Chapter 8: Melting Away the Pain
The Kamo residence was empty but serene. They were missing a couple of members this morning but work was work. Despite everyone being busy; however, Noritoshi and Momo had plenty to do. They both watched as the carriage carried Yuji and Choso away towards the Tsukumo clan. After enjoying their breakfast, Momo visited Noritoshi's chamber. Immediately, the two continued their last night's activity.
"Nori-toshiiii" Momo screamed his name as Noritoshi ducked his head under her kimono and licked her pussy. He was twisting his tongue inside her while Momo tried her best standing in his bedroom; her legs were shaking from delight. Momo was grabbing his hair, messing the perfectly combed locks. Despite her lavish kimonos, Noritoshi was very good at untying the overwhelming layers. His skill made the love-making come sooner; something Momo enjoyed greatly.
"Ahhh, Noritoshi! I am coming!" Momo couldn't take it anymore. His tongue was heavenly. She came inside Noritoshi's mouth. To her surprise, he drank all of it; enjoying the candy taste.
Momo was ready to reward him by sucking him off but she was hauled up before she could get on her knees. Noritoshi placed Momo on his shoulder and carried her to his futon. She was light like feathers while Noritoshi was a sturdy man. He laid her down and proceeded to kiss her deeply. Their tongues were twirling inside their mouths while Noritoshi slipped his penis inside her; he couldn't wait any longer.
"Momo! Momo!" Noritoshi shouted her name as he thrusted. Momo wrapped her legs around his waist to fully let himself inside her. They have been doing this for quite some time now. Momo's body was getting used to Noritoshi.
"Ahhh yes!" Momo was moaning with pleasure. He could feel him coming to a close. Rather than pushing him away, Momo let him come inside her. She knew how dangerous it was but it made her feel good. In a strange way, she felt like she was making a choice that was her own, which was sincere.
"Let's go again" Noritoshi claimed, brushing Momo's hair away from her face. The two were panting after separating their bodies. Momo; however, was already tired.
"My body has to rest, you know?" Momo smiled at him. They have been sneaking around the Kamo mansion and pleasuring each other every chance they get. Yuji and Choso being away this morning, it was the perfect opportunity for the two to make love as much as they wished. The maids and servants always kept to themselves. They could gossip about them but Momo and Noritoshi weren't in any danger. The maids and servants knew when to shut up.
"I am sorry I have been so rough with you but I can't help it when you are so good at this" Noritoshi took one of Momo's hands and kissed it. He rose up to kiss Momo's lips next.
"Mmh" that's all Momo responded with as the two finished off their kiss to separate once again.
"I have been thinking though" Noritoshi changed the subject, "I saw a letter delivered very early this morning. Choso viewed the contents and went to wake Yuji up. He didn't have enough time to hide it very well so I snuck in to check on the contents".
"What did you read?" Momo was interested. She tensed up, ready to hear something crucial.
"It was from the Gojo clan. It detailed information about a mysterious group that has been plaguing Tokyo. They think the group's main objective is revenge" Noritoshi was looking up at the ceiling now, thinking of his next move.
"Who would want revenge against the clans?" Momo was processing all of this information.
"Who knows? But I have decided" Noritoshi looked straight at Momo and said, "I am going to partake in this group".
"What?! Noritoshi, you don't even know who they are. For all we know, they might be targeting you" she was concerned for his fate.
"That's why I have to join as soon as possible. I read the content of that letter; it said that they suspect that Yuji might be the target. That aligns with my goal Momo" Noritoshi was still hellbent on getting his crown back from Yuji. All his life, he had trained to take over the Kamo clan. He even lost his birth mother for this family. Noritoshi couldn't afford to remain just a member after losing so much.
"Noritoshi. I understand how one goal can drive you to do unthinkable things" Momo thought about her sacrifice for her clan and her own future. She made sure to get engaged to Yuji to secure a successful life despite hating herself for it. "But, you have been working so hard. You defeated monsters and saved the world in the Great War. You are one of the good guys. Don't just throw your life away like this" Momo was caressing Noritoshi's cheek.
"I know but I sacrificed so much to get here. I can't rest until I have what's rightfully mine" Noritoshi got up to dress. Momo followed after. She knew whatever words she would say to him won't stop him now. Once Noritoshi made up his mind, there was no turning back. Momo just hoped that he wouldn't end up hurt. She tip-toed on her feet and kissed Noritoshi sweetly. I love you; more than you know. She thought to herself since she couldn't express those words normally.
Noritoshi watched as Momo departed his room. The room went silent, completely opposite to what was minutes ago. He sighed to himself. Noritoshi felt conflicted.
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Nobara barely touched her breakfast that morning. The whole night she was occupied thinking about what just happened to her. This man named Sukuna, who looks exactly like Yuji Itadori-minus the tattoos, is now in a contract with her. Not only is she supposed to help him kill Fushigoro, her future husband, but also sleep with him whenever he wants. Sukuna seemed extremely dangerous. Surely, he can kill her if she decides to see him again. Nobara was heavily distracted the whole time the maids bathed her, dressed her, provided her with food, and tended to her. She dismissed them quickly to go back to her panicked thoughts.
If she doesn't see Sukuna again though, he will start killing the guards one by one. Nobara scratched her head. When she got back to the residence, the maids were concerned for her injuries but she claimed that she fell from some stairs. The maids wondered how it left Nobara with so many bruises but she insisted that she is very clumsy; so, it was natural that she received so many injuries. Nobara didn't wish to bring any harm to Fushigoro. She might use him for her own goals but that didn't mean she didn't care for his well-being. Heck, who wants to be responsible for someone's death? Nobara had to do something.
"Are you alright Miss-I mean Nobara?" Maki sat down next to her. They were both enjoying the fresh air in the evening light. The coy fish swam in the small pond while the sun got ready to go down.
"Ah! Maki" Nobara looked up at her. She was brought back to the present.
"I am sorry to bother you" Maki looked at her. She just came back from the Gojo residence. Maki needed fresh air and a new perspective. She was tired of talking to all the men in her life. Although Maki and her sister, Mai, weren't close, she was still someone Maki could rely on. However, Mai sacrificed herself so Maki could be strong in the war. Not only that, Maki couldn't look at Miwa the same anymore. She knew how much Miwa and Muta loved one another; but, here she was, about to marry him.
"No, no. I actually wished to talk to you" Nobara desperately needed someone to talk to. So much shit happened to her that she was going crazy with her own thoughts. However, Maki was the lieutenant to Fushigoro. Nobara had to watch her words carefully.
"I am glad. I really would appreciate you as a friend" Maki stated. Nobara lit up in delight. She held both of Maki's hands and smiled cheerfully.
"I am so relieved that you feel the same. I have been pretty lonely here to be honest" Nobara replied and the two started catching each other up. They discussed many things: sword fighting, the Great War, what type of kimonos, yukatas, and hakamas they liked, Nobara's passion for sewing, Sumi, Maki's sister, Miwa and Muta, and even Yuta".
"I am sorry that you can't be with him. It must be like hell" Nobara said. She felt really bad for Maki. Not being with the one you wish due to family restrictions is agonizing.
"It's alright. I just hope Lord Yuta is able to perform his duties as the Gojo clan's successor and I can be the best lieutenant to Lord Fushigoro" Maki confidently stated.
"Fushigoro means a lot to you huh?" Nobara wanted to share the recent events with Sukuna but she wasn't sure yet.
"Yeah. If anyone harms him in any way, I will kill them" Maki looked serious. Nobara was sure of herself now. No matter how close she and Maki would get as best friends, Nobara could never tell Maki about her pact with Sukuna. In fact, Nobara couldn't trust anyone with that.
"I am so happy that you are looking after him. Fushigoro is a nice man; I am so glad to be engaged to him" Nobara put on a fake smile.
"I am very happy for the two of you, honestly. You can rely on me for anything Nobara" Maki got up to leave. She couldn't waste anymore time. After talking to Nobara, she felt much better than before. Now, Maki was ready to train; no more pushing it off.
"You can always come talk to me about anything as well" Nobara hugged Maki and the two smiled goodbye.
Nobara sighed. Before she could relax though, a maid walked in her room. "Lady Kugisaki, Lord Itadori has come to visit you" the maid said before stepping away to reveal Yuji Itadori, who greets Nobara with a big smile.
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"How could you reject him?!" Shoko's mother shouted at her. At the Ieri house, Shoko, her mother, and her father were sitting at the dining table, enjoying dinner.
"Calm down, honey. Shoko dear, please explain yourself" Shoko's father looked at his daughter. He was the calmer of the two.
"Like I said, I am not ready" Shoko was getting a headache. She got up to take her plate to the kitchen a few feet away. The kitchen and dining room held an open-concept. Shoko instantly started washing the dishes, trying to distract herself from her annoying parents.
"It's been months. I know you are hurt but you are getting older. What are people going to say?" Shoko's mother covered her face with her hands in disappointment. Her husband tried comforting her.
"Sweetie, your mother is right. We know your last relationship has been very tough but Satoru Gojo is the perfect man for you" Shoko's father really liked Satoru. He knew how strong Satoru was and he couldn't wait to marry his daughter off to one of the three great sorcerer clans.
"Why can't you see I don't wish to marry him?!" Shoko hated this conversation. It's like no one was considering her feelings. She understood that people talked behind her back. It's unfortunate how other people judged her about her past broken relationship despite it not being her fault. People also gossiped about Shoko being way past the normal age for women to get married. Shoko's parents wanted the best for her but she needed more time.
"That's it! I don't want any more complaints from you. I am writing a letter to the Gojo clan to accept Lord Satoru's proposal" Shoko's mother stormed off the dining room. Her father chased after his wife.
"Mom!" Shoko was in disbelief but she knew she couldn't stop her mother. She clenched her fists as she thought about Satoru. Shoko was used to Satoru's personality more than anyone. She is the best candidate for him and vice versa. Even so, how could Shoko marry her best friend? This marriage will benefit them both, however. Satoru can populate the clan while Shoko would gain a husband, securing her future.
Shoko placed a hand on her forehead. She couldn't believe she was being forced into a marriage with none other than Satoru Gojo. She laughed a little; to think that her childhood best friend is now going to be her man. Shoko walked to her parents' bedroom, "mom, I will deliver the proposal by myself" with that, Shoko dressed herself in proper kimono attire and headed out the door.
"Satoru…" Shoko said his name before being carried away by the carriage towards the Gojo residence…
Thank you for reading!