Chapter 31

Ozawa woke that morning. But she was alone in her apartment.

At first it startled her, last night… that was real wasn't it? Looking about the room, nothing appeared out of place at first. However she was feeling rather sore.

Slowly, she eased herself out of bed, before looking about the room. On the floor she saw clothing scattered about but knew right away that those were Itadori's! A moment of pause came over her. "So… it was real…" she whispered. "How… how is this happening? Why? Also… did he leave here naked?"

She let out a sigh to it all and decided to make herself some breakfast. Papa has been giving her some much needed time off as of late as she prepares to learn about the business. Ozawa has a good gasp as to what they do, how to go about doing it as well as proper deals and how to make them.

The right hand man of the company Papa called Gege, has been most helpful to her. She always thought he would be upset that she was asked to take over the company, but he was quite happy she accepted. "In truth Miss Ozawa, I rather work behind the scenes than be up and the front. But I can assure you, I will do everything I can to support you at your side!" he vowed.

Today she would take it easy. Read over the papers Papa sent her to ensure she understands what will be asked of her to do as CEO. Before she could even open the file, there came a knock at the entrance. She was quick to grab a bathrobe and put it on as she answered the door.

She froze.

"Uh… hello…" she said awkwardly.

Before her was a rather tall yet strange gentleman dressed as a butler, but what caught her eye was his hair. For a butler it was rather long, and yet it was black and shades and tints of red in it! "Greetings Miss Yuko Ozawa!" he said rather cheerfully. "My name is Tenko Kin. I am here to assist you from this moment on" he explained.

"Tenko Kin?" she asked oddly.

"Indeed, I have come to help you around your new abode as it where by special request."

The more she stared at this man, the uneasier she felt. It was strange; he was rather tall, slender looking but also appeared rather strong too. He was just in his thirties if she were to guess, but then she noticed his eyes.

Why were his eyes amber color?

"Uh… mind if I make a call first?" she asked with great uncertainty.

He merely smiled to her. "I am not here to harm you, but I meant what I said. I am here to assist… just as my sister does with her young master."

Instantly she froze. "Wait… that what that woman called Itadori…" her voice trailed off as she turned back to Tenko once more.

He bowed to her gently. "I am here to ensure you are taken care of," he said once more. "My special request of the master,"

"Yuuji?" she asked.

He shook his head. "No, Ryujin." He explained. "He knows something occurred the other night, but he couldn't recall the event, nor could Itadori for that matter. To be safe, he wishes for me to tend to you out of concern."

She thought it over, it couldn't be a lie, after all, probably not a lot of people know the name of the dragon in Itadori right now. But he also appeared very sincere with his words. Her guard lowered as she allowed him inside.

Tenko peered about before coming to the main living space of the open concept apartment. There he stood before her and explained. "I understand things have been going a little… rough with the young master… please, don't hold it against him…"

"I never would do that," she protested. "I just… I feel like I wish I could do something more for Itadori…"

Tenko nodded. "Sadly, these issues have to be worked out by the young master's own accord. I do believe I understand why he feels such a way, as well as why he isn't himself. Much has happened to him, but I don't know how well you know those events?"

She shook her head to it. "I've… always wanted to ask him, but he hesitates…"

Tenko nodded as he offered her a seat. She took one on the couch as he stood before her. "Much of this stems from what is known as the Shibuya incident, and what I am about to explain is difficult to grasp and understand, but, I believe you will…"

"I heard about part of the city getting erased, then becoming a dead zone, but why…"

"This was when he was the demon vessel to Sukuna. Young master was knocked out, as such various parties took it upon themselves awaken the sorcerer within him. They fed him fingers of said sorcerer, and they succeeded in waking him from Itadori… He destroyed the city,"

Yuko froze. "Oh Yuuji…" she whispered.

"He has since blamed himself for it, after all, he possessed Sukuna and was suppose to keep him suppressed, however, one cannot blame themselves for such actions when they are unconscious and unable to stop him. Many have died because of Sukuna, when he took possession of young master he did do terrible things. As well, because of that, it unleashed a fury of curses, it doesn't help that a powerful sorcerer named Satoru Gojo was sealed away for that time."

"So Yuuji is carrying this burden, all the time…"

"And then some, ever since Sukuna was awakened, it has fueled and brought out more curses, making them stronger and plentiful." Tenko explained. "But he cannot blame himself for such actions, especially when there were those trying to wake the demon sorcerer themselves. Had they succeeded, millions would have died by now. Japan wouldn't even exist if it weren't for him."

She was on the brink of tears. "Itadori… no wonder you were so distant…"

"He still believes that there are many curses about because of him, he has taken the power of Sukuna into himself. Making him the new king of curses as it were. However, he isn't aware that it was because of him, Yua Tooru, who originally possessed my master, returned. Her presence and that of the dragon forced many of those evil entities back into hiding. Many more have done such a thing the moment young master became the new dragon vessel. But he still believes there are more curses around because of him."

"How do we help him?!" she asked eagerly.

Tenko smiled. "Young master is on his own path at the moment, and we can assist when the time is right, but for now. I am here to ensure your safety above all else,"

She was a little confused by it all. "Why me though?" she asked. "I don't mean to sound ungrateful or anything, but I am certain there are far more important things you could be doing the woman that looks after Itadori, Kitsune I think her name was. She looked like a fox…"

She peered away for a moment, yet when she looked back Tenko was gone! "Tenko?!"

"Down here,"

Slowly her eyes casted down, there stood a rather large but gorgeous fox before her. It was mainly black but had patches and highlights of red in it fur. He also had a cosmic look to him! "I too am a fox," he said gently. "We are messengers for the spirits and gods, we have been in serves of Ryujin and his clan for thousands of years." He explained. "Now, I am in service to you, my young master," he said and lowered his head.

As he did, his body smoked as he took human form once more. "Oh… but, why would Ryujin do such a thing? I am no one special,"

"That's where you are mistaken," he said in a gentle yet corrective tone. "You have been blessed by the moon fairies. That in itself is rare, they don't normally favor anyone. Second, you have caught the eye of the dragon's vessel. Once more, those in itself are rare too. Lastly, you have been with the dragon vessel…"

"Only one night… I don't think he will ever come back again, we… broke up… but if that's the case, why did he return? He appeared out of it,"

"He was," Tenko explained. "You wished for him that night, as of now, what you desire will be granted within reason. I do admit though, your will for this must have been great for it to be given. The ability to entrance the mind of a dragon vessel is rare as well, but perhaps, the vessel himself desired this too, deep down."

She nodded. "I wouldn't hold it against him… I feel like I just took advantage of Itadori…"

"We shall see for now, yet, young master. I am going to be keeping a very close eye on you,"

"Oh? Is something wrong?" she asked with worry.

But he smiled warmly to her. "Not at all, just… curious, is all," he said.

Curious to what? She didn't know, but at the moment, having Tenko with her made Yuko feel a little more at ease. "So… would you like a tour of the apartment? There is a spare room for you to have…"

He smiled warmly once more to her. "You sound like my sister's young master. He often sought to ensure those who helped him were taken care of. But I will take you up on the offer. Unlike my sister who can come and go as she pleases, I am not able to do so." He lowered his head. "I will be in your care in the mortal realm,"