Chapter 2

## Hide from the Demon 1333

Hide from the Demon 1333

**Chapter 2** is titled "*Hide from the Demon 1333*".

## Synopsis

On their journey to Shinano, due to the fact that the city's exits are heavily guarded, Tokiyuki, Yorishige, Shizuku, Ayako and Kojiro have to stay at an abandoned house for several days. As Tokiyuki sleeps, Yorishige watches over him and attempts to kiss him on the cheek, but Tokiyuki avoids it by jumping onto a beam, surprising the other kids. Tokiyuki expresses his concern about their ability to leave Kamakura for Shinano, but Shizuku assures him that they can pass for refugees from a shrine that burned down, thanks to their outfits. Yorishige also offers him some comfort by claiming that he cannot see the boy's death with his precognition.

Through the windows, Tokiyuki recognizes multiple standards belonging to former subordinates of the Hojo clan. He realizes that Takauji's smile and kindness were nothing but a facade to hide his true intentions of destroying the shogunate. Doubts creep into Tokiyuki's mind about the trustworthiness of those who are helping him, especially as he observes them enjoying a futuristic board game created by Yorishige.

Tokiyuki questions Yorishige about the priest's belief that he can seek revenge and regain power, given that warriors typically clash head-on instead of playing the *Hide from the demon* game that he is supposed to survive using his talent for fleeing. At that moment, a conversation between two people walking in front of the house catches their intention; via this conversation, Tokiyuki learns about the death of his brother Kunitoki. He rushes outside to ask them what happened, as he had heard that Kunitoki had escaped with their uncle Godaiin Muneshige. He is informed that, despite fleeing with and hiding Kunitoki, Godaiin revealed the location to the Nitta clan, who then decapitated Kunitoki. However, Godaiin's hope of being rewarded was not fulfilled; he was despised and driven away by the Nitta, empty-handed.

As the two people leave, Tokiyuki is overwhelmed in despair and vomits due to his many thoughts about the treachery of Takauji, the Hojo clan's surbodinates and Godaiin; he concludes that he can no longer trust anyone. Yorishige then appears on the ground, between Tokiyuki's legs under him and tries to use holy light to calm him down, which only further stokes his anger. The priest says that, with his divine power, he sees a future in which Godaiin is sitting, surrounded by soldiers and unable to act. He tells Tokiyuki to come with him to avenge Kunitoki and take the first step towards regaining power. Meanwhile, Godaiin thinks to himself that turning over Kunitoki was not enough since Kunitoki is a mistress's child. He decides to go after Tokiyuki, believing the boy's head would be sufficient for him to gain recognition. Yorishige, Tokiyuki and Shizuku watch as Godaiin sinks in his thoughts; Yorishige comments that Godaiin has turned into a demon who will stop at nothing to pursue Tokiyuki.

Godaiin recalls that Tokiyuki fled with Yorishige, and, since the exits are guarded, he deduces that they are still in Kamakura – his birthplace – of which he knows many good hiding places. Upon meeting Tokiyuki at a hill, Godaiin asks if the boy was separated from Yorishige, suggesting that they leave Kamakura together. Tokiyuki replies by asking him why he betrayed Kunitoki as Ayako and Kojiro attack him from behind. However, Godaiin manages to block their attacks with his scabbard. He then compliments Tokiyuki for the boy's act and says that Kunitoki was placed in his care was not because of his status or his blood relationship, but because of his skills as a warrior. As Godaiin approaches Tokiyuki with killing intent, the narrator comments that Tokiyuki's survival now depends on a game of *Hide from the demon*.

## Characters

* Ashikaga Takauji
* Hojo Tokiyuki
* Ayako (unnamed)
* Kojiro (unnamed)
* Shizuku
* Suwa Yorishige
* Hojo Kunitoki (flashback)
* Hojo Takatoki (picture)
* Godaiin Muneshige (debut)