Minori stared up into the darkening sky, the far western horizon blazed red as a golden sun sank bellow. The sky was cloudless yet diamond tears fell, spattering the stones all around. Rust red hair, a mere shade lighter than the blood-wet pool he laid in, fell away from his face. A band of boyish freckles played across the bridge of his nose, enhancing the green of his eyes. Blood bubbled in the corner of his mouth to spill down his cheek. Opening his pale lips a fraction, Minori dragged a painful breath into his lunges. Long ragged cuts had been crossed down the breast of his once white shirt, now stained with his own scarlet. His eyelids fluttered closed as he drew another rasping breath. “Why Aki...? Why...?”


The night sky burned bright with a thousand dancing lights as a crescent moon cast a silver curtain over the darkened world, like a lamp-post lighting the old streets of London. A young boy with rust red hair ran past a doorway, his voice piping as he was not yet of age. “I'm late! Why do I always have to take a leak just when it's lights out? And why does the loo have t'close down at early dark? Man I hate it!” slowing to look behind him, the boy scratched his chin. “Man the Barrack-master's gonna have my hide if I don't hurry!” Taking off at top speed, skidded around the corner of a building; only to run straight into something.
OOOPPH!!!
“Ow... what on earth...?” he began, rubbing the back of his head. Then stopped, for sitting right in front of him, was someone else. Someone he had never seen before.
“Would you watch where your going?! Geez! What is with you?!” The kid snapped, his voice squeaking.
Pulling up his courage, he answered as bravely as he could. “Getting back to the barracks, I don't wanna get in trouble. And sorry to have run into you. I didn't know you were here.”
“Well look closer next time... wait. That red hair, who are you?” the boy enquired, sitting up even further.
“That depends on whether your gonna tell the barrack-master about me being out after light-down.”
“I'm no rat...”
The sound of a door opening stopped the boy's answer as a voice called into the darkness. “Who's out there! Come on out!”
The two scrambled into the shadows and plastered themselves to the stone walls. Heavy footfall sounded, coming closer with ever second, the gruff voice grinding out menacing threats. And by the look of the huge shadow carrying the stick, was enough confirmation that those threats would be carried out.
The boys were panting, scared almost out of their pants. Reaching out, the second boy grabbed the first's wrist, quickly running down an alley. They ran for what seemed like eternity, not daring to slow down in case the giant had heard them and followed. Finally, gasping for breath, slowed and hid themselves beneath a wooden staircase. The two boys huddled at the back for a long time, listening. When nothing happened, the two allowed themselves to sit back and catch their breath. They felt like laughing with triumph, however, that would only attract more attention, so with held the pleasure.
Now feeling safe enough, the two looked at each other. The shadows they hid in were thick enough that it made sight virtually impossible.
“Uh.. Sorry for earlier. I'm Minori Kohaku.” the first boy said, wi giggling his nose in the darkness.
“Aki Usagi. Don't mention it.” the second boy mumbled in reply. Grasping each other by their forearms in a military handshake, grinned.
“I guess this makes us friends huh?” Minori whispered, his red hair rustling in the darkness.
“Yeah. I guess.”