Chapter 25

Meanwhile…

Kiyoshi shivered.

He found himself alone in a darkened place, but… he felt oddly safe too. He doesn't remember much, but, what he could recall only made him cry. Sukuna… Sukuna really was out to use him! He didn't quite understand what a vessel was, but it didn't sound good if he had to eat one of Sukuna's fingers to become it! However, as his once, large friend… or so he thought, turned to speak with the strangers around him, his lower arms went to work.

It was strange, they were oddly gentle as one calmly tilted his head back, the other hand revealed a small marble and was placed into his mouth. He didn't hesitate to swallow the marble, since it wasn't a finger.

Yet the moment he did, the room froze in shock, even Sukuna paused to this turn of events. But then, his body ached and Kiyoshi passed out.

Since then, he's been in this dark place, trying to make sense of it all.

"WHOSE THERE!"

He jumped at a firm and powerful voice.

"Hello?"

"STAY AWAY FROM ME!"

Kiyoshi wept. "I… I want to go home!"

Suddenly, he heard a low, intense growl. Then, big massive eyes peered out from the gloom. "A child?"

Kiyoshi stared into the face of the monster, only to stumble back. "Who are you!?"

The beast suddenly began to appear clearer, it was a monster… no… it looked sort of like Papa when he becomes a dragon!

It was a dragon!

However, this dragon didn't look nice at all. "I must have made it to mother's domain… so… if I am here, that means… you have become a vessel to me… good… this is good!"

"What's a vessel?" Kiyoshi asked innocently enough.

The dragon smiled. "It means, I can possess your body. I can take over it and live my life through you!" he decreed. "But I can take over completely… if I get rid of you!"

The dragon started to stalk him. Kiyoshi pleaded with it to not do this, yet as the dragon came within range, it suddenly froze. A look of fear came over it as it suddenly backed away as fast as it could!

"Don't you DARE!"

Kiyoshi froze.

"Papa?" he whispered but then cried aloud for him. "PAPA, I'M SORRY!"

His father didn't look at him with anger, but relief. "I'm so glad your safe. Are you hurt anywhere?"

He shook his head.

"Okay then…" he picked him off the ground, Kiyoshi stayed nestled in his father's lower arms as he kept his dominate ones free. His sights turned to the dragon. "Let me make this clear… you can stay if Kiyoshi wants you to stay. But you WILL NOT take over him!"

The dragon was too scared to look at him. "What… what will you do if I refuse?" it asked nervously.

Papa growled at him. "Has mom ever spoke of me to you? Of my brother, Suiryu?" he asked. The dragon nodded. "Then there is no need for introduction then. Also, are you aware my brother and I are called Demon Dragons?"

That made it shutter. "You… devour other dragons…" he said meekly.

"Damn right, and I'll do the same to you if you DARE harm my son!"

The dragon suddenly appeared to be backed into a corner. "Let me stay… please. Let me stay… if I go back home… Uncle was going to kill me."

"That's not for me to decide."

Yuuji peered down at his son. "Kiyoshi, what would you like to do? You have a dragon in you, and I have had this happen to me before as well. However, this is Raynn, he's not as strong as his brother Ryujin was. But him being here will make sure Sukuna will never try and possess you again."

Kiyoshi paused to the news. "You promise?" he whispered. "Papa… he scared me… he was going to have me eat a finger!" he cried again just thinking about it. "Why was he so nice to me but… but…" he wept into his father's chest.

He could only hear what was going on, his father spoke sternly to the dragon within. "It appears my son wants you to stay, so we are going to establish some rules now."

His father worked out an agreement with the dragon. Raynn will remain but offer his support and protection to Kiyoshi. In exchange, he will stay where he is, and not be sent back to the heavenly realm. And if there is an attack, Kiyoshi is to be protected and the dragon can only take over if he is suddenly drawn into battle.

"I can agree to these terms." Papa said. "You will also ask permission unless it is life or death situation before you possess my son."

"Tch, agreed. However, I want a way of seeing the outside world!" he protested.

"You already altered my son for such a method. Next time, you ASK!"

"Papa?"

"It's okay Kiyoshi, we'll be leaving now."

The next thing he knew, Kiyoshi was in his father's arms, but then, he saw his mother. She had been crying as well but was quick to scoop him up into her arms and embrace him.

"Oh my son, I was so worried!" she cried.

He cried again too, but he had to say something first. "Mom, papa… I'm sorry I didn't listen." He whispered.

Papa sighed, yet he nodded. "It's okay, but you understand now. When I was angry, it wasn't at you, but Sukuna. Because I know him well enough to see when he wants something, he plans very carefully to get it."

Kiyoshi nestled into his mother's neck. "Is he going away?" he asked meekly.

Yuuji sighed aloud, he turned to Yuko who nodded in agreement.

"Your uncle and I are going to speak about that," he said. "But when we do, you are staying home, okay?"

Kiyoshi could only nod his head.

"For the moment, it's best you stay with either your father or myself…" mom said gently.

He nodded again, Kiyoshi's eyes grew heavy as he yawned aloud and fell asleep in his mother's arms.