Prologue.

Her legs weren't as fast as she thought she were. That Hollow was gaining on her, and she tried to her best to get away but it was no use. She felt someone take her hand and try to lead her to safety. Looking beside her, she saw that younger boy that she had known since they were born into the Soul Society.

"Shu-Shuuhei?" Her voice cracked as she tried to say his name.

"No time to talk just run!"

The Hollow behind them and the small group of friends they had left was gaining on them rapidly. A long and blood-curdling roar was heard throughout the once peaceful forest air. She followed his order and ran as fast as she could, her hand leaving his. Shuuhei grabbed a small log about the size of a baseball bat from the ground, and tried to fend off the Hollow by himself. The Hollow, annoyed at his actions, extended a tentacle and wrapped it around him as Shuuhei tried to run away. The other three children turned around and stared in fear as they wondered what would happen to their friend.

"What are you doing? Run!" He shouted at his friends, thinking of them before himself.

She ran as he told them to do, but didn't run far. Just enough so that she could see him while hidden in a bush. She wasn't paying attention to the fight, only him. Would he be okay? Would he be able to get away? She didn't know. Only time would tell. Her attention directed to if her friend would survive, she didn't notice a squad of Shinigami came and took down the Hollow. Well, until Shuuhei grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the bushes. She noticed his eyes were filled with tears. She never wanted him to cry. She hated it when he did, and always tried to find a way to comfort him. After all, she was like his older sister. His only protecter since his parents had passed away.

"Hey, what are you crying for?" One of the Shinigami had approached them, his group behind him. "You're alive, you should be happy!...SMILE!"

His mouth curled into a grin, obviously failing at comforting the two children. Shuuhei continued to weep. The Shinigami sighed.

"What's your name?" He stared at Shuuhei, awaiting an answer.

"H-Hisagi Shuuhei," The young boy tried to stop the tears by wiping them away, but it didn't stop them from coming.

"Shuuhei, huh? That's a good, tough name. Stop crying!"

The shouting only made Shuuhei stop crying for about two seconds while he stared at the Shinigami, then to continue crying even harder.

"Why are you crying even more? I told you to stop cryi- Hm?"

The Shinigami turned his gaze over to her, hiding behind the smaller form of Shuuhei. She had always been the cowardly type, especially toward grown men. No one knew why and no one even bothered. She had her fear, and they left it at that.

"Who are you?"

"U-Um.. H-Hiyashi Akane," She responded, stepping beside Shuuhei and grasping his hand in hers.

The Shinigami nodded then shook his head slowly. "Both of you go home," He sounded tired of being around children almost as bad as Mashiro. "Get home before sunset. Got that?"

He turned, and both of the children caught a glance at the 69 tattoo on the Shinigami's chest. Akane pulled on Shuuhei's hand as the Shinigami began to walk away with the rest of his group. Shuuhei caught the message she was trying to put through, and began to walk beside her, still wiping away the stray tears that still lingered.