Chapter 89 – Speak
"That was actually pretty hot.", Nobara winks while fluffing her hair and sets the keys down, referring to the moment when Yuuji obliterated their evasive targeted curse. "And thanks to you…", she smiles while extending an arm to draw Itadori closer, "…now we don't have to be in the cold anymore.", and sighs with satisfaction when his body wraps around her.
"I couldn't let you do all the work babe!", the junior shaman's light giggles dissipate as the atmosphere of the room settles into something a little less comical. He still can't believe that he gets to call Kugisaki his girl or that she'd even be interested in him but he's certainly not complaining.
"Let me have a taste."
Sukuna hastily forms his mouth and nips Nobara's rear where Yuuji's hand had only just moved to, "Mmmmmm"
She yelps out of surprise but is also becoming desensitized to the King of Curse's sexual deviance and therefor is ultimately insouciant with his advances.
"Why do I have to be stuck with you?!", Yuuji instantly is reeling his hands away from Nobara to save her from further assault and while doing so, fleetingly wonders if she'll ever be safe from the curse. Yes, it's obvious that Sukuna doesn't want to hurt Kugisaki but this whole situation is something he struggles to adjust to, even now. Why wouldn't he fear Sukuna? Everyone should.
The way Nobara snickers under her breath to his frustration though is somehow soothing and compels his acknowledgment over the fact that she's not so easily ruffled. She has accepted Yuuji and his demon.
Nobara takes a step closer pushing from the table in which she sets down the keys and laces her fingers into his. A tongue scurries across her palm but she does her best to not react this time to help save her boyfriend's mood. When their lips finally connect, Nobara absorbs his shielding nature and thinks back to all the times she swore she would never fall for him. Its not as if he isn't a catch, he's actually the greatest match she's ever been offered. "Want me to take off my uniform?", she slyly asks while peeling the jacket from her shoulders and letting it fall into a soft flop against the floor.
Yuuji blushes brightly and admits, "I should knock out the missions more often!", before taking a deep breath. She slowly doffs the layers while eyeing him in a way that tells of her intentions and this alone makes the breath hitch in his throat. He'll never not be nervous around her. His hands raise from the sides of his body in search for the planes of hers and when found, his fingers curl to grip her fleshed out reality.
"Choso?", Nobara looks up from Yuuji and whispers as she senses the being nearing them in the hall. A wave of apprehension rushes through her veins, 'Hopefully he is calmer than last time?', she wonders with a grain of hope.
"Huh?", Itadori twists around to watch the door open and display his brother in the entry way. "Oh hey! Are you feeling better?!", Yuuji is quickly warmed by the being's smile that focuses on him and actually forgets that Nobara is a few layers away from being naked.
Choso's eyes flicker to Kugisaki for a moment but not in a manner of disrespect. He appreciates beauty regardless of what form it takes and his brother's woman certainly meets the requirements.
He mumbles under his breath, "How I've grown fond of a few of you…", in disbelief of how there's more humans he wishes to shelter. Nobara has always been accepting of him too and she even shed tears when he absorbed the scalar warfare and temporarily left this world. That means a lot to him and Mictlantecuhtli for its given perspective to the rare kindness that's sprinkled amongst a small percentage of the human race. "I am better now, I needed more time to adapt to this evolution but thank you for asking.", Choso is truly moved by his brother's concern but adds, "I need to speak with you privately."
Yuuji orients towards Nobara as if looking for permission but she's already nodding her head in agreement, "Alright yeah, no problem!" She leans into Yuuji's ear, her weight springing from the balls of her feet and whispers, "I'll be waiting…", and kisses it.
Choso smirks, "Let's go outside then.", but walks closer to Yuuji and hugs the junior shaman before finally turning to leave the room.
Itadori stands there, surprised by the gentleness of the being even as his aura has become something darker. He speculates for a moment but ultimately decides that Choso's sinister presence means nothing in terms of his own affection for the half curse. 'El's always had dark energy too but she's definitely a good guy.', he reassures himself as he follows Choso out of the room and through the building. Yuuji tucks his hands into his pockets as the biting, frigid air cuts through his uniform but once they're away from the dormitories and in the expanse of unused land, Choso turns around and bears an expression of annoyance. "Wh-what do you want to talk about?", Yuuji asks timidly with wide eyes.
Choso examines the confusion blooming on his brother's face and speaks, "Yuuji, you are not the source of my frustration but I ask that you let me face that who is."
"I-I don't know if I should, Sukuna's been acting funny lately…", the junior shaman turns his view to the ground and notices surviving weeds slowly succumbing to the changing season.
Choso softens his features and comprehends many possible explanations for his brother's hesitancy and states, "Trust me, it will be fine. We're actually friends." Yuuji's eyes slowly lift to meet his gaze but they narrow worriedly. Choso senses the initial stages of the energy switch and exhales quietly as he re-centers his focus to now confront the man in question. Choso turns his back and vows to make this up to Itadori as he regrets asking for this surrender of control but while in the depths of his guilt, Choso's snapped out of it to hear the deep chuckling of a familiar tone.
"It's been centuries…", Sukuna drawls out, the flexion of his voice speaking his amusement, "I would've thought you to wither away long ago, Mictlantecuhtli."
Choso orients back towards him, sighing for the curse's lack of duty but smirks when he finally sees the markings, "And you're as charming as ever, Ryomen."
Sukuna, rather animated by this reunion, charges towards the being with energy gathered, "FOR OLD TIME'S SAKE!", he cheers out into the otherwise quiet air. He notices that the hybrid is seemingly unbothered and decides to give Mictlantecuhtli a deposit of urgency by leaping high into the air, above the dark-haired host who glares with irritation from below.
"I don't have time for this…", Choso mutters with impatience as he dodges Sukuna's attacks who's are set up for child's play. "…and you could at least try.", he barks as Sukuna purposefully flexes only a fraction of his true power.
"I'm just having some fun!", the curse divulges while touching his feet to the ground once again, "What makes you think I'd want to seriously fight you?" Sukuna kicks a tiny rock in front of him and experiences a bitter wave of emotions as the being shows far less enthusiasm for the reunion.
Choso rolls his eyes and grunts, "We can play later. I'm more interested in the reasons that kept you from assisting Elska with her identity. You've known all along, have you not?"
Sukuna gives a fleeting confused expression but then stands up straighter and more at ease. He thinks to himself how ridiculous of a question that is and retorts, "I know how you operate and I detest the idea of ever being pulled by your strings."
Choso sighs, "All these centuries and you've not experienced maturation…", half taunting his old friend, "And you know, you're already apart of this."
Sukuna certainly does know it to be true but that doesn't mean he has to outwardly admit it. As the audacity spews from Choso and into the air, Sukuna growls with injured arrogance before launching from his spot to once again charge him.
Choso blinks and casts a barrier, a technique that use to require more preparation. The translucent brown shield peaks above them until it spills out into a semicircular dome, encompassing them into a safe zone. Choso side steps and goes to dodge Sukuna but with the King of Curses being the closest to actually understanding Mictlantecuhtli, he's probably the only one that can fake the deity out.
Sukuna dropped low and swept his leg where Choso evaded to, knocking him off balance and into the Earth. "HA HA!!", the curse jeers as he sits atop the pinned being and begins wailing on him with such speed, you'd think all four of his arms are out, "DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING NOW DID YOU?!"
Sukuna is truly a mess when it comes to social interaction but nonetheless, this is his way of showing comradery.
Choso takes three, four, five hits to the face and suffers wild laughter from the one who wields the offense. With his eyes narrowed, he grows tired of this stage of the exchange. Sukuna should have noticed that he's not taking any damage despite the harsh blows and this brings forth the idea that Choso will simply have to redirect the curse once more.
"Enough!", bellows from Choso as he expels a transmittance of violet light that ripples through the air like lightening and ejects Sukuna into the ceiling of the brown barrier. When the large tattooed man crashes into the ground, Choso grimaces and immediately heals his brother's body from afar, "You're making this entirely too difficult right now, Ryomen. You know why I wanted to speak, you understand the importance of all of these pieces being placed." He receives a more empathetic grunt from Sukuna and continues with, "What we discussed all those years ago, it's finally going to happen."
Choso calmly walks over to him as Sukuna sits with his legs crossed to gather his wits, "With all of your displeasure of humans I thought you would've been more invested than this."
Sukuna stretches his arms and limberly hops to a stand, "I am invested but I've also been very bored. It would seem as though all this down time has affected my concentration. There's something that would help me refocus however…"
Choso purses his lips, unamused and lifts his eyebrow. He already knows.
"No you heathen, we are not negotiating this."
Sukuna grits his teeth, "You greedy cock!", channeling a more serious level of energy, "The wench can take it! It's not like I can really hurt her!"
Choso's lip twitches as the insinuated lust for Elska becomes the bargaining chip he wants to avoid, "That's not the point Ryomen. Elska is my greatest creation and you have plenty of options in this day and age for women to ravage. I do not care what you do when the time comes."
"Fucking kidding me…", the King of Curses growls.
Here he is with his oldest friend who he'd assume would have his back on this, "Human women are too delicate! Never have a I been able to truly unwind and their bodies still cannot endure." He folds his arms thinking that if there's any way for him to try his theory of compatibility with Elska, he'll take that chance regardless of the consequences. "You know how rare this is for me!"
Choso sighs and runs a hand down his face. He truly feels awful because he comprehends Ryomen's plight but he e also knows that there will come a time when Elska may desire the King of Curses as well for her nature will eventually yearn for his prowess. 'How should I manage this?', he calmly contemplates while viewing the desperation peering through Sukuna's features. He can't simply hand over this knowledge to Ryomen though, he's well aware of the curse's affinity towards such a situation and how that will likely cause the timeline to be skewered.
"I'm going to fuck her.", warns Sukuna, "She might even enjoy herself a little.", he grins as his pants twitch.
Choso ignores the threat while scratching his ear, clearly agitating Sukuna even more.
"Do you think her mouth can fit two cocks at once?", he instigates for a reaction, "I know for a fact multi-penetration isn't an issue for her." All he can think about is trapping Elska in his domain so that he can have her in his true form, "…the slut loves it."
Choso bears his fangs to display that a line has been crossed. Mocking Elska's love for sensuality is a direct insult as she is born of himself. Before he can say anything though, Sukuna waves his hands in the air with a silent apology. The being understands though, life would be unbearable if you could not truly live and that's the confined purgatory in which Sukuna exists.
"I…", Ryomen turns his head in embarrassment and with a quiet voice, "I don't actually think she's a slut…", he admits.
Refraining from facing this odd moment in which he sets aside his maniacal behavior, Sukuna proceeds with, "I merely…", he takes a deep breath, "…am fascinated by her."
Out of the corner of his eye, he notices Choso relax into a friendlier stance so he follows with, "I want to feel that sensation again and to have it under better circumstances." Sukuna now thinks back to the day in the forest when Elska's fangs finally penetrated his body. Such a bittersweet memory as he recalls how withered and limp she felt in his arms; the injuries that were slowly stealing her life away. He shudders and accepts the fact that he actually cares as he mutters only for himself to hear, "Wench has a piece of me now."
"I am sincerely grateful for what you did during Satoru Gojo's awakening.", Choso offers with violet eyes while nearing the curse. "You summoned me to her and snatched me out of the debilitation born of stalled time. My physical subconscious finally began thriving with purpose I'd lost over the centuries thanks to your swift thinking. You really do know me better than anyone else, Ryomen. The greatest flaw is how close I was to failure simply because I slumbered for too long."
Sukuna looks over from the corners of his eyes appreciating the acknowledgment of his actions. He finally orients himself completely towards the being who's now only a few feet away, "I knew she was important to you. I wasn't going to let her die.", masking up his previous vulnerability.
Choso smirks, "I thank you, regardless of the reasons you choose to share or not.", a small silence following as the barrier starts to dissolve.
"I don't want to hurt her.", the low tone sounding like a rushed, humiliating explanation as Sukuna puts his hands into the pockets of the uniform, "Or steal her.", he chuckles, "All those damned turned would be a nuisance. Choso nods to him with a softened expression, one that ignites a spark within as he realizes Mictlantecuhtli is actually considering it, "Especially that Gojo fuck."
'He might actually like her…', the thought easing Choso to a new peace. It's in this moment that he perceives the course in which Sukuna is most likely to take and finds himself completely shocked as it plays in his mind, 'He has grown.'
After a gust of wind howls around them and their eyes lock intensely, Choso offers, "I will not oppose as long as you do not force her." He sees Sukuna's face light up in surprise so he quickly reiterates, "You must have her consent."
Sukuna doesn't know how he'd be able to obtain that but with confidence, he smiles widely as he revisits all the different ways in which he's going to make Elska squirm.
Choso studies Sukuna as he mauls around in his thoughts but a presence suddenly appears on the edge of the campus that has his mood fowling to lowest depths possible.
"Who is that?", Sukuna questions with hesitant curiosity as he senses another turned that isn't Elska's at all. 'This feels more like that old Titer…', his eyes slowly peel from Choso as they aim in the direction that has the being practically foaming at the mouth.
Choso's wings lash out of his back where his long blood-red metal feathers reflect the morning sunrise and growls, "Please give Yuuji his body back now, we will speak more later."
"Who the fuck is that?!", Sukuna demands, gearing up for a fight. When he sees Choso lift his hand as if to threaten a REM state, he begrudgingly disengages.
Choso's eyes glow ruthlessly violet; the tattoo on his face waving chaotically. The next stage of events have been set, ones that he's done his best to try and avoid but to no avail. His heart breaks as he envisions Elska overcome with grief, knowing that this next unavoidable failure will haunt them all for the rest of their existence.
But he has to let it take course. There is no other way.
With vile disdain and a animalistic bass in his voice he flashes his hateful eyes to Sukuna and elucidates, "Orao Dreyrygr.", Choso seethes, "The King'sbrother."
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"How are your eyes feeling?", Elska asks in the dark bathroom that shows a single lit candle as she massages shampoo into Gojo's scalp. "And your head? Is any of this helping?"
He groans, "I'm fine now, my reverse technique kicked in…", his answer shortened to the minimum as his mind races to what the fuck just happened to him. "That was really bizarre love, I can't even explain what that was..." Even through all of his perplexity though, Satoru somehow knows that he has to talk to Choso to figure it out but that too alarms him, "At least you're here with me."
Elska bends down from outside the tub while tilting his chin up to bring their lips together and thinks to him, 'I will always be here with you.' His wet hand cups her head inadvertently dampening her dry form and clumping hair together. She giggles into his lips and teases, "You're the one getting a bath, not me!"
Gojo sighs dramatically and leans his head back against the tub while keeping his eyes one her, "It'd be better if you were in here with me you know.", smirking as she gifts him with an interesting face. "We've never gone a round in the tub before!"
"Toji and Naoya will be up soon and they might be frenzied too, Sati. I need to be ready to counteract them…but…", she bites her lip and trails a finger tip down his jawline as his sweet eyes set on her, "Do know that I always want to though!"
"And Nanamin…", Gojo remorsefully whines within the large tiled room but then his hand grips his growing member under the water, pouting as he tugs it around in the warmth. Glancing down to his erection, he mumbles, "Sorry buddy…", until he's made to gasp by Elska's hand replacing his own. "Love…", he whimpers happily and lets out a heavy breath as she begins to slowly stroke him.
"My poor Sweet Sati…", she seductively banters, "Always in need of a release…"
"Ye-ah…", he breathlessly responds as his raw eyes shut leaving his ears to pick up on her tantalizing matter of fact moan. He motions his hips to help her efforts, forming a kind of tide in the tub that threatens to spill over. She giggles which snatches his attention as he rolls his lower half, "What's so funny about me being naked and needy?", grinning to the playful way she squeezes his girth.
"I'm just happy that you're feeling better…", Elska's voice trails off, "…you weren't yourself Sati. I don't mean the frenzy, I mean afterwards." She sighs, "You were so upset…"
Satoru's eyes give that two-toned glow as his head lowers to gaze into the water. He's still uncertain of how to sift through the guilt and other emotions and this displays as he loses himself within those same thoughts. He feels his chin being lifted by Elska again so he switches his gaze to her, muddled by his own existence. He finds the colorful dashes in her and wonders how much farther from whole she is at this point.
"You're the strongest Sati.", she begins, "You are the most powerful turned to ever draw breath." She notices his eyes water with an appreciation that soothes her. They stare at each other for a few seconds as she contemplates on how she'd rather him not deal with culpability. "If there are some issues that you need or want to talk about just to get it off your chest, I am here for you.", she runs her finger down along his cheek as he bears the weight of his head into her palm. "But don't you dare be defeated by what you've done. That is you, who you are. I love you as you are. You are the most fearsome…", they smile at each other as he drinks in the compliment, "…debauched, and wicked man I've ever met!" He doesn't seem sure of how to take that at the end but she leans down over the tub until the tips of her hair float against the surface, slowing absorbing water, "And I fucking love you for it."
"I always knew you were the one for me...", he breathes out while they kiss, "Since I first saw you my love, I knew." Gojo now whimpers again as passion grips them both and only unravels its grasp to let them breath each other in as sufficient life source. His hand snakes around the back of her head and holds her there while his tongue enters her mouth and makes contact with her own. Suddenly, it doesn't seem to matter that they shouldn't be engaging like this.
A large concentrated burst of energy stills their developing air.
"Fuuuuck…", Gojo jerks forward in the tub as a distant low thud resounds against the floor but turns into quickly running feet that fade as they gain distance, "Toji's up."
He watches Elska scramble to her feet in a panic as they fear Toji is likely frenzied and now on the loose. Before she can rush out the bathroom, Gojo snags her wrist and explains, "I'll get him love! Just stay here! Stay for Naoya, k?", and offers a swift kiss before turning away but a realization reckons through his veins as he's aware that Toji will need her sustenance to be reintroduced to normality.
Elska tightens her robe and becomes lost in apprehension as her beloved is capable of incredible destruction. "Don't worry love, I've got this!", is all she hears prior to the excruciating pleasure of Satoru's fangs puncturing her neck from behind. His first gulps, he takes for himself, probably steeling his nerves before going after the giant but soon enough, Gojo is collecting her nutrients and holding it in his mouth. She doesn't see it for very long but the puffy-cheeked Gojo flashes her an oddly contorted face of assurance as he winks, wraps a towel around his waist and warps out of view.
She huffs over the sink, collecting herself from the pure eroticism his bite brings with a flustered smirk splitting her lips, "That never gets old." She's granted a moment of recovery but the reprieve doesn't last for long as a second burst of energy ignites from beyond the door.
"...My prince?", she cautiously calls out while reaching for the handle all while knowing deep down, something else entirely is on the other side. The bathroom door flings open hard, smacking her hand away and bouncing back off the wall to show only a glimpse of the red-eyed blonde before it harshly latches shut again. Her breath quickens, sweat gathering along her temple in the already humidified room as she takes a step back to the unfortunate name that melts from her lips, "Nanami…"
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Toji rushes across the courtyard in a full sprint. He's so confused. The last thing he remembers is everything falling to shit during their little party but he didn't see Elska or Gojo, though he was thankful to find Naoya breathing on the bed. He's completely forgotten about the turned being banned from the main campus but even if he did remember, that wasn't about to stop him from checking on the welfare of his son.
"MEGSSSSSSSS!", he hollers from the pits of diaphragm, "DOLLLLL!!!!"
He tracks through the halls, up the emergency stairs and to the desired floor but senses Sukuna nearby which only hastens his purpose as he wonders what the fuck is going on.
Where is Elska? Is Gojo alive after being injured like that? Why the fuck is SUKUNA out?
"WHERE IS MY BOY?!"
Toji finally reaches his sons door and slams his entire body against it, "MEGS!"
To Toji's complete bewilderment, in the room awaits a startled Megumi and Amnessia who had be cuddling, her with swollen, tear-ridden eyes.
"WHAT THE HELL DAD?!", Megumi instantly covers Amnessia who only has his T-shirt on for the sake of comfort, "Haven't you ever heard of knocking!?"
Toji stands there awkwardly as his autonomic nervous system continuously pumps out adrenaline even while no threat remains. He feels off, restless but he can't quite explain the source of his anxieties at this time so instead he clumsily tells them, "Haven't you heard of checking in?!"
Amnessia can sense the imbalance within Toji but also recognizes that he's not nearly as bad as Gojo was that day in the forest. The giant's eyes flicker from emerald green to a deep red and his shirtless body twitches as if he's holding back. "Hear him out, Megumi, he's probably ju-…"
"Checking in?!", Megumi barks, "It's not even been a whole day dad!" His father snarls aggressively, putting him on edge so he slowly orients himself in front of Amnessia on the bed, "W-wait. What is going on with you, right now?" Something's not right.
Toji leans forward with his palms to his thighs as he attempts to heave himself back to normal breathing patterns but its of no use, nothing is calming him. His fangs form against his will and in his bout of frustration he releases a wild call into the room...and then erects his posture in a forsaken stance.
"Fuck-fuck-fuck!", Megumi begins to tremble as his father's state devolves before their very eyes. "GET OUT OF HERE NOW!", he screams at Amnessia, going as far as to shove her off the bed. "STOP DAD!", the junior shaman cries, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Megumi has faced some dire situations on missions before. He's been beaten, bruised and broken by various attacks but nothing rocks his core as terribly as the prospect of facing his father. Toji's ferocious eyes switch from him to Amnessia though and this leaves Megumi with no choice.
"Domain expansion.", he clasps his hands together, reality eluding him as he feels this to be a nightmare.
"Shikigami Shadow Ma-…"
Amnessia screams when Gojo warps into the room and forces Toji against the short dresser by the throat. The giant struggles with Satoru vehemently but the now white-haired shaman headbutts with incredible force to daze him.
"DON'T FUCKING HURT HIM!", Megumi desperately calls out as he gathers himself from the bed to launch onto Gojo's back, "SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH HIM!" He's now muddled by Satoru's lack of response but once Gojo twists his way to give reassurance, Megumi perceives the blood trickling out of the corner of Gojo's full mouth. His eyes now widen as they dart back to his father who he knows is going to fucking loathe what comes next.
Gojo thinks to Toji, 'It's almost over big guy, you did well to hold on for as long as you did.", and crashes his lips to Toji's in order to force feed the starving man. The initial contact sent the giant flailing with opposition but it would seem the second Elska's blood hit his tastebuds, Toji's entire demeanor and presence calmed.
Megumi walks over to Amnessia, apologizes for throwing her out of the bed and then helps her to her feet. He feels so bad about everything she's going through already but sure, go ahead and add on a turned attack. The strange noises of satisfaction that rumble from his dad almost make his stomach turn as Gojo has yet to part lips, "What the fuck are they into?" Amnessia gasps and turns more into his chest which causes Megumi to look and see why. His eyes shoot open again as Gojo's towel falls to his feet all while he's pinning Toji against the dresser, "Oh my God…YO!"
After the last drops have been filed out of him and into his friend, Gojo gently pulls away and whispers to Toji, "Welcome back.", before affectionately resting their foreheads together. He'd be lying if he didn't say being that close to Toji wasn't exhilarating but that's honestly because Satoru has been able to taste the depths of Toji's sensuality towards Elska and that alone connects them as well.
Toji, still collecting his wits, pants to his regulating body and breathlessly thanks Satoru until he realizes what actually happened. Only moments pass before the giant opens his eyes and falls into a rage as he can actually feel Gojo's bare skin against his own.
"WHAT THE FUCK!?", Toji roars and elbows Gojo across the face with all of his might and then wipes his lips.
"I was only trying to help you Toji!", Gojo snickers while laying on his back against the floor. He too wipes his mouth but takes a moment to bask in relief since he'd made it in time. He feels Toji's energy accumulating again though so he tucks his chin to view the man who's face is twisted with disgust.
"Did you seriously…", Toji clenches his fists, "...Fucking...kiss me?" He hears an uneasy noise trapped in Satoru's throat but isn't finished with his interrogation, "WITH YOUR FUCKING DICK OUT TOO?!" He hears, "Haven't you ever been curious or was I your first?"
Gojo quickly warps from his place as Toji dives to subdue him, adding insult to injury as Fushiguro flops into nothing but the floor. Satoru now hides behind Megumi and Amnessia, thinking they'll be the best defense now that Toji is sane again, "I didn't have a choice! My love is-…"
"Where is she?!", Toji halts in his tracks as if something foreboding has wrenched its grip around his doll, "IS SHE ALRIGHT!?!"
"Don't cower behind us!", Megumi grimaces and pushes the doomed giggling shaman away.
Satoru straightens up, "She's fine Toji, I promise you.", offered with a much more serene tone.
"WHERE IS SHE?!"
Megumi steps up, "Dad, all of you were taken out by this purple light…all of you! At the same time!" He pauses for a brief moment as it was obvious by Toji's expression that he's trying to remember, "Choso said you were going under another evolution and that you were going to be unconscious for a while."
Gojo perks up to Choso's name as he swindles through the reminder of horrific pain the message brought him when he last drank.
Toji plops to ground, his back resting against the dresser as he attempts to make sense of everything. The evolution would explain his struggle for sanity but why wasn't he completely frenzied from the beginning? He wonders this in a desperate measure to find solace.
"I think its because you've been turned the longest.", Gojo explains after having heard the thoughts. Toji glances to him innocently before his irritated eyes catch another glimpse of his exposed manhood. Satoru chuckles as he warps near his towel to wrap it back around, "It's not like you've never seen it before man, lighten up!"
Megumi shudders against Amnessia as perverse visuals pain his mind.
"Seriously though…", Gojo extends a hand out to hoist the giant to his feet, "I think you're physiology is more adept to deal with the evolutions now. You were her only turned for a long time and are probably more well equipped to handle these changes versus the rest of us."
His words seem to bring Toji a breath of fresh air but this epiphany riddles him with apprehension as he thinks about Naoya and Nanami with Elska. Naoya's always been a wild card with the effects of turned behavior but Nanami…he's brand new to this and had to undergo evolution right after surviving the initial synthesis. Gojo now regrets leaving her behind.
"The prince will protect her."
Satoru's lungs freeze as he strangely recognizes the voice within. A dampening pressure lives in his ears that creates an ominous hum in the atmosphere.
He shoots his gaze over to Toji, who seemingly did not receive the same message. Will Naoya be awake in time? What if Nanami forces Elska to receive him?
"He will not."
Toji picks up the wavering in Gojo's presence and asks what's up but receives nothing for response. The unyielding silence engulfs them all until Amnessia takes a deep breath to cover her body with the blankets Megumi provides from the bed. He feels like such an asshole and runs heavy hands down his face before sighing and offering, "I'm sorry I showed up here like that, you kids don't need this shit in your life…"
Amnessia has always been fond of Toji for he's a man of his word and good nature, despite what he's become. She can't stand to seem him look so upset, "It's okay, Mr. Fushiguro. We know you didn't mean it."
"HAH!", Toji cackles loudly, "Mr. Fushiguro?" He sees the sweet expression on her pretty face and nods, "Toji is fine hun, Mr. Fushiguro is name that does not exist to me. The one who went by that was drunk who abandoned his daughter and allowed her to marry the asshole before you." Toji walks over to them both and embraces them wholly, even pecking Megumi on the head who exudes an embarrassed grunt, "I'm so glad you two are unharmed."
Gojo finds himself smiling for a fleeting second before he he's facing the fact that he's never made things right with either of them over his past doings. A heavy wave of weight courses through Satoru's limbs until it crashes against his heart, causing it to be moved.
"You guys…", he asks sheepishly and even wants to hide as everyone's focus turns to him. His vision blurs.
"Woah…", Toji is instantly concerned with the watering of Gojo's light blue eyes. For Satoru to express sadness and his eyes to not turn into that darker hue, is mind-boggling, "What's up bud? You feeling alright?", but Gojo only lowers his head more until Toji thinks he may be in the process of face planting the floor but to his complete surprise, it's a bow.
With fluid falling from his eyes, Gojo wails out, "I'm sorry for what I did to Sachiko. I swear I never meant to do that…"
Amnessia holds her breath as the unimaginable unfolds. The horrific, murderous Satoru Gojo, the ender of countless lives, mostly Titers at that is offering the sincerest apology society has sculpted. She glances around and gathers that everyone else is rather shocked as well.
"Of course, I didn't like her…she tried to kill my love and she stabbed Toji but I'd given up on my desire for retribution since she was important to you both." He sniffles, "I wish I could take it back, everything from that day. Sachiko…Nanami…Els-…", he chokes on his words as he can't even bring himself to finish. "I always make shit worse but please know that has haunted me everyday since. If I could give your mother back to you Megumi, I would."
Toji feels emotion creeping over him. He's always wanted to hear this but never knew how much until it was said. With an arm still around his son, he looks down to gauge Megumi's response and finds a hateful expression plastered where forgiveness should be. Gojo was frenzied and clearly did not have control of himself while in that state. As regrettable as that day was, Toji can relate first-hand as he recalls the day of the Titer attack. He didn't understand it then of course, but the energy manipulation he suffered at the hands of the Titers caused Toji to fall into that instantaneous frenzy where many died by his own hands. Many innocent non-shaman who didn't have any ties or reason for being so brutally murdered. Toji received forgiveness from Elska and his cousin, knowing full well that there is no other way he could've survived the guilt felt after being brought back to his senses. He won't let Gojo be thrown under the bus.
"You did kill her though. I watched her get ripped in fucking half from your attack that was meant for me.", Megumi shakes off Amnessia and Toji before stalking towards the bent God. "She still wanted to be my mom! She still loved my dad!"
Gojo inhales shaking breathes while his heart actually breaks from something other than anger. It's crippling, this feeling.
"He didn't mean to do it…", Toji interjects calmly, "You don't understand Megs. The frenzy changes you..."
"IT'S DEFINITELY CHANGED ALL OF YOU!", Megumi yells, his body jerking from pure emotive overload, "LOOK AT WHAT HAS HAPPENED. THINK ABOUT ALL THOSE WHO HAVE DIED."
Toji grabs his son by the back of the neck and swivels him in for a mandatory embrace, "I know you're angry boy, but you need to understand…"
Megumi doesn't resist but rather wishes he could take back what he said because half of his current frustration is due to comprehending that Gojo is telling the truth, that he didn't mean to do it.
"I'm…I'm so sorry…Megumi, I really wish…"
Amnessia rests a hand on shaman's shoulder, giving unfiltered compassion to the man her people have feared for so long, "Lift your head Satoru Gojo…" He does.
The very woman he was plotting to feed from to gain information is the one who is consoling him. This makes Gojo cry harder as he's simply so untrained with these softer feelings and how menacing they are to the menace himself.
"I'm not going to hug you, because you're naked and we're not tight like that…", she titters to his broken expression, "…but you did the right thing by saying that to them. You should be proud of yourself."
----------------------
"Fucking scum.", Choso seethes as he scours the property for the sight that makes him see red. Sukuna is following from a distance, probably interested in what's got him so agitated to begin with.
"I told you to release my brother!", he shouts behind him.
"No way!", the distant rebuttal from the King of Curses, "I've not seen you this pissed in ages!"
He senses the diluted turned coming closer and bears his fangs as his eyes finally befall the man in question after turning around a utility building. The man is of rather usual height, maybe 5'10" with medium length blond curls and audacity to hide his true eyes behind the shades of hazel.
"Oh, hello there! I'm the new bodyguard, I was looking for Els-…"
Choso slams the impostor into the ground by his throat and viciously roars from above. Violet energy spherically encircles them, pieces of brick from the wall to his right breaking away. The blonde man beneath him seems to immediately understand the situation he's fallen into and actually struggles to defend himself. He recognizes something within the being, this only infuriating the Choso more, "I want to crush your fucking skull and dine on your brains, you pathetic blip of my loin. How DARE you show yourself here so boldly with what you intend?"
Sukuna peers around the corner of the building and gains excitement from seeing Mictlantecuhtli's fury. That fades though when he perceives that despite whatever offense, he won't kill the mystery man which doesn't make sense. 'Cuhtli could eviscerate everything here if he wanted to…he knows this...so why?'
"SPEAK!", Choso demands as his eyes burn with violent violet, the light illuminating the trapped man's face.
He doesn't say a word though so Choso leans down closely and warns, "Your time drawing breath ends soon. The rightful hand will take your head and your body will flail and leak until you're drained away of all you ever were…"
Sukuna receives a cold chill but plays it off, "What did he do?" He watches Choso crush the man's neck as wet, gurgling sounds spew from the corners of his lips, "Just kill him."
Choso roars violently over Orao as the man loses consciousness and falls limp. He opens his mouth and aims his fangs over the dampened throat of his prey and feels the threatening temptation to end this all before it begins. But he can't.
Choso slugs the defenseless, much less handsome fraud but feels little satisfaction when his head rolls back and forth before laxly facing upwards again. He stands, growling to the knowledge that if he doesn't let Orao do what he came to do, then the catalyst for their success will be shattered. Mictlantecuhtli never wanted this war but he's allowed it because only one thing will guarantee his line's freedom in the future and that's winningit.