The beach is empty and silent. It is unnatural, missing the sounds of waves that can be seen crashing on the vacant beach. There is a peaceful sense of nothingness as Orehime pulls her knees into her chest. She can see the sun sparkling on the water and feel the heat of the sand as she points her toes down and buries them.
Orehime starts at the gentle touch on her shoulder. "Mama!" a little voice pipes. Orehime turns and plants dozens of kisses on the cheeks of a tiny, raven-haired girl, causing giggles and pointless protests. Orehime slows the horseplay and gazes down at the little angel in her arms.
"Where are your glasses, dearest?" she asks. She already knows the answer to this. Knows that because this is a daily ritual, such a part of the landscape of their lives, Sakike will continue to pretend to forget, to take comfort in these little rituals.
"Oh no! I forgot to put them on!" Sakike giggles, tossing her long black hair off her shoulders, a mannerism no doubt picked up by watching her mother. She takes Orehime's hand and fits her tiny one inside.
"Shall we go find them?" Orehime asks. "I'm hungry anyways and it is about time we went back."