❤ ~ The Greatest Gift ~ ❤

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The thick snow shifted with every step as the two raced about, gleeful laughter filling the woodland area. They'd been given a short break, allowing the usual rough housing. It was like any other day. They awoke to train for sometime, before being given a small grace period. They were not too old, nearly eleven. Both were simply like brothers, though no blood relation rested present. Truth was, both suffered a tragedy. They'd lost their family and been led by fate to the same older man who was like a father to them. Even so their past was so dark and cruel, the other made sure none of the sorrow leaked through. They always had the other's back.

"Come on Giyuu, you're so slow!" A short snicker filled the space as the slightly taller male took a glance to Giyuu. The younger of the two hurried toward the other, tackling into the other as they fell to the snow. Flurries of snow rose to the air, showering down on them as more laughter bounced around the trees, startling some of the birds that were nearby.

"This slow enough for you? After all, I caught you; Sabito!" The pinkish haired male snorted, shoving the other off before throwing snow into Giyuu's face. Those blue eyes scrunched close as the cold substance fell into his attire. It sent a violent shiver, the youngest screeching as he wrestled to get the snow out.

"Deserved!" 

"Jerk!" The two glared for a moment before they heard the same voice they knew well. Turning their attention elsewhere, they spotted the frailer looking girl leave the tree-line. She wore her usual attire, which seemed to irresponsible for being in the snow. But the cold never bothered her. She marched over, giggling as Sabito sat on Giyuu's back, shoving him further into the snow mass below.

"Glad you two are getting along, but Urokodaki is calling us back. Apparently a storm is headed this way and he doesn't want you two lost somewhere. Goodness knows how much he'll panic." Sabito sighed as he rose, aiding Giyuu to his feet. Makomo gave a soft smile, beginning to lead the way. Sabito followed close, beginning to chat with the younger girl. She was barely a year younger and close family, again not by blood. They were all taken in after losing everything. Trained to become Demon Slayers in the future. Neither of them argued or complained, after all, the Demons caused their current situations. They could have been normal, but that path was lost the moment they'd all met Urokodaki. The old man had it in his mind to train them, to assure they would remain safe in the future. After all, the world was dark in places and evil lurked around every corner.

"Did Urokodaki say how bad the storm might be?" Makomo glanced to Giyuu, shaking her head as they took a different path. She'd traveled the normal route, finding out their sensei had trapped it. No doubt more training. In the end, she made sure the others would get back unscathed. That was simply her. She cared greatly for their health, especially Sabito's. 

"Why are we traveling a different route?"

"Sensei trapped the other one, so I'm offering a break. Unless you wish to suffer those traps, I'd stick close and follow. Especially you, Giyuu. You're prone to getting lost." She'd been moving onward, taking glances to Sabito before she'd noticed the younger males lack of response. Even Sabito found it weird. They'd been expecting the black haired male behind them, but alas, there was nothing. Only footsteps that led away. 

Makomo was the first to respond to it, a groan and frown showing. She could have guessed this would happen. Giyuu always loved to wander and often got lost in his own mind, no longer paying mind to the world around him. Sabito had noticed the tracks, rubbing his face as he breathed out a short chuckle. He was used to this when it came to Giyuu.

"Shall we go get him?"

"Yeah. We don't entirely know if anything is out here and night is approaching quickly. The storm is supposed to begin soon too..." Makomo's voice showed her worry, though Sabito washed it away with his charming smile.

"We'll be fine. The tracks lead this way." The girl nodded, following after Sabito. They only hoped they found Giyuu in time before it got too dark or the storm picked up.

Lucky for them, they had been searching for approximately ten minutes when a screech reached them. While it didn't make them feel safe, it did alert where Giyuu was. Without hesitation, they raced toward the sound. As they left the thickest part of the woods, they noticed Giyuu on his butt, eyes wide. It startled them before Makomo followed his gaze. She too was speechless. Sabito on the other hand was the only one who hadn't taken notice. At least until he was closer.

No one really knew what to say, especially for the site. The small figure was so frail and trembling, no doubt no older than a child of maybe ten. Those eyes were sealed shut, lips crested blue. It showed the kid was dealing with frostbite and hypothermia. While it spooked Giyuu, Makomo was more relieved the young man was alive, if barely.

"A-are they dead?" Giyuu's tone was low, almost hoping for a positive answer. In the end, that's what he got.

"He's alive, but barely. Sabito, spare your haori. You too Giyuu. We need to get them warm and carry them back." Sabito nodded, Giyuu obeying. Makomo wrapped the fabric around the other figure that was completely unconscious. Sabito had taken the initiative to pick the child up, who was small enough and weighed little. Carrying the new face was simple.  

Makomo glanced to the sky, the sun nearly gone and the clouds thick and dark grey. She sighed, motioning the two to follow. Sabito stayed close, taking concerned glances to the new face. As for Giyuu, he was speechless. There were two things weighing on his mind in that current moment. First was why the kid was this far out at such a young age. 

Second was the horn that he took notice to from the get go. It left too many lingering thoughts, he just prayed his worries were incorrect in the end.