Chapter 15
He gasped for breath.
Kiyoshi sat up in bed once more, in a cold sweat. That dream happened again, and it's getting more vivid… it is also getting worst. However, he still can't explain why Sukuna is in it. Why he isn't doing anything to help him, and yet… there is a reason why he is in his dream. He tried to clear the sweat off his face, Kiyoshi was forced to get up to use the bathroom. Trudging over, he reached the sink and was able to splash some cold water on his face. When he was able to settle himself down, he stared back at the bed.
"What's the point, it's the same dream again…" he muttered.
Peering outside, he found the snow was falling and would continue to do so until morning. If anything, he was craving to be outside… perhaps just for a little while he could.
Slipping on a robe and outdoor boots, Kiyoshi snuck out of the house and stood on the front porch of it all. He stared on as the snow fell from the sky. It was so peaceful.
"Couldn't sleep, child?"
He was stunned, but not scared to see Sukuna wondering through the snow. He merely nodded to him. "I… keep having bad dreams…"
He paused and tilted his head to the side oddly. "Dreams are warnings." He said bluntly. "Does this one happen time and time again?"
"Yes," he whispered. "But, the strange thing is, you're in it."
Sukuna suddenly approached and took a seat on the front of the house. He looked to him, waiting, almost anticipating on knowing what the dream contained. But, does he dare tell him? "Why would you want to know about it?"
Kiyoshi was surprised to see a smirk come over Sukuna. "You read me as good as a Tooru." He said. "You knew what I wanted to ask without speaking it, good intuition. But the fact is this, it's your dream, do with it as you want. But I am aware that dreams are warnings, they can also be a self-prophecy that one may not be aware of. I myself had dream of my fights, conquests and what I would achieve. But I never had a dream warn me of danger… since I didn't fear a thing."
He sighed. "Are you trying to help me or rub something in?"
Sukuna chuckled. "Sometimes I wonder that myself, child. However, if you are anything like your brat of a father, this dream is trying to warn you. So… do you want to speak of it or not?"
He sighed aloud.
Kiyoshi explained to him the dream, Shibuya, Sukuna being there and then Raynn taking over him. "The thing was, you said that I became the bigger threat than you… and I think you're right…"
Sukuna was silent as Kiyoshi continued to explain the dream. "I… I don't trust Raynn, at the same time, I'm scared of what will happen if I don't have him anymore. What if someone like you comes along and tries to possess me?"
"Normally by human standards that a very slim possibility. A vessel to a sorcerer is one in a million." Sukuna explained. "However, due to your father… you increased your chances. Every child he has from this moment on, they will have a one in three chance of being a vessel. Your siblings have escaped this fate since you are one, but the ones that follow…"
"So I could still be possessed if Raynn is kicked out…"
"But you said so yourself, you believe to be the bigger threat than me. Quite frankly, I wouldn't ignore your dream, child. If you keep having it, something is warning you."
He signed and nodded. "What do I do?"
He snorted a laugh. "Why ask me?" Sukuna questioned. "I am not the one who should help you. Considering I nearly put you in this situation once before. I doubt you would believe what I have to say, let alone trust me to assist you with this."
His shoulders slumped down. Kiyoshi sighed aloud; he will have to speak with his father about this later.
"I do have a suggestion for tomorrow. It won't quite be a battle you are anticipating…"
Kiyoshi appeared curious. "Oh? What did you have in mind?"
Sukuna, merely smirked. "I won't say it just yet, it will give you time to prepare." He stood up but peered back over to him. "Just be ready for it." And went on his way.
Kiyoshi sighed once more. He continued to watch the snow fall for a while before it made him feel sleepy once more.
He was able to fall back to sleep with ease after.
#
The next morning.
He ate well and was in the field at the ready.
The snow was rather deep that day, it would be up to at least Kiyoshi's hips! However, due to his elemental power, he can effortlessly walk on top of the snow without sinking in.
Sukuna was waiting for him. Kiyoshi was about to ask what they were going to do when he was cut off. "You need to know when to run."
He paused for a moment. "What?"
"When the battle becomes too much for you, one has to know when to run from a battle they cannot win. Today, you are going to learn that."
Kiyoshi paused once more, he stared at Sukuna, bewildered to this. "You are going to teach me to run away?!" he demanded. "How many times have you done that?"
"None… well… once after I took over Megumi Fushiguro's body. I had to alter the vessel process for that one…"
He felt a little sick knowing that, but Sukuna cleared his voice. "I don't run from battles, especially ones that I cause."
"And you expect me to? I can fight!" Kiyoshi snapped back. "What makes you think I can't!"
Sukuna, leaned down and stared him dead in the eyes. "You're not me, boy!"
That alone, sent a chill down his spine.
"You have to understand the fact that you have not perfected your elemental power. Also what happens if the dragon on a whim decides to cut off his power to you? What then? What if you ran out of your energy to make your army? You have little to no options before you. We won't explore that option today. Instead, while you have your power you are going to be running away from me. Which is why you need a plan to retreat if need be. So today, that is what we are going to do."
He wasn't certain about this, but he listened anyways.
Sukuna explained the rule. "We are going to start at the beginning of this field. This stretches to the end of the domain with no one living in the area we are using. There are no buildings and very little forest. You cannot hide to escape from me. So this is what we are going to do. You are going to start and have a minute head start from me. Then, I am going to chase you."
"Uh… okay…" Kiyoshi said with some concern. "The snow is up to your knees…"
"Are you going to let me finish or not?"
Kiyoshi silenced himself.
"As I am chasing you, you need to use what you can to get me to slow down. If you reach the other side of the domain without me catching you, I'll acknowledge your victory. If I do, then we have some work ahead of us."
It sounded stupid in his mind. Sukuna was already at a disadvantage. He is knee deep in snow. Kiyoshi can manipulate it with ease and at the same time, he has been working on his snow golems that he can ride. It seems too easy to him.
"So, after I win…"
"Cocky already?"
Kiyoshi smirked. "After I win, what then?"
"Depends on what else needs work. So, you want to try or not?"
It was too easy, so naturally, he agreed.