Haruki's fear

Hinata felt like the heavy burden he had been carrying for years was now finally lifted, even if it was a little bit it was something. What shocked him was the fact that he actually told his teammates, the same people he first thought were a bunch of nothing who only knew how to gossip.

The next morning, they finally gave in to Hinata's persuasion to swim back. Asahi had decided that they'll wait for the rest to get a boat or something, but after being coaxed by Hinata, he finally gave in.

They swam back with Asahi continuously looking at Hinata.

When they got the shore of their disgraceful tent, they met Haruki there with the rest of the group. Haruki was a crying mess already in Takahara's and arms.

EARLIER THAT MORNING, 4:00AM

" Hara, I wanna go check on my brother," Haruki said. He had not been able to sleep deeply but now he couldn't even sleep at all.

" Let's wait till the sun is out then we will go check on them," Takahara replied, fondling with Haruki's hair.

" I don't know,my mind's not at rest," Haruki said, his voice barely above a whisper.

He barely coped with it but after two hours, he was beyond his limit already. He jumped out of the bed almost frightening Hara, wore his robe and ran out. Takahara quickly followed him out. The noise made Masayoshi and Riku come out of their room as well.

Haruki got to the tent first, and his legs gave out almost immediately. The tents where open and tattered. The tears started falling without him knowing. Takahara ran over to him but Haruki was on the floor already.

" He's not here, my little brother's not here," he said talking to no one in particular.

Takahara was also shocked but he knew wherever they are they would be safe, because Asahi would rather die than let something happen to the one he loves.

The rest of the team that slept out were equally shocked. They all wondered where they could have gone. They were still pondering on whether to get the police involved when they heard voices coming from the ocean. After making out the faces Haruki shot up and run to the shore waiting for his brother, while the rest heaved a sigh of relief.

Immediately they arrived the shore, Haruki pulled Hinata into his embrace.

" Are you so mad at me that you can't even wait see me broken and sad?" Haruki asked, his voice breaking. Hinata felt guilty for making his brother worried and sad.

" I'm sorry," he replied whispering, on the verge of crying, " I'm really sorry." They stayed like that for a while before finally separating.

They went to freshen up, eat breakfast. They had a training regimen to complete.

TWO DAYS LATER

" Amazing Hinata! That's another personal best," Masayoshi said as he timed Hinata's swimming. " The training paid off." He added.

Riku swam over to them, let out a cute 'hah' sound as he came out the water. He was oblivious of what his little action was doing to poor Masayoshi's heart.

" What about me?" He asked.

" Hmm, you need to work a little harder Riku," he replied looking at the stopwatch.

" Still, I think we've all come a long way in such a short time," Asahi said, his eyes fixated on Hinata. And Arata's been improving," he added.

" But that's not good enough, we must aim higher! And find a proper coach." Their present coach might be good and all but to win prefecturals they need a strict coach. And Asahi knew just the perfect person for that role.

" Not necessary," Hinata said simply and made his way back to the water.

" Yeah, my baby probably doesn't need any coach," Asahi said shamelessly. Masayoshi was shocked but was even more dumbfounded when Hinata didn't make any attempt to deny it. He was probably the only one that didn't know about the lovebirds-who haven't started dating yet- in the club.

***What nobody not even Hinata knew was his pull towards Asahi was because he was a sub. Due to everything that he had gone through, he subconsciously shut his submissive self. It only started surfacing after he met Asahi. Asahi on the other hand knew Hinata was his sub, and he was Hinata's Dom.***

The day of the prefecturals was drawing near and training was becoming hectic. They rarely had opportunity to spend time together.

ONE WEEK BEFORE PREFECTURALS

" Wow, the prefecturals' next week, well good luck to you guys," Nagamori pouted, not happy with the fact that his three childhood friends have been ignoring him because of their busy schedule. He was in the basketball team. His build was smaller than the remaining three. They often teased him about his statue and height and ask why he joined the basketball team. He told them he would prove to them that height doesn't matter in the game, and lo and behold he was able to prove them wrong. He was the best basketball player in Japan presently regardless of his size.