Flames Beneath the Surface

Chapter 4: The Night's Embrace

Mitsuri POV

Giyu's still out cold. His large Kirin form lies unmoving, his mane-usually a brilliant cascade of dark blue flames-now dimmed, lying flat against his body. He looks peaceful, almost too peaceful. But I can't shake the feeling that he's awake, just... not opening his eyes.

I inch closer, kneeling beside him, and gently place a hand on his side. His breathing is steady, rhythmic, like he's sleeping, but there's something off.

"Giyu?" I whisper softly, watching for any reaction.

Nothing.

But I see it-the tiniest twitch in his ear, so slight it could easily be missed. My heart races as I realize he's awake. He just doesn't want us to know.

"He's pretending," I say quietly, glancing at the others. "I think he's awake, but he's not opening his eyes."

Sanemi scowls, crossing his arms. "Tch. What, he's messing with us now?"

"No, it's not like that," Shinobu muses thoughtfully, her eyes narrowing in contemplation. "There's something else going on here."

Tengen POV

"Maybe it's a Kirin thing," I say, stretching my arms above my head. "I mean, we still don't know everything about what's happening to him."

Shinobu nods. "Kirin are mythical creatures of balance and justice, yes, but they also have ties to the night. They're nocturnal beings, only fully active after sundown."

"Of course!" Mitsuri gasps, putting a hand to her mouth. "That's why he hasn't opened his eyes yet. He's waiting for nightfall."

That explains it. Kirins are night creatures, huh? Makes sense why he's just lying there. He's probably conserving his energy until the sun goes down.

"Well, guess we'll have to wait for nightfall, then," I say with a shrug, settling myself against a tree. "He's not going anywhere until then."

Muichiro POV

It's strange seeing him like this-so still, so quiet. Giyu's always been calm, but this feels different. It's like he's in another world entirely, detached from us. The others are discussing what to do next, but I stay close, watching his mane closely.

I wonder if, when night comes, he'll change again. Will he be the same Giyu? Or will the Kirin's instincts take over completely?

The sun is sinking now, casting long shadows across the camp. I can feel the shift in the air, the quiet anticipation as we all wait.

Kyojuro POV

The moment the sun dips below the horizon, the transformation is instant.

Giyu's eyes snap open, glowing with a soft, eerie blue in the dim light. His entire form comes alive-his mane ignites in a brilliant cascade of white-blue flames, brighter and more radiant than before. There's something ethereal about him, something majestic and untouchable.

He moves slowly at first, as if testing his limbs, before suddenly bolting upright and trying to slip away, his hooves barely making a sound as he trots towards the treeline.

"Where do you think you're going, Giyu?" I shout, half-laughing, though there's a real concern in my voice.

But before any of us can react, it's Tengen who catches him.

Tengen POV

I grab Giyu by the mane just before he can slip into the trees, his body flaring up in response. His mane blazes with those beautiful white-blue flames, and he turns his head, hissing like a cornered cat. The fire radiates heat, intense but not painful. It's more like standing too close to the sun, where the warmth wraps around you without burning.

He flares up again, trying to intimidate me, but I just grin. "You're not going anywhere, pal."

His eyes widen-massive blue saucers of surprise. I can see the confusion and disbelief in them as he realizes I'm not scared of him, not even a little.

And then, just like that, he stops. His form seems to shrink slightly, his posture softening. He trots back toward the camp, his head hanging low like a child who's been caught sneaking sweets before dinner.

I can't help but laugh softly. "Nice try, Giyu."

Shinobu POV

It's honestly adorable, seeing Giyu try to sneak off and then sheepishly return when he realizes he's been caught. His Kirin form is undeniably majestic, but right now, he looks more like a guilty pet than a mythical creature.

We all gather around him, half-expecting answers, but when we try to ask him anything, he just stares blankly.

"Giyu," I say softly, kneeling beside him, "why did you run off? What's going on with you?"

His eyes flicker toward me for a moment, then he lets out a soft, almost pitiful sound-a meow. Not a growl or a roar, but an actual meow, like a cat.

I blink, surprised. "Did... did you just meow?"

He meows again, this time slightly louder, almost as if he's protesting the fact that we're questioning him. I glance at the others, who seem equally baffled.

"Giyu," Mitsuri says, trying to stifle her laughter, "you can't just meow when we ask you a question!"

But that's exactly what he does. Every time we prompt him for answers, he just lets out another meow, sometimes softer, sometimes a bit more demanding, but always playful.

Sanemi POV

This is ridiculous. "Seriously, Giyu?" I groan, rubbing my temples in frustration. "We're asking you for actual answers, and you're just-"

"Meow," Giyu cuts me off, his eyes narrowing as if daring me to challenge him.

I feel my eye twitch. Of course, of course, this would happen to him. First, he turns into some fire-breathing Kirin, and now he's meowing like a damn kitten. I'm two seconds away from losing it.

But just when I think it can't get any more absurd, his mane shifts color-going from that deep, dark blue to a soft, almost ethereal white-blue. The flames around him flicker, and I notice something strange. In the center of the fire... there's a shape.

A heart.

I can't believe it. "Is your mane making hearts now?" I mutter, incredulous. Giyu just huffs in response, his fiery mane glowing faintly in the shape of a perfect heart.

The others start to laugh, and I throw up my hands, officially done with the situation.

Gyomei POV

The camp is filled with laughter, and even though Giyu is still in his Kirin form, his presence brings a sense of calm. His playful nature seems to have taken over, his flames glowing softly as they form small heart-shaped flares.

I sit quietly, observing as the others interact with him. Despite everything that has happened, I can feel the peace that has settled over us. Giyu has found a way to balance the power within him, even if it means being a little mischievous along the way.

As he trots over to me, his form shrinking slightly, I open my arms without hesitation. Giyu lays his head gently in my lap, his mane still warm, but comforting. I run my fingers through the soft strands, feeling the quiet hum of his energy beneath my fingertips.

For a creature of justice and fire, Giyu has become something more-something precious to all of us. And in this moment, as the night deepens, we realize that having a Kirin for a friend is more than just a gift.

It's a blessing.

And even though Giyu never gave us the answers we sought, I think, deep down, we already understand.