Troubled But Strong

Rising Back on Top

Slam!

The sound of Y/N's hand echoed throughout the natatorium. Rin, gripping the stopwatch in his hand, smirking like the devil himself. Y/N's breaths were deep as she buried her head in her arms. She was suffering, and his smirk soon faded as he saw what this was doing to her. She was over training not only her lungs, but her muscles were giving out as well.
"What -heave- was my time Matsuoka" Y/N wheezed out of her throat.
Rin's red eyes softened, and he offered a hand to her.

'SLAP'

Y/N's small s/c hand slapped his hand away, "NO, RIN!" Tears were streaming down her S/C cheeks, staring up into his now shocked red eyes.
"Y/N...You'll only end up hurting yourself more if you don't start off slow," Rin reassured, "Besides, for someone who just got out of surgery, you were only behind you usual time by 3 seconds" Rin smiled.
"B-But I need to beat my usual time. I need to get better Rin!" Y/N yelled, burying her head in her arms on the edge of the pool.
A splash was heard next to her, but she stayed in her current position, until and arm wrapped around her waist. Y/N looked up straight into the eyes of the shark himself, wrapping her arms around his middle, crying into his chest. Rin tensed up, but he dealt with these things when Kou was little. He wrapped both of his arms around the small teen, rubbing her back slowly.
'Keep it together Rin....It's just Y/N. Your sister's best friend, and also best friends with Them.'

After a few minutes, Y/N finally calmed down, realizing the position she is in, she blushes slightly, but looks up slightly into the red eyes of her trainor.
"Hey Rin?" Rin looks down as she gained his attention, "Thank you...for all of this. I'm glad I can be friends with you, even though you're having your differences with the guys," Y/N smiled shyly, and Rin 'tched' looking to the side, face slightly red.
"It was my Dad's dream to you know...to become an olympic swimmer. I'm his living legacy, I have to do this Rin. Just like you do, too."
Rin looked back down at the H/C girl in front of him, and saw something he's only seen once before. Determination. 'She's for real huh? Ugh get it together Matsuoka, this isn't the time to be falling for an Iwatobi girl.'
"I should be heading back to Makoto's...and rest up for the competition," Y/N said, knocking Rin out of his inner thoughts.
Y/N pulled away, and went over to the wall, attempting to lift herself up, but failing.
"Ugh." Y/N groans holding her chest where her stitches are. Almost immediately, Rin swims over, putting a hand on her back, the other hand grabbing hers. "Take it easy L/N. You'll open up your stitches," Rin let go of her hand, and got out of the pool, extending a hand to her. Y/N took the Marooned hair teen's hand, and was lifted up.
"Thanks shark week," Y/N giggled.
Rin chuckled, too at his nickname. 'Shark week? Really?' He laughed to himself.
"I should head back to the house....I don't want to give Makoto another heart attack," Y/N sweatdropped.
Rin arched a brow, "You keep mentioning Makoto's house, what about your mom?"
Y/N lowered her head, "My...My mom left while I was in surgery. She couldn't handle what this disease was doing to me anymore, and seeing me go in and out of the hospital. She got offered a job in America and took it, leaving me behind. So she made arrangements with Makoto's mom, since I'm still likely to get seizures, and other attacks, she thought it was best for me to live with them."
Rin only stood in silence for a few moments, taking in all that has happened to his friend. 'She was abandoned by her mother...Wow'. Rin's inner thoughts were spinning like crazy. How could someone do that to her?
"Hey Y/N?" The H/C girl looked up, "Want me to walk you home? It's pretty late, and incase something happens I want to make sure you're okay.."
Y/N smiled her signature smile, making the boy's heart jump ever so slightly, "I'd like that. Let me go change, and we can head out." The H/C lass scampered out of the pool area, changing back into the outfit she came in.

A few minutes later both teens were changed, and headed back to the Tachibana household.

Time Skip~

'Knock Knock' Y/n's knuckles sounded ever so slightly.
Makoto answered the door, "Y/N where have you be-...Rin?!?!" Makoto whisper yelled, trying not to wake up the twins.
"Relax. I walked her home to make sure nothing would happen to her," Rin said in a rough tone, clearly not happy that the olive haired boy answered.
"Thanks Rin, for everything today," Y/N smiled, making Rin blush slightly and cough to the side. Makoto had a tinge of jealousy in his heart, seeing right through the Maroon haired boy's thoughts and feelings.
"Yeah uh...Good night Y/N. Anytime," Rin turned around walking back to Samezuka with one thought on his brain. 'Did I seriously just blush in front of a girl?!?'

Back at the Tachibana Household

"Okay, so my mom made the spare bedroom up for you, and tomorrow You and I can stop by your place to grab some things?" Makoto said, scratching the back of his neck.
"Sure! Thank you so much for everything Makoto. I don't know how to thank you." Y/N said, playing with the ends of her hair.
"I-I-It's really nothing! I'm glad to help," Makoto blushed furiously at the girl's statement.
Y/N giggled, "Alright, well goodnight Makoto. Sleep well, and see you in the morning."
Makoto nodded, "Yeah. Goodnight Y/N-Chan." Makoto slowly closed the door, making his way to his room with the biggest smile on his face ever, but one question was in his mind.


'Why was she alone with Rin all day?"