How long ago was it? I never expected that to happen when we got back. How cold she looked on the floor. Shuhei, what were the last words grandmother said to you?

"Are you two sure about this? Tattoos are permanent."

Shuhei sat there, the needle inches away from his face, "I'm sure. We want to do this in honor of the guy who saved us."

Iriai nodded, "It means a lot to us."

The tattoo artist sighed, "So you want yours on your cheek? And what about you angel?"

Shuhei growled slightly at the comment. Iriai smiled slightly, "On my lower back."

The man smiled, "Good choice."

Iriai watched the man write the "69" on Shuhei's cheek in the permanent ink. He didn't seem to be in any pain so that calmed her worries.

After about half an hour the man finished, "Alright cutie, your turn."

Iriai nodded and took Shuhei's place. The needle stung at first but she soon got used to it. Shuhei watched carefully, making sure the man didn't do anything he wasn't supposed to do. About twice he whispered, "Touch, look, or even think of her and you'll die."

Iriai never heard what he friend was saying. As soon as she was finished, they paid and walked back to her house. Shuhei snuck a few glances at her tattoo on the way. He looked away almost immediately though, he was 14, who could blame him for looking for a bit?

When they arrived at her house Iriai stopped in the front yard, "something doesn't seem right."

He didn't understand. He just grabbed her hand and led her in, but quickly wished he didn't.

Hinode Bishou lay on the floor, breathing weakly. She had fallen sometime ago and was slowly dying. But she was smiling, the same smiled that graced her face when she healed Shuhei all those years ago.

Iriai gasped and ran to her side, "Grandmother!"

Shuhei sat near her, wrapping an arm around her and wiping away a few tears that had fallen.

Hinode looked at her granddaughter, "Iriai. Go look and tell me if there are cherry blossoms covering the yard."

Iriai hesitated at first, but obeyed her grandmother.

Hinode then looked at Shuhei, "My how you two have grown."

He frowned, "Hinode-san save your strength."

She didn't listen, "Shuhei, take care of Iriai. Promise me you'll never make her cry."

He nodded.

She touched his cheek weakly with her cold hand, "I know Shuhei. I know how you look at her. I know you took her ribbon all those years ago. I know why your so protective of her. I know it all."

He grabbed her hand, "What do you know Hinode-san?"

She smiled, "I know you love her. The look in your eyes says so much when you look at her. Happiness, love, …..lust. I can see it."

He blushed, "H-Hinode-san what are you saying?"

"Take care of her. Promise me you'll let no other man touch her. Promise me no other man will take her heart. Promise me no other man will father her child. Promise me you'll love her forever."

He bit his lip, embarrassed, but he nodded, "I promise."

"And Shuhei. When it comes. Bring your child to my grave. I'd like to see it."

"I will Hinode-san."

Iriai came back in, her face stained with tears, "Grandmother. There are cherry blossoms in the yard."

Hinode smiled, "Shuhei go get some and bring them here."

He did in record time. Setting them around her where she told him. She smiled at both of them and one sentence escaped her lips as she died, "Love her forever."

Iriai broke down crying, unable to hold back her tears. Shuhei took a blanket and covered Hinode, then picked Iriai up bridal style, "You'll stay with me and my mother until everything calms down."

She nodded slightly, still crying, "T-Thank you Sh-Shuhei."