Chapter Text
Satoru woke up ready to leave under Sukuna's gaze in that room that belonged to them.
—You won't take her with you?— Sukuna asked, referring to Akiko.
—No, let her sleep. Her cursed energy is run out, I will call her in the right time.— the sorcerer murmured, adjusting his uniform.
—Well, I guess I'll stay here.— Ryoumen assured to lie down again.
—It sounds like an excuse but I don't have much free time these days, when things get better we should go out, have a drink?— Satoru offered
—Oh no, every time I have one of your drinks I end up in a bad state, it's better to just go out for a walk although I have a feeling that nothing will be the same after this time.— the pink-haired man assumed from the pillow
—Well, don't add fuel to the fire, I'm distressed to imagine what will happen from now on. Sorcerers are instinctive and she is too young to control herself. If she has a little bit of me, I know what I'm talking about.— Gojo rebuked, mortified at the thought.
—She still have to handle her techniques, I will encourage her to forget certain details but listen, I will have to return the body to the brat.— Ryoumen warned.
—It's normal, this supposed test smells bad, it must be a trap in some way.— Satoru growled.
—Go away, sorcerer, leave the girl to me.— accepted the curse.
—About what you said last night... It's been a short period but I also want to protect her. If there is a way to get the idea out of her head, please try it, I managed to understand the love I have for her and I can't stop thinking that something bad could happen to her.— Satoru's voice for the first time reflected sadness
The memory of hearing her inside the cursed womb was still in his head, the small heartbeats still etched into his fingers.
—Come here, the brat is forcing me to relegate myself and I have a feeling I won't see you for a long time.— Ryoumen ordered, straightening up on his knees on top of the futon.
—Yuuji is still in control, huh? It's expected.— Gojo sighed, sitting next to him.
—If I'm close to her it will be twice as dangerous.— the creator accepted.
—Are you really that Ryoumen Sukuna? In the legends you seemed so imposing and capable of spreading evil on the earth with just a word, now you are Mr Daddy worried about a rebellious girl.— laughed the albino
—Don't reveal that I'm happy to have a descendant, don't ruin my image.— the curse whispered, winking at him.
—I have something I wanted to give you for a long time.—
Satoru took out a small notebook from his pocket, those notes from a more neutral time, when he was still a child, when nothing that came in the future could affect him.
—Is this...?— Sukuna hesitated, taking it between his fingers.
—Something I had for a long time, a diary dedicated to you— Gojo murmured before taking the red-eyed man's unoccupied hand —No matter what happens, you are my king, we have a vow that cannot be broken, I could walk out that door and not return or they would directly name you an enemy of the society of sorcerers today but still... I...— the human hesitated
—You don't have to say it, I know your thoughts perfectly, the storm still hasn't reached us, love is like a whip, I'm glad to feel this pain because it's real.—
As a gesture of affection, Sukuna leaned against Satoru's chest while he remembered this moment, recording it in his memories.
His scent, his voice, the red atmosphere of this paper lantern, the wooden floor.
The breathing of a devoted lover, the heat of an ancient passion, the agitated breathing of an uncontrollable fear and the same beating of a heart and a half cursed.
>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<
Akiko woke up to find that Mr Satoru had not woke her up.
Walking around the palace somehow seeing the pond full of fish with the exorcist marks brought back the memory that she would have preferred to erase.
Should she tell her father what happened?
Sukuna was coming down the stairs with a confident smile but in Itadori's uniform.
—He already leaved?— she asked, avoiding having to tell the truth.
—He didn't want to wake you up but... What he said? Oh yes, he'll let you know about the classes with a call, whatever that is.— Sukuna recalled, reaching the thrones.
Akiko took her cell phone out of her pocket, noticing that it was on.
—It's late, I should go but...—
The girl doubted for a few seconds unable to decide if what she was doing was right or not.
She had to recover the fingers but both forces were against each other.
Tengen had asked one thing while Kenjaku had sworn that it was for Sukuna's good even blackmailing the fact that Yuuji was his product.
The father reached out to her, placing a finger on her forehead.
—It seems you forget that we have a bond, I can know you are worried but listen, you don't have to, I love you and that is not going to change because you take a side.— the greatest of curses assured, lowering his hand in a caress to the cheek of this little girl
—I know and that's why I want to return the favor of creating me, isn't that what children do? I don't have a mother so you are the closest to my heart, you are my father, I have to do it for you.— Akiko responded between murmurs.
—It's not what I would like to see, I don't want you to ruin your talent because of me, when we pursue selfish goals the energy is corrupted, what I want to tell you is...—
The cell phone ringtone cut off the last part of the conversation.
Akiko held up the damn infernal device, assuming the word "answer" would make it stop.
Yuuji used to hold it to his ear, imitating him she placed it next to her face.
—It's me— Satoru laughed on the other side —I'm glad you took the call, I just wanted to let you know that the transfer students' trip was delayed. Nanami informed me that it was because of the paperwork they will have to wait another day. He thought it would be unnecessary to have you in the classroom if the rest of the class isn't going to show up. Today you could say it's your day off, do what you want.—
—I have nowhere to go, I'll stay in the palace.— she answered.
—Is your father there?— Gojo asked.
—Yes.— the girl responded, looking at him intently.
—Pass it to me.—
It was a somewhat abnormal request but in a show of obedience Akiko approached, handing the object and placing his hand on top of her cell phone and then releasing it, placing herself in the middle of the place, waiting for orders.
—Y-yes?— Sukuna hesitated.
—Have you heard her? She's going to stay there all day.— the sorcerer remarked with some alarm in his voice.
—It's a normal habit, as half of a the curse she's attached to the place where she was born.— The king agreed, walking a few steps.
—That can't happen, do me a favor and take her out.— Gojo asked.
—Do you want me to go walk through the streets of Japan? The king of all curses in the midst of the human population? You already got crazy?— the demon rebuked, putting the hand on his waist.
—Don't worry, who would notice your presence? You have consumed few fingers so it's almost impossible for anyone to notice. I will make up an excuse for Yuuji's absence and everything will be settled.— the human confessed.
—Don't blame me if a massacre happens later.— Ryoumen revealed.
—You won't do it, you wouldn't do it knowing that you would put her in danger, for her, as well as for me, right?—
Satoru was so conceited, knowing Sukuna's weak point he spoke with that angelic glibness that only he could possess.
—Well, I promise not to eat anyone.— the pink-haired man grumbled.
—About what we talked about last night, talk to her about that too, you are the only one who will obey without questioning anything you say. You will do it?—
—I'll talk about it.— the older man one, looking at her.
—Have a nice day, darling. Take care of our baby for me, will you?— Gojo said goodbye, cutting the call.
—Want to take a walk around the city?— Sukuna smiled, returning the device.
—Is it safe for you to go out? I don't want to put you at risk, if the sorcerers see you...— in a nervous gesture Akiko played with the buttons on her sleeve
—If someone gets in your way you turn them into ashes, human law does not apply to us.— He exclaimed, walking forward as he left.
—Wait! Father.— the girl asked, running to the entrance.
—I haven't seen sunlight for a long time, since I created the cursed womb for your birth I had to spend a lot of energy and emaciate a little of my body but it's something that happens even in human pregnancies.— the sovereign recalled, stretching as he felt the warm touch of the day
—Why did you want me to exist?—
Sukuna turned around noticing that her doubts were chasing her while the ideas were knotted in her mind.
—You are my daughter, even if everything turns into a dark bleeding sore that swallows us all, you will be here, there will be something of me in the world going around to cause problems.— Ryoumen laughed, trying to console her.
—Mixing with Gojo Satoru was for the supremacy of blood, right? Being the strongest, the chances of my survival increase.— the girl finally understood.
—Half of it was like that, the other reason was that my heart, lacking of any feeling, began to beat, then he made me a promise.— the father admitted, taking the red thread out of his pocket.
—A thread of destiny? He swore his love to you?— the semi-curse was impressed to say, taking the small sample in her hands.
—Love is something similar to hate, only that in love you should not kill what you hate, you take care of what you love. We are opposites by nature, the time will come when we confront each other. I don't want you to be there at that moment, I want you to be free.—Ryoumen explained, seeing the human world from below.
"I want to make you happy." A blushing Satoru muttered they he planned the birth of a princess together.
The memory was as warm as the sun was now, a sweet taste ran through his throat matching the sensation of kissing Satoru.
—Come, we still have time.— said the creator, taking the girl's hand to walk with her.
The mortals had flourished, becoming a large population, strange as it was common at a glance at everyday life.
—I get chills walking among humans.— the pink-haired man whispered.
Akiko laughed softly, staying next to him.
—It must be the negative charge they carry with them, the opposite feelings become cursed energy, although it is ordinary as quite useless. Although the energy is abundant, it does not compare to those who have the ability to handle sorcery.— explained the student, spotting the different flames in the different individuals.
She stopped at the edge of the sidewalk, raising her arm to stop her father, aiming the traffic light.
When the light changed they continued the march along with a few other people.
—Let's look for a building.— he yawned, tired of so much mortality.
—Wait a second here.—
Leaving the lord of all curses in the middle of the street, the girl entered a store, going out a few seconds later with a euphoric gesture.
—We can go now.— she continued, carrying the paper bag in her arms.
—You'll do well, you seem comfortable in this city.— Ryoumen commented.
—This are borrowed memories, it's like having two different eyes.— Covering the left side of the eye, her right eye showed a time that was too old while the left eyeball adapted to the modern century.
—Akiko, you won't see me for a while. I have to return the brat's body so I'll be away.— the curse informed.
—I understand, we can't let them get suspicious.— the white-haired girl whispered.
—You will be okay on your own? If your father doesn't protect you, I'm going to skin him.— Sukuna threatened.
—I still have a lot to learn, don't worry. He always protects me, I'm the one who constantly pushes him away. I'm somewhat wary of being asked about our relationship. At least we don't have a physical resemblance except for this white hair.— the youngest examined, lifting a lock of hair.
—You're pretty like me, it was impossible for such good genes to be lost because of a little Gojo blood. Your eyes are special, if I had put another liter of blood perhaps your eyes would be red now— lamented the demon —What's done is done, you have the best of me but as for the resemblance to Satoru... you have his heart, so soft. Always thinking about others, acting cold because it hurts him to lose what he loves most, you brought out Satoru's whim and stubbornness. I hope you don't have such an unreliable character.— Sukuna moaned.
They entered a common building taking the service stairs.
Some residents watched in amazement as these strange characters headed to the roof without even belonging there.
—Mr. Satoru is good to me, I trust him but my life depends on my abilities.— the young girl reproached.
—He loves you and like every mortal human he wants you to be free to have a life away from chaos, if Satoru could he would get us both out of here but... there are things that we can't escape.— The sadness was obvious in every word he expressed so much that the daughter shuddered, feeling sorry for this situation.
—He offer you to run away with him? It's a good idea, although he's not capable of letting go of anyone.— denied the result of both, opening the door to the roof.
The morning sun hit the material of the place, Sukuna swayed against the railing, relieved to no longer be in that anthill of humans.
—Listen, I don't want you to look for the fingers, leave that task to me.— he asked suddenly.
Akiko could have refused but her father's request was an echo of the wound he had inside him.
His soul was hurt, if this was an incentive for that past that tortured him, she was willing to obey it to see him smile once again.
—I will comply with your order, I will not look after the relics.—
With a softened voice and an apple in her hand, she approached and sat on the same railing.
She would have to explain herself to Kenjaku after this talk but the judgment of that ancient curse did not weigh the same as the family bond she had with her father.
—It's not meat but it tastes good.— Akiko offered, raising an apple in her hand.
—I never had a taste for fruits but...— accepting the gift he grabbed the red food
—If at any time Yuuji allows you to go out, come directly to see me.— the youngest asked, unfazed by the height.
—You're spoiled.— Ryoumen reproached tenderly.
—Father...— the girl murmured, remaining silent for a few seconds. —I can do it, I can control myself and get out of this, but I won't go anywhere without you. We are together.— the hybrid swore with the same determined look of a distant memory.
—That's my cub.— The sovereign of all curses smiled, caressing the girl's face one last time.