Welcome To ......

[Kilatani]

It kinda irritated Mai how people always underestimated her swimming skills because of her height. She smirked, she was head of the swim team in a college and she was the coach. She looked innoccently at the water. She tapped her foot at the surface, checking the temperature.
"Oh no!The water is so cold!" she looked at Mara who wasnt even fully engulfed in the water. Mai looked at her, flipping her hair back. She walked into the water like it was nothing she kept walking until she had dissappeared below the surface.

Ryouta who was watching on the sidelines looked at Mai and couldnt help but let out a sigh of dissappointment,"I didnt think she would act this way in front of Mara." he placed a hand on his forehead,"And they were getting along so well!" he kept a nervous smile on his face.

A few seconds after Mai had sunk below the surface, you could see her speeding toward the deepest end of the beach. It was almost impossible to see her. The only thing you saw was a line in the water and then you were pummeled by a large wave. Mai raised her hand to Mara, who was only the size of an ant from Mai's distance.
"Oh wow! Mara this water is so easy to tread through!" she called in her sarcastic happiness.

[Amu Hinamori]

Mara watched as Mai disappeared under the water and wached her line shadow thingy as she swam out further. SO she COULD swim after all.

"Okay then... I take back what I said earlier."

Mara dived below the surface and swam over to Mai, re-emerging beside her.

"Guess I don't have to worry about your swimming then huh?"

Mara grinned at Mai and disappeared below the water again, swimming even further out, but not to far because she was afraid of sharks.

[Kilatani]

Mai looked at Mara unbelieveably, the thought that Mara could beat her infuriated her. But she kept her happy and calm composure to show her talent. She wouldnt let anyone in her way, not matter how close she was to them.

"Oh wow Mara! I didnt think you could swim so well." she waved in her false happiness.

Mai has always been known to be competitive, especially when it came to sports, she would do just about anything to let the other person know that she was top. Since that was the case, it there was no limit to what Mai would do to intimidate Mara.

She dunked into the water a little, only covering her mouth,"I'll show you some real swimming," water bubbled up from below the water as she spoke. She began to swim even further than Mara, but she was unaware of the bobbing sign in the water that read,'Danger Sharks'

Ryouta could barely make out who was who from where he was, just relaxing on the shore.
"I wonder how long this little competition of theirs is going to last..." he yawned.

He turned over on his towel letting the sun rays hit his back,"I'm sure they...be fine..." he made himself comfortable on his towel as he went to sleep.

[Amu Hinamori]

Mara smirked as Mai swam even farther out. So It was a competition she wanted? Well she was gonna get one. Mara, also being very competitive, was going to give her the best competition of her life (so far), except that she noticed a sign that read, "Danger! Sharks"

"Mai! Your going to far!! There's sharks out there!"

Mara swam as fast as she could towards Mai so she could get there before any sharks approached, but she saw a shadow from a ways off speeding towards her.

"MAI! WATCH OUT!"

[Kilatani]

Mai smiled at herself as she swam further and further out. She felt something slide below her feet, it was slippery and rubbery, she was frightened by it at first but it pass as she swam out further. She could feel more of the smooth surfaces under her feet as she kept swimming, she would keep going until she knew Mara was not even able to catch up with her. Mai let out and excited scream when she saw Mara waving and screaming back at her, it sounded like she was saying, "Mai, you win this, I give up!"

Mai smiled, she knew Mara didnt stand a chance against here superior swimming skills. It wasnt a real challenge though, she thought, it was like she wanted me to win.
She shrugged, whether she wanted me to win or not, she still hasnt seen me at my best.

She looked around her surroundings and then realized how really far she was, Mara was no larger that a dot. Mai felt something brush past her leg, she looked down into the crystal blue water to see a grey fog surround her. She felt something sharp and jagged cut her leg and couldnt help but let out a loud yelp.

"Whatever that is down there...I think it wants me..." her voice was shaking, she then saw another grey fog come toward the blood that was spurting out of her leg. She watched in horrer as the face of a shark appeared into her mind.
"Mara...Ryouta...help me....I-I cant....I cant move..." she whispered, that was the loudest she could speak as fear had taken over her.

[Amu Hinamori]

"Mai!"

Mara swam toward Mai as quick as she could, hoping she got there before the shark did. She heard Mai yell and thought a shark had bitten her or scraped her. (Good thing Mara knows Karate... She's gonna kick those sharks' butts! >3) Mara saw a gray fog circling around Mai and one of them was swimming toward her. Mara dived under water and saw about 4 sharks circling Mai, and one was on the attack. She torpedoed toward the one attacking and gave it a good hit in the eye, causing the shark to bleed and thrash in pain. She emerged from the water and grabbed Mai by the waist.

"C'mon Mai! Swim!!"

The other sharks were on the attack. Mara was swimming as fast as she could, kicking or punching any shark that came close to biting her while still holding Mai. They were almost to the Warning sign. If they could just pass it, they would be safe.

"Almost.. there...."

One of the sharks came behing her, and lunged at her, managing to almost bite her, but Mara dodged the bite, but she got a large scrape on her ankle. She flinched, but kept swimming. She could feel the water getting shallower as they neared the sign. She pushed and swam as fast as her injured foot could go, and they passed the sign. The sharks turned around and gave up.

[Kilatani]

Mai stood perfectly still in the shallow water. She was on her feet with the water only up to her waist. Mai had her mouth agape as she stared out toward the parking lot.
"I....I....I cant fell my legs...." she managed to get out of her moth before she fell back into the water.

Ryouta yawned loudly and stretched his arms toward the sky and looked out toward the water. He noticed Mara and waved hi. He then saw Mai's body floating to the shore of the beach, she looked dizzy. He scratched his head,"I wonder what happenend to her." He then recalled the race that was going on before he dozed off,"I guess she lost, what a sore loser."

Ryouta sat up on his towel as he saw the water around Mara started to turn into a deep red. He sat up looking at Mara.
"Mara, are you ok?" he sprinted to her side. The water was warm as the red spred surrounding her legs.
"I....Is that blood?" He hesitated for a while, in awe of so much blood, he placed an arm around her to make sure she was ok, but he kept a careful eye on the red water.

[Amu Hinamori]

"Y-yeah.. Im fine.... Just a scratch..."

Mara placed her hand over her wound and flinched in pain.

"It's a good thing I was able to outswim those sharks... or we'd have been done for... How's Mai... is she okay..?"

Mara looked over and saw Mai floating in the water. SHe was okay, a nd that was good. She was feeling a bit faint from her losing so much blood.

"I need to patch up this... scratch..."

Mara's vision was getting a bit blurry. She sat down in the shallow water and lifted her leg out of the water slowly. It looked worse than when it was in the water. That shark had got a pretty good scrap in. Her entire foot was covered in blood trickling from her ankle.

[Kilatani]

Ryouta noticed how Mara's eyes were starting to lose focus. He pulled her out of the water and laid her on his towel.
"Sharks...?" he asked. He snapped his fingers a few times before he realized how bad her injury really was. Ryouta looked toward Mai.

Mai got up from the shore, her mouth full of sand. She had a small knick on her leg from the shark, but it seemed to have stopped bleeding. She looked up toward Ryouta and Mara. Mara laid on Ryouta's towel looking as if she might fall over. Mai ran over to Mara, as she took noticed of her injury, blood was oozing out.
"...Mara...." she froze in place, her eyes agape in horrer. Ryouta shook Mai, "Come on, we have to get her to the hospital quick."
Mai shook her head trying to focus on getting Mara to the hospital.
"Wrap the towel around her wound, quickly!" he commanded. Mai was hesitant as she tried not to pay so much attention to the blood flowing out.
Ryouta wrapped a towel around Mara's body and rushed her to the limo. Mai was riding on Ryouta's back, her legs hadnt adjusted to land yet. She sniffled and hid her tears from Ryouta.
'This is all my fault,' she thought,'I shouldnt have been so damn competitve...this would've never happened if it werent for me...'

A stray tear hit Ryouta's shoulder, but he didnt pay attention to it, his first concern was getting Mara to the hospital as fast as he could.
"Stay with me Mara, I'll get you to the hospital as fast as I can, just dont..." he stopped, he looked at her face, tears started to well up in his eyes.
"I cant lose you..." he whispered, running as fast as he possibly could to the limo.

[Amu Hinamori]

Mara was going unconcious. She could hear Ryouta talking to her, but she couldn't respond.
'Is this it... am I going to die...?' She thought. I can't die though. I can't do that to Mai and Ryouta.. I couldn't....' She didn't want to die. She felt Ryouta carrying her to the Limouzine with a towel wrapped around her waist and ankle. The limo was going faster that the speed limit, but it was a matter of life and death.

They got to the hospital within minutes and Mara saw herself surrounded by lurry figures in white and blue coats wih face masks on. She knew she was in the hospital, trying to stay concious, but she couldnt. She close dher eyes, and everything turned white... She was still breathing, but she couldn't remain councious...

[Kilatani]

Ikumi rested her hand on her metallic lime green cell phone, she hadnt received any word from Ryouta,but she couldnt stop thinking about him either.
"I wonder....why..."she smirked as she looked at her phone,"This surely is a first. Im sure by the way he looked at me, that he would call me without hesitation."
Ikumi took her phone in her hands and leaned against the cashier counter. Today was a slow day at work, she thought, no one has come in since yesterday.
"Excuse me, miss..." Ikumi felt a tug on her apron. She looked down to me eyes with a little girl who looked no older than 5.
"Do you have this swimsuit in purple?" she smiled cutely.
"Um...yeah...sure.." Ikumi managed a smile throught her thoughts.
"Here you go, sweetie." she handed a swimsuit to the girl. The little girl smiled once more and left.
"She sure does remind me a lot of that little girl Ryouta had hanging around." A worried look appeared on her face.
"Maybe he isnt interested..." an image of Mara came to mind,"She is cute...but I was more than certain that I was better."
She pulled her cellphone out of her pocket. She took a moment to compliment herself on stealth. She was able to obtain Ryouta's number from his phone without him noticing anything.
"Maybe I should call him first...just to check if he has my number..." she reasoned with herself. Any reason to talk to Ryouta was enough reason to call him.
"Eh...uh....hello..."

'I really hope Mara is alright' Ryouta thought,'Please Mara.....please dont die...'
Mai had been watching Ryouta pacing back and forth across the waiting room for hours. It troubled her to see him in this condition, he looked like he would break any second.
His face twisted into a deep worry, his eyes held bags from crying and lack of sleep.
"Ryouta everything will be fine, just calm down, sit for a moment, you need the rest" Mai tried to sound convincing, but her cracked voice from crying kept her from acheiving just that.
"I......ugh....I cant....no." he mumbled.
His cellphone started chiming a cheery tune, that calmed him for a moment. He opened his phone and greeted in a business tone.
"Hello..." he spoke.
"R-ryouta...?"
"Yeah...who is this?"
"Dont you recognize my voice? I wouldnt think someone like you could forget someone like me that quickly."
"...Who is this?" his voice started to sound a bit irritated,"Im not in the mood to play games."
"Ugh....so rude. Its Ikumi Ito. Did you miss me?" she giggled.
Ryouta froze in his spot, of all times to call, it had to be now.
Ikumi Ito was trying to take Mara's place, how convenient it was for her that Mara was in a hospital bed when she called.
"I..." she started before he dropped the phone.
"How did she get my number...." Ryouta glared into space.
"Ryouta?" Mai touched his back,"Ryouta...?"

[Amu Hinamori]

Mara lay unconcious for hours while the doctors patched up her wound, checking, and cleaning it in case of infections. After all the patching and etc was done, they let her rest. Mara sirred in the bed.

"Oh...my aching head...."
Mara sat up carefully and placed a hand on her head. It took her a minute to remember, but she remembered coming to the hospital with her injured leg. She gotout of the bed, carefully and tried to stand on her leg. It hurt really badly, bo she sat back down.
"Great... Can't even walk..."
Mara spotted a crutch not far from her, and hopped on one leg to get it.
"There... That wasn't so bad..."
She headed or the door and opened it, looking towards the waiting room down the hall.
"There they are..." She headed towards the waiting room, smiling as she saw Mai and Ryouta waiting there. Ryouta was on the phone, and Mara wondered with who. He dropped the phone and saw a look of worry and anger on his face.
"Heya"

[Kilatani]

Ryouta looked in the direction of Mara's voice, a small forgotten tear ran down his cheek. Before thinking about it, he had his arms around Mara.
"Mara...you're ok.." he nestled his head into her neck.

Mai looked at Ryouta and then looked at the phone on the ground. She picked it up,"Hello," she said,"Ryouta really isnt in the mood to talk, maybe you should call him later."
"That's too bad...I was hoping we could meet up..."
"Who is this?" Mai lowered her voice into a whisper.
"Dont worry about it, Mai, I'll see you soon enough."
The caller had hung up, but Mai was so caught up into figuring out who it was she didnt notice the beeping sound coming out of the phone.
'Her voice....sounds familiar...'Mai thought,'I shouldnt be worrying about this, I almost got Mara killed...' she looked toward Mara and walked to her side and hugged her gently.
"I'm sorry Mara," she sniffled,"I didnt mean for this to happen I..."

He was tired, heavy bags under his eyes made that apparent. His pink eyes also gave away that he'd been crying for a long time. But he hid his face so Mara couldnt see those physical give aways even though it was apparent in his voice.
Ryouta spoke into Mara neck, holding her tighter by the second,"Dont scare me like that again, got it?" he pulled off her, holding on to her shoulders,"Got it?"

[Amu Hinamori]

Mara was startled as Ryouta ran and hugged her. She could tell he had been crying for quite some time. He had bags under his eyes from it. She nodded at Ryouta.
"I won't Ryouta..."
Mara smiled.
"It's alright now though. I'm fine, see? The doctors just said I need to make sure I don't put too much pressure on my leg and it'll be fine."
She smiled at them and looked down at Mai, softly rubbing her head.
"It's okay Mai. It wasn't your fault... And besides... I'll be OK..."
The doctor approached the three, carrying a clipboard. He smiled at them before he spoke.
"Ms. Mara? Your going to make a full recovery. You can go see the front desk secretary and she'll discharge you from the hospital when your ready. I've got some pain medicine and Tylenol for you to take home as well. It should help with the recovery. If you take it as directed, you'll be able to get rid of that crutch in no time at all."
Mara smiled and nodded at the doctor.
"Alright. Thank you sir."
Mara smiled at Mai and Ryouta.
"See? Every thing's Alright...."

[Kilatani]

All three of them were in the limo. First destination was Mara's house.
"...crazy day..." Ryouta sighed. He slid his hand from his forehead to the edge of his hairline. 'Cant believe all of this happened in one day.' he thought to him self.

Mai was holding Mara's hand, talking indistinctly about something, Mai was smiling and giggling.
"You were amazing, Mara!" Mai applauded,"Never in my 2 years of teaching swim classes have I seen someone swim as fast, maybe even faster, than me."
Mai the placed a finger on her chin,"Do you think you could spend the night?"
Ryouta's faced turned red, not visible to Mara or Mai since he was faced away from them. '....sleepover...Mara....at....my house?' He held his nose, expecting a nose bleed.
"So what do you say Mara?"
"W-wait a minute," Ryouta concentrated on Mai,"Its a school day." he pointed out.
"Friday." she said bluntly.
"You have a bedtime?!" his voice got louder.
"Not on weekends." Mai crossed her arms, keeping calm and collected.
"We have plans tomorrow!!" he shouted.
"What?" Mai scoffed.
"...." Ryouta settled back in his seat, it was inevitable that Mara was coming over,"So...Mara...do you want to have a sleepover? W-With Mai, not me!" he laughed nervously.

[Amu Hinamori]

Mara smiled at Mai.
"Why thank you! But I had no idea you taught swimming! I may have to drop by one of your lessons sometime."
Mara laughed a little.
"Hmm... I'm sure my stepdad wouldn't mind me coming over..."
Mara looked out the window as they headed towards her house. They weren't far from it.
"He probably wouldn't even care that I got injured.... He hates me..."
Mara looked up to the front of the limo as Ryouta tried to convince Mai that she couldn't come to their house, but Mai was able to answer every question with a reasonable response. Mai really wanted her to come over, and Mara knew that Ryouta secretly wanted her to come over too...
"Ah. Were here."
Mara pointed to a big mansion that they were approaching.
"That's my house."
She pointed towards it.

[Kilatani]

"Why thank you! But I had no idea you taught swimming! I may have to drop by one of your lessons sometime."
"Hehe, if you do, you might wanna teach me a little, too." Mai giggled.
Ryouta smiled.
"He probably wouldn't even care that I got injured.... He hates me..."
"Why wouldnt he care? Why does he hate you? Whats to hate about you?" Ryouta questioned unceasingly.
"Yah, you're so cool Mara, who wouldnt want to love you and be around you." Mai flashed a look at Ryouta,"Its not like you're a terrible person or anything."
Ryouta flinched a little at the looked Mai had gave him,"Yeah...I mean....you're nice...and you're....considerate...and cute..."
"What was that last thing, Ryouta?" Mai nudged his arm.
"Eh! I could walk you in, to take punishment for my irresponsible actions." Ryouta grabbed Mara's hand,"I..."
"Maybe you should go now." Mai pushed Ryouta,"We're wasting valuable fun time. Now chop, chop, lets go."

[Amu Hinamori]

Mara smiled at their words of encouragement
"Well, he's just been that way since my mom died. He stopped caring about me. I just guess he never really cared for having a stepchild.... But I dont care... Cause I still have my brother, and you guys too. ^ ^"
Mara heard Ryouta say 'cute' and grinned at him.
"Yyyeeahh... you could walk me in.... "
She stepped out of the car, grabbing her crutch.
"Shall we...?"
Mara lead the way into the house, where two rows of servants greeted her at the door.
"Good evening, mistress Mara....."
They all bowed in unison as she walked down the center.
"I told you guys; you really dont have to do that every time I walk through the front door. I'm just here to get some clothes and thats all..."
She headed upstairs to her room, which was covered from top to bottom in red.
"Well, this is my room guys...."