"Stop it… Please, don't hurt me…"

"What a whiny little freak, this piece of garbage is. Take this!"

"Ugh… stop it…"

"Pathetic. Hey, you guys. Let's all spit on him. That'll teach him to trespass into our territory, gang!"

The horrible deed was done, and a shriveling child was left behind. Tears dropped onto the ground from his golden eyes. His shaggy blue hair was messy and drops of blood could be seen on it. The child sobbed with despair. Why was he born like this? It's not as if he asked for his appearance to be like this. He never asked for such treatment either. All he wanted was friends, yet everyone loathed him, thinking that he was a monster of some sort. Born with such characteristics, he was often bullied by the other kids. This child died at the age of 2 along with his mother because of an accident, and ever since they arrived in the outskirts of Soul Society, they've been treated like outcasts. Nobody saw them as humans. They were seen as things that brought bad luck to the 68th District in the East Rukongai. People there were highly superstitious, and believed that these two new additions were the cause of all the bad harvests. Persecuted, they were. Striving to survive, the mother and son tried their best to get along with the people, and managed to survive for 7 years already, withstanding all the pain and insult. Tamura Akiko was the name of the mother, and her beloved son's name was Kurotsuchi Mayuri. He was an obedient child, always listening to what his mother told him. He always loved his mother, never once complaining in front of her. She was the only person in this world who understood himself and vice versa. They needed each other. It was tragic for both of them to be sent to such a place, but as long as they were with each other, everything was fine.

Mayuri sat up, still frightened of the possibility of the bullies returning. The sound of a crow cawing startled him and he ducked into the bushes for cover. Shivering, he wiped his tears and stood up. Adjusting his ragged clothes, he made way into the forest. He couldn't look like this, not in front of her. Casting a look over his shoulder, he continued his way. Slowly, he made it to the outskirts of the 13th district.

"Mayu-chan! I'm over here!"

"Tena!" Running forwards, he met up with his best friend, another pitiful soul that was cast into this lonely world. The young girl who was referred to as "Tena" was a cheerful little girl. She was every inch the perfect girl. Silver, long hair, pale skin, rosy cheeks, thin body, kind personality… the only flaw was that her right eye was blind. Her left eye remained a beautiful turquoise. "Tena" was actually just a nickname, just like "Mayu-chan". The girl's real name was Tenari. Shimizu Tenari.

"Mayu-chan? Why are you wounded? Ah, you're sticky."

"Sorry, I was getting beaten up. Should I have cleaned up before coming?"

"No need! Sticky Mayu-chan is still Mayu-chan, right? …Mayu-chan…"

"What's wrong, Tena?"

"Are you… in pain? There's so many wounds… bruises… are you okay?"

"Tena, I'm used to it already. There's no need to worry. Come now, let's go have fun."

"…If you say so, Mayu-chan. But…! If you're really hurt, please don't hesitate to tell me! We can always play some other day!"

"Don't worry, Tena. Look, I got myself some flat stones. Let's go skip them at the pond, Tena!"

"Um… alright, Mayu-chan! Let's go!"