20. Friends

Finishing his opponent Leo checked his body and found something. The demon's eyes at some point had changed, there were letters carved into it.

Lower Moon Two...

Leo read what was written, he remembered something and was lost in thought. Sabito walked to him and asked curiously.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. The others?"

Leo shook his head and asked.

"They are fine, just tired and unconscious. By the way, you just killed a Moon."

"So?"

Sabito rolled his eyes, "Don't you know what that means? You have fulfilled the condition to become a Hashira."

Leo got up and patted his shoulder. He shook his head and explained seriously, "Don't be blinded by glory Sabito. Yes, right now I can defeat a Lower Moon but that doesn't mean I am a match for an Upper Moon. From what I have heard atleast two or more Hashira are required to fight a Moon."

"Our goal is to get strong, strong enough to go toe to toe with those monsters. Without sufficient strength becoming a Hashira is like painting a target on your back."

Sabito thought for a second and nodded. He was young and spirited but he was no fool, he understood Leo's reasoning. Seeing Sabito realize his mistake Leo was satisfied, he checked the other humans and felt relieved. After the demon died everyone was freed from it's grasp.

Both of them silently left the place, since no one knew there was a demon here it's best to not get involved when this many people have lost their memory on how they got there.

On their way back Leo suddenly asked, "Oh right, where is Giyu? I couldn't ask with all that going."

Sabito grinned and said, "That guy is being thrash- I mean trained by master."

Leo rolled his eyes, "Man, his understanding of Water Breathing Forms are better than mine it's just his ability to use them effectively is barely satisfactory."

Leo nodded. In the Final Selection though Giyu's soul was partially painted it had a much deeper blue colour to it. This shows that his understanding of his techniques are quite deep, however he hasn't mastered it effectively.

He suddenly thought of something and asked, "Oh I never asked, who is your master?"

Sabito smacked his lips, "Ah right, I never told you, our master's name is Urokodaki. I have a junior sister as well, her name is Makomo. She is silent most of the time but she is friendly."

Leo knew Sabito's past. His master adopted Makomo and him when they were just toddlers. He raised them and taught them his Techniques, Giyu came after, however all three of them were good friends.

"If you don't have any more urgent missions let's go to master's place."

Leo thought for a second and nodded. It's not everyday he gets to meet someone accomplished, so why not.

Staying for the night both of them set of early morning. It took them two days to reach their destination. It was a high mountain with a long rugged path towards the top. Sabito stepped forward with visible excitement on his face.

Leo shook his head. He is still a kid.

Walking for some time a small house came to their view. Infront of the house were three people, one was a boy covered in bruises while holding onto a wooden sword, this was of course Giyu

The second one was a man with white hair, he wore a red tengu mask and seemed to be sparring with Giyu, if you call that sparring. It's more like he was thrashing him.

The last one was a girl about thirteen. She had dark green eyes and a calm serene smile on her face. She wore a red yukata with pink and white flower patterned clothes. She was watching them spar with interest.

"Master! Giyu! Makomo! I am back!"

His shout managed to garner all of their attention. Makomo showed a smile while Giyu sneaked off from his training and ran to Sabito. Urokodaki shook his head when he saw this.

"Oh! Leo! Why are you here?"

Sabito smacked Giyu's head and scowled, "Can you for once think before speaking, no wonder you have no other friends."

Giyu held his head and squatted down in pain. Urokodaki's expression was hid behind his mask as he walked towards them, he took a good look at Leo and nodded.

"Excellent. At such a young age you have already accomplished what most adults couldn't."

Leo bowed and said earnestly, "You are too kind elder, I hope I am not intruding."

Urokodaki waved his hand and said, "It's fine. Stay as long as you like, Makodo, make some tea I will right back."

With that said Urokodaki left. Sabito introduced Makodo who smiled in return.

She is strong.

In Leo's perception Makomo's soul was fully painted in blue, however her soul was calm and unperturbed. It just silently burned with a hint of ferociousness hidden deep within.

He looked at Giyu and found his soul almost fully painted. He reckoned Giyu would fully master his Techniques in about a month or so and when he does he can stand toe to toe with Sabito and Makomo.

Sabito and the rest invited him into the house, Makomo made some tea and took out some fruits. Since all of them were around the same age it didn't take much time to get close to each other.

"Makomo will participate in the Final Selection in a few months?"

Leo asked When he heard Sabito. He nodded his head, since she was strong it wouldn't be a problem for her to pass it.

"Makomo, first and foremost, no matter what happens always be calm, a calm mind can embrace everything. Don't make the same mistake Sabito did and he almost paid for his mistake."

Sabito was embarrassed, he yelled at Leo, "Hey! Can you not mention that!? That time-That time- Yes! That demon confused me!"

Leo's face held contempt when he heard that. Both of them bickered for a while, Giyu tried to ease the situation but he just seemed to be adding oil to the fire with his words.

When Urokodaki came back the first sight that greeted him was the rowdy mood inside, though his face was covered by that mask Makomo could make out that he was smiling.

She too looked around and couldn't help but smile. Being raised on a mountain with an unknown future and a goal that might take her life anytime, Sabito and Urokodaki were the only colour in her life, later Giyu joined them putting some more colour into that life.

Now... Now it didn't matter whether what kind of future she had. Atleast for now she was happy.