Chapter 7: Fox Hunters and Cursed Spirit Manipulation

Summary:

Suguru Getou invites Sachiko Miura to join him in a mission where they not only encounter a cursed seed but also a Fox Hunter.

Gojo Satoru begins to confront his buried thoughts and comes to realize that the answer was simple. He just didn't know how to accept it.

As danger looms over the fate of their Kitsune friend, the two top prodigies set-off to take matters on their own before it's too late.

~What was usually an ocean of green in summer and spring turned into a hanging garden of melting ice and snow that even froze the small boats that tourists rode to catch a glimpse of nearby temples that the Shinobazu pond surrounded.

It was around dawn when a tall muscular man with mid-length black hair was found lurking around the 212-acre park alerting some of the Inari summoners in that area safeguarding one of the clans' heritage landmarks. They were a group of 3 who had followed the stranger, but he was inactive for quite a while, casually sitting on one of the benches.

He didn't seem like a curse user. They sensed no registry of cursed energy emanating from him but still, he was quite a largely built man with very cautious green eyes.

It took another 40 minutes until they guards were alerted by a shadow jumping from the glassy pond, then to one of the trees. Its white, beady eyes and sharp fangs ready to pounce on the man who didn't seem to notice its presence.

One of the summoners took it upon himself to send his Inari to deflect its attack but before it could reach him, the man in the tight-fitting black shirt and baggy pants maliciously cackled and peered toward the approaching beast.

"Watch out!" one of the operatives cautioned.

Keeping his composure as he sat, the green-eyed stranger drew a line on the right side of his mouth to outline his prominent scar before licking his lips in excitement and as if he heard the growl of the invisible creature, he grabbed one of his blades hidden in the rucksack of the worm-like creature that wound around his trunk and slashed through the Nogitsune while keeping his hold on its neck.

"A curse user?" one barked.

The leader of the Miura guards shook his head and instructed the rest to keep their distance, "No, he doesn't have the capacity as he doesn't have-" he felt a lump on his throat as the man darted his eyes towards them.

The cursed spirit that he yielded began to spit out a chained weapon which he wove around the severed black fox's head. With the hand that held his katana, he pointed towards the Miura delegates, "The master of this mutt is nearby. Once I kill him for 'ya, tell Hideo Miura that I'll be dropping by soon to collect his debt,"

He gave them another crazed smirk as he turned to continue his hunt. But he seemed like an unlikely ally of their creed. Out of precaution, the oldest of the Miura guards had decided to use his Inari and attack the hitman leading to a rather uneventful halt.

The mysterious man scoffed at their attempt to harm him and used the back of his blade to disable the fox, "That better be the last time your try that or else, I'll have to up the price in exchange for the six-tailed Kitsune," his face was splattered in conceit giving the wardens an odd warning giving them goosebumps at the tone of his deep voice.

"Who the hell are you?" the injured ward demanded.

The man with the lip-scar kicked the fallen one on his side and stepped on the wailing fox beside him, "I'm the hell of person that saved the heir to your shit of a clan,"

The leader rushed in between the stranger and his allies and put on a serious expression, "Let him be," he directed his men hesitantly.

Cocking a brow, the man with the two swords turned his back on them, "So the old geezer actually mentioned our contract huh?"

"But master!" one of them spoke.

Wielding his crescent eyes in warning to those who would defy his order, he spoke through gritted teeth, "He still has a contract with our clan. Until then, we cannot harm him," Miura Banji, father of Yahiko, spoke with much restraint upon recognizing the face that had eliminated one of their deserters. No doubt, the contract that the clan head had made with him earned him hushed opinions regarding his loyalty. But he had fulfilled his bargain before. Until it ends, he was technically their ally.

"We must remain loyal to our creed and continue to support our allies," he continued.

Summoning back his indigo furred Inari to his side, he took one last look at the fading figure before him.

At least, he'll do anything to keep the Zennin's out. We can rely on that.

They were down to the last few months of their freshman year. There was a mix of relief and bit of sadness in their upcoming hiatus from each other's' company. Since they came back victorious from the Exchange Event, their reputation had only grown in the positive light making them one of the most reputable young sorcerers that the institute had ever handled.

It was a relief for the Miura clan that malicious rumors had died down however their group had only grown circles since people were less afraid to approach the special grade with the skin markings.

Walking along the corridors of the school had given her a new type of unease as others would still whisper nonsensical theories about her skin markings, her eyes and even her hair. They weren't exactly derogatory but still bordered on the ridiculous. What she and her friends did notice though was that their schoolmates weren't as distant as before. Winning favor of the seniors for their outstanding display during the exchange event certainly earned their respect but it also invited some awkward exchanges about her personal information.

Gojo had just passed by a few of the senior guys off for training when they called his attention and asked about his friend. Initially intrigued by the way she looked, they actually asked about her personality.

"So, what's her deal? She up for a meet or what?" this guy with auburn hair and twisted tie splattered a mischievous beam across his face.

Gojo flicked his glasses upwards then sighed, "I don't think so," sliding down the piece of caramel candy to the side of his cheek, he began walking and ignoring their pleas.

He had always hated people asking him for petty favors especially if it wasn't a life-or-death thing. It was pathetic to think that those seniors didn't even have the balls to ask themselves and had to rely on him to do so.

Besides, he had no intention on telling them anything.

Kicking the recycling bucket on the next section of the building, Gojo trudged sluggishly to the Reverse-Jujutsu Arts building.

Medical Anatomy and Examination lab

As the sole protegee of Tokyo Tech's reversed-Jujutsu practitioner, Shouko Ieiri was practically dragged out from primary jujutsu studies and straight into a specialty program. There were days when the three of them would just find her buried in her textbooks or cutting specimen in the lab with her dug out and baggy eyes and cracked lips. Sometimes, she'd be on duty, shadowing Kodansha at the infirmary. It was like watching a horror show whenever they came to observe their friend. Looking like a ghost herself, she would sometimes wave her hands, bloodied hands with a portion of either a gut or a muscle dangling on the forceps she had looped on her fingers. Not to mention the overwhelming stench of formalin that stuck to her hair and clothes after a long day at the lab which despite Sachiko's prodding, she just didn't want to bother washing up before they went out to eat or hang out.

There was also her chimney like smoking which drove their pescatarian-alcohol intolerant-tobacco hating-group member to distance herself a few feet away after one of Shouko's toxic shifts for fear that she might act on her nausea.

It became quite understandable why Shouko was less than enthusiastic during their missions. She was mostly there for support anyway and she already lacked the energy to do anything physical. She had her friends to take care of those parts.

In a way, her education was a little different than theirs and although it never became an obstacle to their social gatherings, it proved that having friends in the frontlines did have some perks. Mostly for her.

Sachiko was already in her pastel hospital robe that her friend with the beauty mark imposed on her as she entered. It was unnerving how comfortable Ieiri was towards her as she didn't even think twice to unbutton her blouse and uniform jacket and wrap the hospital robe around her directing her to lie on her back to practice taking patient history and physical examination.

Sachiko knotted her face she removed her mask, "I'm surprised you let me keep my skirt and socks," Ieiri ignored her sarcasm and yawned three times as she rubbed her hands together with disinfectant. Lazily rolling herself as she sat laterally towards her pretend patient, Ieiri shifted her gloomy demeanor into a bright-eyed, creepy marionette.

She changed her tone to a higher pitch, "Hello Ms. Miura, I am a medical trainee. I heard that you've been experiencing abdominal pain in the past few days, how are you feeling?"

A small smile crept up on the raven-haired girl's mouth as feigned her pain, "I'm feeling horrible doctor! The doctor who asked me to change was rather rude!"

Ieiri gnashed her teeth together before putting on her professional mask as a physician, "I'm so sorry to hear that," taking a pair of gloves from the box, she slid her hand swiftly and held unto the hem of Sachiko's robe, "I'll be examining your abdomen now,"

As she lifted her robe to expose the quadrants of Miura's abdomen, she folded the cloth to cover the flesh above her epigastric region and pinched the side of her waist making her friend jerk to distal side of the bed.

"HEY!" Sachiko's right eye twitched along with the downside turning of her mouth making Ieiri snicker at herself for her sudden, but unsurprising reaction.

"Beyooootch, you've got abs! And you're not a straight-ass figure and-" Ieiri outlined the curve of her hip then pointed towards her chest, "-you're squishy, what the actual fudge?"

Sachiko was about to unfold the cloth covering the rest of her body when her friend apologized for giving her a crude remark.

"Oh relax! It's just the two of-"

The curtain that separated her from other patients suddenly snapped to one side of the rods as two tall figures took up the space that was supposed to provide her with privacy.

"SHOUKO! Your two insanely good-looking patients are he-?"

The two boys' eyes couldn't keep themselves from instinctively darting their attention on the pale, toned flesh that greeted them as they opened the partition but equally demanding their courtesy was the rouged-out face and dark eyes that were piercing through them as the cloth quickly went over her body.

Ieiri jumped from her seat and pushed them outside but proved difficult as the two were too heavy with muscles and weren't fighting their curiosity, "Don't you two dumbos actually knock or something?"

Ieiri shut the curtain behind them, but they could still faintly hear the heated conversation of their two lady friends.

Gojo bit into the distal phalange of his left thumb, "Oi, did you-"

Suguru flinched as he wiped the tip of his nose with his palm and cleared his throat before he responded, "I saw nothing,"

Both trying to keep their lie intact and contemplating on how they could apologize to their friend, they stood without speaking until they were allowed to join them inside the exam room.

As soon as the curtain closed behind them, they both began their litany of apologies to which the Tokyo vixen brushed off.

She was already wearing her uniform when they spotted her at the end corner the cubicle, still unable to look at any of them eye to eye. She grabbed two sets of hospital gowns and threw it at each of the boys relieving them of a sliver of embarrassment. She turned to Ieiri with pinched lips, "They'll be your patients, okay?"

Shouko sighed in defeat as she jerked her head to the side and summoned her male friends to the examination beds after which Sachi took a seat at the empty bedspace where the boys previously waited.

The two looked at each other with nervous expressions but soon proceeded to unbuttoning their uniform jackets. Ieiri seemed to not be disturbed by their stripping and waited in between rubbing her droopy eyes and covering her mouth as she yawned, "Just call me when you're both ready,"

Suguru was already lifting his shirt over his head when he caught sight of Sachiko turning her head and pretending to flip through the textbooks in front of her. Letting out a snicker, he swiftly removed his shirt and began folding it, "Sorry, are we making you uncomfortable Sachiko-san?"

She shook her head and lifted the book to cover her shy expression.

Satoru was already cross-legged and half-covered his pale, defined body when he scratched the side of his face, "Oi, it's okay if you look. I don't mind,"

She rested her chin in her palm and scoffed, "Don't flatter yourselves,"

It took another half-hour for Ieiri to finish practicing her bandaging on the boys and frankly, they didn't have the heart to tell her that she was dozing off half of the time resulting in overlooking a few steps such as securing the tie.

After the boys had finished dressing, Shouko told them that she still needed help in the anatomy lab earning her three friends jutting their jaws to keep from blurting out their excuses.

Placing a hand on her waist, she narrowed her eyes at them one by one, "You guys are kidding right? Half of the time you exorcise way worse looking monsters and at one mention of a cadaver, you all chicken out?" the way that she tapped her foot continuously made them uneasy.

Sachiko was the first to bite her lip then erase the cautious look on her face, "I'd love to help you Ieiri but…I might not be able to tolerate it,"

Ieiri's brows untangled at the reminder of her friend's sensitivities, "Right, fine," she turned to the other two, "And you guys?"

Satoru clicked his tongue, "Nope. I clean up dead curses, not bodies,"

Ieiri stomped her foot, "Hey, be more respectful!"

Suguru shrugged, "Yeah, she's right. They're still people too,"

Nodding her head, Ieiri didn't wait for the pony-tailed boy to finish speaking and grabbed his collar and started to casually drag him towards the dissection lab, "Great! Thanks for volunteering Suguru!"

As soon as they had left the examination room, Satoru began to take his exit as well not forgetting to wait for his other friend to join him, "Wanna get something to drink while we wait?"

Sachiko was already by his side when he opened the door, "Sounds good,"

After a few minutes of waiting for the two to emerge, Suguru finally intruded in their spirited talk about something he had watched recently which to his surprise, she did catch as well. The level of comfort and casualties they exhibited towards each other surpassed his and despite knowing that it was highly likely that they would stay on the same level of platonicity, he didn't give it much mind.

He was practically Gojo's brother and she well, she was both of their friends.

Gojo's glasses slid to the rear end of his nose as he drank through the straw of his soda, "Ya finally got off the hook?"

Suguru crossed his arms, "Sort of…all she needed was someone to flip through the pages as she dissected so, I left her with one of my curses and left,"

Sachiko's eye creased, "Smart move,"

Suguru had always liked the way her eyes looked. Fiery and yet undemanding that it was hard to look away. He still wasn't used to seeing her walk around freely without her mask. Though he was happy that she only needed it occasionally, he shared the same sentiment with Gojo when he said that people liberally looking at her features kind of stole their little secret. Her appearance to them was precious and sharing it to the others seemed a little overreaching.

There was a sudden buzzing that came from her bag that was resting on top of the table directing leering eyes on the object, "Hm?" checking on her phone then shifting to another one that just received a missed call she turned to the curious eyes beside her, "Shouko's, it's her boyfriend," she paused to edit, "I think…"

"Who is it this time?" Satoru spoke as he chewed on the straw, "I can never remember their names,"

"Taka something?" she said, breezing through the messages that popped on Shouko's screen before sighing, "He's been messaging her nonstop since this morning," she exasperated.

"Are you gonna answer the call?" Suguru asked.

Shaking her head, she set down her phone, "Nope. Not my business but I do have to say, I'm not too keen on his clinginess. It's bordering on creepy,"

Sachiko's phone rang a few seconds after she spoke revealing the same number on Ieiri's, "See?" pushing the end-call button, she set both phones down, "Sorry about that,"

Satoru snickered, "What's wrong with that Taka?" his fist smacked against the palm of his other hand, "You guys wanna size him up?"

"Now, now, let's not pry in that extent," Suguru turned to Sachiko, "Is he also from our school though?"

"No. He goes to a regular high school. She met him by coincidence at the comic bookstore. I honestly didn't like his friends that much either,"

"Why?" they both asked.

She blinked a few times before taking a sip of her juice, "They're…nosy,"

Gojo's mouth twitched. Wait, she calls me nosy, does she not like me too?

Suguru leaned in closer towards their female friend, "One of them asked you out, didn't they?"

She rolled her eyes, "I don't wanna talk about that,"

Satoru transferred to sit beside the unoccupied area where she sat and gently put pressure on her arm against his own, "And? Did you go out with any of them?"

They were both teasing her. Their faces were wrinkled up and their lips were turned inward from fighting back their laughter. Unknown to her, they were trying to muster enough strength to keep from reacting violently from her revelation.

Sachiko pinched both of their cheeks before pushing their faces away, "No way. I just stayed to watch over Ieiri," she pouted.

Suguru felt his hand curl up and using up what courage he had on hand, he asked, "So does that mean that you're not seeing anybody?"

This made Satoru take a break from drinking. His half-lidded eyes turned to the boy with the piercings as he leaned in to listen to the rest of the conversation.

Sachiko wasn't surprised that he asked that question. Their conversation practically leaned on it. It wasn't like it was a secret. She just didn't see any need to disclose it to anyone let along her buddies. Glancing at the both of them who were feigning disinterest in her answer, she cleared her throat and gave them a lopsided grimace, "Guess so?"

Suguru caught a slight flicker on Satoru's brow which made him change his expression to amusement.

Looks like someone's interested.

Suguru patted her head. A gesture that he reserved just for her. Something he had always done in exchange for something even more daring he had originally planned, "I was just kidding, you didn't need to answer but hey, nice to know," he was laughing now making his friend boil up in awkwardness. She was about to swat his hand away from her head but the other boy who towered over her did it instead.

"Real mature," Satoru quipped, retreating back to his area.

Sensing the instability in between the two boys, Sachiko pushed the table in front of her to create enough space to maneuver her leave, "Anyway, let me go and check on Ieiri,"

She took one last look at the both of them, "Try not to kill each other when I'm gone?"

This released the tension from their short, albeit, confusing exchange. Not wanting to put any thoughts or meaning inside of her head, she left without waiting for their answer.

Somehow, they ended up at the arcade partially because Shouko had them wait for her as she had gone off to meet with her boyfriend at a nearby café and promised to join the three later but mostly because the boys would rather play than spend an hour of awkward exchanges with the couple.

The place was a typical arcade and it was open-aired so the doors were always open. Different assortments of "Ready Player Ones" flashed on the screen as well as readily available consoles for PVP gaming. Sachiko wasn't a stranger to these types of places. She had been to them a few times with her middle-school friends. Surprisingly, she had good dexterity when it came to the old-school type of games making Gojo twitch in discontent after his third round of losing to her in Tekken.

He flicked the toggle on the board after looking away from his status on the screen, "Why are you good at everything?" he asks making Sachiko feign a smug look.

"You choose the next one then," she challenged, "I promise I'll go easy on you,"

Popping a piece of candy in his mouth, he smirked, pointing towards the unoccupied racing area, "That one," the white-haired boy actually held the record for that particular game, of course, he intentionally didn't tell his petite companion.

Suguru was drawing in a crowd for himself after shooting 150 successful free throws at the basketball ring making his two friends take a moment to revel at his skills. Not wanting to off-put him, they waited until his time ran out before approaching.

The female of the trio gave him a short applause, "You're really good,"

Getou was folding the tickets he had collected for his score as he turned to her with a grateful smile, "Thank you," he took one of the basketballs and gripped it between his hands, "Want me to teach you?"

Gojo was mentally lulling his eyeballs to the back of his skull at Getou's remark but minimal contempt at his lame choice of words disappeared after watching their tiny friend steal the ball from Getou's hand, she lifted her legs from the floor and released the ball towards the ring, successfully gaining a point. This made the two boys both impressed a little emasculated by her form and show of prowess.

Suguru let out a nervous laugh, "I guess not,"

She took another ball into her small hands and handed it to her friend, "Sorry, I wanted to show off a little. I grew up with very competitive men,"

Satoru was already holding his stomach and muffling his cackle at her statement in attempt to not embarrass his friend more. However, Suguru already shot him a sharp glower whch he quickly wiped away upon the girl's attention.

Satoru tugged on the tail of Sachiko now forcing her to look back at him, "Come on, let's race,"

It was a childish move that no longer surprised the taller boy. He never changed his habits even as they grew up. But he understood the context of it. He just wasn't sure if their friend took kindly to his gesture.

There was a slight flicker on her brow as she took the tail of her hair repositioned it before following Satoru. She took one step forward but was quickly overtaken by her other friend.

"Let's go," Suguru said.

The Tokyo duo were later approached by a group of girls.

"Hi! I'm Junie, what's your name cutie?" a girl in a sailor-style high school uniform tapped on Gojo's shoulder as he played on one of the PVP booths. She was accompanied by at least 3 other girls who wouldn't stop blushing at the sight of the tall boy wearing glasses.

"Eh? Gojo Satoru, why?" he ran his fingers through his hair and grinned, "What can I do for you ladies?"

Unknowingly, Satoru began openly chatting with a few of them which registered as flirting for the group. They were clearly interested in them what with the slow batting of their lashes, slight successful attempts at grazing their arms and the obnoxious nasal laughter and sly tone.

Suguru Getou's appearance only made them more excited. Their fluttering eyelashes and exchange of coy smiles was enough for Sachiko to take 3 paces back from intruding in their space.

The girl in front flipped her hair, "Well, how about we ditch this place and go someplace more quiet?" she turned to Suguru, "You can come too handsome,"

Searching through the arcade for their long-haired friend with red eyes, the girls initially thought that he intentionally ignored them. They were partly correct.

While Getou was just being polite with their exchange, he declines their invitation.

He released the controller and turned to the girl, "Hm, maybe next time. Sorry, I have other plans,"

Satoru unknowingly following his best friend's line of sight also wondered where she could have gone. It was evident that their sheepish exchange with the group probably made her uncomfortable.

"Ditto," he turned his back on the girl and continued playing.

In an attempt to save face, the girl tapped on Satoru's shoulder once more and handed him a box of chocolates, "At least accept this then,"

Satoru accepted their gifts. Making her uncomfortable watching them milk their popularity, Sachiko decided to excuse herself and proceed to wait by the ticket booth.

The chocolate covered treats allowed the girls to witness a crazed yet happy look from the young prodigy as he grabbed the box of chocolates and stuffed himself making Suguru draw back out of secondhand mortification.

"Thanks!" Gojo said without much enthusiasm, "Was there something else?" he spat.

The girl tapped on the box and whispered on his ear, "I wrote my number," she turned halfway and sent him a wink before excusing themselves. Their giddiness lingered on even after they've left the arcade but from afar, the two boys could see that Miura wasn't really bothered by them. She was well aware of their reputation. And they were both good-looking guys so it wasn't surprising that they'd attract females. Not that it bothered her too much, it was more of the cringey tactics her contemporaries displayed that she evaded.

To make good use of her time waiting, Miura decided to pay off their remaining tab before making her way back to her friends slamming their fingers on the Street Fighter aisle. Her feet stopped moving as three tall figures in blue uniforms blocked her path.

They were nudging each other and speaking incomprehensively through devious eye exchanges.

"Hi!" The middle one who had swimming goggles dangling on his coat pocket was first to greet her, "You seem to be new here, want a tour of this place?"

She narrowed her eyes at them making them flinch, "No thank you," she was already walking past them when the swimmer placed a hand on her wrist to which she reflexively used to her own advantage, pulling his weight, making him lean forward and allowing her to lock a grip on his nape and arm before pushing him forward, "I would appreciate it if you didn't touch me without my permission,"

Her icy statement only seemed to entice the boy more as he corrected his posture. Before she could go past him at a safer distance, the swimmer ran his hands over her braids and began sniffing them like the creep she had expected, "Now, now, playing hard to get will only make me want you more,"

She already felt herself tense up by his suggestive tone that the rage was palpable between them. She was about to beat the living hell out of him when the other boys in the same club suddenly toppled over as her two friends came to her rescue.

As soon as they were aligned with Sachiko, the swimmer took a few steps back and gnarled on his teeth.

Satoru and Suguru weren't smiling but synced in looping one arm over Sachiko's without blinking at the rude boy. Their faces went grim and their hold tightened but only slightly just to reassure her that they had her back. Her eyes shifted from one to the other before stiffening at their actions.

Gojo's frown deepened, "Oi, oi, oi, what do you think you guys are doing?" his tone was low and demanding, unlike the upbeat one she had heard as he flirted.

Suguru's expression was unusually defiant giving her a bit of scare, "Is there a problem here?" he spoke with edge, almost taunting at the boys who invaded her space.

The swimmer ground his teeth, "Mind your own business. We were just trying to make friends with her,"

Another boy with the same uniform interjected, "Yeah and who the hell are you two?"

Suguru and Satoru exchanged crude looks and spoke simultaneously, "Us? We're her boyfriends,"

Their ruse managed to scare the others away but earned them side punches from the Kitsune. She thought that they were being completely serious. Turned out, it was a perfect chance for them to show off.

She flexed her arms to release herself from their hold, "I could have handled that on my own you know," she said, shakily.

Both of them laughed and continued on teasing her in attempt to calm her further. They still felt restlessness in the way she spoke.

"Whatever, you're welcome kanojo (girlfriend)," they both said, jokingly, pinching her cheeks in unison.

Implying that she was in a polyamorous relationship in a public area proved too much for her to handle. Forcefully removing their pincers from her face, she stomped her way out of the arcade and began walking back to their school,

"You two are relentless…" she gave out a rather loud sigh, "…anyway, you guys seem to know what you were doing, considering your earlier exploits,"

Gojo and Getou's mouth twitched as if they were looking for the right kind of explanation but seeing the stress plastered on their faces, Sachiko stifled a grin,

"I'm kidding! It's not my business. Lighten up," they saw how sincere she was about her statement making them a little sad that she didn't show an ounce of jealousy towards the other girls. But her façade wasn't as effective as she had hoped that she continued stammering through her conversation.

"But if you two, no, three, ever ditch me for any of your flings, that's when I'll knock some sense into your stupid heads,"

Suguru walked beside her now, easing in the normalcy she wanted to project, "Don't worry, I'm not planning on seeing anyone soon, so you-" he paused to edit, "-and Ieiri, are still my favorite ladies,"

"Yeah-yeah," she said, rolling her crimson oculars.

They both turned to Satoru who was busy blowing his gum.

Cocking a brow and directing his cyan eyes at a slightly expectant Sachiko, he spoke, "Who the hell has time to date when we're swamped with missions?"

She finally gave out one of her controlled but equally adorable giggles she would do whenever she thought of something very amusing, The sound of her voice brought a calm to her companions that she couldn't help but play around herself, "You should tell that to Yaga. Maybe he'll demote you," she continued.

Their playful banter was halted by the ringing of phones. Getou and Gojo both took out theirs and read the message.

"Speak of the devil," Gojo groaned.

Clapping both of their backs, she went on her way, "Off you two go then, cuties..."

She ran off with a gigantic smile on her face as she had just revealed that she heard their conversation with the other high schoolers. What they thought would be a source of discomfort for her was actually a form of amusement to Sachiko but for them-

Disappointment.

Sachiko's hands were still shaking even as she shut the door behind her. Leaning on the cold side of the wall, she watched as the active dolls looked at her with worry. She couldn't control her tremors and she felt tightness in her chest as she slid down to sit on the floor.

"What's wrong with me?" her voice was still shaky, and she felt the blood drain from her face quickly making her a little faint.

She was struck by the sudden memory of the boys who had harassed her early on. Sweat trickled to the side of her face and she felt her eyes moisten at the recollection of their lewd comments. Their words still articulated in her thoughts, consuming whatever security she had left in the confines of her place.

She hid her fear so well when she faced them but deep inside, she was screaming and demanding herself to move with utmost caution. Which was ridiculous for her. They were mortals and she was a sorcerer. They shouldn't be a problem.

Clearly, she was bothered by what had happened and even though she put on a display of reluctance over asking helping from her friends, it brought her so much relief that they were there to save her.

The boxing bear doll was walking through its ataxia and sat beside Sachiko then quickly dozed off. Its action signaled the other dolls to come and pile themselves around her as if they knew how shaken she was. Those fluffy creatures that worked around the loft were actually sensitive to her emotions which she didn't think were possible. Perhaps Masamichi Yaga wanted to prove something to her with his creations. She knew she was always being watched but perhaps they weren't there to keep tabs on her but instead really keep her company.

She had accepted their delicate frames around her and allowed tears to flow down her face. Sniffing in between providing hugs to bigger creatures offering their short, fluffy arms. They weren't exactly warm creatures, but they did provide her with some sort of comfort. Their varied sizes after all have taken the empty spaces that longed to be occupied.

"You guys aren't cursed at all," she whimpered giving the smaller ones pats on their squishy heads.

The fox doll landed on her shoulder and nuzzled its nose on her cheek as if to wipe away the fluid flowing from her eyes, "I'm sorry, I'll be okay," she reassured it.

It amazed her how far she has come from her personal prison a few years back and yet seemed to be still encaged by the ill-actuations of men. But at least now, she could cope. One way or another.

And this time around, she fought for herself and had others to depend on.

I'm not alone anymore. I'm stronger. And I can still feel like this. Its valid.

Like a novena on repeat, she tried her best to truly embody her thoughts. But since being crowded by an army of living pillows, she felt like maybe for the next few minutes, she could just let go and feel the way she feels.

Her phone lit up just as she had gathered enough strength to stand. The fox doll stayed by her side as she unlocked it and locked her attention on the unread messages.

From: Getou Suguru (The well-mannered one)

Hello, Sachiko. How are you feeling? Are you busy?

Was wondering if you'd like to talk?

From: Six-Eyes (Gojo Satoru)

Hey, Chi-chan, don't let those idiots get to

you. Your kareshis (boyfriends) gotcha. ^~v

From: Beauty-mark Ieiri (Shouko Ieiri)

SACHI! HEARD ABOUT WHAT THOSE CREEPS AT THE ARCADE DID!

I'M GOING TO YOUR DORM LATER.

JUST TELL US IF YOU NEED US TO CURSE THEM AND SHIT.

Wiping the tears off her eyes, she smoothed over the faux-fur of the fox lounging on her arm and began typing in her reply. She really wasn't alone anymore.

I'm okay now. Mobilizing the whole

Inari-division of Tokyo to take those idiots down.

Thank you, dear friends.

Suguru decided against going straight to his dorm after he had been given the details of his next mission. He had lingered around the school for quite a while after reflecting on the day's events. He was actually still concerned about her. Ieiri had told them she had suffered different kinds of abuse from her uncle and aunt, so it was hard for her to be reminded of such trauma especially since she experienced too much of it in the safety of her own foster home.

Though she had received treatment and therapy for it, they couldn't blame her for having bad days still. Picturing her breaking down in her dorm was something he tried burying deep in his thoughts. The thought of that sunk his heart.

Just because she wore the mask so well, doesn't mean she's okay.

His feet were already at work and lead him to her private dorm. Luckily, she was outside with the dolls, helping out with the gardening, smiling.

There's our girl.

He took a moment to tuck his bang behind his ear and dust-off his uniform before approaching. As soon as his shadow touched the space of the dolls, they gathered around the young Kitsune seemingly creating a fence of cute stuffed toys. She gave him a smile that reached her crimson, glassy eyes before stepping over the little creatures. She pets one after another and gently motioned for them to give her space, "He's a friend," she said making them scatter.

Suguru hid his frown lines and blinked, "Hope I'm not intruding."

"Not at all," she gestured for him to come closer, "Sorry I couldn't reply at once, I was quite preoccupied as you can gather. Was there something you wanted to talk about?"

His felt a slight tic on his cheek as he wiped his hand under his chin, "I was wondering if you'd like to join me in my assignment," his eyes lingered a little on her expectant face, "I've been tasked to seal a cursed spirit and the vice-principal suggested that I look for someone who could accompany me since no one from the faculty can. The liason available isn't a sorcerer. Also," he cleared his throat before he continued half-expecting her to tell him to get to the point, but she patiently waited for him to speak, "One of the informants is a Miura associate,"

She traversed her arms, "Hm…probably an elemental spirit," she deduced.

"Exactly," he grinned, "So, what do you say?"

Squaring her shoulders she gave him a nod, "Sure, I can accompany you but-" she snickered, "-don't you wanna ask Satoru first?"

His eyes widened, ever so slightly.

She placed a hand over her other elbow and lifted her shoulders, "Ah, I just meant that you two always seem to be like the perfect tandem for these kinds of missions,"

He scoffed, "Yes well, after the hundredth, it's getting kind of boring to covering his reckless habits. Besides, you've got a face that I would never think about punching every now and then,"

"Did you just call me your mascot?" she said, pursing her lips.

He laughed, "More like a muse. Anyway, he's also off to a separate assignment," his hand went to the back of his nape, "-so, is that a, yes?"

She nodded, "Alright. Don't worry, I'll cover for you this time around."

"I look forward to it. I'll come and fetch you tomorrow morning,"

Ending his day with a picture of her glee, he waited a few more seconds to hear her voice.

Her tone turned more cheerful, "Okay, see you tomorrow."

At the SEGA arcade, Shouko was fuming as her friends had forgotten to wait for her and her boyfriend to join them. Already pulling her hair out of frustration, her rather nervous-wreck of a boyfriend tried his best calm her down.

In an instant her mood had shifted at the sight of two familiar figures strolling about on the street stalls a few steps away from the arcade.

The pig-tails were a dead giveaway as to who accompanied the tall, wide-eyed and agape blue-haired senior with the distinct scar scuffling to hide in his baseball cap at the sight of Ieiri raising her phone to take a photo.

"Well, what do you know? Wolf-boy's got game,"

Grabbing the arm of her date, Shouko ran off, dragging the both of them out of the picture before Utahime could turn to stop them, "Let's go!" she yelled.

The two black-haired Tokyo Tech special grades were brought to the bare part of the forest which was only a few minutes' walk from the alleged haunted farm.

The window was a middle-aged woman with red hair and a curvy frame. She wore a thick kind of spectacles that matched the color of her shoes. From what they could tell, she was probably a native of the region and had gone off to live in the city.

She dropped the call on the other line and motioned for the students to join her in the deforested portion of the area, "Some rich businessman intended to have this whole place felled off to build a firm. Unfortunately for him, this whole place is the dwelling of kodama," she whistled, "The earth spirits trapped inside the trees and plants aren't the happy and cheerful sprites as we had hoped."

Suguru took what fresh air was left around them and breathed out making cloudy patterns as he spoke, "And the kodama turned into curses?"

The window raised her brows to affirm, "Exactly. Since then, a lot of supernatural stuff has been happening and it's only been getting worse. One week after the trees were cut down, the farmers had been complaining of rotting crops and harvest seemingly fine but end up causing strange phenomena such as vomiting petals, leaves and hell, half of them who experienced symptoms either don't wake or experience some sort of hysteria," she turned to the girl with the mask now, "Guess, it's lucky that you came with him huh dear? We could really use the expertise of an elemental,"

Sachiko's presence seemed to have caused an immediate stirring in their area. She wasn't sure if the others could hear the echoes of scratchy and distance voices mumbling displeasure and disdain towards the humans who occupied and disturbed their domain.

Some of them called out to the Kitsune directly. Heeding for her protection as a fellow creature of the natural forces but also twined with their tone was the demand to help with their cause.

The air grew heavy around them and soon there was a haze that began to cloak them, "They're angry, the kodama…they're not gonna stop any of this anytime soon." taking a step closer to the purple eyed boy, she blinked through her mask, "However, they usually answer to the spirit that has the most influence in the land they have occupied,"

A creak followed by muddy footsteps ascended from the fog, revealing a man in farmer's gear complete with a hoe tied on his back. He looked like a man over his 40s with the lines formed as he beamed towards them. He was well built for his age and had distinct dark, squinted eyes equipped, "A cursed seed," he interposed.

His sudden appearance alarmed the three into a vigilant stance.

Relaxing his posture as he set down a basket of his harvest, he bowed towards them, "Forgive my intrusion, Lady Miura and companions. I am Ran Toshihisa," he folded his cotton sleeve and revealed a painted emblem of the golden fox's nine tails that floated in his freckled skin, "I am loyal to the creed,"

"Master Toshihisa, what did you mean by a cursed seed?" the window asked shifting her gaze from the already tense Kitsune and the farmer.

The younger Miura crossed her arms, "A cursed seed is an organic type of cursed object that when planted takes on the form of a curse that can only foster and grow until it becomes a full-fledged cursed spirit. Once planted, it can only be sealed. Destroying it would only be possible once it is fully grown,"

Toshihisa affirmed.

"Then we must find it and seal it as soon as we can," Suguru Getou lifted his arm and created a pitch-black orb that floated over his cursed energy balancing on his palm. It broke into a smokey lattice that trailed off as he extended his fingers and formed a white tiger with golden claws and dangerously sharpened teeth, "Shall we?" he said, inviting Sachiko to continue on their trek.

"Just a minute Lady Miura," taking to her side to force them to listen to his warning, the two looked at each other and allowed him to proceed, "Beyond this logging area, you'll come across the main farm. It may look normal but from time to time, we see unnatural sprouting and bellflowers releasing some sort of toxin over our harvests. We suspect that it could be causing the symptoms seen in some people in our village,"

"The poison could be airborne, so please be careful," the window added.

The harvesting area was very vast and the trail that allowed them to walk over it was very thin.

Sachiko had been manipulating the air around them just in case any of the spores would become active. Suguru's tiger didn't seem to be affected by the curses' activity, but it did alert them of any suspicious plants.

As they were about to approach the middle portion of the crop field, Kodama tree spirits erected themselves and created a barrier of vines and branches releasing a large amount of toxins directly at Sachiko's face forcing her to draw back and release her technique.

"SACHI!" Suguru was already maneuvering towards the kodama spores surrounding her and he immediately directed the Byakko to bite of the sporeheads before they could spit out another dose of their toxin. He took a step back as Sachiko grabbed the melting mask out of her face and threw it on the ground as she set some of the tree spirits aflame.

The tall boy went to her side and helped her straighten as she coughed in between breathing. Checking for any sign of chemical burns on her face, he let out a sigh of relief as her crimson eyes looked at him with gratitude. The white tiger went to her side and pushed his head gently over her leg, "I'm-" her breathing was still restricted but otherwise, she was alright, "-okay. Thanks,"

Suguru's concerned expression didn't leave, "Do you feel anything wrong? No nausea or confusion?"

She shook her head before turning her attention to the other curses coming their way, "I don't think I'm affected by it but," she took Suguru's arm and unrolled a portion of his sleeve revealing a small burn mark, "I think you could be,"

His eye twitched, "It's nothing. Let's get rid of these things first,"

The kodama spirits had morphed into a large bark that grew arms and legs and for its hair, sprouted different shapes and sizes of mushrooms with active spores. Sachiko was already positioning her hands into a benediction, but Suguru was the first to mobilize. Unleashing another fiend that he had captured, a winged scorpion, he launched it towards the willow followed by his own technique he had crafted with the Byakko and damaged the grade 1 curse enough to weaken it and provide an opening for Sachiko to finish it with her flames.

Their tactic worked. The fog had begun dissipating leaving the two wheezing but smiling at each other's victory.

Sachiko's smile dropped as soon as she turned towards her friend who was fighting to keep his balance but ended up struggling to see straight.

She began running towards him, "Are you okay Suguru?"

Her words were clear, but none came out of his mouth. He felt his eyes turn backward and his chest constrict and soon found himself crashing on her arms. He clutched his throat as he hungered for air and Sachiko could only hold his head upright as she looked for the source of the poison, "Suguru! Stay awake! I'm going to help you!" the gash on his arm didn't change which only meant that he had inhaled too much of the poison.

She clutched his face in between her tiny hands and gave him a look of disquiet that soon turned into a fierce expression, "I'm going to help you, okay? Hold on," positioning him in a cradle against her small frame, she placed one hand to support the back of his head and the other was gathering cursed energy to purify the small amount of water she had collected and later spun with the air that surrounded them. Suguru couldn't see what she was doing. In his hazed state, all he could do was continue looking at his savior's eyes. He felt her move her hand towards her mouth as if she was creating a floating bead of crystal with her spell. Her mouth was slightly open as if it was the source of her pull of gravity that allowed the bead to float. She turned to him now, making Suguru momentarily catch a glimpse of the crescent rubies that glowed as she lowered her face towards his.

Without being instructed, Suguru's trembling lips parted as if to receive the cure she had just crafted. In the next second, she heard her whisper, water and air elemental manipulation, reversal. The feel of her breath against his face warmed his entirety, allowing him to relax a little.

The bead had begun to float away from where it was in front of her mouth and entered Suguru's mouth relaxing his airways almost instantly. He felt himself tense less but Sachiko didn't shift her position. She returned her hands to balance his face as she used her technique to transfer the poison to her body making Suguru snap back to his senses as his normal functioning slowly returned.

Getou clasped her wrists, "That's enough Sachi!"

Sachiko didn't blink and instead weaved her brows together as she took the last of his poison releasing her hold and setting her a few steps away from where he had rested.

Still weakened from the poison, Suguru crawled on his knees to close their distance. He was horrified at what he had forced her to do. If he had learned anything from his time with her was that she couldn't use too much of her powers in one sitting or else the feedback would be two-fold.

His unsteady hand reached out to her, "Sachi, are you okay?" his voice was frantic at her momentary pause, but his worries were soon dismissed at the sight of her calm expression and even breathing as soon as she came to his side. Looping his hand over her shoulder and helping him stand, her ruby eyes turned to their natural shape, and she smiled,

"I should be asking you that,"

He stifled a nervous grin, "Sorry,"

She shook her head, "Don't apologize. You're just lucky you picked the right partner,"

He rested his head over hers for a few seconds to convey his gratitude allowing him to catch the sudden flush of her cheeks making her turn away, "Let's retreat for now, okay?"

"Wait,"

A portion of the morphed kodama curse was still active giving him an idea on a better, faster way, he could overcome the toxin or any other poison he may encounter as they progress. He slowly unwove his hand over his friend and walked towards the hyperextended branch. Covering his hand with his energy, he crushed it in a singular move and transformed into an orb.

"What are you doing?" she yelled, brows weaved.

Suguru scratched the side of his face and shrugged, "I can't let that happen again so I might as well make the curse a part of me,"

Without waiting for her to intrude, Suguru tilted his head back allowed the curse to slither down his throat, increasing the count of monsters he had captured.

He felt a tug on his collar as soon as he finished his belch. He was suddenly hunched back as the smaller girl dragged him out of the harvesting area, "You shouldn't have done that," she folded her lips, "Let's go,"

She heard him snickering as he still paced backward to match her footing in his awkward posture, but it wasn't long after he had blacked out forcing the tiny sorcerer to use her cursed energy to drag him to safety, "Seriously…" she groveled.

It took another hour for Getou to regain his consciousness. As soon as light cracked open his eyes, he felt the sudden urge to expel the contents of his abdomen. Holding it in and grabbing the readily available glass of water at his bedside. He heard a tapping on the other side of the room.

His classmate stood with hooded eyes, "You should've known better than to consume a spirit after taking in poison,"

Suguru glanced away, "Ah, I thought you healed me enough and I was confident I could take it," he lifted his shoulders once more.

Sachiko took a chair and set it beside him, back turned, "Of course you did," she scoffed "Anyway, that poison is stronger than you know. It came from a grade 1 spirit, so it's expected that you'd feel some side effects even after you've been cleared of it,"

Even as she had refused to look at him directly and her braided hair was all he could see; he was still relieved that she was comfortable enough to stay that close to him. Flinging his legs off the bed, he aligned himself to her, "Well, at least I have you right? Otherwise-"

Her eyes fluttered towards him with a brow raised, "Oh, you'd be coughing up daisies or worse,"

He rested his elbow on the hood of Sachi's chair and leaned in with an embarrassed look, "I'm sorry," he sincerely was. Not only because he had worried her but because, her markings were already evident on her neck. The consumption had started.

Her look softened, "Glad you're okay," she stood, "Master Ran is coming to pick us up in a little while. Are you well enough to join?"

Suguru nodded, allowing his bang to hang on his face, "A hundred percent,"

Half of the village was already in rampage that the Miura follower, Toshihisa Ran had practically dragged the two out and rushed back towards the harvesting area. Unlike its state only 2 hours earlier, the cursed seed's registry was more evident. The crops, flowers and even the fallen leaves were mutating in increasing spread as well spreading the scope of the spores.

Suguru had already utilized the tree curse he had captured to grant him immunity towards the toxin while the Grade 3 sorcerer and guide had donned himself a mask to protect himself from unforeseen exposure.

Sachiko was quick to point out remnants of thick elemental cursed energy at the far end of the harvesting area. Careful not to disturb the other sleeping curses surrounding the seed, Sachiko had gone on her own to approach the cursed seed. She dug through a pile of weeds that were sprouting white bell-flowers and a oddly looking fruit that was shaped like a small clump of apples. As her hands made space around the flowers, she soon took notice of a very small fleshy plant that had long, thin and pointy branches and all over it were black lines that glowed faintly as soon as she made contact with the plant.

"Kitsune…"

There was an eerie, distorted voice that initially sounded like it was speaking backwards that filtered her thoughts almost as if it was whispering a plea that only she could hear. Its cursed energy registered strong and there was no doubt that it was the cursed seed.

"Kitsune…help us…"

The distorted voice made her head throb. It was piercing through her as if it wanted to crack her head in half.

"Are-are you speaking to me? Cursed spirit?" she asked in her thoughts.

"You are the six-tailed Kitsune…natural protector of nature and I-"

There was a loud almost deafening cry that followed the curses' speech that it left her releasing the seed and covering her ears alerting the other two to rush to her direction.

"Sachi!"

"Lady Miura!"

"I am Hanami…"

She gritted her teeth and found herself falling on her knees. Despite her clouded thoughts she still managed to reach out for the cursed seed, "Why are you doing this?"

"Not to worry, once I am fully grown, we will talk, Kitsune…"

The voice trailed off releasing her from a trance. There was a slight rumble that followed causing them to turn their attention at the direction of the noise.

Three villagers with crazed expressions appeared carrying with them rakes, hoes and long swords normally used for their livelihood but now pointing directly in their direction.

Suguru was quick to notice the burn marks on their bodies that were slowly being occupied by the same spores that they had dealt with earlier. Behind them were the remaining kodama spirits seemingly controlling their actions.

"I'll handle the villagers Lady Miura! Please seal the seed,"

Ran's technique enabled him to turn any part of the plant into weapons. As a Miura follower who wasn't gifted with an Inari, his innate ability to manipulate objects related to the earth made him a valuable asset to those who followed the creed.

While he was keeping the curses occupied, Sachiko assisted in setting up the cursed seed ready for Suguru's capture. Before he utilized his technique, Sachiko asked him to wait.

She shook her head in discouragement "Don't ingest it, it's not safe,"

"Understood," Suguru was creating an orb to seal the cursed seed when Ran yelped out.

Sachiko witnessed him being thrown aback as the curses had managed to destroy his mask and slash across his body. Without hesitating, Sachiko hoisted herself up and sped to back up their guide, "I'll cover you!" she looked back at a hesitant Suguru.

The cursed spirit manipulator decided to sacrifice his Byakko capture and use its life-force to contain the seed safely. He tucked the transparent orb that contained the seed inside his uniform jacket and summoned another one of his cursed spirits, the Tsuchigumo, a tarantula like-yokai with a red human face. He jumped on its back and rode it to aid the two as they fought off the curses. Using a pair of its long legs, Suguru was able to create a barrier to house the plant that was sealed and jumped off the creature to go back to his companions.

Releasing another cursed spirit in his inventory, Suguru directed his attention towards Sachiko who was being outnumbered. At the corner of his eye, he saw a dark shadow making its way towards her from a distance but seeing as she couldn't drift from attending to the curses in front of her, else ending up getting Ran further injured, he unleashed the akaguchi, a black cloud-like beast with large hairy face, 4 large fangs and very red tongue. The Akaguchi opened its mouth and devoured the creature but before it could destroy it from mastication, the cloud monster tore into two leaving Suguru speechless at his broken curse.

The shadow-like beast continued to ignore Suguru and pursued the Kitsune leaving him no choice but tackle it with his own body.

"Suguru!" she called out to him but before she could follow his pursuit, the young sorcerer was already trailing behind the shadow-beast. The 8-legged creature followed his master soon after leaving Sachiko to make a decision on her next course of action.

She couldn't leave the injured farmer behind but if her hunch was correct, she would be leaving Suguru to fend against curse user.

It was definitely an Inari-no, not anymore.

"L-lady Miura…you must leave…" Ran had begun to mobilize. despite his state, clutching the wooden staff he had crafted from a stem.

Miura was bothered by the spores that animated atop of his wounds. He had been exposed for too long. Despite clearing most of the creatures, they still had to deal with the crazed villager. Problem was, Ran was already cautioning her because he was afraid, he might turn soon.

Sachiko covered her hands with flames and began attacking the curse that possessed the villager. As she was immune to the poison, she was able to land her attacks flawlessly while buying time for Ran to evade the infected person from his unpurposeful movements.

Her flash technique was enough to beat the last of the kodama but she had failed to calculate how the villager would react upon releasing it from its hold. Without the curse, the villager was just stuck in a state of frenzy as it lunged towards her. She withdrew her flames and deflected his attacks.

I can't harm him. He's human. He's a person.

But he wasn't anymore. He was just a shell, and the Miura operative knew it.

Using the last bit of his strength, Ran Toshihisa received the stab meant for Sachiko while also using the blade he had crafted from a leaf to behead the rogue.

Blood splattered over her shoes as Ran turned to her with fading color in his eyes and the copper stench of blood sprayed over his mouth and nose as he fell on the muddied ground whilst unsheathing the blade from his body.

Sachiko placed pressure on his abdomen to keep him from bleeding. As soon as she started gathering her cursed energy to heal him, Ran slowly moved his head from side to side and held her hand, "No…" he coughed, blood spilling to the side of his mouth where the craters that once housed spores sloughed off, "You mustn't…it's too late for me…"

Her eyes began to moisten. She had once again been saved by the kindness of strangers just because she hesitated to act on her impulse to use the gifts she had been given, "Please, let me help you!"

Ran's hand fell on his chest, "No more child, it's about time I repay…your family…for saving mine…" a small smile lined his face before he huffed, "We are loyal to the creed and grateful…for our service…"

She forced herself to speak while muffling her own sob. The emptiness she felt at that moment slowly turned to hatred towards herself for lacking the courage to do what she must even if she didn't want to, "I'm the one that's grateful…"

He gave her two slow nods before taking in air, "Then, my task is done," and with those as parting words, Ran Toshihisa breathed his last.

Suguru had been clinging on the black-furred oversized vulpex since it retreated from the harvesting site. Despite attempts to shake off the young sorcerer, his tactical use of the Akaguchi allowed him stay afloat on the beast as it fled to its master.

True enough, he was led back to a man covered in black and red clothing with numerous talismans hanging over his bodice. Except for his eyes, one of which seemed to have been plucked out leaving a heinous outpouching in the socket, everything else was covered.

The fox had morphed into a smaller size, forcing Suguru to roll on his side to cushion his fall. As soon as he was able to steady into a crouch, the shikigami summoner took a few paces forward and whistled to will the black vulpex to his side.

Is that an Inari? Then why was it trying to attack-no-he must be a fox-hunter. A deserter of the creed.

"What's this?" he looked at the vulpex on side with his one good eye, "I told you to bring me the girl not this kid,"

"You've picked the wrong person to fight, fox-hunter," Suguru warned as he created orbs on both palms.

The fox hunter cackled, "After all our hard work to plant that damn object," he cursed under his breath before placing a hand over his shikigami and creating a small vortex underneath him, "Looks like we'll just have to settle for your head then, Getou,"

Suguru winced at the sound of his name used illy, "You know me?"

"Oh, we were counting on one of the originals to visit this dump one day and take all the blame. And here you are kid,"

"Sorry, but my family's past isn't my own,"

Suguru's moves were swift even against the dark-Inari. His contempt towards the fox-hunter fueled his own innate prowess rather than rely on the abilities of his cursed spirits. This had concerned the assassin immediately that his fear for his life had him scrambling to use every trick he had to control empower his shikigami.

Suguru gave him a hard blow on his head using his elbow making him collide on the ground earning the hunter a broken face,

"What you did killed a lot of innocent people," Getou spoke with much steel.

Removing the bandana on his mouth, he laughed through the blood that spilled over his mouth, "They were a necessary sacrifice,"

"Is that so?" Suguru zipped towards the Nogitsune and grasped it by its neck making it cry out, "Then I guess sacrificing your precious shikigami for a few more minutes to live is worth it,"

The horrid crack that synced with Suguru's clutch drew the remaining drive out of the fox-hunter's entire being. As someone who was connected to its life-force, he slowly felt his own begin to drift away as Suguru turned the beast into an orb.

Placing a foot over his head, Suguru glared at him with very cold eyes, "Who sent you?"

"There are many of us who are loyal to the new creed,"

Creed? Is he a Miura follower?

The fox-hunter didn't bother to respond to the increasing weight over his head and instead gave him a sardonic smile, "Don't be stupid kid! Getting in our way could mean death for you. Tell you what, you hand over the girl and we let you go unscathed,"

"And why should I do that? I'm stronger than you, you should be asking me favors," he gave him a one over, "Look at yourself," he quipped.

"Cocky for a brat! Well then, it doesn't matter. If I die, others will come and eventually, she might do us a favor herself and die on her own," he hissed.

Relieving the weight off the hunter's head, he kicked the side of his arm, "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Hauhuhuhuhuhuhuhhahahahahaha! Looks like your friend hasn't told you about her restriction. Again, it all doesn't matter…if she doesn't find a suitable human familiar, she's done for! And all we have to do is feast on her carcass once she's-"

Disgusted by his words and seeing as he was already a lost cause, he decided to kill him but before he could strike, another man, who was well built but had no cursed energy registering from him, stabbed him in his chest.

Still shocked by the sudden turn of events, the man with the distinct scar on his right lip gave Suguru a menacing look,

"I'd listen to him if I were you," he disappeared without a trace leaving him and the dead summoner alone in the forrestway.

Suguru forced the orb inside his mouth and began to search for the mysterious man who had given him unwanted help but as soon as he heard a man scream from where he left Sachiko, he took no second thoughts and went to where she was.

By the time he had returned, Sachiko had already eliminated every trace of the cursed seed's influence over the area. No remnants of kodama could be seen nor were there any spores left that could produce toxins and mutate the harvest. She had done the clearing on her own in what very little time he had left her.

Suguru was astonished by her potential. It was something that only a true special grade could achieve and yet she wasn't at all happy about it.

The young man had asked her where their guide was. Without explaining, she just shook her head which indicated his downfall. Going to her side to place a hand on her shoulder, he gives her a beam, "What you've done is simply exemplary. Because of you, people can return to their normal lives," receiving no response from her only pushed him to speak more, "You may just be the most powerful of us-besting not just me but even Gojo."

His words were met with a rueful look from his partner. Even though she knew that he was just trying to make light of things, she couldn't shake off the feeling of failure, "I don't want recognition for my strength if I can't even use it to protect people,"

Forcing her to look at him, he squeezed the side of her shoulder and plastered a big smile, "But you did protect everyone. Even Mr. Toshihisa…now, let's go get some rest,"

Her eyes bent down towards her toes where she caught sight of the drying specs of blood on her shoes, "Getou-san, will you accompany me somewhere first?"

The Miura follower's body was still at the morgue, being readied for the funeral that was quickly arranged by the other members of his faction. It wasn't long until other members of their society had gone to his house to pay respects to his widow and his now fatherless children.

Sachiko froze in front of the steps to their entrance, flicking her thumb over her index finger in unease. Her eyes could not cover her sympathy and guilt despite the mask that covered her face.

What would I even say to them?

Suguru Getou took the first step to introduce himself to the household and carefully ushered his friend as they received their invitation to enter. Careful not to stray too far from her in case other hunters were nearby, he stealthily scouted the entire area and stood calmly by her side to save her from further agitation.

His wife was expressionless. Merely turning her back on them as she kept quiet as the two had paid their respects.

The young Miura heir immediately gave Toshihisa's family a 90-degree bow causing the other members and Suguru to stir, "I deeply apologize for your loss…and I am grateful…please let me know if there is anything I could do for you…again I-" her voice was unsteady making Suguru want to reach out to hold her hand to keep it from shuddering, "I am deeply sorry-"

Crack!

There was sticky kind of transparent fluid that dripped from the side of her face and unto the hollow areas of the mask that only increased as the seconds went by. Soon, it was enough to distort her vision as she felt the eggshells spread all over face and hair.

Sachiko Miura didn't move an inch and instead allowed the widow to continue spitting curses at her as her hold on the small, white objects only tightened.

Her face turned grim and the veins on her neck turned prominent, "MY HUSBAND DIED. IF YOU CAN'T EVEN BRING HIM BACK WITH YOUR POWERS, YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS IN MY HOME!"

Before she could throw another piece at her, Suguru quickly shielded his friend with his towering figure and stood to block the widow's line of sight. It took all of his composure not to berate the woman in front of Sachiko who was unjustly chastened. Behind clenched teeth, he bowed once at the widow as he held Sachiko's arm,

"We are truly sorry your loss and we understand where your devastation lies," he inhaled slowly, "Ms. Miura did her best to save your husband but-it was his decision to follow through with his duty…"

Suguru felt her clasp his arm and tug on his back. Looking over his shoulder, Sachiko shook her head before stepping to the side and gave them one last, long bow before she pulled on Suguru to leave,

"Again, I deeply apologize. We will do as you wish and leave,"

Behind them the wail of the widow made her children gather around her in an attempt to comfort her. She broke down as any person who had lost a loved one would. Miura followers were soldiers. And in war-sometimes, there would be casualties.

She just wished; it didn't have to be him.

Footsteps had halted their passage as one of the children, a pre-teen boy caught up to them. Suguru halted the kid from stepping any closer to Sachiko but to their surprise, the little boy knelt in front of them, with watery eyes and spoke, "Please do not spurn my mother, she is just devastated…"

Wiping some of the foreign contents on her mask, she motioned for the boy to stand, "Please do not apologize. I understand completely," she didn't tell him anything else and instead continued to walk with her tall friend shadowing behind her but before she could step foot outside the more crowded areas, he grabbed his handkerchief, stood in front of her and began wiping her face, carefully picking out the eggshells and untying the mask that had absorbed most of the contents.

"Thank you," she motioned for him to stop mid-way, taking the mask from his hand, "Can we go?" she still wasn't free of the muck that spread all over head, but it was her pale, blank expression that fueled indignation over the boy. Removing his uniform jacket, he flung it over her shoulder and steadied her as they made their way back to the Miura hideout.

The walk back to the inn was jarringly silent.

But Suguru thought that making small talk probably wouldn't help. Around them, he could hear the whispers about what happened. It was like the first day at school again.

She must be horrified. I'm sorry there's nothing I can do for you.

He gave her a remorseful look which she couldn't see as he maneuvered inside their room. She still didn't speak and proceeded to excuse herself to wash off the remnants of the hard day she had with the cold water from the faucet. She didn't feel anything though as she bathed in it. She was very numb to her core.

Suguru had also taken time to refresh himself but was quick to do so to ensure that they weren't being followed. That man with the scar was still nowhere in sight and if the widow had any sort of influence over the village, they might come barging in and disquiet his friend.

As she resurfaced inside their room, he was pleasantly surprised when she directed her eyes towards him and gave him a small smile that was enough to unravel the knots on his back.

"There's that beam," he commented.

She made small strides and sat at the foot of her bed and straightened her sweater. Suguru patiently waitied for her to give him some sort of signal to allow him to draw closer he decided to observe if she had gotten all of the filth from earlier. It was easy to check as she had all of her hair down and her pale face and neck was covered in nothing but her Kitsune markings. Her hands were no longer trembling even as it rested on her lap, motionless allowing him a bit of relief that relaxed his breathing.

His expression softened, briskly unweaving his brows, and curling up his mouth to give off more of an empathic and caring expression.

Filling in the space on her side, he took it upon himself to sit beside her. She still didn't look at him despite him boring a pleading look at her periphery. As if by instinct, he turned his attention to her long hair that dropped to her waist. Carefully, he took a lock of it and drove his fingers through them, "May I?" his question was more like a whisper that made her jerk in surprise.

She backed away a little and twisted her untied hair in one place and shook her head, "Oh, that's okay," she mumbled, shyly.

He let out a sweet, enthused cackle as he tapped her shoulder making her look over, "I assure you I'm quite used to it," he pointed towards his own neatly kept hair.

The corners of his eyes crinkled, "Please Sachi?" his voice was pleading almost begging her to accept his sincere gesture that she couldn't help but just stay voiceless and lost in his gaze, "You deserve to have something nice done for you," he continued.

She turned her back on him and slowly tucked in her legs on the bed, lacing her arms on her knees and allowed the rest of her locks to dance down on her back. She didn't reject his offer, but she also didn't say anything that would give him the idea that she was giving him consent but as soon as he took out the ribbon, a new one, from his pocket and showed it to her, tautness from her drifted and she just sat still.

It was a strange gesture. She didn't know what to make of it. He was really careful and gentle when he handled her hair and very considerate as to not touch the exposed parts of her skin, but he was taking his time in tying her precious locks. It was soft and smelled very fragrant and sweet. He felt the warmth spread to his cheeks and he was thankful that she couldn't see it. For a while, he was just lost in it. It was the closest he had been with her since they had become friends.

Sachiko couldn't see it, but Suguru's eyes had a glint of sadness and even anger for the treatment she had to endure. He knew well that she lived a hard life despite her good intentions and work. She was always kind to them so any sort of inhumane efforts towards her was unacceptable, but he also knew that Sachiko could never truly hate anyone. He just found it hard to be as understanding.

His fondness for her had grown over the past months that they spent together that his request only meant his intention for their relationship to grow. Even if he was quite certain that at that point, she only saw him a friend.

For now. This is enough.

Suguru looped the last length of the hair tie on the tail-end of her braid and slowly released his hold, "There all done,"

She turned her head sideways and nodded, "Thank you, Suguru,"

It was the first time that she had called him by his first name. It might have been trivial for her but to him it was a spark of hope, "My pleasure,"

When they were finally seated comfortably side-by-side, he finally had the opportunity to show her his latest discovery, "By the way, I wanted to show you this," he took out the small, enchanted box where he had sealed the cursed seedling and used his cursed energy to reveal a small biosphere, "Look closely," he urged.

Suguru placed the sphere in between her palms and watched as she examined the evidence of their capture. Peeking in the middle of the seedling was a sprouting portion that began to bloom, "It's a flower,"

He nodded, "Indeed. Who knew that this cursed object would turn out to be a beautiful thing?"

"I guess even they have a good side," she quipped, eyes still locked on the crimson petals unraveling.

As if her words had some sort of colloquial meaning, Suguru couldn't help but take to a liking the flower that was growing. It was actually a little bit like her-dangerous and-

Lovely.

He originally wanted to ask her about what the Nogitsune summoner meant. If he truly implied that she was dying, then there must be something he could do.

Death. Dying. Sachi. I don't want to think about it.

Now that he had the opportunity to actual escalate his relationship with her, it was important that he was made aware about everything that was going on but-

Now is not the time.

Instead, he asked, "Would you like to go home a little later? Or wait for our escort tomorrow morning?"

"I think its best if we wait for our escort…we don't want to be rude to our hosts,"

Rude huh? Those assholes were the ones who were rude to you.

"Alright. Then, I'll leave you to rest. I'm sure you're exhausted,"

He, Satoru and Ieiri knew only about her restriction at the surface value. Despite wanting more information to help their friend none of them ever had the courage to probe further into her condition.

"Thank you,"

"I'll keep watch over you," he pointed towards the couch, "I think it's best if we stay together in light of events,"

She gave him a singular nod. Before he rose, he felt Sachiko's delicate fingers twine over his arm and slowly tighten giving him a jolt of warmth and astonishment in the few seconds she had given him. Her crimson eyes were already on him, warmly speaking a thousand words she didn't vocalize, and her mouth formed the shape of a crescent, giving him a sense of relief and ratification that his friend was already feeling better.

Sachiko had released her hold and slowly retreated to her pillow. Pulling over the blanket over her arms, Suguru stood to give her some space. She stopped mid-way to carefully tuck the locks that her handsome friend had tidied for her to ensure that it would still be kept neatly even as she slept.

For Suguru, watching her evenly lift her shoulders up and down as she turned her back on him as she went to a deeper stage in her sleep only mesmerized him even more. There was a hard, awakening tug in his chest and his mind that was a little unencumbered by his need to shelter her from the horror she just experienced.

His distance from her was practically just a few steps away and knowing that only made him realize that to get closer to her he would need to take even bigger strides.

He used his arm as a pillow as he lay on watch on the leather couch. Ignoring the cold, he left the folded blanket sitting below his feet. His free hand wiped away the lock of hair that hung on the side of his face and he felt his cheeks warm up. Dazing at the lines in his palm and the spaces between his fingers where he could peek through the sleeping figure in front of him, he felt the warmth and erythema spread through the back of his neck.

It took him a few minutes to shift his position so that he was now facing the brown ceiling. The whole room was silent, but his thoughts were noisy with questions. Exhaling deeply, he took out his phone and swung his legs to the side of the sofa and slumped, "Hey,"

Ieiri's voice croaked from the other side of the line, "Dude, I'm kinda busy,"

"I apologize,"

"Why do you sound so serious? What's up?"

"Ieiri, what do you know about Sachi's heavenly restriction?"

"Same as you? If she uses too much of her cursed energy, she falls into a deep sleep when she rests. Sometimes, she collapses. But she's on beast mode during battle. Yeah, that about sums it up. Why?"

"No, I get that part-hm," he lowers his voice as he noticed that Sachiko had changed her position. Taking a few moments to ensure that she was still asleep, "What are familiars?"

"Familiars? Aren't those like the shikigami shit that you can summon?"

"I meant, human famil-"

"Yeah-," Ieiri's voice trails off as another floats behind her in muffled speeches, "Sorry buddy, I gotta go." The line gets cut off resulting an exasperated groan from the young sorcerer. Ieiri was a lifeline to his crippled thoughts. She was considered the Kitsune's bestfriend after all so if there was no better person for him to ask.

Sachiko began to squirm in her bedspace. It didn't seem like it was the increasing decibels that left his mouth as he was sure that he wasn't making too much noise but perhaps, subliminally his choice of topic was proving to be uncomfortable for her.

It was a rather reckless decision that Toshihisa Negi had made. He had been waiting around the Miura base for any sign of that tall guy with the long hair hanging around the Lady. Even before he had turned five, the eldest child of Ran was an excellent tracker. He had raised him to read into cursed energy that was distinct to fox-hunters. He didn't speak of it in front of his mother but one look at the Getou man was enough for him to go into a state of heightened alarm.

He's a Getou. I'm sure I sensed the Nogitsune trace on him.

Unbeknownst to the kid, despite coming from a tainted line of sorcerers, the black-haired young sorcerer was not the hunter he had sensed. What he was successfully able to do was trace back the Nogitsune shikigami he had successfully captured.

Getou leaned on the half-opened door of the small house, casually plucking out one of his cigarettes from the crumpled box with his lips. He balanced the unlit stick on his mouth as he searched through his pockets for his lighter. He gave three sharp clicks in attempt to light it but soon realized that Sachiko could wake up anytime.

Admittedly, he had taken to the habit ever since Shouko had been in his company. It was one of those things that helped calm him from time to time. There was something about the black smoke that slowly corrupted his airways that seemed to be able to wash out the morose sightings of his day.

"Damn," he spoke under his breath after discordantly stuffing the stick back in his pocket. He crossed his arms and slumped on the porch instead, "So, are you going to come out soon?" his tone rose but not in an aggressive way.

Negi didn't hesitate to reveal himself to the older boy, "You should stay away from Lady Miura," he barked.

Suguru raised his brow and gave him a curious smile, "And why is that?"

He clicked his tongue and threw his finger at him, "Fox-hunter!"

Half-amused by the kid's statement, Suguru snickered before standing. He approached the boy making him shake in controlled terror as their distance shortened, "I believe you are literally pointing at the wrong person,"

Stomping his foot, he continued to point at Suguru, "I am a tracer! I know of your aura and your heritage!"

The purple eyed sorcerer sighed, "Why must everyone taint on my family name? It's getting tiring trying to prove that I am not like my ancestors," he blinked at the boy, "But I will admit to this, the trace of the Nogitsune you can sense, its valid but that's only because I've captured it," he placed a hand on his pocket, "It's master? Dead. But," he gave him another sigh, "I'm not the one who killed him,"

The boy slowly lowered his finger and gave him a confused supplying Getou with more reason to keep some of the information he had collected to himself, "Listen kid," he turned his attention to the shiny object in the boy's pocket-a dagger, "I know as much as you do. But if you want to protect your Lady and keep your father's legacy alive, you better start by properly identifying who your enemies are,"

Negi began to tremble as water flowed out of his eyes, "I-I just want to help…"

Suguru patted the boy's head after taking the dagger which he willingly handed over, "And that is admirable. You will have your turn,"

He slowly dipped his head and wiped away his tears, "Then who are you really? Are you really her friend?"

Suguru gave him another smirk, "Me? I'm one of the people who'll protect her. She's dear to me you see."

The liaison had given them tickets to the train ride home and told them that it was best for them to take that route as many of the Tokyo school's associates would be boarding the same train. It was still mid-morning when they finally settled in their cubicle.

Lately, train rides and even plane bookings were becoming like a routine procedure for high-risk missions. Though it did have its perks and they were getting paid with credits and actual money and all, Sachiko still couldn't fully grasp what she was really doing there.

They were on opposite sides of their bunk. Suguru was busy reading through his book while she just kept her eyes on the window, following the pollock-like transformation of everything they had sped by. She had overcome the consumption from the mission, but she still felt sick from it. It was probably still the after-effects of cleansing the poison from her friend's system but most of it was because of her guilt from not being able a loyal follower of their Clan.

How could I ever take care of my people if I can't even save one?

Sachiko leered towards her friend and seeing his calm, she decided to get a curious thought of her chest.

"Suguru?" her voice was tender as she called out his name giving him a pleasant vibe, "May I ask you something?"

Immediately closing his book, Suguru responded excitedly, "Of course,"

She folded her lips before responding, "Why did you become a sorcerer?"

"That's a good question…" he began, placing a hand on his chin, "Hm, to have a sense of purpose perhaps?" he shoulders froze momentarily before dropping, "Honestly, I just feel that having gifts such as ours, if not put to good use would be such a waste," he folded his arms together and adjusted his position to welcome her comments.

Sachiko's crimson eyes squinted at him, "Good point,"

Suguru studied her unfulfilled expression before shooting his brows upward, "Are you having wavering feelings about our education or our system? Because I get that,"

Sachiko covered her mouth as she giggled, "I make it kind of obvious huh? Well, it has only been a few years since I got an explanation for what I could do so, I'm still trying to piece a lot of things together," her voice trailed off as she looked outside of the window then back at him, "The higher-ups they-"

"Make you question our morals?" he interjected.

Sachiko nods.

The tall boy unfolded his arms. The corners of his mouth curled up as he gave one of his empathic looks, "Yeah, I get that. But at least, now, you can be consoled by the fact that you're not the only one who has questions. I think the most important aspect of being sorcerers is truly accepting that we aren't like others and because of it, we can be more to them and make things less screwed up even if we have to do it in the shadows. But that's just me,"

She took a few moments to observe her friend. She never noticed before, but Suguru had a very chiseled face and a very pretty hue of lilac eyes that only shone more when he smiled. It wasn't obvious to others from a distance, but he actually had a very benevolent and comforting face. Which was probably why she felt like she could trust his words and accept his opinion easily. He was after all very good to her.

Sachiko grinned at him, "You really are the wisest of us all,"

Feigning a bow as he laughed, he darted his eyes back at her, "I'm being quite serious,"

"Me too," She leaned back, still keeping her appearance, cheerful, "Anyway, thank you,"

"Can I ask you something as well?"

She raised her palm, "Go ahead,"

"When will you be leaving for Kyoto?"

She recalled the events lined up in her mental calendar, "Uhm, probably next Saturday, why?"

Looking away from her and into his phone he mumbled, "Hm, so you still have a week,"

"Why do you ask?" she asked.

"Well, Satoru's gonna be out for a while and Shouko's gone home," he placed a hand behind his nape before continuing, "I don't live far from the school so I can still keep you company 'til I leave,"

Sachiko was quick to wave her arms to discourage him, "Don't be silly. Some of the second years will still be around. I'll bother them instead. Besides, I'm sure your family is missing you. You should go ahead," she wasn't being avoidant just sincerely not wanting to be a hassle to him.

He shook his head and showed her his white teeth, "Sorry, you can't get rid of me that easily,"

Playfully punching his arm, she pouted slightly, "Come on, don't make me feel bad. I'm not a little kid. I'll be fine. Go and enjoy our break early,"

The boy with the piercings lifted his skinny index finger and began his proposition, "Then how about this? The day after we get back, why don't we spend the day toge-" he cleared his throat before proceeding, "-hanging out? Let me extend my stay for just 24 hours, how does that sound?"

Sachiko placed her braids behind her then placed one hand across her arm before crossing her legs, "Even if I insist, I don't think you'll budge. Seriously, do you think I'm going to mope around like a child alone in my room once you all leave?" she jested.

Suguru reached out to her and floated his hand over head and then proceeded to pat her gently, making her fluster, "An adorable child," he corrected.

Sachiko drew back to avoid anymore of his playful quips and sighed in defeat, "Geez. Fine. I guess I can borrow your time for one day. But you decide what we'll do. Okay?"

Suguru's eyes instantly lit up that he couldn't stop grimacing, "Really? You mean that?"

Sachiko tugged on his ear lobe, "Seriously, sometimes, I think you and six-eyes are twins. How do you two manage to-"she sighed, momentarily shutting her eyes then fluttering them open to see a stunned and slightly red Suguru looking back at her. She quickly withdrew her hand, "-never mind,"

He quickly burst out in laughter that was loud enough to disturb the cubicle beside them then calmed himself as he wiped the happy tears from his eyes, "Alright, I apologize. Anyway," wiping away his previous expression, his eyes lowered at her that to bestow a gentle gaze "Thank you for agreeing to it,"

Suguru was already bummed out about having to cut off his day with his friend. He was being summoned to his home early, but he just couldn't leave her without taking her out.

The night that she had agreed to his plan, he began to list down potential activities they would do together. He had never done anything like it. Most of what he knew, he had only read about, seen in movies or Shouko had mentioned in one of her many dates. But finally, he could have time to have no interruptions or whatsoever for at least 2-3 hours.

They settled for a diner near just a few blocks away from the train station. It wasn't crowded but it was the type of area that spacious enough to hold a comfortable number of people. He knew she hated crowds and for something like this, he knew he had to comply to her liking.

He couldn't describe just how happy he was that they were just like any other people that day in ordinary clothes and no curses that they needed to exorcise. He took in everything he saw. Her blue dress that cut just above her knees and start of her boots, her hair that was parted differently and more importantly, the clearing of the Kitsune markings over her body that signified that she had overcome it. She was beautiful in his eyes.

And so tiny. She's adorable.

For the most part, he was the one who talked. He had always been eloquent and had ways to pique interest in a broad array of topics which worked in his favor as she was an avid listener and when she spoke, it was a comfortable feeling of exchanging ideals and thoughts. He liked the sound of the changing tone in hers like it was a melody that he was recording in his head.

She was very captivating, and she didn't even know it.

For a moment, he believed that what they were having could be the start of an even more interesting year and a half, perhaps, even beyond the confines of the school.

And friendship.

He never admitted it but he always kind of thought that there was something about his doe-eyed friend that drew him in ever since she joined their class. More so, hearing her voice at a short distance awakened an interest that he couldn't shake off since she had joined their group.

Unlike his dumb best friend, he had tried going out on dates before but ended up just being platonic hangouts or worse. It was crazy to think that he once preferred someone and anyone other than a jujutsu sorcerer but then it seemed like she had just begun filling his void and he saw things more delicate than before.

Gripping his cup, his eyes lingered on her a little longer than usual as she spoke. He had this bad habit of complimenting her without giving any second thoughts even if it meant he was cutting other people off or if he was speaking off topic, "You're very radiant when you speak,"

Her brows shot up, "Thank you?"

He laughed, "Sorry, you were saying?"

"Oh, I was asking what's your family like? Are your parents sorcerers too? If it's okay to ask?"

"Hm, would you like to meet them? You can judge for yourself,"

She snickered, "Wow, imagine bringing home a girl for the holidays, what would they think about that?"

He had never brought anyone home. How could he? He never had any real relationships in the 10 first dates that he gone through which were practically over after their meal. Both of his parents were windows. His grandfather was his real link to the jujutsu realm.

But the idea of introducing her to his parents was actually a serious after thought.

"I believe they'll like you a lot," his lips quirked upwards.

"Sure." She placed a hand on her chest and raised the other, "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Getou, I'm the dangerous Kitsune everyone has been talking about,"

He snorted, "I'm pretty sure that's not how I'll introduce you,"

She tilted her head, "How then?" she teased.

Cupping his chin he searched his thoughts, "Let's see, first off, I'll say, Mom and Dad, this is Sachiko Miura. My kind, generous, intelligent-"

"-and strong," she interposed.

"Yes, and strong and-" briefly landing a thoughtful gaze at her, he forced the words out of his mouth, "-beautiful-" he struggled to find the right, no, appropriate word for her "-friend,"

He was mentally punching himself in the gut at his utterances. He was a coward after all.

She clapped, "Not bad. Points for you," she leaned on the table on her elbows, "Have they met your family?" she referred to their other two friends.

"Yes, but it was brief for Ieiri. Gojo, though, well we kind of grew up together so he's kinda like a second son to them,"

This made her beam up and wrinkle her nose. She was genuinely happy for them, "That's nice. No wonder you two are thick as thieves. Though, it's too bad that you're more composed than he is. You should have rubbed off your better traits more,"

He could only nod, "You're probably right,"

She looked at her watch alerted that it was almost time for him to board the train, "You might miss your train,"

I don't care. I'd rather stay.

Sighing deeply, he nodded, "I'll make it,"

"Let's go then," her offer to go with him on the drain was a surprise. He initially wanted to get her a cab back to the school then leave but he just couldn't refuse.

I'll be selfish. For once.

"Alright,"

Walking to the station hurriedly only dampened Suguru's mood especially since it was particularly windy. It was like the weather was matching what he had felt the moment they left the diner.

Aligning himself to her, he gently nudged at her shoulder, "Did you have a good time?"

"I did. Thank you."

Keeping the same distance, he hid his hands on his pockets and gripped the wool tightly, "Let's do this again next time. I'll treat you to a better place."

She smiled, "Maybe then, I'll get to meet your parents?" she joked, giving him a nudge herself.

It wasn't a serious suggestion from her but at least she was comfortable enough to use it as a joke.

"I'd like that," he said fighting back the joy that was creeping in his face as he hid his twitching mouth.

They finally arrived at the boarding station where already, a number of passengers were dragging their luggage and hurrying inside.

Suguru took one step inside the train and turned to see her waving goodbye.

Before he left, Suguru took another few seconds to just look at her face. He wasn't aware but his mouth was already curled up. He removed his hand from his pocket and proceeded to tuck a strand of hair behind her ears making her stop her hand movement. Unsatisfied with just that gesture, he bravely places his thumb on the side of her cheek and caressed it once making her flinch. He wanted to pull her into an embrace, but that kind of action would warrant her to keep distance from him due to his forwardness. He couldn't risk taking a step back knowing he had just made progress.

He withdrew his hand from Sachiko's slightly pinked cheeks, "Happy Holidays Sachi,"

Wrapping his scarf neatly around his neck as she tip-toed, she gave him one last smile before she nudged him inside of the train, "Happy Holidays Suguru,"

His eyes locked on the pale figure that was bidding him goodbye until she turned into a spectrum of lines that faded as the train mobilized.

Suguru was needed at home yesterday, but his mother understood the premise of his extension. He'd see her again after a few weeks, but he had hoped that the days would go by fast and he be taking the same train back to school so he can see his favorite pair of rubies looking at him.

I want to hope. I can do that, can't I Sachi?

Tokyo Technical School of Jujutsu was left unoccupied for a few weeks to allow the students to rest in their own homes. Except for a select few who were given special tasks and extensions, the whole place seemed like a ghost town.

Sachiko was used to the solitude. She didn't live in the dorms, but it was one of those days where she had appreciated having separate housing. She had the dolls as company anyway and they were better than other snarky faces she had encountered in their campus.

There was nothing much to do except to wait for Grandfather's go signal for her to come home. In the meantime, she could still catch up on her reading and helping out Yaga sort through his creations.

She was nuzzled on the L-shaped sofa located in the middle of the loft. She didn't have any particular plans besides reading. Her phone was rather silent. She expected it as she didn't want to disturb her friends and their time with their family. But she did miss them. And their quirks.

By 4PM, she had accomplished every chore on her list, including the reading assignments given to them to go over during their break. Even the dolls were finally off just sitting in their own corners waiting for something to do.

She turned sideways as she lay on her couch then heard the sound of buzzing from her phone. Her phone lit up forcing her to balance her weight on her elbows as she reached out for it.

Unlocking it, her eyes skipped through the unread messages and this particular sender made her light up.

Messages from him were almost always welcomed by her. She was particularly close to him in a way. He was her first friend after all. It was always interesting to hear from him. It both cheered her up and sometimes exasperated her at how random his quips were. But she was used to it. Actually, she comfortable enough to appease even the slightest of his puzzling messages. She had taken a liking to the white-haired boy with the curious eyes.

For his kindness.

From: Six-Eyes (Satoru Gojo)

Are you around?

Well hello to you too.

Are you?

Also, Hi.

Yup. Still stuck at my dorm. How's Sapporo?

Cold.

Figured as much.

….

….

….

Wanna hang out?

I'd rather not freeze to death.

XD I meant at the dorm.

I bought snacks and shitton of movies.

Huh? You're back?

Nope. But I'll portal myself out of here.

Come on, corz I'm back.

Suguru said that you'd be back next week.

Yah well, Suguru isn't as strong as I am.

Mission was done right away.

Shouldn't you be resting then?

Too much sugar.

^^; okay?

That's it.

…..

….

….

?

Satoru?

There was a knock on her door a few minutes after he last texted making her jump off the sofa. She unfolded her skirt to fall on the full length of her legs and hurriedly tied her hair back in a bun before sliding the door open.

Gojo was already hunched over and pouting as he leaned on one side of the door. His hoodie was tucked on one side over his jeans making her realize that he must've hurried over to her dorm. He shot his brows upward and clicked his tongue, "Are you still gonna pretend like you're not bored?"

The blue-eyed boy had shadows under his eyes and his lips were rather dry, probably from the weather he experienced from his 10-hour travel. She wasn't sure but he looked skinnier than usual despite him still casting a bigger shadow than her.

He took a step forward to peek inside the dorm.

Sachiko tugged on his sleeve, "Hey, uh, you look like-"

Gojo jerked his head sideways as he drew back, "Crap, I know," his tone wasn't condescending, but she still felt that he was still in between his mood. He yawned once then rubbed his eyes before grabbing her coat from the hanger and throwing it over her shoulder "Anyway, bid your dolls goodbye, let's go,"

Satoru had invited her to his dorm to hang-out and share his Hokkaido treats. After ushering her inside of his well-lit and roomy dorm room, she watched as Gojo tried to follow the cooking instructions on the frozen meal he had bought from his trip.

It's vegan. Does he eat vegan food?

As she found herself impatient at his mistakes, she took over the cooking and told him to take a breather and sit down. It wasn't long until she was already serving him his share on the table in front of the television. His exhausted look quickly stripped away as he sniffed in the aroma of the food she set in front of him.

He broke the chopsticks hurriedly and clapped his hands twice, "Itadakimasu!" he was happily chomping on his food as Sachiko sat beside him. Looking at her with a messy face and his borderline creepy grin, he spoke, "Thanks Chi-chan!" he exclaimed.

Sachiko drummed her fingers on the table and waited for him to drink his water before speaking, "Did you bring me here to cook for you or what?"

Wiping his mouth with his sleeve he gave out a nervous laugh, "Corz not!"

He placed the now empty bowl in front of him and leaned back on the couch behind him, "I invited you to hang out. We're the only ones left anyway. I've still got a few days left before I go home and you, well, you're left a little bit hanging," he shrugged.

"Alright," she was actually just messing with him. It was obvious by the insane amount of food and CDs of various movies and cartoons spread out in his living room that he wanted to watch something with her.

It wasn't unusual for them to hang-out even just with the two of them. It wasn't much different from their secret training sessions. But it always ended up with Shouko dragging them somewhere or Suguru barging in to drag Satoru somewhere else. Politely, of course.

"So," she went through the stack of CDs on her pile as he flipped through channel after channel,

"Anything interesting that happened in Sapporo?"

He folded his legs into a squat and lifted his shoulders, "Not really," he snapped his fingers to form an L-shape as he snarled, "But the curse was kind of annoying. Anyway, we did get to see the Tomita farm. But the whole lavender field is still covered in frost,"

"That's too bad," she returned the pile of CDs on the table and stacked them neatly, "I heard it's really pretty there during spring,"

He looked at her at the corner of his eye, catching her elated expression at the mention of famous landmark, "Yeah, you'd like it." He pushed the button on the remote to change into video mode and shuffled through his collection of anime shows. A particular one that caught his attention was his newly acquired season of Digimon.

Sachiko peeked through the cover of the CD he was opening and laughed, "Huh, I haven't watched that season yet," she quipped.

Giving her a curious stare through his owlish eyes he placed the CD on the tray and turned to her, "You watch too?"

"Well, I grew up with a lot of cousins who are voracious anime and manga enthusiasts, so I guess some of their likings rubbed off on me. I'm more of the Rurouni Kenshin type of anime watcher though,"

Her sudden revelation of a peculiar and yet similar interest made him smile with his teeth, "He-he, you're a closet Otaku," he pointed at her, amused.

She rolled her eyes and directed her attention to the screen.

Satoru jerked his head sideways then narrowed his eyes at her, "Hey that reminds me, now I know why you remind me of Gatomon!"

She winced at his sudden remark and clicked her tongue, "That white cat-type Digimon? Excuuuuuseeee me but foxes are closer to canines than felines."

He rubbed the back of his nape, "Really? Oh well, I meant that like Gatomon, you sort of have an Ultimate form, right?"

"Are you calling my Kitsune spirit Angewomon?"

Gojo's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but clasp her hands and nod repeatedly, "That's totally what I meant! Suguru never got the reference, but you did!" his eyes had a twinkle in them as it pierced through her own that catching her reflection in them, she gently pushed him away and moved a little bit father from him.

"You're so weird…" she said under her breath. Gojo didn't remove the silly smile off his face as he refocused on the show.

He was being very giddy for something so childish but that wasn't out of character in her opinion. It was one of his quirks that she both hated and liked. It gave her a bit of joy to learn as they got along that his reputation was actually unfounded (for the most part). From what she heard, he was this egotistic, self-centered womanizer who only cared about titles but to her, he was giving off more of a juvenile vibe than the over ambitious person people claim him to be.

The white-haired boy was dead beat tired and jetlagged from his mission but Suguru's singular text explaining why he had not been able to return his call after messaging him about familiars and what not was enough to produce enough energy to make time for his friend.

Honestly, he had some idea regarding what it meant to have human familiars though it was rare that unions were successful but as to why he was asking about it still left him questioning his intentions.

It probably has something to do with her.

Satoru never took the time to actually ponder on Sachiko's heavenly restriction. For the most part, he had accepted it as part of who she was. She wasn't weak but she was still vulnerable but what he reckoned was that perhaps there might be something they-he-could do for her.

Caring about a stranger was foreign to him. He always all business. The people closest to him didn't get to that status just by mere coincidence. But he knew, she was different.

Surely, he was attracted to her. Her face, evidently but most of all her character.

It was moments like these that he actually felt unusually high with comfort and excitement. He didn't know how to explain. There was this feeling of overstimulation and edginess whenever they were alone. But he always welcomed those unusual changes he felt in his body. It was like he was floating and yet she kept him grounded.

Initially, he always thought that she was one of his tickets to gain an undisputed status as the greatest and strongest sorcerer of all. Obtaining favors from her family and if rumors were true, having a wish granted by her practically assured his spot. But lately, those ambitious thoughts no longer weighed as heavily as his time just being a boring human around her and their friends.

As an integral part of their group, his keenness for her only made it more difficult for him to confront his own feelings which he never believed he could actually want or experience.

Maybe I'm wrong. Whatever. I'm too tired to think about that.

They spent the rest of the time watching the episodes on the disk and took refreshments in between. It was a comfortable type of silence on her part, but the air shifted into an uncanny one when Gojo suddenly stopped yapping.

But why did I force myself to make up an excuse to invite her? I'm tired but I don't want to sleep while she's here.

Shit Satoru, you know why.

She found herself joining his laughter as they watched but after a while, she noticed that Gojo's eyes grew heavy. He was swaying as he sat down and tried to fight off his slumber, so she just let him be. She looked at the calendar near the grandfather clock and realized that the date of yesterday was encircled. He had just returned from a mission.

Soon his snoring broke the quiet. She slid closer to him and shook his shoulder to wake him up and ask if he was okay. He jumped up and slapped himself awake.

He cackled and straightened himself and opened his eyes.

"Is this how I am after missions?" She laments.

He later dozed off again and slumped on the couch. He was a sleep talker, and this entertained Sachiko so much that for a while she just muffled her laughter over the nonsense he was spewing.

Sachiko scooched over silently and stood up. She checked one of the rooms and found a set of drapings including a blanket. Walking back to where her friend was, she silently knelt and spread out the blanket before covering him, "I guess even the great Gojo Satoru gets tired," she whispered to herself.

Sachiko proceeded to reduce the decibels coming from the television and collected the bowls and glasses they used and placed them back properly. It took her only a few minutes until she returned to her spot on the couch. She looked towards Satoru who was still snoring. As he slept, she held back another snort upon seeing his strange position-one arm wrapped in a pillow and the other was resting on top of his head.

"Guess he is human after all," he felt her eyes and lips crease from side to side.

Gojo would've contacted her earlier had it not been his chance encounter with the swim team when he was on his train ride home.

The four boys from the swim team were spread out like crumpled pieces of paper on the floor by the time Suguru was done evading their hits and pitting them against each other.

After what had happened at the arcade, he couldn't press on knowing that those creeps just got too close for comfort. He saw it in her eyes, the dread, and the sudden paralysis of harassment. Even though she could have easily handled the situation, she was still after all, human. For someone who had been through a lot of social traumas, that kind of behavior was unforgivable.

"You understand now?" Gojo was dusting off his school uniform and flipped them off as he trailed away. The curses that were spat towards him from the low-lives he beat up become distant coos that just fueled his hatred towards them that he had completely forgotten that he was exhausted from his mission.

She began to lift her feet from the floor to make her leave when she felt a hand grasp her arm, startling her.

"Are you leaving?" Satoru's tone was serene. He spoke to her in between blinking. Before long, he noticed that she was looking at his hand which signaled his release, "Sorry," he said.

Sachiko remained calm, "No, its okay. You should get some rest."

He lifted his trunk and ruffled his hair. His eyes fluttered toward the clock then back at her, "You don't have to go…though…if you don't want to, I mean. I like having you around," He beamed at her for a second before withdrawing into a coy expression.

His last statement made her blink bashfully at him, "I think you need to rest. There's no other reason for me to stay."

His face turned sour, "But, I'll be lonely-and bored. That enough?"

His words were equally perplexing. She was just a statue waiting on him to fall asleep. Why would her presence make any difference?

She thwarted her arms, "I'll stay until the next episode." She smirked while grabbing something beside her, "Now," She threw a pillow towards his face and walked towards the kitchen to finish cleaning, "Don't mind me, get some rest."

"Ya-taaaaaaa!" he said in between yawning as he allowed his body to crash against the couch. He lifted one finger and increased his volume so she can hear her from across the room and chirped, "Now don't you do anything funny to me if I fall asleep okay?"

Her eyes narrowed at him. Gojo felt a cold sensation creep up his neck as she continued to glare at him. She stomped across the room and pinched his cheek, "Don't flatter yourself six-eyes."

He was feigning his sleep for the first part of the new episode. He couldn't help but just stare at her. Rather the back of her head. If he was lucky and she shifted her position, her profile. It gave him a little bit of peace knowing that she was just there. Beside him or at least near enough that he could feel her small movements or hear her muffled laughter and even smell her fruity shampoo. He was thankful that she was smaller than he was. That way, he could observe her whole form.

She was incredibly radiant, what, with her cursed energy clouding much of his vision half of the time but also because she was her at her most natural self, outside of missions and most of time-

Around me. Well, I think so.

He began to list down the things that he thought was off-putting about her just to dissuade any of his buried feelings for what was actually happening to him. The truth he kept hidden was slowly eating him away and he feared that acknowledging it might push her away.

Drifting asleep was the last thing he wanted to do but seeing as he couldn't even lift his hand to give her a pillow, but it was his-

Damn thoughts. Stupid thoughts.

-that had kept him from his slumber.

He was mumbling, something quite inaudible at first but then words actually spilled out of his mouth, "…Noth—ingggh…"

Sachiko didn't turn to check on him this time around and just let him continue.

"Nothing…" he raised his voice suddenly making her jump, "I-don't like-about you-"

Sachiko slowly craned her neck over her shoulder to attend to a sleeping Satoru. Before she could nudge him awake, he continued his speech.

"Nothing…I don't like-about-Chi-" his statement ended with a very loud growl of a snore but even that wasn't enough to erase the paint of pink on his friend's face.

Did he just say something about me? Am I Chi?

Holding her hand against her chest and biting her lip, she waited for him to speak again but was left hanging.

He calls me Chi-chan. Did he just-

Sachiko reflexively turned away from him and hid her face in between her arms and knees even though Satoru couldn't see through his eyes closed. Too flustered to do anything, she just curled up in her position and watched as the credits rolled.

Satoru though was still in a state of trance. He was awake enough to be aware of some sounds and sudden changes in movement around him but even if he was eager to open his eyes, he didn't dare do so after blurting out something he thought he had said only in his thoughts.

What the hell did I just say? Did she hear me? Did I only think about that or what?

Shitshitshit.

It had been months of him trying to figure out the strange feeling that possessed him every time she was around, particularly heightened when it was just the two of them. But his heartbeat was almost deafening even as he stayed buried in his soft chair.

He had never had a crush or at least an attraction to someone who wasn't a celebrity. Plus, he never shied away from using his looks to get what he wanted. Conceited as it may seem, it was a good tactic if he wanted to collect information. Nothing more. Nothing less.

This time though, there was an actual person whom he knew which made him feel differently.

She's incredibly strong and intelligent. A little intimidating and sometimes, she's a short fuse.

She's complicated and yet easy to talk to. And I guess she's pretty…

WhattheactualfuckamIblabbingabout?

Scrunching up a bunch of his hair while continuing to glue his eyes shut, he gnashed on his teeth until he finally drifted off.

The young Kitsune found it difficult to ignore the uncovered hand that hung on the side of Gojo's couch. Looking at his pale, calloused fingers, it was rare that she got to actually see him hurt. The bruises looked new on the part of his knuckles. Matching it, was the purple one that began to form on the corner of his mouth.

No one ever asks the strong if they are hurt. That's so unfair.

Without asking his permission, she began tending to his wounds. Carefully steadying his hand with a slightly taut hold over his palm, she took a piece of cotton soaked in disinfectant and carefully dabbed it on the lacerated portions making him crease his forehead and his lips to quiver.

"Sorry, I'll be fast," she said softly.

Bandaging had become second nature to her thanks to Ieiri's coaching so she was confident that her wrapping was adequate to keep the possible broken, if not, beaten joints in place.

The next one proved to be a bit more challenging as he slept with one arm covering his head. As she contemplated her approach, as if by some coincidence that he was actually pretending to be asleep, he turned in her direction with a hand over his head. Taking a few seconds to ensure his state, his snoring gave her the go signal to proceed.

Gojo didn't move an inch but the feeling of her fingers tracing over his skin was a sweet kind of torture he didn't ask for. He began to feel warm despite wearing very loose clothing and the ambient and cool air that circulated inside his room. But despite wanting to shake off the weird sensation, he didn't dare to stop her.

As soon as she dabbed the disinfectant on his lip, he gave her a wince that was enough to temporarily disturb his dreaming. His lips parted and he mumbled, "That hurts…Chi…"

He called me Chi again.

She shook her head rigorously to ignore her confusion. She brushed his hair gently before she continued making him shudder, "Don't be such a baby," receiving no response except for a slight twitching on his lip, she continued.

Shutting the kit gently to avoid unnecessary noise, she slowly stood up and returned it on the cupboard, Satoru watching and waiting with his eyes closed if the next sound he'd hear would be the shutting of the door indicating her leave.

But she stayed a little longer. Two episodes more in fact.

It wasn't her intention, but she couldn't leave his place in peace knowing that it was in disarray. One of her very mundane traits was her obsession with order and cleanliness which she calls both a blessing and a curse. To her surprise, he wasn't too much of a clutter and she had very little to organize. She took her leave after turning off the television and bid a sleeping Gojo goodnight.

She closed the lights behind her and left the room. The boys' dorm wasn't far from her private one and when she arrived home, one of the cursed dolls gave her an idea on how she can get back at him for his so-called joke. She lifted one of the bears in boxing gloves that was fast asleep in her room and carried it on her arms as she went back to Gojo's place. She peered inside and found him still sound asleep. She placed the dormant bear beside him and snickered as she sped off the room.

"Goodnight Satoru," she said.

Stopping in front of his dorm, she hugged herself to protect from the cold and began strolling back to her room. In her mind, his mumbled half-aware words lingered in her thoughts sending her a bit of reassurance that he also cared about her in some way. He didn't know it and she wouldn't verbalize it anytime soon but,

"There is nothing I don't like about you too, Satoru,"

Suguru couldn't shake off the feeling of impending danger after meeting 2 fox hunters back when they were at the farm. It took all his courage to ask his father he knew anything about it but only received a scolding after inferring that they were back to the dark past of their ancestors.

It dawned on him that he would have to take his own measures if we wanted answers.

They were still at least 2 weeks away from resuming classes which gave him some time to investigate even remotely.

As he sat on the Getou patio in his loose sweater and jeans, he whirled his cursed energy flowing through his arm and summoned a rather large quadruped curse with a long tail. The black beast with white-out, glowing eyes crouched in front of his new master and bowed its head.

His long, tan, fingers ruffled over his fur making it relax and sit, "Well then, why don't you take me to the person who hired you?"

Understanding the pattern of his cursed energy translating to an order, the beast was quick to initiate its tracing.

Foxes are excellent trackers.

It led him back to Kyoto institute which resulted in him having to explain to his mother that his sudden absence in their home was the result of an emergency. Which it was.

There was no one around the campus except for the old man with the ridiculous number of piercings and pale beard. Casually strolling on his cane, Gakuganji was unphased by the sudden appearance of the young sorcerer with the Nogitsune.

"Hmpf," his droopy eyes were unkind towards Suguru who could only mirror his disdain, "Looks like you caught yourself a pet,"

His taunt made the fox growl setting Suguru Getou's tone during their talk, "My, I didn't expect this kind of confrontation with you sir,"

"Do what you will with the information. The one I hired was only meant to test her and it was unfortunate that you had to interfere,"

The young sorcerer downturned his lips, "What reason could you have to hate her? Is it because of what happened during the exchange event?"

The principal of Kyoto broke into a horrid laugh, "I am not that low to venture on revenge just because we had lost. Boy," he turned to him more grimly, "My hatred towards her clan spans generations of torment they had inflicted on me and my family. If you wish to hear more answers, why don't you go and ask Hideo himself?"

"Whatever the reason was, she had nothing to do with it," he changed his stance to attack, "You have no right to harm innocent people," Suguru extended his arm enveloped in cursed energy and instructed the Nogitsune to attack the principal but before it could reach him, a flash of blue lightning forced the cursed spirit to draw back.

Yahiko Miura's Inari form stood in between him and the principal making Suguru question the allegiances of those before him, "Getou, let's talk,"

Gakuganji was already gone by the time they both had calmed down and Sachiko's cousin reverted into his human form.

"Why did you interfere senpai? It was your own blood that he placed bounty on," his disgruntled appearance only softened Yahiko's expression.

Looking away from his junior, he leaned on one side of railing, "I know. We all know. But this is bigger than any of us,"

He cursed under his breath as he allowed his usual composed self to fly out of the window, "It seems simple to me,"

The older Miura patted Suguru on his back twice, "Seriously though, thanks for looking out for Sachibi. She needs all the help she can get. Nice to know that she's got friends she can depend on and a crazy one who wants to take-on the old man,"

Suguru sighed, "I'll do anything for her,"

Yahiko tilted his head and cocked a brow, "That so?" it was hard to tell if Suguru Getou actually meant what he said as her friend or as a special person of interest. Either way, Yahiko knew he had to provide him with some extent of clarity, "Gakuganji…he hates our guts. His sister was wed to a Miura and was killed whilst trying to stay loyal to our creed. Since then, he vowed revenge on all of the Miuras." His scarred eye darted across him and towards the boy with the long hair.

"Still doesn't give him the right to do that,"

The Miura boy leaned further on the railing and directed his attention to the orange sky, "Yup. But also, you can't just go casually threatening a person in cahoots with those damn higher-ups. From now on, matters like these stay between us, got it?"

He gave a reluctant nod, "Does that mean I have to report to you from now on?"

"Only with fox hunter related stuff. Trust me, you're not the first person to come creeping on backers for such groups. Anyway, best not to show Sachiko the Nogitsune you captured while we investigate. Pretty sure, those outcasts will keep popping out now and then," his senior was still holding back on the information he was giving him but at least he trusted him enough give him an outline of what he was dealing with despite his ancestral background. For that, he was grateful. Seeing that Suguru was still waiting for him to expound, Yahiko waved his hand and gave him a nervous laugh, "Anyway, nothing to be concerned about for now,"

"Understood," The revelation that organized groups were actually after the Miuras and the implication that there may be traitors in their system, he took it upon himself to finally ask a more reliable person about his friend, "Can I ask you one more thing?"

Yahiko shrugged.

"What are human familiars?"

Heavenly restriction. It all boils down to the Miura boy's willingness to explain how it connects to her.

I want-need to understand.

The boy with the blue-black hair looked rather despondent upon hearing Suguru's question. Not changing his expression, his hand slid through his pocket and quickly shot up to toss the baseball in the air, "How's your batting?"

Suguru squinted making the other one cackle. As he continued to toss the ball in air, he jerked his head to the side to call on the younger man, "Let's talk in the range. This is gonna take a while,"

GOOD JUJU TIME!

Classes resume

Sachiko was talking to her seniors Utahime and Mei-mei when Gojo interrupted,

"SACHIIIKOOOO-CHAAANN! You forgot this at my place!" He was handing her the doll back who was sleeping when he noticed that Miura was flushed, and the two seniors were left in a state of shock.

Utahime grabbed Sachiko by her arm, "Sachiko-chan? WHAT DID HE MEAN BY THAT?"

Mei-mei curled her lips in amusement, "My, my, you must have a million-dollar face and body that that guy got you to visit his room,"

Sachiko flared up and made an X with her hands, "Ah, I can explain, that's not what he meant,"

Satoru was puzzled as he drew near Sachiko and handed her the doll, "Huh? What's going on? I'm just returning this to you. Though I gotta say, I got pretty beat up that night."

Sachiko squirmed but Utahime retaliated for her, "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO HER! GO AWAY!"

Gojo winced, "But she's the one responsible for my bruises, I didn't do anything she didn't want me to."

Mei-mei placed the dorsal side of her right hand in front of her mouth, "Ara-ara…I didn't know that was your style…"

Sachiko gritted her teeth, and her fuming expression was becoming apparent despite her mask, "I just watched television with him and pranked him with this cursed doll! This is what beat him up-"

The two seniors looked at the sleeping doll, "This thing?" Mei-mei picked up the doll with her fingers, "It's dead asleep!"

"Oh, I can explain that," Gojo raised his hand and didn't wait for them to give him permission, "You see, when I was sleeping, Sachiko came over and-"

Sachiko pinched his cheek hard to stop him from talking, "SHUT UP GOJO SATORU! YOU'RE MAKING THINGS WORSE!"

Utahime signaled for Mei-mei to pull Sachiko away from Gojo. In the next second, Gojo was left alone with the doll, but he could clearly hear Utahime giving Sachiko a lecture.

He took the sleeping doll and grinned, "Gotcha, Chi-chan!" he winked at her as he was about to make his way, he felt a tall presence suddenly block his path. Suguru took a few heavy steps towards his friend and forced a grin. Gojo noticed that the vein at the side of his forehead was becoming more prominent. Suguru locked Gojo's head in his arm and began to drag him away,

A dark and rather ominous cloud went over their heads, "You have some explaining to do my friend,"

"Eh? What the hell is this for?" Gojo said, puzzled.

Suguru tightened his hold, "I overheard everything…" he said grimly.

Satoru sighed as he tried to remove the hold on him, "It wasn't my fault! She's the one who pranked me!"

Next Chapter: Kitsune and the Star Vessel Assignment

Important Note: We're gonna do a time skip (s) and dive into the more life altering events in the JJK world. More or less, it will be canon to the published storyline in the manga. So prepare your hearts!

We're half-way through the past arc, so if you've made it this far, I sincerely am grateful. I can't wait to shift to the present arc.

Also, I've been writing some Japanese phrases in but if you guys prefer an all English text, let me know.

This chapter's cameo goes to Toji Fushiguro! Did you catch him in this one?

Toshihisa Negi in the future arc is one of the original members of Getou's crew. He was present during the battle with Yuta.

His father Ran, is my OC. He doesn't appear in the manga and I just made his family Miura followers.

The cursed spirits that Suguru Getou controlled in this chapter are based off Japanese Yokai I researched.

The Tomita farm is real by the way. GO, google it!

LASTLY! YES Y'ALL! That cursed seed is the SAME HANAMI that Pseudo Getou is in cahoots with. I decided to give the cursed spirit a little back story hehe

and the BOXING TEDDY DOLL? Yup, same one that Itadori had to fight with when he watched those movies.

Questions for readers:
Who do you think Sachiko likes more?

Sincerely curious questions. Just to get a feel on what you guys have in mind. I'd like to get a feel on how you're interpreting the story :D

RE: Updates. I try my best to update weekly but only if my schedule allows but I promise to finish the story. As a real life Reversed-Jujutsu practitioner, I have a pretty tight schedule especially in this time of pandemic but trust me when I say I take time to write as it really helps calm me down.
It's actually quite therapeutic!

-Also chapter artworks I had commissioned from very talented artists are already available for viewing on my AO3 and twitter :3

You can also view the collated works and links on my twitter: MiuraChronicler

Also, all rights reserved to the following:
JJK Gege Akutami
Digimon © Akiyoshi Hongo
Rurouni Kenshin © Nobuhiro Watsuki
Who else grew up watching these?
I'm a fan of both.

Wondering how everyone is doing in light of the pandemic. Hope you guys are alright and I hope that my writing can help brighten your day a little.

Don't forget to keep healthy everyone!