! Must have been after she got her results back in the mail, or one of his friends told him and he immediately went straight to the school. Damn him, she was set up from the very beginning!
A fist clenched tightly in vexation, lids tightly closed shut and Shiro turned her head away. The muscles in her mouth and her cheek began to spasm and twitch from the anger rising in her chest. "I see.. I guess you guys are pretty lucky I enrolled today then, huh?" A forced chuckle came through her gritted teeth, doing her best to make light out of the predicament she and Gou were in.
"I'm sorry for the trouble." Convulsions ceased as Shiro looked back at the freshman, she was staring at the floor once again, her eyes were sad and apologetic. "I didn't mean to drag you into this mess."
Looking at her unhappy expression, she could tell her friend was lost in thought. She wasn't just sad, she was scared. Shiro sighed as her expression softened, "This club is important to you, isn't it?"
Gou blinked, looking back up at her friend. "Yes." She nodded. "I have worked really hard with everyone. It's not just for me, it's for everyone here who swims. I- we need this club."
Well, there's no walking away from this now that her father has made sure of that. Shiro sighed heavily "I'll do what I can, Gou, okay?" Gou looked back up at her, Shiro put on the best smile she could muster, one she had to strain perfectly to make it believable. "I'll save your club."

Gou's eyes lit up brightly to her senpai's response. With a gentle countenance on her face Shiro earned back a kind and relived smile. "Thank you, Shiro-san!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The moment you have to perform, singing live on stage, taking a very important exam in class, or driving a car for the first time, is when your body begins to produce a large amount of zest. An energy that disperses from your very core and creates a swarm of uncontrollable warm quivers and tight painful hitches in both your abdomen and chest.

That is called anxiety.
A feeling of worry and unease that quickly develops into fear. Fear that is born when you are pressured, expected or forced to succeed. An imminent event that you have no control over and has an uncertain outcome.
Aside from the insane muscle seizures it generates your anxiety rekindles your soul, and rouses a spirit within you.
An instinctive and primal persona.
"Keep calm, don't think about it." Shiro contemplated with a strong shudder as she began to fit a white cap over her head. Her slender fingers trembled as she tucked in any loose strands of hair so they would not block her vision or hinder her before she swam. "Let it go, stay focus, tune it out."
"Hahah, oh my, you're much shorter than you looked in your uniform!" Kurosawa snickered when Shiro came out from the locker room building, with the other girl in right beside her. Never in her years of swimming has she come across such a small statured girl. The ridiculous part was she was only a year younger than her. "You must not have had enough calcium in your diet."
"At least I don't have to worry about a bust that could give me back problems on a small frame."
The arrogant teen huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. Shiro walked up to the starting block, solid cement felt very cool and damp under her feet. Glancing at her opponent the teen's hair was tightly tucked into a pink, rubber cap. A large bulge protruded on top. She must have wrapped her hair into a tight wreathed bun. A swimmer who has too much hair has to keep it tightly wrapped and tucked into the cap. Hair retains a lot of water, weighs a person down, more so if the hair was very thick.
"Ready?" Ami eyed young opponent next to her as she placed her dark-navy blue goggles over her dark stained eyes and red glossy lips. "Are you sure you should be wearing make-up while you swim, won't it run?
"It's water proof! I've worn this mascara many times before when I swim. I have to look good when I get out the water." She must have her goggle's strap woven very tightly around her head then, if that's the case. Maybe that's the cause of her big ego and bad attitude. All of the blood is being cut off from her brain.
Shiro rolled her eyes and rested her goggles firmly over her sight. The sophomore glanced to her left and noticed Gou, Hazuki, another young man with thick red spectacles, and her two classmates stared at her from the pool side. She looked back down at the water with a solemn expression. Just like Gou, all of them were scared. They're afraid, and when people are afraid, they look for somebody to hate. They look for somebody to blame. If she loses, not only will she be miserable, but she'll be blamed and hated for the rest of her semester and possibly her life.

Not that you should feel anything if you do lose.

Shiro looked away from the water and shook her head. No, she needs to keep her focus. She needs to keep that voice away. She doesn't need to hear it now. "Are you guys ready?" Gou asked the swimmers. Both teens nodded and shifted into position. Toes curled over the edge of the block from one foot while the other was pulled back about shoulder-width underneath them. Bodies arched down far enough till chests were touching the top thighs.
At that moment, Shiro, as she glared down at the glistening aqua below, regarded as to why she was doing this again. Despite outside circumstances that predetermined her fate, she could have easily walked away from this stupid game. Who cares if she feels guilty about it? She can definitely push away any guiltiness she would have by the next day. She doesn't need any friends or anyone for that matter.
The strong scent of chlorine burned her nostrils and her mouth began to salivate inside and drip due to her current position.
If all of that is true, then why is she still shaking so much from the anxiety?

Because you're scared too!

Scared of people hating you. You loathe being disregarded because-

"Shut up!!"

"This will be a freestyle race, two-hundred meters." Ami announced to Shiro. "Think you can keep up with me?"
"..." Shiro did not respond to her opponent and focused more on her body, quelling the uneasiness permanently. She just has to keep calm. Don't listen to it. She knows it's there.. watching her from the water. Waiting for her.

"Ready."

Muscles tense at the sound of the manager's voice. The swimmers prepare themselves for the leap. Finger's and toes tightened around the edges of the hard concrete.

"Just let go, forget, endure."

"Get set."

----SILENCE----

"I mustn't turn away, I mustn't look back, I must-"

"GO!"

Arms quickly streamlined and sprang into the sky before descending and curving into the water. Bodies crashed through the wet surface followed by white beads that spewed and coiled around them after diving through the exterior and into the blue depth. Shiro dolphin-kicked her way up through the strong resistance and used her arms to break through the surface, thus began her two hundred meter endurance.

"Swim!"

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Black ink carved an imprint onto the white and blue-lined paper. The inked print formed cursive lines, that formed symbols, that formed kanji, created to make sentences that were notes. These notes were very important to the writer who knew very well that they were behind in their studies.
Kaito sighed heavily as he finally finished jotting down facts and key words about marine mammals, the current topic being about seals and crustaceans, from the thirtieth chapter in his biology book.
"Almost done. One more chapters to go!" He muttered tiredly, a lazy grin on his face as he stretched his arms over his head and leaned back far enough for his back to bend, enough to hear loud cracks and pops in his joints, relieving much stress. "I wish I was more excited to say that if I didn't have the critical questions to do too."
Four critical questions to answer, for every chapter he has read.
The eldest brother's head crashed down onto the table. A miserable, horsed sigh vocalized from his throat. He has been at this since morning. He has been on his ass all day in a very, uncomfortable, hard-wooden chair.
Why wasn't he in his room, you ask? Well, he was, but then he got bored and irritated by the humming of his computer and turned it off, then irritated again by his alarm clock's ticking so he turned that off too, then he was irritated thrice that there was no sound to keep him focus so he opened the window to hear the ocean instead. After four hours of listening to the water he grew bored of being in his room and decided to move downstairs.
Now he was in the kitchen, with his thick blue, text biology book opened wide that bared printed, paragraphed texts and graphic pictures of sea animals and their anatomy, and his small note book filled with disfigured scribbles of important information. He hates school, hates studying.. he just wants to eat junk food, crash on the sofa, watch TV, and sleep, or go outside like the 'healthy' adolescent he was and swim.
"I'm home!" A cheery voice announced into the household before the sound of the front door slid shut with a loud thud. "So, how goes the studying?"
"Great, in fact I'm almost done!" Kaito said as he picked up his heavy, paper-back book in both hands and showed the chapter he currently finished. "Would like to do the rest for me?"
"You know I would, but my specialty is in math formulas and predictability. I'm smart, but I am not an animal enthusiast like yourself." Hanataro stated, smirking down at his brother. "Nice try."
"Didn't hurt to ask at least." He sighed in defeat and placed the book back down on the table and flipped over to the next chapter. "Why don't you ask Shiro for help?"
"She's not here, hasn't come home yet." He looked up to his brother who was now washing his hands in preparation for dinner. "I assumed she was coming home with you."
"Nope, I thought she came home already. School doesn't get out until three." Hanataro galnced over the other side of the room noticing the clock on the wall, it was almost four o'clock.
"Hmm, that's odd." Kaito pondered, hand reaching up to cup his chin. "Do you think something happened?"
"If you're thinking about the worst case scenario, don't." He chuckled, drying his hands off with a small rag he keeps close to the sink. "She might have met someone and is probably with them at school, maybe she's in a club."
"Hmph, I find that hard to believe." Kaito snorted, leaning his head back. "There's no way our Shiro would join a club group unless she was forced against her will or something." Kaito knew his sister's attitude very well, just as well on a physical level. His sister to befriend someone on their first day was highly unlikely. "You never know, Kai. After all, you always say that 'life is unpredictable.'"
"Very true, but this is Shiro we're talking about here. Aside from talking to us and the other adults, what makes you think she can easily get along with people her own age?"
"Do you have any proof to back up this claim, brother?" He glance behind his shoulder as he opened the fridge to get the ingredients for tonights dish. "I'm sure she's alright. I sent her a text not to long ago, if I don't receive a message back before I am done cooking then we can start worrying."
"You know, you're awfully calm about this. Aren't you at least a bit worried?"
"Of course I am, but I also know our dear sister isn't a child anymore and she can look after herself. Now, stop distracting me and finish your homework."
"Yeah, yeah." He sighed, so much for trying to get out from doing the rest of his labor. His hand was still numb from all the tedious writing. His head craned back into position, elbows supported his slumped form on the table as he continued to read. "Hey, Hana.. did you know that the cephalopods are the fastest marine animal in existence, faster than a seal?"
"Huh?" Hanataro glance over his shoulder, mid cut into the chicken and onion. "A sephal-what?"
"A squid, nimrod." Kaito huffed with an agitated look. "We're practically in the same class together, how can you not know what the group term for a squid is?"
"I told you I am not a marine enthusiast like you are, Kai." Head shaking at is older brother before he resumed his trimming of chicken into bite-sized pieces. "I am only interested in facts and numbers."
"The numbers, yes, but the fact part should apply to creatures as well, there are tons of facts about fish!" Kaito was always baffled by his brother's lack of interest in marine life, despite fishing with him and the rest of the crew. "Marine animals have always fascinated me." Hanataro rolled his eyes, oh no, here he goes again with his 'love' for fish. His affection towards them can go from being smartly scientific to beyond philosophical. "There are so many different creatures in this world, but the ones that pique my interest are the beings that live in the ocean. Like us, their bodies had to evolve in order to survive and adapt. Some, in fact, have always remained the same, from the very beginning of their birth. Makes you wonder what would happen to us if we had to live in the water too."
"I find it fascinating that you have so much enthusiasm in fish that you don't channel that towards your homework."
"I'd rather be scuba diving, dissecting, and experiencing first hand instead of sitting on my ass all day reading from someone else's perspective." But, not before he has taken his regular nap on the couch and watched his daily dose of shows on the history channel.
"What does that have anything to do with your previous question?" He turned on the stove and grabbed a frying pan that hung over the electric powered machine. He first added a quarter cup of sauce he had prepared earlier today, then dumped small chunks of chicken and onions hot iron. Loud, sizzling cracks erupted from the pan. Next was the scallions.
"Every marine creature has a unique way of swimming due to their bodies. For example, a squid propels itself through the water, it stores liquid in a tank called the mantle cavity, then expels. The cavity refills itself by doing the opposite. In other words a squids can move through the water by sucking in water and pushing it out, kind like trying to extinguish a flame on a candle by inhaling the air instead of blowing."
"The seal on the other hand swims by moving their streamlined body against the water with their flippers. The rear flippers are used more in swimming because they are more developed than their front flippers. They can also hold their breath underwater for almost 2 hours."
"You're point?"
"Well, what would happen if the two would race each other? Who do you think would win?"
"Hmm.." He had taken out the rice and eggs from the fridge before lowered the stove's temperature, letting the ingredients simmer in the hot pan. "Well, the squid obviously they're faster."
"Interesting, but you're right though." Kaito leaned back in his seat, arms folding over his head, tired eye lids closing in thought. "That is of course if it was a real race." Hanataro blinked and tilted his head, causing strands of hair to hang loosely on the side then questioned "You don't think the same?"
"Nope!" He answered. "I'd have my money on the seal."
"Why? The seal would lose to a squid."
"Yes, scientifically, if the scenario was to come to be, however it never will. Seals prefer very colder waters in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and squids are more likely to swim on the dark floors of the sea. But.."
"But?"
A laid back smirk spread across his tired features "Do you believe in reincarnation, Hana-chan?" One eye peeked open to his young brother.
"Oh no! I am not getting into THAT topic again!" Hanataro threw his hands up. "You know I don't believe in that stuff. All those things like ghosts and the after life aren't real, there's never any proof!"
"I beg to differ." Kaito chuckled. There have been many documentaries he has watched about ghosts and haunted places that are said to house evil demons and spirits. He has heard many strange stories from his father, as well as the crew members who have claimed to see other worldly creatures in the dark waves. "What about those old stories about Cthulhu?"
"There is no such thing as a sea monster of that size that can summon demons to venture on land and kidnap people. They're most likely exaggerations based off of an octopus." At least that's what he believes. There are no such thing as demons or ghosts that live in the oceans.
"Anyways~, the body is nothing more than a shell. When the shell stops functioning and dies, the soul is released."
"All of that is conjecture and theories, none of that is true."
"The soul is freed, and returns to the creator.' Kaito continued, ignoring his brother's annoyed words 'some believe that the soul is recycled and begins life a new in another vessel. The shell is different, but the soul remains the same. Do you know where I am going with this, Hana-chan?"
"You lost me after creator." He lied, eyes narrowed as he did his best not to follow his brother's exaggerated theory.
"Alright, let me phrase it this way; souls can come from anyone and anything, when a living creature dies, specifically a fish, their soul is recycled and reincarnated into a new vessel. Whether that soul becomes a new fish or a human is entirely up to fate." Kaito looked back his brother, both eyes stared at him with a wide, silly grin. "Now do you see where I am going with this?"
Hanataro was trying hard, really hard, not to play along. Sadly, his brain and ego wouldn't let him. "So.. what you're saying is.. a seal and squid would never race in real life, but if they died and their souls reincarnated into humans, they would be able to race each other?"
"Correct!" Kaito exclaimed as he stood from his seat, arms spread wide "Well done, Hanataro, you're not as ignorant as I thought."
"I.. still don't get it though." The eldest brother's arms dropped to his sides, his head hung. "So close and yet so far away." He recovered and placed his hands on his hips. "Basically, if the souls of a squid and a seal reincarnated into humans and swim against each other, then what would be the outcome of that race?"
"Umm." He tilted his head and pondered. This was crazy enough as it was. How the hell did the conversation go from being about sea creatures and turned into spirits and God?!
"Hehehe, it's not that hard think about, little brother." Kaito snickered, "The squid is faster in the water because of it's original body's design. Now that it's human the squid becomes handicapped."
"Except the seal?"
"Yes! Seals have a natural body to begin with, no special features attached they are flexible and very agile, ergo-"
"The seal would win, right? Great, is that it?" Hanataro sighed heavily glanced at the clock. Nearly twenty minutes have passed and he hasn't even prepared the rice and eggs yet! All of that crazy exposition just to spew a bunch of philosophical nonsense? Kaito was never blunt, unlike Shiro and their father. No, he would be witty about it and explain it in a way he enjoys. He loves listening to himself. "Unless you have any more silliness to spout, I have a lot of cooking to do, and you have homework to finish!"
"Yes, mom." An exasperated groan huffed out. Kaito plopped back down in his seat and resumed his tedious labor.
"Sheesh, you'll do anything to get out of work." Hanataro muttered loudly, "What on earth would bring that up all of a sudden?"
"Didn't you just say I should be working rather than talking?" He heard a frustrated growl from his brother. He loved to mess with him. "No reason, really. All this talk about seals reminded me of our own."
Hanataro stood there for a moment and processed the words his brother had just said to him, then he slowly turned to look at Kaito with an incredulous expression.
"..Eh?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Water sprayed wildly about as Shiro continued her glide through the water, she was almost finish with one-hundred meters and going on two-hundred. Bubbles spewed from her lips and nose, arms burned intensely from the swift exertion, it became harder and harder to dig through the water's resistance. Shiro's head resurfaced to catch a brief drink of air, she was still at arms length next to her opponent, neck and neck just about to tag the other end.
"Whoa, look at her go!" Nagisa, and the others, watched in awe as he looked upon the two women swimming in the pool. Already have witnessing the other's swimming before, he was completely captivated by Shiro's strokes. "At this rate she could win!" Gou smiled excitingly as Shiro tagged the enclosure and propelled herself from the wall. "Oh, that was nice push!"
"She's really good, those last two thrusts were strong." The sharp, brown-haired teen observed. He has been watching his sophomore classmate quite carefully, and was stunned by her talent. He never would have thought she could swim like this.
"Indeed. She must have tremendous power in her legs to achieve such a strong force." Another young man ascertained, he adjusted his thick red frames on the bridge of his nose. He too has been observing the girl closely. "I have seen a few women who swim in competition, but to experience one in real life."
"That's right you weren't here the other day, were you Rei-chan?" Nagisa glanced over his shoulder at the young teen named Rei. "This isn't anything new to us though. Back in our old club, there were a lot of girls in our club and they could swim just as fast!"
"Hamasaki-san is strong, but Kurosawa does have a bit of an advantage with her body length. Her crawls start slow at first, but then pick quickly when she spreads out her arms and legs. At this rate.."
"You don't believe Shiro-chan will win for us?" Hazuki interrupted him, causing the young man to sputter and retort, "O-of course not, I want her to win! I am only pointing out-"
"She's slowing down." The raven-haired teen finally spoke. All heads turned their attention to the smaller swimmer who had begun to fall back on her strokes.
"Oh no, she is!" Gou started to panic as she could clearly see her senpai struggling to swim. "Come on, Shiro, you can do it! Swim, swim!" Gou shouted cupping bother hands to her mouth to projects more voice in her force. "Swim, Shiro, swim!" Nagis too had joined in the cheering.
"I.. I'm so tired." Shiro panted, her whole body was slowly becoming numb from the heat in her joints, the water was slowing her down. "She's just too fast I can barely keep up anymore." Kurosawa tagged the other end for the fourth and last time, then she pushed herself down the lane. Shiro raised her head again for air at that moment, Ami passed by her. Shiro caught a glimpse of her smug smirk, mocking her as she swam away.
"Dammit!" She cursed. How on earth is she going to pick up speed with her? Taking in a gulp of air her head dipped back in. Shiro demanded her body, her arms, hands, legs, feet to move faster and faster.
"This is all I can do?" Swimming at top speed it felt like her body could not move any faster, in fact, it seemed like she was slowing down and the wall was growing further and further away. Extending one arm out her head went back up for air once more, wheezing as she breathed in deep for air. "Am I going to lose?"
When her face slipped back under water her eyes widened, the ripples that wrapped around her goggles shifted her vision from a clear, pristine blue to an obscure black. The dividers in her lane were gone, she no longer heard the cheering from the side, or her opponent swimming behind her. Water had become dark and void. The pool no longer existed.
Why are you panicking? A muddled, incorporeal voice spoke indifferent to her. Her body tensed as a dark mass began to coil and slither about her limbs and wrists. You know you can't swim any faster than this, you might as well give up.
Numb and tired she dug, and dug, and dug, through the dark pressure. She dove under and spun, her feet touching a solid wall. When she gazed back up she was greeted by a long, dark, tunnel. Shades of gray bubbles twined and curled and reached out towards the light at the end of the exit, that was slowly, being diminished.
Losing isn't that bad, you can escape and go home. Away from the humans that hate you.

A heavy weight pressed itself onto her back, indents grew around her body and constricted her tightly. You don't need to feel scared, you don't need to feel guilty. It continued to coax beside her. She could feel it's presence pulsate, attempting to lull her body to relax and give in. Indulge yourself in ignorant bliss.

Shiro slowly closed her eyes, her head cranes down as the darkness envelopes her.

All you need.. is me.

Eyes snap open, gold amber flashed intensely in the dark.

"No!"

Shiro, with all of her might, propeled forward and escapes the suffocating, dark grip. The path, now illuminated, was open to her. She breached the dark hole and swims into the light.
"Look, look, she's going faster!" Gou shouted when she noticed her senpai's change in pace. All four boys and manager stood on edge. Gou jogged to the other end of the pool to referee the coming winner. "She's catching up, come on, Shiro-san!!"
"What?!" Kurosawa heard the loud cheering from the side and glanced behind her. Her eyes widened in fear to see her opponent was just a thighs length next to her. She had believed to have this game in the bag and decided to leisure the rest of the way. Now the unthinkable happens. "You're kidding me! How the hell did she catch up so fast!?"
"There almost there. They're neck in neck!" Gou was practically hopping up and down. It was close, both swimmers were practically flying through the water. They were nearly finished.
Ami was struggling now as she swam with all of her strength. Shiro was just inches from breaking ahead. There's no way she can beat her! She's the athlete, she's supposed to win! "I am not losing to this dumb sophomore, I'm-what?!" Shiro had just surpass Kurosawa's pace. "The hell?! This is impossible, how is she doing this? Is she even human!?"
"Almost.. there." The world was almost a complete blur. The only focus was the goal in front of her very eyes. Just a few more inches and.. "Almost there!"

"Almost there, Shiro-san!"

"Go, Shiro-chan, go!!"

"Hamasaki-senpai!"

----SMACK----

Water splashed forward from the hand's critical hit to the barrier, heads broke through the water and lurched back, gasping in loudly for air. Shiro wheezed and breathed out, her hand was still stuck fast against the pools wall for dear life. Her hand grasped the goggles and the cap and pealed them off. She heaved "I.."
"Shiro won!!" Gou cheered loudly raised a fisted hand in the air, she spotted both hands that tagged the wall. Shiro's hand was the first to touch the pool's edge. "She won, she did it!" Nagisa noticed the finished tag as well, and joined in the reverie with his manager.
Shiro still had her hand on the wall, she stared at in utter disbelief. She really won, she pushed herself over the limit. How on earth..
"AAARGH!!" A loud screeched snapped Shiro out of her daze. She glanced over to her opponent and flinched, the others yelped and squeaked behind her from the sight before them. "You got to be kidding me! How the hell did I lose against YOU!?!" Kurosawa yelled. With her goggles and cap off they all saw her true face. Her expression twisted with anger and her eyes were seething with hate, but that wasn't the frightening part. The supposed water proof make-up on her face had leaked all over her skin. The black mascara was now bleeding down her cheeks, her lipstick too had bled as is she had hemorrhaged from her mouth.
"Guess her make-up wasn't as water proof as she claimed." Nagisa muttered. "Her beauty was nothing more than a mask." Rei said, his glasses shielded his disgust.
"Looks like you lose, Kurosawa." Shiro got the angered teen's attention back. "This means I win the bet."
"I can't accept this! You must have cheated!!"
"How on earth would I cheat in swimming?" Shiro scoffed, her shoulders shrugged. "How was I supposed to know that I was going to swim against someone on my first day of school?"
"W-wait, what? First day?" Ami blinked in confusion. "They said you were part of their club! You've been here since day one!!"
"And you believed them?" Shiro smirked, eying the girl. "Didn't you find it a bit odd that I wasn't here when you swam on your first day. If I was part of their team, then I should have been here on the first day of school. Today, however, is my first day."
Stunned, her mouth gaped. If it could stretch any further it might have splashed into the water. "Don't feel to bad though. Ignorance is very common in people, I should know."
"Y-you mean I... b-but.." The girl stuttered. "Anyways, you lost and I won. But I'll admit, you were a pretty fast swimmer. Since you did put up a lot of effort, I'll give you advice to leave with. Think of it as a consolation prize." Ami looked back at the winner, still in utter disbelief.
"Next time you go off and make you're own club, make sure you know what you're doing." Shiro told her opponent, a cheeky smirk on her lips. "There's a good chance you'll get another whipping if you continue to let your unawareness be the judge of your character."
Eyes twitched before she let out another angered screeched. "DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU ALL!!" She bellowed and made her way out of the pool. "I don't need this club, or this school. I'll make my club somewhere else. This place is too good for me!" She declared and made her exit out, while muttering insults under her breath in humiliated defeat.
Shiro sighed in great relief. Finally, it's over. "You did it Shiro!" Gou said from above her. She was extending her hand towards her, offering to pull her out. "You save our club!" Shiro blinked, eying the hand before she shook her head. "Don't mention it, I got lucky." She told the freshmen and politely brushed the hand away before she pulled herself out.
Shiro cringed, the pain in her joints had finally caught up to her. She used her palm to wipe away any water from her vision, then Gou offered her a small, red towel. "We owe you, Shiro. Thank you, again!" She smiled at her. Shiro stared at the towel for a moment before she shrugged and took the second offer, and patted down her face dry. "That was amazing, Shiro-chan!" Nagisa praised as the others came over to congratulate her. "You were really fast in that water, just like a sea animal!"
"Indeed, your form in the water was absolutely stunning." The blue haired teen name Rei agreed with his teammate. "We're really sorry for the trouble." The taller green-eyed male smiled down at her. "If I had known.."
"No reason to apologize, what's done is done." Shiro shrugged her shoulders to the male. "You're club is safe now and you remain as captain.. umm."
"Oh, right. We haven't introduced ourselves. I'm Makoto, Makoto Tachibana." Her classmate introduced himself. "This here is my friend, our classmate and vice-captain. Haruka, Nanase." The raven-haired boy, named Haruka nodded to her. Not much of a talker is he? "And this is Rei-chan!" Nagise dramatically gestured both arms to the other taller and handsome male next to him. "He's a freshman, just like me!"
"Hmph! It's Rei, Rei Ryuugazaki." The male reiterated as he adjusted his glasses. "Heheh." All four boys turned heard a chuckle from the young swimmer. Shiro half-smirked up at them, one eye open. "All of you.. have girly names, don't you." Nagisa certainly wasn't kidding earlier. "Yep! We're the perfect team and we're proud of our titles!" Nagisa raised his head up, pumped chest forward. "I don't think that's what she meant, Nagisa." Makoto chuckled down at the young man while smiling.
Geez these guys were certainly happy weren't they? Well, all of them did look quiet relieved. This silly ordeal had finally been put behind them. This whole thing could have been avoided easily with the help of the school board, but it really didn't anymore.
"What will you do now, Shiro?" Gou asked her when she noticed her senpai had gone quite. Shiro recalled her earlier proposition. "Oh, right."
"She should join the club, regardless!" Nagisa bounced in closing space between the girls. Again, invading her space. "She can swim with us from now on!"
"Well, technically she can't." Makoto interjected. "She can swim, but we're a male team and she's a girl. If there were more girls here, but-"
"Then she can be our coach! We're always looking for someone for training, since Goro-san is busy. She could also be Gou's assistant. There are a lot of positions to fill." He added, "Plus, now that we have another girl in the club, she'll definitely attract more members!"
"Excuse me?" She eyed the young boy in front of her. What the hell did that mean? The boy just laughed as if to hide his real motive. "What he's trying to say is' Makoto interpreted. 'swimming in the club or helping us out doesn't really matter to us. We're alway looking for people to join the club."
"The more the merrier!" Nagisa chipped in again.
"Would like to join us, Shiro-san?" It was Haruka's turn to speak now. Everyone, in including Gou, looked at her with anticipation. In all honestly, she had technically given her answer when she said she would help. But, these people didn't seem like the type to force her into a position she was not comfortable with. "It's your choice." Makoto said to his classmate.
Shiro closed her eyes for a moment in contemplation and recalled all previous moments that lead her here. She could almost say that Hanataro's prediction, for once, did come true, if it wasn't for that fact her father had intervened prior. Her first day and she has met over six different people in the span of seven hours, and the possibility of meeting more is very likely to happen in the future. A part of her was a bit excited, but as for the other quarter half, is far from happy. It's very possible she may reveal things she would rather keep under wraps.
Fate can be merciful and can also be very cruel, but no matter the reason in the end, it had a strange and funny sense of humor. She'll play along for now. Who knows, maybe something good will come out of this. At least she won't be bored with a group of 'friends' like them.

With her thoughts resolved and her answer final, Shiro opened her eyes and gave them the best smile she could offer them.

"Sign me up!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

See You Next Water Time!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SuperiorDimwit - You have no idea how honored I am to read your comment to my story. I must have re-read your statement several times now. I could almost die happy~!
Anyways, thank you for you review. You are absolutely right about re-reading. You're not the first person to point that out. I have always had this bad habit of typing or writing what I think I am saying and believe I have put it down on paper and never going back to check it. When I think about it, I find it rather funny and a bit perplexing, since I always call myself the 'patient reader' I am in fact being a hypocrite for not re-reading my sentences. Next time I will make sure future chapters are revised several times before I publish them.
That ends pt 4 of episode 1.. and.. that's it! Story over, BYE!
I kid, I kid!!
This is only the beginning of what I hope to be a good fanfic to Free!. I still have no idea how the hell Shiro is going to go to Samezuka and or meet Rin.. but I am getting there. I can't believe the series is over.. well, there's always tumblr and FF.net, right? Well, until next the second summer season at least!
I think some of you are aware by now that this update took longer than the last. Well, that's because I am in College this semester.. so, these updates will be slower. Nonetheless you should not feel sad, if I were to put these on a chapter or two monthly upkeep, then these pages will be more refined, polished and better quality.
Again, references from previous Animal Planet knowledge and Wiki.
I hope you guys keep following me, and I to continue making you all happy!

Till next time!
From your patient reader,
Phoenix.