Note: Iriai means sunset and Hinode means sunrise. That's why Hinode referred to Iriai as her "Little sunset".
Please don't let that be her scream. Please don't let that smile fade. Please don't throw me into the cold, dark, lonely night. Iriai, I'll save you I swear on my life.
Shuhei, Iriai and three of their friends walked down the path. Their smiles grew at every joke, comment, and story they told. It had been almost two years since Iriai had came into his life, and ever since then everything seems brighter.
A loud screech filled the air. The children froze in fear. Just down the path a hollow stood, hungrily watching them.
One of the boys, Niro, noticed Iriai's fear and charged at the hollow with a stick to beat it away. The hollow was unaffected by his weak attempt. It stepped on him, killing him instantly.
The remaining children stood there horrified.
We have to get out of here. If we don't well die. But my legs, they won't move. We have to run! I don't want to die! I don't want to see Iriai die!
Shuhei looked at them, "Run! Don't stand there! Run! Run! We have to get out of here!"
They turned and ran as fast as they could. After only a few feet Iriai tripped on a stick, "Shuhei!"
He stopped and grabbed the stick and charged at the monster as Niro did. Two tentacles came from the hollow and picked him and Iriai up. She screamed at the top of her lung in absolute fear.
Shuhei growled and kicked wildly, "Put her down! Don't hurt Iriai!"
At that time a group of shinigami came. They attacked the hollow without noticing the two children. Both of them screamed as they were swung around.
One of the shinigami froze, "The-There are two kids!"
A man with white hair growled, charging at the hollow. He cut the two tentacles, releasing them, and killed the hollow.
After the hollow was dead, Shuhei stood there crying. The man with white hair came over to them, "stop crying."
Iriai hugged her friend letting a few tears fall from her eyes.
The man growled, "smile!"
They cried harder, hugging each other tighter.
He sighed, "Hey. What are your names?"
Shuhei wiped a few tears from him eyes, "Sh-Shuhei Hisagi. And she's Iriai Bishou."
"Shuhei huh? That's a good strong name. So stop crying."
He didn't stop. He was too ashamed of himself. Ashamed he couldn't save his friend.
The white haired man knelt down, "Stop crying. You don't want to seem weak in front of your girlfriend."
Shuhei stopped instantly, a light blush on his face, "She's not my girlfriend!"
The man chuckled, "That's more like it. You two play safe now okay?"
They nodded. The group of shinigami turned and walked away. Before they did the two children caught a glimpse of a "69" tattoo on the white haired man's chest. They stood there for a minute replaying what had just happened in their minds.
Shuhei turned to Iriai, "L-Let's go home. The other's might have told what happened and Hinode-san and my mother must be worried."
Iriai nodded and they walked back down the path toward their home.
