Hide and Seek
===- Mount Sagiri -===- Giyuu POV -===
Although Giyuu and Sabito received permission to take part in the final selection process, they continue to train.
“Hey, I have an idea for training. How about hide and seek?” asks Giyuu. “Isn’t it boring with two people?” replies Sabito.
“Yes, but if we change it a little, not. The one in the role of the hidden is the demon. This means that if he touches sunlight or you touch his neck, he is trapped. The catcher lost as soon as the demon was able to surprise him from behind,” he explains.
“That sounds exciting. Okay let’s do it,” says Sabito. “I’ll start first.”
==========- Sabito POV -==========
“27, 28, 29, 30. I’m coming,” Sabito calls through the forest.
It's easy for him to hide here. And not many rays of sunshine come through the dense trees. How convenient for Giyuu, Sabito thinks.
Sabito walks quietly through the forest, looking for something blue in the green. He hears leaves rustling behind him. Sabito turns around and sees a falcon sitting on the top branch of the tree.
Suddenly Sabito is taken by surprise from behind and pushed to the ground. “One point for me,” Giyuu shouts happily while laughing his head off because Sabito fell down.
“I was distracted by the bird,” Sabito protests while pointing at the bird.
“It still counts, you were distracted and I took the chance,” argues Giyuu.
“Yes, I know,” says Sabito, a little frustrated. “Good, then I’ll search now,” says Giyuu.
Giyuu starts counting and Sabito runs. He runs so far away that he can no longer see Giyuu. Okay, 15 more seconds, he thinks.
Sabito looks around and sees a fallen tree. He hides in the top of the fallen tree.
“Hidden or not, I’m coming,” Sabito hears muffled. He sits quietly in his hiding place and waits for Giyuu to appear.
Over the months, Sabito has learned that Giyuu is a master at hiding and tracking.
That's exactly why he tried to show his scent as best as possible before hiding in the tree.
And as expected from Giyuu, he appears shortly after the game begins. He is now standing a few meters in front of him.
“Sabito, I know you’re here,” he calls. Turn around, Sabito thinks as he watches his friend.
As if Giyuu can read his thoughts, he turns around. Sabito takes his chance and jump towards Giyuu.
“Gotcha,” Giyuu says. He turns around, avoids Sabito and touches his neck. “I told you I knew where you were,” he says with a grin.
They play a few more rounds until sunset and then walk down the mountain to the hut all set and ready.
=- House at the foot of the mountain -=- Giyuu POV -=
Giyuu drops to the floor of the hut. “Have you trained again?” asks his teacher.
"Giyuu came up with a fun game that we played," Sabito replies.
“I see,” Urokodaki says. “Dinner will be ready soon.”
“Sensei, I have a question,” Giyuu utters. “What kind?” Urokodaki asks interestedly.
“How are demons made? Because beings like that don’t just come out of nowhere.”
Urokodaki thinks for a moment before saying. “A person can only be turned into a demon through demon blood. And as far as we know, only one demon can do this. The creature that first became a demon over 10,000 years ago. His name is Muzan Kibutsuji.”
So that's why he's the Demon King, Giyuu thinks, remembering the reason he's here.
I will contact the god again this evening, he decides.
========- a few hours later -=========
Giyuu carefully sneaks out of the house so as not to wake anyone. He carefully closes the door before turning around and seeing the hawk.
“Hey Farukon,” Giyuu whispers to the bird.
The falcon flies towards him and lands on his arm as usual.
“I want to talk to Hinomaki,” Tomioka says. Shortly afterwards the world turns back into the other dimension. Or whatever that is.
The god still stands in his place. Even if it all looks the same, you can't tell whether it has moved.
“Hello,” Giyuu greets him first this time.
"Hello. It’s nice that you found your way here,” says the god in his calm voice.
Giyuu reports that he has finished his training, is taking part in the final selection process and has found out more about demons, the Corps and Muzan. He also says how well he has improved his chakra control.
“That’s good to hear,” says the fire god. “I see you’re letting your hair grow.”
“Eh. Yes. I haven't had time to cut them yet. But I've gotten used to it and I think it actually looks pretty good." Giyuu replies a little uncomfortably.
“There is a person describing the Demon King, right?” Giyuu asks before forgetting the question again.
“He can change his appearance. It's rather difficult to figure it out. But you might recognize him by his red eyes. They have cat-like pupils.” Describes the god.
“Thanks, that helps,” says Giyuu.
“Good luck in the selection process next month. Contact me when you get back.”
"Understood. Goodbye,” says Tomioka. The god also says goodbye and then the dimension disappears.
Gyiuu is standing in front of the hut in the dark again. He quietly goes back in and lies down.